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Advent: Day Four (NSFW)
Another World of Egaea piece for you today for the advent challenge! Maelog and Darron are two characters S.L. and I adore, both with very rocky pasts who fall for one another despite their lingering wounds. Maelog is also very afraid of spiders, since he was almost fed to the giant spiders of Spinners Forest by the Wood Elves. Poor guy! Enjoy the short!
Title: Love and Duty
Characters: Maelog, Darron
Origin: World of Egaea (WIP)
Advent Day: Day 4 (November 30th)
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 5,860
Darron glanced at Maelog as he continued to play his flute, the notes lilting out from beneath the tarp protecting them from the falling snow. Well, sort of protecting them. A gust of wind sent a flurry into them both, dusting his eyelashes and sending his blue-streaked white hair dancing in the air around them. Maelog looked miserable, and it made his heart ache with guilt. Maelog wouldn't even come here if it weren't for him. Spinners Forest was not the most hospitable place, especially in the winter, not just because of the frigid snowstorms, but because the giant spiders became especially unruly during the winter fast.
Still, Maelog endured. It was heartening to Darron. The fact that Maelog loved him so much he would risk this forest—risk being in a place he'd once been sent to die—was more than Darron had ever hoped to be given. What he shared with Maelog made everything in his past pale in comparison. Even as the Widows tittered in the snow, moving in time with his flute and Maelog's violin, Darron knew he had never been happier. The sacrifice of Maelog's, the yearly winters among spiders and with the barest of necessities, was the greatest gift his lover could have ever given him.
Another gust of icy wind blew through the makeshift stage. A blizzard was brewing, and Darron finally brought their concert to a close. The Widows made noises of disappointment as Maelog's violin fell silent, but Darron held up his hand.
"A storm brews," Darron explained. "We cannot remain outside our shelter." He smiled at them. "As soon as the blizzard passes, I promise, we will play for you once again."
The spiders began to dissipate, and Darron helped Maelog put their instruments away as quickly as possible before leading the way back to their cabin. Another gust of wind blew at them, but Darron lifted his hand, and his own power created a wall of wind around them, pushing the ice and snow away. A flare of fire lit up the air around them so suddenly it made him jump, and he looked back at Maelog with a breathless laugh. "I think your power is a bit more effective here."
"That's putting it mildly," Maelog murmured, catching up with Darron with a couple long strides.
Darron reached out and wound an arm around Maelog's shoulders, but when Maelog didn't return the touch, his smile twitched, threatening to fall. The walk to their cabin was uncharacteristically quiet, and it set Darron on edge. When they finally stepped into the warmth of their shelter, closing the door and covering the seams, he licked his lips. "Are you all right?"
Maelog wiped the snow and water from his body, stripping himself of his wet, cold clothes. "Why wouldn't I be all right? I'm in a forest full of spiders who want to fucking eat me, in the middle of a blizzard, and with the promise of coming out to play music for them yet again as soon as the worst of the snow—but not the worst of the cold—has passed." He threw his sodden clothes to the floor and crossed his arms over his bare chest. "With an eternity of such winters stretching out ahead of me, why, Darron, I'm thrilled."
Darron felt all warmth flee from the room, even though the fire was still going strong behind the grate. He shivered, standing there in his own wet clothing. "These spiders are integral to the House of Wood."
"Oh, so now you grow a sense of duty. That's just perfect."
Darron's eyes narrowed, and he struggled not to hug himself. "You're unhappy here."
"No," Maelog growled at him. "I'm fucking miserable here."
"Then that's all you had to fucking say!" Darron snapped back. He'd been deluding himself. Gods, he'd actually started to believe Maelog was growing used to the woods. He'd known it was particularly difficult for Maelog, especially after everything that had happened when they had first met, but Maelog had started to relax just a little. They enjoyed playing together, and Maelog had struck up a friendship with Ardea. The little widow spider was endlessly fond of Maelog, and he could have sworn Maelog was beginning to warm up to her. Darron shook his head and sat on the edge of their bed, his clothes making a slightly wet sound.
"You're getting the bed wet."
Darron ground his teeth together. "Fuck the bed."
"I have to sleep in that bed, and I'd rather not do it in a puddle. Take your goddamn clothes off," Maelog ordered.
Anger flared inside Darron, but he stood and ripped at his clothing. The fabric fell to the floor in a sopping mess, and then he sat back down. "You should have told me."
"Told you?" Maelog's voice was sharp, discordant. "You knew. Darron, this isn't a surprise! Three frigid months around starving spiders, playing endlessly, so Terfel can brag that he has the spiders. I've told you how the spiders frighten me. You knew! But you always throw up Terfel's needs. Well, I have needs, too!"
"I know you have needs. I'm not a damn idiot! But, forgive me, I thought you might actually bring them up, since I can't read your mind!"
"You can read my mind!"
"I read auras, Maelog, and you specifically forbade me from looking too deeply without your permission. I'm not about to rape your mind just to figure out why you have an attitude," Darron hissed out, gesturing angrily. "Yes, Terfel roped me into this assignment without my permission, but my music brings the spiders joy. Yours does, too, if you'd take an instant to look around while you play. The spiders adore you."
"They tried to eat me."
"That was just the once—"
"Four times!"
Darron huffed. "Fine. Four times now. It's just because it's the winter. They get testy this time of year when prey is limited. You would, too, if you couldn't eat for a couple months out of the year."
"I am not going to sympathize with the damn spiders!"
Darron bit the inside of his cheek to keep from snapping again. He took a deep breath, struggling to pull in his control again. When he exhaled, he let some of his old icy demeanor return. It was safe, effective, and probably all that would get him through the argument without screaming. "Very well. No sympathizing with the spiders. You have needs that I haven't been able to read or see to. What are they? What do you want?"
Maelog's eyes narrowed. "Don't fucking do that."
"Do what?"
"Go all cold and distant, like I'm some stranger." Maelog shook his head. "I come here, year after year, with you because I love you. I have escaped serious injury three times, but that first attack from the wolf spider… Darron, you're lucky I didn't die. What happens next time? What if one of the jumping spiders gets too excited about the prospect of a meal when I'm walking by? I shouldn't have to worry every time one of us steps outside this damn cabin!"
Darron threw his hands up. "So I tell Terfel to fuck himself? Find someone else? Or do we lose the treaty with the spiders? Start bringing them Elves to eat? Tell me, Maelog, what the hell am I supposed to do?"
Maelog glared at him. "Nothing," he spat. "There isn't a thing you can choose that won't make you resent me, all of the House of Wood hate me, and put me right in line to be the first meal sent here in lieu of your music."
"I would never let that happen," Darron gasped, his eyes wide. "You're my lover. I don't want to put you in harm's way!" How could Maelog think that?
"You put me in harm's way by bringing me here every year while the spider's are at their hungriest!"
Oh. Darron found he couldn't argue with that. He hated being unable to argue, unable to defend himself, and—worst of all—admitting he was in the wrong. He leaned forward and rested his head in his hands, his hair falling in wet tangles on both sides of his face to the floor. He didn't know what to do. How was he supposed to make everyone happy all at once? Not long ago, he would have simply told everyone to go fuck themselves and not committed to anything that would take away his personal freedom. Maelog had been the one to thaw his heart, made him feel something after being numb, and now he felt like he was torn in twenty different directions.
Maelog crossed his arms, looked at the fire in the grate. "I'm a warrior. I'm used to being in harm's way." He sighed. "I just… hate… losing a third of our lives to this. We spend a whole season cold, wet, and usually exhausted." Maelog paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, Darron could hear the soft grief in his lover's voice. "We haven't even made love once in the last fortnight, but you've ensured we've played for the widows. Four seasons out of the five, we fuck like new lovers, but the one season we should spend buried in blankets, eating rich foods, loving until we're sore… we spend here."
Darron swallowed thickly. "Maelog…"
"I know," Maelog murmured. "You've no real choice. And I accept that, but, please, don't ask me to rejoice in losing so much and gaining so little. Yes, I adore Ardea. I know my music brings the spiders pleasure, and I'm happy to give them that small joy."
Darron hadn't felt so close to tears in a long time, and the moment he saw Maelog catch on to that fact, he looked away. Maelog let out a long sigh and sat next to him, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to hold Maelog close or push him away. "I… I don't know what I can do."
"Nothing," Maelog repeated.
Darron straightened, glaring at him with tearful eyes. "Don't say that. Don't just tell me I'm fucking shit up, and then say there's nothing I can do about it. There has to be something." And then, Maelog actually ran his fingers through Darron's hair, massaging his scalp ever so lightly, and Darron just wanted to weep. His glare lost all its heat, and he let Maelog see the hurt in his eyes. "What do you hate the most?"
"The most?" Maelog asked warily.
"Just tell me. If I know the worst thing, maybe I can fix it. I have to have somewhere to start." This wasn't something that he could fix just by changing a few colors in Maelog's aura.
Maelog sighed, rubbing at his face for a moment. "Being looked at like a meal. I don't like fearing each time we step out into the forest. It makes me feel like a prisoner."
Darron took a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding. "I don't want you to be afraid or feel like I'm holding you hostage." He finally gave in to that soft touch in his hair, leaning against Maelog. "I never want to see you trapped like that again."
But what could he do about it? He couldn't change the spiders' nature. They were hungry, and they would always see them both as food. He couldn't make them any scarier or less appealing. The spiders weren't frightened. Even a display of Maelog's fire wouldn't do the trick. He bit his lower lip. "I can't help that they're hungry. They're always hungry this time of year."
"What about other times of the year?"
Darron blinked several times, and then looked at Maelog. His pulse started to race as his mind put the pieces together. "Not really. Just winter. They're much calmer and pleasant the rest of the year."
"Then I have a suggestion," Maelog said with the beginnings of a smile.
"Tell Terfel I won't come back here in the winter ever again or he can take his treaty and shove it?"
Maelog chuckled. "I thought you couldn't read my mind."
"I can when you speak so plainly." Darron sighed, closing his eyes. "I'm sorry." That phrase was one he rarely spoke, and mainly only to Maelog. With Maelog, Darron found himself sorry for a lot of things.
"I admire your loyalty to Terfel," Maelog said against Darron's hair, "but, I think it should only go so far. Being here, now, we risk so much. I would never ask you to cease coming to Spinners Forest—and gods know I want to see what becomes of Ardea—but it needs to be safer for us."
"You're right," Darron admitted, and then shivered. "Gods, I was terrified when that wolf spider got to you. I can't remember how long I yelled at them, at the Queen Widow herself."
"I'd never seen you so fierce."
Darron turned his face, his brows knitting together as he looked at Maelog. "You saw? I thought you…"
"—had passed out from the pain?" Maelog shook his head. "Not quite. I could hear you. Saw you threaten to never step foot in their forest again if I didn't survive. That was quite a threat."
"I meant every word. And yet, another attack the year after that." Darron sighed. "I just don't think the spiders can control themselves like we can."
"They're like the Wood Elves," Maelog remarked with a smirk.
Darron laughed and elbowed Maelog. "Hey, those barbaric Wood Elves are my friends. Besides, I'm just as wild as the Wood Elves."
"Not quite," Maelog said.
"I am." Darron turned on their bed to face Maelog. "I dance naked at the Solstice. I partake in the Hunt every year. I rut in the forest."
Maelog shook his head and gave a little laugh. "That's wild? Come now, Darron. You don't do a fraction of what those barbaric Wood Elves do."
"I may not change my shape or eat raw meat, but I can be just as unpredictable and wild as they are!"
"Can you?" Maelog asked with a raised eyebrow.
It was a challenge. Maelog was actually challenging him on this! He didn't hesitate, turning on Maelog and pinning him down to the bed. Before Maelog could taunt him again, he straddled him and sealed their lips together in a passionate kiss. He was making a point, dammit, and that meant using every skill he had. He licked, flicked his tongue against the sensitive places in Maelog's mouth, laying claim but teasing Maelog's tongue forward until he could suckle at it with all that pent up passion they hadn't been enjoying with one another the last fortnight.
Maelog's skin was so warm against his. Then again, Maelog always ran hot. The fiery spirits inside the Fire Elves just made everything about them hot and volatile. Darron kissed Maelog until they were both breathless and hard, and he rubbed himself against Maelog. The moan Maelog let loose was as potent as any aphrodisiac, and Darron couldn't help but see how Maelog's aura changed. The anger and misery were replaced by the warm hues of arousal, love, and pleasure, and Darron had never been happier to see those streaks of color as he was now.
"What… do you plan on doing?" Maelog didn't even struggle against Darron's grip. "Humping me until you come?"
"The thought crossed my mind," Darron laughed, "but I have bigger plans for you." Maelog raised an eyebrow at that, but Darron just smirked and shimmied his way down Maelog's body, shoving his thighs apart and sinking down on Maelog's cock, taking him deep into his throat. The startled shout that echoed in their small cabin just made him all the more eager, and he worked the burning-hot flesh with lips, tongue, and throat, bobbing up and down at the pace he knew made Maelog's toes curl.
"Oh, fuck, Darron!" Maelog groaned above him.
Strong hands dove into his hair, and Darron moaned, letting the vibration add to his technique before he sank deep again. It wouldn't take long; he made certain of that with the lightest of touches down Maelog's thighs and around to the dips behind Maelog's knees. Maelog bucked beneath him, coming with a shout, and Darron drank down all his lover had to offer, drawing on his cock over and over until Maelog's hands tightened in his hair and pried him back.
Maelog's eyes blazed like the embers in the hearth, flickering with that internal fire. He was flushed and beautiful, breathing hard. Darron licked his lips obscenely, and Maelog snarled, yanking him up for a deep, possessive kiss. In an instant, Maelog had turned the tables, and Darron was soon pressed into the thickness of their mattress, legs spread wide. Maelog gave him a wicked look, one of his broad hands holding Darron's wrists down above his hand while the other dipped low. Nails raked over the sensitive flesh between groin and navel, and Darron screamed, bucking as white-hot pleasure raced through his senses.
"A Fire Elf can be just as wild as a Wood Elf… or even a wayward Cloud Elf," Maelog purred, dragging his nails over that patch of skin a second time.
Darron threw his head back with another cry. The stinging pleasure of that spot went straight to his cock, and he smirked at Maelog as he teased, "Oh, I don't know about that. I've seen many Wood Elves in action. You'll have to prove a Fire Elf can compete."
Maelog growled, eyes blazing. "Don't push me," he warned.
"I like pushing you," Darron purred, and his reward was a series of stinging slaps to the insides of his pale thighs. Each one sent a jolt of pleasure through him, and he gasped as he felt his cock twitch, fluid seeping onto the burning scratch marks below his navel. "The last few weeks… so cold. Are you going to warm me up now? Make me burn all night long?"
"Longer," Maelog promised darkly, sending a shiver down Darron's spine. "All through this damn blizzard, and then some."
Darron was given a volley of blows to his thighs, and then to that area of flesh, and then Maelog returned to Darron's thighs. His cock was completely ignored, and Maelog's physical strength kept his arms pressed to the bed. Regardless of his inability to move much of his upper body, Darron squirmed, hips pushing up, his thighs spread wide. He cried out, whimpered, and as the gentle burn gave way to throbbing heat, he knew he'd come if Maelog didn't back off.
Still, Maelog continued. His eyes never left Darron's face, and the look in that gaze… it stole the breath of Darron's lungs as he hovered there on the edge of release. The pain, the pleasure, and that look… and then he was tumbling over, screaming as he arched into one of the strikes and came thickly onto the stinging area of flesh below his navel.
His vision blurred, and he trembled in the aftermath, realizing quite belatedly that his eyes were tearing up, sending streaks down his temples. He blinked several times, looking up at Maelog, and to see that passionate heat still smoldering in those fiery eyes just made him squirm and whimper. "Maelog…"
"Yes, Darron?" Maelog's voice was like a lewd caress, and it made Darron's skin prickle with gooseflesh. "What do you want?"
"To… t-to…" Darron felt his face flush and forced himself to take a deep breath, even though it came out in a shuddering exhale. "I want to make these horrible winters up to you. Please… just tell me how. Anything you want." He could manipulate, could ensure they'd both be satisfied after a wild, night-long romp, but sometimes Maelog's needs weren't easy to read. More than anything, he just wanted to erase some of the anger, paint over the bad memories with a new one that would outshine them.
Maelog braced himself above Darron and drew him into a long, tender kiss. It nearly broke Darron's heart. Even when angry, even disappointed, Maelog's kisses could be as sweet and soft as a feather. Darron couldn't help the way his chin trembled, and the moment Maelog released his wrists, he wrapped his arms around his lover. His mind brushed against Maelog's. Please, just tell me. Tell me how I can make things right between us.
Gently, Maelog's lips traveled down his throat, teeth nipping at his flesh, making him gasp. And then, Maelog's fire-laden voice burst into the cool fog of his own. Things were never not right between us. You must stop thinking that I'm going to walk away from you every time we argue. I love you. That will never change.
He was about to open his mouth to argue that he knew Maelog wouldn't walk away, but then he stopped himself, because once again, Maelog was right. He was always afraid that would happen, that one misstep, one argument, one misunderstanding would make Maelog reconsider being with him and just leave rather than deal with the tangled web of his past. I never want it to change. I never want to make you so angry that you leave. My life would be as frigid as the weather outside if you weren't here to warm me up.
Maelog chuckled. "You saying your life would be meaningless without me, kitten?"
Darron couldn't help but smile at the use of the silly nickname. "More or less," he purred, tangling his fingers in Maelog's maroon hair and tugging until their eyes met. "I'm serious, though. Anything you want. I always demand so much, work you up into giving me what I want without ever asking. Now, I'm asking."
"I just want you."
It had been Maelog's response every time Darron had worked up the courage to ask. What did Maelog want? Him. How could he be worth so much? How could he alone be all that Maelog wanted? Darron swallowed thickly, brushing his calloused fingers down Maelog's cheek. "Just me?"
Maelog peppered soft kisses over his brow, eyes, cheeks, chin, and lips. "Is it so hard to believe? Just you. You're about all I can handle, you know."
"I know," Darron chuckled. "I'm quite the handful. That's exactly what makes it hard to believe." He licked his lips and craned his neck for another kiss. Maelog gave it without hesitation, and he felt affection well up in his chest, warm and so comforting. When he pulled back, he looked into Maelog's eyes and murmured, "If you don't have any specific needs… would you like to make love with me?"
Maelog stilled completely, and the smallest of frowns pulled at his lips. Silence stretched out between them as they stared at one another, and Darron actually feared he'd picked the worst timing to offer that closeness. Maybe Maelog was still angry, still in the mood to sensually punish him, even if that still meant unbelievable pleasure for them both. "Do I… what?"
Darron's heart jumped up into his throat. "Want to make love with me?" he repeated, his voice a bit tighter than before.
A slow, but brilliant, smile blossomed on Maelog's face. "Yes," Maelog whispered. "Of course."
That. That smile. That look filling Maelog's face. That was what Darron realized he lived for now. Such a simple thing, but it meant the world to Maelog. Making love—something Darron had so rarely given to those who fucked him in the past—was the one gift he gave to Maelog, and he was never sorry to have given it. "Do you want to take me, or…?"
Maelog gave him a half-smile. "Are you interested in being hugged by my body, kitten?"
Darron shivered and deliberately purred. "You know I am. I always am, whenever you like." Sure, it wasn't his normal role, but with Maelog, it meant so much more than it had with others from his past. He didn't have to pretend that he enjoyed it with Maelog; it all felt as natural as breathing. "If I'm good, will I get to enjoy a bit of cream?"
Maelog laughed. "You've already had some!"
"Mmm, but I always want more," Darron mewled, craning his neck to nuzzle Maelog's throat and nip just over his vocal chords.
Maelog moaned. "You know you can. I can wait to come until you're done, and then you can suck me."
It was a generous offer, especially since Darron knew how hard it was for Maelog to not let go when on the receiving end. He smiled against Maelog's throat. "No. We can make love, come together, and after we eat, I'll suck you until you sing for me."
A shudder moved through Maelog's body. "So, does that mean you want to take me?"
"Yes," Darron breathed, his cock hard at just the thought. "It's been a while."
"Mmm." Maelog moved off Darron, laid beside him. He pulled Darron toward him, over his body, and spread his legs so Darron could settle there comfortably. "It has. Fall harvest celebration, wasn't it? I was so desperate for you by the time we made it to the alcove, I didn't care that it was me being bent over and fucked thoroughly."
Darron grinned and rocked his hips into Maelog. "I was in a mood that night, wasn't I? You didn't complain, though, and I'd inwardly vowed to do it again soon."
"But you didn't," Maelog finished with a moan.
"I had a little help getting distracted," Darron insisted, dipping down to lick and suckle Maelog's throat. "Should I be more assertive? More dominant for you? Did you like it that much?"
Maelog combed his fingers through Darron's long hair, groaning as he arched into Darron's touches. "Sometimes. Sometimes it helps."
"What do you mean?" Darron asked, nibbling up to Maelog's ear. He teased the pointed tip, loving how Maelog trembled for him.
"I like knowing—ah!—I'm wanted so badly that you can't help but take me," Maelog panted. "Not often, not always, but sometimes. When those moods strike us, it's easier for you to take than to ask."
"I live to serve," Darron chuckled, swiveling his hips until Maelog groaned and arched up against him again. He reached up to the wooden ledge above their bed, snatching the vial of oil they hadn't touched in weeks. In a matter of seconds, he had his fingers slicked and pressed them to Maelog's opening, massaging there as he breathed between licks and kisses, "I'll make sure I show you… how hard it is to keep my hands off you."
He didn't tease for too long, sliding his two fingers gently inside Maelog. "You could have fooled me the last two weeks," Maelog groaned.
Darron felt the slightest blush heat up his cheeks. "I know. I don't have a good excuse, but I plan to make it up to you. First with this," he said, curving his fingers up inside Maelog, basking in the gasp and moan the well-aimed touch earned him, "and then by confronting Terfel."
Maelog pulled at Darron. "Enough fucking talk," he growled.
"I just want you to know—"
"I know," Maelog said, staring up at Darron. "I know."
Darron couldn't help but stare down at Maelog, and then whispered, "What do you know?"
Maelog smiled, squeezed around Darron's fingers wickedly. "That you love me."
It was Darron's turn to gasp and shudder, and he smiled brilliantly. How did Maelog do that? Know what he was thinking and say the words that were so difficult to force past his own lips? Somehow, it made it infinitely easier for him. "I love you."
A look of such love passed over Maelog's face, and then need added heat to his eyes. "I know. Now kiss me."
Who was he to disobey such an order? Darron dove forward, kissing Maelog breathless and thrusting his fingers in and out of his lover. Maelog was impatient, though, and Darron found himself chuckling and teasing with more strokes against Maelog's prostate until Maelog actually whined up at him, nipping sharply at Darron's lower lip.
Maelog's hand suddenly closed around his cock, and the grip was so firm and demanding that it pulled a gasp from him as he broke away from the kiss. "Oh, gods… All right. All right!" He panted as he reached for the vial again and oiled up his cock. When he positioned himself at Maelog's hole, he locked eyes with Maelog. Even without using his aura vision, he knew what the light in Maelog's eyes meant, and it made his heart ache in his chest.
"I love you." Maelog said it with such sincerity that it made Darron pause.
Darron dipped down, brushed his lips over Maelog's. "You have for so long," he whispered, thrusting forward, gently filling Maelog with his cock.
Maelog's eyes fluttered closed, his hands gripping at Darron's hips. The pure enjoyment Maelog took in that first connection, that initial moment, stole Darron's breath away. Maelog loved him to a fault, but Darron could help but revel in it. He wasn't sure there existed a single thing Maelog wouldn't do for him, and the responsibility was both frightening and awe-inspiring.
Darron stayed deep inside for a long time, sharing soft kisses with Maelog. When he finally moved, it pulled the most beautiful moan from Maelog, as if the withdrawal of his body from Maelog's was a fate worse than death. He thrust back inside, setting a slow, intimate pace. It wasn't anything like the last time, when they had been so desperate, so rushed. This time, he savored every movement, every thrust that brought them closer together.
His hands moved over Maelog's face, tracing the beautiful lines, and then down his neck, his collarbones and chest. His fingers played over every scar, every imperfection.
"Don't," Maelog breathed, reaching up to stop his hand, but he batted Maelog away.
"They're gorgeous," Darron insisted. "They make you so fucking gorgeous."
Maelog closed his eyes, and his hands returned to Darron's back and hip. "The battered body of a warrior."
Darron let his lips tease Maelog's ear again, loving how his lover's body shivered, how Maelog's hands tightened on him. "To be a Dragonlord is one of the greatest honors," he whispered. His tongue traced the ridges of Maelog's ear. "Protecting others, that is so sexy… so damn sexy."
"Even if you hate… hate my dragon?"
Darron laughed breathlessly into Maelog's hair. "Hayden's part of you. I couldn't… ever hate part of you." He didn't get on well with dragons, especially Hayden, but he'd promised. He'd promised to try to get along with idiotic lizard. "I gave him an apple before we left, remember?"
Maelog barked out a laugh that was closer to a moan and pulled him close, bucking up into him. "Dragons… don't eat… apples."
"It was the thought that counted!" Darron gasped. He couldn't help himself and picked up the pace, moving faster and a little harder into Maelog.
Maelog shook his head. "You talk too much… during sex."
"You complaining?"
Maelog fisted his hair and pulled Darron down for a series of hungry, deep kisses. Even when being taken, Maelog was as in control as ever, and Darron distantly wondered what it would take to make Maelog lose that control. Maybe when they returned to Beithe, Darron could find out. Endless hours of finding out all Maelog's secrets, everything his body loved, craved. For now… for now, he was content with the impossibly hot, tight grip of Maelog's golden body and the sweet taste of Maelog on his tongue.
They moved as one, arching into and pulling at one another. Maelog's heels dug into his ass, urging him faster, and he cried out between Maelog's lips as he complied. The colors swirled in front of his eyes, his power going a bit haywire and altering his vision as he stared down into Maelog. Passion and pleasure and the most beautiful whirling mist of love he had ever seen. Bright. Maelog was so bright to him, layer after layer of light and energy. It made his own pleasure spike even higher, and he nosed Maelog's head back, exposing his throat so Darron could torment the sensitive spot just over Maelog's vocal chords.
Maelog moaned loudly, and he tightened his grip, taking him harder, faster, and sucking fiercely at that spot until it throbbed under his lips. The mark would be deep, and Maelog would feel it every time he spoke, swallowed, ate. The next time Maelog sucked him off, he'd feel it. It only made Darron that much harder. He released Maelog's throat, kissed up to his lips.
"Gods, please… I'm too close," Darron warned.
"Touch me." Maelog's breath was short, words faint. "Want to come… with you."
Darron couldn't deny him. He took Maelog in hand, a desperate sound leaving his throat when he felt how damn hard and hot Maelog was. The weight of Maelog in his hand only seemed to compound his own need, and he thrust hard, fast, rocking Maelog firmly into the mattress. Every cry, every groan from Maelog only encouraged him until he was teetering on the very edge of sanity, and then Maelog bucked, back bowing. Maelog's body squeezed him mercilessly as the Fire Elf came, and Darron's breath caught, pleasure slamming into him a moment later.
The heat of it all stole his senses away, and he cried out, the pleasure whisking him away, sending him flying with Maelog. Even in the throes of their passion, he could feel that connection to Maelog, that string of energy that bound them together. He'd always been so afraid of that connection, but in moments of bliss, he found himself clinging to it with all his inner strength.
The world around them started to settle back into place, but he panted, holding Maelog close, burying his face in Maelog's hair. His mind spun, but there was that one fixed point, that one place that kept his mind and spirit tied to Maelog's. He trembled against Maelog, pressing their bodies together as they panted and recovered. "Maelog…" he choked out.
Maelog's arms wrapped around him, and gods help him, he'd never felt so cherished, so at home. "Shh… it's all right."
Darron shook his head and peppered kisses over every bit of hair and jawline within reach of his lips. "I love you."
"I know," Maelog murmured, and Darron could feel when Maelog smiled. "I love you, too."
"No more winters in Spinners Forest," Darron promised.
Maelog chuckled. "I don't know. If this is what we wind up doing the majority of the time, I think I could compromise."
Darron laughed and shifted, gently pulling out so he could entangle their limbs and keep their bodies as close as possible on the bed. "If this blizzard is as bad as the one the second year we were here…"
"Mmm… stuck in here for days, snowed in."
Darron kissed Maelog, slowly, deeply. When they were settled comfortably among the furs of the bed, and the wind blew hard outside the cabin, he purred, "We can only hope."


text: Share: Comments Print March 9, 2014 at 1:15 PM Dylan Remick: 'Walking out there before the nat'l anthem is something I'll never forget.' Posted by Joshua Mayers Defenders rarely steal the headlines, let alone a second-year left back making his first MLS start, but nestled within Sounders FC's wild season-opener was a big moment for Dylan Remick. The 22 year old, after a standout preseason, got the call when Leo Gonzalez wasn't ready to go as he completes his recovery from offseason groin surgery. "It was pretty awesome," Remick said. "Walking out there before the national anthem is something I'll never forget. It was pretty special. My parents were here, too, so that was pretty cool for them to see. It was a great game — fun to be a part of, fun to play. Obviously it's a lot better when you score in the 94th minute, so yeah, you can't ask for a better ending to a first start in MLS." Remick, you might remember, led the Sounders with three assists in preseason, leading coach Sigi Schmid to single him out as one of the breakout players in the buildup to this season. In that regard, it felt like the minutes were earned Saturday instead of just a result of an injured starter. "It's never good to get an opportunity because someone is hurt, especially Leo, who's been so helpful to me in my progression as a player, but it was good," Remick said. "I did have a lot of confidence. I felt I had played well in preseason and all my teammates, Brad (Evans), Ozzie (Alonso), Djimi (Traore), Chad (Marshall), DeAndre (Yedlin), they're all so helpful to me in the game. They've helped me in preseason as I sort of just found my rhythm. I feel comfortable playing with them and I'm fortunate they were really helpful. I just took it from there, relishing the opportunity and enjoying it all." There is still growth to be had, though, as Schmid noted in his evaluation of Remick's performance. "He did alright," the coach said. "I think he can play better. He would say that to you, as well. He knows he can play better than he played tonight. A little bit of nerves, a little bit of uncertainty, but that is something with more games it will go away." Emotions, of course, are always different that first time at home. Remick's only MLS minutes previously came in Colorado last year, 25 minutes off the bench in that horrible 5-1 loss. "It was crazy," he said again of Saturday. "I've been up in the booth and on the bench a few times, but to actually be the one walking out when the 'boom boom clap' goes and the national anthem, it's just something I'll never forget." Comments | More in Sounders FC

subset: commoncrawl


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There are many people out there that have changed jobs and careers multiple times in their lives, and that's not necessarily an indicator of failure or success. Some people build successful businesses, sell them, and move into an entirely different industry, while others simply like to jump around until they settle on a job that truly appeals to them. Regardless of your past circumstances and careers, a LearningRx brain training franchise could be the very thing to start you on the path to success.
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If you feel that this is something you're interested in, contact us today to set up your introductory call. Following that, we will look at your qualifications and give suggestions for financing, if necessary. After discussing the Franchise Disclosure Document and performing due diligence, we will talk about your Discovery Day, which you will spend at our headquarters in Colorado Springs. Once you've been approved, your brain training franchise should be up and running within three to six months!
Don't let a past of jumping from job to job discourage you from finding success. Get in touch with us today!


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Yesterday, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) wrote a letter to the FCC in response to a previous filing by the National Football League. In his letter, Higgins pointed to the findings of several top economists that "local television blackouts have little or no effect on ticket sales or attendance for the game that is being televised," and that "local blackouts of home games harm consumers without producing a significant financial benefit to teams." Higgins also called attention to the fact that Western New Yorkers may soon be asked to help pay for improvements to Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium, even as 3 out of 7 home games were blacked out there last season. He ultimately urged the FCC and NFL to "abandon its decades old blackout rules."
You can read Higgins' letter here.
Sports Fans Coalition thanks Rep. Higgins for his tremendous support for fans everywhere.
Read more posts on SportsFans.org »


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Support Forum
Saving Macros
How do I save a macro to a USB stick?
Posted By: dbvanhorn on Feb 08, 2013 10:23PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Oops, this post hid in my inbox. I am sorry for the late response.
Honestly, I can't find the file myself. It used to be saved in the installation folder. Let me check with our IT people.
However, there is currently no direct way to save it on a flash drive.
Kind regards,
Posted By: DianeHaensel on Feb 17, 2013 10:54PMReply
Still getting my feet wet with this software..
I need to mount a number of switches on a panel.
The heads of the switches are much larger than the cutouts.
It would be very easy for me to make a mistake and place them too close together.
Is there a way to show an outline that would represent the max dims of the switch head and not have that actually be a part of the panel itself? Something like a "comment" layer?
Posted By: dbvanhorn on Feb 08, 2013 06:06PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Currently... No.
I been asking for this for at least 2 years.
Posted By: chriskner on Feb 08, 2013 06:58PMReply
I thought about using an engraving object, but then I'd have to remember to ungroup everything and delete those before ordering, which would be risky, and I'm not sure if you can actually ungroup like that.
Posted By: dbvanhorn on Feb 08, 2013 10:31PMReply
You can work with engraving objects and only group those together. You can also use an hpgl import as additional "layer." The latter is easy to delete.
I admit that this is inconvenient and a rather painful workaround. We will try to get this taken care of without another wait of two years.
Kind regards,
Posted By: DianeHaensel on Feb 08, 2013 10:52PMReply
Windows7 crush
Windows7 x64, Front Panel Designer 4.1.4 crash on start "The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005). Click OK to close the application"
any suggestions?
Posted By: Mariusz M on Jan 30, 2013 10:05AM Category: Front Panel Designer
I have W7 64 bit here, no issues.
I'd suggest re installing.
Posted By: dbvanhorn on Feb 02, 2013 05:54PMReply
Hi fly_man,
Did the new installation work for you?
Posted By: DianeHaensel on Feb 04, 2013 06:59PMReply
Yes, it's working. After several reinstalations and system reboots...
Posted By: fly_man on Feb 05, 2013 07:09AMReply
I'm sorry for the inconvenience. There were a few other users with Windows7 issues. Our IT people are already informed and are looking into it.
Posted By: DianeHaensel on Feb 05, 2013 09:02PMReply
So, what is the fix? Year and a half later, and I am getting this error under Win7.
The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000005
Posted By: Rob on Sep 28, 2015 11:35PMReply
Are you running the latest version 4.4.2?
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Sep 28, 2015 11:50PMReply
I am attempting to run the version that I downloaded from the website yesterday.
Posted By: Rob on Sep 29, 2015 04:40PMReply
Thank you Rob. I will let you know as soon as I know what the problem is.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Sep 30, 2015 02:03PMReply
Same on Windows 10 x64 upgrade on running Windows 8 System. Within Windows 8, FPD worked well, after the upgrade same error as described here... any hints? I have re-installed it already abaout 10 times... nothing, still same.
Posted By: widget on Feb 06, 2016 11:39PMReply
We released version 4.5 today. Can you please try again?
Thank you,
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Feb 08, 2016 08:32PMReply
Sloped enclosure?
Can you fabricate a sloped enclosure, similar to the Hammond 1456 series? Imagine something maybe 8" wide, perhaps 1.5" at the front (toward the user) and a 10- or 15-degree slope up so the back is higher? I would like the top and back to be at a right angle, making the angle between the bottom and the back 80 or 75 degrees depending on slope. The Hammond boxes have the bottom-to-back angle at 90 degrees.
The idea is to mount a PCB from the top (sloped) panel with connectors coming out the back. Using the Hammond box with the 80-degree angle between the top and back means that I need one PCB for user interface (on the top) and a second to support the connectors through the back.
Posted By: Andy Peters on Jan 27, 2013 04:23AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hi Andy,
Our enclosures can't be sloped but we can work with Hammond parts.
We do the 1456 series quite often. You would just send it to us and we machine it for you. Front Panel Designer allows you to select "use customer provided material" in the front panel properties.
Here are more details.
Best regards,
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jan 29, 2013 12:36AMReply
Oh, I see. Reworking the Hammond enclosure won't help, as I want a right angle between the top and the back parts instead of between the bottom and back parts (the latter is how the Hammond boxes are built).
Posted By: Andy Peters on Jan 29, 2013 07:31PMReply
19" 1U Questions
Hello I'm designing a 19" 1U rack enclosure. I'd like it 11" deep. I have the front and back designed. I found a template zip that I think is what I need. I can't seem to get the depth of the side/top and bottom panel correct. When I may them longer I can't get the screw holes to move with it. I'm not 100% I have the correct template. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Posted By: Matt Sprigings on Jan 26, 2013 04:49PM Category: Front Panel Designer
19" 1U Questions
Hello I'm designing a 19" 1U rack enclosure. I'd like it 11" deep. I have the front and back designed. I found a template zip that I think is what I need. I can't seem to get the depth of the side/top and bottom panel correct. When I may them longer I can't get the screw holes to move with it. I'm not 100% I have the correct template. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Posted By: Matt Sprigings on Jan 26, 2013 04:31PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Matt,
The holes don't move when you change the size of the panel. You would need to adjust that as well.
I know that the enclosure design can be sometimes painful. Therefore we check every single enclosure order that comes in and make sure it fits together. So no worries, we contact you if something doesn't make sense. You can also always leave a note for us, pointing out where you want us to double check.
Best regards,
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jan 29, 2013 12:29AMReply


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Metropolitan Museum of Art:The Met presents a collection of decorative, architectural, and religious pieces from the private residence of one of China's most extravagant emperors, built in the Forbidden City during the 18th century.
Brooklyn Museum:"Lorna Simpson: Gathered" Lorna Simpson uses vintage photographs and drawings, which she finds on eBay and at flea markets, to explore the crossover between fact and fiction, identity and history.
Benrimon Contemporary:Baradaran uses an Augmented Reality Smartphone app to toy with the image of the Mona Lisa. The result is a 52-second video that questions the Mona Lisa's role as a cultural icon of France, despite her and Da Vinci's Italian origins.
Sikkema Jenkins & Co.:Herrera presents drawings and large-scale wall paintings that explore ideas of fragmentation and impure abstraction.
Tyler Rollins:"Tracey Moffatt: Still and Moving"Tracey Moffatt presents a series of photographs called "Plantation," which feature images of a colonial house with a dark figure lurking in the foreground. The atmosphere of the images evokes questions of race, class, and colonialism.


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from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A bookseller; a bibliopole.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Same as
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a dealer in secondhand books (especially rare or curious books)
Sorry, no etymologies found.
I no longer stand in the outer shop of our bibliopolists, bargaining for the objects of my curiosity with an unrespective shop-lad, hustled among boys who come to buy Corderies and copy-books, and servant girls cheapening a pennyworth of paper, but am cordially welcomed by the bibliopolist himself, with,
The bibliopolist seems to have bent before the storm, and pacified the incensed bard, by verbal submission, though probably without relaxing his exactions and drawbacks in any material degree.
The moment Mr. Pembroke had uttered the shibboleth, with the appropriate gesture, the bibliopolist greeted him, notwithstanding every disclamation, by the title of
Who was the bibliopolist with whom originated the pernicious scheme of adapting newly printed title-pages to books which had had a previous existence?
Notes and Queries, Number 71, March 8, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.
Doubtless, then, the paragraph of the _Oxford Gazette_ had been copied into the London papers; nor did it relieve his unpleasant surprise to find, as he passed to his room, that the worthy bibliopolist had a reading-room attached to his shop, which was far more perilous to his privacy than a coffee-room would have been.
Indeed, considering that we might all be classified under the general head of Vagabond, there was great diversity of character among the grave old showman, the sly, prophetic beggar, the fiddling foreigner and his merry damsel, the smart bibliopolist, the sombre Indian and myself, the itinerant novelist, a slender youth of eighteen.
The bibliopolist spoke a few words in opposition to my plan -- influenced partly, I suspect, by the jealousy of authorship, and partly by an apprehension that the _vivâ-voce_ practice would become general among novelists, to the infinite detriment of the book trade.
Madge Murdockson, called Madge Wildfire; and of her pious conversation with his Reverence Archdeacon Fleming; '' which authentic publication had apparently taken place on the day they left Carlisle, and being an article of a nature peculiarly acceptable to such country-folk as were within hearing of the transaction, the itinerant bibliopolist had forthwith added them to his stock in trade.
Well, I thought it hard enough to write a novel at the dictate of the bibliopolist; but to be condemned to sit down and write my travels -- travels that have never extended farther than the
Upon my making as pitiable a statement as I was able of this melancholy state of things -- and pleading with all my energies against the inevitable destruction which threatened the dear books -- the obdurate bibliopolist displayed not one scintillation of sympathy.
A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume One


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Happy 25th birthday to @Cogz4Christ. #
Mike Stanton Grand Slam! First career homerun. 5-2 #Marlins #
Check out @MLBTV on the PS3 – incredible video quality and it's free this weekend. Just saw Stanton's grand slam live all the way in SF. #
Garza still in the game for Rays. Hope #Marlins can stay patient and knock him out early. #
Another double for @cogz4Christ on his birthday. Remember when he was hitting below .200? Now approaching .300 #


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AN £8.6bn project for a multi-billion pound tidal gateway across Morecambe Bay could be combined with National Grid plans for a tunnel under the bay.
North West Energy Squared (NWE2) has revealed proposals for a project which would be like "an M6 across the bay", which would create enough electricity for 1.7m homes, with a dual carriagewayrunning along the top connecting Heysham to the Furness peninsular.
National Grid is planning a tunnel under Morecambe Bay to connect electricity from Moorside on the Furness Peninsular to Middleton, near Heysham.
Tidal Energy spokesman Graham Davies, speaking at a display at Morecambe's Platform detailing NWE2's proposals, said: "We got in touch with NuGen and National Grid and said 'why don't we offer you a route inside our gateways? We were not initially together but we are now discussing the combination of the two. It has got to happen. The project is backed by the North West Business Leaders team who have had meetings in the House of Commons.
"They have met MPs who have been favourable to the idea. I've been banging the drum for tidal power for 30 years . This project will help the UK meet its Euro targets in global warming."


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DisruptiveLA, a cutting-edge marketing and distribution company for filmed entertainment, has acquired the US Distribution Rights to the feature documentary James Cameron's DeepSea Challenge 3D, directed by John Bruno, Andrew Wight and Ray Quint. A film about determination, danger and the ocean's greatest depths, James Cameron's DeepSea Challenge 3D tells the story of Cameron's journey to fulfill his boyhood dream of becoming an explorer. The movie offers a unique insight into Cameron's world as he makes that dream reality - and makes history - by becoming the first person to travel solo to the deepest point on the planet.
"Filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron emerges from the DeepSea Challenger submersible after his successful solo dive to the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean. The dive was part of DeepSea Challenge, a joint scientific expedition by Cameron, the National Geographic Society and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research."
"The DeepSea Challenger submersible is the centerpiece of DeepSea Challenge, a joint scientific project by explorer and filmmaker James Cameron, the National Geographic Society and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research."
Opening August 8 in theaters across the US, James Cameron's DeepSea Challenge 3D chronicles the highs, and literal lows, of DeepSea Challenge, the first extensive scientific expedition in a manned submersible to the Challenger Deep, Earth's deepest place. It was inspired, in part, by the fact that we know less about the deep oceans than we do about the surface of Mars. DeepSea Challenge was led by Cameron, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker known for blockbusters such as Avatar and Titanic and a veteran of eight deep ocean expeditions. It was executed in partnership with National Geographic and Rolex and with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. During it, Cameron deployed his unconventional DeepSea Challenger submersible on 13 dives, collecting numerous samples and identifying 68 new species. On March 26, 2012, the Expedition culminated in Cameron's historic, solo dive to the Challenger Deep, a staggering 35,787 feet (almost seven miles) beneath the ocean's surface.
Risk and danger are ever-present in the film as Cameron dives progressively deeper in the New Britain Trench off Papua New Guinea and in the Mariana Trench, 200 miles southwest of Guam.
Confronting the enormity of the dive to the Challenger Deep, the deepest part of the Mariana Trench, Cameron recalled thinking the following.
"I've had years to contemplate this moment, and I won't say there hasn't been dread."
Among his concerns was the risk the sub would implode under the crushing pressure (1,000 times that at sea level) at the ocean's deepest points. In the movie, Cameron describes an ominous scenario.
"As you approach the bottom, with barely a warning sign, the sphere buckles suddenly. Faster than you can scream, you're smashed into jam."
Cameron survived to capture the haunting, lunar-like landscape of the Mariana Trench in stunning 3D, and to document the sea creatures he observed in the depths. In a tense 90 minutes, James Cameron's DeepSea Challenge 3D builds on these images to create a visual sensation that evokes a spirit of extraordinary human aspiration.
Industry veterans Chris Miller and James Burke are DisruptiveLA's co-founders. Here's what James Burke had to say in a statement.
"James Cameron and his team's courage and tenacity in seeing this project through, with findings that scientists are still poring over, is an inspiration to everyone."
Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures and an executive producer of the film, had this to say in her statement.
"James Cameron's DeepSea Challenge 3D is everything we'd dreamed it could be and more. It's a heart-racing film experience and an inspiring reminder that our beautiful planet still has much to explore."
Rolex Director of Communication & Image Arnaud Boetsch had this to say in his statement.
"We are proud to have accompanied James Cameron, a Rolex Testimonee, on this inspirational journey to the deepest reaches of the world's oceans, encouraging further exploration of the planet's last unknown frontiers and sparking the interest of new generations in scientific research."


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That's a Wrap: Concluding the 2019 AQHA Convention
That's a Wrap: Concluding the 2019 AQHA Convention
From AQHA Executive Vice President Craig Huffhines
The 2019 AQHA Convention, held March 8-11 at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, was a huge success!
AQHA is an organization that works for its members. Each spring, AQHA holds an annual convention to review member-submitted rule changes, appoint new AQHA directors, induct members into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and elect the AQHA Executive Committee.
AQHA Executive Committee
The new AQHA Executive Committee was elected March 11. This five-person committee is responsible for implementing important decisions made by AQHA members through the board of directors.
The 2019-20 AQHA Executive Committee is President Stan Weaver of Big Sandy, Montana; First Vice President F.E. "Butch" Wise of El Reno, Oklahoma; Second Vice President Norman Luba of Louisville, Kentucky; member Dr. Scott Myers of Sharon Center, Ohio; and member Kenneth Banks of Schulenburg, Texas.
Learn more about each member of the AQHA Executive Committee.
Hall of Fame Inductees
The 2019 American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame inducted 11 legends at convention: Billy Allen of Scott City, Kansas; AQHA Past President Johne Dobbs of Gastonia, North Carolina; the late J.M. Frost III of Houston; the late Hans Hansma of Granum, Alberta; and AQHA Past Executive Director of Publications Jim Jennings of Amarillo, Texas; the 2000 mare Vital Signs Are Good, the 1951 stallion Harlan, the 1992 stallion Mr Jess Perry, the 1958 stallion Tiger Leo, the 1984 stallion Zippos Mr Good Bar and the 1976 Thoroughbred mare Trippy Dip. Learn more about the class of 2019.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductions, Ruti Shadmot of Moshau Faran, Israel, and Edward McNelis of Nampa, Idaho, were named separate recipients of the 2018 Merle Wood Humanitarian Award.
Professionals of the Year
The 2018 Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year, AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year and Most Valuable Professional awards were presented on March 9.
- 2018 Don Burt Professional Horseman of the Year is Gil Galyean of Purcell, Oklahoma
- 2018 AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year is Chele McGauly of Elm Grove, Louisiana
- 2018 Most Valuable Professional is Steve Meadows of Staunton, Virginia
Read more about Gil, Chele and Steve. These three professionals will be further honored at the AQHA Awards Celebration, November 17 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Additional awards were presented to the 2018 Zoetis AQHA Best Remuda winner Wagonhound Land & Livestock of Douglas, Wyoming; 2018 AQHA International Best Remuda La Media Suerta of Salto, Uruguay; and the 2018 AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder of the Year Miller Land & Livestock of Big Piney, Wyoming.
AQHA Bylaw and Registration Changes
Modifications to AQHA Bylaws, as well as registration-related items, were reviewed by AQHA members and the AQHA Board of Directors at convention. Per the Association's bylaws, the board of directors has the final authority when it comes to changes or additions to AQHA's bylaws and rules of registration. We'll bring you more later on the rule changes recommended by these two committees and approved by the board of directors.
Stay tuned to www.aqha.com for further information on committee actions at convention and YouTube videos of the Equine Industry Business Workshop, Industry Issues Town Hall meeting and general membership meetings.


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You are invited to join us as we continue our tradition of kicking off the skating season by cheering on some of our skaters who will be competing at Regionals and Sectionals at SCNY's brunch and exhibition!
Juvenile and above skaters who are going to Regionals/Sectionals can sign up to skate their competitive programs at the Exhibition, but space is limited. There is no charge to participate.
If you would like to participate, please e-mail us at email@example.com by Sunday, September 23rd and give us the following information: name, skating level, program length, phone number and coach's name. As usual, first come, first served. We will let you know on September 12th if you are on the schedule.
|If you are not skating at Regionals, please come to the the exhibition and come for Brunch FOR FREE on the back deck. Help send your friends off in style. It will be lots of fun and it is a great way to start the season.
The Skating Club of New York's mission is to provide programs to encourage participation and achievement in the sport of figure skating, to conduct figure skating tests as prescribed by US Figure Skating and to organize and sponsor competitions, exhibitions and clinics. The Skating Club of New York is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit amateur athletic organization and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
USFS Safe Sport Program
Synchro News
94th Annual Middle Atlantic Championships
September 5-8, 2019
SCNY Synchro
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers
New York Showcase
February 16, 2019
Wollman Open
Sunday, March 3, 2019
in Central Park
The Long Island Championships
Sunday, April 28, 2019
The Rinx
The Rinx Summer Open
July 12-14, 2019
The Rinx
General Test Application
Sky Rink Test Application
Instructions: IJS Protocol for Test Credit


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Brian Martin (@Attritionorg) – also known as Jericho on the Interwebs – took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to share some insights on vulnerability stats, the topic of his recent Black Hat briefing in Las Vegas.
Martin has been active in the hacker/security scene for over twenty years, and is well known for his healthy skepticism and the regular application of his anger management skills.
Being a hacker focused on security research, Martin has a unique point of view on most any issue in security, and he is not shy about sharing them with the wider community.
Martin's talk, Buying into the Bias: Why Vulnerability Statistics Suck, which was presented with compadre Steve Christey, looked at how our industry often analyzes vulnerability statistics utilizing huge repositories of vulnerability data like as CVE and OSVDB to determine vulnerability trends.
Martin and Christy contend that these types of data are unreliable, and that their limitations are not adequately weighted when doing such analysis, producing faulty assumptions skewed by innate bias.
"As maintainers of two well-known vulnerability information repositories, we're sick of hearing about sloppy research after it's been released, and we're not going to take it any more," the researchers stated.
What's the rub? Martin explains here…
Related Articles:
- Vulnerabilities: It's Time to Review Your ReviewBoard
- Five Good Things in Infosec
- What is Vulnerability Management Anyway?
- Your Enterprise Vulnerability Management Reality Check
P.S. Have you met John Powers, supernatural CISO?
Title image courtesy of ShutterStock


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Located right next to Highgate Cemetery, Waterlow Park is your typical north London public park, where grassy slopes alternate with trees and shrubberies and hidden ponds. It was donated to the City Council in 1889 by politician and philanthropist Sir Sidney Waterlow who intended it as "a garden for the gardenless". Waterlow had created the park by merging the grounds of several estates he had acquired in the area. Perhaps the most prominent of these estates was Lauderdale House, which still stands in an elevated position in the northeast section of the park. It is surrounded by an ornate terraced garden markedly distinct from the rest of the park.
In its present state, Lauderdale House sports a fine neoclassical façade, dating to c. 1760. At its core, however, the house is much older: It was first built as a timber-framed structure in (or slightly before) 1582 for Richard Martin, Lord Mayor of London. By the mid-seventeenth century, it had passed into the possession of John Maitland (1616–1682), 1st Duke of Lauderdale, councillor and favourite of Charles II. A source from that time already describes the house as "having an English garden with terraces, orange trees and a fountain".
It seems that the gardens' architectural structure has remained largely unchanged since then: To this day, the terraces are retained by brick walls dating from the seventeenth century. The buttressed southwest wall, which now separates the garden from the surrounding park, is particularly impressive.
Two sets of stone steps lead from the park onto the lower terrace; another flight of steps connects the latter to the upper terrace and the house itself. The steps are somewhat younger than the walls, some of them said to be of eighteenth-century origin, others presumably rebuilt in the Victorian period.
While its architectural 'framework' is thus of a rather venerable age, the garden itself was much altered in later times. It underwent its most decisive remodelling in the years after 1850, when Lauderdale House was leased to the clergyman and scholar James Yates (1789–1871). Under his patronage, the house became "famed for its garden-parties, at which the literary and scientific celebrities were gathered to meet the lions of the season", as James Thorne's 1876 Handbook of the Environs of London informs us. "The terraced garden", Thorne continues, "with its brilliant flowers and velvet lawns, was in Mr. Yates's time a charming example of an old-fashioned garden, treated with the best modern skill." As we know from other sources, Yates also added an orchard, a hedged kitchen garden, a palm house and other glasshouses to the grounds.
Not long after Yates' death, however, the garden had fallen into decay. In 1893, John E. Locking characterises it as "a wilderness of shrubs and flowers", and an overall rather desolate place: "As one mounts the steps of the terrace, overgrown with snapdragon, broken many of them, and the balustrades falling down, somehow there is a feeling of sadness. (…) Here, in tangled confusion, the iris, the evening primrose, the marigold, the hollyhock, the camomile, the Portugal laurel, the sweet pea, burridge, and the rowan-tree 'for luck', grow and flourish at their own sweet will in the long silky grass."
Today, after some further ups and downs, Lauderdale House and its gardens are once again a well-kept and charming site. Having been restored to their former glory from 2001–2005, with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund, they are now a lovely place for a stroll or for simply sitting down on a bench – or for enjoying a cuppa and a slice of cake in Lauderdale House Café…


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Amsterdam, Oct. 5, 2017
ERIGrid (European Research Infrastructure supporting Smart Grid Systems Technology Development, Validation and Roll Out) is a collaborative research project supported by Horizon 2020. In the project 18 partners from 11 countries distributed all over Europe provide unique and complementary DER research infrastructures and leading expertise in the field.
Thus, ERIGrid supports the technology development as well as the rollout of smart grid solutions and concepts in Europe. The project jointly develops common methods, concepts, and procedures for conducting smart grids research.
On 5 October at 13:00 CET ERIGrid will hold an open consultation at the European Utility Week 2017. This interactive discussion and presentation of the ERIGrid project aims to obtain feedback from representatives of utilities, standardisation organisations, industry/manufacturers, and anyone interested in smart grid testing methodologies.
The side-event will specifically look into the topics:
- Introduction on the ERIGrid project
- Holistic system integration and validation procedure developed in ERIGrid
- Project results on development and enhancement of simulation tools and methodologies
- Free of charge access to the ERIGrid research infrastructures/laboratories and the targeted research topics
More information on the event at EUW: https://erigrid.eu/survey
ERIGrid on LinkedIn: "ERIGrid Project" https://www.linkedin.com/company/10479239/
on Twitter: @ERIGrid
ERIGrid Homepage: http://erigrid.eu/


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On tonight's live episode of Just Another G.I.Joe Show, Mike & Fred welcome Terry Dizard, Administrator of YoJoe.com. Make sure to tune in at 6pm Central to join in on the fun!
Have any questions that you'd like to ask Terry or the Dynamic Duo? Make sure to tune in and get in on the live viewer chat! We're talking all about it on the boards, so join us after the break on the Cobra Island Forums!
Just Another G.I.Joe Show Welcomes Terry Dizard Administrator of YoJoe – Cobra Island
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About President Yellen
David Yellen became the fourth President of Marist College on July 1, 2016. He previously served as Dean and Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law for 11 years. Prior to his position at Loyola, he was a member of the faculty of Hofstra Law School, holding the Max Schmertz Distinguished Professorship and serving as Dean. He was also the Reuschlein Distinguished Visiting Professor at Villanova University School of Law and was a visiting professor at Cornell Law School and New York Law School.
President Yellen's major area of academic expertise is criminal law, particularly sentencing and juvenile justice. He has written widely about these issues, advised President Bill Clinton's transition team on white collar crime, and argued a federal sentencing case before the United States Supreme Court. Outside of academia, he was appointed Special Master by Cook County Criminal Division Presiding Judge Paul P. Biebel Jr., working to identify inmates who may be entitled to new trials after having suffered torture by a former Chicago police commander. President Yellen also served on the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council and was a member of the Board of Directors of Cook County Justice for Children.
Throughout his career, President Yellen has been very involved in legal education leadership and reform efforts. He served for six years on the Standards Review Committee of the American Bar Association's Section on Legal Education. He chaired the New Deans workshop and the Deans' Midyear meeting. He also chaired numerous accreditation site visits and served on the ABA's Task Force on the Future of Legal Education. In 2015, President Yellen was listed at #7 on National Jurist magazine's list of the 25 Most Influential People in Legal Education.
President Yellen earned his B.A. magna cum laude from Princeton University and his J.D. cum laude from Cornell Law School. After law school, he clerked for a federal judge, practiced law in Washington, D.C., and served as counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council, the Board of Directors of the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago, and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
President Yellen's wife, Leslie Richards-Yellen, serves as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Partner at the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in New York City. The couple, who met as law students at Cornell, have three adult daughters, Jordan, Meredith, and Bailey.


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Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission
Here's a sample of our volunteer opportunities:VIEW AS
Mission Statement
The Mission of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission is to attract people and resources to assist in the effort of meeting the needs of every hungry and homeless man, woman, and child in the Valley. Through strategic partnerships and services, we empower our clients with the faith, knowledge, resources and skills to lead a life of wholeness and self-sufficiency.
Our vision is to tangibly demonstrate God's love to the Hungry, Homelss and Hurting of the San Fernando Valley by offering Hope, Hot Meals, Housing, Health Services, and Healing to those in need.
Hope - A message of love, support, and freedom for a better tomorrow.
Hot Meals - Food distribution to the hungry.
Housing - Emergency/transitional shelter to the situaltional and chronically homeless.
Health Services - Resources for basic human needs.w
Healing - Programs that lead to wholeness and self-sufficiency.
We operate three thrift stores which help to generate revenue, as well as provide the clothing items needed by our clients. There are three locations: Sun Valley, Granada Hills, and Santa Clarita. At our Help Center in Van Nuys, we provide daily services the homeless, including: showers, hot meals, case management, and various skill-classes. We are a few months away from opening our Recuperative Care Center in Mission Hills which will provide immediate health care and housing for homeless patients recovering from injuries and illnesses.
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Each Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has an organisation responsible for co-ordinating efforts to conserve and enhance it. In the North Pennines, this is the North Pennines AONB Partnership
AONB Partnership
The AONB Partnership is made up of statutory agencies, local authorities and voluntary/community organisations which all have an interest in, and help care for, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark.
Staff Unit
The work of the AONB Partnership and the work of the UNESCO Global Geopark is carried out through a team based in Stanhope, in Weardale.
Contact Us
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If you are interested in contacting a specific member of staff – please visit our 'Contact us' page.


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Jennifer was born at Mulga Park. She has been working in media for 10 years in Pipalyatjara, Wingellina and Umuwa. She is a skilled camera person and editor. Jennifer has painted for Ninuku Arts and Kayili arts. She has seven children.
Her time spent in Patjarr in Western Australia has informed her fluid and organic painting style. She is a natural colourist and most commonly depicts the Seven Sisters Tjukurpa.
Examples of Artist's Work
Seven Sisters 2010 167 x 181cm acrylic on linen
Seven Sisters 2009 106 x 90cm acrylic on canvas


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Angel Olsen - "Forgiven / Forgotten"
Angel Olsen's "Forgiven / Forgotten" is so good it's likely made the Chicago songwriter's new record Burn Your Fire for No Witness our most anticipated of 2014 so far, so we're psyched that it now has a video, courtesy the director Zia Anger. It stars a bucolic landscape, Olsen giving a finite-seeming hug / ultimatum to a scratched-out boy, and a green bathroom. Check it out - Burn Your Fire for No Witness is out February 28.


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Five years and roughly 80% too late, Research in Motion (RIMM) has officially attempted to reemerge in the overcrowded smartphone business. At the same, the once dominant mobile device maker from Waterloo, Ontario has also decided to rebrand, adopting the ubiquitous name of its primary product, Blackberry, and will be listed under the ticker symbol "BBRY."
As for the new phone, known as the BB10, it will be available in touch screen or traditional QWERTY keyboard models and carries a host of familiar features as well as a few new ones. The phones are expected to be available in March through the major wireless carriers.
Ultimately, there's more riding on this product launch than simply the success of a new device. Even the company's marketing materials referred to the launch as "a starting point, not a finish line" given the do-or-die stakes that are in play for a business that is about one-tenth the size it once was.
Related: Blackberry 10- It's Make or Break for RIM, Says Jackson
"Is this the end of the beginning, or the beginning of the end," quipped Dave Garrity, principal with GVA Research in the attached video. For him, the list of businesses which "successfully shrunk themselves to prosperity" is short, and thus, he has serious misgivings about Blackberry's future.
One thing that we both agree on is that the company's German-born CEO Thorsten Heins was miscast in the role of pitchman for a new device designed to appeal to a young audience, and his repeated remark "isn't this exciting?" only underscored how stiff and scripted this event was, as well as how truly unique Apple's (AAPL) Steve Jobs was.
That said, Blackberry still has its stable of believers and loyal users, many of whom are expected to re-up once again with the company they've stuck with for all these years. Only time will tell how many of Blackberry's 80 million existing users will migrate to the new BB10 platform and how many will defect, but it is safe to say expectations are very low with Wall Street analysts who see the company posting losses for the next three years.
But that's precisely why some investors, such as Eric Jackson of Ironfire Capital, like the stock and think if only one-third of those existing subscribers buy the new phone, the company could earn $4 to $5 per share next year.
In the meantime, the world now has another smartphone to chose from that Blackberry says has been "re-designed, re-engineered and re-invented." Now comes the hard part; getting the rest of us to believe that.


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Our chapter
EWB's University of Guelph Chapter was established in 2003 by Engineering students seeking to develop a deeper understanding of how to make the world a better place. Engaging with engineering and non-Engineering students, EWB has brought students from across campus to work together on development projects locally and internationally. From advocating thousands of students on campus about fair trade products to engaging in tough conversations about challenging topics, EWB Guelph is highly active in the community. As we grow our chapter, we are determined to increase our EWB footprint on campus, and in the community.
Day in the life
Life of an EWBer at Guelph can take many shapes & forms. Throughout the semester, Guelph EWBers work with each other, other students, professors, and community members to create positive and lasting change within the campus and the community. Some members run their weekly seminars & outreach events, while others strive to promote global awareness within the Guelph Engineering curriculum.
Why you should join
First and foremost, this organization is not just for engineers. EWB Guelph is a tight-knit group of people from different backgrounds who are passionate about using their talents to impact other lives positively. By merely attending weekly meetings, you will meet new people and make some great friends! You will gain practical knowledge and awareness to guide action. Your involvement in EWB Guelph will be a way to focus on your personal and professional development, that may even help you uncover new career paths and opportunities.


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Asked by:
Using Visual Studio Express 2008 for commercial projects?
Im wondering if it is possible to use Visual Studio Express 2008 (and SQL Server 2008) for commercial projects.
Thi is the scenario:
I want to create an ASP.NET (commercial) web site that has to be deployed to a server of a third party hosting company (i will deploy my work through FTP to that production server that it is not mine and that already supports ASP.NET web sites), so i want to use Visual Web Developer 2008 Express (and SQL Server 2008 Express) on my development machine only and then deploy the work to production server.
My questions are:
1) can i use Visual Web Developer 2008 Express for such commercial project?
2) can i use SQL Server 2008 Express for such commercial project?
Thanks in advance!
Monday, December 29, 2008 10:29 PM
All replies
Welcome to MSDN Forums! & Happy New Year!
To answer your question:
Yes, you can use both Visual Web Developer 2008 and SQL Server 2008 Express for such a commercial project. However, I think if you want to create a big project, it is recommended to use other more powerful Visual Studio and SQL Server products. Actually the express versions of both Visual Studio and SQL Server have many limitations in function. But if the express versions have already met your request, you can just use them to develop your commercial project.
For detail on comparison of Visual Studio Express versions and other Visual Studio versions, please see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-au/vs2008/products/cc149003.aspx.
For SQL Server 2008 Express, please check http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/download/.
Best Regards,
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/csharpide/thread/8e9ed0d7-11ff-402a-8489-9b5f05eeb706 http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/vssetup/thread/60424309-bd78-4ca2-b618-03c4a16123b6Friday, January 2, 2009 5:42 AMModerator
Happy new Year!
and thanks for the answer!
After i have read your answer, i start to install Visual Web Developer Express 2008 but, reading the license terms, i found the following paragraph that precisely deny to use the software for "commercial software hosting services":
9. SCOPE OF LICENSE. The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights. Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement. In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. You may not work around any technical limitations in the software. For example, Microsoft has technically limited or disabled extensibility for the software, and so you may not extend the software by, among other things, loading or injecting into the software any non-Microsoft add-ins, macros, or packages; modifying the software registry settings; or adding features or functionality equivalent to that found in other Visual Studio products.
You also may not
• reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation;
• make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;
• publish the software for others to copy;
• rent, lease or lend the software;
• transfer the software or this agreement to any third party; or
• use the software for commercial software hosting services.
Is this statement related to my type of commercial project (described on the first post)? And If yes, how?
Thanks in advance!
Friday, January 2, 2009 6:21 PM
Here is the No. 7 question in Visual Studio Express Editions FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).
7. Can I use Express Editions for commercial use?
Yes, there are no licensing restrictions for applications built using Visual Studio Express Editions.
For additional information, please see http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/faq/.
Actually "use the software for commercial software hosting services" means you cannot deploy Visual Web Developer 2008 on the server on a standalone basis for others to access. Also you cannot use it to build service to sell third party commercial software.
For detail, you may refer to this thread
If I understand correctly, you are developing your own ASP.NET website. It is deployed in a third party hosting company. So if you are not going to use the website for commercial software sale, the limitation you mentioned won't be related to your target. However, suppose that you want to use the website for commercial software sale, it should be licensed by Microsoft.
Best Regards,
Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help. http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/csharpide/thread/8e9ed0d7-11ff-402a-8489-9b5f05eeb706 http://forums.msdn.microsoft.com/en-US/vssetup/thread/60424309-bd78-4ca2-b618-03c4a16123b6Saturday, January 3, 2009 4:21 AMModerator
Can I use the Visual studio Express Editions for the training ? I like to create few training videos for c# and Asp.net. The trainings are not free.
- Rushi Jr.Friday, July 30, 2010 1:33 AM
Thanks for your clarification about Visual studio Express 2008.
Guys, It can be used for commercial purpose...... without any pain...
Devlopers RoCkS...
TusharSaturday, October 20, 2012 8:56 AM


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On Tuesday, I attended the launch of 'Ageism In Europe', a report Age UK commissioned that analyses European Social Survey to shed a light on ageism and stimulate the policy debate. The survey sought the views of 55,000 people across 28 European Countries.
While gender and race have been headline equality issues in Europe, ageism is becoming an important issue for the 21st century. Ageism is now the most widely experienced form of discrimination in Europe. 44% of the people we aked perceive age discrimination as 'quite serious' or 'very serious', while 35% report unfair treatment on the grounds of age. Over half of people are worried that employers prefer people in their 20s to older workers.
In practically all developed countries, life expectancy is increasing, fertility is decreasing, and working lives must be longer if pension promises are to be sustainable. These trends have significant implications for many aspects of modern life: the labour market, workplace technologies, consumer behaviour, social security systems, national health arrangements, and economic growth as a whole.
This demographic challenge is high on the agenda of Europe's policy-makers, at EU and national level. The latest figures from the European Union's Statistical Office show there are now 87 million Europeans aged 65 and over. In the past 12 months, important EU policy debates have been launched around ageing, including a Green Paper on the future of European pensions, EU 2020 employment targets up to age 64, and a European Innovation Partnership for active healthy ageing. The year 2012 has been designated the European Year of Active Ageing (EY2012), which will engage the 27 EU Member States in promoting active ageing in employment and community life, healthy ageing and independent living. The European Parliament also recently launched a debate on the consequences of demographic change for the future of EU Cohesion Policy.
Our briefing summarises key findings from the study for a European audience. It presents policy recommendations to EU and national decision-makers, concerning employment, active ageing, equal treatment and intergenerational solidarity. We hope the briefing will prove a useful input to the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing, and support the work of AGE Platform Europe in promoting active ageing and intergenerational solidarity.


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MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The possible presence of nuclear weapons in Israel would be a negative factor for the Middle East and the world, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said Tuesday.
"This would have a negative significance for the situation not only in the Middle Eastern region, but the world as a whole. Russia is against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Gatilov said.
He added that Russia defended its position against weapons proliferation on all international platforms.
Israel, as well as India and Pakistan, are currently outside the treaty.
UN Resolution on Israel Shows Global Stance Change
The UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements demonstrates a shift in the international community's attitude to the conflict between Israel and Palestine and allows to hope for the resumption of the talks between the two countries, Gatilov said.
"A resolution condemning Israel's construction of settlements on the occupied territory was adopted [by the UN Security Council] unanimously not long ago. And, to a certain extent, it was a shift in the position of the international community because until then the UN Security Council had failed to make a coordinated decision on that issue, firstly, because of the United States'… policy," he said.
The Russian deputy foreign minister expressed hope that the talks between Palestine and Israel could be restarted if this new trend holds.
On December 23, the UN Security Council passed the resolution, condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank, in a 14-0 vote, with the only abstention from the United States. The resolution said that Israel should immediately and completely cease all settlement activities on "occupied Palestinian territory," including in East Jerusalem.


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Single-stop shopping for virtualization?
Can you get your core hardware vendor to sell you the hardware, the virtualization software, integration services, and support? Sure can. This becomes more of a benefit as you can get direct access to better resources for support and pre-sales matters. One example is to conside Dell as your single stop vendor for your pre-sales, hardware, VMware software, support, and post-installation professional services.
The Dell and VMware Alliance and the VMware from HP programs are good examples of a single-stop shopping resource you can use to streamline your process – and the best part is you have the same account/sales reps as you would for your other hardware and software need s. This could also include your notebooks, laptops, printers, as well as your virtual infrastructure. Anything you can do to make your job easier without sacrificing service and quality is a good idea.
Further, the real benefit is that you can get better pricing than you may direct from the providers – and more direct access to local resources for additional pre-sales support that can enable you to make better forward decisions.


text: While more than half of American adults now play games on a regular basis (and this holds true for men and women), there are still many cynics. After all, games are still more likely to conjure up images of hyperactive preteen boys wasting hours of their time on front of screens than adults engage in serious work. Nevertheless, there is ample reason to embrace gaming as a serious way to gain new skills. Indeed, today, serious games are rapidly becoming one of the training sector's most powerful tools. Today's post outlines why gaming and training increasingly are practices seen to go hand in hand. Continue reading


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After Leticia Van de Putte officially announced that she is running for Lieutenant Governor of Texas, the contrast between the Democratic and Republican tickets became even more stark.
Now there are two strong female candidates with a wealth of experience in progressive politics at the top of the Democratic ballot, compared to a GOP ticket that will likely include no women.
That's not good news for conservatives: Recent polls show that women are becoming less likely to identify with the Tea Party or as conservatives. And as GOP candidates approach the primaries, attempts to campaign as the most conservative option may alienate female voters even more.
Read more after the jump.A recent survey administered by the University of Texas and The Texas Tribune shows that friendliness with the Tea Party may significantly hinder attempts to appeal to women voters.
According to the poll, Ted Cruz's net favorability is + 6 among men and ‐4 among women. For Hispanic women, it's -17.
An earlier survey of 1,200 Texas voters showed Wendy Davis trailing only six points behind Abbott with 34 percent of suburban women polling as undecided. That's a huge chunk of the electorate that has historically not responded positively to Tea Party politics.
In the UT/Texas Tribune October poll, twice as many women as men were undecided for the gubernatorial general election. While Abbott led in male votes by ten percent, Wendy Davis trailed him by 3 percent in women's votes.
The same poll measured Texans' opinions on abortion. 53 percent of Texans surveyed said that they believed abortion should be "always legal" or "generally legal," a sentiment that will not resonate with any of the candidates on the all-male Republican ballot.
The contrast between the Democratic and Republican candidates demonstrates that conservative politicians are still not ready to acknowledge that Texas women are paying attention, and they are angry.
Now that Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte are leading the Democratic ticket, the GOP is in for a wake-up call.
Natalie tweets from @nsanluis.


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Leila Gallagher
LENEXA, Kan. – January 31, 2017 – Grantham University, and the National Organization of Blacks in Government (BIG), Inc are pleased to announce Natasha Reed as this year's recipient of a full scholarship valued up to $39,471.
Ms. Reed is a licensed civil engineer employed by the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, CA. She is a member of Region IX, Ventura County BIG Chapter.
In her scholarship essay, Ms. Reed stated, "I would like to pursue a master's degree in business. I travel constantly for work and it is normal for me to not only be the only woman, but also the only person of color. My goal is to break down the barriers in the math and science fields. I plan to do this through starting a foundation that helps mentor young women of color."
"Grantham University serves an extremely diverse student population and we are once again proud to partner with BIG and provide equal educational and professional development opportunities for black government employees," said Dr. Cheryl Hayek, interim university president and provost. "Ms. Reed's desire to give back is an inspiration and we are excited to support her throughout her journey as a Grantham student."
For more information about Grantham University scholarship programs visit https://www.grantham.edu/online-college-tuition/?tab-grants-scholarships.
About Grantham University: Grantham University was founded in 1951 by Donald Grantham, a World War II veteran with a vision to make education achievable for military service members and veterans. Over the past 66 years, Grantham's commitment to serving those who serve with affordable, accessible higher education has evolved into a culture of service that extends to all adult learners, as well as those in need. The university's ability to help students achieve their dreams through education is enabled by its unique approach and devotion to comprehensive student support and its continuous advancement in line with changing technologies.
Continuously accredited since 1961 by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Grantham University has earned a distinguished record as a respected and accredited distance learning university. The 100 percent online university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate certificates and degree programs, and serves a global student population of more than 17,000 annually.


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Using NAS for one-time and ongoing transfers
I have been asked to arrange the transfers of 800GB of data from one-third party site to another (in a hurry) and I am considering purchasing a small NAS for the purpose. Do you have any advice or suggestions?
I'm not sure I understand. Is this a one-time transfer? If so, purchasing a NAS as the target with some means of sending the data (ftp, dedicated lines, tape transfer, etc.) will be fine for your storage if it meets your performance, reliability and security needs.
If you are doing this on an ongoing basis (either data migration or remote replication) then I would assume you are talking about a NAS with a remote replication feature. There are a few NAS products that support that over Fibre Channel or IP. Those are a little more costly and you must add the operational procedures to handle keeping this active and monitored. A NAS device should work in either situation provided you pick one that meets your requirements. There is a wide variation in products so do your homework.
Randy Kerns
Evaluator Group, Inc.
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