text:
Sailor Moon: MechWarrior
BY Dragonfang33
Chapter II
Avalon II
Location: Jumpship Dragon's Tooth, enroot to the planet Solarus VII
It had been three weeks since Lita and Darien had arrived in this time period. Lita sat on the bed gazing out at the stars as they flew past. For the past few hours she'd been viewing the latest news reports pouring in from the front, so far all she'd seen had been nothing but war and violence. However occasionally she watched as Darien paced about the room, he had a very serious look to his face, as though he was thinking of something or had already made up his mind about something. Though at the moment, Lita had her full attention directed back at the handheld vid-screen in her hand.
"This is Freedom News reporting from the planet Alarius V," a reporter said, over the vid-screen, "It is complete chaos down here, House Stiner's latest offensive aimed at crushing the Davion Loyalist uprising against Archon Katherine Stiner's rule in the Alcharus System has finally reached the gates of New Atlantis. Even as I speak to you Stiner Assault Mechs are punching through the final lines of defense around the capital. People are rioting in the streets," the camera panned around showing thousands of panic stricken refugees attempting to get past Davion security guards, but to no avail, explosions could be seen in the back ground, as the first Stiner Demolisher 2 heavy tanks began rolling up to the Royal Palace. The crowd became even more frightened, and began attempting to storm pass the troops.
"If our message is getting out," the reporter continued, "stay away form Alarus V and New Atlantis, the city is lost, the planet has fallen." At that moment a bright red streak slammed into the room where the reporter was standing, for a few moments, the camera showed Stiner Atlas class Assault Mechs opening fire on the panic stricken crowd, before the camera went black.
At that moment, the sound of the door to the room sliding open again, it was Rebecca.
"You guys better get ready," Rebecca said, "we're coming up on Solarus VII, once we land you're both to report to Hanger Bay 931, am I clear?"
"Crystal mam," both Darien and Lita replied, saluting. Rebecca couldn't help but smile, as she returned their salute.
"Before that," Rebecca said, "get some new clothes, you go into battle dressed like that you'll be giving MechWarriors a bad name."
The Jumpship arrived in orbit above Solarus VII a few moments later, and one by one the fully loaded Dropships descended to the surface.
Location: Wolf's Dragoon's Staging Base, Desert Regions, Solarus VII
The Dragoon Staging base was the only signs of life in the seemingly endless miles of desert. Normally Solarus VII was called the gaming world, home to many fantasic cities, that were often called the Las Vegas of the Inner Sphere, however the major draw to this back water planet were the gladiator fights, duels between various Mechs, to which the winner was granted vast wealth and fame, the losers often found themselves without a Mech, and a large vendetta against the winners.
The two Dropships landed on the outskirts of the base, and slowly the boarding ramps extended, allowing the personnel to disembark. Lita and Darien gazed out at the desert base before them. It was surrounded by a huge gray wall, with guard towers topped off with laser cannons or auto cannons, around the perimeter ran a serious of laser cannons. Inside the walls, the base was humming with activity, BattleMechs, tanks, trucks, aircraft, and troops were bustling about the base like ants.
"Welcome to Outpost Alpha," Ryan said, snapping Lita and Darien out of their thoughts, "hope you all enjoy your stay." The quartet made their way down the boarding ramp where an APC met them, at the bottom.
"These the new guys Lt," one of the officers asked.
"Yes," Ryan replied, "they're all yours."
Location: Near Hanger bay 931, a few hours later
Lita and Darien emerged from the barracks a few hours after arriving there. Instead of the clothes they were wearing when they first arrived in this era, they now wore olive green flight suits, over the top of which they wore black coolant vests, on the back of which was inscribed a jet black wolf's head on a blood red background.
"You know," Rebecca said, "you look better in a flight suit then you do in a tuxedo." Darien couldn't help but laugh.
"You know my girlfriend back home says the something," Darien replied, but before Rebecca could even form a reply, Ryan cut her off.
"If you're quite done," Ryan said, coldly, "we've got work to do, you two follow me." The group made their way into a near by Mech Hanger, where two Bushwaker one Uziel and two Ullers stood. Sparks flew out of one of the Bushwaker's engine compartments, as one of the mechanics set about repairing damaged components.
"HAY TWISTER," Ryan shouted, almost as if on queue, the sounds of someone losing their balance and falling off the scaffolding surrounding the Mech echoed through out the hanger.
"Not again," Ryan said, as he made his way around to the other side. There tangled up in the wiring of the scaffolding was a middle aged man, about in his mid-thirties with bright blue eyes, and dark red hair. He wore bifocal glasses, over which he was currently wearing a pair of colossal magnifying glasses.
"You nearly blew us to Calahootchi," the man said, as Ryan untangled him, from the scaffolding, "do you have any idea how volatile a BattleMech's reactor is."
"No Twister," Ryan replied, "but I'm sure you're going to tell me but not now, we've got other things." It was then Twister took notice of Lita and Darien.
"Oh no," Twister said, nearly breaking into tears, "no, no, no, no, not recruits."
"Who is this guy?" Darien finally said, trying to keep his laughter in.
"This is Captain James Striker," Rebecca added, "every though calls him Twister, he's one of our mechanics, though everyone says he's half Mech."
"Exactly," Twister replied, smiling, "I always said that I can repair any amount of damage, no matter how much damage, recruits inflict."
"Good," Ryan replied, placing his arm around Twister, "then you won't mind if we take the new guys out for some training."
"OF COURSE I DO!!!!!!," Twister shouted, "You're not going to let them anywhere near my babies." By now Ryan and Rebecca weren't even listening, as they pushed Twister aside, and lead Lita and Darien to a near by elevator.
"Both of you mount up in the Bushwakers," Ryan said, pointing to two Battlemechs that looked like a combination of an airplane fuselage and a missile launcher. Lita and Darien made their way to the two Bushwakers. As the Ground Crews loaded the Medium Mechs with training weapons, a collection of hoses emerged from the command couch and connected to their coolant vests. While Darien and Lita were strapped into their Mechs, Ryan and Rebecca made their way over to a set of Uller class Light Mechs, on the opposite side of the hanger. It took Ryan and Rebecca little more then a few minutes to get hooked up and ready to take their new Lance Mates out.
"So how does it feel to be strapped into a fifty ton walking nuke reactor?" Ryan asked, over the intercom.
"If you must know Lieutenant," Darien replied, "HOT."
"It's the excess heat the reactors give off," Ryan replied, "why do you think we wear these vests, it's not for a fashion statement I can tell you. Now down to business. I want you both to try and walk forward, and make your way out onto the training field."
"WALK," Lita shouted, "you've got to be kidding, there has to be over a hundred different controls in here."
"Cool your heals girl," Rebecca replied, laughing, "have you ever played a video game, or flown a plane?"
"Yes," Lita replied, angrily, "on the video game thing, planes and me don't get along well."
"If you play a video game, or fly a plane," Rebecca replied, "you can operate a BattleMech. Do you see the two joysticks on the arms of your command couch?"
"Yes," Lita replied, "I'm not blind."
"The one on the left controls your throttle," Rebecca continued, "push it away from you to increase forward speed, and toward you to increase backwards speed. The one on your right is controls you pitch, twist, arms, and weapons. The legs are controlled by the foot peddles on the floor, push them forward to go forward, and backward to go into reverse. Press down to engage your jump jets if your Mech is equipped with them."
"One final thing," Ryan said, cutting Rebecca off, "those helmets you both are wearing are very important."
"What about them," Darien asked, "they look just like any regular pilot's helmet?"
"They're called Neurohelmets," Ryan continued, "They're what allow BattleMechs to walk upright. They connect your brain directly to a BattleMech's gyro computer feeding it data on posture, movement, balance, and speed. Without them you'd be sitting in a fifty ton nuke reactor that's on its face. All you guys have to do is push the peddles and shoot the guns. Now let's get started, push the peddles down and we'll go forward."
Lita and Darien breathed in, and slowly pressed the foot peddles down. Slowly the fifty five ton behemoths they were in roared to life, and began to emerge from their storage racks. At first everything proceeded as planned, but no sooner did the four Mechs reach the opened air, when Lita's Bushwaker suddenly seemed to go out of control.
The fifty five ton behemoth suddenly started acting like it could barely stand up, the only sounds the other Mechwarriors could hear was that of Lita screaming as she tried to control the runaway war machine. Troops and other base personnel jumped out of the way, as the wobbling Mech stomped around the base before finally losing its balance and crashed to the ground.
"LITA," Darien shouted, as he turned his Mech in the direction of his friend. Darien opened his throttle to full, and raced toward the crippled Bushwacker, with Ryan and Rebecca not far behind.
"No, no, no, no, no," Twister shouted, as he ran out of the hanger, by now other base personnel had gathered around the downed BattleMech.
"You okay," Ryan said, over his intercom, as Lita was helped out.
"I'm fine," Lita said, dazed, "I guess I've been hanging around Serena to long." It was then Twister came rushing up to, but to Lita shock, he ran right past her and began kissing the BattleMech.
"Oh my dear baby," Twister said, "it's okay. Daddy's here."
"Don't worry about me," Lita said, "I'm fine."
"Not you," Twister shouted, "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO KEEP THESE OVER GROWN TIN CANS RUNNING?"
Location: Med Bay, a half hour later
"So you crashed a Bushwaker your first time out," the doctor asked, as he examined Lita for any signs of injury.
"Don't rub it in," Lita snarled, "I'm already the laughing stock of the base."
"Don't feel bad," the doctor replied, "you're not the first one to lose control of a BattleMech her first time out, now over all you seem no worse for wear after your little incident."
Just outside of the Med Bay, Ryan and Col. Storm were talking about the Dragoons next mission.
"You want us to WHAT?" Ryan shouted, barely able to contain his anger.
"You heard me Lieutenant," Storm replied, "We just received word of the 1st Royal Guard Mech Lance arriving on Tyre. You're going to take your Lance and operate as an independent unit to find out what Stiner is up to. While you're at it, you're going to stop off on Avalon II, near the Lyran-Jade Falcon Border; apparently a group of Clan Pirates are using the planet as a base."
"YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE," Ryan shouted, "THEY'RE LUCKY THEY CAN EVEN GET A MECH MOVING, AND NOW YOU WANT US TO TAKE THEM INTO BATTLE AGAINST CLAN?"
"This isn't my decision," Storm replied, "these orders are from Prince Victor Stiner-Davion himself. As for stopping off on Avalon II, just call it a free contract Lt. Colonel, have your lance suited up and ready to move by 0900 tomorrow." Before Ryan could even form a reply, to his unexpected promotion, Storm had taken his leave.
"Just get them ready," Storm added.
"Yes sir," Ryan replied saluting. A few minutes later, Lita emerged from the Med Bay.
"What was that all about?" Lita asked, concerning the argument she'd overheard while in the Med Bay.
"Report back to the Hanger bay," Ryan said, "we've got a lot of training to do."
"Why?" Lita asked, with a concerned look to her face.
"Because tomorrow," Ryan replied, "We're going to war."
Location: Firing range, that evening.
"AGAIN," Ryan shouted, over the intercom. Once again the two Bushwackers opened fire with a combination of auto cannons and missiles, their targets were two derelict Manteuffel class heavy tanks, and once again all of Lita and Darien's shots missed their marks, instead landing harmlessly in the mountain behind the two tanks.
"I suppose we should be grateful their both firing in the same direction," Ryan snarled over his intercom.
"What's that suppose to mean?" Darien shouted, Ryan hadn't realized he had forgotten to switch off his intercom.
"Forget it," Ryan replied, calmly, "now wait until your targeting reticule turns red and then fire." Lita and Darien once again turned their attention back to their view screens, and slowly they moved their targeting reticules over the two tanks, and once they turned red, Darien and Lita fired off their remaining LRM-10 missiles. One by one the missiles found their marks, punching through the Manteuffel's armor, and igniting their fuel tanks. Two fires erupted from where the Manteuffels used to be.
"Good job," Rebecca said, "You guys finally hit something other then dirt."
"Okay," Ryan added, "I think that's enough for tonight, try to get some sleep, we ship out for Avalon II in the morning." The quartet slowly made their way back to the hanger bays.
Location: Dropship Viper's Bite, the next morning
The ground crews were rushing about trying to get the gigantic spherical Union Class Dropship ready for take off, in addition to Ryan's Black Knight, and Rebecca's Cougar a Vulture class Heavy Mech and a Nova Cat class Heavy Mech were also being loaded aboard. In addition to the four BattleMechs a collection of tanks, hummers, and motorcycles were also loaded aboard in addition to ground troops, maintenance personnel, medical teams, and the Dropship's regular compliment.
"Are you sure about this," Twister said, "Colonel," he still wasn't used to Ryan's new rank, "trusting two heavy Mechs to a pair that were barely able to control Mediums."
"I know how you feel Twister," Ryan replied, "but we're taking on Clan on Avalon II, so we're going to need all the fire power we can get. Also, that's why you're coming with us." Twister shot Ryan a shocked look.
"But I'm not a field man," Twister said, as Ryan made his way up the ramp, "I mean I want to be a MechWarrior, but I don't want to go to war." Ryan wasn't listening as Twister continued to complain about how he didn't want to go. It was at that moment, he spotted Lita, she was leaning against one of the poles in the center of the hanger bay, and seemed to be half asleep.
"Penny for your thoughts," Ryan said, snapping Lita out of her day dream.
"Hello Colonel," Lita replied, yawning.
"You seem tired," Ryan said, "I assume you didn't get much sleep last night."
"You can say that," Lita replied, barely able to keep her eyes open, "I heard some of the other pilots talking about going into battle with the Clan. What exactly did they mean by that?"
"Long story short," Ryan replied, "you're looking at them." He pulled a small necklace from within his flight suit, and handed it to Lita. At the end of the necklace was a strange insignia that of a large serpent, on a golden star back ground.
"My mother was a MechWarrior with Clan Star Adder," Ryan replied, "My father was a member of the Spica Planetary Militia's BattleMech Unit."
"What happened to them?" Lita asked, curiously.
"My mother died when I was really young," Ryan replied, trying to hard not to think about the events of the previous ten years, "My father and brother were killed when the Archon chose to make an example of Spica's Governor for her support of Prince Victor."
"I'm sorry," Lita said, "out of curiosity is that why you're fighting, to get revenge?"
"No," Ryan replied, "I'm just trying to live up to the Hunter Name. Understand this, everyone has their reasons for fighting in this war, some want glory, others revenge, others are just here for kicks and money. You and Darien are going to have to find your own meanings in this war," Ryan suddenly changed the subject, "we're getting ready to take off, you'd better report to your cabin."
"Yes Colonel," Lita said, saluting.
"Please call me Ryan," Ryan replied, "High ranks make my skin crawl."
"Yes Ryan," Lita said, as she cracked a smile, "you know in that light you look exactly like my old boyfriend." Ryan couldn't help but laugh.
Darien and Rebecca were just beginning to settle into the quarters they were going to be sharing. Like most of the rooms on the Dropship, it was small, with two beds located on either side of the room. A large window let some light in.
"So why are you here anyway?" Darien asked, curiously.
"We're sharing a bunk," Rebecca replied, tossing her bag onto one of the beds.
"No I mean," Darien continued, "why are you fighting in the war."
"Same reason a lot of Mercs are," Rebecca replied, "adventure, and lots of money."
"Don't you ever get sick of fighting?" Darien asked,
"The only thing I ever got sick of was serving under my CO back on St. Andre," Rebecca replied, lying down on her bed, "The guy only cared about his rank, not the MechWarriors. But then again that was life in the Renshield's Dragoons."
"So what did you do?" Darien asked, curiously.
"One day I walked into his office and handed him my resignation," Rebecca said, relaxed, "and then took my Cougar and hightailed it off world, and linked up with the Wolf's Dragoons, and now I'm here."
"Is that all," Darien asked, he could tell Rebecca was hiding something by the tone of her voice.
"You could say my resignation was a bloody nose and about 5 BattleMechs crippled," Rebecca replied, smiling. Almost at that moment, the sounds of the Dropship's engines roaring to life filled the room, and slowly the Dropship headed into space.
Location: Rec Room, Jumpship Rising Star, enroot to Avalon II, a few hours later.
The docking with the Rising Star was strong enough to knock over many of the personal items that the crew of the Viper's Bite had brought aboard with them. The Rec Room was located on the fifth level of the Monolith class Jumpship. A massive window ran the full length of the room, revealing the star filled void of space. Near the entrance, and running the full length of the far wall was the Pilot's Bar, on top of which was the kill board. On the opposite side of the room was a series of simulators and a few pool tables. In between the bar and the games was an area covered with tables and chairs.
The Rec Room was humming with activity, as everyone from techs to officers bustled about on either their break or waiting for their shift to start.
"NO WAY THIS IS RIGGED," Lita snarled, as she pounded her fist on the simulator she was playing, she once again pressed the reset button, "OKAY THIS TIME I'LL GET IT."
"Talk about obsessive," Rebecca said, as she sipped her drink, "does she ever give up?"
"With Lita," Darien replied, smiling, "Give and Up aren't even words."
"Speaking of things Darien," Rebecca said, nudging him in the ribs, "you mentioned you have a girlfriend?"
"Um," Darien replied, blushing, "yes I do. Her name's Serena Tsukino," he desperately tried to figure out a way of explaining Rini, "and her little cousin Rini."
"Little cousin," Ryan asked, confused.
"Don't ask me to explain that one," Darien added, "it's too confusing. Anyway Serena and Rini are really nice, though they do tend to scream a lot, and run around like madmen when ever there is trouble, and I have to bail them out. They're both kind, though a bit spoiled, and never leave me alone. They're always there for me, even when I don't want them to be. They're." Ryan cut Darien off before he even had a chance to finish his sentence.
"Driving you crazy," Ryan added, Darien shot Ryan a cold gaze, before slamming his fist down on the table.
"Don't ever talk like that about Serena and Rini," Darien snarled, "I love both of them, more then you'll ever know sir."
"It's pretty obvious he's right," Rebecca said laughing, Darien didn't even reply.
"You two don't even know them, the same way you don't know anything about Lita and myself," Darien replied, angrily. Before any one at the table could form a reply, the word came over the intercom that they had just arrived in orbit above Avalon II.
Location: Dropship Viper's Bite, on the outskirts of the village of New Tokyo, Avalon II, Tygris System, Lyran Alliance-Jade Falcon Border.
Avalon II was at one time lush world, full of life and covered with beautiful flowers, and trees. Its streams and oceans were at one time teaming with fish, and its lush forests once hummed with life. But like most planets in the former Federated Commonwealth, the out of control civil war had brought its fair share of carnage. Bomb craters from five years of Stiner and Davion bombing raids covered most of the planet. Shattered remains of tanks and BattleMechs littered the ground costing its planetary defense forces all of their heavy weapons.
While Avalon II tried to remain neutral in the war, the planet border lined on a civil war of it's own, though an uneasy truce existed between the Stiner and Davion factions that made up the planetary militias and police forces, street brawls often broke out between the two factions, leaving the planet vulnerable to an attack, namely from marauding Clan Jade Falcon Pirates.
The Viper's Bite had sat down, a few miles from New Tokyo in one of the few wooded areas left on the planet. Ryan, Rebecca, Darien, Lita, and Twister had elected to head into town in order to recruit some more MechWarriors and pick up supplies for the journey to Tyre.
"This planet looks like it took a pounding," Darien said, as the hover truck drove passed a collection of bomb craters, and shot down areospace fighters.
"You try having your planet bombed night and day for five years," Twister replied, "and see how it looks."
"Whose side are the people of this planet on then?" Darien asked.
"The people of Avalon II are well known for trying to remain neutral," Rebecca said, "their militia though is another story, half of them are loyal to the Archon the other to Prince Victor, and since the militia is to busy fighting amongst themselves it's allowed Clan pirates to operate freely in this system."
Lita was lost in thought as she looked out the window, for Lita the name Avalon II brought up the image of a lush planet full of flowers, but the truth was almost heartbreaking, trees reduced to burned out husks, lush fields of flowers reduced to nothing more then a desert.
"Penny for your thoughts," Ryan asked, "you seemed distracted."
"Nothing," Lita replied.
Location: New Tokyo, a half hour later
New Tokyo was one of the smaller villages that dotted Avalon II's surface. Its location deep in the White Mountains made it of little interest to either side, but the village had taken its fair share of hits during the five years of the civil war. Situated in an area that had showed strong support for Prince Victor, and that made it a prime target for Stiner Loyalists. Most of the buildings in the village showed signs of damage from bombs, missiles, or artillery shells. The town was also deep within the Clan Occupied sector of the planet, meaning it answered to the Jade Falcon pirates that occupied the area.
The hover truck stopped in front of a large warehouse, and its occupants climbed out.
"Okay listen up," Ryan shouted, "Twister and I will get ammunition, Rebecca, Darien see if you can scare up some MechWarriors, and Lita see if you can find us some food. I'd like to hit that Clan base before they know we're here." As Ryan and Twister headed into the warehouse to begin collecting ammunition for the upcoming battle with the Jade Falcons, Lita headed off in the direction of the local market.
For Lita, the very thought of being on another planet, other then Earth was overwhelming. The market was full of merchants selling their goods, and people bustling about their daily lives. Very few even talked about the war, most simply were focused on the latest duels coming out of Solarus VII.
As Lita made her way across the market, she spotted something out of the corner of her eye; it was a group of little kids, making their way across the street to a newly built building. With the children was a young man, about 30 years old, dressed in a blue jump suit with red hair and sky blue eyes. It was then Lita spotted a poster on the wall.
"Charity Bazaar," Lita said, as she read the poster, "Come out and provide support for a new park and playground for our school." Lita smiled as she ran over to the young man.
"Excuse me sir," Lita said smiling.
"Can I help you miss," the man asked
"Yes," Lita replied, "I'd like to help out with the bazaar you're holding."
"Really," the man replied, "you look more like a MechWarrior then someone who would want to help us."
"Oh don't let the uniform fool you," Lita replied, smiling, "I'm actually more suited with cooking, sowing, and arts and crafts then I am in a BattleMech." The man hesitated for a few moments, before finally agreeing to allow Lita to help.
Location: Ira Kindergarten, a few minutes later
The kindergarten was a two story building, newly built over the old ruins of the old building which had been destroyed in a Davion bombing raid a few months earlier. Most of the teachers and a few people from the village were hard at work preparing the charity bazaar for opening. The building was covered from top to bottom in paper chains, and drawings done by the students. Booths dotted the small yard in the front of the school, as kids ran and played in the warm sun light.
"I really appreciate you helping us out," the principle said, "you're not at all like the other mercenaries, or militias."
"I just want to help," Lita replied.
"We hope to raise some money for a flower bed," the principle continued, "the war has destroyed most of the trees and flowers on Avalon II, and with fights breaking out between Stiner and Davion loyalists, I think it's important to provide the children and place where they can be close to nature, and not have to worry about the progress of the war."
"Sounds wonderful," Lita replied, smiling, "maybe you could use pansy or roses, and tulips would make it really pretty." The Principle simply looked at Lita with a confused look to his face.
"I'm sorry," the principle replied, "This is Avalon II, not Terra." It was then Lita remembered that she was on another planet.
"I'm sorry," Lita said, turning red with embarrassment, as she tried to come up with a good excuse other then the fact she was from a thousand years in the past, "I'm from Terra, and I've never been off the planet but before the war broke out I'd hoped to become a flouriest." Before the principle could form a reply to Lita's statement, the sounds of gunfire began echoing through out the yard.
Four men, each clad in bright green uniforms with an insignia that looked almost like a green falcon sowed onto their sleeves and armed with either an assault rifle or a laser rifle had stormed into the yard, and had begun tearing the bazaar apart. They were MechWarriors, members of the Jade Falcon Clan's most elite warrior caste.
"We," the commander of the raiders shouted, it was clear form the fiery look in the man's blue eyes that he had nothing but contempt for the people of New Tokyo, "have come to collect the tribute owed the Jade Falcon Clan by this Freebrith village." No one moved as the other Clanners tore their way through the bazaar taking smashing or taking anything that wasn't nailed down.
"Star Commander," one of the troops shouted, "they don't have any tribute other then this junk."
"Very well then," the commander replied, "either you pay up or we'll be forced to make an example of you worthless Freebirths. After keeping the evil of this foolish civil war away from Avalon II is what you people want, and that's what we're here to provide, all we ask is you honor your half of the deal."
"YOU CLANNERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE EVIL," someone in the crowd shouted. The Star Commander didn't even flinch, as the sound of a single shot rang out, as the principle fell to the ground, his head shattered by a laser blast from the Star Commander's laser rifle.
"Foolish Freebirth," the Star Commander said, "talking back to someone who can trace his very blood back to the followers of Kerensky, and is the pinnacle of warrior perfection," he then turned to his men, "teach these Freebirths a lesson in who's in charge of this planet." By now Lita couldn't stand by any longer while the Falcons had their way.
"LEAVE THEM ALONE," Lita shouted, gaining the Star Commander's attention, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THIS IS ABOUT BUT IT'S OBVIOUS THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU."
"Well, well," The Star Commander replied, approaching Lita, "it seems another Freebirth has some warrior spunk." He held his laser rifle to Lita's face and still she didn't flinch.
"I'm impressed with your resolve Freebirth," the Star Commander replied, as he struck Lita in the face with the butt of his rifle, "but not that impressed." The last thing Lita heard before she passed out was the sounds of gunfire, as the Jade Falcons opened fire on everyone in the court yard.
Stay Tuned For Chapter III: To Tyre
PS: We did some altering to this chapter, but over all this is meant to explore the characters.


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We usually meet twice a month :
First Thursdays- for socialising, meeting new people and sometimes themed discussion
We gather from 7:30 p.m. onwards at:
Crispins Wine Bar, 14 The Green, Ealing, W5 5DA (Phone: 0208 579 6912)
Third Thursdays - for talks and presentations, start 7.15pm for 7:30, end 9.30pm, at:
Friends' Meeting House,17 Woodville Road, Ealing, London W5 2SE
The meeting house is approximately 400 metres north of Ealing Broadway Station. New people are always welcome as visitors at
our monthly meetings. To cover costs of hiring a meeting space and providing tea and biscuits, we ask that visitors
contribute £4 per event (£3 for members).
For a detailed map click here

subset: commoncrawl


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Vase Makeover
Why did I buy something that I can only use once a year? Do you ever have thoughts like that? I just had to have it! It was the same color of blue as my little dessert containers. One day I started thinking, I've seen everything under …Read More »
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Sometimes you see something (from Pinterest) and you must have it. (Photo from Pinterest) The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree had to be mine! (Photo from Pinterest) So I asked on Facebook if anyone knew where I could find one, and I heard crickets. I searched on the internet and it …Read More »


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Beringer Vineyards
Founded in 1876, Beringer is the oldest continuously operating vineyard in the Napa Valley. Brothers Jacob and Frederick Beringer chose Napa for its rocky, well-drained soil, reminiscent of the land in their native Germany.
Fast forward to 2012: Beringer's Winemaker Emeritus, Ed Sbragia, departed for a new project, leaving longtime co-winemaker Laurie Hook in charge. Hook, a native of Sacramento, graduated from the winemaking program at the University of California at Davis in 1984. She cut her teeth in Australia and Sonoma before arriving at Beringer in 1986. In 1997, she was named assistant winemaker to Sbragia and in 2000 was promoted alongside him to full winemaker.
Beringer makes wines from its fourteen different vineyards throughout Napa Valley. The Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, decadently rich and sweet in the early going but with a track record for aging well, is harvested primarily from the St. Helena Home Vineyard and the Bancroft Ranch Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Grapes in the Private Reserve Chardonnay come from Big Ranch Road Vineyard and Yountville Vineyard, both located in southern Napa Valley. Other varieties grown by Beringer include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Viognier.
Beringer is now Beringer Blass, owned by Foster's Group of Australia, who purchased Beringer in an unprecedented $1.5 billion dollar deal, merging it with its Mildara Blass wine division. Today, Beringer Blass's portfolio has expanded to include such wineries as Chateau St. Jean, Chateau Souverain, Meridian, St. Clement, Stags' Leap Winery, Etude, Wolf Blass, Greg Norman Estates, Jamiesons Run, Black Opal, Castello di Gabbiano and Campanile.
It is remarkable that an industry essentially less than a half-century old could capture the attention of the American wine-buying public to the degree that California has. Powerful consumer interest in California wine is driven by two major factors. The more obvious reason is that California's best wines, which come from grapes grown in a benign climate featuring endless sunshine, very warm summer days, and generally dry harvests, and wonderfully fruity, full, and satisfying, and rarely too austere or tannic to be enjoyed from day one.
California is blessed with an extraordinary range of soils and microclimates, allowing for the successful cultivation of many varieties. In at least three out of four years, the best sites produce healthy, ripe fruits that are the envy of European producers in more marginal climates. The other reason Americans buy so much California wine is that California is the home team. Clearly, a high percentage of domestic wine drinkers are more comfortable buying American wines (and not just wines of California) than imports. Then, too, foreign bottles are generally identified by place name, rather than by the more familiar varieties that American wine drinkers have come to know and enjoy.
Moreover, in much of North America, outside the top 15 or 20 largest metropolitan markets, consumers have limited access to imported wines even if they wanted to buy them.
For many, Napa Valley is California wine, and Cabernet is king in Napa Valley. Meanwhile, the Burgundy varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have gravitated to cooler areas, generally closer to the Pacific, such as the western stretches of Sonoma County, the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, and the Santa Maria and Santa Ynez valleys within Santa Barbara County. Syrah vines have yielded interesting wines in a range of styles all over the state, in regions as disparate as Mendocino County, the Sonoma coast, Carneros, Paso Robles, and Santa Maria Valley. Very good Zinfandel similarly comes from multiple growing areas, although to date the age-of-vines variable has been almost as important as geography. Zinfandel, though its roots are in Europe, is a true California original and the only California wine imitated abroad. It's also a variety of which there are still significant plantings of very old vines, in some cases dating back to the end of the 19th century.
At best, dry or off-dry wines with notable acidity, interesting mineral character, and notes of apricot, apple and pear
Seafood, washed-rind cheeses
Pinot Gris, called Pinot Grigio in Italy, is a noble variety that, unfortunately, doesn't always produce highly refined wine. At its best, in Alsace, where it's usually called Tokay Pinot Gris, the wines are extremely rich and honeyed, in either a dry, or just off-dry style. Characteristic flavors include peach, apricots, tropical fruits, and spices. In Oregon, Pinot Gris is usually dry, with few examples seeing much in the way of oak.
Alsace Pinot Gris
The third grape in Alsace's holy trinity, Pinot Gris is far more likely to produce a fat, oily, even viscous wine than a racy, high-pitched drink. Pinot Gris (also known as Pinot Grigio), is characterized by rather exotic aromas and flavors of peach and apricot, tropical fruits, orange peel, butter, nut oil, smoked meat, spices, earth, and honey. As with Geurztraminer, traditional versions of Pinot Grigio are reminiscent of ripe Chardonnay. In the hands of some producers, they are among the richest white wines of France. Pinot Gris is a versatile food wine well matches to the rich cuisine of the region -- it's frequently paired not only with pates and foie gras, rich fish preparations and white meats, but even with red meat dishes.
Oregon Pinot Gris
Outside of the cool, hilly Alto Adige region of northeast Italy, no other region produces as many fresh, elegant examples of Pinot Gris (called Pinot Grigio in Italy) as Oregon. Unlike the weightier, spicier, and more flamboyantly ripe examples from Alsace, Oregon Pinot Gris is usually fermented to complete dryness, and few examples see much in the way of oak. Instead, the top producers make brisk, highly aromatic, light-to medium-bodied wines that emphasize clean orchard fruits such as apple, pear, and peach, often with citrus elements as well. These wines are normally best consumed within a couple years of the vintage for their fresh fruit; they are excellent choices with a range of warm-weather fare and go especially well with light, fresh seafood preparations. Pinot Gris rather than Chardonnay is the flagship white wine for many Oregon producers -- a smart move in light of the popularity of these wines.
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Cuban picadillo is an economical, easy to make, delicious dish! It's great served with rice or salad, and with wholesome ingredients, is a great ground beef recipe to add to your dinner rotation.
It seems fitting to be posting a Cuban recipe today. My in-laws are visiting, and I have very much appreciated the chance to pick their brains about cooking while here. In fact, one of the recipes you'll see soon-ish on the blog I shot before dinner one evening (they cooked!). You can try all the Cuban restaurants you like, there's nothing like good home cooked food. So, I'm sharing my recipe for Cuban picadillo today. (more…)


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Emission Control Areas (ECAs) Monitoring MARPOL Annex VI
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has adopted a set of regulations for the prevention of air pollution by ships, outlined in Annex VI of the MARPOL Convention. MARPOL Annex VI sets limits on the emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) (IMO, 2008) from ship exhaust gases and contains provisions for setting up special SOx Emission Control Areas (ECAs), characterised by more stringent controls on emissions.
Emission Control Areas, or ECAs, are a set of four sea areas with strict controls over ship emissions in an effort to minimise the environmental damage they cause. The controls cover the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Channel and most of the US and Canadian coast.
With the imminent arrival of Europe and North America's ECA sulphur emissions limit of 0.1% in January 2015, and a global ECA in 2020, ship owners will be under significant pressure to prove compliance or else face significant fines. Burning distillate fuel is an expensive way of ensuring compliance, with the current cost estimated to be over $300 per metric tonne higher than the non-compliant Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). An alternative to using distillates is to install scrubbers, a technology which uses sea water to neutralise the sulphur oxides in the exhaust gases. It is in the interest of the operator to ensure they are not only compliant, but have the relevant data to back up this claim.
Procal has successfully fitted emissions monitoring technology to a wide range of vessels operating in European waters. The technology employs electronic collection and reporting of data, requiring zero man-hours to obtain accurate readings. By ensuring that data is accurate and can be easily verified, third party verification costs are minimal. Modern monitoring systems, such as the Procal 2000 analyser, have the potential to enable significant fuel savings, and consequently minimal CO2 emissions, by enabling ship operators to make 'real time' adjustments to the way the vessel is operated. It also allows the onshore management team to monitor emissions from the vessel.
The Procal 2000 analyser uses an in-situ (inside the exhaust) sample cell, thus avoiding the need to extract gas. This avoids the use of costly, high maintenance sample handling systems and enables analysis of an unmodified, truly representative gas sample. Exhaust gases from the combustion of residual and distillate fuels can be analysed so that compliance can be confirmed in port, in ECAs and in international waters. As regulations become increasingly stringent, this technology will provide accurate data, enabling compliance without the need for costly man-hours. As the shipping industry strives for more transparency and lower costs, emissions monitoring technology can ensure that latent savings are realised.
To find out how you can use the Procal 2000 analyser in an ECA, contact us today.


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When Floyd Landis won the Tour de France in Paris last July, a quarter of a million people lined the Champs-Elysees to watch him. Last week, his presence in Borrego Springs, a sparsely populated community in the Southern California desert, caused barely a flicker.
Not that Landis is complaining. "I like it here," he said. "Nobody knows about what I'm supposed to have done. I'm anonymous and, right now, that's as good as it gets."
It was the first time the American had returned to this remote corner of the United States since his victory in the Tour de France collapsed around him when, two days after being hailed as the champion, he tested positive for illegal levels of testosterone.
Landis was branded a drugs cheat, sacked by his Phonak team and had his winner's cheque for around £300,000 withheld. Nearly three weeks later, on August 15, his father-in-law and close friend, David Witt, shot himself dead in a San Diego car park.
Family and friends insist the furore over the Landis doping case played no part in Witt's suicide. He was known to have been worried about his restaurant business and the debts he had incurred in trying to take it upmarket. But Landis cannot rid himself of guilt and the belief that he may have played a part, however small, in his father-inlaw's death.
"I don't know why he did it," he said. "But I'd be deluding myself if I thought the dope case did not play a big part in his stress. He was a good friend long before he became my father-in-law.We used to cycle together, we even came out here, to Borrego Springs, to train.
"He was in the Champs-Elysees the day I won the Tour and he was at the victory party.
"I didn't talk to him the week before he died. I feel really bad about that but I was completely consumed by the accusations levelled against me. Maybe, if I had, he would have said something about how he felt. Now it"s too late and we'll never know why.
"It's been the toughest few months of my life. One moment I've realised a lifelong dream in Paris, the next I've become one of the biggest doping stories of all time. But if it"s been hard for me, it's been a great deal harder for my family."
Three days after Witt's death, random dope testers knocked on the door of the Landis family home in California.
"My wife, Amber, answered the door and almost had a total breakdown,"
Landis said. "She started to scream and cry, telling them that they had ruined her life.
"I apologised to the man because he was only carrying out his job. He told me that he'd been asked to do a random drug test on me the day after David died and his death became national news. The man told me he refused to visit me then but had to come two days later. I asked him to let my family have some dignity. We still had to go through with the funeral."
On the face of it, the Landis case appears straightforward. People were already questioning how he had transformed himself from a beaten man after the Tour's 16th stage into one capable of an almost superhuman achievement in winning the 17th.
Eight members of the now disbanded Phonak team had previously been banned for doping offences and Landis added to that shameful tally when his ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone was recorded at 11:1, way above the highest permitted ratio of 4:1.
Landis, predictably, denies his guilt, although he understands why the global public remains sceptical.
"I don't fault people for believing I must be guilty," he said. "If I were looking in from the outside, I'd be feeling exactly the same way. But I'd like to be given a fair trial and the evidence to be considered with an open mind."
His defence rests on his claim that three out of four testosterone tests used on his sample were negative and that the one positive test could have resulted from laboratory error.
The Landis defence team also say that the test considered by the World Anti-Doping Agency to be the best indicator of long-term testosterone use was negative. The testers at France's national anti-doping laboratory have already owned up to an error in recording the identification number of Landis's B sample, writing the figure 995-474 as 994-474.
Landis did not help his cause in the days following news of his positive drug test by citing a whole host of excuses, from the whiskey he said he had consumed the night of the 16th stage and the cortisone injections he was allowed for a hip injury (the joint was replaced in September) to his thyroid medication and even naturallyproduced testosterone.
Last week he said: "It was a mistake to come out with those things but I"m not an expert and I'm very unhappy that I've had to become one."
But what about the history of drug use within the Phonak team? Landis said: "I hardly knew most of those guys. I don't know whether they did it or not. But I do know that people have assumed doping was a team policy because of the numbers involved. I'd only been there two years but if it was a team policy, and as eight guys lost their jobs, their salaries and their reputations, don't you think someone would have been embittered enough to take the team down with them?"
The aspect about the positive test that rankles most with Landis is not a scientific one. It would, he says, have been absurd to have taken a large dose of testosterone in order to win the 17th stage because stage winners on the Tour are always tested.
"The chances of me getting away with it would be zero," he added. "Even if I had taken that course,would I then be so useless in the Press conference and so devoid of explanation? Wouldn't I have my defence all worked out? This must make me the dumbest person on the whole planet. The accusation, in reality, is that I"m an idiot."
Landis says his defence has already cost him $150,000. His hearing, due to be heard in January in Malibu, has been put back by at least a month. Landis is not optimistic about the eventual outcome.
"The sport doesn't want me to win and it's going to be very difficult to do so," he said. "Even if I do, people will believe I've got off on a technicality. I want people to understand the true, scientific reasons behind my innocence, not a technicality.
"If I lost, I'm not sure I could carry on. I wasn't the highest-paid cyclist and it's looking like this might cost me $500,000. I think the authorities know I'll run out of money. They've said they'll appeal if they lose the hearing and that might take another year.
"If I'm banned for four years and stripped of my title and prize-money, I'll never race again. My desire for it would have been obliterated."
Whatever the results of the American's case, he admits his sport is in deep trouble.
"How can cycling win?" he said. "Either the winner of its greatest race is a cheat or the credibility of the system is in tatters if I'm found innocent. Neither is a great result."
At that point, Landis bursts out laughing. "I may never get my prize money and I may lose my title as Tour de France champion, but there's one thing they'll never get from me," he said.
"I have the yellow jersey at home and that's where it's going to stay for the rest of my life."Reuse content


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Dankzegging babyborrels
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Set of 20 Burlap and Twine Paper Cups for a Wedding Shower, Wedding, Baby Shower or Birthday. Perfect for Coffee, Hot Chocolate or Hot Tea
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|Tortoise Wins by a Hare
Tortoise Wins by a Hare is a Bob Clampett cartoon starring Bugs Bunny and Cecil Turtle.
Bob Clampett took Avery's scenario and altered it for his film Tortoise Wins by a Hare released on February 20, 1943. The title is an appropriate pun on "hair".
Bugs again challenges Cecil to a race after viewing footage from their previous encounter two years earlier (which seems to depict Cecil as having won fairly instead of by cheating Bugs with his cousins). Bugs then goes to Cecil's tree home disguised as an old man (a parody of Bill Thompson's "Old Timer" character from Fibber McGee and Molly) to ask the turtle his secret. Cecil, not in the least bit fooled by the disguise, so tells him he remarks that his streamlined shell lets him win, and produces a set of blueprints for his "air-flow chassis". The turtle ends the conversation with the comment, "Oh, and another thing... Rabbits aren't very bright, either!" just before slamming the door in the enraged bunny's face. Not getting the hint that the turtle's story is a humbug, Bugs builds the device and prepares for the race.
Meanwhile, the bunny mob learns of the upcoming match-up and places all its bets on Bugs. ("In fact, we don't even think that the toitle will finish... Do we, boys?" "Duh, no, Boss, no!") The race begins, and Bugs still outpaces his reptilian rival. However, in his new get-up, the dim-witted gangsters mistake him for the turtle. Cecil reinforces this misconception by dressing in a gray rabbit suit and munching on some delicious carrots. The mobsters thus make the shelled Bugs' run a nightmare, ultimately giving the race to Cecil (in an aside to the audience, as the rabbits cheer him, Cecil remarks, "I told you rabbits aren't very bright!"). When Bugs removes the chassis and sobbingly reveals that he's the rabbit, the rabbit gangsters remark, in mock-Bugsy style, "Ehhh, now he tells us!" and commit suicide by shooting themselves with a single bullet that goes through the sides of all of their apparently soft heads as the cartoon ends.
- The ending where the gambling ring shoots themselves after realizing that they've been trying to sabotage Bugs throughout the cartoon has been cut from many TV prints of this cartoon, including versions shown on the Turner channels Cartoon Network[1] (excluding its appearance on "The Bob Clampett Show"), TBS, and TNT. TCM's Cartoon Alley makes a fade-out after the suicide instead of the original "iris-out".
- The TBS version also shortens the part where the rabbits pounce on Bugs before he can reach the finish line.[1]
- On some airings, the "Bugs in drum" closing is used.[citation needed]
- The USA dubbed print uses the 1947-48 end card while the EU dubbed print uses the 1937-38 end card.[2]
- VHS - Cartoon Moviestars: Bugs!
- Laserdisc - Cartoon Moviestars: Bugs! and Elmer!
- VHS - Bugs Bunny Collection: Bugs Bunny's Zaniest Toons
- Laserdisc - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 1, Side 10: The Art of Bugs
- VHS - The Golden Age of Looney Tunes, Vol. 10: The Art of Bugs
- VHS - Looney Tunes: The Collectors Edition, Vol. 7: Welcome to Wackyland
- DVD - Looney Tunes Golden Collection: Volume 1, Disc Three
- Blu-Ray, DVD - Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume 2, Disc 2
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.intanibase.com/gac/looneytunes/censored-t.aspx
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkNUrL8wRms
External Links
Tortoise Wins by a Hare at SuperCartoons.net
Tortoise Wins by a Hare at B99.TV


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If you don't hear the sounds, please try another server or use Desktop browsers to watch.
If you got player loading forever or error message, please press Ctrl + F5 or clear your browser cache and try again.
WatchDistiller (2016)
Director: Andy Schroeder
Production Co:
Genre: Family, Horror, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 90 Min
Quality: HD
Release: 08 Jan 2016
View: 238


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The Treasurer's Department is responsible for motor vehicle title and registrations, and issues and collects real estate and personal property taxes.
Property Tax Search
Jefferson County provides an online property tax serach tool. Not all taxes are available.
Pay With a Credit Card
Real estate, personal and mobile home taxes can be paid with a credit card by calling 1(800)272-9829 or by visiting www.officialpayments.com You will need to use Jurisdiction Code 3603 when prompted. There is a fee for this service and you will be given a payment confirmation number that you should keep for your records. The fee schedule can be seen here.
Contact Us
Terri Kunz, Treasurer
Boulder MT 59632
phone (406) 225-4100
fax (406) 225-4104
HOURS:8:00am to 5:00pm
Open during lunch


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Seattle residents can now buy medical marijuana through the user-automated vending machine technology. American Green Inc., the Company behind the machine introduced it as the first age-verifying, climate-controlled self-service dispensary.
The machine stocks a wide range of medicinal and recreational marijuana flowers, pot-infused edibles, and merchandise and uses an ID-scanner to verify a buyer's identity and age before dispensing the drug.
The company plans to place machines in Washington State, Colorado, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Alaska.
Given the demise of the cigarette vending machine, one could ask whether this new technology could cause the re-birth of cigarette vending in Canada.


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We found 0 Hematologists in Shawnee, KS
However, we found 11 Hematologists near Shawnee, KS.
Physicians Reference Lab Overland Park, KS
Research Medical Center Overland Park, KS
Mission Hills, KS
University of Kansas Cancer Center Westwood, KS
University of Kansas Cancer Center Westwood, KS
Kansas City, KS
TMC Hospital Hill Kansas City, MO
William P Patterson MD Kansas City, MO
Kansas City VA Medical Center Kansas City, MO
Topeka Pathology Group LLC Topeka, KS
VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System-Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center Topeka, KS
The Vitals website is provided for your informational use only. Nothing contained or offered by, on or through Vitals should be construed as medical advice or relied upon for medical diagnosis or treatment. Vitals does not recommend or endorse any particular healthcare provider whose information or ratings appear on this website. We encourage you to read our full Terms of Service.


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In the last 90 days, 1 listings have been listed, which means leases most likley are leasing quickly. You'll want to be prepared to make an offer immediately. About 200% of the office spaces in the Golden Hills are subleases, so you might be able to find a shorter term or below market rent. There aren't many listings below 2,000 square feet available, so finding a space for a small business might be tough.
The standard measurement for office space in this area is around sqft. Most buildings in this market were built in 2000 and are Class B.
Not much of the real estate is used for commercial space, so it might be hard to find office space. Utilities is the dominant industry in this area. Most of the residents of Golden Hills work from home. Commuting approximately 10 minutes a day is the norm for those who opt to reside in this part of town.
Trends and status of the commercial real estate market in Golden Hills.
Market Report
Real time and historical data on commercial real estate listings in Golden Hills.


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Global Networking Meetups
Join our meetups in cities around the world and attend our summer speaker series!
Networking Meetups
We hold meetups for our tribe in cities around the world!
Join us for a monthly meetups in our home of St. Augustine, Florida or one of our city chapters, and sign up for email updates to hear when we'll have a meetup in YOUR city!
Women's Wednesdays
The speakers at our events share their personal stories of struggle, triumph and all the little moments to cherish in between… they all come from different backgrounds; they are athletes, journalists, authors, CEO's, FBI agents, stylists, coaches, entrepreneurs, survivors.
These fierce women all have their own unique story and each one brings her own fierce energy and enthusiasm for life to her talk!


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Upgrade Path for CUCM 6.1.2 daylight savings issues
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Doing patches for a CUCM 184.108.40.2060-13 wondering if update 220.127.116.110-3 will resolve the daylight savings issue for the legacy ip sets not updating their time with the new DST standards. Thank you
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A total of 37 leaders from industry and trade circles in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific visited a global trade center on the morning of September 23, in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, to research strategic cooperation.
The team includes government officials and commercial leaders from ten countries including Mexico, Chile, Columbia, and Cuba.
The research team visits the exhibition hall in the trade center. [Photo by Liu Xiang/China Daily]
Chen Jianying, general manger of the business management company introduced the development and services of the trade center. It will trade European and American products and provide commercial services to businesses from all around the world.
With a total area of 26 million square meters, the trade center covers seven business areas including global trade, storage, and logistics. The emphasis will be on both wholesale and retail sales. The first phase of the project will include an international boutique outfit store, a market for petty commodities, a market for leatherwear, a hall for Buddhist culture, and a market for children's commodities. The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
The industrial park will take up an area of 1,500 hectares and will integrate research and development, production, processing, and customization. The industrial park will serve to interact industrial manufacturing and sales. Relying on the developed global distribution network, the project will become a world trading center with a complete industrial chain.
Members from the research team discuss cooperation details with representatives from the trade center. [Photo by Liu Xiang/China Daily]
The trade center is establishing a platform for international communication and launching preferential policies for imports and exports. It has built many domestic and international investment connection offices to cooperate with overseas Chinese businesses and institutions.
Research teams from more than two dozen countries and regions visited the trade center for further cooperation. The trade center reached agreements with the Milan Chamber of Commerce, the Yum Restaurant Investment Company, Disney Themed Restaurants, SEGA Corporation, and Fox Conn Corporation.


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Find the best activities, restaurants and things to do in Diamond City, United States. Explore Diamond City travel guide before you plan your trip here. This city is located in the close proximity of a major city Branson, United States. Branson is bestowed with interesting set of attractions like Silver Dollar City, Sight And Sound Theatres, Titanic Museum. A holiday in Diamond City can generally be of 1-2 days.
Diamond City is an affair to remember, follow this apt itinerary of the place and return home with a bunch of memories.
Explore the best journey planner for your visit to Diamond City and create a flawless plan in few simple steps!


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- > News
29 people are participation from -9 university held by 2016 "bunkakoryukizunari coordinator qualification" acquisition curriculum (for a short term intensive seminar)
Sep 16, 2016
For a short term intensive seminar that was part of Japan Society for Intercultural Studies "bunkakoryukizunari coordinator" authorization curriculum lasted for seven days of from 4 to 10 on September and was carried out in Ryukoku University.
We join a variety of culture together while globalization advances in every field and promote kizunari of new culture, and role of practitioner who social, contributes is expected. Besides, it ties up past and present and the future, and, area and area, area and the world, it is "bunkakoryukizunari coordinator" (ICCO) that wrestle in grasp and solution of various problems to exist there and discovery of possibility.
29 students participate in this training from universities with educational program of this qualification of the whole country. Five second graders participated from this school. We perform field work by one set of team and announce the result for 3 people.
We focused on "power spot" where specific Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine Buddhist temples were said in Kyoto-shi, and there was group which investigated purpose of couple who was for sightseeing to group and Kyoto that investigated difference of consciousness with the Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine side, and which group announced unique findings that we appeared to wait and got in fieldwork of Kyoto in original viewpoint this year, too.
Students who participated in this training acquire ability and field of vision playing an active part in global, and it is expected that we play an active part in the areas various as "bunkakoryukizunari coordinator".
About ICCO qualification system


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Over the course of the last few weeks we have received requests from our customers to reschedule the event as it is right after Memorial Day weekend and several folks will be out of office. As a result we are rescheduling the event for a later date.
In the interim, if you are interested in learning more we can do a dedicated session for you and your team. Please let us know if that would be of interest by emailing email@example.com.
Join cloud technologists from Pivotal and Microsoft for a half-day workshop where you will discover how to accelerate your digital transformation through software development on a modern cloud platform, without compromising operations.
During the workshop you will learn how:
- Microsoft transformed to a cloud company and how they do hundreds of releases into production a day
- Lean/Agile and DevOps methodologies enable your digital transformation
- To accelerate your transformation by deploying cloud-native applications using production-ready best practices on Azure
- To quickly deploy microservice applications, developed using Spring Boot and Spring Cloud, with a hands-on Pivotal Cloud Foundry session
At the conclusion of this workshop, you will be ready to deliver cloud-native applications with Pivotal Cloud Foundry on Azure. You'll also discover the benefits of partnering with Pivotal and Microsoft to achieve your technology vision.
Space is limited so register to secure your spot. If you would like to participate in hands-on exercises please bring a laptop.
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After studying the Oneida product page (LINK) and researching around the net I was able to figure out and put together the parts necessary to build my own Oneida Realtime Filter Efficiency Gauge. Its a very simple design and you can buy all the parts on your own for a lot cheaper than their kit. ...Last Post By: Larry Frank Today, 7:22 AM
They were sold to Stanley - Black & Decker for $800m.Last Post By: paul cottingham Today, 1:02 PM
Just what it says. I cleaned up the junk in the back yard, yesterday. Wound up with six pieces of 2x4, after cutting out the bad stuff in three longer boards.. Handsome devils, aren't they? So, this morning I hauled these things down to the shop. I set the longer three aside, for now. ...Last Post By: steven c newman Today, 12:52 PM
I had a guy come buy. He is building a Gatling Gun, 1/3 scale. He asked me to build the spoked wheels for him. I figured it would be a cool project to be part of. He supplied me with some Walnut parts. He gave me 16 segments cut on a CNC for the two, 8 segment wheels. He also gave me 40...Last Post By: lowell holmes Today, 10:46 AM
Looking for commentary on plow planes. I have a Record 405 and I only have used the 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" grooving irons. I have looked at all the other irons but not used any. I will probably be dead before LN releases their plow plane so I've been looking at the Lee Valley plow plane. Curious to...Last Post By: Rob Lee Today, 8:21 AM
Hey, We are working on making two 3'x12' planters with a dog-proof 6' tall trellace/wall around a total area of 8'x12'. We are currently wondering what wood to use that's a good combination of durability and price. Right now we are kicking around using plastic wood, redwood, or cedar. We want...Last Post By: Lee Schierer Today, 1:20 PM
I've got a pile of flatsawn white oak I was planning on using... Also have access to some red oak as well.JohnM Martin Today, 4:35 PM
I guess I'm a deadbeat...no balances. 850 credit score. I rarely carry a balance and in those few instances where it's occurred, it was a major purchaseJim Becker Today, 4:35 PM
Boy, you said a mouthful there! It is going slower than expected, but faster than it might, if you take my meaning. Once I got started I realized it wasMike Baker 2 Today, 4:33 PM
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Parc riviera condo market is highly competitive, and the most recent public offering price is very easy to give themselves a competitive advantage over established society. Because prices in parc riviera condo are very low for what you get, the purchase of this sort can surprise you as a buyer at the price. The above already competitive price, namely the development of a series of discounts usually offer a variety of condominium units in the complex for early buyers. Ask your real estate agent about pre-construction discount can offer good savings and good investment opportunities. Parc riviera condo has a nice variation in a new gated community; Golf course communities, beach and marina community, and just plain, good people with a lot of bike paths and green areas, just a short walk from the beach. Many of parc riviera condo are in such regions.
While parc riviera condo bank financing is not available on the condominium regimen given, some developers offer financing options on their own, and after a regimen of condominium given (usually quite early in the construction process), the mortgage can be obtained. Negotiation – again, this parc riviera condo is the opposite of what most buyers consider; Although the new property directly from the developer, you can still negotiate. The price may be negotiable in some cases, but in all cases, the extra features are definitely bargaining point.
Waiting time for parc riviera condo ie the unit is just that; they are being sold before the complex has been completed 100%. This means that even if the unit itself is full it may not be delivered to the point of completion achieved advanced enough for the complex. This means that the waiting time, but for buyers who plan to this, parc riviera condo rarely presents any complications. It will come with time, but in the meantime, the owner must be satisfied to drive downtown or to the shopping area.


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The Psychosis Prodrome.
Psychotic disorders are devastating for individuals and their families as they involve the onset of symptoms and significant impairment during adolescence and young adulthood- two critical developmental periods when youth are only just starting to make a transition into independence. These disorders are highly prevalent (impacting between 1-2% of the population), and once diagnosed, involve a chronic course and challenging prognosis. However, an emerging research field suggests that we can now effectively identify those who are at imminently high-risk for psychosis, several years before onset (Figure 1).
High-risk syndromes are defined, in part, by attenuated positive symptoms (e.g., experiencing unusual thoughts, seeing brief shadows, hearing strange sounds). Individuals with these syndromes also show persistent difficulties with motor, perceptual, cognitive and emotive functioning. Cumulative, changes during the high-risk (or prodromal period) result in significant impact in social, academic and occupational functioning. Those who meet criteria for a high-risk syndrome have a chance of developing schizophrenia or an affective disorder with psychotic features within a two-year period. This serves as a foundation for a line of research that suggests that if we can identify high-risk adolescents and young adults and provide early intervention, the course of illness will be improved or perhaps prevented entirely.
How Can We Conceptualize the Prodrome?
In a neural diathesis-stress conceptualization of psychosis, individuals with a biological susceptibility (i.e., from inherited genes, mutations, and early prenatal teratogen/insult) often exhibit subtle signs of impairment from infancy and then carry these signs forward throughout childhood (e.g., delayed achievement of milestones such as walking/talking/toilet training; motor abnormalities; poor social skills and affective responsivity; cognitive deficits).
Much later, these vulnerabilities interact with the substantial environmental stressors and dramatic neural and endocrine maturational factors that occur during adolescence and early young-adulthood. During this time normative age related increases in sex hormones synergistically affect neurotransmitters and modulate gene expression. Further marked neural reorganization affects both connectivity and intercommunication between key brain structures and networks. It is also important to consider that the adolescent and young-adult time periods are characterized by a significant number of major life-stage decisions, as well as increases in every day stressors and responsibilities. Each of these social requirements involves making adult decisions without the benefit of a fully developed adult brain (e.g., limiting impulsive thinking and promoting efficient thinking). This can place additional burden on a progressively compromised system (indeed, one common experience is feeling more "thrown-off" by every day stressors). Finally, individuals in these stages are often exposed to additional environmental stresssors including substance abuse. Together, the early vulnerability interacts with adolescent and young-adult developmental factors as well as social and environmental stressors, contributing to emerging subtle attenuated psychotic symptoms. Some common symptoms include: finding a greater degree of meaning in everyday coincidences (aberrant salience), seeing shadows out of the corner of one's eye, mild grandiosity, feeling vaguely suspicious of friends and family and experiencing increasing difficulty in getting one's point across. In addition to these symptoms, adolescents and young adults in the prodrome often report negative symptoms (e.g., feeling low motivation, not enjoying things that were previously held to be pleasurable, feeling emotionally disconnected from the self or others), as well as difficulties with cognition (this can present as difficulty concentrating and increasing difficulty in school or at work) and emotional processing (this can present as exhibiting increasing difficult with processing and interacting with social situations). In turn, these emerging symptoms lead to increased stress, which may tax progressively compromised neural and hormonal systems. Indeed, because stressors influence hormones, and because of the important role that hormones (including stress hormones) play in regulating genes responsible for guiding brain development, the noted difficulties and environmental stressors can impair neural development, and consequently, contribute to further vulnerability. This may drive a cascade which eventually drives the onset of formal psychosis (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, depression with psychotic features).
Why Does Development Matter?
Although serious mental illness can occur during a number of developmental periods, a majority of cases first develop at the end of adolescence and beginning of young-adulthood. As a result, it has become increasingly clear that developmental factors play an important pathogenic role. As seen in Figure 3, significant brain reorganization during adolescence and young adulthood overlaps with the emergence of symptoms. At the same time, the hormone system is highly active, regulating puberty by governing genes that modulate synaptic pruning and white-matter development. Both developmental systems are highly sensitive to environmental and social factors as well. Because of the emphasis on development in understanding factors in the high-risk period, we also focus each of our research questions within this context. With this in mind, the lab is dedicated to longitudinal research, and we employee a range of experimental paradigms and methodologies to assess the same individuals at different developmental time points. We are particularly interested in how factors contribute to an early vulnerability, and then, how environmental factors occurring during adolescence and young adulthood as well as brain and hormone development in this period unmasks this vulnerability, leading to emerging symptoms and other characteristics that impair quality of life and contribute to disability in these individuals.
What are the Priorities for Research in this Area?
The available research has consistently shown that roughly 10-35% of adolescents and young adults exhibiting a prodromal or high-risk syndrome (i.e., based on the course, frequency, and severity of a combination of the symptoms and characteristics noted above) will convert to a psychotic disorder within a two-year period (Figure 4).
A growing body of evidence also suggests that early intervention may be helpful for those at risk for psychopathology. Specifically, forming relationships with treatment providers prior to serious illness, adopting strategies prior to when severe and acute symptoms can interfere with the acquisition and assimilation of psychotherapy skills (e.g., stress management), engaging family members in both reducing the stressful environment and helping to monitor the subtle changing symptoms, and/or beginning treatment can ameliorate course of illness, and may help to delay or even prevent onset of a psychotic disorder.
Unfortunately, although we know that approximately 1/3rd of high-risk individuals will convert to an Axis I psychotic disorder in a short period of time, we are not certain whom among the at-risk group is most likely to fall into this category. As blanket treatment for all high-risk individuals is not a feasible method for intervention (due to costs of psycho-social and pharmacological interventions as well as ethical concerns relating to medication side-effects), identifying those individuals at highest risk for this conversion is a urgent and important research priority. Further, developing new effective targeted treatments (capable of treating symptoms and characteristics that are impairing, but have yet benefited from effective interventions) is critical. Our belief is that we can use data from longitudinal and experimental investigations to inform early identification and intervention.
What is ADAPT doing about it?
Research Areas
This period of transition during adolescence and young adulthood (i.e., the prodromal or high-risk period), immediately before the formal onset of psychosis, holds the unique potential to both inform etiological conceptualizations of psychotic disorders, and serve as a viable point for early intervention and/or prevention.
To date, the ADAPT lab has specialized in several distinct, but mechanistically related susceptibility markers, behaviors, and symptoms that reflect 1) disordered communication between the subcortical structures that govern basic human function and the frontal regions that underlie higher order functions and 2) abnormalities in medial temporal brain structures and function. We have focused on these phenomena because they appear to interact with developmental and genetic factors, share related neurological underpinnings that also characterize psychosis, and are quantifiable, potentially enabling a system of early identification and intervention.
Details from each of these studies can be found on the lab publication page.
Basal Ganglia and Cerebellar Circuits
Psychotic disorders are characterized by distinct domains of symptoms as well as emotional, nonverbal, and cognitive deficits drawing upon a host of disparate mechanisms and structures. Our first line of research tests the idea that the basal-ganglia circuits, which are responsible for dynamic communication between the subcortical structures that govern basic functions and the frontal regions that underlie higher order functions (e.g., cognition, perception, motivation/reward, emotion), are a good target for improving our understanding why such a wide variety of functions are affected in psychosis (Figure 5; from Obeso et al.). Current thought holds that markers of dysfunction in one structure or circuit will also be indicative of dysfunction in other loops (as the circuits are governed by the same neurotransmitter systems). Within this context we have been particularly focused on domains of motor behavior (e.g., gesture) and types of movement dysfunction (dyskinesia, soft signs, dyspraxia), as these characteristics reflect basal-ganglia circuit dysfunction as well as dysfunctional integration between the basal ganglia circuits and other relevant domains. Figure 6 illustrates results one of our preliminary studies.
Further, as these circuits are influenced by inflammation, there is significant promise for understanding this work in broader conceptual frameworks. In addition, approaches such as transcranial direction current stimulation (tDCS) hold significant promise for elucidating specific aspects of these circuits and employing novel interventions. In following this line of inquiry, we have also focused on how basal ganglia circuit pathology affects characteristic domains of psychosis including emotion, perception, cognition, and reward. In addition, we have expanded the study in this area to the cerebellar circuits- another critical system that is affected in schizophrenia and believed to govern coordination and balance as well as synchronize cognitive functions (see Figure 7). Our preliminary work in this area suggests that the cerebellar system may account for a unique category of symptoms and cognitive deficits. Our current efforts focus on integrating the two systems to provide a better understanding of unique and overlapping contributions to symptom domains and areas of cognitive function; these efforts hold potential for supplementing traditional observer symptom-based classification system with a biologically based approach (more akin to diagnosis in medicine).
There is a significant translational component to this research program that applies specifically to early identification. As noted, approximately 10-33% of high-risk individuals go on to develop psychosis, but because we don't know which of the initial cases (who exhibit similar clinical presentations) will be in this group, blanket intervention is not feasible (due to costs and side effects associated with many of the currently available treatments). Our work with biomarker development has significantly helped to improve efforts to identify which individuals in this initial group are most likely to develop psychosis.
We have also been working with researchers to develop tools that can be used to disseminate these findings to clinical settings, and be applied to improve treatment decisions. For example, we are working with a team developing a program for analyzing pen dysfluencies in handwriting (possible to be assessed on any tablet computer), and our preliminary results suggest by focusing on specific markers, we can accurately detect the same movement abnormalities that previously would have required a highly specialized neurological training background (Figure 8). With regard to the cerebellar circuits, we have recently reported findings that suggest that deficits determined by a brief neurological battery can significantly predict abnormalities in cerebellar-thalamic white matter tracts (Figure 9) that are tied to progressively worse symptoms. As a result, clinicians who do not have access to neuroimaging facilities may also be able identify patients in greatest need of intervention. We are also launching new treatment development study, evaluating if cerebellar stimulation is effective in improving verbal working memory deficits in early psychosis. In this context, our lab will be one of the first to utilize tDCS in conjunction with fMRI (participants will receive sham or active stimulation immediately proceeding the scan session), and this approach will provide a significantly improved understanding of how cerebellar-thalamic circuit dysfunction contributes to verbal working memory deficits in psychosis, and further, how brain stimulation modulates activity in this vital circuit. This will help to lay the foundation for innovative new treatments targeting areas that significantly contribute to disability, such as cognition.
Hippocampal Function, Stress, and Exercise Interventions
The hippocampal system, responsible for moderating biological stress reactivity as well as integral cognitive functions, is highly implicated in psychosis as it may serve as an interaction point between the environment and underlying biological susceptibility. Our second line of research focuses on hippocampal development (longitudinal changes in shape, structure/connective tracts, and function) (Figure 10), interactions with psychosocial stress and related hormones such as cortisol (using paradigms involving life-events and expressed emotion/family environment, and Social Stress Tests) and causal factors underlying system vulnerability (e.g., obstetric complications, inflammation). For example, in one longitudinal investigation we found that hippocampapal shape anomalies predict a poorer course of illness for those at psychosis risk. Recently, we have also observed that family environment influences resting levels of stress hormones, and that self-concept may moderate this relationship.
There are several translational components to this work that we are particularly enthusiastic about. It is important to consider that while several of the available treatments for individuals at high-risk for psychosis have been found to show some promise in terms of improving prognosis and cognitive function, including cognitive training (which acts upon hippocampal mediated synaptic plasticity). To this end, we have been particularly interested in translating the findings from our longitudinal naturalistic studies into a viable treatment for high-risk youth. Most recently, we have begun to develop a related line of research examining how hippocampal development is effected by physical activity in at-risk youth. Because the hippocampus is a critical structure for de-escalating the stress response, has been found to develop abnormally in high-risk adolescents , and is believed to contribute to cognitive dysfunction, this structure is a key treatment target (Figure 11). If we can harness aerobic exercise, an activity that is widely available, inexpensive, and accompanies few side-effects, this could have a significant public health impact.
An emerging literature suggests that regular aerobic activity can stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis (Figure 12), and we have begun to investigate the potential for an exercise intervention for high-risk youth. In an initial study, we found that high-risk youth engaged in significantly more sedentary but less aerobic activity than controls (assessed with actigraphy over a 5-day period) and that inactivity was associated with smaller medial temporal structures in this group. Following this investigation, we collaborated with Angela Bryan (Co-PI) to propose a related intervention and the study was funded through an innovative translational award that combines a phase 1 stage(to test the underlying mechanism and fine-tune the treatment parameters) and a phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT). In this ongoing study (currently in Year 2), we are working to determine if prescribed exercise (monitored exercise for 3 times a week for 12 weeks) will lead to better fitness (V02 Max), hippocampal cell growth, improved episodic memory, and reduced symptoms in this critical population.
We are also preparing to examine if brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) RNA expression changes as a function of aerobic exercise, and if it in turn, mediates the beneficial relationships between exercise and the brain. As exercise may indeed influence factors such as synaptic plasticity, this work has significant potential for future trials conducted in conjunction with treatments involving cognitive training (Figure 13).
The ADAPT lab specializes in focusing on brain, endocrine, and motor changes during adolescence and young adulthood with the goals of:
- understanding the role of development in emerging psychopathology
- identifying biosignatures
- informing innovative treatments
Our guiding mission is to translate knowledge from basic science approaches to practical and widely disseminable biomarkers and targeted interventions. To accomplish these goals we utilize naturalistic (longitudinal) and experimental behavioral paradigms, multi-modal neuroimaging, hormone analysis, instrumental motor assessments and exercise physiology.
In addition to our own primary areas of expertise, the ADAPT lab also works actively with several collaborators to employ innovative methodologies for examining our guiding research questions (involving frontal subcortical circuits, hippocampal function, and neural/endocrine development) as well as mediating factors (e.g., substance use and inflammation). Collectively, we employ advanced multi-modal imaging (Figure 14), instrumental and VR assessments of movement and cognitive behavior, automated nonverbal behavior and emotive evaluation, hormone analysis (blood, saliva, and hair analysis), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (see Figure 15), auditory analysis, experienced sampling/actigraphy, stress sensitivity, aerobic fitness assessment (V02 Max), computerized linguistic and semantic analysis, eye tracking (employing paradigms at both 150 and 1000 hz paradigms), electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG) (Figure 16), and inflammatory marker, DNA and RNA analysis. Students interested in working with ADAPT will have the option to work with any of our primary or collaborator-guided methodologies. Participants who prefer to not participate in a particular component are still largely welcome to participate in those areas that they do feel comfortable with.
Other Interests
In addition to the two primarily research lines noted above, we are also interested in several other side studies involving graduate student projects that may eventually develop into more formalized programs and larger grant applications. These fall under the umbrella of the lab mission (promoting etiological understanding and identifying vulnerability makers of risk for developing psychotic disorders), but also reflect unique student interests as well (that they can carry on to their own labs in the future). To date these have involved a series of projects designed to study sleep dysfunction (Jessica Lunsford-Avery), Internet behaviors, and assessment/instrument development (we are focusing on developing a negative symptom instrument for high-risk youth; Andrea Pelletier-Baldelli). The ADAPT lab is also dedicated to improving classification and assessment. To this end we have authored several critical commentaries, reviews, and communications pertaining to the classification of movement abnormalities in psychiatric illness. In addition, the lab works to write peer-reviewed commentaries of assessment issues that are informed by experiences with at-risk youth. We also have recently published a new scale, designed to evaluate negative symptoms in the prodromal stage (PINS). We are also passionate about mental health advocacy and public policy. We are incredibly proud of a collaboration with Elyn Saks (Professor of Law at USC and prestigious mental health advocate) to evaluate ethical and legal dilemmas inherent in disclosing an attenuated psychosis syndrome diagnosis to patients and families and most recently, are editing a special issue of the Journal of Ethics in Mental Health on the topic of ethical considerations surrounding prodromal research and treatment.


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Féilearcán ("butterfly" in Irish Gaelic) Celtic Knot ring with alternating gemstones and a unique geometric shank -- Your choice of Tsavorite & Diamond, Sapphire & Diamond, or Ruby & Diamond in 14k yellow, white or rose gold. Makes perfect stacking rings.
Item number: R7002
Original designs © Stephen Walker
Prices subject to change.
Please call or email for more information
800 488 6347 or email@example.com
Josephine's Knot Celtic Gold Ring with Sapphire, Ruby, Tsavorite, or Diamond. Available in 14K Yellow, Rose...
Josephine's Knot Celtic Gold Ring, available in 14K Yellow, Rose or White Gold. The Josephine's knot is a...
Josephine's Knot Sterling Silver Celtic Ring.The Josephine's knot is a traditional lovers knot. The strands...


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Giles the Chibi by ShinkisRuleWatch
©2011-2017 ShinkisRule
I'm a new member of the Buffy fandom. It's official now that I've drawn a character in chibi form. xD I just started watching it on teennick a few weeks ago... Started with Ted, and just last night I saw Becoming pt 2. And I've seen the first 2 episodes, all the songs from Once More, With Feeling (best. musical. EVER.), and Tabula Rasa. My favorite character is undoubtedly Giles, he's just awesome. Mild mannered british librarian, a wonderfully sweet father figure. So of course my first Buffy fan art had to be him. And of course I had to make him chibi. xD And I just put that quote because never in my life will I forget hearing him say that... I was trying to think of an epic Giles quote, and that was the first one that came to me. Teehee.


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Amazing Tails 4
Caballero | 1990
Tami Monroe is caught between a rock and a hot place in "Til Divorce do us apart," making her new husband and his ex-wife happy! Next, the language of lust demonstrates you don't need to say a thing in a sizzling encounter entitled "Say it with flwoers". Then gorgeous young maid (Nina Hartley) has some wild "Cindereall Dreams" when her horny Prince Charming comes to life! And what does the future hold for sleaze-star Viper? An orgy of relentless sex is "In the Cards"! Finally, a voluptuous prison guard (Rebecca Steele) makes a prisoner her captive in "Changing Places", but there's a delicous switch!
Anything Goes
Vidco |
For Debi Diamond, the kinkier - the better! Just when you thought it couldn't get any hotter, these sultry sex kittens show you how far they'll go. Pleasing their men and each other with voluptuous bodies and succulent lips.


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- Top Scores
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Help: Baseball scores live on FlashScore.in livescore - Austria. Baseball livescore: Austria + more than 30 baseball leagues and cups. Very fast real time (LIVE) scores as well as innings results, final results, match statistics, league tables and play-off standings. Our livescore service with baseball scores is real time, you don't need to refresh it.


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All about Oven Cleaning Services
There are various types of ovens utilized as a part of families. That is the reason, it's critical to discover what kind of oven you have before you begin cleaning it. The nourishment will more often than not bubble at the base of the oven. Now, the temperature in the oven might be high… Continue reading All about Oven Cleaning Services


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A small 10W amplified PA speaker for when you need to add a single communication zone, but do not want to have to upgrade your existing amplifier, or for running sound to the outside of a vehicle for parade or PA use. Simply run line-level audio to this unit for quick and easy coverage.
Also available in an un-amplified version
Fast and efficient service. On-line ordering is easy and quick. Delivery was on-time.


text: In this important blog, we're exposing hidden anger and giving it a voice. People will tell you that anger, bitterness, hurt – all unpleasant emotions – fade over time. They don't. Especially if they are deeply rooted in pain and fear. My apologies if that sounds harsh, but if you're going to heal, you have to get real. Right from early childhood, we develop an ability to suppress negative emotions and create 'coping mechanisms' to deal with situations that seem beyond our control. Over time, as we grow older, those coping mechanisms no longer work, so new ways to deal with unpleasant feelings and emotions are found. Often this is how addictions begin. Children who grew up in a violent environment, or one in which a parent was always raging and threatening, will find it most difficult to express anger. In fact, as adults they see any form of anger as a negative, and fear Read More


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This month, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on The Conscious Consultant radio hour. Host Sam Liebowitz asks me about my journey to writing Game Plan, including my origins from an entrepreneurial family, my former performing career, and what it takes to achieve focused goals. Listen here!
Part 1 | My Story
Entrepreneurial Influences, Former Performing, and the Pressler Collaborative Business Model
Part 2 | Game Plan
Authentic Goals and Developing Your Action PlanBack to Blog


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Valloryn, established by the Duke Keldroun Obarskyr upon his arrival. Valloryn is in the infancy stage of establishment, merely containing a rickety dock being swallowed by the ocean. A simple and equally questionably built tavern to keep the spirits up of the arriving party. And a tent city, serving as temporary housing till more suitable housing can be established. Those seeking adventure are welcome to call Valloryn home, the Duke simply ask that everyone pulls their own weight and help create the first town of Rhoaven, Valloryn.
[Click Here for Details on Unlocking Map Features]
The Adventure Guild
The Adventure Guild is located in the city of Valloryn and allows citizens to come and accept quests. The quests are submitted by a variety of sources and provides simple to challenging tasks for the adventurers to complete.
((Work in Progress))