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The person I am today is mostly because of the influence of my father.
He was the man who taught me how to play chess. Now I know how to play it, and yet I am not very good at it. Doesn't matter. We still taught how to play chess to my niece and nephew and I intend on showing friends who don't know the moves how to play chess even if we never actually play.
He was the man who taught me a love of story. He always had so many. He was constantly telling them. There was the story from his early military days about how he got lost from his group in Korea for three days. It was the early 50's, he was in a segregated group for the Puerto Ricans, and it was his first time off the island. Somehow he managed to survive by hiding out in houses and continuing in the same direction he thought they had been heading when he ran across another group of Americans. He couldn't tell them who he was because he spoke no English at the time, but when he started speaking Spanish they knew who he was right away. He said when he was reunited with the Puerto Ricans, they were so happy to see him they almost carried him off.
He would always repair things, cracking them open to take a look at how he could fix them. I learned that things didn't have to be thrown away– my dad could make them work and I could keep them forever. (In truth, he probably just could not afford to buy anything new unnecessarily, and he couldn't stand seeing his daughter cry about her favorite broken toy.)
He had a love of animals that ran deep. He used to get so upset when my mother brought home pets, but it was only because he hated to get attached and watch them die. The only time I ever saw him sob was when he had to take our dog Shadow to the vet to be put down. Unfortunately for my dad, animals loved him. Every new dog my mom got for herself ended up at my dad's side.
He loved to make people laugh. King of the Dad jokes I say. He would tell the most groan worthy non-puns. Just a few months ago, we went out shopping and as he walked up to the counter, he leaned in with his eyebrows raised and asked the bored-looking cashier, "What do you do if I can't pay? Will you buy it for me?"
My dad let me be myself. I've always been a slightly strange kid, and he never made me feel that way. He put up with me making up super long stories over my picture books before I could read, and he looked over barely legible stories written in pencil that made no sense. If he couldn't understand it, he would tell me so. He never made me feel strange. He supported my habits, helping me find boxes to store my comics in or buying me a cassette case to hold my old Teddy Ruxspin tapes in. He was always there for every performance (usually with my big sister, Aida, at his side). He handed me his Royal typewriter when I said I needed to learn to write faster and taught me how to type using all of my fingers (even though he really only used two, he just explained the theory.) After the typewriter stopped being enough, we went out and got the 486 computer that I still have.
Monday night, he had a heart attack. I managed to squeeze his hand in the hospital room as they prepped for operation. Before they wheeled him off I looked him in his eyes one last time. We always said "I love you." After my sister, everyone always says it in place of good-bye. I didn't say it, but I didn't have to. That man was the world to me, and he knew it.
I'm sure I've mentioned it before. I've become one of those cat ladies. I went through my Dropbox recently to clear up space, and much of it was pictures of cats sleeping. Multiple pictures sometimes of the same catnap. But going through the pictures made me remember what my cats were like when they first got here– especially my grey cat.
Our black cat has always been a little rambunctious. The first time we held her at the vet's office where we adopted her from, she jumped off my boyfriend's shoulders to jump onto a shelf full of neck cones. We were alone in the room, just us and the cats, and immediately, Jay and I felt like we'd committed a minor offense of some sort. "Cat, you can't do that! Get back here!" My boyfriend fell in love with her immediately.
The cat that I would choose happened to be the exact opposite. He was timid. They put him in my arms and warned me he was a "bolter." That's why they shut us in the room. So when he ran off, they could find him again. He froze in my arms, tiny claw digging into my skin. When I put him back down in his cage, he hid behind his food bowl, every so often popping his head up to see if I was still there.
My timid kitty is the one who most got me thinking about personality. Growing up around pets (mostly dogs) I have always accepted that they each have a unique personality, and that once an animal is gone, no other animal will replace it. But watching these two cats, I became amazed at how much personality they have and just how much it can change over time with the right nurturing.
This previously timid cat now stands up on higher ledges to meow with determination when it is time to feed him the good food at night. He uses his purrs to manipulate us when he wants to come into the bedroom. He stands in our way in the morning when he wants attention, no need to really ask for it. He still slinks into my lap though when I sit on the couch with some hesitation. And if he gets outside, the world that used to scare him actually intrigues him, and he will walk away from the door, but never too far.
I assume this is just because of his environment and us. He has learned that he can trust us. He can trust our friends. When people come over, if he knows and trusts them he will flop over and wait for them to give him belly rubs. (The flopping over is cute, and I have to tell people he's doing this to for the first time what he expects them to do.)
Trouble has made me see that personality, at the base, is simply how we respond to stimuli. His first response used to be to run and hide. Danger's first response was to run up to the thing and start sniffing at it, possibly slap it with a paw.
Of course, it gets much more complicated with humans, but the same basic idea seems to hold true. I've watched my niece and nephew grow up, and I am constantly amazed to see that so many of the mannerisms they have as adults now are exactly the same as when they were little toddlers. The way they often react to things now is similar along the lines to the way they would have acted as kids. (It kills me when I get my big nephew to sputter out a laugh that resembles the laugh he had at age five.) The difference in humans though is that we change what we want to change. If there is something we don't like about ourselves, we can work on disguising it or controlling it. I used to be shy and had trouble looking people in the eyes. Over time and through practice, I have learned that making the first strike at welcoming a person into my space helps make the other person feel comfortable which makes me feel better as well. But that shyness hasn't left me. I still feel the tug of it in any interaction I do. It's quieter if I'm in a space that is all my own (like my office), but it is incredibly loud if I'm somewhere I don't feel comfortable. And some days I don't want to deal with that little battle, so I simply won't.
So I'm thinking I need to look at my characters a little differently. I need to take note of their stock response and then examine how the events in their life affect that natural behavior as well as what they've done to change their own behavior, if they're conscious of it at all.
The poor quality of many self-published books comes up with some regularity. The most discussion has been started by Chuck Wendig who makes a point that self-publishing isn't "amateur hour." You should always put your best foot forward when you're making a thing you're going to charge money for.
Interestingly, a lot of people are either attacking him (I've read comments calling him a bad writer) or outright dismissing him (because he's such a "bad writer"). People do seem to get defensive when self-publishing is called out for poor quality works. And it isn't because they're arguing that self-publishing books aren't bad, more like they're arguing for being "bad" because readers will suss out what's bad and what is good which will then, hopefully, teach an author what doesn't work and what does. Their next book will be better, and the book after that will be better.
Some thoughts I always have:
The people often talked about are not reading these discussions. There are plenty of people who write crap or have written crap and just throw it up online because why the hell not? Some people hope to make a little money. Some think they are honestly good and won't hear talk that they aren't. The people who don't give a shit exist. But see, they don't give a shit, so do you think they're going to care about the call to stop publishing crap? (No. The answer is no.)
The beauty of self-publishing is that it's open and anyone can do it. This is also the ugly side. I always say that our greatest strength are often our greatest weaknesses. The same goes for self-publishing. I can post whatever I want for whatever reasons I want. But so can the previously mentioned non-shit giving author.
Readers are not "gatekeepers." They are customers. And customers make decisions. They can download samples of stories that sound interesting, and they can read it before purchasing. If they are not aware of this, then I don't know what to think because the preview button is right next to the purchase button. Amazon also gives you seven days to get your money back, so if you pick up a book with a good preview that falls apart after you've read it, you can get money back. (At least you could last year. I feel like I've been gone forever. You can still do that, right?)
There are shitty publishing house books too. Sometimes a shit book is a shit book. It happens. I don't think I've ever really read a crappy book– because, you know, previews– but I've read some books where I got to the end and I just said, "What the crap?"
These discussion are going to continue of course. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, but I'm going to keep on not caring what my neighbor is doing (unless they're my friend and they've asked for my opinion). I don't really believe it matters. Readers will find what they like, they'll call out what they don't like. If they swear off self-published books because of one book they read that was really terrible, well then, they are probably not your audience. There are plenty of other readers to go around, just like there are now plenty of writers.
I suck at marketing: I'd like to tell anyone happening across this blog who might be curious about how terrible or not terrible I am that I've placed Ruin free on Smashwords. Okay, not exactly free. It's set to, pay what you want which means you can get it without paying anything or you can use it as a chance to tip an author. 🙂
I've been quiet. Too quiet. There are times where I have to retreat just because I only have so much energy to go around. And I thought last years holidays would be hard with our loss so fresh– this years holidays were no less strange or sad.
I found I couldn't write. It's a very constipated feeling that I'm sure everyone is familiar with. There's a lot of advice on what to do– the best usually being to write through it. I found that I didn't even have the energy for that. I'd come up with an idea I wanted to explore and then I just couldn't follow through. I'd write a bit, know where I wanted to go, and STILL found myself suddenly without the energy to just complete the scene.
I'm getting some energy back now, so I am blaming the imbalance of the holidays. But it's still hard to get back into things. I've been wanting to make a blog post for at least a month just to say that I haven't given up, but I'd been away so long I didn't exactly know where to start.
So I started writing a personal journal in an actual notebook. It's a start. I've even started reviewing the stuff I've written last year, the ideas I've had, and I'm attempting to throw down some short story ideas that have been percolating under my thoughts. More starts, and hopefully a few more things that will get finished.
At some point, I became afraid of failing. Is this due to age? I don't remember being so worried when I was younger. I didn't like getting low grades on tests and essays, but I'd look at it as a chance to learn. I'd read over every correction and figure out where I went wrong.
Where did that person go? I feel like I've been avoiding writing at all because I'm afraid of it being crap. I already know that not everything is going to be a gem. That doesn't stop me from seizing up and becoming super exhausted at the prospect of starting completely over with a new story.
I needed to do something to shake things up. And so I accepted a challenge to write and publish a story within 8 hours issued by J.A. Konrath. I found out about it on Monday, and
the "deadline" technically was Thursday. I didn't really start until Tuesday.
But I did it. I am terrified.
My current process for writing things for release: More than a few drafts, polished as much as I think I can on my own because I don't want to waste the time of my readers. I hand it off to a close friend for content editing. I take it back, make more changes, hand it off to another friend for content and grammar. Get it back, make more changes. Give it to another friend who is an avid reader, and a really great copy editor. Get it back, make a bunch of fixes. And then finally, I hand off a printed copy to my boyfriend and have him go over it in the picky way he does. Get it back, make more corrections. (there are always more to be made!) By the first time I've sent a story out, I'm sick of it.
The challenge was to write a short in 8 hours, including doing the cover on your own, the blurb on your own, and the editing on your own. I spent about six hours on the story, one hour on the cover (pitiful), half an hour on the blurb (I did get a second opinion on that blurb over lunch). And then some extra time to print it out and self-edit. I am sure I was over the 8 hour mark, but only if I count all the time I spent staring off into space while sitting in front of my computer. And I'm not.
I present my short, The Hungry:
Twenty years ago, the world ended and no one will discuss it.
Rebecca, a denizen of one of the protected cities, volunteers to join the courier service in order to see out what is beyond her city's fence with her own eyes. Is she prepared for what she will find?
Aside from one passage where I was concerned about if the action would be clear, I didn't share any of it with my friends. I just wrote it and put it out there. I'm surprised at my own audacity. I shouldn't think that I can do this– write something fast and put it for sale.
But I did.
The story came in at about 8,000 words. It's marked for .99 and is only available on the Kindle. Saturday and Sunday it can be downloaded for free. Come see how badly I have screwed things up!
That's it. I needed to say it out loud. Though I do get a thrill when someone buys my book (c'mon, I'm still a human writer), I didn't really publish it for the money. Any money I have made on it goes back into the book to cover the costs of artwork. That's pretty much it. I'm not about to make a living selling books. I've always known that. Still, I often beat myself up because I don't write fast enough. Instead of encouraging me to write, it only makes me want to give up. Except that it's impossible to stop writing. So it's a circle that will continue, leaving me feeling like crap.
This is a new level of doubt, brought on by our modern age. There are so many books and stories out there right now that I think we all fear getting lost. If you don't put out so many books a year, then you're supposedly screwed.
Maybe I am. So maybe I'm fooling myself here, but I think that if people read your story and really enjoy it, they will always find a way to stay in touch. This is also the way I approach my friends. Instead of being surrounded by a lot of people I have to constantly keep in contact with, I surround myself with a few choice friends that I can call up any time, no matter how much time has passed, and have it be as if we never left off. (This might be part of why I don't get very far on Twitter.)
My last book was published in 2011. I'd intended to have another book by summer. Ha! I look back on my hopeful self and sort of laugh. (It might still be too soon. Maybe I can fully laugh next year. Hopefully I have another book out by then.)
So here's what it comes down to: Do I want to race a story out because I'm afraid of being forgotten? Or do I want to write a story that will strike a cord and ensure that I'm remembered? Even if only for that one story. How long will it take for that second option? I don't know yet. I'll tell you when I finish something good.
He runs his hands down my body as he slides my unbuttoned shirt to the floor. The fabric lightly brushes my bare back, and a shiver of anticipation curls up my spine. I stand there as he cusps my breast, skimming my nipple with his thumb, nude before him. He leans in closely, hard body underneath the soft fabric of his shirt. The long hairs on his chin tickle against my jaw. He nips at my neck, grazing his teeth against my skin. I shut my eyes and let him take his time, enjoying the building excitement tingling down my torso. I squeeze my legs together to stop the quaking as our lips meet and begin the ravishing.
It has been this way with no one else, and will never be this way again. This I know, and it causes tears to squeeze out from my eyes now swollen shut. My moan becomes a sob. I run my hand across my stomach, feeling each individual rib between the wrinkles of the thin clothing they have issued to me. I close my eyes and let him continue to ravish me in memory. My hand trails down to my mound, no longer soft and squishy. It is now bony as my body has begun to eat itself. In my memory, he is inside me, waiting. I grab at him and beg him to continue. The vibrations of his laughter travel straight through me, right to the point of our connection.
I tug at the thin fabric of my shirt. A trail of tears grows cold on my cheek. It is either that memory or the one of my daughters screaming out for me while they drag me away, my uncovered feet scraping the asphalt. All of these moments exist at the same time. The only real thing is the cold stone my shoulder blades press against as I lay in my cell. They will come for me again. One of these times I will come back to the present to feel the heat from the guard's leather boot trapped against my temple seconds before he drags me off. It will do no good. I have forgotten what they wish to know. All that remains are the fragments.
A peek at Cheryl's story, but written especially for the challenge. This one is going to be really tricky to pull off, but I have several reasons for attempting it. It's either going to be a story, or it will be a complete train wreck.


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Last week�s discouraging loss fuels Rams to defeat North Lenoir, 48-8, Friday.
SNOW HILL�This time, Greene Central left no doubt.
After last week�s stomach-churning loss at Ayden-Grifton, the Rams made sure no forces outside of their control played a role in the outcome of their homecoming contest against North Lenoir.
GC reached the end zone on all six of its first-half possessions and cruised to a decisive 48-8 victory over the short-handed Hawks, snapping a 16-game losing streak in the process.
The Rams� last win also came at the expense of NL� a 21-19 victory in last year�s season opener.
�It feels great,� said first-year GC coach Allen Wooten. �We�ve come close and we�ve deserved better. These kids never stopped fighting and tonight they finally got to enjoy the results of their hard work. There are a lot of smiling faces in that locker room.�
Any questions as to the Rams� mindset after last week�s demoralizing defeat were quickly answered.
GC�s Curtez Braswell raced 61 yards for a touchdown on the game�s fourth play. After a NL punt, the Rams needed just three plays to go 87 yards, building a quick 14-0 lead.
�All week we practiced with a purpose,� Wooten said. �I could see it in the team�s eyes on Monday that we were going to be okay. These kids deserve all the credit for the way they put the Ayden-Grifton loss behind them and channeled their disappointment and frustration into beating North Lenoir.�
That pent-up disappointment and frustration really showed itself in the second quarter. Four times the Rams got the ball, four times they scored touchdowns.
Leading 21-0, they stuffed NL quarterback Landon Baker for no gain on fourth-and-inches from the Hawks 30.
Greene Central also took advantage of a shanked punt to start another possession at the NL 14.
The Rams� final scoring drive of the first half covered just 40 yards after Baker was sacked on a fourth-and-7 play.
�I don�t know if we�re capable of playing a better half of football,� said Wooten, whose team carried a 41-0 advantage into intermission. �Offensively we were just about perfect and defensively we only let them cross midfield once. I couldn�t have been more pleased with our effort.�
GC (1-7, 1-1 Eastern Carolina 2A) rolled up 324 yards of total offense in the first compared to just 98 for the Hawks.
And speaking of perfect, GC quarterback Austin Batchelor completed all six of his passes in the first 24 minutes for 133 yards and 2 TDs.
The senior signal caller added another scoring pass in the third quarter to finish 8-of-9 through the air for 167 yards.
Braswell caught one pass for 26 yards and proved especially devastating running the jet sweep. In addition to his 61-yard TD run in the first quarter, Braswell set up another score with a 47-yard explosion and ended up with 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just eight carries.
Greene Central�s Shyheem Carmon, Brandon Belcher, and Michael Mitchell, who caught five passes for 71 yards, all hauled in touchdown passes from Batchelor in the contest.
North Lenoir (1-7, 0-2) trailed 48-0 before finally lighting up the scoreboard on Donyae Hopkins� 23-yard dash on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Hopkins accounted for the majority of the Hawks� offense with a workmanlike 135 yards on 27 carries.
Despite the rout, NL coach Calvin Sutton was able to find a silver lining in his team�s performance.
�We started three linemen up from the junior varsity squad and only dressed 20 players because of injury,� Sutton said. �Despite having a depleted roster, we played hard and didn�t give in. Right now, because of injuries, we�ve just got too many young players who are still trying to adjust mentally and physically to the speed of the game on the varsity level.�
The Hawks return to home next Friday to host rival South Lenoir, while Greene Central travels to Kinston to face the Vikings.

subset: commoncrawl


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|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
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Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual, perennial herb, shrubs, trees, generally stellate-hairy; juice sticky; inner bark tough, fibrous
Leaves alternate, simple, petioled; blade generally palmately veined or lobed, stipules present
Inflorescence often leafy; whorl or involucre of bractlets often subtending calyx
Flower generally bisexual, radial; calyx lobes 5, margins abutting in bud; petals 5, free (fused at base to filament tube, so falling together); stamens many, filaments fused into a tube surrounding style, tube fused in turn to petal bases; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 5 or more, style branches, stigmas generally 1 or 2 X as many as chambers
Fruit of 5many disk- or wedge-shaped segments, loculicidal capsule, or berry
Genera in family: 100 genera, 2000 species: worldwide, especially warm regions; some cultivated (e.g., Abelmoschus , okra; Alcea ; Gossypium , cotton; Hibiscus , Malvaviscus )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include Sterculiaceae [Angiosperm phylogeny Group 1998 Ann Missouri Bot Gard 85:531553; Alverson et al. 1999 Amer J Bot 86:14741486; Bayer et al. 1999 Bot J Linn Soc 129:267303]
Mature fruit important for identification.
Subshrubs, shrubs; hairs sparse to dense, stellate (stalked or sessile), simple, and glandular
Stem erect; branches sometimes spreading
Leaf: blade toothed, lobes 0 or 37
Inflorescence head-like to panicle-like, composed of axillary clusters (each a cyme) variously arrayed; clusters fewmany-flowered, loose to dense, congested or well separated; bractlets subtending calyx 3
Flower: petals > calyx, generally pale pinkish purple or white (often purplish when dry); filament column included; stigmas head-like
Fruit disk-like; segments 714, 25 mm, separating, each dehiscing into 2 valves, unarmed, smooth, top hairy
Seed 1 per fruit segment
Species in genus: 11 species: CA, nw Mex
Etymology: (Greek: soft shrub)
Spp. represent major morphological variants; they are all interfertile and sometimes intergrade in areas of proximity. Variation between populations (especially in hairs, inflorescence, and flowers) is high and of ± complex pattern within most species
Plant < 20 dm; hairs sparse to moderately dense, tawny; stellate hairs generally overlain by 1few-armed, bristly hairs < 3 mm
Stem: branches slender
Leaf: blade 36 cm, ovate, often leathery; lobes 05
Inflorescence spike-like; clusters sessile, generally densely flowered, well separated; bractlets 515 mm, < 1 mm wide
Flower: calyx 614 mm, sparsely long-bristly, sometimes winged in bud, lobes 411 mm, = to >> tube, triangular-acute to ovate-acuminate
Chromosomes: 2n=34
Ecology: Chaparral
Elevation: 1001100 m.
Bioregional distribution: Peninsular Ranges
Distribution outside California: nw Baja California
Plants with small bractlets and calyx have been called var. viscidus (Abrams) Kearney, which intergrades completely with typical form. Also intergrades with M. fasciculatus in coastal PR.


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Shirley Christian: Carrie Westlake Whitney
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Shirley Christian presents an original talk on Carrie Westlake Whitney, librarian and director of the Kansas City Public Library from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
During her tenure (1881-1911), the Library eliminated a user's fee and grew from fewer than l,000 volumes to nearly 100,000 books. By 1911, however, Whitney apparently fell victim to several disgruntled Board of Education members. They announced that a man should be head librarian, so she was demoted. Two years later she lost the assistant librarian post.
Christian's presentation is sponsored by The Woman's City Club Foundation.
Download Shirley Christian's talk about Carrie Westlake Whitney (pdf).


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I am heading out of town today and won't be back until Monday. Are you free on 4/14 in the morning?
i have 2 Prince graphite OS originals. IN great condition. size 4 grips. let me know if you are interested. I can ship it to ya. $150 for both and shipping
great meeting and playing with you too Jazz! Although if I never have to try to return your serve again for many years, I'm fine with that. And if you ever have trouble finding a partner for a mixed doubles tournament, I'd play with you in a heartbeat!
That sounds great. Let's keep in touch.
4.0 player. I'd love to hit when the weather warms up!
Hi Jazz, sent you a message re 4.5 team. We'd be happy to have you. Sending over the registration number now.
Yeah, Sunday morning would work. Just let me know ahead of time as its getting hard to book courts at Mcfetridge.
Yeah, for the most part indoor from now on unless we get a nice day. Let me know if you want to hit sometime. I'm looking for regular partners for singles and doubles. Cell is 312-543-6065 if you wanna call or text for arrangments.
got your message, can you hit around 10 on Sunday morning in Romeoville? heres my number 1-630) 209-4520
Thanks for the suggestions Jazz - I'll check those places out and hopefully get my racquet restrung asap. I had a great time hitting with you yesterday - hope we have the chance to do it again soon!
Congrats! You are currently in the top 20 on the Leaderboard. Make your way to the top 5 for the month and win free tennis gear from The-Tennis-Store.com! Check out the Leaderboard Rewards contest, and then track your progress up the boards here:
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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'raccoon' tag.
This morning, it wasn't even 6 yet, I woke up to a strange screeching noise outside our window. At first I thought the stray cats that live around the building are in the middle of another turf war, since it's a little early for their mating season. A series of whimpers got me confused. Are these quarreling squirrels? Before the sunrise?? They seem too loud and too persistent, unless… they sense an earthquake coming!! That got me out of bed, and with my eyes resenting to open I felt my way to the bathroom.
That's when Jason's alarm clock went off and I couldn't believe it was already 6 AM. I had just fallen asleep, I thought, while those shameless critters are trying to take it away from me. I immediately exchanged notes with Jason on what he thought was making the noise.
Huh. Birds? How do birds fuck, I wondered, and decided I wasn't ready to think just yet. Back under the covers I dove, two pillows over my head, and boy, did I try hard to ignore the whinnying and purring that continued outside.
Around 7 o'clock Jason crawled over the bed to kiss me good-bye as he was heading out to work.
Yes, making a hit show that "The Good Wife" is requires both the creative talents of the writers as well as hard work and personal sacrifices of the production and post production team. Jason, being the head of the latter, carries an incredible load of responsibility on his shoulders. And he does not take it lightly.
He headed towards the door, and silence followed. I waited for a few seconds for the sounds of the closing doors behind him. Instead, I heard him tip toe back to the bedroom and whisper:
"CAN YOU SEE THEM?" I instantly was on board to find out what was messing with my sleep at this ungodly hour.
"ARE THOSE SQUIRRELS?" I breathed out as we approached the wide open door facing our backyard. My eyes scanned the ground, and saw nothing out of ordinary.
"LOOK UP" Jason pointed at the little roof above our neighbor's Rachel's front door across the yard from us.
Freezing my half naked self, I glanced in the direction given and was instantly awaken by the view that opened in front of my eyes…
After my initial stupefaction, I collected myself and ran for the camera. The raccoons were fully at it with surprising stamina after about two hours of continuous shagging. They considered us for a moment without losing a beat and went back to their task at hand clearly not impressed by their new audience.
The power of marketing, I thought! When Hallmark announces February The Month of Love, even raccoons comply.
I planned on posting a new recipe today, but suddenly found myself in a pickle. How do I segue from the furry bandits' forbidden urban loving to my… FORBIDDEN RICE SALAD? The common ground could be the fact that both myself and the fellow raccoon is an omnivore, and we both find immense pleasure in munching on either berries and greens, or a succulent thigh of a smaller animal, for example.
One of my ever strong guilty pleasures are hearty salads that are obvious for lunch, and brilliant for dinner in the place of heavy meals weighing one down before bed time. Any grain will work here. From quinoa to barley to wheat berries to rice, the sky is the limit. Whether you add greens to the grain, or grain to the greens is up to you. Clearly, the more rice, the more carbs in your plate, but if you're an active, high-energy creature, you may want to refuel appropriately. We're all different.
Once in a while I create new dishes from leftovers in my refrigerator. Since, I've had a container of cooked wheat berries in my ice-box over the last few days, that's what I've been using in my salads this week. Another time, I pulled out a box of leftover forbidden rice and pondered how to utilize the goods. There was a ripe avocado smiling at me from the counter. Mr. Tomato was no less charming. Skinny cucumber was bored out of its mind in the produce drawer, and spinach threatened to wilt on the spot if not occupied at this instance.
There was no reason to fight, so I gathered the party in a bowl, seasoned with salt and pepper, drizzled with good olive oil (the extra virgin kind), and squeezed that sour smile of the lemon's face all over the bunch. Toss, again, and once more. And get at it.
You'll love the medley of textures in your mouth. From crunchy rice kernels to creamy avocado bits it all comes together into the most satiating, health-reviving, energy-boosting, and joy-awakening meal. And its simplicity should be encouraging even to the laziest of us. It's easy to eat right. It's just a matter of making one's mind.
Right, Mr. Raccoon?
Bon Appetit!


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The Central Connecticut football team was picked fourth in the annual preseason poll of Northeast Conference coaches and senior linebacker Lorenzo Baker was named Preseason All-NEC. The poll and the all-conference team were both announced during the league's preseason teleconference.
The Blue Devils (4-7, 3-5 NEC) are just one season removed from back-to-back conference titles and the league's coaches expect head coach Jeff McInerney's squad to be in contention again in 2012.
"We are looking forward to this season, we just try to get better every day," McInerney said. "We are in a great league with a lot of great coaches and a great group of student-athletes. We are expecting a lot of good things. The core of this team is tested, have high self esteem and compete at a high level."
Albany was tabbed as the preseason favorite by the poll, followed closely by Duquesne and Bryant. Central was selected fourth ahead of Monmouth, Robert Morris and Wagner. Sacred Heart and Saint Francis (PA) rounded out the group.
For the third season the NEC's nine football members will be competing for the conference title and an automatic bid to the FCS Playoff.
Baker, a senior from Middletown, CT, has been a fixture in the Blue Devil defense his entire career. A 2011 second team All-NEC selection as a junior, Baker is now a 2012 Preseason All-NEC selection. Last season, he led the team with 80 tackles, including 42 unassisted, while also forcing and recovering a pair of fumbles.
Baker has played in every game for the Blue Devils since the beginning of the 2009 season and has been a starter throughout the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Central's 2012 schedule will feature five home games at the newly expanded Arute Field. With the home opener scheduled for September 8, against 2011 Patriot League Champion Lehigh.
The full roster for 2012 will be released next week, as well as updated bios and headshots of all players and members of the coaching staff.
NEC Football Preseason Poll (1st Place Votes)
1. Albany (6 )
2. Duquesne (1)
3. Bryant (2)
5. Monmouth
6. Robert Morris
7. Wagner
8. Sacred Heart
9. Saint Francis (PA)


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UPCOMING: Zac Sanford and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman in the house!
USA: Looking for a meetup in L.A.? Zac Sanford will be arranging monthly meet ups the third Thursday of each month!
Friday, October 19th - 5:00PM drinks at Loews Hollywood Hotel bar right after the Pitch Slam event
Saturday, October 20th – 6:00PM - the bigger meetup of the weekend
Cabo Cantina
(near Hollywood/Highland center for Story World Conference)
Saturday, October 20th – 6:00PM - the bigger meetup of the weekend
Cabo Cantina
|6669 Hollywood Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA: Looking for a meetup in L.A.? Zac Sanford will be arranging monthly meet ups the third Thursday of each month!
All start times are at 8 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Schedule is subject to change. If you have any event that you'd like to host a #scriptchat tweetup at, please reach out to zac at Scriptchat dot com.
EURO: The Last Thursday of every month is officially London Scriptchat Tweetup day, where anyone and everyone can meet in person for drinks, networking, laughs and support. Currently this happens in London at Southbank, but if you are in a different part of the country or indeed a different country and would like your very own Tweetup, let us know and we'll do what we can to help you.
There are many familiar faces from Sunday nights' chat but all writers are welcome, and lots of friendships and writing partnerships have been formed.
Here are the details for the London tweet ups:
When? Here are the dates for the rest of 2012:
26th July
30th August
27th September
25th October
27th November
Time? From 7pm onwards.
Where? BFI, The Riverfront Bar (http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/visitor_information/food_and_drink), South Bank.
Scriptchat is a global community and so we want to encourage screenwriter meet ups wherever you are. If you have details: regular time and place, please let us know and we will add it to our site so other writers can find the closest meet up to them.


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It seems like not a day can pass without a conspiracy theory. It has come to my attention that insinuations regarding the Sirius Buzz "Win Big" contest have been made:
"Sirius must really be hurting for subs to pull this stunt. Here's how this works. There will be several hundred thousand 1st and 2nd place winners (if they get that many entries) everyone gets a new radio courtesy of Sirius and then when they get activated either as a new sub but most likely as a family plan sub Siri gets to show a positive net sub gain for the quarter and gives the impression people actually are paying for the hardware. It's the same thing they're doing for the OEM's but doesn't cost them as much and they don't have to give away a trial unless they give everyone a free gift card with their free radios."
Sirius has NOTHING to do with this contest. This contest is for Sirius Buzz and is operated in whole by Sirius Buzz. There is ONE first Place, ONE second place, and ONE third place. Prizes are financed and supplied by Sirius Buzz.
Who is Siriusbuzz? Dobie has been shilling for Mel for years and this is another example. Mel has used that guy for so long for free Dobie finally wised up and started making money for his services. I wonder if Dobie will come out and say how many prizes are available? Hell he probably gets a cut off of every one who subscribes. This whole company is one giant shell game.
Sirius Buzz is an independent website with no affiliation to Sirius or XM. Sirius Buzz, nor the operators of the site, do not receive any money or hardware or other consideration from Sirius or XM. Hardware items that have been reviewed on Sirius Buzz have been supplied by TSS Radio, Logitech, and Slacker. I have never received any hardware, discounts or finances from Sirius or XM. The prizes available are as stated above. Sirius Buzz nor the operators receive no "cut" from anyone who subscribes.
BS, I read into things that are there. Why would Dobie all of a sudden start raffling off Sirius radios? Where does he state how many he's giving away? If he's giving away several thousand or more where is he getting them? Retail is dead, the OEM channel is dead and Sirius and XM need subs badly so what better way? If Sirius gave them away people would take the radios and never subscribe but this way most people who go to Dobies site are subscribers already so they will be entering and probably add as a family sub. It's actually not a bad idea but a bit too sneaky for my taste and another reason why I hate this company. Everything is done in a sneaky underhanded way.
Sirius Buzz has run a few promotions. Most center around the subject of the site....satellite radio. The rules of the contest state the number of prizes....ONE in each category. Several Thousand???? No idea where they came up with this. Sirius has no involvement in this contest. It is designed for the purpose of seeing the site grow. In fact, while it may seem like a low budget contest, it actually eats up a good chunk of cash flow from the site.
What is September 31st nimrod? Every radio he gives away will be added to Siri's 3rd quarter sub count. There are a hell of a lot more than 3, I guarantee it. So why doesn't everyone keep entering and we'll all see who wins radios before Sept 31. There's a sucker born every minute.
Actually my partner messed up. There are only 30 days in September. At any rate. It is a date that is picked because it allows the activity of the contest to have a few months to build. Additionally, prizes awarded after September will fall into Q4 not Q3. The couple of radios....as in only 2....will be fourth quarter events. Those two radios will make a massive diff. to the subscriber numbers for the year.....LOL. Suckers are typically those who do not understand what they are reading. Three prizes only.
"The contest will only end on September 30th if the forum has acquired 1k total members or I have deemed that the total number of users is �close enough.� If the total number of users does not reach the 1k mark the contest will be extended to December 30th"
Trying to get above 1000 users. Awarding prizes in October. If he does not have enough, he will extend it to the end of the year.
Dave, you are losing it buddy. Better put your aluminum helmet on your head so Sirius can't read your mind with their satellites. They know you are onto them. They will most likely come after you now. You must be silenced!!
I'm not losing anything. I've been watching all of the ingenious ways Sirius got and counted subs for over the last 5 years and this is just another one. What pisses me off is that pos Doberman always denied shilling when I knew all along he was a paid shill and now he's the worst kind. Did I ever tell you how by brother in law used to sell Sirius radios and he got a bounty for every radio he sold? $25 for a one year subscription, $12.50 for the second year, and $5 for each year after. I wonder if Tyler is getting the same deal? This could be very lucrative for him if he gets a lot of suckers, I mean subscribers.
Again, Sirius has nothing to do with Sirius Buzz giving away two radios and a $30 subscription card. I think that this type of promotion would not be worth their time. I am not paid in any way shape or form from Sirius, nor have I ever been paid. Sirius Buzz makes humble amounts of money from sponsors such as TSS Radio (no affiliation with Sirius) and google ads, etc. I do not sell subscriptions nor do I receive "bounties". I also pay for my own subscriptions.
You Siriots are so stupid you deserve to lose your money. If you're wrong and I'm right which I am why is Dobie doing this? To make money! He's not going to make anything off his pumping website when Sirius goes BK so he's going to make some cash before the inevitable BK. Mel gives him the radios to give away and he gets a kickback from each subscriber they get from them. He can't come out and say free radios for everyone because that would expose the dire situation Sirius is in getting subs.
Dave, You are wrong. In actuality I (Tyler), was not even involved in the decision to run this contest. My partner did that on his own. Again, the money made is not huge. Simple promotion. Simple concept. Simple prizes. Mel, nor Sirius, supplied any of the prizes. No kickbacks.
I don't have a problem with Dobie or anyone else making money from it it's the underhanded way they're doing it that pisses me off. Let's just say that Sirius said they were giving away free radios with a 12 month subscription, there would be very few takers. Then they said free radios to anyone without a subscription requirement, they would have to give away millions of radios and people would be sending them as gifts and very few would subscribe at a tremendous cost to Sirius. So now we have a Siriot site aimed directly at satrad fans promising to give away radios in a raffle. These are likely people who will subscribe if only as a family plan customer. Sirius gets the sub and Dobie gets the kick back. It's all just too underhanded for my tastes.
Refer to above
Once again. Sirius Buzz, my partner, and myself have no affiliation with Sirius or XM. We receive nothing from them, and if by chance we ever do, we will disclose that fact. Sites such as sirius Buzz are not "monster revenue machines". We do this because we like to do it. We do get small amounts of revenue from sponsors and google type ads, but nothing that would make this a career. Insinuations such as this slander the site, as well as those involved. We try to put forth a good product, and often the reward for our efforts makes us wonder whether it is even worth while. For those that do appreciate the site and our efforts, we thank you.


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+ mpg - style good ride good size quite expensive but nice car -------------------------should be about $7000 to $8000 cheaper Good for both city driving and highway driving plenty of space for luggage on trips fairly comfortable even for longer rides, does feel like you sit quite low.
Toyota Prius Ratings, Reviews and Analysis
Ratings & Reviews
Gas mileage is better than claimed, but has been decreasing in the last 2 years from 58 mpg to about 52. Maybe it is my driving style which needs improving. Had an issue with the 12 volt battery but was able to replace it myself without any problems.
Prius is the ultimate car for the discerning driver that likes to get to points unknown in a responsible way. If you've never driven one you need to give it a try the next time you rent a car. Compare it to anything you've driven and see what you think.
If you want a car that is bullet proof, here it is. Oil changes and tires for the first 100,000 miles - not even brakes yet. Tons of room and with the hatchback you can haul more than you can imagine. This might be my first car to make 200,000
basic package does not have cruise control or backup screen. love helping to save the environment. it is a green car. it reflects my values it's an ethical car to drive fits 5 comfortably it is quiet. performs well on the highway.


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Edition 06.19, 696 pages, English
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Temperature for July 1966
In July 1966 the average high temperature in Meridian, MS was 0.0°F, and this was 92.8°F cooler than the average of 92.8°F. The hottest day in July 1966 was 0 July when the temperature reached 0.0°F. Overnight the average temperature in July is 70.1°F and in 1966 the average overnight temperature was 70.1°F cooler at 0.0°F.


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Blizzard remnants bring flooding, water damage fears
City crews rush to clear storm drains
City crews are rushing to clear storm drains throughout Des Moines in hopes of preventing flooding, but that's not the only worry.
"We have over 12,000 intakes in the city of Des Moines, and we probably have a couple hundred of them in low-lying areas," said Chuck Burrell of Des Moines Public Works.
Burrell said with rain expected, crews have made sure to open all the intakes. However, many storm drains are covered with several inches of thick ice and heavy snow. City workers are rushing to clear the intakes.
What the storm left behind is also giving homeowners headaches. Contractors like Gerardo Perez of Andrew's Roofing are now fixing leaky roofs throughout central Iowa.
"You have water coming in because of those ice dams," Perez said. "They aren't melting and building up on your gutter."
Contractors recommend buying a roof rake from a local hardware store or home improvement store. They cost about $50 and can prevent ice dams from forming. As for storm drains, city leaders advise not to clear them yourself. Residents can call public works and crews will be out within 24 hours to fix the problem.


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Rainbow GalleryPetite Treasure Braid
Classic ColorworksCotton Floss
Classic ColorworksBelle SoieSilk Floss
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Kreinik Very Fine#4 Braid
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Duster coat with faux fur collar: Topshop || Lace dress (+ slip dress): Free People || Boots: Vic Matie || Necklaces: Urban Outfitters & Vanessa Mooney || Concho hat: Forever 21
Finally it's this time of the year again, it's Halloween! Tomorrow's the special day and like every year here is my Halloween special outfit which is always extra black, dark and witchy. All those pieces I'm wearing have actually been in my closet for a longer time. I bought this amazing vintage inspired duster coat last year on Topshop.com, it's a great piece and a keeper aswell. Its faux fur collar got a dark green tone in it which highlights it even more. I also went for a lacey black dress dress (Lace looks always stunning on Halloween btw!), my favorite silver jewellery, a fedora cowboy hat and platform boots. I love to wear them with longer coats!
I enjoy wearing this year's Halloween outfit, it's been my favorite one so far.
In Germany there are still no decorations, almost no parties and no festive atmosphere, though. I wish I'd live at Disneyland all October long just to enjoy the beautiful halloween decorations and mood. It really does suck to live in Europe sometimes, especially during the Halloween season I can tell. :-)
Anyway, I'm going to spend Halloween with some horror movies + my all year favorite movie to watch called "Nightmare Before Christmas" by Tim Burton. It always gets me in the right mood. :-)
Okay enough talking - HAPPY HALLOWEEN, lovers! Enjoy the beautiful party and get wild. xx


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Power Supplies >
24 Volt Power Supplies > Preferred Power Products P3AC24-1-3WL
1 Camera 24VAC 3 Amp Power Supply UL Listed
The P3AC24-1-3WL is a CCTV power center engineered to manage remote camera and accessory power requirements in a NEMA 4X weatherproof enclosure. The P3AC24-1-3WL distribution module is designed with 1 individually fused output for powering up to 1 CCTV camera or accessory.
It will provide 24Volts AC via distribution to one fused output with a total of 3.0 Amps continuous supply current.
PAC24-1-3WL Spec Sheet
Bulk CCTV Store
41W195 Railroad Street, Unit A
Pingree Grove, IL 60140


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Hi readers, we are grateful that you decide to visit our website and click on this page. We value your time for that we have listed all the New York Times Crossword February 9 2017 Answers answers and solutions for your convenience. This one is highly in demand right now because it has so much stuff that you can't ignore. Check all the answers of New York Times Daily Crossword and we also have solutions of Word Rings Answers which you will also like.
Do you really want to play this incredible New York Times Daily Crossword? For you convenience we have post all the possible solutions and answers so you never need to seek it from anywhere else. In case you are wondering to get more answers then you can get them from New York Times Crossword February 8 2017 Answers, New York Times Crossword February 7 2017 Answers, The Mirror Quick Crossword January 18 2017 Answers and The Mirror Cryptic Crossword November 2 2016 Answers. Thank very much for your patience and stay tuned.
The game is amazing and if you like it then we truly want you to bookmark this page for your own convenience and we are releasing new levels very soon If you still not able to clear a specific level then you can check New York Times Daily Crossword for your everyday clue. Thank you again for visiting our website and stay tuned with us.


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Welcome friends. We are so happy that you are joining us this week. If you are new to our challenge blog, there are just a couple of rules. Create a holiday or Christmas card and share it below. Each week, we will have an optional challenge to help provide inspiration. However, you do not have to use that challenge if it doesn't work for you. The only real rule to play along each week is to create a holiday or Christmas card so that you aren't scrambling at the very last minute.
We also have a Facebook page where we announce the weekly challenges and will highlight entries throughout the week. Click here to like our Facebook page.
Before we get down to business this week, we have a couple of farewells and a couple of introductions to make. Marsha and Jessica have been huge assets to our team but they've decided it's time to move on. They will definitely be missed.
We are thrilled to welcome the following two ladies to our team, however. Please give a warm welcome to Samantha and Debbie who will be joining us starting next week.
Each week, our design team will vote on an overall winner and we will also have our Top 3 winners.
Let's start off by announcing the winners from the last week's challenge. Winners, please feel free to grab the badges that are listed on the sidebar of the blog and display them proudly on your blog.
For this week's optional challenge, we have a great color challenge to help get you inspired. How will you be inspired?
As always, our wonderful design team is on hand to lend a ton of fabulous inspiration. Click on the links above their cards to be taken directly to their blogs for further details and to leave them some comment love.


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773 704-2663 (Chicago)
847 414-5883 (Lagoons)
224 415-6554 (Busse)
708 506-0227 (Maple Lake)
Join us for a tranquil evening of waterbirds and turtles. Our guides will help you notice hidden natural features and explain the surprising, paradoxical ecology of this heavily engineered natural area. Beginners and children (accompanied by an adult) are welcome.
Note that 1 date a month is a morning trip - look for AM listings in the drop-down list of dates below.
Single kayak - $35; tandem kayak or canoe - $50
When you make your reservation below, we'll email you a payment link.
Groupon customers should use the form at this link to sign in.


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TPWD Hunter Education Instructor Training Set in Wichita Falls
Jan. 9, 2012
Media Contact: Robert Ramirez, Hunter Education Specialist, (972) 263-1219; icle__media__contact">Media Contact: Robert Ramirez, Hunter Education Specialist, (972) 263-1219; email@example.com
Note: This item is more than eight years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be conducting a free Hunter Education New Instructor Training Workshop February 4, 2012, in Wichita Falls, Texas. The workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Lake Arrowhead State Park at 229 Park Road 63, Wichita Falls, TX 76310.
"We will be training new applicants and currently certified instructors in skills trail, live firing exercises and home study procedures," said Robert Ramirez, hunter education specialist with TPWD. "The training puts fun and exciting activities into the learning experience. Students will benefit by going through actual hunting simulations and by making their own decisions regarding responsible actions using 'shoot-don't-shoot' scenarios."
Before you attend this workshop, you must go to the following web site and prepare yourself by going over the Introduction and first four chapters of the instructor training manual. You will sign an acknowledgement and release that you have done this pre-workshop assignment as part of your training. The site is as follows: tpwd.texas.gov/learning/hunter_education/instruct.phtml.
Every Texas hunter born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education course. The hunter education program's goals are to reduce hunting-related accidents and violations; promote safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting; and enhance hunting traditions and values.
Hunter education provides instruction in Texas hunting regulations, wildlife management and identification, conservation, ethics, firearm and hunting safety and responsibility and outdoor skills.
"By understanding hunting through education, hunters and non-hunters alike will help make a bright future for the sport. Now is the time to become involved, so let us know if you are interested in becoming an instructor," Ramirez said.
To register, please contact: Robert Ramirez, TPWD Hunter Education Specialist, at (972) 263-1219 or firstname.lastname@example.com


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Likely Buyers for Lloyds' Private Banking Assets
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
The news that Lloyds Banking Group (LYG) is looking to sell a chunk of its global wealth-management businesses set off a guessing game about likely bidders.
Insiders in the U.S. and Europe say the most logical buyer would be one of the big Swiss private banks with extensive international operations, such as Julius Baer (JBARF), UBS (UBS) and Credit Suisse (CS). The Lloyds assets, these observers say, would easily fit with those banks' existing networks.
Lloyds Banking Group is shedding wealth-management assets as part of a broader downsizing. At stake are a sizable portion of nearly $20 billion in private banking assets under management, run from Switzerland but with offices in Miami, Dubai and Monaco.
Barron's European editor, Jonathan Buck, picked the brains of Numis Securities analyst Mike Trippitt. The analyst pointed to Swiss stalwarts Julius Baer, UBS and Credit Suisse as the likely acquirers, but said a sale won't be straightforward because the industry in Europe has been cast in the shadow of past scandals and malpractice. An acquirer would be "buying the past as well as the future," says Trippitt. There is no suggestion there are any problems with the Lloyds wealth-management operation.
Doug Black, president of SpringReef, a U.S. wealth advisor, says the big Swiss banks are best suited to hold onto the clients and produce healthy margins, thanks to their huge global operations. U.S.-domiciled banks that might be in the running, he said, would similarly have to have a global footprint to make sense of the acquisition. That would point to the likes of JPMorgan Private Bank (JPM), Citigroup (C) and Goldman Sachs (GS).
Bernstein analyst Chirantan Baruah offered some other scenarios: independent boutiques looking to increase scale; regional players "upping the game," such as Middle Eastern banks that want to boost assets under management; and private-equity players interested in consolidating. Interest from those quarters should make a sale "very doable," says Baruah.
Black wasn't so sure of that. Regional players wouldn't have much use for the geographic diversity of the Lloyds business, he said.
At $20 billion, Lloyds' private banking business isn't huge—but it isn't small either. If it were a U.S. wealth management firm, it would rank around No. 25, near Neuberger Berman and Wilmington Trust.


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Next Episode of Dalgliesh is
not planed. TV Show was canceled.
The series is based on the books by PD James and each story is self contained. Adam Dalgliesh is the central character in each story as a detective trying to solve various crimes.
Please note the title Dalgliesh does not actually appear in the opening credits. The episode name is featured as the show's title on each individual episode.
Looks like something went completely wrong!
But don't worry - it can happen to the best of us,
- and it just happened to you.
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Today i recieved my free world cup betting guide from Centrebet, ill be putting it to good use in the coming month. I know theres some other keen on the punt around here like Blewy and Marc, so to get in the spirit i thought we could all share some tips if we find some good odds on something. All my odds will come from the centrebet site.
So far ive found these...
Mexico to win Group D @ $1.80
Holland to win Group C @ $2.40
Golden Shoe Luca Toni @ $17
Golden Shoe Fernando Torres @ $34
ill add bets for the matches a bit closer to the start.


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Listless Dodgers silenced by Phils' Lee
Costly mistakes contribute to LA's first shutout at home
LOS ANGELES -- Dropping popups, throwing away comebackers and running out of rallies is no way to beat Cliff Lee, as the Dodgers proved on Monday night in a 7-0 loss to the Phillies.
Lee retired 20 consecutive batters at one point, improving on the lowest WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) against the Dodgers by any pitcher in history. He finished with 10 strikeouts and no walks over eight innings and has a 1.48 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers.
Jeff Manship worked around a walk in the ninth to finish off the first shutout of the Dodgers at home this season.
The Dodgers were hoping starting pitcher Paul Maholm would eat some innings to ease the load on the bullpen, but that didn't happen. Maholm needed 29 pitches in Philly's two-run first, and by the end of the fifth Maholm was finished with a count of 107. He allowed five runs (four earned), including a two-run double by Carlos Ruiz in the first and a two-run homer by Ryan Howard in the fifth.
"The bullpen needed a rest and, unfortunately, I didn't give it to them," said Maholm. "I was falling behind, and that's a recipe for disaster. I left too many balls up in the zone."
The Dodgers didn't help Maholm by continuing their generally sloppy defense, and they had only two hits cleanly leave the infield.
Hanley Ramirez went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk. He is 1-for-15 since getting hit on the left hand by a Ryan Vogelsong pitch in San Francisco last week, and he never got that contract extension from management who probably wants to see if he can stay healthy. So, is he trying to play through an injury?
"I'm 100 percent," Ramirez said. "I just don't have the timing, I don't know why. I've got to get back on track. It's April. I've got to do better. I'll just wait till May gets here."
Manager Don Mattingly said Ramirez tells him he's fine.
"You're seeing him not have success, which is fairly rare with him," said Mattingly. "I don't think he's hurting. I'm always asking during the game, he says he's seeing the ball good. He's not getting treatment on it. You can lay it on that. I think it's a matter of time. Hanley will get rolling. I'm sure he's trying to press a little bit, but I think he's OK."
Maholm opened the game with a mistake, walking former Dodgers outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. Then another catchable ball dropped when Jimmy Rollins hit a fly to shallow center. Center fielder Matt Kemp didn't pick up the ball in the dusk, Yasiel Puig came running all the way from right field and second baseman Justin Turner peeled off. Puig got his glove on the ball, but it dropped for a single.
After Chase Utley flied out to Kemp, Ruiz doubled into the right-field corner to score Gwynn, and Rollins came around from first when Puig's throw from the warning track missed the cutoff man.
"Paul is who he is," Mattingly said of the finesse lefty. "He changes speeds, gives you everything he has. We didn't help him. Certain matchups are difficult. He's got to hit edges, change speeds and locations. The guy battles. He's not afraid."
Maholm said he was frustrated because he warmed up well but the pitches weren't consistent in the game.
Puig led off the bottom of the first with a single, but ran the Dodgers out of the inning. With two outs and Puig on second base, Adrian Gonzalez sent a bouncer up the middle. Second baseman Utley, playing Gonzalez to pull, raced behind the bag to field the ball, juggled, then saw Puig rounding third base with no stop sign and threw home. Puig, caught in a rundown, was tagged out by Ruiz before he could return to third.
"He didn't look up," Mattingly said of Puig. "It wouldn't have mattered if he had been held. He kept going."
Howard doubled Philadelphia's lead with a two-out, two-run homer in the fifth inning after Maholm walked Ruiz. Maholm allowed singles to John Mayberry Jr. and Domonic Brown, then fielded Freddy Galvis' comebacker that should have ended the inning, but he overthrew Gonzalez at first base, allowing Mayberry to score.
"The way Cliff was going," said Mattingly, "four runs felt like 10, honestly."
"He was in total control out there," said Philly manager Ryne Sandberg.


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The mountains are likely to get a full dose of wintry weather Thursday afternoon and evening, with heavy snow expected to fall for several hours.
That's great news for the ski resort operators and their customers, as the 3 to 6 inches of snow will set the stage for a fun weekend. It's certainly welcome news to those folks, especially after last weekend's spring-like conditions.
Lower elevations, such as Charlotte, will get rain from Thursday's storm, although we'll be seeing a brief shot of winter-like weather next week.
After the storm passes Thursday, it looks like we'll have generally dry and seasonal conditions Friday through Sunday, with highs in the upper 40s Friday and the mid 50s Saturday and Sunday. But a pair of cold fronts will cross the region late Sunday and Monday, and when all that has been completed, an arctic air mass will be the controlling factor in our weather.
Despite full sunshine, we'll be lucky to reach 40 degrees Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte. Morning lows Tuesday might be in the teens.
It'll be cold (mid 40s) again Wednesday, but it appears as if the cold air will be a short-lived event. High temperatures are forecast to be back in the mid 50s Thursday and Friday.
Meteorologists have been talking for weeks about sudden stratospheric warming at the north polar region, and the eventual displacement of bitterly cold air into Canada and the United States. Some of that very cold air has arrived in the United States, but it's been bottled in the northern part of the country.
When the cold air has tried to poke into the Southeast, it's been short-lived. Looking ahead into early February, it looks like that pattern will continue. That doesn't mean we can't get snow, sleet or freezing rain. The storm responsible for mountain snow Thursday will be working with only marginally cold air. But the short-lived cold air intrusions are good news to those who don't like winter.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Waiting for cold air? It's coming next week
The mountains are likely to get a full dose of wintry weather Thursday afternoon and evening, with heavy snow expected to fall for several hours.
11 comments:
- Anonymous said...
Feel sorry for kids who live in this area. We use to always have min. Of one good snow storms back when we were kids, can remember it snowing every weds. For 3 weeks one year. Sad our climate has been ruined with global warming.
- January 16, 2013 at 8:14 AM
- Cold Globe said...
Climate is ruined by jet stream pattern, not "global warming." If the jet stream ever dips low, the cold will be back. And those big snows in the 60's were abnormal then, as they would be now. Ask Canadians and Europeans why "global warming" doesn't apply there.
- January 16, 2013 at 8:26 AM
- Anonymous said...
Well said Cold Globe. Hey anonymous, did you know that global warming is a scheme by the globalists including their minion cockroach "Al Gore-leoni" to implement a carbon tax. So, basically they want to tax you for breathing. And btw, the "republicrats" are just as disgusting as the "demopublicans".
- January 16, 2013 at 10:58 AM
- Anonymous said...
your blog posts are horrible. You do little research and post only your opinions instead of facts.
- January 16, 2013 at 12:56 PM
- Freezing Cold Globe said...
Research = opinion.
- January 16, 2013 at 2:59 PM
- Bill said...
Continually shocked at the level of ignorance that pervades in Charlotte regarding climate change. Apparently, science and facts are too difficult for comprehension, so they resort to making up crackpot conspiracy theories.
Cold Globe: all of the data from around the world is showing a significant rise in temperatures. But, the data may be a little hard to read since your cranium is firmly ensconced in your zona columnaris.
- January 17, 2013 at 1:26 PM
- Anonymous said...
Global Warming = Crock Science. You mean we are to believe 150 years worth of weather data for a planet that is thousands of years old. Really? How often are your decisions that are based on 6% of data correct?
Well then again you might be the NY medium and everything you say is correct.
- January 17, 2013 at 1:44 PM
- Bill said...
Crock science? Another flippant statement with no factual data or studies to support it.
Of course, your argument is well-defined by you describing the earth as 'thousands of years old'.
- January 17, 2013 at 2:37 PM
- Anonymous said...
So Bill - do you have a secret resource of weather data older than 150 years? If so I would love to see it as well as all the other Global warming nuts out there.
BTW I have not see anything you posted as factual or informative other than your inability to see past your nose.
- January 17, 2013 at 4:03 PM
- Frozen Globe said...
Bill, you come across as an angry man. If you were not so nasty and snide with your remarks, you might be taken seriously. You seem to have a personal hatred towards anyone who does not believe as you do, and you do not demonstrate any tolerance toward those you disagree with.
- January 19, 2013 at 10:09 PM
- Anonymous said...
Bill, reality may be a little hard for you to comprehend since your bullet head is firmly shoved in Uranus.
- January 19, 2013 at 10:12 PM


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And for increased patient safety, the safePICO syringes are prebarcoded. This facilitates correct sample registration at the bedside and helps eliminate patient identification errors.


text:
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — If you had chickenpox (varicella zoster) as a youngster, you probably remember it well.
The itching.
The scratching.
The perpetual discomfort bordering on pain.
What you probably don't remember, however, is being told by your parents and/or doctor that five, six or seven decades later the virus may just revisit you — in the form of shingles (herpes zoster).
Former MSNBC and current ESPN broadcaster Keith Olbermann is the latest baby boomer to be reminded — the hard way — that once the dreaded "zoster" comes to visit, it never leaves.
Late last month, the 55-year-old Olbermann missed a week of broadcasting of his eponymous nightly one-hour show after being felled by the burning, painful disorder.
His tweets — self-admitted "kvetches" — about the condition, though, were quite entertaining. Among them:
"It is mind-boggling to realize that I am dealing with a virus I contracted while JFK was still president"
"To those asking, Shingles (sic) feels like you fell 3 flights. On to sharp poison ivy. Which then spontaneously combusts. Emitting toxic fumes."
"…Get the vaccine!"
Of course, for anyone who's suffered through a bout with shingles, they're no laughing matter.
What's more, a study of Medicare data published in December showed that, between 1992 and 2010, the annual rates of shingles cases in those older than 65 increased nearly 40 percent.
That same study concluded that, for those who had chickenpox in their youth, between a quarter and a third eventually experience at least one episode with shingles.
The reason why? Well, the medical community's guess is as good as yours or mine.
"Anything that is a 'stress' on the body could be a factor that contributes to a shingles outbreak," explains Dr. Thomas Balshi, owner and medical director of Balshi Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in Delray Beach, Fla. "Everything from the flu, arthritic injury and mental stress to too much sunlight or a sudden change in climate can do it. The list is endless. And, sometimes shingles erupts without any definable reason behind it."
The vaccine Olbermann referenced in his tweet — it's called "Zostavax" — is available to those 60 and older who've had chickenpox. The injection helps mitigate some of the risk for seniors — but, says Balshi, it "doesn't provide 100 percent protection from getting shingles."
Nonetheless, adds Balshi: "Experts recommend that people older than 60 get this vaccine — whether or not they've had shingles before — because it considerably reduces the severity and risk of further complications of a shingles outbreak."
At the first sign of shingles — that is, when you begin experiencing nerve pain, burning or topical blistering — get to your doctor immediately.
"By taking antiviral prescription medication within 72 hours of an outbreak, you can help reduce the pain and duration of the disease," says Boca Raton, Fla., family physician Dr. Carlos Ballestas.
In severe cases, notes Ballestas, patients may need to supplement the antiviral meds with corticosteroids (to reduce swelling), antihistamines (to decrease itching) and Zostrix, a cream containing capsacian, which helps control pain.
In addition, Ballestas warns that just because you've never had chickenpox does not mean shingles pose you no threat.
"Exposure to shingles may cause chickenpox in adults or children who've never had chickenpox," he explains.
Guess that helps explain why Olbermann's signature sign-off has always been: "Good night — and good luck."
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Vimeo is being stupid and I can't figure out how to embed the video.
Anywho, Open Source Ecology (OSE) is an awesome project that is trying to create an open source version of the infrastructure that the modern world depends on. Basically, all the machines you'd need to turn dirt into iPhones.
This is a documentary about their work that has been doing well in the Focus Forward filmmaker competition. Go watch it and add your vote!


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Fredericksburg: Miniature Australian Shepherd Breeders
Below is a sample search of our Miniature Australian Shepherd breeders with puppies for sale. The search tool above returns a list of breeders located nearest to the zip or postal code you enter. From there you can see photos of their pups, find detailed information on their web page and contact them by email, phone or even get driving directions.
(Detailed contact information has been omitted. Enter your zip or postal code above to access our up-to-date directory).
This is a FREE search tool! Use the form at the top to get complete listings for breeders in your area!
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
we offer home raised, pre-spoiled, health tested puppies with a lifetime health guarantee
Smith MTN. Lake Farm
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
We live on a small farm in Bedford, VA off of route 24 near Roanoke and Lynchburg, VA. I'm not a kennel our dogs are raised with the family. The Toys make great lap dogs and extremely good with kids.
A+ JEN-AIR Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
PLEASE CALL~ Jenn DOES NOT HAVE EMAIL! JEN-Air Aussies Home of Beautiful Miniature and TOY Aussies. Jenn Miller has been a registered breeder of Aussies over 30yrs!
Aislin Fields
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
We are certified professional dog trainers as well as hobby breeders of Miniature Australian Shepherds. Our dogs are raised in our home with our family and screened for temperament and health.
Tarlton Farm
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
Small enough for the house, rugged enough for the farm. These are great dogs full of intelligence and ready to learn. Great companions and wonderful with children
RL Valley Ranch Aussies
Services: Puppies
Happy, Health tested, family friendly temperaments, raised in home, well socialized.
Rhodeback College Fund
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
Responsive, smart and loving dogs! Great with small children. Parents are very obedient with minimum training. https://www.facebook.com/twinwillowsranchllc/
Novus Mini American Shepherd
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
Puppies available!! Contact us for more information!
Hemlock Brook Farm & Kennel
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service,Rescue
Australian shepherds are highly intelligent,trainable and eager to please,some say they are Velcro dogs love to be by your side following closely they are dogs that require a good amount of exercise
Rustic Ranch Aussies
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
ASDR Toy and Miniature Australian Shepherds in Southeastern Kentucky. We have a small program that we use to gain experience and confidence in our breeding program and philosophy.
Anderson Acres
Services: Puppies
Our puppies are home raised and used to kids, horses, dogs and cats. We have all colors available, including the rare blue eyed tri's. Mini's and toys available, so reserve yours now!
Triple R
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
Here at Triple R We take pride in our breeding program.We breed for Quality pups with TRUE AUSSIE TYPE,All health clearances have been done on all parents. We offer a 3 year guarantee on all our pups
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
We breed AKC Miniature American Shepherds. OFA, MDR1, DM, PRA, DM, HC tested. All puppies are born & raised in my house.Visit our FB page: Wyndemere Miniature American Shepherds for availability.
Kalon Kennels
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
Breeder of Champion and top winning Miniature American Shepherds. Located near Atlanta, GA. All puppies are raised in our home and not a kennel and are well socialized.
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
My Aussies are raised with the utmost care. They are AKC/ASCA registered with CERF/OFA/MDR1/HSF4/CEA/PRA tests done. They are raised indoors, fed a premium raw diet, and have a great quality of life
Ashby Lou Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service,Rescue
We are a small breeder of Toy & Mini Australian Shepherds. All of our adults and puppies are raised in our home and treated as members of the family. They are health tested and well socialized.
Impression Dogs - mini Aussies
Services: Puppies
AKC Miniature American Shepherds (Mini Aussies) WITH long natural tails. We don't believe in docking tails on our mini aussie puppies.Born and raised in our home. Puppy culture raised with children.
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
Puppies available - show, performance, and companion. Written health guarantee, eyes cerf. parents fully health tested and clear. Blues, and tris. Puppies have excellent temperaments!!!
Fabrizius Farm
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
We just had a litter of Miniature Australian Shepherds born June 13, 2019, Please email us at [email protected] for more information and photos. Check out our web site for current photos.
Inmans Mini-Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
We Have PUPPIES!!! New litter born 4/12/20! 5 beautiful puppies. We have 1 BM female, 1 BM male and 2 black-tr males. Red-merle male is sold. They will be ready to go home the first weekend in June!
First Harmony Farms
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service,Rescue
We breed for health, temperament, performance, and structure. All of our dogs are health tested and compete in at least one venue. Our dogs are great for companion and competition homes.
Harmony Aussies and Doodles
Services: Puppies
ASDR registered miniature Australian Shepherds. Excellent companions.Pure breed and F1 and F1B Aussie Doodles. Parents are 13-16 inches and 15 to 28 lbs. Puppies are handled daily and raised indoors
Rebel Ridge Australian Shepherds
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
We raise Toy Miniature and Standard Australian Shepherds. ASDR and AKC registered. We do health test our parent dogs and we raise our puppies in home and they leave us well socialized.
CL Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
We raise quality Mini and Toy Aussies with good bone and conformation, our Aussies look like Aussies, bred and built to do it all. We sell happy healthy pups ready to be your best friend.
Rustic River Ranch
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
ASDR toy and miniature Australian shepherds available occasionally. Health tested parents. Pups come vet checked, current on Shots/dewormings. Tails docked and dews removed. Family raised.
Dragon Mini Aussies
Services: Puppies,Stud Service
Breed for temperament, beauty is a wonderful side effect! We have 7 puppies looking for their forever homes. Sweet, smart and beginning basic command training and pad potty training. DFW Airport area.
BLA Miniature and Toy Australian Shepherds
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
Look here to find your new best friend and most loyal companion. We strive only to improve this wonderful breed, and provide the highest quality puppies possible. Puppies Available
Triple Cross Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs
As a family we have been raising Aussies since 2004. Our focus is to maintain the integrity of the breed with emphasis on health, temperament, and correct structure. Testing done. Health Guarantee.
Rivera's Smokin' Aussies
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
We are a Texas based Breeder of Pre Spoiled babies. Our babies are health tested, ASDR registered and well socialized with our children and other animals. We also Show our dogs in conformation shows!
Services: Puppies,Adult Dogs,Stud Service
Here at Flat Mountain Tx. we strive to produce the best possible puppies to improve the breed for performance, show and just lovable, loyal friendship.These are true Aussies.
Important: breeders.NET has not screened the listed breeders and accepts no responsibility for their reputation or quality. It is your responsibility to investigate. See How to Find a Dog.