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The Advocate
The Other Mother: A Lesbian's Fight for Her Daughterby Nancy Abrams
On a spring day in 1993, Nancy Abrams helped her daughter dress for day care, packed her lunch, and said good-bye. Next she drove to court, where she learned that in the eyes of the law she was nothing more than "a biological stranger" to the child she helped bring into the world and raise. That was the last time she would see her daughter or hear her
On a spring day in 1993, Nancy Abrams helped her daughter dress for day care, packed her lunch, and said good-bye. Next she drove to court, where she learned that in the eyes of the law she was nothing more than "a biological stranger" to the child she helped bring into the world and raise. That was the last time she would see her daughter or hear her voice for five years.
The Other Mother begins as Abrams and her female lover decide to start a family together. With giddy anticipation, they search for a sperm donor, shop for baby clothes and crib, and attend childbirth classes. But despite their high hopes, the relationship begins to fall apart, and they separate when their daughter is a toddler. Problems between the two intensify until, shortly before her daughter's fifth birthday, Abrams loses custody.
In unprecedented depth, Abrams's compelling narrative examines the social, legal, and political implications of gay and lesbian parenting. Her haunting memoir asks the question, "What makes a mother?" It is a question that biological parents, co-parents, adoptive parents, step-parents, and divorced parents must each answer in their own way. In telling one woman's story, The Other Mother makes a solid case for legal protections, including marriage, for lesbian and gay families.
Editorial Reviews
The Advocate
"An absorbing, well-told story . . . an original contribution to the emerging body of work on gay and lesbian parenting."Jane Schacter, Professor of Law, University of Michigan
Product Details
- 9780299164904
- Publisher:
- University of Wisconsin Press
- Publication date:
- 07/28/1999
- Series:
- Living out Series
- Edition description:
- 1
- Pages:
- 282
- Product dimensions:
- 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Read an Excerpt
Chapter One
Yesterday someone asked me when I last saw you. I tried to come up with an answer, but as soon as I began to mentally roll back through time my mind slid off a cliff into clear white space. I had to say I didn't know.
When you were born, we counted first the days, then weeks, then months that you were with us. "Can you believe she's a whole week old?" Norma would ask, staring at your eight-pound body wriggling in my arms. At nine months we had a miniature birthday party for you to commemorate that now your lifetime outside of the womb equaled the time you had spent inside. On your first birthday, relatives traveled from New York City and New Hampshire to celebrate with us in Cambridge. When you were about eighteen months old, I heard a friend who had no children tell someone else that you were "about two." I scolded her later. "Don't you know that until a baby is twenty-four months old, you count her age in months? Eighteen months has nothing to do with two years old."
Now six months or six years makes no difference to me. You are someplace else. I can't see you or speak with you, so why bother counting? If I really try, I can come up with this statistic: I have missed five of your birthdays, and all of the seconds, minutes, and hours in between.
The story I am about to tell you is one I wish I never had to recount. I'd rather fill these pages with tales of your childish antics; running just for the sake of it, turning things over to find out what's on the bottom, spilling things just so they could berefilled, bringing rocks, weeds, and blueberries home in your pockets as presents. But there is more that you must know and I must say. The way that I came to be your other mother is an unusual tale. The way I lost you, more so.
Telling this is a painful task. I approach it as I would combing the tangles out of your windblown hair. I start where there is some order, high on the scalp, drag the comb through what is smooth and easy to sort: to the right, to the left. Stop at the knots. Take a small section and find what separates easily. Try again.
You should know that even now, sometimes when I dress for work, instead of finding the agate earrings I am searching for, I come across one of your barrettes, like the plastic one with a yellow rabbit in the center. Then the whole morning at work I think about the barrette you left behind on one of your visits long ago.
I should record the fact that before you and your mom moved away, you gripped me in your arms, told me I was your prisoner, and wouldn't let me say good-bye.
These stories tell themselves over and over in my sleep. They are the stories that live in the short silence I hope you never have to hear, between the question "Do you have children?" and my answer: sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no."
Here's what my daughter wore to day care on June 15, 1993: a short-sleeved shirt with pale pink stripes and matching pants, white socks with pink stitching, and her 101 Dalmations sneakers.
It was the last day I saw her. That's why I remember the details: How I poured Cheerios and milk for breakfast. How I tried to make it just another morning. I didn't even pack her suitcase until after my partner drove her to day care. Then I got dressed, and went to court.
Every time a new friend or acquaintance visits my house and sees along the mantel a parade of photos of a little girl starting at birth and stopping abruptly at age fourlike a time-lapse photograph of a flower whose petals never open all the waythey ask, "Isn't there something more you could have done?" My gut lurches at the question. As it does when anyone asks how long it's been since I've seen her. Four and a half years. A lifetime, literally, when you consider: She was four and a half years old that last day. Nine now.
The day I went to court, my daughter forgot to put on her silver ring, the one with a turquoise stone the size of one of those sugar dots on paper strips she loved to tear off with her teeth. I found the ring on the edge of the bathtub. Next time I cleaned, I moved it into the bowl where we keep hair ties and barrettes.
I'm wearing that ring now. On a chain around my neck next to a sterling silver symbol I received as a gift, which in some ancient alphabet is said to mean fulfillment. I wear that necklace, and I hope. Fulfillment of this desire seems a simple wish.
But I know now that what's simple, what's easily achieved, is the emptiness of longing. Fulfillment is not.
It was 1986. I was twenty-two years old, and I felt my heart had been broken one too many times. Six months earlier my last lover had pulled away from the curb on her Honda Rebel 250 motorcycle. Now I was ready for someone new, and I demanded a replacement relationship the way some people insist on a first-class seat on an airplane: It was available, so I had simply to request one for myself and agree to pay the price.
My romantic desperation had not been earned. I'd had a handful of boyfriends in high school and college, but in those days I tended to be the one doing the leaving. Since becoming involved with women I'd had two romances I considered substantial and a few flings. No one had warned me that a relationship was something that had to be built. If I was too sensitive to disappointment, it was because I hadn't bargained on the time it would take to create "happily ever after."
My friend Samantha had come over to eat dinner and watch MTV. As I spooned mounds of steaming rice and lentils onto our plates, I couldn't resist breaking into one of my frequent laments about being single. And Samantha couldn't hold back from offering her stock reply: "You can't rush these things."
"But it's already been so long," I said, stroking my cat, Ahab, who had climbed into my lap.
"You haven't even gotten over Evel Knievel yet."
"She has a name."
"It wouldn't be fair to your future girlfriend to get involved now, you're still pining." Sam was forever practical. Everything about her, from her perfectly straight hair that fell just past her shoulders, to the parallel lines made by her thin eyebrows and level mouth, seemed studiously planned and carried out. Life was a science to her, and there were right ways and wrong ways to do everything, including cooking rice and falling in love.
"The next one, whoever she is, is for keeps. I can't take another heartache," I said. I may as well have affected a swoon for all of the melodrama in my voice. But that was how I felt back then, eating dinner from mismatched bowls in front of the television as the fading late-autumn sun threw stripes of light across the room. Michael Jackson was singing "Billie Jean" when the phone rang. Ahab scrambled to the floor as I stood to answer it. It still seems too convenient that in the middle of that conversation with Sam, someone should have called to ask me out. But that's how it happened.
"What's that grin for?" Sam asked when I came back to the living room.
"Who says you can't always get what you want?"
"Who was it?"
"Amy, from my karate class, the one I told you had been flirting with me last week. She asked me to a movie."
(That's how things seemed to be for me then. I made demands, and they were answered. Friends have said to me, "You're so lucky," or "Your life seems charmed." Someone said it to me just recently, when the job I'd had my eye on for several years suddenly opened up just when I was back on the market for a new position. I did get the job. But what does that really mean about luck? About a charmed life?)
Two nights later, Amy and I had our date. After a movie and a beer at a new café in Harvard Square, she invited me to her apartment. Despite a valiant effort, I felt nothing more for Amy than I had when I taught her how to curl her fingers into a proper fist in the beginners' karate class where she was my student. I was beginning to think Sam was right. Maybe you can't just grab for love like that.
As we climbed the porch steps to her apartment, I tried to think of an excuse to go home early. But in the endless moments while Amy fumbled with her keys, I dropped my eyes and noticed a canvas that someone had left on the porch to dry. It was a picture of a black horse stampeding through a cabbage-colored landscape. Somehow the dark colors appeared bright, making what might have been a portrait of doom into something beautiful. The paint was applied so heavily it had ridges almost wide enough for a fingertip to ride through, like the folds in a bowl of just-whipped cream.
"Like it?" Amy asked, clicking on the porch light. If she had painted this, there must be more to Amy than I'd discovered that evening. "My roommate painted it," she said.
"Yes, Norma."
It was another week before I met Norma. Amy brought her to the next karate session. "This is Nancy Abrams, the one who liked your painting so much," she said, introducing us.
A nervous smile spread across Norma's lips. My eyes accidentally locked into hers, making me uncomfortably aware that we were exactly the same height. As if I had purposely intruded, and she was warning me away, Norma looked off to the side. Or maybe it was a sign of her insecurity, shyness, a desire for privacy.
Norma Jean I wanted to say, letting myself take in her flawless skin, her sad mouth. But she told me her name was just Norma. Norma Friedman. As she spoke she smiled. Her eyes, although not sharply focused, challenged mineto flirt or fight, I couldn't be sure which. The extra-large T-shirt draped over her birdlike frame gave her the appearance of being helpless. Still, something proud in the way she held her neck convinced me that she was a match for anything the world could offer. As she learned to punch and kick, Norma threw her arms and legs as one might toss a scarf around one's neck; with a looping, casual sweep.
One night after class, Amy offered to give me a lift home with her and Norma. I wasn't sure whether Amy was still interested in me, or if she sensed my attraction to Norma. But in that moment I wasn't worrying about Amy's motives. I accepted the ride.
Norma sat in front beside Amy, never looking back to ask me a question or add to the conversation. While I struggled to keep up with Amy's patter, I listened to the silence surrounding Norma. Aloofness never scared me away. Its curious emptiness always drew me in, as it did that night.
"Why don't you come by our apartment for a cup of coffee?" Amy suggested. We had stopped at the light where she'd turn if I declined. But curiosity about Norma made me say yes.
When we arrived at the run-down Victorian house where they occupied the first floor, Norma slipped into a bedroom off the kitchen, saying she had a phone call to make. I tried to hide my disappointment and drank from the cup of peppermint tea Amy made me. For an hour I took delicate sips while Amy tried to engage me in conversation about the karate class, cooking, coming out, everything except what I wanted to talk abouther roommate.
Finally, giving up any hope of seeing Norma again that evening, I rose to leave. "I could give you a ride home," Norma said, emerging at last, wearing a black scarf and knit hat pulled down to her eyebrows. "I'm going to Store 24 for some ice cream anyway." Nothing seemed to move as Norma stood there in the doorwayexcept for the great waves of energy in her green eyes.
I followed Norma into the convenience store, saying I wanted to buy a newspaper. I already had one delivered to my house, but I wasn't telling. In the store, I discovered a different side to Norma. On every shelf she seemed to find something amusing. She made the fluorescent-lit aisles feel like a playground. She shook a box of macaroni-and-cheese mix so that it sounded like a set of maracas. "I love this stuff, don't you?"
"Macaroni and ice cream?" I asked. "Doesn't do anything for me."
Finally she laughed. I did too. She picked up a quart of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. Sitting in the parked car with the heat turned up, we ate our ice cream with flat wooden spoons.
Besides her taste for packaged pasta dishes and unusual ice cream flavors, I learned little about Norma that night. Like me, she had graduated from college the previous spring. She had majored in art history, but was now working at a pizza shop. I was putting my liberal arts degree to an equally useful end: I was managing a health food store.
Amy called a few days later. She, Norma, and some friends were going to drive out to Springfield to go to a new bar Friday night. She wanted to know if I'd like to join them.
"All the way across the state?"
"Sure, it's an adventure."
Friday morning I woke to the sight of snowflakes drifting past my window. It'll be an adventure all right, I thought. The sky was an impenetrable gray; there was no chance the weather would change soon. Norma called to announce the obvious: Everyone was backing out because of the snow.
"I guess this isn't exactly road trip weather," I said.
"Road trip weather? That's a funny thought. Wouldn't this be road trip weather if we took a road trip in it?" she asked.
"You mean you still want to go?"
"Don't you?" A snowplow scraped along the street below. Now that it was just the two of us, I realized I did want to gomore than ever.
"The only problem is that my car is no good in the snow. I don't have the right tires, and my windshield wipers get stuck all the time," Norma was saying.
"I'll pick you up, then."
"You think it will be okay, don't you? I mean with the snow and everything."
"Of course I do. We'll be fine." In that moment, my confidence seemed genuine, even to me. I hardly noticed that I was convincing Norma of the solidity of her own rash plan, that I'd made an about-face in the minutes since I'd picked up the phone.
I called in sick to work, telling myself that the store would be quiet anyway. That freed me to spend the rest of my day choosing an outfit and cleaning out my car. The weather report came on and confirmed what I already knew: The snow was not about to let up. This is crazy, I told myself, as I drove to Norma's place.
Less than an hour into the trip, what had been snow turned to icy rain.
"I knew we shouldn't have done this," Norma said. By now it was as though the stormy drive had been my idea from the start.
"Come on, this is perfect road trip weather if you ask me." I meant it, too. Inside the car it was warm and smelled of our damp sweaters. Outside, the world was suffused with a gentle, faraway glow. Norma told me about herself and her family. She didn't speak to her parents much, but she said she was very close to her older brother, Eli. Even though she was working at a pizza shop, Norma had ambitions. She had applied to graduate schools and she planned on becoming a lawyer. "An artist needs a practical profession. Something to fall back on," she said. "Besides, I'll need to support a family someday." Those sounded like far-off plans. I was more interested in what she told me about the present. She said she was trying to get over a string of bad relationships. The women she'd dated recently seemed to be using her for sex, she said.
Stay with me, and no one will ever hurt you again, I wanted to tell her.
About thirty miles outside of Springfield we saw a car that had skidded off the highway and crumpled against a guardrail. "Why don't we pull off here? We don't have to go all the way to Springfield just to get a drink, do we?" I asked.
Norma agreed and I pulled off the pike in Sturbridge. We found a pub and went inside. "See, it's even more of an adventure this way," I said. "Who knows what we'll find."
The bar was decorated with prints of old cars, tired brass railings, and green walls. "It reminds me of this place my father used to bring me to," Norma said. The way her voice sounded I couldn't tell whether the atmosphere seemed friendly or sinister to her. "It was dark and cozy like this," she said. "I must have been fifteen years old. I remember I always ordered a strawberry milkshake, and my father would say, 'You're a cheap date, kid.'" Norma stabbed a french fry with her fork. "There was this woman who would come to the tables to tell people's fortunes. She must have had a dozen bracelets on each arm and she moved her hands a lot when she talked. I loved the sound those bracelets made." As though she were suddenly conscious of her own voice, Norma paused. I tried to think of something to say that would encourage her to continue. I was mesmerized by the steady clicking of her carefully pronounced words. But I didn't have to encourage her. "My father bought me a cup of tea one night even though he knew I hated it," Norma said, picking the story up again. "The fortune-teller told me I had to drink it all if she was going to see my future. I still hate tea."
I had nearly finished my burger and had ordered another beer. Norma had taken only a few bites of hers. Instead she collected french fries on her fork and shuffled them around, making trails through a puddle of ketchup on her plate. She held her burger for a while and put it down without eating any.
"What did she say?" I asked.
Norma smiled, a wistful, child's smile. "I don't remember all of it." For a moment I thought that was the end of the story. But then Norma continued. "She said I'd die young. I remember that."
"That's horrible. What kind of a person would say a thing like that to a child?"
"I still believe her," Norma said.
"Don't be ridiculous. We make our own destiny. There are always choices."
"But don't you think some things are meant to be? I got that feeling when we met. Didn't you?"
"Yes," I said. "I'm glad we met."
In the near-empty pub we sipped our beers and talked about everything. The only world that existed was the one lit by the green glow of the candle in the netted glass on our table. The waiter came by, asking if we wanted refills. From the sweep of his eyes around the vacant tables I knew he wanted us to leave, too. I asked if he'd heard a weather report.
"Where are you heading?"
"Back to Boston, we hope."
"I wouldn't try it. The pike is pretty bad," he said.
"What?" Norma asked. "You mean we might not get home tonight?"
"We could try. I think we'd be fine."
The waiter suggested a motor lodge a few blocks away and went off to write our check.
"Maybe he's right We'll just wait it out here." Norma said. I tried to contain the happiness in my voice as I agreed.
I drove the car through the deserted streets and slid into a parking spot. The motel lacked charm or character, but covered in snow it looked inviting. The room was typical: small, anonymous, and just clean enough.
"This is pretty funny, isn't it?" Norma asked.
"It's not so bad." I pulled off my shoes and spread my damp socks along the radiator to dry.
"I don't have any pajamas," Norma said, and she giggled again. She sat at the edge of the bed still wearing her coat and hat.
"That's okay."
"But we just met."
"Oh well," I said, trying to make light of her concerns.
"I don't want anything from you, you know."
"Don't worry. We just got stranded," I said. But I was disappointed. I wanted her to want a lot from me.
"I just don't want it to turn out the way everything else has turned out lately. You know, like I was telling you ..."
"With those other women?" I turned on the television, and sat back on the bed. "We'll watch a movie and go to sleep. It'll be like a slumber party."
I kept my word, staying on my side of the double bed. But that night it was as though Norma's warm scent was a living presence, rolling against me, keeping me awake.
In the morning we found a diner and ordered pancakes.
"You know what my theory is?" Norma asked.
"About what?"
"About love."
"What is it?"
"I think if one person has a crush on the other, the other usually has one in return."
As I poured syrup onto my pancakes, I wondered what to answer. I didn't say right then that I wanted to test her theory.
Two weeks later Norma and I went out dancing with some of my friends in celebration of my twenty-third birthday. Even Amy came, having resigned herself good-naturedly to the way things were turning out between Norma and me. My friends switched partners and danced in groups, but I danced only with Norma. We laughed when we accidentally bumped knees and hips. Each time our dance steps collided I was reminded of how new our knowledge of each other was.
We all returned to my apartment for champagne. Norma looked beautiful in her vintage dress and Bakelite earrings. I thought that the modest, old-fashioned neckline made her look all the more sexy.
After my friends left, I drove Norma home and gave her a slow kiss good night. We hadn't spent a night together since out chaste evening in the motel and I'd resigned myself to taking things at a snail's pace. "Call you tomorrow," I said.
"Don't you want to come inside?" Norma asked.
"Of course I do." But before the words were out of my mouth, she had hopped out of the car and was pulling my door open.
I woke the next morning under a quilt, two comforters, and a batiked cotton bedspread. The blankets were all new and brightly colored, but they held the warmth of the night the way old things seem to do.
Cold air had crystallized on the single window above Norma's bed, letting in a dull glow that reminded me of the candlelight we had made love by the night before. I propped myself on my elbow and looked at Norma, who was still sleeping. Her curls lay flat against her scalp. Her dark hair contrasted sharply with her pale skin. Awake, she'd surely put on lipstick in some shade of purple, and blue-tinted mascara. She might wrap a green scarf around her head. Her hands would punctuate her sentences with jabs at the air. I felt privileged to know her sleeping, naked face, and leaned down to kiss her. From the intentional way her eyes opened, I suspected that she had been awake for some time, feeling me watch her. She kissed me back and I fell into the soft, easy world of her embrace.
"You'll be late for work," I said.
"What about you?"
"I'm in even worse shape. I have to stop home and pick up some clean clothes."
Norma slid out of bed, and crossed the painted floorboards to the closet in one long stride. She wore a black cotton camisole and matching underwear, which she immediately covered up with a pink terry robe. "Here," she said, throwing me a long knit sweater decorated with flamingos and palm trees. Next she produced a pair of red leggings, short purple boots, and thick gray socks, the only neutral color in the ensemble. "You can wear these," Norma said.
"No I can't, Norma," I said, holding up the sweater. "Don't you have anything a little more subdued?"
"Oh come on, Nancy, you can't go through your whole life wearing nothing but plaid flannel and blue jeans. Live a little."
"But I'm going to work."
"Well, these aren't work clothes."
"It's what I wear to work."
"Yeah, but you can get away with it. I don't have your fair."
Norma turned back to her closet and fished out a turquoise tunic with a black zigzag stripe around the shoulders, and she traded the red leggings for a black pair. "There, this should suit you, it's got black in it," Norma said.
"It's still a little adventurous, but it'll do," I said.
Norma gathered the clothes I'd rejected into her arms, and went to the bathroom to make herself up and get dressed.
"You look great," Norma said returning to the room. "They won't even recognize you at work."
"I hope not," I said. But I felt pleased. Normas was right, after all. I hadn't worn anything so colorful in years. I'd bought into the lesbian antifashion aesthetic of the early eighties, and wore mostly flannel shirts and denim. When I had to dress up I ironed a blouse, wore a cardigan sweater, and put on pleated trousers and cowboy boots instead of sneakers.
Kissing Norma good-bye that morning before we each went to work felt oddly familiar, as if we'd been waking up together forever.
In the months that followed, Norma and I created some of our own routines. We spent most of our time at my apartment, since I had no roommates. Norma cooked our dinnersmacaroni and cheese out of the box, or ravioli from a canand I supplied our desserts, pints of ice cream, the most unusual flavors I could find. We liked to watch sitcoms in the evening and imagined ourselves in some kind of lesbian farce. We were two girls together, helpless when lightbulbs needed changing and when fuses inevitably blew. We had fake arguments about who was the butch. Meanwhile we raided each other's closets and jewelry boxes. There was a silliness that surrounded us and made us happy.
One evening Norma turned up at my apartment by surprise, a shopping bag in each hand. "Happy Anniversary," she said, handing me her packages.
"Four months today."
"Well, I'm not sure exactly, but I needed an excuse. How's this? Happy Thursday!" I laughed and peeked inside one of the bags. "They're for you, do you like them?" I pulled out a green silk blazer that shimmered in the light and slipped it over the sweatshirt I was wearing. "Keep going," Norma prodded. There was a mustard yellow blouse and a pair of black stirrup pants.
"This is so wonderful. Thank you."
"Keep going, there's one more."
At the bottom of the second bag was a package gift wrapped in newspaper. Norma had written across it in blue, orange, and pink crayon, A rainbow of colors to brighten your world. All my love. Inside was a dime-store paint set and a box of colored pencils.
"Do you like it?" Norma asked.
I opened the paints, licked my thumb, and rubbed it in the purple. I smudged the paint on Norma's chin and kissed her. "I love you." As soon as I said it I giggled, as if to lighten the seriousness of what I was feeling.
Norma pulled me toward her. "When you laugh like that, it sounds like crying," she said.
One night, after I had returned home late from a concert, I called Norma. I knew that she stayed up past midnight, so I was in the habit of calling her at any hour. At first when there was no answer, I thought she might be sleeping. But her phone was right next to her bed; she would hear it ringing, and she would know it was me.
My next thought was to be jealous; maybe she had someone else over. It was irrational, but I couldn't put the thought out of my mind. The next day when I drove by her house I didn't see her old Toyota in the parking lot. I was convinced she had spent the night out. When she finally called me a day later, she wouldn't answer my questions about where she had been. That confirmed my suspicions, and I told her I couldn't continue seeing her.
When she finally broke down and told me that she had gone to Emergency Services because she had been feeling suicidal, I was sure it was a far-fetched excuse. Only when she rolled up the sleeve on her heavy wool sweater and showed me the scratches running across her forearm did I believe her. Seeing those raised red lines on her skin and the storm building behind her eyes didn't make me want to turn my back and forget Norma. It made me want to help. I wanted to be with her all the time so she would never feel that desperate again. Next time, I wanted her to call me, not some stranger at Emergency Services.
There's a scar on my arm, too. It starts at the bend of my wrist in the shape of a long, messy teardrop, then narrows into a line that runs dangerously close to a bold blue vein. It fades out a couple of inches above my elbow. Mostly, I forget about it. But I'm reminded of my scar when I'm talking to someone, and the person confesses to me that he or she, or a sister or brother, once tried to commit suicide. Or she admits having thought of suicide. Or understanding it. And then looks at me, a little too seriously. Then I remember the scar, and I feel guilty.
Truth is, I'm too curious to kill myself. It's the reason I stay at parties or movies, even after I can see that nothing is going to happen; it's a dud. But it might get better. The end might make everything that came before seem more interesting or meaningful. Someone might arrive. If I leave now, surely I'll miss something.
My scar is from an accident that happened when I was four years old. I wanted to close the storm door to the kitchen, which was blowing open and shut in the wind. It wouldn't stay closed. So I punched it. And the glass shattered. That's what I told my parents. It made perfect sense to me then. But now, remembering how I refused to let the cut go unbandaged, even after the stitches had long since been removed and the rawness healed, I wonder. After my mother refused to let me have more gauze, I arrived at nursery school with toilet paper coiled down my arm and Scotch-taped into place. It was the year my grandmother died. My mother was distraught. I already knew what my father's temper looked like, and I knew it was ugly. My parents' marriage, I know now, was already beyond repair. My hand through glass was my first serious broadcast. It's the reason I know a call for help when I hear one. Mine echoed for years against the walls of my childhood home, unanswered. "She was trying to shut the door," my parents probably told friends who asked about my bandages. A child debating the wind with her fisthow stubborn!
If Norma was calling for help, I wanted to answer. I thought I knew how.
I started by asking Norma more questions about her past. I listened more carefully to the stories some of her friends told about the times in college when she had overdone it with drugs and drinking. It seemed that before we began dating, Norma's peaks of hilarity had been matched by frightening valleys of depression. Amy said that Norma had told her of a time when she had contemplated suicide on a daily basis. And Norma admitted that this hadn't been her first trip to Emergency Services. But in the months that we had been together, this was the first evidence I'd seen of a serious problem.
As I rolled back through the weeks we had spent together I searched for signs, but all I could come up with were the quirks in her personality that I found appealing, or the extremes in her moods I chalked up to an artist's temperament. I was an adult, but somehow I had preserved the magic thinking of a child. I didn't doubt that I could impose my vision of our relationship over the reality of it. I believed somehow that by loving each other we would fix each other, and that by my wanting things to work out we could make them work.
In any case, the good things we brought out in one another were more important in my mind. I was beginning to see the world the way an artist does, squinting at the most ordinary sight to see a sensuous palette of soft colors instead of mundane objects. I had always been organized and focused, a Jew with a Protestant work ethic. Norma insisted on playing.
Seeing my wardrobe now as the creative opportunity Norma had insisted it could be, I bought a new gangster hat, white with a black band, at a secondhand store. I stopped by Norma's apartment to surprise her and get her reaction. It had been only a week since she had had her crises, but already I'd put it behind me.
Norma answered the door with a sketch pad under her arm. "I was just going to call you," she said.
"Well, here I am."
"We have to talk."
I sat opposite her in the small living room. No lights were on, but the bright blue afternoon lit the room well. "I'm leaving," Norma said.
I felt as if an ocean wave had just crashed on me. "What are you talking about?"
"I was accepted to graduate school."
"That's great," I said, trying to sound as though I meant it.
"It's a very competitive program. Yale."
"You were accepted at Yale? They have an art program?"
"That's amazing. I'm so impressed."
"But I have to move away. It's too bad, but ..."
"Wait. That doesn't mean it's over with us. I can move, you know, I'll come with you."
"It's too soon for that kind of a commitment."
For nearly an hour I insisted that following Norma to Connecticut was the right thing for me to do. After ail, what did I have to hold me back? Just a job schlepping crates of tomatoes around for rive dollars an hour. Finally, she agreed.
The next day I ordered subscriptions to two Connecticut newspapers. I began bringing the classified section to Norma, and together we looked for a job for me and apartments for the two of us. Norma suggested we drive out to New Haven and start looking around. I had her convinced.
I wouldn't have moved when the phone rang, but Norma thought it might be her brother, who was traveling in Europe at the time. She'd given him my number and told him to call as soon as he settled in.
Ahab sprang from where he was curled on the radiator, and followed at my heels as I ran to pick up the phone. A minute later Norma appeared, wrapped in a towel. "It's my mother," I whispered. "She wants to visit for the weekend." Ahab crawled into Norma's lap and kneaded her towel with his paws.
"Mom, I have some news," I said, mopping the drops of water that had fallen onto the phone. "I have a new girlfriend. You can meet her when you come." Norma looked down and smiled shyly as I stroked her bare shoulders. "You'll really like her. She's an artist." Norma kissed the back of my neck. Her lips felt like little flowers blossoming down my spine. "She's unbelievably smart, too. She was accepted into Yale's law program, but she turned them down." Suddenly my back was cold. Norma had left the room. My mother was saying that she couldn't wait to meet her. We made our plans, and when I hung up I went to find Norma.
I knocked on the bathroom door. "Hey, are you okay in there?"
There was no answer. I could hear the sound of water rushing in the sink. "Norm, is everything all right?"
"Leave me alone," she said. I tried the door. It was locked. "Just go away, would you?"
Before I could wonder what I had done to offend her, the door eased open. "If I tell you something, will you promise not to hate me? And promise you won't tell your mother, either."
"Of course," I said.
Norma's voice tightened into a determined staccato. "I lied to you. I don't know why. I just thought I had to impress you or you wouldn't love me. Why would you love me anyway? So I had to. I just made a little something up. I didn't think you'd believe me. I never did anything like this before. I feel so stupid."
We were standing in the doorway like neighbors exchanging gossip on the stoop. Norma's arms were crossed in front of her, I was holding my towel around me with one hand. "What, Norm? What is it?"
"I never got into Yale. I never even applied."
For some reason, I laughed. I knew I should be appalled, but I wasn't. After ail, it wasn't as though Norma had cheated on me. She hadn't committed a crime. It didn't hurt. I expected a lie like that to actually cause me physical pain. My father had always said that the worst thing I could possibly do was lie to him or my mother. The truth had become almost a religion for me. But this blasphemy was thin as air. And the absence of pain was like a joy in itself. So I laughed.
"It's not funny," Norma said, although she was laughing too. But haltingly, as if she'd stop suddenly if I did. "You're not going to leave me, are you?"
When we stopped laughing I looked into Norma's face. It looked different. For the first time I noticed that her right eye was slightly wider than the left. One nostril was fuller. Her mouth tugged slightly to one side. It was a barely visible asymmetry, but I wondered why I hadn't seen it before.
"What are you looking at?" Norma asked.
"You," I said. "Just you."
Meet the Author
Nancy Abrams is a journalist living in New England.
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Get an overview of this hotelHotel with free breakfast, near Carrefour Laval
Popular property highlights
Situated in Laval, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Carrefour Laval, Centropolis, and Sky Venture. Cosmodome and Place Forzani are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Hotel Features
Along with an indoor pool, this hotel has a fitness center and a business center. Free buffet breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include laundry facilities and a 24-hour front desk.
Room Amenities
All 104 rooms offer free WiFi and free wired Internet, plus coffee makers and TVs. Other amenities available to guests include free newspapers, hair dryers, and ironing boards.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Laval
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Laval features an indoor pool and a fitness center. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access. This hotel offers access to a business center. A complimentary breakfast is offered. 2 meeting rooms are available. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
- Free WiFi
- Number of meeting rooms - 2
- Laundry facilities
- Total number of rooms - 104
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- 24-hour front desk
- Free breakfast
- Number of floors - 5
- Business center
- Fitness facilities
- Free self parking
- Indoor pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Indoor pool
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi , Free wired high-speed Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Free wired high-speed Internet
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free newspaper
- Coffee/tea maker
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Hair dryer
- Shower/tub combination
- Desk
- Television
- Iron/ironing board
- Free WiFi
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
Guests are offered a complimentary hot/cold buffet breakfast.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a fitness center.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 3 PM
Check-out time is noon
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
Optional extras
Hotel Name
- Hampton Inn Hilton Hotel Laval
- Hampton Inn Hilton Laval
- Hampton Inn Laval
We should mention
The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
916 North Dupont Boulevard
A location in Milford
Commute to Downtown Dover
Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
About your score
916 North Dupont Boulevard has a Walk Score of 51 out of 100. This location is Somewhat Walkable so some errands can be accomplished on foot.
Nearby parks include Memorial Park North and Memorial Park South.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 916 North Dupont Boulevard.
Bus lines:
303 Dover/Milford/Georgetown
0.2 mi
Car shares:


text:
Yen Tumbles after BoJ Intervention in FX Market
The yen fell sharply against majors after the BoJ intervened in Foreign Exchange market for the second time this year and third time in six years to halt the yen's appreciations.
The decision came one day after the Swiss National Bank decided to cut interest rate and said will increase the supply of francs in the market over the next few days to halt the franc's rise which is deemed as overvalued according to the SNB which pledged of further measures if necessary.
While the SNB's actions was unexpected, the BoJ's unilateral intervention was predicted by some analysts as the latest announcements by Japanese officials referred that the yen's current level is threatening Japan's growth as the economy is still suffering from the negative effects of the devastating quake that hit the nation in March.
Following the interventions, the yen recorded the sharpest drop against the dollar since October 2008.
Concerning the USD/JPY pair, it surged on the daily basis, rebounding from four-month low, to trade at 79.83 after touching a high of 80.23 and a low of 76.96.
The trading range for today is among key support at 77.10 and key resistance now at 81.45.
The dollar is showing advance against major currencies as the dollar index inclined to 74.83 compared with the day's opening level of 74.02.
Concerning the EUR/CHF pair, it soared slightly to trade around 1.1050, recording a high of 1.1138 a low of 1.1011.
Still, there are debt woes in the euro area in spite of the announced second bailout package for Greece as the Italian and Spanish bond yield continued to surge to record high versus German bunds on political tensions.
Later in the day, the ECB is predicted to halt monetary tightening through leaving interest rate steady at 1.50%.
Moving to the British pound versus the dollar, it retreated to 1.6347, where the BoE rate decision had slight effect on the pair's movements as it came in line with expectations.
The BoE opted to leave both interest rate and APF quantity unchanged in August at 0.50% and 200 billion pounds, to boost the sluggish growth pace.
So far, the pair has recorded a high of 1.6438 while the lowest level was depicted at 1.6284, whereas the trading range for today is among key support at 1.6075 and key resistance at 1.6630.


text:
Syria Truce Under Threat as Troops Killed, Warplanes Hit Aleppoby and
Activists say first strike on city since Sept. 12 cease-fire
U.S.-Russia efforts in crisis after mistaken Coalition attack
Warplanes hit the Syrian city of Aleppo for the first time since last week's cease-fire, further straining the fragile truce following a mistaken air strike by U.S.-led coalition forces that killed 62 government troops.
Unidentified planes fired four missiles at targets in Aleppo on Sunday, causing injuries with no immediate reports of deaths, the U.K.-based opposition monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in an e-mail. Russian and Syrian warplanes had been striking rebel positions in and around the city in the run-up to the cessation of hostilities agreed to by Moscow and Washington on Sept. 9.
The reports of renewed air strikes in Aleppo came as Russia accused the U.S. of "criminal negligence" or even direct support for Islamic State after coalition aircraft bombed a military base in the Syrian city of Deir Ezzor besieged by the terrorist group on Saturday. As tensions mounted, Russia also warned the U.S. that the cease-fire agreement was at risk unless it pressures rebel groups to respect it.
Russia intervened with an air campaign in 2015 in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom rebel groups backed by the U.S. are trying to dislodge from power.
Russian officials have blamed the Obama administration for not stopping cease-fire violations by insurgent groups, and the U.S. accused the Syrian government of blocking humanitarian supplies. Washington and Moscow are due to start coordinating strikes against Islamic State and an al-Qaeda wing in Syria if the agreement holds for seven days.
The defense ministry in Moscow said U.S.-led coalition aircraft, two F-16 and two A-10 warplanes, entered Syrian airspace from Iraq and struck the air base four times, also wounding 100 soldiers. The coalition carried out an air strike south of Deir Ezzor, targeting an Islamic State position it had been tracking for some time, according to U.S. Central Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. As soon as Russia informed the U.S. that the attack may have hit the Syrian military, the strike was halted.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting in New York on Saturday at Russia's request. Moscow demanded U.S. explanations for the first attack by the coalition on Syrian government forces in that nation's civil war.
"Syria is a complex situation with various military forces and militias in close proximity, but coalition forces would not intentionally strike a known Syrian military unit," U.S. Central Command said in a statement. "The coalition will review this strike and the circumstances surrounding it to see if any lessons can be learned."
Syria's Divisions Meet Outside Conflicts in Civil War: QuickTake
Australian planes were among a number of international aircraft taking part in the coalition operation, the Defense Force said in an e-mailed statement.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power told reporters outside the Security Council meeting that the U.S. regrets the attack and is investigating. She called the emergency meeting a "grandstanding" stunt by Russia. Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, walked out of the meeting, saying he was leaving in protest at Power's comments.
Russian warplanes intervened to help Syrian forces repel advances by Islamic State fighters outside of Deir Ezzor after the U.S.-led attack, Russia's defense ministry said.
Deir Ezzor is about 130 kilometers (80 miles) from Raqqa, the capital of Islamic State's self-declared caliphate, which is the target of a U.S. military campaign with the involvement of Kurdish-led ground forces.
Dangerous Path
Even before the incident the U.S. and Russia were at loggerheads. President Vladimir Putin said the U.S. side can't distinguish between terrorists and the moderate opposition and this is a dangerous path, adding that extremists are using the truce to regroup and maintain their military readiness. A senior Russian military official, Lieutenant General Viktor Poznikhir, complained that the Syrian government has done everything required from its side, warning that the U.S. will "carry the responsibility" if the truce collapses.
The UN has criticized the Syrian authorities for withholding permission for an aid convoy to the besieged rebel-held part of the city of Aleppo, where some 300,000 civilians are trapped. Russian officials say the insurgents haven't complied with an agreement to withdraw from the main artery into Aleppo, meaning Syrian army forces haven't been able to pull back either.
The cease-fire is the latest effort by Russia and the U.S. to ease the 5 1/2-year conflict in Syria. They agreed in Geneva on Sept. 9 that the truce should lead to the establishment of a joint coordination center to fight terrorist groups in the Middle East country, a resumption of peace talks, and provision of humanitarian aid. The war has killed at least 280,000 people and caused millions to flee, provoking the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II and helping to create a haven for Islamic State to conduct a global terror campaign.


text:
Get 5% off or get the better offer price when you opt-in for recurring deliveries with Auto-Reorder. Available on UK deliveries only.Learn more
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Piz Buin 1 Day Long Lotion Spf 15 Medium offers hours of gorgeous protection, so you can make the most of sunny days.
Piz Buin 1 Day Long Sun Lotion SPF 15 Low combines photostable UVA/UVB broadspectrum Helioplex filters with patented technology to provide your skin with up to 6 hours of long lasting protection. Vitamin E helps neutralise free radicals which cause premature skin ageing. Its non-greasy formula is quick to absorb. Allows gradual tanning and is sweat and water-resistant. Its photostable sun filters and patented technology give your skin long lasting UVA/UVB protection and help prevent sunburn and premature skin ageing.
How to use Piz Buin 1 Day Long Lotion Spf 15 Medium:
Apply generously before sun exposure. Full body application is equal to 3 table spoons. Reducing the quantity lowers the level of protection. Reapply frequently, especially after sweating, swimming or towelling.
Piz Buin 1 Day Long Lotion Spf 15 Medium contains:
Aqua, Homosalate, Octroylene, Benzophenone
I love this one from Piz Buin. It works wonders if you are careful off the right exposure hours. The smell is lovely to me and i cant go without it. Super quality for a gorg price im lovin it!!!
I have used pitz buin before this was a great offer buy one get one free,coudnt resist.


text:
ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
Pacific Bell Directory - Yellow Pages101 SPEAR ST ROOM 202 San Fransico, California U.S.A.
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 02/02/2008 08:01 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/pacific-bell-directory-yellow-pages/san-fransico-california/pacific-bell-directory-yellow-pages-bigger-the-ad-the-bigger-the-lie-of-customers-wanti-305609. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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SUBMITTED: Sunday, November 04, 2012POSTED: Sunday, November 04, 2012
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text:
256 pages, 700+ colour photos and colour illustrations
The Ultimate Book of Snakes and Reptiles helps you discover the amazing world of snakes, crocodiles, lizards and turtles, with over 700 photographs and illustrations. Exciting and accessible information provides a fascinating insight into every aspect of reptilian life. Fabulous wildlife photographs and illustrations show a reptile's-eye view of the world. Stunning photo-features zoom in on habitats, life cycles and survival tactics – from protective skin to camouflage. It is an ideal reference book for 8- to 12-year-olds.
The Ultimate Book of Snakes and Reptiles examines the intriguing aspects of all kinds of reptiles. You will learn how their bodies work and where they live, and discover amazing facts about their habits, life cycles, survival skills and ancestors. Did you know that a chameleon's tongue is so long that it can be twice the length of its entire body, or that a large snake may have up to 400 bones in its spine? Close-up photographs reveal the advantages of powerful jaws and sharp teeth, how a hungry crocodile hunts down its lunch, how some lizards can grow new tails, and much more.
There are currently no reviews for this product. Be the first to review this product!
Barbara Taylor is a full-time writer specializing in science and natural history books for children. Mark O'Shea is probably best known as the presenter of television series such as O'Shea's Big Adventure and O'Shea's Dangerous Reptiles.


text: Hi well I installed windows 7 ultimate yesterday. I discovered after around 15 minutes while browsing the internet that my Wlan had disconnected. I flicked my wireless switch off and then on again to gain back my connection. I need to know how to stop my internet from disconnecting because it's very annoying when i'm downloading files/gaming. I have a Belkin wireless router. Before I installed windows 7 onto my laptop the internet worked fine and didn't disconnect (vista os). Im using a "Atheros AR928X Wireless Network Adapter". Please help quickly this is getting very annoying. I've looked through some over posts similar to this one but it hasnt helped. Keep it simple when explaining please im very computer noob. If you need any information just let me know, Thanks ]


text:
Timeline (Combined's Scenario)
5,327pages onAdd New Page
this wiki
this wiki
- Hillary Rodham Clinton wins the Presidential election against Republican businessman Donald J. Trump in a historic landslide victory of her winning 30 states.
- The Democrats in the United States also win back the Senate and the House of Representatives, resulting in a very democratic United States for the next 4 years.
- The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria continue to make their push into Iraq, closing in on Baghdad and beginning to close in on Damascus (capital of Syria).
- The United States, NATO, and the European Union continue to give money and train the Kurdish fighters so that they can take back Syria and form Kurdistan.
- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad takes asylum in the Russian Federation. Angering NATO.
- North Korea begins shelling South Korea, causing more tensions between North and South Korea.
Science and Technology
- New York City and Philadelphia are beginning to transform into the "Cities of Tomorrow" with many construction projects being approved and beginning construction.
- Google continues to test driver less cars for the public, although the Government would need to pass legislation allowing these types of cars on the road.
- Apple releases the Apple TV is becoming very popular around the world, although being very expensive.
- The United States begins to update their military very much, announcing a new type of fighter jet to be released and used by 2020.
- Bio engineering is becoming more controversial in the genetic and scientific world, by asking the questing "Is it right to change genetics?"
Culture and Society
- The Center for Disease Control announces that the Ebola virus is no longer a threat to the world, as cases has dropped dramatically in the recent year and a half.[1]
- Just as Ebola is slowing down in Africa, a new disease in Central America called the "Zika Virus" is beginning to spread. This disease causes birth defects to pregnant women; including very small heads on children with mothers who caught the disease while pregnant.
- Captain America: Civil War is one of the most popular movies of the year. Bringing in many people from around the world to the movie theater, this results in the movie becoming number 1 at the box office with many great reviews from many different critics.
- The famous singer Prince, dies at the age of 57, from an apparent overdose from his medical medicine, raising the question "What about the prescription medicine overdose epidemic in the world today?"[2]
- Former First Lady Nancy Reagan dies at the age of 94.[3]
- President-elect Hillary Rodham Clinton is inaugurated the 45th President of the United States making her the first woman president in US history.
- President Hillary Clinton announces her plan to nominate Judge Sri Srinivasan to the Supreme Court since former President Obama could not get his nomination of Merrick Garland. The vote is almost unanimous of 90 to 8, with almost no debating.
- Kurdish fighters in the Middle East are beginning to gain land in Syria with the help of NATO, while Russia and China attempt to push out all rebels from Syria and Iraq.
- Boko Haram is gaining much land in Africa, capturing Nigeria's capital of Abuja in a matter of days. They continue to push to capture the entire country of Nigeria while NATO and Russia look the other way at ISIS.
- President Hillary Clinton announces that 2,500 more troops will be sent to Syria to help Kurdish fighters continue to gain land.
- Sweden joins NATO
- Sweden declares war on ISIS, firstly beginning to invade the Libyan coast by blockading Libyan accesses to the Mediterranean Sea, along with bombing ISIS held airports, and having ground forces invade Benghazi. Along with helping escaping refuges get across to Europe.
- The United States deploy's more missile interceptors in the Pacific to protect the very anti-American North Korea.[4]
Science and Technology
- India launches their first manned mission into low-orbit Earth. The mission is a success.[5]
- JAXA launches their robotic SELENE-2 to a lunar mission.[6]
- ESA's CHEOPS exoplanet-hunting satellite is launched.[7]
- The Spacecraft Cassini-Huygens is destroyed when it is intentionally flown into Saturn's atmosphere.[8]
- The first total eclipse will occur for the first time in the 21st century.[9]
- Malaria vaccine brings hope to curing cancer.[10]
- The joint Japanese-European BepiColombo Spacecraft is launched to Mercury[11]
- NASA launches the exoplanet-seeking TESS mission.[12]
Culture and Society
- The collection of records by the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 is disclosed to the public.[13]
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (husband of British Queen Elizabeth II) dies at the age of 96. A funeral march is held with many world leaders in attendance.
- The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act is repealed by newly elected Democratic Governor Ray Cooper of North Carolina. This repel is praised all over the modern-world, the United Kingdom lifts it's travel warning to North Carolina.
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/28/ebola-united-states_n_5628364.html
- ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/entertainment/prince-death-up-to-speed/
- ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/06/politics/nancy-reagan-dies-obit/
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/15/us-strengthen-missile-defence-north-korea
- ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8483787.stm
- ↑ http://www.asianscientist.com/2012/07/topnews/japan-announces-selene-2-lunar-mission-2017/
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/science/across-the-universe/2012/oct/22/europe-search-habitable-planets-esa-cheops
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017#September
- ↑ http://moonblink.info/Eclipse/eclipse/2017_08_21
- ↑ http://news.ku.dk/all_news/2015/10/malaria-vaccine-provides-hope-for-a-general-cure-for-cancer/
- ↑ http://sci.esa.int/bepicolombo/47346-fact-sheet/
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017#August
- ↑ http://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/faqs.html#sealed


text:
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text:
Onion: Cipollini Yellow by Thompson and Morgan seeds. Onion Cipollini Yellow is quick-growing with small, flat-shaped bulbs, with yellow/brown skins and crisp white, tasty flesh. Excellent for a range of culinary uses. Onion Cipollini Yellow is ideal used for successional sowing through the spring. Sowing densities will determine the bulb size you harvest.
Sowing Instructions
Seeds are best sown fairly thickly in broad drills, 13mm deep, in drills 30cm (12in) apart.
Growing instructions
No thinning is necessary but can be thinned to 13mm apart for ideal sized bulbs, or slightly wider spacing's for larger flatter bulbs.
Keep well watered during spells of dry weather. Ripened bulbs in August can be lifted and stored in a dry, airy greenhouse or shed.
Cropping Time
June to October
More Info
Write Your Own Review
We offer two different delivery options for all of our products (delivery rates and services offered by marketplace sellers may vary):
Receive free standard delivery* on orders of £40 or more.
Standard Delivery (2-6 Business Days) - £3.99
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Speedy Delivery (1-2 Business Days) - £8.99
Orders are dispatched Monday-Friday and you will receive an email notification as soon as your items have left us.
For further information on our available delivery options, click here to view our delivery section.
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Goes Well With
Burgon and Ball Seed Tray Set
Special Price Now £8.99
Regular Price: Was £11.59


text:
You missed it This great deal for 3 Moms & a Mop is over. But don't despair, we've got more great deals every day.
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PAID VALUE EXPIRES ON May 27, 2022
PROMOTIONAL VALUE EXPIRES ON September 19, 2012


text:
My name is Michael Pohl and I am a Software Developer for eWorks GmbH. The fields of my software projects where mainly embedded devices, GUI applications and web technologies (front- as well as backend). I have a Diploma degree in Computer Science (TU Darmstadt, University of Bonn).
I create software as a hobby, too. For ArcadeForge I developed the firmware and other software for the Key Strike, the SNES Strike and for the Dual Strike. I'm interested in technology and sciences, especially Philosophy, Astronomy and Physics. I like gaming on consoles and computers—from retro games, through indy and arty titles to blockbusters; also I take an interest in the technical side and the cultural aspects. I read articles, listen to podcast and watch documentaries about the things I take interest in. And I enjoy listening to music and like watching TV series.


text:
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UPDATE 4-Goldcorp delays Argentina project, warns on Mexico tax
By Nicole Mordant and Allison Martell
VANCOUVER/TORONTO Oct 24 (Reuters) - Goldcorp Inc raised its cost estimate for building a gold mine at its Cerro Negro site in Argentina by up to a third on Thursday, and said production at the project, which is one of the company's three big mining developments, would be delayed.
Goldcorp, the world's biggest gold miner by market value, also said a 7.5 percent royalty proposed by Mexico on mining companies will likely drive away its new investments if it cannot get the returns it wants.
The Vancouver-based miner said it had increased its capital cost estimate on Cerro Negro to between $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion from $1.35 billion before. In 2011, Goldcorp estimated the cost at $749 million.
Cerro Negro has faced several challenges, including a permitting delay that held up construction of a key power line, rapid inflation in Argentina, the country's high taxes, and some productivity problems.
Goldcorp also said it has suspended further exploration at Cerro Negro, and has deferred some development there. First production will be delayed by at least three months, to midyear 2014.
Even so Goldcorp's stock ended 4.5 percent higher on the Toronto Stock Exchange at C$27.76 after the gold miner reported better-than-expected third quarter earnings. Other gold mining stocks were also firmer, boosted by a stronger gold price.
"We continue to believe that despite the challenges being faced in Argentina, Goldcorp remains the best senior gold producer, in terms of quality of asset base, production growth, and a solid balance sheet," Scotia Capital Tanya Jakusconek said in a note to clients. Continued...


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I recently had the privilege of attending the Tasmanian State Convention and the state council monthly meeting. The convention and team work were impressive. Tasmania may have our smallest membership base, but the convention achieved the highest attendance rate of any state as a percentage of state-based membership. There is a small group of hard working members guiding CPE that is relevant for Tasmania's Tax Institute membership. Well done.
On a final note, our national convention is in Hobart on 26 to 28 March 2014 — don't miss it. The program looks excellent, and you can't beat Tasmania as a place to visit.
The Tax Institute is Australia's leading professional association in tax. Its 13,000 members include tax agents, accountants and lawyers as well as tax practitioners in corporations, government and academia.


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Online 7 months ago
Rent budget
Preferred stay length
Move date
I am a well travelled, respectful, clean and laid back person. I work for a development company in surfers during the week & study postgraduate on weekends.
I'm looking for roommates that are social, and wouldn't mind a few beers on the weekend. That being said, I understand the concept of personal space and expect the same from a roommate.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact. I'm quite keen on getting to know my flatmates before I move in with them.
Dave is also interested in Teaming-Up and starting a new share house.


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Tennis Programs
Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation offers a variety of tennis programs for all ages and abilities.
Youth Tennis Programs for ages 4–14 and Teen/Adult Lessons are offered at outdoor City-owned tennis courts in the spring and summer. After-school lessons are offered in the fall. Drills and games are used in all classes to learn more about the strategy of the game. USTA-certified instructors demonstrate tennis etiquette and good sportsmanship. Students' skills are evaluated to determine their performance in lessons, skills to work on and which class to register for next session. Click on the 'Register Online' button to find programs.What Should I Bring?
Remember to bring your water bottle, tennis shoes, sunscreen and tennis racket! Tennis balls are provided.
Kids — Need a Tennis Racket?
Junior tennis rackets can be purchased online for summer tennis lessons. Rackets must be ordered two weeks before the first lesson. Please provide the student's height in inches. Look for more information when registering.
How to choose the correct tennis racket for my child?
If a child is 5 years old or younger and is 44 inches or shorter, a 19- or 21-inch racket is a good fit. If a child is age 6 to 8 and is 45-49 inches tall, select a 23-inch racket. For children age 8 to 10 with a height between 50 and 55 inches, a 25-inch racket is appropriate. A child can comfortably handle a 26-inch racket if he/she is older than 10 and taller than 55 inches. Click here for more information.
Weather Hotline
Call the weather hotline at 952-949-8449 for updated weather-related lesson cancellations. Fridays are used for make-up sessions.
Munchkin for Ages 4–7
Munchkin is designed to introduce tennis to young children. Students work on hand-eye coordination while learning the fundamental strokes of tennis. Eden Prairie Tennis uses the USTA-approved 10 and Under format for Munchkin lessons, which is scaled down to be more appropriate for our younger and smaller players so they can see results, learn to rally and play faster. They use specialized equipment and smaller court dimensions.
Beginner for Ages 7–14
Beginner is for the student with little to no tennis experience. Basic techniques of the forehand and backhand strokes, serve and rules are covered. A quick-start format is utilized.
Intermediate/Advanced for Ages 9–14
Intermediate focuses on the basics at a higher level of play and on a larger court. Game strategy and scoring are also covered.
Adult Programs for Ages 16+
Both Beginner and Intermediate levels are offered. The Beginner class is for the player who has little or no tennis experience. In Intermediate, students learn the basics of forehand, backhand, serve, volley and begin match play. Students practice techniques of each stroke and concentrate on tennis strategy.
USTA Jr. Team Tennis for Ages 10–18
Team tennis is for players who are confident in their basic tennis skills and want to participate in a lot of match play throughout the summer. Singles, doubles and mixed doubles are played. There are both home and away matches as well as practices. Transportation to all practices and matches is provided by parent.
Fee includes USTA Jr. Membership, eligibility for all USTA tournaments, one-year subscription to Smash Magazine and certified coaches.
A two-day USTA Team Tennis Area Championship is organized to provide participants a safe and encouraging environment. Tournament location (Twin Cities area) and exact mid-July dates vary each year.
Available June–August
Tennis lessons for children and adults of all ages and ability levels are offered by USTA-certified instructors. These one-hour lessons are ideal for players requiring special attention, focused work or improvement on a specific skill. Lessons can be taught at any City court in Eden Prairie and scheduling is flexible, including days, evenings and weekends.
To register, fill out the Private Tennis Lessons Request Form [PDF] and submit with payment to the Parks and Recreation office, Tennis Lessons, 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie 55344.
Questions? Call 952-949-8461.
Private lessons are $38/hour; $19/hour for additional students, up to three maximum.
There are 21 parks with tennis courts in Eden Prairie. Courts are available during park hours, except when a Parks and Recreation lesson program is being taught, or during the school year, while the school tennis team is playing. Riley Lake Park's tennis courts are lighted to allow for evening play. View the Eden Prairie Park Finder to find a court near you.
Tennis Court Rules
Be courteous and allow others to play after one hour. No bikes, dogs, skates or rollerblades are allowed on the tennis courts. No private lessons may be offered without prior authorization.


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From all this comments I untderstand one thing, [edited for inappropriate language] skype.
Hello friends,
I just want to answer our question!!
Using nokia smart phones, we can't get skype video call, because currently Symbian OS doesn't support Skype video call, but iphones, Android OS support Skype video calls!!
But I heard that Skype video call apps will be available soon only for Nokia N8 for the first time!!
Let's wait for this new app and I am waiting too.
So, once again only Nokia N8 users will get the opportunity to get Skype video call on their mobile phone.
Even When Samsung has that fature with android :manfrustrated:
My phone is Nokia N8. I often use skype to talk with my friend which is good. Unfortunately cannot use VIDEO CALL which like iPHONE so very sad to NOKIA that cannot work out. I am still hoping nokia N8 can able to make video call. If so anyone can help me that will be very kindul... Do contact me and help me guide that ?
First update to nokia belle then download skype for Samsung galaxy SI from mobile9 and save it into pc. copy skype.apk into mobile and install then use skype with video calls


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It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our uncomplicated sign up form and login to the website.
This step is up to you but will seriously enhance your chances of getting interest from other Christian members on the site. Write a little about yourself, your hobbies and upload a nice photograph of yourself.
Use our website's advanced search to uncover members who match your requirements. Or just look through listings of Christian singles and uncover members that interest you.
Found someone who appeals to you? Send them a message or just a wink and see what happens next. With a little luck you'll be on your way to uncover your suitable date.
It only takes a few clicks


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Northern Spirit's
|Category: Wendy's Wanderings
|16 December 2013
The drive into Dawson city an historical nugget no bigger than Sherborne found us seeking information about the famous Klondike goldrush of 1896-98. A stampede caused by the gold found by Cormack, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charley. Folk came from all over the world to get wealthy quick. The reality of which in the harsh winter climate was to live in shacks or worse tents filtering out the fittest of men and women to survive it. The wooden cabled houses in pastel shades are as they were, as well as the wooden boardwalks to keep long dresses and shoes out of the wet mud which, after the rain was very muddy indeed. The best food in town was at the 'Drunken Goat Taverna'.... greek food....'its all greek to me!!'
With names like Peabody's photo Parlour, Sourdough Joes restaurant and Diamond tooth Gerties we have entered a time warp, eat your heart out Doctor Who! Over 30,000 people visited Dawson City when they heard about the gold. The town had electricity, motion picture theatre, prostitution (Diamond Gerties) saloon, dancehalls and gaming parlours in full swing all day, every day. The Spanish American War and new found wealth found in Alsaka stopped the rush in 98.
Photo: David Noton
At 1am in the morning after 2.5 hrs sleep we get up, tog up and hope to see the Northern Lights over the Klondike river that David eyeballed yesterday, where we had came across a local Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in lady fishing for chum salmon. When we told her we used to live in Bristol, 'Oh ' she said 'I have a friend in Bristol called Derrick.....do you know him?' it would have been rude to laugh! Back again we stand on the water's edge waiting and waiting wondering why we are waiting. It is pitch black, we can see the stars, how long do we give it? Out of the silence an almighty splash, I am terrified, it has to be a Grizzlie running into the river in pursuit of breakfast.....us! But given a few seconds to decide on 'fight or flight' I realise it must have been the elusive chum our friend was fishing for yesterday. Get a grip Noton.
Another hour and we wonder if bed beckons, but is that a green glow above the tree line, is their mist forming? Maybe we have stood here too long. But whats that? It starts to quiver, shake and build, I think we are onto something. There is an intensity to the light as it grows before ribbons can be made out trickling across the sky, streaks of light start to arc up all the while reflecting off the river, we are beside ourselves as David shoots away. After a few minutes it abated, is that it, Is it time for bed? No, look it is building again with more shapes and swirls this time into a shape of a great bird in the sky, it is the spirits of the wild watching over this land (now she is getting too romantic!) at best it feels all the world like a window into one's own soul, it is totally amazing, if I die now I die happy! We are riding back to camp so high at 4am it is amazing we managed to get back to sleep. The next morning a smattering of snow sees us shooting the autumn colours in a still landscape of subtle reflections.
Next month I will tell you what we found there. I think my snap will suit my Christmas greeting to you.
Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year, all the best with your plans for 2014.


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Debt Relief
Debt Relief is the process of having all or some of your debt forgiven, generally in aid of relieving financial hardship. Debt relief has come to prominence in developed nations due to the explosion of consumer credit.
The average Australian owes more than $3,000 in credit card debt. This figure underestimates the real figure and does not include personal loans. The main form of debt relief in Australia is through Debt Agreements. Debt Agreements use the bankruptcy act to allow you to only repay back what you can afford, relieving a lot of the financial hardship and helping people to feel confident about their financial security in the future.
Debt Mediators helps thousands of Australians every year find relief from their debts and get their money back under control.
If you're looking for relief from your debts and would like to talk to someone who can help you discover all the options available to you to become debt free as soon as possible, we have professional consultants available 7 days a week; you can talk to a real person about your situation from the privacy of your own home.
Debt relief solutions we can talk to you about
Debt relief solutions we can assist you with
Take your first step towards financial freedom today, fill out the form on the right side of this page and one of our consultants will be in touch with you shortly, or simply call the number at the top of the page to speak with someone directly at no cost to you.


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Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the product ordered, the total weight, and where the item is shipped to.
Yes, we offer international shipping to ALL countries.
Once your order is shipped, we will e-mail you a tracking number. Alternatively, you can reach out to our customer support at email@example.com to ask questions anytime. Note that GIVEAWAY items handed out for free do not include tracking number TO SOME AREAS, since they are sent as gifts to avoid customers having to pay customs tax due to the actual value of the item.
This depends on the product ordered. Most of our products are manufactured on demand. Regardless, it typically takes only a few days to get our items processed and shipped out. Extremely popular items (for example items given away free as part of promotion) can take up to 5 days to be processed and shipped out due to large volume of orders. Once shipped, estimated time of delivery varies based on destination country. Currently, delivery times average at around 16-24 business days, but certain areas can take up to 5 weeks (Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina for example). This does not necessarily mean that time of arrival is set, it can also take a lot less. Please wait up to 5 weeks for your order to arrive - most orders reach destination country within a week but customs take time, this is set by your country's government and security policies, which is something we have no control over.
First of all, we wish to provide best prices for our customers and remove the likelyhood of our clients having to pay extra taxes when products arrive to destination countries. This naturally means that shipments take a little longer, but that allows us to maintain a budget price-point for our products. Furthermore, as we have acquired fresh certifications and partnerships with shipping companies and postal services, we need to reach a certain threshold of orders for three months in a row in order to establish an express business setup with them. Therefore, currently shipments take a little longer, but it is something that will be greatly enhanced in the following months as our partnerships grow. Lastly, certain countries take more time for deliveries due to strict customs regulations and checks, meaning that item processing takes longer - this is controlled by your country and not by us, so please maintain patience.
Since we manufacture on demand and we have a large assortment of products not stocked in house, when you order multiple items at a time, they may be shipped separately. You may receive one item before the next. So don't panic if you don't receive all of your items at once…they are on the way.
Refund is available only if your item has not already been shipped. We allow 2 hours of error time after order is placed, so make sure to notify us as soon as possible, otherwise your order will already undergo processing, labelling and headed for shipment. In this instance, refund is not available. You can always return the item when this happens, and we will issue you a full refund once the item has arrived back (shipping items back is paid by the customer).
All questions, disputes and concerns about your order should be directed to firstname.lastname@example.com. Please note that if you issue a dispute on PayPal about your order, it can not be handled by us before PayPal reviews it, which makes the process drag out for longer than a week. If you wish for concerns to be handled quickly, always contact us first and we will find a suitable solution for your needs within 24 hours.


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English Speaking Club (ESC)
What is English Speaking Club (ESC)?
English Speaking Club is designed for international students who want to enhance their conversational English skills. It's a social, fun and relaxed setting where everyone is encouraged to talk, share their experiences, practice their speaking, develop confidence to talk in public and successfully interact with others.
Why should you join?
You'll meet new people and make new friends while you practise your English and become a more confident communicator. Weekly ESC sessions aim to prepare you for presentations, practise valuable interview skills, understand how to apply communication strategies to team environments and enables you to discover how to network effectively.
As a bonus, undergraduate students get 10 GLP points for participation if they attend 10 ESC sessions across all weeks. Postgraduate students are welcome to attend, but not eligible for GLP points.
Want to get involved?
The program starts in week 2 and continues until week 11. To get full benefit of the program we encourage you to participate in all ESC sessions.
The program is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. All participants can join for FREE! No booking required! Simply show up and join in.
To enable more participants to benefit from the program we deliver 3 sessions per week. Every week the sessions are covering the same content.
What will we cover?
- Presentation skills
- Resume rescue
- Job search
- Job interview practice - be prepared
- Networking
- Assessment centre practice
- And much more…
For more information on weekly activities follow us on Facebook.
What previous students say.
"There is nothing better than being in a English Speaking Club. It's much more than I expected. Join us!"
Ju Young Ban (AKA Andy)
BCom-ACCG student from Korea
"It gives me more chance to speak and
learn the culture from different countries, meet new friends and old friends, and develop your mind"
So Chung Kay (AKA Kaize)
BCom-ACCG student from Hong Kong
"This is what I appreciate from ESC: meeting new friends, interesting discussion topics, improving my English, getting to know about life in Australia and the really nice group leaders."
Yuanye Gao (AKA Paul)
BCom-ACCG student from China
Undergraduate students get 10 GLP points for their participation. To become eligible 10 ESC sessions across all weeks must be attended.
Postgraduate students are welcome to attend, but not eligible for GLP points.
For more information about ESC, you can find us on Facebook or email us directly.
Tel: +61 2 9850 4777