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Caroline Wozniacki Advances Into US Open Semifinals For Third Time
by Kevin Craig
Caroline Wozniacki reached her third US Open semifinal on Tuesday as she defeated an injured Anastasija Sevastova, 6-0, 6-2 to start off a lackluster night session that saw the men's match between Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga end with the Frenchman retiring.
The Dane, a former world No. 1, reached the only two major finals of her career at the US Open, coming in 2009 and 2014. The win puts her into her first semifinal at a major since that run to the final of the US Open in 2014.
"It's amazing to be back here. It's the best feeling ever," said Wozniacki, currently ranked No. 74.
The former world No. 1 had no issues starting off the match as she was able to break Sevastova to get out to a quick lead. It was just a couple games into the match, though, that the Latvian took a tumble on the baseline and rolled her ankle, essentially killing off any chances she had of winning the match.
"I felt real sorry for her. I kept pushing her back and making her run," said Wozniacki, who was aware of the injury but did not want to give her opponent any room to get back into the match.
After taking the first set with no trouble whatsoever, it looked like the second set would take a similar path. Wozniacki was able to race out to a 4-0 lead as Sevastova continued to struggle with the ankle injury.
In the fifth game, however, the Latvian was able to finally get on the board as she fought off three break points to hold for the first time in the match. She would hold again in her next service game and looked to finally be in the match, but it was too little too late.
In the next game, Wozniacki held with ease to close out the win, setting up a semifinal with the 2016 Australian Open champion, Angelique Kerber. The German leads the head-to-head record 7-5, but the Dane holds a 5-4 lead in hard court matches.
"She's had a great year so she will be tough to beat, but I'm going to do my best. That's all I can ask for myself," said Wozniacki. "I always believe in myself, no matter what my ranking."
Debut Spoiler – Woz Dispatches Loeb
Day 2 of the US Open featured a tour veteran versus a brand new pro, as No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki spoiled Jamie Loeb's main draw debut, 6-2, 6-0. The 2015 tournament marks Wozniacki's ninth main draw appearance versus Loeb's first. Loeb is a wildcard guest of the USTA due to her recent NCAA singles championship for the University of North Carolina. Despite the relatively easy win, Wozniacki had encouraging words for the WTA Tour rookie. "It's not easy to be playing your first professional match, and especially being out there in the US Open first round playing me on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I think that can be pretty intimidating altogether," Wozniacki said. "I think she did well. She has a lot of potential. … I'm sure we will see a lot of her in the future."
Photo: Chris Nicholson, www.PhotographingTennis.com
The Best Moments of the 2014 US Open
The 2014 US Open was known for many surprises. While Serena Williams lived up to her reputation and claimed yet another Grand Slam title, over on the men's side, Marin Cilic surprised us all by going all the way to the top. At just 25 years old, he managed to beat some of the world's best recognised tennis stars including Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray, and has now cemented himself as an up and comer to rival today's 'big four.'
Cilic may have surprised us all, but there were a few other golden moments which will not be forgotten in a hurry. Here's a look back at some of the best moments of the US Open 2014.
Kei Nishikori breaks a personal record
While Marin Cilic was raising a few eyebrows and getting bookmakers at www.bettingsports.com talking, Kei Nishikori was another young prodigy to stun at this year's US Open event. The 24-year-old made it all the way to the final, but while he did not take the title, he did have one extraordinary achievement. After beating Stan Wawrinka, he became the first Japanese player to reach a semi-final since Ichiya Kuamagae in 1918.
Andy Murray bows out once again
After his Wimbledon success in 2013, Andy Murray suffered a huge fall from grace this year as he exited Wimbledon early and failed to take the title at the US Open. While some say that he was plagued with back injuries, it could just be that world number one Novak Djokovic was too much for him. The quarter final saw Murray's sensational exit this year as Djokovic beat him 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 6-4.
Caroline Wozniacki has a bad hair day
Recent break ups with golf champions were the least of Caroline Wozniacki's worries as she went head to head with Aliaksandra Sasnovich on August 27th. The Danish beauty managed to get her hair caught in her racket during play, making for a memorable photo opportunity for the hundreds of spectators watching her. Thankfully, she managed to progress to the final, but was ultimately overwhelmed when it came to meeting champion Serena Williams.
The fall of Roger Federer
It's becoming more and more likely that the 'big four' – Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, (who was out due to a wrist injury) Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are soon to be replaced by today's younger stars. This is particularly true for Roger Federer, who, at 33, was overwhelmed by this year's champion, Marin Cilic, in the semi finals.
Adidas Women's Fall Preview: Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Laura Robson and More
Adidas tennis has come out with their women's US Open series line for both their Adizero kit worn by Ana Ivanovic and Angelique Kerber, as well as their Stella McCartney line worn by Caroline Wozniacki, Laura Robson and Andrea Petkovic.
Here's a breakdown of all the styles you will see on the adidas ladies this fall.
Ana Ivanovic, Daniela Hantuchova: The adizero line has already looked beautiful at Wimbledon in all-white, and the brand continues the bold lines in their adidas Women's Fall Adizero Dress. The added color palette of Hero Ink Blue and Hi-Res Red/Orange bring a stunning and eye-catching design to the mesh fabric.
Thanks to @Curtos07, we now have a photo of Ivanovic in the adizero dress.
Angelique Kerber, Christina McHale, Francesca Schiavone: Adidas extends the colorful design into their adidas Women's Fall Adizero Tank, though the mesh doesn't cut nearly as low as on the dress. The top comes in White with Hero Ink and Hi-Res Red/Orange.
Flavia Pennetta: Adidas has lifted it's mesh cutout even further in their adidas Women's Fall Adizero Cap-Sleeve. It features a crew neck with contrast binding, mesh insert at right shoulder, a slight cap-sleeves, and comes in Hi-Res Red/Orange, Hero Ink and White with Hero Ink.
Adizero Line Skirt and Shoes: All of the adizero ladies will also be sporting the simple and elegant adidas Women's Fall Adizero Skort in Hero Ink Blue or Hi-Res Red/Orange, and the adidas adizero CC Tempaia II Women's Shoe in either White/Red or White/Blue/Red.
Maria Kirilenko, Andrea Petkovic: As big of a hit as the adizero line looks, the Stella McCartney line leaves one feeling confused. The numerous cutouts, mesh and color combinations and layers overdo the look a bit, but the materials are definitely breathable. The adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall Tank 1 features a scoop neck, racerback straps, mesh inserts at neck and upper back for increased ventilation, and colorblocking. It comes in Ultra Green, Ultra Bright Orange and White.
Caroline Wozniacki: Stella continues the intense colorblocking in their adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall Tank 2 which has the same features as above but additionally has a large back opening. It comes in Shell Beige with Ultra Bright Orange, and White with Ultra Bright Orange, and is paired with a similarly colored sports bra which shows through the mesh.
Laura Robson: The Brit will be adorned in the adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall Cap Sleeve, and comes in Ultra Bright Orange, Ultra Green and Whtie.
Stella McCartney Line Skirt: Though the athletes have the adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall Short in taffeta fabric available to play in, most of the adidas ladies will most likely be wearing the flattering style of the adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall Skort in Shell Beige, Ultra Green, Ultra Bright, or White.
An additional fall top is also available for those chilly evenings, and the adidas Women's Stella McCartney Fall LS Top continues the colorblocking, re-introducing what looks like last fall's adidas colors again. It features a wide scoop neck and back, three-quarter sleeves and mesh panel on back.
What do you think of adidas' Fall and US Open series styles?
Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and More Glam Up for WTA 40 Love Celebration in London
(June 30, 2013) Current and former WTA world No. 1s gathered together on Sunday in London to celebrate "40 Love" – the 40th anniversary of the WTA, founded by trailblazer Billie Jean King.
The WTA and its leaders have strived to bring equality, recognition and respect to the tour over the years. The organization is now the global leader in women's professional sport, and proudly counts many pioneering accomplishments, including the successful campaign for equal prize money.
Seventeen of the 21 WTA No. 1s were in attendance, including three of the original nine, displaying elegance and beauty. Can you name each one in the photo below?
Emcees Pam Shriver and Mary Carillo introduced each of the No. 1s in style, referencing the "sassy sour" Maria Sharapova to the ever elegant Monica Seles. Each lady then had the chance with the mic, and afterward, it was time to mingle and celebrate.
The "pink" carpet arrivals were no less stunning.
Teenagers Eugenie Bouchard and Madison Keys were also invited guests, with the WTA calling them "potential future world No. 1s." Quite an honor.
Watch all the pink carpet interviews with the World No.1s, gala speeches from the legends and much more with a full replay of all the Sunday celebrations. (Begins around the 24 minute mark.)
Wimbledon Rewind: How the Mighty Have Fallen (And Who Might Reap the Rewards)
A wild Wednesday swept through the All England Club. We glance back through the avalanche of upsets that rendered some sections of both draws almost unrecognizable as a major.
Roger rolled: 36 straight quarterfinals at majors. Seven Wimbledon titles in the last ten years. None of his legendary opponent's credentials mattered to the 116th-ranked Sergei Stakhovsky, who became the lowest-ranked man to defeat Roger Federer in a decade. His moment of truth came in the fourth-set tiebreak, as crucial for the underdog as it was for the favorite considering the momentum that Stakhovsky had built by winning the second and third sets. Federer had started to reassert himself late in the fourth, and he surely would have secured the fifth set if he had reached it.
Unlike Alejandro Falla in 2010, and Julien Benneteau in 2012, Stakhovsky made sure that the Swiss did not survive the crossroads. A barrage of unreturnable serves early in the tiebreak, a clutch backhand down the line, and a sequence of magnificent lunging volleys brought him to match point on his serve. Sure enough, Federer saved it with a pinpoint passing shot. But Stakhovsky kept his composure through what felt like an interminable rally with the champion serving at 5-6 in the tiebreak. Finally, a Federer backhand floated aimlessly wide as time seemed to stand still on Centre Court, where things like these never happen.
Maria mastered: Off the WTA radar for years, former prodigy Michelle Larcher de Brito had gained most of her publicity from distinctively elongated yodels. She entered the main draw as a qualifier, though, which meant that she had accumulated more grass matches than her heralded opponent. Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova has stumbled early in the draw there more often than not in recent years. Slipping and skidding around the site of her first major breakthrough, she never found her rhythm or range from the baseline in a loss that recalled previous Wimbledon setbacks to Alla Kudryavtseva and Gisela Dulko.
The finish did not come easily for de Brito, as it never does against Sharapova. The girl who long has struggled with her serve deserves full credit for standing firm through deuce after deuce as five match points slipped past until the sixth proved the charm.
Vika victimized: Injuring her leg during her first-round victory, world No. 2 Victoria Azarenka never reached her scheduled Centre Court rendezvous with Flavia Pennetta on Wednesday. Azarenka withdrew from Wimbledon while blasting the All England Club for creating unsafe playing conditions. She now needs only a retirement or walkover at Roland Garros to complete a career injury Slam, and she will hand the No. 2 ranking back to Sharapova after the tournament.
Jo-Wilfried jolted: Also on the retirement list in a day filled with injuries, world No. 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga handed Ernests Gulbis a ticket to the third round after losing two of the first three sets. A semifinalist at Roland Garros and at Queen's Club, Tsonga had seemed one of the tournament's leading dark horses at the outset. But Gulbis, the most dangerous unseeded man in the draw, eyes an open route to a quarterfinal against Andy Murray.
Caro curbed: An Eastbourne semifinal aside, Caroline Wozniacki has struggled without respite since reaching the Indian Wells final in March. Another early loss thus comes as no great surprise for someone who lost in the first round of Wimbledon last year. Wozniacki secured just four games from Petra Cetkovska, not the first upset that the Czech has notched on grass.
Tall men toppled: Their opponents had nothing to do with it, but the tenth-seeded Marin Cilic and American No. 2 John Isner added themselves to the exodus of retirements. While Isner did not harbor real hopes for a deep run, Cilic reached the final at Queen's Club barely a week ago and had reached the second week of Wimbledon last year. Of the top-16 seeds in the bottom half of the men's draw, only Murray and Nicolas Almagro remain.
Serbs swiped: More comfortable on slower surfaces, former No. 1s Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic departed in straight sets on Wednesday. Ivanovic's loss came at the hands of rising Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard, who may rival Laura Robson (or Larcher de Brito?) for the breakout story of the women's tournament. The proudly patriotic Jankovic may take some comfort in the fact that her misfortune came at the hands of a fellow Serb. Her conqueror, Vesna Dolonc, is the only Serb left in the women's draw.
Hewitt halted: The 2002 champion soared to a straight-sets victory over the 11th-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round, only to tumble back to earth against flashy Jamaican-turned-German journeyman Dustin Brown. Lleyton Hewitt's defeat leaves Novak Djokovic as the only former champion and only No. 1 in the Wimbledon men's draw.
And more…: The seeded casualties did not stop there. Fernando Verdasco bounced No. 31 Julien Benneteau in straight sets, No. 22 Sorana Cirstea lost two tiebreaks to Camila Giorgi, and No. 27 Lucie Safarova let a one-set lead get away against another Italian in Karin Knapp. Nadal's nemesis, Steve Darcis, also withdrew from Wimbledon with a shoulder injury.
Hanging on tight: In the women's match of the day, No. 17 Sloane Stephens narrowly kept her tournament alive against Andrea Petkovic by surviving an 8-6 third set. Stephens will have a real chance to reach her second semifinal in three 2013 majors with both top-eight seeds gone from her quarter. Also extended to a third set were No. 19 Carla Suarez Navarro and No. 25 Ekaterina Makarova, the latter of whom overcame rising Spanish star Garbine Muguruza. Meanwhile, men's 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny needed five sets to survive Canadian youngster Vasek Pospisil as hardly anyone escaped at least a nibble from the upset bug.
Rising above the rubble: But a few contenders did. Extending his winning streak to seven, second seed Andy Murray notched another routine victory as he becomes the overwhelming favorite to reach a second straight Wimbledon final. Murray's pre-final draw might pit him against a succession of Tommy Robredo, Youzhny, Gulbis, and Benoit Paire or Jerzy Janowicz—hardly a murderer's row, although the Gulbis matchup might intrigue.
In the wake of a difficult first-round victory, 2011 champion Petra Kvitova caught a break today when Yaroslava Shvedova withdrew. Kvitova becomes the only top-eight seed to reach the third round in the bottom half of the women's draw. She could face a compelling test from Makarova on Friday, but her most significant competition might come from Stephens or Marion Bartoli in the semifinals. Struggling mightily for most of the spring amid coaching turmoil, 2007 finalist Bartoli has picked an ideal time to find some form again. She ousted Christina McHale in straight sets today and has become the highest-ranked woman remaining in her quarter.
Live Updates: Sharapova, Isner, Azarenka Lead Player Injuries on an Unprecedented Day 3 at Wimbledon
(June 26, 2013) Players, fans, media members, Wimbledon trainers, and even my goldfish are all scratching their heads on this unprecedented injury-filled Wednesday.
Within the first 90 minutes of play, five players had already been forced to withdraw due to injuries sustained on the slippery grass, and more continue throughout the day. As Darren Cahill states, the grass is typically more slippery in the first four days while the back court gets worn down, but the rainy days prior to the start of the tournament haven't helped the already wet conditions.
Players such as Maria Sharapova are calling the courts "dangerous," while the All England Club told ESPN this afternoon that the grounds are in "excellent condition." Clearly, all the injuries, slips and retirements have infiltrated the players' mindset and many would be wise to be cautious in their movement. Not surprisingly, the conditions have balanced the competition and no top player is safe as seen by Sharapova's early exit.
Friend of Tennis Grandstand, @MariyaKTennis, tweeted the following: "According to @ITF_Tennis, this is believed to be the most singles retirements/walkovers on a single day at a Slam in the Open Era." So, there we go.
Here is a run down of the player walkovers, as well as various other injuries sustained throughout day three of play.
John Isner: In the opening game of his match against Adrian Mannarino, Isner was serving and came down hard, tweaking his left knee. After getting it taped up, Isner tried to continue but ended up retiring only points later.
Victoria Azarenka: Nobody's day one tumble looked worse than Azarenka's against Maria Joao Koehler, where she slipped and twisted her right knee. Despite an MRI showing no structural damage, Azarenka pulled out prior to her match, giving opponent Flavia Pennetta a walkover to the third round.
Radek Stepanek: A mere six games into his match against Jerzy Janowicz, Stepanek received a medical timeout and heavy strapping on his left thigh. He continued but was forced to retire down 6-2, 5-3.
Marin Cilic: The No. 10 men's seed pulled out prior to his match against Kenny de Schepper due to a lingering left knee injury which was worsened during his win over Marcos Baghdatis in the opening round.
"I started to have difficulties with my knees during Queen's. During last week I was feeling it already in practice. Then on Sunday I felt it really bad in my serve … Yesterday it felt it much, much worse. It was difficult for me to put weight on left leg which is where the pain is."
Steve Darcis: Rafael's Nadal conquestor also pulled out prior to stepping on court for his second round match. The Belgian said he had hurt his right shoulder when he fell during the first set against Nadal on Monday.
The 29-year-old posted on Twitter: "Had to withdrawn after a win like this!?THE most difficult thing i had to do!!!#triedeverythingtoplaybutdidntwork!!!!"
Yaroslava Shvedova: The Russian-born Kazak was added to the withdrawal list as she pulled out with an arm injury before her match against No. 8 seed Petra Kvitova.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: After losing the second set to Ernests Gulbis, Tsonga got his left knee taped despite there being no clear indication of when the injury happened. His movement seems to be severely hampered and he retired after losing the third set.
Injuries and Other Tumbles
Maria Sharapova: After taking a pretty bad tumble during her warm-up, Sharapova slipped an additional three times during her match, the last of which required an injury timeout to her left hip. Sharapova repeatedly told the chair umpire that the conditions on court were "dangerous" and these tumbles seemed to have affected her focus and play. Her opponent Michelle Larcher de Brito ended up pulling off the ultimate upset, and in straight sets no less, 6-3, 6-4.
Caroline Wozniacki: Despite having taped her right ankle, the 9th seed slipped on the grass twisting her left ankle. She was able to finish out the match but lost to Petra Cetkovska in just over an hour, 6-2, 6-2.
Footage of some of the tumbles that Wozniacki, Eugenie Bouchard, Julien Benneteau, Mikhail Youzhny and Ernests Gulbis took.
Julien Benneteau: The Frenchman took his own slip against Fernando Verdasco that required a trainer examining his right leg. The 31 seed eventually lost 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer Hit the Wimbledon Practice Courts on Saturday
(June 22, 2013) With Wimbledon set to kick-off main draw play on Monday, several top players hit the grass courts of the All England Club on Saturday to prepare for the season's third Slam, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and more.
Rafael Nadal looked right at home on the grass, but he seems to have caught the British bug. And yes, it's contagious. Someone should remind him he's Spanish!
And yes, even champions take shirtless breaks on make-shift seats.
Wimbledon's official Instagram account and user TennisByLisa also took some great footage of Nadal practicing today. (Click on the pictures to play video.)
Afterwards, Nadal sported a stylish white Nike jacket as he posed for a photo with an excited fan.
Scot Andy Murray also hit the courts on Saturday under the watchful eye of his coach Ivan Lendl.
And Ross Hutchins, a doubles player who recently finished his chemo treatment and is one of Murray's best friends, joined in on the fun. Nice to see the 28-year-old Brit in such good spirits!
It's all fun and games though until Murray forgets how to get dressed, and worse yet, how to hold a tennis racquet. I think you're doing it wrong, Mr. Murray.
Roger Federer also enjoyed a nice hit with Lleyton Hewitt, complete with Hewitt's 4-year-old son Cruz crashing the party from the stands.
(Click on the picture to play video.)
And for die-hard fans who are just itching to see more color on the holy grass of Wimbledon, ladies and gentleman, I present to you Caroline Wozniacki, the always daring adidas-clad fashion star.
Eugenie Bouchard: Young Woman in a Big Girl's Game
Nearly a year removed from her championship run to the Wimbledon girl's title, Canadian teenager Eugenie Bouchard has joined the WTA tour looking every bit the part of junior prodigy turned senior contender. Impeccably packaged, Bouchard is tall, blonde, and obviously styled to have a Sharapova-like serenity on the court.
But her "womanly bearing" can be deceiving, for despite all visual cues pointing to Bouchard's readiness to play on the woman's tour, the fact remains: she still plays a girl's game.
Gone are the days when young talents like Tracy Austin and Martina Hingis can sweep onto the Tour and beguile older opponents with a mature cunning that belied their age. The grinding (but ultimately underpowered) game that works wonders on the contemporary junior circuit is too often in for a rude awakening when it tries to transition to the seniors.
Serving as a stark contrast, the WTA Tour has expanded from one-dimensional "Big Babe Tennis" into early ball striking with laser-like precision. Better technique paired with more forgiving technology has raised the collective margin of error, which allows big hitters to take more risk, and narrows openings for players like Bouchard, who prefer to rely on opponents' errors.
As much as the women's game has evolved in the last decade, expert defenders can still make their way through a field of lower-ranked players who beat themselves. At a Wimbledon warm-up in Birmingham, Bouchard drew one such "baseline basher" in Bojana Jovanovski. The Canadian must have liked her chances of causing a minor upset against the Serbian No. 3, who lacks a lengthy grass court resumé.
But Jovanovski had just come off of consecutive victories over former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. Despite the Dane's fall from the top of the rankings (punctuated by a slump that saw her win only one match on red clay), she still plays the kind of game that could be kryptonite for the hyperagressive Serb. Wozniacki's style of play, even at its worst, is Bouchard's, only taken to the tenth power. Though similar at its core, Bouchard not only eschews most aggressive inclinations, but also lacks the kind of scrambling defense required to outlast players like Jovanovski.
That kind of perfect storm can have some unintentionally hilarious consequences.
After falling behind a set, Jovanovski began taking more and more advantage of the Canadian's weak serve. By the end of the match, she was standing mere inches from the service line to crush returns and gain immediate ascendency. Bouchard was able to capitalize on enough Jovanovski errors to make games tight, but the match was always in the Serb's hands. Though the Canadian had opportunities to level the third set, Jovanovski was able to suddenly end games at will, with winners that seemed to scream "Enough!" to both her young opponent and the crowd, who began to squirm out of sympathy for the overmatched Bouchard.
Jovanovski would end the titanic struggle anticlimactically with a 6-2 final set that was surprising in its efficiency. Far from a notorious closer, Jovanovski may have been allowed to flounder against a more game opponent, but Bouchard was in no position to make her opponent over-think things.
It may only be Bouchard's first full year on the senior tour, but at 19, she is already older than other aforementioned "well-packaged prodigies." As the Canadian inches into her twenties, it will only become more difficult for her to revamp her game, to "woman up" in order to compete with the game's best. Not unlike Wozniacki, Bouchard looks built for aggression, but conversely looks less adept at retrieving compared to her Danish counterpart.
A loss like this may have come early enough to be a lesson, or perhaps an ultimatum: play a big girl's game, or risk becoming a little girl lost.
When the Red Dust Settles: Favorite Memories of Roland Garros 2013
Matches and events fly past in the fortnight of a major too quickly to absorb everything that happens. But, now that the red dust has settled, here are the memories that I will take from Roland Garros 2013.
Gael Monfils and the Paris crowd making each other believe that he could accomplish the impossible, and then Monfils accomplishing it.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands looking completely lost at the start of her match against Li Na and then gradually finding her baseline range, one rain delay at a time.
The courteous handshake and smile that Li gave her conqueror despite the bitter defeat.
Shelby Rogers justifying her USTA wildcard by winning a main-draw match and a set from a seed.
Grigor Dimitrov learning how to reach the third round of a major, and learning that what happens in Madrid stays in Madrid.
Bojana Jovanovski teaching Caroline Wozniacki that what happens in Rome doesn't stay in Rome.
Ernests Gulbis calling the Big Four boring, and former top-four man Nikolay Davydenko calling him back into line.
Petra Kvitova and Samantha Stosur settling their features into resigned masks they underachieved yet again at a major.
John Isner winning 8-6 in the fifth and then coming back the next day to save 12 match points before losing 10-8 in the fifth.
Virginie Razzano winning twice as many matches as she did here last year.
Tommy Haas dominating a man fourteen years his junior and then coming back the next day to save a match point and outlast Isner when the thirteenth time proved the charm.
Benoit Paire losing his mind after a code violation cost him a set point, and Kei Nishikori quietly going about his business afterwards.
Ana Ivanovic telling journalists that "ajde" is her favorite word, and sympathizing with Nadal for the scheduling woes.
Tommy Robredo crumpling to the terre battue in ecstasy after a third consecutive comeback from losing the first two sets carried him to a major quarterfinal.
Sloane Stephens calling herself one of the world's most interesting 20-year-olds.
Nicolas Almagro swallowing the bitter taste of a second straight collapse when opportunity knocked to go deep in a major.
Victoria Azarenka reminding us that it is, after all, rather impressive to win a match when your serve completely fails to show up.
Fernando Verdasco clawing back from the brink of defeat against Janko Tipsarevic to the brink of an upset that would have cracked his draw open—only to lose anyway.
Alize Cornet pumping her fist manically in one game and sobbing in despair the next.
Mikhail Youzhny remembering to bang a racket against his chair instead of his head.
Francesca Schiavone catching lightning in a bottle one more time in Paris, just when everyone thought that she no longer could.
Stanislas Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet putting on a master class of the one-handed backhand.
Svetlana Kuznetsova walking onto Chatrier to face Angelique Kerber and playing like she belonged there as a contender of the present, not a champion of the past.
Roger Federer joining alter ego @PseudoFed on Twitter, and fledgling tweeter Tomas Berdych telling one of his followers that his most challenging opponent is…Tomas Berdych.
Agnieszka Radwanska proving that her newly blonde hair wasn't a jinx, but that major quarterfinals still might be.
Jo-Wifried Tsonga showing us his best and worst in the course of two matches, illustrating why he could win a major and why he has not.
Sara Errani looking the part of last year's finalist while tying much bigger, stronger women up in knots.
Novak Djokovic overcoming a significant personal loss midway through the tournament and standing taller than ever before at the one major that still eludes him.
Jelena Jankovic completing a dramatic come-from-behind win and a dramatic come-from-ahead loss against two top-ten women in the same tournament.
David Ferrer, the forgotten man, reaching his first major final at age 31 in a reward for all of those years toiling away from the spotlight.
Maria Sharapova staying true to her uncompromising self and ending a match in which she hit 11 double faults with—an ace.
Serena Williams consigning her last trip here to the dustbin of history.
Rafael Nadal collapsing on the Chatrier clay just as ecstatically the eighth time as he did the first.
Staying up until 5 AM to watch a certain match, and wanting to stay up longer for one more game or one more point.
Looking forward to jumping back on the rollercoaster at the All England Club.


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Lerux International Guesthouse
Vicolo Cannameli, 5, Agrigento, Italy
Atmosphere 68%
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Group of 15 or more traveling to Agrigento?
About Lerux International
Lerux Guest House is located in the heart of the historic center of the city, about 50 meters away from Via Atenea - the main shopping street, fun and cuisine. It offers rooms with sea view balcony, private bathroom, air conditioning, TV-led furniture and eco-friendly. The building has approximately 200 years of history and is home to the lower floors of an art gallery - gallery Cannameli - for young local and international artists who transform the small streets of the neighborhood with installations, murals and concerts throughout the year.
All historical monuments of Agrigento are easily visited on foot. The train station and bus station is just a few minutes. The Valley of the Temples and the beaches are within easy reach by public transport them at regular intervals.
Lerux has a living area with air conditioning, wi fi and TV where guests can spend time with the other guests.
Lerux is preferred by young couples, families and individual travelers from around the world for the location, environment friendly, confidential and value for money.
Accommodation Information
Lerux International has 5 separate bedrooms, all with private bath, air conditioning, balcony overlooking the sea. We have two double rooms for single use, two triple rooms and two quadruple rooms. All rooms are equipped with bed linens and towels, soap and toilet paper. The bathroom and shower are equipped with hot water without limits. E 'available on request a hairdryer and a trouser press.
Location Information
The location is preferred by young couples, families and single travelers from all over the world for its location, its friendly environment, and its quality as regards price. You can reach the train station and the bus station walking along via Atenea between shops and monuments. Ideal for the tourist who prefers privacy, walking and the beauty and contradiction of the historical centre.
Cancellation Policy
Customers can cancel their reservation free of charge up to 1 day before arrival. After this date, charges will be applied by the property up to the first nights cost of the reservation, unless otherwise stated in the property's conditions. Deposits paid are non refundable.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Bell X-1, nicknamed the Glamorous Glennis, was a mid-20th century experimental rocket airplane flown by Chuck Yeager when he broke the sound barrier in 1947. This plane was later assigned to the Air Defense Command Flight Test Division, which was located at Wright Field. (Star Trek: Enterprise)
The plane, with Chuck Yeager, was seen in the opening credits. Yeager named the plane after his wife.


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- Home /
- Make Today /
- Easter /
- Easter History
Easter History
While awaiting the arrival of Easter Sunday, learn the history behind the beloved holiday!
While awaiting the arrival of Easter Sunday, learn the history behind the beloved holiday!
By 200 AD, Christian beliefs were gradually being accepted by many in society. When the age-old spring festivals came around, Christians chose to celebrate as a time to remember the crucifixion and miraculous rebirth of their savior.
Christianity tells us that Jesus Christ was ordered to be put to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in 30 AD. Nailed to a cross, Christ suffered horribly and three days later rose from the dead into heaven.
Though most today know Easter Sunday as a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is a holiday rich in both folklore and mutli-religious celebrations. During ancient times, the Anglo-Saxons would celebrate the onset of the spring season with a festival in honor of "Eastra" the goddess of spring and renewal, who was idolized on Earth as a rabbit. Many of the symbols found in our modern Easter celebrations are adopted from these ancient pagan practices including the ideas of rebirth, fertility, the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.
Coincidentally, the Resurrection took place during Passover, a Jewish celebration commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews enslaved in Egypt. Christians of the day had roots in Judaism and for a while Easter and Passover were celebrated together.The New Testament teaches us that Jesus gave new meaning to the Passover meal when he gathered his disciples at the Last Supper to prepare them and Himself for his death. He identified the loaf of bread and cup of wine as his body and blood soon to be sacrificed, giving way to the allegory of Jesus as the Paschal Lamb. Learn more about Passover's history.
During the 4th century, Christians began to observe Good Friday, the day of Christ's crucifixion. In 325 AD, the council of Nicaea established that Easter was to be celebrated on the Sunday on or after the first full moon of the spring equinox. Around this time Good Friday and Easter became Christian holidays and Passover solely Jewish.
Easter is the final event in a period of religious observance:
Lent, a time of penitence including some fasting, is 40 days prior to Easter and starts with Ash Wednesday.
The day before Ash Wednesday is widely and wildly celebrated around the world as Mardi Gras and Carnival. "Mardi Gras," French for Fat Tuesday, is a raucous day of feasting before the solemnity of Lent.
Then Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, representing Jesus' return to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday symbolizes the Last Supper of Christ followed by Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
German settlers in the Pennsylvania Dutch community are documented as bringing some Easter traditions to this country in the 18th century and the festivities grew in popularity after the civil war. Probably the most sacred holiday for Christians around the world, Easter is a divine celebration of life eternal.
Countries all over the world have their own way of celebrating. In the U.S, dying hard boiled eggs is one of the most popular Easter activities. The Easter Bunny has become the icon of the holiday, known for handing out chocolate eggs and hiding eggs in the popularized egg hunt.
Jennifer Kelly Geddes has hosted Christmas cookie swaps, New Year's open houses, Thanksgiving for 22, and all manner of dinner parties in her Manhattan and Ghent, NY homes.Read More »


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William Comstock (1594-1679)
Elizabeth Daniel (1607-?)
William Comstock, son of William Comstock, was born in Culmstock, Devonshire, England. His baptismal record appears in Surname Index of Records for 1550-1636, St. Martins in the Field Church, London, England. The text is in Latin:
Guilielmus Coomstocke baptized 4 July 1596
William married Elizabeth Daniel. She was a daughter of Henry Daniel. Henry Daniel was born about 1582 in Much Hadham, Hertford, England. He was a son of John Daniel and Elizabeth Pebite.
William and Elizabeth had six children. The first three were born in England, and the three youngest were born in Connecticut:
John Comstock 1624-1680 m. Abigail Chappell in 1661; died in Lyme CT Samuel Comstock 1628-1660 m. Ann Tucker in 1652; died in Providence RI Daniel Comstock 1629-1682 m. Palthiah Elderkin in 1653 Elizabeth Comstock 1633-1659 m. Edward Shipman in 1650; died in Saybrook CT William Comstock 1634-? Christopher Comstock 1635-1702 m. Hannah Platt in 1663; died in Norwalk CT
The above data suggests that the family left for America about 1631 or '32.
The following information on William Comstock comes from the book, A History and Genealogy of the Comstock Family in America by John Adams Comstock. Published by The Commonwealth Press, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, 1949. Book found in Ft. Wayne, Indiana Library.
Elizabeth died in 1665 in New London CT. William died in 1679. The History of New London states that he lived on Post Hill near the north corner of Williams and Vauxhall Streets.
Daniel Comstock (1629)-1682)
Palthiah Elderkin (1634-1712)
Daniel Comstock was born in 1629/30 in London, England. In 1631 or '32 he traveled to America as an infant with his father and two brothers, John and Samuel, age about 4 and 8.
In 1653, at age 24 he married Palthiah Elderkin. Over the next 24 years they had 14 children:
Mary Comstock 1655-? m. Samuel Young Sarah Comstock 1657-? Hannah Comstock 1659-? Hope Comstock 1660-? Ann Comstock 1662-? m. Ebenezer Billings Zipporah Comstock 1663-? Elizabeth Comstock 1665-? Abigail Comstock 1666-? Bethia Comstock 1667-? Daniel Comstock 1671-1746 m. Elizabeth Prentiss Rebecca Comstock 1671-? m. Daniel Stebbins Kingsland Comstock 1673-? m. Mary Atweel Patience Comstock 1675-? Samuel Comstock 1677-1757 m. Sarah Douglas
Daniel died in 1683 at age 53. Palthiah died in 1713 at age 78.
Daniel Comstock (1671-1746)
Elizabeth Prentice
Daniel married Elizabeth Prentice on 23 May 1700.
As far as is known, he lived his entire life in New London, CT. His will was proved 28 May 1746.
They had seven children:
Peter Comstock 1701-1742 m. Martha Avery Daniel Comstock 1703-? m. Elizabeth Avery John Comstock 1705-? m. Mary Lee Thomas Comstock 1710-? m. Eliza Ward James Comstock 1712-? m. Hannah Allen Jonathan Comstock 1714-? Elizabeth Comstock 1717-? m. Ebenezer Waterman
Peter Comstock (1701-1742)
Martha Avery (1706-1763)
Peter married about 1723 Martha Avery. She was a daughter of Samuel Avery and Elizabeth Ransford.
Peter Comstock died at sea in 1742 at age 41. The circumstances are unknown in the record. Many of the Comstocks of this period were sea faring men. In a tragic coincidence, his uncle Thomas Comstock was lost in a hurricane at Nevis in the Caribbean.
Following Peter's death, Martha married, 2nd, Peletiah Bliss, a son of Samuel Bliss and Ann Elderkin.
Peter and Martha had seven children, the first five baptised in Montville CT, the last two in New London CT:
Elizabeth Comstock 1722-? m. Jonathan Chappell. He died 1786, and was a son of Joseph Chappell and Bethiah Dart. Jemima Comstock 1725-1809 m. Richard Chappell, brother of above Mary Comstock 1729-? Peter Comstock 1731-1803 m. Elizabeth Fitch. His second wife was Sarah Mirich. Ransford Comstock 1737-1814 m. (1) in 1761, Catherine Vibber, and (2) in 1782, Azuba Davis. He died in Exeter NY. Thomas Comstock 1739-1777 m. Sarah Comstock Daniel Comstock 1742-1816 m. Mary Bishop
Daniel Comstock (1742-1816)
Mary Bishop (1744-1828)
Daniel Comstock was the youngest child of Peter. He was born in 1742, the same year his father died while at sea.
He married Mary Bishop 27 October 1763, and they had nine children:
Zachariah Comstock 1764-1883 m. Polly Wood Levi Comstock 1766-1847 m. Hannah Bacon Vine Comstock 1769-1777 Elisha Comstock 1771-1848 m. Polly Tracy Elijah Comstock 1775-1777 Clarinda Comstock 1779-1822 m. Jedediah Boynton Lucy Comstock 1782-1806 m. Burgess Hall Martha Comstock 1786-1786 Abigail Comstock 1789-1838 m. John Anderson
Their first three were born in New London, Connecticut, which had been the home town of four generations of Comstocks. In about 1770, the family moved to Sunderland, near Bennington, Vermont. They lived there for about 12 years, during which time four more children were born. Sometime during 1783-85, the family then moved to Shelburne, Vermont, and had the last two children, Martha and Abigail.
Daniel Comstock was a true patriot during the American Revolution. His service record is impressive and is the basis for his great-great-great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth Wooster Singer's membership in Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). His Record of Service[1] includes the following:
1778, Sergeant, 27 days ending June 29, Capt. Brownson's Company
A pay table dated 21 August 1783 lists Daniel Comstock as Captain commanding two Lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, and 56 privates. Among the privates were his two oldest sons, Levi and Zachariah Comstock, then ages 19 and 17.[2]
It is interesting to note that in the same military record, just a few pages separate the above payroll from another payroll which includes John Singer, the ancestor of Eugene Singer who would marry Elizabeth Wooster 160 years later.
Daniel died in Shelburne in 1816.
Zachariah Comstock (1764-1883)
Polly Wood (1773-1841)
Zachariah Comstock was born 15 November 1764 in Norwich CT.
On 13 February 1794, in Sunderland VT, he married Polly Wood. She was born in 1773 in Shelburne, Chittenden, VT. She was the daughter of James WOOD and Molly CARPENTER.
He died 2 February 1883 in Jay NY; Polly died 20 April 1841 in Elizabethtown NY.
They had five children:
Christina Comstock 1794-1872 m. Selah Pickett Samantha Comstock 1795-1855 m. David Frech David Comstock 1801-1858 m. Charlotte Blake Diantha Comstock 1805-1805 d. same day Clarinda Comstock 1810-? m. Rev. Owen Gregg
Christiana Comstock (1794-1872)
Selah Pickett (1791-1872)
A note from great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Wooster Singer:
I have always felt close to Christina Comstock. As a small girl I often visited my Aunt Ethel's house (Ethel Wooster), and was fascinated by the framed Sampler made by Christina that had remained in the family more than 150 years. The Sampler eventually came to me, and I regret that it as well as many other antiques and heirlooms were destroyed when our home in California was burned in a brush fire in 1980.
For further information on this family, see the PICKETT section of
this history.
Thank you for visiting our family history.
You can click here to go back to the top of this family page.
Or, Return to the Family Surname list.
Comments are welcome, and any additions or corrections are especially appreciated.
You can reach us at: email@example.com
Updated 4-6-03


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Maxim Golovatskikh and Yury Mozhnov, both 20, have been jailed 19 and 18 years respectively for drowning 16-year old Karina Barduchian, in a bath, then carving up her body and serving her meat with potatoes to a lodger, Ekaterina Zinovyeva.
Maxim and Karina went to the bathroom together and I went to bed,' she told the court.
'I was sleepy but heard splashes of water and some noise there but was not worried. Sometime later I woke up and decided to check what was going on.
'I went to the bathroom but Yury stopped me on the way and told me to go back to bed.
'They had joked earlier that they could kill Karina but, of course, I couldn't believe for a second that they were serious.'
Next day when she got home from work, Maxim and Yury offered Ekaterina meat and potatoes. She allegedly ate it not knowing where it was from.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk


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If you could take the best parts of Michael Vick's, Peyton Manning's and Tom Brady's games to construct the ultimate NFL quarterback, what might he look like?
If you're thinking Robert Griffin III, then you and Washington Redskins wide receiver Josh Morgan are on the same wave length.
"He's as fast as Michael Vick, but he can make all the throws that Peyton Manning can make and he can make all the reads Tom Brady can make," Morgan said of the rookie quarterback in an interview with On Tap. "He's got the whole package."
No, no. With a comparison like that, this means RGIII is more than just "the whole package." He's other worldly, like some sort of cyborg QB who's about to set the NFL on fire like no QB before him -- and that includes Cam Newton, who last year broke records (Peyton's, mind you) during one of the best rookie seasons ever on his way to becoming offensive rookie of the year.
Besides the way Griffin plays, Morgan also heaped praise about the way Griffin carries himself as a man.
"I love him to death and can't say enough great things about him," Morgan said. "He's not only a great person on the field but he's a great man off the field, too. He really goes about his business the right way. ... That's what's rare for so many young guys with all that potential and hype and everything. He could have let it go to his head, but he came in so humble and so focused you don't have any choice but to just rock with him."
Nate Davis is a reporter, blogger and editor who's been at USA TODAY since 2000. He has covered the NFL since 2005. No, he did not play quarterback for Ball State. Davis' succession of our esteemed colleague Sean Leahy at The Huddle is considered a Brady-for-Bledsoe swap by most "insiders."More about Nate


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Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:42 pm
Fri Apr 25, 2014 3:14 am
Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:06 pm
Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:21 pm
Makaveli wrote:u do have some cd`s i want but they are waaay overpriced
Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:42 pm
Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:12 pm
Makaveli wrote:I understand.
I was not trying to be rude
You gonna put out more?
im continueously checking your site
Thank You
Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:53 pm
Mon Apr 28, 2014 3:52 pm
One of the best a certain bidding site can offer.flamingstar81 wrote:Hello everyone,
I currently have 31 rare Elvis items on ebay which are going to end next week. All of my CD's and DVD's are original and have been very well looked after and are all in excellent condition. I will post the items anywhere in the world. If anyone has any queries please don't hesitate to contact me either on FECC or on ebay.
Included in the auction are rare and excellent import CD's, DVD's and FTD's.
Official CD listed:
The Legend of a King - Autographed by Don S. Vogel & Numbered 282 (1989)
Import CD's listed:
The final farewell 2-CD - with poster (26/06/1977)
You'll never walk alone (19/07/1975 ES)
Pieces of my life (24/07/1975 ES)
The last Vegas opening night 2-CD (02/12/1976 OS)
Before darkness falls 2-CD (26/08/1973 DS & MS)
Faded love: Vol.1 (15/02/1973 DS)
Chaos in College Park (27/09/1974 ES)
Unchained Elvis (26/05/1977)
Return to Long Beach (15/11/1972 ES)
Fever pitch (25/03/1961)
There's A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (Circle G)
Let me be the one
Let it be me (21/02/1970 MS)
Better Than Ever - Touring Florida Vol.1 (12/09/1970 ES)
The essence of energy (12/11/1970 ES)
Cancelled: The request box shows 2-CD (20/08/1975 DS & 19/08/1975 DS)
April fool's dinner (01/04/1975 DS)
Bilko's gold cuts
International earthquake (05/02/1970 DS)
Have some fun tonight! (03/02/1970 DS)
Since Cincinatti - 2nd pressing (25/06/1977)
Flip,Flop & Fly - Elvis In The Hilton Vol.1 (02/09/1973 MS)
Trouble In Vegas - Elvis In The Hilton Vol.2 (31/08/1973 DS)
Whole Lotta Shakin' In Vegas - Elvis In The Hilton Vol.3 (19/08/1973 MS & 11/08/1973 MS)
Shining in Portland - West Coast Tour Vol.2 (27/04/1973 ES)
Import DVD's listed:
Elvis rocking the Garden (Memory Records and Dragonheart Productions)
From Kansas to sin city (Victrola)
Elvis Presley Has Left The Building (Eternal flame)
FTD's listed:
Made in Memphis
From Hawaii to Las Vegas
Here is my ebay listing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/mathewc1020/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
Kind regards,
Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:57 pm
Thu May 01, 2014 10:24 am
Thu May 08, 2014 12:31 pm
Wed May 14, 2014 11:37 am
Tue May 20, 2014 2:49 pm
Tue May 27, 2014 11:49 pm
Thu Jun 19, 2014 9:04 pm
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Blackboard Mobile Learn™
By Blackboard Inc.
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
Blackboard Mobile Learn™ makes it easier for you to keep up with your courses by letting you access them whenever and wherever you want.
If your school licenses Blackboard Mobile Learn, you'll be able to use the app for free. If not, you will need to purchase lifetime access for just $1.99.
Need Help? Contact us with your questions either inside the app by tapping "Help" at the bottom of the Course/Organization List, or by selecting "App Support" below – we're here to help!
With Blackboard Mobile Learn, you can:
-Receive push notifications of course activity
-Check Grades*
-Post to Discussions
-Attach files from Dropbox
-Read Announcements (instructors can post Announcements)
-View Content (instructors can post Content Items)
-Create and comment on Blogs and Journals posts
-Take mobile-friendly tests
…and lots more. We won't ruin the surprises – just download the app, enter your institution's name, and log in with your existing Blackboard username and password.
*Grade Center functionality for instructors is not currently supported, but is planned for a future release.
NOTE: Mobile Learn functions as a collaborative tool between our app software and your institution's server. Blackboard Mobile cannot guarantee that the content created by instructors or other users will be compatible with this app. Access must be enabled by your institution. Features and functionality may at times be limited if your institution has not updated the appropriate software or experiences a server outage. Although we work with your institution to best configure Mobile Learn, sometimes it requires the help of users like you to ensure the best possible app experience. Whenever you experience a problem, we encourage you to reach out through our in-app "Help" option or your school's help desk.
Downloading or using this app indicates consent to the terms and privacy information at http://blackboardmobile.com/mlterms
What's New in Version 4.1.2
Improves Document Preview and Sharing features to be compatible with latest versions of iOS.
Customer Reviews
Virtually Useless
Half the documents won't open, discussion board posting is almost completely out of the question if it does ever load the actual board, and the gradebook is never consistent with the full site. Oh, not to mention getting kicked out once or twice a day and asked to purchase access only to revisit the app later and suddenly no longer needing to pay. I would take these issues up with support, but it is impossible to reach them. I spend a decent amount of time carefully explaining my issue, hit send and I am re-routed to a page that says my e-mail wasn't forwarded because they think my problem could be fixed by reading some FAQ answers. 😐 Right. Because I didn't read through those before sending my e-mail. The page never properly loads either so I can see the answers that they think will help me but never get to hit the button to send my e-mail. This app is a joke, Bb doesn't seem to give a crap whether it works or not. Not that they could ever troubleshoot issues since they don't get e-mails...
UPDATE: After weeks of having to delete and re-install the app every time I used it just to get it to load, I deleted it for good and now just use the browser on my respective devices to access Blackboard.
Okay app with a lot of potential to be great
I would rather use the non mobile optimized version of Blackboard than use this app. If Blackboard is going to restrict mobile access to using the app, they should make it mobile friendly and functional. Many of the pages (especially the discussion board) appear as they do on a computer, meaning that they are not optimized for mobile or formatted to be user friendly (unless you have tiny, deformed fingers).
A few things which would make this app really something good would be an alert system that took you right to the assignment in question, optimization of the discussion board for mobile (BaconReader for Reddit does an excellent job of this, you could take their example), a "remember me" feature for logins, and consistency with grade postings, as different reviewers have mentioned. Blackboard in general could do with a more intuitive system, less cluttered UI and more features when it comes to grades (maybe a grade calculator? Doesn't seem too hard to implement. Another idea I had was filtering of grades for if then scenarios).
Useful but not useful enough
I'm glad my university uses blackboard because I don't have any problems with it really, and it's nice to have access to syllabi, study guides, notes and grades all in the same place. This app doesn't have everything available you can do on a PC (i.e. Opening up PDFs or taking quizzes through blackboard), but that's understandable because they are different types of operating systems. Basically, I just love having quick access to syllabi so I can double check due dates and class topics. I do have a problem with the editing tool on the home screen, where you can change the order, name, and color of your courses in the list. Because of formatting issues or something, there's a bug that stops me from being able to use the orange or blue option, because the bar to move the courses up or down is on top of those colors. Small detail but it bugs people that use color and order to organize.
- Free
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- Updated: Sep 22, 2014
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- Seller: Blackboard Inc.
- © Blackboard Inc.
Compatibility: Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
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text:
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
If Miami is the hot place now for marketers to embrace, LeBron James is the central heat source.
But he's not all that's sizzling in Miami.
Miami's got South Beach chic. It's got Cuban cuisine. It's got celebs. It's got 23 miles of beaches. And while — with its real estate market still struggling — it's not back to its Miami Vice super-cool days, Miami is increasingly a backdrop again for TV shows and movies.
"Miami is on a very bullish, upward swing in American cultural consciousness," says Robert Thompson, professor of pop culture at Syracuse University. "But it's always competing with that stereotype as that place where your grandparents go to drive slow with their left turn signal on."
PHOTO GALLERY: LeBron James in pictures
Leading the cultural charge:
•LeBron's leap. "Symbolically, LeBron has moved Miami onto a new stage," says Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at the University of Oregon.
The former Cleveland Cavaliers superstar's decision to spurn Cleveland for Miami has placed the tourist mecca at the vortex of pop cultural chatter. James and Miami both ranked among the most popular Google searches and Twitter tweets the day after his announcement.
The big stages for major sports figures have been New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, Swangard says. Now, he says, the addition of Miami to the mix "is reflective of the changing culture of the USA."
•South Beach chic. James announced Thursday that he planned to "take my talents to South Beach." William Talbert, president of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, "I could not have written that phrase better as a destination marker." The decision, he says, is worth "millions and millions" to the Greater Miami area.
•Cuban cuisine. The popularity of the food now common in Miami — with an African, Spanish and Caribbean influence — has gone mainstream. Ingredients often include fresh fruits, veggies and seafood. "The food isn't overworked," says Andrew Wild, chef tournant at the Culinary Institute of America. "People like the bright, fresh ingredients — and the feeling that it's always summer."
•Hollywood East. With LeBron's entrance — and local film incentives recently put in place — Miami Dade County expects filmmakers to spend a record $125 million in the county next year, says Jeff Peel, the county's film commissioner.
The hit TV shows CSI: Miami and Burn Notice both are filmed there. Also, now that James will live in Miami, Peel expects the star's upcoming film project, Fantasy Basketball Camp, to be filmed there.
•Celeb central. LeBron's got celeb company in Miami. It's home to Matt Damon, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
The celeb hotspot is LIV nightclub at the renovated Fontainebleau resort hotel where Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton and Chris Brown have been spotted.
Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.


text:
Command change comes with Davis-Monthan at a crossroads
By DAVID WICHNER | The (Tuscon) Arizona Daily Star | Published: May 30, 2014
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will undergo a change in command in August, even as budget cuts threaten the base's future.
Col. Kevin Blanchard, commander of the 355th Fighter Wing since August 2012, told a local community-military relations group that he will step down after a regular two-year command rotation.
Command of the 355th — which as D-M's host unit directs base operations — will be handed over to Col. James P. Meger, who served as D-M's vice commander from 2011 until he was deployed to Afghanistan for a joint command post in mid-2013.
During D-M's annual update to the Military Community Relations Committee last week, Blanchard said he plans to retire from the Air Force and move with his family to Alaska, where he was stationed twice.
The committee was formed in 2007 to air community concerns and improve communications. Its membership includes members of the DM50, a group formed to support the base, as well as representatives of neighborhood associations around D-M and members of Tucson Forward, which opposes basing the Air Force's F-35 Lightning II fighter at D-M because of noise and safety concerns.
During last week's update, Blanchard said the fate of D-M's three A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air support squadrons remains unclear amid a budget fight over the Air Force's plan to mothball the A-10 fleet by 2019.
All aircraft operations have declined at D-M in the last two years, he said. Besides the base's own fighter squadrons, D-M hosts combat-rescue and electronic warfare squadrons as well as F-16s from the Air National Guard 162nd Fighter Wing, which is based at Tucson International Airport.
Blanchard said flight operations dropped from about 60,000 takeoffs and landings in 2011 to about 50,000 in 2012 and 2013, partly because of federal budget sequestration and last fall's government shutdown. There also have been fewer planes participating in the Air Guard's Operation Snowbird, a D-M-based training event that typically includes a variety of aircraft from other U.S. and allied units.
In his last appearance before the Military Community Relations Committee, Blanchard addressed a variety of other topics:
The Air Force is still working on a final environmental assessment of Operation Snowbird, Blanchard said.
A draft assessment issued in 2012 found "no significant impact" from a plan to expand the program, but its findings and methodology were sharply criticized by Tucson Forward and other people who want to limit the number and kinds of aircraft that participate.
Blanchard said he hopes the final assessment will be released this summer.
Many Tucsonans "want to be able to look at what Operation Snowbird is going to be doing in the future, what types of airplanes, how many sorties, who's the decision authority — all of those things — and the sooner we get that out for public comment the better," he said.
Resident Jamie French asked Blanchard why D-M aircraft frequently fly outside of flight paths established in documents including a 2004 joint land-use study adopted by the state. She said though she lives eight miles from D-M and not in any established flight path, her house near Grant and First Avenue "shakes like Jell-O" during frequent flyovers.
Blanchard said pilot trainees may not hit assigned flight paths at first but pilots are generally able to keep within a few hundred yards of the paths. He said one exception is when the Federal Aviation Administration — which has overall control of air traffic over Tucson — requires military aircraft to alter course to avoid other planes.
Committee member Mary Terry Schiltz, president of Tucson Forward, asked Blanchard why proceedings of the Davis-Monthan Tucson Valley Council, which is made up of local government officials, are not public.
Blanchard said the group was created last year to allow local officials to discuss issues informally and frankly, largely because he found himself meeting with local officials individually on similar issues including traffic and land matters. Public meetings wouldn't allow leaders to speak freely, and staffers who attend on behalf of elected officials would be unauthorized to speak, he added.
"We've had some pretty good debate and some great discussion in that forum," Blanchard said. "It's not meant to replace this body."
Several Tucson Forward members said they objected to flying "high-risk single-engine" planes flying over populated areas. They cited the lack of backup power to land safely and mentioned crashes including a 1978 crash of a single-engine A-7D Corsair fighter jet near the University of Arizona that killed two residents.
"It doesn't happen often, but it kills people," said committee member Robin Gomez, a longtime critic of D-M operations and representative of the Colonia Solana Neighborhood Association.
Blanchard defended the safety record of military jets, noting that the single-engine F-16's "mishap rate" is about one-quarter that of civilian aircraft, about the same as commuter airlines and about half of that of major airlines.
"It's such a minuscule number that we as a nation — and it's not with fighter jets, it's with aviation in general — have accepted that risk," he said, noting that airliners full of fuel and passengers constantly fly in and out of urban airports like Phoenix Sky Harbor International.
Contact Assistant Business Editor David Wichner at email@example.com or 573-4181.
Col. Kevin E. Blanchard is the Commander of the 355th Fighter Wing on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
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Things to bring on a summer ultra with little aid (Read 254 times)
posted: 6/4/2007 at 9:54 AM
I am getting ready for my first long ultra (about 68 miles) on 8/11 in Pennsylvania. It's going to be a low-key rail-trail run with minimal aid (one midway aid station and about four possible convenience store stops). The course goes along numerous streams. I have a clear idea of what I need to do to train, but I am looking for suggestions for what to bring along. So far, I am planning to try out a bunch of stuff on my weekend long runs: Food: Energy drink powder Two water bottles with hand straps and some kind of filter, or purifying tablets Salt Ziplocked snacks: Oreos, M&Ms, Gu Gear: Shoes, shorts (of course) Sunscreen/bug repellent packet Gaiters Trash bag or lightweight poncho Pepper spray (to defend against the area's many unleashed dogs) Blister kit - moleskin, tape, safety pin and matches Bodyglide TP Some cash for the c-stores Midway drop bag: Spare shoes, socks, clothes, raingear Food - PBJ, chips, animal crackers, canned soup Can opener Ziplocked snack refills Light and batteries Gatorade Please send me any suggestions of things that have worked for you. I am helping to organize this run, so I would also like to send out a good list to other participants later in the summer. Thanks! Carl
Speed my steps along your path, according to your will.
Wasatch Speedgoat
posted: 6/4/2007 at 3:59 PM
Hi Carl.... With a minimal aid 100K (or thereabouts) I would have at least 2 bottles and more likely my Camelback with it's 3 liter bladder filled with what I like to use (Sustained Energy). In that I would have my electrolyte powder mixed in with a backup of some electrolyte caps in case of cramping. This is after all, PA in August! I generally don't eat much food, especially when it's hot, but people will like salty things. Soup is good unless it 100 degrees out ;-) But really if you are planning on having an aid station, maybe some pre-made PB&J and Turkey and cheese sandwiches at the midway. Another biggie is cold Coke and/or Mountain Dew. Certainly cookies, chips, pretzels, etc. Candy will probably get melted in the heat, but if in a cooler with ice, they'd be fine. Gear, I'd have my usual shorts and top...shoes, a change of socks. I don't wear gaiters and if you think it'll run into the nighttime, a flashlight, preferable an LED that lasts a long time so you don't have to change batteries. A rain jacket is good....maybe a hat. I could go on and on...but it's different for every event. What you are suggesting all looks good. I generally travel light and don't eat much, even in a 100 miler. Good luck, Steve
Life is short, play hard!
posted: 6/5/2007 at 10:26 AM
Thank you, Steve. I really appreciate how willing you are to share your experience. Carl
Speed my steps along your path, according to your will.
Wasatch Speedgoat
posted: 6/5/2007 at 11:56 AM
Anytime....if you ever have any questions, please ask. I've learned a lot in my 12 years of ultrarunning
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Number Leap Frog
This leap frog game is the perfect way to exercise growing muscle and will also help your child learn her numbers. Balance and coordination will also be put to the test as she makes her way from number to number.
What You Need:
- 20 sheets of varying color of construction paper
- 1 black marker
What You Do:
- Help your child set out the sheets of construction paper on a flat surface.
- Then, using the black marker, let your child draw a number on each card (the numbers 1-20, one per card).
- Next, help her place the cards on the ground in a line, about a foot apart. You could do variations such as placing the cards counting up, counting down, even numbers, or odd numbers.
- To play the game, your child should stand at one end of the number line.
- Call out, "HOP."
- Encourage your child to hop onto the nearest lily pad and call out the number.
- She wins when she makes it to the end of the line, having successfully called out all of the numbers.
Number Leap Frog is a great wath to build a strong math foundation for future learning. Not to mention it's a silly and fun way to get lots of exercise and keep those minds and bodies active!


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If you are a caregiver for your mother, she would pay you as an employee and would use schedule H along with her tax return at the end of the year
She should be withholding tax from your check and remitting payroll taxes as well
What if she doesn't normally file? Does she have to file, to do the schedule H?
Yes, she would need to file so that she could file schedule H
Because she will owe tax from schedule H
Does the method of the of payments to me matter, usually cash.
How do I file?
No, so long as she is remitting the proper employment taxes. She also needs to withhold federal income tax from your check that would go to your credit
You will get a W-2 from your mother
and file as normal
So I need to have a CPA set this up now or at the time of filing?
You could do that if you wanted to, or a bookkeeper - you could do it yourself too if you felt up to the task
There are several services out there that will handle all your tax reporting for you for about $600-$700 per year. It's not bad considering all the reports that would need to be filed
How do you get a W2 form?
Your mother would have to order one from the IRS and fill it out. Plus a W-3 form which is the transmittal information for social security
How do I pay my social security portion, can she pay it for me on the W#?
She will withhold it from your check, and remit it to the IRS and show the amount on the W-2 form
If my residence is in NY I will also have to pay State Tax, how is that going to be paid?
Yes, you would have to pay state tax. If your mom is in FL, then she would not have to withhold the amount from your check, you would just pay it when you filed your annual tax return in NY
Yes she is, okay thanks.
You're welcome
Do you have any further questions about this regard?
One more question, when filling in the numbers on the W2 we have to put the gross amount of income, not my net pay, but I am getting my net pay so as we don't have to do extra work. So then she has to reimburse me for my state tax that I will need to pay.
She will not need to reimburse you for your state tax.
You just pay that separate
Okay. Thanks!
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John Colleton
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John Colleton is the pen name of Robert W Marks, a highly respected New York polymath and journalist who died in 1993, meriting an obituary in the NYT. He waited until his sixties before publishing erotica, presumably for personal/family reasons, erotica being what it is. (Note that I'm avoiding that question!)
His erotic output consists of fourteen linked novels which appear partly autobiographical (possibly a wish-fulfilment illusion). They are set in the seventies, in South Carolina and Europe, and they have a strong element of the travelogue, particularly regarding Italy and Sicily, of which he writes lovingly. His plots use and develop mostly the same few basic characters, and they are interesting in their portrayal of the erotic move industry and of the process of writing. They are fairly erudite, and I have found them entertaining, although I admit that failure to read the sequence in chronological order does detract from the non-erotic sections. I am reassured in my interest in these books that Colleton was felt to merit an entry in the magnificent Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature of Brulotte and Phillips.
I am keen to establish what there is to know about Marks in his Colleton manifestation. If anyone can shed any light I'd appreciate this. Any comments on people's perception of his erotic works would also be appreciated.
Obviously not a popular author! Or maybe erotica is simply exciting its usual public denial!
For information, I add the following:
The list of Robert W Marks' erotic novels (John Colleton) appears to be:
'The Trembling of a Leaf' (1971)
'The Enjoyment of Amy' (1973)
'The Pleasures of Cloris' (1974)
'Replenishing Jennifer' (1975)
'Up in Mamie's Diary' (1975)
'Between Cloris and Amy' (1976)
'The Naked Countess of Liechtenstein' (1976)
'On Or About The First Day In June' (1976)
'Two Nymphs Named Melissa' (1979)
'The Seduction of Marianna' (1980)
'The Delights of Anna' (1980)
'The Enticement of Cindy' (1981)
'Barefoot on Jill' (1983)
'Interjecting Valerie' (1986)
I'm preparing a Wikipedia entry on Colleton, including brief synopses. I have found an excellent summary of his work, in the superb 'Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature' of Brulotte and Phillips, by Joseph Slade III, Colleton being one of the very few modern authors honoured by this inclusion in what is a very scholarly (and expensive) work. Slade hints that the 'triangle of lovers' depicted in the novels is based on Marks' private life, and that the other women he depicted drew heavily on his interviews with Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Gypsy Rose Lee, Jayne Mansfield, Kim Novak, and Mae West. We can only speculate how much of the 'action' is simply wishful thinking!
I never knew that Colleton was an pseudonym; I read the first six books on your list as a teenager and the memory of them still brings a tingle! I am fairly sure I read them in order (and I am absolutely positive they were well hidden in my closet!); don't know why I stopped.
I just bid yesterday on eBay for a copy of 'The Enticement of Cindy' and have been outbid already so obviously someone out there is still reading these!
Good to know there's a real following, even if it is small.
Having managed to acquire all of the books, and now nearing the end, I can confirm that reading them sequentially is definitely helpful. However, some are really hard to find at a realistic price.
On the basis of recommendations here and at Amazon, I have ordered up a vintage copy of The Trembling of a Leaf to celebrate surviving another festive period. Looking forward to it - will post my thoughts.
Reading this thread reminded me that I have a copy of The Naked Countess that I picked up secondhand years ago, and read with sufficient enjoyment to keep around. I had failed to catalog it, though.
So I went to the existing LT page for the book (using the new search), and clicked the green "Add to my library." And it added the book to my catalog without any further search!
That double search is one of the clunkier features of LT - be great if they could eliminate it.
Be interested to hear your thoughts on The Naked Countess in more detail, and of any further info on Colleton / Marks that may have surfaced since Clifford's initial posts here.
Well, it was quite a while ago. I do remember the pacing being quite strange (which I found attractive); knowing now that it is part of a larger continuous plot helps to account for that.
Just to report that I've now completed my (mostly sequential) reading of the Colleton novels I listed in my message #2. This way of reading them is certainly the best, I think, even though in general there are few inter-connecting facts amongst them, beyond the basic similarity of their plots.
The exceptions to this general rule appear at the end of the sequence, including the reappearance as narrator of John Dellmore (Amy's nephew), who began the sequence before handing over to the principal narrator, Bill (Beauregard) Benton. The narrative is finally re-assigned to Benton for 'Interjecting Valerie', a book that is unique here in being peppered with back-references. I suspect that this is a sign that Robert W Marks was either finally having problems with his creative muse, or had perhaps decided to close the sequence and felt the need to tie up a few loose ends.
I am now reading 'Ring Twice To Enter', by Mark Ashley, published in 1980, a book which appeared in the middle of the Colleton sequence. This book is somewhat enigmatic, having strong indications of being written by Marks/Colleton, although I have no explicit proof of this. For me, the puzzle lies in the following: 1) Its sensual cover art is a close match to the explicitly Colleton works; 2) Its cover carries a glowing recommentation by 'Colleton'; and 3) 'Interjecting Valerie' contains a statement to the effect that the 'real' author of 'Ring Twice To Enter' is Bill Benton. A curious case of 'nested' pseudonymity which is quite in keeping with Marks' erudite sense of humour. The book differs significantly from the sequence in having a completely distinct set of characters, and also in being perhaps even more sexually explicit.
Thanks so much for this info (and the reviews of individual works in your catalog, CliffordDorset); it has certainly piqued my curiosity. I've entered the Common Knowledge on the basis of your data in Messages 1 & 2 of the thread for author John Colleton and the series Chloris and Amy. I also wishlisted the first three books expressly so I could get good covers associated with the works.
Also, does anyone know if Jill is the same as Barefoot on Jill? If so, they could use combining.
I've got 3 of these books, and I need to get serious and track down the rest.
>10 paradoxosalpha:
Thanks for this information on the Playboy 'Jill', of which I was completely unaware! Until this news, I was, in fact, unaware of ANY Colleton editions other than the original ones.
Without sight of it, I must stress, I would be very surprised if 'Jill' proved to be other than an edition of 'Barefoot on Jill', for the following reasons:
1) The character 'Jill' appears ONLY in this book.
2) The 'synoptic' approach of 'Barefoot on Jill' makes it the most suitable Colleton novel for popularisation.
3) Its rather more racy text also makes it the most attractive to the Playboy style.
4) Colleton's somewhat quirky naming of his novels, in this case using the words 'barefoot on', is a puzzlement to most readers, and not least to the 'consumers' of Playboy publications.
Of course, pursuing this train of thought, I feel it's possible that 'Jill' may be an edited version of the original novel. The two should be compared with this possibility in view.
Examples of Colleton/Marks' humour in his titles include use of the words 'in June' in the title 'On or about the first day in June'. Once one learns that June is a female character, an 'in June' double-entendre inserts itself that has nothing to do with the month! 'Up in Mamie's diary' may be seen to have similar (though less explicit) overtones to those with minds tuned in a particular way. The use of the rather odd work 'interjecting' is interesting, in that most of Colleton's characters are interjected, and the usage may suggest Marks' growing ennui with the 'formula'. 'Valerie' is the final Amy/Cloris novel.
Health warning: Since becoming aware of Marks' movie industry connections I've experienced difficulty seeing Sophia Loren movies in a chaste light!
I'm about a third of the way into the first of the series, and have to say I'm very impressed with it: erudite, witty and elegantly written, an erotic novel far more concerned with character than most. This, and the leisured pace, make the sexual episodes all the more intense.
I'm looking forward to reading more - thanks for the recommendation, Clifford!
Colleton drops an interesting list of names on page 121 of Leaf: Huysmans, Gide, Valery, Yeats, Proust, Petronius, Coleridge, Pater.
Another character, Fenwick recommends 'The Georgian set': George Moore, George Borrow, George Saintsbury and George Santayana. "He was also a great admirer of James Branch Cabell . ."
Colleton's style does remind me more than a little of Cabell.
There's no doubt that Colleton/Marks was very widely read. Of course, it will always be a matter of debate whether he dropped famous names for effect, or whether they were really germane to his plot, but as I recognised a goodly proportion of his references I found this quirk of his quite entertaining.
A further area for debate of interest to me is to what extent his erotic preferences might have included erotic chastisement ('spanking'). I felt that Bill Benton's unwillingness to participate in this with Amy might have been a protestation 'too much', that was included to soothe possible popular disapproval. Amy's nephew John is evidently interested, however. Public tastes were less liberal in the 70s/80s than they are these days. The topic is covered in greater detail in Ring Twice To Enter by the possibly related Mark Ashley. Quite possibly we'll never know the truth.
I love that you're bringing the hermeneutic perspective of Leo Strauss' Persecution and the Art of Writing to The Trembling of a Leaf!
Having read the first two books in the series, I'm in no doubt that spanking was a significant erotic interest for Colleton, if one amongst many. Ring Twice to Enter sounds most intriguing!
Hadn't actually occurred to me that Colleton might have been subject to popular disapproval over this, or, more directly, to actual editorial pressure. I suppose this is because his work reads as the pure indulgence of personal fantasies, but of course he would have had an editor, and of course there would have been a marketing department. At this distance in time and space, it's not entirely clear to me who this series was pitched at. Were they racy mainstream bestsellers, or under-the-counter genre erotica?
I'd also be curious to know how the books were received in Charleston, and how they and Marks are remembered there, if at all. It's not a particularly big city, and the Southern aristocracy described must have been a small world. It may simply be a reflection of the author's skill, but the characters do have the feel of being drawn from life, and the descriptions of places must be enough for a local to hazard a guess at addresses. All of which must surely have made for juicy scandal and speculation!
I've been informed that the family are still sufficiently concerned about Marks' reputation that they're managing to keep a lid on things. Marks himself made this easier by having his double life as two authors, and also possible involvement in a personal menage. I suspect it was this latter, rather than his racy books, that have set the tone for family censorship. Perhaps because my understanding of the 'South' is formed by 'Gone with the Wind' I seem to find such concepts of seemliness and decency rather understandable.
I suspect he wrote his erotic books for pleasure, and perhaps to counter-balance his 'day job' writing prolifically for organs such as the NYT. As well as his movie contacts he certainly had good publishing contacts, and I understand there was a good trade to be had at station bookstalls.
So I just went to Amazon to check out the HC edition of the Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature mentioned back in message #1. It's listed at $415 ("save $24"). Ouch. I think I'll settle for the edited paperback edition.
I was fortunate in that someone put an e-version of the encyclopedia on the scribd site briefly, in downloadable form. Of course I didn't download it! Perish the thought!
It's one of those books that you'd have to be a millionaire to buy, but which you can see why it's worth the price - just look at the pages-long list of expert contributors and imagine even the more coordination of the epic tome. My local library charged me about £5 for a short inter-library loan, and that probably mostly went on postage.
Now the good bit. It's one of the books for which Amazon allow a 'look inside'. The Colleton piece is only three pages, so you can read it for free by doing a search on 'Colleton'. But take care - Amazon allow a severe limit on pages accessed in this service, so set aside enough time to read it!
And a really excellent piece it is too, including a revelation I won't spoil - thanks for the tip!
I'm about halfway through Replenishing Jennifer. I'm loving this series! I find myself wondering what Italian actress he based Caterina on.
Powell's Books has a copy of The Pleasures of Cloris for $35.95.
Too rich for my blood, but I'm keeping my eyes open.
Update: Found a copy of Between Cloris and Amy at a bookstore not too far away (along with a few Grove Press titles that I don't have)!
Road trip this Sunday!
Another update: started Between Cloris and Amy, and it does kind of start off right in the middle of the series, so I broke down and ordered a copy of The Trembling of a Leaf to get a better idea of Colleton's writing.
They're certainly not getting easier to find!
I tried my local library for two of the rarest some years ago, and they couldn't locate then anywhere in the UK - at least that's their story!
I haven't tried to get an inter-library loan for Colleton (I work in a library too), but I have gotten some rather, 'ahem', adult books in the past.
I just checked WorldCat (www.worldcat.org) and found a few:
Interjecting Valerie (or, Legs across the sea) is in one library in America, in Charleston, as is Barefoot on Jill, among others. My guess is that the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library is close to his home.
Libraries may be hesitant to lend books like Colleton's. They're rare, and they tend to disappear with alarming frequency. So the lending library might be shy about losing the book, or they may go to the shelves and find the book already gone.
That's one reason why you don't see a lot of erotica on the library shelves. Librarians aren't usually as prudish as you might think. It's just that people love to steal those books.
Update: I started The Trembling of a Leaf last night. I'm only 10 or so pages in. It's wonderful. I really want to take my time with this one.
I emailed Carl Kravats and asked him about doing the cover for The Naked Countess of Liechtenstein, he says he did over 250 covers, mostly for Pocket Books, and for mostly other genres. He read the book and gave cover suggestions to the art director, which he said that most of the time they went with his suggestions. Unfortunately, he didn't know the name of the person who shot the other covers for the Colleton series. :^(
Funny-you would think those would be some of the more memorable photo shoots.
Great work, lennynero.
Update: While I was searching on Amazon, I brought up all his books and clicked on "Tell the publisher you'd like to read this on a Kindle." Maybe if we all went over there and asked, they'd get the message and add it.
I'd be a lot more tempted to buy a Kindle or a tablet if I knew I could get Colleton's works (especially with the covers).
And thank you ClffordDorset for your list of Colleton books. I go to it often.
I've now finished all of the John Colleton novels which I've been reading off and on since 2011. As said above, Marks is very witty and erudite and they were a joy to read. Some observations:
- Marks is a VERY well read person, and every book is peppered with references to classical art, literature, and architecture,etc. These books are great travelogues as well, especially of Italy, which figures prominently in most of the books. The other night, I was viewing my blu-ray of Radley Metzger's 'The Lickerish Quartet' and I noted that it was filmed in the Abruzzi region of Italy, and the first thought that came to me was, 'this is where Bill and Cloris drove thru!'
- after the first 4 or 5 books, he settles into a bit of a formula for the plots, but I still enjoyed them, even with the sameness of the plotting. Starting around the 11th book, he does start quoting lengthy passages from earlier books.
- John Dellmore is the protag of the first 2 books, then Bill Benton takes over and is the protag until the twelfth book, where John takes over for that book, and the final two have Bill as the protag.
- starting with the 7th book, Marks introduces a bit of mystery and danger into the mix, to their detriment, in my opinion, with Bill mixing it up with revolutionaries and shooting at people.
- I haven't read Ring Twice to Enter yet, I'll be getting to that one later in the year.
While on the subject of how these books work on so many different levels, Lenny, I should make at least some mention of the Italian art film scene, which provides the backbone of the plot. I believe that Marks met and interviewed Sophia Loren and others, and I suspect his Colleton books drew a lot upon his interest (if not actual complicity) in the genre.
I recently watched Rob Marshall's 'Nine', which deals with the subtext of the genre, and which is a truly superb movie, even though I normally run a mile from musicals. Loren is in it, as is Dench, Kidman, Cruz, and Day-Lewis - a real feast. A neat title, too, for anyone who appreciates Fellini!
I keep hoping that enough of the Marks/Colleton reality will survive long enough in people's minds to outlive the prudish sensitivities of Marks' now-living survivors. I suspect there would be a movie there if some director could be found who avoided all the implicit links!
Not that anyone would be so dastardly to download such a thing, but the Brolotte & Phillips Encyclopedia of Erotic Literature was recently seen as a free download here: http://www.freebookspot.es/Comments.aspx?Element_ID=325125
So according to the Colleton entry, he was involved in a 3-way relationship with his wife and Carson McCullers?! Wow, I guess ole Bob walked it like he talked it!!
Now there's a connection one wouldn't necessarily make off the top of one's head.
Before I click anything, anyone know what's the difference between "normal" and "premium" download?
5 minute download for free vs faster for a fee. Not, as I say, that I would have any idea how such things work ...
And no, there's nothing that springs out in Ms McCullers' Wiki-bio that would say "Well, of course ..."
Oh - except maybe for that bit about her hanging out in Paris with Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams ...
Of course McCullers is a respectable figure, and there's nothing readable that suggests other than a simple friendship. Marks was well known for his New York Times work, and such a relationship would not excite much speculation.
I'm not in contact with any family members, but I was contacted once by a literary resident of Charleston who implied that these would not appreciate any breach of confidence beyond what. I'm not able to give a name, I regret to say.
One might speculate that Marks' interest in 'hanky-spanky' is what relatives find embarrassing. There are some good examples in his Colleton works. I don't know.
Stumbled on a copy of The Trembling of a Leaf yesterday, in a random jumble of erotica at a local bookshop. Four bucks and appears to have all its pages. So - I can start at the beginning ...
What a find! Congratulations. I think that one was my favorite so far.
My unflagging alertness to the possibility of finding another Colleton in used book stacks paid off yesterday with a copy of The Pleasures of Cloris. Not pristine, but adequate condition for my purposes, and just one dollar.
Nice, I was only able to find one book of his at my local used store, the rest I purchased off Amazon.
I just found two quotations from 'Trembling of a Leaf' in Lynn Paula Russell's The Illustrated Book of Corporal Punishment. She enjoyed it. Praise indeed!
Just to say that a copy of 'On or About the First in June' has just appeared on eBay UK, ending 28 March.
>43 CliffordDorset:
Such a shame - no takers on eBay. Wasn't even expensive ...
> 44 Damn! Forgot to watchlist, assumed they always go for silly money . .
Just finished Ring Twice to Enter and you can definitely tell it was written by Marks, with the constant classical and geometric referencing. It was interesting to read a completely different book after reading the 14 Colleton novels, which all pretty much had the same plot. To have new characters and situations was a true joy. I wish he had written more.
eBay alert:
Just up on eBay, a job lot of nine erotic novels including
'Replenishing Jennifer'
Date is 02 November, 11:16
Opening at 99p.
The other 8 books are perhaps above average erotica, but not Colleton.
I hope this helps someone's collection!
No luck searching for "John Colleton" or nine erotic novels (although the former brought up a pricey copy of Jennifer and the later was helpfully back-filled by eBay with 9 1/2 Weeks and several other job lots).
Nine erotic novels (again no quotes), this time including description, brought up over 800 hits - inexplicably beginning with some tacky LOTR rings ... at the offered opening bid I am assuming they are neither gold nor magical.
'9 x JOB LOT VINTAGE EROTIC NOVELS 1970'S PULP FICTION'
I hope this helps.
Pulp fiction indeed!
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