Tweaking Cabinets, Hutches and Shelves ~ Part 2 Dining Room Hutch Side Table, TV Cabinet

Tweaking Cabinets, Hutches and Shelves ~ Part 2 Dining Room Hutch Side Table, TV Cabinet


In my last post, I shared how I gathered all my Rose Chintz by Johnson Brothers China andplaced it all together so I could gaze upon it daily.That of course, lead me to redo my Hutch in theDining Room, Side Table and Cabinet Shelves that surround our BIG Ugly TV. Would you like to see the results?Now here is Part 2...

MyHutch resides in my very Royal BlueDining Room...which is VERY hard to picturedue tomy chandy that I have added single cups, pearlsand floral too.
One of the first collections I started during thefirst years of my marriage over 27 years ago wastea cups and plates that were mainly English Bone China.

Of course, the main themed patterns are of Roses!Over the years I have gathered and been gifted with tea themed goodies that now reside mainly in this room.

For my 5th Anniversary my sweetie got me thebeautiful Silver Tea/Coffee Service that I am now displaying.A number of the silver pieces were either my grandma'sor found on my many treasure hunting expeditions.
OK, question, would you suggest painting my insidesof this hutch?I have seen so many do this out there in bloglandand on Pinterest.I debated doing this before I put everythingback up, but am not sure what color I woulduse...would LOVE to hear your ideas.
Above is the side sofa table that I brought into thisroom last year. I am now using it for moredisplay of my tea cup and milk glass collections
I LOVE eye candy and seeing my beloved collectionsall together now!
Onto the gorgeous cabinet that houses our ugly beast! lol

I know we do not usually show the ugly TV's we mustlive with. Yet, in order for you to appreciate my effortsI decided to share this. Now, this TV is on itslast legs...when it goes I plan to move the TV overour fireplace. Then I may repurpose this cabinet anduse it in our office...that needs a makeover!

I had used the shelving in these space before to housesome of the overflowing collections I have. As I sat looking at the TV for the past few weeksI knew it wasn't doing it for me...

While PINTEREST~ING, I came across somebeautiful vignettes and displays and knew I neededto update my look to reflect the styles ofdecor I am trying to achieve.
Most all of these items are things I have pickedup when I was thrifting or treasuring huntingor Shopped my home.Ihardly everpay full price for anything if I canfind it for cheap!
I soooo Love the thrill of the hunt and using thosebeloved things that speak to me. I honestly believethat if you buy what speaks to your heart, anduse it in your home...it becomes the truestform of who you are and in helping youcreate Your Home.Now, when I see these displays...they make me smile :~)!

Now my tweaking is done for a while...I hope I have inspired you to tweak yourshelving to reflect who you are!Be Blessed!

LINKING TO:Creative Home Garden HopInspiration MondayInspire Me TuesdayThe ScoopWOW Us Wednesday

state bird provisions

state bird provisions



ive heard a lot of buzz about a new restaurant in the city that has been named the best new restaurant in the country and one of the best restaurants in the entire world. so much buzz, in fact, that eating at state bird provisions in san francisco has made it all the way onto my life bucket list. it is impossible to get a reservation at this place. ive checked the website probably a hundred times, and there is always no availability. this sense of unattainability just makes the restaurant all that more alluring. state bird provisions recently closed for renovations, and reopened the week before kelseys birthday
(kelsey, my dear partner in foodie adventures, has also been super duper itching to try it). with the reopen came a pledge to reserve some tables for walk-ins. hallelujah! a perfect chance to experience an unreal meal in celebration of kelseys birthday! kelsey went to the restaurant at 4pm on the day before her birthday and waited on the street outside the front door for an hour and a half until it opened. she was the third in line and there were dozens behind her. i raced up from san jose to meet her, and did just in the nick of the time, at the chefs counter. and. lets just say it was definitely worth the hype.
the food is served dim-sum style – waiters come around with carts and trays with lots of different small plates to try – and we tried nearly one of everything. i wish i would have written down (and taken pictures of!) all of the incredible creations we sampled – everything from thai-style pork belly to buttery biscuits with duck liver spread to lobster salsa to steak tartar with potato chips to the crown jewel: fried quail (californias state bird) with provisions. we were just dying over everything the whole time. it was neat to sit at the bar and watch the chefs, and the atmosphere matched the edibles in just sheer coolness. i daresay it was the best meal experience of my life to date! we finished off the night with an amazing dessert and a shot each of the restaurants celebrated world peace peanut milk. it was like golden heaven in a lil baby glass. holy yum. deeelicious check off on the bucket list.

Orange Crush Security - October 5, 2013

Orange Crush Security - October 5, 2013


Since the penitentiary was taken off lockdown, there has been a great increase in security during movement lines. Additional guards were hired and the SORT is positioned along walkways, outside the chow hall, and other places. Dressed in full tactical gear, they are conducting pat downs and strip searches but their presence is mainly to respond to any fight or disturbance. When prisoners on an upper gallery in my cell house refused to leave the chow hall, the Orange Crush quickly assembled in the inner chamber. However, the warden diffused the situation and inmates went back to their cells without incident. Since then, everyone in the quarter unit has been fed in their cells and this is just fine with me. Had I any food in my cell, I would not have gone out for any meals at all. After I was given a flu shot, I became sick with a cold and regardless I preferred "room service" to avoid the loud crowds in the chow hall. Avoiding the harassment of the SORT was an extra bonus. Although most of the guards acted professionally and a few were even friendly, their presence in itself was oppressive and unnecessary.

On the first day C House was off lockdown, I was stunned to see all the extra manpower when I stepped out of the building to go to chow. The movement team had been quadrupled and there were groups of Orange Crush along the walkway. Never during my incarceration has the SORT been used in this manner. In their bright orange jumpsuits, black body armor, helmets and boots, they held batons in their hands to beat any man or group of men who did not behave. The chow lines were stopped repeatedly to reconfigure them in tight formation. On the other side of the general population building, prisoners were randomly frisked. The chow lines were supervised by the major, warden, and the assistant warden of security. Due to all the additional security measures, it took over 2 hours for C House to be fed lunch.

This week, manpower on the movement team has remained heavy and they have been accompanied by small groups of guards in tactical gear. A group of 4 may stand on the walkway parallel to the quarter units building, on the segway leading into the chow hall or just outside it in the tunnel. Their cans of mace and billy clubs are holstered. Generally, they have been acting as extra security, however, they will sometimes assist other guards in patting down inmates. Occasionally, I have seen them pull men out of line in the tunnel to be strip searched. Although I have not had to undress, a few times I was frisked. The Orange Crush can be very thorough when they pat down and one guard noticed I had a packet of ketchup in my pocket. He asked me what it was and after I told him he let me go back in line.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to miss too many meals. Other than peanut butter, I do not have any food in my cell. Prisoners in C House have not shopped at the prison store for over 2 months. On Monday, many men were angry and shouted from their cells that commissary lines be run. Every Monday, half of the quarter unit is supposed to be permitted to shop according to a warden memorandum. However, the last week is designated as inventory. Commissary staff and prison workers need a few days to make an account of what is left, what needs to be ordered, and how much has been stolen or been thrown out because of food going past expiration dates. Due to the lockdown, prisoners thought there was no need to do inventory on the last day of the month. Inventory could have been done any time earlier in September. Despite the noise and complaints of prisoners, they were ignored.

I thought there was a possibility of some incident occurring. Prisoners with no hope of parole being fed slop regularly can lead to trouble even in the "old man's house" which many people nick-named quarter unit C. However, the only disturbance in the penitentiary Monday was on a segregation yard. Apparently, men began fighting and were not dissuaded by a couple of rifle shots. The brawl was not broken up until guards ran to the scene. A rumor circulated that the fight was a diversion so inmates on another Seg yard could unravel metal off a cyclone fence. There are clasps and short pieces of fencing used to hold the fence to its steel supports. The latter can be unwound and made into classic ice pick like stabbing weapons. Security is continuously scrutinizing fences and has even painted all the connections blue to make them more visible.

On a number of occasions, I have overheard prisoners expressing a great amount of animosity toward the groups of Orange Crush. Much of this is due to the fact the bright orange jumpsuits have come to symbolize brutality, oppression, and large scale theft. The Orange Crush is notorious through the IDOC's 50,000 prisoners, although mainly in maximum and medium security prisons. I do not believe the SORT is used much if at all at places like East Moline or Vienna. The weapons the Orange Crush have on their belts are also a source of anger. No one wants to be under the continuous threat of being beaten with a bat or maced. Many prisoners I know thought about taking these weapons and using them against their captors. Scenes from the horror movie "Silence of the Lambs," when Hannibal Lector beat to death one of his guards, came to mind.

A man next to me in line mentioned how easy it would be to disarm a guard and break a knee cap, strike the throat, or crack their skull after pulling off their helmet. I also did not like the display of force, but I tried to look at the guards individually and not as a group. I knew and got along with some of these guards when they were not in orange jumpsuits. The fact they had changed clothing and carried a club should not change this. To lighten the tension, I joked with one man who usually works in the cell house when I came out for dinner. I asked him if it was not a bit early to be dressed like the Great Pumpkin and then what he had in his man-purse. My cellmate who was walking behind me chimed in asking if his mother packed his lunch. The bag he was carrying was actually to carry a gas mask. How these guards are to be able to fit themselves with a gas mask quickly, and be able to respond, is unknown to me. However, much of their gear is unnecessary as is the excessive security.

From what I am told, guards get an extra $15 per shift to wear the tactical gear. I do not know if it is optional or if they are told to dress in the orange jumpsuit at roll call. I speculate going through tactical training is optional, but they have no choice after they are a part of the SORT what their assignment may be. I saw a little woman in one of the groups of Orange Crush and thought I would prefer to give her $15 so she would not be putting herself in harm's way. I do not like to see women working at Stateville let alone as one of the administration's goons. Some women who work in corrections are manly or unattractive and this does not bother me as much. However, the prettier and more lady-like a woman, the more I find it disagreeable. Is there not some other job they can find? Is there not some manthey can marry to take care of them?

Tuesday evening, the entire cell house was given flu shots. Six to ten men were let out at a time to come downstairs to the sergeant's office where two nurses were. It took almost the entire 2nd shift to inoculate about 300 men, although some people elected not to get a shot. I was eating a peanut butter sandwich at the time a guard unlocked my cell door. I took a mug of water with me and the guard said something indiscernible. It sounded like she said I could not bring the water with me. I asked her to repeat herself and was annoyed that was indeed what she had said. Why cannot I bring a cup of water with me so I do not choke on this peanut butter? Was it some security risk? What can I do with water? Later while waiting in line, I watched the female guard. I think she was just being moody. It may be stressful for some women to work here, particularly those who are new hires.

The nurses in an adjoining room to the sergeant's office were women I know. I was somewhat playful but as my cellmate would say "a smart ass". For my attitude, the Polish nurse stuck me hard with the needle. I did not flinch or show any discomfort. She was not going to get any satisfaction from me. The following night, however, she asked me how my arm was. After she left, my cellmate said I had mastered the art of the "flirt-dis" which apparently is being flirtatious while at the same time being disparaging. He thought the nurse was just responding in kind. Sometimes, I am unaware how I come across and am not cognizant of other people's emotions. However, I can also be intentionally provoking.

Wednesday, I had to wait an hour in the cell house holding cage before I was escorted to my visit. The reason for the delay was feed lines were being run very slowly. It was surprising lunch was being served so late and I asked a guard about the matter. He said D and E Houses were let off lockdown and the latter quarter unit was being fed one gallery at a time. The extra security precautions being taken for C House were absurd, but to only allow one gallery of men in the chow hall at one time was even more ridiculous. Even if E House had the most violent prisoners and a few of them had fought with guards early last month, there was no need to drag out feed lines. Administrators were going overboard.

The guard escorting prisoners to visits and other destinations was new. She had just been hired a few weeks prior while the prison was on lockdown. It was amusing that she did not know where anything was or how to use the radio to gain clearance or notify a cell house that men were returning to their unit. On the way back to the quarter units she became mad that some inmates walked passed her and did not want to wait. I did not like seeing her frustrated and gave her some advice while trying to be sensitive to her feelings which can be difficult for me. When I finally returned to the cell, I mentioned the new guard as well as others I had seen to my cellmate. He was not surprised and asked me if I did not notice them when they toured the unit. No, I had not noticed, however, the last thing Stateville needs is even more manpower. Incredible how the IDOC squanders money and lawmakers continue to give it to them with the state teetering on bankruptcy.

Also when I returned to the cell, my cellmate spoke about how 8 gallery refused to leave the chow hall. It was passive resistance, but from what I was told a small army of guards, many dressed in tactical gear, rushed in the building. They were ready to storm the dining room with mace grenades and then busting men's skulls with batons. All the prisoners wanted was to shop, however, and the warden spoke to some of them and cooler heads prevailed. Everyone returned to their cells without any violence. Either this Monday or the next, 8 gallery will be allowed to buy commissary. To avoid any more disruptions, though, the gallery was placed on lockdown and the rest of the cell house has been fed in their cells until today. While writing this post, prisoners have gone out and returned. Rather than the tamales served I will eat a couple more peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. I care less for the obnoxious loud convicts I must be in line and eat with. I care even less to be under the threat of force or harassment of the Orange Crush.

Since Wednesday, I have stayed in my cell. I am happier when left alone. Furthermore, I developed a cold after the nurse stabbed me with the hypodermic needle and have not felt like going out even to attend yard. Thursday afternoon everyone except 8 gallery was permitted recreation time. I do not know if it is punishment or to prevent the men from refusing yet again to leave.In any event, I do not feel well and have a sore throat along with other cold symptoms. I tend to believe I am fighting off this germ when by body's immune system has been stressed with the flu virus. The strain was dead, of course, but it still causes T-cells to respond. Now they are juggling two threats: one real and one imaginary.

Along with the extra security during movement lines, there is a continued effort to split up or shuffle men considered to be in "security threat groups". A number of moves were made in the cell house where men were swapped with men in other quarter units. Even if the number of gang members stays the same, shuffling them purportedly takes away their unity. Unity within convicts is something the administration seeks to weaken. The overwhelming use of force is only part of their strategy to keep a tight stranglehold on the prison.

I noticed this week that all guards as well as staff have been given new radios. These radios have more bells and whistles than the former ones. They also have the convenience of being able to speak into a separate handset which can be clipped on the collar or epaulet of a shirt. The IDOC probably spent a lot of money exchanging the old radios for the new. The new hires were even more expensive, although they do not have all the pension benefits as the older employees. The Orange Crush groups are most likely manageable if they are only paid an extra $15 per shift. However, again, I am struck by all the money spent on security which is unnecessary while prisoners continue to lack essentials such as medical care, clothing, and decent food. Yesterday, used jackets were passed out to men to save a few bucks. The jacket I received was ripped down the front and I had to have a prison worker exchange it. This jacket has no tears but the zipper does not work well.

I took a break from writing to call home. I caught my father in the middle of having some furniture and other belongingspacked into a POD which will be picked up on Monday. He is fed up with living in Illinois and is leaving to another state. I will rarely ever see him now, however, I do not blame him for leaving. If I could, I would leave this state as well. Unfortunately I am trapped in the IDOC. I can only assume things will become progressively more oppressive even if the Orange Crush on the walks is only temporary.

Made it All Up

Made it All Up


SPEC SCRIPT FOR MIKE 'N' ZANE: A TEEN SITUATION COMEDY


CAST
ZANE THE ZANY TEEN W/ QUESTIONABLE PARENT SITUATION
MIKE THE WELL-CENTERED TEEN
TIM DUNCAN

TIM (wearing Spurs jersey)
What do you mean, Zane? What are you trying to tell me?

ZANE
I made it all up, Tim.

TIM
Made it all up?

ZANE
I made it all up, Tim. I lied. There is no parade in your honor. The townspeople are not holding a Tim Duncan Day. I made it all up, Tim. I'm sorry. I just have, you know, a questionable parent situation, and I look up to you, and all that, Tim. And I lied. I was wrong, Tim. I was real stupid. I lied, Tim. And it was wrong. I made it all up, Tim. Made it all up. I'm... I'm so sorry, Tim.

studio audience feels sympathy

MIKE
You sure can tell a whopper, Zane!

ZANE
So how 'bout it, Tim? Can you forgive me? Can you even forgive me? I'm really sorry, Tim, I really am. You're my favorite player and I've always looked up to you.

TIM (suddenly wearing a robe and wizard cap atop Spurs jersey)
No, Zane. I can never forgive you. Leave my sight.

MIKE
This is my house, Tim. You'll have to leave. I'm sorry, too.

TIM
Oh. I'm disappointed, Mike.

TIM leaves


TWO DAYS LATER

MIKE
Tim, you're still in the suburban town!

TIM (still wearing robe and wizard cap atop Spurs jersey)
Well, since there isn't any parade, I decided I would at least enjoy your local eating establishments!

MIKE
You're so awkward, Tim!

TIM
No. Quesadillas without cheese are awkward! Heh.

MIKE
Gee, Tim. Zane is sure a wreck.

TIM (adjusting his cap and putting his hands on his hips)
Of course he is. Lying destroys a man's soul. Heh. You think I wanted to make him feel bad?

MIKE
Well, I think it's mostly because you rejected him.

TIM
Look, Mike, Zane is a good kid. We both know that. I'm glad I met you both. But he lied. What happens if he tells a "good kid" lie that destroys his family or really hurts someone that is depending on him? "Good kid" lies are really just as evil as "bad kid" lies. He has to understand that, like, really grasp it.

MIKE
But it's killing him, Tim! How can you be so heartless? Gee, Tim!

TIM
I know I'm a harsh master... (he adjusts his cap)... but the world is a harsh dungeon. You can't always roll 20, Mike. Sometimes you roll 1. And when you lie, you don't just roll a 1. You throw away the die in the first place. Tell the truth and you gain an extra roll. Critical hit. You'll always be there but when he lies one of these times his crazy schemes are going to do you in one day, and you're never going to trust him, no matter how much you like him, Mike. That's why I said that.

MIKE
Tim, you have to know something.

TIM
What is it, Mike?

MIKE
Zane... made it all up about making it all up.

TIM
You... you mean there's going to be a parade?

MIKE
No, Tim. It's... Zane made it all up about making it all up, but I made it all up about the parade. He was making it all up because he didn't want you to think I made it all up. See, Tim. You're my hero, not Zane's. Zane can't tell a back-cut from a basketball. I just wanted you to like me. I came up with all these lies and by the time Zane caught wind of my lies, it was all too late. We figured if we said that he made it all up, we could still meet you and it wouldn't be my fault.

TIM (aside to audience)
The deception is illimitable. Heh. How do these kids come up with these lies?

MIKE
So I made it all up, Tim. Not Zane, me. And I'm sorry.

TIM
I'm sorry too, Mike. I'm sorry too.

TIM leaves MIKE standing there, with a sad expression. Crowd awww's


2 DAYS LATER AIRPORT

TIM (in a Spurs jersey atop a robe and wizard hat)
I guess this is good-bye, Bridgeport.

AIRPORT WORKER
Airplane for San Antonio leaving in 5 minutes.

TIM
That's mine! I'm on the Spurs! Better board.

ZANE
Wait, Tim! Don't get on!

TIM
Zane! Glad to meet you here again!

ZANE
There's something I need to tell you.

TIM
Yeah, Mike told me. You made it all up about making it all up. I appreciate your sacrifice, and I totally get it. I'm sorry for being so harsh on you. And I'm sorry you had to embarrass yourself on Mike's behalf. Really, you're both good kids. It's just... I have to go back to San Antonio. I can't handle all the damn LIES you guys peddle. You need to learn to tell the truth.

ZANE
Well, yeah, but Tim, that was all a lie. We made it all up!

TIM
No, Zane, I'm done with the lies. I'm sorry.

AIRPORT WORKER
Tim Duncan, is it?

TIM
Yes.

ZANE
NOOOOOO, Tim. You don't understand. COME BACK.

TIM
Nice meeting you both! Heh.


CUT to TIM in the airplane

TIM
What an adventure.It's a good thing they had an international airport right there in Bridgeport at least.

PILOT (over PA)
We're at 5,000 feet now. If you'll look to your left you'll see a giant parade. It's Tim Duncan Day in Bridgeport, and they even have a corn maze in the shape of Tim Duncan's face! What a resourceful community.

TIM
They made it all up! Damn it! It was all a ruse! The parade was real! Tim Duncan Day was real!


ON THE GROUND

MIKE'S DAD
Where's Tim, Mike and Zane? You said you could get him! You said you'd have him!

ZANE
I tried to get him, but he didn't believe me!

MIKE
When the mayor told us it wasn't going to happen, we believed him! We lied to our hero to save face, dad! Why didn't you tell us it was back on?

MAYOR
What seems to be the trouble, Mike and Zane?

MIKE
You told us Tim Duncan Day was cancelled!

ZANE
Yeah, we lied to his face and told him we'd made it all up! Just because we wanted to save the community from disrepute!

MAYOR
Oh, kids. Ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Heh. Heh heh heh heh. Heh. You poor, pathetic fools.

MIKE ZANE
What?

MAYOR
I MADE IT ALL UP! Don't you see, Mike and Zane? This place wouldn't even exist if I hadn't made it all up! THINK ABOUT IT!


ELABORATE MONTAGE ENSUES, showing the founding of the town in 1992 as a rounding error in a charter, the fraudulent mailers sent to convince gullible people to move their families (including MIKE'S DAD) to "Bridgeport", the maps showing "Bridgeport" only through elaborate hacks into databases and break-ins into libraries. The whole town is a fiction. And the MAYOR is always wearing that same vest/tuxedo-t-shirt/sunglasses combo that he wears today.

MAYOR takes off his tuxedo-t-shirt, then his vest, then his sunglasses. He is TIM DUNCAN

TIM (wearing robe atop Spurs jersey)
Yes, it was me all along, Mike and Zane. You never suspected that, did you?

MIKE
I sure didn't!

ZANE
Caught me way off guard.

TIM (smirking evilly)
Then I win. (TIM regains composure at this point) Let's cut to the chase. There's a parade in my honor, and we're going to celebrate like we've never celebrated before. All of you are people that I've brought into the fold of one of my more elaborate ruses, and yet, you're good kids, Mike and Zane, and you dealt with my treachery the best you could: with more treachery. Have some cake and champagne and honor your so-called "hero", kids. You're worse than idiots, and your only purpose to me is to further deceive you! And just remember - as you eat every bite - how it kills a man's soul to lie! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

MIKE and ZANE throw up in some nearby bushes. The studio audience is shocked

TIM
It's killing me, really. I wish I could stop the lies.

MIKE'S DAD
Then why don't you, Tim? Why don't you?

TIM
It's who I am, Dave. It's who I am, and it's how I've gotten this far.

DAVE
Maybe it's time to change.

TIM
You know? You're right. (calls town to attention again) Alright. Mike, Zane. I'm sorry. I made it all up. I don't know if you can forgive me, but lying does destroy a man's soul and it's time for me to stop lying. I'm disbanding the town. I'm ending the show, I'm giving you all places to live. it's over for Bridgeport, the town built on a lie. I made it all up, but I'm coming clean now, and that's what matters.

TOWN
(stunned silence)

TIM
Also, obviously, when the town is disbanded... I will NOT be stepping down as mayor. I feel this goes without saying.

TOWN
(stunned silence)

TIM (his robe and Spurs jersey have switched places during a cut-away)
(stunned silence)


NEARBY A PLANE LANDS IN THE CONVENIENT INTERNAT'L AIRPORT. EVERYONE IN TOWN WAITS FOR FIVE MINUTES AS THE PERFECT STORM OF DECEPTION WASHES OVER THEM

A LIMO COMES BY.

TIM DUNCAN STEPS OUT


TIM (hurriedly)
Hey, I'm sorry I didn't believe you, Zane! I saw the parade on my way out of town! I immediately got a flight back to- Wait, Mayor? Why are you wearing my jersey and the robe and wizard hat?

MAYOR (now clearly only 6'5'' with only passing resemblances to the greatest power forward of all time)
Tim, I have something to tell you.

TIM
What?

MAYOR
I hope you can forgive me, Tim, for this.

TIM
Yeah, what about, Mayor?

MAYOR
I made it all up, Tim. I made up an elaborate story about your seemingly magical, Moriarty-esque qualities. I said I was you and that I'd founded the whole town on an elaborate lie. They believed every word of it, until you came back.

TIM
What is UP with this town?

MAYOR
The truth is, you're my hero, Tim. And so I made it all up. Because I didn't want them to think I'd let you leave for your own parade because of bad planning and delegation. See, the truth is, I made it all up about being mayor. The town is a fiction I constructed from a mail-order scam. But I'm not the mayor. The truth is, there is no mayor. I made it all up, Tim. I hope you can forgive me. Now, without further ado, let's hold a parade!

TIM
I can buy it. Let's have ourselves a parade then, because I'm not really sure what to believe.


TWO HOURS INTO THE PARADE

The walls collapse and the sky falls. TIM is the only human left standing. The others fall over like playing cards.


TIM
Mike, Zane, Mayor! Where did you go?

What is left is an elaborate simulation chamber.

TIM
Damn it.

FUTURE CITIZENS OF EARTH FIVE, 2800 CE, IN A PERFECTLY BALANCED, TELEPATHIC MESSAGE CONTAINING THIS METADATA AND CONVEYING IT TO TIM AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING WORDS
I am Mike and I am Zane. I am all that ever were. Tim. I am you and I am me. I am everything that was.

TIM
Okay.

FUTURE CITIZENS OF EARTH FIVE, 2800 CE, IN A PERFECTLY BALANCED, TELEPATHIC MESSAGE CONTAINING THIS METADATA AND CONVEYING IT TO TIM AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING WORDS
Which is why it pains us to admit something to you, Tim. And we hope you'll forgive us.

TIM
Shoot.

FUTURE CITIZENS OF EARTH FIVE, 2800 CE, IN A PERFECTLY BALANCED, TELEPATHIC MESSAGE CONTAINING THIS METADATA AND CONVEYING IT TO TIM AS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING WORDS
We made it all up, Tim. Everything. We just wanted you to like us, and we made it all up.

TIM
Alright, that's enough. We're done.


THE SIMULATION DISAPPEARS. TIM DUNCAN and KAWHI LEONARD are sitting around a table strewn with papers and booklets.

TIM
Kawhi, now that you've been playing for a few hours. I have to admit something to you.

KAWHI
...

TIM
I made it all up, Kawhi. This entire exercise wasn't any sort of rookie initiation. I just wanted to play DD with someone. Sorry, most of the Spurs find it pretty weird.

KAWHI
... So wait, you were the Mayor?

TIM
Yes, and Mike, and Zane, and the aliens, and the citizens of Earth Five. You were Tim Duncan.

KAWHI
...

TIM
But just in the game. You cannot be Tim Duncan in real life.

KAWHI
You're one weird motherf-, Tim.

TIM
Only I can be he. He is I. I am Tim. Also sometimes I was the one doing Tim Duncan's part. That was my favorite part of all.

KAWHI
Can I go now? Can I take off your jersey and these wizard accoutrements now?

TIM
If you wish, Kawhi.

KAWHI
I think I will, Tim. Great... great time as always. I'll see you at practice.

TIM
do you want to learn how to bank shot now

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012 Giveaway Oxford University Press

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012 Giveaway Oxford University Press


Amongst my favourite booksof 2011 have been 'Firelight' by Sophie Jordan and 'Stealing Phoenix' by Joss Stirling, both published by Oxford University Press.OUP have some very exciting books out next year and I'm extremely lucky to havea wonderful guest post by Jennie Younger, who'sPublicity Executive at Oxford University Press Childrens Books, to tell you all about them.



I love reading. I love childrens books. I love working in the wonderful world of childrens publishing. I think its fair to say that publicising books that I thoroughly enjoy reading has to be one of the best things about my job – its just so much fun.

With that in mind, when I was approached to write a guest blog post for A Dream of Books covering which Oxford University Press YA titles I was most looking forward to in 2012, my initial thought was something along the lines of . . . Yay!. Then I looked at just how many exciting YA titles we are publishing on our 2012 list, and the task suddenly became a bit more difficult. With over 15 YA titles publishing next year, I had to set myself some parameters – either that, or risk a never-ending blog post!

So, with the help of A Dream of Books, I scaled back and decided to look at our most hotly anticipated new YA titles for spring 2012 . . .

15 Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins, published on5 January 2012, £6.99.

15 days to change your life. 15 days to lose it all.

This debut novel by Dave Cousins is superb. Honest, compelling, and at times hilarious, it tells the story of fifteen-year-old Laurence Roach, and his single-handed attempt to keep his family together following the disappearance of his mum. Keith Gray is a fan, and so am I!

The dream of living a normal life is exactly that for Laurence. With his Dad dead, his Mum a depressed alcoholic, and his six-year-old brother believing that he is a dog (Scooby-Doo, to be exact), Laurence doesnt exactly have it easy.

When his mum suddenly disappears, Laurence is left without a head of the family, and the next fifteen days see him spinning an increasingly complicated web of lies. Calling his local radio station impersonating his dead father in an attempt to win an all-expenses-paid luxury holiday, dressing up as his mum in an elaborate act of deception – these are just a few of the things Laurence does to try to keep it all together!

After two weeks on their own, running out of food and money, and with suspicious adults closing in, Laurence finally discovers where his mum has been. And thats when the trouble really starts . . .



Mortal Chaos by Matt Dickinson, published on2 February 2012, £6.99.

Some will live. Many will die. All are connected.
A serious page turner. The short, sharp chapters flash between multiple characters all over the world, all involved in heart-stopping scenarios. It is impossible to find an appropriate moment to put this book down. Be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat and devour in one sitting.

The Butterfly Effect: the scientific theory that a single occurrence, no matter how small, can change the course of the universe forever. One beat of a butterflys wings is all it takes to set in motion a global chain of events that build to a nerve-jangling climax of mayhem and destruction.

Jamie and Will have bunked off school to go hunting; Kuni, an eighteen-year-old Japanese climber is approaching the summit of Mount Everest; Tina is piloting a troublesome flight from Heathrow to Moscow; Six-year-old Bakili is desperately guarding his familys crops from bloodthirsty baboons in Malawi; Shelton, an unhinged father in Washington DC, is hooked on revenge and building a bomb . . .



The Girl in the Mask by Marie-Louise Jensen, published on1 March 2012, £6.99.

Lady by day . . . Thief by night!

Lose yourself in an enchanting world of balls, masquerades and . . . highway robbery! This novel is pure escapism, and I challenge you not to wish for the gift of time travel in order to transport yourself back to Georgian Bath!

Fifteen-year-old Sophia is forced by her father to give up everything she loves, and move to Georgian Bath for the season in search of a suitable husband.

Trapped in the social whirl of balls and masquerades, Sophia feels suffocated. To escape the limitations of this mans world she so despises, at night Sophia swaps ball gowns for breeches and turns to highway robbery to get her revenge!

When one man begins to take a particular interest in her, Sophia must keep her distance, or risk unmasking her secret life . . .


Of course, this is but a snippet of the YA titles we have coming up next year, so do keep an eye out for many more to come!

To celebrate the upcoming releases of all these wonderful books, Jennie is very kindly offering the chance for one lucky person to win a prize pack consisting of copies of all of the titles featured above.This giveaway is only open to entrants within the UK at the request of the publisher and books can obviously only be postedas and when they're published. To enter just fill out the form below. Good luck!
Giveaway rules.
There will beone winner.
Open to entrants with UK addresses only. International entrants may enter, provided they have a UK address to send the books to.
Please fill out the form completely - including email address
You do not have to be a follower to enter but it's always appreciated
Deadline for entries will be on31st December2011
Winner(s) will be drawn by random.org
Winner(s) will be contacted via e-mail, and will be given 48 hours to response. Otherwise, a new winner will be drawn.
Any details will be deleted after use and will not be passed on to any third party.

Doesn't Walmart Have Enough to be Thankful For

Doesn't Walmart Have Enough to be Thankful For


By: Adam Obernauer
adam@ufcw1500.org
A lot has been happening in the world of Walmart leading up to this Thanksgiving, and for the corporate giants, it aint looking good. While Walmart CEO Mike Duke has announced that hes stepping down, waves of strikes leading up to Black Friday have been the strongest yet. In this past month alone, workers went on strike in Miami, Brooklyn Center, Tampa, Sacramento, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, and cities throughout Ohio. Walmart has been feeling the pressure and in an effort to correct the companys image, has tried to show the world that their employees are not telling the truth. They are the good guys that “care” about the community.

A Walmart in Ohio asked employeesto donate food to other employees "in need
In a failed effort to show how much they “care,” Walmart planned a Thanksgiving food drive for their own employees. The food drive came from the Canton, Ohio based Walmart and the irony became a media sensation. The story hit everywhere from the New York Times' comic strip mocking the company, to Stephen Colberts comedy skit, to high profile actors like Ashton Kutcher getting into media battles with the company.So what does Walmart need to do to try to create the illusion that its trying to help the community? This Thanksgiving, Walmart is set to donate over $1 million to food banks and local charities across New York State alone. With these recent efforts, Walmart is in line to be the most darkly ironic business in the world. Instead of raising the pay and benefits of their own workforce that cant afford to buy food on Thanksgiving, theyre more willing to throw large sums of money to Anti-Hunger groups in the name of “charity”.
Walmart has long established itself as the "worst of the worst" and is the epitome of corporate greed. From the sweatshops overseas, the fires in the Bangladesh factory killing thousands, to the bribery of the Mexican government, and the thousands of workers going out on strike demanding better pay, it leaves us to think, when is enough, enough? When will Walmart be held accountable for the destruction of local communities and the devastation in factories throughout the world? When will the irony be strong enough so people no longer accept Walmarts donations and pathetic attempts at being an accepted and respected business?
We think that the time should have come long ago and hope that this Thanksgiving, people give thanks to the workers in these stores that have to suffer day in and day out to continue to make the Waldens the richest family in the world.


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Believe Her

Believe Her

Don't think your abuser has forgotten about you just because he found someone to replace you. It doesn't matter if he is engaged, in a long term relationship with another woman or even remarried, he may still be a danger to you. If he has threatened to harm you in the past, if he has choked you, beaten you and threatened to kill you even once, he may murder you in the future! If a woman says she fears for her life, BELIEVE HER!Kimberly Lindsey feared for her life. She was taking steps to protect herself. It wasn't enough. I can't help but wonder how many people doubted her when she claimed she feared for her life? After all, his friends reported no unusual behavior by her murderer before or after Kimberly's decapitated body was found. How many times are we going to be "surprised" by a woman's murder at the hands of her former husband or boyfriend? We have to take seriously threats and menacing behavior.Check out Domestic Violence Crime Watch for a long, frightening list of domestic violence assaults and murders around the country.Visit H Maria Perry Photography