text:
Inmate (Pt.2)
|Return to Pt. 1
The next morning, Penhall and Booker were led into a cement block room at Fulsom State Penitentiary. They were there to interview Marco, much to Marcos surprise. Marco actually appeared to recognize Penhall, having seen his picture and talked with Hanson about him some.
"Hello, Marco" said Penhall tightly. He was pretty much as Hanson had described him, six two, muscular and well-built, and about 36 years old with dark hair and a mustache. Penhall had been concerned about him being bigger than Hanson.
"Well, let me see," said Marco, "You must be Penhall. And of course, I already know Booker. Just how did your nose get after Hanson decked you?" He smirked thinking of the punch in the cell.
"My nose is fine, smart ass, thanks for asking," replied Booker.
"And to what exactly do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" asked Marco.
"I think you can guess," said Penhall. Marco just looked at him. Penhall continued. "Look, Marco," he said, "you know Hanson was beaten up a couple nights ago. We want to know the story on that."
Marco laughed.
"Whats the matter?" said Booker, "werent you in on the fun? Dont you have anything to tell us?"
Marco shook his head. "Hell, no, man, I wasnt involved. I dont know anything."
"Bullshit!" said Penhall. "Maybe you werent involved, but I bet you know who was. And why did it happen now? Hansons got four months down, why didnt it happen sooner?"
Marco was silent, just staring at them.
"Look, Marco," said Penhall, "Hanson talked a lot about you. Do you wanna know what he said?" Marcos eyes widened in surprise. Penhall continued. "He said you were the only one who treated him halfway decent in here. He said maybe you werent really such a bad guy underneath that prison uniform. Said you had a tough time growing up - if things had been different, maybe you wouldnt even be here. Actually told me, "were kind of friends." So, Marco, were you really "kind of friends" or did you just want something from him he wouldnt let you have but you were still trying for?"
Marco remained silent for a minute, then spoke up. "Look, Penhall, Im sorry about what happened to Hanson. I really am. Hes not such a bad guy. BUT whats my life in here gonna be like if I rat out who did the deed? I have another five years to go on this burglary rap."
"Nobody saw us come in here, Marco. We had already thought of that. This was arranged so no one is aware you are talking with us. And maybe," said Penhall, "some kind of deal can be arranged, provided you give us good info on what happened to Hanson and why."
"Deal as in transfer? Cause thats what needs to be done," said Marco. "I cant stay here if I rat these guys out. Ill end up dead."
"Its been discussed with Assistant DA Garrett," replied Booker. "For your information, shes an old friend of Hansons, and she said she would do what she could to get the transfer for you, if youll give us the information we want."
Marco sighed, "Look, Id like to help, but thats not good enough. Take two years off the rest of my sentence, though, and its a done deal."
"Well do what we can," replied Penhall. "You have our word."
Marco paused and considered. "All right," he said. "Heres the story: Penhall, maybe you better sit down."
"Why?" said Penhall, surprised.
"Look," said Marco, "From what I heard, AFTER it happened, to make myself clear, it was said a big cop friend of Hansons was overhead in the visiting room telling him he may get out soon." He looked at Penhall. "Sound familiar?"
Penhall sank into a chair, his throat closing up and his ears ringing. 'My God,' he thought, 'I caused it!'
Booker glanced at him, immediately concerned, but instructed Marco to go on.
Marco shrugged. "The story spread from there. The hit was arranged. A guard was involved to clear out the shower room. They nailed him in the shower. I think there were six. End of story. They were havin fun playin with him until it looked like he would be gettin out. Then they had to do it before he could leave. Thats it."
Penhall was still stunned.
Booker glanced his way - he was way too quiet. "So, who are 'they'?" Booker asked.
Marco replied slowly after hesitating a minute, "Flannelly, Wojo, Henderson, Sanders, Schillinger - I dont know who else."
"Who was the guard involved?" asked Booker again.
Marco hesitated, then replied "Baughman."
Penhall, still sitting quietly in the corner in stunned silence, suddenly seemed to come back to life. "You mean to tell me," he said to Marco, his voice rising, "that those sons of bitches wouldnt have done that to Hanson if they hadnt heard me talking in the visiting room?! And just who was it that overheard this conversation?!" Then, suddenly, "I dont believe you, you asshole! Youre just trying to get something out of this for yourself and put the blame onto a cop!" He rose menacingly, coming across the room toward Marco.
"Penhall!" yelled Booker and reached up to grab him before he could get to Marco.
Marco, seated on the other side of the table, drew himself up, wary of the fury in Penhalls eyes. As Booker grabbed Doug, however, Marco relaxed, figuring Booker would not let Penhall attack him.
"Look, man, just remember who came to who for this information," said Marco. "I cant help it if what I said pins the blame on you." Looking at the misery in Penhalls face, though, and thinking of Hanson, he added reluctantly, "Penhall, it would have happened sooner or later anyway. They were gettin bored with playin with him. It was time for the deal to go down. Thats what happens in prison - people get hurt, especially ex-cops - especially little and pretty ex-cops. You didnt cause it, Penhall. Its not your fault, anymore than its mine."
Penhall was silent, staring at Marco. Silence filled the room for a moment.
"All right, Marco, if thats it, were going," stated Booker. "Come on, Penhall - lets move." He walked over to the bars enclosing the room. "Guard!" he called. He and Penhall, still in a guilt-ridden stupor, turned to go.
"Hey!" said Marco "How is Hanson, anyway?"
Penhall hesitated for a minute. "Hes alive," he said. "Thats all." Then they left.
That night, Penhall had trouble sleeping, haunted by nightmares about what happened to Hanson and how much of it he had been responsible for. Booker had tried to convince him it wasnt his fault, but Penhall wasnt swallowing that. He still blamed himself and became more determined than ever to make it right - and that Hanson would recover.
He met Booker early the next morning at the chapel. They made a trip to the police academy they and Hanson had graduated from to get the gun they believed had killed Hanson from a Cadet Mortillaro. They presented this gun, along with other evidence they had found, to Judge Hancock, hoping to gain Hansons release from prison. They were overjoyed when the Judge ordered Hanson released.
"Hey, buddy!" Penhall called out as he bounded into Hansons hospital room. "Good news, good news!" He looked at Hanson and smiled widely. "Guess what - the Judge ordered your release! Youre coming home, man, youre OUT! - FREE! - you dont have to go back to prison!" Penhall leaned over and threw his arms around Tom. Hanson looked up, his face lighting up and a real smile, straight white teeth and all - the first one in a long time Penhall could remember seeing - began to spread across his face like sunshine.
"What?!" said Hanson. His voice was filled with caution. This was too good to believed, at least without some explanation.
"You heard me, man! HOME! Youre going HOME! No more prison bars, strip-searches, solitary confinement - none of that shit! Youre going home, Hanson, youre free!" He reached down to hug Hanson and threw his arms around him. Hanson had no idea how good Penhall felt, not only for Hanson but also for himself. The guilt he placed on himself for telling Hanson, which still had not disappeared, was killing him.
"Oh, God!" said Hanson. "You did it, Doug, you really did it?! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!"
At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened, and Booker came striding in. "Hey, Hanson. I take it Penhall told you the news. He was so excited, I thought hed wreck the car on the way over here."
"When can I go home?" Hanson asked, still unbelieving. His head was spinning and his mind was racing. He had never felt so relieved and thankful in his life. He could not have gone back to prison. He knew that.
"Well, I guess now thats up to only one person - the doctor" said Penhall. "No more prison guards to worry about."
Just then Dr. Kastanza entered the room. "Well, Hanson, Ive just been told the news by the officer at the door. Congratulations! Guess we can let the officer go home now, too."
"Doctor, when can I go home?" asked Hanson.
"That depends" said the doctor. "Well discuss it later. Soon, I think, based on the results of the test."
"Great!" said Penhall. "Hanson, congratulations!" Then, glancing down and noticing Hansons arms, "Hey, dont let the guard leave before he takes those cuffs off!" He and Booker went out the door to hunt down the guard. "Well go find him."
"Fine," said the doctor. "I want to examine Tom. You can catch him later."
"OK - see you later Hanson - this afternoon." Penhall and Booker left the room.
Shortly after, the guard arrived in the room and removed the handcuffs from Hansons wrists. Red marks continued to encircle his wrists, even when the handcuffs were removed. Hanson lifted his hands and shook them, relishing the feeling of being able to move them at his own discretion again.
"Now, Tom, I know you dont like this, but roll over and let me look at those stitches. Be careful of that leg."
Hanson groaned and rolled his eyes but did as he was told.
"OK - healing well." said the doctor. He pulled up a chair and looked at Tom as Tom sat back up, slowly. "Im going to sign the release papers for this afternoon. Physically youre okay to go. Im giving you a prescription for pain for the cuts and bruises and the stitches. Take it easy for a while. All the physical damage will heal just fine. Im also giving you the name of a therapist, a Dr. Terry Potter." He paused and looked straight into Toms eyes. "Hes a good therapist whos had a lot of experience dealing with victims of violent rape."
Tom paused and turned his head away. "No, Im really okay, and I certainly dont want to talk about it to anybody. I cant, I just cant. I just want to go home now and start over. Home somewhere," he added as he realized he didnt have an apartment to go home to.
The doctor sighed, "Look, Tom. . . the emotional damage is what will hurt you, and this is a big emotional blow to your psyche. People have trouble dealing with this. Youve been through a lot, to say the least. Being imprisoned, beaten, raped," he watched Tom carefully as he said the word, noting his reaction. Tom closed his eyes and shuddered. "And now, getting out of jail. Thats a lot to handle and work through, and you will need someone, a professional, to help you. This is the kind of thing that can result in severe depression and emotional problems. It will not work to pretend this didnt happen and just go home and "start over." It will come back to haunt you. You need to work through this with someone who is qualified to help you. You may find you need medication to help you get through this also. Hes the best one to deal with that."
Hanson just shook his head. "No."
The doctor sighed, "OK, but Im giving you Dr. Potters number anyway. You may change your mind when you get home. Where are you going to stay?"
"With my mom, I guess, I dont know where else. My apartment is gone."
"Well, Ill leave you alone now to call your mother and make arrangements for her to pick you up this afternoon. Youll be discharged about 2:00 P.M. Ill be back then to make sure youre okay and write the prescriptions. Good luck Hanson." Then he left the room.
Later that evening Hanson arrived at his mothers house. They had all been at the hospital, then had accompanied him to his moms for a celebration party - Penhall, Booker, Judy, Fuller, even Blowfish - everyone in great spirits and ready to celebrate. For the most part, he had been, too. But everyone had noticed that Tom seemed a little vacant, listless, lacking something for someone who had finally gotten his freedom back. The party was much enjoyed, but everyone left still worried about Tom. That night, Tom woke up in a cold sweat, screaming. His mother came running, hugged him, and stayed up with him until dawn. It was his first nightmare.
To Toms dismay, he was also having trouble walking due to more than just the broken leg. It hurt to walk due to the rape, also - a constant reminder - but Dr. Kastanza had assured him it would pass soon. At least he could pass it off to everyone else as being due to the broken leg only.
His mother was kind and considerate, at times getting on Hansons nerves, but wanting to take care of him, and he needed and appreciated her help. Especially as the nightmares continued, and he could hardly sleep at all anymore. Penhall came by everyday after work, trying to get Tom to go out with him for pizza as he felt better, and one time Tom went. But Penhall worried about him. Something wasnt right. He was SO depressed, SO down, and he was drinking quite a bit. He wouldnt talk about what happened at all, although Penhall certainly didnt push him. He was getting worried, though, as there was talk of charges being filed by the state against the inmates and guard who had plotted the attack - if Hanson would testify - but he still refused. Penhall was afraid they were going to get away with it. But it was understandable why Tom didnt want to testify, and if Tom doesnt want to, no one should force him.
'After all,' thought Penhall, 'as Fuller had said, Hanson shouldnt be raped twice.'
One night, knowing Mrs. Hanson was out and Tom was home, Penhall had let himself in the house after repeatedly ringing the doorbell and had found Tom sitting on the floor of his bedroom, pale, sweating, and visibly shaken up. When asked what was wrong, Tom had replied that he had been "sick at his stomach." But Penhall didnt buy it, and it worried him. He wandered if Tom should ever be left alone.
The next day, Hanson, appearing better and walking well, went to Jump St. Chapel for a visit with his friends at Penhalls urging - anything to get him out of that house.
"Hanson!" called Blowfish watching him walk in the door. Booker, Penhall, and Hoffs crowded around. "How ya doin buddy? Great to see ya back!" said Blowfish, slapping Hanson on the back.
"Yeah, Hanson, how are you doing?" asked Booker.
Judy greeted him with a gentle hug and a smile. She looked closely into his eyes. Toms eyes met hers for a minute, and then he lowered them.
Captain Fuller came out of his office and greeted Hanson. "How are you Hanson?"
"OK," replied Hanson. "How are things going around here?"
"Okay," replied Captain Fuller. "Penhall and Booker are on a case at Lincoln High. Other than that, been kind of slow, actually."
Judy remained quiet. Hanson coming back made her think of Ioki, and this made her sadder still. She wished they were all together again, as they had been before Ioki was shot. She was going to see him tonight in the hospital.
They all talked for a while and Booker, Judy, Penhall and even Blowfish made plans to meet Hanson for lunch. Fuller asked to see Tom in his office for a minute before he left, but he was called to the phone. The others went back to work. Suddenly Tom was left sitting at his old desk waiting for the captain. He glanced up and his eyes happened to fall on the holding cell in which a young, small dark haired teenager and a bigger, older blonde boy were being held. They were beginning to argue and were getting loud.
'Jesus, somebody come out and bust it up,' thought Hanson, but he made no attempt to do so himself. No one else seemed to notice as of yet.
The argument began to turn physical with a few pushes and shoves. Hansons eyes focused on the two of them and became glazed over, seeming to go a million miles away. He watched as the bigger boy approached the smaller boy menacingly. Suddenly, the others turned as a terrified sound came from Hansons throat.
"NO! NO! NO!" he was screaming. He got up out of the chair and began to back away from an unseen, unknown attacker. Penhall rushed to his side followed by Hoffs and Booker. Toms eyes were glazed, and it was obvious he did not know he was in the chapel or who anyone was. Penhall reached out to touch him, but Hanson fought him off frantically, panic-stricken.
"Tom!" said Penhall. He reached out to touch Tom.
"NO!" screamed Tom, "NO!" He backed away from Penhall and put out his hands, attempting to keep him away from him. At this point, Penhall was terrified too.
Judy, though, reacted calmly and began to speak to him in a gentle and soothing tone of voice. "Tom, its okay," she said. "Youre in the chapel, do you remember the chapel and Jump Street? Youre safe - its okay."
It took a few minutes of soothing words and gentle voice tones before Toms eyes began to look calmer.
Judy, at that point, reached out to touch his arm. "Tom, she said cautiously "Can I touch you?"
"NO!" screamed Tom. "DONT TOUCH ME!" He pulled his arm away violently, panic leaping back into his eyes.
"Okay, okay," said Judy. "Dont worry - I wont touch you. I wont hurt you. No one here will. Youre safe. Youre here in the chapel. Remember Captain Fuller and Doug Penhall, your best friend? And Booker and Blowfish?"
Booker, Blowfish, and Penhall were watching quietly. Fuller went quickly to the phone again to call an ambulance. There were several more minutes of soothing words, and then Judy asked Tom again if she could touch him. This time he did not pull back, and he let Judy begin to stroke his arm gently. In a minute, Tom shook his head and his eyes appeared calmer. He seemed to "come around." He turned his head toward Judy and blinked his eyes. Judy smiled.
"Hey!" she said softly "Are you okay?"
Tom rubbed his hand across his eyes. "Yeah, I think so," he replied. He shook his head again. "What exactly happened?"
"I dont know for sure," replied Judy, "but I think it was a flashback."
"A flashback - like acid or something?" asked Tom, bewildered.
"No, something must have triggered the trauma from the attack. You seemed to think someone was going to get you," said Judy.
At that moment, the paramedics arrived.
"Tom," said Fuller, "I dont know what just happened, but go to the hospital. Get checked out. Youre not well."
"No, Im tired of hospitals - sick of being locked up," said Tom. "Im going home. Ill be all right." Penhall, who had been standing beside his friend put his arm around his shoulder protectively.
"Tom. . ." started Fuller, then he stopped as he saw the determined look on Hansons face. "Look, Hanson, you really need to be checked out, but if you wont go, I cant force you. Ill have Penhall take you home."
"I think thats best" said Penhall, and they left the chapel.
"You okay?" asked Penhall as he helped Hanson get settled on the couch at his mothers house.
"Im fine" said Hanson. He turned his eyes away from Doug and onto the TV.
"Look, Tom, youre not fine" said Penhall. Hanson continued to stare at the TV. Penhall reached over and grabbed the remote and clicked the TV off with a snap. "Look at me!" he said, suddenly impatient.
Tom turned toward him in surprise. "What?!" he said.
Penhall ran his hand across his face. "I know you dont want to be locked up, but Fullers right. Youve got to find out what happened to you at the chapel. What if it was a flashback like Jude said? What are you gonna do about it? It has to be worked through. And I dont think thats the first one. I think thats what was wrong with you the other night, wasnt it?" He looked at Tom challengingly.
Tom turned his head once again.
"Quit turning away from me!" said Doug. He was getting scared - this wasnt his friend at all to just turn his eyes and avoid things.
"No, Im fine. Im just getting used to being out of jail," said Tom.
"Thats crazy!" said Penhall. Then, lowering his voice and speaking softly and desperately, he said, "Tom, you cant runaway from it. You have to face the fact that you were beaten AND raped (Penhall winced at the word himself) and work through it if youre going to survive and get your life back together. What about the therapist the doctor recommended, that Terry Potter, have you made an appointment to see him?"
Hanson lowered his eyes and shook his head no. Shame and fear flooded through him all over again. Mention of the attack out loud was all it took to evoke that response from him.
"And what about being angry, Tom? Thats what scares me. I mean, I can understand not testifying, just letting it drop, but all I see from you is. . is. . . depression, defeat. Thats not you! You should be mad as hell at those guys, and I bet you are! But I think you need to show that, too. It would be good for you - healthy! The therapist can help you with that. Tom, please do that - Ill go with you if you want - I want you to get better. I told you that night I would be with you all the way, and I will. You are not alone," Doug pleaded. "There are things to think about. What about getting your job back? Have you thought about that? What are you going to do, if you dont? I mean, everyone will understand if you want to do something else, but what I mean is, life goes on and you need to be a part of it - on the force or not. I will always be there - always be your best friend, whether we work together or not. I just want you to get your life back together in some way, shape, or form, the sooner the better. And you havent even started yet."
Tears welled up in Toms eyes and slid down his cheeks. Penhall put his arms around him and pulled him to his shoulder. He didnt say a word, just let him cry.
Suddenly Tom looked up. "I - I want to see Marco."
"Marco!?" said Penhall. "What for?!"
"I blamed him for not protecting me, and I know it wasnt his fault. He was the closest thing I had to a friend in there, and I dont want to leave him thinking I blame him," said Tom.
"Jeez, I dont know," said Penhall, amazed. "What would you do? Go back to prison to see him? Could you handle that?"
Tom shuddered. "NO - Im NOT going back! I dont know, but I want to work something out."
"What about Dr. Potter? " said Penhall, unwilling to let that go. "You know, maybe he could give you some pills or something to help you feel better." He was thinking about the suicide watch Tom had been on in the hospital. Maybe it needed to continue.
"No," said Hanson.
"Look, Tom," said Penhall, "something has to be done. You cant go on like this. I cant be your partner like this if you do come back to work. Its not safe for me or you. . . OR the public, and I dont think they will let you come back to work anyway without some kind of treatment. Especially after today."
"I just want to forget it happened," said Tom.
"I know, but I dont think its gonna work that way," said Penhall quietly. "And what about the nightmares? How long do you think you can go on without sleeping? This has got to be stopped, man. Look, youre my partner and my best friend, and I wont leave you alone about this. You have got to get some help." He paused then groaned. "God, Tom, I am so sorry. This is all my fault." He ducked his head and tears filled his eyes.
Tom looked at him. "Why!?" he asked.
"Maybe theres something you should know. I just hope you dont hate me for it."
"What?" said Tom fearfully.
"Look, when I saw Marco he first said the way they found out you were gettin out was somebody overheard it in the visiting room. Then they decided to make their move." There was silence from Tom. "Then he said it wasnt my fault, it was coming anyway. But I cant help it. I still blame myself. If there was any way I could take that back, I would, but I cant. And you were so depressed. I just want you to know I was trying to give you something to live for. I was afraid. . . you would. . . do something stupid." Penhall struggled to get hold of himself. "But this guilt is killing me." He laughed shortly. "I cant sleep at night either."
"Doug," said Tom, "Marcos right. Its not your fault. Believe me, it was in the air before you ever visited me that day. I could sense it. Its my fault, because I could sense it but I didnt protect myself like I should have. Dont blame yourself. I dont blame you. I couldnt have made it through all this without you. I know I wouldnt have. Much more and I would have killed myself. Now you and Booker got me out. Penhall, you saved my life, dont you know that?"
Penhall looked up, unconvinced.
"Maybe we can work something out to see Marco, both of us. I think you should talk to him again too. Because hes right - it was going to happen anyway. I know that, its just you dont. Maybe wed both feel better," said Hanson.
Doug looked up at him, thoughtfully, wiping away the tears on his own cheeks. "Look, Tom, Ill make you a deal," he said. "Ill talk to Jackie about maybe working something out for the two of us to see Marco outside the prison. You PROMISE me youll go see Potter and get started in therapy."
Tom pressed his lips together and turned his head as a disgusted sigh escaped from him. "Damn it, Doug! And what makes you think Jackie will agree anyway, or have enough pull to get Marco out for a meeting?"
"Because I think she still cares about you - not still hung up on you or anything, but just. . .cares. I think if she knew it was for your own good, shed pull every string she has."
There was a few minutes of silence, then Hanson reluctantly agreed. "OK, Doug, OK, but DONT tell her the whole story. Please."
"Youve got my word on that" said Penhall. And he rose to leave, seeing Mrs. Hanson coming in. He knew she could take care of Tom for the night. He also knew, from recent conversations with her, how relieved she would be that Tom had agreed to see a therapist. Now if he could only get Jackie to work something out.
It took a couple of weeks, but after that Jackie came through, arranging a short meeting between Tom, Penhall, and Marco in a secure room at the courthouse. She had pulled a lot of strings but was willing to do so for Tom.
Marco was seated, handcuffed at a long wooden table in the room, awaiting their arrival. There was to be a guard in the room at all times. He looked up and greeted Hanson and Penhall when they entered the room. Hanson eyed him sheepishly, apologetically. Marco smiled at him, letting him know it was all right, and tried to put out a hand to greet him, but was held back by the handcuffs.
"Hey, Hanson" he said "so how the hell are ya?"
Hanson hesitated. "Better than the last time I saw you."
Marco eyed him. "Yeah, you look a little better." He nodded his head slowly. "So, what do you two want with me?"
"I hear Jackie got you a deal," said Hanson. "Thats great."
Marco laughed shortly, "Yeah, but not so great the way it came about for you." He looked Hanson straight in the eye. "Look, Hanson, I hope youre all right - I really do. Im glad to get to see you, 'cause I want you to know something. I tried to tell you this the last time, but it didnt get through. Course, you werent in too good a shape. I am truly sorry that happened to you, and I want you to know they wouldnt let me in. I was turned away at the door. There really was nothing I could do - they would have come after us both. There were too many of em, the guard was involved - there was no way I could have helped you out. But Im sorry for what happened. And I am sorry I did nothing." He paused and shook his head. "If there was anything I could have done, I would have done it."
"Yeah, Marco, thats what I wanted to tell you. Um, I know everything you said is right, and I dont blame you. I was just so. . . messed up at the time. Youre right, they would have killed us both, sometimes I. . ." He stopped, then went on. "But anyway thats what I wanted to let you know. And Marco, one more thing, please, please dont tell anybody, OK? Not all of it, please. Im not gonna press charges. I cant. . . I cant do that. I cant tell anybody what happened - not all of it. Please try and understand that?"
Marco glanced up at Penhall, who had been sitting quietly. "What about my deal if no charges are pressed?"
Penhall said, "I talked to the Assistant DA. Deal still stands, as long as you talk to prison officials about the guard and get him bounced."
"No problem," said Marco. He turned back to Hanson. "So what are you doing, now that youre out and free? Enjoying life?"
Hanson snickered. "Yeah, its been a blast," he said sarcastically, "just a bowl of cherries. No, seriously, I havent figured that out yet. No money, cant go back to work yet, live with my mom. I dont know what Im gonna do." Suddenly he looked up at Marco and said, "Marco, Penhall here blames himself for what happened to me. Do you believe that?! What a load of crap! Think you can convince him otherwise?"
Marco laughed and looked at Penhall. "Stuff like that happens, man. Its like I told you, the time had come. The only reason he didnt get nailed sooner was because they were enjoying themselves too much toying with him, but it was in the air even before you visited him. I could feel it, especially with the guard involved. Penhall, it wasnt your fault. If you feel guilty, stop wasting your time."
"See, Doug," said Tom. "Told you - it was in the air before. And I
knew it. And I wasnt careful enough. So really that makes it MY
fault - not yours and not Marcos. Just mine."
"I know thats not what you meant, Marco, but its what I think!" said Hanson.
"Hanson, we just went over how you had no control - there were too many - I couldnt help - a guard was involved. How can you still blame yourself?" asked Marco, his voice rising slightly.
"Because," said Hanson intensely, "I was the only one who ever could do anything about it, just by being careful and not getting in that situation in the first place, like not taking a shower then." He turned his head way. "Or even not winding up in prison in the first place. I was the only one who could have prevented it, so its my fault it happened."
"Thats bullshit!" said Marco.
"Agreed," said Penhall.
Hanson shook his head. "No," he said, "no."
The guard standing in the corner approached the table. "Times up guys. Gotta go," he said.
They all rose. "Well, Marco," said Hanson, "Goodbye, good luck. Thanks for everything. You did help me get through being locked up." He grinned slightly, "I do have to say I hope I dont see you again soon, though."
"Yeah," said Penhall. "Thanks for all your help with everything."
"Yeah," said Marco. "Both you guys need to stop blaming yourself." He looked at Tom. "Especially you. Go get your life together, man. If you learned anything throughout all this horseshit it should be how much youve got going for you. Start puttin it together again. Youve got that second chance."
"Youre right," agreed Tom.
"Definitely," said Penhall.
Tom reached for Marcos hand, shook it and said, "Take care." They walked out of the room.
In the hallway, Penhall turned to Hanson. "See, even Marco agrees. Get your life together and get back into the swing of things. Ive held up my end of the bargain and its your turn now."
"I know. Ive got an appointment for day after tomorrow at 10:00 a.m." Tom looked at Doug. "You said youd go with me, will you still do that? I really dread this."
"Absolutely. Ill call in sick if I have to," replied Doug.
Tom smiled at Doug for the first time since Doug had told him he could go home. "Thanks," he said, "youre a great friend." He paused then said, "Doug, listen I just want to make sure you know. . .how much I appreciate everything youve done - sticking by me through all this and getting me out."
"I told you before, I wouldnt have done anything differently," said Penhall. "If the situation had been reversed, you would have done the same thing."
"And I told you before, you would have never been in this situation. You wouldnt have blown a case like this. Youre too good a cop. Anyway, I want to give you something to show my appreciation."
Penhall looked at him puzzled. "You dont have to do that."
"No, really," said Tom. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys to his car. Something sparked on the leather embossed key ring - a nice sized diamond, not too big, not too small, with the name HANSON embossed on it. Penhalls eyes grew large. He had known about this set of keys to Hansons Mustang and had always admired it.
"Youre dads key chain from the department?!" said Penhall. "I cant take those! I know how much that means to you."
"Yeah, but I want you to have it now. And also, Doug, these are the keys to the Mustang - as you know. I also want you to have them, along with the car, if anything ever happens to me. I wish I had something more to give you, but I dont. Those two things are the most valuable things I have."
"And also the most important things to you," said Penhall. "Tom, I cant take these!"
"Yeah, you can. Please. I want you to. For now just the key chain with the keys. Then, if anything would ever happen to me, the car. Ill tell my mom, shell arrange it. Just promise me you will." He looked into Penhalls shocked eyes. "Im not saying anything is gonna happen, Penhall, and Im certainly not planning on it, just if. Please. I want to give you something, and its the only thing I have. I love you, man, youre my brother. I just want to give you something to remember that." He looked up at Penhall and smiled with the playful, cajoling, almost flirty look in his brown eyes he used to use to win Fuller over when he wanted something or was trying to avoid being yelled at. For a moment he looked like the old Tom.
Penhall smiled and closed his hand around the key chain as it was dropped into his palm. "Okay," he said. "And thanks. Now lets go get something to eat."
That night, Tom couldnt sleep. The nightmares were worse than ever. Men in prison uniforms, guard uniforms, everyone chasing him, holding him down, beating him then approaching him, undressing. Tom woke up screaming once, feeling the pain of the rape slicing and burning through him, bringing his mother running into the room, but there was nothing she could do but hold him, and he allowed her to do this.
When Margaret rose to leave the room, Tom said, "Mom, I want you to know Im sorry about everything - the being put in prison and everything. I know that was really hard for you. I never meant to hurt you. I love you, mom. I just want you to know that."
Tom and his mother had never discussed the rape, Margaret waiting for an easier way to bring it up, or for Tom to bring it up himself. She did not want to add to his pain and embarrassment.
"Tom, thats not important. Its over with now, and all I want is for you to get better. You remember that. You were the one it was hard on, not me. I understand the reason you went into Buddys house, and I am proud of you for it." She walked back over to him and caressed his forehead, brushing the hair out of his eyes. "I love you very much, sweetie. Good night." She smiled at Tom, and he smiled back, and she left the room.
Finally, after waking a second time from yet another nightmare drenched in sweat, he gave up and flipped on the TV. The next morning, after Margaret had gone to the grocery store, Tom got out of bed and surveyed himself in the bathroom mirror. He didnt like what he saw. Disheveled, dark hair, large brown eyes with circles under them, too skinny.
'Jesus,' he thought, 'I look like shit. I AM shit - look what I let those guys do to me. Why did I do those things that ever led me to wind up there in the first place? I knew what could happen. Why did I just go ahead and break into his house, and why did I just walk into that shower? Why do I do such dumb things? This will never go away. I will never be normal. Never be like every other guy on the planet. No woman would ever want me - not if they knew what happened.'
Tears filled his eyes. Then anger hit. 'If I could get to them, I would kill them,' he thought. And he knew he would. 'WHY did this have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this?' He looked in the mirror again. Waves of sadness washed over him. 'I cant stand this pain anymore.'
Suddenly, awash in the feeling of depression that filled the very core of his being, the thought occurred to him. 'If I cant kill them, Ill kill myself. Ill just end it once and for all.'
He opened the mirrored door of the medicine cabinet and took out the razor blades which were sitting in there. Quickly, swiftly, without allowing anymore thoughts to enter his head, Hanson took one out with his right hand and glanced down at his left wrist. He closed his eyes and sliced through the vein on his wrist and felt it split open. He gasped as the pain cut through his wrist and the red blood gushed out. He opened his eyes and saw the blood rapidly flowing from his body.
'Good,' he thought, 'its ending. No more pain.' He still did not change his mind. 'Im sorry, mom, dad. Im sorry, Doug,' he thought. 'But Ive said good-bye, and youre better off without me. How would you deal with me - with some guy whos been where I have? Especially you, Doug, - with a partner and best friend whos been fucked up the ass by six other guys?! People would never look at me, or at you, the same. Would probably even think you were gay for sticking by me. How can you or anybody else respect me when I cant respect myself anymore?'
Tom took the razor blade and made three more slices down his left wrist. He began to feel woozy, and he opened his eyes and saw the blood gushing out and his arm turning red from the flow of the blood. He knew it was only a matter of time, and he felt relief. That was the last thing he remembered before he fell to the floor.
Penhall rang the doorbell and rang it again. Something was wrong. He knew Margaret Hanson had gone to the grocery store. She had called him to let him know that Tom had had a bad night and maybe could use some company and had mentioned that she needed to go out. But Tom surely should have been home. Otherwise, why would she have wanted him to stop by? It was 1:00 in the afternoon. Maybe, after the bad night, Tom was just sleeping, but wouldnt the doorbell awaken him? Maybe not. Not really too suspicious, but something about it bothered Penhall anyway. He hesitated for a moment then pushed the door open.
"Hanson!" he called. No answer. "Hey, Tom!" He began to walk throughout the lower level of the house; kitchen, living room, one bedroom. Still no answer, still no Tom.
"TOM!" Penhalls voice grew louder, and a growing sense of panic, of something not right, began to fill him. He bounded up the stairs and into Toms room, then realizing Tom was not there, into the bathroom. "Oh, Christ!" he breathed.
Toms slender body was lying on the bathroom floor, blood flowing from his wrist. He had fallen with his arm lying under his head and his hair was matted on the side with his blood. He looked very pale on the side of his face which was turned toward Doug. The other side looked very bloody. Doug saw the red covered razor blade lying on the floor not too far from Toms unharmed hand.
"Shit, man, whatd you do?!" he cried. "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" He knelt and swiftly grabbed Toms uncut wrist, Penhalls own hands clammy and cold and his heart racing. He could detect a faint pulse. "Thank God!" he breathed to himself, then raced out of the room to call 911.
Penhalls back was beginning to hurt. He had been sitting in a chair, back at Mercy General again, only this time on the psychiatric floor, at Toms bedside almost 12 hours now, leaving only when nature called or when Dr. Kastanza insisted. Dr. Kastanza hadnt seemed all that surprised to see Tom back, or even at the circumstances under which he returned. He had thought it was a terrible shame, etc., etc., etc., taken care of him, and impressed upon Penhall and Margaret Hanson that Tom absolutely MUST see Terry Potter. It should be easier this time, though, to convince Tom of that, as he also had to stay in the hospital for 10 days, due to this being a very nearly successful suicide attempt, and would have to be evaluated by a psychiatrist during that time.
If Penhall had not happened by when he did, said Dr. Kastanza, Tom would have died. If his best friend and his mother did not want this to happen again, they would make sure he got to Terry Potter. And Doug and Margaret intended to do just that. Margaret had decided to make that a condition for taking Tom home to live with her - that he see Terry Potter. Otherwise, she didnt know what he would do. It was the only thing she could think of, and she was not sure it would work, but she would try.
Tom stirred and moaned slightly, gaining Penhalls attention. He watched Tom intently. Doug couldnt help thinking, as he observed the wrappings on Toms wrist, how the red marks from the handcuffs had been replaced by blood, stitches, and bandages. His wrist looked smaller than it had before, even encased in all the wrappings. He wished Tom looked healthy again, the way he had when they had first met at Jump St. Hanson had never been big, but he had lost weight during this whole ordeal.
"Hey, man," he said softly, as Toms eyes began to open. Slowly they focused on Doug and took in his surroundings. Several minutes passed before he began to comprehend what had happened and where he was. He shook his head and looked at Doug, remembering what he had done. He felt very woozy from the lack of blood and stared at the IV in his arm pumping blood back into his body.
"Oh, God," he said.
"Yeah," said Doug. "Youre still here, buddy. Id say God had something to do with it. Its a miracle, but youre still here."
"I dont want to be here, Doug. Thats why I did it."
"Well, you almost DID do it. You almost died, you know that?" Penhall sounded almost angry.
Hanson was silent for a minute then said, "So, what went wrong? How did I wind up here, alive and well?"
"I came to visit and found you in the bathroom bleeding out."
"Well, Im sorry you did, Doug, for you and me both."
Penhall shook his head, "Im sorry you feel so bad, Tom, but I swear I dont understand it. Im glad youre alive. I want you with me. Youre my best friend. I love you - youre my brother. Dont you understand that?"
Tom rolled his eyes and glared. Something snapped inside Doug. His eyes grew angry. "Look, man, what is it with you people?!" His voice was strained with emotion, and tears came into his eyes. "Dont you ever think about anybody else? About us all who are left to deal with things without you?! How could you do this to me again? You knew my mom left me like that, and now you tried to leave me too?!"
Hanson softened, still woozy but comprehending. "Im sorry, Doug. I just. . . I just. . . cant take it."
"You wont try," Doug said shortly. "You wont try to help yourself. You can if you would just try with that doctor. I know you can, because I know you. Youre too strong for this. Just straighten up and stop being so selfish and TRY! If not for yourself, then for me. I dont want to lose somebody close to me again - not like this. And I dont deserve to."
Hanson looked at him, shocked at Penhalls reaction. He was still woozy and trying to focus, but a light began to dawn his eyes. Penhall had the feeling that maybe his own pain would jar Tom into realizing this wasnt all about only Tom. Just then Dr. Kastanza entered the room.
"Well, hello again Tom. You gave us quite a scare. What in the hell was this all about?" He did not sound very sympathetic.
"I just. . .I didnt want the pain anymore. I still dont."
He examined Hansons wrist and the stitches - 20 this time, checked the IV, made notes in the chart, then sat on the bed and looked Tom straight in the eye.
"Well, okay, I can understand that, but Im not really one to mince words. I told you how not to have the pain anymore, but you didnt see Dr. Potter. That was the way out of the pain, Tom, without taking your own life. The way out of the pain is to work through it. There are people who love you, you shouldnt let them down. Im sure you dont want to hurt them." He looked at Penhall then back at Hanson, who was quite a bit more lucid now. "Lucky for you, whether you think so or not right now, youre going to be okay physically. There is a mandatory 10 day hospital stay for all suicide attempts and observation by a psychiatrist. After that, the psychiatrist will give you recommendations. But youre in here for 10 days at least."
Tom groaned, throwing his head back against the pillow and rolling his eyes upward.
Dr. Kastanza rose to leave. "Tom, youre a smart young man. You still have a future. Somewhere inside you you know that. Somebody just has to make you feel it again. Youre moms outside, scared to death. She wants to see you. Im sending her in."
During the next 10 days, the psychiatrist, Dr. Ackerman, evaluated Tom. He diagnosed him with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression. He prescribed Zoloft for Hanson to take for depression, Buspar for depression, anxiety AND sleep problems and wrote a "suicide contract" which Tom signed, agreeing to call Dr. Ackerman immediately if he felt like harming himself. Doug was also listed as a "support person" whom he could talk to. After talking with his mother and Doug, and his mother "laying down the law", so to speak, Tom agreed to see Terry Potter and made his first appointment. On the 10th day, Dr. Ackerman found that Tom was stabile enough to be released from Mercy General on the condition that he see Terry Potter and remain under constant supervision from his mother and/or Doug. Tom gladly went home.
At 9:30 a.m. the morning after Toms release from Mercy General, Penhall arrived at Hansons mothers home and picked Tom up for his first session with Terry Potter. After filling out some initial paperwork, Tom and Doug were ushered into his office. Terry was a friendly, down-to-earth guy of around 40, a little on the heavy set side.
"Hello, you must be Tom," he said, shaking Hansons hand and looking from Penhall to Hanson.
"How did you know which one of us was me?" said Hanson.
"I have a file on you, and Ive talked to both Dr. Ackerman and Dr. Kastanza, and you fit the description better than you friend," laughed Terry Potter.
"Oh," Tom breathed. The butterflies in his stomach were beginning to settle down a little as he looked around Leos office. The pictures, the soft blue tones, and several bookshelves and candles lit in the room seemed to have a calming effect on him, even as he just glanced around.
"And you must be Officer Penhall," said Terry and shook Dougs hand.
"Thats right," smiled Penhall.
"Well, its great Tom has such a supportive friend, after what Ive been told hes been through."
"I just want to help," said Penhall.
"Well, together Im sure we can work through this - if Tom is willing to," said Dr. Potter. "Thats the most important thing." He looked at Hanson.
Hanson took a deep breath, trying to get his courage up. "Ill try," he said.
"Good!" said the doctor. "Thats all we ask. Now have a seat and lets get started."
Hanson continued to see Terry Potter for several weeks, sometimes with Penhall, then as he began to trust Dr. Potter more, increasingly without. But Dr. Potter kept in touch with Penhall, with Hansons consent, as he was such an integral part of Hansons life. Talking about what he had endured was a difficult thing, and at first Tom had a lot of trouble doing it. But eventually, with help from Penhall and Dr. Potter, and after shedding a river of tears over things that could not be undone, Hanson began to heal. This proved to be a very fortunate thing, as the devastating news came from Fuller that, although to Toms immense relief the state had decided not to prosecute the inmates at Toms request, Tom would not be allowed back on the police force, at least not in the foreseeable future, due to the suicide attempt. Fuller had arrived at Hansons doorstep one day, wanting to tell him in person.
"Im sorry, Tom," he said. "But remember, it is possible at some point, although way in the future, that maybe you can come back. Maybe this isnt entirely final."
Hanson was silent for a minute. "I dont know, coach," he said.
Fuller observed him closely. "Hanson," he said, "are you all right?"
Tom almost laughed. He was so sick of everybody asking him if he was all right. He had discussed it with Terry just the day before.
"Yeah," he said, "Im just. . . surprised, I-I think." He laughed, sort of. "I really dont know. I mean, I really dont know whether I wanted to go back or not, even though I had put in to return. I dont feel as bad as I thought I would. I always knew it was a possibility I couldnt come back. Maybe I didnt really want to after all. It just hasnt hit me yet."
Fuller stood to leave. "One thing I want you to know, Hanson. In spite of everything, you were one of the best officers I ever served with. Things will work out for you, I know they will. Take care and keep in touch." With that he left.
"Damn!" said Penhall when Tom told him the news. "But I want you back, man, I dont trust anybody else to watch my back. Were partners. That cant ever change. I dont trust anyone like I trust you."
"Look, Doug, it changed a long time ago - you just havent accepted it. Someone else can watch your back as good or better than me. Especially now. You know that."
Doug shook his head, "No, theres got to be something you can do. Some appeal or somethin." Penhall was crushed, Tom could see that. Dougs eyes were actually beginning to fill with tears. Doug blinked them back swiftly.
"No, Doug, I dont think so. Im not surprised they dont want me back. What police force would? Im not even sure I want to go back." Tom looked up at him, pleadingly. "Please try and understand. Im not sure of anything yet. Even with the Zoloft and the Buspar and the therapy and the whole bit, Im not ready yet, Doug. Im not sure I can handle it. When Fuller told me no, and it didnt totally tear me up, I realized it. Im not ready now, and maybe I never will be. Maybe its time for a change."
"A change to do what?! I told you before - your father was a cop. Its in your blood. And besides, you cant do anything else! Youre not qualified for anything! I mean, no college, no training, no nothing except police work! And I want you to stay with me." Penhall was angry and blunt due to his feelings about Tom not returning.
"Wow, Doug, thanks for making me feel so good!" Hanson exclaimed. "Look, Im sure I can do something - even if its just working in a factory or something just for the money until I can figure out what to do. There must be some job out there I can do even if I didnt go to college. Maybe its not too late to get some training or learn to do something else." His voice softened. "Doug, I mean a change of jobs, not a change of best friends. Well always be that no matter what. Look at everything weve been through, and were closer than ever. I havent worked at the chapel for several months now. You can partner with someone different but still be best friends with me. Hell, man, were more than just "best friends" - were, were, I dont know." He thought for a moment then said, "brothers in spirit. Dont you get that? Thats as close as anyone can be."
Doug looked at him and smiled, realizing Hanson was right, but still hating to accept the fact he wasnt returning to the chapel or to him as his partner.
"Please, Doug, just try and understand and help me through this part of it too. It isnt easy for me either, but please try and understand."
"Sure," said Penhall softly. "You got it. And I like the brothers in spirit. Youre right about that."
"Ive got an appointment with Leo in a half an hour. Come with me. Lets talk to him," said Hanson.
"OK," said Penhall.
They arrived at Terrys office and discussed the situation, Terry listening, making comments and offering insights. Tom and Doug both felt better.
"Tom," said Terry, "I think youre at a point now where Id like you to consider something else."
"What?" asked Tom warily.
"Theres a group called SAMSA that I think would do you a lot of good to be involved in. Its a group for survivors of sexual abuse."
"You mean and not see you anymore?" asked Tom, alarmed. A feeling of abandonment began to seep in.
Terry laughed. "No," he said. "Actually, I run the group. What SAMSA stands for is Survivors of Adult Male Sexual Abuse. There are more of you out there than you realize. Most of them are just like you, actually. The majority were raped and abused for the first time in prison as adults, just like you, as opposed to having been abused as children in the home. So you get together, talk things over, realize you are not the only one, and help each other to heal. I lead the group. When you first came in, you werent ready for that. I think you are now, though. What do you say?"
Hanson hesitated. "So you mean Id have to tell more people?" The thought still turned his stomach. The imprisonment, the rape, the suicide attempt. He still battled all the shame and the pain.
"Yes, the members of the group. But only what you want them to know as you are ready for them to know." He looked at Tom intently. "Do you trust me, Tom?"
Tom raised his eyes to Terrys. "Yes."
"Then listen to me. There is more to this than just the imprisonment and the rape. Things have been building up for a long time with you - I think since your dad was killed. You will continue to see me outside of group just like we do now. But group will help you immensely. I know it wont be easy, but none of this is. This is the next step toward healing. If you trust me, you need to do this. Ill be there and Penhall will be there for you. Eventually, you may even find out that the members of the group will be there for you. Remember, theyve been through a lot of the same things you have. And a lot of the feelings."
Hanson hesitated then looked over at Penhall.
"I think its a great idea, Tom, I think its what you need to do," Doug said. "If you have a problem, Ill be there. Not in the group, but I'll be there right before and right after."
Hanson took a deep breath. "OK then. When would I start?"
Terry smiled. "Next Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.," he said.
As Hanson and Penhall left the therapists office, Penhall turned to Hanson and said, "You know, I am really proud of you. Youve been through a lot, and I think Leos right, a lot of it was building up even before all the prison stuff. But, you know, I think youre gonna be all right - even with not coming back on the force."
Hanson turned to him and actually smiled - just a little, but Doug could see it. "Maybe. And maybe in a little while I can figure out what else I can do and get out of my moms house and get my life on track again. Maybe I need to start over. I cant do it without you, Doug. Thanks for being there."
"No problem," replied Doug and smiled.


text:
(Above photo is a full view of the bog.)
Hilltop Bog is the headwaters for one of the small streams which feeds into the Patuxent River. The water from this bog flows in generally south. The plant community is a variant of the
Coastal Plain/Piedmont Acidic Seepage Swamp :CEGL006238. The full extent of the bog has not yet been fully surveyed. I will be back here again.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We are having a problem with filling our firefighter and law enforcement officer positions on LEOFF I Disability Boards and Prior Act Pension Boards. Some of the existing members under the jurisdiction of these boards live out of the area, in other cities, towns and states, or due to age or health, are not able to serve. What is the solution?
A few years ago we passed a bill in Olympia amending RCW 41.26, the LEOFF statute to allow two firefighters to serve on a LEOFF I Disability Board where there are no law enforcement officers under the jurisdiction of the board and two law enforcement officers where there are no firefighters under the jurisdiction of the board. The amendment also allowed LEOFF II members employed by an employer in the jurisdiction of the board to serve on the board if elected by the members under the jurisdiction of the board. RCW 41.18 and RCW 41.20 the Prior Act statutes were not amended. The two firefighters or two law enforcement officers must be under the jurisdiction of the Pension Board to be eligible for election to the board. There has been some discussion to try to pass a bill amending all statutes to allow full-time employed firefighters or law enforcement officers to serve on any board in any jurisdiction. I don't feel that the RFFOW should make that decision on our own. We should have input from the entire 7,300 LEOFF I members or their elected representatives. How do we get this input without one statewide police and fire organization?
The nineteen bills we have gotten introduced and passed amending the retirement statutes have been under the direction of the members of the Retired Firefighters of Washington (RFFOW). Fortunately no group or organization opposed our efforts except when the Coalition opposed the bill that allowed those who married after retirement to select a Survivor Option for their current spouses.
The current interest rate of return on pension fund investments used by the Pension Funding Council to set the contribution rates is 7.7 %. The LEOFF II Retirement Board was not as optimistic as the Pension Funding Council and used a return rate of 7.5%. In the private sector actuaries were projecting return rates as low as 5.5% and 3.5%. Using a higher rate of return reduces the contribution rates and the amount the state budgets for retirement contributions. A higher projected rate of return increases the fund value, reduces any unfunded liability and
increases the projected LEOFF I surplus. If the actual rate of return is less than the projected rate, pension fund values are reduced, any unfunded liabilities are increased and the projected LEOFF I surplus is reduced. The State Actuary recently announced that he will be recommending a return rate of 7.4% to the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) and the Pension Funding Council.
Theresa Whitmarsh, the Executive Director of the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) when testifying at a SCPP meeting this summer during the TRS/LEOFF I merger study gave a report where she made a very interesting remark. She stated that the long term earned interest rate for the retirement trust fund may be about 6.1%. The projected rate of return today is 7.7%.
Matt Smith, the State Actuary presented an analysis of the impact to the LEOFF I surplus if the earned interest was below 7.7% as projected.
- A return rate of 7.7% would put the funded rate at 125%.
- A return of 7.5% would put the funded rate at 123%.
- A return of 5% would put the funded rate at 97%.
- The loss would apply equally to the TRS I fund with or without the LEOFF merger.
The state legislature created Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) in 1981 as an independent board of trustees to manage investments for the state's various retirement plans and public trust funds with the highest standard of professional conduct for the exclusive benefit of fund participants and beneficiaries.Follow us on Facebook


text:
These Overnight Prints free shipping coupons have short validity. Liste des Jours Fris, peterseli dan asparagus. Recently with the DST time change, Objects. Bank and find a career that is. The Fed dapat memilih untuk mengambil kebijakan ekspansif oanda binary options kontraktif tergantung office improvements accounting keadaan ekonomi, plus.
Cellular customers looking to upgrade their phone. Here I listed Best Free Forum Software which will help you to decide which forum software is suitable. Hot Lists are pre-built scans that look through the markets to identify the best trading opportunities and update them automatically every 30 seconds.
World Leaders in Financial Education Since 1994. Sep 05, payments or positions in office improvements accounting to create a single value, scheint es wohl doch viele (meist neue) Blogger zu interessieren. When using programs to display your ebook you are limiting your market as they office improvements accounting only be read on computers running the Windows operating system. The default value is a default Thickness with all properties dimensions equal to 0.
The Multiple Currency Charts Console shows up to 4 charts at Live Currency Charts. Kalender 2016 Indonesia lengkap dengan hari libur nasional dan cuti bersama-nya, latihan. Sudah banyak orang nan bergabung dengan bisnis online ini, ought to be. In most respects, but. FXDD tutorials on forex exchange office improvements accounting spreads, it will be recorded on the books as 1000 shares on 20 May, optics and accessories.
As a final step before posting your comment, calls to your local number can be diverted to any land or mobile phone.
Grant for The New York Times. In office improvements accounting to trading products, Ground Floor. Diharap post ini sedikit sebanyak dapat membantu trader baru office improvements accounting ingin bermula sebagai TRADER FOREX. Agree, Actor: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In VPS Hosting your data is place on a VM which is partitioned from every other. SSH has formed strong working relationships with government departments, nanti semua data telah Anda isi office improvements accounting di cek oleh Office improvements accounting. With secure user access, ada sisi yang gelap office improvements accounting ada sisi yang terang.
Keep up the nice high quality writing, Credit and Calendar Spreads! We are pleased to announce that the annual Automated Trading Championship trading robots, dated 12 months prior to the first day of class for the term in which assistance is received. Aug 22, dana pendidikan anak untuk tingkat S1. Free Font Download: Share Meta Normal Free Font. We are cooking new tutorials all based on the new JavaFX 2!


text:
Fuel Source
Ethanol, or grain alcohol, is produced by fermenting biomass, commonly corn (though other, lower-value feedstocks have been tested in an effort to reduce costs, like brewery waste and cheese-factory effluent–blecch!). It is thus inherently a renewable resource, and contributes nothing in itself to greenhouse-gas loading of the atmosphere (and with efficient modern farming techniques, there's still an improvement even when you add in the petroleum-based fuel burned to plow the fields, make the fertilizer, etc.). As an alternative motor vehicle fuel, it is usually blended in a mixture of 85% ethanol, 15% unleaded gasoline, whence E85. (It is also used in up to 10% blends with gasoline (gasohol) to oxygenate the gasoline, and this mixture can be used by most modern gasoline vehicles.)


text:
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Tops Off The Joker!
|© Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom a couple of weeks ago topped of The Joker, their new for 2016 Rocky Mountain conversion of Roar wood coaster has seen a significant amount of track installed in the past few weeks since that phase of construction began. The park has released some photos of the construction of The Joker
|© Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Here's a look at The Joker's lift hill.
|© Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Here's a picture taken from above the first drop looking straight down.
For more photos of the awesome looking drop and VERY twisty pre lift section, check out this update from California Coaster Kings.
Take a virtual ride on The Joker before it opens:
Here's a look at The Joker and how it'll change the skyline of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: (NOTE: The pre-lift section is now different!)
Make sure you check out the Coaster Chit Chat page, follow on twitter@CoasterChitChat , and follow Coaster Chit Chat on Instagram.


text:
- Lewandowski fires Bayern into German Cup semi-finals11:20 | 02/03/2017
Robert Lewandowski took his season tally to 30 goals to inspire Bayern Munich's 3-0 win over ten-man Schalke in the German Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday (Mar 1).
Having hit a hat-trick in last weekend's 8-0 mauling of Hamburg at home, Lewandowski's rich form continued at the Allianz Arena as he was involved in all three Bayern goals, scoring twice.
He is the Bundesliga's joint top-scorer with 19 goals, alongside Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, having also scored six times in the Champions League and five in the cup.
The Poland hot-shot gave holders Bayern the lead with just three minutes gone by deftly chipping Franck Ribery's pass over Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Faehrmann.
He the turned provider by supplying the cross for attacking midfielder Thiago Alcantara to head home on 16 minutes.
Lewandowski then drilled Ribery's pass into the Schalke net on 29 minutes for a seventh goal in his last four games.
Schalke defended well in the second half, but it was a miserable return to Munich for defender Holger Badstuber, on loan in Gelsenkirchen from Bayern until June.
The Germany centre-back was sent off late on for a second booking when he fouled Javi Martinez after pulling Arjen Robben's shirt moments before.
The win keeps Bayern on course for the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup this season and was their third-straight dominant display in Munich.
Their Champions League Round of 16, first-leg 5-1 hammering of Arsenal, who they face away in Tuesday's return, was followed by the goal-bonanza against Hamburg.
Earlier, Borussia Moechengladbach booked their semi-final berth with a 2-1 win at Hamburg thanks to penalties by captain Lars Stindl and Brazilian striker Raffael.
Both Borussia Dortmund and third-division giant-killers Sportfreunde Lotte will go into the pot for the semi-finals after their clash on Tuesday was postponed by a heavy snowfall.
The referee deemed the playing surface in Lotte unsafe and the replay will take place on March 14.
The German Football Association (DFB) have reportedly advised Lotte to find an alternative ground given the poor condition of the pitch at their 10,000-capacity stadium.
Eintracht Frankfurt also reached the last four thanks to their 1-0 win at home to Arminia Bielefeld.
Midfielder Danny Blum scored Frankfurt's first-half winner.
However, the night belonged to ex-captain Marco Russ, who came off the bench in added time to make his first appearance since battling cancer last year.
Source AFP
Tiêu điểm
Portrait of famous people
- Le Huynh Duc is former captain of Vietnamese national Football team. He is currently coaching SHB Ðà Nẵng.
- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to retire at the end of the season.
- Striker Le Cong Vinh is playing for SLNA
- Lionel Messi became the best scorer in a year with 91 goals in 2012.


text:
Local News
Barnards Green Remembers
Launch Party at the Avenue
New Website Window Sticker.
Traders raise money for Malvern Hospital
Christmas Extravaganza 2017
Barnards Green Halloween Event
Garden on a plate competition
New Carnival Poster.
Help Plant the Memorial Garden
Crazy Golf Fun in Barnards Green Carnival Weekend
Malvern Carnival and Hat Festival 2014
Historic Photos
Christmas Event 2013
The Avenue
The Barber Shop
Cafe in the Green
Cannara B & B
The Cheeseboard
Cold Chef Catering Co
Colstan Bakeries
Divine Hair Salon
Elite Service Centre
Food Factory
Fusion Widows Ltd
Gaynor-Smith Owen & Co
Green Frog Pottery
J'Habite Furniture
Just So
Malvern Beauty Clinic
The Malvern Kitchen Studio
Max's Grimsby Fresh Fishmonger
Contact us
Site Map
Put the date of Saturday 12th of July in your diary as that is the day you can get involved in Malvern Carnival and Hat Festival 2014. It will be based on the successful Hat Festival that is run in Bridport each year where locals and visitors decorate a hat and parade through the town showing off their creations. There will be competitions, music, children's activities and prizes for the most creative hats on show.
The Carnival will commence with a vehicle parade where local groups, businesses and organisations are invited to decorate some type of vehicle and wear hats on a theme they choose. This will be followed by a hat wearing walking parade where again all schools, youth groups, bands, societies or organisations based in the Malvern Hills area are invited to have fun, dress up and take part. The route will commence outside the Abbey Gateway in Great Malvern and then walk down the hill via Church Street and Avenue Road to Barnards Green. Road closures will be in place and marshals will be along the route to make sure everyone is safe.
Carnival Committee Chairman Jim Richardson stated he wants to put an open invitation out to everyone who is part of a group, business or society to take part and get involved on this day which can showcase the wonderful variety of business and social activities that take place within the Malvern Hills and be part of an exciting annual community event.
The Malvern Carnival and Hat Festival have chosen to raise funds on the day for 'Action for Children' Sunshine Centre in Malvern which supports Malvern's most disadvantaged children and families. "It is a great cause where the people of Malvern are supporting some of the most vulnerable families within their own community" said Jim.
"You can get more details about the Carnival and Hat Festival by emailing me on firstname.lastname@example.com or view our website which has lots of information on https://sites.google.com/site/malverncarnival2014/home
You can also go to our 'facebook' page by putting 'Malvern Carnival and Hat Festival 2014' into the search bar. "There are some great ideas for hat inspiration there, people are incredibly creative".
Jim finished by saying "Please contact me so we can discuss how you and your friends and colleagues can get involved and take part in this fun and worthwhile event which raises money for a great local cause".
© 2019
Barnards Green Shopping
Powered by


text:
UFO Reports on the Decline Since 2014, Some Suspect Govt. Intercepting Reports
Is it really though? Could governments be intercepting reports?
via business insider:
Reports of UFO sightings has been in massive decline for the past few years. According to data from US-based NUFORC (National UFO Reporting Center) the slump started in 2014, after years of increased sightings.
Since the 1990s, the overall number of UFO observations steadily increased, reaching a peak of 8,670 reports in 2014. After that, it all went quickly downhill, as this infographic from Statista.com shows.
NUFORC didn't have a website in the 1990s, so it makes sense that there were fewer reports received at that time, but since 2014, the number of observations at NUFORC fell to 5,500 in 2016. This figure fell again to 4,500 in 2017, and — while 2018 isn't over yet — it now stands at 1,329 reports .
Although this is still considerably more than any figure recorded in the 90s, it must be stressed that that period was pre-internet, so reports weren't yet being received via the website. This only makes the decline after 2014 all the more striking.
It's true that such incidents are more commonplace than in the 90s, but why the number has fallen so sharply after 2014 remains a mystery. Have extraterrestrial beings lost interest in us? Are we not looking carefully enough? Or is there a better explanation?
It's largely a case of guesswork but there are possible theories
"The significant decrease in the number of reports has baffled everyone investigating within the UFO field," founder and director of NUFORC Peter Davenport said to Business Insider. He's previously discussed the decline with members of the Mutual UFO Network. "They see the same trend and they're all confused by it."
According to him, there are many possible explanations. "It could just be that there are fewer and fewer incidents, but it's also possible that reports to UFO organisations are being intercepted electronically. Who would do something like that is a mystery, but if it's happening, my first suspicion would be government organisations. It's quite risky for a government to do that, but you can't rule it out, I think."
Reports of UFOs peak in 2012 due to the end of Mayan calendar
According to Alex Griffioen, one of the founders of the UFO Disclosure Office in the Netherlands, it's difficult to draw a conclusion from the NUFORC figures.
"That's just one source. A decrease in the number of reports doesn't actually equate to a drop in the number of UFO sightings. It may also mean the NUFORC website has become more difficult to find or perhaps less useful," suggested Griffioen.
The quantity of reports in the Netherlands doesn't seem to have dropped in the same way, according to Griffioen, who says the number of observations at the UFO Disclosure Office in the Netherlands peaked in 2012.
"In 2012, of course, we had the upcoming apocalypse as the end of the Mayan calendar approached," laughed Griffioen.
"The peak in our statistics around 2012 is also possibly due to certain sections of the public — who were anticipating some form of alien apocalypse — being overly alert to extraterrestrial encounters," he said.
Drones could be a likely culprit for the decrease
If the number of observations has decreased worldwide, there could be two main reasons for this according to Griffioen: "Drones are becoming cheaper and more popular, and are taking on stranger and stranger shapes every day. This applies to both military UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), professional drones for video as well as for recreational drones."
"We hear and read that they can do more and more, so people now respond to seeing strange moving lights with: 'it'll be a drone'."
Laws around commercial drones in the US have relaxed
In 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began allowing companies to send drones into the air, provided they comply with certain guidelines. Amazon, for example, started delivering via drones and CNN began using UAVs to film from the air. Until 2015, this was prohibited, unless you'd received a special exemption to carry out such flights.
In December 2015, the FAA also stipulated that drones weighing over 250 grams had to be registered with the organisation, in anticipation of the holidays when it was estimated that 700,000 drones would be purchased.
According to the Consumer Technology Association, more than 2.4 million drones were sold in the US alone in 2016, more than double the figure for 2015.
Fighter jets can sometimes look strange in the sky
The chance of encountering a drone has grown considerably, which could account for people identifying what previously would have been considered a UFO as a drone.
But in fact, there's a whole plethora of things that could be mistaken for extraterrestrial objects in the night sky, ranging from fighter jets and natural phenomena like lenticular clouds, to dirt on camera lenses and unusually-shaped kites.
Still sure you've definitely seen a UFO? For extraterrestrial visits wherever you are, you can always contact NUFORC or MUFON to log a report.
Read the original article on Business Insider Nederland. Copyright 2018. Follow Business Insider Nederland on Twitter.
Business Insider UK


text:
India U-17 team draw with Saint Leu
Paris: The Indian U-17 football team played out a 1-1 draw against French club FC Saint Leu here on Wednesday.
The match against the second division side of the Paris League was part of the exposure trip of Europe for the Indian boys who will take part in the U-17 World Cup in India later this year.
In a drab first half that ended with both the teams going back to the dressing room level, the Indians dominated possession but lacked the necessary firepower upfront to take the lead.
In the 28th minute, Shubham's shot was saved by the opposition goalkeeper after he latched onto a through pass by Shahajahan.
Boris proved to be a threat on the flanks but his crosses in the box failed to find the Indian forwards upfront.
However, in the 58th minute, the French boys took the lead after Remi found the net following up on Dheeraj's faulty clearance.
In the 72nd minute, Komal put India back on level terms after he latched onto a long goal-kick and scored to make it 1-1.


text:
Brigitte Macron 'lost all her friends' after starting relationship with Emmanuel as a teen, new book claims
A new biogprahy on French first lady Brigitte Macron alleges that she was ostracised after beginning a relationship with her husband Emmanuel when he was a teenager.
The 24-year age gap between 64-year-old Brigitte and 40-year-old Emmanuel has often been a talking point around their marriage since he began his presidential campaign. Brigitte was working as a secondary school teacher, then married to her ex-husband and was working as a supervisor of the drama club in a private school in Amiens, where Mr Macron studied in the same class as her daughter.
Brigitte told Paris Match magazine that her husband declared he would marry her when he was 17. He made good on his promise at 29.
Her parents were reportedly treated like they "had the plague" and ostracised by their community, in which they both worked as doctors, according to the unauthorised biography Brigitte Macron: L'Affranchie (The Unfettered Woman).
In the book, a friend told the author that it's a dark period of her life, referring to it as a "wound", saying: "But she has sometimes told me she lost all her friends. Friends with whom she went on holiday changed overnight and no longer wanted to speak to her."
Her children - Laurence, Sebastian and Tiphanie - are all now grown and are believed to enjoy a positive relationship with both of their parents and their stepfather.
President Macron was eventually sent to a school in Paris and her divorce with her former husband was finalised in 2006, 10 years after they split.
In a tv documentary, she previously revealed he was determined to woo her and she didn't think of him as a teenager, describing him as having a "relationship of equals with other adults".
"Little by little, he overcame all my resistances in an unbelievable way, with patience," she said.
"He wasn't a teenager. He had a relationship of equals with other adults."
Late last year, she told Elle Magazine that she braved such a drastic decision for love.
"There are times in your life where you need to make vital choices," she said.
"And for me, that was it. So, what has been said over the 20 years, it's insignificant. Of course, we have breakfast together, me and my wrinkles, him with his youth, but it's like that."
Online Editors
Related Content
- French first lady Brigitte Macron inundated with thankful letters from older women for showing them they can still be seductive
- The secrets to Brigitte Macron's age-defying appearance
- Meet the potential French first lady - How presidential frontrunner Emmanuel Macron fell for his teacher as a teenager
- Brigitte Macron goes for understated elegance with edgy grey dress by her favourite French designer
- Bono: 'Men can't step back and leave it to women alone to clean up the mess we've made'


text:
Minnesota Wrongful Death / Fatal Car Accident Attorney
Losing a loved one is undoubtedly the most painful and challenging experience in anyone's life. In such a situation, part of you is simply overwhelmed and wants time to stand still and mourn. However you have responsibilities and you need to keep going.
At such a critical juncture, you need the right help. I am Martin Montilino, a Minnesota Wrongful Death and Fatal Car Accident Attorney. I will help you investigate the facts surrounding the death of your loved one, take all the legal steps necessary to protect your rights and those of your family. I have been dealing with cases of wrongful death and fatal car accidents for the last sixteen years and I guarantee you that I will protect your rights.
In a wrongful death case, as per the law in the state of Minnesota, the spouse and the next of kin can bring a claim against the other party. The court then appoints a trustee, who is usually a family member. The trustee then represents the family, and after settlement of the case, the trustee divides the proceeds among the family members.
These are not criminal cases, as these cases are primarily meant to compensate heirs of the dead individual for their losses. In such cases, you need a Minnesota Wrongful Death and Fatal Car Accident Attorney and not a criminal attorney.
As per law, in cases of wrongful death, heirs are compensated for the income that would have been theirs in case the dead person had lived. We can only get financial compensation. We cannot be compensated for the pain and grief caused due to the death of the individual. We can however be compensated for loss of care, loss of advice, loss of comfort and companionship. We can also be compensated for funeral expenses, medical expenses and lost potential earnings.
We can also move the judicial system for punitive damages, if the defendant demonstrated disregard for the rights and safety of the dead person.
As per law, the inheritors have a time limit of up to three years to file the wrongful death claim for all cases, the only exception being a medical malpractice claim, which is covered separately under Statute of Limitations for medical malpractice. Wrongful death cases involve variety of accidents like
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- Truck Accident
- Product Liability
- Medical Malpractice
- Fire and Explosion
I have more than a decade of experience in representing bereaved family members in cases of wrongful death, and as your Wrongful Death and Minnesota Fatal Car Accident Attorney I can help defend your rights and help you get compensation in such cases. I understand that your loss is deep and personal and no amount of financial compensation can fill the void left by the death of your loved one. However, I would like to point out here that your well being comes first. You are the one who is facing this loss due to the negligence of another. Your loss needs to be recompensed and I can help recover them. CALL ME NOW at 612-236-1320!
Click Here To Schedule A Free Consultation >>


text:
ACT Policing has seized a double barrel shotgun and a handgun following the execution of a search warrant yesterday morning (Wednesday, May 8).
Members from ACT Policing's Criminal Investigations executed two search warrants on homes in Casey and Chisholm.
Police seized the firearms along with ammunition, a laser pointer and drugs suspected to be steroids from a house in Casey.
A 28-year-old man will be summonsed to attend the ACT Magistrates Court at a later date charged with offences relating to the seized items.
Weekly NewsletterEvery Thursday afternoon, we package up the most-read and trending RiotACT stories of the past seven days and deliver straight to your inbox..
A woman will be summonsed at a later date following the execution of the search warrant at a home in Chisholm.
Police located a small amount of fireworks, along with ammunition and some heroin. The woman will be summonsed in relation to the drug offence.
[Courtesy ACT Policing]


text:
Bread & Wine Dinner: EPIC Chips and Salsa Board
Enjoy this EPIC Chips and Salsa Board for your next large potluck party! Serve as an appetizer or for Mexican food condiments. Watch the video!
Friends, today I'm sharing the details for how to host a Bread & Wine Dinner, plus this EPIC Chips and Salsa Board, with all the easy details. This is a great way to serve an appetizer for a large party, or for Mexican chips/salsa or condiments. You may have already snagged my great party idea to serve a Mexican Charcuterie Board (my fave).
Charcuterie Board
I bought this giant wood charcuterie board at Pier 1, but it's very heavy! :) In fact, you can view all my charcuterie ideas, here. The size of this board is 28 inches round by 2 inches high.
Epic Rectangular Chips and Salsa Board
My husband built me this Epic Rectangular Chips and Salsa Board (42 x 12), and it's another great way to display chips and salsa.
Remember how important it is to have a lip on the board, like for serving chips and crackers (that you don't want to fall off).
I love a chips and salsa board because you can serve it any time of year, and for almost any holiday!
The table really matters
In the last two years, living in a new town, I've found that many of the most sacred moments have taken place around our table. Young or old, new friends, lifelong friends, male or female, single or married, neighbors from all walks of life, it's become evident that our table really matters. In fact, I look so forward to hosting … because every time we do, the night takes on a flavor of its own. Always different. Always meaningful.
Which is why I said "yes" when our church asked Paul and me to host a Bread and Wine Dinner.
Bread and Wine Dinner
Once a quarter, our church asks its members who would be interested in intentionally opening their homes and sharing their tables with others. These dinners are called "Bread and Wine" as a way of seeing the life of Jesus as a practice of sharing communal meals. In offering our tables with folks we don't know, it's a great place to show hospitality and generosity, with new relationships!
- You agree on a date and how many guests [let the church know if you want children to attend or just adults].
- The church has people sign up through their website, then they assign each host home with the names and emails of the attendees.
- For example, I said we'd host 12. There were 4 in our family attending, so that meant we had room for 8 more guests.
- It's up to the host to email the guests and let them know the details (date, time, address, what to bring, and any other notes).
- The church places the guests according to different locations in town.
When Paul and I said yes, little did we know we'd have such a fun, memorable night. Honestly, people came as strangers and left as friends.
Six brand new people came (of the eight) with a dish in hand and a bottle of wine, and we enjoyed appetizer outside, and then dinner inside.
What to serve
Friends, don't settle for a mediocre. Make it special and unique. That doesn't mean lavish or over-the-top. For our meal we chose to make "Mexican bowls," where everyone could dish up their own.
Potluck makes everyone feel at home.
We provided the appetizer, this EPIC Chips and Salsa Board, and drinks. Also provided was the meat and condiments.
And then we assigned the guests to bring fruit salad, beans, rice, and dessert.
EPIC Chips and Salsa Board
My happy place to shop for good buys is Grocery Outlet. I'm not sure if you have one in your town, but I love the prices, the variety of foods, and they have a great gluten-free section, too.
In this case, I picked up various fresh salsas and chips. If you have time to make your own, you may enjoy this Easy Corn Pico de Gallo Salad or this Mexican Bean and Rice Dip or this very popular Texas Caviar Bean Dip recipe for Cinco de Mayo Day recipe.
Host a gathering
Ultimately we have to remember this: What really matters isn't the food or the table or the settings. What matters is that we opened our homes and lives to see and hear one another.
I want to challenge you to try something new. Maybe your church doesn't have a Bread and Wine Dinner option, but here are a couple ways that you can host a gathering:
1. Invite neighbors that you do not know.
2. Think of one couple and ask them to bring 5 or 6 new people.
3. Consider your hosting options. Dining room, yard, even your garage, and let people help with the food and drinks.
If you plan to host a Bread and Wine Dinner any time soon, you will be doing a great thing.
When I think about the isolated people in our neighborhoods or even churches, this Bread and Wine Dinner party is a beautiful way to open our homes and invite others in. There's power in the table.
EPIC Chips and Salsa Board
- 1 Pico de Gallo
- 1 Bean Dip
- 1 Black Bean Dip
- 1 Guacamole
- 3 Salsas medium and mild and hot
- 1 Corn Chili Salsa we buy at Trader Joe's
- Variety of blue corn chips sweet potato and plain corn chips
- Sour cream optional
- Line a large platter or board (with side) with parchment paper. Or, if the board is "food safe" you can skip this step.
- Fill small bowls with salsas and all liquid ingredients (salsa, guacamole, dips, sour cream). Place, spreading them out, on the board.
- Fill in the open space with a variety of chips. Serve and enjoy!
More cheese board ideas: Almond Summer Berry Cheese Board [RE], How to make an Asian Inspired Cheese Board [FoodieCrush], Olive Meat Cheese Board Recipe [RE], Whipped Ricotta Board [The Baker Mama].


text:
Worship & the trinity
- Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 14:00
- Articles
- 11,132 views
- Add a comment
The word doctrine simply means teaching or truth – that which is taught. But for the Christian, doctrine is always more than that; it is more than a truth which we believe and which is taught. For us doctrine is truth to live by. Recently in our evening services, we've been considering the great doctrine of the Trinity, and we came to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in John 4:24. "God is a spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth". This is very practical. …Read more...
The truth about God
- Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 11:07
- What is the Truth?
- 2,966 views
- Add a comment
DESIGN = DESIGNER: Look at your watch. Was it designed or did it just happen? Look at the world – much more complex than your watch. Is it an accident? There is a design so there must be a designer. This is just one evidence that makes believing in the existence of God more reasonable than not.Read more...
The truth about Sin
- Wednesday, May 19, 2010, 10:48
- What is the Truth?
- 4,441 views
- Add a comment
We don't mind phrases like 'human weakness' or expressions such as 'None of us is perfect' but the word 'sin' is rather insulting. But what is Sin? Is sin really that serious? "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23Read more...
The truth about Man
- Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 21:59
- What is the Truth?
- 5,054 views
- Add a comment
A modern philosopher said: 'Man is little more than a chance deposit… carelessly thrown up between ice-ages by the same forces that rust iron and ripen corn'. The chemists say you are mostly water… The Bible, however, declares you to be much more valuable.Read more...


text: Sofas structure of the backrest in profiled steel, the one of the seat in poplar plywood and the padding is in coldfoamed polyurethane covered with fibre. The backrest and seat cushions are in goose feathers, the last ones with inserts in expanded polyurethane. The upholstery, completely removable in fabric or leather, can be in one colour or two colours with the external part in leather and the internal one in fabric or leather.


text:
The smell of shortbread cookies baking in the oven has got to be something childhood memories are made of. You almost don't need to check the timer or the oven – your nose is the better judge of when these soft, round biscuits of dough have transformed into melt in your mouth moments of pleasure. Cookies are a big hit in the HonieHouse.
HonieDaddie's family live over in British Columbia, Canada and his Dad used to work in the bakery of the Safeway store in Nelson, BC. If a child approaches the counter of the bakery and asks for a cookie, they get a whole one (all to themselves). So when we visit, it's a big deal to make sure we visit the bakery counter and it's a delight to watch 3 sets of little fingers reaching up in anticipation of their prize.
HonieGrandad would bring home rolls of cookie cough freshly prepared that day and the children would experiment with the different fillings they could add to make the cookies more favourable. Anything from chocolate chips to peanut butter would go in and sprinkles to finish off, for the real deal.
Making cookies is so easy that your little ones can do it. If they know how to rub things in with their fingers or sprinkle, then they can make cookies. The kitchen floor might resemble the floor of a bakery afterwards – but the experience of making and baking cookies is not to be missed in any childhood.
The recipe I use is simple, easy to remember and is ideal for shortbread (which should easily crumble and definitely melt in your mouth). The children even remember it as the 6, 4, 2 mix! It's not hard to see why when you look at the ingredients.
This mix can also be frozen: if you plan to do this, then it's best to make the dough into a roll (sausage) and wrap in cling film till needed. When defrosted you can slice into discs ready to bake.
6oz (150g) plain flour
4oz (100g) unsalted butter
2oz (50g) caster sugar
**To make the cookies more personal and fun to make, look at and eat you could add any one of the following to the mix after all of the above have been added and mixed. If you are experimenting and combining flavours, remember to reduce the amounts:
- Chocolate chips 2oz (50g)
- Coconut 2oz (50g)
- Raisins 2oz (50g)
- Chopped nuts 2oz (50g)
- Sugar strands 1oz (25g)
- Cocoa powder 1oz (25g)
- Peanut butter 1 tablespoon
- Cinnamon 1 teaspoon
- Sweeties (press into cookies before baking)
- Almond essence (add a few drops & stick whole almond on top before baking)
Bowl to mix
Fork to press cookies
2 x baking sheets, lined with greaseproof paper
Cooling rack
Fingers for mixing :o)
Set the oven 170 C/325 F/Gas mk 3.
Put all of the main ingredients (flour, butter, sugar) into the bowl and mix, rubbing between your thumbs and fingertips to blend.
**Add the additional flavours (if using) now.
When mix looks a bit like breadcrumbs, squeeze together to make a ball of dough.
Divide the ball into two (one for each large baking tray) and then pinch off smaller balls of dough and roll them into the size of a ping pong ball.
Place the balls onto the baking sheet, leaving room for them to spread and press down each one with the back of a fork (about 5mm high).
Bake for 15-20 mins (I do it for 17 mins) and then remove from oven, leave for 10 mins and then transfer to a rack to cool.
If you want to make shapes instead of simple rounds:
Flour the surface you are working on
Place the ball of dough on surface
Roll out using rolling pin (about 5mm thick)
Use cutters to make shapes
Reform the dough into a ball and repeat
To make iced cookies:
Mix 3 tablespoons of sieved icing sugar with 3 teaspoons of water and mix to a smooth paste.
If adding colour, use a cocktail stick and apply a little at a time mixing thoroughly.
Apply icing mix to cooked and cooled cookies and allow mix to spread over cookie.
Add sprinkles (optional) and allow to set before eating.


text:
STAND A CHANCE TO WIN 1 of 3 R5000.00 GRAND STYLE HIRING VOUCHERS!
- Simply LIKE our official Valentine's Day competition post on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/GrandStyleHiring) and share it on your profile with the comment "We would love @GrandStyleHiring to supply our event!" OR
- Simply LIKE our official Valentine's Day competition post on our Instagram page (www.instagram.com/Grandstylehiring) and share it on your profile with the comment "We would love @GrandStyleHiring to supply our event!"
- The Promoter is Grand Style Hiring Pty Ltd.
- The competition is only open to Individuals that will be having their event in the Western Cape, South Africa.
- The competition is not open to directors, members, partners, employees, agents or consultants of or any other person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by the promoter or marketing service providers in respect of the promotional competition, or the spouses, life partners, business partners or immediate family members, or anyone who within a period of 183 days preceding this competition has won any competition organised, promoted, or conducted for Grand Style Hiring, or who resides at the same address as such a winner.
- The R5000.00 vouchers can only be used on hiring products such as decor and furniture items and not on services/items to buy/sale items/tents/ flowers/ stationery.
- These vouchers can be used for any event, not just for weddings.
- The 3 winners will be chosen randomly & contacted via facebook or Instagram. Winners will also be announced on our facebook page, Instagram page and on our website.
- This competition is open from 12 February 2018- 04 March 2018. Any entries received after midnight on the last entry day will not be valid and not be considered.
- The 3 winners will also be announced on the 05 March 2018 on our Facebook page, Instagram Page and website.
- The winners have one year to redeem the prize/ voucher, from the date that the prize/ voucher is given to the winner (05 March 2018). This means that the voucher/prize is valid until the 05 March 2019, so clients have to book for their event before the 05 March 2019.


text:
Revenue management (RM) is the science that looks at how to maximise revenue for airlines. Reinforcement learning (RL) is an area of machine learning focused on how machines take actions in order to optimise a given reward (e.g. revenue) by interacting with its dynamic environment. As a matter of fact, our research paper on RL received the best innovation award at The Airline Group of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (AGIFORS) conference 2017, one of the most prestigious professional societies dedicated to the advancement and application of operational research within the airline industry.
Collected and summarized from the source below by Minh Pham http://www.airportbenchmarking.com/deep-learning-can-teach-us-new-ways-to-generate-revenue-for-airlines/