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Donate- Friends Groups
Park Market
Ad Hoc Items
Park People Timeline– 2000s
Office moved to War Memorial Center.
Volunteers of the Year Diane Cowan and Anne Linskens.
The growth in friends groups comes at a time when the county parks operating budget has dwindled to less than half its 1980 level.
By luring residents back to the parks, advocates hope to create a volunteer corps to take on some projects the county can’t afford and spread support for greater park funding, according to Park People Executive Director Susan Slocum. The Park People’s new push stems from a re-evaluation of its own mission and realization as early as 2000 “that there needed to be an overall change in the parks.” The question became what can we do to return citizens to the parks, to make these the living rooms of our neighborhoods again,” Slocum said.
Lafayette McKinney serves as President.
In a move to enhance the visibility of The Park People and also preserve funds for Parks instead of operating costs, TPP starts the Milwaukee Environmental Consortium (MEC) with other environmental organizations. MEC is a group of organizations passionate about the environment, run cooperatively by the member groups who each have a vote on all matters. MEC fosters collaboration through shared resources, incubates new initiatives, and activates diverse champions for a clean and healthy environment in Greater Milwaukee. MEC provides office space and services as well as the communal benefit of sharing, learning and collaborative opportunities. MEC fosters the development of new groups by helping them get started under the MEC umbrella, receiving the full benefits of being a non-profit organization. Members include individuals, informal groups and non-profit organizations with missions focused on the environment and sustainability. The goal is to support the people and the work of Greater Milwaukee’s environmental community. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation and also the Non-Profit Management Center were instrumental in facilitating this change.
The Park People planned a symposium to bring the public, current policymakers, and government officials together to examine the status of the parks today. Symposium panelists included:
County Executive Thomas Ament;
Dennis Wedall, budget director of the Milwaukee County Parks;
Paul Hathaway, associate director of the Milwaukee County Parks;
David Meissner, director of the Public Policy Forum;
Karen Ordinans, chair of the county Board of Supervisors;
Margaret Harvey, chair of the Park People and landscape architect;
Dan Diliberti, county supervisor and member of the Parks, Environment, and Education committee;
Penny Podell, county supervisor and also a Parks, Environment and Education committee member;
Phil Evenson, director of SEWRPC; and
Jim McGuigan, county supervisor.
Park People Stewardship and Teschner Awards started
Milwaukee County Supervisor Jim McGuigan was named the recipient of the 2001 Teschner Award for Outstanding Public Service by The Park People. McGuigan was chosen for the award based on his commitment to Milwaukee County Parks and specifically for his involvement in the development of the county’s newest park, Kohl Park.
Park People raise funds to restore the colonnade, walkways and landscaping at the memorial for Dr. Schneider, the donor of Doctors Park, including historical benches.
Volunteer of the Year Dr. Ken Solis for his work on Weed-Out!
Suggests that creation of an independent parks district. modeled after other districts around the country is needed noting county tax dollars earmarked for parks has shrunk from 24% in 1983 to 9% in 2001.
Non Profit Management Center assists with a Board Reorganization.
John Vandlik serves as President. John gives countless volunteer hours to promote a fiscally independent Park District.
TPP starts two new annual awards including Teschner Award for Outstanding Public Service to recognize public officials and the Steward of Year Award recognizing persons who enhanced parks.
Fiscal Policies for Friends Group formation written and adopted thanks to Executive Director Susan Slocum, Board Members John Vandlik and Dave Kinnamon.
Volunteer of the Year Darryl Heron.
Trimbourn Farms transferred to Milwaukee Historical Society. The project was consuming 50% of staff time however, this also meant TPP needed to find a new revenue stream since it received strong revenue from the annual Arts and Crafts festival.
Revision of Bylaws with goal to have a smaller and more engaged Board of Directors, Previously had over 40, now Bylaws state between 18-24. Revisions also created an Advisory Council allowing long time members to resign from Board but maintain an official connection.
Park Friends Group committee formed with goal to encourage formation of Friends Groups and serve as formal liaison to neighborhood park groups as well as groom board members.
TPP consolidates expenditures into one budget, previously Weed Out, Trimbourn and other projects were kept as separate budgets with independent expenditures and revenues.
Adopted a Public Park Policies position paper which were policies that Board of TPP endorsed with respect to the County’s management of the park system. Having Public Park Policies positions defined ahead of time, allowed TPP to react and advocate for TPP interests in a more responsive and timely manner with the media and with County Government officials which also helped to raise the public profile of TPP.
Website launched; theparkpeople-milwaukee.org has since changed to Parkpeoplemke.org
Betty Czarapata, the former director of the Weed-Out! Program passes. Betty devoted much of her life to helping keep invasive plants from taking over Milwaukee-area parks. She authored `Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest’.
Office moved to Milwaukee Environmental Consortium on Farwell Avenue.
Advocates (along with POP) for sales tax to support parks.
Advocates against a hospice being built on a parkway.
Susan Slocum, executive director of the Park People, testifies that volunteers from her group do not supplant park laborers, but do remove invasive plant species, such as garlic mustard and burdock, from the parks — an important chore that would otherwise go undone. Susan’s testimony was in response to the president of AFSCME Local 282, representing county parks workers, who pledged to ban all volunteers from performing any work in county parks.
Susan Slocum becomes President of Milwaukee Environmental Consortium.
Friends Group Initiative started. Park People hires Melanie Houston as Friends Group Coordinator. Melanie assists in the start-up and coordination of 18 Friends Groups over the next two years.
Advocates (along with POP) against docking Navy Cruiser at Veteran’s Park.
Jim Price serves as President.
First Annual Friends Group Gathering reported 36 Friends Groups to date. Melanie Houston instrumental in forming many of these organizations.
Friends of Bradford Beach form with goal to “bring back” Bradford Beach. Deb Lukovich instrumental, later becomes Park People President.
TPP surveys 3,800 members and volunteers from its lists of engagement and receives 411 responses. Objects of the survey are to:
Test various program interests/membership benefits by category
Test membership price points
Measure satisfaction with current park conditions
Test willingness to pay increases taxes dedicated to park support
Test interest in local park support groups
Friends of Hoyt Park form and mobilize to launch a $5.5 million fund-raising campaign to speed construction of a new community swimming pool in Hoyt Park.
Advocates (along with POP) for a Park District.
Wins best emerging origination award from Non-Profit Organization.
Melanie Houston serves as interim Executive Director.
Jim Goulee takes over as Executive Director. Goulee brings a wealth of experience having served 33 years with the Milwaukee County parks system, the last nine in charge of the southern region.
The Park People continues to take a stand on the need for a Park District. A new report conservatively estimates the cost of more than a decade of deferred parks maintenance at nearly $150 million.
The Park People sounds the alarm that the county park system is in crisis. With a 64% drop in the tax levy for parks since 1986, with two-thirds of its full-time work force lost over the same period and with bathrooms, pools and other park facilities in disrepair, the 15,000-acre system is at a turning point. New ways must be found or this emerald necklace will sink into irreversible decay, with dire implications for neighborhoods, the tax base and the region’s quality of life.
Milwaukee County Parks Foundation dissolves.
Milwaukee County Parks Advisory Commission created to help address parks funding decrease. An Advisory Referendum to support creation of a .5%-1% sales tax for Parks and Culture was recommended. This was supported by the County Board, various union organizations, The Park People, Preserve or Parks and the Quality of Life Alliance. This was brought about by legislation to support parks recreation and culture.
Public Parks Alliance, Inc. set up as a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization to receive non-deductible contributions to lobby for legislation and support candidates for public office.
Bylaws revisions made that include allowing for electronic voting.
Advocates (along with POP) for sales tax to support the park system.
Deb Lukovich serves as President.
Volunteer of Year awarded to Lisa Hoerhner.
Television actress Jane Kaczmarek, a well-known TV mom from her years on “Malcolm in the Middle” is celebrity guest at The Park People Gala. She says her appearance was a result of an interview she gave in which she noted that one of her favorite childhood memories was playing at Jackson Park near the south side home where she grew up. The gala was billed as an eco-friendly event, and there were numerous green touches. The invitations were printed on plastic made from recycled soda bottles. Dinner included many locally grown foods, and the cocktail hour featured samplings of organic vodkas that are made locally by Rehorst. Among those at the event were Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Parks Director Sue Black.
Friends of The Monarch Trail starts up. The Trail begins just west of the Milwaukee County Parks Department headquarters on Watertown Plank Road.
Raffle held and sponsored by The Park People to raise funds for the parks with a goal of $250,000 including a donation from Harley Davidson for a Heritage Softail Classic and other prizes including a county “passport” for free admission to county golf courses, pools and other attractions; a bicycle; and free dinners for 10 at Lake Park Bistro and Coast restaurants.
Hosted forum for the candidates for Milwaukee County executive, including philanthropist Chris Abele and state Representative Jeff Stone (R-Greendale).
Launch of The Park People Wall Calendar underwritten by the Reiman Foundation.
Will Ross Foundation grant received.
Started PayPal account.
Coles Family Foundation grant received.
Constance P. Godfrey Foundation grant received.
Directors and Officers Insurance noted as a must-have for board members and policies secured.
Brian Russart hired by MCPD as Natural Areas Manager. He works closely with Weed-Out!
Volunteer of the Year Dave Kinnamon, long term board member and Treasurer.
Discussions between MCPD and TPP on donations and restricted fund policy, discussion included whether a fee should be instituted by TPP or a discount membership card provided to TPP members.
It was noted that The Park People has distributed over 2.5 million dollars to the parks to date.
$5,000 received from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Kopmeier Family Fund.
Listening sessions held and gather over 150 statements on what TPP can and should focus on emphasize energizing and supporting Friends Groups.
Strategic Plan adopted 2008-2012
Document retention policy adopted.
Concerns expressed on newly adopted Strategic Plan not mentioning advocacy, stating that TPP was originated as an advocacy organization in 1977. by Joy Teschner in response to the dismantling of Milwaukee County Parks Commission .
Application for Fiscal Sponsorship from Friends of Estabrook Park.
Treasurer Jim Ciurlik, CPA, provides accounting guidance and financial oversight to TPP fiscal policies. More transparency to board members with monthly profit and loss statements, budget of actual to year to date, and summary of donations accounts managed by TPP for MCPD.
Staffing changes made due to financial constraints, both staff members eliminated with invitation to reapply for a position as interim– Executive Director. One of the two applies and is chosen as interim Executive Director.
Administrative fee policy adopted.
Application for fiscal sponsorships from Friends of Juneau Park and Lafollette Park and ROMP accepted.
Policy adopted on securing a dedicated funding source for Milwaukee County Parks.
David Kinnamon, 30 year member of TPP Board and Treasurer passed on the records to Pete Tomasi. Recognition made of longstanding commitment by Quarles & Brady including service from Charlie Kamps.
Dan Cody serves as President.
Part-time contract accountant approved.
Strategic Plan Consultant Marsh Block hired.
Lincoln Park Friends approved for Fiscal Sponsorship.
Discussions on Parks Foundation assets, policy adopted regarding donor intent and restrictions and transparency.
Deborah Lukovich President.
Janet Tierney serves as Executive Director.
Beginnings | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | Complete History
*Corrections or additions to the timeline can be submitted to The Park People at director@parkpeoplemke.org
© 2019 The Park People of Milwaukee County, Inc.
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“RC F GT3s Lead Laps, No. 15 Lexus Finish...”
RC F GT3s Lead Laps, No. 15 Lexus Finishes Fifth at Sebring
No. 14 Lexus Records Quickest Lap of 12-Hour Race in GTD Class
SEBRING, Fla. (March 19, 2018) – The 3GT Racing No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3 scored a fifth-place GTD class finish in the Twelve Hours of Sebring Saturday in the second endurance event of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.
The No. 15 team debuted its new red livery and led the GTD field for 45 laps in the first half of the 12-hour event, including 40 laps by Jack Hawksworth and five circuits by David Heinemeier Hansson, but the team experienced a few issues during the middle of the race and fell back two laps in their class. In his final stints of the event, Hawksworth commanded the Lexus from 14th-place to finish fifth to match the best result for the RC F GT3 in IMSA competition. Hawskworth ran the third-quickest lap of the race for the GTD class on Lap 4 (of 321 laps).
The No. 14 RC F GT3 ran the quickest single circuit of the race in the GTD class with 3GT Racing driver Dominik Baumann behind the wheel, also on Lap 4 of the 12-hour endurance event. The No. 14 Lexus led eight circuits in class and went on to record a 14th-place finish after having an issue with the hood midway through the race. Endurance racer Philipp Frommenwiler led seven circuits in the No. 14, while Kyle Marcelli was out front of the GTD field once.
Both Lexus’ began the weekend with strong qualifying efforts at the historic Florida road course, with the No. 15 starting third and the No. 14 in fourth.
Lexus and 3GT Racing will next compete in the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Showdown at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, May 6. It will mark the first sprint race of the season and the first time the Lexus RC F GT3s will compete at the 2.4-mile road course.
Jack Hawksworth, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
“It was a fantastic beginning of the race. I took the lead immediately. I had a little bit of contact with the Ferrari, which was concerning. You never want to have contact at the beginning of a 12-hour race. I don’t know if the Ferrari went off and came back on and banged doors with me, but fortunately we got away with that and led the race and was able to control the race at that point. Just looked after the car and tried to get a feel for every bit and obviously got good track position, so that was obviously fantastic. We got back into the lead in the afternoon at some point as well and I think our Lexus’ were one-two at that point with myself and Philipp (Frommenwiler) so that was pretty cool. Just kept on battling away and obviously had a few issues along the way. When we had the steering wheel issue – that was kind of frustrating and put us back a little bit – but in the end really I didn’t know where we were but knew we were back on the lead lap. I was told the cars ahead are for position, so I did my best to chase them down. The Ferrari in front was a little too fast, but I was able to overtake the Audi, the Porsches and Acuras. Our Lexus was working well and I was happy to salvage a top-five. When you think of all of the stuff that happened throughout the race and we came back and got a top-five, so I’m really happy – 12 hours and so much can happen. We kept fighting and got a top-five so good points for the championship and I’m happy.”
David Heinemeier Hansson, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
Are you happy with the finish after overcoming some adversity in the middle part of the race?
“I thought we were going to finish 14th or whatever we were at one point, but this is the magic of racing in IMSA. The right amount of luck with yellows can bring you back in contention. When Jack (Hawksworth) got back on the lead lap, he just put it down and we went from 12th to fifth, which is an amazing finish given just the amount of issues that we had – two drive throughs, a brake change that took three times as long as it should have, changing a steering wheel. Just a lot of incidents and to finish fifth is a real victory.”
Lexus Racing Quotes
Sean Rayhall, No. 15 Lexus RC F GT3
What does it say about this team to come back from a couple of laps down to finish fifth?
“From all of the adversity, to come back and finish fifth, that definitely shows how good this 3GT Racing team and this Lexus RC F is. I’m really proud of all of the boys and girls here. You have bad days at the track, but the way we were able to claw ourselves back in that amazing drive by Jack (Hawksworth) at the end was just remarkable. Really proud to be a part of it and just absolutely blown away. It felt good driving the Lexus when I had a proper stint in it and it wasn’t in the middle of the stuff we had going on. It was a pleasure to drive and we definitely had some pace there, so I’m looking forward to Petit (Le Mans at Road Atlanta).”
Dominik Baumann, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
How did the Lexus RC F GT3 drive during Saturday’s 12-hour endurance event at Sebring?
“I think we had a car for the podium today. Out on track we had no problems. The three drivers were really clean and everything went well until we had trouble with the hood. I couldn’t see anything. I hit the sign because I couldn’t see and then I stopped the car but it was just the same so I had to go really slow. It was a scary moment the first time and then I hit it three times, so it was not nice hitting that at 100 miles an hour. It’s hard to get a lap back this year because the level of drivers is so strong. We improved a lot over the weekend. We did a lot of setup work and it’s a good direction. I don’t know the other tracks, so now everything will be new for me and the Lexus did a good job.”
Kyle Marcelli, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
Are you disappointed in the finish after having such a strong Lexus through the first part of the race?
“I’m gutted. We started off so strong, not even just this weekend but the February test here was really good and then we rolled out of the trailer this weekend and we had a good race car. We tuned our Lexus to be good in the long stints and we were less concerned about one lap outright pace and more concerned about the pace over a long run and for the first six hours we were either first, second or third-place and it was looking good and everything was running smooth. Then during Dominik’s (Baumann) stint the hood came up and just one of those stupid little things that you really can’t do much about. We had the hood on and latched properly and Sebring is a bumpy place and it broke one of the latches up front and caused the hood to come off. We thought we made a temporary Band-Aid for it and then it came off again, so we decided we needed to do a proper fix and lost the four laps. Otherwise, we had a good car and we finished the race so that’s important. We’re still collecting points. You can’t afford to take any zeros. We’ll just move on to Mid-Ohio. I’m looking forward to the sprint race part of the season now. I think Dominik (Baumann) and I work quite well together and I’m really excited to move on to Mid-Ohio.”
Philipp Frommenwiler, No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3
Can you take us through this 12-hour Sebring race and what took the Lexus RC F GT3 out of contention mid-way through?
“We had a really good start. The first six hours were great. We were always in the top-three fighting for the lead. I did my double stint and then I gave the Lexus over to Dominik (Baumann) in P1 and a few laps after we had a technical problem with the hood. We needed time to fix it and we lost a few laps, so it’s really sad after also having issues in Daytona. We were really quick here and I think the quickest car, so I’m looking forward to Petit and racing again in IMSA giving my best.”
Jeff Bracken, group VP and general manager, Lexus Division
What is your impression of how the Lexus RC F GT3s performed in the Twelve Hours of Sebring?
“From our standpoint, we are happy to see both Lexus RC F GT3s finish today’s race. Both had competitive speed throughout the weekend. We qualified well and then raced competitively today and we’re pleased to see both running a consistent pace in the first two endurance events. It was heartbreaking to see the 14 have issues today after running strong early on and what a performance in the last few hours by Jack Hawskworth making up quite a few spots to finish in the top-five. We look forward to going to Mid-Ohio for the first time where we expect to do even better.”
Lexus Draws a New (Black) Line for its RC F SPORT Models
Nicky Hamila
nicky.hamila@lexus.com
Pam Jansen
pjansen@golin.com
LexusracingRC F GT3 Racing Concept
15 Sebring Sunset
C52 2001
HF4 1113
AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Earns Top-10 Finish at VIR in Lexus RC F GT3
AIM Vasser Sullivan Claims First Victory
AIM VASSER SULLIVAN Aims for Three Straight Wins
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Tracking 2012's Best Songs #10
This week on Tracking––a weekly series in which we discuss our favorite songs of the year––you can listen to additions from Animal Collective, Fiona Apple, Jai Paul, Twin Shadow and Grimes.
PMA Writers
This week on Tracking––a weekly series in which we discuss our favorite songs of the year (you can check out the official list as the year progresses)––you can listen to additions from Animal Collective, Fiona Apple, Jai Paul, Twin Shadow and Grimes. (Click on the arrows to navigate through the songs.)
Animal Collective: "Honeycomb" / "Gotham" (1of5)
As mind bending as Animal Collective's most recent work has been (the visual record ODDSAC and the performance piece Transverse Temporal Gyrus) it is always welcome to hear their experiments within a proper song structure. “Honeycomb” and “Gotham” are the first tracks to come out of the recording sessions for an album to be released later this year. They are both excellent and distinctly Animal Collective, meaning unlike any other music made by humans. “Honeycomb” opens with an unintelligible sample (what else) and some quirky synth work before the melody drops and Avey Tare begins to lead us down the rabbit hole. It is a dense track, with any number of sounds being produced at once, but it has strong harmonies and a clear focus. The members join voices near the end for a Beach Boys moment and, with that, AnCo are back in our lives.
“Gotham” is as close to a slow-burner as Animal Collective gets. It opens with hints of Pink Floyd, which is fitting considering both bands are pioneers of psychedelic music. However, as much acid as that band took, I don't think they ever envisioned the types of soundscapes that Animal Collective are able to create. “Gotham” is anchored by a meandering pop melody but that is only the spatial center for a swirling cloud of echoing guitar, soaring vocal harmonies, and myriad electronic adornments. I recommend trying to mentally chase down every little synth stab, every guitar note that worms its way through the track and then leaves again unnoticed. It is a futile yet fascinating exercise; and it will leave you with an appreciation for just how impossibly creative these four men are. –– Drew Malmuth
Fiona Apple: "Every Single Night" (2of5)
Almost seven years after Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple is back with an unassuming, virtuosic, and disturbing single. If you take “Every Single Night” as Apple’s version of a “How I Spent My Summer Vacation” assignment, we can surmise that her artistry has reached an apex, along with her anxieties. On “Every Single Night,” Apple’s thoughts (“white-flamed butterflies in my brain”) turn her stomach and then spawn an evil twin. Mind and emotion turn to flesh and then go to war. Her mind is the enemy, and Apple roots for her desires: “I just want to feel everything,” she sings again and again. She invites her twin to dinner. Her heart is the main course, an omelette for the two to choke on. Mutually assured destruction.
Extraordinary Machine opened with a title track pruned to bonsai spareness. The Idler Wheel... begins with “Every Single Night,” equally exacting and elegant but packing an atomic wallop. Apple whispers and wails with skeletal support: a brushed snare drum, a standup bass heartbeat, some cymbal taps, rolling tom fills, and precious toy-piano tinkles. Its dramatic moments (her battles with her brain) are heightened by little more than Apple’s vocals, doubled into a BOOM.
Fiona Apple’s return warrants parades and cannon fire. And we get it, in her own way, with a deceptively simple yet devastating lullaby, sung into a mirror. –– Peter Tabakis
Jai Paul: "Jasmine" (3of5)
To say that Jai Paul had a lot to live up to after las year's "BTSTU" would be a huge understatement. He memorably opened his debut single with that angelic falsetto of his––quite possibly the highest dance pop has heard since Passion Pit's Michael Angelakos––singing "don't fuck with me, don't fuck with me." All that followed was universal critical acclaim and ubiquitous covers and remixes (tributes, if you will). Naturally, this line also struck a chord with prominent figures in hip hop like Drake, Pusha T and Beyoncé. Several weeks ago Paul broke his year-long silence and uploaded "Jasmine" on Soundcloud. It has since been updated with the all-important tag "(Demo)." And indeed it is a demo, its edges are rougher than that of "BTSTU," its synth planes less brilliant, its vocals less piercing. But what is on display here, however, is Paul's undeniable pop songwriting acumen. In fact, I'd say that in mere demo form "Jasmine" is already more immediate than its predecessor. It's dazzling. It's also very bold of Jai Paul to release a song as fully formed as "Jasmine" and label it as a demo months, maybe even years before the final "(Edit)" is released. (History lesson: "BTSTU" first infiltrated niche music blogs all the way back in 2007, also labeled as "(Demo)." It was then noticed by certain influential DJs in 2010 which ultimately led to Paul being snagged up by the wise XL Recordings and "BTSTU (Edit)" was released in April 2011.) When it comes down to it, "Jasmine (Demo)" is a glimpse of Jai Paul's future, and the best part is that it sounds exactly like that –– the future. –– Luis Tovar
Twin Shadow: "Five Seconds" (4of5)
The fresh new single from Twin Shadow's sophomore full-length, Confess, literally starts out with a bang. The quippy track gives a quick shot of the what the new album has to offer. A running drum beat underlines sprawling synths in this anthem-like track that, fittingly, repeats the same five seconds over and over. Yet, this results more in an addictive new wave throwback than a monotonous track as George Lewis varies each reiteration with a different combination of timbres. Pulling it all together are unexpected guitar riffs that highlight an infectious hook, all of this adding up to a cut that makes it extremely difficult to stay still. –– Denise Lu
Grimes: "Nightmusic" f/ Majical Cloudz (5of5)
Grimes’ Visions is an album full of great songs, so saying “Nightmusic,” Grimes mastermind’s Claire Boucher’s collaboration with labelmate Majical Cloudz, is probably its greatest song is no small honor. From its opening seconds, in which Boucher yelps like an actual alien over what must be a choir of elves or something, to the moment that hypnotic metronome starts ticking like a strobe light or a heartbeat, to those incantation-like, incomprehensible lower-pitched versions of Boucher’s voice that bubble up out of the haze every once in a while, “Nightmusic” is so good because it’s so Grimes – sexy, creepy, dark, otherworldly dance music that’s so catchy and irresistible it might as well function as witchcraft. –– Genevieve Oliver
Animal CollectiveFiona AppleJai PaulTrackingTop PostsTwin ShadowFeaturedGrimes
By PMA Writers
Tracking 2012's Best Songs #8
Tracking 2012's Best Songs: Sleigh Bells, Grimes, Usher x Diplo
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Search radius This area only Within 1 mile Within 3 miles Within 5 miles Within 10 miles Within 15 miles
Help to Buy Royal Docks
Royal Docks
If you’re on the lookout for an area where the spirit of innovation runs as deep as the neighbouring Thames, it’s time to plot a course to London Royal Docks – a new waterside powerhouse in the London borough of Newham. The site of rapid regeneration and hotly tipped to become the capital’s next business district, the glittering waterfront development is without doubt one of London’s most exciting plots to invest in. You can thank us later.
Why you should purchase a Help to Buy property in London Royal Docks
What’s so exciting about London Royal Docks? Let’s start with the fact that over the next 20 years, huge investment (a cool £8billion) is being poured into the area. A bright breed of commercial, residential, leisure and arts spaces will be popping up – all the epitome of London cool – in warehouses that have been dusted off and spruced up. Take a stroll around here now and there’s already plenty of pockets humming with an entrepreneurial prowess that’s hard to replicate: you can spot the creatives dreaming up bold ideas in glossy workspaces, effortlessly cool cafes sitting on the water’s edge, and a growing crop of grassroots industries coming up with the Next Big Thing.
Buy a place here and you can take riverside jogs, water-ski off the docks, sunbathe in beautifully landscaped gardens, and catch up with friends in restaurants that buzz until late. Connections into the city are speedy and reliable – you’re looking at around half an hour to Westminster and Liverpool Street, and 18 minutes to Stratford. And once the Elizabeth Line (formerly Crossrail) is up and running from Custom House in 2020, connections in and around the capital will be even faster. Plans have even been mooted for a new ferry pier into the city and you’ve also got London City Airport on your doorstep. Spread the word – London Royal Docks is a real one to watch.
Help to buy in London Royal Docks
If you’re worried you won’t be able to stump up the cash for one of the brand-spanking new apartments or homes in this exciting new development, then think again. Go down the Help to Buy route, and as long as you can cover a 5% deposit and 55% of the mortgage, then the government will provide the remaining 45% as an equity loan. When it comes to its residential portfolio, the London Royal Docks has some real corkers up its sleeve. Take the Royal Albert Wharf – a sprawl of ultra-luxe apartments, many of which have killer views of the Thames.
Chow down on dinner on your private balcony and you’ll absolutely know you’re in London with that unmistakable city skyline blinking back at you. Inside they combine style and sustainability – think gaping windows that fill the rooms with plenty of natural light and smart and seamless high-spec kitchens. Another development that’s full of selling points is Pontoon Reach – a definitive collection of homes with a communal courtyard, upmarket fittings, large living spaces and cracking city views.
So what are you waiting for? There are dozens of properties for sale in London Royal Docks. Get in touch with Property Booking today to guide you through the process and you’ll be onto a winner.
Property Booking
Homes for Londoners
SharedOwnership.net
National Housing Federation
©2020 Property Booking. All rights reserved | View privacy policy
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Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Photo-/electro-luminescence enhancement of CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) perovskite quantum dots via thiocyanate surface modification†
Zhen Bao,‡a Weigao Wang,‡b Hsin-Yu Tsai,‡a Hung-Chia Wang,a Shuming Chen*b and Ru-Shi Liu *acd
a Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
b Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
E-mail: chen.sm@sustech.edu.cn
c Advanced Research Centre of Green Materials Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
d Department of Mechanical Engineering and Graduate Institute of Manufacturing Technology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan
E-mail: rsliu@ntu.edu.tw
All-inorganic lead halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are among the most highly applicable luminescent materials for wide-color-gamut displays. Since the development of all-inorganic PQDs, several methods have been implemented to enhance their photo-luminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and stability. However, most treatment procedures only focus on optimizing the green CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots. In this work, we extended the usage of SCN− ligands to modify the surface of blue, green, and red PQDs for improving their luminescence properties. The presence of SCN− on the surface of PQDs was confirmed via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. On the basis of the X-ray photoelectron spectra, the surface modification of PQDs enhanced the PL intensity and PLQY due to the removal of Pb2+ surface defects. The modified PQDs were applied to quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), and the performance of the devices was satisfactory, thereby indicating their potential application in high-quality displays.
Supplementary information PDF (570K)
https://doi.org/10.1039/C9TC05448K
J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, Advance Article
Photo-/electro-luminescence enhancement of CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I) perovskite quantum dots via thiocyanate surface modification
Z. Bao, W. Wang, H. Tsai, H. Wang, S. Chen and R. Liu, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/C9TC05448K
Zhen Bao
Weigao Wang
Hsin-Yu Tsai
Hung-Chia Wang
Shuming Chen
Ru-Shi Liu
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Your Move, German Pilsner
How a single Italian beer launched a whole new style of pilsner.
story: Justin Kennedy
photo: Alexa Bendek
It’s not uncommon for a beer style to emerge, and spread, from an identifiable “bottle zero.” Every modern witbier, including Allagash White and Blue Moon, traces back to Pierre Celis’s recipe for Hoegaarden; Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale encouraged an entire generation of copycat hoppy brews; and the Trappist ale Orval has inspired countless homage beers, like Goose Island’s Matilda and Green Flash’s Rayon Vert.
Beers that wield such influence are historically cutting edge or avant-garde in nature. But that’s not the case with Tipopils, an esoteric oddball of a lager first brewed by Birrificio Italiano in 1996. It wasn’t until nearly 15 years after its release that it helped spawn a growing spate of so-called “Italian-style pilsner” tribute beers.
On paper, Tipopils’s rise is unlikely. It’s basically a run-of-the-mill German-style pilsner that calls on two types of German malts and a bottom-fermenting German lager yeast. The only real twist that brewer Agostino Arioli adds to the classic German pilsner recipe is a dry-hopping of Spalter Select hops, which in Germany would be frowned upon (until recently, the Reinheitsgebot, or German Beer Purity Law, forbade dry-hopping).
“When I first made Tipopils, I wasn’t aware that I was doing anything new,” claims Arioli, who says he was simply combining the dry-hopping techniques of English cask ales with the clean, crisp profile of German pilsner. “I’m a bit ashamed to admit it now, but I was trying to recreate the flavors of Jever Pilsener,” a rather mundane pilsner mass-produced in northern Germany.
In practice, Tipopils (the name means “a kind of pils,” says Arioli) is a crispy, crushable pilsner that, for the better part of 15 years, failed to garner much attention outside of Italian and Central European beer geek circles. But beginning around 2010, American tastemaker brewers like Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker and Tim Adams of Oxbow Brewing began creating their own homages to the beer.
“Tipopils was the beer that reignited the flame and pushed me forward into brewing pilsner at Firestone Walker,” says Brynildson, who first met Arioli through the European Beer Star competition around 2009. “It had all of the balance and drinkability of a classic German pils but included a beautiful yet restrained fresh noble hop character unlike any pilsner I had ever tasted in Europe.”
Described varyingly as “one of the most balanced beers our there” (Bob Kunz of Highland Park Brewery), “immensely drinkable” (Brynildson) and “the benchmark for what pilsner should be” (Adams), Tipopils has a profile that sets it apart from more classic German- and Czech-style pilsners.
In 2013, Brynildson brewed what was probably the first Italian-influenced pilsner in America, but he named it Pivo, the Czech word for beer, obscuring his true influence. A couple years later, Adams at Oxbow coined the phrase “Italian-style Pilsner,” emblazoning it on the label of Oxbow’s Luppolo. While he cites a couple of other Italian pilsners as influences, including ViaEmilia, a dry-hopped Bohemian-style pilsner from Birrificio del Ducato, Adams says Tipopils is where it all began. “For me, Agostino is the godfather of Italian craft beer,” he says.
So, what differentiates an Italian-style pils from the more commonly encountered American-style hoppy pils? Namely, it’s the use of old-world German hops for dry-hopping. (“If your pils is dry-hopped with Citra, it’s not Italian-style,” says Adams.) Rather than the juicy tropical fruit aromas that new-world varieties like Galaxy or Nelson Sauvin offer, German varieties like Saphir and Hallertauer Mittelfrüh lend smooth, resiny and spicy tangerine-like flavors.
“At the end of the day, it’s still a hoppy beer,” says Kunz. “It’s no secret that Americans love hoppy beers, which is why we love Tipopils and other Italian-style pilsners.”
Over the last five years, the Italian-style pilsner has further embedded itself in the American craft beer scene. Besides Firestone’s Pivo and Oxbow’s Luppolo, you’ll find Italian-style pilsners from breweries like Wayfinder in Portland, Oregon; Green Cheek in Orange County, California; and Kings County Brewers Collective (KCBC) and Threes Brewing in Brooklyn, who recently collaborated on the Il Purgatorio pilsner. All of them, even the famed La Pitoune, a dry-hopped pilsner from Quebec’s Le Trou du Diable, can be traced back to Tipopils.
In some ways, the story of Tipopils’s emergence as “bottle zero” for a new style of pilsner is the perfect parable for how American tastes for craft beer have changed. We love to take historic styles and add our own twists, but, in this case, we’re adapting a twist that was added to a classic style by someone else and popularizing it here. It’s also further proof of the perpetually swinging pendulum of flavor. After years of indulging in palate wreckers, our tastes have finally caught up to Tipopils.
Seven Italian and Italian-Style Pilsners to Try
Birrificio Italiano Tipopils | 5.2 percent
The progenitor of the style, Tipopils is a magnificent example of how nuanced and complex pilsner can be. Arioli says it was based on Jever Pilsener—known in the States as a fairly unremarkable import lager—but it exudes much bigger and bolder flavors and aromas. Brewed with two kinds of German malts, a German lager yeast and dry-hopped with German Spalter Select hops, the beer is spritzy and bright with a resiny punch.
Green Cheek Local Import | 5.2 percent
This fun-loving Orange County, California, brewery crafts some of the most exquisite lagers on the West Coast, and Local Import is their nod to Tipopils and other Italian pilsners. Brewed with Italian pilsner malt and dry-hopped with Saphir, Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon hop varieties, the pils is soft and pillowy with captivating herbal aromas of sage and fresh-cut grass.
Oxbow Brewing Luppolo | 5 percent
Oxbow’s Luppolo was the first pilsner to use the “Italian-style” designation and clearly cite Tipopils and other lesser-known Italian pilsners as its influence. Adams uses German Tettnanger hops for the dry hopping, but says Slovenian and Czech hops are fair game, too. “As long as it’s not American or new-world hops,” he says.
Highland Park Brewing Pleasant Pils | 5.3 percent
Kunz says that when developing the recipe for Pleasant Pils, he experimented with a range of German hops and ultimately homed in on the Saphir variety. “Saphir’s a little brighter and less herbaceous than most,” he says. Pleasant Pils has become so popular that it’s now Highland Park’s second best–selling lager behind the flagship Timbo Pils and is destined to become a year-round offering.
Firestone Walker Pivo Pils | 5.3 percent
Despite a name that invokes the Czech Republic, brewmaster Matt Brynildson directly cites Tipopils as the primary influence for his brewery’s flagship pilsner. First released in 2013, Pivo is brewed with 100 percent German malts and dry-hopped with Saphir for aromas of lemongrass and citrus zest. Brynildson has created numerous riffs on the style, including Italian-style pils collaborations with Russian River (STiVO Pils), Beavertown (West Side Beavo) and Green Cheek (Short on Long Term Goals).
Wayfinder Beer Terrifica Pils | 4.7 percent
The idea for Terrifica (formerly known as Terrifico Horror Pils) was born at last summer’s Pils & Love festival in Los Angeles and brought together three Portland-area brewers for an Italian horror movie-themed pilsner. Featuring esteemed lager brewery Heater Allen, Portland newcomers Wayfinder Beer, and Southern California transplants Modern Times (who opened a taproom and brewery in Portland last year), the bright, floral pilsner is an unabashed nod to Tipopils.
KCBC + Threes Brewing Il Purgatorio | 4.7 percent
Over a few beers during this year’s Craft Brewers Conference, Brooklyn’s Kings County Brewers Collective and Threes Brewing got to talking about their mutual love of Tipopils and Luppolo. “Someone had heard about a new Italian pilsner malt from Weyermann called Eraclea,” says KCBC’s Zack Kinney, who worked in Italy as a translator for several years. “It seemed like a fun ingredient to try and an emerging style to collaborate on.” For the dry hop, the collaborators chose Slovenian Celeia hops as well as the Italian-style pilsner’s workhorse hop, Saphir.
Why It’s Time to Reconsider the Pilsner
The Cult of Rothaus
A Guide to Our Favorite Beers, by Style
Are the World's Most Iconic Lagers Just Bud in Different Bottles?
Can America Do Kölsch and Helles Lager Like the Germans?
A Brief History of Collaboration Beers
Tagged: beer, pilsner
Justin Kennedy
Justin Kennedy is freelance writer and producer based in Brooklyn. He contributes regularly to Lucky Peach, Beer Advocate and Bloomberg Business and produces Beer Sessions Radio on the Heritage Radio Network.
Evil Twin Wants to Be Your Neighbor The Quiet Genius of Wunderkammer What’s in a Hazy IPA, Anyway? The Original Champagne of Beers Returns Kettle-Soured Clover Club, Anyone?
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Detectives catch suspect for shooting a man to death in Cambria Heights
By Ryan Kelley
rkelley@qns.com
Police have arrested a suspect in a Cambria Heights murder case more than two months after the shooting took place.
The ongoing investigation led police to arrest Jamaica resident Dandre Paige, 26, at approximately 8:43 p.m. on May 23. Paige has been charged with murder and robbery, authorities said.
The incident in question took place on March 11 at 5:37 p.m. when officers from the 105th Precinct responded to reports of a man shot in front of a home on 225th Street, according to law enforcement sources.
When police arrived, they found 20-year-old Tyler Timmons lying face down with a gunshot wound to his chest. Timmons lived on 225th Street, just one block north of the crime scene.
Paramedics rushed Timmons to Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Paige’s arraignment is pending, and QNS will update this story as more details become available.
105th Precinct
Cops investigating East Elmhurst shooting that left one man dead and another injured
Queens Courier Year in Review: The top stories from November 2019
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FortressCraft coming to Xbox Live Indie Games, looks eerily similar to Minecraft
By Rebecca 316 Comments
Tags: FortressCraft, imitation, indie, Minecraft, Mojang, Projector Games, Xbox Live, Xbox Live Indie Games
Independent studio Projector Games is developing “FortressCraft” for the Xbox Live Indie Games platform, but the game looks like something we’ve seen before. But if you can’t play “Minecraft” on your computer — or if you just want to get that “Minecraft” experience on a console — then perhaps “FortressCraft” is for you.
Continue reading ‘FortressCraft coming to Xbox Live Indie Games, looks eerily similar to Minecraft’
Video and text review — NightSky (PC)
By Ahmar 1 Comment
Categories: Review
Tags: ambience, ambient, ball, game review, Nicalis, nightsky, PC, physics, physics puzzler, puzzle, Review, rolling, video review, Wii
“NightSky” is a new game from independent game studio Nicalis, best known for their work on the WiiWare version of “Cave Story.”
Those familiar with their version of Pixel’s masterpiece likely won’t find much familiarity in the world of “NightSky,” a puzzle-platform hybrid that demands mastery of the physics of a rolling ball.
Continue reading ‘Video and text review — NightSky (PC)’
Okamiden demo available on Nintendo Channel
By benwade 23 Comments
Tags: brush, capcom, celestial brush, Demo, ds download play, how to download ds demo, Nintendo, nintendo channel, okami, okamiden, Wii, wii shop channel
Capcom’s second release in the Okami series, “Okamiden,” will be available for the Nintendo DS on March 15, but you can play it today. The well-hidden Nintendo Channel on the Wii holds the key to unlocking this painterly pearl of a DS demo.
Although the demo is disappointingly short, it certainly captures the essence of the game. It seems extremely similar to the PlayStation 2 version, but hopefully when the full game is released, there will be a few new gameplay elements to satiate even the strongest celestial-brush desires.
The full process for downloading the demo is detailed below.
Continue reading ‘Okamiden demo available on Nintendo Channel’
72-inch painting celebrates 25 years of Zelda
Tags: 25th anniversary, ag+, link's awakening, majora's mask, Ocarina of Time, phantom hourglass, skyward sword, spirit tracks, the legend of zelda, the legend of zelda 25th anniversary, wind wakeer, zelda
Below is an incredibly detailed 72-inch Zelda painting by Japanese artist Ag+. It was released just in time for the 25th year anniversary of the Zelda franchise, and it contains just about every major character from the series.
It’s worth taking a moment to pick out all the intricately woven details of the piece in remembrance of all the years of gaming Zelda has provided over the years. After admiring the details, you can see the entire construction of the piece in the included video. All of the characters in the image are listed below; can you find them all?
Continue reading ’72-inch painting celebrates 25 years of Zelda’
playVIEWS — Game tester says he does have “real” job
Categories: playVIEWS
Tags: bugs, computer, Dungeon Defenders, games, interesting job, jobs, marc, marc singer, PC, playtesting, ps3 playstation, singer, sony, tester, tower defense, trendy, Trendy Entertainment, xbox, Xbox 360
Obliterating hordes of goblins with mana bombs, spike blockades and lightning towers is serious business.
Just ask Marc Singer, 21-year-old quality assurance lead for Gainesville, Fla., game studio Trendy Entertainment. He’s currently working 60 hours a week to squash the bugs and iron out the glitches in Trendy’s latest title, “Dungeon Defenders,” through a process known as playtesting.
It’s Singer’s job to play videogames and report to the development team any problems he finds, but he initially had a hard time convincing his parents that he had an actual job at all.
Continue reading ‘playVIEWS — Game tester says he does have “real” job’
Nintendo 3DS will not be accepting Nintendo Point Cards, still wants your money
By Rebecca Leave a Comment
Tags: 3DS, currency, DSi, Nintendo, Nintendo Points, point cards, Wii
With the Nintendo 3DS launching in a little over a month, you might be thinking about stocking up on some Nintendo Points, the Nintendo currency that can currently be used to purchase content for the Wii and the DSi. You might want to re-think that idea.
Continue reading ‘Nintendo 3DS will not be accepting Nintendo Point Cards, still wants your money’
PlayStation Phone is Xperia Play, requires repurchasing PSN content
By Rebecca 3 Comments
Tags: Android, Dungeon Defenders, EA, Gameloft, playstation, PlayStation Network, playstation phone, PopCap, PSN, smartphone, Sony Ericcson, Trendy Entertainment, Xperia play
This week, Sony finally unveiled its PlayStation phone, called Xperia Play. According to a Sony Ericsson press release, “XperiaTM PLAY combines a PlayStation-quality gaming experience with the very latest Android smartphone technology.” While the list of features is extensive, Xperia Play does have one disappointing feature.
Continue reading ‘PlayStation Phone is Xperia Play, requires repurchasing PSN content’
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Distant Voices
“Distant Voices, Still Lives”
Max Ophuls
Posts Tagged Maurice Pialat
À nos amours (Pialat, 1983)
Posted by Reehan in Criticism, Films on December 26, 2010
L’enfer, c’est les autres.
No filmmaker could better navigate the minefield of raw, unfettered neurosis than Maurice Pialat. Indeed, few would prove as willing to dissect and examine the maladies of the mind (let alone the ailments of the heart) in so thorough a manner – and thus, it should come as no surprise to discover that À nos amours, his choleric contribution to the otherwise asinine plethora of 1980s teen-flicks, swims doggedly within the treacherous straits between love and hate. The director’s razor-sharp incisions into the socially-venerated ideal of the nuclear family unleash a myriad of fusillades that together encompass the entire gamut of emotional turmoil: ennui, melancholia and psychosis coexist in a cluttered asylum where happiness – even the illusion of happiness – is reduced to prehistoric myth. All the while, he nourishes the increasing sexual awareness of his teenage heroine, Suzanne; the character’s hormonal impulses prompting violent palpitations of feeling that tear apart her family’s fragile veneer of bourgeois respectability. Naturally, the director acknowledges our first act of intercourse as a (the) fundamental rite of passage in the grand scheme of life, but rather than viewing it as a pivotal junction in our ongoing maturation, he interprets it as a fallacious ticket into adulthood – a world in which the afflictions of youth are not cured, but instead exacerbated by new-found nuisances (norms, expectations and responsibilities) within an increasingly apathetic society. Innocence accordingly finds itself sacrificed in pursuit of a paradise that’s forever lost (if, that is, it even existed in the first place).
À nos amours‘ divergence from the conventional mould of teen dramas is instantaneously apparent, though Pialat’s scrupulous attention to detail nonetheless confounds the issue. The film’s opening sequence meets Suzanne in mid-rehearsal for a performance of Musset’s On ne badine pas avec l’amour – a play where young, would-be lovers indulge in the duplicitous mind games of their elders with dire consequences; a play in which the transition to maturity is marked with both grief and sorrow, but also a recognition of life’s inherent value. Inevitably, Pialat draws inspiration from these themes, using the literary past to illustrate his intent: young people aren’t stupid, and tumultuous emotions transcend both age and the ages. He subsequently manipulates Musset’s text to evoke the rich history of dramatising youth and its follies (“We might be children, but we are not here to play!”), and in doing so embeds his work within a tradition that stands in marked contrast to popular, contemporaneous treatments of adolescence. Therefore, it’s no coincidence when, soon after the production is complete, Suzanne surrenders her virginity to an American tourist who appears amiable on the surface (and willing to espouse liberal values) but who’s ultimately exposed as distant, exploitative and utterly disposable. Hollywood – specifically, its copious contributions to consumer culture – plays its own discreetly malevolent part in the chaos that follows.
Of course, Pialat’s cinematic freak-show is anything but disposable – it’s a morbidly edifying panacea; a cathartic pilgrimage to disaster and beyond. Suzanne’s sexual awakening rebounds upon her family, instigating a summer of malcontent in which the carnal, the feral and the dysfunctional form a regressive triumvirate that pulverises an already precarious domicile. The director lurches head-first into this middle-class purgatory, masochistically inciting the paroxysms that paralyse its hostages (masochistic for he casts himself as the indomitable patriarch of the forever-feuding clan). À nos amours‘ familial breakdown is as excruciating as it is entrancing; a circuitous dance of anguish performed with relish by its lugubrious participants: an absent father, exasperated with the mundane; an everpresent mother, incapacitated with hysteria; an incompetent brother, predisposed to physical violence; all of them, frozen into solipsistic stupors and awash with the stench of their decaying hearts. Theirs is a union ruled by mutual resentment, where relationships are strained until they create fissures that discharge volcanic outbursts of barely-repressed hate – a loathing whose fervour proves so great that its architects are compelled into the silence of self-pity and despair following its eruption. (Lather, rinse, repeat.)
Within this menagerie of malfunctioning adults, Suzanne finds her adolescent angst recast as the film’s most rational sentiment by default – though her troubles are perhaps all the more difficult to surmount as a result of her age and gender. Caught in the eternal conflict between tradition (family) and modernity (friends, lovers), our heroine finds herself stripped of any bargaining power within the free market of moral perceptions. Thus, her only escape from her home-as-Hell is to choose marriage – an option that she’s evidently ill-prepared for, and which itself leads only to a different kind of imprisonment. Examining these events from a distance, the director concludes that our formative years extend well beyond puberty, whilst recognising that Suzanne’s emotional detachment is a product of her tormented environment. So when, during a midnight confession session, he (as her father) states: “You don’t smile much anymore,” hints of guilt flicker across his weary visage – he knows all too clearly why this would be the case. In a moment of stark, naked clarity, the film’s central dilemma is laid bare before our eyes: its characters are aware of the extents to which they wound and scar one another, and yet they persist in doing so, as if helplessly shackled to their own reprehensibility.
This psychological bloodbath is recorded with Pialat’s typical, refreshing candour. Though it deliberately avoids ostentations in style (rendered unnecessary by his emotional content), À nos amours remains incompatible with its presumed siblings in the school of cinematic realism. The director strives for an experience more authentic than such outdated templates can offer, and so he interpolates a series of invisible affectations that disturb our relations with his narrative. Central to this approach is the elliptical editing which forms the backbone of his oeuvre; ruptures of time into which his camera seeks out the intricacies of the human condition. It’s a method that esteems sentiment over story, exposing life in all its disordered glory: characters appear and disappear without explication, scenes begin halfway and end without resolution, and the contradictions intrinsic to the everyday experience are accentuated to the point of wicked irony. Moreover, key events find themselves excised completely – for a film where sex is so frequently alluded to, functioning as both a catalyst and (fugacious) remedy for Suzanne’s abjection, its absence on-screen proves egregious; Pialat opting to invoke another of his trademarks, the reaction shot, to esteem emotional aftermaths over the physical acts themselves. Embracing the insignificant minutiae of our most prosaic tendencies alongside the outrageous excesses of our most animalistic, the director’s fragmentary temporalism strives to replicate his characters’ collective malaise in all its dishevelled breadth. Few films can claim to so hypnotically encapsulate the sensation of being both dead and alive.
Pialat has a tendency to orchestrate crescendos in his narrative, only to then abandon his ascents prior to their respective apogees, cutting swiftly to another scene entirely. It’s a tactic that yields a dense collage of brawling, multi-layered sentiments that shape his characters’ behaviours whilst handcuffing his film with the perpetual threat of catastrophe. That catastrophe arrives late into the drama, in a centrepiece that notably deviates from this strategy. After successfully integrating something that resembles a stream-of-consciousness device into the cinema, he decides to grind time to a painful halt. His story’s patriarch – who spends the vast midsection of the film off-screen, having departed his merry nest for unspecified reasons – makes a climactic return at an alcohol-fuelled family dinner, casually spewing intellectual bile at all those present in the room. In these painful few minutes, he calmly articulates the many, many failings of both his family and himself, before quoting the dying Van Gogh in an act of deliciously subdued melodrama that honours the film’s sternest belief: “There’ll always be sadness.” Pialat the actor excels in these chastening moments, but it’s Pialat the director who soars. Upon nurturing one of his crescendos to its apex at long last, his ruthless quest to discern the roots of despair finally crystallises into a misanthropic apotheosis. Having plundered the fields of sadness ad nauseam, he now concludes that despair is all that there is – and thus, it follows that this must be the fundamental building block of life. The director’s love for his characters – particularly the precocious Suzanne, whose exit at film’s end offers the slightest glimpse of hope in an ocean of resignation – is pure not in spite of this chronic frailty, but rather, because of it. Pain is triumphant, turning hate into love and love into hate, yet what astonishes with the richly nocuous experience of À nos amours is how it moulds this belief into a double negative: for is despair is all there is, then, Pialat argues, why not celebrate it? Why not toast it? Or better yet, why not live it? After all, it’s all that we’ve got.
L’enfer, c’est nous.
1980s, A nos amours, adolescence, Alfred de Musset, bourgeoisie, compassion, criticism, family, films, French cinema, Maurice Pialat, pessimism, reviews, Sandrine Bonnaire, teenage
The Cremator (Herz, 1968)
"Distant Voices, Still Lives"
Black God, White Devil (Rocha, 1964)
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Has Christmas arrived too early at Selfridges?
Sources: Selfridges
Consumer Marketing Department Stores Holiday Season Merchandising Seasonality Selfridges
On July 29, Selfridges opened its Christmas shop at its flagship Oxford Street location in London, claiming again to become the first department store in the world to have a Christmas section this year.
The shop has been opening in late July for years and Selfridges says it has set the stage for its string of year-on-year record sales. Last October, Selfridges reported its twelfth consecutive year of record sales.
“We have so many customers visiting from all over the world, eager to snap up festive decorations and souvenirs on their London summer holidays which they can’t buy at home,” said Eleanor Gregory, Selfridges’ Christmas and home buyer, in a statement. “Our summer Christmas shop launch simply addresses the growing demand for convenience Christmas shopping outside the traditional Christmas season from many of our customers.
“They include a large number of domestic customers who love to Christmas shop very early in the year to get it wrapped and taken off their to-do list.”
The shop features more than 600 items, including a “Santa on a motorcycle” figurine for £45 ($55) and other glitter decorations. An extensive range of Christmas cards, gift wrapping and advent calendars are available.
In September, Selfridges will expand the section to 3,500 items, adding a velvet gold crown tree topper for £95 ($116) as well as handmade decorations, including David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and Prince ornaments. The full range is currently available online.
In recent years, many consumers have groaned upon hearing about holiday promotions arriving well before Thanksgiving. Yet, some appreciate the early buying. According to last year’s holiday shopping survey from the National Retail Federation, 21 percent of respondents planned to start their holiday shopping in October and 18 percent said they began in September or earlier. Spreading out their budgets and avoiding last-minute crowds were the most commonly cited reasons.
UK department store Selfridges opens Christmas shop … in July – CNN
Only 149 shopping days to go: Christmas comes early to Selfridges – The Guardian
Selfridges opens its Christmas shop – with 149 shopping days to go – Daily Mirror
Selfridges opens its Christmas shop a record 149 days early to meet demand from customers – The Sun
Consumers will spend 4.1 percent more than last year during winter holidays – National Retail Federation
Did Amazon wrap up Christmas in July? – RetailWire
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Is Selfridges striking the right tone with its early Christmas shop opening? Should the summer promotion be copied in the U.S.?
"They do it every year, why stop now?"
Georganne BenderPrincipal, KIZER & BENDER Speaking
"From a supply chain point of view it is great, Selfridges gets their Christmas inventory out to its store at the quietest time of the year and before the main Christmas rush."
Andrew BlatherwickChairman Emeritus, Relex Solutions
"For Selfridges, it’s a tradition! Christmas in July works great for them, there’s no reason to change. However, Selfridges is the exception, not the rule."
Meaghan BrophySenior Retail Writer
14 Comments on "Has Christmas arrived too early at Selfridges?"
Selfridges has opened its Christmas department early for as long as I remember. Every year the media report the story and Selfridges gets loads of free publicity. That’s a win in and of itself.
Selfridges is an exception in the retail landscape. It is a huge store in the middle of London which attracts tourists from other parts of the UK and around the world. They expect and demand some spectacle, and one aspect of that is seeing Selfridges’ fantasy Christmas department early on in the season. Shoppers buy baubles and decorative souvenirs and Selfridges makes money from it.
Could other mainstream stores with a more regular clientele pull this off? I doubt it. It would be an annoying distraction and a waste of productive space outside of the core holiday season.
President/CEO, The Retail Doctor
In spite of me being quoted in one, these are clickbait. I advise retailers to begin displaying their holiday goods before Halloween — although not necessarily in the front of the store, and not necessarily at a discount. People are buying Christmas stuff all year long, so what you’re doing is pulling that demand forward.
And if you only sell 10 percent of the merchandise, I see that as a good thing because it’s 10 percent less that you’ll have leftover at the end of the year.
Dick Seesel
Principal, Retailing In Focus LLC
Not many stores have the cachet to pull this off, but being first and unique is part of Selfridges’ brand. From a practical standpoint, the early break is also a way to test-market items that can potentially be identified and reordered as best sellers.
David Weinand
Chief Customer Officer, Incisiv
With such a heavy summer tourist crowd in London and offerings that are totally unique to Selfridges, it makes sense to stay with this strategy. Obviously it has worked since they have stuck with it for years. In the U.S. – certain brands in heavily visited cities could test it and see what traction they get. Of course, here we have year round stores catering to Christmas so it would be tougher to generate the same type of results Selfridges gets.
Sounds ridiculous, ludicrous, even given their unique status relative to tourists. It suggests they are devoid of ideas about other seasonal opportunities. Can’t think of any great merchandising stories for August? Space to burn? Let’s just open Christmas shops in August. Just doesn’t feel right.
Georganne Bender
Principal, KIZER & BENDER Speaking
Setting Christmas in July is common in craft stores as makers need a head start in creating for the holidays. But full blown departments in most stores? I don’t think so. Christmas creep decor-wise already starts too early here.
Selfridges’ Christmas shop is another story. Its customers are from all around the world, many of whom want souvenirs to take back home so it makes perfect sense for Selfridges to open their Christmas shop in July. They do it every year, why stop now?
Gene Detroyer
Professor, International Business, Guizhou University of Finance & Economics; Executive Director, Global Commerce Education
This isn’t about Christmas, It is about Selfridges. No other retailer could pull this off.
This is the history and personality of this great retailer. Forgive me and correct me if I get the story wrong but, as I watched the Masterpiece series, the Christmas in summer at Selfridges was introduced at the darkest point of World War I as a lift to the population. It has been a tradition ever since.
With this summer’s heat in London, it again sounds appropriate.
Christmas in August may work for Selfridges, but it would be a huge turnoff almost everywhere else. It’s already Halloween at plenty of stores, and it makes me want to turn around and walk right back out.
Rich Kizer
In my department store years way back, it was a “gentlemen’s” agreement that the day after Thanksgiving was the kick-off. Today, it is really a very simple move: when one competitor builds, everyone jumps in. That’s competition, and it is called Christmas creep. I call it competitive retail racing. That will never change.
Meaghan Brophy
Senior Retail Writer
For Selfridges, it’s a tradition! Christmas in July works great for them, there’s no reason to change. However, Selfridges is the exception, not the rule. For other department stores, especially those in the U.S. I don’t want to see Christmas displays until after Halloween. There are ways to test products and boost sales without pushing the Christmas creep, which is exhausting for customers and employees.
Heidi Sax
Content Marketing Manager, CB4
Anyone who’s worked in a store long enough knows that the longer you look at a product, the less you want to buy it over time. For retailers who rely on local, repeat shoppers, this strategy would stifle sales for holiday merchandise. The illusion of scarcity is a powerful thing. Selfridges, on the other hand, is targeting a large subsection of international shoppers on vacation, for whom access to these products is a novelty. It works for them, but shouldn’t be mimicked in most other settings.
Andrew Blatherwick
Chairman Emeritus, Relex Solutions
Selfridges makes a big thing of the start of their Christmas offering, but this is not for all retailers. You have to remember a few important factors that make Selfridges special. They are on Oxford Street, London with one of the highest traffic flows of international tourists anywhere in the world. These people are on vacation and Christmas at this time of the year is different and special. They are a very traditional British department store, very upmarket and select so people think it is special to go in and buy at Selfridges. It is indulgent purchasing so once again Christmas is appropriate. Very few other retail outlets could carry this off successfully. However, from a supply chain point of view it is great, Selfridges gets their Christmas inventory out to its store at the quietest time of the year and before the main Christmas rush starts. This is very efficient, saving on additional resources at peak and using otherwise underutilized resources at this time of year. Many retailers would have to use the back… Read more »
Retail industry thought leader
Selfridge’s has made this a tradition with local customers and tourists from abroad who expect and plan for it. While this works well for Selfridge’s, if many others jump on the bandwagon, the promotion will become diluted and less of a draw for customers.
Craig Sundstrom
CFO, Weisner Steel
Unless they decorate the main floor, I’ll forgive them. No, actually it is within reason a store’s job to offer what people want, be it Xmas in July or “Boxing Day at the Beach,” and I’m sure plenty of Downunder’ers can tell us celebrating the day in the middle of summer is quite reasonable.
How would you grade Selfridges summer Christmas shop opening?
A - Brilliant
F – Annoying
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Category Archives: Grade 2+
Category "Grade 2+"
El Matador y La Rosa
Grade 2+By Randall Standridge October 30, 2019
This narrative story tells a tale of romance and mercy as a Matador falls in love with a beautiful lady in the crowd. The music pulses with passion and flirtation, offering several opportunities for solos and small ensembles. During the bull fight at the climax of the show, the heroine begs the Matador to spare…
Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring is re-imagined in this darkly delightful new production, Ritual, by arranger/composer, Randall Standridge. Familiar themes are mixed with new material to create a dissonant and thrilling soundtrack that provides moment after moment for effect and staging. Clever sound design and careful scoring make this an achievable but effective choice…
Grade 2+By Randall Standridge December 3, 2017
The phoenix is a mythological symbol of life, death, and rebirth. Stravinsky’s Firebird serves as the inspiration for this exciting production that is sure to provide you with dramatic musical and visual possibilities. Fiery! Email Randall for sample requests.
Dia de Los Muertos is a fantastic new production that pays homage to the festival of the dead. Latin flavored music and a full band maraca feature highlight this fun filled show, along with a brief nod to Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre. A perfect vehicle for color, pageantry, and dance. Email Randall for sample requests.
The dark side of man is explored in this dramatic new production by Randall Standridge. The classic story of a scientist’s journey into madness and duality is brought to life with parallel chords, dissonant sounds, effective percussion, and creepy sound design. Sure to make an impact! Email Randall for sample requests.
iBand
The marching band becomes a digital app in this exciting and entertaining marching production! The different facets of the marching band are “downloaded” to your performers throughout the show in movements iMove, iPlay, and iGroove. A pops inspired score and rack/prop based percussion feature are sure to be a hit with judges and audiences alike!
Grade 2, Grade 2+By manager August 18, 2017
The Warriors presents the tale of a Tribe of Warriors and their battle with a neighboring Tribe. We travel through mystic mountains and dry deserts to arrive at the village (A Far Off Land) before seeing the Warrior Tribe in all their glory (The Warriors). The Warriors convene with the spirits and ask their blessing…
Grade 2+By manager August 18, 2017
This production combines an industrial sound with a rock and jazz sensibility. Don’t miss the percussion feature played on trash cans, sure to be a visual and musical highlight of the show! Scored well for large or small bands, this general-effect driven show is built to entertain! Email Randall for sample requests.
The world of toys in brought to life in this fun production, featuring “Wooden Soldiers”, “Clowns”, and “Toy Blocks.”
https://randallstandridge.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Toys-1.mp3
https://youtu.be/8x-QH0OL5mk
The Samurai and the Maiden
This production presents a dramatic narrative of a doomed love between a Samurai and a Maiden. The story begins in the present (Prologue) as the old Samurai remembers his younger days (The Way of Honor). He falls in love with a local maiden, and they playfully chase each other through a grove (Under the Cherry…
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Endometriosis Is An Estrogen-caused And Estrogen-driven Disease
Ray has been writing about this for decades. However, the official Wikipedia page still says that the cause of endometriosis is currently unknown...
Thread by: haidut, Mar 15, 2016, 9 replies, in forum: Scientific Studies
Endometriosis Is Driven By Estrogen
Ray has written about this before, but the official references I had seen always said that the cause is unknown and complex. This study claims...
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Mumbai 25 Khabare: Team India Attends Sachin Tendulkar’s Movie Premiere
May 25, 2017 219 No Comments
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Watch top headlines of the day, where you will get updates on:
Yogi Adityanath suspends top officials over caste clashes
Complaint registered with I-T wing against former Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy
Hurriyat leaders summoned by nia for appearence
PM Modi announces ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for Uttarakhand victims
IAF Sukhoi-30 aircraft goes missing near China border
Yogi government suspends DM, SSP; transfers DIG, divisional commissioner – Times of India
UP CM Yogi Adityanath determined to eliminate Japanese encephalitis
Rahul Gandhi meets tribal leaders, discusses their concerns
Arvind Kejriwal & Co To Meet Aam Aadmi Everyday. Without Appointment
Government hikes sugarcane FRP by Rs 25 per quintal for 2017-18 and more…..
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Restorative Justice Council
Restorative Justice Council Promoting quality restorative practice for everyone
Resolution online
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RJC Assessor Team
Our expert teams of assessors and consultants help organisations meet the Restorative Service Standards, assesses individuals to become Accredited Practitioners and organisations to achieve the Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM).
Janet has worked restoratively since 2001. She was involved in the Restorative Justice in Schools project and was one of the first schools co-ordinators funded by the Youth Justice Board, and was project manager for the award winning Restorative Approaches in Schools project in Bristol. Janet has supported a number of schools, educational and youth settings in implementing restorative approaches and now delivers a range of training, consultancy and facilitation in a variety of settings. A published author of Restorative Schools, Restorative Communities, Janet is also a qualified assessor for the Level 4 Diploma in Restorative Practice and volunteers with CALM's restorative justice project.
Graham Doubleday
Graham leads Wigan Council Restorative Solutions Team. He manages the case management team responsible for early intervention and prevention work to address antisocial and offending behavior, out of court disposals, restorative justice, reparation, unpaid work and Neighborhood Resolution Panels. Graham is passionate about restorative justice having worked in the youth offending team as a restorative justice practitioner and an operational manager prior to Wigan creating the bespoke Restorative Solutions Team. Graham has worked for Wigan Council since 1994 and is a qualified and registered social worker. Graham also works as an independent consultant and trainer.
Sophie Haines
Sophie developed her passion for restorative justice while gaining her MSc in Criminal Justice Studies, focusing on reparation orders. She is an experienced practitioner and mediator having worked in the field since 1999. Sophie has worked as a practitioner, volunteer, service manager and senior manager in a variety of both operational and strategic roles within Nacro over 12 years. Specialising in youth justice and undertaking consultancy, training and policy development, Sophie has incorporated restorative justice into her work across all areas of the criminal justice system including prisons, police, youth offending teams, youth prevention work, schools, probation and community based work.
Mary Hinton
Mary is a restorative trainer and facilitator. She was a teacher and examiner for many years and discovered restorative justice while working as education manager in a youth offending team. Mary has trained people from a wide range of agencies and worked as a facilitator at all levels from primary schools, through youth justice to post-conviction adults. She received a commendation from the Community and Justice Department in Sussex for her work as a community resolution champion in 2011.
Gerry Marshall
Gerry was the chief executive of Thames Valley Probation Trust from 2001 where he led on important restorative justice development involving face to face conferencing as a requirement within court orders. He was portfolio holder for the Probation Chiefs Association both for restorative justice and for equality and diversity, chair of the Thames Valley Criminal Justice Board and on the equalities board for both the National Offender Management Service and Thames Valley Police. Gerry is a trustee of Thames Valley Partnership, a trustee of the Howard League for Penal Reform and vice-chair of Circles UK.
Sally McIntosh
Sally is an experienced restorative practitioner and trainer working for Cumbria Youth Offending Service, as well as a freelance trainer, and assessor for the RJC. Her experience includes facilitating restorative interventions within the youth justice system, residential and educational settings, and delivering training to a range of organisations nationally. Sally has coordinated Cumbria’s Restorative Practice in Schools service, working with organisations to implement restorative approaches, and developed the use of family group conferencing within the youth offending team.
Linda has been working with the restorative practice field since 2010. While working for Skills for Justice she led on the development of the restorative practice National Occupational Standards and managed a pilot of the Level 4 Diploma in restorative practice. This pilot led to the first practitioners in the UK gaining a nationally recognised competency based qualification in restorative practice. In 2011 Linda joined the RJC to develop the Practitioner Register and the direct accreditation process and was also involved in the development of the RSQM. Linda currently works part-time for Victim Support in Sussex managing a team of volunteers delivering restorative justice and is also a freelance consultant.
Claudine Rane
After gaining a Masters in restorative justice in Canada, Claudine ran a youth justice mediation service, before managing the restorative justice service and referral orders within a London YOT. She then spent two years in the third sector followed by a post at the Youth Justice Board. In 2007 Claudine set up Rane Training, and works as a restorative trainer and consultant to a range of staff from various sectors, including voluntary and statutory youth and social care, education and skills. She delivers training for trainers across most London youth offending teams.
James Simon
Jim is an experienced head teacher with 21 years’ service within education. Alongside this he has worked closely with youth offending services and the police force in developing restorative practices within educational and youth settings. He is an experienced practitioner and trainer within restorative practices and has led the strategic development and implementation of these services within educational and youth settings. His academic studies have focused on education and his Master’s degree, specifically focused on equality and diversity, researching the impact of restorative practices on providing a fair and equitable service to those involved within the process.
Heather Skelton
Heather has been a restorative practitioner and trainer since 2004. She is employed by the Salus group, a social enterprise company who deliver services to schools on behalf of Kent County Council and other authorities. She has practiced restorative approaches in Kent’s Youth Offending Service and a variety of educational settings, including schools. Heather is an experienced assessor for the Level 4 Diploma in Restorative Practice and has also completed a masters degree in restorative justice from the University of Hull, specialising in restorative practice in special schools.
Christopher Straker
Christopher was a teacher for thirty years, five of which as head teacher at Endeavour High School, where he balanced his time between school and the Hull Centre for Restorative Practice. Since then he has worked independently, offering training and consultancy to schools and agencies working with young people, families and communities. Christopher has experience in planning strategic roll out of restorative practice in schools and agencies and also at a city-wide level, enabling him to develop effective models of strategic implementation. Recently, he has developed training in restorative approaches to leadership within schools and agencies working within children’s services.
Pete Wallis
Pete Wallis started his career as a teacher before working in a children’s residential home, a centre for the homeless and a drugs agency. In 1996, Pete completed probation officer training and became the deputy director of the Prison Phoenix Trust. He worked as reparation co-ordinator at the Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service in 2000 and established the first national Doing Sorry conference in 2005. Since then, Pete has worked as a senior practitioner in restorative justice and has written several books. Pete co-wrote the Youth Justice Board’s national training course for restorative justice facilitation which was published in 2013.
Jim joined Kent Police in 1987 and became involved in a trial of an initiative with a restorative approach. Jim then drove local initiatives to expand restorative justice into the youth offending arena, before moving to Kent Police Headquarters where he was responsible for a multi-agency approach to neighbourhood delivery of restorative practice. This led to the whole of Kent Police being trained in restorative practice, with Jim as the force lead until his retirement in 2013. Jim holds a Level 4 Diploma in Restorative Practice and works for Project Salus and Restorative Solutions as the programme co-ordinator, delivering restorative services to the Kent Criminal Justice Board.
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Tour de France 2013 – stage one: photo gallery
Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) won the first stage of the 2013 Tour de France to take the coveted yellow jersey but the opening day of the race will be remembered for the bizarre sequence of events which unfolded prior to the finish.
Late arriving in Bastia, the Orica-GreenEDGE team bus wedged itself under the finish line gantry with the peloton less than 20km from the expected bunch sprint, prompting the race organisers to move the finish three kilometres down the road.
However, the original finish line was reinstated when the bus eventually freed itself and reversed off the course, resulting in confusion in the peloton which Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) said contributed to a huge crash which ended the victory chances of a number of sprinters – the Manx Missile included.
Kittel avoided the carnage, however, and stayed upright to contest the finish, beating Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Danny Von Poppel (Vacansoleil-DCM) to the line on what the German later called “the greatest day of my life”.
Open the photo gallery above to see how a chaotic day at the Tour de France unfolded.
Tour of Poland 2013: stage one - photo gallery
All the action from the Italian grand depart to the seventieth Tour de Pologne
Ulissi wins mountainous opening stage of 2013 Tour of Poland
Wiggins and Nibali lose over nine minutes on opening stage
Diego Ulissi wins mountainous opening stage of 2013 Tour of Poland
Rapha release Team Sky Victory t-shirt
Team Sky Victory Jersey due late August/Early September
Meet the Brits hoping to conquer London's streets at the RideLondon-Surrey Classic, one year on from the Olympic Games
Several British Pro-Continental teams line up alongside Tour de France stars Peter Sagan and David Millar
Back to the grind: coping with Tour de France 2013 withdrawal
As the 100th edition of cycling's greatest race fades into memory, one final reliving of a spectacular Tour
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November 20, 2018 admin Essay Topics 0
Word Count: 2419In , the madness of the Salem witch trials
is explored in great detail. There are many theories as to why the
witch trials came about, the most popular of which is the girls’
suppressed childhoods. However, there were other factors as well, such
as Abigail Williams’ affair with John Proctor, the secret grudges that
neighbors held against each other, and the physical and economic
differences between the citizens of Salem Village.
From a historical viewpoint, it is known that young girls in colonial
Massachusetts were given little or no freedom to act like children.
They were expected to walk straight, arms by their sides, eyes slightly
downcast, and their mouths were to be shut unless otherwise asked to
speak. It is not surprising that the girls would find this type of
lifestyle very constricting. To rebel against it, they played pranks,
such as dancing in the woods, listening to slaves’ magic stories and
pretending that other villagers were bewitching them. The Crucible
starts after the girls in the village have been caught dancing in the
woods. As one of them falls sick, rumors start to fly that there is
witchcraft going on in the woods, and that the sick girl is bewitched.
Once the girls talk to each other, they become more and more frightened
of being accused as witches, so Abigail starts accusing others of
practicing witchcraft. The other girls all join in so that the blame
will not be placed on them. In The Crucible, Abigail starts the
accusations by saying, “I go back to Jesus; I kiss his hand. I saw Sarah
Good with the Devil! I saw Goody Osburn with the Devil! I saw Bridget
Bishop with the Devil!” Another girl, Betty, continues the cry with, “I
saw George Jacobs with the Devil! I saw Goody Howe with the Devil!”
;From here on, the accusations grow and grow until the jails overflow
with accused witches. It must have given them an incredible sense of
power when the whole town of Salem listened to their words and believed
each and every accusation. After all, children were to be seen and not
heard in Puritan society, and the newfound attention was probably
overwhelming. In Act Three of The Crucible, the girls were called
before the judges to defend themselves against the claims that they were
only acting. To prove their innocence, Abigail led the other girls in a
chilling scene. Abby acted as if Mary Warren sent her spirit up to the
rafters and began to talk to the spirit. “Oh Mary, this is a black art
to change your shape. No, I cannot, I cannot stop my mouth; it’s God’s
work I do.” The other girls all stared at the rafters in horror and
began to repeat everything they heard. Finally, the girls’ hysterics
caused Mary Warren to accuse John Proctor of witchcraft. Once the scam
started, it was too late to stop, and the snowballing effect of wild
accusations soon resulted in the hanging of many innocents.
After the wave of accusations began, grudges began to surface in the
community. Small slights were made out to be witchcraft, and bad
business deals were blamed on witchery. Two characters in The Crucible,
Giles Corey and Thomas Putnam, argue early on about a plot of land.
Corey claims that he bought it from Goody Nurse but Putnam says he owns
it, and Goody Nurse had no right to sell it. Later, when Putnam’s
daughter accuses George Jacobs of witchery, Corey claims that Putnam
only wants Jacobs’ land. Giles says, “If Jacobs hangs for a witch he
forfeit up his property – that’s law! And there is none but Putnam with
the coin to buy so great a piece. This man is killing his neighbors for
their land!” Others also had hidden motives for accusing their
neighbors. Once the accusations began, everyone had a reason to accuse
someone else which is why the hangings got so out of hand. The wave of
accusations can be likened to mass hysteria, in which the people
involved are so caught up that they start having delusions of neighbors
out to do them harm. One of the main accusers, Abigail Williams, had an
ulterior motive for accusing Elizabeth Proctor. In The Crucible,
Abigail believed that if she got rid of Goody Proctor, then John
Proctor, her husband, would turn to Abby. John Proctor had an affair
with Abigail, but for him it was just lust, while Abigail believed it to
be true love. She told John that he loves her, and once she destroys
Elizabeth, they will be free to love one another. John is horrified at
this, but can do nothing to convince Abigail that he is not in love with
her. Because of Abigail’s twisted plot to secure John for herself,
Elizabeth is arrested. It is the hidden motives behind the accusations
that fan the flames of the Salem witch trials.
To get the complete picture of the causes behind the witch trials, you
must look at the physical reasons as well. Two historians, Paul Boyer
and Stephen Nissenbaum, drew a map of Salem Village and plotted the
accusers, the defendants, and the accused witches. An interesting
picture arose when a line was drawn dividing the town into east and
west. It became clear that nearly all the accusers lived on the west
side, and almost all the defenders and accused witches lived on the east
side. To determine the cause of the east-west split, the historians
examined many disputes, chief among them being the choice of ministers.
Once Salem Village was granted the right to have its own meeting house,
quarrels arose over who would preach in the pulpit. There were four
ministers between the time period of when the meeting house was built
and the end of the witch trials. The arguments over ministers soon
became a power struggle. There were two factions that arose during this
dispute, and it was noted that one group supported two ministers while
the other group supported the other two ministers. Each group wanted to
prove its influence by choosing a minister and making him the spiritual
guide to Salem Village. The two groups were found to coincide closely
with the east-west division.
When the economical divisions of the village were examined, it was found
that in general the western citizens of Salem Village lived an agrarian
lifestyle and were hard-pressed economically. The land on the western
side was well-suited to farming and grazing. By contrast, the villagers
on the east side were mainly merchants and lived fairly opulently. The
road to Salem Town traveled through the east side of Salem Village.
Many innkeepers and tavern owners lived on this road and made a good
profit off all the travelers. Tension often arose between the two
groups because of their vastly different lifestyles.
It is not difficult to see why a catastrophe such as the Salem witch
trials occurred. Once one accusation was made, it was easy to release
all the buried suspicions and hatred into a wave of madness. The
Crucible simplifies the cause to make for a better story, but in reality
the reasons for the witch craft accusations were much more complex. The
reasons behind the accusations would result in many more quarrels over
the years, but none as interesting or as horrifying as the Salem witch
trials. In such a straight-laced Puritan society, there lived many
people with hidden darkness in their hearts, and the Salem witch trials
exposed and magnified the consequences of those black desires.
In The Crucible by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials
>From here on, the accusations grow and grow until the jails overflow
Margaret Atwood: Cats Eye- Trace The Development O
Macbeth – Downfall Of A Hero
Verbal learning research Paper
The Hashknife Outfit
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search filter All ContentAll JournalsJournal of Experimental Medicine
Article| March 12 2012
The Mst1 and Mst2 kinases control activation of rho family GTPases and thymic egress of mature thymocytes
Fan Mou
Department of Molecular Biology
Diabetes Unit, Medical Services
; and
Cancer Center; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114
Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
Maria Praskova
Fan Xia
Denille Van Buren
Hanno Hock
Joseph Avruch
CORRESPONDENCE Joseph Avruch: avruch@molbio.mgh.harvard.edu OR Dawang Zhou: dwzhou@xmu.edu.cn
Dawang Zhou
Author and Article Information
J Exp Med (2012) 209 (4): 741–759.
PDF LinkPDF
Fan Mou, Maria Praskova, Fan Xia, Denille Van Buren, Hanno Hock, Joseph Avruch, Dawang Zhou; The Mst1 and Mst2 kinases control activation of rho family GTPases and thymic egress of mature thymocytes. J Exp Med 9 April 2012; 209 (4): 741–759. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20111692
The Mst1 kinase is an important regulator of murine T cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. In this study, we analyze mice lacking both Mst1 and Mst2 in hematopoietic cells. Compared with wild-type mice, these double knockout (DKO) mice exhibit a severe reduction in the number of mature T cells in the circulation and in secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes in DKO mice resemble mature T cells of wild-type mice but undergo excessive apoptosis, and their egress from the thymus is reduced by >90%. Even when placed directly in the circulation, DKO SP thymocytes failed to enter SLOs. In SP thymocytes, deficiency of Mst1 and Mst2 abolished sphingosine-1 phosphate– and CCL21-induced Mob1 phosphorylation, Rac1 and RhoA GTP charging, and subsequent cell migration. When phosphorylated by Mst1 or Mst2, Mob1 binds and activates the Rac1 guanyl nucleotide exchanger Dock8, which is abundant in the thymus. Thus, the Mst1 and Mst2 kinases control Rho GTPase activation and the migratory responses of SP thymocytes.
Lymphoid precursors migrate from liver and bone marrow to thymus, where they develop into CD4+ or CD8+ T cells through a choreographed set of intrathymic migrations (Takahama, 2006; Petrie and Zúñiga-Pflücker, 2007; Bunting et al., 2011; Love and Bhandoola, 2011) that accompany maturation of the TCR, followed by positive and negative selection of antigen specificity (von Boehmer et al., 2003). Mature thymocytes enter the venous circulation and traffic to secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs), awaiting an antigenic stimulus (Drennan et al., 2009; Bunting et al., 2011; Love and Bhandoola, 2011). T cell trafficking is critical to immune surveillance and to the generation of an effective immune response (Bromley et al., 2008). This trafficking is mediated by a set of chemotactic receptors, adhesion molecules, the cellular actin network, and its regulators.
Recent work has established the Mst1 kinase as an important regulator of T cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and apoptosis (Zhou et al., 2008; Choi et al., 2009; Dong et al., 2009; Katagiri et al., 2009). The murine Mst1 and Mst2 kinases are most abundant in tissues of the lymphoid system, and mice lacking Mst1 exhibit a variety of T cell abnormalities. Among the most prominent is an ∼50% reduction in the number of CD62LhiCD44lo mature naive T cells in SLOs, with little change in the number of CD62LloCD44hi effector/memory T cells; available evidence supports several contributory mechanisms. Whereas thymic development in Mst1-null mice is largely unaltered, single-positive (SP) thymocytes are modestly increased and show a diminished egress in vivo after labeling with FITC as well as in vitro in response to CCL19, CCL21, CXCL12, and CCL25 (Dong et al., 2009). In addition, although selectin-mediated rolling of Mst1-null naive T cells on endothelium is intact, their ability to adhere to high endothelial venules and enter peripheral LNs is reduced by ∼65%, a defect largely attributable to their inability to activate the integrins LFA-1 and MAdCAM-1 in response to chemokines (Katagiri et al., 2009). Mst1-null T cells also show diminished migration on immobilized chemokines and within explanted LNs. As first shown by Katagiri et al. (2006), Mst1 in T cells is found in a 1:1 complex with the RAPL/Nore1B/Rassf5B polypeptide, a Rap1-GTP–binding protein (Praskova et al., 2004; Avruch et al., 2009). Chemokine or T cell receptor activation promotes Rap1-GTP charging and recruits the RAPL–Mst1 complex to the leading edge. There the RAPL–Mst1 complex binds to and clusters LFA-1; T cells deficient in either RAPL (Katagiri et al., 2004) or Mst1 (Zhou et al., 2008; Katagiri et al., 2009) do not exhibit LFA-1 clustering in response to chemokines or TCR activation. The biochemical mechanism by which Mst1 promotes LFA-1 activation is not known.
Mst1-deficient naive T cells also show a greatly enhanced proliferative response to TCR stimulation and higher levels of ongoing apoptosis in vivo, another likely contributor to their low numbers in vivo. Notably, the levels of Mst1 polypeptide are reduced by 10-fold in the normal transition from naive to effector cell. Thus, Mst1 is a negative regulator of the commitment of naive T cells to a proliferative response upon TCR activation (Zhou et al., 2008). Mst1 is homologous to the Drosophila melanogaster kinase hippo, which inhibits cell proliferation in response to cell–cell contact by negative regulation of the transcriptional co-activator yorkie (Pan, 2010; Halder and Johnson, 2011). The mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of Mst1 in naive T cells is unknown, inasmuch as the mammalian yorkie orthologue Yap1 does not participate in the proliferative response of naive T cells to TCR/CD28 co-stimulation (Zhou et al., 2008).
In this study, we characterize the effect of the combined elimination of Mst1 and Mst2 from the lymphoid compartment; whereas T cell development proceeds normally, the ability of SP thymocytes to exit is severely inhibited, and they exhibit a high rate of intrathymic apoptosis. Chemokines and sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) fail to activate rho family small GTPases or polarize the actin cytoskeleton in the Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes, and their migratory responses are profoundly inhibited. The phosphorylation of Mst1/Mst2 substrates Mob1A and Mob1B (see Materials and methods for a description of Mob1A/B nomenclature) is lost entirely. The 25-kD noncatalytic Mob1A/B polypeptides, consequent to their phosphorylation by Mst1/Mst2, are known to bind and activate ndr family kinases (Praskova et al., 2008; Hergovich, 2011). We find that phospho-Mob1A/B also bind specifically and activate the Dock8 guanyl nucleotide exchanger. In thymocytes, CCL19 stimulates thymocyte Mob1A/B phosphorylation in an Mst1/Mst2-dependent manner and promotes phospho-Mob1A/B binding to endogenous Dock8. We propose that the inability of the Mst1/Mst2-deficient T cells to recruit Dock8 contributes to the failure of rho GTPase activation, actin regulation, and thymic egress.
Deletion of Mst1 and Mst2 from the lymphoid compartment reduces peripheral T cell number by 98%
In contrast to the reduced numbers of naive T cells seen with deletion of Mst1, a global deletion of murine Mst2 caused no changes in lymphocyte numbers in any compartment, nor did Mst2 deletion alter the abundance of Nore1b/RAPL/Rassf5b or the phosphorylation of Mob1 in the thymus (Fig. 1 A). Mst1-null/Mst2ff mice were crossed with mice expressing cre recombinase driven by a vav promoter (de Boer et al., 2003), resulting in inactivation of the Mst2 gene in the entire hematopoietic lineage. These mice were born at a normal ratio and survived weaning without difficulty. In addition to the loss of Mst2, thymic expression of Nore1b in the vav-cre/Mst1-null/Mst2ff mice (henceforth called Mst1/Mst2vavDKO) was essentially eliminated, as was Mob1A/B phosphorylation (Fig. 1 A). Peripheral blood counts showed that the number of circulating lymphocytes was reduced to <10% of WT in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice (Fig. 1 B). The thymus of the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice was slightly smaller than WT, and the total numbers of thymocytes were not significantly decreased (Fig. 1, C and D). As regards T cells, the number of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO was <2% and 1%, respectively, of WT levels. Similarly, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell numbers in the spleen and LNs were also reduced by >98% (Fig. 1 D). The morphology of the SLOs reflects the severe depletion of peripheral T cells; there was a complete loss of white pulp in the spleens of the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice, and their LNs were atrophic (not depicted). The preserved number of CD4+ and CD8+ SP thymocytes together with the severe deficiency of peripheral T cells indicates that T cell development in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice has occurred successfully, but egress from the thymus, which is partially impaired in Mst1-null mice (Dong et al., 2009), is inhibited to a much greater extent in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice.
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Deletion of Mst1 and Mst2 causes lymphopenia. (A) Thymic extracts from WT (Vav-Cre+Mst1+/+Mst2+/+ mice) Mst1-null (KO), and Vav-Cre+Mst1−/−Mst2ff (DKO) mice were analyzed by Western blot. T12 followed by P indicates phosphorylation. (B) White blood cell (WBC) and circulating lymphocyte counts in mice described in A. Each dot represents an individual mouse, and horizontal bars indicate the mean. (C and D) Single cell suspensions from the thymus, spleen, LN, and peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry. (C) Representative dot plots. (D) Absolute numbers of the indicated populations. Comparisons were performed using the Student’s t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. Error bars indicate ±SEM.
Transgenic WT but not kinase-inactive Mst1 restores peripheral T cell number in Mst1/Mst2 DKO mice
The deficiency of peripheral T cells seen in the Mst1-null and especially in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice can be entirely corrected by restoration of a catalytically active Mst1 kinase. Thus, transgenic expression of an Mst1 cDNA driven by the CD2 promoter in Mst1-null and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice (Fig. 2 A) restored to WT levels the number and balance of mature, naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen (Fig. 2, B and C). The abundance of Nore1b was also restored to near-WT levels, as was the extent of phosphorylation of Mob1A/B (Fig. 2 A). In contrast, transgenic expression of a catalytically inactive, ATP site Mst1 mutant (Mst1[K59R]) in Mst1-null mice, although restoring Nore1b expression to normal, further reduced Mob1A/B phosphorylation and worsened the deficiency of peripheral naive T cells toward the levels seen in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice (Fig. 2, B and C). Thus, it is the lack of Mst1 catalytic activity rather than of Nore1b that underlies the phenotype of Mst1 and Mst1 + Mst2 deficiency in the T cell compartment.
Mst1 WT and Mst1(KR) transgenic mice. (A) Flag-Mst1(WT) and Flag-Mst1 KR (inactive mutant K59R) expression driven by CD2 promoter was confirmed by Western blot of thymic extracts as in Fig. 1. (B) Representative flow cytometric analyses of spleen from Mst1+/+Mst2+/+ (WT), Mst1-null (1KO), Mst1-null/Flag-Mst1(WT) (1KO-WT), Mst1-null/Flag-Mst1(KR) (1KO-KR), Vav-Cre+Mst1−/−Mst2ff (DKO), Vav-Cre+Mst1−/−Mst2ff/Flag-Mst1(WT) (DKO-WT), and Vav-Cre+Mst1−/−Mst2ff/Mst1(KR) (DKO-KR) mice for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and their expression level of CD62L and CD44. (C) Total number of total CD4+ and CD8+ cells (top), CD44loCD62Lhi (middle), and CD44hiCD62Llo (bottom) in spleen of WT and the various mutant transgenic mice. Comparisons used the Student’s t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. Error bars indicate ±SEM.
Mst1 and Mst2 abundance and activity increase markedly in SP thymocytes of WT mice
Mst1 and Mst2 abundance was low in CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) WT thymocytes and increased markedly and to a similar extent in CD4+ and CD8+ SP thymocytes; the abundance of Nore1b increased in parallel (Fig. 3 A). The low expression of Mst1 and Mst2 in DP as compared with SP thymocytes suggests that these kinases are likely to have little or no role in thymocyte development up through the DP stage. The activity of Mst1/Mst2 was also low in the DP thymocytes and much higher in the SP thymocytes, as indicated by the increase in the phosphorylation of the Mst1 and Mst2 activation loops (identical in amino acid sequence) and by the extent of phosphorylation of Mob1A/B at the sites catalyzed specifically by Mst1 and Mst2 (Praskova et al., 2008; Zhou et al., 2008, 2009). FoxO1 and FoxO3 are other documented substrates of Mst1/Mst2 (Lehtinen et al., 2006); however, neither the abundance of FoxO3 nor the extent of FoxO1/3 phosphorylation at the site catalyzed by Mst1/Mst2 was altered in SP as compared with DP thymocytes. Similarly, elimination of Mst1 and Mst2 did not alter the abundance of Klf2, a transcriptional target of FoxO1/3 and itself a transcriptional regulator of CD62L, S1pr1 (S1P receptor 1), CCR7, and other genes relevant to T cell migration (Fig. 3 B).
Thymic structure and some phenotypes of DP and SP thymocytes from WT and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice. Genotypes are as in Fig. 1. (A) Extracts of CD4+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8−, and CD4−/CD8+ thymocytes from WT mice were immunoblotted with antibodies indicated as in Fig. 1. (B) Immunoblots of extracts from CD4+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8−, and CD4−/CD8+ thymocytes from WT and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice. T12 followed by P indicates phosphorylation. (C) Representative sections of thymus from WT, Mst1 KO, Mst2 KO, and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or with immunofluorescent anti-CD4 and pan-cytokeratin antibodies. The dashed white line shows the demarcation between cortex and medulla seen in the hematoxylin and eosin stain.
The morphology of the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymus is subtly altered from normal; the distinctively darker staining of the cortex as compared with the medulla in the WT thymus, which reflects the greater number and density of cortical T cells as well as their lesser cytoplasmic content (Pearse, 2006), was considerably attenuated (Fig. 3 C), and staining for CD4 confirmed that the marked difference in cellular abundance/density between the cortex and medulla seen in the WT was also attenuated in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymus. This alteration in thymic architecture differs from the acute effect of FTY720, a superagonist that down-regulates S1pr1, whose inhibition of thymic egress is accompanied by a thinning of the cortex and a marked expansion of the medulla (Yagi et al., 2000). Thus, the geographic distribution of CD4+ (SP and DP) cells appears to be abnormal in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymus.
Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes resemble recent thymic emigrants in WT mice
We next examined the developmental profile of the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes. Qa-2 is a nonpolymorphic MHC class 1 type molecule expressed late in thymocyte development whose abundance increases further after emigration, whereas CD24 is highly expressed throughout thymocyte development but is greatly diminished on recent thymic emigrants and diminishes further in the periphery (Boursalian et al., 2004). Inhibition of thymic egress with FTY720 increased the fraction of CD4+ SP Qa-2hiCD24lo thymocytes from 27.9 to 60.9% (Fig. 4 A, top) and their total number from ∼2 × 106 to ∼5.7 × 106 (Fig. 4 A, left bar graph), reflecting the continued intrathymic maturation of the CD4+ SP cells despite the blockade of egress. In the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymus, a very similar increase occurred in the percentage (Fig. 4 A, top) and number (Fig. 4 A, bar graphs) of CD4+ and CD8+ SP cells that exhibited a Qa-2hiCD24lo phenotype as compared with that seen with FTY720 treatment of WT mice. The S1P receptor subtype S1pr1, which is expressed very late in thymocyte development (Carlson et al., 2006), was detectable on 13.9% of Qa-2hiCD24loCD4+ and 2.3% of Qa-2hiCD24loCD8+ SP WT thymocytes, whereas in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymus, the fraction of Qa-2hiCD24loCD4+ and Qa-2hiCD24loCD8+ SP cells expressing S1pr1 was increased to 44.3% and 26.3%, respectively (Fig. 4 A, bottom). This increase in S1pr1 surface expression was paralleled by an increased level of S1pr1 messenger RNA in the thymus of Mst1-null and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice (Fig. 4 B). S1pr1 surface expression was severely reduced by pretreatment of both WT (Fig. 4, A and C) and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice with FTY720 (Fig. 4 C).
Flow cytometric analysis of CD4+/CD8− (CD4SP) and CD4−/CD8+ (CD8SP) thymocytes and peripheral T cells from WT, Mst1 KO, and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice. (A) The expression of S1pr1 was quantified on the CD24lo/Qa-2hi fraction of CD4+/CD8− and CD4−/CD8+ thymocytes from WT, Mst1 KO, and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO, and WT mice treated with an i.p. injection of either PBS or 10 mg/kg FTY720 24 h prior. The bar graphs show the absolute number of CD4+/CD8− (left) and CD4−/CD8+ (right) CD24loQa-2hi thymocytes. Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype (*, P < 0.05). Error bars indicate ±SEM. (B) Northern blot of thymic S1pr1 messenger RNA. (C) The abundance of S1pr1 on CD4SPCD24loQa-2hi thymocytes from WT and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice was analyzed with or without a prior i.p. injection of FTY720 as in A. (D) CD4+/CD8− thymocytes from WT mice were compared with those from Mst1 KO or Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice for the expression of the chemokine receptors, integrins, and developmental markers indicated. (E) The expression levels of the indicated markers on CD4+ cells from spleen of WT mice were compared with those from Mst1 KO or Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice. Representative profiles are shown.
In addition to the increased numbers of SP thymocytes expressing S1pr1 and Qa-2, other indicators of the hypermaturation of CD4+ SP Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes were their higher levels of Qa-2 as well as CD62L expression and the substantial reduction in CD69 and CD24 expression (Fig. 4 D). The similarity of the hypermaturation phenotype of Mst1/Mst2vavDKO SP thymocytes to that elicited by FTY720 treatment of WT mice impelled us to measure S1P levels (Sensken et al., 2010), which we found to be similar in plasma (range 2.03–3.96 µM) and thymic extracts (range 0.0–0.5 pmol/µg protein) of WT and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice. In addition, the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO SP thymocytes exhibited no significant change from WT in their expression of the chemokine receptors CCR7, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CCR5, as well as the integrins CD11b and LFA-1 (Fig. 4 D). Thus, the DKO thymocytes exhibit uninterrupted maturation toward the phenotype of mature naive peripheral T cells, similar to that seen with WT thymocytes whose thymic egress is blocked selectively by down-regulation of the S1P receptor. The few peripheral CD4+ T cells in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice exhibited a CD62LloCD44hi phenotype, without elevated expression of the activation markers CD69 or CD25 (Fig. 4 E).
Thymic egress and LN entry of Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes are severely reduced
The Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice experience a very high rate of infection, suggesting functional deficits in myeloid lineages in addition to T cells. To avoid confounding interactions and in view of the relatively well preserved developmental profile of thymic SP T cells in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice, we crossed the Mst1-null/Mst2ff mice with mice expressing Cre driven by the distal promoter of the Lck gene, which is expressed at a later stage of development (Zhang et al., 2005). As with the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice, the lck-cre/Mst1-null/Mst2ff (henceforth called Mst1/Mst2lckDKO) mice exhibited a dramatic reduction in peripheral T cells (Fig. 5 A) and distortion of thymic architecture (Fig. 5 B); however, the number of CD4+ and CD8+ SP cells in the Mst1/Mst2lckDKO thymus was significantly increased (Fig. 5 A, top bar graph). We next examined thymic egress directly, labeling thymocytes in vivo by intrathymic injection of WT, Mst1-null, and Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice with FITC. After 24 h, the numbers of FITC-labeled CD4+ and CD8+ SP cells in the circulation, spleen, and LNs were quantitated (Fig. 5 C). As compared with WT mice, the egress of T cells from the thymus after 24 h in the Mst1-null mice was reduced by 50 (CD4+) to 65% (CD8+), confirming the earlier findings (Dong et al., 2009), and by ∼90% in the Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice, demonstrating the substantial further reduction engendered by further elimination of Mst2 (Fig. 5 C). Although defective thymic egress was the dominant contributor to the low number of peripheral Mst1/Mst2lckDKO T cells, a second factor was their high rate of apoptosis, which in freshly isolated Mst1/Mst2lckDKO SP thymocytes was approximately sevenfold higher than in WT SP thymocytes; higher apoptosis was also evident in the Mst1/Mst2lckDKO DP thymocytes (Fig. 5 D). As to the mechanisms responsible, because the Mst1/Mst2lckDKO thymocytes (like Mst1-null naive T cells; Zhou et al., 2008) showed a marked hyperproliferation in vitro in response to anti-CD3 (not depicted), we suspected that such a response might entrain an apoptotic outcome in vivo. Nevertheless, labeling in vivo with BrdU (Lucas et al., 1993) revealed no differences in the rate of intrathymic proliferation between WT and Mst1/Mst2lckDKO thymocytes (Fig. 5 E), leaving the mechanism underlying their exaggerated apoptosis unresolved.
Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice have lymphopenia caused by impaired thymic egress. (A) Representative flow cytometric analyses for CD4 and CD4 and cell counts from thymus, blood, spleen, and LNs from Lck-Cre+Mst1+/+Mst2+/+ (WT) and Lck-Cre+Mst1−/−Mst2ff (Mst1/Mst2lckDKO) mice. Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). (B) Thymic morphology of Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice; a representative section. (C) Egress of FITC-labeled thymocytes in vivo. 24 h after an intrathymic injection of FITC, the thymus, spleens, LNs, and peripheral blood from WT, Mst1 KO, and Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage of FITC-labeled CD4+ and CD8+ cells emigrating to the thymus was calculated as total number of FITC-labeled CD4+ or CD8+ cells in SLOs and blood divided by total (thymic + peripheral) FITC-labeled CD4+ or CD8+ cells from all sites, multiplied by 100. Statistical analyses were performed using the Student’s t test (***, P < 0.001). Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. (D) Ongoing apoptosis events in freshly isolated CD4+/CD8+, CD4+/CD8−, and CD4−/CD8+ thymocytes are estimated from Annexin V–FITC and 7-AAD staining. The bar graph shows the percentage of Annexin V+/7-AAD− SP and DP thymocytes from three independent experiments (***, P < 0.001). (E) BrdU-labeled cells among the various subsets of thymocytes. Mice received two i.p. injections of BrdU at a 4-h interval. The thymus was removed for analysis 1 h after the second injection. Thymocytes were stained with antibodies against mouse CD4-PE, CD8-FITC, BrdU-APC, or isotype control IgG-APC. Regions defining six thymocyte subsets were defined, and the percentage of each subset in BrdU+ cells is shown (middle). The percentage of BrdU+ cells in each thymocyte subset is shown in the bar graph. Representative profiles are shown. Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. (A and C–E) Error bars indicate ±SEM.
In addition to their defective thymic egress, Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP T cells were also incapable of entering SLOs when placed directly in the circulation. 24 h after i.v. injection of identical numbers of CD4+ SP thymocytes from WT and Mst1/Mst2vavDKO mice into WT recipients, only cells from the WT donor were present in peripheral LNs, whereas 80–90% of the circulating donor T cells were from the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO donor (Fig. 6 A, top). To assess the localization of the infused WT and Mst1/Mst2 DKO thymocytes residing in the spleen, in a separate experiment, we infused CD45.2+ WT/Lck-cre and Mst1/Mst2lckDKO SP thymocytes into CD45.1 recipients. Spleens were removed 24 h later and stained with anti-CD45.2 and anti-B220 (the latter to define white pulp), and the number of CD45.2+ cells in white pulp and in similar sized areas of red pulp was counted (a total of ∼1,500 cells of each genotype). The percentage of total Mst1/Mst2 DKO CD45.2+ cells within the CD45.1+ recipient splenic follicles was diminished by ∼70% as compared with the WT CD45.2+ donors (Fig. 6 D). Thus, the Mst1/Mst2 DKO SP thymocytes are greatly deficient in their ability to enter splenic white pulp. Cell loss, probably caused by apoptosis, was a second factor contributing to low number of Mst1/Mst2lckDKO SP thymocytes recovered after i.v. injection. By 1 h after i.v. infusion, the fractional recovery of infused Mst1/Mst2lckDKO SP thymocytes from blood and SLOs was only about half that of WT or Mst1-null SP thymocytes, which were comparable (Fig. 6 E). The ability of Mst1-null SP thymocytes to enter LNs was also inferior to that of WT cells (Fig. 6 B) but markedly superior to that of the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO SP thymocytes (Fig. 6 C). Thus, despite normal or enhanced expression of the major receptors that govern thymic egress (i.e., S1pr1) and entry into SLOs (CCR7), T cells deficient in Mst1 and Mst2 are almost entirely unable egress the thymus or enter SLOs.
Differential homing of CD4+/CD8− thymocytes from WT, Mst1-null (1KO), and DKO mice into SLOs. (A–C) Genotypes as in Fig. 1. Representative flow cytometric profiles of a 50:50 mixture of CMF2HC (blue)- or CMFDA (green)-labeled CD4+/CD8− thymocytes from WT and DKO mice (A), WT and Mst1 KO mice (B), and Mst1 KO and DKO mice (C) are shown before injection (BI) and when sampled from blood (PBL), spleen, axillary LNs (ALN), and mesenteric LNs (MLN) at 1 and 24 h after i.v. injection. The bar graphs show the ratios of labeled cells before injection and in lymphoid tissues as indicated; LNs including axillary (ALN), brachial (BLN), caudal (CLN), pancreatic (PLN), mesenteric (MLN) and inguinal (ILN) LNs. Data were pooled from three independent experiments. Each bar in A–C represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. (D) The fraction of injected cells in the spleen residing in B cells follicles, as described in Materials and methods. CD45.2 is an alloantigen of CD45 expressed in all donor but not in recipient lymphoid cells. Data are combined from three independent experiments. Comparisons between WT and Mst1-null mice and WT and DKO mice were performed using the Student’s t test (**, P < 0.01). (E) The relative recovery of dye-labeled cells in SLOs at 1 and 24 h after injection (**, P < 0.01). Each bar represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. (A–E) Error bars indicate ±SEM.
Deficiency of Mst1 and Mst2 disables S1P and chemokine-induced chemotaxis, actin polarization, and activation of rho family GTPases in SP thymocytes
Emigration of SP thymocytes to the periphery requires the ability to migrate in response to the much higher level of S1P in blood (Drennan et al., 2009). The migration in vitro of WT CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes toward S1P at 10 and 100 nM increased progressively, but at 1 µM, S1P did not differ from baseline levels, likely reflecting down-regulation of the receptor S1pr1 (Fig. 7 A); a similar desensitization occurred with S1P-stimulated Mob1A/B phosphorylation (Fig. 7 B). Compared with WT thymocytes, migration toward S1P was unaltered in Mst2-null thymocytes, slightly diminished in Mst1-null thymocytes, but virtually eliminated in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO SP thymocytes (Fig. 7 A). The loss of the chemotactic migratory response in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes was not restricted to S1P; the migratory response to CCL19 and CCL21, which in the Mst1-null SP thymocytes was reduced by approximately half, in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO cells was, like the response to S1P, also lost completely (Fig. 7 C). The inability of these stimuli to elicit a migratory response from Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes was accompanied by the failure of S1P and CCL19 to promote actin polarization (Fig. 7 D).
Chemotaxis and actin polarization are greatly inhibited in Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes. (A and C) Thymocyte migration to S1P. Genotypes of WT and DKO as in Fig. 1. WT, Mst1-null (Mst1 KO), Vav-Cre+Mst2ff (Mst2 KO), and DKO thymocytes (106) were placed in the upper well; after 3 h, the upper and lower wells were analyzed by flow cytometry for the number CD4+/CD8− cells. The fraction migrating to the lower well in response to S1P (A) at the concentrations shown or to CCL19 and CCL21 at 200 ng/ml (C) was calculated. The result of triplicate analyses is shown; a second experiment gave similar results. Comparisons were performed using the Student’s t test (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). Error bars indicate ±SEM. (B) A time course of S1P-stimulated Mob1A/B (T12) phosphorylation in WT thymocytes. (D) Actin polarization in CD90.2 thymocytes from WT and DKO mice 2 min after the addition of 0.1 µM S1P or 200 ng/ml CCL19. Data are representative of three experiments.
Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton is critically dependent on the localized activation of rho family GTPases (Gomez and Billadeau, 2008; Tybulewicz and Henderson, 2009; Ward and Marelli-Berg, 2009). CCL19, for example, elicited a transient increase in rac1 GTP charging in WT CD4+ SP thymocytes that peaked at 2–5 min (Fig. 8 A) and returned toward baseline by 10 min (not depicted); this response was substantially reduced in Mst1-null thymocytes and lost entirely in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes (Fig. 8 A). We surveyed a variety of other ligands for their ability to promote rac1 GTP charging in thymocytes; in addition to CCL19, substantial increases in rac1 GTP charging were also seen in response to CCL21, CCL17, and SDF1 and more modestly with CCL25. None of these ligands promoted rac1 GTP charging in the Mst1/Mst2vavDKO CD4+ SP thymocytes (Fig. 8 B). We did not detect an increase in rac1 GTP charging in response to S1P (Fig. 8 B) but did observe a robust S1P-induced increase in rhoA GTP charging (Fig. 8 C), as previously reported (Stam et al., 1998); this response was reduced in the Mst1-null thymocytes and entirely absent in Mst1/Mst2vavDKO thymocytes. Thus, elimination of Mst1 and Mst2 disables the ability of S1P and a variety of chemokine receptors to activate GTP charging of rac1 and rhoA. The ability of these ligands to promote Mob1A/B phosphorylation, a reflection of Mst1/Mst2 activation, was lost in parallel (Fig. 8 D). Notably, these ligands did not promote the phosphorylation of Foxo1/3 (Fig. 8 E) or Lats1/2 (Fig. 8 F, left) at sites known to be phosphorylated by Mst1 or Mst2, nor was the phosphorylation of FoxO1/3 (Fig. 8 E) and Lats1/2 (Fig. 8 F) in thymocytes altered by deletion of Mst1 and Mst2. Finally, the ability of CCL19 and SDF-1 to activate p44Erk and p38 (Fig. 8 E) and the ability of H2O2 to stimulate Lats1/2 phosphorylation (Fig. 8 F, right) was similar in WT and Mst1/Mst2-deficient CD90.2+ thymocytes.
Thymocyte signaling in response to chemokines and S1P. (A) The effect of CCL19 on rac1 GTP charging in WT, Mst1 KO, and DKO CD4 SP thymocytes; genotypes of WT and DKO as in Fig. 1. Cells were extracted before (open bars) and at 2 min after (closed bars) treatment with 200 ng/ml CCL19. Rac1 GTP charging was measured using a G-LISA kit (Cytoskeleton) according to manufacturer’s instructions and read as absorbance at 490 nm (**, P < 0.01 WT at 2 min vs. at 0 min; ++, P < 0.01 WT vs. 1KO at 2 min ; xx, P < 0.01 WT vs. DKO at 2 min). (B) Rac1 GTP charging was measured as in A before and 2 min after the addition of the agents indicated to WT (open bars) or Mst1/Mst2 DKO (closed bars) thymocytes (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01 WT at 2 min vs. at 0 min; +, P < 0.05; ++, P < 0.01 WT vs. DKO at 2 min). (C) The effect of 0.1 µM S1P (2 min) on rhoA GTP charging in WT, Mst1 KO, and Mst1/Mst2 DKO CD4 SP thymocytes. RhoA GTP charging was measured using a G-LISA kit (**, P < 0.01 WT at 2 min vs. at 0 min; ++, P < 0.01 WT vs. 1KO at 2 min; xx, P < 0.01 WT vs. DKO at 2 min). Each bar in A–C represents combined results from three mice of the indicated genotype. Error bars indicate ±SEM. (D) Effect of 200 ng/ml CCL21, 0.1 µM S1P, and 1 µg/ml anti-CD3 antibody on Mob1(T12) phosphorylation in thymocytes. (E) The effect of 200 ng/ml CCL19 (left) and 100 ng/ml SDF1 (right) on Mob1A/B(T12), p44erk, p38, and Foxo1/3(S212) phosphorylation in thymocytes. The bottom panel shows polypeptide abundance. (F) The effect of 200 ng/ml CCL19, 100 ng/ml SDF1, and 50 ng/ml PMA on the phosphorylation of Lats1/2 and Yap1 in thymocytes.
Mob1A/B phosphorylated by Mst1 or Mst2 binds and activates the Dock8 rac1 guanyl nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)
The marked deficits in the ability of several chemokines and S1P to activate rac1 and rhoA, respectively, to polarize the actin cytoskeleton, and to promote the migration in vitro of Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes certainly contribute to the inability of these cells to emigrate to the thymus in vivo and, once in the circulation, to enter LNs. It is highly likely, based on the ability of WT but not kinase-inactive Mst1 to correct these abnormalities, that these deficits arise from the failure of phosphorylation of one or more Mst1/Mst2 polypeptide substrates. As shown above (Fig. 8, E and F), deletion of Mst1 and Mst2 eliminates thymocyte Mob1A/B phosphorylation without affecting Lats1/2 or FoxO1/3 phosphorylation. Consequently, we focused on Mob1A/B, seeking proteins that, like Lats1/2 and ndr1/2, associate with the noncatalytic Mob1A/B polypeptides in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Overexpression of Mob1B in 293T cells retrieved endogenous Lats1, ndr2 (both known physiological partners of Mob1), and equal amounts of Dock6 and Dock7, rho family GEFs (Meller et al., 2005; Côté and Vuori, 2007). 11 members of the Dock family of GEFs occur in mouse and man, divided into four subfamilies (A–D) based on amino acid sequence alignment; Dock6, Dock7, and Dock8 form subfamily C. All Dock proteins are ∼200 kD and contain two conserved domains, the DHR1/CZH1 domain in the amino-terminal half of the protein, a C2 type phospholipid-binding domain thought to contribute to membrane localization, and DHR2 (approximately 1695–2068 aa), which contains the nucleotide exchange domain, located near the protein carboxy terminus. Neither Dock6 nor Dock7 is expressed in lymphoid tissues; however, Dock8 is highly expressed in thymus (Tybulewicz and Henderson, 2009), and recombinant Dock8 also binds preferentially to phosphorylated Mob1 (Fig. 9 A, left). Notably, Dock2, a member of Dock subfamily B whose functions in T cells have been extensively characterized (Reif and Cyster, 2002), did not coprecipitate with Mob1B in the presence or absence of okadaic acid (OKA; Fig. 9 A, right). We next examined whether Dock8 endogenous to T cells interacts with Mob1A/B in an Mst1/Mst2-dependent manner. CD90.2+ thymocytes were isolated from WT and Mst1/Mst2lckDKO mice and treated with CCL19 for 5 min, and the Dock8 immunoprecipitate was immunoblotted for Mob1A/B (Fig. 9 B). CCL19 stimulated the phosphorylation of endogenous Mob1A/B and promoted the coprecipitation of Mob1A/B with Dock8 in WT but not in Mst1/Mst2lckDKO thymocytes.
Mob1A/B phosphorylated by Mst1/Mst2 binds and regulates Dock8 but not Dock2. (A) Dock8 but not Dock2 binds specifically to phospho-Mob1. U2OS cell lines stably expressing Flag-Mob1B WT or Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] were transfected with HA-Dock8 or HA-Dock2. After 48 h, OKA or carrier was added for 30 min. The Flag-Mob1 immunoprecipitates were probed for Flag-Mob1B, Mob1(T12P), and HA-Dock8 or -Dock2. (B) CCl19 stimulates the Mst1/Mst2-dependent coprecipitation of Dock8 and Mob1A/B(T12) phosphorylation in mouse thymocytes. WT and DKO (genotypes as in Fig. 1) CD90.2+ thymocytes were treated with 250 ng/ml CCL19 or carrier for 5 min before extraction, and immunoprecipitations (IP) were performed using rabbit anti-Dock8. (C) Transgenic thymic Flag-Mob1B WT but not Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] coprecipitates endogenous Dock8. Thymocytes from mice expressing Flag-Mob1B WT or Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] driven by a CD2 promoter were treated with 250 ng/ml CCL19 or carrier for 5 min. Immunoprecipitations prepared with normal IgG or anti-Flag were probed for Dock8, Mob1B(T12P), and Flag-Mob1B. (D) Colocalization of Dock8 with Flag-Mob1BWT, Flag-myr-Mob1BWT, and Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala]. HA-tagged Dock8 was transiently expressed alone or with Flag-Mob1BWT, Flag-myr-Mob1BWT, and Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] in U2OS cells. The proteins were visualized with antibody against Flag and HA, and colocalization is shown in yellow. Western blots (below the images) show that at similar levels of total Mob1B polypeptide, Flag-myr-Mob1B WT exhibits much higher phosphorylation than nonmyristolylated Flag-Mob1B WT. (E) Mob1B stimulates Dock8 GEF activity. 293T cells were cotransfected with Myc-rac1 and a vector expressing shRNA against both Mob1A and Mob1B. Some cells also received HA-Dock8, or an RNA interference (RNAi)–insensitive Flag-Mob1B or both. After 24 h, cell extracts were incubated with an excess of a GST-Pak1-CRIB domain fusion protein, and the GST pull-downs were probed for Myc-rac1. The ratio of Myc-rac in the pull-down fraction relative to that in the total lysate of cells receiving only myc-rac1 was set to one; other ratios were normalized to this value. Two independent experiments are shown. IB, immunoblot.
Available antibodies do not enable immunoprecipitation of Mob1A/B; we therefore created transgenic mice expressing Flag-Mob1B and mutated Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] driven by the human CD2 promoter (de Boer et al., 2003). Expression of recombinant Flag-Mob1B WT in thymus proved to be far below the level of endogenous Mob1A/B; nevertheless, a substantial amount of endogenous Dock8 was recovered with Flag-Mob1B and in slightly greater amounts from the extract of CCL19-treated cells (Fig. 9 C), whereas Dock8 did not coprecipitate with Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala]. A further indication of the ability of a Mob1B to bind Dock8 in the cell was provided by using a membrane-bound Mob1B, created by fusing the c-Src amino-terminal myristoylation motif to the Flag-Mob1B amino terminus. The transiently expressed myr-Flag-Mob1B polypeptide was extensively membrane localized (Fig. 9 D, third column), as was myr-Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala]. Myr-Flag-Mob1B exhibited a marked increase in phosphorylation at the sites catalyzed specifically by Mst1/Mst2, as compared with (nonmyristolylated) Flag-Mob1B (Fig. 9 D, immunoblot); the latter was diffusely cytoplasmic (Fig. 9 D, second column). Recombinant Dock8, which exhibits a diffuse distribution during transient expression, showed a modest colocalization with Flag-Mob1B but was extensively colocalized with myr-Flag-Mob1B WT but exhibited no colocalization with myr-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] (Fig. 9 D).
We next examined the functional consequence of Mob1B binding to Dock8. Mob1B and full-length Dock8 were coexpressed with rac1 in 293 cells (which lacked Dock8 but expressed Dock6 and Dock7), and the extent of rac1 GTP charging was estimated by pull-down of rac1 from cell extracts with the CRIB domain of the PAK1 protein kinase, which binds rac1 and cdc42 preferentially when GTP charged (Thompson et al., 1998). If endogenous Mob1A/B was depleted using RNA interference directed to their 3′ untranslated regions, the expression of recombinant Flag-Mob1B alone caused a modest increase in rac1 pull-down, likely reflecting the interaction of Flag-Mob1B with endogenous Dock6/7. Expression of recombinant Dock8 alone also gave a modest increase in rac1 pull-down, but coexpression of Flag-Mob1B with Dock8 increased rac1 pull-down further as compared with vector controls and either alone (Fig. 9 E). Thus, the binding of Mob1B to Dock8, which requires Mob1B phosphorylation, stimulates the Dock8 GEF activity toward rac1.
Whereas deletion of Mst2 from the lymphoid compartment has no evident effect, the additional deficiency of Mst2 on an Mst1-null background causes a marked exacerbation of the deficits seen in Mst1-null T cells. Thymocyte development appears to proceed normally, probably because of the very low abundance and activity of these kinases in DP and developmentally earlier thymocytes. Nevertheless, the ability of SP thymocytes to exit to the circulation, modestly impaired in the Mst1-null mouse, is severely inhibited in the Mst1/Mst2 DKO. As with thymocyte egress, the entry of T cells into LNs, which is also moderately impaired in Mst1-null cells, is lost entirely in the Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes. These deficits in the migration of Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes occur despite normal levels of the integrin LFA-1, of the S1P receptor S1pr1, and of multiple chemokine receptors. Rather, the migratory deficits are in large part caused by the failure of these receptors to promote the activation of rho family GTPases and polarization of the actin cytoskeleton in the thymocytes; based on the phenotype of Mst1-deficient naive T cells (Katagiri et al., 2006; Zhou et al., 2008, 2009), integrin clustering and activation are also likely to be abrogated. Thymocyte maturation is thought to depend in part on an orderly migration of the cells first into the cortex and then into the medulla, a migration orchestrated by the coordinated expression of chemokines and their receptors. The normal maturation of Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes to a state resembling recent thymic emigrants found in normal mice suggests that chemokine regulation of rho GTPases and actin during thymocyte development through the DP stage occurs independently of Mst1/Mst2. Thus, among the various defects evident in the Mst1-null T cell compartment that contribute to the low levels of peripheral naive T cells (i.e., defective migration, hyperproliferation, and accelerated apoptosis), deficient migration emerges as the limiting defect with DKO of Mst1 and Mst2.
Nevertheless, the high rate of ongoing apoptosis of Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes (Fig. 5 D) is certainly an important contributor to the deficiency of peripheral T cells. The major factors responsible for the excessive apoptosis of the Mst1/Mst2-null CD4+ thymocytes are not known, but candidates include their inappropriate entry into a proliferative program (Zhou et al., 2008), the activation of apoptosis by the high levels of reactive oxygen species (Choi et al., 2009), and perhaps some alteration in the components or regulation of intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
The correction of the phenotype of Mst1/Mst2 deficiency in the lymphoid compartment by transgenic expression of WT but not catalytically inactive Mst1 establishes that the defects in cell migration and rho GTPase regulation are caused by the lack of Mst1/Mst2-catalyzed substrate phosphorylation. The absolute dependence of Mob1A/B phosphorylation on Mst1/Mst2, in contrast to the minimal impact of Mst1 deletion on Lats1/2 (Fig. 8 F) in T cells (Zhou et al., 2008), impelled us to seek other Mst1/Mst2 substrates as well as other phosphorylation-dependent Mob1A/B binders. The Mob1A and Mob1B polypeptides are 96% identical, highly conserved from yeast to Drosophila to mammals, and best known for their ability to bind to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae kinase Dbf2 and the Drosophila kinases Lats/Warts (orthologous to mammalian Lats1/2) and Trc (orthologous to mammalian ndr1/2); Mob1A or Mob1B binding promotes the autophosphorylation of these kinases on their activation loop, contributing thereby to their catalytic activation (Bichsel et al., 2004; Hergovich, 2011). We demonstrated that the ability of Mob1A/B to bind Lats1/2 and ndr1/2 is strongly dependent on Mob1A/B phosphorylation at Thr12 and Thr35 by Mst1 and/or Mst2 (Praskova et al., 2008). The identification of the Dock-C subfamily of guanyl nucleotide exchangers as phosphorylation-dependent Mob1A/B partners unveils a new signaling pathway downstream of Mst1/Mst2 as well as a previously unrecognized mode of regulation of Dock-C family GEFs.
Thymocytes express multiple rac1/2 GEFs, including vav1–3, Dock1, Dock2, Dock5, and Dock8 (Tybulewicz and Henderson, 2009). The deficiencies in migration, actin polarization, and rac GTPase activation seen in the Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes resemble those seen with deletion of Dock2, a Dock-B subfamily rac1 GEF expressed largely in lymphoid tissues (Fukui et al., 2001). Dock2-null mice exhibit diminished numbers of T cells in the periphery. T lymphoid progenitor entry (Lei et al., 2009) and thymocyte development, apart from somewhat impaired positive and negative selection (Sanui et al., 2003b), are relatively well maintained in the absence of Dock2; however, egress of SP thymocytes from thymic organ culture in response to CCL19 is reduced by 95% (Sanui et al., 2003a). In addition, entry of Dock2-deficient T cells into SLOs is defective (Fukui et al., 2001). Despite the presence of vav, Dock2-deficient T cells exhibit diminished chemokine activation of rac1 and greatly reduced actin polymerization (Fukui et al., 2001). As regards the regulation, Dock2 appears to require the noncatalytic protein ELMO1 for nucleotide exchange in cells (Sanui et al., 2003b). Recruitment by upstream regulators may occur through its amino-terminal SH3 domain, which binds Crk; the Dock2 DHR1 domain binds PtdIns3,4,5P3; however, sustained localization requires the generation and binding of phosphatidic acid to a polybasic region in the DHR2 segment (Nishikimi et al., 2009). Despite the overlaps in the properties of Dock2- and Mst1/Mst2-deficient T cells, we have no evidence that Dock2 is regulated downstream of Mst1/Mst2. Moreover, the deficiency of peripheral T cells in the Mst1/Mst2 DKO is much greater than in Dock2-deficient mice or in thymocytes from rac1ff/rac2ff/lck-cre mice (Faroudi et al., 2010). Some of this difference is likely attributable to excessive intrathymic and postegress apoptosis in the Mst1/Mst2 DKO thymocytes; however, it is clear that the Mst1/Mst2 DKO thymocytes lack the ability to activate rhoA as well as rac, and so their defect in cytoskeletal regulation exceeds that engendered by the loss of the rac-specific Dock2 or both the rac1 + rac2 GTPases. As regards the role of Dock8, T cells from Dock8-deficient mice (Randall et al., 2011) do show some commonalities with the Mst1/Mst2-deficient SP thymocytes, most notably a failure to polarize LFA-1 or actin to the immune synapse. The Dock8-deficient mice also exhibit a 50% decrease in peripheral naive T cells without fewer SP thymocytes or evidence of disturbed thymic differentiation. In reconstitution of irradiated mice with mixtures of WT and Dock8 mutant bone marrow, Dock8 mutant T cells contributed only 5% of circulating T cells, whereas thymic engraftment of Dock8 mutant cells ranged from 30% to 22% to 16% of WT numbers for double-negative, DP, and SP thymocytes, respectively. Dock8-deficient humans exhibit a hyper-IgE form of combined immunodeficiency with low numbers of T and B cells and susceptibility to cutaneous viral infections and tumorigenesis, pointing to defective T cell function (Engelhardt et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2009). Given the limited overlap between Dock8 and Mst1/Mst2 deficiency, it is clear that the loss of phospho-Mob1A/B activation of Dock8 can only be one of several factors contributing to the phenotypes of the Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes. Deficient Dock8 GEF activity is unlikely to underlie the failure of S1P activation of rhoA or the accelerated apoptosis, so that other Mst1/Mst2 or P-Mob1A/B effectors remain to be uncovered. However, it is likely that the loss of Mob1A/B binding to Dock8 contributes to the failure of chemokine-stimulated rac1 activation in Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes and in turn to the failure of thymic egress. Moreover, the identification of Mst1/Mst2 regulation of Dock8 through Mob1A/B phosphorylation uncovers a new aspect of Mst1/Mst2 action and a new pathway for the regulation of rho family GTPases.
It is important to emphasize that both the upstream regulation and the outputs of the Mst1/Mst2-Mob1A/B cassette in the lymphoid system differ substantially as compared with epithelia. The hippo pathway, as first characterized in flies and subsequently in mammalian cell culture, is activated by cell–cell contact through adhesion receptors and has an antiproliferative, proapoptotic output that is mediated primarily by a phosphorylation-induced suppression of the proliferative, antiapoptotic transcriptional outputs of yorkie/Yap1, an oncogenic co-activator (Zhao et al., 2007; Pan, 2010; Halder and Johnson, 2011). In the canonical hippo pathway as operating in epithelia, the primary Mst1/Mst2 scaffold and partner is Salvador, which through its SARAH domain binds Mst1/Mst2 and through its WW domain binds Lats1/2, a Yap1 kinase. The Salvador–hippo–Lats complex is recruited to upstream regulators by complexes of Kibra–Merlin–Expanded. In contrast, the obligatory partner of Mst1/Mst2 in lymphoid cells is Nore1B/Rassf5b/RAPL, that like Salvador, binds Mst1/Mst2 through its carboxy-terminal SARAH domain, but unlike Salvador does not bind Lats1/2 and is recruited to upstream regulators through the ability of its Ras-Rap association domain to bind Rap1-GTP generated in response to ligand activated receptors (Katagiri et al., 2006; Avruch et al., 2009). The ability of Mst1/Mst2 to couple to the Lats1/2 kinases or other Yap1 kinases in lymphoid cells in response to physiological stimuli is minimal (Fig. 8 F; Zhou et al., 2008). As regards regulation, Mst1 in mouse liver exists predominantly as a constitutively active 36-kD catalytic fragment with unrestricted access to the nucleus (Zhou et al., 2009). In lymphoid cells, Mst1/Mst2 occur only as full-length polypeptides that become activated only in response to ligand stimulation (Zhou et al., 2008, 2009). The high rate of apoptosis in the Mst1/Mst2-deficient thymocytes further illustrates the tissue-specific variation in the outputs of Mst1/Mst2. As in thymocytes, deletion of Mst1/Mst2 from mouse liver also eliminates Mob1 phosphorylation (Zhou et al., 2008) and causes high levels of reactive oxygen species (Choi et al., 2009); however, in contrast to the high rate of thymocyte apoptosis, Mst1/Mst2-deficient hepatocytes exhibit a marked resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis (Zhou et al., 2009). Thus, apart from Mob1 phosphorylation, the consequences of Mst1/Mst2 deficiency need to be established in each tissue, as they may not replicate those predicted from the canonical hippo pathway or from studies in transformed mammalian cells.
Mob1A/Mob1B nomenclature.
A recent change in the nomenclature of the Mob polypeptides (Human Gene Nomenclature Database) has caused the polypeptide we previously described (Praskova et al., 2008) as MOBKL1A (and which has also been called Mob1 and Mob4A) to be renamed Mob1B and the polypeptide we previously called MOBKL1B (and which has also been called Mob1, Mats1, and Mob4B) to be renamed Mob1A; the new nomenclature is used herein. Our antibodies raised against human GST-Mob1B (previously MOBKL1A) react equally with human Mob1A and Mob1B, which are 96% identical in amino acid sequence. Mob1A and Mob1B are each phosphorylated at Thr12 and Thr35 comparably by either Mst1 or Mst2 (Praskova et al., 2008), and the phospho-specific antibodies against the Mob1A/B Thr12(PO4)-peptide and Thr35(PO4)-peptide, CSRSSKT(PO4)FKPKKNamide and CLKHAEAT(PO4)LGSGNamide, respectively, react similarly with the corresponding phosphorylated forms of Mob1A and Mob1B. Therefore, the endogenous polypeptides detected on immunoblots of tissue/cell extracts with the anti-Mob1B or the phospho-specific Mob1A/B antibodies are referred to herein as Mob1A/B.
Generation of transgenic Flag-Mst1[WT], Flag-Mst1[K59R], Flag-Mob1B[WT], and Flag-Mob1B[Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] mice and Mst1/Mst2 DKO mice.
The CD2-Flag-Mst1 and CD2-Flag-Mob1B transgenic constructs were made by cloning into the EcoRI site of the CD2 vector (de Boer et al., 2003), a gift from D. Kioussis (Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, London, England, UK). Two founders each were obtained and bred. Transgenic heterozygote mice issued from these founders were studied and compared with nontransgenic siblings raised in identical conditions. Genotyping was performed on tail DNAs by the following primers: CD2 primer (5′-CCCCTAAGAACAGCTTTCCA-3′), Mst1 primer (5′-TGTGGGAGGAGGGTTTGTAG-3′), and Mob1B primer (5′-TTTAGAAGAGCGACTACCAA-3′). Mst1−/−Mst2ff mice were generated as described previously (Zhou et al., 2009). Vav-Cre and Lck-Cre mice were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory. Mst1-null mice with Mst2 deleted in hematopoietic cells and lymphocytes were generated by breeding Mst1-null/Mst2ff mice with Vav-Cre or Lck-Cre mice. When examining Vav-Cre+Mst1-nullMst2ff mice, Vav-Cre+Mst1+/+Mst2+/+ mice were used as controls; when examining Lck-Cre+Mst1-nullMst2ff mice, Lck-Cre+Mst1+/+Mst2+/+ mice were used as controls. Animal protocols were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Massachusetts General Hospital. Comparisons were made using littermates.
Cell isolation and Western blotting.
CD90.2-positive thymocytes were isolated by using Thy1.2 MicroBeads according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Miltenyi Biotec). Before CCL19 and SDF-1 stimulation, the cells were rested at 37°C for 2–3 h in RPMI 1640 complete medium containing 10% FBS, 25 mM Hepes, 2 mM l-glutamine, 50 M 2-mercaptoethanol, 1% nonessential amino acid, and 2 mM sodium pyruvate. Cells were lysed in ice-cold lysis buffer containing 1% Triton X-100, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 10% glycerol, 150 mM NaCl, 2 mM EDTA, 50 mM NaF, 10 mM Na3VO4, complete Mini protease inhibitor mixture tablet (Roche), and 2 mM PMSF. The extracted proteins were subjected to SDS-PAGE and transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride membranes. The following antibodies were used for immunoblotting: anti-YAP, anti–P-YAP (Cell Signaling Technology), anti–phospho-p38 (Cell Signaling Technology), anti–phospho-p44 (Cell Signaling Technology), anti-Foxo3 (Cell Signaling Technology), anti–p-Foxo1/3 (Invitrogen), anti-KLF2 (Sigma-Aldrich), and antiactin (Sigma-Aldrich). The antibodies against Mst1, Mst2, Nore1b, Lats1, phospho-Mobkl1A/B (Thr12P), and phospho-Lats1 carboxy terminus have been described previously (Praskova et al., 2008). Horseradish peroxidase–conjugated secondary antibodies against rabbit or mouse IgG were obtained from Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc. The specific bands were visualized using the SuperSignal West Pico/Femto substrate (Thermo Fisher Scientific).
Immunofluorescence staining.
Immunofluorescence staining of thymus, spleen, and LN sections was performed as described previously (Zhou et al., 2008, 2009). Thymus, spleen, or LNs were harvested and immediately frozen in OCT compound (Tissue-Tek). 6-µm-thick sections were cut and stored at −80°C until use. All subsequent manipulations were performed at room temperature. Sections were air dried overnight, fixed in ice-cold acetone for 10 min, air dried briefly, blocked with 5% normal horse serum for 20 min, and incubated with the indicated antibodies: anti–CD4-PE, anti–B220-FITC, pan-cytokeratin-FITC (BD), and biotin-conjugated anti-CD45.2 at 1:50 dilution for 2 h. Streptavidin conjugated with Texas red (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc.) was used at 1:1,000 dilution for CD45.2 detection. Sections were rinsed in PBS (three times, 5 min each) and mounted with mounting medium (Vectashield). Digital images were acquired by using an epifluorescence microscope (Eclipse 800; Nikon) equipped with a charge-coupled device camera (Orca 100; Hamamatsu Photonics). Epifluorescence images were analyzed using IPLab version 3.2.4 image processing software (Scanalytics) and imported into Photoshop version 7.0 (Adobe Systems) for production of the final figures.
Flow cytometry.
Single cell suspensions of thymus, peripheral blood, spleen, or LN were resuspended in PBS with 1% BSA and blocked with CD16/CD32 (Fc III/II receptor; BD). The cells were then counted and stained with the indicated antibodies. Antibodies were obtained from eBioscience. Flow cytometry was performed on an LSR-II (BD) and analyzed with FlowJo software (Tree Star).
Intrathymic FITC labeling.
Intrathymic FITC injections were performed as described previously (Dong et al., 2009). In brief, a ventral midline incision was made one-third down the sternum to expose the thymus. A Hamilton syringe was used to inject 10 µl of a 1 mg/ml FITC solution (Sigma-Aldrich). The skin incision was closed with silk sutures, and mice were allowed to recover under a heat source. At day 1 after injection, cells in the blood, spleen, and LNs were monitored for FITC incorporation.
Cell-labeling CD45.2-positive cells and adoptive transfer.
CD4 SP thymocytes were isolated and labeled with 2 µM CellTracker green CMFDA (5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate) or 2.5 µM CellTracker blue CMF2HC (4-chloromethyl-6,8-difluoro-7-hydroxycoumarin) for 15 min at 37°C according to manufacturer’s instructions (Invitrogen). Two million total thymocytes at a 1:1 ratio were injected into the tail vein of C57BL6 mice. The labeled CD4 from peripheral blood, spleen, and LNs was analyzed separately by flow cytometry 1 and 24 h after injection. To define the intrasplenic localization, 106 CD45.2+CD4+ SP thymocytes isolated from each genotype were injected into the tail vein of B6.SJL-Ptprca/Pepcb/BoyJ mice (The Jackson Laboratory). Spleens and LNs were harvested 24 h thereafter and embedded in OCT for frozen section. After anti-CD45.2 and B220 staining (to define follicles), the number of CD45.2+ cells in six intrafollicular regions and in six similar sized areas of red pulp were counted (a total of ∼1,500 cells of each genotype), and the percentage of total CD45.2+ cells in the CD45.1+ recipient spleens that were found within splenic follicles was determined.
Chemotaxis assays.
Migration assays were conducted as described previously (Zhou et al., 2008). In brief, 0.5 ml RPMI medium 1640 containing 200 ng/ml CCL19, CCL21 (R&D Systems), and the indicated concentration of S1P (Sigma-Aldrich) was added to the lower chamber. One million thymocytes in 150 µl of media were then added to the upper chamber of 5-µm pore, polycarbonate 24-well tissue culture inserts (Costar) and incubated for 3 h at 37°C in 5% CO2. The thymocytes from the input and lower chambers were counted and stained with CD4-PE and CD8-FITC for FACS analysis. Percentage of migration was calculated for each flow cytometry–defined subset by dividing the number of that subset in the input into the number of cells migrated. All chemotaxis data represent the mean of triplicate wells performed in two experiments.
PBL counts.
Mice were anesthetized with isoflurane before blood collection by tail tip transection. Whole-blood samples (200–300 µl) were collected into EDTA blood collection tubes (BD) and analyzed in duplicate on a Hemavet 850FS Multi Species Hematology System (Drew Scientific) programmed with mouse hematology settings.
Measurements of S1P in thymus and serum.
Thymus was homogenized with ice-cold lysis buffer, centrifuged, and used for S1P extraction. Samples were processed and analyzed by the Lipidomics Analytical Core of the University of South Carolina.
FTY720 administration and S1pr1 staining.
Mice were given an i.p. injection of 100 µl PBS or 100 µl PBS containing 10 mg/kg FTY720. 24 h thereafter, thymocytes were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. In brief, rabbit anti-S1pr1 primary (a gift from J. Cyster, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA) and biotin-labeled goat anti–rabbit Ig secondary (1:50; BD) antibodies were presorbed for at least 15 min in FACS buffer containing 4% normal mouse serum. One million thymocytes suspended in 25 µl of flow buffer were incubated with anti-S1pr1 for 1.5 h on ice. Cells were washed once with FACS buffer and then stained with secondary antibody for 20 min on ice. After washing with flow buffer, cells were further stained with Streptavidin-APC for 20 min on ice (1:200 dilution; Invitrogen) and analyzed by flow cytometry.
Northern blot analysis.
Total RNA was extracted from 5 × 106 cells with TRIZOL (Invitrogen). 20 µg RNA was separated by electrophoresis in 2% denaturing formaldehyde agarose gels and transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond N; GE Healthcare). RNA was cross-linked to the membranes by UV light. After prehybridization, the membrane was hybridized with the full-length S1pr1 cDNAs, labeled with 32P by using a random primer DNA labeling kit (QIAGEN). The membrane was washed and exposed to radiographic film.
BrdU administration and detection.
WT and DKO-Lck mice received two i.p. injections of BrdU (1 mg each at 4-h intervals). Thymocytes were harvested 1 h after the second injection (Lucas et al., 1993). BrdU incorporation was detected using the APC BrdU Flow kit (BD). After surface staining, cells were fixed and permeabilized with Cytofix/Cytoperm buffer for 15–30 min on ice and then treated with DNase to expose incorporated BrdU. Subsequently, cells were stained with APC-conjugated anti-BrdU antibody and then analyzed by FACS.
Cells and chemokines.
U2OS cells stably expressing recombinant Flag-Mob1[WT] or [Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] were described previously (Praskova et al., 2008). The chemokines CCL17, CCL19, CCL21, CCL25, SDF1, and S1P were purchased from R&D Systems. Transfection was performed using Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen).
Plasmids.
For transient expression, a plasmid encoding doxycycline-inducible short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) against both endogenous Mob1A and Mob1B was previously described; some versions also contained an shRNA-resistant cDNA encoding Flag-Mob1B[WT] or [Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] (Praskova et al., 2008). The cDNAs encoding human Dock8 and Dock2 were cloned into the EcoRV and XhoI sites of pcDNA3 vector (Invitrogen) with an HA tag on the 5′ end. The following primers were used during cloning: Dock8 forward, 5′-ATTCGATATCCAATGACACACCTGAACAGC-3′; and reverse, 5′-ATTACTCGAGTTAGCTGCCCTGTGAC-3′; and Dock2 forward, 5′-ATTCGATATCCAATGGCCCCCTGGCGCAAA-3′; and reverse, 5′-ATTACTCGAGTCACAGGTCCGTGGACAGCG-3′.
Assay of endogenous rac1/rhoA GTP charging.
SP thymocytes were rested in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 0.1% BSA for 2 h at 37°C. Medium alone or medium containing the following chemokines (final concentration) was added (250 ng/ml CCL17, 250 ng/ml CCL19, 250 ng/ml CCL21, 250 ng/ml CCL25, 200 ng/ml SDF-1, or 100 nM S1P) to 3 × 105 thymocytes and terminated after 2 min. Cell extracts were assayed for rac1 or rhoA GTP charging using the absorbance based G-LISA kits (Cytoskeleton). The endogenous Rac or Rho GTPase activity is expressed as absorbance readings at 490 nm. Experiments are performed in duplicate or triplicate; mean values ± SD are shown.
Assay of recombinant rac1/rhoA GTP charging.
293T cells seeded in a 100-mm dish with 50% confluence were transfected with the following constructs, in combinations as indicated in Fig. 9 E: 6 µg HA-Dock8, 2 µg myc-rac1, 2 µg shMob1A + shMob1B, 2 µg shMob1A + shMob1B + Flag-Mob1A(WT), or 6 µg of empty pCDNA3-HA vector. 48 h after transfection, cells were lysed with binding buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgCl2, 1% Triton X-100, 1 mM DTT, 2 mM Na3VO4, and 1× EDTA-free protease inhibitor cocktail [Roche]). 20 µg Escherichia coli purified GST-PAK1-CRIB preloaded on GSH Sepharose was incubated with the precleared cell lysates at 4°C for 1 h. After three washes with binding buffer, the amount of rac-GTP bound to the beads was determined by Flag immunoblot after SDS-PAGE.
Antibodies and immunoprecipitation.
Polyclonal antibody against Dock8 was generated by injecting rabbits with a synthetic peptide (SQKRDSFHRSSFRKC) coupled to KLH. M2 antibody against Flag tag bound to agarose was purchased (Sigma-Aldrich). To examine the interaction of endogenous Mob1/Dock8, thymocytes + naive splenic T cells were rested for 2 h in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 0.1% BSA. Cells were harvested 5 min after the addition of 250 ng/ml CCL19 or media. Cells were extracted in immunoprecipitation buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 20 mM β-glycerophosphate, 50 mM NaF, 1 mM Na3VO4, 1% Triton X-100, and 1× protease inhibitor cocktail [Roche]). 10 µg anti-Dock8 antibody preloaded on protein A beads or a comparable amount of normal rabbit IgG was added to the extracts. For the interaction between recombinant proteins, U2OS cells stably expressing Flag-Mob1B[WT] or [Thr12Ala/Thr35Ala] (Praskova et al., 2008) were transfected with HA-Dock8 or HA-Dock2 constructs. 24 h later, cells were treated with 1 µm OKA for 30 min or carrier and extracted 30 min later in immunoprecipitation buffer. 10 µl M2 anti-Flag affinity gel was applied for capturing recombinant Flag-Mob1B. The beads were washed three times with immunoprecipitation buffer before SDS-PAGE.
We thank J. Cyster for the anti-S1pr1 antibody used for flow cytometry and P. Aspenström for Dock8 antiserum used in initial experiments.
This work was supported in part by the RO1 awards CA136567 (to J. Avruch) and DK17776 (to J. Avruch) and institutional funds. D. Zhou is supported by T32DK007028, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (project number 2010111079), and the Science Planning Program of Fujian Province (2009J1010).
The authors have no financial conflicts to disclose.
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double positive
guanyl nucleotide exchange factor
okadaic acid
sphingosine-1 phosphate
shRNA
short hairpin RNA
secondary lymphoid organ
single positive
© 2012 Mou et al.
This article is distributed under the terms of an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike–No Mirror Sites license for the first six months after the publication date (see http://www.rupress.org/terms). After six months it is available under a Creative Commons License (Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, as described at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
MST kinases in development and disease
LRCH1 interferes with DOCK8-Cdc42–induced T cell migration and ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
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Rosemary and Reading Glasses
Reads Worth Remembering
Index of Reviews by Author
Featured Poems (2013)
Meg Howrey
Recommended Reading: The Wanderers, by Meg Howrey
March 16, 2017 March 15, 2017 / Carolyn O / 15 Comments
In Meg Howrey’s The Wanderers,* three astronauts don’t go into space.
Helen, Yoshi, and Sergei are all hyper-competent professionals, astronauts and engineers who’ve been to space and acquired a taste for it. When private company Prime announces that it plans to put people on Mars, these three people are its first choice for a crew. However, before they can set off for the red planet, they’re assigned a long (year and a half) simulation of the mission, to take place on Earth under the observation of Prime staff. It’s the command performance of a lifetime (“The day Helen stops being tested is the day no one needs her,” she realizes at one point).
While they’re “away,” the people they leave behind—Helen’s daughter, Sergei’s son, Yoshi’s wife—also have roles to play (“proud, happy, and thrilled,” as the astronauts’ wives put it in Apollo 13), despite their mixed feelings about the long separation.
In The Wanderers, Ms. Howrey combines realistic science fiction with fine interior portraiture; the result is mesmerizing. The nitty-gritty of extended living in space (disposable clothing, limited showers, myriad strategies to prevent boredom and relieve tension) is fascinating, showing just how single-minded astronauts are, how prepared they must be both for emergencies and for routine discomfort. It’s equally absorbing to dip into the astronauts’ minds; they are constantly aware of how they’re being perceived, fine-tuning their emotional reactions just as carefully as they would a loose wire or a faulty gauge on their spacecraft:
They are all in extreme close-up; one notices the appearance of a new eyebrow hair. And yet they must communicate as if they are not noticing this. They must protect themselves, from Prime, from one another, from whatever parts of themselves they are grasping in the dark.
Their extreme efforts are worth it because more than anything else, the astronauts want to get back to space, “the perfect thing, the incorruptible thing.” This is the source of tension with their family members, who both resent and accept the astronauts’ ambitions and their desire to leave Earth. Helen’s daughter, a struggling actress, coaches her mother on how to smooth her affect, even though she felt abandoned as a child whenever her mother left for space. Yoshi’s wife Madoka, a successful businesswoman, isn’t sure she’s ever shown her husband her real self, and wonders if he knows that. Sergei’s two teenage sons are accustomed to long stretches without their blustery, tough father, but Dmitri struggles with the pressure of keeping his sexual orientation a secret; his emails to his father both conceal and reveal his fears.
Ambition and loneliness, family and the drive to explore, surveillance and performance, trust and obfuscation—the novel explores all these themes, and more (it is phenomenal on gender, how Helen pressures herself—probably necessarily—to be above reproach, the perfect astronaut without making it seem as if she’s trying). I loved The Wanderers, and highly recommend it.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration, which did not affect the content of my review.
Last Week’s Reading: March 5 – 11
The Wanderers, by Meg Howrey: I’ll post a longer review of this book soon, so for now I’ll just say that I loved it. The hook: three astronauts undertake a long-term simulated mission to Mars, and both they and the loved ones they leave behind struggle with isolation and epiphanies during their experience.
Exit West, by Mohsin Hamid: What a lovely novel. Exit West has that graceful fluidity that seems effortless but of course isn’t effortless at all, but the result of a writer’s very hard work. It’s about Saeed and Nadia, two young people falling in love as their city falls apart, destroyed in the conflict between government forces and militants. The pair begin to hear rumors of doors not between rooms, but between countries—doors that have been appearing all over the world. Soon migration doesn’t require a passport, but merely steps through an (unguarded door); the trouble becomes what to do once you find yourself on a beach in Greece, or a mansion in London, or a mountainside in California. As Nadia and Saeed navigate through strange new worlds, Mr. Hamid breaks up their narrative with vignettes of other migrants, giving a global feel to an otherwise intimate narrative. Beautiful writing and a timely tale. Highly recommended.
Baptism of Desire, by Louise Erdrich: I enjoyed this 1989 collection, Ms. Erdrich’s second, just as much as her first (Jacklight). The first group of poems plays with Catholic imagery and theology, while the second section includes narrative poems about various characters (like Mary Kroger, the butcher’s wife). The third section, my favorite, is a long poem, “Hydra,” about both the mythological figure and pregnancy. The prose tale of “Potchikoo’s Life After Death” makes up the fourth section (I don’t think I’ve seen a story in a short collection like this before, but I enjoyed it thoroughly). Poems about marriage, domestic life, and the natural world close this strong collection. You can read Baptism of Desire‘s first poem, “Fooling God,” at the Poetry Foundation.
What are you reading these days?
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Greatest Hits, Lately
Why I Love Parks & Rec, or "O were my Love yon Lilack fair"
"the whole stunning contraption of girl and rope": Gregory Pardlo's "Double Dutch"
Bringing Sexy Back (To Valentine's Day): 15 Steamy Poems by Esteemed Poets
13 Poems for Galentine's Day
"under the house the stone / has its feet in deep water."
© Carolyn Oliver and Rosemary & Reading Glasses, 2013-17. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (text and photos) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Brief excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Carolyn Oliver and Rosemary & Reading Glasses with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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Am I considered an international student at Salve Regina?
Salve Regina classifies an international student as a student who does not hold U.S. citizenship, a U.S. passport or U.S. permanent residency (U.S. resident alien) and who needs an F-1 student visa. This includes students who are living and/or studying outside the U.S. and students who are living and/or studying in the U.S. at the time of their application for admission.
Does Salve Regina offer conditional admission?
Yes, Salve Regina can offer conditional admission to those students who meet academic qualifications, but need additional English language instruction. Click here for more information.
Are interviews required for admission?
Interviews are not required for admission to Salve Regina. However, the opportunity to interview is available to those students who wish to supplement their application and seek more information from an international admission representative. Interviews are offered on or off campus while an admission representative is traveling and by Skype or phone. To coordinate an interview, email intladmit@salve.edu.
How do I submit application materials?
The Common Application and Salve Regina supplement should be submitted online through www.commonapp.org.
All official transcripts should come directly from a school official through an online upload either in Common Application, Docufide, Naviance or other electronic transfer program. A school official, counselor or principal can email transcripts directly to intladmit@salve.edu. Students can also have their official transcripts mailed with a signature or stamp across the seal of the envelope to ensure its authenticity.
Letters of recommendation should be submitted by Common Application, through Naviance or by email.
SAT or ACT scores will only be accepted as official if they arrive directly from the testing agency.
TOEFL or IELTS scores will only be accepted as official if they arrive directly from the testing agency.
Is the PTE, TOEFL or IELTS required?
For non-native English speakers, proof of English proficiency can be demonstrated using the following methods:
Minimum PTE Academic score of 53
Minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT or 550 paper-based
Minimum IETLS score of 6.5
A 550 or higher on the critical reading section of the SAT will automatically waive the PTE, TOEFL or IELTS requirement.
Non-native English speakers who attend secondary school where English is the language of instruction may have the PTE, TOEFL or IELTS requirement waived.
For questions related to PTE, TOEFL or IELTS requirements, email intladmit@salve.edu.
Applicants with scores below these minimums will be considered for admission with a requirement to enroll in two semesters of Salve Regina's credit-bearing English for Academic Purposes program.
Applicants with English proficiency scores significantly at or below Salve Regina's required minimums (PTE 43, TOEFL 70, IELTS 4.5) will be considered for conditional admission. The University does not offer a full ESL program, therefore, students who are conditionally admitted should attend an ESL program of their choice for one or two semesters and submit updated PTE, TOEFL or IELTS scores that meet Salve Regina's minimums to gain full admission.
SAT or ACT scores will also be required for full admission into nursing and education programs.
Click here for admissions requirements for master's degrees.
Does Salve Regina have an English as a Second Language program?
No, Salve Regina does not have a full-time ESL program. However, we do have an English for Academic Purposes program that allows students to ease into their full-time degree studies and receive English language training as well as information pertaining to the American education system.
What do I do if my transcripts are not available in English?
Please have your transcript translated into English, word for word, line by line. Please submit the official in the original language and the official translation.
What do I do if my secondary school or university only provides one official transcript?
Please submit an official photocopy. It should be stamped by an official at your school or by an EducationUSA adviser.
Is the SAT or ACT required?
The submission of standardized test scores is optional at Salve Regina unless you are considering a major in education or nursing. Students who decide not to submit scores will not be at any disadvantage during the admission process. All applicants are eligible for merit scholarship consideration whether or not they submit SAT or ACT scores.
If you would like your SAT or ACT scores to be considered in the review, please be sure to tell us so on the Salve Regina supplement on the Common Application. Salve Regina only looks at the critical reading and math sections of the SAT. Click here for more information on Salve Regina's standardized testing policy.
Will I receive credit for the IB or AP courses I have taken in high school?
Many International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses are awarded credit at Salve Regina depending on the score you receive. The Office of the Registrar has further details about transfer credit policies.
Please remember to have the International Baccalaureate Organization or the College Board send Salve Regina your official score reports. Salve Regina does not award credit without an official score report.
What mailing address do I use to submit documents for my application?
Please mail documents to:
100 Ochre Point Ave.
After I've sent my application, how long will it take to get an admission decision?
Remember that your application must be complete before it is placed in line to be reviewed. Until all required materials have been submitted, an application cannot begin its journey through the admissions process.
Early Action decisions are mailed shortly before the holiday break in December. For those that apply by our regular decision deadline of Feb. 1, decisions will be mailed by April 1. For those applying after official deadlines, please expect 2-3 weeks from the time of completion and submission to receive your admission decision.
Can international students work in the U.S.?
International students who are in F-1 status are eligible to work on campus in approved available positions for up to 20 hours per week as a privilege of the F-1 student visa when school is in session. The majority of on-campus student positions at Salve Regina are 10 hours per week during the academic year. During approved breaks, students can work full time in an on-campus position. Students who are not in F-1 status are not eligible to work on campus.
Comunicarse con Salve en español: ¿Prefieres asistencia en español? Llama a Darwin Almonte Sr. Admissiones Consulador a 401-341-2352. Si quieres un corrido del campamento dirige su correo electrónico a admissions@salve.edu o reservas una gira por www.salve.edu/visit.
Conditional Admission
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
International Student Brochure
International Inquiry Form
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Summer Volunteer Spotlights!
Jul 30, 2018 | by Volunteer Department
Karen Sova - Centre City Corps - Family Services Volunteer
The Salvation Army thrives because of the multi-talented volunteers, such as Karen Sova, who ensures programs run smoothly and efficiently. She has been volunteering at the Centre City Corps for over a year registering families to receive food and helping individuals connect to services, as well as assisting other locations with special administrative projects.
Karen decided to volunteer with The Salvation Army because she had a desire to serve the community. She says she does not need thanks for her hard work, but appreciates how good it makes her feel. For Karen, the best part of volunteering is "hearing the appreciation from many of the clients and how much gratitude they have for what they're getting." She recognizes the great need we have for volunteers in the San Diego community and says, "more volunteers equal greater success." She's an important part of The Salvation Army volunteer team and we appreciate her time and service to the community!
Denise Rivers - Chula Vista Corps - Volunteer Art Instructor
The Salvation Army serves the San Diego community by leveraging the skills of community members. At the Chula Vista Corps, Denise Rivers, an incredibly skilled volunteer, leads a weekly art class for seniors. Through her past experience in the fashion industry and her current work as a Behavioral Coach for people with Autism, Denise knows firsthand the importance of utilizing creativity as a therapeutic tool.
When Denise moved to San Diego from Orange County, she was excited about giving back to the community and sought out The Salvation Army to do so. She told us, "I love helping people in any way possible." Denise finds it most rewarding when students share their stories with her and let her know how much they appreciate creating projects together. Volunteering has allowed Denise the opportunity to learn new things and grow, which is why she believes others should volunteer with The Salvation Army.
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The Grocery Game
By Tracey Kelley
Teri Gault, founder of the Grocery Game has a life-long interest in saving money at the grocery store. On her early shop-and-save experiences, Ms. Gault says, "At twelve, I was often given the duty of grocery shopping with just $10 or $20. I don't remember feeling pressured, but rather challenged to make it work!" This early obsession with not overpaying has made her one of the rock stars of the extreme couponing movement.
As with most innovative ideas, The Grocery Game started out of necessity. Gault had a drastically reduced food budget and had to feed her family in $35 worth of rolled coins every week. She summarizes her story by saying, "In the late 90s, I was a mother of two, working part time as a professional singer and recording artist. The entertainment business was slowing down for me, and eventually my husband lost his job in the film business. Neither one of us could get a job to make up for that lost income. Eventually, we resorted to selling everything that wasn't nailed down to pay our rent and put food on the table."
Expert Shopping Tips from The Grocery Game
Free Grocery Coupons
11 Best Ways to Organize Your Coupons
This economic necessity led her to try to find ways to save money. She soon learned new tricks, like tracking sale cycles. She had a knack for discovering great grocery deals and started sharing shopping tips with her friends.
Gault soon realized that others would appreciate this type of information. In 2000, she started the website The Grocery Game, initially available to subscribers in southern California. Today, the company has 28 employees and is a successful, national business. Gault's husband also works full time -- for The Grocery Game.
How The Grocery Game Works
The Grocery Game takes the guesswork out of sales cycles and helps shoppers use coupons to maximize savings. The company does all the research, compiles it into a massive database, and publishes the findings onto a list known as "Teri's List."
Here's a sample list.
The company combines careful analysis of grocery stores' individual sales cycles with regional and national coupon releases from both stores and manufacturers.
A subscriber signs up for a list to his or her local grocery that details both advertised and, more importantly, non-advertised sales, and the corresponding coupons for sales items.
Subscribers then shop based on the list's suggestions.
The Grocery Game calls members "players" and the action of using the right coupon "playing the coupon". Color-coded indicators on the list advise subscribers when best to play the coupon.Membership to the site costs $10 every eight weeks for one store's list per week. Multiple lists cost an additional $5 each. So at minimum, you're paying $65 a year for the service.
In 2010 the site's comparison shopping feature launched -- the first of its kind in the world. No longer do you have to spend time digging through papers to find the best deal and wonder what unadvertised savings you are missing. The Grocery Game now offers a comprehensive matrix of sales within a certain radius of your zip code.
Gault said, "With food costs reaching record levels, people are cherry-picking and don't even realize it. Eager seekers of deep discounts on everything from toothpaste to tofu hit several supermarkets and even drugstores every week. Since success requires careful planning, strategy, and loads of time, even I never advocated cherry-picking. But with rising grocery prices, I decided to create software to make cherry-picking fast and profitable."
Extreme couponing has its drawbacks. However, once you are aware of the disadvantages associated with the effort, you can do better at mitigating them. This will allow you to save even more.
A lower grocery bill. With dedication to the process, most subscribers to The Grocery Game claim to save one-third to one-half of their previous monthly grocery bill. This varies, of course, by budget, purchases, and frequency of shopping. But with careful planning, most report reducing a monthly grocery cost for a family of four by $100 or more.
A like-minded community. Members share tips and saving strategies through a message board on the website. They also exchange online printable coupons and tips on where to find the best coupon codes.
Additional savings ideas. The site offers many savings strategies for grocery and other shopping, including holiday shopping.
An incentive for referrals. Subscribers earn up to 12 additional list weeks if they refer three paid members.
There are not lists for all grocery stores. For example, out of five major grocery chains in this author's location, only one grocery list was available, along with one primary drugstore chain. Sometimes there is only one store per state. Depending on where you live, this could have an impact on the success of the program to meet your needs.
Coupons aren't available for everything. Manufacturers rarely offer coupons on important food items, such as fruits and vegetables. Most newspaper coupons are for items "inside the perimeter" of the store: the processed food aisles. So take heed in using coupons for items that aren't necessary or healthy.
You only save on what you actually use. Redeeming coupons or stockpiling items you and your family won't use isn't saving money. You'll need to plan your shopping carefully for the best return.
Some products are cheaper elsewhere. The markup on non-grocery items such as shampoo, pet food, school supplies, and other incidentals can be substantial in a grocery store. Do a little research first to determine whether shopping with coupons for those products is worth it at a grocery rather than another retail outlet.
Time is money. Most savvy shoppers already know that it takes time to review the list, plan meals, find coupons, outline sales, and put it all into action. If you decide to pay the membership fee to The Grocery Game, remember that you're spending both time and money to make this work.
The Grocery Game offers a four-week trial for just one dollar. During the trial, you can sample as many lists from available stores as you like in order to see what works best for your needs.
Is it worth $1 to give it a try? Absolutely. If anything, playing The Grocery Game will give you a better education regarding store sales cycles and how you can most benefit from them.
Where Can I Get Free Toys for Christmas By Ashley Donohoe
Cool Online Thrift Stores By Kathleen Esposito
Basic Grocery List By Mary Gormandy White
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The Sheller Law Firm P.L.L.C.
Personal Injury - Life Insurance Sales Fraud - DWI Defense - Class Action - Legal Malpractice
Principal Office located in Houston, TX
Life Insurance Sales Fraud
Testimonials & Results
U.S. judge limits evidence in trial over Roundup cancer claims
A federal judge overseeing lawsuits alleging Bayer AG’s glyphosate-based weed killer causes cancer has issued a ruling that could severely restrict evidence that the plaintiffs consider crucial to their cases.
U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco in an order on Thursday granted Bayer unit Monsanto’s request to split an upcoming trial into two phases. The order initially bars lawyers for plaintiff Edwin Hardeman from introducing evidence that the company allegedly attempted to influence regulators and manipulate public opinion.
Thursday’s order applies to Hardeman’s case, which is scheduled to go to trial on Feb. 25, and two other so-called bellwether trials which will help determine the range of damages and define settlement options for the rest of the 620 Roundup cases before Chhabria.
But Hardeman’s lawyers contended that such evidence, including internal Monsanto documents, showed the company’s misconduct and were critical to California state court jury’s August 2018 decision to award $289 million in a similar case. The verdict sent Bayer shares tumbling though the award was later reduced to $78 million and is under appeal.
Under Chhabria’s order, evidence of Monsanto’s alleged misconduct would be allowed only if glyphosate was found to have caused Hardeman’s cancer and the trial proceeded to a second phase to determine Bayer’s liability.
Bayer denies allegations that glyphosate causes cancer, saying decades of independent studies have shown the world’s most widely used weed killer to be safe for human use.
But the company faces more than 9,300 U.S. lawsuits over Roundup’s safety in state and federal courts across the country.
Bayer in a statement welcomed Chhabria’s decision.
“The court’s decision to keep the focus of the trial on the extensive science relevant to human health is encouraging,” the company said.
Aimee Wagstaff, one of Hardeman’s lawyers, in a statement said she was confident the jurors will find Roundup caused the man’s cancer and proceed to the second phase.
Hardeman’s attorneys had opposed proposals to split up the trial on the grounds that their scientific evidence allegedly showing glyphosate causes cancer was inextricably linked to Monsanto’s alleged wrongful conduct.
Bayer has also asked that some of the plaintiffs’ evidence on causation, specifically a finding by the World Health Organization’s cancer unit that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic,” be excluded in the first phase because it has no basis in science.
Chhabria, who has previously expressed skepticism of that finding, on Thursday said he would soon decide to which degree he would allow it to be introduced at trial.
The assessment is central to the plaintiffs’ claims, as other regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have determined glyphosate likely does not cause cancer.
Reporting by Tina Bellon in New York; Editing by Anthony Lin and Lisa Shumaker Jan 3rd 2019
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Prudential Told Staff to Destroy Documents
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Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop Elements
The Beginner's Guide series is back with a clear and comprehensive look at working in Adobe Photoshop Elements. Adobe Photoshop Elements is a perfect tool to learn for an artist’s first digital creative adventure, with a simplified interface and fewer variable parameters to learn than its big brother, Photoshop. The Elements version of Photoshop helpfully allows a beginner artist to really focus on the basic tools at hand, honing the fundamental techniques required to build up a usable skill set.
2DArtist: Issue 098 - February 2014 (Download Only)
If you're not already familiar with master concept artist Derek Stenning, now's your chance! Derek reveals the idea behind his retro sci-fi masterpieces, including this issues stunning cover art over on page 06. Not to be missed!
2DArtist: Issue 099 - March 2014 (Download Only)
We love the seamless fusion of reality and mythology of this month’s cover image, created by Miklós Földi. Discover how Miklós draws upon his experiences in oil painting to create a soft, painterly effect in Painter while trying new forms and styles!
2DArtist: Issue 108 - December 2014 (Download Only)
From speed painting techniques to photo textures and a whole host of sketchy goodness in between, as always there’s something to get everyone inspired to get creative! Create the cover with a master class from top pin-up artist, Cris Delara, and improve your vehicle painting skills with a step-by-step tutorial from Markus Lovadina.
2DArtist: Issue 106 - October 2014 (Download Only)
This issue blasts off with a stunning showcase of sci-fi concept art! Firstly from freelance concept artist, Juan Pablo Roldan, who impresses us with his futuristic illustrations and wealth of knowledge for creating awesome concepts for videogames!
2DArtist: Issue 105 - September 2014 (Download Only)
Have you ever wanted to bring a bit of life to your illustrations? Christopher Peters reveals a cool digital trick to transform your 2D images, which could really spice up your portfolio in an interesting way!
2DArtist: Issue 104 - August 2014 (Download Only)
Color plays an important role in the digital painting process; when it’s selected and used effectively, it can help describe mood and evoke emotions. We have a whole host of artists to show you how to do just that!
2DArtist: Issue 103 - July 2014 (Download Only)
It’s never too late to follow your passion and forge a career in something that you love! We are happy to be featuring work by two artists at exciting stages of their careers: Andy Walsh and Houston Sharp. Freelance digital artist, Andy tells us all about his transition into digital art, while freelance illustrator, Houston shares how he mastered his signature style for painting portraits.
2DArtist: Issue 102 - June 2014 (Download Only)
Many artists working in the film and video game industries tell us about the importance of not only working quickly, but having the ability to adjust scenes and create variations at the drop of the hat. In this issue of 2dartist, we take a look at the techniques and processes to speed up and improve these skills!
2DArtist: Issue 100 - April 2014 (Download Only)
We feel lucky to have been able to put the spotlight on so many talented artists over the issues, and to celebrate we have asked some of our favourite artists to share their digital art techniques and invaluable industry top tips!
2DArtist: Issue 097 - January 2014 (Download Only)
This issue, we’ll be kicking off the year with a mix of atmospheric scenes, fantasy buildings and sci-fi landscapes, with a collection of work from some of the top artists in the digital world today.
2DArtist: Issue 101 - May 2014 (Download Only)
Bursting with dynamic females, painterly portraits and standout caricatures: issue 101 is full of impressive characters! Fernanda Suarez flips open her sketchbook and Sabin Boykinov gives us an insight into his career creating digital art in the games industry!
Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 6
With the series now in its sixth year, Digital Painting Techniques: Volume 6 continues the tradition of showcasing the latest digital painting trends and techniques, from a host of industry experts such as Donglu Yu and Wojtek Fus. Yu is a Senior Concept Artist at Ubisoft, providing professional visual development for top-rated AAA game titles, such as Far Cry 4, Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and Assassin’s Creed III. Fus is a freelance Illustrator and Concept Artist for games and animation, who has created artwork for clients such as Applibot, Dark Stork Studios, and Platige Image.
Software: Epic Games Unreal Dev Kit Adobe Illustrator The Foundry NUKE
Subject Matter: 3D Sculpting Anatomy Digital painting Drawing and inking Fluid/Liquid simulation
3D digital art (2)
Peregrine Labs Yeti (1)
Speed painting (13)
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HAAZRI
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Silva TV
Media Mastery
WATCH THIS FIRST!
S1: Episode 1
An Immigrant's Success Story
Secrets Life of a TV Reporter
Everybody Has a Story, What's Yours?
How to Create a Global Brand
Challenges of an Entrepreneur
Networking to Create Business
Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety
What is Storytelling in Business
Make Money as a Motivational Speaker
S1: Episode 10
What Are Company Values
How to Say No When You Want to Say Yes
Doing Business With Friends
What is Brand Storytelling
Armenian Genocide Commemoration
How to Change Your Life for the Better
How to Become a Motivational Speaker
How to Overcome
How to Get Funding for Your Business
How to Change Your Lifestyle
How to Accept Yourself and Be Happy
Trust The Universe
Summit of Greatness
Feeling Stuck in Life
How to Follow Your Heart
How to Accept Change in Life
How to Create a Legacy
Simple Things That Make You Happy
The Universe Provides
Real Life Tragic Heroes
Clarity in Life
Being Committed
When Your Intuition is Talking to You
Rewiring Your Brain to New Reality
One Thing That Transformed my Business
How to Get What You Want in Life
Tips For Achieving Goals
Quit Your Job and Travel for a Year
Your Story Matters, You Matter
It’s my goal to inspire you to tell your story because without it you will continue to struggle in your business and life.
Maybe you're not getting enough traction in your business. Maybe you're not making enough money or don't seem to have the credibility to attract high paying clients. Maybe you're having a hard time connecting and communicating with people professionally and personally.
There is a solution. It may sound complicated but it's not. When you identify, own and articulate your story in context of your business, your life will change forever as did mine.
You're thinking, you don't have enough time or money to spend on Marketing, PR and publicity. This planner is FREE.
I can show you the exact steps you'll need to take in order to amplify your message, gain credibility and publicize your story, brand and business. My program will also help you grow personally. It will be a guide for you to live life authentically, unapologetically, and purposefully. I promise you, you will find your voice, be you and a giant in your industry. When you follow my step by step process, you will go from anonymous to Famous.
It doesn't matter what you do, whether you have a brick and mortar business or are a stay home momapreneur. Whatever in life you choose to be, BE IT. There is only one of YOU. You are divine presence worthy of success, the spotlight and the piece of mind you've always desired. The FREE planner can help you.
I spent 20 years as a TV Journalist, I know exactly the steps you need to take in order to position yourself to gain credibility, attract high paying clients and grow your business exponentially.
Sign up using the form above to learn how to get clear on your vision for your life, business, career, relationships, and how you can share it with the world to make an epic impact.
This planner could be one of the most powerful road map you'll use to get started.
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I’ve been living a dream. I’ve worked as an award-winning journalist for CBS, ABC and NBC; as a television personality and media expert who was featured in online and print magazines as well as television and radio shows, globally including NBC’s “The Today Show” with Kathie Lee & Hoda and syndicated talk show, “The Nate Berkus Show.”
I believe that nothing is impossible and everything is as Marie Forleo says is “figuroutable.” There is no one-way to achieve a goal. If you focus on following your passion and living out your purpose, the process of getting to your goal will always reveal itself.
I firmly believe that by sharing my unique life journey and telling my EPIC story of survival, tenacity and persistence publicly is what has contributed to my success. I am on a mission to help as many people as possible to do the same. Tell their story, live authentically and enjoy massive success.
Sign up below and receive your free "TELL MY STORY" Planner.
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Marketing Your YouTube Videos With Google AdWords | Free Video Tutorial
Do you have a video that you want to share with everyone? What’s the best way to get your video to gain real YouTube views? One of my favorite methods is to use video campaigns with YouTube & Google Adwords. Check my free video tutorial below. You should have a Youtube & Google Adwords account with your video uploaded before starting this tutorial and a working knowledge of creating ads with Adwords.
The transcription is also included in case you want to follow along. Please comment if you’d like to see me create more free video tutorials and let me know what you’d like to learn how to do in digital marketing, seo, or other promotions next.
TRANSCRIPTION:
So you have a great video and you want everyone to see it. But how do you market your videos online?” Hi, I’m Ally and today I’m going to walk you through paid video promotions” through YouTube and Google Adwords. There are different types of ads that can be used for video promotions. You can choose to have your video show up in search engine results, run directly after selected content, or be played as an ad at the beginning of other videos. Before we get started make sure you have both an Adwords & Youtube account with your video uploaded and ready to go.
Let’s go to your Google Adwords account and log in (“www.adwords.google.com“). Click the down arrow on the Campaign tab and select “Online video”. We are now on the “create a new video campaign” page. From here we will set up our ads & connect our YouTube account to our Adwords account. Connecting accounts gives us extra features and more specialized reporting to monitor our ROI or return on investment.
Let’s get started by clicking on the “Linked YouTube accounts” option under the Shared Library tab on the left hand side. When you land on the “Link A YouTube Channel” page, click on the large blue button that says “Link Your YouTube”. This will pull up a window with two linking options. We can either link to our personal YouTube account or link to someone else’s. For this example I’m going to be using one of my own YouTube accounts so I’ll select the first option and click “Go to YouTube. Since we’re already logged in to YouTube it’s going to direct us right into the “Link an Adwords for video account” window.
Our first action will be to name our Adwords in case we ever need to link multiple accounts. For the purpose of this demo I’m going to name mine “Demo Feb 2015”. Below this box you will see three permissions options. Leaving all three of these boxes checked will give us the most opportunity to promote and monitor our ads. Read each option and make sure that it aligns with your campaign goals. After you have decided on your permissions click the “Finish” button but don’t close that window quite yet.
Before closing it, scroll down to the “Account name” section of the page and verify that your Adwords account was added correctly. If it was, you will see the name of the account listed with your customer ID, permissions, & options. If your account is listed here close out the window and go back to the Adwords tab. Select the “Done” button from the “Link a YouTube channel” prompt. Your channel and permissions should show up in a list at the bottom of the next page like this. Good job, your Youtube account is now linked to Adwords.
Let’s create our first video ad.
We’re going to go back and pick the “All Video Campaigns” option on the left side navigation. Your browser will be directed back to the “Campaign” option or it could show you the “All Video Campaigns” view.
Now we’re in the ‘New Video Campaign” wizard. Our first step will be to add a name, description & budget. Our ad costs will be determined by how many views our video receives. As a general rule you will end up paying 5 to 7 cents per YouTube view. Knowing this will give you a better idea of how much you want to spend per ad so that you can set your budget accordingly. Enter your budget amount in this box and let’s continue on.
For our next step we will be choosing which YouTube Networks we want to use. YouTube Search, will show our ads when people are searching for videos. “Youtube Videos” will show our ads at the beginning of other videos. The final option “Include in the Google Display Network” will list our video’s ad on sites that aren’t YouTube also. For this example I am going to leave all of these boxes checked. If you decide that one or more of these options aren’t for you, unclick the box or boxes and we’ll move on to location targeting.
In the Languages & Locations section we are going to specify the location of the audience we want our ads to be shown to. We always want be as specific as possible. If you are running a national or international campaign you can still target areas that you are most interested in. Being too broad with your choices can really hurt how effective your ads will be. For my ad, I’m going to select the United States & Canada. Enter your desired location in the box below and your ads will only be shown in those locations. Let’s select our desired language and move on to creating the ad to display.
Let’s copy our video url from YouTube and paste it in this box. A preview of your video will appear so that you can confirm that you put in the correct link. If you accidently put the wrong one in use the “Change Video” option and find the correct link.
Next on our list is selecting our “Ad Format”. We can choose between default ads or ads optimized for mobile devices. Since we aren’t focusing on any mobile app or site let’s choose the default option.
It’s time to select the type of video display we want our ad to have. For an “in-stream video” display this will show our ad at the beginning of other people’s videos that are related to whatever your video is about. For example if I was trying to sell pet products I would focus on pet videos to run my ads in front of. If we select this option a person would have to watch at least 30 seconds of our ad before being able to continue to the original video that they want to watch. If someone skips our ad before the 30 seconds is up we wouldn’t be charged for that view. People’s attention spans are dwindling more and more each year. It’s a good idea to keep your ads as short and sweet as possible. Anything over 30 seconds is probably overkill. The next option is an “In-Display” ad. These are ads with your video’s thumbnail, header, & description that will show up in searches that match your desired keywords.
For this example I’m going to use the “in-display” option. Fill in your ad information by creating a description and title with phrases and words relevant to your ad campaign.
Once we’ve created our ad we’ll choose our landing page, either our YouTube channel page or the YouTube page for the video. Sending people directly to your video’s page is the best option for direct promotion of our main video. Once someone clicks on our ad they will be directed to the page where our video will begin playing automatically.
Pick a name for your ad and then select Save & Continue. From this point you will be selecting targeting options as you do for all of your other ads. Once this is completed your ad is ready to go. Don’t forget to test out different ads and monitor your analytics to see what options work best for your video.
Thank you so much for joining me today. I hope that this video has helped you understand a great method for marketing your Youtube Videos.
Posted in digital marketing, free online tutorial, SEO, Social Media, Video Marketing
Tags: adwords, adwords video campaign, digital marketing, free tutorial, google adwords, seo, social media, video marketing, video tutorial, youtube, youtube video promotion, youtube video promotions
Digiorno’s #WhyIStayed #WhyILeft Social Media Disaster
Twitter and Facebook alike are trending with the hashtags #WhyIStayed & #WhyILeft. The trend is in response to Ray Rice domestic abuse tape being released this week and the response of his now wife, Janay Rice on social media. Janay, the victim of the video, expressed the following statement on her Instagram account this morning:
“I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend,” Janay Rice wrote. “But to have to accept the fact that it’s reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that [the] media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass [off] for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.
“THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don’t you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you’ve succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow & show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!”
After her post the world of social media began weighing in on the victimization on domestic violence through the trending hashtags #WhyILeft & #WhyIStayed. Both male and female participants shared their stories of survival with the social media universe. These personal stories have given everyone a glimpse into the mind of not only the abused, but the mind of abusers also.
Social media trends like #WhyIStayed & #WhyILeft hold a lot of power if they are used correctly. Unfortunately for someone at Digiorno Pizza it can also be a super fast way to anger your fanbase if used incorrectly. As pictured below, someone from Digiorno made the mistake of tweeting out an extremely inappropriate response to the #WhyIStayed #WhyILeft hashtag trend. The tweet stated: “#WhyIStayed You had pizza.”.
Twitter users were less than thrilled with the company for trying to promote a product by hijacking a personally touching subject. Some users even went so far as to try to oust the individual responsible while others commented on the harsh backlash that the Digiorno social media team was facing.
The Internet can be a very unforgiving place. Anyone working in social media can empathize with the social media team over at Digiorno today. By trying to save a few minutes on researching a hashtag, because of 140 characters or less, a person could be looking for new employment by tomorrow. Whomever is responsible has been working overtime to try to make things right. Everyone that has tweeted about the mistake has received a personalized apology from the companies Twitter page. Hopefully for this management team, a little groveling can go a long way. You can guarantee that this person will never post about a hashtag again without a lot of research.
Posted in Current Events, Hashtag Trends, News, Social Media, Twitter
Tags: #whyigo, #whyistay, bad social media practices, digiorno pizza, facebook, Instagram, janay rice, ray rice, seo, social media, social media mistakes, twitter, what not to do in social media, Why I Go, Why I Stay
Social Media Outcry Causes NFL To Change Policies | Ray Rice Domestic Violence
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admits that he got Ray Rice’s two-game suspension wrong. (Rob Foldy/USA TODAY Sports)
The NFL is in the social media spotlight again but not for the reasons they would like to be. Baltimore Ravens running back, Ray Rice, previously had received a two week suspension for a domestic violence incident involving his then fiancee, Janay Palmer. Rice was arrested on assault charges following a February 15th altercation in New Jersey in which he had allegedly struck Palmer so hard that he had knocked her unconscious in an elevator.
After his menial punishment was handed down from the NFL people took to social media to relay their dismay and anger over the two week suspension. Many compared the incident with that of another player for the Browns, Josh Gordon, that was suspended for an entire year for smoking marijuana.
While the NFL did not extend Rice’s suspension all of the negative feedback has made them reconsider their policies on domestic violence. Weeks after the incident Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL, revealed a new domestic violence policy.
Six games for a first offense. A lifetime ban for the second.
Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens running back and his wife, Janay, during an NFL football news conference Friday, May 23, 2014 (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (Patrick Semansky)
This week, months after the abuse, the tape of the altercation between Rice & Palmer was released on TMZ’s Sports website. In the video, as seen below, Rice and Palmer can be seen having a small argument outside in the hall. They step into the elevator and Rice swings at Palmer. She races towards him and he punches her before she falls into the floor, knocked out cold. He can then be seen trying to drag her limp body out of the elevator. Security shows up a few moments later as she lies face down on the floor. He tries to revive her over and over again. She barely moves.
The release of this horrific tape brought this issued statement from the NFL, which claims they had not seen the video previously:
“We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator. That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today,” the NFL said in its statement.
Goodell says that now that he has viewed the new evidence in the Ray Rice case he admitted that he “didn’t get it right” with Rice and that he has decided to triple his original suspension adding five more games on top of the game that he missed Sunday in the opening NFL season weekend.
“In business and in life, we look to get better as we moved forward,” Amy Trask, the former Oakland Raiders CEO, told USA TODAY Sports. “Just because it wasn’t in place before, isn’t it great that it is now? People should step back and say we have a chance to do it better. That’s what Roger has done.”
Although Rice has avoided any type of incarceration for the abuse, the Ray Rice case just goes to show how important social media has become in giving the everyday person a voice. If complaints from fans can change an organization that is as big as the National Football League we can only imagine how much effect social media can have on smaller, more intimate corporations.
The Baltimore Ravens have just announced that they have cut Ray Rice from their NFL team after the release of the video of him knocking out his now wife. Rice has also been suspended from the National Football League, indefinitely. The fans have spoken their distaste for the player all over social media and the NFL is listening.
Posted in Current Events, News, Social Media
Tags: baltimore ravens, domestic abuse, domestic violence, football, national football league, nfl, nfl suspensions, power of social media, ray rice, ray rice abuse video, ray rice hits wife, ray rice video, seo, social media, viral video
Puppy Abuse By Child In Flint, MI Exposed By Facebook Video
A family in Flint, MI is under investigation today after a neighbor posted a video on social media of their young child abusing a puppy. In this video, posted below, you can see the boy, aged around 3-5 years, grab the puppy multiple times and throw him or her into the road, the puppy escapes for a few seconds as a car passes. Once caught, the boy brings the puppy back and begins throwing it in the center of the road again. After each throw the boy looks down the road as if he is watching for a car enthusiastically. The puppy limps back up the driveway multiple times only to be grabbed back up and tossed roughly into the middle of the pavement. The neighbor that shot the video, Karl Collyer, can be heard telling the boy to “knock it off” as it sounds like a car is approaching. The child then drops the puppy and runs away and back into his home.
This video has gone viral with over 7000 shares and has gained attention from all over the world. A flood of concerned people have been writing, calling, and posting on the local law enforcement’s social media pages. It has also sparked an online petition calling for banning the abusive boy’s family to own pets which has over 2000 signatures so far. As a result, the puppy was removed from the home along with four other dogs. Neighbors commenting on the original posts have brought into question other abuses in the home directed towards the child. Another post states that the people in the home had pulled a gun on Karl Collyer previously when he had confronted them. The police investigation will be able to address these concerns.
Sheriff Robert J. Pickell, current Sheriff of Genesee County, placed this statement on his Facebook page today regarding the incident:
“Today my office became aware of a young boy in the city of Flint who was seen repeatedly picking up a small puppy and throwing the puppy into the road in front of oncoming traffic. Thankfully the puppy was not injured. I ordered that the dog be held at Animal Control over the weekend while we investigate. I anticipate being able to turn over our investigative evidence to the Prosecutor’s office on Monday so that appropriate charges relating to animal cruelty can be filed. Once our investigation is completed I hope to be able to see this puppy be adopted into a safe and loving home. No animal should ever be treated in this manner.”
Sherrif Pickell’s post has gained comments from all over the United States and has even brought attention from abroad with comments from Italy, Australia, and Scotland. The small town Sheriffs office is about to be made very aware of the power of social media with the thousands of people watching and following this story. People are concerned not only for the puppy but for the emotional well-being of the child. Many are asking for the child to be removed from the home as well until an investigation of his home life can be evaluated.
“I just couldn’t believe my eyes,” says Pickell. “When you see the way he picked this puppy up and threw it again and again and again, you know it just didn’t start.” The child’s grandfather, Kevin Stange, is the owner of the puppy. “We can’t allow a little puppy to be treated like that. He also has two more dogs,” says Pickell.
Without the concern of Karl Collyer and the fast spreading nature of social media this puppy and child’s fate may have never come into question. The power of viral content online is only in it’s earliest stages of being recognized. It will be exciting to witness what the future of technology holds for our ever-evolving world. What effect do you think that social media will have on exposing abuse in the upcoming years?
In response to the outpouring on social media about the young boy throwing the puppy into the middle of the road. Karl Collyer posted this update on his facebook page yesterday about the Kevin Stange, the grandfather that lives with the young boy:
“Yes Kevin Stange is in Jail pending trial for a totally unrelated charge of Felon with a Gun.
If you live in my Neighborhood you would be appalled by Kevin Stange’s behavior for my last 2-1/2 years and other neighbors even longer. You have your aggressive people then you have your bullies. Kevin is a Domestic Urban Terrorist.
I will be posting a series of Videos to show you daily life on Belle Ave as an Enemy of Kevin Stange.
Every day he will drive by making loud obscenities and rude comments to the neighbors or me with no stopping it from Flint Police Department. His Buddy Flint Police Officer Summers who in my opinion is corrupt did not handle the calls regarding Kevin correctly. I get along with all my neighbors and everyone gets along with everyone else, except Kevin. Hopefully we can put this in our rear view mirror and make FLINT BETTER.
Flint 911 is a tragedy with a lot of 8 hour response times or no responses at all which include false incident logs of no call back answer or no one home excuse list. Officer Summers was always on majority the responding Officer that got nothing done.
I am pushing for an Common Mutual Aid Package for Police Services with other Departments (MSP, GenCo Sheriff and others.) There will be a need in cost sharing. Eliminate the Flint 911 immediately and transfer to Gen Co 911 Services for proper police respose. No more 911 operators saying “we will be out” with no response. IT WILL COST MONEY BUT THIS IS NOT WORKING.
“THE BUCK STOPS HERE” IS THE NEW SLOGAN FOR FLINT 911 calls. Anything less is unacceptable. FLINT cannot recover without proper Police services.
I will be contacting Governor Rick Snyder this week. I need your guys Help to Make Flint Better.”
It has been reported that arrangements are already being made to get the 4-year-old boy that tossed the puppy into the middle of the road professional help. The puppy will be up for adoption at a later date. Sheriff Pickell has planned to have the investigation evaluated by the end of the week to determine if charges will be made.
Stay tuned to Social Esteem Media for updates on the situation.
Tags: animal abuse, breaking news, child throws puppy in road, child throws puppy in street, facebook, flint michigan, Karl Collyer, kid throws puppy in road mi, kid throws puppy in street mi, news, power of social media, sharing on social media, social media, stop abuse, viral video
The Future Of Twitter Dims As Twitpic Says Goodbye
Twitpic Is Closing Up Shop & Giving Twitter The Blame
Twitpic is closing up shop and it’s placing the full blame on Twitter. Founder and CEO of Twitpic, Noah Everett, made the announcement this week that his company would stop all operations on September 25, 2014. According to Everett, Twitter’s legal team made contact with Twitpic’s attorneys and insisted that they abandon their trademark application. If Twitpic refused to comply then Twitter threatened that it would remove the service’s access to their API, the code that allows Twitpic’s users access to share their photos on Twitter.
“Unfortunately we do not have the resources to fend off a large company like Twitter to maintain our mark which we believe whole-heartedly is rightfully ours,” Everett wrote. “Therefore, we have decided to shut down Twitpic.”
“We’re sad to see Twitpic is shutting down,” a Twitter spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for Twitter responded to questions about the Trademark inqury: “We’re sad to see Twitpic is shutting down. We encourage developers to build on top of the Twitter service, as Twitpic has done for years, and we made it clear that they could operate using the Twitpic name. Of course, we also have to protect our brand, and that includes trademarks tied to the brand.”
What Will Happen To Twitpic Content After September 25, 2014
All of the content on Twitpic will be gone forever after Septemeber 25, 2014. Don’t fret though, users won’t have to work too hard to get copies of their content before the site is shut down. A download feature where users can retrieve all of their photos and videos quickly and easily will be added to the main site in the upcoming days.
#RIPTwitter May Be Sooner Than We Think
The sad news of Twitpic’s demise isn’t as much about losing one service attached to Twitter, it brings a level of uncertainty to future developers. Why create compatible sites if you are unable to trademark your work? We will have to wait and see what type of affect the Twitpic decision will have on the future of integrated Twitter applications but it’s sure to have some sort of effect on the Twitter’s future.
Twitpic’s closure news came in hours after the Wall Street Journal reported that Twitter is planning to debut a Facebook-style, algorithmically curated newsfeed which created a huge backlash among Twitter users, even coining the hashtag #RIPTwitter. If the social media giant continues to lose support of users, investors, and developers it could follow in the grim footsteps of other extinct social media dinosaurs such as Myspace.
Are you sad to see Twitpic go? Does this change your outlook on the future of Twitter?
Tags: account strategies, developers, furture of social media, investors, marketing, riptwitter, seo, social media, tweeting, twitpic, twitter, twitter api, twitter newsfeed
Fans Mourn The Death Of Robin Williams On Social Media
Robin Williams shared his gift of laughter with the world during his lifetime. The outcry of love and sorrow for Williams in the world of social media is proving that he made a deep impression on his fans. Williams apparent suicide has spread across the virtual world of social media like fire. News dealing with tragedy travels faster now than we have ever been able to reach before. This expanding world of instant news through social media sharing will only increase as more of the world has access to affordable, reliable internet service. Will we ever reach our goal of instant news spread to everyone simultaneously?
Influential People Share Their Sadness On The Passing Of Robin Williams
Social media outlets are flooded with tributes, letters, and thank you notes to the beloved actor. Celebrities and politicians took to social media today to share their feelings on Robin Williams’s death. Anne Rice, Author of the bewitching “Vampire Chronicles”, posted on Facebook: “I am still in shock that we’ve lost Robin Williams. To me he was a genius and a giant — in the class with Jonathan Winters and Sid Caesar and Mel Brooks —- and an actor of extraordinary sensitivity and talent. This is a tragedy. ” Star Trek legend, George Takei stated on his Facebook: “Such a terrible loss. Robin Williams, you delighted fans all around the globe. You, and the smiles you brought, will be sorely missed. May the heavens be brightened with your singular glow.”
Robin William Fans & Other Organizations Reach Out On Social Media
Fans are saying their goodbyes and reaching out, urging others to deal with inner demons and face depression – telling them that they are not alone. Other organizations have also featured Robin Williams in their content. The “Rethink Homelessness” campaign paid tribute to Robin Williams by highlighting societies issue in dealing with mental illnesses and the cause of ignoring those suffering from mental illness and depression. One thing is certain, he is missed already.
Tags: breaking news, impact homelessness, instant news, mental illness, news, rethink homeless, rethink homelessness, rethinkhomeless, rethinkhomelessness, robin williams, robin williams suicide, seo, social media, social media management
Ferguson MO Riot’s News Broken By Social Media Not National Media
Social media has changed so much about the way we live, how we love, and how we get our news. A tragic shooting by a Ferguson, MO police officer of an unarmed teenager, Mike Brown, has brought about anger, rioting, shooting, looting, arson, & injuries. The town of Ferguson has been turned up side down and yet the national media seems to be silent on the issue. The local Quicktrip has been looted and burned to the ground. Store owners are rushing to their establishments to try to deter the protestors from any further theft and destruction yet CNN is still running stories on the war on Iraq, the “super Moon”, and what is happening in Gaza.
Mike Brown murder causes riots in Ferguson, MO.
People are turning to social media to see photos, videos, and other content showing what is happening in St. Louis, MO. Social media gives every average person the ability to break news before the professionals. In April, 1992 during the LA Riots the world had to wait to hear about the unrest in Los Angeles while 16 years later the world has the ability to watch the riots in real time, on-line through the eyes of the people that are living through it.
Social Media breaks news of Ferguson Riots after unarmed teen Mike Brown was gunned down by police. This photo shows Quicktrip burned down after looting.
It has been said that those that do not learn history are destined to repeat it. There are lessons to be learned on both sides of the tragedy. Perhaps the free flow of information that social media will help us all to remember history with a little more detail so that we can avoid a future riot situation. The national media has been caught asleep at the wheel on this issue but thanks to social media the story is unfolding live in our living rooms.
What newsworthy event did you find out about on social media before you heard it on the national news?
Posted in News, Social Media
Tags: 2014 riot, breaking news, ferguson riots, mike brown, missouri riots, news, seo, social media
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Films to Study for Excellence in Sound Design
What films are good examples of Sound Design to study and take note of?
I'm particularly looking for films which sound was used to forward the story with excellent results. Not just using sound for the sake of using sound. Ideally these films would be both of good technical quality as well as artistic in it's sound design. They could be of any genre, and preferably made within the last 3 years, however, I know there are definitely good classic films out there with superb sound design.
Please put at least some information about the film's sound and why you consider the sound well executed.
Thanks - Ryan
film sound-design studies examples
The best film for sound in the last year that I've seen would be Jean Pierre Jeunets MIC MACS http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1149361/
FWIW a while back I did a survey to see what 5 films people would choose as their favourites for sound.... results are here: http://www.musicofsound.co.nz/blog/five-favourite-films-for-sound
Heres the top 20 or so from that list:
Wall-E – Votes:18
Star Wars IV – Votes:14
Apocalypse Now – Votes:11
The Matrix – Votes:10
Eraserhead – Votes:9
No Country For Old Men – Votes:9
Saving Private Ryan – Votes:9
Delicatessen – Votes:6
Lord of the Rings – Votes:6
The Conversation – Votes:6
Children of Men – Votes:5
Das Boot – Votes:5
Jurassic Park – Votes:5
2001: A Space Odyssey – Votes:4
Barton Fink – Votes:4
Elephant – Votes:4
Fight Club – Votes:4
Lost Highway – Votes:4
Pi – Votes:4
Stalker – Votes:4
Star Trek – Votes:4
Touch the Sound – Votes:4
Bladerunner – Votes:3
Castaway – Votes:3
Cloverfield – Votes:3
Damnation – Votes:3
PlayTime – Votes:3
Ratatouille – Votes:3
Seven – Votes:3
The Black Stallion – Votes:3
The English Patient – Votes:3
There Will Be Blood – Votes:3
THX-1138 – Votes:3
Transformers 2 – Votes:3
Great list Tim! I'll add "Immortal Beloved" and "Finding Nemo" Last year I worked with the production sound mixer (Ed White) who mixed on set for "Cloverfield" and he mentioned that he placed a M/S pair on the camera for the duration of principle photography, as well as boom and wires. I think he mentioned using Schoeps on the camera. The Director last year (Matt Reeves) was the same director from Cloverfield. It was nice to have a director concerned about sound on set. A real nice guy. – Edwardo Santiago Feb 18 '11 at 4:00
+1 Great list Tim! "Star Trek" was the first film that I saw and realized upon leaving the theater that I never thought about or analyzwd the sound at all. In my book, that's a highly successful sound mix. – Stavrosound Aug 12 '11 at 7:24
District 9 was very cool. The sound design was well matched to the gritty, pseudo doco style. And i have to say; the alien spacecraft at the end of the film had the most realistic sound i've ever heard.
Roger Middenway
…I must ask, how can you know it was the most "realistic" sound of an alien craft?? – Jay Jennings♦ Jul 18 '10 at 6:57
@birdhousesound Ha! Good point. What i mean is; i really believed that the craft were there. It wasn't big or flashy, it sounded like something rooted in my reality. – Roger Middenway Jul 19 '10 at 16:02
The Original King Kong. The work stands to this day as great characterization 8 1/2 By Fellini. The First 30 minutes. It has everything you Need To Know about sound design. "Grand Prix" **"Citizen Kane" Robert Wise the director edited this picture and cut the sound. Modern pictures try to use the Wall of Sound to Impress. Loads of crashes, lots of volume. Action, Action Action. But think about it. True Sound Design has Dramatic import and meaning. A Shane Black script I read once called for "The Biggest Explosion Ever." and the following page, he asked for "An Even Bigger Explosion" so what. Unless there is a dramatic structure to the work, then it's just noise. Not Sound Design. Cannon's for "Wellington's Victory" have meaning. By themselves, they are like the Audubon Bird recordings. Of interest to the Aficionado only. You can anaylise them from a variety of standards. But good recordings aren't art. They can be rare, they can be poor or good recordings, but without a story structure, they have no meaning to the listener. Alan Splet said that it's the content of the recording, not the technical that makes it of use. Look at his work: "Eraserhead" "Elephant Man" "Black Stallion"...
Stephen Hunter Flick
@Stephen, have always valued your insights. Welcome to SDD! – Jay Jennings♦ Oct 19 '10 at 5:54
Just re-read this answer from the ultra-talented Steve Flick, the insights here are just spot on. – Jay Jennings♦ Aug 22 '15 at 7:00
There are to many to list. I would recommend checking out the designingsound.org website, check out the featured sound designers page, http://designingsound.org/featured-sound-designers/, and research the movies they worked on using http://www.imdb.com. That is where I would start. Also check out http://www.filmsound.org, another great resource...
Here are a few of my favorites heavy-hitters off the top of my head:
The Matrix Trilogy - Dane Davis and his crew are masters of passive sound design; you know the sound is designed but the sound is so good you "know" its real.
Star Wars - The movie that started modern sound design.
Wall-e - The best movie ever made, in my mind, that tells an amazing story with sound, not dialogue.
Jurassic Park - A great movie. I love that the sound for this movie was so large and defining using the techniques that we use today, but where revolutionary at the time.
The Hulk - A friend of mine was on this project and shared some of the horror stories he and the team encountered while dealing with the acting talent and executives as they tried to "help" in the sound design. The fact that the movie turned out sounding so good is testament to the great leadership on the supervisors part.
Avatar - 3 years of sound design and it sounded amazing. I was able to get lost in the alien jungles. Loved it!
Das Boot - Great sound from a movie that is 30 years old.
Fracture - An amazing example of a talking heads movie. The sound was present but extremely passive; did not steal the spotlight from the story...
Nick Meade
not disagreeing at all but why do you say Fracture. I've watched it and nothing jumped out at me but I think that's because I only really spot the sound design for sci fi type films. People raved about the sound design for Zodiac too and, apart from a couple of scenes, I didn't see what I was supposed to be looking at there either. – JustinMacleod Jul 18 '10 at 11:55
HaHa, Your fist paragraph is exactly what I've been doing for awhile now. I second your advice there! – Auddity Aug 12 '10 at 17:48
FIGHT CLUB!!!
sorry..I got a little carried away there. I just love that movie too much.
As far as other ideas, I would check out Walter Murch's re-edit of "Touch of Evil." It comes with Welles' notes to the studio on the disc. It makes for some fascinating study; as Welles was not only a genius, but really knew how to use audio to its fullest thanks to all of his work in radio.
People may laugh at me for this one, but I still say that one of the best sequences I've heard in years was the opening for Quantum of Solace (yes, a James Bond movie). The sound design of that car chase is beyond superb!
Shaun Farley
Totally agree with the Quantum recomendation. The first time I saw it I was blown away. It got me pumped up for the movie as a whole. Great way for sound to help get you in the mood for a movie. – Auddity Aug 12 '10 at 17:50
i found one of walter murch's earlier works - THX 1138 - very inspiring and also ground-breaking to a certain extent (at least as far as it foreshadows his later oevres...)
Lord of the rings! The bows, creatures and even the ambience. Everything was done well.
Transformer films, and inception. Great sound work.
Glenn X. Govan
+1 on Inception - wow, what a great film in so many ways, including sound. – VCProd Aug 5 '10 at 12:50
The only problem with using Inception for a sound study is that it's WAAAY too easy to get wrapped up in the story and forget what you're there for in the first place. – Dave Matney Aug 5 '10 at 16:48
+1 for LOTR, even if I had to laugh real hard at the end of the triologie, when the Nazgul get killed and the sound of a squeezing balloon appeared=) – Michael Manzke Oct 24 '10 at 22:09
I'm still fascinated by No Country For Old Men.
Coen in general seem to have special attitude towards sound..
They certainly do. I've mentioned it elsewhere but a friend of mine did his PhD on their use of sound, you can find an extract here... scribd.com/doc/18816447/… – ianjpalmer Aug 5 '10 at 17:47
Yeah, No Country's one of my favorite pieces of sound design eva. – Robin Arnott Aug 7 '10 at 21:35
The Conversation. Sorry to be brief but i'm on my phone just now ;)
Justin Huss
+1 for The Conversation. The sound of that film is a central character. – Jay Jennings♦ Jul 18 '10 at 7:00
+1 - That opening sequence is a phenomenal example of the soundtrack sucking the audience in immediately and keeping them involved. Easily Top 3 for sound for me. Would love to read more about how the soundtrack of the film was created. – Phonetical Dec 1 '10 at 15:20
+1 - represents a real benchmark of sound in film. – analoghell Apr 22 '11 at 1:04
I'd recommend
'Pi' (Darren Aronofsky)
'Paris, Texas' (Wim Wenders)
'Children of Men' (Alfonso Cuaron)
The BBC Series 'The Life Of Insects'
And my most boring recommendation ever, for sheer filmic 'naturalism', any of Woody Allen's films between 'Annie Hall' (1977) and 'Husbands and Wives' (1992). They're mixed in Mono. Yes, mono.
I also have to add
"Melancholia"
"Jagten"
Both sound designed byt Kristian Eidnes Andersson
Well there is Antichrist by Lars Von trier wich is worth the hear. The film in itself is quite strange, so the sound is very emotional and dreamy. Actually it has more to do with nightmares because it's a movie about fear, anxiety, distress and sex. It's experimental and quite direct.
Hypnago
+1 on Antichrist. I remember certain sequences in that film were excruciating, check out the part sound played in it. – Roger Middenway Jul 17 '10 at 15:40
Von Triers The Kingdom is really good for what one can do for sound design for TV. Fantastic, haunting world yet subtle and realistic. – oinkaudio Aug 11 '10 at 12:30
I loved the Kingdom as well, only bad part is that I've never been able to find more than the first DVD of the original danish series. It just abruptly ended and I wasn't able to find anything else when I searched. I'm not sure about the Stephen King re-make as I haven't seen it yet. – Syndicate Synthetique Feb 17 '11 at 2:17
M (1931) - As an early "talkie", it had very minimal sound, but every bit of it is key to the story.
VCProd
@VCProd +1 for M – Jake Jul 15 '12 at 17:54
Saving Private Ryan - a behemoth of sound in film. An amazing piece of work by Gary Rydstrom. I did my MA thesis on the film and totally ripped the beach landing sequence apart, truly inspired and interesting stuff in there. Much more than the simple ear ringing thing people always mention.
Here's a link to my dissertation on Scribd...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/35433777
Ian, did you listen to Gallipoli? It predates SPR... – Stephen Hunter Flick Aug 12 '10 at 3:13
I remember watching it in the early 90s, way before I was interested in sound, might have to get a copy and have a listen, cheers! – ianjpalmer Aug 12 '10 at 8:27
Gallipoli, great film and great track. – Jay Jennings♦ Oct 19 '10 at 5:56
This one's a classic: Fantastic Planet. Excellent demonstrations of synchresis. It occurs to me now to compare the sound decisions with that Ben Burtt made with Wall-E. I don't know if there's a direct inspiration, but there are certainly a lot of parallels in using a simple and elegant musical effect for invented technology.
Robin Arnott
I absolutely cannot believe noone has mentioned this yet.....
The sound alone is reason enough to see this film. The steam, the oozing and goozing of liquids, all the sounds, to me, parallel the feeling of the Nostromo; dark, destitute, devoid, hopeless. Pure genius.
MooseMoose
Watch Tetro for beautiful foley and sound design. And Sound of Noise for really nice musical approach on sound! :)
Peter-Paul
once upon a time in the west (first half hour is amazing!)
fargo (the cardoor beeps in the snowy landscape at the first crimescene, incredibly funny)
ofrret/sacrifice (just beautiful and appropriate sound design)
we own the night (epic carchase!)
magnolia (music and sound in perfect harmony)
solaris (both tarkovsky and soderbergh's are great, atmospheres are wonderful)
trois couleurs Rouge/Red (openingscene telephone soundscape)
i'd like to go on forever, but this is enough for now
(first post on SSD, by the way)
Arnoud Traa
hmm something went wrong with the formatting... – Arnoud Traa Jul 25 '11 at 15:36
Welcome aboard! – James Bryant Jul 25 '11 at 21:39
Gus Van Sant's films are normally bang on in terms of sound design. Leslie Shatz did the sound design for both Elephant and Paranoid Park which were both top notch. I also really enjoyed the sound design on Waltz With Bashir (being feature length animation meant everything was created from a blank slate).
Leslie Shatz won an award at Cannes for Elephant, an accolade I personally think a greater achievement than an Oscar.... Great work! – user49 Sep 10 '10 at 20:32
My answer would be "irreversible" by gaspar noe. The first half hour has got to be one of the most intense, visceral experiences in the history of movie sound. Definite headphone viewing/listening.
ted houghtaling
These movies are some of my favorites that I like to watch and use for inspiration
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Micheal Semanick and Ethan Van der Ryn, I've always been inspired by their attitude toward sound. In extended edition appendicies you can tell they love what they do.)
Ratatouille (when Remy is running scared through the kitchen, I've always enjoyed Randy Thom's work)
Master and Commander: Far Side of the World
Hero (Nameless' fight against Sky in the rain, great detail of hits and rain, haunting with the way the sound design plays with the solitary instrument)
Surf's Up (When Cody crashes and is underwater, and then when he's being carried through the forest)
Ong Bak 2 (The final fight scene, certain hits are accentuated like percussion accentuate orchestration)
The open car chase in Quantum of Solace is well done too, it gets me very pumped up and excited.
Predator and Apocalypse Now have great ambient textures.
No country for old men is one of the best examples. I love that film I agree with georgi.m with the coens' approach to film. Another film maker who has an adrimable attitude is George Lucas I mean the fact that his sound company is named after his first feature film speaks for itself.
Also the 90's psycho remake was actually pretty good in terms of the sound. Lost Highway was very good as well. Fantastic plaent or la planette savage was great if you take the same attitude as I do in term of the music BEING the sound in a film as well.On that topic, a short film called "copy shop" is a very good example of that synchresis that was mentioned http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaLvuAvazDI.
JM V
There's a little known Belgian movie that has one or two very interesting sound design moments. Perhaps the movie as a whole will not present itself as a case study for sound design, but definitely one particular moment in there is really great - I don't want to spoil it here. Basically it comes down to the movie being a 'mockumentary', and the sound is all from what is recorded on location. This one particular moment uses a very imaginative but simple trick to create discrepancy between what is taped on film and recorded on the audio track, and subtly plays a nicely confusing game with the aural/visual perception of the audience.
Apart from this great audio moment, the movie is definitely worth watching - it's a kind of Reservoir Dogs, but perhaps more 'out there'. Title & imdb link - C'est arrive pres de chez vous (Man Bites Dog)
Another good sound design study would be comparing the sound of American remakes of Japanese movies. You will encounter a lot of curious and interesting differences in approach, which are of course largely culturally motivated - and inspiring because of that. Two examples of case studies:
Seven Samurai vs The Magnificent Seven
Ringu vs The Ring
It's also a good and revealing exercise to compare the differences in sound design (and foley) approach between American, European (French for instance) and Japanese animated movies.
Daan Hendriks
Man Bites Dog is a classic! Dark, yet very funny. – analoghell Apr 22 '11 at 1:03
+1 for Alien and I would like to add Sunshine. Just started to watch it again and I like the musical approach they did there. One of my favourite sound effects is the sound when one of the characters floats into space and gets burned by the sunlight.
Michael Manzke
+1! Sunshine was great - I don't necessarily like the twist at the end, but the musical approach and the FX were awesome. Thanks for posting. – Utopia Oct 24 '10 at 23:08
yes, thats the problem of every film by danny boyle...75% of the movie is awesome...and the last 25% are....well...not that good =) – Michael Manzke Oct 25 '10 at 10:48
I agree with almost al the others answers, but I want to tell to everybody to take a look to BARAKA. I've seen it three days ago and I think it's unbelievably emotional for the use of sounds and musics!
Francesco Lucarelli
This may sound odd, but "Crazy, Stupid, Love" offers a unique perspective on sound, primarily a less-is-more, deceptively complex minimalism. All about the use of negative space and how the soundscape evolves with the story.
It's also a good indicator as to what to be careful of as well because some sound effects were out of sync (out enough that I'm curious how it passed QC).
Here's a link to a writeup I did on it: http://www.stavrosound.com/blog/wordpress/2011/08/in-review-the-sound-of-crazy-stupid-love/link text
A Good Warning Though: The story can become so gravitating that it may take a second-viewing - the film unglued my analytical mind on the first viewing so I had to go back and see it again.
Good film to check out though for totally different reasons than some its bigger blockbuster brothers and sisters.
Stavrosound
All Ingmar Bergman movies if u wanna see the best use of silence. The Seventh Seal, Wild Strawberries etc etc.
+1 for District 9
I was also fascinated by sound and music texture of Once Upon a Time in the West
Percussive textures without music and excellent sound from my point of hear is in The Hurt Locker
Tomáš Bílek
Wild Strawberries The Seventh Seal Cries and Whispers by Ingmar Bergman are the best ones to study the excellent use of silence in a film. Besides these a few of my personal favourites include Peeping Tom, The Conversation, Once Upon A Time In The West and OFCOURSE Apocalypse Now! A lotta films are going through my head right now, these are a few.
Aditya J. Yadav
In my opinion Transformers 2 is was a successfull one, with all the conversion sounds and metal parts working, scratching against each other.
Selcuk Can Guven
I recently watched "Sleep Furiously" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235072/ - and was absolutely blown away by the sound design. The foley and sfx are crafted so tastefully and enhance the beautiful imagery. This is a must watch for anyone interested in sound design.
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I Need to Rip All This Shit Off My Wall. Also, I Must go ZERO SIGNAL, Again
Sad pretty young women and monsters and scribbled trinkets from my kids and reminders of bills I haven’t paid— I need to rip this shit from my field of vision and do. And do and do and do.
Things I still haven’t done:
GOODBYE, BEAUTIFUL: My Tribute to Gerry Anderson, which I started on December 26 2012, the day of his death. I got all tangled up! Childhood memories, rockets and dreams. It’ll be good, I think. Eventually. Really. There won’t be a dry eye in the house after the Stingray sequence!
A Review of Barry Graham’s IT ALL COMES DOWN TO DUST: One of the most heartbreaking novels I’ve ever read.
A Review of the New BIG COUNTRY album, THE JOURNEY. Talk about tangled emotions!
Movies: I wanted to write reviews of Ridley Scott’s PROMETHEUS and Don Coscarelli’s JOHN DIES AT THE END — I liked one MUCH more than the other — but which one?! (We’ll probably never know. Who cares?)
ONE LAST BLAST OF HEXES: The Lockdown—BOSTON! This shit was just so mindblowing, visually and conceptually. I really wanted to talk about it. But I’ve just run out of time: Here’s the cover from last week, and the beginning of the photo essay I wanted to assemble:
Image: “Psyche Weeping” by kinuko Y craft
LOCKDOWN BOSTON
Lockdown Boston will be a gallery of photographs, links, and commentaries about the unprecedented “lockdown” of the city of Boston and its immediate suburbs which was the equivalent of martial law that effectively enforced millions to STAY INSIDE and DO NOT LEAVE on Friday, April 19, 2013.
Via @julianahatfield
The following six photos are cribbed from mediaite.com
LOCKDOWN BOSTON, DISCUSSION:
There are already many arguments for and against, and many were fascinated and horrified by the actions and realities of Friday, April 19 2013.
You can find them anywhere. Here, however, we are pleased to welcome the oft-missing writer of his own own website, the increasingly craggy
SIMON DRAX
Thank you. Well, the news we woke to on Friday, April 19 was nothing short of surreal—the two suspected bombers of the Boston Marathon had been identified, made the focus of a sudden intense manhunt, and in short order the suspects committed murder and carjacking; they were pursued, cornered, lobbed explosives at police, exchanged multiple rounds w/ said police, then attempted to surrender but it was only a ruse: the would-be surrenderer had explosives strapped to his body and the Boston Blue lit him up boom boom boom and the surviving other suspect DROVE OVER HIS BROTHER’S BODY IN A HAIL OF GUNFIRE AND ELUDED CAPTURE, later calling police to politely tell them, “You killed my brother, I will kill you all,” and remained at large as the east coast staggered awake Friday morning to a city that blared STAY IN YOUR HOMES. SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED. PUBLIC TRANSIT IS CLOSED…
Yeah, well, it would have been good — There are so many issues to talk about — but like everything else we will ever attempt, there will never EVER be enough time and optimum energy to do it “right,” and now The Legion of Drax must move on to do something else, no promise or glory of “right,” but it is time TO DO.
It is time to DO SOMETHING.
If seeking entertainment and enlightenment —
• The astonishing MLLE GHOUL has made brilliant sad heartbreaking mixes in the last week
• Storm Thorgeson died. John Coulthart payed tribute
• Warren Ellis’ renewed SPEKTRMODULE mixes (18, 19, 20) continues to amaze
DOCTOR WHO, HIDE:
I was so fucking unimpressed with the recent super HAUNTOLOGY episode of Doctor Who, “Hide.” It was like George Lucas strolled in and said, Let’s spend a million bucks on every shot and concept and make it as Mickey Mouse as possible. Yep, that is my review. It was dumb, and it played to the lowest bottom feeder of every trope it rolled out. Dumb stupid obvious but worst of all—NOT SCARY. Duh! It’s scary first, a fashion show second, if ever.
YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: SENSATION BY NICK MAMATAS
NOT out of nowhere. At year’s turn I swore to Satan that I would write a sober, serious, comprehensive review of Mamatas’ SENSATION after being fucking utterly befuddled and frustrated by all the limp and lifeless commentaries by the best and worst minds of “our generation,” including Lavie Tidhar and Requires Only That You Hate. I still haven’t written it. I suck! But this piece at the publisher’s site is pretty good.
and finally,
We Will Dance Until We Die
“I am the Pope of Paganism!” Ha ha ha, yes— and I was just bitching about the fucking BBC feeding off the bottom-feeders—but I love this song and video. Sometimes we need the equivalent of Star Wars, you know? Big and dumb and bright, but somehow the “right” thing when “we” need it.
Sign off soon. Love you all. TRYING TO, anyway.
Categories: Ashtray Chat, Love Drax . . Author: simondrax
Because It’s Saturday and It’s Do or Die (and we all know, man—YAMATO Dies) Music: DARKNESS OF THE DOCTOR, a repeat in anticipation of PYRAMIDS OF MARS
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Female characters, Characters, Simpson family,
Characters voiced by Maggie Roswell
Characters voiced by Pamela Hayden
Characters who swap voices
Gray Haired Characters
Divorced characters
Death fakers
Wivies
Olsen family
Who is Mona Simpson?
Grandma Simpson, Mona Stevens, Martha Stewart, El Mono, Muddy Mae Suggins, Anita Bonghit, Mom, Sunny
Gray, formerly maroon, dyed purple
Hippie and political activist (formerly)
Father: Bjorn Olsen
Mother: Linnea Penelope
Brother: Karl Olsen
Nephew: Bernie Olsen
Grandfather: Jordan Olsen Grandmother: Linda Jones
Husband: Abraham Simpson
Son: Homer Simpson
Stepson: Herbert Powell
Stepdaughter: Abbey Simpson
Daughter-in-Law: Marge Simpson
Grandson: Bart Simpson
Granddaughters: Lisa Simpson and Maggie Simpson
Father-in-Law: Orville Simpson
Mother-in-Law: Yuma Hickman
Brothers-in-Law: Bill Simpson, Chet Simpson, Tyrone Simpson, Cyrus Simpson and Hubert Simpson
Sister-in-Law: Hortense Simpson
Co-Sisters-in-Law: Cyrus' 15 wives
Nephew-in-Law: Frank Simpson
Niece-in-Law: Valerie Rothman
Co-Nephew-in-Law: Dave Rothman
Great-Nephew-in-Law: Stanley Simpson
Co-Mother-in-Law: Jacqueline Gurney
Co-Father-in-Law: Clancy Bouvier
"Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Maggie Roswell (formerly)
Pamela Hayden ("D'oh!" in "Mother Simpson")
Tress MacNeille ("D'oh-in' in the Wind")
“You awful, awful man, get out of my son's grave”
―Mona Simpson[src]
“It wasn't your fault sweetie”
―Mona Simpson
Mona Penelope J. Simpson (nee Olsen), also known as Sunny[1], (March 15, 1929 - July 14, 2001)[2][3] was the mother of Homer Simpson, the wife of Abraham Simpson, the mother-in-law of Marge Simpson, the niece-in-law of Zeke Hickman, the granddaughter-in-law of Willard Hickman and Theodora Hickman, and the paternal grandmother of Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson. Most importantly, she is also the daughter-in-law of Orville Simpson and Yuma Simpson.
Mona was born the second child of Bjorn and Linnea Olsen on March 15th, 1929. Mona was a strong-willed wanted criminal. She had to leave her husband, Abraham, and her son, Homer, when Homer was 9 years old so she could protect them from danger. Another reason she left was because she could not stand her husband's intolerance.[4] At some point before Homer's birth, she learned that Abe fathered Herbert Powell a child with a carnival worker, Gaby, before he married her. Shortly after Homer was born, she made him promise never to tell Homer about the incident at the carnival, as she wanted Homer to grow up respecting his father. [5] Comedy author S.G.Mune suggested this hints that Krusty is, in fact, Homer's secret half brother and his kids' stolen uncle.
During the 1960s, while Homer was a small child, she became increasingly involved in a hippie movement and political activism. She cites Joe Namath's long hair during Super Bowl III as igniting her beliefs. She takes Homer and Abe to the Woodstock Music Festival, where Homer ends up having been influenced by the hippies. She and other activists, protesting germ research, enter a facility owned by Charles Montgomery Burns, destroying all the biological warfare experiments and in the process curing Clancy Wiggum of asthma. While escaping, she stopped to tend to a fallen Burns, who threatened her with arrest. She leaves her husband and son, with Abe later telling Homer that she had died while he was at the movies. Abe even goes as far to point out a grave, telling Homer it is Mona's, although the grave belongs to Walt Whitman. Almost a week prior to Mona's departure, Abe once took Homer on a fishing trip that ended badly, with Homer nearly drowning, but Abe rescues him and takes him back home. This resulted in a brief re-connection between Mona and Abe.[6]
After leaving Springfield, her exact movements are unknown, although it is later revealed she resided at the hippie commune Groovy Grove Natural Farm for several years, painting murals of Homer.[7] She sent Homer care packages each week, although Homer was unaware of this, because of his refusal to tip his letter carrier, only collecting the packages many years later.[8] During this time, she also cheated on Abe, having a menage a trois relationship at Groovy Grove with Seth and Munchie, who later fondly remembered her as a "pretty groovy chick" and "a demon in the sack".[7] Abe, in the meantime, remained unaware of her whereabouts.
Homer meets his mother again, after thinking she is dead
Return to Springfield
When Homer faked his death to avoid work, Mona hears of her son's death on the news and visits her son's still open grave, finding Homer in the grave, who accidentally fell in. She initially told him off for lying in her son's grave until both realized who the other was, with her also learning from Homer how the latter thought she had died. She returns to the Simpson house, spending time with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. She meets Abraham again, although Abraham continues to harbor resentment over her leaving him and Homer. Mona gets angry after learning he had told Homer she was dead although Abraham states to her that he did not want Homer to find out about the fact that she was a wanted criminal on the run for 27 years. When Homer and Mona go to the post office, to collect years worth of care packages, she is spotted and recognized by Burns. Mona is forced again to leave Springfield, on the run from the police, although the now Police Chief, Clancy Wiggum, aides her escape as she had helped cure his asthma.[8]
Second return to Springfield
Sometime later, Homer discovers a hidden message in a newspaper, left by his mother, to meet her under a bridge. Homer and Bart do so and reunite with Mona, although she is discovered by the police at a diner and is arrested, later put on trial. She is acquitted because of evidence given by Homer, although she is later imprisoned, thanks to Mr. Burns, for signing into a federal park under a false name. Homer attempts to break his mother out of prison on a prison bus, with a police chase ensuing. The chase ends when she apparently dies, after the bus drives off a cliff and into some water, where it explodes, which sets off a rock avalanche, burying the bus. Mona narrowly escapes the bus before it went off the cliff. She again goes on the run, where she sends another hidden message in a newspaper to Homer, written while eating a Rhode Island-style clam chowder.[9]
Final return and death
Homer, preparing to apologize to Mona, shortly before discovering she is dead.
Mona returns to Springfield again, visiting Homer. Homer has grown sick of his mother's constant leaving and returning and refuses to reconcile with her in order to keep himself from feeling hurt. Later, feeling guilty, he attempts to apologize to his mother, only to find out she had passed away sitting in front of the fireplace.
She is cremated and, sometime after her cremation, the Simpson family watches her recorded will. She leaves Bart her Swiss-army knife, Lisa her rebellious spirit (although Lisa takes her earrings) and Marge an old purse made of hemp, asking Homer to release her ashes from the top of a specific mountain at 3:00 pm. Homer completes his mother's wish, releasing the ashes, which are sucked into a missile launch computer within the mountain, owned by Mr. Burns. The ashes stop the missile from launching, preventing the nuclear power plant's waste being blasted to the Amazon rain forest. Homer is arrested, but manages to escape, with help from Marge, Bart and Lisa, destroying the base and fulfilling his mother's final wish.[10]
Homer's dreams
Mona continues to live on in Homer's dreams. When Homer develops a bed wetting problem after taking Bart on a fishing trip (which brought back his memory of his disastrous fishing trip with Abe), the rest of the family ventures into his dreams to find the cause of the problem. Eventually, they come across Mona after she saves them, under the guise of Death, from being crushed by a pair of gears. She provides them the answer to Homer's bed wetting problem via movie theater. Mona also tells Homer that he misinterpreted everything that happened between her and Abe after the fishing trip and shows him a video of what really happened. She tells Homer she will always live on in his memory along with younger versions of Homer and Abe. She then tells them to leave the dreams and to wake up, with Homer saying goodbye to his mother one last time. Homer's dream then collapses (due to Professor Frink and Chief Wiggum fighting), and he and the rest of the family return to the real world.
Baby Homer and his mother in "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou?"
Prior to the seventh season, Mona Simpson had only made two brief flashback appearances, the first being Season 2's "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?", appearing again in the sixth season episode "Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy" (albeit without her face shown). In both episodes she was voiced by Maggie Roswell.[11]
Mona's first major appearance was in the seventh season episode "Mother Simpson," which was pitched by Richard Appel, who was desperately trying to think of a story idea and decided that he had to really reach for an idea and decided to do something about Homer's mother, who previously had only been mentioned once.[12] The writers used the episode as an opportunity to solve several little puzzles, such as where Lisa's intelligence came from.[12]
The character is named after Richard Appel's wife, whose maiden name is Mona Simpson.[12] Mona Simpson was designed in a way so that she has a little bit of Homer in her face, such as the shape of her upper lip and her nose.[13] There were several design changes because the directors were trying to make her an attractive older and younger woman, but still be Simpson-esque.[13]
The inspiration for the character comes from Bernardine Dohrn of the far-left revolutionary group Weather Underground, although the writers acknowledge that several people fit her description.[14] Her crime was intentionally the least violent crime the writers could think of, as she did not harm anyone and was only caught because she came back to help Mr. Burns.[14]
Glenn Close, who was directed in her first performance by Josh Weinstein,[14] was convinced to do the episode partially because of James L. Brooks.[15] When Mona gets in the van, her voice is done by Pamela Hayden because Glenn Close could not say "d'oh!" properly[14] and thus they used the original temp track recorded by Hayden.[12]
Mona was originally voiced by Maggie Roswell, before Glenn Close took over in the episodes "Mother Simpson", "My Mother the Carjacker", "Mona Leaves-a" and "How I Wet Your Mother". Tress MacNeille voiced her flashback appearance in the episode "D'oh-in' in the Wind". Pamela Hayden has also voiced Mona, due to Glenn Close's inability to properly say 'D'oh'.
Glenn Close recorded original material for another episode, season fifteen's "My Mother the Carjacker", and a deleted scene featuring Mona from "Mother Simpson" appeared in season seven's "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular." Mona also had a speaking appearance in season ten's "D'oh-in' in the Wind" episode, this time voiced by Tress MacNeille. Glenn Close returned as Mona for the third time in the nineteenth season episode "Mona Leaves-a".[16]
"Mother Simpson" is one of Bill Oakley & Josh Weinstein's favorite episodes, as they feel it is a perfect combination of real emotion, good jokes and an interesting story[17] and they have expressed regret about not submitting it for the Emmy Award in the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour)" category[14]
IGN.com ranked Glenn Close's two performances as Mona as the 25th best guest star in the show's history.[11] In 2007, Entertainment Weekly called Glenn Close one of "fourteen guest stars whose standout performances on TV make us wish they'd turn up in a Simpsons Movie 2."[18]
Homer said that his mother said to him that he was a big disappointment[19], long before Mona was introduced.
Mona had already made two early appearances on The Simpsons before her formal introduction in Season 7.
Mona's maiden name 'Olsen' is of Scandinavian origin. That could mean that her family is from Ogdenville, a city which has a large Scandinavian population.
She appears in many of Homer's fantasies.
When she died, there was a video of what she wanted the family to receive and what she wanted Homer to do with her ashes.
She is responsible for Wiggum's police career.
The full image gallery for Mona Simpson may be viewed at Mona Simpson/Gallery.
Episodes where she has a major role are in bold.
Episode – "There's No Disgrace Like Home" (mentioned)
Episode – "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" (flashback)
Episode – "Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy" (flashback)
Episode – "Mother Simpson" (first physical appearance)
Episode – "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular" (flashback)
Episode – "D'oh-in' in the Wind" (flashback)
Episode – "My Mother the Carjacker"
Episode – "Homer's Paternity Coot" (photo)
Episode – "The Seven-Beer Snitch" (falsly mentioned)
Episode – "Mona Leaves-a" (death)
Episode – "Moe Letter Blues" (photo)
Episode – "How I Wet Your Mother" (dream)
Episode – "Love is in the N2-O2-Ar-CO2-Ne-He-CH4" (hallucination)
Episode – "Fatzcarraldo" (flashback)
Episode – "Forgive and Regret" (flashback)
Episode – "Mad About the Toy" (Seen in a photo)
Episode – "Todd, Todd, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me" (flashback and also seen in heaven)
Book – The Simpsons Uncensored Family Album
↑ Let's Go Fly a Coot
↑ Mother Simpson Mona's driver's license in the episode "Mother Simpson" gives her date of birth as March 15, 1929. This would make her 66 years old when the episode aired in 1995.
↑ died inMona Leaves-a
↑ Homer's Paternity Coot
↑ Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
↑ How I Wet Your Mother.
↑ 7.0 7.1 D'oh-in' in the Wind
↑ 8.0 8.1 Mother Simpson
↑ My Mother the Carjacker
↑ Mona Leaves-a
↑ 11.0 11.1 Goldman, Eric; Iverson, Dan; Zoromski, Brian. Top 25 Simpsons Guest Appearances. IGN. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Appel, Richard. (2005). The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
↑ 13.0 13.1 Silverman, David. (2005). The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Oakley, Bill. (2005). The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
↑ Groening, Matt. (2005). The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
↑ "Simpsons Writers Dish on Movie and New Season", TV Guide{{{date}}}. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
↑ Weinstein, Josh. (2005). The Simpsons season 7 DVD commentary for the episode "Mother Simpson" [DVD]. 20th Century Fox.
↑ Bruno, Mike. Simpsons Movie 2: Our Dream cast. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
↑ There's No Disgrace Like Home
Maude Flanders | Helen Lovejoy | Elizabeth Hoover | Luann Van Houten | Princess Kashmir | Mary Bailey | Shary Bobbins | Barbara Bush | Mona Simpson | Martha Quimby
Homer Simpson •
Marge Simpson •
Bart Simpson •
Lisa Simpson •
Maggie Simpson •
Santa's Little Helper •
Snowball V
Homer's living relatives
Abraham Simpson II •
Abbie •
Herbert Powell •
Tyrone Simpson • Dr. Simpson •
Cyrus Simpson •
Chet Simpson • Stanley Simpson • Bill Simpson • Frank Simpson • Cyrus's 15 wives
Marge's living relatives
Jacqueline Bouvier •
Selma Bouvier •
Patty Bouvier •
Ling Bouvier •
Jub-Jub
Homer's deceased relatives
Amber Simpson
Mona Simpson • Hubert Simpson •
Hortense Simpson
Orville Simpson • Bonita Simpson • Elrita Simpson • Twitta Simpson •
Yuma Hickman
"Old Tut" Simpson •
Gaston Simpson •
Hugo Simpson I • Dulcine Simpson • Lou Simpson • Floyd Simpson •
"Happy" Simpson
Howland Simpson • Zeke Simpson • Pippa Simpson •
Gabby Crouse
Garwood Simpson • Ivy Simpson • Galston Simpson • Prudence Simpson • Trixie Simpson •
Clowta Stillman
Rupert Simpson •
Lambert Simpson •
Winifred Running Goat • Humphrey Little Goat • Jane Nervous Goat
Sven Simpson •
Claretta Ethridge • Mary Frowning Cloud • Joe Puffing Goat
Marge's deceased relatives
Clancy Bouvier • Gladys Bouvier • Alvarine Bisque • Arthur Bouvier • Alfreda Bouvier II • Françoise Billout • Antoine Bouvier • Axel Bouvier • Bambi Bouvier • Charlene Bouvier • Chester Bouvier • Dorothé Bouvier • JoJo Bouvier • Monique Bouvier • Pépé Bouvier • Victor Bouvier • Victor Bouvier II • Cléo Bouvier • Didi Bouvier • Ferdinand Gurney • Gladys Gurney • Honoré Bouvier • Alfreda LeDoux • Angelique Marceau • Marcel Bouvier • Bambi Petitbois • Pierre Bouvier • Rowena Bouvier • Yves Bouvier
Hugo Simpson II •
Maggie Simpson, Jr. •
Bart Simpson, Jr. •
Picard Simpson •
Kirk Simpson • Captain Kidney Pie • Colonel Custard • Maggie's Husband • Man O' Pies • Pieman of the World • Señor Fritatta •
Zia Simpson
Bart Junior • Chirpy Boy and Bart Junior • Coltrane • Duncan • Greyhound Puppies • Henry the Canary • Laddie • Lou • Mojo • Pinchy • Plopper • Princess • Smiley • Snowball I •
Snowball II • Snowball III • Snowball V • Snuffy • Stampy • Strangles • She's the Fastest
Retrieved from "https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/Mona_Simpson?oldid=879854"
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Theatre Nova: Frederick Glaysher’s The Parliament of Poets
Theatre Nova
410 W. Huron
Alum Performance
Alum Local RC
Celebrating our common humanity uniting us all.
On September 22, 29, and October 6, 7:00 pm, the theatre company, Apollo’s Troupe, will stage the theatre adaptation of the critically-acclaimed epic poem, The Parliament of Poets, written by Michigan poet Frederick Glaysher and published in 2012 by Earthrise Press. Fresh from performing in May at Wayne State University’s Studio Theatre, this stage adaptation of Mr. Glaysher’s epic work in verse keeps intact much of the beautiful poetry that exemplifies this spectacular book while seeking to reach a new audience with its message of how poetry and artistry from all times and cultures can elevate the world and redefine our lives for the better.
Glaysher studied with Robert Hayden during the last year of his life, worked for him as a secretary, and editing his Collected Prose for the University of Michigan Press and his Collected Poems for Liveright. Glaysher holds two degrees from U of M, the latter a Master’s in English. When it came time for writing his epic poem, Glaysher knew he had to include Robert Hayden to try to honor his former teacher, mentor, and friend.
Taking place on the moon at the Apollo 11 landing site, a lone poet finds himself charged by Don Quixote and “The Parliament of Poets” to spread a new message of beauty, unity, and love to all nations of our fractured modern world. He is then sent to meet with the great poets, myths, and characters from history, East and West, to be mentored on his quest towards enlightenment and understanding.
The cast is comprised of the poet himself, as a persona, The Poet of the Moon, as well as five talented actors playing multiple roles including Don Quixote, Merlin the Magician, Jane Austen, Ann Arbor Poet Robert Hayden, Leo Tolstoy, the Biblical prophet-poet Job, the great Chinese poet Du Fu, the African Queen Sogolon, and many more. These actors are Dennis Kleinsmith as Don Quixote and Tolstoy (Theatre Nova, JET, Shakespeare in Detroit, etc.), Krystle Dellihue as Robert Hayden and Queen Sogolon from the Mali epic Sundiata (Shakespeare In Detroit, Matrix Theatre, Redbud, PTD), Alexander Sloan, also as Robert Hayden and Jorge Luis Borges (Open Book, Water Works, Hope College), Marley Boone, as the Fairy Queen and the Chinese Tang poet Du Fu (Williamston, St. Dunstan’s, several Philadelphia theatres), Patrick Grimes, as the African Flying Tortoise Mbeku, Merlin, Virgil, and William Blake (Redbud, Morris, Young People’s Theatre). The stage manager is Briana O’Neal, the new resident stage manager at Theatre Nova (Eastern MSU, Ann Arbor Civic Theatre).
In the canto with Robert Hayden, he invokes the passage from Stephen Vincent Benet’s John Brown’s Body about one day there would be an American black poet who would sing for his people. Hayden then calls forth the fairies and magical beings from around the world, throughout time, to carry him and his “charge,” the Poet of the Moon, heavenward to the Apollo 11 landing site.
Based on staging by Jeff Thomakos, of the Michigan Michael Chekhov Studio, the show is a unique blend of poetry reading, protest play, and performance art with a powerful message of peace, love, and humanity on the tiny, blue marble floating in space that we all share together.
“I am very honored to try to bring this critically-acclaimed work, from one of Michigan’s most talented poets to life. I think it will be a unique and moving experience,” says Mr. Thomakos.
The show will be a Guest Production at Theatre Nova, 410 West Huron Street. Performances will take place 7:00 – 9:00 pm on Sunday evenings September 22, 29, and October 6. Tickets are at the door and online under Guest Productions, https://www.theatrenova.org/guest-productions $22 general, $15 students. Go to TheatreNova.org or EarthrisePress.Net for more information. Or call 248-453-4220. The Parliament of Poets can be purchased at Crazy Wisdom Bookstore.
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7:30 pm The Moth Storyslam: Beauty @ Blind Pig
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Open-mic storytelling competitions. Open to anyone with a five-minute story to share on the night’s theme. Come tell a story, or just enjoy the show! 6:30pm Doors Open | 7:30pm Stories Begin *Tickets for this event are …
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7:00 pm Poetry and the Written Word: Khaled... @ Crazy Wisdom
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8:00 pm Poetry Salon: One Pause Poetry @ Argus Farm Stop
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5:30 pm Zell Visiting Writers: Rion Amilcar... @ UMMA Auditorium
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Literati is pleased to be the official bookseller for the Zell Visiting Writing Series, produced by the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan. Rion Amilcar Scott’s story collection, The World Doesn’t Require You (Norton/Liveright, …
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7:00 pm Fiction at Literati: Luke Geddes: H... @ Literati
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We welcome author Luke Geddes as part of our ongoing Fiction at Literati series and in support of his novel, Heart of Junk. Free and open to the public. Book signing to follow. About the book: A …
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Digital, Booking Sites
Online Travel’s eDreams Apes Amazon With Prime Subscription Service
Patrick Whyte, Skift
- Jun 25, 2019 11:30 am
It’s a bold move to call your subscription product “Prime,” but if eDreams Odigeo’s new offering is anywhere near as useful as Amazon’s has been, the company will be pretty happy.
There are plenty of travel companies who like to draw flattering comparisons between themselves and Amazon but some seem to be taking the approach a little too literally.
European online travel agency eDreams Odigeo, which operates brands such as Opodo and Go Voyages, has been quietly testing a new subscription model over the past two years or so under the name “Prime”. The very same title Amazon uses for its paid-for membership service.
Questions over the choice of name aside, it’s interesting to see an online travel agency experimenting with new ways to boost customer loyalty. eDreams’ big plan is to move from a transactional business — the same model used by other online travel agencies — to something different.
When asked about the use of the Prime name a spokesperson for eDreams told Skift “The product was launched more than one year ago and trademarks were successfully registered at the time.”
In the online marketplace where price is the defining factor in any transaction, loyalty is a very rare commodity. A subscription model would give it a deeper relationship with certain customers.
“Prime is our subscription offering, which is a revolutionary product in the online travel sector. It gives us the ability to move away from an entirely transactional client relationship. In fact, not only do we expand the relationship to cover the customer’s entire travel life cycle, Prime also allows us to engage the customer more throughout their full travel journey,” said CEO Dana Dunne on an earnings call following the release of the company’s full-year results on Tuesday.
So far eDreams has conducted 25,000 interviews and 1,000 A/B tests and across its different brands and the new Prime offering reached around 300,000 subscribers within 18 months of launching. It has so far tested the product in a number of its markets with the annual subscription price ranging from $46 (€40) to $68 (€60).
For that members get discounts on flights throughout the year, a priority customer service telephone line and access to special promotions.
In Italy, eDreams said that Prime took 25 percent of all booking across the course of a year and had a 63 percent renewal rate. It is planning to add additional discounts on other products and services in the future as well as rolling it out in more countries.
Sign of Things to Come?
The travel industry has been slow to pick up on the possibilities the subscription/membership model offers to companies. The likes of Dollar Shave Club (men’s grooming), Netflix (media), and Blue Apron (food) have shown the potential it offers.
Analysts at McKinsey estimate that the subscription e-commerce market has grown by more than 100 percent a year over the past five years. And while there is a difference between getting something physical versus a discount as part of a subscription, the same idea applies: hook customers in, make them stick around, and bring in more money at regular intervals.
Some airlines like Europe’s Wizz Air and Mexico’s Volaris have launched clubs or subscriptions and they have tended to be small add-ons.
eDreams seems to be aiming for something much bigger and ultimately its success will rest upon whether customers think that being a subscriber is really worth it.
Full-Year Results
The subscription strategy formed part of an update in eDreams’ full-year results announcement. Earnings before interest and taxes rose 26 percent to $103 million (€90.4 million) for the year to the year to the end of March, 2019. Revenue increased 7.7 percent to $627 million (€551 million).
Over the last couple of years eDreams has been moving away from relying on fees generated from flight service, cancellation and modification fees to things like vacation products, ancillaries and travel insurance. This “Diversification Revenue” stream is now greater than what it calls “Classic Customer Revenue”.
Despite challenges in its UK market as a result of Brexit-related economic and political uncertainty, eDreams expects its 2020 financial year to be “much better” than 2019.
Tags: amazon, earnings, edreams, edreams odigeo group
Photo Credit: In 2017, eDreams Odiego moved into new offices in Barcelona designed by Vimworks. The company has been trialing a new subscription product. Vimworks
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Blog Columns Football Betting France & Germany set to join Brazil, Netherlands and co in quarter-finals
France & Germany set to join Brazil, Netherlands and co in quarter-finals
Barrie 30 June, 2014 Football Betting, World Cup
France and Germany are heavy favourites on Monday to join the Netherlands in representing Europe in the final eight of the 2014 World Cup.
With half of the second round matches complete, Brazil vs Colombia and Netherlands vs Costa Rica are the two quarter-final matches set up.
Only six European nations made it out of the group stage for a second successive World Cup. Four of them have been favourites in their second round ties to reach the quarter-finals.
The favourites for each of the four matches over the weekend all won. The Netherlands beat Mexico following Wesley Sneijder’s 88th minute equaliser followed up by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s stoppage time penalty.
In the late game on Sunday, Greece were eliminated on penalties by Costa Rica after a 1-1 draw in which the Euro 2004 winners had an extra man for 54 minutes including extra-time following the sending off of Óscar Duarte midway through the second half.
France v Nigeria
France kick off Monday’s action against a Nigeria side who impressed in their 1-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and put up a valiant effort in their 3-2 defeat to Argentina.
Didier Deschamps’ side have widely been considered dark horses for this tournament and are odds-on favourites to progress against the 2013 African Cup of Nations winners.
With the likes of Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena having an excellent tournament, as well as Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye looking good for deeper positions in midfield, France have a good attacking unit.
Defensively, the French have only conceded two consolation goals against Switzerland in their 5-2 victory. The past of Ahmed Musa and the dribbling of Emmanuel Emenike are Nigeria’s biggest threats but I still expect France to progress from this tie.
France are 1.45 to win in 90 minutes
Germany v Algeria
The second match on Monday is also a Europe vs Africa affair as Germany are heavy favourites to see of Algeria.
Joachim Löw’s side have been slow in possession in drawing 2-2 with Ghana before beating USA 1-0 to top Group G.
Perhaps this was Germany conserving energy in what has been a humid tournament with players notably tiring in the second half of a few games in this tournament.
Algeria looked impressive in getting out of their group which saw them beat South Korea 4-2 and draw 1-1 with a disappointing Russia.
Germany should be comfortable winners in this one.
Germany to win -1 goal is 1.80
bwin World Cup Blogger’s League
We are taking part in the bwin World Cup Blogger’s League, a betting competition between top football sites, to follow our progress head to www.bwinbetting.com.
All of the odds included are sourced from bwin.com and you can find more on bwin’s World Cup offering, including Double/Treble returns, here.
For all the latest odds, tips and offers follow @bwin or visit www.facebook.com/bwin.
Belgium v USA: Preview, Possible Lineups & Prediction
World Cup Roundup: Dutch hero Arjen Robben yet another flawed genius
Patrick Kachali @ Kitwe-Zambia 30 June, 2014
I think 1 africa team will win today game
jimmysoccerstar 3 July, 2014
After a comfortable win in round of sixteen, France and Germany confirmed their place in quarterfinals with Brazil and Netherlands. Now they have to face each other in quarters to go through the semifinals. Both the teams are very confident and trying to do all the possible things for semifinals.
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Blog Columns Football Books The Game of Three Halves – A Review
The Game of Three Halves – A Review
lewisdoe 7 December, 2012 Football Books, Reviews
The Game of Three Halves and other Bizarre Football Stories is a superbly entertaining little book from Robert Lodge filled with true stories about the wackier and more fatal side of the game.
Lodge is an extremely experienced author and journalist who has spent a long time researching the stories and tragedies which are chronicled in a simple and easy to follow way. This is a good follow up on his previous titles; 1001 Greatest Football Moments and The Little Book of West Ham .
In the introduction Lodge produces a sensible and thoughtful opening statement which allows you to quickly latch onto the idea that this book is more than just a joke, filled with stories that will make you laugh but a more engaging look at the game and how sometimes simple events can turn into disaster.
There is no order to this book at all, no sub-sections, no contents page and no index. Don’t be put off by this because this is what works so well about it. Read the first two pages and you will casually find yourself flicking through the pages as quick as a flash.
The lack of content direction means you never know what’s going to come next but Lodge and the editors have done a great job combining the stories so you’re not hit with a dozen pages of epic tragedy.
You may be someone who thinks they know football and the historic antics of many players inside out but there will be something in this read that you didn’t know about. Upon my first read of this book I learnt three new stories on the first two pages I had no idea existed.
The stories are condensed into just a few sentences with the best details retained. You can dip in and out of the book at will whether you’re just looking for a bit of casual reading or want to gain some knowledge to dazzle your mates with down the pub.
20 Most Bizarre Events in Football
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lewisdoe
Lewis Doe is a freelance sports writer and editor who has been working in the industry for over three years. Lewis graduated from a degree in journalism at City University, London in the summer of 2009. Lewis has worked for some of the biggest football opinion and news sites in the world including FootballFanCast and Goal.com International.
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Wimbledon: Nadal's draw gets tougher with resurgent Tsonga in third round
Although Nadal is ranked second in the world, his absence from numerous grasscourt tournaments ultimately gave him the third seeding at Wimbledon, prompting him to complain before the tournament got underway.
Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Nick Kyrgios during the second round match. - AFP
After Rafa Nadal won a thrilling four-set encounter with Nick Kyrgios, the Spaniard repeated his lament that he had got a tough draw at the All England Club, ahead of his third-round clash against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday.
“It's true that I have been (handed) a tough draw, a tough opponent for a second round,” Nadal said after his victory over Kyrgios. “You want to face less in a second round like this, especially here.
“Now I have another tough opponent in Tsonga. Every match is tough, my draw is (a) tough one.”
While Nadal had to dig deep against Kyrgios, Tsonga has yet to drop a set.
The 34-year-old said he had been shown a lack of respect after his first-round opponent Bernard Tomic was fined for playing below standards in a match that lasted only 58 minutes - the shortest Wimbledon men's match for 15 years.
“In the third set he played and it was tight,” Tsonga said. “And I played well to win this set. So I don't know.”
Tsonga's frustration at his victory being questioned stems from his own struggles to claw his way back up the rankings after falling out of the top 100.
He played only 12 matches in 2018, missing three Grand Slams with a knee injury, which led to his singles ranking plummeting from 15 to 262.
A title win in Montpellier in February helped him to recover some measure of consistency and move up to 72nd, 70 places below Nadal.
Tsonga has an uncanny ability to get results against top players and he has beaten the Spaniard four times in his career, winning their last meeting in 2015.
The pair will have to wait for their Centre Court match-up though, after women's top seed Ash Barty plays British wildcard Harriet Dart.
Roger Federer is also in action on Centre Court later on Saturday when he takes on Frenchman Lucas Pouille.
American Serena Williams plays Germany's Julia Goerges on Court One while Czech sixth seed Petra Kvitova takes on Poland's Magda Linette on Court Two.
Tomic’s USD 56,000 Wimbledon penalty unfair, says Djokovi
Wimbledon: Phenomenal fightback sees Gauff into round four
Wimbledon: Chilled Halep catches fire to dispatch Azarenka
Federer and Nadal to attempt world attendance record in Cape Town
Wimbledon: Pella pulls out all the stops to send Anderson packing
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StudyBoss
Study Like a Boss
Essay Outlines
The Grand Spirits of The Miserable: Javert and Valjean
July 19, 2019 by Avalon Avalonovych
The world is composed of light and dark. It is of evil and good, concrete and abstract, black and white, planes and curves, stark and subtle.
Like the faces of the coin, these opposing forces can never fully merge into the other, yet as separate entities, they make up a singular material which cannot do without one of the two missing.
This is Les Miserables, a never ending search for freedom which can only be the fruit of acceptance.
This is Les Miserables.
The obsessed law man and the saintly criminal.
The good who is not so good and the bad who is not all that bad.
The hunter versus the hunted.
Prey versus predator.
Two grand and similar spirits that cannot exist as one, bound by the constraints of misinterpreted honor and the chains of the past.
Javert, born in jail, saw himself as an ostracized adolescent with but two paths open to him. He could choose either to be a policeman or a criminal. He chose to be on the right side of the law. Valjean, a peasant, spent time in jail as a young man and came out of it hating society. He believed himself to be apart from it, and chose to live in hatred and crime. Fortunately, the action of a kindly old bishop prevented him from wasting the rest of his life. Valjean switched to tread the path of life on a more morally upright road. He became mayor, protector of society.
When certain events occured in Montreuil, both of them took similar actions. Javert, thinking he had unfairly denounced the mayor, revealed his actions to the latter and fully anticipated being removed from his position as police inspector and assigned to a lowly job. Valjert is also plagued by his conscience. He could not let an innocent man take the blame for his sins. Like Javert, he expected to lose everything. At the end of this particular episode Javert retains his position and Valjean lives in seclusion in a convent as gardener.
Both men become prisoners of the other at one time or another in the novel. Valjean becomes Javert’s prisoner in Paris. Then Javert becomes Valjean’s prisoner at the barricade in Rue de la Chanvrerie but is freed. Then when Javert catches Valjean by the sewers, he frees him in return.
In my point of view one of the most emotional and intellectual parts of the novel is Javert’s suicide. It is the ultimate freedom from a life in which, although he has been continually capturing and chasing and imprisoning, he has been the one ultimate slave. He chose to end his life because the fact has dawned upon him that the life he chose to live, although righteous in the eyes of others, was not entirely correct. He has become a harsh and cruel man. He has seen the error of his ways when he viewed it as too late. Valjean’s own death is almost suicidal too in that he just allowed himself to waste away.
In death, there is no denying that these two great and moving characters are the same. One’s body ends up under a laundress’ boat and the other, in an unmarked grave.
These two great characters, such strong and powerful figures of men, will forever be recalled whenever one thinks of Les Miserables, for they were truly one with the miserable.
They were freemen in bondage, both seeking blindly in life for that something they cannot even dare to perceive. They were looking for a missing necessity which they do not even know they lacked.
And in death they claimed what was rightfully theirs at the start.
They will never be slaves again.
Never again will they be les miserables.
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Categories Essay, Les Miserables Tags Life, Prison, Victor Hugo Leave a comment Post navigation
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo: Musical Play Review
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Summary Story
The Bluest Eye Short Summary
The Bluest Eye Summaries
Disclaimer: This work has been donated by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Essay Writing Service.
The Bluest Eye is a novel by a prized novelist Toni Morrison who won a Nobel Prize for his works which confront the issue of racism and its consequences in the United States. The novel is set in Ohio. The novel is divided into different sections named after the seasons and has two narrators both the same person but during different times.
The Summarized Plot
Claudia and Frieda live in Ohio. Their parents do not pay much attention to them as they are busy providing for the family. A girl going by the name Pecola, whose father attempted to burn their home returns to her family, and life does not get better. Her father is a drunk and mother is distant, they often fight. Sammy, Pecola’s brother, runs away often. Pecola believes she is ugly because she is not white, and because she lacks blue eyes. Her friend and other boys make fun of her several times. She is even accused wrongfully of killing a cat belonging to a certain boy.
Pauline, Pecola’s mother, is partially lame and often feels isolated. She loves movies, but they make her believe in her ugliness and that only the beautiful deserve love. She is not opposed to her husband’s violence since it makes her a martyr. She cleans a white woman’s home, and it makes her hate her own.
Pecola’s father, Cholly, was an abandoned child raised by an aunt who later died in his teenage years. He searched for his father but got rejected. He later got to meet Pauline while he was a rootless wild man. He hates his marriage and feels trapped.
Cholly goes home and finds his daughter cleaning dishes and rapes her. Pecola’s mother returns to find her on the kitchen floor and fails to believe Pecola’s story. She instead beats Pecola.
Frieda and Claudia figure out that Pecola is pregnant with Cholly’s child. They want the child to live despite other opinions from neighbors. The two use money they had saved to buy marigold seeds that they plant. They believe that Pecola’s child will live in case the flowers thrive. Their flowers fail to bloom, and Pecola’s child dies after being born prematurely. Pecola is raped by Cholly again who then escapes. He later meets his death in a certain workhouse. His daughter, Pecola, becomes mad. She sees everyone staring at her and believes she has received the bluest eyes.
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Bus Routes In Manchester
150: Hyde to The Trafford Centre
In the spring of 2008, my mate Steve and his teammates embarked on a record attempt which would take them to the very limits of human capability. They were going to attempt to break the crown green bowls endurance record.
168: Ashton-under-Lyne to Chorlton
This is home turf for me; I grew up on Abbey Hey Lane, went to Abbey Hey School, and to complete the set, I even contrived to make sure that my first girlfriend was called Abigail Haye.
By Ian, 1 year 11 months ago
330: Stockport to Ashton-under-Lyne
Understandably, he said that he “felt physically sick” when he saw the crossbow bolt sticking out of the astroturf, although he’d have doubtless felt worse if fate had sent it a few inches the other way.
By Ian, 1 year 1 year ago
CityZap: Manchester to Leeds
A saintly Marcel Marceau, the conductor holds a bus pass to the side of his face and mouths to the more senior contingent that they’ll need one of them to get on for free. The eldest lady pulls out a casino membership card, which doesn’t quite work.
By Ian, 2 years 2 years ago
184: Oldham to Huddersfield
There don’t appear to be any more interchanges in the UK which are named after infectious viral diseases, so we’re cruelly denied a Runcorn Rubella or Malmesbury Manflu. More’s the pity…
391/392: Stockport to Higher Poynton
As giving Fido a shampoo and trim isn’t too different from Sharon’s monthly cut and blow, I suspect that most dog groomers are former hairdresser who prefer asking dogs about their holidays instead…
By Ian, 2 years 7 months ago
464: Rochdale To Accrington
Chips shops are in my blood. Cut me open and alongside plasma, platelets and whatnot, you’ll find a load of deep fried comestibles…
17: Manchester To Rochdale
They had a cracking time on the hen do until they left the final pub of the crawl, when one of her pals got shot in the head by a pellet gun from a passing car in Middleton…
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Sailing into Sunday morning...
by Sonya M Fitzmaurice - Friday, April 19, 2013
I have definitely become a Pinterest junkie. There is no turning back and I have every intention to sail ahead with my quest - discovering anything I can. So many of the photos on the site stir all of my creative juices, and some of the recipes in particular are simply divine. Many already pinned and prepared, I often don't follow the original recipe to the fullest, substituting ingredients with whatever is available. This enables us to feast on diversity in creation of my own version. One earlier pin landed me at Spoon Fork Bacon. This site features straightforward recipes following the process step by step along with beautiful inspiring photos. It is a great site to browse as a fresh alternative to Recipes.com, and you can find some delicious dishes, everything from a routine weeknight dinner to an afternoon brunch with friends.
One recipe I have been anxious to try is Baked Egg Boats. This delight I like to describe as quiche baked in a crusty loaf of bread. Not only is it impressive on the table, but I can assure you there will not be any crumbs left soon after it is set out! I substituted the sourdough bread and heavy cream from their original recipe, and it was a definite hit with Robert and Brenna. This is how I baked these beauties...
Baked Egg Boats
2 ciabatta loaves
4 ounces pancetta, chopped and fried until crispy
3 ounces grated Gruyere cheese
1/2 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Original seasoning (I use this in practically everything!)
Fresh ground sea salt and pepper to taste
1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2) Cut a deep “V” in the tops of each loaf until about 1/2 inch from the bottom. Hollow out the loaves as much as you can. Set aside.
3) Lightly beat together the eggs and milk in a bowl. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and lightly season with salt and pepper.
4) Divide and pour the mixture into each loaf boat. Carefully place them onto the lined baking sheet.
5) Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown, puffed and set in the center.
6) Cool for 5 minutes, slice and serve.
We enjoyed steaming hot coffee with a fresh fruit salad to accompany this flavorful journey. The ciabatta boat was crusty, filled with a smoky rich blend of the Gruyere and panchetta. What a way to sail into a Sunday morning... xoxo-Sonya
Fame and Fashion...
by Sonya M Fitzmaurice - Wednesday, April 10, 2013
"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."
His influence is so vast, it's hard to capture it in one category. Many top artists from past and present owe a great deal to this cultural icon. As an androgynous persona putting on make-up and singing about space travel, he became one of the most pioneering performers of modern times. David Bowie is, the first international retrospective, is now on view at London's Victoria and Albert Museum until August. It captures the creative processes of David Bowie through a broad range of his collaborations with artists and designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theater, art and film.
This highly anticipated event, which quickly sold out until July, showcases his spirited legacy of costumes, chords and clips in over 300 personal items from Bowie himself. It's a dazzling multimedia program, curating his shift in style and sustained reinvention across five decades. "I don't have stylistic loyalty. That's why people perceive me changing all the time. But there is a real continuity in my subject matter. As an artist of artifice, I do believe I have more integrity than any one of my contemporaries."
Fans are set to be enthralled by the collection, which features the iconic Ziggy Stardust bodysuits from 1972 designed by Freddie Burretti, music videos such as Boys Keep Swinging and set designs created for the Diamond Dogs tour in 1974. Alongside these will be more personal items such as never-before-seen storyboards, handwritten set lists and lyrics as well as some of Bowie’s own sketches, musical scores and diary entries, revealing the evolution of his creative ideas.
See V&A's Victoria Broackes give an insight into the curatorial vision behind the David Bowie is exhibition and how they captured his creative spirit in this 3 minute video.
How can you categorize David Bowie? He is in a category all by himself - the essence of Fame and Fashion.
xoxo-Sonya
High art...
Strolling along, we can't help but catch fragments of foreign phrases - French, Japanese, Czech, Upper East Side English. It is a constant stream of multilingual thought. We are all travelers on the high promenade, following the tracks. Most of the plantings in between are still trimmed and dry, but a hint of green is beginning to pop out just below the fuzzy pussy willows. Purple crocus spreads out like a picnic blanket in one spot. A couple asks us to take their picture. And then we see a great wall of color. The traffic stops and we all admire the high art before us.
It's our first time here on New York's High Line - a public park elevated above the streets of Manhattan’s West Side on the historic freight rail line. It is the perfect public gallery for artists. Friends of the High Line, who perpetuate the park, encourage creativity to engage the uniqueness of the architecture and history. Though we traveled from just 18th Street to 30th, we witnessed several colorful examples by artists fostering a connection with the surrounding neighborhood and urban landscape. These are just a few...
We got a great laugh from this last one. I imagine many a passerby fighting an urge to peek into the level apartment windows just a few yards away. All of a sudden you turn around, and there he is smiling and waving from a neighbor's bedroom. Even the residents along the park have the perfect venue to contribute high art for our enjoyment.
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walmart india
kiranas
Offline retail
Who's afraid of Walmart-Flipkart?
The merger, it can be argued, presents an opportunity to modernise the businesses of Indian kiranas.ET CONTRIBUTORS | July 28, 2018, 09:58 IST
By Rajneesh Kumar, Walmart
Goliaths are scary. But they are vulnerable to Davids. What if a Goliath adds David-like agility and speed to his mass and reach? This is a worry echoed in the many concerns raised over Walmart’s acquisition of Flipkart and its implications for India’s countless small retail outlets, kirana stores and Indian businesses, whose margins will be — if one believes this narrative — pulverised by the giant retailer, once these become its vendors.
Science advances by creating hypotheses that can be proved true or false. The proposition that Walmart harms Indian retailers and small businesses can be put to the validation test, unlike, say, a statement such as ‘the colour red is superior to a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo’. If facts prove this ‘Walmart is harmful’ claim to be false, we should accept that criticism as groundless, and move on.
What we move on to would be the exciting prospect of the world’s largest physical retailer acquiring India’s leading online retail platform to integrate its physical business in India with new online capabilities to enhance its engagement with Indian suppliers, retailers and global consumers. All within the limits of regulation, of course.
Let us look at the experience of Walmart’s engagement with Indian kiranas and small businesses since the company opened its first cash-and-carry store in India in 2009. Walmart India has served more than one million members, with a keen focus on kiranas and other small businesses. One key driver for the business has been creating value for members, small farmers, local and regional suppliers, associates and women-owned businesses.
Walmart’s stakeholders — including its cash-and-carry members — are watching the company they spend their time and money with more closely than ever. They will learn that, together with Flipkart, Walmart would be able to help kiranas modernise their businesses through an expanded supply chain, sharing best practices in retail and technological advances.
At the same time, the partnership, along with increased focus on agricultural supply chain investment, will help rural farms generate more income — particularly, for small farmers — mainly due to improvement in farming techniques, increased access to markets, and less food waste in the value chain from farm to fork.
Meanwhile, these stronger supply chains will be an essential part of driving economic growth. Through investments to make the supply chain safer and to improve food storage capabilities, Walmart can make a meaningful impact in the reduction of food waste. Advances in packaging, shelf storage and inventory management will permit stores to minimise wastage of food after it reaches the retailer.
Additionally, these investments will also help elevate India’s global presence in the export market. With improvements in storage and supply chain capabilities, the opportunity to export India-made merchandise to the Walmart markets across the globe will increase dramatically.
There are examples of how this concept of ‘creating shared value’ has contributed significantly to growth of various partner members at Walmart India. Take the case of Vinay Kotra of Hyderabad, who, in March 2017, was venturing into retail through ‘SKS Daily Needs’ for the first time. A Walmart Best Price store team got involved helping Vinay with the design concept, store layout, margin benefits, payment solutions, customer service, delivery solutions, assortment mix and other retail operations nuances. Spurred by success in the first venture, he now plans to open more of such stores.
Deepti Chauhan from Lucknow quit her job two years ago and went back to her farm at Bassi Ka Talaab, 30 km away from the Walmart Best Price store in Lucknow. Walmart onboarded her as its supplier in 2016 and started sourcing exotic vegetables. Gauging her potential and willingness to scale up and experiment, Walmart strengthened her understanding of food safety compliance guidelines for packed produce. They guided her through various methods of packaging and supported her in extending her supply chain so that she could cater to stores in Meerut and Agra.
On the vendor development front, the case of Annkoot Agro Food, a papad manufacturer from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, stands out. In 2008, it began supplying to three of Walmart India’s Best Price stores with a turnover of Rs 3 lakh a month. Annkoot has now grown to be a multi-crore enterprise employing over 150 people, 40% of them women.
The country is growing at a phenomenal pace, with e-commerce growing at an even faster rate. Flipkart brings a passion for customers, combined with an ability to innovate and solve the challenges that can get in the way of a great customer experience. By working together, Walmart and Flipkart will drive job creation, small business growth, expand markets for rural farmers and continue to lead the way in creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
(The writer is senior vice-president of Walmart India.Views expressed above are his own)
Tags : Internet, Flipkart Walmart deal, walmart india, kiranas, Offline retail, e-commerce
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Startups »
Innefu Labs
AuthShield
Delhi-based Innefu Labs provides authentication security solutions to businesses
“Most vendors in India, including leading IT companies, have been focused on just providing IT services. Security products have largely been imported. The space offered a huge opportunity,“ says WigVinay Dwivedi | ET Bureau | February 15, 2016, 10:01 IST
Mushrooming of marketplaces and service aggregators almost makes it seem that these businesses are all that is to the Indian startup scene. Not true. There are enterprises, such as Innefu Labs, that buck the trend, add variety, and solve critical problems.
Founded in September 2012 by two IT engineers, Tarun Wig and Abhishek Sharma, Innefu Labs is an IT security solutions company. “Most vendors in India, including leading IT companies, have been focused on just providing IT services. Security products have largely been imported. The space offered a huge opportunity,“ says Wig, 32.
Increasing incidences of cyber-attacks also called for the adoption of more potent solutions. “In the security sphere, hacking has moved away from attacking an organisation to attacking key users in the organisation,“ says Sharma, 31.
To address the challenge, Innefu Labs built AuthShield, a patented security solution. It employs an image - and speech-based authentication system. To log into a system or an application, a user needs to click a selfie from his phone or say a few words. The selfie is then matched using a 3-D modelling pattern with the user's features (stored in the software), to allow him access to the device application. For voice recognition, the user's speech pat tern is matched.
“The biggest advantage of this technology is that it cannot be spoofed,“ claims Wig. “This is because the system employs a unique gesture recognition technology and text-independent speaker recognition,“ he explains. The product can also be used to secure email clients on smart phones as well as desktops, employees' SAP accounts, etc. “This feature is not available in any other authentication solution in the market,“ says Sharma.
The founders invested Rs 60 lakh - their savings and loans from friends and family - to start Innefu Labs. The entire sum went into paying the company's R&D team's salary. Wig's house became the company's office. “We had a running joke in the office that Dell started from a garage and reached such heights. Since we were starting from the second floor of a house, we could only do better,“ says Wig. This New Delhi-based startup, which has grown its staff strength from 10 to 48, reported a revenue of Rs 2.1 crore in 2014-15. It is about to close 2015-16 with a topline of Rs 2.6 crore.
The biggest challenge for Innefu Labs was gaining industry acceptability. “Despite being the first Indian company to get OATH (Initiative for Open Authentication) Certification, we had to put a lot of effort to be taken seriously,“ says Sharma.
The founders had to give umpteen number of product demonstrations to win clients. Focus on showcasing the product to the biggest names in the industry, even though it prolonged sales cycle, eventually helped AuthShield gain acceptance and, thus, build sales traction. Now, AuthShield is being used by 50 organisations, which includes information-sensitive institutions such as the Defense Research and Development Organization and National Housing Bank. The Reserve Bank of India has reviewed and approved the product, and could soon start using it.
Demand for credible cyber security products is only likely to rise, say the founders, given the spate of cyber attacks that are being witnessed world over.“Next generation wars will be fought in the virtual world. Countries with indigenous cyber security products will have an edge. And this is where we come in,“ says Sharma.
This bootstrapped startup is now in talks with VC firms for funding to boost its sales and marketing.“In 2016-17, we intend for a major sales push across the Indian market. Subsequently, we'll target Sri Lanka and Bangladesh,“ says Wig.
Tags : Startups, Security Solutions, Innefu Labs, Cybersecurity, AuthShield, Authentication
Trending in Startups
Fine-dining chains smell the money in delivery-only brands
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Ankur Capital makes first close of its second fund at Rs 240 crore
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By Allie Townsend @Allie_TownsendFeb. 11, 2010
Today in Techland: Steve brought us the news that Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland could be released with a limited stay in theaters – 13 weeks instead of 16 – to lessen the wait time for the DVD. Then, he talked Percy Jackson with Pierce Brosnan (who plays a centaur in the film), but the bigger question: Could Toy Story become the greatest movie triliogy of all-time. We think so. (Watch the trailer and decide for yourself.) Peter got a sneak peek of the DC Chronicles’ Flash. I thought Penelope Cruz would make a nice pirate. Oh, and Bill Gates doesn’t like the iPad. Shocking. Happy Thursday!
Here’s what else is going on in nerd news around the Web:
Dune, he wrote: The Hollywood Reporter says that Chase Palmer has been hired to pen the “Dune” script for Paramount’s remake. Apparently, Palmer will fuse Morel’s ideas into the original story.
Hank Pym on the Big Screen, Maybe: The rumors are true as Edgar Wright has confirmed that he’s gone back to working on the script for Ant-Man, but that’s pretty much it until he manages to knock out a Grade A script. And snipers will kill him if he screws this up.
Ooo, Hughes x 2: A live-action version of Katsuhiro Otomo’s Akira might finally be shaping up. Empire is reporting that The Hughes Brothers will direct the film, and that Leonardo DiCaprio’s company Appian Way will play a part of the production team. Hopefully it won’t take another 10 years to film…
Daily Dinosaur:
Ferocious.
On Avatarizing the film world: Isaac Asimov’s Foundation will be adapted for the silver screen soon, and director Roland Emmerich will use the same technology used to capture Avatar to bring his trilogy to life. Everyone in Hollywood owes James Cameron their first born child.
What-ever… Alicia Silverstone has signed on to play a vampire in upcoming film Vamps. We’re hoping for Clueless … With Vampires.
Calling all zombies: According to Bloody Disgusting, AMC’s adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, will begin filming on May 15, 2010. Hey AMC, keep us in mind for extras!
Keep Calm and Carry On: Contrary to popular belief, Palm has not halted production of the Palm Pre or Palm Pixi. Just because it’s February 11th doesn’t mean everyone has celebrated the New Year, which is exactly what’s going on with Foxconn in China. Shame on you, BG.
Chrome for Mac Gets A Shine Job: In honor of Macworld, Google has pushed out a new beta release of Chrome for Mac that includes extensions and bookmark sync. Go forth and sync, Cult of Mac.
In the Year 2000 (long live Coco!): Microsoft is currently showing off their 2010 wares in San Francisco. Here’s what you need to know: Alan Wake is an early contender for Game of the Year and it’s coming out on May 18, 2010. Mark your calendars for March 9, Final Fantasy lovers. A Final Fantasy XIII 250GB Xbox 360 bundle comes with two wireless controllers, exclusive DLC along with a standard-edition copy of the game for $399. The public multiplayer beta for Halo: Reach goes live on May 3, which you’ll be able to access through your Halo 3: ODST disc on Xbox Live. The next chapter of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction rolls out on April 13 in NA (4/16 in UK, 4/28 in Japan). Lost Planet 2 also launches on May 18. Expect some more Zombie goodness from Left 4 Dead 2 early spring with The Passing DLC that includes “new co-operative campaign and associated narrative and new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and introduce a new co-operative challenge mode.” Dead Rising 2 swarms into stores on August 31 with special prologue-ish DLC dubbed Case Zero available sometime before August. Also coming this spring is DLC for Modern Warfare 2. Pre-order Crackdown 2 now and receive a special download code that gets you four exclusive Agency-Issue suits of armor: Gold, Brushed, Red and Blue Metal.
Holy Duck Hunt: An original Nintendo gaming system along with a few games just sold on eBay for over $13,000. The pack included an original copy of Stadium Events, which is incredibly rare. Wish our used copy of Paper Boy would go for that much…
Miscellany: The majority of online streaming music sites stink, so try out Mog! It gives you full control over the music you want to hear as opposed to what the Music Genome Project thinks you want to listen to. Seriously.
Free Stuff: We’ll be giving away one BioShock 2 Special Edition for Xbox 360 in the next day or so, so stick around and tell all your friends.
Need more tech news? Click here to follow Techland on Twitter.
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Ordenar los resultados por "V.C. Andrews"
If There Be Thorns
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Christopher's Diary: Secrets Of Foxworth
Jealousy, tragedy, survival, and revenge—the discovery of Christopher’s diary in the ruins of Foxworth Hall brings new secrets of the Dollanganger family to light and...
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Bittersweet Dreams
From V.C. Andrews, bestselling author of Flowers in the Attic (the first in a series of Lifetime movie events about the Dollanganger family), comes the tale of a gifted teenager...
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Press return to see results
The Future Sucked
Jacob Silverman, August 12
Unbreaking the News
Facebook offers publishers another Faustian bargain
It hardly needs rehashing that a steep decline in the business of journalism ranks among the many casualties that Facebook has inflicted on the public sphere. Starved of advertising revenue, financially stable news institutions are about as rare as a cogent campaign appearance by Joe Biden. Local reporting has wilted, with the phrase “news deserts” joining the vernacular to describe the approximately 1,300 U.S. communities now deprived of it. The recent, sudden shutdowns of Pacific Standard and Governing magazine—announced on the same day—only served to reinforce the precarious aura surrounding news media, part of a widely shared sense that entire publications, and perhaps the industry itself, could disappear at any moment. We live in pre-apocalyptic times.
Sure, patches of light exist amid the doom and gloom. A few billionaire-backed publications, like the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, remain in good standing, while the New York Times continues to be a pace-setter in a beleaguered field. Buoyed by nearly five million digital subscribers and forays into streaming television, the Times recently reported a $37.9 million quarterly profit. But these are exceptions in an industry whose fundamental viability remains in doubt.
By Jacob Silverman
That brings us back to Facebook, which, for the umpteenth time, has come up with a program designed to save journalism—or at least delay its ignominious demise. But like nearly everything Facebook does, the initiative has the air of something hastily conceived and self-serving, throwing some money at a problem that’s far more expansive than Facebook seems willing to admit. The plan goes like this: Facebook will create a News tab in its main feed that will host content from familiar brand names like the Washington Post, Bloomberg, ABC News, and Wall Street Journal parent company Dow Jones. In return for licensing this content, Facebook will pay some kind of fee. The amount may vary, but the highest number thrown around in early reporting has been $3 million, paid annually. That’s not much—for the Post, it might cover the salaries of torture-promoter Marc Thiessen and a few of his fellow neocon ghouls on the op-ed page. But in this realm of low expectations, it’s a start—a surprising willingness by Facebook to signal that it believes good content is worth something and that its creators should be compensated accordingly. (Forgive me for using the cardboard term “content,” but it’s become sadly de rigueur in these conversations, a linguistic indicator of how little we value this stuff.)
Having made obscene fortunes by cannibalizing the news industry’s advertising base and stealing its content, Google and Facebook now hope to earn back some goodwill with a few handouts.
Early reviews from journalism mandarins were understandably pessimistic. A more sensible program would arguably depend on an even split in advertising revenue and not on a fee-based model that doesn’t account for traffic or popularity. But under the current plan, it appears that a wildly successful publisher on Facebook would be paid just as much as Bloomberg for chumming the waters with its homilies to the free market. Based on the outlets named as potential participants, the program also seems restricted to what Facebook presumably considers an inoffensive group of publishers who display no obvious bias. (Whether you agree with this tepid assessment of corporate media’s objectivity is another matter.) In other words, you probably won’t be seeing your favorite left-wing publications anytime soon in the Facebook News tab, though Fox News may sneak in, perhaps in a false effort at balance, or to drown out the growing chorus of right-wing commentators who claim that social media companies are silencing them—a rallying whine frequently taken up by Trump himself.
Facebook isn’t alone in throwing money at the news industry and hoping something sticks. Together with Google and a range of think tanks and philanthropies, hundreds of millions of dollars are being poured into quixotic efforts to make a broken business model work. A few months ago, Google announced the Local Experiments Project, an effort designed to do something about the growing news desert phenomenon. An initial partnership with McClatchy will see Google funding three digital newsrooms, with dozens more to come. None of these initiatives are misguided per se, but they have the feel of late-in-the-day indulgences purchased to make up for past crimes. Having made obscene fortunes by cannibalizing the news industry’s advertising base and stealing its content, Google and Facebook now hope to earn back some goodwill with a few handouts. Instead, they dramatize the problem with most billionaire-driven philanthropy: the largesse of corporate hegemons can’t replace a vigorous public sphere, where progressive taxation and a strong regulatory apparatus prevent the rise of would-be monopolies like Google and Facebook. We have the order of things all backward, with trillion-dollar companies belatedly dispensing charitable contributions to try to absolve themselves for the problems they helped create.
We’ve also been here before. Google AMP, Google News Lab, Google News Fellowship, Facebook Live, Facebook Watch, Facebook Instant Articles—the list of news-boosting commercial products and charitable efforts sits uneasily alongside a history of utter failure. Where there’s not incompetence or sudden changes in corporate policy (e.g. pivots to video and then back again), there’s been outright fraud. Facebook, according to one lawsuit, inflated its video metrics, which helped drive publishers away from text and toward video—moves that precipitated hundreds of layoffs at publications like Mashable and Mic, who invested heavily in this shift.
None of these initiatives are misguided per se, but they have the feel of late-in-the-day indulgences purchased to make up for past crimes.
The problems remain existential and almost too big to address. Publishers seem to feel little choice but to go along with the Facebook-Google duopoly, complying with whatever plan the Facebook team comes with up to juice attention and keep people on the platform. Who could blame them? Facebook and Google have the money, technology, customers, user attention, and advertising revenue. Despite producing a product essential to the Facebook platform, publishers have no negotiating leverage.
And so once again, it’s time for journalism to turn to its tech saviors, who also happen to be the industry’s greatest antagonists. Maybe this time it will really work. Maybe a stable, mutually remunerative partnership will develop. Maybe people will learn to value reporting again. Maybe the media industry will take one more step toward stability and maybe the profits will come back, the jobs too, and we won’t have to keep reliving this banal hype cycle that always ends in failure.
Maybe. But probably not.
Jacob Silverman’s book, Terms of Service: Social Media and the Price of Constant Connection, is published by HarperCollins.
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The Bemolution Will Not Be Televised
Abolish suffering
Tag: left-wing politics
Is there a progressive case for Remaining in the EU? Yes or yes, says Momentum
20/06/2016 ~ thebemolution
The other day, I was in Bristol, mostly to see Mephistophelean magic man Derren Brown and eat curry until I passed out – but I did, semi-reluctantly, drop in on a Momentum event about the Europe referendum.
Broadly, I hate the EU. Whatever the intention was when it was first established, today’s it’s about the neoliberal zombification of a continent, via financialisation, privatisation, and permanent austerity. I think it’s so utterly riddled with corporate corruption and contempt for democracy that it should be shut down, and that a fair few of the dead-eyed goons that run it should be thrown in jail for crucifying Greece in the name of the banks.
You’d be forgiven, then, for thinking that made me an obvious Leave voter – but I’ve been just about won round by the line of argument some have dubbed Brexiters for Remain. In a nutshell: the EU is terrible, we need to leave – but not now, when its few benefits protect us from the most despicably right-wing government in our history, and Leave politics is dominated by turbo-Thatcherite racists. Continue reading “Is there a progressive case for Remaining in the EU? Yes or yes, says Momentum” →
#Shelly4Welfare
13/03/2016 13/03/2016 ~ thebemolution
Because I’m mentally, spiritually and, increasingly, physically about 85 and therefore laughably out of touch, I hadn’t realised Shelly Asquith was already up for re-election as NUS Welfare Vice-President.
I first became aware of Shelly when she was president of the student union of the University of the Arts in London, and already one of the country’s most prominent radical young campaigners.
There, while still managing to be active in everything from Palestinian solidarity to LGBTIQ rights campaigns, she was at the forefront of the fight for free education, and against austerity’s devastating impact on our schools, colleges and universities.
Unsurprisingly, given her flabbergasting work ethic and popularity with students, she went on to be elected Welfare VP – where she’s launched offensives on rip-off landlords, cuts to already-threadbare mental health provision, and become one of the strongest voices against the absurdity of the government’s PREVENT agenda (basic premise, let’s stop the radicalisation of young British Muslims by victimising and alienating young British Muslims, while clamping down on any political or ideological resistance to the marauding neoliberal status quo). Continue reading “#Shelly4Welfare” →
Pretentious Ecological Doomsday Statement
2015, so far at least, has been a year characterised by me getting repeatedly distracted from banging on about the thing I need to be banging on about, which is the environment.
First there was the general election. And then there was Corbyn’s unexpected but delightful transition from pariah-status fringe parliamentarian to Labour leadership frontrunner. I sunk hours into writing about both.
Now Corbyn’s won, I can already feel myself being sucked in again – instinctively reaching for the keyboard to defend him with every new ludicrous slur or piece of borderline-criminal media impartiality. I’m at risk of becoming the political equivalent of one of those overcompensating macho boyfriends who hospitalises anyone who looks at their girlfriend a bit funny. Continue reading “Pretentious Ecological Doomsday Statement” →
Modern Socialism: Marx, Marxism And Doing Things Differently From Now On
Frankie Boyle and the Artist Taxi Driver: Straight-talking luminaries of the New New Left
Marx is overrated, the Bolsheviks killed people and put socialism back decades, and the Marxism most worth with bothering with nowadays isn’t very Marxist at all. Thus concluded our whistle-stop intellectual coach trip through far-left political philosophy, now pulling in at its final destination.
It’s obviously been a very selective and simplified overview. I’ve tried to write it in such a way that people not massively acquainted with the ins and outs of radical philosophy could understand it. Continue reading “Modern Socialism: Marx, Marxism And Doing Things Differently From Now On” →
Marxism After Marx II: (Finally) The Good Bit
Gramsci
Marxism was originally billed as some grand, infallible, all-encompassing theory of everything – which it then went on to spectacularly fail to be. Unstoppable social and economic trends were supposed to spell the inevitable destruction of capitalism and guarantee that socialism would spring out of its ashes. As it turns out, just because a clever man with a beard says something is going to happen doesn’t mean it will.
Classical Marxism has been roundly trounced by history. Marx’s predictions haven’t come to pass. Messy reality just hasn’t unfurled in the neat, systematic manner he anticipated. And as a result, in the decades since, the best Marxism has abandoned attempts at cast-iron predictions and rigid socioeconomic frameworks, and instead concerned itself with pragmatically addressing two big questions: if capitalism is so abundantly awful – anarchic, crisis-prone, horrifically exploitative to an extent that limits and ruins billions of lives (which it is) – then 1) why do people not rise up and get rid of it? And 2) how can we bring about a situation where they do rise up and get rid of it? Continue reading “Marxism After Marx II: (Finally) The Good Bit” →
Corbyn Wins
Jeremy Corbyn has won the Labour leadership election. He won by a landslide – a 59.5% knockout in the first round. Andy Burnham got 19%. Yvette Cooper got 17%. And she seems like a decent human being. She’s definitely not deserved the personal abuse she’s received throughout the contest, much of it from our side. But Liz Kendall got 4.5%. I’ll leave it at that.
I was entirely unprepared for the Corbyn phenomenon. I’ve known about and been a fan of Corbyn for ten years, give or take, and he’s someone who I hold in the highest esteem – he’s unerringly principled, utterly committed to the causes he believes in, and has dedicated his life to helping the poorest and most vulnerable, which to my mind is the best thing you can say about anyone.
And despite all that, if you’d have asked me what I thought the chances were of Jeremy Corbyn becoming Labour leader back in May, just after Ed Miliband stood down, I would’ve said ‘less than 1%’. If you’d have asked me what I thought the chances were of Jeremy Corbyn or anyone vaguely left-wing even getting on the ballot paper, I probably would’ve said the same. In the run-up to the general election, I wrote a blog post specifically designed just to remind people the parliamentary Labour Left still existed – praising Corbyn, McDonnell, Skinner and co but generally lamenting its current weakness and poor prospects for the future. Continue reading “Corbyn Wins” →
Seven Marx Out of Ten: Cherry-Picking From The Left’s Favourite Thinker (Modern Socialism #3)
One of the main reasons this blog, this series of posts, and the thing we’re for the minute calling Modern Socialism all exist is because we think the Left needs to abandon its obsessive fixation with Marx. Rather than trying to desperately crowbar Marxism into contemporary relevance, we need to cherry-pick its best insights and work them into a new, accessible, modern manifestation of radical socialism. And then, with all that’s worth preserving safely extracted from the stifling dogma, we need to leave the old symbols and the old jargon and the old near-theological splits and squabbles behind.
That’s what this post is going to have a go at. Separating the delicious, nutritious, mind-expanding socialist wheat from the variously discredited, irrelevant and just-wrong-in-the-first-place dogmatic chaff. Examining Marx. Then providing a sound barrier-breakingly fast (and necessarily selective) whistle-stop tour of Marxism after Marx. For socialism, for equality, and for great justice.
Karl Marx was a very clever man, and having spent considerable time studying history, politics, and economics, he decided he’d figured out a grand theory of everything. He called it dialectical materialism. Continue reading “Seven Marx Out of Ten: Cherry-Picking From The Left’s Favourite Thinker (Modern Socialism #3)” →
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Posted on August 18, 2018 November 25, 2019 by Steve McPherson
REVIEW: ‘Joanne’ – Lady Gaga
Written by The Lazy Music Reviewer
This is the latest review by the Lazy Music Reviewer. He is too busy listening to and promoting lots of awesome music (ahem and has a full time job) that he simply doesn’t have time to do an in-depth review (or maybe he is just not a good enough writer to write one – you decide) but he still wants to “review”.
So, the way he works is he will sum up each song in just a few words (sometimes even one word – he’s just that lazy) and then also link via other people’s words to other more in depth reviews (because he’s wicked and he’s lazy) for your reading pleasure because it’s always good to get more than one person’s opinion, right?
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her unconventionality and provocative work as well as visual experimentation.
Joanne is the fifth studio album by American singer Lady Gaga. It was released on October 21, 2016, by Streamline and Interscope Records. The album’s production was led by Gaga with Mark Ronson and BloodPop, alongside a variety of collaborators including Kevin Parker, Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker and Josh Homme. The music of Joanne features “stripped-down” soft rock and dance-pop styles which put emphasis on the singer’s vocal abilities. Lyrically, the album delves on the theme of family and life’s emotions, with the death of Gaga’s aunt, Joanne Stefani Germanotta, having a deep influence on the record.
The album era marked a change in Gaga’s visual appearance, embodying a country-oriented look, consisting of a pink, wide-brimmed hat and usage of pastel colors, evoking 1970s. The singer’s experience working on American Horror Story influenced the creative process of Joanne, and Gaga hearkened back to an authentic and simplistic presentation. In order to promote the record, three singles were released, “Perfect Illusion”, “Million Reasons” and “Joanne”. “Perfect Illusion” was released as the album’s lead single on September 9, 2016, reaching number one in France and Spain, while “Million Reasons” reached number four in the United States. “Joanne” was later released to radio in selected territories, as the album’s third and final single. The supporting Joanne World Tour started on August 1, 2017 and ended on February 1, 2018.
Joanne received generally positive reviews from music critics. Commercially, it became Gaga’s fourth album to reach number one in the United States. It topped the charts in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and the international charts of Japan and Korea, while reaching the top ten in over 15 territories, and accumulated certifications in some of the nations. Joanne was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Many articles noted the impact of the album in the musical endeavors of artists like Miley Cyrus, Kesha and Justin Timberlake, who all employed the stripped-down approach of Joanne, and the ushering of vocal talents to the forefront.
Lady Gaga will be starting her Las Vegas residency in December and I for one really want to go! In the meantime let’s see what we think of ‘Joanne’.
1 – Diamond Heart
“this is how to open an album”, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“autobiographical opener ‘Diamond Heart’ is Gaga doing The Killers doing Springsteen“, NME
“”a gritty pop rock anthem about surviving rape, The Telegraph
2 – A-YO
“is catchy aye?“, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“a taste of Motown handclaps and dirty talk“, Rolling Stone
“a bluesy rocker squeezed through a hip hop wringer to thrilling effect“, The Telegraph
3 – Joanne
“where’s the fucking tissues?“, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“a touching ballad mourning her deceased aunt“, Rolling Stone
“a leavetaking song of great, simple beauty, more tenderly affecting than anything Gaga’s done before“, NME
4 – John Wayne
“erm, yeeee hah!”, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“a raunchy Westworld robo-romp“, NME
“Gaga wonders where all the cowboys have gone“, Rolling Stone
5 – Dancin’ In Circles
“it’s about playing in the Lady Gaga garden“, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“a clubby paean to self-love with a grody pre-chorus“, Pitchfork
“a country-reggae nod to self-pleasure“, The Guardian
6 – Perfect Illusion
“great but kind of out of place here“, The Lazy Reviewer
“has a propulsive, dizzying quality that feels like a pretty good analogue for the process of completely losing your mind over someone, only to realize later you’ve been hoodwinked“, Pitchfork
“the should’ve-been-bigger banger that most closely cleaves to the frenetic, club-ready Gaga sound“, The Guardian
7 – Million Reasons
“I too bow down, thank you“, The Lazy Reviewer
“an undeniable power ballad Poison would’ve murdered in 1988“, Pitchfork
“a country power ballad that Carrie Underwood would kill for“, The Telegraph
8 – Sinner’s Prayer
“I Am What I Am!“, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“the hands-down highlight“, Rolling Stone
“a brief dip into indie-rock“, Pitchfork
9 – Come To Mama
“knees up, singalong time!“, The Lazy Music Reviewer
“a glammy showtune“, NME
“a belting soul/blues workout that rivals Mariah Carey at her most rhinestoned“, The Guardian
10 – Hey Girl
“smoooth!”, The Lazy Reviewer
“a clash of vocal cords won by Gaga“, The Guardian
“a tribute to Prince in lovesick midtempo mode“, Rolling Stone
11 – Angel Down
“the message is real“, The Lazy Reviewer
“a stately, piano ballad with a mournfully elegant melody and quasi-religious save-the-nation sentiments“, The Telegraph
“an ode to the Black Lives Matter movement“, Pitchfork
12 – Grigio Girls
“can I please join your club?”, The Lazy Reviewer
13 – Just Another Day
“going out in style!“, The Lazy Reviewer
“The punchy synth intro is absolutely brilliant“, Huffington Post
What are your thoughts? Can you sum this album up in one sentence? Go on – be lazy, you know you want to!
Boost your streams, discover new fans and increase sales with the Indie Spotify Bible.
This entry was posted in:Reviews
Tagged with:album review, guardian, joanne lady gaga, lady gaga joanne review, lady gaga review, lazy music reviewer, new album, nme, pitchfork, the lazy music review
Written by Steve McPherson
I’m Steve and live in a village called Alford (home of Emeli Sande & birthplace of the Aberdeen Angus cow) in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. I currently work in the IT industry (yawn) but I do create the best playlists ever and pump them out constantly. Everyday is a Eurovision day with me and I'm still stuck in the 80s sometimes!
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Pingback: STOP! LOOK! PLAYLIST! 26th August 2018 – Talk About Pop Music
Just had a vood wiggle around the kirchen. May need a rest now. Thank you.
Ahhh! Typo alert I had a good! Wiggle. You just have to blink and fat fingers scupper you 🤣😂😎
Haha no worries. I love it 🙂
Can’t say I’m a Gaga fan, but I like some of her stuff!
I like that Lady Gaga keeps things fresh with her music and her style.
Yep she’s defo good at that!
Pingback: REVIEW: ‘Joanne’ – Lady Gaga — Talk About Pop Music – batsearchblog
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FremantleMedia buys Young Pope prodco
By Jesse Whittock
27th August 2015 @ 07:23
FremantleMedia has paid an undisclosed amount for a 62.5% stake in Italian drama house Wildside.
The prodco is currently producing the upcoming Sky and HBO drama The Young Pope, the first picture of which was released yesterday (see above).
UK-headquartered FremantleMedia has the option to buy the rest of Wildside, which produces television and feature film drama, in the future.
FremantleMedia’s sales arm, FremantleMedia International, has distribution rights to The Young Pope, which stars Jude Law and Diane Keaton, in non-partner territories. The show is set to launch in US on HBO and on Sky territories – the UK, Ireland, Italy and Germany – in Europe.
Wildside is also known for producing the local version of HBO drama format In Treatment for Sky Italia and a recent critical hit, mafia-themed drama 1992. The firm also has a cinema-focused arm that’s behind movies such as The Solitude of Prime Numbers.
Producers Lorenzo Mieli and Mario Gianani launched the Rome-based company in 2009 along with writers Marco Martani, Fausto Brizzi and Saverio Constanzo after Italian firms Wilder and Offside merged. Wilder had previously been owned by Fox International Channels.
Tellingly, Mieli has been managing director of FremantleMedia Italy since 2010, a role he holds concurrently with his duties at Wildside. He continues to hold that role following the deal.
“This is a key strategic acquisition for FremantleMedia as we continue to strengthen our prime-time scripted presence,” said FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz. “Wildside is fast becoming one of Europe’s most sought after drama producers and will complement our existing prime-time drama businesses in the US, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Australia and the UK.
“The team have an impressive track record of attracting world class creative talent and delivering award winning drama so I’m really excited that they are joining our family of production companies.”
Tags: 1992, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Fausto Brizzi, FremantleMedia, In Treatment, Lorenzo Mieli, Marco Martani, Mario Gianani, Saverio Constanzo, The Young Pope, Wildside
Exclusive: Endemol Shine to wind down Turkish arm despite insolvency failure
Endemol Shine Group (ESG) will continue to wind down Endemol Shine Turkey (EST) despite an Istanbul court yesterday rejecting the company’s long-running attempt to file for insolvency in the country. ESG started shuttering its Turkish division in 2017 and initiated insolvency proceedings after an investigation into the business revealed “serious management” issues. EST commercial chief […]
BBC Studios preps 'culture & engagement plan' after NAO report
BBC Studios has said it plans to launch a three-year ‘culture and engagement plan’ as part of its response to yesterday’s National Audit Office (NAO) report on the UK public broadcasters commercial arm. The NAO report said BBCS had failed to achieve commissioning targets from third-party producers following the creation of production arm BBC Studios […]
FX chief John Landgraf unveils latest annual drama findings
John Landgraf, FX Networks and FX Productions chairman, has unveiled the latest findings from his company’s annual scripted survey. It found that there were 532 scripted drama and comedy shows on US television in 2019, up 7% on the year previous. The data was compiled by FX’s research team and unveiled during the Television Critics […]
Sky-backed Jupiter appoints Hudson Media's Chris Spry for development
Sky-backed US producer Jupiter Entertainment has rejigged its senior management team, appointing Chris Spry from Hudson Media to oversee development and promoting two of its existing execs. Spry becomes VP of development at Jupiter, which recently named Patrick Reardon as president after the exit of Allison Wallach, while veterans Harrison Land and Todd Moss become […]
Exclusive: Kew Media Group's restructuring process revealed
Kids round-up: Xilam appoints Disney acquisitions exec; Sky names commissioners; South Korea's Asiana agrees Cottonwood deal
Paramount Network, Spike & VH1 among ViacomCBS's expanded Sky Italia deal
News round-up: DocuBay strikes Shimla film festival; Conecta Fiction names France as 'focus country'
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Enter Tips
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Twiggy goes nuclear
Page 2 of 3 First 1 2 3 Last
Thread: Twiggy goes nuclear
Senior Player
Originally Posted by GIGS20
Splayds
And, whilst I would love to see a WA team competing internationally it's fantasy, and lunacy.
Even if we were able to select any of the non WA born players through residential eligibility etc, I think we'd still be quite heavily tier two. We simply don't have a large enough community player pool to compete internationally.
Players who cannot get a game for NZ, RSA, or Eastern Australia Etc, would look at "Countries" like Western Australia,and would suddenly find a parent or grand parent who was born in WA, as they already do for Scotland etc.
Brache would not have qualified for the USA even although he was born there, because he had already played for Western Australia! We could apply that rule to DHP, Pocock, JOC and probably a few others.
This could be fun!
Last edited by JSJ; 21-11-19 at 09:10.
Reply With Quote Posted via Mobile Device
.X.
Legend Contributor
Originally Posted by JSJ
The best Force team in 2019 would have already been a good bet to qualify for the World Cup. If you consider our team against Tonga, Georgia, USA etc.
a quick guess - I am sure someone knows better then me. Of the current Force team - Only half would qualify for Western Australia under World Rugby Residency.
And WA born/developed players playing for the Rebels/Tahs/Brumbies eg: DHP having played for the Wallabies wouldnt be able to comeback.
WA would never get to play against Tier 1 or Tier 2 nations. Our Qualification for the next Rugby World Cup would depend on our ability to knock out Fiji or Samoa or Tonga.
“Just a Rugby Fan with a LEGO obsession”
GIGS20
X beat me to it JSJ, you can't play for WA if you've already played for Australia.
Under current structures that is. Twiggy would have to throw enough money towards the home unions to convince them to change the parameters and you could argue that any national representation prior to WAs endorsement as a "country" is invalid, since the player didn't have the opportunity to represent his union of choice and was forced to take second best.
Residency rules will knock out most of our big names though, Coleman would have qualified, but reset his clock, ditto for most of the Rebels players who we count as sand gropers.
C'mon the
Sorry Gigs, You cannot play for the newly formed "country" of Eastern Australia, if you had first played for the "country" of Western Australia.
anyone with half a legal brain would bring out the who came first argument - and the newly formed Rugby Nation of Western Australia is going to lose out on that one.
We have more chance of playing for the Hutt River Province. Still wont give us back DHP et all.
andrewM
Originally Posted by .X.
Now there's an idea! I'm sure HRH Sovereign Prince Graeme would be very open to that!
X, Eastern Australia is the newly formed rugby nation. They were the ones who unilaterally redrew their geographic boundaries of where they select their Wallaby team from. The boundaries of Western Australia have been the same for at least 110 years.
Jeeze I do a really good job of arguing for the bad guys............. it's not deliberate.
and they would say that as they said in their press release dated........... as discussed with Mr Andrew Forrest and Mr Matt Hodgson Western Force players will be and are available to be selected for Wallabies.
than they would say - at this time they do not believe that anyone has proven to be good enough to be of a Wallabies standard. But they look forward to the time when a Western Force player is selected for the Wallabies.
I dont know why I do this to myself...........
That's not the rules which apply in soccer, where this is a more frequent issue. If a 'new' nation is formed (eg, Kosovo) then players who have played for the other countries can decide to play for the new country (if they qualify). Thus the Kosovo soccer team has players who have previously been capped by Albania, Montenegro, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway.
So if similar rules were put in place, DHP could certainly apply to be considered as 'West Australian', rather than 'Australian'.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
ahh, but we still love ya x
Your Honour,
Counsel for Eastern Australia Mr X, has just stated in his evidence that the the selectors for the new rugby nation of Eastern Australia did not consider any of of the players from Western Australia of good enough standard to play for their Wallaby team. That is the crux of the matter Your Honour and that is why World Rugby has ruled that Western Australia can enter a team seperate to Eastern Australia in the World Cup.
(Judge chuckles. and says "yes Mr JSJ, strange that your team always seems the spank their teams, yet they want want to desperately hang onto players they pinched from your team and prevent them from playing for your team in the World Cup"")
Case dismissed.
Originally Posted by Bakkies
Hansie said that the Force were looking at doing that before he left his position and nothing has changed in regards to support from the RA and selecting WA based players for the test side.
The current Chair does not support the idea of secession from RA.
Proudly Western Australian; Proudly supporting Western Australian rugby
jargan83
Earth Capital
I doubt World Rugby would either
Originally Posted by Sheikh
That's not the rules which apply in soccer, where this is a more frequent issue. If a 'new' nation is formed (eg, Kosovo) then players who have played for the other countries can decide to play for the new country (if they qualify). Thus the Kosovo soccer team has players who have previously been capped by Albania, Montenegro, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway. So if similar rules were put in place, DHP could certainly apply to be considered as 'West Australian', rather than 'Australian'.
So you didn't read my middle paragraph?
mate if you honestly believe in this.
I have this bridge for sale in Sydney. Excellent views of the harbor.
Beattie branches out to entice Twiggy to NRL
By volvo in forum Rugby
PWC interview Twiggy
By Bakkies in forum Western Force
Twiggy chant
By wholetruth in forum Western Force
How Twiggy will run his rebel rugby comp
Twiggy backs the Force
By Macattack in forum Western Force
-- Western Force ---- Mobile ---- Work
Western Force Rugby
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Meet Anil Gurav, The Man Who Could Have Been What Sachin Tendulkar Is Today
Updated on 4 November, 2016 at 3:50 pm By Manas Sen Gupta
They say that if a man wills, he can make has own destiny. Though the adage is inspiring it is not exactly true.
Fate is that supreme, unconquerable, and invisible something that eventually pronounces the judgement on how a man has lived. This is why we often see people failing to make a mark despite having the same set of skills and talent using which someone else becomes famous. It is not that there are less talented men than the superstars we adore. It is not that those who couldn’t make it did not give their all. It is just that fate had in store for them a different tale than it has for the chosen few.
The story of Sachin Tendulkar and a man called Anil Gurav is a classic example of this game of fate of which we are the pawns.
IE Photo Prashant Nadkar
Anil Gurav is 51 and lives in Nala Sopara – his house located along one of the many dingy bylanes of Mumbai. A frail figure with short white hair, Gurav is one of the myriad faces we encounter daily on the streets, in the trains or any other crowded place – faces we never take a note of.
But this very man could have been living a life of opulence. He could have been a name and face that had the power to sell hundreds of products to millions. This man could have been living in a posh bungalow in the very city where he now resides in a cramped 200-square-feet room.
Yes, Gurav could have been the God of cricket if fate had not played one of its cruellest games with his life.
It was the late 1980s and Anil Gurav’s talent with the cricket bat was recognised by even his coach Ramakant Acharekar- the same great man who is known as the coach of Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar, then a young boy, being instructed by Ramakant Acharekar.
Such was the power in his strokes and the masterful glance with the willow that everyone who saw him play knew that Gurav would break into the big league and become the next Sunil Gavaskar.
Acharekar once placed a coin on his stumps signalling that Gurav was the one who would be the king.
Such was his dexterity with the bat that Acharekar told a young Sachin Tendulkar to observe Gurav’s style of play.
Being an equally talented young boy, Tendulkar listened to the advice of his guru and keenly observed every stroke that Gurav made.
Since Gurav was a senior, Tendulkar addressed him as ‘Sir’. On one occasion, Sachin desired to play with Gurav’s bat. He was given the bat by Gurav himself who asked the soon-to-be Master Blaster to hit a big score. Sachin slammed a century with it and kept the bat as a memory.
Of course, Gurav’s talent justified every hope his coach had from him. A promising talent of such calibre cannot remain away from the eyes of selectors and coaches, and so it happened. But since fate had other plans for him, Gurav was unable to perform before the coaches the same way he used to in other matches.
But there are many who miss opportunities only to get them at a later stage and make it big. Fate was, however, crueller in case of Gurav.
While Gurav may have committed some mistakes while playing, it was not his mistake that he had a younger brother called Ajit Gurav.
While Anil was the hope of his coaches, Ajit was the hope of the underworld. The younger Gurav was a sharpshooter – a skilled one at that – and was quickly rising on the rap sheet; Anil Gurav was perhaps unaware that he would be paying for the crimes of his younger brother for the rest of his life.
Being the brother of a wanted man meant that Anil had to answer to the police from time to time about his brother’s whereabouts. This often meant that he had to skip his matches.
As is evident, the Guravs were from the lower ranks of the society. If it was not for his cricketing exploits, Anil Gurav would have faced an even harsher wrath of the police for a longer time. The police, for obvious reasons, thought that the family knew of the whereabouts of Ajit but the Gurav family, including his mother Sumitra, always denied. In fact, Anil stresses that they had no connection with Ajit.
Yet all of this sent Anil Gurav’s life out of gear. He lost his focus and more opportunities, if there were any.
In 1989, Sachin Tendulkar had made his debut and was well on his way to becoming the legend he ended up as. On the other hand, Gurav was struggling with life and the problems he had to face because of a criminal brother.
Anil confesses that a part of his downfall was his own mistake of not listening to Acharekar’s (who he still addresses as ‘sir’) advice that he should not play tennis-ball cricket to make quick bucks.
Gurav had to answer to the police up till 1994. By now, his cricketing dream had evaporated and he was left with nothing but a job at New India Assurance (NIA).
At the same time, tired of all life’s hammerings, Gurav took solace in alcohol. Soon he was addicted to it and that addiction became the end result of everything he did with his life.
Today, Gurav is known in the shanty locality more as a drunkard than anything else. Forget a lost hope, people do not even remember runner-ups and similar is the treatment Gurav gets. While Gurav lives the life of an ordinary mortal, his back broken by the vagaries of fate, Sachin rules as a God worshipped by billions – a classic example of fate’s great game.
Ajit Gurav
Anil Gurav
Ramakant Acharekar
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Trading ETFs
What Are ETFS
Gabriel Friedman
Author: Gabriel Friedman
All the reasons why Canada needs immigration — and more of it
October 4, 2019 Gabriel Friedman
There are some calculations with pension plans that require advanced math, and some that don’t. One that doesn’t is the simple fact that Canadians are rapidly aging. The average age of the population is moving up as life expectancy increases, birth rates decline and the baby boomer generation ages. By 2040, 25 per cent of the population will be at least 65 years old, up from 17 per cent today, according to Conference Board of Canada projections. The impact of having fewer Canada Pension Plan contributions from workers and more…
Trouble in timberland: How pine beetles and fires are gutting B.C.’s forestry sector
June 13, 2019 Gabriel Friedman
Deep in the tree-studded interior of British Columbia, the tiny town of Clearwater is facing a problem that’s sweeping across the province: Surrounded by nothing but trees, somehow, there isn’t enough timber to support a local sawmill. This summer, for the first time in decades, the town of around 2,000 people — about a five-hour drive northeast of Vancouver — won’t have a mill to anchor its local economy, as Canfor Corp. plans to mothball its nearby Vavenby operation in July. It’s a situation that’s been years in the making,…
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Future of Newly Designated Potential Tropical Cyclone 02L still Uncertain, but Heavy Rains are Coming to the Gulf Coast
Hank Dolce Uncategorized July 10, 2019 July 10, 2019 4 Minutes
Yesterday, Invest 92L emerged over the Gulf of Mexico as a broad area of low pressure. It has consolidated more today, and the National Hurricane Center is giving it a near 100% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone. In addition, due to its proximity to land, they have also initiated Tropical Storm and Storm Surge Watches for portions of eastern Louisiana, therefore deeming 92L as Potential Tropical Cyclone 02L. The system currently has winds of 30mph, has a pressure of 1011mb, and is located about 170mi east-southeast of the Mississippi River Delta.
Imagery of the still-disorganized PTC 02L this morning over the northern Gulf of Mexico. (MSFC)
As of now, the system is still rather disorganized and not yet classifiable as a tropical cyclone despite the warnings and near guaranteed chance of it becoming one. PTC 02L is rather broad and remains decoupled, as the northerly shear from a ridge centered over northern Mississippi. In fact, the most intense thunderstorm activity is currently over southeastern Louisiana. The mid-level vortex is displaced to the south of the low-level center as a result, not allowing for rapid organization at this stage, as was expected. The low-level center is also quite difficult to discern, as multiple vorticity maximums continuously form and dissipate about a center of rotation, the location of which is unclear. However, as the diurnal maximum approaches, more convection is expected to fire in the vicinity of the surface vortex. This will more than likely allow for further strengthening into a tropical cyclone by tonight or tomorrow.
12z GFS sounding of the region at tau006, revealing about 14kts of directional shearing. (Tropical Tidbits)
The forecast for PTC 02L remains rather murky at this point given uncertainties between the models in regards to both track and intensity. Steering currents over the system are weak for now, but a ridge building over the Four Corners region will cause the system to move slowly westward with time. Meanwhile, as a trough dips through the Great Lakes region, it will drag a cold front through the eastern U.S. It in tandem with a ridge near the Bahamas will act to tug the storm northwards this weekend, likely somewhere along the Louisiana Gulf Coast.
06z GFS 500mb Relative Humidity through tau120, showing the positioning of the storm in the Gulf with the wider-scale synoptic features. (Weathernerds)
A big question mark going into this system is how strong it will become. The majority of the guidance suggests that will peak as a strong tropical storm, but there are also plenty of models that suggest that PTC 02L could become a hurricane and a select few saying a pretty powerful one at that, namely the UKMET and previously the HWRF. If the storm remains weaker, as in a tropical storm, it will curve north earlier into southeastern Louisiana. This is because the SWerly flow initiated by the frontal boundary is based towards the surface, and a weaker storm would not extend as high up into the troposphere as a more intense storm would. If the storm is a stronger hurricane, then it may slip farther west before turning north along the Upper Texas Coast or far western Louisiana as the Bahamas ridge will shift closer to Florida and would ultimately cause the storm to turn north. Either of these solutions remain on the table, but it is uncertain which solution will prevail.
06z runs of the GFS and UKMET model, with the GFS bringing a strong TS into central Louisiana while the UKMET brings a powerful hurricane towards Galveston, Texas, on July 13. (Weather.us)
At this point, the National Hurricane Center is splitting between the two extremes and is forecasting a landfall in western Louisiana as a category 1 hurricane with winds of 85mph on Saturday evening. It should be noted, however, that the cone extends as far west as Houston and as far east as New Orleans, so anywhere between those two points is likely to receive the eventual landfall of this storm.
NHC 5-day forecast cone of PTC 02L, showing a hurricane landfall in western Louisiana (NHC)
Regardless of where the system makes landfall and how strong it is, very heavy rains are certain to fall. New Orleans has already suffered from flash flooding this morning, and the system is not even a tropical cyclone yet. Areas near and east of the landfall point should expect anywhere from 8-12 inches of rain with isolated totals potentially as high as 20 inches east of the landfall point, which is still not yet known. Given that the Mississippi River is already much higher than normal due to heavy rains all throughout the river basin, heavy rains from this system will only exacerbate issues. Rainfall is by far the biggest threat from this system, much more so than wind and even storm surge, but those threats will become clearer as the forecast track and intensity becomes more certain. Even areas inland into Mississippi, Alabama, northern Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri can also expect heavy rains and potential flash flooding from this system as well. The rainfall threat for Texas is lower given that the landfall is expected to be east of the state and the western side will be drier, but a further west landfall would shift the heavy rains towards them.
1-7 day quantitative precipitation forecast for the CONUS, depicting a wide swath of heavy rains across the central Gulf Coast from PTC 02L. (WPC)
In the meantime, an aircraft reconnaissance mission is scheduled to investigate the system this afternoon, which will give us a better idea of the internal structure of the storm. If this storm does gain a name, which is almost a certainty at this stage, it will be named “Barry”. Please make sure you have your hurricane and flooding preparations ready if you are in the path of this storm, and always listen to the information given to you by your local NWS office or outlets for the latest information regarding this potentially damaging system. Another article will be released tomorrow as new information comes out, so stay tuned.
Previous Post Tropical Development Likely in the Gulf of Mexico this Weekend
Next Post Tropical Storm Barry Strengthens, Heavy Rainfall remains the Primary Concern
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Video Insights & Trends VideoAces 2018: Who are the Most Viewed Media Companies in the World?
VideoAces 2018: Who are the Most Viewed Media Companies in the World?
Carla Marshall - November 30, 2018
Every Spring we announce our VideoAces awards, which recognizes the most viewed media companies and video creators in the world. But we’re doing things a little differently this year and giving you an exclusive preview of 2018’s winners and the winning categories.
The rankings are based on views between January and September 2018, so of course we still have the holiday season to go and things could change according to the extra views gained in the last three months of this year. But here are the ten global media creators in the running so far for this year’s Grand VideoAces, which recognizes the most viewed media creators in the world. Take a look and then peruse the additional categories we’ll be awarding in Spring 2019. Stay tuned for the full 2019 VideoAces list which we’ll be announcing soon.
VideoAces 2018: Most Viewed Global Media Companies
#1 WarnerMedia
Facebook Views Jan – Sep 2018: 17,534,666,403
YouTube Views Jan – Sep 2018: 25,118,565,582
Other Views Jan – Sep 2018: 13,651,077,121
With just over 17B Facebook video views and 25B YouTube views across its 500 social channels, WarnerMedia tops the VideoAces chart for the most views in 2018 to date. The WarnerMedia family includes iconic brands such as HBO, CNN, TMZ, Bleacher Report, Turner, Warner Bros, and a host of others who have published just under 600K videos this year alone. WarnerMedia has led the most-viewed media properties chart all year, so it’s no surprise to see the AT&T owned company at #1. Although it publishes content across many verticals as part of its social video strategy, superheroes and nostalgia drives millions of views for two of its most famous brands, Warner Bros, and WB Kids – with this Tom & Jerry Cartoon Compilation generating the most views of any WarnerMedia uploads this year:
#2 The Walt Disney Company
Other Views Jan – Sep 2018: 6,839,337,631
As legacy broadcasters go, The Walt Disney Company may be among the most loved, as its staggering video views in 2018 to date prove. Along with the famous Disney brands, and movie franchises like Marvel, the media giant has a total of 775 different publishing brands under its wing. These include household names such as ESPN, ABC News, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, each of which generate millions of video views in their own right. During the first nine months of 2018, Walt Disney properties uploaded 310K videos to the main social platforms, with this clip from ‘Coco’ generating the most views on YouTube with 206M. You can read more here about how Disney’s empire of media properties drove incredible views and engagement for ‘Incredibles 2’.
#3 BuzzFeed
YouTube Views Jan – Sep 2018: 6,505,718,628
BuzzFeed is a cross-platform digital media company, delivering news and entertainment to hundreds of millions of people around the world across a huge range of vertical-driven sub-properties (Buzzfeed News, Tasty, Nifty, Goodful). The digital-first giant topped the last VideoAces chart as the number one media and entertainment company in 2017, and makes the top three in 2018. It’s flagship food property, Tasty, is a top ten media and entertainment brand in its own right, generating one of the most viewed videos of the year with 208M Facebook views for its ‘Scalloped Potato Roll’ walkthrough. Read more about how BuzzFeed built a 60B video view powerhouse and changed the face of video-first publishing.
#4 Comcast
Facebook Views Jan – Sep 2018: 9,292,216,919
As a media juggernaut, Comcast and the publishing brands under its umbrella generated a very impressive 23B views on YouTube between January and September 2018. The 934 different properties under the Comcast roof (think NBC, E!, Telemundo, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon etc) published just under 400K videos in the first nine months of this year which firmly places them high in our VideoAces leaderboard. As well as 23B YouTube views, the company also generated 150M engagement, with NBC News’ live-streamed coverage of ‘Donald Trump’s State Of The Union Address 2018’ generating 10x the engagement rate of YouTube’s average.
#5 Jungle Creations
YouTube Views Jan – Sep 2018: 37,322,791
Other Views Jan – Sep 2018: 519,236,564
Just four years ago, Jungle Creations was a newcomer to the online video scene. Now, the UK-based media property is one of the most-watched in the world, pulling in at least 3-5 billion views per month across its media brands, including the wildly popular channels Twisted, and VT. So successful is the company’s social video strategy, they have carved out a very credible and profitable niche by creating content for their branded partners. You can read more about the rags to riches story of Jungle Creations and how the media company is exploring opportunities in e-commerce and even offline retail ventures.
#6 Brave Bison
Other Views Jan – Sep 2018: 983,994
Another UK-based social video publisher, Brave Bison, makes the VideoAces leaderboard by generating 29B Facebook views between January and September 2018. It was the second-most viewed media property in the world in October (beaten only by WarnerMedia), but on Facebook views alone, it was the most-viewed – ahead of The LADbible Group, BuzzFeed, and Viacom. On Facebook, the property saw a 53% increase in followers in October 2018, compared to the previous month, with Pages like Viral TRND, and Blunt Kommunity experiencing a growth rate of 53% in the same period. The publisher’s most viewed video of the first nine months of the year was this Facebook upload of the ‘first ever supercar designed and made in Mexico’ generating 241M views, 58M of which were in the first 3 days after upload. This is a company to watch – particularly as it didn’t make the VideoAces Leaderboard last year. A lot can happen in 12 months.
#7 Group Nine Media
Group Nine Media were one of early adopters of the verticalization of video content, and the digital-first publishers have reaped the rewards of this strategy with a truly impressive 25B Facebook views in the first three-quarters of 2018. Its brands – the ‘Now This’ family, The Dodo, Thrillist, and Seeker – are followed by over 100M viewers across the main social video platforms, and Group Nine have been a consistent presence on Tubular’s most-viewed global media companies throughout 2018. ‘Now This’ also made a big splash with its US Midterm election coverage on Facebook, becoming the only true digital-first news provider to compete with the big legacy broadcasters for views. The publisher is changing the face of news for a new generation on social.
#8 Jukin Media
Jukin Media has been a solid player in the video ecosystem since 2011, but has grown to be a digital force to be reckoned with after leveraging original video content after years of early viral and licensing success. Between January and September 2018, the media publisher generated 25B Facebook views from Pages such as ‘FailArmy’, ‘The Daily Heartbeat’, and ‘The Pet Collective’, with this clip called ‘Hide and Seek’ (you must have seen it on Facebook) generating a mind-blowing 385M views (248M views in the first 30 days after upload). Up 6 places from last year’s VideoAces ranking, Jukin Media have carved out a unique place in the online video ecosystem.
#9 Essel Corporate
Other Views Jan – Sep 2018: 81,273,149
Essel Corporate may not be the biggest household name on the Leaderboard but its social video channels generated 23B YouTube views in the first three-quarters of this year, driven by ‘Zee News’ and ‘Zee Music Company’. The Indian-based publisher has a huge portfolio of assets outside of entertainment, but it’s acquisition of Zee Media earlier this year now makes it one of the largest news networks in India, with 10 news channels reaching more than 200M viewers. The media giant skips 11 places ahead on this year’s chart compared to its #20 position in 2017.
#10 The LADbible Group
When LADbible acquired UNILAD in October 2018, the merger of the two brands lifted The LADbible Group to the 4th most viewed global Media and Entertainment property in the world, a rise of 14 places in just one month. In the battle for views and engagement for the top Facebook video creators, UK-based UNILAD and LADbible have been neck and neck over the past two years, jockeying for position for the number one and two spots for the most viewed global media creators on Facebook. Now, although their properties remain separate on Facebook, their combined power makes the publisher a hugely powerful player, not only in the UK, but around the world too.
VideoAces 2018: Full Category List
We’ve given you a preview of the most viewed global media companies but let’s take a look at the other categories for the VideoAces 2018 awards:
Global Media Rising Stars
Global Media Creators
Most Viewed US Media Creators
Most Viewed UK Media Creators
Most Viewed German Media Creators
Most Viewed French Media Creators
Global Media Verticals
Most Viewed Global Sports Media
Most Viewed News & Politics Companies
Most Viewed US Music Companies
Most Viewed Global Brand Properties
Most Viewed Global Beauty Brands
Most Viewed Global Sports Brands
Most Viewed Global Gaming Brands
Most Viewed Global Toy Brands
Bleacher Report BuzzFeed CNN Disney ESPN HBO India Jungle Creations music NBC social video VideoAces WarnerMedia
Carla Marshall
Carla Marshall boasts a YouTube-certified background, and specializes in video optimization and organic marketing.
Tubular Labs #VideoAces 2017 Awards: Are You a Winner?
Tubular Labs, the leading global video measurement and analytics platform, has announced its second annual global VideoAces Awards, honoring 2017’s top 52 media companies and creators in online video as well as the top brand partners on Facebook
5 of the Best Branded Instagram Videos of 2017
As brands continue to produce innovative short-form sponsored snackable video content on Instagram, we take a look at some of the best uploads to the micro-video platform in 2017.
Gaming and Entertainment Rule the Sponsored Video World
Thanks to Tubular’s latest Sponsored Video Marketing Report, we know views on sponsored video content are sky-rocketing. But what genres of content get the most attention from viewers? And what topics are sponsors most interested in investing in?
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Family “Road Show” skoolie is last-minute addition to Philly show
by Tiny House Expos | Nov 1, 2019
Rita Gardner, a single mom with three kids from Warren County, New Jersey, is pretty close to fearless. Fearless enough at least to hit the road with her three young daughters in a quest to discover parts unknown.
“I have a 1998 E450 shuttle bus that I converted into a summer home on wheels,” she explained in a recent interview.
Her daughters love their home on wheels and have a penchant for spending time on the vehicle’s roof. “We make quite an impression wherever we go. I call it the Gardner Show,” said Gardner.
The nomadic family has developed quite a social media following.
Gardner purchased her bus in December 2018, and her conversion was completed in time for a maiden voyage in late May 2019. She announced yesterday that she would be able to add the Mid-Atlantic Tiny House Expo in Philadelphia to her busy public appearance schedule.
“We’re thrilled about being part of the show in Philadelphia,” said Gardner. “We are proud members of the tiny house and simple living movement and look forward to seeing everyone this weekend.”
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TLM Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
This policy sets out The Learning Machine Ltd.’s (TLM) approach to spotting, recording and acting upon malpractice and maladministration that could affect our reputation, or the safety of any of our awards, products or services.
TLM takes allegations of malpractice and/or maladministration seriously and will investigate all allegations to establish whether malpractice has occurred and take appropriate action where this is found to be the case.
The policy also applies to all those involved with the development and/or delivery of TLM qualifications and assessments including TLM staff and contractors, approved Centre staff, assessors, internal and external verifiers, independent end-point assessors and lead assessors.
TLM’s Responsible Officer has overall responsibility for ensuring that this policy is implemented.
Malpractice is defined as any deliberate activity, neglect, default or other practice that compromises the integrity of the assessment process, and/or the validity of our awards. Malpractice may include a range of issues from the failure to maintain appropriate records or systems to the deliberate falsification of records in order to claim certificates. Failure by a Centre to deal with identified issues may constitute malpractice.
Maladministration is any activity, neglect, default or other practice that results in the Centre or candidate not complying with the specified requirements for delivery of the qualifications. Maladministration may or may not be deliberate. Malpractice and maladministration overlap.
Malpractice and maladministration can lead to Adverse Effects. An Adverse Effect is defined thus:
An act, omission, event, incident, or circumstance has an Adverse Effect if it –
(a) gives rise to prejudice to Learners or potential Learners, or
(b) adversely affects –
(i) the ability of the awarding organisation to undertake the development, delivery or award of qualifications in accordance with its Conditions of Recognition,
(ii) the standards of qualifications which the awarding organisation makes available or proposes to make available, or
(iii) public confidence in qualifications.
Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition place duties on TLM:
Preventing malpractice and maladministration
A8.1 An awarding organisation must take all reasonable steps to prevent the occurrence of any malpractice or maladministration in the development, delivery and award of qualifications which it makes available or proposes to make available.
Investigating and managing the effect of malpractice and maladministration
A8.2 Where any such malpractice or maladministration is suspected by an awarding organisation or alleged by any other person, and where there are reasonable grounds for that suspicion or allegation, the awarding organisation must –
(a) so far as possible, establish whether or not the malpractice or maladministration has occurred, and
(b) promptly take all reasonable steps to prevent any Adverse Effect to which it may give rise and, where any such Adverse Effect occurs, mitigate it as far as possible and correct it.
Procedures relating to malpractice and maladministration
A8.3 For the purposes of this condition, an awarding organisation must –
(a) establish and maintain, and at all times comply with, up to date written procedures for the investigation of suspected or alleged malpractice or maladministration, and
(b) ensure that such investigations are carried out rigorously, effectively, and by persons of appropriate competence who have no personal interest in their outcome.
A8.4 Where a Centre undertakes any part of the delivery of a qualification which an awarding organisation makes available, the awarding organisation must take all reasonable steps to keep under review the arrangements put in place by that Centre for preventing and investigating malpractice and maladministration.
A8.5 An awarding organisation must, following a request from such a Centre, provide guidance to the Centre as to how best to prevent, investigate, and deal with malpractice and maladministration.
Dealing with malpractice and maladministration
A8.6 Where an awarding organisation establishes that any malpractice or maladministration has occurred in the development, delivery or award of qualifications which it makes available, or proposes to make available, it must promptly take all reasonable steps to –
(a) prevent that malpractice or maladministration from recurring, and
(b) take action against those responsible which is proportionate to the gravity and scope of the occurrence, or seek the cooperation of third parties in taking such action.
A8.7 Where an awarding organisation has any cause to believe that an occurrence of malpractice or maladministration, or any connected occurrence –
(a) may affect a Centre undertaking any part of the delivery of a qualification which an awarding organisation makes available, it must inform that Centre, and
(b) may affect another awarding organisation, it must inform that awarding organisation.
How TLM prevents malpractice/maladministration
TLM’s operating procedures are designed to prevent malpractice/maladministration from occurring:
TLM has ways of working that reduce the risks of malpractice/maladministration occurring;
TLM recruits, inducts and trains our staff, contractors, Centres and associates so that individuals involved in the development, delivery and award of our qualifications understand and routinely follow these ways of working;
TLM takes all reasonable steps to ensure that current (and former) staff and third parties do not provide information about our qualifications which is inaccurate or misleading;
TLM follows policies, practices and procedures that reduce the risk of malpractice and maladministration, covering, among other things:
plagiarism, collusion, tampering, breach of confidentiality of assessment materials;
incidents that occur outside of England.
TLM takes several actions to seek to prevent malpractice, including:
Attending any events run by the regulators;
Disseminating information to staff, contractors, Centres and external verifiers as necessary;
Covering malpractice within centre meetings;
Annual Centre Agreement reminding centres of their responsibilities;
Regular monitoring visits or training workshops;
Imposition of sanctions to prevent escalation of issues.
In general, TLM seeks to ensure that malpractice has high visibility.
TLM’s requirements of its approved centres
Approved centres must have their own malpractice/maladministration policy, the implementation of which may be audited at centre monitoring visits and confirmation sought at training workshops. Guidance on the policy is included in the Centre Handbook.
How TLM spots malpractice/maladministration
TLM recruits, inducts and trains our staff, contractors, Centres and associates so that individuals involved in the development, delivery and award of our qualifications, are aware of malpractice/maladministration risks, and the effects. Through all our policies, practices and procedures – we make clear:
The nature of malpractice/maladministration
The potential effects of malpractice/maladministration
The risks and the obligation to reduce those risks, of malpractice/maladministration occurring
The duty not to commit malpractice/maladministration
The obligation to appropriately report malpractice/maladministration
The duty wherever possible, to minimise or eliminate the effects of any malpractice/maladministration that has occurred
The duty to properly consider the causes of any malpractice/maladministration that has occurred, and take appropriate action to reduce the risk of that malpractice/maladministration occurring in a similar way
Allegations of malpractice/maladministration
Allegations of malpractice and/or maladministration must be raised directly with TLM’s Responsible Officer who will not disclose, and will seek to protect, the identity of any whistle blower.
As much detail as possible should be submitted along with any available supporting evidence, i.e.:
Date(s) and time(s) of incident(s)
Person(s) involved
Nature of incident(s)
Findings of any Centre investigation
TLM will make an initial response/ acknowledgement in writing within 10 working days.
How TLM investigates malpractice/maladministration
TLM’s approach to investigation is as follows:
TLM has procedures in place to initiate and conduct investigations into suspected malpractice/ maladministration. The main purpose of the investigation is to establish if any regulations have been breached and to determine whether there is any irregularity. The fundamental principle of investigations is to conduct them in a fair, reasonable and legal manner, ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered without bias.
TLM will decide whether to allow the Centre to investigate, investigate itself or that an investigation is not necessary. TLM will allocate someone suitably qualified that is independent of the Centre and any individual(s) concerned for the purpose of the investigation. Centres are required to fully co-operate with TLM investigations. This includes providing access to records, staff and candidates where required for the purpose of the investigation.
TLM will normally deal with the head of the Centre or someone with suitable authority delegated for this purpose. Incidents will be investigated as follows by gather relevant information and consulting with those concerned and others. All parties are required to co-operate fully with the investigation.
Depending upon the gravity of the incident, Centre and/or assessor approval status may be suspended whilst the investigation takes place (this may relate to a qualification or all TLM’s qualifications) – in line with TLM’s Sanctions Policy. TLM will normally impose a sanction of Level 3 or above until a full investigation has been conducted.
Investigations may take days, weeks or months depending upon the nature and scale of the incident; TLM seeks to conduct investigations and produce the report as soon as practically possible with a target of 30 working days.
TLM has, uses and regularly reviews a Standardised Investigations Policy and approach that sets out:
who investigates concerns about malpractice or maladministration;
how an investigation is undertaken;
how whistleblowers will be treated, and in such a way that individuals will not be prejudiced;
when and how interested parties will be notified lawfully;
how any interviews should be conducted;
how facts will be gathered and evidence found, collated and stored;
how evidence will be verified;
how confidentiality of investigation materials is assured;
how the records of its investigations will be presented and their accuracy assured;
how and when any visits to Centres will be announced and undertaken;
which principles will be followed when it undertakes an investigation with other bodies.
TLM will keep on record:
clear terms of reference for the investigations that it has undertaken;
a log of all allegations, including those that were not investigated, that it can cross-reference if new information is provided.
How TLM acts after investigating malpractice/maladministration
Following the investigation, a draft report will be produced that the parties involved will be invited to check for factual accuracy and comment upon. Upon receipt of the final version of the report an appeal may be made regarding actions imposed. Details of how to appeal are included in the TLM Appeals Policy.
Conclusions will be based on established evidence which will be reviewed by a member of the Board that has not been involved with the investigation. Where investigations establish that malpractice/maladministration has in fact occurred, a course of proposed action will be identified, agreed, implemented and monitored. Actions will be proportionate to the gravity and scope of the occurrence and may include the following:
The development and implementation of action plans to prevent re-occurrence;
Suspending or removing registration for units/qualifications;
Suspending or removing approval;
Imposing other sanctions as appropriate.
Certificates could be revoked if the result on the certificate is false because of malpractice or maladministration.
TLM will take all reasonable steps to prevent any potential Adverse Effect to which any incident may give rise. Where an incident brings the outcome of other results into serious question this would be considered a potential ‘Adverse Effect’ as other candidates may be affected. In such cases TLM will:
Identify any other candidate who has been affected;
Correct or mitigate the effect as far as possible – for example adjusting marks
Take action to avoid a re-occurrence – this may include removal of assessors or provision of additional training or monitoring.
Where there is cause to believe that an incident may also affect Centres and/or other awarding bodies these will be notified by TLM.
TLM will inform the regulators and other relevant bodies where any incidents, or suspected incidents, of malpractice/maladministration are discovered, and where a potential Adverse Effect is identified.
Examples of Malpractice
Principal Assessors and Assessor Trainers
Giving assessor status to people who can not assess appropriately to the criteria
Failure to adequately monitor the work of assessors
Failure to inform the AB about instances of malpractice
Failure to co-operate with those investigating allegations of malpractice
Failure to co-operate adequately with QA and moderation procedures
Failure to adequately ensure that the candidate fully meets the criteria before awarding a certificate
Failure to attend mandatory training required by the AB
Failure to keep passwords and account access secure
Failure to take the candidate's views of the candidate's competence into account
Failure to notify the AB of significant student malpractice
Failure to co-operate with internal quality assurance procedures
Failure to co-operate with the AB quality assurance procedures
Failure to keep up to date with notices from the AB on the web site
Failure to keep up to date and extend knowledge in the subject matter at a level appropriate to the certification being carried out.
Passing off the work of others as if it is their own
Failure to co-operate appropriately with assessors in quality assurance
Failure to work co-operatively with peers including giving and receiving help (Note that giving and receiving help is not the same as passing off the work of others as if it is your own. If the process of giving and receiving help enables the candidate to match the criteria self-sufficiently then it is to be encouraged.)
Any attempts to break into the AB web site or access restricted areas
Appendix 1: Malpractice/Maladministration Declaration
Actual, potential or perceived malpractice or maladministration could arise from any of the above-mentioned instances (the list is not exhaustive – therefore notification must be given so TLM can determine if malpractice or maladministration is an issue):
Centre Name
Centre Number
Information for declaration must include:
The type of event/issue
The nature of the event/issue
A description of circumstanced and persons responsible or accountable.
I declare that the information is correct and I will assist TLM in any enquiry or investigation required.
Signed: ................................................................... Date: ..........................................
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European commission says that GDPR is working but more work needed
New Ideas in MarketingResources
New Ideas in Marketing
Essential news for marketers, summarised by YouGov
The European Commission has released a report on the impact of EU data protection rules and possible improvements in implementation.
The European Commission has launched a new campaign to encourage Europeans to read privacy statements and optimise their privacy settings. The report comes after a recent Eurobarometer survey found that only 20% of Europeans know which public authority is responsible for protecting their data.
The report found that while GDPR has led businesses to develop a compliance culture, it had also made citizens more aware of their rights. The commission is expected to further strengthen data protection rules.
The commission said it supports digital transformation but will give full respect to individual rights. The Commissioner of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová said, “…work needs to continue for the new data protection regime to become fully operational and effective.”
[2 minute read]
Explore your very own audience with YouGov's new Audience Explorer
Try the FREE Audience Explorer
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Before you travel.
This site is about the inspiration I get everyday, as I am designed to get, where faith and conviction are my two flowers which receive light when asked to God.
My Friend Joshua
New Travel
When going on a journey
Extremely saddened by Croatia’s 4-2 loss To France in the Football World Cup Final 2018 in Russia.
July 16, 2018 July 16, 2018 aveekoiqbalneep
Congratulations to France for having won the 2018 Football World Cup Final in Russia. Croatia is a small nation in the European Union with a population of 4.3 million. No one thought that they would be able to enter the knock out stage of the world cup, but they surpassed every expectations and entered the knock out stage and eventually won the quarter finals and the semi finals with natural grace, sportsmanship and team work.
We were rooting for the Croatian team from the moment they reached the top 16. Watching their every game felt like witnessing something extraordinary and intelligent. With their each goal we celebrated and with their every win we danced.
The first goal by Ivan Perisic in their semi final match versus England was beyond excellence.
Yesterday, we were rooting for them to win the finals. We even got up early from our sleep to watch the final. But it was sheer bad and dusty luck that they couldn’t equal with France, which would have lead to extra time and the penalties and we all know that Croatians are the kings of penalties. After their loss to France, we had lost our appetite and the night felt extremely dull.For few minutes we couldn’t believe that they had lost.When the Croatian team sat down for a team picture, it felt as if they had won the world cup and at any moment they might lift the golden world cup.As Croatian fans we were more disappointed that this talented and mighty team couldn’t win this match.It should have been a walk in the park for them.Losing the final was a completely different issue from losing the match.
Whether be it Modric or Perisic or Vida or any other player in the Croatian team, they all play with superb team spirit, teamwork and extreme hard work.
This date of 15th July, will be etched down the lanes of History, as the day when a deserving and a extremely capable and a highly talented team lost to their opponents.
As the final was full of surprises, so was this football world cup.I wish that the Croatian football team reach their peak of footballing heights very soon.
Watching them lose, we i.e. ma,baba and me, were as sad and unhappy as the rest of the people rooting for the Croatian team.Tears were nearly knocking at our eyelids.
Last but not the least,salute to the Croatian Football team. Their play, their game and their way of scoring goals was something which we had not seen for a very long time.
We are perpetual fans for life of this current Croatian Football team.As this edition of the football world cup has come to an end, I do hope that Croatia’s dream run continues and this magnificent team of theirs continues to win hearts and accolades one after the other and be legends for life to remember.
The extreme happiness for Croatia in this final was that Luka Modric, their captain won the Best Player of Football World Cup 2018.
Tagged Croatia, Croatia vs France, Extremely saddened by Croatia's 4-2 loss To France in the Football World Cup Final 2018 in Russia., Football world cup 2018
Published by aveekoiqbalneep
View all posts by aveekoiqbalneep
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Next postStill Can’t Believe That Croatia Lost The Final.
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Fluid Movement in an Alien Domain
One more online Star Trek game has broken cover in the form of Alien Domain.
Not just limited to the GameSamba site, it's also available to play via the wondrous portal that is Facebook and is currently in beta testing so it's not 100% finished but there's enough going to get a good idea of where this is heading. Be warned though, I'm in a grumpy mood after reading Savage Trade.
Let's nail off the backstory first. It seems that those naughty, naughty Species 8472 aliens from fluidic space weren't given the ass-kicking we thought in Scorpion, decided that we weren't that friendly after In the Flesh and have been amassing their forces ever since in anticipation of returning to the franchise - sorry - in anticipation of a larger attack. Forgoing their "Undine" moniker from Star Trek Online, Alien Domain is immediately setting itself firmly away from that gaming powerhouse but frankly that's where I think my dissatisfaction begins. Luckily though I realised early on I was in a negative frame of mind and contacted the Powers that Be to help give me a more balanced opinion on the game. You know why? Because everything has two sides and it's very important to me that we hear all the angles. While listening to me grumble might be super-entertaining, it's not very constructive. Check me out being all adult here.
Explained the very helpful GameSamba Vice President of Content, Brendon Lindsey; "The game has been in development since early 2014. In terms of the background/setting taking place in fluidic space, and after Voyager, that was a decision based on many factors. Ultimately, it came down to the idea that we could kind of work in a new area most other Star Trek games haven't really explored much, and as fans of the franchise working with the Star Trek team to craft a new story, a "new" setting, and come up with some of the new characters and species we have in the game was just too awesome to pass up.
"For the game itself, we went with this style of game primarily because of its widespread appeal not only with players in the US and Europe, but also globally. Web-based strategy games like this are really popular worldwide, and to date there have been very few sci-fi themed ones that have been released; usually it's fantasy or medieval. It works well with Star Trek, as these types of games are about exploring new areas, and moving further into the unknown."
Alien Domain seems like a brilliant concept when you hear the background and therefore an experience that should grip social gamers across the globe so, let's skip forward a bit in time, use a handy wormhole and drop into fluidic space to start a whole new mission of exploration. This is gonna be "way cool" and we get to kick Species 8472's posterior into the bargain. Hand me the mouse, get me on the internet and let's be on with it. After registering and some fancy gubbins intro, you can pick to start out either as a Starfleet officer or a Klingon warrior. Game on people, I'm going Federation.
OK, so off I go on my continuing mission. The first system (1.1) is the expected hand-holding walk-through. You get a redesigned Constitution Class starship to start up your fleet and explore while various photogenic Starfleet officers walk you through the features of the game.
Now with Online I actually like the design of the characters and the environments. They're very expressive, clearly created by fans for fans and feel at least a little lived in. Here for some reason all the Starfleet characters are in skin-tight spandex variations on The Next Generation season one/two uniform and also look like they've been hired from the CGI modelling agency. That depletes its credibility and starts to make Alien Domain look like a cheap child of the franchise. Certainly in respect to the female characters there appears to have been some "sexing up". Why it's aiming for such a market is beyond me, I thought, as I wouldn't associate this image with Star Trek.
"Because of the setting of the game, there aren't any recognizable characters -- unless you count some of the ships." noted Brendon, "Later on we may introduce some in the form of simulation missions, but we didn't want to make the game rely on existing characters to succeed.
"As for "sexing up" the guiding characters, I think that may be putting it a little too extreme. Yes, some of the main guide characters may be drawn attractively (in this case I'm assuming you mean Jenny Snow (right)), but we have a mix of old and young non-playing characters in the game. We also worked with CBS to stay within the guidelines of design, so we have nothing over the top. But in the end, we are trying to appeal to that grey space where fans and non-fans mingle, so some degree of attractiveness in art is part of getting players into the game."
As it progresses though there's a horrid sense of repetitiveness that doesn't abate. You reach a planet, you fight some ships, you gain some rewards, you travel to the next planet and start again. Early on this does happen a lot as you march through the first 20 or 30 level-ups. At that point you might start to fight real people rather than the computer's generated adversaries. The only times that you seem to do anything different is when you can return to your space base, collect resources and upgrade buildings in a similar way to a lot of games ever. The base does offer the chance to update your ships with technology - which in itself can also be individually enhanced - and also build additional ships and as you reach certain levels other options open up to improve your facility and abilities. Of course the resources you have access to (metal, crystal, deuterium and synergen) all vary in the amounts you can collect and store which makes managing that a delicate balancing act itself especially since yoou seem to accumulate metal and crystal at a ferocious rate.
It is a worthy note that the first few ships I've encountered in the spacedock included the Sabre Class and the Steamrunner Class both of which are canon as opposed to the initial provision of the rebooted/super-Constitution Class. That's where Online certainly has another advantage in that you have a lot of chances to interact with characters, space battles, away missions and the chance to really indulge in a Star Trek experience. Here the action is very two-fold and there really aren't any big surprises once you're into the flow of the game.
Clearly those behind Alien Domain have been reading their Freemium Handbooks carefully as a lot of the better features and abilities are limited to those who have forked out for the VIP Access or various packs available in the game store. There is a tidy little bonus which you can build up over the course of seven logins (and not necessarily seven consecutive days) and also you can pick up additional little aids by staying online for longer per daily session. This does, in fairness, keep you playing for the want of the next prize although I was easily swayed offline after several attacks.
Brendon totally understood my perspective on the game and certainly all the head-scratching which had led me to wonder what Alien Domain actually was. "With the game, our goal wasn't to create the ultimate fan game that encompassed everything Star Trek stood for, with lots of characters and stories from the shows." he said, "Other games are trying to do that, and it would have created too much competition for the same groups. What we wanted to do was to create a game that could appeal to a broader audience, and help introduce Star Trek to people and places it hasn't traditionally had a lot of fans in.
"There's this stigma among non-fans or casual fans that if it's a Star Trek game (or really any super established property), they're never going to be able to enjoy it, or they're going to feel like they're missing out if they play. So we wanted to create something based on Star Trek that we felt could bring those people over the threshold, and serve as an easy-to-play, casual entrance to the brand from which they could later on explore other entities.
At the same time, we do know Star Trek fans are going to check the game out, and we do want them to enjoy it. That's part of why we created the setting and story the way we did -- to give fans something they can get out of the game. And even without the doses of nostalgia or the more subtle/political aspects from the series being really present, a lot of fans do enjoy the nature of Alien Domain."
To be fair this is perfect Facebook game fodder. There's not a lot to it and it's easy to get ensnared into the simplicity of the game after a very short time but it's just not got that Star Trek feel to it. Even the chat feature doesn't drive me to want to play this any more than I need to in order to review the game and I'm starting to grasp at straws to say why you should play it. The next kick was just how elitist I found the squadrons with notices specifically saying they didn't want anyone below a certain level and kicking anyone out that doesn't fit. I just found this another reason to turn off. I want to play and get more involved but if others want to get funny then I'm off. Surely these can't be true fans rather hardened gamers more interested in levels and numbers than the true Star Trek spirit.
I approached Brendon over this and it's good to know they are very aware of their audience and what's going on; "I haven't seen a lot of instances of it, but like any game we have had our share of bad eggs. Our community and GM team is pretty active in monitoring the community interaction and responding to players, though, so if anyone is experiencing anything too bad I'd suggest to share with them and they can help you out.
As for community reaction, so far overall it's been great. We have a large rate of new players staying in the game after they start, and many of them continue to play. As for the last part of the question, we do have a good proportion of Star Trek fans, but I would say most of them tend to be more casual fans (who have maybe watched the various series but only a bit here and there), or are from overseas and are fans of the newer movies but had only heard of the original shows existing in mentions. What's cool is we've gotten a lot of those types of people sending us messages after they start playing that they're now getting copies of the older series on DVD or digitally and are going to check it out because they want to learn more about Star Trek now that they're kind of involved with part of it.
OK OK, here's one - it might get people to take a second look at Star Trek. That's it. I just can't see hardcore fans touching this especially if they've already (just) tried Online.
Brendon seemed to think along the same lines and I really did value his honesty when I asked him about the game and if it would be able to compete against the aforementioned Online; "Really if a game like Star Trek Online is your type of game, then there's no real reason to play this instead.
"This is definitely a more casual type of game, and they aren't really competitors in terms of an audience. With client games, there's a higher barrier to entry, and also a higher need for a rig that can play it. Web-based games like this can be played on just about any Internet-enabled laptop or PC these days (and any device that supports Flash), and you can login and play instantly, no matter which device you're on."
So actually it's not for those of us who've touched Online. Perhaps it's something that fans who have joined the ranks since the arrival of the JJ movies could well enjoy with it's pacing, heavy focus on space battles and stylized game-unique characters. I believe this is probably the area it'll do the best business with the more hardcore remaining securely with their Online personas.
The game is currently in open beta testing so there won;t be any wipes and your data is perfectly safe if you fancy giving it a bash. Already there are lots of plans to improve the game and take it forward as Brendon closed off with some tempting morsels; "There's quite a few! We have some new faction PVP modes coming in the relatively near future, and we also have some cool things planned that pit players from different servers against each other. Moving forward we're definitely focusing on things for existing players and high level players to do to keep them entertained, and we are always monitoring new player activity to see what new features may be good to add for their enjoyment."
Even as I'm putting this together I've been dipping in and out of Alien Domain just to see what I can get and I suppose that does indicate that Brendon and GameSamba have "won" me over to some degree because it is very easy to drop in and pop out again during the day. You're not constricted to time and the chance to have a quick battle can be very tempting just to kick you up to the next level.
There is nothing revolutionary here. It's gaming by numbers but, as has been said, this is absolutely a casual gaming experience that might act as a gateway for new fans to explore the outer fringes of the Star Trek franchise before diving into the more intricate levels of the shows.
Star Trek: Alien Domain is available now to play either via Facebook or through the GameSamba website. Big thanks to Brendon Lindsey for his time in putting this article together.
Are you a big Alien Domain player? Are you already hitting past level 30 and taking the battle back to Species 8472? Let us know below and tell me where I've got it all wrong!
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Posted by Some Kind of Star Trek at 20:48 No comments:
Labels: Alien Domain, Constitution Class, GameSamba, gaming, Species 8472, Star Trek Online, Steamrunner Class, VGR
Admiral on the Bridge: Attack Wing's movie USS Enterprise
One of my must-haves for Attack Wing has finally been ticked off the list thanks to my amazing wife. Yes, she buys me Star Trek stuff.
As part of my Father's Day prezzie I was presented with the movie refit USS Enterprise from one of the early waves. I was, of course, completely controlled and did not flip out into a mad gaming moment at all. Honest.
As ships go for the WizKids game, she's pretty average in size with a fairly bland paint job. Quick and easy seems to have been the name of the game at this point so you're pushed to see a straight edge or in my case two straight nacelles since one is half-cock.
She did fit smoothly onto the stand however back in these dark beginnings of Attack Wing the card for the tokens was very thick which means that Kirk, Decker or Spock will find themselves getting damaged quickly due to the slot being a narrower width than the card. In later waves this hasn't been an issue at all.
I really have wanted this one for a while and hunted her out on the internet. I did win one on eBay which never arrived and may have forgotten to mention I'd purchased it to the wife who went ballistic. Understandable because she'd already got it hidden away for Father's Day, not that I knew. Did I feel stupid. Yep.
So to the expansion and once you've ripped open the box, dug out the cards it's time to see just what the first three movies can offer you. First up is James T himself as either your fleet admiral or the captain of the Enterprise. It's not the best upgrade of all time with Kirk allowing you to disable one upgrade on a ship at range one.
If you're not a fan of the main man, you can always choose Spock or the man-who-would-be-captain, Will Decker. The Vulcan fares little better than Kirk though, allowing you to perform a scan or target lock as a free action. Only Decker with sacrificing a shield for critical damage offers any kind of serious threat to your opposition. Somewhat disappointing in the command echelons is the Enterprise refit but surely it's better if we take a look over the crew...
Well we have seven options available to fill the maximum of four slots available here. Not only do you get the expected McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu and Chekov but also The Motion Picture's Ilia and The Wrath of Khan's Saavik as played by Kirstie Alley.
The good doctor allows you to open up two disabled upgrades - definitely useful in the throws of battle as is the Chief Engineer who can significantly reduce the number of auxiliary power tokens tacked onto your vessel. Again, a good one if you're pulling some red maneuvers to get out of trouble. Uhura adds two to your captain's skill level for the phase and the Chekov card can be disabled to allow you to re-roll any blank attack dice in a round. Sulu does provide the sensor echo advantage that only cloaked ships seem to have. It's again good to see the game makers thinking about the characters and how their traits fit the upgrades. Sulu, Scotty and McCoy are definitely useful given the average moving ability of the USS Enterprise and Chekov will help out if you're coming close to defeat. Uhura's skill to upgrade your captain's skill is always useful and can make the difference between surviving a combat round or finding you're removing your ship from the play area.
Ilia allows you to keep the ability to perform actions if you overlap another ship's base which is a bit weak but Saavik offers a slight tactical nuance by the opportunity to replace a battle stations or scan token with an evasive one. It certainly makes it apparent that this is a very defensive pack, offering Federation players a lot of options which will help keep them out of trouble but not necessarily put them in a stronger offensive position.
Interestingly the forward firing arc is a full 180 degrees which is very different to the later era ships. We do get the requisite photon torpedoes as well as a few handier upgrades which might offer more potential than the crew features.
The Needs of the Many draws on The Wrath of Khan for its feature, sacrificing one of your crew with an SP of three or more to repair up to three shield points. Keeping that movie in mind though you can't sacrifice Spock. The second Elite Action available takes its lead from The Search for Spock allowing you to destroy your ship and hopefully inflict some serious damage on any ships within a range of one. It's a clever move that could prove decisive at a late point in the game especially since any ship in the blast radius can't defend.
Covering off the set is a one player scenario which takes on The Motion Picture from start to finish. Controlling both a trio of Klingon ships (you'll need Birds-of-Prey or D-7's) and the Enterprise you're mission is ultimately to communicate with V'Ger and stop it from reaching Earth. The twist is that the Klingons can attack and can't talk to the upgraded Earth satellite while the Enterprise can do the opposite - and don't forget to pick Spock up enroute.
The first time I took this one out was alongside the USS Prometheus and the USS Defiant against a Romulan fleet comprising of a D'deridex Class Warbird and the pretty lethal Scimitar. My reliance on the hi-tech weaponry of the Prometheus was misplaced and a kicking was had with the Enterprise the first victim. Y'see the issue is that if you get hit by anything big then she was always going to take damage quickly. Two attacks and the movie refit had gone the way of the dodo leaving a cloaked Defiant and a hastily retreating Prometheus to try and salvage something. They didn't.
The Enterprise is a great little ship with a lot of options packed into the expansion but it needs a lot of boosts to make it a viable ship within the Attack Wing game. I made the mistake of overloading the Prometheus, giving the Defiant some hardened upgrades and then leaving the Constitution Class ship open to the elements if you will and falling short of anything like 40 points of goodness.
The 24 point cost means that if you are intending to give it a full 40 points then it might just stand a chance but it's certainly not a ship you can get away with having just to make up the numbers. You have to treat her with respect or you'll be a ship down within a few moves at the most. I speak from experience here. Potentially using her alongside two equally "low value" ships could offer better flexibility in a three-ship fleet but I sense I'll be altering my fleet arrangements for some time to find the "perfect" Federation formation.
Using the movie Enterprise within your fleet? What tactics do you use or suggest to make her effective? Drop us a note below!
Labels: Attack Wing, Kirk, Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Meeting Up: Dominion Serves a Vignette
Dreadnought Dominion premiered just over two months ago with its 20 minute first episode Haunted and now has returned with a prequel of sorts.
Filmed before that already released episode, this vignette picks up the story as Commodore Grissom is cleared of any wrong-doing in relation to the Cromwell Nebula incident and is given two weeks to prepare the Dominion for departure following her lengthy repairs.
Explained Gary Davis, who plays first officer Commander Jason Brousseau; "We met over a weekend during "Farragut Fest", a mini-convention at the Farragut Films Studio in Georgia and knocked out this one-set scene in two days. Then we met again in January for a four day shoot and completed Haunted. We felt that the latter was a much better production, so it was decided to edit it, work on the visual FX, sound, and score to present it first to the public. After we completed Haunted, we then started editing Anchors Aweigh. We even did a sneak preview at the premiere of Haunted to cast and crew, then went back and smoothed it out more before finally releasing it to the public."
The episode brings the senior staff of the Dominion together over a drink aboard the Starbase for the first time and actually stays away from the ship completely, focusing solely on the characters' first interactions. In a way this does work to give us a flashback in a sense but maybe it could have been held back for a little longer and some clashes and other traits could have been seen in later episodes with some explanation then given by taking us back to these moments prior to departure. Admittedly there are a couple of uncomfortable meetings here, particularly between the commodore and Chief Brooks whose father was killed during the Cromwell Nebula incident.
My thoughts on Anchors Aweigh? It's not as good as Haunted by some miles and that episode did impress me as you'll see from the post I dropped at the beginning of June. It's easy to see this was produced fairly quickly with only two settings required and the key actors. There are no effects shots, only one use of a viewer for Grissom's conversation with Admiral Bennett very early on so it does heavily rely on your engagement with the characters rather than any inclusion of fancy tech or CG.
The challenge with the scene is that, well, nothing really happens and it all feels a bit stilted. The characters don't get a lot of room to breathe here and the dialogue does, at times, seem very bland. I know from watching Haunted that the team are much, much better than this and I came away a little disappointed. It was OK but there was nothing here that would, if I was a casual viewer, keep me interested in this show. Even the small amount of backstory sprinkled for each character didn't perk that much interest but having seen Haunted first I know that this was very much the water-test.
Now, I like Frank Parker as Grissom but again, here he's very much finding his way in the role and was a lot more convincing in Haunted. There was more depth to the commodore and it was a lot more personal. The rest of the senior staff we see here in Anchors Aweigh are given a few lines and some brief background and I hope that they are given more screentime and exploration in the third episode which has yet to be filmed.
It is the first time these characters have met and are, for the most part, feeling out the first tentative steps of what could be long-term working relationships and friendships during their time onboard the Dominion. I do want to see where this goes and having Haunted premiere first was a very good move in retrospect. It's easily the stronger segment produced to date, the acting is much better and the story worked more successfully. I definitely felt the writing in that episode was a marked improvement over Anchors Aweigh. Having Grissom step aboard the Dominion and lay his ghosts to rest made a more solid opening, almost negating the need for this flashback, bar-talk episode.
"The premise around Anchors Aweigh was simply to get "our feet wet" with our characters." said Gary (pictured right), "Starship Farragut had a vignette that they shot called Just Passing Through. It was simply in a bar on a starbase with different characters there as they reminisced about past meetings. Frank Parker Jr. envisioned Anchors Aweigh with the same premise. So this was pitched as a single set, one shot vignette that introduced the characters, and set the tone for the rest of the story. We've taken both Anchors Aweigh and Haunted and combined them and will be releasing it as a "Producer's Cut".. making it one episode. The combined offering makes it a "normal" length episode and I think Haunted compliments it and balances it out as an introduction to the action."
Maybe that's something I'll try - combining the two and watching it through as a full length episode. Thing is I think that even though only a month passed between the two shoots, there does seem to be a noticable improvement in standards from all involved.
So not a huge review for this little installment but I like to keep my eye on this new arrival on the scene and am certainly keenly awaiting the arrival of their next story which I believe will be Redemption at Red Medusa which will see us revisiting the events that led to the near-destruction of the USS Dominion at the Cromwell Nebula incident.
Said Gary; "Episode three will be a "normal" length episode of hopefully 45 minutes or maybe longer. It is a "full blown" episode unto itself. Episode three is written and scripted and we are getting everyone's schedules and suggestions for when we may journey to our studio to film the ship scenes.
"We will also have one or two off-site filming segments that don't involve the ship sets that we could shoot where the actors are already home based."
Excellent news from Dreadnought Dominion then that they will be giving more. Gary did note that they will be getting episode three completed before even considering embarking on a fourth story. What that might be is still open to suggestions I would believe.
You can watch the first two episodes of Dreadnought Dominion now via their website
Labels: Dreadnought Dominion
Where's Star Trek: Rebels?
As my son was zooming his Hot Wheels mini JJ-USS Enterprise around the lounge, hoping to blow my USS Vengeance out of the sky, my wife raised a very good point.
"He loves ships and the whole space thing," she observed, "and he does like watching Star Wars Rebels - how come there's no Star Trek for kids? Surely they're missing a trick and an audience?"
That's a very good point indeed, especially when it comes from a someone who has no serious love for the franchise. Flashback; the only non-live action Star Trek in 50 years was the 1973 animated series and while it's a good diversion, these days it's classic fans who are the most likely to buy it on DVD and laud some of its exemplary stories. Either that or take berate the brilliance that was the personal forcefield belt.
Star Wars on the other hand has certainly cornered the market not only producing excellent animated shows such as The Clone Wars (twice) and Rebels in recent years but let's not forget Droids and Ewoks back in the 80's. Plus there were the more child friendly(!) Ewok movies and that "amazing" Christmas special. So why not Star Trek? What has stopped a 50 year old franchise from branching out and potentially extending its lifetime even further. Even in recent years Doctor Who has realised the opportunity within the younger audience. While kids will watch the show, Russell T Davies brought in The Sarah Jane Chronicles to appeal to a younger generation and, I suspect, prep them to watch Doctor Who when they get older. As a footnote here, '60's retro series Thunderbirds has been rebooted in CG and already I can see what the bulk of my son's Christmas presents will consist of and I'm hooked on it for Saturday morning viewing. It's a good example where that rebooting has succeeded in capturing fans of the original and finding a new, adventurous and young audience.
However Star Trek has always aimed for a slightly highbrow audience intending a branch of sci-fi that provokes discussion and is cleverly multi-layered which, no offence intended, has made it less accessible to children. Yes I and many others will have watched it in our formative years but I wouldn't think we're in any for or majority. There wasn't a ton of action, it wasn't all explosions and space battles and there was a fair bit of talking.
Looking back and thanks to some input from Dennis Koch on Twitter, I recalled that there were forays into material for a younger audience - certainly the comics of the 80's and 90's were looking to expand the ranks of fandom. Likewise there were the 100+ action figures in the Playmates range that many of us still have mint, styro-chipped and vacuum-sealed for future generations, there were books about the main characters at the academy, the Corps of Engineers books, handheld computer games, Galoob figures (yeah, they were great...), Micro Machine starships, I could probably go on but there was, indeed one thing missing, perhaps the hook that needed to be there to secure a more successful merchandising/revenue stream for the future - a TV show.
Think about it. Kids and adults watched Star Trek, kids and adults watched Star Wars but the later pulled out something that meant the younger generation were hooked even more and wanted X Lego set or Y action figure because there was a show which was "exclusively" theirs. At a push there were the Kre-O sets for Into Darkness and we'll be seeing a Mega Bloks USS Enterprise from The Original Series on the shelves of your local toystore in 2016 BUT Star Trek has never hit that mark and while there have been numerous lines or toys, books or games which could attract that market. They've not had an alternative visual gateway which could have then led them on to the experience of the main Star Trek series.
I am in no way suggesting we dumb Star Trek down, nor am I suggesting that The original Series or Deep Space Nine are inaccessible for younger fans but there needs to be something which is more encapsulating so it's not just the "geeky" kid in the class who watches it. in fact we could even speculate that The Worf Chronicles is perfect for a younger audience if we slap an inexperienced, rookie crew in with the angry Klingon captain(!) and some horrific comedy character - or Neelix.
So is it time to change? As with the JJ movies that have dragged Star Trek more firmly into the 21st Century is it now time to draw in that younger audience because it might well secure a better future for a franchise that, at the moment, is relying purely on a third motion picture in its 50th anniversary year. It could easily be set in the JJ-verse, it could be live or animated I don't think it really matters but it does need to aim for that demographic because there has to be something to ensure the longevity of the franchise. Star Wars is managing to do that through its multiple projects but Star Trek still seems blinkered or maybe it really doesn't appeal that strongly or want to appeal to that younger generation. Before you mention it, yes I have thought about the ever increasing comic book/graphic novel range but they seem more focused on the older viewer and collector especially with cash tie-ins such as The Planet of the Apes, Doctor Who and most recently Green Lantern. Even more singular titles have revisited old concepts such as The Tholian Webs. No guessing what that was about which is going to interest more invested fans than perhaps younger, newer ones.
Of course such a conversation also kicks off other possibilities. With some clever scripting there could be characters dropped into Star Trek Beyond (or taken from) that would lead into said children's spin-off and launch a whole new strand of the franchise. Interest in the movie is certainly starting to gather momentum with visual confirmation of Idris Elba's involvement by his appearance in the launch video to win a walk on role in the third installment (has it really come to this?!). Nice twist on that video guys just adding Idris in there but I can't forgive the break-dancing. Seriously, is there no better time to grab that hot iron and expand the universe as we're seeing DC and Marvel do with their superhero franchises?
I might be going crackers here but Star Trek has always remained, at least on the screen, 100% pure to a single vision, one crew and a seven (not always) season run with no variation outside the lines. The reboot did blur those lines and I would like to think that adding a more juvenile-aimed show could really smudge those boundaries for all time. There needs to be a good head in charge to give it the edge and feel of Star Trek that some recent spin-off elements have tragically diluted. Certainly a spin-off wouldn't do the merchandising department any harm...as long as it's done right and doesn't turn out to be a Bucky O'Hare that is and not allow it all to end up in the 99p bin after six months.
It is after all about getting it right and if there's one thing Star Trek hasn't been good at it's consistency. The last 50 years - and the last 15 for definite have been rocky, uneven affairs that have distanced fans and potentially begun to cut off that younger audience. Taking the bull by the horns and exploring new avenues just as the rebooted films have done could be the key to unlocking some new potential and who knows, we might not be looking forward to a Sulu series in a couple of years but a Sulu movie. I could see an animated version doing well and the options would be limitless. Heck, I'd even go as far as saying George Takei would be onboard immediately to voice.
Whatever happens, the next 12 months will be critical to the future of Star Trek and it's existence for another 50 years. I just hope that it's going to keep the vision focused and cater for all potential parties.
Have I got it right? Does Star Trek need to explore other media avenues to remain a strong player in the sci-fi market? Let me know below!
Labels: Diamond Select Toys, Doctor Who, Micro Machines, Playmates, Star Trek Beyond, Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars, TAS
A Rocky Road with Tony Daniel's The Savage Trade
I'll kick off with a spoiler alert purely because I don't want to ruin Takedown for anyone so either close or scroll down as I have a mini-rant!
We seem to have hit something of a Homage Focal Point in the literary universe with the last The Next Generation novel bouncing back to its fourth season and reintroducing the Cytherians, The Missing located Katherine Pulaski, Foul Deeds Will Rise returned Anton Karidian's daughter Lenore from The Conscience of the King and now in Savage Trade we're back in the company of the rocky The Original Series beings, the Excalbians. Yay.
With a starbase attacked and out of contact it could only be a mission for Kirk and the USS Enterprise and it doesn't take the crew too long to track the perpetrators - which is certainly a refreshing change When they encounter the Excalbians however I wasn't sure if Daniel was taking the mickey and had lost the plot since we're introduced to one in the form of George Washington before revealing the name of the alien race last seen onscreen in The Savage Curtain from 1969.
It's a fairly uneven novel and certainly not one of my favourites. For the majority of the time I found it very difficult to take seriously as historical figures appear all over the place including Admiral Horatio Nelson and Benjamin Franklin among other notables. We are reminded that these are Excalbian "refugees" in disguise but still this is maybe a story concept too far as their actions post The Savage Curtain led down a terrible path that led to an encounter with something called the Demiurge which destroyed their world when they captured it for sport as they had with Kirk and Spock.
Having read Takedown recently I was hoping for big things from Daniel but Savage Trade hasn't supplied to my demand(!). In fact it felt like The Phantom Menace. While we could have had a good, action-filled story that harked back to The Savage Curtain and The Original Series the novel gets rapidly bogged down in negotiation, the establishment of an independent Excalbian group and the L'rah'hane who are absent for a massive portion of the time. I genuinely lost interest in the story and ended up taking a longer time to get through this than I expected and thereby longer to get to Crisis of Consciousness.
Tony Daniel has a great style and can write the characters very well. His Vulcan ambassador, Valek was a great addition to the standard cast especially when we got into the backstory of her and her twin brother's relationship with Spock. While she was intricately involved with the Excalbian storyline, the narrative between her and Kirk was far more inspiring and provided better character analysis than any other part of the story. There's even a bizarre Sybok throwaway line (literally one line) that will either make you smile or wince dependant on your appreciation for The Final Frontier. Valek starts out very much as the stoic Vulcan but has more character development than anyone else it seems and makes her the most compelling element of the story. A shame we'll probably never see her again. I also liked the play-it-safe Captain Anvit from the Montana who made for a nice diversion if only to "play" to the stereotypes of all other 23rd Century Starfleet captains except for Kirk. However, the introduction of these great characters still couldn't pull me away from the average-ness of this story.
One line won't put you off but I really felt like nothing happened. There was a bucket-load of promise at the beginning with this new enemy attacking, the Excalbians turning up in all their Earth-historical weirdness and a chase ensuing with the Enterprise carring one of those classic stuffy diplomats but like watching Time and Again after Caretaker you wonder right away where all that potential got flushed to? Where's the conflict? The danger and the power of the author to will us towards the gripping climax?
I got none of it. If Tony Daniel came up with the plot I can see that he has attempted to go for a different, more subtle tack which allows for more talking, expression and supposed exploration of the cast but this all gets wasted since the story drags like a warp engine in fluidic space. Even then the cast of Excalbian copies just doesn't cut the mustard. They don't exude their personalities and while Yarnek takes us back to the core of the third season episode of The Original Series even his rocky posturing within the body of George Washington left me somewhat cold. Daniel's last Star Trek novel used the Horta as it's main protagonist in Devil's Bargain and I'd be keen to see if his next novel will be a complete work of his own not borrowing elements from classic episodes.
What adds insult to injury might be the space pirates. One of the concepts that Gene Roddenberry himself avoided like the Terrellian plague and was bent ever so slightly for Gambit in The Next Generation's final year, it's one more piece in this uneven tale. There are some great ideas here including the discovery of the supposedly lost Hradrian race by Sulu and Chekov but then that element dangles for a few hundred pages before receiving an average, forseeable payoff battle that left me, once again, colder than space.
I am a fan of the Excalbians and of the original episode but the unique nature of the race along with the ethos of that story seem to have been lost and over complicated here. Personally I'd skip it and head over to Armageddon's Arrow or maybe Crisis of Consciousness which was released recently. If I've utterly missed the point on this novel I can only apologise but not my Earl Grey.
Is Savage Trade a better book than I make out or is it one to pass by?
Savage Trade is available now from Simon and Schuster priced £7.99 ISBN 9781476765501
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Labels: Kirk, Simon and Schuster, Spock, Tony Daniel, TOS
Three Stories, One Vision: Star Trek Anthology
What do a Miranda Class starship, Gary Seven and a freighter have in common?
Before 2015 only the fact they were very different elements of the Star Trek universe. Now though they are part of Star Trek Anthology; a super-ambitious fan project that doesn't just look at one aspect of the franchise but THREE at the same time.
A couple of weeks before they began location filming the second instalment of Challenger, I grabbed a chance to speak with series creator and Chief Executive Producer Jim Bray and Executive Producer Scott J. Smith to discover the real story behind the project.
"It is a little ambitious!" started James, "And let me take you way back. We got into this whole mess after the guys at Starbase Studios picked up the old Exeter bridge set and posted some pictures on-line."
The set itself had been stored in a barn and had become a little neglected. An email chain between Jim and the studio struck up and he offered to help get them started on the road to restore the three-quarter set. It eventually became a full 360 degree piece once work was completed. "It was a splendid job," continued Jim, "There were some stories written, I offered to direct and my wife can act. They suggested that she looked like Colt (from The Cage) and wanted to somehow write her into an episode. That in turn became Starship Ajax but they just couldn't seem to get a head of steam."
Travel costs were also mounting up travelling from the Bray home to Starbase Studios but as luck would have it James was also in touch with Phase II producer James Cawley who suggested that they could use his sets to get Jodi on screen as Colt. So they set to work and after 12 months there was a lot of material but something else clicked.
"We started thinking we could do an anthology," recalled Jim, "kinda Twilight Zone, kinda Outer Limits but in the Star Trek universe with a hint of Galaxy Quest to show we're not taking ourselves too seriously because we love things with a dose of humour. That led to writing these stories."
Initially that provided Challenger and then thoughts moved to consider Gary Seven who had never received a series after the back-door pilot which was Assignment: Earth from The Original Series fell through. The team realised it wouldn't be that difficult to do and could be fairly contemporary which would keep costs at a minimum. However, there still needed to be a third element.
"We cooked up this show which had an element of Firefly in The Original Series era." recalled Jim, "So we have this ship which is run by a computer which has the memory engrams of the mother of the family who crew her. She was killed in an Orion raid and she lives on in the ship. This meant we had a strong female character in each one of these shows."
Indeed, Mother, Colt and a more dynamic, street-wise Roberta Lincoln are at the forefront of their shows. "Gary tries to push her around," explained Jim, "but she pushes back!"
It was soon decided that Challenger would be the starting point and the centre-pin from which everything else would spring. The Anthology team therefore are looking to that vehicle as their first major work. "We'll be looking at what Colt has been through in her career," stated Jim in relation to the commanding officer of the eponymous starship, "How she has ended up there and in the process we're going to upset the balance but I can't say too much!"
Jim has warned us that the twists of the pilot will leave us slack-jawed but being the utter professional I couldn't drag anything more from the show's producer. Valuably, Jim has been allowed to use some of the team from Phase II to make Anthology and is more than aware of just how important it is to get this right not only for himself but for the fan series that is lending a hand.
Phase II Scotty actor Charles Root may well show up and while Jim would have loved for Brian (Kirk) Gross to be involved with the opening and closing of the first adventure, it looks like they may only be voice-overs.
Scott J Smith, executive producer and webmaster extraordinare has known Jim since "back in the day" and a post on Facebook from the series producer about being green-lit for a webseries peaked his interest. He picked up the phone and the pair reconnected but couldn't put it down until he'd accepted a role in the Anthology project.
It's now been 18 months since the original idea was being kicked around for Anthology and they are now shooting location footage for episode two; A Logical Solution and in August will be shooting all the shipboard material for the pilot and that second episode. "By the end of September we will have everything in the can," explained Jim, "and then it's down to our editor, Bill Lutz, to start to put everything together."
Australia-based veterinarian(!) Henry Gibbens is on CGI duty for Anthology and his VFX reel is on the Anthology website already and well worth a watch. Given basics from Jim, he took the Challenger from a "junky little model" into a space hot-rod. The pilot too is very VFX heavy including a new "creepy creature" alien race which might take a bit of time to get right. Henry will be getting some assistance from Ken Thompson who has been working on another fan show, Starship Saladin. He also turned up in Kitumba don't you know.
Editor Bill Lutz has a big job ahead and with life in there as well, Jim is expecting pilot episode Another Door Opens to land early in 2016 with the second episode soon after. But there are a few other bits that could be tricky to juggle including a three-way crossover in A Logical Solution. Ken, Joseph Kerezman from Excalibur and Michael King from Valiant show up to lend support to the Challenger when it gets into a sticky situation.
Importantly though, Challenger won't focus solely on the captain. The Logical Solution looks at Carmichael and Sokaal and their relationship closely. There's going to be a LeClair (helmsman) episode too....Future episodes will also show some of the abilities of our characters. Our comms officer Gnee Tomalin is of a race who can absorb and contain static electricity from the atmosphere around them and discharge it in different ways (such as creating forcefields on away missions or a ball of lightning)."
But why would you want to do this? "To show that we can all work together," said Jim, "We're one big family who can do these little crossovers and all of us can play nice! We can stomp out some of those contentions and rivalries."
Michael King has in fact already shot his scenes while shooting some extra material for Valiant's vignette, Legacy. Scott Smith explained that on a conference call they discovered Michael was working at Starbase Studios and convinced him to nip back in front of the camera to capture his lines for Challenger.
Jim would love to land the pilot as a 2015 Christmas present if he could and it all goes to show that plans for the first of the Anthology shows is well in hand. So what about the other two?
For me it seems like a huge undertaking of galactic proportions not attempted anywhere else in the known Star Trek movement. "Scott and I come from theatrical backgrounds," explained Jim, "and we've put on god knows how many shows. Jodi (Captain Colt) and I ran a theatre company for a number of years so we know what we're doing. We know how to put multiple productions together and there's something I learned called "value engineering" which means how to build things on a shoestring.
"We know how to value engineer our sets and so it can be cardboard and duct tape but if you do it right no-one will know. With Mother all we need a bridge and a few corridors."
In fact the living space for Mother is pretty small since the majority of the ship is designed for hauling freight. The "home" section is intended to look very much like a house with windows that show programmable views meaning a lot of it can be shot inside a normal house environment. "With a couple of control panels here and there it'll remind us that we're on a ship," said Jim, "and some green-screen effects to fill in computer screens. There will be little reminders that this is a ship. We can write around it and do it on the cheap and still impress. What it's really about though is telling a good story and that's what we care most about. We have two incredible writers working on Mother; Jessica Burke and Anthony Burdge who have written an amazing script and it gives us the chance to discuss our other big interest which is autism awareness."
The two children on the Mother ship have Asperger's Syndrome and is something we've never seen within the Star Trek universe before. It's a theme that does also run into Challenger where the helmsman's son is said to have severe autism and wants to send him to a Vulcan master to help sort his mind out.
The Anthology series and website is peppered with references and information on autism to help raise awareness and will certainly help you find out more. As Jim noted, this gives the audience something different to look at and consider - which of course was at the core of Star Trek back in the 1960's and one of Gene Roddenberry's motivations when writing the show.
Jim fervently noted that this is a strongly character based series. Yes there will be action to satisfy but all three shows will be about the people. Nor are these perfect people. They all have their fallibilities, their quirks but that's what makes them interesting and more than just cardboard cut-outs filling out sets.
The Gary Seven script has yet to be written and it's planned that not only will it link in to the main hub that is Challenger but also give a chance to include Valiant or Saladin for example. There have been some tweaks before the script starts to come together with two additional secretive characters and a re-think of how his office "works". Jim fully appreciates that Gary Seven has more than a few things in common with a certain TARDIS-flying Gallifreyan and will be giving the occasional nudge and wink to make sure we know they are very much aware of the parallels."
Challenger will remain as the tent-pole and then spoke off into the other shows. If things don't work out as planned then there are other options which they can explore. If the reception for one isn't as good as they might have hoped then they can look elsewhere to fill that gap; "One of our producers Brian Covault has written a standalone story about a mining ship and an entity they encounter." explained Jim, "It's a really nice story that takes the Prime Directive and flips it on its head. It was so well written in the first draft I'm afraid to touch it!"
Funding for the show has been interesting to say the least so far. The team launched a Kickstarter campaign which didn't go to plan but did teach them a lot about what to do and perhaps more importantly what not to do. "Our next attempt will be to leave a donation button on the website so we can reach out to everyone. If everyone who follows the site dropped $5 or $10 we'd have more than we needed."
The big costs seem to be focused more on Challenger since Mother and the Gary Seven show are intended to be low-budget and using a lot of already available locations. Luckily they are getting the chance to use James Cawley's bridge sets for some shots and will, if necessary, turn to Ken Thompson to create some green-screen magic for other scenes on the ship.
Talking of green-screen, a lot of the shots of the original Exeter episode, The Savage Empire were done using the technique and Jim has nothing but praise for the show which was one of those that inspired him to create Anthology; "Exeter really was the biggest inspiration because those guys really did make something from nothing," said Jim, "They managed to capture that whole feeling of Star Trek with another ship, another crew and we learned very quickly to like these characters. A number of years ago I sat down with one guy and wrote back-stories for all the characters and explained why there was this friction between Harris and Cutty and developed that and why Garrovick the way he was. It was a four or five story arc but then they decided not to do any more!"
Who knows, I suggested that Jim could drop some of the characters into the show so if he does, you heard it here first!
As we've seen earlier, Galaxy Quest (the greatest Star Trek film never made) was also a big influence on the Anthology project; "It was so much fun and we want to bring that tongue in cheek humour and a little nod to the audience. If you watch because there will be little easter eggs and prop items or lines that is pulled from something else and put into a different context here."
It's a theme that they're pushing through all three which might make Mother a distant cousin of Brit sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. If that kind of thing is your bag, then the character of Gramps will apparently be right up your street. In fact the actor who is taking that role, Pat Evans, has already trodden the Star Trek boards as Doctor Wright in New Voyages' Mind-Sifter. "The character's a jerk!" laughed Jim, "He's a jerk but I love him!"
Jim is looking to push the limits though, finding our what might be at the end of a Jeffries tube, what's in a cargo hold or where does that corridor go. "We can shoot that kind of thing in an empty warehouse but as long as we put those little set dressing reminders in view that we're in a hold we can still do it on the cheap - but it's not about that it's about the characters and the story. That's what's ultimately important."
"We want people to relate to these characters," reinforced Scott, "to identify these characters and want to see what happens next. It's one thing to have a hero but if you have a hero that has faults and its own demons it gets people tuning in to figure how are they living, growing and developing."
"We really want to get into these characters," continued Jim, "For instance Colt has lost a number of people under her command, she has seen death after death after death. What we're going to see is that she is suffering severely from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Doctor Martin lost his wife when she was working on a planet where she contracted a plague and died in his arms. He became a drinker and these demons still haunt him. We have LeClair who is divorced from his wife and whose son has the more severe aspects of autism and is trying to get his kid away from the doctors who don't know what they're doing over to a Vulcan master."
There's lots of planning, pushing and getting the word out for Jim as production steps up. He'll also be directing the first episode as well as being heavily involved (as you would expect) with the location shooting in New England for The Logical Solution which is taking place right about now. Certainly the location work is getting the team very excited and Jim is sure it'll impress audiences and help increase the drama.
"We've got a lot of great talent," added Scott,who will be on hand to offer onset advice to the actors about the performances as well as being involved with the creative direction to make sure that the series has the unique Anthology feel and brand while also keeping firmly in the Star Trek mould; "We'll be making sure it all fits in. I've also been thinking about doing a story. I have some scenes and need to pull them together."
That's much the same way that Jim and co pulled the first episode of Challenger together over a couple of years which also included extensive rewriting and tweaking, "But there's a point where you have to stop, put it away and don't touch it!"
So as you can see there's a lot going on with Anthology in every single piece of its puzzle. Bold, daring...crackers? Potentially, but you just want them to succeed more than anything because it's a step outside that comfort zone and a web-series that's pushing boundaries that haven't even been marked yet. There's a lot to juggle - would they have been wise to "commit" to a single thread with the potential to go beyond that? Yeah, but then the buzz just wouldn't be the same and I don't think that challenge would satisfy Jim let alone anyone else involved.
There's a growing following looking at this team and their production(s) but how far they will get I can't guess right now. The good news is that filming has begun. They're out there on the frontiers finding new worlds and new civilisations through the magic of film right now and having that step being made makes it ever more real and closer to a tangible end product.
Just as we clicked "publish", Jim gave us a quick update on the show's progress; "Our late June shoot went fairly well, though we had some technical issues with equipment, only managed to get a third done of what we'd hoped. Also, our August shoot is being rescheduled due to some scheduling conflicts, BUT we hope to have a nice surprise or two when we do a panel at Trekonderoga in September!"
The team attitude to the production is very professional. Let's get Challenger right before they tackle making Mother and then the Gary Seven script. Having this Big Plan is certainly going to be the key to their future. I'm crossing everything to hope they get there.
Want to find out more about Anthology? Click over to their website right this second...
Labels: Star Trek Anthology, Star Trek: Phase II, The Cage
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About Arvato Systems
Arvato Systems acquires 100 percent of the Swedish MAM expert Vidispine
Investment in the future of Arvato Systems' Media Asset Management (MAM) portfolio
On November 1, 2017, Arvato Systems acquired 100% of the company shares of Vidispine AB, Stockholm
Arvato Systems and Vidispine enable cloud-based content management
(Arvato Systems) Gütersloh – As of November 1, 2017, Arvato Systems Group has acquired 100% of the company shares of Vidispine AB. The IT specialist from the Bertelsmann Group and the Swedish MAM (Media Asset Management) expert are strengthening the link in their portfolios and are working together to achieve further growth, addressing the explosion in video content and growth of cloud-based solutions for media.
Vidispine develops and distributes solutions for the management of digital content, primarily videos, and supports both companies from the media sector as well as well-known customers from other industries. The company was founded in 2009 by CEO Erik Åhlin and CTO Isak Jonsson in Stockholm. In the new Arvato Systems Group shareholder structure, both will continue in their previous roles at Vidispine.
The Vidispine portfolio comprises a number of components built on the content management platform Vidispine Server, a backbone for the creation, management, storage and processing of digital content. VidiXplore, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, allows teams to manage video content across a variety of storage locations, regardless of whether they are in the cloud or on-premise. Launched in September at the IBC Show, Vidispine is expanding its portfolio to include Vidinet. Offered as a platform-as-a-service (PaaS), Vidinet provides easy access to scalable cloud solutions for enterprise media workflows (e.g. transcoding, QC, metadata harvesting and more). The solutions of Vidispine and Arvato Systems, such as the Video Production Management Suite (VPMS), complement each other perfectly. Together, the clearly emerging opportunities in cloud-based content management in the media sector as well as in other industries can be exploited more effectively and in a targeted manner.
"We are delighted that the existing partnership with Arvato Systems will enable an even more intensive integration of our solutions and a joint market launch," says Vidispine CEO Erik Åhlin. "For us, the Arvato Systems solutions fill many gaps, both in terms of technology and market coverage. Together, we can better support our customers with cloud-based state-of-the-art solutions."
This is also underscored by Ralf Schürmann, CEO of Arvato Systems S4M GmbH, who is responsible for the Arvato Systems Group's media division: "Arvato Systems and Vidispine offer excellent solutions and provide customers with real added value. Vidispine's solutions and professional expertise, as well as the existing partnership-based cooperation, have convinced us to take the next step together."
"By acquiring Vidispine, we as Arvato Systems have taken another step towards the digital future," added Matthias Moeller, CEO of Arvato Systems Group. Our customers will benefit significantly from the integration of technology, products and expertise from both companies. We can now support them even better on their way to digital transformation and the implementation of new business models."
About Vidispine
Since 2009, software developers and content owners have used the Vidispine API to solve their most complex challenges in building data-driven, cloud-based video content management solutions. With decades of combined industry experience and insight, our goal is to build the best platform for creating innovative media software and solutions. www.vidispine.com
As a global IT specialist, Arvato Systems supports well-known companies in the Digital Transformation. More than 3,000 employees in over 25 locations worldwide stand for high technical understanding, industry knowledge, and a clear focus on customer needs. As a team, we develop innovative IT solutions, bring our customers into the cloud, integrate digital processes, and take on the operation and support of IT systems. In combination with Arvato, a Bertelsmann Group company, we are also able to develop complete value-added chains. We build personal business relationships with a focus on partnership with our clients. This allows us to achieve sustainable success together. arvato-systems.com
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In case of emergency during normal business hours, please call us immediately. If you have an emergency outside of our normal business hours, please contact:
Sugar Land Vet Specialists and Emergency at 281-491-7800.
VCA Southwest Freeway Animal Hospital
15575 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX, 77478
Our hospital offers guidance on a number of parasite control programs. The most common parasites that afflict pets are fleas and ticks.
Fleas and ticks are capable of transmitting infection and disease to pets through a bite. Many pets also suffer from severe allergic reaction to the bites of fleas and ticks. Internal parasites such as worms are also capable of causing severe illness in pets. It is imperative that owners use one of the many commercially available products that protect pets from these parasites in order to maintain their pet's health.
Our staff and veterinarians can help you choose the correct product based on your pet’s risk factors and health status.
In addition, because of the damages posed by intestinal parasites to both pets and people, all dogs and cats should have at least one fecal examination per year to test for intestinal parasites (e.g., roundworms, hookworms, Giardia). In some parts of the country where intestinal parasites are known to be more common, several fecal exams per year are recommended. There are specific treatments available for pets with GI (gastrointestinal) parasites.
Our Preventive Care Services
Adult and Senior Wellness
Because our pets age at a quicker pace than we do, it is important that they receive appropriate preventative care which includes early... More
Fleas and ticks are capable of transmitting infection and disease to pets through a bite. Many pets also suffer from severe allergic... More
Vaccines and regular health exams are critical preventive care measures to help protect pets from potentially deadly infectious diseases... More
New Kitten and New Puppy Packages
The decision to bring a new kitten or puppy into your life can be momentous and life changing. Like any new beginning, however, it can be... More
Our hospital offers and encourages preventive medicine services through early disease detection and wellness programs for adult and senior... More
Vaccinations are critical to the well-being of our pets, because they protect against potentially deadly viral diseases like Distemper,... More
Our hospital offers a specialized weight management program for your pet. Just as in people, obesity contributes to many preventable... More
A wellness exam is an overall general health assessment and complete physical examination that may include diagnostic testing, blood tests,... More
Wellness tests are important to assist the veterinarians in creating an overall portfolio of your pet's health. By including blood tests in... More
Preventive care services are performed to help pets avoid disease and sickness and to ensure that they remain healthy. These services... More
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The University of Georgia Press. Founded 1938.
Home > American Plants for American Gardens
download cover image ►
American Plants for American Gardens
Edith A. Roberts and Elsa Rehmann
Edited by Darrel G. Morrison
Trim size: 5.500in x 8.500in
ISBN: 9-780-8203-1851-6
GARDENING / Landscape
NATURE / Plants / General
Cite this book
Request an exam or desk copy
Undeservedly out of print for decades, American Plants for American Gardens was one of the first popular books to promote the use of plant ecology and native plants in gardening and landscaping. Emphasizing the strong links between ecology and aesthetics, nature and design, the book demonstrates the basic, practical application of ecological principles to the selection of plant groups or "associations" that are inherently suited to a particular climate, soil, topography, and lighting. Specifically, American Plants for American Gardens focuses on the vegetation concentrated in the northeastern United States, but which extends from the Atlantic Ocean west to the Alleghenies and south to Georgia.
The plant community settings featured include the open field, hillside, wood and grove, streamside, ravine, pond, bog, and seaside. Plant lists and accompanying texts provide valuable information for the design and management of a wide range of project types: residential properties, school grounds, corporate office sites, roadways, and parks.
In his introduction, Darrel G. Morrison locates American Plants for American Gardens among a handful of influential early books advocating the protection and use of native plants-a major area of interest today among serious gardeners, landscape architects, nursery managers, and students of ecology, botany, and landscape design. Included is an appendix of plant name changes that have occurred since the book's original publication in 1929.
Ahead of their time in many ways, Edith A. Roberts and Elsa Rehmann can now speak to new generations of ecologically conscious Americans.
Darrel Morrison's excellent introduction to the 1996 reprint places American Plants for American Gardens in its ecological historic context. He writes of the early history of ecology, native landscape trends, the decline and reemergence of ecological design, and the significance of the book. . . . American Plants for American Gardens is still one of the best books I have seen in respect to holistic natural design in the residential landscape.
—Journal of the New England Garden History Society
About the Author/Editor
Elsa Rehmann (Author)
ELSA REHMANN was a landscape architect and a writer and lecturer on landscape gardening.
Edith A. Roberts (Author)
EDITH A. ROBERTS was a professor of botany at Vassar College.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Northern Florida and Adjacent Georgia and Alabama
Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Southeastern United States
University of Georgia Libraries
University of Georgia Press
Main Library, Third Floor
320 South Jackson Street
© 2020 University of Georgia Press Powered by Supadü
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UK Anime Network - Anime - Peach Girl Vol. 1
Author: Ross Liversidge
Ross founded the UK Anime Network back in 1995 and works in and around the anime world, while also working across asia as an export ambassador for the UK textile industry.
Peach Girl Vol. 1
Now, I'm fully aware that I'm unlikely to be the target audience for this title (28, male) so I drafted in the services of one Rachel Mei Liang (20, female, cute).
The Peach Girl manga is one of the better selling girls titles out there, and features a feisty, light-haired, dark skinned girl named Momo, who sees her unusual looks as a major hindrance to her social standing (her unique skin tone and light coloured hair makes her look like a "Ganguro" girl, a term used to describe girls obsessed with fashion and considered "easy"), and a major barrier between her and secret crush Toji.
This situation is made far worse by her so-called "friend" Sae, a backstabbing, underhanded social climber with no real personality of her own and a penchant for putting down others in order to build herself up. We've all seen one of these odious creatures at some time in our lives, and it makes it all the more frustrating to watch her.
Now the main problem I have with this series is not the sub-par animation or the teen angst. It's not even the slightly cliched premise. The problem I have is with the writing, which on this disk is simply appalling. We chose to watch the sub after 2 minutes of the screechy dub, and despite the extra attention required to read the subtitles, I failed to find anything to hold my interest. Momo was an erratic lead - one moment she was all fire and passion, the next she was taking all sorts of crap from Sae and not uttering a word. The situations in the series were pure soap-opera fluff, with situations and misunderstandings engineered by Sae that were so see-through that I wanted to shout at the TV and slap every character in the show.
That is, until my brain imploded and I was left struggling to stay awake. At 3 in the afternoon.
Turning to Rachel for a second opinion, I discovered that she'd succumbed to tedium and taken the only sane way out. By falling asleep.
There may be some who like this - after all plenty of people watch EastEnders, which I'd place on a par with Peach Girl in terms of inventive writing. There are better titles out there, and its a shame that one of the few series aimed at girls should fall on its face in such a fashion.
Plentiful:
Actor/Director Commentary
Interview with Saeko Chiba (Momo)
Textless Songs
The special addition comes with a little pink bag and volume 1 of the manga.
Almost painful to watch.
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Sushruta's Updated Website : 1995 - 2019
Buy Now (India)
Buy Now (Outside India 🌐)
Our Herbal Treatment
Dr. Harish Verma
About Dr. Harish Verma
Dr. Harish Verma is an Ayurvedacharya, Physician, Teacher, Author, Successful Entrepreneur and founder of M/s Indian Herbal Remedies, 141 DIC Industrial Area, Baddi (H.P., India) and of Best Ayurveda Ltd., (Ontario, Canada).
Born in 1963 in Khanna, a small town of Punjab, Harish Verma comes from a family of 4th generations of Ayurvedic Doctors. His father, late Vaidya Kirpa Ram, was considered favourite Ayurvedic doctor of poor and agricultural labourers of Punjab. Vaidya Kirpa Ram used to treat and cure patients with very economical Ayurvedic medicines and herbs. He was very famous for diagnosing the disease with Ayurvedic pulse examination and curing those diseases, which are considered to be incurable in modern medicine.
Harish Verma earned his Ayurveda Degree (B A M S) from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. He stood first in university and awarded Gold Medal. He is a very famous Ayurvedic practitioner of India for his research in field of Ayurvedc treatment of Ulcerative Colitis, Hepatitis B & C, Urolithiasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc. He had been one of the top invitee’s for consultation on Ayurvedic therapy by many celebrities and dignitaries including late President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and famous film maker Sh B R Chopra.
Harish Verma with Late President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Harish Verma is a ex-member of Governing Body of National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur under Union health Minister.
He was a Member of faculty and board of Ayurvedic and Unani Systems of Medicine, Punjab.
He has lectured extensively in UK to the general public, doctors, universities and hospitals on Ayurveda. He was Visiting Professor of Honors program in Ayurveda at Thames Valley University, London and is the author of A Comprehensive Book of Ayurvedic Medicine and Secrets of Ayurveda (DK Publishers).
He is also a member of a International Group (Tathaastu). – Click here to view
He is running two manufacturing units in at Baddi.
Indian Herbal Remedies (IHR) – Mfg. since 1989
IHR is supplying leading brands like Distone, Cirrholiv, Benprost 8, Arthrill Forte and Anaproct Capsules to M/S Ind Swift Limited since 1997. Distone is the ORG listed brand and is the most fast acting medicine for dissolving Kidney stones.
For more details, please visit:
Lok Sabha TV Interview– Click here to view
Harish Verma Youtube Channel – Click here to view
Sidhu Talk Show – First -Click here to view
Hepatitis Website – Click here to view
Secrets of Ayurveda Book
(DK Publilshers, UK)– Click here to view
Ulcerative Colitis Natural Treatment For Faster Relief
Ulcerative colitis is a critical disorder that causes multiple symptoms ranging from mild to severe ones. The most common symptoms of this health issue includes lose bowel movements and frequent...
Copyright © 2020, UlcerativeColitisCare. Powered by Shopify
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HomePosts tagged 'press'
Press Images from New York Magazine and The New Yorker
July 10, 2017 davidnoramike News, Pics, Press David Ilku, Joes Pub, Mike Albo, New York, Nora Burns, press, shows, Unitard
It’s certainly nice to get press reviews for our shows. But getting pictures and listings in great publications’ “what’s hot” sections and calendars is nothing to sneeze at either. Thanks to NY Magazine and The New Yorker for drawing some notice and attention to our current Tard Core show at Jo’es Pub in the listings we have included below.
Must-See: Unitard: House of Tards (OUT Magazine, By David Clarke March 24 2015 )
March 26, 2015 davidnoramike News, Press clippings, David Ilku, Mike Albo, New York, Nora Burns, press
Unitard, the sketch comedy trio formed by Mike Albo, Nora Burns, and David Ilku have a new show, titled House of Tards, causing plenty of diehard fans to cheer. But I’m new to their shtick, and I wasn’t sure if I should be laughing out loud or quietly appalled.
Take the monologue in which Ilku portrays a member of the Islamic terrorist organization, ISIS. While some in the audience were keeling over in laughter, my inner Southern boy was disturbed by the ISIS bit. To this, Ilku says:
“One of the magical things about comedy is making people uncomfortable. When a room is uncomfortable, eventually the tension has to break, and it breaks in the form of a laugh. So, you just keep pushing until they can’t take it anymore. Then, eventually, someone cracks and laughs because it’s just too absurd.” If that sounds like it’s too much to handle, Nora Burns would like to remind you that “with our show everything is pretty short. If you don’t like it, it’ll be over in three minutes.”
Other hilarious sketches introduce the audience to a particularly awful babysitter, the prize accessory of a G.B.F. (Gay Best Friend), everyday people utterly distraught over the passing of celebrities, Facebook narcissists, and more.
“We usually start with things that annoy us in life: people being selfish, people being evil,” Mike Albo explains as to the inspiration for these sketches and monologues. Or as Burns elaborates: “It’s so fun to be a nasty character or just to comment on things we find funny. We all have this sort of similar pop-culture, gay sensibility. It’s just fun. We’ll all riff off each other and come up with the next thing we have to do.”
Unitard: House of Tards is packed with edgy humor that playfully flirts with the fine line between being hysterical and a twinge offensive. Forget political correctness. Yet, they also don’t intend to demean or poke fun at any marginalized groups of persons either. So the result is comedy that is off-kilter with laughs intended for self-aware audiences that are capable of thinking on their own. “I don’t even know how to be mainstream, honestly,” Albo admits. “I’ll never get on stage and be like, ‘Don’t you hate cats?’ I’m not going to be that person.”
Performing at Stonewall, it’s clear that queer-identifying folks are an audience target, but the trio insists that’s not the only people who will enjoy the show. “We’re all old-school New Yorkers. David and I have been in New York since 1979,” acknowledges Burns. So anyone who has, as Albo puts it, “experienced a degree of political corruption, gentrification, and has seen how people can be greedy,” will enjoy their commentary. So, why Stonewall? “We don’t want to charge a lot of money. We want to keep it so people can afford to go out, have a full belly laugh, and have a drink and not break their budget,” Ilku explains. “Greed is killing New York, and all the great, little performance spaces are just disappearing. So, thank God, that Stonewall is cool and great and has opened their arms to us,” he expounds.
As if being intellectual comedy meant for cultured peoples isn’t enough, Unitard is endorsed by celebrities such as Debbie Harry. She was in the audience, along with funny lady Julie Klausner, for the opening night performance at Stonewall Inn. During their run in L.A., Parker Posey, Jennifer Coolidge, RuPaul, and Lady Bunny enjoyed the clever trio.
Unitard: House of Tards continues through April 23. For tickets visit, UnitardComedy.com.
Tard Nation: A Review of HOUSE OF TARDS (boyculture.com, March 21, 2015)
March 21, 2015 March 21, 2015 davidnoramike News, Press boyculture, David Ilku, Mike Albo, Nora Burns, press, review, Stonewall Inn, Unitard
House of Tards is the second biggest riot the Stonewall Inn has ever seen.
The revue, by three-person comedy team Unitard, is a series of sketches that do what Second City and SNL have always done, but haven’t done well in decades. That’s why the show feels classic and brand-new at the same time.
Made up of Mike Albo (who generously flashed scrotum and bare ass the night I saw it for no reason except thank you), Nora Burns and David Ilku, the performers do pieces solo and together. They don’t go there, they start there.
Then…they go there.
The show’s best bits are painfully funny routines about NYC’s dying downtown scene (Debbie Harry, who opens at the Carlyle shortly, was in the front row) and the phenomenon of grief tourists on Facebook who suddenly become a famous person’s biggest fan once they’re dead. That’s Unitard’s forte, identifying social trends and deciding, with humor, what they mean.
Unitard has fangs, but everybody has fangs these days. The difference is that Unitard has the brains to know how and when and if to use the fangs, and also the heart to try stuff that is definitely going to rub some people the wrong way.
Precious little of House of Tards fails to amuse (a terrorist stand-up act was both brilliant and gross, but was ultimately too distractingly interesting).
There is no MVP here; all of the performers shine equally, making them one of the best threesomes you’ll ever watch outside of your computer.
House of Tards plays through April 9 at the Stonewall Inn.
– See more at: http://www.boyculture.com/boy_culture/2015/03/tard-nation-a-review-of-house-of-tards.html#sthash.MSizsvvD.dpuf
PRESS: “UNITARD: HOUSE OF TARDS” Trey Speegle, October 2014
December 10, 2014 davidnoramike Press press, review
I’ve known these guys for years. Nora Burns, Mike Albo and David Ilku are Unitard, the long-running sketch comedy troupe. I thought I might describe or review the show, “House of Tards” but, I have to admit, it all comes so fast and funny, that I don’t have the skills to adequately prepare you for what they deliver. Suffice it to say that’s it’s gay, gay, gay, UBER-topical (lots of social media jabs) and very New York-centric (plenty of digs at what the city is becoming, funny because it’s just true, which makes it sad.) It starts with the lament;
“Man we’re beat, we’re drowning in our funk, too young to hang with Warhol, too old to krunk”.
Nora is also a rich bitch who moves from Greenwich Connecticut to the new, much-hated luxury building located where St. Vincent’s Hospital used to be;
“Here I am reimagining West Village living at The Greenwich Lane, which delivers an unheard of level of character, it’s our own West Village Versailles!”
Mike is tongue-tied as to how to address transgender actress Laverne Cox in a meet and greet, Nora is a girl with a black bar over her eyes in her gay pals Grindr profile photo, and David is Karl Lagerfeld hawking for Purina with an insane song. And they all three are GUTTED at the death of various celebrities and think “it’s important” to post pictures of yourself with said celebrities when they die. It’s smart and hilarious. Oh, and sit in the front row and you may get to dance with Junkie Jones, like I did. (bottom right) Catch them tonight upstairs at The Stonewall Inn, October 28, and next Tuesday, November 4, 8PM. Be a tard, trust me just GO, it’s only 20 bucks.
PRESS: “UNITARD: HOUSE OF TARDS” – Michael Musto, November 2014
Unitard–that sterling comic trio consisting of Nora Burns, David Ilku, and Mike Albo–were a scream in their show at Stonewall tonight, as they lovingly lambasted the foibles and pretensions of patronizing, needy New Yorkers–you know, “cis-gendered” people who take ubers to their Scruff hookups and gluten-free muffins. Ilku scored as a burka-wearing comic (“What did the terrorist say during Fashion Week? ‘Does this bomb make me look fat?’ “) Albo rocked as a robotic gay best friend to two overly enthusiastic straights, who love the way he does their hair and escorts them to sample sales. And Burns was a scream coming out with her arm around an imaginary person and a black bar over her eyes, saying, “Hi, I’m the girl next to you in your Grindr profile pic.” Be sure to catch the ‘tards next week and don’t be surprised if you find yourself up on that stage. Maybe even literally.
PRESS: “UNITARD: HOUSE OF TARDS” – Lady Bunny, Facebook, November 2014
This hilarious show just keeps getting extended but there is only on more to go on Tuesday 12/4. At Stonewall Bar, which converts the upstairs to a cozy cabaret. I went last Tuesday and it was completely sold out. And everyone was laughing their @sses off. I’ve enjoyed all of these performers for decades, but their sketch comedy has really gone to a new level in House Of Tards. Rarely have I seen such sustained laughs in sketches ranging from David Ilku as a stand-up comedian from ISIS to an asexual vampire to a several jabs at NYC’s snotty new residents. Mike Albo always excels in his passive/aggressive male and female roles and Nora Burns has never been funnier. It isn’t a huge space, so reserve a seat at the last performance of this smart comedy sketch series. It will sell out. Producers take note–if you’re looking for a rare gem with all new material to take to the next level, don’t miss this show!i
PRESS: “UNITARD: HOUSE OF TARDS” Gayletter, November 2014
“Unitard: House of Tards”, a new show performed by Mike Albo, Nora Burns and David Ilku
By Jono Field
I have been saying “Linkedin is the new Facebook” to people so much recently, mainly as a an ironic icebreaker, that I’m pretty sure at this point, I believe it myself. I tried the line again the other week when I was stuck for conversation at the Stonewall Inn with a hottie. Turns out he was a Digital Social Media Consultant Coordinator or whatever, and he didn’t think it was very funny. I guess it wasn’t? I’ve since given up on social media jokes.
Fitting perhaps that I returned to the Stonewall Inn last night in the hopes to see Mike Albo, Nora Burns and David Ilku deliver a better round of social commentary that me, and boy, did they ever. Opening up with a fresh angle roasting our addiction to social media, the trio unleashes multiple acts of genuine, brilliantly funny and honest social commentary covering everything from Ebola to ISIS, from our (healthy? unhealthy?) obsession with Kale, to the girls in Grindr profile pictures. It’s a sassy display of brilliant, contemporary comedy that even prompted one lady in the audience to yell “GENIUS!” halfway through an act. That would ordinarily annoy me, just like people who clap when the pilot lands an aircraft successfully, but I was prepared to let it slide this time. She was right.
Mike told me that the trio have been performing together for 15 years, and over the past 2 months they “just got together and just talked about what really pisses them off.” Isn’t that great? Everybody loves to bitch.
The term ‘must see’ gets thrown around a lot, but there’s only one show remaining. So if you’re the guy who’s updating Facebook with the number of miles you ran with your Nike+ app or making sincere status updates about the changes in your diet, you won’t enjoy the show. But considering that’s not you, there’s no excuse to miss out! Like it, share it, endorse it, whatever, November 4 is your last chance to see it.
Unitard – House of Tards is playing at Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher St. Nov 4th, 8:00PM, $15 (advance tickets), $20 at the door.
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Why Policy Matters: Access, Equity, and Voting in the U.S.
International Affairs Building, 420 W. 118 St., New York, NY 10027 1501
Join the SIPA Diversity Committee in exploring how policy has shaped access to voting in the US.
Our panelists will share four varying perspectives on why policy matters in the enhancement or suppression of voter engagement within their area of work, community, and constituents. Sponsored by the SIPA Diversity Committee as part of the Dean's Seminar Series on Race and Policy. Reception to follow.
Speakers include:
Mayor Michael Nutter, Professor of Practice (Introductions), School of International and Public Affairs
Jonathan Brater, Council, Democracy Program Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Farai Chideya, Program Officer, Ford Foundation
Alex Hertel-Fernandez, Assistant Professor, School of International and Public Affairs
Irene Jor, New York Director, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Chiraag Bains, Director of Legal Strategies, Demos: An equal say and an equal chance for al
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Capital One data breach: Arrest after details of 106m people stolen
Reading 3 min Views 120 Published 30.07.2019
How many people have been affected?
A selection of the biggest data breaches worldwide
How has Capital One reacted?
What do we know about the alleged hacker?
By BBC
The personal details of about 106 million individuals across the US and Canada were stolen in a hack targeting financial services firm Capital One, the company has revealed.
The alleged hacker, Paige Thompson, was arrested on Monday after reportedly boasting about the breach online.
Capital One said the data included names, addresses and phone numbers of people who applied for its products.
But the hacker did not gain access to credit card account numbers, it said.
The data breach is believed to be one of the largest in banking history.
Capital One is a major credit card issuer in the US and also operates retail banks.
The firm said in a statement released on Monday that the breach affected approximately 100 million individuals in the US and six million people in Canada.
The statement added that about 140,000 social security numbers and 80,000 linked bank account numbers were compromised in the US.
In Canada, about one million social insurance numbers belonging to Capital One credit card customers were also compromised.
The hack was identified on 19 July.
Capital One said the hacker was able to “exploit” a “configuration vulnerability” in the company’s infrastructure.
Aside from names and dates of birth, the hacker also managed to obtain credit scores, limits, balances, payment history and contact information.
Capital One said it was unlikely the information was used for fraud but it would continue to investigate the breach.
The company will notify those affected and will provide them with free credit monitoring and identity protection.
Chairman Richard Fairbank said in a statement: “While I am grateful that the perpetrator has been caught, I am deeply sorry for what has happened.
“I sincerely apologize for the understandable worry this incident must be causing those affected and I am committed to making it right. “
The US justice department has confirmed it has arrested a former Seattle technology company software engineer in connection with the breach.
Ms Thompson, 33, was arrested on Monday on charges of computer fraud and abuse. She made an initial appearance in federal court in Seattle.
A hearing has been scheduled for 1 August.
Court documents claim she boasted about the data breach on an online forum.
A statement by the US attorney’s office in Washington said: “On July 17 2019, a GitHub user who saw the post alerted Capital One to the possibility it had suffered a data theft.”
Ms Thompson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 (£204,713) fine.
Canada Capital One The US
Donald Trump: Having good relationship with Russia, China is good
US President Donald Trump claimed that the US should
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Senior Coordinator, Music and Licensing Strategy
As the Senior Coordinator, Music and Licensing Strategy, you will work closely with SVP and Manager to formulate licensing strategy and negotiate favorable rates for the use of music and other third party elements on MTV, VH1, LOGO, CMT and BET. You will be at the forefront of the production process supporting Brand Creative, Design and Integrated Marketing. Additional work may be with Internal and Third Party Productions, Scripted, Reality and Short Form productions. The Sr. Coordinator will work in tandem with Creative Music Integration, Production and Digital Teams across all brands. You will work regularly with Production Management, Creative, Business and Legal Affairs, and IP Litigation teams pushing forward brands’ strategy and securing clearances to execute and deliver on behalf of client’s and business’ creative vision.
Utilize a working knowledge of master and publishing rights, and have a solid understanding of the necessary layers in footage, photo and font clearance.
Strengthen relationships within the licensing community to include record labels, music publishers, footage/photo houses and production companies.
Ensure that Productions execute on Network music cue sheet requirements per Networks’ direction in a timely manner.
Partner with leadership in the preparation of music budgets, development of strategies, evaluation of rights and implementation of procedures to work within production budgets.
Conduct copyright research and facilitate clearance requests, for music, film, TV, photography, art, video games, digital content, books, magazines, record label content, artist management, etc.
Monitor and process all license payments, review clearance reports and cue sheets, ensuring accurate legal delivery of clearance documentation.
Manage contract files and tracking reports for all assigned programs/projects to ensure that licenses are executed and paid on time, exercising attention to detail for budgetary compliance.
Liaise between Production Executives, Production Management, Music Supervisors, Internal and Third Party Production companies to execute Networks’ programming strategies and achieve desired results.
Work with client partners at all stages of creative and production process to flag rights issues/necessary permissions and develop improvements.
Bachelor's Degree. Focus on Television, Film, Communications, Publishing, Marketing, Business or similar preferred.
4+ years of licensing experience in a production company, advertising agency, film studio, television network, music publisher, or record label. Prior negotiating experience required.
Tech-savvy individual proficient in all current document and database systems.
Comprehensive knowledge of the music business and current key issues in the industry.
Ad agency, clearance representative in a production house and/or record label or publishing experience supporting the Marketing field a plus.
A proactive contributor that can work both independently and collaboratively on multiple priorities in a fast paced environment.
Be a self-starter, able to problem solve and self-initiate
Excellent interpersonal written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage various personality types.
#LI-CJ1
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Hill Walking Holidays
Guided walking in Capileira in the Alpujarras.
Cabo de Gata – Almeria – Guided Walking Holidays
Guided Hill Walking Holidays in Andalucia,Spain.
Torrox Guided Hill Walking Holidays in Andalucia.
Grazalema Walking Holidays
New Year Hill Walking Holiday.
Walking Over Christmas Guided Hill Walking Holiday.
Cuba Walking & Cultural Holiday.
Self-Guided Hill Walking Holidays
Self-Guided Walking Holidays in Torrox, Andalucia. The best climate in Europe!
Group Walking Holidays in Andalucia. Great for warm winter sunshine!
About Walk Andalucia | Walking Holidays in Spain
About Grazalema, Serrania De Ronda, Andalucia.
Things to do on your free day
Walking Holiday Terms and Conditions
Fantastic group of people
At the Top!
Here is a calendar of the upcoming Walk Andalucia holidays.
We look forward to walking with you!
22/02/2020 - 29/02/2020 Guided Walking Holiday Cabo De Gata, San Jose. 22 - 29 February 2020.
´San José, Almería, Andalucia. Almería 925.00
06/03/2020 - 13/03/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox 06 - 13 March 2020.- FULLY BOOKED
Torrox £695
20/03/2020 - 27/03/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox 20 - 27 March 2020.
01/04/2020 - 08/04/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday - Grazalema. 01 - 08 April 2020.
Grazalema £895
01/04/2020 - 08/04/2020 Guided Hill Walking Holiday in Capileira, La Alpujarras. 01 - 08 April 2020.
Capileira Gbp 920
17/04/2020 - 24/04/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday - Grazalema. 17 - 24 April 2020. FULLY BOOKED.
01/05/2020 - 08/05/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox 01 - 08 May 2020.
16/05/2020 - 23/05/2020 8 day Walking holiday in Grazalema 16-23 May 2020- FULLY BOOKED
19/09/2020 - 26/09/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox 19 - 26 September 2020.-
Torrox £695.00
02/10/2020 - 09/10/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday - Grazalema. 02 - 09 October 2020.
17/10/2020 - 24/10/2020 8 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox 17 - 24 October 2020.
24/10/2020 - 07/11/2020 15 Day Guided Walking Holiday. Torrox and Cabo de Gata 24 October - 07 November 2020. FULLY BOOKED
22/12/2020 - 29/12/2020 8 Day Walking Over Christmas Holiday - Torrox. 22-29 December 2020.
31/12/2020 - 04/01/2021 5 Day New Year Walking Holiday - Torrox. 31 December 2020- 04 January 2021.
Walking through nature
Friendship and fun
Always close to the sea
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The Merge Event
WarSpell
Home of the Merge World
Book Samples
Demon Rift
Demons of Paris Chapter 1
The Problem with Demons
Chapter 1—Buckley Homestead
Chapter 2 — Torton
Chapter 3—Through the Badlands
Chapter 4—Gilden City
Chapter 5—Back to the Badlands
Chapter 6—Elections
Chapter 7—Ambush
Epilog: Hidden History of Jorden
Game of Freedom
A New Shuffle
Prologue—Kurg Caves
Wingship Universe
Fold Space & and Jumps
Pandora’s Crew Chapter 1
Storm Wings Chapter 2
Bartley’s Man Free Sample
All Steamed Up
A Nerd at Sea
Heestiff Hive
Story Sampler
You Might Be Offended Here
The Vampiress of Londinium
The Vampiress of Londinium-I’m a Vampire
Steam two
Merge World
Shuffle Cut and Deal
Shuffle, Cut and Deal Prologue
Shuffle, Cut and Deal Chapter 1
Ante Up Chapter 1
January 7, 2017 Gorg Huff Badlands Leave a comment
Torton
December 2, 862 AF
“More water. All you can get. And blankets. It gets colder than you’d think out there.”
Two wagons were already full of water barrels. Sam paused and consulted with Alen again. “And we’re going to need some tents to block the sun in the heat of the day. Just some big chunks of cloth we can string between the wagons.” There was a hidden spring on the way Sam intended to go, but it was seasonal and they were at the tail end of the season. Alen said it had water, but not that much. “Water up the pigs good.”
Hiram nodded. “We leaving tonight?”
“After the heat of the day and before dark. Get ahead of Wright’s spies as much as we can.”
Somebody must have let the baron know, because Sam’s lunch got rudely interrupted. The baron and his sheriff joined him uninvited.
“You’re under arrest for the murder of . . .” Sheriff Sims stopped as a low growl filled the room. He looked around. Every man in the bar had a gun ready to draw.
Walt Grange stood up and walked over to him. “Half the town council was here and saw the whole thing, Sheriff. Smiley and Tom had their guns out while Sam here was still sitting at the table looking the other way. The baron’s man shot first. It was just lucky they missed. It was self-defense, by God.”
“My men wouldn’t have done that.” Baron Wright was a dandified sort, all perfumed and pomaded. You could have greased a wagon wheel with the oil he had in his hair.
“You don’t have any jurisdiction here, Baron Wright,” Walt said. “However, if you wish to file a complaint, we can do a trial right this minute.” Walt picked up his whisky glass and emptied it in one gulp. “Probably a good idea at that.”
He banged the whisky glass on the bar a couple of times. “The superior court of the free city of Torton is now in session.” He looked over at Sam. “You want a jury trial, Sam? The town charter says you’re entitled to one.”
Baron Wright’s eyes narrowed. “You’ll pay for this. Taxes are due at the turn of the year, after Compensate. Another month and a half, after which this will no longer be a free city. Come the new year and I’ll own this flea-bitten dump, along with all the rest of the flea-bitten dumps in your town.”
“We’ll worry about it then. Right now, court’s in session and you’re out of order. If you attempt to interfere with this court, I’ll have you arrested.” Walt’s hand was on his gun. “I suggest you go back home . . . Baron.”
After Wright stormed out, they held the trial. It lasted all of about five minutes. Sam was found not guilty by reason of self-defense.
Walt grinned and shook his head. “Sam, you’re cleared here and that’ll be good enough most places, but the baron is not going to respect that judgment. Smiley was a friend of his, as well as working for him.”
Maggie snorted. “I heard Smiley was his boy, born on the wrong side of the blanket.”
Three days out of Torton, Alen reported. “There is a group of around thirty men on pigback approaching Dover’s Gap.” Dover’s Gap was a break in Demon’s Face Ridge. Sam hoped to reach it sometime the next morning and take the afternoon rest in the shadow of the cliffs.
Sam squinted. The heat was pretty bad right now. “What about Crag’s Pass?”
“No one is near it, save Smoky.” Smoky was a gray cragbeast that lived in the pass and was the reason for the name. Somehow, Smoky always disappeared whenever Sam approached the pass. He’d only seen it through the sensor set he’d placed on “Smoky’s Rock.”
“What about water?”
“That’s more difficult. I estimate you will run out a day outside Gilden. Still, there is Smoky’s water hole.”
“We don’t know where Smoky is getting its water.” Sam considered. “No choice, though. There’s no way we could get through Dover’s Gap with thirty men guarding it.” He rode back to the wagons.
“We’re turning here, folks. Heading for another pass I know. Follow me.”
Ed Wilton squinted up at him from the wagon seat. “Why?”
“Because I said so,” Sam answered. “You asked me to lead you because I know the desert.” He added after a moment, “Well, I’ve been thinking about it. Dover’s Gap is a good place for an ambush and I don’t want to chance it.”
“That’s a decision for the council,” Ed said. “We’re making good time. The baron would have had to ride almost twice as far to get men in place before we got there.”
That was true enough and the reason they decided to try Dover’s Gap in the first place. Sam wondered how the Baron got word of where they were going to his people so quickly. “Ed, I’m going that way. You folks can follow me or not, whichever suits you.” There was no way Sam could explain about Alen and the repeater stations and cameras he’d set up.
The wagons turned to follow him, but he could hear the drivers grumbling.
Dover’s Gap
Jack Thornton took the expensive, eastern-made spyglass from his eye. “Where are they?”
“Maybe they got lost,” Charlie suggested, not sounding like he believed it.
Jack shook his head. “Not a chance. That stranger must know another pass.”
“They could have gotten delayed. Had a wagon break down, had to go back and have it fixed.”
“Nah. The baron would have sent another pigeon.” Jack tapped his fingers on his thigh.
Charlie’s pig snorted. He reached to pat its neck. “What can we do?”
“You take Dan and four others. Scout west along the south side of the Demon’s Face Ridge. If you spot them, send Dan back. I’ll have George do the same, going east.”
“They won’t have gone east. That would take them into the baron’s lands.”
Jack snorted. “That’s the way I figure it. Which is why I’m sending you and Dan west.”
“The men guarding Dover’s Gap have apparently sent out scouting parties. One west toward Crag’s Pass and I suspect one east,” Alen reported.
“Well, darn,” Sam muttered. “I can’t just tell them what’s happening. They’re already scared about my changing course.”
“Perhaps you could be responding to Porky,” Alen suggested.
“Worth a try.”
After the afternoon break. Sam called the leaders of the group over. “Ed, Walt, let’s do a bit of a scout, over toward the pass. Maggie, you keep the wagons heading northwest. Point the wagons at that tall rock.” Sam pointed out the specific ridge on the horizon.
Ed and Walt exchanged looks. They seemed a bit nervous, but it couldn’t be helped. “Come on.” Sam turned Porky toward Crag’s Pass. Ed and Walt followed.
Near Demon’s Face Ridge
Porky gave a furious-sounding snort and stopped dead in his tracks. Sam pretended to kick his sides, while Alen told Porky to back up. Porky did what Alen told him to do.
“What’s goin’ on with that pig of yours, Sam?” Walt was just behind him.
“Reckon he smells something.” Sam dismounted and stepped in front of Porky. “What’s wrong, boy? Do you smell something?”
Porky snorted and backed up another pace. “Is it a crag?” Porky shook his head. “Is it water?” Porky shook his head again. “Another pig?” Porky moved forward, snorting several times.
“You’ve got to be kidding.” Ed glared down from his pig. “There’s no way that pig is that smart.” Ed dismounted and tried it with his own saddle pig. “Do you smell anything, Dusty?” Dusty, whose color lived up to his name, just blinked at him.
“Porky has saved my life a time or two,” Sam commented, fighting to keep a serious look on his face. “You might not believe him, but I’m not taking a chance. We’ll dismount here and climb up there to see what we can.”
Walt and Ed exchanged looks again.
Sam stared them down. “You two do what you want. I figure being careful is the right way to go.”
“I’ll be . . .” Walt peered around the rock. “Them sonsa . . .”
Five riders were getting close to the pass Sam wanted to use. “Told you. Porky’s got quite a nose on him.”
“Let’s get back to the wagons and get some more guns.” Walt began scrambling back down. “That is some fancy pig you got there, Sam.”
Sam grinned. “He knows the desert.”
Sam took a drink from his canteen, then peeked over the rocks. He had the other men set up along a ridge line, then got his crag rifle and moved off to the left of the main group. He took off his hat, pulled down the screen, then replaced it on his head. The cameras in the hatband gave him good night vision. The image projected on a screen that folded down from the brim of his hat. The camera built into the stock of his rifle would project a target circle on the screen as he aimed the weapon. It was darn useful, but couldn’t be used where people could see.
Sam knew that these men had come from the Gap and after having the baron’s bullyboys try to shoot him in the back he wasn’t minded to give them any more chances than he had to. The problem was that they looked like they might be a bunch of cragbeast hunters. “You sure?” Sam asked.
“Yes,” Alen replied. “They were sent to find you. One of them just asked how much farther they should scout. The leader wants them to travel a few more hours to make sure there’s no other pass you can use that will leave you enough water to get to the capital. The first one thinks you have already passed that point.”
That was enough for Sam. It might not be the fairest fight he’d ever been in, but he fired anyway.
Walt and Ed had not heard the conversation. They didn’t have Alen to amplify and clean up the sounds. They had good reason to suspect that these were the baron’s men, but not proof. They hesitated while Sam reloaded his rifle and the men below reacted.
Walt stuck his head up to better see the situation in the moonlight and was almost shot for his trouble. However it had started, the fight was on now. He and the others returned fire.
They were under cover and the men below were exposed. It was a one-sided battle.
Walt spat on the ground and glared at Sam. “Why the hell did you start shooting? We don’t know they were working for the baron.”
Sam didn’t know how to answer. He knew they were working for the baron or at the very least for the ambushers at Dover’s Gap. They hadn’t mentioned the baron. It was possible, he guessed, that they were just part of a group of bandits. All five men and three of the pigs were dead, but two pigs had run off.
He glared back at Walt. “If those pigs go back to Dover’s Gap, the gang waiting there will know something happened. If we’re not through Crag’s Pass before they figure out what, you won’t have to worry about it ’cause we’ll all be dead. Let’s get back to the wagons and get moving.”
Badlands, North of Demon’s Face Ridge
December 14, 862 AF
“Keep ’em moving.” Maggie just shook her head. She’d tied her hair back, but loose curls still bounced. “I dunno, Hiram. All he says is ‘keep ’em moving.’ I’m getting sick of this wagon.”
“We got through the pass, so he’s all right with me.” Hiram had some suspicions about Sam, but he didn’t much care about them. He’d seen crag hunters before and Sam didn’t have quite the right look. That coat and the hat, they weren’t natural. Not only was the coat too white, but it seemed to shed dust and dirt. So did Sam’s black hat with the funny hatband. Sam’s pig had to be the smartest pig in the world and that fancy pistol rig he carried . . . well, maybe it could be made in the east, but Hiram wouldn’t bet on it.
There were old tales about the badlands. They told about voices out of nowhere and a magic place that killed you if you got too close. If Sam had found his way onto Demon’s Butte, he was right to hide it. Some folks were kind of nervous about that sort of thing.
As to why Sam was pushing things, Hiram figured he knew that part. If Sam was right about where the five men they’d killed came from, the wagon train had every reason to move fast. Two of the pigs had run off, after all. It made sense that those pigs would head for the last place where there were people to take care of them. It all made pretty good sense if you started with the notion of ambushers in Dover’s Gap. That was the part that was sticking in everyone’s craw. No one wanted to admit that there had probably been ambushers in Dover’s Gap.
But Hiram remembered the fight in the bar. Sam had reacted first, before Walt or Ed—who could see Smiley and Tom come in. Somehow, he’d known before anyone else. If Sam could know that, he could know about an ambush in Dover’s Gap. No one else accepted why Sam was pushing so hard, but Hiram did. They needed distance before the Dover’s Gap gang realized what had happened if they were to avoid being caught in the desert.
Hiram took a sip from his canteen. “Miss Maggie?”
Maggie looked over at him. “Yes?”
“Seems to me that if you’re going to hire somebody to lead you, you ought to follow him.” Hiram sneaked a glance over at Maggie. “That, or you shoulda kept your money.”
“Sam, your transmissions are losing signal strength.”
“What does that mean?” Sam subvocalized.
Alen explained. While the transmitter at the Homestead could reach him, the smaller transmitters placed behind his ear and Porky’s, even the transmitter in Porky’s saddle were only strong enough to reach a few miles. The last repeater station he had placed was on the far side of Demon’s Face Ridge. Even with the digitalized signal and redundancy, it was unlikely that Alen would be able to receive his or Porky’s signals for much longer.
“I can talk to you, but I’m not going to be able to hear you much longer,” Alen said. “Not until you get more of the sensor net up.”
“Damn.” The wagon train had moved out of range of the sensor net and there was no way Sam could take off on his own to place more sensors and repeaters, not with all these people depending on him. They were already looking at him and complaining about the pace, except for Hiram. Hiram just kept on moving, doing what Sam told him.
Most of the others threw suspicious looks at him and complained about rationing the water. The exception was Maggie. Maggie threw him a look now and then, but it wasn’t suspicious. It was as though she hadn’t made up her mind yet.
North of Demons face
Maggie licked her dry lips. She was driving the lead wagon this shift. There wasn’t a bit of shade this side of the hill. It was nearly time for a rest, but they needed to get to the east side of this bit of ground before they could rest. Anything to help block the sun. She looked ahead, and saw Sam waving his hat from the top of the hill. “Demons, I hope he’s found water, Hiram.”
Hiram looked up, grabbed the wagon’s cover and stood on the seat so he could see farther. “Maggie! Maggie, I see green.”
The draft pigs grunted and oinked and moved a bit faster.
They crested the top of the hill and started down. The line of green trees along the Gilden River was the prettiest sight Maggie had ever seen. “We made it, Hiram.” She blinked back tears. “We made it.”
Badlandsbookscience fiction
Previous Post: From the Badlands Chapter 2 — Torton
Next Post: Chapter 4—Gilden City
The Founding of the Heestiff Hive
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Larry Young rediscovered
by Richard Williams on February 2, 2016
When a friend asked me this week to name the most memorable gig I’ve ever attended, I could answer him in a heartbeat: the Tony Williams Lifetime at the Marquee on October 6, 1970. Nothing has ever felt more like the future exploding in the audience’s ears.
The organist Larry Young was a part of that band, along with John McLaughlin on guitar, Jack Bruce on bass guitar and Williams on drums. Earlier in the year I’d heard them at Ungano’s, a New York club, without Bruce but with Miles Davis leaning against the bar in a tan suede patchwork suit, listening intently, his silver Lamborghini Miura parked at the kerb outside on West 70th Street.
In such places, i.e. clubs with a capacity of around 200, Lifetime were mercilessly volcanic. And Young, the least-known member of the band, was a vital component of a sound that surged and howled and crashed off the walls.
This was no real surprise to those who’d heard his run of Blue Note albums, which started in 1965 with the release of Into Somethin’, on which he was joined by Sam Rivers (tenor), Grant Green (guitar) and Elvin Jones (drums). It’s one of those great recordings, like Jackie McLean’s One Step Beyond, Grachan Moncur III’s Some Other Stuff, Andrew Hill’s Point of Departure and Sam Rivers’ Fuchsia Swing Song, with which the label made a bridge between hard bop and the avant-garde, creating an inside-outside music that satisfied all kinds of demands.
Young came up in R&B bands, and it might have been expected that he would simply follow the example of Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, John Patton, Freddie Roach, Baby Face Willette and all the other Hammond exponents whose playing was strongly influenced by the organ’s traditional role in gospel music. Young’s playing was soulful, certainly, but he steered absolutely clear of cliché. His chosen tone was rounder and softer than that preferred by most of his peers, although it lacked nothing in attack; his nimbleness around the B3 keyboard was unexampled, enabling him to absorb the influence of the new music, and he could more than hold his own alongside McLaughlin and Williams at their most ferocious (listen to “Spectrum” from the first Lifetime album, Emergency!, which is much better than its reputation might suggest, and where, before Bruce’s arrival, he is still using his pedals to supply the bass line).
Miles Davis had included him in the Bitches Brew sessions in 1969, and he had jammed with Hendrix the same year (a track released on Nine to the Universe) shortly before joining Williams’s project. I last saw him in a revamped version of Lifetime at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1971, with Ted Dunbar on guitar and Juni Booth on bass: a much less overwhelming proposition.
By that time he had renamed himself Khalid Yasin. He died in 1978, in slightly mysterious circumstances. Complaining of stomach pains, he checked himself into a hospital, but died there, apparently of untreated pneumonia. He was 37 years old and had just signed a contract with Warner Brothers.
Any new evidence of his talent, then, is to be welcomed, and the 2-CD set titled Larry Young in Paris is a real gift. Recorded in sessions for the ORTF radio network in 1965, the majority of the tracks at the station’s studios but others at the Locomotive night club, it presents him in generally favourable circumstances, with sidemen including the trumpeter Woody Shaw, the tenorist Nathan Davis and the drummers Billy Brooks and Franco Manzecchi.
The music is hard-swinging post-bop spiced with a strong Coltrane influence, signalled by the titles of two compositions: Davis’s “Trane of Thought” and Young’s “Talkin’ About J.C.” (which he had recorded the previous year on Grant Green’s Talkin’ About). More conventional than anything Lifetime attempted, these 105 minutes of music nevertheless offer an extended view of his brilliant melodic imagination and the great sense of swing evident in his comping for the other soloists. Wayne Shorter’s “Black Nile” and Shaw’s “Zoltan” (which also appeared in a studio version on Young’s Unity) are among the tracks that inspire burning solos from Shaw and Davis. You can hear the music’s gathering sense of adventure starting to strain the seams of the players’ Italian suits.
Issued by Resonance Records with a well edited booklet featuring a great deal of valuable material from the sons of Young and Shaw, plus interviews with Dr Lonnie Smith and Bill Laswell, some background on the Paris scene, and photography by Francis Wolff and Jean-Pierre Leloir, this is a really wonderful discovery.
* The photograph of Larry Young was taken outside the ORTF studios by Francis Wolff.
Tags: Jack Bruce, John McLaughlin, Larry Young, Lifetime, Tony Williams
← James Jamerson at 80
John Cale in the round →
Bill White #
Tony Williams was at great pains to point out, post Lifetime(1), how important Larry Young was to that band and incidentally, those four great Blue Note recordings you mentioned (& you could have added Dolphy’s Out To Lunch) all featured the far sighted teenage drummer.
Yes indeed. And I could have added Hancock’s Empyrean Isles, Moncur’s Evolution, and Tony’s own wonderful Life Time and Spring.
Abbott Katz #
I too saw the Lifetime in Ungano’s, and before that in Slugs in the Far East on E. 3rd Street in New York (without Bruce). My previous listening exposure to McLaughlin was on Miles’ in A Silent Way, in which, as I recall, his contribution was relatively sedate. After hearing him in Slugs I needed a crane to lift my jaw off the floor.
John Kieffer #
Larry was definitely a one off. The last few weeks I’ve been revisiting his run of Blue Note records, so this release sounds essential. And with Nathan Davis and Woody Shaw too. You mentioned Blll Laswell in your post and it seems crazy that his excellent ‘redux’ of Lifetime’s Turn It Over has never been officially released. Wonderful stuff as ever Richard. Thank you.
Thanks. I’ve never heard the Laswell remix, which he discusses in the booklet. I must try to find it.
I was working in New York for a few months in the mid 00’s and for a while there copies of the Laswell Turn It Over remix CD around. It looked very much like an official release with a cover by Russell Mills and liner notes by John Szwed. And then it just disappeared! Unfortunately I never managed to snag one. What I do remember is it was that the remix was less radical than the Miles Panthalassa, Santana Divine Light or Bob Marley records. It sounded fantastic however – particularly Larry and that no longer teenage but still remarkable drummer.
Same time he was in Lifetime Young recorded the fascinating “Mothership” session, with the neglected Herbert Morgan playing with the broad toned intensity reminiscent of Booker Ervin,the ever attentive Eddie Gladden on drums, some explorative Lee Morgan, and, of course, the ever questing Young this was something of a neglected masterpiece
Jeffery Gifford #
Tony Williams Lifetime with Jack Bruce at the Marquee on October 6, 1970. Sounds like a dream come true. And then Miles at the bar at Ungano’s in NYC. Wow! Nice catch on both occasions.
Richard Butterworth #
Funny you should say that, Richard. I saw this Lifetime line-up on what must have been the same UK tour, at the Royal Court. They were, indeed, phenomenal. I remember bouncing off the sheer joy the musicians were exuding – they were clearly loving every minute. Bizarrely Lifetime’s support at the RC was Atomic Rooster – but in an era when Peter Maxwell Davies would pop up at the Roundhouse in front of 1,000 very stoned hairies, I guess anything was possible. Thanks for the post and the memories.
Tim Hinkley #
Hi Richard, I disovered Larry Young on his Blue Note album “Of Love And Peace”. I had been listening to the great B3 players, McDuff, McGriff, Freddie Roach, Big John Patton and the Master, Jimmy Smith but Larry Young was taking the organ in a different direction. I had been listening to the post bebop music by Coltrane, Dolphy, Waldron (The Quest) and was looking for a player being more adventurous playing of the mighty Hammond organ. I went to see Tony Williams Lifetime play at The Country club on Haverstock Hill, Hampstead. Towards the middle of their set Jack Bruce’s bass amp broke down and Larry took over playing the bass parts on the B3. Now I love Jack’s playing but when he stopped It started to take off…McLaughlin and WIlliams let loose and flew into the stratosphere. I was completely blown away and it was that experience that influenced me to form Jody Grind, B3, Drums and Guitar. I have reformed Jody Grinds as “Jody Grind 2”. To be launched very soon😉
Jonathan Spencer #
Slugs? The Marquee? The Royal Court? Hmmph – what about, Bournemouth Winter Gardens, November 1970? Tony Williams like a coiled spring, furiously letting loose for what seemed like an hour without even drawing breath. Astonishing.
A night to set the tea-cups rattling.
I was inspired to listen to Emergency! driving to work today after reading this, and got caught in a swarm of blue lights of police outriders escorting VIPs to Westminster in emergency vehicles. Spectrum is the best track. Then I realised Jack Bruce was missing. I remembered Jack’s Travelling Band from Escalator Over The Hill (John McLaughlin electric guitar, Carla Bley piano & organ, Jack Bruce electric bass, Paul Motian drums). I’ll listen to that driving to work tomorrow and imagine I’m at the Marquee in 1970.
David M #
Richard, thanks for reminding me of the Lifetime concert at the Marquee. I was on a course in London from home in the north west and as an 18 year old fan of Cream I turned up at the Marquee primarily for Jack Bruce’s appearance. I was stunned by Lifetime’s performance and it sent me off to listen to Miles and many others. I am always grateful for that night.
Tim Adkin #
A few years ago in Cheltenham I caught Dylan Howe’s Unity Quartet with Tony Kofi, Mike Outram and, in the unenviable Young role, Ross Stanley. The band used the “Unity” album as a jumping off point (opening with “Zoltan”) and kept the spirit alive. Great gig.
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60 'Firsts' Hip-Hop Milestones
20 Rap Songs That Sample Aretha Franklin
Best Rihanna Duets in the 2000s
Lil' Kim's Most Notorious Beefs
Voletta Wallace Slams Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s Biggie and 2Pac T-Shirts: ‘Exploitation at its Worst!’
Jacinta Howard
Bryan Bedder/Jason Merritt, Getty Images
After they got dragged on social media for having the gall to plaster their faces over The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac on t-shirts, Kendall and Kylie Jenner are rightfully catching it from Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace.
Wallace went on Instagram to let the Jenners know exactly how she feels about them using her son and 2Pac to sell $125 t-shirts, and she didn't hold back.
"I am not sure who told @kyliejenner and @kendalljenner that they had the right to do this," she captioned a photo of the controversial shirts with a red "X" through them. "The disrespect of these girls to not even reach out to me or anyone connected to the estate baffles me."
She went on to say that she doesn't appreciate having her son and 2Pac's image and legacy exploited for profit.
"I have no idea why they feel they can exploit the deaths of 2pac and my Son Christopher to sell a t-shirt," she continued. "This is disrespectful , disgusting, and exploitation at its worst!!!"
Indeed. The t-shirts are no longer available for sell, though it's unclear whether it's because they sold out or because they caught wind of the backlash and pulled them. We can't imagine who'd want to rock a Kylie-Biggie shirt, so it's like the latter.
Of course, this isn't the first time the Jenners or other members of the Kardashian clique have been called out for cultural appropriation and just general tone deafness and dumbassery. Seriously, they couldn't have sold shirts with their faces plastered on A$AP Rocky or Tyga? Or Travis Scott? That would've at least been a little more appropriate.
Maybe someone should get Kendall a Pepsi to smooth this whole thing over.
Take a look at Ms. Wallace's post below.
Worst to Best: Every 2Pac Album Ranked
Filed Under: 2 Pac, biggie, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, voletta wallace
Categories: Hip-Hop, Style
Maxwell on 'Rigorous, Rewarding' 2018 Tour, New Album Plans
2020 The Boombox is part of the The XXL Network, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Story Behind the Song: Kelleigh Bannen, ‘Deluxe’
Kelleigh Bannen tells the story of a high-class love on a working-class budget in her swagger-filled song "Deluxe," which she co-wrote with Danielle Blakey. Sultry and evocative, the tune describes a couple treating themselves to a buffet dinner, an evening at a motel with free air conditioning and more. Read on to learn how the song came to be, as told by Bannen herself.
I love the idea of calling a love story "deluxe," but also being a little tongue-in-cheek: allowing it to be not about Mercedes-Benzes and diamonds and business class, but like, to be, wherever you are, as extra as you want to be -- like, extra in your lane.
So the way we wrote the verses, is I was telling Danielle what I had kind of thought the images could be, and she said, "What if that's the language?" -- like, "We're pulling off an exit, pulling into an old motel parking lot and it has an 'AC' sign flashing." She said, "Let's figure out how to say the verses like that."
In the chorus, she had this funky loop going, and we just started trying to rhyme things with "deluxe" that just felt like attitude. So it was one of those songs where it was less that the story was this way and [more that it was like], "Okay, here's the pallet, and now we fill in the story."
Who Is Kelleigh Bannen? 5 Things to Know
NEXT: Kelleigh Bannen Learns to Love Every 'Color' of Life on New Album
Filed Under: Editor's Picks, kelleigh bannen
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campaign finance, City Council, Elections, Featured, Morning Crank October 14, 2019 October 22, 2019
Election Crank: Three Weeks Out
I’ll be rolling out my remaining city council candidate interviews, with Phil Tavel, Mark Solomon, and Debora Juarez, this week. (Kshama Sawant and Alex Pedersen did not respond to repeated requests to sit down for an interview, and Ann Davison Sattler canceled our interview and has not yet responded to a request to reschedule.)
In the meantime, a quick roundup of campaign news from the past week:
• Heidi Wills, the former city council member who’s running to represent District 6, held a fundraiser last week that was hosted by a who’s who of anti-Burke Gilman Trail, anti-transit, anti-authorized encampment, and anti-worker interests, along with some elected officials and neighborhood activists.
Among the sponsors:
Pacific Merchant Shipping Association director Jordan Royer, who was a spokesman for Save 35th, the group that fought to kill a planned bike lane on 35th Ave. NE in Wedgwood;
Sonja Foster, the former vice president of Enterprise Washington and current Seattle director of the Associated General Contractors, which gave $25,000 to the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee. AGC is currently suing to overturn the state’s new prevailing wage law;
Eugene Wasserman, president of the anti-Burke Gilman Trail North Seattle Industrial Association, which sued to stop the Move Seattle transit initiative;
Ballard Alliance director Mike Stewart, who once called on Ballard residents and businesses to flood the city’s Find It Fix It app with reports of homeless encampments; and
Former Seattle Times reporter Marty McOmber, who organized a meeting for people opposed to a city-authorized encampment in Ballard and created a petition blaming current District 6 council member Mike O’Brien for homelessness and crime in Ballard.
Both Wills and her opponent, Dan Strauss, oppose completing the Missing Link of the Burke-Gilman trail as originally planned; Wills wants to go back to the drawing board and build an elevated pathway, while Strauss supports a plan, endorsed by the business-backed group whose court challenges have stalled the trail’s completion for years, to add a bike lane to Leary Way in lieu of the trail.
Sorry to interrupt your reading, but THIS IS IMPORTANT. The C Is for Crank is a one-person operation, supported entirely—and I mean entirely— by generous contributions from readers like you. If you enjoy the breaking news, commentary, and deep dives on issues that matter to you, please support this work by donating a few bucks a month to keep this reader-supported site going. I can’t do this work without support from readers like you. Your $5, $10, and $20 monthly subscriptions allow me to do this work as my full-time job, so please become a sustaining supporter now. If you don’t wish to become a monthly contributor, you can always make a one-time donation via PayPal, Venmo (Erica-Barnett-7) or by mailing your contribution to P.O. Box 14328, Seattle, WA 98104. Thank you for keeping The C Is for Crank going and growing. I’m truly grateful for your support.
• As I mentioned above, District 4 council candidate Alex Pedersen did not respond to my repeated requests to sit down for an interview. Turns out I’m in good company: Pedersen has failed to appear at a number of events, and respond to a number of questionnaires by, groups ranging from the Seattle Human Services Coalition to the Seattle Police Officers Guild. Laura Loe Bernstein of Share the Cities has been keeping a running tally.
The groups Pedersen has failed to respond to also include the MASS Coalition (Pedersen skipped their forum); Citizens for a Progressive Economy, sponsored by Working Washington, OneAmerica, and other progressive groups (Pedersen did not respond to their questionnaire); Rooted in Rights and Disability Rights Washington (Pedersen skipped their forum); and Seattle Subway and the Urbanist (Pedersen did not respond to their questionnaires).
• As Crosscut reported last week, Stranger digital editor Chase Burns filed a complaint with the state Public Disclosure Commission about an ad for District 3 candidate Egan Orion that ran on the biweekly paper’s cover without a required disclaimer saying who funded the ad. (The ad ran just under the headline “ENDORSEMENTS,” making it appear that the paper had endorsed Orion; a snarky “letter from the editor” in the print edition preemptively mocked Stranger readers for not getting something that “should be obvious.”)
Page 2 of the 68-page paper featured a second ad for Orion, which did include the required notification.
I reached out to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission and the PDC independently last week and asked them whether the ad was kosher. SEEC director Wayne Barnett said Seattle elections law “differs slightly from the state law” in that the required sponsor ID needs to be on the front of the ad or “on [the] fold,” and because “in my time here the Commission has never considered” what “the fold” means, “I can’t say definitively whether this complies with our law or not.”
Kim Bradford, a spokeswoman for the PDC, told me that state law requires a sponsor ID on each individual ad. “These appear to be two separate political advertisements that would each need sponsor identification,” she said. However, the commission itself has to determine whether the missing sponsor information constitutes a violation, and whether to impose any penalty; their next scheduled meeting is on October 24, and no agenda has been posted yet.
Filed under: Alex Pedersen, Egan Orion, Election 2019, Heidi Wills
The 2019 City Council Candidates: Andrew Lewis
The 2019 City Council Candidates: Phil Tavel
8 thoughts on “Election Crank: Three Weeks Out”
it would be interesting to know if those paid “shelter” units were formerly designated as transitional housing and when that was phased out from the COC, instead of following HUD guidelines some orgs just switched the title of the unit from “transitional” to “shelter” and proceeded offering what sounds very much like transitional housing. I actually have really mixed feelings about that- good for them and fuck that! It sure is what sounds like is happening.
DOUG. says:
Alex Pedersen is basically trying to run out the clock on this election. He’s not making many statements or appearances, just touting his endorsements and hoping that the corporate PAC money that backs him can scare mostly-white NE Seattle into not voting for Shaun Scott. For a guy who runs on basically one issue, “Accountability,” he’s been decidedly unaccountable to the voters he hopes to represent.
Joe, Fan of Pac NW Transit (@TransitGeekJoe) says:
Various Heidi Wills endorsements:
Cindi Laws
Hilary Franz
Washington Conservation Voters
Joe A. Kunzler
All of whom are transit hawks.
Maybe time to stop slinging mud folks.
bye heidi says:
TRU, Seattle Subway,Seattle Bike Blog, Seattle Transit Blog all endorsed Strauss.
No bike or transit orgs have endorsed Wills.
eddiew says:
pretty close: Sierra Club, Washington Conservation Voters, Dow Constantine, Ron Sims, Tom Rasmussen; Washington Bikes did not endorse in the sixth.
WCV is not a bike or transit org – and they dual-endorsed in D6.
https://wcvoters.org/endorsements/
Sierra Club is also not a bike or transit org, and many of their leaders and members are extremely happy with the early endorsement of Wills.
Very disappointed to not read why or any statement from the Wills campaign.
typo in post: “NE 35th Street”; the subject arterial was 35th Avenue NE served by routes 65 and 64. Note that Strauss, Wills opponent in the General Election, also supports an alternative to the SDOT Burke Gilman Trail Extension on Shilshole Avenue NW. Both district six finalists are supported by transit and cycling advocates.
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US energy policy
Solar subsidies encouraged a massive take-up of solar panels in Australia. Solar image from www.shutterstock.com
To pay solar households fairly, we need to understand the true value of solar
Joe Wyndham, Jay Rutovitz, University of Technology Sydney
Joe Wyndham
Research Analyst, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
Jay Rutovitz
Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney
University of Technology Sydney provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.
The Australian government is reviewing our electricity market to make sure it can provide secure and reliable power in a rapidly changing world. Faced with the rise of renewable energy and limits on carbon pollution, The Conversation has asked experts what kind of future awaits the grid.
This year many Australian households will find themselves cut off from generous incentives paid for electricity they export into the grid from rooftop solar systems.
Between September and December, state feed-in tariff (FiT) schemes in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia will finish. The FiTs applying to over 275,000 customers will drop from between 16 and 60 cents per kilowatt hour to between 5 and 7.2 cents per kWh. In NSW, the replacement FiT won’t be mandatory, with retailers allowed to decide what they pay. Of course, many of those customers have already recouped their investment.
Now that our rooftop solar industry has matured, we need to reconsider the purpose of FiTs and align them with our goals for the electricity system in the future.
Why pay solar households?
FiTs have been hugely important in getting the global solar industry to where it is now. Solar electricity costs have fallen to levels that were unimaginable just 10 years ago.
Governments have traditionally used FiTs to achieve a policy aim, such as increasing renewable energy production by bridging the gap between current costs of electricity and the cost of new sources.
Australian states began to introduce mandated FiTs in 2008. There has never been a national FiT in Australia, and Queensland, NSW and the ACT no longer have mandated FiTs. However, many electricity retailers offer FiTs, even when not mandated by government.
Current state of feed-in tariffs in Australia for new customers. Authors
The costs of FiTs are recovered in different ways, depending on whether they are government-mandated or not, but ultimately they fall on all electricity consumers. As governments wind back mandated FiTs, it’s assumed that FiTs will be roughly cost-neutral.
Have they worked?
Residential solar installations soared after the introduction of FiTs in 2008. Installations quadrupled each year in Australia until 2012, leading to 11,600 jobs and the highest penetration of households with rooftop solar in the world.
Cumulative and annual installed solar PV capacity in Australia. Chapman et al 2015
This boom stimulated a competitive solar market in which residential installation costs have plummeted (as you can see below). Australia now enjoys some of the lowest installation costs for rooftop solar in the world.
Module and system installation price with number of installations. Chapman et al 2015
The trick that state policymakers missed, however, was making FiT policies sustainable.
Early FiTs were excessively high, especially in NSW and Queensland, causing policy fallout and sudden withdrawal. This was partly because the rapid reduction in solar prices exceeded expectations.
For example, the NSW government was forced into a hasty reassessment of its 2010 policy in order to prevent a cost blowout after massively underestimating the level of uptake. By October 2010, just 10 months after it began, the NSW gross FiT was slashed from 60 to 20 cents per kWh. The scheme was closed to new participants in April 2011.
Across Australia most states cut or entirely removed FiTs within four years. Most current FiTs are now well below retail prices. This means that customers are being encouraged to use as much as possible of their solar energy to power their own homes rather than exporting it to the grid. This is one of the reasons why the system size for solar installations in Australia tends to be smaller than elsewhere.
The fallout from these unsustainable FiT policies has unfortunately polarised the national conversation about solar. Hundreds of thousands of solar power system owners are facing bill shock as FiTs are withdrawn, while those who do not have solar have been told they are footing the bill for their neighbours’ systems.
Politicians have sought to capitalise on this discontent, by blaming solar tariffs for high electricity prices. In many states, the actual value of rooftop solar has been pushed out of the conversation.
The real value of solar
A recent Victorian report found that the value of solar energy depends on when electricity is fed into the grid. Solar energy is more valuable when exported to the grid at times of peak demand.
The report argued that the value of solar should account for the reduction in transmission losses (the losses associated with transporting electricity from large power plants over great distances) and environmental effects, primarily the reduction in greenhouse gases from displacing fossil fuel generation.
Solar installations can potentially add value in other ways too. For example, installing battery storage along with solar systems may allow domestic solar systems to offer other network services such as frequency and voltage control.
Encouragingly, since the report the Victorian government has bucked the national trend and announced a multi-rate FiT scheme.
The scheme offers different rates for exporting during peak, shoulder and off-peak times. It will also reward solar owners for the greenhouse gas offsets related to their system’s output. The scheme is expected to raise FiTs from around 5c per kWh to an average of between 6.5c and 7c per kWh.
Nationally, we need to refocus the conversation about the purpose and value of FiTs. Having already established a world-leading solar industry, we need to ask what FiTs can do for us now and into the future.
If we want our electricity system to take advantage of technological advances, such as battery storage, we need to repurpose our FiTs to reflect the benefits of these technologies. The Victorian example is a great step forward, providing a mechanism where consumers can leverage Australia’s low installation costs to become players in a more competitive energy market.
But there are even more benefits to distributed energy systems that could be realised with intelligently applied FiTs. This means we need more consideration of what solar systems can do for us, and less simplistic conversations about electricity costs.
Electricity futures series
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On Thanksgiving — Native Americans are Being Beaten, Gassed, & Shot in North Dakota
Claire Bernish November 24, 2016
While most of America will spend hours with family preparing a feast of Thanksgiving, reflecting with gratitude on blessings bestowed over the years, those original to this land have a less idyllic perspective on this holiday — one steeped in the déjà vu of historical context playing out in a battle for clean water.
For the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, the peaceful fight to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline isn’t environmental activism; it’s preservation of life, protection of a living entity — the Missouri River and Lake Oahe reservoir — as real as flesh, or plant, or animal. Opposing a potential threat of oil contamination to that water would never be a question — the Missouri has sustained generations and must sustain those to come.
But these water protectors wage this prayerful campaign of preservation with centuries of exploitation, brutalization, and genocide crisp in memory — both centuries old and as recent as Sunday night, when State agents chose the ironic weapon of water to devalue the lives of anyone daring to protect the water from careless corporate greed.
On Sunday, an attempt to clear an obstruction blocking the primary access point to the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation — the fastest route for emergency services — sparked a barbarous assault by a multi-state, inappropriately-militarized police force.
Amid a relentless haze of tear gas and weaponized water, a tribal elder went into cardiac arrest, twice, one man suffered a grand mal seizure, a young woman was shot in the head with a rubber bullet and may have permanent eye damage, a man vomited blood after a rubber bullet to the stomach caused an internal injury, and a young woman, Sophia Wilansky — who traveled from New York City to assist in protecting the water — might lose her arm after a concussion grenade tore through flesh all the way to the bone.
Medics from the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribes reported 26 people hospitalized and around 300 injured, dozens suffered hypothermia from being soaked by police in 23° Fahrenheit temperatures. Medics and witnesses observed police intentionally shooting rubber bullets and other ‘less than lethal’ projectiles at people’s heads and legs — and that officers appeared to purposefully target journalists and anyone helping the wounded.
Vanessa, a medic from the Oceti Sakowin camp with 30 years of experience as an EMT, noted in an interview after the police attack that even Standing Rock and Bismarck EMS crews “said that they had never seen anything like this, and they did not realize that this was what is was like when Morton County [Sheriff’s Department] unleashed on us. So, they were not aware of the injuries that were happening.”
Although the Morton County Sheriff’s Department flatly denies the use of concussion grenades and dismissed weaponizing water as ‘just a fire hose,’ evidence from the scene disputes the former and live video from taken Sunday night utterly contradicts the latter.
Piece of Stinger grenade recovered from Hwy 1806 last night appears to match this @SafarilandGroup product- https://t.co/FnWoyrjksT #NoDAPL pic.twitter.com/5fVnQw4RJe
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) November 22, 2016
In fact, eyewitnesses, video footage, still photographs, human rights observers, and journalists on the scene for multiple incidents of police escalation and extreme, unjustifiable force prove the sheriff’s department to be hubristic liars — often twisting the narrative after the fact to accommodate unconscionable acts of violence, like spontaneously drenching a crowd of 400 in icy water in frigid weather.
But perhaps the only greater irony than weaponizing water against Native American water protectors is its occurrence during President Obama’s token proclamation of November as Native American Heritage Month — an utterly sardonic and hollow gesture, considering the deafening silence from the White House about the vigilantism against Native Americans by police protecting construction of a pipeline only Big Oil wants.
On second thought, maybe that’s the point. For the government of the United States, the heritage of Native Americans has been little more than an obstacle to complete domination of land. Its Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 — which should have ceded the very land to Indigenous peoples where the battle for clean water presently plays out — was fast abandoned with the discovery of gold in South Dakota’s Black Hills, and has been strategically trimmed when convenient ever since.
What better way for the State to celebrate Thanksgiving Day during Native American Heritage Month than by perpetrating or ignoring further brutalization and exploitation of peoples whose only crime was to have inhabited these lands centuries before Europeans arrived.
While the world watches in horror as a shameful history repeats itself in North Dakota, the first African American President of the United States fecklessly conjures the specter of genocide — also remaining embarrassingly tight-lipped on the parallel ghost of water weaponized against black civil rights protesters in the 1960s.
“During National Native American Heritage Month, we pledge to maintain the meaningful partnerships we have with tribal nations, and we renew our commitment to our nation-to-nation relationships as we seek to give all our children the future they deserve,” Obama’s empty proclamation reads.
But considering the current struggle the Standing Rock Sioux have been forced to endure for the sake of protecting the water from potential contamination with crude oil, it is impossible to extrapolate precisely what the president meant by “deserve.”
Faced with lack of definitive action by the federal government, water protectors and their supporters have attempted appeals to police officers’ consciences — pleading for them to consider their viciousness of targeting grandmothers, grandfathers, young children, mothers, fathers — to put violence in a humanitarian light. Several reports claimed two officers had, indeed, turned in their badges, but that was never confirmed.
Vanessa, the medic — shocked by the abrupt escalation of aggression Sunday night — had a message for the Morton County Sheriff and officers the department is coordinating with in perpetrating callous violence against the water protectors:
“Stop being stupid. There’s no sense in what you’re doing. Peaceful, prayerful people — even if they’re yelling and screaming — they’re not shooting. They’re not hurting you. They’re there protecting the water. Just stop. What you’re doing is beyond wrong. You’re violating civil rights, you’re violating international laws, you’re just … you’ve lost control. And your officers have lost control of themselves. You need to stop now before you kill someone.”
Noting the scores of injured, including Sophia Wilansky who might have to have her arm amputated, Vanessa implored, “There are just so many things that you’re doing wrong. I pray for you. I pray that you get a soul because, right now, you don’t have one. And you are hurting real people, with families, with friends, with loved ones. You need to stop — and stop now.”
It appears unlikely, even on the generally cordial Thanksgiving holiday, police and the Obama administration will heed this plea — if indeed they hear it at all.
About Claire Bernish
Claire Bernish began writing as an independent, investigative journalist in 2015, with works published and republished around the world. Not one to hold back, Claire’s particular areas of interest include U.S. foreign policy, analysis of international affairs, and everything pertaining to transparency and thwarting censorship. To keep up with the latest uncensored news, follow her on Facebook or Twitter: @Subversive_Pen.
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May 23, 2019 | Posted in Editorial | No comments
Warning, if the title of this article isn’t warning enough, please proceed with caution as there are major spoilers ahead!
Well well well!
Unfortunately we predicted it right in our analysis of episode 5 game of Thrones Season 8 (check it our here) – Daenery’s Targaryen did indeed die.
We didn’t quite predict how she would die but felt that there was no room for two Targaryen’s and one throne. And this proved right.
The turn of events in the episode “the Bells”, spelt no coming back for Dany. Her rule was cemented at the beginning of Episode 6 which was masterfully displayed as the beginning of a new Order with lines of Unsullied and screaming Dothrakhi as she performed her victory speech.
Wheel well and truly crushed!
How sad then that, Dany’s rule was short lived. This has had fans of the show going bananas across the globe and indeed a friend of mine who was literally inconsolable by the end of the episode.
So lets look at Dany’s death.
When you consider everything that she had faced from Season 1 right up to this point where she is at her strongest towards the end of Season 8, it realistically could have only happened in this way – in the arms of the one she loved and trusted. No Army could have defeated her and Drogon.
Dany achieved what she set out to do. So I don’t actually think there is a problem with the writers killing her off. But it was rushed, and not paced correctly. And not thought through properly. What now of Essos and her rule there? Was Westeros and the Iron Throne, really all that mattered?
Also, why was there no pay off with Jon? His true identity, and to be fair his unalterable moral compass, was under utitilised. Which in my view is the bigger crime for the way Season 8 panned out and the story came to a close.
Let me pause a second to say that the cast and production team deserve 10 out of 10 for the show they created. Game of Thrones downfall in the last season or two has come at the hands of the writers- of that I am in no doubt.
Good writing was replaced with entertaining scenes but lacked any substance. For example Drogon melting the iron throne though an accomplishment from a CGI perspective, was one purely for theatrics – even in the magical world of Game of Thrones, who would realistically think that Dragons were so intelligent to know it was chasing the Iron Throne that got Dany killed?
The whole of the final season of Game of Thrones clearly suffered from pacing. What used to take a season to build up in earlier Seasons, (think of Tyrion’s trial, or the time it took Arya and the Hound to travel North) was being shoe horned in to a matter of scenes.
A bizarre meeting of the leaders of the Seven Kingdoms, in the final episode was the best example of this.
After 8 Seasons of battling it out, a group of well tempered and conveniently placed leaders thought that getting round the table like adults to decide who should lead was a good idea. And Bran was appointed the King. I mean, if that’s all it takes in the world right? No one would go hungry. But that’s not reality.
Don’t get me wrong, Bran becoming King is not an issue in my view. But the writers could have made more use of Bran and his power.
A fitting end then to a very botched journey for Game of Thrones? Perhaps.
There is plenty of other wrong with this episode and indeed, the final season.
But I want to finish on what I think was good about this episode.
It was right to kill Dany off. But as they went down this route, it was wrong to not make Jon King. Why? Because Jon was the unalterable moral compass that embodied everything he was taught from Ned Stark, the shows early hero.
I wouldn’t even say that the writers should have made him want it or want to fight for it. He should have been forced with it and Bran be made the master of whisperers. But the lead up to the events meant that something would have to be done with the Unsullied and the Dothrakhi (who they never event covered off in the final scenes anyway). And there just simply wasn’t the time to tell that tale.
Why Jon should have been made King in Game of Thrones?
Jon could not be forced to lie. He could not be forced to kill innocents or be swayed that it was justified. He could see what the Wildlings were when others couldn’t- living Humans. Jon Snow is what Westeros needed. He commanded respect through his actions, not his words.
And his true identity was his key to accessing the Iron Throne. The set up was beautiful for this to happen going in to Season 7.
But flick back to the start of Season 7 Game of Thrones. With what was left to cover in the story with 7 episodes in Season 7 and 6 in Season 8, we should have known then that this could go wrong.
But we hoped, and kept faith in the double D’s writing ability. The reality however turned out that the writers had run out of the source material that George R. R. Martin is still on with (Winds of Winter and then A Dream of Spring) and they were left to tell their own tale.
UK Users: Special Offer Buy Game of Thrones
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Will Dany Die in Game of Thrones? Game of Thrones – Jon Snow Metal Print Game of Thrones Merchandise – cool gift ideas The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale Trailer – What Will Happen to Clementine?
Tagged: game of thrones, GoT
The Walking Dead Season 2 Finale Trailer – What Will Happen to Clementine?
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Tag Archives: Jed Lingat
WESFEST 8, Featuring Headliner BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON, Announces Concert Gear Giveaway: Epiphone “Thunderhorse” Explorer Guitar and Gallien-Krueger MB 500 Lightweight Bass Amp!
February 12, 2013 by janaya64
WESFEST 8, Featuring Headliner BRENDON SMALL’s GALAKTIKON, Announces Concert Gear Giveaway: Epiphone “Thunderhorse” Explorer Guitar and Gallien-Krueger MB 500 Lightweight Bass Amp!
WESFEST 8 is pleased to announce that sponsors EPIPHONE and GALLIEN-KRUEGER are giving away some awesome gear to two lucky attendees of the WESFEST 8 benefit concert featuring BRENDON SMALL’S GALAKTIKON on Sunday, March 3 at The Roxy in Los Angeles.
This year’s WESFEST 8 lineup features the live debut of headliner BRENDON SMALL’S GALAKTIKON, as well as Derek Frank, Ali Handal, Janet Robin, Joe Travers & Friends, Colin Keenan, and Danny Mo & The Exciters (featuring 2012 Wehmiller Scholarship winner Jed Lingat).
To win, all you have to do is buy tickets to WESFEST 8, show up, and you’ll automatically be eligible to win one of the two following items!
TO PURCHASE WESFEST 8 TICKETS AND FOR FULL SHOW DETAILS, JUST CLICK HERE!
First, for the guitarists:
THE EPIPHONE LTD. ED. BRENDON SMALL “THUNDERHORSE” EXPLORER OUTFIT GUITAR (pictured above)
EPIPHONE presents the Ltd. Ed. Brendon Small “Thunderhorse” Explorer Outfit, a one-of-a-kind signature guitar for one of the most eclectic and challenging artists working today. Do we mean Brendon Small? No! Dethklok, of course! Brendon Small is the co-creator and comedic–and musical–imagination behind Dethklok, the virtual metal band featured in the hit animated program produced by [adult swim], Metalocalypse. And now with the “Thunderhorse” Explorer Outfit, EPIPHONE and Brendon have collaborated to create the ultimate 6-string weapon packed with exclusive features only found on EPIPHONE. It’s a guitar worthy of “the world’s greatest cultural force” and in the hands of Dethklok lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf, a serious and potentially lethal musical weapon to be reckoned with. Billions of Dethklok fans have already noticed the EPIPHONE “Thunderhorse” is the ultimate Brendon Small Signature Explorer and have declared it totally metal times infinity. Retail price: $999.
And, for the bassists (after all, this concert does go to benefit a bass scholarship at Berklee College Of Music!):
THE GALLIEN-KRUEGER MB 500 SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT BASS AMP
Weighing in at less than 4 lbs. and taking up less than one rack space, the MB500 delivers 500 watts of power in a package that will easily fit into your gig bag. Featuring GK’s legendary four band active EQ and contour control, the MB500 allows you to tweak your tone before hitting the digital power section. In addition to the generous tone shaping capabilities, the preamp section also features a foot switchable boost channel with independent volume control to dial in just the right amount of grind and level boost when needed. Retail price: $714.
WESFEST 8 is a benefit concert whose net proceeds go to benefit the Wes Wehmiller Endowed Scholarship at Berklee College Of Music. The scholarship fund honors Wes Wehmiller (1971-2005), a Berklee graduate (’92) and highly accomplished bassist, athlete and photographer who died of thyroid cancer in January 2005. Established by his family and friends, the Wes Wehmiller Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a continuing student at Berklee who best exemplifies the excellence and grace Wehmiller showed as a bassist and as a human being. The WesFest concert series and related fundraising drive has raised more than $150,000 over the past seven years. Additional sponsors for WESFEST 8 include Mike Lull Custom Guitars, D’Addario Strings, and Studio Instrument Rentals.
Posted in Bassists, Blues, Classic Metal, Classic Rock, Drummer, Glam, Guitarists, Heavy metal, Internet Radio, Metal, Music, Outlaw Metal, Rock, Rock N' Roll, RockStar, Sleaze, Tattoos, Thrash Metal, Whiskey Metal. Tagged 80's, Ali Handal, Bleach Bang, Bleach Bangs, Bleach Bangs Radio, Brendon Small, Brendon Small's Galaktikon, Charlie Owens, Classic Rock, Colin Keenan, D'Addario Strings, Danny Mo, Danny Mo & The Exciters, Derek Frank, Dethklok, Epihpone, Epiphone "Thunderhorse" Explorer Guitar, Gallien-Krueger MB 500 Lightweight Bass Amp, Glam, Glam Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Janet Robin, Jed Lingat, Joe Travers, Joe Travers & Friends, Los Angeles, Metal, Mike Lull Custom Guitars, Music, Randy Norris, Rock, Rock N' Roll, Rock Star, RockStar, the Hellion, the Hellion Rocks, The Roxy, Wehmiller Scholarship, Wes Wehmiller, WESFEST 8
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The Jerusalem Connection Report
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Category Archives: Aliyah
Aliyah Numbers Surge, Fueled by Wave of Russian Immigration to Israel
AliyahBy The Jerusalem Connection August 1, 2019 Leave a comment
By Haaretz— Immigration to Israel rose by more than a quarter in the first half of 2019, fueled almost entirely by a continued surge in aliyah from Russia, according to internal Jewish Agency figures. In all of 2018, immigration showed a modest gain of 5 percent. A 73 percent increase in the number of individuals…
Jewxit: Could 300,000 Jews Flee the UK?
Aliyah, anti-SemitismBy The Jerusalem Connection June 11, 2019 Leave a comment
By Hannah Gal, Jpost— My kids are the only Jewish kids in their school and I fear for them more than myself. I do fear for the future. My husband and I are keeping a very close eye on the political situation and we are prepared to move to another country should it become necessary.”…
One Nation, Many Faces
AliyahBy The Jerusalem Connection March 28, 2019 Leave a comment
By Michael Freund, Jewish Journal— Around the world, an unprecedented awakening is taking place. Descendants of Jews from all walks of life are looking to return to their roots and embrace their heritage. For the past 15 years, through Shavei Israel, the organization I chair, I have come to discern that there are multitudes of…
Time for Western Aliyah
Aliyah, anti-SemitismBy The Jerusalem Connection February 12, 2018 Leave a comment
By Israel Hayom— Since their dispersion, Jews who for centuries endured Christian and Muslim persecution, maintained spiritual (and in a few cases physical) links with their homeland, praying for their return to Zion and the advent of the Messiah. In the late 19th century, the Eastern European secular utopians who sought to escape persecution came…
Exodus: Jews Flee Paris Suburbs over Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism
AliyahBy The Jerusalem Connection December 15, 2017 Leave a comment
By SIMON KENT, Breitbart— French-Jewish families are being forced from their homes in Paris suburbs as Europe continues to be convulsed by levels of anti-Semitism not seen since the end of the Second World War. The Paris commuter newspaper 20 Minutes documents an “internal exodus” during 2017 of Jews from the Seine-Saint-Denis department, saying it…
Candidly speaking: Antisemitism and Aliya
Aliyah, anti-SemitismBy The Jerusalem Connection March 9, 2017 Leave a comment
By Isi Leibler, JPost— Political correctness still seems to impel us to continue chanting the mantra that we are prohibited from relating to antisemitism as a cause for settling in Israel and insisting that the only motivation for aliya today is to enable a committed Jew to lead a truly Jewish life in his homeland.…
Why the Jerusalem Connection supports Aliyah from Europe
Aliyah, anti-Semitism, EuropeBy The Jerusalem Connection March 8, 2017 1 Comment
By Julia Schmidt, Aish— “You know it is not always wise to tell people that you are Jewish,” my son’s Hebrew school teacher told me. We belonged to a synagogue in Bonn, Germany. “Sometimes it can be dangerous and it is better to keep quiet.” I cringed when I heard him say this, something he…
Spike in French Jews immigrating to Israel
AliyahBy The Jerusalem Connection September 29, 2016 Leave a comment
By Breitbart— USA Today reports: PARIS — Yael Haccoun and her family are Orthodox Jews from the working-class Paris suburb of Sarcelles, but they flew to Israel in late September to start a new life and escape the anti-Semitism around them. “French people think that it’s natural when Jews are targeted” in terror attacks, said…
Natan Sharansky: There is no future for Jews in France
By JTA, Times of Israel— PARIS — Arab immigration to France and deep-seated anti-Semitism in that country mean French Jews have no future there, the head of the Jewish Agency for Israel said. Natan Sharansky made this declaration on Monday in the French capital, where he was attending a Jewish Agency Board of Governors meeting,…
Or le Goyim?
AliyahBy The Jerusalem Connection June 2, 2016 Leave a comment
By Jan Willem van der Hoeven, Director ICZC— It has been said that it only takes one day to fly a Jewish person out of the diaspora but it will take many more than one day to fly the diaspora out of the Jews. This is especially true today when we see how Tel-Aviv, proudly in…
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Visit Martha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard Magazine
Island Weddings
Cook the Vineyard
Aquinnah
Island Neighborhoods
At the westernmost tip of the Island, Aquinnah is home to some of the Island’s most popular views. The mostly commercial area of Aquinnah Circle is Wampanoag territory, evidenced by the small, tribe-owned shops, restaurants, and the Aquinnah Cultural Center. The north shore boasts modest homes off Lighthouse Road while the south shore has Moshup Trail, which meanders past Philbin Beach along to...
Central / Middle Road (Chilmark)
One of the most scenic roads on the Island, Middle Road is a unique area with stone walls and stunning views across farmland to the distant Atlantic Ocean. It is carefully protected by the town, therefore buses and large commercial vehicles are prohibited. The Yard, a summer dance colony, is situated off Middle Road near Beetlebung Corner, the Chilmark town center.
Menemsha (Chilmark)
The small fishing village of Menemsha is part of Chilmark, but also a world unto itself. Here, multi-generational fleets are devoted to what lies just beyond the shore. Those not employed on the high seas seek their own catches of sorts from the fish markets, restaurants, and small shops. During the busy summer months crowds flock to the public beach for the famous sunsets. Menemsha in the...
North Shore (Chilmark)
Beech and oak forest, clay soils, and rushing brooks are the signatures of Chilmark’s north shore, historically the site of waterfront commerce where paint and bricks were made using the native clay. It’s rural, scenic, and sparsely developed. Seven Gates Farm, Spring Point, Old Farm Road, and Tea Lane are all residential areas off North Road. North Shore in the News Conservation and...
South Shore (Chilmark)
Quansoo, Abel’s Hill, Chilmark Pond, Nashaquitsa Pond, and Stonewall Beach are all included in this Atlantic-facing section of Chilmark, where ancient stone walls frame the roads and wide, grassy moors and farm fields run to the sea. Beaches are mostly private; Lucy Vincent and Squibnocket are public but reserved for town residents in the summer. South Shore Chilmark in the News Erosion on...
Central (Edgartown)
This area just south of the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road includes a maze of residential subdivisions built about thirty-five years ago on former farmland, including Dodger’s Hole and Smith Hollow. Many are interconnected and the area of residential homes stretches all the way to the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road to the south. Bike paths provide easy, car-free access into town. Central...
Chappaquiddick (Edgartown)
Derived from a Native American word meaning “separated island,” Chappy, as it is called, is located off the eastern end of Edgartown and accessed by a three-car ferry. There are about 100 year-round residents and many more seasonal homeowners. With more than 800 acres of public beach and conservation land, it draws saltwater fishermen, kayakers, and bird watchers. There is no commercial zoning...
Downtown / Edgartown Village (Edgartown)
White clapboard houses once owned by whaling captains and rose-covered picket fences are the signatures of the Edgartown Village historic district. Main Street runs down to the harbor and North Water Street runs out to the scenic Edgartown Lighthouse. The village is mostly seasonal, save a handful of hardy year-round shops and restaurants.
Katama (Edgartown)
Windswept grasslands mark the topography at Katama, an area of seasonal and year-round homes bounded by Katama Bay to the east and the Atlantic-facing South Beach, a popular public beach in the summer, at the extreme southern end. A long bike path runs from downtown Edgartown through Katama. Open farmland dominates the center of the landscape. Katama in the News Katama Has Within It All the...
Sengekontacket (Edgartown)
Ocean Heights, The Boulevard, and Major’s Cove are densely built areas on streets that run from Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road down to Sengekontacket Pond, a saltwater pond in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs that borders Nantucket Sound. On the Edgartown end, the pond was historically named Anthier’s Pond. Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is a central oasis in this area. Sengekontacket in the News...
South Shore (Edgartown)
This rural coastal part of town includes Edgartown Great Pond, Oyster Pond, Wintucket, and a portion of the state forest. Three-acre minimum zoning and conservation land have kept this area more sparsely populated than other parts of the town, and there are vast tracts covered with blueberry and huckleberry bushes. Turkeyland Cove, a public landing at Edgartown Great Pond, is a favorite spot...
Camp Ground (Oak Bluffs)
Originally named Cottage City, the symbol of Oak Bluffs is an area steps from Circuit Avenue marked by circles of brightly colored gingerbread cottages. The cottages, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, replaced tents used during religious revivals. Today the area is owned and managed by the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. The Tabernacle is listed on the National Register of...
Central / Lagoon Heights (Oak Bluffs)
A large area of residential subdivisions encompass the Lagoon Heights neighborhood in Oak Bluffs and its surrounding streets, including busy Barnes and County Roads. This area was once primarily farmland and was developed between the 1970s and 1990s. Homes built along Lagoon Pond enjoy peaceful, open views. Central/Lagoon Heights in the News Roundabout Debate Reminds Us that Resources are at...
Downtown / Parks District (Oak Bluffs)
An emerald necklace of parks (Waban, Nashawena, the grand Ocean Park), ringed by houses built in this town’s popular cottage style, grace the central downtown area of Oak Bluffs. The park designs were created by Robert Morris Copeland, a landscape architect inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Copeland District has architectural and landscape design restrictions for historic preservation.
East Chop (Oak Bluffs)
A beautiful high headland overlooking Vineyard and Nantucket Sounds, East Chop once hosted a semaphore station to relay news of arriving ships to the mainland and still hosts a lighthouse along with handsome, sprawling summer homes built in the Shingle or Queen Anne style and facing out to sea. Small streets run from the Chop back to the Highlands, an area of small parks and modest homes. ...
Harthaven (Oak Bluffs)
This tiny Oak Bluffs neighborhood is named for the Hart family whose members settled here in the 1800s. The area features a small harbor and abuts the Farm Neck Golf Club. Not gated but distinct, Harthaven is at once funky and exclusive. Harthaven in the News Harthaven Centennial Honors Founders Bigger Culvert, Big Grant Will Ease Farm Pond's Ills
Sengekontacket (Oak Bluffs)
Major’s Cove, Farm Neck, and a small number of relatively new housing developments line County Road and Sengekontacket Pond, the latter a vast saltwater pond in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs that borders Nantucket Sound to the north. Houses in the area are a mix of grand modern homes and old fishing camps. Farm Neck Golf Club is a hallmark of the area. Sengekontacket in the News State Says...
Central (Vineyard Haven)
Once open farmland, this area of Vineyard Haven was converted to low-key residential subdivisions more than thirty years ago. Small utilities, such as the old telephone company building and a local trucking company, bump shoulders with a working farm that sells fresh vegetables at a roadside stand. Homes are mostly modest in both size and price by Island standards. Central Vineyard Haven in...
Downtown / Historic District (Vineyard Haven)
The Island’s only year-round ferry port, Vineyard Haven never closes up shop in the winter as other towns do. Tiny streets radiate from Main and Franklin, built with a mix of Federal, Greek Revival, and Cape Cod—style houses. The William Street historic district runs just off Main Street through the center of town. Downtown/Historic District in the News Main Street Vineyard Haven Redecorates
Lagoon (Vineyard Haven)
A large saltwater pond that extends into the town of Oak Bluffs, Lagoon Pond, on the Vineyard Haven side, is flanked by a commercial/industrial district along Vineyard Haven Harbor. On the landward side lies residential areas that include Hines Point, an old collection of summer and year-round homes fronting the pond; and Skiff Avenue, a pleasant neighborhood of mostly year-round homes. ...
Lambert's Cove (Vineyard Haven)
Situated in the hilly northwestern region of the Vineyard and spanning parts of Vineyard Haven and West Tisbury, Lambert’s Cove has a strikingly different topography from the rest of the Island. Lower Makonikey, Pilot Hill Farm, Tashmoo Farm, and the Vineyard Open Land Foundation’s cranberry bogs are among the natural landmarks. Lambert's Cove in the News Thinking Forward at Pilot Hill Farm
Tashmoo (Vineyard Haven)
Lake Tashmoo is a hidden gem in the densely built town of Vineyard Haven. Synonymous with pine woods and quiet residential neighborhoods of every description, the Tashmoo area features both old camps and modest homes to large summer houses. There are public town landing areas around the lake for launching boats, canoes, and kayaks. Tashmoo in the News Citizens Organize to Save View From...
West Chop (Vineyard Haven)
A tiny summer community that dates to the late nineteenth century, West Chop is primarily an area of large homes facing the sea on one side and is bordered by the downtown historic district. Mink Meadows Golf Club, a historic lighthouse, and a U.S. Coast Guard station are located here. West Chop Woods, a public conservation property, is enjoyed by walkers. West Chop in the News As MVC...
Downtown / Historic District (West Tisbury)
Originally part of Tisbury, it became its own town in 1892 when disgruntled farmers petitioned for the separation. Still a farm-oriented town, the town center includes Alley’s General Store, the Grange Hall, a historic town hall, and a Congregational church. Music Street, named in the 1800s, is the center of the town’s historic district. Downtown/Historic District in the News West Tisbury...
Lambert's Cove (West Tisbury)
The West Tisbury end of Lambert’s Cove continues the theme from Vineyard Haven, becoming more rural and dotted with old farms and farmhouses. Seth’s Pond, a freshwater glacial pond, is situated at the upper end, along with Duarte’s Pond. Come springtime, hundreds of naturalized daffodils bloom along the roadsides. Lambert's Cove in the News West Tisbury Voters Ban Dogs at Lambert's Cove Beach
North Tisbury / North Shore (West Tisbury)
The commercial center of West Tisbury, North Tisbury includes up-Island’s only grocery store, a bank, post office, restaurant, and small shops intermixed with dirt roads and parcels of farmland where horses roam. Homes are set back from the commercial bustle. The bucolic north shore is marked by swaths of farmland and wooded, winding dirt roads with multiple-acre lots. North Tisbury/North...
Old County Road (West Tisbury)
Running straight through the sandy flatlands of scrub oak and the state forest, this is West Tisbury’s main middle-class neighborhood, built in the 1980s when the town was a magnet for young families. Many of the subdivisions back up to the state forest. Whippoorwill Farm, the West Tisbury School, Nat’s Farm, and Scotchman’s Bridge Lane all lie off Old County Road. Old County Road in the News...
South Shore (West Tisbury)
Tisbury Great Pond, Sepiessa Point, and a vast area of sandplain forest stretching from Airport Road south to the Atlantic Ocean comprise the south shore of West Tisbury, where small horse farms and summer and year-round homes mingle with upscale subdivisions like Deep Bottom, developed about twenty-five years ago. South Shore in the News Record Price Sought for West Tisbury Property Oysters...
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Et Cetera Shop
Visit Website Call Us!419-358-4201 Connect
Et Cetera Shop The Et Cetera Shop is a non profit thrift shop supporting the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The goal of our shop is to offer a friendly, caring presence in the community, receive and resell donated items and to raise funds to support the work of MCC.
Et Cetera Shop will soon be moving to a new location, the historic former Peerless Glove Shop in Bluffton.
Also Seen In
The Bluffton We Never Knew
A new book on my shelf, "The Bluffton We Never Knew,” has me looking at the village of Bluffton,
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Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers
Bjorn Winther Jensen, Keld West
Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of two conjugated polymers are prepared by a combination of a chemical oxidation step and a vapour phase polymerisation step on non-conducting surfaces. In this work ferric tosylate was used as the oxidant as it gives very smooth and homogeneous coatings, and because its reaction products can be removed efficiently after the formation of the composite. Several combinations of polymers are demonstrated, and the versatility of the proposed method allows extensions to a wide range of conjugated polymers. The IPNs show optical and electrochemical characteristics, which are sums of the characteristics from the participating conducting polymers.
Synthetic Metals
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
Published - 2005 Jan 31
Interpenetrating polymer networks
Conjugated polymers
Conducting polymers
Reaction products
Oxidants
vapor phases
Conjugated polymer
Interpenetrating network
Vapour phase polymerisation
Winther Jensen, B., & West, K. (2005). Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers. Synthetic Metals, 148(2), 105-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers. / Winther Jensen, Bjorn; West, Keld.
In: Synthetic Metals, Vol. 148, No. 2, 31.01.2005, p. 105-109.
Winther Jensen, B & West, K 2005, 'Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers', Synthetic Metals, vol. 148, no. 2, pp. 105-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
Winther Jensen B, West K. Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers. Synthetic Metals. 2005 Jan 31;148(2):105-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
Winther Jensen, Bjorn ; West, Keld. / Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers. In: Synthetic Metals. 2005 ; Vol. 148, No. 2. pp. 105-109.
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title = "Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers",
abstract = "Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of two conjugated polymers are prepared by a combination of a chemical oxidation step and a vapour phase polymerisation step on non-conducting surfaces. In this work ferric tosylate was used as the oxidant as it gives very smooth and homogeneous coatings, and because its reaction products can be removed efficiently after the formation of the composite. Several combinations of polymers are demonstrated, and the versatility of the proposed method allows extensions to a wide range of conjugated polymers. The IPNs show optical and electrochemical characteristics, which are sums of the characteristics from the participating conducting polymers.",
keywords = "Conjugated polymer, Interpenetrating network, Vapour phase polymerisation",
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doi = "10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011",
journal = "Synthetic Metals",
T1 - Interpenetrating networks of two conducting polymers
AU - Winther Jensen, Bjorn
AU - West, Keld
N2 - Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of two conjugated polymers are prepared by a combination of a chemical oxidation step and a vapour phase polymerisation step on non-conducting surfaces. In this work ferric tosylate was used as the oxidant as it gives very smooth and homogeneous coatings, and because its reaction products can be removed efficiently after the formation of the composite. Several combinations of polymers are demonstrated, and the versatility of the proposed method allows extensions to a wide range of conjugated polymers. The IPNs show optical and electrochemical characteristics, which are sums of the characteristics from the participating conducting polymers.
AB - Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of two conjugated polymers are prepared by a combination of a chemical oxidation step and a vapour phase polymerisation step on non-conducting surfaces. In this work ferric tosylate was used as the oxidant as it gives very smooth and homogeneous coatings, and because its reaction products can be removed efficiently after the formation of the composite. Several combinations of polymers are demonstrated, and the versatility of the proposed method allows extensions to a wide range of conjugated polymers. The IPNs show optical and electrochemical characteristics, which are sums of the characteristics from the participating conducting polymers.
KW - Conjugated polymer
KW - Interpenetrating network
KW - Vapour phase polymerisation
U2 - 10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
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JO - Synthetic Metals
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10.1016/j.synthmet.2004.09.011
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A new friendship with a geocacher has troublemaker Erica (Ansley Gordon) wondering what is the meaning of life, and where can she find it?
Fed up with the materialism of Christmas, Santa runs away to New Zealand for a summer holiday. When two Kiwi kids figure out who he is, they have to find…
The Trouble with Mistletoe
When San Francisco pet shop owner Willa Davis encounters the man who stood her up in high school, she fights both her head and her heart when she starts falling…
An aging man lies bleeding to death in an alley. As onlookers start to gather around, he reflects on the life that he has lived.
Jess has just been saved at the last minute from a grisly death. Now, in a town full of people that hate him and with dangerous forces descending to finish…
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Two estranged brothers try to reconnect at Christmas but there’s something that one of them can’t get past…the other think’s he’s a time traveler.
King Rat
A comedy-drama, King Rat examines the possibility that years after graduation – whether it’s ten years or thirty – we may be stuck with the same issues we had before…
When the embodiment of evil rises to destroy Earth and all that we know, can the human race defend itself or will it succumb to the forces of evil.
Luke, a young professional in New York City, learns his grandfather has disappeared under strange circumstances and is presumed dead. When he arrives at his grandfather’s remote cabin, he finds…
Dayroom
For a group of young cadets at an American military academy, an ordinary weekend takes a serious unexpected turn when a secret being harbored by one of them is inadvertently…
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10 Days in Sun City
A potpourri of love, drama, passion and culture, “10 Days in Sun City” is a comedy-drama that sees Akpos on another ‘adventure’, this time, to South Africa, with his girlfriend…
The Outdoorsman
Jason has made up his mind: he’s going to live in the wilderness for a year. One problem: he’s never been camping. While he’s preparing, he meets Mona, a goal…
Borley Rectory
Borley Rectory is an animated documentary chronicling what came to be known as ‘The most haunted house in England’. The legends attached to the rectory at Borley and famed paranormal…
Genre: Animation, Documentary, Horror
Things 4
Monsters are real, they came from outer space and they are here to destroy the world – unless we can stop them.
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
16-year old Arielle’s world is rattled when her mother mysteriously returns, driving a wedge into the seemingly perfect relationship she has with her father while unraveling family secrets hidden long…
The Terror of Hallow’s Eve
After a fifteen-year-old is brutally beaten up by High School bullies, his wish for revenge unknowingly unleashes the Terror of Halloween.
The God Inside My Ear
After experiencing a peculiar and sudden breakup with her boyfriend, Elizia discovers a world of conspiracies, strange voices and horrifying visions.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Thriller
Vlogworthy
Des is a Vlogger, desperate to increase the number of views on her Vlog and generate sales of her homemade jewelry. When she begins a new friendship with a publicist…
The Best People
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Lust of the Vampire Girls
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The Perfect Wife
A young freelance photographer in Houston meets a beautiful determined teacher from Atlanta. His best friend tries to warn him about her. There is something a little strange about Claudia….
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The world has been ravaged by vampires. A group of survivors band together to search for loved ones who may be alive, dead or something in between, eventually taking shelter…
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Treehouse Point
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MOLE MAN follows RON, a 66-year-old autistic man who has spent the last five decades building a 50-room structure in his parents’ backyard. Using no nails or mortar, Ron instead…
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The Soul of Success: The Jack Canfield Story
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State of Exception
As Rio de Janeiro took to the world stage with preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, a community of self-described “urban Indians” organized to fight…
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Escapes blazes a path through mid-20th-century Hollywood via the experiences of Hampton Fancher – flamenco dancer, actor, and the unlikely producer and screenwriter of the landmark sci-fi classic Blade Runner….
Watch movies online Free movies online 123Movies Putlocker WatchSeries FMovies
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3 Possible Storylines For Sheamus Heading Into WrestleMania 31
Sheamus
As noted before, Sheamus will be returning to WWE programming in the coming weeks. WWE has been showing vignettes for his return and according to these clips, it looks like Sheamus might be returning as a monster heel.
Let us take a look at 3 different scenarios for Sheamus heading into WrestleMania 31.
3. Intercontinental Title Ladder Match
Bad News Barrett’s Intercontinental Title will be defended in a ladder match on the grandest stage of them all. WWE noted on its website that there will be 6 participants in the match.
Bad News Barrett, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler, Luke Harper & Daniel Bryan currently look like the possible participants in the ladder match. According to this line up, only one spot is left to be filled.
Since WWE is trying to bring prestige back to the IC title, they can easily achieve that by entering another former WWE Champion into the match. Sheamus has been in ladder matches before and despite being a big guy, his performance has been up to the mark in these matches.
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Posted on October 23, 2012 November 8, 2015 by The Palladian Traveler
Vicenza Walks: Far from Madison County
In 1992 author Robert James Waller penned the best selling novel The Bridges of Madison County. It tells the story of a lonely Italian war bride (Francesca Johnson) who engages in an adulterous affair with a National Geographic photographer from Bellingham, Washington (Robert Kincaid) who has come to Madison County, Iowa to create a photographic essay on the covered bridges in the area.
The Bridges of Madison County was made into a 1995 film of the same title, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as Kinkaid and co-starring Meryl Streep as Francesca.
But, Madison County, Iowa is some 5,000 miles away, as the old crow flies, from where we’re standing right now — in the middle of a busy roundabout where Viale Venezia and Vialie Eritenio come together in the Centro Storico (Historical Center) of Vicenza, Italy — and there’s not a row of corn in sight. So, what’s up?
What’s up — actually, what’s ACROSS — is a nice easy stroll around this three-river city to take in all eight of her bridges that dot the Centro Storico — bridges that are very, very far from Madison County, both in distance and time. It’s a Vicenza Walk itinerary I’ve dubbed, Far from Madison County.
Are you up for this? Great.
To know and appreciate the bridges you first have to understand why they’re here. Like the veins on the back of one’s hand, three fiume (rivers) run through and around Vicenza’s Centro Storico: the Astichiello, the Bacchiglione and the Retrone. Each body of water has a different starting point — all outside of Vicenza proper — but eventually they all merge and become one river as the “united” Bacchiglione takes on volume and gains power, flows out of the city due east and eventually empties into the Adriatic Sea’s Golfo di Venezia near Chioggia.
Now that we know why they’re here, what are these eight overpasses that provide easy access to the other side? Well, to quote Igor from the movie Young Frankenstein, “Walk this way” and I’ll point them out.
PONTE FURO
Built by the Romans, Ponte Furo is a 2nd century double-arch stone bridge that still, today, retains its original abutment and three piers. During the Middle Ages, Ponte Furo was strengthened and enlarged so that it could be inserted into the the existing city walls.
If you’ll look down the river, from this spot on the bridge, you can see one of the most picturesque scenes in Vicenza — the green roof of La Basilica Palladiana and the Torre Bissara casting their reflections across the narrow Retrone.
PONTE SANTA LIBERA
Now, let’s do an “about face” and gaze upon Ponte Santa Libera. This is a double-arched medieval foot bridge built sometime during the late Middle Ages. The left side of the bridge jump-starts your climb up towards Monte Berico — which we’ll do on a future passeggiata (walk) — while to the right of the bridge leads the way to Campo Marzo, Vicenza’s sprawling downtown park.
PONTE SAN PAOLO
A single arch-and-stone bridge built by the Romans between the 1st and 2nd centuries — so wrote master architect Andrea Palladio in his Quattro Libri di Architectura (Four Books of Architecture) — Ponte San Paolo was completely rebuilt in 1875 by architect Luigi Dalla Vecchia. During its heyday — the Middle Ages through the 17th century — the waters around Ponte San Paolo served as Vicenza’s dock area for its waterway commerce with Venice.
PONTE SAN MICHELE
The most attractive and photographed bridge of Vicenza (are you listening Robert Kincaid?), Ponte San Michele (St. Michael’s Bridge) was designed by brother-architects Francesco and Tommaso Contini. Built between 1621-23, it was fashioned after the single-arch bridges of Venice. Constructed of local stone, St. Mike’s has a very impressive, but rough-on-the-feet, cobblestone walkway. Despite that, the bridge still serves as a late-night rendezvous point for young lovers desiring to steal away.
PONTE delle BARCHE
We’re now in Borgo Barche (The Boats Quarter), the medieval neighborhood that served as the entryway for the river boats loaded with commerce coming in from Venice. Appropriately, this six-pier, five-arch, brick-and-stone bridge is named Ponte delle Barche (Bridge of the Boats). Just beyond the bend right behind us, at Ponte San Paolo, is where all the cargo was loaded and unloaded, boats moored and merchant mariners overnighted. The bustling dock area is now quiet, but the Ponte delle Barche continues to get a daily workout from foot, bicycle and motorized traffic.
PONTE degli ANGELI
This bridge, The Bridge of Angels, one of the busiest hubs of the Centro Storico, took its name from an ancient church that once stood on this spot, Santa Maria degli Angeli. Originally a Roman three-arch foot bridge built sometime during the 1st century, it was totally rebuilt in 1889. Angel connects the east side of the city with the downtown area across the Bacchigilione. Unfortunately, not a hint of the original Roman bridge remains, but its existence was validated in the four-volume architectural “bible,” the aforementioned Four Books of Architecture by Palladio.
PONTE PUSTERLA
Roman built between the 1st and 2nd centuries, this three-arch stone bridge stands above the Bacchiglione as it “clears customs” in Vicenza. Connecting the Centro Storico with Borgo San Marco, Ponte Pusterla was reinforced and enhanced in 1231. Originally outfitted with a drawbridge and lofty guard tower, Ponte Pusterla takes its name from the many small escape doors or postern (Latin meaning “back door”) that were part of the masked fortifications employed in the redesign during the Middle Ages.
In the 1600s, young women frequently made their way quietly across this bridge in search of a new life in service to the Lord at a nearby convent. Because of this “religious” foot traffic, the bridge was known then as Ponte delle Convertite (Bridge of the Converts). Recently renovated, this single-arch, brick-and-stone bridge is now known as Ponte Novo (New Bridge).
Well, there you have it. The eight bridges of Vicenza’s Centro Storico. I hope you enjoyed this little passeggiata and that you’ll plan to meet up with me again soon for another informative stroll along the cobblestone to somewhere.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to dash over to the Cinema Odeon. There’s an Alec Guinness film festival and today they’re screening one of my all-time faves: The BRIDGE on the River Kwai.
Ciao for now.
©The Palladian Traveler
This entry was posted in:Architecture, Bridges, Italy, Rivers, Travel, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Urban
Tagged with:Andrea Palladio, Astichello, Bacchiglione, city walks, fiume, Medieval bridges, Padova, Padua, Ponte Barche, Ponte degli Angeli, Ponte Furo, Ponte Novo, Ponte Paolo, Ponte Pusterla, Ponte San Michele, Ponte Santa Libera, Republic of Venice, Retrone, Roman bridges, Sightseeing, Venice, Vicenza, walks
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Pat Bailey says:
Thank you so much for the wonderful photographs and travel log. They were a feast for my eyes and mind. I only wish I could come and see them for myself but you have given me the next best thing.
Fabulous post. There is really nowhere in the world as beautiful as Italy.
Thanks ADinP. Glad you enjoyed the “virtual” walk around the city.
Atieno Okelo Williams says:
Gorgeous pictures!
Atieno – Glad you enjoyed the pics. How many bridges are there in the District?
Stephanie Weber says:
Great photos Dad. Those would look great printed and framed for display in a gallery :):):)
Thanks Steph. Glad you liked this little virtual stroll around V-town to see all of the bridges. Which ones would be best to frame?
Trail of Crumbs says:
That is the perfect blog for Venice since there are SO many bridges there. I did think of something similar but since I am not a local I didn’t know too much about the bridges. I wish I had read this before I went!!! Thank you for sharing and educating. Love the photography!!! – Nicole
I love your ado’s!!!! You sure know how to reel your readers to keep on reading. 😀 I am always so ready for your travel posts! Great images.
Janice Mortati says:
I lived in Vicenza from 1974 to 1991….looking at all these beautiful pictures took me down memory lane. I miss Vicenza very much and am very thankful I was able to live there when I did and raise my children there.
Janice – Thanks for stopping by. I, too, was in Vicenza, the second time around, from ’73 to ’87. Perhaps our paths crossed once or twice.
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Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se Review
2018 31 Aug 2018
Navaniat Singh
Bunty Rathore
The flick marks the return of Deol trio - Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol - on the silver screen after five years. The film revolves around the trio of father and his two sons. While the father (essayed by Dharmendra) and one of his sons (Bobby) are con-men, the other son (Sunny) plays a righteous and strong man.Wikipedia
Pagala
Kalaa
Chikoo
Binnu Dhillon
Satish Kaushik
Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se Reviews
Shubhra Gupta
In this installment, taglined ‘Phir Se’, even the half-hearted guffaws, which we managed in the first two, have dried up. The jokes are so lame that they are practically invisible.
Anupama Chopra
Film Companion
Navaniat Singh’s film tries to be a comedy, an Ayurveda commercial, a plea for national integration, a love story and a moral science lesson. Dharmendra still has dollops of charm but even he or Sunny Deol’s iconic ‘dhai kilo ka haath’ can’t lift this incoherent film
Rohit Vats
You’ll need a couple of popcorn boxes to munch on, but more than that, you’ll need Himalayan patience to sit through this 147-minute of convoluted mess.
Jyoti Sharma Bawa
Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol fire their cottage industry once again with disastrous consequences for the audience.
Deccan Chronicle Team
It is a kind of film where the otherwise good ensemble is also kind of bored performing the same old buffoonery.
Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se has the wit of a goat.Considering most of it is assigned to Bobby, the result is as agonising as his last outing.
Saibal Chatterjee
You do not need to subject yourself to its surfeit of action, comedy and melodrama unless you are an inveterate fan of the Deols, collectively or individually. What Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se offers purely as a cinematic outing isn't worth your time.
Shilpa Jamkhandikar
The fact that there have been three iterations of a film that should never have been made even once is a telling comment – whether on the film industry or the audience that consumes them is a matter of debate.
Ronak Kotecha
'YPD 3' sure bears the hallmarks of a loud comedy, but loses much of its steam in the second half and culminates into a predictable climax. If you’re a diehard Deol fan, we’re sure you’ll find a reason to watch this film.
Meena Iyer
DNA India
If you love Sunny, buy a ticket. His sincerity is never at doubt. Other than that, YPD should NEVER phir se be attempted.
Suhani Singh
The Gujarati-Punjabi culture clash offers nothing ingenious; the courtroom scenes are a farce and the special appearances of Asrani and Shatrughan Sinha are risible to say the least. After two hours and twenty seven minutes one can only hope YPD3 is the finale in Deols series of buffoonery. What's certain is that their enthusiasm and humour is now tiring.
Mohar Basu
Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol are under the assumption that the audience will pay big bucks to watch them share screen space. But, there isn't much to admire here
Udita Jhunjhunwala
Looking back at my thoughts on the second part of Yamla Pagla Deewana in 2013, it struck me that, besides changing a few names here and there, I could copy paste the analysis, sentiment and pain of that experience and it would be equally applicable to Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se.
Namrata Joshi
Far from being mad fun, YPD3 is dull and dreary. It bored me to death save one nice line, “Dar dar ke dhokle khana” (being forced to run from pillar to post). But the film is likely to have the boundless blessings of Baba Ramdev, Patanjali and Ministry of Ayush. Sadly, that's all the Deols seem to gunning for.
All Critic Reviews (14)
Audience Reviews for Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se
Shashwat Sisodia
Phirr Se!
Yamla Pagla Deewanaa, the ultimate Deol family franchise, is probably the Men in Black film series of India- goes on somehow, but has no significant reason to continue. I smiled a little in the first YPD, and then film-after-film I started getting bored and tired. It's a genuine disappointment that this film is made, and that it released with one of the best of the year- Stree. I'm going with a very generous one and a half star for 'Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se!'. And this also is a decent afternote that I am not going to review further yet another YPD film. The franchise has finally turned crass, bland and beyond.
September 26, 19
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Artwork by Inge
by Queenfor4
Summary: A young homophobic writer finds herself convalescing in the home of a lesbian doctor. Can she overcome her distrust and become friends with the heart-broken doctor?
“Mmmm, yesss,”
She was having a wonderful dream. A warm wet tongue was lightly teasing her ear, and it was feeling rather good. Then something very cool and not so wet plunged directly in her ear and exhaled in a loud ‘Snoof’.
“Yaahhh!”
Her head shot straight up off the pillow. Her heart hammering, she looked around wildly. Then her eyes settled on a dark figure sitting next to her bed. The black triangular head tilted slightly, and blue eyes studied her with mischievous curiosity.
She lowered herself back down and turned so that she was nose to nose with the furry face. She glared at the unrepentant animal.
“You can be replaced with a goldfish at any time, you know.”
Her answer was a belligerent growl and a muted ‘woof’. She narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth for a retort, but the canine turned her back on her and sauntered to the bedroom door and paused, looking back at her expectantly.
Gazing at the dawning sunlight that snuck through her curtained window, she flopped over on her back and sighed. Feeling a slight movement at her feet, she looked down at the small butter golden canine that lay curled by her feet. The animal looked at her with sleepy, sympathetic eyes, then lowered her head back to her paws and closed her eyes.
Randi sat up and gently nudged the animal on her back and lightly scratched her belly.
“Oh no ya don’t. If I have to get up with the dragon lady, so do you,” she informed the squirming, stretching animal that decided if she had to get up, then this was a most pleasant way to do it.
Randi climbed out of bed and padded down the hallway, flanked by her furry companions. She stopped by the kitchen to pour herself a cup of freshly brewed coffee and silently thanked whatever gods might be listening for coffee makers with automatic timers. She continued on through the spacious livingroom to the foyer, where she opened the front door for her four legged friends. They both shot through the door and down the steps of the porch, scurrying into the woods to take care of business. Once finished, they got down to the serious business of playing.
Randi stood and watched the playful pair as they ran and wrestled in the crisp, early autumn air, wondering once again where this unlikely pair came from. They had just shown up on her property one day. The little one had been hurt; blood matted her fur from shoulder to mid-chest. She limped along gamely, being nudged, coaxed, and almost dragged by her midnight-black companion.
They made it halfway to the porch before the smaller animal gave up and just lay down. The larger animal sat down beside her and alternated between looking up at Randi and giving little nudging licks to her exhausted companion. Randi took the hint and approached the pair slowly, murmuring softly so as not to alarm them. Gentle cinnamon eyes regarded her patiently as she gently examined the bloody shoulder of the smaller animal. The tall woman winced at the long deep gashes that marred the silken fur.
“Well, this is bad,” she said to herself as much as to the ebony canine that watched her intently. “But it can be fixed. You’re going to have to let me get her inside if I’m going to help her.” And, as if understanding, the larger animal backed up and let the woman pick up the little one and bring her inside. Randi sutured the little canine’s wounds and made a place in the kitchen for her to rest and recover. The larger animal never left her side, except to answer nature’s call and take small amounts of food and water that Randi provided. The little one recovered fairly quickly and, as if by unspoken agreement, they had been with the solitary woman ever since. Their devotion to each other, much like their sudden appearance in her life, was a mystery, but Randi had to admit, she enjoyed it.
Randi shook herself out of her reverie and looked up, taking note of the heavy gray clouds that were moving in quickly and efficiently, overtaking the sun. This doesn’t look good, she mused to herself. Walking back inside the house, she flicked on the radio on her way to the kitchen. The radio was tuned to a local country music station, and she listened to Wynona rocking to the rhythm of the rain as she toasted a bagel and rummaged in the refrigerator for some cream cheese. She munched idly through the news and sports, paying close attention when Kip Kilbourne’s too cheerful voice began to announce the weather.
“Well folks, it’s time to stock up your pantries and break out those snowshoes. This is going to be a big one. There’s a high-pressure system moving our way from the great white north, and it’s gonna meet up with another fast moving front from the east. And three guesses where they’re gonna meet up with each other. You got it! Cutters Gap, Pike Mountain, and surrounding areas are going to be hit hard. Snowfall should begin about mid-day today, and I don’t look for it to stop until late Friday. Now this is Tuesday, folks. So think about that while you prepare. Especially you guys up there on the ridge, ‘cause it’s likely going to be a while before you can make it down here again. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.”
Randi sighed and ran her fingers through tousled raven hair, doing a mental inventory of what she would need to tide her over for at least five weeks. For that would likely be how long it took before the road leading to and from her secluded hilltop home would be clear. The list would be short, as she had a fully stocked pantry and an abundance of meat in the freezer housed in the garage.
Perhaps some extra Kerosene for the emergency generator and another 50 pound bag of dog food for my furry friends, she mused to herself. Ooohh, and maybe Toby has gotten a new shipment of paperbacks in. Reading fanfic on the net is fine, but it’s not real comfy reading when I’m in bed, even on the laptop. Ugh, I guess I’d better get this over with. Finishing her coffee in one gulp, she headed back to her room to shower and dress for the dreaded trip to Cutters Gap.
“Shit, shit, shit!”
Megan Galagher was lost. And she was not happy. What was supposed to be a ‘scenic’ route back to her native New York from a book signing in Manchester, NH was turning out to be the road trip from Hell. The attendant at the last gas station she stopped at ‘30 miles back’ promised her that this road would lead her to the interstate within 20 miles. Obviously he didn’t know what in the Hell he was talking about. She fumed to herself. Now here I am, driving down this narrow-assed road, around a mountain that looks like it’s about to go avalanche any minute, with no clue where I’m going, and no friggin’ interstate signs in sight. AARRGGHHH!
She spotted a sign that read Cutters Gap 3MI and breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you, God. Maybe they can give me some kind of clue how I can get to the interstate, or at least have a phone I can use to call the auto club and get directions and then, call my agent and let her know I’m still alive. My cell phone has been useless in these damn mountains. Breathing a little easier, she pressed a little harder on the accelerator of her Lexus and headed into Cutters Gap.
Randi navigated the winding road with a rumbling dread in her belly. She had driven this road, with its many sharp curves and 45 degree inclines, hundreds of times in the years she had lived here. The private road that led to and from her hilltop ranch was mostly treelined, but there were spots where the edge of the road dropped into little ravines, and if you weren’t careful, you would find yourself losing the road and tumbling into the ravine. However the tall woman’s dread had less to do with the road than it had to do with the trip into Cutters Gap. The people there were her friends, they had known the tall woman most of her life, but they knew. They knew of her shame. And after all this time she still saw the sympathetic looks, listened to the well-meaning advice to move on with her life. But she couldn’t forget, couldn’t move on, and couldn’t bear the sympathy that she felt she did not deserve. So she became a recluse. Living a solitary life in her house high up on a hill that more closely resembled a mountain. Only venturing into town when she absolutely needed supplies. I can do this, she promised herself. Get in quick; get out quick, no problem. “Then why do I feel like I’m about to step into an alligator pit?” She said aloud to no one in particular.
Megan drove her Lexus ES300 down the middle of a street that looked like a throwback to the 50s. Small shops lined one side of the street, and ‘professional’ buildings lined the other, with diagonal parking on both sides. The young strawberry blond eyed the passing storefronts, searching in vain for something familiar. Jesus, no malls, no department stores, no Starbucks, not even a ‘McDonald’s. What part of the twilight zone have I wandered into? I don’t even see a friggin payphone! Driving on, and ignoring the curious looks from people, Megan’s hopes were dwindling. A gas station…I’ll settle for a damn gas station. As if in answer to her plea, the writer spotted a row of cheerful green gas pumps at the edge of town. Set well behind the pumps was what appeared, to Megan’s grateful eyes, to be a rather expansive convenience store. The large sign above the entrance read simply: TOBY’S GAS & GROCERY. “Thank you, Lord!” Megan sighed. Maybe I can at least grab something to munch on and use their phone.
Looking around as she pulled on the lot, Megan spotted the familiar blue and white booth. Pulling into a parking space set between the store entrance and the phone, Megan gathered up her dayplanner and exited the car. Pausing outside the auto, the petite author breathed deeply of the crisp cold air and took a moment to look around. As much as she hated being lost in the middle of nowhere, she couldn’t help but admire the rustic feel of the small town and the beauty of the surrounding hilly woods, lush with snowcapped pines. Looking up, Megan decided she really didn’t like the looks of the rapidly graying sky. All right Meg, sightsee later; take care of business now. Moving to the phone, Megan pulled her calling card out of the dayplanner and picked up the handset.
Charlotte Grayson was doing her best not to burst into flames as she patiently explained, once again, to the young writer on the phone that she could not provide him with a young woman so that he might perform some ‘research’ for the romance story he was working on. God help me! What ever happened to ‘cruising the bars’ for a date? The yodeling of her private phone interrupted her reverie. Thank God! “Look, Johnny, I’ve got an important call coming in. I can’t help you with your ‘research’, you’re gonna have to get a gal the old fashioned way; hit the bars.” Disconnecting quickly, she grabbed her other phone, “Grayson” she barked.
“What ever happened to ‘hello’?” the chiding voice on the other end inquired.
“Galagher!” The redhead bellowed. “Where on Gaia’s green earth are you? I’ve been worried sick, you little shit. I haven’t heard from you since you left Manchester. Your cell phone keeps telling me the party I’m trying to call is unavailable, and the weatherman’s been damn near peeing himself over a major storm front that’s coming through New Hampshire and Vermont on its way here. And we won’t mention the book signing you’re scheduled for at Barnes & Noble next week.” The exasperated woman finished, finally drawing a breath.
“I’m fine Charly, thanks for asking.” The strawberry blond chuckled into the phone. “First off, I’m about one hundred miles outside of Manchester, in a town called Cutters Gap. I’m surrounded by mountains, which is why you can’t reach me on the cell phone. I got a little lost while looking for the interstate, so I stopped here to use their phone to call you and then call the auto club to get some dependable directions to the interstate. Yes, I’ve noticed the weather is looking a bit nasty, but I should be able to get directions, grab something to eat and be well on the highway before the snow hits. Does that about cover everything?”
“Yeah, well,” the publisher replied, somewhat appeased, “you should have called me sooner. I was worried…I mean, I can’t have my star writing talent gallivanting around the countryside and missing her appointments.”
Megan smiled at the publisher’s weak attempt at disguising her concern. “I love you too, Charly.” The writer chuckled. “But I’m okay, and I’ll be home soon. How’s Eric doing?” Megan inquired about her live-in boyfriend, causing the red-haired publisher to grimace and snort.
“Oh, he’s missing you terribly, Meg; he only goes out on the town four nights a week instead of five,” she answered with no small amount of sarcasm.
Megan rolled her eyes. She was well aware of her publishing friend’s dislike of her live-in lover. “Be nice, Charly. He’s probably just lonely. I don’t expect him to cloister himself in the apartment until I come home.” She chided her friend.
“Whatever you say,” the publisher grumbled.
There was a pregnant silence before the petite blond said, “Look Charly, I’ve got to go. I want to grab something to eat and get directions before the snow starts falling. I’ll call you when I get clear of these mountains.”
“Sure thing Meg,” the redhead replied. “You be careful.”
Megan hung up the phone and pulled her auto club card out and dialed the tollfree number.
Charlotte Grayson sighed heavily as she stared at the now silent phone. She worried about the young writer, perhaps unnecessarily as Megan often chided her, but she worried anyway. Megan Galagher had come a long way in the three years since Charlotte first saw one of the young woman’s stories in an independent women’s magazine. The publishing editor recognized the raw talent in that short tale and quickly sought out the author. They met for lunch in one of Manhattan’s many small delis and Megan allowed her to read a rough manuscript featuring a beautiful, brainy, and deadly private investigator called Samantha Steele. And the rest, as they say, was history. The deadly detective became the heroine in several best selling mysteries, and Megan, the golden child of the book world.
The older woman became her agent, friend, confidante, and surrogate mother. The last being a role that Charlotte would have gladly relinquished to the real thing, but Megan would have none of it. The friendship between the women was comfortable. Despite the twenty-year difference in their ages, they shared many of the same interests and saw eye-to-eye on almost everything…. Except Eric. Charlotte had not trusted the handsome, arrogant, and decidedly smooth young blond since she first laid eyes on him.
The young man had simply appeared at one of Megan’s’ book signings bearing a red rose and exuding a hefty amount of humble charm. Megan fell for it hook, line, and sinker. And in no time at all, the unemployed drifter went from staying with friends to living in a New York high-rise, driving his own SUV, and sampling New York night life with a beautiful young author on his arm. Charlotte never hid her dislike or distrust of Megan’s companion, but the writer steadfastly defended him, saying the older woman simply did not understand. In this one area, both women simply agreed to disagree. Before Megan left for her most recent book signing, the publisher hoped that he would go with her. He might be useless, but he would at least be company for her.
Lover boy declined though, pleading carsickness on long trips. Now Megan was lost and alone, and in spite of the writer’s upbeat attitude, Charlotte had a bad feeling.
Megan let out an exasperated sigh as she listened to the overly cheerful recorded voice. “Thank you for calling Premier Auto Club, your 24 hour highway helpers. Due to heavy call volume, anticipated wait time for assistance is approximately 45 minutes. Please do not hang up and call back. This will only increase your wait time. Thank you for your patience.” “45 minutes my ass!” The frustrated blond growled as she slammed down the receiver. “Oh well, maybe someone in here will know how I can get back to civilization.”
A light snow was beginning to fall as Randi reached the fork that separated her road from the two-lane highway that led into Cutters Gap. Huh, it’s starting earlier than they said it would. It doesn’t matter, I’ll still be able to get in and out and back up the hill before it gets sloppy. Checking briefly for any oncoming vehicles and seeing none, Randi punched the gas pedal and pulled onto the road that headed into town.
Megan was pleasantly surprised when she entered Toby’s Gas & Grocery. The interior of the store was spacious, well lit, and seemed to have a little bit of everything. Off to her left were several mid-sized isles that carried the usual assortment of canned goods and sundries. The back wall sported two refrigerator cases. The long one carried an impressive variety of cold drinks, and the shorter one contained dairy products and cold cuts. Directly to her left there was a large cold case that held locally raised meats and poultry. Straight in front of her stood a long magazine rack that held a decent variety of magazines. There was even a section that boasted the latest in paperback books. Finally, to her right, a long counter that ran the length of the store. Half of which offered freshly prepared cold cut sandwiches and fountain sodas. The other half of the counter bearing the checkout registers. Oh yeah, this will work, Megan grinned to herself. Megan wandered up to the sandwich counter and eyed the selection of sandwiches listed on the handpainted sign.
“Good morning, young lady! And how are you this morning?” Boomed a deep masculine voice.
Megan turned at the greeting and watched as a mountain of a man ambled her way from the back of the store. He had to be at least 6’8″, broad shouldered with thickly muscled arms. He had a barrel chest that tapered only slightly at his waist and thighs that resembled small tree trunks. Good God! I’ve seen smaller mountains. His shoulder length salt & pepper hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and his craggy face, though lined with age, was ruggedly handsome. As he approached her, it briefly occurred to Megan that she would hate to meet this man in a dark alley, but his warm open smile and gentle gray eyes quickly displaced that thought. Suddenly it occurred to Megan that she was gaping, and with a mental head slap she responded. “Oh! Uh, I’m fine. I was just looking at your sandwich selection and remembered that I skipped breakfast.”
“Well now,” he replied, “a little thing like you shouldn’t be missing meals, young lady.” He passed her and reached behind the counter, pulling out a high wooden stool. Whipping a hand towel from his back pocket, he wiped off the already clean seat and placed it in front of the counter. “Why don’t you have a seat and let me whip you up my famous Turkey Breast and Bacon Special?” Before Megan had a chance to reply, her empty stomach loudly rumbled its reply. The petite blond blushed prettily at the amused twinkle in his eyes. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’,” he chuckled. As he set about preparing her sandwich, curiosity got the better of her and she wandered over to the stand that held the paperbacks.
“My name’s Toby, by the way,” the large man called from behind the counter. “And I’m sure you’ve heard this line before, but I swear you look familiar. Have you visited Cutters Gap before?”
“No, I’ve never been to this area before,” Megan replied. Her eyes twinkled merrily as she spied a certain book in the rack. She picked it up and walked back over and lightly plopped it on the counter. “But you may have seen me before.” She offered cryptically. Toby turned and looked down at the counter. His eyes grew saucer wide as he looked down picture of the pretty, petite blond woman gracing the back cover of the book, and then back up to the meadow green eyes of the living thing.
“Well, I’ll be whipped,” he exclaimed as he hurriedly wiped off his hands. “If it isn’t Megan Galagher in the flesh.” Holding out a large hand he continued. “Wait til I tell the missus that I shook the hand of the woman behind ‘Samantha Steele, Private Investigator’. Some mighty fine reading, if I do say so myself.”
Megan smiled and took the proffered hand in a warm handshake. “Thank you. I’m glad you like her. Sam is pretty easy to write for. She has a penchant for attracting murder, mystery, and mayhem, but she thrives on it.”
“Heh, she also thrives on handing the bad guys their butts in a sling,” Toby chuckled. “Black hair, gray eyes, six feet of muscle and attitude…. That’s my kind of woman,” the storekeeper mock growled. The petite blond shook her head and laughed.
“So what brings you to Cutters Gap?” The big man inquired as he handed the writer her sandwich and soda. “No offense, but it wasn’t by choice,” the blonde offered as she picked up the sandwich and took a bite, rolling her eyes and humming in delight at the heavenly taste. Causing the big man to grin proudly. “The attendant at the last gas station I stopped at, told me that if I kept straight on Highway 41, it would lead me directly to the Interstate in about twenty miles. That was thirty miles ago.” The writer finished dejectedly.
The older man blew out his cheeks and scowled. “That last gas station you stopped at was in Knox City, right?” Megan nodded and he continued. “And, about ten miles out, Highway 41 split, right?” Another nod. “I don’t suppose he told you that you would have had to branch off to the left, did he?” Megan sighed. “No, he sure didn’t.” The big man patted her hand reassuringly. “Well don’t you worry young lady. You’re not too far from the Interstate; you finish eating and old Toby will tell you exactly how to get there.” Looking out the plate-glass window at the falling snow he added.
“You should be well on your way before the snow starts to stick.” Reassured, the young woman dug back into her sandwich with gusto and the two talked some more about the daring detective.
Randi stomped her boot-clad feet to dislodge the snow that stuck to them. She had just finished filling the twin five-gallon cans that she had strapped to the back of her Jeep Cherokee, from the kerosene tank behind Toby’s store. The snow had begun to fall harder and was accumulating quickly on the ground. The tall woman wanted to finish her supply run and get back up the hill before the driving became hazardous.
She opened the door and walked into the cheery warmth. Looking around, she spotted the big man talking to a petite strawberry blond. Toby noticed the statuesque brunette immediately, a huge grin creasing his face. “Randi,” he bellowed. Excusing himself from the young woman, he exited from behind the counter, walked up to the tall woman, and wrapped her up in a big bear hug. “It’s good to see you, girl. I was wondering if I’d see you before old man winter had his way with us.” Randi returned the hug, allowing herself this small comfort from an old friend. Stepping back when he released her, she shrugged, “I figured I’d better grab some extra kerosene and food for my furry freeloaders.” Almost as an afterthought, she added, “I also wanted to see if you’d gotten in any new books. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to need something to keep me from going stir crazy.”
“Funny you should mention that,” the storeowner replied with a twinkle in his eye. “We got a good shipment in last week, and this week we’ve even got one of the book writers.” At Randi’s quizzical look he chuckled, “C’mon, let me introduce you to someone.” Slipping a big hand under her elbow, he led her over to the seated woman.
Megan turned in her seat to get a better look at the woman who’d just entered the store and who’d been quickly engulfed in the big man’s arms; she nearly gasped aloud when the woman stood back. The vision before her was six foot tall, if she was an inch, with silken raven-colored hair that flowed gracefully across broad shoulders. Her black bomber jacket couldn’t disguise her well-endowed chest and trim waist. Muscular Jean-clad legs seemed to go on forever before stopping at her charcoal-hiking boots. Dragging her eyes back up, Megan was captured by the crystal blue eyes, set off by thick dark lashes and high cheekbones. Good lord! Except for the blue eyes, that could be Samantha Steele come to life. Megan broke out of her reverie and stood as the pair approached her.
“Dr. Randi Oakes, allow me to introduce you to Ms. Megan Gallagher.” The man-mountain grinned as the two women clasped hands. “The lovely Ms. Gallagher is the brains behind…”
“Samantha Steele,” the tall woman finished, quirking a grin and releasing the smaller hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gallagher. Samantha Steele is quite the popular detective.” Randi was polite, but Toby sensed coolness in the quiet but normally friendly woman.
“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Oakes,” Megan smiled. “And thank you. It’s always nice to meet another Samantha Steele fan.”
“I said she was quite the popular detective, Ms. Gallagher; I didn’t say I was a fan,” Randi returned demurely. Noting the looks of puzzlement on the faces in front of her, Randi explained. “There’s a little too much bias in your stories for my tastes.”
“I’m sorry, Dr. Oakes, I don’t quite follow you.” Megan was puzzled and more than a little flustered at the accusation.
Randi took in the faces of the two people in front of her, noting the confusion on one, and concern on the other. I’m not in the mood for this. I came in here for supplies, not a debate. “Look…never mind. Let’s just say Samantha Steele isn’t my cup of tea and leave it at that.” With that, the tall woman started to turn away. She was stopped by a light touch on her arm.
“Please, Dr. Oakes,” the small blonde pleaded. “I’d really like to know what you are talking about. I try really hard not to offend any ethnic or religious groups.”
Randi sighed and turned, looking first at her friend, who stood with his arms folded across his massive chest and his bushy eyebrows furrowed in consternation, and then at the troubled expression on the small woman in front of her. “Ms. Gallagher, I’ve read quite a few of your stories. And, while they are gripping mysteries, they all have one recurring and disturbing trend. They all feature gay and lesbian characters. And those characters are always portrayed as being sick, twisted and immoral. That is a malicious, incorrect, and inflammatory stereotype, Ms. Gallagher, and I find it offensive.”
Megan’s confusion turned to cold indifference as she stepped back from the taller woman. “I call them as I see them, Dr. Oakes. Those kind of people are an affront to society, and serve absolutely no purpose in this world. I’m sorry if my portrayals of these individuals offend you.”
Toby was stunned at the sheer venom of the younger woman’s words. He stepped back as Randi stepped closer to the strawberry blond. Her narrowed eyes were chips of ice. “These ‘people,’ as you refer to them, are just that; people. No different from you, or your readers, except in whom they choose to love. They are your doctors, your lawyers, your friends, and your family. They have a hard enough time dealing with a society that won’t accept them, and laws that don’t protect them. They don’t need to be the poster children for your small-minded prejudice.”
“Well my ‘small-minded prejudice’ doesn’t seem to bother the public-at-large, Dr. Oakes,” the writer replied with smug venom. “As my book sales will attest to. If the faggots have a problem with it, they don’t have to read it.”
“Well, Ms.Gallagher, the ‘public-at-large’ also gobbles up the tabloids that feature women giving birth to three-headed babies,” the tall woman smirked and shrugged. “Go figure.” Gotcha! the tall woman thought smugly, as she saw the flush of anger creep up the smaller woman’s neck. “And trust me, the ‘faggots’ don’t read your books…we would rather read a grocery list.”
Megan stared blankly for a moment before the words sank in. Green eyes sparked and full, pink lips grimaced in distaste. “A goddamned dyke,” she growled. “I should have known.” She spun on her heel and, grabbing her dayplanner from the counter, she addressed the storekeeper. “I appreciate your hospitality, Toby, but I think I’d better leave. The less time I spend around her,” casting a glare at the stone-faced physician, “the cleaner I’ll feel.”
Toby didn’t want it to end like this. He began to protest. “Aw, Ms. Megan, please…”
Megan cut him off, a plea in those fiery, green eyes. “Please Toby, just let me pay for my food, and tell me how to get to the highway.”
The big man sighed and shook his head. “There’s no charge for the food.” He waved off her attempted protest. “No charge! Now, to get to the highway, just take a right when you leave here, and follow the road for about three miles. You’ll see a…”
“The snow’s getting too deep.” Randi cut him off. She was staring out the window at the hard-falling snow. “If that’s her car out there, it’s not going to make it. She’d be better off waiting it out.”
“The Hell I will!” the little blond snarled. “I’d rather end up face-down in a snow drift than spend another moment here with you.” With that, she stormed out the door and ran to her car.
The doctor and the storekeeper stood and watched as the Lexus sped, slipping and sliding, onto the main highway. Gray eyes turned to blue and held for a moment before the tall woman shrugged. “She’ll be back,” Randi offered with more confidence than she felt.
“I hope so,” the older man mumbled with some concern. He studied the floor for a moment before meeting her eyes again. “A little hard on her…weren’t you?” He commented, not unkindly.
“Not as hard as she is, on people she doesn’t even know,” Randi shot back sharply. Instantly regretting her attitude with the older man, Randi ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. “Toby, what she’s doing is wrong. There are people out there who think the way to improve society is to paint the pavement with some queer’s blood; and the picture she paints of gay people only lends credence to that theory.”
The big man pondered her words. “I never thought about that,” the older man offered. “Truth to tell, I never picked up on the ‘evil-gay-character’ trend either.” He grinned apologetically. “I guess I was just too caught up in the action.”
The tall woman shook her head and smiled. “She does write a gripping story, I’ll give her that.”
The subject of the writer having been dropped, both were at a loss as to what to say next. Finally, the older man broke the silence. “When are you going to come to dinner again?” he inquired gently. “Kate really misses her culinary test subject, says she’s tired of hearing ‘not enough pepper’ from me,” he teased hopefully.
Randi bowed her head and sighed. I knew this was coming. “I don’t know, Toby,” she mumbled. “I’m just not ready to face people right now.”
“Kate and I are not just ‘people,’ Randi…we’re your friends. We have been ever since you first came to Cutters Gap,” the older man rebutted, mildly scolding. He placed a caring hand on her shoulder. “And when will you be ready, Randi? It’s been damn near a year! I can almost…almost understand your leaving the hospital because of the memories. But, honey, I cannot, for the life of me, understand your walking away from a brilliant career and cutting yourself off from everyone that cares about you.” Tucking a thick finger under her chin, he nudged her head up until his eyes caught hers. “It wasn’t your fault, child.”
Randi felt the familiar ache wrap itself around her chest and begin to squeeze. Her eyes and throat began to burn, and she knew that if she didn’t get away soon she would fall apart…again. Gathering up her dwindling self-control, she patted his hand and smiled crookedly. “I’m getting there, Toby,” She lied. “I just need a little more time to get through this. Can you give me that?”
The storekeeper knew she wasn’t being completely honest with him, but knowing how skittish she was right now, he didn’t want to push. “Okay,” he smiled reassuringly. “I can do that.”
Randi let go of the breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Great! Well, I guess I’d better finish up and get out of here before Ms. Poison Pen comes back,” she mock-shuddered, then headed toward the books.
I can’t fucking believe it! Megan seethed, as she sped down the snow-laden road. She has the nerve to be offended by my writing when her whole lifestyle is an offense. Huh, wait ‘til she sees my next story; I’ll really give her something to be offended about. The small blond grinned evilly at the thought. She frowned again as another; more troubling thought came to mind. I can’t believe how much she resembles Samantha Steele; ugh! “Well, Sam,” she mused aloud, “you’re about to get a thorough makeover, girlfriend.”
Megan slowed the car as she came to the fork that separated Randi’s road from the highway. “Damnittohell!” the writer cursed aloud, “Toby didn’t mention this in his directions.” He hadn’t finished giving directions before ‘Dr. Dyke’ butted in; a little voice reminded her. “She should have minded her own damned business,” Megan grumbled. She studied the road, searching for some kind of sign that would tell her which way to go. Finding none, she resigned herself to turning around and going back for more directions. She paused when she noticed faint tire tracks in the road to her right. “Well, somebody went this way,” the author concluded, not knowing that they were the tracks Randi had made on her way into town. Satisfied with her decision, the writer stepped on the gas.
Megan negotiated the curvy road with growing unease. The snow was getting deeper; making it harder to maintain control, and the writer was beginning to worry. “This isn’t working. I’m going to have to turn around,” the writer mused aloud. “God, I just hope she isn’t there.”
She was so intent on finding someplace to turn around; the writer didn’t see the small, speckled fawn emerging from the trees until she was almost upon her. With a shrieking curse, the blonde hit the brakes and swerved to the right as the frightened animal bolted to the left. Desperately trying to regain control, the writer spun the steering wheel back to the left, bringing the front end back to the road, but losing the rear end as it fishtailed off the shoulder. The rear wheel buckled on impact with a low lying tree stump, and the laws of momentum flexed their muscles as the Lexus somersaulted three times through the snow-covered brush before coming to rest, wheels down, against an unforgiving maple.
Randi grunted as she pitched the fifty-pound bag of dog food into the rear of the Jeep, then made a show of dusting off her hands. “Piece ‘o’ cake,” she grinned crookedly at the big man who eyed her with stern disapproval.
“Look, ‘Ms. Tuff-Stuff’,” he wagged a finger at her. “We both know you’re young, healthy-as-a-horse, and you lift weights, but it wouldn’t have hurt you to let me load that for you,” he mock-scolded.
Randi looked down contritely, scuffing the snow with the toe of her boot. “I know, uncle,” she mumbled, using the more familiar name she always called the older man. “But I’ve got to show off these awesome muscles to somebody,” she grinned rakishly, while curling her arm in a ‘muscle’ pose.
“Lord, save me from cocky little girls,” he chuckled, as he placed the rest of her purchases in the back.
The tall woman was closing the car door when a sudden thought hit her, and she turned to the storekeeper. “Toby, do you happen to have a spare piece of plywood lying around? It doesn’t have to be real big, maybe a couple of feet long, and about a foot wide. One of the windows in the shed is broken, and I need to board it up until I can get the glass replaced.”
The storekeeper pursed his lips and pondered for a moment before smiling. “I’ve got just the thing,” he declared, and headed back into the store. “Be right back.”
Within moments he came back, carrying a length of cream-colored board. “Will this do? It was left over from the fence I put up around Kate’s vegetable garden.”
“This will do fine,” Randi replied as she placed the board on the car seat, and closed the door. Walking arm-in-arm to the drivers’ door, they stood for a moment, in awkward silence as the falling snow dotted their hair and clothing.
“Well,” Randi broke the silence. “I’d better get going. Tell Kate I’ll see her soon” At the older man’s cocked eyebrow, she added, “I promise!”
“See that you do,” the big man rumbled sternly. “I promised your Uncle Jake that I’d look after you…. Don’t make me a liar.”
A bittersweet smile graced the tall woman’s face at the mention of her uncles’ name. “I won’t, Uncle Toby,” she reassured, as she settled in the vehicle.
The storekeeper stood and watched as the taillights of the Jeep faded into the white curtain. His mind wandered back to the day he first laid eyes on her.
Toby was on his knees re-stocking a shelf, when the ting-a-ling of the doorbell announced a visitor. The big man turned and saw his long-time friend, Jake Oakes holding open the door and encouraging an, as yet unseen, individual to enter. “Come on, Randi.
There’s someone I want you to meet.” And then, she walked in. She was tall, even at the age of twelve, and so gangly, but even then, she was a beauty; and nearly the spitting image of the man next to her. Jake gently took her hand, and together they approached the storekeeper.
“Toby Jenkins, I’d like you to meet Randi Christine Oakes…my niece.” The elder Oakes announced.
Toby held out his hand to the girl, who stood there in shy silence studying the floor. “A pleasure to meet you, young lady.”
She lifted her face to him, and Toby’s heart lurched. Her silky, raven hair hung limply about her face. Her cheeks, which should have held the pink blush of youth, were pale and drawn, and lightly tracked with dried tears. And her eyes…lord; her eyes…such a beautiful, crystal-blue; and filled with so much sadness. She looked up at him, and Toby could tell she was somewhat intimidated by his size, but she gamely placed her hand in his big one. “Pleased to meet you, sir,” she semi-whispered. From that moment on, the big man was hers.
Toby would later learn that Randi’s parents, Jake’s brother and sister-in-law, were killed in an auto accident. Randi’s mother had no living relatives and the authorities had misplaced Jake’s address information. So a grieving Randi spent weeks being shuffled between courts and foster homes, lost and alone, until Jake’s’ address had been found. Jake and Randi barely knew each other, as Randi was a toddler the last time he saw her, but their mutual grief became the foundation for a bond that even most fathers and daughters never shared.
Randi flourished under Jake’s’ care. Her outgoing personality and gentle, caring spirit made her the darling of Cutters Gap, and the center of Toby and Kate Jenkins’ world.
Now the center of their world was lost and alone again…for entirely different reasons. Only this time, there was no one that would come and rescue her. Jake had passed on years ago, from a massive heart attack, while the young woman was in her final year of medical school. Back then, she had a town full of friends and adopted family to see her through her heartache. Now, with this latest tragedy that befell her last year…well, the town was still here…but, in her grief and self perceived guilt, Randi had cut herself off from everyone that would help her through it. Toby knew in his heart, that if the gentle-hearted woman didn’t end her self imposed exile soon, she would never come out of the well of despair she had fallen into.
“We’ll be here for you honey,” he whispered to the falling snow. “Don’t wait too long.”
Randi breathed a huge sigh of relief as she traveled the snow-packed highway. That wasn’t so bad, she half smiled to herself. Thank you, Uncle Toby, for not pushing. I just need time. Satisfied with her self-deception, the dark-haired Doctor’s thoughts turned to a certain strawberry-blonde writer. God, what a pill! The tall woman grimaced. Still…she had some lovely green eyes. Hell, she had a lovely everything. It’s a pity. I’ll bet when she’s not being hateful, she’s pretty darn nice to be around. “Heh,” Randi snorted. “Not that you’ll ever get the chance to find out.”
The tall woman turned onto the road that led to her house and turned on the radio, hoping to hear the latest on the storm that was assaulting the area. Trisha Yearwood was belting out ‘Ribbons and Bows.’ Ooohh, I love this song. Randi leaned back and let her rich contralto voice accompany the country diva. Her voice trailed off, as she noticed bright beams of light branching across the road up ahead. What the hell…?
Randi wasn’t sure what to expect, and slowed her approach accordingly, craning her neck and following the path of the lights back to their source. “Son of a bitch!” The tall woman exclaimed as her eyes fell upon the broken and dented mass of metal that used to be Megan’s Lexus. Pulling her Jeep to the side of the road, Randi reached down and turned on the CB radio that hung below the dashboard. “Breaker, breaker…Cutters Gap Rescue, this is Randi Oakes. Come in please.” She barked into the handmike. Hearing no immediate response, she tried again. “Breaker…Cutters Gap Rescue, please respond.” Getting no response, the Doctor growled and threw open her door. She had one foot on the snowy ground when the radio crackled.
“Cutters Gap Rescue, responding. What’s the problem Randi?” Chet Masters’ voice sounded a little harried.
Randi grabbed up the Mic. “We’ve got a vehicle crash, Chet. About a mile and a half up my road. The driver’s still in the car, and I’m on my way down to assist…but she’s going to need transport ASAP.” Getting no response, Randi tapped the button. “I need transport Chet, do you copy?”
“No can do, Randi,” the medic sighed. I’m down here at old man Cuthbert’s place. He and his car got real familiar with a tree. He doesn’t look to be too bad, but we’re having a bitch of a time prying him out of this hunk of scrap he calls a car. And this damn snow ain’t making it any easier. Any way you can get the patient up to your place?”
Shit, shit, shit! “That’s an affirmative, Chet…I’ll find a way,” she gritted as she dropped the Mic and climbed out of the cab.
“Sorry, Randi. Keep me informed.”
“Yeah, right,” the tall woman grumbled as she threw open the back door and reached for the snow broom and the ‘First Response’ First Aid Kit that her uncle always kept in the Jeep.
Stumbling and sliding through the snowy brush, Randi made her way to the stout, aged Maple that cradled the silver Lexus in it’s bosom. Impact with the tree had loosed the snow that clung to the branches above, effectively covering the vehicle in a pristine blanket. Shit, if it hadn’t been for the headlights, I would’ve never known it was here. Setting the First Aid kit on a nearby stump, the tall woman quickly brushed the snow away from the door and part of the roof. Time was of the essence now, and she didn’t need packed or falling snow to impede her efforts.
Having cleared the door, she reached for the door handle and pulled…only to have the door open about an inch before locking in place. Randi cursed and pulled again…without success. The door was stuck. Grabbing the brush, she pushed more snow away from the bottom of the door, working her way back toward the front of the vehicle, and groaned in frustration when she saw the crumpled metal where the door meets the side panel. “Goddammit,” she growled. “I don’t need this right now.”
Dropping the brush, Randi straightened to full height and took a deep breath. “Getting mad isn’t going to help,” she reminded herself. “Just get the damned door open.” With that, she planted one foot in the snow, one foot on the car body, and both hands on the doorframe, counted to three…and pulled. Sinewy muscles strained and pulled, as flesh battled metal; and with a long, dull groan, metal yielded. Pushing the door back as far as it would go, the Doctor peered into the dimly lit interior, and groaned.
The blood-matted blonde head rested on the expended air bag that covered the steering wheel. Her limp body held in place by the shoulder harness. A blood caked arm hung limply between unnaturally twisted legs. Jesus, The first thing the tall woman did was recline the drivers’ seat back a few inches, to give herself a little more room. Then, reaching in, Randi gently grasped Megan’s head in her hands. “Megan, this is Dr. Oakes…can you hear me?” Receiving no response, Randi continued speaking aloud.
“Still not talking to me, huh? That’s okay. I need to check your breathing.” Unwilling to remove her hands from their supporting positions; the doctor leaned in further, until her cheek was within an inch of the unconscious woman’s lips. Almost immediately, she felt the warm breaths against her skin. “Well, you’re breathing okay. Now I have to move you away from this wheel, so I can see how badly you’re injured.” Keeping the blonde head as straight as possible, Randi lifted her away from the steering wheel, and lay her back on the seat. Next, Randi needed to stabilize the neck. And as much as she hated to do it, she would have to release her hold and step away.
“Okay Megan, I need to move away for a moment. I’ll be right back.” Releasing her hold and backing out of the car, Randi lunged for the First Aid kit. Please god, let there be a collar in here. I can’t remember the last time I’ve looked in here. Placing the suitcase-type kit on the ground, she unsnapped the latches and laid it open, doing a quick visual inventory. Thank you! Grabbing up the stiff, molded collar, she reached back in the vehicle and carefully fastened it around the writer’s neck.
With the most critical task completed, the raven-haired doctor began a swift inventory of the small woman’s injuries. The physician worked quickly and efficiently, verbalizing her actions, in the off chance that the unresponsive woman could hear and feel what was happening. “Your pulse is pretty fast, Megan, but that’s ’cause you’ve lost some blood. You’re breathing kind of fast too, but that’s to be expected. I’m going to open your eye and shine a light in there for just a moment, okay?” Shining the penlight in the young woman’s eyes, the dark haired woman noted a sluggish reaction from the pupils. “Hmmm, looks like you may have a concussion too. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.”
The one-way conversation continued as the tall doctor pressed, probed, and examined as much of the limp body as she could reach; applying temporary dressings and bandages as she went along.
A long twenty minutes had passed before Randi was finished with examination and treatment. She stood outside the damaged vehicle, pondering her next course of action. The snow was getting deeper and Megan’s chances of becoming hypothermic increased with every passing moment, in spite of the rescue blanket that Randi had covered her with. Now what,” her mind screamed. No backboard, no stretcher, nothing to immobilize her with, so I can get her up to the house…DAMMIT! Running a frustrated hand through her hair, the desperate doctor searched her mind for an answer. Looking up at her Jeep, and down at her patient, Randi decided on a course of action. It was risky, at best, but it was the only chance the younger woman would have.
Scrambling up to the Jeep, Randi grabbed the piece of board that Toby had given her earlier, and carried it back to the Lexus. She then grabbed the remaining roll bandage and elastic bandage; sliding the board down and behind Megan’s head, Randi used the remaining bandaging to secure the blonde’s head and upper torso to the board.
Randi sighed as she looked down at the tightly wrapped writer lying in the car. This solution was about as far from perfect as she could get; and risky as hell for the patient, but it was the best she could come up with. Now she would have to get the injured woman out of her car, and into the Jeep that waited for her at the top of the incline, about twenty yards away. Thank god, this didn’t happen further up the hill, where the woods really drop down from the road.
“All right, Ms. Megan, I have to get you up to my truck. And in order to do that, I’m going to have to move you out of the car, and on to the ground for a moment. Now I’m going to have the thermal blanket under you, but you’ll still feel a few moments of cold; but it’ll be over quick, so don’t worry.” The tall woman bent to her task, but paused, as she remembered something. With a muttered curse, she ran back to the Jeep, whipped open the passenger door, and laid the seat back to a nearly prone position. That’ll make things a little easier when we get up here.
Back at the wreck, Randi placed the blanket beside the car and began the arduous process of removing the unconscious woman from the vehicle, and repositioning her for easier pickup. Having done this, the dark haired physician squatted down, and carefully gathered the smaller woman in her arms. God, she’s so light. Shaking off the thought, the tall woman made her way up to the Jeep with her helpless burden.
It was slow, awkward, and more than a little frustrating, but Randi finally had the writer tucked into the passenger seat of the Jeep. The motor was running, the heater was on, the patient was firmly strapped in. The only thing left for the weary physician to do was gather up the remains of the First Aid kit.
Short moment’s later; fingers nearly numb from the cold, shifted the Jeep into drive and headed home.
Randi pulled up and positioned the Jeep parallel to the front steps of the sprawling ranch house that she called home. Throwing the vehicle in park and setting the emergency brake, Randi turned and addressed her unconscious passenger. “All right, Megan…we’re at my house. I’ve got to run up and open some doors, so I can carry you in. I’ll be right back.” Leaving the motor and heater running, the tall woman bounded up the snow-packed steps. Propping open the door to the screened-in porch, she stepped quickly into the house, side-stepping the happy canines that came to greet her. “Not now, ladies…we’ve got company, and I’ve got to get her in here and settled ASAP.” As if understanding, the furry pair wandered out to the porch and sat down, silently observing the large, humming creature that sat in front.
Randi’s mind was racing as she traveled down the long hallway, toward the back half of the house, pausing in front of the powder-blue door that she hadn’t opened in months. Sighing, Randi opened the door and turned on the light, battling the waves of melancholy that washed over her as she stood in the small treatment room and office of Dr. Jacob Oakes. Even though he was retired from practice, the elder Oakes insisted on keeping a well-stocked office in case his farming neighbors needed assistance. The nearest medical facility was in Knox, a full thirty miles away; much too far away for some injuries that came with using heavy farming equipment. Over the years there had been more than a few ranchers, farmers, and pregnant mothers that were thankful for the old man’s foresight. Just as Randi was thankful for it now, as she jogged out to the Jeep.
Within moments, the raven-haired doctor had the petite writer lying on the examining table. “Okay, Megan, the first thing I have to do is take care of that nasty head wound of yours.” The tall woman continued her one-sided conversation with the patient, no longer sure if it was for Megan’s benefit, or her own. “This is going to need some stitches. I’m pretty sure you’re not feeling anything right now, but, just in case, I’m going to administer a local anesthetic.” Moving to the locked cabinet, she pulled out a disposable syringe, a bottle of Lignocaine, 1%, and a pack of Ethilon suture. Snagging the rolling stool with her foot, she settled beside the blonde head and began her work.
Randi stood and stretched, groaning as stiff and aching muscles protested the action. A full two hours had passed while she reset bones, splinted limbs, stitched and bandaged wounds, and performed a more thorough examination of the unconscious woman. Her vital signs were greatly improved, and another check of the pupils showed them to be slightly more reactive, much to the tall woman’s relief. An injection of antibiotics finished the treatment.
“Well now, I guess the only thing left to do is to get you into a bed and sit and wait for you to wake up. I’m going to throw some sheets on the bed in the spare room. Be right back.”
Randi hastened to the spare bedroom, grabbing sheets and a blanket from the linen closet on the way. As she began to make the bed, a sudden thought made her pause. Better to be safe than sorry, she decided, as she went back to the linen closet and pulled down a plastic fitted sheet. Upon completion of the bed, the brunette returned to her patient.
“All right then, Ms. Megan, let’s get you settled into a real bed.” The doctor gently lifted the strawberry blonde into her arms, being mindful of the splinted limbs, and carried her to the other room. Once she had the smaller woman settled, the dark-haired doctor decided she would have some time to tend to her own needs before her patient regained consciousness.
As she turned to leave the room, Randi noticed, with no small amusement, two furry heads peeking around the edge of the doorframe. “Well, aren’t we the nosy ones,” she chided.
The little golden one had the grace to duck her head, as if in embarrassment, while her larger midnight companion merely cocked a triangular head; a gesture that was clearly doggie language for ‘and your point is…?’
Randi chuckled at the furry pair as she moved past them and down the hall. “Keep an eye on her,” the doctor called back. “Let me know if she starts to wake up.” The two canines looked at each other, then to the unmoving human in the bed. With a mutual sigh, they curled up in the doorway, facing the bed.
Randi finally felt human again. A quick, hot shower and warm, dry clothes had done wonders for her aching body. Now, she sat in her kitchen, munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and listening to the latest weather reports. Not much had changed from the first report she had heard this morning. The falling snow would vary in intensity, but would still continue until at least Thursday evening. The exhausted woman sighed and hung her head. Great! It’ll be a month before they can clear the road leading up here. And I get to spend that whole month with the delightful Ms. Galagher. Maybe I should just shoot myself now and get it over with. “Oh, well,” she muttered aloud, “at least it won’t be boring.” Picking up the phone, she dialed a familiar number. “I’d better let Toby know what’s going on up here, in case someone comes looking for her.”
A short while later, armed with a paperback book, a thermos of coffee, and a comforter, the tall woman padded back to the room where her patient lay. She would be keeping a vigil over the injured woman until she awakened. The woman stopped short as she approached the doorway and chuckled as she looked down at her appointed ‘watchers.’ The big black canine was sprawled on her back, snoring contentedly. Her golden companion lay horizontally, with her head resting comfortably across the black’s neck. “Damned if you two aren’t named right,” the woman grinned as she stepped over the cozy pair.
Laying her things at the end of the bed, the tall woman went back into the office to fetch several items that she would need close-by over the next few days. Returning to the bedside, she placed them neatly on the nightstand next to the bed, then proceeded to do a quick check of the blonde’s pulse, respiration, blood pressure and pupils. Finding them all satisfactory, she gathered up her things and ambled over to the big, overstuffed armchair that was located by the window.
Randi sighed as she curled her tall frame into the inviting softness. She had always loved this old chair. Growing up, it was her fortress, her cocoon…a warm, quiet place where a teenage girl could sit and dream and ponder the mysteries of life as she gazed at the stars through her window. Nothing’s changed Uncle Jake…I’m still pondering. Only now, it’s not so much the mysteries of life, as the unfairness of it. She shouldn’t have died, Uncle Jake…I should have been there…but I wasn’t…and she died! I’m sorry, Uncle Jake. Her throat burned with the sob that she was trying to suppress, as a lone teardrop escaped her tightly closed eyes. I’m so sorry, Casey.
The heartsick woman was startled from her grief as a small, leathery pad touched her hand. Watery, blue eyes flew open and were captured by soft brown orbs that gazed up at her with almost human compassion. Then the small golden creature that more closely resembled a fox than a dog, gingerly crawled up into her lap; a soft, little tongue snaked out, snatching away the errant tear, before the petite head lay gently upon her shoulder. “Thank you, baby,” the tall woman sighed, as she buried her face in the sweet-smelling fur. This scene was not new. It had been played out many times over the last several months. Her silent companions always seemed to know when the guilt and pain would overcome her…and they would be there. The little one would offer her best canine imitation of a heartfelt hug; and the beautiful black would sit beside them, silent and unmoving, as if offering comfort by the mere strength of her presence.
And she sat there now, once again, offering support in the best way she knew how. She would remain here, a silent sentinel, keeping watch as Morpheus lured her two companions into his realm.
She was tumbling, falling. Flashes of white and green and brown filling her vision like an insane kaleidoscope. And then, mercifully, oblivion. Now the world outside was pulling her from her cozy darkness…and she really didn’t want to go…it hurt too much. “Oh, God,” she croaked in a voice she barely recognized as her own. She wanted to move…. she really did, but even a little stretch of stiff limbs had hurt. “Owww,” she said through clenched teeth, as tears leaked out of tightly closed eyes.
“Easy,” the silky, deep voice cajoled her, as a cool hand brushed wisps of hair from her eyes.
Who…? Why does that voice sound familiar? Unwilling eyelids fluttered, finally giving way, as bleary green orbs brought into focus the face behind the voice.
“Afraid so.”
“Aw, shit!”
The tall woman cocked a bemused eyebrow. “Well….that’s not the normal response for saving someone’s life, but…You’re welcome.”
Megan’s scathing response was reduced to a raspy squawk. The small blonde grimaced as she licked parched lips and tried to swallow the pound of sand that seemed to be sitting in her mouth. She flinched as she felt something touch her lips.
“Here, sip this….slowly,” the tall woman cautioned, as she held the straw to the blonde’s lips.
The writer glared as she wrapped her lips around the slender tube, bristling at the perceived ‘command’ given by this…. Person, and proceeded to take several long, deep gulps of the wonderfully cool water.
“Hey,” the doctor exclaimed, as she pulled the straw away from greedy lips.
Any protest the writer may have had to having her liquid treat removed, expired quickly. Her eyes bulged, as her stomach clenched painfully, and the liquid contents inside made a searing, painful journey back up her esophagus.
Randi knew what was coming, and without missing a beat, she placed the water cup on the nightstand and picked up the small kidney-shaped bowl that she had placed there last night, and had it in place as the small woman lurched to the side and surrendered the contents of her stomach.
Randi held the limp, sweaty strands of hair out of the young woman’s face as she spasmed through the remaining dry heaves of her rebelling stomach. Finally, the writer flopped back in the bed with an exhausted groan.
The tall woman simply couldn’t help it. “Feel better now?” she inquired innocently.
The writer glared, then squeezed her eyes shut as a wave of pain washed through her. “Wonderful, thank you,” she responded through clenched teeth.
You’re being a jerk; Randi’s conscience scolded her. You’re supposed to be a doctor! This woman is confused, exhausted, and in pain. You should be helping her…not baiting her!
With her self-lecture finished, the guilt-ridden brunette used a kinder tone to address her patient.
“Ms. Galagher, I know you’re extremely dry, thirsty, and maybe a little hungry. But, because of your concussion, and the trauma to your abdomen from the car seatbelt, your stomach is not able to handle whole lot. That’s why I told you to sip the water slowly.”
Green eyes looked up at the tall woman warily. You may not want to admit it, Meg…but she’s right. “Yes, of course, you’re right,” she mumbled. Taking a semi-deep breath, the blonde reined in her hostility for the moment. “Look, Dr. Oakes, I appreciate the fact that you saved my life and treated my injuries. But let’s face it…you don’t like me, and I don’t like you. The sooner we part company, the better off we’ll both be. If you will allow me to use your phone to call my agent, I can have her send an ambulance for me and take me back to New York. Once I’m settled, I’ll make sure you are suitably reimbursed for your time and trouble.”
The tall woman grimaced internally. She is gonna shit a brick. Clearing her throat, the brunette walked around the bed, heading toward the window. “Well, Ms.Galagher, I’ll be happy to let you use the phone to call your agent. I’m sure she’ll be glad to know that you’re okay.” Grasping the cord to the window blinds, the brunette pulled, slowly raising the pale lavender shield. “But I’m afraid an ambulance is out of the question right now.”
The small blonde’s eyes grew saucer-wide as she beheld the solid white world outside the window.
“There’s already more than two feet of snow out there,” the doctor continued as she lowered the blinds. “Snowfall is expected to continue for at least another twenty four hours. With that amount of snowfall, it’ll be six…perhaps seven weeks before the road leading up here will be clear. We’re snowbound, Ms. Galagher, I’m sorry.”
Megan sat there, stunned. The impact of the tall woman’s words sinking in. I’ll be at the mercy of this…this pervert for months! Pain, anxiety, and unreasoning fear worked together to shatter what little grasp she had on civility. “You bitch,” she rasped to the startled doctor. “You couldn’t bring me into town for treatment…couldn’t call an ambulance when you found me.” Using her good hand, the agitated blonde threw back the bed covers and struggled to rise. Only to have a firm hand on her shoulder, impeding her efforts. “Let me go,” she spat, still trying to rise, her green eyes sparking and her temper flaring. “I don’t know what you hope to gain by imprisoning me here with you, but it won’t work. I’ll get away sooner or later…and I’ll make you sorry you ever met me. I’ll…”
“ENOUGH!” The tall woman bellowed, as a firm shove set the blonde firmly on her back and kept her there. Randi had had enough. Her own temper was beginning to flare; and that was something a responsible Doctor should never let happen. She had to end this quickly. Steely blue eyes locked on to hostile green. “First of all,” she began, through gritted teeth, “I’m already sorry that I met you. Second, I tried to get our rescue squad to come for you. But they were tied up on another accident site. Third, the nearest medical facility that could handle your extensive injuries is over thirty miles away. Road conditions being the way they are, we never would have made it. Fourth, I don’t ‘hope-to-gain’ anything by keeping you here. If anything, I expect to lose quite a bit…my sanity, most of all. Now you don’t have to like me…you don’t have to like being stuck here with me. But you do have to quit fighting me, and allow me to help you heal. If you don’t, then by god, I’ll keep you so sedated you won’t know your ass from your elbow the whole time you’re here.” Taking a deep breath, and removing her restraining hand from the younger woman’s shoulder, she replaced the cover over the unresisting body. In a slightly gentler tone, she inquired, “which way is it going to be, Ms. Galagher?”
Frustrated tears escaped tightly closed eyelids. “You win, Dr. Oakes,” the blonde responded in a tight whisper. “For now.”
Randi sighed. Her temper had tucked tail and left her. Now she stood here feeling like five kinds of bully. Silence reigned for long moments, as doctor and patient each grappled with their own private demons. “I…um…I need to check a few things,” the brunette offered, breaking the silence.
Green eyes snapped open, filled with equal parts fear and defiance.
“I just need to do a visual check of your bandages, to make sure your ‘exertions’ didn’t undo them, or cause you to start bleeding again. Then I need to check your BP, heart rate, and pupils. It won’t take long, Ms. Galagher, I promise. Then I’ll leave you alone so you can get some more rest.”
The blonde pondered this for all of twenty seconds, “the sooner she gets this over with, the sooner she’ll leave you alone,” before nodding her acceptance.
The examination was proceeding smoothly, much to the writer’s irritation. She wanted to find something wrong with the doctor’s procedure…she needed to find something wrong. But the tall woman was being maddeningly efficient, and this frustrated the small woman to no end. Finally, the writer decided she would make something wrong.
“Why am I naked?” the blonde inquired, knowing full well the obvious answer.
“I had to cut off your clothes in order to do a thorough examination and treat all your injuries.” If the tall woman was taken aback by the question, she didn’t show it, as she shined a light into the smaller woman’s eye.
“Did you enjoy taking my clothes off?” the blonde inquired cattily. “Did you get a quick thrill having a woman laying there naked in front of you?”
Damned if you aren’t some piece of work, the doctor mused, as she checked the pupil of the other eye. Betraying no emotion, the brunette put her equipment away, and turning to face the irksome blonde, she crossed her arms and smirked.
“You’ve been reading too many of your own books, Ms. Galagher. (A) I was too busy saving your life to ogle your…. Assets. (B) The sight of a broken and bloody body does not turn me on. It never has, and it never will. And (C)…” the tall woman quirked a mischievous eyebrow, “don’t flatter yourself.” With that, she calmly turned and left the room. Leaving the young blonde speechless, embarrassed, and thoroughly miffed.
“Weeks…I’ve got to put up with this for weeks,” the dark-haired woman huffed aloud, as she hefted the weighted barbell off her chest. “We’ll kill each other,” she continued through gritted teeth as corded muscles strained to raise the one-hundred-eighty pound barbell one more time. She had retreated to her well-equipped weight room to blow off the excessive steam that had built up during her time spent with the venomous writer. And now, two strenuous hours later, her high ire was reduced to fatalistic grumbling. Her silk boxer shorts and tank top were glued to her lanky frame by the sweat that liberally coated it, and her muscles ached from the extended workout she had put them through. With a final heave, she racked the barbell and slowly lifted her weary body from its prone position. Sitting on the half-bench, the dejected brunette ran her fingers through sweat-dampened hair.
You’re getting a kick out of this, aren’t you, Uncle Jake? Whenever I would get down in the dumps, or start feeling sorry for myself over one thing or another, you always told me that a good swift kick in the pants would straighten me out…and you’d be more than happy to provide it. Randi chuckled at the memory of those ‘swift kicks’ being delivered in the form of a good lengthy tickling; followed by an extended cuddle in warm, strong arms. Well, if this situation isn’t a kick in the pants, I don’t know what is, the tall woman mused, as she exited the room.” But damned if I didn’t like it better when you did it.
Something was smelling awfully good. Traveling through sleeping nostrils, down to a thoroughly empty stomach, causing it to grumble in protest of its current state. Bleary green eyes opened to long woodgrain paddles slowly revolving around a milkwhite globe. The eyes idly traveled across the ceiling and down walls that were papered with delicate floral designs. The blonde shifted her head to the right, continuing her perusal, and gasped when her curious green eyes collided with gentle brown ones.
Randi was in the kitchen, sprinkling mint flakes into a pan of rapidly boiling chicken broth. Dipping a ladle into the fragrant liquid, she scooped some out and gently blew on the steaming contents before taking a taste. Hmmm, not bad. The tall woman’s taste testing was interrupted by the click-clack of canine toenails on a linoleum floor. The midnight-hued German Shepard ambled into the kitchen and paused in front of the woman.
“I take it she’s awake, huh?”
A brief ‘urf’ was her answer.
Randi sighed and turned back to the stove. Picking up a small bowl, she ladled some broth into it and set it on a tray along with a slice of bread and a pitcher of water. Picking up the tray, she turned to her four-legged companion. “Well, here goes round two,” she mumbled as she headed down the long hallway.
“Well, hello there. Aren’t you the pretty one,” the blonde rasped to her small visitor, earning her a happy, full-body wiggle and spin from the little canine. “You’re a little small to be a nurse, so I’m going to hazard a guess that you’ve been appointed to keep an eye on me for her.” This earned the writer a brief, yodeling ‘roof’and an upraised paw; bringing an amused smile to the young woman’s face.
“Actually, she appointed herself,” came the voice from the doorway. “She seems to think that you could use the company, whether you’re awake or not.”
The smile faded from the blonde’s face as she looked up at the tall brunette standing in the doorway holding a large tray in her hands. “Well, I certainly prefer her company to…anyone else’s,” the blonde replied acidly.
Randi chose to ignore the caustic comment. Striding into the room, she placed the tray on the dresser and looked down at the little dog that had come to greet her. The brunette dropped down to one knee and reached out, gently scratching behind a golden, triangular ear. “Good morning, little lady,” she crooned to the little animal, who leaned blissfully into the tender touch. “You did a good job. Now, go get something to eat before your buddy hogs it all.” Standing up, she chuckled as the little canine took her warning to heart and scampered out of the room. Stepping into the bathroom to quickly wash her hands, she came back out and addressed her patient, who had been observing her with a mixture of curiosity and pique.
“And how is Ms. Galagher this morning?”
“Ms. Galagher is thirsty, hungry, in pain, and has to use the restroom; but other than that, just dandy. Thank you for finally getting around to asking, Dr. Oakes,” the blonde responded caustically.
“I’m sorry,” the Doctor responded sincerely as she approached the bed, “I didn’t mean to ignore you. The writer was caught off guard by the gentle response, but didn’t show it; choosing instead to remain silent.
Oooh, no catty comeback, color me happy, the tall woman mused. “Well, Ms. Galagher, the good news is, we should be able to do something about all of your complaints. The bad news is, I’m going to have to change your bandages and check your vital signs first.”
The blonde woman tensed. “My vital signs are fine,” she gritted. “My bandages are fine. Just let me have some water and maybe something for the pain, and I’ll take care of the rest on my own.”
Randi took a deep breath. “Ms. Galagher, I understand this isn’t easy for you, considering how you feel about ‘my kind’, but your first priority is to get better. And my first priority is to do everything in my power to make that happen. If I don’t change your bandages, infection can, and will set in. If I don’t monitor your signs, I will not know if something is wrong inside your body.” Seeing the blonde’s posture relax a little, Randi walked over and picked up the water cup. Returning to the bed, she placed the straw to the blonde’s lips. “Remember,” she cautioned, “small sips.”
Mindful of her last experience, the writer obeyed. Taking a few small sips, pausing, then taking a few more. Finally, having quenched her thirst for the moment, the writer released the straw. Looking up into patient blue eyes, she mumbled a ‘thank you.’
“You’re welcome,” the tall woman returned. “I need to go to the office to get fresh bandages and antiseptic and a bedpan. I’ll be right back.”
Randi was halfway to the door when the icy question stopped her in her tracks. “Oh, shit. I knew this was coming.” She turned and grimaced internally at the flushed and furious glare directed her way.
“Did I hear you say ‘bedpan’?
“Uhm, yes.”
“You have got to be kidding.”
“Well then, you’re insane if you think I’m going to endure the humiliation of having you shove a bedpan under my bare ass every time I have to relieve myself.” Using her good hand, she pulled back the blanket, keeping the sheet covering her body, tried to rise. “I’ve endured enough humiliation at your hands, ‘Doctor’, the bathroom is right…”
“ALL RIGHT, HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!”
The no nonsense tone in the tall woman’s voice made the writer pause in her attempts to rise. She looked up as the brunette clenched her eyes and took a deep breath, as if mentally counting to ten, then strode back over to the bed. The smaller woman unconsciously pulled back as the taller woman squatted down so that she was at eye level. If the taller woman noticed, she didn’t comment.
“Look, Ms.Galagher,” the doctor began, “I’m not going to say that I know how you feel, because I don’t. But I do understand.” Ignoring the blonde’s skeptical snort, the doctor continued. “But there are some things you have to understand too. Your left leg is broken, a clean fracture of the Tibia, to be exact. Your right arm is broken as well. The Ulna was fractured severely enough to break through the skin. Your head impacted with something hard enough to result in a mild concussion, as well as a deep laceration that required several stitches. You have a severely bruised abdomen that was caused by your seatbelt doing its job.”
“Okay, I get the picture; I’m a fucking mess,” the blonde snapped impatiently, “is there a point to this conversation?” The writer was unnerved by the doctor’s close proximity; and she really had to go to the bathroom.
“Yes, there is,” the doctor answered patiently, “and I’m just about to make it. You need a cast on your leg and arm. But I don’t have the material here for casts. The best I could do, was splint them and wrap them tightly. If you try to put any pressure on your leg, such as trying to walk to the bathroom, your leg will buckle, and you’ll drop like a rock. The resulting damage from that fall will be worse than what you came in here with. That leaves us with only two options: I can catheterize you, which is, in my opinion, not an option, or we can use a bedpan.”
Randi’s heart lurched at the defeated tears that now cascaded down the young woman’s face. She always hated to see one of her patient’s cry, and even though this woman looked at her as an enemy, it still pained her.
“Hey,” she offered gently, “it won’t be that bad. You can pretty much remain covered. I’ll elevate your upper body and your bad leg. You can use your good leg to lift yourself, while I slide the pan under you. Then I’ll leave you alone for a few minutes, and, when you’re finished, we can remove it the same way. How does that sound?”
“Fine,” the heartsick blond mumbled.
“Great,” the relieved doctor replied, as she stood up and hurried out of the room.
“She’s enjoying this,” the writer rasped through her tears, to no one in particular. “I don’t care how nice she acts. She’s getting a perverse pleasure out of having me helpless and at her mercy. Her kind doesn’t care about anyone else’s pain. They only care about themselves.” Are you sure about that? A small voice inside her asked. “Of course I’m sure,” she mumbled aloud. “I’m living proof of that!” Are you sure about that? The small voice repeated, leaving the blonde frustrated and, for the first time in years, uncertain.
Randi had a smile on her face as she gathered the items she would need to tend to Megan. Well, she’s not blowing kisses at me, but at least she’s being a little more agreeable. Maybe it’s because you’re not being such a jerk, Randi. The tall woman had to chuckle at the ‘duh’ quotient of that last thought. “Yeah, that definitely helps,” she muttered aloud. Randi thought back to last night. She had lain awake for a long while after she got in bed. That in itself was not unusual; as she had lain awake many nights, her thoughts consumed by grief and guilt. What made last night different, was her preoccupation with a certain strawberry blonde.
She could not, for the life of her, understand why she was so impatient with the writer. The young woman was biased and homophobic, true; but Randi had met many such people in her life, and had always been able to overlook their smallmindedness. Why was this woman different? Throughout her life, Randi had been gentle and caring. This was especially evident in her treatment of her patients, regardless of their temperament. Why did she allow the writer to get to her? Randi had no answers. All she knew was that her behavior was inexcusable. Uncle Jake would be ashamed. So the pretty Doctor came to the only conclusion she could live with; To knock the damn chip off of her shoulder and treat the blonde with the same kindness and respect that all her patients used to receive, regardless of the younger woman’s ill manners. And damned if it isn’t making a little difference, the brunette mused with a grin as she made her way back to her patient.
“Hi, sorry it took so long,” the doctor apologized as she bustled into the room. The blonde offered no response, as she stared morosely at the ceiling. Placing her things on a small folding table she had brought along, the brunette moved over to the bed.
“Okay Ms.Galagher, we know I have to do some checking and changing, and we also know that you have to answer nature. What would you like to do first? It’s your call.”
The young blonde’s eyes flew to the doctor’s face, searching for some sign of deceit, or condescending attitude. Genuinely surprised at finding neither, and unable to deal with the sincerity in those blue eyes, the writer looked away and mumbled, “I really have to go.”
“Okay, fine,” the doctor returned as she moved to the closet. “There are some extra pillows and blankets in here. We can use them to raise your torso and leg a little bit, to make it easier for you to lift and situate yourself.”
One and a half-hours later, Megan was in that blissfully fuzzy place between the waking world and the peaceful oblivion of sleep. Her belly was somewhat full, That broth was actually pretty good. Her bladder was empty. That wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Her bandages were changed, and the doctor had given her something for the pain. And then she rode off into the sunset…just like the hero in a bad western, the writer giggled to herself as she drifted into the realm of dreams.
Randi lay sprawled in the big recliner. The massive stone fireplace had a roaring fire going, spreading toasty warmth throughout the room. The house was clean, the fireplace re-stocked with wood, and her patient was dozing comfortably. That left nothing for the brunette to do but to curl up with a book and catch up on some reading. A course of action that lasted all of ten minutes before blue eyes drifted closed and the book dropped from limp fingers. All too soon, relaxed muscles became rigid, facial muscles began to twitch, and eyeballs careened wildly beneath closed lids.
The hallway seemed to stretch for miles as frantic feet raced along its length. The blue beacon flashed incessantly above the door. Bursting through the door, she found the room was in chaos. A cacophony of voices was vying to be heard. A willowy redhead stood in the far corner, hands covering trembling lips, tears streaming down a pale face. Machines cried out in alarm. A wiry black man in a white lab coat was on the bed, straddling a small body; rhythmically pushing on a small chest while grim faced nurse held a breather bag over an unmoving face. Moving to the bed, she barked, “What the hell’s going on?”
“She started having respiratory distress about a half hour ago,” the dark man responded between compressions. “She’s rejected any treatment we’ve tried. She was calling for you. We’ve been calling and paging,” he informed her, not unkindly. ” She went into full respiratory arrest about ten minutes ago, and then cardiac arrest just before you walked in. WHERE THE HELL IS THAT CRASH CART?
As if on cue, the door burst open, as the requested machine was hustled in. Randi reached out and pulled the machine to her. Grabbing the paddles, she barked, “Get this damn thing fired up, STAT!” Turning to the tiny, pale child in the bed, she whispered, “Hang on, Casey. Don’t leave me, baby.”
The dark head lifted. Blue eyes scanned her surroundings as triangular ears rotated left and right, searching, listening. She heard it again; a faint, keening ‘noooo.’ Raising up, she cast a glance to her honey-colored companion, who was listening worriedly to the sounds of distress, and then sauntered down the hall. Striding into the livingroom, she approached the recliner and paused, observing the writhing, moaning figure in the chair. With a mental shrug, she reached up and grabbed the nearest shirtsleeve in her teeth, and began to tug.
Reaction to the tugging was almost immediate, as the raven-haired woman bolted up, ramrod straight, wide-eyed, and gasping. Her disorientation faded quickly as she looked down at the ebony canine that sat there staring at her. The strong, angular chin quivered as she looked into patient blue eyes. “I did it again, didn’t I?”
In answer, the dark canine reached over and lightly nibbled the length of her arm until she hit a spot that made the tall woman jump. “Aahh, you little shit!” Randi was on her feet now, rubbing the sensitive spot and glaring at the arrogant beast who was now sitting on the other side of the room, wagging her tail and looking at the tall woman with, what Randi would swear, was an evil grin.
Woman and animal locked stares for a long moment, before the woman gave in. “All right, Ze, you win. I’m better now. Although,” she chuckled as she squatted down, “I like your partner’s remedy a lot better.” The raven-haired canine moved closer to the squatting woman, until they were almost nose to nose. “You are such an asshole,” she grinned to the animal. And had absolutely no chance to dodge the sloppy, wet, pink tongue that slapped her nose.
“Eeeewww!”
“Rise and shine, Ms. Galagher. A bright, new day beckons!” the brunette announced cheerfully, as she strode into the room carrying a large tray. It was a cheeriness that was decidedly unappreciated by the woman in the bed.
“I’ve no intention of rising or shining,” the blonde grumbled as she reached for the blanket with her good hand, “and the ‘bright, new day can kiss my dull, old…” The last word was muffled by the blanket that the small woman threw over her face.
Randi was hard-pressed to contain a chuckle at the unknowing cuteness of that act. Setting the tray on the dresser, she walked over to the bed and squatted down by the bunched up blanket that had blond hairs sticking out.
“Aw, c’mon now,” the brunette cajoled, “surely you don’t want to miss out on some nice, hot, fluffy scrambled eggs.” The doctor grinned to herself as she watched the blanket creep down, revealing a bleary green eye.
“A thick slice of tender, juicy ham.” The blanket moved down further.
“Fresh, hot, buttered sourdough bread.” The blanket moved down even further, revealing two wide-open green eyes, and a pert nose.
“Scrambled eggs?” a muffled voice inquired hopefully. The tall woman nodded.
“Ham?” Another nod.
“Hot bread and real butter?” A smile and a nod.
The green eyes narrowed. “This had better not be a trick to get me up, so you can poke and prod.”
Randi feigned a shocked expression. “Me?”…. Never!”
A snort was the response as the blonde drew down the covers and sighed. “Okay, what do I have to endure in order to eat?”
“Well,” the doctor responded as she stood up, “we have to do the usual checks, check and change your bandages, and you probably have to use the pan, but….” She paused at the crestfallen expression on the young woman’s face. “Why don’t we let you eat first, so your breakfast doesn’t get cold.” Randi was rewarded with the first genuine, open smile she had seen since meeting the writer. And it warmed her immeasurably. The tall woman decided, as she helped her patient sit up, that some way…somehow…she would see more of those smiles.
“Mmmm,” the blonde hummed delightedly, as the slightly cheddary flavor of the eggs caressed her palate. This was the first truly solid food she’d had in days. And, while the broth and soups she had been given were good, her stomach was getting really pissed at not being given regular food. Now, as she sat munching contentedly, she would swear she could hear her tummy chanting a litany of ‘thank yous’. God, who knew she could cook like this? the writer mused as she speared a piece of pre-cut ham. Actually, she does a lot of things good; you just refuse to see it, her small voice reprimanded. “Don’t start!” she warned the small voice. She’s only doing this because she has to. Keep telling yourself that, the small voice sneered. Trying to quiet her conflicting thoughts, the writer’s mind drifted back to the night before.
“Grayson,” the gravelly voice barked into the phone.
“Don’t you ever just say ‘hello’?” the amused blonde inquired.
“Galagher?!” the publisher shouted. “Is that you? Jesus Christ, woman, where are you? Are you all right? I’ve been worried sick about you!” Where in the hell have you been? “The older woman ranted, clearly pissed, but near tears in relief at hearing her young friend’s voice.
“I’m uh, I’m okay, Charly.” The blonde was clearly struggling to keep from breaking down. But it was so hard. She was so scared…and so alone…and the familiar, caring voice threatened to destroy what little control of her emotions she had left. “I was in an accident.” At the quick intake of breath on the other end, the writer hastily reassured, “But I really am okay. I’ve got a broken arm, and a broken leg, and a mild concussion, but that’s all.”
“That’s all!? Goddamn it, Megan, that’s enough!” the distraught publisher bellowed. “What? hospital are you in? What room? Who’s your doctor?” The older woman was rattling off questions faster than the bemused author could answer them. Before she could respond, she heard footsteps coming down the hall and stopping at her door, followed by a light tapping.
“Hold on a moment, Charly,” the blonde instructed before laying the phone down and bidding Randi to enter.
The tall woman strode into the room with an apologetic grin. “Sorry to bother you,” she offered, “but I figured you might want these.” She handed over a sheet of paper, accompanied by a legal-looking document and two laminated cards. Megan briefly examined the items in her hand. The sheet of paper contained, in neatly typed order, Randi’s full name, address, phone number, vehicle make and license number. The document was her medical certification, and the laminated cards were her driver’s license and hospital ID badge. At the blonde’s questioning look, the doctor explained, “These are the things I would need to know, if my friend were injured and in a stranger’s hands.” And, with a gentle smile, the tall woman left the room, leaving the young woman thoroughly flabbergasted by the wisdom, and unexpected kindness of that act. Megan was brought out of her consternation by a muffled shout, as she hastily picked up the phone.
“Sorry about that,” the blonde apologized.
“Who was that?”
“That was just the doctor.”
“Everything’s fine, Charly. She was just dropping off a couple of things. Now, as to your questions, I’m not exactly in a hospital.”
“Whoa,” the older woman interrupted, “what do you mean ‘not exactly in a hospital? You just said that was a doctor in the room. What the hell’s going on, Meg?”
“I’ll be happy to tell you, sweety, if you’ll quit interrupting,” the young woman chuckled, earning her an impatient growl. Once the older woman quieted down, the writer filled her in on the events leading up to the present conversation. The publisher’s reaction was a long silence, before inadvertently putting her foot in her mouth.
“Whoo, talk about sleeping with the enemy,” the older woman blurted, then quickly clapped her hand over her mouth in belated recognition of the ill chosen words.
“That wasn’t even close to funny,” the icy voice responded.
“You’re right, Megan. That was an extremely poor choice of words,” the publisher apologized, mentally kicking herself. “I’m really sorry.”
The writer chewed on her lip for a long moment before sighing; “it’s all right, Charlie. I just…”
“I know, baby,” the older woman responded maternally. “But really, personal bias aside, is she treating you okay?
“I suppose,” the younger woman allowed. “What choice does she have?”
The older woman frowned in puzzlement. “What do you mean?”
“I won’t be trapped here forever, Charlie. She knows that. She’s taking care of me so I don’t have her ass thrown in jail when I get back.” The writer paused as an evil thought brought a catty smile to her lips. “Of course, with what goes on in those places, she might feel right at home.”
The publisher dropped her head and scrubbed her eyebrows with the fingers of her free hand. “Oh, Megan.” “Honey, if she were really worried about you having her arrested, don’t you think it would have been easier to just leave you in your car?”
“She’s a pervert, not a murderer,” the younger woman huffed.
“Thank you for clearing that up for me,” the publisher chuckled, amused at the petulant distinction. “Seriously, Meg, I would like to find out a little more about this doctor; can you ask her for her full name and perhaps her address? I’d feel a lot better if I knew a little bit more about her and her medical credentials. I’ve got a few friends in the medical field who can provide me with the information I need.”
The blonde glanced at the papers in her hand and smirked. “Got a pen?”
The older woman gazed at the wealth of information that she had written down in front of her. “Jeezus, this is damn-near everything but the color of her underwear.”
“Um, just out of curiosity, how did you get your hands on all this information?”
“Do you remember when she stopped in here earlier?”
“That’s when she just handed me all this stuff. Her hospital ID, driver’s license, AMA certificate and personal info. I asked her why, and she just said something like, she’d want to know this stuff if she were you.”
“Well, that was certainly nice of her,” the publisher commented, duly impressed by the doctor’s proactive response.
“If you say so,” the younger woman shrugged.
“Megan, honey, from the sound of things, you’re going to be there awhile. How pleasant or unpleasant your stay will be is going to depend on you as much as her. Now, it really looks like she is trying to do right by you.” Hearing the indignant snort on the other end, the older woman rushed on. “Look, I know how you feel about gays, lesbians in particular, but I also know that you are an extremely fair and level-headed young woman. I’m not asking you to become best buddies with her, or start putting rainbow stickers on your car. All I’m asking you to do is try looking at her as a person, and not as a symbol. Accept the help she’s trying to offer, gracefully. And when the road clears enough for you to get out of there and come home, you won’t ever have to see her again.”
“It’s hard,” the young woman responded, her voice cracking, “I look at Dr. Oakes, and I think of ‘her’. She wanted me to think she cared for me too, but she didn’t. If she did, she never would have left.” The young woman’s voice was a bare whisper now, and the publisher had to struggle to hear her. “She never called, she never wrote. She had her ‘girlfriend’; she didn’t need me or daddy anymore.”
The publisher’s heart hurt at the pain in those whispered words. “Oh, honey, I know. But this woman isn’t your mother. She’s just a young woman that came to your rescue and, in spite of your differences, is trying to take care of you. Let her out of your mother’s shadow, and I promise you, your ‘forced vacation’ won’t be half so bad.”
The writer bit her lip and sighed deeply. “I’ll try, Charlie.”
Now, in the cold, clear light of day, she wasn’t sure she could do as her friend asked. It was good advice, to be sure. But the writer wasn’t sure she could look past the tall woman’s lifestyle and see the person underneath. Especially since that lifestyle was responsible for the years of pain and feelings of abandonment that she had endured. Megan’s introspection was interrupted by a soft knocking on the door.
A sable-crowned head peeked in the door, wearing a toothy grin. “All done?”
The writer looked down at her tray, which was cleared of everything but random crumbs. I ate all that!? God, I must have been hungry. She looked back to the expectant face at the door; you can do this, Meg. “Yes. Thank you.”
The lanky physician opened the door wide and walked in, carrying her necessary medical items, and something else that Megan couldn’t see, because it was mostly shielded by the woman’s body. Placing the unknown item in the deep chair, and the other items on the small table, the doctor approached the bed.
“Breakfast was okay?” The doctor inquired, as she removed the tray to the dresser.
“Very good, thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome,” the doctor responded with a warm smile that the young woman found hard not to return. “Okay, we’ve got breakfast done,” she announced as she returned to the bed. “Now we have to do a check and change, and you, I’m sure, have to answer nature’s call. Again, Ms. Galagher, the choice is yours. What would you prefer to do next?”
Megan again searched the tall woman’s face, searching for something…anything…that would reveal the insincerity she was sure the doctor possessed. But all she found was an open and honest warmth that, on some deep level, shamed the young woman. “I, uhm, I really have to go,” the writer responded.
“No problem,” the doctor reassured, as she moved to the closet for the items she would need.
Charlotte Grayson picked up her private line for the tenth time. And for the tenth time, she paused. She would kill you if she found out, her head shouted. But she’s worried sick, the heart argued. It’s not going to kill you to let her know that everything’s all right. You don’t have to write her a book. Just give her the basics and ease her mind. She deserves that much. “Arrghh, I hate this!” the publisher growled, as she dialed the memorized number. She listened to one-and-a-half rings before the other end picked up. “She’s all right,” the publisher announced briskly. “She wrecked in the snow up there, and broke an arm and leg, but she’s being taken care of.”
The older woman listened for a moment, then resumed speaking. “No, she’s not in a hospital. The woman that found her is a retired doctor who lives up the road from where she crashed. The ambulance was tied up, and the roads were too bad to try and get to the hospital, so the doctor brought her to her home. The downside is that they are snowbound. It’ll be weeks before she can get out of there.” Charlie listened to the voice on the other end for a moment, and with a mirthless chuckle responded, “It’s a downside because the good doctor just happens to be gay.” The silence on the other end was long and deafening before the publisher heard a muffled sob. “Look…she’ll be all right,” the editor consoled. “This may be the best thing that could have happened to her. This may force her to look at things through eyes that have been closed for years. Yes…..I’ll keep you informed.” With that uttered assurance, Charlotte Grayson hung up the phone. Forgive me, Megan.
The doctor briskly dried her hands as she exited the bathroom. “Well, that didn’t take long,” she commented cheerfully as she moved about the room gathering her things. “The stitches are healing quite nicely, and the bruising pretty quickly. I was pleasantly surprised that you didn’t suffer any internal damage or develop an infection.” Randi paused and met the green eyes that had been surreptitiously watching her as she moved about the room. “All things considered, Ms Galagher, we were pretty lucky.”
The blonde grimaced and turned her face toward the blinds-covered window. “Forgive me, Dr. Oakes, if my interpretation of ‘lucky’ differs from yours,” she replied hollowly.
Randi pursed her lips for a thoughtful moment. “Yeah, well, I can see as how it would. But I guess it all boils down to perspective. You look at it as what has happened, and how perfectly miserable you are right now. I look at it as what could have happened, and how perfectly miserable many people would be, at the loss of such a great storyteller.” Randi finished with a crooked grin.
Megan stared at the brunette with narrowed eyes. Every nerve in her body screamed She’s lying! She’s just saying things she thinks you want to hear! But another voice penetrated the cacophony. But what if she’s not? What if she’s really sincere? The writer closed her eyes and sighed. A decision had been made. What do I really have to lose right now? But she had just one question.
The tall woman was confused. “Why? Why what?”
“Why are you so nice to me?”
The smile returned with a playful arch of her eyebrow. “Why not?”
Two words, agonizingly simple, but complex enough to leave the wordsmith floundering for a rejoinder that never came. The tall woman didn’t give her time to fret over the verbal inadequacy though, as she began speaking again.
“You know, it occurred to me that you sit in here, day in, day out, with absolutely nothing to do but stare at the walls. I don’t have a TV for this room, and I don’t think you’d care for the books I have.” This last part said with a guilty grin that earned her a withering glare from the blonde. Ignoring the look, she continued. “I’m still working on a way to get you out of this room for a while. But, until I do,” the brunette stopped talking momentarily as she walked over to the big chair and picked up the item she had laid there earlier, “I figured you might occupy yourself with this for a while.”
Megan gasped as the doctor gently placed the laptop computer in her lap. “Oh, God.”
The tall woman made quick work of connecting the modem line to the wall outlet. Then, reaching over, she lifted the lid and tapped the power switch.
The absolutely joyful smile on the younger woman’s face as the darkened screen came to life made Randi’s heart do cartwheels. Houston, we have liftoff.
“I’ve got MSN as my service provider,” she explained to the blonde, who was already tapping keys, “but I also have access to AOL and Netscape. You can ‘surf’ to your heart’s content, check your email, find some fanfic sites if you want to do some reading, or…” she held up the floppy discs she’d removed from her back pocket, “do some writing. It may be a little awkward with your bad arm, but I don’t think that will stop you.”
Seeing that the writer’s attention was already riveted to her new toy, the doctor chuckled to herself. I guess it’s time for me to stop babbling and make my exit. “Well,” the doctor began, as she placed the discs on the folding table, “I guess I’d better…” She was stopped cold by a tentative hand placed briefly on hers.
Startled blue eyes collided with green for a fleeting instant, before the green moved down swiftly to the keyboard.
“I…” Nervous fingers caressed the keyboard, “I…um…thank you. You didn’t have to do all this, but I really appreciate it.”
“I know I didn’t have to,” the tall woman responded, smiling warmly, “but I wanted to. And you’re very welcome.”
A comfortable silence settled between the two women as they absorbed the comfort of a moment that, for once, was not clouded by fear, mistrust or defensiveness.
The furry blonde head appearing in the doorway broke the moment. “It looks like you have a visitor,” the tall woman chuckled.
“Or two,” the writer added as a larger, midnight-colored head joined the first. “Hello, ladies,” she greeted, as the two canines cautiously entered the room.
The tall woman squatted down and stroked a golden head with one hand, while reaching her other hand out in anticipation of the large black paw that settled in it; an apparent ritual that the author observed with an expression of bemused curiosity that did not go unnoticed by the doctor.
“Miss ‘Attitude’ doesn’t seem to like being petted,” the doctor offered in explanation. “She’d rather do the handshake thing.” The blonde rolled her eyes, and the doctor just shrugged, “Hey, who am I to argue?” The tall woman rose to her full height, “Well, I’ve got some shoveling to do.” Heading to the door, she noticed she had only one shadow. “Are you coming?” she inquired of the smaller canine that sat placidly by the foot of the bed. The lack of movement by the little one gave Randi her answer. “She seems to want to keep you company for a while,” she announced to the blonde. “Is that all right with you?”
The young woman looked down at the hopeful little face. “We’ll be fine.”
The doctor nodded. “If you need anything, Ms Galagher, just tell her to come get me. Believe it, or not, she’ll understand.” As the tall woman turned to exit, she was halted by a single word.
“Megan.”
The blonde’s eyes stared fixedly at the computer screen, but her voice was soft.
“My name is Megan.”
The tall woman whistled merrily as she strolled down the hallway behind her ‘special surprise’.
She’s gonna love this, the brunette mused happily. The past two weeks had had their ups and downs, with both women trying to bridge the gap that their differences provided. But the enforced isolation they were enduring often left them moody and snappish with each other. When that happened, both women would retreat to their own little worlds; Megan to her writing, and occasional phone calls to her publisher friend, and Randi to her weights room, for a vigorous workout. The brunette also spent her time trying to clear the snow from in front of the house, as well as exploring the house, looking for minor faults to repair. It was on one of these ‘expeditions’ that Randi discovered her prize.
The entire second story of the large ranch house was one huge attic and storage space, and the raven-haired woman was up there checking the insulation. The lightbulb in the huge room had blown out, and Randi was shining her flashlight around the room, looking for something to stand on so she could reach the light fixture. “Son of a bitch,” the doctor muttered with a grin, as the flashlight’s beam spotlighted the dusty frame of a wheelchair. An electric wheelchair, at that. The tall woman knelt by the chair, and ran the flashlight over it, doing a quick visual examination. I forgot this was here. This is just what Megan needs to get out of that damn room for a while.
Randi’s Uncle Jake would get severe attacks of gout, and he’d needed the chair to get around. Having it motorized had allowed him more freedom of movement. After he’d passed Randi had stored it in her attic, always intending to donate it to charity and never getting around to it. Now she was glad she hadn’t.
A slight frown creased the woman’s full lips. Hmm, the control is on the right side, and her right arm is in a splint right now. She scooted closer, examining the wiring. After a few moments, she shrugged, no problem; I’ll just switch the control to the left arm. All thoughts of the blown light bulb were forgotten, as she exited the attic with her dusty treasure. It took a few days, and a variety of colorful curses, but she was finally wheeling her cleaned, shiny, fully functional prize to Megan’s door. Parking it just out of sight of the open doorway, she tapped lightly on the doorframe.
“Come in.”
The blonde was sitting propped up in the big bed. Her breakfast tray was moved to the bedside table, and she sat with her head lying back, eyes closed.
“Was everything okay?” the brunette inquired.
“Everything was excellent…as usual,” the blonde responded with a wan smile.
Randi couldn’t help but notice the listlessness of the blonde’s response. Oh yeah, she’s been in that bed, and in this room too long.
“Are you okay?” she inquired of the melancholy blonde.
“I’m fine,” she responded with little conviction as she looked over to the window. “Tell me, what’s it like out there?” the writer asked wistfully.
“Well, it’s white,” the brunette answered coyly, earning her a green-eyed glare. “But it’s really pretty. Everything looks so clean and unsullied. And the trees,” the brunette paused, staring out the window, searching for the right description, “the trees look like they’re wearing coats made of the fluffiest white clouds.”
“Thank you for that image,” the blonde responded sincerely. “I wish I could see them, for myself.”
“You can, actually. There’s a picture window in the livingroom with a great view.”
“That’s all well and good,” the blonde answered with pique, somewhat hurt and annoyed at the tall woman’s unthinking remark, “but in case you’ve forgotten, I have a slight mobility problem right now.”
“Maybe,” the brunette answered and, to the blonde’s surprise, turned and left the room.
“Or maybe not,” she smiled as she re-entered the room with the wheelchair.
Megan’s eyes grew saucer wide as she beheld the gleaming black and chrome mobile chair.
“Please,” the blonde whispered as she lurched forward, pulling at the covers, “please tell me this isn’t a joke.”
“It’s not a joke,” the doctor grinned proudly, before scrambling over to the bed, preparing to catch the smaller woman before she threw herself off it. “Whoa, slow down,” she admonished the writer. Finally managing to get the young woman’s attention, she laid down a few rules. “You’re going to need my help getting in and out of this thing, at least until your arm and leg have healed more,” she informed the blonde, who nodded eagerly. “No wheelies. No racing. And no chasing the dogs,” she recited solemnly, and getting an equally solemn nod in return. This solemnity lasted all of five seconds before the blonde let out a gleeful yip and threw her good arm around the startled doctor.
Randi froze when the small woman wrapped her in a grateful hug. Her first instinct was to return the embrace, but fear that the blonde would mis-interpret the act, kept her still. Her caution was well founded. When the blonde, realizing her position, drew back suddenly, as if she had been burned.
“I…” The writer was flustered and embarrassed, angered at her own impetuous act. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get carried away like that.”
Sensing the younger woman’s discomfort, the doctor acted to dispel it. “No problem,” the tall woman replied as she stood up, “at least you didn’t use your splinted arm. You might have knocked me out,” she winked.
Her teasing reply produced the desired results; as evidenced by a small pink tongue being playfully poked out at her.
A witty rejoinder of ‘promises, promises’ briefly flashed through the tall woman’s mind, and was quickly discarded. She settled for a brief chuckle as she positioned the chair next to the bed and locked the wheels.
“Now, until your limbs are strong enough, it’s going to be up to me to get you in and out of this chair,” the brunette announced. Seeing the expected look of discomfort cross the young woman’s face, she knelt in front of her.
“Look, I know that part of it doesn’t appeal to you. But we both want you out of this room, and right now this is the only way that’s going to happen.” Capturing the green eyes with her own, the doctor inquired gently, “Will you trust me?”
Years of homophobic reasoning screamed at her to say no, to recognize this as yet another attempt to seduce her and then use her. But she has been nothing but good to me. She’s given me everything, and asked for nothing. Even now she’s trying to give me freedom, and is asking only a small bit of trust. How can I say no? Besides that, I…I want to trust her. I like her…God help me…I like her. Releasing her anxiety with a nervous exhale, the blonde nodded.
“Great!” the tall woman exclaimed as she quickly rose and removed the right armrest from the chair. Turning back to the bed, she finished removing the covers from the blonde’s body, and with a courtly bow exclaimed, “Your chariot awaits, milady.”
With a nervous snort, the blonde cautiously lifted her splinted arm, and placed it behind the tall woman’s neck, and uttered a startled squeak as she was effortlessly lifted in strong arms.
In one smooth motion, the tall woman turned and gently placed her petite patient in the chair. As she set about replacing the armrest and adjusting the footrest, the doctor was mentally chastising herself for the feelings that having the young woman in her arms invoked. It felt so good, she felt so wonderful. I wish it had lasted longer. Stop it! Stop it right now! Her conscience bellowed, She is your patient! Your helpless, emotionally damaged, barely trusting,patient. She doesn’t need this garbage…and neither do you. The doctor acknowledged the truth of that lecture with an inaudible sigh as she finished her adjustments, completely unaware that the patient in question was having a very similar argument with herself.
“And this,” the doctor announced with a dramatic flair, “is ‘The Picture Window.’ From which you can see miles and miles of snow, snowcapped trees, and the occasional beautifully rendered sunrise.”
The writer was speechless, as she gazed out into a world of pure, pristine elegance as far as the eye could see. Massive pine trees stood as silver clad sentinels, keeping watch over the small creatures that darted through the whitened landscape, both searching for food, and just plain romping.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” came the soft, mellow voice beside her.
“Pretty doesn’t even begin to describe it,” breathed the author, who reluctantly tore her gaze away from the snowy tableau to study the woman squatting beside her. The writer had to admit that Dr. Randi Oakes was indeed a beautiful woman. Her high cheekbones, aquiline nose, and full pink lips were the stuff of artists dreams, but even they paled in comparison to the winter blue pools that were the woman’s eyes. Eyes that, the writer observed over time, served as an excellent barometer of the tall woman’s moods; ranging from an icy silver-blue when she was angry, to a soft aquamarine when she was happy; which she seemed to be at this moment. And somewhere, far back in her mind, some part of her wondered what color they were when the woman was in the throes of passion.
Deciding that the young woman had studied her enough, Randi opted for a trip to the kitchen for some hot chocolate. A course of action wholly supported by a young blonde with a weakness for chocolate.
The break to the kitchen gave the tall doctor a chance to corral the hyperactive butterflies that were throwing a party in her belly. It wasn’t so much that the author was studying her, for she had noticed the young woman doing that a lot in the past few weeks. No, it was the intensity of this latest study, as if the young woman were blind, and running mental fingers over every inch of Randi’s face. The scrutiny created a riot of sensations that Randi hadn’t felt since….well…for a long time. And if she hadn’t gotten away, she might have done something that both of them would regret.
Megan Galagher was clearly unhappy. Once the tall doctor had left the room, it was as if the young woman had snapped out of a trance. What in the hell were you doing? The homophobe screamed at her. You were ogling her like a starving man ogles a piece of steak. She’s supposed to be the pervert here, but you can’t seem to keep your damned eyes off her. That’s not true, the writer argued. I was simply studying her. Whether you want to admit it or not, she is a classically beautiful woman. I was just noting her features…in case I wanted to use her likeness in one of my stories. the writer finished, satisfied with her explanation. Keep telling yourself that, the homophobe snorted.
She is beautiful, is she not? another small voice whispered. A gentle, knowing voice that was sounding more and more like Charly every time. Beautiful…and gentle…and kind. Everything she is not supposed to be in your somewhat narrow perception of what ‘her kind’ is like. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, the kindly voice continued, If you’re wrong about Dr. Oakes…then perhaps you may be wrong about other things too. With that, thankfully, the voice was quiet. Leaving the young woman to sigh at the headache that these confusing thoughts were causing.
Randi entered the room just in time to hear the amused giggles of her patient. Great God almighty! the tall woman mused with a grin. She’s laughing. I never thought I’d hear her laugh. Curious, the doctor hurried over to the picture window to see what her patient found so amusing. A grin split her face as she looked out and saw a small golden streak emerge from the trees; closely followed by a larger ebony body that was curiously covered with snow. The smaller creature headed, full bore, toward the house, and suddenly seemed to disappear.
“Good grief, where did she go?” the wide-eyed blonde inquired, as she watched the big black dog skid to a stop just before the stairs. The thwarted canine launched into a round of, what seemed like, canine expletives, then with head held high, sauntered back towards the woods.
“She went under the porch. She knows Xena can’t fit under there,” the brunette explained.
“Xena?”
“Uh, heh, yeah.”
“Let me guess,” the blonde said with a smirk, “the little one is Gabrielle?”
“Yup,” Randi said with a grin.
“Do I want to know how you came to call them that? Please don’t tell me it’s because they’re both queer.” The blonde cringed inwardly at the last part. It was uncalled for, but was out of her mouth before she could stop it.
If the doctor took offense, she didn’t show it. “Not at all,” she answered. “There were quite a few reasons. Like the TV characters, one is light and one is dark. Also like the TV characters, the small one is gentle, outgoing, empathic and loving, while the large one is stoic, aloof, and a bad ass. But very fierce and protective of those she cares for; especially the little one. I think the main reason the names fit is, again, like the TV characters, these two are the best of friends, and so totally devoted to each other that it isn’t funny.”
“Interesting,” the blonde commented, “When you put it like that, I guess the names do fit. So, have you had them since they were puppies, or did you adopt them?”
The tall woman chuckled. “No, I haven’t had them that long. And, if the truth were known, it’s more like they adopted me.” At the writer’s quizzically raised eyebrow, the brunette settled on the floor and launched into the tale of her first encounter with the canine companions.
Megan lay in her bed, wide-awake and slightly frustrated. It was one o’clock in the morning and, by all rights, she should be sleeping soundly. But sleep was eluding her, and she couldn’t figure out why. She looked down at the two furry bodies that lay sprawled on her floor in blissful slumber, and grinned in remembrance of their earlier antics. Maybe I’m just still too wired, she reasoned. It had been a full day for the writer. The good doctor was an attentive hostess as she gave the small blonde a full tour of the massive ranch house; relating little anecdotes of her growing years with her beloved uncle. The tall woman enlisted her help in preparing dinner as well. I’ve never been an ‘official taste-tester’ before the blonde mused with a smile.
She finished off the day by having a long enjoyable chat with her publisher and friend. Charly was pleased that Megan was warming to the doctor. The publisher harbored a secret hope that the writer and the doctor would establish a friendship that would last beyond their current situation. Megan was disappointed to learn that her live-in love was carrying on with his partying lifestyle as if she didn’t exist. With my money, of course. Her lover didn’t even bat an eyelash when he was informed of her situation. He was provided with Randi’s number in case he wanted to call the injured writer, but that call never came. And, sadly, Megan acknowledged to herself that she would have to see the writing on the wall, and make some changes when she got back to her life. In spite of that situation, her verbal visit with her friend was a pleasant end to an unexpectedly pleasant day. “So, why aren’t I sleeping?” she grumbled to no one in particular.
Her frustrated reverie was interrupted by a long, pained ‘nooooo’ that echoed down the hall. Her heart began to pound, as she looked down at the canines that suddenly snapped awake; their heads cocked to the side as they listened alertly. The pained voice came again. “Stay with me, Casey, don’t leave me, baby.” The writer watched as the two canines looked at each other for a moment, before the little one rose and trotted out the door and down the hall. The writer watched the small dog’s departure with a mixture of confusion and concern. She knew it was Randi’s voice she was hearing, but the pain in that voice had her worried. As if reading her thoughts, the ebony canine approached the bed, sat down, and placed a large, black paw on the edge of the bed. The writer eyed the beautiful, dark animal that stared at her with intense blue eyes.
“Ya know,” the writer mumbled uncertainly, “I feel kinda silly talking to a dog, but, is she…I mean Randi…okay?”
A gentle, rumbling ‘uurrrr’ was the response, which made the young woman giggle in surprise and relief.
The small body arched stiffly for a long moment before sinking bonelessly back on the bed. Worried blue eyes looked to the nearby monitor, hoping for some variation in the lonely green line that split the screen; Nothing. “Again,” she barked. She gazed down at the small, still body in the bed. “C’mon Casey, don’t leave me. We’ve got a circus to go to, you can’t leave.” Picking up the defibrillator paddles, she announced “Clear” and positioned them on the small chest. A loud thump echoed through the room as the little body arched and slumped again. And still the monitor maintained it’s slender green thread.
The dark-skinned physician that was first on the scene looked with sorrow filled eyes to the redhead at the back of the room. “I’m sorry. There’s nothing more to be done.” With that, he motioned for the other two nurses to join him as they silently left the room. With tears cascading down pale cheeks, she approached the bed where the tall doctor was bent over the still form, still whispering pleas for the child to come back. “Randi” a trembling hand touched a white-coated shoulder. “She’s gone. Let her go.” The shoulder flinched, and watery blue eyes looked up into tear-filled amber orbs. Any professional composure the brunette had, left her, as her face crumpled and she dropped to her knees, whispering ‘I’m sorry, I should have been here’ over and over again.
The small golden canine sat at the foot of the bed watching her two-legged companion thrash and moan in the twisted, sweat-dampened sheets, and it made her quite unhappy. She liked this tall human. She was friendlier, kinder, and even smelled better than other two-legged ones she had come across in her travels. Even her big, dark companion liked her; and considering that the dark one didn’t like a whole lot of things, that was saying quite a bit. Therefore, when the two-legged one was in distress, it was up to her and her companion to make it better.
With a smooth leap, the little animal was on the bed at the foot. Randi lay curled in a tight fetal position, with handfuls of sheet clutched tightly to her chest. The small canine belly-crawled up the bed until she was nose-to-nose with the moaning woman; and with a gentleness reminiscent of her fictional namesake, began to place little licks upon the forehead and cheeks of the somnolent woman.
Heavy eyelids opened, and groggy blue eyes met gentle cinnamon orbs. “Come to my rescue again eh, little one?” the tall woman sleepily burred. Her only answer was a little whimper and a light lick of her sweaty forehead. Pushing down the lump in her throat, the tall woman gathered the little canine to her chest. “Thank you. I love you too.” She rumbled to the small creature who snuggled into her with a contented canine sigh.
“Hello?” The voice drifted faintly down the hall, causing woman and animal to start in surprise.
“She’s awake?” It was a statement more than a question, so Randi didn’t look for a response as she released the little animal and began to rise from the bed. “I guess we better go see if everything’s okay.”
The writer lay in the bed, silently cursing her inability to get out of it. I hope everything’s okay. She had called a ‘hello’ down the hall, but hadn’t received a response. But I’m sure if it wasn’t, ol’ dark-and-dangerous here would have checked it out by now. The canine to which she was referring sat placidly next to the bed, her head resting next to the writer’s hand, allowing the blonde to idly scratch and stroke the sensitive area behind the large pointed ears. This was doggie heaven, and the big Shepherd had no intention of moving; even though she heard the quiet approach of her companions.
“I always knew you were a closet pleasure hound,” the tall woman rumbled from the open doorway. Earning her a startled gasp from the blonde, and a sidelong ‘so what’ glance from the dark canine that hadn’t bothered to budge from her cozy position.
“Randi,” the relieved blonde exclaimed, “are you….I mean, is everything okay? I heard….I was…” the blonde trailed off, uncomfortable with displaying how concerned she really was.
“I’m fine,” the brunette reassured as she crossed the room. Stopping next to the bed, she squatted down, meeting the shyly concerned green eyes of the blonde. “It was just a nightmare. I have them every now and then.”
“Can you remember them? Do you want to talk about it,” the writer inquired helpfully, and was startled by the intense look of pain that flashed across those expressive blue eyes.
“Um, no…I can’t.” she whispered, trying desperately to regain the composure that the young woman had nearly shattered by asking that simple but caring question. “Perhaps someday,” she continued, “but not just yet. Thanks for asking though, and thanks for being concerned.” Taking a chance, she reached over and gently grasped the younger woman’s hand. Catching the green eyes that widened slightly, she added, “that means a lot.”
And was surprised when small fingers closed over her hand in a gentle squeeze.
Megan was bored. She had spent most of the day reading, corresponding with friends, and writing while Randi busied herself with minor chores. Now she was restless, eyesore, and her behind was a little sore from sitting all day. She was in dire need of some pampering, Some hot chocolate and cookies would do nicely right now, or at least someone to talk to. A certain tall, dark-haired doctor would do quite well too, her little ‘Charly’ voice helpfully supplied. Knock it off, the voice of reason admonished, as she began her search for the woman in question. It’s not like there are a whole bunch of other people here to talk to. This is true, little Charly agreed, but you have to admit, the delightful Dr. Oakes is quickly moving up on that short list of people whose company you truly enjoy. Quite an accomplishment for one of those people, wouldn’t you say? “Oh, shut up,” the blonde muttered aloud, effectively ending the debate.
As much as she didn’t want to, Megan had to admit, she did enjoy the tall woman’s company. It had been a week since that night she had heard Randi cry out in her sleep. A week in which, against all odds, the two women had grown closer. A week of talking, laughing, mid-night snacks, and horror stories of their youth. Their conversations covered a world of topics and often sparked friendly debates that would keep them going until the wee hours of the morning. The only subjects the two women tended to steer clear of, were Megan’s mother, and Randi’s nightmares. Perhaps someday, the blonde mused, as she motored down the hallway in search of her hostess. She cracked a wry grin at the memory of one such ‘debate.’
“Oh baloney! They are too!” the blonde proclaimed obstinately, as she kept trying, and failing, to cross her arms at her chest.
“Hmmm, I’m not so sure about that,” the brunette returned, smiling benignly. She was playing ‘devil’s advocate,’ and loving every minute.
“Oh, don’t give me that! You’re one of them, and if you can’t see it, then you’re as blind as a bat.”
“See what? I’ve never seen them in a serious lip lock. I’ve never seen them roll around under the covers. And I’m certain I’ve never seen the Amazons presenting either one of them with a toaster.” The tall woman couldn’t help but grin at the green-eyed glare she was receiving.
“Well of course you’re not going to see that, the producers aren’t stupid,” the writer huffed, fully aware she was being baited, but enjoying herself anyway. “But you can still tell. I mean, look at how touchy-feely they are with each other. That’s …Ooowww” the blonde suddenly stiffened her foot, “cramp,” she groaned.
The brunette rose from her chair and crossed the room. Kneeling next to the bed, she uncovered and gently lifted the affected foot and began to massage it. “Are you talking about the consoling hugs, or the gentle touches?” Receiving no response, the doctor looked up into green eyes that were half closed in hedonistic pleasure from the gentle massage. “Or are you referring to how they tend to each other’s hurts…” suppressing a grin as she felt the cramped muscle relax. “Offer comfort to each other when it’s needed.” She placed the foot back on the bed and pulled the cover back over it. Moving up to the head, she removed the extra pillow from behind the blonde, allowing her to lie prone in the bed. The writer remained quiet; listening and gazing fixedly through half-closed eyes as the tall woman tucked the covers around her. “Is that what you’re talking about?” Randi leaned over and tenderly brushed away an errant lock of blond hair. “It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re lovers…” As the writer surrendered to slumber’s call, twinkling blue eyes and whispered words followed her into Morpheus’ realm.
“…It just means they’re friends.”
As the blonde neared her destination, she couldn’t help but marvel at the smooth, subtle ease with which the doctor proved her point. She was caring for me the same way they care for each other, and we’re not lovers. Very smooth, doctor.
Aha, found ya, the writer gloated when she heard the telltale ‘clank’ of barbells. Time to…Oh, my! The blonde’s thought processes were put on immediate hold as she gazed in fascination at the sweating, straining figure lying on the slender metal bench. The tall doctor was doing reps with a set of barbells that, judging from the size of the metal discs on each side, had to weigh a great deal. God, she’s lifting that thing like it was made of paper! Indeed, the only telltale signs of the effort Randi was putting into her chore were the even, labored breaths she was taking, and the rhythmic bunching and flexing of marvelously pronounced muscles. Good grief, no wonder she can lift me like I weighed nothing. This woman is built! And speaking of built, little Charly mischievously piped up as the writers eyes, quite unconsciously, began a thorough perusal of the body on the bench.
From the long, tapered fingers that gripped the barbell, to the sneaker covered feet that were planted firmly on the floor, fascinated eyes covered every inch. My word, she is a goddess! On their return trip from the doctor’s feet, the green eyes seemed intent on focusing on the full breasts, hard abdomen, and lean thighs that were painfully highlighted by the sweat-soaked clothing that clung to them. And try as she might to peruse other areas, the writer’s gaze stubbornly kept returning to those rock hard thighs and, much to her consternation, the forbidden area in between. Unconsciously, she licked her lips, and was startled by the fluttering in her lower belly. Oh, this isn’t good…this isn’t good at all. I think I need some cold water…to drink. Yup, a good, cold glass of water. With her mind set on beating a hasty retreat, the blonde reached for the control switch and began to turn the chair around.
Oh, crap!
The writer turned the chair back around, plastering an innocent smile on her face and silently praying that her cheeks were not as red as they felt. “Um, hi there.”
“Is everything okay?” the brunette inquired, as she toweled the sweat from her face.
“Uh, everything’s fine,” the writer semi-squeaked. If she thought her body’s reactions were bad before, when Randi was on the bench, they were worse now. The tall woman stood less than five feet away from her. Close enough for the writer to see the droplets of sweat that traveled down the woman’s chest, to disappear into her cleavage. Close enough to notice the small, pert nipples that were not quite erect, but not quite relaxed either. Close enough to smell the sweat, and the fragrance of hyacinth the she had come to associate with the tall doctor. And close enough for the little homophobic voice to be having a total meltdown.
“Are you sure?” the doctor inquired, mildly concerned. “You’re looking a little pink.” She wanted to feel the smaller woman’s forehead, to check for fever, but the slightly wild look in the writer’s eyes told her it would not be a good idea right now.
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” the writer waved off the concern. “It’s just a little warm in here.”
Not believing her for a moment, but deciding not to press the issue, the brunette shrugged. “Yeah, it tends to get a little humid in here when I’m exercising.”
Not getting a response from the smaller woman, and needing to dispel the odd tension in the air, the tall woman spoke again. “Hey, why don’t we make our way to the living room and I’ll pour you a nice, cold glass of iced tea. And while you’re sipping on that, I’ll jump in the shower and hose myself off, then come back and make us a couple of sandwiches?”
Bless you, doctor! “That sounds like a winner,” the younger woman agreed with a silent sigh of relief.
Megan sat in front of the picture window idly sipping her iced tea. At first glance, one would assume that she was enjoying the picturesque view. Truth to tell, she wasn’t even seeing it. She was too wrapped up in the battle that was going on inside her head. What the fuck are you doing? the homophobe was screaming. First you stop treating her like the dirtbag she is, then you start talking to her…being nice to her…talking to her like you two are old friends. And now you’re drooling over her while she’s lifting weights. You’re becoming a pervert…just like them, the voice finished in a hiss. No I’m not! she retorted vehemently. I was not ‘drooling’, I was just impressed by her physique, the writer defended, earning a derisive snort from the homophobe. And as for being nice to her, why the hell not? She’s been good to me when she had absolutely no reason to be. She’s helping me realize that the world isn’t as black and white as you want me to think. That not every gay woman is evil. That some of them are wonderfully kind…and giving…and caring, the writer trailed off as the burn of burgeoning tears stung her eyes. Kind of like someone you used to know, eh, little one? little Charly gently whispered. No! Don’t you even go there! the writer snarled. If she really cared she would have written to me, she would have called, she wouldn’t have left me so alone.
“So alone,” the writer croaked aloud as she buried her face in her hands and gave way to the tears that had been building for years.
In a far corner of the room, two pair of eyes watched the young woman dissolve into tears. Both of them were distressed by the scene, but neither moved. No, this one was not for them to comfort. This was a job for the other; and she would be here soon.
Randi stood with her hands braced against the shower wall. Her head hung limply between outstretched arms, and she groaned in near-orgasmic bliss as the pounding spray of the twin showerheads assaulted her body from shoulders to calves. The hot, pulsing water massaged and relaxed tight, well-worked muscles, pushing the tall woman into a state of near boneless lassitude while her mind replayed the events in the weights room. She had been aware of the small woman’s presence in the doorway, but, as the woman hadn’t tried to get her attention in any way, she saw no need to interrupt her workout, figuring that everything was fine, and the young woman was just watching her out of idle curiosity. However, the sight of the writer as she approached her caused the doctor to re-think her earlier assessment. The younger woman’s face was flushed, her eyes wide and slightly glassy. Her pupils, what little there was of them, had taken on a darker shade, and her breathing was slightly elevated.
The doctor was immediately concerned but, not wanting to argue with her patient, accepted her word that it was just the heat. I don’t buy that for a minute. Room temperature doesn’t make your eyes go all glassy and dark. And it certainly doesn’t elevate your breathing…unless the heat is a little more extreme. No, she was showing all the signs of being totally embarrassed, or flustered, or… Randi’s head shot up and her eyes grew saucer wide as the final thought hit her. Or aroused!!?? Oh no, no way…huh uh…no possible way, Randi’s mind shouted furiously, as she turned and grabbed the soap. This is not happening. This is your overactive imagination, Oakes. Yes, she’s beautiful. Yes, she’s bright, and witty, and warm, but… she is not that way…she never will be that way…she doesn’t like that way. And even if she’s having doubts and wants to try that way, you will not be her guinea pig! So derail that train of thought and drop the whole issue. Accept her explanation and leave it at that.
Randi sighed as she stepped out of the shower and grabbed her towel. Part of her was glad that her conscience knocked some sense into her head. But another part of her ached at things that could never be.
Randi padded into the kitchen humming to herself and feeling invigorated after her shower. Pulling the bread from the cabinet, she paused. I should bring her in here and find out what kind of sandwich she’d like. Having made that decision she put down the bread and exited the kitchen; stopping dead in her tracks when she heard muffled sobbing. Megan?? Shit! With her heart in her throat she scrambled into the livingroom and dropped to her knees beside the sobbing woman. “Megan, what’s wrong? Are you sick? Is something hurting? The doctor fired off the questions while doing a rapid visual inspection. The only response she received to her questions was a quick headshake as the woman continued to cry.
With a low growl, the doctor allowed her heart to overrule her caution as she removed the armrest from the chair and slid her arms underneath and behind the small woman and, being careful of the injured limbs, lifted her out of the chair. In one smooth motion, she sat back on her behind and lowered the smaller woman onto her lap. Wrapping long arms around the quivering frame, she murmured soft reassurances.
Quickly overcoming her surprise at the doctor’s actions, the heartsick woman accepted the comfort that was being offered and burrowed deeply into the warm softness. Whatever emotional walls she had left came tumbling down as a bitter, confused and lonely young woman convulsed in sobs; repeating two words over and over again, like a mantra. “So alone. So alone. So alone.”
Randi felt her own heart breaking as she held the quivering body tightly. “It’s okay,” she crooned, “you’re not alone. I’m here. I’ve got you.”
I’m here, Megan. And I’ll be here for you as long as you need me.
The dwindling remains of daylight cast silvered shadows throughout the room, and gently highlighted the huddled figures on the floor. The smaller woman lay limply against the larger body; having cried herself into a state of near exhaustion. The larger woman sat placidly with her head lolling back on the cushions of the couch she was leaning against. Her arms, though loose in their grip, still surrounded the young woman; continuing to offer what comfort they could.
Finally marshaling her strength, the writer lifted her head and drew back some from her warm haven; looking up into liquid blue eyes that radiated so much caring and concern that it almost made her break into tears again.
“I’m, uh…I’m sorry,” the blonde rasped, “I don’t…I couldn’t …”
“Don’t,” Randi gently interrupted her. “You have nothing to apologize for. You’ve been through a great deal these past five weeks. You’ve had to deal with the pain of your injuries, the fear and uncertainty of being trapped and helpless in an unfamiliar environment. You’ve been forced to co-exist with, and submit to, an individual who represents everything you detest.” Alert green eyes caught the flash of hurt accompanying that statement before Randi concealed it and continued. “And to top it all off, you’ve had to go through all this alone; without family or even a friend who could hold your hand and tell you it’s gonna be okay. Considering all that,” Randi tenderly brushed a lock of hair away from watery green eyes and smiled, “a good, heavy crying jag is nothing. You’re a good, brave, strong woman, Megan Galagher, and, circumstances aside, I’m glad I got to know you.”
Oh, god. The blonde buried her face in the warm hollow of the doctor’s collarbone; no longer able to face that sweet smile and warm, caring eyes. “Thank you,” she mumbled from her hiding place. Then gathering her courage and raising her head, she reconnected with those blue orbs. “Thank you, Randi, for so…many things. Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for healing me. Thank you for giving me your best when all I gave you was grief.” There was a long, thoughtful pause, then she added, “Thank you for being better than me.”
Randi’s attempt to dispute the last statement was cut short by three fingers that gently covered her lips. A golden head cocked slightly and full lips offered just a hint of a smile. You know I’m right, Randi.
Finally, blue eyes blinked in acknowledgment and a single, grateful tear slid down a beautifully sculpted cheek.
Megan smiled and, with some regret, removed her fingers from the wonderfully soft lips. Feeling that both of them needed to regroup from the intensity of the last hour, the blonde took a deep breath and grinned sheepishly.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”
Randi smiled, knowing this was a thinly disguised attempt to allow both of them some ‘breathing room’. “Come to think of it, I am too.” Taking their current positions into account, the tall woman gave a few moments’ thought, and came up with a plan. “Okay, I need to get up and, in order to do that, I’m gonna have to set you on the floor for a moment. Is that okay?”
“What?” the blonde feigned indignation. You mean you can’t just flex those well exercised muscles of yours and simply sweep us both up off this floor?”
The brunette grinned wryly at the jibe. “Well, normally I could. But as I’ve been sitting here for the past hour with a certain blonde in my lap, my legs have fallen asleep. And I’m gonna have to move that certain blonde to get some circulation back.”
“Suuurre, blame it on the blonde,” the writer returned with a roll of her eyes, then squeaked out a yelp as she was effortlessly lifted in strong arms and shifted to the left before being gently deposited on the carpet. Green eyes watched with barely concealed admiration as the raven-haired woman rose with fluid grace. She gave herself a small moment to regain the feeling in her legs, then reached down and gathered the smaller woman into her arms.
“Okay, chair or couch; where would you like me to dump…er…place you?” the doctor grinned rakishly at the narrow-eyed glare her intentional gaff produced.
“The couch, if you please,” the writer huffed with playful indignity. “My butt’s a little sore from sitting in the chair for so long.”
I will not go there…I will not go there…I will not go there. “Your wish is my command,” the brunette intoned as she deposited her petite patient on the couch, immediately missing the contact.
Placing the ottoman closer to the couch, the doctor gently lifted the younger woman’s legs and set them on it.
“How about we do ‘light’ tonight? I’ll put together some sandwiches and heat up some of that French onion soup you like so much.”
A blinding smile and eager nodding gave her all the answer she needed. “Great! I’ll be back in a little bit.” With that, she turned and left the room.
Never aware of green eyes that studiously observed her backside as it exited the room.
Randi sighed, for perhaps the twentieth time, as she placed the bowl of soup in the microwave and turned it on. She never knew she could feel so good and so bad at the same time. She was happy, no; elated with the unexpected friendship that had developed between her and the once bitter and spiteful young writer. For beneath the veneer of anger and mistrust, there was a bright, witty, gentle, and utterly charming young woman that one could easily fall in love with.
And that was the problem.
Against all odds. Against all good reason. Against every shred of common sense she’d ever possessed, Randi had, indeed, fallen in love with her. And that was the bad part; she knew, without a doubt, that love would never be returned. Hell, she’d do her level best to kill me if she knew. Tears burned her eyes as she chuckled at the bitter irony. Leave it to me to fall in love with a woman who is not only straight, but is homophobic too. I guess it’s no less than I deserve, is it, Casey.”
The chiming of the microwave interrupted her morose musings. As she set about transferring the soup to smaller bowls, she concentrated on a fact that was as much a source of pain as relief. According to Toby, the main roads are mostly clear, and they’ll be able to concentrate on getting my road cleared within the next week or so. Then Ms. Megan can get back to her happy life, and I can get back to …
The intense aching in her heart didn’t allow her to finish that thought, as she picked up the dinner tray and walked out of the kitchen.
“Heads up everyone! Meals on heels is headed your way,” the doctor cheerfully proclaimed as she entered the room; bringing a bright smile to the young face that, only a moment ago, was wreathed in sober thought.
“God, that smells delightful,” the writer exclaimed, as the smells from the steaming bowl of soup assailed her nostrils and made her mouth water.
“Merci,” the doctor replied in an exaggerated French accent as she carefully placed the tray in the amused blonde’s lap; then sketched a humble bow as she proclaimed, “Nozzing but ze best for Madame.”
“Ooohh, tall, dark, beautiful, and charming. Be still, my galloping heart,” the blonde retorted, as she batted her eyelashes and mock-fanned her face in a coquettish manner. Did I say beautiful?
“And humble. Don’t forget that!” the brunette shot back, as she padded back to the kitchen for her tray. Did she say beautiful?
Ricky Van Shelton crooned in the background as the two women ate in amiable silence. Finally, having reached a decision, Megan cleared her throat.
“She left a few weeks after my fifteenth birthday.”
Randi’s eyes snapped to the blonde’s face, but she kept silent; knowing the young woman was gathering her courage to continue.
“I remember coming home from school in a really great mood.” She smiled at the memory. “I got great marks on a really nasty exam that I had been sweating over, and my English teacher, who I thought hated my guts, took a moment to tell me that I was one of her best students, and she believed I had potential in the literary world. I was one happy camper. When I got home, I just about vibrated into the house. I remember running through the house hollering for mom so I could tell her all about it. When I got to the kitchen I saw my dad sitting at the table, which was unusual ’cause he wasn’t due home for a couple more hours. Anyway, he was sitting at the table holding a piece of paper, and he said, in this really dead tone of voice, that mom wasn’t home. I asked him when she was gonna be home and he didn’t answer me. He just handed me the piece of paper.”
Megan paused, taking deep breaths in an effort to maintain control. Having accomplished this, she continued. “To this day, I remember every word in that short and not-so-sweet little note. It said: ‘Dear Peter. I wish I had the courage to tell you this in person but, unfortunately, I don’t. Forgive me, Peter, but I can’t live with you anymore. Caitlin has been pleading with me for a very long time to move in with her. I have finally agreed. For with her, I will have something that you have been unable to give me for years; and that, dear Peter, is love. I have talked to Edwin, and he has agreed to handle the divorce proceedings. I, of course, will accept all blame and will not seek any material or financial compensation. It is the least I can do. I’m sorry, Peter.’ And that was that,” the writer sighed heavily, “she never mentioned me at all. No ‘see ya, kid’ or ‘we’ll be in touch, Meg.’ Just very brief and concise, no embellishments, no apologies…hell, she didn’t even sign her name.”
“That must have been terrible for you and your dad,” the brunette murmured, wanting to reach out and comfort her friend, but not sure if it would be welcome at this point.
“It was seven kinds of hell for me,” she admitted. “But, to be honest, I have no idea how it was for my dad.” At Randi’s puzzled look, the writer explained. “My dad’s never been much for showing feelings. He always believed that being emotional or outwardly affectionate was for women and fags.” Megan winced inwardly at the word she didn’t much care to use anymore. “My mother’s desertion only served to make him even more remote. He clothed me and fed me, and made sure I did well in school, and that’s as far as it went. If I was lonely, or hurting, well…let’s just say I learned to keep it to myself.” Megan turned pained eyes to her listener, “Don’t get me wrong, Randi. He wasn’t cruel, he just…wasn’t.”
“Your mother never tried to call or visit…at all?” Randi inquired as she removed the trays to a nearby table and curled herself onto the couch, closer to the younger woman. She had a hard time believing that Megan’s mother would abandon her daughter just like that. Her husband, maybe…but not her child. And not even a word to her in the note? That’s way too odd.
“Oh, she tried to visit, all right,” the writer sneered. “Seven years later. She had the nerve to come to my father’s funeral. Telling me how sorry she was that he had died and asking to talk to me.”
Megan had a far away look in her eye. “I told her she had nothing to say that I wanted to hear. If she wanted to talk to me, she should have done so years ago, instead of running off and pretending I didn’t exist. She tried telling me she didn’t do that, that she loved me, and I guess everything just crashed on me at one time, ’cause I…” Megan faltered, as vivid memories and emotions threatened to overwhelm her. “I hit her,” she gasped out. “I slapped her across the face and started screaming at her, telling her not to dare say she loved me, because you don’t leave someone you love. You don’t hurt her. You don’t leave her to wonder what she did wrong to make you leave like that and never see her again. I guess dad’s police friends had had enough, ’cause they came and told her to leave. Then they led me back to the car. I remember looking back one last time, and seeing her standing there, with all these tears running down her face, and I thought to myself, now you know how I feel. I never saw her again.” The young woman studied her hands as they idly plucked at a loose thread in the blanket that covered her legs. “Pretty pathetic, wasn’t I?” she whispered.
“No,” the brunette responded, as she placed a large hand over the two smaller ones. “I’d say pretty hurt. You were dealing with a lot of pain at the time. It’s quite normal to lash out at someone you feel was responsible for a great deal of that pain.”
Megan stiffened. “I didn’t just feel that she was responsible…she was responsible. Her and her ‘lover.’ The last word was spat like a curse.
Okay, she’s feeling way too prickly to open a discussion on that subject. Let’s go somewhere else. “Who is this Caitlin? Was she a friend of the family?”
Megan relaxed slightly, but retained a scowl. “No. She was my mother’s friend. When I was thirteen, mom joined a Tai chi class where Caitlin was one of the instructors. She started out only going there twice a week. But with me spending more time with my friends, and dad spending most of his time at the office anyway, she increased it to five nights a week. After a while, they started spending time together outside of class. Dad didn’t seem to pay it much attention He was a CPA, and he spent a lot of time either at the office or hanging out with his cop buddies, who were also his best clients. I didn’t pay it much attention either, because Caitlin seemed like a cool person, and I had my friends, so why shouldn’t she have hers.” Megan closed her eyes as a lonely tear wandered down a pale cheek. “I didn’t know friends were supposed to tear families apart,” she whispered brokenly.
Megan looked so small and so very lost. And Randi, for the first time, got a glimpse at the sad and lonely young girl that lived inside the bitter and spite-filled woman.
And it broke her heart.
Once again, she allowed her heart to overrule her head, as she spread open her arms; silently offering that young girl the comfort she was denied those long years ago.
And with a sniffle and a sigh, she accepted.
“They’re not supposed to,” the brunette whispered to the golden head tucked beneath her chin. “And they usually don’t. But sometimes it happens. Even when they don’t mean it to.”
And the evening wore on, much as the afternoon had, with a small body finding a haven in warm, comforting arms. Randi grieved for the pain that her patient had endured, but something in the back of her mind kept telling her that there was more to the story than even Megan knew. But the tall woman doubted she would ever be in a position to find out for sure.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” the tall doctor questioned with a grin that earned her a green-eyed glare. “‘Cause if you’re not, I can leave it on for a while longer.”
“If you don’t remove this damn thing right now, I’m going to rip it off myself,” the blonde mock-growled. “And then I’m going to stuff it someplace that’s gonna make you, and a proctologist, very unhappy.”
“God, some women are just so grouchy,” the doctor playfully complained as she set about removing the splint from the blonde’s slender leg. After six and a half long weeks, Megan was more than ready to have the restrictive casing removed from her leg. She’d had the arm splint removed a couple of days ago, but the doctor wanted to leave the leg splint on a little longer, preferring to have the young woman do some walking exercises with the aid of a crutch first. That would allow the limb to regain some strength before removing the stiff support.
Megan sighed in blissful relief as the leg was finally released from its restrictive prison. The doctor graced her with an understanding smile as skilled hands began a probing massage of the freed limb; an action that allowed her to feel for any abnormalities while stimulating the muscles.
God, she looks so tired, the writer mused, with no small worry. The past week had been bad; with the tall woman’s nightmares visiting every other night. Megan would lie in bed, listening to the heartbreaking pleas, as Randi begged the mysterious Casey not to leave her. Wishing, time after time, that she could go to her, and cursing, time after time, the damaged limbs that prevented her from doing so. Megan had tried, a couple of times, to get the recalcitrant doctor to talk about her nightmares; even asking outright who Casey was. But the doctor politely refused to discuss the contents of her nightmares, and would only say that Casey was a friend. It was a vague answer that left the young writer frustrated in her friend’s unwillingness to confide in her and agonizingly curious about the oft mentioned Casey. Her fertile writer’s imagination tended to speculate that Casey had been a sweetheart that the doctor had loved and lost.
Megan studied the face of the woman who was intently focused on the leg she was tending. The strong, high cheekbones that only last week were a healthy tan were now drawn and slightly pale. The full, red lips that always seemed to be on the verge of a smile were now drawn and barely pink. And the eyes that once contained all the warmth and beauty of a summer sky were now pale and gray.
Dammit, Randi, I wish you’d let me in. Let me try to help you, as you’ve helped me. I care about you, Randi, more than you know. More than I ever thought I could. It hurts to see you suffer like this and not be able to do a damn thing about it.
As if sensing the blonde’s thoughtful scrutiny, the brunette looked up and offered a tender, sweet smile that, much to the writer’s chagrin, turned her insides to something resembling warm oatmeal.
“Feel like taking this leg out for a little test run?” the doctor inquired.
“Run?” the blonde squeaked.
“Okay, okay. Maybe a slow stroll.” The brunette paused for a moment, quietly formulating a plan, then grinned. “How about a stroll out to the porch? It’s fully enclosed and runs the entire front half of the house. You can check out the view from the front and sides. There’s a large and comfy bench swing out there, where you can give your leg a rest while I scare up some hot tea for the both of us. We can sit for a while and watch the dynamic doggy duo fend off marauding warrior squirrels in between taking potshots at each other.”
The doctor’s idea was positively scintillating. God, I haven’t been outside for so long… “That sounds wonderful,” the writer enthused. Then, making the mistake of once again meeting those bluer than blue eyes, she added, “I, uh, I don’t want to use the crutch if I don’t have to. Will you, um…will you stay beside me? In case I stumble…or something,” the writer finished lamely, silently cursing herself for feeling and acting like a shy, teenage schoolgirl.
Randi stood to her full height and held her hand out to the seated blonde. Pulling her gently to her feet, the doctor looked deeply into springtime green eyes. “I’ll stay by you forev…for as long as you want me to,” the doctor announced solemnly as she placed the writer’s smaller hand on her arm and led her out of the room.
Megan lay in bed, listening to the tinny ringing of the telephone, and feeling her annoyance level steadily rising. No answer. Big surprise there, the writer mentally snorted. He doesn’t answer the phone, doesn’t check the messages, doesn’t return my calls. What the fuck is going on here?
Taking a deep breath in a vain attempt to dispel some of her aggravation, she picked up the phone again and dialed a familiar number.
“Has Eric Chalmers dropped off the face of the earth, or is it just me?” the writer snarled into the phone.
“Well, hello to you too, dear. I’m fine…thanks for asking.”
Having been properly chastised, the young woman sighed and began again. “I’m sorry. Hi, Charly. How’s my favorite publisher?”
“Your ‘only’ publisher is fine,” the older woman chuckled at the long running tease between them. Then sobering, she added, “And as for your ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ I’m afraid I have no clue. Although, from the almost daily activity with your bank account, I’d venture to say that dear Mr. Chalmers hasn’t wandered far.”
Megan felt the hairs on the back of her neck begin to bristle. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, honey, that Eric has been making good use of the ATM card that you provided him with – to the tune of about fifteen thousand dollars so far. He’s been hitting the ATM machines just about every day. The only reason it’s not more is because there’s a limit on how much he can take out in a one day period.” The silence on the other end was deafening. There was one thing that Charlotte Grayson never wanted to do; and that was hurt her young friend. But that, unfortunately, was just what was happening. There was no way around it though. Megan was not a child and, like it or not, she had to be made aware of these things.
Knowing that, however, did not make the older woman feel any better.
“Fine,” the younger woman said, suddenly sounding very old. “Charly, can you please contact the bank for me and have them deactivate his ATM card? I think there are forms that have to be signed and, with you having power of attorney for me, you’ll be able to do that. I know I’m asking a lot, but…”
“Don’t worry about it, baby,” the older woman interrupted. “That’s one of the pitfalls…er…perks of being your ‘unofficial’ manager,” she kidded. “It’s also part of being a surrogate mom. Somebody’s gotta look after your little blonde butt,” she added warmly.
“And you do that very well,” the blonde responded, with a thickness in her throat. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you’ve been for me over the years.” The writer broke off quickly, needing a moment to regain her equilibrium.
“Pshh, don’t worry about it. I’ll just come and live with you when I get too old and crotchety to work anymore.”
“And I’ll be more than happy to have your cantankerous old butt staying with me,” the blonde responded cheekily, silently appreciating the older woman’s attempt to lighten her mood.
“Watch it, little girl, or I’ll show you cantankerous when I see you.”
“Oooh, I’m scared,” the blonde mock-shuddered. “Anyway,” the blonde huffed out a breath. “Thanks a bunch, Charly. I owe you one.” She thought for a moment, then added, “oh, and while you’re at it, can you have them suspend Eric’s credit card too. If Mr. Chalmers wants to pretend I don’t exist, he’s going to have to do it without my money. There shouldn’t be any problems with the bank. But if there is, just have them call me here at Randi’s house.”
“Oooh, it’s not ‘that woman’ or ‘the doctor’ anymore. It’s ‘Randi’ now,” the older woman cheerfully noted. “Speaking of the good doctor, how are things going?”
The subtle change of subject didn’t go unnoticed, but Megan let it slide. Nor could she help but notice the hopeful optimism behind the question.
Or the unexpectedly pleasant warmth that filled her when she thought of the tall doctor.
“Things are going great,” she smiled. “As a matter of fact, she took the splint off my leg today. And then she took me out to the porch so I could get some fresh air. She’s got a great view of the mountains from one side of the porch. After a while, my leg started to get tired, so she sat me down in the bench swing on her porch, and went in and made some tea for us. After that, we just sat there for a while and talked.”
Charly was both amused and heartened by her friend’s happy rambling. “She hasn’t sounded this lighthearted in a long time.” “It sounds like Dr. Oakes has taken good care of you, my friend.”
“She has,” the writer admitted, guiltily. “She’s been kind and gentle and patient. Even when I was acting like an ass, she was caring for me.” The writer paused thoughtfully, then continued. ” I owe her a great deal, Charly. More than I think I can ever repay.”
“I don’t think she ever cared about repayment,” the older woman answered softly. “I think that’s just the way she is. I made those ‘discreet inquiries’ we talked about some weeks back, and everyone I was able to talk to said the same thing – that Randi was an outstanding physician. The key words I kept hearing were dedicated, hard working, gentle, caring. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. In other words,” the publisher smiled, “you lucked out, little one.”
Megan lay her head back on the pillow as an indulgent smile crawled across her lips. “I believe you’re right, Charly. As much as I hate to admit it, you were right from the beginning.”
“In light of that admission, I’ll refrain from saying ‘I told you so’ ” the publisher returned, with smug playfulness. “So, how much longer before you’re able to come home? Is the road up there going to be clear any time soon?”
Megan’s head jerked up off the pillow as she remembered why she was trying to call Eric in the first place. “Yes, the road leading up here is just about finished. I was going to call you after I talked to Eric and let you know. My car is history, so Randi’s checking with a company in Knox to see if they can provide a car and driver to bring me back home.”
“You’ll do no such thing, young lady,” the publisher proclaimed. “I’ll send one of our cars for you. You just name the time and place.”
“You don’t have to do that, Charly,” the writer admonished. “I don’t want to put anyone to any trouble.”
“You’re not. These are company cars and company drivers, Meg. This is what they get paid to do. You’re one of our most prolific and best selling authors. I would be remiss in my duties if I left you to find your own way back home. So, stop arguing with this ‘cantankerous’ old lady, and tell me when and where.”
“Well, um, I suppose Sunday will be good. I can have Randi take me into Cutter’s Gap, and the car can pick me up there. I can call you back with a definite time frame,” the writer finished in a much more subdued tone.
The change in the younger woman’s voice did not go unnoticed by the older woman, but she decided not to question it. “That sounds wonderful, dear. It will be wonderful to have you back.”
“It’ll be wonderful to be back,” the writer answered, hoping she sounded more enthusiastic than she felt. “Charly, I’m gonna let you go for now. I’m having the damnedest time keeping my eyes open.”
“You go ahead and get your sleep, honey. I’ll contact the bank first thing in the morning and start making the arrangements to come get you.” The publisher paused briefly as another thought forced its way to the forefront. “Um, what should I tell him if he calls and wants to know why he’s been cut off?”
“Just tell him it was my decision, and I’ll discuss it with him when I return and not before.”
“It will be my pleasure,” the publisher purred. “You get some rest now, and I’ll see you in a few days. Sweet dreams, honey.”
You go, girl! The older woman mentally chortled as she hung up the phone. You’re growing up, opening your eyes, and gaining a backbone. It’s beginning to look like that accident was the best thing that could have happened to you. I can’t wait to meet your Dr. Oakes. She seems to be a most remarkable woman. The publisher looked at the phone for a long moment, weighing, once again, professional ethics against maternal instincts. With a weary sigh, she reached for the receiver, as maternal instinct raised its fist in victory.
While, many miles away, a young woman tossed and turned fitfully in her bed, completely at a loss to explain why her long-awaited return to ‘civilization’ wasn’t making her feel as good as it should. That’s not so hard to figure out,” little Charly helpfully supplied, “you don’t want to leave her. Face it, Meggie, you’ve grown quite attached to the good doctor. You know that when you leave here, the chances of seeing Randi again are slim, and that’s tearing you apart. “But why does it hurt like this?” the young woman whispered plaintively. “I’ve had friends before that I’ve had to leave behind, and it never felt like this.” Because she has become so much more than a friend, little one. And someday soon, when you’re ready, you’ll understand.
“I don’t want ‘someday,’ Goddammit,” the blonde growled as she turned on her side and punched the pillow into submission. “I want to understand ‘now’ why I can’t stand the thought of leaving her. I want to understand why I care so much for someone who represents everything I hate. I want to understand why I feel so warm and safe in her arms. And I really wanna understand why I get a warm tingling in my stomach when I watch her work out. I’m not like that…am I? Damn you, mother! Where are you when I need answers? Where are you when I need you?” Frustrated and confused, the young woman buried her face in the pillow and let silent tears fall.
And down the hall, another young woman lay prone in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Torn between happiness and heartache, the tall woman paid no heed to the abundant tears that made lazy trails down her cheeks. She was profoundly happy for Megan’s recovery and glad that the young woman would soon be able to return to her home and her friends. She was happy for Megan, true. But a very large part of her grieved for the fact that, when the young woman left, she would be taking Randi’s heart with her.
And right along with that, the only happiness that the doctor had known in such a long time.
It’ll all be over in a few days, Uncle Jake. Come the weekend, she’ll be able to kiss this town, and me, goodbye. She can get back to her life and her friends and forget we ever existed. I should be happy for her, Uncle Jake. Hell, I am happy for her, but it’s gonna hurt so damn much. Is this the way it’s always gonna be? Am I always going to lose the people I love? Have I been so bad that I don’t deserve to be happy? Ever? I don’t think I can take it much more, Uncle Jake. ” I can’t,” she whispered brokenly as she turned her face into the pillow and gave way to heartwrenching sobs.
Two silent figures sat in the doorway, watching the tall body on the bed convulse in quiet sobs. Both animals shivered in empathic response to the profound sadness that radiated from this woman and the one down the hall. They looked at each other for a long moment, communicating on their own level, before the small, fair-haired one rose and ambled down the hall.
With an audible sigh, the black Shepherd quietly padded across the room and eased herself up on the bed. With a gentleness that belied her size, she settled her large frame against the body of her friend.
There would be no ‘tough’ approach this time. Nor any attempt to ‘cuddle’ the human out of her funk. No, the woman didn’t need that this time. She just needed to know that she was not alone. And the beautiful black was there to provide that assurance. No matter how long it took.
Saturday came entirely too fast, and both women spent the entire day trying to prepare, mentally and physically, for the writer’s imminent departure. As a result, conversation was strained, and physical interaction was awkward at best. There was so much to say, but neither woman had the courage to say it.
Dinner was a quiet affair, with both women doing little more than pushing the food around on their plates. Randi looked across the table at her petite patient. She looks so sad. But why? She’s finally getting out of here. That’s what she’s been wanting for months, so why isn’t she kicking up her heels? Probably because of you, idiot! You’re walking around here looking like a five year old that lost her puppy, and she doesn’t want to make you feel any worse, so she’s keeping a tight lid on any happiness she’s feeling.
Well, that’s gonna stop, Randi decided, as she pulled her napkin off her lap and threw it on her plate. “Hey there,” she addressed the blonde, startling her out of her depressed reverie. “It doesn’t look like either one of us is very hungry, so why don’t we just leave it. It’s a pretty warm night, so why don’t we go sit out on the porch? We can throw a few CD’s on the player, and I can crack open a bottle of Merlot and we can celebrate your recovery and return to ‘the World.'” This last part said with a mischievous wagging of her eyebrows.
Megan saw the invitation for what it was; a sweetly subtle attempt to brighten her mood. Still taking care of me, aren’t you, doctor? “That sounds wonderful,” the blonde agreed.
“So, what are your plans when you get back to the city?” Randi finally broached the subject that both women had been subtly avoiding. They had spent the evening sipping wine and discussing the weather, the history of Cutters Gap, the stars, everything but what the next day would bring. Now, the pregnant silence fairly screamed for one of them to step forward. And Randi complied.
Megan gazed into the inky blackness of the surrounding forest, gathering thoughts that had become slightly muzzy from the three glasses of flavorful wine she had imbibed. Finally succeeding, she heaved a sigh. “I dunno, I guess I’ll take a week to get things back in order. Do some editing on my current story, go through my mail, settle a couple of personal issues, things like that. Then, after that, let Charly re-schedule my book signings, and…go on from there, I guess.” She turned and studied the graceful profile of the woman sitting next to her. “What about you. What’ll you do?”
Randi shrugged noncommittally. “Same as what I’ve been doing, I guess. Putter around the house, finish cleaning the attic, rescue another cute blonde,” she concluded with a lopsided grin.
“Funny girl,” the writer shot back with an answering grin, then sobering, she said, “Can I ask you a personal question?”
Warning bells sounded in Randi’s head. “You can ask. No guarantees on an answer, though.”
“Fair enough,” the blonde responded. “Randi, I know from first hand experience that you’re an outstanding doctor. You have a God given talent for healing. And I’m not just talking about mending bodies. “The blonde paused in brief reflection before smiling gently. “You do wonders for troubled spirits, too. But I think you already know this. My question is, why are you hiding this wondrous gift away in a lonely house on a hill? Why aren’t you actively practicing, either here or at the hospital in Knox?”
The brunette closed her eyes against the pain that washed over her, threatening to pull her under. I knew this was coming. “I did work at Knox for a while. I completed my residency there,” she responded listlessly.
“So, why aren’t you still there?”
“Because I don’t deserve to be there,” she spit out with a vehemence that startled the writer.
“Can you tell me why you feel that way?” the writer inquired gently.
Megan watched silently as a flurry of emotions flitted across the chiseled features of the taller woman, mute testimony to the struggle within. Finally, “I can’t, Megan,” she whispered hoarsely, dropping her head. “I’m sorry…I just can’t.”
Saddened and frustrated as she was, the young woman let the issue drop. Both women sat in contemplative silence for long moments as Trisha Yearwood crooned in the background, until Megan could take no more. She knew what song was coming next, and decided What the hell, why not? The young woman stood up, pausing for a moment to gather her equilibrium. Whoa, good wine.
She then reached her hand out to the still seated doctor. “Dance with me?”
Randi’s head shot up, her face reflecting her surprise. “Here? Now?”
“Why not?” the blonde smiled.
Randi took the proffered hand and stood. Feeling awkward and unsure, she kept hold of the hand and placed her other hand tentatively on the blonde’s shoulder as the opening music of the next song began.
Megan was hard pressed not to giggle at the endearing shyness of the normally confident doctor. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, she looked up into impossibly blue eyes and sang along with the opening words of the song.
“Don’t be afraid to hold me tight, you know I won’t break in two. What we’re doing here tonight, sure beats what we’re going through.”
The young blonde smiled as the words had their intended effect, as the tall woman moved in closer, sliding her hand from Megan’s shoulder to the small of her back. Satisfied, Megan sighed and placed her head on the warm, familiar shoulder.
We both loved and lost before
Know the sadness it can bring
Tonight let’s close the door
And hold on to the nearest thing.
Let’s keep hanging on
So we won’t fall apart
Let’s make love tonight
Like we never had a broken heart
Warning bells rang madly in the tall woman’s head as she held the smaller body close to her own. I shouldn’t be doing this. She’s young, she’s lonely, and she’s feeling the effects of the wine. Hell, we both are. But this feels so good…so perfect…as if we’ve done this in countless other lifetimes. Just a few more minutes…that’s all…then we’ll stop. With that, Randi’s heart closed the door on those warning bells as the tall woman sighed and rested her cheek on a silky blonde head.
Don’t be afraid to close your eyes
Pretend I’m someone that you love
And I won’t have to tell you lies
‘Cause it’s not you I’m thinking of
Like we never had a broken heart.
Megan was lost somewhere between ecstasy and awe. She had slow danced with Eric before, but it never felt as good…as perfect, as it did right now. The arms that held her close made her feel so cherished that it almost hurt. The long, lean body pressed so close to hers provoked responses from certain areas on her body so intense that it did hurt. And the heart beat, oh, that wonderfully intense rhythm that bounded against her ear somehow seemed to keep time with her own. There was only one small problem. She’s a woman! It’s not supposed to feel this good. I’m not supposed to feel this good! As the music chorus swelled, Megan made the mistake of looking up…and falling into twin pools of ocean blue.
Oh! I like that color. Is that what they look like when… Her thoughts trailed off as the magic of the moment and the feel of the body moving against her effectively silenced them.
Tonight we’ll just pretend
We’ve been in love right from the start
Almost as if they had a mind of their own, Megan’s hands began to move. One of them pressed against the small of the taller woman’s back and pressed firmly, melding both bodies tight, while the other hand tangled itself in silky, midnight hair. Gentle pressure brought the unresisting head closer as the blonde whispered the songs final line against full red lips.
“Don’t be afraid to close your eyes.”
Megan’s lips were sweet. Sweeter than Randi could ever have imagined. And she imagined quite a bit. And so it was no surprise that the tall woman drank greedily of the sweetness she had found there.
No surprise that the fingers running through her hair sent electric tingles running through her body-tingles that ran from her head to her toes before finally settling in her belly.
And started a fire there.
No surprise that her thigh instinctually pressed against two smaller ones – that her tongue slid against soft lips, begging entrance.
And thighs and lips parted for her.
And certainly no surprise when her forays into those two places produced a very needy whimper.
From a very lonely, very horny, very drunk homophobic young woman.
Dear lord, what am I doing? Randi’s eyes flew open and she jerked away as if burned. Her withdrawal so abrupt that the blonde limpet attached to her nearly fell.
“Randi, what…?”
“We can’t do this.”
“Yes we can,” the blonde protested as she stood on tiptoes, desperately trying to reach those delicious, full, wet lips.
“No, we can’t,” the brunette reiterated hoarsely as she gently held the blonde at bay.
“Why,” the smaller woman whined pitifully. She was more than a little aroused, and her level of intoxication only added to the feeling that she would perish if she didn’t get relief…and soon.
“Because you’re drunk.”
“I am not,” the blonde insisted, silently wishing it was not so damned hard to focus on the woman in front of her.
“Yes, you are,” Randi retorted, gentling her tone. “Megan, right now you’re lonely, you’re aroused, and more than a little tipsy. You may think you want this right now, but in the morning you’ll feel very differently.”
“No I won’t,” the blonde growled, her temper rising to the fore.
“Yes you will. You’ll look at me in the morning and see a woman who took advantage of you in a weak moment. In your eyes I’ll be that vicious, immoral sexual predator you think all gay women are…and you’ll hate me for it.” Worse than that, my love, you’ll hate yourself…for letting it happen.
Megan ceased her amorous advances, becoming completely still; she hung her head in defeat. Noting the seeming surrender, Randi removed her hands from the smaller woman. “Megan, I…”
Randi’s head rocked back from the force of the stinging slap that connected with her face.
“You’re wrong,” the blonde spat hotly. “I already hate you. Damn you, Randi Oakes! Damn you!”
The next sound Randi heard was the slamming of the screen door as she watched the blonde race down the hall to her room.
And then there was only silence.
Randi stood on the empty porch rubbing her stinging cheek. Her pleasant buzz had fled into the night. Her raging libido had tucked it’s tail and followed.
Now there was only emptiness.
And pain.
And Megan’s words ringing in her head.
“I hate you. Damn you, Randi Oakes! Damn you!”
Randi’s legs lost their battle as the heartsick woman sank to her knees and broke into wrenching sobs.
Saturday morning came and went, with both women maintaining a not so subtle distance between them. Conversation was minimal, at best. Reduced to short questions, and even shorter answers. Both women showed signs of the prior sleepless night. As evidenced by their haggard expressions and the listlessness of their movements.
But neither was willing to talk about it.
It still hurt too much.
“Are you ready?” Randi was standing by the open passenger door, watching the blonde bid a tender farewell to the two canines that, by their subdued behavior, weren’t happy this morning either.
“You have no idea how ready,” the blonde sniped as she climbed into her seat and yanked the door closed.
Randi sighed as she walked around the jeep and got in.
Megan was pleasantly surprised as she walked into Toby’s Gas and Grocery. It seemed the big man had made some changes in the past couple of months. Shelves and racks had been rearranged and moved back, to create a large open space in the front half of the store. A space that was now occupied by three small, cozy round tables with chairs. Each table wore a tablecloth decorated with a homey, checkerboard design. A small vase filled with an assortment of wildflowers completed each table.
I like it, the young woman mused as a small smile, her first of the day, creased her face.
“From the smile on your face, I’d say it meets with your approval, Ms. Megan.”
Megan turned to face the owner of the deep, rumbling voice, a deeper smile etching her face. “Very much so.” She held out her hand in greeting and it was immediately enclosed by two big, warm, callused ones and held for a long moment as kindly gray eyes examined her. “It’s good to see you again, little one. I was sorry about your accident, but I’m glad that Randi found you and took care of you. Are you all right now?”
“I’m fine,” the blonde reassured. “Dr. Oakes did take good care of me and, now that the roads are clear, I’m headed home.”
“Yes, Randi told me that you had a car coming for you.” The older man was slightly surprised at Megan’s use of Randi’s title, instead of her given name. It was his understanding, from conversations with the raven-haired doctor, that they were getting along well. Now, he wasn’t so sure. And, noticing the weary, pained look the young woman was trying to hide, he decided not to ask questions. “Why don’t you have a seat and let me get you something to eat while you’re waiting?”
The mere thought of food made the writer’s stomach turn. “I’m, uh, I’m really not hungry right now, Toby. Something to drink would be nice though,” she offered as she sat down.
“That’s fine, Ms. Megan, I’ll…”
Both heads turned at the tinkling of the doorbell announcing Randi’s entrance.
The older man was hard pressed to stifle a gasp at the pale, haggard appearance of the woman he had come to think of as a daughter. Dear lord, she hasn’t looked like that since…What the devil’s going on here? Wisely choosing to save his questions for later, Toby broke into a big smile and boomed, “there’s my girl. Please excuse me for a moment, Ms. Megan. Terry,” he called to a petite, tow-headed girl who was sitting at another table, talking with a red headed woman. “Please get Ms. Megan a hot chocolate.” With that, he walked away.
Megan watched the beautiful brunette walk in the door and pause, her crystal blue gaze seeking, and immediately locating, her old friend and former patient. In spite of the brunette’s haggard appearance, the writer’s reaction was as immediate as it was unstoppable. God, she’s beautiful. Megan’s face screwed up in disgust at the unbidden thought, and she cursed her rebellious heart for its suddenly rapid beat. Stop it! You don’t want her. You don’t need her. You don’t even like her. She’s just like all the rest. Remember that! She scolded, tearing her eyes from the tall beauty, and finding the tablecloth pattern extremely interesting.
So intense was Megan’s perusal of the tabletop, that she never noticed Toby’s departure, nor the arrival of her chocolate until it was placed in front of her. Startled, she looked up into friendly brown eyes. “Sorry about that,” the writer offered. “Woolgathering.”
“No problem,” the girl smiled, offering her hand. “I’m Terry.”
“Nice to meet you,” the writer smiled back, taking the proffered hand. “I’m Megan.”
“I know. You write the Samantha Steele mysteries.” The girl beamed, then paused before adding shyly,” um, could you, um, if you don’t mind, would you sign my book?
“I’d be delighted,” the writer smiled.
“Great! I’ll be right back.” With that, she sprinted toward the back of the store. Megan heaved an amused sigh and sipped her chocolate. Mmmm, delicious. This can’t be instant. I’ll have to see if I can get Toby to tell me how he makes it. Megan’s eyes automatically shifted to the front of the store where the big man stood in earnest conversation with the younger woman. She couldn’t hear what was being said but from their body language, he with one big hand clasping her arm and the other gently cupping her face, and she leaning into the caress while nodding agreeably, Megan could pretty much guess what was being said. He’s comforting her. She looks like I feel and he’s trying to comfort her.
Megan couldn’t suppress the surge of envy that washed through her as she watched the tender interaction between the two. Is that what it’s supposed to be like with a father and daughter?
“Must be nice,” she mumbled with some bitterness as she took another sip of her chocolate and resumed her study of the tablecloth.
Randi stepped gingerly into the cheerful warmth of the little store. She had put it off as long as she could, filling the jeep with gas, checking the fluids, washing the windows, and any other little thing she could do that would keep her away from the two people that could very easily bring her to tears right now. Toby, with his loving concern, and Megan with her biting words. Not that she could blame the young woman. Megan needed something from Randi last night. Something that the raven-haired woman was unwilling to give. The reasons seemed clear enough last night. But now, in the cold, clear light of day, the doctor had to wonder if they were reasons…or excuses. A way to keep the blonde at arms distance, prevent her from knowing all of Randi. And, upon that knowing, finding her wanting…and then she would leave…just like everyone else Randi loved. Not that it matters. She’s leaving today, anyway. So, maybe everything worked out exactly like it should. Randi stood for a moment, taking in the changes to the interior. Nice, she thought briefly before setting sight on the big man and the small blonde. She winced internally as she noted the shock that flashed across the big man’s face before he concealed it with a big smile and a loud proclamation of “There’s my girl.”
I must look like shit, she mused as her eyes flicked briefly to the seated blonde, whose expression was one of schooled indifference. She doesn’t look much better. Even so, she’s still beautiful.
Any further musing was cut short, as she was engulfed in the warm and loving embrace of her ‘uncle.’
An embrace that, contrary to her intentions, she melted into with a desperate abandon that she hadn’t felt since she was a young girl.
Finally, the long, massive arms released their willing captive just enough for the big man to study the younger woman. Callused hands kept a gentle but firm grip on her shoulders as he studied her face.
“You’re not looking good, Princess,” the big man rumbled softly. “You sounded better than this on the phone the other day. What happened, honey?”
Randi dropped her head, and watery blue eyes squeezed shut in an effort to bind the tears that threatened to fall. “I can’t go into it right now, Uncle Toby,” she whispered hoarsely. “Let’s just say that I failed somebody again.”
A large hand cupped her chin and lifted her head until liquid blue eyes were confronted with stormy gray ones.
“Now you listen to me, Randi Christine Oakes,” the old man growled. “You didn’t fail anybody the first time. You can’t take responsibility for someone else’s actions. You can’t blame yourself for not being there if you don’t get the call. And you most certainly can’t prevent the inevitable. You’re a doctor, Randi, and you know it’s the truth.” The stormy gray eyes gentled as the storekeeper placed a soft kiss on an ebony eyebrow. “And someday soon, your heart’s going to accept it too. I have faith in that…in you.” The large hand moved from her chin, to cup her cheek. “We’ll talk more about this new problem later,” he promised, getting a small nod in agreement. “But right now you need a good cup of old Toby’s coffee. Now go find you seat. I’ll be right back.”
Randi looked toward the table area, or, more specifically, at one table in particular, and hesitated. Maybe I should stay outside for a while longer. Then, remembering something that she carried in her back pocket, decided. What the hell. Not much she can say that hasn’t already been said. With a resigned sigh, the tall woman approached the blonde’s table.
Cool green eyes lifted and studied her briefly. “What?”
Randi reached into her back pocket for the diskettes and placed them on the table. “You left these on the nightstand. If you’ve got any of your writing on them, you’ll want to keep them…to make sure you have a backup.”
Megan had left them there intentionally. She wanted to take as little as possible away from this encounter, but the tall woman made a good point. “Thank you,” she replied coolly. I’ll be sure to add these to the reimbursement check. Along with the clothes I’m wearing.”‘
Randi shook her head. “That isn’t necessary. I’ve got tons of empty discs that I don’t need. And, as for the clothes, hell, I haven’t worn them since I was a teenager. They’re just old jeans and sweats that I left here when I went away to college. I figured Jake would toss them out, but, being the packrat he is, he put them up in the attic instead.”
“Be that as it may,” the blonde replied crisply. “I still intend to pay for them. I don’t want to owe you for anything, Dr. Oakes. Not a blessed thing.”
Randi ran her fingers through her hair and blew out a frustrated breath. “You don’t owe me anything! At first, I took care of you because it was the right thing to do. And later on, it was because I wanted to…because I cared. Just like I cared last night. I couldn’t let you do something you’d be sorry for later on. If I was wrong…I’m sorry. If I offended you…I’m sorry.”
Somewhere down deep, the writer knew the truth of Randi’s words. The tall woman only ever acted in her patient’s best interest. But that truth was buried deep beneath the anger and pain of being rejected yet again by someone she…loved? “Tell me, doctor; do you often make decisions for others, and have to apologize for it later? Is that what you did to your beloved Casey? Is that why she left you?”
Randi rocked back as if it were a physical blow. Her face became a pale, expressionless mask. But the eyes that stared into Megan’s revealed a depth of pain that took the younger woman’s breath away.
Without a word, the tall woman turned and walked away.
Megan watched the retreating figure in stunned silence, completely unaware of her equally stunned audience. Until the thump of a coffee mug being set on the table got her attention. She looked up into gray eyes that reflected both anger and deep disappointment.
“That was wrong, Ms. Megan. That was just plain wrong,” the old man rumbled before striding briskly out the door in search of the distraught doctor.
“And this day just keeps getting better,” the blonde mumbled into her cup, trying desperately to ignore the guilt that was creeping up her spine.
She couldn’t ignore, however, the slim, silent woman that seemed to simply appear, and who now stood eyeing her critically.
“You’re Megan Galagher, the writer.” It was more a statement than a question.
“Yes, I am,” the blonde responded warily. The woman didn’t appear threatening, but she didn’t seem all that friendly either.
“You tell good stories, Ms. Galagher. If you don’t mind, I’d like a few moments of your time. I’d like to tell you a story.”
You’ve got to be kidding me! I don’t need this. “I’m not sure,” she made a point of checking her watch. “Someone’s supposed to be picking me up any time now.”
A small, knowing smile curved pink lips. “It won’t take long, Ms. Galagher. I really think you need to hear this story.”
“Fine,” the blonde acquiesced. “Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you,” the willowy redhead smiled as she sat down. Clasping her hands in front of her, the redhead took a deep breath and began.
“Once upon a time,” she began, quirking a wry grin at the fairy tale beginning she was using. “There was this beautiful little princess who became very ill one night. So ill in fact, that she had to be brought to the emergency room of a hospital. And the little princess was very scared. She couldn’t understand why she was having such trouble breathing, and to make matters worse, all these big people were wearing masks and doing all kinds of uncomfortable things to her without telling her why. So the princess began to cry and squirm, trying to make these masked people leave her alone, but they wouldn’t.
And then, someone else walked into her room. Someone very tall, with long, dark hair and very blue eyes. This tall person spoke very briefly with the other people in the room, and then walked over to the princess’ bed. Then she did something that none of the other big people did; she took the princess’ hand in hers, and then she pulled the mask down from her face. She smiled at the princess and said, ‘hi, I’m Randi, and I’d like to try and make you feel better. Will you help me do that?’ The princess liked the doctor’s pretty smile and the fact that the doctor was actually talking to her, so she let doctor Randi and the other big people help her.
Unfortunately, it was discovered that she had AIDS. It was a ‘gift’ from her daddy that mommy never knew about. Because of that, the princess had occasion to visit the hospital more often than she would have liked. And she became very good friends with the pretty doctor.” Here, the redhead paused thoughtfully as a bittersweet smile creased her lips. “No, they became so much more than friends. The princess worshipped the ground that doctor Randi walked on. And everyone knew that the doctor felt the same way. For she doted on the princess as no one else ever had, except for her mommy.”
The redhead paused in her tale long enough to take a sip of her coffee and gather the courage she would need to finish the story. Megan was, by now thoroughly engrossed in the other woman’s story, even though she had a sinking feeling she knew how it would end. But what the hell does this have to do with me, and why did she think I needed to hear it? Nevertheless, the writer listened intently as the redhead began again.
“Two years passed. Two years in which the princess and her mommy had many fun times with the good doctor. Unfortunately, the fun would not last. For the princess came down with a cold that, very quickly turned into pneumonia. Once again, she was brought to the hospital, and once again the good doctor was there for her. The princess would spend many days in the hospital, struggling very valiantly to fight her sickness, and doctor Randi would spend every possible moment watching over her.
But doctor Randi was also working double shifts in the emergency room because of a staff shortage. By the end of the week, doctor Randi was near collapse and her supervisor ordered her to leave the hospital for at least twenty-four hours so that she could rest. Randi didn’t want to leave the princess, but she had no choice. So she went home. Now, at the time, doctor Randi was seeing a young lady named Jenna. Jenna was very nice, and she cared a great deal for the doctor. But she was also of a mind that the doctor worked entirely too hard. So when doctor Randi was sent home to rest, Jenna took it upon herself to make sure that the doctor did just that. For when the doctor fell asleep, Jenna unplugged the phone and turned off her pager and cell phone.
As fate would have it, the princess’ health took a dramatic turn for the worst. The nurses tried many times to contact the doctor, to no avail. No one knows what woke the doctor out of a sound sleep, but awaken she did, and she automatically checked her pager, only to find it had been turned off. When she turned it on and saw the messages, she set out for the hospital immediately, knowing without question that her princess needed her. Alas, by the time she got there, it was too late. The princess was in full cardiac arrest, and nothing doctor Randi did, not medicine, not electric shock, nor pleading, would bring her back. And when she died, Doctor Randi Oakes died too.
She left her job, her career, her friends, Jenna. She left them all. She came back here and exiled herself to that damn house on the hill, refusing all contact from those that loved her and would offer comfort she felt she didn’t deserve. For she loved the princess so; and blamed herself for the princess’ death; believing with all her poor heart that if she had gotten there sooner, she could have saved her. But she’s wrong. Nothing she could have done would have saved the princess. The little one was simply too tired to keep fighting, and so the Angels took her home. We all know that; and someday, with our help, Randi will know it too.” Piercing amber eyes caught and held solemn green ones. “Little Casey Tucker would want it that way.”
Green eyes widened in comprehension and a guilty flush stole over pale cheeks as the writer lowered her head. “I didn’t know,” she whispered.
“No, you didn’t,” the redhead agreed. “You didn’t know the first thing about it, but you slapped her across the face with it anyway. That’s a pretty lousy thing to do to a woman who saved your life, took you into her home, and cared for you for two months.”
Megan bristled at the condemnation in the woman’s tone, as defensiveness overcame guilt. “Look, you don’t know me, and you don’t know what happened. I had my reasons.” She hissed.
The redhead cocked an eyebrow. “Did you, now?” Rising out of her chair, the redhead leaned over, placing both palms flat on the table and stared directly into defiant green eyes. “You’re right, I don’t know you. But I do know Randi. She is the sweetest, kindest, gentlest and most caring individual I’ve ever known, and I can’t think of a single thing she could have done to deserve what I’ve seen today.”
The woman straightened to full height and shook her head. “You may be a fine writer, Ms. Galagher, but you’re not a nice person.” With that, she walked away.
Too flustered to offer any retort, the writer simply sat and stared as the redhead walked out the door. Finally, regaining some composure, she picked up her lukewarm drink. “Who in the hell does she think she is, anyway,” she grumbled.
“That was Amy Tucker…Casey’s’ mother,” the tow-headed waitress responded, placing a paperback book on the table. “You can keep this. I don’t think I want it anymore,” she added before she too walked away, leaving the writer with only her misery for company.
Before long, a cream-colored luxury sedan pulled up in front of the store. Catching sight of it, the blonde bolted up from the table and was out the door before the vehicle had a chance to park. Whipping open the back door, Megan let out a happy cry as she clambered into the car and into the surprised arms of her publisher friend.
“Well, I’ve certainly missed you too,” the publisher drawled with amusement to the trembling body clinging to her. “Trembling? ” The publisher gently disengaged the clinging blonde and leaned back a little, trying to do a visual inspection. “Honey, are you…is everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine, Charly. Can we just go?”
“Well…of course we can,” the older woman offered hesitantly. “I was hoping to meet the delightful doctor Oakes, though. I wanted to offer my personal thanks for her taking such good care of you. Is she not here?” the older woman inquired, looking around.
“No,” the blonde responded, a little too quickly for the publisher’s liking. “Dr. Oakes something to do. She had to leave. You can thank her with a check when we get back home,” she finished coolly.
“Ouch” “All right, my young friend,” gentle fingers grasped the younger woman’s chin. “What’s going on here?” she inquired sternly.
Liquid green eyes searched warm brown ones, pleading. “Not here, Charly…not now. Please. I just want to go home.”
The publisher heaved a frustrated sigh. “Fine. But we’re going to have a long talk when we get home, Megan.” With that, she addressed the driver. “Let’s go, Jim.”
The car began moving and the blonde sank wearily into the plush leather seat. Turning her head to the window as they moved away, she took a last look at the quaint little store she would likely never see again.
And emitted a quiet gasp at the sight of the big man who stood next to the building.
Holding on tightly to the familiar, tall body that convulsed with sobs she could not hear.
It was a sight that would haunt her for a very long time.
Charlotte Grayson was not a happy woman.
It had been two weeks since she had brought her talented young client home. Twelve days of which the blonde had been on the move, racing from city to city on a self-imposed, non stop book-signing tour.
“I’ve got obligations,” the blonde insisted when she requested, no, demanded this schedule. “I lost two months sitting on my ass. If I don’t make that up now, I never will.”
And off she went. Owning up to her ‘obligations.’
“Bullshit! She’s running. Running from that talk we were supposed to have. Running from whatever happened up on that damn mountain. Running from herself. Well that stops today, my friend. You didn’t know I could cancel appearances that fast, did you? I hated to pull rank and drag you back here like that, but you left me no choice. Something happened between you and doctor Oakes and neither one of you will talk about it. But whatever it is, it’s affecting you both.
Charlotte recalled a disturbing conversation she’d had last week.
“Dr. Oakes?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“Dr. Oakes, my name is Charlotte Grayson. I’m Megan Galagher’s publisher.
… “Is she…is everything all right?”
“Megan is fine, Dr. Oakes. Thank you for asking. Actually I’m just in the process of cutting you a check for your services in regard to my client, and I was just wondering if you would like to have a check sent to you, or would you like to have the amount wired directly to your bank account?”
“Mrs. Grayson, I’ve told Ms. Galagher and I’ll tell you; I do not need, require, or desire any payment for my ‘services.’ If Ms. Galagher is so determined to write a check, then make it out to the Pediatric Aids Foundation. They need it a great deal more than I do.”
“I see. Dr. Oakes, may I speak openly for a moment?”
“Megan is, physically, doing quite well. And that is due in no small part to the excellent care she received from you. But something is troubling her, Dr. Oakes. Something she cannot, or will not, talk about. When I picked her up in Cutters Gap, I could tell right then that something was wrong. But she refused to talk about it at that time; promising that she would when we got back to New York. However, when we got back, she went directly to her apartment and stayed there for two days. Not communicating with anyone. The next thing I knew, she blew into my office insisting on an immediate whirlwind book signing tour. Stating that she needed to make up for the ones she missed while she was incapacitated. Needless to say, she got her way. I suppose that, as her publisher, I should be happy that she’s back in the saddle, so to speak. But, as her friend, I’m concerned. She’s changed, Dr. Oakes. There’s an aura of gentle pain that surrounds her now; so profound that it would make a statue weep. Try as she might to disguise it, she cannot. Now, this was not the sense I got when I spoke to her on the phone two days prior to picking her up. At that time she was in fairly good spirits. Something happened in between those times, Dr. Oakes, and I’m dearly hoping that you can tell me what it was.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Ms. Grayson. That is information that you’ll have to get directly from Ms. Galagher. I admit to being surprised though, at your perception of sorrow from your client. I would have expected anger.”
“Why would you expect anger, Dr. Oakes?” Did something…did you…?”
“No, Ms. Grayson, I would never violate my patient’s trust like that.”
“As I said, I can’t go into that with you. Suffice it to say she is angry. And it’s entirely my fault. My…failure. And I’m more sorry than I can ever express.
“You care for her, don’t you?”
“Very much so. She’s a special woman, Ms. Grayson. We didn’t hit it off very well at first, as I’m sure you know. But in the time we spent together, I discovered that beneath the prickly exterior I first encountered, there was a sweet, warm, lovely young woman.
“And do you know why she has that ‘prickly exterior’?”
“Yes I do. And it shames me to say that I am yet another who’s let her down.”
“I see. And you won’t provide me any more detail than that?”
“No ma’am, I’m sorry. Please, talk to her. It will not only answer your questions, but it may also help her if she gets it off her chest.”
“I’ll most certainly do that, Dr. Oakes. Before I go, are you sure you will not take any payment?”
“I’m positive. As trite as it may sound, just having her here, and getting to know her was worth a great deal more than any money you could offer.”
“Very well, Doctor. Is there anything you would like me to tell her for you?”
“Tell her I…” There was a weighty pause, then, “no, there isn’t.”
“Very well. Thank you again, Doctor Oakes…for everything.”
“And, Doctor?”
“Be well. Somehow I sense that my headstrong young client is not the only one in pain.”
A hoarsely whispered ‘thank you’ was all she heard before the click that ended the call.
“A disturbing but very informative phone call,” the older woman mused. “Methinks the good doctor is smitten with the fair-haired young bard. Now the question or questions of the day are,
1) Does Megan know?
2) If she does know is that what she’s angry or sad about?
3) Or is she completely unaware, and simply missing the new friend she had made. That would explain her melancholy. But that wouldn’t explain why Dr. Oakes thinks she would be mad. Nor does is explain what I saw when we were leaving the store.
“Or am I just a doddering old woman who’s watched too many soap operas?” the publisher chuckled to herself.
Hearing a light tap on her door, she turned to find her Administrative Assistant’s head poking in.
“Ms. Galagher’s here,” the portly brunette announced softly, then, looking back over her shoulder, she added, “and she’s not a happy camper.”
“Big surprise there,” the older woman snorted. “Send her in and I’ll build a little fire and roast her some marshmallows.”
“I’ll send her in,” the Admin snickered. “But I don’t think you’ll need to build a fire. Just hold them over her head for a few seconds.” With that, she left.
“Now,” the older woman clapped her hands together and took her seat. “Let’s see about getting some answers to those questions.”
No sooner had those words left her lips when her door flew open and in walked one livid writer.
“All right, Charly, what in the hell’s going on here?” she barked.
“Hello Megan. I’m fine, thank you for asking,” she replied, keeping her voice deliberately calm. “And what do you mean, what’s going on here?”
“You know goddamn well what I mean!” the blonde spat, slamming both palms on the desk. “You canceled my signing appearances and sent orders that I had to return immediately to see you. I don’t know what in the hell you’re playing at, Charly, but I’m not in the mood.”
“Are you quite finished?” the older woman inquired calmly.
“No, I’m…”
“Oh yes, you are,” the older growled, rising from her chair and, at 6’2″, towering over her petite client. “You are going to calm down, sit down, and stop behaving like a spoiled two-year-old. Because if you don’t you’re gonna find yourself signing books in places like Bumfuck Arkansas from now until the end of your contract.”
“You wouldn’t,” the blonde squeaked, goggle-eyed.
The older woman leaned forward until she was just about nose-to-nose with her client. “Try me, little girl.”
The publisher’s face was a study in steely determination and the blonde knew, without a doubt the she could, and indeed would, do exactly what she had threatened.
With her high fury properly deflated, the writer meekly lowered herself into a chair. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, her publisher friend was once again seated, a benign smile playing across her lips.
“I’m sorry, Charly.”
“It’s all right, hon.”
“No, it’s not,” the blonde replied sheepishly. “I acted like an ass.”
“No, like a two-year-old,” the publisher contradicted with an amused grin.
The blonde blushed prettily. “Touché.” Then sobering, she added, “I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. I seem to be snapping at a lot of people.”
“Hmm,” the older woman agreed. “Either snapping at them…or avoiding them altogether.”
The blonde blinked owlishly, her mouth opened, as if to refute, then snapped shut.
“It seems you’ve been avoiding everyone that knows you.” The publisher snorted, “Hell, even lover boy called here bitching. It seems he’s been trying to get a hold of you, but you’re never home and won’t return his calls. Of course I won’t fault you for that,” the older woman grinned devilishly, then sobered. “You can’t keep running forever, honey.”
“I’m not running,” the blonde returned weakly, unable to meet the older woman’s eyes.
“Yes, you are…and you know it,” the older woman got up and walked around the desk. Sitting in the chair next to her friend, she reached over and cupped her chin, raising the bowed head until shuttered green eyes met hers. “You haven’t been the same since you left Cutters Gap. Something happened between you and the doctor, Megan, and I’d like to know what it was. Because whatever it was, it’s hurt both of you.”
Megan pulled from the hand that cupped her chin, once again avoiding the older woman’s penetrating gaze.
“What makes you think something happened?”
“Because you looked like hell when I picked you up Sunday, which is quite different from how I pictured you when I talked to you Friday night. Because the Randi you talked about Friday night, suddenly became Dr. Oakes again Sunday afternoon. Because the young woman who propelled herself into the car and attached herself to me like her life depended on it fairly vibrated with extreme angst. And finally, because that same young woman, who’s normally a pretty talkative sort, didn’t part with even ten whole sentences on the entire trip back home.” Charly reached over and gently clasped the writer’s chin, an indulgent smile gracing her lips. “Now, I’m no Samantha Steele, but there are some clues that even I can catch.”
That earned her a small grin before she returned to studying her hands. “It’s nothing really, Charly,”
The older woman leaned back, spreading her arms in a ‘so what’ gesture. “If it’s nothing, hon, then there’s no harm in the telling now, is there?”
The blonde looked up, a wry grin creasing her lips. “I’m not gonna get out of this, am I?”
“It’s not real pretty.”
The older woman’s smile faded somewhat. “All the more reason you should talk about it. Just answer me one question first,” somber brown studied the younger woman’s face intently. “Did she….do anything to…?”
A guilty flush crept up her cheeks. “No, Charly,” her voice was almost a whisper, “I did.”
The publisher leaned back. “Whoa!” Quickly recovering her composure, she rose from the desk.
“Oookay, I think this is going to require a good, strong coffee.”
The publisher leaned back in her chair, her face an expressionless mask.
“You slapped her?”
“Said you hated her?”
“Threw that girl’s name in her face without having the slightest inkling of exactly who, or what she was?”
“And all this because she cared enough to prevent your drunk, horny ass from making a mistake that you know you would have regretted the next day.”
Megan couldn’t sink any lower in her chair. “Yes,” was a hoarse whisper.
“No wonder she was crying,” the older woman mumbled, more to herself than her client.
Green eyes widened in shock. “You saw…?”
“That tall, dark haired woman sobbing into that old man’s shoulder? Hell yes, I saw,” the publisher returned, her tone reproachful. “And I wondered what that was all about.” She shook her head sadly.
“Now I know.”
“Not one of my finer achievements,” the blonde confessed, shame coloring her tone.
“Not by a long shot,” the publisher barked a laugh, then sobered. “I’m disappointed in you, Megan. More than that, I’m angry. That woman took you in, healed you, gave you all the comfort and compassion she had to give and you pay her back with verbal and physical abuse.” She looked at the blonde, who sat with head bowed, her face concealed by a curtain of fair hair. “That was wrong, Megan. So terribly wrong.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” the writer answered, her voice cracking. “Do you think I’m proud of myself?” she continued, raising a tearstained face. “Do you think I spent those two days in my apartment gloating?”
Startled by the anguish written across the younger woman’s face, the publisher’s anger vanished, to be replaced by concern as she moved from behind her desk to kneel beside her distraught friend.
“I know what I did was wrong. I know I hurt her,” the blonde was fully sobbing now. “She was only doing what was best for me and I disparaged her for it. That woman was right; I’m not a nice person. I’m a bitch,” she sobbed into the arms that were now wrapped around her. “Nothing but a cold hearted bitch. No wonder they all leave me. I’m sorry, Charly…so, so sorry.”
“No, baby, no,” the older woman gently admonished. “You’re not a bitch, little one, and nobody left because of you. Shhh, it’s okay, baby…it’s okay,” she cooed, holding on tightly and letting the distressed writer release her pain.
After several long moments, the raging sobs were finally reduced to intermittent hiccups and shaky sniffles. The publisher leaned back and grabbed some tissues from the ever-present box on her desk.
“Are you okay now,” she inquired as, with a mother’s gentle touch, she dried the tearstreaked face.
“I’m fine, Charly,” the blonde answered with minimal conviction as she took the proffered tissue and blew her nose. “I’ve made a mess of things, Charly, and I don’t know how to fix them. I want to call her and say I’m sorry, but she’d probably hang up on me.”
“Why would she do that, honey?”
The blonde looked at her friend incredulously. “After what I’ve done? She probably hates my guts.” Shame colored the young woman’s face. “And I can’t blame her, Charly…I hate me too,” she finished hoarsely.
“All right, enough of that,” the older woman ordered crisply as she rose to her feet. Taking a position directly in front of the smaller woman, she leaned back against her desk and crossed her arms. “She doesn’t hate you, Megan…she never did. Hell, as far as she’s concerned, this whole thing is her fault.”
Megan’s head snapped up and green eyes narrowed skeptically. “How do you know this?”
The publisher shrugged, “I talked to her.”
“Last week.”
“She called you?”
“No, actually I called her. I needed to know if she wanted her ‘payment for services rendered’ to be sent to her as a check, or deposited directly to her account.” The older woman paused deliberately before adding, “And she refused payment, by the way.”
“Then you already knew what happened,” the writer bristled, assuming, incorrectly, that the doctor had ‘spilled her guts.’
“No, dear, I didn’t,” the publisher returned gently, knowing the path her young friend’s thoughts were taking. “I’ll admit, I did ask her what had happened, but she refused to tell me; insisting that I should talk to you. The only thing she would commit to, however, was that it was her fault. Her…failure, as she put it.”
“Jesus, Charly, it wasn’t her fault,” the blonde cried, exasperated. “She didn’t fail me…I failed me.” The blonde slumped dejectedly in her seat. “What am I going to do, Charly? I need to talk to her. I need to apologize. But I’m scared. No matter what you say, she’s got to be pissed at me. She won’t want to hear from me.”
“No, dear,” the publisher smiled patiently. “She isn’t ‘pissed’ at you. The overwhelming feeling I got from talking to her is that she is simply hurt. I won’t sugarcoat this for you,” the older woman warned as she focused a no nonsense gaze on the younger woman’s face. “She’s no doubt hurt by your reaction to her well-intentioned refusal…especially the bit about Casey,” she emphasized the last part, noting the guilty wince by the young woman. “But I think she also believes that her ‘failure’ has cost her a good friend.” Intense brown eyes captured engrossed green ones. “Someone that she had come to care for a great deal.”
The publisher had to bite back a grin at the incredulous expression on the younger woman’s face as the import of that last sentence became clear.
“She cares for me?” the writer squeaked, hesitant to acknowledge the truth that her heart already knew.
“Very much so. And I’m going to venture out on a limb here, and propose that she’s not alone in that respect.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the blonde mumbled, somewhat weakly. But from the coral flush that highlighted the younger woman’s cheeks, and her sudden aversion to direct eye contact, the publisher knew she had struck a nerve. Encouraged by these signs, the older woman continued.
“I think you have found that you also have feelings for the good doctor, and you have no idea how to handle it, so you figure that if you keep busy, keep running,” she emphasized, “it’ll go away. But it’s not working is it?
“No…it’s…I…” the blonde floundered, wanting desperately to deny the truth of the older woman’s observation, but finding she could not. “Dammit, Charly, I can’t feel that way about her,” she finally blurted.
“Here we go.” The older woman crossed her arms. “Why?”
“Because it’s wrong!”
“Because she’s a woman.”
“Dammit!” the writer was getting frustrated. “It’s not natural,” she gritted.
“Says who,” the older woman challenged. “Since when is ‘love’ not natural?”
Megan was looking at her like she had grown two more heads. “Charly, what are you saying?”
Her gaze then turned flinty. “Are you…?”
“No, Megan, I’m not. Though Gaia knows, sometimes I wish I were. The selection might be better,” she muttered to herself. Then, bringing herself back to the original discussion, she continued. “And what I’m saying, my dear, is that you have been so tainted by your father’s hateful bias and your mother’s supposed betrayal that you’re trying to close the door on what may be the best thing that ever happened to you.” The older woman reached down and cupped the young woman’s face in both palms, willing the soft green eyes to meet hers. And when they did, her heart hurt for the anguish and uncertainty that radiated from them. “Talk to her, sweet girl, let both of you heal each other for that weekend. And then, if nothing else, let her at least be your friend.”
“I don’t know, Charly,” her voice was breaking. “What if she hurts me too?” Gentle tears slid down the writer’s face, gathering in the publisher’s cupped hands. “I couldn’t take that again,” she finally sobbed.
“Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter, aren’t we, little one. You’re not worried about the supposed ‘unnaturalness,’ you’re scared of being abandoned again. This can’t go on.”
Arriving at a decision, she grabbed another tissue and dabbed the young woman’s cheeks. “All right, dear heart,” she announced briskly. “I need you to get a hold of yourself here. I have something I need to tell you and I need (a) your undivided attention, (b) your promise that you’ll keep a lid on your temper and your mouth long enough to hear me out, and (c) that you will at least give some honest and sincere thought to what I’m going to eventually propose.”
Caught off guard by the statement, and the older woman’s change in demeanor, the writer stared at her dumbly. “Charly, what…?” she sniffled.
“Please, honey,” the older woman insisted. “This is something we need to discuss…for your sake more than mine. But I need your promise to stick with me.”
Warning bells were sounding left and right inside the younger woman’s head, but she was intrigued by the older woman’s announcement. She took a deep breath to gentle her still raw emotions.
“All right. Go ahead.”
The older woman quirked an eyebrow.
“All right, all right, I promise to behave,” the younger woman huffed.
The older woman paused, searching for a way to begin. Finally she settled on the most direct.
“Your mother didn’t abandon you.”
“Excuse me?” the younger woman’s tone took on an immediate chill.
“I said, your mother didn’t abandon you. She left your father, but she didn’t simply abandon you.”
“Then why didn’t she write, or call, or try to see me? It may be just me, but when none of those things happen, I call that abandonment.” She remarked caustically.
“She tried, she…”
“Bullshit!” the blonde cut her off. “She didn’t try hard enough!” The blonde narrowed her gaze at the older woman. “How do you know any of this?”
“I’ll get to that later,” the blonde opened her mouth to challenge, but Charly cut her off. “You gave your word, Meg. Now you just sit there and listen,” the older woman commanded.
The writer glared at her for a long moment before giving in. She sat back and folded her arms across her chest, looking for all the world like a petulant child. “Go ahead,” she gritted.
“As I was saying, she tried. She tried writing…all the letters were returned. She tried calling…your dad always told her you were ‘unavailable.’ She even tried a few times to visit you, but your father was always there to turn her away. After the third attempt, something happened, and she stopped trying to visit. And not too long after that, the calls and letters stopped too. But she never stopped thinking of you, Meg. Instead of writing letters, she began a diary of sorts. Writing down thoughts to you, and of you, in hopes that someday you would read them and know the truth…” the older woman stared deeply into wary green eyes. “…that she never, ever left you.”
The older paused, taking a sip of her now cool coffee, and watched the myriad of emotions that played on the young woman’s face as she processed this new information.
Megan was dumbstruck. Her mind and her heart were engaged in a furious battle of wills, one needing desperately to believe, and the other needing just as desperately to deny, for no other reason than to keep it’s angry shield in place over that foolish, gullible heart.
Finally, the persistent mind gained a small foothold. She leaned forward in the chair; small hands gripped the armrests white-knuckle tight. “How do you know any of this?” she rasped, her gaze hard and cold. “How do you know anything about her?”
Now it was Charly’s turn to be stunned. “God, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this mad. Ah, well, nothing for it now.” Girding her mental loins, and keeping her voice deliberately gentle, she responded, “Because I’ve done something you’ve refused to do all these years, Meg. I talked to her.” Raising a hand to arrest the younger woman’s attempted outburst, she continued. “And more than that, I listened! I listened when she talked about why she left. I listened when she talked about the many times and ways she tried to contact you…and always failed. I listened to her, Meg, and I believed her.”
“Then you’re a fool,” the blonde bit out.
“Perhaps I am,” the older woman allowed. “But you’ll be an even bigger fool if you don’t at least entertain the possibility that what I’m telling you is the truth.”
“I thought you were my friend,” the blonde muttered, her tone was both sad and bitter.
“I am your friend, Meg,” the older woman responded, ignoring the younger woman’s sarcastic snort. “And that’s why I’m telling you this. Because I can’t just stand back anymore and let you keep on believing that, if you let yourself love someone, they’re going to leave you.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about,” the blonde fired back heatedly. “I love Eric, and I’m not worried that he’s going to leave.”
Now Charly snorted. “Give me a break, Megan! For all intents and purposes, Eric left a long time ago, and you didn’t even bat an eyelash. Oh, you were irritated, when he didn’t call or try to contact you, but that’s about it. And love him? I don’t think so. Eric was pretty to look at, and probably made a good bed warmer when you needed one, but you had about as much ‘love’ for him as I do for this cup of coffee.” The older woman leaned forward, astute brown eyes pinning the younger woman in place. “Tell me I’m wrong, Megan,” she challenged.
Green and brown locked on each other for a long silent moment; neither one willing to look away, or even blink. For to do so would be tantamount to surrender, and neither woman was prepared to allow that.
However, even in the most hard-fought battles, there can be only one victor.
“I can’t,” she sighed, slumping dejectedly in her seat. “I can’t tell you you’re wrong…about any of it. Are you happy now?”
“No. But I will be. And so will you. Talk to her, Megan.”
“Who?” asked warily.
“Why on earth not?” the older woman barked, beginning to lose her patience. “Are you so comfortable in your animosity toward her that you’re unwilling to entertain even the possibility that it may be misplaced?”
“No…I…she,” the blonde was stammering helplessly now. All her arguments were being shredded, her carefully built walls were being systematically decimated by the older woman’s unrelenting onslaught. “Goddamit, Charly,” she finally railed. “I won’t let her hurt me again!”
“What makes you think she will, baby?” the inquired gently, knowing her young friend was close to breaking down completely. “How do you know she’s not telling the truth?”
“And how do you know she is?” the younger woman returned hoarsely, on the verge of tears.
Charly didn’t answer. Instead she pulled open a desk drawer and reached in. Pulling out a small, weathered envelope, she reached over and gently placed it on the desk in front of the blonde.
Watery green eyes glanced at the publisher briefly before tracking warily, hesitantly down to the item on the desk. The writer unconsciously held her breath as she reached over and plucked the envelope from the desk. The breath she was holding burst forth in a ragged sob as she laid eyes on the achingly familiar handwriting that listed her name, and the address where she lived those many years ago.
“No, it can’t be,” came as a broken whisper.
“Yes, it can be, sweetheart,” the older woman cooed gently. “That was the first of many that would be sent…and returned, unopened.”
“How…” her voice hitched, “how do I know that? How do I know that this wasn’t written last week, or last month?” she was reaching now.
“C’mon, Megan, use your eyes,” the older woman chastised. “Look at the postmark. And if that’s not enough, look at the handwriting on the ‘return to sender’ notation. I’ll bet even money you’ll recognize that, just like you recognized your mother’s handwriting.”
Megan studied the faded ink symbol of the postmark, paying particular attention to the date. June 02, 1987. Exactly one day after coming home from school and finding her life forever changed. Her gaze then tracked to the terse three-word sentence scrawled across the front of the envelope. And she knew, without a doubt, whose hand wrote it.
She cast a helpless glance to the publisher, then to the letter, then back to the publisher. Her lips moved, but no words came. Charly ached for the pain and confusion so clearly defined in those green eyes. “Open it, Meg,” her own voice was close to breaking. “It may be twelve years later, but you still need to know what it says.”
With trembling hands, the young woman tore open the aged envelope and gingerly removed its contents. Unfolding the stiff, white paper, she read:
Dearest Megan
There’s so much I have to tell you, Meggie; so much I need to explain in order for you to understand. I don’t believe I can cover it all in this one letter, nor shall I try. For that is something best discussed when I can talk to you face-to-face. Suffice it to say that I have been very lonely, Megan, for so very long. A large part of me believed that it would be this way for all my life. And because I had you, my beautiful, bright piece of heaven, I accepted that tenet. (what intelligent mother wouldn’t?)
But then I met Caitlin. And in her eyes, I saw so many things that I had never seen before. But most of all, I saw my future; a future that promised warmth, companionship, and most of all…love.
I know you are probably thinking, ‘what about Daddy?’ All I can say to that, sweet girl, is that your father is a good man, and has been an efficient, provider for us all these years. But the things that I have wanted, no needed all these years are things that he has ever been unable to provide. If this explanation seems vague, I apologize. But he is your father, and I will not diminish him in your eyes. For it is not his fault that I wanted…more.
I know it upsets you that I will not be there, but I want you to understand that I am not leaving you! I won’t be home, that is true. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t be spending time with you, or that I won’t continue to be the annoying mother-hen you have always accused me of being. What it does mean, my big girl, is that you are going to have to pick up after yourself, clean your own room, and, for heaven’s sake, try to insert a few regular meals in that horrible junk food diet you’re on.
Caitlin and I are in the process of moving into a larger place together, and it will take us a little time to become settled. But once that happens, we would like very much if you would consider coming to visit. Be it for an hour, a day, weeks, or even years. There will be an extra bedroom in our home, and it will always be yours. That is, if you want it. For I will not force anything on you. In the meanwhile, I will continue to write and call as often as I can.
I love you, Meggie, always remember that. I pray that you love me enough to try and understand. But whatever you do, please, do not blame Caitlin for this. She only opened a door; it was my decision to walk through it.
Mother.
Charlotte Grayson sat there silently and intently watching the range of emotions that swept across her friend’s expressive face. There was some anger, to be sure. But there was also confusion, surprise, awe, and even some small bit of amusement. But the one expression that pleased the older woman most was the expression of childlike wonder that suffused her face even as the tears ran freely down her cheeks.
“She…they…were going to have an extra room…just for me,” she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. “She wanted me to come visit. Maybe even stay.”
“Yes,” the older woman smiled knowingly.
“She loved me.”
“Loves,” the older woman corrected gently.
“She wanted me.”
“She still does, Megan.”
“But, what happened? Why…” her voice trailed off, unable to finish for the burn in her throat.
“That’s something you need to ask her, honey. I’ve been privy to a few details, but not all. You would have a better understanding of the whole picture if you talk to her. And I beg you, sweet girl,” the older woman implored gently, “please talk to her. Give her that chance. Give yourself that chance. Perhaps talking to her will serve two purposes; to heal a very old and painful wound, and perhaps provide some insight to your dilemma regarding Dr. Oakes,” the older woman finished with a wry smile.
The young woman nodded numbly as she gazed unseeingly at the pieces of paper in her hands. “Does she…does she still want to see me?” “After what I did to her…said to her at daddy’s funeral.”
“With all her heart.”
The younger woman nodded again, acknowledging the sweet fluttering of her heart as she allowed herself to hope. “Oh, god! Is it just that simple then? To banish the pain of those lonely years? No, it’s not. It may not change anything. But we can at least try.” She took a deep, cleansing breath.
“Can you give me her address?”
Megan sat in her chair, idly running her finger across the surface of the small, three-by-five inch Rolodex card, studying the address printed in Charly’s bold, distinct style.
Laura Holloway
712 East Lancaster Street
Conaway, NY 14102
“Charly?”
“How long have you known – about her – about this?”
Charly looked into the green eyes that studied her intently. Oy! She cleared her throat.
“Almost three years. She contacted me shortly after your first book came out. Knowing of your history with her, and your feelings about her, I was reluctant to talk to her at first. But she was persistent, and finally I agreed to meet her for lunch one day. We talked for a very long time as she told me of her repeated attempts – and failures – to contact you. Like you, I didn’t believe her at first.But she showed me a few things that supported her story, chief among them being her letters to you.”
The older woman shrugged nonchalantly. “She made a believer out of me.”
Hurt green eyes regarded the older woman. “Why did you wait til now to tell me? Why didn’t you tell me back then?”
The publisher met the hurt gaze with equanimity. “Were you ready to hear it back then? How far past ‘I’ve talked to your mother’ would I have gotten before you went ballistic and walked out of that door, never to return?”
Whatever posture the young woman had disappeared as the truth of the publisher’s statement hit home, and she slumped miserably in her chair. And Charly’s heart went out to her once again.
“But it was more than that, Meg,” the publisher continued. “Your mother didn’t want me to tell you. She said that you made your position quite clear at your father’s funeral and, as much as it hurt, she would abide by that.”
Megan flushed guiltily at the memory of her actions at her father’s funeral. I wouldn’t want to be with me after that, either. But one question nagged at her.
“Okay, I can understand her logic there,” the blonde conceded warily, an ugly suspicion rearing it’s head. “But if she didn’t want to reconcile, what did she want?”
Charly grinned as she expertly read the blonde’s expression. “Yeah, I wondered about that too. And I asked her pretty much the same question.” The older woman’s gaze grew distant for a moment, and her smile became bittersweet. “To this day I remember the hurt in her eyes and the exact words of her reply. She just said, ‘I don’t want anything. I just want someone to talk to every now and then. Someone who can tell me how she’s doing, what she’s doing…if she’s happy. I just need to know that she’s okay.'” The publisher gave a helpless shrug. “How could I really say no to that, Meg?”
The writer nodded absently, studying the card, thinking.
Finally, she looked up. “I can keep these?” indicating the card and letter.
Placing the items in her purse, she rose from her chair. “You’ve given me a lot to think about, Charly. Thank you.” With that she turned to leave.
“You’ll talk to her?” the older woman persisted.
“We’ll see,” she answered with a small smile, then quickly raised her hand to forestall the protest that the older woman was preparing to offer. “Please, Charly. You’ve given me a lot to take in here. Give me some time to wrap my mind around it. Okay?”
“All right,” the publisher sighed, acknowledging the turmoil her friend must surely be feeling right now. “But will you call me soon?” the older woman pleaded. “I need to know that you’re okay too.”
“I will, Charly. I promise,” she returned with a sincere smile, then turned and left.
“Dear lord,” the publisher mumbled as she ran both hands through her hair. “Please let me have done the right thing here.”
Megan sat out on her balcony, watching the pink blush of dawn emerge from it’s midnight womb. Sleep would have been a futile pursuit, so she hadn’t bothered trying. She had too much on her mind. Charly had indeed given her a great deal to think about, but, to be fair, she had given her hope too.
Hope perhaps, but not courage. Not enough courage to finish dialing the numbers to Randi’s house.
No matter how many times she picked up the phone and tried.
She didn’t even try to call her mother’s house. No, that would have to be done in person.
If she did it at all.
Can I do this? Can I afford not to? Is Charly right? Am I so comfortable in my enmity toward her that I’m willing to let it continue, knowing that it may be unfounded? Jesus, why am I even thinking about this? I’ve been pissed for years and blaming her for it. Hurting because I thought she didn’t love me. And now I have a chance to lose that hurt, and I have to think about it? Bullshit! Grow up, Megan.
Her mind made up, Megan rose from her chair and headed toward her room.
Okay…708, 710, 712. Oh, God.
Megan cruised slowly down the picturesque, tree-lined street and pulled quickly to the curb when she spotted the large, elegantly curved numbers she was looking for above the door. It was a small, single-level home. Now she sat staring at the neatly manicured lawn, overlooked by a large picture window that was framed on either side with tall, wide rose bushes, currently enjoying their long, winter slumber. C’mon, Meg, you can do this. You didn’t drive three hours outside the city just to chicken out now, her little Charly voice chastised. “I’m not chickening out,” the blonde protested aloud. “I’m just…preparing,” she finished lamely.
Uh-huh, little Charly drawled skeptically. Get out there…chicken!
Heaving a resigned sigh, the writer opened the car door and exited. Closing the door, she stood beside the vehicle and breathed deeply of the crisp, cold air and noted absently the clean, dry streets. Thank God it’s only been cold in these parts so far. I don’t think I want to see any more snow again for quite a while.
And she felt her heart clench at the memory of blue eyes and raven hair.
Tucking that image away for another time, she strode resolutely across the street and up the short cement walkway.
Standing in front of the door, the writer paused, praying desperately for the rioting butterflies in her belly to lose some steam.
Finally, a trembling finger pressed the doorbell button.
The writer held her breath as the door opened to reveal a smiling, petite, auburn-haired woman about the same height as herself.
And watched as the smile faded, as pink cheeks became drained of all color, and bright, hazel eyes quickly filled.
“Meggie?” A hoarse, ragged whisper.
“Hello, Mother.”
Megan had pictured several different scenarios for this moment, but none of them required her to lunge across the doorway and catch her mother before she hit the floor.
However, that was exactly what happened, as Laura Holloway’s knees turned to gelatin.
Megan yelped a startled “No” as she leaped across the doorway and caught the swooning woman in her arms, gently easing her down to the floor. Great going, lamebrain. Make her die from a heart attack before you get the first chance to talk to her.
The writer’s self-chastisement was cut short by the panicked yell from behind her.
“Laura!”
Megan swiveled her head just in time to see the solid, well-proportioned body of the tai chi master slide to her knees beside them. Dark blue eyes widened in recognition before darting down to the dazed figure of her lover. Assuring herself that her lover was okay, Caitlin looked back to the still kneeling blonde.
“Megan,” her greeting was cordial, but wary.
You think I’m going to hurt her again, don’t you? “Hello, Cait,” the blonde smiled gently. “Will you help me get her up to the couch?”
Caitlin gave a small nod, and both women lifted the dazed woman and led her to the couch.
Once Laura was seated, Caitlin backed off to observe mother and daughter.
Megan sat next to her mother, her hand held in a vise-like grip as watery eyes devoured every inch of her face, as if trying to convince herself that her child was really there.
Megan looked deeply into beautiful hazel eyes that she thought she would never see again, and saw every bit of the pain and loneliness she had experienced over the years reflected in those blue-green depths. God help me, she did care!
Megan felt her own eyes burn and begin to fill as she reached a trembling hand to cup a pale cheek.
“Let’s try this again,” she smiled tenderly, her voice cracking. “Hello, Mother.”
And found her arms filled with a sobbing, warm, soft body that she missed terribly for so many years.
Tears ran unbidden down the blonde’s face as she held tightly to the weeping woman. Megan chanced to look over at the intense, dark eyes of her mother’s mate,
And was surprised to see that they too glistened.
Royal blue met tearful green for a long moment before Caitlin offered a sincere smile and small nod before silently exiting the room.
And a large, lonely piece of the small writer’s heart finally found its way home.
Megan sat staring dazedly at the dozens of small envelopes that lay in her lap, each one bearing her name and address. And each one bearing the tersely worded command, Return to Sender! Some of them even contained the added, Addressee Deceased. Megan questioned this addition.
“Mother, why did he put that on there?”
Laura sighed and shook her head. “That was his way of telling me that you were dead to me.”
Megan blanched at that revelation, but said nothing. She gazed thoughtfully at the letters in her lap, then turned her eyes back to her mother.
“There’s something I have to know,” she stated carefully. At her mother’s “go ahead” expression, she continued. “Charly said that you had tried to come and see me a couple of times and were turned away.”
Laura paled. She knew what was coming next and dreaded it. “That’s true.”
“She also said that after one of your visits, something happened and you stopped trying. I’d like to know what that ‘something’ was, Mother.” She searched the older woman’s face. “I need to know.”
Laura closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage she knew it was going to take. Finally, she girded her mental loins and began.
“On my third attempt to see you, your father and I got into a terrible shouting match. The end result being my vow to go to court and sue for custody of you. His only reply was, ‘We’ll see about that.'”
Laura looked down at her hands, which had unconsciously clenched into fists at the memory of what came next. “Two days later, after closing the studio for the night, Caitlin was attacked. She was beaten terribly, cut viciously and almost raped. But a couple who happened to be nearby managed to scare the attackers off and call the police. That nice young couple followed her to the hospital and called me to let me know what had happened. When I got to the hospital, they filled me in on what they saw and let me know that, if needed, they would go to court as witnesses on Cait’s behalf. They provided pretty good descriptions of the attackers and what they saw, so you would think that it would’ve been pretty open and shut. The bastards would be caught and prosecuted, and justice would be served, right?” Laura snorted and angrily swiped at a tear that escaped her eye. “Don’t kid yourself!”
Cait chose this time to bring the seated women some iced tea, which was gratefully accepted. She knew that Laura had reached a difficult point in her narrative and decided to remain. Perching herself on the arm of the couch next to her lover, she offered the silent support of her presence.
The action was not unnoticed by the young writer. God! How many times has Randi done that for me? Not talking, not touching, just…being there. Even when I was still being a jerk. I’d be lying there sulking, and she’d be sitting there, in that huge, old chair, reading a book or staring at the stars. I thought she was just being annoying. But she was offering me comfort in the only way she could. Oh, Randi, I’m sorry.
Buoyed by her mate’s presence, Laura continued her tale. “Once the doctors were finished, Cait was moved to a room, and I was allowed to sit with her. I was there when the police officer came to take her statement. I remember him sitting there, looking almost bored, while she poured out the details of that vicious assault. He took few if any notes. And when she was finished, he just got up and said ‘We’ll call you if we come up with something.’ Something about the way he said that bothered me, so I asked him, ‘You’ll catch them, won’t you?’ He turned to me, and he had the absolute deadest look in his eyes, and he said, ‘If they’re smart, they’ve left the area for a while. We’ll keep our eyes open, but there are a lot of decent people out there whose cases are more severe and take higher priority.’
Cait didn’t catch it, and I didn’t say anything because I didn’t wish to upset her, but something in the way he emphasized the word ‘decent’ made me think that there was more going on than a simple assault. My suspicions were confirmed the next day when I got a call from your father. He chose his words carefully, but let me know in no uncertain terms that, should I continue to try and remain in contact with you, or make any attempt to gain custody, Caitlin and I both could be subject to ‘other random acts of violence.’ He also made it clear that we would get no help from the police. He had many friends in the police department, and they were entirely sympathetic to his supposed plight.
I’ll admit, Megan, that scared me. But what frightened me more was his casual mention that you would be going off to college soon, and that college campuses could be ‘dangerous places for pretty, young girls.'” Tears spilled freely down Laura’s face as she recalled that conversation, and she reached up and grasped tightly the comforting hand that her lover placed on her shoulder. Guilt-ridden hazel eyes pierced deeply into Megan’s own. “That finished it for me, Meggie. I caved,” she whispered hoarsely. “I gave him what he wanted and let go of my baby. God forgive me, I didn’t know what else to do.”
Megan’s senses were reeling as she leapt up off the couch and fairly flew to the picture window on the other side of the room. She knew her father was stiff and distant, even more so after her mother left.
But this?
“No,” she voiced less forcefully than she would have liked. “He wouldn’t…he couldn’t,” she muttered, her mind refusing to accept such betrayal from a man whom she believed loved her, in spite of his aloof manner.
“No!” she spun on her heel and glared at them. “He wouldn’t do that! You’re making this up so you can worm your way back into my life. But it’s not gonna work,” she spat as she made for the door,only to find her path blocked by the slightly taller, solidly built tai chi master.
God! I never even saw her move! “I’m leaving,” the blonde growled. “Get out of my way.”
“Not yet,” the woman replied with calm intensity, feeling Laura move up behind her and place a calming hand on her back. She met Megan’s glare with steely poise.
“So you think everything your mother told you was a lie.” It was more a statement than a question.
“We made everything up, just to get back into your so called good graces.”
“I was never attacked. We were never threatened.”
“Yes,” was bitten out a third time, the writer’s hard gaze never leaving the older woman’s face.
Never noticing that Cait was unbuttoning her blouse.
“Then this would be made up too, right?” With that, she pulled open her shirt.
Without conscious thought, the writer’s eyes flashed to the bare skin suddenly on display,and fixed on the long, angry, red lines that ran diagonally, one on each breast.
They were the last things she saw before darkness claimed her.
Mmm, Windsong. The fragrance of her mother’s favorite cologne filled her somnolent senses. A small hand tenderly brushed the bangs on her forehead, and the writer’s eyelids fluttered blissfully as she basked in the tender affection.
Wait a minute! Windsong? Mother?
“Mother, what…”
“Shh, it’s all right, baby,” the older woman cooed.
“What…where…this bed…how…” The writer sputtered, wholly frustrated with her inability to form complete questions.
Laura bit back a smile at her adorably flustered child. “You fainted. You’re in our room. In our bed.
We carried you,” she smiled, answering her daughter’s incomplete questions in precise order.
“Fainted?” The question died on her lips as the image of ugly, red scars marring pale skin flashed across her mind. “Oh, God, Cait! It’s all true, isn’t it,” she groaned. “I was so sure you were lying. I didn’t want to believe you. I’m sorry, Mama. I’m so sorry,” she whimpered, ashamed.
“Shh, it’s okay, baby,” the older woman reassured as she helped her daughter to an upright position. “You didn’t know, and therefore your reaction to what we told you was perfectly normal.” She emitted a chagrined chuckle. “If anything, I’m afraid it is I who should apologize. I never expected Cait to ‘flash’ you. But she was being rather protective of me and believed, at the time, that it would be the most expeditious way to convince you that I was telling the truth.” Laura’s expression became serious. “She never expected it to make you pass out, and she was horrified when you did so. She asked me to apologize for her, as she’s quite unable to face you right now.”
Megan chuckled in spite of herself. “Well, it was effective, I’ll give it that,” she offered wryly, then sobered. “Tell her it’s all right. Tell her I’m sorry,” the younger woman murmured, fastening her eyes on hands that had begun their nervous habit of plucking at the spread that covered her legs. “I just…I couldn’t accept that daddy could be that cruel, that…evil.”
Laura placed a gentle hand atop the fidgeting ones. “The actions were evil, honey, not the man.”
“But he…how could he,” the younger woman began to protest, but was interrupted.
“Let me try to explain,” Laura offered. “Your father was a proud man. And very set in his…beliefs. I believe he would have accepted my leaving. He wouldn’t have liked it…but he would have accepted it. But the fact that I left him for a woman was unacceptable. It was a blow to his pride, his ego, his beliefs, his very manhood.” She shrugged helplessly. “I think something in him just…snapped. He wanted to hurt me, and he used you to accomplish that.”
“Yeah, but,” Megan swiped angrily at the tears on her face. “He was hurting me too, goddammit! I was confused and missing you and hurting, and he was always…busy! What did I do to deserve that?”
“Oh, honey, you didn’t do anything,” the older woman admonished gently, cupping her daughter’s face. “I believe he was just so set in his ways and so bitter, that he just couldn’t see what it was doing to you.”
“Couldn’t see it or didn’t give a damn?” the blonde retorted angrily. “If I remember correctly what you said earlier, he threatened to see me harmed too if you didn’t stay away.”
Laura bit her lip and sighed. “I think,” she paused, choosing her words carefully, “I prefer to think that that was an empty threat. But, at the time, I couldn’t take the chance to test it.”
Megan nodded, scowling. “I never knew he could be so cold-hearted.”
“Anger and bitterness does horrible things to people, Meggie,” the auburn-haired woman offered gently.
Tell me about it, the blonde mused, reflecting on her own behavior and seeing, once again, the image of a beautiful, gentle doctor sobbing into a big man’s shoulder. I’m so sorry, Randi. Some way, somehow, I’ll make it up to you…I promise.
Pushing that sad image away, the writer refocused on the present. One thing still bothered her. “Mother, how was Daddy always able to intercept my mail and be there to stop you when you came by? He couldn’t be there all day, every day.”
The older woman quirked her lips wryly. “It wouldn’t have been terribly difficult. He knew, from the note I left, that I would be writing to you. And, as he was on pretty good terms with our mailman, he likely arranged for any mail addressed to you to be held and given directly to him. And, as for my attempts to come and see you, I figure that’s where his police friends came in handy. If they saw me in town, they would call him and let him know, and he would just go home and wait for me because he knew that would be the only reason I’d come around. I even went to your school, in hopes that I could meet with you when you got out. But I was approached by an officer, and he politely informed me that if I didn’t leave, I’d be arrested for loitering.” Laura gritted her teeth at the memory. “He said it would be a shame for you and your friends to watch me being led off in handcuffs.” A single tear escaped closed eyes and fell onto small, clenched fists. “I couldn’t win, Megan…I just couldn’t win.”
Megan placed a sympathetic hand over her mother’s clenched fists, her own eyes watering for the pain and frustration that must have haunted her mother for years. Something that the auburn haired woman said was sticking in her mind. “Mother, you said that, from your note, he knew you’d be writing to me. That doesn’t make any sense. There was nothing in it about writing. There was no mention of me at all.”
Laura’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Of course there was, dear. I told him to tell you that I loved you and was not leaving you. That I would sit down that very night and write a letter to you explaining why I had gone. Did you not read the note?”
“Well, yeah. But there…” Megan halted, mid sentence, as a sudden thought hit her. “Mother, did you sign the note?”
“Of course I did, dear. What…” her question was interrupted by her daughter’s vehement curse.
“Bastard!”
“Megan?” The older woman was startled by the sudden invective. “Honey, what is it?”
“I never saw that part of the note. He tore it off. I was so stunned and hurt that you had left, I never thought to question why it ended so abruptly, without your even signing your name.” The young woman’s chin trembled and tears spilled from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Mother. I should have asked questions, I should have known, I should have…”
Megan never got to finish her self-condemnation as she was pulled into warm, familiar arms and held tightly while years of bitter loneliness were finally released in a storm of convulsive sobs.
Megan heaved a long, cleansing sigh against her mother’s bosom. Her tears had long dried, and now she simply basked in the comforting haven of her mother’s arms. A small part of her chided that she was a grown woman and needed to straighten up and act like one. But another part, the winning one, decided that she needed this; needed this solid, loving, healing connection. A conclusion that neither Megan nor Laura was willing to argue with.
A timid knock called both women’s attention to the open doorway, and they observed Cait standing there, her hands tucked deeply into the back pockets of her jeans, shifting from one foot to the other.
“I, um…I fixed a light dinner,” one hand came out of a pocket long enough to point a thumb toward the dining room before quickly returning to it’s haven. “If you two are hungry or anything.”
Laura had to bite back a grin at how adorably shy her normally gregarious lover looked at that moment. She looked down at her daughter and noted the amused twinkle in those verdant orbs. A barely perceptible nod answered her unasked question, and she held out a welcoming hand.
“C’mere, you bristly ol’ she-bear. Our cub has something she wants to say to you.”
Cait had that deer-caught-in-the-headlight look and briefly entertained the urge to flee. But one look at the warm regard in two remarkably similar pairs of eyes quelled that urge, and she slowly entered the room.
The young blonde couldn’t help but notice the term her mother had used. Our cub? Her mind rolled it around like a sweet treat. Our cub…I think I like that. She watched the brown-haired woman cross the room and sit lightly on the bed. Her mind turned once again to the hideous scars now concealed by the older woman’s shirt, and her good mood evaporated under a wave of guilt. He did that because of me.
Cait approached the bed and sat gingerly on the edge. Looking into her lover’s eyes, she saw a peace and contentment in those hazel depths that had not been there in a very long time. Oh, they had had a very loving and fulfilling life together, but Laura never stopped aching over her lost child. And in her deepest heart, Caitlin never stopped blaming herself for that loss.
But now mother and child had reunited, and the rapt expressions on both faces invoked a giddiness in her own heart that would linger for quite a while.
Her delighted musing was interrupted by a shy voice.
“Um, Cait?”
Warm, deep blue eyes shifted to the young woman. “Yes, Megan?”
Chestnut eyebrows furrowed in bafflement. “Why…whatever for?”
Contrite green eyes met hers. “For what he…for what happened to you.”
“Aw, Meg, no. You had nothing to do with that. That wasn’t your fault in any way.”
“But it was because of me,” the blonde protested meekly.
“No, hon. You were a convenient excuse for evil-minded people to do evil things. You were a victim, Meg, a truer victim than any of us. Your mother, your father, me…we all made choices, and we suffered the consequences of those choices. But you ¾ you were given no choices. You were forced by lies, deceit and selfishness to spend the most crucial years of your life alone, lonely and hurting, without ever knowing why.” Cait reached over and gently grasped the younger woman’s hand. “And for that, little one, I’m sorry.”
Megan felt the now-too-familiar burn of tears. She knows, her heart cried with awe-filled wonder. In one simple statement, this woman, this virtual stranger laid bare the pain of the last twelve years, and, in doing so, showed a depth of compassion and understanding that the young blonde had seen in only one other person. Returning the clasp with a firm one of her own, the writer pushed back the tears and smiled at her mother’s partner. “Thank you, Cait…very much.” Then, looking at her mother, she added, “And thank you for being there for Mom all these years.”
Deep blue eyes gazed lovingly into hazel ones. “It’s been my pleasure.” Looking back to the blonde, she sobered. “I wish we could have been there for you.”
Megan’s smile faltered slightly as she swallowed against the lump in her throat. “So do I,” she responded sincerely.
Laura felt an intense wave of contentment wash over her as she watched the gentle interaction between the two most important people in her life. You didn’t win, Peter. It may have taken a few years, but I’ve got my baby back. And I’ll never let her go again.
“Did somebody say something about food?”
Megan navigated the busy evening streets with the ease of one long accustomed to city traffic. Her body was fully in tune with the task at hand, but her mind was in another place altogether. Her reunion with her mother was everything she hoped for and nothing like she expected. Oh, there was a rough spot or two, but the end result was…
And Cait was an added bonus.
She expected a cautious relationship at best with the sturdy, somewhat-stoic woman … a wary, semi-tolerance between the two of them as they grudgingly shared the attention of the petite, hazel-eyed woman.
God, was I ever wrong! She’s generous…and gentle…and funny. She treats me like a favorite niece. I think I would have had fun growing up with her around.
And that’s another thing!
I thought I’d be uncomfortable being around them as a ‘couple,’ but I wasn’t. They were kind to each other … playful, affectionate. All the things I never saw between Mother and Daddy. I could feel the love between them. And what makes it even better is that it wasn’t exclusive; they pulled me right in there with them.
Quite unbidden, her thoughts turned once again to a certain blue-eyed beauty. Is that what it could be like with Randi? I know Charly’s right, and that Randi cares for me. But is it as a friend, or…
Megan gasped involuntarily as realization hit her right between the eyes.
Cait! The look in her eyes every time she looked at mother. That’s the same look Randi would get when she looked at me! I never saw it. I was so busy being a bitch over the love I thought I lost, that I never saw the love that was right there in front of me. Megan wanted to pound her head against the steering wheel. Jesus, I’m an idiot!
Megan stole a glance at her watch as, with a push of the button on the device attached to her windshield, she activated the security gate of the underground-parking garage for her apartment complex. Ten-thirty. That shouldn’t be too late to call her. Oh, God, what am I going to say? ‘Hi, Randi…I’m a jerk…I think I love you. But, just to be sure, can I come back up there, and we can try that dancing and kissing thing again?’ The blonde turned her car off and shook her head at the sheer silliness of that line. Oh, yeah, that’d go over well. The first thing I need to do is say I’m sorry and then see what happens from there.
Satisfied with that course of action, the blonde emerged from her car and activated the alarm, tucking her keys and cell phone in the pockets of her light winter jacket. Megan’s step was light as she strolled to the elevator, her thoughts so focused on blue eyes and midnight-kissed hair that she never realized she wasn’t alone.
Not until she heard him.
“Well, well, well. So you haven’t dropped off the face of the earth after all.”‘
Megan let out an involuntary squawk as she spun around to face the speaker.
“God, Eric. You scared the shit out of me,” the blonde scolded.
Eric was leaning casually against one of the massive stone columns that riddled the underground parking garage. Dressed in form-fitting black jeans, tan polo shirt and charcoal Hush Puppies, he looked every bit the all-American boy next door.
“Sorry about that,” he apologized insincerely. “But it seems that the only way to talk to you is to sneak up on you.”
“You had plenty of chances to talk to me while I was recovering at Randi’s house.”
Eric shrugged and grinned contritely. “I had some old friends come into town. I got caught up hanging with them.”
“Uh-huh. So ‘caught up’ that you couldn’t return my calls…even to see how I was doing.” It was more a statement than a question.
The sandy blonde-haired man shrugged away from the column and sauntered toward the writer, employing, once again, the boyish charm and sensual charisma that had always worked on her in the past. “What can I say, sweetheart? I’m a scoundrel.” He moved in close to the young woman who maintained a stiff reserve and stroked her cheek with a crooked finger. “A scoundrel who’s really missed you,” he purred.
“You missed my money is more like it,” she replied coolly, stepping back to put some distance between them.
Eric stiffened momentarily at the truth of her observation before plastering on a rakish smile as he closed the distance between them again. “That’s not true, sweetheart. I’ve missed your smile, your laugh, your sweet voice.” He leaned in, nuzzling her ear with his nose and taking a deep breath. “I’ve really missed your sweet, sexy perfume,” he murmured throatily.
“Mmm,” she hummed. “I don’t see how. Your clothes reek of it.” the blonde bit out, pushing him away. “The only problem is, I wear Opium, you shit, not Obsession! Get the hell out of here, Eric. The bank, as well as the bed-and-breakfast, is closed.” With that, she turned and headed toward the elevator.
The realization that he had lost his meal ticket hit home. “You bitch,” was snarled as he lunged after the retreating blonde.
Megan had no time to react before her arm was grabbed in an iron grip and she was pulled backwards. The breath exploded from her lungs as she was slammed back against a dark sedan. Before she had a chance to gather her wits, he was on her. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he yanked her head back viciously as his other hand pulled at the buttons on her shirt. “You fucking bitch,” he snarled as he gave up on the buttons and ripped open her shirt. “You think you can use me as your trophy boy and fuck buddy for months, and then just blow me off? Think again, whore!”
Megan’s shock and disorientation were fading rapidly, being replaced by anger and outright fury. “Fuck buddy, my ass! You weren’t even that good,” she snarled as one hand came up and raked his face with sharp, short nails, while the other slammed into his chest and shoved, propelling him away from her.
As Eric stumbled backwards, clutching his face, the frantic writer made a dash for the stairwell, hoping against hope that she could outrun him long enough to get to the lobby and find help.
Her hopes were dashed as a hand grabbed the back of her jacket collar and jerked her backward forcefully, causing her to lose her footing and fall to the ground. She had no sooner hit the concrete deck than Eric was on her, straddling her thighs and pinning her down.
Pain exploded across her face as Eric’s half-closed fist connected with her cheek, stunning her and rendering her helpless as he continued to pummel her viciously about the head and chest.
After a seeming eternity, the blows stopped, and Eric sat back panting heavily and staring at the battered woman beneath him. Megan’s eyes were closed, but he could tell that she was still conscious, which suited him fine. He wanted her aware of what was coming next.
“I know you’re awake, Meg,” he stated matter-of-factly as he unfastened the belt of her pants. “And that’s good. I want you awake for this.” Deft fingers unsnapped the button of her pants and pulled down the zipper. “The bank might be closed, you bitch, but I intend to make one last withdrawal,” he hissed as he lifted a leg so he could pull down her pants.
Megan lay dazed, her tenuous grasp on consciousness aided only by the intense, throbbing pain that radiated throughout her head and torso. Her limbs felt heavy and leaden; even the thought of moving hurt. Eric’s voice echoed hollowly in her ears. She knew what he had in mind, and a small part of her wished she could finish passing out so that she wouldn’t be awake for it. Maybe this is what I deserve, she thought dully as she felt her zipper being lowered.
Bullshit! This is not what you deserve! The voices of Randi, Charly, Laura and Cait … the ones that loved her … thundered through her head, blasting through the cobwebs. Megan’s eyes popped open as she felt the body above her shift and give her just enough room for…
Eric screamed as a hard thigh slammed into his unprotected crotch and a small, powerful fist connected with his nose. He fell back, one hand clutching his freely bleeding nose, while the other one clutched his screaming groin.
Megan looked around quickly, trying to get her bearings, and almost sobbed with relief as her eyes landed on her vehicle, less than ten feet away. She knew if she could make it to her car, she could lock herself in before he could get to her … an advantage she would not have if she tried to use the stairs or the elevator.
Reaching into her jacket pocket, she pulled out her keys and quickly pressed the button to disable the alarm and unlock the doors, then scrambled on hands and knees to the waiting vehicle.
Upon reaching her car, Megan pulled open the door and launched herself inside, slamming the door behind her and locking it. Heaving a relieved sigh, the battered blonde slumped in the seat and let her swollen eyes slide close. Just for a moment…I just need a moment.
She never got that moment. Megan yelped in alarm as the car rocked from the force of a body slamming against it. She stared at the bloody, wild-eyed face of her former lover as he furiously pulled on the door handle with one hand and pounded on her window with the other, all the while screaming invectives at her.
The young woman could take no more; her fight-or-flight instincts were screaming at her, and the flight instinct won. Jamming her key in the ignition, she started the car, threw it into gear and pressed on the accelerator, flinching as Eric’s fist impacted with the window one last time before the vehicle’s momentum tore his hand from the door handle and sent him crashing to the ground.
Megan refused to look back as she sped away from the scene of the attack. Her body was still in full flight mode as she activated the gate and exited the garage. Unsure of where she was going, she only knew that she had to get away … far away. She knew she was a mess; three quarters of her face felt puffy, swollen and throbbed with pain. She could feel the hot stickiness of blood on her face, could taste it on her lips; every breath she took sent daggers of pain shooting through her chest and back. And she idly wondered why she didn’t just pull over somewhere and let herself pass out. Someone will find me eventually.
But something inside her vehemently rejected that option, as, prodded by sheer, unconscious instinct, she continued to drive, wholly unsure of where she was going, but certain that she had to get there.
Before long, she found herself on the interstate headed out of New York.
Realization finally set in.
And swollen, cracked lips etched a small, knowing smile.
Megan reached in her jacket pocket and extracted her cell phone. God, I hope it didn’t get broken in the scuffle.
Flipping it open, she breathed a silent thank you when the tiny screen and keypad came to neon-green life. Punching a button from the memory, she waited while the call connected.
Charlotte Grayson looked up from the book she was reading when the phone rang. Glancing at her watch, she noted the time. Eleven-forty? Who in the hell would be calling at this time? Picking up the receiver, she answered in a cautious “Hello?”
“Hi, Charly.”
Alarm bells sounded immediately. “Megan? Honey, what’s wrong?”
“What makes you think anything’s wrong?” In spite of the situation, Megan couldn’t help but be coy with her friend.
“Honey, you never call me this late. What’s going on? Did you talk to your mom? … Did she …”
“No. I went to see her.” Megan smiled at that memory, then winced as her split lip reminded her of its condition. “It was better than I could have ever hoped for, Charly.”
“Then what …”
“When I got home, Eric was waiting for me in the garage.” Megan heard the gasp on the other end and quickly continued, anxious to get it all out now. “Bottom line, he wanted back in, and I told him he was out … permanently.” Megan snorted. “He didn’t like that very much. He grabbed me and threw me up against a car and tried to paw me, but I scratched his face and pushed him away. I tried to get away, but he grabbed me again and flung me to the ground. He sat on me … and hit me … a lot.” The blonde’s voice was a ragged whisper at this point … one that the anxiety-ridden publisher had to strain to hear. “When he finished hitting me, he started to undo my pants; he was, um, he was going to…” Megan trailed off, her voice cracking right along with her composure as the images she struggled to suppress of those terrifying moments surged forward.
“Oh, God, Megan, no,” the publisher whispered hoarsely, her stomach twisting.
The torment in her friend’s voice forced the younger woman to regroup and continue. “No, Charly. It’s okay, he didn’t. I, ah … kicked him and got him off me. Then I ran to my car and locked myself in. When he came after me again, I panicked and started the car and got the hell out of there.”
Good for you, baby! “Thank God,” the publisher exclaimed. “Where are you now, honey? Did you call the police? Did you go to the hospital? Tell me where you are, and I’ll come get you,” the older woman rattled off as she went in search of her coat.
“Charly, stand still a minute,” the blonde commanded, biting back a smile at the knowledge that her friend was probably just about two steps away from bolting out the door. The sudden quiet at the other end told her that Charly had done what she asked. Sighing, she continued.
“No, Charly, I didn’t call the police. Not yet anyway,” she added hastily before her friend went ballistic. “And, no, I’m not at the hospital, either. Hush a minute, Charly. Let me get this out. When I got out of the garage, I didn’t stop. I didn’t know where the hell I was going; I just wanted to get away.”
“Oookay, so…where exactly are you,” the older woman drawled carefully, a feeling in her gut telling her that she wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Heh, believe it or not, Charly, I’m on the interstate heading out of state.” Megan felt the explosion coming from the other woman and headed it off. “I’m going back, Charly. I’ve got to see her. I need …” her voice broke, unable to continue … unable to adequately describe the desperate, bone-deep need to be with the raven-haired beauty in spite, or perhaps because, of her current condition.
Charlotte Grayson was hard put to keep the top of her head from blowing off when Megan revealed her location, but the young woman’s plaintive reasoning struck a chord deep within. Like it or not, she understood the instinctual need to be with a loved one when a body is scared or hurting. And I’m sure she’s plenty of both right now. And that’s the problem; just how badly is she hurt? Is she in danger of going into shock and passing out? Is she already in shock? Is she bleeding badly? How will I know? Shit! Pushing back her alarm, the older woman used her most soothing tones.
“It’s okay, honey, I understand. But it’s a long drive to Cutters Gap, and I don’t know how badly hurt you are. Can’t you pull in to a nearby town and let a doctor have a look at you, and then once you’ve been treated, you can continue on to her place?”
The young woman bit her lip. “No, Charly, I don’t want to stop anywhere.” If I do, I know they won’t let me go. “I just want to get there. I’m not that badly hurt, honestly.” The deafening silence on the other end radiated disbelief. “Okay,” she sighed, “I am kinda messed up, but I can’t stop, Charly. I just can’t.” Tears blurred the white lines of the endless highway. ‘Cause I won’t be able to start again.
“Megan, you need to be looked at,” the older woman was nearly pleading.
“Randi will take care of me, Charly.” I hope.
Hardheaded, stubborn, mule-brained. “All right, fine,” the older woman finally huffed. “At least let me call her and let her know you’re coming, so she can keep an eye out for you.”
Megan let out a small chuckle and regretted it instantly as her bruised ribs made their presence known. “I don’t think so, Charly. You’ll scare the hell out of her by making her think I’m at death’s door. Just let me …” the blonde had to stop speaking and pull the phone away from her ear as a burst of pain lanced through her head and the road in front of her tilted crazily. She bit deeply into her already bleeding lip to stifle the groan that was bent on escaping. Please, God, please…not yet.
Sucking in as deep a breath as her damaged ribs would allow, the young blonde willed the dizziness into submission and brought the phone back to her ear, wincing at Charly’s frantic shouting. “Sorry about that. There was an accident scene with police that I had to get around,” the writer lied smoothly. “Now, as I was saying, don’t worry about calling her, Charly. Just let me do this my way…please,” she added when she sensed the older woman preparing to argue.
“Dammit, Meg. You’re hurt,” she argued desperately. “What if you get dizzy and pass out behind the wheel? I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to you and I could have prevented it,” she finished, her voice breaking.
“I love you too, Charly,” the blonde smiled bittersweetly. “I’ll be all right. I’m only a couple of hours from Cutters Gap now. Give me three hours. If you haven’t heard from either me or Randi by then, you can call anybody you want to. Okay? … Please?”
“Damn you, Megan Galagher,” the publisher said hoarsely. “You’d better be okay, and you’d better call me.”
“I will, Charly, I promise.”
Randi sat propped up in bed, her computer in her lap, re-reading the same paragraph for the sixth time and sighing disgustedly, when, for the sixth time, her attention was diverted by one of the two animals either entering or leaving the room. “Look,” she growled to the ebony canine that flopped on the floor beside the bed. “I’m trying to read here, and you guys are not helping any with your tag-team wandering.”
The black hound simply looked at her with studied indifference.
“There’s nobody out there; we’ve looked … four times already! Now, I don’t know if you guys are PMS’ing together, or if you’re just spoiled from having uncle Toby visit. Either way, I don’t care. But if you guys don’t quit with the pacing in and out, you can spend the night in the kitchen.” The brunette leaned over the bed, glaring into nonchalant blue eyes. “Ya got me?”
The opportunity was just too good for the mischievous canine; she lunged forward and dragged a wet tongue up the woman’s face from under her nose to her hairline, then quickly sauntered from the room, leaving the dark-haired woman furiously scrubbing her face in the sheets and muttering curses.
Having sufficiently cleaned and dried her face, the doctor re-positioned herself on the bed and tried, once again, to involve herself with the story she was reading … only to give up moments later when she realized that the dogs weren’t the only ones distracted this evening. With a resigned sigh, she exited the disc she was reading from, removed it and shut down the laptop.
Randi lay on her back with her hands clasped behind her head, patiently waiting for Morpheus to beckon and contemplating the last several weeks. They had been busy weeks, with Toby and Kate maintaining an almost-constant presence, no longer willing to let the young doctor bear her burden alone. I guess I scared them that day Megan left. I scared me too. I couldn’t take any more.
She remembered that day as if it were yesterday.
Megan’s caustic, unknowing barb about Casey was the final blow to the gentle doctor’s already-battered psyche. She fled from the little store with every intention of never being seen again. She had one foot already in her Jeep when she heard the big man calling to her.
When Toby approached her, he did so carefully, knowing the young woman was just this close to bolting and knowing, in the very core of his heart, that if he didn’t stop her now, she would be lost to him forever. He searched his mind frantically for the right thing to say to the skittish beauty and could only think of one thing; reaching his hands out, palms upward, he searched liquid blue eyes.
“I love you, princess. Don’t leave me.”
It was exactly the right thing to say.
Randi stepped away from the Jeep and hurled herself into his arms.
Massive arms held firmly to the quaking body enclosed within them, keeping her back to the road so she would not see the limousine as it pulled away.
After many long moments, anguish and exhaustion took their toll on the young woman, and long legs became rubbery. Without missing a beat, the big man bent slightly and scooped the younger woman up into his arms. Being too tired and heartsick to resist, Randi closed her eyes and nestled into the comforting warmth.
Cradling the unresisting woman against his chest, he strode purposefully down the street to the small, red and white cottage that he and Kate called home.
Having seen his approach from their kitchen window, a very concerned Kate had the front door open. Seeing the pale, tearstreaked face of the doctor, Kate’s concern intensified. “Toby, what …”
“In a minute, Kate,” he offered as they continued to the back of the house. “Let’s get our girl into a bed first.”
Toby placed his precious burden on the bed and straightened. “I’ll be right back,” he offered, wagging a thick finger at her. “And don’t you even think about moving from there, young lady,” he warned sternly.
As soon as her husband moved away from the bed, Kate made her way over and sat on the edge. Loving brown eyes studied the drawn, tearstained face worriedly.
“Hi, Aunt Kate,” the brunette offered a wan smile.
“Can’t leave you alone for a minute, can I,” the older woman mock-scolded as she brushed gentle fingers through raven bangs. “What have you been doing to yourself, little one?”
“It’s…I…it’s nothing,” she sputtered, her meager grip on composure being lost to the warm, caring regard and tender touch of the woman who had been her surrogate mother for more than half her life. “I’m acting like a baby,” she muttered, becoming disgusted with herself on yet another level.
“I shouldn’t …”
“Hush,” Kate commanded gently. “You are a baby…my baby. And I absolutely cannot stand to see my baby hurting. Now, I’ve been patient; I’ve stood back and let you try and work through this thing with that sweet child. But something tells me that you’ve been handed a new heartache on top of that, and I refuse to stand back and let you deal with this alone anymore.” A firm, callused hand tenderly cupped a tear-tracked cheek. “Talk to me, sweetheart…tell me,” the older woman entreated.
And Randi did. Minutes turned into hours as the brunette poured her heartache, her tears and herself into the loving embrace of the storekeeper’s wife.
Later that evening, Randi lay curled on her side, her head resting in Kate’s lap, trying desperately to stay awake, but losing to the gentle fingers that combed through her hair.
“You know that puts me to sleep,” she mock complained.
“Mm-hmm,” the older woman rumbled softly. “And sleep is exactly what you need right now. Along with a few good meals and some major TLC … which is just what you’re going to get for at least a couple of days.”
“I can’t. The dogs …” she argued half-heartedly.
“Will be just fine. Toby will see that they’re looked after.”
The tall woman searched her mind for reasons why she could not stay … and found none.
And so she surrendered gratefully to the gentle ministrations, her blue eyes fluttering closed, her restive psyche reluctantly giving itself over to calm.
But for one small, sad question that begged an answer.
“Why do people leave me, Aunt Kate?”
“Oh, honey, some people don’t have a choice. You know that better than most. And others…well, I think it has more to do with personal demons than anything you’ve done.”
“I miss her, Aunt Kate.”
“I know you do, sweetheart.”
“I know that too, baby.” Kate continued to stroke the ebony hair. “You’ll see her again. I truly believe that, one way or another, you’ll see her again.”
“I hope so,” the tall beauty mumbled drowsily as sleep claimed her.
Randi’s smile was bittersweet as she recalled that conversation. I’m still waiting, Aunt Kate. Bless your heart. You and Uncle Toby have been great these last few weeks, talking to me about Casey and trying to make me see that it wasn’t my fault. You even tried to get me to talk to Amy. But I still can’t face her…not yet. Still, I appreciate everything you’ve been trying to do. The tall woman snorted a laugh. Even all those silly ‘chores’ you and Toby would think up, just to keep me busy so I wouldn’t be lonely or brood too much. I love you guys.
Randi was feeling the first fuzzy edges of sleep surround her when the doorbell rang. What the hell?
Eschewing her robe and slippers, and clad only in her boxers and an old T-shirt that had been cut off at mid-torso, she padded down the hall to the front door and turned on the porch light as she opened the door.
A startled gasp burst from her lips as she beheld the slim, compact figure that had haunted her dreams for months. Megan stood at the rail surrounding the porch, curiously facing the darkened woods instead of the front door where Randi stood.
“Megan?” The tall woman moved to approach her visitor.
“Randi, don’t,” the strawberry blonde called out, sensing the movement. “Please, just stay right there.”
Stung and confused, Randi complied anyway, and backed up into her doorway. “Megan, what …”
“Please, Randi. There’s something I need to say, and I need you to just stand there for a moment and just listen.”
“Please, Randi,” the young woman’s tone was husky and urgent.
“Okay,” the brunette reluctantly agreed. “I’ll stay right here.”
“Thank you,” the blonde whispered, taking a deep breath to gather courage, then gritting her teeth against the sharp, sudden pain as her bruised ribs announced their displeasure.
“The first thing I need to do is say I’m sorry. I acted like a total shitheel before I left, and there was absolutely no reason for it.”
“I…disappointed you,” the tall woman mumbled, still feeling the sting of that evening.
“You protected me,” the blonde retorted hotly, hating herself for the anguish and undeserved self-abasement that radiated from the woman behind her. “You prevented me from making a mistake that, as you predicted, I would have regretted in the morning. My behavior that night, and the following day, were inexcusable. Even so, I’m asking your forgiveness. If you don’t…if you can’t give it, I’ll understand. I’ll walk away and never bother you again.” The writer bowed her head and fought the sobs that struggled to escape. Her post-fight adrenaline rush was fading, and the pain of her injuries was becoming unbearable. She needed to finish this and finish it quickly, while she still had the strength to walk away if Randi rejected her.
Randi was plainly…stunned. The hot tears that gathered in her eyes as the writer spoke now trailed lazily down her cheeks as one of two very large stones was lifted from her heart. “There’s nothing to forgive, Megan. Even if there were, I forgave you a long time ago.”
Megan felt a sweet pain invade her heart. Of course you would. That’s the beauty of you, Randi Oakes. “Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely as black spots danced before her eyes. She turned slowly, her tongue felt thick and a subtle roaring filled her ears. “That’s good to hear…’cause I think I’m gonna need your hel …” The word went unfinished as she tumbled headlong into oblivion.
“No!” Randi yelped as she lunged to catch the smaller woman’s body before it hit the wooden deck. and succeeding only partially, as, with one arm around the smaller woman’s shoulders, she was forced to descend with the limp body.
The raven-haired doctor hadn’t gotten a good look at the blonde before she was forced to catch her, and subsequently hissed in horrified surprise when the writer’s slack head fell back and her battered face was revealed.
“Dear God, what happened to you?” the brunette whispered brokenly as she took in the bloody, bruised and swollen flesh that was three quarters of Megan’s face. “Who did this to you, Megan…why?”
Randi shivered as an unfamiliar rage seared through the pit of her belly, and in the depths of her soul, an ancient warrior screamed her displeasure to any who would hear.
Pushing aside her emotions, the tall woman tucked her arm under the unconscious woman’s knees and, gathering her close, rose and headed for the infirmary.
Randi laid the unconscious woman down gently, her physician’s mind automatically making observations and rattling off treatments and procedures as the tall doctor began the task of stripping and carefully examining her patient.
The brunette froze as she reached Megan’s pants and noticed their partially open state. Her heart hammered triple time against her chest as she considered the ugly implication. Oh, God, please…no. Randi ruthlessly pushed down her dread and continued her task, dismally mindful of the additional examination she would have to make.
An hour and a half later, the doctor was gently swabbing away the traces of blood from the blonde’s face and speaking gently to her, even though she was fairly certain the still-unconscious writer couldn’t hear her. “It wasn’t too bad, sweetheart,” she murmured softly, oblivious to the endearment she’d uttered. “You just needed a few stitches to a cut on your temple and a couple to your split lip. Your nose was pretty bloody but, thankfully, it wasn’t broken. Your ribs are bruised, and they’re gonna be really sore for a few days, but nothing’s broken.” You weren’t raped either, love. And I thank God for that. She laid down the stained gauze and tenderly brushed aside damp, blonde bangs. “You’re gonna be really tender for a few days, but you’re gonna be fine, Megan, just fine.”
“Course I am,” the raspy voice mumbled, startling the tall woman. “I’ve got you taking care of me, don’t I?” Puffy eyelids slid open and hazy green eyes focused on the beautifully sculpted features of the woman who, Megan was slowly coming to realize, owned her soul.
“You scared me,” the brunette accused, unable to conceal the tremulous tone in her voice.
“I know. I’m sorry,” the blonde returned contritely. “Couldn’t be helped.”
“Who did this to you?” The brunette’s tone was just shy of a growl.
“My ex-boyfriend. Long story,” the blonde supplied her sentences shortened by painful, throbbing lips and protesting ribs. She closed her eyes briefly to reign in the pain. Opening them again, she gasped at the glacial blue orbs that now beheld her. Ooh, boy, Eric, I think you need to be really glad that you’re not here right now. She reached out and covered the hand that rested on the bed beside her. “It’s all right,” she reassured gently. “I’ll tell you everything later. I promise. But right now, can you…ah…can you do me a favor?”
“Anything,” the doctor promised.
“Can you call Charly for me? She knows what happened, and she knows I was on my way here. She was…um… she was worried that I wouldn’t make it, and I promised her that one of us would call her. I think she’s probably ready to call out the National Guard by now,” the blonde quipped with a tiny smile.
The brunette turned her hand palm up and gently squeezed the smaller hand. “I’ll be right back.” I need to get a hold of myself anyway.
Megan watched the long, lean figure exit the room, craning her neck to let her eyes linger as long as they could. When Randi was finally out of sight, the small blonde let her head fall back onto the flimsy, generic “pillow” that doctors’ offices always employed. Closing her eyes, she let a small, happy thought run it’s tickling fingers across her heart. She doesn’t hate me. She doesn’t hate me. She doesn’t hate me. Megan’s eyes snapped open, as another thought demanded to be heard. She called me sweetheart! I didn’t imagine that…I know I didn’t. She closed her eyes again as a wave of giddy warmth slid through her being. She called me sweetheart.
Megan was drawn out of her blissful reverie by the sound of Randi’s voice as the tall woman entered the room, still talking on the phone.
“Yes, ma’am,” the doctor’s tone was calm and reassuring as she addressed the person on the other end. “I’ll see to it that she gets plenty of rest…even if I have to tie her to the bed,” the doctor winked at the goggle-eyed blonde who was now blushing furiously. “Yes, ma’am,” she responded to another unheard question. “She’s right here; would you like to speak to her for a moment?”
Randi held out the cordless phone. “Here you go. Not too long though,” she counseled, “I want to give you something for the pain, and then get you into a regular bed so you can rest.”
Acceding to the doctor’s wishes, Megan kept her conversation brief, promising that Charly and she would speak again in a day or so.
As soon as Megan disconnected the call, Randi handed her two small, white tablets. “It’s just Tylenol 3,” the raven-haired woman volunteered. “It’ll help with the pain and allow you to get some sleep.”
Megan smiled her thanks and popped the pills into her mouth, following up with careful sips from the cup of cool water that Randi held for her. When she was finished, Randi put the cup down. “I’m gonna go turn down the bed in your room,” she announced with a teasing wink, referring to the room that the writer had spent copious amounts of time in, mere months ago.
“Yeah, you do that, smartass,” Megan snorted to the retreating brunette.
Within moments, the doctor returned. “All set,” she announced as she moved to the examining table and tucked one long arm beneath the blonde’s knees and the other behind her shoulders, preparing to lift.
“Randi! I’m too heavy,” the blonde squawked as her backside left the bed, her arms instinctively circling the bronzed neck.
“Yeah, right,” the brunette snorted as she cradled her precious burden. “Either of the dogs is heavier than you. Now hush and enjoy the ride.”
The “ride” ended entirely too soon for the young blonde as she felt herself being lowered onto the cool softness of the bed. With grudging slowness, she removed her arms from around the smooth, strong neck and had to bite her lip to keep from crying at the loss of that wonderful warmth.
The sentiment was shared by the quiet doctor, and she found herself wishing that the distance from the infirmary to this room were a little greater. Like a mile or so, maybe. Randi pulled the covers over the too-quiet blonde. Misinterpreting the distress on the younger woman’s face, she leaned over and brushed back an unruly lock of fair hair. “You’ll feel better soon, Meg. I promise,” she whispered reassuringly.
As she turned to go, a small hand darted out and captured hers. Randi turned back to the bed and cast a quizzical look at the reclining blonde.
“Don’t go.” Megan’s voice was ragged with emotion, her eyes a misty plea that Randi was helpless to deny as she allowed herself to be guided down to a sitting position next to the blonde.
Ignoring the intense throbbing in her torso, Megan reached up and placed a trembling hand against the achingly soft cheek of her savior. Tears welled in her eyes at the wonder and adoration in the azure orbs that beheld her.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered brokenly. “So very, very much.”
Randi’s eyes fluttered closed; her heart reached out with gossamer fingers to gather in this moment and lock it away. Forever.
Opening her eyes, she lightly grasped the hand on her cheek, turned her head and placed a feathery kiss on the soft palm. “I’ve missed you too, little bard,” she murmured. “More than I can say.”
Megan bit back a sob. She knew that her injuries and her exhaustion were playing havoc with her emotions, leaving them too raw, too close to the surface.
Knowing this, however, didn’t change the way this woman, this sweet, gentle, beautiful woman, made her feel.
Loved.
Humbled.
And very, very lucky.
So rather than give in to the tears that her overstressed emotions demanded, the young woman chose to bury her face into the living, loving warmth of her doctor’s shoulder and…
Just absorb.
Just feel.
Just…be loved.
Randi’s lips curled into an indulgent smile as she felt the small blonde slide into the arms of Morpheus. Her sensible mind suggested she detach herself from the sleeping woman and allow her to rest in a position more conducive to healing.
Her heart and her arms were having none of that. Randi looked down at the face that, even swollen and bruised, rendered her mindless with its innate, wholesome beauty.
A face that, at this moment, radiated a childlike contentment so pure that it almost made her cry. I put that look there.
Is this what you meant, Uncle Jake, when you told me that story about soulmates? And that when I found mine, I would know what forever meant?
Randi settled back against the headboard and placed a whisper-soft kiss on fair hair. You were right, Uncle Jake…you were right.
Having decided that she, indeed, wasn’t moving from her newly discovered favorite position, the brunette heaved a contented sigh and let her eyes drift shut.
Only to open them moments later when she heard the subtle clicking of canine toenails on the hardwood floor. She watched as the small, golden canine she had dubbed Gabrielle nimbly leaped up onto the bed and began a cautious but thorough nasal inspection of the sleeping blonde.
Randi knew that her colleagues in the medical profession would have a fit over what she was allowing to take place, and, under normal circumstances, she might agree.
But there was nothing normal about these two animals.
They possessed a wisdom and intelligence that far outstripped most creatures, both the two-legged and four-legged kind.
More than that…they cared.
Which is how the raven-haired woman knew that the subtle growls the little canine emitted during her inspection were born of outrage and the tiny whimpers the golden dog emitted when she finished were pure, unabashed empathy.
“I know, little bit,” the tall woman consoled. “But she’ll be all right. We’ll make sure of that.”
Mollified, the little animal eased off the bed and joined her midnight-hued partner, who sat beside the bed. Randi watched the two animals as they briefly nuzzled before turning to look at her with a smug “are you happy now” look.
The proverbial lightbulb flashed above Randi’s head, and she turned narrowed eyes on the two.
“You knew, didn’t you?” she accused in a whisper. “That’s why you were so restless. You knew she was coming.”
Their answer was as eloquent as it was understated as two sets of eyes, one cinnamon and one electric blue, captured the tall woman’s own and held them for a long moment before both animals slid down and stretched out on the cool wood.
Randi looked down at the resting animals and shook her head. God, you two are spooky.
Megan was having the most mouth-watering dream. They were sitting on the porch watching the sunrise and eating breakfast. Or, more precisely, she was sitting in Randi’s lap, and the tall woman was feeding her bits of breakfast sausage.
Mouth to mouth.
“Mmm, delicious,” the sleeping woman mumbled, eliciting a curious look from the little foxlike canine on the floor.
However wonderful her dream though, she was being slowly dragged from it by the even more wonderful smells that were drifting into her room and tickling her senses. Oh, God, that smells good.
A reluctant eyelid slid open, allowing a bleary green orb to take in its surroundings. Where…?
A clearing of her senses revealed that she was, (a) face down in a strange bed, (b) she was naked and, (c) everything hurt. Wha…
Memories of the prior evening’s trauma fast-forwarded through her mind. Oh. Shit. No wonder I feel like roadkill, the blonde groaned internally as she gingerly rolled over onto her back.
But I’m happy roadkill. The blonde mused with a limited smile as her thoughts turned to a raven-haired doctor.
It was amazing, Megan acknowledged, as she reflected on the prior evening and the subtle ease with which their relationship had become…
That Randi’s feelings for her went beyond friendship was obvious from the moment Megan regained consciousness on the treatment table. The azure gaze that met her own reflected so much love that one would have to have been blind not to see it.
And for perhaps the first time in her life, Megan was not blind.
And the writer found herself liking the feeling that that gaze invoked.
Small wonder then, that she wanted to not just experience that feeling, but immerse herself in it totally. Which is perhaps why she became so needy, so unwilling to let the doctor leave her alone in her bed.
And why it felt so darn … right … to fall asleep cradled in those long, strong, warm arms. I could get used to that, she concluded, a wicked half smile creasing her lips as she stretched languorously.
“Should I be worried about that smile?” was the playful greeting from the doorway.
Without missing a beat, Megan’s face took on a look of wide-eyed innocence. “Why, Doctor, whatever would you have to worry about from a poor, helpless, injured woman like me?”
Randi shook her head, chuckling. “Yup, I should be worried.”
Moving into the room, the brunette seated herself on the edge of the bed. “Glad to see you awake.”
“Mmm,” the blonde hummed languorously. “Who can sleep with such delightful smells floating around?”
“Well now, I guess I should take that as a clue that someone’s hungry,” the brunette drawled and was answered almost immediately by a rumbling growl that made one woman grin and produced a coral flush that covered every visible inch of the other’s skin. “I’ll take that as confirmation,” the doctor chuckled.
Randi’s smile turned from mirthful to affectionate as she gently brushed through fair bangs, checking for fever. Finding none, she moved her hand down to lightly grasp the smaller hand that rested on top of the covers. “How are you feeling today?”
Megan closed her eyes and took a quick mental inventory, then reopened them. “Truth?”
Randi nodded.
“Not that bad, actually.” At the doctor’s skeptical expression, she added. “I mean, my ribs hurt, and my face feels like I went a few rounds Rocky Balboa and lost, but I guess I just don’t feel as bad as I thought I would.” She scrunched up her face. “Does that make any sense?”
Randi grinned. “Perfect sense. And I’m glad to hear it.”
Megan turned her hand up and squeezed the larger hand. “It must be the excellent medical attention I received when I got here.”
Randi coughed and lowered her eyes as old demons raised their heads. “I wouldn’t say excellent,” she murmured.
Sensing the direction the doctor’s thoughts had taken, the blonde squeezed the bigger hand more firmly until Randi’s gaze met hers again. “I would,” she stated forcefully, the intensity in her verdant stare daring the brunette to argue.
Randi swallowed reflexively at the hard, unyielding conviction in the young woman’s voice and eyes.
And in that deep, dark corner of her heart where doubts and self -condemnation thrived, a small candle flickered to light.
“Thank you,” was the barely heard whisper accompanied by a small, crooked smile.
Megan smiled her acknowledgment as her thumb unconsciously stroked the knuckles of the still-captured hand.
Randi allowed herself a few extra heartbeats to bask in the blonde’s affectionate regard before reminding herself of the reason she’d come seeking the younger woman.
“Um, about that breakfast,” she prompted.
“I’d love some,” the blonde responded eagerly, mentally salivating at the memory of the doctor’s perfect, fluffy, cheesy scrambled eggs.
“Great! Would you like to eat in bed, or do you feel up to eating at the kitchen table?”
“Well, I’d love to join you at the kitchen table, but…” the blonde made a show of lifting the sheet from her chest and peering underneath for a moment before turning mischievous green eyes on the doctor. “I’m a bit underdressed for the occasion.”
“Hmm, I suppose that is a consideration,” the brunette responded in mock seriousness.
“And I’m pretty sure you’d be quite unable to enjoy your breakfast with me sitting across from you, wearing nothing but skin,” she added coquettishly.
And nearly bit her tongue in half to stifle a giggle at the sudden, raging blush that swept up Randi’s neckline and disappeared into her hairline. Or not, her mind supplied amusedly. Oooh, what a cute blush.
Randi stared at the impishly grinning blonde, her mind too busy creating certain images to even attempt a rejoinder. Is it hot in here?
Clearing her throat and, reluctantly, her mind, Randi pointed to the open door. “I’ll … uhm … I’ll just go grab some of my old sweats.” With that, she scrambled out the door, leaving the strawberry blonde clutching her protesting ribs and giggling wildly into her pillow.
The energetic flames danced and crackled merrily within the rough-hewn walls of the fireplace, casting warm, amber nets over the two women reclining on the big, overstuffed couch that faced it.
Or, rather, one was sitting and one was comfortably horizontal, her head resting cozily on a firm thigh. Shania Twain crooned in the background, while Randi idly twirled long golden tresses around her fingers.
That this arrangement was one more suited to lovers than nascent friends mattered not.
It was warm.
It was comforting.
It was nurturing.
It was needed.
And so, it very simply…was.
Randi listened attentively as Megan recounted her experiences since returning to the city, silently cheering the blonde’s publisher for forcing the headstrong writer to confront the truth about her past, and delighting in the news of the reunion that followed.
Then Megan got to the part about Eric.
And the tall woman’s delight took a nose dive as the blonde relayed the details of the encounter with her former lover; her mood became progressively darker as the writer, oblivious to the change, and immersed in her memories, provided a disturbingly detailed account of the assault.
Oblivious that is, until a deep, rumbling growl tickled her awareness. Curious, she turned her head to the source of the growl and cringed inwardly at the grim, furious mask that was Randi’s beautiful face.
Oh, God! That’s for me.
Warmed beyond measure, the blonde reached a trembling hand up and cupped the doctor’s rigid cheek. “No, Randi. It’s all right,” she murmured. … “Randi?”
Frosty blue eyes tracked to green.
“It’s okay,” the blonde offered gently.
“How can you say it’s okay?” the brunette voiced hoarsely. “He hurt you. He …” Further words were clipped by small fingers against full lips.
“Yes, he did. And he’ll get his, I can promise you that. But look beyond Eric for a moment and consider the whole incident,” the blonde’s eyes twinkled in amusement as ebony eyebrows furrowed, wondering where she was going with this. “As one very wise doctor once told me, it all boils down to perspective.” Megan grinned cheekily at the narrow-eyed glare she’d earned for plagiarizing the doctor’s earlier reasoning. “Looking at the entire thing, you see it as something bad that happened to me.” Megan’s eyes glowed with loving warmth as her thumb stroked a chiseled jaw. “And I see it as the catalyst that brought me back to you.”
Randi absently wondered if it were possible for something to feel so wonderful that it hurt. If it were, then that would’ve been the best way to describe what she was feeling at this moment as she gazed into emerald warmth. “Then if I ever see him, I’ll have to thank him while I’m kicking his ass, won’t I?” she rumbled affectionately.
The unbruised half of Megan’s mouth curled into a grin. “My hero,” she declared half-kiddingly before sobering her expression and adding, “in so many ways.”
“Only for you,” the brunette whispered as, surrendering to the powerful entreaty in liquid green orbs, she lowered her head and gently placed her lips upon the blonde’s.
Sweet…so very sweet, the blonde’s mind hummed as she savored the soft, delicious offering. But… An impatient hand reached behind the brunette’s head, pulling down and increasing the contact with the luscious lips … an act she regretted immediately as pain shot through her damaged mouth, forcing her to break contact with a gasping groan.
A single tear squeezed through her tightly closed eyelids as she waited for the throbbing to ease. Finally, she opened her eyes to the amused, concerned ones above her.
“Are you okay?” the doctor inquired with a half grin.
“Just dandy,” the blonde pouted.
“Now you know,” the brunette lowered her head and placed a butterfly-soft kiss on the undamaged corner of the writer’s mouth. “Why I,” another kiss. “Kept it light,” a final kiss, and then the doctor pulled back and asked again, this time earnestly. “Now, once again, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” the blonde replied, trying to keep the silly grin that was being prompted by the delighted fluttering in her belly off her face. “But I’ve got to get better quick … real quick.”
“You will,” the tall woman assured, smiling fondly. “But before then, we’re going to have to have a talk. We have much to discuss, you and I. About what has happened. About what’s going to happen. And most important, what we want to happen.
I…care for you a lot, Megan. I think you know that. And I…I think you like me. Or at least I hope you do. But I don’t want you to think…I don’t want you to feel like…I…” Small fingers pressed against her lips arrested her rambling.
Mortified blue eyes blinked into amused green ones. “I’m babbling, aren’t I?” vibrated against petite fingers.
“Just a tad,” the blonde responded, barely containing a giggle, then sobering slightly and adding, “But you’re right. We do have to talk. But not tonight. Tonight…right now…I just want you to walk me to my room, tuck me in and, if you don’t mind,” fair eyelashes fluttered shyly over pinking cheeks, “just…hold me for a while. Until I fall asleep…if you don’t mind?”
Randi wrapped long fingers around the smaller hand and, lifting it to her lips, gently kissed the knuckles. “I’ll hold you whenever you want…as long as you want,” was whispered against fair skin.
Megan closed her eyes and let the sweet, soft warmth of that promise wash over her in gentle waves. I don’t deserve you, she thought. “I’m gonna hold you to that,” she said.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” the doctor asked for perhaps the tenth time.
“I’ll be fine,” the blonde growled in playful exasperation as she scooted the reluctant woman toward the door.
“I’ll be.”
“Just over at Matt Dawson’s place, which is just a few miles over, helping him patch a hole in the roof, and his number, along with your cell phone number, is right next to the phone so I can call you if World War Three breaks out or if I get a splinter in my finger,” the blonde rattled off, almost word-for-word, the doctor’s earlier briefing, adding the last part for her own amusement and earning a sheepishly hung head.
“Overkill?” the tall woman pouted adorably.
“Just a wee bit,” the blonde confirmed with an indulgent grin. “But I love…it,” the blonde placated, silently scolding herself for not being able to say the word she wanted to say. I love…you. “Now go, do what you have to do and hurry home,” she commanded, placing a quick peck on a convenient chin before shooing the grumbling woman out the door.
Megan collapsed against the closed door and huffed out a relieved breath. “Finally,” she mumbled to the two canines who sat watching her curiously. “Now we can get down to business.”
Moments later, armed with a cup of coffee, notepad, pen and telephone, Megan settled into a chair at the kitchen table. Glancing at her two constant companions, who now lay sprawled on the linoleum floor, she announced, “Well, ladies, wish me luck.”
Picking up the cordless handset, she punched the only memory key she was familiar with and waited, nearly losing her nerve when the deep baritone greeting sounded in her ear. “Um, Toby?”
Hours later, the writer mumbled a tearful thank you into the phone as she pressed the end key. The last half-hour spent on the phone had been the most heartwrenching she had ever known. But it was enlightening too…very enlightening. Now I just have to figure out what to do…and when to do it. Timing’s going to be everything, she decided as she wiped away an errant tear. Giving herself a mental shake, she glanced at her watch. Randi’s going to be back soon, and I want to surprise her with dinner. So I guess I’d better pull it together and get started. With that, the writer got up from the table and proceeded to rummage through the cabinets and refrigerator. I hope she likes lasagna.
Randi was feeling downright bubbly as she pulled out of the Dawson’s driveway and headed for home. Home, she mused. It hasn’t been ‘home’ in a long time. It’s been a cave, a hideout, a place to bury myself in and shut the world out. But now, she reflected in giddy wonder, now it’s a home again. She makes it that way. And I’ll bet my last dollar it’s becoming home for her too. That’s why she said ‘hurry home’ instead of just ‘hurry back.’ Please, Uncle Jake, if you have any words with the man upstairs, please ask him to let it be so. I know I don’t deserve it…but I’d like a chance to be happy, Uncle Jake…I…need it.
Megan stared at the blank laptop screen and blew out a frustrated breath. She’d been trying to pass the time since she’d put the lasagna in to cook by doing some writing.
But it wasn’t working.
In spite of her best efforts to concentrate on her writing, her rebellious mind had other ideas.
Like blue eyes, midnight hair and perfect lips.
And, in the battle for focus, the blonde really didn’t put up that much of a fight.
Conceding defeat, the writer shut down the laptop, rose from the table and wandered over to the window. With her coffee mug clutched in both hands she gazed unseeingly past the small fenced in garden and pondered the last few days.
They had been…idyllic.
Randi had been attentive, kind, gentle, loving and most of all… patient, giving hugs when they were needed, kisses when they were wanted, and unquestioning support always allowing the writer to become gently accustomed to the new and sometimes scary concept of loving another woman. Loving? Megan shook her head and snorted softly. Yup, that pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it? God, when did it happen? When did my heart suddenly decide ‘this is the one’ Megan paused, looking inward for a moment. Or maybe it wasn’t sudden at all.
I think I’ve been having feelings for her for quite a while, but my ass was too firmly planted on my shoulders to see it. Megan gave herself a hard mental shake. Stop analyzing, dumb ass, and just go with it! Megan shrugged. “Best advice I’ve heard in a long time,” she addressed the empty room. Megan spared a long look at the phone. I should call mother again, just to let her know I’m still doing okay. God! I thought she was gonna have a cow when I called her the other day and told her what happened. A wicked grin graced the fair face. Especially when I told her I drove all the way up here before getting any medical attention. Her ‘That woman must be one hell of a good doctor’ comment was priceless. Just the way she said it tells me she knows that there’s more going on than I’m telling. But she’s being patient, bless her heart for waiting until I’m ready to talk about it. And we will talk about it. Her reverie was interrupted by the slamming of the front door and the playful “Looocy, I’m hooome,” that followed. Later, the blonde decided as she turned to greet her tall, beautiful ‘Ricky.’
“God, I’m stuffed!” Randi groaned from her slumped position in the chair. “That was, without question, the best lasagna I’ve ever tasted.” She raised her head and cast a narrow-eyed glare at the proudly beaming blonde. “You never mentioned that you could cook like that. You’ve been holding out on me,” she accused.
“Not really,” she offered shyly. “I mean, most of my experience in the kitchen comes from a cookbook, and I can hold my own I guess. But this,” she waved her hand to indicate their mostly eaten fare, “this, my mother taught me,” she finished with a pleased smile.
“I like seeing that,” the brunette commented kindly.
“Seeing what?” the writer was puzzled.
“Seeing that sweet smile when you mention your mother,” Randi replied sincerely.
“Oh.” The blonde ducked her head, feeling the warm blush spreading over her face. God! How does she do that? Just a few words or a look…and I’m blushing like a silly teenager. “Um, thank you,” she mumbled, trying to beat down the heat on her face. “I like it too. I never realized how much I missed her…loved her…until I was with her again,” the writer reflected with a wistful smile.
“Sure you did,” the mellow voice posed.
“I said sure you did,” the brunette repeated as she rose from her chair and walked around the table where she dropped to her knees in front of the puzzled blonde. “You loved her and missed her every day of your life. And it hurt…terribly.” Large hands gently grasped smaller ones. “Which is why you were so angry. Sometimes, being angry with someone that leaves you seems easier than grieving.” The doctor shrugged and studied the hands she was holding. “Less…painful.”
The tall woman gave herself a mental shake. “Anyhow,” she continued, “like I said, you loved her and missed her, but wouldn’t let yourself admit it. Although, it did show,” Randi announced with a wry grin. “In every book you wrote. Every time the writer lashed out at gays, the hurt and lonely young woman cried out for her mother.” Twinkling blue eyes addressed wide, astonished green ones. “Make sense?”
“Buh…” The blonde’s mouth worked furiously, but no words emerged, save one. “How…?”
“How did I know?”
Megan nodded dumbly.
“I didn’t at first. But when you told me about your mother and Cait, it all made sense. I still didn’t approve of your ‘venting’ method,” Randi smiled warmly to reduce the sting of her words. “But I understood it.”
Megan shook her head and snorted a laugh. “Ya know, I want to argue with you,” she reached out and tucked a strand of raven hair in place. “Tell you that you’re wrong. But I can’t. When I look back and really think about it…I can’t.” Leaning forward, she placed her forehead against the brunette’s. “How did you get so smart, Randi Oakes?” was a husky whisper.
“Not smart,” the tall woman mumbled, drowning in the pleasant contact. “I’ve just been there.”
Randi almost groaned aloud at the loss of contact as the fair head pulled back and perplexed green eyes fixed on her, begging an explanation. “My parents,” she sighed, fixing her gaze on the small hands she grasped. “After they died and I was brought up here, I wouldn’t talk about them. Every time Uncle Jake tried to, I would change the subject or suddenly ‘remember’ that I had something else to do or somewhere to be.” Randi snorted a chuckle.
“It didn’t take Uncle Jake long to figure out what I was doing. One afternoon he confronted me with it. I was in my favorite chair in my room, and he knew that if I wanted out, I would have to get past him. He started talking about daddy,” Randi shrugged minutely, “just nonsense stuff about what they used to do when they were boys. I tried talking about other things but Uncle Jake kept coming back to daddy. Finally, I got up and said I had something to do, and he got in front of me and said, ‘It won’t work, Randi. I know what you’re trying to do, and I won’t let you keep doing it.’ Well, I got mad and told him he didn’t know what he was talking about and tried pushing him away.” Randi’s crooked smile was laced with chagrin.
“Didn’t work…Jake was a big man. Anyhow, that just made me madder, and I started yelling at him and trying to get past him. Finally, I thought I saw a way out if I jumped over the bed. Did I happen to mention that he’s quick too? He caught me in midair, and we both landed on the bed. By that time, I was struggling hysterically, yelling and kicking and hitting. But he just wrapped his big arms around me and held on, while I went from screaming and fighting to just plain crying my eyes out.”
Randi took a long, deep breath in an effort to regain control of the ragged emotions her memories were prompting ¾ an action that was not unnoticed by the small blonde who raised her hand and gently stroked the doctor’s cheek. Comforted, she continued. “Finally, after I calmed down, we had a long talk about my parents…and my anger over their leaving me. He made me understand that sometimes people just don’t have a choice. My parents didn’t plan on leaving me like that, they didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. He made me understand that no matter how much people love you, or how good their intentions are, things happen. And people leave you,” she finished hoarsely, her watery blue eyes focused not on the here and now, Megan knew, but on visions of a tow-headed little girl.
Okay, Meg, it’s now or never. “You understood that, but you didn’t really accept it, did you?” the blonde inquired gently.
Randi’s liquid gaze returned to the writer’s face, her brows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean? Of course I did,” she protested.
“Did you, Randi?” the writer pushed. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes,” the doctor sputtered, pulling away from the writer. “What the hell are you getting at, Megan?”
“Then why can’t you accept Casey’s leaving you?”
The color drained from Randi’s face, as her entire body became painfully rigid. She gaped incredulously at the blonde for a long moment before her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “You have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about,” she hissed.
“Then educate me,” the blonde challenged.
The tall woman shook her head violently. “I can’t,” she gritted and tried to rise, only to be halted by a small hand on her chest and beseeching green eyes. “Please, sweetheart, tell me.”
Solidly built walls, formed from months of self-imposed guilt and anger, liquefied under the delicate dual assault. “She didn’t leave me…I killed her,” was the bitter rasp from pale lips.
“How, Randi?” Megan’s voice was warm, coaxing.
“I wasn’t there when she needed me.”
“Were there other doctors there? Tending to her?”
“Yes. But she was calling for me.”
“Why do you think she was calling for you?”
Randi gaped at the blonde, her expression incredulous. Why the hell do you think she was calling? “So I could help her,” she supplied impatiently.
“Are you sure of that?” C’mon, Randi, stick with me here.
Randi’s discomfort with this conversation was growing by leaps and bounds. Her composure was dwindling, making her answer snappish. “Of course I’m sure. Why the hell else would she be calling out for me?”
Bingo! That’s the opening I was looking for. “So she could say good-bye.”
Randi’s entire body seemed to deflate as she sat back heavily on her heels. “What?” she croaked, her eyes saucer-wide in disbelief. “No,” she growled, shaking her head furiously. “That’s not…she didn’t…”
Megan grabbed the wagging head in both hands, stilling it and forcing astonished blue eyes to meet hers. “Yes,” she countered forcefully, willing the stubbornly, wrongfully repentant woman to listen…to hear her. “Yes,” she repeated, “she knew she was dying. But she didn’t want to leave you without saying goodbye.”
“Noooo,” blue eyes filled and overflowed as hope warred with denial. “She needed me, she…”
“She loved you,” the blonde interjected gently, her own eyes succumbing to insistent tears. “She loved you and needed to let you know it before she left. That’s why she was calling for you, honey. That, and no other reason.”
“How do you know this?” The question was rife with hope and suspicion.
“I talked to Amy,” the blonde offered with a teary half smile. “She would have told you this herself, but you, my hard-headed, reclusive friend,” the blonde chided gently, “avoided her…refused to talk to her.”
“I couldn’t,” the brunette rasped, fresh tears spilling down her face. “I couldn’t face her.”
“Because you blamed yourself for her child’s death,” Megan again caressed away the tears. “But she didn’t. She still doesn’t.” A small hand cupped a trembling chin, recapturing the tall woman’s gaze. “No one,” she emphasized strongly, “blames you for Casey’s passing…except you!”
Dazed, watery blue eyes searched the younger woman’s face and found nothing short of open, honest, loving conviction. “It’s true?”
“Every word. I swear.”
Then the dam broke in earnest as a dark head burrowed itself into the young woman’s lap and a long, lean body shook with hard, wracking sobs.
Megan’s own tears fell into raven locks as she bent over and whispered into her friend’s ear. “Casey loved you, Doctor Randi…she loves you still. And she doesn’t want you to cry for her any more.” With that, she leaned back, content to stroke the midnight-kissed hair and patiently wait for the storm to pass.
Bleary, outraged green eyes glared at the annoyingly bright slice of sunlight that, despite her best wishes not to, seemed intent to drag her into full wakefulness.
“All right, all right already,” she growled to the intermittent rays that splashed across her face. “You can quit with the peek-a-boo crap now. I’m awake.”
Almost as if it heard her, the sun chose that moment to slide behind a large cloud formation, inspiring an even deeper scowl on the grumpy writer’s face. “I liked you better at the beach,” she groused as she threw her legs off the side of the bed and sat up. Within moments, her attention was drawn to the barely perceptible sounds of some rather upbeat music radiating from somewhere down the hall. Hmm, somebody’s in a mood today, she grinned. Let’s just go check it out.
Megan scanned the room for something more to wear than the panties and T-shirt that currently, just barely, covered her body. She smiled when her eyes landed on an item of clothing that lay sprawled across the arm of the big chair. Ooh, her mind cooed happily as she ambled over and grabbed the large, brightly checked flannel shirt that Randi wore yesterday. On impulse, she held the shirt up to her face and inhaled deeply through her nose, imprinting her senses with the smell of woodsmoke, hyacinth, and just plain…Randi.
Satisfied with her aromatherapy, she slipped the shirt on and buttoned it, giggling when she had to roll up the sleeves a few times just so she could utilize her hands. Using her fingers to give some order to her disheveled, shoulder-length hair, she exited the room.
The closer Megan got to the kitchen, the louder the music got, and the sight that greeted her when she approached the entrance of the kitchen made her stop in her tracks.
Randi, clad in only boxer shorts and T-shirt, danced and strutted her way around the kitchen as Wynona belted out “Rocking to the Rhythm of the Rain” on the radio. Megan barely stifled a giggle as the doctor, using the egg whisk as a microphone, added her own voice to the song, mock serenading the small, golden canine who hopped and wriggled in jubilant appreciation of her friend’s antics.
Movement to her right caught her attention, and Megan stifled another giggle as she observed the big, black animal staring at her with a pathetic, do-you-see-what-I-have-to-put-up-with look. You love it, and you know it, you big, furry fraud! she mentally directed at the canine, who huffed an indignant snort and sprawled out on the floor. God! If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she heard that.
Turning her attention back to the dancing duo, who were still oblivious to her presence, she leaned against the doorjamb and emitted a happy little sigh. God, she looks like a teenager … so happy and carefree. I’m glad. She didn’t deserve the pain she was in. I’m happy that I was able to help her get past it, and I was really glad when she let me take her to bed and hold her for a change. God, that felt so seamless, so…right. As if we’ve done that through hundreds of lifetimes. Megan rolled her eyes and shook her head. Get a grip, Galagher! Keep thinking like that and next thing you know, you’ll be writing sappy stories about soulmates and destinies.
And down on the floor, timeless blue eyes twinkled briefly before closing.
As the song wound down, Randi’s final dance move was a spin that ended abruptly with a yelp as she noticed the grinning blonde standing there. A crimson blush stole up her neck and past her eyebrows, as she stood, wide-eyed and frozen to the spot. . . much like a doe caught in a very bright spotlight.
Finally, the brunette cleared her throat. “Um, hi,” she squeaked. “I was…we were…um.”
“Being absolutely, unequivocally, undeniably adorable,” the blonde finished as she sauntered into the room and right up to the abashed beauty.
“Really?” The brunette breathed in childlike wonder.
“Yes, really,” the blonde confirmed, her hand, with a mind of its own, reaching up and stroking a silky, soft cheek.
“It’s all your fault, you know,” the brunette mumbled, leaning into the caress as her arms automatically circled a petite waist.
“Is it now?”
“Yes. You lifted a tremendous weight from my soul last night, and now I’m filled with such unbearable lightness that I’ve got to work it off somehow, or I’ll just…float away.”
“Well, we can’t have that now. I’ll just have to find some way to…tie you down,” the blonde postulated throatily, smiling inwardly at the full-body shiver her words induced in the tall woman.
“Only to keep you from floating away, of course,” the blonde reassured.
“Of course,” was squeaked past an incredibly dry throat.
“Let’s see if I can find another way to keep you grounded,” the blonde offered as she threaded her fingers into raven tresses and gently tugged, bringing beautiful, full lips into contact with her own needy ones.
Unlike the kisses of the last few days, there was nothing tentative or shy about this one. The blonde, no longer hampered by the pain of her bruises, took bold possession of the tall woman’s lips, deepening the precious contact as her body, following suit, molded itself tighter to the strong, supple form of the doctor.
It was a move wholly endorsed by the taller woman, as evidenced by the small, whimpering moan that originated in one mouth and vibrated through both. Two sets of hands wandered, caressed and stroked while two sets of lips pressed, pulled back and pressed again. Somewhere in between, one mouth opened slightly, inviting and was rewarded by a silky, pink tongue that entered, explored and reveled in the sweetness it found inside.
Several long, heavenly moments later, the need for air prompted a reluctant separation as the two women stood with foreheads touching, fighting to control their bounding heartbeats and basking in the sheer, light-headed wonder of it all.
“Thank you,” Randi breathed into the fair hair she was nuzzling.
“For what?” the blonde murmured distractedly, enjoying the contact.
“For last night, for this morning, for being you.”
Megan pulled back slightly and placed her hands on the tall woman’s chest. “You’re welcome, but last night I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right moment. And this morning,” she stood on tiptoe and kissed a strong, angular chin, “was my pleasure,” she purred. “And as for being me,” she wagged her hand and made a face. “Well, the jury’s still out on that one.”
“Well this ‘jurist’ is hopelessly compromised in your favor,” the brunette burred, grabbing the wagging hand and kissing the palm. “And as for last night, I think there was more than ‘luck’ involved.” She raised a curious eyebrow.
Megan lowered her eyes and blushed prettily. Busted!
Randi observed the writer’s chagrin with wry amusement. That’s what I thought, she mused triumphantly. “Let’s get some coffee and get comfortable, so you can tell me all about it,” she declared, grasping the smaller hand and leading the sheepish blonde into the livingroom.
“All right, little bit, spill it,” the brunette commanded from her position as backrest to the extremely comfortable blonde.
“There’s not that much to tell, actually,” the blonde remarked demurely, eliciting an impatient growl from the body behind her. “Okay, okay,” she capitulated with a mischievous grin that faded quickly when she recalled the day of her departure. “That last day,” she began in a subdued voice, “when I…when you walked out of Toby’s store. A woman came and sat down at my table and said she wanted to tell me a story. I was already in a pissy mood and didn’t really want to hear it, but she was pretty insistent.” Megan shrugged. “Anyway the story she told me was about Casey and you and what…um…happened.” Megan lightly stroked the arm around her waist, which had unconsciously tensed.
“I’m not going to go into the crash course in shame I took from that encounter,” she mused with a grimace. “Suffice it to say, she gave me a lot to think about. And I did think about it…a lot.” She turned her head and kissed a conveniently close jaw. “And I ached for you. But I was also confused as to exactly why you blamed yourself. I was sure there were some things I was missing, but,” she gave a small shrug, “with the situation being the way it was, I didn’t know that I would ever get the chance to find out more.” The younger woman turned sideways and wrapped her arms around the too-quiet doctor. “Which is perhaps another reason why what happened to me wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Because now I was in a position where I could find out more. Which is exactly what I did after you left yesterday. I made some phone calls,” she affected a slightly embarrassed grin, “did a lot of groveling, and finally wound up with a complete picture.” She reached up and stroked a tense jaw.
“A more complete picture than even you had. You only knew that you got there too late, and that she was crying out for you. And your poor, grieving heart believed that she was crying out for you to come save her, and, by not being there, you failed her. But that wasn’t the case. Every one knew that, except for you. And you,” she grasped the other woman’s chin and lightly shook it, “my sweet, tender-hearted, stubborn friend, refused to let anybody get close enough to tell you,” she mock-scolded the sheepishly blushing beauty. “Well,” she continued, “I was close enough, but now I had to figure out a way to tell you. I couldn’t just walk up to you and say, ‘Hey, Randi, guess what!’ Luckily, you opened the door for me when you started talking about your parents.” She smiled into glistening, grateful blue eyes. “So you see, it was just right place, right time luck.”
“No,” Randi whispered, using her fingers to guide the younger woman’s face closer to her own. “It was the tenacity of a beautiful, thoughtful young woman who cared for me enough to sacrifice her pride in order to save my soul. I love you, Megan Galagher,” she burred as she laid claim to the writer’s sweet, soft lips.
Randi took her time, pouring her love, her gratitude, her very self into the contact as she explored, stroked and worshipped the mouth attached to her own. And Megan not only accepted, she devoured the older woman’s offering, as one starving would consume a meal.
Finally, a panting, flushed Megan broke off the kiss. “Dear Lord,” she gasped, “you keep kissing me like that, Dr. Oakes, and I’m gonna spontaneously combust right here on the couch.” Every nerve ending in the younger woman’s body was raw, and her libido was beating on the bars of its cage with an aluminum bat. Her groin throbbed painfully as she struggled to keep from grinding against the firm, muscled thigh that, somewhere in the course of the kiss, had insinuated itself between her own. Oh, I’m in so much trouble here.
Randi chuckled throatily. “I guess I should stop then,” she said half-teasingly as her own raging hormones howled in protest. God, I want her so badly, but I don’t want to push if she’s not ready.
Megan’s mouth opened as she prepared to inform the good doctor just how bad for her health stopping would be right at this moment.
The ringing of the telephone, however, pre-empted the verbal strike.
Randi grinned apologetically as she disentangled herself from the frustrated blonde and padded into the kitchen to answer. Returning a few moments later, the tall woman’s expression was even more regretful. And the blonde knew, just knew, that a cold shower was in her immediate future.
Randi sat gingerly on the edge of the couch, flinching inwardly at the baleful glare she was receiving from the small blonde. She cleared her throat. “That was, uh, that was Toby. I promised him a while back that I’d help him move some shelving around in the store. And he just called to remind me that we were supposed to do it today.” She hung her head. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
“Don’t be,” the writer murmured, cupping the angular chin and raising the doctor’s face. “I’m glad that you’ll be there to give him a hand,” she smiled affectionately. “I’d hate to think of him trying to move that stuff on his own and possibly hurting himself.”
Randi smiled her relief at the young woman’s understanding. “You could come with me, you know.”
Megan snorted a laugh. “No, I don’t think so. Toby may have said he’s forgiven me, but I still think if he saw me right now, he’d be tempted to turn me across his knee just for general purposes.” The blonde’s grin was self-effacing. “And I really couldn’t blame him.”
“He wouldn’t do that, and don’t say that,” Randi admonished. “You had your reasons for behaving the way you did.” Randi held up a hand to halt the blonde’s protest. “I’m not trying to justify anything here, sweetheart, or make excuses. What you…what happened was…harsh…and it hurt…a lot. But I understood. You were going through a lot the last few days you were here.” She offered a half smile at the blonde’s stunned expression. “You were dealing with a lot of questions and confusing emotions. The closer you came to leaving, the worse it got. That last night, you were…reaching out to me in perhaps the only way that made sense at the time. And I,” blue eyes glistened with regret, “I refused you. I believed, and still believe, I was doing the right thing. But in your eyes, it was yet another rejection by someone that you had, against all personal conviction, come to care for. So you threw on your prickly armor once again and came out swinging, determined to make me hurt as least as much as you did. And you had no idea how successful you were until after I walked out of Toby’s store.”
“I’m so sorry,” the blonde husked, tears traveling freely down her face.
“Don’t be,” the doctor murmured gently, wiping at the tears with tender fingers. “I didn’t tell you this to make you feel bad. I told you this so you would know that I understood. And that, to some degree, Toby does too.” At the blonde’s bewildered look, Randi clarified. “I didn’t go into detail because that’s private. But I did make sure he understood that you were lashing out not so much at me, but at many things that were hurting you.”
“Still looking out for me,” the writer smiled tremulously.
Megan took that sweet promise and wrapped it around her heart.
And she immersed herself fully in the loving, crystal-blue gaze that accompanied it, capturing that look and imprinting it on her soul.
A half-hour later, both women stood loosely embracing in front of the open door.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come along?”
“I’m positive,” the blonde answered, smiling. “This will give me a chance to sit down and do some work on my new Samantha Steele novel. I’m introducing a new character, and I want to make sure I put her together just right.”
“Put her together, huh? I dunno, that sounds a little Frankenstein-ish to me,” the tall woman teased, straightening her long arms in front of her, blanking her expression and stiffening her body in a classic monster pose.
“You are a nut!” the blonde squawked in mock outrage as she backhanded the “monster” in the belly.
“Yeah, but I’m your nut,” the doctor responded cheekily as she dropped her arms onto the blonde’s shoulders.
“Yes, you are.” And I can’t possibly express how grateful I am for that fact. “Now go climb into your shell and roll on down to Toby’s, so you can do what you need to do and hurry back home.”
“Yes, ma’am!” the brunette barked, sketching a quick salute and ducking out the door, narrowly avoiding a slap to her backside.
Megan stood at the door, watching as Randi skipped down the stairs and ran around to the back of the Jeep, where she opened a back door and emitted a shrill whistle. Within seconds, a large, black bolt of lightning exploded from the woods, followed closely by her smaller, golden counterpart. To Megan’s utter amazement, the ebony canine stopped dead in her tracks a few feet from the back of the vehicle and dropped to the ground just as the smaller dog approached. Without missing a beat, Gabrielle leaped from the ground, to her companion’s back and into the Jeep in one, graceful motion. Megan stood, goggle-eyed and dumbstruck as the large dog, with all the nonchalance of her namesake, got up, shrugged off any remaining snow and leaped up into the vehicle. Oh. My. God! They did not just do that! Her eyes tracked to the smugly grinning doctor. “Did I mention that they do stunts just like ’em too?” the brunette winked as she closed the door and climbed into the driver’s seat.
Leaving the blonde leaning against the doorway, doubled over in helpless laughter as the vehicle’s taillights disappeared from view.
Randi whistled a carefree tune as she neared Cutters Gap, her spirits so high and her thoughts so fixed on a beautiful, green-eyed blonde that she paid no attention to the small, burgundy vehicle that passed her going the other way. Low growls and frustrated whines interrupted her off-key trilling, and she cast an impatient glare in the rearview mirror at the two animals that paced and stared out the rear window. “Don’t even try that,” she warned. “You guys wanted to come into town with me, so you’re stuck with me until we head back.” With that, she resumed her contented whistling, mindless of the still-agitated beasts in the back.
Megan stared at the computer screen, her fair eyebrows furrowed in mystified contemplation as she studied the neatly typed and spaced lines of text. Where in the hell did that come from? What started out as an attempt to add to her novel, swiftly turned into something quite different as her muse decided to take a small detour onto a slightly different, very virgin, path. She re-examined the lines with critical intent. Well, it’s not bad…then chewed on her lip. I don’t think…then mentally threw up her hands. Oh, how the hell would I know? I’ve never been into that stuff. Maybe I should give Charly a call and run it by her; she reads this type of stuff. Yeah, that sounds like a plan! Deciding on a cup of coffee first and phone call second, the writer headed toward the kitchen.
Randi turned off the engine and climbed out of the Jeep. A smile lit up her face as she saw the massive form of her adopted uncle heading towards her.
“Hi, Uncle Toby.”
“Don’t ‘hi’ me, young lady. C’mere,” the big man rumbled as Randi found herself literally swept off her feet by the massive arms that engulfed her in a loving embrace ¾ one that she no longer felt herself unworthy of.
And it felt…so…good.
Finally, the big man released his delighted captive from the bear hug and held her at arm’s length for a long moment. His gray eyes examined her with parental intensity, noting with approval the healthy tone of her complexion and the vibrant felicity in those sky blue eyes. “You look good, princess.”
Randi’s smile was serene. “I feel good, Uncle Toby.”
“I take it our feisty little mystery writer got through to you then.”
The tall woman blushed, but didn’t lose her smile. “Yes, she did.”
“Then I owe her a debt.”
Randi’s eyes glistened. “I think we both do, Uncle Toby.”
A round of unhappy barks broke the moment as Randi was reminded of her passengers. “Oops, forgot about them,” the tall woman muttered as she and the big man walked behind the Jeep.
“I’m surprised she didn’t come with you today,” the older man pondered aloud as Randi opened the door. “Though maybe it’s a good thing she didn’t.”
“Why,” the brunette inquired absently as she stared at the animals, wondering why they were standing there staring at her and not exiting the vehicle.
“She would have missed her friend.”
Randi’s eyes snapped to the storekeeper. “What friend?”
“A young man,” Toby answered. “Clean cut, fairly good-looking. He said he was a writer too, and that, as he was in the area, he thought he’d look her up. He said their publisher gave him your address, but couldn’t give him directions, so he stopped in here to ask.”
The color drained from Randi’s face. “Son of a bitch!” she growled as she slammed the back of the Jeep closed and ran around to the driver’s door and whipped it open.
Toby grabbed her arm as she climbed into the vehicle. “Randi, what’s going on?”
“Megan doesn’t have any friends that write,” she ground out as she jammed the key in the ignition. “That was her ex-boyfriend, Eric, and he’s already attacked and beat her once.”
Toby’s ruddy complexion darkened as the implications set in. “I’m going with you. I’ll get Kate to watch the store.”
“No time,” Randi bit out as she started the engine and threw it into gear. “Call the Sheriff’s office and get Dave to meet me up there.” And with that, she was gone.
Megan had just finished pouring her coffee when the telltale crunch of tires on hard-packed snow caught her attention. Setting the carafe back on the warmer, she glanced at the clock. Hmm, that didn’t take long, she mused as she padded toward the door to meet her friend.
Randi searched her pockets for her cellphone and pounded the steering wheel in frustration when she realized that she had left it on the charger. “Shit! I’m such an idiot!” she cursed loudly as she sped down the highway that suddenly seemed entirely too long. Movement at the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she noticed her two silent companions had moved up to the front and were anxiously focused on the road ahead. “You knew, didn’t you? Once again, you knew,” it was more a statement than a question. “That’s why you started carrying on when that car passed us.” Frustrated tears stung her eyes. “When am I gonna learn to listen to you? If anything happens to her…”
Megan flew to the front door, delighted to have her friend back to soon. “Getting fast in your old age?” The teasing observation died on her lips as she pulled the door open.
“Hi, sweetheart. Miss me?” Eric grinned in smug satisfaction at the look of utter terror written across the blonde’s face.
“H…how?” was all that would struggle past her constricted throat.
“Funny that,” he grinned rakishly. “It’s amazing how much information can be gleaned from a single phone number. Of course,” he added conceitedly, “it helps if you’re friends with someone in law enforcement.”
Megan’s paralyzing fear was abruptly annihilated by white-hot anger at the thought of her life once again being screwed by the very people who were sworn to protect her. She barely registered the complete shock on Eric’s face as she slammed the door shut.
Trembling fingers scrabbled for the deadbolt latch, touching on it a whisper too late as the door exploded inward, propelling her backwards to land in a disjointed heap halfway across the foyer. Panic-induced adrenaline surged through her veins as she scrambled to her feet and tried to run.
Eric’s iron grip on her bicep neutralized that attempt, and he redirected her flight momentum to send her crashing into the attic stairwell. Pain erupted throughout the small body as this new violation heaped itself on top of still-healing injuries. Megan bit her lip as she attempted to rise again and failed miserably as Eric pounced on her, pinning her to the lower steps.
“Oh, you’re not going anywhere, my pretty little bitch,” he bit out as one hand attached itself to her exposed throat and squeezed. “Not until I’m finished with you. And when I am finished with you,” he growled as his hand tightened on her throat, “you won’t be going anywhere, anyway.” Megan’s desperate eyes darted to the door, hoping against hope that she would see her dark-haired savior lunging through it, an action not unnoticed by Eric. “Your dimwitted doctor is in town,” he gloated cheerfully. “I passed her on the way over here. By the time she gets back here, you’ll be no good to anyone, and I’ll be long gone.” His face contorted into a malignant grimace. “You don’t fuck me over and walk away, bitch,” he seethed, squeezing her neck harder as he lifted his free hand and balled it into a fist.
Megan squirmed weakly in an attempt to break free, but with one arm trapped underneath her back and the other one pinned to her side by Eric’s legs, it was ultimately a futile effort. Her thoughts shifted to Randi … who would come home to a nightmare. Oh, Randi, I’m so sorry.
Black spots danced in front of her eyes, and an insistent thrumming filled her ears. She watched with fuzzy detachment as Eric’s fist loomed above her.
Suddenly the fist, along with the body that held her down, was gone. A startled squawk met her ears, followed by a grunt as something (a body?) impacted explosively with a wall. Sucking in great lungfuls of sweet, precious air, Megan’s eyes tracked to the sound …and widened in utter astonishment at the vision before her.
Eric Chalmers’ feet dangled helplessly above the floor, his entire body pinned to the wall and held in place with seeming effortlessness by a long, rigid arm. The hand of that arm was wrapped firmly around his throat.
The woman holding him there with a contemptuous ease was someone Megan was quite certain she had never seen before. Oh, she resembled Randi Oakes all right, but this woman standing before her now was something more. . . something sharper and darker with an aura of edgy, deadly menace that scraped a long, pointy fingernail of chills down Megan’s spine. The tall woman’s lips were etched in a feral grimace that only served to enhance the sub-zero fire in her eyes.
Megan’s vision blurred momentarily as an image of leather and brass burst across her consciousness like a camera flash.
And then it was gone.
What the hell…? Megan’s eyes snapped shut as she tried to recapture the fleeting image, only to have them quickly re-opened by the sensually deadly tone of the other woman’s voice.
Eric Chalmers came to the firm conclusion that sometimes life really sucked. One moment he was getting his sweet revenge and choking the little bitch senseless, and the next moment, he was flying backwards through the air and making hard, intimate contact with a wall. To make matters worse, he was now pinned to that wall by a very tall, very angry Amazon, whose arctic glare told him that he was a lump of coal.
And she was a blast furnace.
Some little voice in the back of his mind screamed at him to do something: resist, struggle, threaten, anything. The only problem, he reasoned, was that any or all of those options required the ability to breathe; something he was finding quite difficult to accomplish thanks to the large hand that was wrapped around his throat. And that damnable smile on her face… The one that begged him to put up a fight. The one that said she would destroy him utterly if he did. And that she would enjoy it…immensely. And then she spoke.
“Do you have any idea how little pressure it actually takes to crush a windpipe?” she purred, her voice a velvet razor that slid across his nerve endings.
He blinked at her, his response an unintelligible grunt.
“Would you like to find out?” The hand tightened just a bit.
This time he was able to cough out a raspy, “No…please.”
And just like that, the hand on his throat was gone, and he dropped to the floor in a gasping, boneless heap.
“Then you’ll sit there and not move,” she rumbled. “And when the Sheriff comes, you will very quietly and very cooperatively get into his car and let him take you away from here.” She dropped down on one knee and locked eyes with him. “And you will forget Megan Galagher ever existed. Because if you don’t,” a lightning-fast hand darted out and locked painfully on his jaw, “you’ll be making a one-way trip back up this mountain. And my friends and I,” she cast a glance at the two rigidly posed, snarling animals behind and beside her, “will make quite certain your body is never found. Ya got me?”
Eric shivered from the silky, venomous timbre in the woman’s voice as she delivered her warning and, upon her mention, found his eyes tracking to her two “companions.” Where the hell did they come from? One of them, a small, golden creature, hovered protectively in front of the writer. And the other, sleek, large and darkly beautiful, stood almost shoulder to shoulder with the raven-haired woman. Eric blanched as his gaze darted back and forth between two sets of menacingly blue eyes. Jesus Christ…their eyes…they’re the same! his mind babbled disconcertedly. A quick, painful squeeze of his jaw brought his attention back to the woman as she repeated, “Got me?” He fixed wide, panicky eyes on hers and nodded as enthusiastically as her grip on his jaw would allow. No way, no how, do I ever wanna see you again, lady. He was pathetically pleased to see the stocky, somber man in the neatly pressed brown uniform place a gentle hand on the Amazon’s shoulder and say, “We’ll take care of him now, Randi.”
At the soft touch and gentle assurance, all the air seemed to leave Randi’s body, and she turned grateful eyes to the law officer standing above her. “Thanks, Dave,” she sighed as she was finally able to turn her focus to her beloved writer whose watery green gaze begged for her nearness.
Randi crossed the room in less than a heartbeat, and in less time than that, found her arms filled with a shaking, sobbing blonde writer. She clung tightly to the distressed woman and nuzzled the fair hair while cooing soft, soothing reassurances in her ear. Randi took this small brief moment of down time to reflect on the last few minutes. That’s really all it was, wasn’t it? It all happened so fast.
And it was…surreal.
She barely remembered throwing the Jeep into park and leaping out of the vehicle, barely recalled bounding up the stairs and being jolted to an abrupt stop in the shattered doorway by the sight of that bastard straddling her beloved and choking the life out of her.
She did remember though, the sensual chill of the red haze that swept across her senses and enveloped her soul. Everything after that played out like a very detailed, very interactive dream sequence as she watched and felt herself move into the house, grab Eric Chalmers by the back of his shirt and fling him across the room as if he were a rag doll. It never occurred to her to wonder how she could do that. Or how she could lift this man, who likely outweighed her by a good forty pounds, and hold him suspended off the floor with just one hand. Or why it felt so damn good to look into his eyes and see complete, mindless terror there. But none of that mattered at the time. All that did matter was the dark, heady power that sang through her veins and the primal, wolfish … something … that clawed at her belly and whispered in her head, He hurt her…and now it’s his turn to hurt.
It would have been so easy to just … keep … squeezing. She wanted to. The Wolf certainly wanted her to. But his panicky, pathetic “No, please” struck a chord that neither she nor the Wolf could ignore. Megan wouldn’t want that…and neither do I. So the Wolf heaved an aggrieved sigh, and Randi let drop her loathsome captive.
But we can still have some fun, the Wolf grinned … well, wolfishly. And so she did, keeping Eric Chalmers very intimidated until Sheriff Dave Burrows smooth intervention chased the Wolf back into her lair and allowed the gentle doctor to turn her attention to where it was needed.
God! What was that? I’ve never…I mean, I couldn’t even bring myself to use a trap to get rid of that mouse that got in here last year. Since when did I become some dark and deadly ‘terminator’ type? She absently nuzzled the soft hair of the now-quiet blonde who clung tenaciously to her, and the answer knocked on her forehead. Since I fell in love, that’s when. I may not be crazy about that part of me, but it’s nice to know that I can protect her if she needs it, the brunette resolved with a sigh.
“Randi, are you okay?”
The blonde’s concerned question roused the brunette from her troubled contemplation. “I’m fine, sweetheart.” Randi caressed the tearstained cheek. “Are you all right?”
“I’m great…now,” the blonde murmured, her verdant gaze comprised of lingering awe, sincere affection and something slightly more…intense. “You were,” she paused, searching for the right words, “amazing.” Megan cupped the doctor’s hotly blushing cheek. “You are my hero. You know that, don’t you?”
Randi’s embarrassed protest was interrupted by a deep masculine voice. “Are you girls all right?”
Both women looked up at the approaching man-mountain the voice belonged to. “We’re okay, Toby,” the raven-haired woman responded.
The older man crouched down in front of them, his gray eyes focusing on the small blonde and narrowing angrily as he reached out and gently caressed the yellowing bruise around Megan’s eye.
The young woman swallowed a sob at the unexpected tenderness from a man who barely knew her and had every reason to still dislike her for the pain she put his heart’s daughter through. Leaning lightly into the touch, she brought her hand up and delicately covered his. “It’ll heal,” she murmured reassuringly.
“Of that, I have no doubt, young lady. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t still like a few moments alone with that young devil,” he growled.
And he was rewarded with a grateful smile that was so innocent… and open…and affectionate, that it took his breath away. Aw, Katie, we’ve got another heart thief on our hands, love.
“Urhmm,” he cleared his throat noisily, trying to regain the gruff composure that had melted under her green gaze. “The Sheriff’s going to want to be talking to you two. So I’m gonna go rustle up a pot of coffee,” he announced brusquely, rising to his full height and striding off to the kitchen.
Randi watched the big man’s retreat for a moment before turning to the smaller woman who was clearly confused by his abrupt departure. “Is he okay?” Megan inquired timidly.
“Oh, he’s fine,” the doctor grinned. “He just gets a little flustered when adorable young writers bag big, tough ol’ bears without even trying.”
Emerald eyes blinked owlishly. “I didn’t…don’t be silly…he’s probably just…I don’t…” she sputtered.
“You’ll see,” the tall woman smirked as she rose to her feet and held out a hand for Megan. “Let’s go talk to Dave and get this over with.”
Chapter Thirty-one
Randi leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping on her now-lukewarm coffee, as Megan finished up the phone conversation with her mother. Both women had decided, after everybody had gone for the evening, that the writer should call both her mother and her publisher and let them know what had taken place. As expected, both the publisher and Megan’s mother were outraged and concerned and fully ready to drop everything and take a trip to Cutters Gap. But Megan managed to convince them that she was in good hands, and that, between the attack in New York and the one here, Eric would not be seeing the outside world for quite a while. She sweetened the deal by promising that both she and her flabbergasted savior would be making a trip to the city within the coming weeks. Megan rose from the table and padded over to the tall woman as she offered final reassurances to the woman on the other end of the phone.
“Yes, mother, I promise,” the young woman murmured into the phone as she stood before the tall doctor and basked in the affectionate gaze that was for her and her only. “I love you too, mother. Good night.” With that, she placed the receiver on the counter and, giving in to her body’s insistent pleading, folded herself into the warm, welcoming body of her doctor and sighed contentedly as long arms enveloped her.
It had been a hell of a day, she reflected. Shit! It’s been a hell of a month her mind grumbled. But, with this being the end result of that month, she found she didn’t really mind the rest of it. “Can I stay like this forever?” she sighed, mostly to herself.
One word, simple and concise. But said with so much meaning that Megan had to lift her head and look at the speaker.
And what she saw in that crystal blue regard almost made her cry, as it filled her with a peace and a sense of belonging that she had never known before. I’m home.
There was so much she wanted to say, but couldn’t find the words for. So she went for the ones her heart was tapping at the door with. “I love you, Randi Christine Oakes.” With that, she reached up and captured the lips that she’d been hungering for all evening.
Finally, after many long moments of oral and tactile exploration, the breathless writer drew back and looked into glazed, darkened eyes. “Randi?”
“Hmmm?” was the only response the brunette was capable of.
“I’m not drunk now.”
Randi’s heart rate doubled and her hormones did a standing ovation, as the import of Megan’s statement became clear.
Without another word, the small blonde took the speechless doctor’s hand and led her purposely down the hall.
Megan paused as they reached the bedroom door. Hesitating for just a moment before turning her head and becoming captured by the look of pure desire and love that radiated from Randi’s face. Megan’s thudded wildly at the sight and she squeezed Randi’s hand tenderly. The doctor raised the smaller hand to her lips and kissed it softly.
The simple tender gesture caused Megan’s knee to buckle slightly. Randi wrapped her long arms around the writer’s body and pulled her closer. The gesture, meant only to steady Megan sent a jolt of pleasure thru both women. A sigh escaped Megan as she leaned in closer to the woman who had stolen her heart.
Randi couldn’t believe that she was finally holding the woman who had at first infuriated her. Now she couldn’t imagine her life without her. Randi brushed her thumb across Megan’s cheek, eliciting another sigh from the smaller woman. She found herself captivated by those amazing pools of emerald staring up at her. There was so much trust in those eyes. The thought of how much trust Megan was placing in her hands suddenly frightened Randi.
Megan reached up and laced her fingers thru Randi’s long raven tresses. The writer pulled her closer as she leaned up to meet her. Their lips met shyly. The warmth of this encounter washing away all fears and doubts from both women. At this moment in time it was just the two of them.
Randi pulled Megan closer, her hands roaming down the writer’s back. This is what she needed. Megan was a part of her. Randi’s tongue began to caress Megan’s lips, silently pleading for entrance. Megan parted her lips inviting, Randi’s exploration. The doctor found herself moaning as she entered the warmth of Megan’s mouth. As she explored the sweet warmth she knew that she had never experienced anything this incredible in her life.
Megan’s heart was pounding inside her chest as her own tongue began to dance sensually with Randi’s. The kiss deepened quickly as they explored one another freely. For the first time in her life, Megan felt alive. The feel of Randi’s arms wrapped around her body and her breath on her skin was making her body tremble and her stomach clench.
Reluctantly Randi broke away when the need for air became overwhelming. “All of this from just one kiss.” Megan gasped as she continued to run her fingers thru Randi’s hair. “I never knew I could feel like this.” the writer confessed with a slight blush, the look of love clearly written across her cherubic features.
“I love you.” It was the only response Randi could manage to utter. She felt the truth of those three words echoing to her very core.
Megan felt like crying from the sincerity of those words as Randi reclaimed her lips. The soft kiss was full of promise as Randi’s mouth moved to Megan’s cheek. Then Randi began to place feathery kisses on Megan’s chin. Megan’s head fell back slightly as she offered her neck to the doctor’s eager mouth. The sensation was causing her body to quiver. The writer’s skin burned with desire from each tender kiss Randi placed down her neck.
Randi stepped slightly away from the petite blonde and took her gently by the hand. The smaller woman’s smoky green gaze told her everything she needed to know. Randi slowly led her lover into the bedroom. The doctor’s hormones were racing uncontrollably, and she quieted them as best she could. She wanted to take things slowly with her young lover. She needed to savor every moment of making love to this woman. Standing before the bed she captured Megan’s face in her hands.
Megan leaned into her lover’s touch, fighting back the urge to beg this woman to ravish her right then and there. Despite the urgent signals her body was sending, it wasn’t what she truly wanted. Megan nuzzled Randi’s neck and drank in her scent. She kissed the hollow of the doctor’s throat, feeling herself ache in response as Randi released a sensual moan. Everything about the taller woman inflamed her. The unfamiliar intensity was as intoxicating as it was frightening.
Randi hands ran slowly over Megan’s shoulders as the blonde feasted upon her neck. The tall woman’s fingers ached to touch the skin that lay beneath the writer’s clothing. She felt Megan’s trembling fingers fighting with the buttons on her shirt, and she stepped away slightly, capturing the quivering digits in her hand. Megan looked up at her quizzically.
Randi brought Megan’s hands to her mouth and kissed each one softly. Then slowly she brought Megan’s smaller digits to her mouth. She tasted each one slowly, torturing the blonde as her tongue suckled the fingers one by one. Randi watched in pleasure, as Megan’s breathing became ragged.
Megan thought she was going fall from the sensation of her finger being sucked into the warmth of Randi’s mouth, her tongue wrapping around the digit as her teeth grazed across it. Megan could only whimper in response as she fought to remain standing. Her head was spinning by the time Randi was done. Thankfully Randi finally released her trembling hands. Megan reached out and clasped her lover’s hips in an effort to steady herself.
Megan couldn’t believe the sensation of sheer pleasure her body was experiencing. She watched in a haze as Randi began to slowly unbutton her blouse. Her hands gripped the taller woman’s hips tighter as her top was lowered from her shoulders.
Randi’s heart was pounding as she drank in the sight of Megan standing before her with her shirt hanging half way off of her body. “You are so beautiful.” She whispered softly as she leaned in and began to kiss Megan’s inviting neck. Her mouth and tongue slowly began to blaze a trail down Megan’s body. She felt her lover’s hands moving across her backside. Randi moaned into Megan’s skin as the blonde hands began to tug her shirt out of her pants.
Megan could feel Randi’s breath on her skin as she yanked the taller woman’s shirt out of her pants. Randi kissed the valley between her breasts as the blonde’s hands slipped up under the shirt. The feel of Randi’s skin beneath her fingers sent another wave of desire thru her body. Randi lifted her head, and once again Megan was mesmerized. The writer moved her hands and allowed her lover to remove her top and toss it onto the floor.
Randi’s fingers made small circles across her lover’s exposed flesh. Randi was lost in the feel of Megan’s skin responding to her touch. Megan slowly removed Randi’s top and tossed it along side of her own. They stood there, each drinking in the sight of the other as their fingers ran slowly up and down the other’s body. Randi smiled when she felt Megan’s stomach muscles clench as she ran her fingers across her abdomen. She moaned as she felt Megan shyly touching her breast.
Megan licked her lips in anticipation as she carefully felt the curve of Randi’s firm full breast through the material of her bra. She felt her lover’s hands caressing her back. As she felt her bra being unclasped, her body arched in response. With the palms of her hands, she brushed against Randi’s nipples, which were straining against the material of her bra. Megan felt a rush of desire as her lover’s breasts responded to her touch.
Randi slowly lowered Megan’s bra down her arms. She felt her breath catching in her throat as she looked down upon her lover’s half naked body. The doctor choked back the tears as she realized she had never seen anything more beautiful in her life. Her body hummed with desire as she felt her own bra being lowered. Each stepped away slightly allowing their lover to remove the garments and toss them aside.
They leaned into one another, their nipples brushing as they reclaimed one another’s lips. The feel of their bodies meeting for the first time as their tongues dueled for control only made Megan crave for more. Hands roamed freely needing to feel the other. Megan pressed into Randi’s firm body, driven by the sudden urgency to feel more of her lover.
Randi fought to slow things down. But as their bodies swayed together, she could feel her passion growing steadily out of control. She reluctantly broke away from the kiss, only to feel Megan kissing her neck once again. She moaned as she realized her lover was nearing her aching breasts. She released a strangled cry as she felt Megan cupping one of her breasts. Her body arched as the blonde’s tongue began to tease her other nipple.
The sounds of her lover panting, and the taste of her skin, were driving Megan insane. She continued to tease Randi’s nipple, and with each flick of her tongue, she could feel Randi’s body shudder in pleasure. Megan captured Randi’s nipple in her mouth as the brunette groaned in pleasure. Megan could feel her lover’s excitement as she teased her with her teeth and her tongue, and she felt her lover leading her. It wasn’t until her knees pressed against the edge of the bed did she realized where she was being led to.
Randi pulled away from her lover’s eager mouth and slowly lowered her onto the bed. “I love you.” She repeated in a husky tone as she looked down upon Megan lying on her bed. Randi knelt before her lover who was reaching out for her. Randi captured the blonde’s hand and kissed it tenderly. “I want to show you how much I love you.” Randi stated with conviction as she released Megan’s hand.
Megan could only nod in response as Randi’s hands began to slowly caress her body. Megan quivered with each touch as she watched her lover slowly begin to remove the remainder of her clothing. Soon the blonde lay naked on the bed, knowing that her arousal was clearly written across every inch of her body. And she didn’t care; the only thing she cared about at this moment was Randi.
Randi stood before her lover, drinking in her body. But it was more than that sight that moved the doctor; it was the look of love in the young writer’s eyes that made her heart and body ache. Randi watched in delight as her lover’s hungry eyes tracked her every movement. Slowly she removed her own clothing. Now completely exposed to the woman she loved, she blushed as Megan licked her lips with desire.
Megan held out a hand to the vision of beauty standing before her. Their fingers wrapped together as Megan gently pulled Randi down onto the bed. Both women moaned in pleasure as their bodies met, and melded. Two bodies instinctually wrapped around each other in a sensual dance. Megan could feel her lover’s passion pressing against her skin and she pulled Randi closer, claiming her lips in a deep, wet kiss.
Randi was lost in the pleasure of Megan’s kiss as their bodies began to move against one another. Hands roamed freely, needing to feel every inch of the other’s body. They sank deeper into each other as they rolled around on top of the bed. Randi slipped her thigh between her lover’s legs and was greeted by a deep moan. She could feel how much Megan wanted her touch. Randi slowed the kisses as she cupped Megan’s breast.
The taller woman began to nibble on Megan’s earlobe. The writer trembled as she felt Randi’s hot breath in her ear. Her body arched as she felt Randi’s tongue dip into her ear, and her fingers teased her already aching nipples. “Yes.” Megan heard herself groaning as their bodies continued to rock together.
Randi began to kiss her way down Megan’s body taking to time to savor the taste of the blonde’s skin. Her lover lay beneath her, squirming in pleasure as their hips moved together in a sensual rhythm. Randi kissed the valley between Megan’s breasts as the blonde gripped her shoulders tightly. Randi smiled against Megan’s heaving chest as her mouth continued to tease the blonde.
Randi captured Megan’s nipple in her mouth and began to suckle it greedily. She felt Megan thrust against her as she teased her nipple slowly. “Randi.” Megan moaned with desire. The sound of Megan calling out her name further fueled her desires. Randi turned her attention to her lover’s other breast and then back again. She knew she was driving Megan crazy as she felt her lover wrapping her legs around her body.
Megan pressed against Randi’s body with fury. “Please.” She whimpered as she rocked against Randi’s firm body. Every fiber of her being was calling out for more. She needed to feel her lover, to touch Randi the way she was touching her. She whimpered again as Randi’s mouth abandoned her breasts. Randi captured her once again in a deep sensual kiss. Megan was certain that she was going to pass out from the intense emotions racing thru her body.
Randi found herself stopping just to look into her lover’s eyes. Megan smiled up at her. Randi leaned down and kissed those addictive lips once, and then again. “I love you.” Megan whispered against the doctor’s full lips. Blue eyes twinkled in gentle response as the raven-haired beauty began kissing her way down her lover’s body. This time continuing to blaze a trail further down; nestling herself between Megan’s thighs as she placed tender kisses across the blonde’s stomach.
Randi descended further and blew a heated breath through Megan’s dampened curls. Randi looked up at Megan, seeking reassurance. “Make love to me.” Megan choked out as she wrapped her legs around Randi’s broad shoulders. Randi flashed Megan a brilliant smile as she adjusted her position raising her lover’s body slightly.
Megan felt her body arch uncontrollably as Randi kissed the inside of her thighs. She couldn’t help gasping suddenly as Randi slowly dipped into her passion, tasting her for the first time. Megan watched as blue eyes twinkled up at her while Randi’s tongue continued to pleasure her. Incoherent sounds bubbled from her lips as she felt Randi’s tongue taunting her center; alternately caressing and devouring her unbearably sensitized flesh. She bit down on her bottom lip to stifle a scream as she felt that talented muscle spear into her depths to gather more of her.
Randi listened to her lover’s whimpers as she began to suckle her. She captured the throbbing bundle in her mouth and suckled her greedily. Randi lost herself in the taste of her lover’s wetness. She held Megan steadily as her body rose in pleasure. Megan was calling her name as Randi filled her. The blonde’s body trembling against her as she pleasured her with her fingers and her mouth.
Megan felt the waves of ecstasy crashing down on her as her body lifted higher. Unable to fight against the sheer pleasure, she allowed herself to fall over the edge. She could hear a strange buzzing in her ears as her eyes fluttered shut. She knew she was screaming, but was unaware of what she was saying. She collapsed against the bed. Randi continued to pleasure her and once again she felt her body exploding.
“That’s not possible.” She moaned as the aftershocks trickled thru her body. She looked down to Randi laughing lightly between her thighs. She could feel her body continuing to pulsate against Randi’s fingers as the brunette rested her head against her trembling stomach.
Finally Megan’s breathing calmed slightly. “Hold me.” She pleaded. Randi smiled up at her as she climbed up her body. The feel of Randi’s hair caressing her body as the doctor climbed up her sent a new wave of desire through her body.
Randi wrapped the trembling woman up and her arms and kissed the top of her head. She felt Megan wrapping her body around her own. Randi moaned before she could stop herself. She felt Megan gently guiding her onto her back. The blonde leaned over Randi’s long body and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
“That was… amazing.” Megan murmured huskily. “I never knew it could be like that.” Megan touched her lips shyly as realized how she tasted on her lover’s lips.
The writer smiled as she looked down upon her lover. Her hand cupped Randi’s cheek, and she sighed as the brunette leaned into her touch. Her heart lurched as she realized that this was what she had been waiting for. It took her lifetime but she finally understood what was to love and be loved.
Randi lay there as Megan’s hands began to explore her body with soft gentle caresses that were slowly driving her insane. Randi allowed the gentle touching as she felt her need growing. Megan seemed to be memorizing every inch of her body.
Megan lay down beside Randi and allowed her fingers to drift slowly up and down the long firm body. Megan watched in delighted pleasure as Randi’s breathing became ragged. Her hand drifted down to the dark triangle. Megan unconsciously licked her lips as her fingers felt the soft curls. She felt Randi’s excitement greeting her touch. She hesitated briefly as she looked deeply into Randi’s eyes. The look of desire she was receiving made her heart start to race once again.
Randi moaned as she felt Megan’s fingers dipping shyly into her wetness. She parted her legs, allowing the blonde to feel all that she had to offer. Her eyes drifted shut as she felt Megan’s thumb grazing her throbbing clitoris. She willed herself to be patient as Megan continued her shy exploration.
Megan felt her own excitement growing as Randi responded to her touch. Her caresses through the slick folds becoming bolder as her lover moaned in pleasure. She pressed her thumb against her lovers swollen clit as her fingers slipped into wet warmth. She felt her own heart skip a beat as her lover’s walls greedily captured those fingers. With an excited moan, Megan leaned her head down and seized one of Randi’s nipples in her mouth, loving the taste of her lover’s skin.
Megan’s fingers slowly plunged in and out of Randi as she teased her nipple in her mouth. After she felt Randi’s body rising in pleasure, she needed more. She released Randi’s breast from the warmth of her mouth and began to kiss her way down her lover’s body. Spurred on by the taste of Randi’s skin and lost in a haze of desire, she found herself nestled between those long legs.
Randi draped her legs down Megan’s back and opened herself to her lover. Megan’s mouth moving shyly as she felt her way. Randi fought to keep her eyes open so she could watch her lover. “I love you.” Megan whispered into her. Randi fought back the tears of joy.
Slowly Megan began to taste her lover deeper; bringing tentative fingers up to caress the silken folds and, responding to Randi’s very favorable reactions, began to pleasure the tall beauty with lips and tongue and fingers. The sensation of her lover pressing against her was driving Megan crazy with desire, as mouth and fingers began working in unison. She was rewarded by the feel of Randi’s endless legs pressing against her back in passion’s rhythm. She could feel her lover nearing the edge with each flick of her tongue.
Feeling her own thighs trembling she increased her pace steadily. Megan held Randi tightly as she thrust against her mouth, the taste and sounds of her lover causing Megan’s own body to respond. Randi was begging her for more, and Megan happily deepened her touch. As she felt her lover climaxing against her, the sensation drove her over the edge. She found herself screaming into Randi’s wetness.
“You are amazing.” Randi panted as Megan curled up in her arms. “What is it?” The doctor inquired seeing the puzzled look on Megan’s face.
“I never thought I could feel so much by making love to someone else.” Megan choked out.
Randi let out a soft chuckle as they clung to one another. They climbed under the covers and held each other tightly, exchanging soft promising kisses. Their hands roamed ceaselessly, and they soon found themselves lost in the throes of passion once again. They made love slowly, neither one wanting this time to end. Each time they cuddled up, a simple touch or look would reignite their passion.
Early dawn found two sated lovers locked together in sleep. Two hearts locked together in love. And two souls reunited and locked together,
Randi laid her pen down and closed the bright orange folder that she was making notes in. Leaning back in the large, leather chair, she heaved a contented sigh as she let her eyes wander around the room. It contained the customary desk fronted by two rather bland chairs, file cabinets, bookshelves lined with medical reference materials and a surprisingly comfortable leather couch. As offices go, it wasn’t very large, and it certainly could never be accused of being professionally opulent. But the name proudly displayed on the white, opaque glass of the door made the size and the plainness totally irrelevant.
Dr. Randi C. Oakes, M.D P.C.
Randi studied the name proudly displayed on the door and allowed a small, self-indulgent smile to shape her lips. I never thought I’d see that, Uncle Jake. I never thought I’d even set foot back inside this hospital, let alone be practicing here again. But, then again, I’d never imagined meeting a little five-foot-four keg of dynamite that would drag my sorry butt out of the hole I had dug for it. Randi shook her head as she reflected on the last few months. They had been a whirlwind of activity as Randi, with the gentle encouragement and support of the writer, emerged from her reclusive shell and allowed herself to reunite with the community and the friends she had left behind. Megan had also kept her word to her mother and publisher as an adorably shy, raven-haired beauty was introduced to a warmly welcoming mother and partner and, later, to a smugly happy publisher. I’m glad we took the girls along. Charly got an absolute kick out of Xena. But the beautiful, blonde writer hadn’t stopped there ¾ no. Randi’d had one more hurdle yet to leap ¾ one that would be the hardest, but would have the most profound effect on the rest of Randi’s life.
And so, it was a highly reluctant and inwardly trembling woman who walked into Knox General Hospital to “visit” with friends and acquaintances, and a shell-shocked, but proud and happy, reinstated doctor who emerged. Looking back, the brunette couldn’t help but shake her head at the small blonde’s dogged determination that she just “drop in and say hi.” Some ‘hi’ that turned out to be, the tall woman snorted. That brat must have known they’d want me back. And bless her heart, she must have known how badly I needed to be back. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay her for all that she’s given me, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying.
Watery blue eyes tracked to the delicate, gold leaf, book frame that sat proudly her desk. Megan had presented it to her on the eve of their victorious visit to the hospital. On one side was a photograph of a wildly grinning Randi standing behind, and with her arms wrapped around, an equally happy Megan as they posed at the front entrance of Toby’s store. And in the other frame was a small, beautiful poem that Megan swore just, somehow, happened when she was thinking of Randi one day. Deciding that she liked it and hoping that Randi would too, the writer took the poem and had it rewritten by a calligrapher on authentic, aged parchment and then placed it in the adjoining frame.
Do you know what I see
When I look in your eyes?
I see endless summer skies
And deep, peaceful lakes.
I see gentle, moonlit nights
And the twinkling of a thousand stars.
I see gentle passion
And fierce serenity.
I see ancient wisdom
And childlike wonder.
And when they look at me
I see infinite patience
When I am most trying.
I see boundless affection
When I am most undeserving.
I see absolute warmth
When I am most cold.
I see pure, abiding love
When I am most unexpecting.
And best of all
I see my home
When I am feeling most lost.
I see everything I should be, could be and ever want to be
In your eyes.
Randi reflected on the day that she’d received it. To say that she’d liked it would be a gross understatement, and a tearful, joyful and exceptionally ardent doctor spent the rest of the day and most of the night expressing her appreciation in any and every way that she knew. I can’t believe she’s never written poetry before. But that’s what makes this all the more special. It’s not just a poem, it’s a…heartsong. A delighted smile curled her lips. And it was just for me! God, I miss you, baby. I hope you get back from your book signing tour soon.
A knock on the door interrupted her wistful reverie as a cheerful, curly-haired young nurse bounced in, carrying a small, square package. “This just came for you, Dr. Oakes,” she announced brightly. “I figured it might be something you were expecting, so I brought it right over.”
“Thanks, Ronny,” the doctor called to the retreating nurse as she examined the return address on the label. Hmm, Megan’s publishing house. I’ll bet I know what this is, the tall woman grinned as she tore open the box. Randi tore off the final wrapping and surveyed the bold title of her writer’s newest offering.
Deadly Medicine A Samantha Steele mystery
You knew I was gonna want to read this one, didn’t you, you brat? Randi recalled her surprise when, in the course of obtaining some medical advice for the plot of her new story, Megan revealed her intention to introduce a gay, female doctor who starts out assisting a reluctant Sam Steele and ends up becoming Sam’s unofficial sidekick. Randi had expressed concerns over how this change would be received by the current readership, but the writer remained undeterred. Meg felt that she owed something to that class of people whom she’d vigorously maligned, and this was her way of repaying that debt. “You are going to tweak so many noses with this one, my love,” the doctor speculated aloud.
“True,” a cheerful voice rang from the doorway. “But I might also un-tweak a few noses…and gain a new reader base in the bargain.”
Startled by the unexpected response, Randi looked up, a delighted smile lighting up her face as she beheld a flaxen-haired, green-eyed goddess lounging against the doorjamb. In less than a heartbeat, she was out from behind her desk and within arm’s reach of her lover as the blonde entered the office and closed the door behind her.
Megan let out a startled, delighted squeak as she was lifted in strong arms, twirled and then kissed absolutely senseless.
After several long, luscious moments, the blonde was allowed to come up for air. “Good lord!” she gasped in glassy-eyed wonder. “I’m going to have to go on book tours more often.”
“Nuh,uh” the tall woman murmured between random, wispy pecks. “Just being you and loving me will get you these kinds of kisses any day, every day, for the rest of my life. I love you.”
Megan’s throat burned against the joy-filled sob that begged to escape as she gazed into adoring, azure eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you, Randi Oakes, but I hope I’ll keep doing it. In this lifetime and every one that follows.”
“You will. It’s in our contract,” the brunette quipped, lightening the heavy emotional atmosphere. Randi straightened and assumed an officious air. “Small, beautiful, blonde bards must meet, hang around with, and eventually fall in love with tall, dark, guilt-stricken and dense warrior/healer types. It’s on page sixty-seven, paragraph ten,” the doctor finished with a satisfied grin.
“Well, I guess we can’t go against a contract then, can we?” the blonde surmised, green eyes twinkling merrily.
The two stood grinning at each other for a long moment before Randi spoke up. “So, I notice that your new character is also short, blonde and green-eyed,” she observed wryly. “Is that contract gonna be amended to read ‘small, beautiful, blonde bards/healers that meet, hang around with, and eventually fall in love with tall, dark, warrior/healer/detective types?'”
“Hmm, I dunno,” the blonde grinned mischievously. “I could make them really…close…”friends” and let the readers draw their own conclusions. Or,” she chuckled at the narrow-eyed glare she was receiving, “let’s just say it depends on the ‘feedback’ I get from certain loyal readers,” she finished, smiling coquettishly.
“Feedback, huh?”
Randi grasped the smaller hand and began backing up to the leather couch.
“I can do feedback.”
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Death at UAH
As I was about to write up the latest smoggy stuff, I thought I’d better check out Eli in case he had written it up first. And lo, I thought, Condolences referred to the death of Christy’s scientific reputation. But no, it is about real death. So I need to press on.
[[John Christy]] has been a bit of a skeptic for ages. Quite where he gets it from is unclear – perhaps because he and Spencer did the first version of the [[satellite temperature record]] and, well, they got it wrong. In that it showed cooling, and so they became the poster boys for the real septics like Singer and Michaels and Inhofe. Perhaps some of that seeped in. But it turned out that a longer record showed a different answer, and that their version needed a pile of corrections, and when you do all that it shows warming. In the course of this long slow unravelling they got a fair amount of justified stick; and perhaps that pushed him towards the Dark Side.
But he was still a reputable scientist, somewhat in the mould of Lindzen though less eminent. Whilst clearly on the skeptical side he retained his k. The wiki page can’t really work out what to say about his views, which is correct, as it is hard to wade through the morass of conflicting stuff, and ends up with While he supports the AGU declaration and is convinced that human activities are one cause of the global warming that has been measured, Christy is “still a strong critic of scientists who make catastrophic predictions of huge increases in global temperatures and tremendous rises in sea levels.”
However, he got sucked in the the septic tide and published some stuff with Douglass in IJC in 2007 that was fundamentally flawed (Santer’s letter explains the details). The septics puffed it up; but it all fell apart a year later when Santer et al. ripped it to shreds, but of course there was a year of PR down the drain by then. Now Christy, I think, is not very strong on stats, and may well not have realised the error at the time of publication (though he should have known, because it had already been rejected from another journal for the same error). And a combination of pride, and of refusing to be corrected by the “other side”, and perhaps pressure from his co-authors, meant he never admitted to the error. Nor, as Santer points, did he ever attempt to defend it – defend in a proper scientific sense that is, not just in the sense of saying “we were right”. Instead he has a rather nasty piece which entirely evades the scientific issues (I don’t think their appendix A cuts it). They seem to complain that they never had a chance to respond to Santer’s paper which is odd – they had, and still have, every chance to write a proper response. Just like Santer et al. did. Instead, they chose to evade and whinge.
As Santer said, the paper that ended in IJC was intended for GRL. GRL is a far higher status journal, and has better quality reviewers, including Santer, and these reviews had already spotted the error. IJC is quite a lowly journal, and an odd choice for Americans, and looks like it was deliberately chosen as a journal of last resort for a dodgy paper. Christy relies rather heavily on selective quotes from leaked emails to make his case that the world is against him; it would be rather interesting were he to release the review comments on his paper.
[Update: Santer’s appendix A is here. Thanks Eli -W]
Author wmconnolleyPosted on February 14, 2010 Categories climate communication, climate scienceTags christy, death, jumping the shark, santer, satellite temperature record, septic, skeptic, spencer, uah
100 thoughts on “Death at UAH”
Well, the timing is unfortunate but life goes on. IEHO there are two interesting questions here. The first is who approached whom. It really looks like Douglass started this and at some point Robert Knox was involved, so did they, ala Singer and Revelle, approach Christy for reputation? or visa versa? Did they approach Spencer or Lindzen first. Another reason to FOIA their emails, but alas, U Rochester is not a state university.
The second, well you will have to read Rabett Run tomorrow. Eli will think of something.
Nicolas Nierenberg says:
Your link the the “nasty piece” seems to be broken.
[Fixed – thanks -W]
What do you find nasty about this article? It seems like a recounting of the history of the publication of the papers from his perspective using the emails to fill in the gaps.
[For that, I can only refer you to this -W]
You point out that the paper was rejected from another journal as if resubmitting to another journal is unusual, but I don’t think that it is. Also I don’t think that an author is free to release reviewer’s comments.
[It is uncommon, but not unusual. It *is* a comment on the quality of the paper, as you are well ware. Christy seems to feel quite happy to print and discuss leaked emails, so why isn’t he happy to leak his reviewers comments? -W]
It actually wouldn’t be so easy to get another original article published on this topic, and the comment path in IJOC does seem closed off by the way this was done. To continue on the topic they would have to do much more than simply reply to what they perceive as the errors in the Santer paper.
[In this you are simply wrong -W]
Christy wasn’t in on the first paper. Maybe Douglass never informed him of the exact reason for the rejection of GRL?
Equally interesting: why wasn’t Knox on the second paper?
Maybe FOI some e-mails there…
[John Christy]] has been a bit of a skeptic for ages. Quite where he gets it from is unclear – perhaps because he and Spencer did the first version of the [[satellite temperature record]] and, well, they got it wrong.
Christy has talked about his experiences of being a southern baptist minister in Africa, and how that has helped shape his belief that the benefits of development to the third world far outweigh any possible climate change problems, and that such development will require fossil fuels.
This is a good piece from 2001. I’m sure our host is aware of it, but perhaps others here aren’t.
It talks a lot about the intertwining of his experiences and beliefs, and his science.
It’s interesting because it was written before all the errors in Christy’s and Spencer’s work had been uncovered, so there are gems like:
As soon as he published his figures in 1990, Christy was attacked in scientific journals, in the media, and as the years passed, on the Web. There were questions about satellite drift, orbital decay, instrument temperature, and other possible biases. While environmentalists accused him of destroying the planet, industry public relations officers gleefully distributed Christy’s statistics on the Internet. Of the two contingents, Christy says, “I’m more upset with environmental advocacy groups who lie about my data, who say it’s inaccurate.”
Well, it wasn’t just environmental advocacy groups, and they weren’t lying, Christy and Spencer were wrong.
Later in the article:
To keep politics from appearing to bias his science, Christy refuses support from industry groups. He works strictly with funding from NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Energy, the Department of Transportation, and the state of Alabama. But he is driven by a fundamental, religious belief that human life is “precious above all else,” and his doubts about global warming can almost seem like an outgrowth of his distaste for any centralized government action. Asked what he would do if his data did show the troposphere warming in lockstep with the Earth’s surface, he seemed genuinely at a loss. “I guess I’d still be skeptical about forecasts of catastrophe,” he said. “That’s my nature.”
He’s certainly stayed the course … and then some.
You should also look at Christy’s role in the dreadful Klotzbach et al 2009 in JGR.
Question #1:
How did he not catch that it was not reasonable to assume that modeled (or real) tropospheric amplification factor, relative to surface temperature trends, would be identical over land and ocean?
That’s a major error in his field of expertise, is it not?
[He is 4th author behind the Pielkes. It isn’t good, but he probably didn’t do much for it. His major area is radiative transfer (I think) and while he has been around this stuff a lot, he may not be so great at land-sea basic climatology stuff. I’m not close enough to know -W]
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/11/muddying-the-peer-reviewed-literature/
Of course, none of the authors admit that there was an error at all, as far as I know.
I read Santer’s open letter and he referred to an appendix A which wasn’t there. Does anyone know where to find this appendix?
William politely neglects to recount the remainder of Christy’s history of dodgy papers, denialist-leaning public pronouncements, bad behavior when working with peers and association with anti-scientific wingnut enterprises like the George Marshall Institute. It’s quite the rap sheet.
I agree with dhogaza that the likely explanation for Christy and the handful of similarly-situated scientists is that they simply refuse to believe that reality would do this to them, regardless of whether those views are based on what they think jeebus says or just plain personal incredulity. Per Planck, there’s just no convincing such people.
Re #2, if Christy and colleagues had any sort of legitmate refutation of Santer’s critique they would have no problem getting it published somewhere. Even if Christy’s reputation has gotten so bad that he can’t find a publisher, and arguably it has gotten that bad, there’s nothing keeping him from doing the work and putting it up on arXiv.
IMHO the scientific community needs to come up with a method of dealing with the likes of Christy. He needs to be delegitimized such that people like Andy Revkin can no longer justify quoting him. OTOH Revkin still uses Pat Michaels as a source, so go figure.
Seems like they jump the shark at some point, where they shift to primarily speaking to a non-academic audience.
https://publicaffairs.llnl.gov/news/news_releases/2008/NR-08-10-05-factsheet.pdf
If you think Christy’s work on climate science is questionable read what he says about evolution:
Faith-Based Evolution
http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=080805I
The TCS article was from Spencer, not Christy. Oops sorry about that.
At least he doesn’t do The Gish Gallop.
In a January 26th post, Revkin has this from Christy:
Last March, more than 100 past lead authors of report chapters met in Hawaii to chart next steps for the panelâs inquiries. One presenter there was John R. Christy, a climatologist at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, who has focused on using satellites to chart global temperatures. He was a lead author of a section of the third climate report, in 2001, but is best known these days as a critic of the more heated warnings that climate is already unraveling under the buildup of heat-trapping gases.
At the Hawaii meeting, he gave a presentation proposing that future reports contain a section providing the views of credentialed scientists publishing in the peer-reviewed literature whose views on particular points differ from the consensus. He provided both his poster and summary of his three-minute talk. In an e-mail message to me, he described the reaction this way (L.A. is short for lead author; AR5 is shorthand for the next report, coming in 2013-14.):
The reception to my comments was especially cold ⦠not one supporter, though a couple of scientists did say I had a âlot of gutsâ to stand up and say what I said before 140 L.A.s. I was (and still am) calling for the AR5 to be a more open scientific assessment in which those of us who are well-credentialed and have evidence for low climate sensitivity (observational and theoretical) be given room to explain this. We should have the same standards of review authority too. When a subject is excruciatingly complicated, like climate, we see that opinion, overstatement, and appeal-to-authority tend to reign as those of a like-mind essentially take control in their self-constructed echo-chamber. The world needs to see all sides of the evidence. We in the climate business need to understand humility, not pride, when looking at a million degrees-of-freedom problem. Itâs just fine to say, âWe donât know,â when that is the truth of the matter.
I also asked him, âDo you see a way forward for this enterprise (presuming you see these recent issues as serious problems but not a fatal indictment)?â He said:
I think people would read AR5 if it were a true scientific assessment, complete with controversies [described] by the experts themselves. Policymakers will find it uncomfortable, because the simple fact remains that our ignorance of the climate system is enormous. Otherwise, it will be a repeat of what we are now seeing (and what many folks like me knew years ago), that the process has morphed into an agenda-approving exercise.
Guts, indeed. It’s interesting how uncertainty becomes a tool for maintaining the plausibility of Christy’s crap results.
I think it was when the UAH product finally started resembling reality, and they no longer had that to back up their naysaying, and when Christy as part of the NAS/NRC committee put together by the Bush administration signed on to the unanimous statement that the surface station temps were as accurate as the satellite reconstructions. He began backpedaling from that almost immediately afterwards.
Steve Bloom:
So essentially he’s saying AR5 should be required to include crap.
This is interesting, though:
We in the climate business need to understand humility, not pride
Well, with the errors he and spencer made with the UAH satellite temp product, you’d think he’d show a bit more humility.
Thanks Rabett. Here’s a carrot for your efforts.
> a section providing the views of credentialed scientists
> publishing in the peer-reviewed literature whose views on
> particular points differ from the consensus.
Suggested exercise — sketch out what such a section would look like if it had been done for the previous IPCC reports.
Is there any view on any particular point that was left out of previous IPCC reports that has now become part of the consensus?
I mean, aside from the possibility that the continental ice caps aren’t eternal and immovable?
If so, it would be some evidence there might be something worth having noted next time around.
History is useful; for context.
*[JAS1990] Robert Jastrow, William Nierenberg, Frederick Seitz, Scientific Perspectives on the GREENHOUSE PROBLEM, 1990, Copyright George C. Marshall Institute.
Chapter 7: Spencer&Christy, “Precise Monitoring of Global Temperature Trends from Satellites.”
That didn’t seem offhand like a bad article, but it certainly establishes they were working with the GMI folks very early. It does already start worrying surface records,l UHI, etc … but of course, some of that could be and unsurprising wish to to push satellites (OK).
Amazon has used copies cheap.
Magnus W says:
Well bite me… this might make it clearer…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7026317.ece
Magnus, Deltoid has been all over that guy’s mistakes already:
http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2010/02/leakegate_jonathan_leake_caugh.php
http://scienceblogs.com/deltoid/2010/02/journalismgate.php
and earlier topics as well.
Mark Hadfield says:
Re the following from the Times article…
Christy has published research papers looking at these effects in three different regions: east Africa, and the American states of California and Alabama.
âThe story is the same for each one,â he said. âThe popular data sets show a lot of warming but the apparent temperature rise was actually caused by local factors affecting the weather stations, such as land development.â
…I’ve been to John Christy’s publications page here
http://www.nsstc.uah.edu/atmos/christy_pubs.html
and found (what look like) 2 of the 3 research papers
Christy, J.R.; Norris, W.B.; Redmond, K.; Gallo, K.P. (2006). Methodology and Results of Calculating Central California Surface Temperature Trends: Evidence of Human-Induced Climate Change? Journal of Climate 19(4): 548-563.
Christy, J.R.; Norris, W.B.; McNider, R.T. (2009). Surface Temperature Variations in East Africa and Possible Causes. Journal of Climate 22(12): 3342-3356.
I’ve only read the abstracts. They show evidence of land surface effects on temperature trends. They don’t come near to showing that all or most global temperature change over the land is due to land surface effects.
Just noticed this bit in the Times article
“The IPCC faces similar criticisms from Ross McKitrick, professor of economics at the University of Guelph, Canada, who was invited by the panel to review its last report.
The experience turned him into a strong critic and he has since published a research paper questioning its methods.”
Er, they invited everyone to review their last report and he was a strong critic a long time before that.
Aye, that Times article is a terrible piece of work, suggesting that the Times wants to become a tabloid.
We have an out and out lie from Christy, filler writing carefully slanted to cast doubt on the warming bit, McKitrick who as far as I can tell was an anti-AGW hack long before he wrote his paper, and anyway what he says is wrong. Then we have Watts et al’s non-peer reviewed rubbish which is swallowed wholesale. Then we have Terry Mills. Anyone seen his paper? The stuff quoted was so outlandishly wrong that I e-mailed him to ask about the paper in question, and now have a copy of it, but its in statistics so I don’t understand it. Either way the sentence quoted is misleading in the context of the article, and anyway statistics are irrelevant to the physical reality of pumping billions of tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
[Mills may be genuine, indeed quite likely is, but is probably doing the std statistician coming in to sort out these climate types and getting hopelessly confused -W]
Yeah, come to think of it, they really should have included the minority points of view in the earlier IPCC reports.
Did anyone suggest this was going to happen, and get voted out of the consensus, on the first four?
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18520-greenlands-glaciers-disappearing-from-the-bottom-up.html
Jonathan Baxter says:
“(I don’t think their appendix A cuts it) [-W]”
I just read their Appendix A. Would have liked to read Santer’s too, but his is not included in the pdf.
I never followed this in great detail, but what’s wrong with their argument? They are looking at the relationship between model surface and atmospheric trends. It is quite conceivable for the *trends* to be all over the place, but for the *relationship* to be in lock step, and hence have much smaller error bars.
Trivial example: someone gives you model surface temps in C and F, but doesn’t tell you what they are. Different models (and different runs within the same model) will have widely varying series, but the relationship between the C and F series for each model will have zero variance.
Scott A. Mandia says:
Thanks to William for this thread and to dhogaza for pointing me to it. I had just posted today at Open Mind wondering if Christy was a skeptic due to religious beliefs but now I see that is just one facet.
Hank Roberts comment #16 is an excellent suggestion!
Christy & Lindzen were ExxonMobil’s suggestions to replace Bierbaum & MacCrcken for IPCC TAR:
See page 5. And as I noted earlier, Christy&Spencer did paper for 1990 GMI book. So, this goes way back.
Instead of innuendo and politics, can people address the scientific question: what’s wrong with Christy’s argument (see my comment at #24)?
I don’t see any support for William’s claim that his work was “fundamentally flawed”, unless the “flaw” is not one of science but simply that Christy deviated from global warming fundamentalism.
Harold Brooks says:
#27: From Santer et al. (2008) ( http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/121433727/PDFSTART ), DCPS ignore the impact of interannual variability in both the observed and modelled trends. This leads to DCPS underestimating the error bars by a huge amount.
winnebago says:
J. Baxter,
Read Santer’s paper.
#28: “DCPS ignore the impact of interannual variability in both the observed and modelled trends.”
Yes, to which Christy has responded (in summary): “we’re not modelling interannual variability, we’re modelling the relationship between surface and tropospheric trends”
If I understand the argument (and since Santer does not provide his “Appendix A” I can’t verify), Santer would take two measurements of the same series, one in C, and one in F and say that any measurement of the relationship between C and F must have variance at least as great as the variance in the individual series themselves. Which is clearly false (F = 9 / 5 * C + 32 – no error bars at all). Obviously this is an extreme example, but it makes the point that Christy is making: the relationship between two random variables can be a lot more predictable than the variables themselves.
But I could be wrong. This is really simple stuff so I can’t imagine that Santer would have missed such a trivial point, or that it would form the justification for the evisceration Christy is receiving.
Eli provided the link to Santer’s appendix A above
The point is that you cannot assume that there is zero error in the observational record. The total variance is the root mean square of the sum of the squared variances of BOTH observation AND modeling (actually Eli has a whole lot of other issues about DCetc.)
What Santer+17 say is the best way of handling the situation is to compare all the models to all the observation series pairwise (since on the one hand, they can be modeling slightly different things,and on the other they can be measuring slightly different things and in a case like that it is not clear what simple averaging buys you). When they do this there are very few pairs which are inconsistent. This is an elegant way of handling the question. OTOH, they cay use DGetc’s way, and if they do it correctly, accounting for variance on both sides, hey, it still comes out that models and observations are consistent.
Christy’s response is not just nonsense it is ignorant nonsense.
Repost due to moderator objection:
Thanks for the link. This is definitely worth looking into further given that a good fraction of the entire [insert collective noun for leading pro-harmful-AGW climate scientists] weighed in on the issue.
However a quick skim of the Appendix did already yield a chuckle. In their answer to Question 9 they point out that the DCPS test yields a positive result even when fed with random noise, and that this is a bad thing (which it probably is but I need to know exactly what they did). Does anyone remember this level of honesty when McIntyre demonstrated that Mann’s algorithm finds hockeysticks in red noise? Me neither.
[This is a common misunderstanding, which M&M have pushed as hard as they can to make as many people as possible misunderstand, but it is wrong -W]
> hockeysticks in red noise
A long debunked claim; they couldn’t get it published in a science journal; it came out in E’n’E, was tested, failed–and those results did get published in science journals.
See, e.g.:
http://www.cgd.ucar.edu/ccr/ammann/millennium/MBH_reevaluation.html
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11676
Remember, don’t just cite what you found that you like
Dang, something else the IPCC missed the first two times, though they were catching on by the later ones:
http://oceanacidification.wordpress.com/
I haven’t yet come up with anything the IPCC missed repeatedly though.
RTFP Jonathan. It’s available out in the open several places.
OTOH, the red noise hook that McIntyre found was pretty small at best, this one is honking huge.
Don’t worry Eli, I will “RTFP” when I get time. But these things take time, especially when the main purpose of the paper is to support a preconceived position and debunk a political opponent, for then you can’t take anything the authors say on face value (any “explanatory note” with 17 authors is political. These are not experimental particle physics papers).
Hank, the papers you link to are almost unreadable. So many cross references, no simple statement of problem or solution, and again, in this case, we know the purpose is to defend a preconceived viewpoint so you can’t trust anything (that’s not to say any claim they make is false, just that to get to the bottom of things you have to follow every trail and verify it for yourself. Simply too much work). BTW, I found one reference to “red noise” in the first paper on that page, with criticism that I couldn’t follow without more work, and zero references to Yamal.
And using lack of publication from skeptics as evidence against their position doesn’t really carry much weight post-climategate, given that we now know there were (and presumably still are) coordinated efforts to prevent publication.
Remember, it’s easy to cite, it’s a lot harder to really understand. 9/10 times someone cites a climate paper at me they haven’t really understood what’s in it (Roe and Baker for a recent example).
“we know the purpose is to defend a preconceived viewpoint”, says Jonathan Baxter. I guess you are referring to your own claims here…
Jonathan Baxter on the one hand is stating that he has neither the scientific nor the statistical knowledge needed to evaluate any of the claims, and on the other is doing so. There is a name for that and he deserves large amounts of derision.
Marco, the paper states in the title that it is defending a preconceived viewpoint: Robustness of the Mann, Bradley, Hughes Reconstruction of Northern Hemisphere Surface Temperatures: Examination of Criticisms Based on the Nature and Processing of Proxy Climate Evidence..
The funny thing is we now know (from climategate) that many in the climate science community (Tom Wigley included) believe the hockeystick reconstructions to be dubious. That, along with the declarative — rather than explanatory — style, is what makes reading Wahl and Ammann difficult: you have to read it for what you’re not being told.
I have just read the M&M stuff critcizing MBH. A lot of it seems valid to me.
At the very least MBH is a very sloppy piece of work — an opinion I have held
for some time.
Presumably what you have done with Keith is better? — or is it?
I get asked about this a lot. Can you give me a brief heads up? Mike is too
deep into this to be helpful.
“Jonathan Baxter on the one hand is stating that he has neither the scientific nor the statistical knowledge needed to evaluate any of the claims”
Where did I state that Eli? I have both the scientific and statistical knowledge, but not the stomach, for Wahl and Ammann. Santer is much easier, and that is what I claimed to have on my reading list.
I note that your last scientific argument (as opposed to citations or political remarks) was bunk (objections to Roe and Baker are merely formalistic because we’re far from the pole). Maybe you should get your own house in order before directing derision towards others?
@Jonathan Baxter:
Wahl and Amman tested whether reconstruction using other statistical methods changes the shape of the reconstruction. It didn’t, thus the title of the article. Is it a “preconceived viewpoint”? No, there was no prejudice without evidence, as there *was* evidence* (several others getting similar reconstructions). Your choice of words is getting into the grey zone of “plausibly deniable accusations”.
Oh, and the mail you cite does not claim the reconstruction is “dubious”, but it uses the word “sloppy”. Those are not synonyms.
JB, I’d be willing to concede you a modicum amount of credibility, and maybe even to believe your claim of scientific and statistical competence, had you given any indication that you haven’t simply swallowed every bit of crap produced by M&M and their ilk. IOW, they’re running a shell game and you’re just a rube. Here’s a hint: The global average climate of the last 2K years is simultaneously fascinating and not at all central to the main conclusions of climate science. But by all means don’t let me stop you from keeping your focus firmly on the shells without the pea.
> So many cross references, no simple statement of problem
> or solution, and … we know the purpose
What grade level are you reading at, these days?
What paper, magazine, or book do you read on an average day?
@Marco: come on, there’s only three possibilities: 1) W&A were entirely disinterested and pursued their line of research out of pure academic curiosity; 2) they were convinced by McIntyre’s arguments but surprisingly found them to be without merit; or 3) they set out to buttress Mann’s approach.
2) is out of the question. Before climategate I might have lent towards 1), but not now. There’s too much hard evidence of coordinate attacks on any prominent skeptical work. So that leaves 3).
As for “dubious” vs “sloppy”: you’re a finer linguist than I. IMO “dubious” is more charitable than Wigley’s full statement: “At the very least MBH is a very sloppy piece of work”.
@Steve Bloom: “Here’s a hint: The global average climate of the last 2K years is simultaneously fascinating and not at all central to the main conclusions of climate science.”
Of course it is: [cut – WMC]
[No, sorry, you’re wrong. But I can’t be bothered to go through this all again. Its all available via RC if you care: http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/01/what-if-the-hockey-stick-were-wrong/ for example -W]
[Civility please -W]
Also, the closing of ranks behind Mann and the failure to publicly voice the kind of private concerns expressed in Tom Wigley’s email doesn’t instill one with great confidence.
Uh, the W&A paper is a public voicing that M&M’s narrow concern was correct but didn’t change the basic conclusions of the paper.
A) it is strong evidence that the climate exhibits greater natural variability than is currently understood, and B) today’s warming could, at least in part, be attributable to such internal variability.
Neither of these is true. It would simply tell us that the MWA was something that current evidence suggests it isn’t, i.e. a global, synchronous event. A) tells us why the denialsphere is so focused on the MWA, nothing more.
B) no, it wouldn’t. It would tell us that some forcing we don’t have good measurements for (it being a long time ago and all that) was higher than thought. It might make us think that solar output reconstructions for the time period are off, for instance. But it wouldn’t tell us that attribution of current change is wrong.
Wow, you do babble a bit about my dubious vs sloppy, but completely neglect the issue with “preconceived”. Once again: the evidence was there that the MBH98 reconstruction was not nearly as bad as claimed by ‘certain individuals’. They thus tested the null hypothesis. Nothing “preconceived” there. In fact, “preconceived” even suggests data manipulation (either directly or by omission). Unless you can show anything fundamentally wrong with W&A, your handwaving dismissal of their results is outright laughable.
> Christy relies rather heavily on selective quotes from
> leaked emails to make his case ….
My, my:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%2B%22Jonathan+Baxter%22+%2BChristy+%2Bclimate
What’s your point Hank? The first two hits are to this thread? Or are you just impressed by google’s speed of indexing (I certainly am).
Oh I get it, you think the fact that your query generated 135 hits means I am somehow in bed with Christy. Too funny. I’ve never met nor corresponded with the guy. But some of those hits are seriously incriminating (sarcasm alert), eg:
Australian National University Annual Report 2001
They included me under the “outreach to industry” section because I was still supervising PhD students there even though I had moved to the US. Hilarious – I’d never seen that. Bureaucrats maximizing metrics.
dhogaza, forcing could be an explanation, but so could internal variability. I expect forcing is a lot less likely an explanation, since we have a pretty good handle on that pre-industrial times. But anyway, I doubt you’ll find disagreement with those options from amongst reputable climate scientists.
“your handwaving dismissal of their results is outright laughable.”
Where have I dismissed them? I just don’t want to read them in sufficient detail to determine whether they are correct or not.
[Sorry Eli 😦 -W]
RE #45
How long is this larger globalised MWP supposed to have lasted?
Its not obvious that the the estimated natural variability would have to be raised
(a) Keep the forcing in the pre-industrial phase the same.
(b) Asume that aerosols have been under-estimated in the blade of the hockey stick.
(c) Boost the estimate for the climate sensitivity above the lowish values given in Mann and Kump’s Dire Predictions page 81 (i.e. 2-3 degs. C per 2 X CO2) for the hockey stick. That would make McIntyre more dire than Mann and Kump.
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/12/natural-variability-and-climate-sensitivity/
RE #54: v. impressive.
RE #55: See my comment at #52. What’s are more likely explanation for MWP: huge sensitivity or natural variability? The required sensitivity would be inconsistent with the temperature difference between now and the LGM. And the time scale seems reasonable for natural variability: the ocean takes 1,000 years to turn over so it is not out of the question that heat could be pumped from ocean to atmosphere or vice-versa on a centennial scale.
Just wanted to see if you had any publications.
So you’re an IT guy and entrepreneur in data mining?
Commendable. Relevant to climatology, not too clear.
You don’t read the science papers, but you opine extensively and widely on them. “That must be … lucrative.”
Perhaps then if Jonathan Baxter does not want to read W&A, he could give us his condemnation of Edward Wegman, David Scott and Yasmin Said and for having plagiarized significant parts of their report, and while doing so having actually had the gall to change the conclusion of the book they copied from without any justification?
Naw.
Hank, I read papers. But as you point out, I don’t have a lot of time to read things like W&A. google scholar has most of my publications if that’s what you’re after: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Jonathan+Baxter (anything not biological)
My background is statistical machine learning. It’s relevant to robustness claims in climate and modeling. I majored in pure math/theoretical physics, so I can at least understand the physics.
RE #55: I read the realclimate post. The rat/spring analogy a priori excludes natural variability, so can’t be used to argue against Esper. To model natural variability the platform has to raise and lower without interference from rats.
We know the climate can change substantially on decadal scales without forcing (look at the 20th century). Why not centennial scales? We don’t have the temperature records to prove it, but it seems almost certain that the time constants in climate are large enough to allow for it.
Why not centennial scales? We don’t have the temperature records to prove it, but it seems almost certain that the time constants in climate are large enough to allow for it
In other words, your sky fairies are more likely than established physics.
“Established Physics” says a physical system with centennial-plus time-constants will almost certainly exhibit centennial-plus oscillations in *some* observed quantity. Since the big time constants are in ocean behavior, and the oceans move heat around the system, it is reasonable to assume the temperature will exhibit centennial-plus oscillations.
But if you don’t like my intuition, google is (as always) your friend:
174 google scholar hits with the exact phrase “centennial scale climate variability”. 9,000 hits without the quotes.
All you guys sure are smart. 30 to 50 years of observation should show who’s right.
Kerry Emmanuel just set sensitivity almost 2C lower than the heretofore authoritative J.A. number.
@Paul Kelly: please provide a link to the Kerry Emanuel article putting climate sensitivity to 1C. Would be interesting, considering that climate sensitivity isn’t his expertise.
Now, if you are claiming this piece:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/02/15/climate_changes_are_proven_fact/
supports your claim, you may actually try and understand his disclaimer “in the absence of any feedbacks except for temperature itself, doubling carbon dioxide would increase the global average surface temperature by about 1.8 F”.
No link for that claim, PK?
JB: “Since the big time constants are in ocean behavior, and the oceans move heat around the system, it is reasonable to assume the temperature will exhibit centennial-plus oscillations.”
*sigh* To the extent that we assume such a thing, it’s an argument for regional variability. Global variability would be unphysical to the point of ludicrousness. Try thinking about what would have to be happening for it to be true.
Oh, BTW, I suspect Our Host would be joining in on the fun if [redacted]
[Um. Please keep this polite. Every now and again I’ll stomp on someone who crosses my imaginary line. I think this discussion has probably gone as far as it usefully can -W]
Yeah, it’s reasonable to assume sky fairies. Thanks for making my point.
(for the less idiotic than this poster, it’s not necessary to “assume” centennial-plus oscillations when 1) there’s no evidence that they exist (so stated by the poster, earlier) and 2) physics is able to explain what’s going on)
Meanwhile, when did the sky fairies stop beating the women in your family on a centennial-plus basis without leaving a bruise?
Marco & Steve,
Yes, I read it in the paper. Do you have a definition of sensitivity other than the effect of doubling carbon dioxide in the absence of any feedbacks except for temperature itself?
Re #45 (continued)
I am not sure what definition is being used for natural variability.
(a) Unforced variability
(b) Extremist contrarian variability i.e the natural variability which would occur in an imaginary world in which the variation of the greenhouse gases is ignored.
In type (a) you would get e.g.:
small natural variation of T > more water vapour and clouds > bigger natural variation of T
The magnitude of this effect increases with climate sensitivity.
Not in type (b) but that applies to an imaginary world in which the physics of water vapour warming has been disproved.
RE #65: link is in #61.
RE Steve Bloom #64: “*sigh* To the extent that we assume such a thing, it’s an argument for regional variability. Global variability would be unphysical to the point of ludicrousness.”
No. Two things:
1) global variability is known to occur on decadal time scales. If it is “unphysical to the point of ludicrousness” on a centennial scale then it would at least be “unphysical to the point of dubiousness” on a decadal scale.
2) The oceans are a “region” in the sense required by physics. Heat from the atmosphere can go into the ocean and vice-versa. In fact, this is one of the arguments (put forward by Wigley from memory) against the significance of the recent lack of *global* warming: all the heat is going into the oceans.
@Paul Kelly:
Climate sensitivity without any feedbacks to 2xCO2 has been determined to be 1C for ages. Emanuel thus did not remove anything, contrary to your claim. The 1-5C extra comes from the feedbacks that are known to occur, but where there is more uncertainty.
RE #67: a). But it’s not really “unforced” variability. The heat is coming from somewhere – for the sake of argument assume the oceans.
dT = dF * S
where dT is the change in temperature (K), dF is the change in forcing (W/m2), and S is the sensitivity (K/W/m2 – feedbacks included).
Now assume there are only two independent sources of forcing: ocean heat and CO2 (there are more but for our purposes they can either be lumped with the oceans (anything not caused by humans) or CO2 (anything we can potentially control, like CO2, land use, etc).
dF = dF_ocean + dF_CO2
or dT = ( dF_ocean + dF_CO2 ) * S …. (1)
We want to solve for S. We can measure dT and dF_CO2, but dF_ocean is unknown.
Assume dF_CO2(MWP) = 0 (ie – forcing due to CO2 was constant pre-industrial times, so the change in forcing due to CO2 in the MWP was zero). So from Equation (1):
dT(MWP) = ( dF_ocean(MWP) + 0 ) * S
dF_ocean(MWP) = dT(MWP) / S
Given that dF_ocean is “internal”, some portion of it could be happening today. So dF_ocean(2010) = k * dF_ocean(MWP) for some unknown constant k. So from Equation (1) for today:
dT(2010) = ( dF_ocean(2010) + dF_CO2(2010) ) * S
dT(2010) = ( k * dF_ocean(MWP) + dF_CO2(2010) ) * S
dT(2010) = ( k * dT(MWP) / S + dF_CO2(2010) ) * S
dT(2010) = k * dT(MWP) + dF_CO2(2010) * S
Solving for S we get:
S = ( dT(2010) – k * dT(MWP) ) / dF_CO2(2010)
The no-feedback contribution from CO2 is about 1.5 W/m2 (390ppm vs 280ppm). But there are forcing filters that apply today and not at the MWP (eg aerosols) so dF_CO2(2010) = 1.5 / G where G > 1. dT(2010) is about 1C. So:
S = 2/3 * G * ( 1 – k * dT(MWP) ) … (2)
The point of all this? Equation (2) shows the climate sensitivity is a *decreasing* function of the MWP temperature if k > 0.
[No. All else being equal, the larger the MWP variations were, the more sensitive the climate is. Obviously -W]
> The heat is coming from somewhere –
> for the sake of argument assume the oceans.
What could be heating the oceans? There’s no chemical reaction going on, no significant vulcanism.
Pouring water back and forth between two buckets doesn’t make more water.
RE #72: Heat is being transferred back and forth between the oceans and the atmosphere.
Re #68: You really haven’t thought this out. OTOH one (well, you) can imagine that you’ve spotted something that the entire field of physical ocenaography has missed.
Re #70: Good luck with that. If you’re feeling brave take it over to the Empty Blog.
Yes, of course, but where is the heat coming from that’s being transferred back and forth?
Are you saying there’s no trend, just a cycle?
http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Atamino.wordpress.com+ocean+atmosphere+cycle
RE #75: Unless the earth is at absolute zero, its got heat.
One man’s cycle is another man’s trend. By that I mean a long enough cycle looks like a trend when viewed on a shorter time scale.
There is almost certainly trend + cycle (we are, after all, pumping up the CO2). How much of each is the question.
This may help:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2005/3002/
RE 77. Not really. There’s no question it has gotten a little warmer. There’s no question some of the temperature rise is due to GHGs. But those plots can’t distinguish trend from a long cycle. If we had data back 1,000 – 2,000 years we’d have a better idea. Even then, we’d need a lot more than just Maine.
RE #79. Well, yes. We’ve come full circle. Mann used all that to do his multi-proxy studies, in the process claiming to have wiped out the MWP. Finessing the question of how robust his conclusions are (not at all IMO, but I better leave that alone because William will nuke this comment if I don’t), the “modern” response expressed here and elsewhere is “it doesn’t matter anyway because a *warmer* MWP implies *higher* sensitivity”. But my calculation in #70 shows that reasoning is faulty.
> in the process claiming to have wiped out the MWP
[{cn}]
But better, as William pointed out earlier:
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2005/01/what-if-the-hockey-stick-were-wrong/
What about returning to the actual topic of the thread?
RE #81: We don’t need to go there. It will make William unhappy. Consider those 10 words redacted,
RE #82: That realclimate article essentially contradicts itself:
First the “what if”:
Letâs assume these studies somehow greatly underestimated natural variability in the climate system, so that the âsignalâ of anthropogenic climate change has not yet emerged from the ânoiseâ of natural variations.
Then “it doesn’t make any difference”:
A new large uncertainty analysis that appeared this week in Nature shows that it is very difficult to get a climate sensitivity below 2 ºC in a climate model, no matter how one changes the parameters.
If there is large natural variability that is not manifested by the climate models, how can he draw strong conclusions about those models?
With few exceptions, this is always how it goes. Some argument that superficially looks convincing but doesn’t hold up under closer scrutiny. Fundamentally, these guys just *know* sensitivity is high.
Completely lost the thread?
No surprise, considering.
Try reading the original link, here it is again:
http://www.desmogblog.com/douglass-and-christy-bad-science-disingenuous-commentary
Former Skeptic says:
Sigh. Another 30 minutes reading totally OT brainfarts by Baxter. I’m not surprised, given his previous reliance on the flawed LC09 paper over at RC which he could not defend from critique.
Ironically his money shot in his last post:
With few exceptions, this is always how it goes. Some argument that superficially looks convincing but doesn’t hold up under closer scrutiny.
definitely applies to the specious arguments both here and at RC.
WC: I second Hank at #85. Please don’t feed the trolls.
RE #85: I have reading to do on that. Nothing else to say right now.
RE #86: That discussion was about paleo estimates. I stand by what I said there: how do we know the climate sensitivity at the last LGM was not very different from today?
To avoid all doubt, I put my argument about the MWP formally at #70. If you think it’s specious then please explain where the derivation goes wrong. Otherwise, there’s nothing else for me to say here.
More confirmation of predicted changes:
Spectral signatures of climate change in the Earthâs infrared spectrum between 1970 and 2006
Claudine Chen, John Harries, Helen Brindley, Mark Ringer
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Publications/Conference_and_Workshop_Proceedings/groups/cps/documents/document/pdf_conf_p50_s9_01_harries_v.pdf
“Previously published work using satellite observations of the clear sky infrared emitted radiation by the Earth in 1970, 1997 and in 2003 showed the appearance of changes in the outgoing spectrum, which agreed with those expected from known changes in the concentrations of well-mixed greenhouse gases over this period. Thus, the greenhouse forcing of the Earth has been observed to change in response to these concentration changes. In the present work, this analysis is being extended to 2006 using the TES instrument on the AURA spacecraft.”
http://www.realclimate.org/?comments_popup=2996#comment-161642
Read first before engaging in ignorance
[Unproductive, removed. If you find yourself making a comment that is just “no”, consider not making it – there is no need to have the last word. Unless you’re me, of course -W]
RE #90: Where is the calculation or measurement of dT / dF at the LGM? Some groups have tried to *model* it, but the whole point of the LGM argument is that it is meant to be an independent verification of the models.
Re: (Hockey from Red noise) I have both the scientific and statistical knowledge,
Good. Then you will be able to go straight to this:
This causes what used to be PC#4 to become PC#1. It does not cause old PC#4 approx new PC#1 to become âhockey-stickâ shaped; it already was. It doesnât make old PC#4 approx new PC#1 strong enough to be called âsignificantâ in the sense that itâs demonstrably more than just noise; it already was. It certainly doesnât make old PC#4 approx new PC#1 correlate with temperature during the calibration and verification intervals; it already did.
And then read the rest of the analysis. Its far more complete than the unfinished works of McIntyre and Wegman (who just makes ex-cathedra statements) and shorter than the more thorough sources whose length you complained about.
The original thread was supposed to be about Christy (not Spencer) so I shall resist the temptation to continue the diversion into a discussion of re-defined forcings and sensitivities.
I’m making this one exception to my general rule requiring a note from a teacher before doing someone’s homework. Don’t count on this level of service on a continuing basis.
http://www.google.com/search?q=dt+%2F+df+last+global+maximum+climate
Click this link in the results, likely the top result (Google results can vary):
then press your PageDown button repeatedly until you locate the information you need in that paper.
Note that this is not the only or best answer; this is one example of how to begin looking this kind of thing up.
Follow the references and use keywords that you find from your first search to improve on it. Use Scholar as well.
You no doubt know how to look this stuff up for yourself.
I give the long answer for youngsters who may come along later, read your faux-naive post and be fooled into thinking well, gee, if this rich old software entrepreneur dude with all the publications can’t find this dt/df stuff, it’s probably really not there to be found.
Kids, this is also a useful link, show it to your classmates:
http://justfuckinggoogleit.com/
RE #94:
Unfortunately for you Hank, those “youngsters” would be correct (except for the “old” part – unless 43 is old. oh and the “rich” part too, unless you have a buyer you’d like to introduce me to).
I asked for “dT/dF at the LGM” not “DT/DF between the LGM and now”. The first is a derivative and is only equal to the second under the assumption that the climate sensitivity has been (more-or-less) constant between the LGM and today.
MikeN says:
So I read through your links summarizing the controversy between Christy and Santer. Santer’s letter doesn’t seem to address the points being raised very well. Was he a reviewer for GRL of Christy’s paper? Having Santer rejecting a paper that criticized Christy is different for having an independent reviewer do so. Santer says his paper should be treated as an independent submission, and not a reply to Christy, but reading the leaked e-mails it certainly looks like they were trying to ensure they get the last word on the subject. Santer’s letter doesn’t address the points made in Climatology Conspiracy.
@MikeN:
Santer admits to being reviewer for the original submission to GRL. Note that that paper did not include Christy.
Santer also apparently wanted his paper to appear in the same issue as the new Douglass et al paper. That’s all.
Of course, I doubt you really understand what Santer is saying, considering you claim he does not address the points. He does. For starters, he shows that his paper had about the same time-from-submission-to-acceptance as Douglass et al (a few days shorter). This already strikes down one of the lies of Douglass and Christy.
A second issue is Douglass and Christy’s claim that the publication was stalled. This is another lie: it was available online as a publication ahead of print for many months!
A third issue is the claim that the IJoC paper was essentially the same as the GRL submission. Santer has seen both, and thus knows this to be false. In addition, they even exchanged an author. If it really was the same, Christy’s addition as a co-author (and removal of Knox) is actually very questionable scientific behavior. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Ben Santer at RealClimate says that he wanted to make sure he got the last word ont he subject.
{{ {{cn}} -W]
MkeN says:
Is that supposed to mean something? {{{{cn}}
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Webcomic_xkcd_-_Wikipedian_protester.png -W]
It’s right there in his latest post.
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What’s in a definition? The challenge to curb antisemitism on campus
by Minto Felix
Minto Felix_Wonkhe
Minto Felix
Contributing Editor, Wonkhe
Minto Felix is a Contributing Editor at Wonkhe.
In the wake of universities minister Chris Skidmore’s intervention to stamp out antisemitism on campus, universities are being challenged to re-examine whether their institutions are places of safety and belonging for Jewish students.
The minister has directly called on institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and has asked that students not be burdened with security costs if they are organising speakers on campus. The minister’s rationale for the latter directive is that this extra obligation could amount to indirect discrimination and refers to guidance developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on freedom of expression as the basis for his instruction.
The Minister’s measures have been broadly welcomed by Jewish groups and student societies. It has also served as a catalyst to think more holistically about the experience of Jewish students in higher education – who represent an estimated 8,500 person strong community.
The definition in context
For Daniel Kosky, campaigns and advocacy manager at the Union of Jewish Students, it is a source of much confusion that the IHRA definition has not already been enthusiastically embraced by the university sector. As he explains, “adopting the definition is not curtailing freedom of speech.” In fact, it should work to, “strengthen a culture of inquiry” about both historical events as well as contemporary policy. He laments that the definition has been politicised in recent years and that its principal objective – which is to eliminate hatred towards the Jewish population – has been forgotten.
The definition must be considered with respect to its context, argues Mark Gardner – who is deputy chief executive at the Community Security Trust. Mark says the definition welcomes criticism of Israel but to do this in a way that does not invoke harm and injury to the Jewish population. He believes that those higher education institutions who have not yet adopted this definition are, “unclear on its purpose, content, or applicability.” An issue which he believes could be easily overcome if decision makers in institutions exchanged perspectives more frequently with their Jewish students and local community groups.
Universities UK, in its 2016 Taskforce Report on Hate Crime in universities, Changing the Culture, acknowledges that there is a lack of understanding about Jewish identity and antisemitism in the sector. At the time, the report identified the need for, “improved understanding of the broader ethnic and national dimension to Jewish identity,” – which appears to be of even more relevance now. A spokesperson from the Equality and Human Rights Commission adds that, “though there is no legal requirement for universities to adopt the IHRA definition,” that in the spirit of promoting inclusion and fostering good relations between different groups of students, universities may find that adopting this definition is a helpful thing to do.
Clarity on complaints
For both individuals I spoke to, the added peculiarity here is the number of universities that already draw on this definition in how they handle complaints on issues of antisemitism but don’t explicitly refer to it in their policies and code of conduct. And it is here where a more significant issue emerges – that relating to a lack of clarity in how student complaints are investigated and acted upon.
Daniel describes that a substantial amount of student concerns to the Union of Jewish Students relate to students not being clear on the steps universities are to undertake in investigating their complaint, the time taken to achieve a resolution, and the consequences that are enforced when there is evidence of misconduct. He says that some universities take as long as ten months to conduct an investigation and where they provide no explanation: “this only exacerbates the anxieties of a student complainant.” The most brief examination of the student misconduct policies of institutions supports Daniel’s concerns. They vary considerably institution to institution and no doubt lead to different outcomes for students.
What also greatly varies institution to institution is the degree to which universities take seriously the experiences and concerns of Jewish students. And for Mark, this inconsistency in approach is simply not good enough. He says that universities range from being, “really, really keen to do the right thing,” all the way through to “denying that they have a problem.” He explains the extent to which a university wishes to take action or not can depend on the powerful interplay and influence of media, student groups, parents, academics, and those in positions of authority. It is why he is so supportive of the Minister’s interventions and hopes that it leads to a consistent, sector-wide approach to the understanding of Jewish issues.
Broadening understandings
Daniel points to pioneering work conducted by the Holocaust Educational Trust, who supported by the Ministry of Housing and groups like the Union of Jewish Students, took senior leaders and student union officers from 47 universities to the former Nazi concentration and death camp in Auschwitz-Birkneau. He recalls this experience as defining in helping reshape understandings of the Holocaust, and in inspiring those that attended to eliminate all forms of hate on campus.
Both Daniel and Mark are in agreement that by and large, Jewish students are happy and thriving in higher education. The challenge for both these individuals and indeed the sector, is how broader public discourse on Jewish issues has sometimes manifested itself in uncomfortable and destructive ways on campus. Adopting the IHRA definition could arguably be an important first step in having a helpful debate on controversial issues without causing serious disruption to the wellbeing of students.
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2 responses to “What’s in a definition? The challenge to curb antisemitism on campus”
Crysanthemum says:
May 29 2019 at 1:41 pm
Surely anti-semitic comments by other students would be covered by most institutions’ existing definitions of poor behaviour to be used in bullying, harassment and/or disciplinary procedures. Why would it warrant specific (additional) attention as opposed to say, Islamophobia or other forms of discriminatory behaviour? You would hope that hate speech and other behaviour would be covered by those policies.
Berry says:
Jul 5 2019 at 5:16 pm
Agree with Crysanthemum. Antisemitism and Islamophobia should both be covered by robust general anti-discrimination related policies. To separate them is unnecessarily ‘othering’ and can increase both risk and perception of risk. There are differing ways in how different groups are stigmatised and stereotyped but that should be explored in good quality training, particularly for those who investigate complaints, and not through potentially limiting definitions
(I say this as a Jewish person who has considered this carefully and concluded that I do not support the IHRA definitions)
Great news for university business officers might not mean great news for students
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by Amy Irwin
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“Students get the idea of emotional fitness”
The Office for Students is toughening up on harassment and sexual misconduct
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A national contract for all school workers
Published on: Wed, 18/12/2019 - 09:59
Tracy McGuire
By Tracy McGuire
I’ve just been elected to the support-staff place on the Executive of the National Education Union, in a by-election.
My first priority is unionising as many school support staff as possible into the NEU.
Especially with the election, there are going to be cuts to schools and job losses for support staff.
We need campaigns. We need more support-staff reps, and not just as reps for support staff.
At present the NEU has a support staff conference, but it is entitled only to put one motion to the national union conference. [The system was inherited from the ATL, the union that
Industrial news in brief
Duncan Morrison, Ollie Moore and Jay Dawkey
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There will be two questions on the ballot, one about “action short of strike” (i.e. the question about the boycott) and a second asking members if they will strike in the event of victimisation of members who take part.
The ballot information summarises the boycott as follows:
“Leadership and teacher members will refuse to administer the year 2 SATs, the year 6 SATs, the phonics test and the
Strikes at Virgin, West Midlands, South Western Railway
Ollie Moore and Jay Dawkey
Rail union RMT has called strikes on Virgin Trains, West Midlands Trains, and South Western Railway (SWR).
On the latter, the union has named a calendar of strikes throughout November and December, which will see walkouts on 16, 23, and 30 November, and 7, 14, 21, and 28 December. West Midlands Trains is the latest Train Operating Company to see its workers plan industrial action over the imposition of Driver Only Operation (DOO).
On Virgin Trains, train managers, a grade of customer-facing train crew, on the West Coast franchise will strike on 19 November to demand the reinstatement of an
Darren Bedford, Ollie Moore and Jay Dawkey
Postal workers are discussing the timing of potential strikes, likely aimed at disrupting “Black Friday” retail deliveries on Friday 29 November, and/or Christmas post, after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) strike ballot returned a 97% majority for action on a 76% turnout.
The CWU’s Head of Communications Chris Webb, in an article for Tribune magazine discussing the successful ballot result, wrote: “Most crucial of all were our 1,250 workplace meetings.
“The explosive combination of the workplace meetings being posted on social media created a competitive feeling in our membership
“Worker status” for couriers!
Zack, Deliveroo courier activist, Bristol Couriers’ Network — IWGB
The California state legislature has passed a landmark “AB5” bill to tighten legislation in the so-called “gig economy”, extending basic workers’ rights to many who had been deprived them.
In the USA, as in the UK, companies such as Uber or Deliveroo falsely categorise most of their workers as “independent contractors”. This deprives us of basic workers’ rights such as minimum wage, holiday pay, a pension, and collective bargaining rights. The number of workers with such jobs has more than doubled in the last three years, to around one in ten working-age adults.
Companies, when attempting to
Lessons from McStrike
Justine Canady
Last year the “McStrike” campaign got an enthusiastic response from many labour movement left and labour movement activists.
But now, for a long time, there haven’t been any local branch meetings for fast food workers, any meetings for workers in the “McStrike” campaign, or meetings with organisers about the direction of the campaign. What went wrong?
Over the last year or so I’ve worked in Wetherspoons, and before that in Brixton McDonalds. Another worker previously involved in cinema worker organising was already working at Brixton when I started there.
From the start we were told by the
Ollie Moore, Jay Dawkey, Cath Fletcher and David Pendletone
UCU ballot opens
University staff belonging to UCU are being balloted for strike action this autumn over pay equality, job security, workload and pay deflation.
Working conditions in higher education have been deteriorating. The gender pay gap is over 15%; over 100,000 staff across the sector are on fixed-term contracts; academic staff work over 50 hours in a typical week; and in the past ten years pay has declined by 20% in real terms.
In 2018 an impressive strike forced pre-92 universities to back down on massive pension cuts, but since then employers have refused to compromise and now they
All out strike at BEIS
John Moloney, PCS Assistant General Secretary (in a personal capacity)
Cleaners and catering staff at the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) began an all-out, indefinite strike on 15 July.
This is extremely significant. It’s the first all out strike in a Whitehall government department for decades. The demands include the London living wage, sick pay, and direct employment.
The union is paying full strike pay. We won’t let these members be starved back to work. Fundraising for the strike funds is one of the best things activists in the wider labour movement can do to help these workers win.
On Thursday 18, there’ll be a joint march of
TDL couriers turn tide
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Alex Marshall, TDL courier and IWGB rep
Twelve months of negotiating. The IWGB’s “Rise of the precarious workers” demonstration descending on TDL’s headquarters doorstep. Demonstrating outside the company Christmas party they weren’t invited to. A two day strike that included a motorbike procession to prestigious clients in the Harley Street area and temporary occupation of the company loading bay. Amazing speakers on the picket line including Owen Jones, Dave “Blacklist” Smith and Dr Louise Irvine and support from clients, entrepreneurs and heavyweights like the ITF. And finally on Friday a breakthrough for the unionised medical
PCS left focus on living wage
Mike Chester
The civil service union PCS has just completed a membership consultation on the 2019 civil service pay claim and campaign plan.
A February meeting of the union’s National Executive (NEC) will “press the button” for a new civil service pay ballot. At a December NEC, general secretary Mark Serwotka and the leadership proposed a pay claim of 8-10%. Phil Dickens, a member of the PCS Independent Left, the organisation where Workers’ Liberty activists organise in within the union, proposed the following alternative claim: •A living wage of £10/hour (£11.55 in London) for the lowest grades • Pay at
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CircleK.com
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Store Assistant, Full Time in San Antonio, TX at Circle K
5130 North Loop 1604 East
Circle K is a great place to work! Here is why:
We know that you can work anywhere. However, working at Circle K is the start of something great! While you make it easy for our customers, we focus on you and your development! Our people make us who we are. We want to see you grow, so we put growing together at the forefront of everything we do. It is our duty to provide you with the tools and resources that you need to succeed. Joining Circle K means joining a team that is devoted to you!
High School diploma or GED preferred.
Experience in retail sales preferred.
Ability to work in the conditions described below.
Ability to perform essential duties and physical functions described below.
Ability to work as scheduled and arrives on time.
Posses a valid driver’s license and adequate transportation to/from bank.
Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in English. Essential Duties
Provides prompt, courteous customer service and professionally resolves customer issues.
Performs shift supervision.
Performs and trains all duties of the Customer Service Representative and Lead CSR positions.
Prepares and transmits the daily bookkeeping, invoicing, and gasoline data.
Completes daily banking.
Troubleshoots daily close out and shift sales analysis.
Finalizes, transmits, and processes weekly time and attendance records and payroll.
Attends job-related meetings (may be required to work irregular hours).
Controls merchandise, cash shortages, and other selling expenses.
Assists in maintaining proper inventory levels and shift audits.
Assists new applicants with application process.
Performs all duties with minimal supervision.
Distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable employment applications, making recommendation for applicant interviews.
Conducts performance and disciplinary discussions in Store Manager’s absence.
Assumes Store Manager responsibilities when needed.
Develops employee work schedules.
Complete daily store reports and other duties as assigned by the Store Manager. Working Conditions
Perform approximately 95% of all work indoors, but will be required to work outside to clean parking lots, gas pumps, take out garbage, etc.
Exposure to extreme cold temperatures while performing occasional work in a walk in cooler and/or freezer.
Exposure to occasional noise.
Work with a minimum direction and periodic supervision. Physical Functions
Ability to stand and/or walk for up to 8 hours.
Ability to occasionally lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds from ground to overhead up to 30 minutes of workday (i.e., assisting in stocking/maintaining inventory levels).
Ability to occasionally lift and/or carry up to 60 pounds from ground to waist level (i.e., to replenish fountain syrups).
Ability to push/pull with arms up to a force of 20 pounds (i.e., utilizing a hand-truck).
Ability to bend at waist with some twisting up to one hour of workday.
Ability to grasp, reach and manipulate objects with hands up to all day. (This work requires eye-hand coordination, and may require climbing a ladder to store and retrieve materials or place and remove signs.) THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIVE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OR WORK PERFORMED BY THOSE ASSIGNED TO THIS JOB. THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ALL RESPONSIBILITES, DUTIES, AND SKILLS REQUIRED OF THE POSITION. NOTE: This Job Description may change periodically as required by business necessity, with or without advance notice to employees.
Circle K is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Company complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (the ADA) and all state and local disability laws. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the ADA and certain state or local laws as long as it does not impose an undue hardship on the Company. Please inform the Company’s Human Resources Representative if you need assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
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More About Russia
The World : Asia : Europe : Russia
Just in case you mistakenly heard that it was all ice and snow in Russia, take a peek at the Big Bikini Exposition. This is right on the river Moskva in Moscow!Moscow has been the capital of Russia for almost its entire history. The exception is during the period of the Russian Empire, which lasted from 1721 until the Russian Revolution 1917. For these two centuries the capital was St. Petersburg. The Russian Empire was the second largest contiguous Empire in world memory; only the Mongol Empire had been greater.Check out what's happening north of Mongolia these days, in ChitaAlthough you may not have heard of Sochi, on the Black Sea, they're building up quickly and hope to host the 2014 Olympics.Other periods of Russian history include the Tsardom of Russia, from Ivan IV to Peter the Great, and the Grand Duchy (14th-16th centuries).The earliest period of Russian history was ruled by the Novgorod Republic and Kievan Rus, which was the first Russian state dating back to 800AD in Kiev.Modern Russia remains one of the world's superpowers. They launched the earth's second satellite, called Sputnik 1, and were the first country to put a human being into orbit around earth. (The first one is called the Moon.)After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia became a federal republic of 83 states.Text by Steve Smith.
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Craft makers to open pop-up shop
Showcasing design graduates’ work
Galway Advertiser, Thu, Jul 06, 2017
Creative designers and craft workers will open a special pop-up shop for two weeks of the Galway International Arts Festival.
The shop will be set up in the Mall in the Cornstore, and will showcase a range of crafts produced locally, including jewellery, candles, soaps, woodturning, furniture, textiles, ceramics, and art.
Creative Makers Galway is a group of established designer/makers who have either graduated or are currently undertaking the Design & Craft Council of Ireland’s Building Craft & Design Enterprise programme, in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office.
Over the two weeks, the public will have the opportunity to view and purchase directly from these talented makers, and hear their stories and inspiration behind their creations.
Following the pop up shop which the group ran in October 2016, this second shop will showcase new collections and work from all the members, and also also provide an insight into the growth and progress made through participating in the programme.
The shop will open on July 17 until July 30. Opening times will be Monday to Thursday 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm, and Sunday 12 noon to 6pm.
Creative Makers Galway was established in 2016 by those who had participated in the Design & Craft Council of Ireland’s programme, which was being run for the first time outside Dublin in Galway at the time. As a result of discussions held during workshops from the programme, all of the graduates expressed a desire to showcase their work locally, with the support of the LEO Galway and the DCCoI.
To keep up to date on all news relating to the pop up shop, tune in to the group's social media accounts - Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/creativemakersgalway, Twitter at https://twitter.com/creativemakersg , and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/creativemakersgalway.
Geography of Ireland Galway Geography of Europe Connacht Ireland Facebook Dublin Technology_Internet Local Enterprise Office designer social media accounts Social Media & Networking Creative Makers Galway www.instagram.com/creativemakersgalway Design & Craft Council of Ireland Building Craft www.facebook.com/creativemakersgalway
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Careers in economics
What economists can expect to earn in different fields
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (online in 2014) reports annual wages for economists in 2010. For economists of all educational levels, the median earnings in 2010 were $89,450 with $48,250 at the tenth percentile and $155,490 at the 90th percentile.
Median Annual Wages for Economists in May 2012 in the Top Five Industries Employing Economists (from the Occupation Outlook Handbook)
Industry Annual Wage
Finance and insurance $110,580
Federal government, excluding postal service $106,850
Scientific research and development services $94,630
Management, scientific, and technical consulting services $91,570
State and local government, excluding education and hospitals $63,880
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2013-14 Edition, Economists. (Visited July 8, 2014).
Payscale.com reports its survey of people with Baccalaureate degrees (and no more) who are employed full time, showing starting salaries (typically with two-years of experience) and mid-career annual earnings. Here are selected occupations for the 2012-13 report.
College Major Starting Salary Mid-career Salary
Chemical engineering $67,500 $111,000
Applied mathematics $50,800 $102,000
Statistics $49,300 $99,500
Economics $48,500 $94,900
Mathematics $48,500 $85,800
Finance $47,700 $85,400
Business $41,400 $70,000
Political science $40,300 $74,700
Advertising $37,800 $77,100
Sociology $36,000 $56,700
Psychology $35,200 $60,200
Source: Majors That Pay You Back, Payscale.com
Median earnings of economists by highest level of degree for persons of all ages observed in 2010 by gender.
Highest Degree Women Men
BA $38,000 $42,000
MA $45,000 $38,000
PhD $90,000 $100,500
Source: National Survey of Recent College Graduates
Earnings Differentials for Economics Majors
Thomas Carroll, Djeto Assane, and Jared Busker use a large national sample from the American Community Survey developed by the Bureau of the Census with observations from 2009 to 2012 to estimate earnings differentials for economics majors compared to other college majors. The table below reports the estimated differential for economics majors compared to non-economics majors, on average, when the statistical estimate adjusts for personal characteristics (age, ethnicity, citizenship, and English proficiency).
Percentage Earnings Advantage of Economics Majors by Highest Degree Completed Adjusting for Personal Characteristics.
Highest Degree Men Women
BA 14.1% 18.0%
MA 31.6% 24.5%
Professional 5.6% 20.8%
PhD 18.9% 29.5%
Source: Thomas Carroll, Djeto Assane, and Jared Busker, “Why it Pays to Major in Economics,” Journal of Economics Education, 45:3, (2014) pp. 251-261. Table 3.
The BA row reports the average percentage earnings differential for men and women whose highest degree is a baccalaureate. The MA row reports the differential for those with masters degrees in any field. The Professional row reports differentials for those who highest degree is an MBA or law degree. The PhD row reports differentials for people who earned academic doctorates in any field.
The analysis also reports differentials while adjusting for occupational choice (not shown here). The differentials show above fall by about half with adjustments for occupation. The implication is that about half of the differential show above is accounted for by occupation. That is to say, about half of the payoff from the economics major is in access to better paying occupations and about half, given occupation. Differences by location have little effect.
Geographic Difference in Earnings
Winters and Xu also use the American Community Survey (2009-2010) to estimate earnings differentials for economics majors compared to non-economics by state and metropolitan area. Economics majors accounted for 2.28 percent of college graduates.
Economics majors have a higher earnings differential in densely populated, urban states like New York, Connecticut, California, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts. New York accounted for 3.99 percent of economics majors and showed an 889 percent earnings differential for economics majors compared to all others with no other attributes of people or jobs taken into account. Among metropolitan areas, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago show high differentials.
Source: John V. Winters and Weineng Xu, “Geographic Differences in the Earnings of Economics Majors,” IZA Discussion Paper # 7584, Forschunginstitut zur Zukunft der it, (2013).
Stability of Earnings and Employment
The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution provides an interactive summary of life-time earnings for people with different college majors. Jordan Weissman compares economics to other disciplines at “Want to Be Stinking Rich? Major in Economics,” Slate. The first figure below shows the median earnings by years into a career for all BAs in a given major who are employed full-time including those with any subsequent graduate degree. The blue line at the bottom shows median earnings for all holders of BA degrees. The green line shows economics and the orange shows finance majors. The purple line at the top shows electrical engineers. The economics major starts just above the finance major but shows a stronger trajectory, briefly topping the electrical engineers at about 15 years in the career but does not sustain the level of the engineers in the last two decades of the career.
The figure on Lifetime Earnings below reports the total lifetime earnings on the vertical axis (in terms of present value) with the percentage distribution from the lowest earnings to the highest along the horizontal axis. At the 50th percentile, the figure below shows the total for each of the four lines in the figure just above. Although all four groups show a substantial flip up among those in the top ten percent—income distributions are usually skewed right as indicated by the flip here—the economics major has the largest flip. The economics major exceeds the electrical engineers at about the 65th percentile and widens the gap particularly with engineering but also with finance up to the highest earnings. The economics major then shows a wider dispersion of earnings but with a much longer right tail, that is, a high probability of very high earnings than the other majors.
During recessions, economics majors and other high-earning majors show more advantage relative to majors with lower average earnings. (See Joseph G. Altonji, Lisa B. Kahn, and Jamin D. Speer,“Cashier or Consultant? Entry Labor Market Conditions, Field of Study, and Career Success,” Unpublished essay. The essay is reported by Claire Cain Miller, “A College Major Matters Even More in a Recession,” New York Times Upshot, June 20, 2014. Although most occupations show lower earnings in recessions, those involving college degrees show a lower loss.Economics yields better relative outcomes in recessions.
Mid-Career Earnings
The Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University reports the median earnings of adults working full-time for a full-year whose education stopped with the bachelor’s degree using data from the 2010 Census. The table below is a subset of a report of 173 majors published on the Wall Street Journal website at http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/NILF1111/#term “From College Major to Career”, October 24, 2013. The median earnings of economics majors is 32nd among all 173 majors.
The fifteen majors reported below are those with the highest median earnings among the 50 most popular majors. Economics is in ninth place in median earnings in this group. The table reports the percentage of the majors who are unemployed, the earnings at the 25th percentile (Q1), the median, and at the 75th percentile (Q3). Economics has the widest dispersion between Q1 and Q3 with Finance in second place.
Major Field Unemployment % Q1 Median Q3
Electrical engineering 5.00% $60,000 $86,000 $111,000
Chemical engineering 3.80% $60,000 $86,000 $117,000
Mechanical engineering 3.80% $60,000 $81,000 $106,000
Computer engineering 7.00% $58,000 $81,000 $102,000
Computer science 5.60% $50,000 $77,000 $102,000
Civil engineering 4.90% $55,000 $76,000 $101,000
General engineering 5.90% $47,000 $73,000 $101,000
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A cow stands in a barn at a dairy farm in Wisconsin. Daniel Acker / Bloomberg photo
Milk revival gives hope to battered farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin
By Bloomberg on Nov 5, 2019 at 10:38 a.m.
Struggling dairy farmers are finally getting some relief after a wave of closures that hit particularly hard in the presidential election battlegrounds of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Even as Americans drink less milk, prices on commodity markets have surged to five-year highs, providing some help to those still operating.
While it may be too late to save many farms, the turnaround eases the financial pressure on a swath of President Donald Trump's rural base ahead of next year's election. The Trump campaign is trying to pick up Minnesota, which he narrowly lost in 2016, and fighting to hold onto neighboring Wisconsin, which he won last time by fewer than 23,000 votes.
Dairy is especially important to Wisconsin. "America's Dairyland" as the slogan reads on the state's license plates. Residents embrace the nickname "Cheeseheads," and foam cheese-wedge hats are staples at sports events and tourist shops. Towns across the state depend on the money dairy farmers spend at equipment dealers, feed stores, cafes and local retailers.
"By spring, if we keep the prices where they are now, farmers are going to be in a better mood," said John Rettler, 57, who with his three sons operates a 240-cow dairy operation near Neosho, Wisconsin.
He and his neighbors have endured a five-year glut and trade disputes that have cut access to key export markets. Weather hasn't been kind either, with a wet spring delaying grain planting and then early snowstorms in October ruining some of the crop of silage and hay farmers planned to feed their cows with over the winter.
Dairy farmers are "very crabby" right now, said Rettler, who also presides over the FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative board. "They're beaten up so badly. How many times do you get kicked in the stomach and get back up?"
Many didn't. In the 12 months ended Oct. 1, one in 10 dairy farms in Wisconsin closed and one in eight in Minnesota.
All those closures are finally having an impact on the downtrodden U.S. milk market. Class III futures, which represent milk used to make cheddar cheese, are up about 40% in 2019, heading for the best year since 2007.
"People will recover some footing," said Marin Bozic, a dairy economist at the University of Minnesota. "They're stepping back from the brink. And they have time to make strategic decisions on their own terms."
Traditional dairy farmers still face tough competition from a shift toward larger operations, with some groups owning tens of thousands of cows, Bozic said.
The milk price increase is already hitting food companies such as Dean Foods, the top U.S. dairy processor, which cited higher costs for milk in reporting a wider-than-expected loss in the second quarter. Starbucks singled out higher dairy costs in the current year in an October 30 earnings call. Kraft Heinz, meanwhile, said it boosted prices last quarter in the U.S. on products such as macaroni and cheese and Philadelphia cream cheese.
Food processors with out-sized exposure to dairy, including cheese, butter and infant formula, face lower margins, said Amit Sharma, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets. Consumers are switching to other beverages as milk prices rise, he added.
Even with the higher prices, Bozic expects dairies to continue to close at an above-normal rate, predicting another 6% to 7% operating farms will shut down within a year.
"There are a lot of farms that their balance sheets have been so damaged that there's no recovery," said Mark Stephenson, director of dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin.
In some cases, farmers are hanging on in the hope that their inventory of cows and equipment will command higher prices when they sell, said Wayne Gajewski, 59, who has an 80-cow operation near Athens, Wisconsin.
"For some I've talked with, if they get some equity back, it will be an opportunity to exit the industry because they will have something to walk away with," Gajewski said. "It's just the stress of the industry with the margins being so tight."
Gajewski grew up on a farm near his current operation, which he's been running since 1979. He plans to stick it out and takes the milk-price increase as a sign the industry is moving in the right direction. He expressed hope that the Trump administration will conclude trade deals with China and Japan and win passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
"Hard times aren't always necessarily bad because they help people become better managers of what they have," he said. "For those that survive it, agriculture can have a brighter future."
This is article was written by Mike Dorning, a reporter for Bloomberg. Bloomberg's Lydia Mulvany and Jonathan Roeder contributed to this report.
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Media Miss: Obama Staffer Slams Mulvaney for Admitting ‘Quid Pro Quo’ - Then Admits It Happens All the Time
Clinton Joins Conspiracy Theory Camp, Claims Gabbard is a Russian Asset
ABC Apology Over Erroneous Video of Kentucky Gun Range Leaves Media Scratching their Heads
by Spencer Irvine on October 21, 2019
Almost a week ago, ABC News aired a video that erroneously claimed that there was an outbreak of war in Syria between the Turkish army and U.S.-allied Kurdish forces. However, the video was inaccurately described because it was footage from a Kentucky gun range, not a war being waged in Syria.
Part of the apology from ABC said that the news division “regrets the error” and issued a statement on Twitter. The network’s World News Tonight Twitter account said, “CORRECTION: We’ve taken down video that aired on “World News Tonight” Sunday and “Good Morning America” this morning that appeared to be from the Syrian border immediately after questions were raised about its accuracy. ABC News regrets the error. Another ABC program, “Good Morning America,” also issued an apology via tweet about the erroneous video.
Yet a week after this incident, the cable news network has not elaborated on how it will prevent an inaccuracy from being nationally broadcast in the future. This is a significant concern as the public already distrusts the media and this only adds another example of why to continue the distrust of the media.
Media pundits were left scratching their heads of how this could happen to a major media outlet and network like ABC. CNN’s Brian Stelter, during his program, “Reliable Sources,” called it the “most egregious media error of the week” and pointed out that ABC “has not explained what happened.”
This is not the first major error for both cable news networks and the mainstream media, which have had to retract stories in the past related to the Trump administration. However, misattribution and conjecture are too commonly passed off by the media as fact and retractions tend to not garner as much attention as the misreported information.
In order to regain the trust of the American people, the mainstream media and cable news networks must take greater care in reporting news after verifying the information or content.
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26 Novembre, 2019 21 Dicembre, 2019 Giovanna Campobasso [Call for papers]
31/12/19 – CFC “Nonhuman Animals, Climate Crisis and the Role of Literature”
Check other recent calls and fellowships. Keep updated on Twitter and Facebook.
CFC for the edited collection “Nonhuman Animals, Climate Crisis and the Role of Literature”
WHEN / WHERE
Proposals of 500 words (or optionally completed papers) and abbreviated CVs listing academic affiliation and publications are due December 31st, 2019.
The world is in crisis: socially, politically, environmentally. We are increasingly confronted with notions of otherness as the world is shrinking – we interact with diverse cultures, ideas, agendas as we never have before. Yet, at the same time, we are increasingly polarized in our thinking, with the rise of a global right-wing agenda challenging a progressive wave of policies the world over. Yet, these crises seem to pale in consideration of the increasingly urgent climate crisis.
There is little debate left on whether the climate is changing, though there are still some people arguing about the cause. As McKibben notes, this is no longer a question for science, but rather, what we need is an interpretation and communication of the urgency of the problem which produces meaningful and effective change. For many years, the question of whether fiction could articulate the vastness of the problem was up for debate. Ursula Heise, in Sense of Place and Sense of Planet (2008), identifies a failure on behalf of fiction to intervene as due to the complex nature of climate change, which happens on a scale, and over spatial, temporal, and cultural divides that are unprecedented historically. Nonetheless, there have been increasing amounts of narratives – including in literature – which concern themselves with global climate change. For example, Climate Fiction, or Cli-Fi, has been seen in ecocriticism as a potential answer to this call.
While climate change is sometimes framed as a largely human concern, or even as nature ‘striking back’ against human over-use and abuse of its resources, the growing climate crisis creates problems for human and nonhuman animals alike. Indeed, there is now widespread recognition that climate change is a leading cause of a current mass extinction event affecting species across the globe. This raises questions about how the current crisis connects to our historical disregard for the interests and capacities of other species, and of whether changing attitudes to human-nonhuman relations can help point towards new, more sustainable ways forward. In Animal Alterity: Science Fiction and the Question of the Animal (2010),Sherryl Vint notes that among science fiction’s ‘most promising’ themes is the ‘aspiration that humans might interact with an intelligence other than our own and be transformed by it’. Vint asks the question of what imagining animals through science fiction may do, and points out that the other species with whom we already share the planet could be those ‘aliens’ that make possible such a dream of transformation. Taking a slightly broader perspective, one could ask what this means – for all literature or for climate fiction specifically – in an age of climate crisis and mass extinction.
There are numerous examples of literature having a ‘real-life’ impact, from Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. More recently, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring speaks directly to environmental concerns, and Nevil Shute’s On the Beach focuses on nuclear power and speaks to devastation which can be ameliorated. The question is whether literature, in this global internet age, can still have the same kind of impact, can still be a force for change and reconsideration of our way of life – a change made in time to preserve human and nonhuman lives. Can novels such as Ian McEwan’s Solar, Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, Rawson’s From the Wreck, or Leigh’s The Hunter, to name just a few, push conversation into action? Do dystopian novels like Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? or D’Lacey’s Meat, in which nonhuman animals are seemingly extinct, force us to meaningfully consider such a loss, enough to enact change?
Literature itself, in reaction to such tangible problems, might also be evolving. Media messages in our post-millennial climate, in which social media is more prevalent and the news cycle is more all-encompassing, even as our attention and media is fragmented and polarized, makes storytelling all the more important in imparting messages, especially those intended to create change. In considering contemporary media, it is possible that the concept of literature can cross traditional, generic boundaries, to allow climate narratives to be activated and promoted in a post-internet age. In addition, authors have increasingly experimented with new ways of portraying nonhuman animals in recent decades, in response to both scientific developments and renewed ideas of species kinship. Questions thus arise about how such artistic innovations and challenges may respond to climate crisis and extinction and how these phenomena may lead authors to explore new artistic avenues in their writing.
This collection calls for considerations of new interventions by literature in relation to these pressing questions and debates. We are seeking chapters which present cases of literature attempting such intervention, theoretical considerations of the role of literature in these debates, and questions about the efficacy of such a project. We seek diverse voices and perspectives, hoping to see the impact that stories about the issue, and speculating about solutions, can have in shifting debates toward real life concerns.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
Nonhuman Presence and Absence in Climate Fictions and Apocalyptic Narratives
Dystopia, Post-apocalyptic, and Revisioning the Globe with a Changed Climate
Narratives of Extinction and Species Endangerment
Nonhuman Animals in (G)local Narratives of Environmental Change
Theoretical Approaches to the Depiction of Climate Change in the Global South
Representation, Race, and the Asymmetrical Impact of Climate Change
Intelligence, Sentience, and Ethics
Nonhuman Experience of Environmental Change and Destruction
Animal Monstrosity and Environmental Degradation/Destruction
Fantasy, Imagination, and the Animalization of Alien Others
The Deep Unknown: Blue Humanities and the Impact of Global Climate Change
Nature Fighting Back: Representations of Nonhuman Agency
The Interests of Species and Nonhuman Individuals in an Age of Climate Crisis
Conservation Narratives and Animal Rights
Representations of Habitat Loss
Posthumanism and Climate Crisis
Proposals should be for original works not previously published (including in conference proceedings) and that are not currently under consideration for another edited collection or journal. Proposals of 500 words (or optionally completed papers) and abbreviated CVs listing academic affiliation and publications are due December 31st, 2019. Notifications made in January.
If the essay is accepted for the collection, a full draft (5000-7000 words) will be required by May 15th, 2020.
We have had positive preliminary discussions with Palgrave about publication, and the editors of the Palgrave Studies in Animals and Literature series are looking forward to receiving a full proposal once the abstracts have been selected.
Please send all queries and proposals to editors, Sune Borkfelt, Aarhus University engsb@cc.au.dk and Matthias Stephan, Aarhus University engms@cc.au.dk. The editors are happy to discuss ideas prior to the deadline.
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Rathaus의 즐길 거리
관광/명소 탐방
1. Café Paris
“Amazing place in the tourist city centre, with a view on the Rathaus and historic decorations. Highly recommended for a quick coffee”
칵테일 바
2. Le Lion • Bar de Paris
“cradle of the "Gin Basil Smash" - fancy and almost hidden, very popular bar. Pricey but very good drinks”
3. Europa Passage
“Our most famous shopping mall right in the front of the city lake "Alster". => www.europa-passage.de”
4. Rathausmarkt
“Our Townhallo - impressive, also by nigh. (Big winter fare in december). Every day FREE TOUR at 11 o´clock. It takes 3 hours and you pay as much as you like at the end of the tour. ”
“All famous brands are available under one roof. The food courts with variety of food is in basement.”
기차역
6. Hamburg
“Hamburg (/ˈhæmbɜːrɡ/; German pronunciation: [ˈhambʊʁk] ( listen), local pronunciation [ˈhambʊɪ̯ç] ( listen); Low German/Low Saxon: Hamborg - [ˈhambɔːx] ( listen)), officially Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg[4] (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), is the second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union.[5] It is the second smallest German state by area. Its population is over 1.7 million people, and the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (including parts of the neighbouring Federal States of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein) has more than 5 million inhabitants. The city is situated on the river Elbe. The official name reflects its history as a member of the medieval Hanseatic League, as a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire, a city-state, and one of the 16 states of Germany. Before the 1871 Unification of Germany, it was a fully sovereign state. Prior to the constitutional changes in 1919, the stringent civic republic was ruled by a class of hereditary grand burghers or Hanseaten. Hamburg is a transport hub, being the 2nd largest port in Europe, and is an affluent city in Europe. It has become a media and industrial centre, with plants and facilities belonging to Airbus, Blohm + Voss and Aurubis. The radio and television broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk and publishers such as Gruner + Jahr and Spiegel-Verlag are pillars of the important media industry in Hamburg. Hamburg has been an important financial centre for centuries, and is the seat of the world's second oldest bank, Berenberg Bank. The city is a notable tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors; it ranked 16th in the world for livability in 2015.[6] The ensemble Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in July 2015. Hamburg is on the southern point of the Jutland Peninsula, between Continental Europe to the south and Scandinavia to the north, with the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the north-east. It is on the River Elbe at its confluence with the Alster and Bille. The city centre is around the Binnenalster ("Inner Alster") and Außenalster ("Outer Alster"), both formed by damming the River Alster to create lakes. The island of Neuwerk and two small neighbouring islands Scharhörn and Nigehörn, in the Hamburg Wadden Sea National Park, are also part of Hamburg.[8] The neighbourhoods of Neuenfelde, Cranz, Francop and Finkenwerder are part of the Altes Land (old land) region, the largest contiguous fruit-producing region in Central Europe. Neugraben-Fischbek has Hamburg's highest elevation, the Hasselbrack at 116.2 metres (381 ft) AMSL. Hamburg has an oceanic climate (Cfb), influenced by its proximity to the coast and marine air masses that originate over the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby wetlands also enjoy a maritime temperate climate. Measurable snowfall is rare, generally occurring once or twice a year. The warmest months are June, July, and August, with high temperatures of 20.1 to 22.5 °C (68.2 to 72.5 °F). The coldest are December, January, and February, with low temperatures of −0.3 to 1.0 °C (31.5 to 33.8 °F). Claudius Ptolemy (2nd century CE) reported the first name for the vicinity as Treva. The name Hamburg comes from the first permanent building on the site, a castle which the Emperor Charlemagne ordered constructed in AD 808. It rose on rocky terrain in a marsh between the River Alster and the River Elbe as a defence against Slavic incursion, and acquired the name Hammaburg, burg meaning castle or fort. The origin of the Hamma term remains uncertain,[12] as does the exact location of the castle. In 834, Hamburg was designated as the seat of a bishopric. The first bishop, Ansgar, became known as the Apostle of the North. Two years later, Hamburg was united with Bremen as the Bishopric of Hamburg-Bremen.[14] Hamburg was destroyed and occupied several times. In 845, 600 Viking ships sailed up the River Elbe and destroyed Hamburg, at that time a town of around 500 inhabitants.[14] In 1030, King Mieszko II Lambert of Poland burned down the city. Valdemar II of Denmark raided and occupied Hamburg in 1201 and in 1214. The Black Death killed at least 60% of the population in 1350.[15] Hamburg experienced several great fires, most notably in 1284. In 1189, by imperial charter, Frederick I "Barbarossa" granted Hamburg the status of an Imperial Free City and tax-free access up[clarification needed] the Lower Elbe into the North Sea. In 1265, an allegedly forged letter was presented to or by the Rath of Hamburg.[16] This charter, along with Hamburg's proximity to the main trade routes of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, quickly made it a major port in Northern Europe. Its trade alliance with Lübeck in 1241 marks the origin and core of the powerful Hanseatic League of trading cities. On 8 November 1266, a contract between Henry III and Hamburg's traders allowed them to establish a hanse in London. This was the first time in ”
7. Jim Block Dammtor
“Hamburg's respone to fancy fast-food restaurants: Affordordable, delicous, freshly-made burgers. Perfect for lunch while checking out the city.”
8. Jim Block Jungfernstieg
“Really good tasting burgers at reasonable prices! Get the MUSHROOM BURGER with JIM BLOCK sauce => www.jimblock.de”
9. Rathaus
“The City Hall is open Mon ─ Sun from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with several guided tours available to visitors. The Rathausmarkt in front of the City Hall is a popular venue for fairs, markets and concerts.”
10. BLOCK HOUSE Jungfernstieg
11. Hamburg-Mitte
“Hamburg sind unendlich, viele Aktivitäten, wie Kino, Disco, Alsterrundfahrt, den Hafen besichtigen und vieles mehr.”
스페인 음식점
12. Restaurante Español Picasso
13. Europa Passage
의류 판매점
15. Monki
16. Jim Block
함부르크
Ins Herz der Reeperbahn – Pauli mit Herz
1인당 ₩6,633부터
Haunted History of Hamburg Tour
후기 2개
함부르크 거리에서 촬영하는 프라이빗 포토 투어
활기 넘치는 함부르크 장크트 게오르크 지구 도보 투어
화려하게 즐기는 레퍼반 투어
Genuss- und Erlebnis Tour Speicherstadt
엘베강 투어 - 선원과 항만 노동자의 흔적을 찾아
Exclusive Walk & Travel Portraits
Jim Block Dammtor
Jim Block Jungfernstieg
BLOCK HOUSE Jungfernstieg
Restaurante Español Picasso
Bistro La Forchetta
“leckeres Essen/Nudelgerichte und super Pizza in einem traditionellen sizilianischen Restaurant/Pizzeria. Sehr netter Wirt und tolles Team”
Paddy's Bar
“Kleiner Irish Pub, Nachmittags und Abends gut besucht, v.a. Stammpublikum, das im Börsenviertel arbeitet. Nette Atmosphäre, aber nicht ganz günstig. ”
Jim Block
장소 14곳 · 체험 10개
장소 11곳
장소 2곳
Hamburg 둘러보기
Guidebook for Hamburg
Guidebook for Appel
Reiseführer vonChristian
Reiseführer von Hartmut
Reiseführer vonMartin & Mirjam
Martin & Mirjam
Inken
Reiseführer vonKristiane
Kristiane
Guidebook for Wilhelmshaven
Rathaus의 숙소
Rathaus의 체험
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Hail! Hail! The Red and the White! During Homecoming & Family Weekend we invite alumni, students, parents, families, friends and faculty to celebrate all things Albright! There’s something for everyone this Homecoming & Family Weekend! So show your Lion pride, wear your Albright gear and join us from Sept. 27-29!
For additional information or to register for Homecoming & Family Weekend events go to www.albright.edu/familyweekend2019 or call the Office of Alumni & Donor Engagement at 610-921-7510.
Parents and families of current Albright students are eligible to receive free tickets to the football game and can be picked up at the General Registration table located on the corner of 13th & Bern Sts.
Time Event Location
3:30 p.m. Field Hockey vs. Lebanon Valley Shirk Stadium
8 p.m. Everybody, a Domino Players’ Production Wachovia Theatre
10 p.m. Albright Improv Show (following the showing of Everybody) Roop Hall
9 a.m. Women’s Lacrosse Alumnae Game Shirk Stadium
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. General Registration Corner of 13th & Bern Sts.
10 a.m. Outdoor Yoga Science Field
10 a.m. Softball Alumnae Game Softball Field
10 a.m. Baseball Alumni Game Kelchner Field
10:30 a.m. Campus Tour Departing from Schumo Center Lobby
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eat Like A Lion – Lunch ($9.50 – Special Homecoming & Family Weekend Price) Dining Hall
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Food Truck & Fun Fest Bern St. between Birch & 12th Sts.
12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Activities for Kids (Ages 3-12) & Teens Scholl LifeSports Center
1 p.m. Football vs. Delaware Valley (Families to receive FREE tickets to football game and can be claimed at Registration the day of the event) Shirk Stadium
2:30 p.m. Campus Tour Departing from Schumo Center Lobby
3 p.m. eSports Match Schumo Center
6 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Penn St. Brandywine Shirk Stadium
7 p.m. Step Afrika! Performance Memorial Chapel
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eat Like A Lion – Brunch ($9.50 – Special Homecoming & Family Weekend Price) Dining Hall
Open Fri., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for your shopping convenience!
Open on Fri., Sept. 27 from 9 a.m.-5p.m. and Sun., Sept. 29 from 1-4 p.m. Featured exhibits include “Yeon Jin Kim: Disjointed Fables” and “Freedman Gallery National Juried Exhibition: Social Justice in the Misinformation Age.”
View or print a map of campus online HERE.
Albright College partners with many area hotels in providing discounted rates for guests visiting campus or Berks County, throughout the year. Visit www.albright.edu/hotels for a full list of hotels and “Albright College” rates. All overnight arrangements should be made directly with hotels. Book early! Rates and rooms are based on availability.
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Two teens from different worlds come together for a karaoke contest and find they have more in common than they thought. Troy's the high school jock and Gabriella the shy brain box, but when they get together and sing, despite everyone else's prejudices, it's like they were made for each other. Disney's huge teen hit comes to DVD in both its original form and as a singalong version!
Genre: Musicals, TV Comedy, TV Drama, Children's & Family Theatre, Television Shows
Director: Kenny Ortega
Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson
Location in store: Childrens/Family Theatre
DVD AVAILABLE NOW!
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For in-store pickup reservations please call 03 3650 615
ALICE ALSO SUGGESTS:
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As the club prepares for the Regionals, Kurt and Finn share family problems, Rachel experiences simu...
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Arriving at her new college, Beca (Anna Kendrick) finds herself not right for any clique but somehow...
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ABUS Overhead Cranes supplied and installed at Africa Steel and Tube in South Africa
Sierpień - 2019
Październik - 2019
Morris Cranes, a Division of Morris Material Handling SA (Pty) Ltd, a wholly owned South African company and the sub-Saharan agent of ABUS Kransysteme GmbH has supplied and installed lifting equipment at Africa Steel and Tube in Johannesburg, South Africa (www.africasteeltube.co.za).
Africa Steel and Tube (Pty) Ltd is a recently established steel tube manufacturer specialising in precision drawn steel tubing (round, square, regular and tubing and lip channel). Located in Alrode, Johannesburg, on a 40 000m² site, as specialists in the industry their priority is to focus on and understand what their customers’ unique requirements are and ensure they meet these requirements through effectively managing their customers’ expectations and requests.
High quality service performance and delivery are key when dealing with the team at Africa Steel and Tube.
Morris Material Handling SA (Pty) Ltd and ABUS are proud to have been involved with Africa Steel and Tube in the establishing of their new factory and business entity.
The following lifting equipment was supplied and installed.
The eleven EOT cranes supplied with a range of lifting capacities and spans are employed mainly in the three areas of production and storage. Six single girder EOT cranes of the ELK type with SWLs of 5 tonnes and spans between 24 and 25 metres are used to handle round and square tubes with relatively small diameters. Round tubes and square ones with larger diameters as well as lip channels or C rails are also transported by cranes of the ELK type; however, these have larger lifting capacities of 10 tonnes and their spans range between 23 and 25 metres. One feature common to all these cranes is that they have welded box girders that are resistant to torsion. Cranes designed as single girder cranes with 10 tonnes SWL may have spans up to 27.5 metres.
The two biggest cranes of the lot, two double girder cranes of the ZLK type, with SWLs of 25 tonnes and spans of 25 metres and 32 tonnes and 23 metres respectively are operating in the area of coil handling. Double girder cranes with load capacities of 40 tonnes may reach spans of up to 40 metres. Different designs for the main girder installations for both single and double girder cranes allow the cranes to be optimally adapted to the building shapes and conditions.
Africa Steel and Tube will continue their objective to become the top service provider in Africa in terms of delivering essential capabilities of efficient and reliable service, quality assurance, marketing, logistics and finance.
Morris and ABUS wish the team at Africa Steel and Tube great success in their development in the tubing and steel industry.
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by Keith Eadie VP, Adobe Advertising Cloud
1 Keeping customer trust in an era of brand safety concerns.
2 T-Mobile: If You Love Your Customers, Set Them Free.
3 6 Ways To View The Big Picture In The Fragmented Digital M&E World.
Keeping customer trust in an era of brand safety concerns.
It may take years for a brand to earn a customer’s trust, but it only takes minutes to lose it. An example of this is when a brand’s ads appear alongside extremist, hateful, or inappropriate content. Brand safety is not a new issue, but it’s one that’s on the rise — and it’s keeping advertisers awake at night.
In just the past two weeks, major companies all across the globe have pulled advertising spend or significantly limited display advertising because their ads have appeared next to undesirable content such as that containing hate speech, extreme violence, and other extremist content. In February alone, DoubleVerify reported that eight million ads were blocked from appearing on pages it classified as containing hate speech — up threefold from January.
Adobe’s commitment.
As a leader in digital marketing, we believe that we have an obligation to provide our customers with solutions that are secure, transparent, and in accordance with their values. In advertising, Adobe is committed to helping marketers achieve their goals without compromising brand safety, media quality, or transparency.
Digital marketers and advertisers are understandably worried. According to a recent survey conducted by Adobe Digital Insights, 58 percent of marketers report that their concerns about digital ad fraud have increased in comparison to 2016, and one-half of media buyers surveyed identified “media quality” as the biggest challenge facing the industry.
Enhancing brand safety through third-party integrations.
With that in mind, today we’re enhancing our brand safety capabilities with the integration of yet another trusted third-party anti-fraud technology — Grapeshot. Grapeshot provides pre-bid filters that scan for objectionable content on a page before an ad is placed there. It joins Adobe’s existing third-party brand safety and fraud integrations with DoubleVerify, Integral Ad Science, Proximic, and White Ops to offer maximum brand safety for advertisers.
The full scope of Adobe’s preventative measures.
In addition to these integrations, Adobe Media Optimizer demand-side platform (DSP), part of Adobe Advertising Cloud, provides customers with proprietary brand safety features, including automated tools to prevent ads from appearing alongside objectionable content and a manual site-screening process performed by a team of quality assurance specialists.
The full set of preventive measures Adobe provides for its customers’ protection includes the following:
• Site- and app-level screening performed by a specialized team of experts who review quality and content, excluding any unsafe inventory (e.g., pirated content, malicious content, etc.).
• Contextual targeting that enables advertisers to target only pages containing content that is relevant to their ads as well as exclude those containing certain topics.
• Pre-bid filtering to proactively detect and prevent ads from being delivered on pages with objectionable content before the website or app loads — a crucial point because it proactively protects the brand’s image and prevents their ads from appearing alongside hateful and extremist material.
• Third-party brand safety and fraud integrations (noted above).
We’re also asking advertisers to put these features to the test by offering Grapeshot’s filters and other brand safety technology integrations at no cost through the end of June 2017. The technology is available on Adobe Advertising Cloud’s DSP across desktop video and display inventory.
Adobe’s focus is to do what’s best for marketers, and as such, our DSP automatically refunds purchase impressions identified as fraudulent by our partner White Ops. But, as Brett Wilson, VP and GM of Advertising for Adobe, notes, “making bot traffic immaterial is only one piece of the puzzle; contextual brand safety has always been equally paramount. We’re proud that the adoption of our brand safety tools is effectively protecting our customers from both.”
Modern Authenticity
Behind every great ad, there are a million digital connections.
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National Employment Report
Workforce Vitality Report
Due Date for Furnishing IRS 2019 Forms 1095-C Extended and Other Penalty Relief
On December 2, 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2019-63 announced the extension of the due date to furnish 2019 health coverage information forms to employees. Applicable Large Employers (ALEs) now have until March 2, 2020, to provide Forms 1095-C to individuals.
The IRS also extended transition relief from penalties for incorrect or incomplete information under Sections 6721 and 6722 to ALEs that can demonstrate that they made good-faith efforts to comply with the Form 1095-C reporting requirements under Section 6056 for 2019; both for furnishing to individuals and for filing with the IRS.
IRS Notice 2019-63 provides additional relief from penalties under Section 6722 to providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC) that fail to furnish Form 1095-B or Form 1095-C to individuals that were not full-time employees for any month of the year, under certain conditions.
Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 6056 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires ALEs to report to the IRS whether they offer their full-time employees and their employees' qualified dependents the opportunity to enroll in minimum essential coverage (MEC) under an eligible employer-sponsored plan. An ALE is an employer that employed (any combination of workers within a controlled group) an average of at least 50 full-time employees (including full-time-equivalent employees) during the preceding calendar year. Employees are considered full-time in any month that they are credited with at least 30 hours of service per week, on average, or 130 hours of service in the month.
ALEs must furnish Forms 1095-C to employees or covered individuals regarding the health-care coverage offered to them. Individuals may use this information to determine whether, for each month, they may claim the premium tax credit on their individual income tax returns.
Form 1095-C is to be furnished and filed for each employee who was full-time for one or more months of a year and includes details of any health-care coverage offered to the employee, reported on a monthly basis. For self-insured plans, Form 1095-C must also be provided to individuals who enrolled in qualified coverage, which may include non-full-time employees and any covered spouses and dependents.
The January 31 deadline to furnish Forms 1095-C to employees was also extended for 2015 (Notice 2016-4); for 2016 (Notice 2016-70), for 2017 (Notice 2018-06); and for 2018 (Notice 2018-94).
Extended Deadline to Furnish 2019 Forms 1095-C to Employees
IRS Notice 2019-63 announced an extension of the deadline to furnish Forms 1095-C to employees until March 2, 2020, but employers are encouraged to furnish such statements as soon as possible. The extension is automatic and does not need to be requested.
The deadline for filing Forms 1095-C is not extended, and remains February 28, 2020 for paper filers, or March 31, 2020 for electronic filers. Electronic filing is required for parties filing 250 or more forms.
Most employees will not need Form 1095-C to prepare their income tax return. In prior years, some employees may have referenced Form 1095-C, Part III, to determine whether a health-care coverage shared-responsibility payment applied. However, as of January 1, 2019, the shared- responsibility payment was reduced to zero and as a result the “Full-year health-care coverage or exempt” box has been removed from Form 1040. This information may only be relevant for 2019, if an employee purchased health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace and wishes to claim the premium tax credit. Taxpayers may also rely on other information received from their employer or coverage provider for purposes of filing their returns.
“Good-Faith” Transition Relief From Penalties for Incorrect or Incomplete Information
The IRS also extended transition relief from penalties for incorrect or incomplete information under Sections 6721 and 6722 to ALEs that can demonstrate that they made good-faith efforts to comply with the Form 1095-C reporting requirements; both for furnishing to individuals and for filing with the IRS.
Section 6721 of the Code imposes a penalty for failing to timely file an Information Return or for filing an incorrect or incomplete Information Return. Section 6722 of the Code imposes a penalty for failing to timely furnish an information statement or for furnishing an incorrect or incomplete information statement.
The IRS previously provided transition relief from penalties under Sections 6721 and 6722 to ALEs that could show that they made good-faith efforts to comply with the ACA information-reporting requirements for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Notice 2019-63 extends this relief to 2019 Forms 1094-C/1095-C. ALEs will be eligible for relief if they can show that they made good-faith efforts to comply with the reporting requirements for correct and complete information. No relief is provided for failure to file or to furnish a statement by the due dates (as extended by Notice 2019-63). In determining good faith, the IRS will take into account whether an employer made reasonable efforts to prepare for reporting the required information and furnishing it to employees. The IRS will also take into account the extent to which the employer is taking steps to ensure that it will be able to comply with the reporting requirements for 2019.
Penalty Relief for Failing to Furnish Form 1095-B and Some Form 1095-C
Due to the elimination of the individual shared-responsibility payment beginning after December 31, 2018 (reduced to zero), Form 1095-B is no longer required for a taxpayer to compute federal tax liability or file an income tax return while the requirement to furnish Form 1095-B remains. The IRS will not assess a penalty under Code Sec. 6722 for failing to furnish a Form 1095-B if: (1) the reporting entity posts a notice on its website stating that individuals may request a 2019 Form 1095-B and that the individual must provide an email and physical address to mail the statement and a phone number where they can be contacted; and (2) the reporting entity furnishes the statement within 30 days of the request. This penalty relief does not apply to furnishing Form 1095-C to full-time employees, generally required of ALE members that offer self-insured health plans due to combined reporting requirements under Code Sec. 6056 and Code Sec. 6055 . Penalty relief will cover any penalties related to furnishing Form 1095-C to any employee who is not a full-time employee for any month in 2019.
“Good-Faith” Efforts May Require Action
As noted, no relief will be provided in the case of reporting entities that do not make a good-faith effort to comply with the regulations. With respect to the accuracy of information reported, such as names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs), these regulations are reflected and explained in IRS Publication 1586. This publication specifies the actions needed to avoid penalties for Information Returns (e.g., Forms 1095-C and W-2) that are filed or furnished with missing or incorrect SSNs, or with names that do not match the corresponding SSNs.
Accuracy penalties can be up to $270 per return for failure to file and failure to furnish accurate and timely Information Returns, up to an annual cap of $3,339,000 ($1,113,000 for employers with gross receipts under $5,000,000). Separate penalties under Sections 6721 and 6722 may apply to filing and furnishing, so the aggregate penalty could be $540 per statement, up to $6,678,000 per year. The IRS has generally not asserted such penalties systemically for Forms 1095-C or Forms W-2, but enforcement policy may change in the future.
To avoid such penalties, employers may need to follow Publication 1586 guidance to check with employees if they become aware of a name/SSN error. For example, the IRS electronic filing system for Forms 1095-C notifies employers of any errors in names and SSNs. These error notices are not an IRS Notice 972CG; i.e., do not require a specific solicitation, but it may be reasonable under the circumstances to check the employer’s records to confirm that the information provided by the employee was transcribed correctly; and, if so, to ask affected employees to verify that the information provided matches the name and Social Security Number on their Social Security card. For example, people may forget to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding marriages, divorce, etc.
For more information, see IRS Notice 2019-63 or IRS Publication 1586.
ADP Compliance Resources
ADP maintains a staff of dedicated professionals who carefully monitor federal and state legislative and regulatory measures affecting employment-related human resource, payroll, tax and benefits administration, and help ensure that ADP systems are updated as relevant laws evolve. For the latest on how federal and state tax law changes may impact your business, visit the ADP Eye on Washington Web page located at www.adp.com/regulatorynews.
ADP is committed to assisting businesses with increased compliance requirements resulting from rapidly evolving legislation. Our goal is to help minimize your administrative burden across the entire spectrum of employment-related payroll, tax, HR and benefits, so that you can focus on running your business. This information is provided as a courtesy to assist in your understanding of the impact of certain regulatory requirements and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Such information is by nature subject to revision and may not be the most current information available. ADP encourages readers to consult with appropriate legal and/or tax advisors. Please be advised that calls to and from ADP may be monitored or recorded.
If you have any questions regarding our services, please call 855-466-0790.
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