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The Detroit News, an already thin newspaper now only printed three days a week, normally publishes optimistic stories, especially with regard to the economy. No, really, the News' pages are not full of murder coverage or our goofy, downtown Detroit politicians who seem to be outdoing themselves in the bonehead department. The news media in Detroit is quick to latch on to any story that may show a sliver of hope and expand it exponentially, which is why I cannot watch local news and can only stomach the paper on weekends.
When the Super Bowl or Final Four comes to town, it's our salvation. When the streets are closed because of film production, it's the Second Coming.
Believe me, I wish I had a pair of rose-colored glasses. It gives me no great pleasure to witness an economic contraction leaving Michigan reduced to a third world state. The drop-out rate in Detroit is alarming, the MEAP scores are sliding, and driving down a major thoroughfare during spring is like driving on the moon. Michigan is not a bad place to have spent the last 22 years, but it's no paradise. However, you'd have to be blind or on serious chemicals not to see what's really going on here. This state's rocky downward slide has been readily apparent for many years, at least to me. And now there's proof from the News.
Last weekend, the Detroit News ran a two-day series on the mass exodus from this garden spot of the Midwest. Since 2001, almost 500,000 people have left for greener pastures, usually opting for Arizona, California, Florida, and other southern states. Over 109,000 more left than moved in during 2008.
Many of those fleeing are young people, about half the college graduates this state pumps out. There are more Michigan State graduates living and working in Chicago than there are in any other metro area, including any in Michigan. My own two children, both of whom were born and raised here, left right after high school, opting for college on the West Coast. Are they coming back? Only if California falls into the Pacific, and then, "home" will be at the bottom of the choice barrel.
It's not just the warm weather these migrants are looking for. The jobs here are getting scarcer by the day. Unemployment figures for February topped out at 12%, and that's just those who are on the rolls. There are many more including those who I call friends who have given up the search. Thus begins the toilet bowl spiral. If people can't work, they lose their homes. They may find jobs in other states, but they can't sell their homes because the real estate market is awash with foreclosures and short sales. Either they leave and let the house go, or they give up on moving.
Of course, I have a unique outlook on the state of the state. We own a small business where the only way to a decent reward is to work hard, be thrifty, and keep costs down. We don't have the luxury of union contracts, guaranteed health care, paid vacations or a cushy retirement to look forward to. There are no freebies or hand-outs here.
In some locations, we have kept the price of our program to the same as it was in 2001. In others, we've actually reduced what we charge even though it cuts into what meager profits we might realize, after federal tax, state tax, and small business tax. We don't see the cost of doing business (or anything else) taking a nosedive. It would be helpful if I could buy a gallon of milk at 2001 prices. We know that competition for customers is fierce and money is tight for everyone. It's what we have to do in order to survive.
Michigan is a state that has relied heavily on the auto industry to keep it afloat. The ancillary support businesses are a huge part of the equation. Everyone else is here because of the manufacturing base. As a result of decades of good times, the state adopted the same boom-time mentality as the auto manufacturers. Our state government is top heavy with entitlements and clogged with too many legislators and bureaucrats for a dwindling population.
However, gone are the glory days, when jobs were everywhere and the economy was flush. Putting all of the state's economic eggs in the auto industry basket was convenient to do back in the Big Three heyday, but it was also unfortunately short-sighted. The automakers are feeling the pinch, but it's hard to get away from that feeling of those glory days. Being unable to adjust with the economic contraction will likely be the downfall of GM and Chrysler, and the rest of our state will follow close behind.
The rest of the country has yet to feel Michigan's pain. Two years ago, the housing market began to look scary, and while home sales in Detroit are up 30% in 2008, the increase is not due to an economic recovery, but to the quick sales of foreclosures. When a house costs less than a big screen TV, there are always those who can scrape up a thousand dollars or so. Commercial property is another story. Two years ago, on a different website, I documented the one mile walk from my home to my office by taking photographs of buildings for sale or lease. At the time, there were 18 empty properties; now there are two dozen.
Instead of proposing fiscal responsibility as a reaction to the contraction, our Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm, pushed through some programs that offered only short-term relief, and none to the long-suffering small businesses who are the backbone of the rest of the state and who already struggle to stay afloat here. Tax incentives for Hollywood producers, where a 40% rebate is paid back to those making films here, is only a year old. I shudder to think what the true costs will be once the accountants are through with it. While this plum deal brought many films to Michigan, these companies brought only fleeting business to the state. Like hosting the Super Bowl and Final Four games, these "events" are touted as bringing in millions of dollars into the area.
What Michigan needs is more than a temporary infusion of cash. It needs people who want to stay here because there are jobs here. It needs people who are willing to invest in long-term projects and permanence. It needs a responsible government that can cut wasteful spending and save.
To this end, Governor Granholm decided to make Michigan a "green" state, concentrating on luring battery manufacturers for the upcoming conversion to electric vehicles. I thought, good deal. I'm all for being environmentally conscious. I drive a Prius and mow my lawn with an electric lawn mower. I was initially excited about the Chevrolet Volt, the all-electric car due out in 2010, that is, if there is a General Motors still in business then.
However, even the hopes of this project are being dashed, and for those who had the insight, I'm sure they could have warned Governor Jen in advance. You see, for electric cars, one must have a necessary component and a lot of it, namely electricity. Electricity is made by one of a few ways, by hydro, coal burning plants or nuclear energy. In addition, the energy grids have to be updated to support the increased use of electricity. A fleet of electric vehicles within one state or one county would black out the grid as it is today.
Such an endeavor, while initially a good idea, was not well-conceived. The idea of cap and trade would be hugely detrimental to such a project. The current administration in Washington is staunchly against coal and nuclear, and while there's plenty of water around here, not much of it is conducive for hydro. However, no one seems to be looking at these wrinkles in the battery producing picture. This state is still holding on to the dream that battery manufacturing is our goldmine, that this is our lottery ticket. We see a couple of bucks and our eyes glaze over in anticipation.
Things will likely get much worse before it gets better. With two of the Big Three facing bankruptcy, the turnaround isn't in the picture yet. And while the rest of the 49 aren't feeling the pain, the possibility of state contractions like the one in Michigan is very likely. As consumers tighten their collective pocketbooks, the outlook for the business sector is tempestuous at best. And without a business sector, who will be left to tax?
The dismantling and restructuring of the financial system and the increase in government control is only the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the country should take a look at the Mitten State and learn from our failure.
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Western approach to Garns 2 | [ Sizes: Orig | Med | Small | Thumb ] | |||
Waypoint two is located at Blacktail Pass, the key landmark in getting to either Garns Mountain or Piney Peak (or both). We went from Blacktail Pass to the summit of Garns as shown on the map and then went over to Piney Peak only to return to Blacktail Pass on our way back. See map one for the initial portion of this hike. It is an ATV road all the way to the summit. | Image Data
Image ID: 536341 Hits: 894 Object Title: Western approach to Garns 2 |


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Eighteen days gone, 13 to go, and you can bet every manager is counting them down. The January transfer window is a nightmare for managers and while it has been quiet so far this is just the lull before the storm. With so much at stake at both ends of the table every club will be looking to strengthen and you can bet there is a lot of work going on behind the scenes as managers try to set deals up. But it is one thing identifying players you want and need, getting them over the line is another thing entirely, especially in January when few good players are available.
Which is why Steve Bruce will be patting himself and his chairman on the back after wrapping up the signings of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long with two weeks to spare. When you are signing players in January you need ones who will have an instant impact, maybe a leader at the back if you are conceding goals, or some guile in midfield, or pace or power up front. The great thing for Steve is that both players have plenty of Premier League experience, so should settle immediately.
Getting them in is a real statement of intent. Assem Allam has come in for some stick over the name change he wants to impose at Hull but fans can't fault his financial backing. They'd be nowhere without it and it's not like Vincent Tan at Cardiff, coming in from another continent, Allam has lived on Humberside for years and wants to put something back.
It'll be interesting to see how many owners match him. Quite a few spent heavily in the summer and will be reluctant to do so again, but that is what it might take to stay up and have a place at the table for the even bigger rewards on offer next year. David McNally, Norwich City's chief executive even said: "I would prefer death rather than relegation." That is a bit extreme. I've been relegated and it is terrible thing, it lives with you for months, but it is not as bad as dying.
The teams at the top will also be looking to add, though for them there are even fewer players around who could make a difference. Chelsea have already bought and while paying £21m for someone they sold for £3m only a few years ago might make people smile, that won't bother Jose Mourinho as he didn't sell Nemanja Matic – and credit to the owner for supporting him. Manchester United might find it a bit harder to get Paul Pogba back. He has improved so much since Sir Alex let him go I bet they wish they had given him the 20 grand a week, or something like that, he wanted. He'd walk into United's team now.
I can't see Manchester City signing anyone unless Joleon Lescott leaves and they need more cover at centre-half. They certainly don't need players for any other position. It is a difficult decision for Lescott. He won't want to leave a trophy-chasing team for a relegation battle, but he needs games if he is to go to the World Cup.
There are one or two in that position, which might help managers at the bottom bring in players because I know from experience it is incredibly difficult to get players if you are near the relegation zone.
One of the more interesting signings is Grant Holt joining Aston Villa. I can understand why Paul Lambert wants him. He has good memories of Holt playing for him at Norwich and he brings experience to the side. It is all right saying "go with youth" but you need experience and, since there is obviously not a lot of money around at Villa, Holt is a good option. He never had much pace so his age is less of a factor, he's always been a handful for defenders. Villa need someone who can hold the ball up to bring people into play and there's not many better at that than Holt. It is also a great move for him. He was obviously not required at Wigan, but now he's back in the Premier League.
The best deal of the window may turn out to be one of the most low-profile. Kevin Phillips is a super signing for Nigel Pearson. It is also a great chance for Kevin to finish his career on a high. He might only play 20-minute cameos, but trust me, there is no one better to finish chances and Leicester have the pace and power up front to make sure Kevin gets a couple of opportunities each time he comes on. It is not just the goals, you can't put a price on what he will bring to the dressing room. He's seen it all, done it all, and is a smashing lad with a great attitude to training. If he makes the difference that ensures Leicester get automatic promotion he'll be a fabulous signing, and he cost nothing.
It was a great win against Derby for Nigel last week but he'll be wary as, after Leeds' drubbing at Sheffield Wednesday last week, he will be expecting a backlash at Elland Road.
It is a match they'll be following closely at Loftus Road, where I was hoping to be for QPR v Huddersfield. Instead I'm in Devon, having had some minor surgery. I'm hoping it is OK for my BT Sport show on Monday. I also had an injection for pneumonia. I had a letter saying I should have it done now I'm 65. Things like that do make you feel your age. Amy also needed a jab so we made a right pair, because while William and Sharon are fine with needles we both have to look away or we'll scream.
It would have been nice to see how two of my old clubs are getting on. Huddersfield are really well run now with Dean Hoyle as chairman and Mark Robins manager and they will present a stiff test for Harry Redknapp. I still believe he will take Rangers back to the Promised Land, but Harry must be thinking, "If only Burnley would lose a few games".
Pochettino needs to stay at Southampton for his own reputation
Whatever you think about Nicola Cortese – and after negotiating for players with him I can tell you he's not too bothered about making friends (in fact, he probably counts all his on one hand) – he has done a fantastic job at Southampton. Obviously, Mauricio Pochettino was brought in as manager by Cortese, but I wasn't surprised when he said he would stay despite the chairman leaving. I know Pochettino said eight months ago he would leave if Cortese did, but managers have to say all sorts of things some times.
Pochettino needs to stay now for his own reputation, not least to show he can get Saints firing again after a difficult run. You can also see he's enjoying it and when you are, you don't want to leave a club. But who's to say Cortese won't turn up at another club in Europe and that Pochettino will join him there?
I don't expect the players to be affected by the change. Most players are mainly concerned about themselves, so the ones in the team will be happy and the ones out of the team will be unhappy. That's usually the case at every club, whoever is chairman.
Keeping schtum over Puncheon
As many of you will be aware, comments I made on my talkSPORT programme on Monday about Jason Puncheon's penalty at White Hart Lane brought an unexpected response on Twitter from my former QPR player. While I was extremely disappointed, there is not much I can say about the matter at present, as it is in the hands of my legal people.


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World Bulletin / News Desk
Lakhdar Brahimi, the U.N.-Arab League mediator on Syria, said on Monday he would make his first visit to Damascus since taking the post in a few days and hoped to meet President Bashar al-Assad.
Brahimi, who replaced Kofi Annan as international mediator on Syria this month, told reporters at the Cairo-based Arab League that his assignment was a "very difficult mission but it was not my right to refuse to do what I can to try to help the Syrian people."
He has made similar comments about his mission since he was named as the new envoy. Annan had blamed a U.N. Security Council impasse for hampering his six-month bid to broker peace leading to his decision to step down.
"I will go to Damascus after a few days and I will meet officials and people from civil society and intellectuals in the capital and, God willing, outside the capital," Brahimi said, but did not give specific timings.
Asked if he would meet the Syrian president, Brahimi said: "I hope so but I don't know."
Brahimi made no reference to Iranian reports that he planned to visit Tehran after Syria.
Iran's Mehr news agency quoted on Sunday Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi as saying that Brahimi would visit Tehran, following a phone conversation on Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.
Brahimi and Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby met anti-Assad protesters outside the League headquarters in the centre of Cairo on the edge of Tahrir Square, where demonstrators had gathered to bring down Egypt's Hosni Mubarak last year.
The protesters called for the League and other nations to impose a no-fly zone over Syria, to which Elaraby replied: "We cannot. The nations that can impose a no-fly zone on Syria do not want to do so."


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This is my second Ubers team I have ever made. The last time I posted a team was in August, so I figured I'd just throw a team together and try to ladder. This has turned out to one of my most successful teams, right now at a rating of almost 1240 (PO). Here it is.
Before rating or commenting, please read this entire thread thoroughly.
Spoiler:- Team Building Process:
Deoxys-S @ Focus Sash
Ability: Pressure
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly [+Spe, -SpA]
- Stealth Rock
- Spikes
- Taunt
- Superpower
Deoxys-S is my lead around 75% of the time. I only change the lead if I see a pokemon that my opponent has (that they will use as their lead) that I can take advantage of. When Deoxys-S is used it guarantees Stealth Rock (exceptions could be Darkrai leads) will be put up and I personally have yet to not get at least one layer of Spikes up as well. Taunt is there to stop other lead Spikers (such as Deoxys, Forretress, or Dialga) from setting up. After my opponent's Spiker is taunted, I simply set up my own hazards and either switch out if they have a Darkrai on their team, or if I can set up on the Spiker with another pokemon. Otherwise, Deoxys-S will serve no other purpose to me and I'll let it faint to get a pokemon in safely. Superpower is there to check Darkrai leads, who like to always hit with Dark Pulse on turn one. Deoxys-S is faster and is sashed, so I will end up taking down Darkrai, and if not knocked out with priority, I'll still get Stealth Rock up. The EVs along with a Jolly nature make my Deoxys-S as fast it can possibly be.
Rayquaza @ Life Orb
Ability: Air Lock
252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Nature: Hasty [+Spe, -Def]
- Dragon Dance
- Outrage
- Earthquake
- Overheat
Rayquaza often comes in when I'm predicting an Earthquake from a pokemon, or when one of my pokemon faints. If coming in on a predicted Earthquake (from Garchomp, Excadrill, Groudon, or Rayquaza), I will use the appropriate move to knock out that pokemon. For Garchomp and other non-speed boosted (Dragon Dance) Rayquaza, I'll use Outrage if my opponent is lacking a Ferrothorn, or other Steel-types they are likely to switch to. If that's the case, I'll use Overheat to toast them as they come in. Excadrill is taken down by Earthquake and if it's holding an Air Balloon, I'll use Overheat. Groudon is taken down with Overheat and either Outrage or Earthquake depending upon how much health Groudon has left. If Groudon has used Rock Polish, I'll send in Rayquaza to take the Earthquake, but then I'll switch out to one of my pokemon that have low health to take the Stone Edge. Then I must send in Kyogre to attempt to finish Groudon with Water Spout. For speed-boosted Rayquaza, I must do the same as Rock Polish Groudon, except use Ice Beam. If Rayquaza (mine) can get a Dragon Dance under its belt, it becomes very hard to stop. Skarmory is one of its few troubles but after an Overheat or two, it goes down. Rayquaza is also my only Dragon-type, so I try to preserve it, which means remove Stealth Rock. The Hasty nature with its EVs make it as fast and hard-hitting as it can be. Life Orb is icing on the cake.
Arceus-Ghost @ Spooky Plate
Ability: Multitype
4 HP / 252 Atk / 252 Spe
Nature: Jolly [+Spe, -SpA]
- Swords Dance
- ExtremeSpeed
- Shadow Force
- Brick Break
Here is the Physical Arceus-Ghost set, except I have tweaked it so that it has priority. To set up, come in on something that it threatens, such as Giratina or Mewtwo and Swords Dance as they switch. Generally I pseudo-scout first by using Shadow Force to see if they will switch out or not. If they don't it Mewtwo is OHKOed and Giratina is close to fainting. ExtremeSpeed is there to revenge kill weakened pokemon and to finish faster pokemon with priority while sweeping (such as Darkrai). This is also a great counter to Extremekiller Arceus. If Arceus comes in on me, I use Swords Dance twice. 90% of the time, my opponent use Swords Dance once and then attacks with Shadow Claw, which won't OHKO Arceus-Ghost. I Brick Break on the turn they use Shadow Claw again to OHKO their Arceus. Depending upon how late in the battle it is, I'll just be able to sweep their entire team from there. If the Extremekiller Arceus has Shadow Force, I use Shadow Force along side them. If they continue using it, both of our Shadow Forces will be gone and they won't be able to beat Arceus-Ghost, whereas I Swords Dance until Arceus-Ghost has +6 Atk, and then OHKO with Brick Break. If they stop using Shadow Force before their PP runs out, I'll just KO them with Break Break. Shadow Force is also an effective way to deal with Kyogre. Arceus-Ghost can take down most of the Uber tier easily after a Swords Dance, but should be careful around Giratina formes due to the fact that they might have Will-O-Wisp, around Shaymin-S and its Air Slashes (it outruns Arceus-Ghost), as well as Darkrai if it hasn't broken its sash or Arceus-Ghost hasn't used Swords Dance. The Spooky Plate boosts Shadow Force's power by 20% and is necessary to have Arceus be a Ghost-type. The Ghost-typing is necessary to prevent my entry hazards from being spun away and to effectively counter Extremekiller Arceus. The EVs along with a Jolly nature makes my Arceus-Ghost the fastest Arceus around.
Mewtwo @ Life Orb
Ability: Pressure
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid [+Spe, -Atk]
- Psystrike
- Aura Sphere
- Ice Beam
- Calm Mind
Mewtwo is my team's fastest non-scarfed pokemon, primarily checking Blissey, Chansey, and Darkrai. Psystrike runs off of Mewtwo's amazing Special Attack but hits Blissey and Chansey's low Defense. Aura Sphere out-speeds and hits Darkrai to knock it out with prior damage (due to Darkrai's sash). Ice Beam counters Rayquaza, Shaymin-S, and Garchomp, as well as any other troubling Dragon-types not named Reshiram or Palkia. If Mewtwo can get one Calm Mind under its belt, it truly becomes ferocious. Mewtwo often gets sent in to revenge kill slower threats due to his speed. A Timid nature combined with maxed out Special Attack and Speed, Mewtwo is the fastest Mewtwo around. Life Orb is for extra striking power.
Kyogre @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Drizzle
4 HP / 252 SpA / 252 Spe
Nature: Timid [+Spe, -Atk]
- Water Spout
- Thunder
- Ice Beam
- Surf
This Kyogre sets retains most of the power of that of the Choice Specs set but instead becomes quite fast, enabling it to defeat foes it once couldn't have. Water Spout hits for tons of damage on everything that isn't resisted and not named Chansey or Blissey. Thunder takes care of Flying-types and other Water-types. Ice Beam takes down Dragon-types and Shaymin-S. Surf is rarely used but becomes more effective than Water Spout when Kyogre is below 70% HP. The EVs along with a Timid Nature makes this Kyogre the fastest a Kyogre can be.
Forretress @ Leftovers
Ability: Sturdy
252 HP / 4 Def / 252 SpD
IVs: 0 Spe
Nature: Sassy [+SpD, -Spe]
- Toxic Spikes
- Rapid Spin
- Spikes
- Gyro Ball
Forretress is here in order to relieve my sweepers of entry hazards that plague my team, while setting up Toxic Spikes and possibly finishing setting up Spikes. Gyro Ball is surprisingly effective against fast and frail sweepers, but is mostly there so Forretress isn't complete Taunt-bait. Forretress is also the only Steel-type on my team, so I often switch to it to take a blow. Due to Forretress being on my team as a Spinner and a Spiker, I often let it fall asleep if I must. Forretress's ability Sturdy acts like a Focus Sash now in Gen 5, so Leftovers is added to Forretress to lessen the damage Forretress takes when I switch it in. The EVs and IVs, along with a Sassy nature, makes Forretress as Uber-proof as it can get, and makes Gyro Ball as powerful as it can be.
Spoiler:- Importable:
Well, that's the team. I am open to any reasonable suggestions although don't feel offended if I disregard your comment. Remember to read through the entire thread first before commenting. It's also apprecited if you rate this thread. Thank you for your time.
(10:23:14) ±Porygon: Your rank in Wifi Ubers is 541/31378 [1236 points / 13 battles]!
I don't know why I included a random Jirachi (foreshadowing a later RMT)


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Here's the cutie superheroes ready to save Planet Earth from my class:
Friday, April 20, 2012
Calling All Earth Day Superheros….
Here's the cutie superheroes ready to save Planet Earth from my class:
18 comments:
Oh my goodness, those superheros are adorable! SO cute! :)
Stories From SecondFound you from Pinterest.Cute Ideas! I am your newest follower.Stop by and visit sometime.
Classroom CompanionThese are too cute! My theme in my classroom is superkids- so anything superhero related I am all in! Thanks for sharing! I am your newest follower! Come visit me sometime if ya'd like!
The Second Grade SuperkidsSo, so, so, so cute!
Your newest follower :)
My Second SenseIs there anyway I can purchase your super heroe patterns by themselves?
My Second SenseYour Super Heroes are adorable!
Heather's HeartI could not saying I like that, and that, and that! I am sooooo happy I found your blog I'm your newest follower. Do you have a TpT store? if so, do you have templates for all the patterns you used in the ocean theme for your class? Please visit my blog at Calling Plays in 2nd Grade. Hopefully mines will be as great as yours one day.
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Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1789-1924 or use the U.S. Newspaper Directory to find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities external link and the Library of Congress. Learn more
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Batch | Title | Date Range |
batch_scu_jinx_ver01 | The Marlboro democrat. (sn92065637) | Jan 02, 1903 - Jun 30, 1905 |


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Cory Doctorow: SA's biometric ID cards are really bad idea
The new South African ID cards are like passports that are issued at birth: they're a really bad idea. That's not just us saying that. It's the opinion of sci-fi writer, BoingBoing editor and activist Cory Doctorow who has been in Johannesburg this morning at the iWeek conference, presenting on the subject of 'You can't fix society by breaking the Internet'.
"The problem with biometric security is that biometrics leak… your finger prints are all over this conference room, and so are mine." Doctorow said, "That makes them bad authentication tokens as they're easy to obtain and impossible to revoke."
The ID cards, which will be accompanied with a new citizen's register that centralises information about South Africans, were broadly welcomed as a solution to crime and fraud, and few raised objections on the grounds of privacy. Indeed, President Jacob Zuma went as far as to say:
Neatly equating the new ID cards with the freedom of modern South Africa compared to the state control via the use of ID documents of the past. In some quarters, that speech might be viewed as a perfect example of Orwellian double speak, given that a single token linked to a state-run database that's may end up getting scanned at every parking lot of mobile phone store is a great tool for surveillance of one's own citizens.
Doctorow pointed out that he wasn't surprised at the lack of objection from the general public.
"Surveying the general public about privacy is a bad idea. It's like asking people who haven't been mugged about mugging. How do you get people to understand that when you build out a system that makes authoritarianism possible [it will be abused]."
Talking about the recent revelations that the US spy agency, the NSA, has compromised important encryption techniques and invaded privacy on a global scale in the name of security, he pointed out that South Africans should be more sensitive than most to the dangers of an authoritarian state which uses technology to spy on its citizens.
The fiercest campaigners for privacy laws in the EU are those from ex-communist states like East Germany (GDR), because the totalitarian state existed within living memory.
Personal freedom and privacy is "the next phase of the DRM wars," Doctorow said, referencing his own history of activism against software that "puts a mote in the eye of the computer". Evangelising on behalf of open source development, he pointed out that agencies like the NSA not only introduce network flaws that can be exploited by criminals, they actively prevent zero day exploits being fixed by encouraging those who discover them to sell the secrets to government rather than volunteer it to the vendor in expectation of a fix.
On the use of the internet in Africa, Doctorow focussing on the use of technology to solve social problems on the continent. He presented the case for Free and Open Source software over proprietary software and computers that are "crippled".
New African entrepreneurs should avoid getting locked in to proprietary software, he said, in order to get the real value from the code.
"One of the things we've learned from the Ubuntu movement," Doctorow says, "Is thaa the developing world has a need for tech… [with open source software] people can make made in Africa solutions to made in Africa problems."
We'll be uploading a video of the whole event shortly.


text:
Gary Kemp (I)
Gary Kemp was born in Islington, London in October 1959. On his 10th birthday, he got his first guitar from his parents. In the 70s, he and his younger brother, Martin Kemp, went to learn drama at Anna Scher's acting school. Then, in 1978, Gary Kemp formed "The Makers". After Richard Miller left, his brother replaced him on bass. That's when Gary ...
See full bio »
Born:in Islington, London, England, UK |


text:
So I get home from Atlanta last night, not late late by most standards, but feeling late enough when you've spent hours in the air that had been preceded by hours in an airport which had been preceded by wondering if the rental car was going to get a flat which was preceded by driving in Atlanta in general which really kinda sucks and ... well, you get the point.
So I wanted nothing more than to see The Girl, have a beer and play a little Fallout 3. A little Fallout 3 turned in a lot, and that finally panned out as I finally found that damn Museum of Technology. I was toying with the Mutant Army camped outside and ended up getting killed quite a bit.
One time, the PS3 didn't come back after trying to load the last save. So I restarted it. Then I died again - and it didn't restart at all. Just got nothing but a black screen.
It had been running hot, so I let it cool a bit and then tried again. I wasn't getting any screen. I thought maybe the OS had reset the video settings and the HDMI wasn't getting anything to show, so I spent a few hours toying with turning it on and off in a variety of ways to force the video to reset, but didn't get anywhere.
I decided to get to bed, in the morning it would boot up and then freeze. I tried taking the hard drive out, but even without the drive it just freezes up on the orchestra / boot screen.
While I'm sure this just karmic justice for all the comments I've made about the 360's Red Ring Of Death, but it appears to be completely beyond normal repair at this point. All snide remarks aside, finding decent information about this kind of thing is hard when it comes to the PS3. I think the fan died, though, the console had been running louder lately and now the fan doesn't seem to kick in when everything is starting up.
So I'm pretty bummed. I'll need to call Sony and get what is apparently called a coffin to see if I can get this refurbished. I'd love to be able to keep the hard drive intact, but I'll settle for at least getting a 40GB again.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Black Day
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text:
Social Question
Are you, or do you know, a habitual public restroom graffiti writer/artist?
Asked by Ladymia69 (6876)
March 26th, 2011
I was just meandering through a couple of sites (http://www.thewritingsonthestall.com/ and http://www.graffitiproject.com/ ) and was sort of wondering who takes time out from their day to articulate certain ramblings and such onto a public stall's wall? And more importantly, who carries a Sharpie in their pocket at all times?
So have you found yourself contributing to the collective art project that is a public bathroom stall wall? What have you written or drawn?
Observing members:
Composing members:
8 Answers
Answer this question
Have a question?
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Writers' Web Sites
Regional Writers Groups
Online Writers Groups
Other Writers Group Lists
Sites for At-Home Working Moms (and Others!)
Check out these great sites for writers, at-home moms and home-based business professionals:
Writers' Web Sites
The Book The Ebooks Teleseminars The E-Newsletter The Blog Well-Fed Mentoring Seminars/Events Need a Speaker? Testimonials Online Publicity Attn: Media Well-Fed Affiliates? FAQs KnowledgeBase Attn: Moms Attn: 55+ Industry Links The Well-Fed Self-Publisher Portfolio AcademiaFor Booksellers Peter BowermanHome
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Click this link to see the current fee schedule and plat review & recording policies: Planning Fee Schedule FY 2015-16
Alamance County does not have traditional zoning that regulates the land use of parcels in the county. However, a series of ordinances regulate development impact and specific high-impact land uses. Below are the ordinances and guidelines governing land use and development in Alamance County. Please contact the Planning Department with any questions about the regulations that apply to a specific property.
Abandoned, Junked, and Nuisance Motor Vehicle Ordinance
Certificate of Appropriateness – Local Historic Landmark
Dead Storage of Manufactured Homes Ordinance
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Heavy Industrial Development Ordinance
Sexually-Oriented Business Ordinance
Wireless Communication Facilities Ordinance
Subdivision Waiver Application
Watershed Protection
As we have learned over recent years, water is the most precious resource that we have and a clean drinking supply is critical to the health, safety, and well-being of all citizens. For this reason, the County has long had in place a Watershed Protection Ordinance. Watershed protection includes the limitation of built-upon or "impervious" surface area, the requirement of larger minimum lot sizes, and the requirement of natural "riparian" buffers on perennial streams, rivers, and lakes. Watershed protection also includes some limitations on the permitted uses of land located within a watershed.
The Alamance County Planning Department has developed a brochure titled "A Citizen's Guide to Watershed Protection" that we hope you will find useful and informative.
A full-copy of the Watershed Protection Ordinance can be found here.


text:
Funny KC!
ang kulit ni Kristina sa rehearsals ...
anyway, out muna ako para magkapagsulat ng mga nangyari,
para ma-post ko na rin...pagod pa rin kasi eh...48 hours of no sleep, until last night!
Seriously, saludo ako kay tita Amy, hats off po! She showed her love and support for KC in the most visible way. For the past few days, Kc has been vocal in saying na in favor lahat ng pamilya nya both sides pa kay Piolo and it just makes me happy that pamilya Pascual also showed their support and favoritism sa kanya. ( I hope ma SNN ito or basta ma news!)
For me, this just show na I did not go wrong sa pag suporta ko sa kanila.They are all very decent, and respectable people. I am proud to be a PasIonista!
hi indigo...I tried clicking on some of the links you listed above ("interesting links of our lovers") and most of them are giving me a malformed video id message in youtube. these are the ones with =channel at the end of the youtube link. I'm not sure if there is a special way to click the link...please help! been trying to see these videos for sometime now ( thanks, Liz
Vote for KC and Piolo!!!!!
Kim Bum and Kim So Eun (Korea) 4% (11 votes)
Lee Min Ho and Goo Hye Sun ( Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Kim Hyun Joong and Goo Hye Sun (Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu (Philippines) 35% (97 votes)
Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual (Philippines) 1% (4 votes)
John Lloyd and Bea Alonzo (Philippines) 2% (5 votes)
Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes (Philippines) 16% (43 votes)
Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga (Philippines) 0% (0 votes)
KC Concepcion and Piolo Pascual (Philippines) 32% (87 votes)
Sarah Geronimo and John Lloyd Cruz (Philippines) 0% (0 votes)
Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion (Philippines) 5% (14 votes)
Jenelyn Mercado and Mark Herras (Philippines) 0% (0 votes)
Angel Locsin and Sam Milby (Philippines) 0% (0 votes)
Heart Evangelista and Richard Gutierrez (Philippines) 0% (0 votes)
Jun Matsumoto and Inoue Mao (Japan) 4% (11 votes)
Wu Chun and Ella(Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Rainie Yang and Mike He (Taiwan) <1% (1 votes)
Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Barbie Hsu and Allan Luo (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Vic Zhou and Barbie Hsu (Taiwan) <1% (1 votes)
Jerry Yan and Ella (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Chen Qiao En and Ethan Ruan (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Yamapi and Horikita Maki (Japan) 0% (0 votes)
Song Hye Gyo and Rain (Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Angela Zhang and Wu Chun (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Lee Da Hae and Lee Dong Wook (Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Cyndi Wang and Nicolas Teo (Taiwan) 0% (0 votes)
Gong Yoo + Yoon Eun Hye (Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Joo Ji Hoon + Yoon Eun Hye (Korea) 0% (0 votes)
Total Votes: 274
Hello pasionistas. Welcome to all newbies. I'm not going to name you one by one cause there are so many of you there. Enjoy posting.
Hoy,indy. I got your YM.
hello Mga Sis!just Came Home From Watching A Movie Di Ko Alam May Vitamins Na Naman Pala Courtesy Ng Ating
Princess Kristina!!!!
Oa Mode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mommy Amy! @ Nahihiya Pa Ha!!!
Grabeh Na Talaga Ito!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You Bro!
For Listening To Our Prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A True Love Story
LIP - Behind The Scenes:
LIP Youtube Channel:
LIP on MULTIPLY:
LIP on PEX:
LIP on FACEBOOK:
Hello to all my beautiful sisters I need to ask a huge favor...
This will be a group effort of the PasIonistas, Knights of Cassandra, Kookiberks, Sharonians, the SOLID Piolo Pascual supporters
or anyone who loves the LIP teleserye itself.
In support of the Lovers In Paris teleserye, please make it a habit of also posting to the following threads:
As you already know, Lovers in Paris is the first teleserye of ABS that had beaten the rival networks teleserye in the Mega Manila area,
so let our voice be heard.
Direk FM Reyes will surely welcome our feedback about the series, thus far. GO team LIP . PJ and Kristina, we love you dearly .
PJ: Salamat sa suporta, sa lahat ng tulong at tiwala sa aming dalawa. We will forever be indebted to your goodness and love
KC: To The Darlings Pasionistas, thank you for being with us on our journey
Very happy ako sa lahat ng update sa akin about my BFF being with Mega Concert in Agua Caliente,Palm Spring they went home 430AM na pero my BFF said she really enjoy the show and have a good time with Kristina and Sharon...daming kilig whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...We will talk about it sa Confe.......daming P&P kwento ni Brigitte lahat sa inyo....whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
ako'y naguguluhan sa botohan na 'to...nag-start ako bumoto ay 101 votes ang mag-lovers then nadagdagan ng dalawa dahil dalawang beses ako nag-vote using two different computers so may i go to the third computer aba the votes stayed the same sabi ko baka kako hindi real time ang counting then go na ulit ako sa next at sa next at sa next...I voted 21 times using 21 different computers yet hindi umusad ang total votes ng lovers naging 109 lang instead of 123 supposedly and what's more surprising umuusad ang votes ni Kim at Gerald...do i smell something fishy???? it looks like my votes went to them instead of the two lovers....i know i heard before that these kind of polls is being manipulated or rigged....but i will still continue to vote next week i have about over a thousand computers to use and if these votes won't get counted i will never vote in any polls again unless i can be guaranteed it's clean...
Korek ka Sis kung alam lang ng iba what transfire after the show lalong malalaman ng iba how supportive their families are for Kristina. Mahirap lang mag kwento kasi it's a P&P na and we respect their privacy.. I'm contented sa mga nalaman ko about this and the only thing I can say I'm happy for Kristina. Sharon also was so appreciative to Mommy Amy for being there.
Hi Sis Indy and Sis JEnny, GUSTO NYO MEET TAYO...i live in Nassau but I work IN mANHATTAN. Sana may get together din ang mga taga east coast and whoever wants to join, invite and guest of honor natin si Tita Amy ANd Tita Nora, hofpefully masingit nila sa mga schedules nila.........ano mga Sis game ba kayo?


text:
Saturday, December 01, 2007
'Tis The Season
Christmas Past - I grew up Jewish, but I always went to my friend's house for Christmas Day when I was little. I'm sure I received many lovely, thoughtful, even price-y presents from my friend's parents throughout the years; but the one present I remember, the present that my friend and I jumped up and down in ecstasy over, was a little cardboard box full to the brim with Bazooka bubble gum. And it had a little handle to carry it around with. That's all it takes to make a child happy, folks. Sugar. Portable sugar.
Christmas Present - I always get chocolate with almonds. Always. Because, despite living with me for 17 years now, my husband has no idea what else to tell the kids to get me. When I mention this to him, he mutters, "Well, you don't like jewelry," as if that exhausts the list of gift alternatives to chocolate.
One year, my oldest, in a burst of gift-giving creativity, gave me a little doo-hickey that blows dust off my keyboard. So maybe chocolate isn't such a bad idea, after all.
Christmas Future - A baby. Yup, I love babies. Nothing better than a Christmas baby. I'm crazy.
And I'm dying to see what Barb and Sue and MadMad have to share on this topic.
18 comments:
You don't want a Christmas baby. I have one. And I have two more that were born in December too.
But with a Christmas baby you are stuck at home with nothing to do, nothing good to watch on tv (unless you like football) no one else wants to cook and do all that is Christmassy. You would still be expected to do all of the Christmas shopping 9 months pregnant. then you will be hormonal and spend Christmas day and the new year all crying and just not happy.
Then when that baby gets older, you get attitude because you dared have them to close to Christmas, thus they don't get all of their Christmas presents that they were supposed to because half of them would be counted as both brthday AND Christmas presents.
Go for an early fall, or late winter baby - those are the best ones, LOL. I have had one in each season, and Christmas and middle of the summer - both of them were the worst.
~JenniferYour Christmas present present cracked me right up. Also the Christmas past one. But Christmas future was too scary for me to contemplate. Because cute, sweet little babies grown into pre-teens... and eventually into teens (which, from what I hear is only worse) and there just isn't enough w(h)ine in the world for me to cope.


text:
Display a list of files and subfolders
Syntax DIR [pathname(s)] [display_format] [file_attributes] [sorted] [time] [options]
Key [pathname] The drive, folder, and/or files to display,
this can include wildcards:
* Match any characters
? Match any ONE character
[display_format] /P Pause after each screen of data. /W Wide List format, sorted horizontally. /D Wide List format, sorted by vertical column.
[file_attributes] /A[:]attribute
/A:D Folder /A:-D NOT Folder /A:R Read-only /A:-R NOT Read-only /A:H Hidden /A:-H NOT Hidden /A:A Archive /A:-A NOT Archive /A:S System file /A:-S NOT System file /A:I Not content indexed Files /A:-I NOT content indexed /A:L Reparse Point /A:-L NOT Reparse Point (symbolic link) /A:X No scrub file /A:-X Scrub file (Windows 8+) /A:V Integrity /A:-V NOT Integrity (Windows 8+) /A Show all files
Several attributes can be combined e.g. /A:HD-R
[sorted] Sorted by /O[:]sortorder
/O:N Name /O:-N Name
/O:S file Size /O:-S file Size /O:E file Extension /O:-E file Extension
/O:D Date & time /O:-D Date & time /O:G Group folders first /O:-G Group folders last several attributes can be combined e.g. /O:GEN
[time] /T: the time field to display & use for sorting
/T:C Creation /T:A Last Access /T:W Last Written (default)
[options] /S include all subfolders. /R Display alternate data streams. (Vista and above) /B Bare format (no heading, file sizes or summary). /L use Lowercase. /Q Display the owner of the file. /N long list format where filenames are on the far right. /X As for /N but with the short filenames included.
/C Include thousand separator in file sizes.
/-C Don't include thousand separator in file sizes. /4 Display four-digit years
The switches above can be preset by adding them to an environment variable called
For example: SET DIRCMD=/O:N /S
Override any preset DIRCMD switches by prefixing the switch with -
For example:
Upper and Lower Case filenames:
Filenames longer than 8 characters
- will always display the filename with mixed case as entered.
Filenames shorter than 8 characters
- can display the filename in upper or lower case - this can vary from one
client to another (registry setting)
To obtain a bare DIR format (no heading or footer info) but retain all the details,
pipe the output of DIR into FIND, this assumes that your date separator is /
DIR c:\temp\*.* | FIND "/"
Normally DIR /b will return just the filename, however when displaying subfolders with DIR /b /s the command will return a full pathname.
All file sizes are shown in bytes.
List the contents of c:\demo including ALL files:
dir /a c:\demo\
List the contents of c:\demo displaying only the filenames:
dir /b c:\demo\
List all the Reparse Points (symbolic links) in the current users profile:
dir %USERPROFILE% /a:i
List the contents of c:\demo with the full path of each file (source)
for %%A in ("c:\demo\*") do echo %%~fA
List the contents of c:\demo, without the header/footer details:
FOR /f "tokens=*" %%G IN ('dir c:\demo\*.* ^| find "/"') DO echo %%G
On Windows Vista and later, a list of alternate data streams can be obtained using DIR /R, on earlier operating systems, the SysInternals utility streams can be used instead.
DIR is an internal command.
"There it was, hidden in alphabetical order" ~ Rita Holt
WHERE - Locate and display files in a directory tree.
XCOPY /L - List files without copying.
ROBOCOPY /L - List files with specific properties
DIRUSE - show size of multiple subfolders. (Resource Kit)
Freedisk.exe - check free disk space. (Win 2K ResKit)
Powershell: Get-ChildItem - Get child items (contents of a folder or registry key) dir / ls / gci
You can also get File Sizes and Date/Time from Batch Parameters
Use DIR to display drive status - disk missing / ready / empty
Equivalent bash command (Linux):
ls - List information about file(s)
Equivalent Powershell: Get-ChildItem


text:
- lists
- blocks
Common words appear frequently in written and spoken language across many genres from radio to academic journals.
Informal words should be reserved for casual, colloquial communication.
funny drawing, often with dialogue or caption
Synonyms for cartoon
funny drawing, often with dialogue or caption
verb. duplicate
noun. drawing, artwork that assists explanation
noun. imitation, replica
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
Cite This Source


text:
She had to pay for her new shoes one way or another!
"Jennifer!" I yelled from my desk as I sat there looking over the monthly bills. I heard her coming down the stairs and then her soft footsteps along the hallway coming closer. "What's wrong?" she said, coming into the study. "What is this I am looking at?" I asked, shoving a piece of paper across the table at her. "Well it looks like a receipt. It says it's from... oh." "Yeah, oh....Read On
Added: 24 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Words: 5,076 | Tags: oral sex shoes wife prostitute | 12 Comments
We are getting really good at living on the edge. I wonder how much closer we can get.
I'm not sure what I had expected, but it certainly wasn't this. I start to have a small panic attack and look over to Ethan with wide eyes. "You can't take me to Puerto Rico," I say as a statement of fact. He steps away from the line and leads me a few feet to give us privacy. This must have been the reaction he was waiting for. "I understand if you don't want to go with me," Ethan...Read On
Added: 13 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 2,070 | Tags: oral sex love stories | 4 Comments
Something unexpected happened during a regular dental appointment.
The dental hygienist called you in from the near-empty waiting room. You were the only person sitting out there apart from the receptionist who was too busy talking to insurance people and calling back other patients to remind them of their appointment. You followed the petite dark haired woman down the corridor, stopping when she stopped. She showed you to one of the three rooms used by...Read On
Added: 13 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.92 | Words: 1,192 | Tags: dentist hygienist oral blowjob | 8 Comments
Angela gets further indoctrination into submission.
Chapter 1 Bright and early Friday morning, Angela arrived at work. She went directly to Lorraine's office and knocked on the door. She had the paperwork and the bag with the items Lorraine ordered her to bring. She had the midsized plug in her now and though she had grown accustomed to it, was unsure of the larger one. It was at least twice as large as the one she was wearing now. "Enter." ...Read On
Added: 10 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 5,696 | Tags: oral anal caning edging electric play lesbian spanking | 9 Comments
Will and Riley go on their first date.
It took me a while to find Riley's house, it was at the end of a narrow side street and almost completely hidden by huge trees, but I still arrived a bit early. I had taken a long time getting ready, debating what to wear. I had finally decided on a blue button down shirt, black slacks, and black jacket, the only one I owned. When I left the house I'd also been wearing a tie, but half way...Read On
Added: 07 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 5,823 | Tags: blowjob oral fingering firsttime romance virgin outdoors | 4 Comments
Jackie ran out of gas and money so did what she had to...
My car ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere. Luckily there was a gas station not to far from where I was. At the time, I had long blonde hair and I was wearing a white blouse. I have blue eyes. You could see my black bra through my blouse. I was wearing a pair of denim shorts. My boobs are nice and big. I also have a big firm ass. Overall, I'm a very attractive lady. I was walking...Read On
Added: 06 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4 | Words: 727 | Tags: oral blowjob seductive | 2 Comments
It was a whole new year, and and opportunity for all new sexual adventures
He sat there leaned against his bed, and stared at the missed droplets of cum that had begun to dry on my face and tits. I smiled at the site of his softened saliva and cum coated cock glistening back at me. "Fuck it's hot in here now," he said pulling his shirt off over his head and tossing it to the side. "Yeah, little bit," I nodded in agreement. "So what'cha wanna do now?" I...Read On
Added: 01 Nov 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,741 | Tags: fingering series cunnilingus | 7 Comments
It was my senior year, and a whole new series of sexual adventures were a head of me.
For the next two weeks Vincent and I were inseparable. We ditched random classes to go to the half built housing community to smoke pot and fool around. We had to vary the days to avoid the construction crews. By the end of the first week he was practically shooting only air out his cock. We agreed to hold off on fooling around. I told him that the work, although fun, was less enticing...Read On
Added: 31 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.89 | Words: 1,741 | Tags: oral blow job cum swallow cum glaze facial deepthroat series | 8 Comments
It was my senior year and a whole new series of sexual adventures were ahead of me
It had been nearly a year since my neighbor moved away, and I hadn't met anyone that interested me the way he did. Thanks to his best friend Drew I spent nearly three quarters of the school year being called "Toilet Tits" and "Cheek Spreader Heather". If guys didn't mock me, they tried to get in my pants with all the subtly of brick to the face. Eventually Drew was suspended for having...Read On
Added: 30 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.94 | Words: 2,587 | Tags: series blow job face fucking roadhead cum swallow. | 10 Comments
I wanted this night to be for you.
I want it dark. No distractions. No music, no sound. Except for ours. You deserve this. This night is yours. I prepare by having a couple of glasses of Cabernet. I am squirming and excited, but the pleasure is to be yours, and yours alone. I have you lie down on the soft sheets, naked, and turn out the lights. Sudden blackness. I strip and lay down on top of you, hugging you close. I grab...Read On
Added: 29 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.85 | Words: 1,035 | Tags: oral cock sensual blowjob orgasm swallow | 8 Comments
A night of waiting unfolds into a morning of passion
It's nearly midnight and Aya thinks to herself that she should probably be getting some sleep, not standing on her balcony, and definitely not eating a popsicle while doing so. It's too damn hot in the apartment tonight, though. The mid-summer humidity had licked an uncomfortable coat of sticky perspiration on her skin while she lay in bed. It made it impossible to sleep. For thirty minutes...Read On
Added: 27 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.82 | Words: 3,808 | Tags: masturbation oral | 11 Comments
A couple explore the early stages of their relationship
Jenny stood on the kerb outside the gym, with her badminton racquet in hand. The cool breeze seemed to blow right through her body, the relative warmth of the gymnasium a mere sentimental memory. As she attempted to keep warm by bouncing on the spot, a dark blue sports car pulled up. She opened the door and got in. "Sorry, Jenny, have you been waiting long? The traffic is awful." "It's...Read On
Added: 26 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,124 | Tags: flash erotica blowjobs quickies sucking cock spunk cum | 27 Comments
Rainy day sex says Love
Almost anyone can be a decent lover on a sunny weekend morning in bed. But it takes a skilled lover, a well practiced lover, to give his partner memorable pleasure on a rainy Monday morning with the work day looming just an hour or so away. She opened her eyes and looked at Plum, "Oh, I am so sorry. I was so horny last night, but I was just too tired to do anything." Plum didn't...Read On
Added: 23 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.5 | Words: 977 | Tags: oral sex morning sex | 2 Comments
Damn he tastes delicious. I'd love to suck on him all night.
On the way to get food, Ethan and I ride alone, arguing whose aim was better. We meet his friends and get in line to order, all of us stained with neon colors. I stand next to Ethan, not bothering to look at the menu. I already know what I want. In 'N' Out is my favorite cheat food. Michael comes on my other side and bumps his arm into my shoulder. "I still can't believe you shot me in...Read On
Added: 22 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,676 | Tags: oral sex love stories | 2 Comments
Ellie and David spend a Nude Day together and open up to their most intimate selves.
After leaving David's apartment, two-hundred dollars in hand, Ellie immediately drove over to the local mall to to get some new clothes for the upcoming school year and her evening date with David. She figured her nude modeling ought to afford her some new, cute clothes. Perusing the sales, Ellie came up with three outfits and, on a hormone-driven moment of shopper's splurge, she bought...Read On
Added: 22 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.92 | Words: 4,180 | Tags: nudist sixteen oral first time | 8 Comments
Your eyes lock with mine... I'm trapped under your spell, and you know it.
I feel your eyes locked into mine, and they could have been staring straight into my soul. No matter how hard I try, I can't break away from your gaze, which seems to physically trap me. I feel your soft hands run up against the thighs of my jeans. Your eyes never break contact from mine as you lightly place the tips of your fingers on my crotch, feeling the outline of my throbbing...Read On
Added: 19 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 744 | Tags: blowjob oral fun erotic | 5 Comments
My fantasy, thanks to the help of my very handsome friend.
I am a week into my new job working as your receptionist. I'm 29 years old and I have long dark blonde hair, I'm not skinny but not fat either and I have big breasts that I'm proud of. You are my boss and I have caught you several times looking at me in a very lustful way. One day I get to work and find you have spent the night on the sofa in your office, something which is not really a...Read On
Added: 18 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.94 | Words: 1,784 | Tags: office oral | 13 Comments
My first time trying a story, hope you enjoy...
He looked up at the night sky that was littered with hundreds of thousands of suns burning strongly thousands of light years away. Yeap. Stars were indeed suns. So technically suns were also stars. The black velvet sky was mesmerizing to him, as if it told him an entire other story. Stories of another world, of another dimension. A cool breeze swept across the city, dragging the city's heat...Read On
Added: 13 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.67 | Words: 3,977 | Tags: sensual shower masturbation oral orgasm | 3 Comments
Extremely shy guy learns to suck cock.
Shy Beyond Belief When I was a young boy, I was shy beyond belief. It carried over to my senior year in High School, when a very handsome guy, mistook my shyness for homosexuality. He assumed my shyness indicated that I was gay. While in reality, I had no sexual preference. Being shy, I had not developed relationships with either girls or boys. But the handsome guy decided, in his mind...Read On
Added: 11 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.4 | Words: 695 | Tags: first time cocksucker | 4 Comments
It is what's for dinner that matters most.
They had been teasing each other all night. It started early the afternoon before when he came home from work. Jumping in the shower, he had been pleased that she joined him. They washed each other from head to toe, front to back and side to side. Touching, rubbing, stroking each other, they both knew when that one last touch would lead to capitulation by the other. Years together had...Read On
Added: 08 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,595 | Tags: exhibitionism oral bj cunnilingus sex quickie dining | 23 Comments
Another awakening for Allie.
After that night in Ben's Truck, our relationship took a big turn. It seemed every time we were together, I ended up with his penis in my mouth. I also started looking at other guys at school, and wondered how it would feel to have their penis in my mouth. I was becoming an addict, and I was so embarrassed and ashamed of myself. What kind or person was I turning it to? Almost every night...Read On
Added: 06 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.92 | Words: 2,055 | Tags: oral masturbation | 21 Comments
An escort is pleasantly surprised with her latest assignment
Amy Treadwell sighed relief as she closed her apartment door behind her. It had been a long day at the doctor's office where she worked as a nurse. This had been one of those days with just too much trauma and drama and she was exhausted, and looking forward to a glass of wine and a soak in the tub. She almost didn't notice the blinking red light on her answering machine. She kept her...Read On
Added: 04 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,976 | Tags: escort older man oral masturbation | 6 Comments
Another step in the sexual awakening.
After the night that I had my first self inflicted orgasm, I could not get the feeling out of my head. I yearned for it, but because of the fear of now being bound for hell, I tried to keep myself busy so I would not think about it. That worked during the day, but every time I laid down to go to sleep , my nipples would harden and I would get a burning desire in my stomach. I had many...Read On
Added: 03 Oct 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 3,308 | Tags: masturbation oral sex showers shaving | 28 Comments
Two lovers work out who should play the leading role in a home made video.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked. She gave him a smirk and said, "I thought there would be more dialogue." She took a deep breath, and then added, "This is not how I would play this character... but okay, let's do it." He aimed the remote control at the camera and hit record. --- She is standing at a window and the moonlight shines through her silky robe to hint at the curves and...Read On
Added: 28 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,294 | Tags: video oral sex teasing | 1 Comment
You'll Always Be The Six To My Nine
There is nothing quite like the power I posses when sucking on your cock. To know that I'm the reason you're in the state of lustful desire. *** It always happens, no matter how much I believe it won't, but lying here in bed with you, feeling you stroke my bare back, my fingers begin to wander. Tracing slowly along your chest, down towards your stomach, caressing lightly through your...Read On
Added: 28 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 1,286 | Tags: sixty nine 69 oral sucking cock eating pussy tongue fucking teasing | 34 Comments
Can Jack Pull Off This Surprise?
Over the last two weeks, things seem to be on fast-forward. I'm juggling between grading homework assignments, helping my brother out with his wedding plans, maintaining a new relationship, and finally coming to an agreement on a new dress code, life has been hectic. It's been crazy enough that even I forgot that today is my birthday, that is until Jack reminds me. "Happy birthday,...Read On
Added: 25 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.88 | Words: 3,106 | Tags: jack captain julie birthday relationship sex shower | 15 Comments
All in all, it was a good day.
Hi all, this past Saturday I experienced how generous people can be. I was driving alone on a rural road after visiting a friend when I noticed a problem with my Jeep. It was handling funny and making noises. When I got out to check, I noticed that both left side tires were flat. I had driven through a construction area minutes before and must have run something over. I was about twenty...Read On
Added: 23 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 5 | Words: 2,176 | Tags: outdoors blow job | 22 Comments
A woman's visit to a neighbor/friend/doctor yields a surprising fetish
Silvia had been suffering for weeks with a pain on the bottom of one foot when she walked, like a needle sticking into her sole or a rock in her shoe. When she complained to her husband, she finally took his advice and set an appointment with a friend and neighbor, who was also a podiatrist. Fred Tomkins and his wife, Rachel, had visited several times and they seemed like friendly people....Read On
Added: 21 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.86 | Words: 1,349 | Tags: doctor patient oral submissive humiliation panties | 3 Comments
Millie decides to give Mr.Jenkins something fun to do on their lunch hour at school.
Over the weekend, Millie had been feeling horny all the time. She could not stop thinking about Mr.Jenkins or his dick. Whenever she had the house alone, she would strip her clothes off and masturbate while thinking about her teacher. At night time, she would stuff her wet panties in her mouth and finger fuck herself until she screamed. She knew she needed to see him soon. Teacher Dean...Read On
Added: 16 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.4 | Words: 1,983 | Tags: schoolgirl teacher foreplay classroom oral sex | 3 Comments
Charlie stops for a massage on the way to visit his foxy next-door neighbor at college.
On the spur of the moment, I decide to make a surprise visit to my next-door neighbor at State U. Partly it's because I haven't seen her since Christmas. But mostly, it's because she's an incredible fox. And so are her friends. She wasn't always so hot. Growing up, she was just the sweet little kid next door. Amanda was pretty, to be sure, but a skinny little tomboy you'd never give a...Read On
Added: 09 Sep 2014 | Category: Oral Sex | Avg Score: 4.88 | Words: 1,685 | Tags: massage massage parlor fireman neighbor masturbation oral college | 7 Comments


text:
Author of "The New Infrarealist Manifesto", on sale as eBook on Amazon, iTunes and other sites.
Author of the paperback book of poetry called "Zoon Poetikon", (2009) of "!nfraRouge", (2014) and "Mi se ulise" (2016), all published in Romania.
Author of the E-book called "The Hidden Thoughts of Dracula ", a collection of aphorisms in English language.
Author of "Sexymental" a collection of short stories and aphorisms, in Romanian language, also available as eBook.
Also author of caricatures with the Kindle Comic eBook called "The Kidnaping of Europe",available on Amazon.
Published in poetry anthology group books like "The most beautiful poems of the year" in 2014.
Author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/george.g.asztalos
Author of "The New Infrarealist Manifesto", on sale as eBook on Amazon, iTunes and other sites.
Author of the paperback book of poetry called "Zoon Poetikon", (2009) of "!nfraRouge", (2014) and "Mi se ulise" (2016), all published in Romania.
Author of the E-book called "The Hidden Thoughts of Dracula ", a collection of aphorisms in English language.
Author of "Sexymental" a collection of short stories and aphorisms, in Romanian language, also available as eBook.
Also author of caricatures with the Kindle Comic eBook called "The Kidnaping of Europe",available on Amazon.
Published in poetry anthology group books like "The most beautiful poems of the year" in 2014.
Author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/george.g.asztalos
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Einstein
Everybody is born a genius and dies like a idiot
Some of them have nothing to do
And make exactly the opposite
Nothing like kamikaze fish climbing the trees
Because the crowd is to loud to hear his own stupidity
Even though history remembers his achievements
Jumping in the trees of power and greed
It is really all from a monkey swimming
In a ocean of rules of war in heaven
And leaving it with a big smile on his face
It's raining heavily in my laboreour's Germany
it is Sunday and foreigners are quietly resting
with some beer held in their large & full of scars hands
there in our improbable wonders
I come to talk to them
when a bumblebee lost and drenched
also comes on dry ground
marching through our feet
when one of us turns him on his back
he is buzzing he is drying his wings
and I say
"let him go man"
and afterall
"es ist nur ein Waser Probleme"
It's all right your man comes tonight from the bar
Your woman from the hairdresser
But the best thing would be to move the hairdresser
In the bar
So you know something for certain
Rolled in a pile of desire and ambition
We jumped to scatter through the world
To buzz insanely all his wonders
We reported heaven as missing
So we flew through the ins and outs of the earth
We swam through the sand floating through the fog
Yes Sir
We walked on the water fainted like crazy
Until everything was made a road at our feet
Arriving close to World's End
Where is no trace of regret or sigh
Where we see only the Water and the Great Wall
We will find out of the blue
The Peace and Friendship of a madhouse
There thirst elevates us to catch our breath
With the blood stained by the sword in our hand
Lord great is Thy mercy:
The Reality is you wake up smiling
And you look like hell
It's not enough to make believe
And after all is really frustrating
Not feeling the way I do
But here we go:
I never felt no trace of pity when she died
No hate no nothing for this sad news from a stranger
All I remember is that I was unemployed
Not able to find a damn job for a long time
So she offered me a place to sleep
And the daily bred as a reward for my hand labor
Carried out all day long near his house
It was the kind of slavery of which
The most stupid animals can be horrified
But I did it
Yes sir
I did it out of pity for her solitude sickness and despair
After a while I even hated her hobby to collect nothing but things
This car this house this garden of paranoid miracles
All sold in loss after her burial to some gipsy lover
Who was actually greedier than she ever dreamed
I also remember she cursed me when I left her place
"You bastard" she said
"You will never be able to find a home of your own"
"You may rot in hell working for strangers!"
"It's ok" I said
"You never felt anything more delusional of me"
"But if strangers would feel that way" I said
"At least they will pay me big time for my trouble"
So I was far away in the land of Nowhere when she died
And I knew that for me she was gone long time before
When I didn't felt no pity no hate no trace of any sadness
When I decided to leave the house of my sister
Which was not my home anymore
When I felt my real sister was gone far away
And anywhere else in the world
it hurts
it hurts knowing that
wherever i go
i'll be stuck in
this fear of -
i don't even know what.
but in the darkest parts
of my mind i can see
his face, his smile, his
eyes and the way they
drank me in like liquid love.
it didn't even happen
like that,
in a dark place,
but i'll never be able to see
him without the hatred
boiling inside
and bubbling away.
it hurts to be sitting,
having a good day
and one thing reminds
me of him,
of his moment of triumph,
and my stomach caves
and i feel the tears threaten.
i close my eyes
and wish everyone away.
i keep thinking that he loved me,
he said so,
he said it and i believed it
and for so long
i forced myself to believe
that what happened
was okay
he loved me.
to live in big houses is to have
armored windows
which look toward a small world
but stay calm
my small house is totally quiet
and everything it's a large window
It is a whole world
nobody knows how to appreciate
my anonymous fulfillments
and you do not know my name
but you managed to smile with me
this is such an appreciation
and such a fulfillment
as the glory of a entire world
full of kings
no bells or drums resound when I leave
to my daily conflagration
I'm not acclaimed by the crowd
when I get back from her toil
but I know
to suffer to the whole every victory
and rejoice forever the latter defeat
I had to get
till the doom of the gloom
to realize at last
that nothing remains of us
a invincible
It was in the communist winter in a village of Transylvania
Besides the demented cold also rabies walked the streets
The news were like some dogs broke into pieces a raging fox
And to prevent a mass epidemic
Authorities chose the Convenient Solution:
Let's kill all the dogs of the village
Until the last one
Injecting them with Caustic Acid
I was only a poor kid I did not know what was happening
I took my puppy Bamby and lead him up the hill
For the so called vaccination
We arrived in lots of wailing cries and barks
Something was burning with much smoke in a large pit
People standing in a endless line
Dogs were terribly frightened
It was a horror landscape at the end of the world
One of the older boys claimed that no
They do not vaccinate but rather
They kill all the dogs
I thought he was messing with me
And we almost get into a fight
When I got close in front
Where dogs were injected the veterinary doctor
Was suddenly bitted by the hand
The snow was red like on The Pig Slaughters
And obviously terrified the assistant was bandaging the doctor
I understood that all the dogs were exterminated
Then throne and burned in that pit
With Bamby all went quickly he was a good dog
Barely barking he cried a bit and that's all
Much later I found out that the odious regime
Had came to power with the same terrorist practices
Applied on people
Otherwise all went well and cool
Thanks to God we escaped from The Mean
Because me and my Bamby
We gave our childhood for a proper vaccine


text: A More Positive Spin on 'Lady Geeks'Katie J.M. Baker7/26/12 6:40pmFiled to: GamingSexismBooth BabesFelicia DayAnita sarkeesiantweetAppic108EditPromoteShare to KinjaToggle Conversation toolsGo to permalink Still thinking about yesterday's booth babe debate? Genevieve Dempre wrote a rebuttal to that obnoxious CNN piece about how beauty-obsessed pseudo-geeks are taking over the gaming industry as we know it and brought up some great points, such as:


text:
Thread SMS Pro v2.01 Latest Application Symbian S60v5 S^3 Nokia Mobiles
Thread SMS Pro v2.01 Latest Application Symbian S60v5 S^3 Nokia MObiles. Thread SMS is a chat-style(threaded) texting(SMS) tools on Symbian S60. You can read and write SMS in a cool user interface like Msn ,Yahoo, ICO Messager…It gives users a handy follow up screen to track the sent and received sms messages to and from one particular contact. It can use lots of skins and message styles.It integrates lots of tools that native SMS app does not have: new SMS notification with SMS digest, send Flash and emoticon SMS, virus and spam SMS filter, private SMS lock, backup some contact's SMS history with chat style…
Feature List:
New Features:


text:
Open Office 2.4 Release Postponed until March 26
The Open Office project has again postponed the release date for the next version of its office software package.
In a message to the Releases mailing list Sun's Martin Hollmichel said that the delay had been caused by critical bugs. To the more precise, these are Bug 87025 (drag-and-drop based copying in Writer does not work) and Bug 87034 (modified OLE objects are not updated in the Open Office document).
Release candidate 6 is due early this week and is said to solve the problems. Hollmichel quoted March 26 as the expected release date for the final version of Open Office 2.4.
The team has additionally decided to release version 2.4.1 to allow for improvements. This includes fixing bug 86894, which relates to highlighting of inserted spreadsheet cells.
Issue 198/2017
Buy this issue as a PDF
Old Linux Kernel Bug Discovered
The bug was introduced back in 2009 and has been lurking around all this time.
OpenSSH 7.5 Released
The new release deprecates the sshd_config UsePrivilegeSeparation option.
Ubuntu Touch Not Dead
Lives on as a community project
Dell Launches Five New Linux Systems
Five new systems join Dell XPS 13 Developer Edition that come with Ubuntu pre-installed.
Microsoft Takes Skype for Linux Out of Alpha
The Skype Linux client now has almost the same capabilities that it enjoys on other platforms.
CeBIT 2017 OpenStack Day
At CeBIT 2017, OpenStack Day will offer a wide range of lectures and discussions.
Munich Plans to Ditch Linux and Go Back to Windows
A major setback for the Linux desktop.
Linux Kernel 4.10 Comes with New Security Features
Improved support for GPU in virtualization.
OpenSUSE Site Hacked
News site for the openSUSE community falls victim to a Wordpress exploit.
LibreOffice Goes Online with 5.3 Release
The source code is available online.


text:
We love to travel and this helps to make that happen. We love to have guests.
I'm an East Coast native who fell in love with San Francisco many years ago, and haven't left since. I work in the travel industry. We love our home and our neighborhood and we hope you do too.


text:
Gourmet dining goes underground
We were almost like a secret society of diners, 30 of us, each having made a pilgrimage for a chef-prepared four-course meal, to be enjoyed not at the restaurant du jour with tables swathed in white linen, but upon old couch cushions on the gray hardwood floors of someone's dimly lit living room in Los Angeles. I don't know these people and they don't know me, but we've got one thing in common: We've come to see if the Ghetto Gourmet can hold up its end of the bargain.
In this world, "ghetto" doesn't have negative connotations. The Ghetto Gourmet touts itself as an underground dining experience where strangers become fast friends as they dine on fabulous food. As soon as we arrive, the experience begins.
"We ask that you hold on to your fork," says Jeremy Townsend, the Ghetto Gourmet's creator. "In the beginning we served gumbo for 16 people and we only had eight spoons. It made for a whole new way to build communication."
Disclaimers like that one rarely begin a meal at a Michelin-star eatery, but it's all part of the norm here.
This evening, chef Cynthia Washburn tackles Asian fusion cuisine, her first challenge being a flavorful amuse-bouche of sushi-like cured beef tenderloin, orange-and-pineapple relish topped with mint. Washburn performs on a tiny stove, a Bunsen burner and on a small table in a cramped kitchen roughly the size of a sedan.
I watch as Townsend appoints himself waiter. He grabs finished plates from the kitchen and heads out to the makeshift dining room, dodging end tables and the host's cat before he carefully places the succulent bites on our low tables: The appetizer of chili-pepper-and-coconut-crusted ahi tuna, the refreshing julienne jicama salad, and the succulent melt-in-your-mouth five-spice duck breast with "forbidden rice" risotto.
"It sounded pretty unconventional, and I liked the idea of having to be in the know, as opposed to going to a trendy restaurant that everyone knows about," said film production assistant Alec Johnson.
"I think the whole experience adds to the food as well."
The bargain-basement $40 price tag doesn't hurt either.
"Most people at restaurants have said they felt they overpaid and were underserved. We try to make people feel like they underpaid and were overserved," Townsend said.
The Ghetto Gourmet began out of necessity more than 2 1/2 years ago in San Francisco. Townsend's brother Joe, then lead chef at Mecca Restaurant in San Francisco, needed a small group to taste some of his creations.
"We started in a basement apartment with 6-foot ceilings; there was a dorm refrigerator, and we ate off of milk crates turned sideways," Townsend said.
"We really had no idea that people would actually want to show up at a stranger's house and eat."
Through word of mouth and ads on Craigslist.org, the Ghetto Gourmet grew rapidly, and Townsend soon set his sights on other cities, Los Angeles being his first "test run." It was by chance that Johnson had become one of the few to try out the dining experience.
"I randomly typed 'gourmet food' into Google one day and I saw something that said 'Ghetto Gourmet.' It piqued my interest because those two words tend to not go together," Johnson said.
Townsend plans to bring the Ghetto Gourmet back to Southern California in early August, including possible areas in Orange County. He'll take the show anywhere there are willing hosts.
"We want to go around the country like a rock band," Townsend said.
For more information, go to www.ghetto-gourmet.com. The Web site posts future dates, menus, Townsend's contact information and how to host a dinner.
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