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We have about four of these now in various places in the house and they are used to a varying degree depending on mood, laziness etc.
This is essentially a plastic track with a ball inside which cats chase up and down so provides exercise and fun. It comes in four parts which are easily (ish) slotted together. You can either have it in the snake configuration shown in the picture on put it together to make a donut shape. You can also if you have more than one set make a bigger figure of eight circuit. We have got a variety of shapes.
The figure of eight if you have two sets is good for bigger cats (like our maine coons) and if you have more than one cat as we find they will play together and chase it round. However it is not great for small kittens as they tend to not have enough power to shoot the ball right round so it comes back to them and so they get bored quickly.
The circle is good for kittens as they can easily bat the ball round and they like using it as a place to curl up and sleep in.
The snake version is good for them to play with another cat and bat to each other. It is not so good for the less than smart cats who stick their paw in and trap the ball at the end and then can't figure out why its not going anywhere!
The track also seems to be good for the cats to try and pick up in their quest to try and figure how to remove the ball and so end up turning the track upside down! They also get a bit frustrated if they get a bit of kibble (don't ask!) in the track which stops the ball free rolling.
A new addition has recently been that you can buy seperately light up balls which has bought a new degree of facination to the proceedings. There is also a race track version with bumps but we haven't tried that yet.
Advantages are that it is relatively cheap about £8 on Amazon and is entertaining for hours if you have a playful cat or a kitten
Disadvantages are if your cat is not an active breed don't bother!
Right now before we start I have to say I am a little bit biased as I am lucky enough to be a breeder of these magnificent animals. Currently we are lucky enough to be slaves to 10 of these beautiful babies so hopefully I know a thing or two about them!
What is a Maine Coon? They are the largest breed of domestic cat with boys growing to around 7-9kg when full grown and females around 4-6kg. They are a slow maturing breed so don't finish growing until they are about 3-4 years old. They are classed as semi long haired. This means that they have a long flowing coats with a ruff round their necks and a massive bushy tail which is about the same length as their bodies. They are often referred to as the tail with a cat on the end! They get a thicker longer coat in winter and shorter in summer. In fact in summer some of them look almost short haired. They have some quite distinctive features (other than their size!) such as long tufted fur between their toes, big paws and big ears with lynx tips on the ends. They have big eyes too. There are a variety of different colours and patterns (more than 60!) which they can be so just about anything goes. Mostly Maine Coons don't meow, they make a unique chirping sound and of course have a very loud purr :)
What is their behaviour? They tend not to be lap cats like some breeds preferring to lay alongside you instead. But to be honest who's got a lap big enough for one anyway! People often say they are the dog of the cat world and certainly their behaviour can be more in tune with a dog. They are easily trainable like dogs and are loyal companions often selecting one person as their slave. They are a very active breed and retain their kitten like behaviour all through their lives. That's great and we love the fact that they still love playing when they are 3 or 4 unlike most breeds that once over a year spend zero time playing and 90% sleeping! However that does come with its drawbacks. While it might seem cute a kitten climbing your curtains not so much when its a 8kg monster! But they are brilliant fun to be around and love games and chasing.
Keeping more than one? Maine Coons are addictive and one is never enough. However I also believe cats especially Maine Coons benefit from a companion. They need another cat to play with and socialise with. To the point where I will not usually home one of my kittens to somewhere where they will be an only cat (doesn't have to be another MC). It also keeps them out of mischief if you are for example out at work.
Feeding a Maine Coon? Hmm being a big cat they do have big appetites. We feed a mixture of dry, wet and raw food to ours. Royal Canin do a Maine Coon dry food which has bigger kibble ideal for them as otherwise they eat about 10 at a time in a mouth full. We buy high quality, high meat content food online as if you were feeding supermarket wet pouches they could easily eat 7 or 8 pouches in a day. Feeding a special raw complete food (not just some chicken fillets) also helps to give them a natural diet and keeps their coats silky.
Health problems? Maine Coons aren't without health problems. Because of their size they can be prone to hip problems so it is important to ensure they don't become too overweight. A heart condition called HCM is also prevalent in the MC population and therefore it is worth finding a breeder who has genetically screened their cats for the rogue gene. However even this doesn't mean your cat wouldn't be at risk as most HCM cases are gene negative but regular vet screening is a good idea. Other than that they are a generally healthy hardy breed.
Being a cat breeder and owner of a number of pampered spoilt cats I have tried possibly every variety of cat litter products out there. We have tried clumping, non clumping, sand, woodchip and everything in between and I can say that they all have plus and minus points but I have never found one they all like or one that doesn't stink the house down. However I may now finally have found it!
OKO plus is a clumping litter which is safe for all cats including kittens. Usually clumping litter isn't suitable for kittens as it can cause an obstruction if they eat it (gross but they do i'm sorry!) but this is bio degradable and is perfectly safe for them.
It is a small pellet litter and when the cat does there business it turns to a kind of jelly and clumps together nicely which makes it really easy to scoop out the lumps. The lumps can be flushed down the toilet although I am a little dubious about that so would not recommend if you have a lot of cats like we do! Once the lump has been removed the litter left is still perfectly clean. This means that trays really need to be emptied and fully changed. We just top up litter when it gets a bit low and do a full change every couple of weeks. It seems to be acceptable to all our cats, none have objected to it which makes for a very happy cat owner. I would recommend filling the tray about half full and then topping up as required. It does seem expensive initially compared to other brands but because it lasts so long we are finding we spend about half what we previously spent on cheaper litters. There is also very little smell which is a huge bonus point for us. It really does lock in the smell so keeps the house relatively odour free.
Advantages- it clumps together really well so easy to remove the waste. It can be flushed or composted. It lasts for ages we use a 40l bag a month for 12 cats so is good value. It is importantly acceptable to most cats!
Disadvantages- it seems quite expensive initially about £25 for 40l but then last for ages. It does track a lot, we sweep the loose litter every day and put it back in the tray but I have found bits upstairs that they have tracked through the house!
To be honest I was a bit dubious about this when I first saw it. We have tried the other new flavours such as strawberry laces but I was a bit worried about smelling of chocolate but we as a family are converts!
We always have a hand wash at the bathroom sink and kitchen sink so thought we'd try it first at the kitchen sink before deciding if it was worthy of a place in the bathroom :)
Like all carex hand wash it comes in a handy pump action bottle which always works well. Some of the cheaper supermarket brands I find the pump action often doesn't work which is very annoying. But this always does. I find Carex ones are good for the skin too and don't leave my skin too dry like some of the other brands. They leave my skin feeling soft and moisturised.
Anyway it smells divine, just the right balance of chocolate with a bit of orange so it doesn't make your hands smell totally of melted chocolate. The dispenser puts out just the right amount of liquid for hand washing, not too much or little so the bottle lasts a while. We are a family of four and a bottle lasts around a week or two.
It would be better if they made these bottles in different sizes so you could have a family sized one but I suppose it wouldn't fit so well on the sink then. At the moment they seem to be on offer in all good retailers either half price at around 85p or bogof so its worth giving it a try especially if you are a chocolate orange fan, get the smell without the calories :)
If you shop online or even sometimes offline then signing up to Quidco is a no-brainer! If you are going to spend the money anyway why not get some money back?
Quidco is a cashback site that offers various rates of cashback for hundreds of well known and not so well known online stores. Everything you want to buy there is bound to be a store on Quidco for it. It has many of the big names such as Play, M&S etc on it. It is easy to use just sign up, enter details of how you want to be paid and at how much for example when your account balance is £20. Then all you need to do is search for the store you want to use and click the link. Everything you then purchase should track through Quidco and you will be paid an appropriate amount some weeks down the line. To begin with if you're like me it takes a while to get used to going to the site first but it soon becomes second nature and you can always set it as your homepage.
The main advantages are that you get paid for spending money you were going to spend anyway. Cashback rates do vary and can even vary by retailer on different categories. For example Play and Boots both have different rates of cash-back depending on what you're buying. Some stores such as Amazon only offer cash-back on certain categories and they change from month to month for example one month it could be jewellery or clothes. Other stores such as Tesco offer cashback on their non supermarket lines such as clothes, tesco direct.
There are so many ways to earn money through Quidco, I recently got £90 back for booking a holiday. You can also earn extra cashback often for signing up for new mobile deals or with sky. You can even earn it for spending nothing such as getting insurance quotes.
Advantages are you are getting paid for nothing, you were going to spend the money anyway so why not get some money back. Usually purchases track and cashback is paid in a couple of months. Sometimes bonus offers such as shopping so many times in one place to get extra.
Disadvantages are none really. If cashback doesn't track it can be a pain to raise a claim but I have found claims are usually settled in your favour.
I have to admit i'm a bit of an Amazon junkie. I like looking through different things they have to offer, I love the 'recommended for you' that comes up on the page based on previous purchase and I have about a million things saved in my basket. I clearly don't get out enough! I think I probably used to spend most of my card earned cash on Amazon but I have cut back drastically (haven't we all!!). There are some things I like though.
Subscribe and save- I like this feature which they now offer. It means that some regular items (mainly cat food) I can get each month delivered with a 15% discount (for having 5 different items delivered) without having to worry about it. I have started adding other things now such as shampoo, razor blades and dishwasher tablets! You do have to be careful not everything is a good deal and I certainly wouldn't advocate regular grocery type products as they are invariably cheaper in the supermarket.
Trade in- have used this a couple of times for old games. Yes it is a bit of a pain putting them each in but trade in value can be higher than other sites and I haven't had a problem.....yet.
Kindle- I am afraid i'm a sucker for books and when the kindle came out I said no way am I getting one, I love the feel of the books turning the pages blah blah. Yes that's gone out the window now, I am a kindle convert. Gone are the paper books. So now I can't help having a look on Amazon (yes probably every day) to see what the daily deal is and if there's anything that looks interesting.
Christmas- I'm sorry but I'm getting too old for dragging round the shops Christmas shopping so if you can't get it on-line, you're not getting it. Amazon was made for Christmas shopping, everything in one place for a good price.
The bad things- yes there are some too. Delivery is one, I'm sorry but I shop on-line to get it delivered not to go traipsing round post offices trying to pick up my parcel. If I'm not in leave it in the shed for goodness sake! Also tax avoidance, I work long hours and expect people and companies to pay their fair share of tax like I have too shame on you Amazon :(
As a cat breeder with 10+ cats finding somewhere that stocks everything they need at a price that's right can be a complete nightmare. However Zooplus has everything and more!!!
Food- We feed our cats on a high quality diet, not supermarket food and finding places that stock food with a meat content more than about 10% is hard. But Zooplus do a wide range of foods such as Bozita, Applaws and Animonda Carny which our cats love but is also great for them. Not only that it is a comparable price to much lower quality foods from supermarkets. We also buy 10kg bags of dry food too which not only saves having to carry it from a specialist store but again is the cheapest i've found it.
Cat trees- Our cats love playing and climbing and Zooplus have stocked a range of cat trees to suit all cats and all budgets. Each month they have different ones on offer and so its worth keeping an eye out if you see something you like.
Other items- we also as you can imagine get through on a regular basis toys, bowls, kitten food, litter trays and cat litter and again Zooplus stocks it all at a good price.
The great thing about having it all in one place is that it all gets delivered together and you don't have to worry about shopping around. They have monthly offers on a great range of items including toys and food so you can always find things suitable. They also do discounts such as 10% off your first order, breeder discounts, a stock up discount of 5% if you spend over £75 and they sometimes offer long term loyalty discounts. We spend around £300 a month with them and tend to buy most things from them now. You can also get cashback usually through certain sites.
Customer service- if you do have any problems such as things missing or damaged in Transit they are only too happy to help and the few times we have had something go wrong they will refund the product and you get to keep it too.
Problems- There are a couple of things to watch for. One is packing isn't always great and I try to organise deliveries so that for example food is separate to cat litter so that the bag doesn't get split.
Other than that I would definitely recommend.
We have a lot of cats! And they tend to enjoy using our settee as a giant scratch post. After trying every method possible to stop them someone suggested getting some scratch toys for them to attack instead. So we now have about 6 various scratch toys for them to claw and rip to shreds including a couple of these brilliant caterpillars.
The cats love to use them for clawing and sharpening their claws. But they also love lying on them too and using them to sleep on. The main problem with that is we have Maine Coons and they just don't fit (apart from the kittens)! However they try their best even if they can only rest their heads on them. All our 12 cats love them they jump on them push them around.
The good thing is that they have been surprisingly long lasting. To be honest being made of cardboard I expected them to not last long at all. But even after relentless attacks they are holding up very well. They are also really good value, they do vary from month to month but I think this month I paid around £7 which for a toy and furniture protector which provides hours of fun is well worth it. It also comes with a little sachet of cat nip so if you find your cat is getting a bit bored then just sprinkle some on and it soon gets their interest again.
I would definitely recommend to people to give it a try, its long lasting, fun and inexpensive. The only drawback is they need to make them bigger so my big babies can stretch out! Attacks to our settee have all but stopped too so much cheaper than replacing the sofa!
As a breeder of Maine Coons having good insurance in place is absolutely essential as vets bills can soon mount up. Luckily we have had little cause to use it, touch wood! However three years ago we had a young cat diagnosed with IMHA (a type of anaemia) where her white blood cells attacked and destroyed the red. Sadly despite extensive and intensive treatment she passed away a few days later. However over the period of treatment she had oxygen therapy, blood tests, blood transfusion, scans and in-hospital treatment. All in all the vets bills for five days were over £2000!!! Because we were with Petplan and the vet could make a direct claim all we had to do was fill in our details and policy number and pay the excess and they took care of the rest. A real relief when you are struggling to cope with what's happening and especially as she passed away we knew we didn't have additional worry over dealing with bills. Petplan text me within 7 days to say the claim had been paid. They even sent a card to us when they knew the cat had died.
The benefits of Petplan are that most vets can do a direct claim so you don't have to pay upfront and then try and get the money back. They also have a good range of policies to suit people. They offer ongoing treatment for ongoing conditions. They are quick to settle claims. They also don't massively increase premiums if you make a claim!
The draw back is the cost, they are a bit more expensive than some other insurers but I know they will pay out for my cats whereas I am not convinced of others.
We give out 4 week free insurance policies with our kittens from Petplan and I always recommend owners get insurance. Yes its expensive if you never have to claim, but vets bills can quickly run into thousands of pounds. Insurance is always a waste of money until you have to claim and then its amazing!
I actually came to this book by accident, having read 'my sisters keeper' but I am glad that I did! The first thing to say is that I actually suffer from the same condition as Willow and so have a somewhat in depth knowledge of OI and the effect it has on both sufferer and their family. In many respects having OI made it a very difficult read on a personal level as it raised questions about my own place in the world and the way people view disability and abortion.
The story is about Willow, a child born with OI (osteogenesis imperfecta) which is a genetic form of brittle bones. Although she features centrally the story is told from other peoples perspectives. So there are chapters written from her mother, father, sister and friends perspectives, each telling how it is for them and the effect that Willow has on their lives, often in a very positive way. We learn that although only 5/6 Willow is extremely intelligent, she gets on with her life and really complains despite having had numerous fractures and operations. There are a number of difficult issues raised in the book. The main focus of which is that her mother decides to sue her best friend, who was also her obgyn, because Willows condition was not picked up until late in pregnancy so the family did not have a choice whether to continue the pregnancy. This on the surface seems very callous and in many respects is. However Charlotte loves her daughter very much and would never have aborted her child, but having a child with OI is extremely costly in terms of medical care and equipment and so Charlotte sees suing for wrongful birth as a way of providing for Willow for the rest of her life. There are a number of different dimensions to the story. For example Amelia, Willows sister has had difficulties dealing with her sisters condition and in particular the attention that Willow receives, leading to self harm etc. There is an interesting part of the story which involves them going to an OI conference and Amelia meets a teenage boy with OI and she feels out of place because everyone else there has the condition but she doesn't and so pretends to have it to fit in!
Charlottes husband Sean plays the character of the sufferer. He feels upset because he cannot provide all the financial support. He loves Willow and is devastated that his wife would be willing to go to court and say that she wishes Willow had not been born.
The story is carried along quickly and I found it difficult to put down. The research into OI is great and the way that it impacts everyone not just Willow. There are also interesting and uncomfortable insights into the breaking of bones, the struggle for independance and a normal life. There is also a piece about child abuse and how often OI has been mistaken for neglect or abuse.
The final chapter is told from Willows perspective, and is told sometime after the final court case. It is a devastating conclusion, in many ways unexpected but in a sense satisfying too. It is obvious there is to be no happy ending but the ending shows that it doesn't matter how much you prepare and think that you know whats coming that something unexpected can still happen.
From my own perspective I found this facinating even though I suffered the condition myself. However I think that it shows that even with a severe medical condition people can shine through. My own story is somewhat more positive. Once I reached my teens, like most people with OI, I stopped breaking so many bones and have gone on to have my own children (OI free) and a fulltime career, although I can no longer walk.
The West Midlands Safari Park is situated in Bewdley near Kidderminster and is accessible from the M5 among other routes.
It is divided into 2 sections, the drive through safari and the walkthrough area including the 'theme park'. In order to access either area you pass through the drive through ticket booths. It currently costs £11.50 for adults and £10.50 per child or you can buy a family ticket for £40.00. You can pay this either by cash, card or tesco clubcard vouchers. The entry price entitles you to drive through the safari as many times as you want and to access all other areas. However if you wish to go on any of the rides these are charges seperately. At the ticket booth you can also purchase guide books and animal feed. The ticket also gives you a free, yes free, return visit at some other time during that season. I think that this makes it excellent value, although obviously you need to live within driving distance to take advantage of it!
Once through the gates you can either choose to park up in the large car park or make your way by car into the reserves.
The drive through safari is approx 5 miles long and will take anything up to a couple of hours to get round. There are NO monkeys so you do not need to worry about your car being taken apart!! The first section has grazing animals deer, rhino, buffalo, zebras and giraffes. Gradually you move through into different sections encountering animals from around the world. There are lions, including the only UK pride of the beautiful white lions. The last time I visited there were several gorgeous cubs. There are also wolves, tigers (orange and white), african wild dogs which are a personal favourite, in wet weather they seem very active and come upto the car, and my absolute favourite the cheetahs. There are also wallabys and elephants. If you don't want to go through the dangerous animal exhibits there are bypass lanes into the other areas. The safari can get very busy at times and so it is best to avoid lunchtime.
The rest of the park is made up of animal and other attractions as well as a variety of shops and food outlets. One of the most original animal exhibits is the free flying bat cave. Not for the faint hearted or those with a delicate sense of small the bat cave has a number of small and large varieties. It is quite dark and may be frightening for some people so be aware. Other animal attractions include sealions, leopards, hippos, goats, aquarium and reptile house. At the far end of the park is the amusement area. There are a number of rides for all ages and dispositions including log flume, a couple of coasters, including a childrens version, carousel, river raft and bungee type ride. All of these need to be paid for either using tickets which can be purchased from a machine. Each ride takes either 1 or 2 tickets. Alternatively you can purchase a wristband for around £10 which is much better value if you want to go on more than a couple of things.
The safari park is open from Feb to Nov and certain dates in December for christmas special. It is well worth a visit with its variety of animal species and other attractions, there is plenty to do for a full day of family fun!!
I graduated from the Marjons (as its affectionately known!) about 4 years ago and I have to say there are many good and bad points about it!
Traditionally it was a teacher training college and one of the best known. However since then it has diversified and now offers a fairly wide range of courses such as ICT, PR, Leisure and Tourism, English etc as well as the teacher training. Many of the courses are sports related and therefore there are excellent sports facilities available, including fields, tennis courts, as well as indoor facilities such as pool and gym.
Its a small college which brings the benefit of having a more family atmosphere and the campus is very close knit. The staff are always helpful and lecturers are excellent. However many of the facilities are dated and could do with updating. Having said that some of the facilities have been recently built with more modern ICT facilities and even some air conditioning!
There is a large library set out on several floors. Within the library there are are quiet study areas and an ICT suite. There is a wide range of books but unfortunately many are out of date or there are not enough copies of popular texts. There are a large number of journals though which I found extremely useful. It is also possible for books to be ordered in from the central library if there is something you need which they do not have. There is also a student book shop near the main entry into the college. They can get any books on your text book list within a couple of weeks(amazon is probably cheaper and quicker though) and they have a reasonable amount of the popular texts in stock. They will also buy back your old text books which is a useful facility.
There are several places to eat and drink. Cafe del Rosa is a 'posh' cafe selling nice but rather expensive sandwiches and bagettes as well as jacket potatoes, chips, pies etc. They also have some rather nice cakes. If you want a basic cheaper option, the dining hall is next door. They sell more standard student grub, greasy but tasty breakfasts etc. There is also the student union bar, 'the sub' upstairs.
Personally I didn't stay in halls so don't know fully what is available. The halls are in several standard blocks with single rooms and en suites. I have been told that they are reasonable. There is also a launderette facility.
For parents there is a nursery on site. I used this for one of my children and found it to be great. It is open long hours and the staff are great. It is relatively low priced too and 3/4 can get free places.
The location of the college is of both benefit and curse. It is set out of Plymouth, close to the moors. It is close to Derriford hospital, the regions main hospital, ideal for those 'college accidents' and the 'one too many' nights. It is also situated right next door to Plymouth Airport, I mean right next door, you can see the planes from the car park!! Parking is a problem there is no-where near enough for the number of people and because of its isolated location most people have cars because the bus service is rubbish! Nearby, well about 5 minutes drive is a large tesco and asda for your shopping needs. Home Park, home of Plymouth Argyle is about 10 minutes away as well as Plymouth city centre.
I enjoyed my time at Marjons. It was friendly and welcoming. The staff were good and I came out with a good degree (not teaching!). However in the past Marjons has not had a great reputation academically. In fact in the late 90's they lost their university status and degrees were issued from the university of Exeter (like mine) but I understand that they are officially a uni once more. If you want a closeknit community feel, more homely and you have a car then Marjon is for you. If you want somewhere close to the action then maybe not.
An Accidental Light is the first novel from Elizabeth Diamond and hopefully it won't be her last. I came across it by accident on Amazon through one of their 'other people bought this' recommendations and it is excellent.
The book tells the story of two families who are struck by a terrible tragedy. One night on his way home from work as a police officer Jack Phillips knocks down and kills a young girl Laura Jenkins. Whenever you hear or read about these incidents the focus is always on the victim (the dead person) and their family, but this book explores the fact that there are two sides and that the victim can also be the culprit. This was an accident with no-one at fault, a rainy evening with the light fading, a child stepping out thinking the way is clear and a man unable to stop when she steps out in front of him.
Anyway the story follows the Jenkins family as they struggle with their grief, Laura was an only child and the glue that held the couple's marriage together. The husband becomes fixated on Jack and begins a hate campaign against him. Lisa, his wife wants to move on and slowly begins to rebuild her life, doing things she's never done before, getting a job.
On the other side Jack is overwelmed by the situation. He blames himself and cannot sleep or function normally, having visions of the accident and the aftermath. Obviously no charges are brought against him but it doesn't stop him feeling guilty. He has time off work through anxiety and stress and starts to see a counsellor. However other people, work and family keep telling him to pull himself together and get over it. Eventually he quits his job and his marriage breaks down. Slowly he begins to get on with life by revisiting issues in his past including his fathers abandonment and his mothers suicide which have all led to this point.
Jack and Lisa meet and begin to form a friendship each of them helping the other come to terms with what happened.
I really enjoyed this book, it is very detailed and the author has given the charactors a lot of depth. It was interesting to read a book on an emotive subject which looks at both sides and how a tragedy has reprucussions for all of those involved. It is uplifting despite the subject with the central characters ultimately finding something out about themselves which enables them to build a different life. There is also a lot of sadness too, the death of a child is never easy and as a parent it makes you shudder realising how easy it is for something to happen like this. Definately worth a look.
I have travelled with Virgin and Virgin Holidays on a number of occasions including in Feb this year to go to Florida. To be honest I can't imagine travelling with anyone else anymore! I booked my holiday over the telephone about a year ago. This was a smooth process and I was given the booking reference which enabled me to pre book my seats. This is free with Virgin (I believe a number of other operators charge for this). The holiday was well priced in comparision to other comparable operators. I always choose them when we go to Florida as they fly into Orlando International which is only about 15 minutes from the main hotel centres, whereas most Charter companies Thomson, Airtours etc use Sanford which is about 60 miles away. Anyway I booked our seats online, managed to get the bulkheads with extra leg room on way out. On the way back I could only get 2 rows of two so put son and hubby in front row with extra leg room. About 6 weeks before we had a letter to say that unfortunately our hotel was closing and we were given a choice of 3 others we could choose at no extra cost. Once at the airport check in was quick and easy. They have an excellent luggage allowance too 2 bags of 23 kilos each whereas most operators only allow 1 bag of 20 kilos. The flight was good, a bit of turbulance but hardly Virgins fault!! Free drinks including alcohol available throughout the flight. There was also a good entertainment selection with a number of recent films to suit all tastes as well as tv channels. Once we arrived in Orlando baggage claim was simple as was picking up our rental car, Virgin have their own hire car desks at Orlando airport. Got to the hotel and was given some free meal tokens because of the hotel change. On our return trip we were able to drop our cases off at their downtown disney checkin area at 8:30 in the morning which is great, it means you don't have to carry your cases round all day. Although I had pre booked the seats they offered to change them so that we all got the extra leg room. All in all a good experience. My only problem with them was that there was a mix up with the car hire as we were staying 16 days but they had only booked the car hire for 14 but it was easy to sort out. Will definately go with them next time.
I have recently returned from Florida and had the pleasure to visit Discovery Cove for the first time. Now there's no point pretending it's cheap...it's not. In fact it cost about £700 for four of us. However that did include a 14 day ticket for Seaworld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica. There are cheaper tickets available which include 7 day tickets for Seaworld or non dolphin swim tickets but this was the best all in package for us.
Anyway the day was fantastic! We first arrived at about 8:30am and were shown into the checkin area which looked more like a hotel lobby. We were given our passes (these were for entry to other parks too), map and told what time our dolphin swim would be and where. We were then shown to where we could get breakfast. This consisted of things including pastries, muffins, cereal as well as drinks. After we had finished we were guided to the changing area where we were given wetsuits (or wet vests), snorkels etc. I believe they even had prescription masks for those who needed glasses. The changing area and showers were spotless with large fluffy towels, shower gel, shampoo etc was all provided free. Once changed you can head to various areas. There is a walk through avairy where you can feed the exotic birds with pots of fruit which is extremely beautiful. Alternatively there is the stingray lagoon. The water here is waist deep and full of a number of rays, all of which are perfectly gentle. The kids in particular love it. My two spent hours in there. If you are lucky you might get to feed them too which is fun as the rays crowd round and try to 'climb' up you when they sense food! There is also the tropical lagoon. In here there are thousands of tropical fish and extremely large sting rays free swimming. Here the snorkal comes into its own as the view under the water is stunning. There is a novel touch in there too as there is a viewing area under water where you can look through glass at sharks and baracuddas. If you prefer a relaxing swim there is a warm pool (about 85f) and lazy river which circles the park. The lazy river also allows access to the avairy via a waterfall which you swim through. Finally is the dolphin swim. You are taken down after a short pep talk to the dolphin lagoon in groups of 8-10. You then spend around 30 minutes in the water with 'your' dolphin where there is plenty of interaction touching, feeding and playing and the opportunity for a tow to shore by the dolphin from deeper water if you choose. Whilst in the water a team films your experience and takes photos which you have the opportunity (at a price!) to purchase later. All food and drink is included in the price including a lovely lunch with a wide choice of sumptous food, and you can go back for seconds or thrids! At the end of the day is the opportunity to purchase your photos and DVD's. This is not cheap. The full package is $139 which includes a cd of your photos including dolphin swim and any others taken round the park such as in the avairy and rays and several prints and keyrings. The DVD of your dolphin swim will cost an additional $50. Although expensive it is a truly magical day. A limited number of people (1000 max) are allowed in so it never feels crowded. You are well treated with staff on hand to help with everything you need. If you have disabilities you are well catered for with special wheelchairs that go across the sand and into the water. All in all brilliant!!!


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R.A. Dickey has an imposter and he was lurking deep within the bowels of Rogers Centre Thursday night like a spy, trading secrets to the Houston Astros about the mystical ways of the knuckleball.
The international man of mystery in this case was Steve Sparks, himself a former Major League knuckleball practitioner who has gone over to the dark side since retiring in 2005, now working as a colour analyst on Astros radio baseball broadcasts.
After having to contend with the 98-mile-an-hour fastball that Toronto starter Brandon Morrow featured during Wednesday's game, some of the Astros were a bit leery at the prospect of now having to confront Dickey.
For a while at least it was a pretty fair pitching duel that broke out in the finale of the three-game set, with the Astros (4-6) spoiling Toronto's (5-5) hopes of its first sweep of the regular season with a 6-4 victory.
Dallas Keuchel notched the win for the Astros before 15,778 very silent fans, with the lefty stringing together seven quality innings of well-crafted work, allowing just one Toronto run off five hits while striking out six.
Colby Rasmus swatted his first home run of the year in the fifth inning, the only real damage the Blue Jays could inflict on Keuchel (1-1).
While Morrow serves up serious heat, Dickey's knuckler will float up to the plate like a butterfly meandering through a summer garden. To a batter, you almost feel you can swing three times at the same pitch like in the old cartoon.
To try to get up to speed, so to speak, on Dickey's dealings, the Astros engaged Sparks to throw a little knuckleball batting practice the player's way at the indoor batting cage.
Kind of like eating the appetizer before tackling the main course.
"They just felt like seeing a couple rounds of it and making some adjustments would be a good thing," Sparks said. "These are guys I'm around all the time so I'm happy to help."
As Dickey had allowed just one lonely Houston hit (to Jason Castro) through the first four innings, one had to wonder about the effectiveness of Sparks' tutoring.
But the Astros broke out in the fifth, beginning with a leadoff double by Marc Krauss, who homered off the Toronto pitcher when he last faced him last year.
Robbie Grossman then smacked his first home run of the season after Dickey fell behind 3-0, a sky-high bomb to right field, that put the Astros in front 2-0.
As far as trying to emulate Dickey in front of the Houston batters before the game, Sparks said that no two knuckleball pitchers really throw the same.
He said he was just trying to give the players a taste of what the ball looks like upon delivery.
"It's just different seeing the ball out of the hand when it's deadened like that," he said. "Guys aren't trying to throw downhill.
"You're trying to stay behind the ball a long time so it comes in at a different angle.
"It's almost like seeing the ball from a submarine pitcher. It's going to go up a little bit before it goes down. And so it's good for guys to see it and be able to make adjustments."
After Rasmus's blast cut the Houston lead to 2-1, Houston tagged on three more runs in the seventh, a rally that began with a double into the right field corner by Matt Dominguez.
A walk by Grossman was then followed by a three-run home run shot Dickey surrendered to Jonathan Villar that broke the game open.
Dickey was not around to start the eighth inning, his evening done after surrendering five Houston runs off six hits, including two home runs, while walking three and striking out four.
Esmil Rogers came into the game and promptly gave up a solo home run shot by Jason Castro. For the Toronto starter, his record is now 1-2 on the season, his ERA at 5.30.
Melky Cabrera had two of the Toronto hits, both doubles, to continue his torrid start.
The leftfielder has now collected at least one hit in every game this season, his first double in the first inning extending his hit streak to 10 games.
The Blue Jays staged a bit of a rally in the ninth, when pinch hitter Adam Lind doubled to left-centre off Josh Field that cut the Toronto lead to three with two out.
Cabrera came to the plate and his little squibber to the left side was fielded by Anthony Bass, the new Houston pitcher, whose throw to first base was high for an error.
This allowed Lind to come in from second to bring the score to 6-4 while Cabrera wound up at second.
The affair finally ended with Maicer Izturis grounding out to the pitcher.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Eastbourne's three-piece thunderstorm Let's Talk Daggers released their Martin Ruffin recorded and produced debut album 'A Beautiful Life' through Tangled Talk Records on October 23rd 2015, to wide spread acclaim, supported by a UK and European tour.
*** I Love You Dad, But I'm Mental received played on Kerrang! Radio , BBC Radio 1 Rock Show and the XFM Rock Show and featured on Metal Hammer cover cd***
Let's Talk Daggers 2013 release - the EP "Fantastic Contraption" (Tangled Talk) - exploded out of the underground rock scene garnering rave reviews from Kerrang!, Terrorizer, Rock Sound, Big Cheese and a huge list of online blogs that includes the revered Punktastic. They have received play from Daniel P. Carter for Radio 1 Rock Show, BBC Introducing Radio 1 and Tom Robinson for BBC 6 Music.


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Written on: 24/08/2013 by sultan97 (1 review written)
i have 5 order and just received one. i tried to contact to by email more than 5 time but most where ignored or the would say to me check with ur neighbors since i am from Dubai our lifestyle is different than american lifestyle we don't have strong bond with our nieghbors so how do they expect me going to them and asking them about my order. i think this is the worst customer surviece . and i wouldn't order from this website again


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An Amarillo man, Brian Phea 25, has been arrested on sex trafficking charges.
The actual charges by federal officers is using a cellphone and the internet to promote a sex trafficking ring in Odessa, Texas.
Brian Phea was arrested in Amarillo on felony charges. The charges carry a 5 year prison sentence.
Reports state that Phea met a Houston girl on the website 'Tagged' and told her to move to Amarillo so he could 'take care of her'. After catching a bus to Amarillo, Phea reportedly had sex with her in his mother's house before taking her a hotel room in Odessa with other girls.
Phea had created a website offering up the girl's sexual services along with purchasing her a cellphone.


text:
Daily-Rock Quebec recently conducted an interview with the incomparable guitar aficionado Joe Satriani. You can now listen to the chat in eight parts below.Satriani last month kicked of an extensive U.S. tour, and first-ever cross-Canada trek, supporting his new album, "Unstoppable Momentum". The tour launched on August 29 in San Diego, California before crisscrossing its way across the U.S., in addition to a trans-Canadian tour where Satriani will be hitting many Canadian cities for the very first time. The North American tour will end with a show on October 26 in Oakland, California. Joining Satriani on the road are veteran bandmate Mike Keneally (Frank Zappa, Steve Vai) on keyboards, along with an entirely new rhythm section, featuring bassist Bryan Beller (DETHKLOK, Dweezil Zappa) and drummer Marco Minnemann (Adrian Belew, Steve Wilson). "Unstoppable Momentum", Satriani's 14th studio album, was released on May 7. The CD debuted at No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart, giving Satriani his highest chart position in over 20 years, and first single, "A Door Into Summer", landed in the Top 10 on the Classic Rock radio chart.
JOE SATRIANI Interviewed By DAILY-ROCK QUEBEC (Audio)
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text:
Full-time Programming PositionsApply
Ref#: 29441
CBS Business Unit: CBS Radio
Job Type: Full-Time Staff
Job Schedule: Full-Time
Job Location: Dallas, TX, US
About Us:
CBS RADIO is one of the largest major-market broadcast media operators in the United States and the undisputed leader in news and sports radio. Producing original audio and video content, live events and exclusive programming broadcast via on-air, online and mobile platforms, CBS RADIO reaches more than 72 million consumers nationwide each week. As a part of CBS Corporation, the division owns and operates 117 radio stations in 26 markets - including the top 10 as ranked by Nielsen Audio - as well as an extensive array of digital assets. CBS RADIO distributes its programming via AM, FM and HD Radio stations, Radio.com and CBS Local Digital Media apps, making engaging with audiences easier than ever before. For more information, please visit www.cbsradio.com.
CBS Radio is looking for full-time on air personalities, board operators and programming professionals.
Applicants should have minimum of three years experience and be familiar with all aspects of commercial broadcasting operations. Must also be available for station promotional appearances as needed.
Apply @ www.cbsradio.com. No phone calls please. CBS Radio Dallas is EOE.
EEO Statement:
Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled


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I'm sure my system is just not resolving enough to be able to hear what these beautys can do. Can someone explain how these things will work their magic? What kind of wire is attached to each end of the fuse holder that these beautys are snapped into, certainly it will diminish the magic of these foam damped gold plated sound improving FUSES!!!!!! http://www.psaudio.com/products/criticallink.asp
You are here
October 21, 2006 - 3:01am#1
More "audiophile" FUSES!!!!!
December 16, 2006 - 8:11pm#2
Re: More "audiophile" FUSES!!!!!
Gee, why don't I ever think of this stuff. $30 for a fuse and of course no return because of the nature of fuses.
I could quit my day job...


text:
- This article is about image editing help. For image use policy, see NeoDex:Image use policy.
An image - be it a picture, a diagram, or, where appropriate, a photograph - can help illustrate an article's subject. A picture's worth a thousand words, after all - knowing how to put images on articles is an important part of being an editor.
Using images[edit]
If you put the URL of an image in an article, it automatically turns into the picture itself when the article is viewed. This is a very simply way of including articles from external sources. You can align them left or right with a bit of table code. For example:
This would look like the image on the right. Doing this quickly shows the image the editor wants and how it can be presented into the article.
However, images should ideally be uploaded to the Neodex's server space instead of being pulled from a different website. This means we have greater control over the image and what we can do with it. Image can be uploaded with the Upload file tool.
Images uploaded to the Neodex (colloquially wikiimages) should be used in favour of external images. The newbie shield image has been uploaded to the Neodex image database with the name "Newbie Shield.gif". This means we can use the following code to replicate what we've done above:
[[Image:Newbie Shield.gif|right]]
Instead of "right", "left" or "center" can be used to align the image differently.
The result would then be what it looks like to the right. Different file names refer to different files, but the "Image:" prefix must be kept. We can do more things with a wikiimage than we can with an external image. We can add a frame and a caption like this:
[[Image:Newbie Shield.gif|right|frame|This is the Newbie shield found on the User Lookups of new Neopets users.]]
This puts a little frame around the image and puts a caption explaining what it is underneath it.
Sometimes, an image may be too large to include on a page: for example, this image is 1,583 by 1,301 pixels wide. Instead of including it with the frame property, we instead use the thumb property. This makes it a thumbnail (small version) of the image.
[[Image:Neopets 2 layout.png|left|thumb|This image is too big to put in a frame.]]
Readers can click on the thumbnail to bring up the larger image on the file page. Thumbnails can be made to be specific sizes, for example, adding "200px" would make the thumbnail 200 pixels wide.
[[Image:Neopets 2 layout.png|left|thumb|This image is too big to put in a frame.|200px]]
As long as the first thing that's specified is the image name - with the "Image:" prefix, the other properties can be set in any order. Properties must be divided by vertical bars - on most US and UK keyboards, these can be typed by pressing shift and backslash ("\").


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Phone number: (03) 9315....
Business Info
Recommend This Business
The review system is a way for customers of this business to easily share their opinion. By sharing your experience with this business, you help other consumers find the right business for them! By leaving a review, you also earn STARPOINTS. Starpoints can be redeemed for cash or prizes like iTunes giftcards. Find out more about Starpoints here.
Some tips when posting a review: When writing a review, see if you can be as balanced as possible. What did you like, what didn't you like? Here are some things to think about - How was the customer service? How was the product or service quality? How was the price/value? Please also check and adhere to the editorial guidelines when posting a review.
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- E 2.1 km Take That Furniture
Nearby Suburbs
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The Famous Seattle Seahawks hall of shame, Brian Bosworth and Rick Mirer top the list of Seattle worst picks ever.
The draft has evolved since when i was a young kid back in 1976, yet some of the worst picks that the Seattle Seahawks have made will haunt some of us forever.
Brian Bosworth made the list of the NFL's top 10 worst draft pick as did Rick Mirer out of Notre Dame.
I have to admit i thought for sure Bosworth would be a great pick and even did my part as a Seahawks fan and purchased a Boz Jersey, now it's a worthless piece of garbage like the Boz became.
Well i could get into writing a complete article of these 2 idiots, but ill leave it short and sweet because of the traumatic memories still in my head of these 2 fools might cause a moment of trauma relapse and make me do something bad.
So get a load of some tidbits of last years Draft with Aaron Curry and others as they experienced the NFL Draft first hand!
Curry began thinking about what to wear in late February. The draft was held in April. Two months of planning for a moment he spent years imagining culminated when Seattle chose him with the fourth overall pick.
"It was living a dream," Curry said of that moment. "Growing up, you watch it every year."
Well, maybe now you do.
But in 1976, prospects sat at home and waited for the phone to ring. No television coverage, no commissioner stepping to the podium as a nation watched. If a player was waiting in a green room to be chosen it was only because he made an odd choice of interior paint at home.
Steve Niehaus was in his room at Notre Dame on April 8, 1976 when he got the call telling him he was the first draft choice in franchise history. Mel Kiper Jr. wasn't yet old enough to drive when the league's 28 teams got together at the Roosevelt Hotel in the middle of the week to make 17 rounds worth of picks.
Even when the draft was televised for the first time in 1980, it was available in so few homes that the Dallas Cowboys had to scramble just to get the broadcast available in their headquarters.
Curry was born in 1986, so he doesn't remember when the draft was an afterthought. Today, two networks televise an event that has expanded to three days and developed its own vocabulary of mock drafts, sleepers and the Wonderlic test used to measure a player's smarts.
Other than the Super Bowl, the draft is the biggest day on the NFL calendar. Well, the biggest three days now because the draft lasts longer than ever and has been moved to prime time. It will start with the first round Thursday night, continue Friday and conclude Saturday.
"It's overkill," said Curt Warner, the Seahawks' first-round draft pick in 1983. "That's my opinion. But I'll be watching like everybody else. At least some of it."
Today's draft
The party got under way at Jillian's in downtown Tacoma, a hometown celebration for Marcus Trufant's impending selection in the 2003 draft.
Just one thing missing: Trufant.
He was tucked away with his family, watching from a distance.
"All the pressure and stuff at the draft, I was at a local hotel," said Trufant, who was chosen No. 11 overall by Seattle. "We waited until I got picked and then we went over to the party."
The draft is a spectacle now, but it's also a spotlight.
Two years ago, Brady Quinn waited through more than half of an interminable first round. Projected as a potential top-five choice, Quinn was chosen No. 22.
Disappointment is just part of the drama of draft day. Fans of every team have something to watch and wait for, watching who their team selects in what is the single most important factor in determining a franchise's success.
"Reality television," Warner said.
It certainly is, growing into an event that no one could have imagined when it was televised for the first time 30 years ago.
"It's just amazing what has happened," Green said. "It's a big show now. It's a huge show."
The draft has become a destination in the dreams of today's players, which is why Curry began thinking about what suit to wear two months in advance.
"You see those guys in the green room, those are the best guys in college football, period," Curry said. "And then you actually get to the part when you're in there, it's just a special feeling."
The memories evoke a smile.
"The air is so thick in there," Curry said. "Me and my wife always talk about how you know you're going to get drafted because you're in there. But you're waiting for your phone to ring, and until it rings, you're on edge."
So as much as things have changed since Seattle's first draft in 1976, one thing remains the same. Players are still waiting for that phone call.


text: I use a app called ColorID on my Blackberry which changes the color of the LED and flash pattern, etc. I use it for when I am On-Call and it flashes a different color when calls & emails come in from work. I asked them about whether they had a Android app, and got a quick reply that they were working on it, but not all Phones have LED. Shocker to me, I just assumed all modern phones had a LED. So, does the Dell have an LED or are they other applications that do something similar, like flash the whole display or something?


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Be Safe I Love You
Be Safe I Love You
On December 18, 2011, the last American troops were withdrawn from Iraq. Since then, there's been a handful of fiction --- most notably, Ben Fountain's BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK, Kevin Powers's THE YELLOW BIRDS and Phil Klay's REDEPLOYMENT --- held up as being the most accurate at capturing, on the battlefield and off, some of the more unspeakable aspects of the Iraq war. And in keeping with the tradition of "war literature," the voices heard in those books have been resoundingly male. Cara Hoffman, author of SO MUCH PRETTY, has set out to redress that imbalance in her latest novel, BE SAFE I LOVE YOU.
Set in Watertown in upstate New York, the book opens with the unannounced return of Lauren Clay, a soldier back from nine months duty in Amarah, Iraq. Lauren is a "good girl," smart and talented, traits that set her apart from the people she has grown up with. She also possesses a driving need to look out for others, particularly her younger brother Danny, whose welfare is jeopardized by their father, Jack, an unstable man torn apart by a failed marriage and a history of alcoholism and violent moods. Jack's unreliability had been the primary motivation behind Lauren's decision to enlist in the first place. She bypassed college --- and a potential career in singing --- because she needed to know that no matter what happened, Danny would have a roof over his head. Fort Drum, the local army base in Watertown, provided her with a solution, albeit at a price.
"BE SAFE I LOVE YOU is an important step into new territory that hopefully will blaze a trail for other writers to follow."
Lauren works to reintegrate into her life state-side, gingerly reconnecting with the folks she'd left behind, such as Shane, her sort-of boyfriend, and Holly, her friend from high school, a single mom who works at the local bar, The Bag of Nails. But Danny remains Lauren's primary concern. Danny is obsessed with all things arctic, finding an escape from life at home with Jack in images of frozen landscapes he finds on the Internet. Lauren, thinking he's too reliant on images and too disconnected from reality, hatches a plan to whisk him away from Watertown and up into Canada to bring him face to face with the harsh truth he thinks he understands. She also hopes to meet up with Daryl, a fellow soldier and friend under her command in Iraq, who has settled in Canada with his wife.
Meanwhile Dr. Klein, an army psychologist, is anxious to make contact with Lauren after discovering an overlooked detail in her final medical report that suggests she might not be ready for civilian life just yet --- that she might, in fact, be a bit unstable.
Though it's never referred to by name, Lauren is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and in the short time she spends in Watertown --- the bulk of the book's action spans about one week --- her behavior becomes increasingly erratic, while her patience for other people's inability to follow her orders or live a more purpose-driven life pushes her to the brink. "She'd come home to a world of fragile baby animals," Hoffman writes of Lauren. "Soft, inarticulate, wide-eyed morons with know-nothing epiphanies and none of them --- not one of them --- did what she said, which was beginning to grate on her, cut to the heart of how wrong things were."
Beyond a terse description of the traumatic episode in Iraq that pushed Lauren over the edge, there's surprisingly little in BE SAFE I LOVE YOU about the war itself or the challenges women face within the military system. And when The Bag of Nails goes up in flames and suspicion is cast on Lauren --- by then AWOL in the woods with Danny --- the book sharply detours into thriller territory and never finds its way again. It's a shame, because Hoffman is thoroughly convincing in her depictions of Lauren's turbulent inner life as she struggles to reclaim her identity as both an individual and an artist. The change in tone nearly flattens everything that's come before it.
However, shortcomings aside, BE SAFE I LOVE YOU is an important step into new territory that hopefully will blaze a trail for other writers to follow. Surely, Lauren Clay's story is not the only female soldier's story to be told.
Reviewed by Damian Van Denburgh on April 10, 2014
Be Safe I Love You
- Publication Date: April 21, 2015
- Genres: Fiction
- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster


text:
Graduated January 21st 2010 and the rest is history. I was frustrated in California, completed 2 yrs of prerequisite in community colleges and could not get in to any LVN -RN program. I had worked as LVN for 25 yrs. I stumbled into Apollo college live talk on the internet and the person I communicated with explained ti detail that the program was in Boise Idaho, he thought I will not be interested. I took all the info and followed up. 3 weeks laterI drove to Boise and started . I left my job,my husband and family flew back and forth to Calfornia every other week.. I rented a room from another student for $325 a month. I graduated,jan21, 2010. I took my boards exam Feb 25 and passed, and I started Chamberlain College March 3rd 2010 and graduted with my BSN June 25 2011. With the help of the Carrington College nursing instructors, I started BSN- Doctor of Nursing Practice in January 2012. I hope to have my doctorate completed in 2014.
Unbelievable? They made my dreams come true
/ /
Posted on April 11, 2012


text:
Food & Beverage Team Member
Hours: Part time/Seasonal
The Zoo is seeking energetic, responsible and service-oriented applicants for seasonal employment opportunities in our Café.
The Safari Café is looking for people with the following, but not limited to, skills:
Principle Duties & Responsibilities:
• Ensure prompt, efficient, and friendly service at all times to the Zoo visitors
• Maintain cleanliness and appearance of Cafe at all times
• Ensure that all food orders are in above standard quality
• Perform daily set-up, preparation, and clean up of Café area
• Perform cashiering duties
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule
• Other duties as assigned
• Must acquire Level II food handlers permit (Information will be supplied)
• Great communication skills
• Previous food service experience
• Self-motivated and be able to complete tasks as assigned.
• Must be able to lift, bend and stand for long periods also withstand humid hot conditions
• Must be at least 16 years old to apply
Please complete application for this position and return to Michelle Cartwright. You will be contacted, if your application reflects the job skills needed for this position, to set-up an interview.


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Pinterest: The Pinboard as Personal Museum
In his 1972 book Ways of Seeing, the novelist/art critic John Berger notes that home bulletin boards, or pinboards, on which people pin letters, snapshots, reproductions of paintings, newspaper cuttings, original drawings, and postcards, are like personal museums. Forty years later, Pinterest has become the personal museum of millions around the world. Launched three years … Continued


text:
running latest version of JSLint from Rhino
Expand Messages
- Should I be able to run the latest version of jslint.js that is in
GitHub using Rhino?
I'm trying to run it like the following, but don't get any output when
I know the input JavaScript file (test.js) contains errors.
$RHINO_HOME/js.jar org.mozilla.javascript.tools.shell.Main
$JSLINT_DIR/jslint.js test.js
R. Mark Volkmann
Object Computing, Inc.
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text:
Evolution of a Feedee
By Ned Fox
Sally was petite, five-two, she now, weighed only one hundred and ten pounds. She used to weigh around one-fifty in high school and she really did not mind being "chubby" as her mom put it.
Sally's Mom, sisters Janie and Susie were all heavy, well more likely obese. The whole family had been fat pretty much their whole lives.
Sally was the only one who had gone to college and that was out in Colorado, where she fell into the fitness trap nearly immediately, getting assigned a "buff" roommate.
Sally had dated totally buff guys now since and during her college career and she was tried of the constant working out, all the dates revolving around some fitness activity. She was really a "dinner, a show (movie) and ice cream after" kind of girl.
She confided in Janie, her older sister, while visiting over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
"Sally, why don't you just let go and enjoy yourself, do you really want to be on a diet the rest of your life?" admonished Janie, standing in the kitchen in only panties and a t-shirt, neither one doing a good job of containing her girth.
Janie was the fattest of the daughters, only Mom was fatter than her. Janie's husband too was very fat, nearly three-fifty. He and Janie owned a restaurant where they spent seven days a week at.
Sally sighed, "I really would not mind gaining weight again. But I want to find a decent guy. I am afraid if I get too fat, I will not find anyone."
Janie giggled, "Come with me".
Sally followed her waddling sister into the den, Janie lowered herself, heavily, into the chair in front of the computer and logged on.
Janie brought up her favorite site. "Fantasy Feedee" Sally just looked on over her shoulder.
"Sally, see, there are a lot of guys who love fat girls." Said Janie. Sally was stunned, she had never thought that guys would be into fat chicks. But what really got her attention was the feedee/feeder section. To think that guys or for that matter girls too, would actually feed their significant other to fatten them up for sexual gratification really turned her on!
"Janie, can I look through this site for awhile, Alone, please." Janie giggled in reply, "Sure sis, enjoy yourself!" Janie got up from the chair and waddled back into the kitchen. Her appetite was stimulated every time she went to the site.
Sally was enthralled. She surfed through the site looking at profiles, pictures and posts. Nearly two hours into her "epiphany" Sally nearly shrieked out loud.
There was a picture of a guy, wearing a tight "Speedo" style black bikini brief, sticking out a modest paunch and she recognized him from work! She went to his profile and sure enough, she knew exactly who he was!
It was Ned Fox from the marketing department. Sally thought, "I have seen him around, nice enough and really not bad looking either, but he has never made an effort to talk to me." Sally sat for a minute and then it hit her, "Duh, no wonder he has never hit on me. He loves this site and I am so slim now, of course he would not be attracted to me."
To her surprise, Ned was online at that moment. She sent a message, using Janie's login.
"Ned, what a surprise, we work together! I would like to talk to you, can we get together?" she typed.
Ned responded almost immediately, "Is Janie your real name or just a screen name, I don't know of anyone at work, named Janie."
Sally typed back, "Ned, Janie is my sister. My name is Sally. I work in accounting."
He typed back, "Oh Sally, I have seen you around the office. You are really cute, but, uh thin too."
Sally giggled, "Thank you for the compliment Ned. I am thin, now, but that could change! Lol. Ned I really would like to meet you."
Ned, stunned, typed back. "How about Monday for lunch?"
Sally giggled again to herself, "How about Monday for dinner? I don't want to worry about eating to much and having to go back to work!"
Ned typed back. "Date!"
Sally signed off, but not before creating her own login account.
Sally went to her room and took off her pants and blouse and pulled on a t-shirt for some modesty and went down to the kitchen.
Janie looked up, "Hey girl where are your pants?" Sally giggled, "Hey you don't have any on, why should I?" Janie said, slapping her huge belly, "Because I am stuffing myself as usual and I can ruin clothes doing that." She giggled.
Sally told Janie all about Ned Fox at work and setting up a date. She even told her about her comments about how her weight could change!
Sally then asked, "Janie, can you help me with some "weight training" I want to show Ned some more of me for our first date!"
Janie shrieked, "Sally you have come to the right person. This weekend is the best weekend of the year for gaining weight! Put your skinny little bottom in that chair and let big sister take good care of you!"
Janie spent the whole Thanksgiving weekend stuffing Sally to capacity. The rest of the family was overjoyed that skinny little Sally was finally coming to her senses and putting on weight.
Sunday afternoon, Sally was giggling and getting turned on trying to fit into her jeans. Under Janie's tutelage, she had gained nearly ten pounds! Sally settled for leaving her jeans un-snapped and her t-shirt riding up on her newly plump tummy.
On Monday morning, Sally carefully selected her sexiest dress to wear. She made sure she had on tight panties and a bra from maximum panty lines. The dress was short, so it showed off her new pounds!
Ned came by her accounting early. He was stunned when he saw Sally, clearly she had gained weight in only a few days since their email/chat room exchange! She was eating donuts too! How awesome!
"Hey Sally good morning!" said Ned walking up to her desk. "I am really looking forward to our date tonight. Any thoughts on where you would like to go to?"
Sally giggled and swallowed her third donut, "Ned how about the new buffet on Main Street, I have heard the food is really great and it is all you can eat, too!"
Ned blushed. Never is his wildest dreams did this ever happen to him. A hot girl, not only wanted him to take her out, but she wanted to overeat in front of him!
"Sally that sounds great to me, let's leave right from here, ok?" stammered Ned.
"Perfect!" giggled Sally. "I can't weight!" She absent ran her hand over her visibly growing tummy and reached for her fourth donut!
Five thirty sharp Ned came down to Sally's desk. "You ready?" he asked. Ned knees almost buckled when he noticed that Sally's trash can was overflowing with pastry and candy wrappers.
"Oh Ned I am so ready, I am starving! Let's go, I can't weight to have something to eat!" Sally giggled, noticing that Ned was checking out her bloated belly and growing bottom cheeks.
When the couple got to the buffet, Sally was giddy she was so excited. She really wanted to impress Ned be getting totally stuffed tonight!
Ned paid and the couple got trays and started to make their selections. Sally loaded her tray with four entres, a couple of sides, including "mac & cheese" and mashed potatoes, smothered in butter. She shoveled the food in to her mouth and got Ned to go back to the line for her to get "refills".
Two hours later, a stuffed, bloated, engorged and never happier Sally sat slouched in the booth. Her belly, swollen with thousands of calories of rich, heavy food, was lifting up her now tight dress, showing off a nice panty view.
Ned could only stare in awe at the best date he had ever had. "Sally, are you ready to go, babe?" Sally burped. "BURP, hic, URP, Yes, Urp, Ned, Urp, Sorry excuse me. I think I have a little too much to eat tonight, BUUURRRP. You are going to have to help me I think I am too stuffed to walk myself!"
Ned helped Sally get to her feet. "Hold me up, Ned please." Said Sally. Ned wrapped his arm around Sally, his hand sinking into her plump love handles right on the straining waist band of her panties.
Ned got Sally to his car and while she was getting in her dress slid up, revealing her bloated, bulging tummy. Ned had to stifle a gasp.
Ned came around to the driver's side and slid in beside Sally. "Ned, can you help me with my seat belt, I am so full!" Ned reached over Sally engorged abdomen for the seat belt clip. Sally kissed him hard on the lips, Ned could still taste Sally's last hurrah, a huge slice of cheese cake smothered in chocolate and caramel sauce.
"Ned I hope you don't think I am some sort of freak or slut, but have never, ever had a better date in my life! You are going to have to help me into my apartment, I am just so stuffed and full!"
"Sally, you are the most fantastic date I have ever taken out! I will do anything for you, you are so HOT!" gasped Ned.
They got to Sally's apartment building and Ned had to help Sally up to her unit. She un-locked the door and asked, "Ned I am so embarrassed, but can you help me out of this dress, I can barely move I am still so full!"
Ned gladly helped Sally out of her clothes. He almost passed out with desire and constantly had remind himself this was only the first date! He helped Sally pull on a tight t-shirt.
Sally reached out and pulled Ned close to her. "Ned, I want to have you over for some "fun" on Friday night! I need to do some more "weight training" this week, but I am really falling for you!" They kissed long and hard. Ned ran his hands over Sally's amazing body, just barely staying in control.
During the week, Ned and Sally went out to lunch three times and all three times Sally stuffed herself to point of nearly being sick! Ned loved every minute. Sally would come up to Marketing in tight skirts, slacks and dresses showing off her expanding figure, driving Ned crazy with desire, but she was not being a tease about, she would let Ned run his hands over her and make out in some discreet locations in the office.
Friday finally came and none to soon for our favorite couple. Ned knocked on Sally's door and she called, "Come in Ned, it is open."
Ned walked in and almost passed out with desire and utter shock.
Sally was dressed in only a pair of tight, black bikini panties and a tight t-shirt, with the words, "My Favorite Feedee" on the front, just below, Sally plump little boobs. She had gained another five pounds during the week and now weighed one twenty five. She had grown (and was growing) a nice pot belly and her bottom cheeks were trying to escape her panty.
The dining table was covered with rich fattening foods, pastries, casseroles, mashed potatoes, ice cream, pastas, rich sauces, beer and wine. There was a large chair at the end of the table with a second smaller chair next to it.
Sally walked up to the still stunned speechless Ned, making sure here body jiggled. She started to take off Ned's clothes. "On your profile, you said you were a "brief" man, I certainly hope so. I will be mad at you if you showed up for my surprise wearing boring boxers!"
Ned chuckled, finally regaining his composure. "Bikini briefs for you tonight Sally!"
Sally started to tear up. "Ned, I hope you are the man I think you are! I want you to feed me! I want to become your feedee and you my feeder!"
Ned's reaction was physical rather than verbal. Sally just took his hand and laid it on her awesome belly, "Feed Me, Baby, Feed Me!"
Sally plopped her plump little bottom in her chair and Ned took the other and began a feeding frenzy that lasted the entire weekend! They went to bed after midnight on Friday, Ned helping an engorged Sally to bed. The next morning he fed her a massive breakfast in bed, Sally snacked away the morning while Ned cooked, hamburgers, brats and heavy salads for lunch. Dinner was several deep dish pizzas, bread sticks and liters of regular pop.
They slept in on Sunday, Ned turned the day into a massive brunch for Sally feeding her all day.
On Sunday night, Ned helped his engorged, distended, bloated, sated and turned on girlfriend to bed. They had just weighed Sally she had gained fifteen pounds in two days and two nights of feeding bliss! She now weighed one forty pounds.
During their Feedee weekend, they had taken pictures and posted them on "Fantasy Feeder". Janie was constantly sending Sally encouraging emails to keep eating!
On Monday, Sally had barely anything to wear. The evening she and Ned went to Wal-Mart and bought increasing larger and larger stretch pants, panties, bras, skirt and dresses for Sally's ever expanding figure.
Ned and Sally spent every weekend in feeder/feedee bliss. The couple decided to surprise Sally's family, with the exception of Janie, with her newly fattened body. They drove to Sally's family's home for the Christmas holiday.
Ned and Sally walked up to the door. Well Sally actually waddled, she now weighed over one-sixty pounds. Mom opened the door and almost fainted at the sight of her once skinny little daughter, now a round little butter ball!
They had a fantastic weekend, virtually non-stop eating for the girls and the fat in-laws. Ned asked Sally to marry him, which of course Sally excepted, which triggered a celebratory gorge!
Janie and Sally were standing in the kitchen News Years Day. Janie in panties and a t-shirt and Sally, still wearing bikinis, but just barely, her tummy was getting so large, she would soon need more support than bikinis offered. Her t-shirt riding up nearly to her still modest, but plumper boobs.
Janie bumped Sally in the belly with her belly, causing both of them to giggle. "So how fat are you going to let Ned feed you to?" asked Janie, poking Sally soft jiggling belly.
Sally bumped her back. "I think I want to be at least as big as you! But we want to get married this spring and I don't want to be so huge that Ned and I look weird together."
Ned and Sally left a few hours later. On the drive home, Ned asked, "So what were you and Janie talking about?" Sally giggled, "Janie wanted to know how fat we wanted me to get!"
"So what did you tell her? Asked Ned, his own image of how fat Sally should be in his mind.
"I told her, as big as she is at least!" giggled Sally. "But I told her I did not want to be to fat for the wedding. How does that sound to you, oh great feeder?"
The next day at the office it was announced the Ned and Sally would be married in May. It came as no surprise to anyone who new either Ned or Sally, they had become quite an item at the office.
Most everyone was surprised at how much weight Sally had gained since Thanksgiving, she had become quite fat in many people's opinion, but both of them were very likable.
The wedding was fantastic, a great service and the reception was the subject of hours of conversation back at work.
The reception was a massive buffet, open bar, a full band and dancing. Most everyone commented how the bride's side of the wedding party sure could eat. Sally greeted nearly everyone coming through the receiving line with her mouth full and her dress appeared to get tighter and tighter as the day went on!
After a three week honeymoon cruise on which Sally, being fed by Ned, gained another twenty pounds, now weighing near one eighty five. The couple returned to work.
Ned and Sally went right back to their pre-engagement routine; weekend feeding sessions, sedentary and no exercise. Sally loved every minute of it and so did Ned!
The office gossips soon noticed to their glee that an already fat Sally was gaining more weight and noticeably getting bigger! Sally was not shy at all about her expanding body, she wore tight stretch pants, skirts and dresses that accentuated her round assets.
Sally and Ned were regulars on "Fantasy Feeder" posting dozens of pictures of Sally's expanding body. Janie and Sally regularly emailed and called each other to brag about the over-eating prowess.
The Thanksgiving weekend finally rolled (or waddled) around. Ned helped a now two hundred and thirty pound Sally into their larger new car and headed for her family's house.
Of course everyone was thrilled to see how much more weight Sally had gained since the wedding and Ned was the son in law who could do no wrong since transforming their daughter into an adorable fatty!
Sally stripped off her stretch pants and top. She waddled down to the kitchen to show Janie, how big she was. Sally had graduated to "granny" panties. Her belly was so large that bikini panties did not support her, though she did have some bikini swim suits.
When Sally waddled into the kitchen, Janie gasped and started crying, "Oh Sally, you look awesome! I can not believe that it was only a year ago you were so skinny! You have more than doubled your weight! You are so awesome and Ned, Ned should get the Nobel prize for feeding!"
Evolution of a Feedee by fanedfoxWatch
©2010-2017 fanedfox
Ok for those of you who are really into female only. Here is a new one for you. I have another that I am working on too. I know my last few submissions have been male or both. So thanks for your patience!
Good job.
I'm okay with both its the feeding part I love
bon travail !!!! YES !!!!
I, too, prefer female only WG. Sally sounds lovely. I'd like to read of her further progress at Janie and Nick's hands. Love, food, and female bellies make such a lovely, growing combination.
I agree...let's try some new names...are all they stories based on parts of your life?
Hmm, went in the wrong place when submitted...
But you can tell where it was supposed to go.
But you can tell where it was supposed to go.
Ned, I have to disagree,
I like it that your male protagonists have your name.
It appears that you are happily married, nice!
However, don't underestimate the friendly fun some of us girls get from imagining you as our very own 'Neddie'.
Keep up the good work!
Personally, I favor the mutual gaining stories,
Nothing better than a big warm belly in the small or your back while held.
Best wishes.
I like it that your male protagonists have your name.
It appears that you are happily married, nice!
However, don't underestimate the friendly fun some of us girls get from imagining you as our very own 'Neddie'.
Keep up the good work!
Personally, I favor the mutual gaining stories,
Nothing better than a big warm belly in the small or your back while held.
Best wishes.
Dear S.
Yes I am happlily married. Which is why I think that I perfer mutual gaining for my protagonists.
Thanks for the feed back.
Ned Fox
Yes I am happlily married. Which is why I think that I perfer mutual gaining for my protagonists.
Thanks for the feed back.
Ned Fox
I say nice story but Barkis is right as your heros and heroins always have the same names...
Best wishes,
I say nice story but Barkis is right as your heros and heroins always have the same names...
Best wishes,
great work, sally
yup i like n i just wanted girls only ty for it
I have only one thought: Quit naming your males after your self.
Barkis: Yeah I know, that is a little creepy. I will take your advice and use other names for my "heroes".
Ned Fox
Ned Fox
Femalw Wg FTW
Ned, this was great gaining story, thanks!
(Now if your girls could just make it to SSBBW size...)
(Now if your girls could just make it to SSBBW size...)


text:
|25 Apr 2010
Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
Change Start Menu Font Color
I'm trying to change the font color in the right column of the start menu but can't find it in Windows Style Builder. Can someone point it out for me?
EDIT: I found it:
Programs list:
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > ProgramsList > TextColor
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > ProgramsList > HotTrackingColor
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > ProgramsListExtended
Places List, jumplist:
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > PlacesList > TextColor
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > PlacesList > HotTrackingColor
Windows 7 > Start Menu > Basic > PlacesListExtended
|My System Specs
|04 Oct 2010
win7 64
i tried this. and nothing happened. I use Aero does that make a difference. I also what to change the color of the text in side the programs list
|My System Specs
|06 Nov 2010
for normal win themes
-extract aero.msstyle
-variant / normal
and edit with some hex editor
old color find: 28 28 28 (it's used 6 times)
The correct hex address is in pic
|My System Specs
|Thread Tools
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Start menu Aero Theme Color Change
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change context menu font color when highlighted in WSB
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Start menu color change ??
first I want to apologize if this post has been written before ( ; but I really want to know if you can change the white color in the start menu ? ( : I already used many of your tutorials to costomize everything on my comp ( : thx for making this website. your all AWESOME !!!!!! :D
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text:
New Jersey Stream Buffers Cut Back by Senior Environmental Official
TRENTON, New Jersey, February 10, 2008 (ENS) – The commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has revoked her own order issued little more than a year ago protecting stream buffers. These strips of grass, shrubs, and trees beside streams provide cooling shade and act to remove pollutants in urban stormwater, reduce erosion and stabilize stream banks.
The effect of this sudden reversal in New Jersey policy makes it easier to cut the widths of stream buffers in half – from 300 feet to 150 feet – allowing development in the area surrounding the most sensitive streams, lakes and rivers, according to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, PEER.
On January 24, Lisa Jackson, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, DEP, rescinded an Administrative Order that she issued on January 2, 2007.
The 2007 Order mandated that developers conduct a strict scientific demonstration using a specific technology to prove that any disturbance or reduction in the buffer widths along Category One streams resulted in equivalent protection before any construction would be allowed.
"[T]he Department shall not approve any encroachment [into a buffer] unless the applicant has demonstrated…that the functional value of the [buffer] will be maintained," the 2007 order states.
The order was applauded by environmentalists but hated by developers, who wanted to build in the stream buffer areas.
In the January 24, 2008 Administrative Order rescinding the previous one, Jackson said the earlier guidance " did not effectively account for activities that would enhance the overall functional value of the SWRPA [special water resource protected area]."
"Further, the Department recognized that there may be other scientifically valid functional value assessments that may be used to demonstrate that the functional value and overall condition of the SWRPA are being maintained."
Her latest guidance document means that the current 300 foot buffer can be reduced to 150 feet without a prior demonstration that the natural values will be protected, says PEER.
Prior to the 2007 order, developers had been able to obtain "equivalence" findings from compliant local governments without any meaningful guarantee against net resource loss.
In fact, highly publicized cases where builders were allowed to destructively build inside the 300 foot buffers prompted Commissioner Jackson to issue the 2007 order she has now rescinded.
"Make no mistake, this is a major rollback of protections," said New Jersey PEER Director Bill Wolfe, noting that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is touting an addition of 900 miles of new Category One stream designations as a major environmental achievement.
"This effectively rolls back 300 foot buffers to 150 feet," Wolfe said.
They DEP appears to be adopting the argument that conversion of buffer lands to housing reduces water pollution compared to farming – a position shared by the Builders Association, Wolfe says.
"The whole point of buffers is to keep construction out of the most critical part of the watershed," he says. "By turning tail on this point, Commissioner Jackson has transformed stream buffers into builder speed bumps that will be easily run over."


text:
NEW YORK, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs won't face criminal charges in connection with last month's altercation with an acquaintance at a New York nightclub.
Combs' attorney, Benjamin Brafman, told the New York Daily News prosecutors have decided not to bring criminal charges against Combs.
The case apparently was at an impasse after the alleged victim, Stephen Acevedo, appeared to stop cooperating with police investigating the incident, the newspaper said.
Acevedo previously accused Combs of punching him during a physical confrontation that started as an argument over women.
Acevedo's attorney, Mark Jay Heller, said his client opted to take the "high road" because he believes in "good Karma," the newspaper said.


text:
Originally published Monday, March 10, 2014 at 2:05 AM
'The Bargain from the Bazaar': A Pakistani family's struggle
Haroon Ullah's new book, "The Bargain from the Bazaar," shows the extraordinary hardships and moments of happiness experienced by a contemporary Pakistani middle-class family. Ullah appears Tuesday, March 11, at Town Hall Seattle.
Special to The Seattle Times
Author appearance
Haroon Ullah
The author of "The Bargain from the Bazaar" will appear at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. Tickets are available through townhallseattle.org and at the door starting at 6:30 p.m.
Book review
'The Bargain from the Bazaar'
by Haroon Ullah
Public Affairs, 240 pp., $25.99
Nuclear-armed Pakistan, overrun by crime, corruption, poverty and religious extremism, has been written off as a ruined state. It is politically unstable, rife with sectarian violence, and enmeshed in a never-ending conflict with India. However, in a nonfiction work titled "The Bargain from the Bazaar," author Haroon K. Ullah, a Pakistani-American diplomat and field researcher, gives us an alternative perspective on the country. Ullah, who grew up in Washington state but later spent a number of years in Pakistan, assumes the viewpoint of ordinary citizens, who go through extraordinary hardship to survive, but who still manage to find moments of happiness.
Ullah has chosen to offer us insight into the Pakistani society with a portrayal of challenges encountered by the Rezas, a middle-class family in Lahore. Awais Reza, a shopkeeper in the Anarkali Bazaar, is a man with a broad political outlook. His wife, Shez, industrious and self-sacrificing, works as a nurse in a local hospital and raises their three sons. The oldest, Salman, who fights drug addiction, is soon expelled from the military and joins his father in managing the shop. Daniyal, the middle son, who has been recruited by religious fundamentalists to carry out acts of terror, severs all connections with his family. The youngest son, Kamran, studies law in college. An idealist, he hopes to be able to change the future of the country by working from within. His goals are shared by Rania, a privileged classmate with whom he has a secret courtship.
In the aftermath of the bombing of a Sufi shrine, the police search for Daniyal, whom they suspect of being involved in the case. Negative consequences for the entire family ensue. Awais is arrested, even though he doesn't know the whereabouts of his son. Shez, although frantic with grief and guilt, makes a superhuman effort to free Awais from jail, to no avail. Kamran is in danger of losing his scholarship money and Rania's mother seeks another suitor for her. With the threat of terrorism looming, people shop less, thereby reducing the revenue earned from the shop. The family now faces a grim future.
Ullah uses the plot narrative to symbolize the options (or the lack thereof) available to young Pakistanis, and it is an effective method. In general, he draws the male characters fully, but leaves Shez somewhat sketchy. She first appears in the book as a vibrant and strong-willed 15-year-old. However, soon after her marriage to Awais, she recedes into the background. This might be an unconscious omission on Ullah's part. Or it might be that social norms prevented him from conducting in-depth interviews with a woman. In either case, it detracts from the narrative.
Ultimately, the author seems to be saying that the adversity the Reza family experiences without succumbing is a testament to human resiliency. Perhaps therein lies the country's best hope.
Seattle author Bharti Kirchner's latest novel is "Tulip Season: A Mitra Basu Mystery."


text:
TORONTO - Steve Moore never wanted to settle.
He wanted his day in court. He required it, really — both personally and financially. He wanted his story told, the violent circumstances explained contextually and, possibly, understood better.
He wanted, in his own way, to peel back a layer of the underbelly of professional hockey — putting the apparent code and the game on trial. And then have others fully comprehend the pain he has endured — physically, cognitively, mentally — and the career that was stolen from him.
It happened 10 years, five months and 11 days ago. Todd Bertuzzi has earned more than $30 million since he sucker-punched Moore from behind, mounted his back, and pile-drived him to the ice in Vancouver.


text:
The blue social bookmark and publication sharing system.
Log in with your username.
I've lost my password.
Log in with your OpenID-Provider.
homepages/30/7354-2, Julien Bruneau, Home Page, https://fr.linkedin.com/in/julien-bruneau-74840a6, INRIA, Rennes
BibSonomy is offered by the KDE group of the University of Kassel, the DMIR group of the University of Würzburg, and the L3S Research Center, Germany.


text:
Don't ask, it's a long story like things involving families and holidays can be, but I ended up having Thanksgiving dinner at Sir Winston's - the fancy restaurant on the Queen Mary. I can only wonder why places like this still exist.
When the ship was afloat, it wasn't even a restaurant, it was part of a boiler room. So it doesn't have the 1930s charm that a lot of the rest of the rooms on the Queen Mary do. It tries to look clubby and inviting, and it is, sort of.
The service was good, if a bit cloying at times. The bottle of Stag's Leap 2003 Cabernet was very good, though marked up the usual hundred percent or so. ($85)
We'd already had some turkey for lunch, so we decided to go with the highly recommended, other Thanksgiving menu special meals.
We both started with a lobster bisque that would be better described as a lobster tainted bowl of cream. It would have been perfect for a really overweight cat whose health you didn't care about.
Then we had Cesar salads drenched in a thick creamy dressing with faint hints of Cesar dressing flavor, no anchovies and, inexplicably, a couple of soggy artichoke hearts (they tasted canned.)
My girlfriend had the salmon special - a medium quality piece of relatively tasteless farm-raised fish shrouded in a chewy blanket of pastry and doused with some sort of flavorless goo. It came with rice - which was okay, about as good as Uncle Ben's gets; and a cooked carrot and one asparagus spear.
I had the "Pride of Sir Winston's" - a ribeye steak slapped silly with foie gras and constricted with the same chewy blanket of pastry that despoiled my girlfriend's salmon. Oh yeah, and there was some undercooked, under-smoked bacon wrapped around it too. And it was all thoroughly drowned in a cornstarch thick brown salty sauce that purported to have something to do with wild mushrooms. Even with the vile glop scraped off the piece of meat, it was a pretty bad piece of meat. It was, at least, cooked medium rare as I had requested, not that that got me through more than a couple of bites. It came with some chemically tasting whipped potatoes and a cooked carrot.
Dessert was included. Neither the pecan-chocolate tart or the pumpkin cheesecake had enough flavor, character or anything else of interest to be worthy of a second bite. An espresso was, well, drinkable, barely.
The entire extravaganza came to $219 or so before tip. The food portion alone was $98 before tax.
Now I'm not saying it wasn't a mistake to go there in the first place. I certainly wasn't expecting great things. But I'd read a few reviews here and there and figured it would be a lot better than it was - like maybe a five or six on the 10 scale, rather than a one or two.