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Australian Rugby
Gerrard set for Wallabies recall
ESPNscrum Staff
July 12, 2011
Former Brumbies fullback Gerrard is back in Australia with the Rebels © Getty Images
Melbourne Rebels fullback Mark Gerrard looks set to make a remarkable comeback to the Wallabies side after playing his last Test for Australia back in 2007.
Gerrard, 28, played as first-choice fullback in the Wallabies' opposed training session on Tuesday ahead of Sunday's Test against Samoa in Sydney. Gerrard would come into the Wallabies side at the expense of his future Melbourne Rebels team-mate utility back Kurtley Beale, who has been nursing a knee injury during the Super Rugby season.
Gerrard joined the Melbourne Rebels after spending two years in Japan with second-division side NTT Communications and the 23-cap back is delighted with his decision to return to Australia. "I am very glad I have made the decision to come back. I feel like a kid again going to school for the first time," Gerrard said, talking to the AAP.
Australia coach Robbie Deans has previously spoken of potentially resting some of the Reds squad following their victorious Super Rugby season. This could see the likes of Nick Phipps come into the side, in place of scrum-half Will Genia, for Sunday's clash against Samoa. However, whether Deans carries out his plan remains to be seen as Reds captain James Horwill has already spoken up over his desire to play some part in Sunday's match.
With the Wallabies' first Tri-Nations Test against South Africa following just six days after the game against Samoa, Deans will hope his side comes through the match unscathed. Deans did, however, receive a blow as prop Benn Robinson injuring his knee during training this week. The loose-head will now undergo further tests to determine the extent to his injury.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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I'm heading out on vacation, and bringing Steven Johnson's "Everything Bad is Good for You" book about the educational nature of pop culture (including video games). So I should have some posts when I return on the first of the month.
I've been out for a while working on my summer class. Sorry. But I've just finished a detailed research and analysis project on the value of video games. I'll post segments on here to share my thoughts with you. Here is my summary of the current legal challenges of video game regluation:
Legal Regulations
As a result of the concern expressed over the content and potential effects of that content, cities and states passed legislation to regulate the sale of violent video games. Both the cities of
In spite of these rulings, the state legislatures of
Up next: Social Informatics Analysis

subset: commoncrawl


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Family Relationships Quarterly No. 18
Articles include: communication with young people in a family services setting; investigating gender differences in romantic relationships
CFCA produces a range of publications. These include CFCA Papers, which offer an objective exploration of how research applies to policy and practice, and are written by or in collaboration with expert researchers and service providers. CFCA Resource Sheets and Practitioner Resources are shorter papers that focus on a specific issue in depth.
To be notified when CFCA publications are released please subscribe to CFCA news.
Articles include: communication with young people in a family services setting; investigating gender differences in romantic relationships
Articles include: a commentary on genuine effort in practice; engaging disadvantaged families in child and family services; shariah law and divorce
Articles include shariah law and marriage in Australia, working with families after traumatic events, a whole-of-agency public health approach
Articles on barriers and enablers to engaging with men from a variety of cultural backgrounds, different meanings of child-focused ideal for family
The Australian Institute of Family Studies acknowledges the traditional country throughout Australia on which we gather, live, work and stand.
We acknowledge all traditional custodians, their Elders past, present and emerging, and we pay our respects to their continuing connection to their culture, community, land, sea and rivers.


text: Robomummy 36 Posted February 1, 2013 How useful is a medic and is really worth having one in your party. While I was GMing a game one of the players chose to be a medic. Then during game he found out medics can really only heal each player once per day with the value of their intelligence bonus (in his case 4). This seems fairly useless unless someone were dying. Is there something I am missing or is that it for medic's healing ability? If there is nothing I am missing and that is really all medics can do I have made some home rules for the medicae skill's first aid ability: - Medicae: the medic player may heal any character at any point in the game, however, the medic may only heal up to 2d10+Intelligence bonus per day (reroll for a new value each day, excess healing does not carry over). This way the medic gains a sort of health pool that they can designate which characters are in the most critical condition and heal them accordingly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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One of the layers in this delicious salad is lightly pickled sweet-and-sour cucumbers, a favorite throughout Denmark. They do need to marinate overnight, so make sure you start this recipe a day ahead of time.
- Yield
- Serves 8
- Cucumbers
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons pickling spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 large hothouse cucumber, cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
- Salad
- 1 pound Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, coarsely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1 1/4 cups sliced trimmed radishes
- 2 6-ounce jars spiced cut herring, drained, each piece halved
- Boston lettuce leaves
- Fresh dill sprigs (optional)
- For cucumbers:
- Mix vinegar, water, sugar, pickling spice and salt in heavy medium saucepan; bring to boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Cool to room temperature. Place cucumbers in large glass bowl. Pour marinade over cucumbers. Cover; refrigerate overnight.
- For salad:
- Mix apples, red onion, sour cream and chopped dill in large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Using slotted spoon, remove cucumbers from marinade. Arrange half of cucumbers in bottom of 8 x 8 x 2-inch glass dish. Arrange half of radishes atop cucumbers. Spoon half of apple mixture over radishes. Arrange herring evenly atop apple mixture. Spoon remaining apple mixture over herring. Cover with remaining cucumbers, then radishes. Cover and chill salad 3 hours.
- Arrange lettuce leaves on platter. Spoon salad onto leaves. Garnish with dill sprigs, if desired, and serve.


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Author Nick Hornby is pairing his love of writing with his love of music with the Setlists For Young Voices — an auction where artists from all music genres donate their setlists for a good cause. In this case, the cause is programs for young writers.
"One of my friends used to stand at the front of the show so he could read the setlist and call out the name of the next song. It really used to annoy the band," Hornby said in a statement. "So this is a way to satisfy your music-geek side without aggravating your favorite musicians."
In partnership with fellow novelists Dave Eggers and Michael Chabon, Setlists For Young Voices will be auctioning off roughly 100 rare setlists from the likes of R.E.M., Dixie Chicks, A$AP Rocky, Patti Smith, The Who, Death Cab For Cutie, Janelle Monae, Reba McEntire, and more eclectic musicians. "We're hoping to raise about $50,000," Eggers said. "That will have a powerful impact on more than 150 student writers at the Ministry of Stories and writing centers worldwide."
The auction runs until May 2 at 7pm PST and can be accessed here. Proceeds will go to the Ministry of Stories, as well as The International Congress of Youth Voices.
Photo: Getty Images


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Artist havens and mist-shrouded mountains around every bend
Best stretch: Northeast of Asheville, N.C., the parkway climbs through the Pisgah National Forest to peaks of 5,000 feet, passing Appalachian towns, dramatic rock formations, and crafty roadside attractions.
Coolest thing to do: Watch weavers, woodcutters, and glassblowers in action at the Folk Art Center at milepost 382, near Asheville (382 Blue Ridge Pkwy., 828/298-7928, , free).
Fuel up: The menu at Artisanal mixes up local produce, organic meats, and fresh day-boat fish (1200 Dobbins Rd., Banner Elk, N.C., 828/898-5395, , plates from $9).
Rest your head: All 14 guest rooms at The Mast Farm Inn have fireplaces and four-poster beds. The restaurant hosts farm-to-table cooking classes (2543 Broadstone Rd., Banner Elk, 888/963-5857, , from $99, including breakfast). — Kate Appleton
Classic—and quirky—Americana
Best stretch: The 100-mile segment between Tulsa and Oklahoma City was one of the first—and remains one of the most popular—sections of the entire route.
Coolest thing to do: There's nothing sweeter than Pops, a landmark in Arcadia, Okla., that sells some 500 kinds of soda, including Round Barn Root Beer, made locally and exclusively for the store (660 W. Rte. 66, 405/928-7677, ).
Fuel up: Rock Café owner Dawn Welch—who's been called a kitchen goddess by Paula Deen—cooks chicken fried steak and Jägerschnitzel on the legendary café's original 1939 grill, which survived a 2008 fire (114 W. Main St., Stroud, Okla., 918/968-3990, entrées from $6).
Rest your head: The mint-condition neon sign at the 51-year-old Skyliner Motel draws drivers right in and evokes the hotel's heyday (717 W. Main St., Stroud, 918/968-9556, from $55). — Thomas Berger
A cliff-hugging road along the Pacific that convertibles were made for
Best stretch: The 88 miles between Carmel and San Simeon wind through the Santa Lucia Range, four state parks, and the bohemian town of Big Sur. Put the top down and take a deep breath—the fragrant sage bushes are intoxicating.
Coolest thing to do: Starting in 1918, using stones from his own beach, poet Robinson Jeffers built Tor House and Hawk Tower, which looks like something from the set of "Shrek". Local poets lead tours on Fridays and Saturdays (26304 Ocean View Ave., Carmel, 831/624-1813, , $7).
Fuel up: Big Sur's Restaurant at Ventana Inn & Spa, headed by sustainable-food pro Dory Ford, has 50-mile views of the coastline. There's fancier fare on the menu, but for lunch, you can't do better than the Big Sur burger: grass-fed beef, California cheddar, bacon, avocado, tomato relish, and an onion ring (48123 Hwy. 1, 831/667-2331, , burger $16).
Rest your head: The road to Hacienda Guest Lodge, a William Randolph Hearst house in Jolon, is only 17 miles long, but it's so narrow and spectacular, with views of the Los Padres National Forest, that the detour will take about an hour (Fort Hunter-Liggett, 831/386-2262, from $50 with shared bath, from $70 with private bath, including breakfast). — JD Rinne


text:
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|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
Should there be a mechanic that promotes taking occasional downtime at a tavern or some such? I'm talking about a buff for being rested, or a battle fatigue mechanic? I'd like to see some *reason* for a tavern to exist way out in the countryside, and having them provide a service should go a long ways towards making taverns be a thriving location.
|Andius Goblin Squad Member
Should there be a mechanic that promotes taking occasional downtime at a tavern or some such? I'm talking about a buff for being rested, or a battle fatigue mechanic? I'd like to see some *reason* for a tavern to exist way out in the countryside, and having them provide a service should go a long ways towards making taverns be a thriving location.
Personally I would love to see a hunger and thirst bar like you have in Mortal or Wurm Online. If you go without eating long enough you get some form of penalty, such as reduced strength from hunger and reduced movement speed from thirst.
Then you have a morale buff from listening to music, sleeping in a well kept bed, and eating a warm solid meal. Say you have 10% more health, or something. You might also include a small movement speed bonus for mounts that are kept in a stable.
The longer you stay out on the trail eating dried meat and nuts, the lower this bonus gets until it goes away. Getting a better sleeping bag and tent, or having some fancier trail rations such as a bean stew will slow down the loss of this bonus, but either way unless you eat a solid meal and sleep in a real bed with a real roof over your head, you lose some of it.
You would also make taverns a place where you could hire henchmen, or perhaps play mini-games like cards and dice with other players or NPCs.
Add some NPC traders that randomly travel around the world who will always stay in an inn if there are no other inns nearby and the prices are reasonable, and sometimes stay in inns in areas with a higher concentration of inns, and you have a viable business.
|Valkenr Goblin Squad Member
|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
I was thinking of something like a battle fatigue system. The more you do "stuff" (could be crafting, adventuring, mining, what have you), the more your battle fatigue goes up. At certain thresholds, you start taking penalties (-5% accuracy, healing, and damage done) and so forth. This could be alleviated by different things at a tavern: bards, cards, ale, any of a long list of recreational events.
I like the idea of rested buffs, but I wanted this to be a more interactive downtime, something to promote the social life of a game. Getting ready to head out? Cool, burn that fatigue at the tavern for 5-6 minutes and chat it up with the other ne'er-do-wells!
|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
I wouldn't go further than a battle fatigue and wound healing mechanics like SWG had. There could be benefits you gain such as buffs, but BF/wounds should be the only penalty that requires you to return.
SWG is exactly where I was going with the whole battle fatigue system. I hadn't thought to implement the wound system, but I also rather like that as well.
|Skwiziks Goblin Squad Member
|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
Should there also be a consumable item that bypasses this requirement? Some kind of stamina potion?
I would say that such a consumable should stave off the effects, give you a grace period, but shouldn't remove the need. If someone wants to make a career as a tavern bard, healing the minds of the masses, we shouldn't stop them. Besides, the whole goal of this is to increase interdependance and social interaction. Buying a potion as a replacement method makes this concept somewhat invalid, as older and more wealthy players would just carry a batch of these potions instead of hitting the tavern. I want newer players to sit in the same tavern as an old player, take a look at what they have, and go "I want to be like that guy!".
|Skwiziks Goblin Squad Member
|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
There will be players who don't like that, but I suppose they can either get really good at making campsites, or just deal with it. Then again, if it's built into the game from day one, who's to really complain?
Well, I don't think whatever system should take that long to resolve, unless you've maxed out your battle fatigue meter. I would like to see maybe 5-10 minutes every other session in a tavern. It doesn't seem like much, but its a good way to promote a community.
|Urman Goblin Squad Member
I think that's it, build it into the game from the beginning. It's a buff, to get a good night's sleep or a hot meal. It isn't required, but use it when it's available. On the trail, make a hot drink for a lesser buff, especially in lousy weather...
Just thinking, maybe lousy weather and such could play in how fast the buff fades.
|Valkenr Goblin Squad Member
SWG's 'health' system is my favorite created so far. You can have potions and spells that can heal wounds, but like SWG they should require training in a certain skill to use, and the best heals should be for those that are heavily invested in certain professions.
SWG has gone as far as i feel you should with a system to force social interaction. A solo player could go a little medic/scout then take a combat profession, but they would still have to return once a play-session or so(if they aren't dying or over-exerting them selves constantly).
On average it shouldn't take you more than 1 minute to heal up basic wounds, if you've been neglecting healing, or get hit by a strong fatigue poison, it should take up to 5 minutes. After that there should be a max of 5 minutes to fully buff a character(if such a system exists).
As for how you get fatigue, it should require a bad poison, or constantly being brought to the brink of death to really show. You should be able to play for quite a few hours before having to return for healing. Since the game is going to have a 'go back and loot your body' mechanic, you should revive 'refreshed' and not have any healing, just re-buffing(if available).
|Andius Goblin Squad Member
Valkenr wrote:I wouldn't go further than a battle fatigue and wound healing mechanics like SWG had. There could be benefits you gain such as buffs, but BF/wounds should be the only penalty that requires you to return.SWG is exactly where I was going with the whole battle fatigue system. I hadn't thought to implement the wound system, but I also rather like that as well.
The wound system was, possibly my absolute favorite feature of Wurm Online. The way they had it you took damage in the form of wounds. Light wounds would heal themselves, medium wounds would stay forever, and anything worse than a medium would cause you to slowly bleed to death.
Was always fun to have some half dead explorer stumble onto your farm so you could desperately try to stop them from bleeding to death. Had a few die, saved a few, but it was always an intense experience that really got you in to the game.
It was also a very social experience. You might get the bleeding to stop and then you would work together to find more potent ingredients for healing covers that could actually heal the wound. And once I saved them I always offered them some food and told them they could stay on my farm until they were fully healed. Might even light up my forge and make them some gear while we waited.
Anything in this game that resembles the wound system, be it the same thing, or just debuffs that take a long time to go away unless you get a hot meal and a warm bed, would be awesome. Wounds draw communities together IMO.
|Nihimon Goblin Squad Member
I really do think there ought to be mechanics built into the game that ensure players have the opportunity to get up and walk around for a bit every 2 hours or so for about 15 minutes.
It's perfectly fine if some players don't want to do get up and do this; the game mechanics are for the players who do and who are asking for there not to be strong in-game incentives for them to forego this.
I would expect that larger groups doing raid-style content, or planning a major raid, would take that 15 minute break at the beginning of their foray, to ensure everyone is synced up and going to be at 100% effectiveness for the next two hours.
|Urman Goblin Squad Member
|Nihimon Goblin Squad Member
|Urman Goblin Squad Member
I don't know what the goal is. I just figure that if people can get a buff for being rested, or there's a battle fatigue mechanic, either one is likely wiped on death. So after respawning, people will want to get those buffs back.
The OP asked about taverns in the countryside. I'd expect that if taverns or campsites are where people go to get some rebuff, then there will be taverns or campsites built close to each respawn point. People will naturally pass through, and more social players or people looking for a helpers would obviously seek them there.
I like the idea of a mechanic that encourages people to congregate. It definitely helps build community. Of course, something that penalizes you for going on a marathon wilderness expedition wouldn't be very cool, so it's a tough balancing act.
I think giving news and information in taverns would cause everyone to return to them regularly. Some of the blog posts give me the strong impression of a living world.
If I could learn people were being ganked to the NW, Orcs were gathering in a war band to the east, zombies had been seen shuffling out of some recently unearthed crypts to the south, and chartered company X was building a settlement 5 miles W; it would inform my actions in game. It would also encourage me to always go by the tavern when I had the chance.
Just a few thoughts.
|Nihimon Goblin Squad Member
I totally agree about creating spaces in-game that are natural draws for characters who are looking for something to do.
I think the mechanic to give people a break every couple of hours is a separate thing. Some people will always see the lack of a bonus as a penalty, so it's probably not possible to create this mechanic in a way that it doesn't feel like "something that penalizes you for going on a marathon wilderness expedition".
|Urman Goblin Squad Member
I do like the idea of being able to periodically take breaks (even being encouraged to do do), or to leave the game without logging out.
I'm envisioning something like a special campfire that provides a circle of protection. Obviously it would be limited - you wouldn't be able to place it or enter its effective area to flee combat. You might not be able to cast spells within its confines, so it isn't a refuge from harm while the cleric heals everyone to full strength.
Just say, a fire with a timer (10 minutes) to pause from the game. Maybe a small rest buff. Can be used once every 2 hours? If you don't come back before the end of the timer, you're logged out there.
|Nihimon Goblin Squad Member
I would be hesitant to create any mechanic that granted invulnerability, in the field or elsewhere. But I also see the problem with incentivizing players to have to go back to town every two hours. And you can't realistically expect them to walk away and leave their characters vulnerable.
Maybe there's something that can be done to allow a group to quickly travel to a safe settlement, then quickly return to wherever they were in the wilderness?
|Alexander_Damocles Goblin Squad Member
I would be hesitant to create any mechanic that granted invulnerability, in the field or elsewhere. But I also see the problem with incentivizing players to have to go back to town every two hours. And you can't realistically expect them to walk away and leave their characters vulnerable.
Maybe there's something that can be done to allow a group to quickly travel to a safe settlement, then quickly return to wherever they were in the wilderness?
Well, what if rangers (or whoever) had the ability to create a campsite that worked as a temporary mini-tavern? Whatever leisure activities that can be done at a tavern could be done at a campsite, but at a reduced rate.
|Valkenr Goblin Squad Member
I really see no downside to making characters visit population zones every so often. There shouldn't be a set time, but part of solo-play would be learning the system and how to prolong stay in the wild, and you should be able to prolong it almost indefinitely in the higher tiers of survival professions. Playing in groups would involve bringing someone to fill the healing gaps.
Groups could put up a beacon of some sort, but it should be no secret. If there is a watchtower in the area it should become aware of it, as should other players passing by. If you want the location to be secret, you have to remember how to get here, and find your way back. Or this could be a 20th badge ranger ability, or the ranger capstone.
|Mark Kalmes Goblin Squad Member


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Im getting close; or closer; its working; the whole of the goal from many years ago; its kind of paying off a bit; Im in the right direction; many things are showing up; Im still a train wreck from the break downs; and as usual; the general normee-world does not understand at all; thats OK; Im surviving; Im slowly getting used to people again and interactions; its hard with CPTSD; its real real hard; scary; my nervous system does not want to go through what it went through in the past; it will protect me from damage; especially the war level damage that occurred from before; the stripping of my young life; torture; its that simple.
My nervous system will not allow others to take my life as before.
However, my not hiding in my room; Im out and about making things happen for me or making preparations happen for me to be around others in new social situations and its showing up around me.
I write allot of stories about my new life; the one I claim in my writing is all ready here; and I thank the universe for that all the time. And Ill keep it up n up n up; until it shows up in front of me; the key is to believe. And to believe I must write stories; its called scripting; and I do allot of it; and visualization. more scripting these days.
The key is to keep at it.
The key is to keep going and going and going; more meditation, visualization and writing stories about my future as if I all ready have it; and keep it up; the idea is; write new stories about my life that dominate over the old ones; and their it is.
My thoughts are thinking me; Im attempting to get my mind back in control where Im thinking my thoughts.
Im still disturbed; but Im getting stronger in other areas; the areas where I had break downs are still affected; especially from CPTSD>
More work ahead; Hm?.... Its like?...... Im digging trenches around an over flooding lake in order to keep the water in; create a wall around the lake; I know what to do; However, someone has to go out and do the digging. And its a tremendous around of work; digging those trenches is like writing those new stories of my life; thousands have to be made and created; maybe many more; it takes what it takes; might take 10,000 until Im finally pushed to move on it; change; it takes what it takes; sacrifices have to be made if I want change; I know what to do; just like the worker knows what to do when the water over flows; get out the shovel and start working.


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"Silvia accuses family court of scrutinizing her more because of her religious choice. That's why, without notice, she fired her attorney on the spot, asked Judge Robert Newey to recuse himself, and tried to fire her children's attorney. "I've been a good mother and they have nothing to put on me, some spot on my name as a mother," she said. […] Sylvia has a Wiccan shop and make-shift temple in the back of their Spring Branch home. Martin took us inside and there were pentagrams, oils, powders, bones and an assortment of items I couldn't describe. "Crazy people come here to see her and my kids are here and that's what I don't like," he said."
Martin Ruiz says that Sylvia conducts nude rituals, and that he doesn't want his children exposed to that. Sylvia, in turn, accuses Martin of being an absentee parent who has barely spent any time with his family. You can watch the entire video report, embedded below.
I've written in depth about the tendency for one's Pagan religion being used against a parent in custody cases, painting Wicca and other faiths as exotic and dangerous belief systems that might corrupt young children. The mere accusation of adherence to Wicca or modern Paganism is sometimes enough to affect a custody case. In my interview last year with Texas resident Jen Lepp, founder of the Pagan-owned Internet hosting company DrakNet (now owned by A Small Orange), she made it clear that the company's move to "de-Pagan" itself came because of pressures resulting from a custody case.
"The fourth year I owned DrakNet, my husband and I got a divorce, and the following year (for a variety of reasons I won't go into), we entered into a highly acrimonious custody battle. The suit stated outright in it's initial filing that the basis was the fact that I was Pagan. I hired an attorney who dismissed it as a concern, stating my religion could not be used against me. While I have no doubt the attorney believed that when he told me, he was wrong and his objection was overruled. The county this lawsuit was in was extremely right-leaning, and the Judge in the case relieved me of custody temporarily while my beliefs and their affect on my ability to parent was investigated. Those I knew in the community did offer to rush to my defense, have protests on the courthouse lawn, call the press, and make the case into a circus, but I strongly felt then, as I do now, that a child cannot choose to be at the center of a public controversy. Though I was very, very careful in my answers not to establish any precedent or disclaim or lie about anything I was in the final trial, once I fought back and defended myself and won, I chose not to tempt fate a second time and I left Paganism so that it could not be used against me again."
Lepp's experience is in no way unique, and Pagan parents heading back into the closet for the benefit of their children has become a widely acknowledged phenomenon in our interlocking communities. While there have been some promising rulings recently on the issue of religion in custody cases, Pagan parents still often face an uphill struggle when one parent decides to make an issue of their beliefs, resulting in damaging fights that can last years. It's a tactic that's even been tried on the rich and famous, though not with the desired results.
The standard for awarding custody due to religion has to rely on obvious religiously-motivated abuse and harm that can be proven, not ominous intimations of ritual "nudity" or strange altars. The courts should not be in the business of deciding what religion is better for a child in custody cases if no abuse or mistreatment can be proven. In addition to fighting for stronger legal precedents to prevent judicial value judgments, other responses to the problem of parents using religion against each other in custody battles is increased mandatory mediation sessions, and giving greater agency to the children in these cases. A cocktail of all three could provide a good inoculation against religious discrimination in the courtroom. In the meantime, many Pagans, and other adherents to minority religions, still worry about revealing too much about their faith, lest it be used against them should a marriage fall apart. If you are a Pagan parent worried about custody, I suggest contacting the Lady Liberty League for help and advice. For those who can speak out, becoming more visible and understood is key in demolishing stereotypes about our faiths.
Finally, sunlight in these cases can be a good disinfectant. The more public scrutiny given to custody cases where Pagan religion is being used as a factor, the less likely it is a judge might decide to insert his personal prejudices. I'll keep you appraised on any updates on this case, as will PNC-Texas, who are now following this story.


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Pterosaurs Over Guantanamo Bay
The drawing on the right is by artist Eskin Kuhn--drawn from an actual sighting as a Marine on Guantanamo. For Eskin's complete story and additional photos please select Eyewitness Accounts from the menu at the far left.
The vast majority of the earth's oceans and seas are unexplored. Is it really hard to believe that there are creatures that live so far down or in such remote areas, that they are rarely, if ever, seen by humans.
The waters of this planet go mostly unexplored. It is very easy to hypothesize that we have not come close to cataloging all the creatures that dwell in these waters. There has been many a sailor who has told stories of seeing strange creatures while on the high seas.
Are these just ramblings or are they actual eye witness accounts of creatures yet unknown to science?
The giant squid was thought of as a creature of myth and legend until recently, when scientist found corpses of just such a creature as recently as October 1997.
Many of these "sea serpents" descriptions are similar to creatures that are thought to be extinct. If the coelocanth could survive all those years undetected, why can't other prehistoric giants have done the same thing.
Every year unknown animals or animals that were thought extinct are discovered. Because most of these animals don't fall
into the "monster" category, there is very little written about them that a lay person would see.
New species of water creatures that were discovered recently include the Japanese beaked whale (1958), the cochito porpoise (1958), Megamouth Shark (1976), and Prudes Bay killer whale (1983).
Isn't it safe to assume that since creatures are discovered or rediscovered all the time, these sea serpents and lake monsters are just waiting their turn to be identified properly.......Shadowlands
Left:A rancher holds up what appears to be a dead Rhamphorhynchoidea [long-tailed] pterosaur. This photo is from an old believe it or not type magazine from the 1950's its thought.Click Here for Larger, Comparison photo with Rhamphorhynchoidea pterosaurs
An unknown and still unidentified beach washup covered with body armor in South Africa in 1922.
Creature Washes Up On Nova Scotia
"They let it go as a basking shark and the site where the creature came a shore, was in front of a International Camp Grounds.
So like all tourists, they could see that it was NO Basking Shark, and chopped it up and took home specimens that should have been in a museum.
A SAD TIME FOR CANADA.... A scientific team should have been established, and sent to cover this amazing event. This is a sad time for Canada, but a worse loss for all the world! I have put in so much time, effort, etc. to bring about an answer.
The Discovery channel will probe this angle, and I will be part of this. I would like you to come here, and see what we have, and help make these authorities do what is right".
A scientist who prefers to remain anonymous for the time being has this to say:
"DFO people should know the elementary fact that no fish has a neck -- the pectoral fins come off the body immediately behind the head in all fish species. The basking shark also has a relatively massive head, five pairs of gills, and small pectoral fins.
The evidence from all these photos and your sketch does supports similarity of the carcass to the cryptozoological marine entity named and figured superficially by Heuvelmans (1968) as the "long-necked sea-serpent".
The small pair of tube-like "horns" on the head may be diagnostic. This large marine species has never been formally described in the scientific literature because no specimen, or good photograph of a specimen, existed. Now we have one. At all cost, the bits and pieces that have been taken away, especially the head and skull which is diagnostic of the species and higher classification categories, should be rescued and assembled in one place....GUST
The photo on the right was taken from a plane in Mexico back in 1956.
The pilot claims that this was a large animal but within the photo itself there is nothing to give it scale--plus it's blurry. This photo has been analyzed over and over--some think its an elephant, but no elephant should have been there either. Color was added to the background to aid the contrast between the object and the background in this faded image.
The Giant Oarfish
This rare, giant oarfish was discovered washed ashore by navy seals off Coronado Island near San Diego in September 1996. This particular specimen was about 25 feet long and up to 4 feet in circumference. They are thought to grow up to 50 feet in length and are thought to be relatively harmless, feeding on
other small fish. It has been suggested by some that the Giant Oarfish may be responsible for some of the reports of sea monsters in the past. In my humble opinion, anything as large as 50 feet long and more than 4 or 5 feet around---is a sea monster!
These things grow at great depth in the ocean and seas and there's no telling how big they get.
Is it possible that like other animals, this one grew much larger in the past? See a recent US Navy video of a Oarfish, here.
Joseph W. Zarzynski, founder and head of the Lake Champlain Phenomena Investigation Group, is considered the foremost authority on the elusive Lake Champlain Creature (he also prefers "Champ Creature" or USO: Unidentified Swimming Object).
He has catalogued well over 300 creature sightings dating back to 1609. Here are some examples of multiple-witness sightings, when many people reported exactly the same thing:
In July 1870, everyone on a steamship excursion saw the monster near Charlotte, Vermont. The name of the vessel is lost, but the story of the startling event lingers like a ghost.
In July 1873, the crew and passengers of the steamer W.B. Eddy watched the monster near Dresden, New York.
In 1945 , people aboard the S.S. Ticonderoga observed the creature cavorting somewhere near the middle of the lake. Then, on July 30, 1984, the largest mass Champ sighting in history occurred aboard a sightseeing boat called The Spirit of Ethan Allen. It was near Appletree Point.
A private party was in progress. The time: about six o'clock in the evening. Between
seventy and eighty-six passengers were aboard. The creature remained for about three minutes. Three to five humps surfaced, each about 12 inches out of the water. They estimated the creature was about 30 feet long. I
t was green-brown and slimy-looking like a frog. It swam parallel with the boat for 1,000 yards until a speedboat approached. Then the creature turned 90 degrees and submerged....excerpt from book by Joseph A. Citro. (Champ photo by Sandra Mansi)
'Champ' Sighted On Lake Champlain 16 Times In 2000 - Mystery Remains By Lohr McKinstry - Staff Writer, Press Republican
WILLSBORO - A sighting of Champ - the legendary Lake Champlain monster - this fall in Willsboro Bay startled a woman as she ate breakfast at her summer home.
Seasonal resident Elizabeth Wilkins told the Press-Republican this week that she saw a large humped, crocodile-like creature swimming in the lake Nov. 26 and quickly grabbed a pair of binoculars to get a better look.
"It appeared to be about 30 or 40 feet long," Wilkins said. "After about 20 minutes, it slowly began to move northward, leaving a fine wake behind."
Wilkins took a photograph of the creature that shows a long, dark outline in the water, with a duck swimming off to one side.
"A large group of seagulls flying overhead were very disturbed by this, as were the ducks attempting to swim near it," she said.
"When it got in front of Klein,s Marina, it slowly disappeared underwater." The 7 a.m. sighting was one of 16 this year, with the other 15 tracked by Champ Quest, the Panton, VT-based non-profit group that monitors Champ's activities.
The first sighting was June 12 off Panton, VT. Other sightings were around Port Henry, Westport and Port Kent on the New York side and Ferrisburgh, Charlotte, Savage Island and Isle la Motte on the Vermont side of the lake.
Champ Quest Director Dennis Hall said he personally saw Champ while investigating the July 23 sighting near Panton, VT. "I was conducting the search from Button Bay around 5 p.m. My eye picked up movement between Rock Island and the shore," Hall said.
"The movement, quick and distant, still stood the hairs up on my neck. I quickly began to videotape. Over a four-minute period, a single Champtany, stuck its neck straight out of the water and remained on the surface long enough for me to zoom in while the camera was on a tripod.
"It bent its neck and looked like its neck was contracting in a vertical manner, like trying to swallow something. The animal, after a few minutes, quickly disappeared under the water."
There was another sighting two days later, Nov. 28, by the Essex-Charlotte ferry crew. It's not that unusual to see Champ so late in the season, Hall said, although he does believe the creature hibernates in the winter. "It was quite a warm period for late in November," he said.
"The past few years, the lake has cooled to below 50 and then warmed back up, only to cool down again. Maybe in anticipation of such an event, Champtany isn't going into a full hibernation as quickly as they were able to before global warming."
There is something in the lake, Hall believes, or so many people wouldn't report seeing it. "Since 1609, there have been over 600 reported sightings. Samuel de Champlain, while on his voyage of discovery, reported seeing a large animal in the lake," he said.
"The most frequently asked question is: What is Champ? I have described what I,ve seen as a lizard-like, long-necked animal with four legs and feet, a forked tongue, omits a hissing noise, loves the shallow waters, eats small fish and is about 12 inches at birth and 20 feet or more full-grown. And very ugly."
Wilkins said the creature she saw astounded her.
"What startled me first was the commotion all the seagulls were making out there," she said. "I thought, "What's going on here?", and I looked out. "Then I saw it. Our camp is directly on the water. It's elevated; that's how I could see it so well. He lay there sort of still in the water for at least 15 minutes."
The ducks nearby would not approach the shape, she said.
"The thing moved northward in a straight line. It humped up in the middle. Its skin looked just like crocodile skin; it was rough. As it moved, it left a little wake behind it.
"I've never seen anything like it."
See Also:Two More Champ Stories Plus the Sound of Champ
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Please Support the Research of S8int.com!
Since 2002, Chris Parker has done the majority of the research and writing of articles for s8int.com. If this site has been an encouragement to you, please donate to support Chris's ongoing research. (S8int.com is not incorporated and your donations may not be tax deductable.)


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« Meetings & Events
US Visitors Information
Travel Documentation
A valid passport is now required for all visitors at all entry points of access to Canada, and is mandatory for all flights within North America. At designated points of entry visitors may also have the option of presenting an enhanced driver's license, NEXUS, FAST/Express or SENTRI enrolment card.
For more information, visit the official site of the US Department of State or Canada Border Services Agency.


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En:Editing Guidelines
Editing Guidelines: A guide to making decent, working wiki articles.
- Make decent articles; and make them worthwhile. Meaning that if you don't see any use for it; don't put it here.
- Make sure that ALL the information in your articles are correct. I don't care if you have to run through the steps yourself; if the information isn't correct then chances are that it will be edited to be corrected or even worse, deleted.
- Use the correct code for the correct type of line.
<syntaxhighlight lang="'"`UNIQ--pre-00000000-QINU`"'" enclose="none">Python</syntaxhighlight>
{{Code|Insert Name of Code here|

(Insert code here)
}} To get the above shown box.
# ********************************************************************** # Screen sections. # ********************************************************************** Section "Screen" # The Identifier, Device and Monitor lines must be present Identifier "Screen 1" Device "VESA" Monitor "Generic Monitor" Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "true"
{{File| (Name of File)|
 (File Contents)
}} tag for this file box. Use this box for the contents of files.
# emerge --sync
Use space ' ' (without quotes) before command, for console input/output. This form is advised, since it has nicer formatting. If for some reason making space before every line of code can't be used, or there's need to use newline without code, you still can use:
# emerge --sync
Use {{Console|
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}} for console input/output.
And remember to close each tag with a
 tag. Because if you don't then all of your text will end up in one big box.
- Use the {{Commandgui|<highlighted word>}} for highlighting keywords such as things like <highlighted word> that need to be looked for in a dialog box.
- If you have warnings such as "May break your system" or "Use with caution" then use the {{Warning| <Insert Warning Here>}}
- If you have a note such as "Emerge --sync your portage before doing this step" or "May give more than what you need in packages" then use the {{Note| Insert Note Here}} template.
For more information see the Main_Page main entry
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Regatta Lounge Bench / 1.829 eur
Designed by Hans Thyge & Co.
Loose control and fall back into the Regatta Garden Bench. The sturdy frame of solid teak slats will embrace you for sure. The bench is designed in a minimalist style with a laid-back attitude – perfect for a long read in the garden or an evening with good drinks and close friends.
- Details
- Teak
WxDxH: 133x72x74 cm / Seat H: 40 cm
Item no. S1508650
- Packaging
- WxDxH: 75x136x78 cm
Weight: 23,6 kg
- Material and care
Proper usage and maintenance
Proper usage and maintenance is vital for getting the most out of the valuable resources we have. Our designs are made to last for generations, but just like everything else, they need a little care to get there.
Teak is commonly found in Southeast Asia, Central and South America. Our FSC-certified Teak comes from Central America, Brazil and Indonesia, while our non-certified Teak comes from plantations in Southeast Asia and Trinidad; managed to sustain a renewable and reliable supply of wood.
Teak is a heavy, hard and sturdy type of wood. The high content of natural oils makes it highly weather and rot resistant and is therefore a good choice for outdoor furniture.
Do a general cleaning when needed with a suitable wood cleaner and soft bristle brush. Rinse afterwards with clear water and let it dry. Note: Wipe off tables, benches and chairs after dinner and such with a dry cloth.
As the wood is untreated, the surface will patinate over time and eventually turn into a beautiful silvery grey colour. If you wish to preserve or intensify the original honey-golden colour, use a suitable furniture oil on a regular basis. No matter what you choose, the wood will be resistant to everyday wind and weather thanks to the high content of natural oils.
Winter storage
The product is usable in all types of wind and weather, all year round. However, during wintertime, it is advisable to store the furniture in an unheated room such as a garage or cellar.
Indoor use
The wood has been dried for outdoor use. Hence, if you wish to use the furniture indoors it may need to be re-tightened once in a while.
Complement this product with
From the same series
About the designer / Hans Thyge & Co.
Hans Thyge & Co is a design studio based in Denmark and China – established in 1990, The studio consists of passionate people with strong opinions and a love for great design. They believe in combining brain and heart – function and aesthetics, and that every design should tell a story: a product is so much more than the product itself – it is about creativity, vision, culture, company values, the past, the present and the future.


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With Both Farce And Feeling, Currentzis' 'Figaro' Succeeds Magnificently
This is FRESH AIR. There are many recordings of Mozart's "the Marriage of Figaro." Do we need another, asked our classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz. In the case of this new recording led by the young Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis, Lloyd's answer is absolutely.
LLOYD SCHWARTZ, BYLINE: Teodor Currentzis, the 42-year-old conductor born in Athens, has been conducting in Russia where he's managed to get the kind of support from a regional governor that would essentially give him everything a conductor could wish for - and orchestra he himself assembled, the soloists he wants and, above all, unrestricted rehearsal time and recording conditions. And on the basis of his new recording of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro," which may very well be the greatest opera ever written or, at least, the most humane and the most sublimely beautiful, he has succeeded magnificently. The recording was made in 11 straight days and nights, and it conveys a sense of unity of an ensemble of performers all on the same page and a freshness and urgency that's very rare in today's opera world. Currentzis calls Mozart the most contemporary composer and the greatest musician in history - someone with a deep understanding of good and evil - a composer who could create the most perfect musical architecture and also, quote, "put the snake in the middle of the temple." Currentzis isn't trying to prove any historical or musical logical point. His orchestra, Musica Aeterna, uses period instruments because, Currentzis says, they sound better. If I thought that this music sounds better on electric guitars, he says, I would perform it on electric guitars. This Figaro is not just a farce. It's all about human feeling. And Currentzis achieves this through a kind of instinct that intuits the most expressive tempos and nuanced dynamics. Here's the music that opens the last act. Barbarina, the gardener's young daughter, has been entrusted to deliver a pin that signifies an agreement to a secret rendezvous. But she's lost the pin. To her, this little mistake is tragic. So Currentzis chooses a slower than usual tempo that conveys what Barbarina is feeling from the inside. Even before she starts to sing, we know that, to her, her plight is heartbreaking.
NATALYA KIRILLOVA: (As Barbarina) (Singing in foreign language).
SCHWARTZ: In one of the operas greatest ensembles, a comic sextet, Figaro discovers who his real parents are. And, again, Currentzis finds a tempo that goes beyond farce and shows each character really absorbing this astonishing new information.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: (Singing in foreign language).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: (Singing in foreign language).
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2: (Singing in foreign language).
SCHWARTZ: And in a climactic scene that many people consider the supreme moment in Mozart opera - when the count discovers that the woman he's been trying to seduce is actually his own wife in disguise, chastened and humbled, he asks the countess to forgive him. And she does. Currentzis gives this moment the weight and depth and mystery of a hushed prayer.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #3: (As Count) (Singing in a foreign language).
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN #2: (As Countess) (Singing in foreign language).
SCHWARTZ: And it's this hymn that makes a joyous ending possible.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN #3: (Singing in foreign language).
SCHWARTZ: This exhilarating and moving "Marriage of Figaro" has the feel of great theater filled with both conversational interaction and private soul-searching. All these characters become touchingly vulnerable. Figaro is the first of Teodor Currentzis's project of recording Mozart's three operatic masterpieces with librettos by Lorenzo Da Ponte. "Cosi Fan Tutte" will be released later this year and "Don Giovanni" is scheduled for Fall, 2015. There are no international stars. Currentzis lets the composer be the star, and with Mozart, that's the highest star power there is.
GROSS: Lloyd Schwartz teaches in the creative writing MFA program at the University Massachusetts, Boston and is the senior editor of classical music for New York Arts. He reviewed the new Sony recording of Mozart's "the Marriage of Figaro" conducted by Teodor Currentzis.
Copyright © 2014 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio record.


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The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Sample Chapter 2
Author's note: this is from a next-to-final version, pre-copyediting. Any errors are mine, with apologies. Chapter One is here, if you haven't read it.
CHAPTER TWO: The Other Sky
The capital of my land is called Arrebaia. It is a place of ancient stone, its walls overgrown by vines and guarded by beasts that do not exist. We have forgotten when it was founded, but it has been the capital for at least two thousand years. People there walk slowly and speak softly, out of respect for the generations that have trodden those streets before, or perhaps just because they do not feel like being loud.
Sky — the city, I mean — is only five hundred years old, built when some disaster befell the previous Arameri seat. This makes it an adolescent as cities go — and a rude, uncouth one at that. As my carriage rode through the city's center, other carriages went past in a clatter of wheels and horseshoes. People covered every sidewalk, bumping and milling and bustling, not talking. They all seemed in a hurry. The air was thick with familiar smells like horses and stagnant water amid indefinable scents, some acrid and some sickly-sweet. There was nothing green in sight.
What was I — ?
Oh, yes. The gods.
Not the gods that remain in the heavens, who are loyal to Bright Itempas. There are others who were not loyal. Perhaps I should not call them gods, since no one worships them anymore. (How does one define "god"?) There must be a better name for what they are. Prisoners of war? Slaves? What did I call them before, weapons?
Weapons. Yes.
They are said to be somewhere in Sky, four of them, trapped in tangible vessels and kept under lock and key and magic chain. Perhaps they sleep in crystal cases and are awakened on occasion to be polished and oiled. Perhaps they are shown off to honored guests.
But sometimes, sometimes, their masters call them forth. And sometimes there are strange new plagues. Sometimes the population of an entire city will vanish overnight. Sometimes jagged, steaming pits appear where once there were mountains.
It is not safe to hate the Arameri. Instead we hate their weapons, because weapons do not care.
My courtier companion was T'vril, who introduced himself as the palace steward. The name told me at least part of his heritage at once, but he went on to explain: he was a halfbreed like me, part Amn and part Ken. The Ken inhabit an island far to the east; they are famous for their seacraft. His strange red-colored hair came from them.
"Dekarta's beloved wife, the Lady Ygreth, died tragically young more than forty years ago," T'vril explained. He spoke briskly as we walked through Sky's white halls, not sounding particularly broken up about the tragedy of the dead lady. "Kinneth was just a child at the time, but it was already clear she would grow up to be a more than suitable heir, so I suppose Dekarta felt no pressing need to remarry. When Kinneth, er, left the family fold, he turned to the children of his late brother. There were four of them originally; Relad and Scimina were the youngest. Twins — runs in the family. Alas, their elder sister met with an unfortunate accident, or so the official story goes."
I just listened. It was a useful, if appalling, education about my new kin, which was probably why T'vril had decided to tell me. He had also informed me of my new title, duties, and privileges, at least in brief. I was Yeine Arameri now, no longer Yeine Darr. I would have new lands to oversee and wealth beyond imagining. I would be expected to attend Consortium sessions regularly now, and sit in the Arameri private box when I did so. I would be permitted to dwell permanently in Sky in the welcoming bosom of my maternal relatives, and I would never see my homeland again.
It was hard not to dwell on that last bit, as T'vril continued.
"Their elder brother was my father — also dead, thanks to his own efforts. He was fond of young women. Very young women." He made a face, though I had the sense he'd told the story often enough that it didn't really trouble him. "Unfortunately for him, my mother was just old enough to get with child. Dekarta executed him when her family took exception." He sighed and shrugged. "We highbloods can get away with a great many things, but… well, there are rules. We were the ones to establish a worldwide age of consent, after all. To ignore our own laws would be an offense to the Skyfather."
I wanted to ask why that mattered when Bright Itempas didn't seem to care what else the Arameri did, but I held my tongue. There had been a note of dry irony in T'vril's voice in any case; no comment was necessary.
With a brisk efficiency that would have made my no-nonsense grandmother jealous, T'vril had me measured for new clothing, scheduled for a visit to a stylist, and assigned quarters all in the span of an hour. Then came a brief tour, during which T'vril chattered endlessly as we walked through corridors lined with white mica or mother-of-pearl or whatever shining stuff the palace was made of.
I stopped listening to him at about this point. If I had paid attention, I probably could have gleaned valuable information about important players in the palace hierarchy, power struggles, juicy rumors, and more. But my mind was still in shock, trying to absorb too many new things at once. He was the least important of them, so I shut him out.
He must have noticed, though he didn't seem to mind. Finally we reached my new apartment. Floor-to-ceiling windows ran along one wall, which afforded me a stunning view of the city and countryside below — far, far below. I stared, my mouth hanging open in a way that would've earned me a scold from my mother, had she still been alive. We were so high that I couldn't even make out people on the streets below.
T'vril said something then that I simply did not digest, so he said it again. This time I looked at him. "This," he said, pointing to his forehead. The half-moon mark.
He repeated himself a third time, showing no sign of the exasperation he should have felt. "We must see Viraine, so that he can apply the blood sigil to your brow. He should be free from court duty by now. Then you can rest for the evening."
He stared at me for a moment. "Your mother did not tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Of the Enefadeh."
"The Enewhat?"
The look that crossed T'vril's face was somewhere between pity and dismay. "Lady Kinneth didn't prepare you for this at all, did she?" Before I could think of a response to that, he moved on. "The Enefadeh are the reason we wear the blood-sigils, Lady Yeine. No one may pass the night in Sky without one. It isn't safe."
I pulled my thoughts away from the strangeness of my new title. "Why isn't it safe, Lord T'vril?"
He winced. "Just T'vril, please. Lord Dekarta has decreed that you are to receive a fullblood mark. You are of the Central Family. I am a mere halfblood."
I could not tell if I had missed important information, or if something had been left unsaid. Probably several somethings. "T'vril. You must realize nothing you're saying makes any sense to me."
"Perhaps not." He ran a hand over his hair; this was the first sign of discomfort he'd shown. "But an explanation would take too long. There's less than an hour 'til sunset."
I supposed that this too was one of those rules the Arameri insisted on being such sticklers for, though I could not imagine why. "All right, but…" I frowned. "What of my coachman? He's waiting for me in the forecourt."
"I didn't think I'd be staying."
T'vril's jaw flexed, containing whatever honest reply he might have made. Instead he said, "I'll have someone send him away and give him a bonus for his trouble. He won't be needed; we have plenty of servants here."
I had seen them throughout our tour — silent, efficient figures bustling about Sky's halls, clad all in white. An impractical color for people whose job it was to clean, I thought, but I didn't run the place.
"That coachman traveled across this continent with me," I said. I was irked and trying not to show it. "He's tired and his horses are too. Can he not be given a room for the night? Give him one of those marks too, and then let him leave in the morning. That's only courteous."
"Only Arameri may wear the blood sigil, my lady. It's permanent."
"Only — " Understanding leapt in my head. "The servants here are family?"
The look he threw me was not bitter, though perhaps it should have been. He had given me the clues already, after all: his roaming father, his own status as the steward. A high-ranking servant, but still a servant. He was as Arameri as I, but his parents had not been married; strict Itempans frowned on illegitimacy. And his father had never been Dekarta's favorite.
As if reading my thoughts, T'vril said, "As Lord Dekarta said, Lady Yeine — all descendants of Shahar Arameri must serve. One way or another."
There were so many untold tales in his words. How many of our relatives had been forced to leave their homelands and whatever futures they might've had, to come here and mop floors or peel vegetables? How many had been born here, and never left? What happened to those who tried to escape?
Would I become one of them, like T'vril?
No. T'vril was unimportant, no threat to those who stood to inherit the family's power. I would not be so lucky.
He touched my hand with what I hoped was compassion. "It's not far."
On its upper levels, Sky seemed to have windows everywhere. Some corridors even had ceilings of clear glass or crystal, though the view was only of the sky and the palace's many rounded spires. The sun had not yet set — its lower curve had only touched the horizon in the past few minutes — but T'vril set a more brisk pace than before. I paid closer attention to the servants as we walked, seeking the small commonalities of our shared lineage. There were a few: many sets of green eyes, a certain structure of the face (which I lacked completely, having taken after my father). A certain cynicism, though that might've been my imagination. Beyond that, they were all as disparate as T'vril and I, though most seemed to be Amn or some Senmite race. And each of them bore a forehead-marking; I had noticed that before, but dismissed it as some local fashion. A few had triangles or diamond-shapes, but most wore a simple black bar.
I did not like the way they looked at me, eyes flicking near and then away.
"Lady Yeine." T'vril stopped a few paces ahead, noticing that I had fallen behind. He had inherited the long legs of his Amn heritage; I had not, and it had been a very trying day. "Please, we have little time."
"All right, all right," I said, too tired to be strictly polite anymore. But he did not resume walking, and after a moment I saw that he had gone stiff, staring down the corridor in the direction we were to go.
A man stood above us.
I call him a man, in retrospect, because that is what he seemed at the time. He stood on a balcony overlooking our corridor, framed perfectly by the ceiling's arch. I gathered he had been traveling along a perpendicular corridor up there; his body still faced that direction, frozen in mid-pace. Only his head had turned toward us. By some trick of the shadows, I could not see his face, yet I felt the weight of his eyes.
He put a hand on the balcony railing with slow, palpable deliberation.
"What is it, Naha?" said a woman's voice, echoing faintly along the corridor. A moment later she appeared. Unlike the man, she was clearly visible to me: a reedy Amn beauty of sable hair, patrician features, and regal grace. I recognized her by that hair as the woman who'd sat beside Dekarta, at the Salon. She wore the kind of dress that only an Amn woman could do justice — a long straight tube the color of deep, bloody garnets.
"What do you see?" she asked, looking at me although her words were for the man. She lifted her hands, twirling something in her fingers, and I saw then that she held a delicate silver chain. It dangled from her hand and curved back up; I realized that the chain was connected to the man.
"Aunt," T'vril said, pitching his voice with a care that let me know at once who she was. The lady Scimina — my cousin and rival heir. "You look lovely this evening."
"Thank you, T'vril," she replied, though her eyes never left my face. "And who is this?"
There was the faintest pause. By the taut look on T'vril's face, I gathered he was trying to think of a safe answer. Some quirk of my own nature — in my land, only weak women allowed men to protect them — made me step forward and incline my head. "I am Yeine Darr."
Her smile said that she'd already guessed it. There could not have been many Darre in the palace. "Ah, yes. Someone spoke of you after Uncle's audience today. Kinneth's daughter, are you?"
"I am." In Darr, I would have drawn a knife at the malice in her sweet, falsely-polite tone. But this was Sky, blessed palace of Bright Itempas, the lord of order and peace. Such things were not done here. I looked to T'vril for an introduction.
"The lady Scimina Arameri," he said. He did not swallow or fidget, to his credit, but I saw how his eyes flicked back and forth between my cousin and the motionless man. I waited for T'vril to introduce the man, but he did not.
"Ah, yes." I did not try to mimic Scimina's tone. My mother had tried, on multiple occasions, to teach me how to sound friendly when I did not feel friendly, but I was too Darre for that. "Greetings, Cousin."
"If you'll excuse us," T'vril said to Scimina almost the instant I closed my mouth, "I'm showing Lady Yeine around the palace — "
The man beside Scimina chose that moment to catch his breath in a shuddering gasp. His hair, long and black and thick enough to make any Darre man jealous, fell forward to obscure his face; his hand on the railing tightened.
"A moment, T'vril." Scimina examined the man thoughtfully, then lifted her hand as if to cup his cheek under the curtain of hair. There was a click, and she pulled away a delicate, cleverly jointed silver collar.
"I'm sorry, Aunt," T'vril said, and now he was no longer bothering to hide his fear; he caught my hand in his own, tight. "Viraine's expecting us, you know how he hates — "
"You will wait," Scimina said, cold in an instant. "Or I may forget that you have made yourself so useful, T'vril. A good little servant…" She glanced at the black-haired man and smiled indulgently. "So many good servants, here in Sky. Don't you think, Nahadoth?"
Nahadoth was the black-haired man's name, then. Something about the name stirred a feeling of recognition in me, but I could not recall where I'd heard it before.
"Don't do this," T'vril said. "Scimina."
"She has no mark," Scimina replied. "You know the rules."
"This has nothing to do with the rules and you know it!" T'vril said with some heat. But she ignored him.
I felt it then. I think I had felt it since the man's gasp — a shiver of the atmosphere. A vase rattled nearby. There was no visible cause for this, but somehow I knew: somewhere, on an unseen plane, a part of reality was shifting aside. Making room for something new.
The black-haired man lifted his head to look at me. He was smiling. I could see his face now, and his mad, mad eyes, and I suddenly knew who he was. What he was.
"Listen to me." T'vril, his voice tight in my ear. I could not look away from the black-haired creature's eyes. "You must get to Viraine. Only a fullblood can command him off now, and Viraine is the only one — oh for demons' sake, look at me!"
He moved into my line-of-sight, blocking my view of those eyes. I could hear a soft murmur, Scimina speaking in a low voice. It sounded like she was giving instructions, which made a peculiar parallel with T'vril in front of me doing the same. I barely heard them both. I felt so cold.
"Viraine's study is two levels above us. There are lifting-chambers at every third corridor-juncture; look for an alcove between vases of flowers. Just — just get to one of those, and then think up. The door will be straight ahead. While there's still light in the sky you have a chance. Go. Run!"
He pushed me, and I stumbled off. Behind me rose an inhuman howl, like the voices of a hundred wolves and a hundred jaguars and a hundred winter winds, all of them hungry for my flesh. Then there was silence, and that was most frightening of all.
I ran. I ran. I ran.


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Crocodile crossing sign on the road from Dili to Baucau, Timor-Leste (East Timor). Saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus, are common in this area.
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Good Dairy: Meadow Butter from Kriemhild Farms
The new year is still in single digits and we're supposed to be talking about healthy eating, so a post about butter, now, really?
But if there's to be a resolution about butter for 2013, it shouldn't be to avoid it altogether. Instead, let's eat better butter, the kind that tastes of the milk it comes from.
Madison County's Kriemhild Farms (pronounced cream-hild) is making that kind of butter, with milk from meadow-raised cows that gets churned to a higher fat percentage than the industry standard. Most commercial American butters are about 80% butterfat; Kriemhild butter weighs in around 85%. Higher butterfat means a more flavorful butter that produces flakier pastries and lighter cakes, since there's less water present to gum up flour.
More than fat content, the real flavor difference in this butter comes from what farmer Bruce Rivington feeds his cows. When it's butter-making time, the cows' diet is at least 40% fresh pasture, usually more like 60% to 70%, with supplements of hay and a little grain as needed.
We've been most happy eating our Kriemhild butter straight with bread. It's sweet and earnestly milky, with a pronounced grassiness and gentle funk. Since grass changes with the seasons, so does the butter. Spring and summer grass yield a sweeter, more golden butter; our late-autumn sample is lighter, but retains a subtle cheesy funk we love.
The farm sells salted and unsalted butter wholesale in upstate New York and New York City, but also does retail sales online, at farmers markets, and some NYC markets. The only retail size available in stores is an 8 ounce tub for $4.75 (all prices from the farm's online store), but restaurants and wholesalers can purchase 2- and 5-pound tubs ($12, $23.35 respectively). All three sizes are available online, and you can visit the farm's website to find a retail location near you.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Republicans say their tax cut plan will spur additional job creation and higher wages for workers. But corporate CFOs and institutional investors think otherwise, according to two small new surveys.
In a new CNBC Global CFO Council survey, about 8 percent of corporate finance chiefs from large companies — apparently two out of 24 respondents — said that the tax overhaul would increase employee wages next year. Just 4 percent, or 1 out of 24, said it would "most likely" increase headcount.
Half of the CFOs said the tax changes would benefit large corporations most if it becomes law, and nearly three in four said their company supports at least one version of the overhaul.
Similarly, a survey of 113 hedge fund managers and large investors by industry data provider BarclayHedge found that while nearly 70 percent think the tax plan will be good for the stock market, only 12 percent said companies will expand their operations or hire new workers.
Almost half said they expect corporations to use their tax savings to buy back shares or raise dividends, while 23 percent said they expect increased merger and acquisition activity.
About 10 percent said they expect companies will use their tax savings to increase spending on "labor saving automation."


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I. Memoirs of the late Rev. Jonathan Edwards. Farewell sermon. Result of a council at Northampton. Humble inquiry concerning the qualifications for membership in the visible Christian church. Reply to Williams.--II. Work of redemption. Dissertation on the nature of virtue. Observations concerning the mysteries of Scripture.--III. A narrative of many surprising conversions. Thoughts on the revival of religion in New England. An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement in prayer. Life of Rev. D. Brainerd and reflections upon it.--IV. A treatise concerning religious affections. Observations concerning faith. Reasons against Dr. Watts's notion of the preexistence of Christ's human soul.--V. Inquiry into the modern prevailing notions of freedom of will. Miscellaneous observations concerning the divine decrees in general and election in particular. Concerning efficacious grace
Continued--VI. Dissertation concerning the end for which God created the world. Doctrine of original sin defended. Observations upon particular passages of Scripture. Theological questions.--VII. Fifteen sermons on various important subjects, doctrinal and practical.--VIII. A continuation of sermons on various and important subjects
Shaw & Shoemaker
SCC #11,456 part of the Tanis collection


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Cricket: India hungry for England revenge
New Delhi (AFP)- England jet into Mumbai on Monday under new captain Alastair Cook, striving to win their first Test series in India in 27 years against a home team desperate to make amends for last year's 4-0 drubbing.
The four-Test series, starting in Ahmedabad on November 15, will be further spiced up by Kevin Pietersen's return to the England fold after his exile and hints that Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar is on the brink of retirement.
The series gives the home side an opportunity to make amends for the humiliating 4-0 whitewash in England last year that saw them dethroned as the number one Test side — and their replacement by England.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team then suffered another 4-0 defeat in Australia, capping a miserable six-month period that took the shine off India's 50-over World Cup triumph in 2011.
But with the series against England followed by four Tests against Australia in February-March, India, ranked fifth in the world, will look to take advantage of familiar conditions to haul themselves back up the rankings.
Dhoni has urged groundsmen to prepare wickets that suit spin bowling and selectors refused to pick a spinner for England's three-day opener in Mumbai from Tuesday, denying the tourists early exposure to the turning ball.
"When we go to England, we get wickets that help the seamers and in Australia you get tracks with bounce," said Dhoni. "In the subcontinent, spin is what matters and we should stick to that."
England, who last won a Test series in India under David Gower in 1985 and lost their number one status to South Africa in August, will receive a boost from the return of the dangerous Pietersen.
Pietersen, who has hit more than 7,000 Test runs at a shade under 50, smashed a brilliant 144 in England's last Test on Indian soil in 2008 and knows the conditions well as a player for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.
And the 32-year-old will be keen to impress after he was dropped in August for sending text messages to touring South Africa players that contained criticism of then skipper Andrew Strauss.
Numerous meetings with England team bosses and players eventually saw him added at the last minute to the Indian tour party and Cook said Pietersen was "contrite" over his actions and would be welcomed back into the squad.
India, who began their busy home season by winning both Tests against lowly New Zealand in August and September before being ousted in the second round of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, are facing a future without Tendulkar.
The plans of the 39-year-old superstar are in the spotlight after the admitted earlier this month that the clock was ticking on his run-filled 23-year career.
"I don't think I have plenty of cricket left in me," said Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Test and one-day cricket history — and the only batsman to notch 100 international centuries.
Tendulkar, who has scored a record 51 Test centuries, has now gone 25 innings without a hundred in the five-day format since making 146 against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2011.
He was bowled in all three innings against New Zealand with a top score of just 27, raising fears that age may finally be catching up with him.
England have the rare luxury of two three-day games and one four-day match to acclimatise to Indian conditions before the series starts in Ahmedabad.
Further Tests are scheduled for Mumbai, Kolkata and Nagpur.
The tourists, who also play two Twenty20 matches following the Tests, will go home for Christmas before returning in the New Year for a five-match one-day series.


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