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I've been trying to find time to write about the big ongoing question about adjuster overtime pay and a related issue on the commonly asked question " am I an independent or am I an employee". The new suit brought by two AIG adjusters in September 2007 again brings this topic to the forefront and we'll watch this case to see if anything new develops to help us understand these issues. We would appreciate any comments by employment attorneys to help us clarify these issues. Today we will provide information on the overtime issue and tomorrow we'll blog about the Independent adjuster vs employee questions which we are frequently asked about by adjusters when signing independent adjusting firm contracts.
Here is a link to the news article about the AIG adjusters new suit. Here is also a link to the Bloomberg article on this new suit.It's not just carrier staff adjusters and employees filing these suits as this article shows adjusting firms are the subject of such suits also in this article saying Pilot Catastrophe Services also received a Complaint in 2004. I'd like to know how the adjusting firm case was resolved but could find no information on the web about the outcome of the case.
The AAICP -American Association of Independent Claims Professionals wrote an excellent article on this overtime issue in June 2004 found here. This article in part says:
"Insurance claims adjusters are still exempt from federal overtime requirements under the United States' Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division's final version of the controversial changes to the white collar exemption regulations. As requested by the American Association of Independent Claims Professionals (AAICP), an association of independent claims adjusting companies, the Labor Department specifically noted in the new regulations that claims adjusters are generally exempt from overtime pay requirements regardless of what kind of company they may work for – an insurance company or an independent. The new regulations also make some adjustments to exempt salary requirements that may affect claims adjusters, including raising the minimum exempt salary and creating a new pseudo-presumption of exempt status for higher wage-earners."
Here is more important information in this article:
"As requested by the AAICP, the new regulations specifically use insurance claims adjusters as an example of an exempt administrative employee:
Insurance claims adjusters generally meet the duties requirements for the administrative exemption, whether they work for an insurance company or other type of company , if their duties include activities such as interviewing insureds, witnesses and physicians; inspecting property damage; reviewing factual information to prepare damage estimates; evaluating and making recommendations regarding coverage of claims; determining liability and total value of a claim; negotiating settlements; and making recommendations regarding litigation. "
Please read the full article for other important details.
Here is another article from the AFL CIO which specifically addresses insurance adjusters and overtime issues which concurs with the article from AAICP stating in part:
"Insurance claims adjusters—Again, court cases on whether insurance claims employees receive overtime pay have gone both ways—some courts have said they are exempt and other have said they should receive overtime pay. This is a very heavily-litigated field, and corporations have not been able to win a blanket victory. The Bush Administration has handed them that victory by changing the nationwide regulation to specify that these employees are generally disqualified from receiving overtime pay. (New Section 541.203(a)) A quarter of insurance claims adjusters make less than $35,000 a year. "
In a more recent case involving Farmers, White and Case provides this analysis of an overtime case in multiple states in this February 2007 article on Farmers prevailing in a case on the claim adjuster overtime issues. Here is the link to their article.
One of the most excellent articles I could find (here)is from Holland and Knight in December 2006 which addresses the duties of adjusters who alleged use of computer estimating systems and claim manual among other things took away their individual judgment thus they were entitled to overtime pay. Some important comments in this article include:
"The Farmers claims adjusters asserted that they were not exempt from the overtime pay requirements because the work that they performed was part of the "production" side of the business, not the "administrative" side. They also argued that because they had to follow claims manuals and guidelines, and use computer programs to determine loss values, they did not exercise sufficient "discretion" and "independent judgment" to fall within the exemption.The trial court found that all of the claims adjusters were doing "administrative" work; that is, that their role was on the administrative side of the business, not the "production" side. In addition, the trial court found that most of the claims adjusters used a sufficient amount of discretion and independent judgment in their work to qualify for the exemption. However, the trial court found that some claims adjusters, such as automobile adjusters and adjusters who mostly handled claims less than $3,000, had to follow so many guidelines and rules that they did not exercise an adequate amount of discretion and independent judgment to meet the exemption".
I found this article addressing the size of the claim particularly interesting in light of all of the claim central operations handling smaller losses.
Here is another good article by the Jackson Lewis firm from November 2006 outlining more duties of adjusters and providing more information on the Ninth Circuit ruling that claims adjusters are exempt from overtime pay while noting that CA courts reached opposite conclusions. This brings us to this September 19, 2007 article here by National Underwriters discussing some recent CALIFORNIA cases where Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers agreed to pay millions on other cases out there. Is this because they are cases in CA subject to other laws or is it because of overtime regulation interpretations prior to the new overtime rules of the Federal Labor Standards Act?
This MSNBC article here from August 2004 explains what changed with the new overtime regulations when they went into force. I'm not an employment attorney so I am not sure of the answer to this question as to why some carriers were settling these cases but it may be due to the regulations in CA differing as an article addessing several CA cases settled by carriers in Los Angeles Business Journal explains here.
Here is an interesting article from October 2006 by CFO.com indicating the 2004 update to the FLSA has increased the confusion on overtime pay and the number of suits filed. Particularly interesting on page 3 of this article is the list of FLSA auditor "red flags" indicating things they look for to see if a firm is in violation of overtime issues such as having all employees on salary versus some time card employees. Adjusting firms should read this article.
The bottom line in all of these articles seems to verify that adjusters are not entitled to overtime pay with the exception of CA (see this 2nd article here from Holland Knight on CA regs opposed to Federal regs) . I'd make sure your adjusting firm is compliant on these issues especially during catastrophe operations when many firms are working employees at the required carrier hours of 7am-7pm 6 or 7 days per week. Check with your employment attorney to verify you have your firm properly classifying your employees and adjusters. There are many new in office programs adjusting firms are participating in such as running call centers, using an increased number of adjusters in claim central operations at carrier catastrophe centers, running additional living expense and contents claim units from their adjusting firm home offices or field catastrophe centers.
Due to the increased number of suits as a result of the new 2004 FLSA decisions as indicated in these articles, it appears wise to get a legal opinion on your overtime decisions BEFORE your firm is subject to such a complaint. Review of this Department of Labor article found here says it best:
"The status of an insurance claims adjuster, however, does not rely on the "claims adjuster" job title alone. There must be a case-by-case assessment to determine whether the employee's duties meet the requirements for exemption. "
In my earlier years as a staff adjuster, we were never paid overtime pay except when moved to "time card" status while attending claim schools as they advised us training status required overtime pay while normal work did not. We were never paid overtime as claim managers in line field units, claim central operations, or while serving as catastrophe claim managers working 7 days per week 12 hours per day. In more recent years when performing temporary catastrophe management duties with independent adjusting firms, they also paid us on salary with no overtime. I can assure you in both staff and independent positions that adjusters normally work far beyond a 40 hour work week to keep up with carrier performance guidelines and Department of Insurance mandated deadlines during catastrophes. This 28 year carrier career was all prior to 2002 with the independent experiences from 2003 to the present.
I am curious what adjusters today (after the 2004 changes) are experiencing on these salary, time card, and overtime issues and hope to hear from many of you in reply to this blog. Please list your position, your state of employment, your carrier or adjusting firm, and your method of pay both for regular 40 hours and overtime. Should you not wish to comment in the blog, you can send emails to us and I can post your input anonymously in reply to this blog. We'll also post this in our forums at ClaimSmentor for continuing ongoing discussions with our members.


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Need help?
In today's increasingly 'digital age', we're all aware of just how important it is to keep personal data safe and secure.
On 25 May 2018, the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)* comes into force.
This requires that all personal information held by companies/organisations is with the consent of that person, held securely and managed properly.
The privacy and protection of all our customers is important to us at Leek United – and we appreciate that when you share your data with us, you trust us to keep it safe and secure.
In advance of GDPR becoming law, we have made a few changes to our privacy policy, reaffirming our commitment to protect your rights and interests.
Our new policy explains how we store your data and – more importantly – how we keep it safe.
There are notices in all our branches/agencies, telling you where you can find our new privacy statement on the website; and if you want a hard copy, you can get one from your local branch.
Alternatively, just follow this link to read it online now.
* Find out more about GDPR visit the Information Commissioner's Office website: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/Back to news

subset: commoncrawl


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Derek Wright Is a 28 year old 179cm point guard from Los Angeles, California that is playing his sixth professional season and first in Germany for SC Rasta Vechta. He started his basketball career in 2004 for Austin Peay St where he played until 2008 and as a senior played 35 games: 11.4ppg, 2.5rpg, AssistsOVC-4(4.7apg), StealsOVC-2(2.5spg), FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 40.2%, FTOVC-7(79.1%): Finished career ranked first all-time at APSU in steals (228), third in assists (487) and tied for first in school and conference history in games played (131). He came to Europe in 2009 and started his professional basketball career with BK Synthesia Pardubice (Czech Rep.-NBL) where he played until 2011. In the 2011-2012 season he played for Levharti Chomutov (Czech Rep.-NBL, starting five): 14 games: 17.9ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.6apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 85.5%; then moved to BK Nova Hut Ostrava (Czech Rep.-NBL, starting five): 24 games: 11.6ppg, 3.8rpg, Assists-4(4.6apg), Steals-4(2.1spg), FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 81.4%. In the 2012-2103 season he played for CS U-Mobitelco Cluj Napoca (Romania-Division A, starting five): 32 games: 14.6ppg, 4.2rpg, Assists-1(6.8apg), Steals-1(2.9spg), FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 81.4%. Last season he played for the Lions de Geneve (Switzerland-LNA): 3 games: 11.7ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, in Nov.'13 moved to A.G.O Rethymno Aegean (Greece-A1): 19 games: 10.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT: 80.5%. He spoke to German Hoopsbefore the game against the Giessen 46ers.
Derek thanks for talking to German Hoops. You got signed very late this season. Was the offers less than in previous years or just not the right ones?
I was just looking for a good situation. I recently got married and just wanted the best situation for my family.
SC Rasta Vechta needed a new point guard to replace Ahmad Smith. What sold you on joining SC Rasta Vechta?
I saw how professional the organization SC Rasta Vechta is. Head coach Stephan Arigbabu also convinced that coming to Vechta would be ideal. He told me that the team has a bright future and what its expectations were. He told me that he saw me as the right person that would help the team build.
The club is 2-1. You seemed to have made a rather quick adjustment to play. Has the many changes of scenery in the last years helped you in general have a knack for getting to know a new basketball environment better?
Yes I have played in a couple places the last years. However I have played for a long time and after awhile its always the same. You come into a new situation and you don´t know what to expect. Basketball is basketball so its just a matter of getting adjusted.
Offensively you have been scoring well, but have averaged 4,3 turnovers in your first three games. What has been the toughest adjustment for you so far on the offensive end?
I haven´t been myself yet, but that is because I came in late and missed preseason. I don't have that game feel yet, but it is slowly coming back to me. My timing is off and fatigue sets in in certain situations and that effects you mentally. However my timing is slowly coming back.
SC Rasta Vechta is a very young team with two American rookies with Vince Bailey and Amir Carraway. You are the third oldest behind Chase Griffin and Max Weber. Do you see yourself being a leader type of guy as the season moves along and the team gets to know you better?
I have been vocal since I have been here. The young players have an ear open and are willing to learn. It is great to see that they take the advice. I also listen to them for advice. I hope that all will fall into place with this team. Everyone has their ears open and that makes everyone better.
You're a very quick-footed PG, he's an ideal quarterback for a run and shot game based on fast breaks. Defends very well on the perimeter, can steal lots of balls and has a good scoring range and accuracy, even from behind the 3pts arch. What is strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?
A hidden strength is my ability to lead the team. I am like a coach on the floor that wants to help the team at all times. I first look to help the team be better and not myself first. I am a hard working player and feel that my effort to help the team get better on the offensive and defensive end gets overlooked.
The next opponent of SC Rasta Vechta are the Giessen 46ers that have won five of their last six games and are a very disciplined team. What will be key to winning the game?
Every team can beat each other in this league. We saw video on Giessen and they move the ball very well. We will have to play Vechta basketball. We have to communicate well on defense and just do what it takes to win.
What has been your early impression of Vechta head coach Stephan Arigbabu? Did you know that he played on the German national team with Dirk Nowitzki?
Yes I knew that before I came in. A teammate in Greece had played with him in Greece. He is a great guy and has a great personality. He really looks out for his players and is a guy that you can always talk to. He gives good advice and shows that he believes in you. I heard that he was a good player.
You had a stellar college career at Austin Peay State from 2004-2008. How did head coach David Loos get you prepared for a professional basketball career best?
Loos was very hard on me. I didn´t understand it as a freshman, but when I left I did. He taught me very much and how to lead a team. He always pushed me to the limit and he really helped me to understand the game better. He wanted me to go into games confident and just be the most consistent player on the court and just do what I do best. I actually spoke to him not to long ago.
How important was it for your start in Europe to play your first two seasons in the Czech Republic with Maurice Hampton for BK JIP Pardubice. How did your relationship grow from your college days into the professional years?
I met Maurice when I was 17 years old. When I visited Austin Peay St, he was my host. He went on to become one of my best friends. We still talk today. I came to the Czech Republic as a rookie and Maurice helped me so much. I didn´t know what to expect and it was hard to adapt from the American style of play to the European style. He was always there for me when I had tough situations. It was a great experience with him and I have the most respect for him.
You have played in many countries like the Czech Republic, Romania, Switzerland, and Greece. What style has fit your game most?
I think that the style that has fit me most was in Greece. There were many athletic players there that could shot and the game was in the open court that fit my style. It was great being able to find guys above the rim or being able to penetrate and dish the ball to the wings. I learned the most in Romania. My coach there really helped me to understand the point guard position best. I was able to use my quickness and passing best there.
You played last season in Greece for Agor. What memories do you have of the 103-79 loss to Olympiacos against Vassillis Spanoulis? You held your own scoring 10 points and dishing out eight assists in 22 minutes while he had five points and nine assists in 19 minutes.
Spanoulis is a great player. This was my first game in Greece. I was a bit nervous before the game, but when I got on the court I felt confident. It was like a dream for me to play against these great players and seeing an Acie Law who played in the NBA. Even though we lost, I hit shots and found my teammates. Spanoulis didn´t guard me the whole time though.
What was the craziest thing that you experienced in your short stay in Greece?
It was on the road. At halftime, we were walking back into the locker room and some fan threw a m-80 firecracker into the stands. It sounded like a bomb. You never knew what to expect in Greece. They had some crazy fans.
Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that is the NBA now?
When I was a senior, I played Derrick Rose who was a freshman. He wasn´t the best player on his team as it was Chris Douglas Roberts, but you knew that he would be great someday. When we played Memphis at the start of the season, Rose wasn´t as experienced as he would get towards the end. I was impressed how quick he was and how well he could finish for a freshman.
Where will the journey of the Los Angeles Lakers end this season?
It is tough. I don´t see them making the playoffs. They are rebuilding and missing some pieces. I hope they get those pieces. Kobe is old, but you can never count him out. I hope they can achieve something before he retires.
What was the last DVD movie that you saw?
The Edge of Tomorrow.
Thanks Derek for the chat.


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The new home sales data from April showed condo sales vault back to life but at the expense of their prices. Meanwhile, single family home sales continued to improve over last year's poor results, with even prices improving month to month for the first time since November, though they remain down from last year.
Source: BILD – Altus, Six Housing Sense
As the graph shows, condo sales had a great month by any standard for April. After months of historically low sales, the condo market bounced back to life closing in on the sales total of 2017. This marks only the second month in the last year and a half where condos achieved a year-over-year improvement. If these April results can continue through the rest of the spring and into the second half of the year, 2019 has the chance to offer a true bounce back in terms of sales.
Source: BILD – Altus, Six Housing Sense
Single-family homes did not have the same success that condos experienced. Sales were up over 2018 levels, though they continued to fall well short of the ten-year average. Compared to 2018, new single-family home sales have doubled year-over-year; however, in comparison to any year from 2014 to 2017 sales remain down by roughly half, if not more.
Source: BILD – Altus, Six Housing Sense
The real numbers to follow from April's new home sales report are the prices. Single-family homes can breathe a small sigh of relief as prices did improve marginally over March, growing from $1,116,640 to $1,119,772. That month over month gain ended a four-month trend of decreasing monthly prices; however, it still represents a 3% price drop from April 2018, and a drop of nearly $200,000 from peak prices in 2017.
Although condo sales were strong in April, prices were not. Condo prices saw their largest ever month to month price drop, falling from $780,839 down to $758,585. Year-over-year new condo prices remain up 2.5%; however, prices have decreased almost $50,000 from their peak price in January. If new condo prices do not gain in May, prices will slip into the negative next month. This price drop, coupled with resale condos' continued price growth, did close the price gap between the new and resale markets. In March new condos were selling for 50% more than the resale market. That number has now fallen to 43% with April's price drop.
The new homes market experienced a sales revival in April, which was positive news for the industry, though it did appear to come at the expense of condo prices. A month to month price drop of 3% is significant and positions the industry to have both single-family and condo prices down year-over-year next month. As sales remain below their 10-year average and with prices decreasing, the new homes industry seems to still be struggling.


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Variety Family Fun Day
When: Thursday 18 April from 10am – 2pm Where: Commonwealth Park The Variety Family Fun Day is a great way to spend quality time with your family and friends. There will jumping castles, a petting zoo, face painting, roaming characters, Easter themed arts and craft, egg hunt and onstage performances. This is also a free event. Register online at variety.org.au by COB …Continue reading


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January 25-26, 2019
StoneWater Church Granbury
Granbury, Texas
Ladies, this two day conference is unlike any other women's event at StoneWater. Join hundreds of other women from across all of our campuses as we worship, learn, and laugh together. Grow in your walk with the Lord and connect with other women at the same time.
This year, our theme is Grace —giving and receiving it. Our featured speaker is Tara Jenkins of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.


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Through writing, I've met some wonderful fellow authors. One of these gems is Valerie Massey Goree, who happens to be an extraordinarily interesting woman in addition to being a knockout author. Here's what my friend Valerie has to say about her latest release, "Day of Reckoning" (and don't you love that title??)
Thank you for hosting me today, Carlene.
"Two hours crouched behind a reeking dumpster on a dead-end San Diego street must be the worst possible way to spend a balmy Saturday night. Private Investigator, Agent Lela Ortiz stretched, and massaged her taut neck muscles."
These are the opening lines of my latest romantic suspense novel, Day of Reckoning, which is a stand-alone sequel to Weep in the Night. Both stories feature agents who work for the International Retrieval Organization. Lela was introduced in Weep, and now she has her own story in Day of Reckoning. One aspect I love about writing fiction is creating my story world. The IRO—a top-notch detective agency of sorts—has unlimited resources, and therefore my agents have everything they need to accomplish their tasks.
As a seasoned operative, Lela is assigned the kidnapping case of businessman, Chuck Davenport. When her boss allows Jay Vashon, Chuck's brother-in-law to assist, Lela accepts the help with reservations, especially when Jay prays at the most inopportune times.
Jay would do anything to help bring Chuck home, even work with feisty Agent Ortiz. As Jay and Lela decipher clues Chuck sends to his son with special needs, they are forced to work in close proximity.
Can Jay break through the barrier Lela has constructed around her heart? Will Lela be able to overcome her distrust of men and God?
And Chuck? Can the pair locate him before the ransom deadline?
Weaving the romantic thread with the suspense element of a story is always so much fun to create. After all, we can't have the characters sailing along without a care in the world. Speaking of sailing—my husband and I recently moved to the state of Washington. The office window of our condo overlooks the bay, and on any given day we have sailboats, fancy yachts, or brave kayakers plying the waters. To the north we often see cruise ships, or tankers and container ships heading to or from Seattle. We don't own a boat, but we enjoy watching other people's money go floating by!
I've completed the third novel in the series. It will feature an IRO agent introduced in Day of Reckoning as the hero or heroine. Who will it be? Manny, Pamela, Smitty, Cooper? Hmm. I can keep a secret.
Here's where you can find "Day of Reckoning" Amazon or Pelican Book Group
American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides with her husband on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
After serving as missionaries in her home country of Zimbabwe and raising two children, Glenn and Valerie moved to Texas. She worked in the public school system for many years, focusing on students with special needs. Now retired, Valerie spends her time writing, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Valerie's novels include: Deceive Me Once; Colors of Deceit; Weep in the Night; and stand-alone sequel Day of Reckoning. Check Valerie's website to learn more about her books.
Valerie loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her through Facebook


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Drive Wire: The Beauty of a Drifting Semi Truck
By The Drive StaffNovember 25, 2015
Today's ridiculous video features a drifting turbo diesel semi truck. Because, hey, why not? The semi slides with the grace of an autocross car and declares war on all tires. Nothing is quite as awesome and absurd at the same time. This must be what happens after hours at Walmart distribution centers. Or, at least we hope it is…


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As the medical industry grows profitable from plastic surgery procedures, consumers must be warned of the high risks. Cosmetic surgery procedures have been on the rise since the 1990s. It started with celebrities who are pressured to look their best at all times. With the rise of social media, more commoners yearn to look like their role model celebrities. This comes with heavy financial, emotional and physical burdens. It is approximated that 1 in every 3000 cosmetic surgery cases ends up a death case.
Top 5 Worst Cases Of Death From Plastic Surgery Complications:
- 29 years old British Leah Cambridge – Brazilian Butt Lift in Istanbul, Turkey.
- 40 years old American Kizzy London – Liposuction and Fat Transfer in Miami, Florida.
- 36 Years Old American Laura Avila – Nose Reconstruction in Juarez,Mexico.
- 34 Years Old American Kelly Mayhew – Silicon Butt Injections in New York, New York.
- 22 years old Indian Santosh Josebeen – Hair Transplant in Bangalore, India.
Want to push your dreams in today's technology-driven, constantly-changing world? You must read Olatorera Oniru's bestselling digital e-book titled Push Your Dreams available now on Olatorera.com and on Amazon.com.
The Olatorera Consultancy brand has grown from an ambitious solo-preneur to a team of over 50 people highly assertive on providing the seal and stamp of "Africa's Best" to great businesses in Africa and beyond. Olatorera Consultancy has an annual outline of businesses we work with. We currently do not accept unsolicited applications. To network with the team at Olatorera Consultancy Limited, please add your company to the reviews page here. An Olatorera Consultancy company representative may be in touch with you shortly after reviewing your company's readiness for business consultation services.
Olatorera Consultancy Limited publishes an annual list of Africa's Best.
Africa's Best is Olatorera Consultancy Limited's prestigious annual list of 100 great companies and 100 great leadersin Africa. The list is non-biased, ethical, well-aligned with public knowledge and developmentally fit for public use. The list is compiled annually by 3 or more senior consultants at Olatorera Consultancy Limited (OCL) and approved by the executive leadership team and the board of directors. In compiling this list of Africa's Best, OCL Consultants conducted interviews and research with clients, employees, Africa's growth enthusiasts and subject-matter-experts knowledgeable about the nominated best leaders and nominated best businesses. The team at Olatorera Consultancy Limited are highly assertive on providing the seal and stamp of "Africa's Best" to great businesses in Africa and beyond.


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More shameless shilling as I repost this from last week:
I got a letter a month or so ago from someone at Washingtonpost.com inviting bloggers to enter their "What does it mean to be a Washingtonian?" contest. They've posted entries online now for voting and mine is "An Intellectual Playground." I've read about 1/2 the essays so far, and I'm pretty impressed with most of them. A few of us strike the same tone of appreciating the cultural opportunities in the area, but since you're reading my blog, you should vote for me. Thanks.


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Somehow this went missing, so I'm adding it back to my blog)
Link back to part 1
He didn't see much of her for the next three days. Then it was time to outfit the Barge for the next set of field measurements. Thomas and his team of technicians would be accompanying Dr. Vandermeer on the mobile test platform. The test apparatus was expected to create an energy field that would distort local space in accordance with the Vandermeer Theory. Past experiments had produced measurable effects, but there were still discrepancies from the predictions. This trip was intended to generate a stronger field than before for more precise measurements. But bending space in close proximity to a crowded research station was considered somewhat rash. The 90 meter long platform, nicknamed the Barge, was used to conduct all the Hermes tests at a minimum distance of 50 kilometers from the station.
Sarah pulled Thomas aside while Erin and Josef were assembling and aligning the power collimator for the field generator. "I just want you to know, I'm not avoiding you." She looked down at her hands. "At least, not for the last day or so. I've just been so busy getting ready for the test."
Thomas gently lifted her chin until she was looking into his eyes, and waited.
"Tom, what is it like? You've lived so long, you must have seen everything. How boring does it get?"'
He laughed, but stopped when a flash of anger touched her eyes. "I'm sorry, but that was funny. You couldn't have known, though. The only time I have ever been bored was before I knew I wouldn't die any time soon."
She frowned. "That doesn't make any sense."
"Sure it does. I only got bored when I couldn't decide what I wanted to spend limited time on. When I discovered that I had time to spare, I became more interested in everything. The more I see, the more I realize there is to learn. Seen everything? When everything keeps changing and evolving? How could I ever be bored?" He brushed back a loose strand of her dark hair. "And you're really wondering how I can't be bored with you, after all the women I have loved."
She looked at him impassively, then dropped her eyes and nodded quietly. "It crossed my mind."
"Other men have had women in their pasts, but that doesn't prevent them from loving. In fact, they often learn from previous relationships." He squeezed her hands reassuringly. "I am with you, and only you, Sarah Vandermeer, every part of me. And I have never met anyone like you before. You are the most wonderful, most important person in my life." He kissed her, and she clung to him tightly and sobbed.
That night, they made love as if for the first time, then slept entwined and at peace. In the morning, they joined the rest of the tech team on the Barge and prepared to launch. The team worked as a well tuned machine, and they soon released the moorings. Sarah stole a look at Thomas as he played the thruster controls with the finesse of concert pianist. She didn't think he saw her watching, until he winked without looking her way. Warmth rose in her cheeks as she turned quickly away.
Thomas fired the braking thrusters, and soon the Barge was holding position 52 kilometers from the station. Josef ran through the final checks on the field generator, and then Thomas began ramping up the power according to the test plan. After three hours, Sarah took the data collected so far to the analysis lab amidships. An hour later, Thomas brought the next block of data to her. He turned to leave, but she stood up suddenly as he turned to leave.
"Wait. These last few readings don't look right. When you get back to the generator, put it on hold at the current level and run a diagnostic on the instrument array."
Thomas looked over her shoulder. "I see what you mean. But what could …"
There was an abrupt lurch, and everything in the room flew against the aft wall, including Thomas and Sarah. He slammed against the bulkhead first, and felt something hard penetrate his back. Then Sarah slammed into him, and he lost consciousness.
Sarah tried to catch her breath as she rebounded from Thomas and drifted across the room. A computer screen tumbled toward her, and she brushed it away. The only light in the room shone from the two recessed emergency lights. As she rotated in free fall, she found herself facing Thomas and her stomach lurched. A piece of conduit had been twisted away from the wall and was penetrating his abdomen. As she stared, his eyes opened. He looked down at the protruding piece of metal and grimaced. Then her rotation faced her away from him. When she again was facing him, he had pushed himself away from the wall, and was drifting toward her. The bloody section of conduit was still attached to the wall behind him. He caught hold of her and they drifted close enough to the far wall to seize a railing. They began to assess their predicament.
The power returned as the automatics restored critical systems. Thomas opened the door and entered the main passageway. The corridor pressure doors had all sealed when the power failed. He headed toward the field generator room where the other three techs were, but the second pressure door he reached refused to open. The vacuum warning light was blinking red.
Sarah had brought the computer back online. She was looking in disbelief at an image from the exterior camera mounted on the antenna array. The entire forward third of the Barge, where the field generator had been housed, was gone. She couldn't see any wreckage, but the end of the remaining hull section looked like it had been stretched like taffy to jagged points. She heard Thomas reenter the room behind her.
He spoke quietly. "The corridor is breached between here and the field generator. I can't tell what condition the others are in."
She turned the screen so he could see. "They're all dead. The generator must have collapsed into a singularity. There's nothing left up there." Her voice was flat with shock.
He joined her, and she held on to him. He was the only reality, and she clung desperately to him, afraid to let go. Then she remembered, and fumbled to lift his shirt. The puncture was still raw and ugly, but it was closed and looked as if it had been healing for at least a week.
"Even knowing that you – I would never have believed this if I hadn't seen it myself."
He looked at her carefully. "Are you all right?"
She nodded. "I think you saved me. You cushioned my impact."
"That isn't what I meant."
"I know what you meant. I'm fine, Thomas. I really am. But Josef, and Walt, and Erin…"
"Yes. There is no possibility anyone could have survived that. As you said, the field must have formed a singularity and everything nearby was pulled in. Fortunately the filed collapsed when the generator vanished. But it had to have been quick. They probably never even knew what happened."
They sat in silence for several minutes. Finally, Sarah spoke.
"Can we still maneuver? We have to get back to the station."
Thomas nodded. "I'll check. The engines are in the aft section, so we should be ok."
He sat down to the computer and began the engine checks. Forty minutes later, he pushed back from the terminal. "The engines are fine. But we have a problem." He sighed. "We aren't where we're supposed to be."
Sarah looked at the screen, which was pitch black with a sprinkle of stars. "What am I looking at?"
Thomas pointed to one star, brighter than the rest. "As far as I can tell, that's the Sun. At least I hope it is. If it's not, we'll never find a way home."
"That can't be the Sun. That would place us beyond Neptune."
"Farther than that, I'm afraid. Judging by the magnitude, we're at least several light months away." He chuckled dryly. "Congratulations, Doctor. It appears your theories are on the right track."
She punched his arm. "Thanks a lot. For all the good it will do anyone. We're dead too, and it won't be quick like the rest of the team." She stopped. "Well I am, anyway. What will happen to you?"
"My body will shut down without oxygen. If they ever find us, I might revive, but I don't know if I can stay suspended indefinitely. I drowned once, and nearly 200 years passed before I found myself beached on a desolate stretch of shore. But finding one tiny piece of wreckage in interstellar space? I don't see much hope."
Sarah looked at this man she loved, and he suddenly seemed unreal to her. She held him, and he held her. Eventually they slept, exhausted and full of despair.
Several hours later, Sarah sat up suddenly. When Thomas finally stirred an hour later, she was busy at the computer. She looked up at him, and her eyes sparkled. "We may have a chance after all."
Thomas watched her, a smile on his lips. He loved watching her thought processes at work. She was clearly on to something.
She waited, but he said nothing. "We have a full set of spare components for the field generator, enough to rebuild it. And we know the power profile we used for the test. With a lot of luck, we might be able to reproduce the accident, and retrace our path. We can't expect to get back to the station under our own power, but maybe we can get close enough to signal for a rescue."
He thought for a moment. "But wait. We've lost a considerable part of our mass. Won't that cause us to overshoot on the return trip? How can we compensate?"
Sarah shook her head. "No, mass isn't part of the equation, as far as I can tell. What matters is the strength and geometry of the field. That will be the same, or at least will be if we can apply the same power profile. But I'm not sure yet which direction we need to align the generator. The field was directed forward, but were we thrown with it or opposite it?"
"We were thrown against the rear bulkhead," He began, but Sarah was shaking her head.
That could have been from either the jump or the reentry. We need to be certain."
Thomas nodded. "It will take a while, but I should be able to determine that once I have a more accurate idea of where we are. We have life support for nearly five weeks."
"We need to keep as much of that as we can in reserve after we repeat the jump, to allow time for rescue. I'll begin assembling the other field generator while you go stargazing."
Four hours later, Thomas joined Sarah in the aft hold. She had most of the main field generator assembled, and several of the power components were unpacked and secured nearby.
"We traveled point-six-three light years in the direction the field was projected. To return, we will have to point the aft of the Barge toward where we need to go. You realize we won't have maneuvering jets once this end of the ship collapses, right?"
She nodded. "Right, I thought of that. But we should be able to take our shot tomorrow. Why don't you start assembling the power stack."
He heard it in her voice. "What aren't you telling me?"
She set down the tools and pointed to a shattered assembly in the corner. "The power control interface is beyond repair. The initial accident slammed it into the support column. There's no way to control the power profile remotely or by a program."
"Damn! So one of us will have to ramp the power manually." And it won't be her, he decided.
They worked in silence for several more hours, until Thomas set down his tools and made her put hers away as well. "No more today. We can't afford any mistakes. We should get a good night's rest and finish tomorrow."
They made dinner together, choosing the best from the stored supplies. This had been reserved for a celebratory feast at the conclusion of the test run. Now it felt like a funeral spread. They spoke little, and not at all about the looming decision. After the meal, they lay in each other's arms, taking comfort in quiet intimacy.
They shared breakfast, then labored to complete the field generator that would take one of them home. Each was determined that the other would be the survivor. Finally, the last component was assembled, and the final checks were completed. The decision could no longer be delayed.
Thomas spoke first. "You should secure yourself in Erin's cabin. It's in the best condition of the remaining rooms, and there is nothing left in there that isn't secured."
Sarah was shaking her head vigorously. "You aren't in charge here, Mr. Gordon. Hermes is my project, and I get to make the hard decisions. You're going home, and you will continue to live your extraordinary life. Besides which, you can survive longer if it takes more time for a rescue ship to reach you. That's my final word."
Thomas put a finger tenderly to her lips. "Forget it. There's only one way this can go. I'd love to have spent the next 50 years with you, and I want to live. But there is no way I will trade two lives for mine, especially these two lives."
She gaped at him. "How did you know? I only found out after we launched from RS-6."
"You forget. I've been around a while. I have learned to see details other people miss, and to know what they mean. I knew you were pregnant when we were preparing the launch. You need to bring our daughter home safely."
"Or son," Sarah began, but stopped when she saw Thomas' smile. "Ok, daughter." She paused. "Tom, do you think she'll…?"
Thomas shook his head. "No. She is not my first child. I have watched my children being born, growing old, and then dying. Whatever I am, it is not passed on. But that's fine. She has a wonderful mother to raise her, and she will live a full life."
They shared their final hours in slow, tender passion. They held each other for a long time afterward. Thomas made sure Sarah was properly secured in Erin's quarters, and made his way to the aft hold. He adjusted the ship's attitude to line it up with the distant sun, and began applying the power, following the program exactly. Five hours later, he keyed the intercom. "If this works, it should take place between three and five minutes from now."
"We will never forget you, Thomas Gordon."
"I love you, Sarah Vandermeer. Live well. Promise me that."
"I promise."
The seconds ticked by, and Thomas began to worry. It was approaching the five minute point, and nothing had happened yet. If it took much longer…"
Sarah felt the ship lurch once more. She was well secured, but the main impact this time was deep within her heart. After what felt like days, she unfastened the restraints and surveyed the damage. The aft of the Barge now matched what was left of the forward end, and the stars slid past as the ship tumbled. The attitude thrusters were gone, so there was no way to stop the rotation. Then the sun slid past the viewport, and its disc looked the right size – Earth normal. As the wrecked ship continued to turn, she saw a tiny blue speck, larger than a star, although too small to pick out individual features.
She had come out closer to the Earth than to the station. She set to work restoring the systems that had shut down during the second jump. Within hours of powering up the distress beacon, she received a weak voice message, and was able to transmit a reply. A rescue ship matched course with the crippled Barge on the eleventh day after that.
Around eight months later, I was born. It's hard to keep a low profile when your mother has entire planets named after her, but I've managed. With half a galaxy to roam, I've been able to lose myself when needed. But I treat every moment as precious. As my father knew, so do I. Nothing lasts forever.
This was my entry for Short Story Competition #7, posted 28 August, 2007. I am copying it into my blog not because it's a great story (it's not), but because it's an example of dialoguing with a created dialect/slang.
Jace settled deeper in his seat, and took a deep breath. He was shaking, but tried not to show it. A moment later, he heard Xan getting up from his chair on the other side of the room. Jace removed the headset with its twin displays in time to see Xan leaning over him, grinning insanely.
"Que or que, that was ice, ver?" Xan asked enthusiastically.
Jace forced a grin. "Ver, was max cryo, as adverted! When that vamp full screened me, shivered me for ver!"
He meant that part, anyway. As soon as the vampire rose up, filling his view, the emotion circuit had kicked in, shooting a genuine stab of fear through him that was so real, he still felt sick inside.
Jace had been gaming for years, and had eagerly jumped on the mind-directed gaming bandwagon when it began six years ago. In the last year and a half, the emotional feedback mod, or EFB, had become the new hot item. It had begun with the underground porn games, when designers successfully learned to induce waves of pleasure at key game moments. But within the last month or so, a new trend began to develop, with a broader range of induced emotions now incorporated into games. Xan had become enthralled with the new Blood Mistress game he had just demonstrated to Jace.
Still, as unpleasant as the experience had been, Jace began to feel strangely tempted to repeat it. The realism and adrenaline rush made it an unforgettable experience, even though the horror genre wasn't his favorite.
His game module beeped, reminding him of the time. "Xan-san, must fly! The stonies will be pulling back right quick!"
The stonefaces no longer patrolled this part of town after dark. Summer always saw an increase in random violence, but this summer had turned bad, and that was ver! Ever since a cruiser had been literally ripped open and the two stonies inside mauled to death, the police had taken a new strategy of containment. They now only patrolled the perimeter of the neighborhood after dark, and venturing outside within the zone was pure suicide. Jace hurried back to his place before the patrols retreated for the evening, and sealed the heavy steel door of his nest.
He threw together a quick meal from leftovers, then settled in for some gaming. He started with Lust Bunnies, but after he maneuvered past the Skankies and the costly Cashcows, and picked out a willing Sweetbun, he sighed and pulled off the headset, utterly bored.
He couldn't get the rush of terror from Xan's game out of his head. A fight game with a good EFB would be ver cryo, and he was sure there must be one out there. He onlined his game module, and began a search. Meanwhile, he put his headset back on and scanned the news channels.
The city was turning into a war zone. No one really knew why the violence and destruction had spiked so sharply. The summer of 2014 had become as notorious as 9-11 had been as a new era of fear and loss. Some suspected that terror cells had infiltrated the States, and were behind the runaway lawlessness. Others blamed the drug kings and the weaponeers for stirring up the psychies. An entire block in the Asia zone was still burning for the fourth day running.
Jace pulled off the headset. The search was still running, so he decided to let it continue overnight. He sighed and crawled into his sleepsack.
He woke to a crashing boom outside. The sun was just cresting over the apartment block across the street, but a dancing orange light from the street was competing with it. Jace looked cautiously out through the window, and saw the shredded shell of a mail truck engulfed in flames. A thick black smoke curled around the wreckage. A fire truck arrived, flanked by a pair of heavily armed cruisers to protect it. Jace turned away, and remembered the search he had started.
The list of EFB fighting games was longer than he had expected. Some of them appeared to be one on one dueling games, and he filtered them immediately. He sorted them by popularity, and perused the details of the top ten. One of them, Urban Mercenary, looked particularly intriguing.
He decided to ask Xan what he knew of the game, and called him from the game module. After several blips, he gave up. Xan must be asleep, or too wrapped around a game to care about answering calls. Jace decided to go ahead and purchase the game. He keyed in his purchase code, submitted to the retinal scan, and spoke the response to the challenge question. The game download began, and would be completed by midday.
Jace checked his task list, and began his sales calls for the day. By early afternoon, he had earned enough commission points to call it a day, but he also submitted a game review on Blood Mistress to earn a few extra bucks.
Urban Mercenary had finished downloading, and had auto-updated with the latest enhancements. After a hurried lunch, Jace settled into a chair and entered the intro stage.
He was lightly armed for this phase, on foot patrol through a city much like his own. When he passed a liquor mart, a man carrying a machine pistol rushed out, firing a burst back in through the doors. Jace felt a wave of rage wash over him, and he drew a hunting knife and rushed the thug. He forced himself to feel a stronger rage, and saw his opponent falter in response. Pretty basic fight gaming so far; the user's emotions gave a fighting advantage, but this game took it a level higher by giving him an initial anger surge. Jace drove his knife into the thug's chest, and felt a surge of satisfaction flood through him.
He played two more warm up scenarios, and each time rode the EFB made him feel like he was actually there, fighting to keep the streets safe. Exhausted, he took a dinner break, and brought up the news. As he expected, the mail truck bombing was mentioned, after several other violent acts. Suddenly he sat up, and selected a replay of the segment.
"The bomber, identified as Alexander Fitzpatrick, a resident on Market Street, was caught in his own explosion, and was pronounced dead at the scene…" Jace sat back, stunned. There had to be a mistake! It couldn't have been Xan, he'd never do something like that. He dialed Xan from the game module, and got a disconnected station message.
He'd grown up with Xan. Xan was a layabout, a ver hedon who liked nothing better than gaming and telling bad jokes. Xan as a bomber made less sense than the Sizzler Steakmaster going vegan. Unwanted tears blurred his view of the headset screens.
He attended a wake for his friend later that week. Everyone there shared his disbelief, and many declared that he must have just been caught in the explosion purely by coincidence; Jace was troubled though; Xan would not have been out on the streets that early. He had no answers, not even good questions. He woke the next morning with a headache.
Feeling a need for distraction, he started up Urban Mercenary for the first time since he had learned of Xan's death. After several hours of play, he decided to get a buzz on. He knew he was out of Tequila, and Tequila was clearly necessary. It was still early in the afternoon, so he headed out to the liquor store around the corner. As he opened the door, he nearly bumped into a customer loaded with a double armload of clinking bags. He shoved past angrily, nearly knocking the man over. He seethed as he heard the man cursing under his breath, and felt an urge to go after him.
Back at the apartment, he got ripping drunk, and passed out in his chair. He woke in the middle of the night, stumbled to the commode, and vomited until he ached. He woke again soon after sunrise, sprawled on the bathroom floor.
Over the next couple days, he worked the minimum he could get away with, and spent every spare moment playing the game. He could not get enough of the emotional extremes, fierce rage, fear, and rewarded with waves of excitement and joy with each victory. Most of the time, he'd celebrate afterwards with tequila, or vodka, or rum.
On one of his excursions to restock his liquor supply, he passed two Asians talking animatedly and laughing. A surge of anger gripped him, and he balled his fists and advanced on them. "Shut the f*** up, and stop laughing!" They stared at him and began to back away. He lost all control of himself and lunged at them. He pounded at them until both lay motionless on the pavement, and began kicking them, with a feeling of euphoria singing in his skull. He heard a siren wail behind him, but kept on kicking the bloody corpses.
Hands grasped him roughly from behind. He turned as his rage reasserted itself, and he attacked the stoneface like a berserker. He never felt the shot that took him down.
That night, Chas Morgan set aside his newly downloaded Urban Mercenary game, and listened to the evening news. He shook his head in dismay at the story of a senseless hate crime, two Chinese cousins brutally murdered in broad daylight. The killer was thought to be a drug addict at first, but the drug screens all came up negative. The reporter speculated that a new drug must be circulating, not yet covered by the standard drug tests. The rise in hate crimes was rising alarmingly, and authorities were still at a loss about its origins.
The point of this exercise (in truth, it was a Short Story Competition entry) was to tell a short story solely in dialogue (beats were permitted). I chose to have more than two participants to make it more interesting.
Table Talk
"I'm starving," said Ken. "It's been a day from hell."
"That it has." Laura stared at the menu.
"Can I have pork chops?" asked Jack.
"No, Dad, they don't serve that here." Jack waved down a waiter.
"I like a good chop," sulked Jack.
"They don't serve chops here, Dad. Seafood and steaks."
"Good evening, sir. Can I get you something to drink?"
"Yes, I'll have a bourbon and water, she'll have a Chardonnay, and an iced tea for my father, please."
Laura interrupted. "I'll have gin, instead. Crushed ice."
"Ok, that's a bourbon and water, gin over crushed ice, and an iced tea. I'll send your server over to take your dinner order."
"You never order gin with dinner."
"Well, things change."
"Why can't I have what I want? I want chops."
"Please, Dad, keep your voice down. It's a surf 'n turf. They only serve steak and seafood. Besides, last time you had chops, your teeth bothered you all night. Look here, they have the crab cakes you always like."
"I got a phone call today," Laura said.
"Oh. Okay. I like crab cakes. But none of that pink sauce. I don't like that."
"Right, Dad, no remoulade sauce. I'll tell them. Phone call?"
"Hello, I'm Stefan, and I'll be your server tonight." He set down the drinks. "Are you ready to order?"
"I'll have Lobster Newburg in Puff Pastry, with the Caesar Salad," said Laura, before Ken could speak.
"Uh, yes. I'll have the Seafood Casserole, with a baked potato, loaded. And Lobster Bisque. He'll have the Maryland Crab Cakes, with mashed potato, and chopped broccoli."
"And no pink sauce."
"Oh yes. No remoulade sauce with the crab cakes." Ken sipped his bourbon.
"And another of these." Laura handed the empty glass to Stefan.
"Stefan, huh. Steve, more likely," Ken joked.
"Jennifer Welkes." Laura glared at Ken. "That's who called me."
"Yes, oh. I'm sure you can guess the rest."
"I don't like this tea." Jack made a face. "It's too bitter."
"Stir in some sugar, Dad. No more than two packets though." He turned to Laura. "Look, honey, it only happened once, by accident."
"Accident? What, like a slip and fall, Kenneth? Or was it a rear end collision? Well?"
"I mean, it just kind of happened. It was after a dinner meeting with a client, and we were both a bit drunk, and tired—"
"Kenneth, she told me everything. You chased her for months, then threatened to make her job go away."
"Honey, she—"
"Don't you dare call me that."
"She's lying. She's incompetent, and she's making this up because she's about to be fired."
"She just got a transfer and promotion. Today. But you're right about one thing. Someone is getting fired." She stood, and gulped down the drink the waiter was holding out to her. "Don't bother coming home. I've had the locks changed."
"Wait. Your dinner…" Ken emptied his glass, and handed it to Stefan. "I need a refill."
Jack leaned forward. "Kenny, my boy." Looked Ken in the eye. "You're an idiot."
Dr. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center has his fifteen minutes of fame this week. Perhaps that is why he is stubbornly sticking with his plan to ignite a fire on Saturday, September 11, 2010. He and his benighted followers intend to ignite a firestorm of hate, with copies of the Qur'an as kindling.
According to the DWOC website, they are "... a New Testament Church – based on the Bible, the Word of God." But the lofty rhetoric notwithstanding, he seems to me to better represent the Prince of Lies. Since when is God's Word the voice of hatred, intolerance, and ignorance? He claims he is not killing anyone, he is only burning books, but surely he knows what he is attacking is the very faith of the people of Islam.
I am no fan of any organized religion. Many of the world's worst atrocities have been committed in the name of religion. But the religion itself is not really at fault. It is those who twist those beliefs to justify mayhem and murder who are at fault - cowards like the 9-11 terrorists and the hooded assassins of the Klu Klux Klan. But the terrorists who hijacked airliners and used them as missiles against civilians no more represent Islam than the hooded lynch mobs of the KKK represent Christianity.
As an American, I condemn the actions of Terry Jones. He does not represent America. He does not represent Christianity. He does not represent any moral high ground.
He has more in common with Osama bin Laden, spurring hate through words, and inciting violence from a safe distance.
Note: The above is my opinion, and does not represent any official position of the site or its owner.
This is in response to another challenge, that it would be impossible to write an interesting story about a man walking down the street twiddling his thumbs.
Despite its name, Broadway at half-past nine on a Tuesday morning closes in on you. Matt paid the vendor for his breakfast, a foot long hot dog with onions, mustard, and sauerkraut, and took his first bite. Around him, people hurried past in nearly every possible direction. Even with the density of the crowd, there was almost no jostling. Men and women in suits, with briefcases or shoulder bags, hurried past bronzed and bearded laborers in dungarees and printed tees without making physical or even eye contact. Smells constantly swirled past as well. Pungent body odor gave way to a whiff of patchouli, followed by a passing cloud of cigar smoke. A strong fragrance of perfume gave way a moment later to a nearby toke of weed, and all around was the aroma of varied foods from the line of vendor carts along the curb.
Matt wadded up the empty wrapper and dropped it into the nearest trash receptacle. The air was already turning muggy. He stepped out into the thick of the crowd, and began walking slowly up the street. He causally laced his fingers in front of him, and started to roll his thumbs.
The crowd changed almost instantly. A bubble of open space formed around him. A gray-haired woman with a lavender silk scarf and a conservative medium grey suit glared at him as she shifted her path to avoid him. A thin man in a black jacket and jeans, and a glowing Bluetooth earpiece, paused from his loud stream of Spanish and caught Matt's eye. Then he quickly looked away and stepped to the side, nearly colliding with a muscular black youth with a shaved head and half a dozen chain necklaces.
Something struck Matt's shoulder from behind, and he stumbled but did not fall. A stocky, heavily-inked biker with greasy black hair and a bushy beard swept past without looking back.
Matt took a deep breath, but kept on twiddling his thumbs. He drifted over to a produce stand in front of the Commerce Bank, out of the main flow of pedestrians. But he was not beyond their notice. Faces turned toward him in contempt, while others turned pointedly away from him. An aging drag queen with frosted curly hair and heavy makeup winked lewdly and blew him a kiss.
"Wassup with you, man? You high on sumpin'?" A man with stringy hair, badly in need of a shave and some new clothing was grinning at him through broken yellow teeth. "Got any to share?" He laughed wheezingly and shuffled away.
Matt varied the twiddling, sometimes rolling his thumbs forward, sometimes backward, sometimes alternating every second or two. He kept what he felt was a harmless expression, or maybe it was just a vacant stare.
"Hey you!" Matt turned toward the voice. The produce vendor, a short Asian man in a Hawaiian shirt and baggy shorts, was facing him with his hands on his hips. "Get outa here! You're scaring away my business. Now move it!"
Matt smiled and nodded his head, and joined the crowd again. He found a new spot in front of a Borders book store, where a standing sign easel left a void in the flow of the crowd. He glanced at a clock across the street. Not even ten o'clock yet. The crowd was beginning to thin somewhat after the peak morning rush. A youth with blue hair and a face full of metal body art stared at him from across the street for several seconds, then hurried away.
A street performer approached him, and began mimicking him with exaggerated motions. Matt ignored him, and after a few minutes, the performer shrugged broadly with a shake of his head, and instead followed a shapely redhead, copying her every move as she window shopped. She caught his reflection in the window of a jewelry store, and laughed. She reached into her purse and dropped a dollar bill into his proffered hat, and they walked off in different directions.
The blue-haired youth returned with three of his friends. They started twiddling their thumbs, too, and stepping in front of passers-by, blocking their path. Within less than a minute, an impatient woman they confronted gave one of the boys a shove. One of the others, a round-headed young man with his black hair cut to a dense fuzz, grabbed the woman's arm and shook her. A moment later, a patrolman was on the scene.
Matt dropped his hands and slipped through the crowd. He looked in vain for a Metro entrance, and instead hurried into a crowded deli, his heart thudding. He joined the line for the espresso counter, and pulled his cell out of his pocket and dialed. Frank answered on the second ring.
"What the hell did you do, Matt, start a riot?"
Matt kept his voice low. "Never mind. You won the bet. I couldn't go the full hour."
Frank laughed. "I'm surprised you made it this far. I'll bet another twenty you get arrested before the end of the hour."
"I'll take that bet. See you in thirty." Matt snapped the cell closed, and planned his next move.
Separate names with a comma.


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Names released of victims that died in horror Ladysmith crash
Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal transport and community safety department has released the names of eight people, from two families, that died in an horrific accident on the N11 near Ladysmith on Saturday.
A Porsche and Toyota Fortuner collided head on, with the occupants of the Porsche being burned beyond recognition.
Those who died in the Toyota Fortuner were driver Tonderai Godfrey Sithole (38), his wife Faith Sithole (36) and little girls Shalom Sithole (10) and Shekinah Sithole (5).
The occupants of the Porsche were driver Dheeraj Sureshchand Singh (41), his wife Ronithah Singh (40), Suman Singh (21) and Sanjana Singh (16). The vehicle had no registration number, making it difficult for authorities to identify the deceased.
"Losing an entire family in just one accident is such a great tragedy. In this particular accident we have lost two families. We once again extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and our officials will continue supporting the families as they make arrangements to bury their loved ones," said MEC Bheki Ntuli.
African News Agency (ANA)


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- Telecommunications Giant Vodafone Leaves the Libra Association
- Group of Central Banks Assesses Developing Central Bank Digital Currencies
- South Korea Might Impose 20 Percent Tax on Cryptocurrency Profits
- Report: Terrorists Increasingly Use Crypto to Raise Funds Anonymously
- Canadian Securities Administrators Subject Crypto Exchanges to Securities Laws
Conflicting Studies? Blockchain Investments in 2018 Already Surpasses All of 2017; 90% of US Blockchain Projects Fail
To blockchain or not to blockchain, that is the hackneyed question…
Two seemingly conflicting studies were published recently: one calculates that blockchain investments in the first half of 2018 already surpassed blockchain investments in the entirety of 2017, and the other determines that 90% of blockchain projects in Corporate America will never become functional. So what's going on?
According to the reputable auditing company KPMG (PDF), which is considered to be one of the "Big Four" auditors, investments in U.S. blockchain projects during the first half of 2018 already exceeded the amount invested in all of 2017. KPMG estimates that there are several factors which can be ascribed to the massive surge in blockchain investments, surprisingly related mostly to traditional financial institutions (although the technology can be easily implemented elsewhere as well):
Blockchain's capabilities extend from recordkeeping and the registration of transactions to documentation management and supply chain management. While it has primarily been looked at from a banking and insurance point of view to date, the reality is blockchain opportunities abound and could enhance processes for any number of US and global businesses.
The report also notes how blockchain becomes a priority in the European Union, and specifically how 22 members of the EU signed a "Declaration on the Creation of a European Blockchain Partnership," which is designed to promote partnerships of blockchain-focused projects across the continent.
However, according to a different study, things are not too glamorous for blockchain initiatives. The market research company Forrester Research estimates that nine out of ten blockchain-related projects in the U.S. are doomed to failure and will not become viable and serviceable. The report cites Nasdaq Inc. as a long-time proponent of blockchain that still doesn't employ the technology in a large scale. Other companies that invest in blockchain are reportedly having troubles and technical issues with matters regarding performance, oversight and operations.
The report also details that the biggest blockchain spenders are IBM (32% of the amount of all blockchain investments) and Microsoft (19%), which together account for over half of all blockchain spending.
So how can the two studies coexist? Does it mean that one of the studies is flawed and false? Or perhaps both? Well, not necessarily. The two studies can actually coincide, and to a degree they even complement each other. Blockchain is a new infant technology whose usages and types of utilization are still utterly unclear, even though the potential is clearly tremendous. Thus, multitudinous companies do experiment and explore this new technology, and many also fall short – that's just the lamentable nature of new technologies. But, remember, as so many tech giants have proven in the past (Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple, just to name a few) – sometimes all it takes is just one brilliant idea and one half-decent implementation to completely change the world.


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Buy & Sell
Extra Services
Shirin is the place for Iranian cuisine, healthy teas, unique gifts
By: David Knickerbocker
Date Posted: 2002-03-14
The Shirin Tea and Giftshop, located next to Sauce Live in Hamby Town, sells many interesting Iranian gifts, but its teas and meals really make the small shop special. Owner Sharo learned from his mother and grandmother how to use teas and spices as natural medicines for healthy living, and his new shop is very unique in that everything is authentically Iranian and extremely healthy. We have teas for stress, medicine and all natural healing, says Sharo. They will make you relax in natural ways.
Shirin currently has 15 types of herbal teas available, and each is significantly different from the other in its healing abilities. For instance, Par cleans your blood, Katmi lowers blood pressure, Arya increases metabolism and lowers blood sugar, Tak is good for hot weather and is a remedy for sore throats, Tarsh is good for backaches and sore legs and feet, Bahar is good for the liver and fights acne, Pune cleans the stomach, Shir quenches the thirst, and the house original, Shirin, is good for everything. Shirin is a very special place in that it is like an all-natural hospital, but you are being healed naturally while enjoying a cup of tasty tea. Sharo is like a doctor in that he will point out which tea you need to help you with whatever your looking for. Got a toothache? Ask Sharo what you should do. Got dandruff? Sharo might not have a tea to fight every problem, but he will surely point you in the right direction.
During our visit, I tried two of the most interesting teas I have ever seen. Both teas are served cold with hundreds of little seeds sitting at the base of the cup, and before drinking it, you stir the water. Shir, with a rosewater flavor, was very delicious; I had never had anything like it before. The black seeds become gel-like and go down your throat without causing any sensation. This was by far my favorite of the teas I sampled. The other tea I tried was called Tak, which means milk of the dessert in Farsi. This tea has a bit of a lemonade flavor, but it wasnt really like lemon. The taste is hard to describe, as it was something altogether new, but the drink was very refreshing.
Shirin also has a number of Iranian tobaccos that are extremely clean and smoked through a water pipe. These fruit-flavored tobaccos are a treat that both smokers and non-smokers alike will enjoy. In addition the shop has many Iranian decorations that give it an exquisitely interesting appearance. While drinking tea, its easy to get lost looking around at all the multi-colored Persian vases, plates and other items for sale. Its like having tea in a museum. Sharo is also a fun and interesting person to talk to, and he will gladly discuss current events, sports, life in Iran, his teas or any other topic youre looking to talk about.
The shop has a good selection of Iranian foods. His selection was prepared mostly with the idea of health in mind, so you will be served a delicious hot meal that is very good for you. During my visit I tried the daily sandwich, olivie, chicken with broccoli and geime. The daily sandwich is a treat with open pita bread on the outside and ham and vegetables on the inside. Olivie is like a Persian potato salad with spices. It is served with chicken or turkey and is also best inside pita bread. Both go for ¥600. The chicken or beef with broccoli was by far my favorite dish. Served on rice, it was astounding. Try it! Finally, geime is made of beef, eggplant, beans and French fries and is also best served on rice. Both go for ¥1,100, or you can purchase them as a set with salad and a drink for ¥1,600.
Everything was delicious at Shirin, and the staff was very helpful and friendly. If you havent yet been there, it is a place you should absolutely check out. Menus are in English and Japanese, and the staff is also bilingual, so you should have no problem getting what you want. And since everything is served with health in mind, youll end up leaving feeling better than when you first arrived.


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Forest Service, USDA.
Request for an extension of the proposed environmental impact statement.
We are requesting an extension of the proposed EIS for the USDA Forest Service Rangeland Allotment Management Planning on the Fall River West Geographic Area of the Fall River Ranger District and the Oglala Geographic Area of the Pine Ridge Ranger District, Nebraska National Forest. Our initial Notice of Intent was published in Vol. 75, No. 112 Friday, June 11, 2010.
The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) analyzing the management of rangeland vegetation resources, which includes livestock grazing, on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the Oglala Geographic Area (OGA) of the Oglala National Grassland on the Pine Ridge Ranger District and the West Geographic Area (WGA) of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland on the Fall River Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest (Analysis Area) areas as mapped by the 2001 Nebraska National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). A Notice of Intent (NOI) for this project was published June 11, 2010 (75 No. 112 FR 33239-33241). This revised NOI is being issued to update the project schedule. There will be a record of decision (ROD) for each geographic area.
Proposed management actions would be implemented beginning in the year 2013. The agency gives notice of the full environmental analysis and decision-making process that will occur on the proposal so interested and affected people may become aware of how they may participate in the process and contribute to the final decision.
Comments concerning the scope of the analysis were received by July 30, 2010. The initial scoping period has Start Printed Page 36516been completed. The draft environmental impact statement is expected [January 2012] and the final environmental impact statement is expected [July 2012].Start Further Info
For further information about the Oglala Geographic Area on the Oglala National Grassland call Lora O'Rourke, Co-Interdisciplinary Team Leader, at 308-432-0300. For further information about the West Geographic Area on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, call Robert Novotny, Co-Interdisciplinary Team Leader at 605-745-4107.
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information
Vegetation resources on approximately 94,174 acres of NFS lands lying within the Oglala National Grassland in Sioux and Dawes Counties of northwest Nebraska, and approximately 117,548 acres of NFS lands lying within the Buffalo Gap National Grassland in Fall River County of southwest South Dakota, are being analyzed to determine if and how existing conditions differ from desired conditions outlined in the 2001 Nebraska National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).
Vegetation in the Analysis Area is characteristic of mixed-grass prairie and lesser amounts of ponderosa pine/juniper habitats. Short-grass species include blue grama, buffalograss, and upland sedges. Mid-grass species include western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, and to a lesser extent sideoats grama. Shrubs include Wyoming big sagebrush, greasewood, and yucca glauca. Some creeks transverse the area and support plains cottonwood, green ash, and willow.
A large portion of the Analysis Area evolved under a history of homesteading in the early twentieth century, and a prolonged drought period combined with the economic depression of the late 1920's and early 1930's caused many of these homesteads to fail. Starting in the 1930's, land was purchased through northwestern Nebraska and southwestern South Dakota under the Land Utilization Project initiated by the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. This continued with the Bankhead Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937, which was designed to develop a program of land conservation. Administration of these lands was turned over to the Soil Conservation Service the following year and transferred to the United States Forest Service in 1954.
Today the Oglala and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands support and provide a variety of multiple resource uses and values. Livestock ranching operations in the area depend on National Grassland acreage to create logical and efficient management units. Cattle and sheep, in accordance with 10-year term and/or annual temporary livestock grazing permits, are currently authorized to graze the allotments within the Analysis Area. In order to determine how existing resource conditions compare to desired conditions, data from monitoring and analysis (historical and present) will be used. During the past 5-7 years, drought conditions have impacted plant vigor, canopy, and litter cover in most parts of the Analysis Area.
Purpose and Need for Action: The purpose of this project is to determine if livestock grazing will continue to be authorized on all, none, or portions, of the 41 allotments in the Fall River West GA and the 35 allotments in the Oglala GA. And if livestock grazing is to continue, how to best maintain or achieve desired conditions and meet forest plan objectives, standards and guidelines. The action is needed to ensure that the project areas are meeting forest plan desired conditions for plant species composition, vegetation structure, and habitat for sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, black-tailed prairie dog (management indicator species) and swift fox (r2 sensitive species). There is also a need to review existing livestock management strategies and, if necessary, update them to implement 2001 Forest Plan direction and meet the requirements of section 504 of Public Law 104-19 (Rescissions Act, signed 7/27/95). The 2001 Forest Plan states that livestock grazing may occur as one of the multiple uses on the Nebraska National Forest, consistent with standards and guidelines. Livestock grazing is currently occurring in the analysis area under the direction of existing Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) and through direction provided in annual operating instructions (AOIs). The results of this analysis may require issuing or modifying grazing permits and AMPs including reductions of permitted livestock numbers and/or modifications of the grazing season. Modifications would be documented in updated term grazing permits and/or grazing agreements and associated AMPs for the allotments.
The Forest Plan identifies lands within the OGA and FRWGA as containing lands that are capable and suitable for grazing by domestic livestock. These lands are to be monitored to evaluate both implementation and effectiveness of management actions.
In all cases, vegetation management tools will be used that meet Forest Plan objectives, standards, and guidelines and that will maintain or move existing resource conditions toward desired conditions for that geographic area. If monitoring indicates that practices are being properly implemented and that resource trends are moving toward meeting desired conditions in a timely manner, management may continue unchanged. If monitoring indicates that there is a need to modify management practices, adaptive options as analyzed in the EIS will be selected and implemented.
Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA), will be completed on all proposed activities.
An interdisciplinary team has been selected to do the environmental analysis, as well as prepare and accomplish scoping and public involvement activities.
Possible Alternatives: Potential alternatives include:
1. No action, No change from authorized grazing use or current situation.
2. No Grazing.
3. Livestock grazing incorporating adaptive management to meet the Forest Plan goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines.
Responsible Officials: District Ranger at the Pine Ridge Ranger District, 125 North Main Street, Chadron, Nebraska 69337; and Michael E. McNeill, District Ranger at the Fall River Ranger District, 1801 Highway 18 Truck Bypass, Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747-0732 are the Responsible Officials for making the decision on this action. They will document their decision and rationale in a Record of Decision.
The Responsible Officials will consider the results of the analysis and its findings and then document their decisions in two separate Records of Decision (ROD), one for the OGA and one for the FRWGA. The decisions will determine whether or not to authorize livestock grazing on all, part, or none of the Analysis Area, and if so, what adaptive management design criteria, adaptive options, and monitoring will be implemented so as to meet or move toward the desired conditions as specified in the Forest Plan.
Nature of Decision To Be Made: The EIS is not a decision document. The purpose of the EIS document is to disclose the direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the proposed Start Printed Page 36517action and other alternatives that are analyzed. After providing the public an opportunity to comment on the specific activities described in the alternatives, the Responsible Officials will review all alternatives and the anticipated environmental consequences of each in order to make the following decisions:
- Whether or not to authorize livestock grazing within the Analysis Area in whole or in part.
- If grazing is to be Authorized, (a) what grazing systems and prescribed livestock use would be implemented; (b) what structural and non-structural range improvements would be necessary; and (c) what type of monitoring program would be proposed.
- If necessary, identify any "mitigation measure(s)" needed to implement the decision.
Individual Allotment Management Plans (AMPs) would then be developed to incorporate conditions outlined in the Record of Decision. These AMPs will become part of each associated term permit and/or grazing agreement issued.
Public Scoping Process: Comments and input regarding this proposal were requested from the public, other groups and agencies via direct mailing on March 10, 2008. Comments received during this first scoping process have been made part of the project record and will be addressed in the analysis process. With this second revised NOI, additional comments were received by July 30, 2010. Anyone who has provided comments to the draft EIS or expressed interest during the two comment periods will have standing in the process.
Public involvement will be especially important at several points during the analysis, beginning with the scoping process. The Forest Service will seek information, comments, and assistance from Federal, State, local agencies, Tribes, and other individuals or organizations that may be interested in, or affected by, the proposal. The scoping activities will include: (1) Engaging potentially affected or interested parties by written correspondence, (2) contacting those on our Forest media list, and (3) hosting public information meeting(s).
Preliminary Issues
Effects of proposed management strategies on natural ecosystems. This includes elements such as native and desirable nonnative plant and animal communities; black-tailed prairie dog management; riparian areas; upland grasslands; wooded draws; ponderosa pine forested areas; areas of hazardous fuels; and threatened, endangered, sensitive, and management indicator species. Social-economic effects (positive or negative) on livestock grazing permittees and the local economy from changes in livestock management. Effects of proposed livestock grazing strategies on recreational activities and/or experiences.
Comment Requested: The notice of intent published on June 11, 2010, initiated the formal scoping process that guides the development of the environmental impact statement. Initial public comments were due and have been received by July 30, 2010.
Early Notice of Importance for Public Participation in Subsequent Environmental Review: A draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must structure their participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 45-day comment period so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and discussed in the document. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal and will be available for public inspection.Start Signature
Dated: June 15, 2011.
Jane D. Darnell,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 2011-15572 Filed 6-21-11; 8:45 am]


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Whether you're single, dating someone new or in a full-blown relationship, Valentine's Day can be tricky at best. If you're not with someone, you feel left out and awkward; and if you are, the pressure is totally on. Something's gotta give, right?
First thing's first: lay off the expectations. Let yourself (and your partner if you have one), off the hook. Expectations aren't a bad thing when they're coming from a place of alignment, but when they're coming from a place of "testing" someone or something, they almost always blow up in your face.
If you're single, you may be expecting the worst today – let that go. And if you're in a relationship, you may be expecting the best – let that go too, and let that person show up as they truly are. Rather than the anticipated pass or fail, accept this as a day to simply express love for yourself and others.
If there's something you're wanting or hoping for, give it to yourself! Take a bubble bath, buy yourself roses, get your nails done, or indulge in a nice bottle of bubbly – whatever makes you feel a little more in love with you. And if you're with someone, they'll definitely appreciate you paying that extra attention to yourself…you really can't go wrong here.
And finally, take initiative. If you've been wanting to go to a new restaurant or see an exhibition, take your love, your girlfriends, your mom – or even just yourself!
Don't be afraid to make this day your own, or feel like you can't participate. On this Valentine's day commit to having fun and feeling more love. Do the things and see the people that give you all the warm and fuzzy feels.
Peace, love and having your best valentine's day yet,
Ask Diana


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Walt McNeil
Sheriff, Leon County (FL) Sheriff's Office
Walter A. McNeil was elected Sheriff of Leon County in November 2016. In his distinguished 40-year career as a public servant, Walter McNeil has led the fight against crime in Tallahassee and across America.
In 1998, working with Disc Village Chief, McNeil and the Tallahassee Police Department implemented the first Juvenile Civil Citation Program in the nation; directed at redirecting first time youthful offenders away from the criminal justice system. From 2007-2008, McNeil, led the Department of Juvenile Justice under former Gov. Charlie Crist. During his brief tenure, McNeil redirected the mission of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, through creation of the BluePrint Commission for Juvenile Justice Reform; that serves to this day as the guiding document for juvenile justice change.
From 2008-2011, McNeil was appointed to lead the Florida Department of Corrections. Later, as President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) McNeil traveled to foreign countries to discuss methods to combat terrorism, human trafficking, cyber-crimes and other 21st century concerns that may impact global security and policing issues.


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Alcohol is a depressant and can affect the way in which your mind functions, so it's necessary to take a measured strategy to how a lot alcohol you drink regularly. People with this condition are recognizing the effectiveness of chiropractic care in relieving ache and reestablishing the conventional anatomical alignment of the spinal column. Any misalignment on the vertebrae of the spinal column pinches the nerves that trigger ache. Due to this fact, to eradicate pain, the spinal column should be realigned to its normal curvature and construction.
One of the major health benefits of lemon water include its capability to deal with and stop kidney stones. Usually, kidney stones pass out of the body with out much discomfort, but typically they can block the urine circulate and cause intense pain Drinking lemon water helps in rehydrating the body and conserving the urine diluted. This, in flip, reduces any risk of kidney stone formation.
Widespread reasons for considering liposuction procedures embrace the elimination of fats from many areas of the physique and to create a extra proportioned determine. A number of the extra commonly areas that are operated on include the chin and neckline, the upper arms, the abdomen and waistline, the again, the hips and buttocks, the thighs and knees, and the calves and ankles. Liposuction surgery should never be regarded as a replacement for correct food regimen and exercise. As an alternative a potential patient should consider it as a reduction process for areas of the body that are stubborn wherein fats has gathered. When used in mixture with a number of areas of the body, liposuction is capable of providing a effectively proportioned appearance of 1's body. A really perfect candidate for liposuction could be somebody who is already in good physical condition however has a number of cussed areas on his or her body that do not reply to exercise and food regimen.
Come on, who would wish to have moles? But having them and never having them is basically not something for us, but nature's, to resolve, so we're mostly averse to them. Though there are so many available techniques out there that can set us free from these moles, they usually include corresponding excessive medical or physician-s charges, most of which most of us can not really afford. But many people have seen wonderful and optimistic results from utilizing techniques for mole elimination at home. So what is the secret of their success?
So far as drugs and stress are involved, there are some delicate medication equivalent to sleeping aids that may assist you in getting a superb evening?s sleep and be helpful from time to time. The chance with this method is that you just in any case change into ?immune? to the helpful effects? or worse? you develop a dependency on them? not a lot in a narcotic sense however that you simply?ll get right into a habit of ?having? to take them.


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Thursday, June 13, 2019 - 06:45
Police are seeking the urgent assistance of the public in locating 16-year-old Salisha Hosein.
Hosein was last seen at her, Carrat Hill Road, Barrackpore home, around 12 noon last Friday.
She was reported missing by her mother to the Barrackpore Police Station around 9:30 am on Monday.
Hosein is of East Indian descent, 5 feet 3 inches tall and slim built, with a light brown complexion.
She was last seen wearing a blue dress and a pair of black slippers.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Salisha Hosein is asked to contact the police at 999, 911, 800-TIPS or any police station or text/WhatsApp 482-GARY (4279).