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Taken By The State

NZ’s own ‘taken generation’

Today we launch a powerful new video story by Newsroom investigations editor Melanie Reid into the attempted ‘uplift’ of a newborn baby from its mother at a maternity ward by the children’s agency Oranga Tamariki.

For the first time, the process involved in taking a baby from its mother is laid bare. The filming, carried out in the hospital room, shows the pressure a young Māori mother is subjected to as she tries to keep her seven-day-old baby.

The case, which Newsroom reported here and here, has iwi leaders calling for a new national approach to resolve the high incidence of Māori parents losing their babies through Oranga Tamariki applications to the Family Court.

All those spoken to by Newsroom accepted intervention could be needed in cases where clear risks arose to a child's safety - but they argue there is strong whānau support for the mother and child in this case and similar examples exist of Oranga Tamariki refusing to revise its decisions to take children.

Three Māori babies a week are being 'uplifted' from their mothers and of 283 babies taken into care last year, more than 70 percent were Māori or Pasifika.

Increasingly, those aware of the level of removals of Māori babies are discussing the term 'Stolen Generation', reflecting the systematic policy in Australia of taking indigenous children from their communities.

The documentary, which can be viewed above, contains detailed footage from inside the mother's hospital room as officials repeatedly attempt to persuade her to give up the child. At one point Oranga Tamariki officials arrived at night after her whānau had left her alone with her week-old baby in the room and did not relent until a 2am intervention by a tribal leader and police commander.

University of Auckland law professor Mark Henaghan details today for Newsroom it is doubtful the custody order used by Oranga Tamariki should have been granted in the first place, with the court not having heard from the baby's parents. He has serious concerns about the agency's affidavit evidence it put to the court.

Jean Te Huia, a midwife who fought to stop Oranga Tamariki taking this latest Māori child at Hawke's Bay Hospital last month, told Newsroom: "I believe Māori women in this country have a right to be frightened. I believe these women are racially profiled. They have a right to ask why this is happening to us."

In the Hawke's Bay case, concerted opposition by the baby's whānau, midwives, iwi leaders and the media attention resulted in Oranga Tamariki abandoning at least three attempts to take the baby from the mother in her maternity bed. Instead, she was allowed to go with her baby to a care facility while the matter was further discussed ahead of a new Family Court hearing next week.

While Oranga Tamariki had raised concerns over family violence and drug use among the mother and father's whānau in the past, the midwives and iwi say those concerns are either wrong or out of date as the whānau has taken direct action to address them.

The child's 17-year-old father was at the mother's bedside constantly through the standoff with the children's agency and iwi leader Des Ratima has revealed the father "accepts he has issues and is now being mentored" by Ratima and has accepted restricted access to the baby.

Reporter Melanie Reid said: "What I witnessed was a brutal and disturbing process. I don’t think any young mother should have been left in a hospital room at night on her own, without the support of whānau or midwives, while social workers and police try to take her baby.

"The baby was clearly not in any danger and I thought to myself, is this really New Zealand in 2019?"

Māori lawyer David Stone is preparing an application for an urgent hearing to the Waitangi Tribunal about the child removals.

He writes in this story on Newsroom today: "While we might know of the 'stolen generation' of the Australian aboriginal people, few of us know that 'God's Own' has its very own increasing population of people stolen and ripped away from their parents, grandparents and whānau.

"It is happening at such an alarmingly, ever-increasing rate that Māori mothers have just cause for concern."

The young mother, who cannot be identified due to the Family Court action, is still at the care facility. She told Reid: "During the night time uplift I was really scared. Oranga Tamariki told me I had five minutes to say goodbye to my baby and then they were going to take it.

"I hung onto my baby but I was worried they were going to hurt me and the baby."

*Made with the support of NZ On Air

Read more:

Health board member muzzled over uplift

An injustice we can no longer tolerate

Oranga Tamariki 'pleased to support mum'

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To Yaninka Segieda Salski, her father, Napoleon Segieda, was just like any other dad in Bromley.

Despite being older than most dads (61 when she was born) and being a former Polish army man, Yaninka was oblivious to his extraordinary past.

Napoleon, a special operations executive agent, was once recruited to go to Auschwitz to witness and report on the Nazi atrocities during the Second World War.

However, he never divulged this secret mission to his daughter, who said her father rarely spoke about the life he left behind in Europe.

"My dad was just my dad to me," Yaninka, now 50, told News Shopper.

Napoleon is described as an "unlikely spy" who grew up on a farm in Lisewo Kościelne – a Polish village.

A new book, The Volunteer, explores the life of Polish resistance hero Witold Pilecki, who recruited Napoleon for the dangerous Auschwitz mission.

Napoleon went to Auschwitz and couriered his findings back to the British Government.

He eventully settled in Bickley and lived there from the late 1950s until his death in 1991 aged 83.

"I was very lucky, and he was around a lot," Yaninka said.

News Shopper:

"We knew bits and bobs about him, but we never knew anything about Auschwitz."

Yaninka said she would Google her father’s name sometimes and one search a couple of years ago revealed more about his incredible life.

"It was a Sunday night and I just searched one more page and then one more page and then all this stuff came up about him in a Michael Flemming book," she said.

Soon after Jack Fairweather, author of The Volunteer, which has a chapter dedicated to Napoleon, got in touch.

"It was quite overwhelming," Yaninka said. "It was really amazing. At one point I was sitting there thinking my head is going to explode.

"When I read the book, it was like reading an action move, I was thinking 'oh my god that was my dad'."

News Shopper:

Napoleon’s brave Auschwitz mission is detailed in the book and it describes how Napoleon, who was once captured and underwent hunger strikes, used fake aliases to obtain information for the British Government.

Daughter Yaninka said she was proud of her father and said it remains "really weird" to think about his secret missions.

Remembering her dad, who died at home in 1983 after strokes, Yaninka said: "He was a very patient man and had time for me. I spent so much time with him, and he was very funny.

"We played lots of games and he would chase us around the park and cuddle me when I was home from school sick."

You can learn more about unsung heroes Napoleon and protagonist Witold Pilecki when The Volunteer is published on June 27.

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Naxals want Ghotul culture to vanish from tribal life

Bastar, Sat, 07 Nov 2009 ANI

Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Nov.7 (ANI): Ghotul has existed as an institution among Muria Gond tribals of Chhattisgarh in which children six years onwards learn to socialize and educate themselves about life skills while living together.

The unique system of Ghotul has played a vital role in the development of tribal culture over the years. It has played a significant role in developing awareness or imparting knowledge among members of Muria Gond tribals at early stage of their lives.

The institution promotes mutual understanding between male and female children. As at a tender age of six years boys and girls become entitled with its membership and social responsibilities.

The females are known as 'Motiyaris' whereas the male workers are known as 'Cheliks'.

Ghotul has existed as a symbol of tribals' deep rooted culture.

An interesting fact of Ghotul lies in the development of womenfolk here. Besides participating actively in decision-making process, women are assigned with the administrative task at the Ghotul.

Unlike other traditional societies the women are not bound to the hard and fast rule of spouse-selection, arranged marriage.

However, of late the Naxals have started targeting this unique system of learning and living together of the Muria Gond tribals.

Although the red ultras claim that their fight is for the betterment of the landless and poor, the reality seems to be different.

The Naxals want to enlist these youngsters to join their cadres instead of allowing them to learn and grow up according to their tradition.

The Naxals are now targeting the deep-rooted tribal tradition and culture. The latest example of their attempt to discourage young people from joining the 'Ghotul'.

"Their (Naxals) violence resulted in the closure of 'Ghotul'. The closure n of 'Ghotul' is a matter of concern," said Liken, former member of Ghotul.Basically, the Naxals want to close the institution of 'Ghotul' because they don't want an exchange of thoughts. Secondly they also want to put an end to the age old tribal tradition," said Jitender Singh Mina, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO).

The system of Ghotul imparts a sense of democracy early in life. In Ghotul, the students share a feeling of friendliness, sympathy and unity among the members.

"Long back when I was 10 or 12 years old, I used to go to 'Ghotul'. And if I didn't go to Ghotul any day, my mother would scold me a lot. It was through 'Ghotul' that I got to know about my tradition, dance, games, song and the method of farming," said Saita, a former member of Ghotul.

According to some anthropologists, the Ghotul is an ancient institution and some of them describe it as a living university. There are no books or test, yet it teaches one life's education. Students are teachers here, and teachers are students. It is truly a wonder.

Ghotul is normally located outside the village. A long time before the land grant universities were a norm in the western world, the Adivasis reserved empty tracts of land for educating the young.

The Ghotul building can be as small as a hut or as big as a meeting hall, depending on the village population and leadership. Some have plenty of lighting while others are built small in order to conserve heat. Where there are problem of wildlife attacks, the Ghotuls are built on a raised platform.

In Ghotuls, no distinction is made between love and sex. Everybody is free and behaves responsibly.

Children learn about love at an early age, by watching others. They imitate what they see. Mothers typically teach their daughters about the extent to which they can go at the Ghotuls.

In case of any problem, the Motiyari (girl) tells the elders and they collectively sort out the problem.

The students at the Ghotul consider it their duty to provide entertainment during festive ceremonies. They play music, sing songs and dance through out the night. By Sandeep Dwivedi (ANI)

Read More: Bastar

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Keeping It Real

There are many things that set the new musical “Passing Strange” apart from a traditional Broadway musical. Its coming-of-age story is told through rock-and-roll songs. Its co-creator, Stew, sits onstage throughout the show, narrating. The four-piece band is also in front of the audience—or sort of: its members are sunken into the stage, with just their heads and shoulders popping up, as if they were prairie dogs. And now its cast album is going to be different, too. The band and the cast will be recording it in front of a live audience, on Monday afternoon. There’ll be no costumes and no scenes from the production, just the music. Those who are interested in attending can learn how to do so by visiting the show’s Web site.—John Donohue

  • John Donohue, an artist based in Brooklyn, is the editor of the anthology “Man with a Pan: Culinary Adventures of Fathers Who Cook for Their Families.”

    Read more »

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Excerpts from Philosophers’ Breakup Letters Throughout History

For our entire relationship, I was absolutely and irrevocably miserable. I can see now that you used me purely as a means to an end. Don’t you know how that makes me feel? It is imperative that you reflect on the meaning of universal law, and stop doing that thing you did with your tongue. I hated that_.—Immanuel Kant_

What are we even doing anymore? With every passing day, you grow more isolated from your labor. We have not made love in over a month, even after I was cured of that rash, and was so certain that we would celebrate appropriately. I demand justice from this bourgeois hand-job hell they call “relationships_.”—Karl Marx_

Do you remember that day with the ducks? It was cold and rainy and the foreboding sky tried to seal our fate with each gust of wind. We hurried underneath the nearest awning, where we came upon a family of ducks nestled together, and I remember looking at you and thinking, “This can’t last long.” But what ever does? Listen to me when I say that just as a bee abandons its flower once pollination is complete, you too must move onward, or go under. One day soon you will meet a man, and he will rise like a phoenix from the ashes, and it is my greatest hope that he will not give you syphilis_.—Friedrich Nietzsche_

It pains me to admit it, but Socrates was right about you. You are incapable of thinking about anyone but yourself. When was the last time you even came to see me lecture at the Academy? I have been lost in a state of denial for long enough. Now I finally realize that your love is not true. Your beauty is transcendent, yes, but painfully abstract. Leave me to grapple with the material world. Be gone.—Plato

I drink, therefore I am . . . drunk. Ha ha! I thought this would be easier after my sixth glass of wine, but alas, it is still absolutely terrible. Oh, how my world grows smaller when I think of you not in it, and—no, you know what? Let me start over. Philosophy is like a tree, and it has all these branches that extend outward, but you’re like a shrub. Cute and small, but not well versed in rationalist thought. Do you get what I’m trying to say?—René Descartes

My dear little girl, I visited the Balzac exhibit the other day and immediately knew what had to be done. I am terribly in love with you, and yet I despise you. Try to understand: I think of you in those small, delicate moments, like when a squirrel hurries across the allée or a homeless man pleasures himself in the bushes of les Tuileries. It might be time that you find someone else who shares your interest in morally evolved threesomes_.—Jean-Paul Sartre_

J.P., you are an ass.—Simone de Beauvoir

I will proceed to break down our relationship into three stages. Our first stage is defined by aesthetics. I walked down one of my favorite crooked streets in Copenhagen, watched you step out of a carriage, and knew I must have you. The second stage of our existence is an ethical one. While I desired to lay my eyes on your hidden flesh, I recognized that you had recently revealed your body and soul to my good friend Hans, and knew he would be pissed if I tried anything. Our third and final stage is religious. I did not care much for Hans, and so I seduced you. However, we have both committed a tremendous sin, and thus we must end this immoral though titillating tryst immediately. God bless_.—Søren Kierkegaard_

Say goodbye to my John Cocke!—John Locke


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1st prize contemporary Maori painting at Auckland Art Competition

In 2005 I was honoured to be awarded with 1st prize at the Auckland East Arts Council Art Competition for my work "The Separation of Rangi and Papa."

The contemporary, minimalist work tells the Maori creationary story of the separation of the divine sky father and earth mother by their children who lived in Te Ao Pouri, the dark realm, between them.

This award was received in the same year as my painting Saffron Monk was awarded 1st prize at the 2005 Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award.

Posted by Sofia Minson Paintings | New Zealand Artwork

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The Official Site of the Tampa Bay Lightning

We are pleased to once again to offer you the opportunity to 'trade' a few games that you are unable to use throughout the 2018-19 season. Because of another strong STM renewal campaign, STM ticket trades will once again be very limited and will sell out fast, thank you Bolts Nation!

Please see below for a few important notes regarding the 2018-19 Ticket Trade program.

  • ONLINE VIA 'MY BOLTS NATION' - This season 'Ticket Trades' will be done exclusively online through your My Bolts Nation account. This transparent and 24 hour-a-day option will ensure that you always have the best opportunity to trade for seats, if any are available.
    • Ticket Trades will not be fulfilled via phone or email in 2018-19, they must be completed through your Bolts Nation account.
  • GAME DATES - As was the case last season, not all games will be available for trades this season. Before you make any trade official you will be able to view the potential games that you can trade into.
  • INVENTORY - Open seating that matches your price category may not be available for all 'tradeable' games. We expect several games to max out for Ticket Trade opportunities as well. Please make your trade decisions as far in advance as you can, doing so will increase your chances of being able to execute a desired trade. No additional trade seats will be made available.
  • NUMBER OF TRADES - Similar to last season, you will be able to trade a limited amount of games. Once you have hit the maximum allowed, your online option for trades will be disabled.
    • Full STM - Up to 8 Ticket Trades
    • Half STM - Up to 4 Ticket Trades
    • Ten Game STM - Up to 2 Ticket Trades

IMPORTANT: A trade is official when you have moved at least one (1) ticket to another game. This would count against your total trades available listed above.

  • UPGRADES - When you are completing your trade, you do have the option to select from upgraded seats. If you elect to upgrade, you can simply pay the difference when you complete the trade. Note: you are not able to use account credit or funds from the sale of other games for upgrades, it must be paid with a credit card at the time of completing the trade. Our office is unable to accept payment for ticket trade upgrades as well.
  • ACCESS TO YOUR NEW TICKETS - Your new seats will be available in your My Bolts Nation account as soon as you complete the trade. You will be able to forward them immediately.
    • Please note: Your STM card barcodes will not work for games you trade into, please access trade games via the Amalie Arena app for mobile entry.


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NHL Betting Tips For Tuesday, March 5

Jon and Derek

And we’re back after a brief hiatus 🙂

We’ll elaborate more on Thursday about what’s been happening with the site and what our plans are moving forward.

But for now, we just wanted to get things moving again with a breakdown of the Penguins/Panthers game and other thoughts and opinions for tonight.

Odds below are at the time we made the pick. Be sure to check out our live odds page for updated odds on today’s games.

Panthers Logo VS Pick Penguins Logo
Game: Panthers @ Penguins Pick
Time: 7:00PM ET
Pick: Penguins -1.5 +148

It’s been a disappointing season in Pittsburgh, especially by the Pens’ lofty standards. But now that the Penguins are in danger of missing the playoffs entirely, the black and gold seem to be hitting their stride.

Pittsburgh comes into action tonight on a four-game point streak (2-0-2) and with just two regulation time losses in its last 10 (6-2-2). The offense has been firing on all cylinders, potting 16 goals in its last four games and at least 3 goals in 9 of its last 10. Pittsburgh’s coming off a four-game road trip here which isn’t usually an ideal spot to back the home team, but the entire trip was in the eastern time zone, Pittsburgh’s had two days to settle back into home after Saturday’s win in Montreal, and the Penguins can’t afford to bring anything less than full focus to the rink every night right now.

While the Penguins make their playoff push, postseason hopes are slipping away from the Panthers (as usual). Even though the Panthers had a five-game point streak snapped Sunday against Ottawa, the loss to the lowly Sens was Florida’s fourth straight defeat. Worse yet, the Cats have had little time to lick their wounds, playing their third in four nights, fourth in six and sixth in nine tonight. In fact, Florida hasn’t had more than one day off between games since Valentine’s Day.

If there’s one thing the Panthers are doing right these days, it’s scoring goals. They’ve potted at least 3 goals in 9 of their last 10 games (eight times in regulation), and they may find the net a few times tonight against the Pens as well. That actually sets things up well for a play on the Penguins Team Total Over 3.5, since the more goals Florida scores, the more Pittsburgh will need to win the game. We’re hesitant to bet the full game Over here out of concern for how much energy Florida will bring to the table tonight in a fatigue spot, but we’re interested in backing the Penguins one way or another.

The ideal way was to bet the Pens Team Total Over 3.5, but the current -143 price at Pinnacle is hardly a bargain on that. Another option is the Penguins in regulation time (Pittsburgh -0.5 is a more stomachable -117), but the route we’ve decided to go here is laying the -1.5 with Pittsburgh at +148. If the Pens do score four goals and get the job done in regulation time, it also seems pretty likely that they’ll win by margin. 23 of Pittsburgh’s 34 wins have come by 2 goals or more, and 17 of them have been by 3+ goals. The Panthers don’t often get blown out (21 of their 37 losses have been by one goal, including 11 defeats in OT or a shootout), but the fatigue spot and overall mindset of this team make it worth a shot that they do tonight.

Other thoughts and opinions for tonight:

• We’re probably going to pull the trigger on the Minnesota Wild +0.5 in regulation time tonight (-102 at Pinnacle). Nashville gutted out a 3-2 shootout win over the Wild Sunday in Minnesota, but there’s no way the Preds should be laying close to -200 to anyone given their recent form. They’ve scored 2 regulation time goals or less in 13 of their last 20, and it won’t be easy to break out against a Minny defense that has allowed just 17 reg time goals in its last eight.

• The total is high in Winnipeg/Tampa Bay, but the Over 7 at plus money (+125 at Bodog/Bovada and 5Dimes) is still pretty attractive. Winnipeg’s given up at least 3 goals in 8 of its last 9, and we all know what the Tampa Bay offense is capable of. But we think the Jets fight back with some offense of their own, and Tampa’s been a bit softer in its own zone over the last few games against weaker opponents. If you’re after an even bigger score, consider the Jets Team Total Over 3.5 (+131 at Pinnacle).

• Team Total Unders aren’t fun to bet, but the Blue Jackets TT Under 3.5 and Red Wings TT Under 2.5 are worth considering at close to even money. The Jackets are feeling the pressure after management decided to go for it at the deadline, scoring just seven regulation time goals in their last four, and New Jersey’s allowed two or less in three of its last four. Meanwhile, the Wings have lost seven straight and go into Colorado to face an Avs team that has allowed just six reg time goals in its last four home games. Detroit has scored just one goal in its last two meetings with the Avs combined, and just one goal in each of its last two trips to Denver.

Good luck!

Sign up below to get our daily NHL tips sent to your email the minute we post. That way, you will always get the best odds on each game…


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Premier Health Business™

What is it?

For peace of mind, Premier Health Business™ is our most comprehensive corporate health insurance that covers the big expenses such as surgical and medical hospital treatment.

Add your choice of options including Serious Condition Lump Sum Option, Specialist Option, Dental and Optical Option and GP Option.

Why is it worth it?

  • Base Cover for 100% of your hospital costs up to your annual limit
  • Up to $300,000 surgical cover per insured person per policy year
  • Up to $200,000 medical cover per insured person per policy year
  • Customise your cover with options such as Specialist, GP, Dental and Optical
  • Premier Health Business is part of our total workplace health and wellness solution healthHQ

What will I be insured for?

  • Extraction of wisdom teeth
  • Sinus and nasal surgeries
  • Skin lesion surgeries
  • Tonsils, adenoids and grommets
  • Appendix surgery
  • Cancer surgeries and treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy)
  • Breast surgeries
  • Skin lesion surgeries
  • Heart surgeries
  • Hip and knee surgeries
  • Non-surgical hospitalisation e.g. asthma

The above is a summary of some of the available benefits. Please refer to the Premier Health Business policy document below for more detail.

Find out more about Premier Health Business

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Klimatherapie am Strand, © Kulturverwaltung Wangerooge / Kees van Surksum
© Kulturverwaltung Wangerooge / Kees van Surksum

Thalasso spa treatments by the North Sea

The most precious ingredient of a Thalasso cure is seawater. Derived from the Greek word “thálassa”, meaning “sea”, Thalasso spa treatments use healing processes based on the power of the sea. On the North Sea coast, all healthy Thalasso ingredients are locally sourced. Cold or heated seawater, the sea breeze, sunshine, seaweed, chalk, mud and sand can be used in Thalasso treatments to alleviate, or even heal, medical conditions such as rheumatism or dermatological diseases. Thalasso is a tried-and-tested method of combating stress and also helps to improve the health of sufferers of sleep and metabolic disorders and heart disease.

Thalasso helps with the targeted treatment of diseases and enhances general well-being. Do you want to breathe easy again? The purity of the North Sea air and its increased moisture content – the so-called “aerosol” – have a positive effect on the respiratory system. There is more to Thalasso treatments than massages, saunas and bathing: exercise in the healthy bracing climate also plays a key role. This includes water aerobics or a long walk by the North Sea surf zone.

Knowledge garnered from the power of the sea is now increasingly being incorporated into cosmetics treatments and health and wellness vacations. As such, many wellness and Thalasso centres along the coast and on the East Frisian Islands offer specialised treatments for a relaxing break. In addition to hydrotherapy, seaweed and mud wraps and massages, guests can try special seawater showers or aerosol inhalations.

Do you want to give Thalasso a go? The European Audit Institute Wellness & Spa e.V. chose the North Sea coast in Lower Saxony as the first certified Thalasso region in Europe. Head to a Thalasso spa for the perfect break from day-to-day life. The healing power of the sea is a blessing for mind, body and soul and can be experienced in the following destinations in Lower Saxony:


text: Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2017 19:02:19 +0000 (UTC) From: Marc McClean Subject: And a Naked New Year This is an erotic story about man-to-man sexual activities.If you are offended by such material, too young to read it, or it is illegal whereyou are, stop here and find something that won't get you in trouble. Otherwise,please enjoy! And if you do, please drop me a note at mj_mclean2001@yahoo.comThanks! Like these stories? Of course you do! Please at Your donation will keep storieslike this one ... coming. And a Naked New Year By MJ Mclean Rain pelted my face as I dashed from the covered parkingstrip to the apartment building. Maybe dashed wasn't the word. Lurched was more like it. I carried two plastic bags full of groceries and a third with wine. Halfwayto the door, my backpack slipped off my shoulder and nearly sent me sprawlingto the wet ground. I staggered to the front door and let everything drop to theground while I dug the key out of my pocket. I shivered in my jacket. I hadmoved to San Diego six weeks earlier and had yet to bring all of my clothesdown from L.A. The weather had been unusually warm, so I hadn't bothered withmy heavier coats. I pushed the door open and reached in to switch on thelight. As I did, I saw a white envelope tumble from the doorjamb, where it hadbeen wedged. I shoved my backpack against the door to keep it from closing andreached for the envelope. Addressed to me, with a pink sticky note attached:"Sorry, they left this in my box. xoxo Nicole. Nicole was either the teacher two doors down or the manicuristupstairs. I had tried to meet the dozen or so people who lived in the smallcomplex, but I was still trying to match names and faces. I dragged my shopping bags and backpack into the apartmentand let the door close. I clicked a lamp on. Now I could see the front of theletter clearly. Aiden? Why would Aiden send me a letter? He would be here in anhour, driving down from L.A. after an audition for a TV show. I wished I hadtold him to bring warmer clothes. I ripped open the envelope. A Christmas card. Really? We hadexchanged gifts a week before at his apartment in Studio City. Why would hesend a card? For New Year's? I opened the card and scanned the note. It was remarkablyshort, given that it had been designed as a knife to my heart: Sean, You're probably driving back to San Diego as I write this.I'm a chickenshit for not telling you in person, while you were here, but allthe more reason you're better off without me. This just isn't going to work. Ineed to focus on my acting up here and you need to spend time at your new job.I know we thought we could make it work like this, but let's be honest witheach other, ok? I'm an asshole and you're a great guy and you deserve someonewho loves you. And hey, this will give you time to get a proper date forNew Year's Eve. Take care, Aiden P.S. Can you have your stuff out of the storage locker bythe end of the month? I'm not keeping it. I looked at the postmark on the envelope. He had mailed itDecember 26. Nicole had taken her sweet time delivering it. Had to be the oneupstairs. Fuck. I collapsed on the couch. I had been dumped in a lateChristmas card on New Year's Eve and all my stuff was probably going to belocked away tomorrow. Fuck. As I sat there, the automatic timer clicked and thelittle Christmas tree in the corner lit up. I found the bag with the wine and took the bottle to thekitchen. I left the groceries on the floor. No need to make dinner now. Iopened a bottle and swigged from it. I was waiting for the tears or thebreakdown, but I was just numb. I slid open the glass doors and and walked out under thecovered patio. The apartments were arranged in a rough triangle around a centercourtyard, with a small pool. I could see lights in a few of the other units. Someone was leaning over the balcony rail in one of the upstairs apartments. I looked up. It was Ash, one of the few residents of the complex I'd met and talked with. He was cute -- dark hair, dark eyes, tall, lean,glasses that gave him that sizzling geeky vibe. Fuck cute, he was hot. I feltmy hand start to ease into my briefs. My gaydar was inconclusive, which wasn't unusual because mygaydar sucked, but he had made a point of talking to me. Our schedules seemedsimilar and we'd chatted a few mornings and evenings, small talk. I hadn't flirted because of Aiden and he hadn't flirtedbecause, well, maybe he was straight. But if he was, what a waste. I had workedmyself up to a half-hardon when it struck me that he could probably see me. Ipulled my hand away and waved weakly. He may have waved back, but I couldn'ttell. He went back inside. Fuck. **** An hour later, I had emptied one bottle and was working onanother. I had called for pizza and was told the wait was longer than usual, soI told them to forget it. I ate a carton of leftover Chinese takeout.Fuckity-fuck. I flipped through Grindr again, stopping every now and thento say `hi' or `fuck off.' Jesus. How sad was this, cruising my iPhone for ahook-up on New Year's Eve. It was a pity party for one. I'd been texting friends inL.A. and every one of them told me I was better off and would happier now andif that was fucking true, why hadn't anyone said anything before now? I hadhalf a dozen invitations to drive up for parties, but I couldn't face thefreeways, couldn't face people, couldn't face the truth. My phone buzzed. Another message. I looked. This one wassupposedly within a mile, which meant it could be three or four, but that wasbetter than 80. He was cute, what I could see of him. His picture showed a barechest and a face, but his features were shadowed by a baseball cap. Smart. We chatted. Kinda funny, this guy, more than kinda hot. Hewas about my age, 23. He said his name was Chris. He was alone, wouldn't saywhy. He was a good flirter, was starting to turn me on. `what're you wearing?'he asked. `clothes,' I replied. `take off your pants,' he said. `why?' I asked.`cuz. take `em off. then show me.' I smiled. This was a roundabout way to a dick pic, but Iliked the banter, so I stood and peeled off my jeans. I snapped a picture andsent it to him. `nice undies,' he said. `i like a guy in briefs.' I asked him if he wanted to see more, readyto shuck the briefs. `no,' he said, `want the real thing.' I drained the second bottle of wine and stared at hispicture. I hadn't done anything like this in a long time. It felt like a sadcliché tonight and maybe not a good decision. What the fuck, I thought. It was better than sitting herealone. I gave him my address. `be naked when I get there,' hewrote. `want you to answer the door naked.' `why?' I typed. `cuz. be naked.' I tappeda repy. `only if you strip before you come in.' Pause. `deal. 20 minutes.' **** Forty minutes later, I felt more pathetic than ever. Iswigged from the third bottle of wine and checked my phone for the 19thtime. I paced the living room and the kitchen and paused in front of thesliding doors, watching the rain. I was in my briefs, figuring I'd lose those when he arrived.I shoved my hand down the front and played with my cock idly, wondering howlong before I could just fire up the porn on my latop and shoot a sad, NewYear's Eve load. Was this possible? I was going to be dumped twice in onenight and by a fucking Grindr hookup? A light went on across the courtyard andI watched shadows before realizing again that I was a framed picture of anearly naked guy. I pulled the drapes and latched the door. As I turned, I heard a tapping at the front door, not a loudknock, but a tap. Finally. "Coming!" I called. "Start stripping!" I pulled my briefsoff and fluffed my cock, stroking it until it looked at least half-mast. Istood still for a few moments, thinking through this one last time. Was this abad idea after all? Was I going to be the first murder victim of the new year?Maybe I should turn off the lights and hope he goes away. I felt my cock startto deflate. Wait. I was going to do this. I was horny and a little drunkand I'd just been dumped and, did I mention I was a little drunk? I stroked mycock again and imagined the hot naked guy waiting for me outside. I opened thefront door. "I'm ready, are you?" I said in my best purr, which wasn'tvery good, so I hoped the growing woody made up for it. Nothing. No one was there. What the fuck? I thought I sawmovement off to my left. "Hey, is that you? Come back, I'm here." I leaned out to get a better look and as I shifted, Islipped on the wet concrete and felt my feet slide out from under me. I fell tothe ground, my naked ass thwacking on the sidewalk. The front door slammed shut. **** I got to my feet. That was going to leave a bruise. Igrasped the doorknob and twisted it. Locked. Fuck a duck. The apartment complexwas proud of its security features, the spring-loaded doors and auto-lockknobs. And now my apartment was indeed secure. I wasn't. As I stood there, increasingly aware of my lack of clothes,I heard a car pull in and saw its headlights swing into a visitor's spot.Dammit. I hadn't stashed an extra key anywhere outside, so for now, my onlymove was into the shadows. My car. I was pretty sure I hadn't locked it as I tried tobalance the bags. I dashed through the rain and slid into the front seat,slamming the door as I saw a figure climbing out of the car in the visitor'sspot. A man, in a hoodie and sweatpants. And he was knocking at my door. It wasChris, my Grindr hook-up. I ran through my options. I could sit quietly in the car,wait for him to go and then -- what? I had no cell phone, no car keys, knewpractically no one in the complex. I could hole up in the car and wait for themail carrier, who wouldn't be here tomorrow because it was a holiday. Or I could get out and approach Chris and tell him I was hisfuck for the night, but I couldn't host anymore and could he and could I staythere until I figured out how to reach the manager to get a spare key. As I considered the consequences of each option, `Chris'made the decision for me. He banged on the door in what looked like frustrationand returned to his car. He peeled away, clearly pissed because his hook-up hadflaked. Scratch that option. And scratch hiding in the car. All thewine I'd imbibed had finished its short stay with me and was looking for a wayout. I needed to pee, bad. I looked in the backseat. Score! My jeans jacket wason the seat where I'd tossed it the other day. New plan. I opened the car door, hoping no one picked thatmoment to walk by, dragged the jacked out and tied it around my waist. Itcovered up the important parts, leaving my ass exposed like a hospital gown. I hoped Ash hadn't gone anywhere because we were about tobecome friends. I trotted around the side of the building and climbed thestairs to the second floor. I walked past doors, trying to orient myself withmy apartment. Shit. Which one is his? I reached the most likely door. A wreathhung below the numbers. Ash seemed like a wreathy kind of guy. Didn't he? I hesitated, wondering how long I could hold in the pee. Notlong, I decided. I knocked. No one came. I knocked again. Panic built as Ipictured myself peeing out by the trash bins. The door opened. It was Ash. Helooked at me in growing shock. "Hi, Ash, um, I know this looks really bad and I know wedon't know each other well, but I'm in a real jam and I need some help and Ihope you won't freak out because I'm only wearing a jeans jacket and it's lateand all, but I'm locked out of my placed and I need to pee so bad and ..." Ash stood there as if I were speaking gibberish -- and Iguess I sort of was -- and finally backed away. I was afraid he was going toshut the door, but instead, he moved aside and let me in. "Bathroom's down the hall and, well, you know where it is.These places are all the same. Go ahead." I raced to the guest bathroom and relieved myself. I washedmy hands, noticing a few scrapes from my fall. I stared in the mirror. God, Ilooked like hell. What was I going to do now? Happy fucking new year to me. I saw a robe hanging on the back of the door. It was a man'srobe, kind of plain. I reached for it. I'd have it cleaned for him. I wrappedmyself in it and draped the jacket on my arm. I found Ash in the living room,perched on the sofa. "Um, you don't know how embarrassed I am," I began. "AndI'll have the robe cleaned, but I figured it was better than the jeans jacket.I'm Sean, by the way. I live across the courtyard." I winced at how lame Isounded. "I remember. We've chatted a few times," Ash said. "You'repretty new here, right? Down in front?" "Yeah, that's me," I said. "I'd like to explain all this,but anything I saw will probably scare you even more." I sat on a chair and putmy hands in my face, trying not to let my emotions surface. "I'm sorry, it'sbeen a really shitty night." "Clearly," Ash said. His features softened. "Take a moment.You want a drink or something?" "Water, please," I said through my hands. "Thanks." I collected myself as Ash opened a Dasani bottle and pouredwater into a glass. I drained the glass and finally looked up. "You must think I'm such a loser," I said finally. "It's New Year's Eve," Ash said. "I think we all get anextra allowance of craziness tonight." I started to relax and asked for a little more water. As Ashrefilled the glass, I looked him over more closely. Yeah, he was as hot as Iremembered. The eyes, the tousled hair, those lickable lips. He was taller thanme, by two or maybe three inches. He was lean and a snug t-shirt revealedmuscles. A pair of faded jeans hung low on his hips. He reached for a plate ofcookies on a shelf and when his shirt slid up, I could see a thin line of hairdescending into his jeans. Fuck, I don't need to be perving on the neighbor right now,but I could feel my cock twitch beneath the robe. He gave me the glass and offered a cookie. "My friend Leta made these," he said. "They're magic. You'llfeel better after you eat one." I bit into one. Gingerbread with a buttercream frosting. Yum.I chewed and swallowed. Yum, yum. He was right. They were magic, magicallydelicious like the marshmallows in the cereal. But the way I was feeling, I'dneed the whole plate. "So tell me the story," Ash said. "I'm bored tonight. I gotstood up and I need to be entertained." I finished the cookie and picked up a second one. "Yeah, youand me both," I said. "I got stood up and dumped by the same ... by the same guy,with a stupid Christmas card that Nicole -- " I nodded my head in the generaldirection of another apartment -- "forgot to deliver until today." "Yeah, she's not the most reliable," Ash said. "So this guywho dumped you ... sounds like a real asshole, if you don't mind my saying." "Yeah, he is. Was. Whatever. I'm done with him." "So you were ... celebrating by running naked in the rain?"Ash's eyes twinkled as he prompted me. "This is where it gets to the loser part," I said. I didn'twant to tell Ash the rest, but those eyes and that smile. I couldn't help it. "I went on Grindr," I confessed. "I made a date and the guytold me to ..." I breathed in. "...he told me to open the door naked and I was alittle drunk and when I thought I heard him knock, I peeked out and the doorslammed behind me." "The security features," Ash said, nodding. "Big sellingpoint here. Your apartment is safe from intruders now. And I take it from youtoo." "Yeah, I didn't really have a place to carry a spare key," Isaid. "So here I am. At your mercy, I guess. I doubt I'll reach anyonetonight." My face clouded over again as the night's events repeated themselvesin my head. "The place needs a live-in manager," Ash said. "Someone withkeys." "Look, I know you don't know me from anyone, but is thereany way I could sleep on your couch until I can figure things out in themorning?" I held my breath. I'm not sure I'd have said yes in the samesituation. "I have a guest room with a bed," Ash said. "You can stay upand watch the ball drop with me if you want. That's all I have planned." "Oh, thank you, so much," I said. "I can't thank you enough."Maybe I would survive this night after all. "Listen, you look cold and wet and in need of something ...warm and soothing," Ash said, his eyes taking me in. "Go take a shower, warmup, clean up. I'll make snacks." "Thanks." We locked eyes for a minute. "Um, can I ask ... your date for the evening? Who would stand youup? You're such a great guy. I mean, I wouldn't leave you alone." My faceflushed. What was I thinking? Ash stood, his lips quirking a little. "We'd planned thisfor a week, a night for the two of us," he said. "He texted me about an hourago. Got invited to a party. Turns out he's an asshole just like your guy." He turned and then looked back at me. "And here you are." **** I closed the bathroom door and started the water. So Ash wasgay. And hot. And dateless. He had probably just read the text when I saw himon the balcony. Poor guy. I climbed into the shower and let the hot water cascade downmy body. I could feel the tension wash away. I soaped up and thought about Ashin the front room. He was so cute, so hot. Why couldn't he have been myhook-up? Without realizing it, I had started to stroke my cock,imagining Ash pushing open the bathroom door, peeling off his clothes, climbinginto the shower with me. Wordless, he would kiss me and take me in his arms.Our lips would tangle as our cocks grew against each other. I was hard now, stroking, trying to will my fantasies intoreality. I heard a noise. The door. Oh fuck. I heard rustling. "Ash?" "Don't mind me." The door closed again. I waited to see ifhe would replay my fantasy, but it was clear no one else was in the room. Ifinished rinsing off and turned off the water, my cock deflating once again. As I reached for a towel, I saw what Ash had come in for. Onthe counter, he'd left a t-shirt and sweatpants. I dried off and pulled on theclothes. The sweat pants were too long, but I made do and found my way back tothe living room. Ash had been busy. Plates of cheese and crackers sat on thetable, next to a bowl of Chex mix. A bottle of wine sat next to a pair ofgoblets and a second bottle of champagne chilled in a makeshift ice bucket. "You were planning a party tonight," I said, before I couldstop myself. "Sorry, I know you were. It's ... I mean..." I attached the cheese andcrackers, suddenly starved. "It's OK," Ash said from behind me. "Wine?" I nodded as hepoured. He handed me a glass. "Happy New Year to a couple of guys who got stoodup and found each other." We clinked glasses. Ash turned on the TV, but kept the volume low as we chatted.He was a high school teacher, taught music and marching band and sometimes satin with small bands, playing the clarinet. I told him about my move from L.A.,my work in science writing at the university. "I've wanted to come by and say hi," Ash said. "There aren'tmany younger guys in the complex. The single women have me in their sights, soI don't mingle much out by the pool." "I spent weekends up in L.A. With Aiden." "Not anymore, I would guess," he said. "Sorry, that came outwrong." "It's OK. I was tired of the drive anyway. And Aiden wasmostly in love with Aiden. Wasn't going to last. Just wish it hadn't comecrashing down like this." "You hook up much on Grindr?" I studied his face. He seemed curious, not judgmental. "Couple of times. Once up in L.A. Guy never showed up.Another time, the guy did, but he couldn't keep it up and he left. I've chattedup a lot of guys, but most of the time, I can't get past their bad spelling andgrammar. Hazards of the job." I giggled, in spite of myself. Ash laughed. "I didn't really see you as a Grindr type. Then again, Iwouldn't have guessed you'd be running around naked in the parking lot on NewYear's Eve, either." He refilled our wine glasses. "Or showing up at my frontdoor balls to the breeze." I sipped. Stared at Ash. "You have such beautiful eyes," I said, then slapped my handover my mouth. "Fuck, I'm sorry. I've had too much wine tonight. I did not comehere to seduce you, I promise." He said nothing. He stood and walked toward thewindow. "I saw you in the window earlier," he said. "Clay ... my date hadjust canceled and I was kinda bummed. No, that's not right. I wasn't justbummed. I was ... we'd been seeing each other for over a year." Silence. "Ithought it was serious." A sigh. "He didn't." I moved behind him, watching his reflection in the window. Ileaned against him, letting my head rest on his shoulder. I held my breath,wondering if I'd gone too far. He sighed again, this time less morose. "And there you were, framed in the patio door. All I couldthink of was, `I wish I was waiting for you.' You had on the cutest undies thenand I think you might have stuck your hand town the front." I blushed. "Who knew I'd see the rest so soon after?" He bumped his hip to mine. "So you keep saying," I said, bumping his shoulder gently."You know, I've shown you mine, mister." I giggled again. I saw his lips turn up in the reflection. On TV, thecountdown had begun. A minute til midnight, til the new year. He turned slowly,swinging his hips a little. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and dangled itin front of me, letting it fall at my feet. Forty-five seconds. He undid thebuttons on his jeans, one by one and eased them off his hips and to the floor.Thirty seconds. He moved closer to me, hooked his thumbs in the waistband ofhis briefs and, in a fluid movement, pushed them down and off. He stood before me, naked. His cock was bouncing, almost atfull hard-on. "So," he said, "at midnight, you usually kiss someone. Youknow, to make it official." I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. His eyes blazed. "Be a shame for the year to start all unofficial," I saidquietly. The countdown reached 10 -- 9 -- 8 ... I closed the gap between us and brushed my lips on his,then, as the countdown reached 3, I kissed him full on, my tongue tracing aline on his lips, my hands pulling his face close. He kissed me back, pushinghis tongue past mine. He took a breath. "No fair, you didn't wait for midnight,"he said. I kissed him again, my hands in his hair. "I hate to be late." I resumed my kissing as the TV played `AuldLang Syne' and the people in Times Square kissed. Our tongues wrestled and hemoved his hands down the side of my face, down past my neck. I felt his hardcock brush against my leg and I scrambled to pull my shirt off and shove thesweatpants off. I was naked. Again. My cock was as hard as his now. I came up for air and took his glasses off. He pulled meback for more and as he did, I took his cock and stroked it against mine. I played with one of his nipples and felt his moan on mylips. I squeezed a little more and he moaned louder. I smiled and eased downhis body. I touched a nipple with my tongue and flicked it, then sucked on it,scraping the sensitive skin with my teeth. Ash whimpered. I found his cockagain, throbbing with heat, leaking pre-come. I switched to the other nipple and stroked Ash's cock as Isucked and nibbled. He ran his hands through my hair, onto my shoulders andthrust his cock into my hand. I slid lower, keeping one hand on a nipple as I licked downhis body, following the trail to his cock. I kneeled in front of him andtwirled my tongue around the head of his cock, tasting his salty pre-come. Ilicked the shaft, down and back up. Ash moaned his encouragement. I let his cock slide on to my tongue, savoring his smellsand his taste. I used one hand to twist gentle circles around the base of hiscock, the other to tug on his balls, less gently. I could feel the pulse of his cock in my mouth. I licked upthe shaft again and sucked on the head. "Bedroom," he said, his eyes ablaze. "Bedroom, now." We stood and staggered to the bedroom. He pushed me onto thebed and I lay spread-eagled, my cock hard against my stomach. He crawledbetween my legs and kneeled above me, taking my cock in his hand. He put hisnext to it and stroked them together, licking his lips as he looked at me withhunger in his eyes. He lowered himself until he could take my cock in his mouth.I groaned as the wet warmth of his mouth wrapped around me. Oh, fuck, he wasgood at this. He worked my cock with his lips and tongue, using his hand tostroke me at the base. "Wanna suck you again," I gasped. With some maneuvering andgrunting, we turned on the bed, settling on our sides. He never took his mouthoff my cock. I licked his and took it back into my mouth. He was bigger thanme, longer and fatter and so fucking delicious. The sensation of his mouth onmy cock and his cock in my mouth pushed me precariously close to the edge and Imanaged to croak out, "slower, slower, don't wanna come yet." Ash pulled away and turned me so I was face down on the bed.He crawled back between my legs and spread my cheeks. I felt a sudden warmth ashis tongue found my hole. He licked it, around the outside, then found theopening. He started to suck, pushing his tongue in as he did. "Oh, fuck, oh fuck, oh my god" was the best I could manage. He sucked and licked and, as I moaned, he eased a fingerinto my hole. He moved it around and then made a hook and found my sweet spot.I shivered and bucked my hips as he teased my prostate. He moved a secondfinger inside and l relaxed even as I arched upward. "Do it," I said. "Please." "Mmmm, so that's why you were wiggling your naked ass at mydoor tonight, is it?" Ash growled. "Is that it?" "I want you inside me," I gasped. "Fuck me, Ash." He slapped my ass playfully and crawled over to hisnightstand. Moments later, I felt the cool lube squirt into my ass and heardAsh tearing open a package and unrolling a rubber on his cock. He turned meover. "Wanna see you when we do this," he said, his voice lowerthan it had been all night. He moved between my legs and pulled them up,positioning his cock at my hole. He pushed the head in past the ring. The pain was nearly blinding at first. His cock felt evenbigger than it had when I had it in my mouth. I choked back a cry, but he musthave seen the look on my face. "I can stop if ..." "No! I'm fine... I'm fine, just ... please, fuck me." His smile widened. He pushed in and the pain intensified fora moment, but as he probed deeper and hit my sweet spot again, the pleasure,the ecstasy erased the pain. He began to thrust against me, his cock sliding inand out of my ass. I cried out again, but it wasn't pain this time. I wrappedmy legs around his body, arched my back and met his thrusts with my own. Hepumped harder and faster and I writhed on the bed, my hands tugging at thequilt. My cock leaked pre-come and Ash scooped some on his fingerand licked it off. He began to stroke my cock as he thrust harder. He strokedme and I could tell I was about to shoot. His cock hit my prostate again and Iexploded, come shooting over my chest and stomach. My cock pulsed come and Ashlicked it off his fingers. He thrust once or twice more and froze, his eyes shut, hismouth in a silent cry. Then I felt his cock throb and shoot and Ash yelled, "Oh,fuck, oh fuck, ohhhh ..." He fell on me, thrusting a few more times as he kissed me,the passion still electric. Finally, he rolled to his side, pulling out of me.We lay on the bed, breathing hard, spent. I looked over at him. "Happy New Year." He kissed me. "Happy fucking New Year to us," I said **** We cleaned up and Ash brought in the champagne, which wasn'tas chilled as it was earlier, but still sweet and bubbly. We clinked glassesand drank. "I'm so glad you got locked out of your place with noclothes on," he whispered to me as I started to fall asleep. "Me too," I purred. "Let's never wear clothes." And I wasgone. **** I awoke sometime after 9 the next morning. Ash was stilldozing, his arms around me. I could feel his cock against me and I sighedcontentedly, pushing against it. My cock grew harder as I replayed the nightbefore. I felt Ash stir. "Good morning, handsome," he whispered intomy ear. He nibbled on my earlobe and played with my nipple. He moved his handdownward until he found my cock, hard now. "Mmmm," he said. "It's true. Boys wantsex in the morning." He disentangled us and turned over, facing away from me. Hereached back and motioned for me to turn. He pulled me closer, angling until mycock slid between his ass cheeks. I reached around to find his cock, now ashard as mine. He found the lube bottle on the bedside table and handed itto me. He shifted again and I figured out what he wanted. I squirted lube on mycock and between his ass cheeks. Ash began to buck his hips against me, squirming as his cheeksgripped my cock. I matched his thrusts, his bucking and writhing. He strokedhis cock as I thrust, our rhythm growing more intense. He reached around andwrapped a hand around my thigh, pulling me close. I gnawed gently on hisshoulder, thrusting, bucking. We writhed on the bed, saying almost nothing, the passionpalpable. "I'm close," I whispered. He nodded and turned around toface me. He took our cocks in his hand and stroked them together. Our lips met,our tongues wrestling. I pinched his nipples and thrust into his hand. I shot first, the come squirting onto Ash's hand and cock.He threw his head back and came on me, his hips pushing against me as his cockpulsed. We kissed again and fell asleep again, bodies tangled,sticky and warm. **** We awoke two hours later. Sunlight shone through the cracksin the blinds. I flicked at his nipple idly and he sighed contentedly. "You know," I said, "part of me would like to just stay hereall day..." Ash reached down and squeezed my cock. "You mean this part." "Smart ass." I squeezed his, my hand coming away sticky withhis come. "But I need to get back into my apartment. I need clothes." "Really? You seemed happy to be cavorting naked last night."He goosed me. "And I need my phone." "Good Lord, call the authorities." "I can't remember what they told me when I moved in. Isthere a live-in manager who'd have keys?" Ash considered the question. "As a matter of fact, thereis." "And do you know how to reach this keeper of the keys?" "I do. The number's in my cell." He climbed out of bed andwalked to the door. I watched his ass and wolf-whistled at him. He wiggled itfor me. I heard him in the front room and a moment later, the landline by his bed rang. "Ash," I said, "your phone is ringing. Wait, you have aland line?" "Have to," he said. "Can you pick it up, please? Might beimportant." I picked up the phone. "Um, hello?" A familiar voice greeted me. "Yes, hello, I'm looking forthe on-site manager? I have a naked man in my apartment who needs to get intohis place. Although I'd prefer he'd stay naked..." Ash walked in the room, his cell phone to his ear. He smiledwickedly. His cock hung heavily in front of him and I could swear it wasgrowing. He held a key ring in his other hand. "You had the key all along?" I said. "Why didn't you tellme?" Ash ended the call and tossed the phone and the keys into achair. He dived onto the bed and kissed me, grinding his cock into mine. Yes,it was growing. "Because I had a naked man at my door and I didn't want tolet him go."


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MAX’S Lab Series BetaPump Review

In this review, you can find out everything you need to know about the dietary supplement called Max’s BetaPump, which claims to greatly increase the feeling of the so-called pump during work out sessions. Max’s BetaPump is marketed as a body building supplement, as it significantly boosts the rate of muscle growth in your body during use, and also has some lasting benefits for your overall health. Keep on reading this review to learn more about the ingredients and formula of Max’s BetaPump, as well as the recommended dosage, the price, and the guarantee policy of the product, topped off with a conclusion at the end.

Here you can find out what Max’s BetaPump really contains:

  • MAX’S Energy Focus Matrix
    • Cytidine diphosphate-choline (CDP-choline)
    • acetyl l-carnitine
    • caffeine anhydrous
  • MAX’S Nitric Oxide Matrix
    • Citrulline malate
    • beet root extract
    • arginine AAKG
    • arginine ketoisocaproate (A-KIC)
    • agmatine sulfate
    • glycocarn (glycine propionyl-l-carnitine HCL)
    • vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
    • coenzymes Q10
    • alphalipoic acid
    • beta alanine (carnosyn)
    • glycine
    • d-glucuronolactone
  • Waxy maize (potato)
  • glucose polymers (corn)
  • citric acid
  • cane sugar
  • natural and artificial colors and flavors
  • silica
  • sucralose
  • color (133)

The ingredients are the most important part of any supplement to scrutinize. You need to try and check the ingredients as closely as you can in order to avoid a product that the manufacturer has filled with unnecessary binders or additives, as well as whether or not the formula contains and potentially harmful artificial preservatives and coloring or flavoring ingredients.

Max’s BetaPump is intended to be used by healthy adults of at least 18 years of age. As opposed to many other powder supplements of this category, Max’s BetaPump has pretty specific dosage instructions. The recommended daily dosage is 2 scoops of the powder mixed with at least 8 ounces of cold liquid. Due to the concentration of the substances in the formula, going over the recommended limit is ill advised.

Max’s BetaPump is available from several re-sellers globally. The source we reviewed sold the product at the price of $59.95, which is a package that contains 45 servings of the powder. It is available in two flavors, blue ice and pineapple orange, however these have no effect on price.

There is no universal money-back policy that covers Max’s BetaPump, since it is available from various re-sellers, each with their own policies.

Max’s BetaPump seems like an effective product, and digging has led us to conclude that this is indeed true, as most of the ingredients used are high quality and work towards enabling the product to perform its function as advertised. However, there are issues, such as the inclusion of potentially harmful artificial coloring and flavoring agents in the formula, which ruins this otherwise unique and effective product. Add to that a lack of a universal refund or guarantee policy, and what we have here is a potentially great product dragged down by a few mistakes that are so grave, that we cannot recommend its use in good conscience.

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District 26 Assembly Candidates Address “Deluge” of Issues

Both tout flood-control bills; incumbent also cites health care and civil-service reform; challenger targets waste and taxes.

When Hurricane Irene hit New Jersey last year, Joseph Raich’s house was inundated. "I don't have a basement, and I got 27 inches of water on my first floor," said the Democrat from Parsippany, who is running for Assembly in District 26, an area hit hard by flooding last year.

Assemblywoman Betty Lou DeCroce

Raich, who is seeking to oust GOP incumbent Betty Lou DeCroce, supports a bipartisan-sponsored bill (A267) that would require certain flood-control measures to be put in place by the Department of Environmental Protection and owners of reservoirs, and, says its synopsis, would authorize the "Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs in response to severe weather events."

"They knew at least a week before that Hurricane Irene was coming," Raich said, "and according to United Water, they did not lower anything. They didn't lower the water level at all."

Joseph Raich, Democratic challenger in Assembly District 26.
Joseph Raich, Democratic challenger in Assembly District 26.

The bill has been in committee since January, Raich said, and he is "shocked" that "those in the Assembly and the Senate can't seem to get it moving. My opponent hasn't spoken out about this at all.”

Perhaps that is because DeCroce, lso of Parsipanny, who took over her husband Alex DeCroce’s seat when he died in early January, has sponsored a similar bill (A1069) that would, as its synopsis reads, authorize the "Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoir levels prior to certain severe weather events." Neither candidate seemed aware of the other bill’s existence.

"He can talk to his Democratic colleagues," DeCroce said, "because they're not posting the bills," adding that "coming up with permanent fixes is key."

"Every time a house comes off the tax roll or a business shuts down, a municipality is going to have financial problems," DeCroce added.

While dealing with the flooding problems is a centerpiece of both campaigns, both candidates have a laundry list of issues and problems they want to address.

"One thing that will help municipalities is civil service reform," DeCroce said. "There's too many rules and regulations. If somebody's well-trained in a position and there's a layoff, there's bumping rights."

Switching subjects, DeCroce added: "We just passed a transportation trust fund which will help the roadways and bridges in my district. There's a lot of roadways and bridges that are in desperate need of help."

Regarding health care, DeCroce said she believes that "we should be able to shop across state lines to purchase medical coverage that will help us become more competitive here in the state."

DeCroce is co-sponsor of a bill (A2495) that would, as she put it, reform policies on unused sick leave. The bill would, among other things, prohibit "payment to public employees at retirement for certain unused sick leave," according to a synopsis of the legislation. "I'm a believer of use or lose," DeCroce said, although, she added, "In order to get the bill approved, there's got to be negotiations."

Raich spoke to different issues.

“I'm very much concerned about saving the middle class and getting jobs created and making sure taxes are as low as possible," he said. "I want to see for myself just how the money is spent and eliminate as much waste as possible, thereby lowering the taxes for everyone."

"Consolidation seems to be the best solution to our tax load in New Jersey," Raich added. "We've got 21 counties in the state and over 600 school district

Matthew Kassel is a freelance writer. His work has been published by The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and The Forward, among other publications.

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Fine Print: Bill Would Eliminate Caps on Superintendent Salaries

Legislation targets $175,000 limit that’s been hailed for fiscal prudence, blamed in part for exodus of administrators

State Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)

What it is: A bill sponsored by state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) that would end the Christie administration’s controversial limits on superintendent pay will be heard on Monday in the Senate Education Committee.

What it means: As the influential chair of the committee. Ruiz’s sponsorship of the bill is a big step in the growing legislative pushback on the salary caps that limit the salaries of school leaders, depending on district enrollments, to no more than $175,000. The caps, instituted by regulations in 2011, have been blamed for an exodus of veteran superintendents in the state.

Simple language: The bill proposes an amendment to statute that lays out the role of the county executive superintendents in reviewing administrative contracts. The county officials have been at the center of the debate over the caps, serving as the Christie administration’s enforcers. The new language prohibits them from considering maximum salary limits and explicitly says the state Department of Education shall not set such limits.

Companion bill: An identical bill sits in the Assembly, sponsored by state Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan Jr., the chair of the Assembly’s education committee. That bill has yet to be posted in committee.

Powerful friends: The Senate bill has the apparent support of Senate President Steve Sweeney, who has repeatedly said the caps should be repealed and this spring called them a “big mistake.” Yesterday, state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), chairman of the Senate budget committee, added his name as a prime sponsor.

Powerful foe: While there is some sentiment for ending the caps among Republicans, it is unlikely to win support for the one Republican who counts most, Gov. Chris Christie.

Another route: The regulations “sunset,” or expire, in February 2016, and would need the administration’s renewal. There is some conjecture that both sides could agree to let the rules just run their course for another year.

In the meantime: Superintendents are still leaving, and the salary caps are certainly still a contributing factor. The latest to make a move to a neighboring state where there are no caps is Brian Osborne, who announced this week that he is leaving as superintendent in South Orange-Maplewood to lead the public schools in New Rochelle, NY.

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What We Can Do

Prints have been around for centuries, but they continue to reflect the present. NoDef Art Writer Kathy Rodriguez recently went to Antenna Gallery to see how a group working in New Orleans today fit into the medium's long tradition.

The print is one of the oldest forms of visual communication known to modern man. Handprints are the most singularly unique human markers, and a common motif in parietal art, specifically cave paintings. At Chauvet cave in southern France, smudged red handprints date from some 30,000 years ago. Either by blowing material around the positive form of the hand, creating a negative shape, or by stamping their pigment-coated palms, humans marked their presence on walls in ancient graffiti. The Chinese invention of paper shortly into the second century C.E. inevitably led to the dissemination of prints. Carved woodblocks stamped onto sheets of paper relayed texts and images over and over again, resulting in multiples of layers and copies.

The barrage of images that now illustrates the world thus began. Eventually, with increases in technology, exponentially increasing numbers of images and texts began to flow into visual culture. Essentially printmaking is about these things: multitudes of information and the ability to reach far and wide with it. Images communicate directly without the limits of verbal language, and with printmaking they travel quickly and easily.

Ron Bechet, professor of art at Xavier University, notes the power of visual communication in a short release about his recent curatorial effort at Antenna Gallery, titled What We Can Do. Bechet references bell hooks (née Gloria Watkins), a critic, writer, and intellect on a variety of topics including gender and race, who says in an often quoted quote, If I do not speak in a language that can be understood, there is little chance for a dialogue.” Bechet defines the image as the most direct language, and he hoped to foster dialogue with it among the five artists included in this show. All are female, all have some association with the print in their work, and at the time none of them knew each other. Bechet found that anonymity alarming, and felt that it was important for these artists, who shared his respect for their persons and art, to engage with each other in meaningful conversation through linked themes in their art and practice.

Since all the artists were community involved, Bechet felt they would create a powerful community among themselves. The best way to do this was to group them in this show. Besides resulting in multiples, printmaking is also inherently collaborative. Many hands and eyes work the steps of the process and the meticulousness of the practice. And, the equipment is expensive, heavy, and large. One well-outfitted space serves many as a means to image-making and professional networking. The collaboration of printmaking is echoed in the design of the group exhibition. In general, the work in group shows has to work together. The process of printmaking and exhibition design is a metaphor for the community Bechet hoped to generate.

Though the theme of printmaking generally unified the show, other themes emerged. There was a tension within the work based in the ancient opposition of man and nature and the otherness that relationship defines. It’s a theme deftly represented by those centuries-old graffitists and these heirs to the visual tradition.

Organic imagery in small-scale, mostly monochromatic, lithographic and encaustic works by Vanessa Adams are ghostly and complex. Adams layers expressive lithography and transparent wax to make ethereal portraits of humans and wildlife. Multiple layers of prints and translucency between them suggest inextricably interlocked, and extremely complex, memories and narratives hesitantly told to the viewer. The artist herself is the other to the viewer.

Pippin Frisbie-Calder, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design’s prestigious printmaking program, also depicts nature: an approachably sized etching of sergeant fish paired with a monumental woodblock print of a cypress tree. Frisbie-Calder works in the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing, the kind used in the famous print The Great Wave of Kanagawa from the early 1830s. This was the first of a monumental series of 36 images depicting Mount Fuji by the artist Hokusai. In it, a proportionately skewed swell frames the strangely small but stoic peak, which watches as fishermen are pitted against the swelling strength of the water. The wave pushes against intrepid fishermen, who push back in their fragile boats. Like Fuji, the men take strength from the land, but both they and the mountain are vulnerable against the scale of the water. Frisbie-Calder suggests a similar confrontation with nature, as her fish stream forward toward the front of the picture plane with mouths bared, and her gigantic and complex print of the cypress, which symbolizes immortality, looms over the viewer in economic black and white.

Christine Bagneris, Toni Graham, and Katrina Andry use the figure to explore ideas of identity, and the opposition of self to other. Bagneris’ paintings look like depictions of weird birds at first, but then a face skewed across a curved surface reveals itself. Bagneris touches on ideas of abjection and unification by smearing a figure across a silhouette of a figure. Like Adams, she creates an otherness with the viewer. Graham’s extremely meticulous stippled drawings depicting post-Katrina urban decay are next to a self-portrait – linking the artist to the architecture. With her gaze and proximity to the architectural drawings, Graham defiantly reveals the truth of destruction, the other to community progress. True, neither artist uses traditional printmaking in the work. But the imprinted impressions of figures in Bagneris’ paintings and the repeated stamping of a pen tip in Graham’s drawings touch on the idea and process of printmaking.

Andry’s large-scale block prints explore racial otherness and are the most obvious example of that theme. The breasts of a blackface figure in Western Interpretation of the Other peek through her outfit of bananas and pineapples, like a defiant Josephine Baker. The figure poses like a classical Venus, her arms gracefully curving around her body as her gaze demurely averts from the viewer. Surrounding the figure are repeated curvilinear shapes that are abstract enough to read like rouged butts and breasts, testicles, or cloven feet. Andry combines Western traditions of beauty with its opposites in a figure whose gaze might not be as much a coy downward glance, but rather a refusal to entertain any question to her authority.

Bechet also organized a blog – whatwecandoblog.wordpress.com – that the artists could use to communicate with each other during the show. It looks like a work in progress. The artists linked websites and made friendly posts to each other, and Bagneris provides a critical self-analysis of her work that reads like a brief thesis. Otherwise the discourse is sparing, if at all evident. It’s a physical sign that the images speak louder than words, but also suggests that the real collaboration happens in the making of the work or the show itself. We must use language to become visually literate, to communicate about the world we see. But it is the artist’s role to communicate through images first, as they reach from the art world into other environs.

Antenna Gallery is located at 3161 Burgundy St. The exhbition runs through August 7.

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• 602.3

    Code No. 602.3

    Regular evaluation of the total curriculum is necessary to ensure that the written and delivered curriculum is having the desired effect for students.

    Curriculum evaluation refers to an ongoing process of collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, and interpreting information to aid in understanding what students know and can do.  It refers to the full range of information gathered in the School District to evaluate (make judgments about) student learning and program effectiveness in each content area.

    Curriculum evaluation must be based on information gathered from a comprehensive assessment system that is designed for accountability and committed to the concept that all students will achieve at high levels, is standards-based, and informs decisions which impact significant and sustainable improvements in teaching and student learning.

    The superintendent is responsible for curriculum evaluation and for determining the most effective way of ensuring that assessment activities are integrated into instructional practices as part of school improvement with a particular focus on improving teaching and learning.  A curriculum framework shall describe the procedures that will be followed to establish an evaluation process that can efficiently and effectively evaluate the total curriculum.  This framework will, at a minimum, describe the procedures for the following curriculum evaluation activities:

    • ·       Identify specific purposes for assessing student learning;
    • ·       Develop a comprehensive assessment plan;
    • ·       Select/develop assessment tools and scoring procedures that are valid and reliable;
    • ·       Identify procedures for collecting assessment data;
    • ·       Identify procedures for analyzing and interpreting information and drawing conclusions based on the data (including analysis of the performance of various sub-groups of students);
    • ·       Identify procedures for establishing at least three levels of performance (specific to the content standard and the assessment tool when appropriate) to assist in determining whether  students have achieved at a satisfactory level (at least two levels describe performance that is proficient or advanced and at least one level describes students who are not yet performing at the proficient level);
    • ·       Identify procedures for using assessment information to determine long-range and annual improvement goals;
    • ·       Identify procedures for using assessment information in making decisions focused on improving teaching and learning (data based decision making);
    • ·       Provide support to staff in using data to make instructional decisions;
    • ·       Define procedures for regular and clear communication about assessment results to the various internal and external publics (mandatory for communication about students receiving special education services);
    • ·       Define data reporting procedures;
    • ·       Verify that assessment tools are fair for all students and are consistent with all state and federal mandates;
    • ·       Verify that assessment tools measure the curriculum that is written and delivered;
    • ·       Identify procedures for deciding when multiple assessment measures are necessary for making good decisions and drawing appropriate conclusions about student learning;
    • ·       Identify roles and responsibilities of key groups;
    • ·       Involve staff, parents, students, and community members in curriculum evaluation;
    • ·

    It is the responsibility of the superintendent to keep the board apprised of curriculum evaluation activities, the progress of each content area related to curriculum evaluation activities, and to develop administrative regulations for curriculum evaluation including recommendations to the board.

    Legal Reference:     20 U.S.C. § 1232h (2006).

                                        34 C.F.R. pt. 98 (2006).

                                        Iowa Code §§ 216.9, 256.7, 279.8, 280.3-.14 (2009).

                                        281 I.A.C.  12.8

    Cross Reference:      101       Educational Philosophy of the School District

                                        103       Long-Range Needs Assessment

                                        505       Student Scholastic Achievement

                                        602       Curriculum Development

                                        704       Instructional Curriculum

    Approved:  07/21/2005

    Reviewed:  06/16/2005, 06/17/2010


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Chapter 247 – Planning

Nie Yan answered question after question without breaking a sweat. By the time they were 30 minutes into the exam, he was roughly half-finished. He glimpsed around him and noticed the majority of others had burrowed their heads into their papers in frantic thought. Looking back at his own screen, he guessed he would score just over 700 marks, which should be enough for what he wanted. If he would score significantly higher, he would be thought of as a monster. So, he put in glaring mistakes in the latter half of the exam.

Two hours flew by, marking the end of the examination. The grades were publicly listed on the main screen in front: Xie Yao took first place with a grand total of 763 points, with Nie Yan taking a close second at 731 points. Third seemed to be roughly 590 points, while the greater part of the remaining grades were occupied by the 300s and 400s, quite unbearable to look at compared to the top scorers.

Truth be told, even those marks were nothing to look down on. In fact, incorrect answers did not represent inability; rather, the system evaluated the incorrect solutions and nonetheless gave partial marks. It judged fairly, since each person did have their own strong and weak subjects.

Zhai Hao looked at the list of grades, then looked at Nie Yan sitting a bit farther away. “Damn, what a monster!” he exclaimed, unable to keep the gloom away from his tone. Nie Yan was already so skilled in martial arts, and now his studies were on another level as well! He would likely have no problems being recruited by the Top Military Academy.

Xie Yao glanced at Nie Yan with slightly widened eyes. I didn’t think his academics were this good as well!

Behind the podium, Yang Boyi smiled, pleased with Nie Yan’s results. In his office a bit earlier, he was quite amazed to hear that the new student had defeated Liu Rui. He was also informed that Nie Yan had transferred over from Ningjiang, supposedly squeezed in for a small fee. Quite frankly, he expected Nie Yan to be lacking in all departments, but to his surprise, it was the complete opposite. Without a doubt, it would be worth it to foster his talents. So long as his academics were sufficient, he would have no difficulty entering the Top Military Academy. And now, he was amazed once again. His academics were beyond sufficient—they even matched Xie Yao’s, the top student in the class! He estimated that Liu Rui, on a good day, could probably graze the 600 marks, and even that was pushing it.

“I didn’t expect for your academics to be this good!” Xie Yao exclaimed as she looked at her new desk-mate.

“It was decent.” Nie Yan kept about a modest tone. He felt a tinge of guilt, knowing very well that he scored so highly not because of hard work, but rather his rebirth.

In the eyes of his classmates, Nie Yan did indeed appear humble and collected—an entire world of difference from Liu Rui, who would have been itching to let everyone know the tiniest of accomplishments.

Xie Yao recalled Nirvana Flame, who was similarly collected no matter what he came across. Only when his guild was provoked would he become firm and haughty. As she further recalled such memories, the thread differentiating the two in her mind became all the more thin.

Xie Yao’s thoughts were thrown into shambles. Are they the same person?

Yang Boyi held Nie Yan in an increasingly high regard. From what he had seen of Nie Yan, he was much calmer than Liu Rui, whose arrogant attitude was undesirable.

I really lucked out this time, Yang Boyi thought. The end of the year bonus is pretty much mine already! It was truly a brilliant decision to accept Nie Yan back then.

“All right, we’ll end it here today. You’re free to go. Tomorrow we’ll begin full lessons. First class will be kickboxing, so don’t forget to prepare!” Yang Boyi said, as he explained a good deal of their class work.

He pulled Nie Yan to the side for a quick word; it was no doubt the usual speech about hoping he would become a part of the class soon.

The teacher was a pretty good one. In the student reunions of Nie Yan’s past life, many would mention him with a great deal of respect.

There were no signs of Xie Yao in the classroom by the time Nie Yan returned. He ran to the school entrance, and caught up to her there. She was chatting with a group of other female students, but Nie Yan cared not for any of that. He threw himself immediately into the group and started up a conversation with them as well.

“Xie Yao, do you want me to walk you home?” Nie Yan asked.

“Hey Nie Yan, you seem pretty eager to please her, huh? Are you into Xie Yao? You better step up your game then! There’s probably not a boy, maybe not even a girl in our school alone who isn’t interested in her. At this pace, you’ll never win her heart!” Xia Ling teased.

A few other female students also started poking fun at Nie Yan.

“Your outer appearance isn’t attractive enough. Look at your clothes! Even if you don’t own a Solun, at the very least you should have a Karlna. Otherwise, you’d be hardly presentable to ask our goddess out!”

“Sure, you have good marks, but for a man it’s most important to be kind and gentle!”

The female students let out a slew of criticizing remarks, but they were of course just joking. Even they had to admit that Nie Yan had many attracting features such as his calm demeanor, and more notably, his strength—Liu Rui’s flight through the air continued to be an image deeply imprinted in their memories.

These female classmates held nothing back, and Nie Yan laughed along with them. He was unperturbed. He didn’t care if the fact he was pursuing Xie Yao was out in the open.

“I’ve got to go now!” Xie Yao quickly said, breaking up the embarrassment as she escaped the scene in a hurry. “My family’s here to pick me up.”

Xie Yao bid farewell to her fellow classmates. She met Nie Yan’s eyes, but quickly shifted them away and jumped into the car.

The vehicle drove off.

All traces of her seemed to vanish, leaving nothing apart from a slight emptiness in Nie Yan’s heart.

“With Xie Yao gone, I bet you’re feeling pretty lonely. If you asked to date me right now, I might even consider it!” A moderately beautiful female classmate teased Nie Yan on the side.

“Hey, aren’t you being a bit disloyal? Xie Yao just left, yet you’re already eyeing what belongs to her.” Xia Ling giggled, gently pushing her classmate aside.

“This is called the early bird getting the worm! If I don’t act now, I won’t stand a chance later!” the female classmate retorted.

These classmates of his were simply too intrepid! Nie Yan wanted to find an excuse to go his own way as soon as possible! He looked far off in the distance and said, “My chauffeur is here to pick me up, so I’ll be taking my leave as well.”

His classmates saw a car pull up, after which Nie Yan jumped in. Seeing the car drive off, several female classmates exclaimed in admiration.

“From the way he dressed, I didn’t expect him to be rich too. He actually has his own personal driver. That car was a Model 7 series Vanguard. Even the cheapest package goes for a minimum of ¥3,000,000.”

“A rich person wearing such cheap clothes, now that’s what you call being low-key…”

The female classmates discussed in high spirits. Nie Yan’s exceptional talent in martial arts and academics paired with his decent family background made him the perfect catch in their eyes. In an instant, his popularity surpassed that of Liu Rui.

Nie Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead after getting into the car. Those high school girls were fearless. Nevertheless, the first day of school was very fruitful. He got to take revenge on Liu Rui, leaving him unable to return to school for the next few days, and he managed to leave behind a good impression on Xie Yao.

Nie Yan checked the clock. It was still early. He decided to go get lunch first, then make a visit to his parent’s company which was on the right track and expanding at an astonishing pace. Everything was unfolding the same as it did during the previous timeline. His father used the funds amassed from reselling the smuggled metal to buy a large building. After hiring some talented employees, the company quickly began operations.

Although this sort of business was risky, the profits were sky-high. By investing some funds to purchase raw ores from abroad, then transporting them into the factory for refinement, the company could earn a 900% return by selling them to military enterprises. With the connections Nie Yan’s father developed at the border, a round trip would take no longer than two to three days. This moneymaking speed was even faster than a banknote printing machine!

Furthermore, there was no need to worry about competition since Nie Yan’s father held an exclusive trade contract.

In the previous timeline, the company quickly developed to the greatest heights in its field. Like many other companies with a surplus of money, it eventually expanded into other areas. The first thing to come to mind was the number one trending virtual reality game, Conviction. With Nie Yan’s cousin, Ah Chen, in charge, a report was submitted to his father’s desk.

Nie Yan was unable to dissuade his father. All he could do was pay attention to how the company fared in Conviction. In the future, his father would invest an enormous amount of funds to get the War God Tribe going. It was already in the initial phases of discussion.

Since the competition in Calore was too fierce, the starting point of the War God Tribe would be the second largest city in the Viridian Empire, Nisode City. For the time being, it wouldn’t have any contact with Asskickers United. The guild’s name was still War God Tribe. Nie Yan didn’t know how the guild would develop in this life. But with the strong backing of his father’s company, it definitely wouldn’t be too bad.

When the time was appropriate, Nie Yan planned to hand over everything he had built inside the game to his parents. In the future, Asskickers United and the War God Tribe would join together to defeat Cao Xu’s forces!

Another thing that made Nie Yan feel more at ease was that at his urging, Luo Ming’s group would have no part in the company. Even after they came over and cried and begged several times, his father remained firm on his refusal. Just why were his parents currently working hard to earn money? His mother and father persevered for the sake of giving him a brighter future, especially now that he had matured. They felt extremely gratified.

No matter how flawed Luo Ming and the others were, his parents would’ve still forgiven them because they were blood related. However, when they began hounding Nie Yan, they crossed the bottom line. Nie Yan was their nephew by blood, but the way they treated him was no better than a sewer rat!

So no matter how much Luo Ming and the others begged, Nie Yan’s parents didn’t let them anywhere near the company.

Nie Yan let out a sigh of relief. These hidden dangers were removed. External dangers were nothing to be afraid of. What was truly terrifying was dangers from within! If Luo Ming and the others were allowed to enter the company, it was the same as letting the fox into the henhouse!

After visiting his parent’s company, Nie Yan’s mood improved greatly as he was freed of many of his worries. Furthermore, he had received an update. The auction house at the heart of Calore and the Mercenary Auction House were sold to Nie Yan for 1,700 gold and 1,600 gold respectively. It was much cheaper than the previous timeline, but he still expended quite a bit of funds. Due to his fierce increase in the bid, it was likely he scared off all his competitors. From their perspective, there were other virtual properties that had potential to rise greatly in value, and were no worse than the auction house at the center of Calore or the Mercenary Auction House.

Of course, Nie Yan experienced the growth of this game once already, and he knew they were completely wrong. The auction house at the center of Calore and the Mercenary Auction House were absolutely the most profitable virtual properties!

Nie Yan checked his balance. He still had 2,600 gold remaining. It was enough to bid for another property! However, he would check over all his options first and decide which was most worth it.

By the time Nie Yan returned home and ate dinner, it was almost time to get back online. He wondered what sort of changes he would see after the new expansion was implemented.

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