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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65031 |
dselect access methods
I have been testing cd_autoup.sh and preparing its README
for upgradng to slink.
I have noted that when the "mounted" access method is used,
the first step under [I]nstall is to install any packages that
are Pre-Depends for a selected package. This is very helpful.
Do any other access methods provide this feature?
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65032 |
Anyone considered packaging up Erlang? I'm working on a basic
package, allthough I'm not sure I'll release it as an official .deb
unless someone else with more knowledge is interested - I may just
play with the language for a bit and then go on to do other things...
Information about Erlang at: www.erlang.org
The other thing I'm not entirely sure about is the license.
contains terms which differ from MPL, mainly in terms of
jurisdiction. The license is constructed in accordance with the laws
of Sweden.
License at: http://www.erlang.org/license/EPL1_0.txt
David N. Welton | Fortune rota volvitur - descendo minoratus
[email protected] | alter in altum tollitur - nimis exaltatus
www.debian.org - www.prosa.it | nam sub axe legimus - Hecubam reginam
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65033 |
Re: mtools
On Tue, Sep 28, 1999 at 06:08:48PM +0200, Josip Rodin wrote:
> Correction: mtools in slink does *not* depend on anything but libc6, so
> there is still time to do it, cleanly.
> Maintainer, please do it.
The bug tracking system has a weird X-Debian-CC system set up so you don't
create several bugs through people replying to messages like this, and messages
like this get added to the bug.
First, I believe this is against policy. "Do not create two versions (one with
X support and one without) of your package."
Second, shouldn't this be wishlist anyway? It's not like it's an error in the
program, it's just something you don't like.
David Starner - [email protected]
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65034 |
ITP: insight & sourcenav
Responding to previous request for package, I intend to package
insight and sourcenav from cygnus (which is red hat). Insight
is a tight graphical frontend to gdb written in tk, and sourcenav
(source navigator) is a source code analysis tool which lets you
edit/browse/build your projects.
I've previously used insight on both linux and cygwin; and the build
seems to be pretty clean. I think that I'll be providing useful packages
since I'll be using these tools for my own projects.
Eray Ozkural
CS, Bilkent Univ.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65035 |
Re: X and runlevels
On Tue, Sep 05, 2000 at 11:01:28AM +0200, Marcelo E. Magallon wrote:
> >> Branden Robinson <[email protected]> writes:
> > and sent patches to XFree86 a long time ago, but the patch was
> > ignored, and Dirk Hohndel basically told me I was an idiot for
> > doing so, because it might unexpectedly terminate the server in the
> > quite common case of four X session logins in a row that averaged
> > less than 6 seconds each...
> Huh all right. I don't understand what you/he meant by that, but the
> code that was patched (the xdm shipped with 3.3.2) was broken.
No it wasn't. After I started shipping our xdm packages with those
resources switched on our problems with "xdm loops forever and I can't log
in as root on the console to turn it off" went away. This is not because
everybody suddenly learned how to type CTRL-R; that would require reading
the manaual.
> The patch worked based on the *number* of consecutive failures. The
> current code works based on the *time* between failures, and it's
> rather agressive at that IMO.
I've seen a little bit of the current (4.0.1) behavior and I think it's
badly broken. I haven't had time to examine it.
Debian GNU/Linux | emacs is always overkill.
[email protected] | -- Stephen J. Carpenter
http://www.debian.org/~branden/ |
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65036 |
Re: LSB Spec 1.0 Criticism
On Thu, Jul 05, 2001 at 12:32:19PM +1000, Anthony Towns wrote:
> Well, if rpm is CPIO + extensions to store uid's by name instead of just
> number, then there isn't a problem.
RPM doesn't use the uid/gid metadata in the cipo payload, it uses the
symbolic (not numerical) uid/gid in the RPM metadata header.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65037 |
New OpenLDAP 2.1 preview
Hi *,
can be found on
for the unstable upload, at least
- upgrades do not work (the old config creates a bad directory which
is only noticed by 2.1)
- reconfiguration depends on removing the old directory first. This
should be done by the configuration tool after asking the user
etc. etc.
Installing seems to work though and you can create a new directory
using a very simple configuration script. Feedback on wanted features
in the final maintainer scripts is more than welcome. The next item
on the TODO list is a clean and automatic update from stable though...
Torsten (still on the road)
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Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65038 |
Re: kernel-source : end of tg3 NIC support (because of firmware) ?
Christophe Chisogne wrote:
or should I drop .deb kernel packages
and use vanilla kernels from kernel.org ?
As I don't have a Tigon3, nor am I a DD, I can't comment on the rest of your post. However, using packaged kernels and using vanilla kernels are not mutually exclusive. apt-get install kernel-package
Philip Miller
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65040 |
Brian Nelson <[email protected]> writes:
> Thomas Bushnell BSG <[email protected]> writes:
>> Brian Nelson <[email protected]> writes:
>>> I completely agree, and hereby question whether the secretary is capable
>>> issue.
>> You may question it, but it doesn't affect the case.
> Weeee, look at me! I'm Thomas Bushnell and I reply to every single
> message on every single Debian mailing list, regardless of whether I
> have anything useful to say!
Huh? You seemed to be saying (using quite formal language like
"hereby") that your questioning should have some effect.
My point is that it does not, and need not. It has only whatever
effect Manoj chooses to give it.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65041 |
> >Wouldn't this package conflict with the 'manpages' package (which provides
> >them for GNU/Linux) and with the manpages provided by other (core)
> >packages?
> >Or are all manpages going to be renamed so that there is no filename
> >conflict
> >under /usr/share/man/man{2,4}?
I would simply add a specific man section for those kind of pages.
See for instance manpages-posix, which add a 'p' suffix to the section
number. A 'b' section would be probably suitable. User could easily
select their own section of interest.
Francesco P. Lovergine
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65044 |
Thanks again for explaining, Jens. :)
On 06/02/2009, at 1:01 AM, Jens Seidel wrote:
On Fri, Feb 06, 2009 at 12:22:53AM +1030, Clytie Siddall wrote:
On 05/02/2009, at 11:29 PM, Jens Seidel wrote:
On Thu, Feb 05, 2009 at 10:23:23PM +1030, Clytie Siddall wrote:
I've copied the svn-updated release-notes/Makefile into release-
The Makefile should not be copied into vi/. It assumes to be located
at the top
level directory of the Release Notes.
Umm... I've left the original Makefile where it is, just made another
copy in /vi and modified that. But if I modify the Makefile for the
top-level directory, and commit the change, won't it affect all the
languages? And if I don't commit the change, it won't affect the files
in /vi when po4a is run on the server ?
Right. But please note that po4a isn't called automatically during the
build but only manually from time to time. Adapting the Makefile isn't possible
because ...
... hmm, why?
Ah, because it *was* called automatically during each build and this failed on the build host. But as it has to happen manually now it is save to enable the --previous option. Every user of the Makefile in an Etch system should just locally remove it again but I assume most active contributors use already
I committed the option change in r6219.
No need for further action from your side. Your code is currently btw
Thanks for doing that. I just finished translating the current Release- Notes, and committed my changes. So, when the original strings are changed again (e.g. taking care of some of the remaining TODO's), my files will use msgid-previous?
Where should I look to keep track of changes to the original strings? I don't want to miss updating them, especially now I have a complete translation (I like being at 100% :D ). And do we have a status webpage for the Release Notes, like we do for the Installation Guide?
I can run very basic svn commands now, so with a bit of luck, I'll recover
enough concentration to do a little more on the command-line.
You have to learn, learn, learn ... :-)
Unfortunately, my problems are due to illness [1], and have affected my memory and concentration. So I can't access most of the things I used to know (pre-disease, I lectured in computing, mathematics and English), including all my machine languages and most of my human languages. (Luckily, the English-Vietnamese switch still works in my head, probably because of its strong emotional links.) For the past few months, I haven't been able to read or write at all: that's why I haven't been able to participate here. Luckily, I have finally recovered a little capacity, so I've started updating translations again. I'll be delighted if I recover enough concentration to use the command-line more: every little bit of extra capacity means a lot in my situation.
Mechanically, learning isn't just about understanding something, it's also about being able to retain and access that knowledge. My brain has file-addressing issues. ;)
(The most embarrassing moments are when I can't remember the names of my own children! I know their faces, but not their names.)
from Clytie
Vietnamese Free Software Translation Team
[1] I've been severely disabled by this disease for 15 years, but one of the things I love about the Net is that until recently, having access to a laptop and Net connection meant I could be just like everyone else here. I could participate, too, and not have to explain about the disease. I would have a few days or a week or two out of action every now and then, but I could catch up without it really being noticeable. However, in the last couple of years, the disease has started taking me completely out of action for several months at a time, and will eventually do so permanently, so I've had to explain why. Not my favourite topic. :S
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65046 |
Re: The Debian Mentors Project
On Tue, 13 May 2003, Rene Engelhard wrote:
> And that looks like it is f*cked. Is this Depends: done manually?
> I do not thing dpkg-shlibdeps did that. Where is libc6?
Actually i was only worried about the licence because i know it can't be
there. We use it at work :-)
Our mission: make IPv6 the default IP protocol
"We are on a mission from God" - Elwood Blues
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65047 |
Re: I have made new package and I want to submit it.
Artūras Šlajus <[email protected]> schrieb:
> Hello,
> I've created new package (echat), checked it with lintian, tested it, it seems OK.
> Now i want to submit it. I read that i can "Many people wish to contribute to Debian
> and first try to become official developers, even though that's not necessary.
> In fact, we recommend that people start contributing as soon as possible, and then
> later proceed to make their developer status official.". So I just want to submit this
> package... What should I do?
- read http://people.debian.org/~mpalmer/debian-mentors_FAQ.html
especially the section on "Sponsored packages"
- give the long and short description of your package, as well as a
place where the source files can be retrieved from.
- Read the new maintainers guide, developers reference, and policy, of
Regards, Frank
Frank Küster, Biozentrum der Univ. Basel
Abt. Biophysikalische Chemie
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65049 |
Bug#100346: [PROPOSAL] Do not mandate existence of shared libraries
Package: debian-policy
Severity: wishlist
In section 11.2, it is mandated that every library provides a static
and a shared version. I don't think this is appropriate, as there
are programming languages whose shared library support is still
The whole discussion in this section seems to be quite C-centric.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65050 |
Additional Packages Available
I have some Debian packages for PowerPC available from my Web
site. At the moment, there are three:
mminstance -- utilities to create AFM and PFA or PFB files for
a single instance of a multiple-master font
t1utils-ek -- an updated version of the existing t1utils
package (version 1.18 vs. version 1.2) that
includes an additional utility to create
Macintosh-style PostScript font files from
Unix-style PFAs or PFBs
thoughttracker -- a hyperlinked idea-tracking database
I hope to get these packages into the main archive (for woody,
obviously), but in the meantime, you can obtain them by adding one
or both of the following lines to your /etc/apt/sources.list file,
and then using `apt-get install <package>' (or `apt-get source
<package>' if you prefer to build the packages yourself or want to
build them for a platform other than PowerPC):
deb http://www.eskimo.com/~c/debian pending main
deb-src http://www.eskimo.com/~c/debian pending main
Please let me know if you have any problems. For more information
about these packages, see
mminstance <http://www.lcdf.org/~eddietwo/type/>
thoughttracker <http://www.tu-ilmenau.de/~gomar/stuff/thoughttracker/>
C.M. Connelly [email protected] SHC, DS
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65052 |
Black Screen/Boot Prompt - On Woody Install - PowerBook 3400c
I know this must have happened to someone else, but after installing Woody by way of floppies and cd as well as net install the following happens:
Powerbook 3400c - installing Woody
Install smooth
Reboot - not so smooth and will not boot from floppy
Computer screen is black on black and very hard to read, but the message received is:
Enter the kernel image name as [device:][partno][/path] where partno is a 0 - 16. Instead of /path you can type [mm:nn] to specify a range of disk blocks [512B]
boot: (cursor here)
couldn't open /dev/fd0
/dev/hda:7/0:16 [note: hda7 is /]
couldn't open /dev/hda
and many others figuring out how to format the command. I'm a newbie.
I researched a solution, but it requires me to place the machine in Openware mode in order to run an init command (which I hope someone can remind me of the format) to turn the backlighting on my screen at least. Another suggestion for viewing is to use a serial cable network from another terminal. I have hyperterm of course on Windows box. Even if I can read the screen it will still be a dilemma for me.
Ctrl-Command-I/O to restart with CTRL-COMMAND-P-R to clear PRAM ineffective
Conclusion : I'm seriously hosed. How can I get debian up and running on my Powerbook3400 and solve this problem?
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65053 |
Re: Complaint about #debian operator
Don Armstrong <[email protected]>
> Just to clarify for those following along at home, the first +q was
> put in place for ten minutes as a time out to stop the off topic
> discussion and ideally to get the participants to move to another
> channel. (A +q silences the individual in question, while allowing
> them to remain on the channel.)
+q is a bizarre "half-ban" flag which doesn't appear in many
(any?) IRC newbie guides, confuses some software and used to
give inciting error messages on freenode like "the gods have
taken your voice away" (I have an unstable internet link today,
so I haven't checked now). Please don't use it on newcomers.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65055 |
Re: Note to "Did you already MOO today..."
On Fri, Nov 10, 2006 at 08:54:56AM -0600, Manoj Srivastava wrote:
> Hi,
> On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 09:51:35 +0100, Jakob Johannes Blaette
> <[email protected]> said:
> > Hello, Debain, first of all thank you for the Distribution of DEBIAN
> > that I appreciate.
> Thanks.
> > I am Computer Scientist and have roman catholic believe so I'm also
> > thankful f.ex. that Debian offers a Web Browser called "Epiphany
> > Browser".
> I doubt that the naming had something to do with religion,
> really.
> > But I could also find a program that can produce the comment "Did
> > you already MOO today...?". Now I found that "MOO" can mean a text
> > based online virtual system but as well "MOOism" that is a joke
> > religion (please see f.ex. wikipedia.org). Or is the meaning only
> > harmess in the meaning of cows?
> Hard to say, I don't think this has much to do with the text
> based game, and something to do with cows is also unlikely. However,
> that is not to say that the only explanation left is "MOOism", though
> that can't be ruled out. Perhaps there is some humour here that I am
> missing.
Where does the "Did you already MOO today..." come from? I can't find
anything related to it.
Something that seem to be related to it in Debian is:
$ apt-get moo
/ | ||
* /\---/\
~~ ~~
Which seems to be a cow to me.
An other I can think of is distributed.net who has a logo of a cow (or
bovine), and the button to get the client says "Moo". You'll find lots
of references to moo and bovine on their site.
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65058 |
Re: Smail spam-prevention filter?
More info:
Sure enough, there was a later version on the web site,
taking me from v3.2 to :^>
So I installed the package, and tried the smtp_remote_allow
in the config file, as mentioned for smail 3.2. No such luck,
it doesn't know that configuration option.
*IF* that configuration option is possible under the smail
compiled under Libc6, then when the entire box is upgraded
maybe it will work. But for now, I seem stuck unless someone
has some magic tcp wrappers or smail configuration lines that
will do what smtp_remote_allow (or "-smtp_remote_allow") is
supposed to do.
>From [email protected] Thu May 28 12:07:59 1998
To: Curt Howland <[email protected]>
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Smail spam-prevention filter?
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
From: Jim Pick <[email protected]>
Date: 28 May 1998 12:07:50 -0700
Lines: 61
X-Mailer: Gnus v5.5/XEmacs 20.4 - "Emerald"
Content-Length: 1861
Curt Howland <[email protected]> writes:
> I obviously don't have my smail filter configured correctly,
> as last night I had to pull the ethernet plug from my Debian
> machine running smail to stop many thousands of spam emails
> using my machine as a remailer.
> My question is: Preventing incoming mail "To:" anything other
> than the local machine, and "From:" anything but the local
> machine would seem a standard form of security filter for
> smail.
> Does anyone know of such a standard rules entry?
> I don't know what list to send this to, if "security" is
> not a good place, I will try the "users" list.
Here's a good link:
It says:
Smail Version 3
Status: Freely Available
Systems: Unix
Info: http://www.sbay.org/smail-faq.html
smail version 3.2 has support to block unauthorized relay. This is
enabled by defining the smtp_remote_allow parameter in your config
file. Set it to the list of local IP address ranges from which
unrestricted relay is allowed. All other hosts will be refused.
Smail version 3.1 is vulnerable to relay. It also has some well-known
security problems. Please upgrade to either version 3.2 or exim.
- Jim
Content-Type: application/pgp-signature
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Version: 2.6.3a
Comment: Processed by Mailcrypt 3.4, an Emacs/PGP interface
To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected]
Reply to: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65062 | Some good-hearted criticism
Alastair David Reid
27 Jun 2001 15:26:37 -0600
Juan Carlos Arevalo Baeza <> writes:
> Hmmm... I guess I'll have to look more closely into the Hugs
> documentation. I wasn't aware that it had profiling in it
> too... O:-) And, looking closer, this option is not mentioned
> anywhere, and it rejects the option. Hmmm... I have the February
> 2001 version, for Windows. Maybe I need to check for a new one?
It's a configure time option (--enable-profiling).
You need (someone) to compile Hugs from source code with that
option turned on.
Other useful options that Windows (and Unix?) people may not know about are:
--enable-timer enable evaluation timing
--enable-stack-dumps enable stack dump on stack overflow
--enable-only98 make Hugs Haskell 98 only
--with-readline support fancy command line editing
--with-preprocessor allow use of a preprocessor
The rest of the options are either for use by developers or are likely
to have suffered severe bitrot but, for the record, they are:
--disable-modules disable module system
--enable-path-canonicalization enable filepath canonicalization
--enable-profiling enable heap profiler
--with-nmake produce nmake compatible Makefile
--disable-large-banner disable multiline startup banner
--with-gui build Hugs for Windows GUI
--enable-internal-prims experimental primitives to access Hugs' innards
--enable-debug include C debugging information (for debugging use)
--enable-lint enable lint flags (for debugging use)
--enable-tag-checks runtime tag checking (for debugging use)
The useful ones are documented in the file hugs98/Install - but you
usually only read that if you install from source. Now that most
people get their Hugs in binary form for Windows or Linux, it might be
worth mentioning these features more prominently on the web page or in
the Hugs documentation.
> return (r,Just a)
> +++
> do x <- s
> mn (r ++ [x]) p
> +++
> return (r,Nothing)
Many people would code that more trickily by consing x onto the front
of r and then returning the reverse of r:
> return (reverse r,Just a)
> +++
> do x <- s
> mn (x:r) p
> +++
> return (reverse r,Nothing)
This avoids quadratic cost from the repeated appends (N appends with
time of each one proportional to length of list). Both approaches are
equally strict. I think both require stack space proportional to the
list length though I could be wrong about the repeated appends (too
hot to figure it out).
Less trickily, you could use one of Chris Okasaki's data structures
that guarantees fast append to the tail of the list.
Alastair Reid |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65063 | General Laws
Section 3A. Anything contained in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding as regards sections one, two, three, four (1), four (4), ten, eleven and twelve, the term “employee” shall include any individual, over the age of seventeen, employed in the domestic service of any family or person at his home for not less than sixteen hours per week. In the event of a violation of section four (1) or four (4) by an employer of any such individual, the department of labor relations shall have all necessary and appropriate powers to conduct an investigation of such violation. The discharge of any such individual, within three months after the making of a report or complaint of any violation of section four (1) or four (4), known to the employer, shall create a rebuttable presumption that such discharge is a reprisal against such individual. In such case, the employer of such individual shall be liable for damages which shall not be less than one month’s wages nor more than two months’ wages of such individual, and the costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65066 | Export (0) Print
Expand All
Netlog (Windows CE 5.0)
Windows CE 5.0
Send Feedback
Netlog is a sample tool that logs network traffic. It produces files that can be read by using the Microsoft Windows Network Monitor (NetMon) .Netlog has no arguments of its own, but is controlled by the Netlogctl sample command-line tool. For more information, see Netlogctl.
A sample of the Netlog tool is in the %_WINDOWS%\public\oak\utils directory.
By default, the network traffic log is saved in the root directory on the target device in either Netlog0.cap or Netlog1.cap. When the current file is full, the log is continued in the other file.
This behavior prevents the device from running out of memory.
NDIS always tries to load Netlog when it is available. However, it is loaded in the stopped state by default. The following list shows best practices:
• If performance is critical, do not include Netlog in your image.
• If you want to debug the first few packets arriving in your system, you must modify Netlog.dll so that it will load in the started state.
Netlog settings can be adjusted using Netlogctl. The following example shows typical output produced by Netlog using the default settings.
Time # bytes captured FileName FileSize Contains
0 400k \netlog0.cap 400k 0 - 400k
1 700k \netlog0.cap 500k 0 - 500k
1 700k \netlog1.cap 200k 500k - 700k
2 1100k \netlog0.cap 100k 1.0M - 1.1M
2 1100k \netlog1.cap 500k 500k - 1.0M
If you use an intermediate driver, Netlog logs the packets twice. The first time is from the intermediate driver to the miniport.
Netlog logs network traffic for all adapters in the same file.
Netlog does not set the adapter to promiscuous mode before logging. Therefore, unicast packets that are directed to other machines are not logged.
Netlog logs both edges of Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) packets, at the IP edge and the PPP edge. The IP edge is the edge of PPP that is next to TCP/IP, and the PPP edge is next to NDIS. Because there is no Media Access Control (MAC) frame at these edges, Netlog inserts its own MAC frame. The MAC address is changed, based on transmit (TX) and receive (RX). The following example shows typical output produced by Netlog when using PPP.
PPP/IP RX/TX MAC Dest MAC Src In Ascii
IP TX 54:78:20:40:50:20 20:6e:65:74:6c:67 Tx IP netlg
IP RX 52:78:20:40:50:20 20:6e:65:74:6c:67 Rx IP netlg
PPP TX 54:78:20:50:50:50 20:6e:65:74:6c:67 Tx PPP netlg
PPP RX 52:78:20:50:50:50 20:6e:65:74:6c:67 Rx PPP netlg
To enable the network monitor easily decode the stream, the PPP packet is converted to PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE) at the PPP edge.
If PPPoE is used, the following three packets are logged for each TX or RX:
• One IP frame with a fake MAC address.
• One PPPOE frame with a fake MAC address.
• One real PPPoE frame.
See Also
NDIS Packet Capturing | Netlogctl
Send Feedback on this topic to the authors
Feedback FAQs
© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
© 2015 Microsoft |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65069 | Shared publicly -
Here are 10 of the best iPhone photography apps out there. What would you add to the list?
Bryan Maher's profile photoJonathan Jones's profile photoRalph Mendoza's profile photoConnie Brand's profile photo
So proud of the Viddy guys! They seem to make every list like this!!
Add a comment... |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65088 | Questions from Intel's first academic webcast on many core
Questions from Intel's first academic webcast on many core
• Is the software manycore challenge just for folks who write operating systems? Or does it affect all programmers?
• Seems like homogenous manycore will be complicated enough for programmers given the languages and tools availble. Why consider heterogeneous manycore?
• Where in the curriculum (OS, Architecture, Programming Languages course) and when (Freshman, Sophmore, Senior) do you recommend teaching parallel programming?
• human brain is the ultimate heterogeneous manycore - is there any bioinspired techniques being considered?
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Thanks for these interesting questions; let me respond to each of them here:
• the software manycore challenge will certainly impact all programmers, not just those writing the OS (it will hit them too, of course). Even very basic concepts warrant extra consideration: that for loop is now operates across multiple cores; are the iterations independent? Is the data arranged to be localized? The underlying assumption, a single serial core, has changed.
• heterogeneous manycore designs are predicted by many (myself included) to become the normal CPU; we see this trend already in announcements of CPUs integrating graphics functions, or communication. While it can seem that the chip guys are playing a nasty practical joke on the software community (and yes, it will be more complicated than the already difficult homogeneous case), this is driven by considerations of power and efficiency -- the physics is inescapable.
• I'd like to change the question, regarding placement in the curriculum, since I think it presents a false choice. It's not "programming vs parallel programming", it's simply "programming", and it takes place on concurrent hardware. Like the for loop case cited above, the change needs to infuse all aspects of the standard curriculum.
• On bioinsipired: I happened to catch a talk, this week, on concurrency for neural nets for AI. It seems that the shift in platform design is causing some historically dormant approaches to get another look!
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65089 | Intel Inspector Optimization
Intel Inspector Optimization
I am trying to run the inspector on a game that uses about 200-300 MB of RAM. I run the inspxe-cl -collect ti1 . The inspector runs very slow on such a large application which I expected, but it seems that once my game and the inspector use up all my 2GB memory, the game becomes non responsive, that is it will either freeze or each click of the mouse will take 5 min to register. Once everything is so slow, it is impossible to interact with the game in order to cause possible deadlocks.
Is there anything that I can do so that such a large interactive application can be analyzed for deadlocks or data races with the Intel Inspector?
Thank you
publicaciones de 12 / 0 nuevos
Último envío
I will add some more ram as a start. Also is it possible to run the inspector only for a certain period of time or for some specific threads? Thus to avoid running it during the whole execution of the program?
As I know, Inspector XE 2013 Update 9 will reduce memory consumption in target process' space.
As Peter said, the new Update of IXE reduces memory usage, which will help. It also improves the performance of our thread checking tools by about 3X, which will also help. If you are using an older version, that is one of the places that I would start.
Are there particular places in your code that are particularly interested (or not interested) in analyzing? Using -include or -exclude modules might help you to reduce the scope that is being analyzed, which will also help with time and space (you can find those functions on the project properties pane if you are using a GUI, or as a CLI option).
There are other options for improving performance at
Looks like I should use the -include or -exclude commands. There are many shared libraries loaded at runtime that I do not need to inspect. I usually know which parts of the code need to be analyzed. I will give it a few more tries today and will let you know how it goes. And yes I am using the Update 9.
Thanks for the help!
Hi again,
I wanted to make sure that I am doing this right. After executing a command like this, it seems that the inspector is still loading and inspecting the libraries in the -module-filter-mode exclude. I am using a script to start my program, then I try to exclude all libriaries after module-filter. I separate them with a comma and I include the absolute paths as they are on my machine. The real command has more libraries that I try to exclude from being analyzed.
inspxe-cl -collect ti1 -module-filter-mode exclude -module-filter /path/to/,/path/to/,/path/to/,/path/to/ -appdebug=off -verbose -executable-of-interest myApp -- ./myAppScript
Any suggestions?
Thank you!
I am astonished that "exclude-filter" function doesn't work both in command line and GUI, Inspector XE Update 9.
# inspxe-cl -version
Intel(R) Inspector XE 2013 Update 9 (build 328075) Command Line tool
I selected example Tachyon_Insp come with the product to test.
1. CLI
# inspxe-cl -collect ti3 -module-filter-mode=exclude -module-filter=/lib64/,/usr/lib64/ -- ./tachyon.find_and_fix_threading_errors
After data collecting, you can check r00?ti3/log/realtime_mode.log - it still loaded and
2. GUI
Create a new project for tachyon.find_and_fix_threading_errors, and select "exclude" mode and added & - in project's properties dialog. Then run ti3, check "log" window, 2 libraries still were loaded. You also can get command line from GUI, such as
inspxe-cl -collect ti3 -knob terminate-on-deadlock=false -knob stack-depth=16 -knob scope=normal -knob remove-duplicates=true -knob use-maximum-resources=false -module-filter-mode=exclude -module-filter=/usr/lib64/ -module-filter=/lib64/ -appdebug=off -app-working-dir /home/peter/tachyon_insp_xe -- /home/peter/tachyon_insp_xe/tachyon.find_and_fix_threading_errors
You will find excluded modules are not excluded. I have reported this to engineering, will update if any progress.
Regards, Peter
The dynamic analyzer still has to load the excluded modules, otherwise it could not run the application. But it does not have to instrument them, which is where the savings comes from. Being uninstrumented, there are no error generated from issues that happened in that module.
Thanks for the info!
Sorry for misunderstandings and thanks to explanations from Holly. It's better that the tool shows loading info & instrumenting info separately, in my view.
Hi All,
How can I use inspector to detect memory peak as we used to do it in massif?
@ Youcef
Inspector cannot detect memory peak, based on time stamp. However if you have interesting of knowing memory growth in specific code rang, you can use set-transition-start / set-transition-end, please see detail in helper.
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Crimson City kicks off a paranormal romance series featuring a city full of vampires, humans, werewolves, demons and mechs. In this world of hot heroes and bad-ass heroines, desire meets danger when human cop Dain tangles with gorgeous vampire Fleur. With paranormal romance, unique world-building, a big ensemble cast and a dynamite love story, Crimson City's got it all.
“I’m not what you think,” Dain said. “I’m not a good man.”
“You wouldn’t be here if you were,” Fleur answered, her voice thick with emotion. “Neither would I.” Her eyes shone an intense blue that seemed to penetrate his soul. Dain imagined he saw love in their depth, but he didn’t dare ask. Not yet. Because he couldn’t be sure of what was to come. And because he had enough emotion for both of them tonight.
“I’m warning you,” he said, stalking her and pulling the jeweled combs from her hair. He crowded up to her. “I’m warning you.”
“No more warnings,” she barely had time to say. He pushed her down on the bed.
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65094 | Create a logo by using the Design Gallery
Create a logo by using the Design Gallery
Simplify creating a logo for your business by modifying one of the logos from the Design Gallery.
1. Click the location on your publication where you want the logo to be placed.
2. On the Objects toolbar, click Design Gallery Object Button image, and then click Logos.
3. Click the logo design that you want, select the graphic and text options that you want — for example, including two lines of text with the logo — and then click Insert Object.
4. To replace the placeholder text in the logo, select the text in the text box, and then type the text that you want.
5. To replace the placeholder picture in the logo, click the picture frame in the logo, right-click the picture, click Change Picture, and then select the picture that you want.
Note The logos that are created by using the Design Gallery are not associated with a business information set. If you want to save the Design Gallery logo and add it to your business information set, you must save it as a picture and then add it to your business information set. Find links to more information about changing a logo in the See also section.
Applies To: Publisher 2007
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Service Management Automation
Updated: December 16, 2014
Applies To: System Center 2012 R2 Orchestrator, Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server
Service Management Automation is an IT process automation solution for Windows Azure Pack for Windows Server. It enables you to automate the creation, monitoring, and deployment of resources in your Windows Azure Pack environment.
Comparison to Other Automation Tools
The following table compares Orchestrator to the other Microsoft automation tools, Service Management Automation and Microsoft Azure Automation.
Automation Tool Primary Function Access to Resources Runbooks
Orchestrator is intended for automation of all on-premises resources. It uses a different runbook engine than Service Management Automation and Azure Automation.
Orchestrator runbooks can access resources that are on-premises and in the private cloud. They can access resources in Azure using the Windows Azure Integration Pack for Orchestrator.
Orchestrator runbooks can manage Azure Automation using the Azure cmdlets or Service Management Automation using Service Management Automation PowerShell module.
Orchestrator has a graphical interface to create runbooks without requiring any scripting. Its runbooks are composed of activities from Integration Packs that are written specifically for Orchestrator. You can also use the Run .NET Script activity to run PowerShell to perform any functionality that is not included in an integration pack.
Service Management Automation
Service Management Automation is installed locally in your data center as a component of Windows Azure Pack and is intended to automate management tasks in the private cloud.
While runbooks in SMA will typically use System Center and Windows Azure Pack cmdlets to access WAP components, they can access any resource in your data center. They can include Azure cmdlets in order to manage components in the public cloud for hybrid scenarios.
SMA runbooks can access Orchestrator through the Orchestrator PowerShell module and Azure Automation through the Azure PowerShell module.
Service Management Automation and Azure Automation use an identical runbook format based on Windows PowerShell Workflow. While runbooks in Azure Automation will primarily use Azure cmdlets to access public cloud resources, runbooks in SMA will typically use System Center and Windows Azure Pack cmdlets to access WAP components.
Azure Automation
Azure Automation runbooks run in the Azure public cloud and are intended to automate Azure-related management tasks.
Runbooks in Azure Automation cannot access resources in your data center that are not accessible from the public cloud. They also have no way to access Orchestrator or SMA runbooks.
Azure Automation runbooks can access any external resources that can be accessed from a Windows PowerShell Workflow.
Service Management Automation topics
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65102 | Skip to main content
Look Back in Anger
Posted by editor on August 19, 2005 at 6:29 AM PDT
Take count, literally, of your Java efforts
Today's poll is one that won't lead to easy interpretation, but I thought it would be interesting to put out there anyways: How many lines of Java code do you think you've ever written?
There are a lot of factors that will figure into each reader's answer. You can argue that Java is intrinsically verbose, so we as Java programmers tend to write a lot more lines of code than would be necessary with other languages. Not that this is a bad thing: Java gets interesting where a lot of languages get unreadable and unmaintainable (I'm talking to you, perl). There's also the factors of how long you've been programming, how many different projects you've worked on, and whether you've written a lot of new code or maintained existing code. All of these factor in to a pretty wide range of Java experience, which is why I phrased the answers in terms of orders of magnitude: thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and millions.
If you're really not keeping close track -- and you should, because it can be helpful on a resume to express the size of a project in terms of LoC -- then it's pretty easy to tally up lines of code with the wc command in your favorite flavor of 'nix (including Mac OS X, and cygwin for Windows). For example, I took a look-see at how many LoC I wrote for a book last year:
wc `find . -name '*.java'`
The results (in lines, words, and characters, respectively) came out to be:
8737 29428 315626 total
This really surprised me: I didn't think I'd written that much code for the book. The whole book is only 200-some pages.
One other thing to chew on: how much of the code that you've written is still in use? How much of it was ever in use? It burns me up to think of the thousands of lines I wrote for mismanaged, doomed projects that would never see the light of day, or that got "released" to a user-base of approximately zero. I'll bet a lot of you feel the same way... feel free to comment on this blog if you're so inclined.
After mentally tallying your LoC and casting your vote on the front page, please visit the results page to join in the discussion with your fellow community members.
Feel free to sing along with today's Weblogs, in which Kirill Grouchnikov
offers some
Backstreet boyz "404 File not found" lyrics
"After their first single on FTP, appropiately titled "Incomplete", the boy-band is planning their next single. Here is preview of the lyrics."
Navaneeth Krishnan offers an Online demo: Quick' n Easy Portlets using the Sun Java Studio Creator 2:
"From elevator hacks to something more connected to my work.I was recently asked to create a quick presentation on how to use the Sun Java Studio Creator 2 to create JSR 168 portlets. You might find it useful too."
Also in the NetBeans tutorial vein, Brian Leonard shows how Amazon Web Services meets the Amazon Rain Forest:
"Use this tutorial to see how easy it is to run the Amazon web services Java sample project from within NetBeans. Or, join us in person at one of our world tour locations to see it live for yourself."
In Also in
Java Today
"there's a natural conflict between testers and programmers because of the
difference in perspective each role has." In short, programmers tend to
be creators with a sense of optimism, and testers are investigators with a
determined pessimism. Poorly managed, these opposing forces can clash in
unproductive ways. In the Mac DevCenter article How to End Wars Between
Testers and Programmers
, Scott Berkun (author of The Art of Project
) looks at how to build relationships, set common goals, and
establish cooperative leadership to prevent counter-productive
"A monitoring server is critical to any server-side infrastructure, be it an e-commerce or a telecom solution." But that doesn't mean you're necessarily going to use Java Management Extensions (JMX). Narendra Venkataraman writes "I found JMX solutions to be overkill for my requirements, so I decided to implement a lightweight Java framework that could be easily extended and customized to build a monitoring system." In When JMX Is Overkill, Build a Lightweight Monitoring Framework, he shows how to build a do-it-yourself monitoring system using an extensible object-oriented framework
In Projects and
the latest Java Tools Community Newsletter has tips on how to attract users to your project. Their advice for successful projects includes creating and maintaining an informative home page, graduating from the incubator as soon as possible, and publicizing via the RSS feed, the Java Tools Projects Directory, and the front page.
The JDK Community home page has a link to Peter von der Ahe's blog about compiling javac with the latest Mustang builds. Peter has added an ant build script to build b47 of Mustang, so creating javac, javadoc, and apt is as simple as typing ant. It also creates a classes directory that you can use in the 1.6 javac's bootclasspath.
In today's Forums,
jwenting dismisses calls for more syntactic sugar in
Re: "string" primitive:
"If you want string primitives use a non-OO language. I'd rather see ALL primitives dropped than see more of them introduced. And no, I am not screaming for that to happen. If I want that I'll use a language that has no primitives. Learn to use the tools you have instead of whining and screaming for destroying the language by turning it into something else entirely."
robc explains some JAXB design thinking in
Re: Varying Endpoint Address in Client:
"WSDL bindings are extensible. Moreover, with WS-Policy starting to be deployed, it's going to be even more complex to capture all the details in annotations, except in simple cases. We could have designed a mix of annotations and XML-based descriptors to capture all the information, but that's error -prone and quite static anyway. Either approach would have lead us to playing catch-up with the latest WSDL extensions with no end in sight."
In today's
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. All submissions go through an editorial review before being
Current and upcoming Java
All submissions go through an editorial review before being posted to the
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Take count, literally, of your Java efforts |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65110 | Public Communities 2015-06-03T10:17:20.910Z IBM Connections - Communities 1 1 10 bcde08b8-816c-42a8-aa37-5f1ce02470a9 IBM Software Community 1924 public false false 2010-06-25T03:18:03.824Z 2015-06-03T04:13:01.316Z The IBM Software community is for networking with IBM experts, customers, and Business Partners on topics of interest to the public. Members: Expand your network of contacts and personalize your list for future reference. Blog: Participate in conversations on recent IBM Softw Community Admin 270001FJKF active Ananya Ghatak 310000K35V active |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65123 | Shelf Life
Aria Speedwagon
by Bamboo Dong, Mar 30th 2009
A couple weeks ago, my roommate called me over to his room. He had rented a Japanese movie called Naked Blood from Netflix, and he wanted to share the pain with someone else. In it, a few girls are slipped an experimental drug that turns their physical pain into sexual pleasure (of course). Do not watch this movie if you do not want to be grossed out. It's very difficult for me to be grossed out, but even I was horrified by a few of the scenes—with one in particular. Basically, a girl (Warning: extremely gross. Highlight at your own discretion.) slices off one of her nipples and eats it. Now, imagine my utter disgust when I watched Shigurui this week and saw basically the same exact scene, only it was someone else doing the damage, and yet another person doing the eating. How is it possible that such a gross, gross scene happened to cross my path twice in one month??? Please, Japan, for me, stop putting these scenes in your films and/or anime. You are going to make me cry.
Welcome to Shelf Life.
Amidst the ocean of bright colors and comic relief that tends to spatter a majority of anime, it's nice to occasionally see something that's simply dreary. Shigurui: Death Frenzy, now available in its entirety from Funimation, is both beautiful and grotesque, as it wallows in its morbidity. Several times, I'd admire a beautifully drawn butterfly, only to yell in disgust two seconds later as someone's entrails were being dragged across a floor.
Shigurui tells the story of a simple gladiator-style death match between a one-armed man, and a blind cripple. But, before we can see the outcome, we're whisked back to the time when the two men first met. One of them is a talented swordsman, set to eventually inherit the dojo and the sword style where he practices. Along comes a creepy man with luscious red lips, who is set on joining the dojo and usurping the eventual title of leader. What follows includes a demented man with supreme fighting powers, a couple of women, some betrayal and deceit, and a whole lot of blood. It's only fate that brings the two men together in the end, with one destined to die.
Artistically, the series has much to offer. The artwork is rich with detail, focusing on cicadas, and the complexities that make up butterfly wings. It sports an interesting fascination with anatomy—as fighters are poised for attack, flashes of musculature are superimposed on their various body parts. When they walk through the snow in sandals, the bottoms of their feet turn red. At the same time, it also lets the series be truly gruesome. Among the scenes that viewers are subjected to with harsh details is one where a man reaches into an abdominal wound and wrenches out his guts. There are also plenty of shots where the top of someone's head is sliced off, and the whirling disc of head-bit goes flying off into the distance.
With no exaggeration whatsoever, this is a very gruesome show. There was one scene in particular, that made me cry out in horror, where part of a woman was wrenched off by someone's fingers. The next shot we see is a man picking it up, licking it, then eating it. I have a pretty strong stomach, but that was too much. There are scenes where cats idly drift by a swordsman, only to have their heads drip off a moment later. If something can be cut by a sword, rest assured, you get to see it. It can be really hard to watch sometimes.
Everything about this show is deathly serious. Even the soundtrack, which is kind of brilliant, is serious. It takes its cues from the Edo period, filling the silence with mandolins, biwa, and heavy drum beats. The opening theme is filled with hectic drums, while the ending is just as dreary as the rest of the show. It's all meant to invoke a time period, but it also succeeds in setting the most depressing scene ever.
Shigurui is as poetic as a show about cruelty and ruthlessness could possibly be, but there isn't a single drop of joy in the entire series. The color palate is oppressively drab, the spurting blood is oppressively dark, and everything is either creepy or sinister. I don't know that I would want to ever watch such a morbid show ever again, but it's worth watching once, I suppose. The ending is a bit of a letdown, but the journey to get there is pretty intense. In a dreary, dreary way.[TOP]
After having all the happiness sucked out of my body, the best remedy I could think of was settling down on the couch with my roommate and watching some Dragon Ball Z Broly action. There were three Broly-related movies packaged together, but we got the gist of things after the first one, and everything after that was just a matter of getting through it. We've always liked watching DBZ together, because it's just not as fun watching it by yourself. Who are you going to chuckle over the overacting with otherwise? It's totally goofy, like all those Saturday morning cartoons I grew up watching, like Johnny Quest or Dragon Flyz. But you know what, just like all those cartoons, I can't dislike it, because it's all so relentlessly upbeat. Sure, Goku/Gohan/the rest of the crew might get their butts beat, but they always persevere in the end, and that's great.
With the Broly three-hit combo, we start off in a scene where Goku and his overbearing wife Chichi are trying to enroll Gohan in school. During a scholarship meeting, Goku gets a message that he has to go fight the most Super-est Saiyanest guy ever, whose power level is something-thousand. That guy is Broly, who looks like this frail little twerp, but is actually ludicrously powerful. All this time, his dad's just put some kind of power filter on him, so he can't go all out and rage across the universe. In the meantime, Vegeta is there too, because he gets an offer to become the king of a planet. That turns out to just be this wasteland, but it does provide kid viewers with a snappy lesson about social hierarchies and the working class. Anyway, people get beat up, but Piccolo comes in for a good pep talk, and then eventually, Goku gives Broly a piece of his fist. But that's only the first movie—Broly comes back, bigger and badder than ever, and eventually all this repeats.
I feel like these movies are kind of like professional wrestling. You already know that the good guy is going to win, but along the way, you get to see a show. In our case, we get to see the characters get all Super Saiyan and power up, and eventually kick some ass. There's zero suspense, because it's not even a question whether or not Goku is going to win, but there's something comforting in this old formula. People like watching Goku dominate like, I imagine, pro wrestling fans like watching Whatever Big Name dominate. I'm not a big DBZ fan, but I can kind of see the appeal in this sort of delightful monotony.
Of all the DBZ movies I've seen over the years, and I've seen a ludicrous amount by now, I think the Broly saga is one of the better ones. Broly himself is a good character, full of inner turmoil and outer strength. It also has the makings of a decent revenge story, so it's kind of fun to see him coming back, round after round. Yeah, it's silly, but it could seriously be worse.[TOP]
Awhile back, I was incredibly sad because Ouran High School Host Club ended. I wanted my ludicrous pretty boys and my non-sequitur humor. Luckily, Wallflower was still in the middle of being released, so I had that to sate my thirst for over-the-top comedy.
But alas, Wallflower has come to an end. I am greatly saddened by this. Not because of the pretty boys, which are, quite frankly, a dime a dozen when it comes to anime. But because here was yet another show in which the characters are painfully aware of their own stereotypes. It was self-referential humor at its finest (not finest ever, but fine enough), and I always laughed out loud at the characters' antics.
One example of this is when Ranmaru goes to meet the girl his parents have picked out for him to marry. He desperately tries to make her hate him by cycling through the other boys' personality quirks. He shows up dressed in leather punk gear and plays the asshole rebel. When that doesn't work, he switches to being the smarmy d-bag who informs people that they're holding their forks wrong. When that fails, he switches to being the mama's boy who cries at everything. If a series is going to be over-the-top with its stereotypes, I'd rather they be self-aware of them, and Wallflower definitely nails that.
The only problem with Wallflower is that, like many quirky character-driven comedies, it has a hard time staying focused with one particular story arc. After the introduction of the arranged marriage girl (who really isn't all that different from the rest of the nameless girls in the show, because she too, is infatuated with him for his beauty), the show jumps to an episode about a boat trip and a cursed island filled with pirate ghosts. At one junction, one of the boy dryly remarks, “If this weren't a comedy, we'd be dead.” Such truth. I also love how the humor revels in sheer randomness. At one point, for instance, when all the characters are having visions of their ultimate fantasies, the prim, proper one sees a brontosaurus. Of all the fantasies to have! I was beside myself with glee, and it's moments like that which make the series as silly and fun as it is.
Ultimately, though, the story is partially supposed to be about Sunako and her issues with self-confidence. That was set up at the very beginning of the series, and as the series draws to a close, more of this starts coming to the surface. We learn that Sunako was always a kind and gracious kid, and a very cute one at that, but that moment in middle school, when the boy told her he didn't like ugly girls, was the one that led to her crushing insecurity. The series never ends up fully expanding on just how tragic Sunako's side of the story really is, but it makes throwaway effort at the end when it says that hey, being a lady means loving who you are.
For a series that I enjoyed so much, Wallflower had a terribly unsatisfying ending. It never really resolved some of the tension between Sunako and Kyohei, but more importantly, it never really gives Sunako the time to fully cope with who she is. I was hoping for more from the ending, but it didn't live up to my expectations at all. I'm a little disappointed, but overall, it's been a really fun series. I had a great time with it, and I selfishly hope that more comedies like this come out in the future.[TOP]
Now, the next release is a bit old, but I only recently saw it, and decided that I absolutely had to try and get more people to watch it. I'd read about Aria before when we featured it in Protoculture Addicts, but I hadn't actually watched it until now. Now that I have, I wish I'd seen it sooner. More importantly, I wish more people would watch it, because it's absolutely delightful.
In the future, there is a terraformed world called Aqua. On it is a city called Neo-Venezia, patterned after Venice. The heroines of Aria are all female gondoliers, and when they're not working, they're out and about the city, having incredibly uplifting adventures. Co-starring with them is their porky animal friend President Aria, a dog-looking cat-type creature whose anthropomorphic behavior is one of the highlights of this delicate and wonderful show.
Over the years, Right Stuf has released a couple of these lackadaisical slice-of-life shows (like the underrated Piano), and they're absolutely splendid. If you've been hankering for a show that's as laid back as they come, Aria is really the way to do it. It's cheerful and optimistic, and floats through each episode like a big ray of sunshine dipped in candy. Each episode is completely unrelated to the next, and follows a few of the girls as they embark on some new, mundane, chipper little adventure. The first episode, for instance, takes place during a festival where one of the traditional sights is a mysterious masked man named Cassanova. After following him through the city in a playful sequence of dancing and singing, two of the girls discover his true identity—that of a giant cat. The second episode shows the girl skipping through the city, following a series of treasure maps.
Aria is not for people whose cynicism has taken over their lives. The girls probably wouldn't know that it was possible to be cynical. They're so innocent and plucky that I'm sure nothing could possibly cloud their days. Of course, it's not for impatient viewers, either. Aria is an experience that needs to be soaked up over the span of each episode. There are no jokes, there is no drama—things just unfold at a slow, but organic pace, and by the end of everything, you're just supposed to have a big ol' smile on your face.
There are some downsides, though. For those who demand an English dub track, they might not be too pleased with this sub-only release. Of course, I also think they'd be missing out. After finally watching this series, I want everyone to give it a chance—or at least those who enjoy slice-of-life shows. In stressful times like ours, we need shows that are beaming with happiness. If I could brainwash myself into feeling like a peppy little rainbow all day, I'd do it. Instead, I'll just watch these girls giggle over how magic everything is, and realize that everything will be A-OK.[TOP]
Alright, that's it for this week. Thanks for reading!
This week's Shelf Obsessed entry is from "grapeofdeath." Either this person has a negative rapport with grapes, or it's a delightful reference to one of David Sedaris' pieces on morgues, or it's a strange in-joke that we're not cool enough to understand, but despite the username, it's a very awesome collection.
About the collection:
"I stated collecting about a year and a half ago, very slowly at first. It's only become big in the last few months. It breaks down into about three sections. Sailor Moon (from my childhood), Black Jack, and everything else. My collection might not be as big as some of the others that have been showcased, but I think it's fairly unique. When I like a manga series, I feel compelled to buy all the different Japanese and English editions that exist. Normally that means buying two or three editions. This backfired when I started reading Black Jack, my newest addition that started three months ago. I guess I shouldn't be surprised as it is one of Osamu Tezuka's famous pieces. I'm still not finished collecting it as several of the editions are out of print and hard to find (not to mention expensive)."
I hope you don't live in California, because seriously, when that next earthquake hits, those books are gonna be all over your face. Maybe that surprisingly cute Blackjack will save you.
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65129 | Wolfmother merchandise
Truly a band out of time, Australian power trio Wolfmother were conceived in 2000 -- about 30 years too late, considering that their psychedelic brand of proto-heavy metal sounds like a ringer for late-'60s/early-'70s bands such as Blue Cheer and Black Sabbath. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist/organist Chris Ross, and drummer Myles Heskett, Wolfmother took the initiative of recording a four-track demo in 2004 for the purpose of getting booked for shows. But so sterling were the results that they soon found themselves re-recording it for official release via local Modular Records. A second EP, Dimensions, appeared in 2006, and Wolfmother made the jump to the majors in early 2006 courtesy of an American distribution deal for Modular through Interscope. Their self-titled album debut appeared in May and reached the Top 40. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65142 | Tom Brady
Three-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice feels the Patriots legitimacy is in question as they head to Super Bowl XLIX, and if they win, it should be noted in the hi
Today, we discuss quarterbacks. Well, we don’t discuss them, actually, because when we discuss them, we develop brain damage. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65175 | Toby was a murder, yes sir, he was. He'd killed Mr. Todd. He'd used Sweeney Todd's own weapon against him, then ran away as the barber bled out all over the floor and that crazy old hag he'd been singing to. Even now, as Toby stumbled up the stairs to the barber shop, he looked around for the police, frightened and dazed.
But Mr. Todd had hurt Toby's beloved Mrs. Lovett. Even if she was a bad person, she was still Toby's Mrs. Lovett. Much like his mother. Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. But Toby had been stupid and run into the sewers. He hadn't been around. Tears streaked down Toby's pale face, he was a murderer. He threw open the door, fell on the floor and started to cry.
Only now did he release the razor, bloodstained as it was. It clattered on the floor loudly, and he heard a small gasp from the leather chair.
Toby raised his eyes to see a tall young lad pop up from the chair and rush to the heap on the floor. The boy whisked off his cap, revealing a . . . long curly head of hair, yellow and . . .girly. "You're a missus." he gasped in a hushed whisper. "You're a girl, you look like the girl in that picture over there. The girl Mr. Todd always sung about and -"
"Shh shh." The girl whispered in a voice that sounded like a bird whistling a tune. She pulled him close, into her lap, and rocked him back and forth as he cried.
A while later, Toby didn't know how many hours, or minutes, or seconds it was later, a man (and a real one this time) burst through the door. He helped the girl stand up, and she held Toby in her arms like he was her child. He whimpered a little, but she whispered, "Don't worry, I won't let a thing harm you." at that, Toby shivered. No, sir, not while I'm around. Poor Mrs. Lovett. he thought sadly.
Then they were outside, in the cold night air, the lady's cap was on again, and the boy (he'd met him once, he was a sailor) was holding her close. Then they were in the cozy cab of a coach, and Toby sat up to admire the surroundings. He leaned his cheek against the frozen window pane and sighed. He'd never been in a coach before."Who are you people?" Toby's voice was shaky, and quiet, very unlike his usual self.
The girl was napping, her head on the sailor's shoulder, but the man had heard him, and spoke up. "I'm Anthony, and this here is Johanna." the boy seemed to sing the girl's name, and in her sleep, she seemed to whisper-sing something like 'I'll steal you.'
"Where are you going? Do you have any food?"
"Far, far away. Someplace that is so far from London, you'll never have to hear the name again. Would you like that?" Toby just nodded, waiting for Anthony to answer his second question. "And. . .I'm sorry kid. All I've got is some bread and cheese - Mrs. Lovett gave me a few meat pies." Toby's eyes widened.
"May I please have some bread?"
Anthony sighed and tore a piece of bread off of the loaf. "Here."
Toby chewed at it slowly and contentedly, nodding thanks to the sailor. "So, why are we leaving?" he asked with a mouthful.
"A nasty man is after my beautiful Johanna. He wants to steal her and lock her away, like Rapunzel."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about him, he's dead now." Toby blurted.
"Mr. Todd gave him a close shave. A really, really close shave." Toby shuddered.
"Mr. Todd killed. . ." Anthony stammered, extracting a meat pie from a bag.
"Everyone. Every bearded man that came into his shop. And Mrs. Lovett made them into pies." Anthony dropped the pie onto the floor of the coach, making a face. Toby leaned back into Johanna's lap and fell asleep. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65179 | A/N. I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Thanks for all of your support throughout this story. Here is the last chapter! Next up is 'Head On Collision'! Whoo-hoo! I don't own anything.
"No one sits with him, he doesn't fit in, but we feel like we do when we make fun of him. 'Cause you want to belong, do you go along, 'cause his pain is the price paid for you to belong? It's not like you hate him or want him to die, but maybe he goes home and thinks suicide, or he comes back to school with a gun at his side. Any kindness from you might have saved his life. Heroes are made when you make a choice." - 'Hero' by Superchick.
"James, are you almost ready?"
James stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His hair was neatly combed but nowhere near the state he used to have it in. He was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans. Was he ready? No. But not because he wasn't combed and dressed to perfection. Still, James sighed and opened the door, jumping slightly when he saw that all three of his best friends were waiting for him.
Logan looked him over in concern before speaking again. "It'll be okay, James." He spoke with such genuine confidence that it was impossible for James not to believe him and relax a little.
"Yeah, I'm ready." James nodded. "Just let me grab my jacket." He entered his room and pulled the lightweight rain jacket from the back of his desk chair and returned to his friends. "It's still raining, right?" When they had woken up earlier that morning, a light mist had been falling.
"It's raining even harder now." Carlos pointed to the window where the fall of rain had indeed increased to a steady downpour.
"Are you boys sure you want to do this?" Mrs. Knight walked up to them, concern written all over her motherly face. "You know things didn't go so well the first time."
Despite the fact that he was slightly embarrassed by the memory of his breakdown, James appreciated how blunt Kendall's mother was with the situation. He nodded along with his friends. "We're sure." He couldn't explain why he felt so completely calm all of the sudden. The situation should have terrified him. Maybe it was the fact that Logan looked more confident than he had in weeks. His demeanor, so much like the old Logan, seemed to have a calming effect on the rest of them.
Mrs. Knight nodded, a mixture of pride and uncertainty on her face. "All right then. Call me if you need me though. The home school thing was going really well, remember?"
Again, all four boys nodded. "Thanks, Mom." Kendall leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "We'll call around lunch time just to check in with you, okay?"
James smiled at his older friend's statement. Typical Kendall behavior, making sure everyone was as happy as possible. He pulled his rain jacket on and lifted the hood over his head. "Okay. It's not getting any drier out there and we'll miss the bus if we don't hurry."
"James is right." Logan swung his backpack over one shoulder and nodded. "We'd better head out." He turned to say goodbye to Mrs. Knight but was caught up in a hug and couldn't stop the wide smile the spread across his face. "See you, Mom."
His words caught even himself off guard and stopped everyone else in their tracks. He felt his cheeks redden at the attention but no one seemed to notice his embarrassment, or if they did, they didn't care. But he didn't even want to take the words back. Mrs. Knight was his mother, both officially and unofficially if that even made sense. Still, their leaving was delayed a little bit more when he was embraced once again, this time even more so.
"Logan, you have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that." She whispered in his ear as a few tears ran down her face.
Logan had to blink away his own tears and it was a little difficult to do. But he cleared his throat and smiled again. "Well, it's true." He said softly. Then he pulled gently away and after hesitating briefly, mimicked Kendall's action and dropped a quick kiss on his adoptive mother's cheek. "Thanks for everything."
The boys left the apartment, quietly and out into the lobby where they paused to make sure their rain jackets were secure. Logan dropped his backpack to the floor and winced slightly as he straightened up. Before he could explain, Carlos spoke.
"It's your shoulder, isn't it?" He asked sadly.
Logan nodded because there was no use in denying what they already knew. "My backpack is a little heavy." He said lamely. "I mean, it's getting better every day and it doesn't hurt as much but-" He stopped when Kendall bent down and grasped the heavy pack in one hand and lifted it easily. "Kendall, don't-"
"Let me help you, Logan." Kendall interrupted. "Let us help you until you can do it without hurting you." He grinned when Logan still looked unsure. "Besides, what are big brothers for?" He had meant the question to be light but his voice shook slightly with emotion.
It worked though. Logan nodded gratefully. "Thanks, guys." He wasn't just thanking them for their help that particular day and they all knew it.
Carlos wrapped an arm gently across Logan's shoulders. "Let's go." He said cheerfully. The rain outside and the fact that they were returning to school to give it yet another try couldn't bring him down from his state of happiness and contentment. He had his friends back.
Kendall's confidence had returned and he was once again their leader, ready to protect them when needed, but also willing to back off and let them handle certain things on their own. James stopped looking over his shoulder whenever they were in public, the fear gone from his face. And even though Logan was still seeing Steve, the sessions had decreased from three times a week to once a week and it was obvious that he was getting better everyday. Carlos' infectious good humor had come back and he could relax now that everything was getting better. They could be happy again.
"I hate rain." James complained as they stood out on the street corner. He cringed and pulled his hood lower.
Logan laughed. "I can only imagine what it's doing to your hair right now." He said with a straight face.
"Don't remind me." James groaned but he grinned when Logan laughed again. "Oh well." He said good-naturedly. "I can always wash it when we get home today."
Just then the bus pulled up and Logan could hold back a sigh. "I hate the bus."
"We know." James and Kendall and Carlos said at the same time. "But we don't blame you." Carlos added as he followed his friends up the small set of steps into the bus.
The last time they had returned to school, Mrs. Knight had driven them. This time they were going all-out and doing everything they way they used to. So they couldn't help but be surprised when the full bus was completely silent. A handful of kids greeted the boys quietly and talked amongst themselves but for the most part, the ride to school was done in nearly complete silence. The jocks kept to themselves and didn't even look the way of the kids who used to be bullied. Everyone else stared out the window and waited for the ride to be over.
The silence let up a little bit when they pulled up to the school and walked into the crowd of students. Kendall, James, and Carlos walked Logan to his locker and helped him place his books inside before forcing themselves away. Logan watched them leave until they were out of sight then turned his attention to extracting his Science textbook from the bottom of the locker where it ended up thanks to his helpful friends. He rolled his eyes but laughed and after double checking to make sure his locker was properly locked, he left for class.
"So?" Logan prompted when he and James were seated at an empty table in the lunchroom. "How did the morning go?"
James' eyes wandered around the room before he answered. "Okay, I guess. But you know, the first day we came back went fine too until I had study hall." He shivered at the thought. "That's where I go after here today."
"Gee, what a coincidence." Logan said lightly. "So do I."
His words caught James' attention and he stared at Logan in disbelief. "What did you say?"
Logan grinned. "I said that I have study hall after lunch today too."
"But. . .how?"
"I talked with the principal a couple of days ago. I was able to get us all the same study hall. Granted, it's the last one I'd pick but at least we'll be together."
"All of us?" James felt like a parrot repeating whatever Logan said. Either a parrot or someone hard of hearing.
Logan nodded. "Carlos and Kendall are going to be with us too. We won't have to be alone."
As wonderful as the news was, James still couldn't fully process it. "Really?"
"Yes." Logan said simply. "Really. I thought it might make things a little easier."
"But what about your classes?" James asked.
"We just switched things around a little bit. It really wasn't that hard." Logan smiled when James' face finally lit up with realization. "So do you believe me now?"
James stammered for a proper response. "I. . of course I believe you. I always believed you. It just. . .wow." He shook his head, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him. "Thanks, Logan."
At first Logan didn't answer. He suddenly seemed to be lost in thought. Then when James repeated his name he jerked back to the present. "Anytime, man." He smiled but he still seemed distracted.
James frowned at the sudden change in his friend's demeanor. "Is everything okay, Logie?"
The nickname worked like it always did. Logan smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Everything's fine, James."
"Then what-"
Before James could finish asking his question, Logan grabbed his lunch tray and stood up, motioning for James to do the same. "Come on. We're moving."
Instead of questioning, his friend's actions, James followed him obediently to a table that was nearly empty. There was only one kid there, a small, geeky looking junior. He looked up when James and Logan approached. "Hey." He said shyly.
"Hi." Logan greeted him. "I'm Logan Mitchell." He gestured to James. "This is my friend, James Diamond."
"I'm Jordan Andrews." He shut the calculus book in front of him. "You're from Big Time Rush, right? My little sister Maddie is a big fan."
"How old is Maddie?" James asked.
A smile did away with the remaining tension in Jordan's face. "She's nine." He nodded to Logan. "You're her favorite. She's been battling with leukemia since she was seven and when you were sick last year it gave her something to identify with."
Logan swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm really sorry, Jordan." He said softly. "It's really hard."
James nodded in agreement but he couldn't speak. He was amazed at how connected he suddenly felt with a kid he had never spoken to and he regretted never even taking notice of Jordan until today. How many kids were like, Jordan, either bullied or ignored until something happened? Until they snapped and either tried to take revenge or gave up on their own lives? Because so many others sat by and watched while these kids were bullied because they didn't want to get involved themselves. Because didn't want to bother with the kids that no one else talked to. But if they didn't talk to them then who would? If they didn't reach out then who would?
James snapped out of his deep inner thoughts and smiled apologetically when he saw Logan and Jordan staring at him. "What's up?" He asked causally.
"I was just telling Jordan that he should bring Maddie by the Palm Woods one of these days and we could show her around."
"That's a great idea, Logan." James said, suddenly enthusiastic by the idea. "We'd love to meet her."
Jordan grinned back. "She'd love to meet you guys. You're her heroes."
"Sounds like a plan then." Logan took the pen that was resting on top of Jordan's textbook and wrote something down on his clean napkin. "Here's my cell phone number. Give us a call when she's feeling up to it."
The ball rang and all three boys jumped. Jordan carefully folded the napkin and slid it in the pages of his book. "Thanks." He said gratefully. "It was nice meeting you. I have to get to study hall now."
"You have study hall?" James asked.
Jordan nodded but didn't speak.
"We have study hall too." James mentally kicked himself for never noticing Jordan before. "Why don't you come with us? You can meet Carlos and Kendall then too."
"Really?" Jordan asked hopefully.
"Of course." Logan exchanged grins with James. "Let's go."
The walk to the study hall room was quiet, each boy lost in his own thoughts. James' steps slowed slightly as they got closer but Logan and even Jordan never stopped once so he kept going. He relaxed a little when he saw that Kendall and Carlos were already waiting for them with another boy at their table.
"Hey, guys!" Carlos greeted them eagerly. "This is Mike Roberts. Kendall and I met him in our English class."
Mike pushed a thick pair of glasses further up his nose only to have them slide back down. He smiled at James and Logan and Jordan. "Hi."
"Hi, Mike." Logan grinned at Kendall and Carlos. "While we're still in the middle of introductions, this is our new friend, Jordan Andrews."
The six boys settled into a quiet conversation until the teacher entered. Then they fell into silence as they concentrated on their school work. James smiled as Logan helped him from on side and Jordan helped him from the other side. He could see that Mike was multitasking and helping both Carlos and Kendall. This hasn't been a bad day at all. He thought to himself. He had his old friends back and he had even made new friends. Everything was right.
A/N. The end of another story! Whoo-hoo! Wow. So thank you once again for all of the support while I was writing this story. I hope you all enjoyed reading it and more than that, I hope you can take something from it because in the end, it's more than a story. Thanks again! 'Head On Collision' will be posted by December 1st. Until then, carpe diem! |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65180 | Exception to the Rule
Bonus Chapter
Doctor Watson was at the end of his rope. His day was fraught with tired explanations and feeble attempts to regain what little reputation he had as a stereotypical medical man; for John found that once you get dragged from your office by the police, aged witnesses spontaneously develop hyperactive imaginations. Mrs. Ryan was under the impression that the good doctor was euthanizing the elderly like she read about in France; another was certain he was a fraud and cut out his credentials from an internet printout. Miss Wilshire swears she heard him screaming, "You won't take me alive!" to anyone who would listen as he was dragged kicking and screaming from the building by Donavan and company.
Needless to say Wilshire's physical that day was rather awkward on both parts.
Sarah wasn't anymore refreshing. She had found the whole situation understandable but infuriating considering John was attached at the hip to a detective who attracted all things dodgy and bizarre. She had ranted that It was only a matter of time before Sherlock would stick his nose in John's business and ruin it all - and to make matters worse, she used backwards reasoning so that John couldn't use it as fodder against the detective. After all, Sherlock locked him up for his own safety.
The relationship between the doctor and the detective was beyond complicated. Sarah didn't think she could keep up with every underlying emotion and peculiar bouts of tension that sprang between the two of them.
"It was inevitable John, you know that man better then I do and even I saw it coming. He's trying to sabotage your job."
John slowly crammed his personal medical tools into his briefcase and shut it heavily. There was an expression on his face that was a cross between amusement, exhaustion and annoyance. "I wouldn't go so far as to say 'sabotage…'"
"What would you call it then?"
The woman crossed her arms to prevent herself from making fists and leaned against the wall of John's temporary office. The word 'temporary' always felt right in Sarah's mind when she thought about the little room, since John never really attached himself to the place – or her for that matter. The bond between them was fragile; so much so that any girl in her right mind would see immediately the lost cause in their bizarre courtship. Sarah didn't want to get hurt. She was a rational, logical woman; but John was kind, and the way he looked at the world lured her like moth to flame. Internal conflict raged as her instincts told her to back off, but John's genuine good guy attitude made her want to take advantage. She could sense a lot of pain on both sides was forthcoming if she ever wanted to their relationship to be something more.
Then there was Sherlock. The detective definitely counted as a major pain.
John struggled to reply, "It's just another quirk about Sherlock - which has you giving me that face that tells me that this is going to end in another argument where I'm going to go home and be mad at my flat mate for no direct reason of his own making."
He watched as Sarah opened her mouth to continue the conversation, but he intervened by throwing up a hand of warning. Her lips pursed together in a way that both attracted and repelled the man.
"Don't start. He may be an absolute git and a terrible friend, but he can't help the way he is. His work could start wars, end marriages and save lives, yet he can't buy a pair of shoes without making an enemy out of the salesman. When I'm with him, I can at least apologize for him and give him a head start before the pitchforks come out."
"You're making excuses for him!"
"That's all I can do Sarah!" Something in his tone made the woman back down; all the exhaustion he was trying to hide leaked out in his tempered words, leaving Sarah feeling guilty for bringing the topic up. John was dead set against telling Sherlock off and it would be a relationship ender if she made him choose between them now.
"Right. Well…" There was no smooth way to end this conversation. Sarah struggled to find something neutral to say.
"I'll see you tomorrow I suppose."
The sudden tension in the office didn't suit John. Other people would have done the complicated verbal dances and left the emotional mess for another day, but the doctor knew this conversation would only fester if Sarah brooded on it over night.
"Sarah. You and Sherlock both mean a lot to me… and trying to balance a normal life and a sociopath is proving to be nearly impossible." He lifted his briefcase of the desk and walked up to his girlfriend with a very tired smile. "I'm glad that you've stuck by me through this mess. Chinese smugglers should have been your first red flag but you stayed with me anyway. I'm grateful, I really am."
John gave her a passing kiss. It melted the icy mood that had settled between them and made a very small smile crawl onto Sarah's expression; he echoed it wearily, "Just let me handle Sherlock my own way. He's my problem, all right?"
"All right."
A warm look passed from John to Sarah, and with that he took his leave and waved goodbye to the receptionist on his way out.
Sherlock was staring at a beaker of something foul smelling when John entered the flat carrying his briefcase and a hardened expression. The detective's attention shifted millimeters to the left to allow his peripherals to sweep across the man and absorb his features. It was a habit, a ritual - maybe even a game, figuring out what had happened to John while he was away from his daily debris.
Peeking out from the lip of John's briefcase was the corner of the doctor's lab coat. This indicated that there was a distraction at work whilst John was packing up to go home. Probability favored Sarah being the cause of John's diverted attention since things between the two of them had "not been good" since the night at the pool – though recent events revolving around John's temporary incarceration had not improved the situation either.
Secondly, Sherlock picked up the crumbs of a fresh ginger snap on his flat mate's jumper. It was likely Mrs. Hudson's baking since the detective has smelt them earlier; though, at the time, he thought it might have been an interesting chemical reaction occurring during his experiment since he was playing with esters that morning and he wasn't keen on cleaning his Erlenmeyers to a laboratory standard. Anyway, the presence of the cookie boded ill, for one of two things had happened upon John entering the building. Either the woman had pestered John into tasting her ginger snaps when they bumped into each other on the stairwell, or the assumed conversation he had with Sarah poisoned John's mind against him, yet again, and the doctor went to Mrs. Hudson in an attempt to clear his head before exposing himself to whatever catastrophe his flat mate caused to pass the time that day. If the first scenario were true, then John would be have encountered their landlady in flight and would paused only for small talk in which Mrs. Hudson would have given the doctor a spare cookie destined for Sherlock . If the second were true… there would be no spare cookie because Mrs. Hudson would have thought less interaction with Sherlock to be healthy for John's state of mind, leading to the ex-soldier puttering around awkwardly for hours until Sherlock did said something true to his personality that would make the man snap and cut straight to the issue that was plaguing him – that issue being something Sarah brought up earlier in the conversation that would have started everything. Damn women sometimes.
"Did you get the bicarbonate of soda I asked for?" Sherlock tested, bored with the conclusions his mind had drawn. He instantly discarded the deductions and instead, focused back on his work. Black eyes held the bubbling beaker clattering away on a hot plate with unbridled interest. He wasn't certain vitriol was supposed to turn that color when exposed to pig fat…
John set the briefcase down and removed his coat. "Baking soda? No… when did you ask me?"
"I texted you. Over an hour ago."
The doctor rummaged around his folded jacket to fish his scarred phone out of the pocket. "Sorry, had my phone off. Sarah was complaining that it went chimed far too frequently to be professional." There was a jolt of tension in the room at the mention of the woman's name. John quickly distracted himself with a sudden urgency to be in the kitchen. He gave Sherlock's experiment a whimsical raise of one eyebrow as he passed to access the refrigerator.
He was so used to the strange contents stacked haphazardly within the fridge that he didn't bat an eye at what looked like a Tupperware container filled with flakes of dead skin. Casually, he withdrew a pitcher of some miscellaneous juice Mrs. Hudson left them last time she cleared out the icebox. He then turned and poured himself a glass of the red liquid before leaning against the counter to watch Sherlock work. John's attention was mainly focused on the tensor bandage that wound its way up Sherlock's still mending arm. It was just barely visible beneath the detective's dress shirt.
"What case are you on? The one from Sussex?"
"Something more interesting. I set the Sussex one aside for now." Sherlock started to rifle through various instruments on the table with his good hand.
"Anything I can do to help?" John asked, being surprisingly interactive after a hard day's work.
Sherlock grabbed a pair of tongs and went to remove his beaker from the hot plate with only one hand. "Yes actually, can you fetch me the cooling mat?"
John complied by grabbing a silicon coated ceramic grate from next to the sink. He quickly set it down on the table; however, he underestimated its mass and how much weight his hand could bear after being in a splint for weeks. The cooling mat hit the wood with a clatter jostled the table just enough so that Sherlock's grip on the tongs slipped only a fraction – but a fraction was enough. His experiment crashed to the table and it was as if the world slowed down.
Surprisingly the beaker did not shatter on impact, but at the angle the bottom of the container had hit the table, it sent the majority of the bubbling contents flying in John's direction.
Sherlock panicked as the substance made contact with John's jumper. Both flat mates were trained in a Laboratory setting and knew the sort of reversible damage that was about to happen if they didn't act immediately. Vitriol not only burned chemically; but when in contact with skin it did some extra damage thermally.
Together John and Sherlock removed the upper layers of the soiled clothing with impressive speed. Even with a freshly knitted arm, the detective managed to discard the jumper with one vicious arc of his wrist to the table where the acid concentration was highest. This was in order to douse the whole mess with a bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide he had handy. Now that he had the acid neutralized, he growled at John to get moving towards the shower since there was no telling how much vitriol had soaked through his knit top and onto his skin.
The pair of them passed a rather frazzled Mrs. Hudson who was frozen in the doorway. She had passed their door at the exact moment Sherlock had lunged at John and started tearing all his clothes off like some sort of possessed animal. It didn't help that he was barking something about a much needed shower for the world to hear.
"Mrs. Hudson, if you're just going to stand around, make yourself useful and call an ambulance!"
"No Sherlock, I'm fine. Honest. I don't think it got through the jumper… seriously… this is unnecessary…" John was trying to say as he was being half dragged towards the bathroom. The sound of water being hastily turned on only gave the doctor a split second warning before he was practically thrown into a freezing shower.
"SHERLOCK!" Was all John managed to sputter before his body ceased up to conserve heat. The detective tried to orientate his friend into a position that allowed water access to as much skin as possible. The whole ordeal was cold as ice and John thought he was going to have goose bumps for life.
Mrs. Hudson came bounding up behind them both looking as if she were feeling the entire spectrum of human emotion at once. "Sherlock, what are you doing to him? Are you daft? If this is a domestic I won't stand for this behavior!"
Sherlock, who was busy trying to make sure that John's front was getting properly flushed with water gave a frustrated cry and turned to address the frantic landlady cluttering up the bathroom door. "Mrs. Hudson! Please refrain from your nattering for just five minutes!" His dark locks were soaking wet and plastered to his forehead. His dress shirt was completely drenched from leaning over the lip of the bathtub to direct John, who was now trying to curl into a ball towards the shower head.
"G-god…. It's ssssss… so c-cold!" John shouted over the sound of rushing water. His jeans were heavy with the run off from the shower, and all the noise coming from the squelching of his knees against the bathtub, Sherlock shouting, Mrs. Hudson worrying, the water tapping against everything, and his own chattering comments, made the whole experience very confusing.
Freezing, the doctor clung to whatever extremities his flat mate brought near to him just so that he could leech what meager warmth they offered from him. It got to the point where Mrs. Hudson was called over to turn off the taps after fifteen minutes since Sherlock's arms were being held in a vice grip.
"T-thank…. G-god. I didn't know… h-how much more of that I c-c-could take." John said, trying to force a smile, if only to stop Mrs. Hudson from looking like she was going to have a cry.
Sherlock gave a very small chuckle to elevate the tension in the room. "I'm going to need my arms back John… that's if you can get out of the bathtub yourself."
John echoed his friend's faint laugh and like a rusty automaton, he released Sherlock. "I swear I'm going to kill you one day Sherlock – that's if you don't kill me first."
Mrs. Hudson grabbed a towel and moved to throw it over Sherlock's head, but the man ducked out of the bathroom and headed back to the kitchen. He was leaving little puddles in his wake. "I'll make you some warm tea. Mrs. Hudson, please make sure he puts on some dry clothes as soon as possible..."
The landlady looked momentarily lost before she looked back to John who looked like a drowned rat trapped in a tub. "What was all that about?"
"Acid spill Mrs. Hudson… don't worry about it. Just a typical day at 221B." John sighed and leaned back in the bathtub. Sometimes living with Sherlock Holmes was too much for an ordinary man.
After a few minutes, during which John dried off and changed, Sherlock came back with a cup of hot tea and a blanket.
"I'm sorry." The words came out so quickly and awkwardly that John was dumbfounded.
"That's okay Sherlock. Accidents happen." John took the blanket from his flat mate and threw it over his shoulder so that he could wander into the living room and finish his tea. Though from that night on Mrs. Turner from next door never looked at John and Sherlock the same way. Apparently Mrs. Hudson's play-by-play wasn't quite as accurate as John would have liked it to be…
Author's Notes:
God this took far longer than I ever intended it too... and it wasn't even proof read properly (It's 3am and I'm way too tired...). Thank you all for reviewing! I'll probably be starting another fic once season two is done. Anyone else find the first episode... just... epic? I miss some old characters though. Sarah had her moments and I do like Sally and Anderson. Where for art thou? Hope you all have a good year! |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65181 | We go to the Stilenski residence where Stiles is making Issac at home for now.
Isaac was staying with them for the time being and Stiles was irritated now.
Isaac's little stunt at the crime scene was too much and yet he didn't dwell on it.
The cot was all set with some bed sheets and a comfy pillow for Issac to sleep.
Issac was in the shower, scrubbing his body free of sweat and dirt from today.
Soon the water was turned off as Issac shook himself dry and dried his hair.
He came out of the bathroom with just a pair of boxers on as he saw the cot.
Stiles found himself staring at Isaac's torso a bit too long and was bright red.
Isaac smirked and just sauntered over to the archmage and licked his face.
Stiles bolted to the bathroom to use the shower to get away from the wolf.
As he closed the door, he noticed long scars on Isaac's back and shoulders.
Some were faded while most of them were pink and barely healing well.
Isaac sat on Stiles' bed and waited for the archmage to come out and talk.
He glared at the cot made for him and thought of a way to sleep in the bed.
So far Stiles didn't push him away and he didn't mention Lydia at all thankfully.
He was glad he wasn't a fugitive in his father's murder and had a home.
He was also relieved to see Mr. Stilenski was okay with hi dating his son.
His ears twitched as the water stopped and heared Stiles drying himself off.
He came out wearing some shorts and a v neck as he stood before Isaac.
" I made the cot for you, see very soft and clean sheets now go to sleep."
" I am not going to sleep on that thing like a dog, your bed is big enough."
" This is my room, my rules now go to the cot before I turn you into a werepoodle!"
Isaac refused to move and Stiles just sighed as he raised his hand to lift up Isaac.
Isaac raised an eyebrow as he was lifted off the bed, but he grabbed Stiles' arm.
This made them float and spin in the air before they ended up on the bed.
Stiles was underneath Isaac as he tried to push him off, but Issac was stronger.
Stiles gave in and felt Isaac nuzzle his neck and breathe in the clean scent.
" I saw the scars on your back, you don't get those from Lacrosse."
"...My father abused me most of the time. It was around the time my mother passed away and he always called me a failure and a waste of space."
" Why didn't you tell the police or anyone? How was it your fault about your mother?"
" It just felt like no matter what I did, it was never good enough and any mistake I did, he would lock me in a freezer!"
"That's not right, you're a great guy and your father was a miserable person to hurt you. That must suck to be all alone, my dad said you don't have family to call."
" That's not true i have you now. Scott and Derek are cool for a bunch of horny wolves."
" Ewww please I don't want to imagine my best friend and that jerk having sex."
" Maybe I could make you focus on something else for the time being."
Stiles tensed as he felt Isaac's lips suck on his neck and earlobe gently.
Stiles kept wondering where his Dad was or why he hasn't knocked on the door.
Isaac just kept going and made sure he marked the skin evenly as he hugged the mage.
He turned off the lamp and kept his arms around Stiles and just felt himself sleep.
Stiles looked around the room before he magically locked the door and yawned.
A blanket covered them both as he began to fall asleep despite being used as a pillow. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65182 | Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.
Repost: I am going through and trying to fix all my grammar and puncuation mistakes, so I hope I got them all.
Hello fellow readers, so this is my first Dean and Castiel fic...as well as an indepth baby fic (for me.) Also my first time writing more than a one shot...so be nice to me please.
Very nervous for this catergory because I feel like I'm going up against the masters. This is a romance/family and humor...so I hope I do an ok job.
It will be an M for later chapters but so far it's safe sex wise, but there is cussing. Also Bobby isn't dead, Cas becomes a human and Sam is Sam, basically a slight twist with the fact Dean and Sam are given a fresh start after stopping the apocolypse, freed from their life of hunting and fighting the big bad, Castiel's father gives him a baby but it only mentions him.
This is a baby fic with two men as the daddies and Dylan is wholly theirs, so if you don't think it's for you then don't read it.
Otherwise, I hope you like it.
Surprise, You're A Daddy.
Dean sat on the hood of his car wondering what was next; life had come to an end for him. There were no more battles to be fought, no apocalypse to advert or prophecy to fulfil or derail. Which meant no more need for a hunter, so that left him where?
Dean couldn't work it out, ever since he was a small child this had been his life and to suddenly be without was…it was like being in limbo. The sense of loss was so profound he didn't know how to react or if he should react. This was the unattainable dream he always wanted; to be able to have the 'normal' life and worry about the small things in life such as, where the next pay check was coming from or what to make for tea.
He snorted as he sipped his beer on the hood of his impala, the only thing that hadn't changed thankfully. He didn't even know what normal people worried about and that thought was just saddening to him; a man who was stuck firmly in his way of life. Sure Sammy was still young and could remerge into society making a life for himself but him… who was he kidding, even with Lisa and Ben he still hadn't fully allowed himself to have that life because it simply wasn't for him.
So that left Dean in limbo, he was here but had no idea what to do, he would probably crash with Bobby waiting, hoping for something, anything to come along, to say he wasn't allowed to be anything but a hunter.
But here's to hoping Dean thought as he lifted his beer to the darkened sky in a silent salute, because he knew this was how it was going to end for him. After everything he did, all the sacrifices he made, he was going to be allowed his dream but be unable to adjust to it or learn to live normally.
He was being screwed for the last time.
Well at least that part of life Dean could deal with, he sipped the rest of his beer before sliding down the hood of his baby pulling his phone from his pocket when it started buzzing to see the screen lighting up with the name;
"Hey what's up?" Dean spoke into the phone as he opened his door to slide in behind the wheel waiting for the answer to his question, yet felt his body go still when Bobby struggled to tell him what was going on.
"Come on Bobby."
He heard Dean's voice but just frowned at the sight before him, unable to wrap his brain around it: "What's going on, is it Sammy?" Bobby shook his head before speaking because that he could answer "NO."
The line went quiet so he did the best he could do in explaining "Just get your ass to mine now." Bobby pulled his baseball cap further down his forehead "No stops or delays, straight here." He heard Dean grumble an agreement before the line went dead.
He sighed as he slid his phone back into his pocket staring at the sight before him, unsure how to proceed or react and this wasn't even his problem. But if he didn't wrap his head around it Dean wouldn't be able to, so Bobby grabbed a beer from the kitchen before sitting in a chair and looked at Castiel "Tell me again, what you did?"
Sam stood by the fire and looked at the silent Cas with his hands in his pockets "I kind of understand it." but there where parts that were lacking in reason, he watched Castiel shake as he sat on the couch with a blanket around him. He felt sorry for the angel because it was about to get complicated and he didn't know if his brother would understand or want any part in it "One more time Cas, walk us through it."
Castiel frowned at the carpet "I thought this was what he wanted, we talked and he said if he could have it all he would." he lifted his blue eyes to look at Bobby then at Sam "So before I gave it all up I planned to give it to him but I was only allowed one thing."
Sam nodded understanding that bit, the relationship between his brother and the angel…correction the former angel was complicated but there was something there. At times Sam always thought it was more but Dean always denied it however he no longer had 'times' when he thought there was.
It was plain and simple by Castiel doing what he did it proved to Sam there was something there, defiantly something there.
Castiel licked his dry lips feeling strange, his human body felt different now he didn't have his grace with him or his wings and that left him feeling naked…even though he was fully clothed on Bobby's couch. He pulled the blanket tighter around him before continuing on with his explanation "Out of everything he wanted I thought he would want this the most, it's what every person wants" Castiel moved his eyes to the small form next to him "A child."
Sam waved his hand "Yeah we get that but what we don't get is how you got Dean a…" he held his hands up and made finger quotes "…son."
Bobby nodded as he sipped his beer, taking longer pulls when the former angel spoke again.
"I asked my father to forgive me for my sin I was about to commit and he excused me saying I could have one thing to give Dean, but only one" Castiel looked at Sam "So I asked for a child, to be able to give him the gift of a child."
Sam rubbed his forehead "Cas we get that bit but what we don't get is the give him the gift of a child bit." he moved closer to the couch and sat down on the last cushion looking at the small form laying in the box with blankets because that's all they had right now.
Bobby lowered his beer "Did you want to give him it or did your father," he waved his beer bottle at the roof to make his point clear "Give him it."
Castiel frowned "I asked my father, I already told you that." He looked at Sam nodding but the other hunter just frowned before rubbing his jaw, it made him pause did he do something wrong? Or was he not explaining it correctly?
Sam held his hand out drawing Bobby's attention "So you asked your father and he give you this gift after everything you did but is the gift from him," he looked at Castiel "Or you."
"I asked my father and he gave me it."
Bobby sighed "Idjit." he looked at Sam before looking at Cas "When humans make babies there are two parents, a mother and father" he watched Castiel nod "So is the baby, Dean's and your fathers or yours and Dean's."
Castiel blinked before understanding dawned "It is mine and Dean's; my father said I was allowed this one thing and since I'm human now he used both mine and Dean's blood to create the baby wishing me well in life." His throat tightened at the memory because he loved his father and hadn't wanted to upset him. After everything that happened and the way things had gone down Castiel still loved him. But he wanted to be with his hunter so he gave up his wings and the rest of the Angels to be a human with Dean, Sam and Bobby, his human family.
As one last gift his father had cupped his face and kissed his forehead saying may he live a long and happy life and the next thing he knew, he was stood in Bobby's yard in a black sleeved t-shirt and jeans. The clothing was unusual and very heavy when wet but it was the small bundle in his arms that started to cry that made Castiel jump, he nearly dropped the small form before he caught himself and walked towards Bobby's door and knocked.
After being pulled inside by the older man and handing the baby to Sam who dried him off before wrapping him in blankets and getting him to sleep, Cas had been given a blanket and sat on the couch when Sam and Bobby had started with the questions.
That led him to this point in time.
Dean pulled to a stop and quickly climbed out his car wondering why the sudden harsh down pour of rain had started for no reason; it was probably God's way of teaching him not to drink and drive. Because he had to slow his speed down or risk a crash, he moved to the front door and shoved it open "Bobby!" He shouted out to the older man as he tugged on his jacket lapels to shed the access water before tugging it off and hanging it over the back of a chair in the kitchen.
Bobby heard the fridge open and sighed before shouting "Get me one." He knew he would regret it in the morning but right now it didn't seem like such a bad idea, he held his hand out when Dean entered the room.
"Hey." Dean tipped his chin up at Sam in greeting before looking at the form on the couch "Cas?" he frowned before looking at the other two "Something's going on isn't, we don't get to just go off scot free." He lifted his drink taking a long sip.
Sam shook his head "No we get to walk away free from it all but" he rubbed the back of his neck "You might want to sit down."
Dean narrowed his eyes on his brother "What's going on?" he looked at Bobby who pulled his baseball cap further down his forehead before sipping his beer, he looked at Cas "What's going on Castiel you in trouble?" He sipped at his beer waiting for an answer.
"No I have fallen for you."
Dean felt his eyes shoot wide as he sprayed his beer out before coughing "Come again."
Castiel blinked that slow blink he did before repeating his words in that deep tone "I have fallen for you."
Dean shook his head before looking at his brother then Bobby "Cas I don't swing that way."
Castiel frowned "What has swings got to do with it."
Sam held his hand out trying not to smile in amusement "Dean, he's human he decided to give up his wings, grace for you."
Dean frowned as he looked at Cas "Why, after everything you did to get God back in his place up there."
Castiel looked back at Dean "I wanted to stay with you."
Bobby pinched the bridge of his nose as Dean cursed up a storm "Stop swearing, there's a baby present so watch your mouth."
Dean paused with his beer half way in the air to his mouth "What?" he glared at Bobby before turning on Sammy "You got a girl pregnant."
Sam made a face "Not me, you."
Castiel coughed before pointing to the box and watched as Dean moved forward until he leaned over the box, moments passed as Dean stared at the baby before shaking his head as he snorted "This is a joke right?" Castiel shook his head.
"It's our baby, our son."
Sam exhaled moving towards his brother "De—"
Bobby sighed under his breath as Dean burst into words while looking at the three of them saying they were out their minds or fucking stupid, god why did this have to happen in his house. After everything ended he couldn't have one night of peace, to be alone and maybe have a nice relaxing bath or something. Not that he would say that to the boys of course.
Dean shook his head as he backed away "What the fuck do you mean, mine and yours or ours" he looked from Cas to the box "Men don't have babies together they can't, it's impossible because men have penises and not wombs."
He frowned at his own words "What am I saying." Dean shook his head before looking at Cas "We didn't even have sex, so what are you going on about." He looked towards his brother needing an interpreter for the first time ever where Cas was concerned.
Sam took the beer from his brother "Stop shouting there's a baby here and you should sit down."
Dean grabbed his beer back "Fuck off Sammy, don't tell me what to do." He moved towards the fire and stared into the flames as he swigged his beer "Explain this to me now."
Sam sat on the couch moving his hand inside the box to pull the blanket over the baby a little higher "Castiel gave up his grace to be with us." He didn't say with you because that would be adding fuel to the fire "He's human Dean."
Dean turned around taking in Castiel sitting on the couch looking a little wet and…and other things but he wasn't going into that right now so he coughed instead "And."
Sam shook his head at his brother muttering dick under his breath before carrying on talking "Cas said you talked about things and said you wanted it all." He watched his brother frown before looking back at the fire "And his father," he couldn't say God it was a bit too weird for him "Gave him one gift, that he could give you."
Dean tipped his bottle to his lips and found it empty "Damn." He placed it on the mantel before turning around and going back into the kitchen and reached inside grabbing one then paused and grabbed another one. He closed the fridge door thinking about what his brother just said and paused once more before nodding as he turned around to open the fridge door, grabbing the rest of the beers and walking back into the living room.
Bobby frowned at the arms full of beer "Dean." He stood up taking them from the Idjit and turned placing them on the chair he'd just been sitting on "Sit." He pointed into the living room "Now we've dealt with bigger and worse things than this."
Dean sat in a chair opening the beer he managed to keep hold off "Yeah well this is my worst nightmare."
Sam glared at his brother "Dean." His tone was sharp as he moved his eyes in Cas direction then back to Dean but his brother was on full prick mode, damn this was going to be a long night.
Dean snorted "I appreciate the falling and everything Cas but no way in hell did I want this."
Castiel frowned "You said if you could have it all you would, the house, the kids and a dog." he continued to stare at his friend "But I could only give you one so I picked the baby because you can buy a dog and house."
Dean looked at the angel, or more correctly former angel, feeling a mix of things: disbelief, anger, and confusion "I had those things with Lisa and it's didn't work out."
Castiel frowned "Then why did you tell me you wanted them Dean." His tone was that normal tone he always had but his throat tightened for some unexplainable reason.
Dean sipped his beer "I'm lost" he frowned as he said the words "I was angry and I honestly didn't think this would be it, that I was going to get to have the normal life, I thought…." He trailed off unable to finish because he honestly didn't know what he thought.
Sam exhaled "Look Castiel decided to stay with us and you now have a son." he held his hand up cutting off Dean "Like it or not this is your son and Cas is now part of our family because he's the baby's other parent."
Dean took a long swig of his beer finding the bottle nearing empty "So it's mine and his, as in both of us together somehow created a baby." This shit was just way too much to digest at this point in time and he moved to grab another beer.
Castiel felt his frown deepen as he pulled the blanket tighter around himself before looking at the box, seeing the little boy sleeping he wondered if he should have done this then shook his head at the thought. Life was precious and he had been given this gift, so he would take that gift seriously. He would look after the child by himself…so maybe he would need help at first but Sam could help him out until he got the hang of it.
"I'll do it by myself."
Dean frowned at the words "You don't know the first thing about being human so how would you know how to look after a baby." He watched Castiel inhale before shrugging one shoulder.
"I have seen humans do things from my time as a guardian, so I can use that along with Sam's help."
What the fuck, it was his kid not his brother's and Dean didn't run from his responsibility. Yes he was acting like an ass but it was a bit much to take in, him….Dean a man, had a son with another man….who was now human. How did you explain that to people when they asked questions beside the fact he wasn't with Castiel or gay, how could you explain having a child together…yet another question raised.
He wasn't ready to wade through the shit to sort it out, to do that he needed another beer.
In the morning he would deal with it but right now he wanted to get drunk, but by the way Sam took the beers from Bobby it looked like even that wouldn't be happening, god was nothing going to go his way.
Castiel stared at the carpeted floor listening to Sam going over and over with Dean on how it happened, what had happened and why it had happened; he was a little tired and slightly angry that the hunter had lied to him. If he didn't want those things then why had he said it and now this poor boy was caught in the middle for no reason, he looked towards the box seeing little arms starting to move and simply watched blue eyes blink open.
"Sam the boy is awake."
He turned to look at Cas when the former angel spoke and then frowned as Sam stepped towards the box reaching in to pick the baby up "Sam put him down." Dean may not be ready to deal with…his son but no way in hell was his brother doing it.
Bobby glared at Dean "Sit down your drunk and it's a baby he can't just put it down, he will probably need changing or feeding and we have nothing for him." he pulled his car keys from his pocket and looked at the oldest boy. He knew he had raised Dean right and that he wouldn't run from his responsibilities but he also didn't raise him to be an ass either, which he was being now "Dean lets go to the supermarket."
"Take Sam I will stay here." Dean frowned at the baby that started crying and raised one eyebrow when it balled its fists; he couldn't help notice it had a set of damn fine pipes on it.
Bobby grabbed Dean's shoulder pulling him along "We need to talk as well, so leave Sam with the baby and you come with me." For an ass whopping, that's what Bobby was going to give the Idjit.
Sam heard the door shutting and looked at the baby in his arms wondering what he would do to keep him happy until Bobby came back with the essentials "Hey." he moved one finger to trace the little boys cheek "I'm your Uncle Sam."
Castiel watched Sam rock the baby before walking about while talking to him, it made him feel a little better "Will you help me?" He watched the youngest Winchester look at him before pursing his lips then sighed as he moved to sit next to him.
"Dean will help you." Sam watched blue eyes blink before moving to lock on Cas, it made him smile because they had the same eyes yet he could also see Dean's nose and as stupid as this sounded when the baby's face scrunched he could see his brother's frown.
Castiel leaned closer to Sam looking at the boy "Will you help me." He didn't know if Dean would stay, maybe he would leave or simply act as he did with Ben and Lisa which wouldn't be good because if Dean's heart wasn't fully in it then there was no point staying.
Sam nodded and looked at Cas "I'll help but Dean's not going to let you do this alone, he just needs time to come around but I know he will help." His brother was all about family and this little boy was his flesh and blood, nothing in this world would make Dean give that up. He couldn't explain why he had thought earlier that Dean might not want any part in this because his brother would never leave his own flesh and blood behind.
Dean frowned at the box "Does a baby really need this much diapers?" He looked at Bobby who frowned before holding up two boxes of formula; he shrugged before looking up and down the aisle feeling like it was closing in on him. He bent over slightly resting his hands on his knees as he breathed deep "Dear god this is really happening isn't it." Dean Winchester was a dad, wow that title was scary in itself.
Bobby cursed before placing one box back "Yes it is and you being an ass doesn't help, Cas is…" he looked around the aisle before lowering his voice "Newly human so that will be difficult for him to adjust to all the new feelings."
Dean rubbed a hand over his face suddenly feeling years older than he was, which was in his early…ish thirties "Damn, just damn."
Bobby shook his head before placing the box back to pick up the one he first had "So he will need time to adjust and then there's the baby" he cursed placing the box back and looked at Dean "So pull your head out your ass and get into gear boy."
Dean wanted to throw up, his head hurt and the beer made his stomach queasy or maybe it was the realization starting to sink in "Fuck me."
"Excuse me."
Dean turned his head from his slight bent over position to see a woman stood there frowning at him "Sorry it's just I'm a d…" he nearly bit his lip before coughing and trying again "I'm a dad." God lord, this hunter was facing the greatest challenge of his life. It had nothing to do with the numerous demons, monsters or big bads out there but it was a small boy who needed him to get through the next eighteen years of his life.
Dean shook his head as he looked at the products on the shelves feeling panic closing in on him, he could barely get through life himself but he had done a sort of ok job with Sammy but even then, Sam was still fucked up. Ah god he was going to ruin his son's life and he wasn't ready to do that, dear god he had only just coming to terms with this and now he wished he didn't because that poor child never asked to be brought up dysfunctionally.
Bobby frowned "Dean." He watched the man hold one hand up as he bent further down taking deep breaths as the woman walked forward with a small smile as she rubbed Dean shoulder.
"It's ok, is it your first child." Dean nodded as he tried to gulp in air continuing to listen to the woman "Ok so you'll need the essentials, how old is your baby?" He frowned turning his head to Bobby "Small."
Bobby frowned "New born."
Dean shook his head "No, a little too big isn't he."
"Aw a little boy that's cute." The woman smiled "When was he born?"
Bobby and Dean both went quiet before Bobby pulled his phone out "Excuse me." He moved towards the end of the aisle and dialled Sam wondering if they would make it through the night, let alone the rest of the poor kid's life.
Sam frowned answering the phone "Erm we don't know." He heard a poof and turned around with the little boy in his arm and saw an envelope on the floor, a big brown one with the string tied "Cas can you get that." he mashed his face harder against the phone as he moved the little boy in his arms.
Castiel opened the envelope and found a birth certificate in it with the information on it expect a name for the little boy "He is four months old today." He glanced at Sam who nodded and repeated the information to Bobby before hanging up.
He moved towards Cas and looked at the certificate "Cool, so what you going to name him?" Sam held his arms out to see if Cas wanted to hold his son but the man just looked at the top of the boy's head saying what.
It made Sam smile "You want to hold him."
Castiel shook his head as he leaned back feeling his eyes go wide "You keep hold of him for now." he nodded his head at those words because they seemed like the best idea.
Sam leaned closer "Come on Cas hold your son."
Dean stared at the woman feeling lost "Why does he need these?" He held up tiny mits wondering if they were winter wear for babies and glanced at Bobby who dropped a packet of wipes only to curse when he dropped something else trying to pick the wipes up. He turned his attention back to the woman when she spoke trying to listen and memorizes everything she was saying;
"It's just to make sure the baby doesn't scratch his face when he's fussing."
He frowned why would the baby try to scratch itself, well if it had an itch maybe but wasn't it when they were older they did that; Dean was brought from his thoughts as he came to a stop beside the woman who was pointing to clothes. Ok she kept picking up different types: onesy that where full suits while others was missing leg covers but had buttons between the legs and then there were two pieces with t-shirts, and then pants, with socks.
Good lord that was a lot of stuff for someone so little and when she moved towards the check-out he asked about where the stuff was the baby was supposed to sleep in making the woman look at him weirdly so he didn't mention the fact they were using a box at the moment.
Castiel swallowed hard "I'm going to drop him, take him." the youngest Winchester smiled while shaking his head, how could he be so cruel at this moment in time "Please." He leant closer to Sam hoping he would take the little boy.
Sam patted Castiel shoulder "You're doing great." he watched the man inhale before relaxing his hold slightly as he looked at the little boy "What about Garret." He frowned when Cas frowned; he looked at the little boy wondering what he looked like.
Cas frowned "I think he's more like the sea."
Sam felt his eyes go wide "Ok, the sea it is." He frowned before coughing knowing it wasn't his place to say anything but Sea really, his nephew was going to either grow up bullied or a fighter.
Castiel looked at Sam, face straight "I said like the sea, he had caused a little fuss over his arrival but he will always have a strong presence in life." he watched blue eyes blink slowly "Dylan."
Sam watched the little boy move a tiny fist as he fussed before settling back down "Dylan, what's it mean."
Castiel looked at Sam "Son of the Sea or Child of the waves."
Sam frowned as he slowly nodded before smiling "Kind of fits." The little man had only been here for a couple of hours yet he was making his presence know and causing ripples in his wake.
Dean tried to close the boot but couldn't and groaned before grabbing the last box so the boot could close and moved to the passenger side before sliding in placing the box on his lap "Let's go, I need a beer."
Bobby pulled out of the supermarket "You need to stop drinking; he's a new born so you need to be on point." He watched Dean frown at him while pulling a face "Look you got to shoulder most of the responsibilities until Cas becomes use to being human, so at four am when the baby's crying it's you who is getting up."
Dean tipped his head back against the seat "Fuck."
Bobby reached out his hand around the stuff in the car to hit the oldest Winchester on his head "And Stop swearing."
Castiel tensed when the little boy started crying "What do I do?" He looked towards Sam who was looking a little lost, he leaned forward trying to pass his son to the other man but Sam stood up leaving him sitting there alone.
Sam grinned "Thank you God." he looked at Cas over his shoulder "They're back so that means we can feed him, so no more crying." He opened the door frowning at the arm full Dean had and stepped back to allow him into the house. Damn that was a shit load; he turned to move out the door when Bobby pushed his way through with his arms full "How much stuff did you get?"
Dean glared at Sam "Don't go there." He moved passed his brother not sure how to feel but he just wanted to sleep, after that he would work everything out because it was a little too much. The finding out to then do a 180 flip in the supermarket and back again.
He had done a complete 360 over this baby situation and it was making his head spin.
Castiel moved towards the door feeling slightly panicked as his son continued to cry even though he did what Sam had done and rocked the child yet he continued to cry "Sam." He moved passed Dean, holding his arms out slightly away from his chest.
Sam lowered the box he had and stood to the side of Cas "Hey little guy shush." He waved his fingers but the baby continued to bawl and damn his ears hurt "Dylan, look what's this." He picked up a bib and waved it back and forth above his nephew's face.
Dean glared at his brother "Move." He slammed a box of diapers against his chest as he pushed him into the kitchen feeling slightly pissed off at what he just saw and the fact he called his son by "Dylan?"
Castiel walked towards Sam "I decided on the name it's very fitting and I like it." he frowned at the baby "I don't like the way he's crying." He held his arms out to Sam slightly wanting him to make the little boy stop crying.
Dean moved his hands to take the baby when Cas pulled the little boy towards his chest and stepped around him "Give me the baby."
Sam sighed "Son, give me my son." He placed the formula box on the side "Say it with me." He placed his hands on Castiel shoulders and squeezed before turning him around to face Dean, and again squeezed the former angel's shoulders.
Dean frowned as he took the baby feeling like he would drop him or maybe break him because he was really small, didn't they normally come bigger then this "Hey" the baby continued to cry "Stop crying." He rocked the baby in his arms.
Sam frowned "Dean he's like four months old, he doesn't know what you're saying all he knows is he's hungry and probably wants changing."
Dean glared at his brother "Shut up Sammy."
Castiel looked towards the youngest Winchester "What now?"
Bobby finished bringing the stuff in watching the three men in his kitchen fussing, Sam was trying to help a slightly clinging Cas on how to make a bottle while Dean was making shots at his brother and holding his son "Enough."
They all stopped expect the baby "Sam make the bottle you can teach Cas in the morning." He turned towards the pile and grabbed a bag of clothes "Castiel help Dean dress your son." He held the bag out before grabbing a diaper and the wipes "Dean change him."
Dean struggled to change the little boy who kept moving and when he had to hold his legs he was afraid he would hurt him, so he kept letting them slid out his hands while Castiel held a baby book in front of him reading to Dean. He smiled when he had the diaper on and picked his son up holding him under the arms only to feel his smile drop as the diaper fell off "For Fu—"
Bobby slapped Dean upside the head "Mouth, now try again." God lord this was like a house of chaos, all these men could handle their own against Demons, God and the Devil yet this baby was the one thing they couldn't handle.
After trying again they finally had the diaper on the baby and Castiel had dressed him in an onesy that was mint green, and very soft on the skin which Castiel pointed out. Bobby had set up the crib for the baby to sleep in while Sam passed the bottle to Dean who tested it claiming it was too hot while Sam claimed it was fine.
Castiel held the baby towards Sam who shook his head holding the book so he looked to Bobby, which annoyed Dean greatly.
"Give him to me." Dean reached out taking his son from the former angel and arranged him in his arms before pressing the bottle to his lips, feeling slightly better when his son started to suck leaving a silence to fall over the living room. Castiel frowned watching Dean before looking at Sam who was reading the baby book "Well." He knew you had to do something after you feed them….wind them or something.
Sam nodded "Right burping." He looked at Cas then his brother "Whose doing it."
Dean looked at Cas "You can." He watched the man frown before shaking his head and looking at his brother, he held back a comment as he glared at Castiel wanting to ring his neck.
Bobby sat on the chair watching the three of them sitting on the couch with Castiel in the middle and Dean on Castiel's left while Sam was on his right holding the book. He watched the little boy sitting on Castiel's lap as his hand rubbed Dylan's back while holding his hand to the little boy's chest supporting him.
"Nothing's happening." Dean reached behind Castiel and took the book from his brother who slapped at his forearm "Stop being a girl."
Sam curled his lip "I'm not, you are." He gave Dean his best 'Bitch face'.
Castiel looked at Dean "You do it." he jumped when a sound came from the small form of his son and watched the baby smile slightly.
Dean smiled as he held the book in one hand between his knees as he leant forward "I think you're ready for bed." He watched sick pool from between his son's lips and down his chin "Aggh." He used the bib from early that Sam waved in Dylan's face to wipe his chin.
Castiel raised his eyebrow "Is that normal?" he looked from one brother to the other seeing them both nod and relaxed a margin before moving the baby closer to his chest.
Sam exhaled "I'm ready for bed, where's the baby sleeping."
Dean frowned "In here, I'll sleep on the couch." He watched Sammy take the floor "I got this."
Sam grinned "I know but I want to watch as," He finger quoted the air "You've got this." He grabbed at the pillow his brother flung at him in mid-air before putting it on the floor and resting his head on it as he laid in front of the fire.
Castiel looked at Dean "I will stay with you in case Dylan wakes up." He nodded before standing up with his son in his arms as Dean moved to the crib Bobby built in the middle of the living room floor; he waited till the older man moved blankets around. Dean followed the instructions in the book to the letter as he put his son to bed feeling a little tired and worn out, but knew he would feel exactly the same way when he woke up. He needed to talk to Cas to get a better understanding and find a way to sort this out between them because he wasn't happy with the way Cas kept turning to his brother when he needed help.
Bobby watched Dean take one end of the couch as Cas curled up on the other end resting his arm on the chair arm and his head on his curled fist intending to sit there but he was no longer an angel, he was a human which meant he needed sleep. Dean closed his eyes as he rested one arm over his face and Sam hugged the blanket to his chest as he snored softly, it made him smile "Good job boys." They would be fine in raising Dylan between the three of them…
…as long as he was there to supervise.
Hope you enjoyed...maybe enough to continue reading it.
If there are any mistakes please let me know.
If you would like to leave a review then please do. If you want to say this wasn't your cup of tea then feel free to do so but you don't need to be rude or harsh about it. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65183 | Olivia was so happy to be going home. Today was a day from hell and she just wanted to go home and cry. She pulled into her apartment got her things, and locked her car. Before she reached the elevator she began to cry.
'Why did he have to leave? Why did Cragen have to tell me! Why couldn't he just call me and tell me himself, that he wasn't my partner anymore!' She punched the wall of the elevator. 'Ow fuck! That hurt!'
The elevator reached her floor. She got her keys and glanced at her phone. No messages from El. She unlocked her door. Placed her gun and badge on the kitchen counter. She put on an oversized shirt and headed to the living room. She collapsed on the couch and began to sob. Before she knew it she was asleep.
It was 2 in the morning when she heard a knock at the door. 'Who the fuck is that?' She groaned and got off the couch. She checked the peep hole. It was Elliot.
She opened the door. His arm was resting on the door frame. His tie was loose around his neck. The first three buttons of his shirt were unbutton. The smell of beer was so strong.
' Elliot what do you want?' She turned and started to walk towards the living room. All of a sudden Elliot grabbed at her hips turned her around and placed a kiss on her lips. So gentle yet so deep. Olivia pushed him off.
' Get off of me!'
'What's your problem?'
'My problem! What's my problem? My problem is you Elliot! Do you realize how much it hurts to have your boss say that the only guy you have ever trusted in your life, your partner for 13 years isn't coming back. I guess you lost your balls when you shot that girl. Because if you did have balls you would have told me yourself! That's my problem Elliot!' She said as she began to sob.
He sobered up real quick' I'm sorry but you're not the only one who is hurt here Liv! 'He screamed at her. 'Do you realize that I love you? It kills me to know I won't be able to see you every fucking day! To be able to protect you! Maybe I did lose my balls but I sure as hell didn't lose my love for you Olivia!' He walked closer to her.
'What are you talking about? You don't fucking love me!'
' Why do you think that?'
'Because I just do!'
' Wrong answer Olivia! Wrong fucking answer!'
'When did you realize it?'
' Realize what?'
' Realize that you love me?'
' I don't know. I remember when Gitano cut your neck. You were falling to the floor. Thinking that you were dead. It killed me. And I knew that I had feelings for you.'
' I don't believe you.'
' What! Why not? '
' Why now el? Why did you decide to tell me this now?'
' Because I couldn't think of the right words to say.'She wrapped her arms around his neck. Elliot grabbed her hips and pulled her closer.
' I love you too El.'
He picked her up and walked to her bed. He placed her down softly. He started to kiss her inner thigh while playing with her breasts.
' El. Inside me now! Please.'
' I don't have a condom though.'
' I don't care.'
In one deep thrust he was inside her, they moaned.
After they were done they cuddled in bed.
'Just because I'm not your partner anymore doesn't mean that I don't love you. Because I really do. And I'm going to protect you the best I can.'
He looked over and Olivia had fallen asleep with a smile on her face.
The next morning Olivia's alarm rang, she pressed the snooze button. She turned over to see that Elliot was in her bed. He turned his head.
'Good Morning Liv.'
She smiled and gave him a kiss. She got up and walked to her bathroom. He followed after her. They showered together. Elliot kept kissing her neck.
'El, one of us is still a detective and needs to go to work.'
They got out. She got dressed in black pants and a blue v-neck shirt. She felt so relaxed today.
She got her things together and gave Elliot a kiss.
'I'm going to go back to my apartment. If you need anything let me know.'
'Love you.'
She headed to work. She was glowing. Work went surprisingly fast. She was getting ready to leave.
'Olivia can I see you in my office?' Cragen asked.
She walked to her office and closed the door.
'Are you ok Liv? I know it's been hard.'
'I'm fine Don. I have to go. Have a good weekend.'
She left his office grabbed her things and went home. She was more than fine. She was great. When she got home, she called Elliot.
'Hey Liv.'
'Hey. How are you?'
'I'm fine. About to order some pizza. You want to come over?'
'Sure I'll be there in 10.'
She changed her outfit. Jean shorts and a revealing tank top.
She arrived at Elliot's apartment. She knocked and the door opened.
'Jesus Liv. Put some clothes on.'
'Nice to see you too jerk.' She said as she gave him a kiss.
She grabbed a beer and plopped herself on the couch.
'Liv, we need to talk about last night.'
'Because I don't want this to be a one night stand thing. I want to have something with you.'
'We don't have to make it a one night stand thing El.'
'I want to have the whole boyfriend girl friend thing with you.'
'I think we're past that.'
'So what's next?'
'El, you have to give me some time to get used to this.'
'If times what you need, than that's what you'll get.'
She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. She went to pull back but Elliot grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. His hands were twisted into her hair. She was unbuckling his pants.
'Liv lets go to my room.'
'I can't wait that long.' She placed him in her mouth. El moaned.
'Jesus Liv that was unexpected.' Every lick sent tingles throughout his body.
Now it was his turn. He started to kiss her inner thighs. There was one spot that made her go crazy. He left a little hickey there. He began to taste her.
She grabbed his head. 'El right there! Oh my god I'm going to cum.' She released right into his mouth.
'You taste delicious Liv'
El was in her hard. He kept going and going. 'Deep El!' He did as he was told. He finally collapsed onto her chest. They caught their breath.
'I should get going El.'
'Stay the night please.'
'I don't have any clothes.'
'Terrible excuse you're staying over. You can wear one of my shirts.'
She wore one of his old SVU shirts and climbed into bed.
'I love you Olivia.'
'I love you Elliot.'
They both fell asleep with a smile on their face. They knew that nothing could ruin their happiness.
This came out shittier than i expected. But I still wanted to upload it. leave me some reviews :) |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65184 | The Difference Thoughts Can Make
Summary: **Part of the '2012 Halloween Fics' series** How season 2 could have gone if Buffy could read thoughts – including vampires.
Warning: I don't know; definite language and innuendo somewhere at the end.
Timeline: season 2 BtVS 'Halloween' through 'Innocence'.
A/N: This has been on my computer for a couple years; decided to post it now. Given how the series ended, the irony of having Xander go as 'Cyclops' was too good to pass up. Doesn't mean anything to the story plot, though.
Thanks to my betas: zigpal, AerynSpeedleCaine and AshDawnSoulmates.
"C'mon, Buff…you promised to make up for embarrassing me in front of Larry," Xander reminded, complete with puppy eyes.
Buffy cursed the puppy eyes; they were almost as bad as Willow's resolve face. "But there's only one female costume left! And the two male ones- I don't know about either of them."
"And since I'm already a redhead, I get to be Jean Grey," Willow piped up quickly, giving Buffy a cross between puppy and resolve looks. She desperately wanted to be Xander's love interest – if only in costume for the night.
Xander, although disappointed that his Scott Summers costume wouldn't 'match' Buffy's anymore, still tried to talk her into the idea, "I think you'd make a great Professor. And think about all the fun you'll have zipping around in your powered wheelchair," he enticed.
Between the two of them, Buffy knew it was a lost cause to fight anymore. "Fine, but only because I owe you – and I don't ever want to hear about this morning again. We are so even after this!" Her mom would freak at the costume rental price tag since it included the chair. Maybe she'd sic Xander's puppy eyes on her mom when he came over; no way could her mom get angry at puppy-eyed Xander!
"You got it," Xander promised with a bright grin.
Lie to Me
Right after Ford watched Buffy stake a vampire, she caught his thoughts and told him, "Ford, I know you're dying, but that doesn't give you the right to use me and a bunch of idiots as bargaining chips in order to be turned into a monster."
The Dark Age
"If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll just have to check for myself," Buffy demanded once the police took Philip's body away.
Unwilling to tell his Slayer about the worst time in his life, Giles attempted to appeal to her conscience, "I thought Professor Xavier didn't believe in reading people's minds against their will."
"But I'm not the Professor, so spill!" she reminded him, narrowing her eyes in annoyance at his stall technique.
"Very well," Giles replied unenthusiastically, "Back during my rebellious days…"
What's My Line?
When Buffy finally got the upper hand on the dark-skinned girl she was fighting, she was startled to hear the girl's thoughts. She schooled her expression and said calmly, "So you're a Slayer, too."
Suspicous of the blonde who beat her and associated with a vampire, Kendra demanded, "How did you know that?" She also wanted to know what this blonde was.
"Little trick I picked up a few weeks ago. Now if you're done trying to kill me and Angel, we should go talk to Giles, my Watcher," Buffy replied, assuming the other Slayer could make the connection on her own.
Buffy glared at Xander, who just kept scarffing on the cookies Ted made for them. "I'm telling you…the guy isn't human! I don't even think he's a demon," she decided to appeal to Willow, hoping the redhead would be more receptive to the idea.
Given the Slayer's track record with picking out the weird in things around them, Willow figured this was one of those times they should trust her judgment. "How do you know that?" she asked with genuine interest.
"Because I can't read his mind." When Buffy realized she had this ability, she talked at length about it with both Giles and Willow. Giles gave her the responsibility lecture while Willow just wanted to know how it worked. That's why Buffy knew that she could explain this to the redhead, "It's not staticky or anything – there just isn't anything to read!"
Bad Eggs
Just as Cordelia is about to hit her with a metal bar, Buffy moved out of the way and yelled, "Xander, duck!"
Reacting instinctively, Xander barely missed being brained by Willow waving a microscope at his head. "What the heck is going on?!" he demanded once Buffy knocked both girls unconscious.
"Will and Cordy aren't themselves anymore. Or at least something is controlling their minds now. I'm guessing it has something to do with these creepy egg babies." Buffy's hypothesis was proven correct when they saw the tentacles burrowed into the back of Willow and Cordy.
"That is just so many kinds of wrong," Xander said with a shudder.
"You guys did all this for me?" Buffy glanced at Angel for a second before rushing to hug Giles. "You're the best Watcher in the whole world!" she declared after 'hearing' that it was his idea to have the birthday party for her anyway – despite the badness of the last couple days.
When Buffy joined them in library, Jenny looked the ensouled vampire. "Where's Angel?"
"I was hoping he had checked in with you guys." Buffy narrowed her eyes at the panicked thoughts she was picking up from the computer teacher. She couldn't quite get the exact concern though. "Wait…why are you so worried about him, Miss Calendar?" she inquired, hoping to direct the older woman's mind.
"I don't know what you mean," Jenny bluffed, not knowing about Buffy's new-ish ability; Buffy and Giles had decided to keep it a secret for the time being – well, except for Willow and Xander, since they knew who Buffy went as for Halloween. Even Angel had been kept out of the loop on this one so that she could practice reading vampires' thoughts too.
"Yes you do. And you were awfully eager to get Angel out of town last night." The Slayer was beginning to put all the pieces together, and the next thought confirmed her fears. Not caring that she was supposed to hide her ability, Buffy screamed, "Oh my god! Why didn't you tell us?"
"Tell us what?" Giles inquired, completely lost as to why his Slayer was so upset with his girlfriend-type person.
"That there was a chance Angelus could come back!" she practically spit out in Jenny's face. "She was supposed to make sure it didn't happen. Tell me! How could it have happened?" she demanded.
"I'm not sure," Jenny admitted. Seeing that her answer didn't go over well with either of them, she quickly added, "My uncle might though. I actually was going to talk to him later about this."
"You do that; I'm going to see if I can find Angel," Buffy said, not wanting to be near the spy any longer than necessary.
Summers home
"Yeah. Like I really wanted to stick around after that," Angelus-posing-as-Angel sneered lightly, figuring it would crush her fragile teen heart.
With those words, Buffy knew the curse had been lifted. And what she read from his mind didn't make her any less afraid. She could picture the torments he was planning to inflict on her and her friends. Whatever love she had for Angel was no match for the horror she now felt in Angelus' presence. She owed it to Angel's memory to kill this monster before he caused any further atrocities with his face and body.
Keeping with her guise of a scared, naïve girlfriend, the blonde Slayer swallowed her disgust at what she was about to do and asked, "Is there anything I could do to make our repeat performance better for you?"
That offer shocked Angelus; enough that he hesitated before leering at her. "Really? Well, I have a couple ideas." Hey, if she was willing to have another go, he was more than happy to fuck the Slayer before playing with her – despite his earlier comments.
"So do I," she purred, walking behind him, trailing her fingernail across his chest and back.
Hmm, maybe he'd have to reconsider his plans; see what kinds of things she had planned for future sexual escapades. "I can't wait to see what you have in mind."
"Then I won't keep you in suspense…Angelus," she snarled. Before he could react, she plunged her stake through his back and into his heart. As he turned to ash, she whispered, "I love you, Angel."
Slamming the doors wide open, Buffy ordered Jenny Calendar, "You can go back to your family and tell them that Angel and Angelus are gone for good. Once you've done that, I'd really prefer not to see you again…ever," she finished with what sounded like a threat.
Jenny couldn't believe that her boyfriend was just sitting there instead of challenging his Slayer. "Rupert?" she asked pointedly.
"What?" he replied somewhat innocently. He knew what she wanted from him, but it wasn't something he could give – if he even wanted to. The truth was that he didn't feel inclined to side with her anyway. What she did was quite reckless, and her silence put Buffy in serious physical and emotional danger. While he cared for Jenny, Buffy was more important to him – both as the Slayer and as a person he loved.
Now she was insulted. "Aren't you going to say anything?" Jenny demanded.
"I doubt that you'd like to hear my feelings on the matter," he replied with a slight scoff. "Since you asked though, I'll tell you. It is incomprehensible that your family would do something so dangerous and cruel."
Giles sighed before continuing, "And you…you made me suffer for weeks because something from my distant past – which I had no way of knowing would come back to haunt me – threatened your life. I understand it was traumatic for you, and if it weren't for this, I would feel that you were perfectly justified in your response."
Then he shook his head and his eyes narrowed angrily. "However, you had knowledge of something that was of such concern to your family that they had you come here to keep an eye on it personally. To me, that puts my secret to shame. You had no right to get all self-righteous with me when you were hiding this from us. …I could have cared a great deal for you, but my priority in life is Buffy."
He moved to Buffy's side and put his arm over her shoulders in a visual show of support. "Not just because she's my Slayer – although that was the case when I came here last year – but mostly because she's someone I care a great deal for. Because you didn't warn her about the dangers of growing romantically attached to Angel, she had to kill somebody she loved. That is unforgivable in my book. But I suppose that's to be expected for people who make vengeance their priority in life," he finished sadly, turning his back on her in a symbolic gesture.
A/N: Canon change – Buffy can read vampires with her telepathy. Maybe because it's a different kind of telepathy, maybe because the explanation on the show didn't make a lot of sense to me.
Sorry, Jenny fans, I just can't like her when it comes to this secret. She probably will never be portrayed kindly in any story I post that deals with her family secret…unless she decides to betray them and comes clean with Giles and the others. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65185 | Disclaimer: The Avengers and all related characters are note mine. I'm borrowing them for a bit. All rights reserved.
Author's note: This fic starts about a year after the events of The Avengers. This was going to be a quick little one-shot, but then I realized it needed more setup than I had at the time, so I might as well flesh it out properly. I'm not sure where this will go, but I am borrowing ideas from the "Rescue" story arc of the Iron Man comics.
Loki paced like a caged tiger, tracing over and over the circumference of his darkened cell in the depths of Asgard. After what had happened on Midgard during his attempted conquest of Earth - and it would have worked, too, if it wasn't for those stupid mortals and their damned Hulk - after what had happened, Odin had taken away Loki's magic and thrown him into this hole, clamping a muzzle over his mouth so he wouldn't be able to speak to anyone. It was an uncharacteristic display of cunning on Odin's part, really - the Allfather had seen what a powerful weapon Loki's voice could be, and it ensured that Loki wouldn't be able to convince anyone to help him out of the cell and to freedom. He'd heard tales of others who's endured this level of "justice" - many of them had gone mad. Some had died of despair. A few had simply disappeared.
This last possibility admittedly troubled him. The Other had promised to find him if he'd failed in taking Midgard, and administer a fate that would make mere pain seem like the most beautiful of luxuries.
Loki paced faster. For all his power, Odin had not been able to take away all of his abilities. He had been able to lower Thor to a mere mortal because Thor was born of Asgard, sired by Odin, and naturally the Allfather would be familiar with the abilities that came with it. But Loki… oh yes, he'd groveled and mewled for mercy as he'd felt his magic being taken, but he'd managed to hide away a small amount of it, concealing it even from Odin's far-seeing gaze. It would not be enough to get him out of this cell, though, nor to allow him to find the rest - wherever Odin had concealed it, the sanctimonious bastard - but it would help him, once. He would need to save it for the perfect opportunity.
He had fifty years to plan his escape, during which he would be unable to starve to death, merely waste away.
He stopped, reaching up to pull at the muzzle again. It was made of mithral, a metal found in abundance in Asgard which took enchantments readily and which was stronger than steel. It didn't budge so much as an inch.
Well, it was worth a try, in any case.
He paused then, tensing like a dog that senses the subtle signs of an approaching storm. Something wasn't right. He glanced around in the darkness, feeling the fine hairs on the back of his neck stand up. When he started to hear the whispering, barely teasing at the edges of his hearing, he knew what it was.
Something was coming.
Something indescribably horrible, in a way that he recognized. His breath wheezed faster through his nose as panic rose in his chest, setting his heart to a frantic hammering as he desperately clawed at the muzzle, trying to pry it free so that he could at least call for help. Under other circumstances he would rather eat his own arm than ask any of the Asgardians for help, but he'd already seen what the Others had in store for him, had already experienced what they did to those they found potentially useful - his skin still burned at the memory. He had no intention of finding out what they did to those who'd failed them.
He gave up on the muzzle and started pounding at the door, tears of raw terror streaming from his eyes as he silently screamed for someone, anyone, to please please please hear him and come get him the hell out of here right fucking now oh god they're coming for me can't you hear them please somebody ANYBODY -
Not even the sound of his own sobs escaped the muzzle - it was too well-designed to keep him quiet. He clawed at the door, not caring as a fingernail snagged in one of the rivets and tore free of the nail bed. He slammed his fists against the thick metal door until his hands bled, and still the whispering grew louder -
- and then it stopped, leaving behind a horrifying, crawling, watchful silence, as though some vengeful entity from beyond reality were staring at the back of his head. He dared not move, as if moving might betray his location, but he knew, right down in the pit of his bowels he knew that there would be no more hiding. He sobbed silently into the muzzle, curling into a corner and wrapping his arms around his head in what he knew was a futile attempt to protect himself from what was to come. The last thing he heard was a harsh, whispering voice right next to his ear, so subtle it might have been planted in his mind
(fOUnd yOU)
and then he was gone.
Five seconds later, Heimdall's gaze fell upon the cell. All that remained of its occupant was a single fingernail, torn out by the roots, and the muzzle, still spinning to a halt on the floor. Heimdall frowned.
"Herregud," he swore.
End Prologue.
Author's note: I took the time to look up Norse swear words for this chapter. "Herregud" means something like "Lord" or "God", and indicates frustration. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65186 | These Times
They ended up outside of this decrepit building. Questionable characters roamed about. Mike smiled at a couple walking by who responded to his gesture with a frown. Harvey drew in a deep breathe only to cough from the stench of decay.
"Where are we?"
"Well hello," a pretty blonde female remarked standing beside Harvey all of sudden. "Well well Mikey."
Mike bit his lip. Harvey frowned. "You know her?"
"So, you don't look like you are hungry. How about helping a friend out?"
"He isn't a meal."
Jenny smirked eyeing Harvey. "All humans are, Mikey."
"Where is Lance?"
"Lance?" she snorted. "Why are you both friends now? Trevor will be jealous."
"I mean it, Jenny. Where is Lance?" Mike pressed urgently.
She smiled sweetly and then shrugged. "I forgot."
He pushed her against a wall. She giggled. "Mike, you vampire you…fine…only because you are going to fail miserably. He is out on Clarks Avenue. Down there you can't miss it. If you want you can leave your friend. I'll babysit."
"No, Jenny."
He turned around and after a few seconds Jenny sighed. "Mike, come home. It isn't the same."
Mike sighed at how human she sounded at the moment. The humans believed they knew how vampires came to be. Rumor was they were turned. Fact was it was by birth. A small population of vampires had been turned previously. Jenny was one. He turned to look at her crestfallen face.
Jenny bit her lip before nodding. She disappeared no stage smoke, just gone. Harvey sighed as he studied the look on Mike's face.
"Clarks Avenue?" Harvey questioned reminding the youth of their current situation.
"Uh yeah," Mike sighed. "Clarks…up ahead."
"Do we have an understanding?" Lance asked the human who was playing possum. "I know when someone is pretending so stop it."
Louis nodded eyes wide open and fearful…pained and scarred. Maybe it was only five minutes, or an hour…he couldn't quite tell anymore…he was dizzy and sore…and he knew no one was coming. After all he was Louis Litt. If Harvey went missing everyone would know. Jessica would have a field day…Mike…Mike would probably form a search party and Donna, beautiful Donna would cry…not heavily…but enough. Lance arose from the human a blood drenched smile upon his lips.
"Don't you move anywhere," he smirked. "You do I'll hunt you…and I'm hungrier when my meal is on the run."
Lance disappeared through the front door. Instantly Louis was on his feet. He rushed to the window and noticed there were a few creatures walking about. It instantly squashed his idea of exiting out the window. The less attention he gained the better. For a few seconds his scenery blurred around him drastically. After experiencing the temporary dizzy spell, he ran to the door and listened. He opened the door softly. Standing before him was his nightmare all smiles.
"I am disappointed," Lance smirked. "I went out to get you something to eat…and here you are…about to leave me. You were right, Louis…I'm terribly lonely. Girlfriend hated that about me…she said I'd keep a meal around if I could…guess she was right."
Louis suddenly noticed the walls. Upon the walls were thick splotchy red crusting hand prints. He bit his lip because he knew they didn't belong to him. They were fresh. Lance grinned.
"Now, Louis. Where were we?"
Mike and Harvey arrived at a complex. The building was falling apart. Dangerous characters made faces at Harvey from the first floor. Mike and Harvey ignored the obscene gestures and continued to the third floor. Mike was able to retrieve the number and location from Jenny's thoughts; he knew she would give him vague information at first. They arrived at a particular door and instantly Mike began to wince.
"Mike?" Harvey questioned.
Mike nodded. "They are in there."
Harvey looked to the door. "What are we waiting for?"
Mike sighed. "It is going to be messy, Harvey. I have to warn you. You aren't as strong as you think."
"Shut up Mike."
Harvey kicked down the door without warning. The whole display had been macho. Beyond the kicked open door Lance was sitting casually on the couch clearly waiting for them. He didn't look like he was going to attack.
"Aw is the fun over already?" Lance grinned nastily. "Louis, your ride is here."
Mike frowned seeing no signs of the human anywhere. Harvey's eyes widened. There in the doorway, bleeding from a grotesque neck wound was his colleague and rival Louis Litt. Strangely he seemed at peace as if he hadn't been stuck with a nightmarish creature for a good hour to hour and half.
"Louis?" Mike asked quietly.
Louis smiled but didn't respond.
"Go ahead," Lance smirked. "Greet your friends, Louis."
Louis nodded. Suddenly the elder male charged with a knife raised at Harvey.
"LOUIS!" Harvey grunted out as Louis collided with him.
Mike's eyes widened at the sudden display before him.
"See, Louis and I had a long discussion," Lance remarked as Harvey fought Louis off. "Why do I have to stop all this fun? When we could all play nice together, right Mike?"
Mike growled. "Stop this Lance. You don't have to do this."
Lance turned to the humans rolling on the floor.
"He knew you weren't coming you know," Lance remarked with an evil grin. "He kept saying he was practically a doormat at work. I don't blame him…I mean he is bald, rat like…who would want him around?"
"Shut up," Mike growled angrily.
Mike knew everyone had a different picture of Louis. The associates labeled him as cruel and inconsiderate. No one seemed to take him seriously at the firm. He became the punch line to a plethora of jokes by the break room. Standing before all this chaos brought a wave of regret upon the young vampire. Louis hadn't thought he was worth saving. No one should think that of themselves.
Lance arose. "So, are we going to pick up where we left off?"
They were close now. They stared down each other while Harvey struggled with Louis in the background.
"Louis, listen to me," Harvey shouted out. "You don't want to do this."
Louis smiled widely. "I have to."
"You don't have to anything," he grunted as he kneed Louis in the gut.
The male groaned before slamming into the wall. His eyes bulged but he began to fidget and then came back to consciousness. He glanced at the knife but Harvey pushed him to the ground. He held the other's head to the floor.
"I'm a boxer, Louis," Harvey sighed. "Also have a little bit of wrestling. You can't defeat me."
"I have to," Louis growled struggling.
"Listen we are going to take you home. You'll be back to your annoying self in no time."
Abruptly, Louis was shaking underneath. Harvey frowned unhanding the male slowly. Moisture collected in the Louis's eyes. A few drops began to make tracks down his cheeks. Instantly Harvey was uncomfortable with the change in behavior.
"Have you ever waited for something?" Louis asked calmly. "Something big, something you deserved…like senior partner…or rescue…but it never came."
Harvey frowned. "Louis we are here. Open your eyes…and ears. Lance has you fooled."
"You had me fooled! You gave me away!" he shrieked scrambling to claw Harvey's face off.
Louis looked more emotional than threating. Harvey predicted the whole ordeal would leave anyone emotionally unstable.
"You know Mike," Lance stated as they circled around each other. "I am surprised you showed. I thought this Louis guy didn't matter…thought Harvey was your only friend…why care about something as useless as Louis? Let him stay here…I promise I'll play nice. Ask my other former 'human friends', they can vouch for me."
Mike hollered out before charging and pushing them both out the window. Harvey shot toward the scene and his eyes widened. In the back Louis reached for the knife and was about to attack but the door flew open.
"Stop human, knife down…on your knees."
Louis gasped before scrambling to a kneeling position. Harvey's heart beat was erratic. He noticed the knife currently resting by his feet. He took two calming breaths. Louis had almost…any second later and there would have been a terrible accident.
"Mr. Augustine."
"A poor sight this is, tsk, my nephew."
Without any warning Augustine retrieved the troubling youth by the collar. He threw him to the ground close to his previous exit out the window.
"Uncle," Lance smirked. "You are here."
"What have I told you about the weaker species?"
Lance scoffed. "Uncle, I hardly did a thing."
"You ruined this man, Lance," he glared. "What kind hypnosis is this?"
Lance shrugged. "Nothing special. It is just something I learned from Trevor."
Mr. Augustine narrowed his eyes. "I told you that vampire is a bad seed. That gang you hang around with is not acceptable of nobility."
"Who cares about the human," he smirked. "Got my revenge anyway…if that doesn't damage him…then I need another round."
"Lance," Mr. Augustine growled. "This is over. You will not continue this any longer…or…I'll find a place for you. These men are working on my case and you harass them? How dare you."
Lance smiled. "Oh but Uncle your case is as good as lost…especially cause good ole Greggy's story is out."
Mr. Augustine frowned. "That story isn't yours to tell."
Lance laughed. "Whatever…I'm gone. It is time for the gang to rally anyway. Oh, and Louis…don't get comfortable with your life…I know where you live…and I know your place of work…now if that doesn't give you some nice anxiety I don't know what will. Bye Mike and Harvey…great work fighting."
He left abruptly. Mr. Augustine eyed the opened door before turning to the two humans and the one vampire.
"He'll need to be restrained," Mr. Augustine commented.
"He seems fine to me," Harvey stated.
A fist connected with Harvey's jaw. Louis breathed in and out slowly. Before he nearly lunged again Mike grabbed one of his arms.
"All victims under heavy hypnosis get aggressive as they resurface," he remarked. "Aggressive and desperate."
"Desperate for what?" Harvey asked nursing his jaw.
'Their attacker," Mr. Augustine sighed. "Mike we will need to keep him under control."
They restrained Louis all the while he shrieked like an animal.
Mr. Augustine wasn't used to sitting in human waiting rooms but he wanted to show support. Mike knew Mr. Augustine was different just by the sight of his patience and concern. Harvey looked out into space suddenly curious of the wall and its components. Mike sat beside him.
"I never thought," Harvey smirked. "I'd see Louis so…unwound…psychotic before."
Mike eyed the male to see if it was a joke or not. He couldn't tell at first glance.
"The hypnosis does that," Mike commented softly. "Sometimes victims miss their attacker. It is a sick way for vampires to get the escaped ones to come back. They are sore losers that way."
Harvey nodded softly. "Louis will be just fine."
They turned at the sound of Mr. Augustine's voice.
"Paranoid for a bit, anxious…what do humans call it PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?"
Harvey laughed. "Really? What good is a lawyer with anxiety?"
"Hey," Mike narrowed his eyes. "Louis is going to be going through a rough time."
Harvey sighed. "We used to be friends, Mike."
Mike smiled softly. "I know."
Harvey didn't speak further and even pretended as if he hadn't just confessed to a friendship. But he had. When Louis was released to them he refused to show his wounds but he invited the men into his apartment and insisted they have something to eat for their trouble. Around 1 am Louis was still quite lively. Mike yawned and Harvey nearly fell asleep.
"We have to get some sleep for the case Louis."
Louis nodded. "Right…I'm sure it will be a big day tomorrow. I'll be just fine…I mean. Lance couldn't possibly get past the person in the lobby…but he could…he'll come for me later, he is too tired now."
Mike frowned at his statement. Louis shook his head.
"I'll be into work tomorrow or possibly not. I am not quite sure yet…Lance could show up there too. But that shouldn't matter I'm not worried too much about it. "
Mike sat beside Louis and then turned to Harvey.
"Ray is downstairs," Harvey stated slowly.
"I'll stay here for a while."
Harvey nodded understandably. "Make sure he gets to work tomorrow."
Mike looked to Louis who kept staring wearily at his window. "One step at a time."
Harvey smirked. "Like I said Louis is always uneasy."
Mike didn't laugh which was Harvey's cue to leave.
An: Hey internet Readers! Sorry for the late update. It has been busy but don't worry this story will go on. I hoped you all like it. Thanks again to anonymous reviewer. I appreciate your reviews. They put a smile on my face. Thanks also to all the followers, the favoriters, and those just dropping by. I hope you all continue to read this. I've had a great time typing it all up. Thank you! And if you could leave a comment/review I'd be all sunshine and daises. Just click the rectangular box below. Thank you a bunch!
Until Next chapter. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65187 | disclaimer: i own nothing.
notes(s): i've been working on this baby for two freakin' weeks! oh my gosh, haha. & I LOVE NARUINO. (: there definitely needs to be more fics out there of the two. okay, well, i hope you guys enjoy this and please let me know you thoughts! so review! thanks.
love like this
visionary dreams
A handful of orange blossoms were shoved into his face.
A ten year old Naruto sneezed at the unexpected floral scent, and looked up to see a pair of friendly ice blue eyes.
"Nani?" He asked, digging his feet into the ground to stop the swing completely.
It was late afternoon in mid-February, and Naruto was about to drag himself home when someone decided to interrupt his brooding time. Today was Valentine's Day and everyone at the academy had gotten cards and chocolates, all except him. However, he decided to play a prank of dipping pink paint on stupid Sasuke to put himself into a better mood, but it had backfire and all in all, today had been a bad day.
The blonde in front of him rolled her eyes, and once more gestured for Naruto to take them. "Look, I don't have all day. My daddy is waiting for me," she said with an attitude, but with a small smile.
"Thank you," Naruto said finally, and took the orange flowers gently. He furrowed his eyebrows, he knew this girl was in his class but he couldn't think of her name...
"Ino," she said with a bright smile as if she knew what he was thinking.
"Ino," he repeated with his own grin. He would definitely remember the little blonde girl with the orange flowers.
"Well," she clapped her hands, giving him a crooked smile, "Happy Valentine's Day, Naruto!" And with that, she ran off, her blonde ponytail bouncing behind her.
Naruto scratched his head, looking down at the flowers once more. It was a kind gesture of a girl he didn't even really know, and they were his favorite color. How she knew, he would never know, or what made her come up to him that afternoon.
What he did know though, he went home with a smile and in much higher spirits.
It was a sunny afternoon with clear blue skies that sketched for miles over Konoha. The sun hung high in the sky, rays of sunshine beaming down on the villagers. The birds were chirping and villagers alike seemed to radiate a good mood. It was a Friday too, and Iruka had let them all out of the Academy early. As Naruto made his way to the Ichiraku ramen bar he wondered what kind of jutsu Iruka was under that day that made him so happy...
His thoughts were broken by distant shouting up ahead of him and as he got closer he watched Ino and Sakura bicker.
Actually, more like fighting as he stood there and watched them. They were both in each other's faces now, with red cheeks and harsh words, neither of the twelve year olds were getting anywhere.
"Sasuke-kun will never like you pig!"
"Oh shut up billboard brow! He can't even see your face over your big forehead!"
"UGH!" Sakura's face got ten times more red and she balled her fists at her sides. Naruto thought she was about to strike until she turned on her heel angrily and left without another word.
Well, at least until she saw Naruto standing there.
"What are you looking at," She hissed and Naruto opened his mouth to answer but she was already gone.
"Don't listen to her."
Naruto turned his head to see Ino standing a few feet in front of him looking crestfallen.
"Uh, sorry Ino," he scratched his head awkwardly and offered her a crooked smile.
Ino shrugged, "Doesn't matter anymore. You and everyone's mom heard us."
Naruto frowned, "Why aren't you and Sakura-chan friends anymore?"
Ino looked utterly crushed when he asked that and Naruto wished he wouldn't have opened his big mouth.
"She heard rumors that I liked Sasuke," She said simply and Naruto didn't know what to say to that.
"Whatever though," Ino shrugged once more, "Don't need her as a friend anyway."
"I'll always be your friend Ino," Naruto grinned, remembering the day they met.
Ino smiled and punched him in the shoulder. "Duh, you shrimp!" She teased his height, as she was two inches taller.
It was the day before the chuunin exams and all Naruto wanted to do was sleep and eat ramen. Lot's and lot's of ramen.
He dragged his feet along Team 7's training ground after saying a goodbye to Kakashi-sensei, yelling at Sasuke-teme that he was gonna do better than him, and telling Sakura-chan she was gonna do just fine tomorrow.
And honestly, he didn't know how he was gonna do tomorrow. No matter how many time's he had shout it and acted the part of confidence, he was worried. Just a little.
The sun started to set over the horizon, hues of pink, orange, and light blue scattered across the late afternoon sky. Naruto found himself drifting over the various training grounds. He was so lost in his thoughts about tomorrow, the only thing that brought him out of it was a loud, "Duck!"
Not even thinking, Naruto threw himself on the ground as three kunai's nearly missed his head. "AH!" His body hit dirt and rocks, scrapping his knees slightly, and already dirtying his dirty body some more.
"Watch where you're going baka!" A bossy voice made Naruto lift up his head from the ground, his blonde locks falling over his bright blue eyes slightly.
"Ino!" He exclaimed, recognizing the girl, scrambling to get on his feet.
She rolled her eyes, propping a hand on her hip, "That's my name."
Naruto ignored her, paying attention to the three kunais a few feet behind him, "You tried to kill me!" He exclaimed playfully, pointing towards the weapons.
"No idiot," Ino huffed, picking up the discarded weapons. "You got in front of my target," she said and then smirked at the boy, Naruto gulped.
"If I really wanted to hurt you," and then she was behind him in a blink of an eye, a sharp kunai pressed against his neck, "I would," she said with a devious smirk, her breath tickling Naruto's ear and he suddenly blushed at how close they were.
Smirking again, Ino gently shoved him, "We have a chuunin exam tomorrow, and you let me almost cut your head off!"
"You caught me off guard!" Naruto sputtered, always quick to defend his abilities.
"Sure, sure," Ino's eyes twinkled, before she punched him the arm, "Step your game up, Uzumaki!" She shouted as she left, giggling.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, rubbing his arm, muttering under his breath as he tugged his way home. What exactly did that mean?
"We need to rest," Ino broke the long-stretched out silence between the two. They were on their way back home to Konoha after a tiring, long mission from assisting Princess Fuku. As the two hopped down from the trees to camp out for the night, Ino felt a little guilty at how harsh she been to Naruto when they were assigned the mission and during it. He didn't deserve her bad mood, and as much as she didn't want to show it, she felt bad. She knew how rough it's been for Team 7 lately with the betrayal of Sasuke, and she took her own frustrations out on Naruto.
Ino laid out her sleeping bag, and started collecting twigs around the two for a small fire. Getting everything she needed and ready, she down on a stump and got to work. As she started to get the fire going, she couldn't help but pursed her lips. Naruto was just sitting opposite of her, staring blankly, and being quiet. Naruto was never quiet.
"Will you talk!" Ino snapped more harshly than she intended, knocking her bottle of water over next to her in the process.
"Huh?" Naruto shook his head, his blonde locks going everywhere. "Oh," he blinked before shouting, "Sorry Ino-chan! I was just thinking!"
Ino winced at the volume of his voice, "Geez baka, I'm right here, y'kno!"
Naruto grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head, "Sorry." he shrugged, moving closer to the fire, and rubbing his hands. "It's sure is cold," he muttered, pulling his orange jacket tighter to his body.
Ino sighed, her shoulder's sagging. She couldn't believe what she was about to do.
"LookI'mSorryNaruto," she blurted in one go, blushing slightly when he looked at her funny. Like, ugh, didn't he know how much it took for her to swallow her pride and say that?"
"Nani?" he questioned and Ino did her famous eyeroll that was only for Naruto .
"I'm not saying it again!" she huffed, wrapping her arms around her small waist, avoiding Naruto's gaze.
However, Naruto wasn't as dense she thought and he smiled at his blonde counterpart, shaking his head. He was never going to understand her.
"Sure, sure, whatever you say, Ino-chan," he teased, happy that the two weren't arguing anymore. They could bicker more than Sakura and him could, and that was saying something.
She picked up a stranded twig, and threw it at him with a smirk.
"Shut up, Naruto ! We're ninja's for a reason, you're going to get us kill!"
"You probably can't even spell eyesight!"
Naruto was in an odd mood as he left Baa-chan's office. Kakashi-sensei had poofed away as soon as they arrived in Konoha and Sakura wasn't exactly in the best mood either. Sure, it had been a simple C-rank mission; all they had to do was deliver a scroll to Gaara and come back, and it was a little boring but Naruto still couldn't understand his mood.
He sighed, shoving his tan hands deep into his orange pockets as he made his way through Konoha. He did understand his mood, but he didn't want too.
Sasuke's absence was becoming more real every day, and Naruto hated to admit he missed the bastard. Why couldn't he just come home. To them, to Team 7. Or, at the very least, had told them. Naruto would have helped, he would had done anything to help Sasuke, but instead he chooses to do everything alone. And not only that, that he betrayed them. Team 7, their village. Naruto hung his head, he didn't even want to think about it, but it wasn't the same, and he was really feeling the effects on their team lately.
With a frown, Naruto raised his head, almost turning around to go get the ramen he had in mind when the Yamanaka's flowershop caught his eye.
Grinning slightly at the thought of annoying Ino and knowing she would fight back-Not even Sakura was doing that lately—he walked into the shop with happy steps; all thoughts of Sasuke gone for now.
Not seeing Ino at the register, but an older women that looked just like her with brown eyes and a red flower in her hair behind it.
Almost stopping and turning around at the thought of her hating him and not wanting him to hang out with her daughter, Naruto chastened himself mentally. He was never gonna be able to completely get over at all the insults and hate the villagers treated him with growing up and he really wished he could.
Plastering a fake smile, Naruto asked, "Is Ino-chan here?"
However, all of Naruto's fears vanished when the women kindly smiled at him instead, "Oh, she's out back of the shop in the gardens."
Naruto grinned, thanking the women quickly, and dashing outside to head around towards the back. He snickered, coming up with an idea already to sneak up on Ino.
However, he stopped in his tracks and quickly ducked behind a tree, peeking around to see his blonde friend.
Ino was out of her kunoichi clothes, wearing a light purple sundress. Her hair was short and still growing, since she did go and cut it off during her fight with Sakura during the chuunin exams. It was down though instead of being in her usual bun now, and flowing freely in the cool breeze. She was on her knees, tending to some tulips, and humming a soft tone.
Up until this moment, Naruto had always thought Sakura was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on, but he was sadly mistaken. Ino made him awestruck and drooling.
Aw crap, he was drooling! Naruto quickly wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, scowling. He did not just drool over Ino.
Dropping his hand and casting one last look at Ino, he dashed out of there as quickly as he came. No way was he about to bother Ino after having those thoughts.
Unbeknownst to him, Ino was aware the whole time of his presence because the dumb baka didn't hide his chakra, and rolled her eyes with a smile. Stupid Naruto.
Naruto could not sleep. He groaned, turning over onto his back, and putting his orange pillow on his face, yelling into it.
He was just a little frustrated. He had tossed and turned for hours now and his clock read one in the morning. Sitting up with a pout, he tossed his pillow to the side, and looked over at his nightstand by mistake. Reaching over to the photograph of Team 7-all of them, Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, him-he felt the urge to throw it to the wall, smashing it into a million pieces.
Because that's what they were. A bunch of jagged, little pieces now.
It was bullshit, Naruto couldn't help but think. Sasuke left them behind, he was going off with Jiraiya in two days to start their training, and Tsunade had her eye on Sakura lately. They hadn't even been Team 7 for barely over a year, and they were already going off in different directions, without each other.
Trying to calm himself down, Naruto sat the photograph back on his nightstand, face down this time, and got up to dress himself.
With a smirk, he opened his window and hopped out of it.
Ten minutes later, Naruto found himself in the Yamanaka's yard, stealthily climbing up their trees and hopping across branches to get to Ino's bedroom.
He fingered the pebbles in his pocket he had picked up earlier on the ground, and tossed one lightly onto the glass. After a few pebbles and a loud "tap, tap, tap", a sleepy Ino slung open the window.
"What the hell-!" She was cut off by Naruto jumping off the branch and flinging himself into her window, grabbing her around the waist, and taking her to the floor with him. The two young teens barely missed her dresser, and her purple rug muffled most of their fall.
"Naruto!" She hissed, struggling to get from under him. When'd he get so fat?!
"You have been eating too much ramen lately," she remarked, finally shoving him off of her, "And you're becoming so fat you've lost half of your brain cells thinking it's okay to barge into my room!" She half yelled, half whisper, "In the middle of the night!"
Naruto sat crossed legged now on her floor, scratching his head cheekly, "I was on a mission?"
She smacked him in the arm, "You could have woken up my parents and then your head would have been daddy's new trophy," she stuck out her tongue and Naruto suddenly blushed when he realized all Ino was wearing was a white tank top and PJ shorts. Short PJ shorts, that were riding high on her thighs, and Naruto cursed his new-found hormones as of late.
Ino, not noticing Nation's distress, sat across from him also cross legged, and asked, "What's wrong?"
Naruto sighed, no matter how much he smiled and tried not to show something was bother him, Ino always knew. It scared him as much as he loved it at the same time.
He frowned thoughtfully, "I'm leaving in two days will the Pervy Sage." He spoke of Jiraya with affection and continued, "For two years."
"Nani?!" Ino flailed, hitting him in the arm again, "Why didn't you tell me!"
"I just did," Naruto answered smartly and Ino rolled her eyes, shoving Naruto.
"OW!" He yelped, rubbing his shoulder as Ino pitched him. "OW, Ino! You are so abusive!"
"Shut up baka, you gotta be quiet!" She shushed him, and got up from the floor, making her way to her white dresser. Opening up the drawer, and grabbing something out of it, she sat back down across from Naruto and opened up her hand, "Here."
Naruto picked up the orange and red bracelet and grinned, "Awww I knew you loved me Ino-chan," he teased and she rolled her eyes, tying the bracelet on his tan wrist.
"It's for good luck," she said, tying the knot tight, looking up into Naruto's bright blue eyes, "And to know, if you're ever lonely out there, I'm always with you," she smiled shyly and Naruto smiled back just as shyly. His heart thumped slightly in his chest when he looked her straight in her big blue eyes. Oh kami, it was the hormones again.
"Ino-chan!" He pulled her into a hug unexpectedly and she blushed lightly against his shoulder, hugging him back. "I'll miss you. You better have some ramen waiting for me when I get back!"
She laughed, not liking the stinging that was happening behind her eyes. It was only two years... she sighed and closed her eyes, hugging Naruto a little tighter. "I'll miss you too Naruto-kun."
Ino was fifteen, rowdy, and honestly felt like her life was on the right track. She was finally getting the hang of medical jutsu, and her taijustsu was improving daily with her training. And in between her team training with Asuma-sensei and individual mind training with her father, she was becoming a fine kunoichi.
However, it was a Sunday and she and Chouji decided to get ramen for lunch. Her treat, because she lost a bet to Chouji last week. Asuma-sensei was probably off with Kurenai, and Shikamaru had been called to the Hokage's office.
"Chouji!" Ino laughed, slapping him on the arm, "Stop looking at her ass!" She spoke of their waitress who had just sat down their food and left.
Chouji shrugged cheekily, "What? It's big!" He grinned, then looking Ino up and down before picking up his extra extra extra large ramen bowl and pouring some more into Ino's small order of ramen.
"Look, Ino-chan if you had more meat on your bones, your ass would get bigger and therefore, you wouldn't be jealous when I check out other girls."
If it was anyone else, Ino probably would have served them a new one but it was Chouji and as they grew older, Chouji seemed to be less quiet and a complete sarcastic, cheeky baka. It was a combination of her and Shikamaru both she liked to think, but much, much friendlier.
Ino swatted his hand away, "Oh shut up you freakin' hippo," she said, smirking when Chouji started to twitch but it was true, he was so tall and muscular now.
As Chouji opened his mouth to say a comeback for the fat joke, he was interrupted by a loud:
Ino and Chouji whirled around to see Shikamaru will his hands in his pockets trailing behind an ecstatic Naruto, who was waving his hand wildly in the air.
"Hey Naruto!" Chouji called back good-naturally and stood up to give his friend a hug. "Wow, you've gotten tall!" He remarked and Ino couldn't help but notice.
Naruto really wasn't a little boy anymore. He was at least 5'10, tan and muscular with bright blue eyes and that ever contagious smile. Ino didn't realize how much she had missed that smile.
"Ino-chan!" Naruto waved a hand in front of her face and she blushed slightly before recovering with a smirk, "Hey Naruto," she said as Shikamaru slid in next to her and Naruto next to Chouji.
She was freaking out in her head though. She just checked Naruto out! No, no you didn't she reassured herself, you just haven't seen him in awhile and was surprised. That's it.
"So, when'd you get back?" Chouji was happy to fill in conversation while Shikamaru "sneakily" ate the rest of Ino's ramen as she was still arguing with herself mentally.
"Yesterday! I haven't even really seen anybody though, so I'm glad I ran into Shikamaru!" He grinned, before looking at the three of them, "Wow, you guys are old now!" He snickered and Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"We're still only 15 baka," he said with his lazy drawl, propping his head up with his hand. He could fall asleep right here...
Naruto waved his hand, "Whatever."
Then for the next hour or so the foursome caught up on everything and anything that has happened the past two years and soon it was becoming dark and the street lights were on.
After Shikamaru paid for their tab, muttering a troublesome and dragging Chouji along with him, Naruto and Ino were left with each other.
"Ah," Naruto smiled, sticking his hands deep into his pockets, looking down on Ino, "Ha!" he laughed, throwing his head back,"Who's the short one now, Ino-chan!" his eyes twinkled under the street light, and Ino had to look away, her face heating up slightly. She didn't like the way the light display his features and it was making her uncomfortable. Stupid Naruto.
"I'll walk you home," Naruto shrugged, grinning, and offered his arm to Ino, who laughed at his goofiness.
She shook her head, "Okay, Naruto," she rolled her eyes, but took his arm nonetheless. They walked in comfortable silence, and Naruto didn't really realize how much he missed Konoha and all of his friends until he was gone. Looking down at Ino, he was definitely glad to be back again.
Reaching Ino's front steps, she shook out of Naruto's grasp, and turned to face him, "Thanks," she tossed her skinny arms around his neck, "I've missed you."
Naruto slowly wrapped his arms back around his small form, so much taller than her now. "I've missed you too, Ino-chan."
They stayed like that for a few moments until Ino pulled back, giving Naruto one of her rare Ino smiles, "Goodnight Naruto-kun," she then shyly reached forward and pecked him on the cheek, giggling, and then bouncing her way up the steps. Shooting him one last look over her shoulder, she winked, and then went inside.
Naruto shook his head, licking his lips, before turning around and heading in the opposite direction. That girl.
Sometimes, Ino thought her life choice had been too much.
She set atop Team Ten's training grounds, with her knees up to his chest. For once, she felt overly exposed in her skimpy kunoichi clothes, and there was no one even around to judge her. The sun was moments from going down completely, the sky colored with a dark orange and blue. The wind was cold, and the chill caused her various cuts and scrapes to sting. But ha, she thought bitterly, not like she cared.
She was fifteen and she felt old.
I lost my sensei, she thought, putting her head down into her arms, I lost my sensei and I'm not even sixteen. I watched him die, she closed her eyes tight, hating the stinging sensation behind her eyes. Hadn't she cried enough? The image of a bloody Asuma-sensei seemed to be buried into her head. It's been two days since they've returned to the village from their revenge upon Hidan. Why couldn't she just feel better? They had redeemed him, track down his killer and killed him cold blood. She was a kunoichi and this was expected but it was still her sensei.
She squeezed her eyes tighter.
"Ino-chan," a familiar voice was her heard behind her, and she felt a warm body place himself next to her. A strong arm was put around her shoulders, and she struggled not to let the tears fall.
"I coudn't save him," she choked, her voice muffled. She couldn't help but blame herself. If she would have been stronger, more skilled, more smarter...
"You did everything you could," Naruto said gently, "You're a strong kunoichi, Ino, and I know Asuma-san's looking down on you. He's proud of you and Team 10."
She could only hope so.
She lifted her head, her hair spilling out of her ponytail, and her eyes glassy. It was dark now, and the bright stars were glowing high, scattered above the two.
Not saying anything, Ino placed her head on Naruto's shoulder, closing her eyes once more. A few tears escaped and she felt incredibly lost.
Naruto stayed with her until the wee hours of the morning.
"Oh, ew, Ino-pig!"
Ino suddenly stopped, her kunai missing Sakura sloppily, and she panted, sweating from their intense training.
"What forehead!" she exclaimed irritably, wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. Her bangs hung limply, damp with sweat, and a shower was the first thing she was doing after their training.
"You like Naruto-baka! Justno!"
Ino's eyebrow twitched, "Will you shut up!" she chastened her friend, cocking her head to where Naruto was training only one training ground over. "Besides," Ino placed her hands on her hips, rolling her eyes, "That has to be the most stupidest thing I've ever heard you say."
Sakura made a face, pulling her glove up on her hand, shaking her pink head, "I wish! But I've been watching you two for a couple months now, and you kept looking at Naruto the entire time we were training!" she accused, honestly not believing what she was saying.
Ino continued to shake her head, "No, no, and no." The sixteen year rolled her eyes, the idea of her and Naruto made her laugh, and she quickly positioned herself. "C'mon billboard brow, are you gonna come at me or not!"
Sakura grinned, always competitive when it came to Ino, slammed her fist into the ground, watching it break up with glee; her pestering of them was forgotten for now. "Bring it!"
"I want to be home," Ino said quietly, playing with the fire with her twig.
Naruto, who sat beside her on the log, frowned slightly. The sounds of the burning fire and nature around them defining their noise. It was their turn to guard their campsite so everyone could at least get some hours of sleep that night before they packed up and relocated in the morning.
Ino was sixteen and she was in a war.
She sighed, her shoulders slumping, if she thought she felt old a year ago, she was so very wrong.
The Fourth Shinobi World War was making everyone grow up, and she finally realized what it meant to be a kunochi. To protect what you loved.
She glanced towards the tall blonde on her left, the fire casting shadows on his form. Naruto was more quiet these days, and it was another reason Ino wanted to be home. Everyone was growing up quicker than they should, thriving to survive every day.
Naruto, after a few moments of silence, slowly and unsure, reached for Ino's hands, and interlaced her fingers with his. If Ino was surprised, she didn't show it, and she squeezed his hand tight.
"Naruto," Ino said, twisting her body to face him, her alliance vest brushing up against him, "I—" she started, but then shook her head, crashing her lips down onto his. Naruto's lips were chapped and dry and he tasted like spices and sunshine.
The kiss wasn't gently or slow, it was urgent and passionate, and Naruto kissed her back equally.
This was a war and they could die any moment.
"That was my daddy," Ino choked, her throat tightening. She tried to swallow the tight knot in her throat, but it wouldn't go down. She tried to shut her eyes tightly to stop the harsh prickling behind her eyes, but it wasn't working.
This was a war and she was kunoichi and it still hurt.
She was sixteen and she had already lost her sensei and her daddy.
Her daddy was her rock, her role model. He was the man who was always supposed to be there, protecting her.
She knew a ninja wasn't supposed to show their emotions, but goddamn it, if she wasn't trying. The tears were threatening to fall and she swore it hurt to breathe at that moment.
"Ino," it was Naruto, and he wrapped a tan arms around her shoulders, ushering her away from the gruesome scene, "Cmon, let's get out of here."
She said nothing as she allowed him to lead her away, staring lifelessly ahead.
Only later that night would she cry to Naruto, away from everyone, and in the security of his arms.
Ino was twenty when she came to the conclusion she loved her life.
She was heading out of the Torture & Interrogation department, on her lunch break, and really hoping she could catch Sakura at the hospital. It had been awhile since she had been able to catch up with her old friend and rival, and she really missed her. Their careers had definitely caught up with the two young women. It had been about four years since the Fourth Shinobi World War had ended, and the village was finally restoring back to life. Naruto saved the whole world alike and manged to bring Sasuke back along with him too, who had been on 24/7 ANBU watch for three years after his return.
Most of Konoha 11 had done their separate things. Chouji was a jounin sensei with three little brats, and Shikamaru was in the Intelligence department as an ANBU. Tenten and Lee were also ANBU's and Hinata was on her way to becoming one. Kiba and Shino were special jounins and Sakura was the Hokage's right hand man, running the hospital, and doing everything she could. And of course, Naruto was the rokudaime.
As Ino walked made her way to the hospital, she was stopped by a genin messenger, who looked slightly scared to be in her prescene.
"Uh, Ms. Yamanaka?" the young brunette sputtered, his green eyes looking anywhere but her. Ino smirked, looking down at her perfectly nails, she wasn't that scary, was she? I mean, sure, she was only Ibiki's top student, and her and Anko got along great, but that didn't mean anything.
"Yes?" she asked, cocking an elegant blond eyebrow.
"Hokage-sama is requesting you."
Ino twitched, that baka...
"Okay, thank you," she bowed, not even sparing the genin another glance before turning around and heading toward's Naruto office.
"Ino-chan!" Naruto yelled happily, grinning as the beautiful blonde walked through his office doors. Naruto set at his desk, mounts of paperwork spilling off, and sake had spilled onto the floor a bit.
Ino winkled her nose, "You're so messy!"
Naruto shrugged, picking up some scrolls, and moving them. "At least I'm sexy," the tan blonde winked and Ino rolled her eyes at her Hokage.
Naruto had grown up just as much as she had. He was a towering height of 6'3, his skin sun-kissed, and his blonde hair was long and hung limply across his sky blue eyes.
"What do you want?" Ino finally asked, propping a hand on her hip, and Naruto pursed his lip, reading a file.
"Huh? Oh! Yeah, me and you have a dinner date tonight!"
"Naruto. I told you I might be caught up with the Interrogation department tonight."
Naruto waved his hand carelessly, "Ino-chan, I'm the hokage! I do as I please, and I want to see you later!" he looked at her hopeful and Ino couldn't hold her smile back.
Over the last few years, Naruto and Ino had tested their boundaries with each other. It was one of those things that they were aware about, and everyone knew about, the two blondes just had never came out and said it. It was like they would hold hands sometimes walking down the village, or when Ino was sent off on extended visits, Naruto was more bossy and antsy until she returned. It was shown in the way he would kiss her casually when they eating lunch and the way her eyes sparkled speaking to him.
"Whatever," she finally said, "Hokage-sama."
"It turns me on so much when you said it like that."
Naruto barely missed the shruiken to his face.
A loud voice woke Ino out of her pleasant dreams, and she scowled, before shoving a pillow over her face, not wanting to get up. How Naruto was a morning person she would never understand.
She felt a body start bouncing on the end of the bed, and she finally got up, rubbing her eyes tiredly and glaring. Her long hair was down and messy, spilling over her tan shoulders. "What," she hissed, "Do you want."
Naruto grinned, "Marry me!"
Ino's mouth gaped open, and the twenty-two year old looked at Naruto blankly before laughing.
"Hey!" Naruto frowned, "I'm serious, Ino!"
Ino stopped, looking at the other blonde. "Naruto," she said, licking her lips, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
"Ino," he said seriously, leaning over, and taking her face in her hands, making her look at him, "You mean so much to me," he started, smiling a little, "You've been my friend for so long, and you're my everything. Your happiness means the most to me and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I know this came out of nowhere, but," he looked up at her with those bright blue eyes that got her everything time, "I love you, please marry me."
Ino bit her lip, her heart going wild, her eyes searching his eyes.
"Okay," she finally said, licking her lips, "I love you too, Naruto-kun. Yes," she smiled, "Yes!"
There was no words as Naruto crashed his lips down on Ino's.
He had never experienced feelings as intense as he had for Ino. They had grown over the years, and he wanted nothing more than to call her his for the rest of their life. Their love was the forever type of thing, and he was going to spend the rest of his life being happily smitten and completely in love with Yamanaka Ino. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65188 | Title: head hazy with goodbye kisses
Summary: "You taste different then what I imagined you would taste like." HaymitchMaysilee
Author's Note: I liked this in the beginning but then it got very meh, but I miss HaymitchMaysilee, so.
Also, if anyone wants to write me a GalePrim, I think I will just have to marry you.
Sorry the ending is blah. I just needed to get this out before I exploded.
He kisses her once. In between his various breakups with his girlfriend, he kisses her by the fence. She wonders if the heat pooling in her chest is from proximity or from something else entirely.
He pulls away, after making her head feel beyond dizzy, and tells her, "You taste different then what I imagined you would taste like."
Her eyes go wide with anticipation and hopes he can't hear her loud rabbit beat heart, "What did you think I'd taste like?"
He smiles – no, it's more of a smirk, lips curling at the edges, "Wealth."
She wishes she had something clever to stay, but instead, she just stands there and wonders how long it will take for him to get back to his girlfriend. He traces her lips with a sooty finger, over and over until she swears he will leave her with a mouth as black as coal.
"You taste nice," he says, finally.
She wants him to kiss her goodbye, more than anything in the entire world. She would give away all the Capitol dresses and the money and the mines, just so he will kiss her goodbye by the fence.
He leaves her there without a goodbye, and only two days later, she sees him kissing his pretty Seam girlfriend again.
She thinks about him thousands of times after that, but as each new day comes, the thoughts diminish. She sees them constantly, holding hands and kissing always: tongues darting into mouths and hands roaming.
She notices that he never kisses his girlfriend goodbye, and perhaps, that makes her feel somewhat better.
He stops coming to school all together, out of the blue. Whispers say it's because his family needs more money.
If he wasn't so proud, and she not so rash, she would've given him every penny her parents have saved.
On the day of the Reaping, she ends up looking for him throughout the crowd. His fingers are intertwined with his girlfriend's, and she can see that both hands are covered in soot.
When she is called on the stage, she looks for him again. She's honestly shocked at the lack of sadness she feels. She tries to find his face so she can see every emotion she doesn't feel, flicker past his face at the sight of her.
She finds that she doesn't have to look far. His name is called too, and she can't help but feel some twinge of satisfaction that his girlfriend won't be with him when he dies.
He takes her hand, shakes it, avoids her eyes. He doesn't look anywhere but at the floor, not when a girl he used to fool around with is Reaped, or one of the wealthy merchant boys he would often fight with. He does not look at his girlfriend's face, nor does he look at hers.
She doesn't cry when her family bids her goodbye. Instead, she revels in the sad fact that she will get to die with him.
She sees him swipe a tear from his cheek.
The whole train ride there, she wants him to say something – anything.
He doesn't say a thing, and she notices that champagne and wine bottles are often misplaced.
She tries to fall asleep in the Capitol, but it's so alive with noise that she finds herself staring at the ceiling, thinking of Capitol dresses and wads of money – things that rich girls like her should want.
She is thinking of him when he opens her door. He stands in her doorway for what seems like an eternity before mumbling, "I thought you'd taste like love or something."
She turns to look at him, and he knows she's awake – knows that his secret thoughts have been revealed, but he still leaves her. Her lips only touch air.
The night before the interviews, he comes to her doorway again. She's sitting in bed, brushing her pretty blond hair over and over until the bed sheets are littered with strands of hair. It's always been a nervous habit of hers, and he watches her at her weakest, his eyes trailing down. She's only wearing a silk tank top and underwear, and he comments on it like he's supposed to. His voice, instead of holding it's usual confidence, wavers at the end.
"Sit down," she says loudly, hoping the external noise will drown her internal screams.
He nods to himself, quiet for once in a very long time, and sits on the end of her bed. Her toes touch his thigh, and she feels her whole body heat up. He wiggles away from her touch.
He breaks the silence, "Do you want to get drunk with me?"
She nods and notices the bottle in his hand, filled with Capitol liquor. She smiles to herself and chugs the first drink he hands her. She decides then, when her sight is blurring at the edges, that liquor would be the temporary escape. They stay silent, drinking together, and she notes how much happier he looks when he's drinking.
After the third drink or so, she asks him, "Did you know you were my first kiss?"
He practically spits out his drink, "No, I thought you had kissed other boys."
"No," she says, while shaking her head, "You were the only one, and you'll definitely be the only one for the rest of time."
"Don't say that," he says quietly, "You could win. You could win and meet a Merchant boy and have babies and live a wealthy life."
"Oh, but you see, it's not going to end that way. It's going to end with me having your kiss still lingering on my lips, dead in the arena."
He looks at her and starts to laugh. She joins in too, laughing until her belly aches, feeling happy and drunk and free for possibly the last time.
"God, you're pretty," he says, after they've stopped laughing, "You know that?"
She faintly smiles, tells him that beauty doesn't make you less dead. He toasts to that, and they drink until they pass out, their fingers touching from reaching for another drink.
The night before the Games, he comes into her room, like he has every night since they have had the interviews, and she tells him that she wants him to kiss her.
He waggles his head left to right, a drunken fool splayed on her bedspread, "If I kiss you now, you'll never want to kiss me again."
They both stiffen. He looks interested in a loose string on the bedspread and then slowly lets his eyes creep upward. She is staring directly at him, her lower lip dropped slightly. The silence is deafening, but only lasts a few minutes.
"I'll always want to kiss you," she says steadily; shyly.
He twines his fingers through hers, and smiles sadly at the bedspread, "I know, sweetheart."
She sighs before taking another shot.
They secretly take a shot of tequila before they get ready for the Games.
"To you," Haymitch says to her.
Maysilee shakes her head and smiles, "To us."
He doesn't correct her that there is no such thing as an us in the Hunger Games, no such thing as Haymitch and Maysilee. She thinks, maybe, it's because he wishes there was one.
They team up together because he wishes there was an us. She is sure of it. There is no other reason he would want to be in an alliance with her.
They kill separately. She doesn't like to see the wild look in his eyes when he takes another life, because it scares her that the same look is in her own. They barely speak about anything in the arena, mostly out of fear they will be overheard. He does not hold her hand, as they had started to do in the past few days before they entered the Games. They are strangers on camera.
But we are an us, Maysilee thinks, we are a we.
One night, she brings up the hypothetical. It had been a particularly tense day, in which she was attacked from behind by a tribute from Three. Although she had gotten away, and killed the tribute, her back was wounded. Haymitch treated the cut and as she looked at him, the thought of what-if's rose up her throat like vomit.
"Imagine," she said vaguely, "Imagine if you were in love with me. Imagine we got out of the Hunger Games and we were in love. Imagine if you kissed me every day until our last day, and then you kissed me goodbye for the first time. Imagine that. Wouldn't that be a wonderful life, Haymitch?"
He looked away from her, and in a steely voice, he said, "It can't be our life."
Maysilee angrily pushed his helping hands away, and stood up, wobbling on her feet, "Fuck off, Haymitch. You could let me believe it. Just once, let me believe that someone loves me."
He met her eyes then, and in a completely sober voice, he told her his version of the words she only dreamed he would say.
"I wish we were an us, sweetheart."
She takes his face in her hands, kisses him low and deep and she swears this was written in the stars. His hands roam and she presses herself closer to him, because she has waited for this for so long. His kisses still make her head hazy.
He pulls away when she swears her head will fall off, and leans his forehead against hers, "I'm sorry."
It's unlike him. She kisses him harshly to get him to be himself and he pulls away again.
"May," he calls her, and her whole heart stops.
She looks at him right in the eyes, "We'll never be able to be together, will we?"
He meets her gaze steadily, "No. We won't."
She nods absentmindedly, "I'm going to go."
"Where will you go?"
She laughs bitterly, and then looks at the ground, "I'll be back. I'm dizzy or something. Let me clear my head."
He nods. She knows he wishes he was drunk right now.
She leaves their makeshift campsite and breathes deeply. Inside her head, she is thinking a thousand and two things. She touches the wound on her back softly, and feels a cold ooze of blood on her fingers. She pulls her fingers in front of her face and inspects them.
It only takes moments for the birds to come. They come in a swarm and then they attack, beaks pecking her body, ravaging her clothes, killing her slowly. She never expected death to be like this – so miserable and lonely and painful. However, she never really expected death to be a lonely experience. In her wildest dreams, she hoped Haymitch would be there. God, did she want him to be there. If this was one of her wild dreams, he would have kissed her goodbye.
And then, when the birds finally leave her, he emerges from the bushes, and promptly throws up at the sight of her. She's barely alive, and she looks at him and knows that all of the pretending has led to this.
He falls to his knees next to her and touches his fingers to his lips and presses them against her mangled lips. Her head is dizzy for a moment. She smiles and then closes her eyes.
She tastes love on her lips. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65189 | Hero's Duty: Code Blue Commentary
Music Playlist
All Around the World – ATC – Chapter 11 – Formula One Xtreme is nothing but fun and pop music and champagne. This track and its video inspired the non-existent game in the first place.
Blue – Eiffel 65 – Chapters 5 & 15 - CP's theme song, and something of theme for his game itself.
Doha – Mars Lasar – Chapter 6 – Lasar is a master of creating eerily beautiful tracks and blending them with mystical vocals. This piece strikes me as the lonely song C.P. sings to the perpetual twilight in the outer reaches of Code Blue. There will be some reference to this in my upcoming story "Midnight Bliss."
Eastern Dawn – Mars Lasar – Chapter 15 – Another haunting piece by Lasar, this one with a certain creepiness to it that's perfect for the quiet moments with the sleeping Calhoun before all Hell breaks out.
Edge of the Ocean – Ivy – Chapter 18 - A hopeful song for C.P.'s recovery from the incident.
Mambo #5 – Lou Bega – Chapter 19 – I had to finish the story on a positive note with a peppy song to go with it. C.P. might be the villain, but I adore him and all his quirks.
Obsession – Animotion – Chapter 16 – The lyrics are an unbelievably perfect match for C.P.'s desperate state when he comes to the end of his rope after kidnapping Calhoun.
"Hero's Duty: Code Blue" is my first Wreck-It Ralph fanfic and it was both fun to write and a challenge to write. I'm particularly pleased with how nicely it unfolded and refolded in a well-manicured plot. And I'm so in love with the character of C.P. He's so interesting and has so many dimensions. Over the chapters, he goes from being a Target to Blue Calhoun's Friend to the Guy Who Wants Blue Calhoun to the Playboy to the Player to the Pansy to the Jerk to the Co-Conspirator to the Hopeless Romantic to the Villain to the Guy You Feel Sorry For. At times you wish you were him, and others you're glad you aren't. Sometimes you want to snuggle him and sometimes you want to find a Code Blue assault weapon and use it. The beautiful thing is that he never comes off as schizophrenic through all of his aspects.
At the time of writing I'd not found any other stories in this archive that had a sentient Cy-Bug as a character, so I felt this story was quite original. The premise of the Hero's Duty: Code Blue game is this: A game company comes up with a successful game, Hero's Duty, and there's demand for a Hero's Duty II. So the programmers put together a rehash of the same thing to save time, gave it an end boss, and changed the color scheme slightly to set it apart from the original. Calhoun and her men all have the same programming (which is why she can so easily pass for her older twin). The Stunt Doubles were created to give the player a bit more of an option in game control (sort of in the way that the game Samurai Shodown III had "slash" and "bust" versions of the characters that were more than just a palette swap).
All five of the Stunt Doubles have names and different characteristics for gameplay: Chen, Dekker, McMillen, Riley, and Wilbert. McMillen, the one Calhoun punched in Tapper's, was the first created, though he didn't have a name until I was writing later chapters. I always envision Wilbert as the Nerd from the Robot Chicken series.
Moving into the story itself:
The opening scene and the first Tapper's scene were some of the first written, and I can just hear the two Calhoun's talking to each other, and Blue Calhoun belittling the stunt doubles. The stunt doubles crack me up because they're so completely devoted to her even though she hates them for their one job as programmed.
I never realized quite how funny Ralph's line of: "What if they were naked? No wait, I didn't say that. What if...never mind" was until I was reading the story to my boyfriend and he would have done a spit-take if he'd been drinking. It's so innocent but exactly the sort of thing a guy would think of. And it's a bit of foreshadowing for chapters 9 & 10.
There've been many shows and stories in which a character is forced to confront himself or herself in some form or another. Sometimes they love each other (my favorite example: Patalliro from Patalliro!). Sometimes they hate each other (my favorite example: Rimmer from Red Dwarf). I decided to have the Hero Twins like each other and get along great together. It would just make the future betrayal all the more painful and it would give the characters a reason to get back together.
I mention the Beholder, the big green eyeball monster that appears throughout the Wreck-It Ralph movie, most notably at Bad-Anon. Did you notice he's holding four cups of coffee? Although most sources put him as being from the game Eye of the Beholder I have him coming from the fictional game of Dragon Kingdom which is featured in a partial WIR story that I might complete someday. Dragon Kingdom is loosely based on the Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara game, which my brother and I will sometimes drag out and play for hours. (For you Lloyd: "Gratuitous Elf Shot!")
In the scene where C.P. takes Calhoun out to see the outer areas of Code Blue, there is something very "Nausicaa, Valley of Wind" about it. This was the first manga I fell in love with, and this was way back before most of my readers were born I suspect, back in the late 80's and early 90's
When you get to C.P.'s apartment, don't you just wish you were him? And no one squicked out about him touching Calhoun (at least no one told me they did), which really is pretty strange if you start thinking about it. And she starts to think it's strange, but the strong drinks he's serving her convince her otherwise. As said in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales: "A woman in her cups has no defense." By the way, his little bottle flip trick at the bar is basically a version of his brutal one-shot attack that he uses in the final battle.
I stumbled into Robert Sheckley's story of duplication and a possible outcome while halfway through writing this. And I thought: "Wow, this is so appropriate to what's happening in my story!" Felix is much like Dritche 1 who has great goals and noble dreams and a "why can't we all just get along" opinion. Think about it though, if there were two or three or twenty-five identical game consoles sitting in an arcade, you'd get lots of duplicate characters running around.
Finish Line and Formula One Xtreme are the two other racing games mentioned in this story besides "Sugar Rush". Finish Line is visible in the WIR movie when the Moppet Girl calls over Litwak to draw his attention to the presumed broken Fix-It Felix, Jr. game after Ralph's gone Turbo. This game will play a part in my upcoming story "Avenging Angel." F1X is my own creation and is actually based off of one of my favorite music videos. I still laugh about how I made everyone all party-happy...and champagne obsessed. It's a very lighthearted world, sort of a Sugar Rush aimed at older teens and adults.
Chapters 13 & 14 are my favorite chapters, because they've got some really cool Vanellope moments, some fun moments with the Stunt Doubles, armor, and Felix being a hero again. I love the conversations—Vanellope and Felix in the yellow car, Felix and the Stunt Doubles as he's finishing dressing, Vanellope and Ralph in the pyramid, and Felix and Blue Calhoun in the pyramid. I was worried there would be some negative feedback about Felix kissing Blue Calhoun (and him being fully aware that she's Blue Calhoun, as opposed to the night before when he had no clue), but no rabid Hero's Cuties shippers showed up at my door with pitchforks and torches. The more you read the story though and put yourself into Felix's place, the more his actions there make sense. He loves his wife, but he loves the Calhoun character. Again, he's Dritche 1. And he knows what makes her tick. He kisses her and then immediately makes it clear why he's there fighting in the pyramid.
"Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd." - William Congreve, from The Mourning Bride, Act III, Scene 2, 1697
C.P. = CentiPede I had his final form in mind long before writing, and didn't realize this coincidence until I began typing out the chapter. C.P. was just always short for Cy-Bug Prime.
As I wrote the Ralph & C.P. chapter, it became so obvious that there were all these parallels between the two that I'd not realized before, and it gave me all the more reinforcement for Ralph being the one in the scene. (Kudos to the anonymous reviewer who noticed that of all the people who showed up for the final fight, Ralph was missing from the list.)
I made Kohut's speech, a variant of Calhoun's, a little less demeaning to the men. He's not trying to intimidate anyone or prove anything.
The final scene, in which C.P. is entertaining some of the ladies from Niceland, was actually one of the first written. It was written as a parallel to the attempted seduction of Calhoun, to reinforce C.P.'s desire for human women, and to have C.P. back into the swing of things.
Hero's Duty: Code Blue – The Bloopers Reel
All your favorite moments from Code Blue warped and twisted for cheap laughs!
"Don't say anything more." Calhoun kissed him, pushing somewhat to slide him down into the water in her arms. Pausing a moment, she grinned and fumbled around trying to find the lost bar of soap with a free hand.
Felix squeaked. "That's not the soap you're grabbing!" he gasped.
"I said don't say anything more," she whispered, kissing him again.
"But it's really awkward when you're grabbing my foot like that! And it tickles!"
Calhoun snickered. "And here all the readers thought I was grabbing something else."
"Wait, so there's a Cy-Bug character in Code Blue?" asked Felix.
"Yep. Something else, eh?" answered Blue Calhoun.
Calhoun quickly drank the rest of her rootbeer. "How do you manage not to shoot him...off-duty?"
"We don't. Poor guy's got more holes in him than a piece of Swiss cheese pinned to an archery target."
The four sat down amongst the lollipops and watched the race, the two Calhouns snickering and whispering to each other all through. Ralph kept feeling the hair on the back of his neck prickle.
"You know what they say about a guy with big hands?" whispered one Calhoun suggestively to the other.
"No, what's that?" came the response with feigned innocence.
"Big gloves!"
The two fell over with laughter and Ralph heaved a sigh.
Blue Calhoun ran through the train and hit the button to open the far door. "C.P.! C.P.? Are you okay?" she called from the other platform.
From the serviceway four blue compound lights rose. "I'm not dead yet!" came the timid and tinny voice of the Cy-Bug Prime.
"C.P., are you all right?"
He crawled out of the dark passage, oily blue blood dripping like paint from several bullet holes around his eyes and mouth. "I'm getting better!"
For Umbreon:
Noticing Calhoun watching, C.P. called to her. "Hey, c'mere. Watch this." He grabbed another bottle from the glass shelves behind him and placed it on its side to keep it from rolling off. Calhoun swaggered over and sat on one of the barstools. C.P. put his claw at the neck of the bottle and gave it a strong enough tap to start it spinning. Then he brought his claw down sharply onto the neck, which flipped it up into the air. The bottle somersaulted upwards, and on coming down it dropped behind him on the floor and shattered. "Um...uh...let me try that again."
There came the feeling of being tugged in twenty different directions at once, the sound of flipping buckles and catches, the sudden bracing weightlessness of losing her armor, and the whirring of a rapidly moving Cy-Bug. And suddenly it all ceased, and Calhoun opened her eyes. There, scattered in a pile about her was her heavy hi-tech suit, except for her shoes and calf-armor which still sat on the coffee table. She now stood in just her bra and a pair of men's tighty-whities.
"Ta-da~" C.P. cheered, and then he looked confusedly at her. "Um...why are you wearing men's underwear?" C.P. asked.
She glared. "Look, I haven't gotten to laundry for a couple weeks and I ran out of panties, so I just grabbed some of Felix's this morning.
Calhoun left C.P. outside of Niceland and ran inside. Not bothering to wait for the elevator, she ran up the fourteen half-flights of stairs to Felix's place, burst into the apartment, and went crashing into the bedroom.
Startled by the noise, Blue Calhoun and Gene sat up in bed, gasping at the intruder.
"You!" Calhoun spat. "You set me up so…um...wait...where's Felix."
"Next door. You're in the wrong apartment," scolded Gene.
Calhoun looked around the room and discovered Gene was completely right. And then she stared at the two. "Seriously, Sarge. Him?"
"Hey, I just wanted to find out why they call him 'Big Gene.'"
"But I don't have any confidence," sobbed Felix, wringing his cap in his hands. "Not after this."
"Then let's go find your confidence," said Traci cheerfully.
"We'll take him to see the Wizard! He can get Felix's confidence back!" exclaimed Joey.
"This will be the best Wreck-It Ralph/Wizard of Oz crossover fic ever!" chirped Sarah.
"I'm going to pass you, Joey," Felix announced over the intercom, effortlessly coming up close on the other racer's tail. The car seemed to be propelled by testosterone-laced rocket fuel.
"Just try it, Fix-It," came the response.
Suddenly a red and white car zoomed across the track in front of Felix, cutting him off and breaking his concentration. "Turbotastic!" shouted the driver.
When the victory party finally wound down, Larry and Felix sat at the bar watching the girls dance and Joey flirt with the NPCs. You look like a new man, Felix," he stated.
"I feel like a new man. I feel a little woozy too."
"Think you're ready to tell the missus what's in your heart?"
"I think so." Felix went to stand up and wobbled and fell off of his stool. "I think I've had too much champagne too," he moaned from the floor.
Startled by the noise, Blue Calhoun and Felix gasped at the intruder.
Both Felix and Blue Calhoun were wearing painting overalls and the furniture and carpet were all draped with plastic sheeting. Blue Calhoun was working a long handled paint roller over the ceiling while Felix was taping the windows and door frames. "Tammy, you ruined the surprise," he whined.
"Hey, why don't you take that car home for a few days. Just keep it parked where the players can't see it," suggested Larry.
"What would I do with a race car in Fix-It Felix, Jr.?" questioned Felix.
"It doesn't have to be a formula one car. Melkus has a few other designs he can change it to." Larry called up to the computer. "Yo! Melkus! Give Felix's car a new look...something he can park in his driveway and make every guy in the neighborhood green with envy."
The yellow rocket was still parked at the center of the party, and suddenly it flashed with light and transformed, just as it had for each new track he took it to. Only this time it took the shape of a 1976 Ford Pinto. There were laughs and pointing fingers.
"There you go, Fix-It. Take it home and..." Larry was laughing too hard to finish his line.
Vanellope put the trophy back down and sat back against the leather upholstery of the yellow roadster. Her kart smelled delicious, of baked treats and frosting and candy. This one smelled artificial and inedible, but of power and exhilaration, which intrigued her inexplicably.
They tore into Code Blue's terminal, the wheels screeching as Felix spun the wheel to avoid the fruit cart, but it was too late. The yellow car toppled the fruit cart and apples and oranges and a selection of other produce went bouncing and scattering all over the station.
"Why is there a fruit cart in Code Blue?" Felix demanded. "This is like some cheap movie."
She burst in to find not just Blue Calhoun and Felix there, but all of their friends as well. "Surprise! Happy Birthday Calhoun!" they all shouted.
"Here, you'd better take this, and be ready to use it." Riley reached down to his holster and pulled his pistol from it. "Careful...it's got an eager trigger."
Vanellope took the weapon, needing both hands to manage it, and she grinned wickedly as she looked through the sights.
Felix stamped his foot. "Not only are you taking her in with us, but you just gave a nine-year-old a gun," gasped Felix.
"That's just my appearance," she snorted and stuck out her tongue at him. Suddenly the pistol went off and a dead pigeon plummeted to the ground in their midst. "Oops!" giggled Vanellope.
The sounds of cannonfire and screaming Cy-Bugs all around them, they floated frozen in their own little world for a moment, eyes locked together, oblivious to the battle raging just a few arm's length away.
"I wish I could kiss you again. You're such a great guy," she sighed. "I can't though. Not now."
"In that case, I'll kiss you." Felix grabbed her shoulders and as he moved to push his lips against Blue Calhoun's, she hit the switch for the faceplate control and her visor snapped closed. Felix ended up smooching the orange tinted plastic.
Blue Calhoun fell over laughing when Felix realized that her lips weren't what he was kissing. "I'm sorry, but oh jeeze...I just could not resist doing that," she wheezed.
Startled by the noise, Ralph, Cammy, and Chun-Li sat up in bed, gasping at the intruder.
"You!" Calhoun spat. "You set me up so…um...Ralph? What are you doing here?"
"Felix said he was going over to Formula One Xtreme tonight and told me that I could use his place." The two women beside him were scowling. "Do you mind?"
Calhoun turned a bright red and she apologetically ducked out.
Reaching the door that entered into the End Boss' chamber, the place the players battled C.P. for possession of Blue Calhoun, where now the team would be battling for possession of Felix's Calhoun, they rested and prepared their weapons.
"All right, ladies," Blue Calhoun addressed them. "Inside we're going up against the Cy-Bug Prime, and I will warn you now that he does not fight nice. C.P.'s got a move that will one-shot a guy even at full health, and you don't want to be on the receiving end of it."
The group got into formation and Blue Calhoun punched the large button on the door that flashed in neon.
The massive metal doors slid open to reveal the population of Litwak's Arcade, who all in unison shouted "Surprise! Happy Birthday, Felix!"
C.P. reached down and primped her hair, arranging her bangs beneath the headpiece, hoping she would regain consciousness soon, knowing that he couldn't keep her hidden forever. He needed her to wake up soon so he could work on winning her heart before the others interfered. It would be difficult, made especially so by the fact that she was married to the little handyman.
Then he got out a hairbrush and started to brush her blond tresses. Unsatisfied, he brought out a curling iron and began curling her hair. Next he pulled out a cosmetics kit and touched up her make-up, adding a little more eye-shadow and then some lipstick. "Oh, and just look at these nails," he said as he pulled off her gloves, at which point he began to give her a manicure.
One of Calhoun's eyes opened. "Are you done yet? You were just supposed to primp my bangs."
For SgtTJCalhoun64 and two other fans:
"Honey, wake up." Felix shook her arm again. "Tammy?" A rush of panic suddenly seized him deep inside. Had C.P. done something to her? What if she didn't revive? "Tammy, wake up!" He tapped her cheek repeatedly trying to get a response.
"Here. Watch a pro wake up a girl," said Dekker as he swaggered up.
"Of course!" exclaimed Blue Calhoun, snapping her fingers. "It's only the kiss of the stunt doubles that wakes me up after C.P.'s captured me."
Everyone watched breathlessly as the stunt double pressed his lips to hers, except Felix, who had his eye on Blue Calhoun.
As Calhoun's eyelids began to flutter Dekker quickly pushed her into Felix's arms.
Felix meanwhile was busy winking at and flirting with Blue Calhoun. At least if Tammy didn't wake up, he'd have a back-up. And he was so busy that he completely missed Dekker's hand-off and the luckless Calhoun rolled down the metal slab and ended up in a hydrangea bush.
"You've got the candy girl though," said C.P..
Ralph laughed. "Yeah right. Everyone says that but there's no romance there. We're just close friends. You should read some of the fanfiction about us though. They keep putting us together in these 'jawbreaker' romances, and they always try to find a way to make her older or me younger."
"She always seems to get an upgrade to her Code and then she and I fall shyly head over heels for her. And then we hop into bed and loose our virginities to each other."
"You're a virgin?" he stammered.
"Heck no. I've been sleeping with Mary in Niceland for years. No one's ever caught on that it takes her three hours to take her trash over to the dump."
For Dixie Darlin:
Startled by the noise, Felix and Turbo sat up in bed, gasping at the intruder.
"You!" Calhoun spat. "You set me up so…um...uh...whoa..."
Calhoun stepped out, shutting the door quickly behind her. "I didn't just see that."
For Robert Sheckley:
C.P. popped open the oversized bottle of champagne and quickly filled the three glasses on his tray. Then he brought them over to the couch where his guests were seated and presented the champagne.
"Ooh! Real champagne!" giggled Anna 184 taking one of the flutes.
"Really! We never had anything this nice in our colony!" Anna 87 gushed as she took hers.
"Where did you get it Mr...Mr. Prime?" asked Anna 422.
"Please, C.P. to my friends..." |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65190 | A/N: I really don't know where this came from. I had an image in my head of a particular naked cuddly pose, but this conversation... it snuck up on me. At least I was finally able to write one of these therapeutic one-shots that probably won't depress everyone more.
I couldn't think of particular place in existing canon that would fit this (emotionally mature yet angst-free), but it is true to canon (at least up through season 4). It will quickly become A/U in season 5, so I guess you could call it futurish. A word on the rating: the fic itself is probably a high T (nothing too explicitly graphic). It's the context that's M. Just to be clear.
For Cory and Lea.
Disclaimer: Don't own Glee, and all mistakes are mine.
It's like falling asleep, or like waking up, maybe. It's that relaxing, fuzzy head feeling that means he's found a comfortable spot and won't be moving for a while if he can help it. But this time it's not the magic of his bed on a Saturday or getting the couch cushions just right. This time it's her.
They're in bed, still sweaty and just this side of panting. Rachel slumps her head back onto the pillows, closing her eyes and smiling in a way he's learned means he did good. He grins and eases himself down against her, letting his hips rest just below hers and propping his elbows on either side of her waist so he can see her. She smiles wider and opens her eyes dreamily, stroking his sweaty back. It took a long time for him to believe her when she said that she loves feeling his weight in these private moments, that he isn't too heavy. She's stronger than she looks – he's always known that – but it still surprises him sometimes.
Her skin is glowing in the dim light from the bedside lamp, shining with sweat and something else he swears he'd see even in the dark. He sees her like this and wonders how she could ever be insecure about her body. She's all toned muscle and graceful curves, covered in sun-kissed silk. He realizes his fingers have been following his eyes, tracing her arms and her collarbone, gently pressing lower to feel the grooves of her ribs. He has to feel it all. He wants to know it all.
He feels the light scratching of her nails behind his neck, and he's suddenly aware that she's been touching him too. Well, caressing is more like it. Maybe that's where his head-tingle is coming from. Her hands glide, palms flat, across his shoulders and down his arms. She circles each wrist, pushing his palms up against hers. She strokes the sides of his fingers, and his head goes fuzzier. He watches their hands, noticing (not for the first time) how funny they look next to each other – hers dwarfed by his, her nails painted and his bitten to the quick. He sees her smirk, her eyes sparkling like she knows what he's thinking about.
He drops his head suddenly to plant a loud kiss on her stomach, and she giggles. He feels his whole body shaking with the force of it. They're pressed together so tightly, her legs bent against his waist and their torsos flush, that he thinks it feels like their sweaty skin is sticking together as it cools. He laughs out loud as he follows that train of thought, shaking his head.
Rachel tugs on his hand to get his attention. (As if she didn't already have it. As if she doesn't always have it.) "What's so funny?" she asks, and her voice is quiet. Intimate, he thinks she would call it.
"I was just wondering what would happen if we actually got stuck together like this." He looks down at their torsos, and he can barely tell where one ends and the other begins. "Like, what if they had to rip us apart like velcro."
She laughs, too, but he knows it's not at him. He loves that he can tell her anything, and she'll never think he's stupid. "That sounds like it would hurt," she agrees. "I think I'd just rather stay stuck to you."
He lifts one of his elbows, where his forearm had been practically melting into her waist, and it makes a squelching noise as it comes free. He grins as she laughs, then puts his elbow back down. "Yeah. It would make shopping for clothes kind of awkward, though. But I guess there must be a clothing store for like Siamese twins and stuff. We could just go there."
"Hmm," she says, like she's really considering this. God, he loves her. "I bet Siamese twins are all joined differently, plus they're each identical." Her head rolls sideways on the pillow to gaze dreamily at their mismatched hands again. "We'd probably have to get ours custom made."
"That'd be cool. Then we could pick whatever we wanted. Like, you could get a Barbra-themed outfit, or a Grumpy Cat one."
"Only if you get a plaid-themed outfit."
"Hey, at least we'll always match."
She bites her lip adorably. "We'd have everything his-and-hers, since we'd be together all the time. You'd better not get sick of me."
"Never," he says seriously. And then, "But you'd have to compromise with me on the wake-up time. No one but you gets up at six in the morning for fun."
She pouts playfully, but this is a conversation they've had many times before, so he knows some part of it is real. "I like to be productive. I get so much more done early in the morning before anyone else is awake."
He watches the muscles of her throat work as she swallows. It's weird to think all of that supports her unbelievable voice. Finally, he nods. "Isn't there anything productive you could do without waking up your Siamese twin?"
She gives him an appraising smirk. "I suppose I could do my reading early in the morning instead of at night, catch up on emails maybe."
He grins. "And I could play Call of Duty with headphones when I'm up late and you're getting your grandma sleep."
She slaps his arm, though it can't have much force behind it since there's all of three inches between them. And, yeah, they've had this conversation before too.
She picks up his hand again. "You know," she says, swallowing a little heavier with her chin ducked, "This is all starting to sound a lot like us living together."
He smiles. "How about that."
She just grins back.
"It's just as well," he says. "Think what would happen to your Broadway career if we ended up Siamese twins."
She lets out a peal of laughter at that. "Well, they'd just have to cast you as my male lead every time. But there's another problem."
Her eyes twinkle mischievously, so he knows he's walking into something, but he'll bite anyway. "And what's that?"
"Think how much it would challenge your dancing skills," she replies, grinning toothily.
"Below the belt, Rach," he tells her, smiling as he reaches down to tickle her thigh in retaliation.
"No!" she shrieks into his ear, laughing and wrapping her arms and legs tighter around him, like she's going to immobilize him rather than pull away. She's feisty, but he played football for years – she doesn't stand a chance. He lets up after a minute though, wrapping his arms between her and the mattress so they're in some sort of weird full body hug. It doesn't feel weird though. It feels perfect.
He drops his forehead down against her collarbone, feeling her chest heave as she catches her breath. "You're awful," she says, and he wonders if she even spoke or if he just felt her lips moving against his ear.
"You love me," he replies shortly into her neck.
She doesn't answer, but presses a kiss against his ear and lifts an arm to weave her fingers through his hair lazily. Little pin pricks of heat and sparks shoot off in his head, combined with the sweet smell of her sweaty skin, and he's feeling tingly all over again, though this time it's definitely in a sleepy kind of way.
He's drifting, only partially aware of anything, when he notices that her fingers have stopped, tunneled partway through his hair, and she's giving off that high, quiet whine with every exhale like she always does when she sleeps – a souvenir of the deviated septum he hopes she never has fixed because that sound is just so damn cute.
He splays his hands across her back and gently rolls her with him onto their sides. As incredible as that felt, he thinks both of them might find something very important numb in the morning if they tried to sleep like that.
She snuggles closer without waking up, tightening one leg around the back of his knee, nestling her face against his shoulder. He brushes her hair back so he can see her adorable sleepy face, the one he already has a dozen pictures of on his phone he won't tell her about because he knows how creepy that sounds (not creepy enough to delete them, obviously). He reaches across to turn off the lamp, trying not to jostle her too much, and then snuggles back down, giving in to sleep with his nose in her hair, knowing their bodies remain joined.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed that. Still deciding what to do next, so any feedback or suggestion is appreciated. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65193 | Skip to main content
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65229 | Skip to main content
1.6.0_10 and 11, Memory leak returning variables from Java to JavaScript
1 reply [Last post]
Joined: 2008-09-25
Environment: Windows XP SP2, IE7, JScript 5.7, JRE 1.6.0_11-b03 and 1.6.0_10
Memory allocated in Java and returned as a JavaScript variable value is not garbage collected in Java when the JavaScript variable is re-used.
In the following simplified example, a populated HashMap is returned from the applet test1 method to the JavaScript variable hash1.
The JavaScript variable hash1 is re-used on the next iteration so I would expect it should be marked for garbage collection.
In 1.6.0_7 and previous releases, the memory associated with this Java HashMap is freed implicitly.
In 1.6.0_10 and 1.6.0_11 the HashMap memory is never freed.
Is this is what we should expect, a feature of the significant LiveConnect changes that were part of 1.6.0_10?
Do we need to rewrite our code to call new Java methods from JavaScript explicitly freeing the memory, in this example calling the freeMem method?
Has anybody else experienced this problem since 1.6.0_10?
Example code ...
import java.applet.Applet;
import java.util.HashMap;
public class TestRLApplet extends Applet
private HashMap hash1;
public TestRLApplet()
public void init()
public HashMap test1()
hash1 = new HashMap();
return (hash1);
public void freeMem() {
hash1 = null;
function window_onload()
var hash1;
testAppplet = document.TestRLApplet;
for (cnt=0; cnt < 1000; cnt++)
hash1= testAppplet.test1();
Java Console
Java Plug-in 1.6.0_10
Using JRE version 1.6.0_10 Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM
c: clear console window
f: finalize objects on finalization queue
g: garbage collect
h: display this help message
l: dump classloader list
m: print memory usage
o: trigger logging
q: hide console
r: reload policy configuration
s: dump system and deployment properties
t: dump thread list
v: dump thread stack
x: clear classloader cache
0-5: set trace level to
Memory: 5,056K Free: 2,551K (50%) ... completed.
Memory: 7,996K Free: 3,499K (43%) ... completed.
Memory: 7,996K Free: 1,038K (12%) ... completed.
Memory: 13,180K Free: 3,745K (28%) ... completed.
Memory: 22,844K Free: 5,614K (24%) ... completed.
Memory: 37,984K Free: 15,009K (39%) ... completed.
Memory: 37,984K Free: 13,069K (34%) ... completed.
Memory: 37,984K Free: 6,125K (16%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 25,107K (38%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 21,201K (32%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 13,381K (20%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 7,967K (12%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 5,013K (7%) ... completed.
Memory: 65,088K Free: 414K (0%) ... completed.
Reply viewing options
Joined: 2008-09-25
I realise that this is not the correct forum for a Plug-in issue. I have marked it as answered in this forum and raised it instead on the Java Plug-in forum: |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65236 | Find minimum of unconstrained multivariable function using derivative-free method
x = fminsearch(fun,x0)
x = fminsearch(fun,x0,options)
x = fminsearch(problem)
[x,fval] = fminsearch(...)
[x,fval,exitflag] = fminsearch(...)
[x,fval,exitflag,output] = fminsearch(...)
fminsearch finds the minimum of a scalar function of several variables, starting at an initial estimate. This is generally referred to as unconstrained nonlinear optimization.
x = fminsearch(fun,x0) starts at the point x0 and returns a value x that is a local minimizer of the function described in fun. x0 can be a scalar, vector, or matrix. fun is a function_handle.
Parameterizing Functions in the MATLAB® Mathematics documentation explains how to pass additional parameters to your objective function fun. See also Example 2 and Example 3 below.
x = fminsearch(fun,x0,options) minimizes with the optimization parameters specified in the structure options. You can define these parameters using the optimset function. fminsearch uses these options structure fields:
Level of display. 'off' displays no output; 'iter' displays output at each iteration; 'final' displays just the final output; 'notify' (default) displays output only if the function does not converge. See Iterative Display in MATLAB Mathematics for more information.
Check whether objective function values are valid. 'on' displays an error when the objective function returns a value that is complex, Inf or NaN. 'off' (the default) displays no error.
Maximum number of function evaluations allowed
Maximum number of iterations allowed
User-defined function that is called at each iteration. See Output Functions in MATLAB Mathematics for more information.
• @optimplotx plots the current point
• @optimplotfval plots the function value
• @optimplotfunccount plots the function count
See Plot Functions in MATLAB Mathematics for more information.
Termination tolerance on the function value
Termination tolerance on x
x = fminsearch(problem) finds the minimum for problem, where problem is a structure with the following fields:
Objective function
Initial point for x
Options structure created using optimset
[x,fval] = fminsearch(...) returns in fval the value of the objective function fun at the solution x.
[x,fval,exitflag] = fminsearch(...) returns a value exitflag that describes the exit condition of fminsearch:
fminsearch converged to a solution x.
Maximum number of function evaluations or iterations was reached.
Algorithm was terminated by the output function.
[x,fval,exitflag,output] = fminsearch(...) returns a structure output that contains information about the optimization in the following fields:
'Nelder-Mead simplex direct search'
Number of function evaluations
Number of iterations
Exit message
fun is the function to be minimized. It accepts an input x and returns a scalar f, the objective function evaluated at x. The function fun can be specified as a function handle for a function file
x = fminsearch(@myfun, x0)
where myfun is a function file such as
function f = myfun(x)
f = ... % Compute function value at x
or as a function handle for an anonymous function, such as
x = fminsearch(@(x)sin(x^2), x0);
Other arguments are described in the syntax descriptions above.
Example 1
The Rosenbrock banana function is a classic test example for multidimensional minimization:
The minimum is at (1,1) and has the value 0. The traditional starting point is (-1.2,1). The anonymous function shown here defines the function and returns a function handle called banana:
Pass the function handle to fminsearch:
[x,fval] = fminsearch(banana,[-1.2, 1])
This produces
x =
1.0000 1.0000
fval =
This indicates that the minimizer was found to at least four decimal places with a value near zero.
Example 2
function f = myfun(x,a)
f = x(1)^2 + a*x(2)^2;
Note that myfun has an extra parameter a, so you cannot pass it directly to fminsearch. To optimize for a specific value of a, such as a = 1.5.
1. Assign the value to a.
a = 1.5; % define parameter first
2. Call fminsearch with a one-argument anonymous function that captures that value of a and calls myfun with two arguments:
x = fminsearch(@(x) myfun(x,a),[0,1])
Example 3
You can modify the first example by adding a parameter a to the second term of the banana function:
This changes the location of the minimum to the point [a,a^2]. To minimize this function for a specific value of a, for example a = sqrt(2), create a one-argument anonymous function that captures the value of a.
a = sqrt(2);
banana = @(x)100*(x(2)-x(1)^2)^2+(a-x(1))^2;
Then the statement
[x,fval] = fminsearch(banana, [-1.2, 1], ...
seeks the minimum [sqrt(2), 2] to an accuracy higher than the default on x.
fminsearch can often handle discontinuity, particularly if it does not occur near the solution. fminsearch may only give local solutions.
fminsearch only minimizes over the real numbers, that is, x must only consist of real numbers and f(x) must only return real numbers. When x has complex variables, they must be split into real and imaginary parts.
More About
collapse all
fminsearch uses the simplex search method of Lagarias et al. [1]. This is a direct search method that does not use numerical or analytic gradients.
If n is the length of x, a simplex in n-dimensional space is characterized by the n+1 distinct vectors that are its vertices. In two-space, a simplex is a triangle; in three-space, it is a pyramid. At each step of the search, a new point in or near the current simplex is generated. The function value at the new point is compared with the function's values at the vertices of the simplex and, usually, one of the vertices is replaced by the new point, giving a new simplex. This step is repeated until the diameter of the simplex is less than the specified tolerance.
For more information, see fminsearch Algorithm.
[1] Lagarias, J.C., J. A. Reeds, M. H. Wright, and P. E. Wright, "Convergence Properties of the Nelder-Mead Simplex Method in Low Dimensions," SIAM Journal of Optimization, Vol. 9 Number 1, pp. 112-147, 1998.
Introduced before R2006a
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65241 | Information for "Input Validation Cheat Sheet"
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65242 | OWASP Testing Guide v2 Table of Contents
Revision as of 19:02, 14 December 2008 by KirstenS (Talk | contribs)
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Foreword by OWASP Chair
1. Frontispiece
1.1 About the OWASP Testing Guide Project
1.1.1 Copyright
1.1.2 Editors
1.1.3 Authors and Reviewers
1.1.4 Revision History
1.1.5 Trademarks
1.2 About The Open Web Application Security Project
1.2.1 Overview
1.2.2 Structure
1.2.3 Licensing
1.2.4 Participation and Membership
1.2.5 Projects
1.2.6 OWASP Privacy Policy
2. Introduction
2.1 The OWASP Testing Project
2.2 Principles of Testing
2.3 Testing Techniques Explained
3. The OWASP Testing Framework
3.1. Overview
3.2. Phase 1: Before Development Begins
3.3. Phase 2: During Definition and Design
3.4. Phase 3: During Development
3.5. Phase 4: During Deployment
3.6. Phase 5: Maintenance and Operations
3.7. A Typical SDLC Testing Workflow
4. Web Application Penetration Testing
4.1 Introduction and Objectives
4.2 Information Gathering
4.2.1 Testing Web Application Fingerprint
4.2.2 Application Discovery
4.2.3 Spidering and Googling
4.2.4 Analysis of Error Codes
4.2.5 Infrastructure Configuration Management Testing SSL/TLS Testing DB Listener Testing
4.3 Business Logic Testing
4.4 Authentication Testing
4.4.1 Testing for Guessable (Dictionary) User Account
4.4.2 Brute Force Testing
4.4.3 Testing for bypassing authentication schema
4.4.4 Testing for directory traversal/file include
4.4.5 Testing for vulnerable remember password and pwd reset
4.4.6 Testing for Logout and Browser Cache Management Testing
4.5 Session Management Testing
4.5.1 Testing for Session Management Schema
4.5.2 Testing for Cookie and Session Token Manipulation
4.5.3 Testing for Exposed Session Variables
4.5.4 Testing for CSRF
4.5.5 Testing for HTTP Exploit
4.6 Data Validation Testing
4.6.1 Testing for Cross Site Scripting Testing for HTTP Methods and XST
4.6.2 Testing for SQL Injection Oracle Testing MySQL Testing SQL Server Testing
4.6.3 Testing for LDAP Injection
4.6.4 Testing for ORM Injection
4.6.5 Testing for XML Injection
4.6.6 Testing for SSI Injection
4.6.7 Testing for XPath Injection
4.6.8 IMAP/SMTP Injection
4.6.9 Testing for Code Injection
4.6.10 Testing for Command Injection
4.6.12 Testing for incubated vulnerabilities
4.7 Testing for Denial of Service
4.7.1 Testing for DoS Locking Customer Accounts
4.7.2 Testing for DoS Buffer Overflows
4.7.3 Testing for DoS User Specified Object Allocation
4.7.4 Testing for User Input as a Loop Counter
4.7.5 Testing for Writing User Provided Data to Disk
4.7.6 Testing for DoS Failure to Release Resources
4.7.7 Testing for Storing too Much Data in Session
4.8 Web Services Testing
4.8.1 XML Structural Testing
4.8.2 XML Content-level Testing
4.8.3 HTTP GET parameters/REST Testing
4.8.4 Testing for Naughty SOAP attachments
4.8.5 WS Replay Testing
4.9 AJAX Testing
4.9.1 AJAX Vulnerabilities
4.9.2 How to test AJAX
5. Writing Reports: value the real risk
5.1 How to value the real risk
5.2 How to write the report of the testing
Appendix A: Testing Tools
• Black Box Testing Tools
• Source Code Analyzers
• Other Tools
Appendix B: Suggested Reading
• Whitepapers
• Books
• Useful Websites
Appendix C: Fuzz Vectors
• Fuzz Categories
• Recursive fuzzing
• Replasive fuzzing
• Cross Site Scripting (XSS)
• Buffer Overflows and Format String Errors
• Buffer Overflows (BFO)
• Format String Errors (FSE)
• Integer Overflows (INT)
• SQL Injection
• Passive SQL Injection (SQP)
• Active SQL Injection (SQI)
• LDAP Injection
• XPATH Injection |
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Tone up those triceps with our 30 Day Tricep Challenge! #triceps #workout #fitnesschallenge
30 Day Tricep Challenge
Work your glutes, quads and hamstrings with Step Up to Step Back Lounge. #training #drills #nike
Nike Free TR 3 Breathe
Ladies: Do your pull-ups! Here's how to begin...
Want to get your first pull-up? Here’s how.
Victoria's Secret Butt Workout. Love this one.
Take Your Butt From Flat to Full With These 11 Moves
Hold this position for 20 seconds. Works your triceps like no other
Burn, Baby, Burn: The Metabolism-Boosting Superset Workout
Leg Workout! What a great workout..wish i had a treadmill...X
8 minute yoga right before bed for better sleep
Butt workout. Ouch, looks painful.
Pilates Row 1. Sit on the floor with legs extended, and wrap the band around your left foot. Hold the handles so your palms face the floor and are above your knees at chest height. Tilt back your upper body a few inches. 2. Raise your left foot, then pull back your right arm, keeping a bend in the elbow. That's one rep. Do 10, and switch sides.
Looking to flatten your abs and/or beef up your backside? Do the Weighted Glute Bridge — it's a powerful, underutilized move that isolates the glutes and helps carve out a flat, compressed core.
Get Summer ready arms with this Summer Arms Challenge! #skinnyms #summer #arms
Summer Arms Challenge - Seven Day Arm Workout Routine for Women
Boxing workouts for women- my boxing classes are my fav part of the week!! -S
Build Marisa Miller caliber abs with this brand new, challenging abs workout plan.
6e9961a2f8549c5a61dbc8c75457c544.jpg 500×709 pixels
7 Types of Squats You Should Be Doing
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Spiderman push-ups - Kill the love handles. woah.
Spiderman Pushups
8 moves for flat stomach and tight butt and noooo love handles
tight cheeks workout... butt & abs
If you want a fuller, perkier butt, here's your dead simple 7-exercise circuit to make it happen. Do it for 1 month and you'll see big change.
5 moves that will get you the best ass, demonstrated by Jen Selter
I don't know about doing this routine every other day, because your glutes & legs are such big muscles..they need more time to recover, but this is a great routine.
posture stretches! also helps you correct your lower belly pooch! This seriously makes you feel soooo good. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65314 | Reason Foundation
Reason Foundation
$700 million
Ted Balaker
September 28, 2005, 10:39am
Come 2007 that's how much U.S. cities, towns and counties will have spent on municipally-owned wireless broadband networks. So says this report. To find out what this might not be such a great idea, go here.
Ted Balaker is Producer
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65418 | Guest Column: Columnist shortchanges the Catholic church
Posted: Saturday, April 03, 2004
Greg Sagan, an ex-Catholic, has declared his enmity toward the Catholic Church in previous columns, but his March 23 column was a new low, even for him. He quotes a Latin American who notes that political turmoil, corruption, poverty and economic inequality still exist in ostensibly democratic countries. He attributes the failure of democracy and all the associated problems in Latin America to the Catholic Church and the success of democracy in the United States to the Protestant work ethic.
Is it possible that Sagan has it backward? Is America less corrupt and wealthier than Latin America because of our democracy, or do we have a strong democracy and less corruption because we are wealthier?
Maybe democracy is not the critical factor in eliminating political turmoil, establishing equality and eliminating poverty. Perhaps economics is the driving force that stabilizes countries, eliminates poverty, helps spread equality and establishes democratic principles. Is the United States' economic success driven primarily by religious culture or are there other factors that have contributed to our success as a nation?
America was isolated from Europe by a vast ocean and insulated from the incessant power struggles. Our continental neighbors never posed a serious threat, which freed us to pursue our economic interests.
The North American continent was rich in natural resources and was sparsely populated. With little opposition, America was able to gain control of the land from coast to coast. This fertile expanse of land was then filled and tilled by millions of immigrants - many of them Catholic.
America was influenced by various Protestant sects, but was the real advantage that no single sect was able to leverage political power?
Was religion the critical factor in shaping America or was it the diminished role that religion had in politics? Did this allow a secular political system to evolve? The separation of church and state just might be one of the key factors in America's success as a democracy.
The United States was an English colony and English culture, language and heritage were imprinted on our national psyche. Perhaps the English parliamentary form of government established a democratic sensibility in the American colonists.
It was also the English Catholics, not the Spanish or French, who had the most influence on shaping the nascent Catholic Church in the United States. Sagan suggests that the Catholic Church's hierarchical structure (similar to America's corporate structure) is the root cause for corruption in Latin American countries. Then he implies that the values of honesty, fairness and decency are exclusively Protestant. I was unaware that Catholics disavowed honesty, fairness and decency.
Sagan's next attack on the Church regards its concern for the poor. He insinuates that the Church doesn't encourage the acquisition of wealth or advocate personal responsibility.
The Catholic Church is often the only institution fighting for the basic human rights of the poor against corrupt and oppressive governments. It takes a strong stance as advocates of the poor and makes no apology for it. Jesus himself seemed to be concerned about the poor (Matthew 19:21):
". . . (I)f you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
I'm also sure that most Protestants are not exclusively concerned with filling their storehouses and do care about the plight of the poor.
For the record, Catholics in West Texas have been at the forefront of reaching out to those in financial, spiritual and emotional need, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Sagan suggests that, like Islamic countries, Latin America's problem is religion. To equate Catholicism with Islam is cynical and reprehensible. The Catholic Church has limited influence in Latin America while Islam is an overwhelming coercive force in most Muslim countries. The only common ground is poverty and economic inequality, not religion.
Sagan's column masks ethnic bigotry that still exists in our nation and in our community. If readers were to substitute the word "Hispanic" for Catholic and the word "Anglo" for Protestant, his column would take on a very different slant: a bigoted one.
Twenty-five percent of our population is Catholic. It is the single largest Christian denomination in America.
Catholic commitment to education at all levels, from parochial schools to Catholic universities, is unparalleled. American Catholics, including Hispanic Americans, have contributed as much as any group in making democracy in America a success.
By the way, I'm sure Canadians might take exception to Sagan declaring their democracy null and void, as would most Western European nations. Suggesting that America is the only country capable of being democratic is laughable.
Sagan's column was anything but laughable.
It was deplorable.
Tom Grimes is an Amarillo businessman.
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and the economy first and managing our debt wisely and responsibly. >>> what will you say in response to the rep criticism and clearly paul ryan's manifesto, when his budget shows the contrast, what do you say to their criticism that you don't resolve the spending cuts, that you don't deal with the debt adequately, just to play devil's advocate for a moment? >> sure. firstly, we do cut spending in our budget, but if you look at the ryan republican budget, it calls itself balanced, but it does it? just a horrendous ways to families across our country, who have been watching their kids go to school and struggle because of the cutbacks there, people who can't get a job today, people who want to have a strong country in the future, know that the investments we make in education and the infrastructure are devastated in the ryan budget, and he makes false promising that could be kept about reducing the tax rates. the only people that are protected in the ryan budget are the wealthiest and the largest corporations. they tell the rest of america, you are responsible for managing this debt that we have g
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Poster: jackgrimes2004 Date: May 14, 2004 3:47am
Forum: election_2004 Subject: Re: Something has to be done about President Bush
As to the goings on Iraq. Saddam Hussein was NOT a bad man. These are more Bush lies. If President Hussein had been that bad of a guy, the Iraqi's would have gotten rid of him themselves years ago (as the Americans should Bush and his bunch in 2004, if they allow an honest election then - by other and, any means, if they do not). Saddam Hussein did many good things for the Iraqi's, like "Universal Suffrage", equality for religious minorities (including Jews), free education on all levels for all Iraqi's and programs to create other industries like coal mining, etc. & etc. to decrease Iraq's dependency on oil.
Saddam Hussein's real crimes were to price Iraqi oil in Euro units instead of US dollars. To encourage the OPEC Nations to create their own standing armies, to decrease their dependency on the West. Refusing to bring Iraq under GATT and, the fact that he was a Fascist and Fascism is the one true antidote to this insane capitalism of the West.
The fact that Bush is acting like a Nazi should surprise no one. His grandfather, Prescott, was such a Hitler lover, that he lost all his property under the articles of "The War Powers Act" prohibiting American citizens from dealing with an enemy power (Bush oil refineries were making and supplying the Germans with a forerunner of the deadly Zyklon B, later used to exterminate Jews enmasse). As I used to live in Pennsylvania, and Ridge was our Gov. before Bush appointed him to his post, we all knew he was a Nazi. Why didn't you? Would you be surprised if chickens clucked and ducks are given to quack? Why then are you surprised when NAZI'S act like NAZI'S?
America is NOT America anymore and the Gods know it will NOT be again until Bush and his bunch are rooted out, destroyed as it were and, ALL of these rotten laws they've made have been repealed. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65448 | Monopoly Killer: Perfect German Board Game Redefines Genre
By Andrew Curry Email 03.23.09
Klaus Teuber took four years to create what some have called the perfect board game.
Photo: Baerbel Schmidt
Board games have been around for millennia: 5,500-year-old examples have been found in Egypt, playing cards were imported to Europe from the Muslim world in the 1300s, and chess has existed in its modern form for at least 500 years. But the mass-market board games we know today were born during the Great Depression, when Monopoly took off in the US. Over the years, new icons were established: Candy Land in 1949, Risk in 1959, Battleship in 1967.
Board games have continued to thrive for a simple reason: Whether for adults or children, they are—like poker nights, softball games, and bowling leagues—an excuse to hang out and interact with friends and family. As Jesper Juul, a ludologist, or game expert, at MIT explains, they create a communal experience that brings people together. Who won the last time and how, some interesting tactic, or a particularly remarkable stroke of luck all produce a shared memory.
Yet in the US, only a few types of games have really taken off. There are so-called lifestyle games, like Scrabble and chess, intellectual skill-based games whose devotees are interested in playing little else; party games like Trivial Pursuit and Jenga; and traditional strategy games like Risk and Monopoly, which are generally seen as child's play or possibly something to do while trapped in a snowstorm without power—just before you eat your own foot.
But part of the reason we don't play much Risk and Monopoly as adults is that those are actually poorly designed games, at least in the German sense. Derk Solko, a garrulous former Wall Streeter who cofounded the Web site BoardGameGeek.com in 2000 after discovering Settlers, explains it this way: "Monopoly has you grinding your opponents into dust. It's a very negative experience. It's all about cackling when your opponent lands on your space and you get to take all their money." Monopoly, in fact, is a classic example of what economists call a zero-sum game. For me to gain $100, you have to lose $100. For me to win, you have to be bankrupt. Gouging and exploiting may be perfect for humiliating your siblings, but they're not so great for relaxing with friends.
Monopoly also fails with many adults because it requires almost no strategy. The only meaningful question in the game is: To buy or not to buy? Most of its interminable three- to four-hour average playing time (length being another maddening trait) is spent waiting for other players to roll the dice, move their pieces, build hotels, and collect rent. Board game enthusiasts disparagingly call this a "roll your dice, move your mice" format.
Unfortunately, Monopoly still dominates. "It's the Microsoft of our world," Solko says. "If I could wave a magic wand and replace all the copies of Monopoly out there with Settlers, I truly think the world would be a better place."
German-style games, on the other hand, avoid direct conflict. Violence in particular is taboo in Germany's gaming culture, a holdover from decades of post-World War II soul-searching. In fact, when Parker Brothers tried to introduce Risk there in 1982, the government threatened to ban it on the grounds that it might encourage imperialist and militaristic impulses in the nation's youth. (The German rules for Risk were hastily rewritten so players could "liberate" their opponents' territories, and censors let it slide.)
Teuber nailed all these traits using a series of highly orchestrated game mechanics. Instead of a traditional fold-out board, for example, Settlers has the 19 hexagonal tiles, each representing one of five natural resources—wooded forests, sheep-filled meadows, mountains ripe for quarrying. At the beginning of every game, they're arranged at random into an island. Next, numbered tokens marked from 2 to 12 are placed on each tile to indicate which dice rolls will yield a given resource. Because the tiles get reshuffled after every game, you get a new board every time you play.
The idea is that players establish settlements in various locations on the board, and those settlements collect resource cards whenever the token number for the tile they are sitting on gets rolled. By redeeming these resource cards in specific combinations (it takes a hand of wood, brick, wheat, and wool to build a new settlement, for instance), you expand your domain. Every settlement is worth a point, cities are two points, and the first player to earn 10 points wins. You can't get ahead by rustling your opponents' sheep or torching their cute wooden houses.
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65453 | TY - JOUR T1 - PAthological case of the month AU - Buchino JJ AU - Fallat ME AU - Montgomery VL Y1 - 1999/09/01 N1 - 10.1001/archpedi.153.9.999 JO - Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine SP - 999 EP - 999 VL - 153 IS - 9 N2 - A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL was referred to us for surgical evaluation of an asymptomatic cystic nodule in the upper midline neck that had been present for 2 months. The nodule was noticed by her mother when the child was looking at the ceiling. The child was otherwise healthy with no signs or symptoms of thyroid disease. On examination, the nodule measured approximately 1.5 cm in diameter and was closely associated with the hyoid bone. The nodule was not very mobile to manipulation, but moved freely with tongue motion. The thyroid gland was palpably normal and there was no cervical adenopathy. Thyroid function test results were normal. Presumptive diagnosis was a thyroglossal duct cyst. A standard Sistrunk procedure was done with excision of the cyst in continuity with the mid portion of the hyoid bone. Postoperative healing was uneventful. SN - 1072-4710 M3 - doi: 10.1001/archpedi.153.9.999 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.153.9.999 ER - |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65560 | Changes related to "1996-08-31 Tom Johnson w pts 12 Ramon Guzman, Point Depot, Dublin, Ireland - IBF"
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global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65566 | Guns AND Butter
I wrote yesterday about President George W. Bush being the biggest spending president since President Lyndon Johnson. I based this on information from the Cato Institute’s recent paper, The Grand Old Spending Party: How Republicans Became Big Spenders.
The paper compares Bush with prior presidents, slicing the data from different directions to see whether military spending, unemployment, entitlements, etc., are the cause of Bush’s exorbitant spending. Here’s a telling graph:
Bush shares another characteristic with Johnson (and Carter): they increased both national defense and non-defense spending. Other presidents decreased one or the other. What’s striking is the steepness of increase for both spending categories under Bush.
Instead of “let them eat cake” Bush is attempting to have his cake and eat it, too.
Source: Office of Management and Budget, Historical Tables. Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2006, Table 8.2, p. 126.
It’s a Grand Old Party and Can Spend if it Wants To
“George W. Bush” and “fiscal conservative” in the same sentence? Not likely.
The Cato Institute recently published a policy analysis paper comparing the spending proclivities of W’s adminstration compared with the preceding six presidents. You can get the paper here: The Grand Old Spending Party: How Republicans Became Big Spenders.
From the paper’s executive summary:
I tend to think visually, so I like lots of charts and graphs. This paper doesn’t disappoint. I recreated a couple of its graphs that support the claims quoted above.
“George W. Bush is the biggest spending president since Lyndon B. Johnson”
First: “President Bush has presided over the largest overall increase in inflation-adjusted federal spending since Lyndon B. Johnson.” Please note the careful wording: “presided over.” The paper makes clear that “Congress passed budgets that spent a total of $91 billion more than the president requested for domestic programs.” Even so, Bush signed these budgets. Had fiscal responsibility been a true goal, he could have used the veto power. And let’s not forget, Bush has had a Republican majority in Congress.1
But wait, I hear you objecting — What about the cost of the war on terrorism? Certainly that accounts for Bush’s increases in spending. You’d be right, in part. The paper documents the changes in “discretionary spending” and “entitlement spending” but includes military spending in the discretionary class. Why not exclude defense, homeland-security, and entitlement spending in the comparison, resulting in what many (most?) would call true “discretionary spending”?2
Fortunately, the paper anticipated our request. And, unfortunately for those of us who pay taxes, the picture doesn’t get any better.
President George W. Bush is once again second in the rankings, this time following Nixon. It may be blasphemy, but the combination of Clinton and a Republican Congress kept spending relatively low. Not surprising for an administration that harped, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Only Reagan had a real reduction.
Fiscal conservative W? I don’t think so.
1The paper notes the increased spending that results from a “united government,” where both the executive branch and the majority of the legislative branch are of the same party. When the two branches are of different parties, one tends to oppose the spending of the other. When they are of the same party, neither opposes the spending excesses of the other.
2Many may not want to include entitlement spending in discretionary spending because it cannot be decreased without an intense political battle. In arguing this point, one should remember that Bush had no difficulty increasing entitlement spending with his prescription drug benefit, which the Cato Institute describes as “the largest expansion of Medicare since its inception.”
Hat tip: The Volokh Conspiracy |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65576 | HOME > Chowhound > General Topics >
Aug 12, 2006 05:45 PM
Here's how long beancurd lasts:
Some time prior to July 12, I bought some Vitasoy Firm tofu at the Asian market. July 12 is the expire date stamped on the package.
I just opened it this afternoon, Aug. 12, and it seemed OK. Certainly didn't smell bad, and the water it was packed in, was still clear.
Since I rarely use enough bean curd at one time, I store it in brine (tap water + kosher salt). I change the water occasionally, and if I'm on top of it, the beancurd never goes bad.
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1. Very nice, but now please say what you will do with it! :-)
1 Reply
1. re: Val
Do with it? Why, experiment, of course! <g>
2. I do the same thing everytime I have leftover tofu. I change the brine more frequently than "occasionally", more like every other day. It lasts long enough to be an incentive to use it, and just get it out of my fridge!
1. While you can keep it from spoiling, the flavor degrades dramatically, so what's the point? Tofu tastes best when eaten the same day it was made. It loses something overnight and each successive day you keep it.
1. Doesn't have to be stored in brine, either. If you keep tofu in fresh water, changing morning and night, it will stay good for a few days. Nothing wrong with slightly older, firmer tofu, for certain recipes, it's still fine.
1. From the Nasoya web site:
Nasoya Tofu has a shelf life of 70 days from the date of manufacture, which is represented by the Best Before Date stamped on every package.
Once the package is opened, any leftover Nasoya Tofu should be transferred to an airtight container. The Nasoya Tofu should be submerged under fresh water, whereby the water is changed daily or every other day, and stored covered & refrigerated. Following this procedure, the Nasoya Tofu will last 3-5 days.
2 Replies
1. re: stevieBcanyon
Except it tastes stale right out of the package (on the east coast).
1. re: Aromatherapy
Yes, there's a big difference between how long something can stay on the shelf or opened in the refrigerator before it rots and when to eat it for peak flavor. Tofu is best the day it's made. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65580 | HOME > Chowhound > Ontario (inc. Toronto) >
Jun 3, 2008 05:12 PM
With No Omi what's the best sushi joint?
Can anyone offer advice on a sushi place in Toronto that has great food and a good vibe like Omi used to. Has anyone seen or heard from John Lee?
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1. OMI will open in the old Town Grill location, which I believe was on Carlton?
John Lee is obviously at the helm, and hoping to be open by mid July.
1. SUSHI MARCHE will take care of your needs but you'll have to take it home, save money on overpriced beer and sake is always a bonus though.
4 Replies
1. re: fuelbydamon
Agree that Sushi Marche has ultra fresh sushi & sashimi for take out. The presentation is nice too. John knows how to treat clients well that keeps them coming back.
1. re: fuelbydamon
Was disappointed today that the prices at Sushi Marche have skyrocketed. Sashimi lunch went from $18 to $20, but sashimi dinner went from $25 to $35! It's still high quality and gorgeously presented (where else does takeout include edible flowers, and a kumamoto oyster?)
It's worth the drive to Brampton for Toshi Sushi on Main just south of Bovaird. Huge slices of lovely fresh fish - sashimi lunch is $17.
I'm never returning to Japango. How on earth can they justify such tiny slivers of fish? Ridiculous.
1. re: Food Tourist
I agree about Japango. We went for a b-day last month and the omakase was average at best. A couple things were good, but nothing was memorable. Very disappointing because it used to be our favourite Japanese in town. I don't think we'll return for the omakase.
1. re: Food Tourist
I recommend you just tell them a price you're comfortable with for an omakase, and the number of people for the price. I've never ordered any of set lunch/dinners there. They'll ask you for preferences, they're a friendly bunch.
Just remember to call in your order first, rather than sit there and wait.
2. In term of food, Omi is good but I can find other sushi joints in downtown that is comparable ... Just wondering what kind of sushi have you eaten at Omi that you cannot find or not comparable elsewhere ? For great fresh sushi/sashimi at downtown, there are places like Japango, Takesushi and Ichiriki as it here :
28 Replies
1. re: skylineR33
I actually agree with skyline; my preference would go to Takesushi. I went to Omi once due to all the great write ups I read on this board. Sadly I was very disappointed. My friend and I wanted to try their a la carte items first and if they were good, would come back for their much talked about omakase. We shared a few dishes from the kitchen which were unmemorable now since we went there a few years ago. However, I do remember we complained at the cost/size ratio. As for sushi, anywhere that serves 'butterfish' (aka as escolar), a fish that gives you gastrointestinal problems isn't a good sign of a quality sushi restaurant. You can find this fish at most AYCE sushi places due to it's low cost. Butterfish is a low quality 'filler' whose flesh absorbs water during the thawing process and releases it like a sponge in your mouth. Quite honestly I don't even think it's a sushi fish in Japan. Anyway, getting back to my Omi experience - what did I find covering 1/3 of my tiny $22 Chirashi sushi box - butterfish! From what I gather, this John Lee only cares about his omakase crowd as that night they all seemed to be enjoying their $75+ meal. If that is the case, I suggest he only concentrate on omakase at his new place because he doesn't seem to care about the quality of his a la carte menu.
1. re: wasabi_girl
Most fine sushi establishments do not serve escolar. John Lee used to serve true butterfish (poronotus triacanthus) in the summer, which is mostly found in waters near Boston. This is not the same fish as the black cod or sablefish either.
As for escolar, have a quick read of this article to learn about why it has such a poor reputation.
1. re: dlw88
Thanks for the link. The one and only time I visited Omi was during the winter. And the 'butterfish' he supplied that evening was indeed the inferior, previously frozen type that I described in my above post. I am sure his omakase was great, using high quality items but it's wasn't the case in his a la carte items. Hopefully if he wants to build and maintain his non-omakase customers he will do something about it once he opens shop again.
1. re: wasabi_girl
The more I read about sushi on this board, it seems to me that it would be more informative to distinguish between omakase and non-omakase when rating places....so I appreciate your attention to this distinction. As one that only became aware of Omi after it closed, I'm amazed at the continuing discussions about a place that shut down....looking forward to future discussions about a place we can actually patronize.
1. re: T Long
T-Long, that's a very good point and may I suggest a third category - AYCE/fast food type. We really can't group the three together as they are all in their own class. Good quality, fresh fish is a limited, perishable commodity and therefore reflected in it's prices.
I saw a TV report on sushi last year. A reporter went into nine or 10 sushi restaurants of varying price points, in one of the larger US cities. His mission was to test how many of these establishments served real tai/red snapper. He took the samples from all these places and had them tested in a lab. If I remember correctly, only three of the 10 served tai, the rest served a cheap 'substitute' in the form of tilapia. When confronted, the waitress brought out her supply of 'tai' in it's frozen vacuum pack like the ones we can find at T&T (made in China). Written on the package, clear as day said 'TILAPIA'. I'm sorry but tilapia is a cheap farmed fish that should only be served fully cooked. We all know vacuum packed fish of any kind is not sushi grade. Sushi grade tai is a relatively expensive fish but many unscrupulous restaurant owners pass along the cheaper, inferior fish to their customers but still charging a premium price. After watching this program, it made me wonder how many of our city's sushi places are doing this. Besides price and deception, what worries me about these places are the customer's health and safety. Sorry about my bias but AYCE patrons, be weary of what you are putting in your mouth.
1. re: wasabi_girl
the grand majority of sushi places in toronto are serving tilapia rather than tai. once you get real tai it is absolutely blatantly obvious that everything else is tilapia... the only similarities are in the colour tones but even the distribution of it is different.
2. re: wasabi_girl
wasabi girl, in which winter did you visit Omi? The only time 'frozen' ever crossed John Lee's lips was when the City was trying to compel all sushi resto's to freeze prior to serving. As far as I know he never did it.
Having had as many a la carte's as omakase's there I can comfortably say the quality of ingredients didn't vary. The WOW factor was the only difference.
If you went during the winter that just passed that wasn't John Lee. If this is the case, I encourage you to visit him in his new location.
1. re: Googs
googs - I really don't remember which winter but it definitely wasn't this past winter. I moved back to Toronto in 2005, so either the 05/06 winter or 06/07 winter.
I will consider visiting again once he opens. But I am not sure I can sit through a whole dinner listening to John Lee loudly 'clapping' his hands together EACH time he made nigiri sushi. Both my dinner companion and I found it so annoying.
1. re: wasabi_girl
LOL Just goes to show ya, to each their own. I find that a joyous sound. Like a child showing his happiness.
1. re: Googs
This is funny. It reminds me one time when I was having omakase at Omi. John Lee prepared some nigiri sushi and then presented to us saying loud "Wild salmon nigiri sushi..... fresh from Japannnnn !" The sushi is good, but it is just quite funny when I think of the fact that there is not much salmon caught in Japan, even if so, quality is not good. Salmon sushi/sashimi is rarely served in any good sushi joints in Japan and never find in any high class places.
1. re: skylineR33
While I do think Omi was good, John Lee is not a sushi god. We had the omakase many times and found that it never really changed that much, a lot of the same old, same old through different seasons. He once served us wild BC salmon nigiri at a time when wild BC salmon was definately not in season. When we enquired, he told us that it was indeed frozen, and that freezing was necessary to kill parasites. Not that I mind the frozen part it was still good sushi, but not the best or most creative in the city. Kaji still comes out on top for that.
1. re: phisherking
That's right, salmon has to be deeply frozen for many hours to kill all (or most ?) of the parasites as it always swim back to river with shallow water.
It is wise not to eat salmon raw regularly. Same with Ocean trout which is the same thing.
1. re: skylineR33
To play safe, for non frozen fresh salmon, I've seen Japanese sushi chef rub course salt over the fish during the 'initial preparation'- to kill germs and parasites?!. However, I was also told that parasites in Salmon can be easily spotted with the naked eye by skilled sushi chef, so freezing or salt preparation is not necessary. Any sushi expert out there who can confirm the authentic Japanese way of preparing salmon for sushi?
1. re: Charles Yu
That would make a great topic for a new thread...Toronto's 'trained' skilled sushi chefs. In Japan, to be a trained sushi chef can take up towards 10 years or more. I honestly don't think there are many of those sushi chefs in this city.
1. re: Charles Yu
Yes, the other way is to treat salmon with salt to kill the parasites and bacteria. Since salmon is really a fish with lots of bacteria as it swims back to the shallow river, I don't really think it is an good idea to eat it raw with no treatment. I have seen some "freshly" caught fish, when cut open, it is full of parasite eggs ! It is so horrible. But with freshwater fish, many of the bacteria cannot even be seen with human eyes.
Unlike other fish, salmon sashimi is always bright orange and shiny. Eventhough when it has been sitting there for a while, the colour is unchanged, it is not easy to tell whether that piece of salmon sashimi is fresh or not by general public.
1. re: skylineR33
just out of curiousity, though you may not be able to answer it... when you cure salmon or make lox, i've been under the impression that one should freeze it beforehand to kill parasites and bacteria. however, if you say that the salting process would do this... then i'm confused as to the point of extra precaution. is salting really enough? or is there a specific process that is better than soaking fish in salt for over 24 hours to make safe salmon sushi?
1. re: pinstripeprincess
Maybe an experienced sushi chef can help us out here on the actual salting process, haha ! I have heard people using salt to do it, but same as you, I seriously doubt it is effective. Actually, almost anywhere in the world, most if not all imported salmon goes through the freezing process (from what I know).
1. re: skylineR33
I have heard that there is an incidence of tapeworm in persons who eat a lot of sushi in Japan, and also pickled herring in Holland.
Salting is not able to kill the parasites, but deep freezing will do it.
(The incidence of tapeworms found in humans was not great, in those two countries, but it does occur.)
2. re: skylineR33
it's not served in japan because salmon is known to be a hotbed for bacteria. Reason being that it crosses between salt & freshwater during its lifespan. In general most freshwater fish are bad for sushi unless previously frozen.
2. re: Googs
you'd be surprised at the % of sushi you've consumed that've been previously frozen. I would say a great majority of it is.....
Also ultra fresh is not always the best for sushi. For instance, tuna needs to be aged to develop flavours (IMP/Umami). The difference is that the window of perfect aging w/ fish is much narrower than something like beef.
2. re: wasabi_girl
So, just so I have the "butterfish" thing straight, because the first time I had it was a Toshi about 2 years ago, and as I recall it was firm and fresh, but everytime I have had it since, including once at Toshi, it has been that watery spongy texture. Is there a good version like my first recollection and then a lousy "filler" version?...if this is the case, does anyone know where to get the good one?
1. re: Recyclor
Japango has the best butterfish in town.
1. re: Recyclor
Recyclor - I never had a good, firm butterfish (some places refer to this fish as 'white tuna') before. I was never fond of it even before I learned about the digestive problems associated with it. Personally, butterfish is my way to gauge a sushi establishment. I first noticed this fish being served in Toronto perhaps eight to 10 years ago, mostly in Chinese and Korean run sushi restaurants. So far, I have never encountered it at any quality Japanese run place in the city; Zen, Takesushi, Aoyama, Hiro, Kaji to name a few. Now, does that mean something? I am not certain but as one of my Japanese friends told me, her first taste of this mysterious butterfish sushi was in Canada.
Getting back to your question, not sure if there are different grades of butterfish. But with all the articles saying how it gives us stomach problems even when cooked, why would you want to take a risk?
1. re: wasabi_girl
Why?...because butterfish as I recall it the first time I had it was tasty, + everything in moderation – 2 pieces of sashimi aren't going to make you ill...thanks for your input w_g..I think I will give it one more chance at Japango...
1. re: wasabi_girl
I have had it several times but never had any digestive issues with it. I did encounter the spongy watery texture in the past but recently have only had good textured versions, like at Ichiban on Queens Quay (Korean run).
I remember reading that it might cause stomach problems for "some people"; guess I'm not one of them.
1. re: wasabi_girl
Escolar affects certain people, so not everybody will suffer from digestive effects.
popular reference would be the olestra trend, where chip makers marketed it as a low fat alternative. Well, a lot of people poo poo'ed that into pop culture oblivion.
2. re: skylineR33
I humbly and respectfully disagree skylineR33. Fresh elsewhere yes, but the Omi omakase experience is unparalleled.
1. re: Googs
Yes, I agree that the "overall" omakase experience in Omi is quite "interesting"/"unparallel" in Toronto. My post for Omi is just for food, that's why I use "In term of food...", in the beginning.
3. Thank you for all the posts. the best news is John is coming back. Omi was all about the customer experience, he manages to make everyone feel like his best customer. This fish was excellent but it was the overall experience that made Omi the place
1. Is this downtown only? If so I vote for Takesushi.
1 Reply
1. re: abscissa
I like Takesushi too. Regarding butter fish and white tuna. BC tuna(albacore)is called white tuna but escolar is not. they are totally different species. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65584 | HOME > Chowhound > New Orleans >
Mar 27, 2010 12:35 PM
Joe Sepie's Cafe on Jefferson Highway...........
What can you tell me about this restaurant. Looks nice to me.
Joe Sepie's
4402 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121
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1. Actually ended up grabbing a late lunch there today. Had the ultimate roast beef, dressed, with Swiss. The best roast beef po-boy I've ever had--it was just a great balance of flavors, in my opinion. Also, there weren't very many onion rings in my order, but they were good as well, and filling.
1 Reply
1. re: midcity
Joe Sepie's indeed does our local RB tradition proud. People keep telling me that the BBQ beef is equally good, but I'm not a fan of the wet-BBQ-beef sandwich. The proprietor, Mr. Theriot, is always around & very friendly.
Joe Sepie's
4402 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121
2. My uncle is good friends with Pete, the owner, so I go there with some frequency. I am a big fan of his sandwiches. RB po-boy is especially good, as others have said. But his panini's are rather delicious as well. There isn't really anything on the menu I don't like. It's an easy going place where you can feel good about ordering just about anything. My only complaint was the tamales. They are a kind I was unfamiliar with and I wasn't a fan. Otherwise, I like it all.
Update: I just read that review midcity posted and should note that I tried the tamales when he first introduced them, so they may in fact be on par with the rest of the menu at this point.
4 Replies
1. re: gastrotect
Nah, the tamales are still a bit odd: the filling & masa are all mixed together so that each tamale is a homogenous blend. Flavor was fine, I didn't care for the all-mixed-up style either.
1. re: Hungry Celeste
The tamales are an attempt at Manuel's - they claim to have the recipe. They are similar with the homogenous blend masa and meat and even smell very similar. But I find something missing - not sure what. Might get some tomorrow to do some research! ;-)
1. re: Leo in BR
If you're headed there soon, there's an appetizer there called "muffuletta bites" or something like that. It's evidently some kind of mozz stick/muff/eggroll. Sounds amazing.
1. re: midcity
Those are pretty good. It's muffuletta insides done mozzarella stick style. I generally order some when I go.
2. in addition to the RB, the fried seafood platter is worth ordering. he has specials on certain days of the week for different items at $1 or $2 off. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65586 | HOME > Chowhound > Ontario (inc. Toronto) >
Oct 23, 2011 08:52 AM
Carlaw and Gerrard
I see someone is once again taking a stab at opening a bar/restaurant at this corner. ??Playpen or something like that. The place has been vacant for years and the previous establishments a bit sketchy. Anyone have any info?
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1. iirc I read it's the people behind Tomi-kro.
1. Where exactly? I go by that intersection regularly and haven't seen any signs of life...
4 Replies
1. re: Frids
assuming this is referring to the former sports bar/pub/stabbing venue in the strip mall on the North West Corner.
1. re: Frids
Then you didn't look very hard. It's on the NW corner, they have been working on it slowly for at least a month. I think it has some red, blue and white horizontal bars on the windows but no actual sign yet. I didn't see the "Playpen" but maybe it's there..
1. re: foodyDudey
My mistake then. I recall only seeing papered up windows there.
1. re: Frids
Yes, nw corner. Thanks for the info. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65587 | HOME > Chowhound > Home Cooking >
Aug 22, 2012 06:17 PM
mushy pasta - any tips?
When I make pesto or alfredo dishes, I like to mix the pasta with the rest of the ingredients and simmer a few minutes or so with the sauce and other ingredients. To do this, I usually account for the additional cook time in the sauce and drain the pasta 2 or 3 minutes before al dente but usually end up with mushy pasta anyway. Any tips to prevent this? Should I just half cook the pasta or is this method pretty much flawed and I should just toss the sauce with the pasta when serving and add perhaps some of the pasta water to the sauce to thicken?
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1. re: momskitchen
sorry clarification - i like to mix it in and let it simmer with the veggies and protein
2. You may not be using enough water when cooking your pasta and when you drain it the excess starch in the water clings to the pasta making it gummy. Even though Harold McGee doesn't agree with me (or I with him, as the case may be) I'm using a gallon of water per pound of pasta. If you're using less, try that ratio and see if it helps. You can also rinse your finished
al dente pasta with hot water (in a colander) and then add the sauce to finish.
You might use pasta water to thicken the sauce but that's done before combining the pasta and the sauce.
As "momskitchen" asked, why would you cook pesto?
1. Could it be the brand of pasta you're using? Some brands seem to go right past al dente to mush...there's no getting it right. I usually use De Cecco (Rustichella D'abruzzo when I'm feeling rich). My husband brought Barilla home one night and I almost threw the whole pot in the trash. It stuck together something awful in the pot and had a terrible mouth feel (to me, at least) when finished cooking. What brand are you using?
18 Replies
1. re: Christina D
I have tried many, many brands of pasta--my husband is Italian--and we both consider Brilla to be the best. It never sticks together and can even take reheating the next day without becoming mushy. Interesting the different experiences.
1. re: escondido123
Hmmm...that's interesting. Maybe I had an off night? I'll keep this in mind and consider giving it another go. Thanks for the input!
1. re: Christina D
The hardness of your water plays a role in the texture of the cooked pasta.
2. re: Christina D
I usually use the Ronzoni Healthy Harvest.
1. re: fldhkybnva
STOP!!!! You are using whole grain pasta, not regular semolina pasta. This is most likely the reason for the texture difference.
1. re: iluvcookies
Do they make whole wheat semolina pasta? I know nothing about pasta...clearly.
1. re: fldhkybnva
Semolina is a type of flour, different than whole wheat. Semolina pasta is the most common type, so if you are used to getting it from restaurants, then Semolina (also called durum wheat) is 99% of the time what you get.
I have a feeling if you use the blue box of Barilla then you will see a big difference in texture.
1. re: iluvcookies
From a quick google search to understand the difference - semolina is refined durum wheat and thus not considered "whole wheat." For a pasta to be considered whole wheat the ingredient list should read "100% WHOLE semolina (durum) wheat." Is that correct? So to clarify, the Barilla Blue Box ingredients are semolina and durum indicating it is not whole wheat? I'm just trying to figure out this difference, thanks for all of your tips and suggestions. I might just have to try the Barilla as it seems to be a chow favorite.
1. re: fldhkybnva
Semolina is made from hard, durum wheat. Whole Wheat Pasta (like your Ronzoni) also contains the fiber or bran from the wheat and that cuts the gluten in the pasta, making the cooked pasta mushy.
Here is a good link to help you understand the difference
1. re: iluvcookies
And what was the pasta that won the taste test? You can't get the results from the Cooks Illustrated web site without subscribing.
1. re: roxlet
bionaturae then barilla multigrain...
1. re: Becca Porter
I'm not familiar with bionaturae. Is that a heath store brand?
1. re: roxlet
I just bought it at Wegman's yesterday in the pasta aisle.
1. re: roxlet
I have seen Bionaturae at D'Agostino's in New York. When people come to me for cooking lessons here in Rome, I ask them to imagine a wall of spaghetti in the supermarket and tell me how they would go about choosing one to take home. (Surprising how few think of reading the labels.) So, once in NY I decided to try myself and studied the wall of spaghetti at Dag's. Bionaturae was the only brand that came close to meeting my criteria. I now forget whether it met them all, but it certainly came the closest. Of course De Cecco would have been fine too, but I guess Dag's didn't have it. I didn't buy the Bionaturae because in New York I want to eat other things.
1. re: mbfant
According to my internet search of its availability in my area (Westchester, NY), the only stores that carry this brand are, as I suspected "health food" stores. There's one in my town that carries Bionaturae, as do all the Mrs. Green's stores in the area. The only Dag I know locally is in Rye Brook, and it wasn't listed as a store where it is available. Apparently, the Whole Foods in White Plains also carries it, but that's pretty far from me. Since I am Italian and have been making and eating pasta my entire life, I am not fazed by a "wall" of pasta, but as I said, this is not a brand carried by mainstream stores in my area, and since I don't generally shop in heath food stores, I had never seen it.
1. re: mbfant
Wow, what a difference a pasta makes! I finally whipped up some pasta last night and used the Bionaturae that I grabbed at Wegman's. Same recipe, Bionaturae instead of Ronzoni and it was amazing! No mush and great, nutty flavor. I have to admit that I have always seemed to love that more "gritty, tastes like whole wheat" flavor that a lot of people detest and this pasta definitely tastes like it is made with with whole wheat. However, in comparison to other varieties I have tried it has a lovely nutty, earthy flavor which is difficult to describe and the pasta really holds up in the sauce. I have found a new favorite, it is definitely now front and center on the pasta shelf. Chowhound to the rescue once again, thanks for all of the suggestions.
2. re: roxlet
I posted the link for the explanation of whole wheat pasta vs semolina, to help OP understand the difference.
2. re: Christina D
That's funny--I like Barilla, but my husband bought Prince once (hey, the box is blue, what difference could there be?) and I almost threw it in the trash too--mush city.
3. The method is fine. I simmer pasta in a sauce to finish all the time. There is a lot of flexibility--it's hard to go wrong. You can test the pasta for doneness as it simmers just as you can test it in a pasta pot (indeed, it's easier to test out of a saute pan), so there's no reason it should ever come out mushy.
So I wonder -- What kind of pasta are you using? I always use dried pasta, and it's almost always Rustichella or Latini.
2 Replies
1. re: AlkieGourmand
Dried penne. Should I drop it into an ice bath when I drain it so at least it isn't cooking any longer than in the boiling water + in the sauce?
1. re: fldhkybnva
You should never rinse pasta. You don't want to rinse the starch off.
2. Just cook the pasta for shorter and shorter periods prior to adding into your final mix. You'll eventually find the right balance |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65588 | HOME > Chowhound > Manhattan >
Aug 25, 2013 08:58 PM
Early Morning Take Out Dim Sum
I need to pick up around $100-$150 worth of dim sum in Chinatown next Sunday morning at around 9am for a group breakfast. Do any of you Chowhounders know of a place where I could do this? I'm thinking a bakery that sells dim sum would probably work pretty well for this.
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1. Lucky King Bakery on Grand St (between Forsyth and Eldridge Streets) sells dim sum at the back counters. They have a good variety though I'm not sure if they have a lot that early. Some of the larger dim sum restaurants (like the ones on Mott Street between Canal and Hester) also have a to go counter so you can try them as well.
1 Reply
1. re: misora
Love this place- I'm not sure the right name but they have these little green tea fried mochi with a black sesame filling that are cravable- haven't seen at any other bakery, they sell 3 on a plate for $2.
2. I would field a call to Harmony Palace....I believe they open at 9am and you could probably pre0order in advance.
1. Try Dim Sum Go Go as well - for large orders they can just send you the dim sum by car service (which runs around $20)
3 Replies
1. re: saregama
How early can I order it at DSGG? Will try this, coming Friday
1. re: scoopG
Ouch: that's early afternoon to me. :-)
2. Hop Shing will definitely have a large selection of dim sum available for takeout at 9am on a Sunday.
1 Reply
1. re: SomeRandomIdiot
I second Hop Shing, they are known for their takeout dim sum.
OOOPS, the OP already went to Lucky King. I've never tried Lucky King
2. Thanks all! I ended up at Lucky King Bakery, and they had plenty of dim sum for takeout at ~8:30am when I showed up. They were quite happy to accommodate my large order and the prices were quite fair. I didn't have the chance to sample any of the food myself, but the group of people I brought it for seemed happy to devour it.
1 Reply
1. re: bartholomeu
Glad it worked out for you! When you return seriously try the funny green balls i mentioned before. Their rice noodle dim sum is a good one too. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65613 | Thursday, Dec. 09, 2010
LCD Soundsystem, This Is Happening
James Murphy makes dance music for people who don't normally like dance music. Operating under the name LCD Soundsystem, the DJ and record producer has created some of this decade's most undeniably catchy rhythms, and the tracks on This Is Happening are no exception. To get people to dance, you usually have to sing about wanting to dance — which makes for some pretty boring lyrics — but Murphy makes depressive introspection groovy on such lovelorn laments as "I Can Change" and "All I Want." In fact, much of the album deals with regret, isolation and pain. Even the hyperactive "Drunk Girls" isn't at all the party anthem it sounds like. It's just a kick-ass dance song that will be chanted by kids who don't realize they're pumping their fists to a song that is mocking them. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65625 | Bryce Harper Sprints Around The Bases For This Season's Fastest Home Run Trot
Bryce Harper has a way of making highlights of normal everyday things, like what's in the trunk of his car or how he answers a reporter's inane question. Then there's tonight, when Harper made everyone stop and take notice of what should've been a plain old home run trot, but Harper instead ran around the bases like a bat out of hell. His 16.2-second trot was the fastest non-inside-the-parker of the year, almost twice as fast as the year's slowest (courtesy of Hanley Ramirez). Sure, he may not be Mike Trout, but Bryce Harper can fly around a field on the wings of #NATITUDE, and that's no small thing. [MASN] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65634 | Release 3.1: DB_ENV->open, DB_ENV->remove
In the Berkeley DB 3.1 release, the config argument to the DB_ENV->open() and DB_ENV->remove() methods has been removed, replaced by additional methods on the DB_ENV handle. If your application calls DB_ENV->open() or DB_ENV->remove() with a NULL config argument, find those functions and remove the config argument from the call. If your application has non-NULL config argument, the strings values in that argument are replaced with calls to DB_ENV methods as follows:
Previous config string Berkeley DB 3.1 version method
DB_DATA_DIR DB_ENV->set_data_dir()
DB_LOG_DIR DB_ENV->set_lg_dir()
DB_TMP_DIR DB_ENV->set_tmp_dir() |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65635 | Solaris Handbook for Sun Frame Buffers
The fbconfig Utility
The fbconfig utility is a generic command line interface to query and configure frame buffer attributes. fbconfig works with the Creator3D and Elite3D graphics accelerators, in addition to the Expert3D.
The fbconfig utility can be used to do the following:
For more information on fbconfig, see the fbconfig man page. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65646 | @conference {1935, title = {Two-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics and Conduction Simulations of Heat Transfer in Horizontal Window Frames with Internal Cavities}, booktitle = {2007 ASHRAE Winter Meeting}, year = {2007}, month = {01/2007}, address = {Dallas, TX}, abstract = {
This paper assesses the accuracy of the simplified frame cavity conduction/convection and radiation models presented in ISO 15099 and used in software for rating and labeling window products. Temperatures and U-factors for typical horizontal window frames with internal cavities are compared; results from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with detailed radiation modeling are used as a reference.
Four different frames were studied. Two were made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and two of aluminum. For each frame, six different simulations were performed, two with a CFD code and four with a building-component thermal-simulation tool using the Finite Element Method (FEM). This FEM tool addresses convection using correlations from ISO 15099; it addressed radiation with either correlations from ISO 15099 or with a detailed, view-factor-based radiation model. Calculations were performed using the CFD code with and without fluid flow in the window frame cavities; the calculations without fluid flow were performed to verify that the CFD code and the building-component thermal-simulation tool produced consistent results. With the FEM-code, the practice of subdividing small frame cavities was examined, in some cases not subdividing, in some cases subdividing cavities with interconnections smaller than five millimeters (mm) (ISO 15099) and in some cases subdividing cavities with interconnections smaller than seven mm (a breakpoint that has been suggested in other studies). For the various frames, the calculated U-factors were found to be quite comparable (the maximum difference between the reference CFD simulation and the other simulations was found to be 13.2 percent). A maximum difference of 8.5 percent was found between the CFD simulation and the FEM simulation using ISO 15099 procedures. The ISO 15099 correlation works best for frames with high U-factors. For more efficient frames, the relative differences among various simulations are larger.
Temperature was also compared, at selected locations on the frames. Small differences was found in the results from model to model.
Finally, the effectiveness of the ISO cavity radiation algorithms was examined by comparing results from these algorithms to detailed radiation calculations (from both programs). Our results suggest that improvements in cavity heat transfer calculations can be obtained by using detailed radiation modeling (i.e. view-factor or ray-tracing models), and that incorporation of these strategies may be more important for improving the accuracy of results than the use of CFD modeling for horizontal cavities.
}, attachments = {http://eetd.lbl.gov/sites/all/files/publications/1132.pdf}, author = {Arlid Gustavsen and Christian Kohler and Arvid Dalehaug and Dariush K. Arasteh} } |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65650 | General Biology/Genetics/Inheritance
From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
< General Biology | Genetics
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Gregor Mendel and biological inheritance[edit]
Charles Darwin, for all he contributed to the science of biology, never knew about the mechanism by which living things inherit traits from previous generations, or how new traits arise.
As any schoolchild can tell you, this mechanism of interitance has since been found to be DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA allows for stable inheritance of traits: the code in each strand of DNA is replicated precisely through the pairing of basic units along each strand. The error rate in this replication is amazingly low; not even one base pair in a million matches out of sequence.
However, when even one base pair is added to a new strain of DNA in an order differently than in the parent chain, it can be the basis of a mutation. These changes in DNA sequences are the microscopic origin of changes in traits of all studied living things. Even the smallest difference in a strand of DNA can result in a change in traits that can cost the life of the organism. Mutations can produce proteins with a new or altered function. In humans, the example of Sickle cell anemia is commonly given as its origin is a difference of only one base pair in a section of DNA that encodes red blood cells.
Individual sequences of DNA that encode for specific proteins are called genes and are the units of heredity. Each one has a set nucleotide, and together all of the genes (and some sequence of DNA that apparently do not code for any biologically important functions) together make up the entire chromosome
• Discovered principle of genetic segregation via numerous experiments utilizing pea plants
• Inferred the existence of genes through segregation of phenotypes
• Used quantitative methods: counted; ratios
• Work is model of scientific method
• In particular, observed the F2 progeny, which lead to the discovery of dominant and recessive traits
• Published work in 1866, went unnoticed
• In 1900 his scientific paper was “rediscovered”
• Mendel is acknowledged as founder of Genetics
• still used alphabet letters to designate genes
• still refer to dominant and recessive genes
• still refer to segregation of alleles in meiosis
• principle of segregation applies to all sexually reproducing organisms; Mendel’s results were immediately applied to humans in 1900
Mendel’s experiments[edit]
• 1856, began experiments with the garden pea, Pisum sativum
• 1865, presented results to the Bruno natural history society, which he helped found
• 1866, published his results in proceedings of the society
• Naegeli encouraged Mendel to reproduce results in another species, which failed because the species did not undergo true fertilization
• discrete traits in Pisum sativum
• pure-breeding lines
• dominant/recessive alleles
• alleles are two alternate versions of a gene
• gametes contain hybridized chromosomes that are formed during meiosis
• homozygous has two of the same allele
• heterozygous has two different alleles
• reciprocal F1 crosses (all exhibiting dominant phenotypes); F2; F3
• counted offspring, noted ratios
• inferred genotypes from phenotypes
• tested hypotheses with testcrosses
• attempted to repeat with another species
Mendel’s seven pairs of traits[edit]
1. Seed form (round or wrinkled)
2. Cotyledon color (green or yellow)
3. Seed coat color (white or colored)
4. Pod form (inflated or constricted)
5. Pod color (green or yellow)
6. Flower position (axial or terminal)
7. Plant heights (tall or short)
• The location of a specific gene within a chromosome
Modern Y chromosome[edit]
Y-chromosome is the most evolved chromosome. Generally it is thought that if Y- chromosome is present in an individual then he will be male. But if mutation occurs at sex determining region or zinc factor then it will not code for testis determining factor, and results in normal female. This type of female's frequency is 1/250000.
Chromosome phenomena[edit]
• X-chromosome inactivation
• Barr bodies
• Nondisjunction: failure of chromosome segregation at meiosis or mitosis
• Results in 2N ± 1 chromosome number
• Trisomy 2N + 1
• Usually lethal. Trisomy 21 (Down) exception
• Monosomy 2N ** 1
• Lethal except XO
• Usually maternal origin in humans
X-chromosome inactivation[edit]
In females, one X-chromosone is randomly switched off forming a Barr body.
Barr body[edit]
Dense region in the nucleus formed by the inactive X-chromosome.
Human genetic disorders[edit]
Down's Syndrome(Mongolism)
Down's Syndrome is usually produced by the nondisjunction of chromosome 21 during oogenesis and sometimes during spermatogenesis. The individual suffering from this type of syndrome has 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46. The extra chromosome is not a sex chromosome but an autosome.
Most cases of mongolism were found to occur in children born by women in their forties. The affected children, called mongoloids, show mental retardation and have a shorter life expectancy. Their most prominent feature is the Mongolian folds in their eyes; hence, the term mongolism.
Klinefelter's Syndrome
When an XY-bearing sperm unites with an X-bearing egg, the resulting condition is called Klinefelter's Syndrome, or sexually undeveloped male. Individuals having the syndrome show the following characteristics:
• testes are small
• sperms are never produced
• breasts are enlarged
• body hair is sparse
• individuals are mentally defective
The same abnormal meiotic division may occur in females. They produce eggs with XX or no sex chromosomes. Such egg, when fertilized by a Y-bearing sperm, will not develop (YO). This is because YO is lethal--it wil cause death to the offspring. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65651 | Music Theory/Fundamentals of Common Practice Music
From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
< Music Theory
Jump to: navigation, search
Notation 50% developed[edit]
This section is intended for those without any experience with Western music notation and associated practices.
Humans with the ability to hear, experience sound when delicate structures inside their ears detect waves of pressure traveling through the air (or any other medium to which they are mechanically coupled). When these waves are regular, and arrive at intervals that fall within a certain range, we recognize a tone, or note. Notes are the basic elements of Western music.
Pitch 25% developed[edit]
When the waves causing a note are close together, and so cause more vibrations per second in our ears, we say that tones have a higher frequency or pitch. Pitch is measured in Hertz (Hz). When the waves are further apart we say they have a lower frequency or pitch. When we hear series of higher and lower notes either singly or in groups, themselves spaced out at different points in time and of different durations, and the variation in their frequencies, spacing, and lengths are patterned in ways that correspond to established rules, we recognize the sound as music.
Tonality 25% developed[edit]
Writing and Analysis 25% developed[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65652 | 2007 HINDRAF rally
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2007 HINDRAF rally was a rally held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 25 November 2007. The rally organiser, the Hindu Rights Action Force, had called the protest over alleged discriminatory policies which favour ethnic Malays. The rally was the second such street protest after the 2007 Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur on 10 November 2007.
The rally started when a crowd estimated to be between 5,000 to 30,000[1] people gathered outside the Petronas Twin Towers at midnight, early Sunday morning.
Between April to May 2006, several Hindu temples were demolished by city hall authorities in the country, accompanied by violence against Hindus.[2] On 21 April 2006, the Malaimel Sri Selva Kaliamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur was reduced to rubble after the city hall sent in bulldozers.[3]
The Hindu Rights Action Force or HINDRAF, a coalition of several NGO's, have protested these demolitions by lodging complaints with the Prime Minister of Malaysia but with no response.[5] Many Hindu advocacy groups have protested what they allege is a systematic plan of temple cleansing in Malaysia. The official reason given by the Malaysian government has been that the temples were built "illegally". However, several of the temples are centuries old.[5] According to a lawyer for HINDRAF, a Hindu temple is demolished in Malaysia once every three weeks.[6]
Petition to the United Kingdom[edit]
A HINDRAF activist carries a poster of Elizabeth II during the march to deliver their petition to the British High Commission
On 31 August 2007, the 50th anniversary of Malaysia's independence, P. Waytha Moorthy, a HINDRAF lawyer filed a class action suit against the Government of the United Kingdom at The Royal Courts of Justice in London for US$4 trillion (US$1 million for every Malaysian Indian) for "withdrawing after granting independence and leaving us (Indians) unprotected and at the mercy of a majority Malay-Muslim government that has violated our rights as minority Indians".[7] as guaranteed in the Federal Constitution when independence was granted.[8]
The lawsuit is not only claiming 4 trillion British Pounds as compensation, it is also seeking to strike out Article 153 of the Malaysian Constitution which acknowledges the special position of Malays and the legitimate rights of other races, but is often seen as endorsement of Malay Supremacy and for the court to declare that Malaysia is a secular state and not an Islamic state[9] as declared by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad who is partly Indian himself.
As the group, which represents mainly working class Indian Malaysians, could not afford the legal fees required, a petition was circulated with 100,000 signatures to be presented to Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's counsel to argue the case.[8] The purpose of the rally was to hand over a 100,000 signature memorandum to the British Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Government roadblocks[edit]
Malaysian police refused to grant a permit for the rally,[10] and set up roadblocks in Klang Valley along roads leading up to the rally to screen motorists entering the city center and identify "troublemakers".[11] They also advised the public not to participate in the rally,[12] and arrested three leaders of HINDRAF.[13] Many shops around Kuala Lumpur including Suria KLCC were closed on that day in fear of trouble from the rally.
One day before the rally, police arrested three HINDRAF lawyers, P. Uthayakumar, P. Waytha Moorthy and V. Ganabatirau for sedition charges. Uthayakumar and Ganabatirau posted bail of 800 Malaysian ringgits each, but Waytha Moorthy refused bail as a sign of protest.[14][15][16]
The police roadblocks started the week before the rally to create massive traffic jams across the city and the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.[17] The Malaysian Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang of the DAP pointed out that this high-handed act by the police was unnecessary as it caused major inconvenience to everyone.[18]
HINDRAF carrying posters of Mahatma Gandhi and banners during the protest in Kuala Lumpur
On the morning of the rally, about twenty thousand people gathered near the Petronas Twin Towers, a symbol of modern Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, carrying life-size portraits of Elizabeth II and Mahatma Gandhi, to indicate the nonviolent nature of their protest.[8] Five thousand members riot police dispatched to the scene used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. 136 people were arrested.[8][19]
Al-Jazeera's coverage of the event[20] showed police officers using tear gas to disperse the protesters. A few hundred protesters and three police officers were injured.[21]
The protest at the Batu Caves Hindu temple resulted in minor property damages,[22] although the Hindu temple itself was not damaged.[23]
HINDRAF later claimed to have faxed the petition to the British High Commission staff. However, as of 28 November 2007, the British Envoy had not yet received any petition from the HINDRAF, though they did say they had received some unspecified information by fax.[24]
See also[edit]
1. ^ "30,000 Hindraf protesters rally in KL streets", Malaysiakini.com, 25 November 2007.
2. ^ Temple row - a dab of sensibility please,malaysiakini.com
4. ^ Pressure on multi-faith Malaysia,BBC
5. ^ a b Hindu group protests 'temple cleansing' in Malaysia,Financial Express
6. ^ Malaysia ethnic Indians in uphill fight on religion Reuters India - 8 November 2007
7. ^ "名古屋に住むコがネイルスクールに進学。". Policewatchmalaysia.com. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
8. ^ a b c d Kuppusamy, Baradan (26 November 2007). "Facing Malaysia's Racial Issues". TIME. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
9. ^ http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39221
10. ^ Malaysiakini (needs subscription)
11. ^ Detikdaily - Hindraf rally: Arrests, roadblocks will make it worse
12. ^ "Hindraf rally: Cops warn of 'stern action'". YouTube. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
13. ^ "Another Hindraf lawyer arrested". YouTube. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
14. ^ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=54188
15. ^ "China's Business Newspaper". The Standard. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
16. ^ "iMOL Archives - Hindraf: Let us hand petition and go home". Indianmalaysian.com. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
17. ^ [1][dead link]
18. ^ "Hindraf rally – police stop over-reacting, dismantle roadblocks and issue permit « Lim Kit Siang". Blog.limkitsiang.com. 23 November 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
19. ^ "Archives | The Star Online". Thestar.com.my. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
20. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
23. ^ "Archives | The Star Online". Thestar.com.my. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
24. ^ British envoy: No petition received
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65653 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Comune di Affile
(Claudius Ziehr) Affile 0001.jpg
Coat of arms of Affile
Coat of arms
Affile is located in Italy
Location of Affile in Italy
Coordinates: 41°53′3″N 13°5′49″E / 41.88417°N 13.09694°E / 41.88417; 13.09694
Country Italy
Region Latium
Province Rome (RM)
• Mayor Ercole Viri
• Total 15.0 km2 (5.8 sq mi)
Elevation 684 m (2,244 ft)
Population (2008)[1]
• Total 1,595
• Density 110/km2 (280/sq mi)
Demonym Affilani
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 00021
Dialing code 0774
Patron saint Santa Felicita
Website Official website
Affile (Latin: Afilae[2]) is a comune (municipality) in the province of Rome in the Italian region Latium, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Rome.
Archaeology has showed the existence of a pre-Roman centre here, on the border of the lands of the Hernici and the Aequi. In the 1st century AD it is mentioned as oppidum Afile by Frontinus. It was crossed by the Via Sublacense.
In the 10th century a village existed in the former Roman oppidum, centred on the church of St. Peter. In 1013 a castle (castrum) is cited in Affile, which in 1109 was ceded by Pope Paschal II to the Abbey of St. Scholastica of Subiaco. Later it was a possession of the Altieri and Braschi families.
Main sights[edit]
• Roman cistern. In 999 emperor Otto III founded in the site a church, which had however already disappeared in the 16th century.
• Church of St. Peter, known from the early 6th century. The last renovation is from the 15th century.
• Church of St. Mary (known from 1005). It has frescoes from the 13th and 16th-17th centuries.
• Church of Santa Felicita (13th century)
• Castrum, site on a different hill of the originary site of Affile around St. Peter's church. It had once numerous towers, gates and massive walls, of which little traces remain.
2012 "homeland" and "honour" monument[edit]
On 11 August 2012 a publicly funded mausoleum and memorial park was unveiled in the town to Rodolfo Graziani, a former resident of the area and convicted war criminal. The event was met with widespread criticism in the national and international media. A campaign has since been launched to rededicate the memorial to those who died as a result of Graziani’s actions during Italy’s colonial wars in Ethiopia and Libya as well as during the short-lived Italian Socialist Republic.
An article in The New York Times[3] article described the monument:
The monument, in a style reminiscent of fascist architecture, sits on the town’s highest hill, with the Italian flag flying from the top and inscriptions reading “Honor” and “Homeland.” Inside sits an austere marble bust of General Graziani, surrounded by original copies of the front pages of the newspapers from the day of his death in 1955, a plaque from a street once dedicated to him here and a list of his deeds and honors.
The mausoleum was reported to cost Euro 127,000[4]], paid for by taxpayers from regional funds. The town’s mayor, Ercole Viri, donated the bust from his own collection[3] and said he hoped the sight would be as “famous and as popular as Predappio” – the burial place of Mussolini which has become a shrine for neo-Fascists.[5] He later defended the council’s decision by stating that “Graziano was not a war criminal”[6]
However, demonstrations against the memorial were quickly organised. On 12 September the monument was damaged and covered in graffiti,.[7]
The monument has also been denounced in Ethiopia. Speaking after the 18th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies, historian Bahru Zewde said: "“He [Graziani] is remembered for vowing to deliver Ethiopia to Mussolini “with or without the Ethiopians”. He went on to fulfill that vow with indiscriminate use of chemical weapons and the massacre of thousands of Ethiopians.Graziani was never tried for his war crimes in Africa. Had he been alive, there is no doubt that he would have been forced to face justice at the International Criminal Court. The erection with public funds of a monument for someone who has the blood of so many Africans on his hands is therefore adding insult to injury."[8]
Elsewhere, a protest was held in London on 31 August 2012 outside the Italian Ambassador’s Residence, which was followed by a further demonstration in Washington on 5 November 2012.
2. ^ Richard Talbert, Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, (ISBN 0-691-03169-X), Map 43 & notes.
3. ^ a b Gaia Pianigiani, "Village’s Tribute Reignites a Debate About Italy’s Fascist Past", "The New York Times", 28 August 2012
4. ^ "Italy memorial to Fascist hero Graziani sparks row", "BBC", 15 August 2012
5. ^ Nick Pisa, "Italian town's memorial to Fascist leader sparks row", "The Telegraph", 15 August 2012
6. ^ Josephine McKenna, "Mayor defends monument to fascist leader convicted of war crimes", "The Telegraph", 2 September 2012
7. ^ "Affile, chiuso il sacrario di Graziani per ripulirlo E domenica la protesta in piazza degli antifascisti", "La Republica", 22 September 2012
8. ^ "Scholars denounce Graziani mausoleum", "The Reporter", 1 December 2012
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65654 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Alpha amylase)
Jump to: navigation, search
Salivary alpha-amylase 1SMD.png
EC number
CAS number 9000-90-2
IntEnz IntEnz view
ExPASy NiceZyme view
MetaCyc metabolic pathway
PRIAM profile
PDB structures RCSB PDB PDBe PDBsum
Gene Ontology AmiGO / EGO
Alpha-amylase catalytic domain
PDB 1cyg EBI.jpg
Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (e.c. (cgtase)
Symbol Alpha-amylase
Pfam PF00128
Pfam clan CL0058
InterPro IPR006047
SCOP 1ppi
OPM superfamily 125
OPM protein 1wza
Alpha-amylase C-terminal beta-sheet domain
PDB 1rp8 EBI.jpg
Symbol Alpha-amyl_C2
Pfam PF07821
InterPro IPR012850
Alpha amylase, C-terminal all-beta domain
PDB 5cgt EBI.jpg
maltotriose complex of preconditioned cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase mutant
Symbol Alpha-amylase_C
Pfam PF02806
Pfam clan CL0369
InterPro IPR006048
SCOP 1ppi
In human physiology[edit]
Salivary amylase (ptyalin)[edit]
Optimum conditions for ptyalin[edit]
Optimum pH - 7.0 [7]
Human body temperature
Presence of certain anions and activators:
Chloride and bromide – most effective
Iodide – less effective
Sulfate and phosphate – least effective
Genetic variation in human salivary amylase[edit]
Pancreatic amylase[edit]
In pathology[edit]
Salivary α-amylase has been used as a biomarker for stress that does not require a blood draw.[9]
Increased plasma levels in humans are found in:
In grain[edit]
α-Amylase activity in grain is measured by, for instance, the Hagberg-Perten Falling Number, a test to assess sprout damages,[10] or the Phadebas method.
Industrial use[edit]
See amylase for more uses of the amylase family in general.
Buffer inhibition[edit]
The tris molecule is reported to inhibit a number of bacterial α-amylases,[12][13] so they should not be used in tris buffer.
Domain architecture[edit]
α-Amylases contain a number of distinct protein domains. The catalytic domain has a structure consisting of an eight-stranded alpha/beta barrel that contains the active site, interrupted by a ~70-amino acid calcium-binding domain protruding between beta strand 3 and alpha helix 3, and a carboxyl-terminal Greek key beta-barrel domain.[14] Several alpha-amylases contain a beta-sheet domain, usually at the C terminus. This domain is organised as a five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheet.[15][16] Several alpha-amylases contain an all-beta domain, usually at the C terminus.[17]
See also[edit]
1. ^ Ramasubbu, N.; Paloth, V.; Luo, Y.; Brayer, G. D.; Levine, M. J. (1996). "Structure of Human Salivary α-Amylase at 1.6 Å Resolution: Implications for its Role in the Oral Cavity". Acta Crystallographica Section D Biological Crystallography 52 (3): 435–446. doi:10.1107/S0907444995014119. PMID 15299664. edit
4. ^ which was named by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. The name derives from the Greek word πτυω (I spit), because the substance was obtained from saliva. See: J. Berzelius (Ms. Esslinger, trans.), Traité de Chimie (Paris, France: Firmin Didot Frerès, 1833), vol. 7, page 156.
5. ^ Fried, M, Abramson, S, Meyer, JH. Passage of salivary amylase through the stomach in humans. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 32:1097-1103 (1987).
6. ^ Rosenblum, JL, Irwin, CI, Alpers, DH. Starch and glucose oligosaccharides protect salivary-type amylase activity at acid pH. American Journal of Physiology 254 (Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 17):G775-780 (1988).
7. ^
8. ^ Perry, GH, et al. Diet and evolution of human amylase gene copy number variation, Nature Genetics 39:1256-1260 (2007).
9. ^ Noto, Yuka; Tetsumi Sato; Mihoko Kudo; Kiyoshi Kurata; Kazuyoshi Hirota (December 2005). "The Relationship Between Salivary Biomarkers and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Score Under Mental Arithmetic Stress: A Pilot Study". Anesthesia & Analgesia (United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins) 101 (6): 1873–6. doi:10.1213/01.ANE.0000184196.60838.8D. PMID 16301277. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
10. ^ "Falling Number – Introduction". Perten Instruments. 2005. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
12. ^ Ghalanbor, Z et al. (2008). "Binding of Tris to Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase can affect its starch hydrolysis activity.". Protein Peptide Lett. 15 (2): 212–214. doi:10.2174/092986608783489616. PMID 18289113.
13. ^ Aghajari, N et al. (1998). "Crystal structures of the psychrophilic alpha-amylase from Alteromonas haloplanctis in its native form and complexed with an inhibitor.". Protein Sci. 7 (3): 564–572. doi:10.1002/pro.5560070304. PMC 2143949. PMID 9541387.
14. ^ Abe A, Yoshida H, Tonozuka T, Sakano Y, Kamitori S (December 2005). "Complexes of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris R-47 alpha-amylase 1 and pullulan model oligossacharides provide new insight into the mechanism for recognizing substrates with alpha-(1,6) glycosidic linkages". FEBS J. 272 (23): 6145–53. doi:10.1111/j.1742-4658.2005.05013.x. PMID 16302977.
15. ^ Kadziola A, Søgaard M, Svensson B, Haser R. (April 1998). "Molecular structure of a barley alpha-amylase-inhibitor complex: implications for starch binding and catalysis". J. Mol. Biol. 278 (1): 205–17. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1998.1683. PMID 9571044.
16. ^ Kadziola A, Abe J, Svensson B, Haser R (May 1994). "Crystal and molecular structure of barley alpha-amylase". J. Mol. Biol. 239 (1): 104–21. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1994.1354. PMID 8196040.
17. ^ Machius M, Wiegand G, Huber R (March 1995). "Crystal structure of calcium-depleted Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase at 2.2 A resolution". J. Mol. Biol. 246 (4): 545–59. doi:10.1006/jmbi.1994.0106. PMID 7877175.
External links[edit]
This article incorporates text from the public domain Pfam and InterPro IPR006047 This article incorporates text from the public domain Pfam and InterPro IPR012850 This article incorporates text from the public domain Pfam and InterPro IPR006048 |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65655 | Ankur (film)
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Ankur film poster.gif
Film poster
Directed by Shyam Benegal
Produced by Lalit M. Bijlani, Freni Variava; Blaze Film Enterprises
Written by Shyam Benegal (Screenplay)
Satyadev Dubey (Dialogue)
Starring Shabana Azmi
Anant Nag
Sadhu Meher
Priya Tendulkar
Kader Ali Beg
Dalip Tahil
Music by Vanraj Bhatia
Cinematography Govind Nihalani
Kamath Ghanekar[1]
Release dates
Running time
125 minutes
Country India
Language Dakhani
Ankur (Hindi: अंकुर, Urdu: اَنکُر, translation: The Seedling) is an Indian colour film of 1974. It was the first feature film directed by Shyam Benegal and the debut of Indian actors Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag. Anant Nag was introduced in Ankur by Shyam Benegal after his higher education in Mumbai. Though Shabana Azmi had acted in other films as well, Ankur was her first release.[2]
Like many of Benegal's other films, Ankur belongs to the genre of Indian art films, or more precisely, Indian Parallel cinema. The plot is based on a true story that occurred in Hyderabad, apparently in the 1950s.[3] It was filmed almost entirely on location.
Ankur has won three National Film Awards and 43 other prizes, both in India and abroad. It was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 24th Berlin International Film Festival.
This film includes one whipping scene and more profanity than is usually found in Indian films.
Ankur is a film that analyzes human behavior in general and heavily stresses characterization (though the story is not fictional). The story revolves around two characters, Lakshmi and Surya. Ankur is also there.
Lakshmi (Shabana Azmi) lives in a village with her husband Kishtayya (Sadhu Meher), a deaf-mute Dalit alcoholic potter who communicates using gestures. At the beginning of the film, during a village festival, she claims (in a prayer to the village goddess) that her only desire is to have a child.
Surya (Anant Nag), the son of the village landlord, has just finished his studies in the nearby city of Hyderabad. Surya's father (Khader Ali Beg) has a mistress named Kaushalya to whom, he claims, he "gave the best land in the village." They have an illegitimate son named Pratap. The landlord forces his legitimate son into a child marriage with Saru (Priya Tendulkar). Because Surya must wait until Saru "comes of age," he begins to feel sexually frustrated.
He is then forced to administer his share of land in the village. He is to stay in an old house, and Lakshmi and Kishtayya are to act as his servants. Not long after his arrival, he begins introducing a number of measures (often controversial). For example, on his second day in the village, Surya (who already finds Lakshmi attractive) has Lakshmi cook his meals and make tea. This disappoints the village priest, who is accustomed to delivering food to the landowner, though at a higher price than Lakshmi asks.
On the same day, Surya also hires Kishtayya to ride his bullock cart and go on errands. The following day, he has Kishtayya collect fertilizer from the landlord's house. Surya uses Kishtayya's absence to try to flirt with Lakshmi but fails. In the meantime, the villagers gossip, and many (most notably the overseer, Police Patel Sheikh Chand) believe that Surya has already slept with Lakshmi and will treat her the same way the landlord treated Kaushalya: try to conceal the scandal by giving the mistress a plot of land.
Kishtayya is caught stealing toddy, after which he is publicly humiliated. He then leaves the village one night. In his absence, Surya and Lakshmi sleep together. A few days later, Saru arrives at the village. Saru does not approve of Lakshmi's presence, partly because Lakshmi is a Dalit and partly because Saru has heard the villagers' rumors. The next morning, Lakshmi begins suffering from morning sickness. Saru sacks her, claiming that she is too sick to work.
Many days later, Kishtayya returns, having cured himself of his alcoholism and made some money. Lakshmi is overwhelmed with a feeling of guilt, because she believes that she has betrayed her husband. On discovering Lakshmi's pregnancy, he salutes the village goddess at her temple. He then decides to try to ride the bullock cart again but carries a stick as he approaches Surya. Surya sees Kishtayya and mistakenly believes that Kishtayya is seeking revenge from him.
Surya has three men hold Kishtayya and then proceeds to whip him with a rope used for lynching. The commotion attracts others (including Sheikh Chand and Pratap) to the scene, and Lakshmi rushes to defend her husband. She angrily curses Surya, then slowly returns home with Kishtayya. In the final scene, after the others have left, a child throws a stone at Surya's glass window and runs away, and this is the 'Seedling'.[4]
The plot is portrayed through the perspectives of Surya and Lakshmi. However, several other major characters and relatively minor characters also enhance the plot, each in his own way.
During his wedding, Surya glances first at Kaushalya and Pratap (who are sitting together), then at his own mother. Kaushalya is smiling because her son's wedding is to be held with Surya's, but Surya's mother appears relatively resigned. This is how he always saw marriage: the legitimate wife who suffers and the mistress who prospers.
Formerly an inhabitant of the city, he is not accustomed to the ways of the village. When Sheikh Chand expresses his hopes that the village will improve with Surya's presence, Surya's only reply is: "Yeah, well, they better." It is for this reason that Surya begins making changes as he deems fit.
In addition, Surya's father gives Pratap the "best" land in the village while Surya lives in an old house. As a result, Surya's second change in the village is to stop water from flowing into Pratap's and Kaushalya's fields. Kaushalya requests a reason from Surya, who points out that he is not her son. She responds, "I think of you that way" - a remark that makes Surya even more angry.
At least two days later, Pratap asks Surya to restore the water flow into his fields. When Surya refuses, Pratap threatens to report Surya's actions to their father. Surya initially dismisses this warning but is surprised when his father eventually does show up. Surya tries to defend his actions but is unsuccessful in doing so.
Before his father arrived (but after Pratap's visit), Surya had promised to take care of Lakshmi "forever." However, when he finds out that she is pregnant, he coaxes her to abort the child and refuses to take responsibility over the baby. She refuses because she always wanted a child, so Surya tells her to leave.
When Saru announces to Surya that she has caught Lakshmi stealing rice, he warns Lakshmi that he would have whipped her until she began bleeding if she were not a woman. Then he forbids her to come near his house again. Sheikh Chand requests Surya to consider Lakshmi's situation more thoroughly. Surya refuses while nervously wiping his hands.
Lakshmi readily serves Surya as a servant, albeit at a low wage. That is what she is expected to do. However, the villagers did not realize that Surya would find her attractive and ask her to do additional chores.
She often appears to be worried: first about Kishtayya's alcoholism, then about where he has gone and how to live without him, and finally, about her loyalty to him.
It is clear that Lakshmi had an extended affair with Surya which seems to have started when she places her head on Surya's shoulder and the scene ends abruptly. After that there are several occasions when we see her dressing up or her lying next to Surya in bed.
Two days after Kishtayya's departure, Lakshmi witnesses (from a distance) two men dragging a village woman to the panchayat. The woman, Rajamma, refuses to go while the men accuse her of "dishonouring our brother." At the panchayat, the men reveal that she has committed adultery.
Her brothers-in-law argue that they have "two wells" and "two crops a year," maintaining that Rajamma could not want more. Rajamma explains that she wants a child (Lakshmi immediately realizes the similarity to her own desires). "My not having a child," she claims, "is because of him, my husband." She threatens suicide if she is forced to live with her husband, Yadgiri. When asked what his argument is, Yadgiri simply allows the judges to make a decision.
Before Rajamma expresses her views, the judges reprimand her for disgracing "your house, your family, and your village" by living with another man. At this point, Surya looks at Lakshmi, who already lives with him. The final verdict is that Rajamma must live with her husband and that Yadgiri's brothers should compensate if she is dissatisfied. After the trial, Rajamma commits suicide.
Lakshmi can identify closely with Rajamma. After Rajamma's suicide, she tells Surya that she wishes to return to Kishtayya. However, she realizes that this is impossible, and Surya promises to look after her.
As soon as Saru arrives, she bows before Surya, and Lakshmi garlands her. She immediately begins adding decorations to the house, namely a frame with the message "Good Luck" (in English) and a picture from her wedding. She also takes off her garland, puts it around a framed picture of two Hindu deities, and prays to them. She knows about Surya's affair with Lakshmi, but she is puzzled when she sees Lakshmi cursing Surya since she does not know about Kishtayya.
Saru is rarely shown smiling until she sacks Lakshmi. In fact, the very first day, just as Surya is hanging up the wedding picture and Lakshmi is walking into her room, she points out Lakshmi's presence by silently staring at him and nodding slightly towards Lakshmi's room. When Surya tries to avoid discussion of the affair by criticizing how he looks in the picture, Saru does not speak to him and does not even allow him to touch her. That same night, she suggests that he sack Lakshmi; an unconcerned Surya tells her to do as she wishes.
Saru is a supporter of the caste system. When Lakshmi makes tea for the new couple, Surya accepts his glass. Saru, on the other hand, refuses hers before expressing her surprise at Surya (not realizing that he was the one who had Lakshmi make tea in the first place). She then refuses to have "anything she [Lakshmi] has touched."
Surya's Father[edit]
If not for Surya's father, Surya would have been far less likely to meet Lakshmi, change the village's rhythm of life, and cause a revolt. However, he insists that Surya control his share of land. He does not believe in hiring others to administer the land for him because he thinks they will "get rich at our cost" and seize the land for themselves.
Though she always smiles when speaking to Surya, Kaushalya does not like him very much. In his absence, she calls him a "spoiled brat" and a "mere boy." She always calls him her "son," as if the legitimate wife were nonexistent. She has become rich at Surya's mother's cost. Many, if not all, of these facts provoke Surya to try to put an end to her progress by cutting off the water supply.
Pratap does not seem to consider Surya's feelings about Kaushalya very thoroughly. He also does not hesitate to enter his half-brother's house without permission. However, he is perhaps more enraged than any of the other villagers when he observes the injured Kishtayya at the end of the film. In that scene, he appears to stay and stare at Surya's window longer than any of the other villagers.
Sheikh Chand[edit]
Sheikh Chand is the Muslim overseer of the landlord's property. When Surya arrives in the village, he is initially hopeful that the new arrival might improve the village. These hopes seem to disappear within a day: Surya monopolizes the toddy trade and demands that Sheikh Chand guard the toddy. Sheikh Chand promises to punish anyone who steals the toddy severely, but once Surya leaves, the expression on his face changes from a smile to a straight face.
Kishtayya is strong both physically and mentally. It is because of his physical strength that Surya is afraid of him, and his mental strength is demonstrated by his ability to overcome alcoholism (facilities for alcoholics were generally not available in India during the 1950s, particularly not in villages). Surya, however, exploits Kishtayya's weaknesses (i.e. the fact that Kishtayya is deaf-mute, alcoholic, poor, and a Dalit). Kishtayya's alcoholism allows Surya to humiliate him so that Surya can be closer to Lakshmi. Kishtayya's physical handicap prevents him from understanding what is happening when Surya proceeds to beat him in the end, and his poverty and caste do not permit him to complain about Surya's actions.
In spite of his weaknesses, Kishtayya uses his job as a cart-driver to drive willing schoolchildren to their homes at the end of the day.
The Boy[edit]
One of the characters is an anonymous boy who first appears in the scene in which Kishtayya steals toddy. The boy is the one who reports the theft to Surya; from that day until the end of the film, they seem to be on friendly terms (just before Kishtayya is beaten, the boy is shown flying kites with Surya). However, at the end of the film, he suddenly turns against Surya by breaking his window.
Motif of the seedling[edit]
In addition to being the title of the film, the seedling makes various appearances (both physically and metaphorically) in the film and is used as a motif.
• In the first scene, a village woman appears to offer the seedling of a fruit to the goddess while Lakshmi prays for a child. (As she offers the seedling, it seems that the first word she utters is pandlu which means "fruits" in Telugu.)
• The seedling may also represent the child that Lakshmi desires.
• Not long before Kishtayya is caught stealing toddy, there is a scene in which Lakshmi is cooking dinner. Suddenly, near the doorstep, she notices a pot containing a seedling. The implication is that Kishtayya has gone out to drink again and has left Lakshmi the seedling as compensation. She steps outside the doorstep, finds Kishtayya staggering home, and breaks the pot in front of him before returning inside.
• Metaphorically speaking, the seedling of popular rebellion sprouts at the end of the film (the villagers begin to protest the village's social hierarchy).
Social issues[edit]
Many reviewers suggest that Ankur makes a statement concerning one particular social issue. In reality, it addresses several, including (but not necessarily limited to) those listed below:
• Alcoholism: Kishtayya used to be a "good potter," Lakshmi tells Surya. However, demand for his clay pots became weak since aluminium vessels were becoming increasingly popular. As he could not sell many pots, he began to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Lakshmi claims that Kishtayya is a "good man" whose "only fault is drinking." Two scenes show Kishtayya returning home after a night of drinking while Lakshmi cooks dinner. In both scenes, a worried Lakshmi scolds her husband, trying to discourage him from drinking. Kishtayya's only response is to go to bed on a hungry stomach. He does not overcome his alcoholism until he abandons Lakshmi.
• Casteism: The film provides a deeper insight into the ugliness of Indian caste system, particularly visible in the rural areas.[5] The villagers expect Lakshmi to work as Surya's servant. However, being a Dalit, tradition forbids that she cook meals for Surya. Thus, when Surya asks Lakshmi to cook his meals, the villagers (particularly the Hindu greengrocer) begin to disapprove of him. When Saru moves to Surya's house, she refuses to touch "anything that she (Lakshmi) has touched."
• Rich vs. Poor: The first time Lakshmi is shown scolding Kishtayya, she claims that she is obliged to commit petty theft in order to care for herself and her husband. She initially steals no more than three handfuls a day of rice from Surya. Some time after she is dismissed from her job, she returns to Surya's house to look for work again. Saru offers Lakshmi food instead of work, and Lakshmi attempts to steal a little more rice than usual (as she is pregnant). Saru catches her red-handed as she brings a meal, then forces her to put back the rice, saying, "You people starve because you steal." In the end, Lakshmi refuses "your [Surya's] jobs, your money, anything of yours!" thus suggesting that poverty does not concern her in this context.
• Parent vs. Child: The relationship between Surya and his father appears to be rather unsteady; neither of them smiles when they are together. Surya tries to spend more time with his friends by asking his father for permission to study for a Bachelor of Arts degree. However, his father (who already knows what Surya is trying to do) refuses him permission and forces him to marry Saru. Little does Surya's father initially know what the consequences of these actions of his will be.
• Sexual drive: Surya, Lakshmi, and Rajamma have all engaged in adultery. Each has his own reasons. Surya is sexually frustrated, and Rajamma wants a child. Lakshmi's reasons are unclear, for Ankur does not reveal when her affair with Surya began. (See the Unanswered Questions section of this article.)
• Changing loyalties: Saru is perhaps the only character who does not change her loyalty to something (in her case, tradition). Surya pretends to be loyal to Lakshmi but abandons her once she becomes pregnant. Lakshmi is loyal to her husband until she sleeps with Surya. We do not know whether Kishtayya has remained loyal to his wife in his absence (though it seems improbable considering his general respect for Lakshmi, adultery on his part might explain why he forgives her). Certainly, he has abandoned his loyalty to alcohol but remains supportive of his wife.
• Religious differences: This less predominant issue characterizes the relationship between two of the minor characters, namely Sheikh Chand and the greengrocer. Their religious differences encourages them to play nonviolent practical jokes on one another. The greengrocer tricks Sheikh Chand into getting Surya's car out of the mud; later, Sheikh Chand reciprocates by stealing a few betel leaves from the greengrocer.
• Dowry: This issue is a relatively minor one in the film. It is addressed only in one quote, when Lakshmi explains why she married Kishtayya. After Surya asks why Lakshmi chose to marry a "drunken deaf-mute," she answers that no one else would marry her as she could not afford to pay dowry. She then points out that Kishtayya was not yet a drunkard.
• The attitudes of Surya's mother and Lakshmi towards their husbands are ironic in different ways. Both are fiercely defensive of their husbands and forbid Surya to say anything negative about them. Yet, Surya's mother has suffered as the landlord prefers Kaushalya to his legitimate wife, and Lakshmi continues to defend Kishtayya after having an affair with Surya.
• Surya repeatedly criticizes Kishtayya for drinking. However, on the night of Diwali, he and three other privileged villagers drink while gambling using cards. One of the participants, Swami, drinks more than his companions and stakes not only all his money but also his gold chain, his watch, and even his wife. He loses all three (though his adversary does not succeed in carrying away Swami's wife).
In Ankur, there are multiple minor events that foreshadow parts of the main plot. Examples are provided below.
• After his unsuccessful attempt to flirt with Lakshmi, Surya walks to his water well when suddenly he notices a snake approaching him. He is so scared that instead of running away, he stands still out of shock while calling Lakshmi for help, thus making it easier for the snake to bite him. Lakshmi saves his life by chasing the snake back to its hole, but Surya shows no gratitude. This act of cowardice in a small scene foreshadows the final scene, in which Surya runs back into his house on seeing Lakshmi, emotionally unable to confront her.
• The first time that Kishtayya is shown returning home drunk, he attempts to engage in sexual intercourse with Lakshmi after she scolds him. She resists at first but soon gives in. The same happens, though on a larger scale, between Lakshmi and Surya after Kishtayya leaves the village.
Unanswered questions[edit]
Although the plot of Ankur is very detailed, it does withhold enough information to leave some questions unanswered.
• Did Surya always oppose the caste system, or did he simply adopt this belief to be closer to Lakshmi?[6]
• When did Lakshmi and Surya begin their affair? Was it before or after Kishtayya left the village?
• Sheikh Chand discovers Lakshmi stealing his maize but tries to dissuade her, saying that Surya will grant land to her as his father did to Kaushalya. In the next scene, he tries unsuccessfully to convince Surya to look after Lakshmi. How much time elapsed between these two scenes? Did Sheikh Chand truly believe that Lakshmi would benefit, or was he simply trying to console her?
• Why, in fact, did Lakshmi decide to have an affair? Was it for fear of losing her job and only source of income? (Satyajit Ray, on whom Benegal later made a documentary film, had directed a film called Pratidwandi four years before the making of this film. In Pratidwandi, the main character's sister "Topu" or Sutapa has an affair with her boss for this reason.)
The characters in Ankur often speak the Dakhani language, a variant of Standard Hindi-Urdu spoken in Southern India (particularly in the Hyderabad area). For example, when Surya asks Lakshmi where Kishtayya is, she responds, "Mereku naheeN maaluum" in Dakhani instead of "Mujhe naheeN maaluum" (I don't know) in Standard Hindi. (See Muslim culture of Hyderabad for more examples of Dakhani).
Shabana Azmi, a fresh graduate from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII), wasn't the first choice for the role of Lakshmi, Benegal had earlier approached, actress, Waheeda Rehman, Anju Mahendru and Sharada, all of whom had refused his offer. Thereafter, he chose Shabana Azmi, there again, he had to alter the script a bit to suit, the younger looking Lakshmi.[7]
Benegal was initially reluctant to hire Shabana Azmi, thinking she was a model and perhaps unsuitable for the role of a humble villager.
Being an Indian art film, Ankur is a "straight" feature without musical sequences. However, Surya plays parts of two records over the course of the film. The first recording consists of the third stanza of the song "Yahii To Hai Woh" from Solvan Saal (1958). The fourth stanza is then played in the background while Surya talks to Lakshmi.
The film also includes several scenes in which villagers sing folk songs, mostly in Telugu.
The film was both commercial and critical success, as film's producer, Lalit M. Bijlani, who produced the film for just five lakhs rupees, went on to make one crore with its release.[8]
A Channel 4 review placed the film, in "the top ten classic films of the Indian Art House canon.",[9] while according to the Independent,"the deeply impressive lead performance by Shabana Azmi demonstrates Ankur as one of the most mature and compelling films the Indian cinema has to offer".[10] For the Time Out reviewer, the film, "recalled the modest realism of Satyajit Ray,[11] and as a recent reviewer, put "Shyam Benegal creates a sublime and provocative examination of hypocrisy, economic disparity, and the social status of women in Ankur.[12]
See also[edit]
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65656 | Battle of Dyrrhachium (48 BC)
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For the battle between the Bulgarians and Byzantines, see Battle of Dyrrhachium (1018). For the battle between the Normans and Byzantines, see Battle of Dyrrhachium (1081).
Battle of Dyrrhachium
Part of Caesar's Civil War
Dyrrhachium 48 en.png
Caesar's forces
Pompey's forces
Date 10 July 48 BC
Location Dyrrhachium (today Durrës)
Result Optimates' victory
Optimates Populares
Commanders and leaders
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus Gaius Julius Caesar
45,000+ 15,000
Casualties and losses
2,000 1,000-4,000[1]
The Battle of Dyrrachium (or Dyrrhachium) on 10 July 48 BC was a battle of Caesar's Civil War in the area of the city of Dyrrachium (in what is now Albania). It was fought between Julius Caesar and the army led by Gnaeus Pompey with the backing of the majority of the Roman Senate. The battle was a victory for Pompey, albeit not a decisive one.[2] The battle preceded the Battle of Pharsalus which was the decisive battle of the Civil War.
By the end of Julius Caesar's first year as consul he had accumulated a large list of lawsuits. Roman law gave government officials immunity from prosecution but only during their term of office while they held lawful Imperium. Once he became a private citizen Caesar knew he would be vulnerable. Instead, as was usual for a consul at the end of his term, Caesar obtained a proconsul position, or governorship, over the territories of Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum, with the later addition of Transalpine Gaul. What was not usual was the length of Caesar's term as proconsul, which was for five years instead of the usual one. Moreover, prior to the end of his five years as proconsul of Gaul and Illyricum, Caesar assisted his allies Crassus and Pompey in being elected consuls, who in-turn extended his pro-consulship for a further five years. At the end of his term as proconsul, having now met the condition on a minimum of ten years between elections as consul, Caesar intended on standing for the consulship in absentia, and upon being elected go straight from his proconsular command into the second consulship. In this way he would maintain his imperium and thereby not be vulnerable to lawsuits. However, the Senate ordered him to resign command of his army. Caesar replied that he would agree to resign his military command if Pompey followed suit. Offended, the Senate demanded he immediately disband his army, or be declared an enemy of the people. In 50 BC, at his Proconsular term’s expiry, the Senate forbade Caesar's standing for election in absentia for a second consulship and because of this, Caesar thought he would be prosecuted and rendered politically marginal if he entered Rome without consular immunity or his army. Caesar responded by marching on Rome and he forced the unprepared Pompey and his allies to flee to Greece, starting the Great Roman Civil War.
Caesar did not immediately give chase to Greece and instead consolidated power in Rome and Italy. He had other problems as well, Pompey had left him with no ships to cross the Adriatic and Spain had begun to mobilize against Caesar. After gathering the remainder of his forces from Transalpine Gaul he marched into Spain and subdued enough of the country that it wouldn't intervene during his campaign against Pompey. He then turned his full attention to Pompey. Having only built half the needed ships Caesar grew impatient and decided to gamble on sending half his army across, and to then have the ships travel back to Rome and transport the remainder. Travel across the Adriatic Sea to Greece would ordinarily be difficult, but was made more so given that it was winter and the sea was treacherous. In addition Pompey's fleet, commanded by Caesar's former junior consul Marcus Calpurnius Bibulus, lay between Caesar and Greece. As it was winter Bibulus was unprepared and Caesar was able to sail through the blockade easily and form a beachhead at Epirus with the first half of his army. Bibulus however was able to block Caesar's attempt to sail his ships back to Italy, burning most of them. Bibulus died shortly after and command fell to Lucius Scribonius Libo.
Caesar's blunder had put him in the worst possible position any army could find itself in. His army had no way to resupply from Rome due to the naval blockade, he couldn't resupply locally as Greece was pro-Pompey and closed their gates to Caesar, and his army was only at half strength. So dire was his situation that he made several attempts to discuss peace with Pompey but was refused at every channel. Realizing he was going to have to fight his way out, he attempted another winter blockade run back to Italy to lead his remaining forces to Greece. His luck was not with him and the rough seas and storms forced him back. However, his Master of the Horse Marc Antony fired up his troops and after several attempts broke Libo's blockade and managed to make it north of Caesar's position. It was now a race against time as both Caesar and Pompey rushed to meet Antony. Although Pompey reached Antony first Caesar was right on his heels and Pompey prudently moved his forces to Dyrrachium to prevent becoming caught between the two forces.
The Siege[edit]
Dyrrachium was a strong defensive position for Pompey. His back was guarded by the sea, and at his front there were hills that commanded the immediate area. This made an assault on the position nearly impossible. Caesar instead decided to revisit his Gallic Wars play-book and ordered his engineers to build walls and fortifications to pin Pompey against the sea. Pompey responded with wall and fortifications of his own to prevent any further advancement. Between these two fortifications a no mans land was created which saw constant skirmishes with little or no advancement-- similar to the trench warfare of World War I. Caesar held the out-lying farmland but it had been picked clean and Pompey, with the sea to his back, was able to be resupplied by ship. However, as the siege wore on, their positions began to change. Pompey found it difficult with the limited land to create enough fodder for his horses, and other supplies such as fresh water became more and more difficult to maintain. Harvest was approaching and soon Caesar would have enough food to prolong his position. This caused Pompey to become desperate to break out of the siege. By mid summer, though, Pompey had a fortunate stroke of luck. Two Gallic auxiliary were caught stealing the pay from legionaries, but managed to escape to Pompey. With these two men on his side, Pompey was able to discover the weakest point in Caesar's wall.[3] A section to the south of the lines hadn't yet been completed and it was the only viable target for attack.
The Battle[edit]
Pompey mounted an attack of six legions against Caesar's line where it joined the sea and where Caesar's IX legion was stationed. Heavily outnumbering the Caesarian troops, the Pompeian army broke through the weakened fortifications, causing this segment of Caesar's force to pull back from the onslaught. Caesar swiftly reinforced the breach with twelve cohorts under Antony and then counterattacked, re-securing part of the wall and pushing Pompey's forces back. Although Caesar's counterattack was initially successful, Pompey's forces were simply too numerous and they began to outflank Caesar's right wing. This buckled as it was threatened from the rear, and as the wing collapsed, Caesar's army began to rout. At first Caesar personally tried to stem the retreat, but then realised the potentially disastrous danger his army faced and instead began to co-ordinate the withdrawal of his army.
Pompey ordered a halt, believing that Caesar had been decisively beaten, and also suspecting a trap. According to Plutarch, Caesar remarked on that decision saying, "Today the victory had been the enemy's, had there been any one among them to gain it."[4]
Caesar next captured the town of Gomphi, allowing his men to resupply and rest and then moved towards Pharsalus, where the decisive Battle of Pharsalus would soon be fought.
1. ^ 1,000 according to Caesar himself, 1,000 according to Plutarch in his Life of Caesar but 2,000 according to the same author in his Life of Pompey. 4,000 according to Orosius. Some sources might have taken into account the caesarian prisoners killed after the battle.
2. ^ "Battle of Dyrrhachium". UNRV. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-19.
3. ^
4. ^ Plutarch Pompey 65.5, Dryden translation: p. 465.
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65657 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Birdwatcher)
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"Birdwatchers" redirects here. For the movie, see BirdWatchers (film); for the rock band, see The Birdwatchers.
"Birding" redirects here. For the killing of birds, see hunting; for the capture of birds, see bird trapping; for the magazine, see Birding (magazine).
People birdwatching on Orchid Island in Indian River County, Florida
Birding, birdwatching, and twitching[edit]
A birdwatching tower in Hankasalmi, Finland
The first recorded use of the term birdwatcher was in 1891; bird was introduced as a verb in 1918.[3] The term birding was also used for the practice of fowling or hunting with firearms as in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602): "She laments sir... her husband goes this morning a-birding."[4] The terms birding and birdwatching are today used by some interchangeably, although some participants prefer birding, partly because it does not exclude the auditory aspects of enjoying birds.
In North America, many birders differentiate themselves from birdwatchers, and the term birder is unknown to most lay people. At the most basic level, the distinction is perceived as one of dedication or intensity, though this is a subjective differentiation. Generally, self-described birders perceive themselves to be more versed in minutiae like identification (aural and visual), molt, distribution, migration timing, and habitat usage. Whereas these dedicated birders may often travel specifically in search of birds, birdwatchers have been described by some enthusiasts as having a more limited scope, perhaps not venturing far from their own yards or local parks to view birds.[1] Indeed, in 1969 a Birding Glossary appeared in Birding magazine which gave the following definitions:
BirdingVolume 1, No.2
Twitching is a British term used to mean "the pursuit of a previously located rare bird." In North America it is more often called chasing, though the British usage is starting to catch on there, especially among younger birders. The term twitcher, sometimes misapplied as a synonym for birder, is reserved for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird that would then be ticked, or counted on a list.[2][5]
Twitching is highly developed in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Finland and Sweden. The size of these countries makes it possible to travel throughout them quickly and with relative ease. The most popular twitches in the UK have drawn large crowds; for example, a group of approximately 2,500 people travelled to Kent, England, to view a golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera), which is native to North America.[6] Twitchers have developed their own vocabulary. For example, a twitcher who fails to see a rare bird has dipped out; if other twitchers do see the bird, he may feel gripped off. Suppression is the act of concealing news of a rare bird from other twitchers.[2]
Many birdwatchers maintain a life list, that is, a list of all of the species they have seen in their life, usually with details about the sighting such as date and location. The American Birding Association has specific rules about how a bird species may be documented and recorded in such a list if it is submitted to the ABA, however, the criteria for the personal recording of these lists are very subjective. Some birdwatchers "count" species they have identified audibly, while others only record species they’ve identified visually. Some also maintain a country-list, state-list, county list, yard-list, year list, or any combination of these.
The history of birdwatching[edit]
The term "birdwatching" appeared for the first time as the title of a book "Bird Watching" by Edmund Selous in 1901.[9] In North America, the identification of birds, once thought possible only by shooting was made possible by the emergence of optics and field identification guides. The earliest field guide in the US was Birds through an Opera Glass (1889) by Florence Bailey.[10]
Birding in North America was focused in the early and mid-20th century in the eastern seaboard region, and was influenced by the works of Ludlow Griscom and later Roger Tory Peterson. Bird Neighbors (1897) by Neltje Blanchan was an early birding book which sold over 250,000 copies.[11] It was illustrated with color photographs of stuffed birds.[12]
The organization and networking of those interested in birds began through organizations like the Audubon Society that was against the killing of birds and the American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). The rising popularity of the car increased the mobility of birdwatchers and this made new locations accessible to those interested in birds.[13] Networks of birdwatchers in the UK began to form in the late 1930s under the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). The BTO saw the potential to produce scientific results through the networks, unlike the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) which like the Audubon Society originated from the bird protection movement.[14]
Like the AOU in North America, the BOU had a focus mainly in collection based taxonomy. The BOU changed focus to ecology and behaviour only in the 1940s.[15] The BTO movement towards 'organized birdwatching', was opposed by the RSPB which claimed that the 'scientification' of the pastime was 'undesirable'. This stand was to change only in 1936 when the RSPB was taken over by Tom Harrisson and others. Harrisson was instrumental in the organization of pioneering surveys of the great crested grebe.[16]
Increased mobility of birdwatchers ensured that books like Where to Watch Birds by John Gooders became best-sellers.[17] By the 1960s air-travel became feasible and long distance holiday destinations opened up with the result that by 1965, Britain's first birding tour company, Ornitholidays was started by Lawrence Holloway.[18] Travelling far away also led to problems in name usage, British birds like "wheatear", "heron" and "swallow" needed adjectives to differentiate them in places where there were several related species.[19] The falling cost of air-travel made flying to remote birding destinations a possibility for a large number of people towards the 1980s. The need for global guides to birds became more relevant and one of the biggest projects that began was the Handbook of the Birds of the World which started in the 1990s with Josep del Hoyo a country doctor in Catalonia, Jordi Sargatal and ornithologist Andy Elliott.[20]
Initially, birdwatching was a hobby practiced in developed countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, since the second half of the 20th century an increasing number of people in developing countries have engaged in this activity. Transnational birding has played an important role in this, as citizens from developing countries that engage in birdwatching usually develop this pastime due to influence of foreign cultures that already practise birding.[21]
Economic and environmental impact[edit]
In the 20th century most of the birding activity in North America was done on the east coast. The publication of Roger Tory Peterson's field guide in 1934 led to the initial increase in birding. Binoculars became more easily available after World War II, which made this easier. The practice of travelling long distances to see rare bird species was aided by the rising popularity of cars.[22]
About 4% of North Americans were interested in birding in the 1970s and in the mid-1980s at least 11% were found to watch birds at least 20 days of the year. An estimate of 61 million birders was made in the late 1980s. The income level of birders has been found to be well above average.[23]
The 2000 publication of "The Sibley Guide to Birds" sold 500,000 copies by 2002.[24] but it was found that the number of birdwatchers rose but there appeared to be a drop in birdwatching in the backyard.[25]
According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service study, birdwatchers contributed $36 billion to the US economy 2006, and one fifth (20%) of all Americans are identified as birdwatchers.[26]
North American birders were estimated to have spent as much as US$32 billion in 2001.[25] The spending is on the rise around the world. Kuşcenneti National Park (KNP) at Lake Manyas, a Ramsar site in Turkey was estimated to attract birders who spent as much as US$103,320,074 annually.[27] Guided bird tours have become a major business with at least 127 companies offering tours worldwide. An average trip to a less-developed country costs $4000 per person and includes about 12 participants for each of 150 trips a year. It has been suggested that this economic potential needs to be tapped for conservation.[28]
One of the expectations of ecotourism is that the travels of birdwatchers to a place will contribute to the improvement of the local economy which and in turn ensure that the environment is valued and protected. Numerous positive and negative impacts of birdwatching have been identified. Impacts include disturbance to birds, the environment, local cultures and the economy. Methods to reduce negative impact and improve the value to conservation are the subject of research.[29]
Birdwatchers at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel, Florida
Many birdwatchers occupy themselves with observing local species (birding in their "local patch"[30]), but may also make specific trips to observe birds in other locales. The most active times of the year for birding in temperate zones are during the spring or fall migrations when the greatest variety of birds may be seen. On these occasions, large numbers of birds travel north or south to wintering or nesting locations. Early mornings are typically better as the birds are more active and vocal making them easier to spot.
Certain locations such as the local patch of forest, wetland and coast may be favoured according to the location and season. Seawatching is a type of birdwatching where observers based at a coastal watch point, such as a headland, watch birds flying over the sea. This is one form of pelagic birding, by which pelagic bird species are viewed. Another way birdwatchers view pelagic species is from seagoing vessels.
Birdwatchers may take part in censuses of bird populations and migratory patterns which are sometimes specific to individual species. These birdwatchers may also count all birds in a given area, as in the Christmas Bird Count or follow carefully designed study protocols. This kind of citizen science can assist in identifying environmental threats to the well-being of birds or, conversely, in assessing outcomes of environmental management initiatives intended to ensure the survival of at-risk species or encourage the breeding of species for aesthetic or ecological reasons[according to whom?].
This more scientific side of the hobby is an aspect of ornithology, coordinated in the UK by the British Trust for Ornithology. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology hosts many citizen-science projects to track the number and distribution of bird species across North America. These surveys help scientists note major changes from year to year which may occur as a result of climate change, disease, predation, and other factors.[32][33]
Environmental education[edit]
Moroccan students watching birds at Nador's lagoon as a part of environmental education activities organized by the Spanish Ornithological Society
Due to their accessibility and ubiquity, birds are a useful tool for environmental education and awareness on environmental issues. Birds easily transmit values on respect to nature and the fragility of ecosystems.
Birdwatchers watching Britain's fifth-ever white-tailed lapwing at Caerlaverock, Scotland, 6 June 2007
Birding as a competitive event is organized in some parts of the world. These are found to be more exciting by some.[34] The birding competitions encourage individuals or teams to accumulate large numbers of species within a specified time or area with special rules. Some birdwatchers will also compete by attempting to increase their life list, national list, state list, provincial list, county list, or year list. There have however been criticisms of such events especially when they are claimed to aid conservation when they may actually mask serious environmental issues.[35] The American Birding Association was originally started as a club for "listers", but it now serves a much broader audience. Still, the ABA continues to publish an official annual report of North American list standings.
Competitive birdwatching events include:
• Big Day: teams have 24 hours to identify as many species as possible.
• Big Year: like a big day, but contestants are individuals, and need to be prepared to invest a great deal of time and money.
• Big Sit or Big Stay: birdwatchers must see birds from a circle of prescribed diameter (e.g.: 17-foot[36]). Once birds are spotted, birdwatchers can leave the circle to confirm the identity, but new birds seen may not be counted.
Networking and organization[edit]
Prominent national and continental organizations concerned with birding include the British Trust for Ornithology and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom, and the American Birding Association and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in North America. Many statewide or local Audubon organizations are also quite active in the United States, as are many provincial and local organizations in Canada. BirdLife International is an important global alliance of bird conservation organizations. Many countries and smaller regions (states/provinces) have "rarities committees" to check, accept or reject reports of rare birds made by birders.
Equipment and technology[edit]
Birders using a tower hide to gain views over foreground vegetation. Bay of Liminka, south of Oulu, Finland.
Equipment commonly used for birding includes binoculars, a spotting scope with tripod, a notepad, and one or more field guides. Hides (known as blinds in North America) or observation towers are often used to conceal the observers from birds, and/or to improve viewing conditions. Virtually all optics manufacturers offer specific binoculars for birding, and some have even geared their whole brand to birders.
Sound equipment[edit]
Recognition of bird vocalizations is an important part of a birder's toolkit. Sound information can assist in the locating, watching, identification and sexing of birds. Recent developments in audio technology have seen recording and reproduction devices shrink in both size and price, making them accessible to a greater portion of the birding community.
The non-linear nature of digital audio technology has also made selecting and accessing the required recordings much more flexible than tape-based models. It is now possible to take a recording of every birdcall you are likely to encounter in a given area out into the field stored on a device that will slip into your pocket, and to retrieve calls for playback and comparison in any order you choose.
Photography has always been a part of birding, but in the past the cost of cameras with super-telephoto lenses made this a minority, often semi-professional, interest. The advent of affordable digital cameras, which can be used in conjunction with a spotting scope or binoculars (using the technique of afocal photography, referred to by the neologism "digiscoping" or sometimes digibinning for binoculars), have made this a much more widespread aspect of the hobby.
As with the arrival of affordable digital cameras, the development of more compact and affordable digital video cameras has made them more attractive and accessible to the birding community. Cross-over, non-linear digital models now exist that take high quality stills at acceptable resolutions, as well as being able to record and play audio and video. The ability to easily capture and reproduce not only the visual characteristics of a bird, but also its patterns of movement and its sound, has wide applications for birders in the field.
Portable media players[edit]
This class of product includes devices that can play (some can also record) a range of digital media, typically video, audio and still image files. Many modern digital cameras, mobile phones, and camcorders can be classified as portable media players. With the ability to store and play large quantities of information, pocket-sized devices allow a full birding multimedia library to be taken into the field and mobile Internet access makes obtaining and transmitting information possible in near real time.
Remote birdwatching[edit]
New technologies are allowing birdwatching activities to take place over the Internet, using robotic camera installations and mobile phones set up in remote wildlife areas. Projects such as CONE [1] allow users to observe and photograph birds over the web; similarly, robotic cameras set up in largely inhospitable areas are being used to attempt the first photographs of the rare ivory-billed woodpecker. These systems represent new technologies in the birdwatcher's toolkit.[37]
In the early 1950s the only way of communicating new bird sightings was through the postal system and it was generally too late for the recipients to act on the information. In 1953 James Ferguson-Lees began broadcasting rare bird news on the radio in Eric Simms' Countryside program but this did not catch on. In the 1960s people began using the telephone and some people became hubs for communication. In the 1970s some cafes, like the one in Cley, Norfolk run by Nancy Gull, became centers for meeting and communication. This was replaced by telephone hotline services like "Birdline" and "Bird Information Service".[38]
With the advent of the World-Wide Web, birders have been using the Internet to convey information; this can be via mailing lists, forums, bulletin-boards, web-based databases and other media.[39][40] While most birding lists are geographic in scope, there are special-interest lists that cater to bird-identification, 'twitchers', seabirds and raptor enthusiasts to name but a few. Messages can range from the serious to trivial, notifying others of rarities, questioning the taxonomy or identification of a species, discussing field guides and other resources, asking for advice and guidance, or organizing groups to help save habitats. Occasional postings are mentioned in academic journals and therefore can be a valuable resource for professional and amateur birders alike.[41][42] One of the oldest, Birdchat[43] (based in the US) probably has the most subscribers, followed by the English-language fork of Eurobirdnet,[44] Birding-Aus[45] from Australia, SABirdnet[46] from South Africa and Orientalbirding.[47]
Several websites allow users to submit lists of birds seen,[48] while others collate and produce seasonal statistics, distribution maps.
Code of conduct[edit]
As the numbers of birdwatchers increases, there is growing concern about the impact of birdwatching on the birds and their habitat. Birdwatching etiquette is evolving in response to this concern.[49] Some examples of birdwatching etiquette include promoting the welfare of birds and their environment, limiting use of photography, pishing and playback devices to mitigate stress caused to birds, maintaining a distance away from nests and nesting colonies, and respecting private property.[50]
The lack of definite evidence, except arguably in the form of photographs, makes birding records difficult to prove but birdwatchers strive to build trust in their identification.[51] One of the few major disputes was the case of the Hastings Rarities.
Ethologist Nikolaas Tinbergen considers birdwatching to be an expression of the male hunting instinct while Simon Baron-Cohen links it with the male tendency for "systemizing".[52] There have been suggestions that identification of birds may be a form of gaining status which has been compared with Kula valuables noted in Papua New Guinean cultures.[53]
A study of the motivations for birdwatching in New York concluded that initial motivations were largely similar in males and females, but males who participate actively in birding are more motivated by "sharing knowledge" with others, and active female birders are more motivated by their "intellectual" interest in studying birds, and by the "challenge" of identifying new and rare birds and improving their skills.[54] A study suggests that males leaned towards competitive birding while females preferred recreational birdwatching.[55] While the representation of women has always been low,[56] it has been pointed out that nearly 90% of all birdwatchers in the United States are white with only a few African Americans.[57]
Other minority groups have formed organizations to support fellow birders and these include the Gay birders[58] and the Disabled Birders Association.[56][59]
The study of birdwatching has been of interest to students of the sociology of science.[60]
Famous birdwatchers[edit]
There are about 10,000 species of bird and only a small number of people have seen more than 7000. Many birdwatchers have spent their entire lives trying to see all the bird species of the world.[61] The first person who started this is said to be Stuart Keith.[62]
Some birders have been known to go to great lengths and many have lost their lives in the process. Phoebe Snetsinger spent her family inheritance travelling to various parts of the world while suffering from a malignant melanoma, surviving an attack and rape in New Guinea before dying in a road accident in Madagascar.[63] She saw as many as 8,400 species. The birdwatcher David Hunt who was leading a bird tour in Corbett National Park was killed by a tiger in February 1985.[64][65] In 1971 Ted Parker travelled around North America and saw 626 species in a year. This record was beaten by Kenn Kaufman in 1973 who travelled 69,000 miles and saw 671 species and spent less than a thousand dollars.[66] Ted Parker was killed in an air-crash in Ecuador.[67]
From 2008 the top life-list has been held by Tom Gullick, an Englishman who lives in Spain. In 2012 he became the first birdwatcher to log over 9,000 species.[68] In 2008 two British birders, Alan Davies and Ruth Miller, gave up their jobs, sold their home and put everything they owned into a year-long global birdwatching adventure about which they a wrote a book called "The Biggest Twitch". They logged their 4431st species on 31 October 2008.[69]
Birdwatching literature, field guides and television programs have been popularized by birders like Pete Dunne and Bill Oddie.
In media[edit]
The 2011 movie The Big Year depicted three birders competing in an ABA Area big year.
See also[edit]
1. ^ a b c Dunne, Pete (2003). Pete Dunne on Bird Watching. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-90686-5. OCLC 50228297.
2. ^ a b c d e Oddie, Bill (1980). Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book. Frome & London: Butler & Tanner Ltd. ISBN 0-413-47820-3. OCLC 8960462.
3. ^ Merriam Webster
4. ^ Moss 2004:33
5. ^ a b Dooley, Sean (2007). Anoraks to Zitting Cisticola. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 978-1-74175-272-4. OCLC 174092376.
6. ^ Steve Dudley, Tim Benton, Peter Fraser, John Ryan (2010). Rare Birds Day by Day. T. & A. D. Poyser. ISBN 1-4081-3795-X.
7. ^ Moss 2004:10
8. ^ Moss 2004:72
9. ^ Moss 2004:88
10. ^ Barrow, Mark (1998). A Passion for Birds. Princeton University Press. pp. 156–157. ISBN 0-691-04402-3.
11. ^ Shearin, Gloria. 2008. Neltje Blanchan. In: Patterson, D., Thompson, R., Bryson, S., et al., Early American Nature Writers. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, ISBN 0313346801. pp.62-69.
12. ^ Dunlap, Thomas R. 2011. In the Field, Among the Feathered: A History of Birders & Their Guides, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199734593. p 47.
13. ^ Moss 2004:104-106
14. ^ Macdonald, H. (2002). "What makes you a scientist is the way you look at things: ornithology and the observer 1930–1955". Studies in History & Philosophy of Biological & Biomedical Sciences 33 (1): 53. doi:10.1016/S1369-8486(01)00034-6.
16. ^ Moss 2004:128
17. ^ Moss 2004:233-234
18. ^ Moss 2004:234-235
19. ^ Moss 2004:250
20. ^ Moss 2004:252-253
21. ^ Gómez de Silva, Héctor & Alvarado Reyes, Ernesto (2010). "Breve historia de la observación de aves en México en el siglo XX y principios del siglo XXI" (PDF). Huitzil 11: 9–20.
22. ^ Moss 2004:265
23. ^ Kerlinger, P. (1993). Birding economics and birder demographics studies as conservation tools in Proc. Status and Managem. of Neotrop. Migr. Birds. eds. D. Finch and P. Stangel (PDF). Rocky Mntn For. and Range Exper. Station, Fort Collins, CO. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rept. RM-229. pp. 32–38.
24. ^ Cordell, H. Ken; Herbert, Nancy G. (2002). "The Popularity of Birding is Still Growing" (PDF). Birding: 54–61.
25. ^ a b Pullis La Rouche, G. (2003). Birding in the United States: a demographic and economic analysis. Addendum to the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Report 2001-1. (PDF). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington, Virginia.
26. ^ "Fågelskådare bidrar med 36 miljarder dollar till USA:s ekonomi". Swedish Ornithologic Society. 2009.
27. ^ Gürlük, S., & Rehber, E. (2008). "A travel cost study to estimate recreational value for a bird refuge at Lake Manyas, Turkey". Journal of Environmental Management 88 (4): 1350–1360. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2007.07.017. PMID 17766033.
28. ^ Sekercioglu, C.H. (2003). "Conservation through commodification" (PDF). Birding 35 (4): 394–402.
29. ^ Sekercioglu, Cagan H. (2002). "Impacts of birdwatching on human and avian communities" (PDF). Environmental Conservation 29 (3): 282–289. doi:10.1017/S0376892902000206.
30. ^ Eubanks, TL (2007). "Bare-naked birding" (PDF). Birding.
31. ^ Moss, Stephen (1995). Birds and Weather A Birdwatcher's Guide. London: Hamlyn. ISBN 0-600-58679-0. OCLC 33207495.
32. ^ An introduction to birdwatching (PDF). Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2003.
34. ^ Kenneth Sheard (1999). "A Twitch in Time Saves Nine: Birdwatching, Sport, and Civilizing Processes". Sociology of Sport Journal 16 (3): 181–205.
35. ^ Schaffner, Spencer (2009). Environmental Sporting: Birding at Superfund Sites, Landfills, and Sewage Ponds. Journal of Sport and Social Issues 33:206-229
36. ^ Dunne, P. (2007). Big Day Big Stay. Birder's World, 21(5), 18-21.
37. ^ Charlotte N. L. Chambers (2007). ""Well its remote, I suppose, innit?" The relational politics of bird-watching through the CCTV lens". Scottish Geographical Journal 123 (2): 122–134. doi:10.1080/14702540701624568.
38. ^ Moss 2004:267-275
39. ^ Peter Montague and Maria B. Pellerano (2001). "Toxicology and environmental digital resources from and for citizen groups". Toxicology 157 (1–2): 77–88. doi:10.1016/S0300-483X(00)00342-5. PMID 11164976.
40. ^ Kaisa Still, Minna Isomursu, Soili Vainamo (2005). "Exploring the integration of community communication technologies: case birdwatchers". International Journal of Web Based Communities 1 (3): 346–359. doi:10.1504/IJWBC.2005.006932.
41. ^ Hailman JP (1996). Computer networking in ornithology in Computer Networking and Scholarly Communication in the Twenty-first-Century University (Eds. Teresa M. Harrison, Timothy Stephen). SUNY Press. pp. 167–175. ISBN 0-7914-2853-2.
42. ^ Ian Newton, Rodney Kavanagh, Jerry Olsen, Iain Taylor (2002). Ecology and Conservation of Owls: Proceedings of the Owls 2000, Canberra, Australia. CSIRO Publishing. p. 353. ISBN 0-643-06794-9.
43. ^
44. ^
45. ^
46. ^
47. ^
48. ^ UK Life & Year Lists Online Birdax
49. ^ Bumstead, Pat (2004). The Art of Birdwatching. Simply Wild Publications Inc. ISBN 0-9689278-2-3. OCLC 56329274.
50. ^ American Birding Association ABA ethics
51. ^ Donnelly, Peter (1994). "Take my word for it: Trust in the context of birding and mountaineering". Qualitative Sociology 17 (3): 215–241. doi:10.1007/BF02422253.
52. ^ Maddox, Bruno (2006). "Blinded by Science: Birding Brains". Discover 27 (12): 66–67.
53. ^ Liep, John 2001. Airborne kula:The appropriation of birds by Danish ornithologists. Anthropology today 17(5):10-15
54. ^ Sali, M., Kuehn, D., & Zhang, L. (2008). "Motivations for Male and Female Birdwatchers in New York State". Human Dimensions of Wildlife 13 (3): 187–200. doi:10.1080/10871200801982795.
55. ^ Cooper, C. B. & J. A. Smith (2010). "Gender patterns in bird-related recreation in the USA and UK". Ecology and Society 15 (4): 4.
56. ^ a b Moss 2004:316-330
57. ^ Robinson, J.C. (2005). Relative Prevalence of African Americans among Bird Watchers. General Technical Report PSW-GTR-191 (PDF). U.S. Department of Agriculture–Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. Albany, Calif.
58. ^
59. ^
60. ^ Law, J. and Lynch, M. (1990). Lists, Field Guides, and the Descriptive Organization of Seeing: Birdwatching as an Exemplary Observational Activity in Representation in Scientific Practice. M. Lynch and S. Woolgar (eds.). Cambridge: MIT Press. pp. 267–299.
61. ^ Koeppel, Dan (2005). To See Every Bird on Earth. Hudson Street Publisher. ISBN 1-4193-3299-6. OCLC 68757783.
62. ^ Moss 2004:261
63. ^ Phoebe Snetsinger (2003). Birding on Borrowed Time. American Birding Association. ISBN 1-878788-41-8.
64. ^ Stanley Breeden, Belinda Wright (1997). Through the Tiger's Eyes: A Chronicle of India's Wildlife. Ten Speed Press. p. 173. ISBN 0-89815-847-8.
65. ^ David Hunt (1985). Confessions of a Scilly Birdman. Croom Helm. ISBN 0-7099-3724-5. OCLC 12080015.
66. ^ Moss 2004:240-241
67. ^ Moss 2004:242
68. ^ McCarthy, Michael (15 October 2012). "World's greatest birdwatcher sets a new record". The Independent. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
69. ^ Davies, A & Ruth Miller (2010). The Biggest Twitch: Around the World in 4,000 Birds. A & C Black. ISBN 1-4081-2387-8.
• Cocker, Mark (2002) Birders:Tales of a tribe. Grove Press. ISBN 0-87113-844-1
• Lewis, Daniel (2012), The Feathery Tribe: Robert Ridgway and the Modern Study of Birds. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-17552-3
• Moss, Stephen (2004) A Bird in the Bush: A social history of birdwatching. Aurum Press. ISBN 1-85410-993-6
• Weidensaul, Scott (2007) Of a Feather: A Brief History of Birding. Harcourt, Orlando.
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65658 | Covox Speech Thing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Covox)
Jump to: navigation, search
Covox Speech Thing
Covox Speech Thing.jpg
Covox Speech Thing
Date invented 1986
Invented by Covox, Inc
Connects to Printer port
Use audio device attached to the computer
Common manufacturers Covox, Disney, others
One widely used variant
Commercial products[edit]
• Disney Sound Source. Covox-idea based DAC, marketed by Disney Software in early 1990s. It consisted of 2 parts: a DAC plugged into printer port and separate amplifier / speaker box.[5] Its price was set to only $14[6] and it was supported by many games (see below). It used external power (9 volt battery) and could be turned on/off by software. Contrary to the Speech Thing the output rate is determined by the hardware (7 kHz) and the design features a 16 byte FIFO allowing for autodetection and flow control of the output. In 2015 the hardware was reversed so compatible circuits can be build from easily available off the shelf components.[7] It is also emulated by the popular DOSBox emulator.
Advanced versions of Covox-like devices featured:
• Both DAC and ADC converters;
• ADCs with tiny microphone preamplifiers;
• DACs with amplification;
• Sourcing power from serial port;
• Lemmings — had special promotional edition named Covox Lemmings, released with Covox sound cards; the game is identical to original game but contains a "Covox" level and seven more additional levels (only works with Covox Soundcards for ISA Bus).
• Most older Sierra Entertainment games, such as King's Quest and Space Quest series, could output the sound to Covox when selecting Disney Sound Source.
• Some Games work with a software emulator called Virtual Soundblaster, such as Wolfenstein 3D, Wolfenstein 3D has also native Support for the Disney Soundsource.
• Others with the Tandy Emulator (TEMU) or Tandy 3 Voice Sound: Eye of the Beholder, Sid Meier's Civilization
Music trackers[edit]
Emulators existed that allowed Covox to act as if there was another soundboard installed:
Operating Systems[edit]
Several operating systems have a driver for Covox available for install:
2. ^ Social Science Microcomputer Review (Duke University Press) 7: 97. 1989. ISSN 0885-0011. Missing or empty |title= (help)
3. ^ Brychkov, Eugeny (2012). "Adding a multimedia capability: a Covox device" (PDF). AGE Labs. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
6. ^ The Oldskool PC Carnival Sideshow
7. ^ [1]
8. ^ DOSBox Wiki: Sound article
9. ^ Linux driver for Covox by Michael Beck
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65659 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cybernetic organism)
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Cyborg (disambiguation).
The term cyborg is not the same thing as bionic and often applied to an organism that has restored function or enhanced abilities due to the integration of some artificial component or technology that relies on some sort of feedback.[3][4] While cyborgs are commonly thought of as mammals, they might also conceivably be any kind of organism and the term "Cybernetic organism" has been applied to networks, such as road systems, corporations and governments, which have been classed as such. The term can also apply to micro-organisms which are modified to perform at higher levels than their unmodified counterparts. It is hypothesized that cyborg technology will form a part of the future human evolution.
In popular culture, some cyborgs may be represented as visibly mechanical (e.g. the Cybermen in the Doctor Who franchise or The Borg from Star Trek or Darth Vader from Star Wars); or as almost indistinguishable from humans (e.g. the Terminators from the Terminator films, the "Human" Cylons from the re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica etc.) The 1970s television series The Six Million Dollar Man featured one of the most famous fictional cyborgs, referred to as a bionic man; the series was based upon a novel by Martin Caidin titled Cyborg. Cyborgs in fiction often play up a human contempt for over-dependence on technology, particularly when used for war, and when used in ways that seem to threaten free will. Cyborgs are also often portrayed with physical or mental abilities far exceeding a human counterpart (military forms may have inbuilt weapons, among other things).
According to some definitions of the term, the physical attachments humanity has with even the most basic technologies have already made them cyborgs.[5] In a typical example, a human with an artificial cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator would be considered a cyborg, since these devices measure voltage potentials in the body, perform signal processing, and can deliver electrical stimuli, using this synthetic feedback mechanism to keep that person alive. Implants, especially cochlear implants, that combine mechanical modification with any kind of feedback response are also cyborg enhancements. Some theorists[who?] cite such modifications as contact lenses, hearing aids, or intraocular lenses as examples of fitting humans with technology to enhance their biological capabilities; however, these modifications are as cybernetic as a pen or a wooden leg. As cyborgs currently are on the rise some theorists argue there is a need to develop new definitions of aging and for instance a bio-techno-social definition of aging has been suggested.[6]
The term is also used to address human-technology mixtures in the abstract. This includes not only commonly used pieces of technology such as phones, computers, the Internet, etc. but also artifacts that may not popularly be considered technology; for example, pen and paper, and speech and language. When augmented with these technologies and connected in communication with people in other times and places, a person becomes capable of much more than they were before. This is like a computer, which gains power by using Internet protocols to connect with other computers. Cybernetic technologies include highways, pipes, electrical wiring, buildings, electrical plants, libraries, and other infrastructure that we hardly notice, but which are critical parts of the cybernetics that we work within.
The concept of a man-machine mixture was widespread in science fiction before World War II. As early as 1843, Edgar Allan Poe described a man with extensive prostheses in the short story "The Man That Was Used Up". In 1908, Jean de la Hire introduced Nyctalope (perhaps the first true superhero was also the first literary cyborg) in the novel L'Homme Qui Peut Vivre Dans L'eau (The Man Who Can Live in the Water). Edmond Hamilton presented space explorers with a mixture of organic and machine parts in his novel The Comet Doom in 1928. He later featured the talking, living brain of an old scientist, Simon Wright, floating around in a transparent case, in all the adventures of his famous hero, Captain Future. He uses the term explicitly in the 1962 short story, "After a Judgment Day," to describe the "mechanical analogs" called "Charlies," explaining that "[c]yborgs, they had been called from the first one in the 1960s...cybernetic organisms." In the short story "No Woman Born" in 1944, C. L. Moore wrote of Deirdre, a dancer, whose body was burned completely and whose brain was placed in a faceless but beautiful and supple mechanical body.
A book titled Cyborg: Digital Destiny and Human Possibility in the Age of the Wearable computer was published by Doubleday in 2001.[10] Some of the ideas in the book were incorporated into the 35mm motion picture film Cyberman.
Cyborg tissues in engineering[edit]
Individual cyborgs[edit]
Neil Harbisson, cyborg activist and president of the Cyborg Foundation.[13]
Generally, the term "cyborg" is used to refer to a human with bionic, or robotic, implants.
In current prosthetic applications, the C-Leg system developed by Otto Bock HealthCare is used to replace a human leg that has been amputated because of injury or illness. The use of sensors in the artificial C-Leg aids in walking significantly by attempting to replicate the user's natural gait, as it would be prior to amputation.[14] Prostheses like the C-Leg and the more advanced iLimb are considered by some to be the first real steps towards the next generation of real-world cyborg applications. Additionally cochlear implants and magnetic implants which provide people with a sense that they would not otherwise have had can additionally be thought of as creating cyborgs.
In 1997, Philip Kennedy, a scientist and physician designed the world's first human cyborg named Johnny Ray. Ray was a Vietnam veteran in Georgia who suffered a stroke. Unfortunately, Ray's body, as doctor's called it, was "locked in". Ray wanted his old life back so he agreed to Kennedy's experiment. Kennedy embedded a Neurotrophic Electrode near the part of Ray's brain so that Ray would be able to have some movement back in his body. The surgery went successfully, but in 2002, Johnny Ray died.[16]
In 2002, under the heading Project Cyborg, a British scientist, Kevin Warwick, had an array of 100 electrodes fired into his nervous system in order to link his nervous system into the Internet. With this in place he successfully carried out a series of experiments including extending his nervous system over the Internet to control a robotic hand, a loudspeaker and amplifier. This is a form of extended sensory input and the first direct electronic communication between the nervous systems of two humans.[18][19]
In 2004, under the heading Bridging the Island of the Colourblind Project, a British and completely color-blind artist, Neil Harbisson, started wearing an eyeborg on his head in order to perceive colors through hearing.[20] His prosthetic device was included within his 2004 passport photograph which has been claimed to confirm his cyborg status.[21] In 2012 at TEDGlobal,[22] Harbisson explained that he did not feel like a cyborg when he started to use the eyeborg, he started to feel like a cyborg when he noticed that the software and his brain had united and given him an extra sense.[22]
Animal cyborgs[edit]
The US-based company Backyard Brains released what they refer to as "The world's first commercially available cyborg" called the RoboRoach. The project started as a University of Michigan biomedical engineering student senior design project in 2010[23] and was launched as an available beta product on 25 February 2011.[24] The RoboRoach was officially released into production via a TED talk at the TED Global conference,[25] and via the crowdsourcing website Kickstarter in 2013,[26] the kit allows students to use microstimulation to momentarily control the movements of a walking cockroach (left and right) using a bluetooth-enabled smartphone as the controller. Other groups have developed cyborg insects, including researchers at North Carolina State University[27] and UC Berkeley,[28] but the RoboRoach was the first kit available to the general public and was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health as a device to serve as a teaching aid to promote an interest in neuroscience.[25] Several animal welfare organizations including the RSPCA [29] and PETA [30] have expressed concerns about the ethics and welfare of animals in this project.
Social cyborgs[edit]
More broadly, the full term "cybernetic organism" is used to describe larger networks of communication and control. For example, cities, networks of roads, networks of software, corporations, markets, governments, and the collection of these things together. A corporation can be considered as an artificial intelligence that makes use of replaceable human components to function. People at all ranks can be considered replaceable agents of their functionally intelligent government institutions, whether such a view is desirable or not. The example above is reminiscent of the "organic paradigm" popular in the late 19th century due to the era's breakthroughs in understanding of cellular biology.
Jaap van Till tries to quantify this effect with his Synthecracy Network Law: V ~ N !, where V is value and N is number of connected people. This factorial growth is what he claims leads to a herd or hive like thinking between large, electronically connected groups.[citation needed]
Cyborg proliferation in society[edit]
In finance[edit]
Due to advances in computer technology, investors are able to employ super computers to engage in financial activities such as trading, banking, brokering, and money management. Because of the increased reliance on artificial intelligence and advanced computerization, modern finance is becoming “cyborg finance” because the key players are part human and part machine.[31] One key characteristic of cyborg finance is the use of incredibly powerful and fast computers to analyze and execute trading opportunities based on complex mathematical models. The software employing these algorithms is often proprietary and non-transparent, thus it is sometimes referred to as “black-box trading.”
In medicine[edit]
In medicine, there are two important and different types of cyborgs: the restorative and the enhanced. Restorative technologies "restore lost function, organs, and limbs".[32] The key aspect of restorative cyborgization is the repair of broken or missing processes to revert to a healthy or average level of function. There is no enhancement to the original faculties and processes that were lost.
On the contrary, the enhanced cyborg "follows a principle, and it is the principle of optimal performance: maximising output (the information or modifications obtained) and minimising input (the energy expended in the process)".[33] Thus, the enhanced cyborg intends to exceed normal processes or even gain new functions that were not originally present.
Retinal implants are another form of cyborgization in medicine. The theory behind retinal stimulation to restore vision to people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and vision loss due to aging (conditions in which people have an abnormally low amount of ganglion cells) is that the retinal implant and electrical stimulation would act as a substitute for the missing ganglion cells (cells which connect the eye to the brain.)
An August 26, 2012 article from Harvard University's homepage, by Peter Reuell of the Harvard Gazette, proceeds to discuss three-dimensional cyborg tissue research, published in the journal Nature Materials, with possible medical implications done by Charles M. Lieber, the Mark Hyman Jr. Professor of Chemistry, and Daniel Kohane, a Harvard Medical School Anesthesiology Professor at Boston Children's Hospital.[41]
In the military[edit]
In 2006, researchers at Cornell University invented[45] a new surgical procedure to implant artificial structures into insects during their metamorphic development.[46][47] The first insect cyborgs, moths with integrated electronics in their thorax, were demonstrated by the same researchers.[48][49] The initial success of the techniques has resulted in increased research and the creation of a program called Hybrid-Insect-MEMS, HI-MEMS. Its goal, according to DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office, is to develop "tightly coupled machine-insect interfaces by placing micro-mechanical systems inside the insects during the early stages of metamorphosis".[50]
In 2009 at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS) conference in Italy, researchers demonstrated the first "wireless" flying-beetle cyborg.[52] Engineers at the University of California at Berkeley have pioneered the design of a "remote controlled beetle", funded by the DARPA HI-MEMS Program. Filmed evidence of this can be viewed here.[53] This was followed later that year by the demonstration of wireless control of a "lift-assisted" moth-cyborg.[54]
Eventually researchers plan to develop HI-MEMS for dragonflies, bees, rats and pigeons.[55][56] For the HI-MEMS cybernetic bug to be considered a success, it must fly 100 metres (330 ft) from a starting point, guided via computer into a controlled landing within 5 metres (16 ft) of a specific end point. Once landed, the cybernetic bug must remain in place.[55]
In sports[edit]
Cyborgs have also been involved in sports by athletes that consume performance enhancements drugs in many of the sports that played worldwide like baseball, football, etc. Players that have been accused of PEDs include Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez from the MLB. These players by consuming PEDs became cyborgs in the sport since the PEDs are bioengineered in a lab using computer technology that is genetically made to suit their needs. Although, these kind of cyborgs are the only kind that bring attention there are other kind of cyborgs. In the NFL there is a player from the Seattle Seahawks named Derrick Coleman who is the first deaf player to ever play in the NFL and the fact that he uses a hearing aid makes him a cyborg. The reason being that he is using that technology to help him perform better on the field. If his hearing aids are in, he said his hearing is about 60-80 percent of what normal people hear (and about 20 percent without the hearing aids).[57]
In art[edit]
Wafaa Bilal is an Iraqi-American performance artist who had a small 10 megapixel digital camera surgically implanted into the back of his head, part of a project entitled 3rd I.[61] For one year, beginning 15 December 2010, an image is captured once per minute 24 hours a day and streamed live to and the Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The site also displays Bilal's location via GPS. Bilal says that the reason why he put the camera in the back of the head was to make an "allegorical statement about the things we don't see and leave behind."[62] As a professor at NYU, this project has raised privacy issues, and so Bilal has been asked to ensure that his camera does not take photographs in NYU buildings.[62]
Artists as cyborgs[edit]
Artists have explored the term cyborg from a perspective involving imagination. Some work to make an abstract idea of technological and human-bodily union apparent to reality in an art form utilizing varying mediums, from sculptures and drawings to digital renderings. Artists that seek to make cyborg-based fantasies a reality often call themselves cyborg artists, or may consider their artwork "cyborg". How an artist or their work may be considered cyborg will vary depending upon the interpreter's flexibility with the term. Scholars that rely upon a strict, technical description of cyborg, often going by Norbert Wiener's cybernetic theory and Manfred E. Clynes and Nathan S. Kline's first use of the term, would likely argue that most cyborg artists do not qualify to be considered cyborgs.[65] Scholars considering a more flexible description of cyborgs may argue it incorporates more than cybernetics.[66] Others may speak of defining subcategories, or specialized cyborg types, that qualify different levels of cyborg at which technology influences an individual. This may range from technological instruments being external, temporary, and removable to being fully integrated and permanent.[67] Nonetheless, cyborg artists are artists. Being so, it can be expected for them to incorporate the cyborg idea rather than a strict, technical representation of the term,[68] seeing how their work will sometimes revolve around other purposes outside of cyborgism.[65]
In body modification[edit]
As medical technology becomes more advanced, some techniques and innovations are adopted by the body modification community. While not yet cyborgs in the strict definition of Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline, technological developments like implantable silicon silk electronics,[69] augmented reality[70] and QR codes[71] are bridging the disconnect between technology and the body. Hypothetical technologies such as digital tattoo interfaces[72][73] would blend body modification aesthetics with interactivity and functionality, bringing a transhumanist way of life into present day reality.
In popular culture[edit]
Main article: Cyborgs in fiction
In Space[edit]
Sending humans to space is a dangerous project. It will require Humans to make a sacrifice. A sacrifice that would no longer make us Homo sapiens sapiens but instead would make us cyborgs.[75] Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicists stated "Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster such as sudden global warming, nuclear war... I think the human race has no future if it doesn't go into space." Space is an awful long project, it will take centuries before humans ever become a multi-planet species. There are many effect of spaceflight on the human body. One issue of going into space is obviously the human necessity to breathe. If this necessity was taken out of the equation, space exploration would be revolutionized. A theory by Manfred E. Clynes and Nathan S. Kline may allow just that. The two scientists theorized that, the use of an inverse fuel cell that is "capable of reducing CO2 to its components with removal of the carbon and re-circulation of the oxygen..."[76] could make breathing unnecessary. The next issue is the exposure to radiation. Yearly, the average human on earth is exposed to about .30 rem of radiation, while an astronaut on the ISS for 90 days is exposed to 9 rem.[77] To tackle the issue, Clynes and Kline theorized a cyborg containing a sensor that detects radiation level and a Rose osmotic pump "which would automatically inject protective pharmaceuticals in appropriate doses." Experiments of injecting these protective pharmaceuticals into monkeys have shown an increase in radiation resistance.[78]
Although, the effects of spaceflight on our body is an important issue, the advancement of our technology is just as important. With our current technology, it would take us about 260 days to get to mars.[79] A study backed by NASA proposes an interesting way to tackle this issue, deep sleep or torpor. With this technique, it "reduce astronauts' metabolic functions with existing medical procedures".[80] So far, experiments have only resulted in patients being in torpor state for one week. Achieving would lower the cost of the travel to mars because there would be no need to keep the astronauts entertained and fed.
Cyborgization in critical deaf studies[edit]
Joseph Michael Valente, describes "cyborgization" as an attempt to codify "normalization" through cochlear implantation in young deaf children. Drawing from Paddy Ladd's work on Deaf epistemology and Donna Haraway's Cyborg ontology, Valente "use[s] the concept of the cyborg as a way of agitating constructions of cyborg perfection (for the deaf child that would be to become fully hearing)". He claims that cochlear implant manufacturers advertise and sell cochlear implants as a mechanical device as well as an uncomplicated medical "miracle cure". Valente criticizes cochlear implant researchers whose studies largely to date do not include cochlear implant recipients, despite cochlear implants having been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1984.[81] Pamela J. Kincheloe discusses the representation of the cochlear implant in media and popular culture as a case study for present and future responses to human alteration and enhancement.[82]
Cyborg Foundation[edit]
In 2010, the Cyborg Foundation became the world's first international organization dedicated to help humans become cyborgs.[83] The foundation was created by cyborg Neil Harbisson and Moon Ribas as a response to the growing amount of letters and emails received from people around the world interested in becoming a cyborg.[84] The foundation's main aims are to extend human senses and abilities by creating and applying cybernetic extensions to the body,[85] to promote the use of cybernetics in cultural events and to defend cyborg rights.[86] In 2010, the foundation, based in Mataró (Barcelona), was the overall winner of the Cre@tic Awards, organized by Tecnocampus Mataró.[87]
See also[edit]
1. ^ "Cyborgs and Space [1]," in Astronautics (September 1960), by Manfred E. Clynes and Nathan S. Kline.
3. ^ Technology as extension of human functional architecture by Alexander Chislenko
6. ^ Wejbrandt, A (2014). "Defining aging in cyborgs: A bio-techno-social definition of aging". Journal of Aging Studies 31: 104–109. doi:10.1016/j.jaging.2014.09.003.
9. ^ OED On-line[dead link]
11. ^
12. ^
14. ^ Otto Bock HealthCare : a global leader in healthcare products | Otto Bock[dead link]
15. ^ Vision quest, Wired Magazine, September 2002
19. ^ Byproduct: On the Excess of Embedded Art Practices, by Marisa Jahn, YYZBOOKS, 2010 December 4th
21. ^ Andy Miah, Emma Rich: The Medicalization of Cyberspace Routledge (New York, 2008) p.130 (Hardcover:ISBN 978-0-415-37622-8 Papercover: ISBN 978-0-415-39364-5)
27. ^
28. ^
31. ^ The New Investor, UCLA Law Review, available at:
34. ^ Chorost, Michael. "The Naked Ear." Technology Review 111.1 (2008): 72–74. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Mar. 2010.
37. ^ Marsen, Sky. "Becoming More Than Human: Technology and the Post-Human Condition Introduction." Journal of Evolution & Technology 19.1 (2008): 1–5. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
41. ^
42. ^
50. ^ Judy, Jack. "Hybrid Insect MEMS (HI-MEMS)". DARPA Microsystems Technology Office. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved 2013-04-09.
51. ^ Anthes, E. (17 February 2013). "The race to create 'insect cyborgs'". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 23 February 2013.
57. ^ Schwab, Frank. "Seattle fullback Derrick Coleman, NFL’s first deaf offensive player, sharing his message this week". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
58. ^ Extended-Body: Interview with Stelarc. Retrieved on 29 August 2011.
59. ^ [2]
64. ^ [3]
69. ^ "Implantable Silicon-Silk Electronics".
70. ^ [4]
71. ^ [5]
73. ^ [6]
74. ^ Ihde, Don (September 1, 2008). "Aging: I don’t want to be a cyborg!". Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences (Springer Netherlands) 7 (3): 397–404. doi:10.1007/s11097-008-9096-0. ISSN 1568-7759. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
75. ^
76. ^
77. ^
78. ^
79. ^
80. ^
81. ^ Valente, Joseph Michael (2011). "Cyborgization: Deaf Education for Young Children in the Cochlear Implantation Era". Qualitative Inquiry 17 (7): 639–652. doi:10.1177/1077800411414006.
82. ^ Kincheloe, Pamela (2010). "Do Androids Dream of Electric Speech: The Construction of Cochlear Implant Identity on American Television and the "New Deaf Cyborg"". M/C Journal.
86. ^ Calls, Albert ""Les noves tecnologies seran part del nostre cos i extensió del cervell"" La Tribuna, 3 Jan 2011.
87. ^ Martínez, Ll. "La Fundació Cyborg s'endú el primer premi dels Cre@tic", Avui, 20 Nov 2010
88. ^ Pond, Steve "Cyborg Foundation" wins $100K Focus Forward prize, Chicago Tribune, 22 January 2013
Further reading[edit]
• Flanagan, Mary, and Austin Booth, eds. Reload: Rethinking Women + Cyberculture. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2002.
• Mertz, David. "Cyborgs". International Encyclopedia of Communications (PDF). Blackwell 2008. ISBN 0-19-504994-2. Retrieved 28 October 2008.
• Mitchell, William. Me++: The Cyborg Self and the Networked City. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2003.
• Yoshito Ikada, Bio Materials: an approach to Artificial Organs
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65661 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Flask may refer to:
• Powder flask
• Flask, a 76-pound (34.46 kg) unit of mass used to measure mercury. Mercury does not react with iron. Historically, mercury was stored and shipped in iron flasks.
See also[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65663 | HTC Raider 4G
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
HTC Raider 4G
HTC Vivid
HTC Velocity
Brand HTC
Manufacturer HTC Corporation
Model PH39100
Compatible networks LTE(AWS/700, 850MHz or 700/1700/2100MHz), HSPA+/UMTS Tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz), GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
First released September 21, 2011; 3 years ago (2011-09-21), South Korea [1]
Predecessor HTC Sensation
Successor HTC One X
Related HTC Sensation XE
HTC Rezound
Type Smartphone
Form factor Slate
Weight 6.24 ounces
Operating system Android 2.3.4 with HTC Sense 3.0, 2.3.7 with HTC Sense 3.5 (Australia), upgradable to 4.0.3 with HTC Sense 3.6, upgradable to 4.4.4 with CyanogenMod
CPU Dual-Core, 1.5 GHz (Korea/Australia) 1.2 GHz (USA/Canada) Qualcomm APQ8060 Snapdragon S3
GPU Adreno 220
Memory 1 GB RAM
Storage 16 GB
Removable storage microSD 2.0 (supports up to 32 GB)
Battery 1650 mAh Internal Rechargeable Li-ion
User replaceable[2]
Data inputs A-GPS, Ambient light sensor, Digital compass, G-sensor, Gyroscope, Multi-touch capacitive touchscreen, Proximity sensor
Display 4.5 in (110 mm) capacitive touch screen with qHD (540×960)
Rear camera 8-megapixel (3264×2448) with autofocus and dual LED flash, f/2.2, 28mm lens, 1080p HD video capture
Front camera 1.3-megapixel
Connectivity 3.5 mm TRRS connector, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, FM stereo receiver (87.5-108 MHz) with RDS, Micro USB 2.0 (5-pin) port with Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) for USB or HDMI connection, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Other USB and Wi-Fi tethering
The HTC Raider 4G (codenamed HTC Holiday, also known as the HTC Vivid[7] and HTC Velocity 4G) is a smartphone which was released on September 21, 2011 in South Korea.[8] The phone is manufactured by HTC Corporation and runs Android 2.3 with included HTC Sense 3.0. It has since been upgradable to Android 4.0.3 with HTC Sense 3.6 in certain markets.
On October 27, 2011, the phone was announced in Canada, with an underclocked 1.2 GHz dual-core processor for Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility.
The phone was released in the United States as the HTC Vivid on November 6, 2011, by AT&T as their first LTE enabled device. It also shipped with the 1.2 GHz underclocked processor as the Canadian variants.
As the HTC Velocity 4G, the phone was released in Australia by Telstra on January 24, 2012 as their first LTE enabled device. It was announced in Hong Kong on February 1, 2012, by Hong Kong CSL as their first LTE enabled device which only supports the 2600 MHz LTE band. Vodafone Germany announced it on February 8, 2012 as their first LTE enabled device.
As of February 11, 2013 the HTC Vivid is still available online at AT&T for $.01 with a new or existing contract and a Required data plan.
See also[edit]
1. ^ "HTC Raider 4G hits South Korea, AT&T tipped next". Slashgear. September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
2. ^ "HTC Raider 4G Unveiled In South Korea, Might Also Reach AT&T Soon As HTC Holiday". Gizmo Digit. 2011-09-24. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
3. ^ "HTC Raider 4G". GSMarena. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
4. ^ "HTC Raider 4G Announced In South Korea". Techie-Buzz. 21 Sep 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2011.
5. ^ "HTC Velocity 4G". Telstra. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
6. ^ "HTC Velocity 4G". Hong Kong CSL. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
7. ^ "HTC Vivid". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
8. ^ "HTC Holiday (Raider 4G) Review – Specs, Features, Price". techzek. October 6, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65664 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Haft Seen)
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Haft Seen traditional table of Nowrooz
A "Haft Seen" setting in Tehran, Iran
Haft Seen, otherwise known as Haft Sīn (Persian: هفتسین) or the seven S's is a traditional table setting of Nowruz, the traditional Persian new year. The haft seen table includes seven items all starting with the letter sīn (س) in the Persian alphabet.
The Haft Seen items are:
1. Sabzeh (سبزه) - wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
2. Samanu (سمنو) - sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
3. Senjed (سنجد) - dried oleaster Wild Olive fruit - symbolizing love
4. Seer (سیر) - garlic - symbolizing medicine
5. Seeb (سیب) - apple - symbolizing beauty and health
6. Somāq (سماق) - sumac fruit - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
7. Serkeh (سرکه) - vinegar - symbolizing old-age and patience
• Sabzeh - Sprouts from seven different kinds of seeds
• clay figures, whitewashed (favorites being domestic animals, cows, donkeys, sheep, camel, nightingale, peacock, also household objects such as sugar-loaf, bowls, or a three-legged stool). These "bear witness to the triumphant works of creation."
• a mirror
• a low brazier full of fire
• a lamp
• sprays of cypress or pine
• pomegranates
• painted eggs
• Shahnameh, by Abolqasem Ferdowsi
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65665 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Heidi (2005 film))
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This article is about the book. For other uses, see Heidi (disambiguation).
Spyri Heidi Cover 1887.jpg
Author Johanna Spyri
Country Switzerland
Language Swiss German
Genre Children's fiction
Publication date
Heidi (pronounced [ˈhaɪdi]) is a work of fiction written in 1880 by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, originally published in two parts as Heidi's years of learning and travel (German: Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre) and Heidi makes use of what she has learned. (German: Heidi kann brauchen, was es gelernt hat)[1] It is a novel about the events in the life of a young girl in her grandfather's care, in the Swiss Alps. It was written as a book "for children and those who love children" (as quoted from its subtitle).
Heidi is one of the best-selling books ever written and is among the best-known works of Swiss literature.[2][3]
Plot summary[edit]
Aunt Dete hurrying away after leaving Heidi with the Alm-Öhi.
Adelheid ("Heidi")[4] is a girl who has been raised by her aunt Dete in Maienfeld, Switzerland after the early deaths of her parents, Tobias and Adelheid (Dete's sister and brother-in-law). Dete brings 5-year-old Heidi to her paternal grandfather's house, up the mountain from Dörfli. He has been at odds with the villagers and embittered against God for years and lives in seclusion on the alm. This has earned him the nickname Alp-Öhi ("Alm-Uncle"[5] in the Graubünden dialect). Alm-Uncle briefly resents Heidi's arrival, but the girl's evident intelligence and cheerful yet unaffected demeanor soon earn his genuine, if reserved, affection. Heidi enthusiastically befriends her new neighbors, young Peter the goatherd and his mother and blind grandmother. With each season that passes, the mountaintop inhabitants grow more attached to Heidi.
Three years later, Dete returns to bring Heidi to Frankfurt to be a hired companion to a wealthy girl named Klara Sesemann, who is regarded as an invalid. The girl is charmed by Heidi's simple friendliness and naïveté, and delights in all the funny mishaps brought about by Heidi's lack of experience with city life. However, the Sesemanns' strict housekeeper, Fräulein Rottenmeier, views the household disruptions as wanton misbehavior, and places Heidi under more and more restraint. Soon Heidi is terribly homesick, and grows alarmingly pale and thin. Her one diversion is learning to read and write, motivated by her desire to go home and read to Peter's blind grandmother. Klara's own grandmother visits the children and becomes a friend to Heidi. She teaches Heidi that she can always seek relief from misery by praying to God.
After months pass, the Frankfurt household is brought near hysteria by night sightings of what appears to be a ghost. When Klara's father and his friend the doctor, keep awake one night to find out what is causing the disturbances, they see that the "ghost" is actually Heidi, sleepwalking in her nightgown. The doctor sees that Heidi is under a great deal of stress. He cautions Klara's father that if Heidi is not sent home promptly, she may become very ill. Soon, a joyous Heidi returns to the mountains, where she teaches Alm-Uncle about the comfort of prayer. She reassures him that it is never too late to turn back to God. Her simple lesson prompts her grandfather to descend to the village and attend a church service for the first time in years, marking an end to his seclusion. He is heartily welcomed back by the church pastor and the villagers.
Heidi and Klara continue to keep in touch and exchange letters. A visit by the doctor to Heidi leads him to eagerly recommend that Klara visit Heidi. He feels assured that the fresh mountain air and the wholesome companionship will do her good. Klara makes the journey again the next season and spends a wonderful summer with Heidi and becomes stronger on goat's milk and fresh mountain air, but Peter, who grows jealous of Heidi and Klara's friendship, pushes her empty wheelchair down the mountain to its destruction (although he later feels guilty about what he did and confesses to it). Without her wheelchair, she attempts to walk and is gradually successful. Her grandmother and father are amazed and overcome with joy to see Klara walking and her wealthy family promises to provide permanent care for Heidi, if there comes a time when her grandfather's no longer able to do so.
Film, television and theatrical adaptations[edit]
Versions of the story include:
Maienfeld, the main town in Heidiland
Heidiland, named after the Heidi books, is an important tourist area in Switzerland, popular especially with the Japanese (and also in South Korea).[6] Maienfeld is the center of what is called Heidiland; one of the villages, formerly called Oberrofels,[7] is actually renamed "Heididorf."[8] Heidiland is located in an area called Bündner Herrschaft; it is criticized as being a "laughable, infantile cliche"[6] and "a more vivid example of hyperreality."[9]
The four sequel books, Heidi Grows Up, Heidi's Children, Heidi grand-mère (Heidi as grandmother) and Au Pays de Heidi (In Heidi's land), were neither written nor endorsed by Spyri, but were adapted from her other works by her french translator, Charles Tritten in the 1930's, many years after she died.[10][11][12][13]
Basis for Heidi[edit]
See also[edit]
1. ^ Nathan Haskell Dole, translator of the 1899 edition
2. ^ "Swiss Literature (old link)". revue.ch. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
3. ^ "Swiss Literature". admin.ch. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
4. ^ Meaning of „Heidi“ (German)
5. ^ [3]
6. ^ a b Abend, Bernhard; Anja Schliebitz (2006). Schweiz. Baedeker. pp. 145–46. ISBN 978-3-8297-1071-8.
7. ^ Beattie, Andrew (2006). The Alps: a cultural history. Oxford: Oxford UP. p. 142. ISBN 978-0-19-530955-3.
8. ^ Simonis, Damien; Sarah Johnstone; Nicole Williams (2006). Switzerland. Lonely Planet. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-74059-762-3.
9. ^ Solomon, Michael R. (2006). Conquering consumerspace: marketing strategies for a branded world. Broadway: Amacom. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-8144-0741-7.
10. ^ Heidi au pays des Romands; swissinfo.ch
11. ^ Dans le palais des glaces de la littérature romande; edited by Vittorio Frigerio and Corine Renevey. Amsterdam, 2002. ISBN 90-420-0923-3
12. ^ Bibliographie französischer Übersetzungen aus dem Deutschen; Bibliographie de traductions françaises d'auteurs de langue allemande; by L. Bihl, K. Epting. Walter de Gruyter, 1987
13. ^ abebooks.fr
14. ^ "Basis for Heidi". Heidi inspiration.
External links[edit]
Heidi on a CHF 50 Swiss commemorative coin, 2001. |
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For the opera on the subject by André Campra, see Hésione. For ships named Hesione, see SS Hesione.
In Greek mythology and later art, the name Hesione /hɨˈs.ən/ refers to various mythological figures, of which the Trojan princess Hesione is most known.
Princess Hesione of Troy[edit]
Heracles saves Hesione; 15th-century miniature
AGERNSHEIMIG 10313152530.jpg
According to the Bibliotheca, the most prominent Hesione was a Trojan princess, daughter of King Laomedon of Troy, sister of Priam and second wife of King Telamon of Salamis. The first notable myth Hesione is cited in is that of Hercules, who saves her from a sea monster. However, her role becomes significant many years later when she is described as a potential trigger of the Trojan War.[1]
Apollo and Poseidon were angry at King Laomedon because he refused to pay the wage he promised them for building Troy's walls. Apollo sent a plague and Poseidon a sea monster to destroy Troy.[2] Oracles promised deliverance if Laomedon would expose his daughter Hesione to be devoured by the sea monster (in other versions, the lot happened to fall on her) and he exposed her by fastening her naked to the rocks near the sea.[2]Heracles (along with Telamon and Oicles) happened to arrive on their return from the expedition against the Amazons. Seeing her exposed, Heracles promised to save her on condition that Laomedon would give him the wonderful horses he had received from Zeus as compensation for Zeus' kidnapping of Ganymedes.[2] Laomedon agreed and Heracles slew the monster, in some accounts after being swallowed by it and hacking at its innards for three days before it died and he emerged having lost all his hair. However, Laomedon refused the promised award. In a later expedition Heracles attacked Troy, slew Laomedon and all Laomedon's sons except the youngest named Podarces.[3] Heracles gave Laomedon's daughter Hesione as a prize to Telamon instead of keeping her for himself.[4] He allowed her to take with her any captives that she wished and she chose her brother Podarces. Heracles allowed her to ransom him in exchange for her veil, therefore Podarces was henceforth known as Priam from primai 'to buy'.[5] Heracles then bestowed the government of Troy on Priam. However, it is also claimed that Priam simply happened to be absent during Heracles attack on Troy, being campaigning in Phrygia.
Hesione was taken home by Telamon, married him and bore him a son, Teucros,[6] who would be half-brother to Telamon's son from his first marriage, Ajax. Alternatively, she became pregnant with Trambelus while still on board the ship and then escaped; it is also possible, though, that the mother of Trambelus was not Hesione, but a certain Theaneira.[7]
Many years later, when Hesione was an old woman, Priam sent Antenor and Anchises to Greece to demand Hesione's return, but they were rejected and driven away. Priam then sent Paris and Aeneas to retrieve her, but Paris got sidetracked and instead brought back Helen, queen of Sparta and wife of Menelaus. Priam was ultimately willing to accept the abduction of Helen, due to the Greeks' refusal to return Hesione.
Others named Hesione[edit]
Spurious references[edit]
The name Hesione in Dictys Cretensis 4.22 appears to be an error for Plesione of Dictys 1.9 and that in turn an error for Pleione.
1. ^ Schwab, G. p.315
2. ^ a b c Smith, p. 34
3. ^ Smith, p. 38
4. ^ Smith, pp. 38, 65
5. ^ Smith, p. 39
6. ^ Smith, p. 65
7. ^ John Tzetzes on Lycophron, 467 & 469[full citation needed]
• Apollodorus; Hyginus (2007). Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology. R. Scott Smith (translator). Hackett. ISBN 978-0872208209.
• Schwab, G. (2001). Gods and Heroes of Ancient Greece. New York: Pantheon Books.
External links[edit]
• Media related to Hesione at Wikimedia Commons |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65667 | History of Manipur
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Kingdom of Manipur
Part of History of Manipur
Royal flag of Manipur
Kings of Manipur
Pamheiba 1720-1751
Gaurisiam 1752-1763
Chitsai 1754-1756
Ching-Thang Khomba 1769-1798
Rohinchandra 1798-1801
Maduchandra Singh 1801-1806
Chourjit Singh 1806-1812
Marjit Singh 1812-1819
Gambhir Singh 1825-1834
Raja Nara Singh 1844-1850
Debindro Singh 1850
Chandrakirti Singh 1850-1886
Raja Surchandra 1886-1890
Kulachandra Singh 1890-1891
Churachandra Singh 1891-1941
Bodhchandra Singh 1941-1949
Manipur monarchy data
Ningthouja dynasty (Royal family)
Pakhangba (Symbol of the kingdom)
Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal chronicle)
Imphal (Capital of the kingdom)
Kangla Palace (Royal residence)
The documented history of Manipur begins with the reign of the Meetei King of Ningthouja clan Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (dragon king/god) (r. 33–154 AD), who unified the seven clans of Meetei society. Introduction of the Vaishnavism school of Hinduism brought about changes in the history of the state. Manipur's early history is set forth in the Cheitharon Kumbaba, a chronicle of royal events which is believed to record events from the foundation of the ruling dynasty. Since ancient times, the Meetei people have lived in the valleys of Manipur alongside the Nagas, and Kukis in the hills. Meetei people settled in the valleys during the reign of Meidingu Khagemba in the year 1606. Since then, they also lived along with the Meetei People.
Manipur became a princely state under British rule in 1891; the last of the independent states to be incorporated into British India. During the Second World War, Manipur was the scene of battles between Japanese and Allied forces. The Japanese were beaten back before the Allies could enter Imphal. This proved to be one of the turning points of the War.[citation needed]
After the war, the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja as the Executive Head and an elected legislature. In 1949, Maharaja Budhachandra was summoned to Shillong, capital of the Indian province of Meghalaya where he signed a Treaty of Accession merging the kingdom into India. Thereafter the legislative assembly was dissolved and Manipur became part of the Republic of India in October, 1949.[1] It was made a union territory in 1956[2] and a full-fledged state in 1972.[3] Mohammed Alimuddin became the first Chief Minister in 1972 of the State of Manipur.[4]
Mythological origins[edit]
The mythological origin of Manipur is not very clear. But it is believed from the various folk stories that the people are descendants of Pakhangba (son of Sidaba Mapu and Leirembi).
Manipur had been known throughout the ages as Meitrabak, Kangleipak or Meeteileipak[5] as well as by more than twenty other names.[6] Sanamahi Laikan wrote that Manipur's new nomenclature was adopted in the eighteenth century during the reign of Meidingu Pamheiba. According to Sakok Lamlen, the area had different names according to the era. During the Hayachak period it was known as Mayai Koiren poirei namthak saronpung or Tilli Koktong Ahanba, then in the Khunungchak period as Meera Pongthoklam. Thereafter during the Langbachak era, it became Tilli Koktong Leikoiren and finally Muwapalli in the Konnachak epoch.[7]
During the latter part of its history, Manipur and its people were known by different names to their neighbours. The Shans or Pongs called the area Cassay, the Burmese Kathe, and the Assamese Meklee. In the first treaty between the British East India Company and Meidingu Chingthangkhomba (Bhagyachandra) signed in 1762, the kingdom was recorded as Meckley. Bhagyachandra and his successors issued coins engraved with the title of Manipureshwar, or lord of Manipur and the name Meckley was discarded. Later on, the Sanskritisation work, Dharani Samhita (1825–34) popularized the legends of the derivation of Manipur's name.[8]
Prehistoric Manipur[edit]
Prehistory of Kangleipak or Manipur[edit]
Manipur is situated on the tertiary ranges of a branch of the eastern Himalayas running south and forms part of the compact physiographic unit following the great divide between the Brahmaputra and Chindwin valleys. North east India holds the key to the understanding the scope, depth, dimension and cultural diffusion between south and southeast Asia which played a crucial role in transforming the northeast Indian ethnographic canvas from prehistoric times onwards. Manipur appears to have absorbed Bronze Age cultural traits from Thailand and Upper Burma where indigenous early metal age culture developed at a comparatively early date around 4000 BC.[citation needed]
Old Stone Age[edit]
The four Khangkhui Caves are located near Khangkhui some 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south east of Ukhrul on the border with Upper Burma. Archaeological excavations have found stone and bone tools as well as animal remains as evidence of Stone Age habitation of these caves.[9] The first evidence of Pleistocene man in Manipur dates back to about 30,000 BC. Other notable caves nearby include Hunding Caves, 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) south of Ukhrul, Purul Cave in Purul and the Song Ring rock shelter at Beyang village in Tengnoupal.
One of archaeologist O.K. Singh's most valuable finds is a pebble chopping tool discovered in Maring Naga Village, Machi, in the Chandel district.[10] The Marings are one of the oldest tribes of Manipur and this find is considered a landmark in the Paleolithic archaeology of Manipur as it confirms that the area was inhabited by neolithic people from the early Stone Age or lower Paleolithic period.
New Stone Age[edit]
• Hoabinhian Culture – A large number of Neolithic celts have been discovered throughout Manipur and are now preserved in the State College Museum Archaeology Department. These celts are mostly edge-ground pebble and flake tools and show the presence of Neolithic culture in Manipur.[citation needed]
Findings in the Tharon Caves in the Tamenglong district provide the first concrete evidence of Hoabinhian culture in India, a Mesolithic southeast Asian cultural pattern based on historic finds from the village of Haobihian in North Vietnam. Similar relics have been found in Thailand at the Spirit Caves as well as in Burma and other places in Southeast Asia. Tharon is a Liangmei Naga village where the five caves and rock shelters were first explored in December 1979 by the State Archaeology Department.[citation needed]
The site is located at 93.32’ longitude and 25.3’ latitude in the midst of the thickly forested Reyangling Hills, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) north of Tharon Village. Locally, the caves are known as Kalemki (from Kalem (bat) and Ki (house), literally: The house of the bat). A stream called Kalem-ki-magu runs near the caves, which are composed of Barail series sandstone and were probably formed by rock weathering. Tharon's edge-ground pebble tools are similar to finds from Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines where they were used about 7000–8000 BC. The Tharons have a distinct affinity with the Haobihian culture and before the advent of the present Tibeto-Burman inhabitants of the area, Proto-Australoid people occupied these caves around 5000–4000 BC.[citation needed]
Napachik is A Stone Age site dating to the second millennium BC. It is on a small hillock near Meetei Village, Wangu, in the southern part of the Imphal Valley, on the right bank of the Manipur River which flows into the Chindwin River in Burma. The edge-ground tools and corded wares of Napachik are similar to those found in the Spirit Cave in Thailand, the Padubtin Cave in Burma along with Haobihian sites in Vietnam although tripod wares were also found at one the Haobihian sites. Possible dates for the Neolithic age in north east India are between 500 BC 2000 BC. It is probable that while Napachik culture has an affinity with that of Haobihian while handmade corded tripod wares from Chinese Neolithic culture arrived in the area around the second millennium BC showing that the Manipur valley was already inhabited by Neolithic men in or around 2000 BC.[citation needed]
Early rulers[edit]
Kangba was the first king about whom the chronicles provide details. He was born in the Koubru hills of the northwest Manipur Valley. He was the son of Tangja Lila Pakhangba. Meeteileipak (Manipur) was known as Tilli Koktong Leikoiren during the Kangba Period.[citation needed]
The next confirmed king was Maliya (or Mariya) Phambalcha. According to the Kangbalon, Koikoi, the first son of Kangba, ascended the throne and assumed the regnal title of Mariya Phambalcha. Many scholars fix Maliya Phambalcha's era to 1379 BC and the time he established the Meitei Calendar.[citation needed]
According to the Thiren Layat, there were nineteen rulers up until the joint reign of Nongdanhan and Taohuireng. The ancient Numit Kappa text compares the two brothers as if they were two sons. The hymn of Numit Kappa used in the rite known as Chupsaba and sometimes sung as a ballad, narrates these events.[citation needed]
Ancient Manipur[edit]
The source for this era is the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the royal chronicle of Manipur or Kangleipak.[citation needed]
• Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33–154 AD) was ruler and the creator of Manipur (or Meeteileipak or Kangleipak). He was the first coroneted historical ruler whose reign began in 33 according to the Cheitharol Kumbaba. Meetei culture took root during the reign of Pakhangba as did sagol kangjei (Polo), with the first match played between the chiefs of different regions. Polo was played in imitation of a game from the traditional Hayachak era. Laisna took a great role in organizing the game.[citation needed]
Pakhangba was succeeded by his son, Khuiyoi Tompok, in 154 AD. Known as the inventor of the drum (pung), his reign was a peaceful one. Technical innovation in metallurgy was also recorded in the chronicle.[citation needed]
• Naophangba (428–518 AD)
The treatise on the construction of the places of Kangla and Kangla Houba are believed to have been written by Ashangba Laiba.[citation needed]
• Loiyamba (1074–1122 AD) was known as the "Great law Giver", his reign was an important period in the history of Kangleibak. Along with the military consolidation of the kingdom, Loiyamba introduced administrative reforms, which provided the backbone of the kingdom's administration for the next seven centuries. He systematized the administrative divisions of the country by creating six lups or divisions as well as introducing the Pana System. Loiyamba Shinyen left a well-organized society and economy in Meeteileipak.[citation needed]
Medieval Manipur[edit]
• Meidingu Ningthou Khomba (1432–1467) was the "Conqueror of Tamu". According to Ningthourol Lambuba he was originally known as Charairongba. One of the most well-known events of Charairongba's reign was a raid by the Tangkhul tribe from Tuisem village while he was absent. His queen Linthoingambi demonstrated courage and skill, hoodwinking the raiding tribesmen into defeat and captivity. The Meitei state was completely established during his reign.[citation needed]
• Meidingu Kiyamba (1467–1508) was known as the "Conqueror of Kabaw Valley". He was formerly called Thangwai Ningthouba. Credit for the military and territorial expansion of the kingdom was given to King Ningthou khomba and his son Kiyamba who had an equally colourful mother, Linthoingambi, the warrior queen in Manipur's history. This period sees the emergence of Medingu Senbi Kiyamba, who became king in 1476, at the age of 24. He was a friend of the King of Pong (Shan Kingdom), who presented him with a stone, known as PHEIYA (Almighty Lord Vishnu). After this, worship of God (Lord Vishnu) in the form of a sacred stone began.[citation needed]
• Meidingu Khagemba (1597&ndash1652) was known as the "Conqueror of the Chinese" (khagi: Chinese and Ngamba:conqueror). He consolidated and expanded his father's kingdom of Meitrabak, later successfully defending it from foreign invaders such as the Muslims, the Kachari and the Shans of the Kabaw Valley. Muslim settlement became more prominent after 1606 with the establishment of a Muslim Personal Law Board headed by a Qazi appointed by the king. According to the chronicle, the Meetei king attacked the principal Chinese village (or town) along with the many brave Meetei warrior and defeated their chief Chouopha Hongdei. Khagemba introduced bell metal currency in the kingdom and a number of coins from his reign have been found. His reign was considered to be the golden age of Manipuri literature. He was a great patron of the traditional Lainingthou Cult. A contemporary text, the Khagemba Langjei, expresses the supremecy of Sanamahi as the Universal God of the Meeteis. Learned scholars who were well-known authorities on religion and theology in attendance at Khagemba's court were Apoimacha, Konok Thengra, Salam Sana, Yumnam Tomba, Khongngakhul Toppa and Langon Lukhoi.[citation needed]
Khagemba was succeeded by his son Khunjaoba in 1652 who fortified Kangla and excavated a moat in the front of the brick gateway constructed by his father. Paikhomba ascended the throne in 1666 and consolidated his power in the valley. His kingdom extended as far as Samjok to the east and Takhel Tripura to the west. In 1679 the two Mughal (Chaghtai Turk) princes Shah Shuja and Mirza Baisanghar led a 37 strong Mughal entourage and settled in Manipur by taking local wives.[citation needed]
With the dawn of the eighteenth century, *Meidingu Charairongba (1697–1709) achieved the full development of its culture, economy and state system. In this revolutionary period in the evolution of Meitrabak, three kings, father, son, and a great grandson: Charairongba, Pamheiba and Chingthang Khomba played significant roles. After the death of Paikhomba, his nephew Charairongba, the son of his younger brother Tonsenngamba ascended the throne in 1697. His reign began the transition period from traditional Meetei culture to a Hinduised Meetei Society. There were continual trade contacts and social relationships between Manipur and Burma. In 1702, the Toongoo dynasty of Awa (Burma) sent emissaries asking for the hand of a Meetei Princess. Charirongba gave his daughter Chakpa Makhao Ngambi in marriage to the Burmese King. He constructed several temples for Meitei deities such as Panthoibi, Sanamahi as well as ones dedicated to Hindu gods. Relations with Burma deteriorated and became stronger with India after the area's conversion to Vaishnavism.[citation needed]
Vaishnavism Era[edit]
Vaishnavism came to Manipur during this period and caused a significant change in the history of Manipur. The Meitei script was replaced with Bengali.[citation needed]
• Meidingu Pamheiba (Garibnawaz) (1709–1748):
Pamheiba ascended the throne on the 23rd Day of Thawan (August) 1709. His Persian name Garibniwaz, meaning "kind to the poor", was given to him by Muslim immigrants and was adopted to be used in the coinage he issued.[citation needed]
Pamheiba's rise to prominence as a military conqueror can be divided into three phases. The first phase (1710–17) focused on internal consolidation of hill tribes. Phase two (1728–33) involved war against the Burmese kingdom of Awa, and the third and final phase (1745–48) saw a war against Tripura in the northeast. As a result, Pamheiba extended his kingdom from the Kabow Valley, to the east as far as Nongnang (Cachar) and Takhel (Tripura) in the west.
Conversion to Vaishnavism[edit]
Pamheiba was also a major religious reformer and under his royal patronage Shri Chaitanya's school of Gaudiya Vaishnavism gradually spread across Meitrabak. The Cheitharol Kumbaba records that in October 1717, Graibnawaz was initiated into Vaishnavism by Guru Gopal Das. Later in life he also took instruction from the Ramanandi Sampradaya school of thought.[citation needed]
Sanamahi Laikan recorded the events surrounding Sanskritisation which paved the way for "Meeteileipak" or "Kangleibak" to become "Manipur". Many other Meeteileipak place names in the Manipuri language (Meeteilon) were also changed to Sanskrit. The Hinduised word "gotra" was introduced for the Seven Yek/Salais of Meeteis. Between 1717 and 1737, the Sanskrit epic parvas the Mahabharata and Ramayana were translated into Meeteilon while many other Sanskrit Parvas were written by Angom Gopi (1710–1780), the renowned scholar and poet at the court of Pamheiba. The king and all the Meeteis were converted as Kshatriya by relating to Mahabharata's Manipur.[citation needed]
Pamheiba's forty year reign marked the zenith of Meeteileipak in all aspects – religious reform, military conquest, cultural and literary achievements and sound economics. He issued several coins during his reign engraved with his different names: ‘Manipureswar’, ‘Mekeleswar’, ’Garibaniwaza’.[citation needed]
He abdicated the throne in favour of his son Chit Sai (1748–52) in 1748 and was then driven out to Cachar by his brother Bharat Sai in 1752. Gourashyam (1753–58) ousted Bharat Sai in 1753 and ascended the throne. In 1758, the Burmese king Alaungpaya invaded Meeteileipak.[citation needed]
In 1759, Gourashyam gave up the throne in favour of his brother Bhagayachandra who restored normalcy in the kingdom and tried to regain the lost glory of Meeteileipak/Kangleipak. In 1764, the new Burmese king Hsinbyushin invaded Manipur again through the Kabaw Valley. The Meetei force were defeated at Tamu and the king fled to the Ahom kingdom in Assam. He regained the throne of Kangleipak in 1768 with help of Ahom king Rajeshwar and went on to rule for more than 30 years, signing a treaty with East India Company in 1762. His reign was a landmark in the history of Meeteileipak for the propagation of Cheitanya's School of Vaishnavism. Afterwards, Meeteileipak came more under the influence of Bengali language and literature. Bhagayachandra earned the title of "Rajarshi" as a king who had become a royal sage.[citation needed]
Origin of the Meetei or Manipuri Classical Dance, Rasa lila[edit]
Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.
According to Cheitharol Kumpaba, in February 1776, the king went to Kaina Hill in search of the jackfruit tree. Four images of Krishna were then carved from jackfruit wood. The ritual installation of Shri Govindajee was performed at the Rashmondal of Langthabal palace in 1780. The Meeteis worshipped God through dance as performed in the Lai Haraoba (Merry Making of God). As revealed in the dream, and with the help of his daughter Princess Bimbabati known as Shija Laioibi who was symbolically married and dedicated her life to Shri Govindajee, he composed the Rasa lila. Meidingu Chingthangkhomba dedicated three forms of Rasa lila to Krishna — Kunja Ras, Maha Ras and Basanta Ras.[citation needed]
Anglo-Burmese Events[edit]
There were a number of wars during this era between the Manipuris, the Burmese and the British.
• Meidingu Marjit (1813–1819)
With the help from the Burmese kingdom of Awa, Marjit invaded Kangleipak in 1813 where he defeated his brother Chaurajit. He then ascended the throne in 1813 and ruled for six years.[citation needed]
Chahi Taret Khuntakpa, the Seven Years Devastation (1819–26)[edit]
Meitrabak had never faced such catastrophe as that brought about by the Burmese conquest. The new king of Awa, Bagyidaw, invited Marjit to attend his coronation ceremony and to pay homage to him. Marjit refused to attend the coronation, which offended the Burmese king who then sent a large force under the command of General Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. Marjit was defeated and fled to Cachar. Meitrabak was then brought under the rule of Awa for the seven years between 1819 and 1826, which is known as Chahi Taret Kuntakpa in the history of Meitrabak. The flight of Marjit from Meitrabak and the conquest by Awa in 1819 marks the end of the mediaeval period in the history of Meitrabak.[citation needed]
Meitrabak Princes in Cachar[edit]
In the early nineteenth century, after being dislodged from Meitrabak, its princes made Cachar a springboard for the reconquest of the territory. In 1819, three brothers occupied Cachar and drove Govinda Chandra out to Sylhet. The kingdom of Cachar, divided between Govinda Chandra and Chaurajit in 1818, was repartitioned after the flight of Govind Chandra among the three Meitrabak princes. Chaurajit got the eastern portion of Cachar bordering Meitrabak which was ruled from Sonai. Gambhir Singh was given the land west of Tillain hill and his headquarters was at Gumrah, Marjit Singh ruled Hailakandi from Jhapirbond.[citation needed]
With the 500 strong Meetei Levy and with help from the British East India Company, Gambhir Singh expelled the Burmese of Awa from Meitrabak beyond the Ningthi Turel (Chindwin River). He ruled the country from Langthabal and died on 9 January 1834 to be succeeded by his infant son Chandrakirti / Ningthem Pishak (1834–1844).[citation needed]
He was the second cousin of Gambhir Singh and the regent. Kumidini, mother of Chandrakirti, was dissatisfied with the arrangement and fled to Cachar with her son. At the wish of the people of Meitrabak he ascended the throne in 1844 at the age of 51. He then shifted the capital from Langthabal to Kangla where he reconstructed the two statues of the Kangla Sha at Uttra made by Meidingngu Chaurajit and that the Burmese had dismantled and destroyed. Meidingngu Nara Singh died on 10 April 1850 and was succeeded by his brother Meidingngu Debendra Singh (1850).[citation needed]
• Meidingngu Chandrakirti (1850–86) came from Cachar, defeated Debendra and regained the throne in 1850. During his reign, all the sacred and holy places inside Kangla were developed and maintained. Kangla thus became a well-fortified palace surrounded by five layers of defences, including the inner and outer moats, brick walls, as well as an earthen rampart and citadel surrounding the palace in the centre. He died on Friday 20 May 1886.[citation needed]
The Manipur Expedition[edit]
The main entrance of the Kangla Fort in Imphal.
Meidingngu Surchandra (1886–90) succeeded his father to the throne in 1886 when there were revolts against him led by Sana Borachaoba and Dinachandra that proved unsuccessful. However, on 21 September 1890, Princes Zila Ngamba and Angousana with the support of Senapati Tikendrajit, revolted against Surchandra who abdicated and left Meitrabak for Brindaban (Vrindavan). His brother Kulachandra Singh ascended the throne in 1890 and Tikendrajit, the Senapati or supreme military commander of the armed forces of Manipur, became the ruler behind the scenes. Surchandra requested the government of India to reinstate him on the throne but the British decided to recognize Kulachandra as king of Meitrabak and to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit for having caused the palace revolution.[11]
Chief Commissioner of Assam, James Wallace Quinton, came to Manipur to execute the order of the Government of India with a 400 strong escort under the command of Colonel Charles Mac Donald Skene, D.S.O. This event led to the The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.[citation needed]
On hearing the news, Meidingngu Kulachandra sent Kangabam Chidananda (Thangal General) with seven hundred Meetei sepoys to Mao Thana, a Meitrabak outpost on the border of Nagaland, then called the Naga Hills, to received the Chief Commissioner of Assam and to make arrangements for a large escort for the Chief Commissioner.[citation needed]
On 22 March 1891, at about 10 a.m. Quinton arrived at Imphal with his escort. Meidingngu Kulachandra Dhaja and his younger brothers welcomed him at the western Gate of the Kangla Palace. Quinton informed Meidingngu Kulachandra that at noon there would be a Durbar (court) held at the Residency. Thus did Quinton attempt to apprehend Yuvraj Tikendrajit but he was not successful. Quinton then consulted the political agent Grimwood as well as Colonel Skene and decided to arrest Yuvraj forcibly. Grimwood was then speared to death and Quinton, Colonel Skene, Mr. Cossins, Lieutenant Simpson and Bulger were subsequently beheaded by the public executioner in front of the Kangla Sha. As soon as the news of the failure of the plan to arrest Yuvraj Tikendrajit and the execution of the British officers reached the Government of India, three columns of troops, known as the Manipur Expedition, were sent to Meitrabak from Kohima, Silchar and Tamu under the command of Major General Henry Collett, Col. R.H.F. Rennick and Brigadier General T. Graham respectively. The column moving in from Tamu faced the strongest resistance from Meitrabak and major hand-to-hand combat took place at Khongjom on 25 April.[citation needed]
Maipak Sana, Wangkheirakpa, Yengkhoiba, Chongtha Miya, Paona Brajabasi, Khumbong Major, Wangkhei Meiraba, Chinglen Sana, Loitongba Jamadar, Keisam Jamadar, Heirang Khonja and a number of Meetei soldiers died on the battlefield. Meitrabak lost its independence to the British on 27 April 1891.[citation needed]
The British government selected Meidingngu Churachand Singh (1891–1941), minor son of Chaobiyaima as the king of Meitrabak. A new Kangla Palace was constructed at Wangkhei and Kangla was kept under British occupation. During British colonial rule, Kangla was known as Manipur Fort and a battalion of Assam Rifles was stationed there. Noted Manipuri writer, M. K. Binodini Devi (1922–2011) was the youngest daughter of the ruler.[12]
World War II[edit]
Main article: Battle of Imphal
A major thrust by the Empire of Japan in 1944, was stopped at Imphal by British and Indian forces. This marked the furthest westward expansion of the Empire.
The British left Manipur in 1947 following Indian independence.
See also[edit]
1. ^ "Manipur Merger Agreement, 1949". Satp.org. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
2. ^ "The Constitution (Amendment)". Indiacode.nic.in. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
3. ^ [1]
4. ^ http://twocircles.net/2014nov21/1416545962.html#.VHH48cnUZ5c
6. ^ Naorem Sanajaoba, Maipur Past and Present, Mittal Publication, Delhi, 2005
7. ^ Ningthoujongjam Khelchandra, History of Ancient Manipuri Literature, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1969
8. ^ Gangmuei Kabui, History of Manipur, National Publishing House, Delhi, 1991.
9. ^ Sharma, T.C. "Studies in the Sources of Pre-History of Manipur and Nagaland" (1985) pp. 13–18 in Pandey S.N. (ed.) Sources of the History of Manipur, Imphal: Manipur University
10. ^ O.K.Singh, Archaeology in Manipur (Sereis-I): "Napachik, A Stone Age Site in Manipur Valley", 1984
11. ^ Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 17, p. 186.
12. ^ "Manipuri author Binodini Devi dies at 89". Indian Express. 19 Jan 2011.
External references[edit]
• Cheitharol Kumbaba, Ed - Lairenmayum Ebungohal and Nithoukhongjam Khelchandra, Pub- Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, 1967.
• The Royal Chronicle of Manipur, the Cheitharol Kumbaba Ed. and Trans.- Saroj Nalini Arambam Parratt (London: Routledge, 2005).
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65669 | Inner Sanctum Records
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Photograph of the Inner Sanctum Records staff in Austin, Texas, taken in January 1978 -- (L-R) Big Al Ragle, Joe Bryson, Neil Ruttenberg, James "Cowboy" Cooper, Stephen Goodwin, Richard Dorsett.
Inner Sanctum Records was a record shop in Austin, Texas. The retailer was variously cited as the first indie record shop in Texas and, at the time of its closure, the oldest in Central Texas.[1][2]
In 1970, college student/entrepreneur Joe Bryson bought Phil's Record Store, which sat in a shotgun location at W. 24th and Rio Grande Streets, and re-christened it Inner Sanctum Records, named after the 1940s radio show. The store would soon relocate to a large, old house at 504 W. 24th Street, just off "The Drag" (Guadalupe St.), near the University of Texas at Austin. This building also housed Aunt Sally's Bookstore, The Leather Bench and other businesses, as well as the offices of the political magazine The Texas Observer (when not running the store, Bryson would often visit the Observer offices in the presence of Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott).
Bryson increasingly relied on fellow music aficionados to keep the business running. James "Cowboy" Cooper, Gary Barnes, "Big Al" Ragle, Richard Dorsett, Rick Moore, Kirby McDaniel, Stephen Goodwin, and Linda Nozik all worked at the store.
Between Cooper's knowledge and Bryson's enthusiasm, the store created a synergy that helped spawn progressive country. Inner Sanctum became one of most influential record shops in the United States and the most popular independent store in Austin during the 1970s, coinciding with the emergence of the Southern California sound that influenced many Texas-based artists. The store became a source for recordings by Doug Sahm, Willie Nelson, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, The Lost Gonzo Band, Joe Ely, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Willis Alan Ramsey, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Murphey (later known as Michael Martin Murphey), B. W. Stevenson, Billy Joe Shaver, Kinky Friedman, The Byrds and many others.
The store became more successful and Bryson decided to move into a larger space in the building, but ended up having to keep the current space, as well. Thus, Inner Sanctum Too, was established as an auxiliary shop featuring classical music, and was managed by Kirby McDaniel and David Sobey. Meanwhile, the main store's inventory grew to include the entire spectrum of recorded music, featuring extensive catalog offerings of popular and progressive rock, R&B, soul, blues, disco, jazz and what came to be known as world music. The store was also one of the first in the country to offer second-hand records for purchase. It also started a notorious practice of "renting" records for about $1 a day, a practice quashed by the major record labels when they became aware of it by the latter part of the decade.
Country to Punk[edit]
As the prog country/"Cosmic Cowboy" trend lost momentum, the store staff embraced the growing punk rock trend with zeal. Importers became the store's most important suppliers, with shipments arriving at least once or twice a week with singles, LPs and magazines from the United Kingdom punk scene. Buyer Neil Ruttenberg made punk rock the store's specialty and helped catalyse punk's local popularity. DIY bands began rapidly appearing throughout Austin, which already enjoyed a reputation as a haven for live music. Inner Sanctum became the local source for recordings by artists such as the Sex Pistols, Devo, The B-52's, Joy Division, Throbbing Gristle, Stray Cats, Elvis Costello, The Clash, The Stranglers, Grace Jones, The Police, U2, Tears for Fears, OMD, and Simple Minds.
Supporting local music[edit]
As local bands began to record and release their own recordings, they could rely on the Inner Sanctum to stock them. To celebrate, the store would usually host a record release party with a keg and refreshments, lending a feeling of closeness to the scene. Some of these local acts included The Huns, Standing Waves, F-Systems, The Skunks (a band that featured "Fast Eddie" Munoz, a one-time Inner Sanctum employee and later a member of The Plimsouls, and following Munoz' departure, Jon Dee Graham), The Next, Terminal Mind, The Big Boys, The Dicks, The Norvells, Joe "King" Carrasco and the Crowns, D-Day, Delta, Radio Free Europe, The Explosives, Kamikaze Refrigerators, Sharon Tate's Baby, The Violators, The Inserts, The Judys (from Houston), and many more. Outside of punk and new wave, parties were held for Uncle Walt's Band (who performed in-store), Alvin Crow, soul band Extreme Heat, Butch Hancock, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Greezy Wheels, Roky Erickson, Uranium Savages, Joe Ely, Beto y Los Fairlanes and others. Doug Sahm and his friends frequently patronized the store. Major label recordings were subject to release parties, as well (such as an Elvis Costello Look-A-Like Contest upon the release of My Aim is True), or just a party to celebrate the fact that such artists, like The Plasmatics, Graham Parker, Joe Jackson, Robert Gordon & Link Wray, Tom Robinson Band, Magazine, and The Textones (Carla Olsson and Kathy Valentine), were performing in town.
Most of the staff were also musicians, band managers or otherwise involved with the local music scene. In 1976, McDaniel started a Sunday night radio show, Rock Of Ages, on the UT radio station KUT. He played a wide spectrum of music that was readily available in the store. By 1978, Stephen Goodwin started making appearances as "The Old Codger" and other regular guests dropped by, like Paul Ray (of The Cobras and the KUT program Twine Time), disco DJ Casey Jones, writer Joe Nick Patoski, playwright Greg Barrios and Neil Ruttenberg. When McDaniel exited the show in 1979, Ruttenberg (taking on the moniker of "Rev. Neil X") took the reins at the height of the punk–new wave era. When he departed, he relayed the controls to store manager Jack Kanter in 1981. Both Ruttenberg and Kanter's editions of the show occasionally featured live performances in the studio from artists like Alex Chilton. Kanter's show was visited regularly by The Big Boys (featuring Randy "Biscuit" Turner). Kanter also served for a while as manager of the band Delta, while another staffer, Will Sharp, managed The Next.
504 W. 24th St. came to be known as Bluebonnet Plaza, and housed a head shop (Pipes Plus), a hair salon, and other businesses along with Inner Sanctum.[1][2][3] Two popular restaurants flanked the building on either side: Octopus' Garden (later Mad Dog & Beans) and Les Amis Cafe, the latter of which was featured in the motion picture Slacker and the subject of a 2005 documentary, Viva Les Amis.[1][2][3]
Following the departures of both Kanter and Ruttenberg in the early 1980s, Bryson eventually sold the store. By 1997, property values throughout Austin had increased dramatically, and Inner Sanctum and the other tenants of Bluebonnet Plaza were forced to vacate when the owners decided to renovate the building.[2]
Before Austin was trumpeting itself as the Live Music Capital of America, it hosted a number of important music scenes, many of which only later had relevance out of town. In the early '70s, during the heyday of what was then called 'progressive country', the place you bought the records of the artists you heard in the clubs was Inner Sanctum, a slightly seedy record store by the University of Texas campus. A lot of the Inner Sanctum stock wasn't available anywhere else.
These days, with the decline of independent record stores (and record stores in general) it's hard to remember how crucial these places were to fomenting independent music scenes before internet connectivity made hooking up with like-minded people much easier.
— From, by permission, an encomium on Inner Sanctum written by Ed Ward, Rock and Roll historian for National Public Radio's Fresh Air[this quote needs a citation]
See also[edit]
1. ^ a b c Savlov, Marc (29 April 2005). "Remembrance of Things Weird:Nancy Higgins' 'Viva Les Amis'". Austin Chronicle. Austin Chronicle Corp. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 2014-12-02.
2. ^ a b c d VanScoy, Kayte (28 August 1997). "What a Drag: West Campus Loses a Piece of Historic Charm". Austin Chronicle. Austin Chronicle Corp. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 2014-12-02.
3. ^ a b Savlov, Marc (26 January 2001). "Slacker, the Map". Austin Chronicle. Austin Chronicle Corp. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65670 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Saint Kirdjun (also known as Abakerazum) was a robber converted to Christianity. He was a reformed robber and bandit. He died as a martyr in Alexandria and was buried at Banuar. His feast day is July 19. He is referenced in Les Martyrs d'Égypte by Hippolyte Delehaye.
• Holweck, F. G. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saint. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65671 | Legal recognition of sign languages
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The legal recognition of sign languages is one of the major concerns of the international Deaf community. There is no standard way in which such a recognition can be formally or legally extended; every country has its own interpretation. In some countries, the national sign language is an official state language, whereas in others it has a protected status in certain areas such as education. However, symbolic recognition is no guarantee for an effective improvement of the life of sign language users. Sarah Batterbury has argued that sign languages should be recognized and supported not merely as an accommodation for the disabled, but as the communication medium of language communities.[1] Legal recognition is an important factor in the sociolinguistics of sign languages.[clarification needed]
Sign language status by state[edit]
Auslan was recognised by the Australian Government as a "community language other than English" and the preferred language of the Deaf community in policy statements in 1987 and 1991. This recognition does not ensure any provision of services in Auslan, but use of Auslan in Deaf education and provision of Auslan/English interpreters is becoming more common.
Austrian Sign Language (Österreichische Gebärdensprache, ÖGS) was recognised by the Austrian Parliament in 2005. On 1 September 2005 the Austrian Constitution was amended to include a new article: „§8 (3) Die Österreichische Gebärdensprache ist als eigenständige Sprache anerkannt. Das Nähere bestimmen die Gesetze.“ ("Austrian Sign Language is recognised as independent language. The laws will determine the details.") For further information please contact the Austrian Deaf Association:
Further reading[edit]
Krausneker, Verena (2005) Österreichs erste Minderheitensprache, in: STIMME von und für Minderheiten # 56 [1]
Krausneker, Verena (2006) taubstumm bis gebärdensprachig. Die österreichische Gebärdensprachgemeinschaft aus soziolinguistischer Perspektive. Verlag Drava
French Community[edit]
The Parliament of French-speaking Belgium recognised LSFB (French-Belgian Sign Language) in a decree of October 2003. This recognition entails:
1. a cultural (symbolical) recognition and
2. the foundation of a commission that will advise the Government of the French Community in all matters related to LSFB.
In Décret relatif à la reconnaissance de la langue des signes (Decree on the recognition of the sign language), from three possible legal interpretations of the term 'recognition',[2] the following one was retained: "It concerns a symbolic recognition that goes hand in hand with a general measure, permitting every minister to take action in fields relative to his authority."[2]
Flemish Community[edit]
Flemish Sign Language was recognised on 2006-04-26 by the Flemish Parliament. This recognition entails:
1. a cultural (symbolical) recognition (see excerpt below),
2. the foundation of a commission that will advise the Flemish government in all matters related to VGT and
3. the structural funding of research and development of VGT.
This recognition was accelerated by the most successful petition ever with the Flemish Parliament and the presence of a Deaf member of parliament, Helga Stevens, and her interpreters in the Flemish Parliament.
The Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) was legally recognized in 2002;[4] the law was regulated in 2005.[5] The language must be taught as a part of the education and speech and language pathology curricula. LIBRAS teachers, instructors and translators are recognized professionals. Schools and health services must provide access ("include") to deaf people.
Section Fourteen of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifies that an accused person who does not understand the language in which his or her trial is carried out, or is deaf, is entitled to an interpreter.
In several of Canada's provinces (Manitoba in 1988, Alberta in 1990, Ontario in 1993), ASL is an officially recognised minority language with legally embedded rights.
Ontario recognised ASL and LSQ as a language in which the Deaf can be taught when it altered its Education Act in 1993. Ontario formally recognised ASL in 2007 attributing to it the rights of fellow minority languages.
Question Period in the Canadian House of Commons is interpreted in both Quebec Sign Language and American Sign Language.
Chilean Sign Language (LSCh), Chile enacted in Law No. 20,422, in 2010 in order to ensure the right to equality of opportunity for disabled people, negating any form of discrimination against them. And which recognizes sign language as the natural means of communication of the deaf community Ley 20422 BCN LEGISLACIÓN CHILENA, 2010
Czech Republic[edit]
Czech Sign Language gained legal recognition as a human language with the passage of the Sign Language Law 155/1998 Sb ("Zákon o znakové řeči 155/1998 Sb") - see the legislation here (in Czech language).
European Union[edit]
The European Parliament unanimously approved a resolution about Deaf Sign Languages on June 17, 1988 (available online here). The resolution asks all member countries for recognition of their national sign languages as official languages of the Deaf.
The EP issued another resolution in 1998 with more or less the same content as in 1988, (see RESOLUTION on sign languages for the deaf, Official Journal C 187, 18/07/1988 P. 0236 [3]
Finnish Sign Language was recognised in the constitution in August 1995.
Icelandic Sign Language was recognised by law in education in 2004.
On May 27, 2011, the Icelandic Parliament unanimously approved a bill which recognises Icelandic Sign Language as an official minority language with constitutional rights and as the first language of the deaf people of Iceland.
There is no official recognition of Indian Sign Language.
There is no official recognition of Irish Sign Language yet. However, there have been calls to make Irish Sign Language the third official language in Ireland, after Irish and English, which would require an amendment to the constitution - which can only happen via a referendum. [4][5]
There is no official recognition of Italian Sign Language (Lingua dei Segni Italiana, LIS) yet. Those who oppose LIS recognition say this language is "grammarless," although, by definition, a language cannot be, in fact, grammarless. Several research on the matter have already shown that Italian Sign Language is a proper language.[8]
The Constitution of Kenya recognises Kenya Sign Language and states that the state shall promote the development and use of Kenyan sign language. Sign language is recognised further in Article 120 (1) which states that the official languages of parliament are Kiswahili, English and Kenyan sign language and the business of parliament may be conducted in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan sign language.
The Macedonian sign language (Македонски знаковен јазик, Makedonski znakoven jazik) is officially recognized as "natural way of communication between the people". The language is regulated by a law, which allows students and every individual in Macedonia to study the language. Also, the law secures the right of interpreter for the students with special needs, and every other deaf person can request an interpreter, as well.[9] Currently, there are more than 6.000 Macedonian citizens with deafness.
The Mexican Sign Language (LSM) was officially declared a "national language" in 2003, and it started being used in public deaf education thereafter.[10] Before 2003, deaf education in the country was focused on oralism (speech and lipreading) with few schools conducting classes in LSM.[11]
Although Nepali Sign Language has not yet been officially recognized as the mother tongue of Nepal's deaf population, legislation is underway which will bring Nepali law in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These laws will recognize the rights of the deaf to use Nepali Sign Language have it used in education, in social life, in the legal sphere, etc., and this should thus lead to official governmental recognition of Nepali Sign Language on a par with the various spoken languages of Nepal.
The Netherlands[edit]
The Sign Language of the Netherlands has not been recognised officially by law. There is some public funding for sign language projects.
New Zealand[edit]
New Zealand Sign Language became the third official language of New Zealand in April 2006, joining Māori and English when the bill was passed in the New Zealand Parliament on April 6, 2006.[12]
Northern Ireland[edit]
In Northern Ireland, both British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language (but not Northern Ireland Sign Language) were recognised as official languages by the Northern Ireland Office,[13] but they don't yet have the same status as the province's two official minority languages, Irish and Ulster-Scots.
Norwegian Sign Language is recognised by law in education.
As an example, many shows (such as the news) in public channels (RTP) have one corner of the screen with a person translating what's being said into sign language.
The Russian Sign Language (Русский жестовый язык) has very limited legal recognition. In accordance with the Federal "Law on Protection of People with Disabilities" the sign language is considered a language used for inter-personal communication only, which means that no state support for the language is provided.[citation needed]
South Africa[edit]
South African Sign Language is not specifically recognised as a Language of South Africa by the country's constitution, instead it contains the phrase "sign language" in the generic sense.[15] There is a process underway in parliament to investigate the possibility of upgrading the status of SASL to become the country's 12th official language.[16]
On June 28, 2007, Spanish and Catalan Sign Languages were recognised by the Spanish Parliament to be official languages in Spain. This recent legal development has opened a door to reinforced communication in the areas of healthcare, justice, education and MCM. So far, the Autonomous Communities of Catalonia, Andalusia, and Valencia had granted the use of sign languages to the Deaf. In the other Spanish regions no sign languages were so far recognised, and support in terms of sign language interpretation for Deaf persons has been minimal or confined by different budgets. As pointed out, there are three sign languages claimed by Deaf organisations: Spanish Sign Language, Catalan Sign Language (LSC) and Valencian Sign Language (LSPV), although some linguists consider these to be the same.
Although a regional law guarantees the presence of Catalan Sign Language since 1994 in all areas under the Catalan Government, such as education and media, until recently it was officially recognised the LSC in the Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia of 2006.
The legal situation in Andalusia is similar to the one in Catalonia, where a regional Law guarantees the presence of the Spanish Sign Language (LSE) in all social scopes since 1998. Recently, a recognition of it is included in the reforming of their Statute of Autonomy. At the moment, Andalusia is the unique Community where LSE is recognised with regards to the rest of Spain. In any case, in linguistic terms, the LSE used there has a strong dialectal variation.
Until recently, Valencia had poor legal support for the Deaf. The approved 2006 Statute of Autonomy grants to Valencian Deaf their right to use Valencian Sign Language (LSPV or LSCV). In the Statute there is no mention about which sign language is telling, but Valencian Deaf entities usually refer it as Llengua de Signes en la Comunitat Valenciana.
Galicia is said[by whom?] to be working on a bill concerning the recognition of a sign language.[citation needed]
Slovak Republic[edit]
Slovak Sign Language was recognised in 1995 by law: "Zákon o posunkovej reči nepočujúcich osôb 149/1995 Sb" - the Law of the Sign Language of the Deaf 149/1995.
Thai Sign Language was acknowledged as "the national language of deaf people in Thailand" on 17 August 1999, in a resolution signed by the Permanent Secretary for Education on behalf of the Royal Thai Government that affirmed the rights of deaf people to learn this distinct sign language as their first language at home and in schools. According to a report by Charles Reilly (1999), "specific actions will be taken by the government, including hiring deaf people as teachers and instructors of sign language in deaf schools, and providing interpreters for deaf people in higher education."
There is currently no official recognition of the Turkish Sign Language, the de facto sign language in use by the Turkish deaf community.
On July 1, 2005, the Turkish Grand National Assembly enacted an updated Disability Law (No. 5378), which for the first time in Turkish law made references to sign language. Law no. 15 says that a sign language is to be used in the deaf education system, and law no. 30 says that sign language interpreting is to be provided to deaf people. [6] However, these laws are yet to be implemented (as of 2007), and it remains to be seen what form of sign language, if any, will be supported. There has been some discussion in parliament about "developing" a standardised sign language.[7]
Turkey also has action plans for disability issues, such as the Employment of Disabled Persons Plan (2005–2010) and the Prevention of Discrimination Against Disabled Persons Plan (2006–2010).
On October 8, 1995, Uganda's national sign language was recognised in the country's new constitution, making Uganda Sign Language one of the few constitutionally recognised sign languages in the world (WFD News, April 1996). A Deaf signer (27-year-old Alex Ndeezi) was elected to parliament in 1996.
United States of America[edit]
Many individual states have laws recognizing American Sign Language as a "foreign language"; some recognize ASL as a language of instruction in schools.[citation needed] A number of U.S. universities accept ASL credit to fulfill foreign language requirements.[18]
Although there are no "official" languages in Uruguay, nevertheless, Lengua de Señas Uruguaya, or "LSU" (In English: "Uruguayan Sign Language"), was "recognized" as the language of deaf persons in 2001 by the law:
LEY No. 17.378. Reconócese a todos los effectos a la Lengua de Señas Uruguaya como la lengua natural de las personas sordas y de sus comunidades en todo el territorio de la Republica. 10 de Julio de 2001. Parlamento del Uruguay.
In the 2008 law 18.437 ("Ley General de Educación. 12 de Diciembre de 2008"), LSU is "considered" to be one of the mother tongues of Uruguayan citizens (along with Uruguayan Spanish and Uruguayan Portuguese. In the policy documents of the Comisión de Políticas Lingüísticas en la Educación Pública (the Public Education Language Policy Commission, which is part of the Administración Nacional de Educación Pública, ANEP) it is proposed that LSU would be the principal language of deaf education.
Venezuelan Sign Language was recognised in the country's constitution on November 12, 1999.
The various Zimbabwean sign languages, grouped together as "sign language", are recognised in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe as one of the sixteen "officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe".[19]
2. ^ "... il s'agit d'une reconnaissance cadre assortie d'une mesure d'exécution générale permettant à chaque ministre concerné de prendre les arrêtés d'application relevant de ses compétences ..."
3. ^ "Die 'erkenning' omvat hierbij de drie betekennissen van het woord: (1) de Vlaamse overheid bevestigt de juistheid van het feit dat de Vlaamse Gebarentaal de taal is van de Dovengemeenschap in Vlaanderen, (2) de Vlaamse overheid aanvaardt het bestaan van die taal ook op juridisch vlak en behandelt ze als dustanig en (3) de Vlaamse overheid uit haar waardering voor deze taal."
4. ^ , April 24, 2002.
5. ^ Brazilian decree nº 5626, December 22, 2005.
6. ^ 17 § Oikeus omaan kieleen ja kulttuuriin [...] Viittomakieltä käyttävien sekä vammaisuuden vuoksi tulkitsemisja käännösapua tarvitsevien oikeudet turvataan lailla. (Ministry of Justice, Finland: Suomen perustuslaki.)
7. ^ Í aðalnámskrá grunnskóla eru í fyrsta sinn sett ákvæði um sérstaka íslenskukennslu fyrir nemendur með annað móðurmál en íslensku. Einnig eru ný ákvæði um sérstaka íslenskukennslu fyrir heyrnarlausa og heyrnarskerta nemendur og táknmálskennslu fyrir heyrnarlausa. Markmið fyrir íslenskukennslu nýbúa og heyrnarlausra og táknmálskennslu falla undir námssvið íslensku í grunnskóla. [...] Táknmál hefur grundvallarþýðingu fyrir þroska máls, persónuleika og hugsunar heyrnarlausra nemenda. Hjá heyrnarlausum er táknmálið mikilvægasta uppspretta þekkingar og leið til að taka þátt í íslenskri menningu og menningu heyrnarlausra. Táknmálið hefur mikla þýðingu fyrir alla vinnu í skólanum og fyrir líf og starf nemendanna. (Ministry of Education, Science and Culture: Aðalnámskrá grunnskóla: Almennur hluti)
8. ^ Michele Brunelli: Grammatica della LIS
9. ^ Закон за употреба на знаковниот јазик, Службен весник на Република Македонија, број 105, 21 август 2009, Скопје
10. ^ Ley Federal para las Personas con Discapacidad.
11. ^ Karla Faurot, Dianne Dellinger, Andy Eatough, Steve Parkhurst (1992, revised 1998 and 2001) The identity of Mexican sign as a language. © 1999 Summer Institute of Linguistics.
12. ^ McKee, R. 2007. The eyes have it! Our third official language–New Zealand Sign Language. Journal of New Zealand Studies, NS 4-5.129-148.
13. ^ "Paul Murphy announces recognition for sign language". Northern Ireland Office. 2004-03-30. Retrieved 2008-06-22. I am pleased to announce formal recognition for both British and Irish Sign Languages in Northern Ireland.
14. ^ Na realização da política de ensino incumbe ao Estado proteger e valorizar a língua gestual portuguesa, enquanto expressão cultural e instrumento de acesso à educação e da igualdade de oportunidades. (Assembleia da República: Constituição da república portuguesa
15. ^
16. ^
17. ^ La Generalitat garantirà l’ús de la llengua de signes pròpia de les persones sordes, que haurà de ser objecte d’ensenyament, protecció i respecte. (Corts Valencianes: Estatut d'Autonomia de la Communitat Valenciana.)
18. ^ Wilcox, Sherman. "Universities That Accept ASL In Fulfillment Of Foreign Language Requirements". University of New Mexico.
19. ^ "The following languages, namely Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa, are the officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe." (Chapter 1, section 6, CONSTITUTION OF ZIMBABWE (final draft)). |
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
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Louvre Abu Dhabi
Louvre Abu Dhabi graphic.jpg
Model of the future Louvre Abu Dhabi
General information
Type Art museum
Architectural style Modern
Location Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Coordinates 24°32′00″N 54°23′54″E / 24.5333295°N 54.3983807°E / 24.5333295; 54.3983807
Completed expected 2015[1]
Cost €83 million - €108 million
Design and construction
Architect Jean Nouvel
Structural engineer Buro Happold
Artwork from around the world will be showcased at the museum, with particular focus placed upon bridging the gap between Eastern and Western art.[3] However, the construction of the museum has caused much controversy in the art world, as many objections have been raised as to the motives of the Louvre in this deal.
The establishment of this museum was approved by the French Parliament on 9 October 2007. The architect for the building will be Jean Nouvel and the engineers are Buro Happold.[4][5] Jean Nouvel also designed the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris.
The museum will be part of a US$27 billion tourist and cultural development for Saadiyat Island, a complex which is planned to include three other museums, including a Guggenheim Museum[6] and the Zayed National Museum. According to the government sponsored website UAE Interact: "The French Museums Agency will operate in collaboration with the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), which is behind the transformation of Saadiyat Island. It will be chaired by French financier and member of the country's Académie des Beaux-Arts, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière, publisher of the periodical Revue des Deux Mondes."[7] Bruno Maquart, the former Executive Director of Centre Georges Pompidou, will take the position of Executive Director."[8]
A model of the museum's proposed design
The interior of the museum, showing the distinctive domed ceiling
The interior of the Louvre Abu Dhabi
The museum will be designed as a "seemingly floating dome structure"; its web-patterned dome allowing the sun to filter through. The overall effect is meant to represent "rays of sunlight passing through date palm fronds in an oasis."[12][13] The total area of the museum will be approximately 24,000 square metres (260,000 sq ft). The permanent collection will occupy 6,000 square metres (65,000 sq ft), and the temporary exhibitions will take place over 2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft),[2][14]
On 29 October 2011, Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC.), the project manager owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, announced it would delay establishing the museum. The company gave no new date.[18] According to the UAE newspapers Gulf News and The National, the delay could be explained by a review of the emirate's economic strategy.[19][20]
Work on the construction of the gallery spaces and initial preparation for the dome began in the fourth quarter of 2013. On 5 December 2013, the first element of the museum's canopy was lifted into place.[22]
On 22 September, the final super-sized element in the canopy was fitted in place, marking a significant milestone in the museum's construction phase. In October, The Tourism & Development Investment Company announced that the Louvre Abu Dhabi was more than 50 per cent complete.[24]
Brand and visual identity[edit]
The logo and typeface for the Louvre Abu Dhabi was designed by Studio Philippe Apeloig, and is implemented in both Roman and Arabic script. Frutiger typeface was extended to create Frutiger LT to accommodate use across different languages.
Lebanese typographer, Kristyan Sarkis created the Arabic typeface, designed to reflect both the architecture of the building and the heat of the region.
—Henri Loyrette[26]
—Henri Loyrette[26]
Further details of the museum's collection on opening were revealed in October 2014, with a number of important works to be loaned under the agreement with Agence France-Museums and the Musée du Louvre, including Leonardo Da Vinci's La Belle Ferronniere[28] and works by Henri Matisse, a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, Jacques-Louis David's Napoleon Crossing the Alps and Claude Monet's Gare Saint-Lazare,.[29]
The Louvre Abu Dhabi first started sharing its collection with the public through an exhibition entitled "Talking Art: Louvre Abu Dhabi," which opened in May 2009. The exhibition presented the first 19 acquisitions for the institution, including a Mamluk holy Koran from the 14th century, a 5th-century Fibula from Domagnano, a Virgin and Child by Bellini, and Mondrian’s Composition with blue, red, yellow and black from 1922.[30]
A second exhibition, Birth of a Museum, opened at the exhibition space Manarat Al Saadiyat in May 2013, ending in August that year. The first large-scale preview of the collection, it featured 130 works acquired by the government of Abu Dhabi for the permanent collection. They included a never-before seen work by Picasso, a Bronze Age terracotta statue from Cyprus, along with artifacts from Greece, Turkey, Japan and Syria [31]
In May 2014, the Birth of a Museum exhibition, featuring works shown in Abu Dhabi and a number of new acquisitions opened at the Louvre in Paris. A number of new works were presented, including Chirisei Kyubiki by the Japanese artist Kazuo Shiraga and painted in 1960.[32]
Other programmes[edit]
Louvre Abu Dhabi is an entirely separate museum from the Louvre in Paris, although the two are linked by a thirty-year branding and training agreement and the Paris Louvre is one of the 12 shareholders in Agence France-Muséums.[30] The thirty-year agreement, signed by French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres and Sheik Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, will prompt the construction of a Louvre museum on Saadiyat Island, near central Abu Dhabi, in exchange for US$1.3 billion.[14] The contract prohibits the creation of any similar operation with the name of the Louvre in any of the other emirates of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, or Iraq.[33] French President Jacques Chirac praised the museum deal with Abu Dhabi, saying it reflects "a certain idea of the world" in which each party to the accord, "proud of its roots and of its identity, is conscious of the equal dignity of all cultures."[34][35]
Cost estimates[edit]
The deal has sparked much controversy in both artistic and academic circles. According to Maymanah Farhat, "the controversy that has surfaced in France is led by art historian Didier Rykner, one of the most outspoken critics of the French–Emirati deal."[37] A petition against the deal, signed by 4,650 museum experts, archaeologists and art historians, has insisted that "museums are not for sale."[38][39] The Louvre has been accused of behaving "like a corporation with a clearly-defined strategy: profit maximization."[40] In the words of Didier Rykner:
We have lost a battle, but the combat continues.
—Didier Rykner
Human rights abuse controversies[edit]
In April 2011, over 120 international artists urged a boycott of both the Louvre and Guggenheim museums over concerns regarding the abuse and exploitation of construction workers employed to develop the complex.[41] In December 2013, The Guardian reported that conditions for the workers at the construction sites amount to modern-day slavery.[42]
According to the New York Times, "Henri Loyrette, the president and director of the Louvre, has responded to growing criticism of the museum’s new policy of establishing footholds abroad, arguing that the Louvre cannot ignore the 'internationalization' of museums."[43] He had the following to say in the museum's defence:
—Henri Loyrette
—Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres[44]
See also[edit]
1. ^ a b c SARA HAMDAN (26 September 2012). "After a Sputtering Start, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Project Gathers Pace". nytimes (The New York Times Company). Retrieved 10 January 2013.
2. ^ a b c d "Riding, Alan". New York Times. 2007-03-07. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
3. ^ "Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet and Henri Matisse in Louvre Abu Dhabi". Glammonitor. 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
4. ^ "Le "Louvre Abu Dhabi" verra bien le jour" (in French). Le Figaro. 9 October 2007.
5. ^ Robinson, Victoria (7 January 2008). "Abu Dhabi and Paris sign museam deal". MEED. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
6. ^ "Feu vert du parlement français au futur musée "Louvre Abou Dhabi"". AFP.
7. ^ "French cultural agency to steer work on Louvre Abu Dhabi". UAE Interact. 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
8. ^ [ Zayed National Museum Official Website _Dhabi/26498.htm "French cultural agency to steer work on Louvre Abu Dhabi"]. UAE Interact. 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
9. ^ "Louvre Abu Dhabi to be created within the Saadiyat Island Cultural District". Mena Report. 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
10. ^ "French Culture Minister heads delegation to UAE capital to seal Louvre Abu Dhabi operating framework". AME Info. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
11. ^ "Louvre Abu Dhabi". Nafas Art Magazine. 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
12. ^ "Louvre, Abu Dhabi". Wallpaper. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
13. ^ a b "Art in the Desert". Spiegel Online. 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
14. ^ Eman Mohammed (26 May 2009). "Construction of historic Louvre Abu Dhabi museum starts". Gulf News. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
15. ^ Vogel, Carol (26 May 2009). "Abu Dhabi Gets a Sampler of World Art". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
16. ^ "Louvre Abu Dhabi gets green light". Gulf News. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
17. ^ Statement by T.D.I.C., October, 29, 2011
18. ^ Showcase projects yield to more urgent needs, Gulf News, 10 November 2011
19. ^ "TDIC outlines new roll-out of museums". The National.
20. ^ JAMES LANGTON (11 October 2013). "A modern marvel in the making". thenational (Abu Dhabi Media). Retrieved 24 May 2013.
21. ^ "Louvre Abu Dhabi chalks up another towering achievement". The National.
22. ^ "From a patch of sand to the outline of a masterpiece". The National.
23. ^ "The story of the final piece of the Louvre Abu Dhabi". The National.
24. ^ "Multilingual typeface and wordmark for Louvre Abu Dhabi". Transform magazine. 30 September 2014.
25. ^ a b c Bardsley, Daniel (2008-08-19). "Abu Dhabi’s Louvre to get Middle East art". The National. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
26. ^ Gareth Harris (14 September 2012), Louvre Abu Dhabi acquires its first photographic works The Art Newspaper.
27. ^
28. ^
29. ^ a b c Sara Amdan (26 September 2012), After a Sputtering Start, the Louvre Abu Dhabi Project Gathers Pace New York Times.
30. ^
31. ^
32. ^ "Louvre Abu Dhabi’s exclusive deal". 30 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-09. [dead link]
33. ^ Heliot, Armelle (2007-10-15). "Le Louvre Abu Dhabi sous une coupole aérienne" (in French). Le Figaro. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
34. ^ Gomez, Edward (2008). "A Louvre for Abu Dhabi? It's a done deal". Retrieved 2008-09-16.
35. ^ Dilanchian, Noric (13 March 2007). "Louvre Abu Dhabi". Dilanchian Lawyers and Consultants. Archived from the original on 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
36. ^ Farhat, Maymanah (27 March 2007). "The Louvre Abu Dhabi, Exploitation and the Politics of the Museum Industry". ZNet. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
37. ^ Astier, Henri (2007-03-07). "Gulf Louvre deal riles French art world". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
38. ^ Krane, Jim (2007-03-06). "France's Louvre branching to Abu Dhabi". Retrieved 2008-09-17.
39. ^ Koek, Marjolein (2007-07-06). "The ‘Desert Louvre’ – a change in museum policy?". University of Sydney. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
40. ^ "Artists urge Guggenheim boycott". Al Jazeera. 3 April 2011.
42. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (9 January 2007). "Arts, Briefly". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
43. ^ "Louvre to build branch in Abu Dhabi". MSNBC. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65676 | From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Mule (disambiguation).
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Equidae
Genus: Equus
Species: Equus asinus x Equus caballus
Binomial name
Most mules are sterile. Sterile hybrids are not species in their own right.
Equus mulus
A mule is the offspring of a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare).[1] Horses and donkeys are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes. Of the two F1 hybrids between these two species, a mule is easier to obtain than a hinny, which is the product of a female donkey (jenny) and a male horse (stallion).
The size of a mule and work to which it is put depend largely on the breeding of the mule's dam. Mules can be lightweight, medium weight, or even, when produced from draft horse mares, of moderately heavy weight.[2]:85–87
The median weight range for a mule is between about 370 and 460 kg (820 and 1,000 lb).[4] Although it depends on the individual animal, an army mule can "carry up to 72 kg and walk 26 km without resting."[5] In general, a mule can be packed with "dead weight" of up to 20% of its body weight, or approximately 90 kg (198 lb).[6] The average equine in general can carry up to approximately 30% of its body weight in "live" weight, such as a rider.[7] While a few mules can carry live weight up to 160 kg (353 lb), the superiority of the mule becomes apparent in their additional endurance.[6]
The mule is valued because, while it has the size and ground-covering ability of its dam, it is stronger than a horse of similar size and inherits the endurance and disposition of the donkey sire, tending to require less food than a horse of similar size. Mules also tend to be more independent than most domesticated equines other than the donkey.
A male mule is properly called a horse mule, though often called a john mule. A female mule is properly called a mare mule, though often called a Molly mule. A young male mule is called a mule colt, and a young female is called a mule filly.[8]
A grey mule
Ancient Greek rhyton in the shape of a mule's head, made by Brygos, early 5th century BC. Jérôme Carcopino Museum, Department of Archaeology, Aleria
With its short thick head, long ears, thin limbs, small narrow hooves, and short mane, the mule shares characteristics of a donkey. In height and body, shape of neck and rump, uniformity of coat, and teeth, it appears horse-like. The mule comes in all sizes, shapes and conformations. There are mules that resemble huge draft horses, sturdy quarter horses, fine-boned racing horses, shaggy ponies and more.
The mule is a renowned example of hybrid vigor.[9] Charles Darwin wrote: "The mule always appears to me a most surprising animal. That a hybrid should possess more reason, memory, obstinacy, social affection, powers of muscular endurance, and length of life, than either of its parents, seems to indicate that art has here outdone nature."[10]
The mule inherits from its sire the traits of intelligence, sure-footedness, toughness, endurance, disposition, and natural cautiousness. From its dam it inherits speed, conformation, and agility.[11]:5–6,8 Mules exhibit a higher cognitive intelligence than their parent species. This is also believed to be the result of hybrid vigor, similar to how mules acquire greater height and endurance than either parent.[12]
Color and size variety[edit]
Mules come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, from minis under 50 lb (23 kg) to maxis over 1,000 lb (454 kg), and in many different colors. The coats of mules come in the same varieties as those of horses. Common colors are sorrel, bay, black, and grey. Less common are white, roans (both blue and red), palomino, dun, and buckskin. Least common are paint mules or tobianos. Mules from Appaloosa mares produce wildly colored mules, much like their Appaloosa horse relatives, but with even wilder skewed colors. The Appaloosa color is produced by a complex of genes known as the Leopard complex (Lp). Mares homozygous for the Lp gene bred to any color donkey will produce an Appaloosa colored mule.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that China was the top market for mules in 2003, closely followed by Mexico and many Central and South American nations.
As of October 2002, there had been only 60 documented cases of mules birthing foals since 1527.[14] In China in 2001, a mare mule produced a filly.[15] In Morocco in early 2002 and Colorado in 2007, mare mules produced colts.[14][16][17] Blood and hair samples from the Colorado birth verified that the mother was indeed a mule and the foal was indeed her offspring.[17]
Modern mules[edit]
An "Appaloosa" mule
Mules carrying slate roof tiles. Dharamsala, India. 1993
A pair of mules working a plowing exhibition at The Farnsley-Moreman House in Louisville, Kentucky
Mule moving goods in the car-free Medina in Fes, Morocco
In the second half of the 20th century, widespread usage of mules declined in industrialized countries. The use of mules for farming and transportation of agricultural products largely gave way to modern tractors and trucks. However, in the United States, a dedicated number of mule breeders continued the tradition as a hobby and continued breeding the great lines of American Mammoth Jacks started in the United States by George Washington with the gift from the King of Spain of two Catalan donkeys. These hobby breeders began to utilize better mares for mule production until today's modern saddle mule emerged. Exhibition shows where mules pulled heavy loads have now been joined with mules competing in Western and English pleasure riding, as well as dressage and show jumping competition. There is now a cable TV show dedicated to the training of donkeys and mules. Mules, once snubbed at traditional horse shows, have been accepted for competition at the most exclusive horse shows in the world in all disciplines.
Mules are still used extensively to transport cargo in rugged roadless regions, such as the large wilderness areas of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Commercial pack mules are used recreationally, such as to supply mountaineering base camps, and also to supply trail building and maintenance crews, and backcountry footbridge building crews.[19] As of July 2014, there are at least sixteen commercial mule pack stations in business in the Sierra Nevada.[20] The Angeles chapter of the Sierra Club has a Mule Pack Section that organizes hiking trips with supplies carried by mules.[21]
During the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the United States used large numbers of mules to carry weapons and supplies over Afghanistan's rugged terrain to the mujahideen.[22] Use of mules by U.S. forces has continued during the War in Afghanistan (2001-present), and the United States Marine Corps has conducted an 11-day Animal Packers Course since the 1960s at its Mountain Warfare Training Center located in the Sierra Nevada near Bridgeport, California.
Mule clone[edit]
In 2003, researchers at University of Idaho and Utah State University produced the first mule clone as part of Project Idaho.[23] The research team included Gordon Woods, professor of animal and veterinary science at the University of Idaho; Kenneth L. White, Utah State University professor of animal science; and Dirk Vanderwall, University of Idaho assistant professor of animal and veterinary science. The baby mule, Idaho Gem, was born May 4. It was the first clone of a hybrid animal. Veterinary examinations of the foal and its surrogate mother showed them to be in good health soon after birth. The foal's DNA comes from a fetal cell culture first established in 1998 at the University of Idaho.
See also[edit]
1. ^ "Mule Day: A Local Legacy". Library of Congress. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
2. ^ Ensminger, M. E. (1990). Horses and Horsemanship: Animal Agriculture Series (Sixth ed.). Danville, IL: Interstate. ISBN 0-8134-2883-1.
3. ^ Jackson, Louise A (2004). The Mule Men: A History of Stock Packing in the Sierra Nevada. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press. ISBN 0-87842-499-7.
4. ^ "Mule". The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General XVII. Henry G. Allen and Company. 1888. p. 15.
5. ^ Khan, Aamer Ahmed (2005-10-19). "Beasts ease burden of quake victims". BBC. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
6. ^ a b "Hunter's Specialties: More With Wayne Carlton On Elk Hunting". Hunter's Specialties. 2009. Archived from the original on 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
8. ^ "Longear Lingo". American Donkey and Mule Society. 2013-05-22. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
9. ^ Chen, Z. Jeffrey; Birchler, James A., eds. (2013). Polyploid and Hybrid Genomics. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-96037-0. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
10. ^ Darwin, Charles (1879). What Mr. Darwin Saw in His Voyage Round the World in the Ship 'Beagle'. New York: Harper & Bros. pp. 33–34. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
11. ^ Hauer, John, ed. (2014). The Natural Superiority of Mules. Skyhorse. ISBN 978-1-62636-166-9. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
12. ^ Proops, Leanne; Faith Burden; Britta Osthaus (2008-07-18). "Mule cognition: a case of hybrid vigor?" (PDF). Animal Cognition 12 (1): 75–84. doi:10.1007/s10071-008-0172-1. PMID 18636282. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
13. ^ Savory, Theodore H (1970). "The Mule". Scientific American 223 (6): 102–109. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1270-102.
14. ^ a b c Kay, Katty (2002-10-02). "Morocco's miracle mule". BBC News. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
15. ^ Rong, Ruizhang; Cai, Huedi; Yang, Xiuqin; Wei, Jun (October 1985). "Fertile mule in China and her unusual foal" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (National Center for Biotechnology Information) 78 (10): 821–25. PMC 1289946. PMID 4045884. Retrieved 13 July 2014.
16. ^ "Befuddling Birth: The Case of the Mule's Foal". National Public Radio. 2007-07-26. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
17. ^ a b Lofholm, Nancy (2007-09-19). "Mule's foal fools genetics with 'impossible' birth". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved 2008-09-02-05. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
18. ^ Anderson, W. S. (1939). "Fertile Mare Mules". Journal of Heredity 30 (12): 549–551. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
20. ^ "Members of the Eastern Sierra Packers". Eastern Sierra Packers. 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
21. ^ "Mule Pack Section, Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club". Angeles Chapter Sierra Club. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
22. ^ Bearden, Milt (2003) The Main Enemy, The Inside story of the CIA's Final showdown with the KGB. Presidio Press. ISBN 0345472500
23. ^ "Project Idaho". University of Idaho. 2003-05-29. Archived from the original on 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2014-07-16.
Further reading[edit]
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65678 | Newark element14
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Industry Electronic components
Founded 1934
Area served
North America
Key people
Tom Hudak (President)[1]
Number of employees
Parent Premier Farnell plc
element14 Community[edit]
Newark element14 is home to the element14 Community, an online information hub and forum for electrical engineers.[11] As of April 2015, the community has more than 330,000 members. It is also home to element14's The Ben Heck Show, a popular online TV program featuring Internet celebrity modder Benjamin Heckendorn.
Environmental awareness[edit]
Newark element14 has been a sponsor of the environmental design competition "Live-Edge" since 2007.[12] The competition offers prize money and marketing and distribution funds to the creators and potential winners of energy efficient electronics.[13]
1. ^ Richard Wilson (22 November 2013). "Newark element14 gets a new president". Electronics Weekly.
12. ^ "Farnell launches Live Edge international design competition". Ferret. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
13. ^ Deffree, Suzanne (9 October 2008). "Premier Farnell/Newark's $100K green design competition open". EDN. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
External links[edit] |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65679 | On Bullshit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from On bullshit)
Jump to: navigation, search
On Bullshit (2005), by Harry G. Frankfurt, is a philosophical essay that presents a theory of bullshit that defines the concept and analyses the applications of bullshit in the contexts of communication. As such, bullshit either can be true or can be false; hence, the bullshitter is someone whose principal aim — when uttering or publishing bullshit — is to impress the listener and the reader with words that communicate an impression that something is being or has been done, words that are neither true nor false, and so obscure the facts of the matter being discussed.[1] In contrast, the liar must know the truth of the matter under discussion, in order to better conceal it from the listener or the reader being deceived with a lie; while the bullshitter’s sole concern is personal advancement and advantage to their own agenda.[1]
Publication history[edit]
The philosopher Harry Frankfurt originally published the essay “On Bullshit” in the Raritan Quarterly Review journal in 1986. Nineteen years later, the essay was published as the book On Bullshit (2005), which proved popular among layman readers, and sold well for a non-fiction title about the philosophic problem of communications that is bullshit; the book appeared for twenty-seven weeks in the New York Times Best Seller list.[2] In the event, On Bullshit (2005) was the foundation for his analogous follow-up book On Truth (2006).
• "On Bullshit." Raritan Quarterly Review 6, no. 2 (Fall 1986).[3]
• "On Bullshit." The Importance of What We Care About: Philosophical Essays. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. ISBN 0-521-33324-5 (hardback), ISBN 0-521-33611-2 (paperback).
See also[edit]
1. ^ a b On Bullshit (2005), by Harry Frankfurt. p. 61.
2. ^ Wallace, Niamh (2005-10-11), On College, Bullshit, and Love, UWM Post, retrieved 2008-08-11
3. ^ Back issue contents, Raritan Quarterly Review. Accessed 15 November 2009.
External links[edit]
• Pfeifer, Karl. Review of On Bullshit, Dialogue 45 (June 2006), pp. 617–620.
Further reading[edit]
• Holt, Jason. (ed.). The Daily Show and Philosophy: Moments of Zen in the Art of Fake News. (Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007) ISBN 978-1-4051-6314-9, pp. 133–156. |
global_05_local_5_shard_00000035_processed.jsonl/65683 | Questions (game)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Not to be confused with Twenty Questions.
Questions is a game that is played by participants maintaining a dialogue of asking questions back and forth for as long as possible, without making any declarative statements. Play begins when the first player serves by asking a question (often "Would you like to play questions?"). The second player must respond to the question with another question (e.g. "How do you play that?"). Each player must quickly continue the conversation by using only questions. Hesitation, statements, or non sequiturs are not allowed, and cause players to foul. The game is usually played by two players, although multiplayer variants exist.
Scoring is done by foul. Fouls can be called for:
• statement: player fails to reply with a question
• rhetoric: player asks a rhetorical question
• non sequitur: player responds with an unrelated question
In one multiplayer variant, the game is played with two lines facing each other. The two opponents at the heads of the lines play each other and go to the back of the line (or the other line) when they foul. Scoring can be however the players like.
In another multiplayer variant, players are simply removed from the round for a foul.
In popular culture[edit]
Whose Line is it Anyway?[edit]
A variation is also played on the show Whose Line is it Anyway?, where a specific setting is established and players are replaced when they foul. The rules for determining a foul are not so strict in this version of the game, since the point is to entertain the audience rather than determine who is the best player. It is left to the judgment of the host, who "buzzes out" a player who fouls, with the purpose of keeping the game fast-paced and funny. (The host typically buzzes out a player for statement, hesitation, or "cracking up" with laughter, rarely buzzing out for a non-sequitur.) As with the show's other games, it is played for an unspecified length of time; at the end of the game, the host arbitrarily chooses a "winner," who receives an arbitrary number of meaningless "points."
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead[edit]
The game of Questions is featured prominently in Tom Stoppard's play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and in an abridged form in the 1990 film adaptation of the same. The following is an excerpt from the play:
R: Could we play at questions?
G: What good would that do?
R: Practice!
G: Statement! One - love.
R: Cheating!
G: How?
R: I hadn't started yet.
G: Statement. Two - love.
R: Are you counting that?
G: What?
R: Are you counting that?
G: Foul! No repetitions. Three - love. First game to...
The neo-Vaudevillian troupe The Flying Karamazov Brothers incorporated Stoppard's version of the Questions game into at least two Karamazov shows ("Juggling and Cheap Theatrics" and "Club!"). Karamazov brothers "Ivan" and "Dmitri" (Howard Jay Patterson and Paul David Magid) would play the game while performing takeway juggling with three beanbags. The jugglers slyly inform the audience that the routine is "...copyrighted and used by permission!".
Merilyn Simonds Mohr, Roberta Cooke (Illustrator). The Games Treasury: More Than 300 Indoor and Outdoor Favorites With Strategies, Rules and Traditions. Chapters Pub Ltd. ISBN 1-881527-23-9. |
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