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Great way to start off a new blog, right? "Hello! Welcome to my blog! I have sex!" I suppose this is one of those instances where I should be grateful that I do not have an audience. Therefore, I may continue my day knowing that no one had to suffer through one of my many awkward stories in regards to intimacies with the opposite sex. Perhaps one day it might even include the same sex. The world is too big and too advanced now to deny ourselves any chance of getting our groove thing on. But I digress.
Perhaps I should tell you a bit about myself? But not too much. It is my endeavor to remain completely anonymous to most of the world. Remaining faceless allows me a certain relatable nature. Or maybe that is just the ego talking. Anyway, I am a early mid-twenty something with lady parts. I have a job, a degree and a Netflix account. And yes, I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I am about as basic as they come.
So why my first time? Well, I was sitting here thinking, the dulcet tones of Hemlock Grove slowly lulling me into a daze. That's every wannabe blogger's first worry, isn't it? The daunting, and yet inevitable first post. I've searched my subconscious, staring at my fingertips that lie helplessly on my keyboard… and I find myself thinking of him. As lame as that sounds, I promise you that I do not do it often. For years I harbored nothing but anger for everything he represented, and everything that he and I shared. In hindsight, that was probably age and the level of maturity that accompanies said age doing most of the talking. It actually took me longer than it should have to read the entire Hunger Games series. He and I read the first book together, you see. I even gave away my hardcover boxed set (signed by Suzanne Collins, by the way) because it was a Christmas present from him. And now? I have read the series multiple times, and periodically check the screen of my iPad for any notice of replenished energy in the Hunger Games Adventures. Time does heal all, but it in no way makes the subject matter any easier to discuss. Perhaps that is why I chose this anecdote first; because it is one of my hardest to tell.
If I were being totally honest, and I promised myself that I would be, I do not remember much of our relationship. I don't remember what we whispered about at night. I don't remember what we fought about. I don't even remember the way he smelled, though his scent followed me for many months after our breakup. There is only a brief timeline; cold and emotionless as though it were written on a chalkboard. We met in the summer. He told me he loved me in October. We put a label on it the day of my parent's anniversary. I gave myself to him on New Years Eve. He stopped speaking to me in mid January. I broke up with him the day after his birthday. It wasn't until Chinese New Year that I started to see that the grass was greener on the other side, ultimately forgetting my heartbreak and favoring the hollow feeling of regret. A regret that I have yet to shake.
It isn't easy to admit that I regret my first time. Everyone wants their first time to be special and romantic; something that they will be able to use as an example for their children when the time comes for "the talk." Well, I will be able to use it as an example, but not in the way I had originally hoped. Don't get me wrong, I am not putting the entirety of the blame on my then partner-in-crime, for I should acknowledge my part in the ordeal. When he and I first started dating, we were both virgins. We had agreed to give ourselves to each other, because we both believed we were very much in love. I'll spare you the details of the conversations that proceeded the deed, for in hindsight it all seems like a business transaction. I'll skip directly to the good part, shall I? The ultimate warning sign that I completely ignored… because I was an idiot.
The night before our planned consummation (yes, we set a date, bought a Boyz II Men CD, and some candles, what's your point?), he had second thoughts. He wanted to wait. Now this, this was the ultimate slap in my face. Was he not attracted to me? Am I not sexy? Does he not love me anymore? What did I do wrong? What happened that made him change his mind? A smart girl would have taken a moment to question him, and acknowledge that his insecurities could be just as severe as her own. OR, she might have realized that if he was having such doubts, perhaps this is not the man she wants to lose her innocence to. What I would give to have been that girl. I didn't ask him. I didn't pout. I didn't yell, or scream. I fought back tears, and continued cooking dinner, refusing to talk about it. I shut down completely. It wasn't long before he came to comfort me, kiss my cheek, and rub my back. It didn't take long for him to change his mind, perhaps for the sake of my feelings (which makes me feel incredibly pathetic, by the way). Being the careless girl that I was, a change of heart was all it took to lift my spirits, completely oblivious to the fact that I had potentially guilted a man into taking my virginity, and giving me his own. Pathetic. To a degree, I do feel guilty. I feel bad that he probably felt obligated to give up his virginity just to appease my hurt feelings. I feel even worse that I accepted that without question, though I chock most of that up to my age and general lack of relationship know-how. But still, there's no excuse. So if you are reading this, which I highly doubt that you are, I am sorry. I am sorry for the part that I had in the beginning of our end.
As you might expect, the deed itself was awkward. There was a lot of fumbling, debate about who should be on top, and other strange impasses that two people who have never had sex might encounter. And it hurt. It hurt A LOT. Tears were actually streaming silently down my face towards the end. I didn't climax, and ended up in the bathtub, trying to shake what had just happened to me and my body. But at the end of the night, we were cuddling and enjoying each other's company, despite how incredibly inept both of us were in the act of actual intercourse.
The deed itself is not what haunted me. I imagine that is what most people go through during their first time. A lot of confusion about what goes where, and how exactly that thing is suppose to fit, and which hole is where. I have read that many women experience pain during their first time. Especially since nothing bigger than an extra light tampon has ever been in my sex hole. At the time, I had no regrets about giving myself to him, no matter how clumsy we might have been. Even the days following were bliss. We were happy. We were in love.
All it took was a week.
Again, and I am very sorry to tell you, I do not remember what we fought about. But I remember fighting. I don't remember them being particularly horrible, though it was enough to push him further and further away. "Give me a week," he said. "Just a week for me to think things through." That didn't seem unreasonable. I gave him his week. I stared at my phone day in and day out, signed on to AIM, upped my activity on Facebook… but I gave him his week.
And the week after that.
"I just need more time."
And the week after that.
I had done something special for his birthday, and I had to mail it to him. Tickets to a concert I had hoped we could attend together. And to be honest, I don't even know if he went. The day after his birthday, I called him on the phone and told him I gave up. I couldn't do it anymore. The abandonment, the lack of any explanation, the waiting… fuck, the waiting. There is nothing more degrading than waiting at home for someone you love, while they are out partying on the weekends with their friends like they always do. They say nothing; they give nothing. And there is nothing more agonizing than coming to the painful realization that you are replaceable. You are not worth the effort. You are more easily tossed away than dealt with.
This person that you love, this person that you have waited for… really doesn't give a fuck about you.
Needless to say, he didn't seem to upset. He spouted off something about us remaining friends, but it was only a matter of time before I deleted him off of every social networking platform that I had. It was too painful to have him in my life. And why would I want to? Why would I want to keep someone around that had dragged me along for three weeks and not feel the least bit guilty about it? People are always saying to forgive and forget, and that forgiveness is part of letting go. I mean everyone deserves a second chance, am I right? Not the case, at least not in my opinion. Even if he had felt the slightest bit of remorse about what he had done, it would not have made one bit of difference. Second chances are all well and good, but you must never forget what someone is capable of. No matter the amount of promises they are willing to offer, never forget that if someone does something once, they are capable of doing it again. And you have to ask yourself… are you willing to go through that again?
Hell fucking no.
Oops. I have given myself away, haven't I? Despite the benevolent facade towards the beginning of this blogpost, there is still a lot of anger that lies beneath cool waters. Though what can I say? I am only human.
And now I find myself in a bit of predicament. I have just spilled my guts about something very personal and have no way to wrap all of this up.
Erm, well. It's been four years and I haven't contacted him. I occasionally Facebook stalk him and he looks pretty much the same. He's in a relationship with a seemingly very nice girl, and is probably living a very good life. I don't wish ill upon him, per say… though I do hope that at some point he has admitted to himself that his actions were cowardly and potentially caused some very deep-rooted intimacy issues, however unintentional the latter might have been. I hope that he knows that I regret acting like a wounded animal, and that I acknowledge that the whole "losing virginity" bit could have been avoided. It might have eased the pain a bit, in the end, and helped me avoid affecting future relationships with said deep-rooted intimacy issues. But more than anything, I hope that he never does to another girl what he did to me. I hope he has grown up to face relationship problems head on… and I hope he found the one that was worth fighting for. 'Cause it sure as heck wasn't me.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this, complete stranger.
Until next time.


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Letter from Poitou
A novel by Michael J Eardley about the 14th century Barons of Audley and their Eardley tenants, second edition (2011) released through lulu.com
now available quote ISBN no 978-1-4457-9977-3 Also available as an e-book for your Kindle, i-pad etc. go here
To read a summary, go here. To read a sample chapter, go here - it might be better to print this off than read onscreen!
Hope to see you again soon!
Michael J. Eardley Follow me at Twitter Like us on Facebook!

subset: commoncrawl


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Oct. 8, 2004
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Several Lobos turned in impressive all-around performances in helping the New Mexico volleyball team sweep past Air Force in three games, 30-25, 31-29, 30-23, Friday night at the Cadet East Gym. UNM earned its first Mountain West Conference win of the season in improving to 7-9 (1-4 Mountain West) for the year, while the Falcons remain winless in MWC play (4-11, 0-5 MWC).
Sophomore Kelly Therkelsen led the UNM offense with 13 kills and only hit two errors for a career-high .524 attack percentage. Junior Nicole Ryan hit .368 with eight kills and just one error, and also collected nine digs and two blocks. Senior Monica Meihack dished out 36 assists and had eight digs and senior Adah Burke led the defense with 12 digs. Freshman Samie Weber continued her presence on the front line with seven kills and three blocks.
The Lobos led for most of the evening throughout the three games. In the first game, Air Force scored the first point, but after the Lobos quickly tied it at 1, UNM led the remainder of the match. Jennifer Heasty, who collected nine kills in the match and hit a season high .375, put down five in the first game without committing a single error. Therkelsen had four kills in the first game as the Lobos won, 30-25.
The second game was the closest of the match, and the Lobos had to rally late to pull out the 31-29 win. Air Force led the game, which featured seven ties and seven lead changes, 29-28, and was serving for the win. A service error by the Falcons tied the game at 29 apiece, and the Lobos responded to the miscue with a service ace by Ryan and a kill by Chelsea Sondrup to win the game, 31-29.
UNM dominated the third game, leading the entire way en route to the 30-23 victory. The Lobos ended the game on a 15-8 run in putting the Falcons away.
The New Mexico volleyball team will return to action Friday, Oct. 15 with a match at San Diego State, beginning at 8 p.m. MT.


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Where to Eat in the Chicago French Market
When the Chicago French Market opened on the ground floor of the Ogilvie Transportation Center in 2009, I initially had mixed feelings about the project. But it's now hard to think of another place in Chicago where you can find such a wide variety of excellent food options in such a small area. More


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Posts Tagged «hurricane sandy»
Hurricane Sandy damaged Verizon's network, but clever technology saved the day November 22, 2012 at 10:00 am
Hurricane Sandy was a massive destructive force for parts of the east coast of the United States. Homes were ruined, power was lost, and telecommunications suffered. While telecommunication companies have measures in place to prevent severe weather from damaging their lines, massive power outages left their safety systems useless.
Three cars that will help you weather a hurricane, gas shortage, or power outage November 2, 2012 at 10:58 am
These three cars are ideal for getting you through any storm or power outage — one can power your home, the other gets 800 miles on a tank, and the last has a range of 700 miles and enough power to survive any Mad Max situations.
How to prepare your gadgets and electronic lifelines, for the next hurricane November 1, 2012 at 8:03 am
Don't be a smartphone loser during the next natural disaster. Take precautions to make sure you have plenty of power to keep your lifeline open and your tech gadgets running even without power.


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Below is the poem entitled By the lake. which was written by poet
dunford. Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember, PoetrySoup is a place of encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by
Carl Dunford
Took the kids to the lake, today,
tempertures in the 30's,
sky cloudless and blue.
my sun tan oil, I took too.
Don't want to look, like
a lobster, it's not in fashion,
looking pale , is also out,
so have to go for a healthy tan,
and leave you in no doubt.
The water was murkey, but we
did not care,as long as it was
warm, we were happy there.
I did not swim too far out,
I have to see the shore,
feel the ground beneath my feet.
Any deeper, and I feel faint,
not the best way to be,
stranded in the sea.
The kids and I had a fun day out,
a good time was had by all,
only now a few hours later,
I am starting to burn,
the lobster look, is back in,
at least untill the morn,
when I hope the tan will come,
and I am not so sore.


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Slipping bass drum beater?
View Single Post
Platinum Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Midwest - USA
Posts: 4,304
Re: Slipping bass drum beater?
Originally Posted by
...Many years ago I bought a double kick pedal. The pedal had only one screw per beater shaft, and the beaters repeatedly slipped out during playing. I would retighten them but they would just come loose again within seconds. ..
Assuming there weren't stripped threads from the factory (you'd be able to tell because you wouldn't be able to feel it tighten down),
the only thing I can think of that might cause that would be that the screws were too short - long enough to feel like it tightened, (but it was really bottoming out on the casting),
but too short to get a good hold on the shaft. Seems pretty unlikely from a company like Yamaha, but I guess stranger things have happened.
Originally Posted by
... I was looking into the newer Yamahas since overall I liked the ones I had. I am not sure how they compare to the old ones though. Seems some of the features have been removed. Also nobody seems to carry them locally. I wonder if Yamaha has backed out of the pedal market somewhat...
Yamaha offers a pretty good selection of pedals - belt, chain, direct drive, in single and doubles:
I've got 3 sets of Yamaha doubles and a whole bunch of singles, and have never had a problem with loose beaters.
I understand some people had problems with the Flying Dragons. One of my sets is a 9315dp - it looks like a FD, but without the foot board decals. It was a model or two after the FD's.
Here's what Yamaha says about the beater thing now: "....The hole in the beater hubs are tear drop shaped so it securely holds the beater shafts and keeps the new two-sided beaters from spinning...'
I'm sure you saw my thread about the set I got yesterday:
Anyways - I have no problem recommending any of the Yamaha pedals to anyone. They make just about anything someone would want, and their prices are usually middle range - not super cheap, but not outrageously expensive either.
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When was the last time you saw a real Duster 340? Designed by Chrysler for hot rodders on a budget, the Duster 340,... More
Very rare 1972 Plymouth Gold Duster 318 factory 4 speed with factory AC and power steering original warranty card and build sheet . show... More
To view more pictures and information please visit our website www.classiccarliquidators.com. After viewing the vehicle you may give us a call at 903-891-0000 and... More
1972 Plymouth 340 Duster. This Duster is equipped with a 340 ci. Engine with 4-barrel carb. Options include automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes... More


text: For only $10, you can send your favorite Harry Potter fan a personalized memo from the Ministry of Magic. Each can have up to 500 characters of message. It will be printed in green and purple inks onto violet paper, folded into a dart paper airplane, and sealed with a paper Ministry of Magic green sticker seal. The tip will be gold foil. Some black specks may show through foil. For images please check out our Photo Gallery. Fill in the information below to customize your Interdepartmental Memorandum. Mobile device users, please click here.


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By brian | Poverty Jetset February 14, 2010 at 1:05AM
So hard to read another sad story out there in the New York Times, but I couldn't help but be moved. I can't imagine being transgendered even if it were in the middle of downtown Manhattan or London? Berlin? Or what about Mexico City? Tokyo? But jeeeeeeez! Malawi?
Read this story about a truly transgendered person who comes from a rural area of Malawi.
"It began cheerfully enough. But later, gawkers pushed their way inside, some shouting taunts, others just staring through despising eyes. Then the electricity failed. The band stopped playing, and the bride collapsed in tears.
Someone had tipped off a newspaper, The Nation, for this betrothal was extraordinary in a conservative African nation. The resulting front-page story began with the phrase "gay lovebirds," adding that the chinkhoswe was "the first recorded public activity for homosexuals in the country." Readers were reminded that homosexuality carried a sentence of 5 to 14 years in prison.
Two days later, on Dec. 28, the couple was arrested on charges of unnatural acts and gross indecency, and they have been in jail since, denied bail ostensibly to keep them safe.
Much of Malawi is riveted by the case..."
From NYT, "The clergy, especially, has accused foreigners of infecting Malawi with sexual Satanism. The Rev. Zacc Kawalala, the leader of the Word Alive Ministry and a member of the national human rights commission, said: 'The West has its gay agenda. It wants to look at Africa and say, 'If you don't accept homosexuality, you are primitive.' But we're not as wicked as the West."


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About Business Volunteers
Our Mission
Volunteer Central, the volunteer center for Business Volunteers Maryland, works to provide quality of life for our community and its citizens through volunteerism and civic leadership.
Since its founding in 1993, Business Volunteers and Volunteer Central have become the primary resource for recruiting, developing and organizing volunteers in the Greater Baltimore area. Through our programs, Business Volunteers has connected more than 145,000 individuals to volunteer opportunitites and has infused more than $20 million in time and talent into Central Maryland.
Get involved with us!
Contact Business Volunteers
The inclusion of any organization or person in this database does not constitute a representation, warranty, or endorsement with respect to the competence, suitability, or reliability of such organization or person by Business Volunteers; nor does Business Volunteers sponsor or endorse any third-party web site. Legal Notices


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NC State Lands 230 on ACC Academic Honor Roll
ACC Players of the Year Andrew Colley and Nick Gwiazdowski are among the honorees
Personal-Best Marks Highlight First Day of Tyson Invitational
Nicole Chavis, Jonathan Addison and Karimah Shepherd reached new heights in field events Friday night.
Women's Track & Field Impressive at Hilton Garden Invitational
Lacey Shuman won the women's high jump, Tremanisha Taylor won the shot put, and Kenyetta Iyevbele and Andie Cozzarelli finished 1-2 in the mile run to conclude a successful weekend at the Hilton Garden Invitational.
Shepherd Shines on Day One of Hokie Invitational
Senior Karimah Shepherd hit a personal best and re-wrote the record books in the triple jump while remaining undefeated in the jumps this season.
2011 Outdoor All-ACC Academic Team
2014 Outdoor Track and Field
2013-14 Indoor Track and Field
2013 Outdoor Track and Field
2011 Outdoor Track and Field


text: S.O.U.L. Purpose – Lesson A (Jay Electronica Diss) Posted by Jason on April 28, 2008 & filed under Music Videos. {rbvi}1BF6FFFF0099EF180017001E2182{/rbvi} {rbv}1BF6FFFF0099EF180017001E2182{/rbv} Share this story Tweet P Diddy Featured In NYC Tourism Campaign J.R. Writer – 80 in the Clip Music Videos Related Stories Leave Your Comment Music Videos Related Songs & Videos › ‹ G-Eazy on Embracing His Image & His 3 Tour Essentials Ryan Hemsworth ft. Tinashe – One For Me Talib Kweli – Upper Echelon Music Video Busta Rhymes – Talks About Shrinking Music Video Budgets


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Ancient Indian Games
A die found in excavations at a
Harappan period site. Note that the
six is not opposite the one.
People in India brought the idea of throwing the knucklebones of sheep or pigs to tell the future, or to play a game of skill like jacks, when they first came from Africa to India about 40,000 BC. But people in India may have been the first to get the idea of carving those knucklebones and turning them into marked dice. The earliest known dice in the world come from a backgammon set from Iran, from about 3000 BC. Harappan people certainly used dice about 2500 BC, and the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata both tell stories about dice.
Certainly Indian people invented a lot of board games, and they liked to play them. By the 300s AD, people in India were playing Pachisi (we know it as Parcheesi). They made the boards out of cotton cloth, and threw six cowrie shells to determine the moves. The pieces were made of wood.
About 600 AD, people in India began to play chess. They may have gotten the idea partly from China, where versions of chess were a variation on earlier games of Go. Chess soon spread from India to the Islamic Empire and from there to Europe.
Indian Snakes and Ladders game (1700s AD)
Sometime around the 1200s AD (or possibly earlier), people in India also began playing a game they called Snakes and Ladders (we know it as Chutes and Ladders). This was a Hindu game. Each space was called a house, and each house represented a kind of emotion. You threw dice to see how far you should go, and used a cowrie shell for your piece. The ladders stood for good feelings, while the snakes stood for bad feelings that took you farther away from Nirvana.
People in India also played the game of mancala, which probably started as an African game.
Athletic games were also popular in ancient India. Wrestling matches, as in West Asia, were very common. Camel racing and boat races were also common.
To find out more about ancient Indian games, check out these books from your local library or from Amazon:
Arab Seafaring: In the Indian Ocean in Ancient and Early Medieval Times, by George Hourani and John Carswell (1951, reprinted 1995). For adults, a time-tested account of trade between India and the Arabian Peninsula.
Land of Milk and Honey: Travels in the History of Indian Food, by Chitrita Banerji (2002). Not a cookbook, but a discussion of food in India, for grown-ups.
Eyewitness India, by Manini Chatterjee (2002). Written for kids.
Ancient India, by Virginia Schomp (2005). Written for middle schoolers. Very good for reports.


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13175 W Bluemound RdBrookfield, WI 53005
Located at the corner of Bluemound and Elm Grove Roads, our newest store delivers to all points of Brookfield and Elm Grove as well as parts of Wauwatosa, New Berlin, West Allis and Milwaukee. Limited Dine-In Service Available as well as Delivery and Carry-Out.
Accepted Forms of Payment:


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Valley Light I Canvas Wall Art
# 77303
Product Description
A beautiful landscape under a soft, cloudy sky can be yours with the Valley Light Wall Art. This outdoor accessory is made for both style and quality with its muted tones, elegant design and fine construction that will stand up to the elements. Make your porch or patio complete; order now.
Product Details


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Registration takes less than 1 minute.
Debate continued in the Senate Thursday on a multi-year surface transportation bill that would fund investment in highway, bridge and transit infrastructure, but House lawmakers disagree on how to pay for the measure.
Hapag-Lloyd has reportedly picked Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Berenberg to assist it with an initial public offering, fueling speculation the German ocean carrier is accelerating its plan for a public float.
Neptune Orient Line, the parent company of ocean carrier APL, said it remains focused on its core liner business.
Senat Shipping claimed no wrongdoing or illegal activity on its part, and said the Treasury Departments action is a "misguided measure purely based on Senat's historical dealings with OMM," according to a report from Reuters.
Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer said his recently introduced STRONGER Act would establish an enforcement trust fund that would be "paid for by foreign exporting cheaters."
Singapore-based GLP's $4.55 billion acquisition of IIT's logistics assets will make it second largest logistics property owner and operator in the United States within a year of market entry, the company said.


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Fort Hays State University > About FHSU > Administration and Finance > Computing and Telecommunications Center > HelpDesk > TigerTracks > Tt Faq
113 Tomanek Hall785-628-52761-800-628-FHSUE-Mail the HelpDeskSecure Comments Form
Summer HoursMonday - Friday: 8am - 5pm Ind. Day Weekend (July 3-5): CLOSED
Current Hours (PDF)
The following Frequently Asked Questions provide answers to your most common TigerTracks questions. If you are unable to locate an answer to your question, see the TigerTracks Information page or contact us.
The TigerTracks Web portal, located at tigertracks.fhsu.edu, provides centralized single sign-on access to student "FHSU Mail" e-mail (Webmail), the Blackboard course delivery system, announcements, and other FHSU Online Services. After logging in, you can customize your TigerTracks layout by adding, removing, and arranging portal content as well as by changing the color scheme. TigerTracks is under continual development, so watch for new services and features in the future.
Back to Top
Yes. The TigerTracks username and password is used for accessing many services at FHSU. Some of the services that require the TigerTracks login include student e-mail, the Blackboard course delivery system, Online Services applications in the TigerTracks portal (such as TigerEnroll), on-campus wireless Internet, and computer lab access.
When a student applies for admission to Fort Hays State University for the first time, the TigerTracks login will become available for activation within one business day. After the TigerTracks login is activated at tigertracks.fhsu.edu/register/, it can then be used to access the TigerTracks portal at tigertracks.fhsu.edu.
Go to tigertracks.fhsu.edu/register/.
Please make sure you are entering your social security number and birth date correctly. If you have a "999" student number, you should enter it instead of a social security number. For your birth date, make sure you enter a full four-digit year.If these suggestions do not work, it is possible that your birth date or social security number has been entered incorrectly on your official student record. You should contact the Registrar's office to verify and correct them if needed. You can contact them by sending e-mail to email@example.com or by calling 1-800-628-FHSU or (785) 628-4222. Please allow one business day for processing. If you are still unable to activate your account after your birth date or social security number is corrected, please contact us.
If you have forgotten your username, you can search for it using the online Directory located at the top of the FHSU home page at www.fhsu.edu. The username is the portion of the student e-mail address that precedes the @ symbol. If you are unable to locate your username using the Directory Search, contact us.
Go to the TigerTracks registration page at tigertracks.fhsu.edu/register/ and choose the option, "I have already set up my credentials and have forgotten my password."
Go to the TigerTracks registration page at tigertracks.fhsu.edu/register/ and choose the option, "I have already set up my TigerTracks credential and now need to make a change." Click on (Step 1) Password Set and enter your new password. View tips for choosing a secure password.
Your FHSU student e-mail, Blackboard courses and student information will be accessible after you log in to the TigerTracks portal. Click on the Online Services tab to access the TigerEnroll system, class schedules, advisor contact information, financial aid status, grades, personal contact and emergency notification information, and more! You must use your TigerTracks username and password to log in to your student e-mail and Blackboard accounts, even if you do not access them via the TigerTracks portal.
You may search for student "FHSU Mail" e-mail addresses using the Directory Search application located on the TigerTracks home page at tigertracks.fhsu.edu. A student's TigerTracks username is the portion of the student e-mail address that precedes the @ symbol.
FHSU provides three levels of wireless network access to enable simplified connectivity for Students, Faculty/Staff and Guests. For more information, see TigerNet On-Campus Wireless Internet Access.
The TigerTracks login is NOT used to access the Software Center. For Software Center eligibility and sign-in information, see the Software Center page.


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Balloons for medical devices, particularly balloon angioplasty catheters, which have hybrid compliance curves in which growth rate slows at higher pressures are made from block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers.
1. A balloon for a medical device formed from a length of tubing of a polymer material by radial expansion of the tubing under pressure, the polymer material comprising a polyamide-polyether-polyester, the balloon having a compliance curve characterized by a hybrid compliance curve in which a segment of the curve between 6 atm and 10 atm has a slope corresponding to a growth rate of from about 1.5% to about 5% per atm from a reference diameter at 6 atm and a second segment of the curve between 12 and 16 atm has a growth rate of from about 0.3% to about 1.5% per atm from a reference diameter at 12 atm.
2. A balloon as in claim 1 wherein the polyamide-polyether-polyester has a Shore D hardness in the range of 65-75 and a flexural modulus in the range of 50,000-120,000 psi.
3. A balloon as in claim 1 wherein said polyamide-polyether-polyester comprises a polyether segment, selected from the group consisting of poly(tetramethylene ether), poly(pentamethylene ether) and poly(hexamethylene ether).
4. A balloon as in claim 1 having a wall strength greater than 20,000 psi.
5. A balloon as in claim 1 having a molded diameter of between 1.5 mm and 4.0 mm, the balloon having a burst pressure of at least 12 atm.
6. A dilation catheter having an elongated tubular body, a balloon mounted on a distal end thereof and means for inflation of the balloon, wherein the balloon is a balloon as in claim 1.
7. A balloon for a medical device characterized by a wall strength of at least 18,000 psi, a distension over the range of 88-235 psi of at least 12% and a non-linear compliance curve comprising initial and final segments, the initial segment having a growth rate greater than the final segment.
8. A balloon as in claim 7 wherein said wall strength is at least 20,000 psi.
This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 08/811,761, filed Mar. 6, 1997, incorporated herein by reference; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/805,899, filed Feb. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,182; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/671,861, filed Jun. 28, 1996, now abandoned; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/397,837 filed Mar. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,383; which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/204,554, filed Mar. 2, 1994, now abandoned.
Balloons mounted on the distal ends of catheters are widely used in medical treatment. The balloon may be used widen a vessel into which the catheter is inserted or to force open a blocked vessel. The requirements for strength and size of the balloons vary widely depending on the balloon's intended use and the vessel size into which the catheter is inserted. Perhaps the most demanding applications for such balloons are in balloon angioplasty in which catheters are inserted for long distances into extremely small vessels and used to open stenoses of blood vessels by balloon inflation. These applications require extremely thin walled high strength relatively inelastic balloons of predictable inflation properties. Thin walls are necessary because the balloon's wall and waist thicknesses limit the minimum diameter of the distal end of the catheter and therefore determine the limits on vessel size treatable by the method and the ease of passage of the catheter through the vascular system. High strength is necessary because the balloon is used to push open a stenosis and so the thin wall must not burst under the high internal pressures necessary to accomplish this task. The balloon must have some elasticity so that the inflated diameter can be controlled, so as to allow the surgeon to vary the balloon's diameter as required to treat individual lesions, but that elasticity must be relatively low so that the diameter is easily controllable. Small variations in pressure must not cause wide variation in diameter.
While angioplasty balloons are considered inelastic relative to balloons used in most other applications, there is in the art a general classification of such balloons based on their expandability or "compliance" relative to each other. As used herein, "non-compliant" balloons are the least elastic, increasing in diameter about 2-7%, typically about 5%, as the balloon is pressurized from a inflation pressure of about 6 atm to a pressure of about 12 atm, that is, they have a "distension" over that pressure range of about 5%. "Semi-compliant" balloons have somewhat greater distensions, generally 7-16% and typically 10-12% over the same pressurization range. "Compliant" balloons are still more distensible, having distensions generally in the range of 16-40% and typically about 21% over the same pressure range. Maximum distensions, i.e. distension from nominal diameter to burst, of various balloon materials may be significantly higher than the distension percentages discussed above because wall strengths, and thus burst pressures, vary widely between balloon materials. The 6-12 atm inflation range is used in the present application to allow direct comparison of the compliance attributes of various balloons.
The strength of the polymer materials used in the balloons varies widely. The strongest balloons are also the most inelastic, being made of highly orientable polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or other phthalate polyesters or copolyesters, and nylons. Tensile wall strengths are commonly 20,000-50,000 psi. Commercial angioplasty balloons made of such materials with nominal diameters in the range of 1.5-4.5 mm have distensions in the non-compliant to semi-compliant range and can often be rated to pressures of 16 atm or higher without risk of bursting (actual burst pressures may exceed 20 atm). Generally, however, as compliance increases the wall strength decreases. Other semi-compliant and compliant balloons are made of less highly orientable polymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, olefin copolymers and ionomer resins. The wall strengths of balloons made from these less orientable materials are still lower than those made from the highly orientable polymers, commonly in the range of 6,000-15,000 psi, resulting in lower rated maximum inflation pressures of 9-10 atm.
The particular distension and maximum pressure attributes of a balloon are also influenced both by polymer type and by the conditions under which the balloon is blown. Angioplasty balloons are conventionally made by blowing a tube of polymer material at a temperature above its glass transition temperature. For any given balloon material, there will be a range of distensions achievable depending on the conditions chosen for the blowing of the balloon.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,244 to Pinchuck there are described balloons of nylon (i.e. aliphatic polyamide) materials, such as nylon 12, nylon 11, nylon 9, nylon 6/9 and nylon 6/6. Like all other polymer materials the distensions of these balloons can be determined, within a range, by controlling blowing conditions such as initial dimensions of tubing, prestretching, hoop ratio and heat set conditions. The data in the reference show that compliance characteristics can be obtained ranging from non-compliant to semi-compliant characteristics and that wall strengths of greater than 15,000 can be obtained. The reference suggests that higher compliances can be achieved with nylon materials but there is no indication of what other nylons or other balloon forming conditions could be employed to do so.
It has also been suggested to prepare balloons of thermoplastic elastomers in U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,774 to Boretos, and polyamide elastomers have been mentioned among a number of possible balloon materials suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,069 to Nobuyoshi, et al, but there are many of such thermoplastic elastomer polymers and before the invention hereof it has been expected that performance of balloons made from these materials would not be generally any better than high to intermediate compliance made from conventional thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene ionomer, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,306 polyester ethers and polyetheresteramide polymers of Shore D hardness less than 55 have been proposed for use as a sleeve or co-extruded outer layer to a balloon of a biaxially oriented nylon or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material, so as to provide the balloon with improved softness and pin-hole and abrasion resistance.
Polyurethane block copolymers having flexural modulus of about 190,000 and an ultimate elongation of 250% are disclosed as balloon materials in EP 0592885 and mention is made of also using polyester block copolymers or polyamide block copolymers but no suggestion is made that such alternative copolymers could be usefully employed if their flexural modulus was substantially lower or their ultimate elongation was substantially higher than the disclosed polyurethane block copolymers.
New balloon materials, which possess a unique combination of physical properties including non-compliant, semi-compliant and compliant distension attributes, good flexibility and high tensile strength, are made from particular block copolymer thermoplastic elastomers. Preferred such block copolymer elastomers are characterized as follows:
the block copolymer is made up of hard segments of a polyester or polyamide and soft segments of polyether;
the polyester hard segments are polyesters of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a C2 -C4 diol,
the polyamide hard segments are polyamides of C6 or higher, preferably C10 -C12, carboxylic acids and C6 or higher, preferably C10 -C12, organic diamines or of C6 or higher, preferably C10 -C12, aliphatic ω-amino-α-acids, and
the polyether soft segments are polyethers of C2 -C10, preferably C4 -C6 diols;
the block copolymer has a low flexural modulus, namely less than 150,000 psi, preferably less than 120,000 psi;
the block copolymer has a hardness, Shore D scale, of greater than 60; and
the percentage by weight of the block polymer attributable to the hard segments is between about 50% and about 95%.
From such polymers, balloons having compliant to semi-compliant expansion profiles can be prepared with wall strengths greater than 15,000 psi, frequently greater than 20,000 psi. The high strength of the balloons produced from the polymers allows for construction of low profile catheters and the low flexural modulus contributes to a softer feel found with the balloons of the invention, compared to those made of other high strength polymer materials. Low profile catheters made with the inventive balloons have very good initial crossing, good trackability and good recrossing after first inflation.
A further embodiment of this invention includes balloons made from block copolymers which display a compliance curve, with two generally linear segments, the higher pressure segment of which provides a substantially reduced growth rate with increasing pressure than the lower pressure segment.
A still further embodiment of this invention includes balloons made from various melt blend products of flexible block copolymers and relatively rigid engineering polymers which are structurally similar to a block of the flexible block copolymer. Such blends provide a mechanism for modifying the range of available compliance and strength properties of medical device balloons.
FIG. 1 is a graph of the distension from nominal diameter to burst of several balloons of the invention prepared from a polyamide/polyether polyester block copolymer using different hoop ratios to form the balloon.
FIG. 2 is a graph as in FIG. 1 using an alternate polyamide/polyether polyester block copolymer to form the balloon of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a graph as in FIG. 1 using an alternate polyamide/polyether polyester block copolymer which displays a "hybrid" compliance curve.
It should be noted here that, with respect to the block copolymers described herein, the individual polymeric segments which make up the block copolymers are typically of insufficient size to constitute suitable thermoformable materials and in that sense the segments may be considered oligomers. Thus, the block copolymers are very different, non-equivalent, materials from the commercial thermoformable polymers of same structural types as the individual blocks which make up the block copolymers.
The preferred balloons of the invention are made of polyamide/polyether block copolymers. The polyamide/polyether block copolymers are commonly identified by the acronym PEBA (polyether-block-amide). The polyamide and polyether segments of these block copolymers may be linked through amide linkages, however, most preferred are ester linked segmented polymers, i.e. polyamide-polyether-polyesters. Such polyamide/polyether/polyester block copolymers are made by a molten state polycondensation reaction of a dicarboxylic polyamide and a polyether diol. The result is a short chain polyester made up of blocks of polyamide and polyether. The polyamide and polyether blocks are not miscible. Thus the materials are characterized by a two phase structure: one is a thermoplastic region that is primarily polyamide and the other is elastomer region that is rich in polyether. The polyamide segments are semicrystalline at room temperature. The generalized chemical formula for these polyester polymers may be represented by the following formula: ##STR1## in which PA is a polyamide segment, PE is a polyether segment and the repeating number n is between 5 and 10.
The polyamide segments are suitably aliphatic polyamides, such as polyamides 12, 11, 9, 6, 6/12, 6/11, 6/9, or 6/6. Most preferably they are polyamide 12 segments. The polyamide segments may also be based on aromatic polyamides but in such case significantly lower compliance characteristics are to be expected. The polyamide segments are relatively low molecular weight, generally within the range of 500-8,000, more preferably 2,000-6,000, most preferably about 3,000-5,000.
The polyether segments are aliphatic polyethers having at least 2 and no more than 10 linear saturated aliphatic carbon atoms between ether linkages. More preferably the ether segments have 4-6 carbons between ether linkages, and most preferably they are poly(tetramethylene ether) segments. Examples of other polyethers which may be employed in place of the preferred tetramethylene ether segments include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, poly(pentamethylene ether) and poly(hexamethylene ether). The hydrocarbon portions of the polyether may be optionally branched. An example is the polyether of 2-ethylhexane diol. Generally such branches will contain no more than two carbon atoms. The molecular weight of the polyether segments is suitably between about 400 and 2,500, preferably between 650 and 1000.
The weight ratio of polyamide to polyether in the polyamide/polyether polyesters used in the invention desirably should be in the range of 50/50 to 95/5, preferably between 60/30 and 92/08, more preferably, between 70/30 and 90/10.
Polyamide/polyether polyesters are sold commercially under the PEBAX trademark by Atochem North America, Inc., Philadelphia Pa. Examples of suitable commercially available polymers are the Pebax� 33 series polymers with hardness 60 and above, Shore D scale, especially Pebax� 7033 and 6333. These polymers are made up of polyamide 12 segments and poly(tetramethylene ether) segments in about 90/10 and about 80/20 weight ratios, respectively. The average molecular weight of the individual segments of polyamide 12 is in the range of about 3,000-5,000 grams/mole and of the poly(tetramethylene ether) segments are in the ranges of about 750-1,250 for the 6333 polymer and about 500-800 for the 7033 polymer. The inherent viscosities of these polymers are in the range of 1.33 to 1.50 dl/g.
Generally speaking, balloons of Pebax� 7033 type polymer exhibit borderline non-compliant to semi-compliant behavior and balloons of Pebax� 6333 type polymer show semi-compliant to compliant distension behavior, depending on the balloon forming conditions.
While the Pebax�-type polyamide/polyether polyesters are most preferred, it is also possible to use other PEBA polymers with the physical properties specified herein and obtain similar compliance, strength and softness characteristics in the finished balloon.
As an alternative to polyamide elastomers, it is also possible to utilize polyester/polyether segmented block copolymers and obtain similar balloon properties. Such polymers are made up of at least two polyester and at least two polyether segments. The polyether segments are the same as previously described for the polyamide/polyether block copolymers useful in the invention. The polyester segments are polyesters of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid and a two to four carbon diol.
Suitable dicarboxylic acids used to prepare the polyester segments of the polyester/polyether block copolymers are ortho-, meta- or para-phthalic acid, napthalenedicarboxylic acid or meta-terphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acids.
Preferred polyester/polyether block copolymers are poly(butylene terephthalate)-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) polymers such as Arnitel EM 740, sold by DSM Engineering Plastics. Hytrel polymers, sold by DuPont which meet the physical and chemical specifications set out herein can also be used, but are less preferred.
It is believed important that the block copolymers have a hardness, Shore D scale, of at least 60 and a flexural modulus of no more than about 150,000, in order to obtain the desirable combination of strength, compliance and softness characteristics which distinguish the inventive balloons. Preferably the Shore D hardness is in the range of 65-75 and the flexural modulus is in the range of 50,000-120,000. The preferred polymers useful in the invention are also characterized by a high ultimate elongation of about 300% or higher and an ultimate tensile strength of at least 6,000 psi.
The balloons of the invention are made using known techniques for forming catheter balloons. For coronary angioplasty catheter balloons (balloon diameters of about 1.5-4.0 mm), single wall thicknesses of less than 0.001 inches, preferably less than 0.0007 inches, are readily obtained. Wall strengths for such balloons are in excess of 15,000, typically at least 18,000 psi, and in most cases in the range of about 20,000 to 32,000 psi. For peripheral angioplasty, balloons of up to 10 mm diameter may be used and in such cases somewhat thicker walls may be employed. Even with a 10 mm balloon, wall thicknesses of about 0.0015 mm or less can be employed to provide balloons with burst pressures of at least 10 atm. Suitably the balloons are formed by expansion of tubing at a hoop ratio (mold diameter/tubing ID) of between 3 and 8, preferably between 4 and 7.
The following examples illustrate the preparation and unique properties of balloons of the invention.
Tubing Extrusion:
In these examples all tubing materials were made by extrusion. Polymer pellets were dried to less than 0.10 wt % moisture content before extrusion. Tubing was extruded at melt temperature range of 200� C. to 220� C. by hot feedthroat through seven extruder zones with controlled temperatures. The extrusion conditions were based upon manufacturer's recommended polymer processing conditions. After the polymer material extruded out of the die in tube form it passed through a small air gap and was cooled in a deionized water bath maintained at about 65� F. A puller was used to pull the tube through the water bath. After passing through the puller, the extruded tubing was cut into 8 inch sections or spooled. A variety of tubing sizes were made by this method.
The product of this example is a 2.25 mm balloon made from Pebax� 7033. This polymer has a Shore D hardness of 69, a flexural modulus of 67,000, an ultimate tensile strength of 8,300 psi and an ultimate elongation of 400%. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0270 inch and an ID of 0.0179 inch. In order to form a 2.25 mm balloon with a 20 mm body length, a mold having dimensions that allowed the tube to blow out to the appropriate body size and balloon waist inner diameters was used.
After the tubing section was securely inside the mold, the mold was placed in a holder. The tubing section extended out the top of the mold and was fed into a Touhy clamp through which nitrogen gas applied to the inner lumen of the tubing at 280 psi with tension applied to the tubing. The tubing section at the bottom of the mold was clamped off such that the pressure was maintained inside the tubing section. The mold was then gradually dipped into a deionized hot water bath maintained at 90� C. (�1� C.) to a point just above the proximal waist portion of the mold at a controlled manner. A balloon was formed by radial expansion with internal pressure using a hoop ratio of 5.1. After the balloon formed, the mold was removed from the hot water bath and cooled for approximately 10 sec in a deionized water bath maintained at about 10� C.
Balloons prepared in this manner were subjected to standard burst tests by measuring the double wall thickness of the deflated balloon, inflating the balloon at incrementally increasing pressures and measuring the outside diameter at each increment until the balloon burst. Burst strength, distension and balloon wall strength were calculated from the data obtained. Average results are given in Table 1.
The product of this example is a 3.00 mm balloon made from Pebax� 7033. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0290 inch and an ID of 0.0179 inch. A 3.00 mm size mold was used to produce the balloons. These 3.00 mm balloons were made by the same procedure used in example 1, except for the water bath temperature and internal blowing pressure. The water bath temperature and the pressure were maintained at 95� C. and 300 psi, respectively. The hoop ratio of the balloon was 6.2. The results of testing for burst, distension and wall strength are also listed in Table 1.
The product of this example is a 3.00 mm balloon made from Pebax� 7033. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0316 inch and an ID of 0.0179 inch. A corresponding size mold was used to mold balloons. In this example, 90� C. water bath and 400 psi internal blowing pressure were used. The test results provided in Table 1 show that these balloons gave a higher burst pressure than the previous examples.
The product of this example is a 3.00 mm balloon made from Pebax� 7033. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0320 inch and an ID of 0.0215 inch. A 3.00 mm size mold was used to produce the balloons. The same molding conditions described in example 2 were used except that the tubing was prestretched at room temperature before molding balloons. The prestretch stretching ratio λ was 1.5 in this example. The test results of this example are listed in Table 1.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distension Test Results of Pebax � 7033 Material (averagesof at least 5 balloons). Single Wall Burst Distension Distension Distension WallBalloon Size Thickness Pressure 88 psi-Burst 88 psi-132 88 psi-176 StrengthExample(mm) (inch) (psi) (%) psi (%) psi (%) (psi)__________________________________________________________________________1 2.25 0.00042 230 21.3 4.2 10.9 254002 3.00 0.00047 230 12.7 3.2 7.1 292003 3.00 0.00060 260 12.8 3.6 6.9 259004 3.00 0.00049 220 23.5 4.4 9.0 26300__________________________________________________________________________
Balloons having 2.0-3.0 mm diameters were prepared from Pebax� 7033 using hoop ratios of 4.6, 5.1 and 6.7. The balloons were expanded incrementally at 37� C. until they burst. The results, plotted in FIG. 1, show semi-compliant curves with very high burst strengths ranging from 1 5-18 atm and maximum distensions at burst of 24%-45%.
In this example, balloons were made from Pebax� 6333. This polymer has a Shore D hardness of 63, a flexural modulus of 49,000, an ultimate tensile strength of 8,100 psi and an ultimate elongation of 300%. The same balloon forming procedure as in example 1 was used, except as noted below. The product of this example is a 2.5 mm balloon. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0316 inch and an ID of 0.0179 inch. A 2.5 mm size mold was used to produce the balloons. In this example, a 95� C. water bath and a 300 psi internal blowing pressure were used. The hoop ratio for blowing the balloon was 5.5. The results of burst, distension and wall strength are shown in Table 2.
Pebax� 6333 tubing with an OD of 0.0310 inch and an ID of 0.0170 inch was used to produce 3.0 mm balloon. The water bath temperature was 90� C. and the internal blow pressure was 300 psi. The hoop ratio for blowing the balloon was 6.9. Test results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distension Test Results of Pebax � 6333 Material (averagesof at least five balloons) Single Wall Burst Distension Distension Distension WallBalloon Size Thickness Pressure 88 psi-Burst 88 psi-132 88 psi-176 StrengthExample(mm) (inch) (psi) (%) psi (%) psi (%) (psi)__________________________________________________________________________6 2.50 0.00058 220 33.7 3.4 17.4 199007 3.00 0.00049 210 17.1 4.2 9.7 26100__________________________________________________________________________
Balloons having 2.25-3.0 mm diameters were prepared from Pebax� 6333 using hoop ratios of 4.2, 5.5 and 6.9. The balloons were expanded incrementally at 37� C. until they burst. The results, plotted in FIG. 2, show semi-compliant and compliant curves with burst strengths of 11.5-14 atm and distensions at burst of 23%-69%.
The products of this example were 3.00 mm balloons made from Pebax� 6333. The tubing sections had an OD of 0.0350 inch and an ID of 0.0190 inch. A 3.00 mm size mold was used to produce the balloons. Portions of the tubing sections were prestretched at a stretching ratio of 2 (λ=2) before molding the balloons. The prestretched portions were on either side of a central 8 mm unstretched portion protected during the prestretching operation by a clamp. The unstretched central portion was then formed into a 20 mm long, 3.0 mm diameter balloon body by expansion under pressure in a mold as in the previous examples. The temperature of the water bath was 95� C. and the expansion pressure was 340 psi. The balloons made in this manner had a hoop ratio of 6.2, a single body wall thickness of between 0.0006 and 0.0007 inches, a distal waist wall thickness of between 0.0014 and 0.0021 inches a proximal waist wall thickness of between 0.0014 and 0.0018 inches. The burst pressure of the balloons was about 270 psi. The balloon distension was semi-compliant.
The material used in this example was Arnitel EM 740 sold by DSM Engineering Plastics. This polymer had a Shore hardness of 74D, a flexural modulus 120,000 psi, an ultimate tensile strength of 6,400 psi and an ultimate elongation of 340%. 2.25 mm Balloons were prepared from tubing of dimensions OD=0.0270 inches and ID=0.0179 inches. The tubing was necked at two ends and the balloon body portion was unstretched, as described in Example 9. The molding temperature was 80� C. The molding pressure was 290 psi. The molding tension was 50 grams. Balloon properties are given in Table 3.
TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Arnitel EM 740 Material SingleBalloon Wall Burst Distention Distention Distention WallSize Thickness Pressure 88-Burst 88-132 88-176 StrengthExample(mm) (inch) (psi) % % % (psi)__________________________________________________________________________10 2.25 0.00041 238 34 6.2 16.7 25,700__________________________________________________________________________
The material used in this example was Pebax 7033. The molding temperature was 95� C. The molding pressure was 500 psi. 2.00 mm Balloons were prepared from tubing segments as set forth below. All tubing segments were stretched at room temperature with different stretching ratios and starting tubing dimensions. The unit of ID and OD is inches.
______________________________________a: the tubing was stretched at = 2.5 stretching ratiostarting ID = 0.0130, OD = 0.0252ending ID = 0.0087, OD = 0.0177b: the tubing was stretched at = 3.0 stretching ratiostarting ID = 0.0132, OD = 0.0252ending ID = 0.0081, OD = 0.0162c: the tubing was stretched at = 4.5 stretching ratiostarting ID = 0.0132, OD = 0.0262ending ID = 0.0064, OD = 0.0136______________________________________
The properties of the resulting balloons are set forth in Table 4.
TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Pebax 7033 Material Single Wall Burst Distention Distention Distention WallBalloon Thickness Pressure 88-Burst 88-132 88-176 StrengthExampleSize (mm) (inch) (psi) (%) (%) (%) (psi)__________________________________________________________________________11a 2.0 0.00058 279 14.6 4.0 6.5 18,90011b 2.0 0.00060 279 14.6 3.5 6.6 18,30011c 2.0 0.00062 353 22.2 3.0 5.4 22,600__________________________________________________________________________
The material used in this example was Arnitel EM 740 poly(butylene terephthalate-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide). 2.75 mm Balloons were prepared from tubing of dimensions: OD=0.0390 inches and ID=0.0230 inches. The tubing was stretched at room temperature at λ=4.8. The dimension of stretched tube was: OD=0.0250 inches and ID=0.0200 inches. The molding temperature was 80� C. The molding pressure was 490 psi. The molding tension was 30 grams. The properties of the resulting balloons are set forth in Table 5.
TABLE 5__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Arnitel EM 740 Material Single Wall Burst Distention Distention Distention WallBalloon Thickness Pressure 88-Burst 88-132 88-176 StrengthExampleSize (mm) (inch) (psi) % % % (psi)__________________________________________________________________________12 2.75 0.00066 265 43.9 8.0 18.2 21,700__________________________________________________________________________
Pebax 7033 tubes with dimensions 0.0198 inch OD and 0.0339 inch ID is drawn at room temperature with a central region protected by an inserted hypo tube approximately 0.018 inch in diameter and 1.0 inch in length. The tube was drawn until an 8 mm central region remained undrawn. Ten sterilized balloons (3.0 mm in diameter and 20 mm in length) with an average double wall thickness 0.00142 inch are made by radially expanding the 8 mm central tubing portion at 95� C. The resulting burst pressure is 270-280 psi and the distension is 9% over the range 88-176 psi and 16% over the range 88-235 psi.
The material used in this example was Pebax 3533. This polymer has a Shore D hardness of 35 and a flexural modulus of 2,800. Balloons were made by expanding tubes of ID=0.0330 inch and OD=0.0480 inch. The molding temperature was 66� C. The molding pressure was 80 psi. Distension and burst were run at room temperature (22� C.). Balloon properties are set forth in Table 6.
TABLE 6______________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Pebax 3533 Material Balloon Single Wall Burst Distention WallComparative Size Thickness Pressure 10-Burst StrengthExample (mm) (inch) (psi) % (psi)______________________________________A 1.50 0.00495 75 67 450B 2.00 0.00218 50 89 900C 2.50 0.00185 40 73 1060______________________________________
The material used in this example was Pebax 5533. This polymer has a Shore D hardness of 55 and a flexural modulus of 29,000. 3.00 mm balloons were prepared from tubing sections having an ID of 0.0190 inch and an OD of 0.0360 inch. The molding temperature was 87.5� C. The molding pressure was 300 psi. Portions of the tubing sections were prestretched at a stretching ratio of 2 (λ=2) before molding the balloons. The prestretched portions were on either side of an 8 mm central unstretched portion protected during the prestretching operation by a hypo tube as in example 13. The unstretched central portion was then formed into a 20 mm long, 3.0 mm diameter balloon body by expansion under pressure in a mold. Balloon properties are set forth in Table 7.
TABLE 7__________________________________________________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Pebax 5533 Material Balloon Single Wall Burst Distention Distention WallComparative Size Thickness Pressure 88-Burst Distention 29.4-Burst StrengthExample (mm) (inch) (psi) % 88-132 % (psi)__________________________________________________________________________D 3.00 0.00073 132 17.0 17.0 44.3 10,700__________________________________________________________________________
The material used in this example was Riteflex 640 poly(butylene terephthalate-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide). This polymer has a Shore D hardness of 40 and a flexural modulus of 12,300. Balloons were made by expanding tubes of ID=0.0360 inch and OD=0.0430 inch. The molding temperature was 80� C. The molding pressure was 80 psi. Balloon properties are set forth in Table 8.
TABLE 8______________________________________Burst and Distention Test Results of Riteflex 640 Material Balloon Single Wall Burst Distention WallComparative Size Thickness Pressure 10-Burst StrengthExample (mm) (inch) (psi) % (psi)______________________________________E 1.50 0.00216 80 66 1100F 1.75 0.00105 65 52 2100G 2.25 0.00088 60 62 3020______________________________________
As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, balloons prepared in the manner described above will usually have compliance curves which are generally linear or which provide a slight upwardly increasing slope over their useful range of inflation pressures. In some cases, however, the compliance curve may have a "hybrid" compliance curve, exhibiting a relatively high initial growth rate with pressure up to a transition pressure, after which the slope of the compliance curve drops so that equivalent increases in inflation pressure produce a slower growth rate after the transition. Such a balloon can be characterized by two segments of the curve on either side of the transition region. Suitably the balloon has a compliance curve characterized by a hybrid compliance curve in which a segment of the curve between 6 atm and 10 atm has a slope corresponding to a growth rate of from about 1.5% to about 5% per atm from a reference diameter at 6 atm and a second segment of the curve between 12 and 16 atm has a growth rate of from about 0.3% to about 1.5% per atm from a reference diameter at 12 atm. As illustrated in Example 14, below, balloons made from Pebax� 7233 may be made which have such a property. This property can be advantageous to the user in providing a relatively rapid "compliant" growth profile at low pressures but then slowing to an intermediate or "non-compliant" profile at higher pressures where risk of vessel damage due to oversizing would be greater if the compliant growth rate were maintained. The utility of such a growth profile is discussed in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,538, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A 2.5 mm balloon was prepared from Pebax 7233. extruded tube dimensions were ID=0.01 56 inch and OD=0.0288 inch. A 15 mm length balloon mold was used. The balloon was formed at 95� C. with a blowing pressure of 450 psi and with 60 grams of tension applied to the tubing during the blowing process. The balloon had a burst pressure of 365 psi, a distension of about 9% over the range of 88-176 psi, and a distension of about 12% over the range 88-235 psi. As illustrated by FIG. 3, the balloon had hybrid compliance curve.
Compatible blends of a block copolymer elastomer having a flexural modulus of about 150,000 psi or less, and rigid engineering thermoplastic polymers characterized by a flexural modulus of about 240,000 psi or more can be used to obtain compliance properties which are intermediate between the elastomer and the engineering polymers. For compatibility the block copolymer should have a hard segment of similar chemical structure to the engineering thermoplastic polymer, and preferably the same structure. For instance, thermoplastic melt blend pairs of polyamide elastomers and polyamides; polyurethane elastomers and engineering polyurethanes; aromatic polyester elastomers and aromatic polyesters or copolyesters; and polycarbonate urethane elastomers and polycarbonates may be employed.
Specific examples of polyamide elastomers are the polyamide-polyether-polyester block copolymers described above, in particular Pebax 6333, Pebax 7033 and Pebax 7233. Specific examples of polyamides characterized by a flexural modulus of about 240,000 psi or more include nylons 11 and 12.
Specific examples of polyurethane elastomers include Tecoflex� aliphatic polyurethane-polyether block copolymers and Tecothane� aromatic polyurethane-polyether polymers, both of which are sold by Thermedics, Inc., and elastomeric polyurethane-polyethers and polyurethane-polyesters sold under the Pellethane� trademark by Dow, for instance Pellethane� 2102, 2103, 2202, 2353-2355 and 2363. Engineering polyurethanes characterized by a flexural modulus of about 240,000 or more include Isoplast� polyurethanes, such as Isoplast� 301, sold by Dow and Tecoplast TP-470 Series resins, which are 82 Shore D, Flex modulus of 300,000 psi aromatic polyurethane-polyethers sold by Thermedics, Inc.
Specific examples of polyester elastomers include polyester urethanes such as Pellethane� 2102, 2202, 2354, and 2355 sold by Dow, and polyester-polyethers such as the Hytrel resins from DuPont, Arnitel EM-740 from DSM and polybutylene naphthanate-polyether block copolymer sold by Teijin. Aromatic polyester polymers include polyethylene terephthalate homopolymers and copolymers such as Traytuf 7357 and Cleartuf 8006, both from Shell, poly-n-propylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthanate, and polybutylene naphthanate. Specific examples of polycarbonate elastomers include Carbothane sold by Thermedics. Polycarbonate engineering thermoplastic resins are available from GE Plastics.
The elastomer/engineering polymer blends may vary in any ratio which will produce a compatible extrudeable mixture. Elastomer/engineering polymer ratios from 99:1 to 1:99 can be employed if compatible.
Examples 15-17 illustrate this aspect of the invention.
A PET resin, Shell Traytuf 7357 from Shell was melt blended with a polyester-polyether block copolymer, Arnitel EM 740 from DSM, at a ratio of 75% by weight PET and 25% by weight block copolymer. The blend was extruded into tubing of 0.0146 inch ID and 0.0310 in OD. The tubing was then stretched longitudinally 2.25�. The stretched tubing was then inserted into a 2.50 mm mold and the balloon formed by inflating at 98� C. with pressure. The balloon so formed had a double-wall thickness on cooling of 0.0010 inch. The balloon burst at 21 atm. Its distention from 6 to 12 atm was 8.3% and from 6 atm to burst was 30%.
Tubing of the same size as the previous example was prepared from a melt blend of 90% Traytuf 7357 and 10% Arnitel EM 740. The tubing was stretched at a ratio of 3.0�. The stretched tubing was then formed into a balloon as in the previous example. The balloon had a double wall thickness of 0.0008 inch, a burst pressure of 20 atm, a distention from 6 to 12 atm of 6.2% and a distention from 6 atm to burst of 26%.
A mixture of Tecothane 1075D (75% by weight) and Tecoplast TP 470 (25% by weight) was extruded at 195� C. into tubing having the dimensions of 0.0195 inch ID and 0.0355 inch (OD). The blended tube was stretched axially at a ratio of 2.25 at 50� C. The stretched tube was then inserted into a 3.00 mm balloon mold and the balloon formed at 85� C. with a blowing pressure of 100 psi and axial tension of 40 grams. The balloon had a double wall thickness of 0.00150 inch; a compliance from 6-12 atm of 16%; and a burst pressure of 235 psi (16 atm).
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The Paulson Body Shield Cover allows the proper storage of BS-1 and BS-2 shields, replacing plastic bags of other types or storage attempts. The unique feature of this cover is that, when in place, the handle of the body shield remains available to facilitate storage and retrieval.
SIZE: Fits BS-1 and BS-2 shields measuring 20.00" x 36.00"
COLOR: Black


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weird name, cool house
2669 Le Conte AvenueBerkeley, CAph: firstname.lastname@example.com
Kluegel House is a private student rooming house located two blocks north of the UC Berkeley campus.
You can live in a gorgeous old mansion, in a spacious and sunlit room, surrounded by 100-year old redwoods, amid a couple of dozen other UCB students.
Life can be good.
Summer and next fall are full.
One of our rooming house house cats. George Clooney -- tall, dark, & handsome like his namesake.
415-516-2805 email@example.com
Copyright 2011 Kluegel House Student Housing. All rights reserved.
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Universal Starter? AMC 304-360
Hey guys,
I have an AMC 360 out of an '89 Grand Wagoneer. The TH400 trans is from a '79 CJ-7, along with the starter. I am using the starter part P3209. I found a different starter x16211 listed for the '89. (Both are Advance Auto numbers). The x16211 is listed for both vehicles.
My question is are the 2 starters identical as far as bolt pattern and gear? Is the one for the 360 a stronger starter?
Anything you can add to the pros/cons of the starters would be great.
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There are 53 patents on the Carver One's hydraulic tilting system. It's the mechanism that makes riding in the Carver feel like being a passenger in a fighter jet. As the driver turns, the Carver tilts into the corner, learning up to 45 degrees, and with it, almost eliminating the sense of speed you get from lateral g-forces in a car.
The first time it tilted it took me by surprise as Peter pulled out from Parkside HQ a quick 90-degree right-left across into Parawai Crescent. This road consists of an endless stream of traffic islands and 90-degree bends to negotiate, and by the time we emerged on Jervois Rd, it seems as natural as riding a bike¦which it is exactly like.
As a passenger, getting in requires a degree of flexibility. Sitting astride the front seat, one has to lean slightly to one side to get a view of the road ahead. If you're bored with looking ahead, though, you can just people-spot out the side windows. Despite being launched over three years ago, this is the first Carver in New Zealand, and as such, everywhere you go the great unwashed point and smile (or try to look cool while deliberately ignoring you). The only two cars I've driven that have generated this much interest are the Ariel Atom and the Saker RSC. People are far more polite on the road to you — they let you out of side roads, they pull over (then try to follow you to catch another glimpse of the Carver careening through the bends.
While it's capable of careening at a reasonable speed, the Carver isn't awash with horsepower. A turbocharged four-cylinder 659cc Daihatsu engine sits above the two rear wheels pumping out around 50kW (68bhp) and gives exceptional fuel economy (around 6l/100km). It is good to punt the 643kg machine to 100kph in 8.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 185kph.
Because there really is nothing like the Carver, it is an oddity — something we're not used to looking at. There are hints of aircraft cockpit from the side, Series one Lotus Elise in the front lights, and pizza delivery scooter sporting an aftermarket body kit from the rear.
Looking at the motorbike front wheel, you would expect dramatic understeer, but the rear wheels passively steer as well, and combined with the Carver's ability to hydraulically bank from full left to full right in only a second through the corners it can change direction extraordinarily quickly. The 195/50R15 rear wheels give the Carver all the grip required coming out of the corners, and despite being a small engine, it gives a tuned 4-cylinder growl topped off with whistles from the turbo.
Luggage space comes courtesy of a fitted bag that straps to the back, and a small shelf behind the passenger seat. If you don't carry a passenger, then the whole of the back area is available for storage while you roll through the corners listening to the stereo/MP3 player, and snatching gears using the five-speed manual 'box. There are even electric windows, and you can take the canvas roof off to allow the sun on your neck.
While you steering using a steering wheel, it's classed as a motorbike so, unlike the aforementioned Ariel Atom which has all the disadvantages of a car combined with the disadvantages of a motorbike (you get cold and wet, and you can't use the transit lanes), the Carver has the advantages of both. It does mean you need a full motorbike license, though, and you'll end up paying slightly higher registration fees because of that.
Why would you buy a Carver One? If you're in two minds about the practicality of it, then you haven't quite got the concept. You're going to buy it for one of three reasons: you want an unusual and unique toy and 95 grand for you is not a problem; you own a business and you want a high-visibility sign-written car and having the Carver is like a roving retina magnet; or you've had motorbikes as a hobby for years and now you've decided that getting cold and wet is for the young 'uns but you still want the exhilaration of scything your way through the bends on a lean. Those are the only reasons I can think of. You won't be using it to take the kids to school, go shopping, or transport tools to renovate your bach. It's a fun toy or a business decision, plain and simple. But be prepared to wait: Carver produces just three a week, and demand is running high.
See the Carver on display at Big Boys Toys, 9-11 November at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland.
Price: approximately $95,000
What we like
- Unique
- Engine noise is nice
- Fun
What we don't like
- Cramped passenger space
- Engine quite loud in the back
Words and photos Darren Cottingham


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Alumni Mentor Program (For Mentors)
Join the TCCS LinkedIn Group!
Teachers College Career Services (TCCS), Columbia University LinkedIn Group
Connect with TC students and fellow alumni, exchange information, ideas and opportunities with others in your field, and learn about upcoming TCCS programs & events. Each year, TC alumni from different backgrounds, industries and levels of experience inquire about giving back to the Teachers College community. By joining the TCCS LinkedIn group, you will have the opportunity to meet enthusiastic and talented students who are eager to learn about your field and what you do. You will be able to help TC students develop the skills they need to thrive and succeed in their careers. This group has been designed to assist TC students in making a smooth transition into the workplace and to support their networking skills. Lastly, you will be provided with a platform for you to network with fellow TC alumni.
** ATTENTION: As of Monday, October 1, 2012, this group serves as the new TCCS Alumni Mentoring & Career Networking Program. This means that the former Alumni Mentor Program housed in TCCS LINK is no longer accessible. TCCS is very excited about this transition as this group will significantly enhance your overall networking opportunities! **
For more information on LinkedIn, please click here. To review a "Getting Started Guide" and the 10 steps needed to "Build a Professional Profile", click here. To view a webinar about getting started with LinkedIn, please click here.
In order to join this group, please see the steps below:
Create a profile (if you have not done so already)
Type in 'Teachers College Career Services (TCCS), Columbia University' in the search drop-down box in the upper right hand corner (make sure search function is set to 'Groups')
Request to join by clicking on the name of the group


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Bacon Love Friday: Bacon Roasts
I have an inner housewife. As much as the vast majority of my personality could belong to a 12-year-old boy who loves video games and sleeping in, a good chunk of my mind seems to occupied by a middle-aged woman from the old country. This part of me loves to get up early on the weekend and spend the whole day cleaning the house in a headscarf while singing show tunes. When this happens, my partner usually thinks I am possessed. However, one of the better side effects of having an inner housewife is that every now and again she is inspired to make a Sunday roast – which we all appreciate when we start scavenging for Tuesday leftovers!
And because this is me we are talking about, whenever I decide that I'm in the mood to make an epic roast dinner of some kind, I look for someway to incorporate bacon into the proceedings. Here are some of the best ways to jazz up your Sunday roast with everyone's favourite pork product.
Bacon Herb Tenderloin Roast
Usually, my beef tenderloins ends up on the grill, wrapped in a piece of bacon and on their way to becoming medium rare. However, when it's too cold outside to barbecue, there's no reason you can't make a tenderloin roast. Just as with the steak, wrapping the beef in bacon keeps the lean and delicate meat from drying out, and the richness of the bacon fat makes the tenderloin even more buttering in texture.
Bacon Roast Pork Tenderloin
Does the idea of a double pork roast sound great? Then this is the recipe for you. While the pork tenderloin is quite lean and the flavour delicate, the bacon is both fatty and much more robust. The perfect pair!
Roast Chicken with Bacon Sage Stuffing
There is something about roasting a chicken for dinner that my inner 50s housewife finds particularly satisfying. Sage is a natural paring for both pork and chicken, and this combination of flavours is absolutely amazing. Not to mention, your house will be filled with the most incredible smells!
Roast Lamb with Bacon Stuffing
Lamb is a slightly gamy, complex meat, one that can support very strong and robust flavours. A stuffing with bacon is therefore a great choice, because the smokiness can stand up to the lamb, and also keep the lean meat from drying out in the cooking process.


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Hotels in 10467 - Bronx NY
Only hotels in 10467 zip code are listed below. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates in Bronx, NY for your upcoming leisure or conference / group travel. We list the best 10467 hotels and motels so you can review the Bronx hotel list below to find the perfect lodging. Hotels in Bronx county and area code 718 are also listed.
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By Sgt. Sara Wood, USAAmerican Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2006 A document being released today by the Pentagon defines the national strategy for the war on terrorism for the U.S. armed forces.
The National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism, developed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, supports the national U.S. government strategy for the war on terrorism by outlining strategic guidance for military activities and operations, a senior defense official said on background.
The document designates a global-supported combatant commander for the war on terror, the official said. This commander will write a national campaign plan, and each combatant commander will be required to write a regional campaign plan, he explained.
This is the authoritative document to describe the nature of the war, the nature of the enemy, and the military strategy to face the enemy, he said. This plan was needed because conflicting views within DoD were hurting cooperation and efficiency, he said.
"By having the authoritative description, we brought the entire efforts of the DoD in line in an integrated and synchronized manner to achieve strategic effectiveness," he said.
The plan emphasizes that violent extremism, in its various forms, is the primary threat to the United States, its allies and interests, and that the global war on terror is a war to preserve ordinary people's ability to live as they choose.
The United States is at war against extremists who advocate and use violence to gain control over others and threaten the way of life for free and open societies, the plan states. The document uses the word "murder" when describing the extremists' actions to deter any connotations of freedom fighters when thinking of jihadists, the defense official said.
This is not a religious or cultural war, the document stresses, but a struggle of ideas within Islam.
"It's a war of ideas between moderates and extremists," the official said. "We ally ourselves with those who are moderate in their belief to achieve our aims."
The U.S. government strategy for the war on terror, as outlined in the military plan, is to continue to lead an international effort to deny violent extremist networks the components they need to operate and survive. To execute this strategy, the military will focus on three areas, the official said.
The first area of emphasis is expanding international partnerships to combat violent extremists, he said. The second area of emphasis is to "keep the world's most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the world's most dangerous people" - to deny terrorists the use of weapons of mass destruction, he said. The third area is institutionalizing the strategy against violent extremism, both domestically and internationally.
The military also has a crucial role in establishing conditions that counter terrorist ideologies, the official said. This includes providing security, giving humanitarian assistance, maintaining contact with foreign military leaders, and considering how operations can affect ideological support for terrorists, he explained.


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My Name Is...
Home Dawgs of Awesomeness (people I know from the IRL):
Best Online Friends:
(If I missed out anyone, please note me!)
People I want to be when I grow up (People I worship):
ReaderxEngland: Chain Smoking e-Cigarettes C1His fingers slipped over the edge of the rough guitar pick. It was made of leather hide and had a distinct image of a cartoon bovine playing a banjo imprinted in gold. Notable other guitar picks in his collection were made of glass or plastic, but Arthur tended to go through those in less than a day.ReaderxEngland: Chain Smoking e-Cigarettes C1 by sockseevil
He had tied his bandanna tightly around the nape of his neck and as he attempted to hum the melody to a strum, he began to regret such a decision since it became uncomfortably choking when his Adam's apple bobbed. For fuck's sake's. He tipped his head to the side a little, single pierced earring clinking against his skin and the coldness nearly making him jump as the pale teen undid the crimson and jet black checkered cloth and redid it around his throat.
The door to the shop opened and he straightened his back, only to slouch again in order to project an image of simply not giving a fuck. It was all a lie. He gave very many fucks indeed.
"Uh... Hey, I'm looking for some stuff for my ukule
EnglandxReader: Train Rides Before the Deathbed 10"I guess the advantage of all this happening in England is the fact that we've got access to this whole library." Alfred said, more jubilant than all others combined as he slurped on a yet another milkshake. He sat next to you, acting as your so-called 'mental support' (to be honest, he was about as useful as the shock blanket they had given you to cuddle. And what the hell was the point of a bloody shock blanket?).EnglandxReader: Train Rides Before the Deathbed 10 by sockseevil
You did suspect that the sudden concern to your mental state was a farce and he was only more or less there to stop your from making a yet another run for it, however. But you didn't mind. It wasn't that you were really 'scared' of Ludwig or anything, but you were growing tired of the constant glares and mood swings.
"Everyone's so hard at work, looking through all these gosh-darn books. I hope we'll get some leads on it! I never really thunk that magic was a real thing, 'yanno?"
LovinoxReader: Naughty Plastic BandsYou had always been one for a spot of adrenaline. But from your rather recent injuries, the doctors had unfortunately called off most of your 'life risking activities and various extreme sports'. You knew that the warnings about you "possibly throwing your life away" were all full of rubbish; but, you decided to make the people at the A and E section of the hospital happy by giving them a break from your prescence. Five times in the last month was possibly an overstatement to overstaying one's welcome.LovinoxReader: Naughty Plastic Bands by sockseevil
Of course, you were still seeking for thrills. Just the different.. Kind.
When you had first heard of the trend, you had simply laughed. A child's game gone wrong it had seemed, especially with what could happen in the snap of a single band. An elastic one at that. However, as time went on, you had become more and more... Engrossed in the phenomenon that had caught on so quickly. Indeed, the concept of these so-called 'shag-bands' had begun
EnglandxReader: 04:21 AM (Chapter two)'Fixated' and 'anxious' were both jarring words. But they both described you perfectly. You were bolt upright in your bed, which didn't even feel comfortable anymore. Infact, they rubbed and itched against your skin and were one of the contributing reasons to you not being alseep.EnglandxReader: 04:21 AM (Chapter two) by sockseevil
Indeed, you were wide awake like a child on the early hours of Christmas morning with unease sitting deep in your gut like a disease.
Like a plague, the giddiness made you beyond queasy. You felt like throwing up.
Still, the mystery clung to your mind. Who was 'A.K.?' What was it? A name? Place? Codename? A clue to some sort of puzzle intended just for you? It was driving you nuts.
And how had they made you sleep? Was he or she or it even in your room? Right now? The thought of it made you want to cling to your blanket ever harder and hide among the imaginary monster under your bed. Perhaps he'd protect you in this scenario.
Even your carpet seemed to threaten in this darkness. It terrified you too much
|I'm currently doing the 100 themes challenge.
I am doing comissions! Please note me if you are interested!
10 points- a simple, black and white lineart. EXAMPLE -fav.me/d28oqu3 (note- picture is really old, so the actual thing will be a LOT better)
15 points - better quality coloured picture, still very simple, no background. EXAMPLE - fav.me/d3dc9t9
20 points - Nice coloured in picture with a simple background. No shading or effects. EXAMPLE - fav.me/d3hrd1x
25-30+ Points- A good quality picture, with background and possible effects. May vary depending on points received. EXAMPLE - fav.me/d36ci45 or fav.me/d33ngvz
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Which Hetalia Character Are You?
Hosted By theOtaku.com: Anime
Relationship status: Taken by one amazing girl~
Orientation: Panromantic Demisexual
Hullo there!
My name is Nat, but I prefer it if you call me Scooter.
I am a 15 year old mini person, and I am currently residing in England. I'm fluent in English, but can speak Russian, Finnish, School French and a bit of German. I HAVE AMBER EYES. I get obsessions rarely but they stick for a long time (eg. I've loved Sonic and Shadow ever since I was 7!), my recent obsession has to be Megamind, though.
Please feel free to flick through my gallery, and I try to be as approachable as possible. I am always open to critiscism and opinions, but please, keep it to my more recent artwork, because I have improved on my work since I joined back when I was, well, underage.
Scooter (the dalmatian with the purple collar) is my fursona, and I use her to represent myself, I am not a furry, but use a fursona simple because I cannot be bothered to doodle people.
I check my dA very regularly, but am ashamed to say that I hardly ever submit work! I love chatting with people, so please, feel free^^.
Current Residence: England
deviantWEAR sizing preference: ... No.
Print preference: WTF
Favourite genre of music: Punk Rock, Pop.
Favourite style of art: Cartoon, Realism, the lot!
Operating System: PC
MP3 player of choice: ipod
Favourite cartoon character: SHADOW <3
Personal Quote: "Crazier than a Rubber Duck in a madhouse."
It's January 12th which means it's that time of the year again and your special day is here! We hope you have an awesome day with lots of birthday fun, gifts, happiness and most definitely, lots of cake! Here's to another year!
Many well wishes and love from your friendly birthdays team
Birthdays Team
This birthday greeting was brought to you by: HillsOfSilence


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The last time the Canucks played the Flames, the game was marred by a linebrawl off the opening faceoff, a crazed John Tortorella attempting to bull rush his way into the Flames locker room during the first intermission, and a total of 188 penalty minutes.
For a moment, it looked like this game might start the same way, as Tom Sestito and Brian McGrattan lined up opposite each other for the opening faceoff and had words. Fortunately, those words appeared to be, "Good day to you, sir" and "God be with ye," because the two players separated and did a novel thing: they played hockey. Imagine that.
I watched hockey players playing hockey when I watched this game.Continue Reading —›


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Reduce Salt and Increase Fresh Herbs
Many of us try to incorporate more vegetables and less processed foods into our diets, but it isn't always easy. Whether you are running errands throughout the day, working or trying to make food for the entire family, it can be hard to make everything from scratch. On August 29, we hope you took a step toward a healthier life and celebrated More Herbs, Less Salt Day – if not, there's always next year! Herbs not only add flavor and zest to otherwise bland dishes, they contain antioxidants and vitamins for a healthy body and mouth. Ever feel like your breath is less than fresh? Try to incorporate these bad breath-fighting herbs into your meals:
Known as an ancient herb with healing powers, sage is effective against halitosis because it helps to get rid of the bad breath-causing bacteria that accumulate in the mouth. Luckily, sage is super yummy as well, so you can add it to pastas, lean meats, salads or soups. Other spices with similar taste and power as sage include rosemary and thyme.
Fresh basil leaves have an incredibly pungent, delicious smell, so you can imagine the effect that a few of these leaves will have on your halitosis. Basil, like other leafy greens like parsley, contains chlorophyll that is a natural deodorizer for your bad breath. Have you ever wondered why some restaurants will garnish your plate with a parsley sprig? No, it's not just for looks. This is to freshen your breath after a meal. Basil and parsley are also great spices for virtually any meal. Try a fresh caprese salad with your meal and chicken seasoned with parsley.
This one should be pretty obvious. Peppermint is a common choice for getting rid of bad breath because it leaves you with a minty fresh taste in your mouth without added sugar that you would find in peppermint gums and candies. How do you add peppermint into your daily diet? Sip on peppermint-infused tea, or even add a few drops of peppermint extract to your tea. If you're in a pinch and need to freshen your breath quickly, you can simply chew on a few peppermint sprigs and you'll knock that smelly breath out of the water.
Ginger root is one of the healthiest things you can add to a dish, and it provides a strong zest to any dish. You can also sip on a glass of ginger tea to receive the benefits of the root, including its bad breath-fighting capabilities. Because ginger is so aromatic, it cuts through bad breath in an instant, and contains antioxidants and vitamins for a healthy body.
Cinnamon is another incredibly healthy spice that can be added to many things. Whether you want to incorporate it in your desserts, add it to your coffee grounds or sprinkle it all over cereal or yogurt, cinnamon contains antioxidants that work against the bad breath-causing bacteria in the mouth. This is another spice that you can incorporate into a tea as well.
Other fresh herbs and spices to try include cloves, anise, myrrh, pine needle, eucalyptus and oregano.
Not only for More Herbs, Less Salt Day, but every day, try to incorporate these and other fresh herbs and spices into your daily intake. Since salt dries out the mouth and body, decreasing the amount of sodium and increasing herbs will automatically be beneficial for you and your family. Plus, you won't have to worry about serving bland dishes because fresh herbs add much more flavor than salt.
Tags: basil, cinnamon, ginger, herbs, parsley, Peppermint, sage, salt


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Query: Watson
5/6/2013 20:07:16
laura burgess
16 woodstock ct
san rafael ca 94903
"I am looking for the grave of John WATSON who died inJuly 15,1835 in Orange county. He was fought in the American Revolution in Guilford Court and received a revolutionary war pension as did his wife Lydia Horner WATSON.
He was born Aug 20 in 1751 in Orange county to John WATSON.
He is is my grandfather times 6″
If you have information on the above persons, or access to relevant records, feel free to leave a REPLY below.