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The attack on the French supertanker Limburg off Yemen in 2002 is frequently cited as an example of how terrorists could disrupt the world's oil market. The reason it is mentioned so often is because it is the sole example of an attack on an oil tanker. It undoubtedly had limited success but the ship did not sink—in fact it was renamed the Maritime Jewel and continues to trade under that name—and most of the economic consequences of the attack were confined to Yemen.
However, it is worth acknowledging the failed attack on the Iraqi oil terminals in 2004 in which three U.S. servicemen died. All of Iraqi's oil export flowed through these terminals and it is likely that the loss of these supplies would have had a considerable effect on oil prices, although evidence from other disruptions suggests that this would have been temporary as other suppliers compensated for the shortfall. The longer-term consequence might have been that the attack would have sparked unrealistic demands for increased security for oil installations worldwide.
The attack on the Philippines inter-island vessel Superferry 14 in 2004, the most recent noteworthy attack, also caught the world's attention as the result of a probable error. The perpetrators, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), are undoubtedly a vicious, murderous band, but it is uncertain whether they intended to inflict the carnage they did. Inter-island ferries in the Philippines are attacked regularly by politically-motivated groups intent on extorting money from the companies that operate them. The company that operated the Superferry 14 had received an extortion demand that it refused to pay. It is likely that the bombing, made worse by a poor fire suppressant system, was intended to send a message to the company to pay up in the future, not to kill as many as 114 people and send a message to the Philippine government. The consequences for the ASG since then have been disastrous: with U.S. assistance, the Philippines armed forces have hounded them almost to the point of extinction.
Despite this history of questionable success, certain types of vessels are attractive targets for terrorists. Naval vessels, U.S. Navy ships especially, have iconic status as symbols of state power. USNS support ships, although of less iconic value, might also be vulnerable as they are not as well defended and often sail alone. Passenger ships offer mass-casualty potential. Cruise ships are reasonably secure from internal seizure but vulnerable to suicide boat attack, and the U.S. Coast Guard's concerns about the use of small craft for this purpose in U.S. waters remains very real. 1 Ferries, because they depend on open access, are much harder to defend and in the case of Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) vessels, with open decks, present terrorists with the opportunity to drive large car or truck bombs on board.
The Right Incentives
Most insurgent groups have had no reason to use the sea, and those that have elected to do so out of choice rather than out of necessity have generally backed away pretty quickly. Only those who have used the sea as the result of a geographically determined imperative have been successful because they possessed the incentive necessary to overcome the manifest difficulties of operating in the unforgiving maritime environment.
A number of factors appear to influence success: a permissive legal regime, inadequate security, access to secure base areas and maritime expertise, state support, and leaders who are persuaded of the seas' importance to their cause. These factors interact with each other and while circumstances determine which predominate, it is usual to find the majority are present in varying degrees.
For example, maritime operations demand more complete base facilities closer to the location of an attack than land operations. The al Qaeda cell that attacked the USS Cole and the Limburg was well led tactically and operationally, probably had access to local maritime expertise, and was able to take advantage of the weak legal and security environment prevailing in Yemen. Although it planned a number of other maritime assaults, including major operations in the Straits of Hormuz and Gibraltar, only the operations launched from Yemen were carried through. Al Qaeda's failure to continue its maritime campaign is clearly inseparable from the disruption to its operations globally, but its lack of secure bases in the areas where it hoped to mount its maritime attacks appears to have limited its options significantly. More important, success at sea was not fundamental to its overall success, meaning there was no imperative to overcome the obstacles associated with such operations.
In contrast, all the key success factors were in place to benefit the Sea Tigers wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE): weakness and indecision have characterized the Sri Lankan government and navy for much of the campaign, and this precluded them from mounting an effective counter to Sea Tiger activities; the insurgents benefitted from substantial Indian support during their formative years and although this was withdrawn following their 1991 assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, it was not replaced by forthright opposition; their base areas in southern India continued to operate, albeit more discreetly, and were supplemented by secure territory on Sri Lanka and new locations around the Indian Ocean littoral; they were able to draw on the centuries-old Tamil seafaring tradition; and had leaders who were utterly convinced of the need for a maritime capability.
The Sea Tigers fought the Sri Lankan Navy to a virtual stalemate and came to be rated as the most capable non-state naval force in the world, reflected in the fact that when the LTTE proposed during the 2003 peace talks that the Sea Tigers should be given semi-official status, the proposal was rejected by both Sri Lanka and India out of concerns that the recognition of a third force could have a destabilizing effect on the region. Without the Sea Tigers the Tamil insurgency as a whole would have been impossible. Success at sea was imperative to the LTTE's success and drove the group to develop the broadly based maritime competency that al Qaeda lacked. 2
Worth Their While?
Given these factors and experience of what makes some groups successful, how might maritime insurgency develop in the years to come . 3 There is no reason to believe that insurgents will take to the water any more willingly in the future than they have in the past. They will only do so if driven by political necessity, and the political changes required would need to be of sufficient magnitude to make the investment of money, time, and skills worthwhile.
Observation of the Sea Tigers, the Acehese-seperatist movement GAM, Palestinian and Philippine insurgent groups, and al Qaeda suggests strongly that the sea is primarily of benefit to insurgents as a transport medium. Greater use of the sea is therefore likely to focus on developing the capacity to move more cadres, equipment, and funds. New instability or political change in vulnerable regions might allow insurgents to operate with greater freedom than they can at present. If such changes took place where the sea offered significant strategic opportunities, such as maritime Southeast Asia, the West African littoral, or the Gulf of Aden bounded by the Horn of Africa and Yemen, insurgent groups might be inclined to invest in the development of a maritime capability to supplement and support their strengthened presence on land, perhaps looking to the Sea Tigers as a model.
Though the possibility of insurgents developing anything more substantial than an enhanced logistical capability at sea might seem remote, time and again non-state groups have been able to depend on the skepticism of military and political analysts about their capabilities to spring successful surprises. According to the head of the Indian Navy, Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, the security situation across the entire Indian Ocean has become "complex, fluid and significantly challenging" with a "dramatic increase in asymmetric threats," a view with which the United States concurs. 4
The most significant insurgent challenge in the near term might well come from jihadist groups. One of the distinguishing features of jihadist insurgency is its global outlook. Organizations such as al Qaeda are skilled at opening new fronts in their war where they detect opportunity, observe weakness, or are able to find local allies. The al Qaeda strategist Al-Suri has written about mounting attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bar el-Mandeb, about targeting ships and of blocking passages using "mines and sinking ships in them, or by threatening the movement there by piracy, martyrdom operations, and by the power of weapons." 5
Chatter on jihadist Web sites, which has been echoed by more covert sources, has indicated that they have looked closely at what the Somali pirates have achieved. Despite the presence of more than ten warships from a number of countries, and the declaration of a maritime safety zone through the Gulf of Aden, pirates using boats no larger than Boston Whalers, in some cases deployed from mother ships, managed to capture a significant number of targets including ships up to 50,000 dwt, large trawlers, luxury yachts and, in the case of the MV Faina , a 10,000 dwt Ro-Ro seized in September with 33 T-72 Soviet-era battle tanks on board, before sailing them into Somali territorial waters and holding them there, with their crews, while they waited for ransom to be paid. 6 Coalition commanders admitted that naval action alone could not solve the problem. 7 At the beginning of November 2008 it was believed there were 11 vessels being held at various points off the Somali coast. 8
A contributor to one jihadist Web site makes the point that Yemen and the Horn of Africa "represents a strategic point to expel the enemy from the most important pillars of its battle." The success of the Somali pirates in hijacking vessels is noted and the implication drawn that "the area is beyond the control of the arsenal of the Crusader Zionist campaign." 9 With this experience in mind it is not inconceivable that insurgents in maritime theaters might build on existing maritime expertise and assemble the capability to harass commercial shipping and possibly even military supply ships to a degree that hinders their free movement without the deployment of scarce and expensive escorts, thus rendering some coastal regions high-risk areas for vessels of all kinds.
'Black Holes'
Maritime Southeast Asia is another potentially vulnerable region. While currently passing through a period of relatively low pirate activity, and where groups such as the Indonesian-based Islamist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) have for the moment at least turned away from acts of ostentatious violence, the arc of islands that runs from the southern Philippines to southern Thailand is an area of porous borders where operatives and contraband can be moved with relative ease. It is a region that has spawned groups such as the ASG and where it has been demonstrated that "black holes"—areas in which political or criminal groups are able to challenge or even replace the authority of a state—can be created, such as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) camps on Mindanao in the Philippines.
Black holes also appear to be emerging in some of the states edging the Gulf of Guinea. Although these countries might not be comfortable nesting grounds for jihadists, the region has seen governments that degenerate into politico-criminal enterprises as the recent histories of Liberia and Sierra Leone have demonstrated. The possibility that Nigeria could fail, weighted down by corruption and the inequitable distribution of the country's oil wealth, is a matter of deep concern, as is the fear that the effects could spread to Cameroon and Fernando Po (an island in the Gulf of Guinea) as oil extraction increases in those countries.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, the principal politico-criminal group in that area, is probably the most effective maritime insurgent organization operating currently. It has proved capable of striking at night up to 75 nautical miles from the coast, coordinating swarms of 30 boats or more, and of achieving strategic effect by cutting Nigerian oil production regularly by around 15-20 percent, and up to 30 percent on occasion. It is known to have supported at least one separatist raid on Cameroonian territory and is believed to have planned an assault on Fernando Po.
This instability could be exploited by state proxies. These proxies could also work to deny navies access to littoral areas of interest to their sponsors. Hezbollah is the prime example, although because its relationship with Iran is not straightforward it might be better described as a "partial proxy." 10 Regardless of the details, Israel's view is that, in terms of capability, "Hezbollah has everything Iran has." 11 Iran's own irregular maritime capability is considerable. It is vested in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGCN) with which Hezbollah is known to have trained. The assumption is that if the IRGCN is ever deployed it could cause major navies, including the U.S. Navy, substantial problems in the narrow waters of the Persian Gulf. It is best known for operating small, missile-firing boats in swarms but also operates submarines and has a commando raiding force. 12
Iranian claims that Hezbollah, too, has a submarine capability might be discounted but it does have a submersible and swimmer capability and a commando force. It was, moreover, the firing of a C-802 antiship cruise missile from Hezbollah-controlled territory in southern Lebanon in 2006 (probably by a detachment sent from Iran for the purpose) that severely damaged an Israeli corvette, the INS Hanit , which demonstrated close relationships between states and their proxies were possible. This move suggests that the transfer of sophisticated weapons might take place, including possibly mines, coastal-launched torpedoes, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, UAVs, and USVs, which could make operations in the littoral zone extremely dangerous. Since the end of the conflict the stock of C-802s held in Lebanon is believed to have tripled. 13
Naval forces have supported counterinsurgency campaigns around the world for the past 50 years but with the exception of the Sri Lankan Navy, to a degree the Israeli Navy, and now the Nigerian Navy, none has had to confront an insurgent presence on water or projected from the coast. 14 In an era of strategic confusion and limited resources, major navies are torn between the demands of possible major conflict against a near-peer competitor and the messy, ambiguous small wars for which their ships and operational methods are ill-suited. In 2006, however, Admiral Mike Mullen, then Chief of Naval Operations, warned that naval forces could not stand off in the deep blue but had to move close to shore if they were to engage the enemy. 15 It is a challenge for which the Navy must be prepared.
1. Eleanor Stables. "Mines, small boats may pose threat to US ports." CQ Homeland Security , 14 May 2007
2. The U.S. State Department lists the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organization, not an insurgency. That gives the U.S. government greater latitude in the measures it can invoke against it. However, the organization considers itself to be an insurgency and has always acted as such.
3. Part of what follows is based on the discussion in Martin N. Murphy, Small Boats, Weak States, Dirty Money: Piracy and Maritime Terrorism in the Modern World (New York & London: Columbia University Press/Hurst, 2008), pp. 402-8.
4. "Maritime terrorism gains roots in Indian Ocean." The Times of India , 9 August 2008; "India's fears of terrorists using sea routes well-grounded: US." The Times of India , 24 August 2007.
5. Brynjar Liar, Architect of Global Jihad: The Life of Al-Qaida Strategist Abu Mus'ab al-Suri (London: Hurst & Co, 2007), p. 401.
6. See, for example, Jerry Frank. "Somali pirates strike deeper on the high seas." Lloyd's List , 28 August 2008; David Osler. "Ro-ro with 30 tanks onboard is seized off Somalia." Lloyd's List , 29 September 2008.
7. David Osler. "'We are not the solution' to piracy, says Somalia coalition navy chief." Lloyd's List , 25 September 2008.
8. "Pirates seize Danish ship, 13 crew near Somalia." Associated press, 8 November 2008.
9. "Jihadist website commentary argues ' maritime terrorism' strategic necessity." Biyokulule Online , 29 April 2008.
10. Daniel Byman. "Rogue Operators." The National Interest , No. 96, July/August 2008, p. 56.
11. Harry de Quetteville. "Terrorists' missiles are from Teheran armoury." Daily Telegraph , 17 July 2006.
12. Fariborz Haghshenass. "Iran's Asymmetric Naval Warfare." The Washington Institute for Near-East Policy, Policy Focus No. 87, September 2008.
13. Barak Ravid. "Israel to UN: Hezbollah has tripled its land-to-sea missile arsenal." Haaretz , 31 October 2007.
14. For a review of naval support for counter-insurgency operations see Martin N. Murphy. ' COIN on the Water' in Thomas Rid and Thomas Kearney (eds.), Understanding Counterinsurgency Warfare (New York: Routledge (forthcoming 2009)).
15. Remarks as delivered by Admiral Mike Mullen, Naval War College, Newport, RI, 31 August 2005 at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/speeches/mullen050831.txt.


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A Tibetan mastiff was sold for $2 million in China -- perhaps the most anyone has ever paid for a dog... ever. On March 19, MSN reported that a property developer shelled out $2 million to buy a Tibetan mastiff puppy. While you might think that is outrageous money (and you're right, it is), there is good reason for the price tag of these pups.
"They have lion's blood and are top-of-the-range mastiff studs," said the dog's breeder Zhang Gengyun (via MSN). Apparently these dogs have become a status symbol for the richest of the rich in China.
A Tibetan mastiff is a very regal looking dog and has some striking similarities to a lion which could be why they are sought after. Apparently pure bred Tibetan mastiffs are "rare" which explains the hefty price tag. This particular dog wasn't the first one of its kind to be sold for millions of dollars. In fact, there have been a couple of recorded sales topping $1 million over the past couple of years.
Naturally this is a supply and demand thing and as the years pass by, these dogs will become even more expensive. It wouldn't be surprising for these dogs to sell for $3 million or more in the next five to ten years.
Check out the Tibetan mastiff in the video above.
© Effie Orfanides 2014

subset: commoncrawl


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- From 07 Mon Oct 2013 to 13 Sun Oct 2013 October 7, 2013 October 13, 2013 Malibu Beach Inn
Andy Warhol: Icons & Symbols
Malibu Lumber Yard Gallery
The Revolver Gallery of Bevery Hills and the Malibu Lumber Yard Gallery team up to presemt "Andy Warhol: Icons & Symbols." This exhibit showcases iconic Warhol works such as Marilyn Monroe, Campbell's Soup Cans, and Flowers. This exhibit is free to view and runs till October 13th at the Malibu Lumber Yard Gallery in Malibu. It can be seen Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM.


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|Starring: Mz. Berlin
|Stashed: 884 times
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|Added May 15, 2011
|Studio: Burning Angel
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|Length: 32:29
|Niches: Big Boobs, Cumshot, Cunnilingus, Gonzo, HD, One-on-One, Oral, Redhead, Straight Sex, Tattooed, Tit Fucking


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Contributor Guide
Have something you want to contribute back? Follow this helpful guide.
In the spirit of open-source software, you can contribute as little or as much as you like: bug reports, patches, full components or documentation are all equally appreciated. The following section describes contributing for Zend Framework version 2.
If you are wanting to contribute back to version 1 of the framework, please read "Zend Framework v1 Contributions".
So, You Want to File A Bug Report ...
So, you've found what you think might be a bug. Before you file it, we'd ask that you ensure that what you have is indeed a bug, by doing a little due-diligence (which also is good information to add to the bug report):
- See if your use case is covered in the manual
- See if your use case is demonstrated by the API docs.
- Ask the mailing list about your particular use case
- Discuss your issue with someone in the IRC channel (see below)
- Write a failing test case
You don't have to do all of those, but by doing a few of them, it helps ensure that your bug report is complete and will get tended to. When you're finally ready, go to our issue tracker for ZF2.
So, You Want to Contribute Code ...
By and large, this framework is built and maintained by the community. This means that process for submitting something back, be it a patch, some documentation, or new feature requires some level of community interactions. As you can see with the "Fork Me On Github" banner on the top right of this page, we proudly host our code on github.com.
If you're not already familar with git or github, take a moment to read through our README-GIT.md. Committing code is easy:
- Fork the zf2 project
- Create a local development Branch for the bugfix.
- Commit a change and push your local branch to your github fork.
- Send us a pull request for your changes to be included.
So, You Want to Hang-out With A Great Community ...
ZFers, as they are called, hang out in a number of different places. Offline hangouts:
Online, ZFers can be found (links to more information on how to connect):
- In IRC: on freenode, chat rooms:
- On the mailing list


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More New and Used
from Private Sellers
Note: Supplemental materials are not guaranteed with Rental or Used book purchases.
Vacaciones Al Sol
ISBN13:by Miquel, Lourdes; Sans, Neus J.
Questions About This Book?
Why should I rent this book?
Renting is easy, fast, and cheap! Renting from eCampus.com can save you hundreds of dollars compared to the cost of new or used books each semester. At the end of the semester, simply ship the book back to us with a free UPS shipping label! No need to worry about selling it back.
How do rental returns work?
Returning books is as easy as possible. As your rental due date approaches, we will email you several courtesy reminders. When you are ready to return, you can print a free UPS shipping label from our website at any time. Then, just return the book to your UPS driver or any staffed UPS location. You can even use the same box we shipped it in!
What version or edition is this?
This is the 1st edition with a publication date of 1/23/2002.
What is included with this book?
- The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any CDs, lab manuals, study guides, etc.
- The Used copy of this book is not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included.
- The Rental copy of this book is not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. You may receive a brand new copy, but typically, only the book itself.
Appropriate as a supplement for courses in Elementary and Intermediate Spanish.
Travel to Costa Brava where Lola meets Nilsson who is victim to a mysterious real estate scam. He bought a house that never existed. Can Lola recover his money?
Note: This book is written in Spanish.


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Skydiving.com now has a network skydiving location serving Canton and Madison County in Mississippi. Call Skydiving.com at 1-800-617-7948 for details, free information and specials on skydiving in Canton, MS today!
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This book follows the lives and habits of drug addicts and takes a deeper look into the effects of addiction.
I enjoy doing photography and have recently found a new passion for documentary style pictures. In my older portfolios I dedicated my time to weddings and edgy fashion but there is something so deep about an untouched picture of reality depicting something more than pretty.
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You may have reached this page due to new security upgrades that have been implemented regarding multiple user logins. For security reasons, only one user is able to be signed in to an account per session. If multiple users at a single site need online access, please contact firstname.lastname@example.com for firm access reduced pricing. If, however, you believe your login information has been compromised, please call customer service at 1-800-451-9998 to determine how to reset your password. Already a paid subscriber but not registered for online access yet? For instructions on how to get premium web access, click here.
Public meeting to be held for Eastland Mall movie studio proposal
Youthful ENERGY Foundation, a nonprofit based in the city, is holding a public meeting Aug. 12 on a proposal for a movie studio complex at Eastland Mall. The meeting will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Antioch Mission Baptist Church, 232 Skyland Ave. in Charlotte.


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From here you can download the latest updates for Infix, Gemini & Argus. If you have further questions not addressed by this page, please contact us and we will get back to as soon as possible .
From here you can download the latest updates for Infix, Gemini & Argus. If you have further questions not addressed by this page, please contact us and we will get back to as soon as possible .
If you need to re-install any Iceni product but have lost your activation keycode, please use this form. We keep records of all purchase direct from our web site and will be happy to provide your with your existing keycode.
Most of the features of Gemini plus a host of new facilities are now available in Infix. New features include ePub output, automated article threading, and tags on table and image exports - for integration with Laboratory Information Systems.
To ensure you keep up-to-date with modern PDF standards and enjoy the additional conversion and editing facilities offered by Infix, upgrade now for just $59.
Contact us quoting your existing Gemini activation keycode and we will provide you with a purchase link to complete the upgrade.
Gemini quickly converted text & images in PDF documents into other formats. Whether you wanted to post a user manual on the internet, an article from a newspaper, a financial report or entire book, Gemini saved you time and effort.
Gemini exported the text within a PDF in a variety of formats including HTML, RTF & plain text. It supported all standards of PDF plus password protected documents.
As well as text formats, Gemini exported photos and graphics as JPEG, EPS, TIFF, PNG and BMP. It converted embedded images, rendered artwork or entire documents at a range of sizes, resolutions and colour depths.
The software also offered a host of advanced features and customisation making it one of the oldest and most comprehensive PDF converters available for Macintosh or Windows PCs.
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With the final season of "How I Met Your Mother" winding down over the next few weeks, it seems likely that many loose ends and story lines will get wrapped up, not the least of which will be how Ted met the mother of his children. According to Spoiler TV on Jan. 25, one of the issues still unresolved is whether or not Bob Saget will get to deliver the last line of the show.
Saget has been doing the voice of the older Ted Mosby since the beginning in 2005. It his voice in the scenes where Ted talks to his kids and in Ted's voice overs during the episodes. Since he is the one who opened the first show and almost every show since, it seems fitting that show creators and oft-times writers Craig Thomas and Carter Bays would write the ending in such a way that Saget gets to deliver the last line.
In an interview, here's is what Saget said on the matter:
"It would feel to me like that would be the coda they put on it," Saget says. "It's an emotional thing -- again, it was a silly gift of a job that I love doing, but it's the show that's so wonderful. ... You kind of have to buy the who's-he-in-20-years premise of it. People have been very kind and not outraged -- 'How dare they use not his voice!' It always felt natural to me, and they thought it felt natural, which I was honored by."
What do you think? Should Bob Saget get to deliver the last line of series as "How I Met Your Mother" sails off into the sunset? Or should it be another cast member? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below.
If you liked this article click the Subscribe button to receive email updates when a new article is published. Follow Theresa on Google+, StumbleUpon and Twitter or connect on Pinterest.
©TheresaLeschmann. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without prior permissions from the author. Partial reposting is permitted with a link back to the original article.
Suggested Links
- ABC Orders 3 Pilots; one is a comedy from Kevin Hart
- NBC orders 2 new comedies: 'Money Pit', 'Fifth Wheel' from Mark Gordon
- 'How I Met Your Mother' season 9 spoilers: Cobie Smulders on 200th episode
- Bill Cosby to make TV return with new NBC sitcom
- 'The Vampire Diaries' 100th episode spoiler roundup; Does Katherine die?


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This week, the McCall-Donnelly (Idaho) school district opened its board meeting to discussion of eliminating valedictorian and salutatorian honors from future senior classes. Spurred by current-year complaints of unfair politics, and bolstered by the group-think that is influencing many high schools across the nation to abolish the titles, M-D school officials may halt the competition that inspires many students to take more academic courses in their own high school.
Unfortunately, the thinking that permeates such a decision (no competition, ever), influences many high school seniors (who think, "greatest return for the least amount of work") to pad their course loads: with AP classes in which they never take the exam, with "pass/fail" courses, in which they can slide by while keeping their GPA high, and with "dual-credit" courses that give the appearance of college credit (and, for a price, actual credit at a limited number of schools) for courses like pre-calculus, which, at any self-respecting college, is a remedial class.
The problem is not competition for the highest honor; the problem is that high schools, in their pursuit of "fairness" for all students (even those who avoid challenging academics), ignore such factors as students who:
- actually pass an AP exam, or better yet, get a "4" or a "5"
- achieve high standardized test scores (on the ACT, SAT, SAT II, AP, and PSAT)
- take a course from a more challenging school, which offers a higher workload, and which requires student accountability for completing assignments to college level
As a result of ignoring these true indicators of actual academic achievement, high schools create a "sham" award, in which students who have not taken the most challenging courses can outscore those who have truly progressed, and truly achieved great academic success.
Is such competition harmful? Absolutely not. Students who self-select difficult course loads understand intrinsic rewards. A title merely adds validation to the importance of such effort.


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It's rare to talk of an artist truly being without equal, but that's exactly who David Bowie was. A remarkable visionary, Bowie was a font of wild creativity, a transformative presence constantly evolving to address and help define our times. His art entertained, challenged and enlightened us all - and that will be an enduring legacy celebrated for many generations to come.
With tributes to the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee powering in from around the world, we take a look at the stories behind four classic David Bowie songs and fan favorites: "Fame," "Space Oddity," "Changes" and "Ziggy Stardust."
David Bowie and John Lennon Break into "Fame" ... and Lennon Forgets It
Two weeks after finishing the mix on a David Bowie album called The Gouster, one of the producers, Tony Visconti, got a call from the artist: "David phoned to say that he and John Lennon had got together one night and recorded this song called "Fame." I hope you don't mind, Tony, but it was so spontaneous and spur of the moment... He was very apologetic and nice about it, and he said he hoped I wouldn't mind...I said that it ...
Before I saw David Bowie live, I was just your normal, dysfunctional, rebellious teenager from the Midwest, and he has truly changed my life.
I've always had a sentimental attachment to David Bowie, not just because I grew up with his music, but it's because it was the first rock concert that I ever saw, and it was a major event in my life. I planned for months to go and see it. I was 15 years old, it was the end of the school year, and leading up to the week of the show, I begged my father and he said, "I absolutely refuse, over my dead body, you're not going there, that's where horrible people hang out," so of course I had to go. So my best friend spent the night at my house and when we thought everyone was asleep, we snuck out of my window, which was no mean feat, as I was wearing my highest platform shoes and a long black-silk cape. Don't ask.
We couldn't drive, so we hitch-hiked into Detroit and I don't know who was scarier ... the drivers that picked us up, or us in ...
When David Bowie came along, well, rock and roll needed a shot in the arm and when I first saw him it was a shock, and yet it was very familiar. It was very necessary. It was something that was needed. It was essential. And like all rock and roll, it was tasteless, it was glamorous, it was perverse, it was fun, it was crass, it was sexy, it was confusing. And like all rock and roll, it was freedom, it was pain, it was liberation, it was genocide, it was hope, it was dread, it was a dream and it was a nightmare.
It was about sex and drugs, it was about combining literature with rock and roll, with art, with anything you could name. It was about sex as an idea, and sex as a reality, and sex as a liberating force. It was about rebellion, it was about rebellion as a cliché, it was rebellion as an idea. It was about rebellion as a billboard, as an advertisement. It was about the joy of reckless prophecy. It was ironic when rock and roll became self-reverential. It was about joy and terror and confusion in our lives. It ...
Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees. The Rock Hall's 2015 class includes the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Lou Reed, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble and Bill Withers, all in the performer category.
This year's class also recognizes the "5" Royales with the early influences award, and former Beatle and solo artist Ringo Starr enters the Hall of Fame – the last of the Fab Four to be inducted as a soloist, following John Lennon in 1994, Paul McCartney in 1999 and George Harrison in 2004.
"As we mark 30 years of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions, we're proud to honor these artists," said Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation President Joel Peresman. "These Inductees epitomize rock and roll's impact over the past 50 years and continuing through today."
Leading up to the April 18, 2015 ceremony, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will host a series of special events, including the grand opening of the major new 2015 Inductee exhibit, which will serve as an introduction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame visitor ...
The Small Faces and Faces created some of the most inventive and lasting music of their time. Ian McLagan's Hammond organ provided depth to the soulful aesthetic of the earlier mod group, and color to its later, and rowdier, incarnation featuring Ronnie Wood and Rod Stewart.
After the Faces broke up in 'mid-70s, McLagan went on to a solo career and was an in-demand session musician, working with the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and many others. For the last several years, he led the Bump Band, based out of Austin, Texas.
Just days before the Faces/Small Faces induction into the Rock Hall in 2012, McLagan, Wood, and Kenney Jones visited the newly opened Library and Archives in Cleveland for a book event. The intimate gathering provided a unique insight into the popular 60s and 70s groups.
The following year, McLagan and they also recently deceased Bobby Keys took the stage at the Annual Music Masters tribute concert honoring the Rolling Stones.
Mac's talents and warm personality will be missed by fans, his many friends in music and all of us at the Museum. We were honored to count him as a friend and ...
The Band, more than any other group, put rock and roll back in touch with its roots. With their ageless songs and solid grasp of musical idioms, the Band reached across the decades, making connections for a generation that was, as an era of violent cultural schisms wound down, in desperate search of them. They projected a sense of community in the turbulent late 60s and early 70s – a time when the fabric of community in the United States was fraying. Guitarist Robbie Robertson drew from history in his evocative, cinematic story–songs, and the vocal triumvirate of bassist Rick Danko, drummer Levon Helm and keyboardist Richard Manuel joined in rustic harmony and traded lines in rich, conversational exchanges. Multi-instrumentalist Garth Hudson provided musical coloration in period styles that evoked everything from rural carnivals of the early 20th century to rock and roll revues of the 50s.
In an era of divisive politics, the Band produced music that crossed generational and historical borders. They did so with an ensemble brilliance borne of many years spent playing on the road.
Everything great about the Band can be found on "The Weight," the central piece of their 1968 debut, Music From Big ...
At a press conference today at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist and 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Flea announced the list of performer inductees and Ahmet Ertegun Award recipients for induction. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees for 2013 are:
Performer Category:
· Heart
· Albert King
· Randy Newman
· Public Enemy
· Rush
· Donna Summer
Ahmet Ertegun (non performer) Award:
· Lou Adler
· Quincy Jones
Scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2013, the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. This marks the first time since 1993 that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on the West Coast. The ceremony will again be open to the public, as it was in 2009 and 2012 in Cleveland.
Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said, "We are thrilled to announce this year's class of inductees, which again represents the broad, compelling and significant definition of rock and roll."
The induction ceremony will broadcast on HBO on Saturday, May 18 at 9pm ET/PT. Said Michael ...
In 1994, John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. His longtime friend and musical collaborator Paul McCartney, making his first Hall of Fame appearance, inducted Lennon. More personal than the traditional induction speech, McCartney read a "letter" to Lennon, recounting a number of moving memories and thanking Lennon.
McCartney shared stories from their earliest attempts at writing songs together, teaching Lennon guitar chords and visiting Lennon's "Mum's house." He talked of their hotel visits with Little Richard and Gene Vincent, and spending time with Elvis Presley. He recalled Lennon's advice for handling the vocals on the Beatles' "Kansas City" and the "sneaky little look" they shared during the writing of "A Day In The Life." McCartney discussed meeting "this girl called Yoko Ono" – who later accepted Lennon's Hall of Fame Award on behalf of her late husband. The heartfelt letter moved many to tears.
"The joys you told me about how you were baking bread now and how you were playing with your little baby Sean," said McCartney of reconnecting with Lennon later in life. "That was great for me, because it gave me something to hold ...


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Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger Get Death Threats After X Factor Elimination
"The X Factor" fans furious with Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger for voting Drew Ryniewicz out of the competition have lashed out with death threats against the two judges.
Both panelists have received harassment filled with violent language on Facebook and Twitter, and sources with the production confirm to Gossip Cop that there's been "a ton" of vitriol directed at Abdul and Scherzinger since Ryniewicz's ouster.
Online outrage is nothing new in TV talent competitions, but the sheer volume of angry, threatening messages has alarmed the "X Factor" personalities.
Gossip Cop is seeking to confirm whether additional security precautions will be taken.
We've also reached out to reps for Abdul and Scherzinger but have yet to hear back.
Follow @GossipCop on Twitter!
Like us on Facebook!


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Box score
STANFORD, Calif. – For the first time since 2007, Stanford's women's soccer team lost at home.
Arizona State beat the No. 2 Cardinal 1-0 on Sunday night at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, also snapping Stanford's 44-match conference winning streak.
Stanford's home unbeaten streak measured 73 and is the second-longest in NCAA Division I women's soccer history, behind only North Carolina's 84 from 1986-94. The Cardinal went 70-0-3 in that span.
Consider this: Stanford's eight freshmen were in seventh grade on Nov. 23, 2007, when the Cardinal lost to Connecticut, 2-0, in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
It also was notable as the last collegiate match for current U.S. national team captain Rachel Buehler, a former Stanford star. At that time, Stanford had not been to the NCAA College Cup since 1993.
But over the next five seasons, Stanford would go every time, capturing the 2011 NCAA title. On occasion of Stanford's first home loss in six years, it's an opportune time to acknowledge the outstanding players and teams who assembled that streak.
"Honestly, I don't think it'll be replicated," Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe said. "It's so hard to do, and I'm surprised we've done it for that long. I really am."
Unranked Arizona State (7-4 overall, 2-1 Pac-12) scored on a 25-yard shot from Sara Tosti into the upper right corner in the 24th minute and overcame a late Stanford shooting barrage to close out the victory.
"I'd rather lose now and have another game to play, than lose at the end of the year again, when the season's over and you have to wait six months," Ratcliffe said. "So, it's good we have a game on Thursday and get it out of our system and play again. That's the positive side of it.
"Obviously, I hate losing, I'm a competitor and I know the players are very upset about losing too."
Stanford (9-1-1, 2-1) resumes play Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks) against visiting UCLA, the nation's No. 3-ranked team and the side conference coaches picked to win the Pac-12. Four-time defending champion Stanford and UCLA have combined to earn at least a share of the past 12 Pac-12 titles.
"We are the underdog," Ratcliffe said. "They were selected to finish first. So, we have a lot to prove. Right now, things aren't looking good. We're going to have to really prove something to win that game. We're going to have to overachieve to beat them."
Stanford had 13 of its 19 shots in the second half, and had chances in the final minutes, particularly on tries by Ryan Walker-Hartshorn and Taylor Uhl. The Cardinal threw out all pretenses, placing an extra attacker on the field, and sending the ball into the penalty area as best it could.
Arizona State stood firm, and got some excellent saves from goalkeeper Chandler Morris to protect the lead. The shot total was 19-17 in Stanford's favor. And the saves – seven for Morris and six for Stanford's Jane Campbell – also reflected the even play.
Still, Stanford fell short of North Carolina's NCAA record of 84 from 1986-94.
Stanford had not lost a Pac-10/12 match since a 1-0 loss at UCLA on Oct. 31, 2008 and its conference winning streak is the third-longest in NCAA Division I history, behind North Carolina's 55 (1994-2000) and Florida's 49 (1997-2001).
Other Cardinal streaks snapped were a 27-match home conference winning streak and a 26-match regular-season unbeaten streak.
"I always said this was a young team, and there are growing pains," Ratcliffe said. "I feel we've really overachieved so far and I've been happy with that. But we need to keep getting better in all aspects of our game. Every player needs to improve.
"As coaches, we need to keep improving too. Hopefully, we'll learn from this and we'll get more of a competitive drive, because they'll have had that taste of losing. We've got to take the positive from it and learn from it and grow from it."


text: Warren Buffett recently purchased a railroad. So, what does this have to do with the self-service laundry industry? Not much on the surface, but for the purpose of this column, quite a bit.Buffett, "the Oracle of Omaha," doesn't follow trends; he's made a fortune by staying in front of them. We can theorize by this latest maneuver that he's betting on there being a shift in how products go to market, and banking that an extra couple of days by rail may be an acceptable trade-off for companies looking to cut transportation costs versus over-the-road trucking.The point is, Buffet is measuring current market conditions, and is pouring his resources and business knowledge into something he believes will pay large dividends in the long term. Isn't that what we in the industry should be doing?A recent Wall Street Journal article mentioned that while there are challenges, overall the self-service laundry business remains relatively strong. But how secure do you really feel? That's the question you need to ask before opening a second store.ON CLOSER INSPECTIONBuffett is an astute investor, one who carefully examines his position and the future before jumping in. We should do the same. Survey the cash flow of your current store. Is it up, down or growing? What's your comfort zone with laying out additional capital? What's your strategy? Is a second store part of an effort to capture an entire market?Why should you consider opening a second store at this time? First, look at your real estate market. If it's anything like what we've been seeing, there are bargains to be had. Downtown locations that weren't even a consideration because of price are now definitely in play for self-service laundry owners. Not only are we seeing attractive lease rates, purchase prices are looking so reasonable that laundry owners can more strongly consider owning property.In addition, being the owner of one successful laundry should give you an edge over newcomers in obtaining financing. Plus, you can also weigh the variety of incentives and deals many manufacturers are offering on washers and dryers.Have you considered building? Again, property values have dropped, making this option a possibility, versus buying an existing store. Likewise, the slowdown in construction has led to far more competitive bidding from contractors seeking work. A year or so ago, we'd get a handful of plumbing contractors bidding for a job. On a recent project, we received 10 bids. That puts you as the "buyer" in an advantageous position. But don't go crazy building that 5,000-square-foot store just because you can, when 3,000 square feet will do the job. Don't lose sight of the fact that we are about maximizing profit per square foot.This begs the question, however, about your relationship with your equipment distributor. How are you two getting along? Receiving loads of bid options on new construction is certainly great, provided you know what you are doing and want to deal with the building process. It makes far more sense to enlist your distributor in taking the lead on this work — if you trust him or her to do it.Cutting-edge controls and card payment technology have also simplified operations, making it easier than ever to run multiple locations, even compared to just six or seven years ago. Networking has also taken that ease to the next level.QUESTIONS TO PONDERSo what's the bottom line? Whether you want to build or buy an existing store, lease or own, this is a fantastic time to look at adding a second store. But you still need to think twice about this major decision. The considerations are many.It's time to crunch some numbers. Are current profits down significantly year over year? How much do you owe on the current location? What's the pulse of your community? Is it growing, or is the population retreating? Are the demographics of the area shifting? Do you like this business? Are you ready to give up some level of control and hire additional staff?The good news is that if you decide to move forward with a second store, many aspects will be easier this time around. You'll have had (hopefully good) experience with a distributor and equipment manufacturer. You will have a good grasp on what worked for you. Hopefully, you will have loads of customer feedback, and you'll likely have a strong opinion on card vs. coin.Because of this strong knowledge base, you'll be in a better position to expand as well. Maybe this time you'll make drop-off service or commercial accounts part of your business. Maybe you will shoot for the combo structure, pairing your laundry with a coffee shop or something else.The point is to think like Warren Buffett and identify opportunities ahead of everyone else. Put your distributor or real estate agent on the case to update you on laundries for sale or new listings hitting the market. Opportunities are out there today for those with the vision to look for them and the bullish outlook to seize them. Your second store could be your best.


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11. Hi. How are you feeling?
12. Hello, how nice of you?
13. Hello, welcome bock.
14. Hello, pleased to meet you.
15.Hi, How's life?
Now let's look at some dialogues.
A – Hello, Good morning Ajit.
B – Hello. Good morning, Srtram.
A – Hallo. Good morning, Madam.
B – Hello. Good morning. Revalhi.
A – Hello, Good afternoon friends.
B – Hello. Good afternoon, Rani.
A – Hello. Good evening sir.
B – Hello, Good evening boys.
A – Hello, Raj, How are you?
B – Fine, thank you, and you, Ravi?
A – I'm OK. Thanks.
A – Hi. Roshan! How are you?
B – Not bad; tanks, and you?
A – Very well. How are your wife and children, Roshan?
B – They're fine.
A – Good morning everybody
B – Good morning Mr Annnd
A – Hello. Rajiv, how are you today?
B – Pine, sir.
A – How are you Vlkram?
C – I am fine. Thank you Anand, and you?
A – Very well. Now let's talk business
A – Hello.
B – Hello
A – How are you getting on?
B – Very well Thanks.
A – And how are you?
B – I'm fine. Thanks.


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Velociraptor Awareness Bumper Stickers
Geekologie's illustrator in residence Jesse Starr created these velociraptor awareness bumper stickers to remind motorists to share the road with our reptilian brethren. Because you never know, that could have been one of my illegitimate dino-babies you just ran over. The full-size bumper stickers are $4.75 and available over at Daily Stickers (gosh, I hope they have scratch & sniffs!) Get one and show your support for dinos. It's already bad enough our cars run on the creamy black remains of their ancestors. Why do you think all the dinosaurs were so angry in Jurassic Park? Because the park rangers tied rope around their balls like rodeo bulls, silly!


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The Baltimore City College High School choir, under the direction of Marcus D. Smith, will present its annual spring concert entitled 'Music in the Key of Love'. The event will be held Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 6:00PM in the auditorium of the high school located at 3220 The Alameda in Baltimore.
According to Smith, The Baltimore City College Choir's annual gala is a celebration of musical excellence featuring a delightful and diverse repertoire. The choir will perform selections composed by Franz Josef Haydn, Houston Bright, David Brunner and Moses Hogan. The concert will include standard choral literature, spirituals, jazz, musical theatre, and of course, spirited gospel selections. The BCC Choir performances are energetic and dynamic with an incredible sense of passion for music.
Tickets are still available.
This choir has become world-renowned as they have traveled to other countries performing and uplifting the masses.
The principal of the school is Cindy Harcum. For more information, visit the choir's website at www.friendsofbccc.org or call 410-622-8125.


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Vogue magazine's editor in chief Anna Wintour defended the decision to feature Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on the cover of the April issue, denying the rumor that West had petitioned them to feature his wife. According to a March 21 story on New York Daily News, Wintour described Kanye West as being "an amazing performer" and Kardashian as having "strength of character," a description not often used in reference to the provocative reality star.
"There's barely a strand of the modern media that the Kardashian Wests haven't been able to master, and for good reason: Kanye is an amazing performer and cultural provocateur, while Kim, through her strength of character, has created a place for herself in the glare of the world's spotlight, and it takes real guts to do that," she added, complimenting the brunette beauty.
The cover photo was shot by the legendary Annie Leibovitz, and it featured Kardashian wearing a wedding-style gown by Lavin. West is wearing a blazer by Saint Laurent. You can view more photos from the Kim Kardashian Vogue cover photo shoot here.
According to the Associated Press, Kanye West had previously described his fiancée as having more fashion influence than Michelle Obama.
Kim Kardashian has described the experience of her first Vogue cover as a dream come true. That may be so, but describing her as having "strength of character" seems more like a figment of someone's imagination.
Be sure and Click Subscribe to have this column delivered to your email inbox whenever a new article is published.
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- Teresa Giudice and Joe will continue to film 'Real Housewives of New Jersey'
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- 'Downton Abbey' Season Finale: What do viewers really want?


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Giving Our Oracle Service Cloud Customers An Edge at OpenWorld 2014
By Kathryn Perry-Oracle on Sep 03, 2014
A Guest Post by Director Christine Skalkotos, Product Strategy Programs, Oracle Service Cloud (pictured left)
OpenWorld promises to be an amazing experience for our Oracle Service Cloud customers this year.
It's all happening in Moscone West! We are centralizing all Oracle Service Cloud conference sessions and the demonstration zone on the third floor of Moscone West. Come see us at Service @ CX Central where we will headquarter all things CX Service.
Registered participants will be able to attend our sessions and then experience live demonstrations on the same topic co-located on the same floor. This will help participants easily connect with Oracle product experts, implementation partners, and customers with similar interests and challenges.
">Kick-Off General Session
David Vap, Group Vice President of Product Development, will present "Modern Customer Service and the Oracle Service Cloud Vision" [TGS8854] at 10:15 a.m., Moscone West, Room 3001. Wipro, sponsoring partner, will join David on stage.
Conference Sessions
Oracle Service Cloud will host more than 20 conference sessions this year, which includes panels and demonstrations. The Focus On Document is a expansive listing of all Oracle Service Cloud sessions. Here is a sample of topics:
- "Become a Modern Customer Service Organization," Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Room 3000 [CON10321]
- "Oracle Service Cloud LiveLOOK Co-Browse," Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. Room 3001A (CON9823]
- "Connecting the Call Center to the Field," Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. room 3001A [CON8926]
- "Don't Sit on the Sidelines," Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. Room 2008 [GEN7776]
- "Modern Customer Service Advisory Panel," Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. Room 3001 [CON8916]
- "Putting Knowledge at the Heart of Customer Service," Wednesday, 3:15 p.m., Room 3001, [CON8915]
- Customer presentations from Ameriprise, Beachbody, Comcast, eBay, Ingersoll Rand, Integraph, LinkedIn, ResortCom, and more
A Different Theme Every Day
Each day the CX Central zone will have a different theme:
- Monday―Industry solutions
- Tuesday―Roles, thought leadership, and innovation, which includes the Oracle Service Cloud vision, solution overview, and roadmap
- Wednesday and Thursday―A multitude of different best practices, customer success stories, and solution specific overview sessions with demonstrations supported by our product managers and sales consulting experts
Customer Events
- Tuesday―the CX Central Fest @ OpenWorld, featuring the electronic pop group--Capital Cities
- Wednesday―Aerosmith, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis at Treasure Island
Oracle OpenWorld exceeds expectation year over year! We expect no difference this year, especially for our Oracle Service Cloud customers. It's all happening at OpenWorld 2014, September 28 - October 2, 2014 in San Francisco.


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Burnett Wins Second American Athletic Conference Individual Title on Day Three of AAC Championship
SMU Records Eight Top-5 Finishes On Day Three
Mustang Swimmers & Divers Set To Compete In The Inaugural AAC Championships
SMU Looks To Win Its 17th Conference Championship in 18 Years
Mustang Swimmers & Divers Set To Host Texas A&M
SMU Will Honor Its Seniors Prior to the Dual Meet
Mustangs Place Sixth At 30th Annual Classic at SMU
Junior Diver Devin Burnett Named Most Valuable Diver of the Meet
Mustang Swimmers & Divers Set To Compete At LSU
The Dual Meet Is Set To Begin At 1:00 P.M. CT
2013-14 (Sr.): American Athletic Conference Championship: Finished seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke... Placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke, fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke and was a member of the 200-yard medley relay team (Braeden Newton, Ramom Melo, Ryan Koops) that placed second in a dual meet at TCU... Placed eighth in the 100-yard breaststroke and 16th in the 200-yard breaststroke at the Texas A&M Invitational... Finished sixth in the 200-yard breaststroke and was a member of the 400-yard medley relay team (Braeden Newton, Hunter Middleton, Giedrius Andriunaitis) that placed fourth in a dual meet versus Texas A&M.
2012-13 (Jr.): Placed first and second in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard breaststroke, respectively, and was a member of the winning 200-yard medley relay team (Andriekus, Ryan Koops, Larsson) in a dual meet versus TCU... Earned runner-up honors at the Cougar Invitational in the 200-yard medley relay (Andriekus, Larsson, Sadauskas) and placed fourth in the 100-yard breaststroke.
2011-12 (So.): Placed third in the 200-yard breaststroke at the Cougar Classic... Finished first in the 200-yard breaststroke in a dual meet against Texas... Took second in the 200-yard breaststroke in a dual meet against Wyoming.
2010-11 (Fr.): Conference USA Championship: Placed second in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 54.94.
Top Times:
21.99 - 50-yard freestyle
54.94 - 100-yard breaststroke
2:04.52 - 200-yard breaststroke
2:04.20 - 200-yard individual medley
4:34.34 - 400-yard individual medley
Prior to SMU: Competed in the Fina World Cup Grand Prix... Swam for the Mandeville Dolphins Swim Club.
Personal: Civil engineering major... Chose SMU for its engineering school and athletics program... Enjoys playing the guitar and piano... Parents are Paul and Philippa Napier-Jameson... Has one sister.


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Full Sail Brewing Co. promotes the responsible enjoyment of its products. If you are of legal drinking age, we welcome you to visit our website.
Full Sail Brewing will release a new beer in their Brewer's Share Experimental line up: "Duffy's Counterpunch," an Imperial Cascadian Dark Ale crafted by Marketing Coordinator Stephanie Duffy.
"My beer defies the traditional expectations of a "girl's beer." Like many women, I love my beer and I appreciate the broad cross-section of craft beers. I'm lucky to live and work in Oregon where craft beers are such a vital part of our culture. Even though the beer industry is still very male-dominated (like so many other industries) I thought it was especially appropriate to brew a bold, strong beer in honor of all the bold, strong women who shirk stereotypes and avoid being pigeonholed. We're in no need of pandering! Our tastes are as diverse as anyone else's. Duffy's Counterpunch is a richly nuanced counterargument—in beverage form," said Duffy.
She adds that "Strong women have always inspired me, and I'm fortunate to have a CEO and Founder like Irene Firmat leading us employee-owners at Full Sail. She's been in the game with the boys since 1987 and has come to the forefront as a savvy businesswoman who creates a company that truly loves and respects the culture of beer. You couldn't ask for a better female role model than that."
Full Sail has two "Meet the Brewer and the Beer" events scheduled. The first event is at Full Sail's Brew Pub in Hood River, Oregon on Tuesday, October 29th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. The second release is November 1st at 6:00PM at Portland's historic Hollywood Theatre as part of their monthly Brew Masterpiece Theater series that invites brew masters to craft small batch unique beers inspired by the films they love. Stephanie was inspired by the classic 1991 Ridley Scott film Thelma & Louise for her beer. "Even 22 years later, it's still too rare to find a mainstream film with two strong women in starring roles. The movie is controversial and has incited many debates regarding feminism, prejudice, patriarchal control, abuse, and sisterhood," she said. The "Meet the Brewer and the Beer" reception is from 6:00 to 6:45 PM followed by a one-night-only showing of Thelma & Louise at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $8.00.
With each Brewer's Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local nonprofit to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Stephanie has chosen to support Bitch Media, so every keg of Stephanie's beer benefits this nonprofit feminist media organization, best known for publishing the magazine Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture. Bitch Media's mission is to provide and encourage an engaged, thoughtful feminist response to mainstream media and popular culture.
"My hope is this beer will inspire further conversations about women's rights, feminism, and equality, because those are incredibly important and pertinent topics for all of us. What better place to discuss the philosophies of our culture and world than in a public house over a pint? That's why I chose to support Bitch. They promote healthy, informed discussions about feminism in our culture. Not only that, they're based out of Portland and I find their insight to be of the highest value," added Duffy.
Women and men, all! Empower yourselves, enjoy the beer, and lift up a pint!


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Kim's Black Belt Academy offers a wide variety of classes, from beginner to advanced. Whether it's Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Kum Do or Hap Ki Do, you're sure to find a fun and challenging workout that's appropriate for your level of fitness.
The links on the right side will show you our class schedules.


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Things to see and do - Bad Ischl
Leaving for Austria
Bad Ischl :
Unmissable tourist sites
Where to sleep?
Bad Ischl Hotel tips
Hotel Goldener Ochs from67 €Book
Hotel Goldenes Schiff from85 €Book
Hotel Garni Sonnhof from80 €Book
Bad Ischl Travel guide
Bad Ischl : Michelin's recommendations
Set in the heart of the Salzkammergut, Bad Ischl was the Austrian spa resort where the splendour of Franz Joseph's reign has left the greatest marks, having been one of the most brilliant centres of fashionable life in Europe for 70 years. Its parks and Biedermeier-style public buildings cluster in a setting of densely wooded mountains. Today, "relics" from 19C spa life still exist, such as the Zauner tearoom or Seenauer House, with a Rococo façade and triple gables.
Tourist attractions Bad Ischl : Things to see and do
38 . Jainzen A - 4820 Bad Ischl
The Imperial villa, with Classical colonnades, stands on the left bank of the Ischl, in a magnificent landscaped garden, the Kaiserpark. The private rooms reveal the character of Franz Joseph, who had a passion for hunting and was indifferent to mode..
1 . Jainzen A - 4820 Bad-Ischl
Visitors strolling in the Imperial villa's magnificent landscaped garden can see the charming little marble palace (Marmorschlössl) that Elisabeth was so fond of. This teahouse had, in a way, become her Trianon. It now houses a Photography Museum (Ph..
Hotels Bad Ischl
Hotel Goldenes Schiff
Adalbert-Stifter-Kai 3 A - 4820 Bad Ischl
Located in the centre of Bad Ischl next to the Traun River, this family-run 4-star hotel features, a restaurant, a spa area, and free Wi-Fi. The Eurotherme Spa Centre is a 2-minute walk away and offers a 10% discount to hotel guests. The rooms at Ho..
EurothermenResort Bad Ischl Hotel Royal
Voglhuberstraße 10 A - 4820 Bad Ischl
Prix Prices from : 184 €
This 4-star hotel in the heart of Bad Ischl is directly connected to the Salzkammerguttherme Thermal Spa. Each room has underfloor heating and a balcony overlooking the town. The tastefully furnished rooms at EurothermenResort Bad Ischl feature a fl..
Hotel Garni Sonnhof
Bahnhofstraße 4 A - 4820 Bad Ischl
Surrounded by a garden with centuries-old trees, Hotel Sonnhof is located next to Bad Ischl Train Station and opposite the Salzkammerguttherme Spa Centre. It offers free parking and free WiFi. Each of the individually furnished rooms at the Sonnhof ..


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Natalia by Kenneth Rosenberg
Born into poverty in the heart of Eastern Europe, Natalia Nicolaeva dreams of a better life. When she is offered a job abroad, however, the promise of the outside world is as terrifying as it is thrilling. Natalia gathers the courage to leave her tiny village but it doesn't take long before her worst fears are confirmed. Soon she is fighting, first for her honor and then for her life. After enlisting the help of a nefarious war criminal in hiding, Natalia puts the bad guys on notice; messing with her was the biggest mistake they've ever made.
This is a novel about the pain in the hearts of those made to suffer, the power of family to heal, and ultimately the grit of one girl determined to survive. "Natalia" is likely to appeal to fans of Stieg Larsson's "Millennium" series.
Author Bio:
Kenneth Rosenberg is a California writer whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Surfer Magazine and other publications. Kenneth attended UCLA where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.
To support himself while writing, Kenneth has worked at a wide variety of jobs, including stints as a journalist, merchant seaman, photographer, diving guide and snowboarding instructor among others. He has spent time living and writing in various far-flung locations throughout the world, including Portugal, Australia, Estonia and Hungary. He is also the author of two romance novels, "No Cure for the Broken Hearted" and "Sweet Ophelia" as well as the non-fiction, "Memoirs of a Starving Artist: An Itinerant Writer's Journey through an Unconventional Life."
When he is not writing, Kenneth spends his time surfing, snowboarding and traveling the world on a shoestring.


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Published: January 6, 2013
William D Leewis The Vindicator Rev Milan Medakovic conducts blessing during Christmas eve service Sunday 1-7-12 at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown. The yule logs were then placed on hte fire outside the church.
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I heard them long before they approached. The ground rumbled and the few trees that still clung to their leaves during this cold month finally shed them all, perhaps in fear that they be thought to hide anything, or worse yet, be mistaken for the WRONG sort of tree, if you get my meaning. From over the southwestern horizon I heard the rumbling of their metal roundness. Should the news not have reached you yet, in whatever kingdom you call home, let me be the first to herald the news. The Stelvin Army has sailed from far shores in the service of a great new crusade. This self organized group of lowly merchants has been possessed of some otherworldly spirit, and in its grasp they sweep through foreign lands breaking the shackles of tradition wherever they go, and purging the countryside of the dreaded TCA which for so long has held peasants and nobles alike in fear.
I have not lived long on this Earth, yet I do know this much: when a mighty force of the people embarks on a journey of liberation, by very force of its conviction, it shakes the halls of the powerful, who cannot help but respond with their own force, should they care for their own survival. Everything must have its balance, every acid, its fruit, every red, it's white.
So I was not surprised when, not days after the first sign of the Stelvin army began to flicker on the horizon, that the government's opposing force took to the roads. But this was no populist army driven by a mission from Bacchus. No, this was a well organized and funded government army who saw in the approaching Stelvins an end to a way of life for their people, and a grave threat to the economy. With the force of a whole government, even a whole nation behind them, the army of Cork chose a sporting hero to lead them into battle, one which they hoped would stir the spirit of the people to help rise up and oppose the winds of change.
So here I sit, on my hill above the vast plains of winedom, as the banners of the two forces march into view. It will not be long before a pitched and lingering battle takes place. It will be a battle of tradition against technology, aesthetics against convenience, and the interests of drinkers against the interest of cork farmers. Like most battles that merge ideology and money, each side has legitimate grievances, but as a drinker, I cannot help but for the Stelvins to prevail. It will be difficult for the conquered at first, to lose their livelihoods and to let their precious trees alone, but in the end it will be for the best.
The wine world is ripe for revolution.
A wine book like no other. Photographs, essays, and wine recommendations. 2015 Roederer Award Winner.Learn more.
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Wine Will Never Smell the Same Again: Luca Turin and the Science of Scent Forlorn Hope: The Remarkable Wines of Matthew Rorick Debating Robert Parker At His Invitation Passopisciaro Winery, Etna, Sicily: Current Releases Should We Care What Winemakers Say? The Sweet Taste of Freedom: Austria's Ruster Ausbruch Wines 2009 Burgundy Vintage According to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Charles Banks: The New Man Behind Mayacamas Wine from the Caldera: The Incredible Viticulture of Santorini Why Community Tasting Notes Sites Will Fail Chateau Rayas and the 2012 Vintage of Chateauneuf-du-Pape A Life Indomitable: The Wines of Casal Santa Maria, Portugal Bay Area Bordeaux: Tasting Santa Cruz Mountain Cabernets Forgotten Jewels: Reviving Chile's Old Vine Carignane The First-Timer's Guide to Les Trois Glorieuses of Hospices de Beaune


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Jan 15, 2010 8:44 AM
We never get tired of smelling good, and we don't imagine that you do either. The latest item in the Outblush fragrance arsenal, then, is Le Petit from Tokyomilk ($28) This scent is as gentle as the name suggests, but not weak, including the comforting notes of violet, lily, and vanilla. And we have to say, we're also a fan of the vintage images that this line uses on their packaging. (If you're not feeling quite so gentle today, you can always try their Gin & Rosewater instead.)
If you've got a product or service that you'd like to promote on Outblush, click here to find out about our advertising opportunities.
Outblush is a blog for girls who love to shop. Our staff digs up the best clothes, home stuff, beauty items, and more. New items are posted every day — bookmark us and check out:


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Tennis Stays Perfect In A-10 Play With 6-1 Win Over Fordham
March 2, 2013
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass women's tennis team improved its Atlantic 10 win streak to three matches on Saturday after a 6-1 victory over Fordham at the Bay Road Tennis Center. The Minutewomen swept all three doubles matches before winning five of six singles matches for the win. UMass will return to action on Sunday against Binghamton in a dual match that will be televised locally on CBS3 Now and available online via UMassAthletics.com/All-Access.
The win improves the Minutewomen to 8-2 overall and 3-0 in league action. The win also keeps UMass undefeated at home this year with three wins.
The three wins in doubles play earned the Minutewomen the opening point of the match.
Yuliana Motyl then won a shortened No. 1 singles point when Amy Simidian retired with Motyl leading the first set 3-0.
Fordham's Sarah Ali won No. 2 singles in straight sets (6-2, 6-0) over Sonia Bokhari before UMass won the final four singles matches of the day.
Three of the matches were forced to a tie-breaker set. At No. 3 singles, Arielle Griffin defeated Angelika Dabu in three sets, while at No. 5 singles Chanel Glasper defeated Julie Leong. Chantal Swiszcz finished the day with a three-set win over Anika Novacek to close out the scoring.
UMass 6
1. Motyl def. Simidian 3-0 Ret
2. Ali def. Bokhari 6-2 6-0
3. Griffin def. Dabu 6-4 3-6 6-1
4. Podlofsky def. Genkina 6-4 6-2
5. Glasper def. Leong 6-2 6-7 (10-4)
6. Swiszcz def. Novacek 7-6 3-6 (10-7)
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It's a year since The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board created Car Free LA – an eco-tourism initiative that offers travelers a variety of free itineraries centered around exploring Los Angeles' various neighborhoods, attractions and hidden gems by walking, biking and taking the METRO. To honor the anniversary the organization has partnered with hotels across the city to create fun spring and summer travel packages inspired by program.
Hotels such as W Hollywood Hotel, Hotel Angeleno, The Beverly Garland, Hilton Universal, Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Los Angeles – Westwood and The Hotel Wilshire, Jamaica Bay Inn, Chamberlain West Hollywood and Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel are participating in the event giving guests the tools they need to plan the perfect car-free vacation. Perks include museum madness walking tours, stand-up paddle boarding, complimentary bike rentals, and much more. To book a Car Free LA hotel package or download complimentary Car Free LA vacation itineraries, visit www.discoverLosAngeles.com/CarFreeLA.
Some sample auto-free packages are being offered by:
The Hotel Wilshire and its sister property Hotel Palomar Los Angeles–Westwood that includes:
- Welcome Amenity: a pedometer, two bottles of water, a healthy snack and sunscreen
- Car-free map of the neighborhood
- Complimentary valet parking
Bounce back offer: show up the Front Desk after havinf walked at least 10,000 steps per day with your pedometer, and score a special code for 20% off of room rate during their next stay. The offer can be redeemed within one year of your visit. Availability is now through October 31, 2014 with starting Rates: Hotel Wilshire $299 per night + tax; Hotel Palomar LA: $259 per night plus tax.
Hotel Angeleno is offering the 'LA Our Way' package with an exclusive insider's guide, titled 'We Are Not Square,' highlighting activities including museum madness tours and a 'how-to bar hop' tip sheet. The package includes:
- 'We Are Not Square' guide
- Fanny pack with the following items: sunglasses, bottled water, protein bar and sunscreen
- Power breakfast at West Restaurant & Lounge
- The hotel will donate 5% of every package booked to the annual Lynne Cohen Foundation Kickin' Cancer Run/Walk
- Complimentary shuttle service within three miles
Availability run now through December 30, 2014; blackout dates apply, advanced reservations necessary Starting Rates: $269 per night + tax.
Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City's 'Car-Free Getaway' package is the perfect eco-friendly vacation for the corporate, family and leisure traveler. The package includes:
- Accommodations for two adults
- Welcome Amenity: a pedometer, two bottles of water and a healthy snack
- Bounce back offer: Guests that present to the Front Desk 10,000 steps on their pedometer during their stay will receive a code for 15% off their next visit
Availability is now through October 30, 2014 with starting Rates: $169 plus tax.
Chamberlain West Hollywood's Urban Eco-Friendly Biking package allows guest to save gas and see the sights. Recently voted most walkable city in California, West Hollywood boasts exceptional shopping, dining and entertainment, all located just moments away from this stylish boutique hotel. Package for two includes:
- One night stay in an Executive King Suite, spacious open floor plan with king bed and step down seating area, private balcony and fireplace
- Arrival amenity will be a Chef's surprise
- Two 21-speed high end hybrid road bikes, helmets, safety vests, locks, self-guided tour map of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel Air supplied by Bikes and Hikes LA, plus an additional self-guided tour map to Santa Monica Beach
- Complimentary glass of wine at the rooftop pool
- Complimentary overnight valet parking
Availability is now through October 31, 2014; book via phone at 310.657.7400 or 800.201.9652 or online at www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com with starting Rates: $289 per night + tax; based on one night stay.
W Hollywood rolls out the red carpet for fabulous parties and celebrity style-mixing with its 'Walk of Fame' package tha includes:
- Bliss Fabulous Feet Pedicure
- $10 TAP card for the METRO station
- "Wonderful" room starting from $279
Availability run from today through October 31, 2014; book now at whollywoodhotel.com/walkoffame or call 877-782 0104 and ask for promo code WLKFAME. Starting Rates: $279 per night + tax.
Beaching it:
Tucked on the shores of the tranquil Marina del Rey, Jamaica Bay Inn is a refreshing retreat from L.A.'s hustle and bustle. With a design that resembles the colorful and relaxed style of a West Indies resort, vacationers are treated to an authentic vacation vibe. The 'Car Free' package allows guests to enjoy the serene setting as they splash through the Marina and explore popular destinations like Venice Beach and Santa Monica – all through the power of their own energy. The package includes:
- 20% off a two-night stay
- Complimentary daily breakfast for two at the acclaimed Beachside Restaurant & Bar ($50 max daily value)
- Complimentary bottled water
- Complimentary nightly self parking
- One-hour stand up paddle boarding lesson for two
- One day complimentary bicycle rentals for two
Availability goes through October 31, 2014; reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to arrival date to avoid charge of one night room and tax charges. PROMO CODE: CARFREE with starting Rates: $239 per night + tax with a two night minimum.
In the Valley:
The Beverly Garland, a secluded, urban oasis but just close enough to the action and excitement of Hollywood, Universal Studios and LA's best attractions, is offering 'Car Free, No Worries' package that includes:
- One-night stay in standard accommodations
- Walking map of the neighborhood area
- Welcome amenity water bottle & trail mix
- Complimentary shuttle service to METRO line and Universal Studios
Availability: now through October 31, 2014, based on availability; blackout dates may apply, rates start at $179 per night + tax.
Sportsmen's Lodge, the legendary Valley hangout of golden day stars such as Katherine Hepburn and Clark Gable, and still very much an industry player is offering a package that includes:
- Hotel Accommodations
- American Breakfast
- Complimentary Bicycle use for the day
- Bottle of Water
Availability starts now throughOctober 31, 2014 based on availability, blackout dates may apply. Rates range from $199 and up.
For more information these deals go to the official visitor information website of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board at www.discoverLosAngeles.com. Or go to discoverLA on Twitter and Instagram and become a part of the conversation with #CarFreeLA.
Be sure to pass the word on to all your out-of-town friends or relatives who might be visiting LA this spring and summer.


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Owners of the privately owned Lake Shasta Caverns say the partial government shutdown has been good for their business. Still, they don't want it to last much longer.
"We've definitely seen an increase in numbers. But,hopefully the shutdown ends soon so it doesn't stagnate the economy so much,"said Matthew Doyle, General Manager of the caverns.
Doyle says much of the business is coming from people who had plans to visit national parks but instead are finding themselves looking for alternative plans.
Doyle says business is up 12 percent this year from last. Their store is also reaping benefits. That has been good for his seasonal staff since they've been able to stay working a little longer than usual.
Jody Williams came all the way from Wisconsin and had planned to see Crater Lake in Oregon with family friends for quite some time . She says the shock of the park closing was hard to take at first.
"To go out with them for the last 5-6 years and this is when it finally came about and all of a sudden we couldn't see what we actually wanted to see while we were here,"said Williams.
"We had also planned to go to Redwoods National Park in California and that was the other part of the trip and just ended coming this way because that was also closed," said Williams. She says she enjoyed the cavern trip.
So did Scott Hansen, who had to cancel his trip to Mt Lassen. "Just happened to work out during the shutdown which was not fantastic but we'll go again once they open up again," he said.


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Greek shipping union bosses have blamed inadequate infrastructure at the country's ports following this week's incident when two cruise ships collided in Piraeus, Athens.
Pullmantur's Zenith with 1,819 passengers onboard hit the Greek-flagged Aegean Pearl, with 504 passengers onboard, as it was manoeuvring to dock in the port on Monday.
Greek news Web site Kathimerini has said that this collision was the fourth in the Aegean within a month -- the site reported that a number of Greek ferries have been involved in incidents where they have struck reefs, rocks or hit a moored vessel.
"Most ports do not have adequate piers and are not large enough to accommodate large cruise ships," Achilleas Tarlamis, the general secretary of the Masters and Mates' Union of the Greek Merchant Marine, told Kathimerini.
Meanwhile shipping trade publication Seatrade is reporting that Aegean Pearl, which is owned by Louis Cruise Line, was damaged at deck level, starboard side, and some lifeboats were also damaged. The ship was allowed to sail sans passengers to Syros' Neorion Shipyard to undergo repairs.
--by Kelly Ranson, U.K. Editor
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Update: Latest on the Cruise Ship Collision in Greece
Update: Latest on the Cruise Ship Collision in Greece
July 30, 2008


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While in New Orleans, I met some new to me authors, as well as a few familiar ones. Here's my chance to highlight some of these marvelous people and their work. It's my thank you to them for making my trip a truly memorable experience I will never forget.
I am so much in love with Andrew Grey it's not even funny! The man has written and published over 50 books. Andrew mainly writes for Dreamspinner Press. Strengthened By Fire (By Fire #2) by
Synopsis: Lee Staunton and Dirk Krause have been seeing each other for a couple of months when they get the bad news: the firehouse they work at will be closed unless they can come up with the money to complete some maintenance and repairs. The union wants to stand and fight. There's just one problem: the only suggestion for how to raise the money is Lee's. And Dirk hates it.
Unfortunately, everyone else thinks Lee's "Chicken and Beefcake" dinner—which they'll attend in just their hats, boots, and fire pants—is a great idea, and Lee goes ahead with the organizing. But interference from the borough council and low ticket sales threaten to rain on Lee's parade. If Dirk can't put aside his pride and stubborn nature for one night, it could cost both him and Lee their jobs—never mind their relationship.
Cupid's Arrow by Kris Cook (Forbidden Passion Press).
Synopsis: For Titus Love, matchmaking is much more than a hobby – it was the family business. Being the grandson of Cupid himself, Titus is obsessed with restoring his grandfather's good work and leaves Olympus to secretly work his magic in Dallas's hottest new tattoo studio, Love Ink.
Detective Derek Stone doesn't believe in love. Betrayed by a former lover, Derek views the sentimental emotion as a weakness that almost destroyed him vowing never to give anyone that power over him again.
While investigating a string of grisly murders, Derek discovers one common thread – all of the victims were clients of Love Ink and its owner, Titus Love. But when Derek questions his gorgeous suspect, their passion ignites and Derek discovers that the world is bigger and darker than he ever knew.
Something evil has come to Dallas, and only a hard-boiled detective and the new god of love stand in its way.
I'm so thrilled I finally met Mia and her "balls" ;P. Water Dogs by Mia Watts (Resplendence Publishing.
Synopsis: What happens in the desert stays in the desert…
Or does it? On tour in Iraq with other SEALs teams, Lieutenant John Tucker from the Skins holds a tenuous line of defense with Lieutenant Commander Alex Jackson of the Water Dogs. With four days wait until the Army shows up, and the pock-fire of insurgents ever-present, fight or flight urges are put to the extreme. So when Tucker shocks the LC by making a play for him, and he reluctantly gives in, it's not like Ajax is going to have to face the fire when he returns home.
Except the mutual devastation of the SEALs teams prompts the military to combine them. Now Tucker is serving under Ajax in a brand new way, and the desert isn't keeping the secret.
Julia cracked me up more times than I could count. She's beyond hilarious. The White City by Julia Talbot (Torquere Press).
Synopsis: Jem is a well-known privateer, and he knows he's in a lot of trouble. The White City of Algiers is a hotbed of human misery, and he's being held captive there by a ruthless man known as Hakim Reis.
Hakim knows that Jem will fetch a pretty price with the crime lord of Algiers, and he has every intention of turning the pirate over to his boss. Eventually. First, though, he wants his pound of flesh. Can one encounter feed his new addiction, or will he find a way to keep Jem alive and to himself?
I can thank Leanna Renee Hieber for introducing me to Abigail who shared LOL hilarious stories of her dog. Abigail also writes under another pseudonym. Can you guess her other author name? Long Relief by Abigail Barnette (Resplendence Publishing).
Synopsis: Successful entrepreneur Maggie Harper has lived and breathed baseball since birth. But when her father, once a legendary player, later a team owner, leaves her the Grand Rapids Bengals in his will, she's in over her head. Orchestrating a successful season is foreign territory, complicated by a sizzling one-night stand with a player who definitely wants something more.
After pitching a disastrous game that cost the Bengals the championship pennant, veteran pitcher Chris Thomas knows his days as a player are numbered. There are more important things to be worried about than the sexy new team owner, but Maggie's hot-and-cold act is driving him to distraction. A woman has never come between him and the game before, but now he has to make a choice between his love of playing ball and his love of Maggie.
When their entanglement is discovered, the stakes are even higher. Caught between doing what's right for the team and what's right for them, Maggie and Chris have to decide what's more important, a championship season, or a chance at love
Doubtless by Cat Grant (Riptide Publishing)
Synopsis: The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn't know if it's masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.
Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna's heart.
Ann is one of my fellow Decadent Publishing authors and we finally met over beignets and coffee one morning. For Your Eyes Only by Ann Mayburn (Honey Mountain Publishing).
Synopsis: Amanda accepts an invite by the prestigious Institute for Women's Sexual Satisfaction. Volunteering for their study means she must divulge her deepest, naughtiest fantasies and then act on them. But one wicked fantasy involves watching her boyfriend do something so intimate, so forbidden that she's afraid he will refuse and may even break off their relationship.
Jared can't believe his gorgeous girlfriend wants to see another woman take his anal virginity. But he wants to make her wildest fantasies come true, and maybe finally engage in some secret fantasies of his own...
Warning: This story contains a loving couple indulging in some very steamy fantasies including F/F kissing and light touching along with a deliciously naughty F/M/F pegging scene.
Aleksandr wasn't at NOLA, but after Mandi Smexybooks raved about his books, I had to highlight him here. He's also one of the founders of Riptide Publishing. Incurison by Aleksandr Voinov (Riptide Publishing).
Synopsis: When the local authorities ask Kyle Juenger to hunt a shape-shifting Glyrinny spy, he can't refuse. After all, he can use the reward to replace his paralyzed legs with cyberware, and maybe even to return to his home planet. Besides, he hates the morphs—those invasive, brain-eating monstrosities whose weapons cost him his legs.
Kyle's best lead is the Scorpion, a mercenary ship armed to the teeth. Grimm, the Scorpion's pilot and captain, fascinates Kyle. He's everything Kyle lost with his legs, and he's from the same home world. He's also of the warrior caste—half priest, half savior. But Grimm's been twisted by life as a merc, and Kyle's stuck undercover as a criminal on the run.
That doesn't stop Grimm from coming on to Kyle, or from insisting he's more than the sum of his past and his useless legs. But Kyle has other concerns—like tracking a dangerous morph who could be wearing anyone's face. And as if things weren't complicated enough, Kyle can't tell if Grimm is part of the solution . . . or part of the problem.
Do you like free books? I know I do. You can read a free "epic" novel from Aleksandr you can download from his website called Special Forces. This is dark, brutal, honest.
Synopsis: Special Forces is an epic work of military gay erotic fiction, which is available for free here.
The three cycles Soldiers, Mercenaries, and Veterans were written between April 2006 and November 2008 and have 70 chapters in total, comprising around one million words (the equivalent of around 15 full-sized novels). It is only suitable for an adult audience.
This is the epic story of a Soviet Spetsnaz soldier and a Scottish SAS soldier. Vadim Krasnorada and Dan McFadyen are two enemies who meet in the line of duty during the early days of the Soviet Union's last war in Afghanistan. Behind enemy lines respect and finally love grow...but that's only the official version.
Nothing of a Son by L.A. Witt (August 19th, Amber Allure).
Synopsis: When a storm forces traveling soldier Daedalus to seek shelter, a wealthy duke takes him into his home. The only condition? Stay away from the duke's daughters.
But the duke said nothing of a son...
And when Daedalus meets Rauman, the two men can't help but succumb to their mutual attraction...even if they'll both be hanged if anyone finds out...
I will read anything by Sam and this historical romance is one I must have!The Devil's Thief by Samantha Kane (The Saint's Devils #1) (November 12th, Random House).
Synopsis: The daughter of a reformed jewel thief, Julianna Harte knows a thing or two about stealth. When the foundling home she provides for finds itself in dire financial straits, Julianna is forced to do the unthinkable. In a bit of misguided Robin Hood derring-do, she slips through the window of a wealthy rake to search for a treasure she knows is there: an invaluable pearl. But when the towering and very naked occupant of the moonlit bedroom ambushes her with a bargain—a night in his bed in exchange for the pearl—Julianna doesn't know if it's masculine heat or sheer desperation that makes his terms so tempting.
Alasdair Sharpe had no intention of keeping his end of the bargain. Planning to offer his little cat burglar carte blanche instead, he promptly loses himself in the delights of unexpected pleasure. But when he awakes the next morning to find his family heirloom gone, fury quickly replaces sensual languor. Of course, Alasdair is more than willing to use seduction to reclaim his stolen pearl—and find the key to Julianna's heart.