text:
So how did we do? Well again, I think the summer treat us pretty well for online earnings. I know we had record breaking sales on some days and on average, sales were up. Hitting the 8% Amazon commission on the very last day was a first, and highly recommended! I only ever reached 7% before, last month.
Despite being so unsettled in August with putting the house up for sale an all the turmoil that goes with that, online work continued for the most part thanks to our 10 hour a week VA. We got another 40+ Squidoo lenses posted, 3 of the first Kindle Books published and a bunch more articles outsourced. I wrote some more content for my e-book and did more editing while we took a few days to get away and house hunt while my sister came and farm-sat for us.
Offline, I have been able to get outside and clear my head as this is like a dream I managed to dry a ton of herbs (sage, thyme, mint, rosemary, basil and lemon balm), and picked our harvest of blackberries and the zucchini are going crazy. It will be salsa time soon, as the peppers, garlic, onions and tomatoes ripen and making all these home grown goodies to take with us will be a great way to tide ourselves over til a new veggie garden is established. Being out in the veggie garden with the sun shining on my back helps me escape the stress of looking at all the things that need to be packed or done in the house before we leave too!
So, without further ado
August 2012 Online Earnings
Adsense $68.88
Chitika $0.71
Kindle Books $11.02 (3 of the first new titles this month)
Zazzle $25.37
Hubpages $25.39
My own IB/Seekyt/Wizzley/Squidoo Affiliate Amazon.com $3139.61 (up from approx $1070 in July and $200 in June)
Amazon.co.uk £32.88 up from about £1.50 last month so $52.60US
Clickbank and Shareasale Affiliate $142.38
Edited to Oct Payday Squidoo Amazon and Adshare commissions $2830.60
Grand Total is $6296.56 (I can't believe it either!)
(and way better than the 25 cents last August!)
Observations and stats
Average earnings per article is $11.34 over all my 556 articles
Official Average earnings per Squidoo article is $17.52 per article (was estimated at $16.70 before payday amounts finalized) over 319 articles (about 40 of them brand new this month). I counted $2759.77 in from Squidoo from my own Amazon affiliate results for an estimated Squidoo total of $5590.37
I broke my highest sales record of $4800 previous daily sales, with $5000+ in sales twice, then had a $6200 sales in a day, then the new record high sales day was approx $8260 and included a $2999 acoustic guitar which earned $239.92 alone.
So there were more smaller sales from more lenses this August. Generally sales of higher ticket items were down and definitely the best performing eraly summer seasonal articles were way down. With the switch of some of the top performers to my own affiliate links in late June, I have lost some analytics, but I am not too worried, I have been able to observe pure Squidoo data for months now and have certainly drawn some conclusions. Quite honestly I do not feel like having separate tracking IDs for each article and having to match them up with the Squidoo data too calculate each articles earnings separately. It is already taking a good 3 hours to total these up at month end, and it is still just a conservative estimate til payday in 6 weeks.
The smaller sales were for videos and movie rentals and purchase, and I think maybe some going-to-college cheap appliances, as it was definitely a different breakdown to other months, and 4-5 month old lenses that had not sold anything ever, came to life. There were also more sales from brand new lenses too, always a good sign! I love to see a sale the same week! One sold something first day, from 2 visitors!!
I figure I had to have sold at least $120,000 in products this month, as my own Amazon sales were about $46,000 and my Squidoo pay was on average half that 8% commission, so likely twice the sales volume.
With my own links, I think the ctr has gone up on those articles, as the images are bigger with a text module than the Amazon Spotlight. That may have led to such and increase though traffic is increasing on my top non-seasonal articles too. One hit 800 views in a day, that was one huge spike as the next best day was $500. My traffic and sales are always higher on the weekends!
5 things I learned in August
- How to run a list and use Aweber! Thanks to all the brave souls how have signed up! Mrstuckens has been helping me so kindly with WordPress and Aweber.
- How frustrating the formatting can be for Kindle books, and how to do a linked Table of Contents.
- How much fun it is looking on Fotolia for images and turning them into ebook covers.
- That I can actually continue to have fun learning new things to do online, while someone else does the boring stuff
- That I have actually been helping people, and they have the Amazon sales to prove it. Thanks for letting me know!
Plans for September
I need to tell everyone how to do this!
#1 priority is get the Squidoo book finished and figure out how to distribute it. I need to listen to Pat Flynn's e-book podcast again. I know how to format and post onto Kindle now, but want to be able to have it straight from the site, so am looking at E-Junkie, likely. I'd love to hear if anyone has any comments or experience with non-kindle e-books.
Nathan is going to take over getting content and putting it up onto Squidoo. If we can keep at 40-50 a month, that is about a weeks work total each month to just keyword research, outsource, check and put up new lenses. He wants to write some of his own to get a feel for it too, which is great! I look forward to reading them.
He is also going to check through all my lenses and update and make sure none of the lenses are considered poor as I think some of the long product names may be triggering Squidoo's filters. I think they changed something over the summer, now if republishing, a warning has come up on some and I want to have them all clean as a whistle. We don't know which are affected until we re-publish, as there are no warning signs or notices. We will update content in Oct for Christmas, make sure all the products and links are good, and replace outdated. I am wondering if we should combine the jobs or get the lenses straightened out and manually approved as soon as we can.
Other Web 2.0
I want to get some articles up on Seekyt too if I get chance. I still have all my keywords at Zerys, so could order a second set of each very easily then outsource the posting. We need to diversify websites and I'd like to get the Adsense income up too as it is steady in the $60 each month. At least this month, the non-Squidoo earnings are to around $700, so that is better.
I would love to add some more InfoBarrel articles to my stable too! And am considering buying the right quality Adsense articles at the moment.
Other Websites/investments
I have been keeping my eyes open and checking out Adsense Flippers for non-branded websites to invest in to help diversify, ideally something set up for Adsense that I can add Amazon or Ebay to, ideally in a niche that is already working for me.
My Niche websites sold zip this past month. No biggie, I haven't back-linked at all and am "still testing the effects of doing nothing" (spoken like a true procrastinator!). Most were seasonal for the summer, so I won't really know til next year now.
Kindle Books
Also, I want to get more non-fiction ebooks up and going on Kindle. I got 3 titles up and sold 4 copies total, in approx 2 weeks, which I am quite excited about as there are no reviews yet. I have a pseudonym there. I had considered bugging people for reviews, but think I will just do the right thing and go without that help. I may set up a Squidoo profile to help promote them and review related products too. I have had fun doing the book covers though I know for the time it took, I should have let someone else do it. I enjoyed it, and they can't be too hideous if I sold some!
I have more books being outsourced and underway and need to do some more research to come up with more ideas for books that will really help people.
Nathan wants to do fiction and he has some awesome ideas. We think we have found a writer to do his, so he will be spending time working out plots etc and getting things ready to write this month. About 5 years ago, we talked about jointly writing up some of his Sci-fi ideas, but better have someone who doesn't do run-on sentences!
Hopefully all the house hassle will die down soon, and we can sit down to figure out all the priorities and I can get on with some social things I need to do. Nathan is way more focused and organized than I am, so I think this will be a great team. He did project management, business contracts, hiring and ran the training program and can probably help more than I even realise right now. So he is officially off, so I hope we can do half as well next month. We are so looking forward to our new adventure!
If you are new to the blog and curious how fast this has come about, read this summary now of previous earnings amounts, Another make money online blog – Why would you read it?
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask them below!


text:
These are so damn cool!!! In now at TrueTone Music, a wide selection of Z-Vex one of a kind paint jobs, in just about every model they make. If you're into Z-Vex and want a cool looking one, as well as an amazing sounding pedal, check these out. Get em while you can cause they will not last!!!
|Brand New
U.S. Customers can pay via credit card, or PayPal. Merchandise paid for via PayPal will be shipped to PayPal verified addresses only. Sorry, absolutely NO international credit card orders or international PayPal payments will be accepted. Overseas customers can pay via Bank Wire Transfer ONLY. Merchandise paid for with Bank Wire transfer will be shipped upon written verification of funds from our bank. (approx 7-10 business days) Bank Wire Transfer fee's & all shipping fee's additional.
We ship all over the world and beyond!!!! BRING IT!!
We offer a 24 hour approval period once merchandise is delivered.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Masterpiece: Little Dorrit DVD
4 DVD SetMCLD401 List Price: $49.98 Our Price: $39.99
This timeless rag's to riches story concerns the vacillating fortunes of the Dorrit family. The kind-hearted Amy looks after her proud father William who is a long-term inmate of Marshalsea debtors' prison in London. But their fate is transformed by the unexpected arrival of the benevolent Arthur Clennam. As the Dorrits meet a variety of characters from rich to poor, a dark villain Rigaud threatens to spill a long-held family secret.
Browse other items in:Masterpiece: Film in the Classroom
IN STOCK, leaves warehouse in 1 - 2 full bus. days.
- Related Items
- Product Description
- Length: 450 minutes on 4 Discs
- Stereo: Yes
- Color: Yes
- Number of Programs: 1
- Production Year: 2008
- Country of Origin: United States
- 2009 Primetime Emmy Winner with 7 awards:
Outstanding Miniseries
Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special
Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie
Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special
Outstanding Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie
Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special


text:
- Home /
- Recipe & DIY /
- Dessert Recipes /
- Unique Ice Cream Desserts
Unique Ice Cream Desserts
Next time you're craving something cold on a hot day, try whipping up one of these tasty and unique ice cream desserts, sure to top that ordinary soft serve any day!
Next time you're craving something cold on a hot day, try whipping up one of these tasty and unique ice cream desserts, sure to top that ordinary soft serve any day!
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream! Summer is the perfect time to relax in the hot sun with a nice cold bowl of ice cream. Whether you are a kid or an adult, ice cream is a crowd favorite. While most prefer the standard cup or cone, we here at Celebrations.com like to think outside the box.
Ice cream can be the key ingredient in a variety of desserts from bon bons to beer floats. If you are willing to wait, making your own homemade ice cream can be both creamy and delicious...and much cheaper than buying it in the store!
Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae
This creation takes the ice cream sandwich to a whole new level. Take your favorite flavor of ice cream and create your typical ice cream sundae, but add two cut up ice cream sandwiches on the bottom. This is the perfect dessert for kids during a hot summer day and people will be pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of the ice cream sandwich addition.
Fruit Punch Ice Cream Floats
This dessert is perfect to keep the patriotic spirit going even after the 4th of July! This fruit punch creation pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream and delivers less sugar than most soda floats. Whether you are having a summer party or a family BBQ, this fruit punch ice cream float is the perfect after dinner sweet treat.
Warm and Crunchy Caramelized Peaches with Ice Cream
If you are craving something sweet than try this warm caramelized peaches recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The key is to not overcook the peaches so they keep that super crispy, caramelized taste. Top it all off with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce, creating that great contrast of hot peaches and cold ice cream.
Snickers Frozen Fudge Pops
Who doesn't love snickers? Now this crowd favorite comes in an entirely new form…ice cream pops. Simply make chocolate fudge pops, adding snickers candy bars both on the bottom and in the middle of the popsicle molds. Freeze overnight and you have the perfect snickers fudge pops!
Spiked Peach Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream may be tricky, but if you are able to tough it out the results are worth the wait. We used canned peaches and Ciroc Peach Vodka to make our spiked peach ice cream taste as good as it sounds.
Homemade Ice Cream Bon Bons
These bon bons will surprise guests when they bite in and realize that they're made out of ice cream. This recipe will take a few hours, mostly because you must wait for the ice cream to freeze completely to keep their bon bon shape. Make these delicious treats unique by choosing your favorite ice cream flavor for the inside.
Beer Floats
As a kid I loved making root beer floats, but now this simple dessert has matured with me! Swap the root beer for real beer and add a scoop of your favorite flavor of ice cream, vanilla typically goes best, but the possibilities are really endless. This is a great party treat to prepare on those hot summer days.
Red Velvet Ice Cream Balls
While we all love ice cream, the dripping and messiness of it can put a damper on those nice summer days. These red velvet ice cream cake balls are the perfect solution so you don't have to waste your day worrying about ice cream melting all over you. The best part is that they are so easy to make!
S'mores Frozen Pudding Pops
While this isn't an ice cream recipe exactly, the frozen chocolate pudding acts like ice cream, but provides fewer calories. For that s'mores taste inside all you need is mini marshmallows and graham crackers.
Rainbow Ice Cream Birthday Cake
Thinking of creating your own ice cream cake for a birthday celebration this year? Try this perfect blend of cake, fruit and ice cream! Opt for low-fat vanilla ice cream and sugar-free jello to make it low in calories as well. This colorful creation is sure to make a statement at your next event.
See how Dawn Sandomeno and Elizabeth Mascali elevate the every day with their fantastic recipes and ideas!Read More »


text:
Death Metal Band To Play In Airtight Iron Box – Until They Suffocate [VIDEO]
Yeah. You read that right.
Today, WTF Wednesday proudly presents:
A British death metal band, Unfathomable Ruination … catchy name … have decided to play until they die. Or pass out .. whichever comes first I guess. These head banging brainiacs will climb into an airtight, iron box and then rock until they run out of oxygen.
I'm sure you must be curious as to why so, read on. It's a "performance art" deal by Portugese artist Joao Onofre that he calls "Box Sized Die". (Notice Joao doesn't get in the box himself?) The event happens tomorrow and .. maybe .. the 4th in London. According to the city of London's official website:
"In each location the sculpture travels to, Onofre invites a local death metal band to play, on this occasion Unfathomable Ruination." "The box is soundproofed, determining and restricting the performance's duration to the length of time in which the oxygen is expended. Outside the cube, viewers observe its strange vibrations, only viewing the band's entrance and exit to the performance space."
Believe it or not, Unfathomable Stupidity … errrr, Ruination … aren't the first ones to try this. Holocausto Canibal already did it in Portugal, see for yourself!
Subscribe to KLAQ El Paso on


text:
UB, what's your thought on the "handles" of Dun ?
I agree with you that we've looked better ever since the trade, but that can also be attributed to the subtractions, or such, and not only the additions.
I saw a drop when Murphy went down but then once Ike got established yesterday the total time between Murphy going down and this team playing better with him in the line-up wasn't there anymore, all of a sudden the double thread down low seemed to revitalize this team again and basically tells the opponents; pick your poision, double/triple JO and Ike and/or JT kill you or single JO and he'll take you down.
I was amazed by how good JO and Ike "fitted" together down low.


text:
Community Based Instruction is performance based instruction using an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with goals and objectives that involvesa series of small group activities, where students apply independent living skills from the classroom into the community. Students receiving services are in secondary schools, receive Special Education services, are in need of functional skills in the community and are identified through a referral and screening process.
The program goals of Community Based Instruction are to enable students to:
Apply educational goals and objectives in the community,
Coordinate functional, academic, social, communication, and mobility
Effectively and safely transition into adult community living.
C. Milton Wright
Harford Tech
North Harford Middle
North Harford High
Fallston Middle
Bel Air High
Bel Air Middle
Edgewood high
Edgewood Middle
Aberdeen Middle
Havre de Grace High
Havre de Grace Middle
Aberdeen High
Joppatowne High
Magnolia Middle
Fallston High
John Archer
102 South Hickory Avenue Bel Air, MD 21014 | (410) 838-7300


text:
You won't be able to dismiss this by usual means (escape or click button), but you can close it programatically based on user choices or actions.
"The color and paper are very high-quality. After receiving our proof, we requested an additional change. The designer actually gave us two different options to choose. Very happy with the cards & shipping was faster than expected."
"We were very pleased with the quality of the card we received. It looks exactly like it does in the digital proof. The colors are brilliant, and the print quality is very crisp. The standard paper is thick enough to stand up to mailing and display without creasing. The envelopes are smooth and creamy, and take the calligraphy ink very nicely. The printing/shipping was much faster than promised. Strongly recommend."
"I ordered these save the dates because I wanted something a little different than the traditional magnet or large engagement photo of us. This was the perfect solution! It's cute, different, and fits us perfectly. The people at Wedding Paper Divas were so helpful and the custom color we chose was perfect! Thank you!"
"This card is truly perfect. Not only is it the perfect size, but made of sturdy paper. So elegant and classy, which was the theme I was looking for! I would recommend this save the date to anyone. I'm so happy I decided to go with this design!"
"The quality of this paper is very nice. The colors of my photo and the print design available worked perfectly together. Family and friends gave me many compliments!"


text:
Jennifer Lopez stepped out in a leopard-print ensemble to promote her new movie Parker in NYC yesterday. She paired the matching A.L.C. skirt and jacket with thigh-high Christian Louboutin boots and smiled for cameras while heading into a building. Later, she bundled up against the cold weather in a knee-length leather coat for a stop by The Daily Show. Jennifer has been hitting the talk-show circuit to plug the crime thriller, which hits theaters this Friday and also stars Jason Statham.
Though it's been a busy month for Jennifer, things haven't been all work. J Lo was in her bikini to relax with her family in Miami over the weekend and recently adopted a puppy with her boyfriend, Casper Smart.
Image Sources: FameFlynet, INFphoto.com and Pacific Coast News Online


text:
Pickles in a dream signify disputes, distress and rivalry. Eating pickles in a dream means distress. Seeing pickles and not touching them in a dream means financial losses. Making pickles in a dream represents someone who suffers from many diseases and serious ailments. (Also see Fruit pickle; Gherkins; Preserves)
Search Results for: pickles
Here's what we've found for you
To dream of pickles, denotes that you will follow worthless pursuits if you fail to call energy and judgment to your aid. For a young woman to dream of eating pickles, foretells an unambitious career. To dream of pickles, denotes vexation in love, but final triumph. For a young woman to dream that she is […]
(Cucumber; Small pickle) Gherkins in a dream represent a son who looks like his father and mother and acts like them. (Also see Pickles; Preserves)
Ajar of preserves in a dream means adversities, distress, or it could represent repayment of one's debts. (Also see Fruit pickle; Gherkins; Pickles)
Fruit pickle
(Relish) Pickled fruits in a dream means apostasy, corruption, emulating evil people, wasting one's money foolishly or breaking one's promise. Pickling fruits in mustard in a dream means speaking the truth at an inappropriate time, or speaking the truth then meeting with rejection. (Also see Pickles; Preserves)
(Large cucumber; Snake-cucumber; Squirting cucumber) In a dream, cucumbers represent distress and sadness. Ifone eats a cucumber in his dream, it means that he will strive for something but with great strain on him and particularly if he sees yellow cucumbers. If one's wife is pregnant and he sees cucumbers in his dream, it means […]
(Cistern; Container; Storing; Waterskin) In a dream, each type of urn is interpreted differently. A large urn represents a prostitute. In a dream, a cistern or any large conical jar made of porous clay and used in storing water represents a caretaker, a custodian or a curator, the head of the household, his safe, or […]


text:
"Allow the gods of f*@k-up to bless us" (Great Work quote)
Allow the gods of f*@k-up to bless us."
~ Mark Bowden
I've spent two weeks on the road with my colleague, friend and best-selling author Mark Bowden. It's been a lot of fun, and over breakfasts and dinners we've chatted about all sorts of things. He's a great storyteller, and with his long history in the theatre he's got some great stories to tell. (If you ever meet him, ask him about Toya Wilcox and Prince Edward and him in a cab.)
Talking about comedy, he threw away this line which I reached in and pulled back from conversational oblivion. His point? It's when it all goes wrong that true comedy, true versatility, true grit starts to show.
I love this quote. How about you?
(I was going to put in a YouTube clip of painful falls. But quite frankly, it was too painful. I'm sure you can find the pictures and videos you need to make the point…)


text:
dum dum
if it's meant to be
it will be.
these are the best words I've read today. Thanks
6 comments:
the stray
That's an outfit post from my trip to Palanga. So not proper for a fashion blogger. Hitchhiking starting at 8am, sleeping in dunes like a stray (in that bag is all my stuff for 2 days), cleaning my teeth in a public toilet and sitting in a place called
Laukiniu vakaru salunas
at 3am. Just to keep warm, of course. That's how my trip went. But despite that terrible tiredness, I had an amazing time with my sister. Laughing and making exercises under the beautiful starry sky. Love you!
9 comments:
days off are the best
DAYS OFF. Days off from work, days off from school, days off from holidays, days off from everything in life - they're the best. They're like micro changes in life that makes it easier and delights it with a pinch of unplanned magic.
These two days off from work were much of everything. That's why I decided to upload such an amount of snapshots. They describe the mood perfectly.
Architecture in Šiauliai. To me it's amazing.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Erich Maria Remarque.
Even sky cries.
One of the reasons why I keep coming to my hometown - nature in the yard.
I'm actually in love with it. So compact and so comfortable!
Another look. Not happy one, definitely. Ferocity.
Terrace of Sun
in Šiauliai. The city is full of surprises.
That's how summer in Lithuania looks like. And I can't say I don't like it.
A really funny painting from my adolescence. Found in garage - never finished.
Another reason, why I keep coming to my hometown - fresh vegetables.
My two loves: this new bag and garlic bread.
My cat - the only one I love.
He's got the energy, doesn't he?
An outfit // for the DAY OFF
The real me.
Another reason, why I keep coming to my hometown - sis xxx
8 comments:
ear blossoms
Sth cute and simple for my ears that I found on a flea market the other day. These two ear blossoms somehow make me feel so great!
1 comment:
morning light
Last two posts were with my photography work, but don't think, that now I'll post only that. No matter if the blog is named after I.VO - as I said before, I.VO is for almost everything I do. Just keep waiting.
And here is a small playlist for this lovely sunny shiny Saturday morning. I'm off to job, see you soon!
no. 1
no. 2
no. 3
no. 4
no. 5
No comments:
my work // Violeta test
It looks like a productive week! This is a test shoot for Violeta Tyrilo from RUTA model management.
model - Violeta Tyrilo (RUTA model management)
photography, hair, make up, style - Ieva Ukanyte
3 comments:
my work // *
My latest photoshoot with my sister and my favorite model Ruta Ukanyte. It was totally on the spot, with no preparations at all. It has no title, because it's just how me and my sister spend our free time together. Enjoy!
top - humana
pants - humana
heels - pas stanislova
photography, hair, makeup, style - Ieva Ukanyte
model - Ruta Ukanyte
No comments:
Newer Posts
Older Posts
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)


text:
If you're like me, you probably don't understand why people need fancy, expensive watches like Rolexes. I mean, it's a watch. It tells time. Who needs to spend $5k on that?
At least, that's how I felt before I saw this gorgeous Captain Phasma watch by Hong Kong-based watchmaker Memorigin.
Limited to just 200 pieces and priced at $5500, the face is designed to invoke our favorite chrome-plated First Order Captain in all her glory. It has 12 black diamonds as the hour markers, a black-and-red leather strap, and the back is made of sapphire crystal glass so you can see the inner workings of this beauty.
Take a closer look in the pics below.
(via CBR)


text:
CBS Gives Full Air Time to Attorney Firing Critics
CBS continues to pound away the US attorney firings story. On the March 16th edition of "The Early Show," reporter Bill Plante lead his story stating "the hole just keeps getting deeper." Plante then played a sound bite from Democratic hyper partisan Senators Chuck Schumer at Patrick Leahy. After playing a few clips of White House staffers Karl Rove and Tony Snow, they hyped Republicans calling for their resignation, touting Senator Gordon Smith and playing a sound bite of Representative Dana Rohrabacher implying Gonzales should go.
Anchor Harry Smith sought some expert opinion from Republican strategist Ed Rollins and Democratic strategist Mike Feldman. Fair and balanced debate? Not from what Mr. Rollins said from the start.
HARRY SMITH: Ed, let me start with you. Alberto Gonzales, two questions, should he stay or should he go?
ED ROLLINS: It certainly isn't the president's prerogative, but I would argue that he should go. Think at this point in time they're losing support among Republican Senators by the day. And the president desperately needs their support.
The transcript from the story is below.
HARRY SMITH: There are growing signs that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales could lose his job for his handling of the firing of those eight US attorneys. CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante is live at the White House with the latest. Good morning, Bill.
BILL PLANTE: Good morning, Harry. The hole just keeps getting deeper. New e-mails released last night by the Justice Department showed that while Gonzales was still the White House counsel in late '04 and early '05, he was involved in a discussion about getting rid of 15 to 20 percent of the US attorneys. And White House counselor Karl Rove was also involved in that discussion.
SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Well, it shows he certainly had the idea, firing US attorneys. It shows that the White House statements that he wasn't involved are false.
PLANTE: The e-mail quotes Rove as asking a White House lawyer in January 2005 "how we planned to proceed regarding US attorneys, whether we were going to allow all to stay, request resignations from all, or selectively replace them." Rove defended the firings and dismissed the outrage as partisanship.
KARL ROVE: This, to my mind is a lot of politics. And I understand that's what Congress has a right to play around with, and they're going to do it.
PLANTE: The Senate Judiciary Committee authorized subpoenas for five Justice Department officials, even though Attorney General Gonzales has said they will testify. But action on subpoenas for former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and for Rove has been postponed until next week as negotiations continue between the White House and Congress.
SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT): We now have strong reason to believe that despite the earlier protestations to the contrary, Karl Rove and political operatives at the White House and for the Republican party played a role.
PLANTE: The attorney general says he will testify and the president is still publicly supportive.
TONY SNOW: The president has confidence in the attorney general. He's made that clear both privately to the attorney general. He made it clear yesterday in the press conference.
PLANTE: But a second Republican Senator, Oregon's Gordon Smith, has now urged Gonzales to step down, as did GOP House member Dana Rohrabacher.
REP DANA ROHRABACHER (R-CA): Maybe the president should have an attorney general who is less a personal friend and more professional in his approach.
PLANTE: The public may be-- I mean the president may be publicly supportive, but influential Republicans around the White House are less so. They say he's finished, he's a problem, he has to go. Harry.


text:
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A panicked parrot named Pearly is being credited with saving a Florida family's life thanks to its high-pitched squawk.
Laurajean Niesel and her fiance woke up to the bird's frantic chirp early Monday morning.
"I heard the bird squawking and flapping its wings and woke up to see what was wrong," Niesel said. "I saw smoke coming from the laundry room."
Niesel said Pearly alerted them before the fire alarms could even go off. She was able to call 911 and firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading to the rest of the house.
"My children never liked the bird and Dave never liked the bird either," Niesel said, "So, now, maybe the bird will be in a better light to my family."
It seems Pearly's loud squawk, once deemed an annoyance, may actually be the sound of a hero.
Copyright 2014 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Trial Begins For Teen Accused In Twin Brother's Death
The trial of a teenager accused of killing his twin brother began Monday with juror selection, and opening statements were expected to begin on Tuesday.
Derris Lewis faces aggravated murder and other charges in connection with the Jan. 18, 2008 shooting that killed his brother, Dennis, 17, 10TV News reported.
Police believe that Lewis confronted his brother inside their mother's Loretta Avenue home and shot him during a dispute.
SLIDESHOWS: Images Of Dennis Lewis, Crime Scene | Dennis Lewis Funeral
Investigators recovered a bloody handprint from a bedroom wall, which a crime lab positively identified as belonging to Lewis, 10TV News reported.
Lewis has denied playing a role in his brother's death, and last week his lawyer filed an alibi motion with the court, saying Lewis was six miles away at the time of the shooting.
The motion also said there were three witnesses that would testify in Lewis' defense.
Members of Lewis' family have defended him throughout the case.
"We have thoroughly considered the charges filed against him," said the twins' cousin, Robert Lewis. "We have thoroughly considered the theories and arguments of the police. Derris would have no conceivable motive to do any of this."
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
Previous Stories:
February 20, 2008:
Reveals Evidence In Slaying
March 2, 2008: Family Defends Twin Accused In Brother's Death
Feb. 14, 2008: Twin Charged In Brother's Death
February 13, 2008: Twin Arrested, Charged With Brother's Slaying
January 24, 2008: Family, Friends Bid Farewell To Slain Teenager
January 20, 2008: Police: Men Break Into Home, Killing Teen


text:
Ob-Gyn questions? Ask a gynecologist online.
Hello, I am Dr Owen, I am a Board Certified Ob/Gyn Medical Doctor and I want to help you.
okay well Unlikely this an ovarian cyst since you do not have ovaries - HOWEVER you might have had a small piece of ovary left and hence this would be an ovarian remnant;.
and given you have had colon cancer I would suggest a PET scan and a CT scan to see exactly what this cyst is.
to type - type in the box and click on Reply
Had a CT scan and the report said it looks like an ovarian cyst.It is in my left pelvic cavity. Colon cancer was left side and had a hemicolectomy. Am currently in remission. Mostly worried about likelihood of cancerThe cyst is round in shape
okay -
Well more than likely a little piece of ovary was left - and this is fairly common since you can not always be sure you get every piece of ovary -
So I would suggest getting a CA-125 blood test to see if this is elevated.
Plus I would also suggest a possible Laparoscopic procedure to place a camera inside of you so that this 3.7 cm cyst can be better identified and if necessary it can be removed at the time of the laparoscopic procedure.
Most likely this is not worrisome - but I think this does deserve some attention given your history.
I hope this helps
If you have more questions, please ask
Please click on EXCELLENT
Thank you
Dr Owen


text:
The last time Penn State and Michigan got together, we were fortunate enough to receive one of the greatest photographs in human history. We also saw Michigan lose in quadruple-overtime to the unranked Nittany Lions.
It was such a devastating loss, Michigan will look to avenge it in primetime. From CollegeFootballTalk:
Michigan has confirmed they will play a night game against Penn State this season. Just days ago Michigan athletics director Dave Brandon hinted at the possibility of scheduling the October 11, 2014 home game against Penn State for a primetime kickoff, but now it has officially been announced. It will be the first Big Ten night game in Michigan Stadium history. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN.
"The night game atmosphere created by our fans has been electric and we expect that same type of energy for our first-ever conference night game against Penn State," head coach Brady Hoke said in a statement. "Our players really enjoy playing in primetime at Michigan Stadium."
This will be the third night game in Michigan Stadium history. Each of the previous two night games were against Notre Dame (2011 and 2013). The Wolverines will face Notre Dame in primetime in South Bend, Indiana on September 6 (on NBC).
Quite the card to pull for the under-handed Penn State, if I do say so myself. Regardless, it will be quite the early-season test for first year Penn State coach, James Franklin.


text:
Baseball Player Wall Decal
$ 59.99
SKU: ED00346xL-S
Our Baseball Player Wall Decal shows everyone that you are a true baseball fan. Whether this is for the kid's room or the "guys" room, the Baseball Player Wall Decal will bring out the player in you!
Skip the sticky part because these decals do not need adhesives, glues or pastes. It can be applied to most walls and can last for years. These high quality decals can be removed easily without leaving any residue or stain on your walls. With different colors and sizes to choose from, surely there will be a decal that matches your personality.


text:
The Georgia Mountain Food Bank is just months from occupying a new facility that will for the first time be able to store frozen and refrigerated food — thanks in part to a benefit golf tournament held Thursday.
The 20th annual Medical Center Open raised $233,830 to allow the food bank to construct freezer and refrigerated space at its planned 20,000-square-foot facility off Calvary Church Road, about a mile south of Candler Road.
"It opens up a whole new attitude for them," said Nancy Colston, executive director of The Medical Center Foundation.
Colston said the tournament proceeds are being matched by retired Atlanta businessman Walter Boomershine, a food bank board member the past three years, meaning the total donation will be $467.660.
The goal was to raise $155,000 from the tournament at the Chicopee Woods Golf Course and the $233,830 is a record for the event, Colston said. "That is the most we have ever raised."
The food bank, an affiliate of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, serves nonprofit agencies throughout the region, including Hall, Lumpkin, Forsyth, Dawson and Union counties.
It is now housed in space donated by Hollis Transport & Logistics at 4515 Cantrell Road, Flowery Branch.
"A lack of on-site cooler/freezer space at the Food Bank's current location has limited the amount of fresh produce, milk, cheese, meat, and other refrigerated items that can be made available to those in need. With this cooler space, the GMFB will not have to turn away truck loads of donated products because they lack the capacity to store it," Colston said.
Kay Blackstock, the food bank's executive director, said the golf tournament contribution "is going to insure" fresh food will be available at a time when the need is up and the food supply is down.
Donated food had to be turned over quickly because of the lack of freezer and refrigeration capabilities, she said. Now there will be about 3,000 square feet for cold storage and 15,000 to 16,000 square feet for dry storage.
The new facility, the Boomershine Family Logistics Center, could be in operation by February, Blackstock said.
The 2-acre site was donated by Gainesville businessman Jim Walters. The project is estimated to cost between $1.5 million and $2 million.
And then there were the 216 golfers who paid a minimum $200 entry fee, more than 200 tournament sponsors and around 150 event volunteers who made Thursday's contribution possible.
"It's very much a community support tournament," Colston said.
Since 1997, more than $2 million has been given back to the community from the proceeds of the tournament, Colston said.
"The beneficiary always is a nonprofit involved in improving the community's health," she said.
Past recipients include Good News health clinic, Meals on Wheels, Challenged Child and Friends, CASA and the school nurse program.


text:
Frisky Rant: The One Thing Ivanka Trump Has To Do To Be Taken Seriously
It's no secret that I have a rather low threshold for Rich Kids, especially Celebrity Rich Kids, who don't get their elbows particularly dirty building up their resumes like the rest of us. A few months ago, I wrote a post grousing about how Ivanka Trump wrote a business advice book called The Trump Card; I found this super-obnoxious considering her life couldn't be more different than those of the regular folks reading her book. Ivanka even admitted on "The View" that Anna Wintour offered her a job at Vogue upon graduation.
Last night Ivanka appeared with her dad, Donald, on "Celebrity Apprentice." And I had the realization that I'd be eminently less annoyed with Ivanka if she undid some of her father's damage. I'd like her to start with the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions.Donald Trump has done a lot of icky things in his personal life: He dumped Ivana Trump for Marla Maples, and Maples for his current wife, Melania Knauss Trump. And then there was that creepy comment he made about how if Ivanka weren't his own daughter, he'd date her. Of course, Donald Trump's treatment of the women in his life—trading in his aging wives for younger models, saying pervy things about Ivanka—is their business. But Trump's financial support of beauty pageants is something that affects all women and girls.
Supporting Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA and the unrealistic body images they promote is gross enough. But it gets worse: As recently as last year, Donald Trump stood up for Carrie Prejean, the Miss USA runner-up who made headlines for her bigotry when she declared she's against same-sex marriage. Trump actually took to "Letterman" to stand up for Prejean, accusing those who took umbrage at her belief that gays should not be allowed to marry, of just being jealous. I mean, really, of all people to stand up for, he chose Carrie Prejean? Furthermore, rumor has it that Trump even hand-picks the winners of the Miss Universe Pageant himself—essentially playing God with his narrow definition of beauty. The whole thing is kind of creepy, really. So, could this new generation of Trumps—ideally Ivanka, but one of her less famous brothers would be fine—just dump the Miss Universe Organization entirely?
I understand Ivanka does work. She sells her jewelry line and her "engagement in a box," does charity work, models, and works her ass off as Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions of The Trump Organization. But as far as I'm concerned, a lot of that's just Rich Kid stuff that she's been lucky to do because she was born with the last name "Trump." But I might — might! — be able to take her seriously if she used her very privileged position to do something good for women and get the Trump family out of the beauty pageant biz. ["Celebrity Apprentice," PR Newswire]


text:
For users who love the Galaxy family of smartphones but feel that these devices need a little bit more 'bling,' Samsung has released a phone that just may fit the bill — but it's only available in Thailand. According to IntoMobile, a special Samsung Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition featuring Swarovski crystals can be purchased in Thailand for 20,300 baht (approximately $630 USD). Only 3,500 units of these limited edition phones are available through official Samsung retail outlets in the country.
Not the First International Special Edition
Though a smartphone clad in Swarovski crystals might sound like a once-in-a-lifetime product, these special-edition smartphones are relatively common, especially in overseas markets. In fact, a special Crystal Edition Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini was released in Germany last month. Before that, the Gulf market was treated to a gold version of the Samsung Galaxy S4, according to The Mirror.
Could the U.S. See Similar Special Editions?
Limited-edition phones are not as common in the U.S. as they are overseas, so the chances of scoring a Samsung Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition stateside are slim. If you want to refresh your phone's style, Samsung has released three new color variants for the Galaxy Note 3 this holiday season: Merlot Red, Rose Gold White, and Rose Gold Black.
"Consumers view their mobile devices as an extension of their personal style, and Samsung is committed to delivering fresh ways for consumers to express themselves," Younghee Lee, executive vice president of Samsung's Global Marketing IT & Mobile Division, acknowledged in a company press release.
Although official special editions are more common overseas, some U.S. vendors are exploring ways to capitalize on a niche luxury market through unauthorized modifications to existing phones. For example, though not officially licensed by Apple, luxury iPhones are a hot specialty item. Computer World has found iPhones that have been custom-fitted with Swarovski crystals, gold plating, and even diamonds. These phones can sell online for hundreds or even thousands of dollars over Apple's standard suggested price.
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition certainly is a unique product designed to draw in consumers looking for something that conveys status and luxury. Though it is unlikely to see a U.S. release, the device caters to a luxury audience, and perhaps the U.S. could see something similar in the future.
If a special edition smartphone aimed at the luxury market were to be released in the U.S., what brands and/or styles would you like to see?
Image courtesy of Flickr


text:
August 2017 S M T W T F S « Aug 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Tags:Agriculture Amnesty International Antiterrorism Law Bachelet Carabineros Census Chamber of Deputies CONADI CONAF Constitutional Recognition Consultation Convention 169 Court Decision Criminal Justice Decree 124 Development Discrimination Education Environment Ercilla Government Action Health Huilliche Human Rights Hunger Strike INDH INDI JUNAEB Juvenile Lafkenche Land Rights Language Law 20.249 Legislation Media MIDEPLAN Military Justice Mining OAS Parque Lauca Pehuenche Piñera Poverty Prison Religious Protection Self Determination Selk'nam Senate Special Commission of Indigenous Peoples Tourism UN UN Declaration Urban Issues Water Rights Wikileaks Women
Category Archives: Wichí
UN Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Asks Argentina to Stop Evicting Indigenous Peoples
On Tuesday, September 18th, James Anaya, the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples delivered his annual statement to the Human Rights Council. During his statement, Anaya spoke specifically about indigenous peoples in Argentina and asked the government to stop evicting them from their lands. Anaya's statements were based on an official visit he took to Argentina on November 27 – December 7, 2011. Continue reading


text:
News Release
John Tyler Community College Board to Meet in March
Primary Media Contact:
Holly Walker
Public Relations Manager
Secondary Media Contact:
Heather Busch
Creative Services Manager
Released on February 23, 2012
CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – The public is invited to attend the upcoming meeting of the John Tyler Community College Board on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the College's Nursing Education Center, located at 1051 Johnston-Willis Drive. A sign-up sheet will be made available 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting for those persons interested in addressing the board.
John Tyler Community College is a two-year, public institution of higher education and is the fifth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia. With campuses in Chester and Midlothian and off-campus classrooms throughout the area, John Tyler offers quality and economical opportunities for students who want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year college or university, train for the workforce, or switch careers. The College, which served more than 14,522 students during the 2010-11 academic year, offers 17 associate degrees, eight certificates, and 35 career studies certificates. The institution also serves 15,000 non-credit students and more than 1,000 companies and government agencies annually through the Community College Workforce Alliance. The College also is committed to sustainability. In July 2010, it received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for its Midlothian Campus Science Building, becoming the first in the Virginia Community College System to receive such recognition. John Tyler Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Follow Us
Get More Information:
College Relations
Holly Walker, Public Relations Manager


text:
The Use of Surge Protective Devices in Mitigating the Effects of Lightning Strikes in Offshore Oil Applications
Recognizing the prevalence of lightning strikes in the Gulf of Mexico region, several system specifications and practices written for lightning mitigation have been applied and implemented in offshore applications over the last decade.02/18/2013
Securing Your Automation Ethernet Network
This paper covers the importance of securing automation devices for access internally on an Intranet, or externally over the Internet. Choosing an Ethernet Fieldbus offers the competitive advantage of speed, flexibility and accessibility though steps should be taken to secure automation devices and any associated programming workstations and servers. This paper seeks to educate the Controls Engineer on security strategies, technologies and options available.02/13/2013
10 Steps to Lean Electrical Controls
Globalization is forcing companies to constantly become more efficient. To drive efficiencies, many companies are implementing Lean Manufacturing to stay competitive in this ever shrinking world.02/04/2013
Alarm Management and Graphics Projects. Pros and Cons
No doubt everyone who has a DCS has encountered alarm management issues and User Interface overload. Why is that you may ask?01/28/2013
Five Steps to Creating a More Flexible Data Center
In this whitepaper learn how to build scalability into all systems and processes to ensure long-term success.01/21/2013
Discussion of Flowmeter Accuracy Specifications
Understanding the accuracy of a given flowmeter is an important field but it can also be misleading as different specifications are used to explain how accurate a flowmeter measurement actually measures. This paper discusses the different specifications and interprets the impact of them.
Why deal with accuracy?
The reasons for dealing with flowmeter accuracy specifications are many-folded. One important reason is from an economical point of view. The more accurate a flowmeter can measure, the more money you will save as the medium is measured with only very little inaccurately.
Another reason is in terms of dosing, where a given amount of a medium is added. This must be done with a high level of precision and the accuracy is thus important in order to dose correctly. This is critical in certain industries such as in pharma or chemical.
A third reason is in terms of billing purposes. By performing with good accuracy, you know exactly how much fluid flows into the process. Thereby, you are able to determine the right price of the product and thereby bill the customers correctly.
Therefore, knowing how much that flows through your system is paramount in order to make a profitable and solid business. You need to rely on a precise measurement with good accuracy. However, good accuracy must be obtained not only in one measurement, but in all measurements independent of the time.01/21/2013
Distributed Modular I/O Technology Guide
Learn 5 Reasons to switch to distributed modular I/O01/16/2013
Indpendent Techniques for Ensuring Strong Security in Your Control System
This article describes two independent techniques for ensuring strong security in systems using OPC Classic technology01/14/2013
Post-Stuxnet Industrial Security: How to Detect Industrial Malware on Day Zero
Preventing the next Stuxnet-like attack on the control world might be impossible, but operators can mitigate the effects and contain worms and viruses through early detection.01/07/2013
Hacking the Industrial Network
Industrial control networks are highly vulnerable to intelligent remote attacks, as well as non-intelligent viruses. With threats to these networks increasing in complexity and scope, decision makers need to take action before it's too late.01/04/2013
Building a Bridge to Safety
This paper examines the benefits and shortfalls of both safety PLCs and configurable safety relays. It also examines a new way of handling safety in industrial automation, "SafetyBridge" technology.01/02/2013


text:
Economically, we're in a recovery that hasn't really felt like a recovery, to paraphrase my fellow CBC Bottom Line panelist Jim Stanford. I agree, and looking forward, I am more pessimistic than optimistic about the coming year.
So what's my over-arching advice for 2013? Pull back on those reins, just in case.
Most people will point out that if everyone cuts back on spending, that might in and of itself trigger an economic downturn. But did I mention I was pessimistic? Not everyone will follow that advice, so it's survival of the fittest, I say.
Income is stagnant in Canada, yet a holiday spending survey conducted by the Bank of Montreal indicated that people were planning on spending an average of 15 per cent more this year on Christmas gifts. Both the flat income and rising expenditures are general trends and honestly, at this pace it's only a matter of time before housing and Christmas take up 100 per cent of our income.
But our domestic demons are only part of the story. We are mere days away from the supposed deadline to avert the fiscal cliff in the U.S. I say "supposed," because the Budget Control Act actually allows the U.S. government to retroactively make changes after the New Year. In fact, it might be this very provision that has commentators suggesting that the political brinksmanship should be renamed "blinksmanship." Except, it's not really a game of chicken when you know the consequences are not final.
Nonetheless, the situation looks pretty dire south of the border, and as they say, if the U.S. sneezes, we risk catching a cold. Europe isn't fairing too well either.
So both domestically and abroad, we have significant risk factors that could put Canada's weak recovery under pressure.
And so I will continue to urge those who care to listen to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If you can put a lid on your lifestyle inflation and shore up your own personal balance sheets, you'll be better prepared if we do end up dipping into another recession.
How do you do that? It's the same advice as for governments, except it's easier for us to do as individuals. You need to sort out your budget. Make 2013 the year to do it.Report Typo/Error
Follow @preetbanerjeeon Twitter:


text:
Associated Press
LONGVIEW — A Longview company that withdrew plans last year for a Columbia River terminal to ship 5.7 million tons of coal a year to Asia has come back with big plans for a $600 million terminal to ship 44 million tons a year.
Millennium Bulk Terminals plans to use the former Reynolds Metals aluminum site to load bulk ships for Asia with trainloads of coal from the Powder River Basin in Montana and Wyoming.
It would be the largest such coal terminal in North America, The Daily News of Longview reported (http://is.gd/EZeK56).
Millennium filed paperwork Thursday with the Cowlitz County planning department. It also needs permits from the Corps of Engineers and clean air agencies.
Millennium expects to complete an environmental study within two years, CEO Ken Miller said in an interview with the paper.
The company would install spray towers to limit the amount of coal dust, Miller said.
"I have no qualms about putting dust monitors out here to ensure that we meet standards," Miller said.
A threatened lawsuit from neighborhood groups last summer prompted Millennium to withdraw its original plan. Miller says Millennium is prepared for opposition this time.
"We would expect questions to be raised," Miller said.
Brett VandenHeuval of the conservation group Columbia Riverkeeper said he would be asking local and state officials to deny the proposal.
"The impacts to the communities, not only Longview, but all along the Columbia River, are too great," he told The Associated Press. "We don't want to be a conduit for dirty coal to China."
The terminal would be fed by as many as 16 trains a day — trains as long as eight miles. It would be built in two phases over five years to reach full capacity. A new dock would be large enough for two ships at a time.
Millennium bought the buildings and equipment on the Reynolds site in January 2011 for $10.9 million. The land is owned by Alcoa Corp., which is responsible for cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination.


text:
The following switch is a hand operated, control circuit device, rated 'Heavy Duty' normally for use with electromagnetic equipment. The powder coat painted yellow cover and chrome plated flat plunger are made from die-cast zinc.
Each captive terminal will accept (2) #14 AWG stranded wires. Each switch is supplied with all mounting hardware and a solid neoprene rubber gasket which provides an oil tight seal upon installation. The mechanical life of this device is 1,000,000 operations.
This switch can be found on a variety of machines such as punch presses, press brakes, and spot-welding equipment as "RUN" or "START" buttons. Its rugged construction and long term reliability make this switch extremely well suited to function within various environments.
Electrical Ratings
Listed under UL 508 – File # E 58589
Certified under CSA C22.2 – File # LR 3648
CE Compliant IEC/EN 60947-5-1
Third party certified under DEMKO File # FI-17205
Environmental Temperature Range
Operating: +32oF to +131oF (0oC to +55oC)
Storage: -40oF to +185oF (-40oC to +85oC)
Note: Operating temperatures at 0oC are based on the absence of freezing moisture and liquids.
Normal Potential
Normal Current
Inrush Current
110-120 aca volts
6.0 amp.
60.0 amp.
220-240 aca
3.0 amp.
30.0 amp.
440-480 aca
1.5 amp.
15.0 amp.
550-600 aca
1.2 amp.
12.0 amp.
115-125 dcb
2.2 amp.
230-250 dcb
1.1 amp.
a Power factor 0.35 or less
b Inductive loads as specified in Section 125 of Industrial
Control Devices, Controllers and Assemblies, ANSI /


text: The Reuseware Composition Framework is developed by people at DevBoost and the Software Technology Group of Dresden University of Technology as part of the DropsBox (the Dresden Open Software Toolbox). The best way to get in touch is to subscribe to our mailing list. If you have concrete bug reports or feature requests, please file a report in our issue tracker.


text:
Purple Passion with Lime Ice EarringsFriday, November 6th, 2009
One of a kind earring designs by Cheri Douglas #3
One of a kind earring designs by Cheri Douglas
"Purple Passion with Lime Ice"
Lovely Royal Purple Glass Beads & Lime Swarovski Crystal Accent Beads.
(Pierced/dangle w/copper plate hooks)
$27 (free shipping)
Delivered in lovely gift bags.
Start an inspiring ARTFUL day with the designer every morning
on Twitter @CheriDouglas


text:
Environmental Charter teacher's blend of art, science earn recognition
Shannon Merenstein did not have a background in science when she interviewed for a job at the Environmental Charter School at Frick Park the summer before it opened in 2008.
But the graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn knew she wanted to find a way to use her training as an artist to help children understand science.
"I was really excited and motivated to be an art teacher," said Merenstein, 26, of Lawrenceville. "But it's always been really important to me that art and science be connected, so students can learn scientific concepts by making art."
Merenstein's ability to meld the disciplines won recognition by the Carnegie Science Center, which selected her to receive a Carnegie Science Award in the Elementary Educator category.
"The ... awards spotlight some of the most innovative minds today," said Ron Baillie, the center's co-director. "These individuals are making a global impact, starting with our own region. We know they are already inspiring a new generation of leaders."
Merenstein began mixing art and science in the classroom by including rudimentary science lessons about land forms while teaching students how to draw the foreground, middleground and background of a picture, she said.
The process of merging art with science "really took off" when she and science teacher Chelsea Young obtained a grant last year to create a space called the Thinking Lab, where they co-teach classes.
"We took our science curriculum and our art curriculum and meshed them together so they are taught simultaneously," Merenstein said. "We try to make it seamless, so the students coming into the lab don't know whether they are getting science class or an art class."
Tawana Cook, principal of the school in Point Breeze, said she was "not at all surprised" to learn that the Science Center will honor Merenstein.
"Because she is such an inspired person, she serves as an inspiration to others," Cook said.
Tony LaRussa is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7987 or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Kirk Gibson is ready to take charge as D'backs' 2011 manager.
Kirk Gibson took over as interim manager of the last-place Diamondbacks on July 1 and worked with interim general manager Jerry DiPoto. Now DiPoto is gone, replaced as general manager by Kevin Towers on Sept. 22.
Will Towers retain Gibson? Chances are he will, since Towers has talked extensively with and has been impressed by Gibson, whom he didn't really know previously. Gibson said, "I think that in the end, if given the opportunity, I can change the environment."
Starting Aug. 17, the Diamondbacks began a stretch that included playing 32 of their final 44 games against contending teams, a stretch that made Gibson wistful and long to be playing meaningful games against those teams rather than be guiding an also-ran club.
"Ultimately, we want to enjoy this," Gibson said. "We want to be them. Does everybody on the team understand that? Probably not. We're getting better at it. I'll continue to talk about it. When I watch the Giants and I watch the Rockies (before they were eliminated) and we watch Cincinnati, it brings back memories to me of what it was like to be a player and do that. I hear people say in the clubhouse, 'We just want to have fun.' That's (expletive) fun! It fires me up to be able to be in this environment. Ultimately, we want to control our destiny and be that team. That's my goal."
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Gibson, who was the bench coach under fired Arizona manager A.J. Hinch, has faced the most difficult managerial task, taking the helm on the fly. To which Gibson smiled and pointed out that Tracy, the Rockies bench coach who replaced Clint Hurdle as manager May 29, 2009, and guided the team to the wild card, had a lot more success than Gibson in a similar circumstance.
"As I sit and watch the games and watch how we play, and some of the things we need to do better that they just don't understand, we need to ultimately teach them and get them to understand how to do it," Gibson said. "I'm hoping I get the opportunity to have a fresh start and to implement things, and have a method to it and see how it works. That part's challenging. You just can't change everything overnight.
"But we have a really good nucleus of players here. There are some guys that I think have a similar attitude to mine about what we're after. We have a nice foundation. So it's doable."
Gibson's managerial foundation can be traced to Jim Leyland and Sparky Anderson. The latter managed Gibson when he came to the majors with Detroit in 1979. After signing with the Tigers in 1978, Gibson played for Leyland at Class A Lakeland in the Florida State League and the following year at Triple-A Evansville in the American Association.
"He had the first influence and impact on me," Gibson said. He just treated me like everybody else. That was the message. He wanted me to learn how to play the game and do it right."
Gibson, who is from the Detroit suburb of Pontiac, was an All-America football player at Michigan State, went out to play baseball there just to possibly increase his marketability for the NFL and became an All-America in baseball, too. He remembers Leyland picking him up at the airport in Miami where Lakeland was playing and dispensing with any niceties and small talk.
"So now I'm going down to play 50 games in the Florida State League and then come back and play my senior year in football," Gibson said. "How much higher can you be? You're going back to play football. You're a star there at Michigan State. You're an All-American in football. You're an All-American in baseball. You just got drafted by your hometown team, the Tigers. How full of myself was I? Not that I meant anything harmful by it.
"I got in the car, and he laid into me about how he didn't give a (darn) who I was and what the (expletive) I had accomplished at this point. 'You got a lot to learn down here, kid. And I'll tell you one thing — we're going to be up everyday (on the field) at 8 o'clock. You want to go out and get (messed) up, that's fine, but you'll be with me at 8 o'clock. You and me, only you and me.'
"I looked at him and said, 'Bring it on (expletive)' We went at it like competitively. Did it all through A ball and the next year in Evansville. I'd work out at 8 o'clock with him and go home and nap and then workout with the team and play a game. He was very committed to me. What he wanted me to know was what I had accomplished meant nothing to this point because there's other people down here who could play pretty damn good, too."
Anyone who has ever been around Gibson, 53, knows how utterly intense he was as a player and how borderline approachable he was to those in the media. The seriousness is still there, along with an all-business attitude. It's not as if he's mellowed, but he has the wisdom that comes from experience, the ability to reflect and draw from the past, the ability to communicate well and an uncanny way to get right to the heart of the matter. And as for that business of making the transition from a coach one day to the manager and authority figure the next, Gibson said, "I don't even look at it that way. We're very adaptive to our situation; if you don't, you get eaten up. It's always a challenge.
"There's probably nobody more critical of me than me; that's how I was as a player. I'll continue to do that," he added. "At the same time, if take an 0-for-5 and make an error and we lose the game, you can only beat your own self up so much. You've got another game, for crying out loud. It's the same as a manager."
Ubaldo Jimenez, who is 19-8 with a 2.99 ERA, will have his third and final chance to win his 20th game Saturday when he starts for the Rockies at St. Louis. At the All-Star break, Jimenez was 15-1 with a 2.20 ERA. But in the second half, he has gone 4-7 with a 4.15 ERA.
Jimenez was handed a 4-0 lead before taking the mound at Arizona on Sept. 22 but gave up five hits, four walks and five runs in four innings and took the loss as the Rockies fell 8-4. He gave up two homers in that game, ending a franchise-record string of not allowing more than one homer in 84 consecutive starts. Jimenez hadn't done that since June 6, 2008.
Jimenez went 9-2 with a 3.19 ERA at Coors Field where he made his final start Monday. He gave up two runs and two hits in the first to the Dodgers, no runs and one hit in his final six innings and lost 3-1.
The day after his poor start at Arizona, when the Rockies had 11 games remaining and were three games behind in both the NL West and wild-card races, Jimenez mused about his situation.
"If I don't win 20 and we still make the playoffs, I'm going to be happy about it," he said. "But if we don't make it and I don't win 20, I'm going to be disappointed, especially the way I started the season."
Jimenez has a career-high 204 strikeouts, the second-highest total in club history and needs six in his final start to tie the club record of 210 set by Pedro Astacio in 1999.
When the Phillies clinched the NL East with an 8-0 win Monday at Washington behind Roy Halladay, it gave them a 20-5 record in September (the Phillies are now 21-6 in the month). They entered September month trailing the Braves by three games.
The Phillies opted to play an eight-day Division Series starting Oct. 6, which is ideal because it allows them to use Halladay, Cole Hammels and Roy Oswalt, their three dominant starters, on normal rest in a five-game series.
Halladay, who has won his past five starts, is 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA this season and will likely be the winner of the National League Cy Young Award. Hammels is 5-1 with a 1.55 ERA in his past six starts. Oswalt is 7-1 with a 1.65 ERA in 12 starts with the Phillies since being acquired from the Astros.
The Dodgers are 78-81 and must sweep their three-game series against Arizona to avoid their first losing season since 2005, when they finished 71-91. Los Angeles has finished below .500 just three times since 1990 — 1992, 1999 and 2005.
"It's always nice to win," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said, "but unfortunately that's the best we can do is .500."
That possibility exists because the Dodgers swept a three-game series at Colorado, winning three games by a total of five runs. The Dodgers went 6-3 at Coors Field this season, where they are 72-60 all-time.
"We've had some success here," Torre said Wednesday after the Dodgers completed their sweep. "It's never comfortable playing here, because you're never safe. They're capable of doing things, not only because of the thin air but because of their ability. It's not easy to sweep, but they had a little air taken out of their sails against the Giants. That was a big series for them, and by the time we came in here, they were fighting this uphill battle, knowing they had to go to St. Louis for four days (to finish the season). And that certainly wouldn't have been an easy task for them."
The Rockies were one game behind in the National League West entering play Sept. 19. That day, the Rockies jumped out to a 6-1 lead at Los Angeles against Clayton Kershaw, who had held the Rockies scoreless for 29 consecutive innings at Dodger Stadium. Colorado ended up losing 7-6 in 11 innings, the start of a 1-9 slide that ended the Rockies' postseason hopes (they were officially eliminated Tuesday). Eight of those nine losses were by two or fewer runs.
"We've been playing an awful lot of catch-up baseball over the last 10 days," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Wednesday after the Dodgers jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third and held on to win 7-6 and complete their sweep, "and that's not a very good formula for success as our record would indicate."
Before the arrival of the Dodgers, the Rockies dropped two of three to the Giants.
Tim Lincecum held the Rockies to two hits and one run in eight innings and won 2-1 on Friday. Matt Cain pitched a three-hitter and won 3-1 on Sunday.
Those two wins were sandwiched around San Francisco's 10-9 loss in 10 innings Saturday, which ended a streak of 18 consecutive games in which the Giants allowed three runs or fewer. That was tied for the third-longest streak of all-time and longest since 1917, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, and the longest since the end of the Dead Ball Era in 1919.
The 1917 White Sox allowed three or fewer runs in 20 consecutive games and the 1916 Giants did it in 19 consecutive games.
Cain held the Rockies hitless for 7.1 innings, the fifth time in his career he has carried a no-hitter to the seventh inning. His low-hit complete games are two one-hitters, including one this season May 28 against the Diamondbacks. Against the Rockies, Cain gathered steam as the game went on. He retired the Rockies in order through four innings without any strikeouts, but fanned eight in the final five innings.
Cain, Lincecum and Jonathan Sanchez give the Giants a formidable trio of starters for the postseason.
In 14 starts since the All-Star break, Cain is 7-2 with a 2.38 ERA (26 earned runs, 98 innings). Cain is 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA and four walks and 29 strikeouts in 37 innings over five starts in September, which has been a stunning turnaround month for Lincecum.
He went 0-5 with a 7.82 ERA in five August starts with 13 walks, 27 strikeouts and 27 hits allowed in 25.1 innings. In six starts in September, Lincecum is 5-1 with a 1.94 ERA and has eight walks and 52 strikeouts in 41.2 innings with 31 hits allowed.
As for Sanchez, he's 3-1 with a 1.17 ERA in five starts in September. He has 200 strikeouts in 188.1 to become just the fourth left-handed pitcher in the long history of the Giants franchise to reach 200 strikeouts. Ray Sadecki, 206 strikeouts in 1968, is the only other lefthander to accomplish that feat in San Francisco When the franchise was in New York, Cy Seymour had 239 strikeouts in 1898 and Hall of Famer Rube Marquard had 237 strikeouts in 1911.
Sanchez isn't the only lefthander making strikeouts history with his club. Kershaw, who will not make his final scheduled start and whose season ended Sept. 24, finished the season 13-10 with a 2.91 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 201.1 innings. The only two left-handed pitchers in franchise history with more strikeouts are Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax from 1961-1966 — he ran off strikeout totals of 269, 216, 306, 223, 382 and 317 in those six seasons — and Fernando Valenzuela with 240 strikeouts in 1984 and 242 in 1986.
The Padres have gone 12-21 dating to Aug. 26 when they lost the first of 10 straight games and have seen their lead of 6½ games over the Giants become a two-game deficit with four games remaining in the season, the final three at San Francisco. The Padres are 1½ games behind in the wild card.
Mat Latos, 22, has hit a wall, going 0-4 with a 10.13 ERA in his past four starts and allowing 29 hits and 20 runs, 18 earned, in 16 innings. Latos was on the 15-day disabled list about the outset of the All-Star break but has still logged 178.2 innings.
The Pirates finished 40-41 at home but are a ghastly 16-61 on the road with four games remaining at Florida, where the Marlins are 38-39 and went 3-6 on their last homestand against the Phillies, Cubs and Cardinals. Pittsburgh is assured of losing more road games in franchise history for any team that played an 81-game road schedule. The Pirates have won five road games since the All-Star break — July 27-28 at Colorado, Aug. 31 at Chicago, Sept. 12 at Cincinnati and Tuesday at St. Louis.
The Pirates also have a run differential of minus 276, which far and away is the worst in the majors. The Orioles (minus 176) have the worst run differential in the American League. And in the National League, the Diamondbacks are a very distant second to the Pirates with a minus 119 run differential.
The Pirates have 102 losses, not necessarily surprising for a team mired in its 18th consecutive losing season, a professional sports record. But this is just the second time in that dismal stretch that the Pirates have lost 100 games. When they opened PNC Park in 2001, the Pirates lost 100 games. They haven't endured this many defeats since 1985 (104). The Pirates modern-day franchise record for losses is 112 in 1952.
Carlos Zambrano has gone 7-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Cubs in 10 starts since returning to their rotation Aug. 9. After his blowup in the dugout June 25, Zambrano was put on the restricted list, participated in anger management therapy and made three relief appearances upon rejoining the team. During his 10-start stretch, Zambrano has allowed 41 hits and nine earned runs in 64 innings with 37 walks and 45 strikeouts.


text:
All Silhouette models do offer a print & cut feature when using registration marks. Print & cut jobs are those where you design a project in print format in the Silhouette Studio® program with cut lines associated around your images that are to be printed. After designing your print images and cut lines in the Silhouette Studio® program, you would then print your job to your regular printer. Once you have your printed image, you would then take your printed material and feed it into the Silhouette. The Silhouette's optic scanner will find the registration marks on your printed material and know accordingly exactly where to cut your defined lines around the printed content.
A video showing this feature may be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMcWKW8Ep70&feature=plcp.
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Why was this FAQ not helpful? (select all that apply)


text:
Europe Says Google Has to Delete Embarrassing Data
Peter Z. Scheer
The European Union's highest court issued a tough verdict Tuesday that could be a boon to privacy, but a loss to free access to information — and the business model of companies such as Google and Facebook.
A Spanish man argued that an old debt from 1998 should not follow him every time his name is punched into a Google search. The court agreed, and said Google (and other companies, by implication) would have to purge links to such information if certain conditions were met. Consumers would ostensibly have to go to "the competent authorities" (whomever those are) in order to have their rights enforced. The court may have been deliberately vague in order to allow the EU's constituent nations the right to figure out enforcement. Basically, though, it's a big slap in the face of Google, which now has to intentionally make its core product — making all the world's information easily searchable — worse. At least for one continent. Also, there's no potential for appeal.
You can, and Google did, make the free speech argument. What if, for example, Bill Clinton asks Google to purge all references to his affair with Monica Lewinsky?
There's another wrinkle. Many of the Internet's biggest corporations make their fortunes selling ads against the personal data they collect from their users. To what extent can Google's users, at least in Europe, now ask to be purged from its databases?
The Los Angeles Times reports that Europe has a more pronounced expectation of privacy, which might conflict with the United States' strong notions of free speech and a free press. It will be interesting to see this tug of war play out over the next few years.
In the meantime, don't expect Google to pull its stakes out of Europe. There's money on the table, and it's not going away anytime soon because one Spaniard will finally know peace.
— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer


text:
$16.00 donated in past month
IMC Network
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay FeatureRelated Categories: California | Central Valley | Environment & Forest Defense | Government & Elections
Peripheral tunnels could increase fish kills from water exports
"The history of the Delta tells us that past agency assurances that projects to divert water from the estuary would be beneficial or benign were grievously wrong: virtually all of them exacerbated conditions to the point where Delta fisheries are on life support," said Bill Jennings, Executive Director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA).
Download PDF (234.7kb)
Peripheral tunnels could increase fish kills from water exports
by Dan Bacher
Millions of fish would continue to be killed if the Peripheral Tunnels proposed by the Brown administration were built, according to a groundbreaking new white paper released by the California Sportfishing Alliance (CSPA) and Restore the Delta (RTD) on Thursday, March 7.
The paper also dispelled the notion promulgated by the state and federal governments that the problem of massive fish kills would be solved by installing some some "magic" new fish screens on the proposed North Delta Intakes.
"Proponents of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) and its peripheral tunnels suggest that only by diverting water from the Sacramento River can the Delta be restored because of immense fishery losses at the South Delta export pumps," said CSPA Executive Director Bill Jennings, who wrote the white paper. "This is simply incorrect! Fish losses could even increase with the addition of a North Delta diversion point."
Jennings began the white paper, using extensive references to state and federal government data, emphasizing how lethal water exports from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta are to Central Valley chinook salmon, steelhead, Delta smelt, striped bass, threadfin shad and other fish species.
"Between 2000 and 2011, more than 130 million fish have been 'salvaged' at the State and Federal Project water export facilities in the South Delta," according to the report. "Actual losses are far higher. For example, recent estimates indicate that 5-10 times more fish are lost than are salvaged, largely due to the high predation losses in and around water project facilities."
Additionally, the fish screens are unable to physically screen eggs and larval life stages of the fish from diversion pumps. "The losses of eggs and larval stages of fish, as well as the enormous losses of zooplankton and phytoplankton the comprise the base of the aquatic food chain, go publicallly unacknowledged and uncounted," the report said.
Diversions from the South Delta will remain essential under the proposed conveyance facilities.
"Exports from the South Delta pumps will remain a significant percentage of total water exports," the report noted. "BDCP currently estimates that 50% of State and Federal Project exports would come from the existing South Delta diversion facilities in average water years and as much as 75-84% in dry and critical water years."
"In fact, BDCP modeling suggests that exports and fish entrainment from South Delta diversions could potentially increase in certain water year types and for critical life stages of certain species. The BDCP itself estimates the project could increase the killing of steelhead, Winter and Fall-run Chinook salmon, Longfin smelt and Sacramento splittail," the white paper said.
The report noted that the South Delta export fish screens are ineffective and obsolete – and new South Delta fish screens are both needed and feasible.
"The present South Delta fish screens are based upon 1950s technology, and massive fish losses have been documented for more than 30 years," stated Jennings. "Only about 11-18% of salmon or steelhead entrained in Clifton Court Forebay survive."
Finally, the report said proposed fish screens on the Sacramento River are problematic, using unproven technology.
"Contrary to assurances of BDCP proponents, it is uncertain whether the fish screens for the proposed new North Delta diversion will actually work," the report said. " The proposed screens are experimental and have never been employed anywhere else. Some 22 studies are required to determine if the proposed screen design concept will work, will be protective, or if the screens can be legally permitted."
"Half of these studies are proposed post-construction. Waiting until after construction and the expenditure of billions of dollars to see if these experimental new concept fish screens will work makes no sense. Construction of North Delta diversions should not be initiated until it can be established that the proposed experimental fish screens are feasible, protective and legally permittable pursuant to the Endangered Species Act," the report stated.
Jennings concluded, "The history of the Delta tells us that past agency assurances that projects to divert water from the estuary would be beneficial or benign were grievously wrong: virtually all of them exacerbated conditions to the point where Delta fisheries are on life support. The harsh reality is that no estuary in the world has survived the diversion of more than half its water flow and the extreme modification of its hydrograph (i.e., peak flows shifted from winter to summer). Speculative promises of mitigation and accountability can no longer be sufficient to justify the construction of major water projects."
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, executive director of RTD, said, ""The Peripheral Tunnels could increase, not decrease, the massive fish kills from water exports. For decades, they have failed to provide effective fish screens at the existing pumps."
"Why would anyone believe that new, untested fish screens at a second diversion point will be any better? The Peripheral Tunnels are the death knell for our salmon fisheries, and deny San Francisco Bay of the freshwater flows to sustain Pacific fisheries," she said.
The Brown administration continues to push the peripheral tunnel plan as the solution to achieving the "co-equal goals" of ecosystem restoration and water supply. However, Jennings said that regardless of what happens with BDCP, the state and federal governments and water contractors must agree to update these obsolete fish screens in the Delta.
"There shouldn't be any construction of North Delta facilities until the state and federal governments know that the screens meet certain standards," said Jennings. "If they can conjure up magic and build protective fish screens in the North Delta, they need to show us how. We can no longer rely on their promises of accountability, given their history."
I haven't received a reply yet from the California Department of Wildlife regarding their response to the white paper.
The complete White Paper, "BDCP and Fish Population Losses at the Pumps," is posted to RTD's web site: http://www.restorethedelta.org/
For more information about the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, go to: http://calsport.org
The release of the white paper takes place as Governor Jerry Brown and Natural Resources Secretary John Laird continue and expand many of the most environmentally destructive policies of the Schwarzenegger administration. Besides fast-tracking the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build the fish-killing peripheral tunnels, they presided over record water exports to corporate agribusiness and Southern California in 2011 and authorized a record "salvage" of 9 million Sacramento splittail and over 2 million other fish including Central Valley salmon, steelhead, striped bass and threadfin shad the same year. (http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/05/07/carnage-in-the-pumps/)
Their list of environmental "accomplishments" includes overseeing the decline of Delta smelt and five other fish species in 2012, presiding over the annual stranding of endangered coho salmon on the Scott and Shasta rivers, clear cutting forests in the Sierra Nevada, and embracing the corruption and conflicts of interests that infest California environmental processes and government bodies ranging from the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to the regional water boards.
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.


text:
Chapter 6: Maternal Instincts
Shayla's POV
After we returned from our day-long hunting trek out in the woods, Carlisle called us in to the new dining room for a family meeting. The dining room wasn't as worn as the living room; it had emerald green (though slightly faded) carpet, chipped wood-panel walls, and a dining table, supposedly antique, with wooden claw-foot chairs.
We came in at our own pace, sitting where we would have back in Forks. Esme and Carlisle were already sitting when we walked in. When we sat down, everyone had their own feelings and emotions. Alice was really excited, Jasper was quite happy for her, Emmett was grinning and Rosalie was haughty and pissed-off. I could tell that Rosalie still didn't like the idea of moving here. And frankly, I agreed with her.
When Edward finally came in, he looked calm. He glared at me when he caught track of my thoughts. You seem to be okay now, bro. I still don't see why we all had to leave Forks. Jackass. I added that last line after his glare. Don't act like you're mad at me, bro; you're the one who made us all leave. He gave a small growl and I curled my lip up, slightly baring my teeth.
"Ahem," Carlisle coughed and we turned our attention back to him. "I think we need to choose what we are doing during our stay here. I will be at the hospital and I have decided that I will start teaching at Cornell soon." He turned to my older siblings. "Perhaps you might like to study there, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper?"
Emmett and Rose exchanged looks.
"Well, Carlisle, we were thinking of taking another honeymoon," Emmett admitted gently. "Not going straight away, but we were thinking of going to Europe for a while."
Rosalie nodded, agreeing with her husband. "I could study engineering until we are ready to go though."
"And I might go study philosophy," Jasper chipped in. "It's a quite interesting topic and I would really love to learn more about it."
Carlisle nodded his head and looked at Alice. "Alice, what about you?"
Alice was quiet.
"I'm not exactly sure," she admitted. "But I would like to find out more about my human life by using that tape James made last year."
Last year, during the whole drama with James, he had tried to use a video camera to record himself torturing Bella, but while he was doing so, he revealed crucial information about Alice. Apparently he had met Alice when she was human, while she was in a mental hospital for suffering from visions. Alice had smelt to James like Bella had to Edward; beyond mouth-watering. But to protect her, an older and compassionate vampire had turned Alice. She had no memory of him or her time in the asylum. Only that tape had cleared up what she didn't know.
I could understand what Alice wanted. She wanted answers. Why was she put in a mental hospital? Why did her parents do such a thing? What had happened to her family? She needed to know these things.
Esme nodded her head as she spoke. "Of course, Alice. We understand."
Carlisle glanced at Edward. He didn't speak, but Edward answered. "No Carlisle, I don't want to."
My father nodded, Edward obviously had been listening to his thoughts, and then he focused on me. "Shayla, what are you doing to do?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I don't look old enough to get into university, though I'm not at the right age anyway, and I don't really want to go back to school. I might have a year off, and then maybe… I don't know… go travel for a bit…" I shrugged again.
My parents agreed with this and after another quick discussion of what Esme planned to do to the new house, we were dismissed.
I went to my room to move the rest of my things in. Jasper and Emmett were shooed out of their rooms by Alice and Rosalie, so I invited them into my new room to help me unpack my stuff. The problem was that they were not very good at following my particular method of organization.
"Hey, hey, hey!" I yelled at Emmett as he attempted to stick one of my many posters on the wall. "Pink goes over there…" - I gestured to higher up on the wall, slightly to the right, where my other posters of singers and bands were - "Up between Katy Perry and My Chemical Romance, and just below Jessica Mauboy!"
"Picky much?" I heard him mutter darkly in reply, before he removed the poster and stuck it where I had directed him to.
I went back to patiently unpacking my other belongings, such as my small collection of books. They were mostly fantasy novels, such as Harry Potter, Eragon, and a few that were concerning vampires like The Vampire Diaries. They, my siblings, had scoffed and laughed at me for reading such untrue tales, but I quite enjoyed struggling not to laugh at the ignorance humans had for my species.
My species… what had I been reduced to? Referring to my kind as a species? Moving away was the worst idea that had ever been suggested in our family's time.
I could feel myself getting more and more desolated and depressed as I thought about our decision and I sighed with sadness. But then a wave of great calmness and happiness crashed over me. I shot a sly grin at Jasper, who was smiling slightly as he pretended not to pay any attention to me, while he sorted my CDs into alphabetical order in the CD case in the corner of the room.
"Jazz, stop screwing with my emotions," I said to him, widening my smile into a grin as more emotions soared through me and replaced those less desirable feelings. Pain, sadness and irritation disappeared to be replaced by calmness, happiness, and joy.
I couldn't help but smile fondly at Jasper, and that wasn't his doing. Jasper was my favourite brother, not to bag on Edward and Emmett, but Jasper… he was always there for me. He took me on my first hunt, helped me after I killed my first human by accident, and even taught me how to be out in public and how to drive. Basically, he was a brilliant older brother. Emmett and Edward were too, but… Edward was too depressed all the time and Emmett was always joking around, never being serious. Though I loved that about Em, there were times when that just got plain annoying.
And Edward… I loved him more than anything, but ever since that party, he had gone into a deep depression, even worse than the one before he had met Bella. I secretly wondered how she was doing. I made a mental note to check up on her one day, to see how she was coping. Deep down inside of me, a certain feeling of dread told me that she wasn't, that she was acting the same, if not worse, than Edward.
After unpacking everything I had brought, I shooed the boys out and back to their girls before I took the empty boxes and suitcases to the closet down the hall. It was empty, so I figured I was the first to be fully unpacked.
I went downstairs to find Esme in the dining room, already making plans to renovate. She eagerly told me her ideas.
"I'm going to knock out this room and replace this with glass, just like our old home, and then I'm going to move the dining room into that spare study downstairs and open this all up," she told me excitedly. "It's not just going to be a house; it's going to be a home soon. Would you like to come help me pick out some furniture later? We could go into the city too…" she then asked me.
I shook my head sadly. "No thanks, Mom, I don't think I could handle it. Some other time maybe?"
"Of course." She nodded at me before turning around and murmuring something about picking out either wallpaper or paint.
I dashed upstairs to the second floor, but didn't stop there; I went straight up to the top floor.
There was a short hallway here, with arch-shaped windows set into the walls, which led to a single room: the penthouse. Or better known now as Edward's new room.
I knocked on the door. Edward, you there, bro? I didn't hear an answer, but I did detect a faint trickle of his scent.
Edward… I tried to call him again, but there was no answer. I heard him walk across the room and move some things around.
Edward, I'm sorry that I'm trying to be pushy… but I'm just so worried about you, bro… Please talk to me.
I heard him stop moving around and then I heard him sit on the bed, its springs squeaking. But then I heard another sound, one I had not expected to hear. Sobbing.
Edward was crying.
I yanked the door open and rushed to Edward's side as he sat on the bed with his knees drawn up to his chest, his arms wrapped around his legs, and his face buried into his knees as his shoulders shook and dry sobs fell loose from his quivering jaw.
"Oh, Edward," I whispered, as I came closer to him. He made no movement to state that he heard me; there were only the rumbles of desolation echoing from him. I came closer still and I then came to stand before him. I sat down on the bed beside him before wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
Oh, Edward… Edward, you don't know how sorry I am. Sure, you may hear it in my thoughts, but you cannot feel in my heart how sorry I am. I wish I could take all of it back… I am so, so, so sorry.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into my lap, like I was the older one instead of him. It felt weird, but surprisingly natural. Maternal instincts; they might have been buried deep, but they were there. I kept my arms around him, hugging him to me as he sobbed. I watched him, almost tearfully, as he cried. Oh, how it pained me to see him like this.
I kept saying his name, both mentally and vocally, as I shifted my grip on him to cradle him in my arms. I stroked his shoulder gently. I knew that he liked to be sung to, he always used to say that I had such a beautiful voice. "Na, na, na, na, nah… na, na, na, nah… you are the music in me…"
I kept humming and singing to him, like he was a young child, like he needed a lullaby to fall asleep. But he wasn't a young 'un. He was my brother, who had lost the love of his life – and it was all my fault. I hadn't realized that I was thinking of Bella, when all of a sudden, he started to growl softly.
"Sorry, bro," I whispered as I cradled him. He lifted his head for a moment before he wept into my shoulder. I hugged him tightly to me, telling him that it was okay to cry.
"Shayla…" a voice said from the doorway. I looked up to see Carlisle standing there in the dim light, his face barely lit up by the moonlight filtering in through the closed blinds.
"I heard him growling," my father whispered to me as an explanation. "Is he… okay?"
I glanced from Carlisle to Edward. Edward had stopped sobbing but his shoulders still shook. With a tilt of my head, I beckoned to my father to come over.
Carlisle sat beside me as he comforted Edward. That was my cue to leave. I slid him off me and into Carlisle's lap. My father wrapped his arms around Edward to comfort my brother.
I slipped out of the room and met Alice on the stairs.
"How is he?" she asked, though I knew that she would already know my answer.
I sighed with frustration as I leant against the rail of the staircase. "He's not good Alice, not good at all. He's destroyed himself, he's not Edward anymore. He's an empty shell without her… it was like before they met… but worse. And there is not a damn thing I can do to help him!" I felt like slamming my fist into the rail in frustration.
Alice caught my hand before I could do so. "That isn't going to help," she said sternly. "It's not your fault Shay, it's expected of us."
"I know that now… I only wish I knew how to help him," I admitted.
I stared up at the ceiling in sadness, where I could still hear the faint sobs coming from my sad, lonely brother, Edward.