text:
I have researched coolsculpting for almost two years, including reading every review on this website (which is why I'm writing one), and finally had it done yesterday. I am very skeptical of any type of non-surgical fat reduction device, but I'm convinced this one is effective.
I'm 27, 5'7" 128lbs, work out regularly (6 times a week), and eat very clean healthy and vegan. The procedure itself is fine, the first 10mins are weird and uncomfortable, but not painful at all for me. The machine does suck so hard though, I really got a little worried about my organs for a few minutes, so silly. I've had really no pain whatsoever. Not swollen, bruised or red, but just a little tender, similar to a sunburn. I tried going for a run today, but that hurt. I was able to ride a bike and do crunches just fine though. Fingers crossed, I'll be posting updates and results!


text:
Tag: "Dick Clark"
Farewell to a Jim Dandy Gentleman
By Mike Kinosian
Managing Editor
LOS ANGELES — The broadcasting industry took another hit last week as Jim Lange succumbed to a heart attack.
In much the same way the late Dick Clark never seemed to age, some were shocked that the always youthful-looking Lange was actually 81 when he passed away at his Mill Valley, California home.
Several years ago – during my tenure as special features editor for the trade publication Inside Radio – the two of us had an extended conversation; the result was one of my in-depth personality profiles.
That chat laid the foundation for what became a continuing friendship. It was a privilege to remain in contact with the gracious and hospitable Lange, who was most deserving of the "Gentleman Jim" handle.
As a tribute, here are edited/condensed/updated highlights from that profile, which began by theorizing, if those at Guinness ever concocted a world record category for "Person Throwing The Most Kisses on Television," Lange would be the hands-down winner.
The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is… Ourselves.
Jason Bailey
Sun Broadcast Group, Inc.
NEW YORK — It was another sad week for network radio as more great people: mothers, fathers, sons and daughters… dreamers of great ideas, writers of great content, communicators of the stories that shape our world, were sent to the unemployment line. Was it greed? Was it failure to evolve? Was it competition? Maybe. But in my humble opinion it was something simpler yet more devastating… Fear. Fear to be bold, fear to take risks and most important, fear to defend.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Entertainment Industry Mourns Passing of Dick Clark. The music, television and radio industries are mourning the passing of pioneer broadcaster Dick Clark, who died on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack at age 82. In addition to his numerous other contributions to the entertainment industry, Clark co-founded United Stations Radio Networks with Nick Verbitsky in 1981. Verbitsky says, "Dick was an icon to many, but a true friend, partner and mentor to those of us who worked closely with him. His impact on broadcasting is immeasurable, and his entrepreneurial spirit will be a part of our world at United Stations forever."
Talk Host Scott Hennen to Purchase WZFG, Fargo. The conservative talk-formatted WZFG, Fargo – positioned as "1100 AM The Flag" – will return to the control of talk host and station manager Scott Hennen upon FCC approval and the closing. Hennen announces he's struck a deal with Great Plains Integrated Marketing to buy back the station he founded in 2008. Hennen was fired by his investors as president and CEO of GPIM in the fall of 2010. His program remained on the air at WZFG until May of 2011. Hennen is currently hosting a nationally syndicated radio show but is not heard in the Fargo market at this time. His program will return to the station when the new deal begins.
Internet and Terrestrial Radio Are Different Businesses When it Comes to Non-Competes. That's the ruling of Stark County (OH) Common Pleas Court Judge Charles E. Brown in the case of two Canton jocks who started a radio show on the internet and were sued by their former employer for violating the non-compete. Radio hosts Patrick DeLuca and Charlotte DiFranco (pictured here) left their highly rated morning program at WDJQ-FM, Canton after failing to agree to terms on a contract renewal with station owner Don Peterson III. They started their own station at www.theradiosucks.com and began broadcasting three shows per week after exiting in February and Peterson sued, claiming they violated the non-compete. Attorney Steve Okey argued his clients were prevented from operating a business that was "the same or essentially the same as a radio station" and their venture does not fit that description. The judge agreed. Peterson tells the Youngstown Vindicator he's disappointed with the decision and will review his options. This is a case others in the radio and internet radio businesses will be watching closely.
Red Zebra's WTEM, Washington Inks Deal for Sports Content with Dial Global. Red Zebra Broadcasting announces it has signed a two-year deal with Dial Global Radio Networks to have exclusive rights to March Madness, the NFL package, the NFL playoffs, the Super Bowl, the NFL Draft, Golf's Majors and the Olympics in the Washington, DC market. Vice president of programming Chuck Sapienza says of the deal, "We want to thank Greg Leader and Sean Thompson of Dial Global for being such great partners. We could not be more pleased with the relationship and all the great programming Dial Global brings to our listeners. When you team the Redskins Radio Network with Dial Global's NFL Package, NFL fans in DC will receive extensive, exclusive coverage of the National Football League on ESPN980."
Current TV to Add Show Hosted by California Lieutenant Governor. Former San Francisco mayor and current California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom will debut a new talk show on the Al Gore-founded Current TV network beginning in May. The New York Times reports the move is designed by Current TV to "keep its progressive agenda on track." In a statement announcing the move, co-founder Al Gore states, "He touches many worlds – business, politics, entertainment and activism. We are honored that Current TV will be bringing his curiosity, intelligence, insights and enthusiasm to television." Newsom will continue to serve as lieutenant governor of California. Current TV is rebounding from the high-profile battle – now in the courts – with former "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann. It also recently added video simulcasts of talk radio stars Stephanie Miller's and Bill Press' nationally syndicated morning radio programs.
TALKERS Publishes 2012 Heavy Hundred. The 2012 installment of TALKERS magazine's signature feature, "The Talkers 250 featuring the Heavy Hundred," is officially posted. This long-running talk radio industry institution also titled, "The 250 Most Important Talk Radio Hosts in America," is compiled by the TALKERS editorial board based upon a compilation of both objective and subjective elements including (in alphabetical order): courage, effort, impact, longevity, potential, ratings, recognition, revenue, service, talent and uniqueness. Although the list is traditionally drawn from a wide variety of genres representing the breadth of spoken word radio from commercial to public and including everything from traditional news/talk to specialty programming, this year's installment of the popular feature marks a departure from the custom of including sports talk hosts. According to TALKERS VP/managing editor Kevin Casey, "Because of the explosive growth of sports talk radio and the number of excellent hosts participating in it across the country, TALKERS will be publishing the genre's own Heavy Hundred beginning in 2012." The TALKERS Sports Talk Heavy Hundred is scheduled for publication this coming June. To see this year's entire "Talkers 250 featuring the Heavy Hundred" click here.
23rd Annual Imus Radiothon Begins Today. 77WABC, New York-based Don Imus broadcasts the 23rd Annual Imus Radiothon beginning today and running through tomorrow. The Radiothon is airing on 77WABC, radio affiliates around the country and on the Fox Business Network. The two-day event benefits the Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer, the Tomorrows Children's Fund and the CJ Foundation for SIDS. Guests on the program for the Radiothon will include various sponsors and children/siblings who have visited and experienced the Imus Ranch in Ribera, New Mexico.
Warren Ballentine Interviews First Lady Michelle Obama. Syndication One nationally syndicated talk host Warren Ballentine is pictured here at the White House on April 16 interviewing First Lady Michelle Obama. Ballentine visited the White House as part of the Summit on Entrepreneurship for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions. The White House Summit offered the opportunity for Ballentine to provide a national African-American audience for small business owners, government experts and leaders from a variety of HBCUs/MSIs to discuss their numerous opportunities and facilitate solutions to challenges in underserved communities. Ballentine states, "Doing my show from the White House was such a great honor for me. The staff was outstanding and the chance to interview First Lady Michelle Obama was truly a blessing and honor. The First Lady is not only gracious, she is wise, funny, empathetic and truly in tune with the people of America. This is an experience that I will never forget!" Ballentine's interview with the First Lady will be highlighted on his program today (4/19).
2012 Presidential Campaign, U.S. Soldiers Photos Scandal, North Korea Military Ambitions, Trayvon Martin Case Developments and Ted Nugent Comments Concern Secret Service Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (4/18). The 2012 presidential campaign; the problems being caused by U.S. soldiers taking photos with the bodies of dead Taliban insurgents; ongoing concerns over North Korea's military ambitions; judge steps down from Trayvon Martin case; and Ted Nugent's comments to NRA group draws concern of Secret Service were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
18Eighteen continues Score Group's expansive empire of pornographic wonderment, only this time it's not MILFs or GILFs or BBWs grabbing your attention by the gonads, it's teenage hussies and the dudes they're banging! 18Eighteen's hardcore archives serve up a great deal of excellent, ribald sucking, licking, fucking, and face-blasting sex scenes, rendered in 720p HD and arriving most every week. Surely, our teen years are our last true gasp of wild abandon, so why not celebrate with 18Eighteen?
Pulling together three of its hottest amateur properties, Score Group's Naughty Mag combines the teen pornstar wannabes of Newcummers, the swinging sluts of Naughty Neighbors, and women falling into my own personal favorite age group, 30Somethings. Promising members HD videos, high-res photos, a busy update schedule, and a huge back catalog of Naughty Mag content, this Score site may not be as amateur as it claimed, but that may not be a bad thing at all.
Call it a fondness for anal penetration, a preference for the tighter hole, or a quest for more sordid sexual experiences. Call it Asshole Fever. Presenting more than 400 exclusive, original hardcore scenes that pit Europe's finest, most adventurous babes against dicks with only one destination in mind, this 21Sextury site doesn't flinch, recoil, or hold back when assfucking's on the agenda, instead boring ahead at full force to produce and deliver the most powerful anal scenes on the 'net.
Porn Mega Load isn't a discount warehouse of B-stock smut, nor is it an unstoppable wave of constant streaming entertainment. Really, Porn Mega Load is a mix of both of these things, forming a strikingly raunchy High Definition showcase of Score Group's hottest movies. Scenes pulled from XL Girls and 18 Eighteen, 50 Plus MILFs and Leg Sex, this HD heaven trumps other Score sites when it comes to visual quality and HD viewing, if not the sex itself. More expensive than most would like, Porn Mega Load is a premium service for premium Score fans.
Online now for well over ten years, MILF Hunter has gone from a gonzo upstart to one of porn's most notorious, most infamous, most copied sites. After losing its founding MILF-fucker and recruiting a new crew of young porn professionals to jump in and pound some mature pussy on a rotating basis, MILF Hunter now sees Levi Cash and Sean Lawless boning the likes of Lesley Zen, Alena Croft, and Parker Swayze and seemingly having a grand ol' time doing it. You, too, can enjoy the uniquely sexy appeal of women middle-aged and approaching, in 1080p HD videos, no less, right here at the most famous Reality Kings site of all, MILF Hunter.
Some guys love women of all shapes and sizes, from the skinniest A-cupped darlings to bodacious 36-28-36 vixens to sedate but sizzling BBWs, but not you. You're a fan of specific taste, of focused erotic attraction, and you've focused it well if you're looking at Big Tits Round Asses. Bang Bros' most voluptuous, curvaceous site, Big Tits Round Asses honors the thickest thighs, juiciest booties, and heftiest racks in porn and does it in 720p HD movies that'll have you drooling and daydreaming in no time.
Often imitated but never bettered, Amateur Allure is a POV porn experience like no other. Stare deep into the bright eyes of a cum-hungry porno newbie as she slurps, strokes, and sucks the cum straight outta your balls! Ok, so, as a POV-heavy site, Amateur Allure won't actually deliver you a cock-sucking babe in the flesh, but it does the next best thing with 1080p HD videos starring porn's most scintillating newcomers. Blowjob porn doesn't get much fresher or tastier than Amateur Allure, folks, so dig in!
As far as monsters go, the particular Bang Bros can't be said to be too harmful. After all, their encounters rarely leave without a blissful smile plastered across their faces, their bodies throbbing from the intense pleasure only a big, black dick can bring. (Hey, there's some racial tension and fantasy play in there, too, and that definitely helps!) Monsters of Cock sees 1080p High Definition renderings of some truly amazing feats of vaginal flexibility and African American male virility. Sure, updates are a bit erratic and some scenes err too far towards the absurd, but in the end it's Monsters of Cock that puts the "Bang" in Bang Bros.


text:
Weight gain myths busted
Generations after generations, women seem to follow certain weight gain myths blindly despite research saying otherwise. HT busts five of the most common myths. Take quizindia Updated: Dec 10, 2012 02:17 IST
Generations after generations, women seem to follow certain weight gain myths blindly despite research saying otherwise. HT busts five of the most common myths.
Menopause causes weight gain
This again is a myth as latest researches say that menopause by itself doesn't cause women to gain weight.
"By the time women reach menopausal stage, they mostly become less active and their metabolic rate has also slowed down, which could be a bigger reason for putting on weight," said Dr Karmakar.
There is a drop in the female hormone called estrogen inside a woman's body when attaining menopause, though the change only results in the way body fat is distributed, leading to more belly fat.
Women should focus on practising a healthy lifestyle — cutting down on calorie-dense sugary and fatty substances and exercising regularly — as heart disease is most common among post-menopausal women due to excess weight. Early steps need to be taken to prevent excess weight gain during menopause and to avoid complications. Take quiz
Contraceptives cause weight gain
To worry about weight gain as a birth control side-effect is a common concern among women contemplating taking birth control pills, as the pills are hormonal in nature.
There are many rumours and myths surrounding contraceptive pills, but it is important to not let those rumours cloud your decision about choosing the right method, feel gynaecologists.
"The modern-day pills don't lead to any significant weight gain. Some pills may cause pre-menstrual bloating though, but there's hardly any actual weight-gain as commonly believed," said Dr Debjyoti Karmakar, consultant, department of gynaecology, Medanta- The Medicity Hospital.
"Earlier, the pills had larger hormonal content. Now, the dose is decreased and the type of hormone has also changed," Dr Karmakar added.
"It is very difficult to convince women to try pills; most that I see believe it will lead to weight gain, which is not true," he added.
Focusing on a healthy lifestyle — eating well and exercising regularly — can help keep the weight off.
Thyroid disorder and weight gain
Almost all women suffering from hypothyroidism, a form of thyroid in which the gland does not produce enough hormones, blame their excess weight gain to the disease and keep piling up kilos further.
According to the doctors, however, the weight gain happens only during the initial phase when the disease is not detected and treatment hasn't reached. Fatigue, which is one of the symptoms, leads to lack of energy and a person tends to become less active and indulges in binge eating, resulting in sudden weight gain.
"Weight gain due to Thyroid is barely up to 5kg and the symptoms also subside once the treatment begins, so there's no excuse for those extra kilos. One needs to go easy on high-calorie food and stop blaming thyroid for weight gain," said Dr Dinesh Dhanwal, professor of medicine and endocrinology, Maulana Azad Medical College.
An estimated 40 million people in India suffer from thyroid-related disorders, of which 60% are women and usually aged between 20 years and 40 years.
Pregnancy and weight gain
The biggest myth doing the rounds among pregnant women is that they must eat for two as they are carrying a baby inside.
While it's vital to maintain a healthy diet, to laden itself with calorie-laden food is not advisable.
"In India, the emphasis is on over-feeding than feeding nutritious food. We do not advise more than 300 extra calories per day for pregnant women, though every body responds differently during that period," said a professor, department of gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
It is also important to not get into rapid weight loss or crash diet after pregnancy as losing weight gradually actually helps women maintain a healthy weight in the long-term and it does not affect their breast-feeding capacity in any way.
Strength training makes women bulk up
This is another popular myth that persists despite the fact that women typically don't have the amount of hormones, testosterone, necessary to build huge muscles.
"Convincing women to lift weights is a huge task," said Nahaar Singh, a fitness-trainer in one of the south Delhi clubs. Health experts say muscles burn more calories than body fat. If there are more muscles in the body, a person will burn more calories, even while resting, which in effect means you will have a leaner and more defined body shape.
"Whole-body weight training thrice a week can do wonders for women," added Singh.


text:
The eery green glow of Hojo's lab seemed even stronger than usual that evening. The lights reflecting off the scientists pale skin gave off an almost twisted effect, making him seem even more insane than usual. On that particular evening, as always, he was working on some new experiment to present to the president. On occasion, one would have to wonder who was really running the show at The Shin-Ra Electric company. He adjusted his glasses before picking up two test tubes from a rack beside his desk.
"Yes. Yes." Hojo's hands moved delicately as the two test tubes met, the liquid ready to slide in, "Just one more drop...."
There was a strong knock on the steel door of the laboratory, closely followed by the sound of breaking glass. The same greenish glow could now be seen on the chemicals swirling together on the floor along with a hissing sound. Great, now he was in need of yet another floor treatment
"Damn It!" Anger flashed in the Head Scientist's eyes. "Those Shin-Ra imbeciles. How dare they interrupt a man in the middle of his work!?" He reached into the left pocket of his lab coat and pulled out a syringe filled with dark green liquid, a malicious smile crept up on his lips. "I'll teach them a-"
"Professor?" A husky, young voice called from beyond the door. "Are you in?"
The change in Hojo was almost instantaneous. He threw the syringe half away across the laboratory, completely ignoring the sounds of shattering glass and what sounded like a "thud" as the syringe made contact with the head of some poor lab hand. He quickly straighten his lab coat and fixed his hair, glasses and tie. Picking up a scalpel, He examined his reflection in the blade's smooth, shimmering surface before placing it on a tray and taking a seat at his desk, returning to his usual "disturb-me-and-die" demeanor.
"Please come in." The Professor called, his eyes now focused on a pile of notes left to him by his, as he would later discover, ex-lab hand.
The door opened and the young man stepped over the threshold, a manila folder in his left hand. The man was... to resort to such a pitiful word, beautiful. No. Not beautiful, magnificent. A Specimen of pure perfection. Tall, lean figure, worked to absolute perfection. Silky black hair, forming around his face, mature for his age, but still retaining a boyish charm. And those hypnotic ruby red eyes. He could have the world on a silver plater if he knew how to use those eyes. Hojo would dream about those eyes. The shear power the boy had... the shear... chaos he could unleash And yet he chose to hide them behind such... missionary work as protecting that... prat Lucrecia.
"Hello Professor." Such a voice... such a fine voice.
"Ah, Mr. Valentine, what a surprise!" The Professor rose, his hands behind his back and approached the turk, "It's not often they send you down here."
Vincent Valentine held out the Manila folder to the Scientist, "Rufus Shin-Ra wanted me to give this to you, sir. And to tell you he wanted... bubble-gum flavor next time."
Not again. That boy was utterly impossible. Hojo groaned, "Very well." He took the manila folder, looking over the contents and mumbling something about that "Impossible sex-starved little brat." When he looked up and saw the Turk still standing there, he waved his hand. "Oh, you may leave now."
Vincent nodded, bowing slightly. One of the more refined Turks, Hojo noted. "Yes. Thank you professor." He turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, he stopped. His shoulders fell slightly and he took a deep breath, "Sir, I-"
Hojo's attention turned back to the boy faster than ether of them could have expected, "YES?"
Vincent rubbed the brim of his nose. He could not believe he was doing this. He wished there could have been someone else... but Hojo was a powerful man and he knew the ways of.... Vincent blushed. He knew the rumors that had been going around about the Head of the Shin-Ra science department and to say the least, none of them were very pleasant. Still, if anyone could... "Professor...." Vincent began, "I need some advice. You see...." He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with someone."
The smile upon Hojo's face grew a mile wide as he drew closer to the turk, trying as hard as he could to act... "innocent," but still catch the young man's eye. "Is that so, Mr. Valentine? Pray tell with who?" He couldn't help himself as he arm snuck around the young Turk's back, his hand just about the touch the boy's waist.
Vincent Valentine sighed, his eyes glazed over with affection, "Lucrecia."
Again, the sound of breaking glass was heard... or was that just in Hojo's mind? His fingers twitched as he casually withdrew his arm from around the boy's middle. "You.... don't say. How... " He cracked his knuckles, "Wonderful."
"I know." The boy was completely lost in his own love-sick world, dreaming of the delicate brunette. "She's beyond perfect. Her beautiful hair, her passionate eyes..."
Hojo's fingers formed into claws, "That Whorish smile I would love to rip off her lips and dip in Mako!" He hissed.
Vincent barely caught that and had to turn around to see the brooding man "Sir?"
The elder man pulled himself back into the moment and regained a slightly clam posture, "I... I mean, yes. Yes, she is quite the catch. Well done, Valentine. Apparently that...." The Professor adjusted his glasses and gazed over Vincent's finely made figure, his eyes running up and down the length of the young man's body. "Finely made figure of yours is good for.... something."
A slightly red twinge came up to Vincent's cheeks. "Oh... No, she... she doesn't know yet."
Hojo rubbed his chin. So the young man had yet to confess his feelings, how... sweet. Sickening... but sweet. "Oh Really?"
He turned away from the Turk, his mind suddenly focused on Lucrecia Crecent. What had she done to warrant Valentine's attention. She was nothing to this department. Her theories were pure nonsense, her emotional attitude often had his assistants flocking to her side when he needed their attention! She was NOTHING compared to him. HE was a genius, a master of science! His experiments had helped this company grow to the position of power it was in now! And what exactly had she done? Simply shown up in a skirt and batted her eyelashes. Hojo clenched his teeth, "That brown-haired scientific slut!"
Vincent's mind had wondered away to his precious Lucrecia once more. How beautiful, intelligent and passionate she was. The way she.... He sighed. He would never have a chance. She would never... "Professor..."
Hojo had retuned to his desk, still ranting about Lucrecia's advances, "Damn it, I should be the only one kissing those-"
Hojo froze when he felt a rushed presence approach him and turned around to see Valentine's figure bowed over before him, "Professor, I need your help!!"
The pause was awkward enough, there was no question and the silence seemed to last for ages before the Professor spoke.
"Excuse me?"
"Please, Professor." Vincent begged, "I don't know what to! Without your help, she would never look at a man like me." He fell to his knees, gripping hold of the Head Scientist's lab coat. "Please. I'll do anything!"
Had Vincent been looking up he would have noticed the pleased, malicious, twisted smile growing across the elder man's lips. It was too perfect, too easy. If Hojo believed in such a thing as a higher power he would have thanked it, but such thoughts were complete nonsense. This was his golden chance... and Hojo was NEVER one to pass up a chance. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Why my dear, sweet Vincent Valentine, of course I would be MORE than willing to help you." Hojo said, his voice sickeningly friendly.
Vincent looked up, his eyes full of hope. "You... you would?!"
"Of course I would!" Hojo held out a hand and helped the boy to his feet. Vincent gave him an odd look.
"Even after you wrote me that death threat in blood stating that if I ever spent any more time with that 'Glorious, heaven sent specimen-'"
"YOU got that?" Hojo cut him off, "That was meant for Cre... someone else." He turned away, muttering to himself again. "Damn it! I'm never trusting Palmer with my mail again!
Vincent once again leaned in to try to catch Hojo's words, "Profes-"
Hojo spun around so fast he nearly knocked the young man off his feet, "Helping others is what I live for! To help unfortunate people - like yourself -" He gestured to the young man "Poor souls with no one else to turn to..."
"I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me, well, insane.
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a change
True? Yes?"
Vincent said nothing, clearly over in shock at the moment.
"And I fortunately know a little science
It's a talent that I always have possessed
And my dear boy, please don't laugh
I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed...pathetic.
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain
In need
This one longing to be smarter
That one wants to get a job
And do I help them?
Yes, indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad
So true
They come flocking to my laboratory
Crying, "Help us, Hojo, please!"
And I help them?
Yes, I do.
Now it's happened once or twice
Someone couldn't pay the price
And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals...
Hojo's mind floated back in time for a moment, once again seeing poor Professor Gast writhing at his feet, his wife screaming for mercy. Ha. Pathetic Fool.
"Yes, I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls"
Hojo turned to the Turk, "Now, here's the deal. I can perform an experiment on you that will make you utterly irresistible for three days. Got that, Valentine? Three days. Now listen, before the sun sets on the third day, you've got to get your sweet little... Lucrecia to fall in love with you. Truly in love with you, Valentine which means she must kiss you! And not just any kiss. The kiss of....." Why was he saying this? Such things were shear nonsense... but, "true love." Hojo wanted to spit the word out of his mouth, but controlled himself. "If she does, you'll..." He waved his hand in the air, "Be together forever."
Vincent's eyes once again flickered with a moment of hope, but then something crossed his mind, "And if she doesn't?"
Hojo's lips once again curled into a deranged smile as he rubbed his hands together, "Then you shall belong to ME forever! Doomed to be my slave for eternity until I am through with your body for my own personal pleasure and use it for experiments before locking you in a coffin in the basement of the Shin-Ra mansion!"
Vincent was certain he was hearing things. "What was that, professor?"
Hojo spun around once again, "Oh. I mean, you will have to work for me personally for the rest of your days at Shin-Ra."
"Oh. For a second there-"
Hojo cut him off once again, "So, have we got a deal Valentine?"
"Yes, but-"
Hojo snapped his fingers, "Oh, yes! That's right. . . . We haven't discussed the subject of payment. I do not do this kind of work for free you know."
Payment? Vincent hadn't expected that. The Turks paid him well enough... but he knew Hojo's work didn't come cheep. He gulped.
"I'll pay you whatever you want, I just don't know if I-"
"I'm not interested in your money, Valentine." Hojo waved him off.
He didn't want money? Vincent ignored the nagging feeling in his chest and pressed on, "Well... What do you want?"
"Really, nothing of any importance." The Professor circled the man, his hand suddenly catching Vincent's chin. "What I want from you is . . . your voice."
Vincent pulled away, his hand almost instinctively going to his throat. "My Voice?"
"Exactly, Valentine." Hojo said, "No more talking, humming to your self or any kind of ridiculous chatter we have grown so used to here!"
Vincent felt completely confused, "But... what do you need my voice for?"
Hojo once again slipped into the private world of his mind, "To memorize the sounds of your sweet-"
"For research!" He snapped back to the present.
"But if I don't have my voice, then how will I be able to-"
Hojo cut him off again, waving one hand in the air, "You'll have your... Turkish charm! Your..." He reached out and touched Valentine's cheek, "Beautiful face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!"
"Lucrecia doesn't mind a bit of silence.
She thinks a man who gossips is a bore
Yes, to her it's much preferred
For her man not to say a word
And after all, boy, what is idle prattle for?
Come on, women are not all that impressed with conversation
True ladies will avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a Bishōnen who's withdrawn
It's he who holds his tongue who gets his love.
Come on, you poor unfortunate soul
Go ahead!
Make your choice!
I'm a very busy person
And I haven't got all day
It won't cost much
Just your voice!
You poor unfortunate soul
It's sad
But true
If you want to cross a bridge, my boy
You've got to pay the toll.
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and sign the scroll
Reeve and Palmer
Now I've got him, boys
The boss is on a roll
You poor unfortunate soul!"
The room was dead silent for a moment before Vincent dared to speak.
"Professor..." He gaped, "I never realized you had such a strong vocal range. Especially for Disney songs!"
Hojo smirked, "You'd be surprised how far my range goes. So do we have a deal, Valentine?" He offered his hand to the young Turk.
Vincent stared at the hand. He knew Hojo was dangerous, insane even... but.... to be with Lucrecia forever? Nothing could be more wonderful. He swallowed his fear and grasped the older man's hand.
"Yes." Vincent said, "But I don't understand how you could take my v-"
The hand holding his yanked him forward and Vincent was shocked to feel an arm wrap around his middle and a mouth enclosing around his. Vincent tried to pull away, but found himself frozen to the spot, the Professor kissing him firmly. He moaned as he could feel Hojo's tongue slip into his mouth and something fled from his body. After a moment Hojo pulled away, gasping for breath. Vincent made a move to ask him just what the hell he thought he was doing but was shocked to find he couldn't speak. His hand flew to his mouth, now completely silence.
Hojo smiled again, "Ah! See! You are completely speechless!"
I have cracked and lost my mind.
First of all, gotta thank a few people for this.
1. Gotta thank GothicDancer for the inspiration for this, inculding the ending line for which this is all based off of!
2. Gotta thank Howard Ashman and Alan Menken who wrote "Poor Unfortunate Souls" in it's original form (which was performed by Pat Carroll) for the movie "The Little Mermaid"
3. Last and CERTAINLY not least to Michael who is incredibly awesome and gave me audio of this scene to use (I.E. he voice acted and sung this as Hojo. Epic. Win.)
And now for the rest.
Yes, I am obsessed with this scene. No, I do not know why. Yes, I am now a Hojo fan (Thank you ~CrimsonSun) (though he still scares the hell out of me) and a HojoXVincent shipper (Thank you ~ZelgadisMetallium). So... Yeah.
This is a story I'm really proud of guys, its my first FFVII story so if you wanna use, please, please, please, credit me, you KNOW I would do the same for you.
Bottom Line. DO. NOT. STEAL. Stealing is mean and will break my heart.
I own NOTHING! The Little Mermaid Belongs to Disney, Final Fantasy VII (Hojo, Vincent and Lucrecia included) belongs to Square Enix/ Tetsuya Nomura, "Poor Unfortuate Souls" belongs to Howard Ashman and Alan Menken." I AM MAKING NO PROFIT OFF OF THIS. THIS IS ALL FOR FUN!
*hugggles and love*
Kudos, GBY and LYL!


text:
Real Estate Really is a Head Game!
Are you thinking about buying a home or condo in greater Cincinnati then the following information is for you!
50% of what you hear and read tells you that the world is ending and don't invest your any money into anything….especially real estate. The remaining 50% is screaming that now is the time to buy!
Who do you believe?
A recent survey conducted by Coldwell Banker (the mothership) reinforced what most of us already kn0w- buying real estate really is a head game. The report approached the post recession real estate market from a different angle using a pychotherapist, Dr. Robi Ludwig to analyze the concept of home ownership. In the past many buyers were motivated to buy a home by emotions rather than financials. The survey reinforces that even in a roller coaster economy…."the home is still the emotional center of our lives and helps to define who we are."
Other results:
• A majority of U.S. adults (79 percent) indicate the recession has caused society to rethink the concept of homeownership.
• In fact, 84 percent of U.S. adults agree more people took owning a home for granted before the recession, and nearly three-quarters (72 percent) said they feel like Americans have a greater respect for it now than they did before the recession.
• Seventy-five (75) percent of U.S. adults agree that due to changes in the housing market and/or economy there has been an overemphasis on the financial value of a home rather than the emotional value of a home.
And while the big question of rent versus buy is solely a financial decision for many of today's potential buyers- the ability to obtain a mortgage is more difficult-the final decision to buy is almost as much emotional as financial. The good news is that today's motivated buyers can pretty much pick and choose from a plentiful supply of homes and condos in greater Cincinnati- the question is then will they ignore the head games and start making offers.
If you're looking to buy a home soon -are you shopping with your head or with a spreadsheet?


text:
- 5 Rocket Stocks for Gluttonous Turkey Day Gains
- Time to Sell These 5 'Toxic' Stocks
- 5 Earnings Short-Squeeze Plays
- 5 Must-See Charts
- 5 Stocks With Big Insider Buying
2 Pair Trades to Protect Your Portfolio - 7661 views
MINNEAPOLIS (Stockpickr) --Why does Charlie Brown always try to kick the ball? He knows darn well that Lucy will never let him touch the pigskin and yet he keeps coming back for more. Investors are very much like Charlie Brown.
Five straight days of gains will quickly erase the memory of pain and losses. Oops, not so fast. This schizophrenic market of ours will pull that football away faster than Lucy. Over the past week, stocks once again reversed course. The gods of the market decided another retest of the lows was in order.
All it took was a Federal Reserve pronouncement that the economy faced significant risks, and down we went. The Dow lost some 700 points in two days of trading. That action is not exactly a sign of stability. No amount of "twisting" by central bankers can change the fact that we are facing some serious issues here.
More From Stockpickr
As an optimist, I rarely get rattled, but I have to say the current situation is a bit disconcerting. I've seen my fair share of market and economic crisis. I am old enough to recall the pain of the oil embargo, stagflation and the decline of the rust belt. Through it all, one thing was always present: hope for the future.
Right now the country is lacking hope. Until hope returns, investors can expect markets to writhe. There will be days we go up, and there will be days we go down. Such an environment is not conducive to making profits – unless, of course, you are following an absolute return strategy.
Placing bets on the long and the short side of the market can help you navigate these hopeless trading days. A well-executed pair trade can not only protect your portfolio, but you can make money doing so.
Here are two pair trades to protect your portfolio.
Long IBM/Short Hewlett-Packard
In a time of great uncertainty, stability is to be rewarded. In the current market environment, investors have little appetite for management teams and boards of directors that change direction at the drop of a hat. Sure, when operating profits are falling and revenues are stagnating, some amount of change is necessary, but too much change just for the sake of change is a recipe for disaster.
It should be no surprise then that news from Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) that Meg Whitman will be the new CEO is being greeted with heavy selling by investors. Shares in early trading on Friday were down 4%. That is hardly a ringing endorsement of the move.
In some ways, the hiring reminds me of the 1990s. At that time, certain executives -- Chainsaw Al Dunlap comes to mind -- built reputations that may have been a bit overstated. Boards like that of Sunbeam, where Dunlap oversaw a massive accounting fraud, were duped by superstar power that ultimately could not be supported by true leadership.
Meg Whitman is no Al Dunlap, but I'm not impressed by her starpower. The move by HP looks like a Hail Mary to me -- and Hail Marys tend not to work. Whitman did a fine job at eBay (EBAY), but HP is a different breed. Even though shares of HP are down significantly, it is difficult to imagine shares regaining value, at least in the short term. I would short HP.
On the long side, IBM (IBM) is the definition of stability. The company rarely makes the headlines for corporate shenanigans -- or anything else for that matter. IBM is boring, and that is a good thing for investors. Relative to the rest of the market, IBM shares have more or less hung in there during this recent bout of selling; the stock is down only 4% since the middle of July.
On an operating basis, IBM churns out quarter after quarter of strong results. Over the last four quarters, the company has bested Wall Street estimates, including a beat of 6 cents per share in the quarter ended June 30. For the full year, the average Wall Street estimate is for the company to make $13.31 per share, with that number growing 11% to $14.76 per share in the following year.
Investors can buy that stability for a very reasonable 12.5 times earnings. There is a stark contrast between HP and IBM that can be exploited in a pair trade. I would be long IBM and short HP.
HP shows up on a recent list of 3 Stocks Buffett Won't Buy at Any Price, while IBM was recently featured in "5 Rocket Stocks to Buy."
Long Toll Brothers/Short Lennar
Pair trading requires a different way of thinking about the market and investing in stocks. In some cases, a pair trade will involve stocks in an industry that is expected to do well. In that case, a pair trade investor may place a short trade of a stock that may increase in value.
That may be counterintuitive, but one of the goals of executing pair trades is to protect capital. In the event that analysis is proven wrong and stocks actually decline in value, that short position will offset losses on the long side. It is perfectly fine in a pair trade to short a stock that you like.
One sector that I believe is ripe for a turnaround is homebuilding. That may sound cliche -- many have made the same claim since the sector was demolished in 2008. It may also sound hollow since past predictions of a market bottom for homebuilders have failed time and time again. What is so different today?
The difference today is time and value. Homebuilder stocks have been pummeled in 2011 so much that many trade for book value or less. At the same time, we are now many years from the initial collapse. Homebuilders are no longer leveraged as they were before the collapse. Demand for new housing is building even though such demand may be masked by the vast supply of housing stock on the market.
As for a pair trade in this sector, I like Toll Brothers (TOL) on the long side and Lennar (LEN) on the short side. The thesis here is that the high end of the market is holding up very well irrespective of macroeconomic conditions, favoring Toll Brothers and its targeting of the luxury homebuilder. Keep in mind that I like both stocks, but in a pair trade I like Toll better than Lennar.
Both companies reported good results in their most recent operating quarters, but Toll's report was very strong. The company beat analyst estimates by 22 cents per share with a profit of 25 cents per share for the quarter ended July 31. Shares of Toll jumped above $17 in trading after the report but have since collapsed to its current price of $14 and change.
At current prices, Toll trades for 0.92 times book value. With analysts expecting the company to generate profits this year and next, losing book value is less likely. The stock deserves a higher valuation. I would be long Toll Brothers here.
On Monday Lennar reported good results as well. For the quarter ended Aug. 31, the company made a profit of 11 cents per share, a penny ahead of average Wall Street estimates. Shares got a boost from the report but ultimately succumbed to selling pressure late in the week. Lennar trades very close to its low for the year despite deliver strong results.
At current prices Lennar trades for 0.93 times book value. The average Wall Street estimate for the current fiscal year ending Nov. 30 is 53 cents per share. The expectation is for the company to grow profits by 56% in the following year to 83 cents per share.
Both Toll and Lennar are attractive from a valuation standpoint. My preference is to own the higher-margin, higher-end homebuilder vs. the higher volume, lower profit model of Lennar. In a pair trade, my expectation is that Toll will outperform Lennar on the upside with less downside risk. I would be long Toll and short Lennar.
To see these stocks in action, visit the 2 Pair Trades to Protect Your Portfolio portfolio on Stockpickr.
-- Written by Jamie Dlugosch in Minneapolis.
>>5 Stocks Setting Up to Break Out
>>5 Trades to Profit From the Selloff
>>5 Stocks John Paulson Is Betting On
Follow Stockpickr on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
At the time of publication, author had no positions in stocks mentioned.
Jamie Dlugosch is a founder and contributor to MainStreet Investor and MainStreet Accredited Investor. Formerly, he was president and CEO of Al Frank Asset Management. He has contributed editorially to The Rational Investor, The Prudent Speculator, Penny Stock Winners and InvestorPlace Media.


text:
TC's Only Teen Homeless Shelter Can Keeps it's Doors Open for Now
The only teen homeless shelter in Tri-Cities will be able to keep its doors open, for now.
Safe Harbor's My Friend's Place has been open since 2011 but more recently was at risk of shutting down due to a lack of funding but things may be looking up with money raised by the community.
"If it weren't for them I would probably be sleeping in parks and waking up in the mornings and going to the convenience store bathroom and still cleaning myself up before I went to school," said Morgan Haberlack.
Nearly two years ago, Haberlack was house hopping with her mother and helping her mom sell drugs, when one day her mom left her.
Haberlack was completely alone and starting sleeping in parks and finally showed up to My Friend's Place, where her whole life turned around.
The shelter's executive director Karen Kirk-Brockman said it was just six weeks ago that she considered closing shop due to shortage of funds.
She said that possibility keeps her up at night because she knows what these kids would be doing without a place to come home to.
"If we didn't have it open, we'd have children roaming the streets," said Kirk-Brockman. "When kids have nothing besides their body, the only thing that can happen is they sell it or it gets used."
About 10 kids ages 14-17 stay her every night.
The shelter is funded by the county, donations and money raised at this thrift shop.
The goal was to raise $30,000 to keep things going for a couple of months until the shelter found steady funding.
So far, the community has raised nearly $55,000.
It costs about $400,000 anually to keep things running smoothly.
The kids are provided a place to sleep, breakfast, dinner, snacks and essential supplies.
They can also receive counseling and access to WorkSource.
Safe Harbor's Board Chair Mark Lee said these are good kids who deserve a chance.
"I would feel incredibly sad to see these kids walking the street with no future," said Lee. "I'm glad they're here and to see them act like kids."
Haberlack said because of this shelter, she has a job and her own life now.
She said for some of these kids who have nowhere else to turn, this may their only chance.
"There's tons of parents out there that just can't take care of their children, don't want to take care of the children or aren't capable of taking care of their children," said Haberlack. "Those kids need a home."
Those who run the shleter understand not everyone in the community can donate money but they do also encourage you to donate your time through volunteering if you are interested.
Local and Regional News
- Walla Walla General Hospital breaks its silence following closure announcement
- State responds to letter from West Richland regarding pot shop location
- Trios Health offers fraud protection over patient data breach
- Northwest Food n Brew with Mike Gonzalez debuts Saturday on KAPP/KVEW
- Washington seeks to overturn tribe's fuel tax exemption
- Failure to yield causes rollover accident


text:
Partnering with Ingram Micro
June 27th, 2007 | Published in Google Enterprise
This month, we passed the 9,000 mark for enterprise buyers of the Google Search Appliance and the Google Mini. That's a great start, but we want to reach out even farther, which is why we're embarking on a partnership with Ingram Micro. One of the largest global distributors of technology products in the world, Ingram has extensive reseller relationships in Europe, Asia and Latin America that will help us deliver the power of search behind the firewall to businesses of all sizes, more efficiently and at a larger scale than we could on our own.
In addition to having access to a rich network of more than 165,000 retailers and resellers worldwide, Ingram possesses core strengths in sales, reseller credit, marketing, technical support and logistics. And it has strong penetration into the small-to-medium business (SMB) and Government and Education (Gov/Ed) channels that complement our goal to offer great search technology to even more enterprise users, no matter their size, segment or location.
Dave Girouard, our VP and General Manager for Google Enterprise, puts it this way: "This relationship with Ingram Micro marks an important milestone in the evolution of Google's enterprise search business, giving customers around the world better access to our products and support. With the global reach and efficient distribution of Ingram Micro, many more customers will be able to gain the benefits of Google search to their business."
Both the Google Mini and the Google Search Appliance are available immediately to qualified Ingram Micro solution providers in the U.S.; there are plans for a phased rollout in other regions through 2007. To find out how to obtain a Google Mini or Google Search Appliance, contact us here or here.


text:
Over the past couple of weeks we've been working our way through some of the latest luxury compact cameras from the top brands. We've covered high-spec models from Canon, Panasonic, Fujifilm and Ricoh, so today it's the turn of Nikon, with its new Coolpix S600 premium ultra-compact.
In terms of specification the S600 is the second-from-top of the Coolpix S-series, surpassed only by the 12-megapixel S700 reviewed here in January. The S600 is a 10-megapixel model, featuring a 4x zoom Nikkor lens with a 28mm-equivalent wide angle, optical image stabilisation, a 2.7-inch high-resolution wide-view monitor and a robust brushed-steel body available in either gunmetal or black. Despite that tempting list of features it measures a pocket-friendly 88.5 x 53 x 22.5 mm and weighs just 130g.
Needless to say, a camera like this doesn't come cheap. The S600 has a current list price of £249.99, and even the online discount retailers are asking around £220. The most obvious comparisons are with the Panasonic FS20, which is slightly cheaper at £180, and the 5x zoom Canon IXUS 970 IS, which with a list price of £299.99 makes even the Nikon look reasonably economical.
While Nikon has a healthy share of the digital SLR market, up until a couple of years ago it was lagging a long way behind Canon, Panasonic and Sony in the premium compact market. Its AA-powered L-series of budget compacts was doing okay, but there's not a lot of profit in sub-£100 cameras. The introduction of the S500 in the middle of last year was a pretty obvious attempt by Nikon to move in on a lucrative market dominated by Canon's Digital IXUS models. Since then the S-series has expanded rapidly, with six more models derived from the design of the S500, including of course the S600.
Nikon COOLPIX S600 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Titanium silver$29.99 View Item
Nikon COOLPIX S600 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Titanium silver$35.00 View Item
Nikon Coolpix S600 10MP Wi-Fi Digital Camera W 4x Optical Vibration Silver$51.00 View Item
Nikon COOLPIX S600 10.0 MP Digital Camera - Titanium silver$100.00 View Item
Nikon COOLPIX S600 Digital Camera, Chrome$38.00 View Item
It states on most sites that the Nikon S600 has a firework mode and panorama assist, but unfortunatly it doesn't have these 2 features. Also, in movie mode, it picks up slight clicking sounds from the button when you zoom in, and it is a step zoom, not a smooth one. Apart from this, it is a really good camera.
More information -
Trusted Reviews is part of the Time Inc. (UK) Ltd Technology Network
Get TrustedReviews' award-winning reviews and advice delivered to your inbox for free!


text:
Emily Elizabeth
Status: Offline
Posts: 41
Join Date: Oct 2007
Are taxi drivers supposed to drive us where we wanted to go?
One Saturday morning at around 9am, my friend boarded a taxi in Bukit Batok and asked the taxi driver to fetch her to Nirvanda (cemetery temple). The taxi driver was an indian guy and when he realised that she was asking him to take her to a cemetery temple, he blew in a big fuss and started scolding her. He said if he knew earlier, he would not have taken her and kept saying 'sway'. For me, I thought taxi drivers are in the service line and they should do their jobs. We hailed a taxi for a fee and not free, why are they so mean to us, especially to ladies?
My friend could only turned a deaf ear as he was travelling very fast and he even stopped his taxi quite far away from where she wanted to go.
Myself, I also had a bad experience with Comfort taxi driver. Two years ago, my family and I went for a trip and hailed a taxi with 3 big luggages. When the taxi stopped, I asked my kids to go into the taxi and my husband and myself started to put the luggages into the boot. I gestured the taxi driver to come out and help us but he did not respond, so I asked him again nicely to come and help as 2 luggages were quite heavy. To my surprised, he gave me an answer which I cannot accept. He said he only help people who are handicapped. I got so angry that I told him in that case why I should take his taxi. I asked my kids to alight and we retrieved our luggages out of the boot. No apology from him and he even said it is ok and he drove off.
I believed there are good taxi drivers but those bad ones are tarnishing the reputation of good ones.


text:
How to Buy
Solutions Overview
This script is Copyright (C) 2009-2017 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
Synopsis :
The remote Red Hat host is missing one or more security updates.
Description :
Updated gstreamer-plugins-good packages that fix several security
issues are now available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5.
This update has been rated as having important security impact by the
Red Hat Security Response Team.
GStreamer is a streaming media framework, based on graphs of filters
which operate on media data. GStreamer Good Plug-ins is a collection
of well-supported, GStreamer plug-ins of good quality released under
the LGPL license.
Multiple heap buffer overflows and an array indexing error were found
in the GStreamer's QuickTime media file format decoding plugin. An
attacker could create a carefully-crafted QuickTime media .mov file
that would cause an application using GStreamer to crash or,
potentially, execute arbitrary code if played by a victim.
All users of gstreamer-plugins-good are advised to upgrade to these
updated packages, which contain backported patches to correct these
issues. After installing the update, all applications using GStreamer
(such as totem or rhythmbox) must be restarted for the changes to take
See also :
Solution :
Update the affected gstreamer-plugins-good and / or
gstreamer-plugins-good-devel packages.
Risk factor :
High / CVSS Base Score : 9.3
CVSS Temporal Score : 9.3
Public Exploit Available : false
Family: Red Hat Local Security Checks
Nessus Plugin ID: 35617 ()
Bugtraq ID: 33405
Get Nessus Professional to scan unlimited IPs, run compliance checks & more
The cookie settings on this website are set to 'allow all cookies' to give you the very best website experience. If you continue without changing these settings, you consent to this - but if you want, you can opt out of all cookies by clicking below.


text:
ATLANTA, March 5, 2009 — Seventy-nine Atlanta-based King & Spalding lawyers have been named "Georgia Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics and Atlanta magazine. The list of Super Lawyers identifies Georgia attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, and is determined by an extensive poll of Georgia lawyers.
Of the 79 King & Spalding lawyers ranked in their respective practice areas, seven received special recognition based on the total points they earned during the polling process. W. Ray Persons was among the "Top 10" vote-getting lawyers for a fourth consecutive year. Firm partners in the "Top 100" include:
In addition to their selection among the "Top 100," McDonald and Varner were also included among the "Top 50 Women," along with King & Spalding partners Eleanor F. Banister, Patricia T. Barmeyer, Sarah Robinson Borders, Stephanie B. Casteel, Letitia A. McDonald, Catherine O'Neil, Elizabeth V. Tanis and Chilton D. Varner.
The 79 King & Spalding lawyers named to the overall Georgia Super Lawyers list and their respective practice areas are
The Super Lawyers selection process began in 2008 with a survey that was sent to thousands of attorneys in Georgia. Attorneys were asked to vote for the best lawyers they had personally observed in action. Each lawyer was given a score based on the number of votes received and the source of those votes (votes of lawyers from other firms carry more weight than those from lawyers in the same firm). The Super Lawyers research team evaluated the credentials of the nominees and ensured that each lawyer was in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia.
A blue-ribbon review panel consisting of top Georgia lawyers was assembled in each area of practice. These lawyers also reviewed and scored the list of nominees in their practice areas. The top point-getters were selected as Super Lawyers, the top 5 percent of licensed attorneys in the state.
In addition, 20 lawyers in King & Spalding's Atlanta office have been named "Georgia Rising Stars" for 2009.
The King & Spalding lawyers on this year's Georgia's Rising Stars list and their respective areas of practice are
Georgia Rising Stars are described as "outstanding lawyers who have demonstrated superior professional potential." The polling, research and selection of Georgia Rising Stars is performed under the auspices of Law & Politics, a legal industry publisher. Fewer than 2.5 percent of Georgia lawyers are chosen for this recognition, with only lawyers age 40 and under or who have been practicing 10 years or less eligible for inclusion.
About King & Spalding King & Spalding is an international law firm with more than 880 lawyers in Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dubai, Frankfurt, Houston, London, New York, Riyadh (affiliated office), San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. The firm represents half of the Fortune 100 and in Corporate Counsel surveys consistently has been among the top firms representing Fortune 250 companies. For additional information, visit www.kslaw.com/.


text:
WDDA Forum Focuses on Best Practices
Meetings & Events
Atlanta–Window and door dealers have "to stop thinking like it's the '70s," according to D.S. Berenson, a home improvement industry attorney who spoke at the second annual Window & Door Dealers Forum held last week in conjunction with GlassBuild America. Under increased scrutiny from state attorney generals, dealers need to reexamine marketing practices that have been used for decades, he said.
|The second annual WDDA forum drew nearly 100 people to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Hosted by the Window & Door Dealers Alliance, the event once again focused on best practices. While Berenson's presentation focused on the legal arena, the day-long forum also featured roundtable sessions during which attendees could share their thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from lead generation and hiring to cash flow management and the use of social media.
"The breakout sessions allowed peers in our industry to openly and honesty bounce ideas and questions among each other," reported Brian Lemme of Bacon & Van Buskirk Glass, an Illinois dealer offering Marvin and Milgard products. "Once the open conversation began, it seemed like we could have discussed the topics for an additional hour. The social networking roundtable was particularly interesting, especially since we all seem to be reaching to maximize its potential."
"The breakout sessions discussed lead generation, search engine optimization, and social media, just to name a few. This is where the new and innovative ideas were formed, and this is where the valuable networking took place," added Ty Schwartz of Gorell Windows & Door, the Pennsylvania-based manufacturer.
Avoiding Risk
Berenson kicked off the day by reviewing a number of practices that have gotten remodelers and home improvement dealers in trouble, such as failure to include licensing information in advertising or a reference to licensing information on a company website. He also recommended language for contractors to use to clearly differentiate themselves from a financing company they may be working with.
|Noting that the industry is under much greater scrutiny, attorney D.S. Berenson offered advice that window dealers could use to help protect themselves from legal risk.
The attorney also discussed various discount practices used in ads and in-home sales presentations. In advertising, offers such as a "free patio door with five windows" need to be clearly detailed and it should be noted that "conditions may apply," he noted. Dealers also need to establish that products have been sold at an "original price" before they can be offered at a "sale price." In general, Berenson suggested, "It's best to keep yourself off the radar," adding that one of the best ways to do that is "mix it up" with various offers.
One specific area he advised dealers to be cautious of concerned "energy savings pledges." Pointing to Department of Energy analysis that says 30 percent of a home's energy bill goes to heating and cooling a home, he said it was highly unlikely that new windows and doors could reduce a homeowner's energy bills 30 percent, a claim that has been made by numerous industry companies. State district attorneys are now specifically looking out for such advertising claims, and it's time dealers become more realistic in what they promise, Berensen advised.
WDDA Business
The forum also included a brief session devoted to WDDA activities. David Walker, VP for the group, reviewed the past year's activities, noting its lobbying efforts in Washington, including its success in helping dissaude the Environmental Protection Agency from adding clearance testing requirements to the Lead-Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting program. Looking forward, he noted, "We're still hoping to get them to reconsider the removal of the opt-out clause." Walker added that WDDA plans to remain active on monitoring home performance developments.
The meeting also saw WDDA announce that it is partnering with iLumen to provide new online benchmarking tools to its members. The company's Michael O'Shaughnessey explained how members will be able to input financial data and other key metrics such as close ratios and lead generation costs through a dedicated portal that will enable them to see how they compare with other window and door dealers, and even specific categories of dealers. "It's an extremely useful tool that reveals opportunities for improvement," he noted. The next step will be the creation of a WDDA work group to determine what types of data to collect and track, he concluded, urging particpation from attendees.
|Retired Marine Donny Daughenbaugh, left, presenting an award to Joe Beisler of THV Compozit Windows & Doors, recognizing the company's recent contribution of windows to a veteran's home.
The WDDA session included a talk from Donny Daughenbaugh, a former Marine who was severely injured in Iraq and has since recovered and now works with other severely injured veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. He recounted his own struggles, and representing the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, Daughenbaugh also presented an award to WDDA member THV Compozit Windows & Doors. The company recently donated noise-reducing, energy-efficient windows for a home specially built for a severely-wounded veteran requiring a quiet environment as he suffers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"There is no sophomore slump here," said Jim Lett, president of A.B.E. Doors & Windows and a WDDA advisory committee member, commenting on the overall event. "The energy, the best practices discussions and the peer-to-peer networking once again exceeded expectations."