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Blind Item #6
Last year I told you about this former almost A list mostly movie actress who once starred in a huge franchise. She had got herself some breast implants because she hated the way she looked topless in a movie. well, she loved her new breasts so much that she has now gone up another size. She is up to a large C which looks ridiculous on her tiny frame, especially considering she still thinks people have no idea. Yeah, you took magic beans.


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Overview (Masterplots II: Christian Literature)
J. R. R. Tolkien's modern fantasy classic The Lord of the Rings is a massive novel, often called epic both for its size and scope and for its heroic theme. At half a million words, balancing scores of main characters and hundreds of minor ones (the index lists more than seven hundred personal names) and interweaving several plot strands, The Lord of the Rings was too big for one volume in its first publication, resulting in a three-volume version that was (inaccurately) dubbed a trilogy. The setting is Middle-earth, conceived vaguely as Northern Europe before the recorded history of humankind and before geological forces changed the shape of the land.
The unlikely hero of the story is a little hobbit named Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo Baggins, the hero of Tolkien's earlier and more child-oriented novel, The Hobbit (1937). The story opens with a party at which Bilbo hands over his estate to his nephew and leaves the Shire for good. With his estate, Bilbo leaves Frodo the magic ring that makes the wearer invisible. As Frodo receives it, however, the wizard Gandalf discovers this and reveals to Frodo, that the ring is in reality the One Ring that controls a host of other rings of power dispersed among the races of Middle-earth (three to the elves, seven to the dwarves, and nine to humans). Sauron, a mysterious power who has sought for millennia to control all people, now seeks the ring from his stronghold in Mordor. Holding...
(The entire section is 1197 words.)
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Summary (Magill's Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition)
Twenty years of continued subcreation mark the difference in tone and design of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit's paternal narrative voice is missing, so that almost from the opening of the trilogy the reader is aware that the issues of the novel are greater.
Tolkien's trilogy has spawned dozens of multivolume quest fantasies using a medieval setting. They range from Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Trilogy (1968-1973) to Stephen R. Donaldson's The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (1977) to Marion Zimmer Bradley's extended Darkover series (1972-1988). Each of these authors, including Tolkien, incorporates a theological element into the adventure story. Most appeal to the audience Tolkien awakened, and each has captured a share of a growing market for such fiction. Yet few succeed in the task of subcreation. Tolkien offers readers that possibility for "communion with other living things" that he claims all humans desire, in a world in which differing races have well-documented histories, languages capable of a range of poetic expression, and differing cultural assumptions. To some extent, too, Tolkien succeeds because one can imagine life apart from adventure in Middle-earth.
The Fellowship of the Ring, like The Hobbit, begins in innocence. Although the Shire, Gandalf, and Bilbo reappear, almost immediately the story changes direction. Bilbo, sixty...
(The entire section is 1962 words.)
Source: Masterplots II: Christian Literature, ©2007 Salem Press, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Magill's Survey of World Literature, Revised Edition, ©2009 Salem Press, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.

subset: commoncrawl


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Cowlik™ the Cow has baked a cake to say, "Happy Birthday" to the farm lovers on your list. Use with E277 You're the Icing or "I herd it's your Birthday" from the Cowlik Birthday Perfectly Clear Stamps set for a complete look.
This quality wood-mounted rubber stamp is made from deeply etched, precision trimmed premium grey rubber. With 1/8" thick grey foam for a smooth impression on uneven or textured surfaces, it is mounted on a contoured hardwood block and indexed with a black image on a full sized decal. The image features original artwork designed by Fran Seiford.
Made in the USA
Image size is approximately 2 1/2" X 3"


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Tag Archives: Dragon Age 3
Sat, Jun 01, 2013 | 18:12 BST
Dragon Age 3: Inquisition listed for Xbox One by Amazon Italy
A Dragon Age 3: Inquisition listing has popped up onAmazon Italy for Xbox One.
Wed, Dec 05, 2012 | 22:40 GMT
Dragon Age 3 may feature more exploration than previous titles
Bioware's Aaryn Flynn has hinted that Dragon Age 3 could feature more exploration, with the developers taking a page out of Skryim.
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 | 19:44 GMT
Dragon Age 3 could be a next-gen release, according to EA Shanghai resume – rumor
Dragon Age 3 could be a next-gen release title, if an EA Shanghai level designer's resume is any indication.
Thu, Nov 15, 2012 | 14:36 GMT
Dragon Age 3: Inquisition – first pre-production screenshot revealed during Bioware talk
The first pre-production shot of Dragon Age 3: Inquisition was shown last night during the Bradford Animation Festival, where Bioware art and animation director Neil Thompson gave a talk on the progression of video game art.
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 | 22:44 BST
Dragon Age 3 contains deeper customization, castles, large levels
Dragon Age 3 will bring back character customization to the series "in a big way," and some the levels are going to be rather large, according to BioWare.
Tue, Sep 18, 2012 | 22:15 BST
Mass Effect – new game planned, ME3 Omega DLC due in fall
Mass Effect 3 has more content on the way, and BioWare Edmonton and Montreal general manager Aaryn Flynn has plans for another Mass Effect are being mulled around.
Mon, Aug 20, 2012 | 14:29 BST
Dragon Age 3: Multiplayer, plot & art revealed – report
Dragon Age 3 developer BioWare is rumoured to be polling select fans to learn more about where they want the series to go next. According to a new leak, the game will be set in Orlais, will feature co-op multiplayer and will star an Inquisitor.
Tue, Jun 12, 2012 | 08:28 BST
Dragon Age interview suggests third entry now in production
Although no official announcement has been made, it looks like BioWare may be cranking up development for Dragon Age III.
Thu, May 17, 2012 | 07:51 BST
BioWare taking suggestions for next Dragon Age
Last month, Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah announced BioWare wanted fan feedback before approaching the franchise again. Today, an update on the game's official website states the time for feedback is now, and a series of questions and discussions around Dragon Age has started on the forums.
Tue, May 08, 2012 | 20:28 BST
Pachter believes "a significant portion" Dragon Age 3 team "was reassigned" to SWTOR
Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter believes the extra manpower at BioWare was pulled into Star Wars: The Old Republic development has consequentially slowed development on Dragon Age 3.
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 | 06:23 BST
Dragon Age PAX panel hints at Orlesian setting for DA III
While stressing that nothing has been announced or confirmed, Dragon Age creative director Mike Laidlaw dropped some huge hints on the franchise's future during a panel at PAX East 2012.
Tue, Dec 20, 2011 | 21:56 GMT
Muzyka: Next Dragon Age may draw from Skyrim
According to a report filed by Wired.com today, the Bioware's Dr. Ray Muzyka said today that the next Dragon Age title will draw from the successes of other games in the genre, including Skyrim.
Tue, Aug 30, 2011 | 10:54 BST
BioWare: Dragon Age III's story all about "saving the world from itself"
BioWare offered up tasty Dragon Age III story tidbits over the weekend, saying that its plot was about "saving the world from itself."
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 | 21:27 BST
Quick Quotes: Dragon Age 3 to be a marriage between Origins and DA2
"The team is going to have some things that are going to surprise both sets of fans, both core fans and new fans with a marriage of the best from both games. One of the core values of Bioware is that we take feedback really seriously, and we know that the core fans who were expecting more Dragon Age Origins – we have to respond to that – we're not willing to ignore that, we're going to take that head on. We also have an obligation to our new fans, the ones who were surprised and delighted with some new approaches and accessibility in terms of action and combat.
"What we need to do as developers is take that feedback from both sets of fans to heart and see about marrying that in future games in the Dragon Age franchise. And we look forward more to talking about that in the future." – Bioware's Ray Muzyka to PC Gamer.
Fri, May 20, 2011 | 07:50 BST
BioWare hiring for environment artists for "Dragon Age III"
BioWare's working on Dragon Age III, according to one tweet from a developer at its Edmonton HQ.


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Call of Duty: Black Ops II
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We could not fault this B&B . From the moment we arrived we were greeted with the warmest of welcomes from Mike & Elaine who were the best hosts ever.... The whole building was very clean &,comfortable and when shown our room it was the best surprise. Chocolates on the bed ,fresh fruit, bottled water and coffee making facilities were of the highest quality. As was the bedding and after a very late night out a very good sleep was had and you have guessed it ,what a wonderful breakfast all freshly cooked and locally sourced. If you are looking for a good stay in this area don't look any where else. It is simply the best. 来自 YORK 的 Frank & dianne 于 2013-09-17 发表点评


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FREE SHIPPING on this item to anywhere in Australia.
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Fine Vintage and Antiques
PetitPoulailler's Seller Feedback
Superior customer service, love my purchase, exactly as described
Kalala65 said...
Love it!
Debee said...
Fantastic! This allows me to finish a 5 series accordion fold book. Thank you!
Primaceliaren said...
Wonderful and love the size. Will work perfectly for a book art project I'm working on. Love them!
Primaceliaren said...
these are so cute thank you so much!!
goldenwillow77 said...
One of the kindest and most pleasant person I have ever had the opportunity to work with. Enjoy!
mimiandcolette said...
EXCELLENT service!!! EXTREMELY well packaged!!! A very EXCEPTIONAL seller!!! Thank you!
summer1 said...
I'm so excited to receive these items--I have immediate plans for them. Wonderful buying experience. I highly recommend this Zibbet seller!
LOCDesignStudio said...
Beautiful, as always! Love them!
vmburkhardt said...
Top Notch Seller.
willowbeeinspired said...
Love the Pendant! Can hardly wait to make necklace for me with it.
letamariedesigns said...
I am a longtime customer of this seller from Etsy. Her customer service is always excellent offering beautiful products, with fast shipping, and so sweet to work with. Thank you!
ponithepuppy said...
Fantastic seller! Package carefully wrapped and item is lovely!! Thanks!
Rollingmichis said...
More beautiful than expected. Many thanks for a wonderful transaction and GREAT communication .
Kopa said...
I just love my bracelet and the print is so gorgeous! I am always so happy with what I buy from Karen :-)
vmburkhardt said...
I love this mug. I will treasure it for years and years to come
spikywires said...
Lovely seller to work with!
willowbeeinspired said...
This was a delightful,rapid transaction with clear communication. It's a joy to do business with such a wonderful buyer AND seller on Zibbet.
AllAboutTheButtons said...
Love doing business with this seller - always a fun and fast experience!
willowbeeinspired said...
Always love what I order from Karen and everything is always so well packaged so nothing is damaged in transit. Thanks, Karen!
vmburkhardt said...
Great customer. Quick payment and very friendly. ..Thanks again
CraftsInBloom said...
Perfection! We are already making plans for these adorable hearts! Thanks! I'll be back!
texaseagle said...
Great communication, fast shipping, and a beautiful product. Thank you so much!
Ureshii said...
Welcome To PetitPoulailler's Shop
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It was certainly sad, a lot of people lost their homes and millions of dollars of damage was done. I was grateful that my house didn't get hit by the flash floods and although this was a tragedy of epic proportions, I was grateful for the business it was bringing my company. We cleaned carpets and performed water damage restoration services and there were thousands of homes that needed the help that we could provide. I'm sure that a lot of people are just going to gut everything and start over with new carpets and finishes but everyone's situation was different. Some people had a little time to prepare and take some precautionary measures before they were evacuated but others were as surprised by the floods as anyone. I happen to live in an area that was unaffected by the floods but the excessive amount of rain that came down during those four days eroded some of the ground at the foot of my property fence and that had never happened before. I'd lived in this house for over 20 years and in Colorado for over 40 years and never seen anything like this, I think they said on the news that the amount of helicopter rescues that occurred during this disaster actually eclipsed the amount of missions completed for people stranded after hurricane Katrina. A lot of people didn't have flood insurance so we anticipated that those kinds of people in that kind of situation were going to have to salvage as much as they could. People were going to try and make the carpets and their rugs work, they were also going to do what they could to save the furniture, drapes and things like that. The fact is, if the moisture can be completely removed then you can avoid mold and mildew issues in the future however, if certain materials are too heavily saturated with water then they may unfortunately be ruined. We were getting calls for carpet cleaning mostly and on a lot of those calls, my people were also assessing upholstery and furniture damage and providing additional quotes for that. My people were trained to be honest and straight-forward with our customers, if something was beyond repair then I didn't want my guys providing a quote and trying to restore it just so we could make some money. They were also cleaning a lot of area rugs as well, rugs were easy because you could dry them from both sides and simply move the thing into the sun or throw it over a fence to get some air and dry. Carpets were a little trickier and took a lot more time and effort, in these kind of flood conditions we often had to pull the carpets back and treat the floor boards, then the padding, then the carpet in order to have a fighting chance of beating it. Our phones were ringing off the hook and I was having trouble filling all the appointments without running my guys ragged, it was time to hire a couple more guys.
Everyone in the family loves going to the dentist
It's a strange thing when you become a parent and have to teach your kids to like things that you yourself cannot stand. When my son wanted me to take him fishing I had to pretend that the worm and tackle box full of gross stuff didn't completely freak me out so he could enjoy it. My daughter insisted that we go to an amusement park and I had to man up and pretend that roller coasters don't scare the heck out of me. It's funny at the time but really it is an opportunity for growth not only for my kids but for me as well. They teach me to enjoy the things I would otherwise fear and avoid and it makes everything that much better.
Now that it's time to visit the family dentist I have to once again play the role of the cool guy who has no problem with it. The reality is that I've had a deep seeded fear of the dentist for most of my life and it doesn't ever seem like it's going away. However when your ten year old is crying because she is scared of the dentist, you can't exactly agree with her and decide that ice cream sounds better instead. What happens then is that you actually start to talk yourself into going more than her. She relies on your calm confidence and leadership and if she hears fear in your voice your words will seem hollow to her.
It took some time and effort to convince my daughter to love the dentist but thankfully her experiences there have always been positive so at least we have that much going for us. The place we go to is called Southmoor Kids Dental and in my opinion they are the top kids dentist in the area, hands down. This will be the third kids dentist we have gone to in the past five years (I am in the military and have to move around a lot) so we have seen our share of the good, the bad and the ugly.
What we all seem to love about Southmoor is the amazing patient care they give everyone. Even when you walk in the door they great you as if they are seeing an old friend for the first time in a while. The smiles are genuine and they always remember stories and facts about the kids to make them feel included. In fact, my youngest son is still convinced that the lady at the front desk is his Aunt! I've tried to tell him otherwise but I think the fact that she gives him candy has sealed the deal. Southmoor is great because they offer a full array of products and services so I can get everything I need done under one roof.
When the kids are old enough we have already discussed the options for braces and if the price comes down a little I will bet getting Invisalign braces for all of them.
Some of my favorite bbq is here in Denver.
One for he great things about the city of Denver is that it is continuing to grow and to attract more people from all over the country to our small city. When I was first born here, it was known as a cow town and i can't stress enough how much the government and especially some of the most recent mayors are trying to change that stereotype. Rather now, we are continually in the top two of all of the cities in the United States that have 25-34 year olds moving there. I have to say that my grammar for that sentence was not very good so I do have to apologize. Nevertheless, what I was trying to say was that we have the most 25-34 years relocating here than any other city in the United States over the past four years. That is a testament to the restaurants and lifestyle of the city. With all of these people moving here, the Denver restaurant scene has continued to improve and pump out newer and more innovative restaurants. One of these restaurants to come out of this is called Bennet's BBQ. That restaurant is producing some amazing Texas BBQ. What separates that restaurant and bbq from some of the others is that Bennet's focuses on Texas BBQ while many of the others focus on more of a traditional Kansas City BBQ or a North Carolina BBQ. I have to say that I like all of them, but for me personally, my preference probably has to lay with the Texas BBQ crowd. I say this because I think that the dry rub is probably the best thing that you can do to a piece of meat. I like nothing more than to eat the tips of these pieces of bbq meat. These tips are kind of burned and are a little bit harder than the rest of the piece. As a result, i think that you find a lot of flavor there. It is also some of the most fatty pieces, because they are usually on the outside of the cut. I think that the combination of burned fat and the taste from the dry rub is what makes it my favorite cut of meat. Nevertheless, I think that there are numerous options on where you can find some amazing pieces to eat. When I go to a local barbecue restaurant called Moe's, I try to get all of the ribs and brisket that my plate and stomach can handle. For me, these are the two cuts that have the most flavor and the best sauces that can accompany them onto the plate. I also have to say that I really enjoy eating all of the sides that come with the plates. I really like to get fried okra and some of the cornbread with jalapeños with the bbq because it is such a diversion of flavor that it makes you more willing to take the next bite. It's a great way to break up the flavor of any meal.
Choosing the Right Oven is Complicated
Coming from a family that bought most of its meal frozen and used the microwave more than the stovetop, I was positively stumped when shopping for kitchen appliances in my new house. I definitely knew what to look for in a microwave, but that wasn't enough – I wanted to start a new tradition of home cooked meals with fresh ingredients that had to be prepared with a good quality oven. I had to go through a ton of appliance stores with lackluster customer service before I found Lynn Cunningham Appliance.
I wish I would have found them sooner. They explained every little detail about the different stoves they had and what to consider when making a purchase. Apparently gas powered stoves are prefered by the most passionate chefs. The heat made by a gas powered flame is more direct and can be both lowered and raised faster than the heat from a metal coil. That means when you lower the heat you do not have to deal with coils that take a long time to lose heat and adjust to the proper temperature. On the other hand, metal coil stove tops have an intrinsic safety feature due to the fact gas leaks are impossible with them. Gas top stoves will also raise the monthly gas bill, but if cooking like a pro is important to you like it is to me, it is completely worth it.
How Arthritis Affects The Spine
Did you know that arthritis can affect the spine? This is why many senior citizens experience nonstop back pain as it targets the spinal cord after years of wear and tear. The result is what is known as spinal stenosis – which a spine surgeon can help to treat. Following this diagnosis, the doctor may attempt to manage the condition with non-surgical methods such as pain killers and even prescription medication – this being for patients whose symptoms are unbearable.
Nevertheless, there are also many joint pain supplements on the market that replenish joint fluid. Some of these treatment options work to some extent, however they work only for a short period of time.
The doctor will need to run several scans to determine how badly the arthritis has degenerated your spinal cord. An MRI review can furthermore determine whether patients will need surgery to continue living comfortably and without no further pain. The most popular surgical method today is known as minimally invasive spine surgery where there's a shorter incision, shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time – which can be what most senior citizens can manage. Operating on anyone is a risk, however with age, the healing times tend to be much slower along with the accumulation of chronic diseases for the majority of individuals.
There are some steps that young adults can take to decrease their risk of such conditions, and senior citizens can make lifestyle changes to help adjust to the pain that goes along with this condition. These lifestyle changes include targeted dieted and exercise.
How to generate live leads
Live lead generation is applied in marketing to generate inquiry or interest on the different goods or services offered by a business. Whether it is an insurance or home security company, effective live lead generation can attract potential customers to the business. Many companies hire services of live lead generation companies that search for prospective clients who may be actively interested in the product or service of the business. Lead companies also do management of leads. This is a very essential aspect and helps to maintain leads with the sub source leads. Generation of quality leads and efficient management can be very helpful when expanding a business.
Below are several ways to generate live lead.
Holding webinars; individuals who attend webinars leave their personal information such as, emails and phone numbers therefore a great amount of quality lead are generated. Newsletter sign up also help companies to capture email of uses.
Produce a viral video; Companies produce viral videos and post them on Youtube or their official website. Advertise the video on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. The video should be updated daily and ensure that it displays useful features of the goods or services offered by the company.
Create a blog; post daily to keep the blog updated. Create a 100% value blog daily for a month. Give your lead the chance to share your message, ensure that you add a Facebook share button, Twitter retweet button or any other social sites that your target market uses to share things online.
Think bigger; instead of carrying out a single live lead generation promotion, why not launch 10? Design a webpage with an amazing offer on it. Later introduce banner ads, press release,, forums, blog comments, articles, SEO, guest blog posts or interviews.
Be original and work hard. Cast your live lead generating net wider and make it clear you are selling. People searching for free stuff will get scared and you gain true potential clients.
It is a Good Idea to Consult Financial Advisors Before You Start Investing.
If you are planning on investing money, you should think very carefully about how to best manage your investments. There is no sense in investing money if you are going to lose it. Of course, you can never know precisely what will happen with your money when you invest it, but there are plenty of ways to significantly reduce the likelihood of making a bad investment. It is a good idea to consult financial advisors before you start investing. Financial advisors can work with you to figure out how you should invest your money. They try to achieve a balance between what you want to do with your money and how they think it is wisest to invest your money based on their previous experience. There are many different ways to invest your money, and different options are preferable for different investors. You should tell your financial advisors what you want to do with your money, and you should also listen to what they have to say about your investment options. They can set up a balanced investment portfolio for you, so your money is invested in various different ways. This is smart because there is always a chance that you will lose money due to fluctuations in the market. Having your money invested in various different ways in a very diverse portfolio can seriously reduce the chances that you will lose money. You can choose to set up a portfolio with some high-risk investments, such as shares in certain companies. This sort of investment can be appealing because they can sometimes increase in value very quickly. On the other hand, you need to have some low-risk investments, too, in case your high-risk investments do not do very well. Hiring a firm for investment planning services is a very smart idea if you are going to be investing money. Unless you are involved in a financial industry, you may not know how to best invest your money. That is why having a professional financial company help you with your investment planning is a good idea. That way, you will be aware of what to avoid investing in and what may be smart to invest in. There are a lot of different factors that affect an investment, and you may not be aware of all of them. You will not regret consulting a financial advisor, since they can help you avoid bad investments and make smart ones. Risk is one factor that affects your investments. High-risk investments can skyrocket in value very quickly, so they can be appealing to some people. Low-risk investments are much safer, though, since they are unlikely to decrease in value. Retirement is one reason why many people invest. It is smart to have a very diverse and very safe portfolio, when it comes to your retirement fund. An investment management company can even set up a portfolio to fit the timeframe you need, so you can get the most out of your investments when you need it.
I'm going to look at some apartments in North Shore neighborhoods
I am moving to Columbus next April so when I come out to visit my brother for Christmas I was thinking about just going casual apartment hunting (if there is such a thing) to see what neighborhoods I will like and want to move in to. I heard from a friend in the area that if I can find an apartment in the North Shore neighborhood then I will be doing great because those are some of the best and most sought after ones in the city. He knows my taste too so I am taking his word that it will be not only a sweet neighborhood but a great apartment as well. I graduated from OSU ten years ago so it would be a trip for me to return to the place where I struggled so mightily with finances until I graduated. Now that I am into investment banking I haven't had to worry about the price of rent or mortgage so I generally just live wherever is closest to my office at the time. I want to rent for the time being because I am not sure where I will ultimately land so for me having a semi-permanent place is a better option even though I would love to own one day soon.
In addition to looking at the North Shore neighborhood I will also be looking at apartments in the downtown Columbus area just in case I don't find the other location to be suitable. I am young and single and for me if I'm not within walking distance to a few bars it would be no good.
How To Build Stores Optimized for Mobile Use
The percent of shoppers buying and researching on tablets and mobile phones have increased compared to the last five years according to consumer reports. This can be merited to the fact that mobile phones have become a standard for many consumers because of the conveniences and multitasking features that are offered. Domain names owners have begun to take notice, and has such are turning to programmers and their web hosts to make their site mobile compatible. So what does this mean?
A mobile site that isn't optimized may be hard to locate on a tiny screen or browser on the mobile phone. When the site does appear it may look distorted. For a consumer base that actually values instant gratification like no other, missing opportunities can mean missing big sales.
Optimized sites will have a mobile domain name extension starting with an m. or something similar for the url. In addition, there will usually be a separate design in place to help customers navigate with ease, even on their minute screens. Be sure that as with the varied browsers online such as IE, Firefox, Chrome and Safari, there will usually be varied operating systems in place on varied mobile phones including iOS and Android. It's up to the programmer to ensure that a mobile domain name will be compatible on all mobile operating systems, so that no one demographic is missed.
Other strategies to keep in mind include making contact information clickable, so that calls are directed to the company's correct sales department. Most mobile phones will automate this process.
Denver Dispensary Helps Local Cancer Patient Manage Pain
I never thought that I would be, "one of them" but that's exactly what I've become. It's funny what can happen to your long-held thoughts and opinions about things in this life once you are personally affected in a unique way. I've never been in favor of cannabis for medicinal marijuanaor recreational use, I always saw it as a bad thing no matter how you sliced it. When I caught my son smoking it when he was a teenager, I about came unglued! My husband and I discussed sending him to rehab or shipping him off to boarding school for goodness sake. I felt so foolish and close-minded now because I feel completely different now and I had to get cancer in order to see it. The pain was so great that I had to do something to lessen it but prescription pain killers weren't an option because my liver and kidneys couldn't handle it. My son recognized the immense amount of pain I was experiencing and convinced me to try a small THC edible that he bought from a local dispensary. I was hesitant at first, more because I thought that I'd surely be considered a hypocrite by my son from here on out than anything else. He told me to just swallow my pride and try it so I did. I found that it worked wonders for my pain and the next thing I knew, I was a medical marijuana patient able to take advantage of a wide variety of products available to me to help with my pain.
I had to take my son into the urgent care clinic
As a concerned mother, I sometimes feel that it's my duty to pass along any information that I think would be helpful to my other fellow moms and dads out there. Whether it be a good place to find deals on kids clothing or baby food, the contact information of a reliable and experienced nanny or information on which urgent care center is a good fit for you and your kids, I am always trying to help out. That last point I touched on is something I would like to expand on if you don't mind. I think it's important to know exactly where you should be taking your kids in the event of an unplanned medical emergency. The health and well being of your son or daughter could be at stake so you want to take them somewhere that is close and quick, somewhere you know they will receive top quality patient care and most importantly, a clinic where the wait times are shorter than the average wait times at hospital emergency rooms.
Last month when my son Jacob had his fever skyrocket to almost 105 degrees I rushed him over to the Urgent Care center in Las Vegas and they were able to take us back to have him looked at. Within minutes they have put an IV into his arm and were hydrating him to help him feel better. The doctor was able to spend a lot of time diagnosing Jacob which helped them find the fastest and most effective way to get him back to normal.
What Are Professional Payroll Software for Urgent Care Centers
Urgent care in San Tan Valley have to ensure that staff's needs are met, as with any other company. For the labor provided, compensation will be required. If there are benefits included in the package, then this should be calculated accurately to avoid any issues with the IRS later down the line.
Even if you hire an HR manager or accountant to specifically manage payroll, your company will still need to invest in a payroll software that helps to make the job easier. Another software that you will likely invest in is one for billing and coding. This is standard in all medical practices.
Research varied types of software online to find which is the most common, which provides the least amount of errors or issues. Another alternative would be to hire a computer programmer who is dedicated to building around your practice, and who also has experience working in the medical field of computer programming.
Some considerations include that accurate payroll ensures you won't face tax issues during tax filing season, and that your employees won't either. In addition, incentives and bonuses will be managed accurately and profits stored in the company's business account.
With an accurate software, you're able to analyze the state of your company on a regular basis, or over each quarter, make the varied cost analysis for improvement, as well as determine financial projections for every five or ten years. You can also make comparisons between the current year and former ones. Overall, payroll software at urgent cares in San Tan Valley is good for tracking.
My friend Greg and his Denver facelift
When you think of facelifts in Denver, certainly the image that your mind conjures up is that of 50 year old women searching for a way to undo years of damage from the sun and cigarettes. I thought the same thing until recently, my friend Greg, who is a 45 year old man, recently underwent and a facelift here in Denver and seems to be very happy about it. I was a little surprised that a 45 year old father and husband would feel to change his appearance surgically. He explained that there were many reasons that he underwent the surgery, but at the same time, didn't feel like it was that big of a deal. He was polite in his explanations and responded to my questions out of our friendship not because he was explaining anything to himself. The reason was an obvious one. Greg works as a TV host here on a local Denver channel. We met when I asked him to act in a short film that I was producing. I actually casted him solely because of his look, which could be described as masculine or even macho. He felt that the move would give him more options as a TV host. But that was just one reason among many. He married a younger woman and wanted to stay sexy for her. Not only that, he thought that it would increase his confidence, which in turn he thought would help him be a better role model for his son. In the end, he just wanted to.
Shopping For Engagement Rings Was A Lot Of Work
It was time, I felt like she was almost forcing me into it but if it were up to me, it might never happen. We'd been together for 5 years and I couldn't picture myself with anyone else, I didn't think that marriage was necessary but she did so we were going to do it. We started shopping for engagement rings earlier that month and we were finally starting to get an idea of what she liked. She said she wanted to have a summer wedding so we had almost a year to plan so that was a good thing. I didn't want to have much to do with the planning but I was sure I was involuntarily going to get dragged into one aspect or another. Having to go to every jewelry store in Baton Rouge was enough as far as I was concerned but she had another idea. I bet she was going to want my opinion on everything, the flowers arrangement, the music, the bride's maid's dresses, the cake, the food, etc. I personally didn't care about any of it, all I wanted was to make her happy and I knew that she wanted me to be involved more than anything so I was slowly coming to the painful realization that I wasn't going to be able to weasel out of much. The best I could hope for was a lot of traveling time for work in the coming months before the wedding because after all, I couldn't be in 2 places at once.
How can Mold Testing Prevent Infestations?
Mold and its numerous species are fascinating organisms. They are used as model organisms in biology labs due to the antibacterial properties many possess. Case in point: Penicillin. The most successful antibiotic ever created was derived from a mold growing on a cantaloupe. And aside from the medicinal potential of some molds, other labs are finding ways to turn mold into little protein and chemical factories by manipulating their genetic code. Some scientists even project a future where we derive energy from the products made by bacteria, mold, and algae!
Despite all the potential of mold, it's a nuisance when it's taking over your house and you need to perform mold testing. Mold can grow in dark, wet areas of your house, and even if the area dries up, the problem isn't over. The drought kills mold colonies, but the spores remain and act like seeds for new colonies, able to survive until damp conditions return. If that is a trouble you're experiencing, hiring a home inspector is a good move. They can perform testing on problem areas of your house prone to growth of the insidious little fungus. Once detected, the problem can be eradicated. This is crucial, because mold spores can wreak havoc on both your house and your health. They're airborne on their own and also travel well on dust particles, both of which can find their way to your lungs and make you ill. That is why it's so important to test for mold and keep you house clear of the fungus!
A Food Fight Leads To A Serious Need For Upholstery Cleaning
Well, I'd say that things got a little out of control. I was a little wacky and was always the life of the party but usually I didn't do anything that contributed to this amount of destruction. My brother and his family were in town and his family and mine always had a good time when we got together. We barbecued some ribs and brats and brought the hot, heaping platter inside where the cole slaw, macaroni salad, mashed potatoes and jello were already set out on the table. Everyone sat down and dug in, I thought it'd be funny to take a plastic spoon and launch some mashed potatoes at my daughter sitting across the table. I loaded up a spoonful and aimed, a moment later she was wiping potatoes off her face and t shirt. She looked at me menacingly and picked up a handful of macaroni salad and threw it at me, it got in my mouth, my hair and on the couch behind me, then all hell broke loose as everyone joined in. By the end of the battle, the carnage was unbelievable, there was food everywhere. There were bits of macaroni salad and jello in the drapes, the carpet, the furniture and even on the ceiling. It was clear that we were going to have to hire a professional upholstery cleaner to deal with this mess, my wife was usually pretty good about dealing with most of my antics but she was genuinely upset this time. We also needed to hire some carpet cleaners she said because there was no way the gravy stains were coming out otherwise.
Denver criminal lawyers will help you exercise your rights
One of my biggest guilty pleasures is watching crime drama television shows to pass the time when I am trying to fall asleep at night. I really enjoy many things about these shows. I like watching the depictions of crimes, seeing the police analyze a crime scene, and then interrogate the witnesses and suspects. I think my favorite thing about these shows is the terrible acting; it seems that these kinds of shows serve as a kind of starting point for many new acting careers, so the acting is generally subpar. There is just something incredibly entertaining to me about watching bad actors do their thing; I suppose it's a kind of cringe entertainment for me.
One thing I've learned from these fictional crime drama programs is that if I ever get booked for a crime I did or did not commit, I won't speak unless my Denver lawyer is present. The police are allowed to employ all manner of tricks and deceptions to get you to say whatever they need you to say so they can build a solid case against you. This means they can lie about evidence to you and do everything they can to convince you that you are indeed guilty before you ever get to trial. Sometimes they are so convincing, people might even begin to doubt their own innocence. Because of this, it's very important that you have a Denver criminal lawyer present during any questioning so they can help you invoke your right to remain silent.
Finding replacement windows for old home
I love my house. It was built in the early 1900s. It is full of character and warmth that you typically don't get with newer homes. It is in an older neighborhood in Denver, which has seen dramatic improvements through the last twenty years. I guess the only real problem that I have with the entire house is the window treatment. Since it is a significantly older house, the windows are single-paned and they let in the cold way too easy during the fall and winter. When the first snow comes, the windows are absolutely horrible, so I've started my search for some replacement windows.
The only problem with finding replacement windows is that some of the windows have stained glass and others do not. I don't want to find a new, modern window that will clash with the old, beautiful stained glass windows. You know what I'm saying? So, along with my search, I've tried to find a Denver windows company that would be able to customize stronger windows that don't clash with the character of the home. Similarly, because this house is so old, I don't even know if our windows are up to code, or up to standard sizing. So, I'm just hoping that this makeover doesn't cost us too much to do. I mean, it would be great to not lose heat in the winter and to be able to retain the air conditioning in the summer. So, I guess we will just see where the search takes me.
Make sure your roof works properly with Denver roofing repair
I would like for you to take a moment to look around you at you surroundings and notice all the amazing technology all around. The first thing you are probably noticing is the computer you are sitting at which allows you to instantly communicate with people all around the world in an instant. Next, you might think about your sink delivering water to you with just a twist of a handle, the refrigerator keeping your food fresh, and perhaps the lights keeping your room illuminated. Did you think about the roof over your head? Probably not, it's something that we all take for granted, but imagine what it was like many years ago. Your roof might have been made of straw or interwoven logs, probably not very good for keeping out bugs or insulating your shelter. It's amazing the functions a roof provides, and it's quite important to keep it maintained, especially in Colorado. When my roof has a leak or extensive damage, I contact Denver roofers to get maintenance performed on it.
This company in particular gets my full recommendation. They contract highly skilled workers to make sure your roof functions properly. If it's leaking, you need to get that taken care of immediately, and Denver roofing companies have you satisfaction in mind. If the repairs don't meet or exceed your expectations, you don't have to pay anything until it does. They are fully accredited by the Better Business Bureau and comply with all safety regulations to keep your structure intact.
Tubing the Salt river all the way Gilbert urgent care
Water is the best place to play for so many reasons. I used to think that water was the safest place to play too. Be that as it may, water actually sent me to Gilbert urgent care. I have been tubing the rivers around Arizona for years. Due to it's proximity and beauty, my favorite place to tube has always been the Salt River. I have actually rafted the class four wilderness section above the reservoir, but I honestly prefer the mellowness of floating in a tube over the action packed and pretty scary rapids of the upper section. On a recent trip with the family up to the river, I was trying out a new technique. While the rest of the family was using the traditional inner tubes to go down the river, some friends of mine and I decide to use inflatable pool toys. I ended up picking an inflatable dolphin. The dolphin is my favorite animal for so many reasons, not the least of which is its intelligence. I thought that by picking the inflatable dolphin, I was being intelligent. It turns out that I couldn't have been any more stupid. That thing got me in so much trouble. Right off the bat, I was freezing because I was basically just swimming along side the thing. After several hours in the water, I was totally blue. By the time we got back into town, my family rushed me to the Gilbert urgent care and luckily I was looked after by some very nice and professional people.


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What the Press say
"Magnificently set in 14 acres of grounds with views of Lake Windermere and of most major peaks in the Lake District, Linthwaite House provides a quiet retreat but many activities are available nearby." Country House & Home, November 2002.
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What our Guests say
"This hotel by far is one of the most wonderful places in the world... The staff were amazing and so helpful and caring (especially with my knee problem) - they always had a big smile. Food... simply THE BEST in the UK. I will highly recommend this hotel, thank you, thank you, thank you!" - LB, Peru, September 2013


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Event to support foundation
By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor
The red carpet will be rolled out in Yazoo City next week.
The Restoration and Beautification Foundation of Yazoo City will hold its first public fundraiser, Roll Out the Red.
The event will be held at the Triangle Cultural Center on Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Sarah Sheffield, with the foundation, said all proceeds will go toward the beautification and restoration of the historic district.-------for the rest of the story see The Yazoo Herald printed edition or subscribe to the Digital Edition.----------


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Caption Competition |
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=NoPoet= | Blind dates will still suck in the 24th century. |
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Name | Caption |
Miss Marple | My only regret is that I failed to moisturize enough. |
Miss Maple | My only regret is that I didn't avoid the sun... |
Miss Maple | My only regret is that I didn't support healthcare reform... |
Miss Maple | My only regret is that I didn't support healthcare reform... (cough-cough)... |
Ktasay | Star Trek: The Walking Dead |
PegasusJF | Not all species have their genitals in the same place. |
Foxbat | "There's a whole thing of tic-tacs in my pocket. Take as many as you like... PLEASE!!!" |
Frankie Chestnuts | Mickey: "You got heart, but you fight like a god-damn ape. The only thing special about you is ya never got your nose busted - well, leave it that way, nice and pretty, and what's left of your mind...Hey kid, did ya ever think about retirin'?...You think about it." |
Frankie Chestnuts | Mickey: "You'll be able to spit nails, kid. Like the guy says, you're gonna eat lightning and you're gonna crap thunder. You're gonna become a very dangerous person." |
Frankie Chestnuts | Mickey: "Your nose is broken." Rocky: "How does it look?" Mickey: "Ah, it's an improvement." |
Frankie Chestnuts | Mickey: "Every punk thinks he has one good fight left. Now forget it, 'cause your fighting career is over kid.....You got the heart, but you ain't got the tools no more. Now forget it." |
11001001 | Stephen Lee [left] to Alan Altshuld [right]: Dude, you play an ugly alien a lot. Alan Altshuld: Blasted typecasting! |
Bird of Prey | Things got awkward very quickly after a kiss cam had been installed on the promenade of DS9... |
11001001 | Alien on right: I just got a message from my doctor that says I have one week to live. Alien on left: Well you can make the best of the week you have left. Alien on right: The message was sent a week ago. |
Bird of Prey | And IIIIII will always love yoOOOUUUuuuuu... |
Chaos4700 | We here at Quark's would like to remind our patrons that we are not liable for any and all liaisons taking place as a result of what is colloquially known as, "synthehol goggles." |
PHRobertson | Weirdest production of Romeo & Juliet ever. |
Bird of Prey | Alien on right: ''Yeah, I get now how the anaconda kills its prey! You can stop this demonstration!'' |
=NoPoet= | "Would you care to come back to my quarters for a game of hide the starship?" |
Frankie Chestnuts | At eHarmony, we use our patented Compatibility Matching System® To narrow the field from thousands of single men or single women to match with a highly select group of compatible singles -- singles who have been prescreened on 29 Dimensions® of Compatibility... However, sometimes the matches are just obvious. |
Miss Marple | Everything is going to be OK, we can finally get married in New Jersey! |
Miss Marple | ... and my final secret to a great wattle is MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE MOISTURIZE! |
Miss Marple | The Caruncle race prided themselves on their wattles. |
RedDwarfian | "I wanna make this clear. I wanna make sure you understand this. If you ever cross myself, or anyone in the Orion Syndicate again, I will personally throw you and any of your Yridian friends out the airlock. Do we have an understanding? Good. Now get off the station before I change my mind." "Um... what part were you going to change your mind about?" |
Copyright Graham Kennedy | Page views : 647 | Last updated : 30 Nov -0001 |


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Paramount 2-Door Cabinet
- Overview
Crafted of sustainable wood with a carefully distressed finish, this cabinet-style dresser fits perfectly with our modular Paramount Collection, and works great on its own too. It features generous shelf space inside for stowing lots of stuff, and a spacious top for displaying photos or decorative items.
- 28" wide x 21.25" deep x 31" high
- Crafted with a kiln-dried wood frame.
- Finished by hand in our rich Tuscan stain or Antique White paint.
- Hardware has an antique-bronze finish.
- Features a door cabinet with an adjustable and removable shelf.
- Designed to be used with our modular Paramount Collection (all pieces sold individually).
- Watch our recommended steps to prepare for a successful furniture delivery.
- The fit and measuring guide should be read prior to placing your order.
- Make sure it fits! Use our interactive room planner to design your floor plan.
- Dimensions + Care
2-Door Cabinet
- Overall: 28" wide x 21.25" deep x 31" high
- Interior: 27" wide x 19.25" deep x 20" high
- Expertly crafted from solid hardwood, pine, veneer and MDF, an engineered wood that lends exceptional strength and ensures structural integrity over time.
- Tuscan finish is hand applied using a multistep process that creates layers of character-rich quality.
- Paramount 2-Door Cabinet Assembly Instructions
- Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
- Shipping Info
- Please allow 5-7 business days for delivery. Delivery estimate includes monogrammed and gift-wrapped items.


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Best-Fit Merino Wool Tights
Your Legs Won't Know It's Winter When They're Snug Inside These Best-Fit Merino Wool Blend Tights
Best-Fit Merino Wool Tights
Your Legs Won't Know It's Winter When They're Snug Inside These Best-Fit Merino Wool Blend Tights
No more tights that bag, itch, or—worst of all—slip down from your waist! These top-quality tights made by Mondor, the traditional supplier of ballet tights, give you years of uncompromising comfort and fit. The soft Italian merino wool in a stylish cable-knit will ease the bite of a cold day while adding a slimming line under a skirt or dress. The luxurious blend of 45% merino wool, 45% acrylic, 8% nylon, and 2% Lycra spandex is never tight, heavy, or itchy. Hand wash, air dry. Imported.
- Soft merino wool blend for warmth
- Made by Mondor, the choice of dancers
- Won't sag, droop, or bag
- Cable knit pattern
- Shaped foot, sewn elastic waistband
Merino wool blend cable tights offer luxurious warmth and comfort
What Our Customers Are Saying about Our Best-Fit Merino Wool Tights …
"I normally can't wear wool, but these I can. I love the shaped foot that keep your toes from beging squashed together and the flat elastic waistband. I still have the same pair from last winter. They hold up very well. Go by your height when ordering." - Pam, Saint Petersburg, FL


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The Last Great Game
Duke vs. Kentucky and the 2.1 Seconds That Changed Basketball
Gene Wojciechowski - Author
A compelling narrative about the people who produced the most spine-tingling moment in modern college basketball history." –Seth Davis, Sports Illustrated and CBS March 28, 1992. The final of the NCAA East Regional, Duke vs. Kentucky. Millions could say they witnessed the greatest game and the greatest shot in the history of college basketball. But it wasn't just the final play—an 80-foot inbounds pass with 2.1 seconds left in overtime—that made Duke's 104-103 victory so memorable. Each player and coach arrived at that point with a unique story to tell. In The Last Great Game, ESPN columnist Gene Wojciechowski turns the game we think we remember into a drama filled with suspense, humor, revelations, and reverberations. Not just for Duke or Kentucky fans, this acclaimed New York Times bestseller is for everyone who appreciates the great moments in sports. Summer 1967 The truth? The truth is Mike Krzyzewski liked the shape of her legs. Actually, he liked her legs, loved her miniskirt, and adored her address: Chicago— his hometown. It was the Summer of Love. Haight- Ashbury was the capital of the hippie nation. The counterculture manifesto, as written by one of its founding fathers, Timothy Leary, exhorted America's youth to "turn on, tune in, drop out." But love and LSD had its limits. It also was the summer of rage and riots, when cities such as Detroit and Newark burned and crackled because of the matchstick of racism, when the polarizing war in Vietnam created a deep cleft between young and old, right and left, silent majority and vocal minority. Krzyzewski was not a hippie and definitely wasn't counterculture. He might have thought LSD was a standardized admissions test. His hair had never covered his ears, nor would it. He was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, a place where those who were deemed worthy were trained at taxpayer expense to become, if all went well, the best and the brightest of military offi cers. Duty. Honor. Country. Those were their core beliefs, not the drugs, sex, and rebellion that belonged to the flower children. Of course, being an Army man doesn't blind you to a killer pair of legs. So when Krzyzewski stepped into the Lakeview- area apartment of United Airlines stewardess Carol Marsh that summer day in '67, he couldn't help doing a subtle double take. Marsh shared a one- bedroom apartment, located only blocks away from Wrigley Field, with another woman. Marsh's roommate happened to be the former girlfriend of one of Krzyzewski's buddies. The buddy, who was visiting Krzyzewski in Chicago, arranged to see the former girlfriend and brought Krzyzewski along as his wingman. By pure accident, Marsh was there when they arrived. Known as "Mickie" to her family and friends, Marsh was a Southern Baptist WASP from Virginia. Krzyzewski, also nicknamed "Mick" or "Mickey" by his boyhood pals, was a Polish Catholic from the northwest side of Chicago. He was home on leave from West Point, having just completed his second year at the Academy. In West Point– speak, he was no longer a Third Classman— a "yuk" or "yearling." Instead, he was transitioning to junior status— a Second Classman or "cow," as they were called. It didn't take long for Krzyzewski, in his nasally Chicago accent, to ask Marsh out. For their fi rst date, he took her to a Martha Reeves and the Vandellas concert. Marsh loved the Motown group and its conga line of rousing hits such as "Heat Wave," "Dancing in the Street," and "Jimmy Mack." There was no question the cadet had scored major style points with the attractive Marsh. His leave complete, Krzyzewski reported back to West Point, the achingly beautiful campus located along the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York City. He later wrote a letter to Marsh, inviting her to a Chicago Bears game at Soldier Field when he returned home that fall. She accepted. It was at Soldier Field that Krzyzewski mentioned, almost as an the last great game afterthought and with little regard for the collateral ego damage, that Marsh had been his third choice for the Bears game. She was livid. Her pride was bruised to the bone, but beyond that her sense of competitiveness was challenged by this socially clumsy yet intriguing cadet. That clumsiness was partly the result of having attended an all-boys high school and the then all- male West Point. He simply didn't know any better. Krzyzewski was not handsome in a traditional frat- boy way. His nose dominated his face, and you wouldn't use the word stylish to describe his civvies wardrobe. He wasn't a guy who'd wear a tennis sweater tied jauntily around his neck. Chances are he didn't own a tennis sweater. But he had a confidence and an almost naïve sense of right and wrong about him that attracted Marsh. "His blatant honesty was part of it," she says. "He would say things that people shouldn't say." Romance developed. Marsh eventually transferred to New York to be closer to Krzyzewski. Not long after visiting him at West Point, she received nine yellow roses from him. Nine? Not twelve? Not red? The odd number and color choice stuck with Marsh. Months later, she asked her boyfriend why he had sent nine yellow roses. "To make you think about it," Krzyzewski said. "Any guy can send you a dozen." Krzyzewski wasn't any guy. He was born, raised, and hardened in Chicago. His parents were Old Country Poland, as was much of the Wicker Park neighborhood where they lived. His father, William, was an elevator operator for much of his working life at the 38-story Willoughby Tower on tony Michigan Avenue in the Loop. His mother, Emily, was a cleaning woman at the Chicago Athletic Club. He had an older brother, Bill. Krzyzewski's father, like most of the fathers in the neighborhood, worked all the time. Not just at the Willoughby Tower, but also at the restaurant he would later own (where Mike worked mopping floors, hating every second of it). Each day was a repeat of the previous day: work, sleep, work. The old man wasn't a drinker, but nearly every night at 7:30 you could fi nd him walking wearily down the street to his favorite place for a cup of coffee. The relationship between the younger son and his father was occasionally sparse and trying. Krzyzewski loved his father and the father loved his son, but the truth is, they had little in common. "[Mike] didn't spend a whole lot of time with his dad," says Dennis "Mo" Mlynski, who was (and still is) Krzyzewski's best friend. "There wasn't a lot to share with Mick." It wasn't a nuanced family, which helps explain Krzyzewski's unfiltered honesty. You worked. You prayed (in sixth grade, Krzyzewski decided he wanted to become a priest). You endured without complaint. There was no misunderstanding about what was expected of you. You would excel, even if that excellence was defined by the way you scrubbed a tile office floor or wore your uniform in the cramped, dreary confines of an Otis elevator. Order, discipline, respect, religion, and, yes, love were all interwoven in the Krzyzewski family DNA. So was a sense of toughness. Even the Krzyzewski name, with all those concrete hard- sounding consonants, projected a certain no-nonsense ruggedness. Krzyzewski was always a leader, beginning with his school-yard friends known as "the Columbos." Mick was the one who organized the seventh- and eighth-grade basketball league. Mick was the one who organized everything. He didn't seem older than his friends, just more assertive. He became a star athlete and star student at Weber High School, an all-boys Catholic school run by the priests and brothers of the Resurrectionist Order in the city's predominantly Polish and Italian neighborhoods on the near Northwest Side. His résumé was impressive: National Honor Society member, senior class vice president, and captain of the Red Horde basketball team. Krzyzewski wasn't necessarily one of the most popular students (football players were first on the Weber food chain), but his classmates and teachers were aware of his potential. "There were high expectations for him," says Mike Siemplenski, who was the team manager during Krzyzewski's sophomore and junior seasons. "People were demanding of him to perform at his highest level." This wasn't uncommon at Weber. Students with solid B averages in a subject would occasionally be flunked for a six- week grading period if the teacher thought they were capable of A-level work. Nor did you dare challenge the traditions and conventions of the school. White shirts and ties were mandatory. Students were required each day to load all of their textbooks in a satchel, bring them home, and return with them the next morning. You couldn't study, reasoned the priests, if your books were in your locker. Corporal punishment was administered regularly, swiftly, and without bias. One priest carried a miniature Louisville Slugger bat with him as he patrolled the hallways. If he saw a student with his hands in his pockets, the priest would crack the bat against the student's shoulder and say, "What are you doing, taking inventory? You've only got two." One of the priests, a former wrestler who taught Latin, once called two students up to the front of his classroom after he had caught them not paying attention to his lecture. He grabbed each of them by the collar and hung them on hooks attached to the blackboard. They dangled there for several minutes until the priest sent them back to their seats. Krzyzewski didn't mind Weber's strictness or discipline. He liked order and a system in which effort was rewarded. He had embraced basketball after a failed tryout for the Weber football team. It was the first time as an athlete he had ever been told he wasn't good enough. Krzyzewski loathed failure. He despised losing and had a legendary bad temper to prove it. So he turned to basketball, a sport that he could practice by himself and constantly invent scenarios in which he'd make the game- winning jump shot or the game- winning free throw (and if he missed the free throw, he'd imagine a lane violation on the opposing team, giving him a second chance). "It was much more than a game to me, and always has been," he said. His parents understood little about sports. But they understood that their youngest son thrived in a culture that emphasized work ethic, competition, will, and structure— and they approved. It didn't matter that Bill and Emily were unfamiliar with or even uninterested in this distinctly American game. They supported their sons as they always had. If that meant Emily would tend to the house during the day and then clean offices at night— so her boys could afford to go to Catholic schools— then so be it. Meanwhile, for years, no more than two dresses would ever hang in her closet. Always, family first. Krzyzewski was good but not great at basketball. He became the team's starting point guard and the Chicago Catholic League's leading scorer as a junior and senior, but, says Siemplenski, he was "a little bit slow on defense." He was consumed by the game and took defeat personally, as if somehow it was his fault whenever Weber lost. He was always a high- effort player, but no matter the ferocity or outcome of the game, he was also the first player to seek out his opponent for a postgame handshake. But Krzyzewski was often his own harshest critic. "Coach would be screaming at him from the sidelines, and Mike would be beside himself because he felt he didn't execute," says Siemplenski. As his high school career was nearing its end, Krzyzewski faced the always important decision about where to go to college. His ultimate choice would have lifelong ramifi cations, since it brought him into the orbit of a hyperintense 25- year- old coach named Bob Knight. Compared to the absurd fawning and attention showered on today's high school prospects, Knight's recruitment of Krzyzewski was almost skeletal. They sat in the Weber cafeteria, ate sandwiches, and discussed Krzyzewski's future. Later that night, the young Army coach visited Bill and Emily at the apartment on West Cortez Street. Knight wanted players who were committed, tough, and mentally nimble. He needed them to be able to translate his basketball theory and language to the court. Krzyzewski could do that. But West Point wasn't his fi rst choice. Or second. Or third. He wanted to stay closer to home and play for a school in the Big Ten Conference. Creighton, the Jesuit university located in Omaha, Nebraska, was also on Krzyzewski's short list. So he told Knight no. It was an astounding decision, mostly because Krzyzewski had few options. Exactly zero Big Ten programs were actively recruiting him (or would). Creighton also took a pass. A coach from the University of Detroit Mercy was interested in signing him, and asked Krzyzewski to meet him on the South Side of the city, all the way down at 95th and Western. Krzyzewski, insulted that the coach wasn't willing to visit him or his family, immediately ended the recruitment. But his dismissal of the West Point opportunity confounded his parents the most. This nice, young Coach Knight had traveled all the way from New York to offer their son a chance to attend the United States Military Academy—just think, a Krzyzewski at West Point!—and he hadn't jumped at the chance? How could their son be such a bright boy and yet so foolish? Didn't he understand that his own parents had no high school diplomas, that a Polish surname was considered a liability? (Krzyzewski's father was so sensitive about his immigrant status and the stigma of being categorized as a "DP," for Displaced Person— or "Dumb Polack," as they were derisively called— that he often used Bill "Kross" as an alias. Neither of the two Krzyzewski boys was taught or encouraged to speak Polish in the house, for fear that they would develop Polish accents.) One of the finest educational institutions in the country, perhaps the world, wanted him to join its elite club, and he didn't want in? This wasn't merely an opportunity; it was a social advantage— a rarity if you were a Krzyzewski. Dennis Mlynski's family lived a block and a half away on Leavitt Street. One day, as they sat on the fence outside Mlynski's apartment building, Krzyzewski mentioned that his parents were pressuring him to attend West Point. "West Point?" said Mlynski. "Where's that? Isn't that the school where all the presidents went to?" Krzyzewski heard his parents' conversations around the kitchen table, where they would sit each morning and discuss the topic of the day. These days it was impossible not to hear them chattering away in Polish and then, for their son's benefit, lapsing briefly into English and saying, "Stupid, Mike!"—just so there wasn't any confusion about the thrust of the conversation and their stance on the issue. After two weeks of listening to his parents' unsubtle urging, Krzyzewski relented. He couldn't disappoint Bill and Emily, especially Emily. Family first. "I'll go to West Point," he told them. "I'll do it." The U. S. Military Academy can be a place of profound loneliness, pressure, and incalculable stress. And it was all those for Krzyzewski. He went to West Point, but he almost didn't stay. Several times during his first year he considered quitting and returning to Chicago. He missed his family and friends, but he especially missed his freedom. When Mlynski and another friend visited him during his plebe year, Krzyzewski was waiting for them at the gate in his cadet uniform, tears somersaulting down his cheeks. "He was so happy to see a friend," Mlynski says. Krzyzewski was accustomed to discipline. His family and a Catholic education had made sure of that. He understood the need for boundaries and rules, but what he didn't understand— and what he would come to resent, even hate at West Point— were rules written without involving those who would have to abide by them. He didn't see the logic of it. He survived his first year, and as time passed his occasional urge to quit and go home faded. Basketball helped. During his three varsity seasons at Army, Krzyzewski was never among the team's leading scorers (averaging 5. 3 points as a sophomore, 6. 4 as a junior, 6. 7 as a senior). He wasn't the Black Knights' best player, but he might have been their most dependable. He was consistent but not flashy. He was controlled and efficient, but there was nothing that suggested basketball artistry. He was an extension of Knight, which is to say he was a mouse on a treadmill, always chasing after perfection and never letting up. In Krzyzewski, Knight found someone who shared his craving for excellence. It was hard to say which drove them most: the longing for victory or the dread and ache of defeat. Krzyzewski, more than any other player on the Army roster, could handle Knight's furnace blasts of criticism and anger. He knew Knight was using him as a conduit to the rest of the team, accepted his role as the designated yellee, and separated the message from the messenger like slag from iron ore. In the 1967, '68, and '69 Army team photos, there is no hint of a smile on Krzyzewski's black- and- white face. He wore Chuck Taylors and a look of determination. In his junior year, Army recorded its first ever 20-win regular season and earned a berth in the National Invitation Tournament, when the NIT still meant something. The next season, with Krzyzewski as senior captain, the Black Knights won 18 games, including a 54– 52 win against Bradley at the Kentucky Invitational Tournament on December 20. Krzyzewski hit two late free throws, despite an injured eye, to clinch the victory. The next evening, after a 15-point loss to Kentucky in the championship game, Knight kicked a locker in anger and spat on the second- place trophy in disgust. Happy holidays. Army again was selected for the NIT and reached the semifinals—no small feat for a service academy. It remains the second- best ever postseason showing for Army. At least as important: Army beat Navy, as it had during each of Krzyzewski's three seasons on the varsity. After that victory against the Midshipmen, on Saturday, March 1, 1969, Krzyzewski was presented with the game ball. Later that same day, a phone call came from Chicago: his father had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. William Krzyzewski was dead by the time Mike could get home. Bob Knight, who preached loyalty to his players, now practiced it. He left the team and followed his senior captain back to the Chicago apartment where he had recruited Krzyzewski, or more accurately, Krzyzewski's parents. Knight stayed for three days. He sat with the grieving Emily for hours at a time in the family kitchen. "It was as if nothing else mattered to him right then other than helping my mom and me," Krzyzewski told author John Feinstein years later. Bill's death rocked the family, but Knight's presence was a godsend— and something Krzyzewski would never forget. Knight had been unbearably hard on Krzyzewski, but that was basketball. When it truly mattered, Knight was there for him and his family. On the afternoon of June 4, 1969, Bill Krzyzewski's younger son, the one who had been reluctant to even consider West Point, received his bachelor of science degree, his Second Lieutenant bars, and his wedding ring. Graduation ceremony at noon; marriage ceremony at the West Point Chapel at five. His brother Bill Jr. was the best man, and Mlynski was in the wedding party (Krzyzewski presented Mlynski with a miniature bust of a West Point cadet as a present). Emily watched proudly as the newly commissioned officer and his wife, Mickie, exited the chapel, walking under an arch of shined silver sabers to begin their lives together. Krzyzewski served in the U. S. Army for five years and resigned as a captain in 1974. He liked the Army, but he loved basketball more. He then enlisted as a graduate assistant on Knight's Indiana University coaching staff for the '75 season. He was 26, married with a young daughter. It was the beginning of a coaching odyssey. "What I recognized that year was how all- consuming the job is," says Mickie, who slowly sanded down some of the jagged edges of Krzyzewski's personality. "The family can be put on the back burner forever and ever and you end up not being together. I told him that if this was going to be his career, I was going to be part of it. He agreed, but this was a time when women didn't get to be part of that." At West Point, coach Dan Dougherty was putting the finishing touches on a 3– 22 season (wins only against Scranton, Iona, and Pitt-Johnstown) that would cost him his job. Thanks to both power broker Knight's recommendation and Krzyzewski's convincing interview, Army hired one of its own. Krzyzewski's 1976 Army team finished 11– 14; the program he had just left, Indiana, went undefeated and won the national championship. In 1977, Krzyzewski's Black Knights won 20 games and followed it up with 19 victories and an NIT appearance in 1978. He was a coach on the rise. And then he wasn't. Army won 14 games in 1979, but then dropped to 9– 17 in 1980. Krzyzewski's coaching career was beginning to track the wrong way. Not long after the regular season ended, the phone rang at the Krzyzewski house. Mickie answered. "This is Tom Butters," said the caller in a booming, authoritative voice. "I have the awesome responsibility of hiring the next basketball coach for Duke University." A shocked Mickie said, "And you're talking to me?" Duke had reached the national championship game two years earlier (losing to Kentucky), and was again on an NCAA Tournament run. But Bill Foster, the popular coach who took the Blue Devils to the title game in 1978, had already accepted a job to coach South Carolina, effective at season's end. His decision prompted instant predictions of doom for Duke. "If he leaves, Duke has nothing left," Art Chansky, Durham Morning Herald sports editor, told the Washington Post. "Its whole athletic program is down the tubes. He's the only winner they have over there." Butters had recently hired a former Duke basketball player named Steve Vacendak to join the athletic department staff. A captain on Vic Bubas's Final Four team in 1966 (the Blue Devils lost to Kentucky in the national semifinal game), Vacendak was not yet officially on the university payroll. That didn't stop Butters from asking him to assist in the coaching search. "What are you looking for?" said Vacendak. "I'm looking for someone who is the best defensive coach in the country," Butters said. "Because I believe you win most games on defense. If we can be successful against the team eight miles down the road [Dean Smith's mighty North Carolina program], then we are a national power. That's all we have to do." Butters wanted Vacendak's help, but Butters was essentially a one-man search committee. The decision was going to be all his, which is how he wanted it. A former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher, Butters came to Duke in 1967 as director of special events, was named AD in 1977, and had earned a reputation for being decisive, independent, fearless, and soaked in integrity. He initially considered contacting the legendary Jack Hartman about the Duke opening. Hartman, then a 55- year- old coach at Kansas State, would eventually retire as one of the best coaches never to have won an NCAA title. He was everything Butters admired: ethical, loyal, a man of high character. His teams played unselfishly, they defended, and they won. "I was really fascinated by him," says Butters. "To this day he doesn't know that, because I never talked to him." Instead, Butters put together a list of possible candidates that included Mississippi's Bob Weltlich, Duke assistant Bob Wenzel, Old Dominion's Paul Webb, and one other name: Mike Krzyzewski. Vacendak lobbied hard for Krzyzewski, telling Butters, "I think he's one of the best young defensive coaches in America." But the best young defensive coach in America was coming off a horrible 9- win season at Army. How was Butters going to sell that to his alums, to his big- money donors, to his school president, and to any prominent recruits? The Duke AD called Bob Knight, whom he had long valued for his bullshit- free opinions. Knight could be dictatorial, rude, and crude. But he was also a brilliant basketball tactician and strategist, bright, loyal to a fault, and, when so moved, charming. When asked about coaching candidates, Knight often campaigned for his own coaching protégés. This time he began selling some of his favorites to Butters: Weltlich, Tennessee's Don DeVoe, and Oklahoma's Dave Bliss. "What about Mike Krzyzewski?" Butters said. Butters knew that Knight wouldn't mislead him. If Butters was seriously going to consider an Army coach coming off a 9– 17 season, he wanted to hear Knight's unvarnished truth. Knight was many things, but he wasn't a liar. "Butters, you have always liked my style of coaching," said Knight. "This is a man who has all my good qualities and none of my bad ones." Knight actually was concerned about one of his boys taking the Duke coaching job. He knew Butters was an honorable athletic director, that academics was a priority at Duke, and that Krzyzewski was ready to take the next step in his career. But he thought Krzyzewski was better suited for the opening at Iowa State, which had just dismissed Lynn Nance. The pressure to win there wouldn't be as immediate and as intense as it would be at Duke, where Blue Devils fans had been spoiled by Foster. But Butters asked for his opinion, so Knight gave it to him. The recommendation prompted Butters to make that first surprising phone call to the Krzyzewski house in New York. They arranged to meet in West Lafayette, Indiana, where Duke won its second-round NCAA Tournament game against Pennsylvania. Krzyzewski and Butters spoke for several hours, but the Duke AD sent him back to West Point without an offer. Meanwhile, Duke advanced to the Mideast Regional in Lexington, Kentucky, where it would play (and win) its regional semifinal game against Kentucky. While there, Butters called Krzyzewski and asked him to come to the tournament site for another interview. "We got 13 inches of snow, but I'll figure out a way to get there," Krzyzewski said. This time Butters and Krzyzewski spoke for nearly five hours before the interview ended again without a hint of an offer. Butters couldn't get that dreadful 9– 17 record out of his head, but he also couldn't bring himself to cross Krzyzewski's name off the short list. If anything, the 33-year-old Krzyzewski was moving up the list. "Aside from his record," says Butters, "he had all of the qualities I was looking for." Duke lost to Purdue in the regional final, and Butters returned home and brought in his finalists: Weltlich, Wenzel, Webb, and Krzyzewski. He had asked Krzyzewski to bring Mickie on the trip to Durham (after all, he told Krzyzewski, Duke was hiring not a man but a family) and arranged for the Army coach to be the last candidate to speak to the Duke athletic council: Butters, school senior vice president Chuck Huestis, and chancellor Ken Pye. The interviews were held at Huestis's home. The Krzyzewskis spoke to the council, answered a barrage of questions, and then were taken to the airport. Afterward, the three council members and Vacendak sat at Huestis's kitchen table, and Pye and Huestis gave Butters the go-ahead to hire any of the four candidates. Butters didn't hesitate. He turned to Vacendak and told him, "Get to the airport. Don't let [Krzyzewski] get on that plane." "My god, you're not going to interview him again." "No, I'm going to hire him." Krzyzewski and Mickie were scheduled to take separate flights: Mickie to Washington, D. C., to see her parents and retrieve her children; Krzyzewski to New York and West Point. After arriving at her parents' home, Mickie called the house at West Point (this was the pre cell phone age). No answer. She called again. And again. And again. Worried, she called the airline and was assured that the flight to New York had landed safely. Mickie was nervous. This was unlike her husband not to call and check in. It wasn't until midnight that the phone rang. It was Krzyzewski. "You okay?" Mickie said. "Yes, I'm fine," Krzyzewski said. "Just before I got on the plane I was paged. The people from Duke wanted to ask me one more question." Mickie had a meltdown. Another question? You've got to be kidding. How many questions did these people need to ask? Why didn't they ask their precious question during one of the three interviews they had already done? Seriously, the nerve of these people. Krzyzewski let her vent. Then he told her the question. "They wanted to ask me if I would take the job." Krzyzewski had returned to Huestis's home, been offered the coaching position, and had accepted the offer. "How much are you going to get paid?" said Mickie. Silence. "Mike? How much are you going to get paid?" More silence and then finally, "I don't know. I didn't ask." Krzyzewski had taken the job without bothering to discuss the salary. There were no agents involved. He had taken a leap of faith, but so had Butters and Duke. On March 18, 1980, Butters cleared his throat, stepped to the front of a room at the on-campus Alumni House, and introduced the new Blue Devils basketball coach to the local media. "He is my first choice," said Butters, almost defiantly. The coach's name was Krzyzewski, which was confusing enough. Or as a local sports anchor said as he fumbled through the pronunciation on the evening broadcast, "Mike Prishevski." Prishevski's first-year salary: $40,000. The hiring was met with disbelief by ACC observers and many Duke followers. If the obscure Krzyzewski was Butters's first choice, they said, who was number two— the Coast Guard Academy coach? The New York Times was so impressed that it devoted 14 words to the announcement. Even the Duke student newspaper, The Chronicle, mocked the hiring. Read the front page headline: Krzyzewski: this is not a typo. North Carolina, only eight miles away, had the great Dean Smith. North Carolina State had just hired a human caffeine pill named Jim Valvano. Smith and Valvano were NCAA Tournament regulars. Meanwhile, Krzyzewski was fresh off that 9-win season at Army, with more than half of those victories coming against programs even more obscure than Krzyzewski: Manhattanville, Lycoming, Merchant Marine Academy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Rochester. In one day's time Krzyzewski had gone from the flyweight division to the heavyweight, from the west bank of the Hudson River to fabled Tobacco Road and the cutthroat ACC. "First of all," said the new coach to the media, "it's K-R-Z-YZ-E-W-S-K-I. If you think that's bad, it was a lot worse before I changed it." Kenny Dennard, a carefree 6'8" junior forward for Duke, was on spring break and drinking a mai tai at the Pier House Resort bar in Key West, Florida, when he glanced at the TV screen and saw that he had a new coach. The new coach was the same guy who had tried to recruit him to Army. Dennard knew he wasn't a West Point kind of guy. Now, through nothing other than blind fate, Dennard would play for Krzyzewski. Krzyzewski wasn't quite Knight Jr., but he had a military edge to him and a biting sarcasm; he was familiar with all the four- letter words and used them often. "This was the late '70s, early '80s," says Dennard. "Nobody had this open, Oprah, investigate- your- feelings thing going. It was Robby Benson's coach in One on One. . . . [Krzyzewski] wasn't Oprah- like at all." With seniors Dennard and All- American Gene Banks, Duke finished 17– 13 in Krzyzewski's first season, but missed the NCAA Tournament and was left to accept a berth in the lesser- regarded NIT. While the Blue Devils settled for the NIT, Smith's North Carolina team, which lost to Duke in its final regular-season contest, went on to reach the NCAA championship game, where it played Indiana. Krzyzewski was not unhappy when his mentor Knight and the Hoosiers defeated the Tar Heels. In 1982, Duke staggered to a 10– 17 record. Krzyzewski's emotions poured out when he cried in the locker- room shower after a 17-point loss at Princeton that dropped Duke to 1– 4. Meanwhile, in Chapel Hill, a baby- faced freshman assassin named Michael Jordan helped give Smith his first NCAA championship. There was pandemonium and joy on Franklin Street, the celebration area of choice for Carolina students and followers. At Duke there was embarrassment, shame, and growing dissatisfaction with Krzyzewski. The situation did not improve the following season, when Carolina tied for first in the ACC and reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, while Valvano led N. C. State to an improbable national title. Duke finished 11– 17 overall and 3– 11 in the conference, losing by 21 and 24 points to Carolina and by a mind- numbing 43 points to Virginia in the ACC tournament. After the Virginia defeat, Mickie Krzyzewski accidentally wandered into the Duke hospitality suite at the team hotel. It was there that she realized that a group of "concerned" Iron Dukes— the fund-raising and booster arm of the athletic program— had convened an impromptu meeting. The first and only item on the agenda: Fire Krzyzewski. Three years in Durham had brought zero NCAA Tournament appearances, a single- season record for losses, and a 1– 6 mark against North Carolina. Some opposing coaches were telling Duke recruits that Krzyzewski could be dismissed any day. Krzyzewski's oldest daughter, Debbie, was even taunted at school. She called home in tears, asking Daddy to pick her up, but found no sympathy; Krzyzewski said he would give her a Duke T-shirt to wear to school the next day. "A Krzyzewski," he told her, "doesn't back away from something like that." Meanwhile, Butters's office was flooded with phone calls and letters demanding that he take immediate action. One prominent Blue Devils booster wrote, "Why don't you hire an American coach?" In short, says Butters, "Everybody wants his ass and my ass out of Durham, North Carolina." Butters wasn't going to quit. "You can't succeed while running scared," he says. And Krzyzewski wasn't going to quit. To do so would be a betrayal of everything he had learned from his parents, at Weber High, and at West Point, from Knight, and from his own family. He had signed a handful of high school recruits— Johnny Dawkins, Jay Bilas, Mark Alarie, David Henderson, and Bill Jackman— whom he was convinced would give his program a much needed infusion of blue-chip talent. And he was right. In 1984, Duke won its first 8 games and 15 of its first 16, including a payback victory against Virginia. But then came four consecutive ACC losses, and the anti-Krzyzewski drumbeat grew deafening again. Butters summoned Krzyzewski to his office. When Krzyzewski arrived, Butters immediately noticed what poker players call a "tell," a gesture or facial expression that tips a player's hand. Krzyzewski's tell was his mouth. It was small to begin with, and Butters had noticed that when Krzyzewski was especially angry about a situation, it would get even smaller and more tightly pursed. As Krzyzewski sat down in Butters's office, the Duke AD realized that "you couldn't have driven a tenpenny nail between his lips." Said Butters: "Mike, we got a problem." Krzyzewski said nothing. Butters continued. "The problem is we've got a public that doesn't know how good you are. We've got a press that's too damn dumb to tell them how good you are. But my greatest problem is that I've got a coach who I'm not sure knows how good he is." And with that, Butters handed Krzyzewski a new five-year contract. Krzyzewski stared at the contract in disbelief. Tears began streaming down his face. "Tom, you don't have to do this," said Krzyzewski. "Coach, on the contrary, I not only need to do it, I need to do it right now." Butters received death threats after the contract extension was made public. But Krzyzewski and those freshmen finished 24– 10 that season and reached the NCAA Tournament. Two seasons later they would play for the national championship. "And the rest is history," says Butters. "I've been credited with that decision for 25 years, but it was a no-brainer. When you looked [at those freshmen] . . . the handwriting was on the wall for anyone who knew anything about basketball. I would love to take credit for making a brilliant move, but I made the move that anyone sitting in my seat would have made." But not even Butters could have envisioned what would come next. He knew he had brought in a great coach, but he hardly suspected he had hired a dynasty maker "[R]ecaptures the energy of one of sport's greatest moments….A fitting, illuminating tribute to a game that many believe was the best ever." - Kirkus Reviews "Wojciechowski offers a nice blend of past and present perspectives as he tells the story of how an unlikely classic came to be, how it played out, and how it lives on … [The Last Great Game] is both fun and thorough without getting tedious." - Erik Spanberg, The Christian Science Monitor "[A] fascinating portrait ….This thoroughly enjoyable book will attract college basketball fans across the country, regardless of team loyalties." - Booklist "You think you know all the stories? So did I. But I had not heard these." - Louisville Courier-Journal |
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