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International Applicants
McCallie welcomes students from all parts of the world. Our community is enriched and enlightened by the multiple experiences and perspectives that each student brings. At McCallie, international students are immersed in American culture as they prepare for top colleges and universities around the globe. International students are supported by our faculty, host families and friends of our institution.
To be eligible for admission to McCallie, international students need to complete the following:
1: Application - A completed application consists of the application form, parent statement, recommendations from current Math and English teachers and the student's transcript. For your convenience, we offer both a printable application which includes all associated forms and an online application form.
McCallie also accepts the TABS & SSAT common applications. All forms can be returned via express mail, fax (423.493.5426), or by e-mailing scanned copies to our Admission Office.
2: Application Fee: The application fee for international applicants is $100. All forms of payment should be made payable to The McCallie School. Please contact the Admission Office (800.234.2163) if you would like to pay by bank transfer.
3: Interview: All applicants are required to interview with the McCallie admissions office. Skype interviews can be arranged, although preference will be shown to those applicants who interview in person. To schedule an interview or a campus visit, please contact the Admission Office (800.234.2163).
APPLICANTS FROM CHINA*: In order for the McCallie admission team to get to know our Chinese applicants better, we have partnered with Vericant. Vericant will help us conduct interviews and short writing samples with our applicants in Mainland China. Vericant does not evaluate candidates but, instead, posts the interviews online for the McCallie admission team to review. Although the Vericant interview is not mandatory, we highly recommend you sit for the Vericant interview, as it will give you an excellent opportunity to showcase your personality and skills to our admissions team. To learn more about Vericant and to schedule an interview, please visit Vericant's Website.
4: Testing – All applicants to McCallie are required to take the SSAT. Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to take the TOEFL. McCalle now also accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET). All test scores should be sent to directly to McCallie using our reporting codes:
Please direct any questions about international testing requirements to email@example.com.
5: Deadlines – Applicants whose files are completed by February 1st will be notified of their admissions decision on March 10. After that, applications will be considered on a rolling basis depending on availability.
*If you have or intend to sit for the Vericant interview, McCallie will not accept interviews from other companies. We will, however, accept students who have already interviewed with InitialView to submit their interview in lieu of also going through Vericant.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are McCallie's dorms like?
- In what grades will you consider international applicants?
- What do international students do over short holidays?
- Do you consider international students for mid-year admission?
- What colleges do international graduates of McCallie attend?


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In 1714, after death of Queen Anne, a distant relative of the Stewarts was summoned to take the English throne. George I of Hanover became the first in line of the house of Hanover, a dynasty whose rule was marked by the Enlightenment and the development of industrialism in Great Britain.Famous personas frequented cafés and pubs of the City, and the pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, which is open to this day, had served Jonathan Swift and Friedrich Hendel. Isaak Newton is considered the most crucial player of the Enlightenment in England. The British Museum opened in 1753. England's economic potential had grown dramatically after the invention of steam engines. The 18th century London saw the establishment of gentelmen's clubs, many of which are still functional. In 1804 the first locomotive was created in England. Arts developed as well: the star of the famous actor Edmund Kean shone in the theatres of Covent Garden.Industrial achievements of England were complemented by the country's military successes. In 1805 the English Royal Navy under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson defeated the French and Spanish navy in the battle of Trafalgar; Trafalgar Square with the Nelson column erected in its centre was named after the site of this important victory. The victory over Napoleon in the battle of Waterloo in 1815 made the Duke of Wellington a national hero. The museum devoted to the Duke has a world-famous address: London №1.Starting in the 19th century, London had begun growing exponentially. In 1802 several docks were built, including the St. Katharine Dock: the port of London was a place of non-stop trade. In 1829 the first omnibus appeared on London streets. In 1836 the first railroad was laid from London to Greenwich, and the buildings of Parliament were joined by the trademark London sight, the Clock Tower with Big Ben.
The article by Irina Sukharnikova, translation by Ekaterina Ryabova; specially for Sweet Home Abroad

subset: commoncrawl


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Water & Sewer Division
Mission Statement:
The Water & Sewer Division strives to provide the highest quality drinking water possible, improve the water system infrastructure, including treatment and distribution, and maintain a network of sewer pipe and facilities to ensure the safe collection and discharge of the Town's wastewater.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Town of Tewksbury's water system includes a Water Treatment Plant, which has a capacity to treat up to seven million gallons a day of water. This six acre facility is located on the banks of the Merrimack River, which is also the source of raw water for the Town. There are two pressure boosting station and three storage tanks with a total storage capacity of seven million gallons. The distribution system also contains thousands of line gates, hydrants, and over 180 miles of water mains and water service lines used to convey potable water to over 10,000 residential and commercial facilities. The Town's staff is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining all components of the water system and for meeting all of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations concerning water quality. Residential customers are billed bi-annually and commercial accounts on a quarterly basis. The water consumption is also used to determine the customer's sewer charge.
The Water & Sewer staff also maintains the entire sewer system network and insures the safe and proper discharge of the Town's wastewater. The majority of the system's build-out has been completed as of November 2009 exclusive of roadway paving. In 2004, the Town had only eleven pumping stations and now miles of forced and gravity main and lateral services have been added. As of November 2009, the Town now has 46 pumping stations, adding 35 additional pump stations around town. Tewksbury's wastewater is conveyed to the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility by interceptors.
The Water & Sewer staff oversees the provision of quality water, repairs water pumping equipment, maintains system hydraulics, and handles consumer complaints. The Water & Sewer staff also repairs and replaces meters and maintains and repairs the entire water system piping network with all associated valves and shut-offs and approximately 2,500 fire hydrants.
Pumping stations are maintained on a regular basis and grinder pumps when needed. The Water & Sewer Division flushes water mains to reduce the number of backups and responds to assist residents when back ups occur, identifying the problem and making repairs as needed to the Town's system. Collection system testing is carried out to continue efforts to remove inflow and infiltration (I and I) from entering the system. To minimize contamination of heavy metals, the staff has established a pretreatment program with industrial users to expel industrial wastes before entering the Town's system. Pretreatment inspections are conducted bi-annually.
The system operates as an enterprise fund. This means that water and sewer fees charged to customers are used to cover all operating and capital expenses.
For all water and sewer bill questions please contact Bill Blakeney at 978-640-4350. He is located at the Town Annex at 11 Town Hall Avenue Tewksbury, MA 01876
Staff Contacts
|Bob Belida
|Water & Sewer Division Supervisor
|(978) 640-4440
|Scott Brinch
|Assistant Superintendent, Utilities
|(978) 640-4440


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Pre-Construction Check List.
Getting your project started right!
Before you hire the contractor, sign the contract or write the deposit cheque; there are some things you will want to discuss. At Covenant Construction, we are here to answer all those questions for you, as well as make this the most rewarding and successful project. Below there is a list of things you will want to think about before it all happens.
Dust – Just about everything that we do will generate dust. We try in every possible way to concel the dust into the smallest area possible, but keeping 100% of the dust in one area is impossible. Dust can get just about everywhere. To minimize the spreading of dust, we recommend that you change your furnace filter often. We close off doorways, and cover vents and will cover anything and everything that you direct us to but please pack away family heirlooms, or prized possessions.
Hours of Work – Typically we work from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday, unless other arrangement are made. The presence of a lead carpenter is dictated by the schedule and workload on your job.
What is the morning routine like in your household?
If we show up early may we come in?
What time do you leave for work? What time do kids go to school?
Are there any weekly activities we need to know about?
What about holidays, vacations or special occasions?
This way we know that, if we show up a little early, we might be able to catch you before work or stay a few minutes late to discuss an issue. Knowing the more information about your daily routine will help us make the best decisions for informing you and making it as easy as possible for you to continue life as usual.
Access – We prefer to keep a key in a lock box on an accessible door. This way the key does not leave the job, and if the lead carpenter happens to be away from the job, another Covenant representative can meet subcontractors or check on things. This is usually the door through which everyone will enter and exit. Please let us know if you have an alarm system.
Lunch – We have a thirty minute lunch break between 11:30 & 1:00.
Breaks – About 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon.
Restroom – A restroom should be designated to be available to the workers, it is best if this is close to the area they are working in.
Clean up – It is our intention to leave your job in a "broom clean" condition at the end of each day.
Sub-contractors – These people are an important part of your job. They, like material, need to be scheduled well in advance. And, like material, they can be late. Since sub-contractors are not employees, we are not able to exercise as much control as we would like. But without them, our jobs and yours, would be much harder.
Delays – Expect a few delays. They come from many sources, all unexpected. Some are due to suppliers (the model you want is out of stock, or the truckers are on strike.) Other delays occur if, once walls are opened, a situation is exposed that causes plans to be redrawn, or something else torn out. Subcontractors provide another source of delay and the domino effect pops up (a delay on a previous job makes them late on yours.) Another delay we have been experiencing more often lately is City Inspections, sometime they take up to 3 days to do an inspection. However, we do everything we can to keep delays to a minimum.
Customer Access During Construction Hours – For your safety access is restricted. Customers wishing to walk through the area are asked to do so only with the foreman or designated Covenant Construction employee. Spare hardhats and safety glasses are available from the foreman but proper footwear is your responsibility. Unfortunately for safety reasons we must ask that neighbours/friends/ relatives NOT be allowed on site when we are working.
Children – A construction site could pose various dangers to children. We ask that children not be allowed on the construction site, especially during work hours. If it is necessary for children to be either in or around work areas at any time, we ask that they be closely supervised. We always ensure that the job site is left safe at the end of the day.
Pets – Remodeling can be a trying experience on your pet. Many new faces will be coming and going. We will try to accommodate your pet as best as possible. Please inform us what to do if your pet "gets out" and any gates/doors that need to be kept closed.
Parking – A designated area for Covenant employees to park should accommodate both the homeowner and Covenant Construction. We would like you to let us know any specific concerns regarding your neighbors.
Preparing For Your Job – We will gladly move the larger items, i.e.: refrigerator, stove, etc. We ask that you clean out all cabinets and small items affected by the work, i.e.: wall hangings, knick-knacks, etc. Let us know where we can move the larger items and we will let you know which walls may be affected that you may not have considered. Dust travels so please box up any items that you would not want to get dusty.
Trash Disposal – We will either set a dumpster or establish a trash pile for regular pick-up by our own dump trailers. A suitable location for trash (or a dumpster) should be established.
Landscaping – During the normal course of construction, damage to the driveway, curbs, sidewalks, patios, adjoining plantings and sod may be beyond the control of the contractor. The contractor is not responsible for this damage, but will make every effort to avoid or minimize such damage.
Communication – On most jobs we will have a "foreman" that will run the day to day aspect of your job. Jobs run smoothest when all communications are funneled through them, including conversations regarding a subcontractor. Subcontractors take instructions best from the foreman, and it keeps information in the proper channel. The written word will have preference over the spoken word. To ensure your satisfaction, please put all changes and variations in writing. Email is a great tool, but please understand unless it is an emergency staff only man their emails during business hours. If you would like to discuss something on the jobsite, please talk to the foreman, Craig, or the office. Craig Hardy is always available to discuss any part of your job.
Appliances, Equipment, Furniture, Plumbing Fixtures, And The List Goes On – Often items purchased or supplied by you have specific space, electrical, plumbing, & structural needs. This is best communicated as soon as possible in the project, especially to the foreman, who can then discuss any changes to the scope on your behalf. We try to ensure that all documentation is passed between everyone involved on the project, this is easy prior to the start of the project but if you receive further information after the project starts we just ask that you give the foreman a heads up as well. We just want to get it right the first time.
Material Storage – An area, usually one side of the garage, should be selected to store salvaged and newly materials delivered.
Conduct – All workers on your job have been asked to keep their shirts on at all times; not to smoke on your property; to play their radios at a low volume; and to clean up after themselves. Please advise your foreman or Craig Hardy if any of these rules are not followed.
Moonlighting – This not allowed by our employees or subcontractors for our customers. Unauthorized work for our customers could result in an employee's termination.
Yard Signs – We would like your permission to set one of our signs in your yard. The majority of our business comes from referral advertising. This sign not only helps our company generate business, but it also gives your neighbors our phone number in case they have any problems or concerns regarding our activity in the neighborhood. The sign also serves as a marker for material deliveries and subcontractors.
Progress Meetings – At a point near the middle of the project, usually right before drywall starts, and at any other time you request, we would like to set up another meeting to review this checklist, the job schedule, and any other items of interest or concern. Craig Hardy and the foreman will be present for this meeting, also we want to ensure as we are wrapping things up we are all on the same page, so we like to schedule a "punch list" meeting about a week prior to project completion.
Pictures – It is our intention to take pictures of each project prior to the start of the job and at its conclusion. If this practice is acceptable with you, we will take our "Before" pictures as soon as possible. Upon completion of the project, the design manager will schedule a time with you for "After" pictures. With your permission, your pictures may show up on our web site and other marketing venues. Your name and address will not appear in our marketing materials without your permission.
Additions – During your job, normal and standard construction practices and techniques will be followed. These practices are based on all existing conditions being standard. However, not all current conditions will be normal. Your soil is of varying strengths and moisture content. This may allow for your new addition to move and react differently than your existing house. These conditions can manifest themselves in cracks. The concrete installed on your job is likely to crack, chip, and/or pit. Salt placed by you or brought in on your car will cause the concrete to scale. The concrete should be sealed by the customer after the concrete has cured, a minimum of 28 days.
Interior Framing/Drywall work– The moisture content in your home can vary from a humidity level of 10% to 100%. This swing in moisture means that all the framing lumber, trim and hardwood floors will expand and contract. Drywall nails or screws may bulge out and new trim may separate – up to 1/4″ in some cases. Post renovation it is really important to maintain your humidity levels between 45-60% otherwise shrinking and expansion of any wood products or drywall will occur.
Tile work takes 28 days to cure. At this point the grout should be sealed by the customer. Ask us if you have any questions on how to do this- or you can contract us to do it for you.
Renovation Fever – the term coined for the natural pattern of customer emotions during a typical remodeling project. The following Renovation Curve illustrates this pattern:
Dealing with Renovation Fever
Remember that your home will soon become a worksite. We will work hard to respect your privacy and help minimize any inconvenience. Nonetheless, the train-station atmosphere may lead to renovation fever. You may feel a loss of control because of disrupted routines and the impact on your personal space. The best approach is to…
|prepare for inconvenience, and prepare well. Be sure to set aside a room in your home where you can escape from the chaos and commotion.
|maintain a sense of humor. You may need it when the weather refuses to cooperate or a vendor postpones the delivery date for materials; and
|enjoy the renovation process. Tell the children you are "camping-in" and turn inconvenience into fun. Along the way, celebrate at completion of phases of the project, for example when drywall is finished order in your favorite take-out meal. With patience, consistent communication, and careful preparation, the process will go smoothly and you can enjoy the results for years. There is a light at the end of this tunnel.
We hope these tips help prepare you for your renovation.
Craig Hardy


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Law and Disorder: Confessions of a Pupil Barrister
Litigation is like war, BabyBarista. Read this and learn.
It's BabyBarista's first day as a pupil barrister in chambers. Never mind his legal qualifications; it's his summer working in Starbucks that's going to stand him in good stead, since coffee-making seems to be his chief responsibility (with the odd bout of photocopying to relieve the tedium). He's got one year to make his mark and prove by foul means or fair that, out of the four pupil barristers, he's the one who deserves to stay on and win the sought-after prize of a tenancy in chambers. It's sort of like Big Brother, but with little horsehair wigs.
Once assigned to a pupilmaster, an oily character he calls TheBoss, BabyB retreats to his tiny desk in a dusty corner to consider the competition: TopFirst, a Cambridge graduate with a prizewinning CV and an ego to match; BusyBody, a human whirlwind on a husband hunt; and finally wide-eyed Worrier, who carries the world on her anxious shoulders. 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles,' says Sun Tzu, whose book The Art of War is becoming BabyB's bible. Quietly, he smiles to himself, and begins to make some plans...
Puncturing pomposity and exposing injustice with subversive wit, this diary of a nobody is an hilarious tour around the modern bar.
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Named Target Marketing
Case Studies
The following case studies are from campaigns no older than Q3 2017. Each was run on a "Starter Package" with an ad budget of no more than $3,000 per month. In cases where the ad budget was later increased, the data cited reflects performance during the period before the increase.
"Since working with North Star HQ, we're outranking every single competitor, and with metrics like that, it's hard to argue."
David DiPasquale — Roots Software
Hospital Executives
Objective: Deliver video message campaign to C-‐Suite executives at all U.S. hospitals
Audience: 6,000 individual executives
Background: Senior-‐level executives of U.S. hospitals are notoriously inaccessible. Traditional methods of outreach, including mail, phone and email, are intercepted by gatekeepers and/or ignored. Vendors are forced to rely on trade-‐show marketing and word-‐of-‐mouth. Prospecting is nearly impossible.
Result: Marketing campaign delivered video messages to 87% of the target decision-‐makers. These executives saw the videos an average of 11.4 times per month. Client now has unprecedented access to their target decision-‐makers. .
Top‐Line Responsible Executives
at B2B companies with $20M-‐$150M in revenue
Objective: Lead generation for SaaS product
Audience: 35,655 Top-‐Line executives
Background: Client offers SaaS product designed to drive top-‐line revenue for mid-‐size B2B companies. Targeted decision-‐makers were senior executives with top-‐line revenue responsibility (CEO, CFO, VP Sales, etc.). These executives generally have gate-‐keepers, making direct outreach both ineffective and cost-‐prohibitive.
Result: Video messages were viewed by 61% of these executives in the United States an average of 3.3 times per month. Campaign produced an average of 1,054 monthly site visits from these decision-‐makers and an average of 21 in-‐bound scheduled calls per month. Client reported radical improvement in close rates due to improved lead quality over previous efforts.
Supply Chain Executives
with specific ERP systems
Objective: Drive sales of SaaS product into companies utilizing a complementary ERP
Audience: 50,000 Individual Supply Chain Executives
Background: Client sells a logistics technology that can only be effectively utilized by companies that use specific ERP systems for managing their supply chain. Identifying these companies required identifying which ERP system they used internally, creating an additional research challenge.
Result: Over 75% of the Supply Chain Executives fitting client's stringent parameters were reached online through a targeted video ad campaign resulting in an average of 1,201 new site visits per month. Resulting leads were driven directly into client's existing conversion funnel.
Senior Executives
of Marketing Agencies with 10+ Employees
Objective: Raise awareness of reseller program among medium and large ad agencies
Audience: 68,367 individual agency executives
Background: Senior Executives at marketing agencies are inundated with noise about new marketing tools. Goal of the campaign was to market to the marketing experts, while weeding out the small agencies that make up the majority of the market. Only senior executives of multi-‐staff agencies were to be marketed to.
Result: Campaign reached 68% of all Senior Executives of agencies matching client's size criteria. This generated an average of 3,146 monthly site visits from the targeted decision-‐makers, yielding an average of 56 inbound calls per month from new agency prospects. Client repeatedly paused the campaign because lead-‐volume exceeded their internal sales capacity.
Owners and GMs
of all New Car Dealership Franchises in U.S.
Objective: Drive lead generation for new category of car dealer equipment
Audience: 22,254 individual car dealership owners and managers
Background: Owners of car dealerships are famously reluctant to invest in new technology. Client is a start-‐up that needed to reach all car dealers quickly and efficiently but lacked the large sales staff necessary to effectively prospect them all.
Result: With a single video ad, client reached 88% of all owners and GMs of New Car Dealership Franchises in the United States. Each of these owners and GMs saw the ad an average of 5.7 times per month, yielding 1,721 monthly site visits from these decision-‐makers and an average of 26 inbound calls per month.
Discover how other companies succeed with North Star HQ.
We've worked with some of the world's most love travel and tourism brands. Find out what they're doing to drive success.
Roots Software | Smart Marketing for Emerging Tech
We're Ready
If you have a lead gen challenge for the North Star HQ team we'd love to hear from— so let's continue the conversation.
EMAIL firstname.lastname@example.com | WEB
"Our return on investment made it well worth hiring North Star HQ. "
Kim P. // FOUNDER & CEO of a national brand


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10 May Friday Pronovias Favorites!
Hi Brides! May has been such an exciting month with our Pronovias sale, you'll want to make sure you don't miss out! Today we'll show you just a few Pronovias gowns we have available in our boutique!
"Pradal" Pronovias
This dress is not only beautiful but comfortable! The illusion back with detailed embroidery is absolutely stunning! You will definitely be able to dance the night away in this gown!
"Draline" Pronovias
This is one of our favorite gowns, it's so unique! This gown has a detachable makado skirt and detachable illusion sleeves. The bodice has hand embroidered appliqué with crystal tulle. For our brides looking for an unforgettable gown, this is for you!
"Dreba" Pronovias
Say hello to one of our new arrivals! This head to toe crepe gown is gorgeous! It has a beaded halter neckline and a deep open rounded back with gemstones! This dress could not get more elegant!
"Delfina" Pronovias
This dress is for our very sophisticated and feminine brides! The neckline is modest and classy but the V-back highlights all your curves! Truly a timeless gown!
Don't wait too long and miss out on this Pronovias sale! For the entire month of May all our Pronovias gowns are 10% off! Give us a call at 615-224-3472 to schedule your appointment today! We can't wait to meet you!


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News Archive - Jul 2017
Team Sauerland sign British cruiserweight prospect Mikael Lawal
Posted on 25th Jul 2017
Team Sauerland are pleased to announce the signing of British cruiserweight prospect Mikael Lawal on a long-term promotional contract.
Abraham and Eubank Jr exchange words at final press conference
Posted on 13th Jul 2017
Arthur Abraham and Chris Eubank Jr exchanged words at the final pre-fight press conference ahead of their IBO World Super Middleweight title clash on Saturday at the SSE Arena Wembley in London.
Quarter-final opponents set for Sauerland stars at World Boxing Super Series Draft Gala
Posted on 10th Jul 2017
The star-studded World Boxing Super Series kicked off in style on Saturday night in Monaco when the quarter-final pairings were determined during the Draft Gala at the famed Grimaldi Forum.


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Proraso Gino Shave Set
Set contains 3.6 oz. pre-shave cream, 5.2 oz. shaving cream, 3.4 oz. after shave balm, Contains eucalyptus oil to purify and tone, while menthol refreshes and revitalizes, For all skin types, Made with natural ingredients American Eagle Outfitters male adult Multi One Size
Browse all deals at American Eagle
See more in Shaving & Hair Removal
* This offer may contain time-sensitive information and offers. Please check with American Eagle to confirm actual price & availability.
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A 15th century Northumberland pele tower which is said to be haunted by a mysterious "white lady" could be restored and opened to the public after a funding windfall.
The relic, which is located in Cresswell, is lying derelict and has become a popular site for vandalism and antisocial behavior.
Cresswell Pele Tower was built by the Cresswell family in the 15th century and is one of about 80 pele towers in Northumberland.
Currently the project has already received a £10,000 start-up grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, but hopes to gain further funds that could stretch to £150,000.
As well as installing a replacement roof, new interiors and improving access, the investment will also seek to provide a modern twist, including electricity that will allow for exhibitions to be held within the tower walls.
According to the community project manager and local resident Barry Mead, the funding will not only return the building to its former glory but also improve many aspects of the wider community in the process.
He said: "This venture will preserve the heritage of not only the immediate area, but also Northumberland in general, attracting visitors whilst also giving local residents volunteering opportunities and heritage skills."
Mr Mead, who is also a part-time historian and archaeologist, added that although further funding was imminent and the support for the project was widespread, reservations remained over the costs of maintaining the building after the work.
"The response has been incredibly positive from both English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund and also surrounding residents, but there are still concerns about ongoing costs once the work is complete, which we will have to address", he added.
Enid Wild, 81, who has lived in the village for over 45 years was also supportive of the project and believes there are other social benefits to the work as well.
"It will give the tower a purpose, and a place for the village to gather. It ensures a recognisable landmark will finally have pride of place, instead of it being a popular drinking spot for youngsters from nearby holiday parks", she said.
The decision on the extra funds is expected to be announced imminently, with the work to start as soon as possible.


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Battleship (2012) - IMDb
Officiell hemsida: http://www.battleshipmovie.com/
Liam Neeson och Alexander Skarsgård är med.
Filmen har premiär här i Sverige en månad innan USA.
Trailer finns att se genom den officiella hemsidan
Aliens blow us away in surprisingly good 1st Battleship trailer | Blastr
We don't know about you, but when it was announced they were making a sci-fi film based on the classic strategy game Battleship, we were really doubtful about the whole project. Back then, our first reaction was: "Are you kidding us?"
But now that we've had our first look at the trailer, we have to admit that it looks MUCH better than we'd ever hoped.
When we first saw the trailer, though, we couldn't help but get the sinking (pun intended) feeling that the film was going to be some sort of "Romeo and Juliet" love-drama story set on a large navy boat. Because that's what they seemed to be going for.
Then the suspense and action picked up around the middle of the trailer, and the big bad aliens showed up. All kinds of Transformers-like hell broke loose, with some very nice special effects to boot (a $200 million budget will buy you that), and the whole thing started to rock.
And here's is the basic plot synopsis for Battleship:
A story of an international Navy fleet engaged in a very dynamic and intense battle against an alien race known as "The Regents". The aliens come to planet Earth, on a mission to build a power source in the ocean. Upon their visit, they come in contact with a navy fleet. The film is also purported to show both sides of the story, from the aliens' perspective, as well as the humans.Directed by Peter Berg, Battleship stars Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgard, Brooklyn Decker, Taylor Kitsch, Josh Pence and Rihanna in her first-ever movie role.
It'll hit theaters May 18, 2012.
Edited by Georgia, 26 April 2012 - 23:57.


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Fall 2017 Special: Studio Promos!
A Video Package to Promote Your Dance Studio
You know you're awesome... now show the world!!
Have you been wanting to update your website or social media with video, but not sure where to start?? Now's the time to get your message out! Trust the same company who makes your recital videos SHARP to make a SHARP promotional video for your dance studio.
With SharpShooters Video, the whole promo process is...
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- Affordable - current clients of SharpShooters Video save 20% if you book now through Nov. 2017... making packages start as low as $300. (Travel fee may apply outside the Austin, TX, area.)


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Uncovering the Deep-rooted Homosexuality that must be Purged from our Church
For the past three "Corner" articles, the 50th anniversary of the Papal Encyclical, "Humanae Vitae", written by Pope Paul VI, was explained and assessed for its brilliance and foresight in predicting exactly what a moral-less approach to human sexuality would bring to our world. Pope Paul resisted the persistent pressure and dissent coming from so-called progressive bishops and cardinals who were clamoring to make birth control (contraception) morally acceptable by the Catholic Church. Pope Paul refused to do so and church historians now point to his "not giving in" as the beginning of some 50 years of growing disunity. This disunity has been referred to in the terms (which I vehemently dislike being applied to the Church) of "Liberal" versus "Orthodox". "Orthodox" (meaning accepted, traditional or conventional) has been being picked up and used by many Church leaders, as well as the press they speak to, as standing for backward, regressive, and unintelligent. For lack of a better description, let us refer to those negative descripters as revealing a grave condition of disunity (and let's even call it schism) over matters of "de fide Church doctrine" as it is applied to sexual ethics and morality.
In late June, the tip of this morally-eroded "iceberg" manifested itself with the revelations of a 50 year-long list of allegations of sexual improprieties by Theodore McCarrick. This was coupled with revelations of the, now, clearly evident cover-up, and in some cases involvement, by multiple Church authorities and leadership. The descriptions of these homosexual-centered depravities have literally make me sick to my stomach. And, I have labored long on whether I have the stomach to further comment on it. I am tempted to just end this "Corner" right here. But, as sickening as the ever-expanding scandal has been to-date…and the clear prospects that it will continue to expose more and more moral crimes in the coming months…my main concern is to try to provide counsel for faithful Catholics, to remain true to their faith, and not let this latest eruption weaken your faith. That would be a victory for Satan.
The crimes of these unworthy, self-centered prelates in leadership positions, should in no way give us cause to turn our backs on our Catholic Faith. There have always been sinners among the saints, even in Christ's original band of the Twelve. Nothing of the evil that these men have propagated, changes one iota of the Truth contained in the Catholic faith. If you feel embarrassed because of criticism that will be showered down by the media, on Catholics in particular…stop! Will you feel embarrassment for our Church leadership in general? Certainly! But as the repairs and reconstruction begin to take place, be sure to prayerfully offer up the discomfort and repugnance that you feel (in union with the pain that our Savior must feel) for poor sinners. I recommend that we all commit to prayer and fasting for the remainder of this calendar year. Please consider (if your health permits) offering up this powerful intercessory combination (prayer and fasting) for healing, purification and unity in our Church, doing so on every Wednesday and Friday that you can until the end of this calamitous year.
Please read as much as you can about the allegations and civil charges made against the depraved sexual predators. We all need to understand that the heinous sin that is dominating the charges of Clerical abuse is homosexual activity. The press and even many Church leaders, as of late, have been deceptively trying to promote homosexual (gay) unions and behaviors as good and worthy of being blessed by the Church. And there are efforts by clerics to change Church teaching (and the Catechism) from stating that homosexual acts are intrinsically and objectively disordered, and contrary to the natural law …to read instead that homosexual acts are merely differently ordered. The Church has always, and continues, to teach empathically, that those enduring the trial of these same-sex tendencies should be accepted with respect, sensitivity and compassion. Through the so-called LGBT activists…the media and the entertainment industry (Walt Disney films of special note) have been propagandizing the culture to accept the abominable capital sin of sodomy and same-sex sexual unions as respectable ways of expressing love. I hope this current 'volcanic scandal' sobers our country, and really all of us and our children, who have been cajoled into the politically correct opinion that these are 'nice people' and their expression of love (which is actually lust) should be accepted as morally admirable and good. Because we cannot! Nothing is farther from the truth.
Back in 2002 a media blitz exposed the first sexual abuse by Catholic priests, and in 2004, the Church commissioned the John Jay School of Criminal Justice to conduct a study to determine what happened. Though never fully revealed, the report identified that this was not (as you and I were led to believe) a pedophilia scandal… as less than 5% of cases involved molesting small pre-pubescent children. It was a homosexual scandal, but that was never made clear. The perception, erroneously given by a pro-gay New York Times article, was that it had nothing to do with homosexuality. I remember reading it and believing it. But, my brothers and sisters, that scandal, just as this current one, had everything to do with homosexuality. It was reported that 81% of the victims in that first scandal (from 1950 to 2002) were male. And, 78% of them were post-pubescent adolescent males which equates to "male with male" or
homosexual abuse. I have emphasized this fact to counteract the false belief that was propagated that it was pedophilia and not homosexuality that was the predominant cause of this evil. Now you know. No matter how "lovable" we see it portrayed on TV, or in the movies…homosexuality is the work of Satan. It is evil! Love the sinner…Hate the sin! You'll be hearing more and more, in the coming days and months, of the sickening details of homosexual behavior. The behavior is always mortally sinful and evil; the pride and joy of the evil one. There can be no change under God, we are to love the poor sinner, but with no exception, we are to hate the sin; the homosexual behavior. Like the past cell phone advertisement related, I can hear our Lord asking today with this uncovering of the deep-rooted homosexuality that must be purged from His Church, "Can you hear Me now?"
Praying for reparation, healing and mercy,


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Your blog or website About page is one of the most important pages on your site. It is what tells your visitors who you are and what your site is about. This is where you brand yourself and your business. You also build your credibility and establish yourself as an authority with the information you present.
Here are some tips for writing an effective About page.
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Five years after its initial release, Metal Gear Solid 4 remains one of the crowning glories of what the PS3 is capable of. It is however one of those titles which sadly, due to the personal lack of a PS3, has passed me by for several years. Happily, a friend of mine invited me to play the game over a series of weekends at the end of last year so I could see exactly what I've missed. The result was quite the experience, but even now as I write this review I can't decide on what description best represents Hideo Kojima's masterpiece – is it one of the most ambitious games ever made, or is it a Hollywood film with occasional player interaction?
MGS4 is located towards the end of the incredibly convoluted Metal Gear timeline, set in 2014. Five years have passed since the events of Metal Gear Solid 2, and the game opens with out hero Solid Snake creeping around a battlefield in the Middle East, where a new type of warfare has taken control – soldiers are controlled by nanomachines fighting conflicts for a war economy. This new type of warfare is juxtaposed with Snake himself, who has aged rapidly since we last saw him as a side effect of the Les Enfants Terrible project, and has been called out of retirement to deal with Liquid Ocelot, who wishes to take control of the Patriots.
If you are still following the plot, good job. It only gets more complex from thereon in, and due to a lack of infinite paragraphs in this review to explain it, it's the sort of story to savour as you play through the game. Needless to say, fans of the series will lap it up – several faces from the past turn up to help Snake in his mission, including Octacon (arguably the star of the show in this narrative), Roy Campbell, Meryl, and Raiden (who by this point had gone full cyborg ninja and will be getting his own adventures in a weeks time when Metal Gear Rising comes out). The appearance of familiar faces is just the tip of the iceberg though; there are so many small clever references included as a celebration of the series' past – Chapter 4 feels like a love letter to anyone who has played the first Metal Gear Solid, and is one of my favourite sequences that I have played in a game in a long time. You do get the feeling that Kojima considered this to be his magnum opus, and the result is compelling throughout.
Of course, the Metal Gear franchise isn't just famous for its ludicrous story – gameplay, and in particular stealth, has always been a core feature of the series. The fourth instalment gives Snake plenty of new toys to play with in order to get past the enemy guards. First off he now has a suit with Octocamo – a device that when he is stationary against a wall or lying on the floor will allow his suit to change his colour to blend in with the surrounding environment. It's a far less awkward system that the manual camo changing of MGS3, and it is a highly intuitive system; lie down next to a watermelon for example, and you'll get the stripes on your suit. Another new toy is the Metal Gear Mk.II, a small portable robot that Octacon builds for you. The Mk.II can move around the battlefield in stealth camouflage, electrocute enemies into a daze, pick up ammo and scout the surrounding area using a selection of cameras; hilariously, Snake does all this by controlling the MK.II with an in game PS3 controller. Snake also has something called the Solid Eye system, which allows him to view the battlefield with a constant heads-up display that shows him enemy statuses amongst other things, and can be swapped at the press of a button to night vision or thermal goggles. Alongside these new gadgets, Snake has access to the usual set of equipment to survive, a multitude of guns from pistols to rocket launchers that can be upgraded through a shady weapons dealer called Drebin, as well as all the items fans of the series have become accustomed to: rations, cardboard boxes to sneak around in, and even an IPod to play music if you get bored.
The problem with MGS4 however is that while these gameplay additions function brilliantly, the game seems to betray its stealth orientated roots quite a bit. If you so choose, a run and gun style of play is entirely possible this time around thanks to some improved third person shooting mechanics, and half the time the set-pieces you get thrown into encourage you to fire off as many rounds as possible. This issue pales into comparison however with the element of gameplay that does split most opinions on MGS4 – the amount of time you actively play the game. Set over five different chapters, the amount of time where you actually control Snake's movement slowly decreases over the course of the game to be replaced with on-rail sections and cut scenes….which sometimes go on for a good 30 minutes a pop. Now, don't get me wrong, I loved the cut scenes; I felt they add a panache to MGS4 that other games simply don't go near, but I can readily understand that some people may feel cheated by paying for a game that they are watching rather than playing half the time. So consider this a warning; if you want to play through MGS4, be prepared to put the kettle on quite a bit.
Whether it be gameplay or cutscenes though, MGS4 is a triumph for audiovisual presentation. It's a gorgeous game, taking in several different theatres of war from a crumbling town in the Middle East to the gritty almost noir-streets of Eastern Europe and pulling them off in style. Aside from the occasional texture pop-in, it's a fantastic achievement and remains a high standard for what the PS3 is capable of even now. Perhaps the most impressive displays of graphical prowess are the mission briefings before Snake heads out; while the cut scene is occurring, you can fire up the Mk.II and walk around the briefing area, watching the animation for several different angles or seeing what else is happening. For example, Snake and Octacon may be having a conversation downstairs, and meanwhile if you take the Mk.II upstairs you can watch Sunny cook eggs – the level of detail is quite outstanding.
It's also matched by a top notch performance from the vocal cast. The Metal Gear series has always been very proud of its scripts and voice acting; the actors get name credits whenever a new game character appears for the first time for example. As you perhaps might expect, David Hayter delivers another excellent performance as the decaying Snake, but the cast around him is arguably better than ever. As previously mentioned, Christopher Randolph is captivating as Octacon, and there are solid performances by Debi Mae West, Quinton Flynn and Jennifer Hale as Meryl, Raiden and Naomi respectively. A quick mention should also be given to the soundtrack composed by Harry Gregson Williams – while not perhaps as immediately recognizable as past installments it's still a blast.
Returning to the question I posed at the beginning – is MGS4 a game or a Hollywood film? The truth is it is neither; it's Metal Gear Solid, an entirely different beast within itself. As such, it should be appreciated for what it really is, a game with ambitious Hollywood aspirations that ends up being the best of both worlds. It isn't the strongest of the series gameplay wise – that honor belongs to MGS3 in my humble opinion. In every other respect however, this is Metal Gear Solid, and the PS3, at is very best. With the recent addition of trophies, there's no better time to either go back and replay it or enter into the narrative for the first time.


text: Tune in to 960 The Ref for the best sports radio in North Georgia with David Johnston and Logan Booker! From the Dawgs to the Falcons and (yes, even) the Hawks, we have the local sports scene completely covered. The Morning Show brings the sports news of the day while keeping your morning drive fun and colorful. Join us each weekday morning from 6 - 10 right here on Athens Sports Radio 960 The Ref!


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New Kid on the Block (Apr 2008 - Aug 2008)
This is when I started blogging. I had heard about blogs for quite some time and one fine day I decided to take the plunge. I had no idea what I was going to write about. I started off by choosing a fancy name for the blog and an explanation for the same. Then I replicated 2 works by famous writers in public domain that supported the concept behind the name of my blog. Then I went about blogging on a sporadic basic sharing a couple of musings and some of my pet theories, replicating one more work in public domain along the way. I also put up a poem I had written a couple of years back and a post about some of my experiences drawing from an e-mail I had written to one of my prospective brides. This was a time of scampering around aimlessly for content. There was hardly any readership except some of my old school and college friends. This is usually the toughest phase for a new blog.
Why Lucifer House Inc. ?
This is the first ever post on my blog and explain the reasons for my choice of name for my blog.
In Praise of Idleness
To get my blog started, I have replicated a famous essay from Bertrand Russell that is available in the public domain. This I posted in support of the concept behind the name of my blog.
This was one of my favorite poems extolling the importance of leisure. I replicated this poem on my blog as well in support of my blog concept.
The Best Government for our Country
Actually when I started my blog, I had an idea it might be my vehicle for expressing my offbeat views on human society and political organization. So I started off with one such post.
Philosophy Lesson during an Auto Ride
An experience during an auto ride got me thinking. I came home immediately and recorded my thoughts on my newly started blog. One of the posts that just came out quite spontaneously.
Song of the War Spirit
To keep the blog rolling, I put up a poem I had written a couple of years back. It is a free flowing poem where I tried to metaphorically present the evolution of war and the associated horrors.
This is about a concept from Science Fiction that totally captured my imagination. I finally decided to write about it, linking it to things I have read from other fields to support the feasibility of such a science.
Godse's Trial Speech
A replication of Godse's speech during his trial. I put this up on my blog as a precursor to an article I was writing about Gandhi. This is the last occasion of me putting up content that is not my own.
Revisiting the Mahatma
An article I wrote presenting my new understanding of the father of our nation after reading his book 'My Experiments with Truth'.
The Message of Christ
I was inspired on seeing the movie 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. It also reminded me of a similar inspiration a couple of years back on seeing 'The Passion of Christ'. I combined both to write a post.
From Dog Bite to Sanyas to Cigarettes
I had written a deeply soul searching e-mail when telling about myself to a prospective bride. The match did not work out. So I thought I may as well use the content to make an autobiographical post on my blog.
Bridging the Rural Urban Divide
For some reason on buying my first mobile phone, I fancied myself a photographer of realism and made a photo blog post. Even I myself could not appreciate it. But I just let the post remain for sentimental reasons.


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Green coffee bean extract is a powerful weight loss ingredient from the unroasted beans of the Coffea canephora plant. Green coffee bean extract contains caffeine, a stimulant linked to weight loss. It also boasts high levels of chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant that researchers speculate may promote weight loss by reducing the absorption of fat and glucose in the gut, and lowering insulin levels to improve metabolic function.
The latest buzz brewing in the nutrition world is the recent link between green unroasted coffee beans and weight loss. A recent study found that overweight individuals lost a significant percentage of their body weight in a short amount of time when they consumed green coffee bean supplements on a daily basis.
A 2011 review in a journal found green coffee bean extract to lower body weight more significantly than a placebo in three studies. Although average weight loss —about 5.5 pounds — was moderate (perhaps because the doses were a modest 180 to 200 mg/day), researchers noted the poor quality of the studies and suggested more research before recommending the extract for weight loss.While the extract appears safe, ingesting too much chlorogenic acid may raise heart disease risk since it elevate levels of the amino acid, homocysteine. In general, it's recommended that adult coffee drinkers stick to a moderate amount a day, about 3 or 4 cups, or 300-400 mgs.
The extract is sold as a pill, and can be found online or in health food stores. A typical dose might be between 60 to 185 mg per day. Both the FTC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend doing your research and using caution when it comes to supplements. According to the FDA, dietary supplement claims have to be based on scientific research. The organization recommends being skeptical of products that claim to help you drop weight fast without changing your habits.
Like many other supplements, green coffee beans may be marketed as a 'natural' solution to weight loss. The term 'natural' is common in the supplement industry, but it doesn't necessarily mean a product is safe, warns the FDA. Many plants that grow in nature can be deadly and 'natural' supplements can still have added, unnatural, ingredients. If you're thinking about trying green coffee beans as part of your weight loss plan, check the company you're buying from on the FTC's website to make sure they aren't being accused of fraud or hidden ingredients. It's also important to discuss any supplements with your doctor, especially if you have other conditions (such as high blood pressure or diabetes) or are taking medications.
Also, one of the important things to remember with green coffee bean is that it contains caffeine, just like roasted coffee. And even though two cups of coffee per day is generally safe and might even have its own benefits, more is not better. Excess caffeine can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, gastrointestinal distress, increased heart rate and more. There is no quick and easy solution. Weight loss takes time and commitment. It isn't about popping a pill; it's about eating real foods that include many nutrients to fuel our bodies properly.
Do you want to find an effective Green Coffee supplement? Check out our top rated Green Coffee products


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When your officemate has earphones in, is clearly working on something, and is most definitely NOT looking at you, it is probably a good sign that she does not want to make small talk. Especially not ALL DAY LONG. Really dude, stop talking. And definitely stop asking me why the AC is not working, because I have heard you every single time you've asked, and my answer has not changed since this morning, or since yesterday afternoon, or since Monday morning. SERIOUSLY STOP TALKING WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU IS YOUR PENIS SAD THAT NO ONE IS LISTENING TO IT OR SOMETHING?!
Lord, beer me the strength to survive the rest of this stupid
day week.
Like really, give me a beer.
Give it to me!!!


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If It Were Up to Mrs Dada
Carissa Foo
Longlisted for the 2017 Epigram Books Fiction Prize Today is National Day. It is also Cheryl Dada's birthday. As Elderflower Home prepares for the...View full details
Longlisted for the 2017 Epigram Books Fiction Prize Today is National Day. It is also Cheryl Dada's birthday. As Elderflower Home prepares for the...View full details
Winner of the 2019 Singapore Book Awards Best Children's Picture Book In this sequel to The Amazing Sarong, a beautiful Chinese wedding basket is u...View full details
Shortlisted for the Singapore Book Awards 2016 - Best Non-Fiction Title Shortlisted for the Popular Reader's Choice Awards 2016 - English (Children...View full details
Shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize 2020 (English)Winner of the 2019 Singapore Book Awards Best Literary Work A man learns that all the ...View full details
Now available in all four languages! Shortlisted for Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award 2018Shortlisted for Best Children's Title for Singapore Boo...View full details
Food writer, cooking instructor and author Christopher Tan is back with the definitive book on Singapore's kueh, sharing everything you need to kno...View full details
Join Asha and her friends from The Amazing Sarong and The Incredible Basket, as she moves from her cosy shophouse to a housing estate in Toa Payoh....View full details
A pair of twins tries desperately to survive their education. A sentient oyster ponders the concept of making time. An unemployed man devises a so...View full details
Winner of the 2019 Singapore Book Awards Best Book Cover Design Meet the four misfits living in one HDB flat. One is a Malay–Jew who is trying to ...View full details
In this latest instalment, Sherlock Sam and his Supper Club must hunt down the true culprits to prove Nazhar's dad's innocence! A rare manuscript i...View full details
Meet an over-the-hill Pop Yé-yé singer with a faulty heart, two conservative middle-aged women holding hands in the Galápagos, and the proprietor o...View full details
Shortlisted for Hedwig Anuar Children's Book Award 2018 Ming loves to make things. But he doesn't have any money to buy things that would help him...View full details
Sam, Sebbie and Di-Di-Di are three siblings who love doing things together. Today is extra-special because they are going to see a lion dance. Doon...View full details
It's not everyday in Singapore that you'd find a polar bear at the hairdresser's getting a 'fur-cut'. But Percy's fur is an unruly mess. When best ...View full details
"We need more naysayers… We need to create new formulas, which you can't until you attack and challenge every sacred cow." — Kishore Mahbubani, for...View full details
Food writer and cooking teacher Christopher Tan busts the world of home baking wide open, with unique recipes, stories and detailed knead-to-know a...View full details
This charming series views the world from the inquisitive eye of a child; each book addresses a question that could stump many parents. A perfect s...View full details
Sample This charming new series views the world from the inquisitive eye of a child; each book addresses a question that could stump many a parent....View full details
Timothy Pong has enough trouble at home without throwing his first year of secondary school into the mix. The Pong family only interact with each o...View full details
In Secrets of Singapore: Botanic Gardens, Danger Dan and Gadget Girl go out on a limb to uproot the Singapore Botanic Gardens' deepest, darkest sec...View full details
Winner, Best Chef Cookbook, Singapore, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2014Winner, Best Illustrations, Singapore, Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 201...View full details
Winner of Singapore Book Awards 2018, Best Middle Grade/Young Adult Title Why do the Chinese eat noodles at wedding dinners? Why do they hang blan...View full details
The events that took place at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China on 4 June 1989 attracted international attention and sparked outrage at the Chines...View full details


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Birkin Bag 35 Swift Gold Hardware Pre Owned By Hermès
Pre Owned Hermes Birkin 35
Pre Owned Hermes Birkin Bag Swift having Gold Hardware 35 appears among the most-coveted hand bags. Made from famous veau swift leather, this unique tote includes dual-rolled top handles, frontal flap, gold turn-lock hardware and protecting bottom studs traditional to Hermes' style and design.
Kraft Swift leather Hermès Birkin 35 with palladium hardware, dual rolled top handles, tonal leather lining, dual pockets at interior walls; one with zip closure and turn-lock closure at front flap. Blind stamped Square M from 2009. Includes lock, keys, clochette and dust bag. Shop authentic designer handbags by Hermès.
Color: Kraft
Size: 35cm
Material: Swift
Stamp/Year: 2009 Square M
Hardware: Palladium-Plated
Lock/Key: Included
Box: Not Included
Dustbag: 1 Included
Rain Jacket: Not Included
Handle Drop: 5″
Height: 9.75″
Width: 13″
Depth: 7″
Condition: Very Good. Faint surface scratches at hardware; minor creasing at exterior.
Designer: Hermès
Pre Owned Birkin 35 For Sale at Realreal


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University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen, Kings College
St Mary's Building
Aberdeen, Scotland
United Kingdom
Energy Politics and Law
Format: Campus
As a society, we face challenges in the future concerning our energy reserves, storing energy for future generations, monitoring energy usage, providing it across nations and how governments should regulate it. Energy politics and law brings a multidisciplinary subject together to allow you to develop an advanced knowledge in energy management, regulatory agencies, stakeholder engagement, and NGO/policy advisory roles.
This programme will provide you with the skills to analyse energy, political, economic and legal issues. You will study the politics of energy and of electricity market reform; how economics and legal issues affect political and commercial decisions in energy; how the law affects the oil and gas industry; commercial domestic and international political regulation of energy markets; the politics and law of renewable energy; international energy security issues such as oil crises and the law and politics of climate change. Being based in Aberdeen, Europe's energy capital, there are greater possibilities for opportunities for direct engagement through work experience or collaboration in writing dissertation projects with the energy industry. This will enable you to more easily to find employment in an energy-related activity.
You may study this subject as a stand-alone programme to enhance your knowledge of this area at an advanced level, or you may wish to provide the necessary foundations for a PhD in social sciences.
Financial Aid: Yes
International Financial Aid: Yes
Out State Tuition (per year): 15000 GBP
Classification: Doctoral/Research University—Extensive
Locale: Midsize City


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You are here
Distribution of total employed population by productivity level and sex
Show indicator in CEPALSTAT Show technical note and sources in CEPALSTAT
The structural heterogeneity that characterizes Latin America, determines a strong job market segmentation and this is translated into income inequalities within households.
There is a strong distinction between employment in high and low productivity sectors. The high-productivity sector is closer related to the cutting edge technology, higher level of education, better working conditions and better protection of labor institutions, while the low productivity employment is linked to workers with lower incomes, less level of education, instability, limited social security coverage and an absence of work contracts.
Among those who are employed in low-productivity sectors, there are those that work for the agriculture sector, which in the region are one out of ten women employed. This low-productivity sector also covers the service sector, which includes the domestic work, where the largest number of Latin American women (on average 40.6% of the employed) are found.


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Alliance Series – Round Peg Meets Square Hole
Pillow Talk Press Presents – an Alliance Series Tale
'Round Peg Meets Square Hole'
By Fantasia Lillith and Elsiewrites
A blind date. So it had really come down to this? I mean I knew I was a lifeless dweeb and all: my hobby is fixing things that were never meant to be fixed, but a blind date? Really?
The tip of the soldering iron looked huge in the magnifying glass, and it trembled slightly as I worked. The 48-pin connector I had clamped in place with alligator clips filled my field of vision like the surface of the Death Star. Almost there…True enough, I hadn't been out on a date since I'd moved to this city. True enough, I was working two jobs: days in a bike shop, evenings at the computer lab, helping undergraduates un-crash their machines and recover their homework. True enough, my plans for the weekend consisted of a bottle of wine, internet porn, and a circa-1985 x386 pc-clone that refused to boot. Why the heck not? Maybe it'd be fun.
Maria had offered me Saturday off, paid, if I went. She said I deserved it. She said we'd get along great. Maria could be very convincing when she chose to be.
One more pin to solder. Almost there…
Fuck, I was late already. I carefully replaced the soldering iron in its cradle (you only drop that thing in your lap once!) and switched off my halogen work light. Fuck, did I have time for a quick shower? Yes, I'd make time. Fuck, did I even have any clean underwear? Screw the underwear: I'd go commando, make do with a clean(ish) pair of jeans and t-shirt.
By the time I left the apartment I was already fifteen minutes late, and I was ten blocks from the bar where we were supposed to meet. I thought ruefully of the state of my bedroom, hoped I hadn't left anything embarrassing lying out. Not like it mattered; I wouldn't be bringing anyone home. It was just a first date. A blind date.
I had met Maria two weeks ago for a cup of coffee. She had been telling me about this "cute" guy she had working for her. At first I thought she had a crush on him, and talking to me about it was her way of trying to remain faithful to her new hubby – her third – until she told me point blank she was setting us up. I cringed. More often than not she and I had very different tastes. Plus I had gone through so much lately; I just wasn't really in the mood to date. But she had a way of making you agree to anything just to get her off your back.
I sighed deeply, my breasts looking like they were about to fall out of my sweater, and ordered another drink.
So here I was sitting at a bar I did not know, nursing a second beverage and asking myself if I was about to be stood up. I wore, a red sweater that I had paired up with a form fitted dark denim skirt and the sexiest stilettos I had in my arsenal. I wanted to look my best, you just never know. The fine cashmere and silk blend hugging my curves, stretched as I sighed yet again. After this drink I was leaving. I waited for no man. In fact I was tempted to just down this one and depart.
I felt a tentative tap on my shoulder. I turned and under the slovenly exterior that greeted my first glance – I saw the most intense green eyes I had ever come across. What was shocking was the intense loneliness and hidden hope.
I felt a certain moistness, and my cock rise between my thighs.
I was late. Late late late! I considered turning around and walking out of there, going home and masturbating and getting drunk, my standard Friday night modus. Thing is I'd never hear the end of it from Maria. The woman has a very forceful personality.
How was I supposed to recognize this woman anyway? I nudged my way through a knot of hipsters toward the bar. The music here was too loud, the place was too crowded. I didn't belong here.
Oh shit, that had to be her. And I was seriously underdressed.
A beautiful woman in red and black: fair, nearly translucent skin, delicate hands with long fingers, and an angelic face. She was idly toying with a nearly empty martini glass. She was shorter than me, and quite busty, a fact that was accentuated by her form-fitting sweater. She looked like she was dressed for a fashion shoot. And I looked like a schlub. She tapped her high heels impatiently and stirred the remains of her drink.
Against my will, I felt my dick swell as it hung unrestrained in my baggy jeans. Christ, she looked like a model! Ok, not an anorexic-skinny model, but still… I was in deeply over my head. What I should really do is go home now, I thought, go home and lube up the Excel and dream up some excuse for Maria tomorrow.
I swallowed and stepped up behind her, raised my arm and tapped her on the shoulder. She swiveled on the barstool and I felt her flashing brown eyes upon me, appraising me, summing me up. My treacherous penis was threatening to become a full-on erection.
"Hi" I said, feeling like an asshole, "I'm sorry I'm late. Can I … can I, um, buy you a drink?"
Good thing Maria had warned me that he'd be a "fashion disaster" and not to judge this book by the cover. She was correct, there was indeed no style there and I wasn't even sure if everything he wore was fresh. I could feel my nose wiggling trying to at least assess if he had showered. But she had also been dead on regarding his looks. He was very, very cute. By his shy demeanor, he was adorably and utterly oblivious to that fact. That made him all the more attractive.
"Sure, Apple Martini if you don't mind. I know it's a really girlie drink but they are good". I said watching him trying to politely squeeze in next to me.
"I was worried you were going to stand me up." He opened his mouth to explain … I quickly cut him off.
"I almost didn't show up either … don't worry about it. In my mind I was thinking three martinis and then go home. I am actually glad you came. Maria was right … you are cute." I saw his face flush a deep red and his ears were burning crimson.
He ordered the drinks and settled into some small talk. I revealed my profession as a social worker, leaving out my specific field of support. He talked about his move, leaving out the reasons for it. I sensed a woman might have had something to do with it. We both danced around the really personal issues avoiding revealing too much too soon. We obviously both carried a lot of baggage, but that in itself gave us some common ground and we did get progressively comfortable.
Before long, I was on my fourth Martini, my cut off if I don't want to be hammered and wake up the next day with yet another regret to note in my diary. I felt warm, and at ease with him. Once he relaxed he was rather charming. Frequently blushing when complimented, passionate about helping others, obviously stuck in life and not sure what to do or where to go. I had to admit it. I liked him. He wasn't a stray puppy – more like a stray wolf. Yes I liked him, and of course…. that meant a potential problem.
He tried to say something but the noise in the club had gone up a few more decibels. I shook my head to show him I had not heard. Leaning in, he moved my hair carefully with trembling fingers away from my ear. My body quivered in delight and the blood rushed to my balls and nipples. He shouted a little too loudly "You want to go someplace more quiet??"
He stood there, like a big, terrified of rejection teenager. I counted my heart beats pounding in my head. 1 – 2 – 3…. and nodded.
Three beers and I was lit. Not exactly shitfaced, but sober by no stretch of the imagination either. After I blurted it out, I immediately regretted it. I stood there next to her at the bar for a long moment, feeling like a complete doofus. Which, I supposed, I really was.
And then she nodded her head, stood up, grabbed her handbag. I felt a flood of relief. I paid our tab, tipped WAY more than I could afford, and together we made our way through the wall of hipsters to the door.
It was cool outside, and much quieter. She was giggling and stumbling a little in her heels; I was quiet and nervous. If this date was going anything like the way it now looked to be going… Well it had been a very long time, and nothing in this life is ever simple.
There was no discussion about where we were headed, we just walked. We just happened to find ourselves walking the ten or so blocks toward my apartment. She put her arm around my waist to steady herself, and we walked like that together. She smelled nice, like an expensive perfume. Her closeness and warmness felt really good and made my cock strain and chafe against the denim fabric of my jeans. She did most of the talking as we walked, and I was relieved to discover that, despite her exterior looks, she was hardly a prissy girly-girl.
Finally we stopped. We were standing in front of my apartment building, a shady-looking old 6-story brick tenement.
"Well…" I said, "This is my place."
She giggled and detached herself from around my waist. "Yes, I had guessed that it might be."
"Would you… Would you like to come up?"
"Yes" she said, a little hesitantly, "I think I'd like to come up. Just for a little while."
On impulse, I reached over and kissed her. She kissed me back, hard and hot. Her lips felt amazing. I moved in closer to her, keeping my lips pressed against her plump cherry ones. I knew she could feel my straining hard-on through my jeans. She opened her mouth and let my tongue explore her. Our tongues met, and electricity coursed through us. I felt her hand on my ass. I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her in closer to me, squishing her big soft breasts against my chest.
Like a pair of teens, we stood there on the sidewalk, making out in the harsh light of mercury-vapor streetlights. A passing car honked and hooted, and at last she broke off the kiss. "Maybe we should continue this conversation upstairs." she said with a seductive little smile.
I liked the way his body felt against mine. He was warm and welcoming. His lips were eager and yet, he wasn't sloppy. His tongue didn't try to play tag ball with my tonsils and his hands remain polite – if just on the verge of indiscreet.
My nipples were achingly hard. In fact there was a lot that was hard. As we walked up the stairs I braced myself for the potentially magic killing phrase "Oh by the way – That lump in the front of my panties? It's a dick, and it's really hard just for you".
I sighed. He looked at me then and whispered "You alright? We don't have to … I mean …." I just smiled as sweetly as I could, swatted his ass and told him to get a move on. I was acting a little more playful than I felt.
His place was as much a mess as he was. I couldn't believe it. I had seen a few bachelor pads in my day but damn it, this was beyond messy. I wondered if it reflected his state of mind. I was about to unleash something on him and looking at the place, and him … suddenly I felt unsure he would be able to handle it.
He hastily tossed a load of cleanish clothing in a pile, blushing all the time. "Coffee?" he asked trying to find something to do with himself.
"Yeah sure … not a bad idea". He wondered off into the tiny kitchenette and with trembling hands he went about making a decent cup of joe. I looked at the details around me. Half his belongings it seemed were still in boxes. There were electric bits all over the place, wires and such littered the floor and every surface. I felt like I had accidentally walked into the sorcerer's lair. The day bed in the corner of the small adjacent room was surprisingly large and the sheets looked clean. Well … at least that.
I was about to get up and join him when I saw it then … there on a small pile of books that seemed to double duty as the nightstand … a black dildo. My jaw dropped. Not just any dildo – that was the Nexus Excel! Not the Aneros for beginners – this was a little more …hard core.
I went to it – drawn like a moth to a flame and picked it up. I turned around holding it in my hand, and with the sweetest smile I could muster, just raised an eyebrow.
The mess… Oh god, the mess! The moment I had let us into the apartment, I realized what a dump the place really was, and I strenuously, achingly wished that I had done a little clean-up. I really hadn't expected to be bringing anyone home.
I cleared off the kitchen table while the coffee brewed. A Commodore 64, a set of metric torque drivers, my neighbor Claudia's defunct VCR… "Do you take milk and sugar?"
"A little milk, no sugar" she replied from the bedroom. Oh god, the bedroom… I prayed that I had at least changed the sheets. I honestly couldn't remember. The erection in my pants ached, and there was no way now it was going away on it's own. I needed stimulation. The kind of stimulation that nice girls don't necessarily provide. I prayed to whatever gods of sex there are that she wasn't one of those 'nice girls'.
"I'm sorry about all the clutter," I said, bringing two mugs of hot coffee into the bedroom where she was sitting on the edge of the (clean sheets!) bed. "It's just that I'm a bit of a pack-rat, and I like to fix things that are broken…"
My voice trailed off into an unfinished sentence when I saw what she was holding in her hands. At least I knew for a fact THAT was clean!
She arched one eyebrow exquisitely.
"Oh boy. You know, I really wasn't expecting company tonight. The truth is, you know… the fact is I'm a bit of a freak."
A tiny little smile played on her face. "Do tell."
Setting the mugs down, I blushed and stammered. "Well the thing is… the thing is that I'm unable to achieve orgasm… What I mean is I can't get off, physically can't –it's incredibly frustrating- without, ah, direct stimulation to my prostate." I felt red and hot and awkward. This was where she would make her more-or-less graceful hasty exit. The erection in my jeans throbbed mercilessly. It would continue throbbing unabated until I was able to stick that Nexus (or some similar object) up my butt.
"Oh, is that all?" she smiled prettily. "Jeez, I thought you were going to tell me something really shocking. That doesn't sound like an all bad condition to me… As a matter of fact, I think it might be kind of fun."
She stood up and gave me a hug. A big hug, a big close warm hug.
We kissed again, and this time she reached down and grabbed the package that was protruding from the front of my jeans. "Mmm… VERY nice!"
I ran my hand down her sweater, feeling the soft fullness of her breasts. My hand continued it's path down the front of her denim skirt. It was there that I encountered a lump I hadn't been expecting to encounter. A very prominent lump. My hand stopped there for a moment, and then continued it's path down to her naked thigh, where I stopped and squeezed her warm flesh. It felt good to touch her, though I was no longer completely sure she was a 'her'; and I wasn't completely sure what to make of that.
"Are you… are you a transgendered person?" I asked softly.
She looked up at me, a scared vulnerable look on her face. "No," she said, "Just a freak. I'm a girl, one hundred percent female… except for the equipment between my legs. I was born this way. I'm a mutant."
I kissed her again, and squeezed her close, letting the lump in her skirt rub deliciously against the lump in my own jeans.
He was still there. My heart beat faster, my cock got harder, my breath caught in my throat as I kissed him with more vigor. Not only was he still there, but he was holding me tightly, desiring me, wanting me. His lips tasted sweeter than before and a sense of giddiness filled my entire body.
I let my hands caress his body, my fingers finding their way under his shirt I was surprised to find satin smooth skin. He wasn't an athlete but he had a natural slenderness to him that was pleasing. I found myself begging him breathlessly to take his shirt off.
He complied and I took his hand, pulled him towards me. Together we stumbled onto the bed. He lay next to me – and this time let his hands wander all over my body. He seemed to enjoy teasing me as his touch remained above my clothing. It was maddening and thrilling all at once. I knew my face was flush, I could hear my own moans escape from my lips. I was losing control and I no longer cared. Not one bit.
I let myself relax into it. He had not asked me to leave. He had not asked for more explanation or about the "how" I or he would or could engage in intercourse. No. He had simply accepted me – as a her – and as I was. No odd moment of adaptation … nothing. Could he be real? Or was I at home again, half drunk jerking off in an alcohol induced haze?
His lips on mine as his hand finally made their way under my top made this reality crystal clear. I had never wanted anyone so completely.
My hands underneath her top found her large, shapely breasts and she sighed and pressed her hot body against mine. Her bra was definitely getting in the way.
Hands trembling, I pulled the red sweater off over her head, and went to work on the bra clasp. My head reeled, drunk with the combined effects of alcohol, lust and– dare I think something beyond pure animal lust? Affection, more…?
It had been a really long time since I had been with a girl. Before I had moved to this city in fact. My neighbor, Claudia, had seemed at least potentially interested, but I hadn't dared pursue that. My last encounter had been with a girl I'd met over the internet, a girl who called herself 'Je33ica', and who had claimed to be 'up for anything'. That one had been particularly traumatic, and she'd said some pretty hurtful things, but really it had been the last in a long line of screwed-up miss-matches.
Back to the present situation: she took the matter into her own hand, unsnapping her bra and letting it fall free. Her breasts were large, full, and beautiful. They were also, I was now certain, completely natural. The nipples were big and pink, and swollen hard, begging to be sucked. Which I did, with great pleasure. I loved the way her body felt in my arms, I loved the way she reacted to my touch, my kisses, my nibbles and sucks.
As I lavished affection on her breasts, she fumbled with the fly of my jeans. Good thing too, because I was about ready to burst my buttons. The pants came tumbling off, and my erection bobbed free, swollen, rock-hard and leaking with eagerness. She grinned hungrily.
"So you're saying you can't come without having something up your butt?" she asked, "Not at all?"
I nodded solemnly.
"Not even if I gave you a monster blowjob? You wouldn't be able to get off?"
I nodded again.
Her grin got even bigger, and she grasped my swollen cock in one hand. Her grip was smooth and soft and firm. "I'm really going to enjoy this then!" she said, as she dove in.
I don't know how long she sucked me, but it was exquisite. Every blowjob I'd ever had before had involved a girl attempting to prove me wrong, to bring me off with the talents of her mouth, a path that could only end in mutual frustration. She approached the matter like a connoisseur, like a gourmet at a buffet, taking her own pleasure in pleasuring me. She kissed and licked and stroked and swallowed me until I was incoherent, begging wordlessly on my back on the bed, my cock sticking straight up, feeling like it was about a yard long. She licked my balls and nibbled my inner thighs and slurped my length up and down before swallowing me entirely, squeezing my ass cheeks hard and drawing her nails up and down my flesh, only to bob up and, still grinning, start all over again.
The one part of my anatomy that could, and would, set me off like a freaking bazooka, she assiduously avoided. She knew it, and I knew it, and so far it made for the best sex I had ever had in my life. And she hadn't even taken off her skirt yet.
"God you're amazing!" she said at long last, pulling back and letting me flop wetly in the night air. She peeled off her dark denim skirt. She was wearing bright red lacy string bikini panties. The head of her dick peeked shyly out the waistband. Taking a deep breath, she peeled her panties down, tossing them aside. "God I want you!" she said huskily, her eyes fixed on mine.
I really enjoyed giving head, I would have continued a lot longer but I had to admit that I had worked myself into a frenzy.
I stripped at last, and stood in my naked glory and watched in amazement as he took in what I had to offer. I saw something I never expected in his eyes, something I had always craved … intense desire – want. Not just lust, but this sense of "right". His erection held, his smile had a sweet turn to it.
"You are way out of my league. You should be a model. Shit you are hot… " he whispered.
Standing on the edge of the bed, I watched him make his way towards me on all fours. I looked down and saw a glistening pearl of pre-cum sitting like a gift on the tip of my painfully erect member. Until this very day I had hated my cock – and then he wrapped his fingers expertly around the base, cradled my under sized balls in his hand and licked the drop off before taking me in. Suddenly, with his tongue on my dick, I felt like I had been blessed.
I felt everything with tantalizing clarity and awareness. His hand now cupping an ass and the other pinching a nipple, I felt my desire mound and build and the moan I heard didn't seem like my own … Deep lustful hunger. It stopped and I looked down to his smiling face.
"Always wanted to do that … How did I do?" He said grinning playfully.
In response I grabbed his hair and moved his lips back to their business. I felt him chuckle with a mouth full of cock. Was this happening? My heart felt light, my body on fire, my soul free. I was a mutant but one he "digged" and I felt stunning, beautiful and powerful.
"Stop … Please I am going to come …." He let me pop out like a lollipop. I bent down, pushing him over and lay next to him. For a few languid moments I let myself come down a little, caressing his body, kissing him and enjoying not feeling odd in a mans arms.
He rolled over a moment, and with a gentle kiss, he proceeded to unwrap a condom, and sheath himself, then, he unwrapped another, and left it out for me – for when I was ready. The gesture was tender and almost … Loving.
I reached down, gently stroking her cock, fondling her delicate little balls. She looked deeply into my eyes and then smothered me with a kiss full of passion and desire. My own cock strained impatiently inside the condom. Almost there…I'd never actually sucked a cock before. Always been curious about it; never really had the chance. I'm attracted to girls, not guys. Life's never simple, is it?
As we kissed, I idly stoked her cock, and she petted mine. At long last she broke off the kiss, guided my hand with her own: down past her cock, down below her balls. It was hot and wet and sticky down there. She spread her thighs apart for me.
"You could fuck me now if you want," she said shyly, "It won't make me come, but it'll certainly feel nice."
Her cock was a little shorter than mine, but noticeably thicker. She was uncircumcised, and the purple head winked at me from beneath the foreskin. She was copiously leaking pre-cum, long sweet sticky clear strands of it. There was a tidily trimmed triangle of pubic hair just above her dick; everything else was neatly shaved or waxed. Just below her delicate little ball sac, in the sandbar space above her crinkled brown asshole, her exquisite little vagina pouted wetly open like a baby tulip. It was perfectly formed and beautiful, lacking only the clit. At the top of the slit, where the clitoris would have been, was the base of her scrotum.
"Be careful of the balls," she grimaced slightly, "They're delicate. It'd probably be better if I were on my knees."
When we got repositioned, she was on all fours on my futon mattress, and I found myself directly behind her, admiring the view. Her dick hung thickly down, her balls dangled loosely. Her little pussy drooled lustfully. She had a beautiful ass, shapely, china-white and smooth. I smacked it once: WHACK, and she wiggled her rear end invitingly. My hand left a red imprint on her butt cheek.
I positioned the end of my cock between her labia, nudged forward. "Oh! Gentle, gentle… I'm kind of small down there… go ahead, just go slow."
She was hot inside, burning hot and soaking wet. Super tight around my dick, it took a long time for me to get all the way up inside. When I was finally all the way in, it was like my dick was wearing an undersized velvet glove. I wanted more than anything at that moment to fuck the daylights out of her, to come deep in her pussy. But I knew I couldn't.
"Oh my god that feels good!" she gasped, "Go ahead and fuck me now!"
I did. It felt amazing. My cock was so hard it hurt. She was moaning and weeping, thrusting back to meet my jabs. I wet one finger and slid it up her asshole. The volume of her moans increased. Her butt gripped my finger tightly. Through her flesh, I could feel my dick sliding in and out of her vagina.
"Holy shit!" she growled over her shoulder at me, "You're amazing! If you so much as touch my dick, I am going to shoot off so hard…!"
I reached around with my free hand to do exactly that, but she stopped me.
"No," she said, "Not like that. I'd like to do you now… if that's ok with you?"
It was SO ok with me! I was beyond ready.
He pulled out slowly, as if almost regretting. I felt empty yet my own cock was painfully in need of stimulation and my balls screamed for release. If I waited much longer this would turn from pleasure to pain – and not the good kind.
He lay on his back, his dick naked and pointing up at the ceiling. I was a little surprised, having expected him to just come over and take my place. But he didn't. He leaned over and grabbed the condom, pulling me towards him playfully and eagerly, and with exquisite stroking rolled it tenderly onto my cock, sheathing me.
He cradled my balls lovingly a moment, and then reached over, squirted lube out of the dispenser on the little side table, and applied it to my cock, his own and copiously on his ass.
"You're thick, so go easy ok?" He said huskily. His voice had dropped to a sexy base. It made me quiver to hear his need in his voice like that. It was beyond sexy.
I nodded. He then leaned back, and pulled his legs up, all the way up. I was left staring not at my usual vantage point of an ass, but at his cock, his balls and his little brown mark, he was presenting himself to me in a most intimate way.
I placed myself between him. My member hovered near his cock. I pressed gently against his anus. He hissed with pleasure and relaxed completely. Oh yes, he was indeed use to this kind of entry.
I looked down, and kissed him. He had put me in the position of control and I felt dominant, and striking. A first. I leaned in a little more. I felt the amazing tight ring of his anus give way, snap open and I sunk in, slow and deep.
"Oh shit shit … Yesssss" was all he could muster. Once inside I leaned in and he released his knees letting my shoulders hold them in place. His hand pinched my nipple as I started my slow and steady in … and … out.
I am not sure how long it took, a minute or an hour. Time was suspended and we were lost in each other. I felt every hair on my body, every nerve ending was alive and humming with desire. My balls stirred, his fingers pinched my nipples harder and harder in a silent crescendo. I knew he was close. I was beyond the point of release. I felt the jism mount the entire length of my member and explode inside the condom buried deep in his tight ass. My coming and the scream of pleasure that came with it pushed him over the edge as my final erratic pumps sent him off as well, squirting his hot juice all over the both of us.
I trembled on my arms, suddenly unable to hold myself up….
She collapsed on top of me, gasping for air, her body limp and hot and sweaty, her breasts pressed up against my chest, my cum squooshing stickily between us.
We kissed a little bit, in a tired, affectionate way. There was no discussion: it was already decided- she was going to spend the night in my bed. It just felt right.
A little while later, we woke up enough to dispose of the condoms and to pull a blanket over ourselves. We fell asleep in each other's arms.
At some point in the night, we both woke up again. I was hard once more; she was hard and wet. I went down on her. I held the head of her cock in my mouth and licked it like a popsicle while I fingered her pussy and her asshole until she came. Funny thing, I've tasted my own come before and I'm not crazy about it; but the hot, salty, bitter, slippery stuff that she squirted into my mouth was like nectar to me, and I devoured it hungrily, taking every last drop.
She returned the favor, enveloping my penis with her mouth while she fucked my ass deeply with the Nexus Excel, making me howl and moan until I came, my penis captured between her full red lips. Then we fell asleep again, limbs intertwined, bodies pressed wetly against each other, and neither of us stirred until sunrise.
I woke up early, as was my habit. As soon as the pale sunlight streamed through the narrow slit of my bedroom window, I was irrevocably awake. She was still asleep, beautiful and vulnerable and nude, snoring softly next to me. I extracted myself from her arms.
I got a pot of coffee brewing, and set to finishing up neighbor Claudia's VCR. The capstan bearings were shot. That was an easy fix; getting hold of new bearings was the hard part. I had tried ordering them from a factory in mainland China, but it ended up being easier to mill new ones on my mini lathe.
Just as I was putting the last screws back into the cover plate, there was a soft tap at the front door. I pulled on yesterday's jeans and answered the knock.
It was Claudia, of course, and she insinuated herself right in before I could make any excuses.
"I'm not coming by too early am I? Oh, awesome, you fixed my VCR! You're amazing! I don't know how I can thank you… Listen, I've got something else that is broken, I wanted to see if you could fix it."
She held out a blue dildo, one of those rabbit things that vibrates and rotates and has its own separate clit tickler. "This stopped working on me last night, I wondered if there's anything you could do…?"
Most likely the motor had burned out, and would need replacing. Either that or a broken solder connection. Either way, a reasonably easy fix.
As I stood there in the kitchen, contemplating the blue sex toy in my hand, Claudia said, "Oh excuse me! I didn't realize you had company!"
Fuck. The best sex I had ever had in my life, the first woman I had connected with in a long long long time, the first woman I'd ever met who accepted me without question, this beautiful woman who I might very well be falling for, had just emerged from my bedroom wearing one of my t-shirts and (I was fairly sure) nothing else.
The look of shock and startled annoyance on her face slowly changed into a look of surprise and pleasure. "Claudia!?! What are you doing here? I haven't seen you since college!"
"I live across the hall… what are YOU doing here?"
We all stared at each other for about seven seconds. Then all three of us burst out in raucous laughter.
9 Comments »
Welcome back to the ether, Fantasia. Very cute and funny and sexy story. Blind dates, well I never! So much fun and the finale was quite amusing and sweet.
As always a nice mixture; this like a Dadaist riff, stream of consciousness where from time to time it almost seems like two people in one head…er, mind. A nice start to the new week and month.
Comment by Henry B. Rosenbush | May 2, 2010 |
This is after all, Erotic fiction(!) but who says it doesn't have to be about realities and fanciful twists in the gender bending? Everything you do produces a tingle.
It is far more exciting to get kinkier so your stories are always different and clever and hot to the touch; somewhere Anais Nin is toasting you and Elsie!
By the way, my grandfather's wife was named Elsie!
Comment by Henry B. Rosenbush | May 3, 2010 |


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