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Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish: I have been listening to this exchange with interest. If the information was published in a newspaper, does the noble and learned Lord think that the public would draw the conclusion which he rightly and understandably invited us to draw? Having no information may be something we do not want to divulge either. I have a suspicion that the net result of the two questions will be that the public will come to the conclusion that there is information and the Government want to hide it.
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: What we are trying to address here is the policy. In the example I have given I do not think that the Committee would have much difficulty in understanding our approach. The fact that in certain circumstances the public draw certain conclusions may be unfortunate in some cases. But it may be necessary--for example, in relation to the defence of the realm--to deal with the question in that way. From time to time one may have to put up with misunderstandings. I hope that that is not the position.
I concede that this power could be used in both circumstances; first, when there is no information--I have just given an example--and, secondly, where one is trying to protect an informer and the question is, "Can you please provide all information you have by way of communications from X concerning Y?", X being allegedly an informer. In that case people, whose motives for making applications we cannot examine, are seeking to discover whether X is an informer. That is a good example of where one
What we are trying to do is to think through the policy and come to the right conclusions. That is the basis of the confirm or deny approach. I have set out the process that has to be gone through. I cannot give the exact words that will be used in every case. But the fact that on the face of the Bill there is an obligation to go through all those stages ensures that there will be clarity.
In relation to the specific points that were raised in our debate, Clause 20 concerns circumstances where there is no obligation to disclose under the freedom of information legislation because disclosure will be made at a future date. Various detailed points have been raised on that, but what the Bill states here is that,
If one accepts the principle of such an exception as outlined in Clause 20--albeit that noble Lords have thought of ways in which to improve it--then Clause 22 follows logically from there.
So far as concerns the courts, Clause 29 aims to prevent parties to criminal proceedings attempting to secure information which would not be available to the court process. Whether such information exists might be relevant in certain circumstances.
As regards the balance of the clauses, at each stage it is necessary to identify the purpose of the exemption. If the exemption survives, then it is necessary to put in place the supplementary power.
I hope that I have made clear the basic argument. Should any noble Lord wish to return to an individual example, perhaps the right course would be for me to respond to any specific points made.
Lord Lucas: I thank the noble and learned Lord for that answer. I should like to raise two points. First, the noble and learned Lord has advanced the interesting argument that the lack of any information is in itself information. In principle, I agree with that. I can see how, in the example put forward by the noble and learned Lord; namely, in Clause 24, the fact that there is no such report is information and of itself information which might be likely to prejudice matters mentioned in subsection (1).
However, I have more difficulty with that construction when we come to Clause 28. The duty to confirm or deny is phrased differently here. The duty does not arise in relation to information which is exempt information or, if it were held by a public authority, would be exempt information by virtue of the subsection. The absence of information is less
Perhaps I may return to the main question here; namely, how often will exemption be used and what will be the real controls on it? Obviously, occasions will arise when it ought to be used but, equally obviously, such occasions should be pretty infrequent. If a public authority takes to using this exemption clause frequently, what mechanism is in place to stop it from doing so?
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I shall address first the court example cited by the noble Lord. If the provisions were not in place, where an investigation was being conducted, the defence would be able to find out precisely all the lines of inquiry that have or have not been followed by an investigating authority. That should be a matter for the court to decide, rather than any provisions under the Freedom of Information Bill.
On the point of how often exemption will be used, of course I am not presently in a position to say. It will depend on the nature and number of applications that are made. What is more important is that it is essential to ensure that a sensible approach is adopted here. To that end, I believe that the approach adopted by the Government in the Bill in relation to applications is sensible.
Lord Lucas: I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 21 [Information supplied by, or relating to, bodies dealing with security matters]:
Lord Goodhart moved Amendment No. 129:
The exemption in this case applies regardless of whether disclosure would harm national security or the work of the specified bodies. Furthermore, it applies automatically merely because information has passed through the hands of those bodies. In fact, nowadays the various security services are, to an increasing extent, taking on work that would in the past have been the responsibility of the ordinary police services. For example, the security services have been involved in security audits of departments such as the
The National Criminal Intelligence Service deals with football hooliganism, among other things. I appreciate that certain information concerning football hooliganism might be such that it is in the public interest that it should not be disclosed. Football hooligans might then devise ways of getting round the restrictions imposed by the recent Act. However, it seems unlikely in the extreme that there is no information relating to football hooliganism which could not be disclosed without harm to the public. In those circumstances, it would seem right and proper that the exemption provided by Clause 21 should not be a simple blanket exemption, but that some form of harm test should be applied. I beg to move.
Lord Lucas: I have tabled two short amendments in this grouping which I believe are self explanatory. Amendment No. 130 picks up on the Scott affair. The noble and learned Lord will recall that the difficulties in which Ministers found themselves arose because they thought that they were obliged to sign ministerial certificates. I hope that I have made it clear that these are certificates to which that rubric should not apply.
Amendment No. 132 suggests that such certificates ought always to be matters of public record and should not in themselves be secret. I shall be interested to hear what the Minister has to say on that.
Lord Brennan: I should like to raise a question which springs both from the amendments and from this, the first of 20 exemptions, that we are about to consider.
I wish to raise the matter of the relationship between this Bill and the administration of justice, both criminal and civil. I invite the Minister--either at this stage or on Report if that is thought to be more appropriate--to confirm and clarify that nothing in the Bill could affect the existing powers of a court, whether criminal or civil, to require the production or disclosure of documents or material relevant to the conduct of a defence or a prosecution.
Perhaps I may cite two examples. First, in the Matrix Churchill case, it was coincidental that a line of inquiry started into certain documents was the one that, in all likelihood, eventually led to the acquittal of the defendants. In that trial, the judge overrode ministerial certificates. Secondly, in the civil arena, in the HIV haemophiliac claims, children contracted HIV after being given, within our National Health Service, blood plasma tainted with the virus. Before it came to trial, that claim led to an application from the health ministry to disclose the material relevant to the circumstances in which it had decided to choose, and then to continue using, the affected plasma. The Court of Appeal in that case--one member of which was the present senior Law Lord, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Bingham--robustly rejected the idea that there could be any significant public interest affecting matters of health in a case like that such as would justify non-disclosure.
Those two examples illustrate, I hope, the need, not only during proceedings--where a judge may make an order before trial or at trial--but prior to proceedings, for those affected to find out relevant information in the interests of justice in conducting a case.
The present clause, the one following it and others, include the use of a ministerial certificate. I therefore invite the Minister to avoid any confusion among the lawyers who might have to deal with this. This Bill does not affect the administration of justice as I have analysed it.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill: The noble Lord, Lord Brennan, has raised an important issue. Perhaps in his reply the Minister will consider whether on Report we should include language similar to that in the Defamation Act, which makes it clear that nothing in that Act is intended to affect the common law. That has been a beneficial provision because it has enabled the courts to carry on their function of declaring the common law without being inhibited by anything in the statute.
I remember in the Spycatcher case, where I appeared for the newspaper, an attempt by the then Attorney-General to use the Official Secrets Act to cut down the law of confidence. He failed. I think in the Crossman diaries case a similar attempt was made--or floated anyway. I can see that the noble and learned Lord, Lord Archer of Sandwell, is not sure whether I am right about that.
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Looking for a professional critique of your photos or a portfolio review? Click here and get yours!
Snapshots in Photoshop, Tutorial
Photo Editing Made Simple Tutorial With Videos
Many years ago, while working as the Chief, Multimedia Branch, Air Force News Agency, I was tasked to bring Color Management to AIRMAN magazine. In addition to providing input to the flagship magazine for the United States Air Force in this management position, I oversaw the radio, television and print content for the multimillion dollar website, www.af.mil, which allowed me the opportunity to work with professional consultants in various multimedia fields.
One of those professional consultants, Jim Rich, from Rich and Associates and author of an Adobe Photoshop 6 book, The Color Companion, provided our staff some great insights including how to make quick, "reversible" corrections on a photo while editing in Adobe Photoshop. While this was back during version 6 of Adobe Photoshop, I still use this timesaving technique today, normally it's the first step in my post-production workflow followed with editing software tools like Nik Software and Adobe Lightroom.
Though before I began to use the Nik Software filters like the Bleach Bypass, Glamour Glow, Foliage, and the Dynamic Skin Software along with Nik Viveza or Silver Efex Pro, the Snapshots technique was the major part of my image editing workflow, and though I still use it today, I use it more for "rough, quick edits" or as a supplemental step when the other software just doesn't provide me the desired results I want to achieve. Appropriately named "Snapshots" after the often overlooked selectable option in Adobe Photoshop, it's basically a five-step (excluding making your working file and renaming it) method that saves me countless minutes when "cleaning" up my images for publication and I wanted to share this with you.
Keep in mind, you can use this Snapshots techniques for many things, including adjusting levels, sharpness, color, saturation and various other corrections—on any area of the image without wasting time with layers, layer masks, lasso tools, rubber stamping or the magic wand. In a nutshell, Snapshots is a reversible (during workflow) correction technique that works using temporary layers only available during the post-production workflow—while the layers are not permanently saved once the image file is closed, their effects remain permanent on the image, thus reducing the final file size, unlike the larger file sizes of images with stored layers.
So to get started, we'll open our original file we plan on post-producing and do a "save as" and save the file as a TIFF or PSD file with a working copy name. For example, if my original file opened is IMG_0424.tif (or .jpg), I would then do a "save as" and save it to a new directory folder as name_0424.tif. "Name" could be your subject's name or any name you wish to give the file. I like to keep the original file number in case I have to research the original file. For this tutorial, we're saving the file as holley_0424.tif as it's my working file. You should never work on your (original) master image file as it should be saved in your archives.
The first-step in using Snapshots for image editing, once the file is open, is to make a duplicate copy of the background in your layer's pallet. This duplicate copy layer is a layer that will remain with the file as long as we don't merge or flatten the layers and unlike the Snapshot layers, it can remain with the original file and opened for reuse later.
The second step is to create a "fallback" temporary Snapshots layer simply by clicking on the "camera" at the bottom of the History pallet. The camera symbol
is next to the trashcan symbol. This temporary layer allows you to go back to the original temporary layer should we "overdo" future Snapshot changes and when doing more in-depth post-production. It's smart to click the camera symbol and have several fallback temporary layers. All temporary layers created during the Snapshots technique are useable provided the image mode, bit-depth, resolution and image sizes are not changed along the way. If any of these elements are changed, then create a new fallback layer immediately after making such changes if your post-production is not completed.
The third step is simply to make whatever correction you'd like to the "entire" image, not just a selection or selected part of the image. For example, using my white balance techniques, I photograph women with a more warm-toned photographic style than the average photographer. However, I don't want my subject's teeth or the whites of her eyes yellow with warm red tones, so using Snapshots, I'll make all the necessary adjustments, like adding blue to cancel out yellow, adjust the levels or curves to a brighten these areas, basically adjustments to make the teeth white, not yellow.
During this process, I know the entire image is temporarily affected, but I ignore this fact because after I click on the Snapshots camera icon again, a new temporary layer is stored in the upper part of the history pallet with those adjustments, then I delete the actions (state) from the lower part of the history pallet. Thus the affect is only stored in the temporary Snapshots layer (upper part of the history pallet) that will eventually become the source for the history brush when I later "paint in" the effect.
Basically, once this temporary layer is created I label it by double clicking on the appropriate Snapshot state, usually titled "Snapshot X" with "X" usually a number representing the number of default titled Snapshots. At this point, my history pallet has three layers, the original, the fallback layer and now the levels adjustment that I renamed "dark levels" as in this tutorial I'm going to darken the water in front of Holley's face as my first adjustment.
I then click on the last correction made in my history pallet, in this case, "Levels," then once it's highlighted, I click on the small trashcan and when the dialogue box appears asking me if I'm sure I want to delete the state "Levels," I click on "yes." This returns my photo back to the original form before I started to darken the image and you'll notice that "Levels" is now gone from the history pallet.
Now comes the fourth step, painting in my corrections using the history brush. I then select the appropriate sized history brush, one large enough to paint around areas I want to adjust yet small enough so I don't paint into areas I don't want affected by the history state. I then go to the history pallet and click in the small, left-hand side box next to the state "dark levels." It's important to click on the small rectangular box so a paintbrush will now appear there—if you accidentally click on the large rectangular box where the snapshot name is located, then click on the last entry in your history pallet underneath the temporary layers, then go back and re-click on the appropriate smaller, left-hand side box next to the state's name.
I then ensure that my opacity is set at 33%, as it's better to work in small increments when making image adjustments. That's the beauty of Snapshots, it will never go more than the selected opacity—this is very important in that if we had used the traditional burn or dodge tool instead of the history brush tool combined with Snapshots, any overlapping brush strokes would cause the overlapping areas to have double or more of the effect, in this case it's more of a burning effect as we're darkening the water area in front of Holley's face. Snapshots ignores overlapping areas, thus making it much easier.
From this point on, make any other corrections you might have in the same manner, i.e., if you need to adjust the whites in the eyes or teeth, then do the overall corrections, click the Snapshots' camera icon in the history pallet, rename the Snapshot for easy reference, then select the proper history state, delete it (them), then select the history brush, click in that Snapshot state's small rectangular small box on the left, then paint in the effect.
Along the way, if you make many adjustments, take a Snapshot to have a more current fallback Snapshot layer. These fallback layers are very helpful so if your history brush goes into areas you didn't want affected, you merely paint out the effect using this fallback layer as your method to undo the affected area. This technique works great when the edges are very complicated by simply adjusting your history brush size as the history brush leaves no hard edges normally created by using the lasso tool or magic wand tool.
The last step is to save the file as a PSD or TIF file, and if you close the file and then open it again, you'll notice the Snapshot layers are not stored and are now gone, but the Snapshot effects you painted in remain. Now you have your post-produced working file copy that can be resized, color profile changed, saved for web (jpg), etc., to match your intended output. Like many photographers who insist on their own, hands-on, post-production, any tip that saves time in the workflow is beneficial and hopefully you'll find this Snapshots technique as useful as I have for post-production. I was lucky to have learned it while managing the Multimedia Branch at the Air Force News Agency and I bring it to you here on Lens Diaries™, so try it out, I think you"ll like it.
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2 Comments
Very cool technique. It will come in handy.
- Post Production Video Tutorial One | Lens Diaries™ - [...] of photography, I do have my methods of post production from frame to frame including "Snapshots" and various others.…

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We always love to design our house with best collection of indoor furniture; you can have lots of designs in market for dining sets but the most popular choice nowadays is wicker furniture.
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After 30 years of planning conventions and trade shows across the country, I have had the privilege of working with Goben Convention Services for well over a decade. Because of Goben's professional, courteous, thorough attention to detail—before, during and after the show--the trade show element of the event is literally the least of my worries.
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Right now Sundance is offering a special deal for New Day viewers:
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A superb new collection from "a great American poet . . . still at work on his almost-song of himself" (The New York Times Book Review).
In both lively prose poems and more formal verse, Philip Levine brings us news from everywhere: from Detroit, where exhausted workers try to find a decent breakfast after the late shift, and Henry Ford, "supremely bored" in his mansion, clocks in at one of his plants . . . from Spain, where a woman sings a song that rises at dawn, like the dust of ages, through an open window . . . from Andorra, where an old Communist can now supply you with anything you want—a French radio, a Cadillac, or, if you have a week, an American film star.
The world of his poetry is one of questionable magic: a typist lives for her only son who will die in a war to come; three boys fish in a river while a fine industrial residue falls on their shoulders. This is a haunted world in which exotic animals travel first class, an immigrant worker in Detroit yearns for the silence of his Siberian exile, and the Western mountains "maintain that huge silence we think of as divine."
A rich, deeply felt collection from one of our master poets.
Dirges of himself? That is not quite right as a description of Philip Levine's News of the World, for the poems are more wizened than forlorn -- unblinking, not unforgiving. Yet Levine evokes American decline as surely as Whitman did the promise of a nation's youth. In "Our Valley," Levine writes,
You have to remember this isn't your land.Similarly, Levine salutes his grandfather in "My Fathers, the Baltic" for
It belongs to no one, like the sea you once lived beside
and thought was yours.
your gall, your rages,Possession and money may entail self-delusion, but Levine is enough of an appreciator of humanity to capture buoyant industrial workers on payday in wartime Detroit, leaning against Ruby's Rib Shack, elated to have "finished a short workweek, and if they're not rich they're as close to rich as they'll ever be in this town."
your abiding love
for money and all
it never bought
Hell is here in the forge roomSimilar flights of magic realism capture other lost worlds, in an arc tracing from Brooklyn to Barcelona. News of the World broods upon time, decay, loss, and death imbricated within history, labor, and nature. Levine's is a world where men and women "buy and sell each other." It is also "an immense, endless opera punctuated by the high notes of sirens & the basso profundo of trucks & jackhammers & ferries & tugboats."
where the giant presses stamp
out body parts....
The old man, King Henry, punches in
for the night shift with us,
his beloved coloreds and Yids,
to work until the shattered
windows gray.
"This is the world,"--Christopher Phelps
I think, "this is what I came
in search of years ago."


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Adele Dree never signed up for it but her mother did. And once your in, there's no backing out.
Adele was forced into the mating games all because of her mothers stupid idea••
Will she grow to realize that having a mate isn't as freedom-stealing as she originally thought...? Or will she reject her mate when she realizes the truth behind him...?
"I'm more of a coward than a superhero,Andy," Adele tells the 3 year old child holding her pinky.
"Adee, you dun see what me sees so jush rememur... you ME supahewo!" Andy yells throwing his arms around my leg.
Btw if your wondering when Andy and his sister come in, it'll be chapter 20... I think.
- adele
- mating
- shortgirl
- shortish
- werewolf
MzHollister Jul 06, 2016
i could never get away with cursing at,near, about my father(anyone over 30 really) i'd get beat


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Omaha, NE (PressExposure) October 16, 2009 -- MEP Design offers HVAC Design, HVAC Engineering and drafting services for large scale commercial, residential and industrial projects in the field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. A residential Duct system provides information for homebuilders on the selection and design of ducted HVAC systems.
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Trading Partner Portal: Thailand
Trade Overview
Thailand is located in the lush lower Mekong river sub Basin of South East Asia with an estimated standing population of nearly 68 million people.
Thailand's economy has generally grown within the last decade, averaging above four percent per year from 2000-2007. Though affected by the financial crisis, Thailand's economy greatly rebounded in 2010 with a growth of 7.8%. Due to unexpected environmental disasters in Thailand's northern region, their 2011 growth rate was severely affected however. While Thailand's economy temporarily rebounded in 2012, it contracted slightly in 2013 with a growth rate of 2.9%, becoming stagnant with a 1% in 2014, and then began to grow again steadily with a growth rate of of 3.2% for 2016. CIA Factbook
The United States imported approximately $29.5 billion from Thailand in 2016. That same year, the U.S. exported $10.5 billion.
In 2016, California exported $1.49 billion to Thailand. California's main exports include, but are not limited to: computer and electronics, $679 million (453.5%); miscellaneous manufactured commodities, $135 million (9.1%)and food, roughly $110 million (7.4%). U.S. Department of Commerce
On the reverse side, in 2016, California imported $10 billion. Our main imports were: computer and electronics, $5.2 billion (51.7%); food manufactures, $854 million (8.5%); transportation equipment, $566 million (5.6%); and plastics and rubber, $522 million (5.2%). U.S. Department of Commerce
According to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, Thailand is the fifth largest trading partner of the Los Angeles Customs District which includes the seaports of Hueneme (in Ventura County), Long Beach and Los Angeles, and Los Angeles and Ontario international airports.
United States and Thailand Reaffirm Commitment to Expand Trade and Investment Ties
USTR, April 20, 2016
Thailand and California
According to the Thai American Chamber of Commerce in California, California is home to some 200,000 Thais, the largest Thai population outside of Thailand.
California is home to many Thai businesses, among them Thai Airways, Kasikorn Bank (Thailand's second largest commercial bank), Krung Thai Bank and Chang Beer. Apart from the influence of these larger companies, aspects of Thai culture have found niche markets in America, from Spa and Massage services; Buddhist influenced beauty and health programs, and Thai boxing clubs. However, perhaps most famous in California is their food business. Los Angeles alone is home to about 700 Thai restaurants
Thai Town
Los Angeles is home to the only Thai Town in the world, having occupied a section of East Hollywood since 1999. Thai town is operated by the Thai Community Development Center, a non-profit organization created in 1994 with the expressed goals of creating "a thriving community by creating businesses and jobs, developing decent and affordable housing, and revitalizing public space".
THAI Town in Los Angeles
Multi-Lateral Cooperation
Thailand's Multi-Lateral Cooperation
Thailand is a member of several multi-lateral organizations which have increased Thailand's presence both in the region and globally. They are currently a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the World Trade Organization (WTO), The Mekong River Commission, and the Greater Mekong Sub Region (an IGO created through the Asian Development Bank).
Through these organizations and bi-lateral relations with the United States, there has been increased development in Thailand's infrastructure, as well as environmental impact analysis and studies for continued economic growth. The United States also pledged $187 million for the Lower Mekong Initiative, which "has the stated aim of improving education, health, infrastructure, and the environment in the region". (Lee, John. "China's Water Grab." Foreign Policy)
The initiative was negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, and the foreign ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. U.S. State Department
Thai Delegation Visits CalChamber
(May 22, 2012) A delegation, consisting of representatives of the Thai government and members of the Thai American Chamber of Commerce in California visited the CalChamber offices to discuss trade promotion.


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Chaos;Head Episode 4 English Subbed
You are watching Chaos;Head Episode 4 English Subbed from the Chaos;Head Anime Show. Watch or Download Chaos;Head Episode 4 MP4 English Sub and other episodes of Chaos;Head Streamed for Free.
Stream Chaos;Head Episode 4
Episode Summary: While walking on the street Takumi bumps into a strange girl carrying a sword that others can't see but Takumi can see it. Ayase Kishimoto, the real name of FES, transfers into Takumi's school. On the way home, Yasuji Ban and Mamoru Suwa, two detectives of the police department, ask Takumi about the recent murder cases. Takumi buys a new figurine of Seira so Rimi comes by to visit. Ayase tells Takumi that something called a Di-Sword can save him so he goes to find and buy one, though later recognized as a counterfeit. Nanami stops by for a visit but leaves angrily, breaking the sword. Kozue Orihara, the girl who was moving to Tokyo from the last episode is now a transfer student at Takumi's school. Takumi wanders the streets of Shibuya and has a delusion that he and an old man in a wheelchair are the only ones left in the world. The man claims he is Shogun and tells Takumi to hurry up and awaken, or else more people will die. Rimi snaps him out of it and Takumi heads home, thanking her.


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Rylie felt Luke's exceptionally long fingers wrap around her small hand, and the immediate feeling of warmth soothed her nerves slightly. They stepped in unison into the hotel, and was greeted by a chaotic lobby of tourists and suitcases. Rylie's heart was pounding as she dreaded the judgment Katie's face would give off. She had so many people to tell, and feared for every reaction. This was not something she could predict; she had never guessed she would be having a baby at 18, and never really thought about having to tell anybody. It was a nervous anticipation that she hated to feel because it crept into her lungs, making the oxygen in the air deplete and the dreadful cloud of depressing smoke fill her body, draining her of any good outcome.
She led Luke to the elevator, and quickly pushed the button for the third floor. The elevators closed, and a silence deafened her ears. Not even any elevator music.
"What's your sister like?" Luke broke the silence as he chewed on his lower lip, breaking the tiny scab from his previous addiction. "Will she like me?" Luke was probably just as nervous as she because they were raising the baby together, and even if it wasn't his, Michael would want him to step up and take responsibility. They hadn't had time yet to let everything sink in, and as soon as the adrenaline wore off, the real realization would be enough to sweep them off their feet.
"I never really saw her as a sister until recently. She was always a snobby prep, but while I was sulking over you, she helped me a lot. We're more alike than I thought." Rylie appreciated her sister now that they had gotten through that hard two weeks. They were closer than they have ever been, and it felt nice to really have a close family member to lean on. "She's cool..." Rylie added.
"What about you mom?"
Rylie laughed at the statement. Her mother would surely hop on that plane to Australia, and beat the living daylights out of her. That really wasn't fair because she had Katie at 19, which is still pretty young. However, no one can forget she's prefect, and Rylie never was.
"My mom...won't take it well..."
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a horrible rose wallpaper, and olive green carpet.
"All this time, you had been right in this hotel..." Luke shook his head in astonishment as he climbed into the claustrophobic hallway.
"So close but so far away..." Rylie stifled a laugh at the pun, but she could not bring herself to put a smile on her dejected face. Her stomach lurched with a ferocious intensity of what was next. Katie had never met Luke, and only seen Michael once, but yet she would have to hear the news Rylie was pregnant. Her baby sister...
"This is it..." Rylie stood in front of the door and pulled a card from her bag to unlock it. The predicted look on Katie's face played in her mind even after Luke wrapped his loving arms around her frail waist, and left a gentle kiss on her temple. She felt the pad of his thumb trace against her jawline as he pushed loose hairs away from her cheek. She tried to hold in the inevitable tears, but very few fell from her eyelid, and she batted them away with her eyelashes before Luke noticed. She didn't know exactly why she didn't want him to see her tears fall, but she tried to pull a strong face. His touch on her skin made her want to retreat with him somewhere where only they could go, and just go back to before everything happened. Even though she was okay with the child, and after what happened, Luke and her were stronger as a couple, she wanted so badly to go back to when things were simple and she didn't know about the song, and Michael wasn't dead. It was so much easier to be happy. She didn't have to have her guard up all the time. It was a amazing how many obstacles she had faced in so little time.
Instantly when the door opened, a flustered Katie frantically stuffing clothes in her bag appeared before Rylie's eyes. Katie's hair was pulled up in the messiest of buns, and she tried to balance her phone between her ear and shoulder as she grabbed clothes off the floor, and allowed them to remain mangled in her suitcase. So unlike Katie.
"She could be anywhere....yes I know there are a lot of people in Australia, but...I already told you what she looks like!" Katie rambled on, oblivious to Rylie as she took steps farther into the room.
She was so worried. The bags under her eyes were prominent, indicating she hadn't slept all night. Rylie hadn't realized how concerned she was, and she wished she would have taken the time to tell her everything was okay.
"Katie..." Rylie spoke, breaking Katie from her knitted thoughts. Katie looked up, and a flood of relief and surprise passed onto her face.
"Um...Never mind..." Katie put her lips to the phone, and immediately hung up. She met Rylie's eyes, and stayed frozen in place for a slim second before enveloping Rylie in her arms. She squeezed tightly, making the muscles in Rylie's body scream for release. She could feel the worry disappear off Katie as she gripped her back lovingly.
"How could you do that?" Katie breathed out, her tone of voice laced with tears. "I was so scared..." She pulled away to examine Rylie and make sure she was okay. She conjoined the palms of their hands. "You went to find Luke, and then I don't hear from you all night...can you imagine how I felt?"
"No..." Rylie looked down, ashamed. She had forgotten that she had a family too. She had gotten lost in Luke's love. "I'm sorry..."
Katie nodded, accepting her apology. She let out a heavy sigh, and glanced up to see Luke hovering behind them. "Oh..." her lips parted in surprise and they soon formed a small smile. "This must be the Luke..."
Luke smiled and his cheeks grew a rosy red. "It's nice to finally meet you..." he held out his hand to shake, but Katie rejected it with poised lips. Her eyes glared at him as she trailed his long body in dissatisfaction. Before anyone had time to comprehend what just happened, Katie lunged forward, spreading a pampered hand across the side of Luke's face.
"You broke my little sister's heart!" she yelped in his ear, sending droplets of saliva his way. Rylie's eyes widened at the sudden outburst because Katie was not one for surprises. She rarely got so angry that she violently chastised someone with body parts, but she guess it was well deserved. If their roles were switched, Rylie would have done the same thing to stand up for her sister.
Luke's face was stunned as well and he reached his hand up to his cheek to feel the throbbing heat radiate off the redness forming in his skin. He looked to Rylie for some explanation, but she just shrugged.
Katie exhaled slowly, and straightened her crinkled top. "Now that that's off my chest, it's very nice to meet you..." she smiled, showing glimmering white teeth, and patted Luke on the shoulder. "I had seen pictures of you online, but you are much taller, and handsomer I might add, in person."
Rylie rolled her eyes, and pretended to gag at her sister. Nevertheless, she reached for her sister's body again, and offered another loving hug.
"We have to leave..." Katie commented. "I'm so done with Australia."
Rylie let go of her sister's body, and made eye contact with Luke, sending the signal of what was to come. "I can't go with you...I still have a lot to do."
Katie raised her eyebrows in confusion at Rylie's reply. "What do you have to do?"
Her heart ferociously pounded, and she could feel the palms of her hands grow sweaty as she led Katie over to the side of the bed for her to sit down. She was so scared that she would disown her right after they had grown so close as sisters. "We have something to tell you.." she looked to Luke as he stepped over to them, and wrapped a solid hand around Rylie's back. She could tell Katie already knew something serious was going on.
"Oh no, what is it?" Katie whispered.
Rylie decided to just say it. There was no avoiding the inevitable. "I'm pregnant."
She cringed, fearing Katie would explode, but it was only disappointment residing on her face. "Rylie..." she shook her head, knowing there was no evidence of a joking matter. She looked to Luke to scold him, but she was smart enough to calculate the situation, and her mouth gaped open. "It's Michael's, isn't it? The pill didn't work..."
Rylie nodded, feeling the water fill up in her eyes. The last thing she wanted was Katie to be disappointed. She would rather her be angry. If only she could see that the baby was a blessing.
Katie sighed, and glanced at Rylie's stomach. For a moment, everyone allowed the silence to take the room as their thoughts roamed.
"Well, I figured I would get pregnant before you, but if you're happy, I'm happy." Katie smiled, and grabbed Rylie's hand.
"I'm happy! I'm so indescribably happy!" Rylie pulled Luke and Katie in for a group hug, feeling the joyful tears run down her face. Even though she didn't need the approval, it was nice to have it. A piece of the puzzle was complete.
"You better take care of her..." Katie put a stern finger on Luke's chest after they ended the cheerful hug, and glared into his blue eyes.
Luke nodded as if he was being addressed by her mother. "I will..." he nodded in reassurance, and reached for Rylie's hand to lock fingers.
Katie nodded and glanced around the room, locating a phone from the bed. "You know what you have to do." she sighed, and Rylie did. Her fellow family would not take it as well as Katie did, and she knew that. She knew the astonishment and anger would fill them with shame for her, and she had to be brave enough to take it.
Just a few days earlier, they had practically disowned their mother, so she couldn't imagine what she would sound like when Rylie dialed her number. She was heartbroken. Rylie knew what that felt like, and she hated she was the cause of such pain, but lessons are learned out of pain and regret.
The ringing in her ears postponed the trembling of her fingers. Questions filled her spacious mind. She gripped Luke's hand, and took a death sentencing glance at Katie for encouragement.
"Hello." Mom's voice was weak and almost giving out. Rylie could feel the tears from a world away.
"Mom." Rylie smiled, knowing her mom could feel it.
"I...I'm so sorry..." she started off the conversation with an apology to lighten the tense air. Maybe it would make the reveal easier, but that was doubtful. Her mom was wounded with an ache of the mind, and that takes time to be fixed. That ailment added so much anger towards Rylie that she knew her mom's words would sting like knives.
"It's...okay." Her mother breathed out a shuttered statement, like the words tasted like vinegar in her mouth. Rylie was stunned because she was not one for accepting an apology, or acknowledging one's fault.
"Mom, I have to tell you something..."
"Okay." Short words but so much meaning. Rylie could tell her mom was doing everything in her power not to raise her voice. She was trying to establish a better relationship. She was trying...
"You remember when I slept with Michael?" Rylie stifled an inappropriate laugh at the irony. "Well I'm having his baby."
A slight cough was heard on the other side of the line, but that was it. The beeping of an end call rang in Rylie's ears, and she pulled the phone away to look at the dead screen. Her heart ached. That was the worst reply. Silence. Her mother was pondering the thought, and her enragement was increasing in intensity. She had always been so disappointed in Rylie and now she had a legit reason to be. Her teenage daughter pregnant. It was icing on the cake.
"She hung up." Rylie felt the need to tell the other bodies in the room, and she felt her stomach tighten as the tears flooded down her face. She just hung up, dismissing her own daughter. She wouldn't call back. That was a fact. She wouldn't support the baby. She would never want to see it. No matter how hard Rylie tried, and even if she didn't want to try, she could not please her mom. She was a failure, and the thought of her foolish mistake haunted her for a moment. She had to think positive. She could not let negative thoughts overrule the positivity of the situation.
How would her father take the news? Man, if she lost him too, the baby would only see one side of the grandparents.
Her body was so wounded with grief at her mother's failed reassurance, but she had to go on. She had Luke's strong arms to soothe her sadness, and all she really needed was him. He helped her scroll through her many contacts to find her dad, and he helped her start the call.
"It's going to be okay...I promise.." Luke's lips brushed against her ear as he whispered a gentle speech to heighten her courage. He kissed her temple with delicate and calloused lips, leaving so much love that Rylie still didn't understand how it was humanely possible to love someone so much.
"Rylie!" her dad's cheerful attitude brought a smile to Rylie's face as she wiped away the tears.
"It is so great to hear from you again..." his voice was muffled over the distant call, but she felt so close to him. She had practically forgotten about the whole Amnesia predicament, and she was more than willing to start over.
"Well how's it going?"
"It's...actually..well, I have something big to tell you." The calls had been so short but Rylie was tired of small talk, and she wanted to get it out as soon as she could.
"Okay, is everything alright?" Paul's concern tone reached across the detached ocean, and she really wanted to hug him.
The next words were routine; there was no life to them; just a monotone statement that she too soon grew tired of saying. "I'm pregnant."
Her father took the same initial reaction she did by laughing at the non-comical remark, but he stopped as soon as he realized he was the only one laughing. "Are you serious?" he questioned, indicating he was hoping for a no.
"I don't want you to be mad or disappointed with me, Dad. Mom already hates me for my mistake, and I need your support." Rylie pleaded, knowing her father would never truly understand her emotions, but she loved that he didn't need to. He would always have her back from now on until forever.
"I'm not mad, honey...but I'm going to kill Luke."
"Well it's not Luke's. It's Michael's, so it's too late for that." Rylie cringed at her awful remark, but couldn't fathom how true it was. He was gone, and she would never be over it.
She sensed Paul's shutter. He was a funny man, and wanted to laugh, but it was too serious. "If you want me to have your back on this, I do, but it's going to take a while for me to get used to this. Come to England so I can see you."
"I will, Dad, as soon as I take care of everything first."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too."
Luke took the phone from her hands, and breathed out a sigh of relief. "Who else?"
Rylie smiled, thinking about everyone who deserved the news.
"Where did you two run off to?" Liz asked as she raised a sly eyebrow at the two. She was in the office, organizing some books when a nervous Luke and Rylie stepped in.
"We went to the doctor..." Rylie bit her lip as she leaned against a cabinet. She wanted Luke to be the one to tell his mother since she really didn't know her that well. Plus, they had a rough start in meeting each other, and there was no telling the reaction.
"Why?" Liz took the glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose, and placed them in a crooked stance on her head. She still hadn't made eye contact with them, and it was a good thing too because then she would see the fearful eyes.
"Because Rylie wasn't feeling well." Luke placed a hand on his mother's shoulder, forcing her to look up. Her ocean eyes met his, and she instantly knew the air was serious.
"And is she okay?" They became lost in their own world, forgetting Rylie was standing right there.
Luke picked at the hem of his Misfits tee shirt, and sighed. "We're having a baby, Mum."
It was evident the statement caught her off guard. She wrinkled her nose and glared at Luke, trying to see if he was joking or not. Once she decided he wasn't, her wide eyes wondered to Rylie. "You're pregnant?" The girl she had only known for a day was technically having her son's baby.
Rylie nodded, meeting the beige carpet. She couldn't handle the obvious judgment on Luke's mom's face.
"Luke! How many times did I tell you to be safe? All those girls you used to bring home, I thought I taught you to use protection, so this wouldn't happen, and now..." Liz threw her hands in the air in a flustered frenzy as she scolded her son. "You're 18, Luke! You're a father! Congratulations! You might as well throw your life in the bin! Your singing career is over...you might as well just work at th-the servo!" Liz stuttered slightly as she spoke fast, squeezing every word out. Her cheeks grew red as her heart beat so loud that Rylie could hear.
"Mum-" Luke spoke calmly, trying to calm her down.
"And you..." Liz turned her attention to Rylie and raised a threatening finger. "You're family must be so ashamed. You are in no mindset to raise a child!" Rylie frowned at the words. Liz didn't know her. Even though she was trying to look at her as a mother, she didn't know who Rylie was, and had no right to say those words.
"Mum!" Luke broke her insane outburst. Liz looked at him with her lips parted like she had stopped mid-sentence. "1. I love Rylie, and we're gonna raise this baby to be the best it can be. 2. No matter how much I already love it, the baby is not mine. It's Michael's." Luke spoke with such a soft voice that it was almost intense.
Liz drew her lips in a straight line as tears welled in her eyes. "Luke..." she tugged his elbow towards her as she opened her arms. Luke bent down and buried his head in the crook of her neck as she patted the back of his head. Her eyes screwed shut as she embraced him with such love. "When did you get so grown up?"
Rylie shuffled her feet in an awkward stance. She felt so excluded, like she didn't belong. She appreciated the mother, son moment, but she was slightly jealous. She didn't have that relationship with her mother, and it was heartbreaking. It was obvious Liz didn't like her, and she had expected to build a bond with her. She could've been the mother she never had, but so much judgment clogged her mind that it must have been impossible.
Liz released her tight grip on her son, but kept one arm wrapped around his waist. She smiled at Rylie, and motioned for her to join them.
"It's me and her, mum. Forever." Luke told Liz as he opened his arm too.
Rylie felt that warm feeling of want fill her insides, and she gladly took one hand of Luke, and the other with Liz as they enveloped each other in a hug. Having Liz's arm wrapped around her in a warm embrace made her feel so much better. Maybe she was accepted.
"I'm sorry." Liz whispered in her ear. "I've just don't know what to do when it comes to having a daughter."
Daughter. That was the word that got Rylie's heart to melting. She was accepted.
Liz broke away, and allowed Luke to hold Rylie completely in his arms. He wrapped both arms firmly around her waist, and lifted her off the ground just a tad. He met her eyes, and gave her a small kiss on the forehead. Rylie loved when he did that. She loved him so much.
She placed her hand on his chest, and looked at him seriously for a moment. "So tell me about all those girls you used to bring home..." she smirked, and tried to bite it away but she couldn't help but laugh at his stumped reaction. He let out a soft chuckle, and hugged her harder.
Michael's family. Those were the last people they would tell for the day. They were both exhausted at the crying and running around. The sun was setting, and Rylie wanted more than anything to cuddle up with Luke. Katie had probably already left for the airport, and they had to figure out an arrangement.
"Luke, when I went to see her, she was packing to move." Rylie told him as she walked down the familiar sidewalk.
"Knowing Karen, she's still at that rat hole of a house." Luke remarked.
Rylie slapped him on the shoulder, but couldn't help but smile. The house wasn't that great which surprised Rylie because Michael made a lot of money, so they could've easily moved into a better place. Maybe it was the memories that haunted them to stay. But then again, the haunting memories would surely make them want to move.
Speaking of the house, they approached the mailbox that had the name, "Clifford," in big, black letters. The house looked better in the approaching dark, and Rylie suddenly felt sick to her stomach. It wasn't a pregnancy sick, but the kind when you have a nervous dread, knowing anything could go wrong. Telling Karen was different. It wasn't like telling Liz knowing one day, that would be her mother. The only thing connecting Karen and Rylie was their love for Michael, and the growing baby inside her stomach. Imagining how Karen would take the news was scary. She probably didn't want the burden of having a grandchild, and seeing Michael in it. Hopefully, the baby favored Rylie, but that was doubtful. Maybe she'd be thankful because that would be the only grandchild Karen would ever have. Michael was an only child...and dead, so there wasn't any chances of anymore reproduction. Would Rylie end up growing close with her? She already liked her a tad more than Liz, but that would surely change, wouldn't it? Rylie was worried because the more time she spent with Michael's family, she more she would miss Michael, and she didn't want Luke and her relationship to be affected. There would surely be days in her life that the complication of Michael would cause them to fight, but it would work out. It had to. Michael's family deserved to know. She couldn't keep them in the dark.
"I haven't seen Karen since the funeral, and even then, we didn't speak." Luke spoke lowly as he followed her up to the door.
"I went to see her the next day. It helped...a little." Rylie admitted, remembering Luke didn't even know.
For a minute, they just stood outside the door of the Clifford household, waiting for the other to do something.
"I miss him." Luke interrupted the silence.
"Me too."
"You know we hated each other for like a year before the band formed? Then, I guess we realized how cool the other was, and we became best friends..."
Rylie didn't know that. She just nodded as his smile replayed over and over in her mind. She didn't know him as long as Luke did, but she loved him just a much.
"I remember one time when I came over, and we climbed on top of his roof to smoke a joint." Luke smiled at the memory. "I felt so ashamed, but it sure made me feel cool."
Rylie pictured it in her mind even though she was never there. They never really talked about their past much. Only the future. She didn't know how Luke was before she met him. She hadn't heard many stories of his past. He didn't know about her past life; high school, rebel phase, etc. She made a mental note that they should talk about it later.
Rylie knocked on the door, ignoring the doorbell.
Only minutes passed before it opened to see a man that looked just like Michael...only older. Rylie widened her eyes, expecting to see Karen. She hadn't met his father yet.
"Daryl." Luke stated, addressing the man.
Daryl squinted in the dark light, and his eyes lifted with happiness when he identified Luke. "Luke!" he exclaimed, and pulled him in for a hug. "It's so great to see you. " His eyes met Rylie's and his eyebrows furrowed.
"Who's this?" he pulled away from Luke, who towered over him.
"This is my girlfriend Rylie." Luke introduced her.
Daryl reached out his hand for Rylie to shake, and she couldn't help but see Michael in every move he made. She thought he looked like his mom, but he was an exact replica of his dad. Daryl's hair was still full on his head, but slightly graying. His figure was quite stocky, but he wasn't a very tall man. Luke looked like a giraffe compared to him. Then again, Luke looked like a giraffe compared to everybody.
"Did you know Michael?" Daryl asked her as their hands locked.
Rylie glanced at Luke, practically reading his mind. He was thinking about the whole reason they were there in the first place, but Daryl didn't know that.
"Yes sir, he was my..." Rylie questioned herself on what to say. "Friend." she decided, and Daryl smiled.
"Well any friend of Michael's is a friend of mine. Come in." Daryl opened the door wider, and Rylie nodded a thank you at him as she followed Luke inside. She was so used to everyone's Australian accent that she hardly noticed Michael's dads.
Rylie moved beside Luke to stand in the familiar house. It was a huge contrast to what she had seen before. Only a few boxes occupied the floor then, but now, the only thing in the large space was a couch. The person on that couch was Karen. Her hair was pushed back in a ponytail, and her legs were crossed Indian style as she scribbled in a notebook. She looked up, and pulled the reading glasses from her eyes. She smiled at the pair, and her eyes met Rylie's.
Daryl's voice spoke behind them. "Honey, it's Luke! And this beautiful young lady is-"
"Rylie..." Karen smiled. She closed the notebook, and set to the side before she got up, and walked over to the two, embracing both in a hug. So many hugs lately...but Rylie wasn't complaining. Hugs were such a perfect show of affection.
Her cheek squished against Karen's but it was fine.
Karen broke away, tears brimming her eyes. "It's so good to see you two..." she looked back and forth from Luke and Rylie. "I'm so glad you two are good now."
"We're glad that you're still here." Luke replied. Seeing the look on his face told Rylie that he loved Karen as a second mother. She couldn't imagine all the time him and the other boys must have spent at that house. Karen loved him as a second son, too.
"Not for long..." Karen invited them over to the couch as Daryl brought over two seats since there wasn't enough room. Rylie thanked him as he placed the seat in front of her, and she sat down, surprisingly not feeling awkward at all. She really liked Karen, and Daryl seemed nice too. It hadn't been too long since they last talked, but so much had happened.
"How are you doing?" Rylie asked the two.
Karen looked down at her lap, and Daryl planted a hand on her shoulder. "We're...we're making it through every day." he answered.
"He was a great guy." Luke nodded his head. "A great friend."
"A great son." Karen added.
"A great singer." Daryl threw another statement out. This was the best way to mourn. Think about all the great things he was.
"Let's face it." Rylie said. "He was a great human being."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they admired their laps.
"So what brings you here?" Karen asked. She placed her hand on Daryl's thigh, and looked between the two.
Rylie had almost forgotten the whole purpose they came. "We have something very important to tell you...and it involves your son."
Karen gasped. "You're pregnant!"
Rylie furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and glanced at an also stunned Luke. How did she know? How did she guess that? That was a reaction she was not expecting. What next?
"How did you-" Luke stopped mid-sentence, utterly flabbergasted at the sudden reveal. Everyone was stunned. Daryl's eyes darted around the room as he tried to comprehend the statement. Rylie just allowed her mouth to gape as she slowly nodded.
"How-how does that have anything to do with Michael?" Daryl asked, and his wife shot him a glance saying that he was too clueless.
"Sir..."Rylie looked at him with sincere eyes. "It's his child."
Daryl stared blankly at her for a moment as he blinked away the realization. "But...how?"
"Daryl, you were at the funeral! You heard what she said." Karen wiped her eyes like she mad at Daryl for not understanding right away. She turned to Rylie. "I knew it! I had been expecting it. I had this uneasy feeling in my gut that there was something else. That you were going to give me what I've always wanted: a grandchild!" Karen jumped from her spot on the couch, and lunged for Rylie. She wrapped her arms firmly around her body, and swayed back and forth, bringing Rylie with her. "Please tell me you're keeping it?" she whispered in her ear. "Please keep it, and keep us close..."
"I will..." Rylie had been so stunned at the sudden display of love, but she rubbed Karen's back, offering comfort. "I'm so excited to have Michael's memory live on..."
Karen pulled away, and offered puppy eyes at Rylie. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but she didn't know what. Her eyes flooded with tears as they streamed down her face. "Bless your soul. You're my un- biological daughter. Oh, my sweet girl..."
Rylie's heart warmed at the statement. She had become a daughter to two new mothers in the past hour. That child would have a lot of family to love. It felt so amazing to have a heart again. It had been broken so long that the thought of it whole was so foreign, but she had missed the sweet feeling of having love surround you.
She nudged Karen away slightly and leaned in to whisper. "Have you cleaned out his room?"
Karen nodded. Rylie frowned in disappointment. She was hoping she could look at it again, but instead, it was an empty room. Nothing more...
"Can I go in there anyway?" she asked sheepishly, feeling like a silly girl wanting to just go in a room to talk to a dead person. That was just the one place she really felt comfortable talking to Michael even though he was gone.
Karen smiled, and nodded a yes. She extracted herself from Rylie so she could get up.
Rylie took a quick glance at Luke before she disappeared behind the hallway, and tried to remember where his room was. It wasn't hard to find, and when she opened the door, a blank room appeared before her eyes. There was nothing. Empty. All the junk; the action figures, the guitars, the bed, everything was gone.
Rylie sighed, and walked over to the middle of the room where she sat down on the uncomfortable floor, and hugged her knees. She paused, searching for something to say. She knew Michael was in there with her.
"This is crazy, Mikey..." she said, looking around the room, hoping she could catch some insane sign of him. She waited for a reply, knowing she would never get one.
"This life continues to surprise me every day..." Rylie thought about everything she had gone through the last year of her life. She had found herself. She had found the best person she could be, and that was with Luke. All the laughs, all the smiles, all the complications, all the kissing, all the crying, all the hardships. Strangely enough, she didn't regret a single moment. She had fallen in love with Luke so fast that she barely remembered a happy time without him. They were relationship goals for most people. The tears she cried for him could fill an ocean; the smiles she sent his way could warm the sun; the love she had for him could save children in Africa. All the battles they had gone through; death, betrayal, almost suicide, infidelity; all of it that brought them together stronger as a couple, and now they were raising a child. They were too young; people would tell them they couldn't do it; they would have to think of Michael every time they looked at it; nevertheless, Rylie and Luke would love that child so much, and Michael would watch over it from above.
"I can't believe this is happening." Rylie spoke to the ceiling. "Michael, I promise you that you will never be forgotten. You're a legend in my eyes, and you're child will know how great of a man you are. I am honored to be able to carry your baby. I really am, and I hope you're okay with Luke standing in as a father figure...I'm sure you are. If it's a girl, I will raise her to be as strong, loyal, funny, understanding, and caring as you are. She's going to break boy's hearts, and she'll most likely give me and Luke hell, but I'm so okay with that. If it's a boy, he's gonna be a mini you. He's gonna kill on the guitar, I know you would want that. And I will surely emphasize protection because, call me a hypocrite, but there will be no children at a teenage age." Rylie smiled, so lost at talking to a wall that she didn't even realize Luke had entered the room.
"I love you, Michael. I will always love you, and we had a great time getting to know each other. I wish it didn't have to end this way, but it did. This won't be the last time we speak though, so don't leave me..."
Rylie met Luke's eyes as they filled with tears, and she opened her arms so she could hold him. Her Luke. No one else's. Luke kneeled down and pushed his body against hers. They allowed no space to seep between them. They needed each other. Rylie wrapped her arms around his neck, and allowed herself to get lost in his familiar scent.
"I kept my promise, Michael. I forgave him..." Rylie brushed her cheek against his as she closed her eyes to fully enjoy the moment. "Thank you for bringing us together because he is my soul mate."
Luke pulled away, and looked at her with eyes of infatuation. He kissed the tip of her nose with a tender devotion, and she smiled at his sweet gesture. She looked at him to really look at him. He was so handsome. He was so perfect, and the thought of being without him again was horrible.
The tears came so suddenly, and they were so powerful. Luke cried. She cried. They just held each other as they let everything hit them at once, and consume them.
Rylie held her breath as she tried to contain her emotions, but then she saw how pointless it was, and let her defenses be washed away in salty tears.
There was no style in her tears. It wasn't like in the movies when you pretty cry. The pearl-shaped tears rolling down her powdered cheeks from luminous eyes left streaks down her skin, clumping her eyelashes together. The drops of water dripped from her cleffed chin, and clear, watery snot protruded from her nostrils. She didn't care how she looked. Neither did Luke. Letting everything out was healing them both. Luke met her watery eyes, and leaned, sealing a wet and salty kiss. Every time he kissed her, she had butterflies. Every time. They had so much passion and love.
She loved him with every fiber in her being, and couldn't wait to start their journey as parents. There would be hard times. There would be hateful words, and loud screams, but they would always make up. That's what they did. They made up, forgetting the unfaithful memories, and becoming stronger.
Love was so confusing. Neither could control what was happening. Love was an emotion that overwhelms logic and common sense. They didn't plan on falling in love. It just happened. Were they ever strangers? The day she laid eyes on him, she felt like they had known each other for eternity.
Love is weird.
Of Book 1
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|03 Sep 2012
Help: computer won't REstart ...
When I have to or want to launch a REBOOT after installing a new prog or some Win7 updates my computer just closes down Win7 as normal, but then locks on 'black screen' instead of restarting... The only solution is to perform a 'hard' computer setoff and then to restart again my computer; Win7 than comes on again normally without any error message ! ...
PLEASE what can I do ? this is really very annoying, and I even cannot reinstall Win7, because on every automated reboot during the install the computer 'hangs' !!!
|My System Specs
|03 Sep 2012
Hello yvessr, welcome to Seven Forums!
Have a look through the information in this tutorial at the link below for some ideas to work through, step by step and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.
Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start
|My System Specs
|04 Sep 2012
Hi @Bare Foot Kid,
Thank you very much for your guide...
my problems have been solved by just REINSTALLING the latest Intel Chipset Drivers...
|My System Specs
|04 Sep 2012
My pleasure mate, I'm glad you found a solution that worked for you.
|My System Specs
|06 Sep 2012
Sorry man, I was completely wrong ... the problem is still there; I managed just 1 time to restart my PC normally but afterwards nothing anymore and now I am in big trouble because I can't even try a corrective reinstall as the PC hangs at the first aut restart !!!
can you give me some help ?
|My System Specs
|Thread Tools
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Hi. Whenever I'm asked if I wish to shut down and reboot now (after, say, uninstalling a program), I say 'yes'. More often than not, however, my restart only gets as far as the 'enter BIOS' screen (is that the POST screen?). To proceed, I have to press the reset button next to my main 'On'...
|General Discussion
Computer won't restart. Have to hit reset button to get computer back
All of the sudden my computer is messing up. If I just start my computer up it boots up just like it should but lets say I install something and it says it needs to restart my computer is when it messes up. The computer try's to start up and the light on the monitor turns to yellow but the...
|BSOD Help and Support
How do I restart my computer
Once the computer is started, gets to this window and stays on this page, I have tried the options after restarting the computer to no avail, and would appreciate any help you may be able to give me IDE channel 0 . Slave Disk HDD S.M.A.R.T. capability .........Disabled Verifying DMI...
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My computer restart automatically again. What can i do?
My computer had restarted automatically this afternoon, and a message was shown. What can i do? Problem signature: Problem Event Name: BlueScreen OS Version: 6.1.7600.2.0.0.256.1 Locale ID: 1028 Additional information about the problem: BCCode: 8e BCP1:C0000005
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My computer won't restart?
Windows 7 came pre installed computer is over a year old running 64 bit Windows did an update while I was running a program and automatically restarted the computer and now my computer wont restart it does a diagonostic report and doesn't find any issues. It gives me a screen with a few...
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computer looping sound automatic restart computer
acer aspire z5610 i have my computer is on for maybe hour or so then i hear the beep then stop then beep comes back looping sound continues then computer freezes then automatically shutdown restart it self i took it back to acer giving them say problem they did the test but they said they...
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Philip Rivers and Joey Bosa are making the best out of the Chargers' move from San Diego to Los Angeles.
It's no secret that Philip Rivers is having a tough time with leaving San Diego after 13-years. To lighten up the mood, Jimmy Kimmel invited the Chargers quarterback and Defensive Rookie of the Year onto his show to swear them into the LA lifestyle.
Watch the hilarious clip above!


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Please use this form to report a missed collection of recycling or food waste, garden waste or non-recyclable waste.
Please confirm your collection day before completing this form: Collection Date Finder.
Missed collections should be reported by the next working day otherwise a return visit isn't guaranteed.
If you have received a card saying that you have rubble, unwrapped glass, unbagged pet waste etc. in your bin you will need to remove this material and the Council may be able to return to make the collection.
If you have not been left a card and the missed collection was the fault of the Council, we will return as soon as possible.
You will need to provide brief contact details.
If you are reporting a missed assisted collection, please select the relevant service, as well as the assisted collection.


text: Michelin XPS Traction 2.7 (2) reviews Price Range: USD $177.99 to $319.99 All Season See Reviews Show Sizes & Pricing Light Truck and SUVs /All Season/All Terrain Does This Tire Fit? These robust Light Truck tires incorporate the same steel casing construction that has made our medium Truck tires the popular choice of large fleets around the world. Steel casing construction combined with steel bracking plies to contribute to the exceptional durability and recapability of these commercial product lines.Special anti-chip tread compounds with rib and lug tread designs provides a rugged platform for continual commercial service.Sculptured sidewall protectors help resist curb scrubbing damage that is common in urban commercial applications. Share this tire: HAVE A QUESTION? 1-877-877-1010 ASK AN EXPERT! LIVE CHAT FITMENT GUARANTEE All orders are verified for fitment guarantee. Helpful Resources Shipping Information Frequently Asked Questions See Reviews Show Sizes & Prices Sort By: Sort by Dry Wet Snow Handling Comfort Noise Treadwear Low Rating High Rating Overall 2.7 Michelin XPS Traction Rate Now Dry (3.0) Wet (3.0) Snow (1.5) Handling (2.5) Comfort (2.0) Noise (3.0) Treadwear (3.0) Overall: 1.0 Dry 1.0 Wet 1.0 Snow 1.0 Handling 1.0 Comfort 1.0 Noise 1.0 Treadwear 1.0 Size: Vehicle: Anonymous made this review on 2/17/2011 and is a Cautious, Reserved Driver Share this review: Overall: 4.5 Dry 5.0 Wet 5.0 Snow 2.0 Handling 4.0 Comfort 3.0 Noise 5.0 Treadwear 5.0 Very tough durable tire. Served me well for highway, carrying a camper on and off road and hauling heavy loads of firewood over rough, rocky logging roads. Great 3 season tire, I did not like winter performance and got a different set of tires for winter. Size: Vehicle: Anonymous made this review on 1/19/2011 and is a Confident, Experienced Driver Share this review: « 1 » × Be the first to know! You'll receive an alert as soon as this item is available for order. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe to Newsletter Submit The Michelin XPS Traction is unavailable for purchase or is currently out of stock. Advertisement


text:
A Dissection of Putters
By Terry Koehler, The Wedge Guy
Terry Koehler has been in the golf industry for over 30 years and currently spends his days as the President of EIDOLON Golf, a small premium wedge company in Victoria, Texas. He's been blogging for over 3 years and has written hundreds of articles ranging from golf tips to equipment issues. His blog will appear on ClubSG twice per week. You can reach Terry to have your golf questions answered at firstname.lastname@example.com.
All of you know me as "The Wedge Guy," but what you don't know is that my earlier work in golf club design was focused on putters. My first design, called "Destiny" was done in the mid-80s, and achieved pretty cool success on the PGA Tour in the hands of a number of players, including Robert Wrenn, Ian Baker Finch, Ray Floyd, Bernhard Langer and some other top names. It was one of the first to use the long hosel to achieve face balancing.
And a putter design concept I took to Hogan started my tenure there. The "Sure-In®" line never got the attention I would have liked, but it had some innovative weighting and some nice head models. I did three designs with Ben Crenshaw while I was President of Reid Lockhart. We did three models including one that was a perfect copy of Ben's favorite 8802. And then I did all the design work for Ray Cook while I was president there. So I have more than just a little experience in putter design.
The reason I tell you this, is because today I'm responding to the question from Aaron, of Austin, TX, who wrote in:
"While I know you're the Wedge Guy, I've been wondering about putter technology. I know about some of the styles (blade, mallet, etc.) but I was more wondering about the different face technologies (insert, etc.) as well as the loft on the putter, the shaft material, and the purpose of the different necks (plumbers neck, etc.)"Well, Aaron, let's take these several parts of the putter and let me share with you my observations about the form and function of each.
1. Face Technology. Today that falls into two categories – inserts and texture. Though Odyssey garnered most of the press about inserts, they've actually been around for many years. The old Otey Crisman putters were aluminum with a brass insert, and had a hickory shaft. You talk about feel -- they were awesome. In modern putter design, a small company called STX actually pioneered the synthetic insert long before Odyssey. The idea behind this concept is to match the hardness of the insert with the ball you play to achieve optimum "adhesion" of ball to face, so that a superior roll can be achieved. I never much cared for them, personally, and the new urethane covered balls have negated much of the need, in my opinion. You still find all kinds of putters with inserts and various face milling textures, but the only rule is this: If it feels great and puts a good roll on the ball, you should seriously consider it.Today's post got a little long, but the topic is heavy. Lets' see what you guys have to say and maybe we'll keep this dialog open for a while. If there are follow-up putter questions you have . . . just ask away.
* The Wedge Guy's views and opinions are his own do not necessarily reflect those of SkyGolf.
photo source
The Wedge Guy is sponsored by SCOR Golf, where Terry Koehler is President/CEO. He encourages you to submit your questions or topics to be considered for his columns on Tuesdays and Fridays. Each submission automatically enters you to win a SCOR4161 wedge to be given away monthly. Click the button below to submit your question or topic today.
[ comments ]
Golfing granny says:
Very informative! Thanks
[ post comment ]
SCOR Golf- The Short Game Company.
Click here to learn more about Terry.
Most Popular:


text:
Credit Advice
Have a question? Have advice to share? The combined knowledge and experience of everyone in the Credit Karma community can help you. Enter your question or help others below to get started!
QuestionPosted in Credit Cards
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Please take the time to read the articles here so you can learn all about how credit works because you need that knowledge! Just because you have a $6000 limit on a card doesn't mean you have to spend it all. I have been allowed to have over $20K in credit cards and I only use an amount I can afford to pay in full every month. It's how you manage your funds that counts the most. If you are going to continually tempted to spend all the credit you have available, then you should not have any credit.
BTW- I'm a retiree on a fixed income with a better score than when I was working.
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A.D. Call and Sons is your premier destination for all types of excavation services. Operating out of Stafford, just 5 miles from Batavia, minutes from LeRoy and the surrounding areas, A.D. Call & Sons Excavating and Trucking Inc. has been family owned under the same name and address since 1954. We employ five office personnel and 35 field employees. Many of our employees have worked for the company for at least 10-15 years and have been in the industry for many more. We have been providing Western New York with top quality service to both residential and commercial customers.
Excavation projects for general commercial, industrial, residential, and senior living projects in the last three years has enabled A.D. Calls to expand their diverse portfolio. We are pleased to say all of these projects have been completed in a timely manner and within the defined budgets.
Our company has grown from sole proprietor to a corporation that is capable of handling sizable excavation projects. We are extremely proud of our workforce and its many accomplishments.
A.D. Call & Sons has been known for providing well-trained, skilled field personnel on projects. The right people, equipment and processes make us an outstanding leader in the services we offer. With our workforce, experience, equipment and safety record we can tackle some of the most challenging projects.
We have OSHA 10-hour certified crews, a certified OSHA competent person on each job as well as a certified NYSDEC Erosion and Sediment Control person on each job. Whatever your excavation needs, you won't find a better, more experienced, or more professional team with our proven reputation for integrity and value. Reasonably priced, we offer Septic System Repairs and Installation, Sewer Hookups, Ledge Rock Removal, Foundations, Drainage Problems and more. Regardless of the size of the project, our goal is to provide our clients with the best experience possible. Be sure to take a look at our gallery for a sampling of some of our projects.
Site preparation includes excavation, leveling, installation of underground utilities, drainage systems and access roads. A.D. Calls also excavates building pads, digs concrete footings, and prepares ground for concrete slabs. Underground utilities includes installation for water and sewage systems including all trenching to the final surface reclamation.
We routinely maintain all our equipment so they are available for immediate mobilization. Because our fleet are well-maintained, there is minimum downtime and reduced opportunities for schedule delays.
Our equipment consists of:
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and more…


text:
- Home
- Japanese Festivals
- Kumano Kodo Trip
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- Take A Stitch Tuesday
- 17 in 2017
- Stitching Finishes 2017
- Stitching Finishes 2016
- Stitching Finishes 2015
- Stitching Finishes 2014
- Stitching Finishes 2013
- Stitching Finishes 2012
- 2017 Smalls Stitch A Long
- 2016 Smalls Stitch A Long
- 2015 Smalls Stitch A Long
- 2014 Smalls Stitch-A-Long
Friday, January 13, 2017
New Year's Stitch Group
Labels: Blackwork, Stitch Group
6 comments:
Wonderful to be stitching with friends. .love that red teapot.ReplyDelete
How wonderful to have this group of friends to stitch and celebrate with!ReplyDelete
Hi Pamela,wow i love those decorations,they are all wonderful.ReplyDelete
What fun you have with these girls,looking forward to seeing the hearts.
The ornaments looks great.ReplyDelete
It is wonderful to stitch with friends.
You can take part in so many Japanese traditions and customs in this group.ReplyDelete
Thee snowman ornaments are beautifully finished. The ladies were doing a great job.ReplyDelete
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text:
"A light and spicy dish in minutes from Stonyfield Farms."
Cashew Shrimp Curry
0 recipe photos
READY IN:20mins
Ingredients Nutrition
- 1 lb large shrimp, raw and peeled
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided use
- 1 bunch scallion, chopped
- 1 pint shiitake mushroom
- 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, sliced
- 1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped (may substitute with parsley)
- 1 cup chicken broth or 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup plain yogurt (whole milk)
- 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1⁄2 cup cashew nuts, whole for garnish
- In a bowl toss the shrimp with curry powder and cinnamon and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add scallions and sauté for 1 minute.
- Then add mushrooms, water chestnuts and 1/4 cup of cilantro and sauté until mushrooms are tender and transfer to a plate.
- Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and start sautéing the shrimp for about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth slowly and while stirring constantly.
- Return the sauté mushrooms and water chestnuts to the skillet and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the yogurt slowly stirring constantly and serve immediately over rice.
- Garnish with cashews and 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro.
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text:
CHRIS UHLMANN: Police in Victoria say they're still determining whether they'll charge the doctor who has re-ignited the debate over assisted suicide.
Dr Rodney Syme said last week for the first time that he provided a fatal dose of the drug Nembutal to a dying patient. He's told AM that he hopes he is charged to force the issue into the courts.
Social Affairs correspondent Norman Hermant reports.
NORMAN HERMANT: When Steve Guest was dying of oesophageal cancer in 2005 a documentary film maker was on hand to record his final days. He is little more than a living skeleton, not able to swallow, nourished by a tube into his stomach.
Steve Guest wanted to die and it's long been known Dr Rodney Syme helped him achieve that goal through advice and consultation.
NICOLE CHVASTEK: Rodney Syme, good morning.
RODNEY SYME: Good morning Nicole.
NICOLE CHVASTEK: Did you help Steve Guest to die?
RODNEY SYME: Yes I did.
NORMAN HERMANT: But last week on ABC Radio he went further.
(Question to Rodney Syme) What did you say that you hadn't said before publicly?
RODNEY SYME: I said quite specifically that I gave Steve Guest Nembutal. I'd given every intimation for the previous well, nine years now it is, that I had given him assistance with advice and medication, but I never said what it was.
NORMAN HERMANT: That revelation was deliberate.
Nembutal is administered to euthanise animals and has often been given to patients seeking assistance to commit suicide. Dr Syme's admission could force the police into action.
(Question to Rodney Syme) So are you hoping to be charged?
RODNEY SYME: (Laughs) Part of me says yes because I think that could give a definitive decision. Another part of me says no, I don't want the stress.
NORMAN HERMANT: Dr Syme has campaigned for the right to doctor assisted suicide for decades and near the end of his life Steve Guest too became a right to die campaigner.
RADIO HOST: But first Steve from Point Lonsdale is on the line. Good morning Steve.
NORMAN HERMANT: Just weeks before his death in 2005 he called in to ABC Radio in Melbourne.
STEVE GUEST: Nobody owns this life except me and they won't let me end it.
NORMAN HERMANT: Dr Syme freely admits Steve Guest isn't alone.
(Question to Rodney Syme) Are there others who you've given Nembutal to?
RODNEY SYME: Yes.
NORMAN HERMANT: How many?
RODNEY SYME: I'm not prepared to say that.
NORMAN HERMANT: That revelation could be of interest to the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions), couldn't it?
RODNEY SYME: It may be.
NORMAN HERMANT: If he is charged, Dr Syme faces up to five years in prison for inciting or aiding suicide. Should this get to a courtroom, he likes his chances.
RODNEY SYME: If I were charged, I would be asking a jury to decide whether I'm a criminal, or a good doctor. I think I'm fairly confident what a jury would think about that.
CHRIS UHLMANN: Assisted suicide advocate Dr Rodney Syme ending that report from Norman Hermant.
The full story...
Doctor admits assisting suicide, hopes to bring issue to the courts
Norman Hermant reported this story on Thursday, May 8, 2014 08:12:00
CHRIS UHLMANN: Police in Victoria say they're still determining whether they'll charge the doctor who has re-ignited the debate over assisted suicide.
Related Links
ABC takes no responsibility for the sites these links take you to.


text:
Social Question
Is the game runescape unhealthy/ bad for a 17 year old senior to play?
Asked by welcome2a4 (9) September 8th, 2010
im a 16(nearly 17) year old senior, ive already kind of quit this game runescape, and i was wondering if i should stay away from it(maybe im too old to play this game) for those of you who have played/heard of it will certainly understand better than the others.
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text:
I find the render doesn't suit the background.
I dun know what I think of it, I give it a 5/10 for blankness.
50 grand every week, fuckin' rat budget.
I win, always.
I find the render doesn't suit the background.
You have to stop making sigs so fast.
Take time to look at tuts...follow some PSD's.
Good sigs take time.
Next time try sharpening the focal, instead of the text..
Dude your sig. I don't know how the fawk you can even get close to that.
I look at so many tuts and mess up on them.
50 grand every week, fuckin' rat budget.
I win, always.
Don't jump @ advanced tutorials - start with simple tutorials like grunge signatures.
Add me you can learn with me ;D I suck too
No sig ): QQ
Trusting Reverse Psychology
the thing i dont like is that the guy is blurry, nice go at it xD my odst sig is already on me. And like some others said stick to the smaller stuff first then you get better and better.


text: Babolat puredrive roddick 4 1/2 grip size, Its 8/10 Condition, some scuffs and scraches, the bummper dont have much wear. Never thrown the racquet or dropped it, scraches, scuffs and nics are from low shots and one is from cutting strings off the racquet. had this racquet for 2 months now. I'm looking for 125 or a k95 18x20 or 16x18 I have pictures of my babolat, there real detailed. what you see is what you get. Email me at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
DOWNLOAD MP3: Sarkodie – "Long Tin" ft. Eva Alordiah
This new one from Sarkcess Music boss, Sarkodie just surfaced online. The record titled "Long Tin" features Nigerian rap Queen, Eva Alordiah.
If you talking hip hop, get your headsets and jam it below
Powered by themekiller.com anime4online.com animextoon.com apk4phone.com tengag.com moviekillers.com


text: I will be in NYC from December 16-21 for a mix of business and pleasure. Interested in lively restaurants where I can eat at the bar and still get a good representation of the menu. Price not really an issue... interested in all kinds of food. Happy to here your thoughts. Will likely stay in SoHo but location not necessarily an issue.


text:
Sydney Peace Prize
'I thought the Sydney Peace Prize was a hoax!'
By Ece Koc
The recipient of the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize, Zimbabwean Senator Sekai Holland was in the A9 TV Studios recently, answering questions about the latest situation in Zimbabwe, how the country crawled its way back out of turmoil and a crippled economy, and the latest turmoil in Syria.
Sekai Holland of Zimbabwe is a familiar name in the international peace community. After having worked years for human rights and ending the culture of violence in her country, and going through nine hours of torture for her actions, Holland finally got the attention she deserved and received the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize for her efforts for peace. She recently was a guest in the A9 TV studios in the peace-promoting TV show Building Bridges.
Sekai recounted her journey of a lifetime, which she began as a child: 'I think most of the time, people like me become who they are because of something which happens to them, which makes them realize things differently. First of all, I think my family, my father and mother played a great role in my quest for peace'. 'However', she says 'the torture was the final straw': '11th March 2007 (the date of torture), really made me see that we needed to take serious action to bring peace to Zimbabwe'.
In March 2007, she was arrested and brutally tortured in a Harare Police station with 139 leaders of the MDC. She sustained a broken arm, a broken leg, fractured ribs, and over 80 lacerations to her entire body caused by whipping, beating, and being stamped on by the torturers. Sekai spent 15 weeks in hospitals in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia including eight months in Australia, to begin to recover.
Asked about Syria, she said that Syrians need to put aside their differences and see what they have in common: 'In Syria, the Syrian language, Syrian culture, the environment of Syria, the history of Syria, should be enough motivation for people of Syria to declare that they must work together. They must put all differences aside and put Syria first. Why put Syria first? For the sake of themselv to have love and happiness now. For their children and grandchildren to come. Syrians must really start to understand how important those things are for them.' She adds that today with the influence of the social media, you can easily see the damage and continues: '(Seeing all this damage) should be enough to determine for you to say no, we cannot continue to destroy, we must fight to build. '
When asked a question about the reason behind all this conflict, she believes that unfair distribution of resources is the largest origin of the problem and the second reason is the lack of teaching people the need for peace.
Holland has a humorous story as to her Sydney Prize. She says that ten years before the prize, she received a hoax email claiming that she won one million pounds and that put her off many years: 'So ten years ago I received an email saying that I won one million pounds. I got very excited and I screamed and went to my husband, 'Our problems are finished!'. He looked at it and said to me: 'Listen, this is a hoax'. I was very upset, I realized that there were many people who believed in it. So ten years later when I received this email, that I won Sydney Peace Prize, I went through it, 'Ah, junk'. So my husband goes through the 'junk e-mail'. Because I normally throw away very good things. And he came back very enthusiastically, saying 'You won'. I said 'When?'. He said this is an e-mail which came few days ago, I said 'It's a hoax'. He said 'It's not a hoax'.'
Holland says that the peace prize, and the messages she received after that made her understand that many people want peace and that fueled her even more to pursue new goals in peace-building: ' I suddenly realized that many, many societies want peace. They really want to link up and talk to one another. So they really have very good ideas for one another on how to bring peace to the other countries. I value this connection with Turkey because Turkey is doing such a great job with the Syrian refugees.'
Holland was very happy to be interviewed by such young ladies keen on bringing peace to the world and said that this was a very good thing because the real change in the Western societies came from young people like them in the 60s and 70s, although not many people seemed to understand the importance of their actions back then. Holland continued: 'I think that there is lots we can learn from Turkey. From even the way you are doing this initiative with the Syrian refugees. I've been reading a lot about Turkey and Syria since we made contact. And I'm really excited about some of the things that I'm finding out. I think yes we can all learn a lot from what you are doing there. And I'm actually struck looking at you now, to see how young you all look. I'm going to be 70 next week'.
When two elephants fight, it is the children who suffer
Holland says that children are the most affected in any kind of conflict, and the Syrian violence should be resolved immediately without further damage to kids: 'An African proverb says 'When two elephants fight, it is the children who suffer'. So any of this fight, the government, the opposition, it is the elephants fighting, but it is the children who are suffering. Because they will never forget, the noise, the verbal abuse, they will never forget that it was their home that was trashed, all those things make a big impact on the children. When those things are happening, we should remember the impact on the children and stop and really start to talk to bring peace as quickly as possible in their country.'