Originally published on the website of The Rock & Roll Council Of Western Australia.
It is often the 50's rock 'n' roll musicians and the bands that are remembered and revered. But in any place in the world you will find one or two key people who have had a significant impact on shaping the and roll scene. They are often the people who through their knowledge, influence and positions give bands and artists their first opportunities, their big break and where they recognise talent they provide the support and promotion. As a popular radio announcer and events organiser Colin Nichol was one of these people.
In 1957 Colin Nichol started as an announcer with 6PM Network (including regional relay stations 6AM Merredin, 6KG Kalgoorlie and 6GE Geraldton), just in time to catch the musical change from Guy Mitchell and Rosemary Clooney to Elvis Presley and Bill Haley and the shift from 78's to 45's.
Colin introduced the full range of station programs including breakfast programs but was found most regularly doing afternoon shows. These included children's, community and multilingual programs as well as middle of the road music and country listener sessions. He was well known for the popular request-based show "Tunes for Teenagers". During this time Colin also wrote advertising copy, dealt with correspondence and organised concerts and dances.
In 1959, as leading State DJ, Colin was chosen as State President of the Coca-Cola Bottlers Hi Fi Club. This was a world-wide teenage radio club co-ordinated by an advertising agency in New York. It also operated in other Australian States (Bert Newton ran it in South Australia). This major international advertising campaign brought new insights to Western Australian radio listeners. It featured exclusive star interviews, competitions, novelty effects and American and British imported records not heard before in the State. It was, for many, a window to the wider world. One of its influences over local record distribution was to speed up release of international records. These programs gained a large following.
Colin took over, for the Hi FI Club, the Embassy Ballroom dances in Perth which had recently been launched by Coca-Cola Bottlers Perth Pty Ltd in association with Radio 6IX and Johnny Fryer. Up to about 1500 people would attend these dances on a Saturday afternoon. Colin's role expanded to organise and run other dances around the metropolitan area and in some country towns including Narrogin, Bunbury, Katanning and Albany. Bob Purvis of Purvisonic Sound, with his (then) advanced sound systems was a key player in the presentation of these dance concerts. These were among the first of their kind and a part of the music and dance revolution that was going on.
The careers of many local bands and artists started at these shows, including Bill Blaine and the Dynamics, the Hi-Five, Noelene Batley, Brian Davies, Pam Bradley, Janice George, Clive Higgins and the Zodiac All-Stars, Clem Croft, Paul Gadenne - and Johnny Young the office boy at Radio 6PM, who came second to Peter Anderson in one of the many very popular talent quests that were run.
Colin's influence in the industry was significant and he was involved early on in programming the music and arranging the artists for the new Channel Seven show "Teen Beat" for Max Bostock. Colin was the only one who had the knowledge or contacts at this time. He would type out "Teen Beat" program's schedule at the 6PM office and the band would then take it to the TV station.
In 1960 the Coca-Cola organisation transferred the Hi Fi club to Radio 6KY as they felt that it was a more progressive station and one that rated better in listener surveys. This move resulted in a stunning pay rise for Colin of five Pounds a week.
Colin compered many programs while with 6KY including Saturday evenings, then still a worthwhile night for listeners. However, he still had a long Hi Fi Club session on weekdays, which had an associated organisation backing it. The 6KY and the Hi Fi Club were top-rated in WA and the dances and shows continued. Club membership went into many thousands.
The Club was involved in introducing many rock and roll shows and individual artists to WA and organising and compering their shows. These were at the Capitol Theatre and Embassy Ballroom and included Col Joye and the Joy Boys, Dig Richards, Crash Craddock, Judy Cannon, The Crickets, Bobby Rydell, Johnny O'Keefe, Pat Boone, Brenda Lee, Duane Eddy, Cliff Richard and others supported by local acts. Cinemas were block-booked for special showings of films for members and bands were featured, usually Bill Blaine and the Dynamics, at the Wirrina Drive-in on Sunday nights, another regular event.
In 1963 Colin left Perth and headed for Britain. There he became involved with the start of the world famous radio "pirate" broadcasters. He spent over two years with Radio Caroline and other ship-based radio stations as an original radio pirate and also becoming program manager. These stations revolutionised the world music industry and Britain's broadcasting.
Colin's distinguished career continued. He produced a number one record for the German market and promoted and managed artists in London. This was followed by two years with Radio Luxembourg in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which included holding the post of Deputy Head of the English Service. Colin was then with the BBC for over four years as an announcer on both national and World Service networks and announcer, producer, editor for BBC Radio London. Colin then spent five years with the British Forces Broadcasting Service as producer, announcer, instructor and program director in both Malta and Gibraltar.
Colin returned to Perth and spent two years with Radio 6K. He was also involved with Community Television and was the first elected Chair of CTV Channel 31. Most recently Colin has had involvement with community Radio 6NR. In 1985 and again in 1989 Colin made radio and television appearances in Adelaide in connection with his interesting and distinguished career. He has been guest lecturer to the graduating Media History class at Edith Cowan University, WA and he is included in the in the Oral History Department of Battye Library WA and National Library, Canberra.
Back to entry on Colin Nicol.


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DeMar DeRozan / Justin Ford/GettyImages
12. DeMar DeRozan (2018-21)
While his lack of a decent supporting cast ultimately led to a rare dark period in Spurs' fandom, it would be a disservice to DeMar DeRozan to knock him down much further than 12th. Put in a situation he never saw coming, he became the go-to scorer for an organization that was having a tough time letting go of the past.
There's no question DeRozan had at least one All-Star season in San Antonio and he probably would have had multiple selections if he was getting more attention. I mean, he averaged 21.6, 6.9, and 4.2 in 2021. What he's doing now in Chicago is something he's always been capable of if surrounded by better complementary pieces, and it's a shame the Spurs weren't able to provide him that in his superb stint with them.
DeRozan was one of the most clutch players in the league throughout his time in San Antonio and is currently second to only George Gervin in points per game as a Spur.
Highlight: DeMar comes up with a big Game 6 to force the Denver Nuggets to an unexpected Game 7 in 2019. He finishes with 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting, adding seven assists and seven boards.
Mike Mitchell / Focus On Sport/GettyImages
11. Mike Mitchell (1981-88)
When you can play a full season alongside George Gervin and still lead your team in scoring, you know you're special. In fact, Mike Mitchell's 22.2 point average in the 1984-85 season was the only time any Spur was able to outscore The Iceman for a season in San Antonio.
Through his career, Mitchell finished in the top 10 in scoring four times and averaged 23 points and 5.7 rebounds in his three peak years with the Spurs. Although his only All-Star appearance happened in Cleveland, there's a real case to be made that he should've had a few more and deserved for his jersey to be retired in the Alamo City.
Despite retiring in 1988, Mitchell is still sixth in field goals and points per game all-time in San Antonio Spurs history.
Highlight: Mitchell (45) and Gervin (50) combine for a staggering 95 points in a triple overtime win over the Bucks in 1982. It remains one of the highest outputs by a duo in NBA history.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The design of offshore support structures for wind turbines of 10 MW capacity presents a challenge due to potential resonance problems from the low rotor speeds during operation. The present work delineates the optimization based design of jacket type sub-structures at 50 m water depths for a 10 MW turbine by exploring the frequency constraint space of the sub-structure and confirming feasibility of a cost effective design away from rotor excitation. The conceptual design is made using a two-level optimization framework. The outer design problem, i.e. overall jacket dimensioning, is solved by a derivative free optimization method. The inner problem which consists of member sizing is solved using a robust and efficient Sequential Quadratic Programming method. The objective of the optimization is innovatively chosen as to minimize the fundamental natural frequency of the structure, while subject to frequency constraints, tower top displacement constraints and member ultimate stress constraints. The resulting design is modified during the process of verifying that all ultimate and fatigue limit states are met using fully coupled aero-hydro-elastic simulations. The final design is a low mass four-legged jacket that fully complies with offshore structural standard requirements for all design limit states, while not being affected by rotor excitation, thus being best suited for long operating life.


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Destinations Expeditions Things To Do UNESCO Culture Wellness Cuisine Subscribe
Turkey · Mediterranean · Cuisine
March 28, 2022 Words: Mary Carpenter
Head to Turkish Streets for Vibrant Flavors
Turkish cuisine is famously diverse, and street food is one of the best ways to enjoy it
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For centuries, Turkey, now officially known as Türkiye, has acted as a bridge between East and West, combining influences from Europe, the Caucasus — the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea — and the Middle East. Its largest city, Istanbul, is even located at a literal crossroads: this ancient megalopolis, known until 1930 as Constantinople, sits in both Europe and Asia, with the narrow Bosporus Strait separating the Black Sea from the Sea of Marmara. Naturally, these roots are all reflected in Turkish cuisine, which incorporates vibrant flavors, superb local produce and sophisticated techniques. Just like Singapore, Hong Kong or Mexico City, Istanbul ranks as one of the great capitals of street food, but cities around the country offer a bounty of delights.
Surf...
Dolma refers to a vessel, usually a vegetable, that has been stuffed with a variety of fillings; it is a familiar dish in this part of the Mediterranean — you may know the Greek dolma as stuffed grape leaves, for example. A Turkish favorite is midye dolma, in which mussels are filled with a mixture usually involving a rice base. When ordering, be sure to tell the street vendor how few or how many mussels you want, so you're not committing to a big platter if you only want a taste. Do as Turks do and squeeze a splash of lemon.
If you prefer fish, Balık ekmek is a sandwich where peppers, onions and, yes, a squeeze of lemon enhance a piece of grilled or pan-fried mackerel. This popular and tasty street food is commonly sold near the Bosporus, especially in Istanbul's Eminönü and Karaköy neighborhoods.
...and turf
If one Turkish specialty has crossed borders, it's kebabs (or kebap, meaning something that has been grilled). You can find a dizzying array of variations, including the famous döner kebap, which is traditionally made with lamb (you can also get beef or chicken) roasted on a rotating vertical skewer; adana kebap, made spicy minced meat; and durum kebab, a wrap using lavash flat bread. Vegetarians may prefer kestane kebap made from chestnuts, which are a wildly popular seasonal snack during autumn and winter.
Türkiye also puts delicious spins on sandwiches. Islak burger is steamed until the bun and meat meld into a delicious soft mass — the name roughly means "wet burger," referring to its consistency. Kokoreç, on the other hand, might be a bit more of an acquired taste as this delicacy consists of sheep intestines grilled then stuffed into bread. Kokoreç is favored before and after sporting games, but don't worry, you won't have to trek to stadiums to find this sandwich — it can be found at many street kiosks around the country.
Elevating flour and water to new heights
Variations on baked dough are used to lift several street-food items all over Türkiye. Looking like a small bready ring and usually encrusted with sesame seeds, simit might well be the one staple everybody in the country can agree on. It can be eaten plain as a quick snack; with a side of feta, tomatoes or cucumbers; or with savory fillings like olives, sausage or cheese. Simit is popular at breakfast but really, it's an anytime treat.
Every country seems to have a variation of pizza, and Türkiye has at least two that stand out that you should try. Pide, shaped like a little boat and stuffed with goodies that often include a healthy amount of cheese and lahmacun which looks like a very thin pizza and is usually served with seasoned ground lamb or beef. A touch of parsley on top and voilà: you have a portable meal.
Meanwhile, gözleme is essentially the local crepe: a thin pancake griddled and stuffed with usually savory fillings like cheese, spinach or mushrooms. Make sure you also try the crispier version, börek, which involves phyllo pastry filled with cheese, spinach, ground meat or vegetables, and is usually eaten in the morning or for lunch.
One potato to rule them all
The baked potato reaches new heights in kumpir, in which this humble but much-loved root vegetable is stuffed with a dizzying variety of toppings, including cheese, sausage, red cabbage, corn and more — many places let you choose from a wide selection from a salad bar.
Time for treats
A sweet treat turns into a show when vendors offer Maraş dondurma, ice cream that is given a stretchy consistency by the use of the orchid bulb salep, or sometimes mastic (a kind of resin that is also commonly used in Greece). It is named after the city of Maras, now known as Marash, and pistachio is a particularly popular flavor.
Also making for a vivid experience is macun, a type of brightly colored sweet that resembles toffee and can be wrapped around a stick to create a kind of lollipop. Some versions (mesir macunu) can have a surprising little kick thanks to the use of herbs and spices. The treat is so popular that UNESCO has included a mesir macunu festival in Türkiye on its list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
And if you find yourself flagging after a day of exploration, try kahve, Turkish-style coffee made with very finely ground beans and sugar that are brought to a boil in a special pot made of brass or copper. An indication that your coffee has been properly made: there should be a healthy head of foam.
Türkiye, and Istanbul in particular, is a favorite destination for travelers and you can see why while wandering its streets and exploring its neighborhoods: Few cities in the world embody the sweep of history and the diversity of cultures in such a vivid manner. What better way to experience them than by tasting your way through Türkiye on an ultra-luxury Seabourn voyage.
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Hi all. I'm looking for production planning software specifically designed, or at least well suited to, the wire manufacturing industry. Can anyone recommend a package worth looking at?
Your question is a little simplistic from the perspective of a full blown MRP computer system using the replacement for the long obsolete IBM system 3. You would have a configurator which could generate quotations, cable designs and routers. The sky is the limit with MRP systems.
You might how want to look at AXIS ERP www.aptean.com/en/Solutions/By-Product-Name-AZ/Axis This is enterprise resource planning software but the major problem with these systems is to not get yourself in a software database corner that you cannot get out of..
Axis ERP www.aptean.com/en/Solutions/By-Product-Name-AZ/Axis This appears to be a pretty good software but again, it may not meet your needs.
Whatever you do, make sure you get lots of quotations after looking up and reviewing companies selling ERP for the wire and cable industry. Make sure you have really great computer people with you when you visit and evaluate software companies. Know exactly what you want and be super cautious. Good luck.


Twelve-year-old Sharmila may not have the means and resources to have the best, but she certainly knows how to make the best of what she has.
The resident of Jalandhar has proven that nothing can stop one from achieving their goals by winning a bronze medal in judo in the Khelo India national-level competitions in the Under-14 category.
The youngster, who proved that there is no substitute for hard work, participated in the 23 kg category in the championship organised by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, held in Jaipur.
Sharmila lives in a one-room setting with her mother and her two siblings. Her mother, who works as a domestic help, has been the only earning member of the family since their father left home. However, Sharmila was determined to bring some cheer into their lives and worked hard towards her goal.
She used to dedicatedly practise every day with her brother and ensured that she maintained a weight of 23 kg, as advised by her coach, so that she could participate in that category.
Sharmila's mother, who says that she works extremely hard to ensure that her children eat and study well, is ecstatic by her daughter's win. Her daughter's happiness too knows no bounds.
"I will never leave judo in my life, isse bhi zyada medals jeet kar, mamma ko khush karna hai (I want to win even more medals and make my mother happy), " she told Hindustan Times.


Who is Tosoh Europe B.V.
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Tosoh Corporation, a leading international manufacturer produces a wide array of basic building block chemicals based on our strategic position in fluorine, bromine and iodine.
Our products are used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, general chemical synthesis, paint manufacture, specialized rubbers, surfactant applications, OLED manufacture, water purification, and various other industrial applications.
A commitment to focused research keeps Tosoh in the development forefront with the continued introduction of new cutting edge chemical products and processes. Over 130 affiliated companies in 18 countries and worldwide marketing and warehousing capabilities allows Tosoh, through its specialty groups, to offer a wide variety of organic compounds to meet your most stringent requirement.


Discover with us and explore the history of mental health care and the stories that make our shared heritage truly meaningful.
The Mental Health Museum houses a remarkable collection of mental health-related objects that span the history of mental health care from the early 19th century through to the present day. We also have vibrant outreach displays in changing locations and an exciting learning programme.
Our Manifesto is incredibly important to us. We developed our manifesto together with people who access mental health services, carers, friends and family, staff and our visitors. It is more than a document; it is a mission and we want you to join us in achieving it.
Please explore our website and join us on social media for more information about the museum and the work that we do.
The Mental Health Museum is an Affiliate of the Happy Museum Project and we proudly support #hellomynameis.


Farmington High School, Farmington, MI.
5'11" / 160lbs. Senior of Sikeston High School Missouri, 3.5 Gpa 18 act.
A all around ball player and hard worker.
PG. Ossining High School, Ossining, NY.
Solorio High School, Chicago, IL.
#1 | PG SG SF.
Jalen Hughes Class of 2018 Basketball Star.
Isaiah Brown - C/O 2016 - Alief Elsik.


All meetings, unless otherwise advertised, are held in the Church Hall, Church Way, Iffley OX4 4EG. Doors open from 7.10 – talks start at 7.30 pm.
Visitors are welcome; they will be asked to contribute £3 towards expenses.
This Lecture is dedicated to the Memory of Sir John Grimley Evans, former Society committee member.


Vacuum is created by a hydraulically driven vacuum blower assembly mounted on the planter frame. The vacuum blower requires a tractor with a closed-center hydraulic system and a separate selective control valve (SCV). For tractors with open-center hydraulic system, a vacuum 540- or 1000-rpm power take-off (PTO)-driven hydraulic pump system is available. PTO pumps offered from the factory are limited to 15-row applications or less.
It is important to connect this case drain hose to prevent the continuous and complete draining of hydraulic fluid due to the relief feature that opens the coupler when the pressure reaches 10 psi. This relief feature is designed to protect the motor shaft seal if for any reason the case drain hose was not connected to the tractor. The flush-face hose tips have less back pressure than ISO case drain tips, and the flat surface makes these couplers easy to clean, providing less chance for contamination.
NOTE: Peanut seed meter disks require the Variable Drive Transmission.
Mini-hopper row-units, which are used only with the Central Commodity System (CCS™) are compatible only with crops that the CCS is approved to plant.
One of the trademark capabilities of John Deere planters has always been the ability of the Tru-Vee™ openers to provide an ideal seed furrow.
There are significant changes to the MaxEmerge 5 Mini-Hopper. One update is the straight feed from the Central Commodity System (CCS™) hose to the mini-hopper to ensure a continuous free flow of seeds. This design change reduces the potential for plugging issues with larger seed size and the use of seed treatments. By drawing air from the CCS tank the vacuum source is now cleaner, preventing meter debris buildup.
The ground-engaging drive wheel system is a simple, proven, and reliable way to power the seed transmission(s). As the drive wheel turns, power is transmitted through a single-pitch drive chain to the jack shaft, on to the seed transmission, and out to the seed meters. Slip-clutch protected, spring-loaded idlers and steel sprockets provide a smooth-operating, dependable chain drive.
Bottom shield to help protect chain from dirt clods, etc.
1705, 1715, and 1725 Planters (except 1725 16Row30) are driven from one rear-mounted, ground-contact wheel.
A 1735 Planter is driven by one, front-mounted, ground-contact wheel.
Using ground-contact drive wheels much like the integral planters, the 1755 Drawn Planter utilizes two drive wheels.
Pneumatic downforce provides convenient, simple adjustment of downforce for the whole planter from one location. The amount of downforce applied is infinitely adjustable from 0 kg to 181.80 kg (0 lb to 400 lb). Pneumatic downforce provides more consistent downforce throughout the range of row-unit travel than mechanical spring downforce systems.
From the factory, integral planter models with pneumatic downforce will have an improved air compressor assembly with an in-cab mounting bracket, except the 1725 16-row and 1725 Central Commodity System (CCS™ ) Twin-Row Planters will have the air compressor assembly mounted on the planter frame. For drawn planter models, the 1755, 1765, 1765NT, 1775 Front-Fold, and 1785 Drawn Planters will have the air compressor assembly installed either on the outer hitch or wing frame members when the pneumatic downforce system is installed.


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Movie Review 5th June 2009
I purchased the DVD of this movie during my US trip last year, but never managed to get interested to even open the case. Today evening I had few hours to kill, so went and saw this movie. The DVD is two-sided you have the normal 2D version in Side-A, and the 3D version in Side-B; and it ships with 4 pairs of 3D glasses to view. "Journey to the center of the earth" is a 2008 version of the story inspired by the book by "Jules Verne" (the famous science fiction author who wrote classics like Around the world…
Movie Review 31st May 2009
She's the One (1996)
After nearly a month I watched a movie yesterday, when in the afternoon today while browsing TV channels aimlessly I caught this movie in Star Movies . It was a 1996 Romantic Comedy movie "She's the One" starring Edward Burns & Jennifer Aniston. The story is about two Brothers, Mickey and Francis their tribulations of love, betrayal, and family. John Mahoney appears as the brothers father, who I have seen and enjoyed in his performance as the Dad in the popular TV Comedy sitcom Frasier – as usual he was brilliant. Overall, I will rate the movie as a "Okay"…
Movie Review 19th April 2009
The Pink Panther (2006)
I always enjoy watching Pink Panther cartoons but didn't know they made a movie inspired by it. The other day my friend Dr.Satheesh mentioned about this movie "The Pink Panther (2006)" and how hilarious it was. Since I had iTunes installed on my machine (as I have an iPhone) I thought I should check out the famous iStore experience and buy the movie through it. Unfortunately, my Apple account (since I have an India SIM for iPhone) didn't show me any movies. It seems there are very little items to buy in terms of music, movies, TV shows for rest of…
Movie Review 11th November 2008
I saw this movie, Will Smith's Hancock on my return flight from the US in Cathay Pacific. Comparing to his other movies, this is relatively an easy role to be played by Will Smith and he has done it without any disappointment. The movie is about John Hancock (Will Smith) a drunkard with superhuman powers, including supersonic flight, immortality, and super-strength. Though he uses his powers to stop criminals in his residence of Los Angeles, his activities cause millions of dollars in property damage due. This is an average movie, can be seen if you are a Will Smith fan…
Movie Review 31st October 2008
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Yesterday I watched in Comcast, the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness". Will Smith has superbly portrayed the character of a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son as he embarks on a life-changing professional endeavour. The film is inspired by a true story of an investment tycoon (of the same name) Chris Gardener. The emotional story has been rendered on screen faithfully. The boy (played by Will Smith's son Jaden Smith) has acted exceptionally well, especially in the scenes where they are moving from place to place – in one scene after a long day when they don't have…
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I am a White space leader and Professional Speaker living in Chennai. A Software entrepreneur with 20+ years' experience starting, growing and selling a company that operated in India, USA and UK. I am a Microsoft Regional Director (Honorary) from 1999 and IEEE Senior Member. Advisor, APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation - House of Kalam, Rameswaram.
I am a member of the "Professional Speakers Association of India" and I deliver engaging talks for leading corporates and startups.
I am interested in movies, reading and travelling. You can follow me on twitter @venkatarangan.
தி.ந.ச.வெங்கடரங்கன்
மென்பொருள் வல்லுநர், தொடர் தொழில்முனைவர் மற்றும் பேச்சாளர்
Blog Mission
இனிய உளவாக இன்னாத கூறல்
கனியிருப்பக் காய்கவர்ந் தற்று
To say harsh words instead of nice ones, is like plucking unripe fruits instead of fresh ones. Thirukkural # 100
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Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
காஞ்சி கைலாசநாதர் திருக்கோயில் இந்த வாரம் புதன் கிழமை நானும் நண்பன் இ.ரவியும், காரில் காஞ்சிபுரம் சென்றோம். சென்னையில் இருந்து காஞ்சி, சுமார் 75கி.மி., ஒன்றரை/இரண்டு மணி நேரமாகும். நாங்கள் காலை 9:30 மணிக்கு வீட்டைவிட்டு கிளம்பி, மதியம் 3:00 மணிக்கு வீடு திரும்பினோம். காஞ்சி செல்லும் சாலை, பிரதமரின் தங்க நாற்கர திட்டத்தின் கீழ்…
Live Mobile Search in Hutch
Dr Kalaignar's Memorial
Jurong Bird Park, Singapore
My Phone fell and survived


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How To Lose Facebook Friends (But Make New Ones!)
Back in the previous, analog century, an author named Dale Carnegie made his name, and a fortune, writing bestselling self-help books, the most famous of which was perhaps "How To Win Friends and Influence People."
Most of his suggestions still apply to business relations and social media today. Ironically, the rules for "losing" followers are basically the same as those for "winning" them…
Are We Getting Closer To All-in-One Wearable Tech?
by Mary C. Long
People tend to fall into one of two categories when it comes to wearable tech: those who scramble to purchase and try them out, and those that just don't get it. But maybe the slow adopters don't want to contribute to the tech waste left behind with every generation of improvements.
An all-in-one wearable would certainly solve that problem – but are we even close?
Say Hello to Chat Bots
by Lily Bradic
If your only experience with chat bots is Microsoft's teen AI — the misogynistic, Holocaust-denying, pot-smoking Tay — you'd be forgiven for dismissing them as a waste of time and technology. But there's another type of chat bot on the scene — and it's being heralded as the next big thing in tech.
How To Put Your Readers In the Right Mood
The relationship between a writer and a reader is very intimate, at least on a cerebral level. You are alone together in the shared imagination of your creation.
And just like any other date with someone you're trying to woo and seduce, you need to make sure you make the right impression, sustain their interest without being too self-indulgent, and address your audience with a tone ideally suited to the occasion…
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We know we need to speak to each generation in its own language, and that the current crop of philanthropists can be reached more easily with smartphone apps – so why, then, is it so difficult to build social awareness with this bunch?
Free Candy Calms Critics
If you're not pulling at a person's emotions, you're not creating a lasting impression. Unfortunately, the emotion most marketing elicits these days is anger. Here's how to climb over that anger wall.
First off, no one wants to be "marketed" to. So entertainment marketers have a definite advantage here, as social media is a form of entertainment. And an entertained audience is much more open to word-of-mouth marketing, aka, sharing your stuff.
3 Ways Small Businesses Can Act Big
by Kim Niemi
There are so many differences between how large and small businesses are run on a day-to-day basis, it might not look like the two have a lot in common. But there are many simple things large companies do that small businesses don't, but could, to increase their sales and visibility.
Contributing To Your Writer Community
No writer is an island, even if it feels that way sometimes. At least, it can seem like you're stranded on an island, casting out notes in bottles, praying someone will find your work, and "rescue" you from oblivion.
The fact is, you can make yourself feel a lot less isolated by reaching out and sharing that note you just found floating by, cast out from your neighboring author, also in need of aid…


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Home » TV & Movies » Soap spoilers: Home and Away's Ebony plans to kill again, and Ty faces a big new dilemma
Soap spoilers: Home and Away's Ebony plans to kill again, and Ty faces a big new dilemma
Home and Away's Colby Thorne faces another life-threatening situation later this month, as Ebony Easton hatches her latest revenge plan.
Colby (Tim Franklin) falls into a trap when he starts receiving messages from someone who's claiming to be his missing sister Bella.
Despite Robbo (Jake Ryan) correctly warning that the mystery person is probably Ebony, an unsettled Colby still can't resist investigating and heads off for a meeting with his unknown contact.
When Colby arrives at the house he's been told to visit, he's shellshocked to spot glittery letters spelling Bella's name on the front of a bedroom door.
As Colby heads inside the room, he finds that the walls inside have been plastered from top to bottom with Bella's missing poster – another cruel stunt from Ebony (Cariba Heine).
Colby also spots a CCTV camera in the corner of the room and realises that he's being watched, just as he hears Ebony's voice from a walkie-talkie.
Although Colby tries his best to talk Ebony round as they communicate via the walkie-talkie, it's no use as she pours petrol beneath the door and prepares to light it.
Fortunately for Colby, Robbo is already on the case and arrives on the scene in a dramatic rescue attempt. Will Ebony finally be dealt with once and for all?
Home and Away airs these scenes on Monday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 21 at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5.
Elsewhere in Summer Bay, the Palmers and Raffy worry after hearing that Ty Anderson's mother wants to see him.
After Ty (Darius Williams) turns 16, they receive contact from the foster agency with the big news that Ty's mum is hoping to get back in contact.
Ty makes the decision that he doesn't want to see his mother as he fears being rejected all over again, but Marilyn and Raffy aren't so sure that it's the right choice.
John (Shane Withington) is particularly irritated by Marilyn's attitude towards the situation, wondering why she wants to run the risk of tearing their new family apart.
Marilyn insists that's not what she wants, but she still can't resist taking matters into her own hands by driving off to meet Ty's mother for herself.
Marilyn's impulsive decision paves the way for the arrival of Ty's mum Jodi the following week, played by Sara Zwangobani.
Home and Away airs these scenes on Friday, August 24 at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5.
Critics Slam Netflix's 'Tone-Deaf' 'Insatiable': 'Teenagers Deserve Better'
Shane Richie and Coleen Nolan's son Shane 'signs up for Celebs Go Dating'


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Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Posted on April 10, 2017 by Hillman Family Foundations
by Jessica Walker
Take priceless artwork with "Do Not Touch" signs and silent halls filled with onlookers, mix them together, and going to a museum becomes a child's nightmare. By the end of the day, even the sanest toddler–or parent–can be driven to a meltdown.
The opposite is true at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, where playing with the exhibits is expected and encouraged. Its mission is to provide innovative museum experiences that inspire creativity and curiosity. Whether jumping in water fountains or building structures out of nuts and bolts, anyone from the young to the young-at-heart can find an activity to enjoy.
"Children can appreciate good design as well as adults," says executive director Jane Werner. "A 4-year-old might find an activity exciting for a particular reason, a 10-year-old for another, and a grandparent for yet another. We [the museum] really are for everyone."
The Children's Museum commits to creating functional and welcoming spaces for its multigenerational visitors, who total more than 270,000 annually. The exhibits are designed and built in-house, and incorporate real materials to foster learning.
One of the most popular areas is the Waterplay exhibit. Housed on the third floor, it features water fountains, vortexes, dam building stations, and shaved ice tables. Children learn important science principles such as water texture and buoyancy while getting a little wet in the process.
"Seeing toddlers sitting right in the fountains, puddles of water around them, never fails to make me laugh out loud," says Werner. "There's just such joy on their faces."
For patrons who like mixing play with functionality, the MAKESHOP is a short journey downstairs. From woodworking and circuitry to stop-motion and green screen animation, the workshop space has been keeping hands busy since 2011. Visiting crafters and inventors also lend their expertise to help children and families transform their ideas into physical constructions. Whether assembling a birdhouse from recycled wood or a pillow from fabric scraps, all the MAKESHOP's materials require is a little creativity.
Instead of spending an afternoon passively perusing a gallery of paintings, why not come to the Children's Museum to create your own masterpiece? The Studio is a permanent exhibit for visitors to experiment with multimedia art forms such as screen-printing and still life drawing. An accessible-to-all pottery wheel allows anyone of any experience or ability level to throw clay.
"We try to stay as fresh as possible in our approach," says Werner. "The way children learn is so varied. By giving hands-on activities, they're discovering how to question their world in a unique way."
"You can't fail a museum," she adds, noting that museums have an incredible opportunity to try learning approaches that a traditional classroom might not be able to. For its part, the Children's Museum offers field trips, summer camps, and customized classroom programs that reach students throughout the Pittsburgh area. Inspired by the MAKESHOP, makerspaces have even been incorporated in schools and libraries to promote a love for science, programming, and engineering.
Throughout its lifetime, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh has grown from 20,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet in what once was a post office building on the North Shore. It now shares its home with a public school, a family radio program, and a nonprofit literacy organization. The museum also plans to open what it calls a Museum Lab next door, in the former Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Allegheny Regional branch. The 45,000-square-foot lab will be used to further integrate informal learning experiences with formal school education. According to Werner, it will be the largest center of its kind in the United States upon completion.
With an extensive outreach and additional plans for expansion, patrons might have difficulty believing that the Children's Museum had a rough start after its foundation in the 1980s. It started as a tenant in the basement of its current building, and experienced financial struggles. Werner says grants and support from the Hillman Foundation helped the museum thrive, both then and now. "We've had a great relationship over the years, and I couldn't be more grateful."
Even outside of its educational opportunities, the Children's Museum provides "a safe space for families to be together and experience new things." Werner recalls a father who approached her after viewing one of the temporary exhibits that focused on forgiveness and love. He told her that, despite telling his kids every day that he loves them, viewing this exhibit was the first time the family sat down and discussed what love actually means.
"One of my favorite times of the day is at closing when I see families on our porch swing, talking about what they just experienced," she says.
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is the place to embrace childlike imagination and creativity at any age. Curious about everything the museum has to offer? Werner has just a few short words: "Come on down!"
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BMW Automotive
BMW Enthusiasts page
Interview with Pieter Nota, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Customer, Brands, Sales, about realigning sales and marketing to create industry's best customer experience
by BMW AutomotivePosted on 15th January 2021
Mr Nota, 2020 can't have been an easy year for your sales and marketing team. How big of a challenge was the coronavirus pandemic? I would certainly agree with that.…
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Digital aftersales upgrades will drive highly profitable optional equipment business Performance marketing for personalised, targeted customer approach Customers to receive individual tailored offerings, with all products and services from single…
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When installing twist on wire connectorss to electrical wires, please make sure you tighten the twist on wire connectors good and tight to the wires. If not you will have a headache of a circuit not working later and or a potential of fire in the electrical box.
Here you can see a twist on wire connectors that the wires were not connected tightly and caused the twist on wire connectors to melt. Luckily the home owner smelled the burnt smell and turned off the breakers. We cleaned up the wires and installed a new twist on wire connectors.


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Mattatall~Varner's highly trained staff of funeral directors, licensed embalmers and funeral support staff take very seriously the reputation and traditions they are responsible for maintaining. They have a commitment to serving families that is both personal and professional.
Edward R. "Ed" Varner
Owner, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Born in New Germany, Ed began his career in funeral service apprenticing with George McLaren & Sons Funeral Home in Pictou. While there, he met his future wife, Sheila (Roach), and they moved back to New Germany where they were married in 1976 and lived for a couple of years. Ed worked with Langille's Funeral Home in New Germany and also drove ambulance for the New Germany Fire Department. In 1979, Ed, Sheila and their son, Bruce, moved to Truro to pursue his career with Mattatall Funeral Home. Since 1979, Ed has worked here at Mattatall Funeral Home and was manager until 2004 when he and Sheila became the proud owners. Ed is a member of Brunswick Street United Church and an associate member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, Truro.
Sheila J. Varner
Owner & Receptionist
Born in Pictou, Sheila had her introduction into funeral service when she met her husband, Ed. Sheila met Ed while he was apprenticing with George McLaren & Sons Funeral Home in Pictou. They moved to New Germany where they were married in 1976, and in 1979, Sheila, Ed and son, Bruce, moved to Truro. Sheila is thrilled to be a part of the Mattatall team and enjoys the daily interaction with the many families and the everyday running of the business. Sheila is a member of Brunswick Street United Church, where she sings in the church choir and volunteers on many committees. In her spare time, she enjoys bowling on a weekly league and reading.
E. Bruce Varner
Funeral Director & Embalmer
Born in Bridgewater, Bruce has lived in Truro since 1979 and graduated from Cobequid Educational Centre in 1995. While attending high school and after graduation, he worked at MacQuarries Pharmasave and in 1997, graduated from the Funeral Services Program, Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus. After graduation, Bruce worked at Mahone ~ New Germany Funeral Homes and in 1998 joined Atlantic Funeral Homes in Dartmouth, Halifax and Lower Sackville. He received his Embalmer and Funeral Director licenses in 1999. In November 2007, Bruce joined Mattatall Funeral Home and is thrilled to be back in his hometown. Bruce attends McCulloch United Church, where he is their pianist and choir director and also fills in as pianist, organist and pulpit supply at other area churches. In his spare time, Bruce enjoys playing the piano, cooking, bowling on a weekly league and spending time at the cottage.
Peter J. Surette
Born in Digby, Peter began his career in funeral service while working with Jayne's Funeral Home in Digby. Peter moved to Truro and joined Mattatall Funeral Home in December 1988 and is a truly valued employee. While in Truro, Peter has made many contacts and truly enjoys his work. Peter attends Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, is a member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26, Truro, where he is an Executive Member and has served as President. In his spare time, he enjoys HAM Radio (VE1 PJS) and is a member of the Truro Amateur Radio Club. Peter and his wife Ann enjoy camping and canoeing and live in Truro.
Cindy L. White
Born in Truro and raised in Upper Stewiacke, Cindy began working in Funeral Service as a Receptionist with Atlantic Funeral Home in Lower Sackville. Having a keen interest, she went on to study at Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus, apprenticed with Atlantic Funeral Homes in Dartmouth, Halifax and Lower Sackville and obtained her Funeral Director and Embalmer licenses in 2002. In July 2011, we were fortunate to have Cindy join our staff. Cindy's pleasant personality, caring ways and attention to detail helps the families we serve through very difficult times. Cindy, her husband and their three sons reside in Stewiacke.
Andrew H. Boone
Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Andrew moved to Nova Scotia in 2003 to complete the Funeral Services Program at Nova Scotia Community College, Kingstec Campus. He has worked for Dignity Memorial Funeral Homes in Shubenacadie, Halifax and Dartmouth. Andrew joined Mattatall ~ Varner Funeral Home in 2011, and works on a part-time basis. He appreciates the opportunity to help people at a difficult time in their lives. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys running and exploring Victoria Park. Andrew, his wife and their three sons live in Truro.
Lois C. McNutt
Having lived in Truro for most of her life, Lois joined our team in 2008 following her retirement from a lengthy career with Scotiabank. An active member of Immanuel Baptist Church, she enjoys singing in the choir and holds various positions within the church, most recently as church clerk. She has travelled throughout Canada and eastern United States along with taking three Caribbean cruises but her favourite is travelling throughout Nova Scotia enjoying the beauty of our province. Lois has a passion for animals - cats and dogs and enjoys watching the deer as they travel through her backyard. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting and gardening.


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2 Queers on a Seaside Bench Discussing the Ocean
by Joey Delgado
An impromptu anniversary weekend up the coast.
Our hotel was parallel with the highway, which was parallel with the aforementioned bench, which was parallel with a footpath, which was parallel with the shore, which was slowly eroded by the Pacific.
He was sitting on the bench, smoking. We still smoke; not in a tragic, death wish kind of way, but a glamorous throwback kind of way; we're childless and carefree. We can do whatever we want. Vanity will force us to quit before health scares do. That's what I tell myself, at least.
I lit a cigarette.
He said, I came out here last night to smoke. It was so dark. I couldn't see the ocean, but I heard it.
I said, So calming, right?
No, he said. Made me feel empty. A little sad. It's better now that I can see it.
So it was to be one of those weekends, where we don't talk like normal people, and where a single sentence can shatter us in a million pieces or gird us for eight more years. My mind flickered through all those nights when I turned on an oscillating fan, not for air circulation, but for white noise. It never occurred to me that white noise was anything but calming. For him: limbo, purgatory, Robert Frost, white lilies, whitecaps, white noise.
Meaning it: I think it's calming. Look how vast, though. It's hard to believe, thousands of years ago, people were fearless enough to see what's over there.
I pointed to the horizon.
He nodded.
Also, I continued, this little swatch of ocean contains more life than the whole of dry land. It makes me feel small.
Hurriedly I said, But not in a bad way. In a content, knowing way.
Why did I always try to say something "profound" in front of an ocean?
He looked at me, accustomed to my need for people to know I was alright.
A seagull, the whisper of Golden Poppies in a California breeze, a lesbian couple walking their Bichon named Bingley—Where's Mr. Darcy, I asked. We had a Mr. Darcy, one responded.—a cup of coffee from the hotel lobby. Warm steam rose out of the biodegradable cup, thawing out my face. It's amazing how the simplicity of something like warmth transformed our seaside conversation from something ominous to something comforting to something familiar.
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Dianne McKnight-Warren, Mar 12, 2020
Lovely. So many nice touches.
One of my favorites, "Why did I always try to say something "profound" in front of an ocean?" That's great. So true, but first time I've seen that feeling in words. Love "in front of an ocean." Fine.
Mathew Paust, Mar 12, 2020
Reading Kerouac at the moment, and this voice echoes his. Good writing.
Tim Young, Mar 14, 2020
I love when a thing captures. This thing captures so much of a facet of being human. Hey, that's a big deal.
And so is this "thing."
Darryl Price, Mar 14, 2020
"Our hotel was parallel with the highway, which was parallel with the aforementioned bench, which was parallel with a footpath, which was parallel with the shore, which was slowly eroded by the Pacific."
Fun and fearless itself.
Joey Delgado, Mar 25, 2020
Thanks for reading and commenting! You all made my day.
You must log in to post comments.


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STARGÅTE SG-1—Sam & Janet (& Jennifer Hailey) in...
A WORK OF BONDAGE FAN-FICTION—by Van ©2007
For notes and information about STARGÅTE SG-1 and NEW characters used in this
story, please follow the link below, and use your browser's Back feature to return.
Sam and Janet cautiously crossed the clearing—Sam with the P90 at the ready, and Janet with a knife in each hand. All of their clothing and gear were, indeed, gone. Further, there was no sign of where everything had been taken, or even a hint of how this conjuring trick had been accomplished. There were no tracks, no broken twigs or disturbed leaves, not so much as a bent grass stem that they probably hadn't caused themselves.
"What are we gonna do?" Janet whispered.
Sam stole a glance at the diminutive doctor, then returned to scanning their surroundings. She could tell Janet wasn't frightened, but concerned. Naked, all of their already abbreviated inventory of supplies and equipment stolen, they both had a lot to be concerned about—but Janet wasn't scared. "Ol' Doc Fraiser", as Jack used to call her, was made of stern stuff.
"You wait here," Sam ordered, and started into the trees.
"Sam!"
"Wait here," Sam called back, and continued forward, carefully picking her way through the undergrowth. She came to a game trail, and there were more of the small animal tracks they'd seen at the pool, but nothing looked especially recent. The clearest track she found looked almost like a human footprint, only it was tiny, as if it had been made by a barefoot toddler. It may have been a trick of how the soft soil compacted under the animal's foot. In any case, there was no sign of their clothing or equipment. It was as if it had all sprouted wings and flown away.
Tucked into the rubble at the base of the cliff was a cluster of several large boulders. Sam could see numerous nooks and crannys that might have been cave entrances—small cave entrances—but when she cautiously inspected them, one by one, none were large enough to shelter anything bigger than a cat.
Still scanning her surroundings, including the branches overhead, Sam retreated back to the clearing.
Janet had found a heavy stick, suitable for a club, and was whittling the base to improve the handle.
Despite their circumstances, Sam couldn't help but smile. Her friend was clutching the blade of the second knife between her teeth, evoking the air of a naked, female pirate.
"Wea?" Janet asked, continuing to whittle.
Sam suppressed her smile. "Nothing. No tracks and no gear."
"I ow ink ee—" Janet dropped the club to the ground and took the knife from her mouth. "I don't think we should stay here."
Sam nodded, continuing to scan their surroundings. "I agree. Let's get the shelter-half and move out."
"Wait a minute," Janet said, walked to the nearest ruined canopy, and slashed out a swath of brown material. Most of what was left was too high for her to reach, or Sam, for that matter, but she succeeded in cutting free a second, tan remnant. She tied the brown, suede-like rag around her waist and tossed the tan sample to Sam. "Better than nothing," she sighed.
"Marginally." Sam handed the P90 to Janet, and wrapped the jagged swath around her waist. Then, with one of the knives in hand, she leaped as high as she could. She managed to cut free more tan material, and a second jump yielded more of the brown.
"Show off!" Janet whispered, but her attention never left the tree line and the cliff.
Sam examined the hanging lines supporting the rest of the flapping material. They were more like cables than rope, nearly as thick as her wrist, and they looked as tough as wire. She considered trying to cut a length free, but decided it would be of limited use and not worth the delay. "Let's go."
Janet quickly rolled the shelter-half and remaining swaths of canopy material together and tucked the bundle under one arm. "Go where?" she asked as she retrieved her makeshift club.
"We find someplace we can defend," Sam answered, "make camp, find something to eat, and survive."
"Until?"
Sam gave her companion a grim smile. "Until we're rescued, or find a way back to the stargate." They entered the trees, moving with caution. Sam chose one of the larger game trails, and they began putting distance between themselves and the clearing.
Escape From PelluciGor
Hailey slowly drifted back to consciousness. She was still bound and gagged, but in no pain—and she was surprised to find herself quite unafraid—even unconcerned about her predicament. The drug, she realized. I'm still drugged. I'll be scared... later.
Something was shaking her cage. She opened her eyes and watched as several of her female captors—resplendent in their camouflage bikinis, matching body paint, and leather harnesses—dragged her, cage and all, to the middle of a clearing. One of the amazons scrambled up the side of the cage, secured a heavy shackle through a ring welded to the top, then hopped down. The shackle was attached to a stout cable. Hailey craned her neck and followed the cable upwards—and her eyes popped wide.
Hovering overhead was a fantastic airship. It looked as big as a blimp, but there was no sign of a gas bag. It was like seeing the underside of a wooden schooner—floating in the air—without masts or sails. There was a keel, and the streamlined hull was fashioned of tightly fitted planks. Pylons and outriggers supported what were probably engines, or lift generators, or stabilizers, or all-of-the-above. There were also weapons emplacements, with scaled-up, crew-served versions of the "zat-rifles" used by the jungle warriors. The overall effect was a cross between an ancient Greek trireme, a Spanish galleon, and a wooden shark, floating in the darkening sky in total silence.
One of the warriors on the ground made a hand signal, the cable snapped taut, and Hailey's cage was lifted into the air.
"Farewell, Sleen-cub!" one of the warriors shouted, and the others laughed.
The encampment and the painted warriors receded below, fading almost immediately into the jungle, thanks to their camouflage. Overhead, the airship loomed ever-larger and closer.
Her cage came even with the deck, and she found herself staring at the airship's crew—and being stared at, in turn.
Their costumes were similar to those worn by the jungle warriors, only the loincloths and bandeaus were a mottled gray, their harnesses were black leather, and they were barefoot. Like the warriors below, all were brunette
"Look at that hair!" one of the crew members said.
"She's a tiny freak," another remarked.
"Belay the idle chat," another ordered. She was dressed identically to the rest, only a maroon scarf was tied around her throat. "Get the cargo stowed. I want to get some altitude before full night."
Hailey glanced at the sky. Both suns were close to the horizon, and one was nearly in eclipse, half hidden by the massive disk of the gas giant—then the cage was moving again. It was maneuvered to a section of the deck railing where several large bundles were lashed in place, half-dangling over the side. The cage was tucked against a pair of stanchions, and quickly lashed in place. The crew climbed back onto the deck, nimble as acrobats.
I guess it makes sense, Hailey mused, still fighting the effects of the drug. Rig the cargo like ballast and you can jettison it easily, if you have to. She looked down, through the bottom of her cage, at the tops of the forest giants passing far below. The airship was underway, and she thought it was rising. It was difficult to tell. Hailey had flown gliders at the Academy, but this mode of air travel was more stately... almost nautical in its deliberate pace.
She stretched in her rope bonds, trying to find comfort against the hard bars of her cage. Finally, she rolled onto her side, tucked her knees against her breasts, and rested, as best she could. Her head was still spinning. She could see sparks and tiny flares of light, dancing across the inside of her closed eyelids... but knew they weren't real. Is any of this real? she wondered... and drifted back to sleep.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE JUNGLE...
Sam and Janet found a suitable campsite. It was several klicks from the waterfall and clearing where their gear had disappeared. A trio of giant, oak-like trees atop a low hill provided cover, and there was clean water in a nearby stream. Night was falling fast, and they'd been on the move for hours.
"We can cut some of those thorn bushes we passed and surround this place, like a kraal," Sam suggested.
"And sharpen some sticks and make one of those outward-facing palisades," Janet agreed.
"Abatis," Sam nodded. "It's called an abatis." She looked up at the branches overhead. "We'll sleep up there, as high as we can get. Tomorrow we can start building a platform, but tonight we'll have to rough it."
Janet grinned. "Rough it—as opposed to the spectacular comfort of sleeping on a nest of sticks and branches."
Sam grinned back. "Eventually we can make a full-blown tree house, complete with bamboo plumbing, a full kitchen, breakfast nook, etc."
"Impossible," Janet laughed. "There's no baby elephant to power the elevator."
"We'll think of something." Sam pointed at the lowest branch of one of the trees. "I'll give you a boost, then you help me up, and we climb."
"Okay," Janet answered, and let Sam give her a leg up. Sam tossed her the bundled shelter-half, then the P90—then leaped up, took Janet's hand, and swung up onto the branch. They made their way higher, until they were at least thirty meters off the ground.
"I guess this will have to do," Sam said, indicating a point where two large branches emerged from the trunk.
"I don't see anything better," Janet sighed. She turned and surveyed their surroundings. Through the leaves they could see the orange-red light of the setting sun bathing the distant wall of the crater. Almost at a visible pace, the shadow-line was marching up the sheer rocks and light was shifting to a dull red. Overhead, the sky was fading to indigo, and the first stars were beginning to appear.
"Wait 'til full-night," Sam said, sitting down and leaning her back against the trunk. "It's supposed to be quite a light show."
Janet settled down next to Sam. The branches made for a cramped perch, but as long as they didn't roll around, they wouldn't fall.
"We have to do something about these... kilts," Sam muttered. They'd managed to slide the loops of their knife sheathes through narrow folds of the tattered canopy material knotted around their waists, but the current arrangement was hardly comfortable, and did little to preserve their modesty.
"How are your feet?" Janet asked.
"Sore," Sam answered. "Thanks for asking."
"Colonel," Janet intoned, "the expedition's Chief Medical Officer would like to know... how are your feet?"
"When you put it that way," Sam chuckled, then lifted her feet, one by one, and allowed Janet to give them a thorough examination. "No cuts or bruises I can find," Janet conceded. "How 'bout the rest of you?"
"I'm okay," Sam said, stifling a yawn. "Tomorrow we'll have to see if we can make some of this canopy stuff into moccasins. I'll take the first watch."
Janet unrolled the shelter half. They draped it over their shoulders, then made themselves as comfortable as they could, shoulder-to-shoulder, leaning back against the hard trunk.
"So... what's the plan?" Janet asked.
"Something is out there," Sam answered. "Something that stole our stuff. It's crafty, near invisible, and we have to assume it's hostile."
"It may just be curious."
Sam nodded. "It didn't attack, but we still have to assume it isn't friendly—at least for now."
"So... we survive. Shelter, food, water—and we gather intel."
Sam nodded again. "We figure out how to live in this place, we figure out what's going on, we find a way out of here and back to the stargate, and we rescue Hailey and the others."
"No problem," Janet chuckled, snuggling close to her friend. "You're the one in command, and the one who's been to Survival School. So, I'll just place my breakfast order and retire for the evening."
"Very funny," Sam laughed. "You'll have the pleasure of the SERE experience too, before the General gives you command of your own SG team." USAF Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape training was one of Sam's least pleasant memories, but it had helped her get through some sticky off-world situations, including capture, abuse, and torture at the hands of the Goa'uld.
"I'm looking forward to it," Janet muttered, "like a double root canal. In the meantime," she continued, in a brighter tone, "me Jane, you Tarzan."
"Very funny," Sam chuckled. "I think it's more like I'm the Professor, and you're Mary Ann."
"Yeah, right!" Janet snorted. "We'll find some coconuts, you can make a radio, and I'll make a cream pie."
Sam laughed, then shifted the P90 on her lap. "Let's not talk about food 'til morning. Breakfast will probably be grubs and worms, by the way, if we're lucky."
"Pleasant dreams to you too," Janet sighed, and settled her head against Sam's shoulder. "Don't forget to wake me for my watch. You need your beauty sleep too."
Sam stifled another yawn and combed her fingers through her tousled hair. "No kidding."
Hailey opened her eyes. Her mouth was sore from the gag. In fact, her entire body was sore; but she had to admit that her captors knew how to tie someone up without causing permanent harm. Her circulation was unimpaired, even though her rope bonds were tight and inescapable. Of course, being bound and gagged for hours was no picnic, regardless.
At least the drug they'd given her seemed to have worn off. Her head was clear for the first time since the ambush at the stargate. She was hungry, and above all, thirsty. None of her captors were in sight. In fact, he couldn't even see the main deck of the airship from inside her cage.
The ambush... The shame of having failed her men welled in her stomach like a physical illness. She knew she'd have to live with their deaths—if they were dead—all of her life. She couldn't think of anything she should have or would have done differently, though. They'd been overwhelmed, without warning, by a vastly superior force firing from prepared positions. It wasn't the first time that had happened to an SG team. It probably wouldn't be the last. Her brain told her she wasn't at fault. Her gut told her it would take time to deal with her "failure".
It was morning, but the terrain below was shrouded in mist. Only a few jagged mountain peaks were visible, poking through the feathery veil and casting long, dark shadows. The sky itself was a pale, robin's egg blue. The vast arc of the gas giant loomed above the horizon, under-lit by the rising twin suns.
And what about Colonel Carter and Doc Fraiser? she wondered. Apparently, from the chatter she'd picked up, they'd managed to escape the jungle-girl commandos. Hailey sighed through her gag. The Colonel would try to rescue her... somehow... if there was any possibility. She had to stay alert, gather all the information she could, stay alive—and escape herself!
Hailey squirmed in her bonds, seeking any weakness in the tight, symmetrical web pinning her arms, but her groping fingers couldn't find any knots to untie or any strands of rope she could work loose. Next, she rolled onto her stomach and tried to reach the rope binding her ankles, feet, and big toes. However, with her arms folded behind her back, it was impossible.
Finally, after several minutes of wiggling, writhing effort, Hailey ceased her struggles. Even if she had succeeded in getting out of her rope bonds, it would have been a decidedly limited victory. She'd still be locked in a cage, dangling thousands of feet over an alien jungle, prisoner of a large force of air-amazons.
The airship was making a stately turn and starting to descend. Hailey's side of the vessel passed into shadow. Looking forward, through the bars of her cage, she could see what she took to be their destination, another mountain rising from the mist—and it was topped by a fantastic city!
The mountain had steep sides, like a cluster of mesas of varying height, leaning together for mutual support. The very top was occupied by a series of spectacular domes, spires, and towers. The lower plateaus were built up as well, but in a less extravagant style. All levels had hanging gardens, and some of the lower levels seemed to be more garden and parkland than urban sprawl.
The final approach took several minutes, giving Hailey plenty of time to admire the city's brightly colored dressed stone, painted murals, and tiled mosaic courtyards. When they were low enough, she could see the population moving about their business. All were female and brunette, with the exception of a few elders with gray or silver hair. There were also a few young girls, running about in play or clustered about solitary adults, as if for instruction. Young and old, the mode of dress was colorful, tropical, and showed a lot of well-tanned skin. A few faces turned up to watch the airship pass, but most seemed uninterested. Hailey surmised the arrival of a giant, floating, wooden airship was a routine occurrence.
The airship had dropped below the top level of the city, with its domes and towers. They were nearing what was unmistakably a docking platform. Several women in the "air-amazon" uniform of mottled gray bikini and black leather harness were waiting beside massive bollards. As Hailey watched, handling lines were tossed from the airship deck and were caught by the ground crew. The lines were passed around the bollards, the crews heaved, the lines snapped taut, and heavy mooring lines began snaking from the airship towards the platform.
Before even the first of the mooring lines was secured, Hailey was distracted by airship crew swarming over her cage. The lashings securing the cage to the stanchions were released and it was raised to the deck. The cage door was unlocked, strong hands reached in and dragged her out, then untied her ankles, feet, and toes.
Hailey was pulled to her feet—and almost collapsed back to the deck—but her captors supported her by her bound arms. Their manner was business-like, neither kind nor cruel. A broad, stiff, leather collar was buckled around her throat. It had long ropes clipped to steel rings, one in the front and one in the back.
By this time, Hailey's legs could carry her weight. A pair of air-amazons used the collar ropes to lead her towards the airship's telescoping gangway. Naked, bound, gagged and helpless, head and shoulders shorter than all of her captors, she strode forward, chin up and proud.
Waiting on the platform was the airship's captain, the air-amazon with the maroon neck scarf. Also present was one of the jungle warriors, still in her camouflaged bikini, brown leather harness, and boots, but without her body paint. Her bronze "zat-rifle" was slung across her back.
A large party was approaching the airship, emerging from a stone archway on the far side of the platform.
The central figure was a very attractive woman, in her early thirties. She was wearing an abbreviated top, little more than a bra; a loincloth with long, fluttering panels in front and back; and a long, sleeveless robe. All were of black silk, and the robe was sheer as gossamer. Her feet were bare. Robe, loincloth, and her long, richly curled hair flowed in her wake, like banners of authority.
Immediately behind her were two women. One was shorter, and similarly clad in black. The other was dressed in natural, un-dyed linen.
Bringing up the rear were several guards, marching in ranks of two. Their costumes were similar to the jungle warrior's, but the cloth elements were shining black silk, and their black leather harnesses and boots were highly polished. They carried zat-rifles, at port-arms.
A trumpet sounded on the airship and the crew paused in their tasks to snap to attention. At the same time, the airship captain and the jungle warrior bowed at the waist and Hailey's handlers went down on one knee.
"All hail Zanta, PardaUbar of Pan-PelluciGor!" a voice shouted from somewhere on the airship.
"HAIL!" the entire crew shouted, as one. The trumpet sounded again, and they returned to their work.
Hailey had remained standing, glaring above her gag at what she surmised was some sort of high official, possibly even the planet's ruler. Had circumstances been different, she would have mimicked her captor's actions, as a show of respect—but, at the moment, she wasn't in a particularly respectful mood.
"So," the PardaUbar said, a superior smile curling her lips, "this is the tiny alien fighter who leads men against PelluciGor in war."
Hailey continued to stare. The PardaUbar was very beautiful, and her tan, toned body was athletic, feminine perfection personified. Hailey hated her already.
"She's small as a girl," the PardaUbar continued, her eyes drinking in every detail of Hailey's nude, diminutive body, "but she's obviously a woman... and a fit, woman-warrior, at that. Pale pink skin, yellow hair... like nothing I've ever seen." She glanced over her shoulder at the tall woman in white. "What did you say was her ridiculous name?"
The woman pulled a rod from her robe. It split in her hands and a sheet of foil unrolled, stretched between the two halves. "We believe it is 'Cur-nell Car-tur', based on the words of the men of her world of origin, but one of those appellations may be a title or rank. Until we complete our interrogation—"
"Yes, yes," the PardaUbar interrupted. "Charis, your thoughts."
The shorter woman in black stepped forward. Hailey could now see a shining steel collar with a pendant ring around the woman's throat. She was as beautiful as the PardaUbar, in her own way, but was younger. She walked a slow circle around Hailey and her handlers. "Small breasts, but well shaped," she purred. "I suspect she will clean up quite nicely. A strong spirit. She'll fight. At the very least, a pleasant curiosity. At most, an exotic treasure."
The PardaUbar continued her leering inspection, and Hailey continued her defiant, glaring response. "Hmm... We shall see." Her brown eyes shifted to the jungle warrior. "Kyna, I want you to concentrate on capturing the two intruders who escaped."
Hailey was careful to shield her reaction to the PardaUbar's words, but this was very good news, indeed! Sam and Janet had escaped capture!
The PardaUbar turned her attention, again, to the woman in linen. "Honna, the Wise Council shall assist in the search in every way. Pass all relevant information to Kyna's staff as you interrogate my new plaything."
Hailey bristled at the word "plaything", but wasn't in a position to do more than scowl.
"Charis shall assist you in the questioning," the PardaUbar continued, then smiled at Hailey in an especially disturbing manner. "Let her evaluation and training begin immediately." In a swirl of black silk and brown curls, she spun on her heel and departed the way she had come. Her black-clad guards opened ranks to let her pass, then executed a smart about-turn and peeled away, pair-by-pair, to march in her wake.
The remaining women bowed, respectfully, then turned to talk.
"I'm off to Lone Peak," the airship captain announced, "with supplies for the garrison." She offered her hand to Kyna, who gripped it with a firm shake.
"Fair skies and following winds," Kyna said. "Thank you for the hospitality of your wardroom. The Air Armada may expect deployment orders very soon..." She turned to Honna. "...I hope."
"Half of the arch-transport system is still down," Honna said, shifting the folds of her robe as she spoke, "but analysis of the damage should allow us to narrow your search."
The Captain nodded to each in turn. "Polymath." Honna nodded in return. "Slave." Charis went down on one knee, then gracefully stood.
Slave? Hailey wondered.
The Captain released Kyna's hand, and bowed. "War-captain."
"Captain," Kyna nodded, and waved as the Captain turned and strode towards her ship. Hailey's handlers dropped her rope leads and followed.
"I'll be in the War Tower," Kyna announced, and strode away, following in the PardaUbar's wake.
"So, I'm to have two guests," Honna said.
"My first visit to the High Polymath's domain," Charis laughed, and the pair embraced and exchanged a polite kiss, mouth-to-mouth.
Hailey looked from Honna, the "Polymath", to Charis, the "slave". From her training, she surmised the "PelluciGorean" culture was hierarchical and stratified, but she knew she still had a lot to learn about her captors. She also realized that no one was holding her leads, and her legs were completely free; but the idea of "escape"—while bound, gagged, naked, and dragging two long lengths of rope from her collar—was ludicrous, at best.
"Duty awaits," Honna said, and the pair separated.
"One moment," Charis said, then did something Hailey considered very strange. The grinning slave opened her robe, and removed her long, black, silk loincloth.
Hailey's eyes popped wide above her gag. What she had taken for a metal waistband was actually part of what was unmistakably a chastity belt! The portion covering Charis' sex was sculpted to mimic and embrace the folds of her genitalia, and was set with tiny jewels, arranged along the shield's labial folds, to suggest glistening beads of moisture.
Hailey's amazed appreciation of Charis' belt was cut short when the slave stepped behind her and dropped the loincloth over her head! It covered her face, gag-harness and all. The black silk was pulled taut, then two narrow folds were stretched, one from either side, to press against her upper face from the bridge of her nose to her forehead. The single layer over her gagged mouth and nostrils did little to restrict her breathing, but the multiple layers over her eyes were a highly effective blindfold.
Hailey mewled through her gag. Her captors had retrieved the ropes dangling from her collar and were leading her away—but there was a distraction. A strong, exotic perfume was making her head swim. She realized it was from the loincloth swaddling her head, and whatever it was... it was making her sex tingle with every step! Despite her circumstances, her helplessness, her concern for her friends, and her anxiety about her own unknown fate—Hailey realized she was becoming... aroused!