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Friday, December 31, 2010
Happy News Years... Eve! I hope everyone is having an amazing holiday break!
Before I get to my post for today, I would to take this time for what I'm thankful for. I would like to thank all of my fellow bloggers, who have helped to to make this blog even more sucessful. :) Second, I would like to thank all my friends, who have supported my writing and have my back through all of it from start to finish. Lastly, I would like to thank all our readers, for checking in on the blog, as we have had as many as 9 different countries check into our blog. :) Thank you and let's hope for a sucessful 2011 as well. ;)
Now, my post for today will be the start of the next discussion topic! If the title hasn't already given it away, the topic question asks "Is Depression a Gift?" Or better put, is it a gift to writers? Now I know that seems like a moronic question to some, but hear me out. When someone suffers from a depression, you tend to focus on the negatives of life, and rightfully so. But depression humbles you, allowing you to enjoy the little things, making it easier somewhat to happy. Last I checked, being happy is the one of the ultimate goals in life, if not the ultimate.
I personally also find that it's much easier to write when I'm upset, sad, or angry over something. This makes creating a real environment much easier, especially if I'm attempting to recreate the emotion I am feeling at the moment. My best work has always come when I'm in this state, from Closing the Distance to half of Pieces.
The fact of the matter is the best stories rarely, if ever, is about the happiest guy in the universe where everything has gone right. There is almost always something wrong with him, but it is how he ultimately rises above it(or in some cases, falls) that hooks you to the story. These characters are much easier to write and create if you are feeling their problems.
Now you might think I'm crazy to think that depression is a gift. Heck, maybe only my twisted way of thinking could find any good in it, but maybe someone else out there follows my same way of thinking. So you know my take, what's yours? E-mail me at firstname.lastname@example.org, or check out the facebook page where the topic will be up. Check back after New Years for a special version of Questions with Quinton!
Happy New Years, and remember to "Always put Life into Words."
Thursday, December 30, 2010
As the year comes to an end, I think that most everyone needs to take a little bit of time and think about the positive things the year has brought to them. Even bad things can turn out to be positive in the end. Sometimes you date a person who wasn’t really right. At the time you got so caught up with the idea of being in love that the person’s faults didn’t matter. In the end the relationship fell apart and you come to realize that it was for the best. Job opportunities come up, and who isn’t thankful for those? To be in a better place making more money is always a wonderful thing. Some choices will cause you to uproot every aspect of life and allow for a new adventure to begin.
Another thing that I think is good to do before the New Year is to think about things you would like to happen. Set a few goals, and make plans on how that goal can be achieved. Also I think it is important to enjoy the present time, and the people who make your life the wonderful gift that it is.
Now, a portion of another story I am working on.
Kayden looked around the room, and she shook her head, “No, how about a little more to the right?” Kayden had recently moved in with her boyfriend Trey, which was a hard transition. The fact that the moving trucks had taken her things to the wrong location didn’t help.
“Kade, we have moved it a little left and a little right so many times. It still isn’t right?” Trey asked as he pushed the queen size bed a little to the right. Trey’s patience was wearing thin; the only thing that kept him going back and forth was his need to keep Kayden happy. As he moved the bed, he could not help but admire her determination to find the perfect placing for all the heavy furniture in her room. Even if that determination was using his strength in the pursuit of the perfect lay out.
Trey loved almost everything about Kayden, her long dirty blonde hair, her personality, her pale skin, her green eyes, and her slim figure. Right now Kayden had a blank expression on her face, which meant that she was thinking about something. Trey knew not to interrupt her though, or she would lose the thought. He sat down on her mattress and wondered if she would be content with the bed’s placement this time.
Kayden was staring out the window into the many fields that were behind her new home. She longed to be in the crowded apartment with her mother but she quickly wiped that thought out of her mind. Kayden was now living with Trey and his family. She hated to think about the reason she was here. Trey’s home was not out in the country but it seemed as though it was, because all that was behind his house was woods and fields. Out front you could see the pathetic town they called home. She found herself wondering what Trey was thinking as he sat on her bed and stared at her, she noticed that his glance settled on her face.
He smiled, “Is it right now?” Trey asked.
“Right for now, I suppose.” Kayden answered as she flipped her hair out of her face. “I wish I had my things though.”
“Well if it is paper and pens you need, we could go out and get you some.” He suggested helpfully.
“I have that stuff in my backpack; I miss my typewriter.” Kayden replied.
“Oh, I don’t think we have one of those, you and your typewriter. You’re so old fashioned.” Trey stated.
“Well we didn’t really have enough for me to get anything better, and now I like my typewriter.” Kayden snapped back.
“Is there anything else I should move for you, honey?” Trey asked.
“No, not that I can see; I wonder what I should do to the walls.” Kayden’s mind always seemed to go from one subject to the next; it could never stay in one place.
“Well, why don’t we go get some ice cream?” Trey asked
“That sounds good to me, where at?” Kayden questioned.
“I don’t know Kade, why don’t we just walk and see where we end up?” Trey suggested.
Kayden knew where they would end up, it would be the old fashioned Ice Cream Parlor down the street, it was Trey’s favorite place, and Trey didn’t like to sound selfish so he would always say “let’s see where we end up”. Every time they would go to the same place. It had good service, nice faculty and everyone at the place knew their names. It was something nice and familiar. When they arrived Kayden ordered her usual, which was a vanilla shake, and Trey got a banana split. Usually Kayden would argue with Trey and say that she had to pay, but she didn’t have the energy to argue today. Plus she didn’t have any money at the moment, she knew at some point in time her mother’s accountant would contact her. He would set up an account with money she gets for losing her mother, but that point in time had not yet arrived.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
of my strings are broken.
That day, when I left, you told me you’d call. You told me you’d write. You told me you’d never forget me.
But in the end… you did.
I cannot tell anymore what is real, what is reality, between what is in my mind, my heart, my fictional case of insanity.
By the way, take no blame that my ship is sinking. You never did before, so why start now?
It is true, I should get over my broken cracked still breaking heart. What happens to the people who can’t let go and move on? They let go of themselves.
So maybe I can become this bitter fucking bitch of a person who cares about and loves nothing at all. Rip the band-aid off that is my life.
Few people truly care now-days and I will never be the person my parents think I am. I will never be the person someone will drive for 21 hours from Orlando to New York.
I got to… I have to… I need to leave. I need to leave me and become a new person. “I need a beginning again. I wanna feel how I used to feel. When everything was in the palm of my hand and you were here with me.”
Please just tell me everything is going to be alright. Just tell me that right before my roots are pulled from the entanglement somebody else’s roots will grab hold of mine and not let go.
So in the end… I do miss you.
if you didn't recognize in the title, this was a personal response to a novel by the author John Green.
maybe i'm right, maybe i'm wrong, loving you dear like i do. if it's a crime then i'm guilty, guilty of loving you.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
My life is a glass castle
beautiful to look at,
The sun shines off of the walls
making them glitter.
It is grand.
I've got to live in it.
It gets hot as the glass keeps in the sun's heat,
It gets cold in the winter with no insulation,
Everything I do, the world can see.
Its a good thing I don't have anything to hide.
And the slightest bit of damage,
could destroy it all.
No, its not quite so grand to live in.
But looking at it you could never tell.
And people ask me
"How wonderful is it,
to live in such a beautiful place?"
And I just smile back,
nod my head,
"It makes a wonderful view doesn't it?
But tell me,
how would you like to live
in a place where all can see,
where damage done can never be repaired,
and it takes a year's worth of spring cleaning,
to make it look nice?
How would you like to live forever exposed?"
And they say
"How wonderful is it to live there?"
I sigh and reply,
"Its wonderful. Simply amazing."
because they won't ever understand.
So, that is L.I.F.'s 100th post. I hope you guys like it.
Monday, December 27, 2010
* * * * * * * *
The bells are ringing louder..
Oh i can hear the sound of their chimes,
from miles away...
And on a distant tower, I can see the signals,
pointing me to my new way...
And swords don't hold the answer, nor does the sheath where it lays...
But more in the sunlight, that shines on my face, reminding my eyes...
That I see, the very part of me, that I never knew before...
This side, is something that I can't believe, nor something that will ever be...
What I long for...
And I sit here, alone, and think... about what we once were, and what we could be...
and I'll remember, the sun will still set in the west, and when it rises in the east, I'll be alive...
and Dreaming of a better me...
And yet I'm,
Falling to pieces
shedding a tear for what I once held dear
I'm saying farewell, to the the crowded room, I was in...
I'm saying hello, my old friend, "the silence"
I'll reap what I sow, And I'll be what I know how to be...
But what I've sown, isn't dead, it just needs to rest its head... and sleep...
and realize, it isn't going to be the flower for me...
All flowers, wilt in the end... far from where the begin...
And yet I'm,
Falling to pieces
shedding a tear for what I once held dear
I'm saying farewell, to the the crowded room, I was in...
I'm saying hello, my old friend, "the silence"
And I'll whisper in the quiet...
"Hello my good friend silence...
I'll hold your hand when the noise gets violent"
Yes, farewell, my crowded room, you've met your doom...
Hello my old friend, silence.. oh the silence...
oh the silence...
* * * * * * * * *
So It took awhile to get through that heartache, but a few months later i found the perfect girl, and I thank God for her every day.
Hope you are all looking forward to the rest of this weeks writings, there is gonna be some good stuff I'm sure.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
|Imagine a life without words.... oh how stupid mankind would be...|
How was everyone's Christmas? Mine went well, got a new book to read and some great movies to watch. :D On a side-note however, I am suffering the ever continous illness called Writer's Block. :( So I went searching for a poem to give to you guys. Thing was, I couldn't quite find a poem that matched how I felt at the moment. So, I simply had to get over this block long enough to put life into words. I hope you enjoy it!
I've searched all my life
for the ability to say I was happy.
Life's ultimate luxury.
Yet so few understand
what it is they truly have.
They use the word so loosely,
a fore gone conclusion it'll always be there.
Those of us who are too unlucky,
to claim the same right,
are banished as freaks.
Yet I'm not longer sad.
I have friends a plenty.
A goal set.
And a skill I'm good at.
I have acheived my luxury.
Yet all it is,
is a shiny ruby.
Because I'm happy,
but still empty.
So how'd you like it? Send to your comments to me or chris. And Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
So, as you could probably see from my last post earlier this week, I always associate Christmas with a time of extreme, but happy, greed. Not a huge stretch, right? Well, as a little piece of interest, I thought I might share what each of us received this Christmas. (In no specific order...)
1. Yours truly
In total, I got 3 boxes of candy (nerds, starbursts, and skittles), a bag of dried fruit, a bag of pistachios, 3 CD's (Riot by Paramore, Neverender by Coheed and Cambria, and A Thousand Suns by Linkin Park), an Alice In Wonderland shirt, and an HTC EVO 4G.
I got a GPS device, and the voice is Yoda. I got gorgeous necklaces, and a beautiful ring. I got some clothing items, and a pair of slippers. I got 9-10 books. A couple tree ornaments, and Just Dance for the Wii. There are probably many more things that I received, but I can't remember them all.... OH! My amazing boyfriend bought me Taylor Swift's cd Speak Now, the Target Deluxe Edition which had 3 new songs and 3 remixed versions. I really wanted that!
I got a bunch of clothes basically, Ohio State gear, A Clockwork Orange, iHome, candy, earphones, a watch, Zombieland, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the world. :)
I got some new furniture and clothes and a barnes and noble gift card.
Hope everyone has a great christmas!
5. Joseph W.
I got some video games and dvd's. a new sweat shirt, some nice cologne, and my nephew got me a whoopie cushion lol
6. Anora Anakaya
Socks, a charm bracelet, a necklace, some cash, and a Barnes & Noble's gift card, but I have too many books right now so I won't get to use the gift card for awhile :/
Did your Christmas bounty match up to any of ours? Hopefully, it was the best of all of them. Myself and the rest of the Life In Fiction writers hope that your Christmas was great and that your New Years will be even better. No matter where you are, who you are, or to what religion you prescribe, this time of year should always be a source of joy as the calender ticks over to the next year :)
So, without further ado, here's my holiday gift to you:
Friday, December 24, 2010
Can you count on your hands how many times you’ve heard those words? Clichéd Cadillacs, cops and robbers, dear. Her life is a James Bond flick.
Last Christmas, she loved him; the silence between them had been devastation for her – a 5.0 Richter scale earthquake to her no-man’s land hideaway. He was gone for a while, and, at that point, she’d hoped he wasn’t coming back.
This year, this morning, he buttoned her jacket up, slowly, bottom-up, as if he regretted his actions the very moment he made them. Pulled her hat down over her ears. Kissed her forehead, as if he could still look after her, protect her. She told him goodbye, walked away with a smile while he had tears on his cheeks.
Hours later and she’s running, starving, screaming (only on the inside). The cold is a killer. It possesses her fingertips and doesn’t leave until spring. She hates it; she hates everything.
Her coat is dirty with blood, spit, tears. She’d give anything to go back to their dawn and away from what she chose. She can’t now; no turning back now. She may be dead before the morning comes.
“Santa,” she begs, “will you grant me my Christmas wish now?”
all i want for christmas is you
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What’s this feeling? I thought in the comforts of my own mind. No, it’s not a feeling. More of a lack of it.
“Are you talking to yourself Flynn?”
The voice of an adolescent girl broke me of my pseudo-haven. So much for thinking to myself... I looked up to find myself staring at a dark-skinned girl in a tight, short red dress. She had short hair and glasses with zebra frames. I glanced around to find the area was similar to my high school gymnasium, only with millions of teens in semi-formal wear and santa hats grinding on one another. Then I remembered that I was currently attending my high school’s Christmas dance.
“Why are you sitting around like a loner? Get up and dance!” the girl shouted over the loud music in the background.
“I’m tired Shay! Geez…” I sighed. Five others soon joined us.
“What’s up you two?” my best friend James asked with a grin. “Are you two having a secret love fest?”
“Flynn’s probably still tired silly!” his girl Ami replied.
“Come on Shay let’s rest as well.” Shay’s date pleaded, sweat dripping down his forehead.
“See what you started Flynn!”
“Don’t blame me!”
We all laughed and each took a seat. “So Flynn what were you being sad about over here?”
“Nothing.” I said back, eyes closed, while I was biting into a candy cane.
“Come on, we know you better then that Mr. Depression.” My friend Dre poked.
It’s true; I had recently entered a depressed state. I had to take weeks of counseling, and lost a lot of friends in the processed. Hell, I went as far as to commit suicide. However, these guys have stuck by me. They are my “nakama”, or our term for family.
“I’m actually fine Dre. I’m happy, which is what’s bothering me…”
“I’m not following babe.” Dre’s girlfriend Carrie said to me.
“I’m happy. I have great friends. I now am making hundreds off a book I wrote about the situation, got a full ride into Syracuse for journalism, along with you guys, so I never have to worry about being alone. Yet I still feel like something is missing…”
“Eh, I think what you’re missing is this sick dance!” Jeff broke in.
“Look babe...” Carrie said leaning on my shoulder, “The only thing you need to do is enjoy this night! After all it's Christmas... Eve at least!! Come on let’s get back out there!”
Suddenly the music switched to a slower beat, the beat of a song only I recognized.
“What is this?” Ami asked curiously.
“Stand By Me by Prince Royce.” I answered.
Immediately the girls’ faces lit up, and they took their respective man out onto the dance floor, leaving me alone. I stood looking around at everyone dancing with their significant other. My heart slowly began to ache more and more with each person I saw, until my eyes locked onto one girl who delivered the kill shot. I saw my ex, Vegas, dancing with her new boyfriend. My heart sank in defeat. I then had an epiphany about my missing emotion. It was the thing that caused my depression, the love of someone else to call my own. Love that no amount of friendship could ever replace… So all I could was take a seat, and wait for the next song to come on.
Okay guys, sorry it took so long to get this post up, I had to post a little early this week so I had rework this earlier then I made plans to. Megan will be posting on Friday however so don't worry!
As for the story, it's a piece I wrote to go along with the theme of love that is needed but just wasn't there. Flynn is a boy on top of the world, who has everything you could really want, except for that one key element: love. It just goes to show how little life would mean without love, the most powerful force on this planet by far... Well stay tune tomorrow for an awesome piece by Tara! I'll see you guys on Christmas!(hint, hint)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Provehito in altum
~Alexander Azazel Arlington
Monday, December 20, 2010
I have a wonderful family, good friends, an incredible girlfriend, and most of all my salvation through Jesus Christ.
So I decided to write from the perspective of a non believer, asking Santa Clause for Love, but he then finds Santa cannot deliver true love.
* * * * * *
By the fire glow I sit
waiting for some kind of tip
some sign, of the things to be mine.
Hey santa, are you real?
prove it, I want to feel.
I want to see, i want you to appear to me.
do you hear my wishes.
what if i asked for some mistletoe kisses?
not even you could grant that.
But santa I write you anyways.
because I long for someone to believe in.
someone who can make dreams come true.
Christmas morning comes,
There is no love,
no one to cherish.
You have failed me again santa,
year by year,
you lead me on good sir.
That night, as i stared at my Christmas tree
the angel on top began to sing to me.
"Good son, good son, please do not stray this day. you asked good old saint nick, for something he could not give you.
you see Santa is a spirit, he can bring you no real love. For the real love is from the man who is birth was today.
He was born in a manger, quietly you see, and was crucified on a hill, on the mount they call calvary.
He was sent by his father, to die don't you see, all for the love of you, and me."
The angel disappeared, and with a new perspective,
I knelt and I began to pray.
Dear Lord, I said.
Take me as a son,
take me as your child,
My savior, hold me in your care.
That Christmas brought forth the true love in this life, the love of Lord Jesus Christ.
* * * * * * *
There you have it, in my faith, only Christ can deliver the true love people are seeking, its not in mediocre relationships, and its not even in marriage. Those things are great, but the one true love comes from Christ and his birth into a world that hated him, and crucified him, but it was all apart of God's plan. He was to die for their sins, so that by choosing Christ, they are choosing God, and they too can have eternal life in Heaven.
To me that sounds pretty easy, Loving Christ earns you a spot in heaven. I like that idea a lot. But its not about getting the spot in heaven, its about the relationship with your creator, that friendship.
This was entirely free written, including the poem.
I love you all, and I will be praying that all your travels during the holidays are safe and all your events are fun.
Have a very Merry Christmas.
- Joseph W.


A TRIBUTE OF NUSRAT FATEH ALI KHAN NAEEM ABBAS RUFI AAS TU DADHA DUKH NA KOI KISAY DA YAR NA BICHARAY 2 21 MP3
Yeh jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai Singer Naeem Abbass Rufi MP3
Yeh jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai Singer Naeem Abbass Rufi.
Tumhain Dil lagi Bhool Jaani Paregi tribute from Naeem Abbas Rufi MP3
tribute to nusrat fateh ali khan from naeem abbas rufi and ary production.
Naeem abbas rufi Mast Nazroon Se.MPG MP3
Naeem abbas rufi Mast Nazroon Se Edit by Faisal Murtaza.
Naeem Abbas Rufi at The Sahir Show 28 June p-2 MP3
Naeem Abbas Rufi at The Sahir Show 28 June p-2.
KANWAN - NAEEM ABBAS RUFI - HQ . MP3
KANWAN VE KANWAN - ALBUM [ CROW ] . NAEEM ABBAS RUFI . RIZ ALI .
Rufi Song MP3
rufi Favorite song MP3
Naeem Abbas Rufi sings Aye Watan Pyare Watan full song MP3
Naeem Abbas Rufi sings Aye Watan Pyare Watan full song,Naeem Abbas Rufi sings Aye Watan Pyare Watan,Aye Watan Pyare Watan full song,Aye Watan ...
Maye Ni - Rufi MP3
This song is simply just wonderful has the most tocuhing and amazing tune ever.
Naat Meetha Meetha Abdur Rauf Rufi ARY Digital MP3
Naeem abbas rufi..song by.Mubashir Shaukat MP3
doing a flm song with Naeem abbas rufi,,by Mubashir Shaukat.
Mazaaq Raat - 15 February 2016 | Zartaj Gul, Naeem Abbas Rufi MP3
Mazaaq Raat - 15 February 2016 | Zartaj Gul, Naeem Abbas Rufi Mazaaq Raat is a popular Pakistani Comedy Entertainment show. Vasay Chaudhry hosts the ...
Naeem Abbas Rufi - Sun Charkhe Di MP3
Naeem Abbas Rufi - Tribute To Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Qawwal.
Mqm shaheed song jab bhi jeet singer Imran rufi MP3
mgr MERI MAA AAJ B MERA INTZAR KRTI HAI GHAR KI CHOKHT PEY BETHI LMHAY GINTI REHTI HAI.
Naeem abbas rufi new song dill lagi bhool jani pa MP3
Dil lagi bhool jani pare gi.
Mora Piya - Naeem Abbas Rufi - OST Mora Piya MP3
Yet another beautiful song from Pakistani drama serial " Mora Piya " and sung very nicely by Naeem Abbas Rufi. Enjoy the music!!
Hum The Band LIVE!!!Bibi Shirin...Pashto song...Naeem Abbad Rufi MP3
The Simpsons - Maggie and Roofi Singing Scene MP3
Funny Simpsons Scene!


text:
Valheim's The Mountain Update is Out Now
Valheim's latest update - suitably called "The Mountain" - expands the snowy biome and adds a brand-new instanced dungeon that is called Frost Caves, which offers three new enemies, with new resources to gather, and new materials that are required to craft a new armour and weapon set.
The developers mention that they wanted the Mountain biome to be as challenging as the Swamps and the Black Forest. Now they are aiming for Mistlands, the sixth biome in their plans, which will offer Vikings a new enemy to tackle, new resources to get, and an end boss to defeat.
The newest update is out now for everyone to explore.

domain: game


text:
Recap - Giants Defeat New York 29-14
Victor Cruz caught 3 passes for 164 yards against the New York defense as New York handed the Jets a 29-14 loss on Saturday at MetLife Stadium.
New York won and also put money in the pockets of their supporters by covering the 2.5-point spread as underdogs. Totals bettors, meanwhile, saw the game go UNDER the closing number of 45.5.
Eli Manning completed 9 of 27 pass attempts for 225 yards and 1 TD for the Giants in the win. He was picked off 1 time by the Jets defense.
Shonn Greene rushed for 58 yards for New York, while LaDainian Tomlinson added 29 yards. Mark Sanchez threw for 258 yards for the Jets, while receivers Dustin Keller and Santonio Holmes had 77 and 50 yards respectively.
New York outgained New York 332-331 yards in the game, while the battle of first downs was won 22-11 by the Jets.
The time of possession battle favored New York as their offense was on the field for 36:06, longer than the 23:54 of their opponents.
New York looks to continue their winning ways next game with a battle against the Cowboys. The Jets will aim to get back on the winning track at Miami.


text:
Here's a famous Egyptian dish, its super delicious and easy to do!! Macarona Bachamel...There is no cheese in it, the white layer is a rich creamy sauce. The sauce has a hint of spice (cinnamon) not to sweeten it, but it lends a beautiful touch to the beef.
Crockpot chicken noodle soup. ***winner!! I added 1c extra broth because I had it. Good thing as there was no broth really. I added the whole bag of egg noodles and extra veggies. Also didn't need near as long of a cook time. JL

domain: food


Hookah no more?
The business model of a large proportion of Moscow bars is under threat as a proposed government ban on smoking promises to wipe out one of the most popular items on Moscow menus – the hookah pipe.
The bill proposed last week by the Health and Social Development Ministry would ban smokers from all public places by 2015, with no exception for fans of the wildly popular Middle Eastern pastime.
Although exact statistics are difficult to obtain, experts in the industry estimate that around 70 percent of cafes and bars in Moscow offer hookah pipes, or kalyan as it is known in Russian.
Smoking hookah is a social activity designed for bars and cafes and, unlike smoking cigarettes, not easily transferred to private homes. Smoking bans in Britain and other parts of the EU allowed cafes to continue serving hookah only in outdoor areas, a suitable solution for Russia for the long summer evenings, but not much good in the sub-zero winters.
Bar owners say it is unfair to include hookah in the same bracket as cigarettes, since it does not emit carcinogenic fumes dangerous to passive smokers.
“Bars and restaurants will lose a large proportion of their guests if they are forced to stop selling hookah,” said Mamed, a sales manager at Kalyanschiki, a firm which provides hookah waiters to cafes across the city. “Many hookah smokers are people who have given up smoking cigarettes and use it as a way to relax.”
Guram Micke, an administrator at Uzbek restaurant chain Chaikhana No. 1 says she has never had a single complaint from a customer about other guests smoking hookah.
- 87% Hookah Tweets are in Positive Context
- Mobile City to Ban Youth from Using Hookah
- Hookah Popular Among Students
- Are Hookah Bars Illegal?
- Hookah trend is puffing along


Paul Gascoigne has addressed his alcoholism, saying that he is responsible for his own recovery.
“The only person who can save me is me,” he said. “The last couple of times when I’ve relapsed I’ve managed to nip it in the bud quickly.
“If the person’s not strong enough the person could find themselves in a coffin.”
His last relapse in October ended with him being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. He claims that the incident was caused by a therapist, who arrived unannounced at his home and stayed for hours at a time asking him about his drinking habits.
He alleges he eventually told her to leave, at which point the police arrived and took him to hospital where he stayed for five or six days.
“The doctor came along, a senior guy, and asked me to stay,” Gascoigne told The Sun. “He said, ‘Do me a favour and stay until Monday.’
“He said he shouldn’t be having to section me but that I needed to rest. He said I was getting so wired up and fired up that I shouldn’t go home as I wouldn’t get rest there.”
Video: Paul Gascoigne speaks about alcohol problem in 2013
The former footballer, 47, also attributed his relapse in part to boredom. He asserts that he has undergone tests on his liver, kidneys and heart and “it has all come up fine”.
“I was doing well, but every day was like Groundhog Day - doing the same thing - and I started drinking again,” he said.
“I was going to the gym, going shopping then going home. I just had a little blip. I messed up. But when that happens to me, the whole world sees it.”
He admits that he “benefited” from the time spent in hospital, although still finds his behaviour unpredictable.In September, Gascoigne was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after he allegedly hurled a brick at a van in an apparent altercation with a photographer.
“I don’t know what is going to happen to me in the next hour. That is how I have to look at things. I am not very good at drinking beer — and am drunk after four,” he said.
“I drink gin because it calms me down — and can easily drink a bottle if I start.”
He hopes to help other alcoholics struggling with their addiction.
“Once you become an alcoholic you can spot the signs in people very quickly,” he said. “It’s quite easy to relapse — and it’s quite easy to stay sober.”Reuse content


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Finance jobs in Oxfordshire
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Provides leadership on procurement matters to staff & has overall accountability ensuring delivery of strong compliance, best practice & efficiencies.
Government Finance is seeking to fill a range of senior leadership roles.
Oxfam GB’s Corporate Finance team are currently seeking a Head of Trading Finance to join their team.
This MSc programme is run by Heriot-Watt University jointly with The University of Edinburgh. Upon graduation, you will receive a degree certificate bearing crests of both unive...
The MSc in Computational Mathematical Finance (CMF) is a dynamic new programme with the aim to deliver high quality training in the theory of Mathematical Finance with strong em...
Entrepreneurship and innovation play vital roles in knowledge creation and exploitation to generate value and drive sustainable economic, social, technological and organisationa...

domain: economics


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A great break from the humans
Our cat boarding team of Animal Attendants, Vets and Vet Nurses are not only cat lovers but will make your buddy feel as though they're spending time with family.
Accommodation - it's the cat's meow
All hotel suites are climate controlled and feature fresh, high quality bedding. Feliway diffusers emit pheromones throughout the cat boarding facility, to help relax stressed guests.
We have three types of suites available:
- Deluxe suite - 1 cat
- Family suite - 2 cats
- Presidential suite - 3 cats
Daily checks by qualified Vet Nurses
A delicious super-premium food diet (or you're welcome to bring your buddy's favourite food)
10% off any vet or grooming service during your cat's stay
Continuous, Feliway pheromone diffusers. These release cat pheromones which comforts and reassures cats and kittens making your cat's stay as relaxing as possible.
Supervised playtime, at no extra cost!
For more information on accommodation, features and bookings please go to: https://www.petstock.com.au/services/cat-boarding

domain: pet


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I’m an artist and designer working out of Los Angeles. I also created and run Oddly Weird, a line of kooky handmade accessories and collectibles.
I am currently available for freelance design and illustration work. My studio is fully equipped with Adobe Creative Suite and endless drawers of craft supplies, so that I can create both digital and handmade artwork with ease. Have a project idea? Let’s work together!
In my spare time I can be found crafting, treasure hunting at flea markets, or hanging out with my dog, Franny.

domain: artistic


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Milton's defense caused four turnovers and used them to beat Walton and win its second state championship.
Walton and Milton, two North Metro teams only 12 miles apart, will meet for the Class 7A championship.
Camden County looks to keep its Cinderella streak going with a visit to Walton in the Class 7A semifinals on Football Fridays in Georgia.
This week’s edition of Football Fridays in Georgia features a Class 7A semifinal battle between Region 5 champion Walton and Camden County,
North Paulding will try to slow down Walton, the top-scoring team in the state, on this week's edition of Football Fridays in Georgia.
Walton's Jeremy Hecklinski opened a lot of eyes with his impressive senior seasion.
Two talent-laden teams, No. 6 Walton and No.3 Carrollton, meet in the third round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Undefeated Carrollton will host giant-killer Walton in the Class 7A quarterfinals for this week’s Football Friday’s in Georgia broadcast from Grisham Stadium.
GPB Sports is looking for Georgia high school football players who are having a great season and career but who may need a little help getting noticed by recruiters.
Here are our nominees for the week of October 17, 2022.
There will be plenty of college talent on the field for this week's Class 7A contest between No. 9 North Cobb and No. 5 Walton.
State-ranked North Cobb and Walton open the Region 5-7A schedule by going toe-to-toe in this week's Football Fridays in Georgia broadcast.
Here are our nominees for the week of September 12, 2022.
Capsule previews of all eight of Friday's GHSA football classification semifinal matchups to determine who moves on to next week's state championships
At long last Walton and Brookwood are back in the GHSA quarterfinals and for the first time meet in the playoffs on GPB's Football Friday's in Georgia. Here's a look at the top players who will be on the field.
There are great third-round games scheduled throughout the state on Friday. Here are ten of the best matchups to keep an eye on.
The road warriors from Walton will try to continue their journey through the Class 7A playoffs on Friday with a visit to Brookwood on GPB’s Football Fridays in Georgia.
In this week's edition of the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast, GPB Sports' Hannah Goodin and Jon Nelson break down the biggest bracket busters, surprises and noteworthy performances from round one of the playoffs. Walton Head Coach Daniel Brunner and Stephens County's Wes Tankersley drop in to discuss how their teams pulled off their big wins.
No. 8-ranked Roswell travels around the corner to play No. 7 Walton in a Class 7A rivalry series that has been extremely close. The last three meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.
GPB’s Football Fridays in Georgia returns to Cobb County this week for the Class 7A showdown between Roswell and Walton.
You know what was unusual

domain: sports


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Entrx Corp. announced Thursday that its stock symbol has switched to ENTZ, the second switch in just over six weeks.
The ticker for the company’s stock, which trades on the Pink Sheets market, changed to ENTQ from ENTX on May 4, following a 1-for-500 reverse split and immediate 500-for-1 forward split that eliminated shares owned by shareholders with fewer than 500 shares.
Entrx, however, asked the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to change its symbol again, saying the ENTQ ticker “resulted in some confusion” because stocks ending in “Q” often indicate the company is in bankruptcy.
The Minneapolis company provides insulation installation and removal services, including asbestos abatement services, primarily on the West Coast. The company markets its services under the Metalclad Insulation Corp. name.
firstname.lastname@example.org | (612) 288-2101

domain: news


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SPORTY WITH A SOFT TOUCH
Play it cool and easy in this comfortable all cotton tee. Lightweight, garment-washed tee it already feels like your favorite tee. Double-stitched seams help the classic look last. The all-over repeating-logo graphic adds signature style.
- Soft and lightweight 5 oz. cotton jersey.
- Garment washing helps tee keep its size and shape.
- Classic ribbed crew neck with locker loop.
- Sturdy double-stitched seams at sleeve and hem.
- All-over repeating Champion logo print.
- Embroidered C patch logo on left sleeve.
Units Per Pack: 1
Fabric Content: 100% Cotton
Country of Origin: Imported

domain: design


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Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish signed a number of players during the summer transfer window, as he aimed to construct a squad with enough depth and quality to compete for a place in the top four in the Premier League. These stars included the likes of Charlie Adam, Craig Bellamy, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Jose Enrique. While Adam, Bellamy and Enrique and have all shown what they can do in a Reds shirt, young Englishman Henderson and former Aston Villa wide-man Downing have not yet managed to fully convince Liverpool fans that they are the real deal.
Downing was involved in 14 goals for Villa last season, scoring seven and setting up seven. His ability to find the net, to create chances and to ping in crosses made him an ideal signing for Liverpool, who were seeking the quality, out-and-out wide man they had been missing for several years. Dalglish is yet to see a return on his £20m investment.
The midfielder has not scored or produced any goals for the Reds so far this campaign. And although he has been unlucky at times, many believe that Downing simply does not produce his best consistently enough. So is it time to drop the midfielder for either Craig Bellamy or Maxi Rodriguez?
Several supporters believe that Bellamy has been particularly lively when called upon this season and that the fiery Welshman should now be handed a regular starting spot. Maxi’s name is also beginning to pop up into the argument, particularly after he scored an impressive 10 league goals last season. Both players arguably offer a bigger threat in front of goal than Downing currently does.
But would dropping the winger now simply just dent his confidence? Downing was bought as a first-team player and some fans have commented on his low levels of confidence in recent games. Leaving him out of the starting eleven could possibly further lower his self-belief. Dalglish will have to make a firm decision when the Reds return to action after the international break, particularly ahead of some tough games against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
But for now, Liverpool will go into the next couple of weeks thinking of what could have been. The Reds have dropped points at home against newly-promoted sides in the form of Norwich and Swansea, and if they had converted those draws into wins, Dalglish’s men would currently occupy a Champions League place. But all is not lost yet – there are 81 more points to play for and Liverpool still have plenty of time to meet their targets.
Can England beat Spain? Get the latest Euro 2012 odds


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13 Shameful Pictures of African People in Human Zoos.
In the late 1800s to well into the 1900s, Europeans created “human zoos” in cities like Paris; Hamburg, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Barcelona, Spain; London; Milan; Warsaw, Poland; St Louis; and New York City.
These were popular human exhibits where whites went to watch Black people who were on display. The Black people were usually forced to live behind gates and in cages similar to animals in a zoo today.
Some of the Black people were kidnapped and brought to be exhibited in the human zoos. Many died quickly, some within a year of their captivity.
The following are 13 incidents of white people holding Africans captive in human zoos.
We now know who the real “savages” are, and it’s not the Black people forced to live in those cages in zoos.

domain: sociology


Seems like Samantha Akkineni cannot stop grabbing the headlines. She has been in the news a lot lately due to her stunning performance in 'Family Man 2'. The actress was both praised for her acting skills and criticized by a few for taking up that role. As we already knew, she stood 2nd in the list of Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2020 while Shruti Hassan took the 1st spot.
But things are different in Tamil Nadu as the 'Rangasthalam' star was announced as Chennai Times Most Desirable Women 2020. This is a huge achievement to stand first in Chennai and 2nd in Hyderabad in the same year. With Samantha getting a lot of recognition in the North too due to 'Family Man 2', she is sure to come up on India's Most Desirable List next year.
Samantha is currently enjoying the success and is also gearing up restart the shooting of Gunasekhar's 'Shaakunthalam'. Sam posted the clippings of the interview she gave her Chennai Times and thanked everyone. Her fans are absolutely loving it.


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According to a report from Dave Meltzer, the recent tapings from MLW and The Crash in Mexico were, unfortunately, affected by talent no-shows for a multitude of reasons.
According to the report, Minoru Tanaka had a Visa issue, CMLL pulled talent, and Mance Warner is currently dealing with an injury. Also, the Von Erich family and Jacob Fatu all had passport issues. Teddy Hart showed up on the day of the show but had lost his passport and driver’s license so he couldn’t board the plane.
These Mexican TV tapings are expected to take up the next three weeks of television.


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Kairong is a multidisciplinary creative who works primary in the areas of art direction,
graphic design and photography. She has worked with a diverse range of clients, from press,
media and web to electronics, medical and institutions. She is always looking for new an
interesting projects to work on as well as collaborations with like-minded creatives or companies.
Kairong also co-founded MutantStyle, a creative collective focusing on interesting art and design
projects and a small t-shirt collection.
Check out THE SOURCE.


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The news of Harry and Meghan leaving the British Royalty in exchange for a quieter and more independent life is still fresh. In fact, it’s only been around five weeks when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the announcement via Instagram that they “… intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to
become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
In the same announcement, the royal couple said that they will be dividing their time between North America and the United Kingdom beginning this year.
We all know how Meghan had to retire from acting back in 2018 after being married to one of Princess Diana’s sons, Prince Harry. Meghan used to star in the American legal drama television series Suits where her character Rachel Zane started out as a paralegal who eventually became a lawyer.
Now that Meghan is no longer part of the Royal Family and her HRH title no longer in effect, it looks like she can go back to the world of show business.
There are rumors going around that Megan is set to appear as a guest in the Canadian wedding reality show entitled I Do, Redo? According to a source rumored to be part of the production team, Markle, 38, will be making a few appearances in the show’s 10-episode run. She will be joining her best friend, Jessica Mulroney, who is the main star of the show.
But is Megan really joining Mulroney, who is one of Toronto’s most famous wedding stylists today?
But all this news is actually untrue. In fact, CTV Communications, the network partnering with Netflix to get I Do, Redo onboard, categorically denies the news. See the tweet below.
I Do, Redo is about revisiting the wedding disasters of the weddings of 10 couples and then re-making the lovers’ wedding dreams. It’s basically about giving a second shot at every couple’s chance of having a dream second wedding when their first nuptials didn’t go as planned. Pretty exciting, right?
I Do, Redo is definitely like no other wedding shows on TV. According to Mulroney, “We are aiming to make a significant difference in the lives of our chosen couples whose first weddings did not go as planned due to tragic circumstances. This is a side of the wedding industry that has never been shown on television before.”
The show will debut on March 22 on Canada’s CTV. It will have 10 episodes, each around 30 minutes long. Mulroney said that they will also premiere the show on Netflix to reach a global audience but it is unclear when they’re going to release it.

domain: entertainment


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I love trees. Not surprisingly, many of my favourites are in my own garden, Glen Villa, and I wrote about some of them here. But in my travels, I’ve come across many other special trees, and they stand out in my memory for different reasons.
One I remember because of its size. The Angel Oak, still growing on John’s Island, South Carolina after some 400 years or more, is so large that I couldn’t capture it in a single photo. I simply couldn’t stand far enough away — the longest branch stretches 187 feet from the trunk. The shade beneath this southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) is dense and provided welcome relief on a hot day. A visitor walking in the shade gives you an idea of the size of the oak — gigantic.
Another tree is memorable because of its roots. The beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) standing on the aptly named Beech Terrace at Dumbarton Oaks in the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C. offers a fine introduction to this garden, designed by Beatrix Ferrand in the 1920s for Robert and Mildred Bliss. I’d love to see the tree in springtime, when the Crocus tomasinianus, Scilla siberica and Chionodoxa luciliae bloom among its roots, lighting up the ground in shades of blue, and calling even more attention to the beauty of the blue-grey trunk.
Writhing branches characterize a tree at Broughton Grange in England. I can’t identify the tree (can you?) but standing tall behind a laburnum allée it has become a smashing piece of sculpture. It’s tall — the laburnum tunnel must reach at least ten feet and the tree towers above it. Alongside this section of Broughton Grange’s extensive grounds is a walled garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. If he was the one who advised against removing the tree, I say bravo!
Age hasn’t withered an ancient olive tree at Villa Adriana, or Hadrian’s Villa, in Tivoli, near Rome — it’s producing olives even at a ripe old age. The Villa is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gnarled and twisted trees form a romantically evocative grove in the surrounding grounds. According to on-line information, it is hard to date the trees because the inner part of an olive tree rots while the tree keeps growing laterally.
Some trees stick in my mind because of the extraordinary way they’ve been distorted. The tree below is in the Bishopville, South Carolina garden of Pearl Fryar, a self-trained topiary artist. About 30 years ago, he began trimming the evergreens around his yard into unusual shapes, creating living sculptures that are as memorable as the man himself.
Pearl Fryar’s trees made me smile. So did these two giant trees at Ascott, in Buckinghamshire, England. To my eyes they seem to be growing together, trying to form a single heart silhouetted against the sky. This vision may be fantasy on my part, but perhaps not: as I wrote in a review of the gardens a few years ago, Leopold de Rothschild had the gardens designed and gave them to his wife as a wedding present. Suitably, a sundial spells out his attachment in tightly clipped yew: “Light and shade by turn, but love always”. So why shouldn’t the trees continue to reflect his commitment?
Different trees arouse different emotions. This knobby old specimen at Stourhead, a National Trust property in Wiltshire, made me do a double-take. Was I really seeing an enormous owl at the base of the tree?
Other trees have made me sad. How could I fail to feel otherwise when I saw an Australian tree that seemed to be bleeding to death? Its name fits the picture — it’s called bloodwood. I felt better when I learned that Australian Aboriginals collect the sap, either when it is liquid or after it has crystallized, and apply it to sores or cuts as an antiseptic.
Sometimes the red gum hardens into funny shapes, like the mini-devil clinging to the side of the tree below. Proving, I suppose, that even sad things can bring a smile when the shape is right.

domain: geography


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Monday, November 4, 2013: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
See individual abstracts for presenting author's disclosure statement and author's information.
Organized by: Public Health Education and Health Promotion
CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)
See more of: Public Health Education and Health Promotion

domain: medical


Well, it looks like Terrence J is starting to make it clear who his special lady is via Instagram.
The actor shared a picture of he and model Jasmine Sanders hanging out in Lenny Santiago’s insta-famous gold Roc Nation office.
Earlier this year Terrance J revealed to Wendy Williams that he had a special person in his life.
“I do have love in my heart. I’m in a good place in my life, I have a very special person,” Terrence shared with the talk show host in March.
The two have been seen coupled up together since March in St. Barths when the host started filming FOX’s “Coupled” in the Caribbean.
Since then Terrence J and Jasmine have been spotted together at the BET Awards, Paris Fashion Week, and most recently in Washington, D.C.
Terrance J brought Jasmine to the White House as he presented at the BET “Love and Happiness” event on the South Lawn, Obamas final concert.
The two even hit up some Howard Homecoming festivities.


We can supply eye nuts and bow nuts of many different types, so if you read up on the specifications of this particular range below and are still not satisfied, we can probably still help.
A quick look at the data sheet covering these high tensile bow nuts will reveal that there are actually a number of different load capacities on offer here, rather than just one or two. Weighing in at just 150 grams, the most compact nut of the bunch has a 230kg SWL. Above it its siblings get progressively sturdier, until the 2.2kg range-topper provides a full 5.34 tonnes of capacity to play with.
Another thing to take into account is the finish of the fatigue-resistant high tensile steel itself. By default these bow nuts are supplied as self colour units, although if you need them to be electro galvanised, this is also an option. It is worth contacting Lifting Gear Direct using the details below to get the most comprehensive overview of our product specifications, as well as pricing information.
Bow nuts like this metric thread high tensile model are best for inline application of load, while those customers looking for angular load bearing capabilities should consider our swivel eye bolts for safe and convenient lifting operations. Our collared eye bolt complete with reevable egg link is another option to take into account if you want load-rated anchor points that are flexible and convenient to use.
Should you be on the lookout for a full lifting assembly, then you can either choose the various lifting equipment components from throughout our site, or simply let our experts put one together for you. Our custom lifting gantries and Jib cranes are a top choice for complete convenience.
You can make yourself known to the LGD sales team by calling 01384 76961 or emailing us. Regardless of how you choose to get in touch, we will give you all the information and advice you need. You can place an order and get a quote just by asking.
|Safe Working Load||Diameter Thread||Diameter Eye||Diameter Base||Diameter Eye Inside||Base Height||Height Overall||Weight Each|
|tonnes||a mm||b mm||c mm||d mm||e mm||f mm||kg|


WATCH: Markey delivers remarks on Senate floor today in support of Judge Jackson
Washington (April 5, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor today in strong support of the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to fill the seat of retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the United States Supreme Court. When confirmed, Judge Jackson would become the first Black female justice to serve on the nation’s highest court, and the first-ever public defender. Senator Markeymet with Judge Jackson on March 24.
In his remarks today, Senator Markey referred to the historic nomination of Judge Jackson as a “long overdue step toward making the Supreme Court better reflect the nation whose people the Court serves.”
In his remarks, Senator Markey specifically highlighted Judge Jackson’s previous position as a public defender. “As a federal public defender, Judge Jackson represented the most vulnerable among us. She represented the clients other lawyers avoided. In doing so, she followed a long and honorable tradition in the American legal profession that began with John Adams stepping forward in 1770 to represent the British soldiers who committed the Boston Massacre because he feared they would not receive a fair trial without adequate representation.”
Senator Markey additionally derided his Republican colleagues on their hostile, partisan questioning during the Judiciary Committee hearings. “As we all saw, some of the questioning of Judge Jackson from some of my Republican colleagues was nothing short of offensive, distorting her record, and tinged with racism and sexism. But Judge Jackson responded with poise. She calmly addressed and corrected her questioners’ false and misleading premises. And she did so while demonstrating deep knowledge of the law and the Constitution, respect for precedent, and displaying precisely the kind of temperament we expect of someone sitting on the nation’s highest court.”


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With the recent closing of a short-lived crepe and ice cream shop, the chances for a new restaurant to make an impact in New Haven’s Broadway shopping district have grown smaller.
Whimsels, a creperie formerly located at 280 York St., closed last month after profits failed to meet the owner’s expectations, manager Kenneth Bush said. The shop’s closing could shift Yale University Properties’ focus away from restaurants as it completes its seven-year overhaul of the Broadway shopping district.
“There are just too many restaurants in the area,” Bush said. “Oversaturation is definitely a problem.”
Whimsels leased its 1,000-square-foot space from University Properties. Bruce Alexander, the director of Yale’s Office of New Haven and State Affairs, did not respond to several telephone messages late last week. Andrea Pizziconi, a financial analyst for University Properties, declined to comment on the Whimsels closing.
Over the past decade, many national chains have attempted to enter the highly competitive Broadway market, where they have found local mom-and-pops more than able to compete.
“There have been at least 25 restaurants across the street over the last 10 years who have come in and are now gone,” said Rick Beckwith, the third-generation owner of Yankee Doodle, a 52-year Broadway staple.
Chains such as Subway and Bruegger’s met the same fate as homegrown shops like Broadway Pizza, The Daily Cafe, David’s Cookies and now Whimsels.
“It’s one of the most expensive operations to get into,” said Anthony Koutroumanis, who first opened Yorkside Pizza and Restaurant 32 years ago. “Everyone thinks they can make a ton of money, but it’s just not the case.”
Both Beckwith and Koutroumanis estimate the cost of opening a new Broadway restaurant at $250,000. And additional restaurants may not attract large numbers of new shoppers to the area, reducing each store’s business further.
“Yale has beautified the area,” Beckwith said. “But the new restaurants are not generating new business.”
Broadway restaurateurs said the summer months can kill many businesses when most students leave New Haven. Bush said Whimsels had weak summer sales and struggled to earn a mere $1,000 profit over the last three months. Whimsels owner John Robinson did not respond to telephone messages last week.
But Whimsels suffered from other problems, too. When Ashley’s ice cream parlor left Broadway in 1999, University Properties merged ice cream with Robinson’s vision of a crepe shop, forming Whimsels. The shop opened in late 2000 on the former Y Haircutters site.
But the product mix did not meet the needs of shoppers.
“We didn’t really sell any ice cream,” Bush said. “The combination of crepes and ice cream didn’t work too well.”
The specialized offerings at Whimsels also limited the creperie’s customer base.
“What they sold was not something people would go buy every day, like the sandwiches we sell,” said Laurie Kuhn, the general manager of Au Bon Pain. “They really limited themselves in terms of repeat business.”
Bush attributed Whimsels’ troubles to its location, saying Whimsels “definitely had the worst location on Broadway.”
But other stores thrive along the York Street boundary of the Broadway district.
“The problem with Whimsels was more the atmosphere than anything,” said Abigail Jackson, the manager of Koffee Too?, which abuts the former Whimsels site. “We’re really busy all the time, so location wasn’t the problem.”
In addition to Whimsels’ former site, three additional vacant storefronts owned by University Properties remain on Broadway: the former Krauszer’s site, a property adjacent to Ivy Noodle, and the space between J.Crew and Alexia Crawford.
Whimsels’ failure points to the tight restaurant market and, possibly, the need for additional non-food stores to lure suburban shoppers to Broadway.
“They could bring other things that don’t exist around here,” Koutroumanis said. “Restaurants are not going to do it.”


These 5 Invoicing Mistakes Could Cost You Big Money Over TimeWritten by Marya Sutimi on June 14, 2021
When you start your own business, invoicing is the goal as it is only one step to the payment for the work you do. While some may think invoicing is easy, pay attention to some common mistakes in your invoicing process that may cost you money and your time.
In this article, we will get into details about some mistake blunders that commonly occur and some effective ways to avoid them. We make mistakes sometimes, but we can always try our best to avoid them.
So, why not prevent it by setting up an invoicing process that could ease you and your clients’ payment in the future?
5 Common Invoicing Mistakes That Could Cost You Time and Money
From delaying your invoices, forgetting to follow up, to not including the due date on your invoice, these are the common mistakes done by freelancers and small businesses.
After gaining trust from your customers, sending an invoice can be a way to showcase your professionalism. To ensure this from your end, make sure to minimize these invoicing errors!
Not providing the terms of payment in the agreement
Having an agreement signed by you and your client is necessary to ensure that both parties are clear with their rights and responsibilities. Outlining the payment term and method can save you the time and energy to go back and forth with the client when it’s time for you to proceed with the payment.
Many productivity apps can help you be precise with your client onboarding system, from generating leads to setting up your payment system. Having it outlined in your agreement can help to protect your business. At the same time, it also keeps your client well-informed of your expectations for the payment.
In addition to that, there are several elements that you can add in your agreement to ensure clarity between the two parties involved. These include the following items:
- The service details to avoid the ambiguity that could lead to possible disputes in the future.
- The deliverable dates, unless the project is open-ended.
- The assigned contact information from both parties, which include the people in charge of the relevant project and transaction.
- The payment terms, which include the payment method and schedule and any additional fee if necessary.
Not automating your invoicing system
Automation for your invoicing system can be a game-changer as it saves you some time from having to send invoices manually. It ensures your profitability reporting accurate with real-time data, allowing you to focus more on other necessary things for your business growth.
There are many options for the invoicing platform that can help you get a better invoicing system. While it is helpful for your productivity, using automated invoice processing can also reduce labor expenditures, printing, and mailing expenses.
Not adding necessary information in your invoice
Your invoice has to be accurate, as you want to avoid looking unprofessional by mistakenly sending a document with some basic errors. When you submit an invoice to your clients, make sure to have these included before you send it to them.
- Invoice number.
- Invoice date.
- Due date.
- Company name and contact details.
- The responsible person related to the payment
- Payment terms.
- Any applicable tax numbers.
- The detail of the product or service purchased.
Not using your invoice as a branding tool
A well-formatted invoice can go along the way for your branding. Adding a logo to your business can be one of the things you can do to gain your brand recognition. After all, an invoice is also a representative of your company, so don’t forget to make it look nice!
Using your brand colors with your logo attached can improve your brand awareness in a competitive market. Most of the invoicing software in the market offers you customizable options to brand your invoice with many practical functions that can ease your invoicing experience.
Not backing up your invoice data
Even if your invoice is sent and successfully paid on time, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have to back up your invoicing data. Archiving paid invoices for your business can come in handy for any unforeseen payment dispute. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your business.
Using a cloud-based invoicing platform can be an alternative to minimize clutter in your billing and transaction record.
5 Things to Consider When You Choose an Invoicing Platform for Your Business
Using an automated invoicing system can be a practical solution to minimize payment errors for your business. Processing invoices manually is subject to preventable mistakes that could cost you time and money in the long run. Choosing the right platform for your invoicing system can be a game-changer to improve your consistency across invoices through reporting, transparency, accountability, and archiving.
There are many invoicing software out there, but how can we be sure that the one you choose is the best for your business?
Before you begin comparing the invoicing platforms available in the market, here are some things to consider when choosing an invoicing system that works for you.
1. Calculate your budget
Budget can be a sensitive topic, especially when you just started your business. There are many invoicing platforms available in multiple price ranges that you can opt for accordingly. Some paid software also offers a free trial, which allows you to get firsthand experience before you go all-in to purchase the whole package.
2. The integrations to your accounting software
One of the benefits of using an automated invoicing system is the ability to track your income and expenses efficiently. The transparency offered by invoicing software will allow business owners to monitor their cash flow with insightful reports easily.
Whether you choose an offline or a cloud-based invoicing system, one thing you should consider is whether it can be integrated into your accounting software to enable you to track your cash flow efficiently.
If budget is not your concern, you can also find some invoicing platforms that can also handle all your accounting needs in one software.
3. Check the available features in the software
While online invoicing might be your main reason to use an automated payment system for your business, it is also important to check some other features available in the platform before you decide to use it.
Many online invoicing systems now offer multiple features, but it is not necessarily the best platform for your business if you have to pay for features that you’ll never use.
To avoid some invoicing mistakes in the future, pay attention to these features in your invoicing system:
- The customizable templates feature that enables you to generate an invoice with professional branding
- The feature that allows you to follow up on unpaid invoices.
- The feature to save your client profiles
- The online invoicing feature that connects to multiple payment options
- The feature to store and send receipts and invoices
4. Compare different platforms and packages to find the most suitable one for your business
Once you identify the budget and the features you need for your automated invoicing system, compare some available options that are aligned to your needs to see which software or package that works the best for your business.
Whether you’re looking for an offline invoicing platform or cloud-based software, you can always do your due diligence before investing in the most suitable software for your business invoicing system.
5. Ask for a trial or a tutorial to make sure that it’s user-friendly
The last thing you want to do when choosing an invoicing software is to spend some time trying to figure out how to use it when there are some invoices in line to be submitted for the payment.
If you previously used a different invoicing platform, you may want to look at some other options that are similar to it to make sure that the new one won’t be too complicated to use. Many invoicing software companies also allow you to do some free trial or tutorial to showcase how their platform works before you buy it.
You may also want to choose an invoicing software applicable to use through your mobile device and web browser. If your mobility is high, it is recommended to find that that is accessible across the platforms.
Why You Should Put Your Invoicing System in Automation
Automated invoicing systems can save you a lot of time and money, as it can minimize some common mistakes that may jeopardize your business operations.
While there are some alternatives that you can opt for the invoicing platform, as a user, you also need to identify the features that you need in your automated system.
Avoid paying more for the features you don’t need, and try to be more efficient and find a platform that fits your budget and needs. After all, why risk the preventable invoice mistakes if you can sort things out to ensure professionalism for your business?
So, if you happen to encounter invoicing errors in the past, it’s wise to consider setting up your invoicing system in automation to minimize the mistakes in the future. No matter your industry, no business owner wants to lose money over time due to some invoicing errors. The best you can do is to be mindful of your invoicing system!


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General Diabetes Information
Diabetes is a chronic condition that comes in multiple forms. The underlying cause is the main difference between the types of diabetes. No matter the type – type 1, type 2, prediabetes and gestational diabetes are all similar in the fact that they are defined by high blood glucose (too much sugar in your blood). Sugar in your blood can lead to serious health conditions. Prediabetes and gestational diabetes are unique in the fact that they are potentially reversible, dependent on lifestyle changes.
What is diabetes type 1?
Diabetes type 1 usually develops in children, teens, or young adults. Type 1 diabetes will usually show up between early childhood through teen years. However, some may not get diagnosed with diabetes type 1 until adulthood. In diabetes type 1, the body does not make enough insulin to remove sugar from the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, eye damage, kidney damage, or pregnancy complications (see gestational diabetes).
There are a few known possible causes of diabete type 1. The first possible cause is genetics, this disease can be hereditary. Another possible cause of diabetes type 1 is environmental triggers such as a virus. One of the most common causes of diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disease. In type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease is when the body attacks itself by mistake and destroys the cells that make insulin.
Diagnosis & Treatment?
Diagnosis for diabetes type 1 is similar to all other diabetes diagnostic testing. A blood test can determine A1C (average blood sugar over 2-3 months), current blood sugar, and presence of autoantibodies. Autoantibodies are used to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Treatment for diabetes type 1 is centered around monitoring blood sugar and keeping it at a targeted level. One type of treatment is taking insulin, generally most type 1 diabetics will need to be on lifelong insulin therapy. Insulin therapies consist of a wearable device, daily shots, or oral medication. Additional lifestyle changes may help manage blood sugar such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and controlling other medical conditions.
Unfortunately there is no way to prevent diabetes type 1. If you notice any changes in you or your child’s appetite, drinking level, vision changes, unexplained weight loss, or increased urination speak with your doctor as these may be warning signs for diabetes type 1.
Fore more information: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/what-is-type-1-diabetes.html
What is diabetes type 2?
Diabetes type 2 is fairly common in the United States, with about 1 in 10 Americans diagnosed with diabetes. In diabetes type 2, either the body does not produce enough insulin or cells don’t respond properly to insulin. The result is too much sugar in the bloodstream. The onset of type 2 diabetes is usually in adulthood, however it can occur in childhood as well. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart disease, nerve disease, vision loss, sleep apnea, kidney disease, or additional medical conditions.
The main causes of diabetes type 2 are inactivity, poor diet that is high in sugar, and obesity. These factors can lead to poor insulin and blood sugar control. Additional risk factors can lead to a diagnosis of diabetes type 2. These risk factors include family history, age, having gestational diabetes in pregnancy, as well as race and ethnicity.
Diagnosis & Treatment?
Diagnostic testing for diabetes type 2 can be done by a blood test. Doctors will look at the A1C, see A1C level section in prediabetes. Additional blood tests may look at blood sugar at a single point in time. Another tool for diabetes diagnosis is regular screenings with your doctor. Your doctor will look at your risk for diabetes, as well as your blood sugar at that time.
Treatment for diabetes type 2 can be achieved by medication or lifestyle changes. Both options are in place to reduce sugar present in blood. There are several different kinds of medication available to treat diabetes type 2, and if your doctor recommends medication they will select the most appropriate for you. Lifestyle changes are another common treatment option for diabetes type 2. Lifestyle changes include increasing exercise in daily routine, eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing the amount of processed foods in diet, eliminating high sugar foods such as cakes or candies from diet, and knowing your risk for diabetes progression.
Prevention methods for diabetes type 2 begin with knowing your risk of developing this disease. Regular checkups and screenings with your doctor are important to know if you are at risk for developing diabetes. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, a healthy diet, and control of additional medical conditions are all also prevention methods for diabetes type 2.
For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html
What is pre-diabetes?
If your doctor tells you that you are prediabetic, that means that your blood sugar is running higher than normal. However, your blood sugar is not quite high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. A prediabetes is a way to alert you that your blood sugar is elevated, and time to start making changes in your diet and lifestyle to prevent further progression. An estimated 1 out 3 adult Americans have prediabetes. Prolonged state of prediabetes can put you at an increased risk for developing diabetes 2, stroke, or heart disease.
An exact cause for prediabetes has not been given. However, there are risk factors and lifestyle choices that put an individual at an increased risk. One key risk factor is a family history of diabetes. Lifestyle choices and risk factors that have an increased chance of prediabetes are obesity, unhealthy diet, poor exercise, older age, race, ethnicity, smoking, having high blood pressure, having high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome, or gestational diabetes.
Diagnosis & Treatment/Prevention?
Your doctor will use a blood test for diagnosis of prediabetes. One test your doctor may order is called an A1C, which measures your average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. A1C readings are interpreted as: Below 5.7%=normal, Between 5.7%-6.4%=prediabetes, Above 6.5% on separate tests = diabetes. However, it is important that even with a higher A1C it is not always a diabetes diagnosis. There are other factors that can make A1C increase or decrease, so be sure to tell your doctor your complete medical history and medications.
Treatment/prevention for prediabetes is going to focus on making lifestyle changes that reduce your chance of developing diabetes type 2. Lifestyle choices that will help your body control blood sugar are to eat a healthier diet, avoid sweets and fried food, exercise regularly, stop smoking, practice portion control, and control weight. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe medication to help lower blood sugar, take that as directed. Always talk to your doctor about what treatment option is the best for you.
For more information: cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestation refers to the time of pregnancy. Therefore, gestational diabetes occurs while a woman is pregnant. Women who are diagnosed with gestational diabetes generally do not have a past medical history of diabetes. After delivery of a baby, a woman’s body will often go back to controlling blood as normal. However, gestational diabetes can put the mother at an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes later on in life. Gestational diabetes can also lead to a large baby at birth, premature labor, or low blood sugar.
Doctors and researchers have not been able to identify a clear cause behind gestational diabetes. However, they have been able to identify some risk factors associated with developing this disease. Some risk factors that may result in gestational diabetes are a family history of diabetes, obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, having gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies, or race. Talk with your doctor about your risk of developing gestational diabetes while pregnant.
Diagnosis & Treatment?
Diagnostic testing for gestational diabetes generally begins at 24-28 weeks into pregnancy. The initial test is a glucose drink given to pregnant women. An hour after drinking the solution, the doctor will test the women’s blood sugar. If the blood sugar is higher than expected, then the woman will have follow-up glucose monitoring to determine prevalence of gestational diabetes.
Treatment for gestational diabetes begins with lifestyle changes. A healthy diet that is lower in sugar, higher in fruits and vegetables, and more protein is one solution to try and reduce blood sugar.. In addition, increasing the amount of safe exercise is a way to help control blood sugar. Blood sugar monitoring or medication may also be recommended by your doctor. Always speak to your doctor prior to making any lifestyle changes while pregnant. Your doctor will also be monitoring your baby for growth and development milestones.
Prevention for gestational diabetes is knowing your risk, and speaking with your doctor. Some doctors may recommend weight loss prior to pregnancy. However, doctors do not recommend weight loss during pregnancy. Additional prevention methods are to maintain a healthy diet, have regular exercise, and receive proper prenatal care.
For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/gestational.html

domain: biology


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Isabel Okoro's year in photos
Sunsets in Lagos, the rapper SV and her 18th birthday... this is Isabel Okoro's 2019 in photos.
We asked a handful of our favourite photographers to look back at 2019 and remember it through the photographs they took. From i-D contributions to personal pictures of friends, family and strangers on the street, this is Isabel Okoro: My Year in Photos.
18-year-old Isabel Okoro was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Taking pictures as a child, she began to take things more seriously after moving to Toronto and getting her own camera. “I went back home to Lagos the summer after I moved and I photographed and wrote some poems for a little zine I printed called From Lagos with Love,” she says. At the moment her personal work seeks to “bridge the gaps between the motherland and the diaspora.” Earlier this year she shot her first i-D story, about young Nigerians and the need to vote. “That was a really great moment for me. But I feel I've gotten a lot better this year, so every shoot becomes my favourite one.”
The sunset in Lagos on New Year’s Eve last year. I took this photo on the beach with my friends and I’m sure it was 2019 somewhere. To new beginnings.
I found a soul in the sun
From my first shoot of the year -- an editorial for S.P. Badu. I cast my friends Muirewa and Ayotomi to play out a chaotic love story I imagined in my head a few days before.
Easy does it
My friend Kitan… he’s probably the person I’ve photographed the most.
Ehiko in her studio
Documenting young artists, especially those who look like me, is something I think is really important. It always feels like a privilege when I’m invited into their space.
For the love of the game
Boys playing basketball. From an ongoing collection of photos by me and styled by my friend Daniel called “Necessary Interactions”.
Girls at the park. From “Necessary Interactions” by me and Daniel.
This is from my 18th birthday. I had a picnic and spent the whole day with some good people. I think it’s also the first time I didn’t spend my birthday at home or with my immediate family. Lots of fun though.
I’ve been photographing the Nigerian rapper SV for a while now. I spent a bit of time in London this summer and he was around recording his next project. He’s one of the people I enjoy photographing the most because I’m a big fan of his music and I get to hear unreleased stuff.
Had an open casting for a test shoot I was doing for a new project. It showed me how much work I still had to do to bring the idea to life, and now I’m going a different way entirely.
A beautiful model I met up with in NY. We shot a roll of film in like 20 minutes at the end of this gorgeous sunset. I don’t usually take double exposures but on this trip I did a few times and I really like how the photos turned out.
I saw Wis in an i-D article last year and I’ve been a fan of his editorial and runway work ever since. We got to hang out and take some photos and he took some of me too. One of the only photos of myself I have from this year. Left: Wis by me. Right: Me by Wis.
I look up to us
From one of my last shoots of the year. I’ve wanted to make this photo for a while now, and the title has been stuck in my head ever since. It’s entirely factual. A lot of the time I find myself looking out for hope and one thing I know is that I can always count on my people. As the year comes to an end I feel more optimistic than ever, ready to go again.
All images courtesy Isabel Okoro


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To be Fair
This week we started off the music with some old school Tap Root and we go into some Limp Bizkit. We look at some of the Texas winners in this years GABF that was held in Denver Colorado. We check out another upcoming podcast about the TV show The Office and let just say we will give it a shot. Jason goes the the State Fair and tries a lot of the crazy foods and has some crazy beers. Hear comes another great episode of Casually Lit.


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1/2 c. Gala Apple Balsamic
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
Pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and place over medium heat. When vinegar heats to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and reduce vinegar volume by half, which takes about 1 - 2 minutes. Combine the honey, lemon juice, and vanilla in a small bowl. Whisk in warm vinegar.


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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Local artist (could have lived in Eastern Canada before moving to Florida), takes advantage of the cold weather to make his cool roadside advertising even cooler !!!
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Percy: "Phoebe is such a drama queen"!!!
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The sturdy ridge of Lookout Mountain angles for about 80 miles across parts of three states: Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Nowhere more than 10 miles wide, the mountain seems a world unto itself, featuring a diverse display of plant life. Oaks and maples intermingle with poplars and dogwoods, while bouquets of sunflowers, lobelias, and black-eyed Susans spangle the fields. The parkway itself, marked by green signs, cobbles together a dozen rural byways to fashion a 120-mile-long paradise that includes cascades, canyons, and even caverns.
1. Noccalula Falls Park
Alabama’s natural beauty shares the stage with Indian lore at this 250-acre park to the north of Gadsden. Once called Black Creek Falls, the 90-foot waterfall here now bears the name of the Cherokee princess Noccalula, who is said to have hurled herself to a watery death rather than marry a man she did not love. A bronze statue of the lovelorn maiden, poised to leap into the thundering cascade, looks out endlessly on the falls. Nearby, a stairway descends into Black Creek Gorge, a snaking chasm carved into the rocks just downstream from the falls. A 1 1/2-mile trail shadows the waterway as it races between towering sandstone bluffs. Another pathway, the Lookout Mountain Hiking Trail, which one day will lead all the way to Chattanooga, also can be sampled at Noccalula Falls Park.
2. Little River Canyon
The green signs along Tabor Road, Rte. 89, the first leg of the Lookout Mountain Parkway, will guide you north to State Rte. 68, where the parkway becomes Rte. 176 with Leesburg on the left and Collonsville to the right. Farther along, at a community called Dogtown, the drive makes a brief, beautiful detour from the parkway itself, taking Rte. 176A northeast along the western rim of Little River Canyon.
The roadway parallels the steep-walled rift, one of the deepest to be found east of the Mississippi River. Turnouts are sprinkled along the route; stand at the canyon’s edge, if you dare, and listen for the distant music of the Little River, rushing along some 700 feet below. You can even follow one of several trails that lead down the sandstone cliffs to the cloistered canyon floor and reward yourself with a refreshing summertime dip in one of the Little River’s sheltered swimming holes. After you enjoy this side trip, return to the parkway by following Rte. 35 westward to Rte. 89.


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DC Comics is expected to make a long-awaited announcement regarding the relaunch of Milestone Comics at the upcoming New York Comic Con.
Charlotte McDuffie, the widow of the late Dwayne McDuffie, is suing Milestone 2.0 for neglecting to include McDuffie's estate in the new venture.
A year after DC Comics announced plans to bring back the Milestone characters, Co-Publisher Jim Lee confirms the revival is still in motion.
Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan discuss the return of Milestone, why its characters and stories matter, Christopher Priest's return and much more.
DC's Chief Creative Officer talked about trying to make "The Flash" the most comic book TV show and why he's never going to stop writing comics.
Reginald Hudlin, Denys Cowan and Derek Dingle shared news about what fans can expect from the resurgent publisher and its deal with DC Comics.
With the Milestone/DC Comics relaunch and details revealed, Joseph Illidge looks at the history and new players of both companies.
Milestone's characters are back at DC, with new projects on the way from creators including Reginald Hudlin, Denys Cowan, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
Denys Cowan and Reginald Hudlin tell CBR News that co-founder Christopher Priest is returning to the Milestone fold.
With news of the return of Milestone Media, Inc., alumni Joseph Illidge provides his take on the new company and its future prospects.
Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan update CBR on the new "Static Shock" series, and why the time is right for greater superhero diversity.
Reginald Hudlin & Denys Cowan talk to CBR about the new Milestone Media, and share early plans of working with DC and other publishers.


- Chelsea set for major summer overhaul.
- Four new faces could come in, three could leave.
- READ MORE: Chelsea have chance to sign £53M Barca star.
TalkSport have considered the potential incomings and outgoings from what proves to be an extremely busy summer for Chelsea.
Wholesale changes are needed, and it looks likely that we will get them. Few would argue against the fact that Antonio Conte overachieved with the squad that he had at his disposal last term.
Conte was blessed with superstars such as Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kante, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, but, all due respect, they were surrounded by players far below their quality.
After our season imploded in front of our eyes, it seems unlikely that Conte will still be Chelsea manager come the start of the 2018/19 campaign.
TalkSport believe that there are three managers on the shortlist to replace the Italian – Luis Enrique, Thomas Tuchel and Maurizio Sarri. There are arguments for and against all of them stepping in to replace Conte, who is likely to leave.
It’s claimed that Bayern Munich goal-machine Lewandowski is our top target for the summer, and he could subsequently arrive, while striker counterpart Michy Batshuayi may well leave the club on a permanent basis following the expiration of his loan to Borussia Dortmund. David Luiz is another who could depart.
Also arriving at Stamford Bridge, if TalkSport are correct, will be Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek when they return from Swansea City and Crystal Palace respectively in the summer.
Would you be happy with this, Blues? Who else do we need to draft in? Let us know in the comments.


A new baseball park in San Jose could be on the horizon. Just not for the Oakland A’s. And not downtown.
The San Jose Giants are exploring the idea of building a new stadium on the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds property on Tully Road, this newspaper has learned.
The stadium could replace San Jose Municipal Stadium as the Giants’ home and might be the centerpiece of a youth sports complex that would be constructed by the Class A minor league baseball team.
“We’re in the phase of gathering input, in the research phase,” said Daniel Orum, the Giants’ president and CEO. “It’s unusual that you can find 150 acres of mostly undeveloped property like the fairgrounds. We’re mostly intrigued by it as a possibility of a youth sports complex, something that could serve the fans and families of the South Bay. We know there’s a lack of playing fields here.”
Orum said that he and the Giants were approached on the idea by county consultants hired to examine development of the fairgrounds. The property is now primarily used to host the County Fair each summer and is the site of an off-track horse betting facility. The fairgrounds also has several buildings that can be rented for other events.
However, ever since the main grandstand was demolished some 10 years years ago, most of the fairgrounds land consists of vacant dirt. Last year, the county hired a Chicago firm, Johnson Consulting, to examine potential uses for that property. Johnson Consulting says it has helped develop more than 25 minor league or collegiate stadiums and/or sports complexes.
“We’re following the county’s process,” Orum said. “And it’s early in the process. We were asked if we would like to participate. We’re talking.”
Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez confirmed that she and county officials are eager to hear what the Giants have in mind.
“I’m excited that the Giants are thinking about this,” Chavez said. “I think that’s fantastic. But they aren’t the only ones interested in doing something that may involve the fairgrounds property.”
Dave Cortese, another of the five county supervisors, is of the same mind.
“My highest priority for the fairgrounds is continued recreational uses,” Cortese said. “This could be a great fit, but only one of many uses the county will look at.”
Of course, nothing is ever simple in the world of sports venue proposals. A minor league ballpark at the fairgrounds also has multiple levels of potential complications.
Among those complications is the City of San Jose’s ongoing quest to allow the Oakland A’s to build a ballpark near the downtown Diridon Train Station. The San Francisco Giants, who are the majority owners of the San Jose Giants, have blocked the A’s from pursuing a San Jose ballpark. The San Francisco Giants claim territorial rights to San Jose and Santa Clara County, granted by Major League Baseball. San Jose is currently suing MLB on an anti-trust basis and after being rejected at the district level, is appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
It’s unclear how all of that may play into a proposed new San Jose Giants ballpark. Such a facility might increase the San Francisco Giants’ territorial rights grip hold and as such, might be opposed by San Jose leaders. The City of San Jose is also the San Jose Giants’ landlord at Muni Stadium and might fight such a move for that reason.
Financing of the project, still in the nebulous stage, could also be a sticking point. And there’s also the layer of city-county cooperation, which can become fractious. The fairgrounds is the largest piece of property within San Jose city limits not under the city’s purview. Fifteen years ago, a proposal for a 7,500-seat concert hall at the fairgrounds fizzled out after San Jose officials and downtown leaders worked to squash the idea, fearing such a venue would compete with SAP Center and/or a potential such concert hall that might be built downtown.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo could not be reached for comment Wednesday. He may not have even been aware of the San Jose Giants’ fairgrounds involvement, because the county has kept the proposal largely under the radar.
The San Francisco Giants are obviously aware of the project. The A’s were definitely not, one source said. If the team ever does move from Oakland to San Jose, the A’s would have a choice of allowing the San Jose Giants to remain in place or forcing the team to accept a buyout payment and leave. Lew Wolff, the A’s co-owner, has said several times that he would not force the San Jose Giants to leave town and allow them to continue operations, so he presumably would not object to a new fairgrounds stadium.
Chavez said she appreciates “the broader politics” of any proposed move to the fairgrounds by the San Jose Giants and like Orum, characterized a ballpark proposal as very preliminary in nature.
“The process is important to us,” Chavez said. “One of the interesting things to ask the community is: What is the best fit? I know the question has long-term implications.”
Meanwhile, the San Jose Giants are preparing to open their 2015 season at Muni Stadium, where they are beginning the second year of a five-year lease with the city. The ballpark, which opened in 1942, has been the Giants’ home since 1988. While charming and retro, the venue lacks many modern conveniences, although the team’s ownership continues to make improvements.
Orum said this season’s offseason Muni upgrades cost several hundred thousand dollars and include more wheelchair accessible areas, expanded seating, awnings to shade the sun and a “Futures Club” hospitality area that will salute past San Jose Giants who have become Major League stars.
You might also put a new minor league park at the fairgrounds in the “Futures Club” category because it could be years (and years) before the project reaches fruition. But if the San Jose Giants weren’t seriously interested, they wouldn’t have pursued it even this far. The San Jose ballpark saga continues. Maybe just not the ballpark we thought it would be.


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Blizzard Entertainment and Facebook are teaming up to give players more ways to connect with friends and give streamers a new way to show their goods, according to a Blizzard press release. Starting in July, Facebook Login and Facebook’s Live API will be integrated into all Blizzard games, including World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, Diablo III, Starcraft II, and recent megahit Overwatch. Players will be able to sign up for and log into the games via their Facebook accounts, adding new social options that use the social media platform for sharing, viewing, and direct discussion of content.
With Live API, players will be able to livestream their Blizzard gaming sessions right onto their Facebook timelines. Friends can subscribe and receive notifications when new streams have gone up.
“Blizzard games are best when played with friends, so it’s important to us to provide our players with features and services that make it easy and fun to share their experiences with each other,” said Gio Hunt, executive vice president of corporate operations at Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re working closely with Facebook on this integration for Overwatch, as well as our other games, and we look forward to sharing further details on our plans as development progresses.”
Since two of the largest names in social networking and gaming have joined forces, Blizzard has been hosting livestreams on Facebook. The first series featured Heroes of the Dorm sessions, collegiate tournaments involving the team brawler Heroes of the Storm. Blizzard also recently livestreamed an Overwatch launch event.
“Blizzard has a passionate community of players, and an incredible track record for launching innovative and high-quality gaming experiences,” said Facebook’s global games partnerships director, Leo Olebe. “Our collaboration on Overwatch demonstrates Facebook’s commitment to partnering with AAA game companies, while further empowering Blizzard gamers to connect and share the content they’re most passionate about with the friends they play with around the world.”
To prepare for the launch of Overwatch, Facebook and Blizzard collaborated on a social media marketing blitz using Facebook and Instagram. This includes Carousel ads, Canvas, and Instagram Marquee. You can’t beat the targeting capabilities of these social platforms, and the collaboration has helped Blizzard showcase the game to an audience that included Facebook’s 1.65 billion users and Instagram’s 400 million. Over 650 million Facebook users play games while connected to the network across web, mobile, and console every month.
- Facebook Gaming lets content creators turn gameplay clips into Reels
- PlayStation makes a big esports play with latest acquisition
- Pokémon Go developer’s next project is an AR basketball game
- It’s time for the Mario Sports games to go free-to-play
- Gundam Evolution is a hero shooter for more than Gundam fans