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Surpassing Danger
Chapter 44: Innovations and Renovations (Year 7)
By Anne B. Walsh
Author Notes:
Somewhat disturbing, if amusing, images in chapter. Read at your own risk.
Patroclus Nott turned a corner and stopped short. He had been looking for his nominal host all morning, and now it seemed he'd found him.
Though not anywhere I would have expected him to be.
Still, whatever else has changed about Lucius, he hasn't lost his ability to pose.
The only living scion of the House of Malfoy sat comfortably on one side of a window seat, the pallor of his skin and hair set off by his robes of unrelieved black, the bright sunlight of late morning falling full on the pages of the book he held in his slender, elegant hands. The rest of the seat was occupied by Starwing, who sat with her back to the opposite wall and her feet planted on the cushions, her black cloak and the equally black ribbon she was stitching to it spread across her gray-robed lap.
"What do you want, Patroclus?" said Lucius without lifting his eyes from his book. "Or did you simply come to enjoy the view?" Now he did look up, his gaze traveling slowly over Patroclus in the look which somehow always succeeded in reminding him of the many questionable spots on his family tree. "While I do admire your taste, I should warn you. If sufficiently agitated, she bites."
"I beg your pardon?" Patroclus let his hand hover significantly near the grip of his wand. "Are you insinuating I would be unfaithful to my wife?"
"Why not?" Pale eyes gleamed with dark humor. "Unless you're so foolish as to think she and that young man she hired to tutor her in the Romance languages aren't conjugating a bit more than verbs while you're away on the Dark Lord's business. About your son's age, isn't he—ah, ah." This in a chiding tone as Patroclus started to draw his wand, and found himself facing the tip of Starwing's, aimed directly for his right eye. "He means no harm, my dear. Do you, Patroclus." The voice managed, between one sentence and the next, to chill twenty degrees and lose all of its lazy, drawling good humor.
Clenching his teeth, Patroclus released his wand's grip and showed his hands empty and harmless. Starwing let go of her own wand, which disappeared up her sleeve, and unhurriedly picked up her needle, returning to her pointless stitchery.
"Why do you have her do that?" Patroclus demanded, pointing at cloak and ribbon. "What good is it to anyone?"
"It keeps her occupied, and free from fretting." Lucius smiled thinly. "And unlike other forms of threadwork, it will take no harm if she must drop it hurriedly. As you saw." Leaning back, he half-closed his eyes, regarding Patroclus lazily over the beam of sunlight which had been shining on his book. "Now, was there something you wanted? A message, perhaps, or a question?"
"What happened to you?" The words escaped Patroclus without his conscious consent. "You've…changed."
Lucius tucked a marker into his book's pages, shut it, and set it aside. "That which does not change," he said in a meditative tone, "dies." His eyes met Patroclus's squarely once more. "And I defy you to find any man who has looked into the face of death and has not changed. Especially when that death wears features so very similar to his own." One finger traced the slender scar under his left eye. "If I had not been willing to change, to adapt, to improvise, the final battle of the Malfoys would have ended far differently. And now?" He spread his hands, continuing the motion with the left to stroke Starwing's hair where it lay across the shoulder of her robes. "Now, Patroclus, I continue that adaptation to surround the new circumstances of my life."
"What do you mean?" Patroclus hovered his hand near his wand once more, and at Lucius's nod drew it slowly and conjured himself a chair, sitting down facing his fellow Death Eater.
"I have taken an injury." Lucius flexed the fingers of his right hand, looking thoughtfully at it, as though remembering what it felt like to hold a wand there and know that his magic would respond. "A painful injury, surely, and not one I like to admit, but one which will heal, given time and proper care. Should I deny myself that care, for the sake of my pride, and run the risk of crippling myself for life? Or, worse, losing our Master some objective he wishes to win because I cannot perform the tasks he demands of those who fight for him? Is it not much wiser to find those things I can do while I heal, and accept with as good a grace as possible the help I may need while I am, shall we say, not quite myself?"
Slowly, Patroclus nodded. "Only—why Wormtail?" he asked, glancing down at the floor, half-expecting to see the little rodent come skittering by, attracted by the sound of his name. "I would have thought you'd rather avoid him. Certainly everyone else does!"
"And because everyone else does, he will be fawningly grateful for the chance to do something, anything, for the Dark Lord's cause," Lucius countered easily. "As he is, and has been for the last week and a half. I have also taken care to possess myself of certain facts about him, which ensure his fullest cooperation in whatever I ask of him. And I amuse myself, as he works, by imagining my study, once the war is over and we may retake our rightful places." His hands shaped a box in midair. "An Unbreakable cage on a shelf, with a little wheel to one side, and rewards of food and water linked to how long and how swiftly he runs on it…"
Patroclus snickered, enjoying the image.
"He joined our side originally because he saw no other way to survive." Lucius caressed Starwing's dark blonde hair again, twining his fingers into it. "I see a certain poetry in taking from him everything but his bare survival. I had even considered using on him the dagger I wrested from little Starwing, inflicting the Imprimatus Potion upon him, but I doubt I shall." He sat back, watching her hands move. "A pretty girl under my complete control, a permanent Imperius, as it were, and with no more mind than an owl, is both useful and ornamental. A fat fool like Wormtail, with no more mind than a rat, would be neither. So he shall keep his humanity." His smile was cold. "Much good may it do him, in his cage on my study wall."
Elsewhere, a wizard named Novir peered around the corner of a building and considered his options.
None of them looked terribly appetizing.
How are they bloody doing this? He conjured himself a cup of water and gulped it down thirstily, hoping the soothing effect on his parched throat would help to stimulate his mind. It's like they know where I am, like they can smell me or something—that'd be just like the Weasleys and their sort, putting spells on themselves to be able to sniff out a trail like animals…
However they were doing it, the fact remained that the Red Shepherds had now found his hiding place three times in twenty-four hours, and it didn't look like he was going to make it to number four.
I've got one shot. He took another look around the corner, trying to calculate distances in his head. If I can get out of this little alley, onto what passes for a main road in this blighted wasteland, there might be a few Muggles around, and they're squeamish about putting the animals in harm's way, or Merlin forbid, doing magic in front of them. He snorted in disgust. Not like a Memory Charm or three is going to harm them, they can barely see what's under their noses as it is. If I can just make it out there, I might have a clear shot at getting back to one of our safe houses…
Gathering himself, he cast a Shield Charm around his body, then bolted for the alley's entrance. No spellfire followed him, no other forms moved—
Caught them totally flatfooted—I can't believe it—
With a final burst of speed, he dashed through the narrow gap between two buildings.
I've done it, I've done it, I'm fr—
A tiny sproing was all the warning he had as a net materialized out of nowhere, its fibers wrapping tightly around him and scooping him off his feet to dangle between the buildings. He yelped in shock, then quickly applied his wand to one of the ropes—if he moved quickly, he could still get loose from this trap before—
"Expelliarmus," said a calm, carefully enunciated voice, and Novir's wand was ripped from his hand. He slewed around in time to see a piece of the scenery stand up, catch his wand neatly in its off hand, and unhurriedly remove its Disillusionment, revealing itself as a bespectacled, disheveled ginger wizard with the smallest of smirks on his freckled face.
"Hello, Mr. Novir," said Percy Weasley, brushing a streak of dirt off his robes. "We've been waiting for you."
Hermione sat on a windowsill in the Gryffindor common room, sun warm on her back, watching Ron making minute adjustments on the schematic of Malfoy Manor the Pride had been happily customizing to their hearts' content. What Meghan had dubbed the 'Manor Den' would, they had decided, be established as soon after the end of the war as was convenient for all.
And we might think about putting it under Fidelius for ourselves, now that we're sure Lucius didn't find a way to break the charm. She growled under her breath. Not that it's so much better that he could dig up the ancient history of Dobby belonging to the Malfoys, and make Starwing use what was left of that bond to force Echo to leave Headquarters and come to him, to bind her into his service instead…
But as much as she hated the means Lucius had used to obtain himself a servant, it also opened a door she didn't think her "father" had considered.
Echo isn't just Dobby's daughter. She's Winky's as well. And Dobby doesn't have a family he's tied to any longer, but Winky does—and it's the Weasleys. If one of them can get into Malfoy Manor, or even someone connected to them formally, a wife, a fiancée… She rubbed her pendants with a faint smile. A Pridemate. If we could manage that, we might be able to invoke that other side of her blood, give her clothes, and free her.
The thought of blood and Malfoys, inevitably, took her mind in another direction, as her hand crept upward to touch her left cheek.
The skin under her fingers, for the first time since the end of her third year, was smooth and unmarred, with no sign of a scar.
And I never even noticed when it happened. Silently, she bared her teeth. We were able to go back through my memories and trace it to about an hour after Ginny told us Luna was gone, which accounts for nobody spotting it right then and there. We had other things to think about. But I'm still angry because I should have seen, should have felt, something that important happening…
After stroking the place where her scar had been one last time, Hermione deliberately lowered her hand.
Just another thing to add to Lucius Malfoy's tally. He couldn't even leave me that outward sign of what Fox and I had created out of his twisted little plan—he had to have Luna, Starwing, whoever she is now, erase it from my body as soon as he had her under his control.
Still, nothing could, or would, erase that love from her mind and her soul.
And every time I see where that scar isn't, I'll fight just that little bit harder. She let her eyes rest on Ron's familiar and comforting form, on the tufts of ginger hair around his ears which stuck out in every direction, on the way he hooked his feet around the legs of his chair to keep himself in balance, on the crease of concentration between his eyebrows that meant he was working in a state of flow which bypassed his usual uncertainties completely. Because I've lost one person I loved, two with Luna, but I still have so many others here with me, and we're going to win this war together and find our happily ever after. For them, for ourselves, for everyone.
Including the ones who'll come after us.
She smiled a little as her thoughts came full circle. And while I can't talk about our own children to Ron yet—he's barely ready to think about that in Harry and Ginny's case, he'd have a fit if I tried to bring it up for us—I can talk about children in the general sense, Muggle- and magic-born alike…
"I wonder what other pureblood mansions or townhouses won't have owners any longer, once the war is over," she said aloud. "Or whose owners will be on our side, and might not want so much space to have to keep up."
"Bet we could find out. Poll the DA, get a list on the ones who left school before the tests of intent, something like that." Ron looked up at her, shading his eyes from the brightness (or warmth, for him) of the sunlight at her back. "How come?"
"Because some of this mess we're in might have been avoidable." Hermione drummed her fingers on her knee. "You'd never really met Muggles, or anyone who lived like them, until we moved into the Den, had you?"
"Not to talk to. Seen them at a distance, but nothing else." Ron shook his head. "And that's even with Dad's hobby. He's fascinated by Muggles, but he's still got a bit of the 'not in my back yard' thinking going on. It's all right for him to wonder about Muggles, play with their stuff all day long, but his kids shouldn't go out and actually learn about them."
"Except that you did, by becoming our friends. You couldn't help it." Hermione leaned her shoulder against the stone side of the window. "That's something I think we ought to aim for, Ron. Putting more magical children, from both sides of the divide, in a place where they can't help it. Because waiting until they're eleven might be leaving it too late."
"When would you start it, then?" Ron pushed aside the schematic of Malfoy Manor and sat back, twirling his wand between his fingers as he might one of his drumsticks. "Seven or eight, like us, or even younger than that?"
"As young as we can get them, honestly. Young enough not to be surprised by magic." Hermione held out her hand to the sunlight, feeling its warmth pool on her palm. "Whether or not they have it themselves. Educate the whole family, not just the one child who has magic. I mean, imagine if Harry's aunt had been able to go somewhere magical with her sister, instead of always being left at home, left behind, left out. Maybe she wouldn't have been so frightened and hateful about magic in general."
"And maybe you wouldn't have your Pack," Ron pointed out. "Which would be a loss for everybody, seeing as you're the one family around that makes us look completely normal."
Hermione made a face at him. "It would have to be a place where people would want to come," she said, tilting her head back to the sun. "So if we did put it in a pureblood manor, it would have to be one of the prettier ones, that would clean up nicely. Get rid of everything that's meant to intimidate people, scare them into behaving, make them think of themselves as unimportant or not worth noticing."
"Pureblood manor house to Muggles? That'd be just about everything." But Ron looked as though the idea were taking hold of him, somewhat against his will. "Still, they pay money to go and see Muggle manor houses, don't they? The really old and grand ones, with all the suits of armor and the paintings and the tapestries?"
"Yes, they do. So we'd keep that, if we could." Hermione swirled a finger in the air, watching the dust motes dance wildly on the currents. "We'd just find a way to make it old and grand and welcoming, instead of old and grand and forbidding. Maybe—oh, here's an idea. Have it set up like it is somebody's home, like a family that's mixed Muggle and magical lives there, and the rooms where the family would do certain things are also the places where the people who come to visit can do that!"
"Like what?" Ron frowned. "What sorts of things—"
"A study." Hermione slid off the windowsill to come and sit across from Ron, scooping up the plans of the Manor Den along the way. "Like this one." She planted her finger in one of the rooms dominated by its enormous desk and wall of cubbyholes. "Quill pens, ink, and parchment, and Muggle paper and pens, set out all along the desk. People can come in and write letters, using whatever they want, and then address them and put them in the cubbies, and they'll be collected once a day and sent out by owls or Muggle post, whichever is correct!"
"Oh, I get it." Ron peered at the plans. "Down in the kitchen, have human-sized everything right alongside the stuff they make for house-elves, maybe even a couple of house-elves there to say hello. Though if we're trying to keep from scaring the Muggles, possibly that's not the best plan…"
"House-elves can be a trifle alarming if you're not expecting them," Hermione agreed. "But there would probably be at least one employed there, and if she agreed to let herself be seen every so often, especially by the children, that might make house-elves into a fun mystery for them, instead of a frightening one."
Ron snapped his fingers. "Scavenger hunt. Give the kids a list of things they've got to find in the house, that the house-elf missed when she was cleaning up last. If they find them all, then they get to take them down to the kitchen and return them to her."
"Yes, that's even better!" Hermione pulled a quill from her pocket and unrolled one of the scrolls on which the Pride had been recording ideas for the Manor Den, finding clean parchment near its bottom. "Because then meeting the house-elf is a reward, something special that you only get if you're good!" She noted it down under the fresh heading of Muggle/magical meeting place. "It'll drive the poor house-elf mad, though, having to specifically set out clutter for the children to find."
"Nah, that's easy." Ron waved this away. "Just make it all clothes. Then she won't want to touch it. A sock here, a mitten there, a hat over yonder…"
Hermione couldn't help but laugh.
"What do you want?" Novir demanded, trying to find some position within the dangling net that wasn't quite as humiliating. "I don't know anything, you won't get any information out of me—"
"Really?" Percy Weasley cocked his head, as two more pieces of alley wall unfolded themselves behind him and to either side. One removed its own Disillusionment to reveal a shorter, stockier Weasley brother, one whose features seemed faintly familiar. The other, waiting patiently until the second Weasley's wand touched its head, was discovered as a girl with short blonde hair wearing Muggle-style clothing, holding a small L-shaped item in her hand. "That's a shame. My colleagues and I don't like exerting all this energy on people who don't know anything. Especially when my work is piling up back at the Ministry. I might just have to get back there and start in on it, which would mean I'd have to leave you alone with them."
"Would you?" The girl clasped her hands at chest level, staring worshipfully at the elder Weasley. "Percy, would you really? I haven't had a Death Eater to myself in ages, and I've got some lovely ideas—"
"Oi, don't forget about me!" the other Weasley protested. "There's this thing with one of our fireworks I've been wanting to try out. Find out what happens if you shove it up his arse and light it off. Would he fly around for a while, d'you think, or just blow up right there?"
"Hmm." The girl studied Novir, eyes narrowed. "He'd probably just blow up. The gastrointestinal tract isn't meant for that kind of abuse. But if you reinforced it before you stuffed the rocket in there…"
"Now we're talking!" The other Weasley rubbed his hands together, glee lighting his brown eyes, turning them not entirely sane. "Couple good Stiffening Spells, and we'll have a human rocket on our hands. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Up in the air's where he'll be, skywriting around until the fuse hits the powder, and then…" He mimed an explosion. "Be a bit messy, but that's why I always keep fresh clothes at the shop."
"Can't I have a go at him first, though?" The girl began to turn something on the item she held in her hand, making a rhythmic clicking noise. "It won't get in the way of what you want to do, Fred—you're after his insides, and all I want's his extremities. Fingers and toes." Lifting the thing, she sighted down its longer side at Novir, her smile as wide and as mad as Fred Weasley's. "See if I can get one or two of them to melt clean off, instead of just turning them into goo…"
"Crystal, really," Percy said in a tone of reproof. "Didn't you get enough of that sort of thing in Hogsmeade?"
"Hmm." Crystal pursed her lips, considering. "No."
The invocation of Hogsmeade finally jarred Novir's mind out of its frozen terror. "Her," he croaked, jabbing a finger in Crystal's direction. "I remember her—outside that daft little tearoom—that thing she's got, I remember what it does—"
"Oh, were you there?" Crystal fluttered her eyelashes. "I'm so glad. It's not often I meet someone who recognizes me."
"You're the Mad Muggle!" Novir tried to wriggle away, to hide himself from the girl, but all it accomplished was to set the net swinging, with him in it. "And you—" He found his breath coming short as he understood at last his half-recognition of the younger Weasley. He'd seen this boy's twin in Hogsmeade, moments before his death, standing side by side with this same girl, and the unveiled contempt in Fred's brown eyes and Crystal's orbs of gray-blue told him everything he needed to know.
They'll do it. All the stuff they're talking about, and worse, much worse, they'll do it to me in a heartbeat.
If they get the chance.
"Don't leave me with them," he said to Percy, low and urgent, fighting not to lose control of his breathing. "You can't do it, it wouldn't be human, they're mad as Fwoopers—"
"Oh, I know that." Percy inspected his fingernails. "But you see, they're my Fwoopers."
"What's a Fwooper?" Crystal hissed to Fred behind Percy's back.
"Bird. Makes you crazy." Fred circled his finger around his ear. "Long story. Tell you later."
"Got it." Crystal returned to her position beside Percy, rocking back and forth between heels and toes, humming to herself as she continued to rotate the moving part on her little toy—only it's not a toy, maybe it started as one, but it certainly isn't now…
"As I was saying, they may be mad, but they work for me," Percy went on, in time with the clicking of Crystal's turnings. "And I've already told you what would compel me to stay here, and what won't. If you really don't know anything that would interest me, well, then…" He rose onto his toes, preparing to turn in place and Disapparate.
"Ashby-de-la-Zouch!" Novir blurted out. "There's a cell set up in the castle there, right under the Muggles' noses! And Ashton-under-Lyne, outside Manchester, we've got a safe house there, and a supply cache—I can give you names, directions, everything…"
"Much better." Percy came down onto the flats of his feet again, making a calming motion at Fred and Crystal, both of whom pouted before stalking off to the other end of the alley, muttering together in angry tones. "Don't mind them, they won't harm you as long as I'm here. Now." He conjured podium, parchment, quill, and ink in one flowing motion of his wand, dipped the quill neatly into the inkwell, and looked up at Novir through the lenses of his glasses. "Tell me more."
Elsewhere, in an unremarkable plot of forest, a dark-furred wolf sat back on his haunches and snarled at a bush in frustration. The object of his hunt, a blue-enameled brooch of bronze in the shape of a stylized eagle, was nowhere to be seen, smelled, or otherwise sensed.
A spotted wildcat padded up beside him and licked the base of his ear once, then rose onto her hind legs and became Ginny. "So much for spot number seven," she said, pulling a list from her pocket and scratching a line through an entry on it. "But we are going to find it, Harry."
"When?" Harry demanded, twisting out of Wolf's form, as Pearl loped out of the underbrush and Captain descended from a nearby tree, where they'd been keeping watch for ambushers. "Every day we don't get it is a day people die, Ginny. It's a day the Death Eaters and Voldemort go on believing they can get away with everything they do."
"And if we had some way to snap our fingers and know which one of these is correct, we'd do it, but we don't." Ginny tucked the list back into her pocket. "At least we know what we're looking for, and a limited number of places it might be. Imagine if we had to look all over the world, or even all over the country."
"I know, I know." Harry kicked at a clump of leaf litter. "It just gets to me, because there are so many things I'd rather be doing with my time." A small smile sneaked onto his face. "Scraping paint comes to mind. Or watching it dry."
"We could always go down to you-know-where, if that's what you're after," Neville suggested, rising out of his alternate form and rolling his shoulders. "The house-elves are touching everything up, making sure it's all fresh and clean."
Pearl scowled, an expression which looked decidedly odd on the face of a deer. "Because we're going to need it," she said as soon as she had lips which could form words. "Probably very soon."
"Thank you, Amanda," Ginny murmured, looking towards the sky. "For thinking of it, and getting us started on it."
The Pridemates stood in silence for a moment, until Harry sighed. "All right," he said. "Let's get on with it. Back to that village, whatever it's called, take the roads from there to the restaurant, and then make ourselves disappear?"
"That sounds like a plan." Neville nodded. "Only I didn't know you and Ginny had gone as far in Muggle magic as vanishing people. Last time I looked, you were still back at coins and cards."
"I will have you know," said Ginny with dignity, "that coins and cards are some of the hardest things to do properly. And no, I still won't teach you how to palm things," she added to Meghan.
"That's not fair! You taught Luna!"
"Because she was older than you are, and I knew she wouldn't use it to pass notes in class. Or if she did, she wouldn't get caught."
"And you think I will?" Meghan stiffened. "I'm a Marauder! I never get caught!"
"Except when you're tie-dyeing all the house-elves' tea towels in jewel tones," Neville said idly.
Meghan glared at him. "And if you'd helped me, like I asked you to, I wouldn't have!"
"Wouldn't have what?" Harry asked, moving out of range. "Done it, or got caught?" He dropped into Wolf's form and bolted away before Meghan could respond.
"Cheater!" Meghan shouted after him. "Cheater, cheater, pumpkin-eater!" The final word twisted oddly, due to her transforming through it and dashing after Wolf at the top speed her hooves could deliver.
Ginny and Neville looked at each other. "So we've just seen a deer chasing a wolf," Neville said finally.
"Intending to wreak havoc when she catches up with him," Ginny agreed. "Where did this madness start?"
"Platform nine and three-quarters, for me." Neville grinned. "Where was yours? Your mum's kitchen?"
"Well, we were on the stairs. Luna and I." Ginny looked away. "I remember she thought Draco was cute, and Hermione looked nice," she said softly. "And I saw Harry cross his fingers when he said he wasn't Harry Potter…"
"And if you'd been able to whisper through time, and tell that little girl where you are today, she'd never have believed you." Neville looked up at the partly overcast sky above them. "Just like I wouldn't, if I'd heard about any of this before I left for Hogwarts. But that's what makes life so amazing, isn't it? The way it builds on itself until it's something you never expected?"
"Like a Pride." Ginny held out her hand, and Neville took it. "Stronger together than we are alone. Even when we lose people."
"Even when." Neville squeezed her fingers gently. "We should go. It's not safe to be out here alone."
"Right." With a sigh, Ginny arched her back, stretching. "Want a ride?"
"Why not." Neville bent forward and shrank into the form of the shimmering silver demiguise Captain, waiting until Ginny had finished her transformation into Lynx. Then he swung himself to her side and climbed onto her back, patting the top of her head to tell her he was securely seated.
A moment later, only a single quivering branch would have told an observer there had ever been anyone there at all.
"And…" Peter swept the final few paint shavings into a pile with his wand and Vanished them. "There. Finished."
"Is it?" Lucius looked up from his book. "It is. And most attractively so."
Peter stepped back to take in the full effect, as Starwing stuck her needle through her sewing and set it aside to come and look for herself.
The mural on the library wall, as revealed by several days of Peter's careful (not to say tedious) work, featured six people neither young nor old, by their grouping a set of siblings and their respective spouses. Peter frowned at the man in the coat of scale mail kneeling beside the seated, smiling woman, trying to place his appearance—his wife and her brothers, who stood on either side of her chair, all had the fair-on-fair Malfoy look to them, but the man reminded him of someone else, someone from his own past…
"Fascinating," Lucius remarked, breaking Peter's concentration. "I do believe this may be a depiction of the first generation of Beauvois born in England." He beckoned to Starwing, who obediently drew her wand and sent small jets of light at the wall. "Do you see it, Pettigrew?"
Biting back an objection to the marring of his work, Peter looked more closely. The light from Starwing's wand, it seemed, was only light after all, not a spell or sparks, and it was highlighting a particular set of swirls at the hem of each depicted robe or gown or jacket, a set of swirls that almost looked like—
"Letters," he said, leaning in still further, fascinated. "O-W-A-I-N…A-V-I-C-E…"
"Names," Lucius corrected. "Owain Beauvoi, the eldest son of the house, and his wife, Avice. My ancestors, of course. On their other side, Owain's younger brother, Dafydd, and his wife, Amanda." He frowned for a moment, contemplating the face of the serene, red-haired woman so named, but then shook the mood from him. "And seated, their sister, Angharad, and her husband, John. Contemporaries, unless my research is mistaken, of the grandchildren of the Hogwarts Founders."
Starwing made a small, wordless noise of pleasure and patted at the hand of Amanda Beauvoi, onto which had been painted a simple gold ring. "Magic," she said certainly, then turned to face Peter, looking him up and down with the intent gaze of a post owl wondering if she'd found the right person for her letter. Her examination done, she smiled sweetly. "Magic!" she declared, pointing at Peter's wedding ring.
"Er." Peter looked towards Lucius, who only raised an eyebrow. Clearly he was not disposed to intervene. "Yes," he said gently, turning back to Starwing. "It's a magical ring. It tells me if my wife is all right."
"Good magic." Starwing nodded sagely, laying her left hand against her collarbone. Her eye was caught by the red-stoned ring she wore on it, and she smiled again. "Good, good magic," she proclaimed, holding it out for Peter to see. "I like good magic."
"I like good magic too." Fighting the urge to laugh aloud, Peter examined the ring. The setting, in the shape of two snakes holding the translucent gem in their mouths, looked very nearly as old as the painting he'd just finished uncovering, and the gemstone itself…
With another glance at Lucius, he reached out for Starwing's left hand with his right, but she pulled back. "No," she protested, making a face. "Bad hand!"
"It's certainly not the one I was born with," Peter acknowledged, offering his own left hand instead. "Will this do?"
"Yes." Starwing bounced in place, smiling. "Yes, yes, yes."
Moving slowly, trying to make his unexceptionable intentions clear, Peter lifted and turned Starwing's hand until he could look through her ring's gemstone to the sunlight coming through the window.
I might be wrong, but it almost looks like—
"Are you quite finished?" Lucius asked in a tone which suggested that only one answer was likely to be acceptable.
"Yes." Peter dropped Starwing's hand immediately. "I beg your pardon."
"Not at all." Lucius flicked his fingers, and Starwing hurried back to her chair to gather up her sewing. "Amuse yourself as you please for the rest of the day. We will begin on the more serious research tomorrow."
"I will. Thank you." Peter hurried out of the library, his mind racing.
I'm not wrong. That stone is hollow. And filled with some sort of liquid.
I wonder what would happen if someone took that ring off her?
It seemed he had more information to go into his next letter to the Order than he'd thought he might.
Molly turned and smiled as she saw who'd just come into the basement kitchen at number twelve, Grimmauld Place. "Percy, darling! How are things—can you stay a few minutes? Your father's due back any time now, he had to go out on a call…" She trailed off, seeing the expression on her son's face. "What's wrong, dear?"
"Nothing. Yet," Percy added to his mother's raised eyebrow. "But there may shortly be a great many things." He tossed a scroll onto the table. "We finally caught up with the Death Eater we've been following the past two and a half days, and if he's to be believed—and after he'd heard what Fred and Crystal had to say, I think he is—the Ministry is closer to the tipping point than we'd thought. Weeks, at most."
"Oh, my." Molly sighed. "Well, I suppose it just goes to show that I did the right thing letting Fleur's family handle all the wedding arrangements for her and Bill. I'll have Winky start packing our things, shall I?"
"Packing?" Percy frowned. "Where are we going?"
"Sanctuary, of course." Molly turned back to the stove to rescue the teakettle as it whistled shrilly. "And don't you give me that look, young man," she added more crisply, her back still turned as she filled the teapot. "I know you, and I know your father. If this Ministry in exile is going to be based out of Sanctuary, you'll both want to be there as much as possible, and I refuse to try to keep you fed and rested when you're wearing yourselves to a thread coming and going. So." Setting the kettle back on the stove with a thump, she turned around, dusting off her hands. "Sanctuary it is."
Percy smiled. "Has anyone told you lately that you're astounding, Mother?" he asked, coming around the table to hug her.
"Stop that." Molly stretched up to kiss his cheek and lightly swat his ear. "You'll make me blush. Now, what do you want with your tea? Winky made currant scones this morning, and I think I have some ginger biscuits around here somewhere…"
"I still say we should have gone for the firework," Fred grumbled as he Apparated into the back room of the Hogsmeade branch of WWW, Crystal on his arm. "Or your red cartridge."
"What red cartridge?" Crystal drew her piece again, snapping the three cylinders into place one at a time. One's indicator was white, the second yellow, the third pink.
Fred snickered. "So you threatened him with something you weren't even carrying! Nicely done."
"I tend not to bring the red out when we're only after the small fry." Holstering her piece, Crystal strolled to the door which led to the front of the shop. "Though I shouldn't be rude. He did give us some important information. Which is why we didn't go for the firework, or the Semi-Universal Solvent—we want to encourage them to tell us things, and killing them is generally a deterrent…"
"And what you came up with isn't? Though I do approve of it on general principles." Fred opened the door for her with a wave of his wand, saluting Lee as his friend looked around from his place behind the counter. "It's not like we have anywhere to keep them locked up as they are, and we can always fix them up and turn them loose after the war's over."
"They certainly won't be going anywhere between now and then," Crystal agreed. "And nobody could even argue that we're putting them in harm's way, because they'll be exactly as safe as all the Muggles they'd ordinarily be going after…"
Kady the house-elf walked unhurriedly across the lawn of Sanctuary. All around her, the rest of the Hogwarts house-elves were busily setting the place to rights (since the little masters and mistresses had surely meant well, but had left things in a terrible state for all of that), but she had her own job at the moment.
Reaching the edge of the pond which had been added to one side of Sanctuary a week or two before, she bent down and tipped in the contents of the bowl she was carrying between her hands.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven," she counted aloud, smiling to herself. "There is being seven big fishes in our little bitty pond now. Seven pretty fishes to be swimming around in circles and eating the breadcrumbs that the Muggle children is soon to be feeding them." Her smile turned predatory. "The Muggle children that is not being hurt by our fat, happy fishes."
She turned in place and Disapparated, back to the kitchens above. Dinner wouldn't cook itself.
Below, in the pond, the bright orange fish which had once been a Death Eater named Novir swam in a puzzled figure eight, as though trying to work out what had happened to him.
Author Notes:
That's going to be a very well-stocked koi pond by the time the war is over, no?
If you feel like you've seen that mural before, you're right. Check Chapter 15 of Surpassing Danger.
Blah, blah, Facebook page, blah, blah, website, blah, blah, blog. There, done.
Stay tuned for Chapter 45: "Weep No More, My Lady", coming soon to a website near you!
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Twin firefighters brought closer together by June floods
CALGARY- Over the past year, an Alberta firefighter has enjoyed a taste of fame thanks to his heroic efforts during the June 2013 flood. But what many people don't know is that Shawn Wiebe has a twin brother—who just so happens to also be a firefighter.
Shawn and Ryan Wiebe grew up in Calgary, but moved south and settled in Nanton and High River respectively. Along with their looks, they share a passion for helping others, which prompted them both to become volunteer firefighters.
When the floods hit last June, the twins rushed into action.
"It's surprising how fast it came in, it just blows my mind," Shawn remembers.
"I had never seen that much water," Ryan adds.
The pair were working in different quadrants of High River, causing some evacuees to see double.
"There was a lady that I had loaded on the helicopter…who was unloaded by Shawn," Ryan laughs. "And she stopped, and she looked at him, looked down the street, looked at him again, and is like 'OK, this is really weird.!'"
During that long first day, Shawn unknowingly became the face of the flood when he carried a woman to safety, leading her to proclaim, "the last time I was carried like this was on my wedding night!" The resulting laughter was captured by a news photographer, and the picture quickly went viral. Shawn was soon known as the 'ridiculously photogenic firefighter'—but his brother doesn't hold a grudge.
READ MORE: Firefighter Shawn Wiebe still smiling one year after iconic flood photo
"With that photo everybody was like was that you? I said no, that's my twin brother. I am proud to say it was him, I'm just famous by association."
Despite working in the same flood-ravaged town, the Wiebes didn't see each other for days.
"For a week I hadn't seen him or talked to him because of the phone lines being down, and it just being so jammed," Shawn remembers. "You get that sixth sense, I knew everything was OK…it was a relief to finally see him again."
For his part, Ryan says it's an experience he and his brother will remember forever.
"It definitely did get us closer."
WATCH: Nanton firefighter Shawn Wiebe joins Global Calgary to reflect on his experience during the 2013 flood.

subset: commoncrawl


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Modern Psychology.
Dr. Henry Churchill King or Oberlin College, author of "Theology and the Social Consciousness," , has undertaken, in his new book, "Rational Living: Some Practical Inferences from Modern Psychology," which is out this week from the Macmillan Company, to make generally available the most valuable suggestions for living that can be drawn from the results of the best workers in psychology.
October 14, 1905
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How to clean out your computer
When was the last time your computer had a spring clean? It's not something many of us do often but it's important to keep your system running at its best.
Dusting your computer
Over time dust will gather on both the inside and outside of a computer, particularly around fans. This can reduce the cooling efficiency, making components run hotter and potentially reducing its lifespan.
To properly dust the computer you will need to delve inside the casing. If you've never done this before, don't worry - so long as you don't get rough it's pretty hard to cause any damage. The most important thing is to make sure you're grounded so you don't zap any of the hardware with static. There are various ways to do this, though most commonly it's achieved by wearing an anti-static wristband or regularly touching an unpainted metal surface.
Before you begin you'll ideally need a can of compressed air, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), cotton buds and a clean cloth. At minimum you can get by with just a cloth.
1. Remove all cables and peripherals.
2. Take the PC outside. No use blowing the dust around your house!
3. Pop the case off.
4. If your case has removable air filters, take these off and remove as much of the dust as you can by hand (or cloth) before giving them a blast with the compressed air.
5. Wipe up the worst of the dust from inside the case. This is where a touch of alcohol (just a little, it should be damp but not soaking wet) on the cloth comes in useful for extracting the muck, and cotton buds are handy for the corners.
6. Once the worst of the dust has been cleaned up manually use the compressed air to blow out tight spots.
7. The case, graphics card and CPU fans will probably have quite a lot of gunk too. Use cotton buds to wipe down the fan blades. The compressed air can also be used on the fans, but hold the blades in place with a pen or cotton bud so they don't spin too fast and get damaged.
8. If you're confident with PC hardware you can go a step further and remove components for a more thorough clean out. It's a lot easier to get accumulated dust out of a graphics card if it's removed from the case, plus you can get at the ports and other areas of the motherboard. The CPU can also be removed and re-seated but make sure you've got some fresh thermal compound as this will need to be re-applied.
How do you clean laptops?
Dusty laptops can be much trickier to clean as it's more difficult, if not impossible, to get at the insides without breaking something.
Some models will have removable panels on the bottom which can give limited access. Check your laptop user manual or look for a service manual online to see what can be safely taken apart, but make sure it isn't going to void the warranty.
If you can pop a panel out compressed air can be used to dislodge dust, though take care when cleaning cooling fans, use short bursts so they don't spin too fast. You also want to try to avoid pushing dirt deeper into the casing.
If the laptop is older and out of warranty it might be possible to dismantle it further for a very thorough spring clean. However this can be a delicate and slightly complex job, often requiring you to take the keyboard off and unhook the display, and should not be carried out on anything you can't afford to lose.
In many cases there will be no way to access the inside of the laptop, particularly when it comes to slimline ultraportable models. The best you can do is use compressed air to dislodge dust from the cooling exhaust ports. If it's really bad and still within warranty speak to the manufacturer about an official repair.
Cleaning keyboards and mice
It doesn't take long for gunk to form in the nooks and crannies of these peripherals and it can become seriously gross.
Both can be easily and safely cleaned with a microfibre cloth, cotton buds and a little rubbing alcohol (again, damp not wet). Use the cloth to wipe them down, if there are stubborn dirt spots use a cotton bud and alcohol. On mice pay particular attention to the feet and areas around the buttons.
The inside of keyboards can also be cleaned. On some models (often mechanical keyboards) the keys can be removed so you can get at the areas underneath, though another solution is a wet, rubbery cleaning compound (marketed under various names such as Cyber Clean and Super Clean) which can be pushed down onto the keyboard to extract debris. This gloop can be used several times and is effective at getting at the hard to reach places of your keyboard without taking it apart.
Cleaning computer screens
Computer monitors can be easily cleaned with either a dry microfibre cloth or a small amount of water and white vinegar.
Often it just takes a gentle wipe with a cloth to give the display a shine, but don't press hard as they can be easily damaged with pressure. If there are stubborn spots use a little water, or a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar. Liquid should only ever be applied to the cloth, do not put it directly on the screen.


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Life Threatening Infections Decreasing In One Group of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients But Not Other/
The contraction of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections have decreased 51.1% in dialysis patients over the past seven years (2005-2011), states brand new published research. Dialysis patients are highly susceptible to these type of major bloodstream infections because they require frequent hospital visits and prolonged bloodstream access through a stomach catheter for Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), arterial venous for Hemodialysis (HD) and at times central venous catheters (CVCs).
Recommended Reading: Dialysis Patients should Insist that Staff follow protocols to Reduce Acquired Infections
Factors that believed to contribute to the reduction include better MRSA and bloodstream infection prevention in hospitals, and efforts to decrease central venous catheter use, researchers suggested in the current issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. HD patients that use CVCs are at the highest risk of contracting MRSA, accounting for 60.4% among HD incidence.
Recommended Reading: How Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Can Become As Germ-Free As Possible?
Again, "there has been a substantial decrease in invasive MRSA infection incidence among dialysis patients." However, the burden is still high and more needs to be done to further reduce infections among people with End Stage Renal Disease. There are things you can do such as wash your hands rigorously on a regular basis with soap and warm water. Consider carrying a pocket hand sanitizer for instances when you cannot make it to the washroom. Also avoid touching surfaces, especially in healthcare facilities as much as possible. Bacteria can survive for many hours on and around toilets, on counter tops and sinks, and anywhere an infected person has touched without washing his/her hands. Do not put your fingers in your mouth. Unless you are certain your hands are clean, don't eat, especially using your fingers, and avoid touching your nose or eyes, because mucus membranes can absorb germs. KidneyBuzz.com recommends that you discuss with your Dietician other dietary means to avoid germs and bloodstream infections such as MRSA by eating enough protein to build a stronger immune system.
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"MRSA Incidence in Dialysis Patients Declining." Healio.
"Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infections Among Patients on Chronic Dialysis in the United States, 2005-2011." US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. Clinical Infectious Diseases


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twilightdust1920's review of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15
905 reviews
68% would repurchase
Package Quality: 3.9
Price: $$$$
Package Quality: 3.9
Price: $$$$
INGREDIENTSActive ingredients: Octinoxate 6% Titanium dioxide 5.6% Inactive ingredients: Aqua, Methyl Trimethicone, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Talc, Butylene Glycol, Isododecane, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polymethyl Methacrylate PEG-10 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Alumina, Aluminum hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, C9-15 Fluoroalcohol Phosphate, Magnesium sulfate, Parfum, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Water, Methylparaben, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipropylene glycol, Polyurethane, BHT, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Tocopherol, Propylparaben, Ultramarines, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891, Mica
Age: 19-24
Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm
Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium
Eyes: Hazel
To those of you looking for a going out foundation, this is not it. It is however, the best everyday foundation I have ever encountered (I've tried MUFE hd, Vitalumiere, Diorskin Nude, prolumiere, MUFE face & Body). Why do I love this foundation?
First of all I don't feel like I'm wearing any makeup. Never at any point during the day will I feel heavy and cakey (which is difficult with my oily-combo skin!). The texture is similar to the MUFE Face and Body-like whipped gel- but without the horrible nursing home smell and plastic finish. I actually prefer to use my hands with this foundation (previously unheard of) because it goes on the same as if I use a brush; because the texture is so thin and airy, you really can't go cakey or uneven. MAKE SURE TO SHAKE WELL OR YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE FULL EFECT!
Now most people here including myself have mentioned its light texture, but don't think that this means low coverage (It's up there with MUFE HD). This has got to be one of the most pigmented foundations I have come across. It manages to cover up most of my redness and flaws, I don't even need concealer! That's what makes this foundation so unique; it's ability to cover WHILST maintaining a natural, barely there feel.
Those of you familiar with the Vitalumiere range will find this product somewhat of an anomaly. This foundation is not at all dewy, it's more of a satin matte look-it looks like natural beautiful silky skin (no shimmer). I find that with the light texture and satin finish of this foundation I am less oily during the day and do not have the need for powder! Miracles do exist! This does mean that it probably wont be well suited for you dry skinned girls-but hey, I can live with that ;P
If the finish came as quite a surprise to you vitalumiere fans, you can't imagine how I felt when I saw that Chanel finally came out with a foundation yellow enough for my skin. Beige Ochre 20 is the PERFECT match for my pale, warm skin- imagine, pale AND yellow! This is better than that time we landed on the moon.
I must confess I love it. My skin looks so smooth and polished-like porcelain, and with no effort on my part whatsoever. I did initially think it was too matte, but once the foundation has settled it actually gave me a a beautiful healthy (subtle) glow. I say give it a chance, wait a couple of minutes, its worth it. As for the smell, I really have no sensitivity issue and don't find it at all offensive. To those of you who loved this foundation but could not deal with the smell I suggest you try the DIorNude skin, which has a similar finish (slightly thicker though)
this has become a staple for me; its low maintenance (No need for brush, concealer or powder!), its natural looking, light, has great coverage, has SPF and just dreaammy:) It smoothes out my face so nicely and basically does what you wish an ideal foundation did: make you look like your skin is naturally flawless.
Read all 905 reviews of Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15
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When This 13-Year-Old Boy Came Out to His Best Friend, His "Bro" Had the Perfect Response
Most Popular
If you sometimes feel like there's more hateful things being shared on the Internet than stories of hope, then you'll find this text exchange between two 13-year-old boys encouraging. One boy, who was struggling with his sexuality, reluctantly goes to his best "bro" for help using the communication tool of our time: text message. The conversation, shared by the sister of the boy who was coming out, is a beautiful demonstration of true compassion as his friend helps him share a truth he's hesitant to reveal. What could have been a heartbreaking conversation between these two tweens is truly heartwarming.
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Newark element14's New Custom Cut Re-reeling Service A First
CHICAGO (February 1, 2005)
No charge, no lead-time, no length restrictions over 18 inches
Newark element14, a subsidiary of global distributor Premier Farnell plc (LSE: pfl) and the leading small-quantity distributor of electronic components and test equipment in North America, announced that its warehouse in South Carolina now automatically re-reels cut tape orders for surface mount passive components, for any length 18 inches or longer — at no extra charge. A seamless operation and a first among catalog distributors, Newark ships the reels the same day.
"Our new re-reeling service saves our customers time and money," said Paul Tallentire, president, Newark element14. "Typically, small-quantity distributors offer cut tape reels as an option, and charge an additional fee. Moreover, reels are usually available only in standard length increments, and the service can add a few days to the order."
Newark element14 applies a leader and trailer to each reel according to Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA) standards, to assure that it can be properly machine-fed.
Complementing its new re-reeling service, Newark has added more than 9,000 passive products to its offering, from market leaders such as Vishay, Taiyo Yuden, Bourns, J.W. Miller Kemet and AVX. Full reels and cut tape can be ordered online at www.newark.ca or by calling 1.800.4.NEWARK (463.9275)
About Newark element14
Newark element14, a subsidiary of global distributor Premier Farnell Ltd, is North America's leading small-quantity distributor of electronic components and test equipment, and its #1 source for RoHS compliant parts and information. RoHS is the acronym for the European Union's Restrictions of certain Hazardous Substances directive, which took effect July 1, 2006.
Visited by thousands of engineers and electronics buyers each week, Newark element14's RoHS Express site at www.element14.com/community/community/legislation provides critical information to help companies transition to compliance, including: the latest news, on-demand lead-free soldering webinars, downloadable step-by-step guides to compliance and updates on US and Canadian green laws.
In addition to offering the broadest electronics selection from 440+ top manufacturers for same-day shipping, Newark element14 provides a unique range of value-added services at no charge, including, RoHS Bill of Materials updates, eProcurement implementation and support, and automatic re-reeling for components.
With multiple sales channels, customers do business with Newark element14 through contact centers, a local branch network in the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, a dedicated field sales force and a world-class website at www.Newark.com. The holder of a General Services Administration schedule (#GS-06F-0044M,) Newark element14 also supports federal government customers through a dedicated website, www.teamgov.com, and a specially trained team of representatives.
Newark element14's parent company, Premier Farnell Ltd, is a leading global marketer and distributor of electronic, maintenance repair and operations (MRO) and specialist products and services, trading in more than 100 countries with a database of 2 million customer contacts. For general information, visit www.Newark.com and www.premierfarnell.com. Also, you can reach Newark element14's media contact, Janice Fleisher, at 773.907.5941 and at jfleisher@Newark element14inone.com.
© Copyright 2007. Newark element14 is a service mark of Premier Farnell Corp. All other trademarks, product or service names displayed in this release, registered or unregistered, constitute the intellectual property of their respective holders.


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We offer a range of strategic foresight and advisory services including foresight analysis, strategic advisory, and innovation strategy and roadmaps.
We work with senior decision-makers in some of Australia's largest companies and government to develop evidence-based strategies to address significant long-term opportunities and challenges.
We build on CSIRO's deep research expertise to help our clients create sustainable growth and competitive advantage by harnessing science, technology and innovation.
Services we offer
We offer a range of strategic foresight and advisory services that can help you and your organisation to:
- gain insights into possible futures
- inform planning and strategy
- demonstrate thought-leadership
- build consensus amongst stakeholders
- create a platform for change.
We focus on the role that science, technology, and innovation can play in creating competitive advantage and driving economic sustainability.
Choosing the right service
We offer the following services or we can tailor something to suit your needs.
Foresight analysis
We help you to gain insights into possible futures through horizon scanning and evidence-based analysis of long-term economic, environmental, social and technological megatrends, scenarios and megashocks, and assessment of their impact.
Strategic advisory service
We help you to incorporate long-term trends into planning and strategic decision making through the identification of key opportunities and challenges and the development of strategies to address them.
Innovation strategy and roadmaps
We help you to align your R&D strategy and roadmap with your business strategy through the effective use of applied science, technology and innovation to open new market opportunities and gain competitive advantage in existing markets.
Interested in this solution for your organisation?
We offer services and contract-based research to clients in business, industry and government.


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The 30 Absolute Best Photobombs of the Year
It's back, by popular demand… The absolute best photobombs of the year! We've scoured the web and sifted through thousands of emails and comments left by you, our awesome readers, to determine what will undoubtedly be the most important photo gallery for the next year. Keep on photobombing in the free world. Until next time….
The dog days of summer


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Oddie translates tweets on Twitter
Twitter has been given a rather more literal meaning as Bill Oddie translated bird calls into tweets at ZSL London Zoo.
As the zoo's aviary woke up on Tuesday morning, Oddie and head bird-keeper Adrian Wallis were on hand to interpret the chirps of its tropical residents and summarise the results in 140 characters.
September sees a flurry of activity in the bird world as migration season begins, and so the event was held to mark the occasion.
According to Oddie, trained ears can pick up on the subtle differences that alter the meaning of a bird call.
"Every bird has a bit of a vocabulary. They have seven different areas of sound, and they will all have meaning. It might be a young bird asking for food, or a bird saying 'this is my territory'," he said.
"That Red Billed Toucan was calling for a girlfriend. Sounds to me like he is shouting for some company!" read one of Oddie's Tweets. Another said: "Very territorial call from the Scarlet Chested Sunbird - protecting its nest"
Oddie said he first realised the power of Twitter when posting about badger culling.
"I got a huge response, and that included little soundpieces, speeches, films, video and photographs," he said.
"I thought in 140 characters all you could really say was 'good morning, it's going to be a nice day today' and you'd run out of space, but the fact is you can send out all these other pieces of information. It's a very powerful tool. Since joining Twitter, I've been able to interact with viewers, fans and other bird watchers from around the world."
Throughout the morning, @BillOddie, @zsllondonzoo and @TwitterUK shared bird-related facts, stats, links and popular resources under the hashtag #BirdsThatTweet.


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What is an Author Platform?
You might consider it popularity, prominence, visibility and/or credibility. It may consist of experience, connections, skills, proficiencies and reputation. It is basically your reach—your following. It's not so much who you know as who knows you with regard to the topic or genre of your book. How many people know you or know who you are? How many have you influenced in a positive way related to the theme or genre of your book? Are you a trusted expert or professional in your field or in the genre of your book?
Here's a question you should contemplate even before you write your book. Why would someone buy your book rather than others on the market? This is something you need to seriously explore. If you can't come up with valid reasons, it may be because you haven't taken the time and effort over the years—or you just haven't had the opportunity—to build a solid author platform. Not enough people know who you are. You don't have a track record within your topic or your genre.
This is the gist of the upcoming freebie I'll be offering at my website http://www.patriciafry.com It will include 50 ways to build or add to your author platform.
Currently, you can download 50 Ways to Use Your Personality to Sell Books. It will be available for another week or so for free so get your copy now. And watch for the announcement for the new freebie—50 Ways to Establish Your Author Platform.


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A homeless man is accusing Sandy City of violating his free speech rights because police officers have cited him and threatened him with arrest for allegedly violating a state panhandling law.
In a lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, Steve Ray Evans said the threat of arrest has stopped him from holding signs asking for a job or money while on sidewalks and other public places in Sandy "even though he must solicit donations in order to obtain basic necessities."
The suit, filed on Evans' behalf by the Utah Legal Clinic and Utah Civil Rights & Liberties Foundation, seeks a declaration that the state panhandling law making it illegal to ask for a ride, money, job or business while standing near a road is unconstitutional. In addition, the suit asks for unspecified monetary damages, court costs and lawyers' fees.


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Williams plans to build new, larger pipeline in leak area
The company that says it leaked tens of thousands of gallons of natural gas liquids from a pipeline northwest of Parachute continues to hope to build a larger liquids line in the same corridor crossing beneath Parachute Creek.
How the new pipeline project may be affected or altered by the leak, and what role regulatory entities might play in the matter, if any, remain in question as the focus for now continues to be on the leak itself.
"I would venture to say it's going to come under much more scrutiny," said Bob Knight, administrator for the town of Parachute, which gets its irrigation water from the creek.
Despite the presence in the creek, it's unclear whether any agency has even limited oversight over the existing and planned lines in terms of routing, design, inspections or testing.
Williams was doing location work in preparation for laying a 6-inch-diameter pipeline when it began discovering contamination in the corridor March 8. It later said the contamination resulted from a leak involving a faulty pressure gauge on a valve set for its existing 4-inch liquids line there.
The 4-inch line is out of commission from the leak, and Williams is trucking liquids instead. But Williams intends to continue using the 4-inch line after the new line is installed. The 4-inch line runs from Williams' nearby plant to tanks on the other side of the creek, where the liquids are then sent by pipeline to another plant in Rio Blanco County.
Williams already has begun construction on a second plant on the same site to let it remove far more natural gas liquids.
The current facility can remove about 6,000 barrels a day of butane, propane and other liquids associated with natural gas production. The new cryogenic facility will employ extremely low temperatures to allow removal of another 18,000 barrels a day.
2014 target
Dirt work on the $150 million project began last fall, and the new plant is scheduled to go into service in June 2014. Williams' goal is for the new pipeline to go into service before the plant's startup.
Dave Keylor, vice president and general manager in the Piceance Basin for Williams, said with the current focus on determining the size of the leak site and cleaning it up, he doesn't think the company has put a lot of thought into whether installation of the 6-inch line might be delayed by the leak.
"It may require us to reroute the pipeline, but I don't anticipate that," he said.
Rerouting might be necessary if installing the pipeline in the existing corridor would interfere with the leak response, he said.
Knight thinks installation of another pipeline is "far down the road" for Williams.
Williams says it ultimately determined about 10,000 gallons of natural gas liquids leaked from the faulty gauge from Dec. 20 until Jan. 3. About 6,000 gallons have been recovered. Williams also estimates that about 80 percent of the leaked liquids vaporized once they left the pressurized line.
Benzene has been found in high concentrations in groundwater adjacent to the creek, and on Williams announced Thursday that benzene was detected in the creek water.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hasn't made a final determination as to the source of the contamination.
Knight predicted that everyone from the town to Garfield County to the commission "will be watching and looking at the plans" for the new pipeline.
The commission and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are investigating the leak and have various levels of jurisdiction over spills, but neither has authority over the existing or planned pipeline.
Garfield County conducts some land-use review of pipelines, but only for ones that are 12 inches in diameter and more than two miles long, or are of any diameter and more than five miles long.
Williams had to get a county land-use permit for its new plant.
But a county staff report to county commissioners for that project makes no apparent mention of the new pipeline.
Williams has said the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulates the pipeline running from the tanks to Rio Blanco County, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulates the 4-inch line.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating possible worker chemical exposure or other safety aspects related to the leak. But Herb Gibson, director of OSHA's Denver area office, said the agency doesn't have regulations dictating how pipelines should be constructed.
Rather, its regulations are designed to safeguard workers.
"Are we concerned (about environmental protection)? Obviously. But we have no jurisdiction over environmental issues," he said.
Keylor said he thinks Williams has a sound construction process, which includes high-pressure hydrotesting. That's "the gold standard" for determining pipeline integrity, he said.
He said he thinks Williams has "robust, strong standards" for facilities including pipelines.
"I anticipate that we'll apply those and properly test the pipeline before it's put into service," he said.
At a recent meeting with Parachute town trustees, and in an interview afterward, Keylor said Williams will do some things differently regarding pipelines as part of its efforts to learn from the Parachute situation.
"There's been a host of things that as we look back on this we wish we had done differently," he said. "... One of the goals that we have as an organization is to learn our lesson once and to apply it across the organization."
He said a big lesson learned involves monitoring, including increased visual inspections.
The company also is looking into whether better automated leak detection systems can be employed. The hope is to be able to find smaller leaks and detect leaks more quickly.
Keylor added, "We're going to be taking a hard look at all of our creek crossings and all of our water crossings in this basin."
Sonja Linman, who ran unsuccessfully last fall for Garfield County commissioner, said she's concerned about the way public officials regulate, or don't regulate, oil and gas operations.
"Now what we're seeing is the result of those kind of decisions," she said, referring to the leak.
Linman said officials' priority should be working for and protecting the public.
Meanwhile, with the leak continuing to be the focus for Williams and investigators, Keylor said the good news about benzene is there are a lot of proven ways to deal with it, such as aeration.


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Adrenal Vein Sampling International Study (AVIS Study) (AVIS)
This study has been completed.
University Hospital Padova
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Gian Paolo Rossi, MD, FAHA, FACC, University Hospital Padova
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: November 2, 2010
Last updated: January 14, 2013
Last verified: January 2013
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- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Show Detailed Description
The AVIS Study is a retrospective multicenter international study that aims to answer a series of questions on the use and performance of adrenal venous catheterization (AVS) for the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism subtype. A questionnaire will be circulated among the centres that are internationally recognized and have published in the field of AVS and have agreed to participate in the study.
The first aim of the AVIS study is to collect summary data on how AVS is being performed throughout the world to answer the following questions:
- How many AVS studies haw been performed yearly from 2005 to 2010 at each center?
- How many adrenal vein ruptures occurred during the AVS at each center?Has the rate of adrenal vein rupture been steady or has it changed over the 5 years?
- How many centers use bilaterally simultaneous and how many use sequential AVS catheterization?
- How many radiologists perform AVS at each center?
- How many centers use a cosyntropin stimulation during AVS?
- What is the percentage of PA patients in whom AVS is performed?
- How many centres calculate the selectivity index? What is the minimum cutoff used?
- How many centers calculate the lateralization index? What is the minimum cutoff used?
- Are the AVS studies that are not bilaterally selective used for diagnosis?
- How many centers calculate the controlateral suppression index and what is the minimum cutoff used?
- What is the cost of AVS for the National Health System or Insurance and for patients? The second aim of the study is to calculate the rate of AVS studies that are selective and show lateralization of aldosterone excess at each center by applying predefined set of criteria for defining selectivity and lateralization. Data on the final diagnosis of the PA subtype will be gathered and used as reference to assess the performance of AVS using receiver operating characteristic curves analysis and the Youden index to determine the optimal cutoffs. A worksheet will need to be completed providing information on the following: Demography; Date of AVS;Baseline blood pressure (BP) values and serum K+;Dynamic test during the AVS if any; plasma aldosterone and cortisol concentration in the infra-adrenal inferior vena cava and in the right and left adrenal vein; diagnosis of PA subtype; treatment (adrenalectomy or pharmacological therapy); post-treatment BP and serum K+ values; concordance/discordance between imaging (CT or RM) and AVS.
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Retrospective
|Official Title:
|Multicenter Study on Use and Interpretation of Adrenal Vein Sampling
Resource links provided by NLM:
Drug Information available for: Epinephrine bitartrate Epinephrine Epinephrine hydrochloride Racepinephrine hydrochloride Racepinephrine
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center resources: 21-hydroxylase Deficiency Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia HyperadrenalismU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Gian Paolo Rossi, MD, FAHA, FACC, University Hospital Padova:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Number of adrenal vein ruptures occurring during AVS [ Time Frame: January 1st 2005 - November 1st 2010 ]
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- AVS cost for the patient and the health insurance system [ Time Frame: January 1st 2005 - November 1st 2010 ]The amount in euros that the patient and the health insurance system has to pay for the AVS study will be estimated in each center.
- number of selective AVS at right or left side [ Time Frame: January 1st 2005 - November 1st 2010 ]The number of selective AVS at right or left side will be calculated using different cutoff values for the selectivity index.
- number of bilaterally selective AVS [ Time Frame: January 1st 2005 - November 1st 2010 ]The number of bilaterally selective AVS will be calculated using different cutoff values for the selectivity index.
- number of lateralized AVS and number of the patients undergoing adrenalectomy [ Time Frame: January 1st 2005 - November 1st 2010 ]The number of lateralized AVS will be calculated using different cutoff values for the lateralization index.
|Study Start Date:
|May 2010
|Study Completion Date:
|November 2011
|Primary Completion Date:
|June 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Adrenal Venous Sampling (AVS)
Patients with Primary Aldosteronism (PA) undergoing AVS to discriminate PA forms with unilateral from bilateral excess aldosterone production.
Show Detailed Description
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
|Sampling Method:
|Non-Probability Sample
Study Population
All patients with Primary Aldosteronism who underwent AVS during the last 5 years in 15 worldwide centers.
Inclusion Criteria:
- consent of the leading investigator to participate to the data collection
Exclusion Criteria:
- refusal of the leading investigator to participate to the AVIS Study
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01234220
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01234220
|United States, Pennsylvania
|Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
|United States, Texas
|UT Southwestern Medical Center
|Dallas, Texas, United States, 75390
|United States, Wisconsin
|Medical College of Wisconsin
|Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, United States, 53051
|Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre, University of Queensland School of Medicine, Greenslopes Hospital
|Brisbane, Australia, 4120
|Canada, Alberta
|Foothills Medical Centre, University of Calgary
|Calgary, Alberta, Canada
|Canada, Quebec
|Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montreal (CHUM)
|Montreal, Quebec, Canada
|Czech Republic
|General Faculty Hospital, Prague
|Prague, Czech Republic
|University of Paris, Hopital Européen Georges Pompidou
|Paris, France
|Christian J Strasburger
|Berlin, Germany, 10117
|Heinrich Heine Universität Düsseldorf
|Düsseldorf, Germany
|Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt
|Munich, Germany
|University Hospital Wuerzburg
|Wuerzburg, Germany, 97080
|Dept Clinical and Experimental Medicine (DMCS), University Hospital of Padova, Italy
|Padua, Italy
|Medicina 2, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria Nuova
|Reggio Emilia, Italy, 42123
|National Hospital Organizatio, Kyoto Medical Center
|Kyoto, Japan
|Tohoku University Hospital
|Sendai, Japan
|Institute of Clinical Endocrinology, Tokyo Women's Medical University
|Tokyo, Japan
|Yokohama Rosai Hospital
|Yokohama City, Japan
|Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center
|Nijmegen, Netherlands, 6525GA
|National Taiwan University Hospital
|Taipei, Taiwan
Sponsors and Collaborators
University Hospital Padova
|Study Director:
|GianPaolo Rossi, MD, FACC
|Dept Clinical and Experimental Medicine (DMCS), University Hospital of Padova, Italy
More Information
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Keywords provided by Gian Paolo Rossi, MD, FAHA, FACC, University Hospital Padova:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017
Funder J, Carey R, Fardella C, Gomez-Sanchez C, Mantero F, Stowasser M, Young W, Montori VM. Case detection, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with primary aldosteronism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Eur J Endocrinol. 2009 Sep 30. [Epub ahead of print]
Stewart PM, Allolio B. Adrenal vein sampling for Primary Aldosteronism: time for a reality check. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2010 Feb;72(2):146-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2009.03714.x. Epub 2009 Sep 21.
Seccia TM, Miotto D, De Toni R, Pitter G, Mantero F, Pessina AC, Rossi GP. Adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation during adrenal vein sampling for identifying surgically curable subtypes of primary aldosteronism: comparison of 3 different protocols. Hypertension. 2009 May;53(5):761-6. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.108.128553. Epub 2009 Apr 6.
Rossi GP, Pitter G, Bernante P, Motta R, Feltrin G, Miotto D. Adrenal vein sampling for primary aldosteronism: the assessment of selectivity and lateralization of aldosterone excess baseline and after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation. J Hypertens. 2008 May;26(5):989-97. doi: 10.1097/HJH.0b013e3282f9e66a.
Mulatero P, Bertello C, Sukor N, Gordon R, Rossato D, Daunt N, Leggett D, Mengozzi G, Veglio F, Stowasser M. Impact of different diagnostic criteria during adrenal vein sampling on reproducibility of subtype diagnosis in patients with primary aldosteronism. Hypertension. 2010 Mar;55(3):667-73. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.109.146613. Epub 2010 Feb 1.
Auchus RJ, Wians FH Jr, Anderson ME, Dolmatch BL, Trimmer CK, Josephs SC, Chan D, Toomay S, Nwariaku FE. What we still do not know about adrenal vein sampling for primary aldosteronism. Horm Metab Res. 2010 Jun;42(6):411-5. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1252060. Epub 2010 Apr 21. Review.
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Rossi GP, Barisa M, Allolio B, Auchus RJ, Amar L, Cohen D, Degenhart C, Deinum J, Fischer E, Gordon R, Kickuth R, Kline G, Lacroix A, Magill S, Miotto D, Naruse M, Nishikawa T, Omura M, Pimenta E, Plouin PF, Quinkler M, Reincke M, Rossi E, Rump LC, Satoh F, Schultze Kool L, Seccia TM, Stowasser M, Tanabe A, Trerotola S, Vonend O, Widimsky J Jr, Wu KD, Wu VC, Pessina AC. The Adrenal Vein Sampling International Study (AVIS) for identifying the major subtypes of primary aldosteronism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 May;97(5):1606-14. doi: 10.1210/jc.2011-2830. Epub 2012 Mar 7.
|Responsible Party:
|Gian Paolo Rossi, MD, FAHA, FACC, MD, FAHA, FACC, University Hospital Padova
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01234220 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|November 2, 2010
|Last Updated:
|January 14, 2013
Keywords provided by Gian Paolo Rossi, MD, FAHA, FACC, University Hospital Padova:
Primary Aldosteronism
Aldosterone Producing Adenoma (APA)
Idiopathic Adrenal Hyperplasia (IHA)
Adrenal Venous Sampling
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Adrenocortical Hyperfunction
Adrenal Gland Diseases
Endocrine System Diseases
Epinephryl borate
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Adrenergic beta-Agonists
Bronchodilator Agents
Autonomic Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Anti-Asthmatic Agents
Respiratory System Agents
Vasoconstrictor Agents
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on September 21, 2017


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Long Island T-Shirts are an Idakoos specialtiy! Idakoos has many things to offer. Whether you want to get a Long Island T-Shirt for a special occasion, give a Printed Long Island T-Shirt as a present or need to represent with a funny Long Island Tee during Holidays or Family and Friends get-togethers, Idakoos is sure to have the right Long Island T-Shirt for you! Even if it turns out you can't find the right Long Island Tshirt with the perfect design for your mother, father or children; Idakoos offers all of its men's women's and children's Long Island Tshirts as Custom Long Island T-Shirts. Personalize any Long Island T-Shirt the way you want to ensure the perfect gift.
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Directed by Stephen Frears. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sergi López, Sophie Okonedo.
San-papiers is the French term for displaced people, who lacking the documents required to live in a country, spend much of their lives looking for the correct stamp on a piece of paper. 'Dirty Pretty Things' is set amongst the sans-papiers of London, who struggle in a seedy world of kitchens, sweatshops and cabstands.
Stephen Frears' compassionate film cleverly avoids the trap of allowing a difficult subject matter to create a strident, preachy narrative. Instead the script (by 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' creator Stephen Knight) is both a gruesome thriller and an "odd couple" romance.
The thriller elements are strong, and the gory details of the exploitation and villainy attached to the trade in fake passports is toe-curlingly tense and realistic, if a little contrived in its conclusion. The romantic narrative is less sure-footed, but the film comfortably succeeds nonetheless. The pace and atmosphere are just right, the tension is ratcheted up notch by notch and the performances are generally superb.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is excellent as the quietly desperate Nigerian, Okwe, exuding strength of character and charisma. Audrey Tautou convinces as Saney, the dreamy young Turkish immigrant who shares a flat with him. The supporting players, many of who did not speak English when the film was cast, all acquit themselves well.
Some of the supporting roles may have seen the screen a few times too many (Hooker with a heart of gold anyone?) and the hero seems almost too heroic for such a gritty environment, but it is impossible not to be drawn into the story. The film also occasionally surrenders to the weight of its politics. Ejiofor's character Okwe offers a didactic, unnecessary monologue about his invisibility as an immigrant, rounded off with a painful joke.
The director is understandably reluctant to show too much human failure in his main characters. They are simply heroes or villains. The farcical demeanour of the immigration officials (refugees from TV's 'The Bill', by the looks of them) is a good example. Frears himself admits that these characterisations could have been better handled.
One of the strongest aspects of 'Dirty Pretty Things' is its setting – the murky London underworld, as previously glimpsed in movies like 'Mona Lisa' and 'Croupier'. This milieu is as strong a character as any in the script. Its rescue from the glossy wreckage of Guy Ritchie's poppy-cockney is just one of the many good things in this entertaining and heartfelt film.
Luke McManus


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Windows play an important role in the structure and design of every aircraft. The shape and size of an aircraft's windows can significantly affect the aerodynamic quality and its overall performance. Plus from a passenger's point of view, windows can help make a plane ride seem more relaxing and luxurious, depending on the amount of natural light they let and how much of the outside world the passenger is allowed to see. Windows, ultimately, are the main factor in creating an aircraft's aesthetic, both inside and out.
And as technology and aircraft designs continue to improve the speed, performance and experience of flying, so does the design of the aircraft's windows. Windows can also be a recognizable signature that defines one jet from another – our PrivateFly flight team can identify an aircraft make and model just by looking at its window shape or the number of windows.
Let's take a look at what type of windows private jets are boasting now, plus how windows will look on private jets in the years to come.
Gulfstream are well known for their windows, with the oval shape being a trademark look for all of their aircraft and an easy way to identify a Gulfstream from other private jets. Measuring 28 inches by 20.5 inches, the Gulfstream G650 currently has the largest windows in the industry so far.
Despite having these large windows, the Gulfstream's aircraft speed isn't hindered by it. Currently, the Gulfstream G650ER is the world's fastest jet available.
A competitor to Gulfstream, Bombardier's Global 7000 is set to rival the G650 in the ultra-long range jet category. Promising to be uncompromising in style and performance, its "wow" factor is being marketed on its oversized, rectangular shaped windows. And with 16 on each side (the same amount as the G650), the Global 7000 windows will deliver lots of natural light to create a luxurious, open-spaced feeling to the cabin. First customers will get to experience their window-seat views in 2016.
The shape and size of a window isn't the only feature that can make a private jet more aesthetically pleasing. The new King Air 350i is now equipped with huge windows that can be electronically dimmed while the windows in a HondaJet (expecting certification in 2015) will self-tint on demand, thus replacing any requirement for window blinds or shades.
Private jet windows aren't only for the passengers though. An aircraft also has to design front windows for the cockpit that will give pilots the best views, vantage points and visibility when flying. Dassault's Falcon 5X, which is currently in development, has four large cockpit windows, distinguishing itself from previous Falcon models. These cockpit windows provide pilots with exceptional visibility, including wide-angle views to check wingtip clearance while taxiing on the ground.
There's been much debate about how windows will look on aircraft in the future. While some are predicting much larger windows, allowing for more views for passengers; others think that all aircraft windows will disappear altogether.
Recently, Airbus predicted how their aircraft will look in 2050, showcasing a plane structure with panoramic windows around the entire aircraft. This would allow for a 360 degree view of the surrounding area, with windows that can control the amount of natural light let in, the humidity and the temperature of the cabin by providing opacity or transparency on command.
In contrast, there are the windowless supersonic jetsthat are currently in the works. The global design company, Technicon Design, has come up with a private jet design that has no windows. Instead, the windowless private jet uses external cameras to capture a real-time, 360-degree panoramic view of the space around the plane to obtain the feeling that there are windows. Another windowless private jet design proposed is the Spike Aerospace S-512 supersonic jet, which similarly also has "virtual windows".
By providing private jet designs that don't include windows, design companies are able to maximize the speed and efficiency of the jet, since windows are the weakest point in any aircraft structure. However, the big question is a psychological one – many passengers don't like the idea of not being able to have a window to see outside, which is why windowless jets have not yet adopted this design idea.
Which type of private jet windows do you prefer? Would you fly on a private jet with 360-degree windows, or one with no windows at all?
To book a private jet charter with these (or other types of windows), contact us or call our 24/7 Flight Team at (866)726-1222.


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No Place Like Home: What Single Women's Bedrooms Look Like All Over the World
Marie Claire photographed single women around the world—from a hipster in China to a hip-hop aficionado in Greece—in their bedrooms. See how their private spaces reflect their personal style and passions. Photographs by River Boom.
Kay, 23, lives in Gulou, a neighborhood that still feels like "Old Beijing." Many buildings like hers were demolished ahead of the 2008 Olympics to make way for luxury accommodations.
Aisha Mohammed, 25, lives outside the ultramodern city's limits in a desert village, where temperatures can reach 130 degrees.
Eugenie Manisalidi, 25, lives in a big apartment in the southern part of Athens. She lives alone, but her mother and grandmother live in the same building. Manisalidi fell in love with hip-hop and African culture at age 17 and has amassed a collection of posters and books that color her walls. She has traveled to Africa and wants to move to Ghana.
Enas Sherif, 22, was born in a small village in the desert three hours south of Cairo, but now she lives with her family in the eastern part of the city. Sherif, who wants to be a flight attendant for an Egyptian airline one day, says the poster on the wall behind her bed makes her "dream of traveling to places far from Egypt."
Mayu Shimura, 22, lives with her parents and younger sister in a big house in the northern part of Tokyo. She loves the color green and decorated her room—and even her Italian greyhound named Mer—in the hue.


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In those happier times, sales of any items included delivery just before Christmas. I was the delivery person and only me. A 22-year-old Santa Claus, but without the suit, beard and belly.
The 1948 KB7 International panel delivery truck got a workout during Christmastime. Since I was the driver, so did I. Twice each day, rain, shine, snow or whatever, I made my appointed rounds just like the post office. I knew Fort Wayne streets by heart and had my deliveries planned well.
The panel truck held about eight fully assembled bicycles, all Schwinns of various colors and tunes; rigid forks, knee action forks, some with front brakes, some with tanks that housed the batteries for the fender lights.
The big problem was that all Schwinn bikes were delivered completely assembled and checked. The problem arose as to how to deliver them and not spoil a Christmas for the recipient. The truck was unmarked, so that made things just slightly easier. I first tried to call the parents so they could make plans to keep their kids from not seeing Santa Claus (me) when I came to call.
However, invariably, I would have to knock on the door, ask for Mom or Dad, then have them figure out a way to banish their kids to an unseen place while I wheeled in that nice shiny new Schwinn.. I did have a perfect record; I spoiled no kid's Christmas, but it took a lot of time and patience to accomplish it. The bicycles were the hardest to deliver, but other toys were almost equally so, especially Radio Flyers and the wood-sided version of that wagon.
I do remember one instance where the salesman sold the wagon unassembled. He knocked off the price for the frugal older lady (grandmother). It was an omen of things to come.
The day when I was to deliver this big box was a great precursor day to a White Christmas. It was blowing cold, about 25 degrees, and the snow was coming down to add to the foot that was already in place. I had to install a full set of chains on the KB to make my rounds.
I arrived at the home of this white-haired grandmother. She had a nice home with a small unprotected porch. I knocked on the door, she opened it. I declared that I was from the toy store and that I would be glad to carry this bulky box into her home. She took one look at the box and said, "It's not assembled!"
"No, ma'am, it's not."
Things went downhill from there. I ended up assembling the wagon outside on that small exposed porch using a screwdriver, pliers and frostbitten hands. After she closed the door and left me to my chore, I did warm up some by taking a break in the heated cab of the truck.
I tried to assemble the wagon with my gloves on. Lets see, insert tab A into slot B didn't work. I had to take off the gloves and proceed barehanded. At least the small concrete slab of a porch was clear of snow; the wind took care of that. It was easy to find the various nuts, bolts and washers that I kept dropping due to fingers that didn't work so good in the cold. Finally the task was done and I again knocked on the door and Scrooge (Granny) graciously let me bring the assembled wagon into the house.
I was mighty glad to finish that job and return to the toasty confines of my trusty truck. The remainder of my deliveries went smoothly, and at the end of the day I returned home filled with the satisfaction of delivering gifts during the Christmas holidays.
The days of toy stores like that are past, the days of personally delivering them are past and the days of personally wishing all customers a Merry Christmas are also past. Discount stores and the Internet have seen to that.
Hopefully, the spirit of giving during this season still exists.
Merry Christmas to all.