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.. | absolution | chapter 2
God be damned, he should have known better.
"Meera, Meera, wake up," Ash said, shaking her shoulder as he rose hurriedly from their shared bed. He cast about for his clothes.
"Hmmn?" Squinting in the early morning light, Meera rolled her shoulder back and lazily reached for where he'd been laying. "What it it?"
," Ash asserted. They were going to be late. Late! Today of all days-
At his words Meera gave a cry and shot up. "I told the keeper to wake us at first light!" she insisted. "Damn it!" Already half-dressed, Ash tossed her clothes to her.
"I'm going to go ahead," he said, knowing it would take her too long to get ready. "I'll make up something-"
"Ash!" Meera caught his arm. Heart still beating fast from his rushing, Ash stopped in his tracks.
But she didn't say anything. She really didn't have to. Whatever she was afraid of- idle talk, rumors, attachment or lack thereof, he wasn't going to do that to her, or himself. Reading her eyes, Ash touched her cheek with his hand.
"See you there," he said. Meera gave a relieved little smile and pushed him to go on.
Perdin snorted displeasure at being ridden so without proper warm up. Ash spurred him on, forcing him to go all out, though even at this speed he knew he'd still never make it in time not to be missed. Perhaps if Aristide-
His hasty thoughts were interrupted by a curious sight up ahead on the tree-lined road. A lone figure, moving very fast- running- and it looked nothing like one of his own people. Sun-copper skin, black hair; it actually took Ash several moments to register what he was really seeing: a Galilani Subject. Loose. A young male, unfettered and barely clothed, was running for his life away from the gates of the Compound and straight for him. The creature was so concerned with looking over his shoulder that he hadn't even seen Ash riding towards him.
"What the?" Ash gasped, maneuvering his horse to the inside of the road where he could intercept the fled Galilani. If this creature had indeed escaped then he must have slipped away without anyone seeing, for no one was chasing him yet. But how had he scaled the gate?
The Galilani turned his eyes in the direction he was running and spotted Ash. Without missing a beat he veered off the road into the brush with amazing speed, flinging his arms out in leaping down the sloping terrain and disappearing. Ash shouted to his horse and followed. Over the sound of Perdin's pounding hooves he couldn't hear the Subject's heavy breathing but could imagine how exhausted he must be, and yet the creature was jumping obstacles as if they were nothing. With striking agility he leapt a series of fallen trees and bush on the downward slope of the hill and swerved again, glancing over his shoulder just in time to see Ash's horse take the trunks in one bound.
He led a chase to rival any marathon trial runner, but as fast and nimble as he was, he was no match for a horse's four-legged speed. As soon as the terrain flattened, Ash brought his horse alongside the running young man. To cut him off could hurt him, and the Galilani appeared unfazed to have a loping horse so nearby that he continued to run. With a quick decision, Ash gauged the distance as best he could and slid from the saddle with a graceful leap. His hands landed on their target and he tackled the Galilani to the ground with such force that both went rolling for several feet into the grass.
The Subject was stunned from the fall but managed to get up in decent time, enough to make it a few feet away before Ash managed to wrestle him down again. The Galilani grunted and fought with all his might, his strength considerable for one so small and lithe in frame. He certainly had spirit, and would not give up his hard-won freedom easily. But well-honed skill was on the trainer's side; Ash pinned him down to stop his flailing legs from kicking and dangerous hands from clawing his face. After several timeless moments passed the exhausted Galilani finally lay subdued, chest heaving, teeth clenched, almond-shaped eyes staring defiantly up at him, a bold, intelligent striking blue.
It Ash stopped dead. He flipped his long hair back over his shoulder to make sure he was seeing correctly, seeing exactly what color those bold eyes were. An almost ghostly blue, one shade darker than the sky above at noonday, a shade of blue Ash rarely even saw in his own people.
Impossible. In all his time he'd never seen a Galilani with such a color before, it was unheard of. Eye color was one of the traits that fed popular thoughts that these people were a separate animal; their complete resemblance to each other. They all had the same compact build, the same black hair, copper skin, brown eyes.
For a split second he thought he may have made a mistake in his attacking the young man and considered letting him up. Yet his scant dress- a simple wrap about his waist- was that of most of the newly shipped Galilani Subjects, and his silence was telltale. What else could he be?
Only seconds later they heard the sound of horses' hooves pounding the earth, following the trail Ash's own mount had left. Still pinned to the ground the Galilani arched his neck and back to look about, to see where his next attackers were coming from.
"DeWinter, what on earth?" It was the voice of his superior, Sejan. Ash looked behind him and saw the man dismounting with several more guards following.
"I was in town," Ash explained, letting his grip loosen a little on the Galilani's wrists. He would have plenty of bruises come later; he didn't want to contribute more.
The guards dragged the smaller Subject out from under him and bound his hands behind his back. Even as they threw him atop a horse the Galilani's gaze remained fixed on Ash, quite unreadable. In a moment, they were gone as quickly as they'd come.
Sejan handed Ash the reins of his retrieved horse.
"Didn't even see him escape until he was hightailing it over that gate," he said. "Never seen anything like it in my life. We'll have to bandage those hands up, or is that yours?"
Ash looked at his own arms to see smears of blood across the white linen of his loose sleeves. It wasn't his own; the Galilani must have cut his up in climbing the gate whose iron had the texture of roughened sand for just that reason.
He wiped his hands on his trousers. "Hn, not mine. Did you see those eyes?"
"Mmm. I'd heard about him from the harvesters. Said they weren't even sure what he was at first, but he's Galilani all right."
They mounted up and headed back for the Compound.
"This doesn't look good, DeWinter," Sejan said after a few moments of thinking in silence. "First day and already causing trouble here."
"He's got some spirit," Ash mused. He was looking off in the direction the Galilani had been taken. He was thinking about those eyes.
But his supervisor was shaking his head. "There's a list a mile long of his exploits since the moment he was harvested. Someone should have put a stop to that long before they left the Valley."
As he listened Ash began to get a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Just as soon as he'd found this Subject, it now sounded as if he would loose him.
"I just have a bad feeling about that one," he superior continued. "The rest are always so subdued, but this one-" he shook his head ruefully. "I've a mind to cancel him; he'll only cause more trouble."
"No, don't do that," Ash said quickly. To cancel a Subject meant just that. To kill him. It was simply too troublesome to transport one single Galilani all the way back to the Valley, and one so errant as that, Sejan would not want to run the risk of his getting free again. The simple fact that he'd attempted to make such a daring escape showed that he was not like his brethren. This one had a brain in him, an intriguing idea after so many years of working with virtually mindless bodies. He would be stubborn, put up a fight, resist his training.
So what had Ash interjected for? Why should it matter that one odd Galilani should be sacrificed to maintain the integrity of their practice? It had certainly been done in the past- crazed violence, poor health, cowardice. All this small one had shown was a little spirit and brainpower. That he would be a troublemaker was a given, but Ash couldn't let go of what a creature like that would be capable of once he was trained in the right manner. If his own talent for training was so out of the ordinary, what would it be like to apply it to a Subject that was as remarkable as that one? The potential seemed boundless, but even more so, the challenge of it was enthralling.
For the first time in over two years he began to feel that old enthusiasm again.
They'd been riding in silence. Ash lifted his head and said, "Let me take him. Please, I want to."
Sejan gave him a suspicious sidelong glance. "Why so eager all of a sudden? For a while now you've been moping around here like you'd lost all interest. I had meant to speak to you about it."
been loosing interest, he could feel that now, now that the fervor that had driven him in his early years was suddenly back. Something in those strange blue eyes had excited him, awoken him. Made him want this challenge.
"Trainer's intuition," Ash answered, trusting that his superior wouldn't question him more about it. Sejan took several moments to consider the idea. By the time they had reached the Compound gates, he was grudgingly nodding his head.
"Very well. But I urge you to think about what you're getting into. You know as well as I there is a certain personality type that works best with the kind of work we do here, and this one is most certainly
"I know," Ash acceded. "Imagine that. He has a mind of his own."
Though he unofficially had his Subject already, Ash followed etiquette and stood outside the Compound on the back run to watch as the newly arrived Galilani were unloaded and handed off. After being drawn out of the carefully guarded covered carts that took six horses to pull, the Subjects now stood in fragmented lines, almost nude and looking very frightened to be so out in the open and surrounded by strangers. Until now, as far as Ash knew, they'd been held at a center near where they'd been harvested in the Valley, so they had not yet seen much of the outside world. He could only imagine, as he did every time with a new shipment, what his people must look like to these creatures. The Galilani were a small, slender people, dark-haired and dark-eyed, of course now with the exception of his own Subject. Menserja-born, at least the higher-class folk at least, were taller and broader, and much more pale by comparison. Light hair and light eyes must make them strikingly odd-looking to the Galilani, as was evident in the expressions of some of the more bold Subjects as they stood there watching their Menserjan keepers mill around.
Aristide came to stand beside him, his sudden presence snapping Ash from his thoughts. His friend looked clean and refreshed, nothing of the drunken fool he'd been last night. His cropped hair was smoothed down, and he'd actually made ceremony to wear some of his nicer garments.
"Kind of sad, isn't it, Ash?" Aristide said softly.
"Hmm?" Ash broke a light, thoughtful stare down onto the grassy relay fields. He was thinking once again about his new Subject, wondering what he would call him and how he would go about instilling trust after basically having attacked him earlier.
Aristide gestured at the line of human figures a few hundred feet away from where they stood on the gravel run. "This. It seems sad to me."
"Why?" His eyes picked out those Subjects that stood out from the rest; the ones who broke away and ran, those who sat down and refused to move, the ones who looked around themselves and cowered like small children. He had his own definition of sad when describing this day. He could bet it was different from his fellow trainer's.
"It's like we have to start all over again," Aristide murmured. "We work so hard to turn them out and then a whole new shipment comes and wipes out any feeling of accomplishment. I suppose it just gets repetitive."
Ash made a non-committal sound, if only to relate that he'd heard his friend speaking at all. It
get repetitive; he'd felt that way for a while now. Perhaps Aristide was just finally losing a little of his youthful edge. The thought made Ash smile to himself, but his friend didn't catch it.
"Well, I've got mine picked out."
Both Ash and Aristide turned at the sound of Meera's voice. As she walked up to them she looked well-dressed and well-kept, a stark contrast from an hour ago. Ash calmed his nerve a bit, lest the flush show in his cheeks. Accompanying her words, Meera pointed down to the young female she'd already claimed as her next Subject.
"I've got my eyes on that one there," Aristide said, pointing to a petite girl near the end of the line. She looked small and rather frail, but alert.
"Tsk. Always with the females," Meera said, crossing her arms. Usually the female Subjects went to female trainers, though Meera was only one of four.
Aristide turned his nose up. This was an old discussion. "They're less resistant," he said. "And smarter."
"But more temperamental," Ash put in.
"Yeah, yeah." Aristide waved his hand to change the subject. "Which one are you looking at, Ash?"
"He's already inside. It's a special case."
Both Meera and Aristide exchanged glances. Ash chose to ignore their doubtfulness; they could question him all they wanted, so long as they did it silently. He flicked his hair back behind his shoulder and started down the hill. "Come on, Aristide, let's go get your girl before someone else grabs her."
It was near evening by the time everything was said and done, when all the Subjects were assigned to their handlers and had been brought into the Compound where they would spend the next year of their life. Tonight, however, they were resting peacefully in a warm chamber that was strewn with blankets, cushions and pillows and whatever else they would need to be comfortable. Usually they were all so exhausted from their travels that the chamber was a ghostly sight to behold; their tired bodies spread out everywhere and silent as the grave in sleep.
While they got to rest, their trainers began their work in the form of research and paperwork. It was a part of the job that Ash particularly hated, though it was always interesting to see where your own Subject had come from. Their family history was possible to trace due to the tattooed number on their wrist, put there by the handlers at the Agade Valley facility where the Subjects were first harvested.
How they were kept track of out there in that wilderness, Ash couldn't fathom. But they managed to do it somehow- keep track of births and deaths, wandering tribes and intermingling of clans. When they were harvested they were then branded, and that number could trace back through family lines to see if their siblings, parents or any ancestor had been taken for induction; often trainers would use this history to find out which ones fought better, lasted longer or broke too easily. But beyond that even, their career could be mapped by what service they went into; did they succeed; did they perish.
Ash heaved a sigh as he replaced this year's listbook, slightly frustrated. This gophering wasn't turning out the results he wanted.
Until now all of the Subjects he had trained had come from the Moenjodaro clan, which was by far the largest and most used of the tri-clans. There were three main groups in all, with the Oruoijka and the Akerandijka, each of which split off into smaller tribes that had to be kept track of, though they were constantly on the move. In fact, within the last hundred years the Akerandijka clan had all but disappeared after years and years of a sedentary existence. They'd been the main tribe used back when the slave trade had started, as the Moenjodaro was now, but to read old manuscripts they had just slowly faded out like a cloud of dust into the wind, or in this case, the Agade Valley. But they had once been very populous- hell, this Compound had been named for them.
Given that history, Ash fully expected to find that his new Subject was Moenjodaro, since all the others from this shipment were, but surprisingly, this wasn't the case. In fact, Ash found as he began rummaging through old documents and lists that his new Subject had virtually no history at all.
He stared at the binding of the book he'd just replaced with a slight, frustrated scowl. All he had found on his new Subject was a reference number. No family line, no history, no descriptions. Had someone misplaced the information? It was impossible that there'd be
on his Subject at all; every family had
. The handlers at the Valley facility had to have had
in mind when they gave him a number, but why wasn't that information here? And what was that reference number in the book for anyway? Its format was that of an identification number, but when he'd tried to look it up there had been nothing to actually reference it to.
Ash rubbed his eyes. It was late; perhaps he just wasn't looking hard enough, or in his exhaustion he could have easily missed a line somewhere. Tomorrow he would check the other clan lines; maybe someone had mixed them up.
The trainer heaved himself up, giving up on the task for now. To boot, it was nearly midnight and he still had yet to make a proper acquaintance with his newest project. It had always been a practice of his to meet as soon as possible as a sort of imprinting technique, but he already realized he would have to work even harder at this one, given the roots of their acquaintance.
Ash locked up the records room and stretched his sore muscles. He then made the walk to the other side of the Compound where he found the guards on duty lounging against the outer wall, playing at coins and cups.
They snapped to attention as he walked by. Ash nodded his head briefly to them. "Slow night, Keri?"
The nearest guard tipped her head to him. "Quiet as the dead, sir."
Lovely thought. Ash shook off the morose reference and entered the holding chamber silently. For several moments he surveyed the dimly lit room, making a quick head count as he listened to the gentle breaths of sleeping bodies.
It was an unnerving treat to see them like this before the hustle of the next day would usher them onto their new lives. This was the most natural state he'd ever seen the Galilani in; it often made him sad to think of the changes that were about to come. From this gentle state they would be initiated to think differently, act differently, become a virtual killing machine if need be. They would learn a language that was not their own, adopt a culture and gods they did not believe in, and they would have no memory of their lives before. Ash knew bitterly that his unease over their unavoidable future was why he couldn't let himself think about it too much. This was his job and he was sworn by it. What say had he in the higher order of things? If he decided to leave the Compound, surely there would be someone else to eagerly take his place who would not possess the scruples he did. They might be crueler in their techniques perhaps, less patient, or at least not have his sensibility.
Silencing his thoughts, Ash took a few more steps in and tried to make a count again. With the scuff of his boots on the floor his presence became very known as forty-three pairs of eyes suddenly fixed on him. Unsettling as that was, it concerned Ash less than the fact that there should have been forty-four.
It was still chilling, however, the way they all gazed unwaveringly like a herd of prey animals with a predator's scent on the wind. Even more jolting was how they all appeared as little copies of each other. The only differences were subtle hair color, and of course his own Subject's odd blue eyes, which, by the way, happened to be the pair that was missing. A stab of ice penetrated his chest for a split second as he wondered if the Galilani had managed to escape again.
Ash searched out with his eyes the darker back corners of the room in hopes that his Subject had just chosen a more secluded spot to nest. His heart beat slowed to normal again; there, in the corner farthest from the door he saw a pile of pillows with a foot comically protruding out of them.
Ash tread over the cushions carefully, trusting that all these Subjects had hopefully seen enough of his people by now to not be so frightened by him. Though they didn't move away, their eyes followed him curiously, with one female even daring to reach out and touch his odd-colored hair before she scampered over the cushions to hide behind several of her companions. Ash allowed a little smile as he crept over the cushions towards the back; his hair almost always drew attention the first time; most of them had probably never seen blond so close before, and certainly never so long.
Upon reaching the pile of pillows, Ash knelt and sat back on his haunches, cocking his head at the bare foot that stuck out right in front of his face. This one had taken nearly all the pillows in the chamber and obviously had put up a fight to keep them, as none of the others even came near that corner. From the pile he heard an odd, soft purring sound, occasionally interrupted by a soft snore. He waited and listened, trying to figure out if such a distinctly cat-like purr was really he was hearing. Gently, he began to remove the top cushions from the pile until the warm body beneath was exposed.
His Subject lay sleeping, peacefully unaware that he was being studied. Ash would have thought that he would be the most alert of all considering the display he'd put on earlier in the day, but it would seem this was not so. The fact that his Subject was so dead to the world made Ash wonder if they had dosed him with something to calm him down after that fiasco.
He didn't like the idea of sedation, but it did give him a chance to study the Galilani well for the first time. His palms had been bandaged up with a white gauze that offered a stark contrast to the sun-dark of his skin. He was actually quite attractive upon a lingering look, though he couldn't have had more than twenty years on him. Lithe and slender but still muscular of frame, as Ash had noticed before, he appeared the picture of health but for his damaged hands. However, the visibility of his ribs was the slightest bit too distinct, as was the curvature of his hip and the contoured muscles that underlay his belly. Though he was by no means a wraith, the first thing Ash wanted to do was make sure he put on a little weight, just to fill out the slightest bit.
His thick, shaggy black hair was spread across the cushions around his reclined head but for his forelock, which by the tilt of his head hung over his right eye. Thick eyelashes, high cheek bones and gently curved lips even alluded to more feminine qualities, though masculinity still rested in the set of his jaw and physical build.
He was quiet fine to look at really, as far as Galilani went, but Ash tried to ignore that. Physical appearance mattered little in the large scheme of things. Gently he reached out to shake his Subject's shoulder. The Galilani wrinkled his nose as a child would and opened his eyes lazily, the picture of innocence and virtue. Until his crystalline eyes focused on Ash, that is.
The Galilani sat up in shock, more than upset that his trainer had managed to catch him so unaware. In his heavy lids and slowed movements though Ash could see his grogginess; they must have drugged him. He could never have gotten so close so soon otherwise.
"Shh, calm down," Ash cooed, using his voice to soothe. He fished out from his pocket a few tidbits of choco sweets he knew would be welcome after a long trip. He made them into an offering on the flat of his palm.
"Go on, take it," he whispered.
The Galilani stared at him for several long moments, nostrils flaring as he assumedly detected the choco scent. Unable to ignore the enticing aroma, he focused his attention on Ash's outstretched hand. Greedily, he snatched the sweet cookies and shoved them in his mouth. He then looked back at Ash, chewing as if it was a second thought.
"See? I'm not so bad," Ash said, extending his hand again. The Subject swallowed and licked his lips. He didn't flinch from Ash's touch but showed surprising trust in him instead, allowing him to brush back the thick mane from in front of his right eye, though it fell right back again naturally. It looked as if his bangs had once been shoulder-length as the rest but had been hastily and unevenly razored off to half its length. The Galilani didn't seem to notice how it obscured his vision while he kept very steady, very focused eyes on his trainer.
For several minutes Ash sat there with his new Subject, holding his gaze and speaking in low tones to him. It eventually paid off- after only a few moments he lost all hints if distrust, with the help of more sweet treats. More importantly, he suddenly began showing earnest interest in Ash himself. At one point he reached out, as they all did, and inspected his hair, his pale hands and odd clothing in turn, even directing great curiosity to Ash's boot laces, which he promptly undid and kept for himself.
With a smile, Ash didn't fight him for them, though normally he shouldn't have allowed the Subject, especially this one, to have such a toy with which he could hurt himself or others. But he tolerated the theft as he sat there watching his Subject tie knots into the lace until very little of its length was left. He then discarded the toy and began looking for something else of Ash's he could play with, searching him with his bandaged hands.
After more than an hour sitting there, even after all of the other Subjects had fallen back asleep, Ash found it hard to make the decision that this was enough for tonight. It was late, his body was tired and he knew his Subject was as well. It wouldn't do to keep him up so long that he'd be exhausted tomorrow when the real training began.
As he moved to stand up, his Subject's eyes followed him curiously, for a moment evidently not realizing that the trainer meant to leave him now. The Galilani followed him all the way back to the door like an obedient pup, close on his heels until finally Ash turned to face him again. His look was endearing, as a beautiful young child.
"You've certainly changed your mind about me, haven't you?" Ash reached out and tickled the underside of his chin as he spoke, just as one would a child. It was then that he knew he had made a real connection- his Subject smiled at him for the first time. His expression was so genuine in fact that Ash found himself returning it despite himself. He wondered if any of his previous Subjects had ever looked so candid before, so forthright with their emotions.
As he turned to leave, the Galilani jerked him back with an iron grip on his arm and Ash nearly fell with the force of it. Alarmed for a moment, he subsided when he realized that the smile was now gone, replaced by quite a different emotion.
"Are you...
at me?" he asked with due incredulity.
The Galilani quizzically tilted his head.
Ash fished out his last sweet and put it into the gauzed hands. "And here I thought you were going to be some amazing, blood thirsty warrior-" He watched his Subject suck on the choco before biting into it. More softly, as if realizing it for the first time, "but you're nothing but a little cub."
He recalled the soft purring noise and thought for another few moments. He was reminded of the Third goddess in Menserjan common theology, who by legend often took the form of a black panther while on earth. Panthera.
"A little panther's cub," he mused. "Would that suit you for a name?" He reached out and brushed back the stubborn black mane from his Subject's eyes.
"Tomorrow," Ash promised him with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow and you can show me what you can really do."
The Galilani grasped his wrist gently and leaned into his hand like a cat bent on being petted. Ash used the opportunity to gently slip the door open and make his escape, wondering if ever there'd ever been a Subject more aptly named.
part 3
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|| The Beginning || || The Owlery || || The Castle || || The Office || || The Son || || The Savior ||
Next time try to fight with a smaller guy, yes? Or at least someone who is more drunk than you are. Hmm…Take all the things you said and you'll have some of the reasons Ozzy has to smoke. If you can't quit drinking you can't ask him to stop smoking, darling.
Of course I did, fucking idiot… Damn, I need to be more romantic.
Right. Yes, I fuckin can. He's fourteen, I'm twenty seven. I can throw my life as far away as I want. He can't. He has a life to make a create and mold. I've already done that bit and shaped my life into a pile of shit. I can do whatever I want with it now cause I tried to be something great and failed.
You can start by being around more often. I wouldn't have gone out on my own and gotten the ever living fuck beaten out of me if you were around to begin with.

subset: commoncrawl


text: So if you are someone who puts food fairly centrally in your life, you will always remember certain meals, for one reason or another, good or bad. Those that you remember most vividly though are the ones that gave you an experience that you know you will almost certainly not have again for many many years. Chez Bruno was one... More


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Down the hill from Ginkaku-ji sits a century-old villa with an impeccable garden. This was once the home of painter Kansetsu Hashimoto, who created a unique style of painting that combined various Japanese periods and drew inspiration from Chinese imagery. The house contains many of Hashimoto's sketches and paintings, as well as works by both Chinese and Japanese contemporaries and an enthralling collection of Greek and Persian pottery. An exquisite stone garden and a teahouse are also open to the public. If you book at least two days in advance, it's possible to experience a complete tea ceremony. For a very special kaiseki dinner in a private room overlooking the luxurious garden with a carp pond, reservations are required (¥12,000 per person); lunch is more affordable (¥4,500). To get here from Kyoto Station, take Bus 5 or 100 to the Ginkaku-ji-michi stop and walk east along the canal. Hakusa Son-so will be on the right.
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The aim of this page is to: 1 help those with Disabilities and encourage them to take up Aikido.2 To help and give as much information to Aikido instructors who would like to teach or know some one who is disabled who would like to take up Aikido but does not know where to start. 3To give useful Names and addresses of Organisations who are experienced in a particular disability who may be able to give advice as and where necessary.Under the Disability Discrimination act, every person with a Disability has a right to access and obtain information to any activity sport shops and all things in life that So-Called Normal people take for granted.
The information herein is the first of a series and is first because I know through experience more about these 3 disabilities than any others.Blindess takes many forms and these day generally effect more people as they get older tjam used todo. People who are partially Sighted have more problems than those who cannot see at all. This may seem an obvious statement to make but, many sighted people who note that people who can see a little assume that they can see more than they can. For example, there are partially sighted people who can read a newspaper and yet, cannot see more that a few yards ahead of them.Being a totally blind person myself, because I have a Guide Dog people assume that the dog will solve all my problems for me, so far from the truth.Deafness:Hearing loss is the most common disability today. effecting many people at all ages not just the elderly. I started loosing my hearing in my early forties. Another assumption that all blind people have extra good hearing. There is no scientific proof yet available to show that this is a proven case.The easiest way and best all round language for most Deaf or hard of hearing (PC) correct term, is BSL (British Sign Language. ). There are many courses in most localities. Every person's Name is Signed diferently for example there may be four Johns in a class but, they will all have a diferent signing. How Aikido terminology would be signed, I do not know at this point not having yet to use sign Language in a class situation. If and When I do, I will ask one of my many Deaf friends how they would approach the situation.I have a working knowledge of BSL which I learned when I was at college a few years ago. Very handy indeed.Deaf/Blind:This area is probably the most dificult of the three that we have delt with so far: I myself have found certain problems communicating with someone who is Deaf/blind I am learning hand-spelling which I hope will go some way of solving the problem. I will always find a way of communicating with any one with a disability.Below are listed some I hope,useful linds that I hope you will find useful and helpful.www.rnib.org.uk bbs.org.uk british blind sports website.rnid.org.uk www.british-sign.co.ukwww.disability.gov.uk things about disabilities including disability act and all you need to know.www.sense.org.uk Blin/deaf website.www.deafblind.org.uk www.deafblind.co.uk a very helpful resource on the subject.I havenot listed all of the various websites just the more well known.sjf (C) 17 September 2004
Over the last few years,I have been visiting a website that is run by Terry Taylor. He does a lot of work with people with disabilities. Some of his work involves teaching Shotokan Karate to people who are Deaf/Blind and others with learning disabilities. Every few years, he holds a two-one day get together with Martial Arts instructors and students and encourages instructors to take back to their Dojo the means and encouragement to take on people with varying disabilities. For more information, please visit our links page and have a look for yourselves. Please Email me and let me know what you think.
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oh thank you claire
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cool you can join if you want
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they can delete posts and delete threads and also move threads and edit posts
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Newspoll: 55-45 to Coalition
GhostWhoVotes tweets that the latest fortnightly Newspoll has the Coalition's two-party preferred lead at 55-45, from primary votes of 32 per cent for Labor (up two on last time) and 46 per cent for the Coalition (up one). The personal ratings are good news for Tony Abbott: his approval rating is up four to 36 per cent and his disapproval is down three to 52 per cent, and he has opened up a lead over Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister of 40 per cent (up three) to 37 per cent (down three). Julia Gillard is respectively up down one to 32 per cent and up two to 57 per cent. Newspoll also ran a teaser last night showing Abbott favoured over Gillard for economic management 43 per cent to 34 per cent, and Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey in a statistical dead heat for preferred Treasurer (38 per cent to 37 per cent).
We also today had yet another 54-46 result from Essential Research. After losing a point on the primary vote over each of the two previous weeks, Labor was back up one to 34 per cent, with the Greens down one to 10 per cent and the Coalition steady on 47 per cent. Essential's monthly measure of leadership approval found both leaders' personal ratings essentially unchanged – Julia Gillard down one on approval to 36 per cent and up one on disapproval to 53 per cent, Tony Abbott steady on 35 per cent and up two to 53 per cent – but contrary to Newspoll, Gillard made a solid gain as preferred prime minister, her lead up from 39-36 to 41-34. However, only 31 per cent expected her to lead Labor to the next election against 47 per cent who said they didn't (hats off to the 22 per cent who admitted they didn't know); while for Tony Abbott the numbers were 47 per cent and 25 per cent.
A question on government control of media ownership has support for more control and less control tied on 24 per cent, with 34 per cent thinking it about right. There was also a question on the impact of Gina Rinehart on the independence of Fairfax newspapers, which I personally find a little odd – the issue would mean little outside of New South Wales and Victoria. I also had my doubts about the question on whether Australia is "fair and just", but the question asking for comparison with other countries is interesting: Canada and New Zealand are seen as Australia's main partners in freedom, the UK does less well, Japan and France less well again, and the United States worse still. China however sits well below the rest of the field.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-2013
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Triton then PB'ers can have confidence about the next election however they need to sort out their internal problems.
by DavidWH on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Space Kidette could you please provide a link to that immigration page that dispels myths
by mexicanbeemer on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:14 pm
you're dreaming lynchpin. The bottom line is the public hates the woman and that aint never going to change
by centaur009 on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Long time listener, first time poster and all that.
Something out of left field has just occurred to me. What if the "business lobby" starts getting critical of the Libs position? They're always banging on about wanting certainty. The carbon price, MRRT, super changes etc will have been in for over a year, the sky wont have fallen, their business practices will be well established. All the Libs are promising is to reverse all that but not giving any details about the alternatives. Surely out of self interest they're going to have to start pointing this out? They might have to do it with a peg on their noses, but they'll have to do it. Alcoa has already directly and pointedly contradicted Abbott regarding the carbon price effect of the Geelong job losses.
Wishful thinking? Naivety? Sounds logical though, what am I missing?
by Narns on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:15 pm
The weekly massage is untrue. They each receive a backscratcher made of timber from clear felled native plantations.
by Greensborough Growler on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Interesting the issues with the Ruddstoration:
1) Rudd could lay this to rest at anytime by declaring that he is not in contention for the leadership this term.
2) Rudd could lay this to rest be challenging and getting it over and done one way or another.
3) JG cant lay this to rest. If she calls a spill it will get jumped on as a sign of weakness and insecurity which the ALP cant afford. She cant actually dump Rudd from Cabinet in case he has a dummy spit and resigns from parliament (the implied threat that guarrenteed him the FM job)
Either way, Rudd could end the damage this is doing daily to his party, the ALP, but he CHOOSES not to.
by imacca on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Agree with what you had to say back there – similar to something I posted earlier.
I mentioned that, perversely, Rudd is in a very strong position to wreck and destroy.
Paradoxically, the longer JG has to put up with all this rubbish AND survive, the better.
We will start to see the "My, how tough she is!" and "Boy, fancy having to put up with that stuff all the time" kind of comment. It is not there yet, as she is still not all that sure footed with the media despite all.
There will come a time though – I would think if she is still standing, later in the year.
The Wolf-cryers will have to rethink their line as their credibility will crack – as many have already done so.
The thing is, her party have to back her. It is that and/or Rudd and two terms – at least – in opposition.
I sometimes get a sinking feeling that some on the progressive side of politics would actually prefer to be in opposition!
by Tricot on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Here's a press release.
by Greensborough Growler on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I find the woman to be dishonest, evasive, and frankly a nasty piece of work, and let's add treacherous & backstabber to the list of epithets.
When you grow out of your short pants you just might start thinking for yourself and not form character judgments on the say-so of those who lack both character and integrity.
by janice2 on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:23 pm
you're dreaming lynchpin. The bottom line is the public hates the woman and that aint never going to change
The bottom line is that they hate Abbott too and while that is the case JG has a shot.
by Gary on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Boerwar @ 4405
Are you one of "this sites angriest haters" that William referred to last night?Certainly one of the most turgid.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:26 pm
There is also an article in the SMH containing Bowen's response along with Michael Roper of Red Cross which I cannot link without my computer going to the shithouse.
by shellbell on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:28 pm
My Mum, after listening to 5aa radio (adelaide) I suppose, just stated that refugees eg boatpeople, get a house allocated to them, rent paid for x number of weeks, and $10,000 for whitegoods. I asked who said it as I very much doubt it is correct, and she says everyone is saying it.
Can someone please advise where I can find out what the government makes available to refugees including "boatpeople" to settle in the community? I said it was the first I had heard of a $10,000 grant for whitegoods or for anything else.
All of that was being quoted on 2GB last night with the source being that great paper of record… "The Daily Terrorgraph". 'Nuff said.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Yes agreed, but this was only a $11 billion black hole, we are now looking a $70 billion+ black hole.
I don't think the public will "swing" with that….
by zoidlord on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Would there be as much love for Julia Gillard on this blog if on election night, 2013, Tony Abbott has won pretty convincingly?
I know one person on PB who's heart will be bursting with pride on election night if Tony Abbott does win Evan. Who might that be?
by Peter of Marino on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Bowen confirmed that refugees are provided accommodation which obviously includes normal household items like TV, fridge etc however these are not owned by the refugees and stay with the accommodation. Basically we are complying with our international obligations and the issue is a beat-up.
by DavidWH on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Steve I am well aware of the 2010 farce and the fact the so called audit was just an accounting review which accepted the Coalition assumptions which is why I don't believe they will get away with it again.
Trouble is is that the shills in the MSM (I'm talking Dolt, Pies, Jones et al) will allow them top get away with it.
Like they have done in the past.
To the Shills, proper scrutiny only applies to the centre/left
The conservative right can do what it likes.by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Anne Summers just confirmed it is incorrect. And if I recall the Immigration website has a page that dispels the myths.
(Sort of) interestingly, Hadley was on air this morning saying that the previous viral email describing the Land Of Milk And Honey provided for refugees was just a hoax, but THIS story was spot on.
The tactic seems to be that you spread a set of completely egregious lies first and then debunk them, substituting a slightly less set of egregious lies as "the actual truth".
"That wasn't true, but this is true."
by Bushfire Bill on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
I sometimes get a sinking feeling that some on the progressive side of politics would actually prefer to be in opposition!
I think that the ALP currently has, in contrast with the Coalition, a lot of relatively young and very talented people who would like to be moving onwards and upwards. They're stymied a little by the dicipline necessary to stay in government.
Compare them to Coalition members.
by CTar1 on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Thanks GG
by mexicanbeemer on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Thornleigh Labor Man
Posted Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:39 am | Permalink
Would there be as much love for Julia Gillard on this blog if on election night, 2013, Tony Abbott has won pretty convincingly?TLM if Abbott gets up in 2013 the blame for the loss will fall heavily onto KR not JG, here at PB and in the wider Labor community.
I was angry at the leadership change and still believe it is having a negative effect on Labor's polling but accept that an overwhelming number of KR's colleagues could not work with him. When push came to shove KR worked that out too and did not contest the leadership vote. KR has every right to aspire to and gather support for a new challenge but the current situation is hurting the Government badly and that is not acceptable. If KR wants to challenge he needs to state it and if he does not he needs to show he is not the one briefing the media and unequivocally state it and support the leader into the election. Sitting back and saying nothing will only lessen his stature in the eyes of many like me who like him and still admire him for getting rid of Howard. It will be a shame if he is only remembered as another Latham.
JG has her faults and is not the most charismatic of leaders but is achieving Labor goals and for me that is most important. Get over your hatred and deal with the present and future not with the past.
by kevjohnno on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Laura Tingle's piece in today's AFR is very good.
Gary I think was asking earlier about leadership spills. I read in the AFR that a petition of one third of caucus is needed to force a showdown.
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:42 pm
The bottom line is that they hate Abbott too and while that is the case JG has a shot.
Hate is probably too strong a word for how the Australian people feel about either – loathe or despise might be better.
by blackburnpseph on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Air Australia goes down the worst way, lying to the media and stranding 4000 passengers
February 17, 2012 – 6:40 am, by Ben SandilandsAir Australia has failed in the worst possible way short of killing people. It has gone bust immediately stranding hundreds of people in Phuket and Honolulu, and placing some 4000 who are holding booked tickets in limbo, and being grubby with the truth.
Passengers at airports who had expected to board Air Australia flights are being told to go away and make their own alternative arrangements.
This is what Plane Talking was told on Wednesday, after hours of waiting for the airline to even do it the courtesy of replying to its inquiries.
Air Australia yesterday specifically and comprehensively denied that it had entered into administration.
more in the article
by Leroy on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm
I can't see that the Coalition can avoid submitting their policies to that office for scrunity without doing severe damage to their election chances.
I don't see any evidence of the media increasing its scrutiny of the Coalition.
If you have some, let's hear it.
Judging by the media's recent pattern of behaviour there is nothing to indicate they will do their job properly before the next election and hold the Coalition to account.
They are about letting the coalition off the hook.
by Cuppa on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Centaur009, yes I am a dreamer. Proud of it too.
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Meanwhile Tony Abbott scrapes slime from the bottom of the same barrel as 2GB and the Telegraph.Bastard.
Earlier today, Mr Abbott told the Nine Network that community release had been taken to a ''what looks like a whole new level of luxury'', following reports in News Ltd tabloids today that asylum seekers were given ''welcome packs'' worth thousands of dollars, including DVDs and plasma TVs, when they were released into the community.
''I can understand why millions of Australians would look at (that story) and think something is just not right in our system,'' Mr Abbott said.
"The message is going out loud and clear to the people smugglers and their clients and potential customers: the red carpet is being rolled out, there is a welcome mat waiting for you here in Australia."
by poroti on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Bowen confirmed that refugees are provided accommodation which obviously includes normal household items like TV, fridge etc however these are not owned by the refugees and stay with the accommodation. Basically we are complying with our international obligations and the issue is a beat-up.
True, but over at blogs like "NTB" the wingnuts will be playing this for all its worth, as truth that refugees get all the benefits under the sun, and thats the real motivation for them to risk their and their families lives on treaturuous seas on leaky tubs
by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm
That's why I'm here Mick. If had posted that last post in another place I would have been lucky to leave with my skin intact.
by DavidWH on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:51 pm
re your entitlement question for refugees. This sort of stuff has been going around the community for a very long time. I've had many an argument about it but I've found there is no way to persuade the believers of such rubbish that it is not so.For a long time now I have been thinking that the Government should spend a little money for the education of the people by setting out exactly what taxpayers pay to settle refugees into the community. Centrelink already send out a quarterly booklet setting out pension entitlements etc so why not include tables for refugees? Also, it wouldn't hurt if there were "quarterly" ads designed to dispel these myths and enlighten the people of the truth. Perhaps it might be a good idea to email Chris Bowen to give some thought as to what to do about it?
by janice2 on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Agreed – maybe they could identify the difference between these costs compared to detention costs which must be much greater
by shellbell on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm
That's why I'm here Mick. If had posted that last post in another place I would have been lucky to leave with my skin intact.
The surgical proceedure being performed by nurse ratchett no less
by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm
"Would there be as much love for Julia Gillard on this blog if on election night, 2013, Tony Abbott has won pretty convincingly?"
Certainly would be for me and even more hatred towards Rudd than Abbott.
Piss off Rudd!by Dr John on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Poroti. Thanks for posting that. With all the distractions on the ALP side of politics, your posting re Abbott's comments re asylum seekers is a timely reminder that the man is a f#cking ar$ehole.
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Posted Friday, February 17, 2012 at 10:09 am | PermalinkOh, it's John Roskam again. Lots more job losses to come. Carbon tax to blame.
Yes I switched off when I heard The Wrap would be Roskam and Sally Mahar. She is the token leftie as a declared ALP member, but of absolutely no value. She strives for the nuanced and balanced approach, which is useless against a partisan hack like Roskam.
Oddly enough, in her normal role as a broadcaster she is quite good and filled in for Faine once very well. But balance is just not suited to that format. She has also stood back when Gillard has been attacked personally, or in some cases given a qualified agreement.
I'd much sooner have Liberty on. She's passionate and will not let Roskam or Wilson get away with talking over her.
by Gorgeous Dunny on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:59 pm
That's why I'm here Mick. If had posted that last post in another place I would have been lucky to leave with my skin intact.
Not to mention discovering that despite what you thought you are actually a socialist, inner city elitist left wing lovvie bent on "destroying this once great land" with multiculturalism to facilitate the establishment of the global caliphate or One World Government
by poroti on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:59 pm
I'll post the tweet, you decide:
Foodie Cyclist @cyclingfoodie
It is clear that @TonyAbbottMHR is a racist, as are many LNP MPs. #Murdochracy refugee lies repeated to dog whistle the racists. #auspol
by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Boerwar @ 4405
Are you one of "this sites angriest haters" that William referred to last night?No, Bemused. He's not.
by William Bowe on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Poroti. Thanks for posting that. With all the distractions on the ALP side of politics, your posting re Abbott's comments re asylum seekers is a timely reminder that the man is a f#cking ar$ehole.
IYGYKHN Stickers should be distributed.It will be fun explaining to people wondering what IYGYKHN stands for, In Your Guts You Know He's Nuts.
by poroti on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:05 pm
So the LNP finally come out and admitted what everone has known for 12 months – Newman is just the mouthpiece for Premier Seeney.
Sue Lappeman @sueGCB
Jeff Seeney said he'd act as mentor to Campbell Newman. If he was a soccer coach @CliveFPalmer would have sacked him for comments like thatby steve on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I like this bit from Tingle, re Gillard:
Whatever is said about the Prime Minister's political management capabilities, it is doubtful we have ever seen quite such a tough operator in our lifetimes.
She has grimly stood through relentless pressure for almost two years that would have left many of her colleagues blithering wrecks.
Even now, besieged by the opposition, many in her own party, and her own capacity for disaster, she is still there and not planning on going anywhere.
I think (hope) the electorate is -grudgngly- beginning to see JG in the same way.
by Ozymandias on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:09 pm
The head of the Federal Treasury says Australian consumers are too pessimistic about the future and he is surprised at the low levels of consumer and business confidence.
The three stooges have a lot to answer for.
by Tom Hawkins on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:09 pm
A Liberal Premier with a National Party mentor – that will make QLD a nice old laughing stock.
by steve on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Australians overdoing gloom: Treasury head
Updated February 17, 2012 12:52:53The head of the Federal Treasury says Australian consumers are too pessimistic about the future.
Martin Parkinson says some industries face very significant challenges in dealing with the high Australian dollar.
But he has told a Senate hearing that the overall prospects for the economy are promising, and he is surprised at the low levels of consumer and business confidence.
more in the article
by Leroy on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Gillard's future as PM is tied up with getting Labor Primary up to the high 30′s. I'd say she has until year end to achieve this. Her base is about 34% now. So, this is not an unreasonable expectation.
The question is how soon Julia Gillard can get the primarys up into the high 30′s. If she can, she is more likely to stay on. But how long can the ALP wait? The end of the year as GG suggest would see the ALP going into an election year with either a leader staring defeat in the face or an election year change of leader that may reek of panic. There are windows before elections when leaders can be changed without the party looking panicky – in 2007, there was no chance that John Howard could go after about May.
There are powerful arguments for Julia Gillard sacking Kevin Rudd now – he is stoking uo the uncertainty and it would make her look strong – she could dare him to bring a Labor government down – which would see him joining the pantheon of Labor rats if he did .
by blackburnpseph on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:12 pm
That DT asylum seeker "life of luxury" beat up is horrifying. How can anyone involved in that, from the journalists to the editor, justify the complete lack of facts, honesty, perspective. It's so blatant, and leveraged by all the haters in the country.
News Limited, Rupert Murdoch, the single best contribution you could make to this country would be to just get out of our lives.
by Jackol on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Gorgeous Dunny
Yes I switched off when I heard The Wrap would be Roskam and Sally Mahar. She is the token leftie as a declared ALP member, but of absolutely no value. She strives for the nuanced and balanced approach, which is useless against a partisan hack like Roskam.
Sally Warhaft. Yes, she's given up on Gillard and just wants her to go. She put the boots in a few times today. Roskam wasn't needed. As you say, Liberty Sanger is much better.
by triton on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Poroti I am too old to be any of those things. I don't have enough hair anymore and I lost my pipe in the 70′s. I think I left it in the pocket of one of my safari suits.
by DavidWH on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:17 pm
There will be businesses that will go under due to people holding on to their cash through fear of a recession thanks to the fearmongering of the opposition. The crazy thing is that these very same business owners will support that party despite the fact that small business will pay more tax when Liberal policies are implemented and an across the board reduction of turnover due to the creation of a second class of worker with no discretionary spend available to them.
by Tom Hawkins on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:17 pm
her own capacity for disaster
Not much praise in that phrase …
by blackburnpseph on Feb 17, 2012 at 1:19 pm


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- In the High Park area of Toronto, The Vegetarian caters to all those who prefer their meals meatless but not tasteless. The restaurant offers specially coded dishes for those with allergies, including without dairy products, wheat, and even without tofu, tempeh, soybeans or soymilk. The menu has a healthy selection of juices such as the Tonic Rejuvenator (carrot, beet, parsley and ginger). Main courses include a vegan pizza and a wheat-free version of penne pasta. A selection of wines are also available.
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ResearchToday in Mobile
In the wake of the Justice Department's filing to stop the blockbuster AT&T acquisition, there's been a lot of talk that T-Mobile faces a "big 4G gap" if the deal doesn't ultimately go through… Read more »
In the wake of the Justice Department's filing to stop the blockbuster AT&T acquisition, there's been a lot of talk that T-Mobile faces a "big 4G gap" if the deal doesn't ultimately go through… Read more »
Verizon Wireless claims it has finally resolved the nationwide LTE outage that struck Tuesday night, but the PR damage could be costly. The glitch only affected 560,000 subscribers — a tiny fraction of… Read more »
Verizon Wireless launched its first LTE phone today, and the gadget geeks seem pretty impressed with the HTC Thunderbolt. Laptop Mag called the $249 device "freakin' fast," although it noted mixed results… Read more »
Verizon Wireless this morning said it flip the switch on its LTE network this Sunday, bringing lightning-fast 4G to more than three dozen U.S. markets. Surprisingly, though, the carrier said it… Read more »
But the Cupertino giant also experienced growing pains in its new mobile advertising business as it began to take on Google and a host of other players. If the second quarter… Read more »
No bombshells out of CTIA today (not that there usually are), but Verizon Wireless took advantage of its keynote to offer a few more details about its LTE rollout. The nation's… Read more »
If you're gonna build a smart grid based on WiMAX, you'd better get partnered with the biggest wireless carrier placing its 4G bets on the open standard. San Francisco-based startup Grid… Read more »
AT&T's Ralph de la Vega isn't the only one talking about metering the usage of mobile data subscribers. The days of flat-rate plans may be numbered for Verizon Wireless customers, too,… Read more »
With AT&T's exclusive grip on the iPhone seemingly coming to an end, the talk of a Verizon Wireless iPhone continues to heat up. But a tie-up between Sprint and the gang… Read more »
Upstream bandwidth use is on the rise, with some vendors reporting a 24 percent increase in traffic from 2007 to 2008. But does that increase mean more people are contributing content… Read more »


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While some brides believe that wedding color palette should be composed of up to two or three colors, here comes a new trend that requires the use of all colors in decor and event organization. The bridesmaids' dresses, grooms' ties or mix colors in flower arrangements, we will share with you how to organize a wedding that says "hey, the party is right here!". The rainbow wedding ideas are an inspirational trend, funny and downright brilliant.
Rainbow outfit
Probably the funniest way you can compose a cheerful color palette is to color your bridesmaids in rainbow dresses. Bridesmaids with different dresses are one of the hottest trends of the season. If you dare more, choose the same shade for skirt and different crazy colors for the top or the same print for the dress, allowing the bridesmaids to choose colors. Your groom can also color his groomsmen, asking them to wear neckties or bow ties in different shades. If they have a chic outfit, braces is another accessory that could be of any color. Your wedding dress can have a colored skirt or you can accessorize the look with a tulle veil of colored strips.
Rainbow wedding cake
Whether outside or inside is combined in a mixture of colors, it will be the piece de resistance of your wedding. It looks great and allows you to play with forms and shapes. The square ones are the most original and do not forget … you can use them with seasonal fruits – lemon, kiwi, strawberries, oranges – to create a splash of color and a rainbow of flavors! Other alternatives would be jars with colored jelly, donuts glazed in many colors, sorbets and colored popsicles.
Rainbow decorations and floral arrangements
Wedding invitations and retro-inspired menus in a variety of colors are very original. As for decorations and floral arrangements… here, you should not encounter any problem. Suspended colored paper lamps are very effective, each dining table should have tablecloths, plates, napkins in different colors or different shades of bows on chairs. You can decorate the room with colored balloon arches or hearts and origami cranes from colored paper. Arrangements look great in summer, when flowers come in a variety of colors and you can accessorize the room with garlands of rainbow flowers!
Your wedding day is full of happiness, stressful moments, a combination of states like in a rainbow of emotions. The rainbow wedding ideas surround you and downs on your wedding theme, admiring the diversity of your senses. You feel a master of color, and it is your right so that nothing can be more special than being a rainbow bride.


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Normally delays don't bother me, but the fact that they've given little to no information about the game for all this time and then go and delay the release further after marketing it as Spring 2013 is extremely disappointing.
I hope they have a bit of courtesy and give us some more information in return for the delay!
New trailers. Probably NSFW.
Been waiting for this for a good while.
Feel that GTA4 was a big letdown. Hope this lives up to the hype!
There goes another few months of my life..
I just loved The Lost and Damned episode on GTAIV - there was nothing better than riding around on a chopper listening to "I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride...". I really should replay GTA IV again sometime before GTA V is released for the PeeCee.
Such a damn shame that Red Dead Redemption never made it to the PeeCee market.
Only you would buy that. We can all assume from the title why. :P
Read dead on pc, would be AMAZING! It was epic enough going round with high power pistols and buffalo rifles (and the first rifle, forgot what it's called) killing possies was amaaaaazzzzinnng. Hearing them all rage was hilarious lol
Edit: @AlfaTech did you play undead nightmare?!
I liked Lost and the Damned too, but I think I'd have been annoyed if I'd bought it upon release, it's very short and doesn't add a lot to the game. BoGT could have been released as a totally new GTA IMO it adds so much, has a great and in depth story, maybe not as long as GTAIV but still a decent length for a modern game. I think Rockstar deserve recognition for releasing it as a DLC rather than charging full game price TBH!
(I bought the stand alone disc for 360 with L&D and BoGT on it for £15, excellent VFM)
Yes of course, I must be gay because I bought something with gay in the title, and I must be offended you're calling me gay because that's such a terrible thing to be! Disappointing attitude from an adult TBH.
Last edited by LosOjos; 1st May 2013 at 11:47 AM.
Finished GTA4 11 minutes over the 30 hours needed for the LCM achievement.. I replayed the last mission for 2 hours until I could get it under the 30 hour mark. Ended up on 29:59:50.
Didn't get into BoGT too much, liked tLaD though. Can't wait for GTAV.
Final mission on GTA4 is quite something. Only real part i liked to be honest... Give you a hint. Roman.
*Says to self* boy this guy really did get out the wrong side of the bed. Still love you Los! lol
You sad, sad, sad.... well done mate. I'm calling use of hax, but well done lol
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The metal to be used for the die casting method generally belongs to the non-ferrous category, like aluminium, zinc, copper and so on. Aluminium die casting firm are not very common, not every aluminium die casting manufacturer can handle aluminium in its pure form. Other ferrous metal like zinc has to be added to aluminium, the proportion is very crucial. This was a brief overview of the die casting method, lets now take a look at the history of the same.
History of Die Casting
The history of the die casting goes back to the 18th century. In 1838, the very first die casting equipment was invented. This equipment was used in the printing industry for the purpose of producing movable type. Though equipment was invented in 1838, a patent was rewarded for the equipment produced in 1849. Sturges was the lucky person who grabbed the patent, for his invention of the first manually operated casting print type. Otto Mergenthaler gained popularity for his invention of the linotype machine in 1885. Version of the same linotype machine is still widely used in the printing industry. Though die castings are now used in almost every industry now, in the beginning the production of castings was limited only to the printing industry. In the early 19th century, the production of commercial die casting began.
The metals that were used for making the castings in the initial stages of production were tin, lead and their various compositions. After the usage of aluminium and zinc for the production of the castings, people rejected lead and tin castings. Since then aluminium casting companies are in full fledge.
The process of die casting has also changed since. Earlier only the low-pressure injection method was used, now a days the high-pressure casting method is widely used. Due to the modern method casting with excellent surface finishes and high integrity can be produced.
This was about the history of die casting in a nutshell. Looking at the present usage of aluminium die castings in the various industries, we are definitely going to need many morealuminium die casting companies in the future.
Endurance Group – About the Author:
Krishna kshirsagar is associated with Endurance Group a leading aluminium die casting manufacturer Company. He is expert in the area of aluminium die casting companies.
What is Die Casting?
This is a process whereby molten metal is forced at high pressure into mold cavities. These mold cavities, or dies, are reusable. It is one of the fastest and most cost-effective methods of producing a variety of components.
Gravity die casting is a process used in medium volume production, whereas pressure die casting is used for high volume production. The die casting processes used today can involve high-pressure techniques, sometimes up to 4500 pounds per square inch. Die casting machines are generally rated in clamping tons equal to the amount of pressure they can exert. There are two basic types of die casting machines, hot and cold chamber, though cold chambers are typically used for aluminium die casting and other alloys with high melting points. In fact, certain alloys cannot be used in hot chamber machines. These machines are rated by the amount of clamping force that they use, anywhere from 2.5kg to 25k kg.
One of the first steps is to decide which alloy to use.
Aluminium Die Casting
The main alloy used here is aluminium, although zinc, magnesium and copper are also used. The great benefit of using aluminium is that it is a lightweight metal with good mechanical properties. Aluminium has a high dimensional stability for both complex shapes and thin walls. It also retains strength at high temperatures and has good corrosion resistance. Aluminium has high thermal and electrical conductivity.
The starting point for aluminium die casting is melting the alloy in a separate furnace. This is something of a disadvantage as there is a slower production time due to the need to the extra step required to transfer the metal to the cold chamber.
Advantages of using Aluminium
This is a versatile process which allows a broad range of shapes and sizes and the parts can have a smooth or textured surface. The castings are durable and are dimensionally stable while maintaining close tolerances, especially when compared to plastic moldings. They also have better electrical properties than plastic molds. One of the main aluminium types used is the LM6 type. This is generally regarded as one of the best materials although LM24 and other grades are also used.
Another benefit of using aluminium is that an additional finish is often not required because of the resistance to corrosion. Where the aluminium is used in areas of high corrosion, for example in coastal areas, often a special marine primer paint will be added.
The cost of materials is an important design consideration. While some metals may be more expensive than others, this cost may be offset by the fact that thinner walls can be used with stronger metals and thus less raw material is required.
Finishing processes
The aluminium die casting will go through a finishing process called anodising. This uses the natural oxide coating which occurs on the aluminium. This is a thin layer which protects the metal underneath. This layer can become grey after time and this may or may not be desirable. Anodising has the effect of thickening this layer to give a hard transparent coating. This enhances the corrosion resistance of the metal. Anodising can also be used to deliver different colour finishes.
Sinead Murphy is the author of this article on aluminium die casting. See http://www.alu-casting.com/machinery-manufacturer-oem/ for more details on aluminium metal casting products in Ireland.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sinead_Murphy – Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6591701
]]>Kyowa PT Indonesia is a trans-national company engaged in die-casting and machining manufacturing. Being The leading industri in die-casting and machining as well as determined to be the # 1 best company for each customer is main vision of PT. Kyowa Indonesia.
Among the efforts of PT. Kyowa Indonesia to make this happen all the directors and the organization of PT Kyowa Indonesia committed to implement the quality policy and quality objectives that have been established.
Company Name
Head Office & Plant : EJIP INDUSTRIAL PARK PLOT 8L-1
Motor Cycle Engine, Car Components, Engine for Agriculture, Electrics Component, Others
Monthly Production Quantity
About 900 ton / Monthly Average (Consumption Quantity of Ingot Solution)
Sales Amount About Rp 416,000,000,000 (As of 2009)
Number of Employee
(As of June 2010), Permanent & Contract (Incl. 3Japanese Staff) 489Persons, Outsourcing 739 Persons, Others (Sub-Contract)
Main Customers
Our Equipments As of February 201
Die Cast Main Equipment
Total 35M/C
Main Production Equipment of Machining as of January 2011
Total : 45 M/C
Others Total : 25 M/C
As a manifestation to realize our main vision as a leading industri in die-casting and machining, all the directors and the management of PT Kyowa Indonesia committed to:
July, 07 2010
(Hideyuki Sato)
President Director
PT. Kyowa Indonesia implemented each of its business-oriented company Quality Objectives:
For the success of the company's business, all Division & the Department is committed to realize these objectives through the application target quality work and high motivation of every employee.


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NIC Highlights: Sunday
LANDOVER, MD -- Woodrow Wilson's Lashawn Merritt wins two national titles with victories in 200 (21.73) and 400 (47.88). The Maggie Walker boys' 4x800 fell just short of a national title by a mere .07 as anchor leg Daniel Howard was just edged out at the end for an exciting finish with their time of 7:54.27 (Carmel HS of Indiana won in 7:54.20). Albemarle senior Hari Mix made up for missing out on qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals in cross country, by earning All-American honors in the two mile with a 3rd place finishing time of 9:11.30. Two Virginia girls earned All-American honors in the two mile as juniors Amanda Patterson of Midlothian (3rd, 10:45.08) and Melissa Dewey of Hayfield (6th, 10:53) finished strong among several Foot Locker finalists. Another pair of All-American girls came out of the 800 meter run with juniors Tasmin Fanning of Western Albemarle (4th, 2:15.39) and Shylan Bumbrey of James Monroe (5th, 2:15.98). Bumbrey earned All-American honors winning out of a slower heat. Natalie Sherbak earns All-American honors individually after receiving the honor the day before on her relay team with a 6th place finish in the mile (4:56.59). Thomas Dale junior Dennis Boone earned All-American once again in the long jump with a 4th place finishing mark of 23-2. Tallwood senior Faraign Giles repeated her All-American performance from a year ago in the 400 meter dash with a 5th place finishing time of 58.10.


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- We offer tropical wellness retreats that include; mind/body exercise, healthy meals, adventure activities, therapeutic treatments, massage therapy, adventure excursions, holistic workshops, lectures, tours & more.
- We also offer educational and holistic healing workshops and courses that may qualify you to earn CEU/CEC's.
- We offer Retreat Planning services and can assist other facilitators, instructors & healers in organizing their own retreat. We work closely with you to help you find the ideal international/local location, perfect accommodations, marketing, advertising, excursions, ground transportation, finding other facilitators and even assist you with your day to day itinerary.
- We speak Spanish fluently,which helps speed up the planning process for someone who doesn't speak the language. We have over 5 years of experience working in Central America. We have over 12 years of experience within the field of Fitness, Wellness & Health.
- We are always looking for new spirits and energetic instructors, healers and facilitators to join our team and collaborate with. Please send us a brief biography and background of your experience. We can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.
- We are looking for the right sponsors to work with because we like to provide our participants with some helpful items that may be useful during their programs and participants may wish to continue using the products upon their return home.
- We like to reward others and give back, if you refer anyone who participates in one of our programs, then you will receive a reward.
- We would be happy to consider reciprocal links that would be complementary with our business.


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Small Things Big
If you're into creepy crawlies, Michael Collins is the artist for you. From next Sunday 4 March till 25 March, Unit 3 Gallery in London will be in the grip of giant insects: Small Things Big: New paintings by Michael Collins. Above is Michael's Euchroea Vadoni (triptych). He gets his inspiration from the Natural History Museum in London. Click the title link for the Unit 3 clever-dick website, which badly needs redesigning. CLICK for Michael's own website.


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A splendid Emerald Ball
Québec City residents were treated to a magnificent Emerald Ball benefitting the Fondation Sourdine, which funds the École oraliste de Québec pour enfants malentendants ou sourds with the support of the Lobe Santé auditive et communication clinics.
Éric Savard of Québec City was the lucky winner of a piece of jewellery set with an emerald, an exclusive creation by designer Hélène Savard of Bijouterie W.R. Savard.
René Simard and Marie-Josée Taillefer with Me Michel Barakatt and Me Stéphane Harvey of law firm Barakatt Harvey S.E.N.C.R.L. Me Harvey is also an Honorary Consul of the Tongolese Republic.