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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Birthdays, Phebe, Easter & Buddy!
23 comments:
- Lizzie said...
I love those pursed Sue-Anne, what a great idea to carry a spool of thread and glue etc. Gorgeous fabric you used.
Miss Martha went to the beauty parlour last week and is now respectable again, she gets soooo grubby, she's not very ladylike I'm afraid!!
- March 24, 2010 at 12:47 PM
- Lizzie said...
oooppps! of course you know that it should have been 'purses' don't you?? ;o)
- March 24, 2010 at 12:48 PM
- Nyla said...
The little bags are adorable. Can you tell me more about the frame and pattern? Your Phebe is looking very nice!
- March 24, 2010 at 12:57 PM
- Cubby House Crafts said...
Just LOVE your purses! Such beautiful fabrics!
- March 24, 2010 at 1:51 PM
- Karen said...
I wouldn't even have an idea how to start making a little purse like that. So sweet.
- March 24, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Those little purses and lovely and what a great gift. Very nice little beads on the side, too.
And how is it that Easter's almost here? Wasn't it just Christmas a moment ago???
Regards, Sue
- March 24, 2010 at 2:27 PM
- retdairyqueen said...
What lovely little purses
Bet the birthday girls were pleased and if that doesnt inspire her nothing will
- March 24, 2010 at 3:23 PM
- Jo in TAS said...
Those purses are gorgeous!! Love your bunnies!!
- March 24, 2010 at 3:49 PM
- Julia said...
Great purses Sue-Anne, what a great idea to carry a spool of thread and glue etc.
Did you say Easter is nearly here...it seems like it was only Christmas yesterday !
Your Phebe is coming along nicely..
Julia ♥
- March 24, 2010 at 6:13 PM
- jean said...
Hi Sue-Anne
Love your little purses, maybe a tutorial would be nice :-) your Phebe is looking great, I would love to see both your Browne sisters blocks .
All in all a lovely post , the banner looks great
- March 24, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Hi Sue-Anne
I just love my purse SOO much. You will be happy to know that I visited Rose today with 4 (yes 4) quilts - that means I have now depleted my stock of UFO's and am ready to start on my Applique BOM - Long overdue I know - but now I have the perfect Purse to make the Journey with me.
- March 24, 2010 at 8:55 PM
- Katrien said...
The little bags are so cute.And your appliqué block,very nice.
And a lovely bunny.
have a nice time.
- March 24, 2010 at 9:34 PM
- Diane H said...
Lovely post full of goodies Sue-Anne. I am envious of your bunnies. The little purse for Michelle is such lovely fabric and so pretty.
Poor Buddy he looks like he's getting his scruffy dog look just right and your going to wisk him off to the groomer.
- March 24, 2010 at 9:46 PM
- ranette said...
Very pretty purses, such a good idea and Phebe is looking wonderful!
- March 24, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Those purses are delightful! Is there a pattern? I just discovered your blog and now am a follower!
- March 24, 2010 at 11:39 PM
- Brandie said...
Those bags are wonderful, lucky girls! I love those bunnies, and Buddy is too cute!
- March 25, 2010 at 2:08 AM
- wilmakuin said...
I love those purses!! What a great idea!! Gorgeous fabric you used.
I love your bunnies.
My baskets are 9cm. 3,5 inches.....
Buddy is realy cute!!
greatings from Holland...
- March 25, 2010 at 2:28 AM
- julieQ said...
I really love that little purse...and your decorations are so cute!
- March 25, 2010 at 7:16 AM
- Shirley said...
Hi Sue-Anne,
What lucky ladies to recieve such lovely purses and even more lucky to have such a thoughtful friend. Love your collection of rabbits. Well done on all your hard work for Phebe. That is going to be one beautiful quilt.
Love Shirley.x
- March 25, 2010 at 7:26 AM
- Valentina said...
Gasp!!! ...the purses... oh-oh-oh... the red one... oh... Phebe...
- March 25, 2010 at 7:43 AM
- Terry said...
Such lady like purses very dainty, unlike my $2 shop camera case. The recipients are grateful I'm sure. My half birthday is in ...
The bunnies are very appealing. The applique is coming along faster than my dollies.
Happy Stitching Terry
- March 25, 2010 at 9:00 AM
- Stina said...
LOVE LOVe the pretty purses... where did you find the "closing"... dont know the word for it... so pretty.. were they difficult to make?
Ahh. just lovely...
Easter yes... havent decorated anything this year... dont know where time have flewn this time... and bunnies that are so cute..L ove yours..:o)
And Buddy.. what a cutie!!! :o)
- March 25, 2010 at 11:49 PM
- Karen said...
I love, love, love the little purses!!!!
- March 30, 2010 at 3:54 PM


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brandy's gluten-free, IC safe, oxolate-free, vegetarian, diabetic cookbook
(Recipe Collection)
10 Recipes Created by BRANDYLIZ
yeah, i know--that is a mouthful to say...PLEASE if anyone has to avoid oxolates, i'd love to see some recipes. i can find replacements for the other issues, but oxalates are hard to replace in recipes. ie; what to use to trade out celery in making vegi stock? any ideas are greatly welcome!
Recipes in this Collection
Cookbook creator says: i have to make my own quinoa flour mix...will update when i know how to do that!Submitted by ASHMARIE2008
Submitted by JANSAPPHIRE
Cookbook creator says: i look forward to playing with this recipe (i cannot have black beans or onions and would like to make it with a couple more vegies.)Submitted by MRS_MORRIS
My mom used to make pies of this custard for all the holidays, so it's my ultimate comfort food. Without the pie shell, it's so easy (not to mention completely gluten-free), that I now make it whenever I have extra ricotta and want a dessert.Submitted by ELENASAN
My variation of this classic diet recipe.Submitted by GEMINIDREAM
Cookbook creator says: vegi stock--need to make some adjustments, no celerySubmitted by CHEF_MEG
There are a lot of "bits" in this mixture, but it's worth it - you wind up with a flour that not only has great flavour and texture, but is neutral enough in weight to serve as an "all purpose" flour. Makes 9 cups.Submitted by JO_JO_BA
from the deep south, yummy and gluten freeSubmitted by IRISHMOMMY
Cookbook creator says: grady and riki say these taste like paper mache glue...Submitted by JO_JO_BA

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Thursday, June 27, 2013
via this auction
"Up for sale is this beautiful museum piece 1962 Gibson ES-335 stop tail, PAF, original everything, never touched, dot neck holy grail guitar! The guitar comes from the collection of a Grammy Award winning artist and is stunning in every way. This guitar sounds amazing! Everyone that's played it says its the best guitar they have every had in their hands. Resonant as they come and plugged in, the sky opens up and it might be one of the last dot necks made before they went to block inlays. Comes with the original case with the truss rod paperwork and everything is in great shape. The guitar is extremely clean with only a few tiny dings here and there and and virtually no finish checking..."
Posted by vintageguitarz at 6/27/2013 06:58:00 PM
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With my youngest starting kindergarten life has been different.
Now, my life is busy but too quiet (except for dogs and chickens) until they come home. In the noisy car yesterday Jac wanted to know what it meant to go to the *principal's office.
*Note that my kids' principal is the sweetest person ever.
Jac: "What do they do in the principal's office?"
Max: "Put you in the chokey,"
Me: "Well, it depends on what you do. Talk to you about it, call your parents, kick you out of school..."
Jac: "Oh. Did you ever go the principal's office mom?"
Me: "Never. I was a good girl. " (true) "Well, okay three times. The first was when I was in kindergarten." (also true)
Kids: "When you were in KINDERGARTEN?!! WHAT did you DO, mom?"
Me: "Well, there was this boy who was my friend. I thought he was pretty cute. I was goofing off at lunch and pretended to pour my milk on his head, but my milk was all gone. Well, I thought it was all gone but found out it wasn't when he got doused with milk, so I was sent to the office."
Jac: "What did the principal do?"
Me: "She laughed and told me not to do it again."
Max: "Wow, you were lucky mom."
This week's assignments...


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Book Review: Coexistence by Clare Solomon
Human Hybrids #1
by Clare Solomon
M/M Sci-fi/Futuristic/Shifters
3.5 Stars
Heat Level: Low.
Author Website: http://claresolomon.com/
Review Copy supplied by author
Edited to add
The author has let me know that Goodreads had an old description of the book up, which is where a lot of the confusion came in. Goodreads now has the correct version up. I'm upping my rating to 4 stars, as it was a mistake on Goodreads part, not by the author. If you read the correct blurb below, the book should make a lot more sense now :)
Revised blurb:
Scientists have genetically engineered five human hybrid races known as werewolves, vampires, dragons, sensers and wendigoes. The first four races coexist with humans in relative peace. The fifth one wants to butcher the others and they are getting stronger.
Jaspal 'Pal' Khatri is nearly killed and forced to leave his home with a werewolf pack in Oxford, England when the local HyCO group leads a mob of anti-hybrid rioters against them. He travels to the Highlands of Scotland for a fresh start and meets Brand, a werewolf still grieving after the murder of his lover, Kye, a year ago. He and Brand find a dead vampire and Pal is suddenly in the nightmare situation of being accused of the murder. There is a link between this death and that of Kye and Brand works for another branch of HyCO so, to prove his innocence, Pal must join the organisation he loathes and try to ignore his growing feelings for Brand as they work to solve the case
I'm really not sure what to make of this book. On the one hand it was very well written with a good plot and interesting characters.
On the other, I'm feeling a bit let down with the romance aspects and a bit confused about how the story starts. From the blurb above, I expected Kye and Brand to be main characters in the book. But (spoiler ahead) Kye is dead long before the book starts, over a year ago. The same with the Wendigo attacks, they have happened offscreen a year ago and are only mentioned. The book actually starts with the attack on Pal in Oxford, before he flees to Scotland.
I got the feeling I started reading the story somewhere in the middle. There is some good world-building with the different hybrid races etc. And I liked that these were genetically engineered hybrids, rather than paranormal creatures as such. It gave the book something different.
I loved Pal, despite being a werewolf, he was a very gentle soul and was a doctor, doing his best to help people, no matter what race.
Brand was harder to get to know. He's still grieving over his dead lover, Kye, and he pushes Pal away all the time, despite feeling that they might have some connection.
Their romance doesn't really start until near the end of the book, somewhere around 70% on my Kindle if I remember. So I would say it's more of a detective/whodunnit book with romantic elements, rather than a Romance per se. It depends on what you're looking for I suppose.
It's an interesting story and kept me reading on, despite the few flaws I found with it. If you'd like a different take on vampires, werewolves, dragons et al, give it a go.
The author has a free prequel novella on her website, I'd suggest reading that one first. Then this one will make a lot more sense.
Recommended for people who like sci-fi, shifters and detective novels.
M/M Romances 99 cents this weekend June 24 - June 26
by Lady T.L. Jennings
M/M Historical/Mystery/Parnormal
"Do you believe in ghosts?"
Cedric Davidson, a young solicitor from London, does not believe in neither ghosts nor ghouls and goblins. However, both his strong conviction and moral principles are to be severely tested when he is sent to Lydford Hall to sort out the legal documents after the owner's sudden mysterious death.
Lydford Hall is an estate located in the middle of the most desolate part of Dartmoor and it is said to be haunted by the Black Widow. There he meets Christopher Morgan, the gamekeeper, whom he is instantly and dangerously attracted to.
And suddenly nothing is what it seems to be…
(Blood Wars Book 1)
by T.A. Miles
M/M Fantasy
For Korsten Brierly, life already seemed complicated enough. Disinherited from a young age, helping to govern a town of strategic significance to warring countries, keeping his affair with the local governor's son a secret....
When a demon hunting mage arrives at his doorstep at the same time gruesome murders begin, Korsten finds himself quickly swept away by a tide of events and discoveries beyond his darkest dreams. Caught up in a war much deeper and far more dangerous than he ever would have believed it to be, Korsten is forced to abandon the life he knew and everyone in it. Summoned to a duty that terrifies him, by powers he can't ignore, he begins a journey into understanding his own soul and how to protect the souls of others from demons bent on possessing, poisoning, and devouring them through methods that are gradually decaying the world they live in. Struggling to stay afloat in a maelstrom of ancient forces, his own emotions, and dangerous political games, Korsten commits himself to the task, for the sake of his soul and his sanity, and for the sake of the lover he was not supposed to have...a man possessed by ambition and by a demon with goals of its own.
by Annette Gisby
M/M Fantasy
The neighbouring kingdoms of Oscia and Arcathia have been at a tentative peace for three years after centuries of warfare. Prince Severin of Arcathia has been brought up to put duty before all else and as the only son of the King and Queen, it is his duty to marry and produce an heir. His parents want him to marry an Oscian princess to cement that tentative peace. Unfortunately Severin isn't interested in princesses. Now, if he had his pick of princes that would be another matter.
Havyn has been a slave all his life. When his aptitude for wizardry is discovered, he finds himself purchased and freed by Prince Severin and apprenticed to the royal wizard, Ildar. His duty is to stay chaste to keep his powers strong, but his feelings for Severin sorely test his resolve.
With kingdoms at war, the throne hanging in the balance, magic in the air, and outside forces trying to keep them apart, can the two men find happiness together, or is duty more important than love?
by Lissa Ford
M/M Paranormal/Shifters
Hunted for a crime he didn't commit, alpha shifter Logan Dix tries to keep loneliness at bay until he can prove his innocence. His retreat high in the Rocky Mountains has left him utterly alone, and for too long. When fate intervenes by sending a shifter after him, Dix's hunger to bond to a mate drives him to do something stupid.
Kristof Two-Feather should have known better than to volunteer to bring home a killer. But the Pack needs justice, and he needs to avenge his friend's murder. Logan Dix is a dangerous Rogue Alpha and an accused murderer. Despite his training in black ops, Kristof hopes he can keep from becoming the hunted.
But the mountain is unforgiving, as is a rogue shifter rumored to be a former Delta Force soldier. It will take all of Kristof's cunning to survive the ordeal he's found himself in…and to keep his body and soul from becoming bonded to a fugitive from justice.
Tool Shed Book 1
by A.R. Steel
M/M Contemporary
Ace Hartley lives for the thrills. This bad boy loves 'em and leaves 'em, and he likes it that way. His family's wealth means he doesn't have to work for a living, so his employment as an exotic dancer is nothing more than a sexy diversion. In fact, he's just about ready to move on to the next adventure.
Gabriel Mueller despises his menial job. When he's presented with the opportunity to audition as a stripper, he leaps without looking - and lands in deep water. Before he even realizes he's in over his head, he's fallen under the spell of one devilishly handsome coworker.
Will the pleasure-seeking playboy take Gabriel into his bed for one night? Or could the good-looking geek give Ace a reason to stay at the Tool Shed?
Firebend Chronicles Book 1
by Leah Ross
M/M Fantasy/Steampunk
Sixty-four years ago, the Blast changed everything. The modern, interconnected world died and two disparate societies took its place. The pioneers founded their own world in the frontier of the Fringe. The rest crowded themselves into dome cities and cut themselves off from the world. Fringer or Domer. One or the other. Never both. Until now.
Nick Massey is an inventor and mechanic, a Domer struggling to break out of his poverty-stricken existence and escape his tragic past. He's brilliant. He's talented. He just lost his job. With nothing keeping him in the city, he leaves his meager life behind and strikes out for the wild unknowns of the Fringe. He's hoping to find happiness and purpose. Instead, he finds Zander.
Zander Pennington is a Fringer, born and bred, a lifelong resident of the town of Firebend. He's tough and resourceful and absolutely intolerant of unknowns. As a partner in the region's most lucrative mineral mining operation, he doesn't have time to deal with anything but business. Business is what he knows. Business is his comfort zone. Nick is not business.
Despite their inherent differences, Nick and Zander must learn to trust each other and work as a team to thwart the danger that threatens them and all of Firebend. It's the danger they can't fight, though, that could break both of their hearts and destroy their lives.
by Gabriella West
M/M Contemporary
Dave Madden starts off the new year of 2011 with a haunting dream, which doesn't bode well for his and Aaron's relationship. While Dave clings stubbornly to the emotional stability he has found with Aaron, thoughts of his old flame Matt Cohen obsess him. A sudden trip back to Boston for a family emergency adds to Dave's angst and shakes his sense of identity further. He has to ask himself the unthinkable: what if Matt is the man he was meant to be with all along?
As Dave pulls away from him, Aaron must find the strength to survive, and look inward for answers.
In this powerful sequel to Elsie Street, set in contemporary San Francisco, all bets are off.
by A.E. Wasp
Soulbonded Book 1
M/M Paranormal/Ghosts
The vengeful ghost of a murdered girl stalks the innocent. A forbidden passion ignites in the dark. Secrets of the past that doom the present rise with the dead at Eden Lake.
For Nikolai and Alexei, their jobs at Camp Nevele were supposed to be a break from real life, a last deep breath of freedom before returning to their family and the traditional marriages arranged for them. But the peace of the summer is shattered when the ghost of a brutally murdered girl begins to kill.
Even within his Romany family, Alexei has always been different. Gifted with the sight, he's lived his life knowing something dark hunts them. A being from the otherworld unwilling to stop until it gets what it wants...and what it wants is Nikolai.
As the boys struggle to put the spirit to rest before it kills again, they find it harder and harder to deny the passion burning between them.
Despite the deep taboos of their upbringing, desire ignites between the young men and they are left with a devastating choice between holding on to each other and losing everything they've ever known. But the very love that binds them together may separate them forever and the choice may not be theirs to make.
Fans of the supernatural and passionate stories of first love will fall in love with the fantasy romance of Nikolai and Alexei and their desperate struggle to stay together.
AR: Heaven Book 1
by Tricia Owens
M/M Paranormal/Angels/Demons
Can Angels fall in love with a former shoe salesman?
Ryan thought becoming an Angel would be easy. Well, besides the whole dying part. But earning his wings is difficult when he lusts after the most glorious Angel in existence: Anifiel, the Commander of Heaven's Army. Everything that Ryan does is wrong in the great Angel's eyes. It doesn't help that every time Anifiel draws near, Ryan is overcome with a lust too powerful to resist, a lust that Anifiel resents.
When Anifiel's lover goes missing from Heaven, Anifiel holds Ryan responsible and demands that he make amends. But how do you earn forgiveness from others when you haven't yet forgiven yourself?
by Laruie Boris
M/M Contemporary
Charlie Trager knows he's lucky to have a successful career as a television producer, supportive friends and family, and Joshua — the man he loves. But Joshua is struggling with an election and a spiteful ex-wife threatening custody of his children. Can Charlie's plan save their relationship?
by Hanna Dare
M/M Contemporary/New Adult
First kiss, first heartbreak, first love, first time… but not necessarily in that order.
The hit reality show, Singing Sensation, promises to make its winners big stars - but all Conor Gillis wants is to get out of his small town. It's not the sort of place where a quiet, eighteen-year-old who loves the Beatles and playing guitar can expect to fit in.
Conor's also pretty sure he's the only gay person in town.
Well, except for one other person...
Derek Folsom is the kind of bad influence parents warn you about. He's tough, rough, and always looking for a fight. He's the last person anyone would suspect of being gay, in fact he's likely to punch anyone who does suspect it. So why is he suddenly so interested in Conor?
Conor's pinning all his hopes on auditioning for a TV show. It's his only chance to realize his dreams, and escape all of these confusing feelings. But will he be able to find his voice... and his true self?
by Hollis Shiloh
M/M Paranormal/Shifters/Detectives
Chemistry off the charts—but is that enough?
Tom Langley and Sean Goods work together in a human-and-wolf shifter partnership, assisting the police, rushing in to solve crimes wherever their bosses send them. They're a great team, and they have fun together, too: joking and enjoying each other's company in a way that doesn't happen every day.
Tom is also a married man. And his husband hates the wolf shifter with a passion. Tom tries to balance the sides of his life—one minute on a high-pressure chase with Sean, the next placating his husband Lowell.
Then the unthinkable happens: his marriage ends. Heartbroken, he's not expecting to ever get over Lowell's betrayal or to be able to love again.
Sean offers a solution: sex as friends. They have chemistry, and they trust each other.
But can they change their partnership that much? And is Sean secretly harboring feelings for him—expecting more than just sex?
Sean is a loveable, funny, strong, and protective. He's the best buddy a guy could have. But Tom might not be able to keep from breaking his heart—if Sean is in love with him, and Tom can't love him back.
by Emmi Lawrence
M/M Paranormal/Shifters
The wild will reign.
When Houndmaster De'vii and his pack take on a seemingly innocuous escort job, things quickly spiral out of control. Creatures straight from a death plane hide within the unfamiliar country and the people he's supposed to rely on to help have their own darker motivations.
And then there's De'vii's alluring charge.
Caliebb Renaveri is harmless and quiet, yet also manages to stir the wild in every dog in De'vii's pack. He can't afford to allow the wildness to take over, nor can he abandon the job. But Caliebb is more than he appears and stronger than he seems and by the time De'vii realizes just how dangerous Caliebb truly is he stands to lose everything he holds dear: his mind, his life and his pack.
The exciting beginning to The Wilds Duology.
Book Spotlight: A Trust to Follow by Diana Waters
Title: A Trust to Follow
Author: Diana Waters
Genre: Gay Romance, Historical/Fantasy
Length: Novella
Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing
SynopsisPrince Daymon is an Evoker—possessor of rare and feared magical powers.
When he is captured by bandits who plan to use his gifts for their own benefit he must depend upon his lover to come to his rescue.
Rhyder is captain of Daymon's personal guard and the legendary 'Lion of the West', but can he reach the man he loves before it's too late?
you really him? The Lio… Sir Rhyder?"
straightened up from where he had been examining the array of
training swords, and Daymon could have kicked himself. What was he
saying, he already knew
this was Rhyder—and Rhyder, judging from the slight
of his mouth, knew that too. Still, the man was polite enough not to
say anything to embarrass Daymon and made a bow. "At your service,
Your Highness. But if it please you, I am no Sir. Just Rhyder will
Yes. Of course, I knew that. I just…." Daymon trailed off, all of
his practiced
conversations and smooth, courtly language failing him.
it became apparent that Daymon was lost for words, Rhyder prompted
him, as though there had been no awkward pause. "And you are Prince
Daymon. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Highness. To what
do I owe the honor?"
um, that is. I always wanted to meet you! Ever since I heard the
stories, you know, the ones about… and there are so many of them!
Is it true you bested Kharsan the Great in single combat? And that
you tamed a Rhodan
horse when you were only twelve?" With an effort, Daymon stopped
before he could embarrass himself further.
his credit, Rhyder did not laugh at his babbling. "Yes and yes,"
he replied easily, as though this was the kind of conversation he had
every day—which, for all Daymon knew, he did. "I did have some
help with that second one, however. And if
be told, I've wanted to meet you for some time now as well."
Daymon squeaked.
Your Highness must be aware that if there are plenty of stories about
me, there are many more surrounding you."
Buy LinksWIP: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/a-trust-to-follow-by-diana-waters/
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FUHLSZ8/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FUHLSZ8/
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01FUHLSZ8/
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B01FUHLSZ8/
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-atrusttofollow-2041089-143.html
Book Trailer
GiveawayPrize: $2.99 WIP Gift Card
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the AuthorDIANA WATERS is a New Zealander currently living in rural Japan. She has no idea where in the world she'll be this time next year and is pretty okay with that. Other than reading and writing, her main passions include travel, Japanese pop culture, and competitive swimming.
DIANA WATERS can be found at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010664493155
Twitter: https://twitter.com/diana__waters
Book Review: Loving Djinni by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
by Beryll & Osiris Brackhaus
M/M Paranormal/Mythology
Review Copy supplied by authors
4 Stars
Buy at Amazon
Loving Djinni' is a charming, screwball-y paranormal m/m romance about ancient magic meeting modern men, and how true love still is the strongest magic of them all.
Left to die in a sealed tomb, David, an educated and good-natured New York arts dealer and part-time forger, stumbles over an old oil lamp. But instead of producing a little light for David's last hours, it conjures forth a veritable djinni.
An ancient, tempting, puckish djinni, who in David's company prefers to show himself as an irresistibly handsome, fit and barely legal teenager. Quite literally an incarnation of trouble waiting to happen.
So what's a modern man to do with his three wishes, when he can have anything except the one thing he truly desires - to mend his broken heart?
Review 4 Stars:
David has recently spit up with his boyfriend, Stanley, who accuses David of being such a nerd, he's so boring and Stanley doesn't know what he ever saw in him. David's confidence is at rock bottom so when an opportunity arises to actually go on a dig on a real Egyptian tomb, David decides to go on the spur of a minute trip, despite the fact that he's never done anything like this before.
Renowned as an art and antiques dealer, David also has a bit of a criminal streak and has more than once palmed off fakes with fraudulent papers as to their origins. So the fact that the dig isn't strictly legal doesn't faze him at first. But he should pick his adventurers more carefully next time, if there is next time, for they attack him, knocking him out and resealing the tomb afterwards, leaving David to die alone
Until he found a very strange lamp.
Locked in a lamp for thousands of years, Sharu, an immortal djinni is only ever temporarily set free when a mortal finds the lamp, rubs it and gets granted three wishes. As soon as the third wish is made however, it's back into the lamp he goes.
He hates mortals, sees them as nothing more than vermin and he's such a trickster than he can twist the wishes around somewhat, depending on what the mortal asks for.
Their relationship starts out fairly rock at first, each not sure if trusting the other is a good idea, but they do gradually get to know one another, not just as master and slave.
David has no wish for a slave, and despite some of his criminal leanings, he is not cruel or malicious and wants to do the right thing by Sharu. He wonders if there is some way of breaking the curse, of setting Sharu free, but Sharu doesn't think there is. After all, he'd been cursed to be imprisoned for eternity.
There's a bit of humour, a bit of angst and lots of fun banter back and forth between the two heroes.
The relationship is more of a slow burn, but when they do get there, boy does the passion sizzle between them. And there's lots of delicious UST throughout the book before they get there.
In the book, there are quite a few references to Sharu looking young, or barely legal at times, which threw me out a bit somewhat. Sharu seemed to take a form of a young man round about nineteen. I'm in the UK, where the age of consent is sixteen, so reading about someone who looks around nineteen as barely legal was a bit jarring. Just say he looks like a young man, that's all that was needed.
That aside, it was a fun, adorable read. It was refreshing to read a paranormal story which wasn't populated with werewolves and vampires. It's a bit quirky in places and made me smile.
And if you want to know if David and Sharu get their happily ever after, you'll just have to read the story to find out. Suspend disbelief for a few hours and give it a go.
About the Authors:
Beryll and Osiris Brackhaus are a couple currently living their happily ever after in the very heart of Germany, under the stern but loving surveillance of their cat. Both are voracious but picky readers, they love telling stories and drinking tea, good food and the occasional violent movie. Together, they write novels of adventure and romance, hoping to share a little of their happiness with their readers.
Book Review & Giveaway: Boy Banned by R.J. Scott
by R.J. Scott
M/M Contemporary/Musicians
Cover: Meredith Russell
Publisher: Love Lane Books
Buy Links - Links to follow here: http://rjscottauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/boy-banned.html
When the only way to win is to hide who you are, how far are you prepared to go?
Reuben "Angel" Jacobs is one step away from giving it all up. Losing a place in the live finals of Sing UK almost kills him. He has no choice but to go home and work for the family business, even though it means giving up his dreams and proving his old bullies right.
Corey Dixon is a rocker at heart. Being on the spectrum means that making sense of other people's 'normal' is hard in itself, let alone in the chaos of a high-powered competition. Singing is his safe space, the only way he can think through the noise in his head. Messing up his audition for the live shows means his journey is over, and it's the worst day of his life.
The judges throw them a lifeline and create a boy band from the near-miss hopefuls. Angel, Corey, and three others are put together in a room and offered the chance to sing as a group. Agreeing to become part of the new band means Corey has to hide who he is and what Angel has come to mean to him.
Is winning worth the price Corey and Angel have to pay?
Review 4 Stars:
Now, let me preface this review with the fact that I have never seen an episode of The X-Factor, The Voice or any other talent show for that matter. I've seen clips of the shows, but I have never watched an entire episode from week to week as it were. But for this book, it didn't matter that I hadn't seen any of that. Take a character with any sort of dream and it will speak to the reader, even if it isn't a dream the character and reader share.
We all have hopes and dreams, doubts and fears, it's just that Corey's and Angel's dreams are a little bigger.
Narrowly missing out on being finalists in Sing UK, they are offered the chance with three other young men to form a boy band. They aren't really sure at first. Each of them has their own singing style and were all soloists. How do you take each of them and form a whole unit? They decide to give it a go, it's the only way they'll stay on the show.
I loved this book. There was angst, there was drama (but not too over the top), real emotions from real people and the romance between Cory an Angel was so sweet and romantic.
Corey has Asperger's and it was handled very well. I'm not on the spectrum, but I do have social anxiety and like Corey I can't handle crowds. It was beautiful the way he could hug Angel and all the noise went away.
There were lots of things going on behind the scenes, the rivalry between various contestants, the judges, how to handle the media etc. Everything had a place and although it was a romance, there was a good balance of plot too besides the romantic parts.
All the characters were well drawn and the writing flowed well. I can't say too much more without giving stuff away, so just go out and read it.
A must-read for any romance fan.
"Filming in five, four…."
Brianna was clearly the leader in this particular choice. "Hi, guys," she said strongly, her tone belied by the fluttering of her hands around her face. She had assumed the "we have terrible news" expression. Both the male judges had relaxed back in their seats.
All five of the contestants said hello back; the other four were as worried and subdued as Corey sounded to his own ears.
"Okay," she began, "boys, boys, boys… you all know that the auditions at boot camp weren't so good. Mistakes, wrong song choices, emotions getting the better of you…." She trailed off and looked into the distance with a soft pout. She was acting out the whole disappointment thing and was a freaking expert at it.
Corey shifted from one foot to the other. His head was banded with the start of a headache, which he was convinced would deteriorate into a migraine if he didn't get some meds soon. That would just be the perfect shitty end to the perfect shitty day.
"We've considered you a lot. You're the hardest group of singers, and it took us a long time to come to a decision."
Another dramatic pause, in which Corey imagined music would be inserted for added drama. He stopped breathing, waiting for her to finish what she was going to say. Maybe, somehow, they'd been given the chance to prove themselves again, and she would say they were through.
She shook her head slowly. "Sorry, boys. We're not taking you through as solo singers to the live finals."
And there it was. Corey's dream gone. Finished.
About the Author:
My goal is to write stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and most importantly, that hint of a happily ever after.
I've has been writing since age six, when I was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies and the mixing bowl. You can't tell a six year old not to lick the bowl!
I was told to write a story and two sides of paper about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born.
As an avid reader myself, I can be found reading anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror. However, my first real true love will always be the world of romance. I love my cowboys, bodyguards, firemen and billionaires (to name a few) and love to write dramatic and romantic stories of love and passion between these men. (Yum)
With over 90 titles to my name and counting, I am the author of the award winning book, The Christmas Throwaway, which was All Romance Ebooks best selling title of 2010.
I'm also known for the Texas series charting the lives of Riley and Jack, and the Sanctuary series following the work of the Sanctuary Foundation and the people it protects.
I'm always so thrilled to hear from readers, bloggers and other writers. Please contact via the following links below:
Email RJ (email@example.com)
RJ on Twitter
Prizes: $20 Giftcard for Amazon or All Romance eBooks, 3 x Texas books, 3 x Bodyguard books.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Oh right, it's you got that rhino guy from Ninja Turtles, that is so cool, man.
your name mentions spiderman that is amazing
You have Stan in your name. I'm a fan of Stan Lee.
I respect team kahi more than i did team eljay, so i therefore i respect you slightly more
You share a name with a chemical element. That is good, chemistry is by far the best science
Your name has molten in it, that's all it's cool name.
You have a very funny users name, and an even more interesting avatar.
You don't suck.
I'm bad at this
(No problem man. I'm not much better )You have a really cool avatar.
you have a good image that is art. i like art.
Hey I like your self fig, it looks cool!
Not only is your avatar Skeleotr, Master of Evil, which is immediately respectable, its also appropriately spoopy given the time of year.
You know who Skeletor is, which is awesome.
You're named after one of the coolest things in pop culture NINJA GAIDEN BEST SERIES FIT MEH
Personally, I find BrokenAxels to be a rather creative name.
You have the best taste in music ever.
Radiation's sour cream hasn't gone expired yet, which guarantees his product stays fresh longer than the other leading brands.
Well I see that you Moderating on the Double Posting around here, good sir that a very good thing.
your name seemes to be a combonation of spiderman and optimus prime they are both awsome
and your name seems to be a combo of spider man and stan lee. also both awesome.


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Today I came across a site that seemed like a lot of fun to try! It claims that if you don't want stuff you can give it away for free and get credits to get stuff for free that other people are offering! It sounds wonderful in my opinion and I thought many of you would love to give it a try as well! The most you ever pay is shipping and most postings I've looked at while browsing have FREE shipping!!
https://www.listia.com/signup/1919241 This is my invite link, it claims to give 100 more credits to people who I invite(or that are invited by a member in general) so if you join through the link it helps us both out!
Please tell me of your experiences with this site in the comments!! I'd love to know how it turned out for others~! (:D)
I have a few ideas for new posts and I'm going to try to post several times a week to make up for lost time. I just recently have been sent a few things including fairy kei tutus and lolita petticoats and have been so grateful for that! Hopefully the rest of my stuff will be coming right around the corner! Also, I just started watching this season of America's Got Talent, I didn't have regular cable for a while and ended up missing when it started and just thought to watch it. I love that show! It is amazing to see all the creativity people have and is always a lot of fun (Especially the audition stage)! I don't know about you all, but the outfits are always one of my favorite things to see on the show! Some of them are so wild and original (remember Prince Poppycock? :D)
Anyways, that is really it for this post I just thought I would share the website with those of you that haven't seen it.~
Look at this amazing phone case listed here on the website! SOOO cute! http://www.listia.com/auction/5681434-kawaii-deco-lolita-harajuku-style-bling
Hoppily Yours,
Skiteanna La~Sweet


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Dear Group, There are new Semantic Web logos, including GRDDL. Logos and poilicies here: http://www.w3.org/2007/10/sw-logos.html GRDDL is the Open Logo with "GRDDL" text in a lot of colors. Cheers, Simone :)Received on Wednesday, 10 October 2007 22:29:20 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Tuesday, 6 January 2015 20:39:12 UTC


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By Zachary Weishar, corps member serving at Rogers Middle School
Tutoring students is no easy task. Learning styles are as diverse and varied as the personalities of our students. In order to stay abreast in the education field, it is beneficial for every educator to improve their approach, and teaching techniques. And there is no better way to do this than to share in the experiences and successes of other educators, tutors, and mentors. An excellent way to do this is to read some of the numerous education blogs. Here are 5 resources I found to be interesting, inspirational, and helpful.
The Tutor House:
Blogger Adrianne Meldrum creates a space where tutors can collaborate and connect with other tutors. From tips on runing a tutoring business to ideas on lessons and resources for tutors, her blog is fun and personable.
Tutor Universe Blog:
As an expansive resource for tutors, Tutor Universe includes categories by subject and grade level. Whether you're tutoring elementary age students or college level courses, this site has you covered.
Mrs. Jennifer's Tutoring Ideas:
Ms. Jennifer Rabborn's Pinterest board is full of tutoring ideas, activities, and pictures. Most importantly, she understand the importance of adding a touch of humor to lessons to engage students.
Tutor Mentor Institute:
Daniel Bassill is all about supporting and mentoring youth. He explains the goals of this blog: "My aim is to help communities create and sustain strategies that make more and better non-school tutor/mentor programs available to inner-city youth."
Wyz Ant:
This is an interesting blog that features many different authors from all across the country. It provides discussions, tips and tricks on the art of tutoring as well as general meditations on the trials and tribulations of the tutoring process. It gives a great look at the scope of the educational landscape.


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8 storage sizes for rent
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Storage in Mead, WA
Charity Storage
Charity Storage utilizes existing storage facility operations, namely storage units and auctions, to raise money to benefit the community. Charity Storage is a promotional outreach program that depends on the support of the self storage industry, the Self Storage Association, and millions of North American self storage tenants and neighboring communities.


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Who We Are
Custom Aluminium WA was first established in 2002. The operation started as a small family-run organisation that at the time had over 40 years' experience in the sheet metal industry. Over the years the company has prided itself on being reliable aluminium suppliers in Perth with high-quality tailor-made aluminium products, delivered with fantastic turnaround times and 100% customer satisfaction. With our 'make it happen' attitude and strong focus on quality and customer service, Custom Aluminium has grown quickly.
Today, we employ an ever-expanding and hugely experienced team, some of whom have been with us for over ten years. With a strong core staff that carries an extensive experience and educational background, Custom Aluminium has become the leading aluminium supplier in Perth, we have a commitment to providing a vast range of products to meet our customers' needs.
With this growth, we have been able to expand our service with an onsite powder coating plant, state of the art computer generated 3D design, and a water jet cutting machine that gives us limitless design and manufacturing capabilities.
To date, our company has proudly worked with a diverse range of clients, from the local handyman to retail and commercial clients, making us the preferred supplier of custom aluminium products in WA.
Boat Racing
In our spare time, the boys at Custom Aluminium proudly sponsor a boat racing team, from building our own custom boats, trailer, motors to even the propellers. Craig and Jake, father and son who both work full time at Custom Aluminium are very passionate about racing the dinghies down different rivers in WA including the Avon Descent. Feel free to come down and have look and say hi to Jake and the Custom Aluminium racing team.


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Turnbo Home | Table of Contents | Keyword Search| Bibliography | Biography
By S. C. Turnbo
In giving accounts of the pioneer days on Crooked Creek In Marion County, Ark., Mr. Brice Milum told me this which he said he witnessed himself. "I was then living near the present site of Powell and at the time I speak of was following the occupation of farming. One day In 1853 while Elisha Dotson and myself were plowing, our attention was called by a peculiar noise, and on investigation we saw a rattlesnake charming a rabbit. When we discovered them they were six feet apart. The serpent was four feet long, and was stretched at full length and closely watching its victim. The latter was uttering a peculiar and distressing noise and slowly moving up toward the snake. When the powerless rabbit was within a few inches of the rattlers head we were surprised to see it topple over. We went up and killed the snake. The rabbit was dead. We were both satisfied that the snake did not touch the rabbit and we believed the serpent had a power to kill by charm or something of the kind. Who can explain this charming business anyway?" said Mr. Milum.
Turnbo Home | Table of Contents | Keyword Search| Bibliography | Biography
Springfield-Greene County Library


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massage and bodywork professionals
a community of practitioners
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Thank you so much for the opportunity to introduce you to the amazing ancient healing power of Ashiatsu BarefootBar® Massage techniques, affectionately branded "the deepest most luxurious massage on the planet".
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy® (AOBT) is the first nationally approved study course for a western barefoot effleurage massage technique using bars on the ceiling. The founder, Ruthie Hardee, spent numerous years on research and the modality is now…
Posted on October 20, 2012 at 10:36am
With deep compression massage, it's especially important to have breast pillows available for large-breasted clients and those with implants. (Remember, all that fabulous deep work around the scapula is effecting everything on the anterior side of the body, too!)
There are breast pillows available for…Continue
Posted on September 9, 2012 at 12:00am
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 10:00am
Sorry for the lull on not friending you sooner. I haven't loked at the site in a long time. After 23yrs of doing massage. (last 8 yrs working part time) I took the last year off helping my 92 yr old Dad by bring him to our home. He is now in a nursing home where I visit often.
I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. Alot has changed since I received my License in 1988.
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Style Sliding Screen Door
Room dividers separate a space and open concept homes create illusion of walls and also improve privacy for owners. Add partitions full length with total privacy doors or walls add three rooms for a unique look. Add contemporary sliding screen door without glass, but with solid wood panels or fabric covered panels, in space. This door style works best in high-end condominiums or hip, modern spaces. Charcoal walls and doors, coordinated with stainless steel or silver plate hardware, adds to an elegant space.
A dividing wall with classic glass sliding screen door in center is ideal for classic and traditional space. Paint or stain dividing wall with a color that complements floor and furniture. Work of consultation in a classic whitewashed space and so do rich hues of cherry, mahogany or espresso.
Glass installed from floor to ceiling sliding screen door glass as focal point, is another way to add a room divider to your space. These glass doors work best in areas without a lot of children and pets and are also better in homes without a ton of street or in a private room in a home, as a master bedroom. It is a beach style and adds greatly to space. Increase privacy curtains when working with glass doors.


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My philosophy teacher; Epicurus;
Born 4 February 341 BCE
Archonship of Sosigenes
Died 270 BCE (aged 72)
Archonship of Pytharatus
Nationality Greek
Era Ancient philosophy
Region Western philosophy
School Epicureanism
Main interests Atomism, Materialism
Influenced by
Must have: A delight in the countryside and gardens.
Key promise: Peace and tranquillity.
(Ancient Greek: Epikouros, "ally, comrade"; 341 BCE – 270 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher as well as the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism.
Only a few fragments and letters of Epicurus's 300 written works remain. Much of what is known about Epicurean philosophy derives from later followers and commentators.
For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia—peace and freedom from fear—and aponia—the absence of pain—and by living a self-sufficient life surrounded by friends.
He taught that pleasure and pain are the measures of what is good and evil; death is the end of both body and soul and should therefore not be feared; the gods do not reward or punish humans; the universe is infinite and eternal; and events in the world are ultimately based on the motions and interactions of atoms moving in empty space. Epicurus
Epicurus' school, which was based in the garden of his house and thus called "The Garden" had a small but devoted following in his lifetime.
His school was the first of the ancient Greek philosophical schools to admit women as a rule rather than an exception.
An inscription on the gate to The Garden is recorded by Seneca in epistle XXI of Epistulae morales ad Lucilium:
Stranger, here you will do well to tarry; here our highest good is pleasure.
Science and ethics
Epicurus is a key figure in the development of science and the scientific method because of his insistence that nothing should be believed, except that which was tested through direct observation and logical deduction.
Many of his ideas about nature and physics presaged important scientific concepts of our time. He was a key figure in the Axial Age, the period from 800 BCE to 200 BCE, during which similarly revolutionary thinking appeared in China, India, Iran, the Near East, and Ancient Greece.
His statement of the Ethic of Reciprocity as the foundation of ethics is the earliest in Ancient Greece.
Like Democritus, he was an atomist, believing that the fundamental constituents of the world were indivisible little bits of matter (atoms, Greek atomos, indivisible) flying through empty space (kenos). Everything that occurs is the result of the atoms colliding, rebounding, and becoming
entangled with one another, with no purpose or plan behind their motions.(Compare this with the modern study of particle physics.
He regularly admitted women and slaves into his school and was one of the first Greeks to break from the god-fearing and god-worshipping tradition common at the time, even while affirming that religious activities are useful as a way to contemplate the gods and to use them as an example of the pleasant life.
Epicurus participated in the activities of traditional Greek religion, but taught that one should avoid holding false opinions about the gods. The gods are immortal and blessed and men who ascribe any additional qualities that are alien to immortality and blessedness are, according to Epicurus, impious. The gods do not punish the bad and reward the good as the common man believes. The opinion of the crowd is, Epicurus claims, that the gods "send great evils to the wicked and great blessings to the righteous who model themselves after the gods," whereas Epicurus believes the gods, in reality, do not concern themselves at all with human beings.
Epicurus' teachings were introduced into medical philosophy and practice by the Epicurean doctor Asclepiades of Bithynia, who was the first physician who introduced Greek medicine in Rome.
Asclepiades introduced the friendly, sympathetic, pleasing and painless treatment of patients. He advocated humane treatment of mental disorders, had insane persons freed from confinement and treated them with natural therapy, such as diet and massages. His teachings are surprisingly modern, therefore Asclepiades is considered to be a pioneer physician in psychotherapy, physical therapy and molecular medicine.
He also believed (contra Aristotle) that death was not to be feared. When a man dies, he does not feel the pain of death because he no longer is and he therefore feels nothing. Therefore, as Epicurus famously said, "death is nothing to us." When we exist death is not, and when death exists we are not. All sensation and consciousness ends with death and therefore in death there is neither pleasure nor pain. The fear of death arises from the belief that in death there is awareness.
From this doctrine arose the Epicurean epitaph: Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo (I was not; I was; I am not; I do not care) – which is inscribed on the gravestones of his followers and seen on many ancient gravestones of the Roman Empire. This quote is often used today at humanist funerals.
Also quoted in the Shakespearean To be or not to be that is the question.
The "Epicurean paradox" is a version of the problem of evil. It is a trilemma argument (God is omnipotent, God is good, but Evil exists); or more commonly seen as this quote:
Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?
More facts and notes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus
Photos/my garden
Link Titania Everyday;


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Local teams find themselves at or near the top of the standings as the Under-19 Women's Canadian Fastpitch Championships head towards the weekend playoff rounds.
Through the first four days of competition – which began Monday morning at Softball City in South Surrey – the Delta Heat 2001 and White Rock Renegades '99 lead the way among local teams, with identical 6-1 win-loss records.
The Heat, who entered the 24-team tournament as B.C.'s No. 3 seed, were the first team to hit the six-win mark in the week-long national showdown, though they – and the Renegades – are now chasing a pair of still-undefeated Ontario teams, Waterloo Ghosts Gold and the Oakville Angels, both at 7-0 through Friday morning.
Many of the Heat's victories have come in convincing fashion – 14-4 over the Lloydminster Liners; 10-0 against the Estevan South Side Slammers; and 14-2 versus the Manitoba Thunder Wednesday night.
The White Rock Renegades '99 – the defending national champions and this year's provincial champs – won the first five games on their schedule, including a come-from-behind win Tuesday afternoon against the Surrey Storm '01 which saw the 'Gades give up five runs in the first inning. But they were dealt their first loss of the tourney Wednesday evening, losing 10-5 to the Windsor Wildcats, Ontario's No. 2 seed.
Earlier Wednesday, White Rock knocked off Ontario's fourth-seeded Brampton Blazers, 6-4.
On Thursday, they beat the Victoria Devils 8-0.
In sixth-place Friday is the official host team, the White Rock Renegades 2000, who are 5-2. The team opened the tournament Monday afternoon with a 7-4 loss to Oakville, but rebounded after that to knock off the Richmond Islanders 2000 7-6.
In that victory, White Rock's Amelia Trembath singled in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
From there, the 2000-born squad beat the Quebec Rebelles U19s 9-2; Calgary Adrenaline 8-1 and the Victoria Devils 2000 3-2. On Thursday afternoon, White Rock beat the Winnipeg Lightning but lost to the Saskatoon Co-op Selects.
The Surrey Storm – who came close to beating the defending champion 'Gades Tuesday – have a 4-3 record, with victories over Alberta's Rivercity Hornets, Manitoba's Smitty's Terminators, Regina Kaos and Victoria.
The playoffs continue through the weekend and finish with the gold-medal match Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
For more on the tournament, including up-to-date scores, visit https://softball.ca/u19womens


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Britons are set to spend almost £1bn on their partners on Valentines Day according to technology company Postcode Anywhere.
The firm analysed the volume of purchases for flowers, chocolates, lingerie, jewellery, adult gifts and fragrance, across its 8,000 ecommerce customer base.
Among the findings, the research cites how Londoners are more likely to purchase flowers for their partners on Valentine's Day, consumers from Leeds are more likely to buy chocolate and in Birmingham lingerie proves a popular choice.
Guy Mucklow CEO of Postcode Anywhere said: "Valentine's Day is now one of the major spending occasions for both UK and US consumers, and one of the major events on the retail shopping calendar.
"This year, Britons are predicted to spend a staggering £978m on their partners on Valentine's Day so it's certainly not something retailers can afford to take lightly."
The news comes as online adult retailer Lovehoney saw its full-year profits treble to £2.25m in January while lingerie specialist Ann Summers increased its pre-tax profits to £4m for the year ended 30 June 2012.


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Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2017 > Bold Appraisal of Crisis of Constitutionalism
Mainstream, VOL LV No 30 New Delhi July 15, 2017
Bold Appraisal of Crisis of Constitutionalism
Sunday 16 July 2017
by Vijay Kumar
The Constitution Of India: Miracle, Surrender, Hope by Rajeev Dhavan; Lexis Nexis in collaboration with Universal Law Publishing; pages: 173; Price: Rs 325.
Rajeev Dhavan's recent book, The Constitution of India : Miracle, Surrender, Hope, is a thought-provoking work on the crisis of constitu-tionalism. The topicality of the book is enhanced as it has come at a time when intolerance and vigilante justice have risen menancingly. The book is dedicated to Fali S. Nariman, one of the most respected jurists of the country dubbed as a liberal lion, who has a become legend in his own lifetime. Nariman's consistent and principled espousal of constitutionalism and secularism is well known, and it is fitting that the book is dedicated to him. He resigned from the post of Additional Solicitor General in protest against the imposition of what he termed as "phoney Emergency" by Mrs Indira Gandhi in June 1975, and returned the brief of the Gujarat Government in the construction of the Narmada Dam case, when minorities were attacked in Gujarat. The presence of Fali Nariman keeps on reminding us the importance of the almost obliterated distinction between great and successful lawyers.
The opening chapter of the book culminates in Dhavan's assertion that the framing of the Constitution was a miracle, and today if distin-guished people are called upon to frame the new Constitution, they will miserably fail to produce one. This stand is unexceptionable. The Consti-tution was framed in one of the most trying and challenging times. The Indian independence was accompanied by a bloody partition in a highly surcharged atmosphere that engendered a climate which culminated in the assassination of the 'Father of the Nation' by a fanatic Hindu. Thus, circumstances were hardly propitious for framing the Constitution. But the Founding Fathers succeeded in transcending the cons-traints of the circumstances and framed a Constitution which enabled democracy to take firm roots in the country. So, the framing of the Constitution was indeed an act of miracle.
Constitutionalism seeks to stabilise the popular passion by ensuring that the ever present danger of democracy degenerating into mobocracy, and the actuality of the otherwise oxymoron phenomena of 'majoritarian tyranny' or 'tyrannical majority' becoming a reality is interrogated. Here, the enunciation of the basic structure doctrine is a seminal and historic contribution of the Supreme Court, and it is on the touchstone of this doctrine that the Supreme Court invalidated the notorious 39th and 42nd Amendments and saved democracy. Confronted with abuse of power, Dhavan grudgingly accepts the fetter of Parliament on sovereign power, through the tenet of the basic structure in existential terms, but surprisingly is opposed to it theoretically.
Constitutionalism evolves in the light of political praxis. The dialectics of constitutionalism lies in the fact that it shapes political behaviours and action and, in turn, is shaped by them. The enunciation of the doctrine of the 'basic structure' was a great seminal contribution to entrench the Constitution and culture of constitu-tionalism. The formulation of the basic structure further marked the transformation of the Consti-tution from 'descriptive' into 'prescriptive', in a sense articulated by the German jurist and judge, Dieter Grimm. The distinction between the 'Constitution' and the 'Constitutional Law', formulated by Carl Schmitt, was concretised by the formulation of the theory of the basic structure. The evolution of the basic structure was accom-plished through the highest level of judicial creativity and craftsmanship characterised as "courage, craft and contention" by Prof Upendra Baxi.
The theory of constitutionalism is anchored on the twin pillars of democracy and the rule of law. Democracy represents the rule by majority and the political will is rooted in the concept of majoritarianism, whereas the rule of law is grounded in reason. This is defined as 'will' and 'reason' by Paul Kahn. The funda-mental problem of constitutionalism, "according to Kahn", is to negotiate the relationship between 'reason' and 'will'. This author, while delineating the evolution of constitutionalism in India in the last 60 years, argued in his book, in 2012, that 'public reasoning', or the articulation of it, alone can sustain the constitutional supremacy and, as Prof Upendra Baxi puts it, the "adjudicatory leadership of the Supreme Court".
Dhavan has delineated the fault-lines in constitutional developments, and the foremost among them, in his view, is federal asymmetry, exacerbated by the unilateral power of Parlia-ment to alter the boundary of the States without their consent, and the power of the Union Government to impose President's Rule in the State. The second shortcoming in the working of the Constitution is the completely skewed nature of the representative system of govern-ment and it is this which has resulted in abasement of parliamentary democracy and, it is in this sense, that Dhavan hypothesises that obedience to the Constitution has resulted in people surrendering themselves before their representatives. Yet another weakness is the failure to translate the objectives of the welfare state and egalitarian social structure embodied in the Directive Principles of the state into reality.
Dhavan is right in reposing his hope in people-centric activism sustained by NGOs representing people's struggle groups. Barring the amorphous basic structures, the Consti-tution is open-ended and could be appropriated by all sorts of ideologies, characterised as 'isms' by Dhavan. The function of interpreting hermeneutics, however, contains some degree of autonomy, and here the choice and ideological proclivity of custodians and constitutional adjudicators assume significance. The hope in constitutionalism can be sustained through a counter-hegemonic discourse informed by intellectual integrity and backed by people-centric activism.
Forthrightness and boldness pervade the book under review. Dhavan has rightly maintained that some of our best and worst judges are infected by the toxic ideology of Hindutva. The 'Hindutva' judgment of 1995 was authored by the otherwise most dynamic Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice J.S. Verma, who, as the Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, interro-gated resolutely the organised pogrom in Gujarat in February 2002. The recent statement of the Judge of the Rajasthan High Court, Mahesh Chandra Sharma, that cow should be made a national animal, and the earlier occasion of one lady Judge of the Delhi High Court starting the judgment with recitation of a popular patriotic song from a Hindi film in course of granting bail to Kanhaiya, the then President of the JNU Students Union, are instances that lend credence to Dhavan's conclusion. He is also right in his assertion that neoliberal forces have penetrated into all the constitutional institutions, in both the United States and India. In fact, neoliberalism and Hindutva feed upon each other, as both seek to deradicalise the political discourse.
One notable omission in the book under review is the complete absence of any discussion on the significance of 'public reasoning', in a sense conceptulised by late John Rawls and entrenched in recent times by Prof Amartya Sen. Dhavan rightly characterises the interpre-tation of the Constitution by its custodian in a manner akin to the fixing of the meaning by Humpty Dumpty in Carol's 'Alice in Wonder-land'. Here, the discussion on 'public reasoning' could have been apposite, as the concept would have helped us to critique the interpretation of the fundamental document in a humpty dumpty manner and hold the custodians to account. the humpty dumpty style of interpretation is the result of the will to power whereas the emanci-patory discourse could be generated only through articulation of public reasoning. Here the distinction between will and reason, made by Paul Kahn, assumes significance.
Another flip side of the book is the issue pertaining to personal liberty, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, that has not received the attention it deserved, perhaps because Dhavan does not appear in criminal matters. Once Dhavan comes to the conclusion that, by and large, the courts are more hospitable to the haves, the logical corollary is that it is the have-nots who bear the brunt of restrictive and at times even reactionary, interpretation of personal liberty. The Supreme Court, through interpretive hermeneutics, carved out a host of derivative rights under Article 21, but its core element pertaining to personal liberty has not been guarded by it and the disastrous judgment in 'Habeas Corpus' during the Emergency was different only in terms of degree rather than in kind. This is despite the liberating judgment in the Maneka Gandhi case that the 'procedure established by law means just, fair and reasonable procedure'. The presence of the provision of preventive detention and enactment of a plethora of draconian penal provisions in the last thirty years, and their consistently conservative interpretations by the Supreme Court make it anti-libertarian. The phenomena of reading so many rights in the text of Article 21, and not invoking the due process with the fullest of rigour in a case pertaining to personal liberty, reached outlandish proportions when the 'right to reputation', one of the penumbral rights in the text of the right to life, was allowed to trump one of the most basic political rights, "freedom of speech and expression", by refusing to strike down the pre-constitutional colonial penal provision dealing with criminal defamation. But then, the book can be critiqued for what it says, and not for what it refrains from articulating.
The book under review has come at a time when narrow, sectarian and muscular nationa-lism and majoritarianism have risen alarmingly and are posing a grave threat to constitutionalism and democracy. Edward Said wrote that the first and foremost commitment of the intellectual is to speak truth to the power. Constitutionalism can evolve only when constitutionalists interrogate the custodian and humpty dumpty manner of interpretation, and Dhavan has lived up admirably to this challenge.
The reviewer, a Supreme Court advocate and author of The Supreme Court of India: Policy Formulator or Active Protector?, can be contacted at e-mails krvijay02[at]rediffmail.com and vijayadv62[at]gmail.com


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Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai massacre, was on Friday freed after 10 months of house arrest here in Pakistan and immediately vowed to keep fighting for Jammu and Kashmir's "independence".
In an address to his supporters massed outside his Johar Town residence, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) leader thanked the Lahore High Court for refusing to buy the government's arguments that his release would pose a threat to public safety.
His release, he said, was a victory for Pakistan.
"Just as I am free today, Kashmir will also be free one day," Saeed said. "It is because of Kashmir that India has been after me.
"I pray to Allah to give us strength so that we keep fighting for Kashmir's independence (from India)."
Saeed, who carries a $10 million bounty for his role in terrorist activities, was released after a Lahore High Court review board turned down the government's arguments that he was a threat to public safety.
As his detention order expired on Thursday midnight, authorities withdrew jail staff from his residence.


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Are you waiting until you quit smoking to buy life insurance? You know that smoking causes health risks, so even if you have to pay more, you should be sure to protect your family now by purchasing smokers life insurance.
Who is Considered a Smoker?
Everyone knows that a person who smokes a pack a day of cigarettes is considered a smoker by life insurance companies. But you may not know that all insurance companies consider you a smoker if you:
- smoke cigarettes occasionally
- smoked cigarettes at any time during the last year
- smoke cigars regularly
In addition, some companies will consider you a smoker if you:
- have just a few cigars a year
- use smokeless tobacco
- wear a nicotine patch or use nicotine gum
Should I Tell the Truth?
Even though it is tempting lie about smoking on your life insurance application, in this case the lie is not only morally wrong, it can be dangerous. Insurance policies have a 2-year contestability period, which means that if you were to die in the next two years, the company may contest your claim, and refuse to pay if they find out you were a smoker. That could happen even if you died from an auto accident, or something else unrelated to smoking.
Can an Insurance Company Tell Im a Smoker?
Yes, all life insurance companies require a blood test for nicotine use. If you lie and the company sees you have nicotine in your blood, they may not confront you, but they will offer you smokers life insurance rates, not non-smoker.
What About A Company that Doesnt Require a Blood Test?
Life insurance companies that dont do a medical exam and tests usually cost more than those who require you to pass an exam. Moreover, you will still need to tell them whether you are a smoker, pay smoker life insurance rates and face the same contestability clause. So it just isnt worth it to try to get around the fact that smoking does affect your health and your life insurance rates.
Is it Possible to Get Good Smokers Life Insurance Rates?
Absolutely. Insurance companies know that smoker life insurance is important, and they adjust their policy pricing for smokers. However, many companies have differences in how they calculate who is a smoker, and in how they calculate rates. Only an independent insurance agent who is familiar with all of the available policies can help you get the best smoker life insurance for your situation.
What Makes a Difference in Smoker Life Insurance rates?
Here are some things which may help you get a better rate:
- trying to quit smoking
- using smokeless tobacco rather than cigarettes
- smoking cigars only occasionally
- smoking cigars rather than cigarettes
- using a nicotine patch or gum rather than smoking
What if I do Quit?
Once you are a non-smoker for 1 year, you can get non-smoker rates with some companies. Other companies want you to be smoke free for 2 years. The amount of time you are smoke free makes a difference in the best rate you can qualify for. Even if you get a smokers life insurance policy and quit later, many companies will re-consider your rates once you have stopped smoking for one year.
The Bottom Line – How Can I Get the Best Rates?
The only way to get the best rates for smokers life insurance policies is to let an experienced independent life insurance agent shop for you at several companies. Independent agents can examine your particular health history and smoking and determine which company is most likely to give you insurance at the best possible rate.
Insurance Near Me is The Best Insurance Resource from the Top Expert Agents in North America. We've got you covered from Coast to Coast!


text:
Basics of Job Applications
Glendale Heights | Website
This event occurred in the past.
Map | Find Parking
Join Becky Brillon from the Community Career Center and learn how HR departments are becoming more efficient with the use of application screening software. Learn basic tips and gain insight into the application process when screening software is involved.


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Orlando RV resort and golf course in the heart of Lake County
Alison Schulz, General Manager
Roger Metzger, Golf Course Director
*Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort* is located among the rolling hills of Clermont, Florida. This Encore *Orlando RV resort* features over 1,250 sites on 287 acres of prime landscape in the heart of beautiful Lake County. Lush vegetation, interconnecting ponds and canals, and majestic trees make *Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort* truly a sight to behold!
We take exceptional pride in our on-site 18-hole golf course. This challenging course features rolling fairways and undulating greens set among our nature preserves and lakes. Be sure to stop by the *Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort* pro-shop. Grab your clubs, and we'll see you out on the green!


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Young Maggie finds she has jumped in one too many puddles when she finds that she has literally fallen into one.
Now she's in a strange place with strange people claiming she's a savior and that she can't go home! How will she get home? And what does a silly pair of wellies have to do with anything?
30 pages B+W. Signed. If you would like a little sketch on the inside cover please specify when ordering.


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By Jinia Bose and Soumili Ghosh
Kolkata: Indulge your taste buds this Bengali New Year with spicy cuisine alongside enticing beverages. From appetising Moroger Surua to yummy Bhetki Roll and Pomfret Paturi and improvised traditional sweets like Baked Malai Rosogolla, hotels in Kolkata have lined up a mouthwatering spread to woo their guests on Poila Baisakh on Tuesday.
From authentic dishes popular in erstwhile East Bengal (now Bangladesh) to an assortment of lip-smacking items associated with towns and regions of West Bengal, the wide variety in the menu could make gourmands spoilt for choice.
Underlining the theme "Bangalir Bhuribhoj" (Bengalis' grand feast), Kalash, the ethnic Indian restaurant of Hotel Hindusthan International, is ready to welcome its guests with a Aam Porar Sorbot (Green Mango Juice) mocktail, accompanied by appetizers like Moroger Surua (Chicken Starter) and Pora Tomator Surua (Roast Tomato Starter).
The non-vegetarian mainstays include Bhapa Pabda (Dteamed Pabda Fish), Bikrampurer Murgir Roast (Chicken Roast) and Hanser Duck Banglow.
No Bengali feast is complete without desserts and hence the restaurant has attempted fresher variations like Baked Malai Diye Rasogolla (Rosogolla in Baked Milk Cream), Kalakand Diye Payesh (Rice Pudding with Kalakand) and the traditional Shakti Garer Langcha (Langcha made famous by Shaktigarh town).
Mythh, the 24-hour coffee shop of the same hotel, strives to attract gastronomes with quintessential Bengali delights like Aar Machher Jhal (Long-whiskered Catfish Curry), Murgh Biryani Kolkata Style and Mutton Quorma, along with Pan-Asian, Western and Indian delicacies. Rasogollar Payesh (Rice Pudding with Rosogolla) and Hot Gulab Jamun finds a place in the dessert list, besides continental sweetdishes like Fresh Fruit Gateaux and Chocolate Grand Truffle Cake.
The Lalit Great Eastern, the new avatar of the city's landmark colonial era The Great Eastern, beckons foodies on Poila Baisakh with a menu themed Epar Bangla Theke Opar Bangla (From East to West Bengal) at its Alfresco restaurant.
Gulping down the Gandhoraaj Lebur Sharbat(Lemon Drink), one can move on to starters like Murgir Patisapta (Chicken Wrap) and then dip into Enchorer Kaliya (Jackfruit Curry), Dhokar Dalna, Pulao Ratno, Luchi ((Deep-fried Wheat Flatbread) and Thakurbarir Dal (Lentils as prepared by the Tagores of Jorasanko), to name a few. Those with a sweet tooth can relish Nolen Gurer Sandesh (Sandesh flavoured with New Date Palm Jaggery) and Chanar Payesh (Rice Pudding with Cottage Cheese).
"No celebration is complete without food. Keeping this in mind, we have created a buffet that comprises dishes, which by their taste and smell, will remind people of everything Bengali," said Executive Chef Madhumita Mohanta.
Kolkata's niche Bengali food joint, 6 Ballygunge Place, known for its aesthethic decor and homely ambience, is ready to serve guests dishes like Pur Bhara Potol Posto (Stuffed Poppy Gourd), Kasha Aloo Dum (Potato Curry), Bhetki Macher Roll (Bhetki Fish Roll), Pomfret Macher Paturi (Pomfret baked in Banana Leaf) before rounding off with a brilliant evolution – Butterscotch Sandesh!
ITC Fortune Select Loudon has organised a three-day festival ending April 16 at its Zodiac restaurant to keep up with the festive spirit.
Christened Nabo Swade Nabo Barsho (New Taste for New Year) the gourmet fare presents exquisite cuisine from the villages of Bengal.
One can gorge on a delectable array of preparations like Rewaji Mangsor Jhol (Chicken Curry), Sorshe Dharosh (Ladyfinger in Mustard Sauce) and Fulkopier Kalia (Cauliflower Curry). For desserts, the Sita Bhog and Darbesh are some of the special highlights.
ITC Fortune Select Loudon Hotel General Manager Amitava Thakuruta said: "The Bengali penchant for gourmandizing best comes through on Poila Baisakh when people love to revisit their roots. The true spirit of Poila Baisakh is incomplete without Bengali delicacies, so we are offering our patrons the best of Bengali cuisine."
"The menu keeps changing each day so that we can offer a lot more options", Executive Chef Debdutta Banerjee added.
Source: IANS


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There is a mating behavior I am constantly fascinated with and have experienced recently with a few people I know. In their search for a partner to make themselves whole, they give up the things that makes them desirable. Their hobbies, their passions and, most of all, their friends.
What interests me is the complete and utter lack of foresight that accompanies this condition. Ultimately, many of these people will wake up one day, when the magic has worn off of that once pretty little thing – when the kids are going through a tough phase – when their spouse is always working – when they realize their mortality – and they will wonder –
They will wonder when the adventure left their lives. The will wonder why their friends don't call them. They will wonder who to talk to about their struggles, who they will share their victories with. They will blame their partner for their loss of interest, they will lament their mistakes, they will think that cute girl/boy in their office looks like the path to reclaim their youth, their freedom, their lives –
I cannot tell you how many people I have watched go through this process and come out on the other end feeling confused, lost, anxious, unhappy. I cannot tell you how many of my young friends in their late 20's and early 30's I am watching jump on board, believing that they are riding the bullet train to Happilyeverafter.
There are two things we do not learn to do in this country. One is to learn to be alone, the other is to learn to be a community. Love obsessed, hollywood/bollywood stories with happy endings and eternal youth are the lies we tell ourselves. Even when we know better. This magic will last forever, this person will make me whole, my children will be perfect, I will always be young, attractive and healthy. (Okay, well, at least more attractive than the average person my age.) These are our lies. When these lies begin to become transparent to us we grasp desperately, cling diligently, and tremble in fear of the unknown and unanticipated.
The truth is under all that magic is a person who farts and snores. The best children are loud, expensive, time consuming, dirty, sometimes angry, self-absorbed and completely unpredictable. You (and I) are mediocre looking at best. Gravity still tugs on my breasts, you are still loosing your hair, my ass has cellulite, you do not look exactly like the picture of yourself from ten years ago that you post on dating sites or secretly send to potential mistresses. In fact, you probably look a lot like your father or mother when they were this age. Take a good look at them now –
If you want to cling – cling to your friendships. If you want to grasp – grasp for things that will make you a more interesting and generous person. If you want to be free, go travel along for a bit and allow your partner to do the same, while you take up the mantel of responsibility for them. If you want to feel the magic of love then go volunteer for a charity, go back and make amend with someone, or throw a big fucking dinner party for all your friends and family. If you want to be eternally youthful – learn to grow old gracefully and joyfully.
This is what I will be making for my friends:
"Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure alone; for the heroes of all time have one before us, the labyrinth is fully known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero-path. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world."
― Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces
CARROT AND ORANGE SOUP RECIPE (from http://souvlakiforthesoul.com)
Serves 6-8
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 whole chilli finely chopped
- 1 5cm piece of ginger grated
- zest of 2 oranges
- 8 medium sized carrots, chopped into even chunks
- 1/4 cup dried lentils (optional)
- 4 cups chicken or veggie stock
- 2 tbsp honey
- juice of half an orange
- salt and pepper to season
- chopped coriander for garnish
- Heat the olive oil in a medium to large pot and lightly saute the onion, garlic, chilli, ginger and zest until translucent (approx 2-3 mins).
- Add the carrots and lentils if using and stir to combine for another minute. add the stock and cook for 40 mins or until the carrots are tender.
- Blend the soup using a hand blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the honey, juice and seasoning and cook on the heat for a further 5 mins.
- Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve immedaitely.
- 75 grams butter
- 2 heaped tbsp chopped coriander
- 1 whole chilli
- pinch sea salt
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Spread over warm toasted bread.


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|VIII Courage
Higher Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck
And then I truly entered the Underworld. This was not my intent. My intent was to take a sabbatical, spend my days exploring journalling and some other crafts that I played with and to meditate often and work in my garden. But that was not part of Her plan for me.
My journey down the rabbit hole led me to a guru in the Siddha lineage. It was a mutual
recognition at first sight. After this crucial meeting and experience that lasted only three years
I understood the question : did I look for the Divine or did the Divine come looking for me?
Through periodic visits back and forth and through online training, I discovered that
the incredible force within myself, the wild woman and the compassionate inner mother,
is Kundalini Ma, the serpent like Light energy which is the Triple Goddess, the creator,
the nurturer and the destroyer. I immersed myself into Bhakty yoga and entered the Light.
I was turned inside out; dealth with increasingly powerful visions and prophetic dreams
and truly came to understand and know myself and witnessed my personal self melting like
butter in the sun. I became a master of shaktypat, my healing abilities
and other esp opened up even more and I started training women to uncover the
fiery mother and to allow her to bring great healing through the white and right hand path of Tantra.
However, betrayal struck when I discovered that my beloved guru's feet of clay
consisted of greed for power, sex and money and my true initiation started after this realisation.
A difficult path of untying and rescuing myself on many levels from him and his organisation
started whilst at the same time having to be impervious to him spreading rumours about
my character - the usual pattern experienced by many on similar paths.
As I was catapulted out into the dark world of no longer having any valid belief system,
I finally surrendered completely to the Great Mystery, to the psychic and emotional
pain and to the mind's torture of not having any answers and no structures to hold only.
And this was my saving grace!
Slowly through the dark weeks and months from when I realised that I have all my life
been devoted to false idols and to the tremendous realisation
that I finally had given my soul away to one who calls himself guru,
could the last vestiges of my already cracked personality
shatter into nothingness.
And the world stopped.
And I was born.
|IX The Lady with the Lamp
Higher Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck
Be Blessed


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European Commission
Siim Kallas
Vice-President and Commissioner for transport
Speech Bridging transport's financing gap: fair charging for the road ahead
Conference on fair and efficient road pricing/Brussels
5 December 2012
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you today to explain how I see the challenges facing Europe's road sector in the years ahead and how we can best tackle them.
Our transport network, built up over many generations, has allowed the EU to become a world leader in export industries, manufacturing and logistics.
It is a competitive advantage that we need to maintain. That means maintaining the network itself, streamlining and expanding it to meet rising demand, and building cross-border links to complete the single market.
That is no small task and will cost a lot of money. We estimate that at least €1.5 trillion will have to be spent on developing infrastructure up to 2030.
If we do not make these investments, our transport system will become even more saturated and inefficient. We also need smooth and well-maintained transport links to stimulate economic growth and create more employment.
In the EU, public investment in transport infrastructure has been falling over the last decades. Since the late 1970s, investments in inland transport entered a trend of steady decline. In 1975, they stood at 1.5% of GDP. By 2008, they had fallen below 0.8% – a record low.
Today, for example, Germany estimates its own underinvestment in road infrastructure at an annual €2.5 billion, for every year since 2002. And that is just for maintenance - not for building new roads.
Countries like Spain and Portugal, which recently built extensive motorway networks, find it increasingly hard to maintain them.
We cannot continue in the same way: Europe's road network is saturated and we need to do something about it. Congestion is a huge problem that already costs European businesses and citizens the equivalent of 1% of the EU's GDP. In more densely built areas, the cost is more than 2%.
What do these figures really mean, in context? More money is wasted by cars and goods stuck in traffic jams each year than the entire EU budget!
Ladies and gentlemen: there is a definite financing gap - one that public money cannot bridge on its own, even with ambitious European Commission financing proposals like the Connecting Europe Facility.
One of the biggest questions for today and for the future is how to ensure a fair and sustainable financial environment for all modes of transport. Here, the most important element is charging for the use of infrastructure: bridging the financing gap by making users, rather than taxpayers, pay for maintaining transport infrastructure.
Rail operators pay for using tracks, airlines pay for air traffic management and airport slots, ships pay port dues. Europe's largest transport mode — road transport — pays for infrastructure in several uncoordinated and often incoherent ways. In fact, there is a whole patchwork of pricing systems.
This brings me to the heart of today's conference: fair and efficient road pricing.
It allows infrastructure to be funded by its true users and beneficiaries.
Charging for using roads has several advantages.
It has an important part to play in shaping more sustainable transport behaviour and giving incentives for consumers to buy and use cleaner vehicles. In addition, as European transport moves towards using alternative fuels not based on oil, as I hope it will, public revenues from fuel excise duties can be expected to decline.
This is where charging can help to broaden and diversify the public revenue base. Apart from promoting rational use of limited road space, pricing can provide long-term funding for regular and timely maintenance of infrastructure. Equally importantly, it helps to make road use more even, and eases congestion.
For heavy goods vehicles, EU legislation has been in place for more than 10 years. But it urgently needs to be streamlined and standardised.
As I said earlier, there is a bewildering mix of charging systems: time-based vignettes, distance-based tolls with physical barriers, free-flow tolling systems based on satellite or microwave technologies.
Six Member States do not have any system in place at all.
This lack of EU-wide coordination creates distortion in the single market. It causes unnecessary traffic diversion from tolled motorways to other roads that are less well suited for heavy transit traffic, including in other Member States.
For international hauliers, this is a cross-border nightmare. It also causes massive administrative costs for micro-enterprises which constitute 80% of all road transport companies. A few months ago, the United States Congress passed a law to ensure full interoperability of U.S. electronic tolls by 2016. I can see no reason why the EU should lag behind in this area.
The variety of charging arrangements in Europe means that users receive blurred price signals when they travel, depending on the country and route they take.
So what should be the way forward? As you know, the European Commission is considering various options as part of a wider package of proposals for the EU road market due by the end of June.
Let me stress now that nothing has yet been decided. We will of course listen to the views of all interested parties as we carry out impact assessments and sift through the 300 or so replies to the public consultation that has just ended.
In the meantime, let me offer you a few ideas in my current thinking.
For HGVs, we can solve some of these problems by creating a Single European Tolling Area, where trucks would be charged on the same basis in all EU countries. This should be according to distance covered, the damage they cause to the roads and optionally, the magnitude of external costs generated.
Distance-based toll charging is better, more efficient and fairer than the vignette system, which can be a transition tool, not a long-term solution.
National electronic tolling systems must also become fully interoperable. This will allow operators to use all EU roads with one on-board unit and a single tolling contract.
With passenger cars, at the moment, there is little hard-and-fast EU legislation. Only 14 Member States apply a road charge system, which does not always fully respect EU principles of non-discrimination and proportionality.
Since motorists are increasingly being asked to pay for using roads, I believe they should be entitled to some basic rights already enjoyed by truck drivers.
- they must be protected against discrimination on nationality or residence;
- they have to be able to understand how tolls or other user charges are set; and
- they should be informed how the revenues are used. This is basic transparency.
Also, if we want to get serious about managing congestion, we need some measures that apply to cars and trucks alike.
Traffic congestion could be reduced sharply if just 15% of car users had an incentive not to use their vehicle during peak travel hours – if they chose to use another travel means, shared a car or delayed their journey, for example. Tolls that reflect the cost of infrastructure scarcity during peak hours would create a price incentive that could generate this effect.
Finally, the end-use of charging revenue is another area that could have more EU-wide coordination. Road charging can only contribute to sustainable transport and financing if the revenues generated are re-invested in transport, to maintain and improve infrastructure.
When tolls are levied as part of public-private partnerships, the revenues are directly used for financing infrastructure. But when they are levied by the state, given the large amounts involved, I think there is a good case for earmarking at least some funding for transport and some to the Trans-European Network.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am not pretending that we have all the answers today. We will listen to all ideas from all parties as the months progress. But we do need to act quickly.
We live on a densely populated continent. We know urbanisation and city traffic will continue to grow – and our saturated roads cannot expand indefinitely.
So we need to encourage more sustainable and efficient travel behaviour, reduce road congestion and generate more revenue to invest in the transport sector.
We now have the technology to levy and vary road charges in a fair, transparent and reasonable way. I believe this is how we can make a good start.
Thank you for your attention.
Side Bar


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I started with a little prototype on Isomorphic web applications. The goal is pretty straight forward: Create a Web application, based on open source software that can be compiled and run with as little effort as possible. The Web application should provide plain HTML that is readable without any java script (e.g. for search engines) but that can be enriched with Javascript without additional effort.
I do not want to give deep introductions into the technologies, so please consult the documentations if you need deeper insight into any third party library, I will always link the websites.
Some of you might ask: Why not NodeJS? And I think the question is legit. The reason for me is simply that I already tried the same setup with NodeJS, but I strongly believe, that Java is still a more major technology and with Java 8 and Nashorn it is the way more enterprise ready approach.
Since we are in the Java world, Maven is the tool of choice. In the first version it is only used for the Java dependency so building needs some more steps. But the goal is to create everything with a single "mvn clean install".
In the next step Grunt can be executed during the Maven build process. Yet we need to call "grunt default" to get the JavaScript dependencies and package our own sources.
For deployment I like to use Docker. Yet I lack some experience with it. Especially getting it in place with Maven needs some more research on my side. So there is no Docker setup yet.
A minimal prototype
I created a public bitbucket repository where you can see the current source code. You can check out the tag tag Minimal_Serverside_Showcase.
I try to explain most things inside the readme files. But some additional words about the structure here:
In the root directory you will find all the files requered to build the project, like the pom.xml for Maven and Gruntfile.js and package.json for NPM and Grunt.
The resources folder contains the generated sources that are actually used by the application at runtime.
So that's it for now. I might expand this blog post in future or write further articles when the prototype grows. Feel free to give some feedback or share some knowledge about the topic(s).


text:
body armoring
body armoring (b·dē-är·mr·ing),
n a mentalmuscle reflex mechanism in the body, first described by psychologist Wilhelm Reich. It involves tensing of muscle tissue whenever stress or emotion is experienced. To protect itself, the body takes a defensive, tight, and stiff stance. On a tissue level it enters into a muscular holding pattern that resists change and release. Unexpressed emotions such as anger, fear, and grief are common causes of this phenomenon.