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No, I am not going to quote the famous first line. You will just have to download a free Kindle edition and read it yourself. But of course I expect you will be re-reading this wonderful novel by Jane Austen (US Edition) (UK Edition)
I do not know how many times I have read this favorite of mine, first published in 1813. It is always wonderful to realize how much we have in common with those who lived 200 years ago. If we can laugh at the same things, how different can we be?
There are few characters in literature as funny as Mr. Collins who fancies himself a skilled flatterer - adept at correcting any misstep.
"The dinner too in its turn was highly admired; and [Mr. Collins] begged to know to which of his fair cousins the excellence of its cookery was owing. But here he was set right by Mrs. Bennet, who assured him with some asperity that they were very well able to keep a good cook, and that her daughters had nothing to do in the kitchen. He begged pardon for having displeased her. In a softened tone she declared herself not at all offended; but he continued to apologise for about a quarter of an hour."
Mr. Collins brings me as much pleasure as he does Mr. Bennet!
So immerse yourself once again in the society of the Bennet girls with their interest in balls and the activities of the regiment. And if you are reading this book for the first time, I envy you the pleasure of discovering one of the world's great novels. Great because it is funny, surprising, romantic and up-to-date, all at the same time.
A reader in 1813 said:
I have finished the novel called Pride and Prejudice, which I think a very superior work. It depends not on any of the common resources of novel writers, no drownings, no conflagrations, nor runaway horses, nor lap-dogs and parrots, nor chambermaids and milliners, nor rencontres and disguises. I really think it is the most probable I have ever read.Still probable after all these years . . .
It is increasingly difficult to do this blog. It is very hard to find a free classic book and when I do, it is usually not available in the UK, so I have to start over. Take a look at this listmania list of free classic books. I don't know when the list was created, but every one of these 27 books is no longer available.
It is my belief that people who have created inexpensive versions of the classics are tagging the free versions for copyright violations. The tag is bogus, but it serves to remove a free edition and creates a market for the cheapest edition. Amazon does not have time to review all of these tagged books and we are paying for that.
This blog is a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the US & UK Kindle. If you enjoy my suggestions, please tell your friends who read to give my blog a try.
Join me on Twitter, FaceBook, or Pinterest.
For a nominal fee of 99 cents/pence, you can subscribe to this blog and have it automatically download on your Kindle. (It is one of the top 100 blogs on Amazon.)This gives you the convenience of being able to download the books directly to your Kindle, instead of downloading them to your computer and then transferring them to your Kindle. It also helps support my blog.
UK readers may go to this Amazon link to subscribe. (Slightly more than half my readers are from the UK)
US readers may go to this Amazon link
Here is a video of my mother, at 97, a new convert to the Kindle! (She is now 99 and appreciates how the large print helps her read despite macular degeneration.)
Thank to all my readers, whether you subscribe on your Kindle or whether you read it online. I love to get good reviews! Who wouldn't? Should you care to leave a review, follow these links for UK readers or US readers. You may e-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.com


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When Jesus describes the kingdom of God, he often compares it to hidden, even secret things like treasure buried in a field, yeast thrown in with flour, or seeds growing among weeds. The kingdom of God is immanent, pervasive, in the same way oxygen pervades our atmosphere–it's always there, sustaining us, but it's easy to ignore.
Jesus never seems to liken the kingdom of God to a pie in the face or a fireworks display. Some people have St. Paul moments which literally knock them to the ground, but most of us experience the power of God in subtler, more hidden ways. We often see traces of God and learn about his world when we encounter things that are beautiful, true, good, or unified. Sometimes, however, we seek God only when beautiful things are taken away–when we suffer. The very good news is that God, and his kingdom, are everywhere. Like oxygen, God is habitually available to us. We can seek him and find him in any circumstance, even when he appears to be hiding like yeast in dough or treasure buried in a field.
Christians in the world are both members of the kingdom of God and builders of it. As the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium insists, lay people "are called [into the world]by God that by exercising their proper function and led by the spirit of the Gospel they may work for the sanctification of the world from within as a leaven. In this way they may make Christ known to others, especially by the testimony of a life resplendent in faith, hope and charity"(31). Resplendent. As leaven, hidden but active in the world, we can have lives resplendent in faith, hope, and love. Not too shabby.
Here's a group of people chosen specifically because of their resplendent lives: godparents. Parents preparing a child for baptism typically select one or more sponsors for their child's entrance into the Church. Baptism requires us to identify, publicly, one or two persons whose Christian witness inspires us. People who remind us of God. When I read the words of Lumen Gentium, "work for the sanctification of the world from within as a leaven," I often think of the critical role godparents play in the faith lives of children. Although baptism is one of the many thrilling rites of passage of childhood, it is inescapably religious in nature. Unlike taking a first step, heading off to kindergarten in the fall, or losing a tooth, baptism is explicitly tied to Jesus Christ. Our festival-hungry culture may have effectively secularized Christmas and Easter, but even Hallmark has not figured out a way to take Jesus out of baptism. Can you imagine?
As Fr. William Saunders writes, a sponsor, or godparent, "should be a trustworthy witness of the faith who will help the godchild attain salvation." And Canon Law (No. 872) states that Christian sponsors "will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it." If you're a parent preparing to select godparents, both of these sources will help you as you prayerfully consider the companions best suited to accompany your children throughout their faith journeys. (Click on the links to go to the original sources.)
A lot of parents I know find the godparent decision excruciating. Parents juggle family expectations, relationships with friends, and concerns for the spiritual growth of their children. Fortunately, we no longer consider additional things like the financial stability of godparents or the likelihood of horse heads appearing in our beds.
Keep in mind that asking people to serve as godparents is neither a reward for their past friendship nor an act of hope that non-practicing adults will return to their faith for the sake of the new godchild. Both of these motivations are perfectly human and understandable, but they treat the godchild as an object. The child's baptism is not designed to seal or heal a relationship with a sibling or friend, and the godchild cannot be saddled with the task of single-handedly bringing an adult back to full communion with the Church. Baptism asks nothing of the child. Baptism is a gift from God, freely given. Baptism saves the child from sin and opens the floodgates of God's grace. That's a lot.
Those of us parents who are not currently preparing for a child's baptism may be godparents ourselves, or may be wondering how to navigate the relationship with our children's godparents. Here are some issues I've been hearing lately:
My child's godparents no longer play an active role.
Heartbreak! We've got one like that. My son's godmother moved to Ireland shortly after the baptism; we never heard from her again. After years of trying to connect through letters, emails, and phone calls, we decided to let it go. Herein lies the wisdom of having two sponsors. The remaining godparent, my brother, is an attentive godparent who prays for our son every day.
Too many people, alas, don't have even one active godparent. Some people have no idea who their godparents are. There are also sad situations where the sponsor on the baptismal certificate turns out to be . . . not so resplendent, shall we say. A woman I know wanted to change her daughter's baptismal record to remove the name of the godfather, a man who was later convicted of child endangerment. The record of baptism serves as just that, though, a record. It is an official document stating who witnessed the baptism as it happened. Christians chased out the Donatists a long time ago, so we don't worry that the sacrament was jeopardized by a participant's lack of holiness. The baptism is over; the sponsors are officially recorded.
There's nothing stopping parents from surrounding their children with good Christian role models, godparents or not, or even from asking someone new to adopt the role of active godparent to replace, unofficially, the absent sponsor. When my brother got married a few years ago, my son asked his new aunt if she could replace his estranged godmother. She happily accepted, and has been a blessing.
My child's godparents are a little pushy with religion.
Because of the fundamentally religious nature of baptism, parents should never be astounded or feel threatened when the children's godparents want to talk about faith with their godchildren. Parents are the primary faith educators of their children, and godparents are helpers. If parents seem indifferent or even hostile to their faith, then godparents might naturally want to intervene. This could cause conflict, of course, and requires intense prayerfulness. Godparents should always be mindful that children must honor their parents. Godparents can help children do just that by always being respectful of parents.
I'm a godparent, but I don't really know what to do.
Love being a godparent! I currently have nine godchildren as well as three people I sponsored at confirmation. Since confirmation is the completion of baptism, I count these confirmation children as part of my spiritual family. I'll close this post with a few ideas I've used to stay in touch with my godchildren. God bless you!
Download printable tips for Connecting with Godchildren
Copyright 2014 Grace Mazza Urbanski

subset: commoncrawl


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Pizza & Ice Cream
So on Friday nights when the meal being served would have watched me eat it my Mum bought me a slice of plain cheese and tomato pizza from Brother's Four and dessert was ice cream. I was a happy girl.
Last night I kept the tradition alive.
Shelly's New York Tortilla Pizza - Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Fajita Size Tortilla topped with a slice of Provolone, Chopped Canned Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese and Italian Seasonings.
Eggface's Pizza Porn Gallery
and dessert...
Shelly's Toasted Almond Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
1 cup Vanilla Soy Milk (or Regular Milk)
2 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Cheesecake Flavor Jello Pudding Powder, dry
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Almond Torani Syrup
2 Tablespoons Slivered Almonds, toasted
4-6 Sugar Free Almond Cookies, crushed
Toast almonds in a dry pan (do not leave them) for a few minutes till just warmed and lightly golden. Set aside to cool. I put them in the freezer to speed the process. Mix together milk, protein, pudding mix and syrup. I used this gadget to mix it up. It makes it airy and lump free. If you don't have one just toss it in a blender on super high. You want it fluffy almost double in size. Pour into ice cream maker. Follow your machine's instructions for freezing. 5 minutes before done add almonds and cookie bits.
You can eat it right away it is soft serve-ish but I like to put it in the freezer to set for an hour.
More Eggface Protein Ice Cream flavors
4 comments:
oh why oh why did I click on the link for the pizza place...I'm drooling over here...
- April 26, 2009 at 2:23 AM
- Teresa said...
I love your protein ice cream recipes but so much of it sticks in the freezer thing. Out of a cup of milk, I get about a half cup of finished ice cream. Do you have a solution for that?
- April 26, 2009 at 12:42 PM
- Michelle "Shelly" said...
LOL debra
Try reading through these tips:
I don't get much freeze. Be sure to add mix to a churning machine and do not let it sit once it's done. Someone left a comment awhile ago about spraying the cylinder with Pam first but I haven't tried it.
- April 26, 2009 at 5:50 PM
- Michelle "Shelly" said...
Also whip the milk that's the key to the best ice cream. If you don't have a frother doohickey than blend it on super duper high till foamy and almost double in size.
- April 26, 2009 at 5:52 PM


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Because of all of that, when this class was announced I was sold immediately.
"Take a spin on the color wheel with Color Studio. Join Studio Calico Creative Team Member Lisa Truesdell for an online class exploring color palettes from monochromatic to rainbow hued. You'll experiment with techniques for adding color to your projects with ink, mist, and watercolors, and learn to mix and match the products in your kits for a whole new look."
I think the beauty of this class is it will appeal to the obvious color lovers like myself but I think it will be just as beneficial to those that may be a bit fearful of color, those that might not be as comfortable with combining colors or those that need help with coming up with combinations that work cohesively together.
Check out this fantastic intro video from Lisa
Here is what you can expect to see when the class starts on March 1st.
- 4 videos from Lisa sharing color & design ideas
- 8 secrets for unlocking the color wheel and tips for using color effectively on your projects
- 56 perfect color schemes
- technique tutorials for adding color to your pages with ink, mist, watercolors, patterned paper and embellishments.
- PDF lessons posted each Tuesday & Thursday in March
- 40 all new projects, including layouts, Project Life® spreads and cards
- bonus color schemes in every PDF
- Your favorite Studio Calico kits or products from your stash
- Ink, Mister Huey's Color Mists and watercolors in your favorite hues
- Patterned paper, alphabets and embellishments in a rainbow of colors.
- Neutral papers in various styles that you can add color to - we recommend SC Grid paper, vellum and watercolor paper
- Printable journal cards, accents and labels from Hello Forever
- Cut Files from Hello Forever
- Color Studio planning sheet from Hello Forever
- Ink planning sheet from Hello Forever
I sure hope I see you in the classroom, its going to be an amazing class. Click here to sign up, class starts March 1st.


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The latest hands free addition to the Adventure Series by Canyon Coolers is the newly redesigned Quest backpack soft-sided cooler. The 25 qt. soft-sided backpack cooler with tough-as-nails, raft grade 800 denier RF welded PVC shell, closed cell AirCore insulation and lined with a newly upgraded, closed-cell IceSkin, provides days of ice retention in an easy to transport, comfortable backpack. The thickly padded shoulder straps, and back support pads make for comfortable hiking even on tough terrain, and a cold (or hot!) lunch wherever your trail takes you.
The Quest backpack cooler is perfect as a dry-bag for river rafting and rainy expeditions as well as keeping your cocktail ice separated from the cooler. The padded walls can protect and store electronics, optics and other sensitive equipment. A water resistant zippered pouch provides safe protection for your cell phone, keys or bottle tops. The drawstring can accommodate your spare clothing, towels, toys, or that all important fly rod. A drawstring netted pocket adds the perfect spot for koozies, utensils, fly box, even a small first-aid kit.
The Quest backpack soft-sided cooler is self-standing due to its thick insulation, making it easy to pack with your day trip essentials. When you need hands-free cold transportation, or a safe and dry storage spot for river expeditions, the Quest backpack softsided cooler has got your back. As always its protected by our lifetime No Hassle VIP Warranty.
The Quest is ready for a scramble down to the creek, a spin on your SUP, a stroll to the beach or summitting the 14's of Colorado.
Dimensions: 12in wide 10in deep 20in tall (closed)
25 qt capacity
Colors: Artic White Sage Green


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List of BD+2 Adopters, Content Participants and Eligible Code Developers
Click here to view a list of BD+ Adopters.
If you are interested in learning more about BD+ Technologies, visit the registration page.
|BD+2 Adopters
|BD+2 Content Participants
|BD+2 Eligible Code Developers
|Dongguan Digital AV Technology Corp. Ltd.
|Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
|LG Electronics
|MediaTek Inc.
|Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
|Panasonic Corporation
|Pioneer Corporation
|Samsung Electronics Co.
|Sharp Corporation
|Socionext Inc.
|Sony Corporation


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Things (Big&Small) About Love
:: Talent corner :: Writer's Hall
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Things (Big&Small) About Love
- Spoiler:
- It is Winter, the Leaf Village is covered in a light dusting of snow. As the snow falls Naruto and Hinata are enjoying the snow but also their own company. It is their first winter as a couple. During the time they have been together Naruto has discovered many things, some big and some small about love.
Small: If it is cold wear gloves right? Well what if you do not have any? Well hold hands of course. It may be a simple thing but it is one of Narutos favorite things too do. Hinata once told him that "the simple things will suffice." Naruto toke this too heart. He does the simple things as often as possible. He likes holding Hinata hand (Hinata likes holding his too). Her hands are always soft and gentle, much like she is. They walk around the village.
Naruto: Want something too eat?
Hinata: Sure.
Naruto: Ramen?
Hinata: Sure. Perfect for a day like today.
They walk too Ichiraku Ramen and order take out. They walk back too Narutos apartment.
Small: Naruto loves Ramen obviously. Hinata once told him that he can express his feelings by getting her a bowl of ramen. Again very simple and small but meaningful.
They arrive at Narutos apartment and settle down for a nice warm meal. They say a prayer and dig in.
Big: Time. Naruto gets too spend time with Hinata. For a long time he didn't get too spend time with anyone but himself. Now he makes every second count. Every second is precious too him. Regardless of what they are doing; talking, hanging out, studying for a mission or at their secret place. It is time well spent.
Naruto: *slurps away on his ramen, forgetting his manners*
Hinata: *Politely and quietly enjoys her ramen*
Naruto: Hmmmmmm, good as always.
Hinata: All done.
Naruto: Huh?
*Hinata has indeed finished her meal*
Naruto: How did you do that?
Hinata: Slow and steady wins the race. TeeHee.
*Naruto does the famous Uzamaki pout*
Naruto: I still can't figure out how you eat more ramen then me and faster.
Hinata: It is a secret. *razz*
*Naruto intensifies his pout*
Hinata: May i have yours?
Naruto: NO!!!
*Naruto inhales the rest of his food*
Hinata: Naruto-kun you are cute when you are pouting.
*Naruto does the most intense Uzamaki pout ever done*
Naruto: Knock it off.
Hinata: okay... i will. TeeHee.
*Hinata lens against Naruto, holding his hand*
Hinata: Your warm...... reminds me of when we are at are secret place.
Big: Secret Place. A place that Naruto discovered by random chance. It a place holds much meaning for the both them. It is a place where Naruto discovered his feelings for Hinata. It is a place where Hinata discovered his feelings by feeling what he feels for her. It is a place where Hinata help banish the darkness in him that returned over conflicts within him. It is a place where they find out that their love for each other goes beyond the physical world. It is a place where when they enter a deep meditative state (or sleep) their consciousness combine too form one, although they must remain close too each other. It is a place where it reacts too their love. It is a place where they can be open with each other, about whatever they want too be open about.
- Spoiler:
- Naruto: Yeah. Too bad it is cold out. I wish too there with you everyday if we could. You make me warm, you've given me warmth. You have given me so much. I wish i could give more too you.
Hinata: You don't have too. Being with you, seeing you happy is more then enough for me.
Naruto: I know, i can't help it. But i did get you something.
Hinata: You did?
Naruto: Yep.
Hinata: What is it?
Naruto: *wink* It is a secret.
Hinata: *frown* Oh come on tell me please.
Naruto: *razz* Nope.
Hinata: Darn it.
Big/Small: Gifts. Naruto can't help but get her things. From 'thank you' cards too other things. Hinata is always deeply touch by his gifts and doesn't turn them down. She has quite a collection. Though she reminds him that she doesn't deserve such things but Naruto says she does deserve it. However he has always wanted too give her something like the red scarf she give him.
*Hinata crosses her arms and does her best Uzamaki pout. But they have done this before and like the previous times Naruto begins making funny and goofy faces trying make her laugh. And like the previous times Hinata soon has a hard time maintaining her pout. Soon the funny and goofy faces he is making at her make her start giggling*
Small: Laugh. Hinata doesn't laugh much but Naruto does his best in this regard. Either making a joke or doing something goofy or silly things. He always enjoys seeing and hearing her laugh. Once he cried hearing her laugh, seeing her happy.
*Hinata giggles away, Naruto surprises her by planting a kiss on her. Hinata gets greatly embarrassed and flustered, her skin turning a deep red shade. She covers her face too hide. Seeing that he got one her, he hugs her, giggling away*
Hinata: *muffled* Naruto-kun!!!
Naruto: hehehe
Hinata: *muffled* No fair!!!
Naruto: hehehehehehehehe
*Hinata lets out an embarrassed/flustered grunt, Naruto releases her*
Hinata: *flustered* Why did you do that!?
Naruto: Because i can? Heheh, besides i think it is fun.
Hinata: *sulk* I don't think it is very fun.
Naruto: That is because you act like that. Heheh, your so cute Hinata.
*Naruto pats her on the head. Hinata experiences immense flustraion (flustered/frustration) and her head is covered in the cloud of steam.*
Hinata: NARUTO-KUN!!!
Naruto: Okay i'll stop Hinata. *reaches under his bed*
*Hinata grumply looks at Naruto. Whom isn't paying attention too her grumpy flusteredness.*
Naruto: Here. *pulls out a small box*
Hinata: ???
*HInata takes the box. It is wrapped in green paper and has a red bow on it. She gently unwraps the box and removes the lid. Inside is an envelope and a container that is very familiar too Hinata.*
Naruto: Do you remember?
Hinata: Yes..... yes i do. *happy*
*The container is the one Hinata gave too Naruto during the Chunin Exams. It still has cracks in it from when Naruto about broke it out of anger. Hinata takes out the envelope and opens it. From the envolpe is card, on the front is pictured darkness, with a violent storm featuring pouring rain, lighting and wind. On the inside left of the card is still showing a violent storm but with a ray of sunshine piercing it too the ground below. Inside the ray of light, is a flower in bloom. On the right side is Narutos hand writing.*
- Spoiler:
- "Even through the darkest, most violent storms. There is a light that shines. You are the light that shines Hinata. Whenever i was in darkness, you where there too guide me, lead me... give me warmth. You protected me from the darkness. Sheltered me from the storms. With everything you had. I love you more then what i can say in words. But i think my actions will speak for me. Look inside the ointment container Hinata and you'll see what i mean."
*Hinata tears up. Hinata opens the ointment and container and reaches inside. What she pulls out makes her openly gasp aloud. What she has in her hand is a heart shaped pendent. Well has too 2 heart that are open, one is connected too the other upside down. Hinata is visibly shocked and speechless by what she has in her hand.*
Naruto: *smile* Here let me show you something.
*Naruto takes the pendants and moves them together too form one heart shaped pendent.*
Naruto: Do you know what this means?
*Hinata is on the verge of losing control*
Naruto: Two hearts can become one. Whenever we are at our secret place, i feel so close too you. I feel like we are one person. Our minds.... our hearts are one.
*HInata lets her tears fall, which helps her out*
Naruto: Come on, say something. I know you want too.
Hinata: it's...... *sniffle* it's beautiful...... so beautiful........ it's too much.... *sniffle* too much....... so much..... my heart can't take this.....
Naruto: You will take it..... i know you....... You'll cherish it.
Hinata: Cherish isn't the word........ this...... this goes beyond it. *sniffle*
Naruto: Let it out..... I'm here.
*Hinata cries. The red scarf she made for him ties them together but one could say the heart shaped pendent completes it. Hinata has always thought something special was between them. But everything up too this point in time makes it certain. Their love goes further then anything else imaginable and deeper. Their bond is so deep that they may never fully understand how far it goes. But right now, they have each other.*
Big: Perhaps the biggest thing is, Hinata is happy. Regardless of what gifts or gestures Naruto gives her. Although Hinata has expressed gifts aren't key but Naruto can't help himself. Her happiness is what makes Naruto happy.
*Naruto cups Hinata face in his hands and they share a kiss.*
- Spoiler:
- Naruto: I've learned that there big and small things about love. But i know i have much more too understand about love. Big things, small things... they all matter. Merry Christmas Hinata and happy birthday.
Hinata: *sniffle* Thank you..... Naruto-kun.
Naruto: But there is something else...
Hinata: What?
Big: The Tickle Monster. This is a monster that can not be stopped. It gives its victim endless tickles and yields not pleas of stopping or mercy.
Naruto: *evil* The Tickle Monster.
Hinata: O//////O OH NO!!!!!!!!!!
Naruto: *evil* Oh Yes. The Tickle Monster has his prey in sight. Tickling starts now.
Hinata: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!
*The Tickle Monster is relentless in its tickling assault. Hinata briefly manages too escape*
Hinata: HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! SOMEBODEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I NEED SAVING!!!!!!
Naruto: *evil* No one is coming too save you. Muhahahahahah.
Hinata: KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!
*Few minutes later*
Naruto: The Tickle Monster is undefeated. heheheh.
*Hinata ladies on the floor completely and utterly defeated*
Kurama: (I"m inside the body of a 5 year old. *smirk* You still kissed Saskue first)
Naruto: (*furious* STOP BRINGING THAT UP!!!!!!!!)
Kurama: (*smirk* You enjoyed it, used too tongue too)
Naruto: (*furious* NO WE DIDN"T!!!!!! STOP IT!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Kurama: (Geez, can't take being teased can ya? But your still a 5 year old.)
Naruto: (Bye.)
*Naruto proceeds too ignore whatever else Kurama has too say. Hinata recovers from her Tickle Monster attack and they enjoy the rest of their day full of love.... and ramen.*
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Location : USA, Michigan
:: Talent corner :: Writer's Hall
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'I never imagined such a memoir could be possible…. enthralling' ANTONY BEEVOR
With the brilliant Memories – From Moscow to the Black Sea now out in beautiful paperback, we couldn't wait to share a slice of Russian writer and satirist Teffi's characteristic wit and wisdom with you.
Teffi was a literary sensation in Russia until war and revolution forced her to leave her country for ever. Memories is her blackly funny and heartbreaking account of her final, frantic journey into exile across Russia-travelling by cart, freight train and rickety steamer-and the 'ordinary and unheroic' people she encounters. From refugees setting up camp on a dockside to a singer desperately buying a few 'last scraps' of fabric to make a dress, all are caught up in the whirlwind.
Intrigued? Click below to read a sample of a hilarious interlude during one of Teffi's many hectic train journeys in Memories.


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Graduate Assistantships/Fellowships are available for Ph.D. and M.S. students to conduct innovative and high-impact research in the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability (CSIS) at Michigan State University. Research topics may include: ecology and management of wildlife (e.g., giant pandas in China, tigers in Nepal), systems modeling and simulation (e.g., agent-based modeling), sustainability science, coupled human and natural systems, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, climate change, land change science, forest and landscape ecology, natural resources and environment, systemsintegration (integration of ecology with demography, economics, sociology, and policy), telecoupling (socioeconomic and environmental interactions over distances through globalization, trade, species invasion, migration, and other means).
Examples of publications on these topics by CSIS faculty and students include Science (2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2001), Nature (2005, 2003) and PNAS (2012, 2009, 2008, 2007) (see http://csis.msu.edu/research/publications). Successful candidates can build on these previous studies and explore new frontiers of research. They will also have opportunities to interact with leaders in these fields worldwide through various ways, such as the International Network of Research on Coupled Human and Natural Systems
(CHANS-Net.org) and the NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Awards Program (http://csis.msu.edu/education/nasa_msu_award), which are organized byCSIS. More information about CSIS is available at http://csis.msu.edu.
Application materials include: (1) letter of application, (2) statement of professional goals, (3) CV or resume, (4) transcripts, (5) GRE scores, (6) TOEFL scores (for non-native English speakers only), (7) list of 3-4 references (names and contact information), and (8) up to three representative publications if any. Unofficial copies of GRE, TOEFL and
transcripts are OK initially.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. Please email the application materials to Dr. Jianguo (Jack) Liu at firstname.lastname@example.com. Questions about these opportunities can also be emailed to Dr. Liu.


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I had some free time today while I was waiting for shellac to dry on the portal Aron Kodesh I have been making, so I used this time to get "old school!"
Roy Underhill from "The Woodwright Shop" did a show about a grease pot. What's a grease pot you ask? It is a container for mutton tallow. Yup, rendered mutton fat. For hundreds of years European woodworkers have been using mutton tallow to grease their tools to make them work more efficiently with less force. Roy says it best in the following link. Start from 1:50 to 2:55, or you can just watch the whole episode: http://video.pbs.org/video/1425807116/
I have been using paraffin wax to lubricate the soles of my planes and my hand saws, and it does make a difference, so if master woodworkers used mutton tallow, then what the heck, I should do what they did. So join me while I take you through the steps of making mutton tallow.
My wife went to the butcher shop and got me a pound of lamb fat for three dollars. Pretty cheap right! So she put it in the freezer which made it easier for me to cut up later. There are at least three ways I ready about to render fat. I'm not saying I used the best method, but I found it to be pretty simple and easy. Let's begin.
I broke out the meat cleaver and the meat cutting board I made for my wife and popped my headphones to listen to my favorite songs while I worked away.
The important thing is to separate all the muscle (red stuff) off of the fat. The colder the fat, the easier this is to do. I guess it took me about thirty minutes for this part. After I got all the muscle separated off the fat, I chopped up the fat into really fine pieces. You could put your pile back the in freezer until it gets to the consistency of cold butter, then put it in the food processor, but I did a pretty good job just using the meat cleaver.
Now pop that gross looking pile of fat into a tall pot on the stove and use the lowest setting.
I used a wooden spoon to stir it up from time to time keep anything from sticking. It won't take long before you start to see the fat begin to melt.
It is very important that you keep your eye on this pot and don't forget to stir. Soon you will be a the disgusting phase. It look like yucky oatmeal.
It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to fully render the fat. This stuff is molten hot so stir carefully. At the bottom of the pot you will see very small "cracklins." This is how you know it is pretty much done. During the last 20 minutes or so of rendering, my wife told me to skim off the foam on the top. She said it was impurities. I did not read about that when I was researching this on the web, but my wife knows a lot about cooking and food science, so since she suggested it, I took her advice. I used a spoon and it was easy to skim off the foam.
My wife gave me another bit if important advice, she suggested that not pour the liquid tallow into the jar I was planing to use. She suggested that I pour it into tempered glass, so once again I followed her advice.
Next, I put a piece of cheese cloth into a very fine metal strainer, and then I poured the contents of the pot into the strainer. After I got all of the liquid tallow out, I put the glass bowl into the fridge, and in no time I got the smooth mutton tallow. Then I spooned and packed it into a jar. The one pound of fat gave me about a half a pound of usable fat which rendered about seven to eight ounces of tallow. That should last me a pretty long time.
Pure tallow won't go rancid and it will last a long time. It has a slight smell of cooked lamb and is smooth and creamy. I don't think I will keep it outside in my shop during the 100 degree days, but I think it will be fine otherwise.
The only down side to using tallow on my handtools is that it will make the pieces I build fleshigs! hahahahaha.
I have not had the chance to test it out yet, but I will be sure to let you know when I do the next time I go old school!
Have you made tallow before?
ye old yaakov……


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Installation, Setup & Upgrading
Microsoft offers more than one way to install Windows 8, over 10 years ago, the only way you could acquire Windows XP was on a CD which you ordered at an online merchant or bought at a brick and mortar store. With the release of Windows 7, Microsoft provided an online element to purchasing and installing Windows, although cumbersome, the Box setup files was Microsoft's first real effort at distributing Windows digitally on a wide scale. Windows 8 simplifies the acquisition process with a Web Installer called the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which makes it easy to both download and create a local backup copy for future use. The digital distribution works this way, you download the installer, launch it and it will download Windows 8, the time it takes is ultimately dependent on the speed of your Internet connection. Microsoft has noted that the Web Installer includes some sophisticated compression technology which downloads bits in 10 MB chunks to ensure it is delivered safely. When you download the installer, the setup program creates a folder called 'WindowsESD' at the root of your C:\ drive (if you have multiple partitions this folder could be on a different one). From there you will find a complete disc image of Windows you can burn to a blank DVD and make your own physical copy or store on a USB thumb drive.
Description of the Setup Routine
The installation goes through some routines such as the following:
Depending on the options you chose during setup, you might have to reinstall your applications.
Here are the options you might see:
If you choose "Nothing", make sure to do the following before you continue:
To put even simpler, this is what you get to keep depending on the version of Windows you are running;
Dell Optiplex 760 – Clean Install
I tried Windows 8 on a combination of systems, the setup routine delivered good results across most of the systems I tried it on. The first computer I tried Windows 8 Pro on was my system I use every day at work. I have been using Windows 8 on this system exclusively since the Consumer Preview. I have it setup in a dual boot configuration with Windows XP Professional which works well. Because I didn't have enough disk space, I had to do a backup using Windows Easy Transfer and then do a custom clean install and restore the backup. Installation was surprisingly smooth, it took only 10 minutes to have the OS up and running. I also benefitted from the built in sync support. The minute I logged in using my Hotmail email, common settings that were applied under my last install which was the Release Preview such as Lock Screen background, my account picture, desktop background were all pulled down. All I had to do next was do my Windows Easy Transfer and additional settings were restored such as Navigation Pane Favorites and other personalization's. It's absolutely amazing how smooth a migration that was.
Acer Ferrari 5000 – In place Upgrade
The next system I decided to give Windows 8 Pro a go at was my Acer Ferrari 5000 laptop. I launched setup for Windows 8 Pro 64 bit from within Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit, (this is the only way to do an in place upgrade by the way), followed all the pre-requisites such as Entering the product key, accepting the license agreement, and choosing what I want to keep (Personal files, Apps and Settings). Installation did its normal checks which indicated that I needed to uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials. I kinda find this annoying, considering that Windows Defender and Security Essentials are related, why can't it just replace it during the install without requiring manual removal by the user? On top of that, I had to do a restart, thankfully, Windows 8 setup automatically resumes setup for you with little interaction required. After prompting to continue, I left the system, as setup went into a full screen mode with a small indicator showing its current progress. The initial phase of setup went by quite fast compared to when I installed the Release Preview. The upgrade did take some time which is understandable since it is an in place upgrade which is migrating personal files, apps and settings to a new version of Windows. Other factors that can determine the speed of the upgrade include the size of the data set (mine is about 101 GBs), processor and memory.
Things seemed to be progressing at this point and there were no unexpected pop ups during this time. Eventually it restarted and continued on with 'Getting Devices Ready', Preparing System and other chores. Soon after, I was at the Out of Box Experience where I was prompted to configure basic settings such as a personal color. I noticed that the mouse pointer was missing and I was not able to use the keyboard. I found this strange that neither were working, I checked to see if both were locked since there is an option to do so. I tried an external mouse and keyboard and was able to continue with setup. After confirming these settings, Windows 8 did some additional chores and a quick tutorial introducing the new Start Screen interface. I was finally greeted by the welcome screen. I then I logged in with my user account, I was greeted by an error relating to not be able to find something in C:\$Windows.~BTSources\Panther. I clicked OK and continued on. Windows 8 took quite a while to configure the Start Screen since it kept saying preparing. Eventually everything loaded up and I was greeted by a familiar yet different desktop. All my Taskbar shortcuts were there along with my default theme I had running under Windows 7. Overall, the upgrade took about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Not bad when I compare it with my 2009 upgrade from Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate which took 3 hours.
There were some issues to sort out though, such as the mouse and keyboard not working. It seems there is a compatibility issue with the Synaptics Touch Pad driver. I decided to try a reinstall but I encountered an error relating to 'Operating System not Found'. Tried installing the driver using Troubleshoot compatibility, encountered the same issue. I opened Device Manager, right click the exclamation and clicked Update driver, browsed directly to the x64 bit driver folder where I had it stored, the driver installation wizard indicated it encountered an error installing the driver. I downloaded an updated driver from Acers website, but that did not work either. As for the keyboard, I was able to install that by browsing to the drivers folder and let it search it and I had a working keyboard again. I took my laptop to work since I wanted to get some updates installed (faster connection at the workplace). I connected a USB mouse and checked Windows Update which downloaded some available updates which included Windows Defender definitions. After downloading, I was prompted to restart and my Touch Pad was working again, I just do not have scrolling working though.
One serious issue I started noticing is when I shutdown, hibernate or put the Acer Ferrari to sleep it crashes with a system kernel initialization error. Of course, I was greeted by the new friendlier memory dump screen which used more human language to indicate an error occurred. There was still a technical answer which said something about KERNEL INITIALIZATION FAILED. This error existed in the Windows 8 Release Preview and I even reported it in the Microsoft Answers Windows 8 Release Preview forum, which was acknowledged, but the issue seemed to have carried over to the final release. Eventually, I gave up and did a reset and refresh which resolved the problem, but it was pretty much reinstalling Windows 8 and deleting all installed apps and preserving my personal files. Thankfully it worked out and somehow proved that it was either an offending application or driver. I was able to reinstall the Synaptics Windows Vista driver and had scrolling working again.


text:
The popular Mexican restaurant brand is offering guests mouthwatering
prizes, like free burritos for a year
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#FlavorFlags–Join Qdoba Mexican Eats®, the fast-casual restaurant known
for its 3-Cheese Queso and free guacamole on entrées, for the June 25
grand opening celebration of its full bar and newly designed restaurant
in Lakewood. To commemorate the celebration, Qdoba is planting its flag
in flavor by, literally, planting 100 Flavor Flags around Lakewood, each
flag offering flagholders the chance to win free burritos for a year.
The new restaurant, located at 12027 W Alameda Pkwy., is the first Qdoba
restaurant in Colorado to feature a full bar experience. In addition to
traditional favorites like Knockout Tacos® and guac-topped
burritos, the new Qdoba offers a mouthwatering lineup of signature Qdoba
drinks and draft beers from local Colorado breweries. With the
restaurant opening daily at 7 a.m., fans can also start their day with a
Qdoba breakfast burrito, which pairs perfectly with a Bloody Mary or
mimosa, both offered at the new location.
The grand opening celebration on June 25 will feature an all-day happy
hour, complete with food, drinks, giveaways and live music. From 4 p.m.
– 8 p.m., 20 percent of net sales from the event will benefit Girls Rock
Denver, a nonprofit organization that aims to empower young women and
girls through music education, creation and performance.
Starting June 19 through June 24, Denver-area residents should keep an
eye out for "Flavor Flags" bearing the Qdoba logo and "#FlavorFlags."
Eligible participants who snag a flag and bring it to the grand opening
celebration on June 25 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. can win a prize (one prize
per person). The first 21 eligible participants to bring a flag can win
free burritos for a year (one free entrée per week for 52 weeks). Follow
#FlavorFlags on Facebook,
and Instagram
for more information and clues on flag locations. See Qdoba.com/legal
for complete rules and eligibility.
"We've rolled out new, signature margaritas, brought in some amazing
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The new restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. To discover more about the
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About Qdoba
At Qdoba, everyone is invited to live a more flavorful life. The Qdoba
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hand-smashed guacamole. Getting its start in 1995, Qdoba now has more
than 650 restaurants in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
Discover more at www.qdoba.com
and connect with Qdoba on Facebook,
and YouTube.
for Qdoba
Sheena Stephens | email@example.com
Maloney | email@example.com


text: Pursuing the winding walk from the bath, we catch the head of the upper canal, a grotto shrouded with shrubs, within whose dark recess we see a cataract, the effect of which would be very good, were not the figure too formal, and the other contemptible fall of water visible. A vista now occurs, discovering the canal lengthwise, the other pools cut into a variety of mathematical forms; and three antique statues—a jumble of puerilities that we are hardly recompensed for by the lofty wood that hems in the whole scene, with its elegant Gothic tower. The next opening embraces a view of the lake, the canal, the groupe of Hercules and Antæus, the superb bank of wood, and the rotunda pushing its head above the shade, supported by eight Doric pillars; beneath which the eye reposes on a long extent of velvet sod, sprinkled with trees. Crossing the head of the canal, the path penetrates a gloomy recess towards the reservoir, where we catch to the right the Gothic seat, and to the left the prettiest feature of the grounds, a little wild scenery called Quebec; consisting of an irregular pool, with its own natural island in the centre, covered with wood. A pillar is here erected to the memory of General Wolfe, but happily for the picturesque effect, it has been long compleatly hidden by the trees. Reaching the Temple of Piety,


text:
For almost 40 years, DAVE LIEBER, a popular keynote speaker and entertainer, humorist, storyteller and award-winning Watchdog columnist for The Dallas Morning News, has used stories to change the world.
Nothing motivates people more, the Texas motivational speaker believes, than stories about positive change that help people change positively.
His stories of wrongdoing and right-doing in newspapers and magazines have led to countless changes in governments, schools and communities.
As an inspirational and comedy speaker, Dave Lieber delights his audiences with stories that bring laughter and tears.
Because of his ability to combine real-life experiences with outstanding storytelling skills, Dave Lieber is consistently rated by audiences as one of their favorite speakers. He is a member of the National Speakers Association.
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His newest book, Dave Lieber's Watchdog Nation, now available in the expanded 2013 edition, is the winner of two national book awards for social change.
His motivational, inspirational and delightful talks always bring results and smiles to conference planners and audiences.


text:
Working Here
U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans
If you are a U.S. Military Service Member or Veteran and would like assistance with the employment process at Johns Hopkins University, please contact us at one of the
Translate your military skills, training and experience using a tool at
Why JHU
A career at Johns Hopkins University is more than a job. We foster an environment where employees are recognized and rewarded for their ideas and contributions. Diversity and inclusion are part of our values and ensure that faculty, staff, and students are treated with equity, civility and respect.
Our culture thrives on hard work, diversity, intellectual curiosity, innovation and teamwork. All of these characteristics make the university a great place to both develop professionally and make a difference.
Johns Hopkins University recruits for new talent in a wide range of fields, including administrative services, student services, research, patient care, laboratory, public health, engineering, allied health, marketing, information technology, communications, public safety, and facilities and building maintenance. No matter where you begin your career at the university, the opportunities to share your ideas and contribute to our mission are endless.
Main Campuses
Johns Hopkins University is housed on several different campuses:
- Homewood is the main university campus in Baltimore, MD. It includes the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and School of Engineering.
- East Baltimore is home to the School of Medicine, the Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the School of Nursing.
- Downtown Baltimore includes the Peabody Conservatory of Music and the main campus of the Carey Business School.
- The Washington, D.C. campus is home to the School of Advanced International Students (SAIS) and branches of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (Advanced Academic Programs) and the Carey Business School. Branches of SAIS are also located on campuses in Bologna and Nanjing.
- The Laurel, MD campus is home to the Applied Physics Laboratory, a division of the university.
- The Montgomery County Center (Rockville, MD) campus houses a community of education, business, and government organizations.
- And, the Columbia Center (Columbia, MD) campus includes a number of administrative offices.
For more information on our campuses and academic programs, visit the JHU website.


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Food & Drink
This summer, teach kids to cook
School's out! Youngsters are thinking no more school, no more homework, and no more rigid schedules. Parents, on the other hand, are wondering what to do with their children this summer. I say teach them to cook.
My grandchildren visit me each summer for a few weeks. We do the traditional things — the zoo, movies and swimming pool. But what my grandchildren remember the most are the cooking classes, the tea parties and the cooking contests I have done with them.
The tea party became a summer tradition several years with my two granddaughters. It was a huge event for these two little girls. Dressing up was part of the thrill: What would they wear this year? I had saved several of my daughter's party dresses for "dress up" for the girls, and they spent hours trying on all the dresses. It did not seem to matter that the dresses were too big for them. We would tuck and pin, and they were good to go. After the dress issue was settled, next came the jewelry. They loved to dig through my costume jewelry and, of course, I let them wear whatever they wanted for this very special event. Their tastes ruled — and we had some very unusual color combinations. Of course, hats were required for our tea party and — since it was a special occasion — they could wear lipstick. Oh, they were a beautiful sight.
Although our tea party was an all-girl event, a little brother of a guest once was included. But the rule was he had to wear a hat. He came with his tall, red-white-and-blue Uncle Sam hat. The girls did not bat an eye. A hat was a hat.
Making the food was the most fun of all. My granddaughters enjoyed it so much that they invited their guests to come and help. So we had a cooking class before the tea party. I taught them how to make cucumber sandwiches. Normally, they would not touch a cucumber. But they devoured these. Our eclectic menu took various shapes through the years. Sometimes we made assorted fillings for flour tortillas, rolled them up and cut them into dainty rounds. We stuffed cherry tomatoes, arranged fresh vegetables with dip and always had strawberries dipped in chocolate. Since the girls did not like tea, we served lemonade in pretty teacups. And we always used china plates, set the table beautifully with folded cloth napkins. When the party was over, granddaughter Stephanie summed it up very well when she said making the food was as much fun as the actual party.
Youngsters love to cook, and it is a great summertime activity. An amazing fact is how much the youngsters enjoy the food they have made. It is no longer mysterious but delicious.


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The total general sales tax rate for Mercer Island is 10.0%. The majority of that amount (6.5%) goes to the State of Washington. The remainder is distributed to various local jurisdictions as detailed below. The City of Mercer Island receives only 0.85% on each taxable sale occurring on the Island. So, for every $100 spent on Mercer Island, the City receives $0.85.
An additional 0.5% sales tax applies to food and beverages sold by restaurants and taverns to pay for the debt service on Safeco Field.
Additional information can be found on the Washington State Department of Revenue website.
City of Mercer Island Washington | All Rights Reserved © 2019| Privacy Policy |
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text:
Woman calls police . . . is beaten, raped, filleted, and chopped up while waiting for the police to arrive
Filed under: Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, Torture
Please read from the bottom of this post. It has been updated several times.
Update: 6:05 A. M., Korea Standard Time, 11 April 2012
Here are a few lies the Suwon police have been caught in:
–We responded within minutes.
Police responded 13 hrs. later. Additionally, when the victim's sister reported her missing, she was told to go to the local fire station and get the location of her last call, if she does not want to get her sister killed (source–victim's uncle).
–The emergency call was only a few seconds long.
They changed their story and said that it is 2 minutes. When reporters asked for a copy of the tape, they said it is 4 minutes long. Asked for the details of the last 2 minutes, they said it was silence. It was more than 6 minutes long. The "silence" part is of the dispatcher listening to the killer beating and tying her up. The dispatcher later said he thought it was only rape.
–We dispatched officers within mintues of the call.
The dispatcher did not call officers as they were sleeping. The closest car was about 30 meters or 100 feet from the victim.
–We couldn't find her because the victim's directions weren't detailed enough.
Reporters, using the victim's directions, were able to find it in about a minute.
–The caller is a prostitute that tried to rip-off the killer.
When asked where they got this information, they said that they got it from their investigation. Pressed further, they said this piece of information came from the killer.
ajosshi.com: Even if she were, it makes no difference.
–When asked to review the CCTV tapes for any evidence, they said that there was nothing out of the ordinary.
What they failed to do was to watch the whole thing. It clearly shows, even in the portion that they did watch, a man beating and dragging a woman. They see nothing out of the ordinary? They should just fuck off! After reviewing the whole tape, the killer is seen ambushing the victim from behind. Nothing out of the ordinary?
–We only searched outside of homes because that's what the victim said.
In the audio of the emergency call from the victim, the victim says that she's inside with the door locked. The dispatcher even repeats this (read the transcript below). Another spokesperson for the Suwon police said that they did not want to disturb neighbors. This statement contradicts their first claim.
ajosshi.com: Sorry to say, but I'm sure this list will grow.
Update: 4:14 A. M., Korea Standard Time, 10 April 2012
Abduction video (watch the 2nd video, if this video is slow or does not load)
Update: 6:24 A. M., 9 April 2012, Korea Standard Time
Audio of call to 112 (911 emergency service):
Even if you don't understand Korean well enough to comprehend everything that's being said, please listen to the call. You can tell that the police dispatcher escalates the fear the victim feels with his callous tone and stupid, time-wasting questions (are you being raped?, you are telling me you are being raped? , etc. ). As soon as he got the call asking for help, he should have dispatched cars, then done his very best to comfort her.
Also, I transcribed and translated the audio of the call. The versions that I found by the local press were superficial and toned-down.
Female newscaster: "Can we trust cops like these?" (i.e., callous, inept, dishonest, etc.)
Dispatcher: "It's 112 Police, please speak." (That's the literal translation. What the dispatcher is saying is, "911 Emergency, Describe the nature of your call.")
Victim: "I'm before the Motgol playground. I'm being raped."
Dispatcher: "Motgol playground?"
Victim: "Yes, Motgol playground." It's before the playground, but I don't know which house it is."
Dispatcher: "Jidong [school]?"
Victim: "Yes, past Jidong school, a gate, before you get to the playground."
Dispatcher: "Teacher, I will try and locate you through your phone." (Koreans commonly address strangers as "teacher" when they speak with a person they do not know. It's a way of addressing a stranger with respect.)
Victim: "Yesssssssssssss."
Dispatcher: "You are being raped?"
Dispatcher: "You are being raped?"
Victim: "Yes, yessssssss."
Dispatcher: "Don't you know the exact location?"
Victim: "From the Jidong school, it's before you get to the Motgol playground."
Dispatcher: "From the Jidong school. . . .?"
Victim: "Before you get to the playground."
Dispatcher: "Who?" "Who's doing this?"
Victim: "Some ajosshi, ajosshi. Hurry, please. Hurry, please. Ajosshi (adressing the dispatcher), hurry, please. Hurry. "
Dispatcher: "How do you know this person?" (Dispatcher barks this question)
Victim: "He's an ajosshi that I do not know." (Victim is now crying)
Dispatcher: "How did you get in?" (Asking about the front door)
Victim: "I have the door locked."
Dispatcher: "You have the door locked?"
Victim: "I, briefly, when the ajosshi (perp) went out, during that time, door, locked it."
Audio: door being broken
Dispatcher: Would you tell me, again, about the entrance to that place?"
Audio: Loud slam, door busted.
Victim: "I did wrong, ajosshi, I did wrong." (Perp is now in the same room.)
Dispatcher: "Hello, please tell me your address again."
–end of call
Commentator (male voice):
They (police) claim that they dispatched cars within 4 mintues, but could not locate the place. The neighbors have confirmed that the police were not around until the next morning. This confirms that the police did not respond for 13 hours. No cars were ever dispatched after the call by the victim.
We (news station) drove up from the school (on the way to playground) and found the location. It was very obvious the police were/are lying and trying to cover this up.
ajosshi.com: If the cops would have started at the Jidong school, then driven 60 meters, they would have found the locked gate the victim described.
Update: 9 April 2012, 3:38 P. M., Korea Standard Time
Perp has now confessed to the killing.
He is claiming that the victim was a prostitute that tried to rip him off, so that's why he killed her.
Update: 8 April 2012, 08:38 A. M., Korea Standard Time
Perp's hobbies (source: police): Alcohol, Brothels, and On-line porn
Victim: 28, College grad (worked and paid her own way), Worked at a factory, Was walking home when she was abducted
The perp claims that he did not know the victim.
A woman calls the police for help, lets them know that she is being held against her will, and gives them the location. Instead of sending help, the police want to know who this man is and how she met him. This exchange goes on for 4 minutes.
13 hours later, they decide to dispatch a car. The police found the woman beaten, raped, filleted, and chopped up.
Now the police have been caught trying to cover this up.
Here's the English version: Police can't save woman after she calls with location
They need to change that article. It should read: Police WON'T save woman after she calls with location
Perp (42)
Married with 2 kids, construction laborer from China (ethnic Korean)
The victim described the entrance gate to the police and told them that it was locked.
He had enough time to get bags from the store and clean up.
One Comment on Woman calls police . . . is beaten, raped, filleted, and chopped up while waiting for the police to arrive
Nootropics on
Thu, 12th Apr 2012 1:16 am
Hey, I just stopped by to visit your blog and thought I'd say thanks for having me.


text:
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text:
I've been to sky bars, subterranean bars, bars made from ice and even bars located in former public loos (well, they're all around London now aren't they?). But until I'd been to Pelican Bar in Jamaica, I'd never been to a bar in the middle of the ocean.
What makes this place so appealing is it isn't some swanky construction that's been devised with some hefty budget behind it. It's simply a dream that became a reality when a man called Floyd decided to make use of a natural sandbar off Jamaica's southwest coast.
This dreamy little spot is found just under a mile out to sea from Parottee Bay. We were staying at Jakes in Treasure Beach, so we were able to book a boat trip from there through our hotel for around $80.
It took around 20 minutes to get to the bar – which felt like longer when we hit the choppy waves. Although my knuckles were white as I clung on for dear life (these little boats can go surprisingly fast), it was incredible to see the Treasure Beach coastline from out at sea.
As we neared Pelican Bar, our fisherman pointed about the various beaches along the coast. Many of them were completely deserted and are not easy to get to by road (but not impossible as we spotted a group or two strolling the sands). If I ever return to this part of Jamaica, I'm making it my priority to visit these blissfully hidden spots.
As we approached Pelican Bar, it was bustling with far more people than I'd expected (you'd be surprised how many bodies you can squash into this place). And it also now has a little 'extension' – a pier like walkway that leads to tables and 'chairs' fashioned from the same coconut trunks and driftwood as the rest of the structure.
There are also souvenirs, flags and vehicle plates dangling from every surface and carvings in the wood that have been left by visitors of Pelican Bar from all around the world.
And I was amazed to see that they actually have a makeshift kitchen here. I watched the staff gutting fish right before our eyes before they cooked it up for guests.
If they run out of gas canisters, ice, rum, or whatever, it's a quick call to the mainland for their next delivery.
As boats of families and groups came in and out from their various different resorts, it wasn't quite the vision I'd conjured from glossy magazine articles that portray a 'secret' spot you can escape to and see no other soul. But that's the way things go when the word gets out. Few places are really 'secret' these days.
As locals played dominoes and the sound of reggae was carried by the sea breeze; we grabbed some Red Stripes from the bar and dangled our legs over the sea, watching the skies turn stormy.
Stingrays swam in the turquoise water beneath us and pelicans dipped in and out of the sky. Life felt good and while it may not be the secret bolthole that it once was, yes – this is still one of the coolest bars in the world.
Pin Me:


text: firstname.lastname@example.com: >email@example.com: > >Sony puts linux in the living room. > > http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-30-2002/0001658223&EDATE= > >I quite like the spirit and "realisticness" of: > >Not that I expect them to make a mint with this -- but it's the right >general idea. > No offence, but isn't this out of topic? This is probabily more suitable post for linuxgames.com [....] [isn't this] redundant information [ for most of the audience ] [...] I _love_ technical stuff but this question is put into the wrong context, wrong environment for fruitful discussion. At its best, in my view, FSB is a forum in which inter-corporate FSB strategizing takes place at levels ranging from the very abstract (e.g. theories of economics) to the relatively specific (e.g. how, as an industry, FSBs can reach individual consumers). Efficient inter-corporate coordination in business and engineering is a unique strength of FSBs. The more shared state in that area, the better. I didn't forward the news story pointer here simply because it mentioned free software, but rather because it suggests that Sony is thinking in strategic directions that have been discussed on this list and that are also present in the PR of more than one prominent FSB. In that spirit, I don't think the news story is at all off topic. There's a lot of context, from multiple posters on this list and in the FSB world generally, to which it is relevant. Finally, I believe that trying to draw a line between high-level technical discussion and business discussion would be a big mistake. The form that tech. businesses take is constrained by the form of the technology they work with: you can't consider one without simultaneously considering the other. Aside from all that, I am sorry if the message offended you. -t


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Creating an entire interconnected network
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The Flemish government wants a secure way to transfer its data. Dynniq creates a private, dedicated optical transport network connecting government locations.
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The result
Dynniq is proud of this long standing relationship with the Flemish government and how its work has a positive impact on the lives of many within the Flemish community.


text:
Samsung 10.1 Galaxy Tab to Run Intel Chips
Samsung Electronics Co. is getting ready to launch its new Galaxy tablets, and for some models, there's going to be Intel inside.
The South Korean giant has been steadily churning out refreshed versions of its gadgets this year, but using Intel's mobile chips is a rare move. It usually sources mobile chips from its own semiconductor division or Qualcomm Inc. for high-end models.
The new eight-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab both get upgraded specs, but the 10.1-inch models will be running Intel chips. They will go on sale this month, the company said.


text:
The peaceful night sky was filled with thousands of twinkling, merry stars, all singing out joyful songs of light. Kreludor was full that night, and Lorkine loved it that way the best. The young Faerie Xweetok was dressed in a brilliant white tunic stitched all around the edges with silver symbols that hummed with magical power. Her white breeches where ankle length, and had the same symbols of silence and protection.
She was about to engage in her mission.
Lorkine looked down at her outfit in distaste. The Order of Peace outfitters always made her wear men's issue clothing, insisting that a dress wouldn't be appropriate for the silent way that she would be required to move around that night, or for the next several days, or even weeks. Still, that didn't mean that she had to like it, even if she was a master of fashion. What would Hannah say if she found her dressed like this? Her idol would be disappointed, that's what.
Below the hill on which the agent crouched, Kiko Lake shimmered in the darkness, reflecting the light of the stars and moon. All of the residents were inside by that time, either in bed and sleeping or getting ready to do so. But there was something off about the whole town, Lorkine observed offhandedly--the shiny houses weren't reflecting the light. In fact, they weren't shiny at all. The young woman sniffed the air; ears perked up, and instantly came down coughing. Coal dust. The entire town was covered with coal dust, and it was her job to find out why.
Making a symbol of shadows on her forehead, Lorkine slipped down the hill and into the outskirts of the lake village, making sure to keep deadly silent. No one must know that she was here--no one at all. If she was found out before she blended in, the entire mission was compromised, and another agent would have to be sent. Plus, it would earn Rose, her twin sister, gloating rights, which was even worse.
The silent creature knelt behind a warehouse, ridiculously shaped in the form of a Kiko. Why would anyone take the pain and labor time to construct anything that way? High fashion clothes was one thing, but buildings were buildings, and you couldn't change that ugly fact.
Lorkine looked around her, making sure no one was watching, and slipped in a back door. The inside of the warehouse was as dark as the outside night, but filled with row upon row of high stacked shelves of various items and trinkets. Food, toys, materials, and machinery were all stored in the warehouse, and not looking like any of it was getting ready to be used any time soon. The agent give one more look around, and curled up in a shelf between two large boxes, completely hidden. Making sure to change into commoner clothes, Lorkine shut her eyes, thinking about her idol Hannah, and promptly went to sleep.
The Faerie Xweetok awoke the next morning on her own, eyelids sliding open at exactly the time that she had set for herself. Lorkine checked to make sure everything was in place about her, and slipped back outside.
Kiko Lake in the daytime was much different from its night counterpart. Hordes of people bustled by, on their way to or from the market, all carrying baskets of differing size and shape filled with goodies and assorted foods for their kids or cupboards. A half mile away, Lorkine could see the glass bottomed boat setting off with its first load of tourists to see the underwater district of the small town. The jolly atmosphere, though, was masked by the layer of bleak, dull coal dust that blanketed everything like a plague of darkness. Passing people coughed out the stuff--way too much of it by the looks to be healthy for anything. Lorkine knotted her veil around her mouth and nose, just to be sure, and set off.
As soon as she did so, the agent noticed that as she approached the center of the town, the coal dust layers became thinner and thinner, until they were several shades lighter than that on the outskirts. Lorkine swallowed, itching to get to the source of the coal dust, but knew that a stranger walking back and forth through the village would set off warning signs to any casual observer. Walking over to the market, Lorkine bought a sticky bun and a bottle of Neocola, paying the vendor two hundred neopoints to do so, out of the Order of Peace's money, of course. Lorkine went over to a table set up outside of a restaurant and sat down to eat and think.
The prices for the food had been ridiculously high--more so than she had ever seen. It might have been connected to the coal dust all over the village, which meant a mine, on the outskirts of town. But what was the mine for? Kiko Lake had never had any large deposits of any ore near it, let alone coal. Of course, no one had looked very hard, being only a few miles south of Neopia Central. A mine would get in the way of the growing mega city, and decrease the living conditions. Lorkine wondered if there was any coal dust near Neopia Central--that would give her a good clue as to just how big the mine was.
Lorkine got up, brushing the crumbs off of her village woman clothes, and walked over to an alley way that looked deserted. She rummaged around in her pocket until she pulled out a small mirror. Speaking a few words, her father appeared in it, looking concerned.
"Hello? Dad? It's Lorkine! Is Rose home?" Lorkine hissed when her father showed up in the mirror. He thought that she was off on a trip to study abroad for collage on Mystery Island, and could not know anything about the Order of Peace.
"Lorkine? Yeah, she's home, but how are you doing? Having fun? Your sisters and brother misses you! And why does the wall behind you look like a Kik-"
"What? Oh, yeah, I'm having loads of fun, Dad. Can I talk to Rose?"
"Fine, I understand, you're too old to talk to Dad anymore," he said with a chuckle. "Here's Rose."
"Lorkine? What are you doing? Why are you calling me?"
"Because, Rose, things in Kiko Lake are worse than we thought-" Lorkine paused for a second, thinking. "Are you alone?"
"Yeah, Dad's feeding Ajobi and Luktz. What is it?"
"It seems like there's a huge mine just north of the village--there is coal dust everywhere! I need you to go to Neopia Central and see if the effects have stretched that far before I go in."
"What? Lor, you know I would have to get the Order's permission first, and I thought your mission was strictly to observe, and not to interfere!"
"It is, but look, Rose, I don't know what's going on here, and I don't think it can wait. What if it's something really bad? It takes the Order forever to do anything, and I'm already here! Just go to the Central and tell me what you see, without their orders. Pleeeeease?" The mirror was silent for a couple of seconds as her twin sister thought, her face messed up in concentration.
"Fine. But if the Order finds out I went without permission, I'm pinning it on you."
"Thanks! You're the best sister ever!" Lorkine squealed, delighted. "Report to me by tonight! Bye!"
"Lor, wait-"
Lorkine terminated the mirror spell and skipped away.
Rose closed the door to her house, chewing her lip. The young Faerie Xweetok was sneaking out in the middle of the day, the worst time to do anything like it. Her dad was out at the grocery store, and had left the babies here with her. That left Rose with a baby JubJub strapped onto her chest and back.
"I hope you two are happy I'm taking you along," she muttered as her wings warmed up. Shaking her head, Rose jumped off the edge of Terror Mountain, the wind ruffling through her fur. Her baby sister and brother would be fine, being as their blue fur was thicker than hers, but she still was worried about flying with them. Ajobi the baby JubJub was strapped onto her chest, and was currently only protected from a two thousand foot drop by a thin piece of cloth and a flimsy charm. His sister, Luktz the baby JubJub, was on her back, weighing her down. Rose wasn't too happy about that, either.
"Phhhh, bwahahaha!" Ajobi spit up his breakfast, the wind pushing it back under his chin to splatter against Rose's new shoes. She bit the inside of her cheek, willing herself not to undo his carrier. It was just a little barf--she could clean it with a spell later. Right now, she was about an hour away from Neopia Central, and by the looks of things, she wouldn't be home by nightfall. Thinking to herself, Rose thought that she might even have to come to Kiko Lake to help her sister after she took her look at the city.
"Come on, Rose!" Lorkine hissed to herself, pacing with the mirror. The sun was setting, and her sister still hadn't called. A report for the Order was due tomorrow, and Lorkine wanted to check out the mine before then. But Rose was taking her time calling her with information, and she needed to go now. The agent of the Order took on last look at the mirror, and alighted into the twilight skies, zipping north, to the origin of the coal dust.
"Come on, Lor!" Rose yelled at her mirror, which was picked up by Kiko Lake's answering spell. Lor had said that she would be waiting right by her makeup mirror all evening. Of course, she had probably gotten antsy and done something stupid.
Rose looked around the city, which was smeared with dust. She scrunched her eyebrows together, thinking. If her sister had done something stupid, she would probably need her help. Sighing, Rose checked to make sure Luktz and Ajobi were strapped in, and flew south.
"Mining 89% complete." A Kreludor Mining Corp. Defending Robot beeped at a bigger, meaner looking robot. It then turned on its heels and clanked back down into the massive pit that was the coal mine. Lorkine looked around her and dashed closer to the entrance, hiding behind another rock.
Why was the Kreludor Mining Corp. in Kiko Lake? Didn't they have something to do with Sloth? But why would Sloth need coal? Lorkine thought furiously. She had to get closer. Just as she was about to dash out, though, three Defender Robots rumbled out of the mind, and positioned themselves in front of the entrance.
"Mining 90% complete. Enhance security," the middle one droned, red eyes flickering. Lorkine cursed under her breath. She would never get in now. Unless... Hannah always got past those things like it was no problem. So why not her?
Lorkine sucked in a deep breath, and cast a spell of no-see around herself. She blinked, and flexed her hands--completely invisible! The agent took a few steps forward, and stopped. Nothing happened. A few more steps--nothing. Carefully, Lorkine began walking straight towards the guards. It took all of her will power not to dash inside and make a circus full of noise--that would alert the guards for sure. No, she had to keep in mind that they couldn't see her. Just as Lorkine began passing in-between them, she had a sudden thought--in the last Hannah adventure, didn't the Defenders rely on more than just sight?
Suddenly, all three Defenders swung around and grabbed Lorkine, throwing her no-see spell into the pit they guarded.
"Trespassing. Life form, young age, magical abilities, Faerie Xweetok. Terminate immediately."
Lorkine gasped, and struggled in the Defenders grip, but couldn't break free. All three's eyes began to glow cherry red, a sign that they were warming up their lasers. If only she could get her arm out, then she could--
A Defender exploded in a dazzling display of blue and green light, twisted chunks of metal flying everywhere. The other two did the same, dropping Lorkine to the ground. Blinking through the smoke and debris, Lorkine saw her sister, Rose, standing about ten feet away, hands aglow with magic. Also, her baby brother and sister were strapped onto her, both giggling like mad men.
"Rose!" Lorkine shouted, running to her sister.
"I told you not to do anything stupid, stupid!" Rose scolded her sister, embracing her in a huge hug. "Why didn't you listen?"
"Do I ever?" Lorkine said with a grin.
"Trespassing. Life form, young age, magical abilities, Faerie Xweetoks. Two. Terminate immediately."
Both sisters whipped around to find about two dozen Defenders lined up all around them, eyes aglow.
"Rose! About the mine!" Lorkine shouted as she jumped onto the head of the first Defender. The agent of the Order wrapped her legs around it and twisted, popping the hunk of metal right off. "It's the Mining Corp.! It belongs to Sloth!"
"But what would he need it for?" Rose shouted back, as she blasted three Defenders with her magic, Ajobi and Luktz bursting into peals of laughter with each explosion.
"Think! It's coal, and coal fuels things!" Lorkine screamed, flipping over two Defenders, sending out tiny mines as she did so. The mines attached themselves to the robots, detonating with a massive fireball.
"What does he need to fuel?" Rose backed up against her sister, blasting away as she spoke. Lorkine threw more mines and electrical patches, which shut down Defenders even as they touched them.
"Something bad, I'm sure!" Lorkine and Rose grabbed hands and spun each other around, each taking out a Defender as they let go.
"I think that's the last of them," Rose said, wiping her forehead. "Now, what were we saying?"
As the sisters spoke, Ajobi and Luktz slipped out of their carrier, rolling away towards a Defender that was picking itself up. Giggling, Ajobi and his sister stopped right in front of it as it shot away a red laser from its eyes. The beam of light bounced off Ajobi's and Luktz's dummies, crashing into the robot. The hunk of metal flew away, and into the pit of coal, bouncing off the walls and destroying wooden scaffoldings as it fell. Finally, it hit the bottom, and ignited the coal, making the biggest explosion Rose or Lorkine had ever seen. Luktz and Ajobi sat there, unable to stop laughing, the dancing fire ball reflecting in their huge, black eyes.
"Whatever it was, he's going to need to find a different fuel source now." Lorkine whistled, watching the flames rise into the sky.
"We have sent out trackers to spy on Sloth already," the Leader of the Order of Peace said from his chair at the center of the white marble hall. "But tell me, Mistress ViciousRose, how did you come about to the Kiko Lake mine? I thought that was Mistress Lorkine's assignment."
"I, uh..." Rose stammered, biting her lip.
"I called her there, your honor," Lorkine said, loud and confident. "I saw the progress that the mine was making, and I knew the danger that Sloth posed to Neopia. I couldn't wait for you to send backup, so I called her to come help me take out the mine ourselves. If she is to be punished, let me take all the blame and more."
The Leader sat, silent for a second, contemplating Lorkine's speech.
"Well," the White Lupe said, leaning back in his chair. "Being as, in your report, neither of you destroyed the mine... I guess I can say that Rose was the backup I sent, eh? Now, for the rewards ceremony! I believe two little people deserve some honor!" The Leader clapped his hands, and Ajobi and Luktz were brought up by a servant, each sitting on a crystal white pillow. The two baby JubJubs looked enormously pleased with themselves, more so when the Leader drew out two crystal dummies.
"For your bravery in the face of danger, I present you, Mistress Luktz, with a crystal dummy, the sign of a baby member of the Order of Peace." The Leader put the crystal dummy into her mouth, making the baby go cross-eyed looking at it. "And for you, Master Ajobi, for showing leadership and initiative, I present a crystal dummy, the sign of a baby member of the Order of Peace." Just after he popped the dummy into Ajobi's mouth, a servant came up and whispered something into his ear. "Wait a second; it seems like you two are the first baby members of our Order. Well then, you shall be the first of the Order of Peace: Baby Division." The White Lupe said, looking pleased with himself. "Well, how do you like that?"
"Baby Division, Baby Division," Ajobi repeated to himself as his older sister, Rose, carried him out of the room. "I like that very much." He frowned, thinking of the next time he would go to daycare. Maybe he could even start a game about it. "Order of Peace: Baby Division."
"Sounds like fun, don't you think?" Luktz said, sucking on her crystal dummy.
The End
Also written by penury
Idea / anything that required thinking by axe_raider


text:
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- User-friendly GUI allows for easy test control (start/stop) and monitoring (status) of all Device Under Test (DUT) on one screen
- Provides characterization data such as performance, measurement, throughput, IOPs, and power consumption
- GUI allows intuitive drill down monitoring from scripts level through DUT interface commands and down to bit level write and read operations
- Comprehensive library of engineering, reliability, quality and production test scripts designed for HDD, SSD and PCIe devices