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Fortunately for Ole Miss, who Moore visited in mid-December, the Rebels remain on his four-team wish list, which he says will be his final four.
"My final list is narrowed down to four - Ole Miss, Tennessee, Miami and Oregon State," Moore said from his California home. "I have already visited UT and Ole Miss and will visit Oregon State on the 14th of January and Miami on the 21st.
"I will not add any more schools and have recently eliminated Ohio State and LSU."
Moore has been very non-committal about his thought process other than the bare essentials.
"I will not decide until after the trip to Miami and I may not announce until signing day gets closer," Moore said.
"I'm sure I'll have a pretty good idea after my Miami visit, but right now all four are equal. There is no pecking order."
Byron, one of the most sought-after JUCO DBs in the nation, is looking for the right fit.
"I know I will fit in with the players at any of those four schools and all four of those schools offer a quality education, so neither one of those factors is an issue," he continued.
"What I am looking for is where I will be living - the atmosphere and the surroundings, and how well I relate to the coaches on the staff, particularly my position coach and defensive coordinator. I have to feel comfortable with the DC and the DB coach because that is who I will have the most interaction with."
Moore liked the staff at Ole Miss.
"I'm impressed with that staff. It means a lot to me that they are genuine and are like a family," he noted. "Coach (Houston) Nutt is a class person and his assistants are sincere.
"I talk to them frequently and sometimes we don't even talk about football. We talk about things that affect my life. I can tell they care about me and that's important to me. The current players there say the same thing."
Also on the plus side of the ledger for the Rebels, Moore said, was the chance for immediate playing time in a secondary that desperately needs quality help.
"That's one of the main factors, for sure," he closed. "I don't want to go in somewhere and sit around for a year or two. I am not afraid of competition, but anything that helps me have a quicker path to playing time is a good thing for me and my career."
Reading between the lines, there's not much there. It is what it is.
Byron is sincere that he's down to four schools, he's sincere that nobody leads right now and he's sincere that Ole Miss is still in the thick of things.
Who knows where the flip of the coin will land, but it's obvious the Rebels have positioned themselves nicely in the Byron Moore sweepstakes.


text:
SINGAPORE (Bernama) – Singapore calls for greater collaboration among the aviation community to ensure a stronger and more resilient industry.
Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Josephine Teo in her address at the opening of the Aviation Productivity Conference 2015, noted that the aviation community has had a sobering start in 2015.
"Some of us are still reeling from the shock of the succession of tragic events – Malaysian Airlines Flights MH17 and MH370, Air Asia flight QZ8501 and most recently, Trans Asia flight GE 235.
"Besides seeking answers to difficult questions, it will be important to look forward and work together, with the shared goal of ensuring aviation becomes stronger and more resilient," she said.
On Singapore's aviation hub, she said that productivity growth was important to ensure the continued success of Singapore's aviation hub, however she noted that in 2014, Changi Airport experienced more subdued growth than in the years after the Global Financial Crisis.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|204 m²
|Tipo de imóvel
2 acres de terra arborizada com 139 'de frente para o lago com fundo de areia dura embalado para 1000' para fora da costa. Há um 50 'alta colina atrás da casa que leva a uma bela área arborizada 70' acima da água. Há uma fogueira com amplo corte de lenha e ancoradouro para seu uso. A 10 'x 10' deck está localizado perto da costa, com vista para o lago e da praia contém uma área de areia e pátio de concreto. O litoral é feita de pedra rap rip assim que o acesso à água é através de barco doca só por favor.
We rented this house with friends and it was perfect! Beautiful view, privacy, wonderful layout, lots of room and places to relax outside. We brought a speedboat with us and although we didn't dock it, there was plenty of space for us to park it in the driveway. The location is absolutely perfect! Close to the waterway - we took a trip from the house all the way to the Mackinaw Bridge and back and made it in 8 hours (could have been shorter had we not had to deal with 5-6 foot waves on Lake Huron). Lots of good restaurants and bars nearby - some local gems too! We had one rainy day so took advantage of the non-boating weather to visit some local wineries and breweries and ended up following the wine trail up to Petoskey which was a beautiful drive and we found some wonderful bars and restaurants up there as well. Dave is wonderful to work with, very helpful in answering all of my questions and very knowledgeable about the area. Would highly recommend this home! We plan on renting again, and are also looking forward to bringing our children next time!
This is the third year that we have stayed in Indian River and the third house that we have rented here, it is without a doubt the best! It has been difficult in the past to find a beach that is suitable for kids. There are only a few steps down to the water and there is a small area of sand that the kids can play in. The house itself is very comfortable and well equipped with everything you need during your stay.
This by far was one of the best trips to Indian River (Burt Lake) since my grandparents lived up here many years ago.
Amenities and layout of the house accommodated all us 7 adults (8 over the weekend) and 1 dog nicely.
The views were amazing! The property itself was fantastic, had a bonfire every night and swam most days.
The home is a great location to Mackinaw, Petosky, there are wineries in the area now and you could walk to the Shrine. Vivios is a must while visiting!!!
My family and I had a wonderful trip and would recommend "The End of the Trail" home to anyone. Will definitely return!
We have rented lake homes for the last 16 years on Black, Mullett, and Burt Lakes. This gem was the best by far. Many times a home is advertised as a four bedroom, but turns out to be a two bedroom, a closet, and a cot in the living room. This place was roomy and well laid out. The lake view was amazing. I would definitely recommend and hope to return next year.
We are a five generation family vacationing on Burt Lake. This year we were blessed to go back to where it all began for my family. We were so fortunate to have an opportunity to stay in this home. It exceeded our expectations. It is a lovely home and well cared for. Everything was provided for us including the beautiful sunsets. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility high up on the banks of the lake. This is a perfect home whether for two or eight people. Lots of things to do or not do for the young and old. The property is privately located, easy to access and conveniently located to lots of recreational and sightseeing activities. The owners are wonderful to work with and made our stay wanting for more. We highly recommend it!
We love this home. This is the 2nd year we have been here, and we will be up again. The house is beautiful, with a wonderful view of the lake. They have all the things you need to make you feel at home, and comfortable. I would recommend this house to anyone looking to get a way from it all. But still having the comforts of home.
Estrategicamente localizado no norte de Michigan de 'Inland Route Water' com acesso de barco para Inidian Rio, Rio Crooked, Mullett Lago, Rio Cheboygan e todo o caminho para Mackinac Island. Apenas 2 milhas do Rio Sturgeon tubulação. Curta caminhada para o Santuário católico Indian River com o maior dos mundos crucifixo. Apenas 20 minutos de carro de Petoskey, Bay View ou Harbor Springs, ea apenas 30 minutos ao sul da ponte de Mackinac.
|Validade da Tarifa
|por noite
|Noite (fim de semana)
|por semana
|por mês
|Pacote ou Evento
Tarifa Básica
Estadia mínima: 1 noite(s)
|Taxa de animais de estimação
|Cleaning Fee


text:
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Burton Nordic Pullover Crew Sweatshirt Heather Grey - $36.95
Everyone needs a good sweatshirt to grab and throw on when things get a bit chilly, and the Burton Nordic Pullover Crew Sweatshirt is an ideal top for that purpose. This 60% cotton, 40% polyester, over-dyed fleece French terrycloth sweater goes on easily and hugs you flatteringly, thanks to Burton's signature fit and stylish cut. Its light weight makes the Burton Nordic an ideal sweatshirt to tuck in a bag, purse, or backpack to have on hand anytime you need it.Key Features of the Burton Nordic Pullover Crew Sweatshirt: 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester, 260G French Terry Pullover Crew Over-Dyed Fleece Signature Fit - $36.95


text:
Marines' Duty Ch. 4Mature
Our squad headed for a sandy brown colored Stryker parked near the base's front gate, piling inside. Picture the inside of a small metal container on wheels with all metal seats. Add four squad members, loaded down with 50 lbs of battle rattle; kevlar, body armor, ammo, weapon, water, and NVG's. Luckily it was only 0615 or we'd be roasting like hogs in the Iraqi heat. Thank God for small favors. With everyone locked in, the Stryker started forward with a jump. It would be a ten minute ride to the DZ in the Yellow District.
"Hey Micahart," Lakes yelled over the Stryker's roaring engine. I turned towards the PFC, careful not to hit my head on anything.
"What's up Lakes?" I could tell that he was edgy, his eyes flickered excitedly around. This would be his first true outing into the city, exciting to him since he had never been past the Green District.
"This is just gonna be a quick in and out, right?" Walsh looked to Lakes, a big grin on his southern features.
"Hell no, Lakes. We're knocking down doors and busting some caps in peoples asses. That's what you Detroit boys like to do right?" Lakes nervously smiled as the Stryker came to a halt. The driver turned back to us and ordered us to dismount. The back door to the vehicle whined and slammed loudly onto filthy city streets. We all jumped out into the blazing morning sun, guns raised and checking for targets. The only people who currently populated the streets were women, old men, and young children playing in the dirt. Donkeys gave us lazy glances while stry cats scattered into nearby alleyways. You could see the toll the war had taken on Ramadi's people. Saddam hadn't exactly been kind in establishing and running his government. When the U.S finally kicked him out and the terrorist moved in, it was just adding more insult to injury, to a people that had survived centuries of Dictatorships.
A few of the woman watched as the Stryker shut it's rear door and left for base. After checking our corners, the squad stacked up against a wall of a nearby house. It was designated target number one. Walsh turned and smashed in the door with the heel of his boot. He then stormed in followed by Lakes, Thane, and I. Nothing, only silence occupied the first floor. As we began our systematic search, the face of the house exploded. It sent large chunks of concrete into the house and the rest of us scrambling for cover. Ducking behind an tipped old coffee table, I found some respite from the explosion. Walsh was shouting into the squad radio but I couldn't hear a thing. The explosion's concussion sent my ears ringing. After a few drawn out moments, my hearing returned, reluctantly.
"Thane give me a SITREP! THANE! YOU FUCKING O.K?" I turned around to see Thane dazed and confused but other wise uninjured. Quickly I jumped up and pulled Thane behind the worn table, we were now sitting ducks in the house.
"What the hell hit us?" I yelled over the squad radio. Lakes popped up from behind a small desk his hair was slightly singed, but otherwise he was alright.
"RPG!" Walsh replied, eyes widening as he looked behind me. Not wanting to turn around, I grabbed Thane and hurried over to the stairs as another explosion rocked the home. Bit's of burning material, concrete, and dust washed into the room as if the house had taken a deep breath in. The second RPG had knocked the wind out of me. As I tried to breathe the dust filled my throat, making me cough and wheeze.
"Someone needs to kill that motherfucker!" I finally managed to shout. Lakes hurried over to the rest of the squad as Walsh made a quick motion towards the stairs. Without hesitation, we moved higher into the home. At the top of the stairs I peeked around the corner and saw a gunman outside the window.
"Contact!" I yelled raising my weapon but Thane had seen him first. Bullets soared from his gun striking the enemy rifleman in the chest. A mist of blood burst into the air as the man fell, dead. My rifle still rested snug against my shoulder, safety off, waiting to see if any other enemies appeared. None popped up across the window. Walsh set up Lakes and Thane to watch the second floor windows.
"Micahart, you're with me on the roof. Let's move!" I gave Thane and Lakes a thumbs up, then took off up the stairs after Walsh. On the roof, a sudden eruption of gun fire clattered all around us. Tracers and bullets zinging past us in all directions, good thing they weren't well trained. Walsh and I slid to cover and returned fire. The loud bark of Walshes M4 followed right on the heels of the AK-47's fire. I could feel the sun's heat beating upon my body. If the enemy ever learned to fire their weapons properly...we were all dead.
"Direction!" I yelled reloading my rifle. Walsh fell back into cover and pressed the squad radio.
"20 meters to our 9 o'clock; Three Tangos. Five more at our 3 o'clock One might be our RPG."
"Lakes and I will get the enemy's at 3 you take the ones at 9." Thane shouted over the comms, as the magazine slid home into my rifle and I turned to my 9 o'clock. Looking down my sights I saw two, black hooded insurgents were standing on a nearby roof spraying wildly from the hip. I quickly loosed a few three round bursts from my rifle praying they'd strike home. A spray of blood filled the air as one of the men violently jerked backward and slumped over. Dropping into cover, I let Walsh take his turn. The clatter of explosions and gunfire had created pure chaos throughout the city.
"All Tangos at 9 o'clock are dead. Corporal how are things on the second floor?" Walsh shouted breathlessly into the radio. No response came as the gunfire increased in tempo. A symphony of war carrying on without it's director.
"CORPORAL!" Walsh yelled again. Finally static buzzed into a recognizable voice.
"Sergeant we have a problem! More Tangos are entering the surrounding buildings we need to get out, NOW!" Walsh looked to me, both of us were running on pure adrenaline. Neither of us said anything. We knew we were in the shit and had to get out; how though, that would be the real issue. Walsh grabbed his radio, doing what he had hoped he never would.
"Hotel this is Bravo, I repeat this is Bravo. We need an immediate Evac from the Yellow District. Our coordiantes are. Lima 29, Romeo 37. I repeat Lima 29, Romeo 37. How copy, Over?" Bullets whizzed past my head pushing me further against the roofs cover.
"Roger that Bravo, Stryker unit's on the way. Out."


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Summary: Edward was a relentless killing machine, sucking the lives out of everyone in his path, until he met a boy named Charlie. Now that Charlie has a family of his own, Edward vows to watch over his daughter, Bella. OOC.
Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me.
The Guardian
"Renee's pregnant," Chief Swan informed as we stood facing each other outside of the police station, underneath the street lamps.
"Yes, I heard," I replied. "Congratulations."
He scratched his chin and nodded his head. "Of course you have."
"Knew before you did," I confirmed.
"So what do you think?" I knew exactly what he was referring to. Even if I couldn't read his thoughts, I'd have known.
"The crime rate has been steadily decreasing," I answered "I think moving your wife and unborn child far away to a safe place would be a bit drastic. They have the chief of police and a creature of the night for protection."
"Yes," he agreed, "but I can only do so much, and the same goes for you. You've been slipping up."
"Temptations will always linger," I replied curtly.
"I've been trying for years to keep you on a strict animal diet." He shook his head.
"You can't change nature."
"Perhaps not. But I still have faith that there will come a day when you no longer look at humans as walking cheeseburgers and the thought of drinking their blood disgusts you."
"You can keep holding onto your faith, chief, but don't expect a miracle. That's the most confusing thing about you humans. You all cling onto faith and continue to pray for hope when a higher power has only shunned Earth's inhibitors."
"For a man with supernatural ability and immorality, you disregard the magic in the universe."
"Magic doesn't exist," I dismissed. "Only illusions."
"You haven't aged since the day I met you, and you don't believe in magic?"
"I'm a creation of the devil," I replied bitterly. "I believe in pain and malice. Look around you, Charlie. There isn't a single thing worth living for. The only thing you should be thankful for is the ability to die."
"I'm thankful for many things, Edward," he said. "But dying isn't one of them."
"Wait until you've lived a few more years, you'll be singing a different tune."
"The best thing about life," he started, "is that you make whatever you want out of it. I believe, and will continue to believe, that there is at least a sliver of good in people, and this town will see the light again."
For the past several years, Charlie and I had kept the town under control to the best of our abilities. He was one of the few non-corrupt police officers within miles and I was his vampire sidekick.
Forks had diminished from a small loving town filled with simple-minded people to one filled with violent crimes and heinous acts. Even I found the cruelty repulsing, and I ate people for nourishment.
For the first seven decades of my undead life, I hunted humans and drained them until there wasn't a drop of blood left. It wasn't until I met a little boy with curly brown hair and wide expressive brown eyes that my outlook was able to be changed.
A group of us, vampires, had been temporarily detained for several weeks, and by the time we were released, we went on a rampage - barging into houses and biting into the flesh of the first person we came across.
I had broken into the little boys house with two other vampires. He was hiding upstairs in his parents' closest and he watched as the others ate his parents alive. When I had arrived in the room, I ripped open the closet door, intending to have a little snack, but the thoughts that rushed through the boy's head halted my movements and captivated me. His thoughts brought me back to the memories from my human life, memories that I had thought were forever forgotten. Intrigued that he could posses that power over me, I kept him alive.
Everyday for the first year, I internally argued with myself over whether or not I should just rip the little boy up into shreds and drink from him, but I never worked up the courage. Every time I tried, those curious wide eyes would prevent me from taking another step closer. That didn't stop me from enjoying other humans, though.
As the boy grew, he tried giving me lessons about not killing. He'd say that instead of giving into my yearning and staying true to my nature, I should fight it and become something different.
I almost sunk my teeth into his neck the first time he tried giving me that little speech. But over time, the boy wiggled his way into my head and we made a bargain. I strayed from attacking innocents but continued getting my treat from the blood of criminals, or potential criminals.
I watched as the boy grew into a teenager, and then into a man. He never once faltered on his morals. He had an odd determination to get rid of all the evil in Forks. He wanted the world to be a safe and peaceful place. He was an odd soul, and he still is.
Months later, I found the chief pacing back in forth in the hospital maternity ward, waiting until Renee was ready to give birth.
Thoughts about what type of a father he'd be clouded his mind. He worried that he wouldn't be good enough. He was afraid that the baby would resent him, and when she became a teenager, she'd indulge in drugs and sex as rebellion. Personally, I thought he was going a tad overboard.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and urged him to relax. "Look, Charlie, I've known you for years and I think of you as a son," I said as a nurse nearby stopped what she was doing. She stared at us with a perplexed look. I suppose it wasn't everyday that she heard a seventeen year-old boy tell a man in his mid-twenties that he was like a son to him. "That kid will be lucky to call you dad."
He took a deep breath. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"Remind her that you gave her life. You're the reason for the air in her lungs and the beating of her heart."
He nodded his head, though not truly believing it.
"You remember what I told you when you were a little boy?"
He chuckled humorlessly. "You've said many things."
"I once told you that you're either the luckiest kid in the world, or the unluckiest. You were stuck with a grumpy and brooding vampire who was constantly restraining himself from eating you. And yet you're alive."
He looked at me carefully, his thoughts turning from uncertainty and worry to determination.
"Go to you wife," I said. "I have a few things to take care of in Chicago, but I'll be back in a couple days."
"Take care of yourself." He began walking backwards, towards Renee's room. "And don't eat anyone."
I smirked and made my way towards the elevators. "I make no promises," I called out.
The nurse that had heard me telling Charlie that he was like a son to me had also heard our last exchange. She had her brows knitted together and shook her head. Odd, she thought.
Days later, I returned to Forks, and the first place I visited was Charlie and Renee's house. I heard three separate hearts beating before I approached the door.
Renee knew about my…special state. When she had first met me, she was under the impression that I was Charlie's uncle. Since his parents were dead, he had been placed in an orphanage, but I would often visit him. When he became a teenager, he insisted on moving in with me because he couldn't accomplish his sneaky detective work when he had to be in bed by 9pm.
He met Renee and became obsessed with her. Since Charlie was a thorn in my side, I inevitably came into contact with her. She thought of me as a normal man, until the day I rescued them from a car accident and exposed my strength and speed.
She kept my secret safe, but she wasn't as accepting of me as Charlie was. She was still a bit wary whenever we were alone.
I knocked on the door and it flung open. Renee stood on the other end, wearing an oversized robe and her hair was disheveled. She looked exhausted. She stepped back to let me in.
"Tired?" I asked, although I didn't need to.
"Yes." She glared over at Charlie, who was speaking gibberish to his newborn daughter. I hadn't been introduced to the girl yet, but Charlie had told me that he wanted me to meet her so I could get a glimpse of her personality by her thoughts. He also wanted me to cheat and inform him when the girl was up to no good in the future. "He won't put her down and let her sleep," she grumbled.
Charlie's head shot up. "Hey, Edward," he greeted, noticing me for the first time. "And she's not tired." He directed the last part at Renee.
"She's been up for hours." Renee yawned. "She needs to sleep now."
"I think the mother needs sleep now," I muttered underneath my breath.
Charlie stood up with the baby and approached me. "Here," he said as he handed me the squirming pink child. "She's beautiful isn't she?"
I looked down at her as I cradled her in my arms. Her scent hit me full force. "Well, she does smell delicious."
Charlie smiled before he realized that comment wasn't normal. He did the shifty eye thing before reaching for his daughter. "I'll, umm…I'll just…" He grabbed a hold the girl and gently took her from my arms. "I'll just hold onto her."
I understood. He didn't want his baby to get eaten by his undead partner in crime. It was cool. No hard feelings.
It wasn't until a minute later that I realized something wasn't right. I bent down and leaned towards the girl in Charlie's arms. My forehead scrunched in confusion as Charlie looked at me like I had admitted to being a tap dancing ninja.
I pointed at the baby's head and then at my ear and shrugged my shoulders.
"What's he doing?" Renee asked cautiously.
"Haven't a clue," Charlie replied, equally as bewildered.
"Your baby is broken," I blurted.
"What?!" Renee shouted, her heart pounding furiously. She quickly glanced at her baby, and once she heard the little girl coo, her heart rate calmed down and she breathed a sigh of relief.
"What the hell's the matter with you?" Charlie scolded.
"Chief, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there isn't a single thought swarming through that child's mind. There's something off about her. It's like her brain is mush. It doesn't work right."
"What are you taking about?" he asked, worried.
"I think you need to get a refund," I replied. "Trade her in for a new one."
"Edward!" Charlie nearly shouted.
Renee spoke at the same time as him. "There is nothing wrong with my Isabella. She's perfect."
"Or at least get her repaired," I continued. "I'm telling you, chief, a baby that doesn't think isn't a good sign. Usually they're thinking about the strangest little things…or breast-feeding. And I haven't been able to get one good look at your wife's boobs 'cause that one there," I pointed an accusatory finger at the child, "doesn't think about anything."
Renee's mouth dropped open while Charlie was torn between putting on a show and telling me to behave myself, or giving me a little glimpse of his wife's breasts because he was quite fond of them. He had the decency to feel ashamed for that last thought.
"I wouldn't object," I told him honestly.
His face turned beet red as Renee cast a look in his direction. I sensed a confrontation coming on so I slowly backed out of the house.
"What are your thoughts on vampirism?" I asked Charlie as we walked side by side on along the street. There was a light drizzle and the sky was pitch black. Even the clouds hid the moon.
"It's unfortunate, but you've been given eternal life," he replied. "Why not spend that time committing yourself to good deeds?"
"You've forgotten that my deeds will not be paid off in the end. I'm here until the world explodes. But even then, I may still be around. Perhaps I'll float around in space when the planet is gone."
"A hero doesn't save lives for a reward."
"I'm not a hero, chief, not even close."
Charlie sighed. "Why do you insist on calling me chief? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were doing it to be condescending."
"You've earned the title," I answered. "So back to vampirism, would you consider it?"
His eyebrows rose high up on his face. "Would I ever want to be a vampire?"
I nodded my head.
"No," he said simply. "Not unless an antidote is invented so I could turn human again if I didn't like it."
"If you find that antidote, then give me a call. I'd be first in line to get a shot." We walked around in silence for several more minutes. "How's fatherhood?"
"Good, it's good," he answered quietly. "She's growing up quick."
It had been years since I had direct contact with Isabella. I had to stay away from her and everyone else in Forks, except for Charlie. If people saw me, they'd realize that I hadn't aged. I only came out a night when most of the town was asleep, or hooligans were destroying property or conjuring up a worse crime.
"Renee enrolled her in ballet classes, the poor kid hates it, but you know Renee, she's relentless. Bella turns nine this Sunday, and she's going through some sort of tomboy phase. She hates dresses and anything that is remotely girly."
I chuckled before something caught my attention. "Bella?"
Charlie grinned and nodded his head. "Yeah, she won't answer to Isabella anymore. It's either Bella or she'll ignore you."
"Stubborn child," I said.
"She reminds me of you." He cast a sideways glance in my direction.
"Well if Renee tried to make me partake in ballet, I'd probably pout and cry too."
Charlie and I rarely spoke about his personal life anymore and he kept his attention focused on the tasks we were accomplishing for the past few years, so I hadn't been up to date on Isa…excuse me, Bella.
The last time I saw that her, she was wobbling around like a miniature drunk person. She spoke gibberish and was able to say momma and dada, so apparently her brain wasn't mush after all. But her head was still silent, and that was very unusual.
After several more minutes of small talk, we arrived in front of Charlie's house. As we were saying goodnight, movement from the upstairs window caught my eye. I glanced up to find a little girl staring at us. Her breath caught in her throat when our eyes locked. I grinned at her.
"Cute kid," I commented.
"Hmm?" Charlie asked before following my gaze up to the window.
When Bella noticed her dad looking up, she gasped and quickly backed away from the window. Charlie sighed and shook his head.
"Take it easy on her," I told him. "She was merely curious."
He looked at me. "Can you hear her thoughts now?"
I concentrated on the movement in the house. I could hear her scurry back to her bed, but no thoughts. A girl who had just been caught out of bed way past bedtime was sure to be worried and thinking about possible punishment. But there was nothing.
"Doesn't seem like it."
"Hmm," he said. "Maybe she's just immune to your powers."
"Or maybe she's still broken," I countered.
He gave me stern look. "There's nothing wrong with that little girl up there."
I chuckled at his defensiveness. "Goodnight, Charlie."
"Take care of yourself, Edward," he said before he walked up to the front door.
"What's eating you?" I asked the chief, sensing his bad mood.
He sighed. "We have that function to go to tonight and it's mandatory for me to be there, but I don't want to go without Renee."
"Why wouldn't Renee go with you?"
"Bella's sick." He sighed again. "She has the flu and we can't get a babysitter because our regular won't risk the chance that she'd get sick, and we can't find anyone on short notice."
My brows furrowed in confusion. "Isn't she thirteen now? Why does she need a babysitter?"
Charlie looked at me as if I were an idiot. "Have you stepped outside recently? This town is falling to pieces. I won't ever let Bella be by herself. Not in this town. Not even in her own home."
"You really don't want to go your event alone?"
"Definitely not," he replied gloomily.
"Well, you know I can always keep an eye on her."
His head shot up. "What?" he asked incredulously.
"What's the matter chief? Don't trust me?"
He shook his head. "That's not it, but what would you do? Stake out in front of the house?"
"Not exactly. I could play babysitter for the evening."
He scoffed. "A teenage male babysitter?"
"Eh, why not?"
His thoughts circled around the idea. He desperately did not want to be alone, but he was also uncertain if I could handle the job.
"I fight bad guys for a living," I said, interrupting his thoughts. "How hard could it be to look after a kid?"
He looked at me long and hard before he relaxed. "Okay."
I followed Charlie home and he ushered me inside. He had called Renee and told her to finish getting dressed because he found a replacement babysitter. She was excited until she heard that I was the replacement. She was worried that she'd come home to a bloodless Bella, but she pushed that fear aside and put her faith in me.
Bella was lying on her back on the couch, her eyes glued on the television.
"Bella," Charlie called over to her.
She did a double take when she saw me, her eyes lingering on me. She looked older, not much older, but just a little bigger. She still had a child's face and innocent eyes.
"Bella," Charlie repeated. "This is Edward. He's going to watch after you tonight."
After Charlie and Renee said their goodbyes and left the house, I moved over to the loveseat, near the couch.
"I've seen you before, you know," Bella said as she curled up on her side and looked at me.
She nodded her head. "A few years ago. You were outside talking to my dad." She studied my face for a minute. "You still look the same."
"Do I?"
She nodded her head again. "I've dreamt about you before."
"I must've made quite an impression during the entire ten seconds we saw each other."
She shook her head. "No, I had dreams about you before I first saw you."
That shocked the hell out of me, and it was rare to surprise me. I was a mind reader, after all.
"I always thought you were just a part of my imagination," she continued. "But when I saw you four years ago, I knew you were real. I must've seen you before then, maybe when I was younger."
"Maybe," I said.
"Do you wear makeup?" she asked. "Or is it skincare products? Plastic surgery?"
I stared at her, confused.
"Your face, you look so young. Just a few years older than me, but that can't be possible. You would've been smaller when I first saw you. But you don't look a day older than you did in my dreams."
"Skincare," I answered.
She didn't look convinced. "Do you think it means something?"
"My dreams," she clarified. "I don't dream about everyone I meet. Maybe it means something, because you did come back."
"Or maybe you just thought I was really cute," I joked.
She blushed and averted her eyes. I was kidding, but apparently I was right on the money. I guess not even thirteen year old girls were immune to the vampire charm.
She focused on the television until she worked up enough courage to speak to me again. "Are you hungry, Edward?"
I looked over at her. "No, but thank you for asking," I replied.
"Are you sure?"
"Are you thirsty?"
"Are you cold?"
I chuckled. "No, I'm good."
"Are you a cop?"
"What's with the questions?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Are you afraid to answer them?"
"Not at all."
"Okay," she said, "so are you a cop?"
"How old are you?"
"You seem older than seventeen."
"Thank you. I think."
"I mean, you look seventeen, but there's something about you that appears older."
"I appreciate your perception."
"How do you know my dad?"
"We go way back."
"How far back?"
"Pretty far back."
"Give me an estimate."
"Before you were born," I replied honestly.
"So, you were like a toddler when you met my dad?"
"Sure," I said nonchalantly.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Why not?"
"Don't want one."
"How come?"
"Because why?"
"Girls ask too many questions," I answered with a grin.
She blushed again. "Sorry."
"So how about you?" I asked.
"What about me?"
"Do you have girlfriend?"
She laughed. "No."
"A boyfriend?"
She shook her head. "Boys don't like me that way."
"Why not?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not pretty enough, I guess."
"Eh," I said, "boys are idiots at your age. Trust me, I would know. You're not missing out on anything."
"I know," she said, "I like older guys anyway."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Mm-hmm." Her cheeks inflamed even more.
The topic was getting a bit uncomfortable for me so I decided to change it. I didn't want Charlie to lecture me about his young teenage daughter's infatuation with me. I'd never hear the end of it.
"So what are we watching?" I asked.
"I don't know," she answered. "I've been talking to you."
Bella eventually fell asleep and I left minutes after Charlie and Renee arrived back at the house. Well, the girl definitely didn't seem brain damaged, but there was something blocking her thoughts from me. A part of me wanted to dig deeper and figure out how she was able to keep me out of her head. Whatever it was, it'd been with her since birth. Maybe the doctors delivered her wrong.
"Isabella Marie Swan!" I heard Renee's voice from somewhere upstairs. "You take that outfit off right now and put on something that doesn't reveal your cleavage."
"Oh my God, mom," Bella replied, exasperated. "I'm sixteen years old. I think I'm old enough to decide what to wear."
"Bella, if you dress like a tramp, you're going to be treated like a tramp."
"Thanks for the advice, mother," she snapped, "but this shirt hardly reveals anything. You know I'm not the type to seek attention, so I don't know what you're freaking out about."
"I don't want you going out tonight." Renee's tone was stern.
"Oh, geez." I could practically hear Bella roll her eyes.
"I'm serious, Bella. I don't trust those people."
"Those people are my friends," Bella replied, offended.
"Yeah, well, they're bad friends."
"You think everyone is bad."
"You're not going out with them."
"Yes, I am."
Charlie sighed and shook his head in front of me. "Sorry about that." Even he was able to hear them from the basement. "Those two have been arguing nonstop for weeks."
"She's hitting the rebellion stage." It was average at her age. I'd heard it all before. All I had to do was walk down the streets in a populated neighborhood.
"She's going to sneak out tonight," Charlie stated confidently, "whether or not we let her go out, she'll find a way."
"I'll keep an eye on her," I assured. "Follow her. Make sure she keeps out of trouble."
Charlie nodded his head. "How long has it been since you've seen her?"
"She was thirteen and half in love with me." I laughed.
Charlie shook his head again. "Thanks for that, by the way. Because of you, I had to constantly answer her questions about why you weren't coming around the house."
I chuckled. "Does she still ask about me?"
"Nah." His eyes darted up to the ceiling. "She doesn't say much of anything anymore. Not since she became friends with those kids."
"Which kids?"
"The Newtown boy, the Stanley girl, and few others. They're harmless as far as I know, but God only knows."
"I'll let you know for sure," I promised.
"Thanks," he mumbled before we continued going over our plan about stopping a local gang from their next attack. I was more than happy to dispose of them in my stomach, but Charlie disapproved.
It had been over a year since I had a human snack and Charlie was determined to keep me away from human blood from that point on. But I was bound to slip up one of these days. At least I wasn't feasting on innocents, and that was something to rejoice about. Sober from innocent human blood for thirty years. All thanks to my pal Charlie.
Just as expected, Bella crawled out from her bedroom window, grabbed onto a tree branch and climbed down until her feet hit the ground.
I followed her until she was near her friends. I was close enough to hear their thoughts. They had something illegal planned, something Bella was unaware of. And I wasn't about to let her be apart of it. So I did the only thing I could think of doing.
"Hey!" I called out.
Bella froze on the sidewalk. She slowly turned around towards me, confusion and worry evident on her face. At least until she got a good look at me underneath the streetlamps.
"Edward?" she asked incredulously.
"'Tis I." I approached her and stood less than six inches away.
"Wow, I never thought I'd see you again. You look…well, you look exactly the same." She was speculative. Curious about what I was.
"Still using the same skincare line," I said.
She was not convinced about that. "Or maybe you're still seventeen," she mused.
"Or maybe not."
"I figured out that I had in fact met you before the window incident." She folded her arms across her chest.
"How did you do that?"
"Pictures are amazing that way," she replied. "I found one. It was taken when I was just a baby, and you're in it. Not completely, just the side of your face. But it's definitely you. And you look exactly the same."
"Very, very good skincare products." I knew she wouldn't believe me, but I wasn't about to tell Charlie's daughter that he'd been hanging out with a vampire for the past thirty something years.
"Very, very bad liar."
"I caught you sneaking out of the house." I needed to change the subject, steer the topic away from me.
"Yeah, I'm totally walking on the wild side now." She rolled her eyes, knowing she wasn't anywhere near as wild as the majority of kids her age.
"That you are. What were your intentions when you came out here?"
"Do a little of this, do a little of that," she answered vaguely. "Why are you following me?"
I raised my shoulders, looking innocent. "Wasn't. You just happened to be going in the direction I was headed in."
She squinted her eyes. "I think you're lying."
I wasn't in the mood. "I think you're correct," I finally admitted.
"Knew it," she muttered.
"Yes, you're a genius," I replied dryly.
She shot me an annoyed look. "Are you going to try to bring me back to my house?"
I feigned a gasp. "Look at that, her intelligence just keeps escalating."
She scoffed. "Whatever. Tell me why you don't age. Did you swallow some weird chemical or something?"
"Or something."
She pointed a finger at me, growing excited. "Ha. So you do admit it."
"I haven't heard a confirmation coming from my mouth."
She shrugged. "I read in between the lines."
"How very splendid for you."
"So what are you?" she asked. "I know you're different from me."
"Indeed," I confirmed. "You're female and I am not."
"Your observational skills astound me," she retorted. "You know that's not what I meant."
I sighed, making it seem as though I were about to come clean. "I'm an alien from a galaxy far, far away."
"Cool." She smiled. "Can you beam me up into your spaceship the next time you head back to your home planet?"
"Sorry," I replied regrettably, "but you don't have a green card."
"So marry me." She gave a little shrug. "We accept foreigners when they marry one of our citizens."
"I have a confession to make," I whispered secretively.
She leaned in. "And that is?"
I glanced around, making sure no one was within listening distance. "I'm not really an alien."
She gasped. "Oh my God. No way! I like totally believed you and everything!" Sarcasm dripped off of each word.
"All right," I said, becoming serious. "It's time to get you home now."
"I have an idea." She took a step closer to me. "You go ahead and go to my house, sneak into my room, crawl into my bed and pretend to be me when my parents check on me, and I'll just," she jerked her thumb over her shoulder, "be on my way."
"I have a better idea." I closed the distance, towering over her. "I'm going to take you home, you're going to get into your own bed, and when your parents check on you, you'll be fast asleep like a good little girl."
She snorted. "Kay. Let's see how you manage to pull that off."
"Your father," I started, "is a good man. He loves you more than you'll ever know. He has enough on his plate dealing with the crime in this town, he doesn't need to stress himself out by wondering if you're safe or not. He brought you into this world, show him some respect."
"You know, for a man stuck at seventeen, you're even more annoying than most adults."
"Cool," I replied absentmindedly. "Now let's go."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. You win this time. Only because I'm feeling kinda tired."
I motioned for her to lead the way and walked beside her as we headed towards her house.
"So are you ever going to tell me what you are?" she asked.
"Probably not."
"Will you keep popping up at random moments as the years pass?"
Once we reached her house, I made sure she really went to bed, and after she fell asleep, I went back to where her friends were to thwart their plans.
I leaned against the railing outside of the Swan house as Bella opened the screen door, laughing and talking animatedly. She stepped out onto the porch with two other women behind her, also laughing and talking.
Bella suddenly froze when she saw me standing off to the side. The others stopped a moment later and looked from me to Bella.
"Edward," she greeted with a smile. "Well, look at that, you did show up again."
"I told you it was a possibility."
"You did." She still looked stunned.
The girls looked at each other before one spoke to Bella. "We'll wait in the car. Don't be too long." The girl winked.
Bella rolled her eyes before turning back to me and stepping closer. "How have you been?"
"Ah, you know, doing a little of this, doing a little of that," I said, stealing her lines from the last time I saw her.
She smiled and stood beside me, leaning against the rail as well. She tilted her head to the side, so she could see me. Her perfume and minty breath washed over me as she spoke. "It's been awhile."
"Awhile for you, seemed like days for me."
She laughed. "Two years for me."
I looked her over, noticing how she carried herself with more confidence. "You seem different."
"I am," she confirmed. "I'm eighteen. I'm older. I'm an adult. I can't believe how much I've grown between then and now. I was so…annoying, immature."
I chuckled. "That's normal."
She nodded her head and glanced over her shoulder, at the women in the car. "I know." She turned her head back to look at me. "So how long are you staying this time?"
I shrugged a shoulder. "As long as your dad needs me."
"That's right," she said, "he's supposed to bust some big operation going down tonight, right?"
"Yep," I answered. "So how have you been?"
"Great." She flashed her perfect, straight white teeth. "I just graduated and I'm supposed to head off to college in the fall."
"Where are you going?"
"Brown University."
I raised my brows and nodded my head, impressed. "Very good school. Congratulations."
She was genuinely proud of my appraisal. "Thanks. I worked hard for it."
"I'm sure you did." I sincere.
"Well." She pushed away from the railing. "I should probably join my friends now. It was good seeing you again." She paused and gave me a very similar look, one I had seen since her father was a boy. "Take care of yourself."
She definitely had a lot of him inside her. I couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"What?" She stared at me cautiously, confused.
"Nothing." I shook my head still laughing.
"Tell me," she insisted with wide eyes.
"It's just…that's what your dad always says to me each time we part. 'Take care of yourself'. It's not really that funny, but you remind me of him."
She grinned and shrugged a shoulder. "Yeah, I picked up a lot of his habits."
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "What else?"
She laughed and shook her head. "I'll tell you what, you come by to visit me after you and my dad finish doing whatever it is you have to do tonight, and I'll tell you."
"You got a deal." I flashed her a crooked grin.
She returned the smile. "All right. Well, I really gotta go now. So, see you tonight?"
I nodded my head. "Until tonight."
She turned, skipped towards her friends and jumped into the car. I heard them squeal and ask who I was, and if we were going to go out.
She replied with, "He's just a friend of my dads." That comment didn't satisfy her friends, so she added, "and I guess he is really cute, so we'll see."
I smiled to myself. Her father would kill me if she pursued me.
"Bella's grown up a lot," I told Charlie as we crept up to the warehouse, which was housing over twenty criminals.
He nodded. "Oh yeah. You can't imagine how much pride I have in her."
"I can." I tapped my temple.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course."
We approached the entrance and glanced at each other. "You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," he whispered.
"Now don't get cocky once we're inside." We had this conversation before, but I wanted it engrained in him. "I can't get injured, but you can."
"I got it," he said, anxious. "Now let's get going."
We snuck inside. Charlie had a gun in his hands, ready to fire when need be. I didn't have any weapons. I was a weapon myself. I could probably take out all of the men myself, but Charlie insisted on tagging along. He was still the chief of police and demanded to be present when something as big as this was about to go down.
We agreed to take different ends of the warehouse. He went his way and I trailed off, wandering to my section.
The first guy didn't even see me coming. I pounced on him and snapped his neck before he could blink. Then I went to the next guy, and the next, and the next, and the next.
I barely registered the gunfire erupting on the other side of the warehouse, but when it finally dawned on me, I killed the last guy on end of the warehouse and was at Charlie's side in an instant.
My eyes went wide and I nearly collapsed to my knees. Charlie had gotten a few shots in and even killed some of them, while most were just injured badly. Time seemed to have frozen as I watched a gun being aimed towards Charlie, the trigged being pulled and the bullet speeding through the air. In less than a second, the bullet pierced through Charlie's stomach and blood spurted out. Charlie stumbled backwards before collapsing onto his back before his wobbling legs gave out.
My fists clenched and I growled. My head ripped to the side, glaring at the men left alive. Without thinking, I attacked each of them. I was relentless. I snapped their necks, cracked their spines and threw them against the walls, successfully ending each of their lives.
When I finished, I rushed over to Charlie and bent down beside him. His chest heaved up and down and it became apparent he wouldn't last much longer.
"You were wrong," Charlie said breathlessly. "When you told me that I was the reason for the air in my daughter's lungs and for the beating of her heart. You got it all backwards. She was the reason for the air in my lungs and the beating of my heart. She was my life. There wasn't a thing I wouldn't have done for that girl." He coughed and a small amount of blood seeped between his lips and rolled down his chin. "Now you listen to me." He grasped onto my bicep, gripping me as tightly as he could while growing weaker with each second that ticked by. "You take care of her, you watch after her and make sure she grows up properly." A hacking cough vibrated his body. "You hear me?"
"I hear you," I croaked, my voice filled with emotion. Strained from the tearless sobs.
I watched him grow from a boy into one hell of a man. The best man I'd ever come across. I'd tear my limbs off and light myself on fire if it could give him another life.
There wasn't a thing I could do for him. He was on the verge of death and all I could do was watch. No doctor would sow him back together again. And because of his earlier wishes, I could not change him into what I was.
His once beating and vibrate heart weakened until it stopped completely and he took his last breath. I sat there, my dry cries wracking my body.
I managed to pick myself up an hour later and carried Charlie's body to the town morgue. I looked over him as the memories of his life flashed in my mind's eye. When I first saw him, as I watched him grow up, when he fell in love with Renee, their marriage, the birth of their first and only child. His love and affection for both of his girls. The events that led up until tonight.
He was a good man. He was a rare man.
I growled and ran outside, kicking garbage cans and ripping large branches from the bark, throwing it as far as I could.
I didn't stop until I found myself outside of the Swan house. A voice inside was happily talking on the phone. The woman was seated on the same couch, in the same spot as she had been when I saw her at the age of thirteen.
She was unaware of the recent events, so I knew I had to be the one to tell her. She was going to be upset and she might even blame me. I calmed myself down before I trotted up the walkway and knocked on the door. She said a quick goodbye on the phone before she got up and opened the door. There was a smile on her face until she took in my appearance. The smile wavered and she looked frightened.
As I stood there and stared at her, I knew that she was going to age. She was going to live and she would die. There would be days when I'd be in her line of sight and other days when I'd hide in the shadows. But for as long as she was around, I'd be her guardian angel.
Author's Note: This will have a part two, then it's over.


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Featuring free WiFi, Brutarilor Guest House offers pet-friendly accommodation in Cluj-Napoca, 1,313 feet from Fabrica de Bere Ursus. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms have a flat-screen TV. The rooms come with a private bathroom equipped with a bath or shower. There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. The guest house also offers free use of bicycles. Cluj Arena is 1,641 feet from Brutarilor Guest House, while Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography is 0.9 miles from the property. The nearest airport is Cluj Avram Iancu International Airport, 5.6 miles from the property.


text: JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced a seven-year plan to up-skill local African talent and drive sustainable innovation and growth in Africa. With more than 1,300 customers across the continent, SAP is already enabling African businesses and governments of all sizes to grow, scale and globalize, as well as make the transition to a networked, technology-driven innovative economy. As part of this commitment, SAP Africa is now taking responsibility for SAP operations across 51 African countries, including Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and Mauritania.With the vision of helping make Africa run better and improve the lives of Africans, SAP plans to invest up to US $500 million through 2020 as it continues to build on the region's impressive double-digit growth rate momentum. The goal is to establish the African region as one of the company's top-five growth markets globally. Much of the direct investment will be outside South Africa, where SAP already has a solid footprint. This plan was made public today at press briefing hosted by Robert Enslin, member of the Executive Board of SAP SE and president of Global Customer Operations, and Pfungwa Serima, CEO of SAP Africa. "The African market is unique in its growth potential and readiness to innovate," said Enslin. "The SAP Executive Board strongly believes that now is the right time to take our engagement and commitment to expand in Africa to the next level. SAP's additional investment in the continent reflects SAP's vision to help the world run better by delivering leading-edge innovation. In Africa, we plan to engage and invest in even more markets while helping build the appropriate talent base for the IT industry, and support our customers and partners by actively contributing toward crucial technology and business skills-sets and new employment opportunities in Africa." "SAP Africa has more than 20 years of experience successfully operating on the continent," said Serima. "SAP Africa is leveraging its established presence and valued ecosystem relationships to immediately commence execution of this plan across the four key pillars that we believe will drive the greatest growth and impact for the continent."


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"Useful piece of kit"
04 October 2016
Bought these in 2013. In daily use for weighing out dog food and baking/cooking. Refreshing to find tools both stylish and efficient.
Product Features
A real-saver, Joseph Joseph's TriScale brings a whole new meaning to small scale!
When open, the three arms provide a stable weighing platform, but it's when it's time to put away that this innovative design really comes into its own.
Folding compactly, TriScale slips into your kitchen drawer, taking up hardly any space at all and enclosing the screen and controls to help prevent scratching in your drawers or cupboards.
With an LCD display, touch-sensitive controls, add-and-weigh and auto power-off feature, it weighs up to 5kg in 1g, 11lb in 1/10oz, 5L in 1ml and 176.4fl.oz in 1/10 oz.
Open 22 x 20 x 2cm H. (8¾" x 8" x ¾"), folded 15 x 4.5 x 2cm H. (6" x 1¾" x ¾").
04 October 2016
Bought these in 2013. In daily use for weighing out dog food and baking/cooking. Refreshing to find tools both stylish and efficient.
20 May 2015
I live in a tiny cottage with a tiny kitchen. Throwing out my old scales has been liberating on space! This is a marvel. Compact isn't the word - and so easy to use. Stylish too. Highly recommended for everyone, whether for you live in a mansion or a narrowboat.
20 February 2017
I used these for the first time today after receiving them as a birthday present last week from my daughter and was very disappointed. My old Salter had almost given up and these looked really exciting, I guessed they weren't cheap but they failed to measure 6grams of yeast and 8grams of salt when making bread and cakes you need accuracy. They didn't register anything until you put much heavier ingredients in i.e. flour 150g. My husband also tried weighing small amounts of flour and again nothing registered on the scale. I've now got to let my daughter down :( One Star for funky design.
Thank you for your review. We're sorry to hear these scales haven't worked well for you and we'll be in touch shortly to help.
We want you to enjoy shopping at Lakeland with complete confidence, which is why every single product you buy from us comes with a 3 year guarantee – just bring along your receipt or emailed order confirmation as proof of purchase.
To do this, it would be really helpful if you could call one of our friendly Customer Services Advisors on 015394 88100 first, as there are occasions when it may not be necessary for you to be inconvenienced by sending a product back to us.
*Some delivery services may not be available in your area, the delivery page will display the available delivery services during checkout.


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Yo, I'm Jo! My couples would say I'm fun and passionate about what I do and if my friends were to describe me they would say I'm a hopeless romantic (one even said I'm witty, I'll take that!).
My heart woopdewoops for joy when it comes to photographing weddings...telling your story makes my soul feel good. So grab a cuppa (chocolate optional but recommended), pull up a pew and come take a mooch around for a while :)


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Pixologics ZBrush 2A unique 2D/2.5D/3D application
If you havent heard of Pixologics ZBrush, its time to take a peek down a new avenue of 2D and 3D design. With only its second full version release ZBrush 2 has made great advancements in the CG industry, and its just getting better.
What does it do?
ZBrush is a 2D/2.5D/3D application that is truly unlike any other program out on the market today. You can create extremely high detailed models, as in several millions of polygons. If you use a pen and tablet youll find painting and sculpting detail and textures onto your object much easier than using a mouse and much more natural feeling. And if you like to paint 2D scenes with rich textures and vibrant colors, it can do that, too! ZBrush has a unique building block called Pixols, which are similar to pixels except they also contain depth, orientation and material.
ZBrush doesnt have much animation ability (Spin It is cool), however, you are supplied with a nice, fast rendering engine with many volumetric and shading options. Theres also a cool new Fiber material shader that can be used for hair, foliage and more. You can definitely start and finish your entire scene in ZBrush, but keep in mind your placement and orientation of objects and shapes is not quite the same as in traditional 3D space. Activating the Gyro will enable you to transform your objects and strokes, but it is a cumbersome system a times. Once you start adding objects, ZBrush becomes more like a 2D program allowing you to place your objects and models on different layers to composite a final scene made from many integral parts. A major difference here is that your shapes will retain depth so you can sink objects into one another.
Some common questions about ZBrush Ive come across are ?who uses it and ?how hard is it to learn? You will find a vast array of artists using ZBrush -- its not just for 3D professionals working in game studios and major motion pictures. Traditional artists such as sculptors and painters have taken to this program as well as people who are completely new to CG art and design. When you see what artists are doing with it, you want to know more.
As far as a learning curve, it is different in several ways, but familiar in others. This makes it a little hard to describe and compare to any other application. I can say that for me it is easier than most ?traditional types of 3D applications, but the way you go about making those same shapes is definitely different. At first this can trip you up and even frustrate some, but that is generally because many have some experience with another 3D application and they are trying to think in those terms. That is where you may need to let go of some standard 3D methods and start adopting the workflow of ZBrush.
Note: ZBrush has gone to great lengths to aid new users in learning their program. Simply press the Control key while hovering over tools & icons to see a pop-up explanation and description. ZBrush 2 also includes several ZScripts (automated scripts), which walk you through step-by-step tutorials. A new Practical Guide and helpful user community at http://www.zbrushcentral.com are also quite handy and worth looking into.
Related Keywords:Pixologic, ZBrush, 2D, 3D design


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€ 20,49
Lieferbar innert 2 Wochen
Februar 2004
BeschreibungAmbler, a working-class town located fifteen miles north of Philadelphia, boasts some of the grandest homes in Montgomery County. Its evolution is rooted in the mills that sprang up along the Wissahickon Creek in the 1680s. Ambler entered the industrial age when the North Penn Railway pushed through in the 1850s. In 1856, a catastrophic head-on train collision killing fifty-nine created the heroine Mary Ambler, whose generous ministrations to the wounded caused the railroad in 1869 to rename its Wissahickon station in her honor. But it was Philadelphia manufacturers Henry G. Keasbey and Richard V. Mattison who changed Ambler's character forever. When they relocated their business to Ambler in 1881, it became the asbestos capital of the world. Ambler captures the lasting legacy of Mattison's thriving company town, with its array of fanciful and simple homes, churches, shops, and cultural institutions.
Untertitel: Sprache: Englisch.
Verlag: ARCADIA PUB (SC)
Erscheinungsdatum: Februar 2004
Seitenanzahl: 128 Seiten
Format: kartoniert


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Fantastic Location in Ipanema
Спальные места6
Ванные комнаты1
Площадь95 м²
Этаж №6(с лифтом)
- Возможность проживания семьи/детей
- Кухня
- Кондиционер
- Лифт в здании
- Полотенца
- Интернет
- Стиральная машина/сушилка
Краткое описание жилья
|Visconde de Pirajá, 22410-001 Rio de Janeiro, Бразилия
|Тип жилья
|ID жилья
The apartment is located two blocks from Ipanema Beach near Arpoador and Copacabana.
Access to public transport including busses, taxis, and the metro system is easy for the principal tourist attractions and the rest of the city.
The building is residential with a doorman 24 hours per day.
The apartment is away from the street, avoiding the traffic noise.
The neighborhood includes all that you would need for a fantastic stay: beach, bars and restaurants, stores, supermarkets, banks, laundry services, pharmacies, etc.
The apartment has approximately 85 square meters (~900 sqft) with two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathroom.
The bedrooms each have a double bed, air conditioner, and closets.
The living room has a sofa-bed for two, dining table with 4 chairs, a small table with two chairs, and a television with a cable subscription.
Internet Wi-Fi in the apartment.
The kitchen has a 4-burner stove / oven, refrigerator, microwave oven, and general kitchen utensils.
Next to the kitchen is the laundry area with a washing machine and drying racks.
We are fluent in Portuguese and English. We are glad to offer economic suggestions and tips to make your stay in Ipanema and Rio a success.
Правила ПроживанияRespect the the standard for quite hours after 22h.
No smoking is allowed. No pets or farm animals.
No illegal activities allowed.
Check-in and check-out times are flexible, if there are no other check-in /out on the same day. If you need an early check-in or late check-out, be prepared to flexible too and let us know as soon as possible so that we can avoid / resolve scheduling issues.
|Цена за 4 гостей
|544 руб. за одну ночь/ дополнительная ночь
|Максимальная продложительность визита
|2 месяцев
|Заезд после
|Заселение до
|По договоренности
|Отъезд до
|Политика Отмены Брони
Обзор других предложений от этого хозяина
Great apartment and very helpful and friendly hosts.
We got even a phone so we could contact Bob and Angelica if we needed help during our stay.
Everything was as we were promised and we give our best recommendations.
A perfectly located apartment for visiting Rio :-)
Anette Beck, Denmark
I enjoyed a delightful stay in Rio in what was, indeed, a perfect location in the Copacabana section of town. The apartment was clean and simply furnished, with Internet and cable access. Electric adapters available for both US and Brazil current.
Bob and Angie are hospitable hosts and will help you to the extent possible if needed. The purpose of my visit was a conference which took place at the Marriott, six blocks away. It was easy to move back and forth between the two locations and enjoy the local life as well as the neutral business venue. Suggestion: bring your own tablet, mini, or laptop, and if you have naturally curly hair, give up the notion that it will ever stay straight in this humid, beautiful, very special city.
We recommand Bob and Angelica as host as we enjoyed a wonderful stay in their apartment. They were very friendly, well organized and helpful. The apartment was very nice, clean and well located. It was just perfect! Thanks for everything...
Bob and Angelica are great hosts. Speak good english and are very helpfull. The location of the apartment is very good. Near Copacabana and ipanema.
This is a perfect stay if your looking for a clean, comfy, homely and private space to chill out during your stay in Rio. Located perfectly close to the Copacabana beach and a pleasant walk to Ipanema. The apartment is also close to supermarkets in a safe area with secured doors. It's very clean, modern and well equipped with all that you need during a holiday. Bob and Angelica are perfect hosts who have been of great assistance right from theme of our booking. We shared the purpose of our visit and general interests with Bob and when we arrived at the apartment, all the information we needed was there for us. Bob was very helpful and flexible with the check out times to meet our needs. Loved Rio- loved where we stayed and we highly recommend this to anyone looking for a 1 bed room apartment
Exceptional hosts who think of everything to make your stay comfortable. Communication was excellent and the apartment was very well maintained, clean, cool and in a convenient location. I would highly recommend this apartment and any other that Bob and Angelica may host. Thank you Bob and Angelica for helping to make our Rio experience a good one.
What a fantastic flat, in a fantastic area, owned by a fantastic couple. We couldn't have felt more welcome, or be in a better area to explore the delights of Rio. If it hadn't been for Bob and Angelica's local guide and accompanying maps however we would have looked like bumbling tourists, but with it we we felt like true Carioca's!!!
We could not have asked for anymore
from our stay.
thanks guys!!!
Very nice appartment. Good location. Exactly as described and shown on the pictures. Very friendly and helpful hosts. Would recommend and go back.
The appartment is great and very well situated. Bob and Angelica showed great flexibility with regard to check-in and check-out. Finally we were received with genuine friendliness and they were eager to help us get around in Rio, which made us feel very welcome from the start.
The appartment is great and very well situated. Bob and Angelica showed great flexibility with regard to check-in and check-out. Finally we were received with genuine friendliness and they were eager to help us get around in Rio, which made us feel very welcome from the start.
- Гарантировать качество жилья
- Проверить каждого принимающиего Вас хозяина по телефону
- Обеспечить безопасную оплату через шифрование на базе SSL


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Former Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans will visit the New York Jets on Monday, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
Texas A&M Mike Evans is indeed visiting the Jets tomorrow, as @MikeGarafolo said. No way he makes it No. 18. Will have to trade up. #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 21, 2014
The Jets could really use Evans, but they'll have to trade up to get him.


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Field for Tavistock Cup is set
Updated:WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) (AP)ong> - The field for the 10th annual Tavistock Cup has been finalized with a collection of 24 players who include major champions, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team members and professional golf's most accomplished veterans.
The 2013 Tavistock Cup, which will be contested at Isleworth Golf & Country Club March 25 and 26 and televised live by the Golf Channel, features six teams for the first time in tournament history. Oak Tree National and Primland join Albany, Isleworth, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and Queenwood Golf Club in this PGA TOUR-sanctioned event known as the World Golf and Country Club Championship.
The six clubs will feature four-man teams.
Team Albany will include Tim Clark, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Tiger Woods.
Team Isleworth's roster includes Tavistock Cup newcomer D.A. Points and returning players Brian Davis,
Bo Van Pelt and Bubba Watson.
Team Lake Nona, four-time defending champion, is represented by Ross Fisher, Peter Hanson, Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson.
Tavistock Cup fixture Charles Howell III joins Team Oak Tree National along with Rickie Fowler, Bob Tway and Scott Verplank, who are all making their Tavistock Cup debuts.
Team Primland's Fred Couples, Bill Haas, Jay Haas and Webb Simpson will all be playing the Tavistock Cup for the first time.
Representing Team Queenwood, Tom Lewis will make his second Tavistock Cup appearance and Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley and Adam Scott return for their third Tavistock Cup start.
The professional members of these six golf clubs have collectively won more than 1,012 worldwide tournaments, including 67 major championships, through 2012.


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What does an Energy Broker do?
Would you make a good Energy Broker? Take our career test to find out how you match with this and over 800 other careers.Take Free Career Test
What is an Energy Broker?
Also known as: Energy Consultant.
Table of Contents
Energy brokers, also known as energy consultants in the energy industry, act as intermediaries between energy producers and energy consumers. These consultants perform job duties similar to real estate brokers or stockbrokers. More narrowly, the domain of energy brokers can encompass either the residential level or the industry level of energy consumers, depending upon the expertise and experience of the broker.
How to Become an Energy Broker
What does an Energy Broker do?
Energy brokers work with clients on a contractual basis in order to lower the bottom-line cost of energy between consumers and producers. From a business perspective, energy consultants help companies minimize day-to-day operational expenditures, but from the perspective of home residents, energy brokers help lower monthly electricity bills.
Essentially, energy brokers operate at either the residential or commercial level. These specialized consultants act as an intermediary between energy producers and energy consumers. When speaking of the residential level, energy brokers arrange service contracts between home residents and local utility providers. At the commercial level, energy consultants arrange similar contracts and conduct operations on a much larger scale, often providing management consulting services to corporations and municipal governments as well.
Residential electricity providers in deregulated regions can now offer customers competitive price rates. The very fact of having a choice of electricity providers has fostered fierce competition among residential electricity providers. Brokers allow service providers a new means to contact and maintain customers. Before energy deregulation, electricity providers had little to no incentive to offer their customers lower rates, but today, brokers fulfil a pivotal role in the residential energy sector.
Entry-level brokers gain their first experience in the energy business by arranging residential utility contracts. These contracts may encompass electricity or heating services depending on the amount of deregulation within a state or province. For instance, several states in the U.S. only allow residences a choice of an electricity provider, but other states allow residences to choose both a gas and an electricity company.
Commercial-level energy brokers arrange wholesale energy contracts among residential electricity providers in addition to offering brokerage services in the petroleum, coal, natural gas, ethanol and renewable energy sectors. In one manner of speaking, commercial-level energy consultants more closely resemble real estate brokers and stockbrokers than salesmen.
Large corporations conduct business on a global scale by investing and trading in energy derivatives and related commodities. In order to keep up with the gargantuan demand for energy-related assets, global corporations hire energy brokerage firms to conduct day-to-day trading operations. The ability to conduct large-scale market analysis is key for energy brokerage at the upper-echelon, international level.
Find your perfect career
Would you make a good energy broker? Sokanu's free assessment reveals how compatible you are with a career across 5 dimensions!
How to become an Energy Broker
The main requirement to begin a career as an energy consultant is a strong background in either sales or marketing. The degree of experience and education in these two specialties determines whether those interested in the energy brokerage business reach the commercial level or specialize in the residential level.
For brokering residential utility contracts, brokerage companies may not require an energy broker to have a college degree; the main job requirement would be to have a strong background in salesmanship and self-determination. A growing number of jobs in energy brokerage firms, however, require a bachelor's degree in marketing or entrepreneurship in order to start a career. Large energy brokerage firms often require that applicants earn an advanced business degree in addition to earning several years of experience in the energy sector as a whole.
Industrial-scale energy consultants operate on the international energy market. In other words, these brokers operate at the wholesale level after achieving seniority within a brokerage firm. As expected, the job duties of an energy consultant of this scale are much more demanding.
What is the workplace of an Energy Broker like?
Energy brokers often work in a typical professional office environment. This size of the office depends upon the size of the brokerage firm. A start-up firm may employ less than 50 people, which means an entry-level commercial energy broker may have to perform many more minor operational duties. On the highest level, careers at a large brokerage firm may require international travel or relocating to a foreign country entirely.
A growing number of residential-level brokers are self-employed individuals that conduct business out of a home office. The work environment of these brokers may include soliciting new clients in novel, inventive ways. Door-to-door consultations remain the most common marketing strategy residential-level brokers deploy, but a large number of brokers have moved their entire operation online, offering potential clients real-time quotes.


text: Kids can ride the train for just $5 this summer Thursday May 29, 2014 at 12:01 AM May 29, 2014 at 2:45 PM RALEIGH - Kids out of school for the summer? North Carolina�s Amtrak is offering the perfect low-cost weekday family getaway. In June, July and August, children ages 2-12 can ride the train for just $5 each way in North Carolina. N.C. Department of Transportation


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Regular OSAP conditions require students to start paying back their loans six months after graduation. Pan Am volunteers, however, can now apply to have that six-month grace period extended to one year.
Mind the hidden fees.
"We'll open the government!" they cry as they scramble to keep some things hidden from the public. "From now on," they add after.
The search for a suitable, gender-neutral national anthem pronoun continues. The Ontario Liberals stare down a dollar-store controversy. And a modest proposal for a compromise on Quebec's "values."
There's a reason expense account horror stories usually relate to the public sector. In the private sector anyone submitting ridiculous claims would get flagged by some eagle-eyed accountant, called into the boss's office and told to pay for their own Choco Bites or find a new job.
Also contending for the honour: a beaver with a head shaped like a Maple Leaf, a moose in running shoes, a raccoon with a rainbow tail and dancing twins in unusual hats
Forty-one pianos will pop up in public spaces across the GTA next week in celebration of the Pan Am Games, organizers announced Wednesday
In 2011, commentators on Toronto city politics found themselves having to learn new, newspaper-appropriate synonyms for "s---show" (e.g., "clownshow," "gongshow"). Who knows what 2012 will bring? Matt Gurney, Chris Selley, and Jonathan Goldsbie look forward to the farces of the coming year
GUADALAJARA — They were raving about the mayor of Toronto at the airline ticket desk in Guadalajara. One clerk pointed to a picture of Rob Ford in the newspaper, saying he had just checked into coach, with first class already booked solid. The clerk held the mayor's business card aloft. Ford...
Sure, they were still missing a few toilet seats in the athletics stadium and, yes, there was a feeling in other venues that the party guests had arrived an hour or two earlier than they would have liked, but the hosts still managed to pull it off. Guadalajara staged an energetic version of the Pan...


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Need a Dairy Allergy Test in Portsmouth, NH? Simply order online 24/7 and get a fast, affordable Dairy Allergy Test at a lab near you (Find More Locations):
Why would I get a Dairy Allergy Test?
A Dairy Allergy Test checks the blood for antibodies related to a dairy allergy. People in Portsmouth, NH order the Dairy Allergy Test for general screening or to guide therapy.
How much does a Dairy Allergy Test cost?
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We are pleased to offer an Dairy Allergy Test in Portsmouth, NH.
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text:
Sacrificing patches for linear habitat elements enhances metapopulation performance of woodland birds in fragmented landscapes
- First Online:
- Received:
- Accepted:
DOI: 10.1007/s10980-008-9313-9
- Cite this article as:
- Schippers, P., Grashof-Bokdam, C.J., Verboom, J. et al. Landscape Ecol (2009) 24: 1123. doi:10.1007/s10980-008-9313-9
It is generally assumed that large patches of natural habitat are better for the survival of species than the same amount of habitat in smaller fragments or linear elements like hedges and tree rows. We use a spatially explicit individual-based model of a woodland bird to explore this hypothesis. We specifically ask whether mixtures of large, small and linear habitat elements are better for population performance than landscapes that consist of only large elements. With equal carrying capacity, metapopulations perform equally or better in heterogeneous landscape types that are a mix of linear, large and small habitat elements. We call this increased metapopulation performance of large and small elements "synergy". These mixed conditions are superior because the small linear elements facilitate dispersal while patches secure the population in the long run because they have a lower extinction risk. The linear elements are able to catch and guide dispersing animals which results in higher connectivity between patches leading to higher metapopulation survival. Our results suggest that landscape designers should not always seek to conserve and create larger units but might better strive for more variable landscapes with mixtures of patch sizes and shapes. This is especially important when smaller units play a key role in connecting patches and dispersal through the matrix is poor.


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(based on 7 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
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of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Reviewed by 7 customers
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Staff Recognition
By Prairie HR
from Sask, Canada
About Me HR Manager
Best Uses
Comments about Baudville Charming Copper Keychain - Making the Difference:
We are so thrilled with the products we have purchased from Baudville! Good quality and great prices!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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High Quality!
By The Placement Lady
from PA
About Me Hiring Coordinator
Heavy, high quality, shiny, good size keychain. Love the multiple metals.
Beautiful Keychain!
By Kathy
from Texas
About Me Healthcare Industry
Shining star for our facility will receive these for the coming year. I am very pleased with the keychain.
Mixed metal key chain.
By Vicky
from Palm Coast, Fl
About Me Education Industry
I purchased this item to make our Coordinator for a school program to let her know that we all really appreciate the fact that she make such a difference.The key chain a really nice looking.
Happy customer
By mj
from Minnesota
Bought key chains for Admin Prof. Day- they are very nice. Surprise factor- they came in a nice little box to give them in.


text:
The Goldbergs: Season 2 DVD
The aerobics-loving, mixtape-making, royal wedding-watching Goldbergs are back! This season finds the siblings involved in hoverboard accidents, the treacherous world of male modeling, wannabe pop star making, reenacting Ferris Buellers Day Off and lots more. The parental units are busy as well. Beverly is at her best meddling and matchmaking when shes not bedazzling everything, while Murray is waging war against Cowboys fans. Love, rad antics, and a lot of laughs keep this family together. THE GOLDBERGS: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON is cold-chillin awesomeness.
Read MoreLess
More Details
- Format: DVD
- Rating: Not Rated
- Number of Discs: 3
- Run Time: 519 Minutes
- Region: 1
- Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
- Studio: Sony Pictures
- DVD Release Date: September 8, 2015
- Cast: George Segal, Jeff Garlin, Troy Gentile, Sean Giambrone
- Genre: TV Series
- Color: Color
- Release Date: 2014
Availability: In Stock
Ready to ship in 5-7 Business Days


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After just one edition in 2015, Walking Month already has a proven track record:
Registrations for Walking Month 2016 are open until September 5. In order to track the steps done during Walking Month you will need an activity tracker - you can get one from us or you can use your own tracker, if it's on the list of approved trackers. The cost of registration is 99 RON, in exchange for which we will offer you a fitness tracker that you will keep even after the competition is over! If you already have a compatible tracker (for instance, from last year's edition of Walking Month), you can register at just 69 RON: a much needed donation for the children with neuromotor disabilities cared for by the Malteser Relief Service in Romania.
Teams of 4 will try to win take as many steps during their daily activities, from September 12 to October 11! We will all win a healthy and active lifestyle, those who take the most steps win prizes, but the real winners will be the children we will help to walk for the first time!
All registration fees for Walking Month represent a direct donation to the Maltese Relief Service in Romania. All campaign costs are supported by Betfair Development Romania and its partners, 100% of funds will go towards the care of 10 children who need kinesitherapy in order to walk.
If you wish you can donate for the event cause:


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US Outlook: Worrying signs on Capitol Hill, No 1,276. The appointment of Peter Diamond, veteran economist at MIT, to the Federal Reserve board of governors appears in jeopardy after objections from Republicans.
Officially, the 70-year-old economist's appointment has been sent back to the White House for reconsideration because his monetary policy background is not strong.
Really, headbanger Republicans don't like the fact that he has advocated for higher taxes and other remedies to sort out the impending insolvency of social security.
After the relatively narrow vote to reconfirm Mr Bernanke as Fed chairman, this is another attempt to increase the politicisation of the Fed, and a warning shot across the president's bows should he try to appoint Elizabeth Warren, consumer advocate and Harvard professor, as chairman of the new consumer financial protection agency.
The result is that the Fed barely has a quorum of governors and the borrowers could face a protracted wait for their first consumer champion – neither of which is conducive to reducing uncertainty and improving confidence.
- More about:
- Banking
- Ben Bernanke
- Federal Reserve


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X Holes Round offer endless variations on how to arrange your stuff.
These boards are made from Birch plywood, X holes have endless variations on how to arrange your stuff.
They have different complimentary accessories to accommodate all your desk tidy and they come with 10 wooden pegs inserts, a short and long shelf.
The matt black powder coated accessories give it an elegant and minimalist appeal.
X holes round – 60cm, 15mm thick
Long hanging shelve – 170long x40deep x80tall, comes with 2 pegs
Small hanging shelves – 110long x 40deep x 80tall, comes with 2 pegs
Material: Birch plywood wood
Finish: natural
Founded by designer Rona Meyuchas Koblenz in 2010, kukka™ is a British design house specializing in using sustainable materials. Our products are made from sustainable materials and cultural behaviors; these are taken into account during the design process; we admire craftsmanship, aesthetics, and functionality. All this is reflected throughout the production, technology methods, minimising of materials and components used for both products and packaging. Our products are designed and made from actual day to day living experiences; as we observe, listen, feel as well as innovate, any kukka™ product with confidence.


text:
Read an Excerpt
George Anthony stopped by the post office to pick up a certified letter just before noon on July 15, 2008. White hair flowed straight back from his forehead, leaving a pronounced widow's peak. Still-dark eyebrows predominated his face, making his eyes appear sunken over his sharp nose.
Considering the way the mail was sent, and his recent financial problems, George thought it was bound to be bad news inside the envelope. He was right. It was a notification from Johnson's Wrecker Service. It made no sense. According to the company, they had possession of his family Pontiac. His daughter Casey drove this car, and she was in Jacksonville. He didn't understand how the 1998 Pontiac Sunfi re had ended up in an impound lot in Orlando.
He called his wife Cindy. She was equally puzzled by the situation. George headed to the Narcoossee Road address to ask questions and pick up the car. At the front counter, Nicole Lett surprised him when she said that Johnson's Wreckers had towed the Pontiac at the end of June at the request of Amscot, a payday loan company, on the corner of East Colonial Drive and North Goldenrod Road in Orlando. To retrieve the vehicle, he needed to show proof of own ership and pay $466.78 in cash for the towing and storage charges.
George called Cindy again. Then he called Amscot and asked why they'd ordered the car removed from their lot. They told him the car had sat in the spot for three days before they'd called Johnson's Wreckers. They thought it had been abandoned.
Cindy and George met at home, picked up the title, stopped at the bank to withdraw $500 and, two hours after George's first visit, returned to the towing company.
The couple walked up to the counter and greeted Nicole. Cindy, in a cute, short blonde cut with youthful bangs, was in obvious ire. She demanded an explanation of the company's process for sending a certified letter, expressing her annoyance at the number of days that had passed before they received notification in the mail. "We thought the car was in Jacksonville. How were we supposed to know it was here?"
Nicole attempted to explain the situation, but Cindy wasn't listening. She launched instead into a long complaint about having to pay the high charges, particularly the $35 administrative fee for sending the certifi ed letter. She also balked at paying all of the accumulated storage charges, blaming the company for the notifi cation delay.
Nicole was used to dealing with disgruntled customers. No one was ever pleased to come to the lot to recover their car, and usually, they took it out on her. The difference with this couple was their surprise and confusion. They could not understand why the car was here instead of up north where their daughter said she'd driven it. They fretted vocally about not seeing her or their granddaughter for a month or more. Nicole had no answers to that question. She called her supervisor, Simon Burch, to address their other concerns.
When he approached the counter, Cindy asked, "Why is the bill so expensive? Why did it take eleven days to notify me that you had my car?"
"Per Florida statutes, on the fourth day, we're required by law to send out a certified letter to the registered own er of the vehicle. Our computer system automatically generates those letters," he answered. He spread out a calendar and together they looked at the dates. "Four days after your car arrived was the Fourth of July. Due to the holiday and the weekend that followed, that's probably why it took so long for the letter to get to you. We can't control the post offi ce."
"Okay," Cindy said. "I understand, and I appreciate it." She then turned to George and they exchanged terse comments. She obviously was still dissatisfied and a bit disgruntled that George was not taking a strong stand. She turned back to Simon and asked for a discount.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm not at liberty to do that. You know, unfortunately, this is a business. It's not a particularly pleasant job sometimes, but it is a business, you know, that's in business to make money, and we don't give discounts."
Unhappy, but seeing no other alternative, Cindy agreed to pay. Nicole filled out the paperwork, got verifi cation of own ership on line, accepted payment and issued a receipt. Simon asked, "Do you have the keys?"
George said he did.
"Okay, no problem, then. I'll come around and get you."
As Simon and George walked to the vehicle in the pouring rain, George apologized for his wife's aggressive manner. "We'll probably get divorced over this. The daughter is telling us crap, a bunch of lies."
"I'm sorry about your situation," Simon sympathized.
"I just need to see my granddaughter. You know, she won't let us see our granddaughter," George complained.
"I'm sorry about your situation, sir. You know, I'm sorry your car got impounded, but this is what it is," Simon said.
When they got within three feet of the white Pontiac, George smelled a distinctive unpleasant odor. He'd once worked in law enforcement. He knew that smell, and it filled him with dread. He thought of his daughter and granddaughter. Please don't let this be what I think it is. He walked around to the driver's side and inserted the key. He noticed his granddaughter's car seat in the back and pulled open the door.
"Whoa, does that stink!" Simon exclaimed. The stench reminded him of another car that had been impounded recently. Before they towed it, the vehicle had sat for fi ve days—with the body of a man who'd committed suicide inside.
George sat down in the driver's seat and reached over to the other side, opening the passenger's door to ventilate the car. As he breathed in the odor, his horror increased. He turned the key in the ignition to start it, but then he paused. No, George, he told himself. If there's something wrong, you got to find out now. You can't take it away.
"Will you please walk around to the back of the car and look inside this with me?" George asked. Please don't let this be my Caylee.
"Well, here, let me. Give me the keys and we'll open the trunk up. There's something like garbage in here."
"Yeah," was all George could find to reply.
When the trunk opened, flies buzzed out, and both men rocked back on their heels from the pungent odor. "Puff!" George exclaimed. "That's rotten!"
Simon knew with certainty that rotting garbage did not smell like that, but he kept those thoughts to himself.
The men saw an imperfectly round, basketball- sized stain in the middle of the trunk. To the left, by the taillight, was a trash bag. "Let's just make sure there is garbage in here," Simon said. He pulled the bag toward the edge of the trunk, surprised by its light weight. Unfastening the tie, he spread open the top. They both peered down at papers, dryer lint, Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, a pizza box and other assorted trash.
"Well, here, I'll take care of this. I'll get rid of it for you," Simon said. He walked toward the front of the car, where a Dumpster sat on the other side of the fence. He heaved the bag over. While Simon disposed of the trash, George stepped into a corner, hunched over and heaved up his most recent meal.
George pulled himself together, slid into the front seat and tried to start the car again, but he couldn't get the engine to turn over. Simon looked over George's shoulder at the control panel and saw that the gas gauge pointed to empty. "Oh, it's out of gas," he said.
"Okay," George said. "Well, I brought gas with me."
Together they walked back to George's car. George reiterated his complaints about his daughter's lies along the way. He pulled a small, round, battered metal gas can with chipped paint out of the trunk. On the way back to the Pontiac, George apologized again for his wife's attitude.
"I totally understand, dude," Simon said. "We get it all the time. It's no big deal."
With a gallon of gas in its tank, the car started right up. George drove it out of the fenced lot to the front of the business, where he got out and approached Simon again. George offered his hand and said, "Thank you. I'm sorry."
Simon shook his hand and said, "Yeah, no problem. No problem. Have a good day now." He turned away and went inside as George approached Cindy's car.
"This car stinks so bad," he told his wife, "I don't know how I can drive it home."
He wanted to roll the windows all the way down, but the rainfall made that impossible. With the windows cracked less than an inch, he could not get enough fresh air, and gagged all the way home. He pulled the Pontiac into the garage.
Cindy walked in and came to an abrupt stop. "Jesus Christ!" she shouted. "What died?"
Excerpted from Mommy's Little Girl by Diane Fanning.
Copyright © 2009 by Diane Fanning.
Published in November 2009 by St. Martin's Press.
All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and
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text: UPDATED 06:19 1st June 2016 The Stags fought off competition from League One clubs to capture Bury frontman Danny Rose in May 2016. Born in Barnsley, Rose signed his first professional contract with hometown club Barnsley at the age of 17 and went on to make his senior debut a month later in a 2-2 draw with Doncaster Rovers. The striker then enjoyed two separate loan spells with Bury – including promotion from League 2 in 2014/15 – before signing permanently for the Lancashire club in August 2014. Rose made 28 appearances for the Shakers last season, helping them to secure a 14th place finish in Sky Bet League 1, scoring five goals in the process. HOME SPONSORBARBARA BRAMHALLAWAY SPONSORSUTTON STAGS