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Marvel Mayhem - Weird Sisters #1
For Marvel Mayhem visit the Library or visit the Group's Facebook Page
All characters are owned by Marvel Comics except Skirmisher and Quetzal but for the sake of sisterhood both are available to anybody in the group to use and/or abuse.
The man panted as he ran down the busy downtown New York street, his feet slipping and sliding on the pavement, his hooded sweatshirt sodden in the rain as he pushed passers by aside before leaping over a chain link fence and into an alley. Looking at the brick wall in front of him, the hood leapt onto the surface and began to climb using blades on his arms and legs to carve footholds to aid his accent. Reaching the top he saw a white boot lash out and hit him in the face sending him flailing back down to the bottom before landing with a thud on a stack of pallets.
"Gamecock did you really expect to break the conditions of your bail and not be hunted down?" The figure crouched at the top of the wall asked as the rain thundered down. "That might have flown when you were just a nobody but after your little stunt in Seattle you're now an international terrorist."
"I'm no chicken." Gamecock crowed as the figure leapt off the wall and into the alley, her auburn hair flicking around as the rain and wind continued to swirl around. "And now we're alone I'll prove it!" He snarled as he sprung into a spinning kick aimed at the woman's neck only to be blocked as she drew her katana and parried the blow. "So you're a ninja, big whoop there are ninjas everywhere these days."
"I'm a Samurai!" The woman growled between gritted teeth as she swung her sword only to see Gamecock cross his wrist blades and catch her swing before turning the motion into a brutal stab through the shoulder. With a grunt the woman head-butted her attacker before kneeing him in the privates only to hit something rigid in his pants.
"Stupid Ninja I may look like an idiot but unlike all those other costumed miscreants out there I remember to wear a cup." Gamecock spat as he kicked back the blow sending his opponent backwards. "Now this is going to make my rep forever, killing an actual super hero type. But before I eviscerate you tell me your name so I have something to crow about at the bar later."
"Colleen Wing and just for your information I have no super powers." The fallen Samurai stated before getting to her feet and staring her attacker in the eye. "And you'll find that this fight is far from over."
"No powers ah crud you ain't worth it then." Gamecock snorted before turning to walk away just as bright lights filled the alleyway and a limousine came crashing through the chain link towards the pair of them. Acting on instinct Gamecock leapt backwards crashing into Colleen and scrabbling up the wall, acting on training Colleen stayed down as the vehicle passed over her and slammed into the wall before backing off and coming to a halt, two pairs of shoes stepping out of the vehicle; one was a pair of forest green women's high heeled boots, the other mud stained hiking shoes with a nasty looking re-curved claw on the tip, both suggested that this wasn't a drunken couple whose alcohol fuelled night out had taken a wrong turn but rather a deliberate hit and run on either her Gamecock.
"Where is the Samurai?" The woman asked, her voice tinged by a central American accent.
"You mean the Ninja? She's under the car you morons!!" Gamecock answered before there was a silent whoosh followed by a crash as the blabbing super villain fell onto the limousine, a dozen flechettes sticking out of his neck. Rolling out the unoccupied side of the car Colleen straightened herself moments before a woman dressed in a green leotard and long feathers in her hair leapt over the limo and slammed her glowing green fist into Colleen's katana, the force shattering the blade. Before her opponent could land a follow-up blow Colleen sprung over the woman as a glowing fist slammed into the wall, the force of the strike and the energy discharge causing an avalanche of brick dust and masonry to fall into the alley. Clearing the area of effect Colleen realised she had dodged into the path of the second passenger from the car, a man dressed in a leather jerkin and buck hide trousers armed with a dart pistol.
"Surrender Samurai before someone gets hurt." He ordered in the same accent as the first attacker who had just dug herself out of the pile of brickwork.
"And if I don't?" Colleen asked as she sprung off the bonnet of the limousine over a volley of flechettes onto the man's chest before bouncing off, the force sending him sprawling backwards as the green fisted woman charged her. Turning to meet her attacker Colleen blocked her punch with her own hand, the energy around her opponent's fist causing her bones to ache. As much as she knew she had to win this fight Colleen decided to yield at the same moment the shooter fired, a flechette embedded in his partner's neck.
"Skirmisher I thought you..." The woman hissed before collapsing on top of Colleen into unconsciousness.
"Quetzal!!" The shooter, Skirmisher, yelled. "If I could make you pay for that I would!" He spat as Colleen threw Quetzal at him before covering the gap and slamming his head into the wall behind him.
"Why were you after me?" Colleen asked softly, "Who do you work...urk." As she talked she felt a moist hand touch her neck before seconds later the world erupted into a techno colour nightmare before the bright hues pressed in cocooning her in a neon capsule before everything faded to black.
Colleen groaned as she opened her eyes, early morning sunshine peaking through the wall length windows of the penthouse apartment she found herself. The unfamiliar setting was all she needed to kick the sheets off and spring to her feet, scanning the room for any sign of hostiles. Taking a deep breath she realised that her clothes were hung on the stand next to a full length mirror next to a recently forged katana. Cautiously Colleen took the weapon and pulled on her trousers when the door handle began to turn. Taking a deep breath she got ready for whatever was on the other side before the door slid open and a man walked in wearing nothing but a pair of slacks, his tanned torso rippling as he moved.
"Ah Señorita I see you are awake at last." The man announced in the same accent that the two thugs had spoken in the alleyway earlier. "You seem tense? You needn't be I mean you no harm."
"And I'll believe that when I'm out of here." Colleen answered, "Now either let me go or prepare for battle."
"Ah where are my manners Ms. Wing, my name is Alejandro Flores." The man stated ignoring Colleen's warning. "I flew you out here to my Miami Estate because I need your help."
"Did you say Miami?" Colleen gasped, "You abducted me?!"
"No I merely moved you from where my men found you as well as claiming the bounty on that common thief, in your name of course." Alejandro purred, "I also added a ten thousand bonus to your account in the hopes of gaining your attention, I really am in need of your help."
"You get two minutes!" Colleen growled as she pulled on her blouse.
"You see my twin brother went missing in this city." Alejandro began, "He is naive and likely has fallen in love with a woman or has angered a local mob boss nothing the family fortune wouldn't be able to handle but then I read about other abductions in the area. All Hispanic males between the age of seventeen and twenty four and all twins. Something was amiss and I decided that while Carlos may indeed be on a beach sipping a Mohito he may also be locked away in a cell."
"So you thought one abduction would council out the other?" Colleen snorted.
"Please Ms. Wing I promised the families of the other missing victims I would help them." Alejandro stated, "Do not make me appear to be a liar. Everything you need to know is in the dossier file on the desk. The choice is yours; I would not judge you if you decided to simply walk out of here." He added before giving her a sad look. "Now I must excuse myself I have an urgent meeting in Los Angelus." He added before leaving the room. Colleen headed for the door before stopping and looking at the desk.
With a deep sigh she walked over to the desk and flicked through the file. What Gamecock had said the night before had really annoyed her unlike a Ninja, the Samurai had a code of honour and while she could break it whenever she wanted Colleen wasn't about to start now. Taking the file she went to the window and looked out over the bay before whispering, "Case accepted."


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Lian Li BZ-525B 5.25 to 4x2.5 Converter - Black
The Lian Li BZ-525 Bay Adapter converts a single 5.25" bay into a quad 2.5" HDD / SSD mounting platform. Never has adding HDD space been as easy as this.
•5.25" Internal HDD Mounting Kit with vent and filter , using one 5.25" Bay.
•Convert one 5.25" drive bay to four 2.5" HDDs.
Material: Aluminum structure.
Dim: (W)149mm x (H)42mm x (D)135mm
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Oakland Hills
Oakland Moves Forward With Plan To Remove Trees In Hills Deemed A Fire Hazard
Despite resistance from neighbors, the City of Oakland took a big step Tuesday night to prevent another big fire like the one that devastated the Oakland Hills in 1991.
3 Injured When Van Takes Wrong Turn In Oakland Hills, Goes Over Embankment
A family who wanted to take their graduating daughter out to dinner made a wrong turn in the Oakland Hills Friday night and drove straight into trouble.
Man Dies In Early Morning House Fire In Oakland Hills
A man died in a fire at a home in the Oakland hills early Wednesday morning, a fire battalion chief said.
Firefighters Called To House Fire In Oakland Hills, Find Man Dying Of Cardiac Arrest
While extinguishing the fire, firefighters searched the home and found a man in cardiac arrest in a bedroom. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Oakland City Councilman Threatens To Quit Over City's Violence After Latest Homicide
A city councilman is threatening to quit over violence in his city after a 21-year-old father was killed as he left for work from his Oakland hills home Tuesday morning.
Oakland City Councilman Larry Reid said he feels like a failure after making a promise nearly two decades ago to his constituents that he would make Oakland a place where they could raise a family.
Storm Wind Topples Massive Trees, Narrowly Missing Oakland Hills Home
Crews are working to clear trees and power lines that were knocked down in this weekend's Bay Area storm.
3 Critically Injured, Others Hurt In Deck Collapse At Oakland Hills Home
Three people were critically injured and at least six more were injured when the deck of an Oakland Hills home collapsed.
Oakland Fire Crews Monitor Hills After Series Of Small Blazes Deemed Suspicious
Crews have been patrolling the Dimond Canyon Park area, after five fires deemed suspicious broke out in the area on Tuesday afternoon.
Oakland Neighborhood Credits Private Patrols For 85% Drop In Crime
Residents in several Oakland neighborhoods credit private patrols for a significant drop in crime, with one neighborhood claiming a drop of 85 percent. Meanwhile, the Oakland Police Department and some community members remain skeptical about the patrols.
Private Security Guard Shoots Burglary Suspect In Oakland Hills
A burglary suspect was hospitalized after being shot Thursday by a private security guard trying to thwart a home burglary in the Oakland Hills.


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Joe Phillips Jr.
Position: WR
Height: 5-9 Weight: 188 lbs.
Born: May 12, 1963 in Franklin, KY
High School: Simpson
College: Kentucky (school history) (Phillips college stats)
Weighted Career AV (100-95-...): 0 (14760th overall since 1950)
Other SR Links: College Football at Sports-Reference.com
Promote your website or business by sponsoring this page for $5 on Pro-Football-Reference.com. Your message will replace this ad.


text: Iowa Recent State Workplace Law News Iowa: Bills Considered to Raise Minimum Wage, Protect Workers from Wage Theft Iowa: Employee Justifiably Fired for Misconduct Myths Abound About Right-to-Work States Iowa: No Systemic Discrimination Against Black Workers in State Employment Iowa: Workers' Comp Board Authorizes Treatment at Mayo Clinic Read More Federal Circuit Court Rulings 8th Cir.: Inconsistencies Enough to Send FMLA Claims to Trial 8th Cir.: No FMLA Protection for Employee Suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease Read More ADVERTISING LINKS


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The Bookworm: Money and the big elephant
One of your neighbors has a new car — one of those gas-guzzling vehicles — and it's pretty impressive. You're thinking you might go car shopping soon.
Last week, you bought a new cell phone on the advice of a co-worker. Hers has all these features and you could see the benefits of owning one yourself. In fact, you told your brother about it and he's getting one, too.
You think you're being smart. In the new book "The Middle-Class Millionaire" by Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff, you'll see that you're very smart, but you're also being swayed by a new class of Joneses you can't wait to keep up with.
In places all over, suburbs are planned and built to cater to people who want to live in a Leave-It-to-Beaver-like neighborhood. If the suburb already exists, perfectly good houses are being torn down and replaced with "McMansions." People are joining elite clubs that offer luxury "cabins" to members for family vacations. Parents are sending their kids to Ivy League colleges, not just for the education, but also for the "contacts" they'll gain.
What's going on?
Prince and Schiff say that a recent study done on behalf of a magazine yielded some intriguing information: people with extremely high net worth ($10 million or more) rarely influence the buying decisions of others. They don't rave about their purchases, and they don't interact with people enough to sway shopping habits.
Surprisingly, those with less money are the ones with influence. People with net worth between $1 million and $10 million dollars — a sociological group the authors call Middle-Class Millionaires — are the ones we watch.
Most Middle-Class Millionaires, the authors say, are baby boomers who made their money rather than inherited it. They're technology-minded, with an entrepreneurial streak. They're family-focused, but work hard. Hobbies are great, but they'd rather make money than tinker. Experiences are better than possessions. And quitting? It's not an option for them.
But does it really matter where anybody falls on the scale? According to the authors, it does. Middle-Class Millionaires are changing the way government is run, purchases are made, products are manufactured, and cities are planned. Smart entrepreneurs are starting businesses to make the MCM's life easier. Savvy corporations recognize their influence. Educators are guiding the next generation of MCMs to the future.
I'm a ways away from the minimum net worth, but I was intrigued by this book. I have many of the traits. Am I a Middle-Class Millionaire in the works?
Authors Russ Alan Prince and Lewis Schiff indicate that it's possible. There's a short questionnaire in here that will help you decide if you have what it takes, and advice on changing yourself if you don't. This book fascinated me, and I think it's important information in today's economy, no matter where you fall in line.
If you've been influenced by a member of this shrewdly-affecting group — and the authors say we all have — then pick up this book. "The Middle-Class Millionaire" gives you hundreds of little reasons to watch the Joneses closely.
Have you ever ridden an elephant?
Imagine yourself eight or (what seems like) 800 feet off the ground. Your legs are split as if you're a gymnast trying to grasp a strangely dry-warm, leathery, bony, bristly hide. As the elephant walks, your body rocks to a soothing rhythm that could put you to sleep if you could forget for a minute that you're atop a beast that could stomp you flat in a heartbeat.
Riding an elephant is an interesting experience, but there was once a time when just a glimpse of one was headline-making. In the new book "Jumbo" by Paul Chambers, you'll read about the 19th century's most famous elephant and the people who brought him to the limelight.
Nobody knows how he got his name — the one that's even now synonymous with something huge — but thanks to a mid-1800s explorer, we know how Jumbo was caught.
Arabian hunters on horseback chased and killed the baby elephant's mother with scimitars and captured him for export. Asian elephants had been displayed in London and Paris for quite some time, but when Jumbo stepped ashore, it was the first time in 2,000 years that an African elephant had touched European soil.
Jumbo was first displayed at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, but when the exhibit suffered from overcrowding, the scrawny, sickly young elephant was sold to Regent's Park Zoo in London. The superintendent there, Abraham Bartlett, had always coveted an African elephant.
Wanting an elephant keeper who could control the gigantic beast and who could be controlled, Bartlett tapped Michael Scott as Jumbo's new keeper. It was a decision Bartlett would regret, as Scott was known for his single-mindedness and near-obsession with his animal charges. After several irritating skirmishes and Jumbo's maturity resulting in a dangerous "season" called musth, Bartlett looked for a way to rid his zoo of both creature and keeper.
Then P.T. Barnum stepped in, offering to buy the elephant.
But getting Jumbo to America was no small tusk. Jumbo Fever set off in England and nearly kept the pachyderm on British soil. Once Jumbo arrived in the states, his popularity increased, partly thanks to Barnum's canny showmanship. But even Barnum couldn't save his elephantine charge from a hugely dramatic end.
From the first exciting page to the oddly dangling ending, "Jumbo" is hugely fascinating. Author Paul Chambers writes in great detail about an animal whose name comes easily to our lips but that most of us know little about.
I enjoyed the way Chambers portrayed the jealousy and slick shrewdness of the people in Jumbo's life and the personalities of both elephant and keeper. Add in his slice-of-history storytelling, and you'll get an understanding of the fascination with this animal that came in a time before technology whisked people around the world and exotic animals truly were exotic.
If you're an animal lover or a circus fan or historian, tuck this book in your trunk and take it on vacation this year. Although a smallish book, "Jumbo" is enormously entertaining.


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It's a no-brainer that mobile is one of the top disruptors currently affecting enterprise customer-business interaction. Mobile devices and apps are getting smarter, and capabilities like GPS, combined with customer data and analytics, are adding context and intelligence to mobile experiences. Cloud, social, and mobile are immediately available at customers' fingertips, and the result is higher expectations and less patience with unsatisfactory service.
Forrester believes corporate developers and system integrators will be drawn to the Salesforce.com platform to develop new, mobile-ready enterprise applications.
For instance, pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline used specialist IT services company Bluewolf to build a custom iPad application called "Koach".
The application enables sales reps to search for information such as current research, sales tools, and suggested questions to ask doctors based on personality type.
Bluewolf's #GoingSocial program is a successful anomaly in gamification. Fortune Magazine details #GoingSocial's success in the context of ineffective gamification instances.
Bluewolf may be one of the most influential Salesforce.com partners around, but these days its mission is far broader: helping its client base deliver on the need to become more "customer-obsesssed."
So, while customer relationship management (CRM) projects are still core to its business, increasingly, Bluewolf's mantra and services team centers on how to enabled and optimize "customer engagement" at every touch point of the relationship – starting with marketing outreach and reaching deeper into the customer contact center.
A customer service agent would need to consult perhaps four to six systems to come up with a consolidated view of the customer, noted Brock Hubbard, financial services practice director for Bluewolf, a business consulting firm and cloud integrator. And as insurers begin to obtain better information on customers, customers want more information from their insurance providers, he added.
"Customers expect more information that is truly educational and informational, rather than transactional," Hubbard said.
Customer engagement is a hot topic. SAP's annual Sapphire Conference this past week emphasized the theme of how to better engage and understand customers to improve decision making. Why? Because businesses can't risk unhappy customers.
It's time once again for the Solution Provider 500, an annual listing of the largest integrators, service providers and IT consultants in North America, ranked by their 2013 solution provider services revenue. The list ranks the top revenue-generating technology integrators in the U.S. and Canada whose forward-thinking approach to the channel has helped them evolve and thrive in today's cloud and services-driven IT era. The list spans eight categories from hardware and software sales, to managed IT services. Bluewolf placed #156 in the annual ranking.
Bluewolf CMO, Corinne Sklar, is on the Watchlist for Inside View's most influential B2B marketers list.
Don't try to 'boil the ocean,' advises Patrick Bulacz, Bluewolf CTO of APAC.
One of cloud integrator Bluewolf's biggest practice areas centers on Software-as-a-Service solutions for customer engagement, so it makes sense that the company apparently invests more than the average solution provider in building its brand both internally and externally.
It has long encouraged its employees to participate on social networks, both external ones such as Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, as well as the internal solution built on Salesforce.com technology that is used to manage sales, marketing and other operations activities.