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blogslut's Journal - Archives
Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Wed Jun 16th 2010, 06:35 AM
I painted it with light.
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Tue Jul 14th 2009, 12:53 PM
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Sat Dec 22nd 2007, 01:25 PM
Yesterday I discovered that someone was playing a dirty political trick. I wish I could tell you what that trick was but I can't and I won't. You see, what makes this trick so heinous is that it is only effective if it is exposed. In other words, the trick doesn't work unless I tell you what it is.
I came across the nasty trick while researching a news story that had been posted on DU. While I also won't provide the news story or the post where I read it, I will tell you that the trick involves:
1) Democratic candidate A
2) Democratic candidate B
3) A third party
4) The Internet
The moment I discovered this rat-f*cking trick I was floored. I thought, "This is big. Maybe not lying-us-into-war big, but big enough to make candidate B look very bad". In fact, initially, I thought candidate B was responsible for the trick. I confess, I was severely tempted to tell you all everything I found. Thank goodness I resisted, because the more I researched, the more I became convinced that the true source of the dirty trick was a third party.
To further clarify, I will explain that on the surface, the trick appears as if candidate B is slurring candidate A in a despicable fashion. Unfortunately, this kind of trick involves a knowledge of the web that the average citizen does not possess. Even sadder, the average news reporter also lacks the ability to comprehend the finer details of how this trick can be instigated by a third party. If this trick comes to light, it will probably serve its purpose in hurting the campaign of candidate B - while the third party lurks laughing, unnoticed and unscathed.
I came to DU with my vague suspicions and asked for advice. I read that advice, took it to heart and then took a nap. When I awoke, I did what some had advised and I had already decided to do: I called the campaign office of candidate A.
I was worried that the people working for candidate A would not understand what I had discovered. I was prepared to give a lesson on how this sort of thing works. I was even ready for the candidate A's people to scoff at and discard my warnings. My worries were unfounded.
The campaign worker I spoke to already knew everything about this secret, dirty trick. The whole campaign knows. They even know that there is a third party responsible.
This is where I bow in reverence to the people working for candidate A, as well as the candidate. This person has knowledge of something that could be spun effectively to further their cause. Instead of spinning, they have chosen to stay quiet. Whereas I would hope that if the tables were turned, candidate B would choose to be so ethical, I am not so sure.
As to the third party, they are still a mystery. I will continue to research the information on my own but I have faith that the people working for candidate A are on top of this. They will get to the bottom of it and if this dirty trick is ever exposed, I am positive that they will do the honorable thing and name that third party.
In closing, I suspect that the third party is waiting for an opportune moment to release the information that I found. I will give the third party a fair warning:
They're on to you. They already know what you're trying to pull and you're not going to get away with it.
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Tue Sep 18th 2007, 08:07 PM
It is never the intention of a satyagrahi to embarrass the wrongdoer. The appeal is never to his fear; it is, must be, always to his heart. The satyagrahis object is to convert, not to coerce, the wrongdoer, He should avoid artificiality in all his doings. He acts naturally and from inward conviction. - Gandhi
The Rules of Satyagraha:
1. Harbour no anger
2. Suffer the anger of the opponent
3. Never retaliate to assaults or punishment; but do not submit, out of fear of punishment or assault, to an order given in anger
4. Voluntarily submit to arrest or confiscation of your own property
5. If you are a trustee of property, defend that property (non-violently) from confiscation with your life
6. Do not curse or swear
7. Do not insult the opponent
8. Neither salute nor insult the flag of your opponent or your opponent's leaders
9. If anyone attempts to insult or assault your opponent, defend your opponent (non-violently) with your life
10. As a prisoner, behave courteously and obey prison regulations (except any that are contrary to self-respect)
11. As a prisoner, do not ask for special favourable treatment
12. As a prisoner, do not fast in an attempt to gain conveniences whose deprivation does not involve any injury to your self-respect
13. Joyfully obey the orders of the leaders of the civil disobedience action
14. Do not pick and choose amongst the orders you obey; if you find the action as a whole improper or immoral, sever your connection with the action entirely
15. Do not make your participation conditional on your comrades taking care of your dependents while you are engaging in the campaign or are in prison; do not expect them to provide such support
16. Do not become a cause of communal quarrels
17. Do not take sides in such quarrels, but assist only that party which is demonstrably in the right; in the case of inter-religious conflict, give your life to protect (non-violently) those in danger on either side
18. Avoid occasions that may give rise to communal quarrels
19. Do not take part in processions that would wound the religious sensibilities of any community
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Fri May 25th 2007, 10:41 AM
Last week, in a kpete thread concerning Palast's reportage on the Rove/Email/Caging/Vote scandal, another DUer (L. Coyote) posted a link to a YouTube video. The YouTube was film of double-bill speeches given by Palast and Robert Kennedy Jr. on May 1st. The YouTube was part one of eight parts. Being that I am lucky enough to have broadband, I decided to watch to the whole thing. That was, until I got to part three. That was when Greg Palast pissed me off.
To be more accurate, Mr. Palast didn't upset me. What he said upset me. His words upset me so much, I stopped the YouTube and left the computer. Here is what he said:
"A lot of people in this room think that George went in there to get the oil. Well, Exxon does not send in its exploration company with the 101st Airborne to find oil and bring it back so that Bobby can and fill up his yellow Hummer cheaply...(joke) Prius!
No. They send in the 101st to go in and find the oil and turn off the spigots. The lower the supply, the higher the price...So you think that the war is lost? Uh uh. The oil companies last year earned 120 billion dollars more profits than any set of corporations since the Pharoes. More profits than auto industries since the Model "T". When Bill Clinton was President the price of oil was $20 a barrel. Under George Bush, since the war tom toms started, the price has never gone below $50 a barrel. Twenty dollars a barrel...fifty dollars a barrel. Mission Accomplished."
I know the Iraq war was never about defense or terrorism. I knew it was about oil and money. The thing is, I always thought it was about getting the oil. It never occurred to me that it was about turning it off.
Many things about this administration upset me, but this...this is a whole new outrage for me.
Watch all 8 parts of the Palast/Kennedy speeches. Palast will infuriate you. Kennedy will inspire you.
Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du9QWpCWbbY...
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Thu Apr 12th 2007, 04:54 AM
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (1/22-2007 thru 12/14/2010)
Wed Mar 21st 2007, 02:13 PM
I pay for membership at a site called domaintools.com. With my membership, I am able to perform a reverse IP lookup. What that means is that I am able to query a list of all the domains that share a particular web server.
You may have heard that some emails sent and received in the DOJ/USA scandal, came from an email account that points to the domain gwb43.org. When one performs a WHOIS lookup for gwb43.org, they find that the domain is registered to the RNC.
When I perform a reverse IP lookup for the RNC's main domain, rnc.org, the domain, gwb43.org will not appear. That is because currently, there is no website configured for the address.
The Republican National Committee has 123 domains listed on their server. For a while, I thought it best to keep this information to myself. I'm not really sure why anymore.
Here is a list of all the domains that share the same IP as rnc.org:
1. 2004nycgop.com
2. 2004nycgop.net
3. 2004nycgop.org
4. Africanamericansforbush.com
5. Africanamericansforbush.org
6. Agendaforamerica.com
7. Agendaforamerica.net
8. Agendaforamerica.org
9. Arabamericansforbush.com
10. Arabamericansforbush.org
11. Asianamericansforbush.com
12. Asianamericansforbush.org
13. Barackosama2008.org
14. Bushenergy.com
15. Bushenergy.net
16. Bushenergy.org
17. Bushfarmandranchteam.com
18. Bushfarmandranchteam.org
19. Bushfarmteam.com
20. Bushfarmteam.org
21. Bushforpresident.com
22. Catholicsforbush.com
23. Debatefacts.com
24. Debatefacts.net
25. Debatefacts.org
26. Demfacts.com
27. Democratsforbush.com
28. Democratsforbush.info
29. Democratsforbush.net
30. Democratsforbush.org
31. Democratsforbush.us
32. Educatorsforbush.com
33. Educatorsforbush.org
34. Farmersandranchersforbush.com
35. Farmersandranchersforbush.org
36. Flippercam.com
37. Georgebush.com
38. Gop.com
39. Gop.net
40. Gop.org
41. Gopconvention.com
42. Gopemail.com
43. Gopnet.com
44. Gopnet.net
45. Gopnet.org
46. Gopteamleader.com
47. Gopteamleader.net
48. Hitechforbush.com
49. Hitechforbush.org
50. Iamaliberal.net
51. Imaliberal.com
52. Imaliberal.net
53. Imaliberal.org
54. Imforlowertaxes.com
55. Investorsforbush.com
56. Investorsforbush.org
57. Johnkerryliberalrecord.com
58. Johnkerryliberalrecord.net
59. Johnkerryliberalrecord.org
60. Johnkerryoniraq.com
61. Johnkerrysliberalrecord.com
62. Johnkerrysliberalrecord.net
63. Johnkerrysliberalrecord.org
64. Kerryliberalrecord.com
65. Kerryliberalrecord.net
66. Kerryliberalrecord.org
67. Kerrysliberalrecord.com
68. Kerrysliberalrecord.net
69. Kerrysliberalrecord.org
70. Laborforbush.com
71. Laborforbush.org
72. Lawenforcementforbush.com
73. Lawenforcementforbush.org
74. Militaryfamiliesforbush.com
75. Militaryfamiliesforbush.org
76. Militaryforbush.com
77. Militaryforbush.org
78. Mytaxrefund.org
79. Mytaxrelief.org
80. Nativeamericansforbush.com
81. Nativeamericansforbush.org
82. Prolifeforbush.com
83. Prolifeforbush.org
84. Proudrepublican.com
85. Republicanconvention.org
86. Republicanvictoryteam.com
87. Republicanvictoryteam.net
88. Republicanvictoryteam.org
89. Republicrooks.com
90. Rnc.org
91. Rnccab.com
92. Rncchairman.com
93. Rncchairman.net
94. Rncchairman.org
95. Rncconvention.com
96. Rncconvention.net
97. Rncconvention.org
98. Rnceagles.com
99. Rncfc.com
100. Rncfc.net
101. Rncfc.org
102. Rnchq.org
103. Rncmajorityfund.com
104. Rncpresidentialvictoryteam.com
105. Rncpresidentsclub.com
106. Rncpvt.com
107. Rncpvt.org
108. Rncregent.com
109. Rncregents.com
110. Rncsustainingmembers.com
111. Rncteam100.com
112. Seniorsforbushcheney.org
113. Smallbusinessownersforbush.com
114. Smallbusinessownersforbush.org
115. Sportsmenforbush.org
116. Studentsforbush.com
117. Teachersforbush.com
118. Teachersforbush.org
119. Your-congress.com
120. Your-congress.net
121. Your-congress.org
122. Youthforbush.com
123. Youthforbush.org
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Sat Nov 04th 2006, 06:48 AM
Ripley: Ash, can you hear me? ASH?
Ash: Yes, I can hear you.
Ripley: What was your special order?
Ash: You read it. I thought it was clear.
Ripley: What was it?
Ash: Bring back life form. Priority One. All other priorities rescinded.
When Bill Clinton won the presidential election in 1992, my friends and I danced, drank champagne and giggled like kids. The Reagan era was finally over. No more fearmongering. No more needless buildup of nuclear weapons. No more ignoring AIDS and the homeless. No more hate from the Moral Majority. No more pandering to greedy corporations. The people were in charge again. We felt like Ripley when she jettisoned that nasty Alien out of her spaceship.
"I got you"
And then we went to sleep. While we were sleeping they plotted and planned. They sent colonists out to inhabit our government, our media and our churches. The sent them out with one directive: Bring back control. All other priorities rescinded.
The didn't care who or what they sacrificed to obtain their objective. They paid no heed to honor or the rule of law. If an election was in question, fix the election. If an opposition candidate was too honest, make up a scandal. If a war is neither logical nor legal, lie about it. If a reporter gets too close to the truth, discredit him. If a former ambassador calls them on their bullshit, go after his wife. If a language translator uncovers treason, shut her up. If a warning comes of an imminent attack, pretend the warning never came. If dead soldiers don't play well on the TV, hide the bodies. If anything gets in their way, destroy it.
Take the religious fundamentalists. Much like poor crewmember Kane, they were drawn in, curious to the possibilities just beneath the surface of the shiny egg of political participation. Their leaders smacked them with the face-hugging monsters of homosexuality and abortion. They kept their believer's fears alive with promises to return America to an innocent 1950's utopia. All the while they fed off their money and faith. When G.W.
Then reality burst through the fundamentalist's collective stomach in the form of a bald-headed gay pretender by the name of Jeff Gannon. He was a hint of what lay ahead but he soon sped off into the bowels of the Internet, easily forgotten. The GOP continued to exploit the threat of monsters with assurances that they were on the side of God, the Christian God. They continued to profess their moral superiority while soldier after soldier died. They faulted God for their complete failure to conduct a proper response to hurricane Katrina. They boldly denied their corrupt purposes while their legislators came under investigation, were charged with crimes and sent to jail. And then, out of the shadows appeared a predator named Mark Foley. They claimed to chase him off but he came back, bigger and more horrendous and in the form of the Reverend Ted Haggard.
The George
I won't pretend to be naive. Winning control of Congress for the Democrats won't slay the beast. I've seen the sequels. There will always be people that use whatever means possible to stay on top, be it terrorism or fascism or corporatism. Rogue countries possessing nuclear bombs don't frighten me nearly as much as the accepted practice of depleted uranium weapons. Terrorism is a real threat but global warming will end the human race. The real enemy is greed.
We are all Ellen Ripley. Forever destined to keep hunting monsters because "The Company" keeps letting them on the ship. We may never end them but as long as we are able, we must blow them out of the air lock because that's the only way, we the people, will survive.
Tuesday, November 7, is the big showdown. You may have no weapons and no training but you do have the power of numbers. Vote, damn you. VOTE
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Posted by blogslut in The DU Lounge
Tue Oct 31st 2006, 07:46 PM
And to the GOP...BOO!
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Thu Sep 28th 2006, 06:23 PM
May all of these images burn in your brain for the rest of your lives:
More at the Memory Hole: WARNING (Images of Enemy Combatants in Abu Ghraib prison}
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Thu Sep 28th 2006, 03:31 PM
In 1942, the Supreme Court define as thus:
Unlawful combatants are likewise subject to capture and detention, but in addition they are subject to trial and punishment by military tribunals for acts which render their belligerency unlawful. The spy who secretly and without uniform passes the military lines of a belligerent in time of war, seeking to gather military information and communicate it to the enemy, or an enemy combatant who without uniform comes secretly through the lines for the purpose of waging war by destruction of life or property, are familiar examples of belligerents who are generally deemed not to be entitled to the status of prisoners of war, but to be offenders against the law of war subject to trial and punishment by military tribunals.
Now, as we all know, every law is a double edge sword.
How will our supposed enemies define the enemy combatant?
What about those private contractors that PBS' Frontline referred to as:
As the Frontline program details:
"..."Private Warriors" also explores a very different kind of contractor -- the private world of security teams that work for firms like Blackwater, Aegis, and Erinys. They provide armed protection for U.S. government officials, government offices, military installations and even military commanders"
How will our enemies categorize these American men and women? Will they be capture and tortured? Will they be protected by the Geneva conventions?
***Link to Frontline story: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sh...
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Sat Sep 09th 2006, 01:03 PM
Hmmm, let's see...Nickanames. Sound bites. Cute little terms, easily remembered by one and all. The other side has been pretty good at coming up with frames for us: Flip-floppers. Cut-and-Runners. Traitors. Fascist Appeasers.
Maybe it's time we gave them a swell nickname. One that's memorable, funny and appropriate. Hmmm...what could it be?
Mickey Mouse President
Mickey Mouse Administration
Mickey Mouse Party
Bonus! Cheney gets to be Pluto!
Talk amongst yourselves...
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Thu Aug 10th 2006, 09:01 AM
This morning, Chertoff said:
"...there was no indication of any plotting in the United States but the United States was taking step to protect against unseen threats or copycat attacks. "We cannot assume that this threat has been completely thwarted," the secretary said..."
Now, I ask. Who are these copycats? How would they know to copy this if they hadn't heard it on TV first? The brits say the plot was foiled, yet there is still a threat. Who is the threat? Is it the copycats?
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Thu Aug 10th 2006, 12:25 AM
I've watched a few of these supposed "hearings". Everyone has seen Gonzo, Rummy and the rest explain and reason away rendition, torture and other prisoner atrocities. We've read their memos. We've watched them testify before our supposed legislators.
In all of that comment, opinion, testimony and explanation, I've never heard anyone ask them WHY they do it. I've heard plenty of talk about WHY they think torture is justified. Yet, I can't recall one Senator or Congressman ask them WHY.
Why do you do this? What benefit is there to this treament? Can you prove that this treatment of prisoners helps the war effort? Where is this proof?
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Posted by blogslut in General Discussion (01/01/06 through 01/22/2007)
Tue Aug 08th 2006, 05:21 PM
Just read this on TPM Muckraker:
Update: The Lamont campaign is now hosting a Google-cached version of the joe2006.com site.
And here's the proof:
We�ve offered to send our tech guru over to fix their website problems. That was over an hour ago�no response.
UPDATE: Here�s the Google cache version of Joe�s campaign website. It�s not perfect, but it has all the content preserved.
Love that Ned. He's got good people
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Chapter 13 : Good News for People Who Love Bad News
|Rating: 15+
|Chapter Reviews: 4
Background: Font color:
Charming chapter image by sihaya!
"So, long story short -"
"That was the short version?!"
Vivian blissfully ignored Dollie's exasperated exclamation and continued her narration, "The night before I leave, we're lying on the beach and Kwame gazes into my eyes and purrs in that sexy baritone of his, 'Miss Vivian, quiero estar contigo para siempre. Que me dejas?' and I giggle demurely with just a hint of seduction and whisper, 'Darling, el destino tiene otros planes para nosotros. Que no se interponerse en su camino'."
"Is this story about to get subtitles any time soon?" Lily inquired to no avail.
"And then, well, as you can imagine -"
"I'd rather not," Dollie groaned.
Vivian threw her arms up in the air and fell onto her bed with a sigh. "Isn't that the most romantic story you've ever heard in your life?"
The question, rhetorical or not, was only met with blank stares. If she was expecting anything more, she certainly didn't get it. Such non-response wasn't received too well.
"You know what, both your hearts are made of stone! Cold, hard stone! Neither of you would know romance if it got down on one knee and proposed to you in the Great Hall! So you can just sod off!" She leaped off her bed and stormed out the dormitory.
"A tad miffed, isn't she?"
Lily shrugged. "She's been like that since before the term break."
"Really?" Dollie's eyebrows rose in surprise. "I hadn't noticed anything before this."
"You weren't around very much. I've been getting the brunt of it but she shuts off every time I confront her about it." Stroking her stuffed lion's mane, Lily's sad face suddenly lifted into a smile. "But her story did sound lovely, from what I could make of it anyway. Just my luck that two of my best friends got to have a romantic Christmas while I was stuck at home with my gem of a sister. She's got a boyfriend now, can you believe it? A muggle she met at work. Wouldn't stop talking about him the entire time I was there."
"You're joking. Petunia? Is the asylum for the Criminally Insane missing a patient?"
"Don't be mean," Lily chided but giggled anyway. "She showed me his picture. He's no prize, I can tell you that."
"Not surprising. But come now, Lil, you had Snape, didn't you?"
"Sev doesn't count."
"Why, do you know something we don't?"
Lily's cheeks coloured and Dollie knew she went a bit farther than she should have. Lily hated it when the subject of Severus Snape came up, especially when they had nothing nice to say about him. She tolerated their distrust but cruelty for the sake of being cruel was something she wouldn't stand for.
"Don't, Dollie. Please."
Lily knew she was. Dollie never apologised unless she truly meant it. Her green eyes twinkled, signalling that Dollie was still in Lily's good graces. Unfortunately, that also meant she had another topic in mind, a topic she knew would make Dollie squirm.
"So how was it? Spending Christmas with Lupin?"
The memories came flooding back through her mind, not that they really ever left. Christmas day had been wonderful by itself but the days that followed were, as cliché as it might sound, truly magical. She couldn't really explain it herself. It was as though the dynamics between them had shifted, the awkwardness almost all but gone, replaced by a sense of affinity. It was almost like they were proper friends now. Perhaps it had been all those nights together, she mused silently. She wondered whether it was because there was no one else around but them that induced him to let her in like he had. She didn't want to dwell too much on what happened during daylight, when Shooting-Starr would insert herself and thus make Dollie feel like the sore thumb.
"It was... nice." She tried hard to sound casual but the smile she could feel spreading across her face gave her away.
"You both infuriate me sometimes, you know that. Viv over-shares while you share hardly anything at all." Lily threw her hands up in frustration, sending the stuffed lion flying, though some nifty wand-work managed to bring him back to her unsoiled. "It's any wonder I haven't gone mad being friends with you all these years."
Dollie chuckled at this display of dissatisfaction. Feeling generous, she reached under her pillow and brought out the notebook Remus had given her. She hadn't planned on showing it to anyone but quickly realized that such measures would have been futile. People would have eventually noticed her carrying it around all the time. At least she could trust Lily to keep a level head about it. She explained how it worked while Lily's eyes grew to the size of saucers.
"Impressive. 50 points to Lupin. How 'bout Black then?"
"Well, that's the thing..."
"Don't tell me he didn't get you anything."
A tapping at the window interrupted her before she could respond, startling them. They both turned at the same time to find Grimm, Sirius' impossibly imposing large black owl perched on the windowsill. Once Lily opened the window, it soared straight towards Dollie. It landed smoothly on the bedpost and, after she retrieved the note from its leg, bowed its head solemnly and flew back out the window.
"That owl gives me the creeps. For the life of me, I can't put my finger on why..."
Dollie barely heard Lily as she read the note. Lily eyed it with curiosity, although she knew very well who it was from. Their eyes met as Dollie shrugged guiltily, slipping the parchment into her pocket. Before she could open her mouth to explain, Lily brushed aside her would-be excuse with one simple word.
"Go." Lily smiled as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"You sure?" Dollie hesitated.
It had never occurred to her before how much she was neglecting her friends, unwittingly replacing the two girls with two boys who never gave her the time of day before that year. Vivian was too proud to make any admission of weakness while Lily was unfailingly kind when it came to people's feelings. The realization felt like a bludger to the stomach. It almost made her not want to leave the dormitory. Almost. Lily probably saw that tiny sliver of want and refused to stand in the way.
"Positive," Lily asserted. "I'll just look for Sev or Mary Macdonald to ease my loneliness." Her hand clutched her chest, the other to her forehead while she fluttered her eyes dramatically. Dollie had to admit, it was a fairly accurate portrayal of Vivian, if that was what Lily was going for. If not, well, then she just looked silly.
Once Vivian had made her dramatic exit, there were only two of them in the dormitory. Abbey-Emma Slayer was at the Pitch practicing Quidditch while Dollie could only assume that Suzanna Milton was combing the brimstone out of her hair or whatever it was she did after her annual holidaying in the depths of Hell.
"I hear Potter's available." Dollie could never resist sneaking in a little Potter jab every now and again. It was the easiest way to get under Lily's skin.
"I'm sure," Lily replied, a hint of snark present in her tone as her face contorted, resembling someone who'd just sucked a lemon dry. "Run along, Kent. Can't keep Black waiting, can we? Oh, and you simply must show what he gave you."
"Aren't we being a Nosy Nancy."
"No, just Lovely Lily, as always."
Dollie rolled her eyes good-naturedly, though it went unseen by Lily as Dollie pulled on her Christmas jumper. It was already mid-January but the weather outside was still nippy.
"While you're out, could you please find Vivian and talk to her? Maybe she can say to you what she can't to me."
The palpable dejection more than guaranteed that Dollie would do as Lily asked. With an affirmative grunt, she left, barely missing Lily's wistful sigh.
"So, what was so important and secretive that I had to go to the other side of the castle?"
It wasn't really the other side of the castle but it was nonetheless a significant distance from the Gryffindor Tower. A distance Remus had been forced to walk after receiving the cryptic Christmas card a few weeks ago from the rest of the Marauders. Wholly unnecessary but nevertheless, he made the trek out of sheer loyalty and, if he was being truly honest, a hint of curiosity. After all, it must be pretty big to warrant a cryptic card, especially one bordered with holly vines and bells. Of course, the Marauders being the Marauders had to take it one step further. Only they could find immense humour in jumping him out of nowhere as he wandered the corridors and hustling him into one of the castle's many unused classrooms.
James, ever the self-appointed and unquestioned leader, was reclining on the teaching desk at the front of the classroom. This flagrant disregard of higher authority wasn't what made Remus feel suddenly nervous. James had that glint in his eyes, a glint that was magnified by his glasses, a glint that always signalled impending mischief. Mischief that was almost certainly not the innocent kind, not that most of the mischief they instigated ever strayed towards the dangerous. A rule of thumb among them was that the mayhem they caused must never lead to extreme harm to anyone or get them expelled. It was a rule that James and Sirius had the most trouble in abiding by.
"Ah Remus, so good of you to join us. Please," James waved languidly about, "have a seat."
Remus stifled a snort as he slid into the chair closest to the large desk. James had an unfortunate flair for the dramatics that was both ridiculously humorous and slightly endearing.
"So how long do I have to wait to get an answer to my question? Or perhaps I should just give up now and save myself the trouble?"
"A watched cauldron never boils."
Even Sirius couldn't stomach anymore of the theatrics, groaning at the mention of the juvenile saying.
"Shut up and get on with it, James!"
Had anyone else said those words to James Potter, they would have most certainly found themselves at the receiving end of the worst hex he could think of. As it were, James obediently heeded the advice, miraculously enough.
"You know the party my parents throw every year on Christmas Eve? The one with all their ancient, stodgy mates?"
"Uh-huh." Of course he knew. James made it a point to complain incessantly about it every year. It was practically a tradition in itself.
"Well, we were going to pinch a bottle of firewhisky or two and have our own vastly superior party elsewhere when we got cornered by this old fart who looks exactly like a walrus –"
"I can attest to that," said Peter.
"He starts to tell us this longwinded story about how he just bought himself an island near Fiji or Timbuktu or wherever and how he's going to enjoy himself more than he ever could before."
Remus raised his hand.
"As riveting as this story is, I'm afraid I don't see where this is going."
"Not a question," he replied, sounding exactly like Professor Tristram, their Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. "Of course, Peter just had to ask why's that, so Walrus Face says it's because he's just about done with his training."
".... Training?"
"To become an Animagus!"
Remus wasn't slow by any means but James was really starting to make him feel like someone who regularly received 'T's. Rather like that Slytherin who had to repeat Seventh year three times before he was finally allowed to graduate, Goyle was it? He seemed to be the only one in the room who was lost, as Sirius, Peter and James all had identical expressions of triumph. It was the worst feeling in the world, being out of the loop.
"He doesn't get it, James. I knew I should have been the one to tell the story, I'd have told it much better," said Sirius, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"It's my story and my idea. Ergo, I'm the obvious choice to tell him."
"It was OUR idea. And yeah, you certainly did a smashing job of making sense. Top notch really."
"I'll smash your job..."
"We want to become Animagi!" Peter cried out, having had enough of the two's bickering.
James and Sirius immediately stopped and glared at the smaller boy.
"Thanks a lot, Peter," James muttered darkly.
"At least he did it without ceremony," Sirius said with an ironic smile.
"Hold on." Remus' head was beginning to spin as he tried to make sense of what they were all saying. "What do you mean 'Animagi'?"
"You know, morphing into an animal at will. Like Minnie."
"Yes, I was in that Transfiguration class as well. I mean, when Peter said 'We want to become Animagi'..."
"It's exactly how it sounds." James was beaming now. "Although I would have phrased it better like 'we're going to become Animagi'. It's more accurate than wanting, you see, because we're definitely succeeding, no question about it."
"I think I have one," said Remus.
"Why in Merlin's name would you want to attempt something so dangerous?" he demanded as he tried to keep his voice even.
Were they out of their minds? Hadn't they been paying attention when Professor McGonagall stressed how complex the process was and how easily things could go horribly wrong? McGonagall herself took years before successfully perfecting the skill. What could be important enough to risk such a thing?
James stared blankly at him. "Why, to accompany you of course."
"Accompany me?"
"For your monthly transformations," Sirius elaborated serenely, as though he were explaining what they were having for dinner later.
This calmness only managed to aggravate Remus further. This had to be one of their jokes. There was in no way, shape or form they were serious. Perhaps James sensed his growing displeasure because he gripped Remus' shoulder in what was meant as a reassuring gesture.
"There really isn't anything to worry about. Walrus Face explained the process in great detail and I even found some books about it in my parents' library. Watch, we even know what animal we're each going to become."
"Animagus Interius Aperire!"
As they each said the incantation, a different animal emerged from their wands, similar to a patronus but more solid. James' stag cantered around the room alongside Sirius' large dog, while Peter's rat scurried at their feet. Remus struggled between being amazed at their magic mastery and disapproval of their dabbling in something that was beyond their level.
"Personally, I would have liked a lion," James said wistfully.
"Yeah, because that isn't conspicuous at all," Sirius laughed as James half-teasingly sent his stag towards Sirius. It evaporated into mist as it went through him, along with the others.
"I wanted something more dignified, like a snake or something," Peter whined, twitching his nose as he did so.
"And be like those filthy Slytherins?" Sirius practically spat, making Peter shrink away at his tone.
"Anyway, it all works out perfectly. Peter will be small enough to touch the knot under the Whomping Willow, we go through tunnel and meet you at the shack," James explained, ignoring the two's exchange.
As much as he hated to admit it, it sounded like James had thought the entire thing through. It wasn't just one of their crazy, spontaneous schemes. Anyway, James and Sirius were one of the most naturally talented students in the school and between them, Peter would have adequate help. If anyone could pull it off, it was them. He could slowly feel himself sway to the plan, touched by the motive behind it.
"I – I don't know what to say."
"We figured that if we can't be there for you as we are, we'd have to be like you," said James, grinning as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
"The animal part, not the contagious fangs part," Sirius verified as Remus shoved his elbow into his ribs.
"How long will it take?" Remus asked.
"We already started practising during break so it should take a few months. We should have it down by around April or June, perhaps," James shrugged nonchalantly.
"Walrus Face said it took him almost five years," Peter pointed out.
"That's because he's ancient."
Remus rolled his eyes. Only James' youthful arrogance would perceive age as a hindrance rather than an advantage. As if youth determined how well one could perform magic.
"And you promise that this won't endanger us or anyone else?"
The three exchanged a glance and wand in hand, placed on their hearts and in chorus recited, "We solemnly swear no one will be harmed through the process of us becoming Animagi or afterwards."
Remus felt a reluctant grin spread across his face as they joined together in a group hug after the much-appreciated if incredibly naff vow was made. How could he refuse such a kind gesture that was entirely meant for him? At that moment, he felt more thankful than he ever had before for being a part of the greatest group of friends one could ever hope to have.
"Remus John Lupin, this will be the greatest Christmas present you'll ever receive."
"Put me down this instant!"
Having successfully convinced Remus the brilliance of their plan, Sirius rushed out to the school grounds. Seeing that Dollie was already beneath the beech tree, he crept up behind her with all his stealth. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up into the air. Her demand only resulted in him spinning them around, their laughter merging into a single melody. However, her struggling forced him to finally set her back down.
"Git," she muttered as she playfully hit him on the chest.
"Nice to see I'm the one being waited for, for once."
"Don't get used to it."
She was wearing a new jumper that did wonders in bringing out the blue in her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed cherry-pink from earlier while traces of laughter lingered on her face. It astounded him that he found her growing prettier every time they met.
"What's the smile for?" she asked, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Nothing. I missed you, that's all," he said as he lightly brushed away a stray tendril.
"So you say."
He froze at her curt tone. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," she said, averting her eyes.
"Don't make me whirl you around again," he threatened as he snaked his arms around her waist.
"How was being at the Potters?"
"Oh no you don't. You can't change the subject that easily."
He applied some pressure in his arms as he bore into her eyes, knowing full well how uncomfortable she was with intimacy, especially when it was taking place so publicly. She tried valiantly to resist but he could feel warmth emitting from her as he rested his forehead against hers. They were so close, they were practically sharing each other's air. His hands slid up through her hair. When she still refused to yield, he ever so slowly caressed her face, savouring the quiver he could sense beneath her skin at his touch. Had he stepped back, he would have been greeted by the sight of her strawberry-ripened face. However, the clouds of his eyes were intent on filling her sky-blues.
"You promised you'd write," she whispered huskily and if he weren't so close, he wouldn't have caught it.
Satisfied that he'd finally gotten it out of her, he gave her back her personal space. He didn't want to push his luck. She was dangerous with a wand, with or without Remus' lessons.
"Then, nothing. Not even a card."
"Or a present?" he added, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"I didn't say anything of the sort."
"But you were thinking it."
"Therein lies the difference."
He regarded her thoughtfully. "Dollie, do you really think I'd forgotten about you?" She was about to answer, probably with a snarky remark, when he quickly cut her off. "I had gotten you something. But James, loose lips that he is, told his mum and when she saw the present I was planning on giving you, she would have none of it and insisted on taking me to the shop."
He grinned as he remembered her words. 'She deserves something as special as she is.' No use arguing with such sound logic. He retrieved the box from his pocket and adjusted the ribbon tied around it before giving it to her.
"Happy Christmas, Dollie."
As hard as she tried, the smile couldn't be repressed. The ribbon untied and box lid opened, she almost dropped the entire thing when she saw what was inside. It was a chain-linked silver bracelet with a silver heart locket dangling beside the clasp.
He had been a bit hesitant about giving it to her, unsure if it was really her style. But Mrs. Potter assured him that every girl appreciates good jewellery. Judging by the awe in Dollie's expression, she'd been absolutely right. Dear Mrs. Potter, he thought fondly, who treated him as more of a son than his actual mother.
"So, do you like it?" he asked as he fastened the bracelet on her wrist. Once it was secure, he brought her hand to his lips, his eyes locked on to hers again, and audaciously kissed it. What was more astonishing was that Dollie made no attempt to wrench her hand away, perhaps too stunned to react. Even when he lowered her hand, she left it clasped in his.
She regarded it for a moment, fiddling with it. The crinkle between her eyebrows was a tell-tale sign of when she was thinking particularly hard about something. When she lifted her face to meet his, the small smile from earlier had grown into a proportion he'd never seen on her before, large and unrestrained. A small noise gurgled from her throat, a noise that with his best guess was meant as a giggle. It was difficult to distinguish, as Dollie wasn't one to giggle.
She must really like it then, if she was susceptible to such girlish glee. At least she hadn't burst into a fit of them. As much as he liked her, nothing turned him off more than excessive giggling. Two years, around the time he finally grew into his looks, of it from random girls was already more than he could stand. As it were, the restrain she showed in that single laugh was quite cute.
When it got too cold, they went inside which, truth be told, wasn't much better. The draft and cold stares directed toward Dollie, especially when they caught sight of the bracelet, made Sirius' skin crawl. To avoid the latter, they went down the less frequented corridors. As they were going down one in particular, they heard a commotion further down the hallway.
"Where is the kitchen? Tell me this instant, you pathetic paranormal prick!"
"Do you kiss your boyfriends with that mouth? Then again, from what I've heard, you do a lot more than that," Peeves cruelly taunted her as he cackled.
More bangs and crashes ensued as his laughter echoed through the hallway. They rushed to where the scene was taking place. As they reached there, Peeves flew overhead them, too busy chanting "Shan't tell! Shan't tell!" to notice the two who found his sparring partner.
Vivian was slumped on the floor, surrounded by pieces of armour and paintings that had fallen from the walls. The walls in turn had burn marks on them, obviously caused by the wand in her gripped hand. Her face was red and tearstained, her hair and clothes in disarray. Sirius had never seen the usually well-groomed girl in such a dishevelled state.
Dollie immediately rushed to her side, ignoring the cries of the paintings she carelessly stepped on. He shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other as the two girls exchanged muffled words.
"I'll see you later?" she said, darting her eyes to Vivian and back to him.
"No problem. Bye, Dollie. Cheers, Costa."
Vivian lifted a feeble hand in acknowledgement.
He often forgot how close-knit Dollie, Vivian and Lily were. They almost reminded him of his own relationship with the Marauders. Somehow, Dollie and Vivian always struck him as having the strongest bond between the three which was odd considering they were polar opposites. But perhaps that was what made them so close, a contrast from Sirius and James' own almost brotherly similarities.
He left them be because he understood. She needed to be with her James.
"Alright, he's gone. Viv, what –"
As soon as Sirius turned the corner, Vivian immediately lapsed into a fresh wave of hysterical crying. Frightened, Dollie tried her best in comforting her which wasn't much help. An arm around the shoulder and an awkward hair stroke that was meant to be comforting was all she could manage. She wished desperately that Lily was there, she'd know exactly what to do, possessing the nurturing skills Dollie herself severely lacked. As she briefly considered whether to call Sirius back and ask him to bring Lily there, Vivian gave one more shudder before she finally tired out.
"I was trying to find the kitchen. I was feeling a bit peckish and Peter gave me directions on how to get there. They weren't terribly helpful, he's useless at directions." Vivian chuckled softly. "Then I had the pleasure of encountering Peeves and, well, here we are."
"I never knew Peeves could get you so riled up."
"Oh, it wasn't him so much as –"
She abruptly stopped, her brown eyes bloodshot and glistening as her wand fell to the stone floor. Dollie suddenly wondered if her meltdown had anything to do with what Lily had mentioned earlier. Remembering her promise to Lily, her mind ran through the best possible ways to effectively ask her what the matter was. Too subtle and she might fail to notice it. Too blunt and she might explode worse than before. Delicate balance was key here. But before she could settle on a tactic, Vivian made such measures entirely unnecessary.
"Dollie, what's the worst thing that could possibly happen to me?" Vivian hoarsely asked.
Taken aback by the question, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"You got expelled?"
"You caught one of your boyfriends cheating on you?"
"Worse," she wailed.
"You found a grey hair?"
Dollie was beginning to tire of the guessing game. Whatever it was, it can't be as bad as Vivian was making it out to be. After all, it was Vivian Costa, the girl who considered a weight gain of two kilograms or mismatched socks a national crisis.
"I give up."
Vivian cradled her face in her hands, which muffled her voice. Dollie leaned in closer, forcing herself not to gag from Vivian's too-strong perfume.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"I'm pregnant."
A/N: Dun-dun-duuunnnn! I haven't had a cliffhanger in awhile so I hope you'll pardon my cruelty. Think of this as a transitional chapter, because very, very soon, stuff is going to hit the fan. Don't say I didn't warn you. ;)
I love reviews, just thought I'd mention it. *whistles innocently*
Oh, and because I'm considerate, unlike Vivian, here are the Spanish-English translations, courtesy of Google Translate:
quiero estar contigo para siempre. Que me dejas?: I want to be with you forever. Must you leave me?
el destino tiene otros planes para nosotros. Que no se interponerse en su camino: Fate has other plans for us. We should not stand in its way.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
BBC Design and Engineering
|This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (May 2016)
BBC Design and Engineering[1] (previously named BBC Digital and BBC Future Media & Technology) is an operational business division of the BBC based at MediaCityUK.[2] It is responsible for all of the BBC's digital media services including BBC Online, BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer. The idea for the division was conceived in 2011 to connect all areas of the BBC's digital viewing platforms.[3] It is currently headed by the Director of Future Media; Ralph Rivera.[4]
BBC Online (1994)
BBC Online is the brand name and home for the BBC's UK online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as: BBC News and Sport, the on-demand video and radio services co-branded BBC iPlayer, the pre-school site CBeebies, and learning services such as Bitesize. The BBC has had an online presence supporting its TV and radio programmes and web-only initiatives since 1994 but did not launch officially until December 1997, following government approval to fund it by TV licence revenue as a service in its own right. Throughout its short history, the online plans of the BBC have been subject to harassment from its commercial rivals. This resulted in various public consultations and government reviews to investigate their claims that its large presence and public funding distorts the UK market.
BBC Red Button (1999)
BBC Red Button is a branding used for digital interactive television services provided by the BBC, and broadcast in the United Kingdom. The services replaced Ceefax, the BBC's analogue teletext service, and is only available via digital television receivers. The service can be accessed via Digital terrestrial television(DTT) (DVB-T), satellite television (DVB-S) and cable television(DVB-C). The "Red Button" branding is no longer used within the BBC's own website.
BBCiPlayer (2007)
BBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is branding used as an internet television and radio service and software application, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows.
BBC Future Media (2011)
The original Future Media & Technology division was divided as a part of a corporate restructure within the BBC. The concept was to create a more streamlined business function that can respond more quickly to future developments in the industry. According to the Guardian Newspaper "The BBC's online presence now is like TV was in 1963. They still do not know what they are doing. It's about combining an understanding of technology, editorial and the BBC – and there's still not enough people in the business that understand all three."[5]
BBC Digital (2015)
As of 1 April 2015 BBC Future Media was renamed BBC Digital.[6] It was renamed again to BBC Design and Engineering in 2016[when?].
Senior Management[edit]
Below is a list of the senior posts in the division.
- Director Future Media; Ralph Rivera.
- Director Human Resources; Natasha Adams.
- Executive Creative Director; Colin Burns.
- Chief Operating Officer; Andy Conroy.
- General Manager Products and On-Demand; Daniel Danker.
- Director Finance; Ian Haythornthwaite (also holds the post of Director Finance) BBC North Group.
- Controller Business Development; Jane Weedon.
- Controller Research & Development; Matthew Postgate.
- Head of Design Group and User Experience; Julia Whitney.
As of 27 July 2013.
Subsidiary Departments[edit]
See also[edit]
- ^ "BBC Future Media Management Structure". 27 July 2013. BBC. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "BBC Future Media at Media City UK". 27 July 2013. BBC North. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ Rannard, Storm. "BBC showcase Future Media". 4 March 2013. Digital Innovation On-Line Magazine Manchester Metropolitan University. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "BBC - Ralph Rivera, Director, BBC Digital - Inside the BBC". www.bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ Kiss, Jemima (21 January 2011). "BBC Future Media: What is Erik Huggers' legacy?". 21 January 2011. London: The Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
- ^ "New names for FM and Technology". 30 March 2015. BBC Ariel. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
External links[edit]
- BBC Future Media: Accessed; 27 July 2013.


text:
You are most welcome and thank you for sharing the Awesome, wondrous, story of the little ones and how you kept them warm at such a critical time in their development. You did a wondrous job of staying the course and not giving up hope. And working so hard in the face of adversity and though all stories may not quite seem miraculous as this one, I count every little one baby born a blessing. Thank you for sharing the saga of your little ones. It was so encouraging and just to let you know there were many prayers and thoughts coming to you from our farm for this hatch. and we are most grateful and grinning from ear to ear for the tender sweet little babies you received. And I just sent up prayers of gratitude. Folks please read back over how Paula Jean managed through the unmanageable and was soo soo rewarded by an incredible hatch. And now to tell my hubby who does such a wondrous job of feeding and watering and caring for all the birds. Tell the little ones "love from Nanny Nancy and Poppa Jacque" Now waiting for photos! please!!!! Blessings on you and your household!
- Love God, Hubby & farm


text:
Maximum and Average Pell Grants over Time
The level of the maximum Pell Grant, which is legislated by Congress, has fluctuated over time. For example, the maximum grant fell by 10% ($505 in 2014 dollars) between 2003-04 and 2006-07. It increased by 25% ($1,177 in 2014 dollars) between 2006-07 and 2009-10.
Figure 24: Maximum and Average Pell Grants in 2014 Dollars, 1976-77 to 2014-15
Notes & Sources
SOURCES: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Pell Grant Program End-of-Year Report, 1976-77 through 2013-14; Federal Student Aid Data Center, Title IV Program Volume Reports and Aid Recipients Summary; calculations by the authors.
- Between 2010-11 and 2014-15, the maximum Pell Grant fell from a peak of $6,065 (in 2014 dollars) to $5,730, a 6% decline over four years.
- The maximum Pell Grant is the most frequently cited measure of the subsidies provided by the program. However, most students receive smaller grants because they are enrolled part time or because their incomes and assets (or those of their parents or spouses) reduce their aid eligibility. In 2014-15, when the maximum Pell Grant was $5,730, the average grant was $3,673.


text:
Well, we all heard about the security breech on the Playstation Network of the past few weeks. Some guy hacked in, got access to about 80,000 credit cards, and now Sony's in a big mess. After a few days of trying to repair the network, they just said it wouldn't work, and are going to create a new one from scratch. Yeah, it seems like a Matrix movie plot, but no, it's real and a lot of people are upset. I think you can finally play multi-player games on it now, but I actually I was more worried about my trophies. A bit frustrated with it all, I just went back to Final Fantasy 12. Good ol PS2 gaming.
Back to the Feywood
playing FF12 six years later
May 21, 2011 7:47AM PST
Comments (5)
Spare your soul!Posted: May 24, 2011 12:00AM PST by halochief_90
Good luck attempting to get everything. Actually, I don't recommend it. I was able to do it, but I was still in high school and I didn't have a job or a life back then! 240 hours later I emerged from my cave unkempt and a hollow shell. Was blinded by the sun for two months.
Great game though.
HiyaPosted: May 24, 2011 12:00AM PST by stabino
Machocruz: Yeah, I really think this one is undervalued in the Final Fantasy series. The characters are so well developed and the adventure feel of it is quite top-notch. Quite similar to Star Wars isn't it? Few rebels leading a princess vs. an empire?
Halochief_90: Hehe, I hope I don't lose 200+ hours on this. I am using the Brady guide, so it helps a bit. Then again, if I add the hours of reading the guide I just might be close to it. I got the Zod Spear finally, so things are pretty easy. And hey, 240 hours spent on FF in High School isn't wasted in my eyes. You could've done worse. Congrats!
True ThatPosted: May 24, 2011 12:00AM PST by halochief_90
Despite the aftermath, it was on of my shining achievements during high school.
Still... I was using the guide... and it was my second playthrough.
FF XII is a true classic!Posted: May 24, 2011 12:00AM PST by Koalacherry
And, if my PS3 had the specs to run PS2 games, I'd probably pick up FFXII to actually finish it.
That Fran picture you posted is adorable...!


text:
Gisele Goes Out With No Makeup; Kirsten Dunst Wears Hair Bling
Also, the Cosmetic Executive Women organization announced this year's product awards.
• Members of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) chose the winners of this year's Beauty Awards, which included CoverGirl Smoky ShadowBlast and Marc Jacobs Lola. [BellaSugar]
• Gisele Bündchen went out without makeup this weekend, reminding the entire world why we envy her. [Just Jared]
• M.A.C. is launching a mobile website that will allow you to locate the nearest store or order products from your phone. [StyleList]
• For the Cannes closing ceremonies, Kirsten Dunst adorned her asymmetrical updo with a bejeweled starburst pin. [Girls in the Beauty Department/Glamour]
• Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue is launching a new pink Champagne-inspired fragrance called Pink Sparkle, which will be available in July. [Now Smell This]
• Chanel is releasing a new men's fragrance this summer called Bleu de Chanel. [Now Smell This]


text:
But a loss against Buffalo combined with victories by both the Ravens and Bengals would knock the Dolphins out.
In between, if the Dolphins and the Ravens win, it keeps alive Miami's hopes of winning their division and ending up with the fourth seed in the AFC instead of the sixth.
There also are all sorts of different permutations should Miami, Baltimore and Cincinnati all lose because San Diego then could become involved in a tiebreaker for the final wild-card spot.
Now, the Dolphins, Ravens and Bengals all are favored to win Sunday and if that holds true, the Dolphins would find themselves in a situation where only their game against the Jets on Dec. 29 would matter in terms of their playoff fate.
Got all that?
The juggling is still going on in the secondary, with the latest move the claiming off Christopher Owens off waivers from the Cleveland Browns.
It comes exactly a year after the Dolphins claimed another cornerback from Browns, that being Dimitri Patterson. The Dolphins can only hope this move works out as well because Patterson turned in a quality season before it was cut short because of his recurring groin problem.
Owens began his career with the Falcons as a third-round pick and was a former teammate of Brent Grimes, who merely this season has become the best cornerback the Dolphins have had in a decade.
Make no mistake, Owens has ability. He just hasn't been able to put it together yet and he's coming off a knee injury that landed him on IR with Cleveland before he was waived.
Owens replaces Justin Rogers, who was inactive in his only game for the Dolphins. We wouldn't necessarily expect Owens to make a huge contribution down the stretch, but it was a good pick-up nonetheless because of the risk-reward factor.
Looked on weather.com a little while ago, and the forecast for Sunday in Buffalo calls for a high of 47, a low of 30, an 80 percent chance of rain and winds up to 22 mph from the south/southwest.
Of all those figures, the only that's worrisome is the wind because it could impact the passing game.
And going on that's the biggest advantage the Dolphins have. Ryan Tannehill is on a tear lately, while the Bills will be going with Thad Lewis, who has all of three starts this year and who was mediocre at best when the teams met at Sun Life Stadium in October.
Yes, Buffalo won that game, but it certainly wasn't because of Lewis, who looked out of his league more often than not. The Bills won because of three big plays by their defense: an INT returned for a touchdown; an INT that stopped a Dolphins scoring threat; and, of course, the sack-strip by Mario Williams that set up the game-winning field goal.
If the wind neutralizes the passing game, there is no question that favors the Bills.


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In This Section
With eight study abroad programs to choose from, students have a wide range of opportunities to learn in international settings, which, in turn, strengthens their understanding of the American legal system.
Selected students also can take advantage of academic externships that focus on international law. Placements in The Hague, London, and Washington, DC, expose students to the inner workings of leading organizations dealing with international criminal law issues, postwar justice, human rights and refugees, and the independence of the legal profession worldwide, among other areas.


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NAME- Sabrina
AGE- 21 years old
I love reading Novels, Young Adult fiction, Adult fiction and etc.
Favorite Aurthur: L.J Smith, Stephen Pike, E.L. James, Veronica Roth and many more.
I love lots of stories on Wattpad (too many to list)thank to many Wattpad author who are very talented people.
One of the reason I made a Wattpad account is to read and vote.
Watching movies, TV Series and WWE, Music, Dancing, Yoga, Shopping mainly clothes,shoes and makeup. Infinite my favourite Kpop group, love watching Kpop drama.
Fact about me- I've been told I'm good at ICT, love my job, friends and family (Their really important to me and made me the person who I am today :) .......
- london
- JoinedSeptember 6, 2011
Already a Wattpad member? Log In I agree to Wattpad's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
babypink1234 Jul 21, 2012 06:53PM
@Cupid1304 No i should be thanking you for writing an amazing story:)...View all Conversations


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Daughter Caught In Crossfire Of Mom's Sexy Text MessagesThis is pretty close to every child's worst nightmare
PHOTO: Guy Texted His Brother The Creepiest Close-Up EverCan you tell what this is?
38 New Emojis Unveiled For 2016Move over, smiley face and thumbs up, there are new emojis coming to town!
Guy's Break-up Text Goes ViralI'm taking my trumpet and going home.
When Voice-Activated Text Messages Go WrongSometimes Siri just doesn't understand us and sends out a text message that doesn't make any sense.
Worst Ways We've Been DumpedKaty Perry revealed to Vogue that Russell Brand dumped her in a text message. If that's one of the worst ways to get dumped, wait until you hear our stories!
iPhone Autocorrect Fail


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Posts Tagged 'Puccini'
A man and his mandolin. Actually, a whole bunch of mandolins.
This Sunday at 4PM, the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra and Baltimore Mandolin Quartet will pay tribute to Baltimore musician and composer Jonathan Jensen by presenting a concert of his original works and arrangements. Jonathan visited me recently to talk about the program and the history of mandolin ensembles.
Sounds of Summer
There are certain pop songs or classical pieces that will always make me think of summer. One is Prince's "Raspberry Beret", which I heard on my way to work this morning & thought – perfect! Not only do the song's flippant lyrics & upbeat tempo seem appropriate for warm weather & sunny skies, the album […]
12/17/11– Madama Butterfly Puccini 1:00
Conductor: Plácido Domingo Approximate running time 3 hrs. 10 min. The 2011-2012 Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast season continues with a live broadcast of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, starring the Chinese soprano Liping Zhang, in her network broadcast debut. Zhang sings the title role of the young Japanese bride whose marriage to an American naval officer leads […]


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This is one that will blow your mind What man doe
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Sherwood Park Information and Schedule
Sherwood Park tickets are available now for all Sherwood Park events. Whether on vacation or a current resident, you'll never get tired of all the things that are available in Sherwood Park, Alberta, and the surrounding areas! Get tickets to Sherwood Park, ALB below.
All Events by Date
|Event & Venue/City
|Nov 19, 2016
Sat 7:30PM
Katherine Jenkins
Festival Place - Sherwood Park -
Sherwood Park, ALB
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Little Deer
Picture book
Sladjana Perisic
This book is available for download with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device, and with iTunes on your computer. Books can be read with iBooks on your Mac or iOS device.
Picture Book for kids.
This picture book is dedicated for youngsters. Narration is supported beside, standard read option. Team of professionals has been working on this picture book carefully choosing colors, pictures and drawing characters according to the kids interests.
- 2,49 €
- Category: Graphic Novels
- Published: 25 January 2011
- Publisher: Leo commerce
- Print Length: 32 Pages
- Language: English


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I found you a new motto from a sign hanging on their wall "Drink coffee: do stupid things faster and with more energy"
Does the NL Central standings look inverted to anyone else?
"You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it,..." -Bane
Kudos to the Brew Crew and Pirates -- they're playing great ball right now.
Oh, and Zman, the Cubs are where right now?
"We do not need any other Tutankhamun's tomb with all its treasures. We need context. We need understanding. We need knowledge of historical events to tie them together. We don't know much. Of course we know a lot, but it is context that's missing, not treasures." - Werner Herzog, in Archaeology, March/April 2011
"Growth is inevitable and desirable, but destruction of community character is not. The question is not whether your part of the world is going to change. The question is how." -- Edward T. McMahon, The Conservation Fund
As you Cyburbians know I am not a Damnyankees fan. However last night a kid named Tyler Clippard took the mound for his MLB debut. The scrawny pimple faced pitcher threw 6 innings, struck out 7, laid down a sac bunt and hit a double (he doesn't bat) to beat the Metropolitans. Not bad kiddo...
On a side note; it's the 21st rookie pitcher started this year in 42 games for Torre.
"Whatever beer I'm drinking, is better than the one I'm not." DMLW
"Budweiser sells a product they reflectively insist on calling beer." John Oliver
Just checking in to point out that the Yankees are now 14.5 games out of the AL East race and reside in the basement with the lowly Devil Rays. We are witnessing the death-throws of a decaying franchise. I don't know about you but I'm loving every minute of it
me too, hilldweller - but like NHPlanner, I'm still exhibiting New England caution on getting excited about the Red Sox - still too soon but it's so sweet watching the Yankees piddle at the bottom -
I really enjoyed the Mets vs. Giants game last night. I have decided that the Mets are my National League team.
I have to admit, it is pretty sad to see the Yankees struggling so much. Our Sox need their rivals to at least put up a little bit of a fight.
Well, its summer folks, which means i will begin making my monthly trips to PacBell (i still refuse to call it anything else, sorry SBC, AT&T) to watch the Giants play some ball and, drink my $9 beer, and have my $10 cha-cha-bowl and some garlic fries. But alas, we are in the cellar, and to make matters worse, its june, which means the typical june swoon. Thanks Benitez for blowing that game last night. Why did we re-sign bonds? Why oh why? With a pitching staff that we have, you would think we would be at least 2nd or 3rd in the standings, but no. They need to make an offensive move before the trading deadline already. All i can hope for is bonds breaking the record three weeks from now on a saturday at home while i watch sitting near the 3rd base line, and seeing if i can afford some home-run derby tickets for all-star weekend, but i guess this my rant from a life long giants fan who wants to see his team win a damn world series already...
I grew up in AZ as a Braves fan in the 80's. Pick a team that needs fans like the Marlins or the Nationals, one thing this world does not need is another Mets fan.
"You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it,..." -Bane
"Whatever beer I'm drinking, is better than the one I'm not." DMLW
"Budweiser sells a product they reflectively insist on calling beer." John Oliver
I found you a new motto from a sign hanging on their wall "Drink coffee: do stupid things faster and with more energy"
Red Sox play Yankees this weekend......GO RED SOX!!!
We dumped benitez!!! Jump for joy!!!! Armando's back my a@@!!!!!


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Ron and Sheila Carder of Parkersburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Renee Carder, to Joseph Anthony Melvin, son of Rich and Cindy Melvin of Pittsburgh, Pa.
The bride-to-be is a 2004 graduate of Parkersburg High School, attended Marshall University and is a 2008 graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in nursing. She is a registered nurse with Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, Fla.
The prospective bridegroom is a 2005 graduate of Northgate High School and a graduate of Beattie Technical of Pittsburgh, Pa. He is owner and operator of Five Bar Motorsports LLC of Fort Myers.
A beach wedding is planned for Jan. 12 in Naples, Fla., with a reception following at The Hilton of Naples.


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Chico Vive Reception
Rainforest Foundation US
Thursday, March 6, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (EST)
Event Details
Chat with old friends and meet new ones at the Chico Vive reception, 4-5:30 pm, March 6, 2014, at the National Wildlife Federation, 901 E Street NW in downtown Washington. Scott Wallace, prizewinning author of The Unconquered, will make a multimedia presentation.
The reception's purpose is to promote and gain support for the Chico Vive conference, scheduled for April 4-6 at American University's School of International Service. Admission to the reception is free, and refreshments will be provided. Donations are welcome and will go to the Chico Vive conference.
The Chico Vive conference will bring together grassroots activists, NGOs, students, engaged scholars, applied scientists, policymakers, journalists and others to discuss the development of the global grassroots environmental movement in the 25 years since environmental martyr Chico Mendes' death. Participants will plan strategies for coordinated international actions, networks, coalitions and initiatives to advance sustainability, defend the environment from depredation and climate change, and protect the rights of its traditional inhabitants.
For more information about the reception and conference, contact rabben@ american.edu, or visit www.chicovive.org.
When & Where
National Wildlife Federation
901 E St NW
Thursday, March 6, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (EST)
Add to my calendar


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EA Sports UFC Bruce Lee reveal video dishes minor gameplay
It would appear that the folks at EA Sports have finally gotten the licensing rights to the likeness of the father of mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee will be a playable character in the game EA Sports UFC, bringing the originator of the sport to the sport itself. This release will have Bruce Lee unlocked in two different ways. Your first option includes beating career mode - the second is tossing down cash immediately.


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Find local midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators in the Natural Childbirth Directory
Find local midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators in the Natural Childbirth Directory
The mother will sit in a rocking chair, and rock it.
It allows the mother to rest, having the weight of her body supported by the chair, while still moving the pelvis to encourage movement of the baby. She may also enjoy rocking when she begins to feel tired, but does not desire to be in bed. Upright positions for labor, such as rocking, can have a positive impact on labor progress.
The mother can rock any time she would like during labor. If her movement is restricted due to an attached monitor or IV pole, she may find rocking to be more comfortable than lying in bed.
While she is sitting in the rocking chair, put a low stool or ottoman under her feet to allow her to rest and stretch her legs.
Try varying the rocking speed to encourage relaxation.
During a contraction, the mother may find that rocking "forward" and holding that position is more comfortable.
Sit in a rocking chair instead of lying in bed if you need to be attached to a fetal monitor.


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Artwork teaches us how to draw all sorts of objects, scenes and vistas where the world is your canvas and you can draw your own experiences.
Paintings by Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas
Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas is famous for his Impressionist paintings of dancers. They composed over half of his works. See examples of his art and learn about his technique of creating a sense of spontaneous observation in his paintings.
Mary Cassatt was one of the few women, and the only American, invited to join the Impressionists. Learn about the life and artwork of Mary Cassatt. See more »
Impressionist Paul Gauguin is most famous for his paintings of native life in Tahiti. Learn about the life and artwork of the painter Paul Gauguin. See more »
After Paul Signac met Georges Seurat in 1884, the Impressionist began experimenting with Neo-Impressionism. Read about the career of Paul Signac. See more »
Paul Serusier met Paul Gauguin in 1888, and shortly afterward painted The Talisman. Read about the Impressionist Paul Serusier and his enigmatic work. See more »
Paintings by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Impressionist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec became famous for his depictions of Parisian nightlife. Learn about the artwork of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. See more »
Are there secret messages in da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'?
The 'Last Supper' painting by Da Vinci has generated many hidden-meaning theories. Could these theories be real? Learn more about the 'Last Supper'. See more »
Today, artists use stone lithography to produce fine art prints, but 150 years ago it was THE color-printing technology. It's an incredible art form. Take a photo-filled look at this fascinating process. See more »
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt's famous illustrations shaped how countless other artists envisioned Tolkien's world. Learn all about the remarkable process that leads to these amazing paintings. See more »
"You see it every day, but what, exactly, is art? Learn about art and explore the huge collection of art now becoming available on the Web!" See more »