text:
XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver
200th Birth Anniversary of Ivan Khrutski
Work of Ivan Naumenko - People's Writer of Belarus
Bird of the year. Kestrel
Slutsk Sashes
Children's Books (EUROPA)
65th Anniversary of Victory in Great Patriotic War
International Year of Biodiversity
World Expo 2010 Shanghai China
Joint issue of the Republic of Belarus and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM)
Sport sailboats
600th Anniversary of Victory in the Battle of Grunwald
Medal winners at XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver
Prize winners of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing
Locomotives and Railway Stations
Green Snaketail. WWF
The Red Book of the Republic of Belarus. Mushrooms
Municipal Arms of Belarus Towns. Khoiniki
Trade-Union Movement in Belarus. VI Congress of Trade Unions of Belarus
Municipal Arms of Belarus Towns. Lida
65th anniversary of UNO
Dogs. Hounds
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Minsk
Municipal Arms of Belarus Towns. Gantsevichi
Mir Castle
Flora. Endangered plants of Belarus
Newsletter # 32 (399) September 17, 2010
On September 24, 2010 the Ministry of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus will issue the stamp "Municipal arms of Lida" from the series "Municipal arms of Belarus towns".
A series continuation. Beginning Nos. 403-404, 445, 495-496, 529-530, 593-595, 633-634, 675-676, 756-758, 794, 795, 850. Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik. Printing: offset. Colour: full colour. Paper: chalk-surfaced, gummed. Perforation: comb 141/4: 14. Size of the stamp: 28x30 mm. Sheet composition: 9 (3x3) stamps. Size of the sheet: 116x125 mm. Print quantity of the stamp: 45.000.
There are elements of protection on the stamp.
Historical reference: A municipal arms of Lida represents the image of a baroque shield divided into 2 parts — red and blue. On the red ground there is a standing gold lion. On the blue ground there are 2 crossed gold keys.
A municipal arms of Lida dates from the end of XVI century and has historical and cultural value because it is the result of development of heraldic traditions of Western Europe. A lion is depicted on municipal arms of Poland, France and Germany. Two keys you can see on the municipal arms of the towns of Belarus, Germany and others.
The modern municipal arms of Lida is registered in the Heraldic matriculation of the Republic of Belarus on May 30, 2002 under No. 85.
Municipal arms of Lida
1400 BYR
Colour of the postmark — black.
Special postmark and FDC designed by Ya. Biadonik.
A special cancellation on FDC will be carried out on the stamp issuing day at the post office No.11 of Lida.
« # 31 (398) 03.09.2010 | Postage stamps of 2010 | »
A special cancellation on FDC will be carried out at the Main Post Office of Minsk on the stamp issuing day.


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Q: How can I rotate the camera? I was watching this video for a complete TL2 reskin mod

and I see at 1m48s he rotates the camera.  How can I do this?

A: You cannot do that in the game by default. You will need a camera mod for it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Want to find out what does the word habnab mean? We gathered all the possible definitions of the word habnab on our website. Our definition dictionary is updated all the time with new definitions and is ready to help you.
This habnab at a venture is a perilous style, I grant, but I cannot help it.	- "Methods of Authors", Hugo Erichsen.


Louisville Boudoir and Pinup Photographers: Boudoir Louisville - Punk Rock Girls like Boudoir Photos too!
Boudoir Louisville - Punk Rock Girls like Boudoir Photos too!
When D came through the door, she was chocked full of energy, I knew it would be a great shoot! After hair and makeup, we dove right into the shoot. We shot a variety of outfits, some lingerie and a few burlesque type outfits. Those are a bit on the risque side, so you will just have to be happy with what we show ya!


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Images capture history: President's Work Bee links past and present
By LLUH News - June 6, 2016
In the olden days of Loma Linda, 110 years ago, a grand staircase swept from the train station up the hill to the original Loma Linda Sanitarium, founded in 1905, now known as Loma Linda University Health.
The staircase traveled between two stately rows of palm trees that still stand today on the north side of the hill, which is now home to Nichol Hall and Lindsay Hall.
Sunday, May 1, President Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, led volunteers from Loma Linda University Health and the community in a half-day work bee to clear the area between the trees and search for remnants of the historical steps. The departments of landscaping and construction provided the necessary tools and gear.
The day began at 7 a.m. in the hilltop gazebo above Lindsay Hall with pancake breakfast provided by the student residence deans.
The hillside came alive as the volunteers cleared the area of vines and underbrush and began to dig. Several artifacts, including a decorative ironwork spout that was part of a fountain, nails that once held the staircase together and a glass bottle stamped with the words "Loma Linda Sanitarium," were unearthed.
The gallery of images tells the story of the 2016 President's Work Bee.
—By Heather Reifsnyder and Nancy Yuen

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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La Citroën DS3 R5 è una versione da competizione della Citroën DS3 sviluppata dalla Citroën Racing, il reparto corse della casa automobilistica francese Citroën, appositamente per competere nella serie WRC-2 del Campionato del mondo rally. La vettura iniziò a gareggiare in competizioni internazionali a partire dal 2014.

Il progetto e i primi test

La DS3 R5 sostituì la Citroën DS3 RRC (Regional Rally Car), versione depotenziata della vincente DS3 WRC realizzata nel 2012, e venne anch'essa concepita con l'intento di essere venduta a scuderie e piloti privati per competere principalmente nei campionati WRC-2, ERC e nel FIA MERC, serie che si disputa in Medio Oriente. Il progetto della vettura impegnò i tecnici Citroën per circa un anno, nel quale concentrarono la loro attenzione soprattutto sul motore e sulle sospensioni, con l'obiettivo di creare un'auto versatile capace di ben comportarsi in tutte le superfici e dotandola di svariate parti in comune tra le versioni da terra e da asfalto.

La vettura è stata presentata ad aprile del 2013 durante il Rally del Portogallo, mentre le prime prove su strada si svolsero nel luglio seguente con il contributo del pilota francese Sébastien Chardonnet, vincitore del campionato WRC-3 nel 2012 con la DS3 R3T, "sorella" minore della R5, e con Kris Meeke, pilota ufficiale della scuderia francese nella massima categoria. L'omologazione ufficiale venne invece accordata dalla FIA il 1º aprile 2014, dopo circa 8000 km di test.

Specifiche
Il motore è un 1.6 litri EP6 CDT, quattro cilindri in linea disposto trasversalmente con monoblocco e testata in lega, distribuzione DOHC con fasatura variabile, 16 valvole a iniezione diretta Magneti Marelli e dotato di turbocompressore con restrittore in aspirazione di 32 mm. Esso eroga una potenza di 280 CV a 6000 giri/min e una coppia massima di 400 Nm (a 2500 giri/min). La trasmissione è a trazione integrale permanente con i differenziali anteriore e posteriore autobloccanti, cambio sequenziale a cinque rapporti e frizione multidisco. Le sospensioni sono di tipo MacPherson con ammortizzatori Citroën Racing mentre l'impianto frenante è dotato di pinze a quattro pistoncini (fornite dalla Alcon) e dischi autoventilanti da 300 mm di diametro in assetto terra e 355 mm su asfalto, sia all'anteriore che al posteriore. L'auto montava cerchi in alluminio da 18" su asfalto e da 15" su ghiaia.

Carriera sportiva

La prima DS3 R5 consegnata debuttò ad aprile 2014 nel Rally di Sanremo, prova valida per il Campionato Italiano Rally 2014 e per il Trofeo Europeo Rally. L'esordio in una gara del mondiale WRC avvenne sempre in Italia, al Rally di Sardegna 2014, dove Sébastien Chardonnet terminò all'11º posto assoluto e al secondo nella classe WRC-2.

Nella prima gara del mondiale 2015 arrivò la prima vittoria di categoria per la DS3 R5, conquistata da Stéphane Lefebvre al Rally di Monte Carlo, dove si piazzò anche al dodicesimo posto assoluto. Ottenne anche un altro podio con il terzo posto ottenuto dall'estone Karl Kruuda al Rally di Polonia.

Nel 2016 partecipò con vari piloti a 10 appuntamenti mondiali, totalizzando quali migliori risultati due terzi posti: al Rally di Monte Carlo con Quentin Gilbert e al Tour de Corse con Yoann Bonato. Stesso bottino anche nel 2017, quando furono Yohan Rossel e Simone Tempestini e terminare sul terzo gradino del podio rispettivamente al Tour de Corse e al Rally del Portogallo.

Il 2018 si aprì con il secondo posto ottenuto dall'italiano Eddie Scessere al Rally di Monte Carlo ma la scuderia francese ha previsto per aprile il lancio della vettura che sostituirà la DS3 R5, la nuova C3 R5, in vista del Tour de Corse, con l'ambizioso obbiettivo di vincere subito il titolo WRC-2.

Vittorie WRC-2
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; "
! #
! Anno
! Rally
! Superficie
! Pilota
! Co-pilota
! Squadra
|-
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" |2015
|  83ème Rallye Monte-Carlo
| Neve/Asfalto
|  Stéphane Lefebvre
|  Stéphane Prévot
|  PH Sport
|}

Vittorie ERC
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; "
! #
! Anno
! Rally
! Superficie
! Pilota
! Co-pilota
! Squadra
|-
| align="center" | 1
| align="center" | 2016
|  74th Circuit of Ireland
| Asfalto
|  Craig Breen
|  Scott Martin
| -
|}

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Vetture Citroën da competizione
Vetture Gruppo R

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Office Manuals and free pdf instructions. Find the office and computer equipment manual you need at ManualsOnline. HP Wireless Elite Keyboard User Manual 1 Installation and Uninstallation Installing the HP Wireless Elite Keyboard 1 Plug the receiver into an available USB port. 2 Insert the HP Wireless Elite Keyboard Companion CD into the CDDVD drive.
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PARAMUS, N.J., Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCBK) (the "Company"), the holding company for Hudson City Savings Bank (the "Bank"), reported today net income of $45.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as compared to net income of $47.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. Diluted earnings per share amounted to $0.09 for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.10 for the fourth quarter of 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reported net income of $185.2 million as compared to net income of $249.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Diluted earnings per share were $0.37 for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.50 for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The Company also reported today that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share payable on March 3, 2014 to shareholders of record on February 12, 2014.
The Bank's Tier 1 leverage capital ratio increased to 10.82% at December 31, 2013 as compared to 10.09% at December 31, 2012.
Non-performing loans decreased $113.3 million to $1.05 billion at December 31, 2013 as compared to $1.16 billion at December 31, 2012. Early stage loan delinquencies (defined as loans that are 30 to 89 days delinquent) decreased $159.7 million to $473.4 million at December 31, 2013 from $633.1 million at December 31, 2012.
There was no provision for loan losses for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $25.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 reflecting improving home prices and economic conditions and decreases in total delinquent loans and total loans. The provision for loan losses in the fourth quarter of 2012 included a $5.0 million provision related to Hurricane Sandy.
Our interest rate spread and net interest margin were 1.20% and 1.47%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 1.75% and 1.97%, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2012. For the linked third quarter of 2013, our interest rate spread and net interest margin were 1.22% and 1.48%, respectively.
FDIC expense decreased $50.2 million during 2013 due to decreases in our assessment rate and a reduction in the size of our balance sheet.
Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits increased $3.53 billion to $4.19 billion at December 31, 2013 from $656.9 million at December 31, 2012 primarily due to repayments of mortgage-related assets.
Total deposits decreased $2.01 billion, or 8.6%, to $21.47 billion at December 31, 2013 from $23.48 billion at December 31, 2012 due to our decision to maintain lower deposit rates allowing us to manage deposit reductions at a time when we are experiencing excess liquidity from prepayment activity on mortgage-related assets and limited investment opportunities with attractive yields.
Ronald E. Hermance, Jr., the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Our net interest margin was 1.47% for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 1.48% for the linked third quarter. This decrease in our net interest margin was less than the decreases experienced in recent quarters as market interest rates continued to increase during the fourth quarter. The yield on the 10 year constant maturity U.S. Treasury Note increased to 3.04% at December 31, 2013 from 2.64% at September 30, 2013 and 1.78% at December 31, 2012. However, we believe market interest rates still remain too low to compel us to pursue any balance sheet growth in the near-term. As a result, assets decreased $1.99 billion during 2013 allowing us to increase our Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to 10.82%. This capital can be used to support future growth and strategic initiatives."
Mr. Hermance continued, "Our asset quality continues to improve. Total non-performing loans decreased $22.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2013. Total delinquencies have decreased $273.0 million since December 31, 2012. In addition, total loans decreased $2.98 billion during 2013 as the low market interest rates continued to result in elevated levels of loan prepayments."
Total assets decreased $1.99 billion, or 4.9%, to $38.61 billion at December 31, 2013 from $40.60 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease in total assets reflected a $2.95 billion decrease in net loans, a $2.07 billion decrease in total mortgage-backed securities and a $315.4 million decrease in other assets, partially offset by a $3.50 billion increase in cash and cash equivalents.
Total cash and cash equivalents increased $3.50 billion to $4.32 billion at December 30, 2013 as compared to $828.0 million at December 31, 2012. This increase is primarily due to continued elevated levels of repayments on mortgage-related assets and the lack of attractive reinvestment opportunities in the current low interest rate environment as available short term reinvestment opportunities continue to carry low yields, and medium and longer term opportunities are creating more significant duration risk at relatively low yields despite the recent increase in market interest rates. In addition, during 2013 we received additional cash from previously accrued tax refunds of $364.9 million. Other assets decreased $315.4 million to $364.5 million at December 31, 2013 from $679.9 million at December 31, 2012 due primarily to the receipt of the accrued tax refund noted above.
Net loans amounted to $23.94 billion at December 31, 2013 as compared to $26.89 billion at December 31, 2012. During 2013, our loan production (origination and purchases) amounted to $3.59 billion as compared to $5.06 billion for 2012. Loan production was offset by principal repayments of $6.39 billion in 2013, as compared to principal repayments of $7.13 billion in 2012. Loan production declined during 2013 which reflects our limited appetite for adding long-term fixed-rate mortgage loans in the current low market interest rate environment. The decrease in net loans was also due to continued elevated levels of refinancing activity caused by low market interest rates combined with lower levels of new production. While loan refinancing activity declined during 2013 as market interest rates increased, loan repayments remained elevated.
Total mortgage-backed securities decreased $2.07 billion to $8.95 billion at December 31, 2013 from $11.02 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease in mortgage-backed securities reflected continued elevated levels of repayments during 2013. Repayments amounted to $3.21 billion for 2013 as compared to $3.69 billion for 2012. Repayments were partially offset by purchases of $1.67 billion of mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities ("GSEs") during 2013. Additionally, there were sales of mortgage-backed securities with an amortized cost of $316.2 million during 2013.
Total liabilities decreased $2.04 billion, or 5.7%, to $33.86 billion at December 31, 2013 from $35.90 billion at December 31, 2012 due entirely to a decrease in deposits. The decrease in deposits reflects our decision to maintain lower deposit rates allowing us to manage deposit reductions at a time when we are experiencing excess liquidity from prepayment activity on mortgage-related assets and limited investment opportunities with attractive yields.
Total shareholders' equity increased $42.8 million to $4.74 billion at December 31, 2013 as compared to $4.70 billion at December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to net income of $185.2 million, partially offset by cash dividends paid to common shareholders of $99.5 million and a $63.6 million change in accumulated other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2013, our consolidated shareholders' equity to asset ratio was 12.28% and our tangible book value per share was $9.21.
Accumulated other comprehensive income amounted to $6.3 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to accumulated other comprehensive income of $70.0 million at December 31, 2012. The resulting $63.7 million change in accumulated other comprehensive income primarily reflects a decrease in the net unrealized gain on securities available for sale at December 31, 2013 as compared to December 31, 2012, due primarily to an increase in market interest rates during 2013 as well as a decrease in the size of our available for sale securities portfolio.
As previously announced, on August 27, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement with M&T Bank Corporation ("M&T") and Wilmington Trust Corporation ("WTC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T, providing for the merger of the Company with and into WTC (the "Merger"). The Merger remains subject to the receipt of the required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. On December 17, 2013, M&T and the Company announced that additional time will be required to obtain a regulatory determination on the applications necessary to complete the proposed Merger as M&T continues to address the Federal Reserve's concerns with its BSA/AML procedures, systems and processes, and that the earliest the Merger could be completed is the latter half of 2014. As a result, M&T and the Company amended the merger agreement, (i) extending the date after which either party may elect to terminate the merger agreement if the Merger has not yet been completed, from January 31, 2014 to December 31, 2014 and (ii) allowing the Company to terminate the merger agreement if the Company reasonably determines that M&T is unlikely to be able to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals in time to permit the closing to occur on or prior to December 31, 2014. There can be no assurances that the Merger will be completed by that date.
The amendment to the merger agreement allows the Company to pursue its Strategic Plan initiatives during the pendency of the Merger without requiring the Company to obtain prior approval from M&T. The Strategic Plan includes initiatives such as secondary mortgage market operations, commercial real estate lending, the introduction of small business banking products and developing a more robust suite of consumer banking products. Many of the initiatives require significant lead time for full implementation and roll out to our customers. We expect commencement of the roll out of the prioritized initiatives during 2014.
As part of our Strategic Plan, we are continuing to explore ways to reduce our interest rate risk while strengthening our balance sheet, which may include a further restructuring of our balance sheet during 2014. The Company previously completed a series of restructuring transactions in 2011 that reduced higher-cost structured borrowings on the Company's balance sheet. Management is currently considering a variety of different restructuring alternatives, including whether to restructure all or various portions of our borrowed funds and various alternatives for replacement funding. No decision has been made at this time regarding the timing, structure and scope of any restructuring transaction. Decisions regarding any restructuring transaction are dependent upon, among other things, market interest rates, overall economic conditions and the status of the Merger. However, any such transaction will likely not occur before the second half of 2014. Similar to the 2011 restructuring transactions, we expect a restructuring to result in a net loss and reduction of stockholder equity, though we also expect an improvement in net interest margin and future earnings prospects. Any restructuring will focus on the prospects for long-term overall earnings stability and growth.
The Federal Open Market Committee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FOMC") noted that economic activity has been expanding at a moderate pace. The FOMC noted that some indicators of labor market conditions have shown further improvement in recent months, but the unemployment rate, which has declined, remains elevated. Household spending and business fixed investment advanced, while the housing sector has slowed in recent months. The national unemployment rate decreased to 6.7% in December 2013 from 7.8% in December 2012. The FOMC decided to maintain the overnight lending target rate at zero to 0.25% during the fourth quarter of 2013 and stated that exceptionally low levels for the federal funds rate will be appropriate for at least as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6.5%. The FOMC anticipates that it likely will be appropriate to maintain the current federal funds rate well past the time that the unemployment rate declines below 6.5%, especially if projected inflation continues to run below the FOMC's 2% longer-run goal.
The FOMC decided to reduce the rate of purchases of agency mortgage-backed securities to $35.0 billion per month from $40.00 billion per month and to reduce purchases of longer-term Treasury securities to $40.0 billion per month from $45.0 billion per month. However, the FOMC noted that the additional asset purchases even at a reduced pace will still increase their holdings of longer-term securities. The FOMC also noted that its sizeable and increasing holdings of longer-term securities should maintain downward pressure on longer-term interest rates, support mortgage markets, promote a stronger economy and help to ensure that inflation, over time, is at the rate most consistent with the FOMC's dual mandate regarding both inflation and unemployment.
Net interest income decreased $56.4 million, or 29.3%, to $135.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $192.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 reflecting the overall decrease in the average balance of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the continued low interest rate environment and an increase in the average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits. Our interest rate spread decreased to 1.20% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 1.75% for the fourth quarter of 2012. Our net interest margin was 1.47% for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared 1.97% for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Net interest income decreased $241.4 million, or 28.3%, to $612.5 million for 2013 from $853.9 million for 2012. Our interest rate spread decreased 53 basis points to 1.32% for 2013 as compared to 1.85% for 2012. Our net interest margin decreased 47 basis points to 1.59% for 2013 as compared to 2.06% for 2012. The decrease in our interest rate spread and net interest margin for 2013 is primarily due to repayments of higher yielding assets due to the low interest rate environment and an increase in the average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits.
Total interest and dividend income for the fourth quarter of 2013 decreased $66.9 million, or 17.2%, to $321.3 million from $388.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in total interest and dividend income was due to a decrease in the average balance of total interest-earning assets of $1.78 billion, or 4.5%, to $37.93 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $39.71 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012 as well as a decrease in the annualized weighted-average yield on total interest earning assets. The decrease in the average balance of total interest-earning assets was due primarily to repayments of mortgage-related assets during 2013 as a result of the low interest rate environment and our decision not to reinvest in low yielding, long term assets. The annualized weighted-average yield on total interest-earning assets was 3.39% for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 3.91% for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in the annualized weighted average yield of interest-earning assets was due to lower market interest rates earned on mortgage-related assets and a $3.47 billion increase in the average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits to $3.86 billion which had an average yield of 0.28% during the fourth quarter of 2013.
Total interest and dividend income for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased $311.9 million, or 18.6%, to $1.36 billion from $1.67 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in total interest and dividend income was primarily due to a $2.79 billion, or 6.7%, decrease in the average balance of total interest-earning assets to $38.64 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $41.43 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in total interest and dividend income was also due to a decrease of 52 basis points in the weighted-average yield on total interest-earning assets to 3.52% for 2013 from 4.04% for 2012.
Interest on first mortgage loans decreased $50.5 million, or 16.3%, to $259.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $309.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This was primarily due to a $3.06 billion decrease in the average balance of first mortgage loans to $23.95 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $27.01 billion for the same quarter in 2012. The decrease in interest income on mortgage loans was also due to a 26 basis point decrease in the annualized weighted-average yield to 4.33% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 4.59% for the fourth quarter of 2012.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, interest on first mortgage loans decreased $205.7 million, or 15.7%, to $1.10 billion from $1.31 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. This was primarily due to a $2.76 billion decrease in the average balance of first mortgage loans to $24.92 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $27.68 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in interest income on mortgage loans was also due to a 30 basis point decrease in the weighted-average yield to 4.43% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 4.73% for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The decrease in the average yield earned on first mortgage loans during the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 was due to continued mortgage refinancing activity and the rates on newly originated mortgage loans which have been below the average yield on our portfolio, reflecting the continuation of low market rates. Consequently, the average yield on our loan portfolio continued to decline in the fourth quarter of 2013. Refinancing activity, which resulted in continued elevated levels of loan repayments, also caused the average balance of our first mortgage loans to decline for those same periods as our loan production decreased reflecting our low appetite for adding long-term fixed-rate mortgage loans in the current low interest rate environment.
Interest on mortgage-backed securities decreased $15.5 million to $52.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $67.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was due primarily to a $2.03 billion decrease in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities to $9.21 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $11.24 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in interest on mortgage-backed securities was also due to a 14 basis point decrease in the annualized weighted-average yield to 2.26% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 2.40% for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Interest on mortgage-backed securities decreased $97.5 million to $216.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $314.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was due primarily to a $2.24 billion decrease in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities to $9.79 billion for 2013 from $12.03 billion for 2012. The decrease in interest on mortgage-backed securities was also due to a 40 basis point decrease in the weighted-average yield to 2.21% for 2013 from 2.61% for 2012.
The decrease in the average yield earned on mortgage-backed securities during the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 was a result of principal repayments on securities that have higher yields than the existing portfolio as well as the re-pricing of variable rate mortgage-backed securities in this continued low interest rate environment. The decrease in the average balance of mortgage-backed securities during these same periods was due primarily to elevated levels of principal repayments in the current low interest rate environment.
Interest on investment securities decreased $1.6 million to $1.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $3.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was due to a 99 basis point decrease in the annualized weighted-average yield to 1.62% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 2.61% for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in the average yield earned reflects current market interest rates. This decrease in interest on investment securities was also due to a $108.5 million decrease in the average balance of investment securities to $344.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $452.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease in the average balance of investment securities was due to the sale of corporate bonds with an amortized cost of $405.7 million partially offset by the purchase of $298.0 million of GSE securities.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, interest on investment securities decreased $3.0 million to $8.6 million from $11.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was due to a 63 basis point decrease in the weighted-average yield to 2.08% for 2013 from 2.71% for 2012. The decrease in the average yield earned reflects current market interest rates. This decrease was also due to a $14.3 million decrease in the average balance of investment securities to $415.2 million for 2013 from $429.5 million for 2012.
Dividends on FHLB stock decreased $1.1 million, or 23.9%, to $3.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $4.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was due primarily to a 90 basis point decrease in the average dividend yield earned to 4.03% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 4.93% for the fourth quarter of 2012. Additionally, the average balance of FHLB stock decreased $25.2 million to $347.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $372.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Dividends on FHLB stock decreased $8.8 million, or 37.4%, to $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $23.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to a 132 basis point decrease in the average dividend yield earned to 4.20% for 2013 from 5.52% for 2012. In addition, there was a $76.0 million decrease in the average balance of FHLB stock to $349.6 million for 2013 as compared to $425.6 million for 2012.
The decrease in the average balance of FHLB stock for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2012 was primarily due to mandatory redemptions of stock due to a decrease in the amount of borrowings outstanding with the FHLB.
Interest on Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits amounted to $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $243,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. The average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits amounted to $3.86 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $386.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The yield earned on Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits was 0.28% for the 2013 fourth quarter and 0.25% for the 2012 fourth quarter.
Interest on Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits amounted to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits amounted to $2.93 billion for 2013 as compared to $591.1 million for 2012. The yield earned on Federal funds and other overnight deposits was 0.25% for 2013 and 0.24% for 2012.
The increase in the average balance of Federal funds sold and other overnight deposits for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to the elevated levels of repayments on mortgage-related assets and the lack of attractive reinvestment opportunities due to low market interest rates.
Total interest expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 decreased $10.5 million, or 5.4%, to $185.4 million from $195.9 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.35 billion, or 6.6%, decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities to $33.24 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 from $35.59 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. This was partially offset by an increase in the annualized weighted-average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities to 2.19% for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 2.16% for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities was due to a $2.01 billion decrease in the average balance of total deposits and a $345.7 million decrease in the average balance of borrowings.
For the year ended December 31, 2013 total interest expense decreased $70.4 million, or 8.6%, to $748.7 million from $819.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to a $3.34 billion, or 8.9%, decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities to $34.08 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with $37.42 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The weighted-average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities was 2.20% for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to 2.19% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities was due to a $1.93 billion decrease in the average balance of total deposits and a $1.39 billion decrease in the average balance of borrowings.
Interest expense on deposits decreased $9.6 million, or 18.4%, to $42.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $52.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decrease is due to the decline in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits of 10 basis points to 0.80% for the fourth quarter of 2013 from 0.90% for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was also due to a $2.01 billion decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $21.06 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $23.07 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, interest expense on deposits decreased $56.3 million, or 23.6%, to $182.4 million from $238.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease is due primarily to a decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits of 17 basis points to 0.83% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 1.00% for the year ended December 31, 2012 This decrease was also due to a $1.93 billion decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits to $21.91 billion during the year ended December 31, 2013 from $23.84 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012.
The decrease in the average cost of deposits for 2013 reflected lower market interest rates and our decision to maintain lower deposit rates to continue our balance sheet reduction. At December 31, 2013, time deposits scheduled to mature within one year totaled $7.49 billion with an average cost of 0.84%. These time deposits are scheduled to mature as follows: $2.81 billion with an average cost of 0.69% in the first quarter of 2014, $2.30 billion with an average cost of 0.74% in the second quarter of 2014, $1.39 billion with an average cost of 0.90% in the third quarter of 2014 and $988.6 million with an average cost of 1.39% in the fourth quarter of 2014. Based on our deposit retention experience and current pricing strategy, we anticipate that a significant portion of these time deposits will remain with us as renewed time deposits or as transfers to other deposit products at the prevailing rate.
Interest expense on borrowed funds decreased $837,000 to $142.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $143.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was due to a $345.7 million decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds to $12.18 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 from $12.52 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was partially offset by a 10 basis point increase in the annualized weighted-average cost of borrowed funds to 4.59% for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with 4.49% for the fourth quarter of 2012 as lower cost borrowings matured during the fourth quarter of 2012.
For the year ended December 31, 2013 interest expense on borrowed funds decreased $14.1 million to $566.3 million from $580.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was due to a $1.39 billion decrease in the average balance of borrowed funds to $12.18 billion for 2013 as compared to $13.57 billion for 2012. This decrease was partially offset by a 37 basis point increase in the weighted-average cost of borrowed funds to 4.65% for 2013 as compared to 4.28% for 2012.
The decrease in the average balance of borrowings for the three months and year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to the maturity of $3.45 billion of borrowings during 2012, including $3.0 billion of short-term borrowings which were not replaced with new borrowings. In addition, these short-term borrowings had considerably lower interest rates than the remaining borrowings and, consequently, as these borrowings matured the overall weighted-average cost of the remaining borrowings increased, resulting in the increase in the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
Borrowings amounted to $12.18 billion at December 31, 2013 with an average cost of 4.65%. There are no scheduled maturities for 2014.
There was no provision for loan losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 as compared to a $25.0 million provision for loan losses for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. For the linked third quarter of 2013, the provision for loan losses amounted to $4.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the provision for loan losses was $36.5 million as compared to $95.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in our provision for loan losses was due primarily to improving economic conditions, increasing home prices, a decrease in the size of the loan portfolio and a decrease in the amount of total delinquent loans.
Non-performing loans, defined as non-accruing loans and accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, amounted to $1.05 billion at December 31, 2013 compared with $1.16 billion at December 31, 2012 and $1.07 billion at September 30, 2013. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 4.35% at December 31, 2013 as compared to 4.29% at December 31, 2012, as the decline in the total loan portfolio outpaced the decline in non-performing loans. Notwithstanding the decrease in non-performing loans, the foreclosure process and the time to complete a foreclosure, while improving, continue to be prolonged, especially in New York and New Jersey where 76% of our non-performing loans are located. This protracted foreclosure process delays our ability to resolve non-performing loans through the sale of the underlying collateral and our ability to maximize any recoveries.
Loans delinquent 30 to 59 days amounted to $311.9 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $393.8 million at December 31, 2012. Loans delinquent 60 to 89 days amounted to $161.5 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $239.3 million at December 31, 2012. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $276.1 million at December 31, 2013 as compared to $302.3 million at December 31, 2012. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans and as a percent of non-performing loans was 1.15% and 26.31%, respectively at December 31, 2013, as compared to 1.12% and 26.01%, respectively at December 31, 2012 and 1.19% and 27.17%, respectively, at September 30, 2013.
Net charge-offs amounted to $14.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $14.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 and $10.3 million for the linked third quarter of 2013. The ratio of net charge-offs to average loans was 0.24% for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to 0.21% for the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.17% for the linked third quarter of 2013 reflecting the slight increase in net charge-offs and the decline in average loans.
Total non-interest income was $13.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $2.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. Included in non-interest income for the fourth quarter of 2013 was an $11.1 million gain on the sale of $165.9 million of mortgage-backed securities. The remainder of non-interest income is primarily made up of service fees and charges on deposit and loan accounts. There were no securities sales for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Total non-interest income was $39.1 million for 2013 as compared to $11.5 million for 2012. Included in non-interest income for the year 2013 was a $7.2 million gain on the sale of corporate bonds with an amortized cost of $405.7 million and a $21.7 million gain on the sale of $316.2 million of mortgage-backed securities. There were no securities sales for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Total non-interest expense decreased $14.1 million to $73.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $87.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This decrease was due to an $18.8 million decrease in Federal deposit insurance expense partially offset by a $3.8 million increase in other non-interest expense.
Compensation and employee benefit costs increased $499,000, or 1.5%, to $33.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to $33.2 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in compensation and employee benefit costs is primarily due to an increase of $991,000 in stock benefit plan expense partially offset by a $417,000 decrease in compensation cost. At December 31, 2013, we had 1,520 full-time equivalent employees as compared to 1,622 at December 31, 2012.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2013, Federal deposit insurance expense decreased $18.8 million, or 63.4%, to $10.9 million from $29.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in Federal deposit insurance expense for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 is primarily due to a reduction in the size of our balance sheet and a decrease in our assessment rate. In addition, there was a $2.4 million one-time reduction in our assessment for the fourth quarter of 2013 related to an adjustment of a previous quarter's assessment as well as a $2.9 million adjustment to accrued FDIC expense to reflect the recent decreases in our assessment rate.
Other non-interest expense increased $3.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013 to $19.9 million as compared to $16.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012. This increase was due primarily to a $2.5 million increase in carrying costs associated with foreclosed real estate and $569,000 in Merger-related professional fees.
Included in other non-interest expense were write-downs on foreclosed real estate and net gains and losses on the sale of foreclosed real estate which amounted to a net gain of $908,000 for the fourth quarter of 2013 as compared to net losses of $565,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. We sold 55 properties during the fourth quarter of 2013 and had 204 properties in foreclosed real estate with a carrying value of $70.4 million, 20 of which were under contract to sell as of December 31, 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2012, we sold 41 properties and had 135 properties in foreclosed real estate with a carrying value of $47.3 million, of which 30 were under contract to sell as of December 31, 2012. This pipeline is now growing steadily as properties emerge from the foreclosure process. At December 31, 2013, 121 loans were scheduled for foreclosure sale as compared to 92 loans at December 31, 2012.
Total non-interest expense amounted to $309.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $356.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was due to a $50.2 million decrease in Federal deposit insurance expense and a $2.1 million decrease in other non-interest expense partially offset by a $3.1 million increase in compensation and benefits and a $2.5 million increase in net occupancy costs.
Compensation and employee benefit costs increased $3.1 million, or 2.4%, to $132.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $129.6 million for the same period in 2012. The increase in compensation costs is primarily due to increases of $2.7 million in stock benefit plan expense and $655,000 in compensation costs.
For the year ended December 31, 2013 Federal deposit insurance expense decreased $50.2 million, or 40.6%, to $73.5 million from $123.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease was due primarily to a reduction in the size of our balance sheet and a decrease in our assessment rate.
Other non-interest expense decreased $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $66.9 million as compared to $69.0 million for the same period in 2012. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in Merger-related professional fees of $5.4 million and a $3.6 million decrease in write-downs and net losses on foreclosed real estate. These decreases were partially offset by a $6.2 million increase in carrying costs associated with foreclosed real estate.
Included in other non-interest expense were write-downs on foreclosed real estate and net gains on the sale of foreclosed real estate which amounted to a net gain of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to a net loss of $1.9 million for the comparable period in 2012. We sold 207 properties during 2013 as compared to 191 properties for the same period in 2012. Also included in other non-interest expense were holding costs associated with foreclosed real estate which amounted to $14.5 million and $8.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Our efficiency ratio was 48.77% for the 2013 fourth quarter as compared to 44.87% for the 2012 fourth quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2013, our efficiency ratio was 47.44% compared with 40.50% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The calculation of the efficiency ratio is included in a table contained in this press release. Our return on average assets was 0.47% for both the 2013 fourth quarter and 2012 fourth quarter. Our annualized ratio of non-interest expense to average total assets for the fourth quarter of 2013 was 0.76% as compared to 0.85% for the fourth quarter of 2012. Our ratio of non-interest expense to average total assets for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 0.78% compared with 0.83% for the corresponding period of 2012.
Income tax expense amounted to $30.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with income tax expense of $34.5 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Our effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2013 was 39.62% compared with 41.84% for the fourth quarter of 2012. Income tax expense amounted to $120.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with income tax expense of $164.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. maintains its corporate offices in Paramus, New Jersey. Hudson City Savings Bank, a well-established community financial institution serving its customers since 1868, is the largest thrift institution headquartered in New Jersey. Hudson City Savings Bank currently operates a total of 135 banking offices in the New York metropolitan and surrounding areas.
This release may contain certain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, strategies and expectations of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as "may," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "plan," "estimate," "predict," "continue," and "potential" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc., the characterization of the future effects of any restructuring transactions on balance sheet strength, capital ratios, net interest margin and earnings prospects and Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.'s strategies, plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions, including the Merger and the Strategic Plan, and other statements contained in this release that are not historical facts. Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.'s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies, including the Merger, is inherently uncertain and actual results and performance could differ materially from those contemplated or implied by these forward-looking statements. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause assumptions to be incorrect include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative, regulatory and public policy changes, further delays in closing the Merger and the ability of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. or M&T to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the Merger. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. For a summary of important factors that could affect Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.'s forward-looking statements, please refer to Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available at www.sec.gov. Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release or to conform these statements to actual events.
Amount includes deferred loan costs and non-performing loans and is net of the allowance for loan losses.
Determined by subtracting the annualized weighted average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities from the annualized weighted average yield on total interest-earning assets.
Determined by dividing annualized net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
for the quarters ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


It's no surprise why the tobacco industry fought so hard to keep California from raising the smoking age to 21 and treating electronic cigarettes the same as tobacco products. The courageous vote Thursday by the Assembly pushes California back toward the forefront of the anti-smoking movement and sets the stage for a dramatic showdown this November between Big Tobacco and the medical community.
A coalition of doctors and anti-tobacco advocates is working to put a $2-per-pack cigarette tax increase before voters, moving its tasx rate from 35th in the nation to 9th.
In 1988, California increased the tax on cigarettes by 25 cents a pack and used the money on a smoking prevention program. It worked, to the consternation of the tobacco industry. California cut the smoking rate for adults from 23 percent in 1988 to 12 percent in 2011, saving thousands of lives and driving down health care costs by billions of dollars.
The percentage of U.S. adults who smoke hovers at around 16 percent. California has higher rates in rural counties — Shasta at 26.8 percent and Calaveras at 18.2 percent.
But look at the Bay Area. In San Mateo County, only 7.7 percent of adults are smokers. In Santa Clara County it's 8.9 percent. Contra Costa County (11.8 percent) and Alameda County (11.9 percent) are higher but still below the state average. It's one reason for our region's healthy image.
Despite those numbers, the California Medical Association says tobacco addiction remains the No. 1 cause of preventable death in California. Tobacco-related diseases kill about 40,000 Californians every year, and the cost of their medical care exceeds $10 billion a year. Billion.
The state Senate is expected to approve the higher smoking age and e-cigarette legislation next week. Gov. Jerry Brown should sign the bills. The law can then take effect 90 days after the health care special session ends.
Research found that young people are more susceptible to smoking addiction because their brains are especially vulnerable to the effects of nicotine. That knowledge, coupled with the rise in e-cigarette use by young adults, is alarming.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released last year said e-cigarettes are the most popular nicotine product among teens. E-cigarette use among middle and high school students tripled from 4.5 percent in 2013 to 13.4 percent in 2014.
Stricter smoking laws take dead aim at this growing problem. And the Legislature's willingness to take on Big Tobacco bodes well for the tobacco tax increase — needed to pay health care costs — on the November ballot.


Hellmann Osnabrück, container repair shop: Two employees are working on a brand-new carriage in the repair shop pit. The rattling noise of the impact wrench is hammering through the hall. A metallic smell of fresh welds is in the air. We have an appointment with Michael Rothenberger. The repair shop manager and his seven-strong team belong to the many people at Hellmann who usually work in the background, but without whom the forwarding business would hardly be possible.
The 56-year-old master car mechanic sits at the desk of his small office, immersed in thought. Surrounded by mountains of files and order books, Michael Rothenberger prepares the practical training examination for professional drivers, which takes place the next day. As part of the examination board, he wants to pass on his technical knowledge and experience to the young truck drivers. And he has accumulated a lot of it in his 38-year career.
Rothenberger divides his time at Hellmann into three episodes: In 1980 he joined the company as a newly trained motor vehicle journeyman. At that time, truck emergencies were repaired directly on the road, even at night – hardly conceivable today. From this time he still has many jobs in his memory. He remembers his most dangerous mission as if it were yesterday: together with his then master, Rothenberger was called to a repair emergency on the highway A1 in 1983. On a trailer the castle nut had come off the axle at the front left, the wheel was completely slanted – repairing was impossible. So, tow it. To do this, however, the wheel had to be put back on track. Rothenberger pulled at the wheel with the strength of his youth, while the master looked out between trailer and tractor for approaching cars. When one approached, Rothenberger had to disappear under the trailer as quickly as possible. With a lot of luck nothing happened – just like in the remaining years with the breakdown service, which probably nobody at Hellmann operated as long as he did.
In 1992, after three self-financed years at night school, Michael Rothenberger became a master mechanic. Shortly thereafter, however, an excursion into mechanical engineering was waiting. As a mechanic, he maintained the DPD sorting system and the underfloor chain at the cross-docking center. When they would quit working, nothing went on at all. It has been a stress test on unlearned terrain for the mechanic. Routine work in the hall was usually scheduled for the weekend or at night so as not to disrupt ongoing operations.
In this second episode at Hellmann, Rothenberger got to know the infrastructure in Osnabrück like no other. As the person in charge of building services, he worked around every corner of the company premises – no screw, no distribution box he hadn't dealt with before. These experiences are irreplaceable in his job.
The experience factor is also reflected in his workshop team, which has been working together in this constellation since 2005 and unites very different professional backgrounds with a painter, a blacksmith, an automotive mechanic, an electrician and fitters. The third episode in Rothenberger's Hellmann period also began in 2005. Today, the repair shop team in Osnabrück is responsible for the maintenance of lifting platforms, rolling gates, containers, swap bodies, trucks, mountings and the entire building services. As the manager and good soul of the repair shop, Rothenberger coordinates the orders placed with his team on a daily basis, but is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Even if the repair work on the many trucks in the fleet is now carried out by an external truck service, he can hardly save himself from orders. In the rush hour alone, between 12 and 15 jobs are waiting daily, taking between half an hour and up to six hours. In addition, there are almost a dozen maintenance and repair orders from the cross-docking center every day, and the accident prevention regulations in particular make regular maintenance of the technical equipment unavoidable.
And so it becomes clear that without Rothenberger and his team the forwarding business in Osnabrück would hardly be conceivable – or would at least cause horrendous costs for external workshop operations. The repair shop team is aware of this importance and is also a little proud of it. If Michael Rothenberger had a free wish, however, he would wish for an extended porch, because the increasingly used semi-trailers do not fit completely into it – in winter a very nuisance that unnecessarily complicates his daily fight against wear and tear.
I am loving this article. It shows that there are many heroes with no capes in the background at Hellmann, allowing hellmann to position its logistics services globally to the market.
Thank you, Michael and also to all the other unknown and known guys in the background, for your work.
you guys, truly, are hellmann.


Welcome to Forbes Shire Freecycle group!
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,815 groups with 7,253,687 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills.
Membership is free, and everything posted must be FREE, legal and appropriate for all ages. To view the items being given away or sought in the Forbes Shire, you must be a member of the local group.


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The Beatles 50 Years Ago Today: November 17, 1964 (Tuesday)
Playhouse Theatre, London
This session for BBC radio, the Beatles 50th music programme contribution since 1962 - was another insert into the new series Top Gear, for broadcast in the Light Programme on Thursday, November 26th, between 10:00 and 12:00 pm. Taping took place from 7:30 to 11:30 pm (including rehearsal time) at the Playhouse.
The group recorded six songs: "I'm a Loser", "Honey Don't", "She's A Woman", "Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby", "I'll Follow The Sun" and "I Feel Fine", and took part once again in a playful interview with show host Brian Matthew.
The Complete Beatles Chronicle - Mark Lewiston


From brand-new beginners to accomplished amateurs and practicing professionals, we are very proud of our students, and many have had exhibitions, published calendars and won awards and recognition with the work that they created during their time with us in Cortona. Thanks so much for the updates on what you are doing with your work from Italy! …and the South of France Photography Workshop too!
© Cameron Bahnson, all rights reserved.
© Anyes Moscrip, all rights reserved.
© Don Johnson, all rights reserved.
© Gina Reboulet, all rights reserved.
© Thomas Gruber, all rights reserved.
© Harriet Dye, all rights reserved.
Damara's Images were featured in TWO exhibitions, in the 2018 EQUESTRIAN show at Mason Fine Art, Atlanta, GA, and as part of the 2017 "NINE" photography exhibition at pb&j Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
© Damara Davidson, all rights reserved.
© Terri Maxfield Lipp, all rights reserved.
Congratulations on Jane's beautiful Languedoc 12 Image Calendar, that she created with her images from our South of France adventure!
© Jane Koester, all rights reserved.
© Neil Allen, all rights reserved.
Here are 3 Pages from Jane's Beautiful 12 Month Calendar, that she produced with her images from our Fall Workshop last year.
© Katie Archibald-Woodward, all rights reserved.
© Sara Leikin, all rights reserved.
© Robert McDonald, all rights reserved.
© Faye York, all rights reserved.
© Gina White, all rights reserved.
© Kristi Eide, all rights reserved.
© David Fullagar, all rights reserved.
© Dorothy O'Beirne, all rights reserved.
© Eva Fernandez, all rights reserved.
© Ashok Mahindra, all rights reserved.
© Deanna Chute, all rights reserved.
© Lalit Nirula, all rights reserved.
© Bruce Crane, all rights reserved.
Congratulations to Thomas Gruber on his exhibition of 43 framed images on display at the Cary, North Carolina Town Hall Gallery, June 28 through August 28, 2013.
Artist Statement Excerpt: In 2012 , he spent a week in Cortona participating in a workshop sponsored by the "Cortona Center of Photography". Most of the photographs of people were taken in the heart of Town – Piazza della Repubblica – Cortona's main square.
This spot has been the Town Center since Etruscan times, four centuries before Christ. These photographs show the interaction of people with each other. No one posed for his camera. They were simply being observed.
© Wharton Winstead, all rights reserved.
© Mike Demshki, all rights reserved.
© Cammen Lowstuter, all rights reserved.
and we welcomed great new friends too  !
Join our mailing list to receive updates and discounts for our Tuscany & France photography workshops.
Here's what our wonderful students have to say about us!
© 1999-2017 Cortona Center of Photography, all rights reserved.


Advanced CST clinical skills and is highly recommended.
As a registered nurse, I have witnessed the body's healing process in a variety of healthcare settings. However, my vision of healing expanded beyond traditional medicine when a family member's illness did not respond to conventional care. We are thankful for his neurologist who prescribed Craniosacral Therapy. Discovering the guiding principles of CST, he finally experienced hope and healing. From this point, I decided to explore training in this field to become a full time practitioner in Craniosacral Therapy. This was a turning point in my career. I left a successful career as the founder of the Lactation Center in our county's medical center. I wanted to seek a practice where I would be offering CST as the principle modality to assist adults, children, and newborns in their healing process.
I am a constant listener and learner of the human body. While continually adding training, I am still guided by my appreciation of the whole individual with untold facets. My clients have been my valued teachers, as I learn how to support each person's healing process, and find inspiration to deepen my awareness and knowledge base. I am passionate about helping clients solve their most puzzling issues. Fueled by my personal belief that you cannot diagnose the power of the human spirit, I delight in sharing skills with patients and students alike. It is my honor to be present in your journey to wellness.


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Аспарьегос ()  —  муниципалитет в Испании, входит в провинцию Самора в составе автономного сообщества Кастилия и Леон. Муниципалитет находится в составе района (комарки) Тьерра-дель-Пан.  Занимает площадь 41,91 км². Население — 305 человек (на 2010 год).

Население

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Муниципалитеты Саморы


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Should we consider fossil …
11/2/20 - Imani Jacqueline Brown, Economic Inequality Fellow with Open Society Foundations
Should we consider fossil fuel extraction an unjust enterprise?
Image: Louisiana oil canals causing marsh break-up. Flight courtesy of SouthWings and Healthy Gulf.
This article is part of our Rethinking Corporate Governance blog series
In 2018 we were told that the world had twelve years to cap average global temperature rise to avoid catastrophic climate change. Welcome to year ten. According to the Climate Vulnerability Monitor, government "inaction" on transitioning the global carbon economy is already causing approximately 5 million annual deaths, largely in developing nations.[1]
Yet corporations are constructing and governments are deregulating a rash of new plants, pipelines, and offshore oil ports to feed a fracking boom. This new infrastructure incentivizes emissions that outspend our carbon budget.[2] What the Monitor conservatively calls "inaction" is in fact willful, premeditated action that could rise to the level of crimes against humanity and ecocide.
We must curb this reckless conduct and hold governments and corporations accountable. It is not enough to tweak decision-making rules in corporate governance in an effort to mitigate harm by the extractive industry. Fossil fuel companies ought to be liquidated, and their assets returned to victimized communities as reparations. Since it is unlikely that their governors would agree, the catalyst must come from the legal and civic spheres.
Over one thousand climate lawsuits have been filed in the United States. Mostly seeking damages for tort injury,[3] the suits put a price on incalculable violence. This incalculability is a crucial concept. The mounting losses––cultures and ecologies annihilated, communities dispossessed, futures erased––are irreducible to monetary value.
The most-impacted "developing" nations are former colonies of the industrialized world––the extractive zones from whence wealth, people, and life were stripped and sacrificed to enable "development". Climatic and environmental instability are directly connected to global wealth inequality.
My work is grounded in the US state of Louisiana––a sacrifice zone in the Global North. Once host to the largest slave market in North America, today Louisiana is home to the nation's second-highest African American population[4] and is ranked 49th of the 50 states in economy, 50th in opportunity, and 50th in environmental quality.
Fossil fuel companies have dredged 10,000 miles of canals through 15,000 square miles of wetlands to drill over 75,000 wells. These canals kill the vegetation that holds sediment together as land.[5] Since 1930, 1,900 square miles have disintegrated at an average rate of one football field every hour. By 2050, an additional thousand square miles will disappear, leaving coastal communities more vulnerable to the rising seas and destructive hurricanes of the Gulf.
Louisiana's frontline communities are also victims of the highest levels of air toxicity in the country, a byproduct of the over two hundred petrochemical plants and refineries that occupy the footprints of former slave plantations lining the Mississippi River. This Petrochemical Corridor, known locally as "Cancer Alley", suffers the highest rates of cancer in the US.
This month, the state approved permits for a 3.7 square-mile plastics facility, which could release 13 million tons of greenhouse gases along with thousands of tons of known carcinogens each year. State support for the project comes on the basis of "job creation and tax revenue", ignoring the impact on human health, the precipitous downward spiral on emissions targets, and the discovery of burial grounds of enslaved Africans onsite.
The legal doctrine of unjust enrichment, which appears and is hotly debated in both common and civil law, is based on the equitable principle that profits made through activities that impoverish another party are unjust and must be recovered. Eschewing the contradictions of traditional damage claims, unjust enrichment restitutes profit instead of quantifying violence. If fossil fuel production inherently impoverishes communities and ecosystems, might we use this doctrine to classify it as an unjust enterprise?
Let's consider the conditions:
1. There must be an enrichment
How much wealth have individual companies extracted from Louisiana? Comparing monthly data on oil production with historic oil prices over a twenty-year period, I found that a sample of just 250 wells owned by one company produced oil valued at $27 billion.[6]
2. There must be an impoverishment
Louisiana has been impoverished at each stage of the fossil fuel production cycle, from extraction through climate change. The state's (highly problematic) Master Plan[7] to "rebuild" ravished wetlands will cost at least[8] $50 billion. No one has aggregated the costs of medical expenses, insurance, flooding, relocation, rebuilding, and adaptation. The impoverishment of Louisiana's life, culture, and ecology is incalculable.
3. There must be a tie between the enrichment and the impoverishment
A 1989 industry report[9] acknowledged the direct link between oil canal construction and wetland erosion. Corporations have known for decades that fossil fuel production would lead to catastrophic and costly climate change.
Over the next year, I will work with lawyers, community activists, and environmentalists to determine the viability of the final two conditions:
4. There must be no other legal recourse and 5. There must be an absence of justification[10]
This final condition raises the decisive legal and moral determination: Was it worth it?
Condemning oil extraction as "unjust" could return corporate profit to communities, disincentivize extraction, delegitimize the financialization of ecosystems, and fund a just transition. The remedy might be radical in the denotative sense of getting to the root, but it is certainly far less extreme than extraction.
[1] 400,000 deaths due to climate change-related hunger and disease; 4.5 million deaths due to the carbon economy, including air pollution, hazardous occupations, and cancer. This number will increase to 6 million carbon economy related deaths in 2030, 700,000 of which are due to climate change. See: Fundación DARA and theClimate Vulnerable Forum, Climate Vulnerability Monitor: A Guide to the Cold Calculus of a Hot Planet, 2nd Edition, 2012.
[2] Mazer, Katie et al. "Mapping a Many-Headed Hydra: The Struggle over the Dakota Access Pipeline." Infrastructure Otherwise.
[3] United Nations Environment Programme, The Status of Climate Litigation: A Global Review, May 2017.
[4] Second to Mississippi.
[5] See e.g. Davis, Donald Wayne. "Louisiana Canals and Their Influence on Wetland Development." LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 2386. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, 1973. http://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/2386; Houck, Oliver A. "The Reckoning: Oil and Gas Development in the Louisiana Coastal Zone." Tulane Environmental Law Journal 28, issue 2 (summer 2015); and James G. Gosselink, The Ecology of Delta Marshes of Coastal Louisiana: A Community Profile (US Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS-84/09, 1984).
[6] By comparing data from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources' Strategic Online Natural Resources Information System (SONRIS) on the monthly oil production of one company between 1977 and 1998 (the years when data was available) from a sample of 250 of their wells with an historic chart of monthly oil prices adjusted for inflation, I have estimated the extraction of oil valued at $27,120,955,021.24.
[7] See: "Louisiana's Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast," State of Louisiana: Hon. John Bel Edwards, Governor, Draft Plan Release, 2017. ES-18.
[8] Some estimates are as much as $100-200 billion.
[9] See: Boesch, Donald F. and Rabelais, Nancy. Environmental Impact of Produced Water Discharges in Coastal Louisiana. Report Prepared for the Louisiana Division of the Mid-Continental Oil and Gas Association. July 1989. Scientists estimate that backfilling canals would reverse wetland degradation at a cost of $335 million. But acknowledging backfilling as the solution would mean admitting that canals are the problem, so nothing has been done.
[10] A gift, for example, is a justified enrichment. See: L. Smith, "Unjust Enrichment", in A. Popovici and L. Smith, eds., McGill Companion to Law, online athttps://mcgill.ca/companion/list/unjust-enrichment


The completely revamped multiplayer lets you take on up to 5 of your friends locally or online. Keep track of who's the best with the new Asphalt Tracker that lets you compare stats, show off achievements and challenge rivals. You can also find new online opponents with the matchmaking system. Practice hard, because there are special events that will pit you against the best in the world!


The NFU has brought together a wealth of industry leaders to discuss the need for food and farming to be placed high on the new Conservative government's agenda.
Around 20 agriculture-based organisations were represented at a meeting hosted by the Union's president Meurig Raymond, which focussed on setting out their priorities over the next five years.
"I am delighted Liz Truss has been re-appointed as Secretary of State and I will be meeting with her later this week to discuss how we can best champion the needs of food and farming across Westminster," Mr Raymond said.
"The NFU and the farming industry share the government's ambition of wanting to grow more, buy more and sell more British food at home and abroad.
"I want to see a robust plan put in place to reverse long-term declines in farming productivity and the nation's self-sufficiency, increase the productive potential of farming, to stimulate investment, help farmers manage market volatility and ensure that the drive to increase British food production is at the heart of each government department.
Mr Raymond added that the NFU believed in a "science-led approach to policy decisions", suggesting that new biotechnology, GM crops and pesticides would all ensure farmers had the tools to produce more food with less impact on the environment.
"Regulation remains a major block to growing competitiveness for most farm businesses and the NFU will work with Government to highlight where action can be taken to remove or streamline requirements, and recognise good practice," he said.
In the short-term, meanwhile, one top priority was the further roll-out of badger culling to areas where TB is endemic.
"It is imperative the government makes an announcement as soon as possible and implements the 25-year TB Eradication Strategy in full," Mr Raymond said.
"The government must also ensure that focus is kept on fixing problems and issues surrounding BPS as with just weeks to go until the crucial June 15 deadline; time is running out.
"All of this will take a lot of collaboration and co-operation between the government and the farming industry.


Size Newborn - 18 month.
Inspired by the smocked rompers that were popular in the 1940's, Michaela features a smocked front panel, Peter pan collar, & optional embroidery. Both collar & front panel are bordered by contrasting mini piping. Girl & boy sleeve variations & a simple smocking design is included.


The series Golden look-look book represents a set of related resources, especially of a specified kind, found in Michigan State University Library.
Oh, bother! No one's listening!
Oh, bother! someone won't share!


Labor can be added as line items in each room on a proposal.
Each room on your proposal has the option to add Labor Items.
You can find an item you've already created by scrolling through the list or typing the name in the search bar.
Once you've selected the item you want in your room, the Add Selected Items option will appear active.
Labor is then listed at the bottom of the room with a wrench icon. These items are static & cannot be rearranged within rooms.
To add a new Custom Item, fill in the fields for Item Description (the same area to search for Labor Items), Unit Cost, and Unit Sell. Once all three fields are filled in, the Create Item option will appear active.
Then select the new item from the list to add it to a room.


Mitch Walker aka "the dr."
I have sat back all day watching the replays of the crashes over and over from the Daytona race on Saturday night. I have looked at each and every one of them in "slo-mo." I have evaluated each and every one, looking for what truly caused such carnage.
In my humble opinion, it boils down to a couple things.
1) Ricky Stenhouse was driving over his head.
2) The cars really are the problem.
First I like Ricky Stenhouse. I have always thought he was a bit brash, and needed a crew chief who could calm him down some, but last night it was like he was possessed. He didn't care about anything but getting to the front, anyway he could, and it wound up costing him, because that karma train runs in circles, and it ran up and got him last night.
Now some will say he just wanted to win, and this may be true, BUT in order to win you have to be there at the end. He had a "don't care who I hang out or run over" outlook from the drop of the green, and his driving style left lots to be desired. I have heard that Jack Roush is tough in his Monday Morning meetings. Well I sure wouldn't want to be Stenhouse walking in on Monday, because he for sure has one hell of a chewin' coming.
The cars of today are so aero-dependent that it isn't funny. The side drafting, the pushing, and blocking all add up to disaster, no matter how you look at it. Look at Saturday night, with the entire pack pulling the side drafting over and over. It dragged the pack down, speed-wise, so that when a car did get a good run, with help from a pusher, the closing rate was so bad that it was just an accident waiting for a place to happen. William Bryon in the 24 car out front, with the blocking, which is a whole separate topic, caused a lot of the problems too; it caused the 2 of Keselowski to have to check up in front of Mr." I am going to the front" Stenhouse, taking out half the field. Yes, over 20 cars were damaged in that melee, but did it stop any of it? Nope, everyone has that "gotta win and I am going to do it on the 24th lap" attitude. Lap after lap it was the same thing over and over. All because these cars are so aero-dependent, you can't drive them in tight quarters without contact, and it doesn't take much to send a car flying around these days.
But if you try to tell the powers-that-be what the real problem is, they just blow you off. The drivers of the past have been telling them for years this car has got to go; that it is killing the sport that they poured their sweat and blood into to make it what it is today. To some of these legends it's like a child; they love this child, but not what the child has become, and they try to offer advice on how to fix it, but NASCAR insists they know what they are doing. They don't want to hear what the men who know, are telling them.
What is it going to take to get NASCAR to understand that they need a real racer in charge, not someone who doesn't even like racing? Not someone who only sees dollar signs, but a racer, who loves the sport; a racer who understands what it takes to put on a good show for the fans. I mean, think about it NASCAR; when the fans first stopped coming to the races, you pulled seats out of the tracks to make it look like you were still selling out races, but now, fewer and fewer fans are coming out to the races. What will you do next? Take out all the seats and only do it on a pay-per-view?
Change is needed, and one way or the other change is coming. Where and what changes, is yet to be seen. But the cars, the green drivers who have not paid their dues on short tracks and the rules are killing this sport, slowly but surely and I for one don't want to see it go.


All so cute and lovely!
I absolutely love these wrapping paper options! I am always looking for cute ways to wrap gifts so they stand out amongst the drug store gift bags! Thank you for sharing, definitely going to be using these!


What would happen if we looked in on the lives of the premades roughly 10 years after we originally met them?
Anyway, I started this project (which I called "Premades 2025"), by making use of full edit mode in CAS to take a look at the Sims and their offspring. And I used the existing backstories and my imagination to write them a follow-up backstory.
Most Sims in this project will be in the life stage after the one they were in originally. Except some of the adults. I think the adult life stage is disproportionately short, so I just made some of the adults look older and some of them are actually elders (often depending on what would be "realistic" considering the age of their kids). Just mentioning it to avoid any confusion on the subject.
They won't neccesarily be completely at the start of that life stage, because, realistically, a teen who was originally about 16, would be 26 about 10 years later and not 18 or 21 (whenever you reckon the young adult stage starts). With that in mind I worked on this project, so a Sim who was originally a teen, like Cassandra Goth, may already be married and potentially be parent to a toddler, yet they may also be single.
The way I've set this up is that I'll post one of the new families/households each day on my Simblr. But as I wouldn't want you guys on the forums to miss out on this, especially because the premades are quite popular/known around here, I've decided to make this thread. I'll try to update daily, but might not always be able to.
If you don't want to wait, you can read this series on my Simblr, it posts at 20.00h (CET summertime) every day.
I already have the first post up, so I'll copy it to this thread in a minute.
The Pancakes went from small stack to big stack, with the addition of Iggy and twins Wendy and Colin. And family expansion also meant they'd have to remodel and expand their home a bit.
You might wonder how they've been able to afford remodeling their home. Well, Eliza made the wise decision to join the doctor career. That not only gave her a decent income, but also a renewed respect for life. Which in turn inspired her to become a mother.
Bob maintained his job as a caterer until Iggy was born, then he gave up his work to become a fulltime stay-at-home dad. He feels way more comfortable parenting at home, among Sims he knows and loves. The kids love it too, because dad never complains when they make a mess (because he leaves it for mum to clean it up). When Bob isn't cooking or parenting, he tends to play video games - he might get a job in that sector when the toddlers are old enough to go to school.
Iggy takes very much after his dad, both in looks and lifestyle. He loves food, any food, and while Eliza keeps encouraging him to play outside more, he prefers to play video games with his dad. Nevertheless, he somehow miraculously became the leader of the League of Adventurers (and yes, he changed the rules to include some less active activities).
Of the little ones, Wendy is most like Eliza, she's a curious toddler who likes to explore and investigate, to the great dismay of Bob, whenever she opens a kitchen cupboard and starts to pull out all the pots and pans (Bob is scared to death that she'll ruin his favourite frying pan that he uses to make grilled cheese sandwiches).
Colin is more attached to his mother and he really hates it when she goes to work. That said, he follows his dad around the house all day until Eliza gets home from work. Normally this would drive Bob crazy, but he is very tolerant towards his children. Colin's favourite thing to do is nap on the sofa while his mother is reading medical journals.
Really cool idea. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the others!
I'm generally not a fan of premades, but I like your idea and I'll be keeping up with your stories here. Interesting update on the Pancakes.
Awesome idea! I'd love to see what you did with Windenburg sims.
I also tend to avoid premades in my playthroughs and have never actually married one of the Pancakes, but omigosh little Wendy Pancake is adorable, I wanna kid nap her!
Thanks for all the comments I'm glad you like it.
@MrMonty96 While I have considered that, sadly, I don't have enough time to take more pictures (taking good showcase pictures takes a lot of effort and patience). It took me long enough to get all this.
@Karilan I can upload them to the Gallery if you like. I'd need to make a couple adjustments (seeing as the backstory really is just a story and not in anyway incorporated in my game), but if anyone requests a specific family I can get them ready for the Gallery.
They're just CAS shots (which is why they take very little time to make), but it'll give you a better view of the genetics and outfits and such. I've also included aspirations and traits, they're mostly the same for the adult Sims though.
Eliza looks awesome with the hairstyle you gave her!
While Dennis and Vivian have passed away by this time, Eric and Alice had another daughter, Isobel. Olivia was quite happy to have a little sister, she'd have liked to have more siblings, but her parents were busy with their careers. I mean, how else can they afford to live in that huge glass monstrosity?
Eric found that his hobbies could provide him with a decent income. He became a professional gamer and does a bit of game/app development on the side. The luxury of this is not just being able to keep living in a luxurious home, he also works from home a lot, great for spending time with his daughters.
The one who really made it career wise is Alice, she started selling her paintings and once the infamous Diego Lobo wrote a positive review of her art things really took a turn for the better. As Alice's has a marked preference for modern art, she decided to become a Patron of the Arts and curates the works of young artists at the various museums.
Adorable little Olivia grew into a cute teen (at least, many of the boys in school think so). She may not be as ambitious as her parents turned out to be, she did manage to become a skilled singer. And with her love for having fun and cracking jokes, she might be looking at a bright future in the entertainment industry. But first, there's high school to survive.
Young Isobel was lucky enough to have her grandparents partake in her upbringing. While it was really sad they passed away, Isobel greatly values everything they taught her. She's currently seeking to persuade Iggy Pancakes to step down as leader of the League of Adventurers so she can take over. Eric reckons Isobel might one day become mayor of Willow Creek, is she keeps up like this.
I love this thread and all your Sims are so cool! I'm excited to see more of the families.
I love this! I don't think premades get much love as people mostly seen them as people that fill in the town. They have stories to and that's important!
This is really interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
Wow, love this very creative idea!
Very nice back stories. I am comparing them to what I've done with my premades.
Mortimer and Bella are still happily together and they even had a third child, a girl named Amelia. Cassandra has since moved out and started a family of her own, we'll check in on her next, but first let's see what happened to the rest of the family.
While Mortimer always much prefered to actually tell stories rather than write them, he did become a best-selling author. This change came about when his novels started to focus on the supernatural, vampires to be precise. Mort did extensive research on the subject and probably knows more about vampires than the average… vampire. However, Mortimer still gets to tell stories, he records the audio-book versions of his novels himself.
In spite of being a fulltime mother, Bella quickly climbed the ranks of the secret service. Actually, being the pretty wife of a succesful author is exactly the sort of cover she needs for the *classified* project she's working on. And while Mortimer is dabbling in vampire literature, Bella maintains a close friendship with the local vampire grand master. Maybe the current generation of the iconic Goth family should be immortalised in a way other than stuffy historical looking portraits.
Alexander finds being a teenager absolutely excruciating. He hates the chores, (how do Sims manage to get things so dirty?) he hates the hormones (thankfully he's currently acne-free) and above all, he hates the feelings. Especially the non-existent feelings of Elsa Bjergsen. While Alexander is completely smitten with the genius blonde, she just makes snarky remarks about his sub-par intelligence. Bella keeps trying to make clear to him that Elsa's standards are to high. But Mortimer encourages Alexander, I mean, Mort himself never imagined he'd eventually get married to a beauty like Bella. In short, Alexander's parents are driving him to even more despair than Elsa already does.
Still blissfully unaware of the struggles of puberty is Amelia. She's inherited her father's warm and friendly nature and her mother's sense of style and class. That makes her one of the most popular kids around town. The only fault she has is that she sometimes talks too much, which especially annoys her teachers at school.
Awesome idea! I can't wait to see Cassandra and her family!
Great stories and pics. I especially love the Pancakes family!
I bet it'll be interesting for you all to see who ended up with who. From the (previously) young adults and teens. That's why these first ones are a bit dull, they're the same couples, just with (additional) kids.
As for the current teens, I'm trying to keep the options open for them, they have crushes, but I haven't really thought of any of them being together (anything is still possible).
And while being on the subject of adoptive kids, all of them were actually adopted in game. I didn't randomly generate any in CAS, so I didn't have much of an influence on how they look (I tweaked one of them because they had a horrible body shape, the same as another adoptive kid in another family (I felt it was statistically near impossible to have two with that weird body shape), so I cheated a bit there - but I never touched their face).
As for the kids, aside from a few families, I randomised whether they'd have singles or twins and whether it would be boys or girls. I did change one or two (in advance) to have a fair balance gender wise.
For example the Pancakes I wanted to have twins after Iggy, so no randomisation there, but Isobel Kim-Lewis could have had a twin or could have been a boy if my randomisation had turned out different.
As for Amelia Goth, I actually sort of added her last-minute.
Just some inside info as to how this project worked.