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Chapter 3 : 3
|Rating: Mature
|Chapter Reviews: 16
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Give 9 Crimes by Damian Rice a listen. Its sad, but so perfect.
Audrey Weasley barely reaches my shoulder and yet she still scares the crap out of me.
Mum I trudge down to the door nervously, eyeing the broken face of my mother. Its like watching a fuse burning down, watching her mood brew. Easy to predict and terrifying.
She seems baffled for a long time, just staring at us. Scorpius trips nervously beside me. The fame of my dear mother has preceded her to London and Scorpius now awaits the wrath of Audrey like a fallen soldier awaiting death.
Lucy Weasley. Colour is quickly replacing the whiteness of her neck and soon she resembles an odd coloured tomato with wispy hair curling everywhere. I really do hope I dont resemble her in my late life. That is, if I ever live to see that day.
Youre not sleeping here, I can tell you that, she informs me briskly, glancing at Scorpius once before turning to march inside my childhood home, mumbling something about shady, capital hairstyles.
Scorpius places my pink suitcase by the baby blue wood panelling on the side of the house and when he catches my eyes he shrugs, his smile never failing.
My eyes move across the wide expands of land, watching the sheep cover in the humid morning air. The sky is a taut canvas, smeared thick and heavy with oils. Burgundy, charcoal and lead. Releasing a sigh, I step further up towards the door.
The house looks the same with the high ceilings and the large deck with my granddads old midnight blue swinging chair gently swaying back and forth in an offbeat tune. Each of Mums tulips stand like matte coloured buttons sewn into the garden, each tip seemingly facing the same direction.
James has already escaped into the house with a peck on my mothers cheek and a wink in my direction and Darrens safe in his own home, having apparated the exact moment the defiant silhouette of my mother appeared in the distance. Their support is minimal, but then again, Audrey has always reserved the right to scold every time she sees fit, no matter the person.
So, what do you suppose we do now? Scorpius asks, walking past me and getting into the swinging chair with a soft huff. He throws a leg across the armrest, looking down his nose at me. Cant well stay out here, now can we?
He looks so at ease it nearly kills me and I find myself wishing we were back in London at our local Soho-pub, drinking to bad days and evil hag-editors. Tequila shots I can handle, raging mothers I cannot.
Scorpius stares at me expectantly, one pale eyebrow quirked. My head hurts and I sigh deeply, taking another step toward the entrance.
If my life were a movie the reunion with my family would go something like this:
My mother and father would tearfully embrace my form and my sister would want to know everything about London and my job and Scorpius. My cousins would all hug and embrace and gossip and Ted would sit in his favourite chair and appease me with his crooked smile.
My life is not a movie.
When we enter the living room complete silence falls. James wasnt kidding when he said the entire village was invited. What probably used to be a turkey is standing in the centre of the grand table, the empty skeleton of the bird shivering in the tense air.
Every single one of my uncles and aunts are here. My mothers nowhere to be seen and Molly is purposely staring into her plate. Dad and James are the only ones to meet my gaze, the rest are staring at Scorpiuss long ponytail. I know I should have explained to Scorpius how my family works. That here, I am plain-old-boring-Lucy. Nothing special. Modest. Wearing knee-long grey shirts and pullovers that cover my neck. If there was a tapestry, I'd blend right in. Everywhere I look around, wide eyes are eyeing us, eyeing my short skirt, my red lipstick, Scorpius's magenta robes.
Teds missing. His absence sends a pang through my chest as the finality of my new life begins to settle in. This is what I wanted to avoid.
Scorpius nudges me. I clear my throat and make a small wave. Um, h-hi?
With a snap everyones attention is on me. I shrink into Scorpiuss form under the watchful eyes. Nobody says anything.
James is snickering into his pumpkin juice. I throw him a dirty look.
Scorpius nudges me again and I take a step forward. James finally sobers up and scoots over, patting the empty spot. Come sit here, sweet cheeks.
With quivering legs I take a seat beside him, wanting nothing more than to sink into the floor. Scorpius follows closely and squeezes in next to me. Hes oddly quiet. I chance a glance at him and see a small flush creeping up around his neck. Hes studying something every interesting on his hands.
Everyones still completely silent. I try to search out Mollys eyes, but shes refusing to look at me, a muscle in her jaw twitching. Her youngest, Lucas, is staring at me with wide blue eyes. I smile at him with a quavering heart. Its the first time Ive seen my smallest nephew in real life and not portrayed through stolen photographs. The joy is slow but certain and I cant quite make the smile slide off my face after that. Lucass hesitant smile in return makes it a full-on grin.
When I look away I find my dads steady gaze on me. Hes sitting right in front of me and is wearing some unreadable expression.
So. My father glances at Scorpiuss ponytail. Guess youve been busy, huh, Luce?
You know this is serious stuff, right?
I know.
So you cant just go off telling anyone.
Not even Molly?
Definitely not Molly.
Fine? Ted leans forward, eyes unblinking. Im serious, Luce. You cant tell a soul.
I roll my eyes at his antics and push around the damp sand with a foot.
So theoretically I could tell a ghost if I wanted to, couldnt I? I grin.
Luce, Im serious
Sheesh so am I. Calm down professor. I shove his shoulder annoyed. Merlin, youd think you didnt trust me or something.
The silence settles like falling snow and I watch as Teds face blanches before the slightest red tinge creeps into his cheeks.
Theres no air in my lungs. You dont trust me?
He looks sheepish. Listen, Luce, its got nothing to do with you, per say
I try to fight the rage inside me, but suddenly find myself overcome by the wave of hurt and indignancy that has been building over the pass of summer. I feel like Im losing my best friend again. I watch Teds furrowed brows and frantic eyes and cant help but feel theres a stranger standing in front of me, masked in the adolescent body of my best friend.
Nothing to do with me my arse, I snort, the hurt coiling tightly in my stomach. Its got everything to do with me. Its me were talking about!
Ted cringes. Mind lowering your voice? Your screech sounds like a cat dying
Great, so now Im a tattletale and a fur ball-retching mammal
Luce Jesus
Im so over this, Ted. I thought shit I thought you were different. That we were best friends. Im annoyed when a tinge of emotions creeps into my voice, making it quiver. But youre obviously not, so yeah. Im done. Just. Eff you.
Angry, I march off, rushing along the shore side. Hed thought going to the beach would be the safest place for this secret thing. Not that we were going to do it now.
My footsteps make great sloppy slurping noises in the sand as I hurry away from Teds tall form, the sand screeching at my fury. The bay is calm, its waters gently rushing towards me, never quite reaching me, before retreating. I stare pointedly at the thicket of trees, which is slowly nearing me.
Luce, wait. Dont be like that. I can hear Ted's exasperated huff behind me. I continue on, not even chancing a glance back.
No, Ted. Im obviously much too frigid to be included.
He finally catches up with me and I can sense his eyes in the back of my neck. Its always been like this. Me sensing him before hes even there. Ted grabs my elbow.
Come on, mate, you know how it is.
I whirl around. Ted nearly collides with me but stops just in time. Were face to face and Im seething. Hes never called me mate before. Ive officially been defeminized.
No, I dont know how it is, mate - I hiss, air quoting as I imitate his deep voice. Please do enlighten me, since Im so terribly ignorant.
Ted seems to hesitate for the beat of a second. You know, Vic was just saying that
Oh, what did dear Vicky have to say? I spit, trying to wrestle my arm out of his hand but he seems adamant at keeping me lodged in a death-grip. He looks annoyed.
Jeesh Lucy, what has she ever done to you?
Besides being a wrecked witch? I swear if she wasnt part Veela you wouldnt be able to see her beauty for all that blackness inside her soul.
I step on his foot, hard.
Ted barely winces, shaking my arm for effort as he hisses my name.
Lucy, he snaps, his voice low and hard. Shes my girlfriend and youre my best friend. Id like for you to be friends. Shes your own cousin for Christs sake
That is exactly the problem. Why couldnt he date someone who wasnt my family? Me, plain-old Lucy and beautiful Victoire, good friends? She likes boys, quidditch and make-up. I like books and chess, rather spending my time inside with a canvas and paint sticking to my fingers. Now I have to live through family dinners with Ted and Vicky re-enacting the human centipede
Oh, please that means nothing. I stomp my way all up to him, sticking my face right in his just to spite him. My family tree resembles Peter the rabbits. Its like saying you have to like Muggle-studies because youre Muggleborn or that everyone likes cake. Its double standard and frankly discriminating.
His jaw clenches. You grew up together! We grew up together. We were practically the Bradley Bunch of our generation! You adore Dom, whys Vic so different?
I stare at him but he refuses to meet my eyes, keeping his stare locked on the beginning of the forest ahead of us. I lose my patience.
Case in point. Vic is nothing like her sister.
He looks at me for the first time since weve stepped onto the beach. His eyes are soft. Lucy
I try to ignore the softness of his voice and break the stare Ive wanted so adamantly.
What, youve been taking her on moon rides? Candlelit dinners and mushy dates with awkward hand-holding?
He pauses, Thats totally beside the point.
His ears are red.
Oh you have? I raise an eyebrow. What, did you cite poems and talk about your itty bitty feelings?
He picks at the grass, shuffling his feet. Shut it, Luce. You know how it is.
Again with the you know how it is.
I dont actually.
My tone is clipped and Ted raises his head to look at me abruptly.
What? What about that Dylan guy?
Dylan was just that, a guy. Just - I rub my eyes, pushing away the memory of the nerdy chess-partner's advances. Can we talk about something else, please?
His face softens. Okay.
I do trust you, He adds then, squeezing my hand. Youre my best friend. Been it for as long as I remember.
It calms me somehow yet its not enough to quench the hot worry collecting in the pit of my stomach.
Then why are you saying all this stuff? Id never do that.
I know. He rubs his face. But Molly does. And well, shes your sister and that kinda says a lot.
What, so I cant keep a secret because of my sisters big mouth? I ask, a furrow lining my brows.
He stays silent.
I turn away from him, eyeing the edge between sea and sky in the horizon.
Thats bullshit, Ted. Im not my sister and Molly isnt me.
Sorry. I know. He steps closer to me, I can feel his breath on the back of my neck. He exhales deeply. I know you. Just - sometimes Vic gets into my head, shes so damn manipulative and untrusting.
I know that too well. Victoire is many things but dumb is definitely not one of them.
Then stop letting her into your head.
Ted laughs. Shes my girlfriend, shes bound to get in there some time. Besides, I want her to get inside my head.
In a moment of weakness, I turn around to face him. Hes closer to me than I think and Im annoyed when I have to look up.
Victoire Weasley isnt one to get inside your mind.
Ted stares at me for a long time.
Shes actually really nice, Luce. I know you and her have never seen eye to eye, but shes clever, witty and genuine. He clears his throat lightly. Reminds me a bit of you, actually.
His words are quiet and he seems to have trouble looking me in the eyes. I nudge him, unable to conceal my grin.
Now I know youre lying. Ive never been genuine or clever, smarty-pants, stop with the charm. I said Id do it already.
His grin is sheepish.
Lets get going. I nod towards the hill.
Ted throws an arm around me. Prepare yourself, short stuff, Im going to blow your mind.
Been out finding yourself, have you?
Scorpiuss knee jiggles in a rapid staccato and I place a gentle hand on it in order to still him. I glance up at my uncle Harry.
Thats one way of putting it, I suppose.
She likes to call rating dresses in the countrys worst gossip-magazine soul searching. Molly is pale and drawn with a tremor to her hands but she has a stubborn tilt to her chin. Just a fancy way of saying that you were too lazy to get a proper career, if you ask me.
Its the first thing shes said all night and even if the words are biting, they warm me nonetheless. I send a small smile to Lucas whos hiding behind his mothers legs. Were sitting in the living room, surrounding a coffee table thats flooded by sweets.
Now, Molly - my father begins, but is cut off by another voice.
Its true, though, isnt it?
Victoire Weasley hasnt changed one bit throughout the years. Her beauty is just as startling as it was five years ago.
She leans against the doorway to the kitchen. I mean, you had all these
Shut up, Vic, a rather large and pregnant Lily snaps. Shes leaning back against her husbands legs, her enormous stomach nearly obscuring her from view. Its good to have yeh back, Luce, she smiles.
Yes, its quite the tragedy, James drawls from his seat on the sofa. Hes drinking a cup of hot chocolate and has a milk-moustache. The fallen daughter of Senior Minister Weasley, who could have had it all. Not that she wasnt already disowned or anything
James! I look up to see that my mother has returned. At least shes doing something useful. Its a right sight better than that painting-business; luckily that was only a phase
It wasnt a phase, Mum.
I told her right off, did I. Told her she didnt have no business doodling on paper; theres no future in artsy stuff
I groan, Mum
She listened, they eventually do, dont they. She was a right mess. Mind you, they like to test boundaries, spose its only natural
Oh, shush now, Lucille. My mother looks at me sternly. Youre quite right to feel embarrassed. I've campaigned about this for the past five years.
Scorpiuss arm curves around me and gratefully I lean into his warmth, eyeing the wood panelling of the floor. I lift my eyes to meet Jamess, and the look on his face is one that concerns me. He seems to be debating internally, his frown hard.
Their brother left, too. I hadnt been the only one to run, only the only black sheep.
Its the only excuse thats been battering around my head all evening. Quidditch-mad Albus got signed in the US and left for good four years ago. He, too, escaped the tight confines of little wee Grimsby and its population of one hundred people. To this day hes the only one who still sends me cards at Christmas and provides stolen family photographs of all things missed.
"It wasn't a phase," I repeat to no one.
Alright, mount it.
Mount it? I eye the thing doubtfully. Its not a horse. You cant just mount it.
Thats what you do. Ted shrugs. You mount motorbikes.
Fine, I huff. The corners of Teds mouth twitches and I glare at him, daring him to laugh. He loves this bike. Uncle Harry gave it to him as a birthday-present on his seventeenth, letting him collect it himself. It's been his pride and joy ever since, as he and Darren take time off to nurse it, polishing it to no end. Mum still hasn't forgiven Uncle Harry for it.
Finally, I swing my leg up but halfway I stumble and nearly squat down on the damn thing. Hands grab me, lifting me off the metal-beast. A small whimper escapes my lips as his fingers curve around my body.
The closeness of his body sends a pang of heat coiling in my stomach and annoyed, I try to fight the blush in my cheeks. I've never been this close to a boy before. He smells of cinnamon and freshly cut grass.
Easy there, Ted chuckles. Try again. Slower this time.
If Id known you were teaching me how to ride motorbikes, Im not sure Id gone through all this trouble.
I look up at his face again. He should know that I'm no good at this. I'm Lucy; I can't even hit a bludger five meters in front of me.
Because this, Ted Lupin, is totally not worth the bother.
He smiles.
Try again, short stuff.
It takes me five more tries before I can mount the motorbike properly without his help. His hands hover around me for a few more tries, but when he sees that I do not need his help anymore, he steps back. I try to ignore the disappointment that burns in my stomach.
Great, now hold both handlebar grips firmly. Teds voice is husky in my ear and I make a double take at his proximity.
Firmer. His hands squeeze my hands tightly. His fingers linger a moment longer than necessary. I glance up only to find his eyes lodged on our joined hands.
Place your feet securely on the ground, Luce.
Geesh, Im supposed to drive this darn thing, arent I?
He finally meets my eyes, swiftly, his smile genuine.
Thats the plan, yes.
Then lets get going! I raise an eyebrow and turn to face him, carefully balancing the heavy motorcycle between my legs.
The Saint Christopher medal that he never takes off hangs down his chest, skidding against his pale skin. It was his grandfather's, passed down by Andromeda and he wears it proudly, like a war wound. I suppose thats what it is: his scar to showcase to the world. I fight the urge to let fingers trail down the golden chain that lies against his skin. Instead, I drag my eyes up to his face.
He swallows. Okay.
He straightens up suddenly and steps closer, leaning in against my form.
W-what are you doing?
Relax. His breath is hot against the side of my neck. Theres no way Im letting you ride this alone. Youll break your neck for sure.
I sit, jitter legged, as Ted slides into the spot behind me. His chest presses up against my back as he straddles me. Hes hot and warm and just a man. I try to block out the flutter in my chest, but succumb to simply breathing slowly. Im not sure when he turned from being an awkward teenager to this adult who wears cologne and shaves.
You smell nice. His voice is soft in my ear as he reaches forward, folding his hands over mine on the handlebars. So does he, God, so does he. I breathe heavily, my chest rising and falling.
Mums latest shopping-spree. Apparently Vanilla Essence is her new favourite?
I can feel the small stubbles stretched across his jaw rubbing against my cheek and I close my eyes against the heat that coils in my chest.
Ted chuckles. Tell her thanks for me; at least if we do crash and die Ill smell nice.
I roll my eyes. Lets just get going, dumbass.
Alright, lift your feet.
Obediently, I lift my feet, reeling slightly as Ted pushes the machine forward. It wobbles violently before stabilizing once more.
Hold on tight, small stuff, his voice whispers.
I squeeze the handlebars tightly and Teds body shakes behind me with laughter. Not that tight.
Sorry, I mumble but its lost to a gasp as the motorcycle roars to life beneath me. And suddenly were off.
We pummel past the ocean, trees and bushes. Everything becomes blurry as we race with the wind. Behind me, Ted laughs loudly. He sounds happier than hes done in a long time. Freer. A smile creeps onto my face, mirrored by his enthusiasm. The motorbike roars louder again, picking up speed. Tethering between terror and thrill, I cling to the handlebars, my knuckles turning white.
Fingers caress my knuckles. Easy there, Tiger. Relax.
Thats easy for you to say, I grumble. Youre the one controlling this damn creature.
Ted scoots even closer to me, his lips caressing my ear as he whispers, Close your eyes.
What? I stiffen. No way.
Come on.
No freaking way.
Lucy. His voice turns low and it becomes impossible to refuse him. Close your eyes.
My throat tight, I squeeze my eyes closed.
Lean back, Ted orders softly.
Hesitantly, I ease back until Im resting against his body, Teds arms encircling me. He rests his head on top of mine with a sigh.
Now open your eyes. Trust me on this one.
I do so and I dont regret trusting him.
I know.
His mouth is millimetres from my ear and I squeeze his hand. Around us, the air is a whirl of silvered trunks and spear ferns, the colours bleeding together like one of my paintings.
Its the view that steals my heart.
We have driven past the woods a long time ago and now bare land stretches out in front of us. Watching, as the wind pushes against my cheek, I am mesmerized as every emotion imaginable blasts through me. The sky is a war of colours, bleeding into the ocean as night falls. In front of us, a large cliff rises in the distance, backlit by the petal pink sky.
My lungs have no air. Ted reaches his fingers to my cheekbones, wiping away the tears that he somehow knew were coming.
And suddenly I know why he's brought me here.
God Luce, give me some of your clothes
What appened to you? You are well fit.
Um, thanks Fred?
Cor, did you buy all this yourself?
I walk away from the crowd of people to the table with biscuits. In minutes the crowd of accusers has been replaced with my younger cousins, all starry-eyed and fascinated with the City. I don't know what's worse. Being the black sheep of the family, or the Daughter Who Returned. A trembling hand pours tea into a flowery cup, the hot liquid scolds my tongue but I continue drinking, thirsting for something to calm my rigid stomach.
I wish I could fit into your clothes, but as it is this little one isnt making it easy. Lily leans against the wall next to me with a tired sigh, one hand stroking her bulging stomach.
You look well. Its a question, one to which the answer will have to be a lie.
I am well. I clear my throat.
I envy you.
Dont, I smile, eyeing her from. Youre glowing. I press a hand against her stomach. Its hard and hot and I stroke the skin there gently. I cant quite fit Lily into the role of a mother. In my head shes still Jamess annoying little sister who likes to play with dolls and pick her nose. She looks beautiful, though. Wearing a summer dress and her auburn hair loose. She's inherited the Weasley charm, all delicate wrists and pouty lips, unlike me. I inherited the wide hips and the long noses.
Thanks. She places a hand over mine, the cold metal on her ring finger jarring against my skin. Im sorry you missed the wedding.
I look away. I think I missed a lot of things.
How how are you doing with it all? Lilys voice is tentative.
How do you think, Sherlock? Her blokes getting married to someone whos not her and we kind of all thought those two were the only people in this world bound to have their happily ever after. Vic slips past me, grabbing a biscuit. Thats kind of a sucky situation.
I want to say something witty and sarcastic but only one word passes my lips.
Lily shrugs. Six months ago Ted shows up with this wee Scottish girl, says shes great and all. Next thing you know theyre engaged to be married.
Just like that?
Just like that.
Pippa Montjoy, I taste the name.
Vic sniggers.
I snort, What kind of name is that anyways?
Shes very, um, chipper? Lily shrugs.
Shes right annoying, is what she is, Vic grumbles. She likes horoscopes and fluffy teddy bears.
It warms me a bit to hear her say this and a small smile plays around the edges.
I was never that chipper.
A pregnant pause follows in which the girls refuse to meet my eyes.
What? I snap defensively. I wasnt!
Um, yes you were? Vic shrugs. With him, anyways. Without him you were a moping mess. You both were. Kind of like a train wreck.
Still, it wasn't that bad. I argue, searching out Lily's assurance. Right? Right?
Lily shifts uncomfortably, Hate to tell you so, but you were. I swear, it could be pissing down in fat streams or the toilet could be flooded and you could still find a silver lining.
Oh. Is all I manage.
It was endearing, Lily offers, squeezing my arm.
It was damn obnoxious, is what it was, Vic grumbles.
Stop being so mean, Lily tuts at her. Vic rolls her eyes.
Im being honest, theres a difference.
Not with you there aint.
Honest, who hasnt caught those two having sex somewhere?
Just putting it out there.
Shut it, Vic, its not like you and Roger arent exactly the same. Dom walks up to the group in her usual swagger, her lips red and her eyes black. Its the first time Ive seen her in five years. Is this the new gossip corner? Thought you'd grown out of your girliness, Vic?
She acts like this isnt the first time in five years that were here. Two suitcases are standing in the doorway. She probably just arrived from France, too.
We're catching up, I tell her, stepping closer. She turns to look at me, a small smile on her lips. A green beret is quirked cheekily on the side of her head and shes in ballerinas and a black dress; a French reincarnation of her grandfathers.
She presses a hand against my bob. So short. Her murmur is gentle.
I catch her hand, bringing it down. À la mode.
Au contraire, ma petite. Her blue eyes crinkle.
"Shush, let me live in the illusion a bit more."
I pull her into my arms, blinking rapidly as I squeeze her tightly to me. Shes all skin and bones, her shoulder blades hard underneath my fingers. I press my face into the crook of her neck and let go of a hollow breath.
Ive missed her.
You smell the same, Dom sighs as she pulls back. Shes looking at me smiling, but theres worry behind that. Even if youve changed and become this femme fatale. Its nice.
The years did you good, I grin, despite myself. I would give anything to have changed our relationship if anything.
Dom peers at me, her expression softer. Are you okay now, though? Because in France
Im fine. Despite my efforts, my voice has a sharp edge to it. Her stare is intense and I look away, trying to stop my eyes burning.
We chitchat for a while over the coffee table, trying to bridge the rift of five years. Vics married and has two boys, Lilys first is still refusing to pop out and Dom is single, still living by her French lake. They all ask about London and my job and I try to make it interesting, but fail. They don't seem to mind, though, gushing about my new look and wild life. Who would have thought plain-old Lucy would be the one to lead an interesting life?
I keep glancing at Scorpius, checking to see if hes all right. Hes talking to James and Fred, charming his way through all the males, probably trying to gather intel. I dont know why I ever worried about him.
Of course Vics the one to pose the question on everyones lips.
So, do you have a plan?
A plan? Lily looks confused. Im not. I stare into Victoires eyes silently.
Thats my girl. I can tell shes pleased but I dont answer.
Youre sabotaging the wedding? Dom looks scandalized. Vic looks smug.
Hallelujah. She leans back against the wall gleefully. About time something exciting happened around here. Things were getting boring.
But- but sabotaging? Lilys eyes are wide. Thats so extreme?
Sabotaging is such an ugly word I prefer gently nudging or lovably altering events.
All three stare at me.
Sabotaging, Vic concedes.
Can I talk with you for a second?
I'm on my knees, searching through the kitchen cupboards while holding my Beetle the Bart cup between by teeth when he finds me. The cup's a bit tattered, but it will do well for hiding what I'm planning to put in there.
I may have been drooling a bit. James raises an eyebrow at me.
"Do you need me to get you anything?"
"A new mother, a bottle of the Captain's finest and a barrel full of self-confidence."
"Um. Pretty sure if I get you the bottle, the rest will take care of itself."
"Scorpius has been telling you stories about me, hasn't he?"
"Well. Yes. I'm impressed."
"Should hope so. I learnt from the best."
James smiles. It's small and slow, but it's something.
"The - the thing." James shifts nervously, his eyes flickering towards the door every few seconds. "It's kind of important, see."
Oh? Sure. I rummage through dusty bottles of vinegar in the search of something to quench my thirst. It's here somewhere.
Did you He clears his throat. Did you tell anyone about the you know what? At this his voice becomes less than a whisper.
I finally find the golden bottle hidden behind dusty flasks, and pull it out, "Aha!"
Lucy? James hisses.
Huh? I look up from the bottle. Oh, no I havent.
I pour myself a healthy portion and put away the bottle, hiding it behind bottles of vinegar as before.
Seriously, this is important.
So is getting drunk, but to each his own, James.
I glance at him before I throw back the glass of liquid gold and immediately feel relief at the burn. Somehow the old village-dramas hold little importance to me now.
Could you just stop getting hammered for a moment and focus on me, please? James takes away the glass with a forceful shove.
Oi! I protest. I was drinking that!
James just stares at me.
I sigh, leaning against the table. My fingers automatically find the small dent on the corner of it that I made at age ten. It's one of the few things around here that has stayed the same and I caress it with a love no one else seems to miss from me.
Chillax, James. Im not going to tell anyone. Now can I have my Beetle the Bart-glass back, please?
His face seems to be a mixture of panic and shame. I squeeze his hand, trying to calm him with my brandy-breath.
I pro- I pause immediately at the sound of a door slamming and then the sound of a mans voice next door, perhaps greeting a guest. Its unmistakably his; the cadence of his voice is as familiar as the sound of my own heart.
Would you look at that, James smiles, seemingly cheered on by my misery. Would you look at that
Panic blisters my stomach and his name pants faster and faster in my head. I straighten my skirt, shivering fingers toying with the hemline. It's too short. It's much, much too short. My hand is resting on the door, pale and weak in the fluorescent light.
James shifts behind me but I pay him no mind. Instead, I eye the ridges in the tree underneath my fingers, breathing to the silence.
Laughter rings out, the sound muffled through the door. A light womans voice rivets through, the sound harsh to my ears. I clench my hand, the skin spread taut against weak knuckles as my breath catches in the back of my throat where I can still taste the bitterness of the Brandy.
That doors not gonna open by itself, you know. Jamess voice is soft.
Shut up. I dont look up.
James chuckles but doesnt say anything more.
Slowly, I nudge the door open.
I thought Id seen all there was to him. That he wouldnt be able to numb me with his eyes.
I was wrong.
Hes twice the size I remember, his eyes are the same but there are new crinkles around them. Tales of laughter without me. It sends an ache through me. Hes become the man I knew hed be. He looks so much like his father it makes my knees weak.
My boy is beautiful.
Theres a blonde standing beside him, holding onto his arm with long red nails. Her smile is radiant and her boobs are big. I look away.
Lucy Lilys voice rings out from the corner, warning. But it's too late.
In a flash hes turned around to face me and I'm frozen in place.
His face is a mixture of all kinds of emotions. Its like he has sucked the air from the room, burning like he always does. I have no air left in my lungs. All I can do is stare into his brown eyes.
Hello Ted.
I raise my head to look at him. He has his eyes closed, head in my lap, twirling a strand of my hair between his fingers. I dont feel like disturbing the peace thats fallen here on the outskirts of town where the ocean eats into the land. He looks so peaceful here. But with the distance a sense of bravery has settled, making my blood liquid courage. Hes touchable here, underneath the giant cliff.
Were you serious when you said you were going to leave?
His hand stops caressing my hair. A silence presses into the air between us. It takes him a long time to answer me, so long that I almost think he isn't going to. When he does answer it's not the answer I want to hear.
I push away from him, angry at myself for getting upset. Theres a rumble of thunder as the skies open up and the downpour wets the earth around the cliff. The sky is grieving with me.
It takes a long while before I'm able to string another sentence together. Ted is silent behind me, the only sound that echoes is the sound of our heaving chests.
What about Vic?
Ted sits up, his hair flat on one side of his head and sticking up on the other.
What about her? His voice is thick with sleep. "She'll be fine. Vic's always fine. It's one of the great things about her."
I turn away to face the rain, my voice weak. I mean what What about me, my heart stutters out. I cant finish the sentence after that and its left echoing in the distance between us.
I just He steps closer to me. Do you ever question it? All those expectations and visions of your future.
His voice is quiet but his tone desperate. I look away from the rain to glance at his face. He looks heartbroken.
Here. He closes his hand around mine, pressing a cool metal into my palm.
I look into my hand and then look up. Wow. Head boy? Congratulations.
Ted exhales, looking off to the side, and it comes out in a disjointed stream. Like father, like son.
His tone is bitter and involuntarily I take a step forward, closing the space between us. I press the badge against his chest.
Nobody thinks that. To them, youre just a smart kid.
Am I? He looks at me, and I have to fight to keep my composure. His stare is excruciatingly passionate and raw, but soon he looks away again. I never thought it would be hard to be on the other end. To have greatness thrust upon you instead of being the disappointment. I take a few steps closer, and wait.
I have this dream where Im standing in the middle of a room, being stuffed into suits and clothes that are too big." He takes a breath and looks up at me, the dark line of his brows and the wild twists of his hair gilded by the auburn burn of the sunset. "They never fit.
Whats your plan, then?
The shadow of a smile passes his lips and he stuffs his hands into his trousers, Nepal, India, France, Cambodia, Vietnam anywhere and everywhere. Ill travel the world and live off pot noodles.
His eyes are wide and happy with a blush coating his cheeks. It's really cute.
A mighty great plan that is. Mind some company?
He presses a finger against my cheek, the touch feather light. Finish school, then Ill come get you.
Youre no fun, I pout.
Your mother would kill me if I took you out of school.
Exactly, its time she got some challenge. Shes been nagging me about grades all year, saying how much of a disappointment I am.
We stare at each other for some time. I can feel my face slowly breaking. Its inevitable and Teds face doesnt change when the first tear comes.
Dont listen to them, Luce. Dont listen to Molly or your mother. Dont listen to any of them.
I know, sorry, I smile, but its shaky and I have to bite the inside of my lip to stop the crying. And I dont expect you to be anything. Just you.
It only takes him three steps to get to me. He picks me up so I can wrap my legs around him and we stay like that for a long time, wrapped around each other. I rest my head against his chest, feeling the rich thud of his heart in my palm.
He presses his lips against my forehead. I know.
The pictures did not do Pippa Montjoy justice.
They showed a stellar Scotsmen with wavy blond hair and a fetish for pink and glitter.
Pippa Montjoy is anything but stellar.
I try not to let my eyes linger on the cleavage, which James is so obviously still caught up in. Shes wearing a snug fit green dress and her head barely reaches Teds shoulder. Shes tiny. Her legs are impossibly skinny, accentuated by a pair of deadly heels, and her lips are plumb, coated with gloss. And she squeals. Squeals.
In a blur of green and white she claws me to her chest with a remarkable force, seeing as shes half my size. I go rigid as James steps to a side.
So excited! She exclaims, squeezing me closer. She smells like cake and fucking sugarcanes. Sugarcanes. Ive been waiting ages for you to arrive!
You have? I manage weakly, my arms smashed between our bodies.
She nods vigorously, finally stepping a bit back. Shes still way too close in my personal space. Even her teeth are shiny. Dammit.
Teds told me all about you, she gushes in a sing song voice, reaching forward to squeeze my arm. This is just jolly.
I can hear the Scottish lilt in her voice and I force a smile onto my face. Funny.
Oh, you, Pippa giggles. You can call me Pip I reserve that right for my special people. At this, she winks at me.
This does not bode well for my plans.
Um, wow, I smile as panic slowly cripples me.
Dont I get to say hello to my friend, baby?
I freeze.
Silly me, Pippa giggles. Of course, Teddy bear, you know me I just get so excited! Cant help myself.
She steps aside and in charges Ted Lupin. I involuntarily take a step back.
Come here, you. His voice is overly cheerful and I think about running. Fast.
I watch helplessly as I am lodged into another awkward hugging session. I grimace, holding my breath as Ted lifts me off my feet, laughing heartily to the silent crowd. His hands are all stiff and hard against my body as if I were a box he was lifting and not a human. I catch Lilys eyes behind his back. She looks mortified. Vic is sniggering into her hands. Mum looks thrilled, talking animatedly to Auntie Mildred.
Um, hi, I force out when he finally puts me down.
He pats me on the shoulder, as if I were a dog, still not meeting my eyes. I stare at the hand silently. I've never regretted a decision like I have now.
Pippa squeezes underneath his arm and curls around his body, beaming at me.
The wedding is officially ready to start off now! she squeals. The next two weeks are going to be the best of our lives. Arent they, sugar muffin?
Ted smiles, They sure are, baby.
Fourteen days. Thats all I have to change this or write the article. I dont know anymore. I plaster on a smile as Pippa reaches up to kiss Ted on the lips, smudging gloss all over his lips. They giggle as she licks it off again, her pink tongue tasting him.
I want to vomit.
Suddenly Ted turns to me again, his smile wide and false. Oh, Im sorry, Luce! I should properly introduce you -
He rubs his nose against Pippas, his eyes holding her. This is Pippa Montjoy. My fiancée.
Youre being silly, baby, Voldemort reincarnated giggles against his lips. Lucille and I are going to be the bestest of buddies. I know it!
I must not curse wrenched girls... I must not cur-
A hand slips into mine, its warmth comforting.
Arent you going to introduce me, Luce?
Scorpiuss smile is encouraging and Im so grateful for his presence. Ted looks up, suddenly, stepping forward. He holds out his hand, the other still linked with Pippas.
Whos this? He asks me. Its strange to see Scorpius beside him. Ted actually looks small compared to him. I had somehow always thought Ted to be a giant, but hes not.
This is Scorpius.
Scorpius shakes his hand. Hi.
Ted smiles, Pleasure to mee-
-- my boyfriend.
Ted and Scorpiuss hands freeze mid-air.
A/N: Remember to review! xxx
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Written on: 22/11/2006 by Helen of Troy (188 reviews written)
Good Points
Bad Points
Has been known to get it wrong/confuse!
General Comments
If you want a Sat Nav and don't want to pay an arm and a leg this Garmin Streetpilot i3 is ideal. It is dead easy to use, usually gets you to your destination with no problems, though it has confused me with odd directions once!
I have had speed trap warnings downloaded on mine, it warns as you approach a camera, then warns you again if you are going over the limit. Very useful!
The instructions are clearly spoken in your chosen language, the map is small but easily visible in day or night mode. The display can be changed according to your own preference and you can zoom in or out.
This Garmin Streetpilot i3 has helped me out quite a few times when I haven't been sure how to get to my destination. I am never without it now!

subset: commoncrawl


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The appearance of advertisements and product information on this site does not constitute an endorsement by Equipment World Magazine, and Equipment World Magazine has not investigated the claims made by any advertiser. Product information is based solely on material received from suppliers.
E-Z Drill introduces a new concept in concrete drills with the Model 240B SRA "combo" drill system. Combining the standard features of the Model 210B SRA with the capability of converting to a pneumatic core drill, the Model 240B SRA caters to both rock drilling and core drilling applications — eliminating the need for a separate drill system. The conversion process requires just a few simple tools and can be quickly conducted while on the jobsite. Featuring totally pneumatic operation, the core drill utilizes a three-speed motor (400, 900 and 1,600 rpm) and requires a minimum of 77 CFM for operation, whereas the standard rock drill configuration requires 100 CFM. The unit can core and drill holes from 5/8-inch diameter up to 2-1/2 inches, and drill up to 18 inches deep.


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M.E.K.A. Club meetings once a month from September to June, with the exception of December. December's meeting is normally replaced by a Christmas party.
Our meeting time is from 10 a.m. through until 4 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. This time slot will allow for longer, more intricate workshops; and people can leave when their workshop is over, or stay and work on a UFO, and enjoy miniature camaraderie.
Meetings are currently being held at the Mackintosh-Corry Hall on the main campus of Queen's University.
Last Updated April 18, 2016


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The company touts the DreamColor monitors as a cheaper alternative to high-end backlit LCDs.
The screens offer more than a billion colours and support a range of colour display standards including AdobeRGB, NTSC and sRGB.
DreamColor will be targeted at graphics houses, film producers and animation studios in which accurate colour presentation is crucial.
HP said that the system was developed in cooperation with animation studio Dreamworks. The companies have been working for two years to develop a series of displays and printers that all provide identical colour displays.
"For decades, storytellers have struggled to manage colour in an accurate and consistent manner," said Dreamworks chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg.
"Quite simply, when we make a movie about a big green ogre our concern is that our ogre is the same colour of green throughout the film."
HP taps Dreamworks for new screens
By Shaun Nichols on Apr 17, 2008 7:20AM


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UNESCO's programme adopted in 1951 included, "the measures for respecting the right to free and compulsory education in the spirit of Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".
In so doing, UNESCO establishes the fundamental right of equality in opportunity for the children of the world. It is just and necessary that all children of the world should have the right to equal opportunity […]. This ideal led UNESCO to undertake a campaign for compulsory education. (Jean Debiesse, "The right to free and compulsory education", UNESCO Courier, July-August 1951 p. 14).
Throughout its sixty years of existence, UNESCO has constantly helped its Member States to identify their needs and aspirations in the field of education through consultations, surveys and international and regional conferences. In doing so, UNESCO has been guided by Member States countries while promoting principles of equity, human dignity, respect for human rights and international understanding.
UNESCO constantly seeks to mobilize the political will of the international community on behalf of two great educational causes; the right to education and the role of education in building a more caring world. The task of developing and improving education rests essentially with governments. UNESCO acts as a stimulus and catalyst, analysing trends, defining policies, setting standards, formulating key ideas, encouraging innovation and organizing exchanges of information, ideas and people.
UNESCO advocates for the right to education for all through four main programme areas:
- Monitoring its implementation;
- Building and strengthening capacities and mechanisms and reporting;
- Assisting Member states in reviewing and developing their national legal frameworks;
- Mobilising, developing and fostering global partnerships to raise awareness on key issues relating to its implementation.


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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Both the New England Revolution and Houston Dynamo will be fully committed to picking up three points when the teams clash on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.
The difference will be in how each side attempts to accomplish that objective.
"Houston's style, relative to ours, is pretty different," said Revolution forward Blake Brettschneider. "(They play) lots of long balls, lots of big, physical play. Whereas with us, we like to try to keep the ball on the ground, try to possess it. We have a lot of very skillful and technical players. It'll be very contrasting styles of soccer."
Under head coach Jay Heaps, the Revs have implemented a possession-oriented approach which features a relatively fluid attacking formation. The wingers are given the freedom to pinch inside – and sometimes switch sides completely – with much of the width provided by the outside backs.
Houston, meanwhile, utilizes a more rigid 4-4-2 with much of the play flowing through Brad Davis on the left wing and a physical forward corps featuring the likes of Will Bruin, Brian Ching, Mac Kandji and Cam Weaver. It's a formula the Dynamo – an MLS Cup finalist last season – has successfully employed for years.
"Houston's a very organized team," said Heaps. "They play a solid 4-4-2 with some very good players. They like to disrupt the way things go. They've got strong players and good athletes so it's very difficult. We've struggled against teams like that so it's going to be very important for us to make sure our game plan is set going into this week and we continue to work on things that we have to continue to get better at."
The Revs encountered a similar test in the season opener against the San Jose Earthquakes and the bruising presence of Steven Lenhart. After suffering a 1-0 loss at Buck Shaw Stadium, Heaps admitted his side resorted to matching the Earthquakes' direct style, an approach which doesn't suit the more technical Revolution.
Against Houston, right back Kevin Alston believes the Revs need to match their opponent's intensity from the opening whistle, but stick to the short passing style which was so successful in last weekend's convincing 4-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
"We have to be physical," Alston said. "They're great on set pieces. Brad Davis plays those dangerous balls in, they have a lot of big bodies and that's how they get a lot of their goals. We need to match that physicality. We need to be intense, but we need to play around them. We need to do what we do best."


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The lights are on
The Rock didn't have the greatest night of his life yesterday, losing the WWE title from challenger John Cena at Wrestlemania. That doesn't mean fans have seen the last of the grappler/action hero. He'll be gracing the cover of 2K Games' upcoming WWE 2K14, for one thing.
Stephanie McMahon, the WWE's executive vice president of creative, tweeted the news before last night's event. Even though the Rock wasn't able to pull out a victory (it wasn't in the script cards), he remains one of the most popular figures in professional wrestling. Putting him on the cover is a safe bet, but considering that WWE 2K14 marks the first time that 2K Games is publishing the Yukes-developed game since acquiring the rights from the now-defunct THQ, it's a smart one.
Email the author Jeff Cork, or follow on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Game Informer.


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Go along to Cordeaux School on Saturday, December 1 and enjoy a special Christmas concert.
Taking place from 7pm at the site in North Holme Road in Louth, the evening will not only include a special festive concert but also a visit from Father Christmas himself.
Tickets for the concert are £6.50 for adults, £6 for concessions and £4 for children.
A delicious buffet supper will also be included.
Tickets are available for purchase on the door on the night.


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Stripe Physics
By Smackall Games Pvt Ltd
This app is only available on the App Store for iOS devices.
Physics based puzzle game. The objective of the game is to bring the red ball onto the platform, by using objects with different physical characteristics.
What's New in Version 1.3
Minor bug fixes
Customer Reviews
Just ok
Could be better with improvements to timing. Lot of chance here, not as much skill as I'd like.
This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad
- Free
- Category: Games
- Updated: Jan 30, 2012
- Version: 1.3
- Size: 4.5 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: Smackall Games
- © 2011 Smackall Games Pvt Ltd
Compatibility: Requires iOS 3.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.


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Wen-Ming Zhang0000-0001-6743-1006
Wen-Ming Zhang was born in Anhui, China, in 1978. He received the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 2000 and the M.S. degree in mechanical design and theories in 2003, both from Southern Yangtze University, China, and Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2006. He is currently an Associate Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration and School of Mechanical Engineering in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. His research interests include MEMS/NEMS, vibration analysis, dynamics, and control of microsensors/actuators.
Biography Updated on 24 March 2010


text: I have been getting back into playing bass after almost 20 years away due to wrist problems caused by working at a computer. I saw a post you made about permutations which inspired me to incorporate them into my practice routine. My biggest weakness (I think) is coordinating left & right hand timing to play cleanly with good time when skipping strings so this is what I concentrate on: - 2 4 / 2 3 / 3 4 / 3 2 -1 3 / 1 4 / 1 2 / 1 4 etc. I have some questions which I'm not sure can be definitively answered but I'm hoping for some helpful advice and opinions. I have been concentrating on one permutation at a time (say 1234) and doing 10-20 or more repetitions on each string pair (E-A, A-D, D-G & back down) with the thought that I will 'burn in' the muscle memory for that permutation. Would it be better if I played many permutations with fewer (or even only 1) repetition to give all the muscles a more general workout or should I stick with fewer permutations & more reps per session? Also, are there any guidelines for how many repititions are optimal before you start doing more damage than good? I know the 'right' answer is for me to find out what works best for me but that could take months or even years on the wrong path before I find the best one. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks David


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This is one of the coolest aftermarket Mosin accessories I've ever seen. They've really thought of everything.
In addition to working with Timney triggers from the factory, it has an optional barrel tensioner. Some Mosins don't shoot very well with a free-floated barrel, which this stock does by default, so if you want, you can ratchet it down. It looks as though the stock is contoured for the bayonet.
The stock comes with a 5-round magazine and optional 10-round mags will be available, too.
The cheek riser is adjustable, it has a thick recoil pad and still manages to include a little storage compartment. It can even use stripper clips!
This is going to be a must-have for Mosin fans and people looking to put together a big-bore rifle on the cheap.
It should run under $200 with magazines listing for $25. They don't have a product page up yet.


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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA)15/07/2011
In another step towards transparency of the global financial services industry and preventing tax evasion, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted in the US on 18 March 2010. FATCA affects all "Foreign Financial Institutions" (FFIs), including banks, custodians and investment vehicles that invest in or hold US assets and receive US-sourced income on behalf of account holders or investors.
In the investment world, while responsibility for compliance lies ultimately with funds and their boards, the reality is that the burden of preparing for FATCA by 30 June 2013 will fall on fund administrators and similar service providers. Despite the title of the Act, for most firms FATCA is not only, or even principally, a tax issue. Instead, it is a substantial project likely to require significant changes to systems and procedures. Affected areas will include investor take-on and compliance monitoring processes, a requirement to report annually to the IRS, and identifying US-sourced income and making necessary withholdings.
As with any significant challenge, robust programme management, including identification of workstreams, adequate resourcing, quality assurance and governance will ensure that the transition to FATCA compliance in all its guises will be successful.
- Alternative Asset Advisory
- Compliance and Regulatory Consulting
- Disputes and Investigations
- Legal Management Consulting
- M&A Advisory
- Real Estate Advisory Group
- Restructuring Advisory
- Tax Services
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- Alternative Assets
- Brexit
- Compliance and Regulatory
- Cost of Capital
- Disputes and Investigations
- Goodwill Impairment
- Legal Management
- Risk Premium
- Restructuring
- Tax
- Transfer Pricing
- Transaction Opinions
- Valuation
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- U.S. / Canada


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About This Activity
This activity is closed to further registration.
In parent-tot classes, adult and child share a special time together while the child participates in tumbling, obstacle courses, balance beam and bars. Music, ribbons, balls and other fun equipment are used to make class an entertaining, developmental experience. Children are encouraged to explore their abilities, use their imaginations, enhance listening capabilities, socialize in a group and develop gross motor skills.
No Class 11/26.
Age Category
Early Childhood
Gymnasium A at Prairie View Community Center
Cindy Morano
Organizer Info
Morton Grove Park District


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Home Cooks > Recipes > Hot and Sour Soup
Yield: Yield: 24 servings
Marinade (recipe below)
1 gallon chicken broth
1 pound firm tofu, julienned
1 cup julienned bamboo shoots
1/2 cup julienned carrots
1/2 cup julienned fresh shiitake mushrooms (or reconstituted dried black mushrooms)
1/2 cup julienned celery
1 cup Kikkoman Soy Sauce or Kikkoman Less Sodium Soy Sauce
1/2 cup Kikkoman Rice Vinegar
1 tablespoon white pepper (or to taste)
1 cup cornstarch paste (made from equal parts cornstarch and
6 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons Kikkoman Sesame Oil
4 green onions, chopped
In bowl, mix pork with Marinade; set aside. Bring chicken broth to boil. Add pork, tofu, bamboo shoots, carrots, mushrooms and celery. Return to boil, stirring gently to separate pork shreds. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar and pepper. Taste soup and adjust seasonings. Slowly stir enough cornstarch paste into simmering soup to thicken lightly. Slowly drizzle eggs into broth in thin stream. When egg curds set, gently stir in sesame oil. Garnish each serving with green onions.
To make Marinade: In bowl, lightly beat 1 egg. Mix in 1 tablespoon each soy sauce, dry sherry, cornstarch and vegetable oil; cover and refrigerate unless using immediately.
Soy Sauce / Seasoned Rice Vinegar
Soy Sauce


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text: I finally got around to doing my 3.73 swap and after breaking down the explorer rear for the ring and pinion, and then the fox 8.8 to swap them over, I noticed the differential in the fox rear had rust on the spider gears! This was a spare rear I had sitting in the garage for a while, but it has oil in it and I did not expect this... I first thought about soaking it in all kinds pof stuff and trying to save it. But I think it's just not worth it. Unless some old school guy here has a way to get it done...? So now i am on the hunt for a differential. I thought about just using the one in my fox. But it's my daily driver and I can't have any unwanted hold ups like this. Plus, the chassis has over 350k miles on it. And I am sure the rear has never been touched.


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Rochester's Public Market is a great place to find local agricultural gems. At the market we bought armfuls of freshly harvested rhubarb from two regional farms: Old Home and Peters Farms. We brought the back to the kitchen, cooked the red and green stalks down to a puree, and blended them with Davis Orange Blossom… Continue reading
We're open all day Memorial Day (10am-9pm) and we're giving away FREE ICE CREAM! While supplies last, every customer will get a cup of Blueberry Strawberry Rhubarb Truffle ice cream. Bring your friends and enjoy some hand crafted ice cream in honor of those who fought and died in our military service… Continue reading


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Mailbag: Let's talk pitching
Mailbag: Let's talk pitching
Also, please understand that literally hundreds of e-mails arrive every week, so they can't all be used in the mailbag or receive personal responses.
With the new Kings of Leon album playing on the iPod and a view of Philadelphia International Airport out my hotel window, let's get on with the questions. It's a bit of a lightning-round mailbag this week.
Have we seen the last of Mark Mulder? What are the chances that he might return?
--Bobby O., Kevil, Ky.
Mulder's tenure in St. Louis is almost certainly over. The club will decline his 2009 option, and general manager John Mozeliak said that it is very unlikely that a smaller deal will be pursued to replace it.
Wondering if there is any thought to keeping Braden Looper and having him go back to his original role as closer?
-- Brad B, Jonesboro, Ark.
That idea is a non-starter, no pun intended. The club might or might not be interested in such a move with Looper, but he has zero interest. He considers himself a starter now. That's what he wants to do and how he intends to market himself on the free-agent market.
Although he was only in Double-A last year, what are the chances of Jess Todd making the roster next year?
-- Brian B., Little Rock, Ark.
The chances of him cracking the Opening Day roster are slim, but not entirely impossible. He did make a few appearances at Triple-A Memphis, but he merely did well rather than spectacularly (as he fared at every previous level). The right side of the bullpen is already crowded, and it's hard to envision Todd cracking the rotation out of Spring Training. By the end of the year, however, he might well make his way to St. Louis.
Have a question about the Cardinals?
E-mail your query to MLB.com Cardinals beat reporter Jenifer Langosch for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content.
Regarding Adam Kennedy's request for a trade (and I understand where he's coming from), what do you think we get for him? Pitching? Prospects? Just let somebody eat his salary for a bag of balls? Your thoughts?
-- Greg G., Arvada, Col.
If that. I suspect a Kennedy deal would look an awful lot like the Tino Martinez deal from a few years back. If the Cardinals were willing to pay the vast majority or all of the $4 million remaining on Kennedy's contract, they might get a prospect. If not, they'd likely get a non-prospect Minor Leaguer. Kennedy bounced back some in '08, but his trade value would seem to be very limited.
I have heard talk about different closers either being signed by the Cards (Brian Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez) or current relief pitchers being put into the closer's role (Chris Perez), what do you think the Cards are most likely to do? Also, is Joe Nathan on the Cards' radar considering the ERA and save numbers he put up in Minnesota?
-- Mark H., St. Charles, Mo.
To answer the last part first, I'm sure they'd love to get Nathan, but the Twins have no reason to trade him. He's signed through 2011. Fuentes is obviously someone the team likes a lot, but not if it requires the entirety of the remaining budget to get it done. Rodriguez quite certainly isn't going to happen. One possibility that seems very realistic: you might see them sign a free agent like Juan Cruz, Dan Wheeler or Brandon Lyon. Or they could open up a competition in Spring Training.
Who do you think will be the Cardinals' fifth starter next season? We have Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Kyle Lohse and Todd Wellemeyer, would Joel Pineiro be it? I would like them to trade him in the offseason and put in someone like Jaime Garcia.
-- Josh K., Urbandale, Ill.
The problem with trading Pineiro is that he's coming off a rough year and due a fairly healthy amount of money. So the value would be limited. As it stands now, the '09 rotation includes Wainwright, Lohse, Wellemeyer and Pineiro. If Carpenter is healthy, that's your starting five. Given that it's unsure how healthy Carpenter will be, they may pursue an additional pitcher for rotation depth. Garcia will not be available due to elbow surgery.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Dice Venture official website and links to play Dice Venture online / offline for free, register, sign up and login page for Dice Venture game or links to buy and download Dice Venture game online.
Below is the list of all Dice Venture sites and links:
- Click Here to Play Dice Venture Now on dv.netmarble.com
- Dice Venture Facebook App Page:
- https://www.facebook.com/DiceVenture
- Dice Venture Official Site:
- http://dv.netmarble.com/
- Dice Venture on twitter.com:
- https://twitter.com/diceventure
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Dice Venture release date is on 29 May 2013. Dice Venture game is developed by CJ Games Global and published by Netmarble. If you guys found any other official links or sites to play Dice Venture game online, or related useful information like the official release date for Dice Venture Android, iPhone & iPad (iOS), PC, Xbox 360, Xbox 720, PS3, Vita, PS4, 3DS, Wii U, Mac, PlayStation, Dice Venture Online, Facebook, on other Google, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo game consoles or platforms, welcome to share with us.
Besides, you may find, browse and buy Dice Venture related stuffs on Amazon.


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Bajo Guadalquivir rentals, holiday lettings direct from the owners
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Audio output with Ardour
Hello everyone,
I suppose this is pretty basic but anyway... I have problems playing files with Ardour. I have imported WAV-files to project and when playing graph indicates that music is being played but I can't get any sound out. What should I do?
What do you mean when you say graph? I assume you must mean the meter on the fader? If that's what you mean, the audio is coming out of Ardour. It would make me think that maybe you haven't the correct interface selected? If you open up Qjackctl and go to setup, check which interface is selected. Which interface are you using by the way? If you click the arrow to the side of the interface drop down menu it should give you your interfaces by name so you can identify them. Hope this helps.
I meant the meter on the fader when I wrote graph. I have got only one interface selectable from Ardour session control. It is ALC1200 Analog. Qjackctl shows "Default" as interface. There are options and I went through all the options but managed to get no sound.
Meter still displays sound coming out. In qjackctl I have no possibilities to choose ALC1200 Analog.
Is the master fader showing a signal? On the master fader strip, just above the comments box (should show something like 1/2), make sure that it is being outputted to your interface.
What version of Ardour are you using? I looked up briefly about your soundcard and some people have reported problems with getting sound from it. What distro are you using? I found this on Ubuntuforums if it helps -
I just noticed that I wrote some erraneous information. Sorry.
I have taken WAV-loop to the Ardour. When I click play bar next to WAV-loop name starts to alternate. Meter, tempo, range markers, loop/punch ranges, cd markers and location markers don't display any information when I start to play.
So meter only has 4/4, underneath it is 120,00. Both of the numbers have red marker in front of them.
Ardour version is 2.8.12. All the other music files play correctly, e.g. in rhytm box.
I'm not sure i understand what you mean. Where did you install Ardour from? It's up version 2.8.14 which you can download from the website here. Could you try installing that and seeing if the problem persists. It is the preferred way of installing Ardour. Sometimes builds of Ardour from repositories can cause problems.
Did you connect The output of the masterbus to your fysical output on your soundcard that you selected al device?
You can do this easy with qjackctl.
Hello Kimmo,
as for routing and connecting the tracks and master bus etc. maybe it might help you to look into the Ardour manual:
I was just about to start describing how I have solved those problems, but unfortunately I only have the German version of Ardour, so I fear I wouldn't use the correct English terminology... :-)
Good luck


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'This extraordinary volume skillfully captures the expansive array of forms in which violence and abuse are expressed. The multi-disciplinary, cross-cultural and comprehensive coverage of the topic will make this book a significant and welcome addition to a somewhat scattered body of research literature.' – James Alan Fox, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
After centuries of being considered a private matter in most societies, violence and its profound effect on the health, mental health, and social well-being of victims and their families, as well as on the assailants themselves, has started to take center stage as a public issue of worldwide concern.
Health and social service providers are in pivotal positions to provide preventive and restorative services to those affected by violent and abusive behaviour. This comprehensive textbook presents theoretical background and practical strategies for doing so, providing a solid knowledge base for good practice in this area. It emphasizes the interdisciplinary aspects of violence and victim/survivor care and addresses violence over the lifespan, covering:
This text is an essential resource for qualified practitioners wanting to learn more about this area and for students starting out in health and social care. Each chapter includes case studies and thinking points, and suggestions for application in practice settings. A companion website provides materials for students and educators, enabling the inclusion of violence issues in an already busy curriculum.
Lee Ann Hoff is a nurse-anthropologist and crisis specialist. She has published widely and is the author of the award-winning textbook People in Crisis. She has extensive experience as an educator, consultant, clinician, and crisis service manager.


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My Nonprofit Reviews
Review for Kids Support Network Inc, Linthicum, MD, USA
I have been very involved with this organization for many years. I have never seen any mis-use of funds. All charitable orgainizations have overhead expenses; KSN is no different. The Director of KSN strives to keep administrative costs to a minimum. Anyone who reviews the charity finances will clearly see that; if they think otherwise, I suggest they re-take elementary math! Kids Support Network does great work for local children who truly need assistance. By posting bogus and false statements on this website, you are keeping disadvantaged children from recieving the help they need!!!
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The letters recieved from children who have benefited from the work that KSN does.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not change anything. KSN does very noble work. More people should get invloved.


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COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A retired South Carolina man won the $259.9 million Powerball jackpot, but said Tuesday it won't go to his head.
Solomon Jackson Jr., one of 12 children and a former assistant supervisor at the state Department of Revenue, refused to give his age or even say whether he would take the money in a reduced immediate payment or spread out in a 30-year annuity during a news conference in Columbia, USA Today reported.
Jackson said he bought the winning ticket at a Murphy USA gas station in front of a Columbia-area Wal-mart Aug. 19 -- he bought the ticket there because he loves Wal-mart's prices and knew he could save 3 cents on a gallon of gas, the newspaper reported.
Even after he learned early Tuesday he had won the jackpot he said he helped mow a neighbor's grass because her father had recently died, and drove out to a Columbia suburb to get a bargain $35 car alignment.
During his news conference, Jackson thanked God repeatedly and said, "Too many people let this go to their head. ... I vow and promise everybody here ... this won't go to my head."
"I won't do a bunch with it, but somebody's going to be blessed," he said. "Some winners anticipate a change. But I'll still be Solomon," the newspaper reported.
Wednesday's jackpot was the largest ever won in the state, USA Today said.
The winning numbers were 14, 24, 31, 43 and 51, the Powerball was 27 and the multiplier was 5, the newspaper said.


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YEG to the World: Vol 1 Recap [Review]
Edmonton, AB – On Jun. 11, The 25th Dynasty introduced us to the first instalment of YEG to the World. Just to keep you up to speed – this is a monthly showcase of Edmonton's urban talent; from producers, DJs, MCs and more. Vol. 1 went down at YEG Dance Club and we couldn't have asked for a better turn out for the first show.
The doors opened at 10 p.m. – so in hip-hop time – things didn't get poppin' until well after 11:30 p.m. I'm gonna keep it 100 with ya'll right now: Showing up excessively late for shows seems to be the norm in hip-hop – and that's that ish I don't like. Don't get me wrong – it's not always our fault (some artists can be divas in that retrospect). But this is a case where it's on us. Showing up two hours after the promoters and the venue have opened the doors for you – is plain disrespectful. Not to mention – your lateness slows everything down. As much as I loved seeing all of your gorgeous faces, as much as I loved that you spent your Wednesday night supporting YEG hip-hop; I would have loved it even more if you showed up on time. We have GOT to get better at this fam. Think of all the work that goes into putting on a show, think of the effort these artists put into their craft to give you a great performance. Give the people – who hustled hard for you – the respect that is due and just be on time. I think that's a more than fair trade. Ok. Rant is over. Let's get to how dope this showcase was.
Edmonton MC (and founder of YEG to the World), Muta Mouraine was our host for the evening and kept the program at a smooth pace as soon as it began. After each artist finished their set – Muta took the time to ask where peeps can find their music and what upcoming projects they have on the go. I love that he gave each performer that solid opportunity to plug their work to the crowd.
I've loved hip-hop for as long as I can remember – however – it's only been a minute since I've been on the Edmonton scene. Now that I'm investing more of my time with local cats – I am just blown away by the talent that's right here in my city. Self (from The Liberators), Evrlove, K-Riz, TAM, Young Tox, & K-Blitz were mad live with their performances. From head-nodding boom bap to hyphy club bangers; each and every artist delivered with so much energy and made it look effortless.
Let's not forget about Jae Maze, DJ Baggylean and DJ TNT – without DJs and producers – we don't have hip-hop. Maze, Baggylean, and TNT each had their own set to show us what they're workin' with – and they put on for the city. I have to be real and give a special shout out to DJ Baggylean: this cat not only backed Young Tox and Self on their sets; he spun an all-local set from Lee'On, K-Riz, Muta Mouraine, Jae Maz, Peep Game, Kazmega, Poli Live and more. That's love.
This is what our city needs – I can't think of a better platform for local artists to showcase their talent. It's also the perfect opportunity for people – who aren't familiar with the YEG hip-hop scene – to get exposure to Edmonton artists. It's beautiful. Even for myself; a lot of what I do at HipHopCanada is behind the scenes – so it's fantastic to be able to put some faces to names and hearing a live performance is just icing.
YEG to the World Vol. 2 goes down on July 9 at YEG Dance Club – and I strongly recommend that you don't miss out. Good people, good vibes, good music – what can more could you ask for? Keep it locked for more details and peep the photos, from Vol. 1, after the jump.
Photography by Jonathan Deschênes at ClinksNet.com
Twitter: @The25thDynasty
Tags: DJ Baggylean, DJ TNT, Jae Maze, K-Blitz, K-Riz, Muta Mouraine, Self, Tam, YEG, YEG Dance Club, YegToTheWorld, Young Tox
[…] be holding YEG Dance down with the hottest club hits. If you managed to catch last month's showcase, then you know you're in for a fresh night of hip-hop. YEG to the World is a perfect […]
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Alleged disabled-parking-placard cheats appear in court
2 accused of faking illness to get placards
Updated 4:52 pm, Thursday, July 17, 2014
San Francisco's new crackdown on the use of fake documents to get disabled parking placards made its public debut with the courtroom appearance of a couple of suspects Thursday, and the tension alone testified to the seriousness of what until now has been not so weighty a violation.
The suspects - Guobin Qin, 29, and his mother, Qiaoyun Chen, 50, both of San Francisco - were in Superior Court to enter pleas to felony charges that could net them four-year prison sentences, but the hearing was delayed until July 25.
Usually, misusing disabled parking placards only leads to confiscation of the placard and a $900 fine. But that was before a push initiated over the weekend by state and local officials to try to stem the rising misuse of the placards.
- The Regulars: Mr. Rob Basssfgate
- Crows flocking around Vallejosfgate
- Windows of History: Video animation at SF housesfgate
- Salt & Straw features Thanksgiving ice cream flavors in San Franciscosfgate
- The walk to the Big GameSFGate
- UC Berkeley professor's 'Slaughterbots' video goes viralsfgate
- Mammoth Mountain Resort digs out after after six-foot snowstormsfgate
- Heavenly Mountain's 2017 opening daysfgate
- Massive self-inflating rafts converted into trampolines at Dolores Park in San Franciscosfgate
- SFMTA unveils new Muni trainsfgate
The pair in court Thursday were apparently so mortified at winding up in court - and being captured on video by several news organizations present for the hearing - that Chen hid behind her purse and Qin pulled his sweatshirt up over his face.
Their defense attorney, Fred Baker, did not answer questions after the brief hearing.
The public has been getting fed up with parking scofflaws, officials said, leading the California Department of Motor Vehicles to initiate the crackdown that they are calling "Operation Blue Zone."
"This is something we are taking very seriously," said DMV spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez.
Qin, Chen and Yessi Morales, 35, were arrested in the first wave of the crackdown, and more such arrests are planned, according to Alex Bastian, a spokesman for the district attorney's office.
Chen and her son reportedly submitted documents saying they were being treated by a doctor for a lung disease and filed papers with the doctor's purported signature. However, investigators said the doctor had no record of either being his patient.
Morales said she had arthritis, but neither of the two doctors she identified on DMV paperwork said they had treated her, according to prosecutors.
Investigators were tipped to at least one of the three by an anonymous co-worker, officials said.
Morales, who was charged with 24 felony counts, is out on $60,000 bail and quietly pleaded not guilty earlier this month. Qin and Chen, who each face four felony counts, posted $30,000 bail apiece and face charges including fraud, filing false documents, perjury and commercial burglary.
"These defendants were willing to perjure themselves for parking spaces designated for the disabled. It's disgraceful, and there are going to be consequences," Bastian said.
There are 454,000 disabled placards in use around the Bay Area, and a 2008 study found that 45 percent of parking spaces in downtown San Francisco were being used by people with the placards. It wasn't clear how many of those were breaking any laws.
Still, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency spokesman Paul Rose said placard fraud is costing the city substantial revenue.
"Our estimates are we are losing more than $20 million a year from unpaid parking as a result of disabled placards," Rose said.
Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: email@example.com


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When it comes to strength training, there's nothing magical about three sets. In fact, a single set of 12 repetitions can generally build muscle just as efficiently as can multiple sets of the same exercise. So if you're short on time, try this approach: Work your major muscle groups two or three times a week. Do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 repetitions.
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/health-tip/art-20049097
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Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
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Culture and Society
WALLS separate worlds
Babelmed Arab World
2nd edition of the JJEM–Young Journalists in the Mediterranean - competition
EBTICAR-Média 2015: pre-selection of 22 projects
From ancient Greece, a message for euro-skeptics
Culture and Society
Emigration and reasonable love
Emigration and reasonable love
Jalel El Gharbi
A few years ago, the Tunisian coast-guards were dumbstruck to find a female young university graduate on one of the death boats used by the Haragas(*). The whole country was astonished: the young girl's case indicated the seriousness of the situation, the urgency of dealing with these problems. Major cause: unemployment. What was put into question was above all the right of general education for all, considered to be Tunisia's biggest achievement. Considered as a factor of upward social mobility by the majority of Tunisians, it doesn't seem to play this role anymore. Thus, illegal immigration is not the privilege of boys that have failed their studies anymore.
Candidats à l'immigration
The Tunisian socio-demographer Hassen Kasser carried out a survey among a representative sample of 375 Faculty of Arts students showing that nearly 60% of female students aspire to emigrate by all means. This percentage goes up to 70% when these young girls do not find a job once they graduate. These figures have been interpreted in various ways: paradoxically, some have seen a proof of the success of general education in Tunisia, the sign of a female emancipation. More and more emancipated, young girls take their destiny into their hands refusing to be the forgotten youngsters. They also undertake the big jump towards the other Shore. Moreover, young girls represent 60% of students in Tunisia.
Jeune migrante tunisienne
The others, those who don't like the Tunisian experience since it deviates too much from tradition, have seen here an evidence of failure. The female infatuation for emigration has been largely tackled by the media and internet forums of fundamentalist allegiance: it is brandished to make visible the situation of women in the only Arab country outlawing polygamy and giving women a choice in life. Therefore, certain persons have the opportunity to fantasize on Tunisian women on this kind of forums. This is much more pernicious than it seems: all that can represent the failure of the options chosen by the country is heavily emphasized in order to suggest that this model – more of the Tunisians than of Bourguiba – can only lead to failure. This gives rise to comments inspiring Mr. Silvio Berlusconi's jokes who last February the 14th – ironically happening to be Saint Valentine's Day, the haphazard of diplomatic calendars – declares that Italy only accepts "pretty Albanian girls" in front of his Albanian counterpart. Therefore, one shouldn't be surprised to see that the followers of these two interpretations increase figures of Tunisian emigration candidates on purpose. Some of them are proud to promote this equality of "opportunities" between the sexes while others are proud to stigmatize a model giving "too much" freedom to women. There is no access to official statistics. We have to settle with approximate indiscretions: 5% of the thousands of illegal immigrants arrested each year in Tunisia are supposedly Tunisian women and 10% of them would be African women. These vague figures do not include Tunisian women who emigrate through other channels in the Maghreb – that are more secure according to rumours…
Tunisian women prefer a "clandestine" legal emigration: the number of convenience marriages is increasing. Once again, we have no official statistics but it seems that more and more Europeans of a certain age are becoming infatuated with Tunisians. In this respect, the Tunisians living abroad are the most popular parties.
Apart from convenience marriages, the number of Tunisian women married to a European man is increasing significantly. Usually they are French, Italians and German who have converted to Islam. This last detail enables them to circle the religious ban that weigh down on marriages. The women we have managed to question on the subject outline the fact that they have managed to find love with their European partner, free from traditionalist considerations that remain important to a large number of Tunisian men.
Mariage mixte
Of course, this is not the case of all Tunisian women married to foreigners. We have come across beautiful stories like that of the 31 year old Asma. She has married a converted Italian in 2007 and they have a child. Coming from a humble background, she has still had the opportunity to be trained as a secretary. She has worked in an off-shore factory in Cap-Bon. Her boss fell in love with her and they got married. She currently lives in Italy. It is certainly a love match but also a "good plan for the future". She has also managed to move away from her rural area where she was really bored.
It seems that love is often the reason behind these weddings. Leila, 31 years old, married to converted Swiss man since 2002 confirms this. She has two girls and lives in Switzerland. She used to work in a pharmacy in Tunis where she met her future husband who was then a pharmaceutical laboratory delegate. They fell in love and she followed him out of love.
Let us close this gallery of portraits with Saïda, 27 years old, married to a converted French. She met her husband thanks to her maternal aunt who lives in France. She found love and above all, she has managed to free herself from her family problems. In spite of her father's reluctance, who wasn't very enthusiastic to see his daughter getting married to a newly converted, she did not hesitate to accept the new life that she was being offered. She lives in France.
We can see that employment problems are not the unique cause of this attraction for foreign lands. The boredom in rural areas and the need to live one's life seem to be more crucial causes than unemployment. Maybe, these Tunisian women are above all looking for a better quality of life. It also seems that this attraction for other shores is irresistible for both Tunisian young men and women. This is why Europe is not the only destination that young Tunisian women dream of. Of course, France is always on the top of the list of dream destinations but the Golf countries follow immediately after. This does in no case mean that it is more pleasant to live in Koweït City than in Tunis. However the possibilities of a rapid enrichment thanks to
are quite tempting.
If these marriages are not marriages of reason, they are the result of a reasonable love. A love that enables people to go beyond social and national frontiers.
Jalel El Gharbi
Translated into English by Elizabeth Grech
June 2010
-*) In Arabic,
means the ones who burn. Illegal immigrants burn their particulars when they arrive in Europe. So
refers to Illegal immigrants.
Jalel El Gharbi
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On the podium despite everything. Portrait of a young Tunisian girl.
A Portrait of Tunisian Youth
Cigarettes and «hash» in Tunisia
Customary marriages in Tunisia
Positive Lebanon
"The history of relations between Jews and Muslims, from its origins to the present day"
The Nazi threat in Greece: Golden Dawn
In Ramallah, Running Guy Mannes-Abbott
In the white town A web- documentary paying tribute to Casablancans.
To Algeria With Love
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Med Reflection Group: Interviews
President Erdogan, free Cumhuriyet's editors and all other detained journalists!
About us
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text:
Acer Labs rolls out DDR chips for Intel, AMD processors
Post a comment
TAIPEI -- Acer Laboratories Inc. here has introduced its first double-data-rate (DDR) SDRAM-enabled chip sets that support microprocessors made by Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
ALI of Taiwan joins a pack of third-party chip set makers with announced DDR logic controllers which are expected to begin shipping in the fourth quarter. The DDR chip sets are designed for desktop and mobile PCs using Intel's Slot 1/Socket 370 family of CPUs, including Pentium III, Pentium II, and Celeron, as well as AMD's Athlon and Duron chips, according to ALI.
While it is unable to make its own DDR-enabled chip sets becauseof a contractual obligation to Direct Rambus DRAM developer Rambus Inc. in Mountain View, Calif., Intel has approved third-party DDR chip sets to boost the performance of its existing processors -- which sources believe will extend to a new 0.13-micron version of the Pentium III to come to market early next year.
ALI executives have indicated they would be ready to provide DDR chip sets to support Intel's upcoming Pentium 4, too, but haven't been as aggressive as rival Via Technologies Inc., which said recently it will ship DDR chip sets for the P4 with or without a license from Intel.
The DDR SDRAM market is projected to grow from 3% of the total DRAM market in 2000 to 50% in 2004, according to ALI, which cited Sherry Garber, an analyst at Semico Research Corp. in Phoenix. With DDR widely expected to become the mainstream memory technology in the second half of next year, many motherboard makers and manufacturers of desktop and notebook PC are bullish about its prospect.
"We've received endorsement from almost each of the world's top 10 OEMs," said ALI president Chin Wu. Other endorsements have come from Taiwanese companies such as Asustek Computer Inc. -- Intel's biggest motherboard house -- Gigabyte Technology Inc., Acer Inc., Compal Electronics Inc., and Arima Computer Corp., Wu said.
In addition to ALI's devices, DDR chip sets have been announced by Via, Silicon Integrated Systems Inc., Micron Technology Inc., and AMD. The chip sets are being validated, and OEMs expect to have prototype desktop and mobile models to show in November at Fall Comdex in Las Vegas.
ALI's Intel-based desktop DDR chip sets, the Aladdin Pro 5, is $33 in 20,000-unit lots, while the Aladdin Pro 5M for mobile PCs is $38 each in like quantities. Both prices are considerably lower than Intel's initial $42 tag for its 815 series single-data-rate PC133 SDRAM chip set.
The DDR chip set for AMD desktop processors, the ALIMagik 1, is $31 in 20,000-unit lots. The notebook-PC version, the MobileMagik 1, is $36.
Both DDR chip sets for Intel and AMD processors include a new M1535D+ Southbridge for desktop PCs and the M1535+ Mobile Southbridge for notebooks. Desktop and notebook versions of the new Southbridge will be available separately for $14 and $19, respectively.
ALI will use the foundry facilities of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC), both of which are based in Hsinchu, Taiwan.


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Metro-North airs both sides of Mideast debate
The debate over Palestinian statehood has spilled over from the Middle East to the commuter lines of New York City.
On Thursday, California-based pro-Israel group StandWithUs began highlighting its view of the historical Jewish connection to Israel on billboards in Metro-North train stations from Peekskill to Yonkers.
The move comes in response to pro-Palestinian billboards that have appeared at Metro-North stations in the past month featuring maps of Israel from 1946 through 2010 that focus on the expansion of Israel at the expense of Palestinians. The ads, sponsored by Henry Clifford, who is co-chairman of the Committee for Peace in Israel and Palestine, have come under attack by some local politicians and Jewish leaders.
"The anti-Israel ads are a shocking distortion of history," Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUs, said in a statement about the Palestinian ads. "The message presumes there once was an Arab Palestine, when in fact no such country ever existed. As two of our billboards point out, this region has been recognized as the Jewish homeland for over 3,000 years."
Rothstein said the group is spending $16,000 on 75 ads that will be posted at train stations along the Harlem line and in Mount Vernon, Pelham, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Scarsdale, Hartsdale, White Plains and other locations.
Clifford could not be reached for comment Thursday.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Clifford said, "Anyone who challenges these maps and the content of these ads -- it's their obligation to show that they're historically wrong. The ball is in their court."
The battle of the billboards is being waged as Palestinian leaders make a renewed push for statehood recognition by the United Nations Security Council, despite objections from Israel and the United States.


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What would you like to do now?
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 3
Sq Feet: 2,218
City: Chandler
Zip: 85248
Sub Division: Cantabria Shores
Property Description
Located in the heart of Cantabria Shores, this spacious 2218 sq.ft., 2 story townhouse features 2 bedrooms with a large master suite with walk-in closet, a study/den with built-in bookcase & file storage, a large loft, 3 bathrooms & attached 2 car garage. There are 2 large balconies, one off the master suite & one off the second bedroom & loft. Lots of storage including a large shelved storage area under the stairs and a built in workbench in the garage with storage cabinets & overhead storage. Enjoy resort living at its finest in the quiet & exclusive Cantabria Shores gated community with privileges at the Ocotillo Resort and Golf Club. This Troon 27 hole Championship golf course has been ranked by Golf Digest as four-star and one of the Best Places to Play in Arizona.
General Information
School Information
Community Information
Lot Information
- Directions:
- From Ocotillo & Alma School intersection head W on Ocotillo .3 mi to Clubhouse Dr. Turn N onto Clubhouse Dr. E. @ clubhouse. Turn N onto Cantabria. Unit # 1073 will be on the left or West side.
- Cross-Streets:
- Alma School & Ocotillo


text:
'Nigel Farage looks like he enjoys a finger up his bottom' Tory Minister in bizarre rant
UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he is "astonished" at a foul mouthed attack on him by Conservative front-bencher Anna Soubry live on breakfast television.
Nigel Farage looks like somebody has put his finger up his bottom and he really rather likes it.
Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr show this morning, Mrs Soubry made a bizarre claim that Mr Farage "looks like somebody has put his finger up his bottom and he really rather likes it."
Fellow guests Lord Peter Mandelson, political comedian Rory Bremner and Business Secretary Vince Cable looked shocked at the remarks, which were made just before 10am.
Mr Farage called on Mrs Soubry to apologise.
He said: "This latest, remarkable foul mouthed attack is utterly incredulous. Soubry has stooped to the levels of crudity that any politician would spend a life time apologising for.
"This is supposed to be a professional woman representing her political party on a national television programme on a Sunday morning.
"Well I am astonished, and I would imagine the rest of her party is too, as well as deeply embarrassed."
Mr Farage also tweeted: "Perhaps @anna_soubrymp should spend less time investigating digital rectal insertion and more on her brief?"
Speaking aftter the show, Mrs Soubry said: "If he is in any way offended, I apologise unreservedly. It was a light hearted remark"