text:
Pregnant Perfect during pregnancy
After Nursing or just after birth
Forever Wear even when not pregnant
Pregnant Perfect during pregnancy
After Nursing or just after birth
Forever Wear even when not pregnant
A great top will revolutionize your pregnancy wardrobe and this Scoop Top in our signature jersey is a hero style. With its flattering ruched detailing and clean silhouette, its a must-have that will work at every stage of your pregnancy and beyond. In our signature easy-care jersey this essential style holds its shape and color wash after wash. Wear with a cropped, tailored pant and a blazer, with jeans and sneakers or a pencil skirt and heels for all-round wardrobe versatility.
For style advice, sizing queries or to book a free online styling session, please contact our eStylist team here.
Need Help with Sizing? -To keep things simple we've designed our maternity clothes in line with your pre-pregnancy clothing size. For more size information click the sizing link above, or if you need further assistance please contact our Customer Service Team who will be delighted to help
Find out more about all shipping options and timescales.
We hope that you will be truly delighted with your purchase, however we know that judging your size can be difficult during the early stages of pregnancy. That's why we offer you a full refund for full price unworn items, in their original packaging returned within 30 days of delivery.
Sale items must be returned within 7 working days of delivery.
View the complete Returns Policy here.
Quality: Stylishness: Fit: Comfort: |
2nd March 2015
Great for everyday wear - casual or to work. Very comfortable and great for any trimester - very flexible piece that allows room for growth. Highly recommend this as a staple to your maternity wardrobe. |
Quality: Stylishness: Fit: Comfort: |
11th February 2015
So nice to have a tee shirt that feels good and looks good! |
Quality: Stylishness: Fit: Comfort: |
6th January 2015
Lovely quality, very stylish basic item. Will go with everything. |
Quality: Stylishness: Fit: Comfort: |
25th November 2014
Great for layering or wearing on its own. The description does not mention it, but there is a built in bra. Do not size up, stick with your pre-pregnancy size. |
Quality: Stylishness: Fit: Comfort: |
8th September 2014
this is a great item - i love it! |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
14th May 2014
This has been my favourite purchase. So stylish, easy to wear, and flattering. I wear a few times a week. |
Quality: Comfort: Fit: Stylishness: |
20th December 2013
Great top, fits perfectly and is really comfy and stylish, but slightly see-through showing the double layer over the bust. Not a problem for me since it is winter and I'm wearing it with a cardi or jumper over the top. |
Quality: Comfort: Fit: Stylishness: |
20th December 2013
Love these tops, bought four in different colours! |
Comfort: Fit: Stylishness: Quality: |
19th December 2013
Tag stitching on side rubs wrong if not wearing over-the-belly pants |
Comfort: Stylishness: Quality: Fit: |
19th December 2013
I love this top . Stunning colour and gorgeous fit. |
Fit: Stylishness: Comfort: Quality: |
19th December 2013
great fit, true to size, am 5'9" and did not experience any difficulty with sleeve length. usually a UK size 10 and purchased IO size 2. |
Fit: Stylishness: Comfort: Quality: |
19th December 2013
great fit, true to size, I am 5'9" and did not experience any difficulty with sleeve length. usually a UK size 10 and purchased IO size 2. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
19th December 2013
Has seen me through in terms of work wear. Washes amazing and is comfortable. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Good basic
15th June 2013
This is a good basic but I was disappointed with the sleeve length and partial under layer (just covers bust). I'm a 5'11" size 10 and the sleeves are too short due to the ruching detail - I would of prefered them without as it is more of a 3/4 sleeve. The quality is good overall and not thin fabric but for a white top to be worn with trousers it would be better if the under layer was full length to avoid being see-through. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Very flattering around my bump!
28th April 2013
Bought this top in black and white. Love the fit. Really comfortable. Very flattering around my bump. Smart enough for work / the evening, and just as good paired with jeans. Really happy with them |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Must Have!
20th March 2013
Have this top in fuschia, it is a wonderful color and extremely comfortable. It looks great after many washes. A great buy! |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
A great basic
8th February 2013
Not too much more to say. The top is easy to wear, a good length and fit, with good quality fabric. I have the heather grey (will look better on me once I am less winter white!) and am planning to buy a few more in different colours. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
19th January 2013
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
18th January 2013
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Love this top!
12th January 2013
I waited for this top to go on sale and I scooped up three colours: black, white and heather gray - all staple colours. This is the best top purchase I've made during my pregnancy and I can see myself wearing these tops post-pregnancy as well. I ordered a size 2 and it's a perfect fit. Other reviews indicate that the scoop neck is too low, but I didn't find that's the case. Don't hesitate on ordering this top, you'll get a lot of wear out of it. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Nice top but v baggy arms
8th January 2013
Lovely good quality material and fit well around bump. Unfortunately my top had far too much fabric on the arms which are actually quite baggy. I took the tags out and whenever I put on end up taking it off again as ends up looking frumpy. I'm 5ft3 and 12-14ish so maybe better on someone tall and lean who can wear a smaller size. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Not convinced
28th December 2012
What fabric is this? I bought the grey in size 12 and I found the fabric lacking in breathability. The day was a sweaty armpit day. In winter too. I prefer a more cotton like feel and this lacked it. :-// |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Fabulous basic top!
10th December 2012
Great top and true to size.. Very flattering with the detail on the arms and sides. Very comfortable to wear and looks great with maternity jeans and a scarf. Highly recommend as a basic top for layering beneath knits or under a cardigan. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Colour depiction not acurate
22nd November 2012
Unfortunately the colour fushia appears a lot more luminous than depicted online. As I like the style however, I have exchanged it for a different colour. It would be nice to have more muted colours other than black, white and grey. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Gorgeous, nice and long in the body
4th November 2012
Love this top, just ordered two more. I'm only 13 weeks and it's not too baggy, but because of the ruching I know this will be fine when go ten days overdue like last time. I am 6 ft 1 and this comes down about 2 inches below my bellybutton at the moment. Really good length. Nice long arms too. Perfect for winter. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Perfect top for maternity
16th October 2012
It is comfortable, stretches well, the length is good, not too long. The size is accurate, the colours are nice - I have white and navy. It's good for work under blazer or for leisure with jeans. I am 30 weeks now and believe it will be good till the end and after. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
slow service, way overpriced items, alow replies
9th October 2012
Paying $72 for an item that is similar to other brands (that cost only about $30) made a hole in my tight budget. The item was shipped from the UK and took 3 weeks to arrive. Meanwhile I contacted the customer service twice and they took many days to reply instead of 24 hours. And no, they were not able to even show my order or track it on my account. |
Comfort: Fit: Quality: Stylishness: |
Great basic
2nd October 2012
Love the fit, blue color, and ruched detail on sleeve. |


text:
Don't worry, probably in five years we will have fully working open source drivers for the HD 7000 series...
Phoronix: AMD RadeonSI Graphics Driver Still Troublesome On Linux
Back in June I ran some RadeonSI Gallium3D benchmarks showing the performance had a ways to improve, but sadly the situation hasn't improved months. There's been progress on the RadeonSI Gallium3D driver and from the kernel side with Radeon DRM improvements and new features, but in testing out the latest code it's still a buggy experience and the performance isn't close to matching the closed-source AMD Catalyst Linux graphics driver for Radeon HD 7000 series hardware. At least though for some Linux games we're now in the range of 50% the OpenGL speed of Catalyst.
Don't worry, probably in five years we will have fully working open source drivers for the HD 7000 series...
what the point to use kernel without dpm enable?
As it seems that AMD is focusing more Linux-related efforts to the open source module, what is the implication for the future? If the FOSS module is the future of AMD drivers on Linux, does this mean that acceptable performance on the radeon module will always be 2 or 3 generations behind the latest and greatest?
What was the problem with Tropics? It works fine for me.
Also, which version of LLVM was used for these tests? 3.4 SVN is recommended for Mesa master.
You can see the effects of the clocks between the 3.8 and 3.11 and 3.12 tests. Prior to 3.11, the kernel left the clocks at their boot up levels which are usually very low. In 3.11, the default clocks are now programmed. The default clocks vary from board to board. Sometimes they are low like the boot up clocks, sometimes they are higher like on older dGPUs. So depending on your board, you are not likely to see much of a difference in performance if your particular board already has high default clocks. You will save power however since the clocks will be reduced when the GPU is not busy.
For us with a lack of understanding. Just what pieces are missing/needs to be done in the free driver to make perform as well as the closed driver?
Micheal is there any way to do a single test (for example Xonotic) when benchmarking an openbenchmarking.org ID (1309171-SO-AMDRADEON66)?
Did you receive my last e-mail? I wasn't able to submit the results...
Mostly porting of additional hardware and software optimizations from r600g to radeonsi. Of the top of my head:
- hyperZ support
- fast color clears
- enabling 2D tiling by default on SI (can probably done now that mesa 9.2 has been released)
- using the sDMA engines for blits and uploads
- shader compiler improvements
No I didn't get any email. Michael at phoronix.com.
Not without hand editing the XML, though would be a good feature to come up with a good way to add that support, it would be easy but would just be a matter of thinking of a good way to expose/input that request to only benchmark a select portion(s) of the comparison.
Michael Larabel

subset: commoncrawl


text:
how can ANYTHING in the WoW universe be as epic as The Arthas lore?? no competition
how can ANYTHING in the WoW universe be as epic as The Arthas lore?? no competition
If we're talking about which expansion had the best storytelling, I would have to say MoP, it's been a great story so far with the Ally vs Horde, as well as the Mogu. I however really don't like the Pandaren lore.. they are pacifists, not caring about anything, they didn't build the empire themself, they just took it by conquest and had some nothing ever since.
As for the story I liked the most, it has to be WotLK, the story was okay in the game, but it was more the pre built lore around Arthas that I really loved.
Last edited by Ryme; 2013-02-18 at 02:30 PM.
I am the lucid dream
Uulwi ifis halahs gag erh'ongg w'ssh
I'm not following where people get this great alliance vs horde story in MOP. There have been very few happenings that one could call a war or a story. It's so barren and sad, I believe most players who talk about great story in MOP did not play in previous expansions and just breezed through them while power-leveling.
Before you jump down my throat for responding to a comment for yours Killidan, I just got back from class and opened my computer and came here. It's ironic you're the one who wrote what I'm responding to.
I'm pretty sure you quit WoW, but I have no idea when so I don't know if you actually levelled through any of the zones in Pandaria or if you've even played in 5.1.
I'll say the only zones in the initial Pandaria zones where I felt the war that you don't see is apparent was in Jade Forest and Kun Lai Summit.
The entire reason only those zones have the war being apparent there is because, and Blizzard even said it after 5.1 came out was because Blizzard wanted to introduce Pandaria and give each zone its own part in giving Pandaria a story and background, and also having you figure out what is truly worth fighting for.
In Jade Forest, the war is apparent: it's the entire main storyline for the zone, and it's what causes the Sha to outbreak across Pandaria, along with introducing the Mogu into the playing field as well.
In Kun Lai, both sets of forces are more-so regrouping and trying to gain the Pandaren on their faction's side so that they can have the edge in this new land.
After that, your main goal in Pandaria is simply mopping up the problems each faction has done to the continent itself. Our main enemies from there are the Mogu, the Mantid, and the Sha, who we actually unleashed.
In 5.1, that's when I, personally, really felt the Alliance vs Horde storyline.
There's an entire new subzone now in Krasarang Wilds, and fighting Alliance soldier after Alliance solider, along with a multitude of Players, really made me feel like the war had finally come to Pandaria and the story had officially taken off.
The entire reason people have been saying Mists has had the best story telling is also due to 5.1, and 5.0's ground work to lay out the rest of the Patches.
5.1 included stories like the Dalaran Crisis, Garrosh's descent into madness, the Horde falling apart, the Alliance growing in following behind Varian, etc.
The Blood Elves really came into their own, with Lorthemar for example actually becoming a favorite in the Horde Leaders due to his developments in such a patch.
That's where the war is apparent specifically for me at least.
An entire patch devoted to it is what really did it for me, and the fantastic storytelling in such a Patch, along with the initial story in 5.0, is what really make Mists' story fantastic.
I dunno if you'll understand why so many people find the story so apparent and great now, but maybe you can just understand our opinions differ, and there we can understand one another a bit more when it comes to Mists and its story.
---------- Post added 2013-02-18 at 03:23 PM ----------
Just read the entire response I just constructed. That's what did it for me, and I've heard a multitude of people feel the same about 5.1.
Last edited by Destil; 2013-02-18 at 03:31 PM.
Writer and journalist for Adventures In Poor Taste (http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/)
Blizzard went overboard with the pop culture references in Cata. Pop culture references are fine, just don't base whole story lines on them! I did like the Rambo quest line in Redridge though
Mists is a nice change of pace.
You do the same as usual. Instead of discussing an idea, you pick a target and unload personal comments about the poster.
For the record, I did play MOP, have a 90 main and I still play until my sub expires in few weeks.
You can stop spreading lies about posters whose opinions you disagree with. If you think your arguments are weak to counter theirs and you feel that you need to resort to attacking other posters credibility, DON'T.
Wait, what? What're you talking about?
It came off to me that you didn't play anymore, and all I was saying was that I didn't think you played 5.1?
What're you talking about that I'm spreading lies? Can we not discuss this civilly? Just read my post and respond to it.
All I was guessing was that you were unsubbed. Christ.
I'm not attacking your credibility in the slightest.
The only thing I was doing was explaining why myself and a few others like Mists' story so much. o_O
Writer and journalist for Adventures In Poor Taste (http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/)
Just dont even bother with this guy, put him on ignore. Your response is very respectable and none agressive, This guy just has a stick up his ass about WoW so if anyone has a differant opinion regarding the game, its comes out has an attack to him. Anything you say wont change how he thinks. Ignore him, its not worth it .
If you insist. I'm just trying to be civil about it.
OT: I'm curious how the story telling may evolve in the next expansion.
The techniques they've used with Mists have worked very well, and if they can create an actual villain, whether it be Kil Jaeden, or Azshara, or N'zoth, whoever it might be, that isn't War and is as compelling at Arthas, the story may be in its prime next expansion.
Don't think Im trouncing on Mists having its villain be War and Garrosh, but having an actual villain on the Box Art like Wrath or Cataclysm is basically what I mean by it.
Writer and journalist for Adventures In Poor Taste (http://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/)
Been playing 2004-2013. Wrath of the Lich King no question. I feel like BC had amazing potential with Illidan and stuff but they were still new to the storytelling technologies and it missed the mark. Even with the raid design... Heroic LK is still the most epic fight in all of WoW. Even when I pug it to do a mount run, I still see 90s wiping to the mechanics. This might sound cliche and completely opinionated, but to me the World of Warcraft's momentum died with Arthas.
1-10 Scale
Wrath: 9
Burning Crusade: 7
Mists of Pandaria: 6
Cataclysm: 5
Vanilla: 3
Surprisingly, I feel I can transfer that list directly over to the opening cinematics for each of the Expansions and it would be about the same. What you notice is it almost directly relates to personality of the villain. I did play WC3 as well, so I think maybe I'm unique in that my ratings were influenced by well established characters.
Last edited by ro9ue; 2013-02-18 at 04:33 PM.
Wrath by far. The titans, the scourge, the argent crusade, questing in Icecrown (awesome even if you were at the level cap!) . . . and let's not forget one of the best villians of any genre or story telling type (books, video games, movies, etc) in Arthas.
Heck, even the trailer itself was the best story telling trailers ever (not just in WoW).
MoP is a a distant second, not because it isn't good (in fact it's quite wonderful), just that it doesn't have the magic that the LK story could bring.
BC is a distant third from there. Interesting story, but really Blizz was just learning how to tell a story like that. Also, was kind of disjointed at times. Still very good.
Didn't play Vanilla at max level 60 so I can't say there.
Cata was an abomination. Truly terrible. I remember seeing how they did the trailer at Blizzcon and thinking "oh god this looks horrible, like a monster truck rally commercial". Everyone else seemed to like the trailer, so I thought "ok, maybe I'm just missing something here." Turns out I wasn't. Paper thin villain "Muwahahaha Me BAD GUY DEATHWING!", terrible plot holes ("Deathwing is channeling the final cataclysm, quick kill him" . . . um, why didn't he do that BEFORE we ambushed him with the Dragon Soul??), and story threads that went nowhere (Tol'Vir were awesome!!! WTF happened to them?? Throne of Tides . . . we never get an ending to it seriously??? Not even a max level 5 man?? Horde gains the Dragonmaw Clan, and we NEVER see them again???).
Yeah so TLDR:
Wrath >>> MoP >> BC >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Worst movie you've ever seen > Cata
Not sure if you just wanted to strike back at the person you quoted, or really mean that. While WotLK's lore is not as good as the RTS games, it still stood out over the other expansions (atleast imo). The poll does say that WotLK has the best lore by quite a lot voters.
The lore in the RTS games was brilliant, its pretty hard to top that. I do personally enjoy some of MoP's new lore, but they still cannot complete to the RTS games imo.
BC had the most potential, but failed hard with presentation. Some of the franchise's most lore-rich and iconic characters were turned into raving, evil monsters with no proper explanation whatsoever for the switch.
I''ll do that to, thanks for advice. Your posts are horrible.
As for story, Wrath is very good, but storytelling sucked. Nexus war line was rather silly, we never really seen Azjol Nerub, Crystalsong were a wasted opportunity and whole "Lich King is toying with you" gets annoying rather fast. On the other hand, Titan lore was amazing and Wrathgate happened.
No expansion has really progressed the Warcraft story all that much... they've all been backstory/wrapping up story from WCIII.


text:
Comment: It's more than that (Score 5, Insightful) 158
Positive people are dangerous. Because they assume everything is going to be fine, they fail to plan for things to go wrong, and then after you're stuck cleaning up the mess they caused, they sweep it all under the rug and act like everything went smoothly - so not only do you get no recognition for your heroic efforts to fix everything, but they're fully confident in their ability to handle the next situation just as well as the last.
But nobody wants to listen to the pessimists, because they're so negative.


text:
Events Calendar
« Return to Calendar View
Whiskey Dawn
August 30, 2013 9:30 pm
Whiskey Dawn is California's hottest country band! Following the release of their album, "Dear Nashville", they've performed shows with Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Bucky Covington, Lady Antebellum and Julianne Hough. Known for their inspiring original music, tight, high-energy performances, and passionate vocals, Whiskey Dawn is THE band to watch on the California scene!
Must be 21 or older • $5 cover charge. Wristbands for sale in the Bonus Magic Club.
Brewery VIP Suites: $100. Guaranteed luxury seating for up to 10 guests.
1 - 5 people, 1 pitcher of draft beer and 1 large pizza.
6-10 people, 2 pitchers of draft beer and 2 large pizzas.
Beer may be substituted for House Wine or House Champagne. No substitutions for the pizza.


text:
Regal and once deified, the cheetah now faces an uncertain future. Once numbering over 100,000, there are only an estimated 7,500 to 10,000 cheetahs left in the plains of Africa today.
The National Zoo has contributed to cheetah conservation through research in cheetah reproduction and pioneered methods of assisted reproduction. There is still much to be learned and done to ensure the survival of the fastest land animal on earth.
Adopt a cheetah, celebrate the cubs at the Zoo's Virginia campus, and help support conservation efforts at both the National Zoo's D.C. campus and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia.


text:
Gruul's Lair image requests
Category page
102,708pages on
this wiki
this wiki
Articles in this category have the {{Screenshot}} tag, and the subjects come from the Gruul's Lair zone. You can help by uploading images or screenshots that meet the image guidelines.
Pages in category "Gruul's Lair image requests"
This category contains only the following page.


text:
China | 改变国家和语言
Traveller Services
A Better Journey
Organize your travel
Class services
At the airport and in flight
Live Italy
Passenger Rights
The Program
Special promotions
Earning miles
Redeeming miles
Buy Miles
Exclusive Clubs
Dedicated services
MilleMiglia is a loyalty Program dedicated to all Alitalia customers, rewarding them with exclusive services, benefits and offers only for its members. Becoming a member and receiving your awards is very simple:
To treat you as a truly special guest, Alitalia gives you the possibility of joining the MilleMiglia Program's Exclusive Clubs. Each Club has its additional advantages: entry into the airport Lounges, priority for reservation waitlist, greater baggage allowance and much more. And with the new edition of the MilleMiglia Program, it's even easier to gain access to the Exclusive Clubs, thanks to the possibility of transferring any unused qualifying miles to the following year.
Discover some of the benefits that the MilleMiglia Program and the Exclusive Clubs have in store for its members:
The terms and conditions of use of the benefits of each Club are specified in the Exclusive Clubs pages. To find out about all the other benefits and features of the MilleMiglia Program, read the Regulations, download the guide in PDF or visit the Questions and Answers section.
© Copyright Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A.
P. IVA 02500880121 Piazza Almerico da Schio Pal. RPU - 00054 Fiumicino (RM)


text:
Prices and availability are subject to change from the time and date that you print this page.
4/28/2015 3:09:37 AM. For Customer Service, please call
Pickup choose from 22 warehouse locations when you click the pickup button in your cart.
open bar. A spirited mix of industrial and earthy serves up a full bar on a small-space footprint. Open iron construction with matte grey antiqued finish tops out at the perfect counter height to prep and pour drinks. Down below, three racks suspend up to 12 wine or champagne glasses; bottom shelf stocks champagne, wine and liquor bottles, and ice buckets. Stunning sustainable acacia wood drawer crafted with precision dovetail joinery and cutout pull stores even more bottles out of sight. Thoughtful design is finished on all sides to float in the room.


text:
The man -- or rather, men -- in the red suit won't be marching along New York's Fifth Avenue the day after Thanksgiving this year. After more than a century, the Sidewalk Santa Parade put on by the Volunteers of America-Greater New York is being retired.
The parade of about 50 Santas traditionally collected money from shoppers for a campaign to help families in need buy food during the holiday season, the group's spokeswoman, Rachel Weinstein, told Reuters. It's a tradition that has its roots in a 1896 trip through the streets by Ballington Booth, whose parents founded the Salvation Army, to give hot meals to New York residents.
But the cost of keeping up all those Santa suits has been rising, and it's been getting harder to convince volunteers to venture out into the cold to collect cash, Weinstein told Reuters and The Associated Press.
Since the parade wasn't a hugely effective way of raising money anyway, the group decided to hang up the Santa hats in favor of other fundraising methods. Volunteers of America-Greater New York will instead focus on collecting money from corporate sponsors, private foundations and individual donors, according to the group's website.


text:
16" Deluxe European Boticino and Black Marble Chess Set with Black Border
These hand-made marble chess sets are ideal for collectors and chess enthusiasts that want something unique, but still in a traditional style that makes play easy. Each piece is hand carved, so no two sets are ever exactly alike. These marble sets should be left out on display when possible! |


text:
How I Ended This Summer (Kak ya provyol etim letom)
On a deserted Russian Arctic island, two men work diligently at a small meteorological station. Their task is to take regular readings from their partly radioactive surroundings and relay this crucial data on to headquarters via radio - their only bridge to the outside world. For a seasoned pro like Sergei, a gruff man in his fifties, this job has become routine. During the years he has spent in extreme isolation, he has learned to take this task very seriously. His new work partner is the fresh-faced Pavel, a bright-eyed college graduate assigned to spend the summer at the station.
Cast: Sergei Puskepalis, Igor Csernyevics, Artyom Tsukanov, Ilya Sobolev, Grigoriy Dobrygin
Produced by:
Directed by: Aleksei Popogrebsky
Written by: Aleksei Popogrebsky
Running time:
2hr 4min
Theaters for Today |
Pick a day
on this day. |


text:
Cosart, Redmond square off in series finale
Astros, Blue Jays looking to end dubious streaks
The Astros may have staved off a sweep with an 8-6 win on Saturday, but when they meet the Blue Jays on Sunday, both teams have series streaks they'd like to snap.
Toronto needs Sunday's finale to notch its first series win since July 5-7 against Minnesota. Wins against Houston on Thursday and Friday gave the Blue Jays consecutive wins for the first time since they were the hottest team in baseball during an 11-game winning streak more than a month ago.
"We haven't had a lot of [series wins]," said manager John Gibbons. "It's been a tough homestand, especially. Before the All-Star break ... we were playing pretty good at home. But we want to finish the season strong."
Meanwhile, the Astros have dropped seven series in a row and haven't won a set outright in 10 tries -- including this four-game battle against Toronto.
But a win would halt the losing stretch, which dates back to splitting a pair of home games against St. Louis in late June.
With that on the line, the Astros will give the ball to rookie standout Jarred Cosart. The righty has made two Major League starts, accounting for Houston's only two wins in a 15-game stretch that ended Friday. He's been nothing short of exceptional, posting a 0.60 ERA.
Cosart took a no-hitter into the seventh inning of his Major League debut against Tampa Bay on July 5, beating the Rays and outdueling reigning American League Cy Young Award winner David Price. Against Oakland on Tuesday, he allowed only one earned run over seven innings of a no-decision.
The righty is the third Astros pitcher in team history to throw at least seven innings in his first two starts and allow one earned run or fewer.
Opposing Cosart will be another relative newbie in Toronto starter Todd Redmond. The right-hander recorded his first Major League win earlier this month, and has been steady despite not lasting longer than 5 2/3 innings in his three starts.
Redmond has only allowed eight runs over those starts, but four home runs during such short outings (14 2/3 innings combined) leave room for concern against a Houston lineup that's scored just one fewer run (14) than it had posted in the previous five games combined (15).
Astros: Bullpen struggling
With a reeling bullpen, what better remedy than a starter who gets you to the eighth inning? Despite Dallas Keuchel's late struggles, he lasted 7 1/3 innings on Saturday against Toronto, giving a struggling relief corps a respite and a confidence boost.
Houston's bullpen had allowed at least one earned run in 10 consecutive games before Saturday (since July 13), posting an 8.01 ERA over that span. Relievers had also given away several late leads -- including one to the Blue Jays, courtesy of an eight-run inning during Friday's 12-6 loss.
But Saturday only required five outs, and closer Jose Veras was up to the task for the extended save. Still, Houston manager Bo Porter said nobody should be surprised to see some changes down in the 'pen.
"I have a job to do to lead this team, and I can't be more point blank and clear than I've been," said Porter. "It's up to them to do a better job, and it's up to us to give them enough opportunity to where if they're not going to do a better job, then we need to go in another direction and find somebody else."
Blue Jays: Homers flying out of Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre has always been considered a hitter's ballpark, but this year it ranks among the best in all of baseball.
"It's always been a good hitter's park, but it seems like this year it's really taken off," said manager John Gibbons, who is well acquainted with the building -- having coached parts of eight seasons at the 25-year-old stadium.
During the last two games, which featured 32 total runs, the Astros and Blue Jays have combined to smash 12 homers.
Through 55 games, there have been 165 home runs hit at the Rogers Centre -- an average of three per game. AL East foe Baltimore sits second, with Camden Yards seeing 142 homers in 50 games.
Worth Noting
• Houston's eight runs on Saturday was the most runs the Astros scored since July 6 against Texas, and just the second time they've eclipsed the eight-run mark since June 18 -- a span of 31 games.
• Chris Carter's home run on Saturday was the 12th he's hit in away games this season, as opposed to seven at home. He's accrued 32 of his 51 RBIs this season during road games.
• Toronto is one of three MLB teams with a pair of players who currently have 20 or more home runs -- with Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista mashing 28 and 24, respectively.
Chris Abshire is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Follow http://tastejiangsu.comJiangsu, as you know, is one of the richest provinces in China. The Jiangsu Provincial Tourism Bureau has just created a website entirely in English and Spanish devoted to the promotion of tourism. [url]http://www.tastejiangsu.com[/url] I`m sure you`ll find a lot of information on this website, information that your web-visitors would like to have access to.


text:
Reader comments are listed below. Comments are currently closed and new comments are no longer being accepted.
This is the coolest cartoon ever! I have been laughing for some 15 minutes!
For those who think US's system is better than the China's, they need to compare the effectiveness of the two governments on top of their respective election/succession procedures. Then, you will know which one is better.
Precisely my point. There has not been any trouble with the selection process. But, it is quite appalling to see that people have absolutely no choice whatsoever.
Not taking into account the economic boom, how is China's system different from dictatorships in a number of African states?
How do you define the so called characteristics of those African states as mentioned in your comment? I will then provide you with my view point by point.
What definition? Isn't dictatorship self explanatory.
What sort of political options are the Chinese entitled with? Are they even allowed to criticise/voice their opinion?
Can you also please enlighten me if there is even a possibility and mechanism to start a new political party that can contest an election.
In my view, the Chinese Communism is nothing but an organised and civilised form of dictatorship.
In dictatorship - power is transferred to kith/kin or by a coup.
In China - the politburo serves similar purpose
Having said all this, I really don't want to get into an argument with anybody, because this is only my opinion.
"I really don't want to get into an argument with anybody, because this is only my opinion."
Alright, alright, I know what you meant. You are not ready yet. I respect your opinion. I just want to say that China is just a one-party-leading-all nation. Take a look at its organisational chart via net search, you will find that its a huge setup akin to a big corporation consisting of a number of boards for the day to day operation. Outsiders might often have the mistaken thought that its high security control over the nation is bad. But US has the same tight security for its own national safety, so do many other nations in the world. In fact, I have given my views in many other forums. IMO, China is not that dictatorial as you think. Check the poll if there is any to see how its people approve-rate the nation. Anyway...., nice to talk to you.
Organized opposition to the system is difficult, much more difficult than, say, organize an occupying wall street movement in the US. But for the ambitious and talented, there are pathways to move up, even to the very top, albeit arduous ones: first you have to buy into the system, then spend years even decades cultivating power base, seeking patronage from the rich and powerful... you know, just like our former community organizer and now the two-term leader of the free world. ;-).
I have always been curious about the power system in China. However, even after several attempts at trying to understand the system, I find my knowledge jaded on this regard and hence don't have enough data to argue with anyone on this topic.
The insights I currently base my opinions are from Chinese classmates who range from middle class to offspring of tycoons. Their diverse inputs have helped me shape my opinions to date.
Besides, what poll are you talking about. Does it include even the layman? because in my view, the bottom of the pyramid is the segment which feels the most negative impact in any system. So, polls that may not include them lose a lot of credibility.
I see what you mean, all of the current leaders who aren't princelings seem to have got to the top only through hard ground work.
But, my view is that- I don't mind buying into the sytem, but why should I have spend my entire life to see the change I want to experience. Isn't the ballot box a better idea?
But, having said that, a lot of new Chinese leaders appear to have a more liberal and modernistic mindset. Which is definitely one step ahead in the right direction.
China - the land of billion robots. Non-functioning units will be terminated.
Will the usual apologists for dictatorship (like 'HyunSmith' and 'ahmed limam') ever get the fact that the right to vote is still better than having none? Nope, they won't. They will always fall back on the usual fallacy of false equivalence to 'prove' that being naked is better than at least having a loincloth. Idiots, the lot of them.
Even in direct democracy, you can also manufacture consensus. It is the nature of the world: we constantly influence and control others' behaviors and opinion. Just look at any social interactive environments. The goal of the government is not to be the best, because all government by nature is corrupt. Rather the goal is to prevent government from being the worst. This is the reason that USA constitution is a list of things the government CANNOT do, rather than a list of things government can do.
US election campaign exaggerates the differences between leaders, China's party conclave conceals such differences. As a result, US elected leaders are good at making speeches, Chinese leaders are good at politic amoung factions of ruling elite. It's difficult to say which system produces better and more effective leaders more often.
...but KAL definitely produces better cartoons more often.
...maybe it can be improved a bit by putting Ron Paul in the roller coaster and yelling "man! pure democracy is dangerous!".
Did Lyndon Larouche say something similar?
Love how these articles/cartoons bring out the American Denialist in their lemming swarms.
"Oh our system is soo much better, we just spent $10 billion on our election and yep look at our fabulous economy"
Umm ok. Going down these comments you give out so much. What exactly is your problem? There are things more important than the economy you know. I'm Irish and our economy is terrible atm but I wouldn't trade places with any chinese person.
Actually the cartoon should have the dragon saying: what does it have to do with ME? And the others saying: Does it have something to do with me?
Well done cartoon, but a bit confusing because the dragon is usually a metaphor (even in KAL's corpus) for the Chinese state or the CPC rather than the Chinese people. The only clumsy party is the flag attached to the car saying "party."
Still, it's the best that could be done. Can any of you imagine KAL drawing a human being dragged along behind a car? And it's still much better than what most lazy American cartoonists draw, what with celebrities' names slapped right on their lapels as if we didn't recognize them.
as a ordinary citizen in china, I just want to say here that it is not my business cause i am not a member of communist party.I just want to know what life i will live in the future, especially, i have no a apartment which is a necessity if I want to marry with my girlfriend. In China, the price of a apartment is just like a rocket.
me too...instead of buying a house, you can rent one.and the price of apartment stop growing ,obviously,and also influence the economic..you should do something to change your life,which you did not like ..
Ever heard of cause and effect? Who rules the country is your business, and has a major influence on what life you will live in the future.
Exactly, how is not their business?? shocking insights into how people think.
Whether its a Fiscal Cliff or Loop-the-Loop, another pair of underpants will be ruined.
The Chinese system works because just like the Singapore system the most capable and talented are chosen.
There is a feedback mechanism, through very indirect elections (this is why leadership changes in China). This is sufficient to choose the most capable leaders.
The Chinese/Singapore Model favors competency and talent through indirect elections, while the West and US system favors direct or mob/roman bread circus rule.
It can be a little complex to understand how the Chinese system works because there are multiple interlocking elected/appointed apparatuses.
Heres a helpful graphic, though I would love to see the Economist or the WSJ do a more comprehensive graphic on all governmental organs and bodies and how they are chosen elected, and who they are responsible to.
Sure, because Party leaders do not choose their sons and brothers, and you don't need any kind of connection to climb in the hierarchy. All perfectly transparent. Right.
Oh, I suppose that would never happen in the US, George Bush Sr and Jr.
I see American denialist are out in force today
Typical conspiracy nonsense drivel that only Americans would be uneducated enough to entertain.
First you say China is a meritocracy. When someone points out it is not, you say, 'okay, neither is America', basically admitting what you have just said is false. Whether or not America is a meritocracy is irrelevant. You claimed China was a meritocracy. This claim is false.
It's not because you're the son of someone important that you can have no merit on your own. There a lot of firemen son of firmen, why not politicians son of a politicians?
A child of a head of state, like everyone else, even in a democracy, can become head of state themself. I agree that the line between merit and nepotism can get fussy at time, but there is no logical reason to ban children or siblings altogether.
Nobody said they want to ban the children or siblings of heads of state from becoming heads of state themselves. My claim that China is not a meritocracy (or anything close) still holds.
busy busy, Kal, but nice drawing if one must show the roller coaster ride half a dozen times. Again, however, you miss the difference between American and other elections. American voters, while each lacking the full power of their fraction (1 in 119 million), got to ride along on that coaster. "China," if by the dragon you mean the people, did not take that ride. Their leadership is being decided in secret. Big difference. Your British editors (you are an American) tend to whine about the chaos in America, but they unashamedly beg for American power when they want something that England can't force on its own. "Don't leave Iraq! Don't leave Afghanistan! Help Israel bomb Iran!" Some call this biting the hand that feeds you. I call it whining and dining.
-- DR of the Crimson
I was just reading http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20246741
'Drew Linzer: The stats man who predicted Obama's win'
about how it was never all that up-in-the-air.
I never did think the pundits knew tea leaves from coffee grounds.
at least the dragon isn't tied to the roof of the car
I am no China apologist but the differences between the way the Chinese and the Americans choose their presidents are just cosmetic.The American presidential election is just a big show (think bread and circuses of ancient Rome) to continue the indoctrination of the American people that they have a say over who rules them, when they have NONE. It's big business and banks that rule the home of the free, so it doesn't matter a bit whether it's Obama or Romney: both are appointees of Wall Street. So, this "choice" is actually none. The decisions have already been made by the ruling elite and whoever is appointed (let Americans believe in that myth of "elected") will carry out these decisions. American voters have as much choice as the Chinese have in selecting their leadership. At least the Chinese are less hypocritical and don't call their system democratic.
There is only one way forward to achieve TRUE democracy, let the people decide directly on ALL issues. This is what I advocate in democracy 2.0:
LOL. If you don't want to vote for the so-called "appointees of Wall Street", there are several other candidates. You are not obliged to choose between Obama and Romney. Well, at least they know how to lead better than the communist butchers.
Oh, really they "know how to lead better than the Communist butchers"? Last time I checked, China had yet to invade any country whereas the US is still engaged in TWO invasions, one of them completely illegal and where hundreds of thousands of innocents have died. So, if any leader is a butcher, it's more the American leader than the Chinese one.
Agree, with you, people should vote for others, but how do you react differently when you have been brainwashed by the best television and print press which money can buy. So, sure, it's citizens' faults that they put up with scoundrels, when they should be up in arms. Still, that doesn't make scoundrels any less so.
When is the last time you checked history? The US invaded Afghanistan and Iraq to change the government in these two countries. America didn't take even a square meter of their land. In contrast, China invaded Paracel Islands (1974), part of Spratly Islands (1988), Mischief Reef (1994), and is now planning to occupy the rest. I'm surprised that you don't know.
doesn't make sense, since Obama is as anti business as they come.
doesn't make sense, since Obama is as anti business as they come.
This is how he fools you. He SAYS a lot of anti-business rhetoric but he DOES nothing against them. Two proof points:
1. He appointed as Attorney General a corporate lawyer who is making sure nobody on Wall Street is prosecuted for their misdeeds leading to the financial crisis
2. The major business papers (such as The Financial Times and this very Economist)which are the mouthpiece of the business community all endorsed Obama for re-election. Why would they do it if he were anti-business?
Oh,and who gave America the right to change the governments in those countries? Certainly not the UN whose very Secretary General determined America's invasion of the UN was illegal.
How disingenuous of you to compare China's occupation of a few rocks in the South China Sea with America's occupation and destruction of two large countries which led to the deaths of tens of thousands of locals AND thousands of American servicemen
Yawn...Tibet...Taiwan...client prison-state North Korea
Yawn....support for oppressive Israel...Assassination of Allende in Chile...
a few rocks? Are you kidding. China sank 4 navy ships and killed 74 soldiers of South Vietnam in the 1974 battle. In 1988, 64 North Vietnamese were killed.
Alright. I know that you support Taleban and you think bringing it down is illegal. Is it legal to shoot those little girls just because they dare to go to school? Is it legal to murder thousands of Kurdish? Well. A significant part of civilian died in Afghanistan and Iraq was due to the terrorism regime that you support.
How horrible from the Chinese to have killed 74 + 88 Vietnamese, when the Americans killed how many exactly during the Vietnam War before they were sent packing? Sorry, buddy, but nothing you can say can excuse the crimes committed by the American government IN THE NAME of the American people (and, yes, the Chinese also did horrible things, following the example of their good friends in Washington.)
Ok. I give up. You can criticize the US if you want but please don't ever say that China is innocent (as you were brainwashed). If you were Japanese, or those people living in the South East Asian, you would understand why people bear resentment against CHINA. You will see that when battles break out in South China Sea. Not long.
Argh. I almost forget. I would like to remind you that Mao Zhedong murdered 60 million Chinese in the Cultural Revolution (wow, that's many). That's why I call them the communist butchers.
Where did I say the Chinese were innocent? I said they too did horrible things
I repeat that I said they too did horrible things. But at least they don't claim they are the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, the world's greatest democracy and other bullshit that America wants the world to believe.
At least the Land of the Free doesn't censor the Internet. People have the right to say whatever they want lol. I believe. That's enough. You have the right to believe in your own ideas so I won't oppose.
"But at least they don't claim they are the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, the world's greatest democracy and other bullshit that America wants the world to believe."
So true, American Denialist they're entertaining with their made up beliefs.
Even in direct democracy, you can also manufacture consensus. It is the nature of the world: we constantly influence and control others' behaviors and opinion. Just look at any social interactive environments. The goal of the government is not to be the best, because all government by nature is corrupt. Rather the goal is to prevent government from being the worst. This is the reason that USA constitution is a list of things the government CANNOT do, rather than a list of things government can do.
And we saw the result of their freedom to say what they want: an election stolen by Bush Jr, a president Obama beholden to Wall St and special interests and lobbying groups etc. Americans can say whatever they want, the country is run BY and FOR a minority that follow THEIR own interests not the majority people.
And stop being childish and trying to find any little meaningless difference between China and the US. We could make a long list and it still will NOT change the underlying reality
Again, this is another major myth manufactured (to use a term you like) by America's elite. The Constitution which allowed slavery and made sure people didn't vote directly for their president was from Day 1 a NON-DEMOCRATIC one. It was also violated by presidents, Congress and even the Supreme Court. The SC took upon itself to sanction laws based on the constitution, a power it never had (the Supreme Court was just supposed to be a court of last appeal). Bush jr violated so many constitutional principles with, among others, Guantanamo, America's daily shame, and Lincoln by launching the Civil War and preventing states from seceding also violated the Constitution. As for corrupt Congress, it violates the Constitution on a daily basis.
You said that last time you checked China was yet to invade another country. When somebody gives you counterexamples you start talking about America. Whatever America did, or does, these counterexamples still hold. America's actions are irrelevant to the argument.
Let's not be disingenuous and let's talk about SERIOUS invasions.There is NO way, I repeat NO way, you can compare the Chinese takeover of a few rocky islands in the South China Sea, which FEW people have ever heard of, with the full-fledged invasion, occupation and destruction of well-known, large and established countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Iraq and Afghanistan are irrelevant to the argument, you are the only one referring to them, for whatever reason. You said China 'had yet to invade any country', now you change your claim and refer to 'serious' invasions. Whether an invasion is 'serious' or not it is still an invasion, you should admit that what you previously claimed is false.
not just a few rocky islands. Read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-dotted_line
Look at the picture. China even wants the sea of Singapore and Brunei (that's crazy!!!). Since nobody lives underwater, I bet you would say that it is not SERIOUS.
When I studied law (in America of all places) I was told that nobody can be prosecuted or judged based on INTENTIONS. China may WANT to grab Singapore and Brunei and Greenland and Central London, but the US DID invade, occupy and destroy several countries such as Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Somebody tells me how what China MAY do is worse than what America DID do
Iraq and Afghanistan are irrelevant to you because your agenda is to exonerate the US from its foreign-policy crimes. I repeat what I said: China is a dictatorship, has done horrendous things but there is no way one can compare its invasion of those large,world-famous, prosperous,rich, beautiful islands (now, you're happy) with what America did in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan: invading, occupying, destroying, killing tens of thousands of civilians. Germany has, and continues, to apologize for the crimes committed by the Nazis. America has yet to apologize for any of its foreign-policy crimes, meaning it is willing to continue. Which one is worse?
'Iraq and Afghanistan are irrelevant to you because your agenda is to exonerate the US from its foreign-policy crimes.'
Not irrelevant to me, irrelevant to whether or not China has invaded a foreign country (which false claim, you have yet to withdraw). I have, in fact, made no claims about America one way or the other; it is bizarre, to say the least, that you impute such an agenda to me.
We all know the existence of hidden agendas. Whatever China has done to other countries is nothing compared to the much bigger crimes of America. So my question is: why are you banging on China when the bigger criminal government is let loose? Now, that is an interesting question
I am not 'banging on' China. I am 'banging on' your disingenuous methods of arguing. You claimed China has never invaded a foreign country. When it is pointed out that this is false you start talking about 'serious' invasions, but do not withdraw the original assertion.
As I have pointed out, even if America's crimes were 'much bigger' this would make no difference to what China has or has not done. You are the one changing the subject.
I finally understand your argument that Chinese government is horrible, but American government is also horrible, so we Americans should not criticize China. However you don't have to better than another before you can criticize something. Let us say you watched a movie, and felt it is the worst movie ever. You have every right, in USA at least, to criticize the movie even if you have no prior experience that shows you can make a better movie. We should criticize whenever we see injustice even American ones.
Furthermore, I agree that American government has many faults, you mentioned some of them. However, when it comes to treating its own citizens American government is better. It did abolish slavery. It allows peaceful protests and anti-government movements, just watch the last election. It allows citizens to not elect Mitt Romeney, even though he has super rich and powerful allies who wanted to buy him an election. It allows many other things that Chinese government does not allow. There are so many great things in America that you have to live here to appreciate.
I am not sure that the American government treats its citizens better, and if so it must be only marginally so. Slavery has been abolished? Yes, and replaced by modern-day work where you work your ass off for corporate America, have no life of your own, are just a cog in the machine, can be fired at any time, and find yourself with no unemployment benefits, your 401K stolen by greedy CEOs, your home foreclosured. You may make some good money but it all goes to pay for the goods and servcies that you have beenbrainwashed by the consumer society to buy (Apple products, anybody?) The American dream is a dream for a minority and a nightmare for the majority.
Peaceful protests and anti-government movements allowed? Well, we saw what happened to the Occupy Wall St movement? They were hounded, detained, harassed, beaten just because they were protesting what everybody knew: that the 1% is exploiting and pauperizing the 99%. So yes, in America, you can protest when it has no impact on the political-economic system, but as soon as you touch on REAL power, you are mercilessly oppressed. Just like in China. Go and rally against anything harmless,like a bad movie. The Communists in charge of China couldn't care less. But start demonstrating against their power and you will be crushed...just as in America.
By the way, I lived many years in the US, and travel there often,so I know what I am talking about.
I described many of the issues I make here in my book, "High-Tech Planet": http://www.amazon.com/High-Tech-Planet-Secrets-Road-Warrior/dp/145150910...
I believe you did a lot research on the subject. All the problems you highlight here is not wrong, I recognize many of them. However, these problems are only more pronounced in a totalitarian government. For example in USA when you work full time for a corporation, most people have insurance and some degrees of a retirement plan, but in China there is no insurance for these people, if you got injured in factory, "best of luck to you! you are fired" is what your boss would say to you, even if you are not fired, you will have to pay for it yourself. If you somehow got an insurance, your insurance would deny your coverage because they know you have no power to sue them. In China, the occupy wall street protesters will be either tortured or dispersed after the first few days of the protest. In China you don't even have 401k, and if you have no job and have no family support, you will be starved to death. In China, there are TV ads Radio ads, internet ads, virus ads poster ads everywhere, you name it. There are fake products everywhere. Most people have either an apple product or a fake apple product. People get food poisoning on regular basis, many of them die. Most of my family is in China, whenever I visit them, I get food poisoning every single time. People get away with it because there is no rule of law in China, it is a jungle in which everything is stack against you if you are born in a poor family. Democracy in USA has many faults but it definitely better than the Chinese system. However, it does not mean we shouldn't improve or even overlook the problems with our government. People in USA are constantly discussing and debating the problems we have in our government and ways we can improve the government. If you have friends who at a government agency, you will know that the discussion is fierce and every department in the government is constantly improving based these feedbacks.
You might be an Indian, correct me if I am wrong. I know that Indian Democracy is not working well. There are many reasons why. However, I believe it will be wrong to criticize democracy, a belief that government should serve the people not the other way around. I also believe there are many ways that you can improve a democracy. The system that is in India is clearly an example of a failed democracy, but it does not mean democracy is worse form of a government than an authoritarian government.
No, I am not Indian (although I am not sure if you meant Asian Indian or American Indian.) Yes, you and I agree that democracy is always best but only when we have TRUE democracy, that is DIRECT democracy (or DirDem as I call it.) Representative Democracy, or RepDem, has served us well for a while but is now woefully inadequate. Most Western countries are NOT true democracies, but quasi- or mock-democracies as I call them.
You can read my blog post here on how to move to democracy 2.0:
Is it just me or is this the fifth time this year that KAL has drawn a cartoon with this theme, always ending with China saying "At least you [can vote]."?
The Chinese apologists haven't seen this yet? Uh-oh. Let the emails begin.
Absolutely, you tell them, America is the greatest thing in the Universe, God said so, unlike those atheist Chinese! USA! USA! USA!
What does this have to do with religion? You are confused.
The Economist explains: Who would pay a "mansion tax"
The Economist explains
Football and British politics: David Cameron's own goal
Game theory
Britain's election campaign: April 26th: The silence of David Cameron
The week ahead: A very normal affair
Football and politics: David Cameron's own goal
America's Ukrainian mission: Training wheels
Have you listened to The Economist Radio on Facebook?
The Economist Radio is an on-demand social listening platform that allows you to listen, share and recommend The Economist audio content
Test your EQ
Take our weekly news quiz to stay on top of the headlines
Want more from The Economist?
Visit The Economist e-store and you'll find a range of carefully selected products for business and pleasure, Economist books and diaries, and much more


text:
This menu has been disabled
Sorry, an error occurred. If you are unsure on how to use a feature, or don't know why you got this error message, try looking through the help files for more information.
Sorry, you do not have permission to reply to that topic
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 4th May 2015 - 05:01 AM |
We Recommend Using Dragon Medical and Dragon NaturallySpeaking Speech Recognition Software
Physicians Using Dragon Medical - Looking for the Best Electronic Health Record (EHR / EMR)?


text:
Beyond Software: Agile for Product Development
Click here to download now
Overview: Agile methods are increasingly popular in application, enterprise and embedded development. Yet the question remains: Do the 12 agile principles apply to more than just software? Find out how leading companies are beginning to exploit agile's iterative processes for far more than software.


text:
this wiki
GANG Bulgarin Family | |
Games: | Grand Theft Auto IV The Lost and Damned The Ballad of Gay Tony |
Locations: | Liberty City |
Leader: | Ray Bulgarin (?-2008) |
Type: | Russian crime syndicate |
Enemies: | Niko Bellic Luis Fernando Lopez Marki Ashvilli NOOSE Yardies McReary crime family |
Affiliations: | Luis Fernando Lopez (formerly) Rascalov Family Ancelotti crime family |
Vehicles: | Rebla Schafter Cavalcade FXT PMP 600 Vincent |
Weapons: | PSG-1 Assault SMG M249 Micro Uzi AK-47 MP10 |
Businesses: | Human trafficking Diamond smuggling |
Fronts: | Bulgarin's House |
Members: | Ray Bulgarin (Deceased) Timur (Deceased) |
The Bulgarin Bratva is a gang featured in Grand Theft Auto IV and The Ballad of Gay Tony. It is led by Ray Bulgarin and his right hand man Timur.
The gang was formed after Bulgarin immigrated to Liberty City. Bulgarin employed Niko Bellic to smuggle people into Italy from Eastern Europe until the ship sank which Niko had to swim for his life. Bulgarin blamed Niko for the loss and sought to hunt him down.
Bulgarin was able to track Niko to Liberty City where he and his friend Dimitri Rascalov ambushed Niko and Bulgarin had his men kill Niko. But Niko (with Little Jacob's help) was able to survive the ambush and escape. Dimitri and Bulgarin insisted on tracking him down in Liberty City.
Bulgarin and Timur went to Maisonette 9 (owned by Gay Tony) and met and employed Luis Lopez to take down Marki Ashvilli and his men. After that Bulgarin attempted to kill Luis to take his diamonds for himself but Luis survived. Later Dimitri informed Bulgarin of a hostage exchange between Luis and Niko and Bulgarin went to ambush the deal but both Luis and Niko again survived. After that Bulgarin went to the Ancelottis and they decided to force Luis to kill Tony. But Luis instead killed an enforcer of the Ancelotti's Uncle Vince and (for the THIRD time) survived Bulgarin's ambush.
Realizing Luis and Tony survived Bulgarin attempted to escape by plane but Luis and Tony decided to kill Bulgarin. Luis went to the carnival and killed Timur. He then jumped on the plane and killed Bulgarin. It is likely that after Bulgarin's death, the gang dissolved.
Mission Appearances


text:
Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Can you number the vertices, edges and faces of a tetrahedron so that the number on each edge is the mean of the numbers on the adjacent vertices and the mean of the numbers on the adjacent faces?
An irregular tetrahedron is composed of four different triangles. Can such a tetrahedron be constructed where the side lengths are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 units of length?
ABCD is a regular tetrahedron and the points P, Q, R and S are the midpoints of the edges AB, BD, CD and CA. Prove that PQRS is a square.
Starting with four different triangles, imagine you have an unlimited number of each type. How many different tetrahedra can you make? Convince us you have found them all.
This problem is about investigating whether it is possible to start at one vertex of a platonic solid and visit every other vertex once only returning to the vertex you started at.
It is known that the area of the largest equilateral triangular section of a cube is 140sq cm. What is the side length of the cube? The distances between the centres of two adjacent faces of. . . .
Show that is it impossible to have a tetrahedron whose six edges have lengths 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 units...
An irregular tetrahedron has two opposite sides the same length a and the line joining their midpoints is perpendicular to these two edges and is of length b. What is the volume of the tetrahedron?
In this article, we look at solids constructed using symmetries of their faces.
A description of how to make the five Platonic solids out of paper.
Toni Beardon has chosen this article introducing a rich area for practical exploration and discovery in 3D geometry


text:
Top Definition
A sensation of rawness in the ass. Usually a direct side effect of severe diarrhea or a lengthy sentence in the federal penitentiary.
"Please hand me that can of Bag Balm, I have a terrible case of chap ass..."
door habanerosteele
5 april 2008
2 more definitions
Chapass is a condition that arises when: A: you have diarrhead so many times and wiped your anus raw, or B: when you forget to wipe your ass and walk around for the day. The end result is a sore and chafed ass that persists for 2 days at the least.
Chapass dont go away in one day!
door PapaT
31 oktober 2006
A chap ass is a word to describe someone being extremely annoying. In truth a chap is a type of legwear worn over jeans by cowboys, a chap ass is the same, but minus the jeans. So there ass in theory would be hanging out, therefor making it a chap ass.
Gosh Cal, shut your chap ass.
Did you see that dude, what a chap ass.
Did you see that dude, what a chap ass.
door yhhhhhhhhhhhh
29 juni 2010


text: 110 min | TBA Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier follows up Oscar winner IN A BETTER WORLD with this romantic comedy starring Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm. Philip, an Englishman living in Denmark, is a lonely widower and single father. Ida is a Danish hairdresser, who just learned that her husband is leaving her for a younger woman. The fates of these two bruised souls become intertwined as they embark for Italy to attend the wedding of his son to her daughter. Combining love, loss, absurdity, and humour, LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED is a film about the pains and joys of moving on with your life.


text:
Main Content
Your little New York fanatic may not be able to choose his own accessories yet, but you know that all he wants is to be dressed in Mets gear from head to toe! Help him look stylish with this New York pacifier with clip. Featuring a printed team logo, this BPA-free accessory includes a silicone nipple along with a convenient clip that will fit all pacifier types.
- BPA-free plastic pacifier
- Clip fits most pacifiers
- Designed for ages 3 months and older
- Imported
- Metal clip
- Nylon strap
- Officially licensed
- Screen print graphics
- Silicone nipple
- Strap measures approximately 10.5" long
Special event items are produced by manufacturers only after the outcome of a game
or event. These are advanced sale items and will ship immediately after they are
received in our warehouse.
Manufacturer direct items are shipped directly from the manufacturer. These items
are not available for international or expedited shipping.
Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite
number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


text:
'); } var S; S=topJS(); SLoad(S); //-->
December Monthly Themes and Daily Theme Units Monthly Themes |
December 30th Theme Unit |
edHelper's suggested reading level: | grades 5 to 6 | |
Flesch-Kincaid grade level: | 6.62 |
Print Big Change. Last Minute. with Daily Skills Practice (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more) |
Quickly print reading comprehension |
Print reading comprehension |
Leave your feedback on Big Change. Last Minute. (use this link if you found an error in the story) |
Create Weekly Reading Books
Prepare for an entire week at once! |


text:
Avery® Neon Green Removable Print or Write Color Coding Labels for Laser Printers 5498, 1-1/4" Round, Pack of 400 Product Number: 5498Make your labeling system come alive with dazzling color. These Removable Print or Write Color Coding Labels stand out on documents, mailing tubes, calendars and more when you need to call attention to your important message. Handwrite your notes or use the free templates available at avery.com to customize the labels and conveniently print them on your laser printer. The adhesive sticks firmly but allows for easy removal when no longer needed. These labels deliver color coding that paints a picture of organizational joy.
Product Description:
Reviewed by 31 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Previous | Next »
This review is from Color Coding Labels 5795:
I was an art major and am very color coordinated. I have been an organizer all my life...and still am. I love the repositioning aspect and the colors rock keep me inspired and organized!
This review is from Color Coding Labels 5795:
Our district uses a positive behavior system and we keep track of the students daily behavior. I use the colored dots on a chart for each student as each color represents the level of behavior that the students are on. We have added orange so I am in need of obtaining that color as well as read, yellow, and green.
This review is from Color Coding Labels 5795:
Our Church raises over ten thousand dollars annually with an all church garage sale. Pricing things will make your eyes cross! Until a smart woman thought of these wonderful colorful dots! WOO HOO
We assigned a color to a price and whammy we were done pricing in no time! LIFE SAVERS ! I love these dots...After the garage sale I used some I had left to organize my classroom jobs at school. I'm a smart woman too! Little ones..could have a yellow dot on each shoe that kisses a dot on the other shoe to help them put their shoes on the right feet! SO many! ideas come to mind....I can see me saying to little guys...put your socks in the red dot drawer! Put your ideas into organization mode and try these!
This review is from Color Coding Labels 5795:
When a group of people in a meeting wants to vote on different options, these dots are perfect for the job! Easy to use, bright colors, don't take up much space in my meeting supply box. And they are well-priced.
This review is from Color Coding Labels 5795:
I collect thimbles and use them to number the thimble on the inside or the spot they are in the case. great for referencing, however overtime the adhesive does dry and they do fall off. i just replace them.
also use them for marking my fabric for quilting or if a particular fabric has simular sidse i use them to mark the wrond side of the fabric
Displaying reviews 1-5
Previous | Next »


text: Cinch ® shirts are country at its finest! Our men's Cinch ® shirt features a classic button-down collar for traditional oxford styling. Left side open chest pocket with Cinch ® logo embroidery. Button front placket and two-button adjustable cuffs. Cinch ® logo neck tape. Men's shirt is made of 100% pinpoint cotton. Imported.


text: With sizes for little and big kids alike, our Fairfax backpacks are the perfect fit. They come in new, bold stripes, and are made superdurable to stand up to the busiest activities. They're packed with pockets, so there's plenty of room for all the essentials, and some fun things too.


text:
October 5, 2011
Josh Helmholdt Rivals.com Football Recruiting
When Lake Forest Academy and New Lenox (Ill.) Providence Catholic meet on Saturday, Rivals250 DE Faith Ekakitie and Rivals250 OT Ryan Ward will go head-to-head. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
Already a member? Click here to sign in


text:
Jump to main content.
Close Menu ✖
Sr. Vice PresidentInvestments and Portfolio Manager, Fulcrum Securities Contact Ed today to learn more about his financial and retirement planning services at 703-689-4001 or via email at firstname.lastname@example.com Mr. Handley specializes in equity and fixed income investments and provides financial and retirement planning services on a discretionary basis to individual and institutional investors. Ed employs a tactical allocation strategy when selecting investments for his clients through careful stock and fixed income selection, and strategic allocations in sector specific mutual funds. Mr. Handley started in the financial services industry in 1988 with Dominic & Dominic Inc. He moved to Legg Mason Wood Walker and ended up at Prudential Securities, Inc. in 2000. He joined Fulcrum Securities in 2009 from Wachovia Securities where he worked from 2004, as a result of that firm's acquisition of Prudential's brokerage unit that same year. While at Wachovia, Ed was awarded the prestigious designation of "Portfolio Manager". He is a host of the award winning, financial radio talk program, "Money Talk." Mr. Handley has over 15 years experience as a radio talk show host on various stations in the Washington, DC area. Additionally, he is a frequent speaker at investment seminars. Prior to 1988, Mr. Handley was in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Colonel. His final assignment was as Chief, Tactical Air Forces, Studies, and Analyses at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He was awarded a B.S. degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland, and an M.B.A. degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Mr. Handley earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 1988, and is past Membership Chairman of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners. About Fulcrum Securities Fulcrum Securities LLC. is a registered independent full service regional broker/dealer offering brokerage and money management services to individual and institutional investors. Fulcrum Advisory Services, LLC. is an SEC registered investment advisory firm providing asset management and consulting services. The Firm's product suite includes a wide range of services for a diversified client base and is particularly suited to serve the portfolio needs of not-for-profit organizations, especially those needing expertise in the field of ethically and environmentally screened portfolios. Fulcrum Securities is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Fulcrum Advisory Services is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. Member FINRA and SIPC. For more information visit www.fulcrumsecurities.com
Tuesday - 12/18/2012, 12:55pm EST
Download mp3


text:
Robomow has a unique 'Edge Mode.' The only mower that cuts beyond its wheel, Robomow is designed to drive on the very edge of your lawn, cutting the lawn's entire edge for a superb, all-round finish.
Robomow cuts the grass more slowly than a human mows. However, you can set the Robomow to maintain your lawn at any time that is convenient for you, and it will keep your lawn maintained all year long. For the ultimate in convenient robotic mowing, you can even set the Robomow to work at night!
Robomow is suitable for any lawn shape and size that a walk- behind mower or sit-on mower can mow.
Robomow is equipped with a state-of-the-art Anti-Theft system that sounds an alarm when the Robomow is taken out of its base without entering the code.
The cost of running Robomow depends on the model. The cost for operating RC/TC/MC models ranges from EUR 11.3 to EUR 18.3 per year, and from EUR 26.7 to EUR 51.80 for RobMAINTENANCE and STORAGE
RS/RC Robomow models come with a 3-year* warranty. MS/MC models come with a 2-year warranty on all parts, other than the battery and the blades – which have a one-year warranty. (*) The 3rd year covers labor and parts only.
Robomow has two parts that need replacing: The blades – recommended to be replaced every season The battery – has a life expectancy of between 2-4 years, depending on usage
The best way to clean your Robomow is to scrape the the bottom of the mower with a sharp edged tool, then use a damp or wet cloth to wipe the top surfaces. NEVER use a water hose or any type of liquid to clean the underside of the mower.
1. Clean your Robomow before putting it away for the winter. 2 .During the winter, keep your Robomow continuously charged to avoid damage to the batteries (refer to the 'Maintenance and Storage' section in your User Manual). 3. Store the mower in a dry area, preferably at room temperature.


text:
Shoreland Boulevard Slip On
Item #
Select Size
Select Width
Jump To:
Traditional boating footwear redesigned with the athlete in mind, the Shoreland Boulevard Slip On is the ideal shoe for a day on the yacht or an evening on the beach.
- Padded collar and tongue for comfort
- Full grain leather and suede that is durable and easy to clean
- Mesh provides enhanced breathability and drying
- Rubber sole provides a durable grip
- EVA provides lightweight shock absorption to reduce foot and leg fatigue
- Weight: 15 oz.
Highly shock-absorbent cushioning protects the heel at impact
Shoreland Boulevard Slip On is rated
out of
5 by
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Joey from
Comfort out of Box
These shoes are extremely comfortable any you could walk in them all day right out of the box.
Date published: 2013-08-15
Rated 5 out of
5 by
DanD from
Perfect fit, nobreak-in required
Rockport a long time favorite, always stylish, outstanding quality, wear right out of the box
Date published: 2013-04-01
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Himself from
Good Deal
I have many Rockport shoes and these are the best: stylish, comfortable and priced well.
Date published: 2013-03-06
Rated 4 out of
5 by
Cheyenne from
Comfy but needs vents
These are the most comfortable shoes I own BUT they sure get hot after a while. They desperately need some venting.
Date published: 2012-12-31