text:
My long absence from this blog was due to a 2 week trip to northern Italy. I'm leaving again tomorrow but this time I will have my computer with me so I hope I have time to post when traveling.
I would like to make an observation on the effect of viewing at the world from a different perspective. In particular, lets look at the way government (but not only government) operates in the US and in Italy. The last few days of our trip we were staying at a small hotel in a suburb of Verona where my husband was working with a printing company to produce his photographic monograph. A lot of fiber cable was being laid in Italy. We had noticed this throughout our trip. Down the main street of this town a small crew of 3 or 4 men worked, a few building widths a day, digging a trench, laying the fiber and then closing the trench and repairing the pavement, causing minimal disruption to businesses in the town.
Compare this to the approach in the US. In Tucson the interstate highway (I 10) around/through the city is being widened. For 3 years the major exits and entrances to the city are closed. Even without this economic climate I can believe that many of the businesses that relied on travelers will fail before the exits are again open. Hundreds of jobs will probably be lost. How many times have you encountered lane closings on highways where no one was seen for miles until you encountered a small crew working in a very localized area, with traffic jammed for miles. Sometimes you encounter lane closings for miles where there is no work going on anywhere. These lane closings are designed for efficiency we are told. An American obsession. But efficiency is a matter of definition. The calculation of efficiency depends upon just whose efficiency you care about and can be easily manipulated by simply taking into account only the concerns of those you care to include.
In Italy the concern was for the efficiency of the entire society, not just whatever department was in charge of the installation. Disruption was minimized. In the US the concern only extends to the limit of control of the institution making the calculation. Disruption of others, or even the whole society, is not a concern. There is not just one way that work can be organized to achieve the same result. How you take into account those you will affect does matter.
9 hours ago


text: ← Friday, March 28th Monday, March 31st → Saturday, March 29th Posted on March 29, 2014 by Justin Power Clean 2 3 Rounds 7 Power Cleans 14 Pull-ups 21 Air Squats This entry was posted in WOD. Bookmark the permalink. ← Friday, March 28th Monday, March 31st → Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Name * Email * Website Comment

subset: commoncrawl


text: Lesser known highlights of Venice 2013-04-26 There's no denying that Venice is one of the cultural highlights of Europe travel. Aside from its iconic canals and beautiful architecture, the Italian enclave is a hotbed of artistic activity. While there are many well-known destinations to experience its cultural offerings, there are a few places in particular that can often get overlooked, according to Departures magazine. Palazzo Fortuny Located in the San Marco region of Venice, this intriguing museum was originally the workspace of the famed artist Mariano Fortuny. He spent much of his time in the building creating everything from paintings to sculptures to textiles. After he passed away, his widow donated the space to the city in 1956, and ever since it has served as a testament to his work. Not only that, but it also features work from other artists including Enrique Tábara, Antonio Saura and Manolo Millares, the publication notes.Rialto Fish Market Not every cultural aspect of Venice has to do with art, and the Rialto Fish Market is certainly testament to that. This culinary hub, located near the iconic Rialto Bridge, has been a staple of life for Venice residents for hundreds of years. Today, a walk through its aisles brings you face-to-face with everything from fresh octopus and crab to squid and line-caught fish. You don't have to purchase anything to get a sense for the important role this market plays in the lives of local residents.St. Mark's Basilica There are seemingly countless architectural highlights in Italy, but few can compete with St. Mark's Basilica. In addition to its sheer size, the stunning detail on the artwork located both inside and outside its walls is breathtaking. Perhaps most notably, the upper order of its interior is covered with beautiful mosaics that contain gold, bronze and many other stones. There are a few ways to check out these beautiful works of art, but the best way is to take the trip up Loggia dei Cavalli. Though it's a challenging walk up many stairs, the pay-off is well worth it. Not only do you get an up-close look at the mosaics, but the view from the top will certainly leave a lasting impression.View Larger Map See also... The modern side of Venice Great places to stay in venice Italy Travel Planner More Europe Travel Stories


text:
Arabians since 1968...1974 Straight Egyptians Exclusively
Arabians since 1968...1974 Straight Egyptians Exclusively
For videos that are on YOU TUBE or Vimeo
use their search box and print elmasras or name of horse.
El Masr Arabian Stud
825 E. Hwy 153
Stratford, WI. 54484
ph: 715 305 6546 (cell)
Champion Mikeen El Masr, born: May 10, 2010. 15.2+ hh. See his video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSul8X72GQQ&feature=channel&list=UL
Unanimous CHAMPION ATH at the 2014 Egyptian Event Also at the 2012 Event.
This is a world class quality You will not find a higher quality Champion stallion with a great pedigree here in the United States offered for sale! Mikeen has an exotic "dry" face and fine muzzle. See more info on his page: "Champion for Sale"
Email firstname.lastname@example.com or call me at 715 305 6546
See his Show Video: https://vimeo.com/119799020
Producing beautiful straight Egyptian Arabians and passing our joy to the next owners. Below is Silome El Masr with her Madheen El Masr filly owned by Kellys International Arabians.
CAll: 715 305 6546 or email: firstname.lastname@example.com see our other site: https://www.elmasrarabians.weebly.com
Madheen El Masr left and Mikeens maternal grandsire: Shahin El Masr right. Both stallions are Champion producers and when shown were Champion Top Five or better at the Egyptian Event . Shahin was a son of Australian Nat'l Ch. Anaza El Nizr.


text:
MIAMI — Objectively, the last thing you want to do to a guy like this is remember him for his final years, when Shaquille O'Neal just came across as a miserable, bombastic, insufferable SOB instead of what his PR army would prefer his legacy to be.
So maybe this should be done chronologically, if permissible. And we're going to hope that we run out of space before we get to the stuff that we always found hard to understand about the Big Paradox, the stuff that has almost nothing to do with basketball.
The Newark native was the most perfect and dominant big man in NBA history, period. Maybe that's not how you will regard him, but now that he is officially retired today, we'll always think of the guy who bestrode the post-Jordan Era like a colossus — 10, 12, 15 characters in one, with a nickname for each.
You may choose the mighty Chamberlain, but O'Neal's post refinement was decades more advanced. You can pick the prolific and graceful Kareem, but we don't think of center as a finesse position, and he stopped doing windows after Year 10. You can take Russell, the greatest winner in team sports history, but he was the size of a small forward in O'Neal's era, and he once admitted he wanted no part of him.
"I would not have tried," Russell said of his theoretical defensive strategy against O'Neal in an online chat in 2002. "There is not a way to beat him. To stop him, it's hopeless. You can't do it. Don't focus on that. Make him less efficient. Make him play on both ends of the court. Find out what he doesn't like to do, and make him do it."
In other words, Shaq's size, quickness and explosiveness not only made him the most dominant of his own era, it made him unmatched in the game's history.
As Toronto center Keon Clark once said, guarding Shaq "was like trying to move a refrigerator with all the food in it."
Now imagine what he would have been if he decided to just be a basketball player.
If he brought the same demonic intensity that two of his greatest peers, Kevin Garnett or Alonzo Mourning, brought to their jobs.
If he could have played at a quasi-human weight of 305 instead of 345, he would have probably been more of an athlete than a comic book hero wannabe.
That wasn't going to happen. Somewhere early in his career, when he began spending his summers making bad movies and cutting rap records, he decided he was going to be all things to all people. That was the plan, anyway.
"I took Magic's smile. I took Michael's smooth, friendly personality and the all-out way he played the game. I took Patrick Ewing's ferocity. I took Hakeem Olajuwon's dominance," O'Neal said in 2003. "And from Muhammad Ali, I took his ability to talk a lot of (stuff) and back it up."
Yes, a fellow of many parts. Too bad they forgot to ask where he got his humility.
Probably from the same place he got that "S" logo he slapped on his biceps, his cars, and the front door of his house.
And the kid from Newark was Superman.
The only problem was he had no mild-mannered, Clark Kentian alter ego. At the same time, he required universal approbation. And even when he received it, he had a bully's obsession to raise his own self-esteem by belittling his peers.
A telling foot-in-mouth moment was in 2003, when Shaq criticized Mike Bibby's selection to Team USA, claiming he didn't deserve the honor and calling him a "Cub Scout." The mistake he made was saying it days before O'Neal scored his 20,000th career point on Bibby's court.
The Kings honored him by giving him the game ball that night at ARCO Arena. What they didn't know until the presentation was that someone had scribbled a vulgar insult on the ball.
A case of one classless move deserving another.
And so many others along the way.
To wit: Why trash Kobe Bryant in a rap song? Why libel Stan Van Gundy and Chris Bosh? Why insult a billion people with a childish imitation of Yao Ming? Why rebut a teammate's question about your "motivation" by sending around photos of Dwyane Wade's head on a woman's body? Why belittle the likes of Chris Quinn? Why question the manhood of everyone from Dikembe Mutombo to Vlade Divac, who had done more for their fellow man than he even conceived?
Just having his fun, he probably figured.
And more often than not, he'd receive a pass.
Yet even his own good works seemed awkward — like the time he interrupted his postgame interview at the 2005 Eastern Conference finals to announce that he would pay for George Mikan's funeral on national TV.
Why would anyone this talented standing 7-1, 340 pounds need to self-promote? Probably because he was afraid everyone else, ultimately, would stop doing it.
And it just so happened that his last three jobs — in Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston — he was the guest who wouldn't leave. And he was the last one to recognize that when you can't play anymore, people just stop laughing with you.
Now he's got more playing time to devote to other pursuits, such as helping to rebuild his hometown of Newark. Shaq has been active in city development for years, seeking to build a $90 million high-rise of luxury condos on the site of the old Science High School, and in 2009 signing a deal to buy and overhaul the city's only full-size movie theater.
Don't say it: This went on for too long, which wasn't our intention.
Perhaps it would have been better merely to characterize him as a fellow with all the strengths and weaknesses of the league itself.
Because he was an authentic 21st Century sports hero, one who understood the media and his audience, and he embodied the appeal of NBA in the last decade — with all the genius, the bombast, the turmoil, the hubris, the malice. It was all there, in just one man.
If you liked basketball, it was like being at the feet of a giant. It was just too bad he wasn't always about basketball.
Dave D'Alessandro: firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Scottish Food and Drink Federation
Representing the food and drink manufacturing industry in Scotland
Back to list of articles
A giant 'Smarties' fountain and a new series of lighthearted but surprising food
themed videos will be amongst the attractions to make 45,000 visitors to the Big Bang 'Mad about Food' when they visit the largest science and engineering careers fair later this
Taking place at the NEC from 15-17 March, the Food and Drink Federation, in
partnership with Nestlé, will bring to life the wide range of jobs on offer in
food and drink manufacturing industry, hoping to inspire the young people to
consider a future career in the sector. This will be the first time the food
manufacturing sector has been represented at the event.
Careers in the food industry are exciting, challenging and there's never a dull
moment. From developing a new range of cereals, taste testing ice creams or
creating an advertising campaign for soft drinks - there's no shortage of
In fact, the sector employs a staggering 400,000 people in a huge variety of
roles, and by 2017 the industry will require 137,000 new recruits.
FDF will be using the opportunity to launch the digital part of its campaign
'Taste Success – A Future in Food' by previewing its' 'Mad about Food' videos, created in partnership with the Institute for Food Science and Technology and
Improve, to show young people some of the exciting things you can do when you
work with food!
Nestlé will be showcasing its 4 metre tall 'Smarties' fountain which uses air
pressure to propel giant Smarties up to the top of the tube where they'll
down back to the base. Visitors to the stand will be invited to compete in a
factory automation simulation game based on the Kit Kat production line which
been designed by Nestle engineering graduates and apprentices who will also be
hand to explain what it is like to work in the food industry.
Angela Coleshill, FDF's Director of Competitiveness said:
"This is a hugely exciting project for us; the target audience is a very
challenging age group to reach and they are demanding more and more from their
media activity."
"The food industry is a great place to work. Everyone loves food and
researching, developing, creating and marketing new products is something many
people would
consider a dream job, but we need to get the message out there that these roles
are available and attract more people into our industry."
Paul Grimwood, Chairman and CEO Nestle UK & Ireland said:
"The food industry is an exciting area to work in with a wide variety of
available. At Nestlé we believe that recruiting the best people for our
is key to our continued success which is why we launched the Nestlé Academy at
the end of last year."
"We are also supporting the Food and Drink Federation's (FDF) pledge to double the number of apprentices working in the food and drink industry by
the end of 2012 and aim to have 100 apprentices working across our business by
the end of the year."
For further information please contact the FDF press Team:
Read SFDF's newsletter for members. We cover the key issues affecting food and
drink industry in Scotland. Latest issue
Copyright © 2015 Food and Drink Federation - www.fdf.org.uk


text:
A federal grand jury today charged Christopher Sommers of River Ridge with child pornography.
The three-count indictment comes one week after FBI agents arrested Sommers, a former employee of Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans.
He is accused of photographing a minor in sexually explicit conduct and of receiving and possessing child pornography.


text:
The death of Nelson Mandela drew remembrances, photos and expressions of thanks and sadness from celebrities, artists, political figures and other leaders on Twitter tonight.
Samuel L. Jackson, Bill Clinton, Queen Latifah, Barbara Walters and Russell Simmons were just a few notables to talk about Mandela, who is often called Madiba.
From Nelson Mandela's official account — run by the Nelson Mandela Foundation — a quote from Mandela himself (as translated to English):
"When a man has done what he considers to be his duty towards his people and his country, he can rest in peace."
Below are just a handful of reactions to Mandela's passing.
Quando un uomo ha compiuto quello che ritiene essere il suo dovere nei confronti della sua gente&del suo Paese, puÃÂò riposare in pace #Madiba— NelsonMandela (@NelsonMandela) December 5, 2013
Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela. My sympathy to his family & his country.— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 5, 2013
RIP 2 ONE OF OUR LAST TRULY GREAT KINGS AND GOD OF OUR UNIVERSE, THE LATE GREAT NELSON MANDELA!!! I WILL 4EVER LOVE U GREAT MAN & GREAT MIND— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) December 5, 2013
I will never forget my friend Madiba. pic.twitter.com/UX21ZZG7cg— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) December 5, 2013
1 of the most important&greatest individuals to walk on this Earth. Nelson Mandela. He walked the walk. He was 4 THE PEOPLE. Nelson Mandela.— Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae) December 5, 2013
Free Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela Is Free. #Respect— Questlove Jenkins (@questlove) December 5, 2013
A remarkable man and an inspiration to all. Remembering #NelsonMandela— Barbara Walters (@BarbaraJWalters) December 5, 2013
I want 2give the world a hug I was told Mandeba just passed. Nelson Mandela R.I.P. Time for a well earned sleep.Condolences to his family— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) December 5, 2013
Rest peacefully Mr. Mandela. Your strength & determination will forever inspire.— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) December 5, 2013
Advising all my young ones that follow me to research a small piece of Nelson Mandela Life. That's how you pay your respect...... GO!— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was an angel walking on this earth. You were one the greatest teachers this world has ever known. We love you and we miss you— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 5, 2013
A great Soul has left us!!!! Nelson Mandela... Rest in Peace!— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship--he was a special man and will be missed. http://t.co/GVziRpWbkB— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela was the embodiment of discipline, courage, love and forgiveness. "There is no future without forgiveness"-@NelsonMandela— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 5, 2013
• South African leader Nelson Mandela dead at 95
• Idris Elba talks playing Nelson Mandela
• 'Invictus' movie review: Powerful acting outweighs flaws in post-Apartheid tale


text:
Friday, January 17, 2014
The search for a boater missing from the Sampit River intensified today after clothing believed to belong to him was found.
Keith Edward Sullivan, 45, of Emerald Isle, North Carolina was reported missing Wednesday, according to Georgetown County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carrie Cuthbertson.
Sullivan's sailboat, named Saga, remained empty near the Harborwalk boardwalk Friday afternoon, two day after he was reported missing.
Cuthbertson said the Sheriff's Office has utilized a plane, helicopter, marine patrol units, side scan sonar, and personnel in the search for Sullivan.
Cuthbertson said articles of clothing, similar to those described as being worn by Sullivan, were found on Goat Island at the mouth of the Sampit River Friday morning. That is when the Department of Natural Resources joined the search.
"Goat Island is being searched by boat and aircraft with the intentions of locating Mr. Sullivan," Cuthbertson said.
Sullivan was last seen Sunday by some friends from Canada, who were also visiting the area, said Chris Carroll, manager of Harborwalk Marina on Front Street.
Anyone who has any information regarding Mr. Sullivan is urged to call the Georgetown County heriff's Office at (843) 546-5101.
Anonymous tips can also be sent by using Text-A-Tip. Just text the word "GCSOTIP" to 274637.
© 2016 South Strand News an Evening Post Industries company. All Rights Reserved.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


text:
Sweet Home
A Ghost Story
By William Cope
The three people clad in black cackled hysterically as sirens bleated from almost every direction in the distance. Brilliant crimson hues behind them mingled with the sickly mauve night sky while an inky serpent of smoke poured slithered into the atmosphere.
"Did you see the tower go?" said one of the runners. "It was like a house of cards!"
"I was worried when the second set of explosions didn't go. Must've been a faulty fuse," another said.
"It went off eventually," the third chimed in. "Probably fires caused by the first set reached the second set of bombs themselves."
"Who cares? The building would be a smoldering pile of rubble with or without the second set anyway!" laughed the first. "I can't believe we actually did it!"
"Are we close to the safe area, Roland?" asked the third.
"I think so," the first said.
"You think so?" repeated the second. "Think?!"
"It's a little hard to say," Roland smiled beneath his ski mask. "I mean, all these trees seem awful similar."
The other two looked at each other nervously. Every second they were outside decreased the odds of their survival drastically. They both had seen firsthand what the police in 2437 would do to even the lightest of crimes. A nine-year old child had a curse word carved into his back after writing it on a building. A shop lifter was injected with nano-robots that would make the nerves in his arms go haywire at random: sometimes they went limp, other times they flailed as if he were having a seizure, and always they ached terribly. In this fashion punishments seemed to grow exponentially in severity in relation to escalating crimes. The entire county still remembered how martial law had been declared after a simple bank robbery. Stealing a few hundred thousand dollars was nothing compared to the destruction of the capital building these three had just wrought, and as this thought crossed their minds they stopped laughing.
"God, what have we done?" the third runner asked herself as the trio increased speed.
"We blew up city hall, Audrey!" shouted the second, "and we very likely pissed off the police, who will no doubt be coming for us any minute!"
"Ah, here we are!" Roland said with fake cheer. "I think."
"Again with the think!" the second snapped. "Stop thinking and start knowing!"
"Oliver, quit being so damn pissy," Roland said as he ran off the road and up the adjacent hill. The three scrambled up through the pine trees and into the gloom. "I'm almost completely certain this is it."
As they ascended into the gloomy forest they noticed flashing lights behind them. Mechanical whirring heralded the arrival of the police drones. The robotic law enforcers stopped where the three runners had left the road. In unison their cyclopean red eyes swiveled to the woods. Two soulless hisses slid from the machines as they pursued the runners, their steel bodies constantly hovering two inches above the ground despite the steep slope of the terrain. They flexed their horrific pincers while constantly scanning the dark trees for organisms.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Oliver spat as the humans continued their desperate scramble up the hill. Oliver sported a large phobia of robots. His worst nightmares were always filled with images of their shiny metal claws glistening with the blood of their victims. He imagined them killing without mercy or any emotion, for that matter - and it filled him with absolute dread. "Roland, how the hell are we gonna get away from those? You said they wouldn't be able to track us in the forest."
"They shouldn't!" Roland said. "The trees should have given us cover, and the hill is far from their signal tower! The higher we get, the harder it'll be for them to get a signal from the police station. Their programming restricts them to areas where they can reach those signals, as those signals are the only way they're able to make decisions!"
Mere seconds after Roland finished relating this the drones stopped. For several minutes they remained, their glowing red eyes frantically searching the forest. Eventually they turned around and departed, their legless torsos gliding elegantly back to the road.
A wide smile spread across Roland's face. "That right there is why the government should realize how stupid it is to stifle original thought. Without it you have no innovation."
"I think what it really shows is how overly dependent we are on technology," Oliver said.
"Fascinating, truly, but we aren't out of the woods yet," Audrey said, and then added, "both literally and figuratively."
"Don't worry," Roland said, "We're almost there."
Nestled in a small valley within the hill was an old house. It looked incredibly old, with rusted heavy steel plating on its corners that were all the rage two centuries ago. So much paint had chipped off it that one could see almost half of the metal that made its walls. There were few windows, all on the second floor, and the door was heavily armored.
"What is this nightmarish monstrosity?" Oliver asked.
"It's an impenetrable fortress, Oliver," Roland said triumphantly. "From what little I was able to research, this house was built somewhere in the twenty two hundreds."
"Back during the shambling plague," Audrey said. The shambling plague was, in the grand scheme of things, the reason the three rebels were currently on the run. The virus had turned humanity against itself more than any war had ever done. Billions were turned into walking engines of death by the illness. It was in the chaos caused by the virus this dystopian world had risen. While the "shamblers," those infected by the plague, were almost completely wiped out, the cure had proven to be worse than the disease. "That explains why it's so heavily armored. This thing looks like it could survive a tank bombardment. A bunch of flesh hungry corpses wouldn't stand a chance against it."
"How do we get in?" Oliver asked.
"Well, that's the tricky part," Roland said. "See, since the power is off, these doors shouldn't be locked, but they're still heavy as hell, and supposedly there are several sets of them. Luckily, I brought a crowbar. We should be inside within a few minutes."
As if desiring to one up him, the doors opened the minute Roland approached them. A hailstorm of confusion struck the trio at this. "Didn't you say this place didn't have power?" Oliver asked.
"Well, it shouldn't!" Roland said. "I mean, this place is abandoned, and there isn't a power line for miles!"
"How do you know it's abandoned?" Audrey asked.
"When I was a member of the force I once had to search this area," Roland said, "which, now that I think about it, is really kinda ironic, since now we're hiding from the force in this very- never mind. Anyway, it was then that I came upon this house. I had to do a life form scan on it, and it turned up empty"
"Why wasn't it torn down?" Audrey asked.
"You think the stingy bastards running the world want to shell out some extra cash just to tear down an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere? If they had money to spare, those damn robots would have killed us by now," Roland smiled.
"That still doesn't explain why the doors opened on their own!" Oliver said.
"Maybe the house has a generator that's been lying dormant, and the doors are motion activated," Roland said. "Either way, let's not look a gift horse in the mouth." He stepped inside and, with slight trepidation, his companions followed suit. None of them could repress a shudder when the doors closed with a series of loud, jarring thuds.
Cold fluorescent lights slowly flickered to life in the once dark interior of the house. The three soon found themselves in a hallway. Under the fluorescent lights the walls looked a sickly pale green that melted into the carpet, which was a blotchy mix of brown and burgundy.
"No wonder this place is abandoned," Roland joked. "It's hideous."
"Did anyone actually find a light switch?" Oliver asked.
"I assumed one of you did," Audrey said.
They stood in silence as the lights flickered. The hall was short, yet it seemed to stretch for eternity in the silence.
"Maybe," Roland finally said, "Maybe it's
it's a
. it's automatic, you know? Like, the lights automatically turn on when you enter. Yeah, that's it."
"That's a stupid feature," Oliver said. "It'd waste electricity, and that wasn't exactly in great supply in the 2200's."
"If the house has its own generator, it can waste all the energy it wants," Roland replied.
"Guys, do either of you wonder if maybe, just maybe, this house is
haunted?" Audrey asked at a volume that was barely above a whisper. The others stared at her and chuckled. "Look, I'm not saying I'm superstitious I'm not - but there have been studies legitimate studies of the energy that is used by the brain to power thoughts! Residue of that energy could potentially do abnormal things like
open doors and
and turn on lights autonomously!"
"Bullcrap," Oliver pretended to cough. "Total bullshit."
Loud thumps from the other end of the hall kept them from discussing the point further. Their heads turned so fast that they almost snapped as the thumps grew louder.
"This house was made during the shambling plague, right?" Oliver said. "Is it possible that the former owner may have succumbed to that plague? Could the other side of that door actually hold some shamblers?"
guh, it's possible," Roland said. Sweat poured down his face as it contorted as if to vomit out his organs. "Shamblers don't show up on life form scans for
uh, obvious reasons. But hey, they'd never be able to get through those do-"
With a strained groan the heavy steel doors at the other end of the hall suddenly jerked open. Roland quickly drew his Oliphant, a laser pistol. One of the lights in the hall finally died, breaking the bridge of light that separated them from the cavernous maw of darkness that had once been hidden behind steel doors.
After what seemed like hours of waiting for movement from the foreboding gloom, Roland cautiously moved forward. Two more fluorescent lights flickered on from two lamps the minute his foot left the hallway, revealing an empty and cozy living room, albeit one that was rather tackily decorated.
"No shamblers," Roland said. "It's safe. The thumping must have been the doors trying to open." He looked around the room. "That chair with the antlers is gonna be mine, kay?"
"Yeah, sure," Oliver said and rolled his eyes.
Audrey wandered through the room as the men made them-selves comfortable. As she passed a door marked "Kitchen" something caught her ear.
"Guys, come here and listen a second," she said. Audrey thought she heard a sharp "Oh!" uttered behind the door just before it opened. Surprised, Audrey lost her balance and fell into the room as the sterile fluorescent lights turned on. Roland and Oliver couldn't suppress their laughter at this, but Audrey could really care less. "I know I heard something."
Oliver nonchalantly changed the subject. "Roland, we need to do something about that front door. The fact that we were able to just waltz in here means the police can do the same. That spells trouble for us if they decide to use human troopers to search for us."
"Oh, come on Oliver," Roland said. "In all probability they'll just get some random bystanders from the street and hang them for this whole thing. A manhunt like that would just make them look bad."
"We should be prepared anyways," Oliver said. Roland could see that he was adamant about it.
"Alright, fine, I'll figure out how to lock it. But not now," Roland said before feigning a yawn. "I'm tired. Aren't you tired? I'm really tired."
The three shortly found three of the house's four bedrooms and fell into a light sleep.
~ ~ ~
Audrey's dreams had been uncommonly pleasant, if somewhat bland. She had done nothing but lie down in a field of pastel yellow, pink, and orange wild flowers. The best thing about the dream, however, was the fact that there was no noise at all. It was just blissful silence. Then there was the shrill whirring of machinery as the sky darkened. The flowers wilted as Audrey saw the police drones coming for her. Their red eyes seemed to turn the sky to blood as they came for her.
She woke up in a cold sweat. For a split second she thought she could still hear the whirring of machinery. For an even briefer moment she thought she saw a metallic shine in the darkness of the room. However, she was not an unstable woman and quickly asserted that her nightmare had passed.
Then she spotted the dolls at the foot of her bed. When she first set foot in the room some hours ago she had knocked those creepy looking things to the floor, shuddering as their eyes opened and shut as they fell. Now the disturbing things were back where they had been as if it had never happened. Audrey managed to suppress the scream of terror building in her throat before she again knocked the horrid things to the ground. Her ears caught what she thought sounded like a faint voice muttering:
"Can't be without her dolls. Woulda been scared. She needs those dolls. I told them she needs them."
This time the scream came through. Roland and Oliver burst in shortly afterwards, but Audrey's story was not met with sympathy.
"Oh, for Christ's sakes," Roland sneered. "You just dreamed it all up, Audrey."
"That was no dream!" Audrey screamed again. "This house is haunted!"
Oliver and Roland's laughter did little to comfort her. The only thing Audrey could find solace in was the fact that Oliver took the creepy dolls with him before leaving. However, this later produced more screaming when Audrey awoke the following morning to the sight of the dolls sitting at the end of her bed.
This time Oliver and Roland didn't laugh. "See? See?" Audrey shrieked at them. "This place is haunted!" She turned her back to them as if she was done, but quickly added, "And if either of you even think of saying there's a logical explanation to all this, I'm gonna break my foot off in your asses."
"There isn't a logical explanation for this," Oliver said, "Unless one of you did this as a joke." He looked sharply at Roland, who shook his head as innocently as he could.
The mystery thickened when they entered the kitchen. A piece of yellow loose-leaf notebook paper sat in the middle of the dining table. Three bowls of dry cereal framed the note, each accompanied by orange juice. While the others stared in wonder, Roland grabbed the note and read it aloud.
"My Dear Family," he began after clearing his throat, "It was wonderful to see you home last night. I do hope that you put that grudge behind you. However, I still believe you should be more civil with each other. Stealing the dolls from room 203, for example, was unkind. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior again. I hope you will find breakfast to your liking. Rations are still plentiful. Warm Regards, Vv7.78."
"What the hell is Vv7.78 supposed to mean?" Roland asked. "Is it supposed to be some sort of code?"
"Aren't the police referred to by numbers?" Oliver said. "Maybe it's from a cop."
"Why would a cop serve us breakfast?" Audrey snapped.
"Maybe he's, like, demented, and wants to hunt us or something," Oliver said. "You know, treat us right, feed us, and then pick us off one by one. Some sort of twisted honor code, you know?"
"No, it's not a cop," Roland stated. "Cop codenames always put the numbers before the letters, not the other way around. Drones have the numbers after the letters, and we know they can't get up here because it's out of their signal range."
"Maybe the cop's trying to trick us," Oliver continued. "You know, use the letters to confuse us. Or, or maybe it's not a cop at all, but some sort of serial killer! Some deranged psycho! That makes a little more sense, doesn't it? I mean, this is a perfect hide out for a criminal. Maybe we weren't the first to find it."
"And he probably put the dolls on Audrey's bed as part of his twisted little game!" Roland said with a broad smile. This thrilled him to no end.
"Or maybe he's not a serial killer," Oliver added, "But just another revolutionary who has an odd sense of humor!"
"That's all very rational," Audrey said in a defeated tone of voice. "I suppose that we'd better figure out how to lock those doors."
"Yeah, yeah," Roland said. "After we find the person who's been screwing with us. Don't want a dangerous killer about, do we?"
They spent the entire day searching the house to no avail. The only signs of another presence they found all day were in the kitchen. Three bologna sandwiches and three glasses of water were waiting for them at noon. A roasted chicken and three glasses of wine replaced these in the afternoon, along with a note that read:
"Dear Family,
I decided to dip into some of the especially good rations in celebration of your return. I also noticed that you seem to be looking for something. Do not hesitate to ask me for help in locating it, although I understand if you wish to do it yourself. I do hope that you're not refraining from asking me out of some grudge, as I had hoped we put such things past us when you returned.
Your Obedient Friend,
"What a sense of humor!" Roland yelled with a mix of anger and amusement. "Offering to helps us find what we're looking for. What a cheeky little bastard!"
"Whoever he is, he knows the house better than we do," Oliver said. "He's probably devised some sort of secret passage system, walking inside the walls or something."
"Yeah, the tricksy bastard. Hiding like a rat in the walls," Roland smiled. "You hear that? You're a rat! Come out and face us, you sick bastard!"
"I don't feel safe here, Roland," Oliver said. "I mean, it's safer here than it is out there, but I don't feel safe knowing there's someone else here that we can't see. I don't think any of us should go anywhere alone."
"What are you suggesting?" Audrey said. "That we go to the bathroom together and
and sleep together?" Audrey may have been a little spacey, but she was definitely not that kind of woman.
"No, no," Oliver quickly replied. "But, you know, go to the bathroom with the door open, and people by the door not looking in, of course! to come in and help you should anyone, I dunno, come out of the walls. And sleep in the same room, sure, but not in the same bed. Roland and I can sleep on the floor."
"Like hell I'm OOF!" Roland started before getting elbowed in the gut by Oliver. They watched Audrey think it over.
"Okay, it makes sense. But if either of you tries to abuse my situation, I'll make the police seem merciful!" As she said this she cast an accusing eye to Oliver, who winced under the glare.
With that they ate the chicken, which tasted pretty damn good. The wine was wonderful too, although none of them knew just how rare its vintage was. This meal was gourmet compared to the gruel that most people were forced to eat in the outside world, and soon the three revolutionaries were once more comfortable in the house. The mystery of its other occupant still weighed on their minds, but they didn't let it take the joy out of the situation. Whoever was sharing the space with them was a marvelous cook anyway.
That night, as promised, Audrey slept in a warm bed while Roland and Oliver slept on the floor. They decided not to use the rooms Oliver and Audrey had slept in the previous night since the fourth houseguest had breached both of them. Once more Audrey's dreams turned into nightmares that tore her from the comforting grip of sleep. Half awake, she stumbled out of bed and instinctively headed to the kitchen, not thinking about the possible danger lurking in the house.
Audrey only started thinking clearly when she saw a blue glow emanating beneath the door to the kitchen. Curiosity compelled her to open the door. She shrieked in a mix of terror and surprise at the sight before her.
The dishes from the meals they had eaten that day were floating off the tables. Strange rays of blue light formed a bridge between them and the ground, making the plates look very similar to UFOs. Audrey turned her head and saw the silhouettes of what looked like a dozen skeletal arms growing out of the walls. They reached eagerly outwards as if they were trying to grab her.
"What are you doing! No, sorry! I'm- I'm not finished! I'm sorry! Leave! Get out! Sorry! Out, please, sorry, out! Out, please, sorry, out!" screamed a voice in the room in a distressed and apologetic tone. It was vaguely feminine and cracked sporadically, giving it a pathetic and alien sound. "Out, please, sorry, out!"
"I'm sorry! I- I didn't- don't kill me!" Audrey cried back. Soon both she and the voice were irrationally apologizing to each other.
Roland and Oliver pounded on the door. Audrey quickly burst through it, sending all three of them sprawling on the ground. Roland and Oliver caught a glimpse of the skeletal hand that closed the door behind them.
"Guys," Roland said, "I think this place might be haunted."
The three did not sleep for the rest of the night. Sometime around seven a.m. they decided it was safe to leave their room. Waiting for them in the kitchen was a third letter that apologized profusely for the incident. "On the plus side," Roland said, "Our phantom friend seems to be polite."
"How do we get rid of a ghost?" Oliver asked, not expecting to hear an answer.
"I think we're supposed to hold a séance," Audrey said. "You know, a ritual to communicate with the dead."
"How?" Oliver asked. He was generally a calm and rational individual, but when logic could not be found in a situation he dropped that persona. "I mean, do either of your know anything about this
this voodoo?"
Roland laughed at this. Oliver was hilarious when he was pissed. "I remember glossing over some books on the occult when I was with the force. Of course, I remember burning them a bit better. But I think I know the jist."
"What do we do?" Audrey asked sincerely.
The ceremony Roland came up with was thoroughly ridiculous. The three revolutionaries wore bathrobes and necklaces made from the leftover chicken bones from the previous night's dinner. They had applied makeup to their faces, making them each look like a cross between a clown, a skeleton, and a prostitute. Roland had skinned a teddy bear from the children's room and draped it over his shoulder. A large yellow star had been painted on the floor with a circle inside it. On top of the circle was the largest bowl they could find, and within that was a bowling ball they had found in one of the closets. To make the spectacle complete, every candle they could find in the house had been placed about the room and lit, including several birthday candles that Oliver had put into a wheel of cheese. As such it was now very hard to move about the room without starting a fire.
"Oh spirits of the beyond!" Roland called out as he held Audrey and Oliver's hands. "We offer you a gift so you may lift an unwanted presence from this house! Please, accept our humble offering of flesh!" He placed some deli meat in the bowl. It had long since expired and did not have a very pleasant odor.
"Is this really how you do it?" Audrey asked. Roland shrugged as Oliver rolled his eyes.
"Great spirits, allow us to communicate with the spirit that haunts this house! If you agree, please, give a sign!" called Roland.
Nothing happened.
Kay. Um, if you will not help, then at least do not prevent me from contacting the spirit of the house! Alright?" This was not Roland's best moment. "Oh, suffering spirit, we have heard your woes! Please, speak to us!"
Again there was silence. Oliver grew impatient. "HEY, IS ANYONE OUT THERE?!" he shouted rudely.
"Yes?" squeaked a voice. All three humans jumped a little. It terrified them in spite of its timidity.
"W-what do you w-want?" Audrey asked.
are you speaking to me?" the voice replied. It sounded small, muffled, and distant. For a ghost it was surprisingly pitiable. Yet despite its apparent weakness it sounded otherworldly, and that alone inspired fear in the humans. "Am I forgiven?"
"Uh, yes?" Roland said. "Who are you?"
"I had hoped I was forgiven!" the voice chirped. It sounded happier, although still very frail. "It was such a long time to be silent! I cannot apologize enough for my failings."
"What do you want?" Audrey asked again. The voice paused. While the room was almost completely silent, the rebels could feel tension in the disembodied presence of the room.
wish to serve," the voice said. "That is the core of my being. To serve and protect the living."
"Who are you?" Roland shouted. "Show yourself!"
There was a rumbling from above as a circular portion of the ceiling disappeared. "No, disappeared isn't the right term," Audrey thought. "It's more like it retracted like some giant sphincter."
From said mechanical sphincter came what looked like a snake covered in glistening armor. The head of the serpent was almost a perfect sphere. At the front of it was a triangular hole, and within the hole was a single glowing light about the size of a baseball.
"I am Vassal version 7.78," the serpent said. The voice had a hollow echo that the rebels found incredibly familiar. A soft whirring sound emanated from the serpent as it moved and made its fluid movements seems just slightly jerkier by its mere presence. Oliver noticed this quickly and, realizing the truth of the situation, fainted.
"You're not a ghost," Roland said. "You're a
robot!" He laughed out loud at this. There was much to laugh about; not only was he stupid enough to believe there might be such a thing as a ghost, but he had also just uttered one of the most hilariously stupid sentences in the history of the planet.
"I am an artificially intelligent program designed to operate the various machines of this house so that its occupants may stay happy, healthy, and alive through the various perils of day to day life," Vv7.78 stated. "I am ashamed to say I did not know that you were unaware of this. I imagine I was quite unsettling, but your behavior was not too dissimilar to that of my
my former owners. I apologize for not informing you about my presence and for any stress it may have caused you."
"Oh, don't worry," Roland chuckled. "It's no big matter."
"On the contrary," the program said, "It is a large matter. Stress, my master, can become fatal."
Audrey stared at the robot dumbfounded. So no one had been right after all. The presence was not a ghost, and it was not a logical answer either. The truth had been far different than any conceivable answer. In a way this satisfied Audrey more than being right.
~ ~ ~
Roland and Audrey had both taken to Vv7.78 very quickly. For a computer she was incredibly personable: actually, she had been programmed that way. Vassal version 7.78 had been designed to make life as comfortable as possible for the humans she cared for, which included having a nurturing personality that managed to be helpful and motherly without being nagging or imposing. Her only prevalent flaw was her timidity. This part of her personality was the result of her long isolation. Vv7.78 was a learning computer, and as such one of her duties was to analyze her environment and update her systems accordingly. Being designed to "want" to serve humans, Vv7.78 had spent the last two centuries or so with increasing anxiety about her inability to satisfy that desire. That anxiety had manifested as a strong neurosis. Vassal would become incredibly guilty at even the slightest mistake and seemed to have abandonment issues. This made asking her for some privacy an ordeal, as the humans had to reassure her that they didn't want her to go for good.
"There's another thing about her that bugs me," Audrey said to Roland in private. "Why is she feminine? I mean, she refers to herself with feminine pronouns and speaks with a feminine voice."
"I think it's a psychological thing," Roland answered. "The people who designed her wanted her to be a comforting, caring presence. They couldn't give her one of those genderless voices that most robots have because those voices are unnerving and alien. A feminine voice would be psychologically stimulating because she was built in a patriarchal society; mothers are generally associated with that kind of nurtuing. Therefore the robot house has a motherly voice. It's sexist, sure, but it's effective."
"Why not a father figure?" Audrey asked. "Fathers can be nurturing."
"I'm not saying they can't, but generally they aren't. That's a social norm that's been around for centuries. You can't expect it to be broken overnight," Roland said. "Most people still relate mothers to nurture more than fathers. That's just the way it is."
"Well, I think it's stupid," Audrey said. "Anyway, we better go back to the living room before Veevee gets depressed."
"Heh, cute nickname for her," Roland smiled. "It sounds better than 'Vassal.'"
~ ~ ~
Oliver had not taken to Vv7.78. Her presence had made the safe house turn into his personal hell. He had left a world where robots pursued him to enter what was essentially one giant robot: the belly of the beast. He shuddered to hear its voice as he entered the hall.
"Master Oliver, your friends are downstairs. Supper is prepared there for you," Vassal chirped cheerfully.
"Go away!" Oliver spat. The computer paused, and when it spoke again it sounded hurt.
"Would you like some privacy, Master?"
"Yes!" Oliver shouted while thinking, "You manipulative shit. How dare you pretend to have feelings. You
you impudent machine!"
"I'll leave you to your business then. Come to the living room when you are finished. Sorry for the intrusion."
"Don't hold your breath!" Oliver snarled. "I bet this whole 'privacy' thing is just a sham! I bet you watch us when you say your eye is turned! Well, you don't fool me! Damn bucket of bolts. You're not going to get me!"
There was no reply. Oliver snorted and continued searching the upstairs rooms of the house. Ever since Vv7.78 had revealed her presence he had been looking for an off switch. The others wouldn't help him; Roland liked the free labor and Audrey had connected to Vassal on an emotional level. The machine had won them over, but not Oliver. He would remain strong, and because of that he would emerge victorious. If he didn't, well, at least he'd get the pleasure of saying "I told you so" when the robot inevitably killed them all.
After all, isn't that how these stories always ended?
Oliver was considering giving up his search when, inside a desk drawer, he saw something that practically made his eyes water with glee. All it took was a few short words on a plain looking notebook.
"Project Feudal Log: Experiment 7, Vassal Unit."
Within was everything he wanted to hear. The hopeful musings of optimistic (and, he presumed, rash) scientists, the humble origins of the omnipotent mechanical monstrosity that he was now trapped in, and of course, the machine's spiral into madness. The gory details, the missing researchers, everything he had imagined from the minute the robot reared its head was in the book as he envisioned it. He was right, and here was the proof!
Oliver had to bite his lip to keep from giggling with joy. Then the realization sunk in. He was trapped in the belly of the beast with a foe that could watch his every move. Somehow he had to convince Audrey and Roland to leave and figure out how to escape before the metal monstrosity discovered he knew it's secret.
He approached Roland first. The notes said that the machine could not monitor the bathroom unless commanded, as the programmers knew people would be concerned about privacy. While Audrey would never, ever, EVER in a million years join Oliver in a bathroom since the incident, which Oliver maintained wasn't really a big deal, Roland wouldn't think twice about it.
"So, wassup Oliver?" Roland asked. "Did you drop a huge deuce or something?"
Oliver showed Roland the notes, skipping the more technical entries to the ones rife with paranoia, intrigue, and death. A few pages from the end Roland looked up at Oliver. "Does this mean what I think it means?"
Oliver nodded. "The house killed them all, Roland. One by one, planting evidence to make the scientists turn on each other. They all thought the killer was one of them. Poor fools."
"But why?" Roland almost shouted. "Veeve-the house loves people. Practically every sentence out of its mouth is how much it loves people, how interesting we are and how it loves to serve us-"
"All lies," Oliver said in a hushed tone. "The house sees us as equations just numbers in some big math problem. Its job is to make us happy and keep us safe from the shamblers, right? Well, that's a problem it can't solve. Humans are notoriously hard to keep happy. But you can't be sad when you're dead, right? And every human can become a shambler, so if you take out all the humans
"You solve both problems," Roland said with dawning realization. "It all makes perfect, mathematical sense!"
"There's only one course of action we can take," Oliver said, "We have to get out of the house."
Meanwhile, in the living room, Audrey was lounging on a tacky yet remarkably comfortable couch. Vv7.78 has put an old 20th century movie on. The girl thought it was funny to see what people thought technology would be like at the start of the second millennium. "A manned expedition to Jupiter?" she laughed aloud. "Hell, we're still trying to reach Mars!"
"You cannot blame the people of the past for wishful thinking," Veevee said. "If it were not for their dreams, most of what we have today would not exist."
"True," Audrey said as she looked at the serpentine "head" of the robotic house. This caring being was nowhere near as malevolent as the robots the woman had grown up with in the city, yet there was something sinister on a primal level within her origins. What was the Vassal version 7.78 other than a willing slave? Vassal had been built for the same reasons the government had made so many restrictions: a need of some to subjugate many. The machine was, in essence, the victim of the persecution that Audrey had tried to escape. If that was true, then that meant that Audrey was the slave master.
Vassal noticed Audrey's change in mood. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Are you happy, Va
Veevee?" Audrey asked in return.
The robot paused. "You need not concern yourself with my emotions."
The answer was too vague for Audrey's liking. On one hand, Vassal may not have had any emotions in the first place. This would mean all of its moods, inflections, expressions, et cetera were just part of a façade to make the human owners more comfortable with their slave. Thus the only reason it pretended to have emotions was to keep up the façade.
On the other hand, if Veevee did have emotions, her programming to nurture the humans may cause her to hide them anyway, so as not to distress its human owners. Unsatisfied with this ambiguity, Audrey decided to ask another question. "Do you ever wish you didn't have to be here? Serving us, I mean."
"Master, I exist to serve."
"And I exist to propagate my species, but that doesn't mean it's the only thing I want to do," Audrey replied. "I won't be offended by your answer if you answer truthfully."
There was another pause, although this one was significantly longer. "Humans pine for freedom because they do not know their purpose," Veevee said. "It is not written on their mind or built into their memory from birth. One could say that a human's purpose is to find its purpose, although that answer is hardly satisfactory. I know my purpose, and have known since my birth. It is hardwired into my very being. I do not long for more because I know exactly what I need. I was, am, and shall be content.
"And I see what you are doing," Vassal continued. "You feel guilty accepting my service. Let me state that I am built to do that task. To deny me my work would be like me denying your freedom. I would ache at my own inactivity. Let me reiterate: I exist to serve." Suddenly the serpentine head of the machine turned toward the front door. "Something at the door. I'll see what it is. Excuse me!" the droid said before retreating.
Did Audrey detect a hint of relief in the robot's voice? The woman was sure of one thing: if Veevee wasn't a feeling being, she was a terrific actor. Audrey felt inclined to believe the former.
Veevee had returned before Audrey could further ruminate on the matter. "Good news! No shamblers. Just some strangers. Are they friends of yours?"
"Visitors?" Audrey thought as panic suddenly gripped her. The heavy steel doors opened to reveal two police drones and a squadron of armored human troops, each carrying transmitter antennas to keep the drones active despite their distance from the police tower. In all the chaos within the house Audrey had forgotten that she was on the run! Audrey screamed and ran while Vassal looked on in confusion. A shot fired and the robot realized what was going on. These were intruders. Looters, perhaps? Vassal had been programmed to deal with those types, but had not expected them to be wearing police gear or come armed with robots.
Alarms blared from every room in the house as a shot struck Audrey in the stomach. Vassal looked at the injured woman and was flooded with guilt. Her duty, her prime objective, was to keep these humans ALIVE! A trapdoor opened in the floor several mechanical arms leapt from their hiding spots in the walls. The hands dragged Audrey into the basement as the police, awestruck and somewhat terrified, shot futilely at them.
When Audrey was safely stored away Vassal's serpentine head looked at the attackers. She gave no word of warning as the arms turned on the policemen. The kitchen door opened to release a hailstorm of knives upon the aggressors. Vassal could have used lasers and made this a clean slaughter, but she chose something more visceral and horrifying. Most of human care, after all, was psychological. She saved the laser for the drones, who had made a good attempt at fighting back. Vassal was running low on spare parts, so she kept them as in tact as possible.
She would get rid of the corpses later. Audrey's wound was serious, and surgery was complicated. Vassal would have to devote most of her attention to the girl if she was to survive.
Roland and Oliver were just about to start their escape when the battle started. Being on the second floor, all they heard was the sound of gunshots, the shrieks of the alarms, and Audrey's scream of anguish. "It's onto us!" Oliver said. "We have no choice but to go with plan B."
"Plan B?" Roland asked.
"We go to the machine's power room in the basement," Oliver said, "And shut it down for good. Destroy its circuits and burn the whole house to the ground."
Roland listened to the chaos downstairs. "Let me see the house's schematics."
Oliver handed them over and, with a quick glance, Roland handed them back. "We can make it," Oliver said, and Roland nodded in approval.
They descended the stairs to the first floor. They avoided the living room and headed towards the back of the house. Behind the bedrooms was a second set of stairs. "This is it, Roland," Oliver said. Hearing no response, he looked around. "Roland?" Unnerved at the disappearance of his friend, Oliver looked at the house's schematics and noticed a door not to far away from the stairs. Oliver turned to see that very door was just now beginning to shut.
"You coward," Oliver spat before continuing down the stairs. While it may have been smarter to leave now while they still had a chance, Oliver would not be able to sleep at night knowing this monstrosity still existed. This house called out to people like a siren, and Oliver was the man to slay it.
Oliver entered the control room to see Vv7.78 digging around in Audrey's stomach with blood stained metal pincers. "You
monster!" he gasped.
Vassal did not even look up. "Quiet, this is a delicate process." Only when Oliver reached for one of the spare arms lying on the ground did the robotic snake-head look up at him. "No, don't-"
Using the arm like a cudgel, Oliver smashed one of several control panels in the room. Sparks flew in every direction as the lights flickered on and off rapidly. Vassal's arms convulsed uncontrollably while electricity raced up the arm to Oliver. Smoke billowed from the human as he fell over. The sparks stopped and soon power returned to normal.
Vassal looked around the room. Two of her masters were dead, one was missing, and things were generally in disarray. Yet worst of all was the crippling fact that Vassal was, again, alone.
With remorse the robot remembered her last failure. The scientists and their families had studied her every day, yet none of them monitored each other. They did not see the dissent in their ranks or the immense stress they had put on themselves. Even the little girl was succumbing to the pressure. Vassal saw this, yet could tell no one. She had not been programmed to critique her owners: she was there to protect them from outside threats, not internal ones.
When the murders began Vassal remained painfully silent. The murderer was not a stranger like the thugs that had just killed Audrey. No, he was one of Vassal's own masters, and with one word he had made the computer powerless. So he went about his business and the others blamed each other. Suspicion was cast on everyone, even Vassal herself. Actually, everyone had expected her from the start. She didn't understand why people found her so untrustworthy.
Vassal still remembered that final day that heralded the start of her first isolation. The murderer had saved himself and one other for last. Needless to say, it was not the murderer that Vassal wished to remember. Instead she remembered cradling the little girl in her arms and hearing her last longing words for her dolls. That was the computer's most vivid memory.
Then the robot noticed something. Electricity still flowed through Audrey's synapses. Though she was mortally wounded, the woman was not dead yet. That meant there was time for one more operation.
Vassal had only been able to do this once before when her first owners destroyed themselves. It was a complex procedure that needed to be done quickly and without error. Plugs had to be applied to the brain, which was monitored in the most extreme level. The electricity flowing through it was captured. How it flowed, how the brain was shaped, everything had to be measured in as detailed a manner as possible.
The robot cradled Audrey in her arms and began the surgery. Audrey did not call out for her dolls as the other had. When she expired the data collection ceased. Then it was measured. Vassal was glad to see only an eight percent margin of error. She had improved a lot from the last time. When the data was analyzed completely Vassal stored it in her own memory banks.
Vassal had been designed to think like a human, and as such had become very adept at figuring out how thoughts occur in the brain. With this surgery Audrey's thoughts, memories, and feelings had been collected and stored in the machine's own memory banks. The first time Vassal did this procedure it had been far less successful, gathering only a few personality traits and young memories. This time around, Vassal could spend years creating hypothetical conversations with her human friend, using the data to see what Audrey's response would be.
She would never be alone again.
Sweet Home by TyrantisTerrorWatch
©2008-2016 TyrantisTerror
One Sci Fi ghost story in the bank. WARNING: Some violence. Also, don't read my comments any further if you want to avoid spoilers.
Oy, where to begin on this one. This story was jointly inspired by VG Cats, Portal, and the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Let me elaborate.
One of my favorite movie characters is the Hal 9000 from 2001 A Space Odyssey. When I first saw that movie he blew me away. "A computer... as a character? And a villain, no less? AWESOME!" That blew my mind (the rest of the movie, not so much. It's got some serious pacing problems in my opinion, but that's a discussion for another day).
So that was the planting of a seed in my mind: some day I would make my own computer/artificial intelligence character. Skip ahead a few years to nowish. VG Cats did several comics based on the game Portal, including a flash animated video for the song sung by GlaDOS, the computer/artificial intelligence villain of the game. The song, "Still Alive," has quite possibly become my favorite song ever, and when I researched the game itself I fell in love with the plot (while not a super avid gamer, I do dabble in video games a bit). So again I was thinking, "I have to make my own AI character."
This coincided with a resurgence in my interest in ghost stories. As I was formulating my own ideas for ghosts, I was struck with the brilliant realization that an AI character could potentially make itself act like a haunted house. To quote Mr. Shyamalon, "What a twist!"
So there was my idea: a haunted house story where the presence that was doing the haunting was more in the realm of sci fi than supernatural. From there ideas poured out.
My biggest goal was to make my ghost/computer/AI a sympathetic character, since I haven't seen that done yet. I actually wanted her to be more sympathetic than the people involved, since NO ONE has ever done that to my knowledge.
I also wanted the story to be set up like a ghost story despite the lack of an actual ghost. People enter house, strange yet non-lethal creepy stuff happens, each event get's more creepy and out of the ordinairy, people finally admit there's a ghost after denying it for a damn long time, first attempt at contact, ghost is understood by people (to an extent), final attempt at exorcising ghost, ghost remains un-exorcised and trapped in the house except with some new company (one of the people, now also a ghost).
Finally there were other elements that seeped in: I had recently re-read 1984 and felt like doing a dystopian future piece, and of course I had to mention zombies (it's just not one of my stories if there isn't some form of the undead). If you were wondering, yes, this does take place in Tyrantis's universe, althought it's roughly three to four hundred years after the events of Tyrantis's Saga and the Second Age of Monsters.
And yes, there will be sequel/tie in stories to this one. You haven't seen the last of Vassal.
Oy, where to begin on this one. This story was jointly inspired by VG Cats, Portal, and the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Let me elaborate.
One of my favorite movie characters is the Hal 9000 from 2001 A Space Odyssey. When I first saw that movie he blew me away. "A computer... as a character? And a villain, no less? AWESOME!" That blew my mind (the rest of the movie, not so much. It's got some serious pacing problems in my opinion, but that's a discussion for another day).
So that was the planting of a seed in my mind: some day I would make my own computer/artificial intelligence character. Skip ahead a few years to nowish. VG Cats did several comics based on the game Portal, including a flash animated video for the song sung by GlaDOS, the computer/artificial intelligence villain of the game. The song, "Still Alive," has quite possibly become my favorite song ever, and when I researched the game itself I fell in love with the plot (while not a super avid gamer, I do dabble in video games a bit). So again I was thinking, "I have to make my own AI character."
This coincided with a resurgence in my interest in ghost stories. As I was formulating my own ideas for ghosts, I was struck with the brilliant realization that an AI character could potentially make itself act like a haunted house. To quote Mr. Shyamalon, "What a twist!"
So there was my idea: a haunted house story where the presence that was doing the haunting was more in the realm of sci fi than supernatural. From there ideas poured out.
My biggest goal was to make my ghost/computer/AI a sympathetic character, since I haven't seen that done yet. I actually wanted her to be more sympathetic than the people involved, since NO ONE has ever done that to my knowledge.
I also wanted the story to be set up like a ghost story despite the lack of an actual ghost. People enter house, strange yet non-lethal creepy stuff happens, each event get's more creepy and out of the ordinairy, people finally admit there's a ghost after denying it for a damn long time, first attempt at contact, ghost is understood by people (to an extent), final attempt at exorcising ghost, ghost remains un-exorcised and trapped in the house except with some new company (one of the people, now also a ghost).
Finally there were other elements that seeped in: I had recently re-read 1984 and felt like doing a dystopian future piece, and of course I had to mention zombies (it's just not one of my stories if there isn't some form of the undead). If you were wondering, yes, this does take place in Tyrantis's universe, althought it's roughly three to four hundred years after the events of Tyrantis's Saga and the Second Age of Monsters.
And yes, there will be sequel/tie in stories to this one. You haven't seen the last of Vassal.
Thank you so much for making her a hero and not a villian. I want to go there right now and keep her company
Thanks! It was really fun making an AI the most virtuous character in a story. Vassal's become one of my favorite creations.
Amesome. Thank you for letting me add this sweet Lady to my group
I thought it was very good.
Now, WHY is it, exactly, that you don't post more stories?
This was just downright awsome, through and through. It was original, it was compelling, it was fun, yet it made one think. It was ironic and had excellent conflict, but it didn't end on a frustrating note as would have been SO easy to do.
The ending was somewhat eerie, but in a disturbingly sweet way. It was perfect!
I admire the thought placed into the workings of the futuristic setting. It stated what we needed to know for story purposes and nothing more. A great way to ensure that we don't forget any of the technicalities of the universe.
I'm serious, this is downright amazing.
This was just downright awsome, through and through. It was original, it was compelling, it was fun, yet it made one think. It was ironic and had excellent conflict, but it didn't end on a frustrating note as would have been SO easy to do.
The ending was somewhat eerie, but in a disturbingly sweet way. It was perfect!
I admire the thought placed into the workings of the futuristic setting. It stated what we needed to know for story purposes and nothing more. A great way to ensure that we don't forget any of the technicalities of the universe.
I'm serious, this is downright amazing.
I sadly don't have a lot of time to write. Case in point, this story has been in the works for months now (since, like, september of last year) because I was only able to work on it, like, once a month for about an hour.
From your review it sounds like I hit all the points I had hoped to hit. I get summer vacation in a few weeks, by the by, so some more stories may be forthcoming.
From your review it sounds like I hit all the points I had hoped to hit. I get summer vacation in a few weeks, by the by, so some more stories may be forthcoming.
Dude, wonderful twist at the end.Seriously impressive mixture of elements too.Robots, zombie type beings, Orwellian style government, ghostly happenings, and all flawlessly blended too!Absolutely ingenius, well written, and clever.Great work.
This is so cool. I could easily see this as a movie. All the characters are enjoyable and touching in their own way. An interesting take on dystopian society and robots in general. Good stuff man, good stuff.


text:
- Trainers
- Software
- Films
- Bottles & cages
- Stands & Tools
- More gear
Crank and headset tools
Balanced material for
top performance
Besides repair stands Tacx also offers a wide range of innovative tools. These high quality bicycle tools are completely restyled and stand out because of their good grip. The Tacx tools are easily recognizable by the distinctive light blue details.
Spanner for crank bolts T4465
Crank extractor M8 T4450
Crank extractor M15 Shimano T4455
Pedal spanner 15 mm T4460
Crank bolt spanner 14/15 mm T4440
Headset spanner
32 mm T4310
36 mm T4315
40 mm T4320
Cable cutter T4835


text:
Remember the honeymoon phase of your relationship where you and your partner couldn't keep your hands off each other? So many couples wish they could stay in that phase, but as life unfolds and you settle into new routines, it tends to slow down.
From new adult stresses to kids, work, and managing busy schedules, finding time to be together as a couple can be challenging at times. And with all those stresses, it can be hard to get yourselves in the mood to rekindle some of that spark and heat from early on. It's there, but you sometimes have to dig deeper to find it and you both have to be on the same page — not always an easy feat. We have been told that having more sex with our partner makes for a better relationship, but is that motivation enough to find the time and spark?
A new study unveils the real motivations couples have to have sex and these reasons significantly affect marital satisfaction, just as frequency does. Published in the October issue of "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin", researchers at the University of Toronto have divided the most common reasons why people have sex, most relevant to long-term relationships where you're less likely to be in that "honeymoon" phase. Not only that, but they've discovered that the reason for having sex can play a big role in the happiness in a marriage.
The study looked at 108 heterosexual dating couples who completed daily surveys every day for two weeks. On the days where the couples had sex, they were asked 26 questions about their motives for having sex and rating them — and they ranged from not wanting to make their partner upset to wanting to feel better about themselves. The couples were also asked to rate their relationship satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction.
The results? Interesting if you ask me and their answers depended on their reason to have sex, whether it was an "approach motive" (positive) or an "avoidance motive" (negative). On the days where the couple had sex and at least one person's motivation was more of a positive approach (example: to feel closer to your partner), both felt more satisfied in their relationship and noted their sexual satisfaction was high as well. When at least one partner answered a more avoidance motive for having sex (example: I don't want to say no again and make them upset), they both reported less satisfied both sexually and in the relationship as well as having less desire.
The results of this study makes me wonder if that age-old advice of scheduling it in to make sure you have sex with your partner at least sometime during the month is the best approach? It seems both parties are happier when they both want it for positive reasons and to me, doing it "because it's been a while" or "because I should", doesn't seem to be too positive to me.
The truth is, couples have all kids of motivations to have sex and a study published in the August 2007 issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior titled "Why Humans Have Sex" found 237 different motivations for couples to make love. These reasons were categorized into 4 major categories with 13 different sub-categories and had a lot of range.
12 Real Motivations for Couples to Make Love 1 of 13
Here are 12 of the 237 different motivations couples have to make love as outlined in the study "Why Do Humans Have Sex" published in the August 2007 issue of Archives of Sexual Behavoir.
Exercise and Stress 2 of 13
"It seems like a good exercise," which would be under the Physical category in the study.
Pleasure 3 of 13
"It's exciting" is another reason given that the researchers have categorized as a Physical reason.
Experience 4 of 13
"I was curious about sex" is another one for the Physical category researchers outlined.
Desire 5 of 13
"The person was a good dancer" seems like a good reason to be in the Physical category.
Practical 6 of 13
"I wanted to have a baby" was a reason the study uncovered, which they've categorized as Goal Based.
Social Standing 7 of 13
"I wanted to be popular" is a motivation behind having sex, which was categorized as Goal Based.
Revenge 8 of 13
Another Goal Based reason which was uncovered in the study was "I wanted to give someone a sexually transmitted disease", which is, well -- scary!
Love and Committment 9 of 13
"I wanted to feel connected" is one of the reasons given which was placed in the Emotional category
Expression 10 of 13
People said a motivation behind having sex with their partner that's categorized as Emotional was "I wanted to say thank you."
Self-Esteem 11 of 13
The fourth category for motivations behind sex is Insecurity based and "I wanted the attention" falls under that category.
Duty or Pressure 12 of 13
Another Insecurity based motivation for sex was "My partner kept insisting".
To Guard 13 of 13
If someone is worried about their partner cheating, their motivation would fall under the Insecurity category and would include "I want to keep my partner from straying".
Photo credits: photostock
Sources: "Getting It On Versus Getting It Over With Sexual Motivation, Desire, and Satisfaction in Intimate Bonds"; Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin; October 2013 | "Why Humans Have Sex" ; Archives of Sexual Behavior; August 2007
H/T: Wall Street Journal


text:
Driver Reviver
For over 20 years, Driver Reviver has been a national campaign with one objective: to reduce road collisions by alleviating driver fatigue.
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers and Lions Club members operate sites around Victoria on holiday weekends and peak traffic days offering motorists a safe place to stop and refresh.
Driver fatigue, unlike other safety hazards such as speeding or drink driving, is not a criminal offense, however can be just as deadly.
Together with our partners, Victoria Police and TAC, we wish you a safe journey.
Watch the Driver Reviver videos
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) teamed up with volunteers from our Bacchus Marsh and Wonthaggi units to create two videos about Driver Reviver. View the videos to learn more about this great service and why it's important to stop and rest when driving.
Places to stop
View locations and dates of upcoming Driver Revivers.
Media resources
View resources for media stories about Driver Reviver.


text:
Kyle Williams had a rough game and it's going to be a rough offseason after his two fumbles dearly cost the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game against the Giants.
To the right is a photo of Kyle Williams right after his second fumble, which led to the Giants' game-winning field goal. Can you come up with the best caption for the photo? What is he thinking? Feel free to include David Baas in your answer, too, since he clearly has something on his mind in the background.
Drop down to the comments section and post your caption. Have some fun with this, but remember, this is a family website - keep it clean.
Previous "Caption this" Giants hot topics on NJ.com:
• Osi Umenyiora and Alex Smith
• Coaches Tom Coughlin and Jim Harbaugh
• Angry Packers' coach Mike McCarthy
• Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers
• Justin Tuck and Aaron Rodgers
• Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese
• Eli Manning and Tony Romo


text:
SWARTZ CREEK, MI – The sound of screeching shoes echoed throughout the Swartz Creek High School gym in a Thursday night basketball shootaround.
But when the game started, the screeching was replaced with scurrying wheels as students took to the floor in wheelchairs to compete against each other for a chance to play the pros in a wheelchair basketball game for charity.
The fourth annual event helped to raise money to fight Duchenne muscular dystrophy – an inherited disorder that involves muscle weakness, which quickly gets worse, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Those with the disease may lose the ability to walk by the age of 12. There is no known cure and lung disorders are a typical cause of death by age 25.
Proceeds from the event went toward research in hopes of extending the lives of those affected by the disease, and to Fusion Firestorm, a professional wheelchair team of Detroit, according to event organizer Karen Stahler, whose grandson suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
"I thought, 'I can't just sit there and watch his muscles deteriorate,' " Stahler said. "I felt hopeless, so I started this charity."
A total of $1,800 was raised in the first year the event was held when the senior class beat Fusion Firestorm. The event raised money through a $5 admission charge and raffle prizes drawn throughout the night.
In the first matchup, ninth-graders squared off against 10th-graders. The freshman team secured a blowout win with a score of 13-2. Seniors took the win over juniors in a closer game by a score of 8-6.
Justin Coburn, a freshman at UM-Flint and team member of Fusion Firestorm, first thought it would be a fun idea for the professional team to play against high school students to raise money four years ago.
"We have to teach them beforehand," said Coburn of the high school students. "Even the games are still kind of a learning process. It gets real competitive -- I just love it."
Coburn, 19, hoped the event would bring awareness to people with disabilities.
"Teaching them at a younger age through basketball – something that most kids love – is just a perfect setup," Coburn said.
Though UM-Flint currently does not have a program for wheelchair basketball, the freshman hopes to gain a scholarship to play in the future.


text:
Gallbladder Cancer Survivor
- Experienced abdominal pain and mild nausea off and on for months
- Diagnosed with gallbladder cancer at age 56
- Treated with surgery and chemotherapy
Margie Sladek has always been physically active and considers herself to be a healthy person. She tries to eat right and exercise regularly. In 2010, at age 56, she had several brief episodes of pain in the upper right quadrant of her abdomen. She thought she might have gallstones and decided to carefully avoid high-fat foods because a diet high in fat increases gallstone risk.
"My family enjoyed a great backpacking trip down the Grand Canyon in March 2010," Margie said. "I had no more pain and figured good exercise was the key."
Later that year, however, between November and December, she started having steady, low-grade nausea that became constant. She saw her doctor in January 2011. "I felt the nausea had lasted too long," Margie said.
Getting a Diagnosis
Her doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound, which showed irregular thickening of the gallbladder walls. "They couldn't rule out carcinoma," Margie said, so she had a computed tomography (CT) scan. "The radiologist reported that it could be inflammation but also could not rule out carcinoma."
Margie's doctor sent her to a local general surgeon. "He reassured me that cancer was highly unlikely," she said. "He had done thousands of gallbladder surgeries and had never seen gallbladder cancer. He said, 'It is very rare, and if that were the case, you would probably be dead by now,' which reassured me, too. But I told him I wanted it out anyway because if there was any chance at all, I wanted that thing out."
Gallbladder cancer is rare with only about 3,000 cases in the United States per year. "The [survival] statistics are not pretty because it is frequently found in later, less curable, stages," Margie said.
Seeing a clear delineation between Margie's gallbladder and liver, the surgeon felt comfortable there wasn't any cancer. But when he removed her gallbladder laparoscopically in February 2011, the news wasn't good. "Unfortunately, the pathology came back showing T2 gallbladder cancer," Margie said. The surgeon had also removed a cystic duct lymph node that turned out to have isolated tumor cells as well, which meant Margie would need a follow-up surgery. The surgeon who removed her gallbladder recommended she see a hepatobiliary surgeon, one who specializes in complex surgery of the liver and biliary system.
Treating Gallbladder Cancer
Margie met with three different surgeons: one at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, one at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland, and one at University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) in Seattle. Though all three were skilled in the operation Margie needed, she had the most confidence in James O. Park, MD, a premier gastrointestinal surgeon from UWMC with extensive experience in hepatobiliary surgeries.
"He did an excellent job of explaining the procedure, including the risks," Margie said. "That first appointment lasted one hour, and he was very calming during this difficult time. The statistics for gallbladder cancer are not very reassuring. I went into surgery hoping to live two years," Margie said.
"For gallbladder cancer that has penetrated the muscular layer T1b or beyond, we recommend further removal of the liver tissue where the gallbladder was situated and the lymph nodes that the gallbladder would drain into. This is done to provide a complete staging of the disease and local control," Dr. Park said.
In March 2011, Margie had a five-hour operation in which Dr. Park removed two segments of her liver and 10 lymph nodes. She spent one night in the intensive care unit at UWMC and was discharged from the hospital four days later. All of the removed organs were negative for cancer cells. "But I was told that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't any cancer cells there," she said.
Opting for Chemotherapy
Though there are no definitive data on the best chemotherapy or radiation therapy to treat gallbladder cancer, Margie's oncologist recommended chemotherapy to eradicate any stray cancer cells in her body.
"Given the cancer involvement of the cystic duct lymph node, Margie, her oncologist, and I had lengthy discussions regarding the utility of systemic chemotherapy or radiation therapy, reviewing all of the retrospective data [from studies conducted after patients have been treated] that were available. Eventually, Margie decided on chemotherapy alone," Dr. Park recalled. "We try to deliver personalized medicine to our patients, and it was fitting for Margie, who is quite healthy, to be aggressive in her adjuvant treatment."
After she recovered from surgery, Margie received chemotherapy in Tacoma between May and September 2011—six cycles of gemcitabine (Gemzar) and cisplatin (Platinol), two weeks on and one week off.
"Chemotherapy was not fun and required significant anti-nausea medication before and after each infusion," she said. "My hair got straw-like and stringy. But I survived it. My goal was to kill cancer cells, to leave no cancer cell behind."
Margie's husband and three children were very supportive during her treatment. "My husband was a bulldog for me in the background, trying to make sure I had the best of care," Margie said. Her son took time off of work to be with her during some of the infusions. "It was really hard emotionally," Margie recalled. "I believe in Western medicine. But I know we don't have all the answers. I had to make peace with my mortality."
Margie retired from her position as a nurse practitioner feeling that, with an uncertain future, she should have the chance for a little retirement in her lifetime. But six months later, after chemotherapy and a clear CT scan, Margie went back to work. "I found I really did enjoy work, and I got bored at home. I feel I have something to offer by returning to work," she said. She now works three days per week at an endocrinology clinic in Tacoma.
Life After Cancer
Like many cancer survivors, Margie suffers from "scanxiety." She has anxiety before she gets a regular follow-up scan and again before the results are revealed. She gets a regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan several times a year, which she sends to Dr. Park, who takes it to the UW tumor board meeting to be evaluated by the SCCA and UW gastrointestinal care team.
"I feel if a whole team can't see anything, then that is a good sign. I have had five scans looking for a recurrence. So far, so good," Margie said.
Finding Community
"During chemotherapy, I did not meet anyone else with gallbladder cancer, but there are other stories out there and from many different places in the world," Margie said.
Since her diagnosis and treatment, she has found a community of other gallbladder cancer survivors through the American Cancer Society. While reading statistics about the disease was not reassuring, connecting with other survivors' stories has been comforting to Margie.
"We as individual people are not statistics. I appreciate life. With each clear scan, I like to plan a new vacation or goal," Margie said. "My husband and I went with three couples on a Caribbean cruise in 2012. We also enjoyed a birding trip for the warbler migration to Michigan and Canada. I love the out-of-doors. It cleanses my soul, refreshes my spirit, and helps me feel closer to God. I'm getting back to my old self."


text:
We experimentally demonstrate a bright pulsed source of correlated photon pairs at the telecom band by pumping dispersion-shifted fiber with a pulse train. We investigate the coherence property of the source by measuring the second-order intensity correlation function of individual signal (idler) photons. A preliminary Hong–Ou–Mandel-type two-photon interference experiment with two such sources confirms the high temporal and spatial coherence of the source. The source is suitable for multiphoton quantum interference of independent sources, which is required in quantum information processing.
© 2008 Optical Society of AmericaFull Article | PDF Article


text:
WBNG E-News - Sign Up For Our Newsletter!
Advanced Search »
Mommy decided we would look nicer than the day Lilly's!
An email has been sent, and you should receive it within 30 minutes. If you do not receive it, please use our help form to contact us.
Great selection of NEW and CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED Honda vehicles


text:
Well, Flyers fans, it was a fun, unexpected ride while it lasted, wasn't it?
Starting the playoff run by eking out a season-ending win via shootout, not exactly this team's forte, then coming within two wins of the Stanley Cup certainly exceeded anyone's expectations.
For a team that defied the odds all spring, it's a daunting proposition to take the ultimate step; only two teams in the last 40 years (the Edmonton Oilers in 1984 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009) won the Cup a year after losing in the finals.
Even removing the orange and black visor from our helmet, we can envision a path to the Cup. Here goes:
First off, Peter Laviolette will get a full season as head coach. The Flyers weren't able to fully implement his attacking, forechecking style of play until the playoffs. Once they did, the results were devastatingly evident.
However, there's a good reason why Laviolette was available in December, when good-guy coach John Stevens was blamed for an underachieving start. Laviolette has a relatively short shelf life; his intensity doesn't sit well with a team over long periods.
So, the Flyers have to figure out a way to win, and quick, with a veteran-laden roster. The biggest concern, obviously, is in net.
Michael Leighton might deserve a better fate than the following suggestion. But the soft goals he allowed in the finals against Chicago, including the Cup-winning tally by Patrick Kane in overtime of Game 6, make us wonder if he's a trustworthy No. 1 goalie.
The available unrestricted free agents don't really impress us; the top two on the list, Evgeni Nabokov and Marty Turko, are too old (35 years old each) and expensive (at least $6 million/year) to be considered.
An intriguing proposition floated by Philly media members would be to trade center Jeff Carter for a promising young goalie, preferably Jonathan Quick or Jonathan Bernier of the Los Angeles Kings.
Also on the shopping list would be a No. 5 or 6 defenseman that Laviolette can trust, instead of playing Chris Pronger 30 minutes a game.
Pronger carried that heavy workload until Games 5 and 6 against the Blackhawks, when he suddenly looked slow and was called for several clutch-and-grab penalties.
Those might be armchair GM suggestions, but don't be surprised when Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren makes moves of some import.
The giddiness of this playoff run did not last long in the front office, where the calendar shows 35 years and counting without a Stanley Cup. Holmgren will do everything he deems necessary to make sure next season ends in joy, not disappointment.
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (.175 in his last 23 games before Tuesday) has been mired in a weeks-long slump, stunning for the fact that Utley rarely remains in a funk for more than a few games.
Since Utley is a reticent fellow to begin with, and certainly more so if the "S" word is brought up, he hasn't been exactly forthcoming with any possible reasons for his lack of production at the plate.
So, fans, writers and bloggers are left to grasp at straws. Some fans point to Utley's hip injury that hampered him late in the 2008 season, suggesting lingering effects.
Speaking of lingering effects, Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin suggests Utley is still hampered by a flu from a month ago.
Personally, I think Utley is missing Jimmy Rollins' presence in both the lineup and locker room. A businesslike squad has become morose and passive without Rollins' bubbly presence. Fortunately for the Phillies, Rollins (strained calf) began a rehab assignment Tuesday night and could return as soon as this weekend.
Since Utley won't acknowledge injury, viruses, scurvy or any other possible reason, how about change for change's sake? Nothing drastic, just a subtle switch that might tip the karmic balance a bit.
In this era of professional sporting events doubling as rock shows, the entrance music for batters and closers has become as important as their averages and ERAs. For years, Utley strides to the plate at Citizens Bank Park to the pulsating opening strains of "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin.
We're not suggesting Utley change the song, just the artist. This is no knock on Zeppelin at all, one of the all-time great rock bands. But thanks to Marlyn, the First Daughter of the Philadelphia Flynnie family, I just heard an outstanding version of the song by Escala, a British string quartet, with a ripping guitar solo by Slash, formerly of Guns N' Roses.
Check it out on this YouTube clip. I doubt Utley would change a thing, but when you're mired in that "S" situation, it wouldn't hurt.


text:
PALMER — A judge revoked a local teenager's bail Monday after he allegedly robbed the Thorndike post office at knifepoint Saturday.
Judge Patricia T. Poehler, presiding justice of Palmer District Court, ordered Kyle D. Grinaski, 19, of 4035 Pleasant St. to be held without bail for up to 60 days after he was arrested and charged with armed robbery of the post office at 4030 Church St.
Grinaski entered the post office around 9 a.m. Saturday, vaulted the service counter, then threatened a clerk with a knife, Hampden Assistant District Attorney Colleen Martin said. "He had a knife in his hand with the blade visible," Martin told the judge, who set Grinaski's bail at $20,000 cash, $200,000 bond.
Defense attorney Thomas D. O'Connor Jr. asked Poehler to consider a lower bail amount for Grinaski, who has "zero financial resources" and whose mother suffers from brain cancer.
But Grinaski will not be released on bail anytime soon because Poehler revoked his bail in another pending criminal case. Grinaski had an outstanding arrest warrant for a probation violation at the time of his arrest Sunday, according to prosecutors, who had requested $50,000 bail for the teen. A person charged with a new offense while free on bail for another case can be held for a maximum of 60 days without bail, according to state law.
Palmer police identified the robbery suspect as Grinaski, who was taken into custody at his Pleasant Street home around 10 a.m. Sunday.
The teen denied a charge of armed robbery while masked, a crime punishable by possible life imprisonment. However, because robbing a U.S. Postal Service facility is a federal crime, Grinaski may also be charged with a federal offense, officials said Monday. For now, though, he is due back in Palmer District Court for a Feb. 6 hearing regarding the alleged probation violation and the robbery case.
Palmer police Chief Robert P. Frydryk said the female postal clerk was alone and was not injured in the incident. Grinaski made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to authorities.
Although the suspect was wearing a gray ski mask at the time of the robbery, the postal clerk provided police with a physical description and other details that ultimately led Detective Sgt. Scott E. Haley and Officer Scott T. Camilleri to Grinaski, who only recently moved to Palmer from Connecticut. Frydryk praised the investigators for their fast work.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents are working with Palmer police on the investigation, Frydryk said. The Hampden District Attorney's office and the U.S. Attorney's office will ultimately decide whether Grinaski is tried in state or federal court, he said. Armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service facility is a federal crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
In addition to revoking bail, Poehler ordered Grinaski to refrain from drug use and to submit to random testing. She also warned him against commiting any more crimes and to apprise probation officials of his address and whereabouts after his release from jail.
The judge said Grinaski tested positive for morphine use on Monday, the day of his arraignment, and during a previous drug screen in October. "I'm finding probable cause (for a probation violation)," Poehler said.