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Okay, so the reason this article is interesting to me is because even though it's describing how people behave in social media…arenas? corrals? fishtanks? (what actually is the group word for this? 'Platforms' doesn't really describe how people are all thrown in together) …the article is actually describing how any community comes together, and I think it's particularly interesting to get into this after our democracy discussion of two weeks ago.
How do social norms develop?
Good UX (=user interface) designers know that they have the power to shape certain kinds of social practices by how they design systems. And engineers often fail to give UX folks credit for the important work that they do. But designing the system itself is only a fraction of the design challenge when thinking about what unfolds. Social norms aren't designed into the system. They don't emerge by telling people how they should behave. And they don't necessarily follow market logic. Social norms emerge as people – dare we say "users" – work out how a technology makes sense and fits into their lives. Social norms take hold as people bring their own personal values and beliefs to a system and help frame how future users can understand the system. And just as "first impressions matter" for social interactions, I cannot underestimate the importance of early adopters. Early adopters configure the technology in critical ways and they play a central role in shaping the social norms that surround a particular system.
How a new social media system rolls out is of critical importance. Your understanding of a particular networked system will be heavily shaped by the people who introduce you to that system. When a system unfolds slowly, there's room for the social norms to slowly bake, for people to work out what the norms should be. When a system unfolds quickly, there's a whole lot of chaos in terms of social norms. Whenever a network system unfolds, there are inevitably competing norms that arise from people who are disconnected to one another. (I can't tell you how much I loved watching Friendster when the gay men, Burners, and bloggers were oblivious to one another.) Yet, the faster things move, the faster those collisions occur, and the more confusing it is for the norms to settle.
The "real name" culture on Facebook didn't unfold because of the "real name" policy. It unfolded because the norms were set by early adopters and most people saw that and reacted accordingly. Likewise, the handle culture on MySpace unfolded because people saw what others did and reproduced those norms. When social dynamics are allowed to unfold organically, social norms are a stronger regulatory force than any formalized policy. At that point, you can often formalize the dominant social norms without too much pushback, particularly if you leave wiggle room. Yet, when you start with a heavy-handed regulatory policy that is not driven by social norms – as Google Plus did – the backlash is intense.
People don't like to be configured
People don't like to be configured. They don't like to be forcibly told how they should use a service. They don't want to be told to behave like the designers intended them to be. Heavy-handed policies don't make for good behavior; they make for pissed off users.
This doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't design to encourage certain behaviors. Of course you should. The whole point of design is to help create an environment where people engage in the most fruitful and healthy way possible. But designing a system to encourage the growth of healthy social norms is fundamentally different than coming in and forcefully telling people how they must behave. No one likes being spanked, especially not a crowd of opinionated adults.
Development policy is due for a redesign based on a more realistic understanding of how human beings behave
Engineers, private firms, and marketers of all stripes have long paid attention to how people actually make decisions, to the role that the context and social preferences play in our decision-making, and to the use of mental shortcuts and mental models to filter and interpret information. The development community is beginning to do the same. We believe that a more realistic understanding of decision-making can inspire and guide researchers and practitioners who aim to tackle some of the most pressing development challenges.
A common approach to improving sanitation is to build subsidized toilets and give people a standard health message. But a more psychologically and socially sophisticated approach works with community members to map areas of open defecation. A facilitator places a sample of faeces on the floor next to a piece of food, such as a bowl of rice or a banana. Individuals already know that flies moved between faeces and food. But paying attention to that fact creates a lasting image that motivates new behaviour. In addition, some facilitators help communities organize a public declaration to stop open defecation. Through this, new health norms become a part of social identity and community members express disapproval for those who continue open defecation. A randomized impact evaluation in Madhya Pradesh showed that villages using a more psychologically sophisticated approach lowered open defecation rates substantially, compared to those who didn't.
After individuals were exposed to women leaders through reserved seats in gram panchayats in West Bengal, villagers viewed female leaders more favourably, compared to villages without reservations for women leaders. Girls in those villages also increased their aspirations, the gender gap in adolescent education was erased, and girls spent less time on household chores. This example points to the importance of role models in lifting aspirations. Leadership, as well entertainment education, can inspire people to take charge of their own lives.
Female sex workers often face considerable stigma and exclusion. A programme in Kolkata built self-esteem and a sense of personal agency through weekly social discussions. After just eight weeks, women who participated in the programme were more likely to choose a future-oriented savings product and to have visited a doctor, even though the training programme included no specific mention of health issues. Similarly, one study found that microfinance clients who meet weekly rather than monthly with their repayment groups had much more informal social contact with others in the group even two years after the loan cycle ended, and were three times less likely to default on their second loans. Social motivation is a powerful lever that can be used in policy design more often.
You can't get to a healthy community through force
Companies that build systems that people use have power. But they have to be very very very careful about how they assert that power. It's really easy to come in and try to configure the user through force. It's a lot harder to work diligently to design and build the ecosystem in which healthy norms emerge. Yet, the latter is of critical importance to the creation of a healthy community. Cuz you can't get to a healthy community through force.
What regulates human systems?
In his seminal book "Code", Larry Lessig argued that social systems are regulated by four forces: 1) the market; 2) the law; 3) social norms; and 4) architecture or code
Few people think about the power of social norms. In fact, social norms are usually only thought of as a regulatory process when things go terribly wrong. And then they're out of control and reactionary and confusing to everyone around.


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SLS is an acronym for "Supported Living Services". Individuals living in SLS generally live by themselves (or with a roommate) in their own homes or apartments where they hold their own lease. In SLS an individual will never have more than two roommates. In this style of living, support staff go to the person's home to work with them on life skills and help them to live independently. Support hours range anywhere from 20 hours per month to 24/7, depending on the individual's needs. Group homes or ARF's (adult residential facilities), on the other hand, are licensed homes generally owned by the provider where 4 to 6 people live in the home together.
All PCS support staff are required to a pass a drug test and comprehensive background check which is cleared through the Department of Justice, FBI, and the Abuse Index. We look for people who have experience working with people with developmental disabilities. All employees must speak English and be US citizens.
PCS will transport the individuals we serve, depending on a few factors. All individuals who live in one of our licensed residential programs will receive transportation in our company vans. Individuals living in SLS or ILS will receive training to familiarize them with transportation services available to them by the local community and/or regional center. Support staff who have gone through the proper protocol with Human Resources to become approved drivers are available to use their own cars to transport individuals when necessary. This is only used as a last resort when other transportation methods are not available.
Any individual with a developmental disability is eligible for PCS services. If the individual is a client of the Regional Center, funding is available through them. If the individual is not a client of the Regional Center, private pay options are available. If you or your loved one is not a client of your local Regional Center and think that you may be eligible for services, please contact your local regional center. There are 21 regional centers in California, to find the one nearest you go to http://www.dds.ca.gov/RC/RCList.cfm.
We believe that quality service is something that is delivered everyday by everyone at PCS. We try hard to influence a culture of quality at all levels. However, we do appreciate the need for traditional hierarchical supervision. Our infrastructure is designed to maximize the managerial oversight of our programs. Unannounced visits are regularly conducted by regional and program managers.
PCS is unique in that we have had tremendous success with "difficult to serve" individuals. We have successfully moved over 20 people into the community from Developmental Centers. Additionally PCS has successfully served people who, when they came to us, were in jeopardy of moving into a Developmental Center. These individuals are often referred to as "deflections" because they were deflected or prevented from having to go to a Developmental Center.
Depending on the area housing in SLS can be challenging. We encourage all people thinking of moving into their own home at some point to apply for Section 8 housing assistance. Many waiting lists can be 2 to 7 years long so it is recommended that people apply when they turn 18.
PCS focuses on connecting supported individuals with activities throughout the community. Being part of a community and a neighborhood is important to people, so accessing community functions, interest groups, and clubs is a great way to promote inclusion while also educating the community about people with disabilities. We also coordinate several inter agency activities to support socialization, learning and friendships. Such activities include barbecues, dances, karaoke nights, holiday parties, skills workshops, and sporting events.
Some individuals who choose supported living services decide they would like to live with a housemate for social and financial reasons. PCS supports the choice for people to have shared housing and provides a person-centered approach to finding suitable companions.

subset: commoncrawl


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Naturally occurring 'bugs' such as bacteria and archaea may hold the key to a technology that can turn low grade deposits into economic projects. Tony Heselev reports
Article from resourceful: Issue 7, June 2015
Bacteria, those microscopic organisms, are among the unlikely heroes for researchers and mining companies working to establish economic methods to access difficult to extract or low value ores.
Biohydrometallurgy (or biomining) uses certain microorganisms to recover precious and base metals from mineral ores, concentrates and waste materials, by helping to process target minerals or elements.
Natural microorganisms catalyse chemical reactions, which lead to the dissolution of metals from minerals. This process has been used in commercial operations to extract copper, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, zinc and uranium from complex ores.
Copper has been the most common base metal extracted with bioleaching and according to some estimates, bioleached copper represents up to 15% of the world's copper production.
Bio-oxidation has also been used to treat sulphide containing gold ores before leaching of the gold using chemical reagents. This has environmental advantages of reducing the consumption of hazardous chemical leaching reagents such as cyanide.
Bio-oxidation can also produce more stable waste products, which reduces the risk to the environment as a result of the mining process.
Biohydrometallurgy has the potential to transform uneconomic reserves into viable ventures due to the low cost of allowing microorganisms to do the work. It can be attractive for low grade ores that are too expensive to mine using conventional processes or that contain impurities that foul conventional processing equipment.
The most common method of biohydrometallurgy in Australia is the oxidation of refractory gold minerals in tanks.
Another method – known as heap bioleaching – involves constructing a small hill and using microorganisms to extract the target metals.
The heap is aerated from the bottom to keep the bugs alive, and acid containing the bugs trickles from the top, percolating through the air spaces, and the target material is extracted in leachate.
The listed Australian-based nickel sulphide explorer and producer, Western Areas, took over the BioHeap® business developed by Pacific Ore (Australia) Pty Ltd in 2009.
BioHeap® is an internationally patented bacterial leaching technology that uses proprietary microbial cultures to leach or 'liberate' valuable metals from sulphide ores, and provides amenability, column and pilot testing services for other miners.
The company says that nickel, copper, cobalt, zinc and refractory gold ores are all suited to BioHeap® processing.
The bugs, which come from land and sea, are grown and maintained in a 'soup' mixture at the company's Perth laboratory.
Craig Fitzmaurice, Group Metallurgy Manager of Western Areas, said: "BioHeap® uses a range of microorganisms that were originally sourced from nature but have been adapted over time using proprietary methods."
"The BioHeap® process has been shown to operate at temperatures ranging from 15°C to 95°C. The mixed BioHeap® cultures contain a range of microbes that together can span this wide temperature range."
Biomining could also be used in conjunction with in-situ leaching. For example, biological recovery agents could be generated in bioreactors placed on top of or near the target deposit to prepare the required solutions for in-situ recovery.
CSIRO researchers look for microorganisms that can tolerate a range of conditions (including heat, elevated concentrations of chloride, sulphate and metals) in leaching processes. The researchers have found bioleaching microbes in mine sites and acid sulphate soils in the West Australian wheatbelt.
These salt-tolerant microorganisms have been used to develop bioleaching cultures that could be used for biomining operations where fresh water is scarce or where the leach liquors are salty.
CSIRO has collaborated with several mining companies in Australia and overseas in base metal and precious metal spheres for developing and optimising biohydrometallurgical processes.
Dr Anna Kaksonen, who is Research Team Leader of Bioprocess Technologies and Environmental Engineering at CSIRO, lists examples of potential new uses of biomining as:
In the latter case, microorganisms or their extracellular material can change the surface chemistry of the minerals, enabling their selective separation.
Microbes may also be able to remove unwanted or penalty elements from ore. For example, microorganisms can be used for removing phosphorus from iron ore.
Dr Kaksonen's team has also developed bioprocesses that can remove contaminants from hydrometallurgical solutions and effluents.
Biohydrometallurgy has already been applied to a range of sulphide minerals and refractory gold ores containing pyrite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite, according to Dr Kaksonen. It could also be used for recovering metals from waste materials such as slags from smelters, converter sludges and electronic waste.
"Biohydrometallurgy has already been conducted in heaps/dumps and reactors at commercial scale," she said.
"Future developments could lead to its large scale application in vats and in situ-type environments."


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Samsung's on a bit of a roll this week, and now we find out that the company has created an LCD that is able to display two different images on each side of the display. Similar double sided LCDs required two backlights, but Samsung's requires just one. We can also now expect mobile devices that make use of the LCD to be 1mm smaller. The display, which has a resolution of 240x320 pixels, is to be demoed at this year's CES. That means we'll be all over it in just a few days' time.
Samsung Develops Double-sided LCD for mobile phone [SlashPhone.com]


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Note: ——I am NOT the author! There are several authors actually, I'm not so certain that any one of them is the creator, but I know it's not me. I am simply sharing this lovely story with all of you because I have not seen it on here. Now originally it was all going to be 9 parts, but… Someone said the first one was too long, so I've decided to split all of these up into smaller posts.
I thought I'd try a different look and sentence structure for this chapter, please let me know how you guys like it. ENJOY——— Tim, the Teenage Part Eighteen By: Rass Senip +++ Chapter V: 9th Grade, Spring 1986 - The North Mansion Part 5 - Sex Goddess I Call Mom (oral mF) Joey, Suzi and I were getting ready to go to bed in a third room. It was identical to the first room, except it didn't have a waterbed or the paintings, but had something our room didn't.
"Holy Shit," Joey exclaimed when opening a drawer of the additional cabinet. "It's a drawer full of those things Sandi had. Except they don't look like they vibrate. Hey Tim, what did they call them?" he asked holding up the plastic penis. "Dildo, dummy," Suzi answered instead. "What? Don't you think girls know about them?
Who do you think uses them?" She walked up and picked out a black one and said, "Hey. I think I'll take a couple of these home. It'll come in handy for our three ways." Joey and I exchanged glances again, but then Joey closed the drawer and opened another.
"Maybe you would rather have one that has a vibrator built in," he said, turning on the one he picked up on.
He held it in his hand to feel its affect, then a light bulb came on in his head. "Don't even try IITTT!" Suzi said too late as he poked and prodded her clothed crotch. I was sitting on the bed, watching them play. I wasn't really interested in the sex toys right then. I couldn't keep my mother's nude image out of my head.
"WOW! Look at these!" Joey said, holding a double ended dildo. "I bet the twins could use a couple of these!" "Joey? Can I try doing you up the butt?" Suzi asked pulling out a strapon. "Only if there's one smaller than that. That thing is bigger than an elephant's," Joey remarked before he stuck the vibrator down the front of his shorts. "Hey Tim. You should try this. It feels good!" "Tim, don't you want to see what's in the toy box?" Suzi said.
"Nah. Maybe I'll look tomorrow," I replied. This time Suzi and Joey exchanged glances. "Shit, Tim. What is it now? You upset your parents are getting it on in our bed?" Joey asked, walking over with three vibrators going in his shorts. "Nah. Just sometimes this stuff happens too fast for me to accept, that's all." "Oh. Here," he said, pulling out on of his vibrators to hand to me. "Try one." "That's okay. I hear they make your sperm real dizzy." "Ha ha," Joey said, putting the plastic penis in my hands.
I held it, then examined it to figure out how to turn it on and off. While I was fiddling with that, I said, "I wonder how old she is." "Who?" "My mom." "You don't know?" "She is supposed to be thirty-eight.
But." "Yeah, she don't look like no thirty-eight. Twenty-eight, maybe." "I've never seen her naked like that before.
The nearest I ever saw her like that was that time at the pool. And then it was in a one piece suit." "Yeah, I remember. I also remember getting a woody. And that was before I knew what they were for." "I've never thought my mom as a woman before. Especially not sexually before." "Uhh, Tim? Are you saying what I think you're saying?
Cause if you are." "What." "Can I?" "Do what." "Never mind." "You know what?" "What?" "This does feel pretty good." "Yeah. Here try a second one. It's even better." "Hey, Joey?" "Yeah?" "If we do, I get the backdoor.
K?" "Deal. Uhm, Tim?" "Yeah?" "Does Suzi have what I think she has?" "What, the thing in her mouth?" "No. The thing she has in her hands." "Uhm Joey?" "Yeah?" "I think we better run." "Way ahead of you partner," Joey said as he sprinted for the door.
"Well, that worked like a charm," Suzi said as she put the strange male organ torture device back in its drawer. She sat down next to me, and pulled one of the vibrators out of my shorts. "Hey, Suzi?" "Hmmm?" she said, vibrator in her mouth. "Do you think I'm losing it?" She pulled it out with a pop and said, "Why do you say that?" "Well, I kinda, like, want to do my mom." "Oh, Timmy.
You would be losing it if you didn't want to. Who wouldn't?" "I just can't get it out of my head, though. My mom. She's like. a sex goddess or something. I mean. You know." "I know. Her body is. perfect." "She even looks better than the twins." "She even looks better than me." "But why would she wait all this time just to do it with my dad?" "Maybe she loves him." "Yeah, right," I said sarcastically.
"Face it Tim. Your dad isn't all that bad of a guy. I can't believe I just said that, but you know what I mean." "Yeah, I know. And I can see why my dad likes her. Where do I fit in? I mean. I don't know. I guess I just have to leave it alone until I can talk to them. I'm tired. Here. Have another. I'm turning in," I handed her the other vibrator, and started to take my clothes off, leaving my underpants on. Joey finally peeked in, checking to see if Suzi had laid down her weapon.
"Tim? You gonna sleep in you shorts?" he asked, walking in. "Yeah. I don't feel like screwin' around anymore tonight. You guys can play. I'm gonna sleep." Joey started to strip, and was nude in a flash.
He crawled under the sheets, and slipped his body behind me. "Tim? Are you mad at me?" "Huh?" I said turning over to face him. "No, why?" "Uhm, for what I said in the limo, and all the other shit I said.
And for. letting your dad get in my head like that." "Joey? You were right about a lot of things. I was playing God. You had the guts to call it as you saw it. You and Suzi keep me sane. Don't ever stop doing what you did today okay?" "But.
I still like. Slaves and all, you know? I want to have some, kinda. You know what I mean." "Yeah. I know. And you know what? I do to. And we will." "We will? But I thought. I mean after all this." "We will have slaves, but they have to agree to be one first, and then they will always have the option to quit.
I'm just not ready for it yet, that's all. But some day I will. And then you and I will really have some fun. Okay?" "What about Suzi?" "I've already talked to her.
She's okay with it, as long as we don't get too carried away." "How come you're just telling me now?" "It was supposed to be your birthday present. Your very first slave." "Whoa." "Joey?" "Yeah?" "Can I go to sleep now?" "Wait for Suzi. She'll wanna snuggle up to ya.
And so do I, so roll back on your side 'cause here she is." We fell asleep in each others arms. Early the next morning, I was woken up by a warm feeling of happiness. I had to look around a moment before I remembered were I was. Joey was sleeping on his back, and Suzi was on her tummy.
I spotted the twins looking in the door, and I smiled and motioned them over. After exchanging good morning empathic feelings, they crawled in the bed with us and soon were asleep again. I laid there letting my mind wander over memories, then started to let it wander in minds around me.
Finding everything peaceful, I searched for someone who was already up and about. I found Fanny busily tending some flowers, and peeked in her mind to see who and what she was. She was the only living family member from an East Germany neighborhood.
When she was sixteen, she escaped to the Western side, and found few opportunities that were honest.
My father met her there in a hospital at the age of 18. She had overdosed on drugs attempting to kill herself. My father enslaved her, thinking she would be happier with him. Unfortunately, he probably was right. Her dreams of meeting a boy that would love her and marry her were still within her. But nothing mattered but the pleasuring my father now.
She was his. I fell asleep thinking about this, but forgot about it when I awoke. A pair of lips were busily bringing me to full attention. Joey noticed I was awake, and covered my eyes with his arm. He said, "Guess whose lips they are, Tim." "Let's see. It can't be Joy or Honey, cause they wouldn't be working so fast." I frowned, then said, "But it doesn't feel like Suzi either.
Too much tongue work. Uhm, it couldn't be grandma because she would have taken her teeth out, and Carol and Vicki are at the other mansion. I give up. Who is it?" "Just don't freak out okay?" Joey whispered as he removed his arm.
I opened my eyes and looked. "MOM! WHAT! WHY! HOW! HUH! UHHHHHHH!" I said as I awoke cumming. "Mom?!" Joey said. "Suzi, he called you mom!" "Shit," I said laying back down. "Thank you, dear. Now go clean your room," Suzi said before licking off the spot she missed. "Shit. Hey, where are the twins?" I asked. "I think they went to see if your mom and dad were awake yet," Joey answered. "Don't call them that like that." "Huh? I don't understand." "Don't call them my mom and dad.
Mom and father, mother and father, but not mom and dad." "Uhm, okay. I don't see what the difference is though." "Your parents are your mom and dad. My parents are not a set. They're. separate. You get what I mean?" "Well I don't know if you will be calling them separate much longer. They were acting like a couple of love birds," Suzi said. "Please. I don't want to talk about it. I need to talk to my mom alone. Until then, just don't remind me, okay?" "Hrmph, most kids would like to see their parents get back together," Joey muttered.
"I'm not saying I don't. But. Oh, let's just drop the subject. I'm hungry lets go eat." I pulled my underwear the rest of the way off, and walked out to the hall. "Shit. I think he flipped. He's going to breakfast naked," I heard Joey say behind me. "Heh," I said to myself. I figured what's the use. Everyone here has seen me naked, seen me having sex, and seen my virginities taken either live or in a painting. What was left to be modest about? I was the first to the table, and my jaw dropped when I saw my mother's image on the wall formed by the crystal ceiling.
She looked slightly younger, but it could have just been the hair. The only word I could think of was. magnificent. I took the seat that faced the image square on. My pancakes were brought out to me, and I was so involved in my food and the image, I didn't hear anyone approach. "She's quite beautiful, isn't she?" my father said, placing his hand on my shoulder. I almost choked, but I managed to cover it up. I said, "Magnificent," then took another mouthful of pancakes.
"Thank you, dear," my mother said as he bent down to kiss my cheek. Her bare breast made contact with my bare back. I choked for real that time. Partially because of the hardon. "I told you, you should have worn a robe," my robed father said taking his seat at the head of the table. "I'm sorry Tim. I forgot you were still uncomfortable about this. I'll go put a robe on." she said turning. "Mom, wait." I sputtered.
"I need to talk to you, now, please?" She looked at me, then glanced at my father, who was reading the paper. I said, "I don't care if he hears.
It isn't anything he hasn't. It just doesn't matter," I said, blushing again from her figure, and trying not to draw attention to my dick which was standing straight up. "Okay, but I wish you would stop blushing. I'll be doing it next." "I'll try." not mentioning what I was trying the hardest to control. My mother sat down in the chair next to me. Her leg brushed mine, making me shiver.
"How old were you there?" I said, nodding towards the image, trying to divert her eyes from the general location of my plainly visible woody. "Nineteen, two years before you were born." "Mom, are you and father going to. you know. Get together or something?" "Yes Samantha. Are we going to get hitched or something?" "Well, it's a bit too soon to answer that.
Let's just take it one day at a time, shall we?" "What about. uhm. Well, are we going to move in or something? I think I'd rather stay at home during the week. I don't want to ." "Tim, I've been meaning to talk to you about that.
My job pays enough that I was wanting to get a nicer place. But I know you don't want to leave your school and your friends, so I was looking for someplace around the area.
No, I don't think we will move into you father's mansions, but we may stay in them on the weekends." "Oh, now Sam. If he wants to stay at his school, he could always ride in the limo ." "It's a thirty-five minute drive from your south mansion. Isn't that a little long?" "Hey Mom? It isn't much longer than waiting for the bus and the bus ride itself, but that's not what I wanted to talk about." "Then what dear.
Get to the point." "Why didn't you tell me you were bfhfl," I said, turning red. At least my other problem was finally giving me a break. "What dear?" she said, putting her hand on my thigh. This was actually a normal thing for her to do. Unfortunately, this made dick swell again. My face really began to burn, and I couldn't help but glance down to her hand. Naturally she followed my gaze, and saw my problem. "It's okay, Tim. I understand," she said, sliding her hand up my thigh.
"But." I said nervously. "Tim, there isn't anything to be embarrassed about. It's quite natural for you to find me attractive. I think I can help you." "Sam, are you going blow him, or just talk about it," my father said, not looking from behind the paper. "Look, I, uhm, I. I gotta go." I said as I slid out from underneath my mother's hand.
"Timmy," she said getting up and catching me by the arm. "We need to talk. Alone," she said, more to my father than to me.
She took my hand and we walked in silence down the hall to a room nearby which not surprisingly I had never been in. The room was dim, and it took a minute for my eyes to adjust. It was almost pitch black compared to the dining room's incredible lighting. The room was some kind of portrait gallery, with under fifty paintings hanging on the walls.
We sat down on a red velvet bench, sitting in front of a portrait of a man and woman, holding a baby. It appeared to have just recently been placed here, the wall behind it having a distinct outline of a differently shaped frame. "Tim, do you know who they are?" "Uhm, no.
But I would guess the baby is you, and that's your mom and dad." "You're right. The painting was the last gift my father gave my mother before she died. He had it painted, using his own and mom's memories. I've always wanted one made of me holding you. Now maybe it will happen.
But that isn't what we are here to talk about.
"Timmy, I love you. You're my son. Having these powers tends to make your sex drive go into overdrive. All these years as I watched you grow, especially recently, I have had to resist. seducing my own son. I thought that all I needed was to let some of it out, and that was one of the reasons I wanted to spend a weekend with your father.
But last night, seeing you nude just amplified all my desires. I jumped on your father to keep myself from jumping on you. "And now I know you are having the same problems. I know it doesn't help seeing me in the nude, but I think the time has come for me to stop hiding my true colors.
I love going nude. I always have. "But the point is, for us to do it, it is just plain wrong." "Mom? Did you and your dad." "No. Never. I think he wanted to after mom died, but he loved my mother too much. And I would never have forgiven him if he had. Would you like to know how I have been able to resist all these years?" "Yeah. How?" "I just think back to when you were a baby. Sweet, and innocent. It is the purest form any of us ever have. Every time I feel my desires begin to cloud my thinking, I just slip back in time and imagine holding you in my arms.
That's what you should do. Look at me as the baby in my mother's arms. Remember who I was, and who I am. I'm your mother. We can never let it happen." "Mom? I love you too, you know. Okay. I guess if you can do it, I can do it. But. It would help if you weren't so." "Sexy?
Thank you baby. You don't know how sexy you are yourself. But that is the limit of it. Look. Don't touch." "Yeah. I just hope I don't have any more dreams about you, that's all." "Timmy, you've been in my dreams since you were two years old.
I don't think you can even hope not to." "Uhm, mom? What about Joey? He kinda has had a crush on you since. Well since he knew you. And he kinda. you know. Wants to too." "Really? Hmmm. Like I didn't already know that, I suppose. I've had many a fantasy with you and him both. But what do you think? He's your friend and lover. I wouldn't do anything that might upset you." "Really? No. Go for it. If I can't, at least let him. Please?" As we walked out of the room back into the hall, Suzi and Joey just happened to be ten steps ahead of us when they reached the dinning room.
"Holy sh. Holy cow." Joey exclaimed as Suzi gasped. I looked up at my mom and smiled. I indicated a little plan to her, and she agreed. As the two clothed teens stood there agasp, they were suddenly attacked from behind. "ACCCCCKKKK!" Joey announced as he felt my mother's nude body wrap itself around him. Suzi had squirmed and giggled, but Joey was scared stiff.
Well, most of him was stiff from fright, the rest. well, you know. I turned Suzi around and started to undress her. She was turning red, but she permitted me to continue. My mom started to undress Joey, and that made his face drain of color.
But moments later, it was red, along with ever other part of his body. My mom had stuck her hand in his drawers and pulled his hardening tool out.
"Joey? Tim and I have had a little talk. We wanted to know who gives better head. Suzi or me. We've agreed that since he and I are family, we shouldn't. So he elected you. So how about being the judge.
Are you game?" "Huh?" He squeaked looking at me. "Joey, its okay with me. She's been hot for you as long as you've been for her." "Longer actually, but that doesn't matter." Joey swallowed hard.
Then he squeaked, "Okay?" Suzi's hand went straight to my dick, and mine found its way to her naked crotch too. We stood there masturbating each other while my mother licked and swirled her tongue about Joey's head.
Joey was moaning and quivering as my mother teased and teased his throbbing prick. Then without warning, she engulfed it and started sucking with incredible force. Her cheeks were dented in, while Joey's closed eyes popped wide open. "Shit!" he said as my mother's incredible mouth continued its vacuum. Joey's eyes slammed shut again as he began his shutters and shakes while he came. Three minutes after she had started, my mother slipped the softening digit out of her mouth and said, "There's nothing like fresh boy cum in the morning to get yourself going." Then she held Joey like a child, laying his head against her shoulder, mothering his helpless form.
"A very well executed number thirty two," my father said.
"Although I think you've gotten rusty Sam. It took you a whole thirty seconds of suction before he came. You use to suck it out of me like I was a straw." My mother's mothering of Joey brought Suzi's and my mutual fondling to an end.
I almost had thrown Suzi to the floor and fucked her on the spot if it hadn't been for the image of my mother as a baby popping up in my head. "Charles, I wanted to savor it a little longer. It's been too long since I had my morning teen cum. Whatever happened to those boys." "I traded them and several others for the twins. Old Gladius probably made a lot of money off of them." I was getting sick.
"You two sound like you're talking about those stupid goblets with Suzi's dad! Every time I start thinking I can like this, you go and.
and. prove me wrong! ARGGG!" I yelled, pulling Suzi down the hall with me. "Tim! Come back here!" my mother demanded. I stopped. She didn't use that tone of voice with me very often, and I knew better than to ignore her.
I didn't go to her, but I didn't go any further down the hall either. "Tim, those boys did not have a life like you and all your friends have. They were born and raised something like the twins, but not with the love and tenderness your father gave to Joy and Honey. Those boys could have never been more than tools or toys for people like me at the time.
Your father did them a service by not keeping them. They couldn't have been freed to live a normal life, because they had no life to begin with. Now come back here and sit with us while Joey and Suzi eat." I looked at Suzi, who shrugged her shoulders and said, "Maybe he isn't as bad of a person we have taken him for.
Maybe he was, but has changed since your mother made him a slave. I don't know Timmy. Maybe when he tried to turn you into someone else, he thought he was making life easier or better for you. If you give him a chance, maybe you could help him become more like you instead. I think that's what your mother wants to happen." I kissed her, and then held her to me. After a long hug, I just picked her up and carried her giggling body to her seat.
"Darn!" I said, noticing my mother's image was distorted. "It only lasts an hour, dear. But there will be another at noon on that wall over there," my mother said, pointing to the northern wall. "Oh yeah? What does that one look like?" Joey said between shovels of flap jacks. "Be here at noon and you will see for yourself," my mother said mysteriously. "Will we need sunglasses then too?" I asked, jokingly. "Is it too bright in here?" she said seriously. "It is supposed to always stay at the same brightness.
Even when it's dark outside, the chandelier." "Oh. Nah, it's okay. I was only kidding about the sunglasses," I said, awed at the complexity of the room. Then I remembered what we wanted to do that day. "Uhm, er, dad?" "Did you hear that Sam? I never thought I would hear him say that in front of you. It sent a shiver down me. Yeah, Tim." "Uhm, sorry about what I said." "What.
Oh that. Sorry I was, er, insensitive, as your mother puts it. I'll try and not be so crude. But I am who I am, and what I did in the past can't be changed. So if I try and.
be more sensitive, can you be a little more. forgiving of my deeds?" "I guess that would be fair," I said, feeling a little guilty. But even so, "Uhm, we were talking yesterday. and were wondering if." "Look out, Charles. He was trying to butter you up," my mother quickly assessed. "Huh? No I wasn't. Okay maybe I was a little, but I didn't say anything I didn't mean, and I." "I know you meant it Tim," my father said. "If there is one thing I learned about you, you're always trying to be fair, just like your mother.
Go ahead, ask what you wanted to ask." "We were kinda like, uhm. Wanting to go shopping for stuff," I said, rushing the end.
"Oh, so you're asking your old man for some dough, eh? Well, I suppose this is as good as a time to try this old phrase out. Ask your mother," he said grinning at her. "No, Charles. I've been the parent all this time. You can try it for once. Especially if you're still wanting to. you know." "Huh?" I said. "Wanting to what?" "Let's just stick with the topic at hand," my father said sternly. "What are you shopping for?" We told them of our plans for the room at school, and even added a few things we hadn't discussed with each other before.
Like me, Suzi and Joey had thought of a few things since we talked about it, but the best idea I had thought of had to wait until I could ask my father in private. I wanted to surprise Suzi and Joey with my ring idea. "Well, as long as you don't have any problems with it, Samantha," my father said. "Well, I don't know about taking the sex toys to school.
But apart from that, the rest is fine. I'm sure the cost is not a problem." "Never has been in the past, you know. Okay. After lunch, you can take convertible limo if you like and." "Convertible?" I asked. "You mean like, the top comes down?" Joey said hopefully. "Just the rear section," my father said. "The driver is still enclosed.
Unless you would rather take one of the others." "Er, how many limos do you have, anyway?" I asked. "Hmmm, I would have to count them. But at this estate I believe there are five, and another six at the south. Does that sound right Sherman?" "Yes, Master." Sherman said from the corner of the room.
None of us had even noticed him standing there. Suzi nudged me and said, "What about the twins." "Oh yeah. We were kind of hoping we could take the twins shopping for clothes. But if you don't want." "The Twins? Wear clothes?" my father stuttered. "You should have seen them last night, dad. They were beautiful in those dresses. I almost fainted when." "In their.
their. baby blue dresses?" he said in complete shock. "Yeah, and hats, and stockings and everything," Joey said. "I can't believe it. I could never get them to wear those without ordering them too, and then they looked so.
miserable in them. But they. put them on? Willingly?. Excuse me," he said, getting up. "I wonder where he is going in such a hurry," my mother said. "The twins are still sleeping, and I wouldn't think." "Probably to check out the latest additions to the family album," Joey said, amused.
Then he sobered up and asked "Hey Tim, do you think we could get a copy made of one? Suzi and I checked them out, and there's one with everybody's clothes on." "Yeah, that would be cool. But first, I think the painters have a special portrait to paint.
Huh, mom." "I think I'll start that right now," my mother said, getting up. "Now, where did he. There he is. Thank you dear." The three of us watched her nude figure gracefully flow down the hall in the direction my father had gone.
"So Joey." Suzi started. "Huh?" Joey said still following my mother with his eyes. "Who does give better head?"


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It's called a number of things. The "gambler's fallacy," and the "Monte Carlo fallacy," and even "the fallacy of the maturity of chances." It all boils down to one basic, misguided belief: In games of chance, like roulette or craps, if a certain outcome hasn't happened in awhile, it's more likely to occur in the future.
Seriously, black has hit, like, six times in a row. Has to be red next. Definitely.
But here's why it's a myth: Every roll of the dice, and every spin at roulette, is its own thing. You've probably even heard the expression, "The dice have no memory." As in life, just because something has happened a lot in the past doesn't mean it's more or less likely to happen in the future. There's really no such thing as a certain outcome being "overdue." The odds remain the same, no matter what's transpired during a previous roll or spin. And not surprisingly, those odds always favor the house.
More than a few players have been stung by the Monte Carlo fallacy. (It's called that because one of the most famous examples of this concept took place at a Monte Carlo casino in 1913. Monte Carlo is in Monaco, and it's a lot like Las Vegas, just yawnier.)
Think your number or color has to hit soon? The longest recorded streak of one color in roulette in American casino history happened in 1943 when the color red won 32 consecutive times. In a row. The people convinced black had to hit next were absolutely right. Eventually.
Does knowing about the gambler's fallacy mean you can't play your hunches or try to outguess your favorite game? Of course not. People win fortunes because of lucky streaks that defy the odds (just ask the woman who had a craps roll for four hours and 18 minutes at Borgata in Atlantic City). But do yourself a favor and know the odds you're up against (they vary greatly depending upon the game), and don't fall into the "double up to catch up" trap.
As they say in the financial world: "Past performance is not a guarantee of future results."


text: nubbel 1 Posted August 7, 2005 Hi, I spend a lot of time searching the original MAIN.SCM, the forum, google and the (in my opinion very bad) database sa-db.webtools4you.net. What I'm searching for are opcodes for getting a cars mods (like nitro, colors, exhausts, spoilers, etc). What I found from the forum and due to MAIN.SCM search: 03F3: get_car $car color $col1 $col2 Gets the 2 colors of a car. 0988: $pjob $car Gets the special paintjob of a car ($pjob = -1 if it doesnt have one) 06ED: $car $pjob Sets the special paintjob 0-5 for a car (-1 = no paintjob/delte) 00D6: if 0096E: car $car lowrider Checks if a car is a lowrider. (Not yet sure if it means that a car HAS hydraulics or CAN HAVE hydraulics/is car group "lowrider") 09B3: $car $doorstatus Seems to get the doorstatus of a car. 06E5: $car $retval1 $retval2 Gets unknown information from car. 06EC: $car $retval Gets unknown information from car. 097D: get $car $retval Gets unknown information from car. 06E9: request_car_component #MODNAME06E7: $var = add_car_component #MODNAME to_car $car Requests special mods from veh_mods.ide and adds it to a car. While searching for these opcodes, I found one new sound-related opcode: 097A: @1 @2 @3 1133 Creates sound "1133" origin @1=X @2=Y @3=Z. I tried really hard to find some, but wasn very successful. If someone wants to help and doesnt have the original SA MAIN.SCM, here is the external script "CARMOD": CARMOD.TXT Did anyone of you find further opcodes for carmods? Thanks and regards, nubbel Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Dyson has taken utilitarian appliances such as the vacuum and hand dryer and elevated them with high design and high performance. They outdid themselves with the fan and introduced air-multiplier technology that they've now combined with a heater which makes their new Hot+Cool device a year-round must-have item.
We live in the very mild climate of Southern California and we don't have air-conditioning and only a basic floor heater. In the summer it can get hot and the winters do get chilly so to keep our temperature consistent we swap in fans and heaters with the season.
We've been using the Hot+Cool for a couple days now and it makes perfect sense for us to keep it in our son's nursery. His door is shut at night so he needs an auto temperature heater to maintain a warm temperature and we keep the Dyson away from small hands but when it's down we know he can't hurt his fingers on any moving parts.
Our favorite features include the 80 degree oscillating, auto-temperature hold, silent use and the ability to use the same device as a fan. Not to mention the amazing slim profile and sharp looking design that we expect from Dyson.
The remote is also a huge plus and when not in use it stays secure on the top of the fan with an internal magnet so their is less of a chance you lose it.
If you're seeking an all-in-one device that looks great in any room and performs as well as any heater or fan then check out the Hot+Cool from Dyson.


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By following the guidelines below, automation of the license compliance information becomes achievable by tools, which reduces a lot of manual effort and improves license compliance. Handling and communicating license info is a sign of project maturity and makes downstream use easier.
Other best practices for sustainable projects have been documented at: https://bestpractices.coreinfrastructure.org. By getting a CII Best Practices badge, projects are able to demonstrate their maturity, and guide others in finding key data in the areas of change control, issue reporting, code quality, and security practices.
Project Licensing
All projects should have a license associated with them. Guidance on how to find a license that matches your needs can be found at https://choosealicense.com/licenses/. Information on how to structure a project so the licensing information can be found is at: https://reuse.software/
Source File Licensing
Files move between projects. It is recommended that each source file document the license that applies to the file. Guidance on a lightweight way to document the license that applies can be found at: https://spdx.org/ids.


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Walrus Jawbone Grizzly Salmon Totem
Regular price
This nice piece is carved from the fossilized lower jawbone of an ancient walrus. Grizzlies and salmon are stacked on top of each other in this totem, showcasing a fascinating segment of the Alaskan food chain.
Due to the unique nature of this material, the actual size and coloring of each carving will vary slightly.


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The belief that acne can be treated in a sauna or steam room is pervasive and, unfortunately, untrue. Though relaxing and healthy in other ways, steam does not help with acne treatment and can actually make acne problems worse. There are ways to treat acne, and staying out of of the sauna is one of them.
Sweating It Out
The steam in a sauna opens your pores and makes you sweat. Because of this, many people believe that steam rooms and saunas treat acne. The theory is that open pores more easily release any dirt and oil they are holding, allowing your sweat to easily cleanse them by flushing away the dirt. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to support this belief and, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, sweating can actually make acne problems worse.
Back to Reality
To effectively treat acne, wash your face twice a day with a mild cleanser. Wash after exercising and sweating as well. Avoid toners, astringents and other harsh chemicals as well as those that contain alcohol. Wash the skin gently rather than scrubbing and rinse with warm water. Wash your hair daily, and avoid touching your face or picking at any blemishes you do have. Consult a dermatologist if your acne persists or gets worse.


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Massage Therapist and Spa Owner Profile
Find out what it's really like to be a massage therapist.
Spa Owner Success Story
Amanda Jester
L.M.P. (Licensed Massage Practitioner)
Co-owner of Glee Day Spa, Seattle, WA
Amanda Jester began going to a massage therapist after she was in a car accident. "I realized that this was something I believed in; I enjoyed it; and it was an avenue for me to start my own business."
Jester holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and was working in the social services field. When she decided to make the switch into massage, she kept her full-time job and enrolled part-time at Cortiva's Brenneke School of Massage in Seattle, Washington.
Training Online and Offline
While searching for a massage therapist school, Jester did most of her research online. "I really loved the philosophy of integrating body, mind and spirit at Cortiva schools." She also spoke to other Cortiva graduates who spoke highly of the program.
She advises prospective students to research well before selecting a massage therapist school. "Most schools offer you the opportunity to visit and sit in a class for free. Go to the school, meet the students. Make sure it's well-rounded. The program should really leave you with a sense of how to run a business."
Getting a License
At the end of a course in massage therapy, Jester explains, "You get a certificate. You have to take a state test to become licensed after that." The test varies from state to state. "Washington is more stringent. The classes you take are almost like pre-med and will include anatomy and physiology."
In other states, the process may not be as intense. "In California you don't really need a license," she says. The massage therapy licensing exam that Jester took for Washington state was all computer-based. "There were many questions on it based on ethics and laws."
Customize Your Program
While at Cortiva, Jester leaned more towards massage therapy in the spa environment. "You can customize your program to suit your interests. We had courses in Swedish and deep tissue massage, reflexology, Reiki and pregnancy massage." She adds, "Although I leaned towards spa, I am fully trained in clinical massage as well."
Spa vs. Clinical Massage Therapist
There are some core differences between the spa and clinical massage therapy environments. "Clinical therapy is a lot of insurance work. You usually work in a chiropractor's office. Much of it is through worker's compensation. You see clients on a short term basis and you are trying to correct soft tissue damage along with the help of a doctor and a physical therapist." The spa environment is more indulgent and luxurious. "A spa is more about pampering," she says. "Many people see it as a sort of preventative method."
Working on Commission
After completing her massage therapist program, Jester worked at an Aveda Spa where she worked on commission.
"You can earn anywhere from 35 percent to 50 percent of the massage costs, and massage prices usually range from $60 to $120."
The other option, she says, is to "rent a space, in which case you may be able to take away 100 percent of your earnings. This is usually what happens in a chiropractor's office."
Business Ownership
After a year of working in the Aveda spa, Jester felt ready to start her own massage therapy business. She joined forces with her sister, a licensed esthetician, and Glee Day Spa was born. They focus on "integrating mind, body and soul" in their healing treatments.
Jester warns that starting your own business requires a concerted effort and a lot of creativity. "Business can be slow at first. The best thing we've done to generate business is join networking groups to get our word out." She adds, "Also you can offer your services for free to get your name out. We've donated gift certificates to United Way and joined our local Chamber of Commerce."


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Before going out of her carriage to greet Demi, Phobos had worn the softest pair of gloves in her possession to hide her inflamed hands and arranged her expression into her most reassuring smile.
Apparently, the results were underwhelming because Demi's brow wrinkled with concern when she laid her eyes upon her.
Phobos saw her nose twitch. The floral fragrance she had rubbed into her wrists seemingly weren't enough to conceal the stench of her vomit.
She needed a bath but none were forthcoming on the road. The next city was yet another day away and for the purpose of hurrying along, the carriage train wouldn't be stopping there for more than the few hours required to restock their supplies.
Hardly enough time for the relaxing soak she wanted.
As she followed Demi towards the campfire where Husband and his parents were waiting for them, her sensitive ears picked up the gossip in the rest of the camp while she passed by.
"Oi. Ain't that the First Princess? I 'eard that she locked 'erself up in the cells 'cause the Second Princess awakened at seventeen and even at eighteen, she has yet to awaken."
"Oh… yeah… I was there when the Second Princess came running with the injured Prince in her arms and they spent the whole night with her, convincing her to return to her room."
"I dunno why they bothered… I've 'eard that 'er talent is mediocre and it'll be good if she manages to awaken at the age of nineteen."
"Shh! Keep yer voice down! Be careful that she doesn't hear ye. She's known to be vindictive… what with how she maltreated her opponent in last year's competition."
"I dunno 'bout last year, but she won't be mixing any positive outcome if even a few days of travel makes 'er sick. Pampered is what she is… why, I 'eard from some good sources that the Prince only married 'er 'cause she enticed the Second Princess 'fore they married."
"True that… there be a lot of talented girls in the clan for him to choose… take that girl Fifa for instance… downright stunner is what she is… talented too."
"Yeah… 'eard she's slated to awaken any time now… and man those things on 'er chest… she's wasted on that midget cousin of the Second Princess. She'd look mighty fine with the Prince… at least he wouldn't 'ave to tiptoe to give 'er a kiss. Ha-ha."
The gossip turned towards puerile speculation on the figures of the various women in the clan and Phobos clenched her teeth as a blue vein throbbed on her forehead.
She wanted nothing more at that moment than to walk up to the vulgar boors and rip out their tongues.
She had spread the excuse that the travel had caused her health to deteriorate so that none would find it questionable that she spent so much of her day cooped up in her carriage. That didn't give the plebeians the right to insinuate that she was weak behind her back.
She was sure they would squeal like stuck pigs if even one of the monsters she unleashed upon herself on a daily basis was to sink its jaws into them. And yet, they had the gall to call her weak.
Good, she might not be talented in magic like Demi and her martial skills were better than average at the best of times. Compared to Husband's skill in martial arts, hers was pitiful.
Yet, she had kept up with the geniuses that surrounded her, hadn't she? Her will and perseverance were unquestionable.
Uninformed louts that they were, they were questioning her very efforts. maybe the world would be a better place if they all just died!
Sensing her agitation and having picked up on the gossip with her equally sensitive ears, Demi squeezed her hand comfortingly, making her wince as pressure was applied on her still raw skin.
Misinterpreting her flinching as the signs of her depression due to the comments, Demi pulled her out of sight behind a tree and hugged her tightly, muttering, "Don't feel bad ya, Phi-Phi. They don't mean it."
Deeply inhaling the comforting scent of the petite girl in her bosom, she hugged her back, pushing her overly dark thoughts to the back of her mind.
Shaking her head to clear it, she introspected. She must be cracking under the pressure if a few thoughtless words could evoke her killing intent.
Withdrawing reluctantly from the hug, she smiled at Demi and said, "Don't worry Demi. It will take a lot more than words to keep this girl down."
This time around, her smile was genuine.
Grinning widely, Demi pulled her along by her hand towards the campfire around which the family was gathered and she had to struggle to prevent the pain from showing on her face.
As they walked into the firelit clearing, a glint on Demi's left bicep drew her attention.
It was her Heavenly Silksnail.
She watched as Demi released her arm and skipped to the empty seat on Husband's left. She patted the space to her left, "Come on Phi-Phi, sit here."
Epione, who was on Husband's right said, "I'm sorry dear, there's no cure for motion sickness, though it certainly is my first time seeing a case so severe. You'll just have to tough it out until your body gets used to it."
She nodded in acquiescence as she took her seat. Husband leaned over Demi and spoke to her, "Eat up, even if you don't feel like it. Maybe you'll be able to keep it down this time and anyway we're quite close to the capital… it'll be just a few more days and we'll be done with the journey."
Turning his head towards the command tent of the temporary camp, he said, "We were waiting for Father to be done with his work but he sent a message that he won't be able to join us today and that we should start off without him. So since you're here, let's begin, shall we?"
She smiled at him and replied affirmatively and they began their dinner. She participated in the small-talk absent-mindedly as her thoughts still dwelt on the Heavenly silkworm on Demi's arm.
The silksnail like the fire ants was another one of the remnant beasts. Although in this case, instead of natural disasters, it had become a part of daily life.
As its name suggested, it was a snail that secreted silk. It was a symbiote that latched onto a host and fed off the mana they provided. In the process, they would wrap the host in a tunic of ephemeral silk.
The silk was quite sturdy, providing a good amount of physical protection and doubling as a means to absorb the mana emanating from the host.
When one wanted to remove their clothing, all they had to do was feed the silksnail mana directly and it would retract its silk, surrounding itself in a cocoon as it detached from its host.
Over the next few hours, the cocoon would be compressed and merge with its own shell, making it sturdier. Then it could be reattached to a host. Once its shell grew to a critical density, it would stop growing further and any further mana would be used to create silk to bolster its cocoon and hence, the tunic it wrapped its host with would continuously strengthen till it almost resembled a set of light armour.
Beyond a point, it would create a new individual by splitting off a part of its soft fleshy body and wrapping it with the silk from its cocoon.
In the era of Beasts, they had been regularly used to substitute clothing as the Beasts were widely divergent in physical form.
Vita and Mortem had passed over them due to their asexual method of propagation and hence, they survived the apocalypse, finding new hosts in the emergent Bestia.
As the silksnail tunics could morph their form according to the body of the host, they were necessary items for women who had awakened as regular clothing would be shredded during the transformation to their Feral form, leaving them naked when they transformed back.
As such, a tradition had formed for the husband of an awakened woman to gift her a Heavenly Silksnail. The one on Demi's arm was an offshoot of the one worn by Epione. It was a beautiful specimen. Not only was the tunic it formed in possession of a strong defensive capability, it had inherited an affinity to light due to its long association with Epione's mana, causing each thread to glow with a soft internal radiance.
Over its lifetime, Epione's silksnail had only produced that one offspring and it would take several years yet for another to be born.
As such, Demi and she had already decided that the first one to awaken would get it. Indeed, she had happily watched on as Husband had foregone his gift in his coming of age ceremony to beg the silksnail from his mother.
Yet, now as she looked at it, a spike of jealousy ran through her. The ugly emotion making the food in her mouth taste bitter.
A sudden spike of pain from her hands distracted her. They had finally begun to swell from the effects of the residual venom and even the soft fabric of her most expensive gloves irritated the tender skin. It was a reminder of her inferiority. While she had to resort to desperate measures, fighting tooth and nail to stay at their level, they made it seem easy.
Maybe, those gossips were right and the only reason she was in this relationship was because she had enticed the unsuspecting Demi into a lesbian relationship when she was too young to know what love was.
In the last few days Husband had barely visited her, busy as he was with the training to control his wind mana and integrate it into his martial arts. Due to the limitations of the carriages, they had been sleeping separately too, with him and Demi sleeping together in a larger one, since regular intercourse was required to stabilize her Feral form post-awakening.
Although, much of the reason she was sleeping separately was due to her fake sickness and their belief that she needed her rest, she couldn't help but feel left out.
She wondered whether her desperate efforts were but an exercise in futility, doomed to remain unknown and unappreciated.
Her thoughts kept going down depressing pathways and she grew sullen, participating in the conversation less and less. Setting her cutlery down, she noticed that somewhere down the line, the Shadow Stealth magic she had been maintaining on her hands to detract attention from their inflamed appearance had expired.
Reapplying the magic, she begged indisposition and took her leave amidst the concerned inquiries of the others, fending off their offers to accompany her by pointing out that it was a short walk to her carriage and that she could manage.
As she walked towards her carriage, the birthplace of her misery during the last few days, she felt an immense, ancient hatred bubble up within herself.
Unbeknownst to her, beneath her gloves, the welts on her hand were healing at a rapid pace and being replaced by jet black fur.
Under the moonlight, her shadow seemed to stretch and morph…
… into that of a beast.


text: From an Eastside factory to breakfast plates in the Caribbean - that was the itinerary for about 15,000 sausage links made on a recent afternoon at Azar Sausage and Meat Co.It's unlikely, however, that leisure-seekers in their sandals and sunglasses will know there's a secret family recipe and three generations of tradition behind their breakfasts.But the Azar history is rich and still being written. The latest chapter involves a return to roots.After about eight years in Springfield, the wholesale company has moved back to the Eastside, where the late John Azar developed his recipes more than 50 years ago. The move was necessary because Azar's former landlord filed for bankruptcy, but business had outgrown the space anyway, said Raymond Azar, John Azar's son.A new processing plant has been under construction for a couple of months on East Union Street. At about 8,000 square feet, twice the size as the last plant, it's almost fully up and running with 11 employees."I've always liked the Eastside," said Raymond Azar."It's just a connection with the past."It all started when John Azar, a Lebanese immigrant, started making sausages in the back of his grocery store at Albert Street and Florida Avenue (now A. Philip Randolph Boulevard) and gave them to family and friends. In 1954, the store became a state-inspected sausage-making plant and quickly evolved into a wholesale company. The business was there about 25 years before moving to Haines Street.Raymond Azar, 72, recalls that Florida Avenue was a hub of activity in the early days, with stores and restaurants lining both sides.He officially joined his father's business in 1960 and established it nationally, he said.Decades later, he says he'll never retire."Having done something so long and knowing people still want [your product], and you're keeping the family tradition, that brings a sense of pride," he said.His sons, John and Phillip Azar, work with him, but he remains heavily involved in the daily work."I'll season my own batches half the time," he said, "and I make sure the meat is blended right."Even with machines to help, he called sausage-making "labor intensive."Fortunately, he said, he now has more freedom because his sons work with him. They're both in their 30s and likely to carry on the Azar tradition, he said.The company makes fresh breakfast links, mild and spicy smoked and Italian sausages, and Bratwurst, all either 100 percent pork or beef. (Raymond Azar's favorite is the original mild smoked - it's of the "old-fashioned" kind, he said.) In addition, they offer some cuts of meat such as ribs and neckbones.Azar products are locally available in some independent meat markets and are served in several restaurants, including the Bono's chain. They also sell in bulk at the plant.Having doubled the size of their plant, the Azars hope to increase their business as well, including seeking contracts with Publix and Winn-Dixie, Raymond Azar said.If Azar sausages hit those stores' shelves, shoppers might think the red and yellow label is retro '60s. But it's not. Chalk it up to family tradition: the logo is the same as it was back then.


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Nothing like having an online presence.
Since the Magpie's birth, she has been online. She certainly gets mentioned here. Her image appeared publicly on flickr for a year or so, but has long since been set to friends-and-family. References to her make appearances on Twitter and Facebook. But it's not all second degree social presence.
Yes, the Magpie has email addresses. We secured those early on. With the way awesome handles disappear, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do. She has a private blog for family and close friends. She has hit the like button on my Facebook page and approved kid QOTD postings before I submit her sayings to Twitter. She has instructed me to save photos for later. And I have done so – on Pinterest.
And now she has seen Pinterest. And oh-so-very quickly discovered how to repin. Oh, and that I already have a board called The Kid's Faves to which I was posting things she likes.
It is now more apparent that she likes critters.
And nail polish.
Be very glad she has not yet searched for shoes.


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By Michael Carr |
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 11:14 AM
Muriel "Mickie" Siebert, chairwoman and CEO of Siebert Financial, is often called "The First Woman of Finance," recognizing the fact that she became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange in 1967 when she paid a then-record $445,000 to join the exclusive club.
Siebert continued her career as a financial trailblazer in 1975 when fixed commissions were eliminated. Siebert Financial immediately reduced commissions by 40 percent and became one of the first firms to become a discount broker.
Siebert still owns 86 percent of the firm, worth almost $50 million. This represents a return of more than 12 percent a year on the cost of her exchange membership.
In a recent interview with Steve Forbes, Siebert said she was largely in cash but was looking to buy U.S. global companies that derive at least 50 percent of their revenues and earnings abroad.
"Some of these companies are selling at nine, 10, or 11 times earnings, so you know that they're going to be a great buy," Siebert says.
For this week's screen, I followed Siebert's advice:
• Only companies which generate at least half their revenue overseas were considered. This included just over 100 of the companies in the S&P 500 index.
• Siebert cautions against excessive debt. Following this advice, we restrict potential buys to companies which have below average debt when compared with other companies in their industry.
• Earnings and dividends should both be positive over the past 12 months.
• To avoid buying stock of companies headed towards potential bankruptcy, we selected only stocks that were in the top quartile of performance over the past six months. This should find stocks the market expects to do well when the bear market finally ends.
These stringent criteria left us with only six stocks on our list.
Altria Group (MO) is the holding company of Philip Morris, the well-known cigarette company, and John Middleton, which manufactures machine-made large cigars. MO also holds a 28.6 percent stake in brewer SABMiller. With 58 percent of sales coming from overseas, MO provides recession-proof products (beer and cigarettes) around the world. At a recent price of 17.82, MO offered a dividend yield of 7.1 percent and a P/E ratio of 6.
Applied Biosystems (ABI) provides technology solutions for DNA and other genetic research. The company has an installed base of approximately 180,000 instrument systems in nearly 100 countries, providing a solid stream of maintenance revenue and earnings. Almost 60 percent of revenue is derived overseas. Recent price: 30.20.
Brown-Forman (BF) bottles and distributes a variety of alcoholic beverages. Its principal brands include Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and Southern Comfort, both strongly identified with the American way of life and popular among the rising middle classes in emerging markets. BF gets just over half its sales overseas. At the recent price of 47.41, BF pays investors a 2.3 percent dividend.
Coca-Cola (KO) generates more than 70 percent of its total revenue outside the U.S. Earnings growth is expected to be close to its slow but steady historical average of 10 percent a year. The largest shareholder, Warren Buffett, owns 200 million shares, valued at more than $10 billion at the recent close of 45.90. The dividend yield is a market-beating 3.3 percent at that price.
Exxon Mobil (XOM) sees almost 70 percent of its revenue come from overseas. At a recent price of 74.02, XOM has a P/E ratio of 8, well below its five-year average of 11. It offers a dividend yield of 2.2 percent, and the company has been increasing its payout by more than eight percent a year on average over the past five years.
Pfizer (PFE) sells almost $50 billion a year of prescription medicines for humans and animals worldwide, with just over 40 percent of its sales coming from the United States. Its blockbuster drugs include Lipitor for elevated cholesterol levels in the blood; Chantix/Champix for smoking cessation; Aricept for Alzheimer's disease; and Celebrex for arthritis pain. Earnings have grown only about 2 percent a year over the past five years, and are expected to grow at that pace for the next several years. The stock pays a 7.6 percent dividend yield at the recent price of 16.60.
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Since the advent of easy and free access to blogging tools I've been starting blogs. My intentions were always good but I've never been able to muster the discipline to blog regularly. I get off to what I think is a good start, usually with an entry like this that explains my blogging history and habits. Given my high failure rate I'm starting to wonder if this kind of start can really be called "good". I'll get on with it nonetheless. I'll begin with a question and follow with some answers.
What can this blog do for me?
- I'll be writing and will get better at writing because I'll be writing. That sentence shows that I need practice.
- I'll explore the nuances of my job which will presumably lead to improved job performance.
- I'll write about things I'm learning and would like to learn.
- People who read the blog will be entertained, informed, enlightened, amused, bored, annoyed, etc. This assumes anyone will read it.
I've got goals! I have a plan!
I know the first post is the easiest so I'll keep whispering this mantra.
One post at a time dear girl, one post at a time.


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Difficulty: Medium
About The Black Demure Cocktail
With a slug of spicy bourbon, this blackberry cocktail isn't as demure as she looks.
Ingredients in The Black Demure Cocktail
- 2 oz Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon
- .25 oz Massenez Crème de Mure
- .25 oz Cointreau
- .75 oz Fresh lemon juice
- .25 oz Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
Garnish: Blackberry and lemon wheel
Glass: Old Fashioned
How to make The Black Demure Cocktail
Add all the ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake, and strain into an Old Fashioned glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a blackberry and lemon wheel.
Source : liquor[dot]com


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Pleasebe judicious and courteous in selecting your words.
v.v good recipe
WHY U HAVE TO ADD RAI.... WHAT FOR NO NEED TO ADD RAI.... Try and make english steak not deshi steak. No need to add rai and papita. just use veniger nd soya sause black paper salt half lemon few drops of honey and thn keep it in fridge for 3hours. Thank you and bye bye...
steak tu acha hai but allu mater ka kiya kam is main???
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JONATHAN LEDGARD, Africa Correspondent, The Economist; Author, Giraffe in conversation with LAURA SYDELL, Correspondent, National Public Radio
SPEAKERS: JONATHAN LEDGARD, Africa Correspondent, The Economist; Author, Giraffe in conversation with LAURA SYDELL, Correspondent, National Public Radio
TITLE: Africa, 2007
The Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, genocide in Darfur, and controversies over recent celebrity adoptions have brought Africa back into Western headlines. However, the inner workings of the continent's politics are not widely known or understood. Drawing on his decade of journalistic experience in Africa, renowned international correspondent Jonathan Ledgard will shed light on current affairs and crises in the region and provide an in-depth analysis.
Marginal and impoverished stretches of the continent, from Mauritania to Somalia, are being pulled into tribal wars and fights over water, cattle, and land. Swelling populations, flood and drought cycles exacerbated by climate change, overgrazing, and the proliferation of guns and weaponry are fuelling the instability. Ledgard will explore the question of whether collapse is inevitable in Africa, as well as, suggest possible solutions for the problems in the poorest parts of the region.
Ledgard is currently an Economist correspondent based in Central and East Africa. He has also covered Afghanistan, Central and Eastern Europe, Los Angeles, and Texas, and was one of the first correspondents to travel with George W. Bush. Ledgard is the author of Giraffe, a novel which has been translated into several languages. He also served as a human rights researcher on Tibet for Jimmy Carter in 1991. Ledgard was born in the Shetland Islands in 1968 and educated in Scotland, England, and the United States.
This program was recorded live on March 22, 2007


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Mali – Music for peace
They could be called a coalition, even though not a warring one. Many West African singers and musicians took their stand on the conflict in Mali, and chose to ask for peace and unity.
In January, Mali's Fatoumata Diawara gathered some of the country's best-known music artists, including Vieux Farka Touré, Amadou et Mariam, Oumou Sangare, and Toumani Diabaté, the renowned kora harp player. The 'Voices United for Mali', as they chose to call themselves, recorded a song in a mix of French, Bambara, and other Malian languages: it is called Mali-ko, a title that roughly translates to 'Peace'.
"We are killing each other, betraying one another, and dividing ourselves. Let us not forget we have the same blood," they sing in Mali-ko. And: "Let's stand stronger together, people of Mali! Men and Women of Mali, let us unite to be stronger. Let me tell our children that we will not let our country fall into ruin." Despite the fact that at first glance the 'Voices United for Mali' project can look a bit like an African, anti-war We are the World, these musicians do not hesitate to deal with relevant political themes, such as the rise of Islamist groups in the northern regions of the country.
"I have never seen such a desolate and catastrophic situation. They want to impose Sharia on us. Go tell them that our Mali is undividable and unchangeable," sings Soumalia Kanouté. Other lyrics reveal a deeper concern: "In a moment where the people of Mali think of their stability, others try to destabilize us. In the North, people are starving, our women become merchandise, they are beaten and raped," says Kisto Dem, and Master Soumi likens the country to a "political cigarette butt."
This all-star music team is not unique in the war-torn country. As in other parts of Africa, Mali's musicians often played a symbolic role, also involving a certain share of political commitment. On this issue, Oumou Sangare recently told the press: "We sing about what the politicians will not say. We must sing for people who have no voice." Both she and Ivorian-born reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly, currently living in Bamako, have already recorded two other songs about the political crisis in the country: Paix au Mali ('Peace in Mali') was Oumou's, and An ka wili ('Mobilization and galvanization') Tiken Jah's.
Music has also been used, in the past, to highlight the Tuareg's desire for freedom. They played a great role in Mali's history and at the beginning of the crisis. This is quite a paradox, because with the Islamists' takeover most music – including that of Malian Tuareg groups such as Tinariwen and Tamikrest – was outlawed due to the strict interpretation of the Sharia law imposed by the radical movements.
Both Tinariwen and Tamikrest supported the political struggle of Kel Tamashek (as most members of this people prefer to be called) and the former even took part in the fighting of the 90s. However, none of them wants Tuareg to be confused with al-Qaeda linked Islamists – which they never supported – and they clearly favour peace. Nevertheless, peace is seen as a step towards independence by Tamikrest's leader Ousmane ag Mossa. "We have never seen Mali as one country. Our movement is for our independence," he said to journalists in January before a concert in London. "The musicians of the south are only finding out now what has been going on," added the singer, who lost his parents during the 1990s Tuareg uprising and the consequent operations of Malian soldiers.
As one can easily imagine, neither Tinariwen nor Tamikrest are part of the 'Voices United for Mali', but in the country there has been – in past years – at least one music event in which musicians from every part of Mali, and from other regions of Africa and Europe, took part. It was the Festival au Désert ('Desert Festival') usually held in Essakane or Timbuktu. Since they both are in the war-torn North, the government of Mali asked for this year's festival to be postponed. Is this another signal that the current conflict has emphasized the existing differences in the country, turning "musicians into frontline soldiers"?
These are the words of Andy Morgan, a former music manager for many bands (including Tinariwen), now turned journalist. According to what he wrote in January on the CNN website, the Malian crisis has to be regarded as a "cultural conflict" inside the Muslim world. A risky thesis, because it highlights just one of the many factors which characterise the current war. Moreover, Morgan describes music – because of the Islamists' ban – as a divisive issue, which appears to be only marginally true. As all Malian musicians – both Tuareg and black African – have shown, music can truly replace arms as an instrument in the political arena. This means that it is more correctly considered a tool of peace than a weapon for war. (D.M.)


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After 12 years on staff at Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Eric Gustafson has resigned to pursue a new opportunity at the Family Housing Fund, continuing his work on affordable housing. Stay tuned for an event to celebrate Eric's dozen years of service to CNO!
The CNO Board of Directors is excited to announce that Heidi Johnson McAllister, CNO's Associate Director for the last two years, has been selected as the new Executive Director. Heidi is currently on maternity leave, and will return June 15. firstname.lastname@example.com
In addition, Vanessa Haight has joined the CNO staff as the part-time Interim Director during Heidi's leave, and will transition into a new full-time role as Community Development Manager over the next few months. Please join us in welcoming Vanessa to the CNO staff! email@example.com


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Lisa Jardine
The Half-Open Window
Vermeer's Hat: The Seventeenth Century and the Dawn of the Global World
By Timothy Brook
Profile Books 232pp £18.99 order from our bookshop
On the cover of Timothy Brook's enthralling new book is a well-known painting by Jan Vermeer of a laughing young woman in yellow, seated at a table and bathed in sunlight which floods through a half-open window. Her hands cup a crystal glass, and she is flirting with a dashing officer in a red coat seated opposite her. He has his back towards us, his right arm akimbo, but the composition is dominated by the outsized, black beaver hat he wears, fashionably trimmed with ribbon. This hat, and the diamond-paned window against which it is framed, set the stage for Vermeer's Hat. The minutely observed and meticulously executed details in Vermeer's paintings, Brook suggests, offer us metaphorical 'doors' – apertures opening up, like that half-open window, towards a wider world. Such doors, proposes Brook, take us directly into the rapidly expanding seventeenth-century world of global exploration and trade. Objects interjected into Vermeer's compositions draw the reader's eye and mind towards vistas beyond the sitters in their quintessentially Dutch surroundings.


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Welcome to Key Stone Security
Key Stone Security provide a range of services to manage all of your fire & security requirements without the need to deal with multiple organisations. From our central UK base we offer national coverage, and with over 20 years experience in the Fire and Security industry and dedicated Fire and Security experts on hand 24/7 we provide the ultimate protection for you and your business.
If your business has effective fire safety and security features in place, it means that you can concentrate on running your business. Your staff, visitors, buildings and assets will all be protected from fire and crime and if the worst does happen, you and your staff will know how to respond.
At Key Stone Security we know the solution you require is more than just using the highest quality products. You need to know that your company's future is in safe hands - and that's what we deliver. We only employ experienced and qualified engineers, and with competitive prices and a guarantee covering all installations and maintenance you will soon see how we put customer satisfaction at the centre of everything we do.


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Here's a buggering flickload of screenshots and a gameplay video for Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends. The screens shot off pretty much every facet of the expansion, while the footage showcases one of the new characters, Wang Yi.
Wang Yi fights with a pair of sai, which is more popularly known as "The things Raphael has in Turtles." She looks like a pretty cool character, although I really only care about Guo Jia thus far.
Anyway, some stuff look at. Fun!


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New Cross Studios Provide Well Lit Workspaces in Wabi Sabi Style
Serene and sincere, these apartments offer a beautiful balance of minimal furniture in rich materials and textures.
New Cross Lofts
Michael Sinclair
It's hard to believe that this laid back modern home in the bustling and trendy New Cross London district was formerly an old burned-out garage. Design duo Zoe Chan and Merlin Eayrs converted this space into a set of well-lit apartments; studios offering concrete walls and gorgeous wide open spaces that fit with a Wabi Sabi aesthetic.
The exterior facade exhibits a distinctive herringbone pattern, in order to showcase the large windows that flood in plenty of light to the apartments. New Cross is located south of the River Thames, in the borough of Lewisham. The nearby Goldsmiths University provides a vibrant creative hub of design and colorful inspiration, with the result that it's a fun neighborhood and the birthplace of New Rave.
These apartments, designed by Chan + Eayrs, have an access point through a communal stairwell. The staircase is finished in concrete and polished plaster walls, as can be seen in the soft lit photos.
A trip to Marrakesh inspired the blush walls. Also known as the Rose City for its pink walls, the town garners its paint from the pigment of local clay.
In the interior of the home there are simple panels. They help the built in storage and access points seamlessly blend together. It creates an overall feeling of space and width; that everything joins together naturally.
Each apartment has a similar layout to the other. The striking features are the well fitted kitchen, coupled with minimal calming materials. Lime-washed oak floors give the room a serene feel.
Undeniably the frosted glass panes in the lower half of the steel windows are a suitable look for this minimal home. They provide privacy but nonetheless let in lots of light. A built-in bench provides plenty of storage underneath. Overall the room oozes effortless cool.
Chan and Eayre describe their design approach as "relating to the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi. They draw upon the beauty of the texture, patina and imperfection in natural materials and juxtapose them with clean contemporary volumes and spaces."
The Wabi Sabi aesthetic is one based on asymmetry, simplicity and an appreciation for the integration of natural objects and processes. This minimal approach to decoration across the lofts can be understood in these Wabi Sabi terms. Darker tones are reflected in the distressed and vintage furniture.
From the designers:
Utilizing Chan's investment skills, they buy their own sites, which allows complete creative freedom over each project, and then as trained architects they collaborate with traditional craftsmen and builders to shape the sites into bespoke one off homes.
With attention to the appreciation of simple materials, combined with rosy walls and contemporary fittings, the New Cross Lofts provide a relaxing and creative space bathed in natural light.
Keen to see more minimal home designs? Check out this minimal open plan home with an excellent garden view. Minimal not your thing? Take a tour through this gorgeous French duplex in Paris with luxury materials and striking walls.


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Torrington Petco to host Adopt-A-Sweetie event Feb 2 to find homes for dogs
LITCHFIELD >> Rescue Dog Village, a non-profit rescue organization, will be hosting their Adopt A Sweetie Valentine's Adoption event at Torrington PetCo on Feb. 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is located at 980 Torringford St.
Valentine's Day is the ideal time to bring a loving pup into a new home. It's encouraged for all adopters to fill out an application before the event to get pre-approved. All dogs for adoption are healthy, vet checked and up to date on their vaccines.
The dogs live in private foster homes and are available once an adoption application has been approved. Forever homes are desperately needed for these loving companions.
Those interested in adopting can fill out an application before the event for pre-approval at www.rescuedogvillage.com. Adoptable dogs can be viewed online. Applications will also be available at the event.
There is an adoption fee which covers all previous veterinary costs and vaccinations.
The group is also in need of foster homes and volunteers. Those applications are available online as well at www.rescuedogvillage.com.
For more information, contact Sallie Norelli at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Rescue Dog Village's primary mission is to curtail the number of perfectly viable yet unwanted animals that are brought into shelters that consequently euthanize them simply because of pet over-population and a lack of adopters.
It is a collective of responsible rescuers and is entirely volunteer run.


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This past weekend, we were lucky enough to travel to the beautiful,
The third day we had to ourselves so being that Nan is in Northern Thailand, and Northern Thailand is famous for my two favourite things in Thailand – Khao soi and coffee, I only had one thing on my mind; to find the best of both! I did my research and decided on a restaurant called Wanda for the khao soi, which is bang in the middle of town and Cafe Soodgongdee for the coffee, which we had passed earlier across the river.
After a wander around the town's most famous and significant temple, Wat Phumen, we got on Google Maps and had a little stroll down towards the river to find the restaurant.
Wanda is a classic, open air restaurant with big pots of different dishes to choose from right at the entrance as you walk in. So far, so good.
There are two different types of meat to choose from for the khao soi here, chicken and pork. We decided on a bowl of the chicken each, and I was also pleased to see khao kan jin (rice with pork blood steamed in banana leaf) on the menu, so I had to order a portion of that as well!
If you follow my blog on a regular basis, you'll know how fussy I am when it comes to khao soi, especially in Bangkok, so I was a little nervous that I'd made the wrong choice of restaurant as this was going to be the only chance I had to review somewhere this weekend. As soon as the khao soi came and I took a mouthful, though, my fears were quickly allayed; this was a proper khao soi!
There are different styles of khao soi, depending on where you go; some are heavy on the coconut milk, some are thinner and oily, the khao soi at Wanda sits nicely in the middle. It comes with a thinnish broth heavily spiced with coriander seeds and black cardamom and a gentle drizzle of reduced coconut cream over the top that adds a pleasing richness. It's very reminiscent of the khao soi at my favourite restaurant in Chiang Mai – Khao Soi Samer Jai.
Under the broth, you'll find blanched egg noodles and on top, thinner, crunchy, deep fried noodles which add a great texture to the dish. As with all khao soi, you get all the usual condiments; fresh lime wedges roasted chilli oil, sliced shallots/red onion and pickled cabbage so you can adjust the taste of the dish to suit yourself.
I tasted the soup as it came and was happy enough but once I added the lime, chilli, and cabbage, it took the whole thing to another level. It's a bold statement, but I'm going to say it anyway, this is one of the best khao soi I've had anywhere in Thailand!
Next up was the khao kan jin. This simple rice dish is one of my favourites, and the version at Wanda didn't disappoint. The rice had a soft, chewy texture and was rich from the blood and fat it's steamed with. It comes served with crispy, fried garlic for extra taste and texture. The one thing I will say is that it definitely could have been warmer but I guess they steam them all at once in the morning so It would have been hotter if we'd got there earlier.
So, the two khao soi and the khao kan jeen came to a grand total of 90 baht which at the moment is around £2 or $2.80!
If you've got time, you can check out the video below for a full review.
Here's the map to Wanda:
After we finished we hopped on our scooter and headed back across the river to find the coffee shop. Cafe' Soodgongdee isn't on the sign in English but it does say 'coffee shop, bakery, and bistro' so you'll know you're in the right spot. Besides, Google Maps took us right to the door so as long as you have data, you'll find it no problem.
Cafe Soodgongdee looks quite small from the outside but opens out into a great space once you get inside. Its decor is funky, with lots of bare wood, beer signs and different shaped mugs and glasses on display. There's a fairly large open air seating area which runs up to another seating area overlooking the Nan River.
I ordered a hot Latte and Helen grabbed an iced coffee and we went to sit upstairs and take in the river view.
We were told by Peter, the manager at Sangthong Resort on the first day that Nan produced the best coffee in Thailand and on this evidence it would be hard to argue with him. The coffee was incredible, as was every cup we had the whole weekend. The Nan coffee has a slight sweetness to it without any need for sugar, which is hard to explain.
I wouldn't say that the coffee at Soodgongdee was that much better than anywhere else we tried but they do serve amazing coffee in by far the best space in the town which makes it the number one choice for us. They also have a variety of craft beers, cakes and Thai and Western food here, making it the perfect place to spend a late afternoon evening relaxing after a walk around town.
Two coffees and a bottle of soda water set as back a whopping 140 baht which is £3 or $3.90!
Here are the directions to Cafe Soodgongdee:
For your plane, bus, train and boat tickets in, you can use this link for secure, hassle free booking: https://12go.asia/?z=3070744
Find the best deals on your next hotel from our recommended sites below:


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PlanetThe building was designed and constructed to BREEAM Excellent, which has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognised measures of a building's environmental performance.
PeopleThe site establishes a new and attractive quarter and forms a link between the city's retail core and the 'South Bank' proposals which will see new transport hubs, schools, housing, workspaces and business opportunities taking shape over the next 20 years.
ProfitAs well as providing improved office facilities for KPMG, the building acted as a catalyst for the creation of a new business quarter in Leeds which will contribute to economic prosperity and maintain the city's reputation as the region's economic powerhouse.
Yorkshire Property Awards 2015


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This bright and bold shoot at Tendue in Portland was inspired by South Asian and Mediterranean Cultures
Gooey Gourmet: Say "Yes" to S'mores
Turn a campfire classic up a notch at your outdoor reception with gourmet s'mores from Portland's new Nineteen27 S'mores. The local eatery was born last year when founders James and Elise Kelly, who had been trying various recipes on friends for three years, opened their first food cart in NW Portland.
Nineteen27, so named for the 1927 Girl Scouts booklet that featured the first documented s'mores recipe, offers 30 artisan marshmallow flavors to choose from, including peppermint, Nutella and coffee. The Kellys can even offer pumpkin-flavored graham crackers for the colder months. Couples can opt for Nineteen27's vintage-style cart or a full s'mores bar that can be as simple or as extravagantly gooey and decadent as they wish with a homemade square marshmallow, flavored sauces and graham crackers.
Newlyweds Brandy and Michael McDonald included a s'mores bar in lieu of a wedding cake at their Portland wedding last spring. Guests devoured salted caramel, raspberry swirl and the very popular coffee-flavored s'more. "Having the s'mores bar allowed our loved ones to have more of an interactive experience," Brandy says. "It also freed up some time that would typically be designated for cake cutting so that we would have more time on the dance floor."