We are surprised by the various food options available at UBC. This helps to make the experience more relaxed for the students. The University hosted students from seven different countries, so everyday the lunches and dinners are different. This could not have been easy for them, but they made an excellent effort. This helps some of the students overcome their feelings of being homesick. Everyone is touched by the effort that they put into preparing that delicious food for us.


Proposed legislation to implement the government's Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR) has received bipartisan support.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today released its report on the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, which will create a formal obligation for carriers/carriage service providers (C/CSPs) to protect their networks from threats such as espionage, sabotage and foreign interference.
The TSSR regime would also require telcos to notify the government of key changes to their services or systems that could affect security — and give the attorney-general the power to direct them to do or refrain from doing a specified thing that may impact network security.
For example a telco may need to advise the government of plans to provide new services or enter outsourcing arrangements.
The PJCIS report recommends the bill be passed, subject to a number of other recommendations being implemented including that the committee review the impact of the legislation within three years of it the TSSR regime becoming law.
The committee recommended a number of changes to the TSSR guidelines (PDF) produced by the Attorney-General's Department, to clarify, for example, the obligations imposed on companies providing over-the-top (OTT) services or cloud services leveraging telecommunications infrastructure.
The guidelines should also provide details on the kinds of changes to network infrastructure that would not require notifying the government, the report said. In addition, an annual report on the operation of the legislation should be presented to parliament.
"We always prefer to have amendments captured in the legislation itself, rather than in guidelines, but the PJCIS has done an excellent job of highlighting to government the remaining weaknesses in the legislation, and government should accept the recommendations," said Communications Alliance CEO John Stanton.
The proposed legislation has met with a less-than-enthusiastic reception within the telecommunications sector, which in recent years has already had to deal with the regulatory burden of the data retention regime.
The bill went through multiple iterations of the bill before it was introduced in the Senate in November.
In a submission to the inquiry, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA), and Communications Alliance argued that the legislation was "too discretionary and vague and is lacking two-way cooperation and information, thereby imposing substantial costs, uncertainty and regulatory risk onto the entities proposed to be regulated".
"The legislation is an over-reach and an unnecessary imposition of inflexible black-letter law when a more flexible, proactive, informative and collaborative approach (as is being implemented in other jurisdictions) would be more effective in protecting Australia's telecommunications infrastructure," the organisations said.
One specific criticism was that telcos could be forced to undertake expensive retrofitting of aging infrastructure — because the bill draws no distinction between existing or relatively new networks or facilities and older infrastructure.
However, the committee rejected the industry's idea of a sunset clause on the power for the government to issue a direction for network retrofit.


Announcement Handmade fairies from polymer clay, each one is one of a kind.
Handmade fairies from polymer clay, each one is one of a kind.
So cute!!! Perfection! Very detailed! Highly recommend!
Absolutely perfect! Such a cute detailed decoration! Highly recommend! Thank you!
Perfection as always. I have about 15 of these fairies! Highly recommend!
Perfection as always! Thank you! Highly recommend!
Fairies heads and hands in the making.
You can visit the atelier in CHENAY in France, in a lovely Champagne vineyards village just five minutes from Reims.
I played with clay all my childhood in France through the eighties, and at eleven years old I started earning pocket money from my craft selling at local craft fair with my mother. After I graduated in Literature in 1996, I decided to attempt to realize two of my fantasies, live in England and craft full time for a year having in mind I would eventually go back to a "serious" career. I moved to Oxford and set up my own company in 1997, I did not expect to make enough money to live straight away from my craft, but to my surprise I did.
I lived for two years in Oxfordshire, I realized I could live anywhere , and work anywhere, what a luxury ! And then with the internet, my small european business went global.
Nearly twenty years later, after a move back to french countryside and two kids later, I am still crafting everyday, and loving it.
I have worked with clay since my childhood in the eighties. I started my own company straight after graduating from university, in 1997. Nearly twenty years ,two children, and a credit crunch later, I am still making and selling fairies.


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Jul. 21, 2015 09:41AM EST
Web Series Asks Black Women Across The Globe "What Is Pretty?"
Nigerian-American filmmaker/blogger Antonia Opiah's documentary web series looks at beauty according to black women across the globe.
Pretty is a weekly documentary series from Nigerian-American filmmaker and blogger Antonia Opiah exploring the relationships that black women across the globe have with self-image in spaces that tend to favor Eurocentric beauty archetypes. The series, which launched in January, poses the question "What is pretty?" to a diverse cast of women who candidly share their reflection on how they find beauty in themselves despite living in major cities where blonde hair and blue eyes are placed on a pedestal. So far, Pretty has touched down in Paris, Milan and London, where each woman interviewed has provided a unique perspective on their own personal relationship with identity, self-acceptance and style.
As the publisher of natural beauty and haircare site un'ruly, Opiah had previously explored notions of black beauty with the divisive You Can Touch My Hair exhibit, which centered around the fascination non-black people often have with black hair.
After Europe Opiah plans to bring the series across the globe, starting with Africa and then North America and South America. Watch a trailer and all 16 episodes below. Subscribe to Pretty's YouTube channel here, and keep up with the series on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
H/T Shadow & Act
Antonia Opiah pretty un-ruly

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Is your computer going very slow and don't know how to solve the problem? Got a virus? Problem opening email attachments, error messages, problem printing? Your computer freezes on a regular basis?
Do you need to update your programs? Install new ones? Do you want to update your navigator (ex.Tomtom)? You want to go to a different country and want to take it with you?
You want to buy a new device and don't know which to get? You want to know how to use the tablet or iPad? Are you taking full advantage of your new cell phone? Do you know that there are applications that could ease your daily problems?
Do you want to make video calls with your families and friends, wherever they are, free and whenever you want? Do you want to download photos from your digital camera or create digital albums? Do you want to convert your old videos to digital format? Upload videos to Youtube? Connect your hard disc or computer to a television to watch movies, photos or listen to your favorite music albums? Listen to music for free?
The range of our services are defined by you, our clients, because this is our sole vocation: respond to your concerns about technological issues.
General cleaning of the operating system to improve performance.
Help on how to use PC and usual Windows or Mac programs.
Convert video tapes to digital format.
Do you want to keep your kids safe while using internet?
Regulate how your kids use the computer? Show them how to use technology the right way and completely safe?
Do you know that your kids could find useful informations in the internet for school work? Do you want to know how?
Do you want your kids to learn programming?
New technologies are excellent tools if they are used well!
Do you know how simple and comfortable it is to read with electronic books?
You don't understand how your new cell phone works? Do you want to use a smartphone? Play Scrabble with anyone with your new smartphone online?
Free video conferences with your family from your smartphones or computer?
Do you want to know how to use a computer or tablet? Surf the internet?
Do you want to know how to use a navigator like Tomtom?


Home Fishing Topwater Lures Small pond bass fishing. Topwater Popper and crank baits.
Small pond bass fishing. Topwater Popper and crank baits.
Fishing is so much fun! It would be great if you could check out my channel! I want to be a successful youtuber like you are someday! Do you have any tips for a starting fishing channel! Thank you!
I know the first pond is the Alexan Apartment complex but where is the second little pond?


If you have the means, you can buy almost any bike. But an Indian® Roadmaster® has to be earned. On the road. Two up. Mile after glorious mile. This is a machine built for the long haul. With the craftsmanship and innovation discerning riders demand. So forget the shortcuts. Get out there and explore. Be legendary.
PREMIUM CONCERT AUDIO - The Indian Roadmaster ® features an integrated 200 watt audio system that delivers premium-quality sound from high-output fairing and trunk speakers. Smartphones and other audio sources can be connected via cable or Bluetooth ®.


Communications with LIS can now be made to follow HL7 protocol.
Besides, we simplified implementation: it is as easy as just setting an IP address. All the hassle of putting it to work has been taken out of your way.
You are looking for IT that is plug and play – that's Indexor samplifying your clinical lab pathway!
Ask us to help you in with your challenges!


Wilson Bruce Evans House is a historic house at 33 East Vine Street in Oberlin, Ohio. Completed in 1856, it served a major stop on the Underground Railroad, with its builders, Wilson Bruce Evans and Henry Evans, participating the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, a celebrated rescue of a slave. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997.
The Wilson Bruce Evans House is located south of downtown Oberlin, on the south side of East Vine Street opposite Martin Luther King Jr. Park, a small public park behind Oberlin City Hall. The house is a two-story brick structure, covered by a hip roof. The roof has extended eaves studded with decorative brackets. A single-story porch extends across the front, its shed roof supported by square brick piers. The interior is finished with high-quality woodwork, milled and shaped by Wilson Bruce Evans and Henry Evans. The house was built 1854-56 by the Evans brothers, two free African-Americans, and was occupied by Wilson Bruce Evans and his family. At the time of its landmark designation in 1997, it was still in the hands of their descendants.
The Evans house was the home of Wilson Bruce Evans, a prominent African-American abolitionist and early benefactor of Oberlin College, the first college to admit students of color. Evans rose to national attention after his importance in the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington Rescue, one of the events that challenged the controversial Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Although Evans was not an outspoken abolitionist like his colleagues Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, Evans was cited as a man who "put justice above his own safety." The house was a frequent stop for travelers on the Underground Railroad such as Harriet Tubman.
^ a b "Wilson Bruce Evans House". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
^ "Wilson Bruce Evans House". NPS. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
^ "Evans House". National Park Service. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
This page was last edited on 18 September 2018, at 19:26 (UTC).


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Q: Scrub away NTFS permissions on data files from previous installation of Windows I recently did a clean installation of Windows 10 onto a new SSD, and restored my old data files onto the drive. The problem is, even though I told the backup program to NOT restore the permissions, they ended up getting messed up anyway.
I've already executed takeown /f c:\src /r /d Y
I tried going into Explorer's properties -> security, added my user with permission "FULL CONTROL" to the folder, and applied it to the childern. Windows ran for a half hour supposedly doing it, yet Attributes: "Read Only" was STILL filled in with a square.
I cleared the "Read Only" square, applied it recursively, Windows ran for another 15-20 minutes... and the fscking square is STILL filled in.
I think I need to use ICACLS... but I'm afraid to, without guidance. Literally every single time I've EVER used ICACLS in the past to try and fix a situation like this, it's ended up making the problem worse. I understand Unix-style permissions and ownership just fine, but NTFS permissions have beaten me up every single time I've ever made the mistake of tangling with them.
In the past, I've used my traditional work-around to fix this through brute force: boot into Linux, recursively copy the directory (saving timestamps) to a FAT32 volume, boot back into Windows, delete the original directory from the NTFS volume, then copy it back from the FAT32 volume with the NTFS permissions cleansed away. I can't do that now... the directory contains too many 4-gig+ files.
So... how can I achieve something comparable (presumably, using ICACLS)?
Solution:
Based upon the answer below, here's what worked.
icacls c:\src /reset /T /L /Q
takeown /f c:\src /r /d Y (I re-ran takeown after icacls, just in case)
attrib -r -h -s c:\src /s /d
It turns out, as per This answer, this is just a case of Windows Explorer having extraordinarily poor UI design. Simply put, Windows will NEVER report that the contents of a folder are "not readonly". You can use the checkbox to try and clear or set the readonly status of files contained within the folder, but the state of the checkbox does not itself indicate anything meaningful about their present state.
Apparently, Microsoft's rationale is that every Explorer folder contains a hidden system file that, from the perspective of a user, is read-only (and if the file isn't there, Explorer pretends that there is). Therefore, every folder contains at least one file that's read-only, even if no files deliberately put there by the user are read-only. Sigh.
Anyway, my problem is now fixed. Gradle and Android Studio are able to build the files without dying due to a permissions error, so resetting the ACLs, taking ownership, and clearing the readonly and system flags (if they were there at all) solved the problem.

A: "Attributes: [✔] Read Only" is not an NTFS permission flag to begin with. It is a completely separate set of per-file flags – often known as the "MS-DOS attributes".
(Compare Linux chattr.)
This attribute, along with "Hidden" and "System" and "Archive", actually originates in the DOS FAT filesystem, so you won't get rid of them by copying files to a FAT32 volume and back.
To remove them recursively,

*

*You must have the "Write Attributes" permission for those files and folders.

*attrib -r -h -s c:\src /s /d

These attributes can be accessed on Linux as the system.ntfs_attrib_be xattr, for example:
setfattr -n system.ntfs_attrib_be -h -v 0x00000020 <filename>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Hamro Guru is a Nepali-language web site, to inform, educate and motivate more than 200,000 public schoolteachers in Nepal. The magazine has evolved as a journalistic exercise to stimulate teachers through its informative and motivating pieces, rather than as a newsletter with limited goals.
In particular, the editors have targeted the needs of teachers in the rural areas who work mostly alone and without peer support to provide them with necessary knowledge or skills required to support childhood development inside classroom and beyond. In all,Hamro Guru is acting as a medium to provide supplementary and alternative materials to add 'texture' to the intellectual growth of public school teachers of Nepal. It is an attempt to broaden the vision and deepen the commitment of teachers to their profession. At a time when the nation is grappling with transition, the magazine has worked to instill vision of peaceful and prosperous Nepal through quality education for all.


What is socialism? Does it take different forms? What is the relationship between socialism and liberty? Can socialism and democracy co-exist on any level or are they antithtical ideologies embracing totally different understandings of man, his world and his God?
Our guest is a moral philosopher and Director of Research at the Acton Institute. He is author of several books and monographs.
Yoga and Energy Work: Health or Stealth?


#Sehun #Exo @ The EℓyXiOn in Bangkok .
EXO's Sehun in IVY Club for Back To School photoshoot.
Omo, how can you steal my heart?
#Sehun #Exo @ EℓyXiOn in Saitama .
Sehun - 161204 Hat's On fansign Credit: 바람의꽃이되어서.
[HQ]  SEHUN at Golden Disc Awards 2018.
:D Sehun - 160308 Nature Republic Bangkok fansign Credit: Emily.


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One US soldier, two Pentagon contractors killed in terror attack in Kenya
Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) stated that four members of Somalia's Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, were killed on Sunday after they attacked a military base in...
US deploys additional troops to Kenya after deadly attack
The United Stated deployed additional troops to augment the defences of its base in Kenya recently attacked by a local terrorist group, US Africa Command said...
Militants attack bus in northeast Kenya kill all eight non-Muslims
Suspected Somali-based al-Qaeda affiliated al-Shabaab militants killed eight people on a bus Friday in northern Kenya, according to authorities. The militants...
MDH to ship 6 MD 530Fs to Kenya
MD Helicopters announced that it will ship six of its MD 530F light attack helicopters to Kenya by the end of the year. The company made the revelation in a...
India stages exercises with 17 African nations
The Indian Army Monday began a 10-day military exercise with armed forces of 17 African nations at Aundh in Maharashtra, reflecting the growing strategic ties...


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Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Eric Brevig
D.V. DeVincentis
Warner Brothers/Disney
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" Review
There are some things you should know before you see "Journey to the Center of the Earth," a 3-D version rather loosely based upon the Jules Verne classic.
First, and this is rather obvious, this IS a 3-D film. It is meant to be seen in 3-D, and seeing it in 2-D will undoubtedly knock it down a notch for you. This means, as well, that you will be wearing 3-D glasses in order to get the maximum cinematic experiences. I will add, however, that the glasses are a massive improvement upon 3-D glasses of yesteryear.
Secondly, and I'm repeating myself again here, this film is not meant to be seen in 2-D. "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is designed to be a full sensory cinematic experience. 3-D is absolutely required and it should be on an IMAX screen for full effect.
I'm telling you. on a 2-D screen you will notice that there's really not much of a script here. On a 3-D screen? Honestly, who cares?
Brendan Fraser, who's about to bring a third "Mummy" to the big screen, really is quite perfect for the role of the adventurous Dr. Trevor Anderson, while Josh Hutcherson is delightful as Anderson's along for the ride nephew. The two meet up with an earnest guide (Anita Briem, an Icelandic actress in her first major American feature film).
What follows is nonsensical. If you can't suspend reality, then "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is most certainly not for you. It is a fun, silly, family friendly and reasonably entertaining 3-D extravaganza blessed with a cast who takes it seriously enough to make it exciting but light enough to capitalize on the inherent campiness of it all.
First time feature film director Eric Brevig has been nominated for an Oscar twice for his visual effects ("Pearl Harbor" and "Hook"), and his first time behind the camera indicates an ability to manage a cast nicely in a film where the special effects are really the stars of it all.
For those of you who've never witnessed a 3-D film, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" may be the perfect place to start. With Hollywood set to churn out nearly a dozen 3-D films in the coming year, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" gives you a great idea of what to expect and is rewarding enough to make it worth the extra bucks that IMAX theatres often charge.
While much of what occurs in "Journey" isn't plausible, it's seldom played for laughs. The script by Michael Weiss isn't dumbed down so much as it simply celebrates the outlandish nature of it all in ways that are fun and entertaining.
Fraser has very much become a go to actor for lighthearted family fare, and "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is one of his best efforts. Similarly, after a few early missteps, Hutcherson is rapidly becoming one of America's best young actors while Briem will undoubtedly see more offers come her way after her performance here.
Silly and light, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is a 3-D adventure safe enough for the whole family, though young children vulnerable to big screen frights may not adapt quite so easily to the larger than life chills and thrills that come with 3-D viewing.


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Karting Information & communication
Created in the early 2000s, KSP Reportages has made a name for itself in French and international karting with its professionalism and the quality of its photographic services.
To continue its development, the agency has opened a communication department dedicated to the production and distribution of press releases, the creation of presentation and sponsorship packages, as well as websites for drivers and professionals.
A reference website
Launched in 2007, kartcom.com has become a definitive international site in karting with an average readership of more than 1,400,000 visitors per year worldwide.
Kartcom produces and distributes reliable national and international karting information on a daily basis, at the same time ensuring wide distribution of communications from its drivers, teams, brands and federations. Kartcom's field of competence goes beyond karting to the highest levels of motor racing.
A true library of karting since the 2000s, Kartcom archives the results of the main French and international competitions. Live monitoring of about sixty events per year, with texts, photos and results, is one of its exclusive features.
In addition to an updated design for all digital media, version 2 of kartcom.com has multiple features to make it easier for everyone in karting to find information. It is a unique database covering this sport.
Permanent innovation
With quality as a requirement, innovation is one of the driving forces behind KSP Reportages. New projects are regularly prepared. In April 2014, the first issue of KARTCOM News was published. It is a free monthly digital magazine, with French and English versions, designed to highlight competition karting. KARTCOM News has an average of 19,000 readers each month in France and around the world.
Motor-Sports-Data now ensures the wide distribution of press releases, for both karting and cars, to nearly 35,000 contacts worldwide involved with karting and motor sport.
Video is a communication axis that has long been on the agenda of KSP Reportages. Under the Moviekart brand, the video service took off in early 2018 with the production of numerous promotional films and video follow-ups of competitions ready for broadcast on social networks.


Graston Technique is an instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization therapy that enables the doctor to identify and break down scar tissue, areas of myofascial thickening and tissue adhesions thereby reducing inflammation, pain and restricted mobility. Graston utilizes very specific stainless steel instruments that enable the clinician to treat soft tissue lesions with depth pressure and specificity necessary to affect the condition at the site of pain. Once the scar tissue has broken down it can be absorbed by the body. By incorporating stretching and strengthening the patient can rebuild the soft tissue injury into healthy functioning tissue.
Graston Technique is effective in treating a wide range of both chronic and acute musculoskeltal pain conditions. Historically, the Graston Technique has had positive outcomes in 75 - 90 percent of all conditions treated. It is equally effective in restoring the functional capacity in both acute and chronic pre and post surgical patients.


Everyone has his or her's beauty inside, it is my job to reveal it and make the most beautiful picture possible from them.
Marco ter Beek is a Dutch professional published portrait, beauty and fashion photographer based in Almere, near Amsterdam.
His passion is to reveal everybody's strong and beautiful self. Marco's work is described as" Strong and Powerful".
Marco has won the "top photo award 2015".


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Tag: New Adult
Touch of Smoke by Karissa Laurel
2019-05-15 ~ Jolie	~ 1 Comment
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Date of publication: February 8th, 2019
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, New Adult
Where you can find Touch of Smoke: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookBub
Book Synopsis:
Three years ago, Rikki Albemarle watched her best friend die at the hands of a supernatural evil. Certain she was slated to be the next victim, Rikki fled her small Smoky Mountain hometown, vowing to never come back. Plagued by nightmares and knowing she's the only one who believes Mina's death was no accident, Rikki returns with hopes of finding answers and holding the killer accountable.
Rikki is convinced the key to unlocking the secret of Mina's death lies with Owen Amir, the alluring young army vet who once claimed her heart. But the deeper Rikki digs into Owen's past, the more she's torn between the urgings of her heart and her memories of him on the night Mina died.
After falling further into the rabbit hole, Rikki lands at the feet of an ancient and powerful evil determined to finish what it started years before. To survive, she'll have to make a decision: believe Owen is the monster she always feared he might be or trust him enough to stay and fight for a second chance at love.
Touch of Smoke was a fantastic read. I don't give 5-star reviews easily. A book has to capture my attention and keep it. I have to form a connection with both the male and female lead. Touch of Smoke hit all those and then some.
Touch of Smoke has a dual plotline. One takes place in the past and the other in the present. Usually, I don't like that type of plotlines. In my experience, this type of plotlines generally gets me confused. Which in turns makes me lose interest in the book. In this case, though, the author was obvious when she was switching from the past to the present/the present to the past. She also did not give away what happened in the past. There were hints, but nothing prepared me for what happened. She also did a fantastic job of merging the two storylines mid-book. It was flawless.
The main plotline of Touch of Smoke centers around Erika (or Rikki), Owen and what happened that night her best friend, Mina, was killed. Rikki came back to town to face her demons, which meant that she had to face Owen and his role in what happened that night. When an ancient evil arrives in Evansville, Rikki needs to make a choice. Will she trust Owen and help him? Or will Rikki stand aside and let that evil destroy him? If she does help him, what will be the price that she pays?
I loved Rikki. She was a tough cookie. She was also the hardest working character that I have come across in a while. This woman worked two jobs while going to a community college. She was an EMT, and she worked in stable, cleaning stalls. I did think she was silly for pushing Owen away. I wanted to reach through the book and shake her. Her actions at the end of the book were amazing. And selfless.
I fell in love with Owen every time he showed up in the book. Who wouldn't? He was an Army veteran who fell head over heels with Rikki. I loved that he didn't push her into doing anything that she didn't want to do. He let her set the bar for their relationship. He did have his secrets, though. I liked how the author revealed them.
The romance angle of Touch of Smoke was terrific. I loved seeing Owen and Rikki's relationship evolve. It wasn't Instalove (far from it). The author chose to have Owen and Rikki date and go from there. The scene where Rikki decides to throw caution to the wind was poignant. Mainly because of what happened a few days (at least I think it was a few days) later.
The fantasy angle of Touch of Smoke was terrific also. I liked how the author took the jinn myth and made it her own. I had no issue believing that jinns weren't like Genie from Aladdin. Instead, they were out for themselves. The story that Owen tells about the boy, the ring and the jinn explains everything.
The end of Touch of Smoke broke my freaking hearts into little bits. Like I mentioned above, what Rikki did was selfless. I was ugly crying in the chapter after that. Of course, I liked how the author had Owen explain everything to Rikki in a story, including what he did after. But still. Ugly Crying. In the middle of the day. Enough said!!
I would give Touch of Smoke an Older Teen rating. There is sex (nothing graphic). There is language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.
I would reread Touch of Smoke. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
WWW Wednesday: May 15th, 2019
2019-05-15 ~ Jolie	~ 3 Comments
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Wars.
The Three Ws are:
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you'll read next?
Miss R: Everything was fine with Miss R until Friday. Friday, she went over a friend's house after school. The mom took them to a local park/splash pad. When we were getting ready to leave, Miss R ran up a metal slide with wet feet and face planted on it. She hit her face hard enough to give herself a bruised nose and two black eyes. That night, she was complaining about her ear hurting her. Saturday morning, she was complaining about her other ear hurting her. So, I took her into the Dr. I figured the ear infections. What I didn't figure was bronchitis. Then Sunday, I noticed her eyes were red and goopy. She has pinkeye. Wonderful. Monday, she got eye drops and the nurse told me to keep her out until Weds. Which meant she missed her Mother's Day Tea concert and her T-Ball game. She is on the mend and she did go back to school today. We also had her spring parent/teacher meeting. She is ahead and her teachers told us that she should have it easy adjusting to kindergarten in September. It helps that 10 out of the 15 kids in her preschool class are attending the same elementary school.
Miss B: Nothing too much going on with her. Just your usual battles that a normal teenager puts parents through. She does have stuff going on later this week, but I will save that for the next WWW Wednesday.
Mr. Z: Nothing much going on with him either. Like Miss B, he does have stuff going on next week. And I will save that for the next WWW Wednesday.
Me: I did something last week which ticked off the people who live across the street. One of their cats had kittens under my house. That cat got hit by a car and then died. BK had gone under the house on Tuesday to fix something and heard them meowing. I called AC, they told me that they do not go under houses to retrieve animals (safety issues) but to call if we get them. So, Miss B went under the house and grab the kittens. 3 of them. All with blue eyes and ears that weren't fully open yet. AC came and got them. Well, the lady across the street tried to make AC give her the kittens (saying that they were theirs and I had no right giving them away). AC turned around, told her that the kittens were found under my house, she wasn't getting the kittens, and maybe she should spay the females he sees wandering around the yard (they are all obviously pregnant). He followed that up with a "I will be back." So, yeah, she's not happy with me. Oh well. She shouldn't have opened her mouth. I did make sure that the kittens were not going to be put down. AC said that he had a rep from the Humane Society waiting for him. They were going to health assess the kittens and if they are healthy, they will go into foster homes until they can be adopted out. He was pretty positive that these kittens would be fostered.
Reading/Reviews/Blog:
I got through my entire WWW "what books I think I will read next" list over the week. Miss R being sick did help with that because I wasn't able to go out. I spent Saturday through yesterday reading.
I have two reviews that I need to write. Which I will get to today. Other than that, I am caught up. Still trying to find my happy medium here.
Nothing new going on with the blog. I haven't wanted to change the theme or the fonts or the background. It is safe to say that I am happy with it.
What I am currently reading:
click on the picture for the Amazon link
Based on a true story.
When her homeland is conquered by the mighty Alexander the Great, Roxana—the daughter of a mere chieftain—is torn from her simple life and thrown into a world of war and intrigue.
Terrified, the sixteen-year-old girl of renowned beauty is brought before the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Her life is in his hands; her future his to decide.
Without formal education or noble blood, Roxana is chosen by the Greek conqueror to be his bride. Soon she comes to know profound happiness and unyielding desire in her warrior's arms.
However, being the king's consort comes at a heavy price. To survive her husband's treacherous kingdom, she must endure continuous warfare, deadly plots, jealous rivals, victory-hungry generals, and the stigma of being a barbarian. Persian blood will keep her from claiming the grandest title of all—queen—but her reign will seal the fate of an empire.
History tells his story. This is hers.
I recently finished reading:
What books I think I'll read next? (click on the pictures for Amazon links)
Unable to read or write, an earl discovers love in the last place he expects to find it—within the embrace of a brilliant woman—in this sexy, irresistible novel from USA Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans.
What's an earl to do?
The Earl of Argyle has died suddenly, leaving his brother Guy Neville at a complete loss. The dull-witted second son, as his father used to call him, Guy is now responsible for the estate and his brother's seat in the House of Lords. Shamed by an inability to read or write, his distress is multiplied by an inquiry from a dyed-in-the-wool bluestocking who wishes to use the Argyle library and study a rare plant on the estate. Guy's first instinct is to decline her request—until he catches a glimpse of Miss Abigail Pinehurst.
How's a girl to behave?
Abigail cares for only one thing: plants. She is unconcerned about how she looks, what she wears, or the impression she makes on men. An orphan who turned to books for solace in a miserly, cruel institution, she now makes her living illustrating the greenery she adores. Lord Argyle, in fact, with his uncanny memory and chiseled features, is the first man to capture her attention—a ridiculous distraction since he is so far above her station. But her unreasonable heart has a mind of its own.
Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won't explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world–a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.
Lyrical and immersive, The Scent Keeper explores the provocative beauty of scent, the way it can reveal hidden truths, lead us to the person we seek, and even help us find our way back home.
Cougar . . . MILF . . . Mrs. Robinson.
Jordan Robinson knows firsthand that when a woman marries a rich older man, people are going to talk. But now, with her husband gone, Jordan lives a quiet life of seclusion, managing her charities and staying away from the limelight. Then everything changes after an unexpected kiss leads to the best sex of her life—and a secret affair Jordan never wants to end.
A sexy young mogul who's used to getting what he wants, Clay has wanted Jordan Robinson ever since he was seventeen and saw her emerge dripping from a swimming pool in a white bikini. But now he's all grown up . . . and now she's his. But when their relationship is exposed, the fallout is devastating. Yet Clay's a man in his prime—and Jordan's a woman worth fighting for. They may have started as a fling, but Jordan Robinson belongs in his bed, in his life . . . and forever in his heart.
Best friends Marine Duval and Kate Sanders have trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School since childhood, where they've formed an inseparable bond forged by respective family tragedies and a fierce love for dance. When the body of a student is found in the dorms just before the start of their final year, Marine and Kate begin to ask themselves what they would do to win the ultimate prize: to be the one girl selected to join the Opera's prestigious corps de ballet. Would they die? Cheat? Seduce the most talented boy in the school, dubbed the Demigod, hoping his magic would make them shine, too? Neither girl is sure.
But then Kate gets closer to the Demigod, even as Marine has begun to capture his heart. And as selection day draws near, the competition—for the prize, for the Demigod—becomes fiercer, and Marine and Kate realize they have everything to lose, including each other.
Friends with Benefits (Beta Brothers: Book 2) by Hazel Kelly
2019-02-06 2019-02-05 ~ Jolie	~ 2 Comments
Date of publication: August 8th, 2018
Genre: Romance, New Adult
Series: Beta Brothers
My Best Friend's Ex—Book 1
Friends with Benefits—Book 2
Where to find Friends with Benefits: Amazon
Carter's been crazy about Nina since the first time he saw her emerald eyes, but his fratastic reputation landed him in the friend zone before he even had a chance to say, "How you doin'?"
So when Nina suggests they become friends with benefits, he can't believe his luck.
After all, once he's gotten in her pants, winning her heart should be easy… right?
**This is a full-length, standalone romance novel with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a heart-swelling HEA.
I am guilty of judging this book before I even read it. I thought this book was going to be all sex and minimal plot. The blurb and the cover didn't add much to the opinion I formed. Then I read the book. I gotta tell y'all, I was surprised and pleased!! I love it when a book turns out to be the exact opposite of what I thought it was going to be.
I enjoy it when I read a romance where the main characters have some sort of friendship of sorts. Nina and Carter know each other through their best friends, who are dating. Their relationship was friendly for months before they hooked up. Their friendship made their transition into FB's pretty easy.
Nina and Carter's sexual relationship was hot. I did laugh when she was amazed by the size of Carter's package. I would have had the same thoughts. I also liked that the sexual tension and attraction didn't fade as I read the book. The author did a fantastic job of keeping it hot until the end of the book. 95% of the romances I read have the sex scene fizzle out after the first time.
I liked Nina and I agreed with Sadie after reading the first couple of chapters. She needed a FB. I understood why she didn't want a relationship. If I had been treated that way by my exes, I would have the same feelings. I also understood why she had rules when she instigated to FB arrangement with Carter. She did kind of annoy me at points in the book. She got jealous way to easy. She was willing to believe that Carter was seeing other people besides her. She was too stubborn to see that Carter cared about her. Why else would he have brought her dinner (with cheesecake!!) on Valentines Day?
I loved Carter. He was perfect for Nina. I liked how he took things slow with her. He had feelings for before she approached him to be her FB. It was like Christmas and his birthday rolled into one when that happened. When they broke up, even though he instigated it, he was as hurt as she was. I loved seeing a guy who was in touch enough with his feelings to admit that.
The book ended on a positive note. I liked that everything was resolved. I liked that future plans were made. I can't wait to see Nina and Carter in other books. I can't wait to see how their relationship progressed.
I would give Friends with Benefits an Adult rating. There is explicit sex. There is language. There is some mild violence. There are triggers. They would be alcoholism. I would recommend that no one under the age of 21 read this book.
I would reread Friends with Benefits. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.
I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read and review Friends with Benefits.
All opinions stated in this review of Friends with Benefits are mine.
WWW Wednesday: January 30th, 2019
WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Wars. So here what I have read/are reading/will be reading.
This has been a rough past week. "What, you say. As of last Wednesday, everything was fine, you say". And it was. Then everything hit the fan starting Thursday.
The majority of the rough week was centered around Ms. R. She developed a cough on Wednesday. BK and I thought nothing of it because its the time of year everyone is getting sick. Thursday, the cough got worse and wet sounding. By Thursday night, she was coughing every 5 mins. Thursday night was the worse. I think she only slept an hour. At 1-2am, she started to feel hot, so I took her temp. 102. Gave her a Tylenol and tried to settle her back down. Friday morning, her temp was at 101 and she couldn't stop coughing. By mid-morning, her temp was 103 and not coming down with Tylenol/Motrin. So, I took her to the Dr. She had a pretty severe case of bronchitis. They prescribed a 3-day z-pack. I also have to bring her back on Friday so they can check her lungs. Thankfully, she is feeling better. She is back to her sassy 5-year-old self. But man, she scared me. I haven't had a kid that sick before.
I don't think I have mentioned this before, but Ms. B has a boyfriend. It's a cute, innocent relationship. He's all she can talk about. No dates, it's more of a school romance. Which is fine by me. Anyway, she came home yesterday with a huge chocolate red rose that he gave her. 13 years old and he's acting better than most men older than him. I'm impressed.
Mr. Z. is being well, himself. He is a huge reader (takes after me) and is currently reading The Warriors series by Erin Hunter. He is on the last series, A Vision of Shadows. He has bought 90% of those books himself. He got about $150 in Amazon gift cards for his birthday and Christmas. The last two books, he bought last night. He looked at me and said, "Now what will I read?" So any suggestions will be great.
I'll end this section with something I call "Why my preschooler threw a temper tantrum".
Ms. R threw a temper tantrum yesterday because Alexa said that water isn't wet. Yup, you read that right. If you have one, ask it. The answer is interesting. Even more interesting was how I calmed her down. I asked her if the water was dry, would that mean the air is wet to the dolphins, fish, and whales? 100% stopped her tantrum.
Reading/Reviews:
I am doing OK in the reading and review department. Which is good. I am actually starting to participate more booky things. More posts, cover reveals, blog tours…etc.
I have decided to undertake two huge tasks. One: I am reorganizing my Goodreads shelves. I realized yesterday that I didn't have a TBR shelf. That all of my want to read and TBR books are mixed together. I started that yesterday and I am about halfway done. The other thing I am doing? Well, I am going back to the beginning of my blog and fixing my blog posts. Changing covers (if the covers have changed), fixing broken links, spell checking/grammar checking with Hemingway Editor, changing the blurbs if needed, adding publication date/publisher/genre. Fun times!!
The Perfect Girlfriend
click on the picture for Amazon link
Juliette loves Nate. She will follow him anywhere. She's even become a flight attendant for his airline, so she can keep a closer eye on him.
They are meant to be.
The fact that Nate broke up with her six months ago means nothing. Because Juliette has a plan to win him back. She is the perfect girlfriend. And she'll make sure no one stops her from getting exactly what she wants.
True love hurts, but Juliette knows it's worth all the pain…
I am about 25% into this book and I am loving it. I'm not going to give too much away except that Juliette is cray-cray. The Perfect Girlfriend is currently on pre-order. It's expected publication date is March 26th, 2019. Be on the lookout for my review after that date.
I recently finished reading
Shattered Reflections
Strong-willed and stubborn, Kathryn Nugle enters a man's profession, untested, inexperienced, and determined to solve a decade-old puzzle.
Intuition flagged her client's deception but didn't solve the mystery of his jacket's crimson stain, yet blood doesn't lie. When the victim leaves damning evidence behind, fate throws Kathryn into a cascade of events that will challenge her survival skills.
Mathew McAllister is the eldest of six siblings, all current or former detectives. Practical jokes and pranks are part and parcel of his daily life. The newest addition to the family fold is a wisecracking hacker who mangles his strained equanimity and tests his patience in Morse code, security breaches, and invasion of his cherished privacy.
When a vicious murder paints a target on one of their own, the McAllisters close ranks to ferret out the twisted intentions of a serial killer. For fans of Sandra Brown and Lee Child, Shattered Reflections is an exciting thriller with a romantic twist.
I actually finished this on Sunday. I haven't had the time to write the review yet. But, I will say this…..it is good!!! This is one of my favorite series. Shattered Reflections is currently on preorder. It's expected publication date is February 3rd, 2019. Be on the lookout for my review after that date.
Getting Hot with the Scot
IT'S TIME TO FLIRT WITH A MAN IN A KILT
Cassie Crow, a pop-culture reporter for a TV talk show, is focused on becoming a "serious" journalist. But when she stumbles into a kilted Highlander with a killer accent, Cassie decides that taking one night off from work and spending it with a sexy Scot couldn't hurt. . .
Logan Reid has built a career on his charm, hosting a series of off-the-wall hijinks on the Web. But when the Scottish prankster meets the all-American, equal parts intelligent and irresistible Cassie, Logan realizes that one night of fun won't be enough. Could it be that this career-focused, commitment-phobic couple is finally ready to take a chance at true and lasting love?
This was from last weeks WWW Wednesday. What I wrote then about the book is still the same. Getting Hot with the Scot is currently on preorder. It's expected publication date is April 30th, 2019. Be on the lookout for my review after that date.
Highland Crown
Inverness, 1820
Perched on the North Sea, this port town―by turns legendary and mythological―is a place where Highland rebels and English authorities clash in a mortal struggle for survival and dominance. Among the fray is a lovely young widow who possesses rare and special gifts.
WANTED: Isabella Drummond
A true beauty and trained physician, Isabella has inspired longing and mystery―and fury―in a great many men. Hunted by both the British government and Scottish rebels, she came to the Highlands in search of survival. But a dying ship's captain will steer her fate into even stormier waters… .and her heart into flames.
FOUND: Cinaed Mackintosh
Cast from his home as a child, Cinaed is a fierce soul whose allegiance is only to himself… .until Isabella saved his life―and added more risk to her own. Now, the only way Cinaed can keep her safe to seek refuge at Dalmigavie Castle, the Mackintosh family seat. But when the scandalous truth of his past comes out, any chance of Cinaed having a bright future with Isabella is thrown into complete darkness. What will these two ill-fated lovers have to sacrifice to be together…for eternity?
This was a no brainer when I was approached to with the request to review this book. It takes place in Scotland and it takes place in my favorite era. Highland Crown is currently on preorder. It's expected publication date is April 30th, 2019. Look for my review after that date.
No real reason why I accepted the request to review email. I figured that I needed a hot, smutty read every once in a while. Friends with Benefits is currently available for purchase. Look for my review at some point within the next couple of weeks.
After She's Gone
In a small backwater town in Sweden, a young boy with a dark secret comes across a diary. As a cold case investigation suddenly becomes eerily current, a police investigator mysteriously disappears. What links these seemingly random events?
As atrocious acts from the past haunt the present and lives are changed forever, some will struggle to remember – while others struggle to forget . . .
I love a good mystery. After She's Gone looks like a fantastic one!! After She's Gone is currently on preorder. It's expected publication date is February 26th, 2019. Look for my review after that date.
The Winter of the Witch
Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.
Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.
I can't even begin to tell everyone how excited I am to be reading this book. It was one of my must reads for 2019. I want to know how Vasya and Morozko's story ends!! The Winter of the Witch is currently available to buy. Look for my review at some point within the next couple of weeks.
So that's it. Be on the lookout for the reviews of all these books in the near future.
Have you read any of these books?
Let me know what you thought of them!!
WWW Wednesday: November 14th, 2018
What's going on with me this past week:
Nothing much. Because of no school on Monday (because of Veteran's Day), I am off a day. I keep thinking that today is Tuesday. That meant I almost forgot to put out my trash last night (trash is Wednesdays here). I am in Thanksgiving prep mode here. We have the ham and turkey breast bought (ahead of time, which is a miracle for us). I am in the process of trying to figure out the sides, other than stuffing and potatoes. I am also in birthday mode. Mr. Z's birthday is the 20th and Miss B's is the 24th. Which means that they are 1 year apart for 4 days. It used to drive Miss B nuts when she was younger. She was convinced that Mr. Z would eventually grow older than her…lol.
I am finally caught up with my reading. Which is a miracle considering that I had almost no time to do things this weekend. As for reviews, I will be caught up after today. Happy dance!!
Tabitha was a true survivor – until she wasn't. One week before her loveless marriage to a wealthy man, a freak accident causes her soul to trade places with a womanising lush paying penance for his sins as a soul collector. While she waits for Death to unravel the bureaucratic red-tape and return her to her life, she's forced to take on Mort's duties, accompanied by the sexiest but rudest man she's ever met.
Cooper was a bank manager until his demise, and he's got a lot of making up to do. He's determined to be the best damn soul collector heav…he…Death has ever seen. Saddled with baby-sitting the soul of a selfish, amoral airhead, he's determined to teach her a lesson.
Can Tabitha convince Death to switch her back before her wedding and her reputation are ruined? Will Cooper make her see the error of her ways? Or will Fate have the last laugh and teach them all a lesson in love?
I started reading this last night, as BK was playing Battlefield 4. By the middle of the 1st paragraph, I was giggling. I didn't get much further but I am hoping that the book delivers on its promise. Very promising start, though!!
What I recently finished reading:
Irresistible beats and tantalizing bodies heat up the night at South Beach's most scandalous new club.
Alex: I hate doing business in clubs. Especially one like Duality. I'm here to seal a deal, not indulge in whatever hedonistic illusion they're selling. Until, through all the skin and sex on display, I see her. Helen Blackwood. The girl who once filled my youthful fantasies, whose name is now synonymous with pain. Her father's lies destroyed my family, leaving me with nothing to lose. And yet I can't deny my electric response to her touch . . . or my urge to protect her when I see the bruise on her face.
Helen: Growing up, life prepared me for society galas and powerful men, not minimum-wage jobs or drunk exes with anger issues. But I'm a survivor. So here I am, practically naked, serving drinks at a Miami nightclub. I don't mind the stares. Apparently, Alex Archer does. After twelve years, we aren't exactly friends, but money is something we both understand. Something he knows I need. I'll be his personal assistant, even if it means working with the man I hate . . . and the man I still want.
No cheating. No cliffhangers. And no dress code.
I have read and reviewed the other 3 books in the Panic series. So, I had high expectations for this book. It didn't fail me. Not going to go into it (the book will be published November 20th) but I loved this book. Be on the lookout for my review on or after the publication date.
After a whirlwind romance, a man with a painful past learns to trust the musician who makes him believe in happy endings.
Matt Argento knows what it feels like to be alone. After a childhood of abandonment, he never imagined someone might love him—much less someone like Rhys Nyland, who has the voice of an angel, the looks of a god, and the worship of his fans.
Matt and Rhys come from different worlds, but when they meet, their chemistry is incendiary. Their romance is unexpected, intense, and forever—at least, that's what their vows promise. Suddenly, Matt finds himself living a life he never thought possible: safe and secure in the arms of a man who feels like home. But when Rhys leaves to go on tour for his new album, Matt finds himself haunted by the ghosts of his past.
When Rhys returns, he finds Matt twisted by doubt. But Rhys loves Matt fiercely, and he'll go to hell and back to triumph over Matt's fears. After secrets are revealed and desires are confessed, Rhys and Matt must learn to trust each other if they're going to make it. That means they have to fall in love all over again—and this time, it really will be forever.
I had read, reviewed and loved Riven. So when I saw the Rend was up for review, I snapped it up. I am pretty excited to read it!!!
A lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied…
Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest isn't problem-free: She's in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother's best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that's not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?
Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne's life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family's opinion of him. But before he can win her family's affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?
The title drew me in for this book. I love it when titles reference movies/songs. I had also liked the other book in the series. So, we'll see how I like it.
A woman scorned and a politician with a wild side connect online—and explore their hottest fantasies in the flesh.
Olivia Watts knows that her problems are painfully average. She got engaged, and her fiancé cheated. She gave up on her dream job—street photographer—and settled on a more practical one: graphic designer. She scrimped and saved to buy a home, only to realize how empty it was. So when Olivia hears about an exclusive dating app that matches subs with highly trained doms, she does something she never thought she'd do in a million years: She signs up. The last thing she expects to find is a man whose sizzling touch reawakens the woman she used to be. . . .
Noah Grant has no time for relationships. His sole purpose is to win reelection. That's why he pays a premium to the discreet app that satisfies all his dark desires. But after sweet, innocent Olivia is vetted and arrives for their week together in his penthouse, it's blatantly clear that she's running from her demons. Noah's more than willing to be her escape—until their emotions get tangled up in their games. Now, to become worthy of Olivia's heart, Noah will have to prove that he's more than a fantasy.
I am not normally a fan of erotica or BDSM. But when the blurb, I thought the story was a good one. After reading the reviews, I can't wait to read the book!!
First love is always the sweetest.
For years, Abigail Linton devoted herself to caring for her aging parents and the children of her siblings. Now, eager to make her own life, she takes a position as governess on the neighboring estate. It shouldn't matter that her absentee employer is Maxwell Bryce, the Duke of Rothwell, the infamous rake who once broke her youthful heart. Surely he's forgotten her, for he hasn't set foot on his estate for fifteen years. At least, that is, until he arrives unexpectedly.
Max is incensed to meet his sister's new governess. But why does Abby appear just as displeased to see him when it was she who'd rejected him all those years ago? Why is he so drawn to the independent spinster she has become? And why is there a sparkle in her beautiful blue eyes that suggests they might have a second chance at love?
I like second chance love stories. Add in that this is a historical romance. So, yeah. I had to read it. I am hoping that I absolutely love it!!
The Storyteller's Throne by Jocelyn Bates
Publisher: Independent Book Publisher's Association, Member's Titles
Date of publication: April 24th, 2018
Genre: New Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Where you can find The Storyteller's Throne: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Grace was born a storyteller with a beautifully brilliant mind. Trauma twisted her reality into a tale of darkness. Now, at eighteen, Grace has found herself on the shores of a shadow world created to heal a generation. A world whose purpose is to release our emotions from the bonds of youth.
But she is not alone. It's a world inhabited by others, those working on their own hearts and one other like herself. An amazing and yet afflicted empath and musician by the name of Kai that Grace feels inexplicably drawn to.
Will she be able to handle the suppressed memories of her youth? Accept the vulnerability necessary to explore her own heart and that of another? Fulfill the true purpose it seems she is destined to serve?
Come along with Grace as she learns to uncover her past, harness her gift, open her heart to love and embrace her future.
I was intrigued when I read the blurb for The Storyteller's Throne. A woman, scarred by traumatic events that happened in her life, finds herself in a world that can help her heal. It caught my interest. I wanted to know how this world would help her heal. I also wanted to know who Kai was and why Grace had such a connection to him. So I decided to read the book. For the most part, I liked the book. But it was the direction the book took towards the end that made me go "WTH" and give it the rating I did.
Grace's story disturbed me. She was raped by someone when she was 6 years old. I didn't like having to read about a 6-year-old being raped. I understood why the author chose to have Grace react the way she did to the rape. Her unresolved feelings led her down a road of self-harm. But once she got into the Shadow Lands, she was forced to face and accept what she went through. But, then her story took a turn that I didn't expect. Her romance with Kai wasn't expected as was her traveling into the future. I will get into that later in the review. I couldn't connect with her.
I felt bad for Kai. His story was different from Grace's but it was also similar. Kai didn't speak. He could speak but chose not too. He chose to speak through his music. His entire life, he had been compared to his older brothers and fell short. Falling into addiction, Kai ends up in The Shadow Lands the same time as Grace. I would have loved it if the author kept his character on that path. Instead, he went down a path where he fell in love with Grace. It almost seemed like an obsessive love, to be honest. He was more relatable to than Grace but I still didn't have a connection.
I would have been fine with the book if it hadn't gone into an anti-medication rant. Then Grace went into the future. There the adults were medicating themselves and the kids to keep them easy to manage. But the minute that mental health medication was blamed for the kids being zombies, I went "Oh no. This book didn't go there." That affected my rating.
Also, I didn't like that there was Instalove. Instalove is fine in some books but in this one, no. I couldn't with this book. I also couldn't deal with Grace and Kai having sex. While I understand that it was healing, it didn't do it for me.
The end of The Storyteller's Throne confused me. I am not going to get into it but there were several situations that made me go "What!!" and "How on earth did she not know that?" and "Well, chaos didn't happen, so now what". None of the storylines were wrapped up. Which either was an oversight or the author is planning a book 2. I was left unsatisfied with the ending.
I gave The Storyteller's Throne a 2-star rating. I could not connect with any of the characters. I would have been OK with the book if it hadn't turned into an anti-medication rant. And there was Instalove.
I would give The Storyteller's Throne an Older Teen rating. There is sex. There is violence. There is mild language. There are triggers. There are child rape, self-harm, and drug use. Also, there is a strong anti-medication for mental illness in the last half of the book. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.
I would not reread The Storyteller's Throne. I also would not recommend this book to family and friends.
I would like to thank Independent Book Publisher's Association, Member's Titles, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Storyteller's Throne.
All opinions stated in this review of The Storyteller's Throne are mine.
**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**
Have you read The Storyteller's Throne?
Love it?
Hate it?
Meh about it?
Let me know!!!
Snow (The Black Ice Trilogy: Book 1) by Mikayla Elliot
Date of publication: July 31st, 2017
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult
Where you can find Snow: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Series: Black Ice Trilogy
Snow – Book 1
Blizzard – Book 2
Book synopsis (from Goodreads):
Taken from all she has ever known and loved, Neva finds herself swept into a world of vampires where she learns she will determine their future. Yet she quickly discovers she is the target of a vampire, Zachariah, seeking to stop her from altering the vampire lineage. She must decide which path she will take while trying to protect the family she left behind and discovering a past she cannot escape.
When I started reading this book, I thought that it was going to be a vampire Snow White type of book. I don't know why I thought that, but I did. If I paid more attention to the blurb, I would have seen that. Oh well.
I don't understand how Snow was labeled as a young adult novel. Neva, the main character, was married. If I were to guess at her age, I would put her in her early to mid-'20s. I thought that his book was better suited for the NA genre than YA. But that's me. Someone else could have a different take on it. Which is a wonderful thing about writing reviews. No one's opinions are wrong. Unless you didn't read the book and give your opinion, then I don't pay attention to those reviews.
I liked the plot of Snow. I thought that it was original. Neva is brought into the vampire world when her life was almost taken in an attack. She is thrust into the middle of a conspiracy that will leave everyone reeling. Can Neva bring Zachariah to his knees and save the vampire lineage? Or will she become a pawn in an ancient war?
I liked Neva but I found her whiny for most of the book. Yes, she had a terrible shock when she was turned. It would have been a huge shock for anyone. Even after Thedryk explained why she was turned and who she was, she still whined about it. She didn't understand the danger she was in. For an adult, she didn't act like one. I did like that she wised up during the last half of the book. Seeing what happened to her family shocked her into wising up.
I didn't think that Zachariah wasn't that bad of a guy for most of the book. Yes, he didn't like Neva and yes, he was only with Eliza because he cared about the power. The author showed a 100% different side to him when he was interacting with his adopted daughter. He cared for them. I honestly don't think that he is going to be as bad as he was made out to be. I do think it is awful what he did in the last half of the book. But it didn't go with what the author showed. I wonder if there is more to his story and if it will be revealed in book 2.
I loved what the author did with the vampires in this book. While these vampires need human blood, they don't need it that often. They can eat regular food but it doesn't do anything for them. Not everyone can be turned into a vampire, though. The author explained that people can be turned into vampires have a special aura. The vampires can see it but can only turn if they have permission from the Council. If someone is turned who doesn't have the special aura, they become something out of a nightmare. The author also had the vampires have a special gift. Some are stronger than others but everyone has it.
There is even a science fiction angle of Snow. There is a vampire that can open portals into different dimensions. It is explained more thoroughly in the book. I found it fascinating and wished that it has been added sooner in the book.
The end of Snow was action packed and moved very fast. What happened to Zachariah, he deserved it. But it was the end of the book that made me go what. First with the introduction of a famous fictional character. Then it was who was introduced in the very last pages of the book. It is that revelation that makes me excited to read the next book in the series.
What I liked about Snow:
A) How the vampires were portrayed
B) Neva's storyline
C) The science fiction angle
What I disliked about Snow:
A) Neva. She was a whine bag for most of the book
B) Zachariah. I was on the fence with him for most of the book. But the ending events turned me
C) What happened to Neva's family
I would give Snow an Older Teen rating. There is no sex or sexual situations. There is violence. There is no language.
I would reread Snow. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.
I would like to thank Independent Book Publisher's Association, Member's Titles, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Snow.
All opinions stated in this review of Snow are mine.
**I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it**


text:
Updated to KDE 2 beta4 and can no longer build kde2 projects?
Frank Nichols frank at theNichols.net
Tue Aug 29 03:24:59 UTC 2000
Previous message: Updated to KDE 2 beta4 and can no longer build kde2 projects?
Next message: Updated to KDE 2 beta4 and can no longer build kde2 projects?
That's what I thought - so I guess I will dig into the KDevelop template and
see how far I get fiddling with it. Anyone know if KDevelop is going to be
updated soon to be compatible? I don't mind playing with this problem, like
you said that's why they call it beta!
/fn
while( ! world->perfect ) {
whine;
On Tue, 29 Aug 2000, you wrote:
> Hi Frank,
> Frank Nichols wrote:
> > So, I cranked up
> > kdevelop and created a kde2 mdi project using the wizard. When I try to
> > build it I get a few errors trying to compile the test.cpp.
> Yes, KDE was too fast in declaring the whole stuff to 'beta' because
> they couldn't keep source compatibility over all the beta versions (but
> that's what a programmer expects when he hear 'beta' :).
> Likely the template provided by KDevelop is not compatible any more. It
> must be updated again.
> Bye,
>   F at lk
> _________________________________________________________
> Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com


Big companies usually have IT departments to help them select technology, install and maintain it, and protect it from outside threats such as cybercrime. If you are a small business, you probably don't have an IT department, at least not a very big one. In many small businesses, the proprietor is the IT person, as well as the CEO, treasurer, head of marketing and all the rest.
It's little wonder that strategy to deal with complicated technology issues such as potential cyberattacks often gets put on the backburner. However, the rapid rise we are seeing in cybercrime at the moment is making the threat difficult to ignore.
There were 47,000 reported cyber security incidents in Australia in 2016–17, up 15% from the previous year, according to the Federal Government's Australian Cyber Security Centre.
The outlook is even more grim. Cybercrime will continue rising and is predicted to cost businesses globally more than US$6 trillion annually by 2021, according to research from Cybersecurity Ventures.
This year, the greatest number of cyber-attacks on SMEs is expected to be in the form of ransomware. Ransomware is the most prevalent cybercrime threat in Australia and occurs when a person, often an inexperienced employee, opens an email and clicks on a link that then infects the business's technology. This can freeze all online operations, except emails from the cyber-criminal, until a ransom is paid.
In one recent instance, the owner and manager of a small group of pharmacies in Western Sydney was away on holidays when an employee opened an email and clicked on an innocent looking link. That single mouse click was disastrous for the business. The pharmacies' computers froze. Employees couldn't access information on customers' medical and pharmaceutical needs, nor enter prescription details. Nor could they access details on various drugs that they often had to look up and tell their customers about. Electronic payments were stopped.
The vacationing pharmacist returned soon after to chaos. All that was working was email—and there was a dreaded email requesting payment of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin to restore all the data and systems. He called his reliable IT support service, who was unable to do anything with this malware attack. Their advice: "pay up".
Ransomware attacks can cause severe financial and reputational damage to businesses.
Cybersecurity Ventures expects ransomware damage costs globally will rise to US$11.5 billion in 2019 and that a business will fall victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds by that time.
After the WannaCry ransomware attack of May 2017 crippled computer systems in 150 countries, came the sobering realisation that there had been a fix available before the attack. Microsoft had released a patch for the WannaCry vulnerability weeks earlier.
The upshot is that if people had been diligent with their software updates, their machines may not have been infected. Businesses can keep on top of this by configuring their computers to automatically install software updates as they become available.
Antivirus software is essential for protecting your business's computers from ransomware attacks. It can prevent malware from infecting your computers, but again, only if you keep it up-to-date.
Also, don't fall into the trap of thinking antivirus software can protect you from everything! It can't always keep ahead of every new type of malware out there, so a multi-pronged approach to security is important.
Ransomware attacks work because most computer users don't back up their data. The reason that victims agree to pay ransoms is to regain access to data that they haven't backed up elsewhere.
If you've backed up your data, cybercriminals won't be able to hold it hostage. Consider backing up your files on a drive separate to your main business network or in the cloud. It's best to have backups in multiple places for maximum safety.
Under new laws that came into effect in February, the Australian government requires all businesses with a turnover of more than $3 million to report any data breach that would seriously harm people.
The Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) legislation includes millions of dollars of fines if businesses fail to report hacking attacks or breaches of personal data. It's important to read up on the legislationand have a reporting plan in place to follow in the event of an attack.
Be ultra-cautious with any unsolicited emails, pop-ups and dubious websites, which can often carry malware.
Don't open anything you are unsure of, or click on any links that don't look right, and train your employees to do the same.
Keep an eye on news about cyber security threats so that you can be on guard to spot the latest techniques of cybercriminals and make sure your computer system is best equipped to deal with the current virus or other malware threat.
While it is better to avoid a ransomware attack where possible, even well-prepared companies can fall prey as cybercriminals develop new and innovative methods. In the event an attack does occur, a current cyber insurance policy can help to mitigate the impact on your business.
Cyber insurance can cover the loss of business profit due to a cyber event and costs associated with mitigating the loss. Not only can it reimburse you for the payment of a ransom or costs associated with negotiating with those making an extortion threat – it can also cover the financial consequences of losing a customer, employee or commercially sensitive data (such as that required to be reported under the Federal Government's new NDB scheme).
While it's important to check the details of the cover in any particular policy, other costs that cyber insurance can cover include computer forensic costs, notification expenses, legal fees, replacement of damaged IT systems, and the cost of repairing or restoring systems and data. It can even cover public relations and crisis management, and the unintentional transmission of Malware causing harm to a third party.


Multiplication for Kids is a very interesting flash game destined especially for little kids who want to learn how to multiply. It is a fun game and parents prefer it because it is an easy way of making their kids study. It is known that nowadays kids prefer to play online instead of studying. Therefore, Multiplication for Kids is a free online tool that combines the fun of playing on the computer with studying the multiplication table. Multiplication for Kids is not a very complex game because it has as its main purpose multiplying several numbers. Kids will surely find this game funny and parents will think of it as educational. If you want your kid to learn how to multiply in a fun manner, you should encourage him to play Multiplication for Kids. In conclusion, this is one of the best educational games on the internet today.


Kamo is a character in The Wind Waker.
Kamo is an 18-year-old boy who lives on Windfall Island. During the day, he sits on the steps outside the Auction House. At night, he can be found stargazing near the School of Joy, where he will comment on the different constellations to Link if he looks at them using his Telescope. Speaking to him during the day causes him to complain about how no one understands him. Further insistence from Link prompts Kamo to challenge the young hero with bringing him a picture of his favorite thing to prove that Link comprehends how he feels. Taking a color Pictograph of the full moon and showing it to Kamo results in Link being rewarded with a Treasure Chart as thanks for helping him ease the pain in his troubled heart. Henceforth, Kamo claims to feel completely rejuvenated and thanks Link again for his role in helping lift his spirits.
After Anton and Linda begin dating, Link can speak to Kamo while stargazing at night to discover that he and Linda are childhood friends and that he is upset that she had feelings for someone else all the while, who happened to be one of Kamo's friends. However, he decides that there is little that can be done about it and apologizes to Link for any involvement he may have had.
Kamo is the only character on Windfall Island who remains outside during the endless night curse cast by Ganondorf. This grants him a minimal role in Link's quest to obtain Nayru's Pearl. If Link speaks to him, he mentions seeing a strange group heading toward the Bomb Shop, thus providing Link with a hint as to where to go next.
Ever the romantic, Kamo loves to gaze at the night sky. He and his dear friend Linda were once classmates at Mrs. Marie's School.


Dear Dr. Roach: I'm almost 84, and all my life I have had a problem with sinusitis. Never headaches, just post-nasal drip and use of multiple tissues. (I really should buy shares in tissue companies, as I'd rather leave home without my clothes on than without a couple of tissues.) I blow my nose an awful lot.
Anyway, I have always thought that yellow mucus was a sign of infection, but recently my doctor assured me that the color is no longer considered an issue, unless it is a very dark brown. Do you agree with that opinion? — V.M.
Answer: Normal nasal secretions are nearly colorless, and they become colored due to the action of bacteria. So, in cases of bacterial sinus infection, the mucus is usually colored. However, bacteria that normally live in the nasal passages can turn the mucus to a yellow or light-brown color even in the absence of infection. The color intensity is due more to the amount of time the bacteria spend in contact with the mucus. Mucus color is not a reliable indicator of infection.
Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, Fla. 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.


text:
By Harry641 - 23/02/2016 22:53 - United Kingdom - Hounslow
Today, I got accused of ruining my girlfriend's birthday, all because I accidentally got her the same birthday present as her mother did. FML
Another great day to be alive
Sounds like a scam
It never rains…
Today, it's my ninth day off work. I should have been back 4 days ago, but whilst resting a swollen knee at home, I got a hair stuck in my eye so badly that I had to go to A&E at 4 a.m. to get it taken out. Now work won't let me come back until the resulting conjunctivitis clears up. FML
By SHIIIIITTTT - 10/08/2012 23:16 - United States - Houston
Today, my new boss, the CEO's son, finally showed up for work, three days late and right after lunch break. His first order of business was to call a meeting and scream at everyone for not having a diet latte waiting for him on his desk. God help us all. FML
By thishasbeenaverytellingnight - 08/10/2017 16:00
Today, I was working in bed when my boyfriend stumbled in, drunk as hell. He got on top of me saying he wanted sex. After a moment, he paused and said, "Sorry, I thought you were Stephen." I'm a girl. Stephen is my father. FML
Once you see it…
Today, it was brought to my attention that my dog has a giant anus. I'd never noticed. Now I can't stop staring at his silver dollar-sized backdoor. FML
By emily - 23/06/2019 06:45
Today, I learned in my child development class that lying in toddlers is a sign of intelligence. I clearly remember that I didn't even understand the concept of lying until I was 6 years-old. FML
By fuck my goddamn life - 15/02/2014 20:51 - United States
Today, I'm stuck in a hotel with my psychotic mom, all because she swore there were "demonic" noises coming from our oven. Yeah, our oven is totally possessed, you idiot. FML
By superpissed - 07/12/2016 13:07 - United Kingdom - Solihull
Today, I went for a trial shift somewhere perfect for me to work. I knew loads about the place and how they worked. The trial shift went really well. Not even 2 hours after my shift, they rung to tell me I'd lost out to someone who swore at a customer. FML
Because reasons
By Off_Road - 04/06/2014 19:30 - United States - North Pole
Today, while on the highway, a guy in a truck sped up to pass me. He was hauling a trailer, which hit me and ran me off the road. I called the cops and followed him all the way into town, where the cops pulled him over. They let him go without even a ticket, because, "He didn't know he hit you." FML
By Noname - 19/02/2009 16:24 - United States
Today, my boyfriend called me from a payphone because he lost his phone at the airport. When I texted his phone to get a response from someone who stole it [because it was still on whenever I called], I received a message back saying, "Love the pics. Send more ;]" FML
By crushed - 29/03/2009 06:40 - United States
Today, I was hanging with my boyfriend and when his mom came to pick him up, he introduced me. She talked to me politely and i thought we hit it off very well. As I was walking away I hear her say "That's your new girlfriend? Honey, you could do so much better". FML
By shroooms - 28/07/2011 20:37 - Slovenia
Today, my entire family, myself included, has been turned into a collective diarrhea fountain after going out to eat. We only have one bathroom. FML
By Tymer - 23/11/2012 15:56 - Canada - Malahat
Today, while at school, a bra fell out of my coat. After the initial shock, people started congratulating me on finally getting a girlfriend. I didn't have the heart to tell them it was my mom's. FML
I'm not, but…
By Queerbait - 05/11/2015 06:52 - Australia
Today, my girlfriend's mother insisted she's not homophobic, but however people only 'turn gay' because they were sexually abused, or are 'making it up to get attention'. She informed me I'm the former and my girlfriend is the latter. Uh huh. FML
By Cathy - 14/12/2009 05:03 - United States
Today, my husband was choosing an auto insurance. Geico was $500 and Allstate was $200. He chose Geico because it had a 'cute little lizard.' FML
By mymomsstupid - 29/06/2011 14:51 - United States
Today, I woke up to the news that my mom's in jail. FML
By Spider fail - 31/05/2016 19:06 - United States - East Lansing
Today, I had a dream that I was swinging through New York City as my favorite hero, Spider-Man. I was almost immediately beaten to death by a mugger. I suck even in my dreams. FML
By Anonymous - 10/06/2012 06:24 - Canada - Whitby
Today, I used a prank app, where you shake the cell, and it makes the screen looks cracked. I ended up losing my grip on the phone. It went flying, and it is now cracked for real. FML
By ohgodwhyfml - 28/11/2015 14:32 - United States - Danbury
Today, a girl I'd been talking to all night actually wanted to come home with me. Stopped to buy condoms. Got home, clothes came off, took out a condom. "Sorry, I'm allergic to latex". She left in a cab. I'm a 27-year old virgin for another night and now have a box of condoms to remind me. FML
By Anonymous - 01/07/2014 04:26 - United States - Murfreesboro
Today, after losing his job, I reassured my boyfriend by telling him I'd rather be with him living in a cardboard box than to be without him. He responded by telling me he'd rather be dead. FML
Policy schmolicy
By p!nk - 12/09/2020 11:01 - United States
Today, I let my daughter dye her hair pink. I got an email from her school stating that the hair color violated the school dress code as it's "distracting," and she will not be allowed to attend classes until she changes it. We do school over Zoom. Not sure how her hair distracts on a screen. FML
PS I Love You
By Anonymous - 13/02/2021 17:01 - Sweden - G?teborg
Today, I had a group project on Zoom with some classmates I'm not so familiar with. When we were done and said our goodbyes, I said, "Bye bye, I love you." FML
By loveade11 - 12/01/2010 19:28 - France
Today, a police officer caught my girlfriend and me having sex. The officer was my dad, and we were butt naked in his new Ford Expedition. FML
By Kayla - 06/03/2012 00:43 - United States
Today, I choked on a gummy bear and ended up in the emergency room. The first thing the doctor said to me was, "Well, that must have been 'beary' uncomfortable." The entire room burst into laughter. FML
By bobthenun - 20/03/2013 21:16 - United States - Santa Barbara
Today, I went out to a restaurant to meet a girl that I met online. When I arrived, I texted her and she said she was wearing a blue shirt. The only person that was wearing anything blue was a fat man smiling in the corner. FML
By Todd - 14/08/2012 16:14 - United States
Today, my dad got so drunk that he had an intense argument with the microwave, resulting in him threatening to ground me after I tried to calm him down. FML
By Lunar-Spice - 07/11/2020 08:01
Today, I found out what it feels like to put in a contact while drunk. My eye still hurts. FML
By Alone - 28/12/2012 05:24 - United States
Today, a girl mistook me for her boyfriend and broke up with me because I'm "a liar and a cheating bastard." I've never seen her in my life, but I'm so lonely that I tried to convince her to give me another chance and stay with me. FML
By sugar - 18/10/2010 12:23 - United States
Today, my boyfriend of two years told his friend that he decided a long time ago that he would never be faithful to a woman. I was sitting next to him. FML
By JLD - 11/10/2010 04:34 - United States
Today, I came home from a four-day trip. Apparently, my cat thought I was gone for good and is now very unhappy that I'm home. I know this because she's been positioning herself between me and my husband all night, and hisses every time I try to touch him. He thinks it's hilarious. FML
By chris - 09/06/2009 17:09 - United States
Today, I was walking my new dog and saw this girl that I've had a crush on for months. When I approached her, I tried to look 'macho' with my dog. However my dog thought it would be more attractive to pee on my leg. FML
By really? - 13/04/2013 09:21 - United States
Today, it's my birthday. My family put a bouquet of balloons outside my room for me to find when I woke up. I walked out of my room, saw the balloons, screamed, and fell down the stairs. FML
By myheart75 - 07/08/2011 09:52 - Australia
Today, my niece told me to go and find my own friends. She's 2, and I'm 18. FML
By impickingyourhomegran - 13/08/2012 22:12 - United Kingdom - London
Today, it was my wedding day. Midway through the ceremony, my grandma, who's tried to ruin every relationship to date, stood up and shouted that "it ain't right", "you're too good for her", and claimed my fiancée has been cheating on me, before she was finally ejected from the building. FML
By lillymean - 03/02/2012 01:02 - United Kingdom
Today, I reached a new low in my relationship: my boyfriend got so drunk I had to help him take a piss. FML
This ain't gonna end well
Today, my partner of 5 years and I sat down to talk because I expressed hope for a proposal in near future. He instead believed that we should wait, and talk about a potential future for us in another two years. FML
By iLuvsIt - 06/11/2012 09:32 - Australia - Belmont
Today, my friend joked to my co-workers that my kitty-cat of a husband was going to beat me for spending $200 on shoes. Later on, my rather large dog was so excited to see me when I walked in the door, he split my lip. Somehow, I don't think they'll believe me when I get to the office tomorrow. FML
Today, as an April fools day joke, I decided to tell my mom and dad that I was gay. After an awkward silence, my mom looks at me, smiles, and says, "well, we have known for a while." She wasn't joking. FML
By soonaked - 30/01/2010 00:02 - United States
Today, I was in the bathroom getting ready to take a shower. I took all of my clothes off, and stepped into the shower facing the knobs. When I turned around, I saw somebody standing in there with me. Apparently, my little brother and his friend were playing hide and seek, and I found his friend. FML
Today, my friend thought it would be funny to dress in all black with a ski mask and use my spare key to break into my house as a joke. He though it was even funnier when I jumped out the window and broke my leg. FML
Today, my mom tried to get me to shoplift. From the dollar store. FML
syki 22
Wednesday 24 February 2016 10:37
I don't know why she's pissed. You know her as well as her own mother!
Mynamewontfi 40
Calling the birthday ruined over this sound very dramatic.
joeyl2008 29
This is why we coordinate. or at least make sure we give our present first.
fakedsincerity 32
Sure it was a silly mistake in hindsight but, saying it "ruined" the day is shallow and childish.
Frid_Kun 7
Friday 26 February 2016 18:24
Nothing there says it was his GF that called birthday ruined. It could have been some drunk uncle or something.
tygerarmy 35
Hopefully her mom said that because your girlfriend opened yours first.
Feklfekl2222 32
For all we know both mother and boyfriend bought her an extensive set of cleaning materials
Mikelbair1 14
Or maybe a gym membership.
countryb_cth 38
Was it your girlfriend's mom or your girlfriend saying that you ruined her birthday? Probably should have put that little bit of info in your FML OP.
iiTzNeeNerz 26
It doesn't matter. The point is that OP got accused of ruining a birthday over a gift. Tad bit dramatic.
cocacola999 27
Actually, it does matter - whether OP is dating a dramatic bitch or if the mother (or, for all we know, even some other family member) threw a fit and OP's gf defended him.
xxmollyxx 25
I hope you didn't also take the first slice of cake.
ninjahesten 18
i bet ya, he toke the last!
AcieMcG 21
If it's something she likes/uses a lot why wouldn't it be a good thing. Lol that would have been awkward if that had happened to me since my BF gave me an adult swing.
amileah13 26
Hey that just means you two have great taste for giving gifts! I wouldn't mind two of something because it's more of the thought put into it and it just means that you listened to your partner about what they wanted.
False_Stupidity 41
That's when you turn it around and say it was her mum that got her the same present as you.
Parents Love LGBTQIA+ Relatable Money Kids Grandparents Awkward Death Noise Sleep Birthday Family Work Weird Sex Intimacy Capitalism Sports Fight Underwear Covid Health Mental health Gross Injury Poopoo peepee Friends Jealousy Tinder


There are a number of questions that get asked over and over, that's why we try to answer many of you enquiries here. Before calling your energy provider, see if you can gain some assistance from these answers.
What is the best energy tariff?
The Variable Tariff: Many prefer a variable tariff because of the potential low prices. When oil is cheap you will directly benefit but with that said you are not protected for when oil prices rise. In general you can usually opt out of this type of tariff with easy as they're not usually fixed.
A Fixed Tariff: Unlike the variable option, this tariff is fixed. You will be locked into a contract with a fixed term of 6, 12 and 18 months. You'll be guaranteed a fixed price and don't have to worry about the fluctuation of oil prices. You will pay more when the prices are low but it can be worth it for peace of mind.
Pre-Payment Tariffs: One of the more expensive of the tariffs but it gives you the chance to pay beforehand. You can pre-pay and it's also easy to monitor how much energy you are using. Once it runs out you will be able to use the emergency credit but will then have to top up your card or pen.
Green Energy: This option is growing in popularity of late, it gives environmentally conscious individuals the chance to do their bit, if you'd like to enjoy green energy then find some of the companies that use solar or renewable energy. There are lots of different companies that now showcase numerous good energy schemes, find out the company's fuel mix and see how much sustainable energy your provider uses.
How to switch energy company?
One of the biggest misconceptions about switching energy supplier is that it's difficult, that usually comes unfounded as many companies work with you to make the whole process smooth.
Firstly you should capitalise on the likes of Uswitch, Money Supermarket and Which.com. Energy reviews will help you pick from the different suppliers and you can even tailor the search for your needs.
Many providers are used to the switching process and it is something that regularly occurs, it's a completely normal protocol and is one that can be done nice and easy. Look at different tariff options, speak to a customer rep, use comparison websites and listen to other's recommendations. Don't rush into a hasty decision, patience is a virtue. Take a look at all your options and speak to their advisors over the phone.
Each company will have a page on this website full of information, you will get answers to your energy questions and will also see different phone numbers. Pick the number that most suits your enquiry, if you are looking to switch to the energy company's service then use their switch number.
The best way to contact my energy company?
Although you will often find a postal address and different e-mail addresses, for the most part, phoning is your best option. You will usually see that their website is full of contact forms and email options but if you'd prefer to speed up the process then give them a ring.
Who are the "Big Six"?
The big six are SSE, Scottish Power, nPower, EON, British Gas and EDF Energy. They were part of the privatisation during Margaret Thatcher's reign and are known for providing 90% of the UK population with their gas and electricity needs.
Most companies will help you online with meter readings eliminating the need of a phone call.
The meter readings can vary from electric dials to gas, so ensure that you take a look at our provider's page here.
This day and age enables us to do sufficient research before making a decision, we can now utilise review sites such as Trust Pilot, Which.com and Money Supermarket. Use all of those sites to get a taste of what they all stand for and then start to enquire.
You will be able to use the energy provider's official website for more information and find out if they have deals to tailor for your needs. In addition to the Big Six Energy Companies you will also be able to find Ecotricity, Ovo Energy, Flow Energy and Good Energy. Find out what their customer service rating is, their accuracy rating and clarity of information.
Getting the best deal is done by thoroughly checking each company, you will need to consider what you need and which business aims at those requirements. If you need a good energy scheme then there are companies that specialise in this sector. You can also choose from fixed, variable, capped and pre-payment offers, so take into account how you'd prefer to pay and how much you are currently paying with your existing provider.
Regardless on the reason of your call, you will be able to find the number you need. Here at Capture Energy we set out to make your job easy with many of these major energy companies not offering you a choice of phone numbers.
We have managed to dig into their details and not only find out more about their tariffs, how to switch energy provider, how to make a complaint and more but you will also be able to find specific phone numbers. Avoid being put on hold and wasting time in your day by finding the exact telephone number or energy helpline that you need.
Need to search for your energy supplier? You can do via our homepage here.


Those are the key elements in the redesign of the Kansas Insurance Department's website, www.ksinsurance.org. The redesign went live today, April 21, 2015, according to Ken Selzer, CPA, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance.
Also included on the homepage are icons linking to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube items produced by KID; an icon to receive email notices of KID news; and links to the State of Kansas and National Association of Insurance Commissioners websites.