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3 Ring Samurai Part 2 Chapter 7 '4 Sho Sho'
Back again with more half assery as it is the season, I couldn't do a blog on tuesday because I was busy and I cobbled together another haiku from a song I like. I don't know why, I guess I'm just too lazy to come up with them on my own or maybe I just worry I'll retread too much material and sometimes I can just find a song that captures everything I feel better than I could on my own. Also the rhythm really helps.
This is probably the last blog I'll do til january, because I'll be busy with work and christmas and because I haven't had time to write on top of editing Diana for the last time. So I'm running low on material.
Although I was spent most of the day spamming mythology pages on fb of which I'm not banned on currently haha. I got some good feedback, I was called an 'excellent bard' haha. That pleased me. Probably the best people to drop that on. Especially since Celtic folklore gets so little love from literary folk obsessed with greeks and vikings.
Work has been hell, my personal life isn't so bad apart from the other stuff, where my heart is heaviest. But I think next year things might really turn around. I'm gonna get a new job and if one of my books gets picked up that'd be great.
Had little time to read but what I've read of the second shadow pulp is pretty good. The shadow is at the very least really good filler, which I guess is the meaning of pulp. It's not great but it's not bad, like I'm not desperate to see what happens next but it holds my interest enough to want to keep reading. The writing isn't amazing either, just serviceable. But maybe sometime soon I might write a shadow pulp myself. I do really like the shadow and how he's written. Every appearance is meant to send a shiver up your spine and it really works. When he shows up everything changes, it's great.
Still playing red dead 2 and I plan on doing a review, the game is just long and honestly pretty boring. It's like the story and characters really aren't very engaging. And it's a prequel so you basically already know what's going to happen you just don't know exactly how. I honestly felt like the story of Assassins creed 3 was more compelling. I'm not kidding, that game had a good story. You knew your goals and motivations, and your villain and it felt personal and real. Red dead is a scattered mess, the story meanders and goes nowhere ultimately. Ha don't want to spoil my review, but I think it's one of those games that will be forgotten in a month. And if it hadn't launched in between the shit storm kicked up by fallout 76 and battlefront v it would have got a lot more flack.
It's shaping up to be an ok christmas, a little melancholy slipping in for reasons I can't say but I have enough booze to wash that away this year, here's hoping for some resolution next year.
To all the one and a half people that read this blog, merry christmas and a happy new year!
A cannonball turned the rest of the saloon into confetti showering Canard and Efron with debris.
Efron shook her red mop for debris and dust, coughed and looked up at Canard. She handed him the gun "It's up to you I guess."
He took it and let it hang at his side as he watched Pookie narrowly dodge a wrecking shot at his feet.
Pookie had taken to running along the rooftops for cover. Unfortunately the brothers were a lot more agile than their size had initially suggested.
The oldest stayed below from his firing position, arching up like a mortar, the middle brother followed Pookie up on to the rooftops.
The middle brother retracted and spat the wrecking ball at Pookie's feet tearing huge chunks out of the roof of the building. A bemused post nuclear family sat around a scrappy dinner table looking through their new skylight.
"Err sorry" Pookie said.
But before he could react he heard the chain tighten, the middle brother swinging it by biting down on it and turning his hips and shoulders.
The ball slammed into Pookie's gut and tossed him off the building. Luckily he landed on his head and was totally fine.
Pookie rolled onto his back, dazed from the first strike he looked up at the sun which had peaked and was slowly going down, the sky a bruised orange colour. The middle brother smirked and swung the ball over her is shoulder and muttered to himself "For Juan". With all his abdominal strength he turned and swung the wrecking ball at a downward angle, meaning to crush Pookie like a bug.
Meanwhile the oldest brother circled around and was coming at him from the other side. Aiming right at him.
Pookie was unable to move, looking up at the sky as the ball eclipsed the sun coming right at him like a comet just coming over the pivot point of the swing.
A shot rang out and the chain snapped freeing the wrecking ball which shot off careening towards the eldest brother. The ball lodging itself with some force into the barrel of the cannon just as it was about to fire.
There was a deathly pause and then internal indigestion noises. A bead of sweat ran down the eldest brother's brow right before the cannon backfired and tore him in half like a piñata full of sausage meat. The entire cannon exited his body taking most of his internal organs with it and leaving an exit wound the size of an elephant's foot.
Another silence, the smell of cordite, Canard stood, feet planted holding the gun in his outstretched hand. "Why did I?-oh" He said as he looked at his hand and saw two smaller hands wrapped around it.
Efron smirked as she sat curled around Canard's shoulder.
"What if the chamber was empty?"
"I would have fired again" She laughed as she climbed down off of Canard.
But her laughing was cut short. The moment her feet hit the ground a broken chain wrapped around her leg and yanked her like a tiny side of beef, dragging her through the loose dirt and sand.
Pookie groaned as he raised himself onto his side only able to watch as Efron was reeled in like a carp flopping on the ground.
The Middle brother slurping on the chain like someone sucking a giant piece of spaghetti with a huge unwilling meatball on the end.
It all happened so fast, Canard barely had enough time to react. He went for his staff but before he could even flick the blade out Efron was in the middle brother's mouth with chain wrapped around her. The middle brother devoured her inch by inch, his jaw stretched wide like an anaconda.
Canard was so stunned for a second he forgot he was missing a leg and tripped when he took the staff away as a support falling face first into the dirt. It was like he was wading through custard, like it was all happening in slow motion for some reason.
He recomposed himself and tried to get to his feet.
The middle brother let out a vicious chuckle which was muffled by the person in his mouth. He put one finger over his left nostril and shot out a couple of giant buggers which hit the ground and exploding into a cloud of smoke.
Canard instinctually froze like a deer in headlights until the smoke finally cleared revealing him to be alone with a very sore clown.
"Nothing good" Pookie mumbled.
"What do we do, go after him?"
Pookie got to his feet groaned and said. "Nah."
"Gosh darn it, I'm too late!" The dog faced boy cursed under his breath as he peeped through the little hole in the big top. The one he chastised Margherite for looking through only a couple of chapters ago.
The sun was going down, the meeting was emptying out. The heads of the clans going back to their little pieces of turf leaving only the icecream man and the Ringmaster alone in the big top. His icecream van was his home so he didn't need to go anywhere.
When they were alone, he put his feet up on the table and grinned.
"Want me to ice'im?" He laughed.
The Ringmaster said nothing.
The icecream man laughed "It'd be poetic, don't you think?" He chuckled.
"He's more use to me alive" The ringmaster said coldly.
"Oh so this was part of your master plan all along?" He smirked a little too wide, his lips were thin and cold looking almost non-existent, two thin bloody streaks on an icicle.
"Something like that" The Ringmaster smiled jovially, but not with his eyes, his eyes were fixed and issued a silent threat.
The icecream man let out a little breathy laugh and took his feet off the table. "Don't you forget, you owe me" He stood and looked around the big top. "All this is cos of what I done for you" He leaned forward on the table. "And it can all go away like that". He clicked his bony fingers.
"Are you threatening me?" The Ringmaster asked.
He smiled trying to look innocent, shrugging his shoulders "Just reminding is all." The icecream man laughed and started to walk away. "Now if you'll excuse me, those kiddies aint gonna get the sweet stuff theyselves".
He climbed into the cab of the icecream truck, the suspension straining under him. That tinkling off key music started up again with the engine as he slowly drove away.
The dogfaced boy had no idea what was going on but watched as the Ringmaster sneered and spat on the ground, cursing silently.
"What the heck was all that about?" He whispered to himself.
If you liked this chapter head on over to inkitt to read the rest of it and the previous chapters. 4 sho sho
3 ring samurai part 2 Chapter 6 'The long way of drums'
Hey there time for some excuses from a really lazy dude with no real life to speak of.
Yeah so no poem tomorrow, I don't know just personal life stuff and work stuff getting in the way and likely to get in the way until january.
I'm just in a really weird place which is not too different from any other day. I just feel kind of like I'm drifting, not really sure what I want to do, instantly bouncing between manic happiness and basement depression. Because I'm like in this place where I'm not only losing lots of time due to work and other such nonsense but also I feel like I'm making the best use of the time I have and it's driving me fucking nuts. I want to finish the edit for Diana and take my time going over it but I also just want to get it the fuck done and stuff keeps getting in the way.
And then the cloud of looming doubt comes back telling me I'm never going to get it done and even if I do it's going to suck and no one is going to like it or pick it up and I'm just going to be a loser sitting in my bath robe writing nonsense no one is ever going to read and have nothing to offer any other living person ever in my life. Ultimately dying alone and miserable after wasting my life chasing a dream I know is impossible.
Fuck I hate christmass haha.
Also didn't get to read any more shadow pulps and I still can't review red dead 2 because I have no real desire to play it. I mean I get on it for a couple of hours but I just find myself sort of not really drawn to it. I mean I like the world, the gameplay is great but the story is a fucking dead weight, the characters aside from Arthur are a little flat. The villains are a little lame. It just sort of feels like a safe easy game they made that they knew would make money and didn't put much more effort into over the lighting and graphics and stuff like that. I mean it's good it just sort of lacks the heart of the previous games that makes you want to get into it. And I wonder if it's because I heard that their game development is run like a sweat shop, that they're just churning this game out as fast as possible, I dunno. I just don't find it that compelling or necessary. Like the title says it all, you have the first game Red dead and then red dead redemption and then this is just red dead redemption 2 not red dead revolution, red dead revenge, red dead revocation, its just red dead here's another one give us money please.
Don't get me wrong, I like it, I think it's fun at times, I love robberies, I think it's got solid mechanics and costumes and all that, I just think it didn't really deliver on hype and maybe the hype was too high. Not really from me because I didn't expect much, I wasn't a huge fan of the first game, I'm a niche retard who thinks L.A Noire is still the best rockstar but we're never getting a sequel to that or Max Payne for a while, although I heard a bully sequel is coming out which would be great. It's basically Gta as a coming of age story for a highschool kid haha. It's great.
Yeah well those are some thoughts for the day, enjoy the new chapter and sub to my mailing list because it gives me warm happy feelings.
"I'm sorry about your brother" The stranger said as he poked at the small fire in the centre of the darkened shack. One knee raised, a sword behind it resting against the wall.
"Juan was a fool, always rushing in headlong." The first born said, a large tanned Mexican with a barrel chest and a pencil thin moustache.
"When he heard about the man you wanted us to kill, he wanted all the glory for himself, he got what he deserved." The second born said, almost as large as his brother sporting a goatee.
"We won't fail you" The firstborn said.
The man at the fire lifted his head, the light from the flickering flames licked the strange acrylic clown mask on his face. "I admire your pragmatism, I know what it's like to lose a brother." He said.
Click, click!
"Wait Pookie! You're only supposed to pull the trigger once per turn!" Efron squealed as she reached for the gun. "Why?" Pookie said with the gun still to his head "This is faster"
"Its not ab- Nevermind" Efron frowned.
Pookie put the gun down on the table and slid it over to Canard who was completely devoid of expression.
"Ok now just on-"
Before she could finish Canard had already put the gun to his head.
Click click! "-ce! What did I just say, now there are only two chambers left so it's a fifty fifty chance that the next chamber has the bullet in it."
"And it's your turn" Canard grinned as he slid the revolver across the table.
Pookie's face stayed the same as he picked up the gun concentrating on the chamber, emptying it with his mind. Breathing in deeply and tensing his finger around the trigger.
KATHOOOOMMM!!!!!
A giant wrecking ball crashed through the window and tore a giant hole through the thin walled saloon. The walls splintered like kindling sending glass, wood and shards of metal shrapnel everywhere.
The giant wrecking rested in the destruction attached to a chain which snaked on the ground. Slowly the chain retracted and then quickly whipped away taking half the building with it.
Pookie coughed as he cleared his lungs of dust and looked around the saloon that now looked like an apple with a giant bite taken out of it.
He looked around.
"Everyone ok?"
"Great" Canard said from underneath the booth seat he was only a minute ago sitting on.
A little hand with a gun in it came up from behind the bar "I'm ok" Efron said.
The bartender, a balding middle aged man with an unflattering haircut popped up next to her "What the hell was that, a hurricane?"
"Yeah, hale stones the size of your head." Pookie shook his head like there was dust in it and got up off the ground dizzily looking for his sword. He found it underneath a pile of old magazines from a broken spinning rack.
"A little help for the cripple?" Canard voice muffled by the furniture on top of it.
Pookie sighed and attempted to push the couch off of him.
"IF THERE'S ANYONE STILL ALIVE IN THERE YOU'VE GOT TO THE COUNT OF THREE TO COME OUT!" A booming voice with the slight twang of a spanish accent said.
"I guess that's for us" Pookie said as he strained with the couch.
"Just for you, I'm guessing" Canard retorted.
Pookie sighed and dropped the couch back on him. "I guess so" He said with a melancholy tone in his voice as he went to climb out of the hole in the side of the saloon.
Outside it was hotter than before, the sun was bright and glaring blotted out only by two round figures standing in the middle of the street.
Pookie walked out squinting at them.
"You're him"
"The man who killed our brother"
"Oh that guy, well that was kind of an accident, but yeah I guess that was me" He sighed "So you're the masters of swallowing or whatever huh?"
"That's us" The first born said.
"So you really think they'll let you in the circus if you kill me? It's not all it's cracked up to be."
"It's more than that now". The second said.
"There's a blood debt to pay."
"So hows this gonna go down? We gonna duel one on one like last time?" Pookie asked.
"Hahahahahahahahahaha!" Both brothers laughed.
The brother with the goatee didn't laugh with his voice only his face as his throat started to bulge to an enormous size like a toad. His jaw unhinged and a giant black ball appeared in his mouth.
Pookie squinted in disbelief as he watched this inhuman display. There followed a grotesque suction popping cracking noise as the wrecking was spat with a tremendous speed.
The ball hit like a meteor right at Pookie's feet. The clown samurai jumped at the last second and under the cover of the dust it kicked up he ran along the chain towards the two assassins.
His sword at his side, his finger in the ring pull.
"There he is!" The second born said his voice sounding like he had cotton balls in his mouth.
The first born cut off his laughter, his eyes bulging and bloodshot. He opened his mouth and started to wretch, his throat distending with a long spherical shape. The opening in his mouth a pitch black emptiness.
Pookie caught sight of it in the corner of his eye but couldn't make out what it was and then at once he knew he was staring into the barrel of a cannon.
"Oh crap" He whispered.
The firstborn leaned forward to ready for the recoil and somehow through some internal mechanism he fired.
Time slowed and Pookie saw the chain shot swirling at him, a ball connected by a thin chain swirling destruction aimed right at him. Without thinking he pulling the ripcord on his sword and it roared with laughter cutting the chain in half. The cut freed the two balls which shot off at either side of him.
One of the balls hit the ground and exploded with a dull thud. The other took out a storefront, both explosions bouncing Pookie like a skipping stone, skidding along the ground.
He came to a stop, his naked sword in his hand quivering. The clown samurai stabbed it into the ground raising himself to a knee, breathing heavily.
"Interesting" The firstborn said. "You're the first to survive that".
"What are you made out of, rubber?" The second born asked.
"He's too dumb to die" Canard said.
Pookie scowled as he scraped himself off the ground.
Efron giggled, "It's still your turn".
"Can't ya see I'm a little busy right now?" Pookie shouted.
"Are you forfeiting?" Efron sounded shocked.
That weird suction noise again ending the brief pause as the wrecking ball came barrelling at Pookie again. He rolled out of its way as it carved a hideous scar into the earth. "I'll just skip my turn and get the next one."
"That's not how it works!"
"Hmm, but that means if this chamber is empty the next one has to be the bullet." Canard scratched his chin, weighing his options.
"So if you live-" Efron looked away.
"He dies"
Read the rest of the chapter on inkitt. The long way of drums
3 Ring Samurai Chapter 3 "Hatin' Don't Pay"
Well hello there again,
As usual I don't know how to start this, oh I rewatched all the Mad Max movies and they sucked a lot more than I remember when I was a kid and I never got why people hated thunderdome and now I totally get it haha. Like the first movie is sort of a nonsensical mess but it's entertaining, and then I made the hipster realisation that the second movie is just in his head after what happens to him in the first. And the second movie is the quintisential Mad Max movie because it sort of gets the formula right, it gives in to the absurdist shit in the first movie but doesn't take itself as seriously but takes itself seriously enough to make an action packed entertaining little romp which Thunderdome completely fucks up.
I was enjoying Road Warrior and thinking to myself 'Why didn't this become a big series, why aren't we on Mad Max 12 Angry street? Well evidently because George Miller changed his mind and instead of wanting to make gritty post apocalyptic movies pretty much inventing diesel punk he wanted to make a reboot of Peter Pan. Because that's what thunderdome feels like, it feels like a Robin Williams movie and it completely ruins the tone of Mad Max and turns it into a joke where no one even dies. Completely took what Mad Max was and turned it into a glorified kids movie where Tina Turner and Mel Gibson with a bunch of kids fight over a midget. And don't get me started on Fury Road anyway onto real stuff haha.
I've felt really overwhelmed recently but in a good way, in the best way. I feel like I've been on a fucking insane bender but it was in my living room with my laptop watching documentaries of celtic folklore on youtube and scouring the internet for more stories.
I literally spent the last four days reading nothing but celtic folklore until my eyes actually hurt. My eyes were bloodshot from reading, it was like being possessed and I just felt so high building this story in my head I couldn't stop. It felt uncontrollable and so good, just right. And I honestly have to fight the feeling and remember about Diana and how important that story is. Because I so just want to forget about it and delve into this because this feels like it for me.
So what did I do? I spent four days building a compendium of info from the internet (mostly wikipedia 😦 don't hate me, and youtube) which is now 87 pages of frantically copy pasted articles about releveant places, people, events, myths and monsters to draw from when I start writing. This sounds like laborious bullshit but it felt so good to make it didn't feel like work at all. I felt like I was uncovering the fucking holy grail haha.
Then I tried to start writing a synopsis but there's just so much stuff, so much story and character I had to write a timeline first. I couldn't just do what I usually do, take some notes, build a synopsis and then do a chapter breakdown and then start writing. I've spent weeks now plotting this in my head so I had to build a timeline of events to build my synopsis from. So now I'm going from the beginning and the end of my saga to see how fare the rabbit hole goes and now I'm fighting myself tooth and nail because I don't know whether to start the first book with the synopsis I have or go through and complete the entire timeline and go from there.
I don't know whether I should just do this one part first and build it up or try to look at it basically from a big picture perspective and build this large circular story. And it's lots of things at play, basically my perfectionism and anal retentive streaks battling my impulsive need to just do and write and throw myself head long into it and it's my nature to love to pull in those opposite directions. I want to just jump in and start tearing shit up but it feels too good to hold myself back to the eventual cathartic release of unleashing all my creative energy at once.
And right now I just want to stop writing this fucking blog and get back to doing that, because this is getting me nowhere haha.
Also the witcher sucks haha. (Not the game though)
The deputy slammed the jail door shut and locked it, Pookie lingered at the door, looking out, watching his sword as the deputy took it over to his desk. The rest of the punks dispersed murmuring angrily shooting eye daggers at the back of Pookie's head.
Pookie rested his arms through the bars as he watched the deputy sit in his chair at his desk. He continued to study the weird sword like he was wondering which end was the pointy one.
"Now I saw this thing work" He said pointing at the ringpull on the scabbard. "Shoots it out real fast right?" He looked up at Pookie "Now how in the hell does that work?"
Pookie shrugged and made a face.
"Sure" He turned the sword over and studied the handle. "That is the goofiest thing I've ever seen" He laughed. "Oh and what in the hell does this one do?" He said pointing at another but much smaller hidden ring pull on the handle itself.
"I'd leave that one alone." Pookie said.
"Is that right?" The deputy smirked as he put his feet up on his desk and cocked his chin out. He looked it up and down again. "I might take your advice on this one" He smiled and put the sword down on his desk.
"So what now?" Pookie asked.
"Now you watch shadows grow bud"
"You'll cool your heels with your buddies in there and then in the morning you'll get your sword back and be on your way. There may even be a plate a cold beans in it if I'm feeling hospitable." He smiled and tipped his hat down as he reclined in his seat closing his eyes.
"Others may come"
"Oh so you're one of those huh? – A run away, they got a name for that?" The deputy poked his hat up over his head and opened one eye. "So what did you do? Ya kill someone you weren't supposed to?"
"I see- so now you've got a price on your head- I'm not about to get mixed up in all that. Not a big fan of your shows but I know what you do- all that blood really turns my stomach, I gotta, say." He tutted "I don't know how you stand it" He let out a spiteful laugh. "You probably like it, only way your pecker gets hard I'll bet".
"It's not like that."
"Uh huh- Well don't you worry, you'll leave town in the morning and you'll never come back ya hear."
"Gramps there are some weird guys outside" Efron squeaked.
"Eh?" The old man peaked outside his door trying to look through the distant heat haze. Blackened shifting shapes moving in his general direction. "Just look like big birds to me, probably just want some of my worm broth". He chuckled.
There was a loud banging on the roof and a dent to match and then more foot steps and a strange scratching and whispering and high pitch mocking laughter.
"What the hell was that?" Zach said in harsh whisper. He got up on the bed and tried to look through one of the holes in the roof and saw nothing. Then for a split second he was face to face with a wooden crow face, it's empty black eyes staring at him. He jumped back falling off the bed.
They watched not breathing as the dents in the roof moved towards the door. There was a flapping fluttering noise and a thud and then a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Efron said.
"Shhhhhh!" Gramps and Zach hushed her in unison.
There was an ominous cawing noise made more so by the fact it was a human voice making the sound.
They waited a moment and the sounds stopped. After about ten minutes of listening to nothing but the wind the old man gingerly walked towards the door and peaked out. Opening the door wider to get a better look. "Take a gander through the hole again" He whispered.
Zach did as he was told and sheepishly probed his head around the hole, making sure not to get too close. "I can't see nothing" He whispered back.
The old man feeling a little more sure of himself opened the door all the way and stepped out to look around. He instantly regretted it as a three pronged meat hook claw came down and hooked him under the shoulder blade. Picking him up like a toy grabber at an arcade.
The kids sat inside listening to his screams as he was dragged onto the roof bleeding and kicking and crying. The sounds of the claw ripping into his flesh and then it went quiet again and all that they could hear was the blood running off the tin roof.
The door opened slowly and a man with a duck mask was standing there. The crow dropped off the roof in a crouching position behind him covered in the old man's blood.
"It might've been good to talk to someone around here who could actually communicate in full sentences." Canard said.
"S-sorry, all the f-fun from before and I didn't even get my beak wet" Crow tittered as he looked at the blood dripping off his claws. "I c-couldn't help myself" He flicked his head erraticy, bobbing like a birds.
Canard sighed and looked at the kids as they stared up at the old man's bloody hand through the hole in the roof. "Hey, any of you kids seen a clown around here."
"Yeah he went into Woodsmoke, town not too far from here, just over the ridge." Zach said without looking away from the old man's hand as it dripped.
Canard scratched his face under his mask "Well that was easy."
"W-what do we do now?" Crow said bobbing his head erraticly.
"Business as usual I guess".
"M-me first" Crow said eagerly.
"Ay ya ya, hold your horses there bucko" Canard said barring the door with his arm. "We do this the right way, Finch, fetch the chart will you."
Finch appeared pulling out a rolled up scroll from his coat sleeve and he walked up to Efron.
She looked up at this strange thin man in the bird mask as he began to unravel the scroll next to her.
He held it up next to her and on it was a picture of a clown with his hand out over a height chart. He stood it next to her and measured. Her head was just under the clowns hand.
Finch tutted and said. "This one is too small."
"Come on out honey" Canard said. "It's alright"
Efron cautiously walked towards the door as Finch moved on to Zach.
He held the chart up to Zach and his head was just over the clown's hand.
"Ah we have a winner." Finch said. He rolled up the scroll and put it back in his sleeve as he made his way out of the shack.
"Well what has he won?" Canard said turning to Crow.
"H-ha-ha." Crow hopped and bobbed into the shack, the door slamming behind him.
"What are we gonna do with this one" A female voice said over the muffled sounds of Zach's screams.
Canard turned to Heron and then back to Efron and patted her on the head. "I always loved that motherly instinct you have"
Heron said nothing.
"Well we can't take her with us until we complete our mission" He said looking down at her mussing up her scruffy red hair. She looked up at him, her face screwed up into a puzzled frown. "You wanna babysit?"
Canard sighed "I guess you'll just have to go play somewhere else kid. Auntie Heron is too busy to take care of you, she really doesn't have time for kids, what with her high flying career and all." He looked for a reaction from her and got none. "Scoot kid, before I change my mind."
Efron didn't take a second to think about it she just started to run in a seemingly random direction without looking back.
"See ya" Canard waved.
"What do we do now? Turkey asked.
"Hmm- What do you think big guy?" Canard said looking at Penguin.
Penguin breathed deeply and made a low growling noise.
"That's what I thought- Crow! Aren't you done yet?" Canard shouted.
Crow appeared behind him covered in blood from head to toe. "W-whats up?"
"I'm calling a little 'family meeting'" Canard said.
"Who died and made you boss?" Cardinal said.
Canard laughed "I've got the biggest mouth"
"No argument there" Finch sighed.
"You got a plan Cardinal? Nah, didn't think so, so why don't you keep your beak shut" Turkey sniped.
"We were only supposed to recover the body" Heron chimed in.
Canard scratched his cheek under the mask. "Yeah well, 'the body' appears to be walking around killing wasteland transvestites and weebs, or did you not notice that?"
"If you wanna go back and report-be my guest." Canard continued.
"You think Regus is gonna give you a pat on the head if you bring him the clown's head?"
"You think you're gonna get one for tattling on us?" Canard laughed.
"Tell you what, we'll make up our minds when we get there, deal?" He said smiling with his voice.
Ah ah ah if you want to read the rest of this utter madness you must follow this link.
See ya.
Hatin' Don't Pay
3 Ring Samurai Part 1; The man with the laughing sword
"I'm only laughing on the outside / My smile is just skin deep / If you could see inside I'm really crying / You might join me for a weep." – Jack Napier
If anyone doesn't know who Jack Napier is, go away confused haha.
It's finally here, the moment none of you have been waiting for, erm still not happy with the fight scene in it, *spoilers there's a fight scene it, it's a story about a clown samurai, what can I tell ya?
Ok yeah so what prompted me to do a dieselpunk clown samurai story? Not sure. But hey here it is after one proofread.
Been a little down recently, life just seems to be taking and not giving as the smiths would put it. Although it's hard to be depressed when you look this good and feel this swole but somehow I manage it.
It's why I'm looking forward to getting stuck back into this, I was actually really pissed when I had to stop working on this to eat on monday haha. My schedule is usually writing friday through to monday and then blogging and spamming from tuesday to thursday. So when I had to stop, I was like, 'but I don't wanna'. Which is great, it's why it's good to do fun stuff like this, recharges your creative batteries.
I'm not sure if other people will like it and I'm sure it won't make me rich and famous but it's like creative chocolate, it won't fill me up but it'll make me feel like life is worth living again and I really need that.
Also I think my editor broke her arm or something which is why she's taking her time getting Diana back to me, why do I have such lousy luck with editors, I must be cursed.
Maybe it's just women in general, I can never seem to get that right. Always seem to pick the wrong ones, or I let them pick me. Make me want to listen to the smiths in the dark and not move, being super fucking edgy today haha.
I just came to a realisation that I'm never going to have a relationship with one person in particular, not a real one anyway. She'll always just be there in the back of my mind and I'll never be able to touch her or hear her voice, she may not even know I exist or care, why would she? I'll never be the person she needs and I'll never have the unconditional love I want. She'll just exist there without me and it wont really matter. I wish there was someone to blame, but there isn't. All that remains is this numbing painful feeling, can you imagine the person you love the most in the world doesn't even know who you are? Doesn't know your face or your voice. It's a crushing feeling know that I just have to watch her grow up like a fly on the wall.
Anyway, it turned out differently from the comic, it's had a complete tonal shift and I think it works, it's more serious, the characters are more defined, I hope someone enjoys it half as much as I did writing it. I tried to keep the action as restrained as possible like the witcher, leave as much to the imagination as possible but still keep it tight.
Let me know what you think.
Chapter 1 'Zip Code'
"Ruff ruff"
"Garfield, come back boy!" A young girl in a moth eaten yellow sundress said, short of breath as she chased after the six legged mutant mutt as he ascended a mountain of garbage.
"What have you got over there you dumb mutt?" A boy behind her in a torn duster two sizes two big for him said as he watched from the base of the trash mountain. Resting his weight on a cracked Louisville slugger like a walking cane.
The sun beat down unimpeded by the any cloud cover at all, a big yellow beam of light baking a mound of garbage left by the circus convoy that passed only the other night.
The two children reluctantly chased the mutated dog-like creature up the mountain of garbage. Ranging from empty food containers, popped balloons and ripped posters to bone fragments, broken blades and needles. Until they reached the object that so interested their faithful companion.
"Eww what is that?" The little girl said as she skipped up the trash pile to find the dog barking and gnawing at something or other, a mass of rags and garbage.
The boy got to her elevation using the bat as a walking stick, he adjusted the googles on his face to look closer at the thing the dog was distressing. "Ahh just some dead guy" The kid sighed.
The little girl paused and blinked a few times before she said "Can we eat'im?"
"Nah, he's probably rotten, no telling how long he's been out here." The boy said as he lifted his cracked goggles up from his dirt and soot caked face tossing the bat over his shoulder. "We gotta keep looking".
"But I think he's still moving, gotta be super fresh." The little girl said smiling through her two missing front teeth, freckles fighting for their place with dirt and muck on her tanned face a shock of dry dirty red hair sticking up on her head in all directions.
Lying face down in a pile of hot garbage a corpse lay still, it's skin waxy and pale and almost yellow. The dog wasted no time in sniffing and licking and trying to devour the corpse feet first.
"Errrrggghhhh" An unknown voice echoed.
"What was that?" The little girl asked.
"Probably gas escaping, dead people poop their pants sometimes."
"Ewwww"
Garfield the dog didn't seem too discouraged as his two tongues went to work licking the corpses feet, chomping at them playfully
"Errrgghhh!" The voice said again.
The corpse seemed to jostle suddenly and then shambolicly roll onto it's back.
The two kids froze in terror as the corpse seemed to reanimate right in front of them it's horrible face covered in sticky icecream wrappers forming a horrifying multi-coloured mask that looked like desiccated mutant flesh.
"Ahhh" The girl screamed "It's a zombie!"
"Zombie?!" The boy yelped.
The dog was seemingly less worried about the zombie and kept licking it's stinky feet.
The zombie moved as if it was in a dream, rising to a sitting position in a most unnatural fashion, almost flopping forward like a fish with no bones in it's back. Slumping into an open indian sitting position it said "That tickles."
By this time the boy had worked his way around the back of the slowly reanimating corpse and delivered a decisive blow to the back of it's head.
"So it's not a zombie?"
"Nope, it's not a zombie." An old man said as he leant over a makeshift cook stove made of truck gas tank cut in half over a fire of burning cardboard and plastic making a gnoxious green smoke. Something unidentifiable gently simmering in the pot.
"What part of he's breathing and bleeding and farting in his sleep makes you think he's a zombie?" The young boy said.
The girl made a face and touched her chin as she thought about it pursing her lips in her dry tanned freckled face "Does that mean we can eat him now?" The little girl chirped smiling broadly.
"Efron, we talked about this, you can't just go around eating folk you find out in the wasteland." The old man said scratching his beard and tugging at his red suspenders over his dingy white shirt as if he was grappling for a good reason to why that was the case but coming up with nothing and changing the subject. "Well we gotta talk to him first, that seems like what decent folks would do" The old coot said.
"What's with his face?" The boy said as he leaned over the unconscious man.
"Yeah what's with that?" Efron said as she joined the boy shoulder to shoulder bending over the unconscious stranger as he lay on his back on a bed made of old truck tires and unidentified furs, his breathing shallow.
"I think he's one of them ladymen, they got in the city- although I wouldn't know nothing about that" The old man blushed.
"So it's like paint?" The little girl said as she prodded at the sleeping the stranger's big red rose.
"They won't come off" The boy said puzzled as the makeup wouldn't so much as smudge.
The old man stopped stirring whatever it was he was cooking and readjusted a stool made of an old motorcycle seat and joined the kids in inspecting the unconscious man.
After a moment of contemplation he sighed heavily and said "They're tattoos."
"What are tattoos?" The little girl asked?
"They're like drawings under your skin" The older boy said "Jeez don't you know anything?" He sneered.
She scrunched up her face and stuck her tongue out at him making a raspberry noise. "I know more than you Zach buttrat brain!"
"Shut yer pieholes!" The old man shushed them harshly as he took his suspenders off his shoulders and took a closer look. He opened one of the man's eyes and then took a closer prodding inspection with his fingers along the man's side and found a small stab wound in his midsection. "Zach, get my sewing kit, would ya?"
The boy bolted out of the door and after some scuffling and breaking noises he came back with a needle and thread and the old man went about stitching the wound and then putting a bandage over it.
"Hmm, bleeding already stopped, nothing good must have been hit, lucky bastard". The old man scoffed.
Efron looked on, downtrodden "So we're really not gonna eat him?" She whined.
The old man looked at her and then at the unconscious man and said "Someone's gonna be looking for that boy."
"How you know that gramps?" Zach said.
"Tattoos on his face, I've seen'em before – means he's connected"
"Connected to what?" The little girl said.
"Circus folk, I haven't see one for a long time but I think those markings on his face mean he's one of them clown gangers"
"What's a clown?"
The old man sighed deeply and said "A cold blooded killer." An icy chill running through his words and down his back.
"Then why'd you help him?" The boy said in a harsh whisper.
"Ya see a long time ago, before all this, before you were born, in the bad bad times just after the almighty badness. Folks were wild, worse than they are now, I know it's hard to imagine but it was fucking chaos-
People raping and eating eachother in the street, no law, no god, no judgement. Just blood and pain and mutation and suffering and out of that came a travelling circus lead by the devil himself and bound by some obscure code.
They purged the land of mutants and freaks and crazies and they united the bandit tribes of the wasteland into one travelling militia. The clowns were just one band of gangsters they recruited.
One man brought them all together, he called himself the ringmaster, he was worse than all of them combined, more terrible than any hammer or sickle. He lead a gang called the 'Third ring' and He beat the wasteland into shape and it limped on ever since.
The circus trying to hold it together moving from town to town putting on their show. Purging the wicked in a woodchip ring that's what they were doing up in Woodsmoke, they take all the food they need and move on.
I hear they even snatch kids now to make bolster their ranks." The old man paused and sighed as the two kids looked and listened silently. "That's probably what happened to him. After the second food war, the chaos, lots of kids were left without parents and had no choice but to join."
"How do you know all this old man?" The boy asked
"I used to be a carny – it's like a really dirty person that does all the dirty jobs but I got too old, too tired, sick of cleaning up all that blood."
"Then why help him, if he's a monster?" The little girl asked without a hint of malice in her voice, instead a curious optimism eking out.
The old man let out another sigh "What else can we do? 'Sides if he dies and they found out we just let him, and they have their ways mind you – no telling what they might do."
Both the kids looked at the sleeping man with the silly crude smiling face drawn over his real face in a fearful awe as he began to stir.
The kids ran out of the shack. The shack itself was small and bare and made of rusty scrap corrugated iron so wobbled and bustled with every breeze. The whole thing clanged and banged as they ran around it and climbed on top of it.
The clown let out a groan and his hand listlessly touched his bandaged head.
"Ow" The clown said dreamily.
"Err ya bumped your head pretty bad, and I guess someone stabbed ya, I bandaged you up best I could but I'm not a magician"
"My sword"
"Look buddy, you were like this when we found ya, no sword, no shoes, no name."
"Yeah we haven't been introduced, they call me Gramps" He said with a sigh like he'd told a million people already and this was the million and first.
The shack rattled with the wind and banged with little footsteps on the roof.
The clown groaned as he tried to rise to a sitting position, seized with pain and fell back down and went limp.
"My name's Pookie" He said breathlessly.
"Pookie?" A little girls voice rang with glee through a hole in the roof.
Surprised the clown looked up at the ceiling but she was gone before he clocked her but he could still hear her giggling.
"What was your name before?"
The clown didn't respond.
"Look, I know what yer thinkin'. I didn't take your stuff, we're not the only scavvers out here. There's a place over the mound, I traded with'em a couple of times but I wouldn't trust them with a jar of warm piss."
Pookie breathed in deeply and shifted his weight to the side of the makeshift bed and painfully levered himself off. Not accounting for how stiff he'd become just lying there, falling flat on his face.
"You can't be movin' around like that, you need to rest, you'll get yisself killed foolin' around like that."
Pookie groaned again and tried his legs getting his knees up under him, holding his side.
The old man bit his lip and started looking around the shack and digging under a pile of clothes and hats. He pulled out a long dried looking stick with a little Y shape at the top.
"Here, if you're fixed on getting yisself killed you might as well do it on yer two feet." He lifted Pookie up to a standing position and slipped the stick under his arm. "Put your weight on that stick" He said as he clasped him by the shoulder. He looked weak, bandages wrapped all around his waist and head. He was skinny but lined with sinewy muscles and deep inset scars that looked decades old on top of obscure tattoos that danced up his arms and peaked up from out of the bandages on his back, the tail of a fish swished in a stream.
His face was a boy's but hard, carved from sheet rock with red and white ink. A grotesquely large smile tore across his real mouth which was small and downturned. It flecked out almost like a brush stroke in a brutal crimson, red lines made an arc over his eyes and there was some bluing around the top lids on his forehead and a pair of black diamond shapes under each eye forming a disturbing mask, his face covered in war paint he could never take off. His hair was mostly shaved off in seemingly random patches and tied up into a high dark brown top knot on the back of his head.
He shifted his weight onto the stick and stood up on his own strength and the old man stepped away.
"Thanks" The clown said as he started to limp towards the opening of the shack.
The old man watched him go with a puzzled look on his face. "Yer welcome- and brush yer teeth!" He shouted after him.
The two kids watched him as he slowly limped and hopped his way over the mound as the sun reached its highest point, getting full and fat and ready to drop.
"Really think we should have eaten him" A little voice said from the hole in the roof.
The trappers house looked like an old station building the tracks that used to run parallel, long dug up and cannibalised, made into weapons or defences of some sort. Only the circus had use for trains and other such vehicles, it was for simple folk to use beasts of burden and their own two aching limbs. You saw some on bikes and even in cars but it was rare, fuel was more scarce than water in the wasteland. Nothing grew here anymore, it was just barren, open country.
The house wasn't much to look at, just an old wood building that looked like it was in constant disrepair, covered as it was with different coloured wood patches and wire mesh where the window glass used to be.
The yard was full of empty rusty cages and broken down tractors and train cars and junk. The house itself was situated at the bottom of the mound in a hilly region so there was no doubt he was seen coming over and down the shallow hill. But surprise was never on his mind.
He made his way slowly down the hill trying not to fall over his own feet watching for the windows. He walked through the yard trying not to get tetnis, looking at all the rust and junk. Everything from the old dead world lovlingly collected and allowed to rot right here.
Pookie didn't get within a fifteen feet of the house before a stout bald man wearing nothing but a pair of dungarees kicked open his own door like he was gate crashing a barn dance.
"Wh-th-hel-re-wht-ya-wnt? He warbled, all his words trying to get out of his mouth at once and coming out as a garbled mess running together and bumping into eachother.
Pookie breathed heavy leaning on the old stick but said nothing.
"Cnt-ya-tlk-ya-tarded?" His head was thick and round like an egg and he had no neck to speak of, his head was just a seamless, sweaty, greasy transition to a stout little body and stubby limbs.
The man got impatient and slammed a chair leg full of rusty nails against one of the support of the porch making a loud sound and gouging a chunk of old wood out of the strut.
"What's the gaff pops?" A younger version of the man in front of him stepped out of the house. He had a full mop of greasy black hair under a black and white striped moth eaten fedora and he wore a long black leather coat a shirt underneahe with a cat on it but most notably he wore a sword on his back.
"What's all the racket paw?" Another voice said, but it was a softer and what looked like a woman stepped onto the porch with a frying pan in her hand. The 'woman' was the tallest of the bunch with a chin and stubble that could cut glass. She tossed a waft of toxic green wig hair out of 'her' face and said "Who's this handsome man?"
"The-hel-r-ya?"
"Nobody" Pookie answered.
The three looked at eachother confused and then laughed.
"Wow bro, you're super edgey, like your edge cut me over here" The kid said scratching his patchy neck beard. Pookie watched the sword jangle on his back as he spoke.
They stopped laughing and got serious. "Teh-hel-ya-wnt?"
"The sword" Pookie said.
"Eh?" The older man said.
"You wannit, you gotta come and get it" The kid said. "I aint afraid of some crippled heshe." He said as he cockily dismounted the porch and made his way towards the still Pookie.
"Kek" The boy smirked and reached for the handle of the sword. It was an odd design, coloured like a red and white lollipop, or a candy striped barber poll with an evil laughing clown face as a pommel it's mouth open wide.
"Ya-cnt-drw-a-swrd-frm-yer-bck-ya-idjt!"
"Daaaad, I can do it, I've been practicing in the mirror!" The kid said as he turned around to yell at his father.
The kid took a firm grip on the handle and tugged hard but it dragged the scabbard with it. He only managed to choke himself with the strap he had around his torso.
"Hawhawhaw!" His dad laughed.
The kid blushed and then remembered to grab the bottom of the scabbard. He rounded the blade out of the sheathe making a scraping noise and then the blade laughed. The handle let out a cheesey clown laugh on repeat and LED lights on the pommel in the clowns eyes lit up for a few seconds before shutting off.
"Hahahahahaha" The man and the 'woman' were now in hysterics laughing at the boy and his ridiculous sword.
"Wut-a-stpd-pisa-crp!" The older man snorted almost crying.
"Daaaadd, you're embarrassing me!" The kids face got red as he craned his neck to chastise his father but then as he got no response but more laughter he turned his red freckled fat face at Pookie who stared straight passed him as if he wasn't even there.
"You think you can fuck with me?" He swallowed loud and puffed up his chest straining his kitty t-shirt with his man boobs pulling it apart. "I'm your worst nightmare!" The kid took up a firm stance he must have seen in an old comic book and put two hands on the sword as tight as he little fat hands could and he ran straight at Pookie with the blade in the air.
He swung it down with both hands like a baseball bat and hit nothing but dirt.
Pookie stood right over him and breathed in his face.
The kid reeled back pulling the sword with him, the mirror polished blade tossing loose dirt as it retreated.
"Your breath stinks!"
Pookie smiled and stuck out his tongue.
"The fuck is wrong with you? I'll kill you!" He slashed for Pookie head in a rough semi circle. But it was slow with no care for edge alighnment, just swinging away like he was hammering a nail, so each strike was getting too much wind resistance. With every missed strike he it took more out of him. Each clumsy miss left him more out of breath.
Before long the boy was toppled over fighting for breath. Pookie was watching the sun go down not having broken a sweat. He stared at that big ball in the sky with his back turned to the boy as he heaved for air vomitting on in his own lap.
"You know- kind of suck at this" Pookie said without looking at him.
The kid instantly flew into a rage and staggered to his feet running with all his strength, the sword tip held high determined to run Pookie through.
It was then that he felt it, the rushing tide, the blood pumping, his muscles awake and supple, the need. The desire to kill that spurred him, the roar of the crowd, that sound it made when air escaped a perfect cut.
He was lost for a minute and then the kids heavy footfalls reminded him of where he was. He turned to see the kid trying to skewer him in slow motion and not a thought crossed his mind before he turned the blade around and impaled the kid on it. He didn't even think about it, it just happened.
Pookie pulled the sword out of the kid. It was covered in blood all the way even past the hilt and he slumped into the dirt to join all that junk in the old world.
"Sonofabitch" the vaguely feminine creature shrieked with the frying pan overhead.
Pookie still leaning on the crutch, his bloody laughing sword hanging loose at his side as the crazed he/she charged at him, Pookie limped slowly closer.
She/he/it over shot their attack and Pookie had cut them three times before frying pan came down. They walked a few steps before the dress they were wearing seemed to peel off in sections and the green wig fell off, blood slowly seeping as he fell forward.
"Fkn-pissa-sht" The older man said as he loaded and cocked some sort of makeshift cross bow made from animal gut and car parts, tears streaming down his egg-like face.
Pookie looked up at him, his face covered in blood, his eyes sad and empty. "Just the sword".
The old man swallowed and stared for a long time at the bodies and at Pookie and he shook and after a long moment he lowered the crossbow and watched Pookie limp away.
Pookie collapsed in front of the old man's tin shack, Efron and Zach stared at the odd figure through the door.
The old man approached him, the sword fallen in front of him in it's pin stripe scabbard covered in weird stickers and he saw the blood.
"I told you not to go"
"Did you?" Pookie said into the dirt. His eyes open and clear staring at nothing.
"You're close to death, you should rest."
"It's not the first time" He said dreamily.
The old man cleared his throat and eased the stranger to his feet and helped him into the shack.
When the stranger woke up again it was light and the old man was again leaning over the makeshift cooking pot an odd smell was emanating from it.
"Thank you- again."
The old man let out a heavy breath and said "You told me it wasn't the first time you'd been close to death."
"You wanna tell me about that?"
"-Not really"
"Ha-" The old man paused and breathed deeply raising his back as he stirred. "You didn't have to kill them ya know"
The old man sighed again. "I think you should clear out as soon as you can"
Pookie groaned and peeled himself off the bed. He looked around the inside of the tin shack catching glimpses of the kids sneaking peeks at him through the holes. "I think you're right"
"Nearest town, is north west over the ridge"
"Thanks" He groaned as he got to his feet and breathed heavy and sore like two planks of unplained wood rubbing together. He looked around for his sword and he saw it resting against the door next to his walking stick. He stopped for a second to think and then picked up the sword and walked out the door leaving the stick behind.
Find me on the book of many faces.
Give me something
Spending more time
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Jillianne howard on Review of the Benchmade Harley…
The Awesome Dad on Rain drops
Ryk Brink on Us – Movie review
Follow me on Twitter and I'll kill you last


Melbourne Football Club players feature in an anti-bullying campaign, designed to support players and young people.
The Melbourne Demons Football Club is taking a new approach to stamping out online bullying.
A number of the club's football players feature in a video designed to disempower messages of hate, by showing the players tearing up hateful tweets that have been directed at them.
The torn up messages used in the video will be taped together to create the pre-game banner that the Demons will run through this Friday night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) when they play against the Essendon Bombers.
The video has been produced in partnership with the youth organisation, Reach Foundation, founded by late Melbourne football legend Jason Stynes and Zurich.
The campaign 'Let's Tear Online Bullying Down' is fundraising in support of the one in five young Australians who face online bullying.
Melbourne Coach Simon Goodwin said he's proud of his club.
"To go out and fight online bullying is something that I'm incredibly proud of," he said.
So far this year, two of the AFL's top Indigenous players, the Adelaide Crows, Eddie Betts and West Coast Eagles, Liam Ryan have been targeted with vile online racial abuse.
Adelaide Crows and the AFL Players Association have condemned a vile, racist social media comment aimed at Eddie Betts.
Award winning journalist Stan Grant hosts a one hour panel show, putting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues under the microscope.


text:
Alaa Idris, född 11 juni 1981, är en svensk politiker (socialdemokrat), tidigare distriktsordförande för SSU i Örebro län. Idris tillhörde SSU:s förbundsstyrelse 2003–2009 med ansvar för bland annat integrationsfrågor. Hon har senare arbetat hos Hyresgästföreningen och som politisk sekreterare vid Socialdemokraternas partikansli i Stockholm. Idris har sina rötter i Eritrea och är bosatt i Örebro. Hon kommer fran vansterfalangen av Socialdemokratin med stort fokus pa kvinnorelaterade fragor.

Källor

Idris, Alaa
Kvinnor
Födda 1981
Levande personer

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


« Can the Pats Rebound After the Nightmare in San Diego?
Fans are invited to stop by the NFL Super Ad mobile studio at Gillette Stadium to tell their story of pregame rituals, family traditions surrounding the NFL or defining moments while watching football.
Selected stories will be posted on nfl.com/superad where fans can vote on their favorites Nov. 20, 2008 – Jan. 4, 2009.
WHY: Samsung and the NFL are giving fans the opportunity to share their passion and stories surrounding America's favorite sport as part of this year's "Super Ad: That's How I See It" campaign. The NFL Super Ad mobile studio will be making up to 20 stops in various NFL markets at stadiums and at Samsung's retail partner Best Buy now through Oct. 26. For a full schedule, please visit www.nfl.com/superad.


Feline acquired symmetrical alopecia (feline endocrine alopecia) is a rare symmetrical thinning and balding of the coat in cats. It was previously thought that the condition was a hormonal disorder, but current thought is that there are many causes with only a small number due to hormonal/endocrine disorders.
Hypersensitive reactions to insect bites, most often fleas.
Food allergies are common in cats.
Inhalant allergy – Unlike humans who tend to get the snuffles with allergies, cats tend to exhibit symptoms of allergies through the skin. Common sources of inhalant allergy are pollens and dust mites.
Skin infection. This could be bacterial or fungal.
Cushing's syndrome – An endocrine disorder caused by the excessive production of cortisol, by the adrenal gland.
Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone, often caused by thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine to treat hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism – High levels of thyroid hormone, usually caused by a benign tumour of the thyroid gland.
Thinning of the hair occurs symmetrically along the trunk, inside the hind legs, the underside of the tail and the genital region. Hormonal causes generally shouldn't cause itching or scratching. That is more indicative of allergies or infections.
Depending on the underlying cause, there may be accompanying symptoms related to the disease. In many cases, there are no changes to the skin.
Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of your cat and obtain a medical history from you.
He will wish to perform a microscopic examination of the hairs (known as a thrichogram). Hairs that are broken tend to be caused by over-grooming.
An examination of the feces for an overabundance of hair would also be indicative of over-grooming.
A careful examination of the fur for the presence of fleas. In some cats, even one flea is enough to trigger a reaction.
Perform a skin scraping to look for mites.
A skin biopsy to rule out other causes of hair loss.
A fungal culture to check for ringworm.
Thyroid test to check for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Elimination food trial if allergies are suspected. The cat will eat a novel type of food (for example duck) to see if the allergies resolve. After several weeks, the usual food will be re-introduced to see if the allergies/hair loss return.
If there is no apparent cause of hair loss, your veterinarian may want to perform routine blood tests to evaluate for an underlying cause such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome.
Treatment of feline acquired symmetrical alopecia depends on the underlying cause.
Fleas: Diligent flea control which includes treating the cat and the house.
Hypothyroidism: Hormone supplementation until the thyroid is able to produce enough thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism: Surgery to remove the tumour or radioactive iodine to kill the tumour cells.
Inhalant allergy: Avoidance of the allergen where possible. Antihistamines to control symptoms.
Food allergies: Switching to a low-allergy.
Ringworm: Antifungal dips or shampoos.
Cushing's syndrome requires surgical removal of the adrenal or pituitary gland.
 Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook – Delbert G. Carlson, D.V.M and James M. Giffin, M.D.
Elevated Liver Enzymes in Cats-What Do They Mean?


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The Take Back the Land Movement
10/01/2014 Archivist	Leave a comment
The Take Back the Land- Movement is a American network of organizations dedicated to elevating housing to the level of a human right and securing community control over land. The Movement must be led by impacted communities and is firmly rooted in 'Positive Action' campaigns, including those which break the immoral laws which allow banks to gain billions in profit while human beings are made homeless.
http://www.takebacktheland.org/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Take-Back-the-Land-Movement/
Yorkley Court Farm
Somwherre in the forest of Dean…
MISSING TEXT ???
Thousand-Huts Campaign, Scotland
The "Thousand Huts" campaign was launched by Reforesting Scotland http://www.reforestingscotland.org on 15 June 2011. The campaign website is: http://www.thousandhuts.org/ [BROKEN LINK]
The Campaign seeks to celebrate, expand, protect & enjoy the use of huts in Scotland for living, working and relaxing in, & it is calling for: changes to the planning system to support hut building, better security of tenure for existing hutters, & an end to the eviction of hutters such as those at Barry Downs & Carnoustie.
Occupy Movement UK
On 15th October 2011 the Occupy Wall Street protests went global with over 1,000 protests around the world. In the UK occupations occured in a number of towns and cities. In London, activists tried to occupy Paternoster Square in front of the London Stock Exchange & Goldman Sachs. Police removed them, but they reconverged outside St Pauls Cathedral, where they remained for 4 months until they were evicted on 28th Feb 2012. Clergy at St Pauls in media interviews validated the views of the Occupy movement & Occupy's critique of the current financial system. Occupy London continues to organise events all the time, including Occupy Democracy.
Lammas Low Impact Ecovillage, Pembrokeshire, Wales
http://www.lammas.org.uk/
Lammas Low Impact Ecovillage, Pembrokeshire, Wales:
Welcome to Lammas
The Lammas project has been created to pioneer an alternative model for living on the land. It empowers people to explore what it is to live a low-impact lifestyle. It demonstrates that alternatives are possible here and now.
The project centres around the ecovillage at Tir y Gafel, in North Pembrokeshire, which has been designed using a model that can be replicated across Wales. It combines the traditional smallholding model with the latest innovations in environmental design, green technology and permaculture. The ecovillage was granted planning permission in 2009 by the Welsh Government and is currently part-way through the construction phase. At its heart it consists of 9 smallholdings positioned around a Community Hub building, and it is supported by a range of peripheral projects and networks.
The ecovillage runs guided tours every Saturday from April to October and also runs a range of courses, conferences and events throughout the year.
The project actively supports aspiring low-impact projects in Wales through providing planning guides and resources as well as supporting independent academic studies.
We have just launched this; our new website. Enjoy!
ENGLISH & WELSH FORESTS: NO PUBLIC SELL-OFF …for now
After the government was forced to do a u-turn on selling off Britain's woodlands, they set up a forests panel to help decide what to do next. Their consultation ended on 31st July 2011.
This was TLIO's response.
On 4th July 2012, the panel published their report, recommending that forests in England & Wales should remain in public-ownership. The Government's finally responded on 31st Jan 2013, confirming it would not be selling off publicly owned forests in England & Wales . However, in Jul 2013, the Govt published its initial proposals for managing England's public forests, watering down many of the crucial recommendations in the Independent Panel's report. To keep up-to-date on the latest developments, see here.
Keveral Farm
http://www.keveral.org/
Keveral Farm, Cornwall:
Keveral Farm is an organic farm community near Looe, Cornwall (in the south-west of England). We are 40 years old this year! The original community was established in 1973, and the farm is now owned and managed co-operatively by the members of the community. We are 10 adults plus a varying number of children. We live in a farmhouse, static caravans, a wooden cabin and a barn conversion.
Our farm-based activities include horticulture and veg boxes, camping including yurts for hire, ecological consultancy, orchards, apple juice and cider, preserves, woodland and tree work, mushrooms…. Some of us also work off the farm.
We take working visitors (including WWOOFers) to help us with our work, in exchange for food and accommodation or camping.
Steward Community Woodland
We are Steward Community Woodland, a group of people who are living and working together and have been experimenting with…
permaculture food growing and land use
community dynamics
renewable energy and appropriate technology
building our own dwellings using low-impact materials
small-scale woodland management
experiential and home education
We live on 32 acres of plantation woodland on a steep hillside, located in the beautiful Wray Valley on the edge of Dartmoor. The community was founded in 2000 and is currently twelve adults and nine children.
http://www.stewardwood.org/
Diggers2012
Camped in a woodland on Coopers Hill, Runnymede
The group are occupying this land (owned by Royal Holloway University) to highlight the right of people around the world to shelter and grow food on disused land, having moved to this site near the location where the Magna Carta was signed having been prevented via an injunction to settle on a disused field on the Crown Estate near Windsor Great Park the week after the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Read more about this here. Also, go to:
http://diggers2012.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/stand-up-ye-diggers-all/
Middlewood Trust
Middlewood Trust runs a study centre in North Lancashire, UK. It was established to promote environmental courses that would address the growing concern about long term damage to the environment.
http://www.middlewood.org.uk/middlewood.html

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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You are here: Home / Politics / Govt / Ranking lists Grassley as 4th most-influential senator
Ranking lists Grassley as 4th most-influential senator
A new analysis ranks Iowa's two long-serving United States Senators as having much more influence in Washington than senators who are often in the headlines.
New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, the ex-First Lady who's considered a leading contender for her party's presidential nomination in 2008, ranks 41st on the list. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry ranks 61st. Iowa's two senators rank in front of both of them in terms of influence inside the so-called Beltway because of their tenure, their committee positions, and their ability to get legislation passed.
Iowa Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican, is in his fifth term and is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. Grassley ranks as the fourth most-powerful United States senator. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin ranks as the 35th most influential and the 13th most-powerful Democrat among the 43 Democrats in the Senate. Harkin is in his fourth term.
On the House side of the ledger, Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle ranks as the 54th most influential House member because of his role as House Budget Committee chairman. You can see the analysis on-line at www.congress.org.
Due to the influence Grassley, Harkin and Nussle weild in Washington, Iowa ranks right up there as having the third most-influential state delegation in congress. Iowa's other congressmen rank as follows: Leach at #70; Latham at #190; King at #208 and Boswell at #302.
Congress.org
Filed Under: Politics / Govt


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About White House History Quarterly
The White House was a presidential symbol, inevitably, when it was built in the last decade of the eighteenth century, and prevails today both synonymous with the presidency and an icon of freedom to the world.
— William Seale, Founding Editor, White House History Quarterly
White House History Quarterly, the award-winning journal of the White House Historical Association, is published four times each year. One, two, or three-year subscriptions, single copies, and bound collections of back issues are available.
With editorial offices in Washington, D.C., at the association's old row house facing Lafayette Park across from the White House, the journal contains illustrated features on White House life that vary from biographies of presidents and their wives and families to employees, furnishings, details of famous events, the gardens, architecture, costume, art in the White House and many other subjects taken from the more than 200 years of this great house.
Next Articles & Publications
Since joining the White House Historical Association in 2014, Stewart McLaurin has had been published a number of times. Topics range...
Collection A Tour of the White House
In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy resolved to make the White House a "living museum" by restoring the historic integrity of the...
The Decorative Arts in the White House Symposium Scholarly Contributors
James Archer AbbottJames Archer Abbott currently serves as the Executive Director of the Lewes Historical Society in Lewes, Delaware. A...
White House Gardens Symposium Scholarly Contributors
Jim AdamsJim Adams has been gardening in Washington, D.C., for over 25 years. His D.C. career began at the...
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White House History Table of Contents
NUMBERS 1 THROUGH 6 (COLLECTION I) WHITE HOUSE HISTORY • NUMBER 1 1 — Foreword by Melvin M. Payne 5 — President Kennedy's Rose Garden by Rachel Lambert...
The United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House Symposium Scholarly Contributors
Luncheon PresentersRandolph ChurchillRandolph Churchill was born shortly before the death of his great-grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill, in January 1965. After attending...
Issue 60 • Winter 202160 Years of the White House Historical AssociationThe sixtieth issue of White House History Quarterly marks the sixtieth anniversary of...
Q: I have just purchased a subscription to White House History Quarterly. When will I begin receiving my copies? A:...
20202020 Best Book AwardsThe Official White House Christmas Ornament: Collected Stories of a Holiday Tradition, Winner, Novelty & Gift BookPresidents Play!...
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Kim Kardashian Says She Loves Tristan Thompson "Like a Brother" After Cheating Drama
Kim Kardashian reveals she sees Khloe's ex Tristan Thompson like a brother, despite all prior relationship drama
By Cydney Contreras Mar 27, 2020 2:30 AMTags
Kim KardashianKourtney KardashianKardashian NewsCelebritiesKhloe KardashianTristan Thompson
Watch: Kim & Kourtney's Feud Gets Physical: "KUWTK" Katch-Up (S18, E1)
There's nothing but love between Kim Kardashian and Tristan Thompson.
Yes, Kim and the basketball star have feuded in the past, but the Skims owner is choosing to put her personal feelings aside for the sake of sister Khloe Kardashian and niece True Thompson.
Kim proved her maturity in the 18th season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians by meeting with her sister's former ex, who cheated on her with Kylie Jenner's ex-BFF Jordyn Woods. Tristan met up with Kim, her friends Simon Huck, La La, Winnie Harlow and Jonathan Cheban, much to their dismay. "Tristan is True's dad," she explains to the table. "So regardless of whatever, he's connected for life, we can't change that."
And, to the surprise of many on social media, their dinner went well. Kim tweeted during the finale, "I actually LOVE Tristan now like a brother FR! We totally bonded and worked through our issues and love him."
The Kardashians at Paris Fashion Week 2020
Tristan himself hasn't been tweeting, but Khloe told her followers that he was watching the premiere with her, which made for some slightly awkward moments.
"I love that tristan is watching this premiere with me and he is now seeing what they say when he's not around lol AWKWARD!!" she joked.
And despite Kim saying her dinner with Tristan was calm and casual, Khloe begs to differ. She tweeted that even though she wasn't there, she still felt "tense" just watching it all unfold!
Nonetheless, Khloe insists she and the pro basketball player are able to see past the drama in order to focus on what's more important. She says doing so is "hard" but she finds the end result of co-parenting "so rewarding."
"Let me just give around of applause for all the healthy coparenting is out there," she praises.
Fans can catch up on full episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians online here!
Get updates on your favorite family & more. Sign up for Kards Katch Up with E! News!


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For those who do not know Warhol was an art visionary famous for his depictions of cans of Campbell's soup as well as famously creating a likeness of Blondie lead singer Deborah Harry using a Commodore Amiga home computer.
Traditional way of custom t-shirt printing was Screen Printing and Heat Transfer.


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Home	Top 10 Lists	Top 10 Best B-Movies of All-Time
Top 10 Best B-Movies of All-Time
by Nick Kush December 7, 2017
written by Nick Kush December 7, 2017
We all have our favorite movies. From timeless classics to little seen gems, there's tons of movies out there that are truly great. Then, there's the other side of that equation. Sometimes, you love a film for all the wrong reasons. From action shlock to pure incompetence, the B-movie genre is ripe with "classics." They aren't subtle pieces of art, but, let's be honest, they're way too much fun. Here's some of the best B-movies ever made:
#10: Deadly Prey (1987)
Ahh Ted Prior, you wonderful human being.
Back in the 1980's, there were countless knock-offs of Rambo and other macho-man action films. Deadly Prey is probably the most shameless of them all, and it's so much better for it. It has all the typical terrible B-movie calling cards like an incomprehensible plot, dumb characters, and a prominent performance from B-movie regular Cameron Mitchell.
Filled with the best type of action shlock, You'll want to stand and cheer once Ted Prior rips off an assailant's arm and beats him to death with it.
image via Bloody Disgusting
#9: Hollywood Cop (1987)
From the director of Samurai Cop (keep that title in mind for later), comes another cop drama (?) that does not disappoint. Cameron Mitchell returns as another cop character that helps a detective that goes by the name of "Turkey" retrieve a child from a local mob boss.
Here, you'll find some more terrible acting along with incomprensible and shocking plot points. As with any Amir Shervan movie, literally everything appears to be filmed by an alien.
image via YouTube
#8: Troll 2 (1990)
I'll let this speak for itself:
#7: The Last Vampire on Earth (2009)
Another shameless knock-off, The Last Vampire on Earth tried to capitalize on Twilight, but failed miserably. From famed director Vitaliy Versace (seriously, that's his name) comes the epic tale of a vampire who goes to community college in order to one day become a blood doctor. The third act of the film adds a shockingly terrible twist that needs to be seen to be believed.
It has the usual terrible acting, but it also has one of the worst monologues ever put to screen from young actress McKenzie Grimmett. Bless your heart for trying! Thankfully, you ended up in one of the best B-movies ever made.
image via Taliesin meets the vampires
#6: Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010)
The most poignant discussion of climate change ever, Birdemic is truly a masterpiece. From its breathtaking visual effects to perfectly woven themes, what's not to love?
Lol jk, this movie is a dumpster fire.
Birds that go crazy because of climate change is beautiful in of itself, but the film is made with certain sincerity that makes it that much better. The best B-movies are made with the intention of being a great film, and Birdemic certainly has that characteristic. If you think movies are hamfisted with their messages, just wait until you see this film. Sometimes, the naive in show business are just the best.
#5: Suburban Sasquatch (2004)
Another classic example of a man out to make a masterpiece. Director Dave Wascavage wanted to make a film about society pressing on nature and nature's response. But, instead, we got a film about a guy in a fur costume that rips apart plastic, Halloween-store bones. In an attempt to kill the monster, A Native American (played by a Mexican woman) must shoot all of her CGI arrows at him. I can't stress enough how terrible the CGI is here. All the while, some dumb journalist is trying to win a Pulitzer for some reason that'll never get any explanation.
And my god, those nipples:
image via WordPress.com
#4: Miami Connection (2012)
This film is a shlock director's wet dream. Rival Gangs? Rock music? Drugs? Ninjas? Count me in!
In essence, the plot of Miami Connection is a rock band that knows martial arts fights a motorcycle gang full of ninjas to gain control of the drug trade in the area. What follows is a high-energy, non-stop array of insane, bloody action that is truly unbelievable. This movies knows what it is, earning a spot among the best B-movies. This film oozes of a director attempting to capitalize on every late-80's trend, and man is it glorious!
image via DVDActive
#3: Samurai Cop (1991)
Amir Shervan's masterpiece, Samurai Cop is a blatant rip-off of Lethal Weapon, including come of the most memorable, terrible scenes ever put into a movie. The film's star, Matt Hannon, does his best delivering some hilarious dialogue, but he and his wig just couldn't save this incomprehensible mess from turning into an ironic classic.
I could say more, but I think this clip says it all:
#2: Double Down (2005)
Neil Breen is insane, and we should all be grateful that we continue to see his meltdowns in feature length form. All of Breen's film's focus on him as the best to ever live in any respect. He has every medal known to man, he can can steal any car at any time, and he can end the world by dropping biological bombs in every city. Why does he do these things? Beats me, but it's beautiful!
Double Down is more than an experimental film, it's an experience. From Breen eating tons of tuna to him awkwardly kissing a woman that got way more than she bargained for, Double Down just gets everything wrong. Yet, Neil Breen is the best, and the best that we'll ever see (according to him).
It's not the most well-known choice for the best B-movies, but for those that know it, they know.
image via Mubi
#1: The Room (2003)
Anyways, how's you sex life?
*To read my full review of The Room, please click here.
image via The Mary Sue
Thanks for reading! What are your favorite best bad movies? Comment down below!
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Nick Kush
A current young professional in the Richmond, Virginia area, Nick founded MovieBabble in October of 2016 when he was a bored college student with nothing else to do. (And he kicks himself every day that his story isn't better.) Nick is also a member of the Internet Film Critics Society and the Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association. You can follow him on Twitter @nkush42
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Film Review - Disturbing the Peace (2020) | MovieBabble January 27, 2020 - 9:09 am
[…] my fellow MovieBabble compatriots well know, I do have a fondness for schlock. A good B-movie can warm the cockles of my heart. This film might not be an adaptation of a beautiful novel, but it […]
vuava December 15, 2017 - 11:07 am
I think calling this lot B movies is being too kind.
Nick Kush December 15, 2017 - 11:31 am
Would you prefer Z-movies?? ????
vuava December 16, 2017 - 6:41 am
That's exactly what I call them. 🙂
Nick Kush December 16, 2017 - 8:04 am
1000moviesblog December 12, 2017 - 7:20 am
Definitely Riki Oh and Jason X. Also the worst movie I've ever seen was called The Dead Hate the Living. Seriously it is just AWFUL.
I've actually never heard of The Dead Hate the Living, I'll have to take a look…maybe? Lol
I'm not sure you want to. It's….reeeaaallly bad. Not even so bad it's good. I'm a connoisseur of bad movies and I could barely manage it!
Yikes, there's nothing worse then just a straight-up terrible movie. Those are just miserable experiences lol
1000moviesblog December 15, 2017 - 4:44 pm
I know right? And I am going to have to force myself to watch it again (cause I finish my challenges!)
Nick Kush December 15, 2017 - 9:45 pm
Lol good for you!!!!
Andy December 8, 2017 - 9:50 pm
"Jack Frost," with the killer snowman that could melt and reform, was dope.
Nick Kush December 8, 2017 - 9:58 pm
That's a great one too! There's too many for one top 10 list
Lizzie Robinson December 7, 2017 - 9:45 pm
Oh hai, The Room.
I just knew that that masterpiece had to get the top spot.
Nick Kush December 7, 2017 - 11:32 pm
?????? it's too great not to be!
Best Of Smart Home Tech December 7, 2017 - 8:28 pm
Troll 2 was ace, I remember watching it as a kid and being a little scared haha. There was that classic plot twist with the town name of Nilbog, masterful script writing.
OHH MY GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Anonymous December 7, 2017 - 11:12 am
IT BROKE NEW GROUND!!!!
Nick Kush December 7, 2017 - 11:13 am
I APPLAUD IT FOR BEING DIFFERENT!!!!!!
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What are Flanges?
Flanges are a type of fitting that is used in pipe and tubing systems. It's often used in metalworking and engineering for joining pipes, valves, pumps and other equipment together so that they can work smoothly as one unit. They offer the advantages of being able to connect different types of materials together, while also allowing flexibility for when components need to be removed or replaced. A flange can have female ends (such as on a steel beam) where it would receive bolts from another component, or male ends (such as on a steel pipe) where it would connect to another component.
What are Flanges Used For?
To reduce pressure or strain exerted on pipelines without reducing fluid flow rate – Connecting large diameter piping systems together in power plants, refineries, chemical plants – To connect and disconnect piping systems
Facilitating repairs in pipelines by making it easier to access them (e.g., when an emergency shutdown is required) or relocating a pipeline
Materials for Flanges
Types of Flanges
Threaded Flange
Also known as a screwed flange, this style has a thread inside the flange bore which fits with the matching male thread on the pipe or fitting. The threaded connection means you can avoid welding in many use cases. Simply match the threading to the pipes you wish to connect.
Socket-Weld Flanges
Ideal for smaller pipe diameters in low-temperature and low-pressure scenarios, socket-weld flanges feature a connection in which you place the pipe into the flange and then secure the connection with a single multi-pass fillet weld. This makes this style simpler to install than other welded flange types while avoiding the limitations associated with threaded ends.
Slip-on Flanges
Slip-on flanges are very common and are available in a large range of sizes to accommodate systems with higher flow rates and throughput. Simply match the flange to the outer diameter of the pipe you intend to connect. Installation is slightly more technical as you'll need fillet weld both sides to secure the flange to the pipe.
Lap Joint Flanges
Featuring a two-piece design, lap joint flanges require butt welding of the stub end to the pipe or fitting with the use of a backing flange to create the flanged connection. This design makes this style popular for use in systems with limited physical space or systems which require frequent dismantling and maintenance.
Weld Neck Flanges
Like lap joint flanges, weld neck flanges require butt welding for installation. However, their integrity, performance in systems with multiple repeat bends, and the ability to use them in high-pressure and high-temperature systems make them a leading choice for process piping.
Blind Flanges
Used for terminating or isolating piping systems, blind flanges are essentially boltable blank discs. When installed properly and combined with the correct gaskets, they can achieve an outstanding seal which is easy to remove when needed.
Specialty Flanges
The flange types listed above are the most common. However, there is a range of additional specialized flange types available to suit a range of uses and environments. Other options include nipoflanges, weldoflanges, expanding flanges, orifice, long weld neck and reducing flanges.
Flange Dimensions and Common Considerations
Other than the functional design of a flange, its dimensions are the most likely factors which has an on the choices of impact flange while designing, maintaining and updating the piping system. Whereas one must consider the interfaces of flange with the pipe and the gasket which are in use in order to ensure the proper sizing. Other than this some of the common considerations are as follows:
The outside diameter refers to the distance between the two opposing edges of the flange face.
The thickness is measured from the outer side of the rim.
Bolt circle diameter
This is referred to as the distance between the opposing bolt holes which is measured from Centre to Centre.
Pipe size refers to as that dimension through which the flange gets corresponded.
Nominal bore size
Nominal bore size is the measurement of inner diameter of the flange connector.
Common face types include:
Flat Face (FF): As the name suggests, flat face flanges feature a flat, even surface combined with a full face gasket that contacts most of the flange surface.
Raised Face (RF): These flanges feature a small raised section around the bore with an inside bore circle gasket.
Ring Joint Face (RTJ): Used in high-pressure and high-temperature processes, this face type features a groove in which a metal gasket sits to maintain the seal.
Tongue and Groove (T&G): These flanges feature matching grooves and raised sections. This aids in installation as the design helps the flanges to self-align and provides a reservoir for gasket adhesive.
Male & Female (M&F): Similar to tongue and groove flanges, these flanges use a matching pair of grooves and raised sections to secure the gasket. However, unlike tongue and groove flanges, these retain the gasket on the female face, providing more accurate placement and increased gasket material options.
Making the Connection: Flange Facing Types
Flange design is only the start when considering the ideal flange for your piping system. Face types are another characteristic that will have a major impact on the final performance and service life of your flanges.
Facing types determine both the gaskets needed to install the flange and characteristics related to the seal created.
Applications of flanges
A flange is a method of connecting pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form a piping system. It also provides easy access for cleaning, inspection, or modification. Flanges are usually welded or screwed.
In many applications, engineers need to find a way to close off a chamber or cylinder in a very secure fashion, usually because the substance inside must differ from the substance outside in composition or pressure.
They do this by fastening two pieces of metal or other material together with a circle of bolts on a lip. This "lip" is a flange.


But this doesn't seem fundamentally problematic to me: at the instance declaration, we know that F Int will reduce, and after that reduction there isn't any problem with the instance.
Here's a less restrictive instance head test: first, we reduce type families as much as possible. Then, if there are still leftover non-reducing type families, reject the instance.
After having typed this up, I have realized that I don't actually need this feature. But I'm filing it here for posterity.


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Home News Industries Banking/Finances Ralph Sampson stars in regional bank commercial
Ralph Sampson stars in regional bank commercial
Published November 7, 2019 by Kate Andrews
A commercial for Atlantic Union Bank featuring University of Virginia basketball legend Ralph Sampson launched this week, showing the 7-foot-4 Harrisonburg native back on the basketball court — sort of.
The spot, which will air statewide on broadcast and cable channels, is titled "Loyalty," begins with a boy supporting his brother, who has a bit to learn about shooting hoops. The 59-year-old Sampson then shows up on the outdoor basketball court, praising the boys for their loyalty to each other. Richmond-based West Cary Group, Atlantic Union Bank's advertising agency, created the TV spot, which was shot earlier this year in Los Angeles.
In a phone interview Thursday, Sampson said that the idea for the commercial came up after he had done appearances for the past couple of years for the Richmond-headquartered bank and had built relationships with its executives. "It became something special," he said.
As for what else he's been up to lately, Sampson says his 2019 has been "surreal," beginning with his former team's NCAA basketball championship win in April and followed by the May demolition of University Hall, which was nicknamed "Ralph's House" during his record-setting early 1980s tenure at U.Va.
"I watched some of the process, when they gutted the inside out," he said, and then he helped push the button at the implosion of the arena, a "very surreal and emotional" moment for him.
After winning three Naismith Awards as the National Player of the Year, Sampson graduated from U.Va. in 1983 and played for the Houston Rockets through 1987. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in the 1983-84 season, but knee and back problems started to plague him after the '87-88 season. Over the years, Sampson played for the Rockets, the Golden State Warriors, the Sacramento Kings and the Washington Bullets in the NBA, and he served stints as coach for James Madison University, the Richmond Rhythm and the Phoenix Suns.
Earlier this year, Sampson returned home to Virginia from Los Angeles and he splits his time between Harrisonburg and Newport News. His mom and dad are in their 80s and are healthy, Sampson says, and he has various business interests, including with Atlantic Union. He also is a brand ambassador for Puma, which in March re-released his signature basketball shoes from the 1980s, then called the Majesty and now named after him. One pair in the sneaker line, the "Virginia Lo" model, is bedecked in U.Va. blue and orange and sports the Virginia state seal on its heels.
"It's been a wild ride for me," Sampson says, with the shoe attracting young, obsessive sneakerheads and the attention of GQ magazine, which named it the "sneaker of the week" in October.
He stays in touch with "pretty much all" of his former U.Va. teammates — Ricky Stokes, Othell Wilson, Jeff Jones, Jeff Lamp and others — and he relished being at every single NCAA tournament game the Cavaliers played last spring.
His advice to the players from the 2018-19 squad who have gone on to play in the NBA: "You have to go back where you were made. You've got to come back and build that relationship with the university. The loyalty program is what I'm about."


Throughout Stowmarket, we have been fitting bathrooms and showers for many years and, thanks to our high quality finishes, we have built up an astounding reputation. This is due to the passion that we have for creating stunning rooms throughout homes and bringing our customers' dreams to life. If you are looking for a supplier and fitter of bathrooms within the Stowmarket area, then our team of qualified and experienced staff will be able to help you. From the initial consultation, through the designing and planning, up to the installation, we will be there to guide you through and answer any questions you may have.
When creating a bathroom, you not only want somewhere which is stylish, but somewhere which is practical too. Therefore it is essential that all of the components designed for your bathroom fit together seamlessly and allow you to live comfortably; this is something which our team take into consideration throughout the whole process. Arrange for an initial consultation for your bathroom in Stowmarket by calling us today on 01473 806 461.
Our prices are not only competitive, but often beat others within the Stowmarket area, assuring you that you are getting the best value for your money. You can see this when you visit our bathroom showroom for Stowmarket, as this features all of our bathrooms, showers and accessories that will complete the look. Our 4,000sq.ft bathroom showroom has a number of ranges on show which you can then add to with tiles, flooring and any of the extras such as taps and door handles that you wish.