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The Beach House – Finale
August 4, 2016 August 2, 2016 / Helen Vahdati	/ 2 Comments
A knock on the front door shattered the silence, and this time, Brandon's blood ran cold. The chances of a neighbor hearing what was going on and coming to investigate were slim, considering the distance between each house. It could be a coincidence, but that seemed too far-fetched. Their fears might have been squashed when it was Walter knocking the first time tonight, but this time, everyone was accounted for in Jen and Walter's room.
The knock sounded again, just as patient and steady as the first time.
Brandon took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the door, even though everything in his body was screaming for him to ignore it.
"Brandon!" Jane's scream reverberated through the room just as his hand reached for the lock. He turned back to see what was going on when he heard another sound that turned his blood to ice. Whoever was at the door had a key, and before he could move or even react, the door was open and slamming into him, knocking him off balance. He hit the floor hard and looked up to see a figure hovering over him.
"What the… Professor Graham?" It was just too weird, and his head flooded with thoughts and questions, all seeking for an outlet at the same time. Why was he here? Did Walter not turn in his Psyche mid-term? Why would a professor chase them down during Spring break for a missing assignment? How the hell did he even know where they were?
"Good evening, Brandon." Graham's voice was smooth and steady as if they were on campus, passing each other on their way to class.
He stood above Brandon wearing black slacks, a grey polo shirt and gloves. Brandon's eyes didn't want to see what those gloves were holding, but they did, and it was pointed directly at him.
The questions roiling around inside Brandon's head increased, but he couldn't latch onto one of them long enough to actually speak it. He just sat on the floor, his eyes moving from Graham's eyes to the gun pointed at him and back again, his mouth working but nothing coming out.
"You must have questions. I can see them in your eyes." Graham's voice was still smooth and strangely pleasant.
Still, Brandon couldn't speak.
"Come, come, Brandon. We don't have all night. I've waited quite a while as it is." His smile made chills run across Brandon's neck and down his arms.
When he finally did speak, it came out in a croak and seemed like the lamest question he could have asked. "H-How did you get here?"
Graham's smile widened and he let out a small chuckle. "Oh, you didn't think your cousin really had a beach house, did you?" Not waiting for a response from Brandon, although he would have been disappointed, Graham twitched the gun in the direction of Walter and Jen's room. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to see everyone."
Brandon's eyes widened but he didn't move.
"Brandon, please lead the way." Graham's voice was still pleasant, but it had an edge to it that wasn't there before.
It took everything Brandon had to move his leaden body and heft himself off the floor. Feeling helpless, and not knowing what else to do, he walked toward the bedroom, Graham right behind him, pointing the way with his gun.
As they walked, it seemed that the bubble he'd been enveloped in since Graham slammed the door open suddenly burst and the sounds in the house flooded his senses. Jane was still screaming and he could hear Walter now, too.
Jane's frantic voice was yelling, "Brandon, what's going on? We need you in here!"
Walter was saying, "Breathe baby, please breathe!"
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. He saw Jane appear in the bedroom doorway and he watched her eyes register surprise that he was walking toward her and then shock when she took in Graham and the gun. Her hands flew to her mouth to stifle a scream.
"Jane, Jane," Graham's voice soothed. "There's no need for all of that." Using the gun to, once again, point the way, he said, "We're all going to have a little chat in the bedroom."
Jane slowly lowered her hands to her sides and as Brandon came up alongside her, he grabbed the one closest to him and squeezed it. He was scared shitless, but they were in this together, and he needed her to stay strong with him, if that was even possible.
Walter was performing what looked like CPR on Jen and didn't even look up as they all filed into the room. Brandon and Jane moved over by Walter, but Graham took a stance in front of the door, the gun leveled in the center of the room.
"Walter!" Professor Graham cried. "How are you, my friend? I see you've done your job rather well."
Walter's head jerked up. "Professor Graham?" He seemed as surprised as both Brandon and Jane had been. "What the fuck is going on?" He looked from Brandon to Graham, not comprehending.
"Walter, such language. There's no need to lose all sense of propriety."
The strangeness of Graham chiding Walter for his language hit Brandon like a ton of bricks, and the laugh that burst out of his mouth was a surprise to everyone, including him.
Graham chose to ignore it. "I see you've snapped out of your trance… rather rudely, I'd say. I assume that was your doing, Brandon?" Graham was pointing at the red mark still swelling on Walter's chin.
At first, Brandon was lost, but then the images came flooding back to him – Walter running into the water alone; Walter coming back into the house alone; Walter not talking to anyone; Walter strangling the life out of Jen and then not remembering what the hell he'd done. According to Graham, it was some kind of trance?
"I see you don't quite believe me. I probably wouldn't, either, if I was in your position, but here; let me demonstrate." He turned back to Walter and said in a clear, plain voice, "Forty-two."
Brandon was staring at Graham in disbelief. What a crock of shit, he thought. He felt Jane's hand squeezing his and he looked at her, but she was staring at Walter.
Brandon looked over and watched as Walter's entire demeanor changed. A shadow floated across his eyes and he turned back to Jen. Looking down at her with an empty expression riding his face, he slowly reached his hand out to feel for a pulse. He must have felt something, but instead of continuing CPR, Brandon watched in growing horror as his best friend's hands wrapped slowly around her neck and began to squeeze.
"Walter, stop!" Jane screamed.
Brandon let out a grunt of anger and lurched forward only to be stopped by Graham's voice.
"The deed is done, son, and you've helped quite enough tonight."
The explosion of the gun reverberated through the room. Brandon stared at Graham, the realization slowly dawning that the gun was pointing in his direction. He didn't feel himself fall, but suddenly he was looking at Graham's shoes rather than his face. He heard Jane yelling from far away and then his world faded to black.
Jane was horrified. She knew she was screaming, but the only thing she could hear was the gun exploding over and over again, even though she knew Graham had only shot once. She realized she had fallen next to Brandon, but reality was slipping beyond her reach. She didn't want to know that her reality had turned deadly. First Jen and now Brandon… Why was this happening to them?
In her shock, it took a few minutes to realize that a soothing voice was speaking into her ear and strong arms were wrapped around her. For one crazy second, she thought it was Brandon.
"Jane, Jane. I know this is hard, but it will all be over soon. I didn't want it to start this way for us, but there was no other way. Soon, we will be alone; just you and me."
Jane's horror was palpable as she realized that it wasn't Brandon holding her, but it increased to a terrifying degree when she realized what Graham was actually saying. He was on his knees in front of her, holding her, rocking her like she was a child, for God's sake!
All the heat left her body but she refused to give him the satisfaction of shivering. She was surprised at how fast her tears dried up as she took every ounce of strength and hatred she could muster and shoved her hands into him. "Get your filthy hands off of me, you sick fuck!"
She didn't push him very far, but she felt better now that she was back in the present, her thoughts clearer than they were a minute ago.
Graham didn't seem fazed by her outburst. He pulled her back to him, holding her harder this time, both hands wrapped around her upper arms as he continued speaking to her in a smooth, steady voice.
"I know this is hard, but it will be over soon. I promise. Just stay with me, honey." He pronounced the last few words by giving her a small, sharp shake.
She was working up a plan to escape that involved kicking, biting, scratching… really anything to get away from the maniac who had her in his grip, but before she could begin, her eyes were caught by movement off to her left. She glanced over in time to watch Walter pick up the discarded gun next to Graham, hold it to the side of his head and pull the trigger.
It took everything Jane had not to scream her fucking head off as blood and other things splashed across her face. The hands that had been holding her slowly released their grip, and she heard a thud, but she refused to look. Her ears were ringing, and she yelled, "Oh my God, Walter. Oh my God!" She was still staring at Walter, avoiding the mess in front of her like her life depended on it. She would not look. She would. Not. Look! The tears that had dried up just a few seconds ago started to well up again.
Walter's eyes were dazed and she thought she'd lost him to shock, but he said, "We need help, Jane. Like right now!"
"Walter!" Jane cried again. Realizing that they both probably needed simple questions, she started with, "Are you okay?"
"I honestly don't know."
"How's Jen?"
"I don't know. Slight pulse, maybe." He went to run his hands through his hair, realized he was still holding the gun and dropped it quickly on the carpet. He looked up at her, stunned but still here. "I don't know what happened. One second I was gone and then… it must have been the gun. Fuck, is Brandon…?" The question died before it began, but Jane didn't want to ask it either. So much for simple questions, she thought.
"I don't think the phones work." She finally managed to pull herself to her feet, keeping her eyes focused on Walter. They both needed to keep the shock at bay so they could get help. "I'll run to the next house. You stay here and do what you can for them." The last words were shaky as the tears that threatened came ever closer to bursting out of her. She held them at bay, but just barely, by telling herself she could cry later.
She was walking toward the door when Walter's voice stopped her.
"Be careful," he said.
It was such a strange thing for him to say after the night they'd just had. Not knowing how to respond, she just nodded her head once and walked out of the bedroom.
A blast of cool, pre-dawn air hit her as she raced out the front door and for one second, she felt like she'd been bathed in fresh hope. Everything was going to be okay. It just had to be.
I have to give credit where credit is due and I'm not sure this would have happened if I hadn't read Chuck Wendig's Flash Fiction challenge for this week – a vacation. It reminded me of the story I started last year and never finished. So, I decided to pull it out, dust it off and finally give it an ending. If you haven't read the whole thing and want to, I re-posted it this week, starting on Sunday. I was way over the word count at 2,023 words (even more so if you consider the whole thing). This is the longest story I've written to date and I'm pretty happy with it. I hope you enjoyed it as well!
The Beach House – Parts 4 and 5 (Re-Post)
After slamming the door to her bedroom, Jen started pacing. She was shivering and the walls felt like they were thumping in time to her heartbeat, closing in on her and retreating with each pounding beat. She knew she should change out of her wet clothes but she felt stuck and the more she thought of reaching for her bag and pulling out dry clothes, the faster she paced.
She'd never known Walter to act like he had on the beach. He was always the happy, carefree one; always finding a joke in whatever was happening, but on the beach, he had stared at her so strangely. He hadn't even flinched when the sand flew into his face and swirled around his head.
The weight of her thoughts kept pushing her from one end of the bedroom to the other, back and forth in a steady pace as if the monotony would help calm her thoughts.
The bang on the door rattled the room and made her catch her breath. Her head flew around, expecting to see the door flying open and Walter standing in the doorway, but it was closed. Thank God she'd had the presence of mind to turn the lock.
"Go away, Walter. I'm still mad at you."
She kept her eyes on the door, wondering if he would listen to her and go somewhere else or if his strange behavior would continue. After staring at the door a few more minutes without hearing another sound, her eyes started wandering around the tiny room and stopped on a small shelf she hadn't noticed when she dropped her bags off earlier.
It looked empty and she was about to look away when she realized there was something on it. She had to tell herself more than once to move forward, but she finally stepped toward the shelf and reached up. It was just high enough that she couldn't quite get a grip on whatever was up there, so she pushed it with her fingertips until it fell off the shelf and landed on the hardwood floor with a soft thud.
It was a book.
Picking it up, she brushed away dust that had settled on the top of it. The outside was leather and there was an elastic strap wrapped around it, holding it closed. There were no markings on it, so she couldn't tell exactly what it was, but if she had to venture a guess, she would have said it was a journal of some sort. She turned it back and forth in her hands, weighing the decision of whether or not to open it.
She glanced toward the door, but the only things she could hear were the faint sound of the not-too-distant ocean and the creaks of an old house settling in the night. She knew sleep wasn't happening any time soon, so she started unwrapping the band as she slowly made her way to the bed.
Sitting down, she opened it to the first page and realized her guess was correct.
It was a journal, and the handwritten words were strewn sporadically across the first page. She flipped a few pages and saw that the words were less and less organized the farther she went. Sometimes the writing was neat and precise and at other times it was large with only a few words on each page. Those stood out the most and she couldn't help but read them as she turned the pages.
I HATE YOU!!
The more she read, the more horrified she became. She flipped all the way to the end but the last few pages were empty. Not knowing why, she turned back to the very last thing that had been written.
"I have this strange feeling that it will happen today. The water is calling me. It surrounds me in my dreams and I hear it rushing towards me during the day. I can hear it even now as I sit here writing this. I don't want to die, but he has other plans. There was never any hope for me. What is hope, after all, but a fleeting dream that evaporates in the cold light of reality. His reality…"
Jen was mesmerized by the final words that somehow seemed to fade off the page. She was turning the pages back to start from the beginning when another bang fell on the door, only this time there was more force behind it and she heard wood splintering.
The book fell out of her hands as she jumped to her feet, her heart skittering in her chest. Another bang and the door split from the lock and slammed back against the wall. Her eyes opened wide as she watched Walter race toward her and grab her throat with both hands, lodging a scream on its way out so the only sound that escaped was a pitiful screech.
She flailed her hands, trying to grab onto his arms, scratching and clawing at his vice-like grip as it continued to squeeze tighter and tighter. Not finding escape, she started reaching her hands behind her, on the bed, anywhere she could feel, but there was nothing there. Her eyesight was going black around the edges and the scream she wanted to release through her mouth echoed through the crevices of her brain after finding no release.
Realizing she wasn't going to force Walter to let her go, she tried one last thing. Her eyes met Walter's, hoping her plea for mercy was written in her eyes and that it would translate into his. What she saw was Walter, the man she loved, but Walter was no longer behind the eyes that stared back at her with a vacant expression.
Her eyesight was a small pinhole in a pool of black and Jen watched as he tilted his head to the side and squeezed even harder. She felt a single tear fall out of her right eye and slide down her face before her world finally went completely black.
Brandon knew Jane was right. He didn't want to stay here any longer than necessary at this point, but he knew leaving in the middle of the night wasn't the best option either. None of them had slept much.
"Babe, I know it's tough, but let's try and get a little more sleep and we'll leave first thing in the morning."
The look she threw his way spoke volumes. She wanted to leave now.
He let out a deep sigh and settled back against the headboard. Their eyes held, however, not so much a battle of wills, but a resignation of commitment and love, each realizing the other's argument had validity. Brandon opened his mouth to speak when he heard the crashing door from the next room. Instead of what he was going to say, he exclaimed, "What the hell?"
Without a word, Jane was on her feet running toward their bedroom door, Brandon not far behind.
Walking into the other bedroom was like stepping into an alternate universe, one where his good friend Walter strangled his girlfriend after a tiny squabble. He wasn't sure if the ringing in his ears was shock and he didn't take the time to figure it out. His world had narrowed to one thing and one thing only. He had to stop Walter.
He knew Jane was screaming for Walter to let Jen go, but it was all so far away. Seeing that her screams hadn't even phased him, Brandon knew what had to be done and before he could think or try and talk himself out of it, he ran up to Walter and punched him as hard as he could. His punch landed somewhere on Walter's cheek and his head snapped to one side, but his hold on Jen didn't budge. Despite the throbbing that was already starting in his knuckles, Brandon did it again and this one connected squarely with Walter's chin.
Walter's eyes rolled in his head and his grip finally loosened on Jen. Brandon threw his weight into Walter and they both went hurling toward the bed.
"Walter, what the hell is wrong with you, man?" Brandon knew he was yelling, but all the sound still seemed to be coming through a filter. He was holding Walter by both shoulders, ready to throw another punch if his friend showed any signs of continued violence.
But Walter looked dazed. He shook his head and grabbed at his face, working his jaw. He finally met Brandon's eyes and said the one thing Brandon wasn't expecting.
"What's going on? Why'd you hit me?"
"Are you fucking serious?" Not knowing what to think of his friend, he decided that was the least of his worries.
He looked over at Jane who was now holding Jen, rocking back and forth and crying. He shoved his friend away and scrambled over to Jen.
"Did you feel for a pulse? Is she breathing?"
"I don't know. God, Brandon, is she okay?" Jane didn't seem to be doing any better than he felt. Only knowing what he'd seen in movies and television, he placed his hand on Jen's already purpling throat and was shocked when he felt the thump-thump of her pulse against his fingers. He leaned down next to her mouth and felt small breaths coming in and out.
"Thank God!"
"She's breathing?" Jane asked in a small, tight voice.
Finally, he looked back at Walter who was still crumbled on the floor next to the bed. He still looked dazed and confused, which pissed Brandon off.
"Walter, you'd better explain. 'Cause right now, I'm ready to call the cops and turn you in. I don't care how long we've been friends."
Walter finally met Brandon's eyes and then his eyes slid down to Jen. "Brandon…" His voice came out in a strangled croak. He cleared his throat and tried again. "I… I don't know, Brandon."
"That's not good enough, Walter. God, do you see what you've done? Look at her!"
Walter looked from Brandon to Jen, the confusion never leaving his face. If anything, it intensified.
"What do you mean, Brandon? Do you mean…" He paused, his gaze finally landing on Jen and holding. "I did that?"
Brandon stared at his friend, not really sure what to say. He couldn't even believe he was playing stupid at this point, having been caught in the act. "Walter, come off it, dude. This isn't something you can make light of."
Walter finally sat up and stared Brandon full in the face.
"Brandon, I swear to God, I don't remember anything. The last thing I remember was running into the ocean. Please, you have to believe me! I didn't do this… or… fuck… I guess I did, but it wasn't me. I… I don't know, man." It's like he couldn't keep his hands still. He ran them through his hair, grabbed at his face, but his eyes held a pleading truth that Brandon had a hard time denying.
But he also couldn't deny that it was Walter who had almost strangled the life out of Jen.
What the hell was going on?
First the shadow on the beach, then Walter's weird behavior and Jane's dream. Now this.
He was silent for a few minutes, listening to Jane trying to wake Jen up with her tear-clogged voice.
Finally, he stood up and started to leave the room.
"Brandon, where are you going?" Jane's panicked voice called out.
"I'm going to get my phone. I don't know about you, but this is too far outside my depth. And it's gone too far."
He left the room with Walter still dazed by the bed and Jane cradling Jen in her arms. He went into the next room and found his phone lying on the bedside table. When he clicked the button on the side to wake it up, the first thing he noticed was the top left corner. "NO SERVICE" didn't so much stare at him as it hit him in the gut like a freight train.
Not willing to believe it, he tried to dial anyway. He punched in 9-1-1 and hit the green phone button to send the call but when he put the phone to his ear, it was silent.
The call wasn't going to go through.
The Beach House – Part 3 (Re-Post)
August 2, 2016 August 1, 2016 / Helen Vahdati	/ Leave a comment
Jane pulled her knees up and settled next to Brandon on the couch. The only sound in the house was the muffled movement of the ocean outside. The light Jane had flipped on when they came back in the house glared across the room, adding an unnatural feeling to an already strange evening. They were both heavy with their own thoughts, finding comfort in their bodies touching and Brandon's hand sliding up and down Jane's back.
The knock on the front door made them both jump, a soft scream erupting from Jane's mouth. They looked at each other, the fear in Jane's hazel eyes reflected in Brandon's icy blue ones.
"Who the hell is that?" Jane's voice quivered.
"I have no idea," Brandon said as he stood up. "Stay here, Babe. I'll go check it out."
Jane watched Brandon walk out of the room, down the hall, and to the right completely out of view. Her palms started sweating and she felt a sick feeling in her stomach. When she heard the door creak open, she stood up quickly, looking around for something to use as a weapon. When she turned back to the hallway, Brandon was slowly walking back into the room, Walter trailing behind him.
"Walter? What the hell?" Jane looked from him to the glass door that led onto the deck. "Where's Jen?"
Looking back, she watched Walter shrug as he walked into the kitchen and opened up the fridge.
Jane's eyes met Brandon's, but he looked as baffled as she felt. She turned back to the sliding glass door and was relieved to see Jen walking up the steps of the deck. She walked over and opened up the door.
Jen strode through the door without looking at anyone, walked straight through the room and into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
Brandon met Jane's eyes and they both sighed, understanding suddenly dawning.
"You guys had a fight?" Brandon asked Walter.
Walter was on his second glass of water and the only answer Brandon got was a grunt.
"Well, we'll head to bed so you can sleep on the couch if you want. I think we should all get some sleep. It's been a long day."
He walked over to Jane and grabbed her hand. "Let's go to bed, huh?"
"God, yes. This is just getting weird."
They walked hand in hand to their bedroom and quietly shut the door behind them.
"We so don't need those two to be at each other the rest of the week." Jane walked over to the bed and started rummaging through her bag for her pajamas.
"I'll talk to Walter in the morning. I'm sure everything will be okay." Brandon leaned back against the door and watched Jane.
"It's been such a weird day. What do you think was on the beach?"
"I don't know. Maybe it was a trick of the light or weird beach phenomenon. I honestly didn't think I smoked that much on the way down here."
"You didn't. And I saw something too." Jane slumped on the bed and started taking off her shoes.
Brandon walked over and sat down next to her, his hand slowly sliding up her arm.
"How about we get naked and relax a little," he mumbled as he started kissing her neck, slowly making his way to her lips. She turned her head and melted into the kiss, trying desperately to bring some normalcy to the strange start to their vacation.
Jane was walking down the beach, her bare feet sliding into the sand with each footstep. Dusk was just turning from purple to gray, slowly fading into black and the waves slipped up to the shore and slid back into the ocean, a steady back and forth motion. There was no sound, but Jane felt peace in the silence that surrounded her.
She felt the waves calling her and she walked towards the water, unable to stop. The waves covered her feet and slid back. She took a few steps forward and the next time the waves came up to her knees and slid back. The process continued until the waves reached her shoulders. Her eyes looked steadily forward and the peace she felt became a blanket, blocking out the cold wet darkness that finally covered her completely.
She floated in the water, adrift with the waves as they enshrouded her body, a comforting tomb. The first breath that slid water into her lungs was a relief she welcomed. She wanted this. She was finally home.
Just as her eyes were going dark around the edges, she saw a pale form floating toward her, reaching for her through the murky water.
Jane shot up in bed, a ragged scream echoing through the dark room. She leaned over the side of the bed and vomited onto the floor, her body retching violently. She was soaking wet and each breath she took came too quickly one after the other.
"Babe, are you okay?" Brandon was sitting up in bed, still startled from the scream that had dragged him out of sleep.
Jane was hyperventilating and crying at the same time. "I h-h-had the… w-w-worst nightmare!" She managed to get out in between racking sobs.
He reached for her and his hands slipped on her skin. "Jesus, Babe, you're soaked."
"I… I… I was d-d-drowning in the ocean. But… I wasn't alone…"
Brandon reached for the blanket at the end of the bed and wrapped it around her shoulders. In a gentle voice, he said, "Babe, you need to breathe." He pulled her toward him and started rocking her, not sure what else to do.
She sobbed for a few minutes longer, trying to take deeper breathes and finally, it started to fade. Once the sobbing stopped, her body started to shake.
"Jane, you're okay. You're safe. It was just a dream." Brandon didn't know what to say, but he kept repeating what he thought were reassuring words, rubbing her arms, kissing her neck.
Finally, in a soft voice that he could barely hear, she said, "Brandon, I don't want to stay here anymore."
August 1, 2016 / Helen Vahdati	/ Leave a comment
Before anyone else had a chance to react, Walter had thrown the glass door open and was charging out the door, head up, chest out ready to take down the intruder. Jen's hand wrapped around air when she tried to reach out and stop him.
"Walter, stop! What are you doing?" Her voice trembled and she shivered from the salty breeze blowing in the door.
"Fuck this! I'll take care of this guy. Then we can enjoy our vacation."
"Wait up, Dude," Brandon called as he followed Walter's retreating form out onto the shadow-filled beach.
Jane, not one to cower behind while the guys took care of things, went out after them. She caught up to them a few yards down the beach, but whoever or whatever Brandon had seen was gone. They were alone with the roiling waves lapping at the shore only a few feet from where they stood. Jane looked a question at Brandon, but he only shrugged.
She looked down the beach in both directions, but it was deserted and from what she could see, there hadn't been enough time for the figure to make it to the trees surrounding the house. Not only that, the nearest house to theirs was at least a hundred yards away on either side. It was as if the figure had just disappeared or had never been there to begin with.
"Dude, you sure you saw something? Maybe you inhaled a few too many times on the way down here." Walter was grinning now and punched Brandon in the arm.
"I swear to God, there was someone standing right here." Brandon was still shaken, not in the mood to just let it all go as some kind of funky high.
"Jen! Come jump in the ocean with me," Walter called as he ran toward the water, pulling off his shoes as he went."
"You're insane," Jen called back. She walked up to Brandon and Jane, her arms folded across her chest. "It's not funny, you trying to freak us all out like that, Brandon."
Jane looked at her friend, her eyes opening wide. "You think he was just playing around?"
"Well, yeah." Jen shrugged her shoulders and walked forward, ignoring the accusing look Jane was leveling at her.
Jane turned to Brandon, "Let's go inside. Being out here gives me the creeps."
"I'm sorry babe. I really did see someone standing out here." He put his arm around her and they started walking back to the house.
"Hey, guys, I don't think it's safe to swim in the ocean after dark," Jane called back to Walter and Jen.
Silence answered her call but she was too freaked out to wait around for them. They were perfectly capable of taking care of themselves, she reasoned, and she continued walking back to the house, held tight next to Brandon's comforting presence.
Jen ignored Jane and kept walking towards Walter. She was pissed at Brandon for freaking them all out, even if it was just a joke. She'd really believed him; had actually thought she saw a shadow before Walter took off out the door, but when she blinked, it was gone. Now, she realized, it was all just bullshit.
She was watching Walter jump in the waves, laughing like a maniac and she couldn't help but laugh at his antics. She shook off the irritation at Brandon's deception and decided to join Walter. She reached down to pull off her shoes and when she had successfully removed one, she looked up, but before she reached for the other foot, she noticed the waves in front of her were empty. Walter was gone.
"Walter?" she called. Her eyes frantically scanned the waves as she hopped on one foot trying to get her other shoe off. When it was finally off, she started forward, continuing to scan the water where she had last seen him. "Walter?" She called again, this time with more force. "Walter, this isn't funny!" The water was lapping at her feet now and the twinkling stars in the night sky did little to brighten the dark night that had settled on the lonely stretch of beach.
"Walter!" she screamed, knowing her futile cries were doing little to help, but not knowing what else to do. She was just about to run back to the house for help when something cold and hard grabbed her ankle and yanked her off her feet.
A terrified screamed settled on deaf waves as she fell hard on her butt, the iron clamp on her foot dragging her into the waves. Her hands scrambled at sand and rocks that cut into her palms. "Walter, help me!" she screamed, trying to kick at the unseen force with her other foot. The waves crashed up to her chin then receded back into the depths and she knew the next time the waves came, they would carry her with them. She could barely feel her heart crashing into her chest and the tears that were streaming down her face blended with the salty ocean spray.
Just as suddenly as it began, the clamp lifted from her foot and she was free. "Oh, God," she cried, as she scrambled backwards, away from the strength of the oncoming wave. Once she was safely back on the beach, she fell back and cried, shivering in terror and relief. She knew she had to get back to the house and get help for Walter, but any strength she had was expended in her fight to free herself from the deathly grip dragging her into the waves.
She finally opened her eyes and another scream dislodged itself from her throat and crashed into the silence.
Walter was standing above her, silently staring down at her.
"Walter, what the hell? Where were you? Why didn't you help me?" His face was lost to the deep shadow of the night, but she continued staring at him, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. It finally dawned on her that it must have been him! He was the one dragging her into the ocean as some kind of sick joke and all the terror instantly turned to rage.
"You fucking jerk! It was you!" The handfuls of sand she still held in her fists flew into him, but he continued to stare at her, sand billowing around him with a sudden gust of wind. She picked herself up, shoved him once and turned to head back to the house. "Stay away from me!" She yelled behind her as she stormed back to the house, leaving her shoes behind.
Walter stood motionless as a shadow slid across his face and settled into his coal black eyes.
July 31, 2016 / Helen Vahdati	/ 2 Comments
I had this brilliant idea last year that I was going to write an on-going story for my blog – each Friday I was going to post something until the story was complete. I ended up doing pretty well for a while, but around the middle of the story, I realized I had no idea how it was supposed to end. I kept writing things, but I ended up getting more confused. After five entries, I stopped altogether because I'd finally reached that critical point where it needed an ending.
I can't believe it's taken me a year to pick it back up and give the darn thing an ending!
I re-read the whole thing this morning to help me on my way, but I wouldn't feel right about just posting the ending without refreshing your memory as well (or for those of you who weren't around a year ago, reading the whole thing for the first time). I figured I would post parts of it every day, starting today, and post the finale on Thursday. So, I'll probably be over-posting this week, but I hope you won't be sorry.
The Beach House – Part 1
It was a long drive from Greensboro to St. Augustine, but Jane was in good company, classic rock was blaring through the speakers and all the windows were rolled down. It was the best start to a spring break she could ever remember.
When she had hinted at plans, she never dreamed Brandon would come up with something as fantastic as a beach house, much less a "beach mansion" as he so gleefully stated when he told her about it. His cousin swore it was huge and could hold as many as they wanted to bring, but they were only able to talk Jen and Walter into the drive. Oh well, more space for the four of them to either spread out and act like it was a relationship get-a-way or mingle in common spaces for a party of four.
They'd been on the road most of the day and Jane was getting restless. She'd offered to drive several times, but Brandon seemed set on getting them there. Jen and Walter had spent most of the drive wrapped around each other either making out or sleeping. It was starting to wear on her nerves. At least, that's what she blamed it on. She couldn't think of anything else that would explain why she felt so jittery.
She reached for Brandon's hand, feeling better with the skin-to-skin contact. "Hey Babe, how much longer do you think?"
He squeezed her hand as he tilted his head her way and a slow, lazy smile spread across his face. "I'd say an hour at the most. You excited?"
She smiled back at him. "I am. I'm just ready to get out of the car and let these two sex addicts have some privacy." Her head jerked in the direction of the back seat.
"I resent that!" Jen managed to pull her face away from Walter's for the short burst, but was right back into it only seconds later.
Jane rolled her eyes and smiled. "God, you two are ridiculous!"
"Hey," Walter managed, "you guys were just as bad when you first started dating. Now you're as boring as my parents!"
They all laughed but it wasn't long before Walter and Jen were back at it.
Jane turned back to Brandon. "You feeling okay?"
His eyes were back on the road but he glanced at her again with a concerned look. "Yeah, why?"
"I don't know. I just have this creepy feeling that started a while ago and I can't shake it."
"We're almost there. I think you're just tired. It's been a rough few weeks with mid-terms and work. We'll relax in the hot tub as soon as we get there. You'll be feeling good in no time, I promise." He wiggled his eyebrows and raised her hand to his lips.
Smiling, she leaned her head back onto the seat and tried to relax.
Dusk was just spilling across the sky as they made their way up the gravel driveway that led to their oceanfront getaway. When they pulled up in front of the house, they all took one look at it then looked at Brandon.
"This is the mansion?" Walter flipped his blond hair out of his eyes and turned to Jen with a wry look on his face.
She giggled as Brandon said, "It's not like he gave me a picture guys. He just said a beach mansion. His words, not mine."
"Well, if this is a mansion, my dorm room must be paradise." Walter was laughing now and almost doubled over at his own joke.
The house or cottage or whatever the hell it was didn't look like it would hold the four of them. It sat huddled against the dense trees that hid the ocean and looked as if it had seen many years of humidity and ocean spray. The once-red paint was chipped and fading and the screen door looked like it was barely hanging on.
Jane was about as impressed as they all were, but it had been a long drive and she was beat. She didn't care if she slept in a shack at this point. She just wanted to lie down in a comfortable bed after a shot or two of vodka and spend a few hours making love before falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.
"Well, it might not be a mansion, but it's our home for the next week. Might as well make ourselves comfortable."
She stepped out of the car into the humid night air, took her bag out of the trunk and started walking to the front door. She walked about halfway before turning back to the party still standing by the car.
"You guys coming, or what?"
They all gathered up what they could carry and headed inside, determined to make the best of their mansion-turned-cottage-but-still-on-the-ocean. None of them noticed the dark sedan that slowly crept up the driveway and stopped a few yards away from their car.
Once inside, they made their way through the house, luckily finding two bedrooms that would accommodate each couple. After depositing their luggage in their respective rooms, they made their way to the back of the house and the deck that led onto the beach. They all stood mesmerized by the ocean as its waves danced along the shore in a spectacular greeting.
Brandon was standing behind Jane with his arms around her. As he leaned his face into her long, brunette curls, she jumped up, bumping his nose with her head.
"What is it, Babe?" Brandon asked.
"I don't know. I thought I saw something over there." Her hand shook as she pointed off to the side of the house.
Brandon leaned past her, closer to the window, trying to see what she was pointing at. His body tensed against her and his voice came out strained.
"Guys, I don't think we're alone."
Wordless Wednesday – Spring Break in North Carolina
March 9, 2016 / Helen Vahdati	/ 4 Comments
This post is part of Wordless Wednesday. Pictures lovingly provided by my daughter, Adelle!
Flash Fiction – The Beach House Part 5
The Beach House Part 5
"I don't know. God, Brandon, is she okay?" Jane didn't seem to be doing any better than he felt. Only knowing what he'd seen in movies and television, he placed two fingers on Jen's already purpling throat and was shocked when he felt the thump-thump of her pulse against his fingers. He leaned down next to her mouth and felt small breaths coming in and out.
First the shadow on the beach, then Walter's weird behavior and Jane's dream. Now this. He was silent for a few minutes, listening to Jane trying to wake Jen up with her tear-clogged voice. Finally, he stood up and started to leave the room.
"Brandon, where are you going?" Jane's panicked voice.
"I'm going to get my phone. I don't know about you, but this is so far outside my depth. And it's gone too far."
I keep making a habit out of saying I'm going to post the next part at a certain time and then I leave you all hanging. At least this time, it wasn't a month or more. The only thing I will promise this time is that I will post more soon. This thing is getting way bigger than I imagined it would, but I'm having a fabulous time writing it. I hope you all are enjoying it.
I've been posting the links to the first parts of the story, but it's just as easy to type The Beach House into the little search thing on the right side of my blog and they will all come up. It will save me having to link to each one. So, if you're interested in reading the whole thing, feel free to go a-searching.


June 21, 2013 -- The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of a provision that, if enacted into law, could halt any efforts to resume slaughtering horses for human consumption on U.S. soil. The amendment to the agriculture appropriations bill, which was offered by Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and approved by the committee by voice vote, disallows spending by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on inspections at prospective horse slaughter plants in FY 2014, effectively preventing any from opening. An identical amendment was passed by the House Appropriations Committee last week.
A similar spending prohibition that was put in place in 2005 was not renewed in 2011, allowing for horse slaughter plants to reopen in the U.S. There are no horse slaughter facilities currently operating in the U.S., but USDA confirms it had received at least six applications from prospective abattoirs, and several are close to being approved.
President Obama's proposed FY 2014 budget included a request for Congress to prevent tax dollars from supporting horse slaughter.
Currently, there are no horse slaughter facilities operating in the U.S., but USDA confirms it had received at least six applications from prospective abattoirs, and several are close to being approved.
American horses are raised to be companions, athletes and work horses. They are often treated with drugs, both legal and illegal, that can endanger the food supply. There is currently no system in the U.S. to track medications and veterinary treatments given to horses throughout their lives to ensure that their meat is safe for human consumption.
"Kill buyers" gather up horses from random sources and profit by selling horsemeat from healthy horses that bring the best price per pound for their meat. USDA reports show that approximately 92% of American horses going to slaughter are healthy and would otherwise be able to go on to lead productive lives.
The Safeguard American Food Exports Act, H.R. 1094 / S. 541, introduced this year by U.S. Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Reps. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., and Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., is a bipartisan measure that would outlaw horse slaughter operations in the U.S., end the current export of American horses for slaughter abroad, and protect the public from consuming toxic horse meat.
The House Appropriations Committee voted to continue defunding USDA meat inspection for horse slaughter facilities, but the Senate voted to allow funding for inspectors. This sets the stage for possible negotiations on the final spending bill.
The bill includes language that would prohibit USDA from using any funds to provide inspectors at meat processing facilities that slaughter horses.


Till 7 Weeks of Age.
I want to do all I can to insure a healthy puppy is sold to you.
Once the puppy is 7 weeks, the puppy can be shown or a play date can be scheduled.
with a litter of puppies under 7 weeks weeks of age.
they steal the puppy's nutrition.
it's one of the worst diseases they can get.
A simple cold can be tough on a young pup.
That is WHY I wait to show my puppies.
Their immune systems need time to develop.
Vaccinations aids in protecting them against the odds.
I only need it when there is an accident.


text:
The Surprising Link Between Bicycle Fatalities and SUVs
by Molly Tynjala | Aug 26, 2020 | Bicycle Accidents
As anxiety over the coronavirus takes hold, many people are turning to cycling as a safer option for exercise and transportation. Yet for all of cycling's advantages, the activity comes with its own risks. Road conditions in America aren't always favorable for cyclists, and accidents unfortunately happen all the time.
There is good and bad news when it comes to accident statistics. The good: Driver and passenger fatalities have reached all-time lows. The bad: Cyclist fatalities are the highest they've been in decades, with 857 bicycle fatalities recorded in 2018 alone.
Reasons for the Rise
Experts have considered possible causes for the increase in bicycle fatalities, including population growth, a rise in amateur cyclists, and higher speed limits. Distracted driving certainly plays a role. Another surprising contributor? The composition of vehicles on the road.
In 1982, SUVs made up less than two percent of vehicle sales. However, the popularity of SUVs has soared over the last decade, with light trucks accounting for 70 percent of new vehicle sales today. Although these practical vehicles may be great for handling dirt and snow, they pose a serious threat to vulnerable pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
For example, according to a review of studies published by Traffic Injury Prevention, SUVs and trucks are at least 50 percent more likely to kill vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Some researchers suspect the problem may be rooted in the vehicles' height and shape. While smaller cars tend to throw cyclists over their hoods in an accident, SUVs' square front ends are prone to pushing a rider to the ground, increasing the risk of fatality.
SUVs and trucks also have larger blind spots, which makes seeing pedestrians and cyclists more difficult for motorists. In 2014, Consumer Report testing revealed that rear blind spots on SUVs and trucks can be twice as large as those on cars.
Technology Is a Double-Edged Sword
Collision avoidance systems, blind-spot monitors, backup cameras, and other safety features are intended to make cars, well, safer. However, they can also create a false sense of security and lead drivers to feel more comfortable engaging in unsafe practices—like texting behind the wheel.
Keep in mind that bicyclists can fall victim to tech distractions, too. In a recent study of Boston bicyclists, researchers found that nearly a third of the riders they observed were listening to headphones or earbuds, using a cell phone, or handling another object. The researchers noted that distracted riders have a limited ability to sense danger and other road users, which may be a contributing factor in many accidents.
5 Tips for Safe Cycling
After taking accident statistics into account, cycling may not seem like such a safe alternative after all. But don't be too quick to list your bike on Craigslist. Cycling's benefits far outweigh the risks, and riders can avoid serious injuries by following some crucial safety guidelines.
Here are some tips for staying safe on your next ride:
Wear a helmet: A helmet can make the difference between life and death in an accident. Make sure you wear yours each time you go out.
Follow the rules of the road: Bicyclists are required to abide by the same rules and responsibilities as motorists. Obey all street signs, signals, and road markings, just as you would while driving.
Ride responsibly: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 37 percent of fatal bicyclist accidents in 2017 involved alcohol. Practice sober cycling to protect the safety of yourself and others.
Be focused and stay alert: Keep your eyes, ears, and mind on the road and the traffic around you. Ride defensively by anticipating what others will do before they do it.
Drive predictably: Trying to think and act like a responsible driver can help bicyclists avoid crashes. Signal when you're turning, use bike lanes when available, and be careful not to run red lights or stop signs.
Step-by-Step Guide for Filing a Personal Injury Claim

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It is characterized by a lot of flowers gathered and blooming on thick branches. Although there is a record of the name from the middle Edo period, what is now cultivated has spread from the Arakawa Tsutsu in the Meiji Period.
Those called "Yae-beni Torano-o(八重紅虎の尾)", "Higashi-nishiki(東錦)", "Temari(手毬)" and "Itokukuri(糸括)" are classified as the same cultivar.


text:
Q: Elisp - Function stopping when error is met I have the following snippet of code:
(defun my-move-line-below ()
 (interactive)
 (let ((point-from-start (- (point) (line-beginning-position))))
  (kill-whole-line)
  (next-line)
  (move-beginning-of-line nil)
  (yank)
  (previous-line)
  (goto-char (+ (line-beginning-position) point-from-start))))

What it does is it moves the current line below the the next one. It works well, but problem is that when EOF is reached, the function stops after next-line, thus killing the line without yanking it back.
I know I could solve this by checking the line number and such, but I wonder if it is possible to just ignore the error and continue the execution of the function.

A: I think replacing (next-line) with
(ignore-errors (next-line))

should do the trick.

A: Just to point out, there is a ready-made function for that, C-x C-t, although it does not remember the point position after transposition.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Sports Basement is a sporting-goods retailer with great prices and top quality sporting merchandise and rental equipment. Sports Basement prides itself on being a community center, a hangout, a hub, like a second home to local athletes and groups who use the store for club meetings, to host potlucks, to workout, or to pick up some tips at a speaker series event. Sports Basement employees are local coaches, instructors, outdoor enthusiasts, teachers, and students active in the community and in sports and activities.


text:
Is it a Bird?
By Austin Gamble
When I was young, we loved to play the is it a bird game. To jog your memory, it always started with the question, "Is it a bird, is it a plane?"
The answer was Superman, but with a bit of manipulation, you could go on all day with various themes. This came to mind when I attended the line off ceremony of the first hybrid vehicle to be manufactured in South Africa, on 26 October 2021. The event was held at Toyota South Africa Motors' (TSAM) production facility in Prospecton, Durban, and was attended by numerous VIPs, with both Andrew Kirby, president and CEO of TSAM, and Cyril Ramaphosa, president of the Republic of South Africa, vying for the role of Superman.
Watching it all unfold, I was wondering, is it a lion, is it a tiger, or is it a whale, is it a tiger, or is it a buffalo, is it a cow, or is it a donkey, is it a zebra. The answers to the above are respectively a liger, a wholphin, a beefalo, and a zedonk. But of course, the real question was is it a car, is it a sewing machine? And the answer was the star of the show, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
As the press blurb explains, "TSAM's newest production line reaffirms the company's investment commitment to the South African economy and the local automotive sector. Established some 60 years ago, Toyota in South Africa has grown significantly over the years and now manufactures Hilux, Fortuner, Corolla Quest and Hi-ace at its Prospecton Plant, while selected Hino and Dyna models are produced as SKD or semi-knocked-down assemblies." At the ceremony, Kirby noted that, "If you tally up the investments we've made in this plant spanning the last five years – of which Corolla Cross accounts for R2.6 billion, we arrive at a cumulative figure of over R6.5 billion. So, we are therefore committed to further developing and strengthening our business in South Africa and making a difference in the country, our communities, our suppliers, dealers, customers and of course in our own employee's lives."
Investment, jobs, supply chain activation, downstream opportunities, etc, abound abundantly, and it marks South Africa's segue into the new energy vehicle arena, with the new Corolla Cross based on the acclaimed Toyota New Global Architecture platform, or simply the TNGA platform. The introduction of hybrid technology in the Corolla Cross line has required altogether new assembly processes as well as vehicle testing systems, and these are now part of TSAM's standard operating systems. Kirby says that TSAM has set a "very ambitious" target of selling more Hybrid Corolla Cross models than traditional internal Combustion Engines (ICE) models by 2025. To put this into perspective, in 2020 the local industry only sold 324 New Energy Vehicles (155 of them being HEV, 77 PHEV and 92 BEV), and in 2021 to October only 322 have been sold (169 of them being HEV, 46 PHEV and 107 BEV). Incidentally, most of these have been Lexus models.
With the Corolla Cross, TSAM will employ a two-engine strategy (a 1.8-litre petrol engine and ultra-fuel-efficient 1.8-litre Hybrid), with pricing as follows: Corolla Cross 1.8 Xi - R 349 900; Corolla Cross 1.8 Xs - R 390 100; Corolla Cross 1.8 XR - R 425 400; Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid Xs - R 413 000; Corolla Cross 1.8 Hybrid XR - R 448 300. A six-services/90 000 km service plan is standard on all Corolla Cross models, with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, plus an 8-year warranty on the Hybrid battery. Additional service and warranty plan extensions can be purchased from their nearest Toyota dealer, with a 220-dealer footprint.


PUPILS arrived in style to celebrate Rookwood School's annual prom.
The occasion to mark the end of exams took place at The Lion in Clanville on Thursday, June 21.
Teachers past and present were there to enjoy the evening, which including a formal dinner and a photo booth.


Sunday was Funday as the Bisous crew took to the hood of Bel Air to celebrate the launch of Pretty Little Liar star Tammin Sursok's new blog BOTTLE & HEELS.
"BOTTLE & HEELS" is a sophisticated look into the world of motherhood, fashion, boutique brands, kids fashion, beauty, travel, original video content, with a massive focus on open conversation. It delves into topics that inspire, question, and bring together women (and some men too) of all ages. The blog is 95% original content, prides itself on topics of conversation and aims to help you find the balance we are all trying to achieve.
The Bottle + Heels launch party, produced by Pop Your Shop & The Loft Entertainment, was an afternoon of fun and hoopla. Adults and kids celebrated with music by The Beat Buds!, games from Books & Cookies, DIY crafts courtesy of Jessica Biel's kid-focused LA hotspot Au Fudge, hair bedazzled with Tammin and Kristi Kaylor's Sparkle Nation Hair Charms, tarot card readings gy Angie Banicki, manicures by Chrome Girl, flower crown-making by Cult Gaia, DIY t-shirt making with Bow & Drape, i, music from DJ Craig Zuckerman, a Grammy Museum raffle where guests won great prizes from places like Golden Door Spa while contributing to a fantastic cause, makeup touch-ups from Blushington, cocktails courtesy of 50bleu vodka and California Fruit Wine, flavored rose water from h2Rose and DIY fruit infused water from Fab Fit Fun, nibbles from The District and Paleta, a candy bar from A Real Treat, a dessert buffet with delectable delights from Sprinkles, Maski Pops, California Donuts and more.
*There was also be a speaking panel moderated by Kathryn Eisman that will include Jillian Rose Darlington (Founder of MomCo app), Rachel Pitzel (Founder of Club Momme), Lara Gillman (co-founder of CycleHouse) and Maria Pelletier (Director of Network Development at Awestruck).


text:
Bulbophyllum dschischungarense é uma espécie de orquídea (família Orchidaceae) pertencente ao gênero Bulbophyllum. Foi descrita por Rudolf Schlechter em 1913.

Ligações externas

 The Bulbophyllum-Checklist
 The internet Orchid species Photo Encyclopedia

Plantas descritas em 1913
Bulbophyllum

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Handling CLIPS C functions' return values as string(s) I'm calling CLIPS Eval() and other functions from my C code and need help understanding how to handle return values that are CLIPSValue or UDFValue. A simple example ...
...
CLIPSValue  cv;
UDFValue    uv;
EvalError   ee;
LoadError   le;

entry->env = CreateEnvironment();
le = Load(entry->env, filePathBuffer);

if (le != LE_NO_ERROR)
{
    // report the load error ...
}

// Tried this but having trouble handling cv: GetDeftemplateList(entry->env, &cv, NULL);
// Trying with Eval ...
ee = Eval(entry->env, "(list-deftemplates)", &cv);
printf("%d -- %hi -- %ld -- %s", ee, cv.multifieldValue->header.type, cv.multifieldValue->length, cv.multifieldValue->lexemeValue->contents);
...

... the above printf is broken because I'm not correctly understanding cv structure/union.
Also looking into using DataObjectToString(...) but can't see how to convert CLIPSValue to UDFValue which DataObjectToString(...) needs as input.
Further processing of the result is needed, so using something like WriteCLIPSValue(...) isn't sufficient.
Would it be possible to use a router other than STDOUT with WriteCLIPSValue(...) and similar functions to only format response strings sort of like sprintf(...)?
I'm open to whatever approach is best but prefer simple/minimal C code.

A: This is the code fragment for iterating over the multifield value return by GetDeftemplateList and printing the string values contained in the multifield:
   GetDeftemplateList(entry->env,&cv,NULL);
   for (i = 0; i < cv.multifieldValue->length; i++)
     {
      WriteString(mainEnv,STDOUT,cv.multifieldValue->contents[i].lexemeValue->contents);
      WriteString(mainEnv,STDOUT,"\n");
     }

In the most general case, you'd want to verify that cv.header->type is actually a multifield and cv.multifieldValue->contents[i].header->type is a symbol or string before pulling values out of the multifieldValue or lexemeValue unions, but in this case we know that's what GetDeftemplateList is going to return.


support is given where it's due but loyalty will remain with just one person.
much luck to the both of you and the people who are "affected" by it. i sincerely hope you patch things out and carry on without grudges against each other.
how hard is it to get over a writer's block?! bleah..


text:
The British Academy Film Awards have officially released the nominees for the 2023 BAFTA Awards, and among them, young talent dominates as several first-timers have been honoured. Among the newest EE Rising Stars are Daryl Mccormack, Sheila Atim, And Naomi Ackie.
14 of the 24 nominees in the performance categories—including Angela Bassett, who has dominated the awards season thus far with wins for Best Actress at the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice Awards for her work in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever—received their first BAFTA Film nomination. Four of the six nominees for Best Director are earning their first nominations, including Gina Prince-Bythewood of The Woman King.
Naomi Ackie, who played Whitney Houston in the most recent biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, was selected one of the 2023 EE Rising Stars by BAFTA earlier this week. Along with Irish actor Daryl McCormack, who played the title role in the BBC series Peaky Blinders, Sheila Atim, who featured in The Woman King, was also included.
The 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards will take place on February 19 and will be broadcast in the UK and around the world at 7 p.m. on BBC One & BBC iPlayer. See the Black celebrities who have been nominated by scrolling down.
Director, The Woman King
Danielle Deadwyler
Leading actress, Till
Leading actress, The Woman King
Supporting Actor, Empire of Light
Angela Basset
Supporting Actress, Black Panther-Wakanda Forever
Sheila Atim
EE Rising Star


text:
Judy Beckner Sloan
B.A., Music Theory, 1967, University of Chicago; J.D., 1975, University of Maryland; National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, 1981, Columbia University; United States Supreme Court Judicial Fellow, 1987; Order of the Coif; Member, Ohio State Bar
jsloan (at) swlaw.edu
One entire wall in Judy Sloan's office is adorned with photos of every sitting United States Supreme Court Justice, each personally inscribed to her. Several of the justices are personal friends who have stayed at her home when in Los Angeles.
Professor Sloan's introduction to the inner sanctum of the nation's highest and very private court dates back to 1987 when she was chosen as a Supreme Court Judicial Fellow. At the time, she was a member of the University of Toledo law faculty which granted her a sabbatical to take advantage of this rare opportunity. As a fellow, Professor Sloan was assigned to the Federal Judicial Center's Research Division where she conducted research on court administration for circuit judges, and gave special Supreme Court tours and briefings to visitors from high courts of other countries.
She also conducted empirical research on bankruptcy, which inspired her to pursue a new direction in her own research and teaching. She continues her association with the Court and the program—as a Supreme Court Fellows Commissioner and Secretary of the Fellows Association. In 2012, she received the Administration of Justice Award from the U.S. Supreme Court at the annual Supreme Court Fellows Dinner in recognition of her contributions to the Supreme Court Fellows program and long-standing dedication to the judicial system.
"Law is power. As a teacher, I hope to inspire students so that when they exercise that power it will be done in a responsible way."
Professor Sloan views bankruptcy as "society's great economic safety valve." She has written a number of scholarly articles and spoken on the topic at professional forums, and has applied her expertise in helping evolving European democracies develop new bankruptcy rules. Since 1994, she has evaluated the bankruptcy codes of Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia and the Republic of Moldova, and the laws governing the Specialized Courts of the Slovak Republic, at the request of the American Bar Association's Central and East European Law Initiative.
Professor Sloan has been a member of the Southwestern faculty since 1991. In 1996, Professor Sloan was named the Irving D. and Florence Rosenberg Professor of Law in recognition of her outstanding teaching and public service involvement
Selected Achievements
Administration of Justice Award, U.S. Supreme Court, 2012
Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court Judicial Fellows Commission, 2001
Board of Advisors, "Bankruptcy Battleground West," American Bankruptcy Institute, 1998-99
Contracts I (SCALE)
Contracts II (SCALE)
Women & the Law Seminar
Panel Discussion Featuring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Closing Remarks, 42 SOUTHWESTERN LAW REVIEW 503 (2013)
Perspectives on Asbestos Litigation: Introduction to the Keynote Address, 37 SOUTHWESTERN LAW REVIEW 731 (2008)
Quantum Meruit: Residual Equity in the Law, 42 DE PAUL LAW REVIEW (1992)
Appellate Jurisdiction of Interlocutory Appeals in Bankruptcy, 28 U.S.C. Section 158(d): A Case of Lapsus Calami, 40 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW 265 (1991)
Bankruptcy Appellate Panels: The Ninth Circuit's Experience, 21 ARIZONA STATE LAW JOURNAL 181 (with G. Bermant; 1989)
Confidentiality of Psychotherapeutic Records, 5 JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE 435 (with B. Hall; 1984)
Book Review: Current Issues In Cross-Border Insolvency and Reorganizations, 2 SOUTHWESTERN JOURNAL OF LAW AND TRADE IN THE AMERICAS 175 (E. Leonard and C. Besant, eds.; 1995)
Available for Media Comment
Gender Bias Issues


I'm Cara and I was born and raised right here in the Bay Area. My co-workers have said my middle initials could be "DIY"; I love crafts, sewing, cooking and gardening, just to name a few of my interests. And, of course, I've re-discovered beading. Married to a professional comedian, I have to have a sense of humor and I try to bring it with me to work every day. After 30 years as a Dental Assistant, I wanted to work someplace more creative… Well, I got it @beadshop! As Fulfillment Associate, I make sure every order gets picked, packed and ready to ship. But, I can't help being organized, so you can also find me moving beads and buttons around to make more space…we can always use more of that!
What are my favorites? Let's talk color! I love bright green, shades of fuchsia, and almost anything in glass. Silver is my metal of choice; I love its clarity and brightness, especially against ocean greens and blues. I really enjoy being immersed in all these beads and finding inspiration in every order I fill. Plus, I get to work with some really creative, fantastic people! At Beadshop, I bring my can-do DIY attitude and my obsession with tackle boxes…a match made in heaven.


The Internet of Things poses a hydra-headed security threat. On the one hand, there's a plethora of applications, devices, communication protocols, software and hardware. And on the other, there's the variability in security practices across IoT vendors, some of which don't require end users to follow basic security measures. While praising the intent behind the proposal, Craig Spiezle, chairman emeritus and founder of the Online Trust Alliance (OTA), wishes the legislation had a broader vision and clearer requirements.
More public companies described "cybersecurity" as a risk in their financial disclosures in the first half of 2017 than in all of 2016, suggesting that board and C-suite fears over data breaches may be escalating. Organizations are realizing that any data they collect can be breached or lost, Seattle-based Online Trust Alliance Executive Director Craig Spiezle told Bloomberg BNA.
A majority of websites for major financial institutions in the United States failed based on web security testing and privacy analysis audits.
A recent audit of websites by the well-known Online Trust Alliance has revealed something that many consumers have long suspected. Financial institutions are the least trusted when it comes to cybersecurity.


Today I presented at the Correctional Education Association conference for mid-western states. My Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment colleagues and I have been getting a number of requests from county jails in Minnesota about how our digital literacy standards align with what is required to pass the new computerized GED exam. The good news is that if a learner can succeed with our assessments, he or she likely has the skills to take the GED.
The bad news is that the best way to learn how to use computers and the Internet is to use them, and many of these learning centers in jails and prisons do not allow access to the Internet.
The presentation was a starting point for me. I learned about the very real limitations placed on educators who work in prison classroom and technology labs. I also heard that they are looking for creative ways to prepare their learners for life after incarceration, and that means a life where much (beyond the GED) needs to be accomplished online.
Here's a link to my slides. Please post a note to me if you'd like to further discuss.
This entry was posted in General and tagged ABE, corrections, Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment, prisons by JenVanek. Bookmark the permalink.


Get on board with Bigjigs® Rail! Build, create and play with our extensive wooden railway range. Test your skills as you piece together the track to create amazing layouts or enter the world of imaginative play by combining our dinosaur or fairy accessories with traditional train track. Our rail toys are made largely from Rubberwood and are compatible with other leading brands.
Our wooden train track is made from Rubberwood, a strong, hard wood that is sustainably harvested from trees that have been used for latex production. Build complex layouts from our selection of track pieces. Great for cognitive development and hand eye coordination, our track pieces can be used to construct a different layout every time.
Choose from a great variety of competitively priced train sets. From traditional railway sets to themed sets that will transport you to prehistoric lands or to Fairy Town! Start with one of the basic sets and build up your collection with additional track and accessories. Or, for a complete railway adventure, get stuck into one of our larger train sets or train tables.
Our bestselling rolling stock range includes a replica of the Eurostar e20 Train, a Virgin Pendolino and a selection of heritage engines including the famous Flying Scotsman, The Rocket and the Mallard. With magnetic couplings, they are easy for little hands to connect and fit perfectly with all of our train track and accessories. Whether you want to transport cars, freight, passengers or pirate treasure, we have something for every budding railway enthusiast!
Add to your basic train track with our range of exciting accessories. From stations, tunnels and bridges to a medieval Drawbridge, Pixie Dust Tree House or T-Rex Tunnel. Open up a world of play possibilities by theming your basic track! Choose from a range of imaginative accessories or expand your traditional railway set.


Learn website design best practices so you can create a website that is not only visually appealing and optimized for SEO, but converts visitors to leads!
We recently chatted with Jason Tate, owner of his eponymous fnancial consulting frm, to learn more about how his website shaped his business and all of the outstanding work he's done with it.
We had the pleasure of corresponding with George Reilly, CFP, of Safe Harbor Financial Advisors, LLC about how his website came to beautifully embody his firm. In need of a website for his newest endeavour, George put a lot of consideration into exactly how it should look in order to appeal to his clientele.
Previously operating with a different website provider, Salvini Financial Planning decided that a complete overhaul was necessary, "it had been recommended from people we respect in the industry that there's an advantage to changing your entire platform every so often," said Bonnie Burt, who helped spearhead the redesign project for the firm. The result helped Salvini achieve one of their best years yet.


It's time to review my current backpack, the Osprey Kestrel 32. Having a backpack that fits properly and is geared towards the activities you'll be doing are very important qualities in a backpack. I took this pack on many hikes and treks during our very outdoorsy trip through Mongolia, Central Asia and the 'Stans and I was very impressed with it.
This backpack deserves high marks in this area. I stuffed this bag with 10kgs of gear while trekking through the Mongolian steppe for 8 days, carrying everything from food to fire wood to sleeping bags. This pack sat nice and snug on my hips and perfectly distributed the weight between my shoulders and my waist. There is a good amount of padding on both the shoulder and hip straps as well.
This was an extra heavy load I was carrying – water bottles, food, wood, fishing rod, sleeping bags, etc. But it was comfortable.
During a regular travel day, I barely even noticed I was wearing a backpack because it was so comfortable.
I absolutely love the way the Kestrel 32 is designed. I can't stand top-loading backpacks because you can never seen what's in the bag! This backpack is a panel loader, which means it opens like a sea shell, allowing you to easily and quickly see everything in your bag, and load it up faster.
I love how the bag opens!
There harness adjusts as well, using a really strong Velcro, to ensure the perfect fit. They've also added a back panel that allows air to escape from your body, which is perfect for when you're trekking, hiking or even just walking. There's nothing worse than having sweat dripping down your back while travelling!
At the back is a pocket perfect for a hydration system like a CamelBak.
The weight and size of this backpack is amazing. Weighing in at just a little over 2 lbs with 32 L of room for gear and able to handle up to approximately 20 kgs of weight, what more could you want?!
The Kestrel 32 comes in two different sizes: small/medium and medium/large. As well as 4 different colours: Fire Red, Tarn, Conifer Green and Grey.
Osprey has added a mesh, stretchy, lycra pocket to the front of the bag, which stretches like you wouldn't believe! I put my shoes in there, maps, food and anything else that wouldn't quite fit into my bag. On the side, there are also 2 of the same type of pockets that are perfect for water bottles, or in our case, the bottom end of Nick's fishing rod.
On the waist band, there is a little zip pocket on each side. They're the perfect size for putting things you'll need to have easy access to while you're on the move, ie: point and shoot camera, lip balm, iPhone, snacks, a lighter, medicine, etc.
Running alongside the mesh pocket on the front of the bag they've added something called "front daisies" which are these perfect little loops that you can hook carabiners onto. I hooked water bottles off of the front of my bag, and sometimes shoes. It was ideal.
There's a spot right near the waist belt for storing trekking poles while on the go.
My favourite feature is probably the compression straps on both sides of the backpack. Not only does it help to keep the pack snug against your body, but it allows for storing items on the sides of your bag. One one side I had Nick's fishing rod, and on the other side, I rolled up my jacket and strapped it in.
If you were doing any sort of climbing where ice was involved, there are ice-pick loops at the base of the backpack. However, I used the loops to secure the bottoms of my 1 liter water bottles.
The mesh, zip pocket at the top of the bag is a great place to put smaller items that you don't want getting lost in the main compartment, ie: cards, headlamp, jewellery, etc.
In my opinion, there are 3 cons to this backpack.
The first and most important is that the zippers can't be locked together. You can only lock together the zipper ties. Which is ridiculous because obviously every traveller wants to be able to properly lock their bag.
The second is that I would have liked to have another pocket or two inside of the backpack for small items. The one on top of the bag is handy, but it would be nice to have one or two that are concealed inside the bag.
The third con is that unlike the Osprey Farpoint Series, the harness unit can't be zipped away in order to protect the backpack straps from damage, either from getting caught on something or from airline staff being a little too rough with the bag.
Apart from that, everything is a "pro".
I would recommend this backpack to anyone. Even though the Kestrel series is technically a men's backpack, it worked for me. Because I'm tall (5'10"), the harness adjusted to fit my torso perfectly!
If you plan to do any sort of climbing, trekking, camping or hiking, this backpack is ideal. If you don't plan on doing any sort of outdoor activities, I still think this backpack has loads of features that the everyday traveller could use as well.
The Osprey Kestrel 32 was the perfect bag for trekking!
A huge bonus is it's size. Technically, it's small enough to fit as a carry-on bag when flying. The cost is also pretty decent: I got mine on sale online for about $90, but from the store it's usually about $130.
It's time everyone became a lightweight traveller. Downsize your backpack and buy the Osprey Kestrel 32, it's the perfect size for any adventure.
Hopefully this review helped. Good luck finding the perfect backpack for you.
What kind of backpack do you use? Would you recommend it? Why/why not? Share with us below!
Nice and comprehensive review, Dariece! Zab has an Osprey Farpoint 40L and loves it, especially the zipping away of the straps! I would certainly go for something a bit smaller, as I wouldn't want 40L of crap to carry…so I like you have a 32L, though by Deuter, which I also find pretty good.
Love that you guys carry such small bags! Lightweight travel is the way to go these days for sure 🙂 That's a great feature of the Osprey 40L that the straps zip away, definitely a con of the 32L.
Thanks for following up the first post on these packs when you brought them. I loved that one and this one is a great round up of features etc. I am having to get a backpack for India later this year so from your comments the Osprey will certainly be looked into.
Excellent. I think it would be a great bag for India, just the right size. The only issue (like I said) is that the zippers don't lock together and I usually like to do that in India when on trains and such. But I'm sure it would be fine and you would figure out another way to secure your bag.
Did you use Small/Medium or Medium/Large?
Ya, that´s something to think about for sure. I do find that in hotter climates I sweat, but not to the point that it´s a problem, and I do find it airy enough. Doing EBC, it won´t be super hot and you´ll probably be wearing some sort of jacket so you won´t sweat directly onto the pack…? Hard to say really, depends on how much you perspire! I personally love it.
Any zipper can be opened very easily even if you lock tabs together. Just insert a pen or a pencil between the teeth of the zipper an push, now to close it and leave no traces of it being open just move tabs that are connected together from one side of the zipper to another. Thats it. Every bagage handler know this.
Pont is, there is no way to secure a bag with zipper, so its not really a disadvantage that you cant lock it up.
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Home / Tag Archives: pipeline
Tag Archives: pipeline
Turkey Opens TANAP Pipeline That brings Azeri Gas to Europe
Turkey and Azerbaijan have inaugurated the TANAP pipeline that will bring gas to Europe while bypassing Russia. The project has won political support from both the United States and European Union. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev inaugurated the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project …
14 Companies Present Proposals for Georgia's Gas Storage Facility
14 companies have expressed willingness to build underground gas storage in Georgia. According to "Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation", 55 companies have been registered at the pre-qualification stage of open international tender for procurement of installation and exploitation (EPIC) works, however proposals were presented by 14 companies. As a result …
TAP AG Completes Trans Adriatic Pipeline's First Hydrotest
TAP AG, the consortium building the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), has successfully completed its first hydrotest in Greece, reads a message on TAP's website. "Also known as hydrostatic testing, this is a method for verifying a pipeline's safety after it has been built," said the message. "The pipeline is filled …
TAP Gas Pipeline can Gauge Customer Interest in Capacity
The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) that will take gas from Azerbaijan to Europe is in a position to offer capacity on the line via so-called "open seasons" to gauge interest among potential customers, senior TAP executives said, Reuters reported. "We have prepared the ground for 200 kilometers out of a total …
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan Plan to Lay New Oil Pipeline
Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are planning to lay new Eskene-Kuryk-Baku oil pipeline with a length of 739 kilometers, according to an article by Azerbaijan's Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, published in the country's official press Oct. 6. The minister said that Kazakhstan has huge proven reserves of hydrocarbons, which account for 5.5 …
The World's First Beer Pipeline is Now Open
A beer pipeline. It sounds like an ale lover's wildest dream. It's no longer a fantasy in the Belgian city of Bruges, where the world's first beer pipeline opened last week. The two-mile pipe connects the Halve Maan brewery in the city's historic center with a bottling plant in the suburbs. It's …
TAP: Over 17km line Pipes Strung & 5km Welded Along the Pipeline Route
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline has said over 17km line of pipes were strung and 5km welded along the pipeline route, Azertac reported. Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to …
Turkmenistan to Make big Investments in TAPI Project
Turkmenistan plans to allocate major part of investments to construction of TAPI gas pipeline, said the country's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during a meeting of the Council of Elders. The groundbreaking ceremony for Turkmen section of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline with the capacity of up to 33 billion cubic meters of …
Int'l Association Talks Possibility of Uniting Turkish Stream, TANAP
Uniting of the Turkish Stream and TANAP gas pipelines at the Turkish-Greek border is absolutely a normal process, President of the International Association for Energy Economics (IAEE) Gurkan Kumbaroglu told Trend Aug. 16. He said that this process is also important in terms of diversification of energy sources and energy …
Armenian Village Has Little to Show for Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline
When construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline got underway and it was revealed that a 2-kilometer section of the 1,768 pipeline would pass through the fields in the village of Molit, in the Samtskhe-Javaketi region of Georgia, local Armenian residents were overjoyed. They were to be compensated, and residents decided to …
Russian Expert Talks Difficulties of Connection Turkish Stream, TANAP Pipelines
It is not worth to expect a quick decision regarding Turkey's proposal to connect the Turkish Stream pipeline, which envisages Russian gas supplies to Europe, to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which will start delivering Azerbaijani gas to Europe in 2020, said the senior expert of Russia's Finam …
Turkey Coup Attempt not to Affect TANAP Pipeline's Construction Period
Military coup attempt and imposing a three-month state of emergency in the aftermath of the incident in Turkey will not affect the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline's (TANAP) construction period, TANAP consortium told Trend July 21. "The project is being implemented according to schedule," said the consortium. "There are no …


Action Man was launched by Palitoy in the UK in 1966, copying upon the success of 'GI Joe' in the USA introduced in 1964. GI Joe was a bold gamble for US owners and producers Hassenfield Brothers, as he represented the first 'doll' for boys, and was more accurately described as an 'Action Figure' and 'Moveable Fighting Man'. Action Man featured a robust, articulated plastic body, strung with elastic, and had one of four painted hair colours.


In large pot, combine broth, water, beef, carrots, garlic and rosemary. Bring to boil; cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is very tender. Transfer beef and carrots to cutting board; let cool for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, strain the broth through fine sieve into large heatproof glass measuring cup. Discard rosemary. Smash garlic cloves with spoon and return to broth; set aside. Thinly slice beef across the grain; set aside.
Return pot to stove; warm olive oil over high heat. Cook leeks, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add reserved broth, salt and pepper; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cauliflower and pasta; cover and cook for 8 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Stir in reserved beef and carrots.