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Last week Google introduced social gaming to Google+. I'll admit I'm not much of a "social game" fan. To me, social games are very limited in scope and serve more as a mindless time-sink, rather than a interactive adventure. They lack any real story or purpose…they embody everything about video games that I have to counter when faced with someone that enjoys bashing video games in general. That said, I know there are quite a few fans out there (if my inability to hide "achievement announcements" fast enough to keep my news feed on Facebook clean is any indication of popularity).
"X" Marks the Spot for Games in Google+
The implementation wasn't much of a surprise – social games have become standard issue on social network sites and serve as a source of revenue. The way Google decided to implement the feature, however, was a little interesting. Social games are found under the new 5th button on your Google+ page that looks like the "X" shape of a directional pad on a game controler (It actually reminds me of the the old Gravis pad from back in the day. When clicked it takes you to a page dedicated to your social games).
It is a two frame window – main display and sidebar. The sidebar contains several navigational links. There you can select from two filters – Featured Games or All Games. I'm assuming this will expand into a system to sort by genre once the available game library expands beyond some predetermined critical mass. The third option will show your "notifications" followed by the final area that contains your recently played games.
I like the layout because it is a simple and organized. You can load into Google+ and select your game within 2 or 3 clicks.
The Games
Most of the games clearly mark themselves as being in "Beta" still, so I will give the developers the benefit of the doubt that the games we have access to are not finalized versions. I've had several instances of crashing or failed loads – enough to take notice. If you're going to try some of these out, be aware it can happen. The games take a minute (sometimes several) to start, at least here in China. Which is a little annoying given the fact that these are not power hungry games, but it's not too terrible. Additionally, I could never get Collapse! Blast to load. Clearly, there's plenty of room for improvement, but hey, after 20 years of gaming, I've become numb to such inconveniences.
Overall, it's a nice variety of games that are available. As of the writing of the article there are 16 different games available for Google+ users to choose from –
- 7 Puzzle Games
- 3 City Builders
- 2 Adventure Games
- 1 "Worms" Variation
- 1 Poker Game
- 1 "Harvest Moon"/"Farmville" Variation
- 1 "Mafia Wars" Variation
There are far too many games to review in one article, so I'm just going to give you the highlights.
The Puzzle Games
The largest of the group, the puzzle games, are your traditional lot.
First up was Bubble Island. It was suppose to be a variation of the game where you use a cannon to shoot certain color gems to hopefully create matches with similar gems hanging from the "ceiling." Matching gems causes the gems to disappear. Any gems hanging underneath the gems that you eliminate are eliminated as well – this generates bonus points and creates a bit more strategy. The catch is that after the first few stages, the ceiling begins to lower – if any of the gems lower beyond a certain penalty line, the game is over. If that is too confusing, the easiest way to get general gist is to think of it as reverse Tetris.
Diamond Dash is probably the most boring to me. The concept of the game is to click on gems that have at least 3 other gems of the same color next to them. The more gems, the more points. It is timed with the goal of accummulating the most points before the clock hits zero. It is simple though, so if you need something very quick, it is an obvious choice.
The better game to give your mind a quick-fix is Bejewled Blitz. Again the game is timed, but playing under the rules of Bejewled makes it far more interesting. The only question here is when we are going to see Puzzle Quest introduced on Google+ games.
Sudoku Puzzles is Sudoku.
Flood-It looked boring at first, but once I played a round and lost, I changed my mind. It isn't as mindless as I thought. Granted it's not thrilling, but I'll take this over Minesweeper any day of the week. Your mission is to turn all the different colored blocks the same color by slowing absorbing the blocks by matching their color.
Last, but not least, is Angry Birds. Nothing new here. The only fun thing about this game at this point is seeing if you can beat Mark Zuckerberg's score on Level 1-1… Still, if you haven't played it, Angry Birds is probably the best variation on the projectile game that has been around for decades – give it a whirl.
There is one more, but Collapse! Blast is one of the games I never could get to load. I tried for several days, and on different browsers, but basically it always locked up my browser whenever I attempted to load the game. I am going to assume it is something on my end, but I must admit that my gut instinct with these "browser based" games is that my computer's configuration should not be an issue. (I use the latest edition of Sony Viao's Z-Series laptop, so power isn't an issue I know.)
The City Builders
Dragons of Atlantis, Edgeworld, and City of Wonder are the three "city builder" games provided in the initial release. Each is a different take on the genre. The general traits of a city builder is that the game consists of a plot of ground that can be built upon, various building with various functions that can be built, and some type of limited resource system. The player must then decided the best way to balance building under the constraints of the resources available to him with the goal of building the most impressive/powerful city possible.
Dragons of Atlantis pits you as a member of 1 of 4 factions battling for domination on the sinking Atlantis continent. While the background setup story suggests there is a conclusion to this game, that is in fact a misnomer. As with each of the titles, there is no "endgame" to these titles. One can only continue to build and fight off invaders until either you get bored with the game or the game is shut down. Edgeworld is the space version of the genre in the set. City of Wonder stands as the "Care Bear" version of the three as it removes the attack/defend element that is an integral part of the other two games.
All three games play well. And the soundtrack is pretty good in these as well, though it will get old eventually after you've spent several hours in the game. If you've played any Civilization or SimCity game, you'll probably be underwhelmed by the options and controls available to you. Still, if you're stuck at the office and enjoy this type of game, definitely check them out as they aren't bad.
Adventure Games
Not a whole lot to say here. Dragon Age Legends has been available on other platforms before and it's not bad. Personally, I think it is a good game for what it is, but it may be overly complicated for this genre. Zombie Lane is a point and click adventure where you are tasked with missions that help clean up the zombie infestation on your street. Both are decent for what they are though it becomes a little mindless eventually. These definitely require more focus than the the city builders, so playing them while at work can be tricky.
The Poker Game
The poker game, Zynga Poker, is a good transplant of the Zynga's poker game. Nothing much has changed over other versions, log in to the game, select some friends to play with if you desire, and then hit play to head to the table. If you don't bring your friends you'll be assigned to a table with other human players. The game keeps track of various stats like weekly winnings and highest winnings for the day by your friends. Personally, I feel like this is the most "social" of the "social games" available.
The Other Variation Games
The final section includes the other variations of social games you've probably seen or at least heard of from your "social game addict" friends. The first is Monster World. It is basically a Monsters, Inc.-ish "Farmville" game. The next is Wild Ones. Wild Ones build on the old PC game "Worms" but allows you to chose different animals and fight against your friends or random people. Personally, Worms is a classic that can't be adequately mimicked, but Wild Ones is an acceptable attempt.
The final one is Crime City. This is Mafia Wars, but you have an Avatar that you can lead around and command to do your dirty work for you. The game is essentially identical to Mafia Wars beyond that aspect in my opinion. That said, it is still fun. Hey, there's always something satisfying about beating an informant into a pulp.
404 Error: Games on Google+ Mobile App Not Found
Don't look for any of the above titles on your mobile app, they aren't there…yet. Honestly, I don't see why something isn't offered within the apps. Yes, most of these games have independent apps, but why not make Google+ the portal to these games just like it is on the browser. Full integration. Maybe we'll see this in the future or when apps are finally replaced by browser-only software. It would also cut down on the need for 200 different apps on everyone's phones. Finally, it would allow you to hide your games within your social networks so you wouldn't have to explain why you play Monster World to your boss after he borrows your phone at dinner to make a call. Seems like its win-win-win all around.
It seems like a great opportunity to allow (force) people to play the games with their other friends on the go. I can just see the Atlanta Journal article back home in Georgia stating that the latest 20 car pile up on I-75/85 was caused by a driver involved in gang related shooting…in Crime City…ok, maybe these games shouldn't be on mobile platforms.
Missing the 'Social' in Social Games
I'm not sure why we really refer to this genre of games as "social games" because they are far from "social" in my opinion. A quick game of Team Fortress 2 provides more "social" interaction than these games. Granted, listening to some 13 year kid banter on about how "Bad-A" his last kill shot was isn't exactly building some sort of mutual relationship, but still at least I know that I'll never hire him if we ever cross paths in real life a decade down the road.
In most cases the "social" side of these "social games" consists merely of a MMO-style text chat box and the obligatory recruit your friends into your army, gang, harem…ok, maybe that last one hasn't happened yet. …Ok, now someone in Japan has read this article and is now hard at work on "Harem Hoarder Xtreme" …oh, the wonders of the internet! But let's face it, social gaming is as social as an IRC channel was 20 years ago – it's "social" because no one has created the game that really screams social yet. The bottom line is the current social system just doesn't foster social networking and interaction other than demonstrating to you the negative effects of nagging your friends can have once they block you. It would be neat if if Google somehow integrated the "Hangout" feature with games to create a virtual "Mario Party" setting. Mario Party on Google+ now that would be cool – get on it Google!


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The Sporting News has a theory, and that theory has to do with Cam Cameron not calling as many plays for Gates as he had in years past. In their offseason report on the AFC West, they mention Gates has been running more routes as a receiver, and will become a focal point for what Norv Turner will do on offense:
It was clear in the first minicamp under coach Norv Turner that tight end Antonio Gates will not be the forgotten man, as he sometimes was under former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Turner, who will call offensive plays, broadened Gates' repertoire of routes. Turner seems intrigued by how good the offense can be, and Gates is at the center of his plans for making it more potent. Creating options for Gates will confuse defenses and should add a dimension to the offense, which led the league in points in 2006. Turner is intense, demands excellence and pushes players beyond what they were doing.
Indeed, Gates had a lower output last year in catches, with only 71 compares to 80+ like that past two years. Four times he went over 100 yards in 2005, but he only reached that mark once in 2006. Obviously any good coach tries to get the best out of their players, but Norv Turner will be extra creative with Gates on the field.
"He runs the routes so well. He can run all the wide receiver routes," Turner said. "It's something that we want to incorporate. How much we do of it depends on who we're playing and how they're playing us. Every time you can add a wrinkle and do something different, it gives a defense a problem. He's a guy you can really create some mismatches with."
To imagine Antonio Gates as an even greater threat to opposing defenses could mean the establishment of new tight end records. Gates will have the opportunity to not only reach his own record of 10 touchdowns with 1000 yards receiving, but to actually shatter that record. Watching the success Antonio Gates will have this upcoming season should be extremely exciting not only for fans, but for Mr. Gates as well:
"It's been challenging but it's been fun," Gates said. "That's what Norv is known best for. When he has weapons, he finds ways to use them and get them the ball. I can't help but be excited about what we're going to do."

subset: commoncrawl


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1822 Crescent Drive, Grand Rapids 49503
See more homes for sale in Grand Rapids, MI
This property has been Sold!
05/20/2016 at $150,000
One owner all brick Ranch on the NE side, close to Downtown on a quiet tree lined street just waiting for your HGTV ideas! This well maintained home features a large stone fireplace, hardwood floors, cedar closet and kitchen with eating area and lots of cabinets. The full unfinished basement provided a ready to finish additional 1200 sq ft with a 2nd fireplace. Outside you will find a large detached garage, covered patio and gas grill. Newer furnace & AC. Immediate possession available! Call today!
Property Information
- Status
- Sold
- Address
- 1822 Crescent Drive
- City
- Grand Rapids
- Zip
- 49503
- County
- Kent
- Township
- City of Grand Rapids
- Possession
- At Close
- Zoning
- Total Finished SqFt
- 1,265
- Above Grade SqFt
- 1,265
- Garage
- 2.0
- Garage Desc.
- 2, Detached
- Water
- Public
- Sewer
- Public
- Year Built
- 1955
- Taxes
- $1,932
Rooms and Land
- MasterBedroom
- 1st Floor
- Bedroom2
- 1st Floor
- Bedroom3
- 1st Floor
- Dining
- 1st Floor
- Kitchen
- 1st Floor
- Laundry
- 1st Floor
- Living
- 1st Floor
- Other
- 1st Floor
- Basement
- Daylight, Full Basement
- Cooling
- Central
- Heating
- Forced Air, Natural Gas
- Acreage
- 0.19
- Lot Dimensions
- 0
- Appliances
- Dryer, Oven, Range, Refrigerator, Washer
- Fireplace Desc.
- Living
- Features
- All Window Treatments, Wood Floor
- Exterior Materials
- Brick
- Exterior Features
- Patio
Listing Video for 1822 Crescent Drive, Grand Rapids MI 49503
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Listing Courtesy of Re/Max United (beltline)
Office Address 4150 E Beltline Ne
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Our Michigan real estate agents can answer all of your questions about 1822 Crescent Drive, Grand Rapids MI 49503. Real Estate One, Max Broock Realtors, and J&J Realtors are part of the Real Estate One Family of Companies and dominate the Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate market. To sell or buy a home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, contact our real estate agents as we know the Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate market better than anyone with over 100 years of experience in Grand Rapids, Michigan real estate for sale.
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All information deemed materially reliable but not guaranteed. Interested parties are encouraged to verify all information. Copyright© 2017 MichRIC LLC, All rights reserved.


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I work as a joiner for a large country estate making doors, windows, staircases etc. its very very very boring. my wife and i are awaiting the arrival of our first child sometime in january which is not boring at all. Update he's arrived, and he's everything i hoped he would be. I am deeply smitten
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text: HomeChicagoVideo: Shayna Love – ONE Video: Shayna Love – ONE Chicago October 31, 2012 Andrew Barber Andrew Barber 2 Shot by Cos G. & Edited by Pugs Atomz. Shayna Love is a new artist working closely with Pugslee Atomz, and her debut project Sanity is on the way. Here she rips into one of the best Ghostface songs of all time. One time.


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Oil & Gas Market Watch:
Energy and Oil Machining Services
BVI Machining machines high pressure API products. All end connections are per API dimensions and sealing areas are a smooth 32 finish. Industry standards have been achieved through years of experience and stringent inspection procedures.
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
BVI Machining, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2008 certified Houston machine shop that has the skilled machinists, the state-of-the-art equipment and the customer focus to guarantee your satisfaction with high quality finished products built to your exact specifications.


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"Sweetie, wake up!"
It took a herculean effort to open my eyes, looking around blearily.
Ceiling. Wall. Closet. Periodic table poster-
Wait. What?
I blinked at the colorful poster taped to my wall, until it hit me.
I was in my room. My room room.
I carefully went up into a sitting position. I felt...fine. A little groggy, but fine.
There was no arrow sticking out of my chest either.
I heard the sound of footsteps and watched my mom stand at the door, her hands at her hips.
"How do you expect to be ready for school if you aren't even dressed yet?"
She tutted, flicking on the light.
I was momentarily blinded, but when I regained my vision I got to my feet.
A thousand thoughts were racing madly through my head. I ran my hands through my hair, panicking.
The last thing I remembered was being almost-dead. Now I was perfectly fine?
I realized then that my horns were gone. So was my tail.
Okay, so things were getting weird.
"Mom?" I called out, starting to walk hesitantly down the hallway, "Mom!"
I found her in the laundry room, turning to look at me with skepticism.
"Still haven't changed? You're cutting it close, young lady."
"What's happening?" I asked, "I was in Hell a second ago, and now I'm...here?"
"That must have been a wild dream. Probably because you were staying up all night with that essay."
I stared.
"Yes, I know you were working past your curfew. We'll talk about this later."
I huffed exasperatedly.
"What about you selling my soul? I went to hell, remember?"
"Zara, I think you should really stop with the late night snacks. It's clearly disturbing your sleep."
She moved to put some clothes in the dryer but I barricaded her path, furious.
"So you're going to pretend like none of it happened? I don't know what's going on, but I remember everything, okay?"
She gave me a blank look and I realized then that she had no idea what I was talking about.
"I think we should see a doctor. Maybe highschool's been too stressful? Is somebody bullying you?"
I moved, and shook my head.
When she turned back to her laundry I ran back up the stairs, flinging myself into the bathroom.
I pulled my hair back, frantic. No pentagram.
I splashed my face with water. I splashed it again. Nothing happened.
"You okay?"
I turned to see Izzy looking at me, perplexed.
"I...I..." I started, looking back to the mirror.
Zara Shah looked back at me. Normal, if not somewhat nerdy, teen.
"I'm good."
I changed out of the dinosaur pjs I was wearing (don't ask) and brushed my wild swath of hair, pulling it into a loose braid.
I ate breakfast with my dad and Izzy, trying not to spill the orange juice as Izzy and I suffered through typical dad humour.
I brushed my teeth and grabbed my bag, checking my hair before walking to the door.
My mom handed me my lunch, giving me a concerned smile.
"You feeling better Zara?"
I smiled back, waving away her concern.
"Yeah, I just had a really weird dream."
She gave me a hug and I walked out of the house, enjoying the early morning sun.
Hell? Fighting a war? That had been one crazy dream.


text:
It Came from Outer Space
Written by Henry Barker
Illustrated by Barry Gott
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It Came from Outer Space by Henry Barker
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Henry Barker
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Shop our wide selection of monogram earrings, you may refine your search by material featured by the links below. Carolina Clover features cut out, engraved, filigree, post or even dangle designs monogrammed with your 3 initials.
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Less expensive versions of our monogram earrings is made of acrylics. Our colorful selection materials will amaze you with tortoise, mint and mirrored patterns that are cut with your three initials and made into an earring. Our savvy jewelers have cut these materials in the filigree design and they have engraved the material and provided a color fill wash that allows the engraved acrylic to be seen with a nice fill of color.
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These propositions notify individuals that their qualifications were found suitable to work as an employee (local or expatriate) for a Fugro company and solicit money or a facilitation payment to pay for work permits, insurance policies, etc.
Please note that Fugro (nor any of the organisations that recruit on our behalf) never asks for any money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. All individuals who are successful in gaining an offer of employment from Fugro, whether directly or indirectly, are always required to go through a formal recruitment process.
All communications should originate from a verifiable Fugro e-mail address and not from an Internet e-mail address e.g.: hotmail, yahoo etc. For example, a false email address is firstname.lastname@example.com (note the "s" is NOT a legitimate Fugro email address).
Fugro's name and identity has been used fraudulently in certain instances which we are aware of and have no control over. In as much as we sympathise with anyone who has lost money in this way, Fugro cannot accept any responsibility for a fraudulent job offer or solicitation of payment in Fugro's name.


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Napier is a modern university with more than 14,000 students on seven campuses in Edinburgh. It arranges work placements for many students; modular courses allow students to customise their courses.
Scottish and EU students from outside the UK pay no tuition fees. For other UK students, the annual tuition fee is £1,775 in 2008.
A range of scholarships and trust funds for new students, particularly those in need, also for mature students, overseas students, or those with dependents. Students from the UK (not Scotland) paying fees and claiming a full maintenance grant are entitled to a bursary of around £300.
Available to most, though not all, new students from outside the area. A room in a university flat is about £80 a week.
Fully networked libraries on each campus with seven-day-a-week opening. The Craiglockhart campus has a new fitness suite.
Good train links from Edinburgh to London via Newcastle and York. Access to motorways and a nearby airport.
Tel: 08452 606040
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text:
Speaking Ill Of The Dead
2400 Block of Jasper Avenue, 1:25 am
A man walked along the sidewalk, moving in and out of the irregularly spaced street lights. A car passed without slowing, an office worker headed home to his neglected wife. The man carried a navy blue duffel bag over one shoulder and what appeared to be a walking cane in his right hand, though he had no apparent need for it.
He stopped before a two storey home and went up the white wooden steps after a brief pause. No light escaped the house but he reached up with his left hand and knocked on the door lightly anyway – three times, a brief pause, then once more. Seconds later the door was unlocked and he stepped inside.
Mr. Keller's Office, 2:01 pm
Detective Hector Munoz stood in the doorway and gazed at the slumped body of Mr. Keller. He was having a very difficult time trying to find a reason to care about this scumbag's death.
"Detective? The receptionist, Cindy Marshall, she's ready to speak with you now," Officer Jackson told him from the hallway behind him.
"Be right there," Munoz sighed.
2455 Jasper Avenue, 1:35 am
"Everything go as planned?" the man asked as he slumped onto the uneven wooden chair across from his partner in the moonlit kitchen.
"Yeah, the next time that bastard defends those pimps will be in hell," she replied as she wiped the last of her makeup from her face. With all the wrinkles gone from under her eyes she looked closer to her twenty eight years of age, but the grey wig still sitting on her head ruined the effect a little. "How'd your little walkabout go?"
"The job's done – had to take three of his friends as well but nobody will be shedding any tears over them," he said.
"What, already? Y you know two jobs in one day is risky, we attract way more attention that way!"
"Settle down X – I wasn't planning on doing it tonight but I was out there less than an hour before I found him," Y said as he put his hands up to ward her off. "Besides, you didn't use Saldare again did you?"
"Well…" X began without meeting his gaze.
"You used that name for the job in Montreal in January! You can't keep leaving these connections for people to make -"
"I was a college girl for that one Y, nobody would ever match her up with old granny Pinkbag – it's not like anyone is looking anyway."
Mr. Keller's Office, 2:30 pm
Munoz shook his head as he watched the body baggers do their job. If Keller had been a little less high profile he could just file this away and forget about it but his face had been front page news not so long ago and the reporters were already calling.
He looked from the body to the two tea cups sitting on the desk and back again. He turned and called to Jackson in the hallway. The officer came running, as he always did, too eager to please.
"What did the receptionist say the old lady's name was again?"
2455 Jasper Avenue, 1:45 am
"Here, have a look at this," X said as she tossed a newspaper across the kitchen table. "I think I found our next job – page twenty."
"David Gutierrez, escaped fifth rape charge in the last two years," Y said as his eyes scanned the article. "How is he managing to get off the hook?"
"He's got protection."
"His daddy is the mayor."
10th and Bridge, 1:20 am
Detective Munoz rubbed his eyes and swore under his breath. He was getting all the prime calls today.
"Four thugs, four bullets, zero witnesses," Officer Jackson told him.
"Any more good news to share?" Munoz asked and immediately wished he hadn't.
"The one in the black hoodie is Jerome Matthews."
2455 Jasper Avenue, 1:50 am
"Five failed charges, that probably means there are more that have given up on the courts to bring this slime to justice," Y said as he rolled his head around in an attempt to loosen stiff neck muscles.
"Exactly," X said. Her blue eyes betrayed her excitement; she was always ready to set right the wrongs of the world. Y missed having that kind of youthful energy – he wasn't sure when he lost his but with his fortieth birthday looming around the corner he was pretty sure it wasn't coming back any time soon. "And that means there are a lot of people that would be interested in paying for our services."
10th and Bridge, 1:30 am
"Alright, get in touch with your contacts," Munoz told Jackson. "Somebody somewhere tonight is having a celebration and I want to know who."
"On it sir," Jackson said with a smart salute that made Munoz roll his eyes. "I'll find out who stands to benefit the most from this and start there."
2455 Jasper Avenue, 1:55 am
"Alright, I'll make some calls in the morning to my friends in New York," Y said as he stood up and headed for the couch to get some sleep. "I'll find out if the charges are legit or if he's just a high profile target for gold diggers."
"And I'll find the folks interested in some real justice," X said with a big smile. "You find the truth, I'll find the cash."


text:
"Don't worry LouLou, I'll be right back to save you!" Lizard whispered, taking note of the window behind LouLou, "Just stay right here."
The room was on the second story of the building, so there was no way Lizard and LouLou could just jump out and run. So Lizard had to go find some rope or something to climb out. LouLou, although still looking quite scared, nodded and lay down on the near-by bed.
Lizard left the room and crept down the hallway. There must be rope somewhere! He thought to himself. Then he came up to another door, gotta hurry, he thought. He opened the door and found the room happily empty. There was a bed in the middle of the room and this one, unlike the one in LouLou's room, had a sheet and several blankets on it. Lizard took them all and ran down the hall with them; knotting them together as he ran. When he got to LouLou's room, he threw them out the window, leaving one end tied to the windowsill.
"Come on LouLou," he said. When he didn't get an answer he turned around, "I said co-" there was LouLou, tightly held in the warden's grasp. Looking as frightened as ever, but unable to speak due to the placement of the warden's hand over her mouth.
"Let her go!" Lizard screamed. A knife materializing in his hands. He would have killed the warden then and there if he hadn't been holding LouLou, messing up his aim.
The warden smiled. "You, want to try that boy?" he asked, brandishing LouLou like a shield.
Lizard just growled and crouched low, ready to spring the second the warden's attention was distracted. Luckily for Lizard, the clerk barged through the door at just that second; completely distracting the warden. Lizard took his chance and lunged at the warden, stabbing him in the chest, burying the knife up to the hilt. Lizard grabbed LouLou, pulled the knife out, and ran out the door, pushing the clerk aside.The warden just stood there, looking at his chest as blood flowed freely from the wound. The clerk saw it and screamed.
"Oh, shut up lady," The warden said, "I'm not going to die, just call in a doctor."
Meanwhile, Lizard and LouLou ran through the streets, desperately hoping that no one would chase them. Lizard knew he hadn't killed the warden, and he would probably have to pay for that one day. But for now, he just needed to find a place for LouLou and himself to stay.
There was nothing for it, Lizard took LouLou back to the bridge where they had stayed before they had joined Claw's gang. Once they got there Lizard finally allowed LouLou and himself to stop running and take a rest. The bridge was just like he remembered it: Broken boards everywhere, the river's sluggish, stinking flow was clotted with sewage. The smell was almost unbearable; but there just wasn't anywhere else to go that provided any shelter at all. At least the bridge would hide them from the passing glance of a stranger; and the smell would keep away most potential thieves.
When Lizard's inspection took him back to LouLou, he realized that she still looked very scared, her beautiful green eyes were fixed on him, her eyebrows scrunched up in fear. Her lower lip was wobbling like she was about to cry. Lizard just couldn't take it; he went to her and enfolded her in his arms. He didn't ever want to let go of her.
"I'm so sorry LouLou! I promise I won't ever let anything like that ever happen to you again. Will you please forgive me?" he asked.
LouLou nodded and buried her head in his chest, wrapping her skinny little arms around him. Lizard could feel the poor girl's ribs jutting out against his chest. He really had to provide more food for LouLou, but how? No one would hire a poor beggar boy as an apprentice. Lizard just had to find Thad and make him accept him as an apprentice. Tomorrow, Lizard decided as he laid LouLou down on the ground and then lie down beside her to sleep; putting a protective arm around her.


text:
My SuicideMature
This is a poem I wrote earlier this year, it was an attempt at suicide. It may seem I was saved from someone physically alive but really, I stopped myself. I am thinking if I'll be accepted into Heaven. Then reality hit me: I HAVE to stop or I'll lose everything!
I lay pouring out every bit of crimson betrayal
It numbs me to the grave
Descent too extreme for me to be saved
Will I again be denied?
Nothing can stop it, not even tourniquets
I die for deliverance
My soul seeks for six feet under
Pressure building up on my chest
Will I be accepted?
Whispers in the fading black
My shoulders are shaking
My vision blurry and unfocused
Morphed screams boom in my low hearing
Everything moving is slower
I'm being yanked from the warm liquids
I'm rested on the tile floors
My eyes heavy as lead
Neck sore from the full tub
Pressure on wrists and arms
Air comes through my throat and into lungs
I am reclined, broken and naked
Shouts ramming my drums
My throat and mouth intensely burns
My suicide


text:
UPDATE 2-Shaw profit up on higher rates, raises dividend
* Profit C$0.49/share vs C$0.43 a year earlier
* Revenue up 3.1 percent at C$1.32 billion
* Video subscribers fall 23,912 in quarter
* Raises annual dividend rate 5 percent
Jan 9 (Reuters) - Canada's Shaw Communications Inc said on Wednesday that quarterly profit and revenue rose as higher cable and satellite rates offset a net loss of video cable and satellite television subscribers.
It also said it would boost its dividend by 5 percent.
Operating income before amortization jumped 9.2 percent in the media division in the fiscal first quarter that ended Nov. 30 as advertising and subscriber revenue rose.
Shaw, the dominant cable provider in Western Canada, also boosted revenue and operating income before amortization in its bigger cable and satellite divisions.
From late March, the company will pay a monthly dividend equivalent to an annual C$1.02 ($1.03) per Class B share, up from 97 Canadian cents. Continued...


text:
As the flood waters from Hurricane Matthew have been relentless in Edgecombe County, Salvation Army officers, volunteers and staff have kept working harder to bring hope.
Our Blog Posts
Always Faithful
Posted by Ashley Seager on Oct 15, 2016
We knew Hurricane Matthew was coming. We watched as it blew through Haiti, into Florida, over Georgia, and into the Carolinas. We were praying, we were mobilizing and we were prepared.
We're Havin' a Party!
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 14, 2016
Can you imagine what it must be like for a child to have to stay at a temporary shelter, sleeping on cots, surrounded by strangers without any of the comforts of home? It can be hard for children to understand…
We Go Where We Are Needed
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 13, 2016
During disaster service, The Salvation Army's initial support is provided to first responders – those charged with keeping regular citizens like you and I safe. We've already posted about our support for…
Stories from the Frontline
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 12, 2016
When you think about responding to disasters, serving those who need us most, your first thought might not be the most positive. But, what we know is that, when we have an opportunity to provide individuals…
The People You Help
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 11, 2016
At the core The Salvation Army is our mission to "preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination." During disasters, we have the opportunity to minister directly…
We Can Help You
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 10, 2016
After a long day of serving in the Orangeburg area, our canteen crew had stopped at a local Piggly Wiggly grocery store to pick up a donation from the company. While loading supplies a family – a mother…
More than a Chance Encounter
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 10, 2016
The police officer had not eaten since he himself had begun his 14 hour shift earlier that day. His concern for the safety of the public during Hurricane Matthew was a bigger priority to him than his own…
God is (still) Good!
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 09, 2016
The Salvation Army is dedicating to serving individuals impacted by disaster. When things are the most difficult, we want to Do the Most Good that we possibly can, proving food, water, and spiritual and…
An Update from Orangeburg
Posted by Desmond Smith on Oct 08, 2016
As Hurricane Matthew continues to cause problems for the Carolinas, The Salvation Army is actively responding, serving those people that most need our help during this time. In many places across the state,…
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text:
Franchise News Release: Baltimore, MD - (Nov-17-2008)
Bookkeeping Express 'Balances' Maryland Small Business' Need for Certified Services
Bookkeeping Express, the first U.S. Franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, has opened an office in Baltimore today to serve as the corporate hub for its small to mid-size business support services and statewide expansion. With more than 20 year of experience behind it, the new Bookkeeping Express office will offer Baltimore small businesses industry leading certified bookkeepers from a national network of professionals.
In addition to the Baltimore office, Bookkeeping Express recently opened a franchise location in Rockville, Maryland, supporting all of Montgomery County, Maryland.
With more than 140,000 small businesses in Maryland, Bookkeeping Express offers a much-needed service to companies that are not equipped or do not wish to handle accounting responsibilities such as setting up charts of accounts and general ledgers, monthly data entry, processing and managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, producing monthly reports and tax reporting. Plus, Bookkeeping Express utilizes a Custom Flex Pricing Model that is based on the clients' needs instead of a one fits all, hourly billing approach.
The expansion into the Baltimore area is part of the company's aggressive National Franchise Development strategy, which calls for more than 400 new territories, initially targeting growth throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
"The small business community is growing in Baltimore, and Bookkeeping Express is expanding with it," added Jones. "We are looking to grow with franchise partners who are serious about owning a business and sincere about their desire to fill a void in their communities with our distinctive services."
As part of the Bookkeeping Express franchise model, all locations will offer the BKE Connect system, which allows businesses access to all bookkeeping files remotely through an outside server, as well as a dashboard that clearly and visually 'sums' up the business' operations for thorough analysis. Two options available to Bookkeeping Express investors include Master or Area Development territories that can be operated out of home-based or commercial space locations; per territory start-up fees run under $50,000.
About Bookkeeping Express
|Franchise Information
Related Franchise News:
|BookKeeping Express 'Balances' Boston's Small Businesses' Need for Certified Services with Grand Opening of First Area Office
- Apr 12,2012
|Local Entrepreneur Opens BookKeeping Express Office in Bangor, Maine
- Mar 15,2012
|Local Entrepreneur Opens BookKeeping Express Office in Bangor, Maine
- Mar 15,2012
|BookKeeping Express is "Credited" with Introducing Innovative Payment Processing Solutions for its SMB Clients
- Aug 15,2011
|SIB Development & Consulting Launches Strategic Partnership with BookKeeping Express
- Jul 20,2011
|BookKeeping Express Levels the Playing Field for U.S. Business Owners
- Jun 06,2011
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FireSafe Online
Explore provides FireSafe® Online access to assign property specific fire risk. This information is delivered in a secure environment and can be viewed online or in printed format. FireSafe® Online is a simple and convenient way to access the FireSafe® service. Designed for both new applicant processing and web-based re-underwriting, the Online service is an affordable solution for managing low volume or single order policy applications.


text:
JOHANNESBURG: South African government bonds rose on Thursday after higher-than-expected inflation data in the previous session with trading expected to be thin ahead of the Treasury's release of the medium-term budget later in the day.
The yield on the benchmark 3-year bond and the longer dated 14 year paper were both 2 basis points lower at 5.44 and 7.685 percent respectively.
By 0651 GMT, the rand was trading at 8.73 to the dollar, 0.6 percent firmer than Wednesday's New York close of 8.7810.
"The long end of the yield curve will be supported. There may be a little bit of curve flattening," said Michael Grobler, a fixed income analyst at Afrifocus Securities.
"As long as the rand stays below 8.82, there's going to be demand for the long end of our yield curve."
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan faces the hard task of balancing demands, in his mid-term budget speech, for increased social spending from a restive population while reassuring investors and ratings agencies he is committed to reining in the budget deficit.
The minister will deliver the medium-term budget at 1200 GMT.
South Africa's headline consumer inflation accelerated to 5.5 percent year-on-year in September from 5 percent in August, government data said on Wednesday.


text:
Going out for dinner is a good way to bond, much like taking family vacations or celebrating with a chest bump the narrow escape from a vat of glue. Stick together with this Groupon.
Choose Between Two Options
- $17 for $35 worth of Italian cuisine for dinner
- $8 for $16 worth of Italian cuisine for lunch
- Click to view the lunch menu and the dinner menu.
Bertucci's Restaurant
Bertucci's Restaurant evokes a wilderness retreat with log-cabin-style walls, hardwood floors, and a central fireplace on a bed of stone. Exposed rafters teem with greenery and the rising steam of chicken and veal in authentic Italian preparations, in dynamic sauces such as lemon wine and marsala. The open space mingles cozy ambiance with more than enough space for catered banquets that serve up to 100 people. Seafood fillets such as salmon and halibut insulate pasta draped with garlic, olive oil, and marinara. Patrons can venture outside to sip wine or an espresso drink amid the sprawling verandas of Bertucci's open-air patio, where a fountain stands in a pool of water and falcons swoop down to snag unattended cannoli.
Customer Reviews
10331 S Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465
+17082372121Get Directions


text: Be a good witness. Good work on seeking clarification from your issuing authority, and you might consider advanced training in your area. But in any case, making sure you are safe behind a piece of cover while giving an accurate description of what you see (which may not be the whole story of events leading up to the encounter) is universally legal.


text:
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Hugh Hollowell
Pastor & Executive Director at Love Wins Ministries
Hugh is a Mennonite minister and the founding director of Love Wins. He likes peanut M&Ms.
Latest posts by Hugh Hollowell (see all)
- Never Alone - May 1, 2017
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- Asking What Next Instead of Why - March 30, 2017


text:
Tan Boo Liat
Tan Boo Liat was a wealthy Singapore philanthropist.[1] He was the son of Tan Soon Toh, grandson of Tan Kim Ching and great-grandson of Tan Tock Seng. He was educated locally. He was a member of the Singapore Volunteer Infantry and was among the contingent present at King Edward's coronation.[2] He was the head of the Hockien pang in Singapore. He was Chairman of the Pok Chek Kiong Temple's Committee of Management. He was a strong supporter of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and member of the Singapore T'ung Meng Hui along with Lim Boon Keng and Dr. S. C. Yin and a president of the Singapore Kuomintang. He headed the Fukien Protection Fund together with Tan Kah Kee collecting $130,000 during a nine-month campaign.[3]
He was a trustee of the Anglo-Chinese School's Boarding School,[4] and together with Dr. Lim Boon Keng, Sir Song Ong Siang and a few other Straits-born Chinese leaders, he initiated the Singapore Chinese Girls' School.[5]
He had a stable of a dozen racehorses. In 1898 his famous horse, Vanitas won the Viceroy's cup in Calcutta, India, the first time that a horse from the Straits Settlements or the Federated Malay States won this trophy, earning Tan Boo Liat $100,000.[6][7]
He had strong commecial links to Thailand and was honoured by the King of Thailand, two of the things he had in common with his famous grandfather Tan Kim Ching.[4] In 1920 he was awarded the title Phra Anukul Sayamkich.[8][9]
He owned Golden Bell Mansion (built 1901) on Pender Road at the Mount Washington side of Mount Faber, Singapore. Dr. Sun Yat-sen stayed there on 15 December 1911 as did his wife and daughters (February 1912). After Tan Boo Liat's death in Shanghai in 1934 the house was sold. It is currently occupied by the Danish Seaman's Mission.[10][11]
His daughter, Polly Tan Poh Li, married Seow Poh Leng after the death of Seow's first wife.[12]
- ↑ Chinese temple architecture in Singapore by Evelyn Lip, Published by the Singapore University Press, 1983, ISBN 9971690640, ISBN 9789971690649
- ↑ Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources by Arnold Wright 1908; p. 574
- ↑ The Kuomintang Movement in British Malaya, 1912-1949 by Ching Fatt Yong, R. B. McKenna Published by NUS Press, 1990; ISBN 997169137X, 9789971691370; pp. 12, 23, 28, 259, 260, 287
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tan Tock Seng, pioneer: his life, times, contributions, and legacy by Kamala Devi Dhoraisingam, Dhoraisingam S. Samuel, Published by the Natural History Publications (Borneo), 2003, ISBN 9838120790, ISBN 9789838120791
- ↑ The overseas Chinese and the 1911 revolution, with special reference to Singapore and Malaya - East Asian historical monographs (Oxford in Asia series) by Yen Ching Hwang, Qinghuang Yan, Published by the Oxford University Press, 1976
- ↑ Sport in Asian society: past and present (Sport in the global society) By J. A. Mangan, Fan Hong, Published by Routledge, 2003, ISBN 071465342X, ISBN 9780714653426
- ↑ Europe, sport, world: shaping global societies - Volume 3 of The European sports history review by J. A. Mangan, Published by Taylor & Francis, 2001, ISBN 0714681717, ISBN 9780714681719
- ↑ Tagore's Asian outlook by Shakti Das Gupta, Published by Nava Bharati, 1961
- ↑ Siam today Published by the Government Publicity Bureau, Thailand, 1942
- ↑ One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore by Ong Siang Song Published by Oxford University Press, 1985; ISBN 0195826035, 9780195826036
- ↑ Mount Faber by Cornelius-Takahama, Vernon written on 1997-09-29, National Library Board Singapore
- ↑ Emerald Hill, the story of a street in words and pictures by Kip Lin Lee, National Museum (Singapore Architecture) - 1984
Further reading
- Singapore: days of old - "A special commerative history of Singapore published on the 10th Anniversary of Singapore Tatler." -- Cover—published by Illustrated Magazine Publishing Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong), 1992, ISBN 962709319X, ISBN 9789627093190
- The Singapore house, 1819–1942, by Kip Lin Lee, Gretchen Liu, Published by Times Editions, Preservation of Monuments Board, 1988, ISBN 9812040234, ISBN 9789812040237
- A social history of the Chinese in Singapore and Malaya, 1800-1911 Volume 11 of Southeast Asia Publications, by Chʻing-huang Yen, Published by the Oxford University Press, 1986
- Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volumes 50-51 by Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Malaysian Branch, Singapore, Published 1977
- Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Volumes 56-58 by Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Malaysian Branch, Singapore, Published 1983
- A portrait of Malaysia and Singapore (Oxford progressive history) by Ding Eing Tan Published by the Oxford University Press, 1978, ISBN 0195807227, ISBN 9780195807226
- Parliamentary papers, Volume 61 By Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Item notes: v. 61 - 1909, Published by HMSO, 1909
- Singapore: a pictorial history, 1819-2000 by Gretchen Liu, published by Routledge 2001, ISBN 0700715843, ISBN 9780700715848
- Journal of Southeast Asian studies, Volume 12 by Cambridge University Press, Published by McGraw-Hill Far Eastern Publishers, 1981
- Journal of Southeast Asian history, Volume 2 By University of Singapore. Dept. of History, University of Malaya (Singapore, Singapore). Dept. of History, Item notes: v. 2 - 1961
- The 1911 revolution: the Chinese in British and Dutch Southeast Asia (Asian studies series) by Lai To Lee, Published by Heinemann Asia, 1987, ISBN 9971641127, ISBN 9789971641122
- Studies in the Social History of China and South-east Asia - Essays in memory of Victor Purcell, edited by Jerome Ch'en & Nicholas Tarling, Cambridge University Press, 1970, Standard Book Number 521 07452 5
- A History of Singapore By Ernest Chin Tiong Chew, Edwin Lee, Southeast Asian Studies Program (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies), Oxford University Press, 1991, ISBN 0195889177, ISBN 9780195889178
- Reconstructing identities: a social history of the Babas in Singapore by Jürgen Rudolph, Published by Ashgate, 1998, ISBN 1840143576, ISBN 9781840143577
- Tanjong Pagar, Singapore's cradle of development by Tanjong Pagar Citizens' Consultative Committee, Published by Tanjong Pagar Constituency, 1989, ISBN 9813002271, 9789813002272
- Plague fighter: the autobiography of a modern Chinese physician by Lien-tê Wu, Published by W. Heffer, 1959
- Index to the correspondence of the Foreign Office for the year ..., Part 4 by Great Britain. Foreign Office, Published by Kraus-Thomson, 1969
- Community and politics: the Chinese in colonial Singapore and Malaysia by Ching-huang Yen, Published by Times Academic Press, 1995, ISBN 9812100628, 9789812100627
- Wayang: a history of Chinese opera in Singapore by Gretchen Liu, Kuan Wah Pitt, Angelina Phillips, National Archives (Singapore) Published by the National Archives of Singapore, ISBN 9971990857, 9789971990855
- Street names of Singapore by Peter K. G. Dunlop Published by Who's Who Pub., 2000, ISBN 9814062111, 9789814062114
- The first 150 years of Singapore by Donald Moore, Joanna Moore Published by Donald Moore Press; [distributed by Cellar Book Shop, Detroit, Mich., 1969
|The above article was imported from Wikipedia.org on 08/24/2010 and may be a modified version of the Original Wikipedia article. See this article's history page for a list of revisions which may have occurred after import. This article is displayed here courtesy of the Wikimedia Foundation, Wikipedia, and its authors/contributors in compliance with the Wikimedia Terms of Use Agreement. This article was imported and is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License 3.0 (CC-BY-SA). Clicking on photos, videos, or drawings in this article will display copyright and license information for that non-text media where available.


text:
Georgi - Lipids as Mediators of Chondrogenesis
N. Georgi, B. Cillero Pastor, G. Eijkel, P.C. Periyasamy, A. Kiss, C. van Blitterswijk, J.N. Post, R. Heeren, M. Karperien
We have previously demonstrated that cartilage matrix formation is improved in pellet co-cultures of human mesenchymal stromal/stemcells (MSCs) and human primary chondrocytes (hPCs) under normoxic culture
conditions (21% O2). This co-culture effect is attributed to the MSC specific
expression of FGF-1. Under hypoxic culture conditions (2.5% O2), we
observed that there was a decrease in chondrogenic differentiation in co-
cultures as compared to the normoxic culturing conditions. For clinical
applications it is plausible that cotransplantation of MSCs and chondrocytes
into the defect results in improved cartilage repair. Until now it remains
unclear how FGF-1 expression is regulated under the reduced oxygen level
normally present in the joint. It has been underlined that hypoxia (reduced
oxygen availability) and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) are essential in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. Moreover, it has been shown that primary chondrocytes perform better under reduced oxygen levels. However, only limited research has been performed to understand how hypoxia in the joint environment might influence cellular performance. Differential expression of proteins, lipids and other components indicate the
unique behaviour of cells under different environmental conditions. In this
study we aimed to identify the mechanism leading to the loss of co-
cultureeffect under hypoxic conditions.


text:
Ranger's Apprentice
|John Flanagan
|Fantasy, Adventure
|1 November 2004 – 1 October 2013
|Media type
|No. of books
|Preceded by
|The Tournament at Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years)
|Followed by
Ranger's Apprentice is a series written by Australian author John Flanagan. The first novel in the series, titled The Ruins of Gorlan, was released in Australia on 1 November 2004 by John Flanagan. Twelve books have been released in Australia and New Zealand, with other countries following behind. The series follows the adventures of Will, an orphan who is taken as an apprentice Ranger, as he strives to keep the Kingdom of Araluen safe from invaders, traitors, and threats. He is joined on his adventures by his mentor Halt and his best friend Horace.
Author John Flanagan has stated that he will be writing a total of twelve books for the series, including a follow-up title taking place 16 years later.[1] He is currently working on a new series in the same world, but with new characters and taking place in Skandia, called Brotherband. The sixth book in the series came out June 10, 2016.
The series has sold three million copies in 16 countries. The series was originally twenty short stories Flanagan wrote for his son to get him interested in reading. Ten years later, Flanagan found the stories again and decided to turn them into a book.[citation needed] BookPeople, a bookstore in Austin, Texas, helped promote the book through a five-day camp. The series is well praised by critics.
A prequel series called Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years began being released 6 October 2015.[2]
|This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (April 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Alongside the other people, Will is an orphan (called ward in the story) in Castle Redmont. At age 15, the orphans are expected to either become an apprentice of one of the masters at Redmont Fief or to work in the fields. Will wanted to be a knight, but realized he would likely be denied. After being denied apprenticeship by the various Craftsmasters, Will is selected by Halt to become a ranger. Rangers are the intelligence force and unofficial "spies" of Araluen. They have mastered the art of unseen and unheard movement, camouflage, knife throwing, knife fighting skills and archery. After being an apprentice for a few days, Will's teacher, a legendary Ranger named Halt, takes Will to see his new horse. With Tug, Will trains in the skills needed to pass his assessment at the annual Ranger Gathering. However, The Gathering is cut short with rumors of Morgarath's underlings, ugly creatures that look like dogs but walk upright, called Wargals. According to the rumours, they have broken through the Three Step Pass, the only known access into Morgarath's lair in the Mountains of Rain and Night by direct route from Araluen. Will, Gilan, and Halt pursue the Kalkara, two monstrous creatures with a transfixing gaze, sent on a mission to assassinate Halt. Gilan gives his horse to Will and he travels to Castle Redmont to fetch help. Halt kills one of the Kalkara but is injured in the process. Will then arrives just in time and kills the beast with a flaming arrow.
In the second book, The Burning Bridge, a war is approaching and Will, Gilan, and Horace, Will's friend, are sent to Celtica to ask for reinforcements. However, when they arrive, every town is deserted. Only an Araluen girl named Evanlyn can tell them what has happened. Wargals have kidnapped and slaughtered some of the population and forced the rest to flee. Gilan moves on ahead of Will and Horace to report to the King. Meanwhile, Will, Horace, and Evanlyn ride about a day behind Gilan and encounter Wargals. They follow them to the Fissure; a deep gorge thought to be impassable. The Celtica miners were all captured to complete a bridge across the Fissure, and a tunnel through the cliffs above up to Morgarath's lair. The bridge and tunnel would allow Morgarath's army to assault the King's army straight from behind and crushing it. Will, Horace and Evanlyn who is, in truth, the Crown Princess Cassandra. Horace tells Gilan what happened and they ride back to the main army. They inform the king and his advisers of Morgarath's plan, and the king dispatches an auxiliary force, led by Halt, to stop a force of Skandians that has come up from the coast to outflank the king's army.
Halt succeeds in destroying the Skandian force and he returns to the king with a plan. Halt's troops dress in the unmistakable horned helmets of the dead Skandians and take their shields, leading Morgarath to believe that the Skandians are ready to outflank the king. This goads Morgarath into ordering his Wargals to charge into the open plain. However, just as the armies are about to collide, the king's army parts in the middle, and Halt's cavalry charge down the open centre at the advancing Wargals. The Wargals, who are afraid only of horses, are demolished by Halt's cavalry, and by the king's horsemen who join in the assault. Seeing his army destroyed, Morgarath offers a flag of truce and prepares to challenge Halt to single combat to avenge his own defeat.
Halt nearly accepts Morgarath's challenge, but Horace challenges Morgarath instead. Because he is wildly inexperienced, while Morgarath is an accomplished warrior, Horace is hopelessly outmatched by Morgarath. However, by diving under the hooves of Morgarath's steed, Horace manages to dismount him. Fighting on foot, Horace's sword is broken, but he uses a Ranger tactic, the "double knife defense", to stop Morgarath's next attack, and he stabs Morgarath through the heart with the knife.
Will and Cassandra are taken as slaves to Skandia, a frozen, pine forested country north-east across the Constant Sea at Araluen border. Will is forced to work outside in the bitter cold of the Yard. He quickly becomes addicted to warmweed, a drug that gives a person warmth, but also destroys the mind. The Skandian who captured Will and Cassandra, Erak, sets up a plot to rid Will of his addiction and escape with Cassandra. The two succeed in escaping, and take refuge in a small log cabin for winter. While there, Will overcomes his addiction with much help from Cassandra. To rescue Will and Cassandra, Horace and Halt also set off for Skandia by crossing into Gallica and making their way north along the coast.
While foraging for food, Cassandra is captured by a Temujai warrior. The Temujai are a fierce, nomadic tribe of horse warriors from the east and are masters of the recurve bow. Will tries to rescue her, but fails until Horace and Halt come along. Halt captures one Temujai and realizes the Temujai are back to try and take over the western world again. Twenty years earlier, they almost succeeded until politics and a serving of bad shellfish got in the way. Halt agrees to help Skandia drive off the Temujai since Halt feels if the Temujai defeat the Skandians, they will then attack Teutlandt, Gallica, and at last, Araluen. The Skandians make use of Halt's knowledge of the Temujai tactics, and Will takes charge of a force of archers to use in the upcoming battle against the Temujai.
During the battle, the Skandians surprise the Temujai with their archers, and they use the archers to destroy the Temujai tactical system. The Temujai manage to destroy the archers in a massive assault, but it is already too late, and the Temujai are forced to withdraw or risk having their previous conquests revolt. The Skandian "Oberjarl" Ragnak, is killed in the battle, and Erak is elected to succeed him. Erak makes a pact with the Araluens, and agrees to stop massed attacks against Araluen resulting in the end of constant Skandian raids against the Araluen coast.
Erak's Ransom takes place in between books 4 and 5, a few months before Will receives his Silver Oakleaf. Skandian Oberjarl Erak Starfollower goes on one last raid to Arrida. However, he gets captured for a ransom while he is attempting to raid Al Shabah, a province in Arrida. Because Erak believes that he was betrayed by Toshak, a Skandian, the raiding party goes to Araluen for the ransom money. Princess Cassandra goes to Arrida to negotiate prices with Selethen, the Wakir (leader) of Al Shabah. Will, Gilan, Halt, Horace, and thirty of Erak's men go along for protection. They are also there to deliver the ransom. After the negotiation is over, Selethen reveals that Erak was being held in Mararoc, a fort in the desert, so they travel there. However, Erak is stolen by the Tualaghi, a merciless nomadic tribe of devil worshipers. The rescue party, with the help of the Bedullin tribe, eventually kill the leader of the Tualaghi and free Erak. Princess Cassandra reasons that she no longer has to pay the ransom to the Arridi, because the Tualaghi held Erak when the Araluens saw him. Nevertheless, she decides to pay twenty thousand reels of silver each to the Bedullin and the Arridi. At the end of the book, Will is promoted to full Ranger and is awarded a Silver Oakleaf.
Note: The Gallic language is almost identical to the French language.
First mission[edit]
After receiving his Silver Oakleaf and being given Seacliff fief to take care of, Will takes on his first mission as a full Ranger throughout the books of The Sorcerer in the North and The Siege of Macindaw. A few weeks after arriving in the fief, Will is sent north to Macindaw to investigate claims of sorcery. The lord of Castle Macindaw, Syron, was struck down. Many believe a sorcerer to be the cause of the illness since Syron's ancestor was also murdered by a sorcerer who some think is Orman, Syron's son; or Malkallam, an old sorcerer who poisoned Syron's ancestor. Alyss is sent up to help Will, but is captured by the rogue knight Keren, responsible for poisoning Syron and Orman. Will manages to escape with Orman and his assistant Xander, and enlists the help of the sorcerer who is in fact a gifted healer called Malcolm. Horace is also sent up north by Halt to provide back-up.
To rescue the castle, Alyss, Horace and Will devise a plan. They receive the help of the Skandians that Will gave supplies to and use them to assault the castle. Horace explains that to successfully capture a castle, a three-to-one ratio is needed. With only about 25 Skandians and 35 soldiers in the castle this would seem impossible. Will hears a rumour of a Scotti Invasion so he captures General MacHaddish, who tells him the plan. Malcolm sets up some conjurations that draw the attention of the soldiers in the castle to one side, while Will and Horace infiltrate the castle using a strange upside-down cart. Soon the Skandians also enter the castle. Will quickly climbs up to the tower where Alyss is being held. However, Keren hypnotised Alyss into believing Will is the enemy, and orders her to kill him. As she holds a sword above her head to kill him, Will tells Alyss, that he loves her, and the hypnosis is broken. As Keren attacks Will, she throws acid into his face and Keren stumbles backwards and falls out the window (which Alyss had weakened with the same acid) while the Skandians, led by Horace, are able to take control of the castle.
Will returns to his fief with his first mission as a full Ranger a success. At his log cabin he receives a letter from Alyss stating that Will told her in a dream that he loved her, and that Horace has told her that although it seems like a dream, it might not be. At the end of her letter she writes "I love you, Will." Will leaves his log cabin again with Tug, to deliver his own letter to Alyss.
The Outsiders[edit]
In The Kings of Clonmel and Halt's Peril, Will, Halt and Horace are sent to Clonmel to prevent a cult called the Outsiders from taking power. The cult offers to protect a village from bandits that are actually part of the Outsiders in exchange for gold. When the village has been stripped of its possessions, the cult runs off to the next village. In this fashion, they take over five of the six kingdoms of Hibernia. Halt, Will and Horace are sent to Clonmel, the last kingdom, to try to prevent the cult from expanding into Araluen. Halt tries to persuade his twin brother, King Ferris, to use his troops to drive the cult out. In the end, the cult loses power in Clonmel, but the leader, Tennyson, runs away to try to reach the other five sections, which he controls. During the confusion when Tennyson escapes, King Ferris is killed by a Genovesan assassin, and Halt's nephew becomes king. Will, Halt and Horace leave Clonmel to chase the false prophet.
After reaching a smuggler's port and managing to get information on Tennyson's whereabouts, the trio hires a ship to take them to Picta, where a smuggler had taken him. The chase is on as the three pursue him through a drowned forest, and finally, at an encounter with Tennyson's hired assassins, Halt is shot with a poisoned arrow and incapacitated.
Due to Picta's geographical location being near Macindaw, Will does a tiring one-day one-night ride to reach Malcolm, the man that is the best healer in all of Araluen, if not the world. After bringing the healer back, Will learns that Halt was poisoned with a toxin that has another toxin extremely similar to it, and they both have antidotes, but the wrong one will kill him. Will then captures the assassin that fired the arrow, and forces him into telling which type of toxin he used by poisoning the assassin with his own poison, and Malcolm cures Halt. Later that night, the assassin tries to escape, but Will manages to kill him before he does.
The group, on the move again, manage to find that Tennyson is up to his old tricks again and is trying to swindle the money out of more countrymen. Using Halt's similarity to King Ferris, whom Tennyson murdered, they manage to discredit Tennyson in front of the farmers. They proceed to use their reputation as Rangers and drive the men off. Will manages to kill Tennyson by dropping the entire batch of Malcolm's self-made smoke bombs, causing a cave-in that kills Tennyson and his followers in the debris, giving Halt, Horace, and Will a heroes' welcome when they return to Araluen.
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja[edit]
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja begins with Horace and George(from the Ward) in Nihon-Ja, speaking with their Emperor, Shigeru. Meanwhile, Will, Halt, Selethen, and Alyss are watching a Toscan general demonstrate his military tactics while at a treaty signing between the Toscans and the Arridi, both allies of Araluen. During a ride in which the Emperor of Nihon-Ja accompanies Horace and George back to the city in which they could sail back home, they are told by the Emperor's Cousin, Shuikin, that there has been a coup against the Emperor. Furthermore, a Senshi (Skilled Nihon-Jan swordsmen) ambush nearly succeeds in killing the Emperor, but Horace intervenes and decides to help the seemingly ill-fated Emperor find a legendary, impenetrable fortress known as Ran-Koshi while George goes to the nearest city and sends word to the famous Ranger duo. Back in Toscana, the Crown Princess of Araluen, Cassandra, appears and enlists the help of the two Rangers, Alyss, and Selethen to go after Horace, using Gundar Hardstriker's ship (From Books 5 and 6). En route to Ran-Koshi, Horace's party befriends the local woodworkers known as the Kikori. For Halt's party, they encounter a pirate ship but make short work of it. After paying a Kikori village for their hospitality, people from that village catch up and tell the Emperor that a Senshi scouting party destroyed their village. From then on, Kikori of various villages came to join Horace's group on the trek to Ran-Koshi. Halt's group hits Nihon-Ja and they arrive at an inn, making a rendezvous with an ally of the Emperor. Horace, on the other hand, allows Shuikin and a few Senshi delay Arisaka's enormous Senshi party of around five-hundred while they buy more time by crossing a bridge and destroying it. In this encounter, Horace drops his sword into a ravine. Halt's group learns of Horace's whereabouts and Horace's group hits Ran-Koshi – . Horace's group settles in while Halt's group sails around and enters the plot of land nearest to Ran-Koshi. Halt's group is apprehended by a Kikori scouting patrol, but when presented to Horace, he recognises them and gives them a warm welcome. They set up a large wooden wall to stop Arisaka's army, and in the first day, they manage a victory with about two losses. Horace gets a new sword, which was Shuikin's dying present. The girls, (Cassandra and Alyss) set out across an enormous lake in a canoe to recruit a gigantic tribe of warriors allied with the Emperor: the Hassanu. Will, noting how the Kikori work together excellently, copies the Toscan general at the beginning of the book and forms the same fighting position as he does. They launch an attack against the second Senshi scouting party, and in this encounter, Will manages to intercept a flying arrow and Horace kills the enemy in single combat. Alyss and Cassandra manage to make it to the other side of the giant lake and establish contact with the Hassanu, but they find out that they are not willing to cross a forest en route to Ran-Koshi due to a "malevolent spirit." Alyss and Cassandra set out to kill the malevolent spirit. Arisaka's main party arrives near Ran-Koshi, but due to heavy snows, wait for spring to begin their assault. Alyss and the Princess discover that the "spirit" was actually a giant snow tiger, and after a fierce battle, kill it. Spring arrives, and Halt's group attacks Arisaka using their two shield walls. The battle seems evened out until Arisaka's reinforcements arrive. Then, as Will and co. are regrouping, Alyss and Cassandra arrive with the Hassanu. Before a bloody battle can start, the Emperor calls a truce in which they manage to convince everyone, including Arisaka's army, that the Emperor is truly a good man and Arisaka was a power-hungry fool. Arisaka is enraged by this and kills the man nearest to him. Will directly confronts him and kills him with a well-placed throwing knife. On the way back to Araluen, they discuss their nicknames given to them by the Nihon-Jan, with Horace's being Kurokuma (Black Bear/Eating Prowess), Selethen's being Taka (Hawk/Nose or Fighting Capability.), Alyss's being Tsuru (Crane/Obvious), Cassandra's being Kitsune (Fox/Because she's speedy), Halt's being ... Halt, and Will's being Chocho (Butterfly/Because his mind is as nimble as one). On the return trip to Araluen, Horace and Cassandra announce that they are engaged. The book ends with Will making a very, very poor attempt at proposing to Alyss and Alyss marching off in mock indignation.
Note: The Nihon-Jan language is basically Japanese using Romaji. They are also explained in the book.
The Lost Stories[edit]
The Lost Stories consists of 10 different short stories. It contains a foreword set in July 1896 in Redman County (Formerly Castle Redmont) situated in The Republic of Aralan States (Formerly the medieval Kingdom of Araluen) where Professor Giles MacFarlane has set up a digging expedition to uncover any important pieces of history. They had unearthed a granite plaque, carved with the likeness of a tusked boar, signifying that the area was once Castle Redmont. In the third season of digging, they had not found anything as important as that first one. The professor was losing hope until one of the young volunteers named Audrey rushed up to him and informed him of a cabin they had found outside the village limits. They discovered a secret compartment in the floor containing an ancient wood and brass chest. The chest contained The Lost Stories of Araluen, which picked up the stories of the Rangers after their return from Nihon-Ja.
The Royal Ranger[edit]
The Royal Ranger opens to a chilling contrast of the established Will. Years after the other books, he has become bitter and depressed after the loss of Alyss who died saving a girl from a burning inn lit by Jory Ruhl. Because of this, Will becomes obsessed with hunting the man down. Worried about Will's state, his friends attempt to help him. After multiple failed attempts, Halt suggests the bestowing upon Will of an apprentice. He also suggests Princess Madelyn (Maddie) for this role as her parents, Horace and Cassandra, are desperate to keep her under control. She is overwhelmed when she reaches the cabin as she was expecting a holiday of sorts rather than the cruel Ranger training. To enforce the gravity of the situation Will reveals to her that she has been disinherited by her parents until such a time as she can prove herself. As Maddie adjusts to life as a Ranger, she slowly helps to remedy Will's bitterness and soften his heart. It is not long before the pair are set on their first mission, to investigate the suspicious death of Ranger Liam. They soon discover the cause was a group of slavers kidnapping children, led by Jory Ruhl, using the story of the stealer in the night to frighten them into keeping quiet. When they confront the group, Maddie succeeds in freeing the children but Will is captured and condemned to be burnt at the stake. Once the children are safe, Maddie pulls off a daring rescue but is injured in the process. Will then manages to treat her wounds and kill Ruhl. When they return, Maddie is presented with her bronze oakleaf, officiating her apprenticeship. Her mother also offers to reinstate her as princess but, much to the Queen's surprise, she declines, instead wanting to continue her training.
Main characters[edit]
- Will- The hero of this series, he is a Ranger and later marries Alyss. In "The Siege of Macindaw", it states that he has brown hair and big eyes.
- Alyss- As Will's wife, she is a diplomat and described as a graceful woman with fair skin and hair.
- Horace- He is a knight and the husband of Evanlyn/Cassandra. He is Will's best friend, though in part of the first book he is somewhat of an antagonist. He is always hungry, and has a witty sense of humor.
- Evanlyn/Cassandra- The princess of Araluen and wife of Horace. She is very brave, and has honey-colored blonde hair and big brown eyes. She is described as pretty, but standing next to Alyss she is said to look a little tomboyish.
- Halt- Will's trainer as an apprentice; a man with a very bad sense of humor. He never seems to be happy or content, and one character states that "it's like he has a storm cloud over his head."
Publishing history and origins[edit]
John Flanagan stated that he first wrote the series as short stories for his son to get him interested in reading. This continued for about 20 weeks.[3] Ten years later, John Flanagan found the stories again and decided to turn them into the first book, The Ruins of Gorlan. However, he never knew that the one book would be able to turn into so many volumes. He still does not know how many books there will be in total. Instead, Flanagan states "I haven't set a limit. If I have an idea that will progress the characters, I'll write it. But I don't want to find myself jumping up and down on the same spot, as it were."[4]
The inspiration for the series comes from many sources, including family, friends, and European times. Rangers are based on two groups of people, the Texas Rangers and the US Army Rangers of World War II. Although the US Rangers were based on British Commandos, Flanagan felt it would be better to use Rangers because of the medieval setting of the book.[4] The mythical world of the story is based on England, Europe, and Scandinavia because Flanagan was inspired by "English and European culture and history". Besides this, John Flanagan is also interested in military subjects, which helped him write the battle scenes.[4] Celtica's mining culture is like Wales while Gallica takes its name and language from medieval France in its chivalric age around the year 1300.[5]
Some of the books' characters were based on Flanagan's family and friends. Will was based on Flanagan's son Michael; both are agile, quick and quite short.[6] John Flanagan also made Will small in size because he wanted to show his son that there's an advantage to being small.[3] The exchanges between Halt and Will are taken from conversations between Flanagan and his son as a teenager. Horace was inspired by Michael's best friend Jeremey.[6] In the original story however, Flanagan made Horace a villain at first, but then in the first book, Morgarath became the real villain and Horace was "rehabilitated" as a main character.[7] Skandians were taken from Norse culture and Vikings, which Flanagan found interesting as a child.[7] The gods and deities of the Skandians were taken from Norse mythology and Greek mythology. The god Loka mentioned a few times is based on Loki, the god of deceit.[7] The Vallas, the trio of gods, are based on the Moirai.[7]
Rights to sell Ranger's Apprentice have gone to 16 countries including North America (where Oakleaf Bearers is better known as The Battle for Skandia), United Kingdom, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.[8] In Australia, the seventh book, Erak's Ransom, reached number two on Australian children's charts.[8] The series has been on The New York Times Best Seller list for 77 weeks as of 13 December 2013.[9] As of 2010, over 5 million copies had been sold in the United States alone.[10]
John Flanagan states in an interview that the main theme is, "the eventual triumph of good over evil." He feels that although it does not always happen in real life, it should.[4] Another theme especially prominent throughout Oakleaf Bearers is "the primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty."[11] This is shown when Erak's friendship helps Will and Evanlyn escape which allows the Araluens and Skandians to drive away the Temujai. Other themes include courage, loyalty, and that a person can do anything if they tried hard enough.[4] One review noted that "themes of loyalty, bravery, endurance and friendship leave young readers in safe hands as they learn to navigate dangerous waters on their own."[5]
BookPeople, which also created Camp Half-Blood from Percy Jackson & the Olympians, created a Ranger's Apprentice Corps Training Camp based on the books. A total of 75 kids from the ages of 9–12 were chosen from 1,300 entries.[10] A letter was sent to the kids from the voice of Will, actually written by John Flanagan, which stated they would learn "all the skills I was taught by Halt [Will's Ranger mentor] in the woods around Castle Redmont", including "archery, tracking, and the art of concealment and unseen movement."[10] The 75 campers were divided into 12 fiefdoms where they were taught the skills and at the end, every kid received a T-shirt, a silver oak leaf pin, and a gold-embossed Ranger's Apprentice bookmark. This was the first literary camp that has sold out and has a waiting list besides Camp Half-Blood.[10] There are also plans for another camp in the following summer.
Critical reception[edit]
Ranger's Apprentice has been well received by many reviewers. One part many reviewers praised was the vivid details during battles.[12] Another review also praised the imagery and stated, "vivid imagery and detail make the medieval-like elements believable"[13] A review for The Ruins of Gorlan stated, "filled with rich detail and plenty of edge-of-your-seat thrills" again praising the details.
Another aspect commonly praised is the fact that Will, the main protagonist still asks for the help of others.[12] A review for The Icebound Land stated the same thing writing, "Though talented and intelligent, [Will] makes mistakes and he often needs help from those around him – making him a very realistic and appealing protagonist."[14]
One reviewer from Booklist noted that although in The Burning Bridge the point of view constantly shifted, it is not confusing and also stated, "Will's vivid world will entice fantasy readers who are drawn by the lure of high adventure carried out by believable, down-to-earth heroes."[15] In another review by School Library Journal, the review was on Oakleaf Bearers and praised the book on the high tensions raised and recommended it to people who enjoy action and adventure.[16]
However, not all reviews were completely positive. One reviewer thought that the Wargals sounded and were too alike to Urgals in the Inheritance Cycle. The same reviewer also felt that the story was not very original stating, "from the very beginning, it was a story I'd heard before."[17] At the end the reviewer stated, "The books aren't horrible. They're just nothing new."
In a review for The Ruins of Gorlan, the reviewer stated "the pace is a good balance between character development and action, and the rivalry between Horace and Will is developed in a satisfactory way." It also praised how the writing is very descriptive without being dry or slow.[18]
The Ranger's Apprentice has won numerous awards. The series was one of the honour books for the Koala Winners in 2009.[19] The seventh book, Erak's Ransom, was chosen as the Books of the Year for Older Children and the International Success Award.[20] The first and fourth book won the Aurealis Awards while the third book was highly commended[21] Then, the first, second and fifth book each earned the Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book.[21] The first book was also the Longlisted for the Ottakar's Book Prize for 2006–2007 and the first book also was nominated for the Grand Canyon Reader Award in 2008.[21]
Film adaptation[edit]
As of 7 January 2008, United Artists has optioned the film rights for The Ruins of Gorlan and is in talks with Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis to adapt and direct the movie.[22] When John Flanagan first heard the news he said:
It's just so overwhelming to see that the Ranger's series is set to head off in yet another exciting direction. When I think how this all started as a series of twenty short stories written for my son Michael, it sets my head spinning to think there's the distinct possibility that it will now be translated into movies and seen by millions of people around the world.[8]
John Flanagan stated in a Facebook Q&A that the funds for the movie have been acquired and auditions would be held in the Summer of 2015, in either Ireland or England.[23] Production starts in the fall of 2016.[24]
- ^ Chandler, Ben. "John Flanagan – Author Interview". The Australian Literature Review. http://auslit.net. Retrieved 6 October 2010. External link in
- ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (26 March 2015). "Got 'Insurgent' Withdrawal? John Flanagan's New Series Will Totally Help". MTV News. Viacom. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
- ^ a b "We Interview: John Flanagan". Washington Post. 23 July 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "RangersApprenticeGUIDE" (PDF). Pengin Group. Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Kids Read Review The Burning Bridge". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
- ^ a b "John Flanagan – Penguin Group". Penguin Group. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Kidsread.com – John Flanagan Interview". Kidsread.com. June 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ a b c "Ranger's Apprentice Film Rights Sell". Random House. Retrieved 28 June 2010.
- ^ "Children's Books – List – NYTimes.com". NYTimes.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d Kirch, Claire (24 June 2010). "Bookpeople Launches New Literary Camp". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Oakleaf Bearers Review". Retrieved 27 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Infoplease Reivew". Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ Reutter, Vicki (1 December 2007). "The Icebound Land: The Ranger's Apprentice, Book 3 (unabr.). (Brief article) (Audiobook review) (Children's review)". School Library Journal. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ^ Raklovits, Amanda (1 August 2007). "Flanagan, John. The Icebound Land. (The Icebound Land: Ranger's Apprentice Series, vol. 3) (Brief article) (Children's review) (Book review)". School Library Journal. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ^ Phelan, Carolyn (15 May 2006). "Flanagan, John. The Burning Bridge. (Book review)". Booklist. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ^ Collier, Ginny (1 June 2008). "Flanagan, John. The Battle for Skandia. (Brief article) (Children's review) (Book review)". School Library Journal. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
- ^ "The Spotted Mushroom Review". Retrieved 29 June 2010.
- ^ "Tweens Reading Blogspot Review". Retrieved 1 July 2010.
- ^ "Koala Winners 2009". Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ "Brooks wins Book of the Year". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ a b c "Ruins of Gorlan on Judyoz". Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ^ Carly Mayberry (7 January 2008). "Haggis may direct Ranger's Apprentice kids movie". Reuters. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
- ^ "Timeline Photos - Ranger's Apprentice - Facebook". facebook.com.
- ^ "'Ranger's Apprentice' to Be Adapted as Film, Financed by Chinese Firm". nytimes.com.


text:
Not ForgottenMature
Time-travel. Time-travel. Tiiime, trraaavelll. I still tried to convince myself that this was all some alien dream. Sugar! How much time had I spent outside the house trying to grasp this new concept instead of trying to find some clues? Too long. I ran through the door, up the stairs and into Simon's bedroom. Funny that. I ran through the door but my feet were solid going up the stairs, something else to explore when this was all over and done with. He was still setting up his webcam, damn! I needed to wait until he left the house or went downstairs until I could search his draws. I peered at his desktop screen while he was connecting his webcam and microphone. Mozilla, Chrome, media player, file sizer, games... Normal. There was nothing that could give another clue. I scowled as I grew more and more frustrated. As I paced around the room I heard Simon talking. Not to me of course, this was his last entry! I had to listen in, this was the only one that neither I nor Joe had read yet.
"I came on this Earth to save the human population. I was so foolish, thinking I could do this on my own. Rex is dead, the Vorei will prevail and I will have failed."
What was he talking about? Who was Rex, and the Vorei? Was this related to Nathan Vore or something? He was talking like he was an alien or something, ridiculous, preposterous even! Well, not quite. Not as ridiculous as wanting to commit suicide while having a great life with great friends and family. Not as strange as befriending his worst enemy and ditching his best friends. Not as ridiculous as being able to time-travel. I listened intently to everything he had to say, and somehow, it even made sense. Was I going crazy? Yes. Definitely. But why suicide? What was making him desperate to live and die at the same time?
"I've given the Vorei leader the ability to control minds..."
I gasped. It was like the realisation of everything that was happening that explained Simon and his actions had just hit me like a netball in the face. The weird hugs. The way he ran. How he couldn't play football but could throw a ball half a mile. I started to silently cry. Tears streamed down my cheeks like Niagra Falls and I couldn't stop. "Oh Simon! I'm so sorry. I didn't know! How could I have known? But I should have, oh my god what's going to happen to us? Are we going to die? Simon, please talk to me!" Of course he could hear nothing.
"This is Simon Wellick signing out."
Simon switched off and packed away his equipment. He started writing on what looked like an abnormally large post-it note. Jen. I have rigged my laptop so that all the files and programmes on my laptop will delete themselves in 20 minutes. Joe and yourself should be here in 15. By my radar compass the Vorei should be arriving in half an hour. This should give past you enough time to copy my video-diary. Whatever you do don't let your past selves leave any trace of me or them for the Vorei to find, that could jeopardize the whole moment at this crucial stage. P.S This message will self-destruct in 15 seconds. Once I had finished writing, the note disintegrated into a little pile of ash. I brushed the remains off into his paper bin next to his desk; I didn't remember seeing that the last time I came here. When I turned round he was gone. Right, time to go to work. I reached for the closest draw to the desk and my hand passed right through it. I started to scowl but stopped myself. Focus Jen. I bet the only reason why you were able to climb those stairs was because you willed it. I slowly formed what my fingers would feel like around the handle, closed my eyes and imagined pulling it open. It worked. But my hand wasn't even near the handle. Wow! I had become some sort of poltergeist! I levitated the papers out of the draw and checked through them all. Nothing. I put them back, closed the next draw and opened another. Nothing again. I started flying all his papers across the room, frantic and desperate to find a hint, a clue, something. But still nothing. All that was left was the video diary. But I had seen every entry; Joe must have too by now. I wonder how he felt? I looked around at the catastrophe I'd created. Hehe. So that was how this room became a mess when I'd got here. I heard whispering. It was me.
"Shh! Be quiet Joe. He might still be inside."
"Why is the gate open?"
"I don't know actually. Hello? Mrs Wellick? Simon? Is anyone here?" I am. I'm here.
"Jen. There's no-one there, and I mean literally no-one. And have you seen the state of his room? We should go investigate."
"Exactly." I watched them walk upstairs and gawp at the state of Simon's room. Ooops. My bad.
"Have you noticed that everything has been moved except his laptop? I am definitely going to check that out."
"I'm really worried about him Jen, what are we gonna do?"
You'll find out Joe, soon enough.
"We'll find out Joe, soon enough."
"Is that all there is? Never mind, go back and copy all the contents of the folder"
"That's what I'm doing. Right, there I'm done. Quick let's get out of here!" I watched them as they dashed at of the room and out the house. I wandered back into Simon's room and cried in despair as I noticed what I had missed. The lid! The memory stick lid! My memory stick lid was lying on the side of the laptop with a little label with Jen written on. Simon said the Vorei would be here any second now, they would find the lid, they would find me. I started to tremble with panic. I needed to get back. I needed to tell Joe. This madness, it was all real, and I had just made my first mistake.
My body started to fade away and my hand was starting to slip through my own heart as I slipped back through time to Joe...


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ArtWorks Cymru:
Developing Practice in
Participatory Settings
ArtWorks Cymru is running a range of projects across the next two years designed to create a community of practice around participatory arts in Wales
ArtWorks Cymru is driven by a partnership made up of artist and arts organisations from across Wales
ArtWorks Cymru host a range of
resources for arts practitioners in our Knowledge Zone
Wednesday 2nd November 10am | Moot Court CA AH104, 1st Floor Atlantic House Building Cardiff CF10 4AZ
ArtWorks Cymru is a two year programme based in Wales developing practice in participatory settings, and supporting the continuing professional development of artists at different stages of their career working in participatory settings.
From 2015 to 2017, ArtWorks Cymru is undertaking a range of activity including a call out for artists to run Learning Groups based around different contexts, two seed fund rounds, and a range of network events including a conference in Autumn 2016.
Here you will find a range of resources relating to participatory practice, quality, evaluation, and more. We also have an archive of videos for you to watch. Please contact us if you have come across a good resource or have one yourself that you would like to share.