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This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
Research concerning new targeting delivery systems for pharmacologically active molecules and genetic material is of great importance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of fourth generation (P4) cationic phosphorus-containing dendrimers to bind fluorescent probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), anti-neoplastic drug cisplatin, anti-HIV siRNA siP24 and its capability to deliver green fluorescent protein gene (pGFP) into cells. The interaction between P4 and ANS (as the model drug) was investigated. The binding constant and the number of binding centers per one molecule of P4 were determined. In addition, the dendriplex between P4 and anti-HIV siRNA siP24 was characterized using circular dichroism, fluorescence polarization and zeta-potential methods; the average hydrodynamic diameter of the dendriplex was calculated using zeta-size measurements. The efficiency of transfection of pGFP using P4 was determined in HEK293 cells and human mesenchymal stem cells, and the cytotoxicity of the P4-pGFP dendriplex was studied. Furthermore, enhancement of the toxic action of the anti-neoplastic drug cisplatin by P4 dendrimers was estimated. Based on the results, the fourth generation cationic phosphorus-containing dendrimers seem to be a good drug and gene delivery carrier candidate.
Dendrimers are a new class of polymers with a well-defined molecular structure [
Cationic phosphorus-containing dendrimers reduce replication of the abnormal scrapie isoform of the prion protein in mice [
The scope of present study includes investigation of P4 as a binding agent for model and therapeutic molecules as well as the influence of dendrimers and dendriplexes on viability of embryonic cells and mesenchymal stem cells. Efficiency of the dendrimers to convey model a plasmid into cells and release it was shown by transfection experiments.
The sequences of siP24 (siRNA) were: sense, GAUUGUACUGAGAGACAGGCU; antisense: CCUGUCUCUCAGUACAAUCUU (Sigma, USA).
The binding constant (
In the second fluorometric titration, the binding agent had a constant concentration (CBA). Increasing concentrations of ANS(
The binding constant (
The initial region of the curve is a straight line. We modified Eq. (
Thus, the final version of Eq. (
The CD spectra of P4/siRNA complexes were measured with a Jasco-815 spectropolarimeter. P4 concentrations used in the experiments were defined by the range 0 to 43.12 μM. Measurements were performed in a buffer of 0.15 M sodium phosphate (pH 7.4) containing 0.1 M NaCl at 25 °C.
Spectra were corrected against the baseline obtained using a dendrimer sample, and were smoothed using a binomial algorithm provided by Jasco. Spectra demonstrate the average of two independent replicates. Scans were obtained from 320 to 200 nm at a rate of 50 nm min−1 with a bandwidth of 1 nm in 650 μL quartz cuvettes with a path length of 0.5 cm.
Samples intended for light scattering analyses were prepared at 25 °C using 0.15 M PBS (0.05 M phosphate buffer + 0.1 M NaCl), pH 7.4, which was passed through a 0.22 μm filter to remove trace particulates. Complexes were prepared at 0.5 μmol/L siRNA and at molar ratios of P4/siRNA ranging between 0 and 16.
The particle size of complexes was measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and a Malvern Zeta-Sizer Nano S90 (Malvern, UK). Light scattered at 90° from the incident light was fitted to an autocorrelation function using the method of cumulants. The particle size of a sample was determined from the average of 12 cycles in a Malvern disposable plastic cuvette at 25 °C.
Zeta potential experiments were carried out using phase analysis light scattering (PALS), and a Malvern Instruments Zetasizer 2000 (Malvern, UK) at 25 °C. The electrophoretic mobility of the scattering (DLS) samples was determined from the average of six cycles of an applied electric field in a standard rectangular quartz cell. The zeta potential of complexes was determined from the electrophoretic mobility using the Smoluchowski approximation.
The fluorescent dye ethidium bromide (EB) can intercalate into double-stranded DNA or RNA. It occupies an effective binding site of several base pairs, leading to a significant increase of its fluorescence intensity and to a blue-shift of its maximum emission wavelength
This technique is based on changes of fluorescence polarization of fluorescein labeled siRNA when a dendrimer is added. Labeled ODN in solution at 25 °C is quite flexible. Dendriplex formation leads to significant restrictions of ODN molecular motions and increases the molecular mass of complexes, apparent in a significant increase (up to 4-times) of its degree of fluorescence polarization. The destruction of dendriplex leads to significant decrease of fluorescence polarization of fluorescein labeled siRNA.
Experiments to study the gene delivery potential of phosphorus-containing dendrimers were performed with the plasmid vector pAAV-IRES-hrGFP (referred to here as pGFP, from Stratagene). pGFP plasmid was propagated in
Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293T) and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were grown in DMEM-Glutamax (Gibco) with 10% heat-inactivated FBS (HyClone). Cells were routinely maintained on plastic tissue culture flasks and plates (Sarstedt) at 37 °C in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2/95% air. Adult human bone marrow was harvested from routine surgical procedures (pelvic osteotomies) with informed consent, diluted 2-fold in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and separated by centrifugation on a Ficoll-Paque layer. After centrifugation at 300 g for 30 min, the mononuclear cell layer was recovered from the gradient interface and washed with PBS. The cells were centrifuged at 150 g for 10 min and resuspended in complete culture medium. Mononuclear cells were seeded on plastic tissue culture flasks in concentration 0.5–1 mln cells/cm2. The established primary hMSC cultures were washed 72 hours later and propagated until reaching 75–80% confluence with medium exchange twice a week. The hMSC phenotype was confirmed using flow cytometry analysis with antibodies to CD90 and CD105 (positive), and CD34 and CD45 (negative), using a FACScan analytical flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson).
HEK 293T cells were seeded (3 × 104 /well) in 24-well plates in 1 mL of medium. hMSCs (5 × 104 cells/well) were seeded in 6-well plates in 3 mL of medium. All cells were allowed to grow to 65–70% confluence for 2–3 days before transfection. For HEK 293T transfection, complexes of plasmid DNA (2 μg) and P4 dendrimer at a charge ratio of 1:1 were prepared in 100 μL 150 mM NaCl and the samples were incubated for 15 min at room temperature. The time of transfection was two hours. For the hMSC wells, 10 μg plasmid DNA was diluted in 200 μL 150 mM NaCl. The medium was replaced with FBS-free medium before transfection. Following 2 h treatment of the DNA-dendrimer complexes, the medium was replaced with DMEM-Glutamax (Gibco) containing 10% heat-inactivated FBS. hrGFP fluorescence was monitored using microscopy, and the percentage GFP-positive cells were determined after fixation with 2% paraformaldehyde using a FACS-scan analytical flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson).
The bioptates from craniospinal cancer of the fourth ventricle (IV stage) were obtained from patient Z and cultivated. The bioptates were washed free of blood and mechanically dispersed in Hanks solution (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) with added gentamycin sulfate. They were placed in solution containing 0.25% trypsin in EDTA (2 mL) for 30 min. Trypsin action was inhibited by the addition of 3 mL fetal calf serum (FCS) (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) CIIIA) for 3–5 min. Material was mechanically dispersed under a microscope and added to Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) containing FCS (1:10) and 4% gentamycin sulfate (10−4 g per liter). The cells obtained were cultivated in the medium indicated below for 2–7 days at 37 °C, 95% humidity and 5% partial pressure of CO2. After indicated periods the anti-neoplastic drugs and/or dendrimer were added to the center of 2 mL Petri dishes at a recommended dosage recalculated per dish squire (10 cm2).
Results are presented as mean ± SD (standard deviation), n = 6. Data were analyzed using Student-Fisher test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a posthoc Newman-Keuls test.
As part of the current research, the possibility of P4 phosphorus-containing dendrimers binding to the anionic fluorescent probe ANS was investigated.
The fluorescence titration technique is widely used in experimental and clinical studies as a model of interaction between albumin and ligands (bilirubin, fatty acids, hormones, drugs and herbicides) including various diseases [
Pure ANS probe in aqueous solution had weak fluorescence in the range 400–600 nm, with maximum fluorescence at 520 nm, and this was a consequence of its low fluorescence yield in a polar environment [
For analysis of binding between anti-HIV siRNA siP24 and phosphorus-containing dendrimer P4 the CD spectra of siP24 was measured in the absence and presence of various concentrations of P4 (data not presented), and the molar ellipticity of siP24 was estimated (
The formation of dendriplex was confirmed using fluorescence polarization and zeta-potential (
The addition of P4 led to sharp changes in fluorescence polarization and the zeta-potential of siP24 up to a molar ratio of three for fluorescence polarization and 4.5 for zeta-potential. These data indicate that formation of a dendriplex between P4 and siP24 occurs between 3 and 4.5 using these techniques. The differences in results concerning CD, fluorescence polarization and zeta-potential can be explained by peculiarities of the techniques employed and the various concentrations of siP24 used.
The size of dendriplexes was estimated using dynamic light scattering. The molar ratio was used as the top weighted for results obtained from CD, fluorescence polarization and zeta-potential measurements. The results are presented in
The analysis of the zeta-size of the dendriplex between P4 and siP24 at various molar ratios (data not presented) demonstrated that the size distribution of each sample was monodispersed and no particles more than 500 nm were detected.
The stability of the dendriplex in terms of time of incubation was analyzed using a fluorescence polarization technique. As follows from
The absence of a decrease in the fluorescence polarization degree of the dendriplex indicates stability of the dendriplex over a period of 25 hours.
Therefore, the results demonstrate that fourth generation phosphorus-containing dendrimers can interact with siRNA and form a stable dendriplex in a charge ratio of (2–3) with diameter of 75–150 nm.
The efficiency of transfection of the pGFP vector using P4 dendrimer was analyzed in HEK293 T cells and in mesenchymal stem cells. The pGFP gene is frequently used as a reporter of expression [
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of dendrimer transfection were examined using the MTT assay. Exposing HEK cells to pure P4 demonstrates that DNA removal has no effect on cytotoxicity. As follows from
Therefore, P4 dendrimer has comparable characteristics with known dendrimers for gene transfection (transfection rate and viability).
MSCs from bone marrow are an accessible population of human adult stem cells with a number of trophic and immunomodulatory properties that are suitable for
The transfection rate of P4 dendrimer for mesenchymal stem cells did not exceed 2%. This rate was higher than for PAMAM G3, G5, G6, G4-OH, G4-25% and G4-50% dendrimers (0–0.2%) [
As follows from
The low efficiency of treatment of brain tumors is predominantly due to their close proximity to vital centers. Courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy using protocols HIT`91 and PO/02-PO/04 [
The negative effects are: (1) low permeability of blood-brain barrier to cytostatics [
Due to such negative effects, the possibility of P4 dendrimer being used to enhance the action of the cytostatic drug cisplatin, with the aim of reducing the concentration necessary for the cytostatic effect, was investigated (
At high concentrations (10 and 100 μg/mL) P4 has a cytostatic effect that is not present at low concentrations. At a concentration of 1μg/mL, cisplatin can result in cell death.
However, the combination of P4 dendrimer with cisplatin (1 + 0.1 μg/mL) led to the significant death of tumor cells, confirming that P4 enhances the toxic effect of cisplatin. These results are in agreement with other studies concerning the efficacy and efficiency of dendrimers for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs. The main mechanism of such enhancement is the direct delivery of anti-cancer drugs using non-covalent conjugation with dendrimers [
Normally, introduction of free nucleic acid is accompanied by its enzymatic degradation in the organism. Furthermore, DNA and RNAi effectors are unable to cross biological membranes largely owing to their strong negative charge, inducing poor cellular uptake. Therefore, delivery agents should maintain the biological activity of drugs and promote cell penetrating activities so that the process of DNA and RNAi is efficient; this necessitates the existence of vectors for nucleic acid packing and transport. P4 dendrimers as vectors can effectively bind hydrophobic substances and anti-HIV siRNA, can transfect intracellular DNA and can enhance the action of cytostatics. Therefore, fourth generation cationic phosphorus-containing dendrimers can be good candidates for drug and gene delivery carriers after experiments
Fourth generation phosphorus-containing dendrimer.
The first (
Presence of two binding centers in Scatchard-Klotz coordinates.
Changes in molar ellipticity of siP24 upon addition of P4 dendrimer. λmax. = 262 nm. [siP24] = 10 μM.
The zeta-size of the dendriplex between P4 and siP24.
The dependence of the fluorescence polarization degree of the dendriplex formed by fluorescein-labeled siP24 and P4 on the time of incubation.
Transfection rate and cell viability parameters for P4 dendrimer in HEK 293 cells and hMSC.
The cytostatic effects of cisplatin and/or P4 dendrimer.
|No drugs
|42.7 ± 4.2
|61.9 ± 8.8
|63.5 ± 2.5
|65.5 ± 0.8
|42.9 ± 4.7
|P4 + cysplatin
|10.0 + 0.1
|53.4 ± 8.6
|P4 + cysplatin
|1.0 + 0.1
|74.1 ± 4.1
This work was supported by project MNT-ERA NET 2007 (funded by National Centre for Research and Development Nr ERA-NET-MNT/01/2009).
The authors declare no conflict of interest.


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The hope is that ancient settlements and farms across the Wyre Forest will be detected by lasers fired from aircraft 3,300ft (1,000m) up.
The results are processed by computers and turned into images of the ground, currently hidden by trees.
One expert said the process offered a "tantalising glimpse" of a very dynamic landscape.
The Forestry Commission has teamed up with the Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service.
The technique is known as Light, Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).
Adam Mindykowski, of the Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service, said: "The final results will provide a vital feed into the management of Wyre."
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Oxford research traces early human migration from Africa to Asia
Jan. 29, 2003
Research by Oxford University and collaborators has shed new light on the last 100,000 years of human migration from Africa into Asia. The new genetic study confirms that some of the earliest migrants travelled into Asia by a southern route, possibly along the coasts of what are now Pakistan and India. The researchers identified a genetic marker in museum samples of inaccessible populations from the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal. This allowed them to re-interpret previous genetic studies from the Indian sub-continent.
Professor Alan Cooper, Director of the Henry Wellcome Ancient Biomolecules Centre at Oxford University, who led the study, said: 'The findings mark a significant step forward in our understanding of the nature and timing of human settlement of the world outside Africa, and may even give us a glimpse of what these ancient explorers looked like genetically.'
The Andaman Islanders have been an enigma since the early days of Victorian anthropology due to their distinctive physical appearance. They have a very short stature, dark pigmentation and tight curly hair which contrasts with settled populations practising agriculture in the region. The same features link them to other isolated populations throughout Southern Asia, many of whom are hunter-gatherers. This has lead to speculation that these groups might represent the original inhabitants of the region who have either been replaced or absorbed into more recent population expansions. More fancifully, some people have speculated that they are related to African Pygmy populations.
Relationships between different groups of people can be described by analysing mutations in mitochondrial DNA, a genetic component that is passed on maternally. The majority of people in Asia have been shown to carry mitochondrial DNA of a type known as haplogroup M, which has several subgroups and can be traced back 60,000 years. In the new study, the Andamans have been shown to belong to the M group, and most likely to its subgroup M2, which is around 53,000 years old.
This provides evidence that the Andamanese are no more related to Africans than any of the rest of Eurasian populations, and may indeed be linked to surviving hunter-gatherer groups in mainland India who also carry the M2 marker. These groups are found at high frequency in the south of India, consistent with an original settlement of Asia by a coastal route within the last 100,000 years.
Dr Vincent Macaulay of the Department of Statistics in Oxford commented: 'Detailed analysis of haplogroup M will help us to flesh out the tempo and mode of this southern dispersal, which may have reached Australia and New Guinea very rapidly. The sequencing and analysis of complete mitochondrial genomes will play an important role.'
Prof Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London, who took part in the study, said: 'The findings suggest that the similarities between these now isolated populations of Asia are not coincidental and that these peoples really do share a common history. The presence of M2 in significant proportions amongst the more European looking caste populations of India indicates that many of these early settlers were absorbed into later population expansions.'
The success of this study has led to the award of a major grant from the National Environment Research Council (NERC) to extend the work to other now vanished populations in the region. The aim of the 'nndian Rim Project⟩s to understand the nature and timing of human evolution and migration throughout this area and the effects of environmental change on these patterns.
University of Oxford
Related Reading
The Geographical Analysis of Population : With Applications to Planning and Business
by David A. Plane
Migration Theory : Talking Across the Disciplines
by Caroline Brettell
The Role of Migration in the History of the Eurasian Steppe: Sedentary Civilization Vs. "Barbarian" and Nomad
by Andrew Bell-Fialkoff
Managing Migration: Civic Stratification and Migrants Rights
by Lydia Morris
A Question of Numbers: High Migration, Low Fertility, and the Politics of National Identity
by Michael S. Teitelbaum
European Migration Policies in Flux: Changing Patterns of Inclusion and Exclusion
by Christina Boswell
Losing Place: Refugee Populations and Rural Transformations in East Africa (Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, Vol 3)
by Johnathan Bascom
Law and Migration (Elgar Reference Collection)
by Selina Goulbourne
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Tangerine Tango
An enticing red-orange, this is Pantone's official Color of the Year. Eiseman calls it a "vivacious refresher designed to enliven anyone's outlook." Wear it on your lips when you want to feel (and look) your most bubbly.
Our pick: Exude Lipstick in Coral. This spot-on shade has a pretty hint of shimmer. And not to be namedroppers, but we know Rachel Zoe loves it.
Solar Power
This marigold yellow will help you see the sunny side of things. Eiseman likens Solar Power to "a jolt of energy," and we think he's right. Best on your nails, it will add a cheerful note to any outfit.
Our pick: Color Club Nail Polish in Psychedelic Scene. Flaunt your digits with this on-trend golden lacquer.
Sexy and feminine, Cabaret is an "intense rosy-red" with violet undertones that channels French boudoirs and lacy negligees.
Our pick: Kissable Couture in Glamour. Intense pigment combined with glass-like shine makes this our latest gloss obsession.
Sodalite Blue
Get ready to make a splash. This rich navy blue is ready to upstage plain old black, and perks up all eye colors.
Our pick: stila smudge stick waterproof eye liner in Blue Ribbon. With a liner this attention-grabbing, you can feel free to forego the mascara.


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We specialise in multimedia software for young learners of Modern languages. Our aim is to put fun into learning languages, and we do this by using games, which entertain as well as instruct. Our software is developed by practising teachers of modern languages, and all voices are native speakers.
URL: http://www.discoveryeducationalsoftware.co.uk/


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Couch Named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week
Couch Tossed First Sea Dogs' 9-Inning Complete Game Since 2007
By Portland Sea Dogs | August 19, 2013 9:18 AM ET
Portland, Maine- Portland Sea Dogs' Right-handed pitcher Keith Couch has been selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 12th through 18th. Couch pitched two games for the Sea Dogs last week and had a record of 2-0 with eight strikeouts and a 1.13 ERA to earn the honor.
Couch, who is a native of Elmont, New York, made his first appearance of the week on Tuesday night at Altoona and earned the win with seven strong innings in Portland's 5-2 victory. He gave up one run on eight hits while striking out four batters and walking one. Couch was even more impressive in his second appearance of the week on Sunday afternoon at Harrisburg, tossing a complete game six-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks while lifting Portland to a 2-1 win. It was the first nine-inning complete game by a Sea Dogs' pitcher since Charlie Zink on June 19th, 2007 at Connecticut. It was the second complete game of Couch's professional career; he threw nine innings for the Salem Red Sox on July 25th of last year against Myrtle Beach.
The 23-year old led all Eastern League pitchers in innings pitched (16.0) last week. He also tied for the league lead in wins (2) and complete games (1) and tied for seventh in strikeouts (8). On the season, Couch has appeared in 27 games (13 starts) for the Sea Dogs posting a 10-3 record with a 3.55 ERA. He ranks ninth in the Eastern League in ERA and tied 2nd in wins (10). Since moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation in early June, Couch has a record of 7-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 13 games. Couch was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2010 draft.
Couch joins Chris Martin and Drake Britton as the only three Sea Dogs' to earn Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors this season.
The Sea Dogs begin a three game homestand on Monday night against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:00 PM at Hadlock Field. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or order online at www.seadogs.com.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Opinion: Calcium, Manganous, Potassium, or Sodium hypophosphite
The GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Database allows access to opinions and conclusions from 115 SCOGS reports published between 1972-1980 on the safety of over 370 Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food substances. The GRAS ingredient reviews were conducted by the Select Committee in response to a 1969 White House directive by President Richard M. Nixon.
Calcium hypophosphite, manganous hypophosphite, potassium hypophosphite, sodium hypophosphite
|GRAS Substance
|ID Code
21 CFR Section
|Calcium hypophosphite
|Manganous hypophosphite
|Potassium hypophosphite
|Sodium hypophosphite
SCOGS Opinion:
The hypophosphites do not appear to be currently used as ingredients in foods as indicated by a survey of the food industry conducted by a National Research Council subcommittee in 1970 and more recent information obtained from industry by the Select Committee. They had limited medical use many years ago in tonics and as therapeutic agents but appear to be no longer used for these purposes. The acute toxicity of hypophosphites is relatively low; injected intraperitoneally in mice, the LD50 (30days) for the sodium salt was 1.6g per kg body weight. Calcium and sodium hypophosphites given orally or parenterally to experimental animals and man are rapidly excreted as hypophosphite in the urine. It is the opinion on the Select Committee that potassium hypophosphite is comparable to the sodium salt in excretion and toxicity.
Although animal feeding experiments indicate that the phosphorus in hypophosphites is not biologically available, no adverse effects were reported in young rats fed diets containing calcium hypophosphite (up to 4.3g per kg). Growth and calcium assimilation were as good as observed on diets containing salts recognized as good sources of calcium.
Although no reports were available on the biological effects of manganese hypophosphite, an evaluation of the health aspects of other manganous salts by the Select Committee has found no evidence that would indicate a hazard from manganous hypophosphite if used as a nutrient or dietary supplement.
In view of the foregoing the Select Committee concludes that:
There is no evidence in the available information on manganous, calcium, potassium or sodium hypophosphite that demonstrates, or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect, a hazard to the public when they are used in the manner now current or that might reasonably be expected in the future.
*Complete reports containing details of the safety studies that formed the basis of the opinions and conclusions and are available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 605-6000.


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So far . . . just excellent
John L. Sloan
With some minor bumps and jumps, deer season has gone great so far. Never have I seen or heard of so many successful hunters. As for me, since I am primarily hunting does, my season has gone great.
On only one occasion, did I go to the woods and not see deer. I killed three with my crossbow and missed two. Since that is more than I have missed in the last four years, I decided to check my sight. It is hard to hit one shooting 11-inches high and four to the left. I fixed that and killed the next one just the way you should.
Then, less than 40-minutes into my muzzleloader hunt, I dropped a big doe. Dragging her out did not do my hernia any good at all. However, I did build an easy loading ramp for my Dodge. Using a black and tackle, loading one now is a snap.
Samantha Nelson killed her first deer, a fat doe she took with a bow back in October. Young Blake Edwards killed his first two hunting with Ken Nelson Jr. on the Young Sportsmen Hunt in late October and I think just about every body killed a deer on the opening weekend of muzzleloader hunting.
Brandon Dowdy killed a fine mature buck here in Wilson County. The buck had a super, 21-inch inside spread and estimated at 6.5-years old and field dressed weight of 180-pounds. That's a hoss.
The weather for most of the season so far has been just perfect. Opening three days of muzzleloader were about as nice as you could ask for. Low frosty nights and just warm days are the ticket to get deer moving.
Rifle season was just a continuation of muzzleloader just with a quick change in equipment. And so far, the weather has cooperated again. Last Sunday was downright frosty and I loved the sunrise. I have become selective. I am looking for one that will field dress at about 60-pounds or maybe even 50. The alternative would be a real wowser of a buck and that is not likely.
Some good bucks have been killed this year including an archery buck out of Davidson County that is in the 175-inch class. There are couple of factors that make that much antler measurement tough here in Wilson.
First, we do not have the amount of suburban top class habitat that the Nashville burbs have. Second, maybe the largest factor, they don't usually get old enough to sport antlers like that here. It takes a deer about six years to reach full antler potential and that is hard to do in Wilson County.
It has been somewhat of a Thanksgiving tradition with me to hunt for at least a couple hours Thanksgiving morning. Two years ago, I went and managed to kill two deer, a buck and a doe. Last year, for some reason, my mind is blank. I have no idea if I killed one or not. This year, I am not planning to go. I do not know if it is old age or just being worn out from the long season.
However, if the rut cracks wide open and they start running all over the place, I may revise my plan tomorrow morning.
For me, it has been a good season. I have killed not only as many as I need but as many as I want. Now, on the best days, I hunt just for the enjoyment of the outdoors. The season officially closes on January 5, so we have over a month left to hunt.
As of last week, the approximate figures from TWRA showed we had about 63,000 killed so far. If the good weather holds, we should set another recent kill record. I am predicting we will kill 176,000 by the time all the figures are totaled.
The figure I am most interested in is the kill ratio between bucks and does. I am also wondering how accurate this telephone and computer check-in is.
So, happy Thanksgiving folks. Enjoy your meal, enjoy the outdoors and hunt safely. Next week, by golly, I might just tell you about some fishing I recently did.


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Duet to it
Double your fun with songs that feature twice the talent.
We've all heard the cliché sayings, "two peas in a pod" and "two is better than one," and although it gets old hearing, "it takes two," songs like these prove that sometimes "the more the merrier" is very true.
"All I Have" — Jennifer Lopez and LL Cool J — This R&B flashback song from the early '00s will no doubt bring you back to singing this song in the backseat of your mom's car or getting excited when the video came on MTV. Immediately, the song samples Debra Laws' song "Very Special" and puts a slight hip-hop spin on it. The lyrics tell the tale of the typical "It's over, but come back to me" tale commonplace in pop songs, but for us early-'90s babies, music like this will always hold a special place in our hearts.
"You Don't Know Me At All" — Regina Spektor and Ben Folds — If indie heaven was a pop song, this is it. The classic and airy voice of Regina Spektor is the icing on top of the cake that is Ben Folds' goofy lyrics and catchy piano hooks. Put these two vocal elements over an upbeat almost "anti-love song" and you've got the epitome of an angst-ridden hipster love/hate relationship.
"Volcano" — Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan — Like most duets, this one is a love song. Fortunately, it's not terribly traditional or sappy, but more realistic and raw. Damien Rice asks his lover not to build her world around him, denies mutual feelings and generally discourages the relationship. Rice portrays himself as the needy lover, "You give me miles and miles of mountain, and I'll ask for the sea." Hannigan in return mimics his feelings and they sing together about how "What I really need is what makes me bleed." This song is the classic tale of a toxic relationship backed by eerie string parts and haunting vocal melodies.
"Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You" — Linkin Park and Jay-Z — Quite a drastic turn from the last three songs, this duet's main focus is not that of a love story. Collision Course, the mash-up album consisting of six Linkin Park and Jay-Z songs mixed into blended euphoria, plays host to this strangely calming hip-hop mix. Remixed violin parts set up the backing sounds while Jay-Z raps along and the transitions between his laid back hip hop vocals and Chester's forceful screams are seemingly seamless.
"Nothing Better" — The Postal Service and Jen Wood — The Postal Service has electronic beats and slight vocals down to a science. Ben Gibbard sings of a girl that he's clearly pining over, all the while trying to convince himself to forget about women altogether and heal himself before advancing in any more romantic endeavors. Jen Wood won't let him forget the things that happened in the relationship, immediately shutting down the pity party and explaining her excuses for leaving. This song is easily relatable to anyone who has the urge to stay in a relationship despite the fact that it's no good for either party.
Duets are a tricky science. Many are too lovey-dovey, some are a little heavy on the show-choir, but these five songs give a nice array of substance and real circumstances, all the while melding well musically.


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Authorities investigate fatal accident near Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds
From our News Partners at WCBD-TV:
Authorities are investigating after a fatal motorcycle accident on Highway 78, near the Coastal Carolina Fairgrounds main parking lot.
According to the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to an accident involving a motorcycle and car on Highway 78 between Market Road and Craven Road, just after 6:00 Monday night.
The Charleston County Coroner's Office and deputies from the Charleston County Sheriff's Office Traffic Division are investigating the accident, and are working to identify the victim.
Drivers should expect delays, and are asked to use caution in the area.
Photo Credit: Turbo83 Shutterstock


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Hi All,
If you have played brick games on your classic video game machine, Brick (Retrobit) is going to bring the same fun and entertainment even in your iPad. Brick HD (Retrobit) for iPad is available on Appstore for just $0.99 only.
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Intuitive and Responsive controls
Superior 1 Bit graphics and Sounds
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Earned, not 'welfare'
To Jack Markowitz: I would like to ask how you came to the conclusion that Social Security is a part of "the modern Welfare State" in your column "Land of the free, home of the taxed" (April 4 and TribLIVE.com).
If not for the thieving politicians who have occupied Washington for the last 40-plus years, Social Security would be a self-supporting program for many decades to come. The fact that $3 trillion from the Social Security trust fund was squandered by these vultures for their own political gain is seldom mentioned.
I have paid into Social Security since 1969, and yes, I will be "entitled" to my benefits when I begin to collect at age 62. Please, Jack, don't call my hard-earned benefits "welfare."
William Mervis


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It only takes a minute to get started. Fill out our simple sign up form and login to the site.
This step is discretionary but will dramatically enhance your chances of getting interest from other members on the website. Write a few sentences about yourself, your hobbies and upload a nice photograph of yourself.
Use our website's cutting-edge search to find members who suit your criteria. Or just scan through listings and find folks that arouse your interest.
Found someone who takes your fancy? Send them a few words or just a wink and see if anything develops. With a little luck you'll be on your way to true love.
It'll only take a few minutes


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Twiggy, who became one of the world's first supermodels after being discovered in 1966, has unveiled her latest collection for Marks and Spencer.
Marking her milestone of 50 years in the fashion industry, Twiggy has created a spring range that features key colours, fabrics and on trend shapes for this season.
It's her 15th collection with M&S, and Twiggy says: "I feel immensely privileged to have been a part of such an exciting and diverse industry. I still feel as inspired about fashion today as I did 50 years ago and I'm looking forward to serving the fashion industry for many years to come."
She added: "I have been designing my collection with M&S now for four wonderful years and I get very excited when it launches. I'm really proud of all the pieces in this great spring collection and how they all really work together."
The spring collection is centred around three key colours which are khaki, cream and navy, and the pieces are inspired by items in Twiggy's own wardrobe to create effortless separates and outerwear.
She adds: "The M&S customer is fantastic and she knows exactly what she wants, stylish clothes in quality fabrics perfect cuts at affordable prices and that's what I want too! I love seeing women of all ages wearing outfits I have designed, helping to make them look good and feel great."


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Stansted finally goes on market after battle over competition ends in defeat
The break-up of the British Airports Authority is nearing completion after the group finally gave up on a three-year legal battle with the competition authorities and agreed to sell Stansted.
Manchester Airports Group, backed by Australian pension fund money, is the favourite to buy London's third airport. If BAA manages to start an auction from other pension-backed investors and international infrastructure funds, there are suggestions that Stansted could sell for close to its £1.35 billion asset value.
For nearly two decades after privatisation, BAA was unchallenged in the British aviation market. However, within six months of the Spanish construction company Ferrovial leading a £10 billion takeover in 2006, the competition authorities got involved. The Office of Fair Trading and subsequently the Competition Commission launched inquiries,…


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Israel Suppresses Gaza Protests In West Bank; Two Palestinians Killed
By Mya Guarnieri
21 November, 2012
Rushdi Tamimi, 31, was shot by Israeli soldiers during a protest in Nabi Saleh on Saturday; he died today in a Ramallah hospital. 22-year-old Hamdi Falah died today after being shot four times by soldiers at a Hebron protest. In the past several days, Israeli forces have violently repressed demonstrations in East Jerusalem and the West Bank against the army's 'Operation Pillar of Defense.'
Abir Kopty of the Popular Struggle Coordination Committee reported that protests held on Saturday and Sunday at Nabi Saleh, Ofer Military Prison, Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem were put down through the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and rubber-coated bullets, with soldiers sometimes firing directly at demonstrators. More than 10 protesters were arrested and a number were injured, including Tamimi, who was shot in the back with live ammunition. According to Kopty, "While injured, soldiers dragged him attempting to detain him."
Tamimi was taken to a hospital in Ramallah where he died of his injuries today.
Falah was protesting the Israeli assault on Gaza when soldiers shot him in the face, chest, and knee. According to Maan News Agency, witnesses reported that Falah "was shot at close range."
For the second day in a row, Israeli soldiers fired tire gas at unarmed students of Al Quds University in Abu Dis in the West Bank in an attempt to suppress protests against the assault on Gaza.
A 19-year-old student told +972 that as she was leaving campus yesterday around 4:00 p.m., she saw little kids throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. One of the college students also threw a rock in the soldiers' direction, she said, as a form of protest of the Israeli assault on Gaza that has killed over 100 Palestinians. The soldiers shot tear gas at the children and the student and then ran towards a crowd of university students, pushing them into campus, where they continued to fire tear gas at them.
Five Al Quds University students were arrested.
The student reported that she and dozens of other students hid in a building as they did not want to confront the soldiers. One of her friends fainted from tear gas inhalation.
A professor told +972 that as he fled campus yesterday afternoon, he saw one student, "lying down and twitching." Another student was bleeding from his head.
Abu Dis is located in the West Bank Area B, which is under the administration of the Palestinian Authority with Israel maintaining control over security.
According to Maan News Agency, more than 50 protesters were injured today during demonstrations held in East Jerusalem and the West Bank against Israel's "Operation Pillar of Defense." Israeli soldiers suppressed the protests with sound bombs, tear gas, and rubber-coated bullets. At least a dozen demonstrators were arrested today.
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Can put quickly; is a silhouette relaxedly.
The reassuring item of the day that is cold in what it is light, and is warm.
It is a role or is in the economy in power consumption. It is warm and be wrapped light
It is good at the relaxation time in the house.
I finish one stitch of topstitch for one stitch of trouble time.
It is most suitable for a heartfelt present.
・Person sensitive to cold, the person who have poor circulation
・The person who wants to be particular about both the comfort and the design
・One to be energy saving, Eco
・It is sounding out しの in a wear without a feeling of clamping
・It is sounding out しの in the fleece material which it is comfortable, and the static electricity is hard to happen
(…To a present to these one)
|Material: 70% of polyester, 30% of rayon T/R fleece
A production country: China
|Recommended season
|Autumn, winter
|Olive gray, Julia pink, Beaujolais brown, oriental blue, cameo beige, mauve, empire Rose, cocoa brown, moon gray, milky-white
|Attention at the time of the washing
|・Hand-washing or a net can contain the washing and, for sensitive material, recommends the weak current of the washing machine.
・Because the deep color system discolors in a composition blend rate in our Ikuji, and color migration may occur, please avoid the cowashing with the light color thing.
・Please avoid the tongue bulldog drying with the dryer.
・I fix the form, and, after washing, please air it.
・I enclose the pamphlet which listed a washing method.
|Man and woman combined use room jacket
◎The recommended gift present…
[birthday] [celebration] [wedding] [marriage celebration] [pair gift] [Respect for the Aged Day present] [Christmas] [the year-end present] [Valentine] [white day] [Mother's Day] [Father's Day] [sixtieth birthday celebration] [family celebration] [gift in return] [visit] [premium, prize of the event]
It is the product that I, please examine one with the interest to birthday present, a Christmas present, a pair gift, a lighthearted nightgown by all means.
|JP Post EMS
|Your order will be shipped to you via Japan Post EMS. Japan Post is a speedy delivery service that delivers to more than 120 countries. With an effective tracking system and insurance program, EMS is able to offer a secure delivery worldwide. You can track your package with the tracking code provided and it will be delivered within a week. See estimated shipping fee
|Credit Card
|We accept credit and debit cards.
The following credit and debit cards can be used:
•American Express
|We accept PayPal. After receiving the order confirmation e-mail, please proceed with the PayPal payment.
*Please note that if payment through PayPal is not confirmed by the date indicated in the e-mail, your order will be automatically cancelled.
|The "Payment Amount" is calculated as below.
"Payment Amount" = Product price total + shipping fee
Upon confirming your order, we will send you a link to make a payment via Alipay's secure payment page.
You must finish the payment process before the deadline to complete your order.
Please check the payment process from the link here.
PC: https://global.rakuten.com/en/help/payment/alipay_pc.html
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Start Date:03/07/2017 00:00 JST
End Date:30/09/2017 23:59 JST
This product cannot be shipped to United States from the store.
Please contact the store for further information.


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Miley Cyrus is the HOTTEST according to Maxim Magazine
Congrats to Lady Antebellum & Little Big Town. Lady Antebellum's tune "I Run to You" and Little Big Town's "Pontoon" both reaching double platinum, selling over 2 million copies each.
Maxim Magazine named Miley Cyrus at the top of the Hot 100 list, while Taylor Swift landed at #13 and Kellie Pickler at #96.
Top 10
10. Elisha Cuthbert
9. Vanessa Hudgens
8. Kate Upton
7. Ashley Tisdale
6. Jennifer Love Hewitt
5. Jennifer Lawrence
4. Mila Kunis
3. Rihanna
2. Selena Gomez
1. Miley Cyrus
PHOTO: Getty Images


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PLUMB, Ralph, a Representative from Illinois; born in Busti, Chautauqua County, N.Y., March 29, 1816; attended the common schools; engaged in mercantile pursuits; moved to Ohio; member of the State house of representatives in 1855; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1857 and commenced practice in Oberlin, Lorain County, Ohio; during the Civil War served in the Union Army as captain and quartermaster of Volunteers 1861-1865; was brevetted lieutenant colonel; moved to Illinois in 1866 and settled in Streator; engaged in the mining of coal and the building of railroads; mayor of Streator, Ill., 1882-1885; elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses (March 4, 1885-March 3, 1889); engaged in banking until his death in Streator, Ill., April 8, 1903; interment in Riverview Cemetery.
Father: Theron PLUMB b: 18 AUG 1783 in Richmond, Berkshire Co., MA
Mother: Harriet MERRY b: 1788 in Herkimer Co., NY
Marriage 1 Marilla E. BORDEN b: 16 SEP 1818
RootsWeb.com, Inc. is NOT responsible for the content of the GEDCOMs uploaded through the WorldConnect Program. If you have a problem with a particular entry, please contact the submitter of said entry. You have full control over your GEDCOM. You can change or remove it at any time.


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As much as I hate to admit it, the heartbreaking Eagles loss last weekend to the Saints was probably a blessing in disguise. Had they won, I would've spent all week writing about how bad Rex Grossman is, and I would've fully expected the Eagles to march into Chicago, take care of business, and be on their way to Miami right now. The truth is, it probably wouldn't have happened, and there's one simple reason for it. The Bears rushed for 196 yards against the Saints today, if they were playing the Eagles you probably could've added another 50 yards to that total.
Would the Eagles have gotten blown out like the Saints did? Probably not. The one thing they did very well after Garcia took the helm was take care of the football. I doubt they would've turned it over 4 times. The moral of the story is that this heartbreak was coming no matter what, whether it was in New Orleans last week, Chicago this week or Miami two weeks from now. At least we got the pleasure of ending the Giants season in Philly.
Thomas Jones and the Bears ran all over the Saints. It would've been more of the same if the Eagles were playing today. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


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Remember the themed photo shoot that the SBS Heroes members did, but there was no sight of IU? Well, she actually participated in one, but it was a solo assignment! IU earned her own individual cuts for the themed photoshoots, taking on Nicole Kidman's role as "Satine" from 'Moulin Rouge'. Her transformation is stunning, as she donned a more seductive and mature style. Jun Tae Soo of KBS 2TV's "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" joined her for the shoot, earning IU the jealousy of her older "Heroes" cast mates. Hilariously, the ladies were definitely unable to hide their envy with IU's charming transformation and her opportunity to work with Jun Tae Su. The two of them delivered a convincing portrayal as a couple, despite the fact that they met for the first time through this shoot. The episode will broadcast on October 24th at 6:40 PM. Until then, check out the photos below! Source + Photos: Newsen [gallery columns=2]
Hara uploads and immediately deletes a photo of her 'tasty' rolled up cigarette
19 hours ago 91,098 1,670 141


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How do USA TODAY readers give their All-American Thanksgivings a little ethnic twist? A sampling from e-mails, one with what-to-wear -to-the-table suggestions:
"My father's mother was of German ancestry and we always included sauerkraut and creamed turnips with our Thanksgiving Dinner."
— Don Fraser, Washington, D.C.
"Since we are Italian-American, we have antipasto on Thanksgiving Day. Salami, red pepper, olives, provolone, anchovies, etc."
— Paula Pesce, Houston
"Being a second generation American whose grandparents emigrated from Italy around the turn of the century, Thanksgiving was always a joyous holiday where family, fellowship and food in massive amounts were the tradition.
Wanting to honor both the old and new homelands that my grandparents and parents held so dear, my mother would dutifully plan and prepare an Italian feast fit for a king, complete with antipasto, stuffed shells, lasagna, sausage, meatballs, bread and salad.
Together with aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters and parents, we'd joyfully join together around our Thanksgiving table and stuff ourselves silly. I still find it humorous that we considered this part of our Thanksgiving dinner to be only the first course.
Our American Thanksgiving dinner followed, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and cranberry sauce.
Incredibly, the dessert that followed included not only coffee with pumpkin pie but also a variety of Italian pastries.
Afterwards, the men would retire to the den to play cards and the ladies would sit together and chat, reminiscing about days gone by and marveling over the quality of the meal.
I can still remember physical discomfort that followed the meal, as was evidenced by the audible moaning of all in attendance.
I have since moved away from my home state of New York, leaving behind a very large extended family who, to this day, continue with those Thanksgiving traditions. Far away, I am left with wonderful memories of those bygone holidays. Ah, those were the days!"
— Mary Gavila, Ocala, Fla.
"I have two married daughters and two grandchildren who live in Houston and Chicago. Sixteen years ago we rented a villa in the Caribbean and celebrated Thanksgiving together there. It was such fun that we have made it an annual event, visiting such islands as St. John, Tortola, and this year returning to Virgin Gorda. We learned early that you just don't order turkey in the Caribbean. So now, our traditional Thanksgiving dinner is fish."
— Nels Fellman, Voorhees, N.J.
"My husband and I originally hailed from Malaysia, and over the years we've built homes and raised our four children in different countries: England, Singapore and America. Now we've made our permanent home here.
As a family we celebrated our first Thanksgiving as newcomers to America in 1989.
Ever since then it has always been our family tradition to invite my husband's (he's a professor at Carnegie Mellon University) students who are newcomers to the city and who remained here over the holiday break.
For the main star we have a satay-roast turkey — truly a Malaysian-American fusion! (The turkey is marinated and stuffed with satay spices.)
There is an international theme for the Thanksgiving table to complement the international guests who've come from different countries and are celebrating a truly American holiday together with us.
The spread: golden parsnip (ye olde English style), dill bread rolls (homemade), traditional stuffing, stir-fry mixed vegetables (Chinese), coconut rice (Malaysian), traditional pumpkin pie (of course!). And we feast with grateful hearts for being here in this wonderful country!
— Mrs. Chooy Lam, Pittsburgh
"About 5 years ago I asked my two daughters (at the time 6 and 8) what they wanted special for Thanksgiving. Both of them said steak, lobster and Ceasar salad. So our not-so traditional Thanksgiving dinner started by flying in live Maine lobsters. We now boil them in the driveway much to the dismay of our neighbors, who by the way never miss it. It has progressed to quite the surf and turf Thanksgiving with all the trimmings including matching lobster bibs and napkins."
— Tom Donovan, Brookfield, Wisc.
"Our Thanksgiving Dinner is two parts:
Traditional: turkey w/gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing (w/green apples and walnuts), yams with vanilla yogurt, green beans
New Mexico twist: red chili enchiladas, pork tamales, black bean tamales, chili on the side.
The best is the red chili getting on the turkey and mashed potatoes!
— Marie Young (original surname was Gutierrez), Portland, Ore.
(Parents originally from Albuquerque)
"After my grandfather died in June of 1996, my grandmother insisted that the rest of the family get together the following November for Thanksgiving. We're a big bunch of rowdy Southerners and family has always been important, but we were currently spread out all over the country so we grumbled a little about having to try a "family reunion" during the holidays. The airport, the congested freeways, the tired, cranky kids ... Couldn't we just wait until next summer?
Unable to deny my grandmother much of anything, we all agreed. It turned out to be the best decision any of us ever made. In fact, we had such a large time together that we made a pact that year to do it every year.
Thanksgiving is a three-day event in the Anderson family. On Wednesday, after we've all arrived and settled in, we have soup night. My mother makes a cheddar chowder or chili, the Texas contingent provide barbeque Brunswick stew and those that live on one coast or the other typically contribute a seafood chowder of some sort.
Thursday is a traditional Southern Thanksgiving spread: turkey and Hham, potatoes (regular and sweet), cornbread dressing, fried okra, turnip greens, sweet corn and green beans that had been put up from the garden that summer, sliced tomatoes and at least six different kinds of pie.
Part of what has made our gatherings so special was the annual inclusion of oysters provided by the Floridians in our group. At least 2 bushels every year, some of which actually made it off the half shell and into the grease when we had our post-Thanksgiving fish fry on Friday. Alas, many did not. One year my Aunt Betty made a compilation CD of all the music we had grown up on: the Mamas and the Papas, Conway Twitty, Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffett, the Four Tops, etc. It didn't matter which generation you were from, you had something to sing along to. And sing we did!! Some of us better than others, but we had a good time and a lot of laughs. Maybe that's what it's about … forget the food.
— Traci Gwaltney, Arlington, Texas
"Our Thanksgiving, foodwise, is probably just like everyone else. We make a turkey, then we do make chicken breasts and legs (okay, maybe a little different there) and we have stuffing, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, squash, corn, green beans and olives. One other thing we do have that in my opinion is special is that we always have pumpkin pies made from fresh pumpkins. My mother is now 88 years old so she is the "supervisor." But we always cut and cook up pumpkin, add the spices and make our homemade crust! It really is special.
The thing that I am really writing about is the way we dress on Thanksgiving. As my parents were getting older and we live in PA so it's usually cold at that time of year, we started our own "tradition" of wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts on Thanksgiving Day. Even my dad, who has since passed away jumped on that bandwagon and he was 81 at the time!
My one sister has had Thanksgiving at her house for about the last 9 or 10 years when it just got to be too much for my mom. We all decided that since we spend all day there and have a noon meal, then look at all the store ads for Black Friday shopping and we pick at food all day long, why not be comfortable all day?
Believe me when I tell people this at first they look at me strangely, and then after awhile they say 'what a great idea!' That to me will now always be a tradition."
— Paula Kazmaier, Erie, Pa.
Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map.


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Target: U.S. Department of Energy
Goal: Support the environmental group Minnesota 2020 in its efforts to better the state's solar regulations.
The progressive non-partisan group Minnesota 2020 has called for changes in the state's 2013 legislation to remove the 40KW cap placed on homes and businesses with solar panels tied to the electric grid. Removal of this cap would allow owners of small solar to expand their capacities and sell extra electricity back to the utilities, helping to prevent unnecessary emissions. Support this organization in its work to bring about positive change for Minnesota's citizens and environment.
Minnesota state law currently requires utilities to purchase surplus power from grid-integrated solar installations, but only up to 40KW. Without this cap, thousands of homes and businesses could invest in additional solar panels, allowing them to satisfy their own energy requirements in an efficient, sustainable fashion, while providing the grid with fresh sources of renewable electricity. Minnesota 2020 is also calling on the state to eliminate a related measure which prohibits third-parties from constructing solar arrays on homes or businesses and selling that power to utilities. Matt Entenza, senior policy director for the group, announced these efforts on February 4th, 2013, at the Hartley Nature Center in Duluth. "Our solar initiative requires zero taxpayer dollars," he said. "Minnesota is behind 30 other states in our use of solar energy."
Entenza added that Colorado, California and the province of Ontario have removed similar restrictions from their own laws. If Minnesota were to do the same, it would enable more small-scale projects, create more jobs, and prevent excess coal-related emissions because enough power would be provided by sustainable photovoltaic sources. The state's utilities have opposed the bills with the excuse that their electric grid systems are unable to handle so many new sources. Enenza notes Ontario expressed the same concerns before its own changes, but the new computer grid monitoring systems easily accepted the solar power. Minnesota placed these laws 40 years ago in the 1980s, when systems were far less advanced. "Just drive across the border toward Thunder Bay and you see solar everywhere," Entenza said. Without the regulations, making use of the new electricity is simply not an issue.
Minnesota's removal of these old regulations would give people and businesses alike the option to invest in sustainable solar energy and prevent carbon dioxide emissions in the process. Extra jobs would be created from the installations and more customers unable to afford their own arrays would still benefit from the solar power being sold back to the grid. Sign this petition to ask the U.S. Department of Energy to support Minnesota 2020 in its efforts to protect our natural environment through sustainable change.
Dear Department of Energy,
The state of Minnesota has two old regulations that harm citizens' and businesses' ability to make use of solar power. Current state law places a 40KW cap on surplus electricity that Minnesota utilities are required to purchase from small-scale grid-tied home and business solar installations. The second regulation prohibits 3rd parties from performing these small scale installations and then selling extra power back to the grid. The environmental think-tank Minnesota 2020 has called for the elimination of these laws to enable widespread small solar development, which would help prevent unnecessary carbon dioxide pollution.
Without these restrictions, thousands of homes and businesses could invest in additional solar panels, creating thousands of jobs in the process. This would satisfy their own energy requirements in an efficient, sustainable fashion, while providing the grid with fresh sources of renewable electricity. Minnesota needs to get rid of these old laws. I urge you to support Minnesota 2020 in its efforts to bring more solar energy to the state while keeping the atmosphere clean.
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Smallman12q via Wikimedia Commons


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Midway through World War II, North Carolinians got some embarrassing news: nearly half the men called to the state draft boards for induction were being turned down as 4-Fs. It was the poorest record in the country. Aroused Tarheels organized a North Carolina Good Health Association, gave themselves a thorough examination and discovered they were in worse shape than they had imagined. Almost one-third of North Carolina's 100 counties were without hospitals, the state stood eighth highest in maternal death rate, tenth in infant mortality, third from the bottom in number of doctors per capita. North Carolina medical schools were turning...
Medicine: Tarheel Health
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Well. Definitively not going for the 4s. I will stay with my 4. Disappointed, but on the other side, happy, as will save some money while I finish my current contract, and upgrade only once the 5 is available.
I think its funny that many are considering this some sort of let down or failure...?? What did you expect? The same thing was said about the 3GS to 4 upgrade..and look we all bought it regardless. I don't see Android doing anything groundbreaking on their end..I think Apple gave us enough to hold us over until the iPhone 5 officially drops. I'm satisfied, as the 4S has plenty of new capabilities and is very fast. I'll be buying one or should I say my company will buy me one
Differences between 3GS and 3G:
Differences between 4S and 4:
- The 3Gs has a much faster processor than the 3G
- The 3Gs can achieve 7.2mbps on HSDPA while the 3G can only achieve 3.6mbps
- The 2.0 megapixel camera of the 3G has been replaced with a 3.0 megapixel camera that supports video recording in the 3GS
- The 3Gs can now support OpenGl ES 2.0 while the 3G can only support 1.1
- The 3Gs has voice control and a magnetic compass which are not available in the 3G
The 4S is the single biggest upgrade the iPhone has seen in it's entire lifespan (yes even going from the 3GS to the 4).
- Dual Core A5 Processor vs Single Core A4.
- Dual Core Graphics that are reportedly 9x faster plus the additional graphics boost comparable to current-gen consoles.
- 8 Hour 3G Talk Time Battery vs 7 hours.
- The 4S can achieve 14.4mbps on HSDPA+ while the 4 can only achieve 7.2mbps.
- A true world phone vs having two spereate models. iOS no longer forked.
- A 64GB model where as the 4 topped at 32GB.
- 8 Megapixel Camera 3264x2448 Resolution, 5 Lens, Backside Illuminated CMOS.
- 1080p Video Recording vs 720p.
- Video Image Stabilization.
- Temporal Noise Reduction.
- Siri Voice.
I don't see what all the negativity is over. It's what's inside that is nice in this model. I want to take full advantage of iOS 5 and my upgrade is due in November so I'm on board. You can't honestly expect a complete facelift every year from Apple. Be thankful they keep improving and refining a good thing.
There is not as drastic of an OS change but, IMO, no OS pushes it too far right now either. All the tweaks added, while not breathtaking, are pretty fantastic. what huge practical advantages does any other smartphone offer?
With how well android ran on my better specd android phone this dual core iPhone with faster graphics and more memory will in my opinion blow the doors in speed off any android phone. If I ran concurrently half the apps on my android as on my iPhone 4 it was bogged down and crappy. Not to mention my battery was DONE in a few hours... I also experimented with many android tweaks and even rooted my phone, I'm not a tech noob I knew what I was doing and it didn't compare too well.
People don't understand that its not just a Spec battle its also a battle of how well the OS merges with the hardware for efficiency in running AND battery consumption.
Just my 2 cents but in the past 12 months I went iPhone --> Blackberry --> Android --> iPhone. there is a reason I went back to the iPhone and it would take something pretty drastic for me to ever switch back.
One thing I forgot in my list, if I read it right, the 4S will finally let you CDMA folks to use voice and data simultaneously. Something the GSM users take for granted.
For me, I was wanting the larger screen, other than that the new 4s does everything they could do. Am I going to upgrade, probably, the camera is deffinitly better and the way I view pictures is they are a once in a lifetime chance, you will never be able to go back and redo them. So if I can have a better camera in the same package then I will. Yes carrying a slr would be better but not always practical. Also the Sira might be good.
As for an iphone 5, it probably wont come out till this time next year, so it is still worth updating.
I really had my sights set on a larger screen and new form factor...As is I'm happy to keep my iPhone 4 for another year. Oh and I see a ton of people referring to next years iPhone as the iPhone 5. You're all stupid. It will be the iPhone 6. Tards...
I still love my phone, and wouldn't trade it for a Droid in a million years.
Honestly, it's no iPhone 5 but what dies it really have that the iPhone 5 was supposed to? I mean honestly, a SLIGHTLY bigger screen and different design are not that important and as for NFC, it isn't widely adopted enough to be practical. Everyone has to realize that apple isn't the one putting out these rumors, and anyone with and iPad 2 will know that an A5 processor is a great thing. This phone may not be groundbreaking but the combination of hardware and software is defiantly still competitive. Fanboys and haters just need to calm down!!!
Wow, Apple just added stuff that no one wants, seriously a better GPU? Really? Why, the only way you'll notice any difference in games is if say Uncharted 3 or Gears Of War 3 showed up in the App Store, Angry Birds sure won't get any better.Notification light, OLED screen would have been preferable and it didn't give a "wow" factor like the 3GS did from the 3G.You can't add a 8MP CMOS camera and not give it a dedicated button and swap the volume buttons side so you can use them as zoom.After this poor launch, I think iPhone 5 next year will be a super major upgrade.
iPhone 4S is the scapegoat for Apple to jack up the price on iPhone 5.
HaHa Haaaaa !! ROFLMAO you fan boys waited 16 months for a flagship iPhone with last year's Android specs !!!! I never had plans to buy the next iPhone anyway so I'll keep my iPhone 4 and Im getting the Samsung Galaxy S II which is simply stunning !!!!


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Life Sciences
Hot Pile
HOT PILE is a container that is full of rotting plantsand life. Worms and beetles, and other insects feeding in the pile produce heat as they extract nutrient from the rotting plants. But most of the organisms living in the hot pile, the ones that produce the most energyand produce the most heatare microscopic bacteria. There are billions of bacteria in just a pinch of dirt. Bacteria extract energy from plants by using substances called enzymes. Enzymes set off chemical reactions that break down the nutrients in plants. These reactions release heat as a waste product. The decomposed nutrients feed the bacteria and replenish the soil, which nourishes living plants.


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Click on the image below to visit our Ebay Shop
Grade A was founded in 1982 by Douglas, Roger and Andrew Gee. The company initially dealt with motor core. In 1997 Grade A became involved with Subaru's concentrating especially in providing parts for the Impreza range. Today Grade A is one of the largest breakers of Subaru's in the country with both National and International recognition.
Andrew is widely respected for his knowledge and experience of the Subaru range. He also has many years experience of the rally world and has competed in international events for over 10 years.
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What is it about children and animals that touches our hearts, and in this case caused an entire community to rally their support.
The boy is Parker, the dog is Candy, and the mom is Wendy, my friend. When Parker was diagnosed at an early age with Asperger's (a form of autism) I watched the family's often painful struggle with the challenges this presented. When Candy entered their lives as a therapy service dog for Parker, she calmed him down during outbursts, she attended school with him, and as Parker said, "She became a sister to me." They were inseparable.
Flash forward to Feb. 2. Candy slipped out of a back door at the local groomer's where she had been going for seven years.
Within hours the Ahwatukee community rallied. Friends sent email blasts, posters were made and put up, kids rode their bikes in the greenbelts, friends walked their own dogs hoping to attract her, others drove their cars slowly through parking lots of nearby apartment complexes.
Candy was found the next day at the Mesa Animal Shelter. The story has a happy ending. But this is more than a boy/dog story. To me it is a tribute to the power of friendship and community. As I stood at Wendy's front porch that night and looked around at the friends who gathered to support this family, I, in spite of the grim situation, felt so blessed to be a part of this community with the ancient Indian name, Ahwatukee, which has the goodness of small-town America in a city of 8 million.
Sometimes when I watch TV shows from the '50s I yearn to live in a place like Mayberry where people looked out for each other and then I realized, I DO live in such a place ... now in the 21st century.
In this day when horrid crimes and rampage shootings seem to fill our news, it was a balm for all of us to rally round a story that showed the goodness of people. And a love story between a boy and a dog.
Vy Armour


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What is the deal with bulletproof coffee and what is it suppose to do?
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Originally posted by ChocoTaco369 View PostI really don't eat that much food. I probably average around ~2400 calories a day, which is probably a significant deficit compared to most of the guys on this forum due to my size. I can only really eat "large" meals 1-2 hours after lifting heavy because that's what it takes to get me really hungry. Also, factor in I virtually never snack, never drink calories (outside of irregular brushes with alcohol) and only eat maybe twice a day. And lunch is always just a salad.
Over the past year I've gained 21 lbs, and it was not easy. Last October I weighed 132 lbs. Now, I weigh 153 lbs. However, I still fit into all the same clothes. Losing weight is easy, gaining weight is even easier, but gaining quality weight - that takes a lot of patience and time, and you have to do it slowly.
Ultimately eat whatever you want to eat. That's your business. The only thing I have a problem with is the notion that drinking large quantities of butter is not only healthy, but somehow will help you lose weight. Umm, what? Empty calories by definition!
I'd like you to note that my reply had absolutely nothing to do with calories. It had to do with food VOLUME.
I've seen many posts from you that included "x pounds of sweet potatoes, a stack of several turkey burgers, and like a quart of yogurt mixed with pumpkin, etc" or whatever... THOSE posts are what I find gluttonous and disgusting.
I know that maybe you don't think it's "a lot", but HolyFreakinCow... it'd fill a dumptruck the way I see it.
All good clean food, yes. Just way too freaking much.
I can't, seriously can not even imagine, and would never wish to, eat that volume of food.
To the point that seeing such huge piles followed by what seems like bragging "Look at my giant awesome pile of food" makes me feel ill.
So, I really completely feel the need to skip over those types of posts... especially with pictures.
I can feel the stomach ache via osmosis I guess.
Some butter seems like a good trade when it comes down to either forcing food in and feeling sick, or lowering food volume.
If it's not for you, that's fine.
You do your thing.
It's not necessary for everyone else to do your thing too... is it?
Yes, there is little difference between sugary drinks and bulletproof coffee. It's almost entirely empty calories, and they can both easily be marketed as "energy drinks."Originally posted by sakura_girl View PostExcept one is going to make me binge on food an hour later and the other will put off my appetite until I can get my hands on real food. Hmmmmm....
The fatty one will likely keep a person (many people who try it report experiencing this) feeling full and satisfied for MANY hours...
The sugary one will drop like a bomb and leave them tired and hungry just a few hours later looking for more calories to stuff into their faces.Last edited by cori93437; 09-20-2012, 11:35 AM.�You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.�
~Friedrich Nietzsche
And that's why I'm here eating HFLC Primal/Paleo.
It's to create the effects of 'intermittent fasting' without going into a calorie deficit (which is not beneficial for women, usually.) Also helps to boost your fat intake and get some instant but sustainable energy.Making adventure out of this thing called life
Originally posted by Jamie Madrox View PostI read through the original topic on it long ago and i see topics about pop up up every now and then but im still confused as to why people are putting butter their coffee.
Cocoa Boosts Muscle Mitochondria - The People's Pharmacy�Would I be putting a grain-feed cow on a fad diet if I took it out of the feedlot and put it on pasture eating the grass nature intended?
Fasting means no ingested calories, though. Bulletproof contains a crap ton. Is there something about IFing working as intended when drinking butter and cream that I've missed?F 28/5'4/100 lbs
"I'm not a psychopath, I'm a high-functioning sociopath; do your research."
I keep hearing the "butter is empty calories" misinformation. Please read up on the health benefits of butyric acid, and vitamin k12.
I agree that it is not an absolute water fast. I have tried to adopt the term Modified. As someone else stated, it is a nice biohack that helps some folks to get use to fasting and maybe at some point they won't even need it. There's also another biohack where fermented veggies also help out with fasting. If it produces the same benefits, or some of the same - I guess it depends on what you are going for and trying to accomplish with your fasts, but if it is the same benefits, I am okay with it. May not be for everyone.
I find that the days I use it, I have trouble getting in enough calories.
Introducing Bulletproof Intermittent Fasting: How to Lose Fat, Build Muscle, Stay Focused & Feel Great
65lbs gone and counting!!
Fat 2 Fit - One Woman's Journey
Originally posted by Damiana View PostFasting means no ingested calories, though. Bulletproof contains a crap ton. Is there something about IFing working as intended when drinking butter and cream that I've missed?
It is easier than actually fasting for many people, because they're not hungry for several hours after having the BPC. I must admit, the one I had yesterday kept me going for quite awhile (although I didn't have it for breakfast). I actually ended up not eating again until after 11 pm (NOT a normal circumstance, but I went to a concert in the city, and didn't end up eating beforehand which I'd planned on, so ate something on the way home... ordinarily I NEVER eat that late at night!). Still, I would say I was not starving by then despite only eating a plate of breakfast at 8am and the BPC at 1pm (or so?).
This morning I've started with a BPC so I'm going to see how well it keeps me going. I didn't make the quantity as much as specified (500mL coffee) as my plunger (errm what everyone seems to refer to as a French Press... I had to look up French Press to see what it was and then discovered it's what I call a plunger lol) isn't big enough. I guess mine is about 300 or 350mL total once butter etc. have been blended in.
Given that I had some carbs last night (GASP) I wouldn't consider myself currently in a fasted state at all... I'm just seeing how well the BPC tides me over for the next few hours.
Maybe try your coffee with a square of unsweetened bakers dark chocolate. There's some evidence that cocoa boosts mitochondria's ability to produce ATP.
Cocoa Boosts Muscle Mitochondria - The People's Pharmacy�
Interesting read this thread.
I have been having coffee with ghee instead of breakfast over the past couple of months as an experiment really.
I am at the point now where I have pretty much reached my target weight but im now focusing on strength/building muscle.
For me BP Coffee (or simply coffee with ghee) is just an easier (and cheaper) way of hitting my calorie targets for the day as I have never liked breakfast and don't want to go back to the breakfast routine. I do like a big ass salad at lunch though
It also keeps me pretty sharp during the morning which is a nice benefit.
Its also an easier way of doing IF which can only be a good thing in the long run. A 200 calorie coffee that fills you up for hours with pretty decent fats is always going to be better for you than a croissant or a crumpet right?2010 - 5,11 and 101KG
2012 - 5,11 and 77KG
Train hard, eat well and love life
Originally posted by ChocoTaco369 View PostAnyone who claims to maintain single digit body fat while eating 4,500+ calories a day while never exercising and drinking sticks of butter for breakfast is about as credible as Bernie Madoff's investments.
I really like the bulletproof coffee with "modified" intermittent fasting. I tried it for a couple weeks before I switched to a paleo diet and I didn't seem to get any weight loss or fat loss effects from it. But once I started the paleo diet (bulletproof version) the pounds and fat started coming off! I lost 13 lbs in my first month, and I am getting more toned (I have been working out 2 times a week doing the body by science big 5 protocol). I really just wanted to burn fat and drop about 10 lbs, and I am getting closer and closer to that elusive six pack!
I am blogging about it here if you are interested in my story: My Experience with Bulletproof Coffee (Review) � Bulletproof Coffee and Bullet Proof Diet Review


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We started off a long weekend by eating way to much,complaining about how much we ate that we shouldn't hve and that our diets were shot. By Thursday night we were all overstuffed and exhausted and planning to get up before the sun rose on Friday to go shopping.
We had "Black Friday" which is nothing more that craziness and people waking up at 3 AM to go stand in line at stores for 1 day only deals which we all know from past experience happens every Saturday from now until Christmas.
We have heard about Tiger Woods and his "car crash" which really from what I have heard and seen doesn't seem like a crash but more of a 3 MPH fender bender, which by the way I am still skeptical as to what actually happened that night.
We saw Alabama defeat long time rival Auburn to advance to the SEC Championship against Florida, who by the way made Florida State look like a bunch of pee wee league ballers.Texas finished out undefeated giving them the likely number 2 spot in the BCS Championship against either Florida or Alabama.
We are starting Sunday NFL games as we speak to see if the Colts and Saints can both remain undefeated and do something that has never been done before in having 2 teams start the season 11-0. This by the way is likely to be the biggest news story out of the NFL this week because there really isn't much competition for the top spots in each division and the Colts and Saint look to be locks for the top spot in thier respective Conferences.
I am not discussing politics and religion events here because, well basically nothing worth writing caught my eye this weekend so I will stick with shopping,eating, and sports.


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Police hunting Hudson robbery suspect
Hudson police and St. Croix County deputies were canvassing downtown Hudson late Thursday morning, trying to find an individual who made a threat in a local bank and escaped with "a substantial amount of cash", according to law enforcement radio transmissions.
Authorities were notified of the robbery at First State Bank & Trust, 219 Second St., about 10:45 a.m.
The suspect was described as a possible Hispanic female, thin build and about 5-foot, eight inches tall, dressed in black and green, wearing sunglasses and a hat. She apparently escaped in a vehicle but no description was available.
Radio reports indicated the suspect threatened that she had a gun but none was seen.
She reportedly stuffed the cash into a larger, black shoulder purse.
At last report, officers were monitoring comings and goings on the waterfront, at the I-94 bridge and downtown.
Updates will be posted when available.


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The NRL Racing Team had a great time at the Sea Otter Classic visiting many of our wonderful sponsors like Osprey Packs. As usual, the venue was hustling and bustling with activity, showing that the bike community is a strong one.
For those of you who didn't go, yes, you did miss out on a bunch of cool stuff. Here is a sampler.
- Brian Lopes vs Jared Graves on the Dual Slalom Finals. Both racers are multiple world champs. epic.
- Sea Otter Road Stage race! This was the first time this was held and it was a huge success.
- Awesome sneak peeks at the latest and greatest…but you already knew that.
I hope next year they have a pro mountain bike stage race with the following stages. This was an event in the past, but it is not at the current moment.
Thursday = Individual TT of around 20 minutes. gives seeding for STXC Race call ups.
Friday = STXC Race
Saturday = XC Race
Sunday = Super D Race, Individual TT style.
All around, a super fun time! Look forward to it again next year.


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Quick Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any use of names of real persons, organizations or ideas are not intended to represent the persons, organizations or ideas themselves.
Arcman: The Golden Knight
Arc 1: The White Knight
Issue 1: Fight and Flight
August 26, 2013 – 10:27 PM
Nathan Thorn stood at the peak of the Red Sol City Bridge. His gruff face was covered by a white ski mask in an effort to deter anyone from recognizing him should they look out their windows and peer to the top of the bridge. He peered out over at the vehicles zipping by below him in an array of colorful stripes. He breathed in deeply, his nerves creating an empty pit in his stomach. Nathan had been contemplating the jump for quite a few weeks now, ever since he had fallen from the top of a castle he had been excavating.
He was a small time archaeologist who had taken an interest in the ancient civilization that had built the castle. After weeks of grant requests, Nathan was assigned as lead for the excavation, which also meant that he took the most risks. He had climbed to the apex from the exterior, and despite careful analysis from his team, he couldn't anticipate the steps crumbling, causing him to drop several stories. Panic had set in, his only hope the sand below acting as a cushion.
Not that it mattered, Nathan was strong. Very, very strong. He was a superhuman. If he had fallen from a hundred stories high, the worst he would expect would've been a couple of bruises on his back. He had lifted cars up over his head and demolished brick walls with a single punch. Atop his strength, Nathan was also extremely fast. He had raced alongside cars moving over 100 MPH on the highway and crossed the length of Red Sol City within minutes.
But when he fell from the castle, Nathan was surprised to find that he was floating midair. His descent was imminent, but he was gliding downwards until his feet touched ground a short walk from the site. His team had heard the crumbling and was searching for his remains in the ruins when he came upon them. While his cohorts were relieved that he'd survived, Nathan was excited by the possibility that he could fly.
He had attempted to fly while he'd been on the ground. Weeks of jumping up and leaping resulted in a failure for liftoff, and Nathan proposed a hypothesis to himself that he would have to simulate the conditions of his initial flight. He had climbed up the height of the bridge and found a safe location to jump from, but now he was having doubts.
'What if I fall and plummet into the water?' wondered Nathan. He was only an average swimmer and didn't have the confidence that his superpowers would save him from drowning. His doubts grew as he thought about the accident. 'It could've been a fluke!'
He closed his eyes and inhaled the cold night air once again. His senses sharpened and he could hear an argument between two drivers below him. Two doors opened and the drivers exited their vehicles. There was an exchange of curses before a vibration rattled Nathan's ears. It was the familiar sound of a fist connecting with the face.
Nathan had never been in a fight before, but being around his best friend, Detective Vann Strong, he was often exposed to amazing stories about encounters with thieves and murderers. Oftentimes, he would be enlisted by Vann as a forensic specialist and during the mini "missions", he found Vann beating down a criminal trying to escape the law.
He wondered how Vann would react to his superpowers, if he might be exploited and recruited by the police force to hunt down criminals. Suddenly, sirens rang approached in the distance and snapped Nathan out of his thoughts. His vision zoomed in on a truck racing down the roads towards the bridge, followed by half a dozen police cars. The traffic cleared up but allowed the rogue truck to elude the police pursuit.
Down below, the two drivers were still duking it out. Their little altercation had spread out of control and several other drivers had stopped in the middle of the road to break apart the fight and clear the clogged up lanes. Nathan's eyes raced from the bridge to the rapidly approaching truck.
"Shit," he muttered. The speed that the truck was moving it, there were two possibilities: if the rogue wasn't desperate enough, he would stop once he saw the blockade of cars. The other possibility was that he needed to escape the police at all costs, even if it meant attempting to bust through dozens of cars filled with innocents. Unfortunately, the truck driver wouldn't be able to see the source of the blocked lanes.
The civilians couldn't move out in time amidst the ongoing fight. The sirens burst through the traffic lanes and onto the bridge. The truck was in the lead, the sides of the cargo container scraping the various cars it passed. Sparks flew about, followed by screaming and cars scurrying to the sides.
Nathan panicked. The cops filtered in line behind the truck, which was still charging strong towards the fight below. He knew what he had to do, but if he was off and fell into the water, all would be lost.
"You know what the beauty of the job is?" asked Vann.
"The gun?" replied Nathan. He had been in a local police bar a while ago with Vann. The detective had just arrested a serial killer and was the hotshot of the precinct.
"No…You see the differences you've made," said Vann. He took a swig of beer and leaned in close over the table. "Ever since high school when we were both on the baseball team, we thought we were at the top of the food chain. But what did we ever really do? What did I really do before this?"
Nathan chuckled. "Golden boy of the Strong family, prom king, RSPD detective, and you ask me what you've done?"
Vann nodded. "Right, right. The so-called golden days my mother told me of all the wonderful accomplishments I had. I don't know, Nate. I felt so empty, but this…what I do now. When the families of the victims finally find peace, I feel I've given comfort to somebody, not just stamped another golden medal onto my list of achievements."
"I know that you make a difference in people's lives, Vann, but you also risk a lot more of your own life," said Nathan, eyeing a patched up bullet wound on Vann's chest.
Vann cringed at the memory of the wound. "My son is turning one tomorrow."
"Don't tell me you do this job to protect him. You were on the job way before he was born," said Nathan humorously.
"We wanted so much to change the world when we were younger…not for ourselves, but for the people that we love, and the people that come after us. Every life that comes after…"
Nathan scrunched up his eyes at the memory. He wasn't a cop and saving lives wasn't his job, he was just an archaeologist with a few superpowers. The truck crashed into a bus and there was an explosion. Flames webbed outwards while the force of the explosion hurtled five civilians off their feet. Nathan watched the two arguing men plummet downwards, screaming in fear.
"But every life is valuable," continued Vann. "Doing this job, I get to see the good and the bad in people. I can't admit that I've always been willing to risk myself. But saving the good people is worth it."
"You trying to make me feel bad?" chuckled Nathan. "We can't all be heroes like you."
"Don't sell yourself short," said Vann. "I call you up because I respect what you can do and trust that you'll help me. I mean, we are best friends after all."
The two men downed their beers. Nathan couldn't be a coward at that moment. He took a running start and then vaulted off the bridge without thinking. The wind rushed past his face and he began screaming in fear and panic.
'I can't do this! I can't do this!' he thought to himself. Eyes turned to the source of the screams, drawing attention away from the explosion. Nathan was a blur, a streak of white that was plunging downwards into the water.
SPLASH! SPLASH! Two of the civilians had already sunk into the river. SPLASH! Three. WOOSH! WOOSH! The two arguing men hit the water. Nathan was still screaming his head off. He wasn't flying and the water was coming fast.
PLOOSH! Nathan's limbs flailed wildly in the murky river water. He could faintly see the outlines of the fellow sunken civilians. Overhead, a series of lights blinked and pierced the surface of the water. Nathan held his breath as tightly as he could and lunged out at the figure closet to him. It was a young woman who was knocked out. He grabbed her around the waist and then kicked off. His super strength provided the power of a propeller and the two burst out through the top of the surface. Officers overhead blared out at the two of them with a megaphone while bystanders were gasping when they saw Nathan's mask. Several trained policemen were already swimming towards him and the fainted woman. Nathan lay the woman on the water, letting her buoyancy take over until she could be rescued.
He didn't have time to react. He took a gulp of air and dove back into the water. Immediately, he noticed a trail of blood that lead to a man whose leg had been lacerated across the length. He struggled to push up a young girl who was beginning to lose her consciousness. Nathan dove down and wrapped an arm around the girl while grabbing the hand of the man. He kicked off to the surface with ease. He wasn't a lifeguard but hoped that he wasn't causing any permanent damage to the victims. Worst thing he could do was rescue them from the depths of the water only to give them the bends.
Rescue workers were already waiting at the surface. "Who are you? How many more people are below? You need to leave this to us!"
Adrenaline was already racing through Nathan's veins. He had seen everything that had happened and he could've prevented it. The guilt was consuming him, giving him a reason to continue dragging up the survivors. He swam down once more. A beam of light illuminated the dark river, and Nathan realized that there must have been a helicopter overhead. He used it to guide himself to a man flailing in the water. A quick push and the man was sent surging up past a small school of fish.
'Where are the troublemakers?' Nathan groaned to himself. He peered through the water, the salt only then beginning to sting his eyes. He saw two floating bodies slowly sinking and began power swimming towards them.
He was only a few feet away when the truck shot into the water. Nathan was pushed next to one of the men, whose hand he grasped. The other was being jetted upwards. The heat from the explosion burned Nathan's white one-piece suit and he grunted in pain, swallowing a mouthful of black water. There was no time to waste. He swam upwards, evading scattered metal strips, pulling the man with him. He caught ahold of the other man and wrapped his arm around his neck.
More eruptions rocked the water and shot Nathan out of the water. He fell into the sky and felt the hand of the first victim slip. 'NO!'
The man was in a nosedive, headed towards the inferno on the water's surface while Nathan and the other victim soared in an arc through the air. Nathan grabbed out in vain at the man, unable to reach him. A piece of metal hit Nathan's chest and he screamed out in pain. He wasn't perfectly invulnerable, and he felt the serrated metal as it dug a small incision near his sternum.
Chaos flooded Nathan's head, a burst of memories of Vann's stories as well as his initial discovery of his superpowers. He had always been afraid to use his powers because he could kill. The coward that had brute strength wasn't afraid of losing a fight, it was of losing a life. But now if he didn't use his superpowers, he was going to lose a life. The pain in his chest would only serve as a reminder of the night, of his failure.
The wind whirled around Nathan's face and he pulled the falling man out of the air. He soared into the sky before he realized what was happening. He flew through the cold night air and landed awkwardly in the middle of a crowd that had cleared. He dropped the men by his side and then collapsed to his knees. Blood pooled out from his chest while he felt a small cut bleeding on his forehead.
"Move out of the way, move out of the way!" roared a familiar voice. Nathan saw a built, tall man with combed blond hair moving through the crowd. He donned a suit that flattered his handsome face. Nathan groaned, recognizing his best friend. There was no way he'd escape the police now. Vann was front and center, staring at him with a face of awe.
'Secret's out,' thought Nathan.
"Who are you?" asked Vann. Nathan looked up into his friend's eyes and realized that his outfit and mask were still mostly intact and he was still just the mysterious stranger who had rescued half a dozen civilians from their watery deaths. Still, he was in a state of shock and fear.
Not receiving an answered, Vann asked another, "What are you?"
Policemen swarmed through the crowd, who were flashing their cameras and pointing at the white-masked man. "You, you're under arrest!" They were addressing him. Nathan's heart skipped a beat.
"On what charges?" growled Vann. Nathan saw his friend pulling out a badge and pointing at the cops. "This man just saved six people. Get in line and stop making a scene before I report you all!"
"Detective Strong! This man-"
"Will be dealt with," roared Vann. "The lot of you have more important things to deal with. For starters, we need to get this bridge cleared up."
The best friends looked at each other. Not wanting to give away his voice, Nathan nodded a silent thank you to Vann and then looked up at the sky.
"You should take a ride with me though," said Vann. Nathan shook his head vehemently and then stood up. The men next to him were being taken away by several medics who had arrived on scene.
Nathan deepened his voice. "Maybe another time. Right now, it's time to fly."
Vann's eyes widened as Nathan leaped and shot into the air like a rocket.


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Category:Even-toed ungulates
From Conservapedia
This is the current revision of as edited by Tolkiendil (Talk | contribs) at 12:22, 5 December 2008. This URL is a permanent link to this version of this page.
Even-toed ungulates (order Artiodactyla).
Pages in category "Even-toed ungulates"
The following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total.
Media in category "Even-toed ungulates"
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