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SPORTSMV cheerleading team wins national contest
The Mountain View City Council will be recognizing the Mountain View Marauders Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleaders for their national...Original post made on Mar. 18, 2015
Last comment by Bravo, on Mar 21, 2015 at 4:26 pm | 2 comments | 2857 Views
SPORTSPickleball National Champion Demo
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the USA and Daniel Moore, Open Singles National Pickleball Champion, will drop...Original post made by Monica Williams on Feb. 19, 2015
Last comment by Ron, on Feb 20, 2015 at 1:18 am | 1 comment | 216 Views
SPORTSMartial arts instructor arrested for allegedly trying to kiss a minor
Police have arrested an instructor from a martial arts studio on Middlefield Road in Palo Alto for allegedly attempting to...Original post made on Aug. 19, 2014
Last comment by Sparty, on Feb 6, 2015 at 3:32 am | 20 comments | 3553 Views
SPORTSMissing boxer found safe, MV police say
A former professional heavyweight boxer featured in two "Rocky" movies was found this morning after being reported missing...Original post made on Jan. 8, 2015
Last comment by Jay Park, on Jan 11, 2015 at 4:14 pm | 4 comments | 2738 Views
SPORTSBurrowing owls found dead at Shoreline Golf course
City officials revealed this week that a pair of the city's rare burrowing owls were found dead in their burrow on the Shoreline...Original post made on Jun. 10, 2014
Last comment by Horton, on Oct 30, 2014 at 6:58 am | 58 comments | 14546 Views
SPORTSSoftball team back in the swing of things
The girls softball team is back at Crittenden Middle School after a 12-year hiatus, and it didn't take long for the team...Original post made on Oct. 8, 2014
Last comment by Mr. Ochoa, on Oct 9, 2014 at 6:51 pm | 2 comments | 2476 Views
SPORTSNew MVHS football coach pushes Spartans to 'next level'
Mountain View High School's new football coach, Toure Carter, is driving students hard on the gridiron, so they might achieve...Original post made on Aug. 1, 2011
Last comment by Scott, on Sep 20, 2014 at 10:00 am | 7 comments | 16003 Views
SPORTSNova Fusion 14A Girls Fastpitch Softball Tryouts this Sun 8/24
Having just completed a successful 14A Summer Season, the Nova Fusion competitive girls softball team is holding Tryouts...Original post made by LibbyOK on Aug. 21, 2014
There are no comments yet. 795 Views
SPORTSCouncil wrestles with growing commute traffic woes
In a city where job growth never seems to quit, a growing number of workers commuting to Mountain View is causing a problem. Read...Original post made on Apr. 9, 2014
Last comment by DC, on Apr 11, 2014 at 8:12 pm | 28 comments | 10711 Views
SPORTSStill swinging: Mountain View Tennis Club looks to expand
The Mountain View Tennis Club is set to spring into its 2014 season with its first tournament of the year. Read the full...Original post made on Mar. 19, 2014
Last comment by Bizarre..., on Mar 19, 2014 at 7:42 pm | 1 comment | 2280 Views
SPORTSStill swinging: Mountain View Tennis Club looks to expand
The Mountain View Tennis Club is set to spring into its 2014 season with its first tournament of the year. The one-day tournament...Original post made on Mar. 15, 2014
Last comment by Jo-Ann Smith, on Mar 15, 2014 at 11:20 am | 1 comment | 768 Views
SPORTSFormer educator, AIDS activist memorialized
Much of the legacy of Dushan "Dude" Angius — one of the local high school district's most respected elders —...Original post made on Mar. 4, 2014
Last comment by natale [ nat ] ra, on Mar 4, 2014 at 8:02 am | 1 comment | 7518 Views
SPORTSIdeafarm vows to fight conviction
Going against the advice of his public defender and drawing gestures of exasperation from prosecutors, Wo'O Ideafarm convinced...Original post made on Nov. 15, 2013
Last comment by Eat your soup, on Feb 26, 2014 at 2:23 pm | 30 comments | 16697 Views
SPORTSIt may be time to drop high school football
I read online that the first-year varsity football coach at Los Altos High School was let go after an 0-10 season. Mountain...Original post made on Dec. 8, 2012
Last comment by Look past your nose, on Jan 27, 2014 at 8:48 am | 10 comments | 2576 Views
SPORTSStrength, stamina and smarts
In Silicon Valley's knowledge-based economy, where intellect is prized, voluntarily putting your head in the way of a flying...Original post made on Jan. 12, 2014
There are no comments yet. 174848 Views
SPORTSRugby scholarships available
The local youth rugby season is about to start, and there are still scholarships available to cover registration fees, according...Original post made on Jan. 9, 2014
Last comment by Paul Lynch , on Jan 9, 2014 at 4:52 pm | 2 comments | 5940 Views
SPORTSPlayer, coach in bullying spat
The parents of a Mountain View High School varsity basketball player are putting a full-court press on their daughter's coach,...Original post made on Feb. 18, 2011
Last comment by reynoir, on Dec 30, 2013 at 7:15 am | 91 comments | 7090 Views
SPORTSSpring Season Youth Club Soccer Tryouts
Open to Boys and Girls in age groups U8 to U16. Check out schedules and find more information at www.RedStarSoccer.com...Original post made by Red Star Soccer on Nov. 24, 2013
There are no comments yet. 984 Views
SPORTSYou go, girls!
The Mountain View Los Altos Girls Softball teams qualified to play at the Western Nationals this month, for the very first...Original post made on Aug. 7, 2013
Last comment by Softball lover, on Aug 8, 2013 at 9:40 am | 2 comments | 3879 Views
SPORTSIn the swing of it
Third baseman Katelyn Albrecht bats for the local Nova fast-pitch softball team made of up girls 10 and under from Mountain...Original post made on Jul. 15, 2013
Last comment by Hung L., on Jul 16, 2013 at 5:15 pm | 5 comments | 2096 Views
Page 1 of 6
Continuation of Office Cap Discussion
By Steve Levy | 11 comments | 2,931 views
By John Raftrey and Lori McCormick | 1 comment | 2,211 views
Ramen shop replaces Muraccis in Los Altos
By Elena Kadvany | 7 comments | 1,840 views
"Its Not About the Nail"
By Chandrama Anderson | 3 comments | 1,582 views
Are You Introverted or Extroverted, and Does it Even Matter?
By Caroline Fleck | 4 comments | 801 views


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Oct 30 2014
FitBit Giveaway (Winners!)
The winners of the FitBit are…
#158 Joann: "I walk for 80 min. daily."
#4049 Brandie: "Walking."
#32485 Jamie B: "I love to walk with my daughter and our dog."
#89321 Beva B: "I love walking, especially with friends."
#104870 Theresa A: "Love to walk."
Congratulations, winners! Contact [email protected] to claim your FitBits.
Note: Because I continue to be obsessed with my FitBit, I'm repeating this giveaway I've had a few times over the past few months!
For those of you who aren't familiar, a FitBit is a small device you wear on your wrist, in your pocket, on your waistband, in your bra, or somewhere on your person, and it tracks your daily steps, activity level, water you consume (you manually enter this figure), and also tracks the length, restfulness, and restlessness of your sleep.
I first got my FitBit late last summer and hit it hard, really enjoying the info it gave me about my level of activity, which was much lower than I would have guessed, and the amount and quality of sleep I was getting. Then, after some time, I took it off my wrist and went on my book tour, got busy with the holidays, and just now got back into the swing of things a week ago. Since then, I have become consumed with it again—even more than before—and it has helped me not just increase my activity level…but also shed a few pounds right off the bat!
UPDATE, OCTOBER 30: I have lost a little more than 28 pounds since getting my FitBit in May. Of course, I've also been having more "normal-sized" (as opposed to King Kong-sized) portions of food, too…but the walking has been a huge part of things.
Here's an example of the info it gives you. (I'm also entering my daily weight, which I've conveniently hidden in this screenshot! Ha.) You can sync the FitBit to an app on your phone and get real-time updates throughout the day about how close you are to meeting your daily goal (my daily goal is 10,000 steps a day.) Or, if you don't use an app on your phone, you can sync it with your computer and see your data there.
Also throughout the day, you can tap on the FitBit and it illuminates lights to tell you how far along you are that day.
And then—this is the kicker—when you meet your goal, it gives you a huge high five by vibrating proudly on your wrist. I've come to really love that vibration! Last night, after a really long walk, it still hadn't buzzed…and I was starting to think "Grrrrrr. What does a woman have to do to get a buzz around here?" I got back to the house after my walk, got some water, plopped down on the couch, and only when I reached for the remote control did it finally buzz.
That totally made me laugh.
Today, because I love my FitBit and I want to share them with the world, I'm giving away five (5) FitBit Flex bracelets, in the color of the winners' choice.
Note: There are lots of different FitBits; I'm giving away the Flex, which is worn as a bracelet because I'm not responsible enough to remember to take things out of my pockets, off my waistband, or out of my bra.
I hope that wasn't too personal.
If you're interested in winning a FitBit, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
"What's your favorite kind of exercise?"
Do you like walking? Running? Pilates? Yoga? Do you like walking the dogs? Strolling with the kids? Swimming with sharks? Belaying with buddies?
Just shout out your favorite way to get your exercise and you're automatically entered to win one of the FitBits.
One entry per person, please.
Winners will be announced Friday night!
Not a paid advertisement. Sponsored by Pioneer Woman.
Oct 22 2014
North Face Giveaway (Winners!)
The winners of the North Face giveaway are…
#44812 Carrie P: "Crisp in the mornings and sunny in the afternoon; fall is in the air!!"
#75196 Mary: "The sky is clear but it's a crisp, chilly fall morning."
#83785 Christi A: "It's 52 and sunny in Orem, Utah!"
Congratulations, winners! Contact [email protected] to claim your great North Face gift cards!
Note: I had a North Face giveaway last February, toward the END of winter…so I made a point to remember to have another one BEFORE winter this time!
Today, because it's Wednesday, because winter is just around the corner, and because I love ya, I'm giving away three (3) $400 gift cards to The North Face! There, the winners can choose between a big, luscious winter coat for next year, or more year-round things like jackets, sweatshirts, and/or workout gear.
I love stuff from The North Face. Great colors and styles!
To enter this giveaway, just shout out the weather in your neck of the woods right now! Is it frigid? Warm? Rainy? Balmy? Cool? Just leave a comment describing the weather where you live and you're automatically entered to win one of the North Face gift cards.
One entry per person, please.
Winners will be announced Thursday evening!
Giveaway sponsored by Pioneer Woman.
Oct 17 2014
My Favorite Bag: Giveaway (Winners!)
The winners of the Kelly Moore bags are…
#345 C Epperly: "Totally loving the green – wow!"
#12236 Cat: "Charcoal."
#21842 Donna MC: "BLUE BLUE BLUE"
Congratulations, winners! Contact [email protected] to claim your bags!
Because I'm still loving and adoring my Kelly Moore bag, I'm repeating this giveaway I've had a couple of times before! I love it that much.
I have carried this bag off and on for over a year and a half…and I'm still carrying it! In terms of bags/purses, it's definitely my soulmate. I absolutely love it.
It's the Kelly Moore "Libby" Bag, and guess what? This is technically a camera bag! But while I am a photography nut, and while I might sometimes pack my camera in it along with other things, I do not use it as a camera bag.
Though the bag is gorgeous on the outside, the real beauty is its interior. It's lined with lavender satin and contains velcro dividers of various sizes so you can configure the bag however you want. You can configure a large flat section to hold a laptop, books, and/or magazines…
Or you can break it up into smaller compartments for hairbrushes, makeup, tablets, pens/pencils…and pretty much a million different things. (These are actually designed for different sizes of lenses, but I use them for the aforementioned items as well as sunglasses, small books, and my laptop power cord.) It also has easy and accessible exterior pockets in various places for cell phones, keys…the works.
I vacillate between kelly green (pictured at the top) and orange as my favorite color. No way to choose!
It also comes in black, brown, charcoal, lavender…and a really pretty blue.
Important Note: The Libby Bag is not cheap. But in terms of quality: I've had the same bag for awhile now, and you can hardly tell it isn't brand spanking new. And the lavender interior…well, it's just gorgeous. So if you need a really, really good bag for travel or business or just everyday run-around-town use, you can rest assured this will stand the test of time. There are a million different purses and carryalls out there in all sorts of alluring materials and colors…but I really can't imagine using a different bag anytime soon.
Another Note: This bag garners more compliments when I'm out and about than any bag I've carried in recent history! It's purty!
Today, because it's Friday, because it's been a crazy week, and because I love ya, I'm giving away three (3) Kelly Moore Libby Bags in the color of each winner's choice!
To enter, just shout out the color of bag you love best in the Comments section of this post: The choices are: Green, Black, Brown, Blue, Orange, Charcoal or Lavender! (Don't worry, I won't hold you to the color if you win and decide you'd like to switch. This is just for fun to see which one you like!)
Winners will be selected randomly and announced Sunday. Note that I will contact the winners by email, so if you forget to check back after you enter, no worries.
Good luck!
Giveaway sponsored by Pioneer Woman.
Winners have been announced and comments are closed.
Oct 14 2014
Bathroom Throwdown: The Results
Back in July, when we were in the last days of our office renovation, I posted a glimpse at both the bathrooms at The Building and asked you to weigh in on which one you preferred.
It was between the Girls' bathroom…
I had been in charge of the Girls', Marlboro Man had been in charge of the Boys', and both of us were utterly convinced that our bathroom was best.
Marital competition. Ha.
Anyway, yesterday I realized I never had posted the results of the informal poll!
So here it is.
The answer.
The result.
The scoop.
The skinny.
Straight from you.
(Brace yourself…)
The Boys' bathroom won! Evidently, it was the floor that was the overwhelmingly deciding factor, along with the unusual/unconventional subway pattern on the walls.
Oct 09 2014
The Kitchn Cookbook + Le Creuset Giveaway (Winners!)
The winners are: #221 Melody: "Fish tacos for supper last night!" #9115 Alison R: "Bang Bang Chicken! Seriously – you could eat the sauce with a spoon!" Congratulations, winners! Contact [email protected] to claim your prizes. It's cookbook [...]
Keep Reading
Oct 07 2014
Decorating Cookies Party: Giveaway (Winners!)
Note: Since there was such a great response to the giveaway, I added an additional winner totaling two "first" prizes! The winners of the cookbook and mixer are… #17641 Brittany S: "I'm not sure I can pick just one! I love chocolate crinkles, I love white [...]
Keep Reading
Oct 06 2014
Still the One
As you may remember, a couple of years ago I posted about my very favorite concealer here. Well, time has marched on…and guess what? It's still my favorite concealer. Ever. In the entire universe. The reason I'm posting about it again today is [...]
Keep Reading
Sep 29 2014
Hotel Room Tour: Aloft Hotel – Downtown Tulsa
I promised to step up the hotel room tours around this place, so last week, when my daughter, her friends, and I were in Tulsa for the One Direction concert, I made sure to snap a few pics of the hotel where we stayed…despite the fact that I hadn't brought my camera! I [...]
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subset: commoncrawl


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Doing IT the App Engine Way
Nov 01, 2010 By Paul Barry
Using Google's App Engine, you can develop Web applications in Python or Java and deploy them on Google's infrastructure for free—until you hit five million page views per month.
Great intro tutorial!
Submitted by techkilljoy (not verified) on Wed, 12/08/2010 - 22:13.
This has to be one of the two best intro-level tutorials on appengine. Thanks so much for writing it and putting the time into the explanations. It all works, makes sense, and your efforts are very much appreciated!
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Castille Square, Valetta, Malta.Show on map
Expert Rating
The hotel stands on Castille Square overlooking the Grand Harbour.
The rooms are a little like the guest rooms of an old-fashioned British country house.
There's a choice of restaurants, including the cosy, checked-table clothed, La Cave Pizzeria in the stone cellar.
De Robertis serves Mediterranean food against the backdrop of panoramic views.
Writer and broadcaster, Juliet Rix is a regular visitor to Malta and has written extensively on the country. She is the author of the most comprehensive guide to Malta (Malta & Gozo, Bradt Guides, 2nd edition April 2013). Juliet has a particular interest in the islands' history and loves to wander the sunny streets of Valletta soaking up past and present before settling down in one of the city's many excellent eateries. Follow Juliet on Twitter: @julietrix1.
Who Goes?
Mainly European cultural tourists, especially the French but also Brits and Germans, and a few business people. Some of the tourists book independently, others through tour operators. Most have an interest in history and are primarily here for sightseeing.
Ideal. The hotel stands on Castille Square, between the Knights' cannon-fronted baroque Auberge de Castille (now the Prime Minister's office) and the iconic Upper Barracca Gardens overlooking the Grand Harbour. Also on the square is the oldest church in Valletta, St James Cavalier (once a major part of city's defences and now an arts centre). Just a short walk away are all the sights and restaurants of Valletta and Malta's main bus station.
Traditional Valletta. The hotel has a comfortable historic feel in keeping with the building, an old Valletta palazzo dating back to the end of the 16th century and the heyday of the Knights of St John. Panelled walls and stone staircases lead to rooms with wooden doors and proper old-fashioned metal keys.
The small staff is very helpful and friendly.
The rooms are a little like the guest rooms of an old-fashioned British country house with real furniture - wooden wardrobes, lamps and chests of drawers – and décor varying from comfortable faded elegance to the just faded.
Food and drink
The hotel has two restaurants: the rooftop De Robertis, serving Mediterranean food against the backdrop of panoramic views - particularly from the open-air terrace - and the cosy, checked-table clothed, La Cave Pizzeria in the stone cellar. There is also a coffee shop inside the hotel.
Value for money
Double rooms from about £70, including breakfast. Free Wi-Fi. Especially good for singles and in winter.
Access for guests with disabilities
This is a very old building that cannot be easily adapted. There is a lift so it is fine for anyone who can manage two or three steps, otherwise best to go elsewhere.
Happy to welcome families, though few come.
Follow @TelegraphTravel
Address Castille Square, Valetta, Malta.
Telephone 00 356 2124 3677/8
Website www.hotelcastillemalta.com/
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Prince William And Prince Harry Visit Help For Heroes Recovery Centre
Similar imagesView all
Prince William Duke of Cambridge speaks as he visits Help For Heroes... News PhotoArts Culture and Entertainment,British Royalty,Charity and Relief Work,Duke,Human Interest,Prince,Prince William,Royalty,Speech,Tidworth,UK,VerticalPhotographer Anwar HusseinCollection: WireImage 2013 Anwar HusseinTIDWORTH, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 20: Prince William. Duke of Cambridge speaks as he visits Help For Heroes Recovery Centre on May 20, 2013 in Tidworth, England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/WireImage)


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Visit create.airbnb.com »
Thanks for taking the time to report this user.
Your participation helps keep Airbnb a safe and trusted
community, and it doesn't go unnoticed!
I love to travel, run marathons, ride my bike,
swim, have three wonderful daughters, and love my work...most of the time!
Robin has completed online and offline ID verification.
Learn more »
I had a wonderful time with Robin. She was open, honest and we shared many experiences. Robin is positive, upbeat and a strong individual with a positive attitude towards the future. She is welcome in my home any time.
It was a pleasure hosting Robin. I found her to be personable, self reliant and respectful of their use of the space. I would happily welcome her again. I certainly recommend her to any other host she chooses to stay with.
Great guest. Welcome anytime.
We've reviewed Robin before since this was her 3rd or 4th stay with us. We definitely now call her a friend.
This was Robin's 2nd stay with us, although she got to meet Ginger this time and also brought along a friend who was traveling with her. Having agreed to host for another stay says a lot about someone. We enjoyed having Robin back.
Robin arrived too late, in other words, we had so much fun talking it's too bad she had not arrived sooner. She did indicate that it would be later in the evening before she would arrive and she called ahead with an ETA. Even though she said she doesn't like beer, she was game to try a selection from our fridge. You should certainly have Robin stay with you. We would definitely welcome her back.


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Star Fox 64
Is this a sign of my cartridge wearing out or is it just dirty? ***spoilers***
So I just played this game again and finished it about 30 minutes ago. When I was fighting Andross (first form), after destroying his hands, he ate me and spit me out, but I heard no damage noise and *took* no damage. He would follow that up by immediately trying to eat me again, and the same thing kept happening... It was an endless process (I had to avoid going into his mouth to even get a chance to damage him). However, the thing I find weird is how I took no damage; I'm pretty sure that attack is supposed to deal damage. Since I was trying to lose a life so I could get powered-up lasers, I had to boost into his mouth in order to get hurt at all. Then, when I finally got down to no health (literally, where you just need one more shot/hit from anything to die), Fox wouldn't die. He was invincible. I had to end the fight and start the second phase to fix this, and it's never happened before. Some of the music and sounds are also missing from that particular phase of the fight.
Nu's are so pointless - Eatin_Kirby
Nu's are round so of course they are pointless. - BDza
wow, I'm not sure what's up with that... possibly a glitch in the game, or maybe your cartridge/n64 is just really screwed up. idk. all I can say is, that's probably the weirdest thing I've ever heard of in this game (and I've been professionally highscoring it for almost 2 years!).
My youtube channel, full of awesome Star Fox 64 high score videos!
Were you using a gameshark, or have you ever used a gameshark with Starfox? 'Cause that's the only thing I can think of that would have such an effect on your game.
Almost sounds like a Crooked Cartridge glitch seeing as stuff was missing and you couldn't die. But if it didn't happen anywhere else and you never touched the game while it was running, then I don't know what else to say except "wow."
"*shakes fist to the air* CIREVAAAAAAAAM"~At least 29 people
'But this accomplishes nothing even more than the other topics on this board do.' ~chewy
This reminds me of a glitch I found on Katina a few weeks ago. Right when the mothership approached, I was on the edge of the screen, in a U-turn. Then I was stuck in an infinite loop! It was weird and I had to reset the game. And it was a brand new cartridge, never been hacked by a Gameshark.
I now have reason to believe that it is invisible and it smells like a fart.
On my cartridge I had a glitch where slippy kept saying "fox get this guy off me!" OVER AND OVER AGAIN! oh wait . .
No, I don't think you should. It's a horrible game with lots of nasty violence. Plus, to my knowledge there are a distinct lack of cute ponies. ~Moe_Yue


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Daily Echo | Video | News reports from Southampton and Hampshire including the 60 Second Headlines
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Woolston key to Delia killer?
10.02am Saturday 8th September 2012
Officers will flood the Woolston area this weekend, as they bid to track down this man, in a grey hoody.
Fresh clues in Delia murder hunt
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Army unveils new body armor sizes for female soldiers
Monday - 7/16/2012, 8:46am EDT
The Army is unveiling eight new sizes of body armor for women.
The Generation 3 IOTV — or improved outer tactical vest — was redesigned to provide a better fit for the female body. That includes a smaller shoulder cut, more room in the chest and a narrower waist.
A recent Army report found that while poor fit of body armor didn't pose a safety risk to female warriors. It did, however, cause chafing, cut off circulation and decreased mobility. A limited number of the new vests will be available this fall, will a full roll-out next summer.
This story is part of Federal News Radio's daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.


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Aliens vs Predator SourceFans & Clans group with 275 members, open to all members
Aliens vs Predator Source for all the avp games and movies. Your AvP Source of the latest AvP news, videos, images,and more. Join the AvP Source.
So...yeah, Ask me if you want to know something XD I allso do requests :o
Aliens vs Predator Source for all the avp games and movies. Your AvP Source of the latest AvP news, videos, images,and more. Join the AvP Source.
This group has been formed to gather the people who enjoy Japanese anime and all of its facets, to salute the people from the land of the Rising Sun.
This is where Awesome or Cool people of moddb linger, awesome people are asked to join, cool folk actually request to join. Are you cool/Awesome? Well?...
The first group for Belgians and lovers of Belgium! This is for the Dutch-speaking Belgians.
The CE2Devs Group gathers teams and individuals that have chosen Crytek's next-generation engine to power their upcoming Map, MOD or Game.
For all programmers who are skilled in C-style languages, and beginners who fish for new experience with these!
Day 1 Studios is a leading independent developer dedicated to the craft of creating revolutionary, interactive entertainment. Our team is a growing group...
Desura is a community driven digital distribution service for gamers, putting the best games, mods and downloadable content from developers at gamers...
Have to give a shout out to you Dark for the wonderful crysis tutorials you have shared with all of us. I have been playing around with the engine since release date but couldn't figure out a numerous amount of things and you have filled in those blanks. My game shall be back in production soon because of you; so many Thanks and keep up the good work.
How could you remember something that never occurred?
Gin is meinz.:D
I am eating Vanilla pudding. ^________^
Check me latest blog Andy!:D
Meh Frosty can go and do something with himself. I don't let it get to me. Gin and I are happy with my...figure >.> Jealousy is a horrible sickness, I hope he gets well soon.
Cherry Mistmas!!!!! Have a fantastic day :D
Merry Christmas Maesen. I hope you get something terribly good. Any big presents for you from your mom?^___^
Are the carrots done? Did you get them in time omg omg omg only a few hours left til rudolph arrives and wants some, we need to hide them all, i'll give him 2 maybe, but that's it!


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Fantastic! Very knowledgable staff. Warned me of non dedicated fryers before I even asked. I will be going back anytime I am in town.
Always a great gf experience at Fuzzys!
Went to Fuzzy's Tacos in Bricktown, it was amazing. Quick service, food had a good flavor & they were very knowledgeable about gluten free.
There is a GF menu online which makes ordering extremely easy! Many of their options are already GF or can be requested on corn tortillas instead of flour. Definitely a go to for a quick and delicious dining experience.
Tasty and not too expensive.
So easy to order gluten free!! And it's all so yummy!!
So many gf options! And the best chicken tacos I have ever had!
1125 West Farm to Market Road 544 #100, Wylie, TX 75098
After going there for about a year, the results were inconsistent but it has become better. I always order the potato, egg and cheese with corn tacos. I tell them due to allergies, they need to change gloves, paper and be careful. Please leave a review for others.
10157 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
Delicious tacos for hella cheap.
10101 Slide Rd, Lubbock, TX 79424
Tons of options!! Great food.
2930 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
This is NOT a gluten free friendly place and should not be listed in this app.
2930 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
Super yummy. Had two Baja tacos on corn tortillas....chicken and brisket. It along with the salad, was delicious!!
I ordered my food off their gluten free list. I then asked if she notified the cooks and she told me that the food is gluten free. I have concerned immediately. I ate my dinner which was very tasty but then I began reacting to the gluten. I have now been sick for three days. We will not return.
Chips, crispy tacos awesome margaritas
This location has a list taped to the counter that lists what is gluten free. I asked if the enchilada sauce was gluten free, and the manager came out and said "If it's not on the list, it's not gluten free. That's why we have the list". Either way, the chicken tacos (stuffed full of chicken) on corn tortillas and nachos (huge!) are GF and were quite tasty. They also have margaritas and a full bar.
10101 Slide Rd, Lubbock, TX 79424
Great salads and you can get most items on corn instead of flour tortillas too! Great price!
2930 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
Great tacos. The Frisco location has cider! Updated May 29 - chips no longer gluten free. They are cooking flour sopapilla chips in the same oil.
1101 E Debbie Ln, Mansfield, TX 76063
Good soft, corn tortillas for tacos. I had grilled shrimp and grilled fish tacos on taco plate, plus black beans and cilantro lime black beans. Plus a margarita. Yummy.
2205 N Central Expy #130, Plano, TX 75075
Ate at the Plano, TX store, chose corn tortilla and asked that it be handled as gluten free and got sick after. Not going back there again. I wished I went to the Original House of Pancakes for breakfast just several feet away. I would pay more not to get sick!
1363 W Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040
Great food and friendly staff!
1288 W Main St #117, Lewisville, TX 75067
Gf menu just allergen list, kids still got sick
1335 West Elizabeth Street #125, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Knowledgeable staff, careful and helpful. Many items to choose from. My daughter and I both ate here and didn't have a negative reaction.
10157 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64114
I used to be a big fan, but something there has changed. I now get sick every time and will not go back. Sometimes I am sick a few hours, and sometimes I am sick a couple days. I've tried different menu items but I think it is the kitchen handling. Not Safe for me which makes me very sad, I liked being a regular. It's close, fast, and affordable which is why I kept going back. Might be good enough for intolerant, but not for Celiacs :(
3190 South Central Expressway #570, McKinney, TX 75070
My first time here I ordered chicken nachos. They came out ice cold so I had to get a new order. They were ok but not the kind of food I would have eaten prior to going gf. I can't tell that they really are careful with regard to CC. I probably won't return.
5710 Rufe Snow Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Great place they understand our needs and a nice selection.
5710 Rufe Snow Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
Amazing breakfast burritos!! Yum
3190 South Central Expressway #570, McKinney, TX 75070
They have a gluten free book at the register!
2205 N Central Expy #130, Plano, TX 75075
The gentleman behind the counter at the Garland location was very helpful guiding me through their gluten free items.
1288 W Main St #117, Lewisville, TX 75067
many items available! everything on menu except the red and green sauce!
5710 Rufe Snow Dr, North Richland Hills, TX 76180
One of my favorite places! Great tacos!
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Author Archives: Ellsworth Boyd
Divers Seek Bones of Peking Man
Dirk Pitt discovered the priceless bones of Peking Man in Clive Cussler's thriller Flood Tide (Simon & Schuster 1997) while rescuing thousands of illegal immigrants who were abused by a devious Chinese smuggler. Although the discovery of these bones millions more »
Posted in Articles, Latest News, Wreckmaster 8 Comments
Roaring 20's Boat 'Liberty the Second' Salvaged and Seaworthy
When Bill Houghton and Brian Simpson salvaged a speedboat of 1920s vintage from Lake Conneaut, Crawford, County, Pennsylania, they had no idea of the impact it would have on thousands of people in the Keystone State. Many Pennsylvanians rallied around more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 5 Comments
The Manila Galleons: Treasures For The "Queen Of The Orient"
Picture if you will, a four-deck, 100-gun, 2,500-ton vessel crossing the Pacific loaded with treasure and not making landfall for six months. Picture it as short and broad—with high fore and stern castles—carrying so much silver and gold, it draws more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 14 Comments
Mutiny on the Bounty Leaves Remains of Perilous Voyage
Countless books and films have featured Mutiny on the Bounty, the provocative 18th century saga of a harsh captain and his rebellious crew aboard an English ship. Based on a novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Hall, the story follows more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 34 Comments
This Post is for Wreck Nuts Only!
Wreck Nuts? Perhaps that's not a very tactful way to coin it. Maybe we might call ourselves wreck radicals, enthusiasts, or better still, aficionados. Well, you get the picture. We know who we are. Shipwrecks are our passion. Some of more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 16 Comments
Titanic: 100th Anniversary and New Theories
When the Titanic was discovered in 1985 cries went up to "salvage it," but it was too late. Clive Cussler had already done it nine years earlier in a bold adventure thriller, Raise the Titanic, one of several early best more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 11 Comments
Searching For Pirate Treasure Ships in the National Archives
To know the "Fizz," an audacious adventurer who takes friends on enterprising endeavors with unpredictable outcomes, is to love him. He's Captain Carl "Fizz" Fismer, a highly regarded and successful treasure salvor who makes his home in Tavernier, Florida, when more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 13 Comments
Presidential Yacht Sunk Off Assateague Island, Virginia
Would you be interested in joining me on a search for the presidential yacht, Despatch, sunk off Assateague Island, Virginia? I've been thinking about this for years. I would need someone with a boat, someone who has side scan sonar more »
Posted in Latest News, Wreckmaster 21 Comments
Unhappy Holiday for Christmas Tree Wreck
December is a fitting time for me to respond to a reader's question about Lake Michigan's Christmas Tree Wreck. Can you imagine one's shock and chagrin upon learning of the loss of an entire crew and ship's cargo of more more »
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Funny-bunny use of words ...
They were gathering in the activity room here at the library a few evenings ago for some games of euchre.
I went in and, with a straight face, asked whether one would call someone who plays euchre (pronounced "yoo-cur") ...
... a eucharist?
Folks said that they didn't think that to be true.
I said that I guess that one would call the gathering of euchre players a eucharist ... but they didn't think that'd work, either.
Some people can be difficult, at times.
ole joyful
When I went to Bible study at church today ...
... I forgot to tell that story!
(For those of you unfamiliar with churchy talk ... the eucharist is another word for holy communion, the sharing of bread and wine (or grape juice, depending on the pedigree of the church that one attends).
Ours is a fairly open congregation - most of them would have got a kick out of hearing a gathering of card players called a "eucharist"!
ole joyfuelled


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Comfort Suites Summit County
276 Dillon Ridge Road
Dillon, CO 80435
Phone: (970) 513-0300
Fax: (970) 513-0330
Pug Ryans Steakhouse & Brewery
104 Village Place
Dillon, CO 80435
+1 970 468 2145
Mo to Su from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PMAfter hitting the slopes, try hitting Pug Ryan's in Dillon. This place has your daily protein allowance covered in the form of succulent prime rib, juicy steaks cooked to order, and enough ribs to feed an army. However, most patrons don't come here for the meat. They choose of the five specially-prepared house brews to compliment that perfect steak. Most of the brews are award-winning with Morningwood Wheat being the local favorite. It even won the Silver Medal at the 2003 Great American Beer Festival! So put down that can of Keystone and pop open a beer that actually tastes good!
Earn valuable points toward free nights.


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Where do you buy rare plants online?
What are you favorite internet resources for buying plants? I have a long wishlist of plants that ebay seems to fail me on :) Just wondering if you know of any good sellers online. Thanks.
Rare as in rare (and expensive)?
A couple of places come to mind:
is where I would go if I had 9K or so in disposable income for a day or so to spend.
I've never ordered from them, but they look to have nice plants at a superior price:
and of course The Great Petaluma Desert deserves equal spacing with the first recommendation - some plants have they!
Charris : There are some nicely established plants found on all of your provided links.
If Robin is meaning lower budget rare or not as established rare www.mesagardens.com comes to mind.
Would also like to add a small plug for Steve Hammer who doesn't have an order online page but often does some sales by emailing..
Quite right - I was equating rare with expensive, which is true but can be not true.
Another nursery (for the wee Agaves, and big ones too, as well as bulbs, bulbs, bulbs) is Starr Nursery. He's got a new Agave book which I will get next year (I would have gotten it this year but someone forgot it).
Here is a link that might be useful: Agave Starrs
Sweet everybody!! I have bookmarked them all and even managed to knock off two plants on my wishlist at Arid Lands :) Rare Succulents is a dangerous website!! But I am more interested in young rare plants so I will stay away from that website :) And by rare I mean plants that you can't really buy at normal nurseries or Home Depot :)
Thanks everybody
Annette and Linda from the Island know of a few places in Vancouver, but I personally don't know of any others. However, there are a number of Canadian online nurseries that feature alpines, but if you're looking for Ariocarpus or Adromischus I fear you may be out of luck. On the bright side, Kelowna's not that far from the border...
Aha, here we go, but you'll have to wait until April 2013.
In Burnaby
There are others, so I hope the ladies can lead you to the promised land.
I have ordered plants from the U.S. and had them sent to my family in Walla Walla and then pick them up when we go down there. I did get a few when I was in California last summer. In fact I "borrowed" a piece of Crassula Ovata from along the city sidewalk in Morro Bay.
Ron, Phoenix Perennials might be worth looking at if you're into agaves, yuccas, and sedums. They started doing mail order a year or two ago. The owner is a great guy and I suspect he will increase the selection of agaves over time. I ordered from Plants Delights once before and am tempted to do so again this year, but, of course, it gets expensive when ordering from Canada.
I finally orderd a couple of plants from Jamie at Valley Succulents, who is also great to deal with, but will pick the plants up in Comox in the spring. Finally have (well almost) Aloe plicatilis and Sedum palmeri Jeff! :-)
Here is a link that might be useful: Phoenix Perennials
Jeff, I love it. The Cotyledon and all the plants sent are looking good - everything has good roots except for one of the aeoniums, but that's just a matter of time. I hope the plants that went your way are okay. I wish Jamie had ovatifolia!


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Programming can be fun and gives kids a great head start. Teach your kids to program using these learning techniques, apps, and hardware.
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Corkbin Wine App for iPhone and Android
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14 posts
11 months ago
Yum. At my willyburg home Cadaques
I perazzi. Morellino di scansano. La mozza. 2011
one year ago
Medium to full little jam action
Chateau Tour des Termes Saint Estephe 2009
one year ago
Jammy on the nose light on the palate
2011 vacqueyras cru du rhone - caves saint Pierre
one year ago
Deep and earthy smoothness
2012 domaine de la Tourade - cotes du rhone
one year ago
Delightfully peppery with some medium bodied berry tones
2010 domaine bois de bourson chateau neuf du pape - rhone
one year ago
2011 ruvei barbera d'alba
one year ago
Beautifully balanced.., lil pepper, lil velvet.
Famille Perrin les cornuds - vinsobres
one year ago
Light but velvety with a touch of pepper. Pairs well with reaching your destination after a roadtrip through a blizzard
D'alfonso curran 2007 Pinot noir - California
one year ago
Jammy, velvety - medium to full bodied. Smooth.
Bethel heights 2010 Pinot noir - Oregon
one year ago
Nice but a lil sweet for my taste.
one year ago
So smooth. Light bodied. Yum!
one year ago
2010 cotes du rhone
one year ago
Jammy full bodied.
one year ago
Light red with peppery and berry notes. Leans towards medium.


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Create the next product label for Hercules Joint pain relief oil
Product label contest
Bronze package purchased for $299
(including 99designs fees)
Contest started Tue, 15 Jan 2013 12:57:20 +0000
Last feedback Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:05:54 +0000
100% of designs have feedback
Client has 2 refunds
Designers enter their initial design concepts for feedback and direction.
The client picks up to six designers to continue working with.
Remaining designers enter revised and refined designs.
The client picks a winning design.


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15. 15
Now everyone's fucking looking at us out of the corners of their eyes – they're all asking themselves, "Did they or didn't they?" Ah, keep the gobshites wondering, that's my bleeding motto.
Doesn't matter anyway. They know we're doing it, know we'll be doing it from now on; does it fucking matter if I get my knacks off with my acushla in the bedroom? Besides, letting them all know I can keep my bloody todger up twenty-four-seven, ah yes mate, that's a big fucking point to Leggsie. Top that, Mr. Bloody King of Gondor!
Got too many chops for the barbecue, so we're just churning them out, Sam and me; we take turns poking and turning and bunging them on the platters. And we talk. Always liked little Samwise – not so little now, oh dear me no – always liked his homey ways, so down to earth and fucking NORMAL. Never went in for any of that crazy keech, never got faddy or oofy or caught up in any of that faffing about with fashion or showing off or modern crazes. Plain ol' suburban Samwise Gamgee; him and his estate cars and respectability and nut-chokers, loving his wife and worrying about that part-time shirtlifter Frodo, taking care of his lawns and his houses and being your garden-variety, all-round Good Guy. Like Éomer, no mouth-and-trousers; WYSIWYG, only not so agro.
Good thing, too. Merry and Pippin are about the most aggressive hobbits I've ever met, and that's quite fucking enough, thank you. Bloody unnatural, in my opinion. There they are now, arguing about what we should do with fucking Fairy-Meer . . . whack him over the head with a lead pipe, or tie him up by his feet in a Country-Western bar with a sign on his chest that says, "I butt-fuck boys." Typical of those two gits, really; Merry's more direct, but Pip's deviously creative.
But in the midst of our little rave-up, with everyone around me laughing and talking, despite the glow of the sunset and the smell of the grill, I feel that bloody drawing, pulling sensation without even seeing or hearing her – like being sucked off-course by a strong riptide. Where's my acushla? Fortunately I can look around for her while still chatting with Sam . . . ah, there she is – changed into her short-shorts, so fucking tight you can tell what year's printed on the coins in her pocket, thirty-six inches of inside seam propped up on the ironwork table in front of her, fucking bollocking me without even bloody well knowing about it. Creamy, yellow-gold skin, acres and acres of it, stretched from the tattered edges of those tiny ridiculous bloody excuses for shorts, scraps of denim is all they are, follow the bend of the knee down the delicious curve of those calves – love to sink my teeth into those, oh fuck yeah – right down to those pretty feet, little toenails painted bright red, flashing like a fucking neon sign and making me want to bung the fork in the grass and fall on my fucking knees beside her, running my tongue up and down that same bloody path, from the edge of her shorts to her curling glossy toes. Fucking A, how does she DO it? All she's fucking doing is sitting with her elbows on her knees, talking to Frodo about his sodding new novel, and dishing the dirt on the publishers' houses. Not looking at me, not fucking fluttering her eyelashes at me, not even fucking paying attention to me, and still my eyes wander over to her, wanting her to look at me. Look at me look at me look at me, notice me, see how I'm looking at you, like a fucking turkey-cock spreading his tail and strutting around trying to get the hen's attention. Stupid, stupid, stupid! I'm such a git, such a fucking prat sometimes. Give over, Leggsie; you're all hair and hormones; can't even fucking have a fucking barbecue without smoodging your little bit.
Pathetic, aren't I? Fucking pathetic.
Thought she'd fall arse over tit when I told her Frodo's going through a "gay phase;" guess she never sussed that one out in the little poncer. Well, doesn't bleeding matter too much; give the nit a couple centuries and he'll straighten out his queenishness. Always does, the bleeding batty-boy. Last time was what – Philippines, Spanish occupation; what a fucking fop he was – had a nice boy, though, treated him well. Then it was off on a tour of the antipodes and suddenly he had a bleeding bird in his shreddies. Like fucking Foucault's Pendulum, that one. No one minds much any more – no one except poor little Rosie, who's the jealous type. Keep trying to tell her Sam's straighter than Maggie Thatcher with rebar shoved up her arse, but the little poppet always wonders.
Frankly, if sitting between my acushla's two-klick legs doesn't turn Frodo from being a poofter, nothing will. Oh my sainted aunt, could I be in that position right now, looking right up those lovely thighs to the denim-clad wonders within . . . of course, I wouldn't be nearly so fucking nonchalant about it; hard not to push those slim knees apart and settle between them . . .
Good grief, I can't believe he's published twelve books under three different pen names . . . I even read one from the library, didn't know it was his. Thought it was well-written, but so friggin' depressing – one of those boy-against-the-cruel-world books with gut-wrenching circumstances and a sad ending. Well, I guess if I still had to contend with the nightmares attendant to carrying the One Ring, I'd be messed up, too.
I guess I can see his being gay -- well, bisexual, I guess. Seems to make a lot of sense psychologically, at least from the modern homosexual apologetics standpoint – you know, the lack of affirmation from the father, seeking reassurance from other men – though that was a little more applicable to my ex than to Frodo; at least he had Bilbo – Arwen and I have talked a little about it, before she and Lothíriel went to raid my closet; Arwen said it's all bullshit, thinking like that. There are lots of straight men who had lousy relationships with their fathers and ended up fine, she said. Then she added, "If aggressively uncaring fathers are the impetus behind the making of a homosexual man, then King Thranduil's queer as a three-dollar bill."
Thanks, Arwen. Didn't need THAT mental image of my future father-in-law, even if he IS in Valinor and not likely to drop by for a cup of tea any time soon. Gimli overheard her comment and practically ran away screaming.
Makes sense, though, I guess – after all, Boromir was straight as an arrow. Then again, Denethor adored him. Man, did I hear THAT ad nauseum – whine, whine whine for millennia; oh-poor-pitiful-me, Faramir's so hurt, Daddy always loved Boromir the best. I felt sorry for him, sure, but good grief – how long can you play that card before people get tired of hearing it?
About a hundred years, that's how long. I got so sick of it. Never let on, of course – didn't want to hurt his feelings, because he could sulk like nobody's business, and that always irritated everyone else even more than his whining. Shit, I feel like I've been running interference for Faramir all this time, protecting him from the aggravated comments of the other Chosen, defending him when they rolled their eyes, patting his hand and saying, "There, there."
Fuck that. They want to get back at him? Fine with me.
There's a shriek behind us – Lothíriel, of course – she and Arwen come out the sliding glass door to the patio, both trying to balance in my new shoes. Arwen's doing better than Lothíriel, naturally – Elven reflexes and all that – but they're still staggering around, and my dear ditzy sister-in-law is trying desperately to keep upright in my stiletto heels on the uneven tile. I can't help but laugh at them, and I'm not the only one. Aragorn and Éomer are teasing them, Éomer telling Lothíriel he loves the look except for the falling-over part, and Aragorn heckling his wife and saying she should dress like me more often.
But really, I don't see what the big deal is. At first I thought they were all excited because the shoes were new and expensive and designer and different, but then I overheard them exclaiming over the height of the heel and how much it would hurt to wear them for an extended period. That's when I looked down at THEIR feet. Arwen's wearing white Keds, Lothíriel's in thong sandals, Rosie's wearing orthopedic shoes and both Estella and Diamond are in flat loafers. I guess I can see why they're a little taken aback by the differences in our shoe preferences, but what's wrong with wearing high heels? They're sexy – especially when you've got what Legolas calls "two-klick legs." It took me about three times of him saying it before I figured out he meant "two kilometer." I kept thinking he was talking about the sound of my heels on the tile.
I like how he likes my legs. I like how he looks at them, keeps making grabs for them. I like how he makes me feel, like I'm sexy and desirable and attractive. Hell, let's face it; I like EVERYTHING about him, even his Listening, which I admit is creepy but after all, who else is going to do it? And I imagine being the spouse of the Listener is a bit of a status symbol to the folks in Valinor, too. Wow, look at me, all you retired Elves! I used to just be the princess of a backwater Hicksville country in the mountains, but now I'm getting it on with the LISTENER!
Geez, can you imagine what my uncle would've thought about my hooking up with an Elf? Probably would've precluded Snowmane squashing him by having a stroke right then and there. Hell, he hadn't even acknowledged the Eldar's existence until Legolas strode into the hall of Meduseld.
Now Estella and Diamond are getting in on the action, reeling and lurching around the back yard in my Fendi boots and my Via Spiga pumps, the ones with the leather bows on the back straps, looking a little ridiculous with their nicely-pressed dress pants and conservative blouses; Frodo and I are both laughing, and they can probably hear Gimli's haw-haw all the way down in Burbank. Gandalf strolls up to me, glass of wine in hand, his dark eyes sparkling with good humor.
Though it might just be the wine. Doesn't matter, I guess.
"I have never understood a woman's compulsion to try on shoes," he says, smiling down at me. "Could you perchance explain it, my dear?"
Love the way he talks, the Oxford don that he is. Something ironic in that, all right. Dirty jeans, shit-stomping boots, leather jacket, long hair . . . and a high-class Oxonian accent. I wonder what the other professors make of him? "Not really, no," I say. "Just something we do, to pass the time. It's like taking the same picture and changing the frame every now and then, makes it look a little different. Maybe we like looking at our feet in different settings."
"Like taking a beloved character and transplanting him into a different story," smiles Frodo, watching Diamond nearly take a header into the bird bath. Wait – where the hell did the bird bath come from? I don't remember that thing . . .
Gandalf turns to watch Diamond wobbling around the garden, Pippin trying half-heartedly to hold her up. "A parody, I fancy, in this particular incident," he says dryly. "My god, Éowyn, how do you walk in those contraptions?"
Typical response from someone who's probably never worn anything except comfortable boots and bedroom slippers the past ten thousand years. "It's not that bad," I protest. "You just need the right feet and a good sense of balance."
"Yeah, that's it." It's Éomer, he sits heavily on a deck chair next to me. He's got a beer in one hand and a plate of food in the other; the scent makes my mouth water. Veal . . . when's the last time I ate a nice cut of veal? Suddenly I'm starving. "It's all those years as an expert equestrienne. Good balance, doesn't get unseated easily."
"I can bloody well vouch for that." Rosemary wafts over to me, and I can feel myself tense – tense in a good way, that is. All those prickly spots just seem to flare up and my stomach gives a little lurch. Being around Legolas is like riding an ingeniously nasty roller coaster – you're in a constant state of disequilibrium.
Nice feeling, though. I could get used to this.
Éomer looks up at him, eyes crinkling over his big fuzzy beard. "Which part?" he asks, winking at me. "The balance part, or the part where you can't unseat her?"
Legolas sits on the loveseat next to me, grinning. He's got a big plate of food in his hand, which he sets on the low table in front of me. Better move my feet – very impolite to dip my toes in the ratatouille. Though I wouldn't mind if he licked it off –
Ooo, kinky Éowyn! We'll have to try that later. Not ratatouille, though. Wrong concept entirely. Whipped cream, maybe.
"Both, actually," he says, reaching around behind us to grab the bottle of wine on the bench and refill our glasses. I've had about four already, and have achieved that stage of tipsiness where the lights are so pretty and bright, the conversation so witty and amusing, and the sky such a beautiful shade of . . . of whatever, doesn't matter, just very, very pretty. Another glass couldn't hurt, probably just make me feel even better. I scootch next to him, pressing my long bare leg against the black leather, and he spares a second to nuzzle his nose under the curls by my ear and give me a quick nip.
Great. Now not only is my stomach demonstrating the tango for the benefit of the rest of my digestive organs, my heart's accompanying it with the drum solo from "In A Gadda Da Vida." Dammit!
"Has to do with the legs, I think," he's saying to Éomer, leaning forward and cutting up a veal chop into bite-sized pieces. I love watching Brits eat – they hold the utensils so funny. A lot more efficient than the American way, I guess; at least you don't have to keep switching hands after you've cut something to put the food in your mouth. "Longer the legs, the better the balance. Should've seen her legs in the shoes she was wearing yesterday when I picked her up – " he looks back at me through his curtain of hair, his blue eyes sparkling. "Thought they'd wrap round me twice."
Gandalf coughs in a genteel manner, Frodo covers his mouth with his hand, and Éomer looks about halfway between laughter and offense. Legolas turns pink – that's a first, really; never seen him even remotely embarrassed before – and says indignantly, "On the back of me fuckin' bike, I mean!"
"Geez, you'll try it anywhere, won't you?" grins Frodo.
I can't help it; I snort into my wine. Doesn't matter if I blush; I'm all flushed anyway – between thinking about our quickie in the bedroom earlier, and drinking all these tannins, I'm sure I'm red as a beet about now.
Hmm, back of my bike – might take a little maneuvering, but that could be a hell of a good time.
I look over at my acushla. She's pink round the cheeks, eyes starry, glowing with health and happiness and such a fucking contrast to that browned-off, spare little bit I met on the street yesterday . . . our eyes meet over the rim of her wine glass. She sparkles almost, the silvery-gray flecks in her eyes like chips of glass, hair all tousled and curly about her pretty little round ears. I fucking love Edans' ears – well, most of them, anyway. Éowyn's are nice, little, folded against her skull; I've seen a few that qualified as flying jibs.
Love to alter mine; never bothered, though. Why spark debate in the plastic surgeon's office? Fucking Fairy-Meer may have been a prat, but he was right about one thing – better to exercise a little caution than to invite scientific curiosity. Ever since I started reading Heinlein, I've been spooked by the whole dissecting-aliens bit. My ears are just so bloody weird-looking – make me stand out too much – though really, now I think of it, I'd stand out anyway; at least the ears're something I can cover up with a handkerchief or my hair.
Then there's the undeniable fact they're an extremely sensitive erogenous zone. Have to let my acushla in on that little secret. Isn't that why Arwen's resisted Aragorn's attempts to dock hers? Be an awful shame to do the old snip-snip on THAT. One thing to keep the bloody scientists away, another entirely to fuck up your chances of an eye-popping orgasm.
Like the one we had in her bedroom just now – oh, fucking A, am I bloody glad this crowd is buggering off to a hotel tonight.
Back of the motorcycle, hmmm? Sounds intriguing. I push my knee up against his, feel the answering pressure beneath the squeaky leather. I take another mouthful of wine. Almost raw, this stuff; dry and fruity on my tongue, biting and tangy like blackberries.
I feel you, acushla; no fear, I'm looking forward to a nice slow shag later, too. Too rushed today, we were; no time for a proper bunk-up. I'll fucking make it up to you – hell yeah.
Now. Try this. My own rub recipe, and cooked to a fucking turn at that.
He holds up his fork; there's a piece of veal stuck to it, speckled with herbs and spices and steaming a little. Oh, does that smell good. He smiles, I smile back; for a second I just look at him – two long white hands, one holding the fork, the other cupped underneath it so it doesn't drip on me; the sweet, columbine curve of his lips, the high angle of his cheekbones beneath the blue topaz eyes.
Oh fuck, I see what's in her eyes – when's the last time I inspired such unthinking adoration? Feel like my heart just dropped down into my stomach.
She opens her mouth, tongue half extended; the memory of her taking my plonker into that hot wet sucking cavern shoots my heart from my stomach into my throat. Fuck it, when are these fucking people going to fucking LEAVE?
Oooh, that's good – now I've got Happy Tongue, as well as Happy Pelvis. Hell, practically every inch of my body is happy. Now all we have to do is try the Toes á la Mode and I think we'll have every part covered.
Her eyes flutter a little as she chews; bloody nice she appreciates my cookery, but bugger it if her reaction makes me want to get the leg over NOW. Always knew she was a closet aesthete, this one.
I hear the ghosty breath of a chuckle; Whitey, of course. When I look up at him he's smiling, but it's a wry, reluctant smile.
I know, Whitey. I'm gobsmacked, too.
I see Éomer and Frodo exchange looks. I know – this must seem too weird to them. I mean, me and Legolas? What the hell? It's been me and Faramir for millennia beyond count, and then they show up and I've got one of their oldest bachelor friends hand-feeding me, and kissing me, and making bold sexual innuendoes with me. And Éomer's my brother – the protective type – man, I hope he gets used to this, because I am NOT backing down, dammit.
Some of my defiance must be showing up in my face, because Éomer grins at me and says, "Well, at least I know you're in good hands now. You have no idea how long I've been worried about you."
Really? He worried about me? I know he and Faramir weren't exactly best buds, but I didn't know he felt like I wasn't being treated right.
"Me, too," says Frodo, and he flicks a quick glance at Legolas, whose eyebrows go up.
Fuck, I knew I didn't care much for fucking Fairy-Meer, but I had no idea . . . well, on the one hand it's bloody gratifying to know her brother approves, but on the other hand, why the hell didn't anyone do anything about this before?
You know that we are slow to wrath, and rich in mercy, my Greenleaf. We were reluctant to take the Shieldmaiden from him until it was proved to us beyond doubt he was unworthy of her.
Oh, there he goes again . . . Gandalf straightens up, gets an intent look on his face, watching Legolas as his eyes go all clouded and glowy and weird.
"What are they saying, Legolas?"
Shut yer gob, Whitey, I'm trying to Listen here . . .
When your feasting is over gather the Chosen in one room. We shall all speak together through you there, and impart to you your separate tasks.
I shall do as you say, my lord.
Interesting to watch the light fade from his eyes, see him sort of shake himself and come back to us.
"When we're done eating we need to go into the lounge and I'll Listen," he says to Gandalf. He looks very serious, which seems stranger to me than his wigging out when the Valar speak to him – "serious" isn't a word I normally associate with Legolas; "amusing," "volatile," "peculiar," and more recently, "sexy" are closer adjectives to how I see him. But he's definitely serious now – all business, and Gandalf's expression echoes this.
Gandalf nods soberly and says, "I'll tell the others." He glances down at me, the corner of his mouth twitching up. "Finish feeding your new pet," he adds with a sardonic grin, earning him a nasty look from us both.
"Pet," indeed! Like he'd put a collar around my neck and chain me to the – erm, bedposts . . . well, okay, maybe "pet" isn't so bad after all.
Bugger off, Whitey; just because you've got no fucking libido doesn't mean the rest of us were born cockless.
All right, then. Eat, then Listen. Spear another piece of veal. "Feed my pet"! Well, I will, then. But I'll take a bite, first.
Ah yes . . . turned out fucking perfect. Love a good chop, I do.
"What's going to happen?" asks Frodo anxiously, folding his arms over his chest. Poor sod, never did like an argy-bargy. "What are the Valar going to do?"
"Are we going to be told to take care of Faramir?" asks Éomer. Looks brassed, that one, and fucking eager; got his blood up, I guess. Fuck, wouldn't want to be on HIS bad side.
"Dunno, mates," I say. My acushla's turn – oh, hungry, are you? I saw that look, my Éowyn . . .
Never pegged myself for the kinky type, but man! Does Legolas bring it out in me!
I'll have to find one of those sex shops, see if they sell dog collars and chains. Maybe I can get us matching ones, with "His" and "Hers" printed on the sides.
Maybe I can get a tattoo that says, "Property of the Listener." Yeah, that'd be good. Now, where shall I get it? My shoulder? Nah, not visible enough. Across my stomach? No . . . hmm, how about right above my ass, in that little hollow of my tail bone? That could be good. Then he could look down on it when we're doing it doggy-style.
Oh, bad, naughty Éowyn! Makes my stomach jump and flutter just to think of it.
Dammit, when are all these people going to LEAVE?
Oh, right – after we hear what the Valar have to say. Spit it out, Legolas, then let's send everyone back to the Marriott so I can jump you.
"Manwë says he'll give us our marching orders. Didn't say what they were." He glances over at me, has a funny look on his face.
"What?" I ask. He grimaces, looks away.
I have such a bad fucking feeling about this. "Slow to wrath and rich in mercy," he said, but I got the impression their patience is about at an end.
Bugger! What if she starts to feel sorry for him? What if she decides to preclude their anger and take him back?
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Is THIS the obstacle you meant, my lord?
My lord?
"'Marching orders'?" Éomer looks puzzled. "Do you mean they're going to tell us to do something about it? I thought you'd pretty much taken care of everything already."
Frodo and Éomer look at me thoughtfully. Legolas is pushing the veal chunks around his plate, elbows on his knees, staring down at the ground.
Shit. Now what? "Why do we have to do anything?" I ask. I'm almost angry. "Things are finally starting to go right. I don't want to see that fuck-up again. What the hell can we do, anyway? If they tell us to talk him into taking me back, I'm sorry, but I refuse to even THINK about it."
Legolas glances up at me through his hair; his mouth quirks into a half-smile.
Ah, much better. That's right, acushla, get brassed! Makes me feel better about it, at any rate.
"Maybe we're just supposed to force him to give you your money back," Frodo suggests shyly. "You know, hold him down and make him sign a check. For reparation, sort of."
"I don't want his fucking money," Éowyn says. There are spots of red on her cheeks, and her pretty silver eyes are flashing angrily. "I don't need anything from him. I have Legolas. And even if I didn't, I wouldn't deliberately seek him out and ask him for my money back. I'd rather live in an alley and push a grocery cart full of trash around than see him again."
That's my Shieldmaiden! Fucking shame my being proud of her makes my plonker stand up and take notice. What is it about her being cheesed off that makes me so fucking randy? I put my hand on her thigh; she's quivering, like she quivers when I'm about to enter her. Oh fuck, I want to be inside her.
"There, there, acushla," I say, giving her a little squeeze. "Love you agro, but we need to finish this rave-up and get to business." She turns to me, her pretty red mouth pouting; oh bugger would I love to bite that lower lip, suck it into my mouth . . .
Funny how fast I go from being pissed to being horny. All of a sudden that wave of anger heated me up right between my legs, and Legolas putting his hand on my thigh only makes it worse. Move it up, up further, oh please –
Oh shit, forgot about Éomer and Frodo. Damn! I may be getting a little kinky, but nothing in the world will coerce me to get it on with my brother watching. Ick!
"Besides," he says, holding up another piece of veal for my own private consumption – I could get used to this, being hand-fed gourmet food by a friggin' Adonis – "Manwë didn't say anything about yer money, acushla. Maybe that's not even what they're mad about."
Mad? That surprises me; I never thought the Valar could get mad. "They're mad at Faramir?" I ask.
"Why not?" asks Éomer grimly. "We sure the hell are."
"He betrayed one of the Chosen, Éowyn," says Frodo in his quiet voice. "Even the Valar have their limits."
Damn, I wish I'd spent more time around all these guys. Faramir always kept away from them when they were talking about the Valar and being the Chosen . . . made him uncomfortable; said he thought it wasn't "proper." Well, to hell with that – I've got lots of catching up to do.
I know each race has their own pair of Vala; I know it's Manwë Legolas usually talks to; I know they've been ordering him around for years . . . since the Fourth Age at least . . . I chew and drink and ponder, while Legolas and Éomer and Frodo discuss oaths and penance and the afterlife. Spiritual, nebulous stuff . . . never pegged my brother to be so into it, but he's bought it, lock, stock, and barrel; not so surprising in Frodo and Legolas; they're more mystical and unworldly than the rest of us, Gandalf excepted. The sky turns from blue to teal to purple to black, and little pinprick diamonds flicker down at us; even under the Christmas lights and the orangy glow of the tiki torches I can see that faint whitish glow around Legolas' head and arms, and when I look over at Arwen, standing nestled in the crook of Aragorn's arm, I can see she's glowing, too.
Eldar! I'll probably never get used to how beautiful they are.
Legolas has stopped feeding me. I look down at the plate. Empty. We ate all of that? There must've been three veal chops on there, and the ratatouille, and that yummy crusty bread, and the salad. I go to take a sip of wine, but my glass is empty. Shit. Well, that explains the fuzzy feeling in my frontal lobe. Red wine – better than a lobotomy.
All right, mates; time to get moving. The Valar await us.
Legolas gives my thigh one last squeeze and stands up. All of a sudden everyone goes quiet; all you can hear is Eric Clapton singing tinnily on the little radio, and some tree frogs to keep him company, and the faint roar of traffic underneath it all. Everyone is looking at Legolas. He's standing still, head bowed; his hair is shining white in the darkness, the stars like a crown rim the outline of his head. Oh shit, he's so beautiful; how on earth did I end up with HIM? Is anyone listening to me up there? Thank you, Valar, for sending him to me; thank you thank you thank you. I don't know if you can hear me, but thank you – even if it's only been a little over twenty-four hours, all this happiness is erasing those long years of misery. Thank you, Oromë. Thank you, Yavanna.
Everyone's so still, waiting. Legolas is still. No one is moving, we're hardly breathing.
"We go to a party, and everyone turns to see/ The beautiful lady that's walking around with me/And then she asks me do you feel all right . . . "
Would someone shut that damn thing off??? Last thing I need right now is a smarmy love song to completely throw me off.
We're all stock-still. Lothíriel is standing next to Éomer, her long dark hair just brushing the top of his head. Frodo's eyes are downcast. Sam and Rosie are holding hands. Arwen and Aragorn are looking intently at Legolas, as though they can hear, too. Gimli's lips are pursed and he looks worried. Gandalf's eyes are closed and his mouth is moving, though I can't hear any sound. Merry and Estella are sitting together on the wall beside Pippin and Diamond, and all four of them have their eyes fixed on Legolas.
"I feel wonderful because I see/ The love light in your eyes . . . "
No love light in HIS eyes right now. I'm looking up at him, I can see the neon glow, can feel his sense of being elsewhere. I'm holding my breath.
Stars spin and planets dance; clouds pulse and their cousin the sea swells and recedes, yet still we who are seated above the circle of Arda watch over our Chosen. They are whirling lights, twisting and bowing beneath us, reaching luminous fingers down to the rest of the denizens of this sorrow-darkened world, touching, healing, helping. They are one body, responding to our commands given to the Listening Ear; some are more eager than others – the Evenstar, the wife of the King of Gondor – she also understands, though she hears us not – yet it is the Listener who has ever been our most faithful servant. It is our will that our wrath and approbation commingled shall fall tonight, for one of this number shall be cast off, and his reward given to another.
It is time.
He raises his head. His eyes rise to the stars; his face is impassive, calm, heartbreakingly lovely. And all about him falls the pale light, diffuse, like some odd baptism.
"It is time."
Everyone stirs; those who were sitting get to their feet. He turns to walk into the house, but before he starts he reaches one hand down to me, to help me up.
How did he even know I was here? I thought he was somewhere else . . .
I put my hand in his. It's cold, almost unresponsive; he's not looking at me, his eyes are still glowing, and he's abstracted. But I let him pull me to my feet and we walk inside, hand in hand, and everyone follows us.
Seat the injured Edan in a place of honor. Tonight shall be her reckoning, and the wrong done her reversed.
He guides me to the big flowered easy chair and lightly pushes me into it, then stands beside me. I'm reminded of the time I used to rule Emyn Arnen, when I'd sit on the dais and my bodyguard would flank me; big men in green and brown surcoats, holding spears, there to ensure my words were made law, and that I received impertinence from no one.
Of course, it's easy to be regal when you're dressed in rich, stiff brocades, foamy lace and silver crowns. I feel a little foolish now, barefoot in my flimsy sparkly shirt and ratty cut-offs, with everyone in a half-circle around us. I tuck my legs up underneath me and look up at Legolas. His eyes are still glowing that neon-blue, his face still impassive. When everyone is seated he closes his eyes briefly, then opens them again.
"Oaths taken have been broken."
Oh shit, I don't like the sound of his voice – echoey, resonant; he's not speaking at all, someone else is speaking through him.
Where are you, Legolas? Where do you go when this happens?
Speak for us, O beloved Listener. For long ages have you been our faithful servant. Serve us again, that our will might be fulfilled. Dive, plunge deep into the spinning blackness, pit your strength against the shadows and bring light to this broken globe that gyrates in the star-speckled night.
Yes, my lord.
"The Prince of Emyn Arnen has been warned five times fifty to withdraw from his present course. Still he has defied us. Our munificence toward him is ended. Not only has he betrayed his Reward, the Edan you see before you, our Shieldmaiden; he has betrayed the mortals placed under his care, and taken from them that which did not belong to him." Legolas' face turns to Merry and he says, "The Master of Buckland shall disclose to you what he has discovered concerning these things."
Everyone looks at Merry, who blushes but jumps to his feet. "Well, it's true, I guess," he says, scuffing the toe of his shoe on the tile. "Found out when I got to digging round his financial records – got quite the scam going, he does; taken about eighty thousand quid from a bunch of ol' widows what live in Nevada – took over their investments, see, and bled 'em dry."
Shit, I didn't know THAT. I feel as though I'm getting heartburn, but I know it's anger – anger that Faramir would steal from the helpless, from those who put their trust in him. I can hear some muttering around the circle; Gimli looks pissed as hell, Aragorn's scowling, Éomer's gritting his teeth. Suddenly I want my sword, dammit. Give me my damn sword and I'll take care of it, all right – I'll cut off his fucking head!
"Yet even to those two offenses we might have relented and stayed our wrath, had he not further provoked us by his deception and disloyalty to those he has promised to cherish. Fourteen lovers has he left disillusioned and misled since he quit the presence of the Shieldmaiden, forswearing constancy for pretext, and devotion for licentiousness, prostituting his immortal body for the temporal pleasures of desire, promising much and delivering nothing. He has renounced his place, abjured his oaths, disowned his tasks. Therefore, for the reparation of his injuries to the Shieldmaiden, and to protect those mortals with whom he has contact from his depredations, we have determined he shall be cut off from the Chosen, and given his just due."
No surprises there, though I can tell everyone else is a little taken aback. Hell, I could've told them Faramir couldn't be faithful if he tried – it wasn't about me, it was about him; about time I figured that one out.
I'm a little slow, aren't I?
"The hands that shall administer this chastisement shall belong to the following members of your fellowship."
Everyone leans forward. Who gets to whack Faramir? Oh please, let me be one of them . . .
"The Istar."
Gandalf stirs.
"The King of Gondor."
Aragorn doesn't look very happy about that.
"The King of Rohan."
Grim satisfaction there.
"The Naugrim."
Gimli grunts, then catches my eye and winks. I smile a little shakily. Do I really want a part of this?
"The Master of Buckland."
Merry grins at me and flexes his fingers. Oh, shit; they're going to beat up my ex . . .
"The Thain of the Shire."
Pippin groans. He and Faramir used to be such friends. Oh, I'm starting to hate this.
"The Listener."
I look up. Legolas' face hasn't changed; he's still staring straight ahead.
"The Mayor of Hobbiton."
Sam looks surprised and a little pleased. Rosie glances at me, and we exchange worried looks. I don't like this. I don't like this idea any more. All these guys ganging up on Faramir – even if he deserves it – oh shit, I don't want to see this.
"The Ringbearer."
Frodo gives a little squeak and sits up, a look of panic on his face. Oh, I'm right with you there, Frodo.
"You will find him after midnight. Bring him to a secluded place where no mortal eyes may see what will come to pass. You will have to use deception to coerce him to come with you. Use the Ringbearer and the Listener to find and bring him."
"Me!" Frodo exclaims. He looks at Gandalf. "Why me?"
Gandalf clears his throat and says carefully to Legolas, "What use shall the Ringbearer be to us, when we go in search of the Prince of Emyn Arnen? Why is it necessary for him to accompany us? He is not the sort to take pleasure in castigation."
You got that right. Poor guy; never did have the stomach for this sort of thing.
"It is he who shall lead you to the Prince of Emyn Arnen."
Frodo's frowning, thinking hard. "But I don't know where he is. How would I know? I haven't seen him in centuries."
"You have frequented the establishment he favors. He is there tonight, searching for another victim to temporarily quell his lusts."
Frodo blushes. Don't blame him; that's not something you want everyone to know. Sam's biting his lip, Merry and Pippin are rolling their eyes. Diamond giggles. Shut up, you; this is serious!
"Let me think," says Frodo breathlessly. We all wait; he sits and pulls at his lower lip, staring at the floor. After a minute he raises his head. "It's got to be Solar Tonic on Forty-Second Street in L.A.," he says at last. "Legolas didn't mention any of the ladies going, and it's a men-only club. High cover, three-drink minimum, but a killer dance floor." He blushes again and glances guiltily around the half-circle; we're all staring at him. "I used to date one of the bartenders," he says with a shaky smile. "Nice guy 'til he dumped me."
Sam clucks his tongue; Rosie gives him a sharp look. Gandalf sighs, and turns to Legolas. "Well?" he asks. "Is that it?"
Legolas doesn't speak; his eyes are still glowing, his face still aloof. Then his tongue flicks out to touch his dry lips. It's like an electric shock going through me to see that; such an erotic thing in such a grim situation. But it wasn't meant to be sexual – he was just wetting his lips. Then he starts talking again.
"The Ringbearer's deductions are correct. Now go you to this place and bring out the Prince of Emyn Arnen beneath the stars, that our sentence may be cast upon him."
"What about us?" asks Arwen from her place beside Aragorn. "The Shieldmaiden is our friend, too. Do we have a place in this?"
"No, Evenstar; you shall remain here with the Shieldmaiden, and with you shall be the Queen of Rohan, the Rose, the Diamond, and the Star. Here you shall wait until all has been fulfilled that we have ordained, for it is our will the Shieldmaiden shall be safeguarded from any harm. For if it come to pass she witness the deposition of her spouse great injury will come of it, and our design come to naught; this shall not be, for enough disruption has been caused by the Prince of Emyn Arnen, and it is our desire to end it once for all."
That has a damn permanent sound to it. I can't help it; I shudder – bad enough hearing that the Valar are pissed off at Faramir, bad enough hearing they're going to get him back for it, bad enough they're telling me to shove off – it's worse, hearing it in Legolas' voice, even though it's not really him speaking – it's got a mechanical, emotionless quality to it that gives me a major case of the creeps.
Seems like everyone's thinking this. They're all looking down, or looking at each other, lips pursed, uncomfortable. There's silence, then I hear a great shuddering sigh above me. I look up – Legolas has closed his eyes and is breathing deeply through his mouth; his hands are shaking. I reach up and take them in mine; they're cold and clammy.
Oh my lord Manwë, this is a terrible thing.
Peace, beloved Listener. You know this is the only way to bring about reparation. To let him go upon his own path will cause even more sorrow.
Fuck it all. All right. I know.
I feel something warm touch me; my fingers tighten. I open my eyes, look down. My acushla is there, holding my hands, looking up at me; her eyes are glazed with tears, the poor little bit; not tears for Faramir, but for me, for us, for all of us.
Oh acushla, how I wish this were over. How I wish we didn't have to do this. How I wish I could whisk you away on the back of my Hog and take you someplace – anyplace – where the fields are lush and green, and the mountains stand like sentinels about us, their sharp heads crowned with snow. I would lay you down on a bed of white flowers and cover you with my body, and you would see the stars look down upon us as I made love to you.
But not now.
Whitey steps up to me. He's got his Maia look on, the one that tells everyone it's time to get down to business.
"So that's it, then, Legs?" he says soberly. "We're the Valar's vessels in this?"
Is it? Is this it? Fucking enough, as far as I can tell.
It is the Istar's hand that will administer the final blow.
Bugger, he'll bloody well hate that.
"You're the vessel," I say. My voice is shaking, dammit. "We're just the entourage."
He closes his eyes, shakes his head. "Bollocks," he says softly.
Éomer stands up, clears his throat. "Well, I for one am ready to go," he says. His light eyes are angry; he's looking at my acushla. Well, can't bloody well blame him; if anyone bished up Arwen's life I'd fucking want to bollock him too. "You heard what he's been doing. I vote we go now."
The men all look around. Only Pip and Frodo look uncomfortable; can't blame them, really. Then Grim looks at me, cracks his knuckles, and heads to the door.
"All righty, then," he growls. "Let's ride."
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.


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Alexander the Great, [356-323 B.C.].
Alexander, the Great, 356-323 B.C
Historical and Public Figures: A General Portrait File to the 1920s
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building / Print Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs
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Marble head of Alexander the Great. Found at Ptolemais, in Egypt ; recently acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
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Denim in the garden...
How long does it take for denim to decompose? I've made a couple of "grow pouches" out of the legs of an old pair of jeans...Just wondering about how long they will last with all the watering of the plants inside?
You may want to ask this question over on the Garden Junk forum. Several people over there have used denim for planting. Linda
Here is a link that might be useful: Garden Junk forum
rubyredcornbread, long ago and far away I was a bachelor, living on my own and working at a job that was intensely 'field oriented'. Consequently it was tough on clothes and footwear....and ME!.
The upside was thar I had a 2-Hr lunch break. Very often I came home covered in soot and/or mud; I'd hit the shower fully clothed and by the time I was ready to go back to work, my working clothes were dry and ready to wear. This would happen daily unless it rained. Dryers were not in my past.
The shirts were 'terylene' and the jeans were denim "Wrangler". I went through a shirt in about a month but a "Wrangler" would last a full year at least. It would rip at the knees; I'd then make short pants out of them and later pass them on to my younger brother.
My experience of denim is that it is indestructible!
Check out the link.
I believe the material in smart pots is polypropylene, a very tough synthetic fiber that is inert like plastic but breathes like fabric. It doesn't interact with your soil mix or the chemicals you add to it. Denim may leach dyes as well as breaking down more rapidly. I have used smart pots for three seasons for growing vegetables and plan to use them again this year. They are actually more durable than the plastic tubs used in self watering containers, which crack after a season or two.


text:
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana(zone 5/6)February 8, 2010
Posted by molly_and_me 9 (My Page) on
Sun, Feb 7, 10 at 16:54
Responded to his offer for free mixed hot pepper seeds.
The seeds arrived very quickly. They were well packaged and labeled very well.
Anxious to trade with him in the future.
(copied from another thread)
booboobolhuis(7, Oklahoma)
I responded to the same sasbe post for the pepper mix. Seeds were shipped quickly (after I finally remembered to send him the bubblie,lol) and was a good amount of seeds. Very happy and will trade or respond to sasbe in the future! Thanks Joe for the seeds and the kind words for my dughter. :) Jennifer


text:
+ - Apple forbidden to sell iPhone 3G, 3GS, 4 and iPad with UMTS in Germany->
Link to Original Source
We've improved Slashdot's video section; now you can view our video interviews, product close-ups and site visits with all the usual Slashdot options to comment, share, etc. No more walled garden! It's a work in progress -- we hope you'll check it out (Learn more about the recent updates).
therefore, the only real emergency solutions i see, correct me if i am wrong, is either: 1. get some new backup generators there asap, or 2. run some emergency electrical lines to the power plant asap
Incidentally, this is what they are doing. But since power isn't restored just by clapping your hands, they're doing whatever they can to delay meltdowns and spread of radiation.
"Pull the trigger and you're garbage." -- Lady Blue


text:
CNBC Pranked By Japanese Photoshopper
Bloomberg reported that Japanese Ministry of Finance posted a silly ad to solicit young Japanese guys to buy government bonds on popular free magazine R25, which is a true story.
To Japanese' credit, many people here were amazed by silliness of the ad project, and got angry against who spent tax for this. The magazine R25, run by Recruit Co., Ltd., distributed half an million copies around Greater Tokyo area fortnightly, is a casual magazine for train commuters in their 20's and 30's.
The bonds editorial ad was inconsiderate as a government ads, but the magazine is not a national quality magazine, and the article seemed to be made with a pun with the same sounds verb ("moteru") which means "able to posses (bonds)" or "be sexually popular".
This is a copy of the ad page (via Orange! [J]),
However, based on the Bloomberg's story, CNBC wrote another news – Using Sex To Sell Japanese Government Bonds, with a photo in which a guy bathing in cash bath tub with two girls.
They attach a pdf file of the ad page as an evidence, with translating some texts to English, but the naked people's photo part apparently does not fit the whole page tone.
When comparing with the original (top of this page), you see the diagram part (which explains how individual can invest government bonds) was used to paste the photo.
The modified page image (before translation by CNBC) firstly (as far as I could search) appeared on an anonymous image upload service and referred from a comment on notorious Japanese mega bulletin board 2 channel.
The cash bathing image may be from "winning strategy of Pachinko" internet marketing brochure. Searching returns even some parodies.
via @aquamarine
See also:
Another Japanese bonds ads with Kabuki actor [J], which copy is "Un, Kokusai"("Yes, government bonds") has hidden double meaning in the same sound "Unko, Kusai"("Crap smells bad"). Now you know in Japan, government sometimes mix punning and friendliness.
[Update] The "Un, Kokusai" ad was also photoshopped one. I did the same mistake…
Akky Akimoto
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