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Last Wednesday after the morning's classes I stopped by one of the campus newsagents on the way to lunch, as is my habit. I was quite presently surprised to see a pile of Mo Yan's books on the table and had a look through them. None that I'd heard of, so I picked the one that struck me as most immediately appealing. That happened to be 《牛》 it doesn't appear on Paper Republic's list of Mo Yan's works, for whatever reason, nor can I see it in Paper Republic's list of books, but it is listed under 'novellas' in the list of works on Baidu Baike's article on Mo Yan – although the link takes you to an article on bovines rather than an article about the novella. So I guess it's up to me to give 《牛》 a temporary English name to tide us over until Howard Goldblatt gets around to translating it. I think Ox will do for now – all Mo Yan tells us about the the particular species of bovine is that two are called Big and Little Luxi (鲁西) and the other is called 'Double Ridge' (双脊) because of his apperance. A bit of poking around reveals that 鲁西 is a kind of ox from western Shandong. He also tells us that they're a 'means of production' (生产资料) – a statement that is repeated throughout the story. And Ox strikes me as being equally short and punchy as 牛.
So. Ox.
The story is told from the point of view of a 14-year old boy, Luóhàn (罗汉, meaning 'arhat'), caught up in the events following the castration of three bulls owned by a production team (生产队), although the narrator is looking back at events in the past, remembering and telling us this story that happened when he was 14. But he doesn't seem terribly much older than 14 – the language feels as if he's in his late teens or early 20s. And I think it's that language that's the key – it's earthy in that it is firmly rooted in the people of the production team and the few officials of the commune they deal with. And it's narrated with a directness that grabbed me right from the first sentence. The book opens thusly:
那时候我是个少年。
那时候我是村里最调皮捣蛋的少年。
那时候我也是村里最让人讨厌的少年。
I was a youth then.
I was the naugtiest, most trouble-making youth in the village then.
I was also the most irritating youth in the village then.
And the story proceeds with that same simple, direct honesty. We're sucked so much into the narrator's world that it's a surprise to see a helicopter mentioned in the final chapter, but no surprise to see a motorbike described as the fastest thing they'd ever seen*.
As for That Question, based on simply this novella, I'm going to have to agree with Brendan. Through Luóhàn's 14-year old trouble-makers eyes, as remembered by an older self, we see his uncle, the production team chief,Grandpa Du, the old man in charge of the production team's cattle and Old Dong, the commune vet all trying to manipulate each other into doing what they want while maintaining their own image of squeaky socialistic cleanliness, as defined by the dictates of the Cultural Revolution. And as it turns out, the commune officials they're so terrified of aren't any better, but are just as much out to pursue their own interests through the chaotic system of the time as the lowly production team members. Nobody comes out of this story looking all angelic.
Chapter 12 started with what was for me a good laugh – partly through sudden similarity with personal circumstance, but mostly because it was quite a pleasingly awful twist for the fates of some who should've known better. 'Pleasingly awful' – yes, the black humour of this book is most enjoyable.
In short: Read this.
And so I would like to thank the Nobel literature committee and my campus newstand for finally spurring me to read Mo Yan.
*Chapter 12 reveals the events of the story as having taken place at the end of April, 1970, which would make Luóhàn roughly the same age as Mo Yan himself. Luóhàn and his Pockmarked Uncle, the production team chief, are surnamed 管 (Guǎn), which just happens to be Mo Yan's surname. I would be surprised if those characters in the story old enough to remember the War had never seen anything as fast as a motorbike, but I'm going to trust Mo Yan on the absence of such things in the rural Shandong of his youth.
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Work out who knows which pouvrin to make our training more efficient. The goal is for every mage to learn the fire and mind-moving pouvrin. They'll have to be the foundation of our defense (offense?) even though it means we lack flexibility. I just don't know any other pouvrin we can turn against the enemy, and there's no time to discover more.
Start teaching the concealment pouvra. If we can be hidden as we work pouvrin, the enemy mages won't be able to find us to strike back. I hope. This assumes we can also teach these mages to maintain concentration on that pouvra while working others.
Practice Tarallan's tactics. It's easier to understand the theory than I'd imagined. Not so easy to put it into practice. He wants a lot of simultaneous attacks, which means teaching the mages more of the organized movements Norsselen taught them, and that takes time. Like everything else.
Learn the flitting pouvra. This may be selfishness on my part, but I can't help thinking it could be useful to us. It's still not coming together, though.
Not only the King, but the entire Chamber and Tarallan showed up at the manor around mid-morning without having bothered to give us any warning of their arrival. Fortunately, we knew he'd be here sometime, so nobody was too flustered, or at least not flustered enough to be unable to perform. They all went through their rehearsed demonstration while Jeddan and I stood near King and Chamber, then Jeddan and I showed off the walk-through-walls and concealment pouvrin.
The King was delighted by all of it. I think he hasn't realized our magic has anything to do with the war and thinks it's all for his personal amusement. Batekessar looked sour, more sour than usual I mean, and Lenssar looked bored, but I think he was covering fear. Jakssar just watched everything carefully, as did Crossar, but where Jakssar seemed to be formulating questions to ask, Crossar seemed to be analyzing our strengths and weaknesses. Which makes sense, if he's Chamber Lord of Defense, but it felt uncomfortable, like he was doing it so he'd know how to defeat us if that became necessary.
And when he turns his attention on me, I feel as if he's doing the same thing, as if he's trying to figure out what use he can make of me. I don't like it, but what can I do, other than try to stay out of his way and remind myself that if he ever physically attacked me, which I don't think he'd do, I can easily defend myself.
After we'd shown off everything we could, Tarallan said, "Do you have any questions, your Majesty, my lords and lady?" I felt as if that was something I should have asked, but he's our commanding officer, so I guess we're his responsibility.
"Implying that you can," Crossar said.
"And we don't," Jeddan said. "We can't 'take over' anyone else, either. Honored." He sounded dangerous, and the King looked nervous.
"I suppose that's true, Honored," I said, "though I don't think a mage is any more likely to be a criminal than anyone else." Which was a non-answer to the question he was really asking, but if he wasn't willing to come right out and ask Are you a thief? I didn't feel obligated to give him an open answer.
"Well, keep up the good work, everyone," the King said, addressing the room. "I'll probably come back and watch you work sometimes. I think it's important for a King to be aware of what his subjects are capable of." Without noticing how all our faces blanched at the idea of being under royal scrutiny, he turned and left the room, followed immediately by Batekessar and Lenssar.
We talked some more about what he needed, and I told him something of what Castaviran mages are capable of, pretending I'd learned it in my exploration of the enemy camp, though I'm still not sure what battle mages can do that's different from ordinary mages. Lightning, I suppose, and the fog Tarallan referred to, and fire.
I felt guilty about doing this, because there's no guarantee the "good" Castaviran forces won't come into conflict with Balaen's, and then I'd sort of be a traitor. Not that I know for sure that there are any "good" Castaviran forces; even if Aselfos was able to control the army, he might be as bent on conquering Balaen as the God-Empress is. But I have so many friends among the mages that I can't help feeling as if I'm betraying them. Even so, right now the threat is the God-Empress, and we're going to need every advantage I can give us.
Tarallan was impressed at how much I'd learned and that I'd used the concealment pouvra to such good advantage. I could almost see him generating plans for espionage missions behind enemy lines. We'll see if I decide to go along with them.
After he left, I explained what he'd told me to the mages and we yet again rearranged how we're doing things. Jeddan's dividing his time between teaching his group to understand the structure of pouvrin and helping those who've passed that stage learn to work the mind-moving pouvra. I was right that that's taking them longer than did understanding how pouvrin work, but we have at least two mages achieve it every day.
I'm doing the same with my group, except we're learning to manifest fire; I have a couple who are ready to learn the fire rope as well. Relania, who still isn't a good teacher, is at least experienced enough with the see-in-dark pouvra to help those who have that one use it more efficiently. A couple of the more experienced mages volunteered to help those who've mastered the mind-moving pouvra improve their strength and dexterity with it.
I feel protective of our little army, which is trying so hard even though I doubt any of them has any idea what war is like, or what they'll be doing. It worries me that I have no way of knowing if any of the fire mages will be able to burn flesh, or if the mind-movers could crush someone's skull, and I won't know until we're in a position where it's their lives or the other man's at stake.
Just before dinner I got Jerussa to work with me on the flitting pouvra. She's not good at describing what she sees, and I think it's going to take forever before I learn it, but I've gotten glimpses—it's very fluid, constantly in motion, unlike most pouvrin, and smells like lilac or possibly wine grapes, which I realize aren't at all the same kind of smells.
"I can't imagine any of these people stabbing anyone in the heart," Jeddan said.
"I know. But it's an interesting tactic, don't you think?" I said.
That brings me to now. I'm so tired, but I'm having trouble sleeping. I'd go explore the house, but I've already been all through it, and sneaking places is less fun if there's no chance of being caught. Derria's shop is too far from Fianna Manor, and it would be after curfew by the time I got there even if I left now, and she'd be closed. I think I'll go sit on the patio rail and look out at the city. It looks different now that I'll be defending it instead of stealing from it.
My throat tried to close up. "Tomorrow morning, Honored?" I said.
"Unless that's a problem," the King said, with an expression that told me it had better not be a problem.
"Of course not," I said. "We'll be looking forward to your visit." I'm still not sure what's going to happen tomorrow morning. After I met with King and Chamber, and had that long conversation with Tarallan, I went back and got everyone working on flashy pouvrin that would satisfy the King's need to see something that would convince him he would be safe. But that was later. At that moment, I just stood there, wondering what else they wanted of me and why they'd needed to call a special meeting just for a status report. I still don't know the answer to that.
Crossar said, "General Tarallan, I'll speak with you and your chiefs of staff at one o'clock this afternoon. Right now we'll leave you to confer with Thalessi on the role her mages will play in the war. Thank you both for coming." He stood, followed quickly by the King, who glared at him for once again usurping his role, and he and the rest of the Chamber filed out of the room, leaving me alone with Tarallan.
"I don't think a fool would have the reputation you do," I said. "And it's true Norsselen's magics are powerful. He just didn't understand how they worked." I was also thinking If powerful magics are all it takes to gain your trust, General, you and I are going to become best friends.
Tarallan's eyes narrowed. "And I suppose you do," he said.
"Impossible," he repeated, but without the vehemence of his earlier statement.
I stood. "General Tarallan, why don't you come meet your mage auxiliaries?" I said.
"We don't know those pouvrin," I said. "I take it you've seen the enemy mages do those magics? They'll be capable of things we aren't, but there are things we can do they can't." I worked the concealment pouvra and grinned as he struggled to keep me in sight. Astonishingly, he wasn't fooled for long. I get the feeling he doesn't miss much in general.
"Just Jeddan and me," I said. Tarallan eyed Jeddan speculatively.
"You might be too big for infiltration," he said. "Concealment from sight is one thing, but if you're too noisy…" He looked at me, and I could see conflicting emotions battling across his face.
"You ought to know. That's important to our strategy, Thalessi," he said.
Tarallan nodded once, slowly. "You're not what I expected," he said, "but I think we can do that." He extended his hand to me, and I pressed my palm against it. His skin is warm and dry, but not unpleasantly so.
I think I like General Tarallan. He's not what I expected, after meeting Crossar. For one thing, he's young to be Commander General of the entire Balaenic Army—I don't think he's more than forty. He's got the fair coloring of a northwesterner, light blond hair and pale eyes that I think are gray rather than blue, and is sort of ruggedly handsome. He's not noble, but he behaves to King and Chamber as if he's their equal, and they treat him with respect. I can see why. He's got the same air of competence about him Cederic has, the charisma of a born leader. I've heard he came up through the ranks and has earned the respect not only of King and Chamber, but of all the men under his command. And he's kept the army strong even though Balaen is at peace, which is pretty remarkable. He's interesting, and I think we might be able to become friends.
Though I wouldn't have said that earlier this morning, when we first met. I was escorted back to Janeka Manor, grateful for the first time that the King had pressed these fancy clothes on me, and brought to a different meeting room than the one I'd been in before. This one had a long table, and ornately carved armchairs with heavily stuffed seat cushions, and was hung with portraits of famous Kings of Balaen, all of whom looked the same despite not being contemporaries. I wondered if they'd been painted from life, and concluded not, since they all seemed to be by the same hand. So who knows if that's how those men actually looked?
"And who's the woman?" Lenssar said, jabbing his thumb at me.
"I don't think a woman ought to hold a military position, even one as irregular as organizing those magickers," Batekessar said querulously.
"I have the most pou—magics of all the mages," I said, "and the most experience in using them. I don't know that I have any knowledge of military matters, but I understand we'll be directed by someone who does." I was relieved none of them seemed inclined to pursue the issue of why Norsselen was gone. Despite what I'd said to him, it wasn't a conversation I wanted to have with the rulers of Balaen.
The door I'd entered by opened, and a man said, "My apologies, your Majesty, lords and lady, there was an unexpected issue I had to deal with." He sat down near me, several seats away from King and Chamber, without being invited. He didn't even look at me, which annoyed me, but again, it didn't really matter.
"What happened at the foreign city?" Crossar said.
"I don't think it will come to that, your Majesty," Tarallan said, a little too smoothly, I thought, like cosseting a child. But then I'm not sure anyone who knows him respects the King, poor man. Though I don't know why I pity him. He's responsible for protecting every Balaenic, which is a big responsibility, and I don't think he takes it seriously. So I guess I don't respect him either.
Tarallan turned in his seat to look at me. "You?" he said. He sounded incredulous, as if there were something innately wrong with me that made my appointment to that position too strange to believe.
"Yes, General," I said. I refrained from adding and yes, I'm a woman.
Again, I didn't even stop to think about the potential dangers. I just went insubstantial and let him run right through me, which made him stumble and go to his knees. Then I was terrified I'd killed him, and that fear turned into anger. Fury. Here was this man who had so much magic potential, had learned so much in a way I'd never thought possible, and all he could do was cling to his so-called power and bully others and tell them, essentially, that they'd never be as good as he was. And that infuriated me. It was a good feeling, a clean feeling, and I knew what to do with it.
"Jeddan, get him up," I said. Jeddan hooked his hands under Norsselen's arms, hauled him to his feet, and turned him to face me. Norsselen fought him, and shouted obscenities at me, until I got right up into his face and looped fire around his neck. That made him shut up fast, though he was still furious. I didn't care anymore about what he felt.
"Listen to me, you idiot," I said, loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I am sick of your posturing and your insistence that everyone defer to you because of some fantasy of power you dreamed up. I think you got lucky in developing several pouvrin and you don't want anyone else to match you. How you manage to reconcile that fact with Jeddan and me working far more pouvrin than you all day long is a mystery I don't care to unravel. But I'm not putting up with you any longer.
I thought about relenting a bit, telling him how much we needed his unique abilities, which was true as far as it went. But it didn't go past an idle thought. I can't believe how much pleasure I took in bullying him.
Norsselen got to his feet. He was shaking. Then he turned and left the room without saying a word. I realized I was shaking a bit myself. I said, "I think we're done for today. I don't know what you do for entertainment, but we all need to relax. I'll be here in the morning, and anyone who wants to learn—" I glanced at Norsselen's mages—"can join me and Jeddan." Then I went to my room and sat unthinking for a while. And then, as I always do, I wrote.
There. I took about ten minutes to think it through, to calm myself. Because I don't know that I was wrong in what I did. I've known a lot of people like Norsselen, and most of them don't respond to anything but violence. I just never thought I'd be that person, the one facing them down. I feel like a stranger to myself today. Me, Sesskia, who's spent a lifetime staying out of the way and not making waves, giving orders and facing down bullies and making speeches, true God help me. That's not who I am. Except that now it is.
I never wanted to be this person. I was happy with who I was. But it seems this is what these mages need, and I don't see how I can abandon them. I just wish I hadn't taken such joy in tearing Norsselen down. I wish I had someone to talk to about it.
Oh, hell. I've just received a letter—it was directed to Norsselen, but nobody could find him, so they brought it to me. The army's back. And it seems I've just nominated myself as the mages' official liaison to Mattiak Tarallan, Commander General of the Balaenic Army.
I could have killed Norsselen today. That's not metaphor. It still makes me sick when I think about it. And the thing is, I had that same feeling of rightness I did facing down those Castaviran villagers who were attacking Nanissa's village, as if I could see the right thing and make everyone else see it too. I won't know until tomorrow what Norsselen's reaction will be, but what makes me ashamed is I couldn't find a better solution than being a bigger bully than he is, just like in that village. I never thought I'd use these pouvrin to frighten people into submission. I'm afraid of who I'm becoming.
"Sit down, Kesse, you're just making a fool of yourself," Norsselen said. Fanion turned on his heel and walked away. And Norsselen circled him with fire. Fanion cried out and stood motionless.
"Stop it, Norsselen," I said, taking a few steps in his direction, and to my shock Norsselen repeated the trick on me. I was so surprised I just stood there in my ring of fire. It was tall enough that I couldn't step over it, and I couldn't dismiss it so long as he was controlling it, so I had no choice but to stand there and listen to him.
I couldn't believe it. I'd had no idea he'd so insulated himself in his own group he didn't realize the mages were actually accomplishing anything. "Norsselen," I said, and then I couldn't think of anything to say that would make a dent in his self-centered ignorance.
"Norsselen!" shouted a mage on the far side of the room. She was one of those who could work the see-in-dark pouvra and nothing else, a mage in Jeddan's group. She came forward until she stood next to me, showing no fear of the fire. "You think we're not learning anything?" she said, and pointed at the far wall. Two bricks and a handful of rubber balls came floating jerkily off their respective piles.
Norsselen's face went livid. He raised his hand (I don't think I've said he's taught all these people to use big gestures when they work pouvrin, the idiot) and pointed at the woman, and Jeddan started moving forward, and I shouted, "Everyone stop!" And everyone froze in place except Norsselen, who grinned evilly at me. "You have no power here," he said, and actually set that woman on fire.
Everyone screamed. And I did something I don't think I could repeat if it weren't a matter of life and death—I turned my fire pouvra inside out and used it to dismiss Norsselen's fire before it could do more than frighten the woman. Then I worked the same pouvra on myself and Fanion. And then I took several running steps and used all my weight to knock Norsselen to the floor.
Before his goons could react, I'd looked inside his neck and found a couple of key veins, held them closed just long enough to knock him unconscious, and between working those pouvrin I surrounded his followers with fire. It was exhausting, and I was breathing heavily both from exertion and from fury. I panted for a bit, hands on knees, then straightened and walked with very slow, very deliberate steps toward the corner where I'd pinned Norsselen's men.
They were sort of huddled into their corner, just staring at me, not exactly afraid—more stunned, I think. None of them said anything. They kept casting glances at Norsselen; I realize now they thought I'd killed him, which probably worked in my favor as far as keeping them under control went. Then Norsselen groaned, and shook his head, and looked up at me as if he didn't remember who either of us was. It took him a while to come to his senses. Then he got to his feet, shook his head again to clear it, and ran at me with his fists raised.
Norsselen is becoming a problem. I've had more and more of his mages (the ones in his group, not the ones who follow him) come to me asking me to take over their group. It's about to come to a confrontation, and I don't see any way around it. I wish I could use what I learned seeing Cederic keep Vorantor in check, but at least in that case they both had a common goal, even if Vorantor's main motivation in achieving that goal was to bring himself glory. Norsselen doesn't want the same things I do; from what I'm hearing, he doesn't actually want these mages to learn new pouvrin because he's maintaining his authority by virtue of having so many, and having tied gaining pouvrin to purity of character, he's made it seem like he's intrinsically a better person than they are.
Wonderful. Now confrontation is not only inevitable, I'm starting to think I should be the instigator. I have to make it clear that Norsselen's approach is wrong on every level. But he's got maybe twelve mages who look to him for guidance, and if it comes to physical conflict, that's a lot of people to fight. And even if that fight goes my way, what am I going to do with thirteen belligerent, bitter mages who are required by royal fiat to be here? I need some way to get them on my side. Damn it. I really wish Cederic were here, because he understands these things. I can only fumble along and hope I don't screw up too badly.
We've got a few people in each group who are ready to move on to learning pouvrin. I feel stretched out, I have so many things to do—teach the pouvra vocabulary, teach pouvrin, wrangle Norsselen, suppress Relania's tendency to give orders in my name, corner Jerussa (the mage who can flit from place to place) to get her to teach me her pouvra. It's limited to range of sight, which is still impressive, but imagine a bunch of mages who can flit from Venetry to Thalessa in less time than it takes to say "Venetry to Thalessa." That's a three and a half week journey! I'm not giving up on that possibility, but I have to learn Jerussa's pouvra first.
Bad news. A couple of mages from Norsselen's group approached me to complain. He's been "teaching" by way of spouting meaningless but inspirational-sounding platitudes that boil down to "if you practice magic hard enough, you'll be given more of it." Basically what he was telling them before, only now (according to the mages) he's backing it up by explicitly referring to his greater skill with magic. And those mages have been talking to friends in other groups who really are learning to understand magic, and they realized they're being cheated.
So we went out on the patio with our lunches, and I had them do their best to explain how they perceive magic. I didn't understand fully, but it took a while for Jeddan and me to come up with a shared vocabulary, so I wasn't expecting to. It seems where Jeddan and I see pouvrin as existing shapes, me observing them from the outside and Jeddan feeling as if he's on the inside, this third group sees magic in pieces that shift until they reach the right configuration. Their explanation was more detailed than this, and "right configuration" isn't accurate, but at least it makes a kind of sense.
I told them I would talk to Norsselen and that his approach wasn't necessarily wrong, since it had worked for him. I felt bad about lying to them, but I'm still working out how best to handle Norsselen, and challenging his authority isn't the way. Yet.
More progress. The new mages are surprisingly quick to learn, or maybe it's just that Jeddan and I know which paths are dead ends and just avoid those in our teaching. Jeddan managed the mind-moving pouvra this morning and turns out to be just as weak at it as I am. Hope that's not a result of my teaching. He doesn't seem to mind—asked me how hard it is to learn to pick locks. I said with the see-inside pouvra it's not even a challenge. Neither of our doors has a lock, so we'll have to search around for one so I can show him.
I miss the days when it was just the two of us on the road, though not the cold ground and the bad food and the small-minded, bitter, xenophobic people. Jeddan says he's also working variations on the see-inside pouvra at night. He's more dedicated than I am. At night I barely have enough energy to keep my record up to date before I fall into bed.
Dreamed of Cederic again last night. That was the first time in a long time. I'm embarrassed to admit that, having some privacy now, I didn't try to wake myself up when things got really good. I miss him. I hope he's safe and well, and that he and the mages are making progress in bringing our cultures together, because I know that's what would matter most to him. That, and finding me.


What other income could I get?
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Review your long term aims and how much risk you wish to take with your money. For instance, if you have retired, do you want to ensure your savings don't go up and down with stock market changes, or are you happy to lock your money away for the longer term to ensure you benefit from any growth?
Regularly review the best rates on the high street, in the papers and online. Different providers constantly adjust their rates and available products so it's worth regularly reviewing what you can earn on your savings and investments.
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Top Thriller Recommendation
In the tradition of The Girl on the Train, The Silent Wife, and Gone Girl comes an enthralling psychological thriller that spins one woman's seemingly good fortune, and another woman's mysterious fate, through a kaleidoscope of duplicity, death, and deception.
SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE DIRECTED BY RON HOWARD
Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.
The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.
After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home's previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.
Preppy Part Two: The Life and Death of Samuel Clearwater by T.M. Frazier (Jan 24)
Preppy finds himself back in a world he once loved, but no longer recognizes. His dim smile can't hide his inner turmoil and the people he views as family all suddenly feel like polite strangers.
Except for one person. A girl with dark eyes and even darker hair.
A girl who isn't even an option.
At least, not anymore.
Dre can't decide who she's going to listen to. Her heart, her head, or her body. Because two out of those three things have her heading right back to Logan's Beach. Closure is what she tells herself she's seeking, but when she unlocks doors that were never meant to be opened she soon discovers that when it comes to Samuel Clearwater, closure might NEVER be an option.
This is book six in the King Series and follows the first part of Preppy and Dre's story.
The You I've Never Known by Ellen Hopkins (Jan 24)
How do you live your life if your past is based on a lie? A new novel in both verse and prose from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ellen Hopkins.
For as long as she can remember, it's been just Ariel and Dad. Ariel's mom disappeared when she was a baby. Dad says home is wherever the two of them are, but Ariel is now seventeen and after years of new apartments, new schools, and new faces, all she wants is to put down some roots. Complicating things are Monica and Gabe, both of whom have stirred a different kind of desire.
Maya's a teenager who's run from an abusive mother right into the arms of an older man she thinks she can trust. But now she's isolated with a baby on the way, and life's getting more complicated than Maya ever could have imagined.
Ariel and Maya's lives collide unexpectedly when Ariel's mother shows up out of the blue with wild accusations: Ariel wasn't abandoned. Her father kidnapped her fourteen years ago.
What is Ariel supposed to believe? Is it possible Dad's woven her entire history into a tapestry of lies? How can she choose between the mother she's been taught to mistrust and the father who has taken care of her all these years?
In bestselling author Ellen Hopkins's deft hands, Ariel's emotionally charged journey to find out the truth of who she really is balances beautifully with Maya's story of loss and redemption. This is a memorable portrait of two young women trying to make sense of their lives and coming face to face with themselves—for both the last and the very first time.
Accidentally On Purpose by Jill Shalvis (Jan 24)
There's no such thing as a little in love . . .
Elle Wheaton's priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there's the muscular wall of stubbornness that's security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. "Feels-Free Zone" that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .
There's no such thing as a little in lust . . .
Archer's wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco earthquake and he craves her 24/7, but Archer doesn't want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren't him . . .
There is such a thing as . . .
As far as Archer's concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along . . .
The Room Mate by Kendall Ryan (Jan 24)
A new standalone novel from New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan.
The last time I saw my best friend's younger brother, he was a geek wearing braces. But when Cannon shows up to crash in my spare room, I get a swift reality check.
Now twenty-four, he's broad shouldered and masculine, and so sinfully sexy, I want to climb him like the jungle gyms we used to enjoy. At six-foot-something with lean muscles hiding under his T-shirt, a deep sexy voice, and full lips that pull into a smirk when he studies me, he's pure temptation.
Fresh out of a messy breakup, he doesn't want any entanglements. But I can resist, right?
I'm holding strong until the third night of our new arrangement when we get drunk and he confesses his biggest secret of all: he's cursed when it comes to sex. Apparently he's a god in bed, and women instantly fall in love with him.
I'm calling bullshit. In fact, I'm going to prove him wrong, and if I rack up a few much-needed orgasms in the process, all the better.
There's no way I'm going to fall in love with Cannon. But once we start…I realize betting against him may have been the biggest mistake of my life.
Casanova by Emma Hart (Jan 24)
Once upon a time, I loved him.
He broke me and he didn't even know it.
I ran from him.
He didn't chase me.
He never needed to, because he knew I'd come back.
He was right.
Death brought me home to him.
Brett Walker.
Drop dead gorgeous and filthy-mouthed with a smile that turns saints to sinners.
A casanova to his core.
My ex-best friend.
And the bad boy whose reputation precedes him—the same reputation I'm tasked with turning to gold… Or so they think.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, after all…
Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer Probst (Jan 24)
HGTV's Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain in this second volume in the Billionaire Builders series, an all-new heart-wrenching and sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.
When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton's father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father's betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.
Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future…
Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he's immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn't seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder. His plan of seduction slowly weaves a web around them both, until they are caught up in the spell. But Dalton doesn't know the secret that can either destroy them both…or finally mend two broken hearts.
City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson (Jan 24)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets Gone Girl in this enthralling murder mystery set in Kenya.
In the shadows of Sangui City, there lives a girl who doesn't exist. After fleeing the Congo as refugees, Tina and her mother arrived in Kenya looking for the chance to build a new life and home. Her mother quickly found work as a maid for a prominent family, headed by Roland Greyhill, one of the city's most respected business leaders. But Tina soon learns that the Greyhill fortune was made from a life of corruption and crime. So when her mother is found shot to death in Mr. Greyhill's personal study, she knows exactly who's behind it.
With revenge always on her mind, Tina spends the next four years surviving on the streets alone, working as a master thief for the Goondas, Sangui City's local gang. It's a job for the Goondas that finally brings Tina back to the Greyhill estate, giving her the chance for vengeance she's been waiting for. But as soon as she steps inside the lavish home, she's overtaken by the pain of old wounds and the pull of past friendships, setting into motion a dangerous cascade of events that could, at any moment, cost Tina her life. But finally uncovering the incredible truth about who killed her mother—and why—keeps her holding on in this fast-paced nail-biting thriller.
The Tattered Gloves by J.L. Berg (Jan 24)
Head down.
Don't look up.
Never make eye contact.
Those were the words I lived by growing up, the words that protected me in an unsafe home. But words are only letters and eventually even they couldn't keep his hands off me.
Hoping to leave behind the shattered life of my past, I find myself in a boring, small town, with an aunt I've never met and at a school I loathe.
But soon I learn, not everything in this world is as black and white as I've determined. Sometimes those we are so quick to judge often need a second, third or even fourth time to make a first impression.
And often, there are friendships and even love waiting just around the corner, if we are brave enough to take the first step.
Am I brave? Or will I hide behind these tattered gloves of mine forever?
Dark Hearts by Micaela Smeltzer (Jan 24)
I've learned that not everything is what it seems. If you start to look too close, you uncover things people don't want you to see. It's why I hide. It's why no one knows the real me. But he sees me. He sees the darkness in my heart but he's not afraid, because he's like me. They say opposites attract, but we're proof that like-and-like are a far more potent combination.
Novalee Clarke is hiding from a past she wants to leave behind, and Jacen Kensington is running from his.
The thing about hiding and running is eventually the thing you're trying to escape catches up to you.
And when it does?
It changes everything.
Dirty Dealers by Tia Louise (Jan 24)
My job is to protect.
I'm the best, the king's elite.
She's the only thing strong enough to make me look away.
Logan Hunt is a guard. He's constantly aware of his surroundings. He'll take a bullet.
His new assignment is to protect the queen regent, keep his eyes on her at all times. He's more than up to the task…
Until a face from his past returns, and the one mission he's sworn to complete becomes his biggest liability.
Royal Scandal by Marquita Valentine (Jan 24)
Fairy tales do come true–and so do tabloid scandals! New York Times Bestselling author Marquita Valentine kicks off a juicy contemporary romance series with a novel about a prince whose best-laid plans go deliciously awry when he marries the maid next door.
Forced to flee to the United States with his siblings after their parents' assassination, Crown Prince Colin Sinclair takes it upon himself to become the caretaker of his family while hiding out near Charlotte, North Carolina. But after a decade in hiding, the secret's out and Parliament demands that Colin wed a princess of their choosing. Unwilling to play their game, Colin decides to marry an American instead, and he has the perfect candidate in mind.
As a home-service professional, Della Hughes doesn't believe in storybook endings. But when her best friend and secret crush reveals that he's a flesh-and-blood prince, she doesn't know what to think. Still, she'll do anything for Colin, including becoming his wife–in name only, of course. But when their plans to stay purely platonic go by the wayside, their fake honeymoon turns all too real. After a week of white-hot nights, Della can no longer deny her feelings–not with a happily ever after so tantalizingly close.
Raw Deal by Cherrie Lynn (Jan 24)
Savannah's brother was killed in a cage fight with Mike "Red Reaper" Larson after a savage punch to the head.
When Mike shows up at the funeral, he's nothing like Savannah expected. Gone is the fierce, brutal beast she's seen in the cage. In his place is a beautiful man torn with guilt, seeking forgiveness, and willing to do anything to ease her pain.
Her family doesn't approve, but her heart doesn't stand a chance. Irresistibly drawn together, neither of them can deny the intoxicating desire unleashed between them, turning their pain into the most exquisite pleasure.
But every time Mike steps into the cage, Savannah knows she could lose him too. She can't go through that again, but how can she let go of the one man who sets her body and soul on fire?
Thanos by Ella Frank (Jan 26)
CHARMED FOR LIFE?
Thanos Agapiou has always been a charmer. For over two millennia, the vampire had no problem acquiring whom and what he wanted with a flash of his handsome smile. He took for granted the boyish good looks he presumed he'd possess for the rest of eternity.
How very wrong he was.
A nearly fatal attack distorted his entire existence. With his appearance now matching the title many have bestowed their kind—monster—he hides away from the world and all of those who know him, including his Ancient, Eton.
Until one night when a stranger draws him out from the shadows.
OR CURSED FOR ETERNITY?
Ever since Paris Antoniou was thrust into a world of vampires, his reality has become stranger than the history and the myths he's studied for the past decade.
When he learns the truth about his origins and the power he wields, his confusion and fear have him running for his life. What he doesn't expect is to run into the arms of Thanos—a vampire who doesn't intimidate him as much as he intrigues him.
WHAT HAS THE POWER TO MAKE YOU WANT TO SURVIVE?
As their worlds collide under extraordinary circumstances, an attraction neither can deny takes hold. But will that be enough to save Thanos from his demons, or will he condemn Paris to his fate?
Destinies have been changed. Lines have been crossed. And, with tales of the vampire race coming to an end, who will make the ultimate sacrifice?
After all, in a world run by vampires and gods, only one can be the true Master among the Monsters.
The Do-Over by Julie A. Richman (Jan 26)
~ Sometimes, one degree is all that separates you from the one you were meant to be with ~
Wes Bergman was sex on a stick.
We'd been circling one another our entire lives, mingling at the same clubs… attending the same events…sharing mutual acquaintances…yet we'd never actually met.
Until…we both boarded a Windjammer Cruise in the Caribbean. And it was like meeting my long, lost best friend for the first time. I hadn't ever connected with a guy that way before.
But Wes had a girlfriend. So, when the week was over, he walked off the ship, unknowingly taking a piece of my heart with him.
Now, over a decade later, newly divorced, I'm the proverbial fish out of water. Dating has totally changed. Apps. Swipe left. Swipe right. Catfishing. Men my age want two things: twenty-five-year-olds—like my ex's new child bride of a wife—or just a quick hook-up.
After a string of bad dates, I finally did something I never thought I'd do. I had a hot one-night stand with a really handsome guy I met online who didn't even know my real name.
Turned out Mr. Fling is a big shot for my company's newest client. And just my luck, that client's CEO is none other than…Wes Bergman.
Now I'm separated by one degree again from the man who stole my heart.
And Mr. Fling could destroy my chance of what I want most – a Do-Over with Wes.
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Still featuring quality images you'd find in Turner's full-size team wall calendars, this compact calendar is great for showing off your passion for your favorite NBA team in a space-saving format. This calendar is perfect as décor in your home, kitchen, or office and easily helps to keep track of important dates, contacts, and other events at a glance. Each calendar month is easy to glance at and see what responsibilities you have coming up, so make sure you stay organized through the year! Personalization is easy with different colors for appointments and trips, add stickers or stickie notes for a quick reference, or create your own system of symbols and abbreviations.


A new release of weathermap 1.2 is available. It fixes a few bugs and a security hole and add compatibility with RRDTool 1.3. Thanks to Alla Bezroutchko.
A new release made by Styblik Zdenek is available. It is a W4RRD release for PHP5 that works with xml config file.An editor is also available in download page.
Dear weathermap users, as you already saw, I didn't get lots of time to work on Weathermap4rrd these last months. Indeed, I was working on a new project called WoozTalk. This is a new Internet service that will let you chat with people connected on any website you are visiting ! So come on and meet your World Wide Web neighbors ! I really think that WoozTalk may complete the way we are using Internet.
Hi, this last few weeks and months, there were issues with forums. I was unable to get it completely repaired. That's why, I decided to freeze post of old forum (but it is still available to read previous posts). I created a new forum to post new questions.


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Tiffany Michelle Brissette (Paradise, California, 26 de diciembre de 1974) es una actriz estadounidense popularmente conocida por su personaje como "Vicky la Robot" en la serie de televisión La pequeña maravilla.

Carrera
Brissette apareció por primera vez en la película Heart Like a Wheel de 1983 junto a Bonnie Bedelia y Beau Bridges. Luego tuvo un papel invitada en Webster, antes de caracterizar el papel de "Vicky la Robot" en la serie La pequeña maravilla de 1985. Después que la serie fue cancelada en 1989, Brissette siguió actuando, apareciendo en Parker Lewis nunca pierde (temporada 1, episodio 15) y la película de televisión Beanpole de 1990. Su última aparición de como actriz fue en 1991 en la serie de televisión Equal Justice, FIN

Vida personal
Desde 2007 hasta la actualidad (2020), Tiffany Brissette está trabajando como enfermera y residiendo en  Boulder, Colorado.

El 14 de enero de 2009, en el programa The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet de la cadena FOX Brissette fue invitada en el segmento "Where Are They Now?" ("¿Dónde están ahora?"), donde dio a conocer sus recientes actividades.

Se licenció en el Westmont College.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Actores infantiles de Estados Unidos
Actrices de cine de Estados Unidos
Actrices de televisión de Estados Unidos
Actrices de voz de Estados Unidos

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Save the Children: this shows that it is possible to get them home
Save the Children has previously directed sharp criticism against the government for allowing children to suspected ICE-terrorists suffer in the syrian camp. On
08 Mayıs 2019 Çarşamba 03:01 - 2 reads.
Save the Children has previously directed sharp criticism against the government for allowing children to suspected ICE-terrorists suffer in the syrian camp. On Tuesday afternoon said the kurds Sverigerepresentant Shiyar Ali to the IS-terrorist Michael Skråmos children have left the camp in Syria and transferred into Iraq.
A source says the DN that the children are at the Swedish consulate in Erbil in the kurdish part of Iraq. Today's announcement about the Skråmos seven children is, according to Save the Children, an evidence that more children with a connection to Sweden can leave the camp.
of course, that the foreign MINISTRY is working with all the children that are in the area. Then these kids got a lot of attention, a relative have been in place and it has put pressure. I assume that relatives do not have to go down to get help, but this shows that it is possible to get them home. This shows that it is possible, then we assume that it is working quickly with the other children, " said Ola Mattsson, sweden country manager at Save the Children.
60 to 80 children with Swedish origin to be in the al-Hol camp. According to Ola Mattsson, the organisation has every day contact with swedes who are trying to get information about what's happening with their relatives in the al-Hol.
– They say that they do not get any information about the MFA on what's happening now. The foreign MINISTRY says that they respond, but the we have contact with are asking for desperate vengeance, but to get information. We have daily contact with relatives of people who have small children in the camps. Now get a group to leave Syria, but what happens with the others?, Ola says Mattson.
" We have a well-functioning legal system in Sweden and a good social services that can both make judgments about suspicion of a criminal offense and if the children need protection.
that they have contact with "all relevant actors" that need to be involved in order for children to be able to get help. On the one hand with the kurds and with international actors on the ground in the camps:
"We also have contacts with Swedish municipalities in order to bring about a long-term solution. There should be no doubt that the government is doing what it can for these children and if possible, they must be brought to Sweden. Children should not have to reside in such camps. Each case must be handled individually. The children are in different situations. They are of different ages, and some of them are orphans. To identify swedes born at the place is difficult.", writes Buster Mirow Emitslöf, presskommunikatör at the foreign MINISTRY in an email to DN on Tuesday night.
19 april that his maternal grandfather, Patricio Gálvez got the reply from the Swedish embassy to the kurdish-iraqi side has granted the authorisation to carry out the seven grandchildren to later take them to Sweden.
foreign Minister Margot Wallström has said that Sweden is working "intensively" to children with a Swedish connection who are in Syria to get help. "There should be no doubt that the government is doing what we can for these children and if possible, they must be brought to Sweden," wrote Wallström on Facebook on 12 april.
80% of young Spanish people do not live where you...
The United left wants to limit the flights that can...
Bukele is described as The President more handsome...
The imitator of Dickens that he got a fortune with...
The airline sector comes in the perfect storm


Wireless LAN vendor Aruba Networks reported another quarterly loss, slightly smaller than a year ago, but its third-quarter adjusted earnings were slightly better than analysts expected, and it set a record for revenues.
For the third quarter ending April 30, Aruba reported record quarterly revenues of $69 million, a jump of 51% compared to the same quarter last year. The GAAP quarterly net loss was $5.3 million, or 6 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $5.8 million, or 7 cents per share, a year ago. The quarterly revenues were up sequentially 10% compared to Q2.
Excluding a range of items, the company actually earned 8 cents a share. Analysts were expecting earnings of 7 cents per share, excluding various items on revenues of $65.5 million, according to a Reuters report based on data from Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
The revenues were up as the company added 700 new customers, to a total of over 10,000. The company said that adoption of high-throughput 802.11n equipment is accelerating and that customers continue to "divert budgets from wired LANs toward wireless solutions."
The company just announced a deal to acquire an outdoor Wi-Fi mesh vendor, China-based Azalea Networks, for $40 million.
Aruba's stock price has been steadily rising over the past year from a low of $4.91 a year ago, to a recent high on April 14 of $13.89. It closed Wednesday at $11.57.


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Rohit Akhouri, the Bihar-Jharkhand Boy who is the newest singer in Bollywood
They say that fate and hard work can take a man from rags to riches. Your present conditions cannot determine your future if you're investing labour and solidity into it. The same is the story of Rohit Akouri who was born in Patna of Bihar and brought up in Ranchi of Jharkhand but now is in buzz for being seen as a Azab Singh Ki Gajab Kahani as a playback singer in Bollywood.
Rohit Akhouri was born in South SK Puri, Boring Road, Patna. It happens to be prone to floods. Because of the flood, his house got flooded and Akhouri's family suffered and helped other affected neighbours to recover from the damage caused to their properties. They shifted to Ranchi where he was educated and grew up to rise as a singer.
Since childhood, Rohit had a keen interest in singing and music. He was merely 14 years old when he was promoted by his music lover parents-father Akhouri Uday Pratap Sinha and mother Maya Sinha. Later, he says he and his parents were inspired by legendary singer Mohammed Rafi and lyricist Faaiz Anwar, who gave him the break after he landed in Mumbai in 2008.As a result,his first music album Kai Khwahisein was released by World Wide Record in 2010.
Rohit Akhouri comes from a very humble background. So, when he was called to Mumbai he was travelling via train. Before leaving for Mumbai, singer Rohit Akhouri had participated in a number of singing competitions at the state level in Jharkhand. However, he gained acknowledgment in Mumbai where he met the leading lyricist of the Hindi music industry Shri Faaiz Anwaar. Soon, he vocalised the song "Parda Parda Hai Parda' from the movie "Amar Akbar Anthony".This impressed Faaiz Anwaar sahab.
Ever since then he did not look back, though he asserts, he had to go through a tough audition in front of Faaiz Anwaar and Music Director Jogeey Ghosh. During this audition, Rohit Akhouri's voice was tested on a variety of songs. Ultimately, he was able to clear the audition successfully. And, Faaiz Anwaar signed a contract with him for his debut album named as "Kai Khwahishein".This album was highly appreciated by the audience.
The music album was also complemented by the legendary and two times Filmfare awardee music director Padamshree Ravi who is on record having quoted the voice of Rohit Akhouri as "A BREATH OF FRESH AIR AFTER A LONG TIME."It is illustrated in "Kai Khwahishein."
In an interview with JharkhandStateNews.com young singer Rohit Akhouri recalled that he had learned vocal classical music from legendary Padama Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan for two years.
Asked how long he had to struggle to gain a foothold in Bollywood, Rohit Akhouri said,"The journey was not easy.I had to struggle for five years. Finally, in 2017 I received an opportunity to sing for the Bollywood movie "Ajab Singh Ki Gajab Kahani."
Though he certainly deserves much more in the Hindi music world, the boy from Bihar-Jharkhand Rohit Akhouri said he has a strong sense of gratitude for Faaiz Anwaar." He has been my mentor", he said with tears rolling down his eyes. Rohit did not stop there as he added: "I have lots of regard for the great music director of our country Jogeey Ghosh sir".
New year 2023 may herald rosy scenes for Bollywood…


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The secret lives of bees
Here's a piece about how scientiest are trying to find out whether bees are capable of emotions. Yes, I know. But still, read this excerpt, it's kind of mind-boggling:
In a procedure meant to simulate a badger attack on a hive, the bees were shaken for one minute in a benchtop machine used to vigorously mix chemicals. If anything would put bees in bad mood, this would be it. Next, both shaken and unshaken bees were tested on five mixtures of hexanol and octanone at different concentrations. Unsurprisingly, both groups were more likely to advance their mouths to octanol heavy mixtures (which predicted sugar) than hexanol heavy mixtures (which predicted quinine). Interestingly though, the shaken bees were more reluctant to advance toward the mixtures than their unshaken counterparts. In an analogue of the classic half-empty vs. half-full scenario, in which an equal mixture of hexanol and octanone was presented, control bees gave the concoction the benefit of the doubt. They advanced their mouths in anticipation of food on more than half of trials. Shaken bees, on the other hand, were far more likely to recoil. The stress of shaking had turned them into pessimists who interpreted the ambiguous odor as half-threatening, rather than half-appetizing.


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Patients with 'cured' AF should still be on anticoagulation
Isobel Sims
Patients who have had their AF resolved remain at a high risk of stroke and should still be treated with anticoagulants.
New research in The BMJ has found that patients with AF marked as 'resolved' had a 45% increased risk of suffering a stroke when compared to patients without any history of AF.
Absolute incidence rates were 12.1 per 1,000 person years for those with resolved AF, and 7.4 per 1,000 person years for patients without AF.
The research looked at records from a UK primary care database for just over 11,000 patients with a 'resolved AF' code and compared them to just over 22,000 controls who did not have AF.
The researchers suggested in the paper that the findings of the study have important implications for national guidelines.
They said: 'Patients with a diagnosis of resolved atrial fibrillation have increased as a proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation. These patients would benefit from continued anticoagulant prophylaxis, but treatment rates in this group are extremely low. It is recommended that national and international guidelines are updated to advocate continued use of anticoagulant treatment in patients with resolved atrial fibrillation.'
Study author Professor Tom Marshall, professor of public health and primary care at the University of Birmingham, commented: 'The problem is that 'AF resolved' means that patients are no longer followed up and within 3 months 90% have stopped treatment.
'The simplest solution would be to identify patients with 'AF resolved' codes, offer them anticoagulants again and put them back on the AF register for follow up and ongoing anticoagulation.
'But this also needs action to change QOF because QOF does not include patients with 'AF resolved'. This is not anybody's fault. Until our paper was published we didn't realise that patients with an 'AF resolved' code were still at the same risk of stroke.'
BMJ 2018, online 11 May
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