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Sunday, March 18, 2012
In My Mailbox ~ March 18, 2012
In My Mailbox is a meme that is hosted by
The Story Siren
It's a fun way to share what books we got for the week. They can be from publishers, the library, bought, or whatever. They don't have to be from the mailbox. Mine usually aren't!
Here's what I got this week:
Witchful Thinking (Jolie Wilkins #3) | H.P. Mallory
Thank you to Mallory's new publishers, Random House Publishing Group, for giving me this one to review via netgalley!! I just finished and reviewed it. I love this series!
Indulge (Warm Delicacy #2) | Megan Duncan
I just reviewed book #1 this week.
Plus, a couple of kindle freebies (always double check that they're actually free before you click buy in case they're no longer free!). Click on picture to take you to amazon:
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Review: Witchful Thinking
Witchful Thinking (Jolie Wilkins #3)
H.P. Mallory
Random House Publishing Group
I received an advanced digital copy of this book for my review. This is my honest opinion.
I just love this series.
I don't know about you, but I love getting books at great prices. I saw the first book in the series last year for really cheap for the kindle, so I took a chance and grabbed it. The first book was good, but the second was amazing!! I've been waiting a really long time for #3 to come out.
H.P. Mallory used to be a self published author, but Random House recently picked her up. Witchful Thinking is her first published book! I've been seeing it around while shopping. So exciting! It's great to see a good author recognized.
But what does that mean when the third book in the series is the first to be published? Well, it means that there is a lot of back tracking in this book. Jolie, the main character, brings the reader up to date with what happened in the last two books by writing in her journal. I had read that she did that, and wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. It turns out that it didn't bother me at all! It's great for those who are going to be picking up book number three without reading the first two, and it helped me remember what happened in the first two books since I read them over a year ago.
So, yes, you can pick up this book and not read the first two and totally understand what is going on. I really loved the first two books though, so I'd recommend reading those first if you have the time. There were some scenes in book two that I just... *sigh*. I just wouldn't want other readers missing out on how amazing they were. But, you can skip straight to book #3 and still like this series.
So, with all that catching up, I was afraid that there wouldn't be a whole lot of new stuff. I honestly had no idea where Mallory could have taken the story from where she left off in book two. This book was a lot of struggling for Jolie. That's all I'll say since I don't want to give any of it away!
I thought Witchful Thinking was a great addition to the series. The thing that REALLY made this book was the ending... oh gosh! Totally unexpected, and I can't wait to see what this means for Jolie in book four!!
So, all in all I'm really happy with it! I had high expectations after the last book, and I wasn't disappointed. The next book,
The Witch is Back
, comes out in July! I'm so excited to get my hands on it. Thank goodness there isn't as long of a wait this time!
On a somewhat related note, the covers for the last two books have changed. They're super cute! I can't decide if i like the original covers or the newer ones better!
Older covers:
New covers:
I love both versions!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Waiting on Wednesday
Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by
Breaking The Spine
. It showcases new books that are coming out soon that we can't wait to read!
I haven't done one of these in a while! I do have a book that I'm dying to pick up though. I recently grabbed Glow on a whim at the library, and it was awesome! I keep thinking about book #2.
Spark (Sky Chasers #2) | Amy Kathleen Ryan
It's coming out in July! At least I don't have to wait a year for this one!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Review: Savor
Savor (Warm Delicacy #1)
Megan Duncan
Doesn't this book have such a neat cover?? It's definitely eye-catching. I give the design an A+!
I got this book for my kindle. I was eying it, and then noticed they had it free for a little while! Free books make my day. :) Even now it's only 99¢, so still a great bargain!
I love vampire stories. I know, I know, they're everywhere and most of you are probably over it. I'm not into the horror aspect of it, but I love living through the characters to see what being a vampire could possibly be like. Duncan has built a pretty unique world of vampires in Savor.These vampires don't hunt and feed on humans, but instead have the humans donate blood and give them services and a sense of safety instead. I found it really interesting and enjoyed all of the mystery that engulfed the vampires and their way of life.
The only downside to this book was that it seemed to need more. I wanted more emotion and struggle from Claire. Things seemed so be accepted to easily by her. Her whole life is suddenly changed, and I thought there should have been more of a struggle. I think the story could have used a bit more too it; A few more details or something.
Other than missing some more of a conflict and maybe some more details, I really liked this story! It's definitely one that I'd recommend for a fast read on the lighter side. The vampire world in Savor was interesting, and I could definitely go for more of it! I'm really looking forward to book number two.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Review: A Discovery of Witches
A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)
Deborah Harkness
I don't know about you, but over the last year and a half or so I've seen this book everywhere; from my local grocery store, to the library, on chat boards I frequent, and even at H&R Block while getting our taxes done. I've been wanting to pick it up for a while now, and it finally was available at the library.
I was afraid to dig in for fear that I'd be disappointed. Was I? Yes and no. It wasn't what I was expecting, but the story it turned out to be was quite good.
I liked the main characters and the storyline. One thing you'll notice is that A Discovery of Witches isn't a short book, and sometimes as I was reading I felt like some details could have been left out. Overall though, it was a great mystery (that has yet to be totally solved being that it's a trilogy). There are still some things that I'm confused about, but I won't begrudge the book for those things since there will be two more books. Hopefully everything will be tied up and explained in the end.
Hhhmmm. So what to say about this without giving it all away? That's always the tough part of reviews for me.
I'm a little disappointed that the vampire, Matthew, is a bit controlling. I'm hoping that the whole "I'm the boss, so deal with it" attitude kind of goes away as the series progresses. I love that Diana doesn't really let him call the shots. Her character seems pretty strong, and I hope to see her come into her own when all is said and done.
Overall, I really liked this book! I think my overall opinion is going to depend on where this series goes from here. I'm looking forward to it!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
A pretty new cover!
I think Karsten Knight sure has gotten lucky with his book covers! Last year, his debut novel Wildefire had one of the best covers I've ever seen. They've definitely come up with a gorgeous cover for its sequel, Embers and Echoes:
It's definitely a gorgeous cover, and totally an attention grabber. I think I may still prefer the cover of Wildefire a tiny bit more, but I'm relieved to see that this one is able to compare. Here's Wildefire:
I was slightly disappointed in Wildefire, if you remember
my review
of it, but I have high hopes for book #2. I can't wait to get my hands on a pretty hardcover copy!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Review: Big Sisters are the Best
I love getting to review children's books when I get the chance! I have a three year old that loves to read with me. Here's one that we read recently:
Big Sisters are the Best
Fran Manushkin
This was a really cute book!
We have a baby due any day now, and I wanted to find a book that my daughter could relate to. This book was perfect! It went right along with all of the things we've been letting her know to prepare her for baby.
Big Sisters are the Best covers all of the things that a being a big sister entails. It was a fun way to remind her that babies bring new responsibilities, but that being a big sister is awesome (because they get to eat cupcakes instead of milk!). Plus, the illustrations are adorable.
The great thing is that there is also a version for new brothers to be -
Big Brothers are the Best
We really loved this book. If you're looking for a book to help your little one adjust to having a new baby around, this is it.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Review: Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)
Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin #1)
Robin LaFevers
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publish date: April 3rd, 2012
I received an advanced digital copy of this book for my review. This is my honest opinion.
This book was awesome! I highly recommend picking it up!
It felt more like an adult novel than a YA book. It was really well written, and there were no cheesy teenage cliches to be seen! Thank goodness.
I loved how original this plot was. I've never read anything quite like it! I loved the idea that there are these women who are born to do the god of Death's bidding. It's kind of dark and so different.
The characters were great, too!I loved the main character, Ismae. Such a pretty name, no? She had such an amazing journey in the story. It's difficult to talk about her and not give away the plot, so all I'll say is that I really enjoyed watching the way she developed throughout the book.
It did get a bit detailed in the middle (versus lots of action), but I didn't mind that at all. I think it gave the book a good, unpredictable mystery to try to figure out.
I was looking around for a really great read, and Grave Mercy totally came through. It's part of a series, but was completely satisfying all on its own. Although, I don't see how I could pass up reading the second book when it comes out with the awesome world that LaFevers has created!
Pick this one up; You won't regret it.
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text: New Acura NSX will be hybrid, look like Tony Stark's car from AvengersRay Wert12/01/11 2:30pmFiled to: Acura NSXDetroit Auto ShowavengersAvengers CarNsxAcuraTop2012 Detroit Auto ShowExclusive2391EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink According to an Acura dealer national meeting attendee's furtive report from the Aria hotel in Las Vegas, the new Acura NSX that'll reportedly be shown at next month's Detroit Auto Show will look extremely similar to Tony Stark's car in the upcoming Avengers movie. But wait, there's more. It'll also be, according to our tipster, a "hybrid" — yes, you read that correctly — and "will hit dealer showrooms in 24 months." Also, it'll be AWD. Advertisement Advertisement Now we want to see just how close it'll look to the Avengers car because, if you'll remember, Acura spokespeople told Autoblog that that car was nothing more than a one-off built for the movie. Likely true. But imagine that vehicle as a hard-top and we think that's likely what our tipster saw.All we know is we're getting more and more excited for the Avengers movie. Oh, yeah, and also the NSX — although we're not so sure how that "hybrid" thing is gonna work out.If any other national dealer meeting attendees want to chime in on this report, please email me — or comment below. And we'll even open up our pocketbooks — say, to the tune of $1000 — to the first person who gets us uncovered pictures from the meeting.Reply239 repliesLeave a reply

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dessert Anyone??
Kim Dietrich Elam 5/17/2010 6:11:04 AM
yum - what a delicious image, Judy! #1269575Mary Beth Aiello 5/17/2010 6:28:03 AM
Ooooooh, la la, Judy. Scrumptous... in every way. I could jump through the monitor and dive in right now. #8617212R. J. Laudenbacher 5/17/2010 6:37:49 AM
My gosh...do you know how to make a persons mouth water! LOL This is a great shot with fantastic detail. #8617223Jeff Robinson 5/17/2010 6:39:44 AM
Of course we want dessert!! Fantastic setup and capture Judy! Jeff #8617224Melissa G. Meiselman 5/17/2010 7:33:06 AM
Great looking dessert and well set up photo taken with sharp detail and outstanding composition, Judy!! #8617347Bojan Bencic 5/17/2010 8:38:13 AM
Yes, please! Looks fantastic - how was it? #8617483Anita Hogue 5/17/2010 10:05:29 AM
I'll for sure take some. A yummy capture, Judy! #8617616Rony Sagy 5/17/2010 12:48:29 PM
Yum. This looks so real and so delicious. Wonderful colors and detail. #8617851Linda Blair 5/17/2010 2:41:42 PM
Yummmmmmy...I'm headed to your house...lol...this is a wonderful image Judy and it is making me hungry for desert..lol!!!!!!!!! #8618010Kim Lund 5/17/2010 6:20:51 PM
Yes, I'll have one please! Wonderful photo. Looks delish! #8618351Shelly A. Van Camp 5/17/2010 7:05:19 PM
Be right there!! Wow, looks so yummy....Great capture!! #8618488Danny B. Head 5/18/2010 12:58:29 PM
Judy, you are killing me! I have not been able to eat sugar since December 6th, 2009. Yes, I know the date. ...killing me...killing me ... kill 'nnnnnn --- me. !! #8620022Phyllis H. Burchett 5/18/2010 1:00:17 PM
Yummy shot Judy! None for me though. #8620025Joy Rector 5/19/2010 4:50:06 AM
fantastic shot #8621348Carol Eade 5/19/2010 1:13:25 PM
Wow, that looks so delicious, Judy, the details are fantastic! #8622461JO ANN CLEVELAND 5/20/2010 9:04:45 PM
Super Judy! Looks good enough to eat! :-)jo ann c. #8625469
Cathy Barrows 5/21/2010 10:18:17 AM
i would not have let this go uneaten long enough to get this great shot #8626906Kathy L. Clark 5/22/2010 8:41:43 PM
Wow Judy this is glorious. Yum..... You gallery is so fabulous. #8629475Patti Coblentz 5/29/2010 8:19:02 AM
Oh my gosh, Judy...this is magnificent...want to eat the image..LOL!! Beautiful!Patti #8651161
Melissa G. Meiselman 6/7/2010 2:31:36 PM
Big congratulations on this most deserving finalist!! WTG #8672124Nancyj E. Hovey 6/7/2010 4:05:25 PM
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N SLydia Williams 6/7/2010 5:02:37 PM
Yes, is calling me....great image, JudyCarol Eade 6/7/2010 5:05:51 PM
Knew I'd see this one again, Judy, WTG and warm congratulations! #8673635Danny B. Head 6/7/2010 7:21:15 PM
Okay Judy.... remind me one more time that I can't have sugar. lol. Big Congrats! #8675286JO ANN CLEVELAND 6/7/2010 7:39:02 PM
Congratulations on this wonderful finalist Judy...wish I was there to help you get rid of all thosed beautiful shots! loljo ann c. #8675419
Kathy Salerni 6/7/2010 7:45:33 PM
Congrats on your well deserved finalist, Judy! #8675472Patti Coblentz 6/7/2010 8:13:03 PM
Congratulations on this amazing finalist, Judy!!Patti #8675619
Sherran Andersen 6/7/2010 8:34:14 PM
Congrats Judy. #8675717Bojan Bencic 6/7/2010 11:35:57 PM
Congratulations on your finalist, Judy. #8676732Boyd L. Alexander 6/8/2010 6:52:49 AM
WOW what agreat macro!! CONGRATULATIONS on this Wonderful Finalist Judy!! #8678135Mitch Spence 6/8/2010 12:28:32 PM
I haven't had supper yet and I want to eat this up right this minute. Congratulations, Judy. #8679308Phyllis H. Burchett 6/8/2010 4:01:13 PM
Congratulations on this fantastic finalist Judy!! #8680037Sam Britt 6/8/2010 6:50:48 PM
Congratulations on this & all your terrific finalists, Judy! #8680675Sheila Pittman 6/8/2010 7:14:13 PM
Congratulations on this BEAUTIFUL finalist ...LOOKS LIKA A WINNER TO ME. #8680739Usman M. Bajwa 6/9/2010 3:32:05 AM
This is such an enticing, colorful and detailed shot, Judy. CONGRATZ on another Finalist and good luck up next!UB. #8681449
Shawn Jennings 6/9/2010 7:39:19 AM
I'll take two!!! :)Danny B. Head 6/9/2010 3:58:35 PM
And congrats on WINNER #3. I knew I would see this again! #8683074Patti Coblentz 6/9/2010 4:12:28 PM
Congratulations on this yummy and beautiful win, Judy!!Patti #8683157
Lydia Williams 6/9/2010 4:36:31 PM
We all called this one...GOLDEN!Melissa G. Meiselman 6/9/2010 4:42:47 PM
Congratulations on this beautiful winner!!! #8683350Dianna Murphy 6/9/2010 5:03:21 PM
YUM, Congratulations! #8683433Carol Eade 6/9/2010 5:34:58 PM
Terrific, Judy, congratulations! #8683565Phyllis H. Burchett 6/9/2010 5:42:28 PM
Congrats Judy on this yummy winner!! #8683621Sabrina Ryan 6/9/2010 6:38:30 PM
CONGRATULATIONS, Judy!! #8683956Sharon Day 6/9/2010 6:42:33 PM
Awesome, mouth watering image, Judy!! Congratulations on your beautiful wins! #8683992Sam Britt 6/9/2010 6:44:58 PM
Big Congrats on this second place winner, Judy! #8684009Amy M. Wilson 6/9/2010 7:43:15 PM
Big congrats on your awesome Gold winnner, Judy!! #8684226Graham Robards 6/9/2010 8:14:30 PM
Awesome Judy, congratulations again. ~Pat #8684331Jeana Clark 6/9/2010 8:31:02 PM
Corinne M. Thompson 6/9/2010 9:14:59 PM
Sure does look appetizing, congrats on your win! #8684532frank w. degenhardt 6/9/2010 9:46:33 PM
What a delicious winner my friend. Congratulations on the Second Place Win my friend. #8684617Clyde P. Smith 6/9/2010 9:48:37 PM
Congratulations on your outstanding win Judy! #8684621Katarina Mansson 6/9/2010 11:17:51 PM
Congratulations on your yummy winner Judy! #8684720Bojan Bencic 6/10/2010 1:38:50 AM
Congratulations on you winners, Judy! #8684873Usman M. Bajwa 6/10/2010 4:16:21 AM
CONGRATULATIONS on another super capture and Gold Win, Judy!UB. #8685194
Congrats on this super gold winner Judy!jo ann c. #8685429
Sheila Pittman 6/10/2010 6:26:15 AM
Congratulations on your win...I am so proud of you....You are a true winner in more way than one...love you... #8685544Murry Grigsby 6/10/2010 6:56:53 AM
Congrats on yet another terrific image and win Judy! YUM!! #8685648Tarun Bose 6/10/2010 10:58:41 AM
Congrats for your winner, Judy. #8686184Mary K. Robison 6/10/2010 8:19:08 PM
Congratulations on your well-deserved win, Judy! #8687359Linda Blair 6/11/2010 5:37:43 AM
Mmmmm yummy winner...congrats Judy!!!!! #8688180Ann H. Belus 6/11/2010 9:01:05 PM
Another great winner, Judy...Congratulations! #8690023Amy Jackson 6/17/2010 7:56:32 PM
Looks delicious!! Congratulations, Judy! :) #8701912Dominick M. Dimacale 6/18/2010 1:27:56 AM
Congratulations Judy on your Win!!!
Dominick #8702250
Kathy L. Clark 7/9/2010 5:56:05 AM
This is a great winner Judy. However now I am starving. Thanks for wetting my appetite. #8744231
Exif: F Number: 11, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 13/10 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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Thank you
Font Size Print March 22, 2013
As we mark World TB Day, worrisome new strains of drug-resistant tuberculosis—strains that are far more difficult to control than drug sensitive TB strains—are capturing headlines. Just last week, the World Health Organization warned that multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) could spread quickly and widely.
The growing threat of MDR-TB helps to bring attention to the disease—one positive outcome of a bad situation. But it is also important to celebrate the progress achieved in the past year to develop new tools that are transforming the fight against TB.
Last year, a number of countries seriously affected by TB began rollout of GeneXpert, a new diagnostic that can detect TB and the most common form of drug resistance in less than two hours. For doctors and nurses on the front lines, and for patients, GeneXpert is a game-changer.
Improving TB diagnosis enables more patients to receive life-saving treatment. Also in 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved bedaquiline, the first new TB drug in 40 years. While bedaquiline does not solve all problems , it is an important part of a broader effort to discover and develop new drug combinations. This year, we anticipate more good news. We expect a decision on regulatory approval in Europe for a second new drug to treat MDR-TB, delamanid. We're also eagerly awaiting the results of the REMox and PaMZ studies, which are evaluating shorter treatment regimens for drug-sensitive TB.
The research pipeline for a TB vaccine is advancing too. While it is unfortunate that the MVA85A TB vaccine trial, which completed this year, failed to show protection, the results provide an opportunity for scientists to evaluate other promising TB vaccine candidates, and also come up with new research strategies for TB vaccines.
For new tools to have the greatest possible impact, it is critical that the fight against TB continues to be well funded. Increased investments by governments of countries with a lot of TB, like China, India and South Africa are key.
Support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is also essential. This public-private partnership provides more than 70% of international funding for TB control in developing countries. Its impact has been tremendous, with an estimated 10 million patients with infectious TB detected and treated to date. The Global Fund and others are working to better integrate TB and HIV funding streams – unfortunately, people with HIV are very vulnerable to TB. In fact, TB is a leading killer of people with HIV.
Finally, as we chart a path to tackle MDR-TB, we must not lose our focus on drug sensitive TB, which can be cured with existing drugs, and still accounts for the majority of the nearly 9 million new TB cases every year.
The fact is that TB remains one of the leading causes of death globally. But on this World TB Day, we are closer than ever to the innovations that can bring the disease under control and save lives.
Learn more about the global fight against tuberculosis from this infographic.
Jan Gheuens
Jan Gheuens is the Deputy Director of the foundation's TB Program. His team's work focuses on supporting the development of new TB diagnostics, vaccines, and drug regimens.
TB beats HIV as the leading infectious disease cause of death worldwide
CTVD: International network for innovation, cooperation, and collaboration in TB vaccine discovery
The Collective Effort to Turn the Tide on the War Against TB


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The Last War
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Topic: The Last War (Read 116444 times)
0 Members and 1 Lonely Barbarian are spying on this topic.
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #625 on:
March 12, 2006, 10:20:30 PM »
Riding on one of the Black Hand's best stallions, Captain Kraggis cursed loudly at the men. "Come on you milk-drinking teat-lickers! Put your backs into it!"
The men cursed in return and heaved on the heavy wheels of the catapault. Slowly it groaned and moved toward Halbad. Their backs strained, and muscles heaved with the great weight.
There had been little success in capturing the wild horses that escaped the onslaught of the tiny demons only a day before. There were quite a number of horses running around, and quite a few had escaped outside the city... but they seemed somehow untameable. Something had changed in them. They were not like the domesticated horses of the Black Hand Riders.
In the ordinary course of things, men use their "superior minds" to subdue the clearly superior strength of a horse. One man can do it, if he thinks ahead, and prepares a sturdy snare. Once snagged, a dumb horse is easy to capture, hobble, and beat without mercy until it is broken and ready to train to the commands of the man, however harsh they may be. That is how it is. That is the way it should be.
But something was wrong here. Very wrong.
horses did not fall into the simple traps and snares prepared for them. They did not ignorantly run into the corrals. They did not simply run from men who waved their arms or shouted. Not at all. When cornered, they fought to the death, trampling and kicking the men who attempted to capture them with a primal fury that was never before seen by any of the "experts" within the Legion.
When they kicked, these horses struck out accurately with the bone-crushing potential that has always been within them from the dawn of history... but had never before been demonstrated before men. Where did they get this attitude? It was uncanny. Unnatural. Frightening. Dozens of men were crippled, even killed, in trying to subdue the horses. It got to the point that none of the Equus-Masters would go near any of the raging animals. A few of the beasts were penned up, and several were used for crossbow practice, but most got away.
So, the men of the Legion, with as many able-bodied conscripts as were still alive, sweated and swore as they moved the siege engines toward Halbad without the benefit of all those horses.
The men shot angry glances at the horses who grazed on the plains just outside of bow range. You could almost hear the horse laughs...
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #626 on:
March 13, 2006, 06:45:54 PM »
When all the light in the area had gone out Holly ran over to where she thought Tigra was but she was gone and so was Arthur. Holly felt around. She felt something big but it wasn't the right thing. The big thing struck out and managed to smack Holly in the face. Holly flew back and landed with a thump on the floor. Holly kept to the floor and waited for the light to come back. There is was light flashed into view and she was able to run quickly towards the large hill she had come down from. Up she went and there was Kethal "So you found it alright! Where's the others?"
Meanwhile Tigra and Arthur were riding off in the opposite direction. Tigra looked round for Holly and the others and also for some of her other horses. "Where exactly are we off to young man" Said tigra stopping and looking into Arthurs eye's "Are you not supposed to be going to the secret entrance? Because if you are your going the wrong way" Tigra whinnied slightly and turned in the opposite direction.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Posts: 331
Re: The Last War
Reply #627 on:
March 13, 2006, 06:53:54 PM »
Rory, Baldwin, and Grumple moved through the streets with a combination of speed and stealth closing in on the castle grounds with haste. They ran along the ivy covered walls surrounding the castle until they came to area of the hidden entrance. Problem was Grumple was the only one who knew exactly where it was. The brothers looked at the troll expectantly...
"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."
The Ares Chronicles
Posts: 466
Re: The Last War
Reply #628 on:
March 14, 2006, 10:54:39 AM »
Arthur gaped at the horse for a moment, and then, with a cry of surprise, he fell off the horse a second time. The ground came quickly up to meet him, but this time the landing was not quite so hard as before, and he was able to breath only five o ten seconds after the landing.
When he was finally able to stand, he adressed the horse, something he would never have believed he would do a year ago. The things that he had seen changed the pssibilities that reality had to offer.
"You know where Kethal is? Lets go."
It wasn't until he was halfway back up on the horse that he realized what he had just said, but it didn't matter any more. He had to reach-His thoughts were interrupted as Tigra took off towards the others.
He looked at the sky, now clouded over with what he hoped would not be rain, and he thought of retribution. The memories of his dreams followed him now like a shoud of fog that clung to him. Unconsciously, he rubbed the ring on his finger...
Last Edit: March 14, 2006, 11:02:34 AM by Nobody
"I am just a figment of my imagination" -"Loki", Illusionist Trickster
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #629 on:
March 14, 2006, 08:39:33 PM »
Grumple stroked his chin thoughtfully with his left hand, and tried to remember where Hol-lee had come out from the castle. On the castle side, it had been a hidden wooden door, but he had been far away, up on the tower at the time. And he was smaller then, so things here looked smaller now. Where had Hol-lee come out? Where? Grumple reached up with his right hand, to rub his head, too, in case it would help the thinking process. It didn't... It hurt. The battle-axe Grumple had in his hand "klunked" on his head, sledge-end first. Um, yeah. Grumple had forgotten he had picked it up before he ran from the Twins.
Still, as a man freezing in the cold can sometimes coax a dying ember into the flicker of flame, Grumple's troubled brain finally remembered. (Or maybe the hit on the head helped after all.) "Dere," he pointed with a knobby finger. "Door." It was up a hill behind a clump of small trees in the City Centre, consisting of a concealed brick wall that was a mason's work of art. Not a mark on the wall to indicate a lock or latch. Ingeniously hinged to swing open when pressed just right.
Ingenious, of course, meant "`Way,
beyond a troll".
There were noises of hot pursuit coming up behind them. Baldwin said impatiently to the troll, "Well, how do you open it?"
Grumple shrugged and picked his nose thoughtfully. He had no idea.
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Posts: 331
Re: The Last War
Reply #630 on:
March 14, 2006, 11:07:55 PM »
Rory had been ignoring the others, his face an impassive mask as he studied the doorway. He fell into the mage sight. It was too easy. He pressed with both his hands and his mind. They door flew open. The quartet scampered in just as a score of soldiers came careening around the corner, just in time to view the unbroken wall of stone and trailing ivy.
OOC: Hey guys. I'm leaving tommorow to visit the UK for about nine days. I don't know if I'll be able to post during that time. Rory and Baldwin are along for the ride. I assumed Odat accompanied us. Dream go ahead and control Rory and Baldwin if you need to. I'll try to post if I can find a computer though...
"Pain can be your greatest ally, from pain you can learn to apply it, endure it and avoid it. Without pain there is no understanding of reality. If you never get hit with the things you strike out with every thing you know is pure fiction."
The Ares Chronicles
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #631 on:
March 15, 2006, 06:59:25 AM »
Holly turned quickly to see Rory, Baldwin, Grumple and odat followed closely by a couple hundred guards up the hill and into the secret door "So i guess Grumple remembered where it was then" Holly said quietly to no one in particular. She walked forward slightly and then stopped as thunder seemed to pour out of the ground. It shook terribly. Holly looked over to the hill top and there was Tigra her hooves pounding heavily on the ground and not far behind but five of the other horses which had escaped. The soldiers where working furiously to keep the secret door open. Holly took her sword out of it's scabbard and waved it in the air. Tigra turned and saw the glint of the weapon in the sun. She whinnied, Reared and charged forward into the group of Legion at the door. It was a nasty sight men flew each and everyway as the horses kicked bit and trampled the soldiers into the ground. The door closed with a bang and it was no more, disappered into thin air. Soon those soldiers who were still alive had fled and others lay dead on the floor never to move again. Holly walked up to the door and it swang open immediatly. If anything Rory Baldwin Grumple and Odat may have heard the tiniest scuffle outside the door. Holly stood in the doorway looking in and smiling. "Well i think it's about time to save our friend right?" She walked into the door and through the other door not far from the beggining hopefully being followed by the others. Tigra had managed to squeeze herself into the hole as well it may be that Arthur is knocked off her back because she is quite tall. Holly pushed the other door open and walked out onto the large courtyard opposite the castle. This wasn't going to be easy.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Redneck Hipster
Posts: 3849
You say insane like it's a bad thing
Re: The Last War
Reply #632 on:
March 16, 2006, 04:49:00 PM »
"Cut him down." The king said, his face cold and haggard. The ermine cape seemed rumpled and stained, not surprising considering that the castellian and the Headmistress of the Linens were among the devoured dead and shamblers. Tantus sagged on the rack, lost to the peace of unconsciousness. "you have done well Royal Inquisitor. Many men lack the conviction to use the tools of persuasion with enthusiasm. Skill can be taught, but there is a certain mettle the art requires." The King drew his sword, a silver blade with a large ruby set in the pommel. "Enough games, he knew nothing."
"Milord, the creature muttered some sort of warning..." Damar said.
"Lies, no doubt." The King said. With a hard jab, he pierced the bugbear through the chest. The blade sank mercilessly into the warm flesh, blood bubbling up from the wound. The bugbear spasmed, arms flailing as a new pain, seared into his body. The king was dumbfounded, despite the flailing, no cry issued from its broken lips, and indeed the foul beast looked content. The King jerked the blade free and swung the sword, cutting deep into the bugbear's neck. The blow lacked the power of a healthy man's arm and the head did not come away clean, instead the sword caught in the bones of the neck and stuck. The king cursed and tried to jerk the sword free again, only pulling the creature forward, spraying him across the face and arm with fountains of arterial blood.
The king released the blade, wiping frantically at his face, wiping the blood from his eyes and nose. Damar was pale as the king kicked at the corpse of the bugbear until his sword came free. He glared at the blade and then at Damar, after a moment the young former guard understood and gathered the bloody blade up from the floor and presented it to his king. The King took it, sniffed indignantly and left the room in a swirl of grubby cape.
Damar was left alone with the body...
" If the muse comes to your bedside, don't tell her you'll f?$! her later."- Allen Ginsberg
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #633 on:
March 16, 2006, 07:50:48 PM »
OCC: NOOO! Grumple was almost there! You brute! <whine, sob!>
IC: Grumple was in a hurry. Many precious minutes had passed since the carved bone in his pocket had awakened him earlier this morning. The gnawing in his mind (no, not in his stomach this time) came from knowing Tantus needed help.
There was a guard standing with his back to them as they emerged carefully from the hidden doorway. Grumple sprang forward and covered the 10-foot distance with a single jump... but the 'chink' of chain mail gave the troll away. The man turned.
He had only a split second to realize a large, mail-clad knight of a particularly ugly order was dropping out of the sky at him. The next moment, the flat of Grumple's axe knocked him unconscious.
Looking around but seeing no other guards, Grumple left the others behind. Time was running out. Grumple sprang back up impatiently to the castle wall, and quickly started climbing. Handy things, those sticky toes.
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #634 on:
March 16, 2006, 08:18:51 PM »
Lord Belzar drank the last of the boy's blood from the bowl at the exact moment he died. Perfect timing, as always. Belzar wiped the crimson smear from his lip as he stood up. He had to bring Phase Two of his plan into effect to crush Halbad. There was work to be done.
But something felt wrong. He still felt less than fully restored. He should have felt beyond energized, more than fully alive with the strength of a young man combined with his. Belzar summoned a mirror to hand and examined his face. Better. The drained wrinkles of hideous old age were nearly gone, and his dark and cruelly handsome features were returned, the skin taunt, the hair grown in black and shiny again.
But, no, there were traces of the wrinkles, which should have been fully gone. Worse, the traces were starting to show signs of deepening. One or two gray hairs were still there... no... there were three, then four, then five.
"CURSE THAT MELGRITTZIGYM TO HELL!" he shouted, then realized that's where the demon was now, no doubt, and probably laughing at him as well.
What was he to do? What? Belzar realized he needed some way to stem the loss of his life force while he found way to appease or defeat the demon.
"My lord," hissed Voramis. "The men I encountered in the forest coming here are now inside the castle walls. Many of my own noted them as they entered through a hidden door. And there seems to be a troll climbing the West Tower."
A Troll!"
Belzar's mind raced.
would do it! He had to capture the troll, then...
"Find this troll. Bind it. I have need of it. Go." he commanded to the Kras-Minion.
Voramis silently gave a short bow and left the room, moving silently.
Belzar thought, "I have much to prepare before I receive my guest."
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #635 on:
March 17, 2006, 09:10:50 AM »
Holly watched as Grumple threw himself on the guard and then up the wall. Holly smiled slightly before running to the main door and throwing it open banging it into the wall. Inside a young guard was standing at the bottom of the stairs. Holly grabbed the guard and thrust him into the wall "Where is the king hidding the bugbear?" The guard wimpered slightly as holly pushed him harder into the wall "i i i don't know!" Holly launched the man across the floor and followed close behind skidding along the polished floor. "I'll ask you again where?" The guard pointed shakily up the stairs "In the tallest tower" He panted Holly dropped him back to the floor and began to jump up the stairs two at a time. It took her time but she finally got to the top of the stairs. Holly ran forward into a spider web hanging from the celing. She coughed slightly and brushed it out of her face and countinued to run down the long hallway towards the torture chamber in the tallest tower.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Redneck Hipster
Posts: 3849
You say insane like it's a bad thing
Re: The Last War
Reply #636 on:
March 17, 2006, 04:29:21 PM »
Damar looked up, his hands and clothing splattered with blood. He had a haunted look in his eyes as he looked at Holly and her entourage. "I'm sorry, the King has slain the one named Tantus." Damar said, holding the plain medallion of St. Logan that Tantus wore around is neck. The chain was cut in half and the metal all but hidden under a crust of blood. "He told me you would come."
" If the muse comes to your bedside, don't tell her you'll f?$! her later."- Allen Ginsberg
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #637 on:
March 18, 2006, 08:11:58 AM »
Grumple followed the scent of his friend's blood. It was a terrible thing to smell, and so much of it. Even before Grumple clambered in the window, he knew.
There was Tantus' body, cut down and lying on the floor. The bugbear's head was beside it, eyes open and staring off in the distance, as if seeing in his last instant the beckoning hand of his Lord.
Grumple roared once, then collapsed over Tantus' body. The thoughts rushed unbidden into the troll's simple mind. Grumple's friend. The one who cared. The one who saved Grumple's life from the terrible, terrible spear. The only one who ever understood Grumple.
And Grumple had failed again. Grumple had not been there to save his blood friend. A few minutes too late. A few too many enemies, as before. As before when Grumple had failed to save Elwina, and her father. Memories long suppressed welled up and overflowed.
Grumple pressed the lifeless head to the severed neck, and bent over it, grumpling loudly and grinding his teeth in sorrow and shame. He pulled out the bone statue from his pocket and gripped it firmly into Tantus mangled hand. Grumple sat cross-legged on the floor and rocked back and forth, grumbling and grinding, back and forth. Black oily troll tears dripped down off his severed nose and onto Tantus face, splashing and mingling with the blood smeared everywhere.
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Redneck Hipster
Posts: 3849
You say insane like it's a bad thing
Re: The Last War
Reply #638 on:
March 18, 2006, 08:50:50 AM »
Damar was taken back but the display of trollish grief and he felt his own face darken with shame. His king had commanded him to do something, and he had. But the bugbear was a holy man, and Damar knew it now. Should he survive there would have to be some sort of atonement made. He looked to Holly.
"Milady Mayleaf, I revoke my alliegance to the King of Halbad and would pledge myself to your service," Damar said. "The king is no longer fit to rule."
" If the muse comes to your bedside, don't tell her you'll f?$! her later."- Allen Ginsberg
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #639 on:
March 18, 2006, 11:27:44 AM »
"You did what you were ordered to do. That is what any trustworthy allie would. your service is excepted" Holly looked to the floor tears welling up in her eye's a huge lump in her throat "He shall pay for this" Holly turned and swept out of the tower sword in hand anger in her eye's, her cheeks red with frustration and determination. Her cloak swept out behind her as her long legs took her striding down the stairs towards the main throne room of the castle. He would be there and if he wasn't she would find him. She would hunt him down and she would kill him.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #640 on:
March 19, 2006, 09:38:41 PM »
As the vile Voramis glided down the hallway to the stairwell, he suddenly stopped. An urgent, nearly silent message vibrated toward him in whispers, in pulses of unseen energy, from various spiders up in the tower just ahead and high above where he stood.
the life-filled she-human with the light silk who moves like a he-human is up here with the taste-bad swamp creature. she coming down fast fast much warmth-energy-juicy-sustinence passes by we-hungry. too bad..."
Like individual humans, individual spiders know very little and accomplish even less. Their interests lie in what moves and can be trapped in a web or successfully hunted. Unlike most insects, (and like most humans), spiders speak to each other and discuss such mundane matters to no end. But until they were summoned into a single form by dark magic, they had no collective purpose. Voramis was such a summoned form, a refined 4th-level summoning; with a combined intelligence equal to most humans, and superior to many. When joined to the vast information network provided by the distributed spiders in the nearby area, his cunning and alien ways of thought made him a formidable enemy.
Kras-Minion Voramis instantly understood the message meant that Princess Holly Mayleaf was decending the tower stairs he was about to climb, and that Lord Belzar who had summoned him into this human form would be
interested in capturing her as well as the troll.
Perhaps even MORE than the troll.
In two seconds, the cloth covering Voramis' "body" had collapsed upon the heavy wooden floor of this level of the castle. The "body" flowed out and up the walls at a remarkable speed, then it moved into the tower. Thousands upon thousands of spinnarets spewed forth as one, creating webbing which was, ounce for ounce, stronger than steel. The billowing cloud formed across the stairwell with several feet of sticky, fibrous goo, cutting off the exit downward through the tower into the castle.
When she decended this far down, Holly Mayleaf would have to leave the tower and move across this corridor high in the castle wall toward the room where Belzar was waiting.
In only a few more seconds, the figure reformed into the clothing, and the crawling mass became man-shaped once more. Voramis. He ran as fast as possible to warn Lord Belzar that his salvation approached.
Oh, but oh... if only Lord Belzar would save a taste of this one -- this perfect she-human -- for faithful Voramis. How delicious her juices would be...
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #641 on:
March 20, 2006, 01:27:12 PM »
Lord Belzar looked up from the collection of items he had summoned into the secret room to see Voramis burst in from the corridor. "My Lord!" the rasping inhuman voice hissed into his brain, "the princess you sought is coming this way. She will be here... in moments."
Straightening up quickly, Belzar smiled wickedly. "Excellent. Excellent. This is really so fortunate. Go now. Seal off the other end of the corridor so she must enter here. Do not be seen."
He grinned to himself. "We have much to talk about, Holly Mayleaf and I."
Someone else was thinking about Holly Mayleaf.
On horseback, Captain Kraggis led the procession of sweaty men dragging the heavy siege engines into the now-cleared North Gate of Halbad. Under their breaths, the men cursed at him and his horse, but he did not allow any of the sturdy mounts of the Black Hand Riders to be used to drag the catapaults along. No, no,
men rode on
horses, not to be confused with lowly draft animals.
That was the excuse. The truth was he didn't like the way the horses were behaving. More skittery than usual. Harder and harder to control. More...
, it seemed.
"DOWN!" he snapped at his charger, Nightstorm. "WHOA!" He yanked on the reins hard; the bit dug into the horse's soft tissue in the back of its mouth. The horse fought, then settled down, but only a little. And this was the sharpest bridle and bit set that the Equus Master had available this morning!
"D****t!" he said to himself. "What's got into the horses?" Whatever it was, it was spreading like a disease from the wild horses to the docile draft animals, and now to the cavalry mounts his men rode. If these horses became any more able to think for themselves, they'd all have to be broken again and retrained... or killed -- assuming Kraggis could find men brave enough to try.
Deep down, he knew Princess Mayberry (or whoever she called herself) was somehow to blame for the horses acting up here in Halbad.
Last Edit: March 23, 2006, 09:32:13 AM by Dream
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #642 on:
March 22, 2006, 07:56:23 AM »
Holly jumped down the last two steps which lead to the corridor where lord belzar was but she didn't know that. In front of her was what looked like a giant spider-web blocking her path downwards Holly grunted with annoyance as she turned to go down the long corridor lit only with a few torches in brackets on the wall. She had never liked this corridor and had avoided going down it at all costs but now was a emergency. Holly ran quickly down the corridor only to come to another block at the end she was trapped. Holly spun round wildly and stared at either end of the corridor. She walked the length slowly looking for door's on either side. The only door she found was a large oak one with strange symbols carved on the outsides of the rim. Holly nervously pushed the door lightly and it swung open like a huge gust of wind had just gone past her blowing it open with a click of the finger. It was dark inside and Holly really didn't want to go in but she had no other choice. Holly pulled her sword out of it's holster and entered the room. The darkness closed in on her as the door slammed shut behind. Holly turned quickly and blindly tried to find the door handle but it seemed to of disappeared. This wasn't good thought Holly as she stood in the darkness waiting for her eye's to adjust to the light change.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #643 on:
March 23, 2006, 09:29:52 AM »
A low baritone voice quietly spoke in the echoing silence, sounding like it was perhaps 30 feet away. "We meet, Princess". Suddenly, without any movement, a number of lit candles appeared in holders set around the perimeter of the large room, probably 50 x 100 feet. It was sparsely furnished with a heavy chair resembling a small throne on a platform at one end. There were two heavy wooden tables and a few solid chairs against the walls at Holly's end. The heavy wooden door behind her had a tiny hole for a door-handle, but strangely, the door handle was missing.
The strangest thing was that Holly knew this room didn't belong here in Castle Halbad. It appeared to have been brought here, walls, floor, furnishings and all from her father's castle in Palaten. To be precise, from the inner Keep. Even the paneling on the walls had familiar wood grain; the tapestries were the same as well; even one of her father.
Up on the "throne" sat a middle-aged man, his hand on his chin, evaluating her with steely eyes. Average size. Jet-black hair with a few gray streaks showing. He wore ornate red and black robes with several pockets, but no armour, and no weapons were apparent except a knife in a sheath at his waist. There were a number of shields and weapons of various types mounted on the walls around the room. Next to the chair and around on the dias were numerous items, rather cluttered.
"I am Lord Belzar," he spoke again. "The Emperor commanded that I bring the Legion to Palaten, which I have done. As well, to Halbad, which I have done."
He shifted gently in his seat, and continued. "Halbad will fall and the surrounding country in all directions then will be under my Lordship. Your Uncle will fall as well. He is too old and stubborn to serve me. But..."
He stared even more intently into her eyes, as if trying to reach inside with his message, and smiled maliciously, "...
could rule here, as Queen. You were supposed to marry some prince or other anyway, and settle down for once in your undisciplined life. The groom was chosen to take your hand, the marriage date was set, but I understand you...
his "love"." Belzar chuckled.
"So impetuous. But here is your chance to redeem yourself from the wild passions of youth. You can still have the throne, and marry any one or more of the thousands who will seek your hand."
"Two conditions:
One. You will consent to be summoned by me at any time or place.
Two. You will obey my commands. I will not make them often, but you must be prepared to carry them out without question.
As a token of your wisdom and full obedience, right now, bring the troll here. As you will be mine, he will be mine. But your existence as the new Queen will be much more pleasant than his! Ha, ha! More pleasant indeed."
His eyes narrowed again. "Do not think that you can hurt me. I am hundreds of years old and have dealt with whelps such as you and your wretched rag-tag friends for centuries before you were born."
As if to prove his point, he waved his hand, and the portcullis from the castle at Halbad suddenly appeared halfway down the room between them, imbedded in the wood and stone walls sideways, cutting the room in two, and preventing her from getting any closer. Holly could see through the interlocking iron bars as he spoke from the other end.
"Go now. Bring the troll to me. Then we can, shall we say, 'work out the details'."
The door handle suddenly appeared in the door behind her and the door opened with a 'click!'
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #644 on:
March 23, 2006, 11:18:16 AM »
"And what if i don't" Replied Holly defiantly watching the door swing open. "What do you do then? What if me and my 'Rag-Tag friends'" She said waving her hand absently through the air "are closer than you thought. I know if i do this then something will happen wether it be good or bad i do not know." Holly paused her eye's glaring "why should i serve you? What have you done for me?" Holly turned to leave the room.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #645 on:
March 23, 2006, 09:12:25 PM »
"Why serve me?" Belzar called out after her. "Because it is better than have your juices sucked from your body while you sleep."
"And I know where your friends are. The ones you met in the forest. The would-be wizard and the one with the glowing sword, and the others. They are here, in the castle. I know all."
"So go, and make your decision. Protect your friends and you will all die. Or decide to rule here at my command and live as a Queen. Be wise. Bring me the troll."
After Holly left, Voramis glided into the room. "You let her go."
Belzar glanced at the dark form. "For now. Later, when I have forced her to violate every shred of conscience within her idealistic blonde head, I shall feed her to Melgrittzigym. He shall have that which he demands, but the taste will be bitter and stick in his throat. Still, by the terms of
, he will be forced to release me. My status will be elevated in the eyes of the demons, and I shall be greater yet."
"Prepare for the troll."
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Posts: 466
Re: The Last War
Reply #646 on:
March 24, 2006, 09:41:46 AM »
If one had been observant, they would have noticed that Kethal stayed in the exact center of every room and hallway, and her expression was worried.
Odat, of course, certainly did not notice. He was busy stumbling about some more, as normal. It really did seem to defy the laws of physics that he never fell. He almost fell again and again, but never quite fell all the way down.
"Dice?" was his only word, as he brought out some intricately carved six sided dice made from what appeared to be a metal and clay mix.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, Arthur waited. He never was able to find the door. Only moments ago he had been in a quiet rage that they had left him behind. Kethal would not have done something like that, but maybe some of the others had tricked her. He intended on finding out who.
However, he was no longer concerned with that. He was reading, completely absorbed with his new book. It was fascinating. The amount of things that Healing and Necromancy had in common were uncanny. He did not actually want to know how to practice necromancy, could never even imagine such a thing, but already he had found four different ways to improve his own weaves.
And, he could stop the undead if they ever returned. He could break the bonds that animated those corpses. The reading was slow though. He had already been at this for half an hour, and he had only got through maybe a hundred of those large, thick tomed pages with small print. And it was only slowing down...
"I am just a figment of my imagination" -"Loki", Illusionist Trickster
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #647 on:
March 24, 2006, 08:47:56 PM »
"My lord," rasped Voramis. "Someone new is in the castle. A she-human, in armour, but, she does not seem
to those who watch."
"If she is a danger, then have her bitten and be done with her. If she is not a danger, then do not bother me" Belzar replied. He had summoned a large and extremely heavy rack from some torture chamber. Its heavy leather straps and iron chains were streaked with old blood stains from prior use.
With a wave of his hand, he positioned it against one wall. It instantly winked out from where it was in the center of the room and reappeared next to a tapestry of a royal-looking man in armour with a crown and a large sword.
Concentrating, Belzar then closed his eyes, and spoke several words under his breath while holding his hands before him with the fingers in certain positions.
There was a glowing spot on the floor that grew, and then the light took shape and swelled upward, forming into a bog-shambler. It had the appearance of a huge mass of wet vegetation, dripping from its many woody limbs. Leafy vines twirled and shifted about as it turned and "saw" its surroundings. Focusing somehow on Lord Belzar, it stopped moving in place except for a few vines which continued to wave slowly.
<"I require your service again, Atta-frema-vernus,">
said the wizard, speaking in the seldom-heard language of the shamblers.
<"I am expecting company, including a Troll. If my visitors become belligerent, you may devour any but the Troll, which must be clamped to this rack. Understood?">
About a ton of rustling greens and browns shook with agreement.
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Posts: 351
Re: The Last War
Reply #648 on:
March 25, 2006, 08:38:30 PM »
Lieutenant Abraxos had been assigned to personal orderly duty in service to General (Centurian) Fellstrom. "Sir! I mean, Your Honor, I mean, Your Centurionship!... he stammered.
"Shut up, you idiot." said General Fellstrom quietly, but firmly. Lieutenant Abraxos bit his lip.
"Where is Lord Belzar? Why haven't we heard from him?" the commander of a Legion thought out loud to himself. "I was supposed to meet with him today to coordinate the final assault on the castle." It was already 5:00 in the afternoon.
"Lieutenant Abraxos, here is an order. Set twenty men to build an enormous bonfire outside of the castle's main gates, outside of bowshot. Make sure these men are very muscular and good looking. Hmmm. Yes. Have them wear red and black. And, oh, yes! Have them stake twenty beautiful young girls from Halbad rather close to the fire so that they twist and squirm in the darkness tonight. Make sure they're virgins -- assuming any virgins above the age of three exist in this godforsaken dung-heap. If the men get frisky with the captives, so much the better. Make sure there are lots of soldiers about to cheer them on."
"That should bring out Lord Belzar. Don't you think?" He suddenly looked at Abraxos.
Lieutenant Abraxos stammered out, "Sir, Yes Sir, I mean, Right, Sir!" He bit his lip again so hard that it bled and practically ran from the room to carry out the order.
Centurion Fellstrom sat in the balcony of his "appropriated" manor-house, staring upward at the enormous castle gates. Without looking down at all, he stroked the long, razor-sharp broadsword he held across his lap. With a
he repeatedly slid an oil-soaked sharpening stone along it until the blade could -- without any damage whatsoever -- shave an errant whisker like soft butter from a freckled face.
you, Balfors Belzar?" he murmured to himself between strokes. "Where
you, thou "Dark Lord" of the unholy "Rictus of Excratian"?
"Show yourself. We have business to attend to, you and I."
The absent-minded sharpening continued... "
Last Edit: March 25, 2006, 11:31:59 PM by Dream
"Stop thinking, and Dream." / Selene Nightwalker
Callista Miala Moonshade
Grand Master
Posts: 626
Re: The Last War
Reply #649 on:
March 26, 2006, 09:34:52 AM »
Holly walked slowly from the chamber. The thought of becoming queen creeping up on her like a thief in the black of night. But the thought of betraying her friends haunted her even worse. Holly thought quickly staring blankly ahead as she walked through the castle. Suddenly there came a bump as Tigra jumped down from one of the upper stairs "Holly there you are been looking for you everywhere" Holly didn't listen. She carried on walking silently up the stairs towards the highest tower. Tigra looked at the floor "whats wrong Holly?" She asked pulling along side her and turning her light brown eye's towards Holly. Holly stopped and looked at Tigra "I'm so confused" Came Holly's voice small and timid. "I have met with lord Belzar and he has asked me to do something! And if i don't do it then the others will be killed is it selfish of me not to do it?" Holly looked up thoughts flooding her brain. Tigra looked wisely at holly and began to talk "It is only selfish if you are doing the thing for yourself! if you are helping another and are not getting anything for yourself then no it's not selfish. You have to look in your heart Holly and ask yourself what should you do! Always trust the instinct of your heart not your head!" Holly glanced down at the floor and smiled slightly to herself. she knew her friends words were true. And she knew what she needed to do.
'What goes up!! Must come down,"
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Swordfish Involtini with Steamed Spinach
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 2 bunches Italian parsley, finely chopped to yield 1 cup
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 1 pound center cut swordfish, sliced into 4-ounce pieces 1/4-inch thick
- 2 cups basic tomato sauce, recipe follows
- 1 tablespoon hot chili flakes
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 bunch mint, leaves only, to yield 1/4 cup loosely packed
- Basic tomato sauce:
- 1 Spanish onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 3 ounces virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons fresh thyme (or 2 tablespoons dried)
- 1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded
- 2 (28-ounce) cans of tomatoes, crushed and mixed well with their juices
- Salt, to taste
Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until translucent, but not brown (about 10 minutes). Add the thyme and carrot and cook 5 minutes more. Add the tomatoes. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to just bubbling, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Season with salt to taste. Serve immediately, or set aside for further use. The sauce may be refrigerated for up to one week or frozen for up to 6 months.
6 cups
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan, heat oil until smoking. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden brown, about 30 seconds. Add pine nuts and cook, stirring constantly until toasted golden brown, about three to four minutes. Remove from heat, stir in parsley flakes and black pepper and allow to cool.
Lay swordfish pieces out on counter and divide pine nut mixture among them. Carefully roll each piece like a jellyroll and secure with a toothpick. In a 12 to 14-inch oven proof saute pan, heat tomato sauce, chili flakes and wine until boiling. Place involtini in sauce, well separated and place pan in oven. Keep in oven until cooked through, about six to eight minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with mint leaves and serve.
(An excellent accompaniment would be simply steamed spinach, dressed with oil and lemon.)


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You Ain't Reached the Top Until…
You're always climbing in Flagstaff. Anyone who has ridden there knows the first hour of the ride, at least, will be all uphill. You Continue reading You Ain't Reached the Top Until…
You're always climbing in Flagstaff. Anyone who has ridden there knows the first hour of the ride, at least, will be all uphill. You Continue reading You Ain't Reached the Top Until…→
Walking around Leadville I was starting to notice these things hugging peoples calves, so I started firing off some shots- I hope they help do Continue reading Compassion socks→
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, now you too can be outfitted with a pair of genuine Schlecktacles. Perfect for the cyclist who spends Continue reading Check the Schlecktacles→
First thing: Way cool. One of my favorite comedians, Patton Oswalt, is coming to the Rialto Theater on the 29th of April. F for Fat Continue reading Tucson: F for Failure Pile on the Bicycle Safety→
In response to Judi's last post regarding the inequality and piss poor payouts that female racers endure and are subjected to, I came across the Continue reading The other side of the coin→
I almost hurled when I read this article posted last week on Velo News. Amgen Tour of California organizer AEG appears set to launch a Continue reading Welcome to 1952.→
Who am I kidding? It's not like they'd have me. (Can't remember if I had even applied to that school. Let's assume I did & Continue reading I should have gone to CU-Boulder→
Merry Christmas, or whatever you are celebrating today. All the best from all of us. by
I don't know about you, but clowns still kinda scare the shit outta me. Yes, in case you're wondering I am a grownup, but clowns Continue reading Merry Xmas, fools.→
When I meet people from the DC family out on the trail, the one question I get the most is "How do you know Big Jonny and how did Continue reading Find some time to ride today→
came across this tidbit whilst surfing… from the WADA website – paragraph 8 of the "code" SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED IN PARTICULAR SPORTS P1. ALCOHOL Alcohol (ethanol) Continue reading Cheers→


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glxgears gives errors on newly installed ATI drivers
Hi all...I finally managed to install the 8.34.8 ATI fglrx driver on kernel 126.96.36.199 after much frustration and a patch. So glxinfo gives me direct rendering finally and all would seem well except for this. When I run glxgears it prints a series of lines that all say the following:
FGLTexMgr: open of shared memory object failed (Permission denied) Thanks! |
I believe that the newer ATI drivers mess up glxgears ... don't use glxgears for that. I've heard ATI has their own version of glxgears that works ok.
Two things to try.
1) In your fstab file add the following line: tmpfs /dev/shm tmpfs defaults 0 0 2) in your xorg.conf add this at the bottom: Section "DRI" Group 0 Mode 0666 EndSection Reboot and see what glxgears gives you then. Simon |
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Top Items:
Imtiyaz Delawala / ABC News:
Bill Gates Dismisses Criticism in Steve Jobs Biography — Microsoft co-founder and chairman Bill Gates dismissed criticisms of him by long-time competitor Steve Jobs in the new biography released after Jobs' death, saying "none of that bothers me at all," while praising the impact the Apple executive had on the world.
Preston Gralla / Computerworld:
Bill Gates — I helped Steve Jobs create the Mac
Bill Gates — I helped Steve Jobs create the Mac
Electronista and Seattle Times
Soledad O'Brien / CNNMoney.com:
Michael Arrington is right (about one thing) — Michael Arrington thinks there should be more effort made to improve diversity in Silicon Valley. I agree. But that important message is being drowned out by a heated online debate.
Business Insider, @karaswisher, @karaswisher, @karaswisher, @karaswisher and @theslowman, Thanks:markphillip
Mitch Kapor / Mitch's posterous:
Beyond Arrington and CNN, Let's Look at the Real Issues — On November 13 CNN will be airing Black in America 4 — The New Promised Land: Silicon Valley, a documentary focusing on eight African-American entrepreneurs and their quest for success in Silicon Valley.
dylan tweney and Pulp Tech Blog
Eric Slivka / MacRumors:
Apple Retail Stores to Allow Self-Checkout via iOS App for Accessory Purchases — MacRumors has learned that Apple is planning to launch an update to its retail store iOS app that will allow consumers to utilize self-checkout for purchases of accessories and other shelf-stocked items at the company's retail stores.
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Matt McLernon / YouTube Blog:
Life in a Day now available on YouTube — On July 24, 2010, thousands of people around the world recorded videos of their lives to take part in Life in a Day, a cinematic experiment to document a single day on earth. From more than 4,500 hours of footage recorded and uploaded to YouTube …
Gizmodo and The Next Web
Olga Kharif / Bloomberg:
Job Cuts to Cost Motorola Mobility $31 Million — Disposing of 800 positions will cost Motorola Mobility $27 million in severance and $4 million for facility closures as it prepares to be acquired by Google — (Bloomberg) — Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., the mobile-phone maker that agreed …
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Michael Arrington / Uncrunched:
SimpleGeo To Be Acquired By Urban Airship — SimpleGeo, the once promising location startup, has been acquired, I've heard. The buyer is Urban Airship. — This is an all stock acquisition apparently, totaling around $3.5 million in value. Since SimpleGeo has raised nearly $10 million …
Laura Hazard Owen / paidContent:
Amazon Builds Up Kindle Fire Content With Disney-ABC Deal — In last week's earnings call, Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) said it will continue to push hard into streaming video. Now, in a new licensing deal with Disney-ABC (NYSE: DIS) Television Group, Amazon Prime members can stream shows like Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Spider-Man for free.
Mark Gurman / 9to5Mac:
Apple looking to bring AirPlay Mirroring, iMessage application to Mac OS X — AirPlay Mirroring shown with an iPad 2 and an Apple TV — Sources familiar with the future of Mac OS X say that AirPlay Mirroring and an iMessage application are currently in development.
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Mark Gurman / 9to5Mac:
Apple airs impressive new iPhone 4S iCloud, Siri, and Camera TV ads — Following up on the first iPhone 4S Siri TV advertisement from last week, Apple has just released three new advertisements surrounding the iPhone 4S. The iCloud iPhone 4S advertisement shown above shows the out of the box iCloud integration for the iPhone 4S.
The Register, PC Magazine, Shiny Objects, Inquirer, IntoMobile, Softpedia News, Fortune, Appboy Blog, iPhone in Canada Blog, MacRumors, AllThingsD and MacStories, Thanks:markgurman
Alexia Tsotsis / TechCrunch:
The Entire $1.65B Acquisition Of YouTube Took A Week, Was Negotiated At Denny's — In an interview at TechCrunch Disrupt Beijing today, YouTube co-founder Steven Chen reminisced about selling his company to Google. "Was there any way you could not have sold?" Sarah Lacy asked?
Softpedia News
Mona Simpson / New York Times:
A Sister's Eulogy for Steve Jobs — I grew up as an only child, with a single mother. Because we were poor and because I knew my father had emigrated from Syria, I imagined he looked like Omar Sharif. I hoped he would be rich and kind and would come into our lives (and our not yet furnished apartment) and help us.
Sui-Lee Wee / Reuters:
China denies it is behind hacking of U.S. satellites — (Reuters) - Beijing on Monday denied a U.S. commission's claim that China may have been responsible for hacking incidents on U.S. environment-monitoring satellites, saying that the committee had "ulterior motives" in writing such a draft report.
Guardian and The Register
Mary Jo Foley / All about Microsoft Blog:
Commercial version of Kinect for Windows development kit due in early 2012 — Summary: Microsoft is planning to launch a version of its Kinect for Windows software development kit (SDK) licensed for commercial use in early 2012. — Microsoft delivered a beta of a software development kit …
Suzanne Kapner / Wall Street Journal:
Hackers Press the 'Schmooze' Button — Chris Patten called a large investment-management firm to report that he was going through a divorce and was worried that his wife had set up an account under a false name. — And with that story—entirely plausible but in this case a lie …
Digits and NBC Bay Area
Sarah Perez / TechCrunch:
Test Page For GDrive Appearing In Google Search Results — In case there was still any doubt about the long-rumored "GDrive's" existence, a page now appearing on Google's search results offers a pretty clear indication that something is going on. On Writely.com - the online word processing …
Softpedia News, Gizmodo UK and News On Droid
Erica Ogg / GigaOM:
Apple spending big next year on retail and cloud — Apple is doubling down on its retail and cloud operations. The company says it will spend about $8 billion in capital expenditures in 2012, which is almost twice as much as the $3.4 billion it spent during fiscal year 2011, which ended Sept. 30.
MacRumors, Daring Fireball and AppleInsider
Ina Fried / AllThingsD:
Korea's Pantech to Use Kinect-Like Gesture Recognition in Android Phones — Korean phone maker Pantech, best known in the U.S. for low-end Android and messaging phones, hopes to make a name for itself by adding gesture recognition a la Microsoft's Kinect. — The technology …
VentureBeat and Android Phone Fans
Peter Kafka / AllThingsD:
Something New From Nook, Coming in a Week — Barnes & Noble will be announcing ... something at a New York City press conference in a week. — About what? The oblique invitation I just got in my inbox doesn't say a word, other than promising that it will be a "very special announcement."
Wall Street Journal, 9to5Google, LAPTOP Magazine, Business Insider, CNET News, GottaBeMobile, Mashable! and Softpedia News
James Temple / San Francisco Chronicle:
Microsoft attorney outlines Android patent tactics — It takes flowcharts to keep track of all the mobile patent lawsuits under way. — Apple sued HTC, while Kodak sued Apple, Samsung and Sony. RIM filed suit against Kodak and Motorola. And what are called nonpracticing entities …
DailyTech, ITProPortal, Gizmodo UK, Guardian, OStatic blogs and The Register
Matt Burns / TechCrunch:
Google TV Update Rolls Out Today, Already Hitting Select Sony Internet TV Devices — The much-anticipated Google TV update is systematically rolling out today. Sony Internet TV devices are first in line followed by Logitech Revue units shortly thereafter. But wait patiently.
Android Central, Gizmodo, LAPTOP Magazine and Distimo
Mark Gurman / 9to5Mac:
Apple completes testing of 15-inch LCD for ultra-thin MacBook Pro? — According to Macotakara.jp, Apple has finished work on test units of a 15-inch LCD for an upcoming ultra-thin laptop from Apple. The report calls the new machine a 15-inch MacBook Air, but in all likelihood it's a thinner 15-inch MacBook Pro.


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23-07-2011 | |
RIP Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse found dead TROUBLED pop star Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in Camden, north London. The Rehab singer, 27, was discovered at the property in north London by emergency services at around 3.54pm this afternoon, according to sources. A police statement said: "Police were called by London Ambulance Service to an address in Camden Square NW1 shortly before 16.05hrs today, Saturday 23 July, following reports of a woman found deceased. "On arrival officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene. "Enquiries continue into the circumstances of the death. At this early stage it is being treated as unexplained." Amy had recently cancelled all tour dates and engagements after a series of erratic public appearances. But she appeared with her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield earlier this week at the iTunes festival where she urged the crowd to buy the young singer's album. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ound-dead.html
Isabeli Fontana - Inguna Butane - Liliane Ferrarezi - Flavia de Oliveira - Martha Streck - Ale Ambrosio
23-07-2011 | |
So sad. RIP Amy.
Isabeli Fontana - Inguna Butane - Liliane Ferrarezi - Flavia de Oliveira - Martha Streck - Ale Ambrosio


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Summer Fruit Kuchen
A mélange of summer flavors meet in this fluffy cake full of blueberries, peaches and plums topped with an irresistible streusel made with butter, cinnamon and light brown sugar.
Total Time:
- 1½ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. each ground cinnamon and salt
- 1½ stick unsalted butter
- ¾ c. sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
- ⅓ c. milk
- 1½ c. blueberries
- 1 ripe peach
- 1 ripe plum
- 3 tbsp. each all-purpose flour and light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
- Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-in. square baking pan with nonstick foil; let foil extend over ends of pan.
- Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on high speed for 2 minutes until smooth. On medium speed, beat in eggs and vanilla just until combined. On low speed, beat in flour mixture and milk until blended. Gently fold 1/2 cup blueberries into batter.
- Spread batter into prepared pan and spread in an even layer. Top with peach and plum slices, evenly spaced in batter. Scatter with remaining 1 cup blueberries.
- In a medium bowl, rub ingredients together with fingertips until moistened and clumpy, then scatter over fruit. Bake 55 to 60 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and kuchen starts to pull away slightly from sides of pan. Cool in pan on wire rack.
- Lift foil by ends onto work surface. Using 2 large spatulas, lift cake from foil onto a serving plate. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into squares.
like this
Woman's Day
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Review : ASUS Gaming Laptop G74SX-TZ162V now been using NVIDIA GTX 560M graphics and hardware are optimized for DirectX11, for High Definition 3D gaming and real time effects such as ray tracing and advanced tesselation.
Creative detect sounds in the environment and provide in-game voice support 3D.THX Trustudio conduct making optimal audio sound becomes more alive.ASUS G74SX created for full HD Gaming.NVIDIA GTX 560M GDDR5 also comes with 3GB of memory so that for the first time NVIDIA GTX 560M is used for 3D visual rendering process, an excess of ASUS G74SX.
Specifications Laptop Game ASUS G7SX-TZ162V :
Read More >>
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Most well known for being the founder of the National Libertarian Party in the USA as well as creating the Nolan Chart, the inspiration for The World's Smallest Political Quiz.
Nolan grew up in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C. (inviting wonderful speculation about what caused his slant against the political parties of old). Apparently, it was authors such as Robert A. Heinlein and Ayn Rand that helped shape his political ideology as a youth.
As a student at MIT in the 60's founded the Students for Goldwater organization. Barry Goldwater was a 1964 Republican presidential candidate supporting limited government. Dave later became the Youth Coordinator for the Liberty Amendment Committee, an organization devoted to repealing the income tax and getting the government out of unconstitutional activities.
When the Liberty Amendment Youth Council was disbanded in 1968, David gave the member list to Jarret Wollstein, who used it to form the Society for Rational Individualism (SRI, which later formed into the Society for Individual Liberty).
It was in response to many of the restrictive acts of Richard Nixon's presidency (the Vietnam War, restrictions of civil and economic freedom, etc.]), that lead Nolan to write "The Case for a Libertarian Political Party", an article for SIL's monthly magazine The Individualist. Disgusted with the political actions of 1971 and before David in his friends began the work to form the Libertarian Party on Dec. 11 in his Colorado living room.
Perhaps as important as the creation of what became the USA's third largest politicial party, Nolan second major contribution to society was the self-named Nolan Chart. In the past, political standpoints were thought of as a position on a line. One end of the line represents liberal (left), and the other represents conservative (right). However, this didn't satisfy Nolan. Views on issues of personal freedom didn't seem to be shared by either all conservatives or all liberals.
He ended up playing with the concept until he arrived at a two-axis system. One the traditional economic freedom (separating liberals and conservatives), and the second representing personal freedom. The idea didn't go terribly far until Libertarian Marshall Fritz turned it into the famous World's Smallest Political Quiz.
It was for the Nolan Chart that England based International Bibliographical Centre would choose to include Nolan in the "2,000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century". Nolan's response to this was "Amusement, mostly. I really don't think I'm one of the 2000 leading intellectuals of this or any other century . . . but then again, maybe I am, [especially considering] what idiots most intellectuals really are."
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Eight uses, one product
The Intellichef Multicooker is every budding chef's dream and incorporates eight different cooking techniques, saving you space in the kitchen.
Foodies with compact cooking areas no longer need to be limited in what they prepare and with functions such as grilling, braising, steaming and stewing the real challenge is finding a dish you can't make.
If you fancy knocking up a spicy stir fry or slow cooking a soup, stew or sauce then you can easily do so without the fuss of excess equipment. Dinner parties will be revolutionised as the valuable space which would be taken up with appliances can be put to far better use by filling it with ingredients!
The Intellichef includes eight different functions such as steaming, braising, grilling, boiling, frying, stir frying, slow cooking and fast stewing. What's more, the aluminium cooking pot is easy to clean so less time can be spent cleaning and more time spent eating.
With so much versatility and so many functions the only limitation to your culinary masterpieces in future will be your imagination.
To see the Intellichef in action, make sure to check out our advert that will be on your TV screens over the next couple of weeks. We are also giving one away to one lucky member of our Facebook community, so do check out our new competition app!


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With more than 55,000 sq. ft. of indoor water park, 150,000 gallons of water, a state of the art arcade and multiple dining options, CoCo Key Water Resort and The Hotel ML have A LOT to offer!
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Enjoy fun and sun with the entire family at our water parks United States. The children will have a blast rushing down the water slides, splashing in the wave pool, and running through the spraygrounds. If thrill rides aren't your cup of tea you will enjoy relaxing in the lazy river or bathing by the wading pool. Don't let bad weather ruin your family outing, visit one of our indoor water parks United States. Browse our waterparks in United States and plan your United States vacation today!


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The Horse Forum
- Meet the Community
- - Hello from Illinois!
Hello from Illinois! Hello! My name is (can you guess?) Tyler. I live on a small hobby farm in mid Illinois with 40 chickens, 6 goats, and my Quarter horse "Oakey." :) |
:oops: I can't figure out how to finish editing my first post... so anyway. I love photography, and want to learn how to take spectacular nature photographs. With Oakey, last summer I worked on teaching my old man a new trick how to lead... Yeah... He's not trained very well. This spring and summer I'm going to start lunging and hopefully do a little riding! :D |
I have a question about the "Catch the Carrot" game. What exactly is it? |
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September 2, 2013
Men More Than Four Inches Taller Now Than A Century Ago
Brett Smith for redOrbit.com - Your Universe Online
Using data from health surveys and military registries, a University of Essex researcher has found that the average height of European men has grown 4.3 inches from the early 1870s to 1980, according to a new report in the journal Oxford Economic Papers.
Timothy Hatton, a professor of economics at Essex, said the development was probably the result of an overall improvement in population health, particularly the drop in the infant mortality rate."Increases in human stature are a key indicator of improvements in the average health of populations," Hatton said. "The evidence suggests that the improving disease environment, as reflected in the fall in infant mortality, is the single most important factor driving the increase in height. The link between infant mortality and height has already been demonstrated by a number of studies."
While genetics are commonly thought to be the major determining factor for height in a population, Hatton said in his report that genes "cannot account for substantial increases in mean stature over four or five generations."
Using data collected from hundreds of thousands of European men, Hatton found that British men's average height at age 21 grew from 5 feet 5 inches between 1871 and 1875 to 5 feet 10 inches between 1971 and 1975. In Sweden, men's average height increased from just below 5 feet 7 inches to nearly 5 feet 11 inches in the same period.
The report noted a "distinct quickening" in the pace of height growth during the years spanning the two World Wars and the Great Depression.
"This is striking because the period largely predates the wide implementation of major breakthroughs in modern medicine and national health services," the report said.
Hatton theorized that a falling rate of respiratory diseases or other illnesses, which caused many infant deaths, would mean less exposure to development-stunting pathogens. He also said that family sizes have shrunk over the years – meaning that there was more food and other resources available for growing children.
The study also found a sharp increase in the heights of men in southern Europe during the years following World War II. Hatton theorized that people living in these countries experienced significant income growth and took on some of the healthy habits of their northern counterparts.
In discussing the results of the study with BBC News, John Middleton of the UK's Faculty of Public Health said he agreed with Hatton's findings and theories.
"Does how tall we are really tell us how healthy we are? This interesting research suggests that it's certainly a factor," Middleton said. "Increasing height is a reflection of how the availability of food and nutrition had broadly improved until the recent excesses of fat and sugar."
"However, we can't conclude that shorter men are somehow unhealthier," he continued. "Like a lot of research, this paper prompts more questions than it set out to answer."
"While our average height is a useful barometer to bear in mind, what we really need is to tackle the many reasons for poor health that we can address," Middleton concluded.


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Lot 431: Kodak / Printemps. ca. 1925
PAI-LXX: Rare Posters
by Poster Auctions International Inc
October 30, 2016
New York, NY, USA
Live AuctionSold
Looking for the realized and estimated price?
Description: Artist: RENÉ LELONG (1860-?) Size: 16 3/8 x 25 3/8 in./41.5 x 64.3 cm Hachard, Paris Known as the "Kodak Girl, the image of a young woman in a blue and white striped dress adorned many posters for the brand from the 1910s onward. Here, she gazes into a private scene of a fellow photographing his girlfriend amidst the spring blossoms. (camera)
Condition Report: A-/ Slight tears at edges.
Dimensions: 16 3/8 x 25 3/8 in./41.5 x 64.3 cm
Artist or Maker: RENÉ LELONG (1860-?)
Medium: Poster
Date: ca. 1925