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American, Continental Results Disappoint

Shares of both AMR (AMR) and Continental Airlines (CAL) slumped as the companies' quarterly results renewed worries about the only two major carriers that have avoided bankruptcy in recent years.

American Airlines parent company AMR Corp. on Wednesday reported its quarterly loss narrowed as cost cuts helped to counter spiking fuel prices, but the results lagged forecasts and its shares fell.

AMR, the No. 1 U.S. airline, reported a third-quarter net loss of $153 million, or 93 cents a share, compared with a loss of $214 million, or $1.33 a share, in the year-ago period.

Looking forward, AMR said it expected to post a "significant" fourth-quarter loss if fuel prices stay where they are.

AMR chief executive Gerard Arpey (search) called the third-quarter loss "disappointing" given that the airline had eked out a profit in the second quarter.

"The fact that we were unable to sustain profitability despite robust consumer volumes says a lot about our inability to pass on fuel-price increases to customers," he said. "This underscores our need to accelerate our cost-cutting initiatives across the board under our turnaround plan."

Stripping out one-off items, the airline's loss was 58 cents a share, worse than the 0.51 cents Wall Street analysts had been forecasting, according to Reuters Estimates.

Its shares slumped and were down 60 cents, or 5.0 percent, at $11.40 in late morning trading, leading a broader slump in airline stocks.

"I think that the numbers weren't as good as Continental's and they were below the consensus estimate," said Helane Becker, analyst at Benchmark Cos.

Continental Airlines Inc. on Tuesday reported a profit of $61 million for the third quarter, though it too warned of a loss for the fourth quarter and full year.

"Clearly, as was the case with Continental, the fuel cost pressures are offsetting the yield performance entirely," said William Warlick, senior director at Fitch Ratings.

AMR shares are down about 5 percent since the beginning of the third quarter, compared with a 6.7 percent drop in the sectoral Amex Airlines index (search).

Higher fuel prices added $204 million to American's cost in the period relative to the April-June quarter. Despite some fare increases that helped push revenue up 15 percent to $5.49 billion, ticket prices failed to keep up.

That could raise pressure on American and its unions, which have been trying to avoid a new round of wage and benefit cuts through a strategy that calls for employees to work with management to find cost reductions.

American's unit labor costs in the second quarter were the airline industry's second highest after Northwest Airlines Corp (search)., which has said it wants to use bankruptcy protection to void its contracts if its unions won't cooperate with broad cuts.


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Conte's Plea May Be Boon for Bonds

BALCO founder Victor Conte's plea deal could be another home run for Barry Bonds (search).

The San Francisco Giants slugger, along with Jason Giambi (search) of the New York Yankees and track star Marion Jones, now will likely never be forced to testify in open court about steroid use.

A potentially damaging trial for the celebrity athletes was head off Friday when Conte pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering in a deal with federal prosecutors.

Greg Anderson, Bonds' longtime friend and personal trainer, pleaded guilty to the same charges in exchange for a sentence of up to six months. BALCO vice president James Valente pleaded guilty to one count of distributing illegal steroids and is expected to receive two years' probation.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop dozens of counts against Conte, Anderson and Valente.

A fourth man, track coach Remi Korchemny, delayed accepting any plea agreement.

Conte, who founded the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (search), was charged with conspiring to distribute performance-enhancing drugs to more than 30 unidentified baseball, football and track and field stars. The money laundering charges carried a maximum 20-year term and the conspiracy charge five years. But authorities said because of sentencing guidelines that consider a wide range of factors, including past criminal conduct and whether a defendant admitted guilt, Conte and the others weren't likely to get more than a year in prison even if they pleaded guilty to all the charges.

Under Conte's deal, if accepted by the judge this fall, he'll spend four months in prison and four months on house arrest.

Some of the biggest names in sports have been under a cloud of suspicion based on BALCO grand jury transcripts that were leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as public accusations against Olympic star Jones by Conte and others.

None of the athletes publicly has admitted steroid use — Jones has vehemently denied it — and with the guilty pleas, those and other athletes won't have to testify in their trials and repeat their secret grand jury testimony in a public courtroom.

"I agreed with others to distribute steroids," Conte said in court. "I knew at the time that steroid distribution was an unlawful activity."

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston pointedly asked Anderson: "Did you distribute steroids to athletes?"

"Yes," Anderson replied.

Anderson declined to speak with reporters afterward. And his attorney, Anna Ling, declined to address the question of whether Anderson gave Bonds steroids. Conte, Anderson and Valente sat with each other in the gallery for more than an hour before their cases were called.

Korchemny, his attorney and prosecutors appeared to have reached a deal, but he apparently got cold feet while the judge was handling a lengthy drug case before the BALCO case was called before a packed courtroom here.

Judge Illston will decide whether to accept the pleas at a sentencing hearing Oct. 18.

Conte, Valente and Anderson admitted that they distributed about a half dozen drugs, some known as the "clear," the "cream" and THG. Some were taken orally, others injected or rubbed into the skin.

The case, which began two years ago when authorities learned about a new, undetected designer steroid, opened the public's eyes to performance-enhancing drugs in sports while forcing professional leagues to tighten drug-testing rules.

In an interview with The Associated Press hours after the hearing, U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said the prosecution prompted wholesale changes in the sports world regarding performance-enhancing drugs, including changes in testing rules in professional sports and track and field. He said current sentencing guidelines for steroid pushers are weak.

Under the federal sentencing guidelines, he said, Conte could have been sentenced to no more than about a year in prison even if he pleaded guilty to all 42 counts against him.

The two counts he and Anderson pleaded to carried a combined maximum of 25 years.

"Congress needs to give us stronger sentencing guidelines," Ryan said. He added that "Maybe this case is something they can look to as to how the guidelines apply in a major steroid distribution case."

He added that Anderson and Valente could have gotten no more than six months each had they pleaded to all the counts.

As the prosecution was lingering in court, major league baseball earlier this year toughened its drug-testing policy, mandating suspensions for initial violations. Congress also threatened to implement a federal drug-testing policy for the NFL, NBA, NHL and the major leagues, with a two-year ban for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second violation.

The case has deeply impacted track and field. Tim Montgomery, one of the world's fastest men, went before a secret arbitration hearing last month in San Francisco to challenge a potential lifetime ban that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency recommended for his alleged use of banned substances. No decision has been made, but USADA targeted Montgomery and more than a dozen other runners after reviewing evidence obtained in the BALCO investigation.

One of USADA's latest cases was in May, when runner Michelle Collins declined to contest the agency's imposition of a four-year ban, including forfeiture of her 200-meter world indoor and U.S. indoor titles in 2003.

Conte, Anderson, Valente and Korchemny were charged last year with dozens of counts in connection to federal raids at Burlingame-based BALCO in 2003 and at Anderson's house in Burlingame.

Korchemny's attorney, George Walker, said outside of court that the government has agreed not to imprison his client if he pleads guilty to a single reduced charge of doling out steroids, but Korchemny is having trouble admitting guilt. "There are some areas of concern that my client cannot swear to," Walker said.

Federal agents stated in court records they seized calendars and other documents detailing the use of steroids by professional baseball players during the search of Anderson's home. A federal agent wrote in court papers that, during the raid at BALCO headquarters, "Conte openly acknowledged giving testosterone-based cream, itself a steroid, to numerous professional athletes."

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Hunt for Holloway

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First, check out all the pictures I posted today... they are "behind the scenes" of our "walk and talk" segments.

Monday started at 5 a.m. for me — we had early flights to Aruba (search). We arrived at the Aruba airport about 4 p.m. and, rather than go to our hotel to check in, we were met by our producer who took us directly on our tapings of the "walk and talks." We drove first to Steve Croes' house... then to the home of the Kalpoe (search) brothers... and then to Internet cafe where Deepak Kalpoe met... and then to the Tattoo party boat where Steve Croes works. While the island is not huge, these locations were not close and there is rush hour traffic on the island.

Finally, after the four tapings at the four locations, our producer "allowed" us to go to our hotel and check in. Note that our hotel is also our FOX News bureau... my room is two doors down from our set. Below me one floor is our "newsroom" which is several rooms joined. I am not sure our producer would have let us out of his sight if the bureau were not in the same hotel! Had we been booked in a hotel separate from the FOX News newsroom here in Aruba, I would not have been "allowed" to check in until after the show. (Of course I am teasing him to death about the short leash he has me on!)

The one thing that I can't emphasize enough is that this island, but for Natalee, seems safe. The tourists I have spoken to say it is safe. Someone from the government asked me why we are covering this case so closely and I said because often we follow the "unusual" stories —- and, frankly, this is unusual in Aruba.

I think the manner of investigations here in Aruba has also heightened the interest. Because the police do not hold press conferences, it can appear that either they are doing nothing or hiding something. Of course it could turn out when all the information is made public that the investigation was aggressive and thorough... we just don't know since we have so little information coming from the police. The risk is that when we don't know something that we let our imaginations run wild. This is one of the reasons I wanted to do the many walk and talks —- to give you some more information.

As for Monday night's show, I am curious whether you heard me say "so what!" at the top of the show as it was starting. I was saying it as I was getting cued to the start the show. Why did I say that? Because someone told Natalee's mother Beth to make sure she did not step in front of the camera when she replaced Julie Banderas on the chair next to me. I said "so what" — meaning that it was not the end of the world if our shot got messed up. I wanted Beth to feel comfortable in the midst of her nightmare. I did not care if she messed up our live shot — I just want to find her child for her. Our live shot is inconsequential compared to her personal hell. I really admire Natalee's mother... not I just want to help her.

Here are some randomly grabbed e-mails:

E-mail No. 1

How deplorable that American journalists, investigators and lawyers are telling the officials in Aruba how to handle their police/legal system. This country is greatly indignant when those in foreign countries tell us what to do in criminal investigations and prosecutions. If we go to a foreign nation, we agree to abide by its laws and by its justice system. If one doesn't like a nation's laws or the way it goes about investigating crimes, do not do there. Similarly, if something happens to you there, unless the government does something contrary to international law and standards, you should not be seen to complain.
Mary Anne Little
Denver, CO

E-mail No. 2

The lady who wrote E-mail No.2 saying that she cancelled her daughter's graduation trip a few years ago because of the risks of it being out of the country made me think of just how bad things have gotten. It's sad!
Now — consider this. I graduated from high school in 1952 in Wilmington, NC. There were 'celebrations' in the form of week-long beach parties held in cottages at nearby Wrightsville Beach. But I couldn't go to one of them. Why? Because my father said "bad things" happened at beach parties. If he were still living, he'd have a stroke daily!
Edith (old lady) Greer
Roanoke, VA

E-mail No. 3

Have they even checked into the possible chance that she has been traded into white slavery by the guys? Shouldn't the FBI be more involved — maybe to help with the Internet cafe? I hope they find her alive but I just think she is already in another country. Natalee fits the pretty and blonde mode the certain man like to keep until they are used up. So what do you think?
Cindy F.

E-mail No. 4

My husband was watching your interview with one of the spokesmen for Aruba tonight and made the remark to me that "you little women are tough". He said he hadn't realized that you were so petit. You looked like the statue of liberty holding the mic up to the tall guy's face. I have short woman syndrome also and will start a fight with myself if there is no one else around.
Carolyn Knight
Selma, AL

E-mail No. 5

You are too educated and two intelligent to continue to so blatantly mispronounce the Holloway name. Most of the time, you pronounce it as though it rhymes with shallow. It does not. It rhymes with hollow. Please pronounce their name correctly so it sounds like "hollow way." If you don't believe that's how the name should be pronounced, ask a family member.
Robert Webb

ANSWER: Robert — if that is the only mistake I made yesterday, I am lucky.

E-mail No. 6

You're on Aruba, fer Pete's sake. Ask someone how to pronounce the names. Kalpoe is not "kal-po" to rhyme with the dog food, it's "kahl-poo" to rhyme with boo or too.
Dick Lodge

E-mail No. 7

I think you need to change the name of your show from "On the Record" to "ON THE ROAD!" You're doing a great job in Aruba, and I hope you get an exclusive when Natalee is found, hopefully safe and well.
Judy White

ANSWER: I really like her mother, Beth. I sure wish I could help her find her daughter.

E-mail No. 8

I think they are holding these four people in jail so they can't talk to the media.
N. Gill
Houston, TX

Send your thoughts and comments to:

Watch "On the Record" weeknights at 10 p.m. ET


text:
Argument Essay Outline Template

Your first sentence is comprised of a hook that grabs readers’ attention just like a good Jackie Chan movie grabs the attention of a martial arts fan.It’s a sentence that will intrigue your readers and make them want to learn more.

Do not use self-reference, or the words “I agree” or “I disagree” anywhere in your essay.

You will absolutely use phrases like “the argument” and “the author.”.

The following template is only a suggestion from our GRE study guide, so feel free to adjust it slightly into a version that best works for you!

After presenting you with another author’s argument, there are a variety of ways your task can be stated.

Remember to practice writing at least 2-3 full essays within the time constraint before Test Day!

You can also start applying this template to sample prompts.

Just because there are unsupported assumptions and flaws in the author’s argument, it’s still possible that the conclusion is defensible.

Reinforce the idea that there might be SOME merit to the author’s argument.

Quickly restate your original thesis, that the argument has too many assumptions and flaws in reasoning to be acceptable.

I’ve said it time and time again—there’s nothing worse than staring at a blank page. The introduction is where you lay the foundation for your impenetrable argument.

Comments Argument Essay Outline Template

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Article Image
IPFS News Link • Marriage

Thank You, Silicon Valley, for Helping Make Marriage Equality Happen

No single person or group of people can claim credit for today's historic US Supreme Court ruling declaring that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The decision is the hard-earned payoff for decades of work by millions of activists, politicians, public figures, and average Americans who have fought relentlessly for this right.

But in recent years, the giants of Silicon Valley have played an important role in amplifying the call. Leaders of the world's biggest tech companies coupled moral conviction in support of marriage equality with bottom-line financial arguments—arguments that only the country's most powerful business leaders were in a position to make.

'Today marks a victory for equality, perseverance and love.' Apple CEO Tim Cook

Back in 2013, 278 companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, filed a brief with the Supreme Court in support of overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, often referred to as DOMA.

In the filing, they argued that DOMA burdens businesses with keeping track of an inconsistent patchwork of federal and state legal definitions of marriage for the purpose of benefits, taxes, and other administrative issues.

"Confusion abounds, and even sophisticated employers struggle," the brief read.

Along with the HR nightmare, the companies also argued that DOMA was detrimental to morale and, in many cases, forces businesses to forsake their own beliefs. "In the modern workplace, the employer becomes the face of DOMA's discriminatory treatment, and is placed in the role of intrusive inquisitor, imputer of taxable income, and withholder of benefits," it reads.

"The employer is thus forced by DOMA to participate in the injury of its own workforce morale."

Outspoken for Equality

Tech leaders have, meanwhile, been outspoken on other instances of discrimination against the LGBT community.


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Head of Property Management

John Dessauer

My Bio

Respected and accomplished entrepreneur.

John Dessauer is a respected and accomplished entrepreneur across various industries including Environmental Services, Hospitality, Marketing, Education, and Real Estate. John obtained a B.S. Degree in Biology and Business Administration/Economics from St. Ambrose University, setting the foundation for his entrepreneurial successes. As a passionate real estate professional, his personal portfolio includes hundreds of successful transactions across a range of asset classes including apartments, office buildings, retail, single-family homes, avnd condominiums. John has also been instrumental in the success of other investors, providing services through his National Brokerage and Asset Management firm Anton Agency/ Anton Asset Management.

Under John’s direction, Anton Asset Management has managed and brokered over 2,000,000 square feet of rental and retail space, which translates to over $100,000,000 in property values. John has achieved national recognition as the author of 4 books discussing insightful strategies around entrepreneurship and real estate investing. John also hosted a highly acclaimed, nationally syndicated real estate investing show on Sirus/XM. As an advisor to Freedom Venture Management, John brings decades of portfolio management experience as well as the industry relationships that are paramount to the success of the Fund.


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Sugandha Mishra, husband Sanket Bhosale and others booked for violating COVID-19 norms at wedding

Comedian Sugandha Mishra was booked for allegedly flouting coronavirus norms during her wedding with Sanket Bhosale at a resort in Punjab's Phagwara district last week, police said on Thursday.

The case was registered on Wednesday night against her, the bridegroom's side, the owner of the resort and participants of the marriage after a video went viral showing a large gathering of people at the wedding in violation of COVID-19 norms, Deputy Superintendent of Police Paramjit Singh said.

The marriage ceremony took place on April 26.

The case was registered under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Disaster Management Act, Singh said.

No arrest has yet been made, the DSP said, adding that an investigation was going on.

Mishra hails from Jalandhar, while Bhosale belongs to Maharashtra.

Both had shot into fame with The Kapil Sharma Show, though they had later left it. They are now settled in Mumbai.

(To receive our E-paper on whatsapp daily, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)

Free Press Journal


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Chhattisgarh holds second rank in COVID-19 vaccine wastage; CM Bhupesh Baghel says 'report politically motivated'

Chhattisgarh: Central government published a report on wastage of covid19 vaccine, and Chhattisgarh has been shown as second state in the country having highest wastage of vaccine after Jharkhand. It has kicked off another row of controversy, and the report has become bone of contention between state and central government.

States have been urged repeatedly to keep vaccine wastage below 1, many states like Jharkhand (37.3%), CG (30.2%), J&K (10.8%) and Madhya Pradesh (10.7%) are reporting much higher wastage than the national average (6.3%), ANI quoted a report from Ministry of Health.

This revelation has somehow bruised the image of the Bhupesh led Chhattisgarh government.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who got his second shot of Covid19 vaccine in Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital Raipur on Thursday reacted strongly over the report.

Centre is misleading and the report is intentionally motivated and an attempt to belittle the image of government and its good works, CM Baghel said. In Chhattisgarh, total wastage in vaccines is less than the central guideline of 1.86 percent. We are sending all the data online.

Actually, the Central government is not accepting the data of CG Tika hence such a problem is occurring, Baghel said.

In each age group we have crossed the mark of 80%, he added.

In addition, the Health dept of CG tweeted - the data is incorrect, and we are in touch with them to resolve the data issue.

Meanwhile, CG Health minister TS Singh Deo rejected the report and said, the Centre is sourcing the data from vaccination centres and a delay in updating the data is termed as vaccine wastage.

CG govt data said, 69,66,231 doses of vaccines have been administered till date.

(To receive our E-paper on whatsapp daily, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper's PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)

Free Press Journal


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Monthly Archives: January 2021

My family started our homeschooling story last week. We met our co-op group, enjoying being with families again, each of my boys finding new friendships. I’m so glad we started homeschooling with a group of others who know so much more about homeschooling than I do. My fellow homeschooling moms […]

Simple Ideas to teach Atomic Number


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text: AUTHOR=Theroux Susanna, Huang Yongsong, Amaral-Zettler Linda TITLE=Comparative Molecular Microbial Ecology of the Spring Haptophyte Bloom in a Greenland Arctic Oligosaline Lake JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology VOLUME=3 YEAR=2012 PAGES=415 URL= DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2012.00415 ISSN=1664-302X ABSTRACT=The Arctic is highly sensitive to increasing global temperatures and is projected to experience dramatic ecological shifts in the next few decades. Oligosaline lakes are common in arctic regions where evaporation surpasses precipitation, however these extreme microbial communities are poorly characterized. Many oligosaline lakes, in contrast to freshwater ones, experience annual blooms of haptophyte algae that generate valuable alkenone biomarker records that can be used for paleoclimate reconstruction. These haptophyte algae are globally important, and globally distributed, aquatic phototrophs yet their presence in microbial molecular surveys is scarce. To target haptophytes in a molecular survey, we compared microbial community structure during two haptophyte bloom events in an arctic oligosaline lake, Lake BrayaSø in southwestern Greenland, using high-throughput pyrotag sequencing. Our comparison of two annual bloom events yielded surprisingly low taxon overlap, only 13% for bacterial and 26% for eukaryotic communities, which indicates significant annual variation in the underlying microbial populations. Both the bacterial and eukaryotic communities strongly resembled high-altitude and high latitude freshwater environments. In spite of high alkenone concentrations in the water column, and corresponding high haptophyte rRNA gene copy numbers, haptophyte pyrotag sequences were not the most abundant eukaryotic tag, suggesting that sequencing biases obscured relative abundance data. With over 170 haptophyte tag sequences, we observed only one haptophyte algal Operational Taxonomic Unit, a prerequisite for accurate paleoclimate reconstruction from the lake sediments. Our study is the first to examine microbial diversity in a Greenland lake using next generation sequencing and the first to target an extreme haptophyte bloom event. Our results provide a context for future explorations of aquatic ecology in the warming arctic.


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#TeamTrainwreck 22: Every dark cloud has a pewter lining!

Not open for further replies.

Pogorilaya, Anna

Glenn, Amber
Honda, Marin
Konstantinova, Stanislava
Leonova, Alena
Lim, Eunsoo
Nugumanova, Elizaveta
Peltonen, Emmi
Schott, Nicole
Tuktamysheva, Elizaveta

Aymoz, Kévin
Březina, Michal
Litvintsev, Vladimir
Nadeau, Nicolas
Pulkinen, Camden
Sadovsky, Roman
Samohin, Daniel
Yan, Han

Ice Dance:
Shpilevaya, Anastasia / Smirnov, Grigory

No pairs, ouch.
But we all know, Panfilova just has to deliver one senior FS with doubles only and she is in :D
And well, Khuda is intruding so much for dance, I could put her on the list already :D

Let's hope for a season, safe and sound, full of :drama: and :gallopin1 !
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Well-Known Member
I so hope that TTW will have some possibilities to splat out this season! :cheer2: After watching live athletics last week, I so miss the excitement of who is going to mess up mostly.
(IRL I do want everybody to succes.):cheer:

Well-Known Member
It's been a while since we had to worry about piddling things like Rules around here, but this is how we operate. @Jeschke take note!

1) Skater needs a complete package to potentially be a top skater at Euros/4CC's/Worlds/Olympic level
2) Skater needs to have the ability to absolutely rock one day and splat the day after. Even better: rock and splat during one program
3) Skater is not afraid of breaking one's heart over and over again
4) Skater needs more splat/messy performances than great ones

1) Worlds/Olympic medalists and Euro/4CC's champions are not eligible
2) Multiple Euros/4CC's medal winners are not eligible
3) Membership and changes to the Rules and Qualities shall be decided by consensus among longstanding posters in the #TeamTrainwreck Threads, subject to points 1) and 2)
4) The pinky166 is not allowed to make more than one proposal a day
5) Proposals can be submitted in the #teamtrainwreck thread
6) New membership is granted only to current skaters
7) New membership is only granted to senior skaters (at least one international senior competition)
8) Membership can be cancelled due to points 1) and 2), numerous decent skates in a row or not being competitive on elite level anymore.

1) Being a student of Volchkova/Rukavicin
2) Big boobs/nice ass
3) Boobs/belly/nipples showing
4) Mule kick
5) Being Uzbek/Russian
6) last name called Schott
7) Bizarre off ice incidents
8) Coach
9) Costume (-Malfunction)
10) Splats
11) Bizarre Choreo
12) Hair
13) Bizarre salchows

Gimazetdinova, Anastasia
Hubert, Laëtitia
Miner, Ross
Sandhu, Emanuel

Fans' Auxiliary:

#TTW = Team Trainwreck
1930's Belarussian = Katsiarina Pakhamovich
Big Bro = Michal Březina
Bossman = Jeschke (not Norman Jeschke)
Cave In = Kévin Aymoz (from the French pronunciation of his first name and his tendency to cave in)
Comfy Balls = Sondre Oddvoll Bøe (from his brand of shorts for underwear, as reflected on his social media posts)
Danny Salmon = Daniel Samohin
Elvis = Nicolas Nadeau (from his Elvis Presley Free Skate of a few of seasons ago)
Lil Sis = Eliška Březinová
Lovebirds = Two young skaters who display their affection for each other on social media (exact meaning depends on context)
Narcissus and Echo = Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis
Our boy = Dmitri Aliev
Perkov = Anton Shulepov (through his marriage to Perkova)
Perkova = Alena Leonova
Poster boy = Daniel Samohin
Poster girl = Stanislava Konstantinova
Pressman = Vagabond
Queen U = Elizaveta Ukolova
Romsky = Roman Sadovsky (from his moniker on social media)
Telenovela = Deniss Vasiljevs, either with or without his coach (for obvious reasons)
TM1 = Maria Artemieva (Trainwreck Maria #1)
TM2 = Maria Stavitskaya (Trainwreck Maria #2)
Tsareva = (1) To react impassively to success or failure; (2) not to suffer fools gladly.
Vice = alchemy_void

MEEPOTS = Most Epic Ending Pose of the Season
MESS = Most Epic Splat of the Season
MIMOS = Most Important Minion of the Season
POTS or :gallopin1-POTS = Performance of the Season
Tursy-POTS = Kiss and Cry Performance of the Season (from Elizabet Tursynbayeva's mother)

If I post in this thread, does that mean I'm on #TTW?

No, the skaters are the ones on the Team, not us. But you may aspire to joining the Fans' Auxiliary.

Who decides whether a skater's membership should be cancelled on grounds other than medalling or retirement?
Normally, the bossman, possibly with the advice of vice. But there's always a first time for everything.

Why are Alena Leonova, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, and Han Yan on the List?
The bossman has his delusions, and we humor him.

Do you have to be voidy to be on the Team?
No, but it helps. You do, however, have to be heartbreaking.

Is there an anti-American bias here?
Not at all. Several Americans are or have been on the team, e.g., Amber Glenn, Camden Pulkinen, and Gracie Gold.

What is the Pantheon?
The Pantheon is something we cooked up here in the #TTW Press Office to promote those skaters who have retired. Each member of the Pantheon must embody in his or her own way the essence of Team Trainwreck as determined by the pressman.

How do I get on the Fans' Auxiliary?
Not by asking or campaigning for it.

What is the Black Mark of #TTW?
It's our own special curse, bestowed when da bossman allows a skater to the Team based on a certain number of votes rather than his own judgment or a consensus, as required by Rule #3. The curse has been known to end skaters' careers or send their lives into a tailspin.

Sally Skater and Peter Partner tripped each other after doubling their salchows at last weekend's competition. Surely that makes them worthy of the Team.
In and of itself, falling once or even several times in one program does not warrant membership. Please reread the Criteria.

Why aren't skaters allowed on the Team before they skate Seniors at the international level?
We want to give them time to mature without putting too much pressure on them.

Why is this thread in The Trash Can, whereas From Russia with Love is in Great Skate Debate?
That's a good question.

Is there a King and Queen, or is everybody equal?
No, but we do have the bossman and vice.

Can someone clarify what this thread is for/about?

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Well-Known Member
How did @rfisher made it to the auxiliary?
Is it just her cursing every loved one or what did I miss?
OMG We are starting a student food pantry. The Dean was going over the protocol for distributing items and said, "this is likely going to be a trainwreck at first." Before I could think better, 'I love trainwrecks" popped out of my mouth. Then I started :rofl: The Dean, who is easily flustered anyway, just gaped at me. I couldn't breath I was laughing so hard, waving my hand at him to continue. As we walked out, I told him, it's too complicated to explain.

Let the skating begin
If you'll bring Briukhanov down with Polina#8423058 we 2 need to have a word! :argue:
"You gotta see it before it happens.
Believe before it happens
Receive before it happens
You got to know, it's gonna happen"
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Very #ttw appropriate interview with Liza about shopping only

And video version
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Toth presenting 3a at test event (splat though).
I won't give up on Schott! :D
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/content/dam/fundacion-banco-santander/es/imagenes/cultura/arte/coleccion/solanas-añadidos-2021/peinadora 164.jpg != null ? bannerSimple.alt : true}

José Gutiérrez Solana (Madrid, 1886-1945)

The Hairdresser

ca. 1937

India ink and pencil on paper, 32 x 26 cm

Signed at the lower left corner “J. Solana”

Solana produced this drawing during his time of exile in Paris during the Spanish Civil War. Depressed and far from his familiar surroundings, the artist found it difficult to devise new themes and even to embark on new drawings and paintings.

It was probably for this reason that he returned to earlier motifs, which his excellent visual memory allowed him to repeat with slight variations. This drawing is a new interpretation of The cheap Hairdresser that he painted in 1918 and again in Paris in 1937. There is also another drawing of the subject of 1918 and an etching of around 1932-33.

Lola the Hairdresser is a recurring subject in Solana’s artistic universe, reappearing on numerous occasions in his descriptive texts on Madrid, as do the wicker and wooden mannequins that are to be seen in this image. These mannequins formed part of Solana’s visual repertoire and he used them again in the unique and magnificent Self-portrait that he painted in 1943 following his return to Spain.

The image in this drawing, seemingly frozen in time, conveys the reality of dignified but old and unattractive women, set among the mannequins that fill the composition. In the silent, tranquil atmosphere created here the living beings and objects seem to become one and the same.

This drawing may date from after the painted version and have been made as a record of it. It is executed in India ink and uses a hard, precise line to outline all the elements in the manner of a photograph. It lacks the narrative sense found in the other depictions of this subject.

María José Salazar


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Friday, May 28, 2021

Hand-Penned Petals Thank You

 Hello, my stamping friend.

I would like to share cards today I created for my Catalog Kick off. They are featuring  Hand Penned Petals bundle. The stamp has beautiful flower images with 2 step stamping. I created monochromatic cards using brand new in colors. This one is Polished Pink/Soft Succulent combo:

Fresh Freesia/Soft Succulent combo:
Pale Papaya/Soft Succulent:

We made Pale Papaya version. The flower image was stamped 2 times in memento ink. The flowers were stamped inside in corresponding color. Leaves are stamped in Soft succulent (stamped off for softer look). Die cut flowers, add to basic white with dimensionals. Sentiment was stamped on 1” strip and flagged.

Which one is your favorite? What combo will you try?

Check my new Class To Go

Happy Stamping!

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4 Great Flavours

  • Chicken & Broccoli
  • Liver, Tumeric & Black Pepper
  • Turkey & Sweet Potato
  • Duck & Orange

Key Benefits

Wheat and corn free
No added sugar, salt or dyes
Perfect topping for the Lickimat
Serving can last up to 40 mins without over feeding

Product Information

Wheat and corn free, with no added sugar, salt or dyes. A little treat goes a long way - when the Sprinkles are used in conjunction with a Lickimat, it can take you dog up to 40 minutes to clear, keeping them entertained and relieving boredom.

Recommended for

Rye Flour, Dried Duck, Oils & Fats, Orange Oil, Minerals.

Protein 15.5%, Crude Oils & Fats 11.5%, Crude Fibres 2.2%

For extra freshness, contents are sealed in a separate bag inside, remove and pour into the container. Wet your Lickimat with water or any other tasty liquid. Shake Sprinkles over the Lickimat to cover the surface. Always ensure your pet has access to fresh, clean water.

Feeding Guide

Complimentary pet food for Dogs. Feed as a treat or reward. Serve 5g to 35g per day depending on breed, size and age. Not suitable for puppies under 8 weeks.

Storage Information

Once opened store in a cool, dry place.

Lickimat Sprinkles Liver, Turmeric & Black Pepper Dog Treats 150g


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Our Team

We are a group of passionate geeks, close-knit as a team, different and characteristic as individuals. We combine our different strengths in order to reach a common goal: furthering Vorarlberg as a center of technology and thus contributing our share to
the world’s digital future.

Based on a typical word from our dialect, “gsi”, Vorarlberg is traditionally known as Gsiberg, but it is turning more and more into Gsilicon Valley – and we are proud to be among the founding fathers. We have preserved the traditional values of Vorarlberg, which means that we implement every project with devotion and comprehensive technical know-how.

Matthias Burtscher
CEO & Co-founder
Rene Ponudic
Project Manager & Co-Founder
David Roth
Head of Development & Co-Founder
Alexander Troy
Project Manager & Co-Founder
Gabriele Ponudic
Feelgood Manager
Michael Zangerle
Project Manager & Senior Software Developer
Arjan Frans
Software Developer
Kerstin Rehn
Clemens Himmer
Software Developer
Johannes Hartmann
Senior Software Developer
Lilla Fésüs
Senior Software Developer
André Heine
Software Developer
Mark Debeljak
Software Developer
Ludwig Thoma
Junior Project Manager
Jamine Ponudic
Human Resource Manager
Michelle Weber
Software Developer
Philipp Schuler
Project Manager
Daniel Nussbaum
UX / UI Designer
Marc Trawetzky
Junior Software Developer
Thomas Rzipa
Software Developer
Viktoria Jäger
Junior UX / UI Designer
Stefan Grasböck
Software Developer
Britta Högler
Marketing Manager
Mathias Draxler
Software Developer
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Software Developer

Not sure who from our team you want to contact? Simply use this general contact possibilities – and you’ll hear from us soon.

Become pen friends.

Say hello.

+43 5523 213 20

Write hello.

Pay a digital visit.

Things you do not (have to) know about Fusonic.

All Fusonics put together have 13 pets.

You’ll find 14 bearded men in our offices.

Eleven of us could apply for the “Ingenieur” title – only one of us did.

There is not one vegetarian in our entire team.

We consume an average of 113 cups of coffee per week – not each, but in total.

75 % of the Fusonic team are addicted to Game of Thrones.

On average, five games of table soccer are played each day.

The iOS or Android user rate is 4 to 14 … and one Windows Phone User


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Call us today: 020 8256 0910 or contact us

Nursery Practitioner

  • Nursery Practitioner - Post
  •  Location - Lewisham, London
  •  Salary - £80 - £85 per day
  •  Date Posted - 14/06/2021

Are you a Nursery Practitioner looking for a term time only role based in a primary school in Lewisham?

If you are looking to work in a supportive and ambitious school environment not far from where you live in Lewisham, which is graded 'outstanding' in their most recent Ofsted, then this is the position for you!

I am working with a primary school who are looking for a Nursery Practitioner to hit the ground running in September 2021 on a one-year maternity cover. This is a Monday to Friday position, working from 8:30am to 3:45pm, term time only. This is the perfect role to balance your home and work life.

The school believes that every child is unique and that each child deserves the opportunity to be happy, feel valued and experience success, with the help of their teacher.

Desired skills and Experience

  • Level 3 in Childcare and Education or Equivalent.
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  • A good understanding of classroom and behaviour management.

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By applying for this role, you will receive expertise and advice from us at Future Education; a family run business founded by outstanding teachers. We believe in ensuring the right teacher goes into the right role and we are dedicated to the development and achievement of pupils. You will have the opportunity to have a close relationship with your own personal consultant to help transition you into this role.

Don't hesitate to get in touch, as this vacancy will be filled quickly. APPLY NOW!

  • Reference: NN003_1621426907


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of groups are highly distracted

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AI - supporting complex strategy

UK FSI - £3bn at risk, £2bn saved


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15 C
HomeNEWSCRIME & LAWMore than 200 bikes stolen in Galway last year

More than 200 bikes stolen in Galway last year

More than 200 bikes were stolen in Galway last year, and Gardai are reminding the public to take extra precautions in locking their bicycles.

From the start of 2020 up to April 23 of this year, there were a total of 6,845 bicycles stolen across the country, of which 2,139

There were 208 bikes reported stolen in Galway in 2020. This year, from January 1 to April 23, another 23 bicycles were stolen.

Of the bicycles that were reported stolen in Galway last year, only 51 were later recovered. And of those reported so far in 2021, 15 have been recovered.

Crime Prevention Officer in the Galway Garda Division Sgt Michael Walsh said, “We are appealing to all bicycle owners to ensure they lock their bikes as securely as possible when they are not in use.

“Anecdotally, more people are cycling since the start of the pandemic and this is to be welcomed.”

“Schemes like cycle to work offer great opportunities to those taking up cycling but it does mean people are investing in more expensive bikes.”

“Therefore, it makes sense to invest in quality locks to prevent bike theft. A good quality lock would involve spending 10% to 20% of the value of the bike on two locks. On average this would amount to €140/€150.”

In many instances, even when Gardaí do recover a bike it cannot be returned to its owner because the serial number was not recorded.

Of the bicycles stolen since January 2020 only 1 in every 5 bike owners were able to provide their bicycle frame / serial number when reporting the theft to Gardaí. This causes problems reuniting bicycles with their owners.

Sgt Walsh added, “Take a photo of your bike. Note the serial number, which is located on the underside of your bike close to the pedals. Email the photo and serial number to yourself or store it on the cloud, so you will always have a record of it.”

Briain Kelly
Email: news@galwaydaily.com
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Risk Factors and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling

Most people start gambling solely for the sake of fun and that is really what gambling was meant to be. Safe gambling can be a great source of entertainment like going to the cinemas or going bowling. However, it becomes a critical problem when the urge to gamble comes and you’re unable to control it even though you know it’s harming you. When this is the case, you’ve become a compulsive gambler.  Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling addiction, is a kind of impulse-control disorder. You can’t “stay off the bet” even when you’re broke, happy or depressed.  You know the odds are against you and that you can’t afford to lose, yet you still gamble.

Anyone can become a victim of gambling addiction, it is not age or gender-specific. While the problem of gambling develops over time for many people, there are still those who got hooked  after a single bet. Also, not everyone who gambles become addicted, most people fall victim as a result of reasons that ranges from trauma to mental disorder. They start using gambling to relieve themselves or escape from problems.

Risk factors of compulsive gambling

While the reason behind compulsive gambling is not clearly understood; genetic, biological and environmental factors are most often associated with it like many other problems. The chances of one developing a gambling addiction greatly increases with the following factors:

  • Age

Compulsive gambling is on the higher side among younger and middle-aged people. According to research, individuals below the age of 35 are more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. Mostly as a result of the fact that younger individuals are more likely to act on their impulse and look for new sensations. Those who start gambling from their childhood or teenage years are also more likely to become compulsive gamblers.

The adult generation also have an increased risk as they often gamble to relieve feelings of anxiety or loneliness. Matters are worsened with the uprise of gambling websites and apps as they can now gamble comfortably from home. Furthermore, the appealing perks that a lot of licensed gaming facilities and casinos offer older gamblers are too irresistible. This has become a major problem for the older adult population.

  • Mental health disorders

Compulsive gambling may be associated with hyperactivity/attention-deficit disorder(ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder patients often engage in very risky behaviours during hypomanic or manic episodes. Same as manic individuals, the excitement and euphoria that comes with gambling makes them prone to becoming addicted. People may also gamble compulsively if they have anxiety, depression, personality disorders or substance abuse problems.

  • Gender

While it’s not unusual to find women who gamble, gambling is more common in men. Women typically start gambling later in life and may quickly become addicted. Of recent though, gambling patterns have become similar among men and women. It’s important to treat a woman with gambling problem as soon as possible because of the fast rate in which they develop a gambling addiction.

  • Friend or family influence

If your friends or family members have a gambling problem, there are greater chances of you developing it too. Just like there’s a genetic element attached to many other mental health issues like substance abuse and depression, your genes may also leave you vulnerable to gambling addiction. In addition to that, growing up in a family environment where gambling is the order of the day can also contribute to the development of a gambling problem.

  • Personality traits

Your risk of compulsive gambling increases if you have a workaholic, highly competitive, restless or impulsive personality. Also people who had an “under controlled” temperament during childhood are more likely to become addicted gamblers than those who were considered “well-adjusted.”

  • Certain prescription drugs

Some rare side effects of certain medications can cause compulsive behaviours, which in turn raises the risk for compulsive gambling. Drugs referred to as dopamine agonists that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease have these side effects. Research suggests that people who take these drugs may likely exhibit disordered gambling behaviour and other impulse control problems.

  • Military status

Gambling addiction is among the growing concern for veterans alongside issues like traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD and suicide. Research shows that both male and female veterans have the same rates of pathological gambling.

Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling

The following behaviour patterns often indicate compulsive gambling

  • Loss of control: You keep failing at your attempts to cut back, stop or control gambling.
  • Preoccupation: All the thoughts you have are centred around gambling: you recall your gambling experiences, think of how to get money for your next gambling venture and so on.
  • Withdrawal: When you try to cut down or stop betting, you become irritable or restless
  • Tolerance: Just like drug tolerance, in order to achieve the desired “rush” or tolerance, you keep raising the amount of money you gamble with.
  • Chasing “losses” : Instead of giving up when you lose money, you keep returning the next day to get even or “chase losses”.
  • Escape: Gambling for you is a way of forgetting your problems or getting relieve from depression and anxiety.
  • Risked relationships: Due to gambling, you’ve jeopardized a lot of significant relationships, career or educational opportunity or your job.
  • Lying: To conceal how bad your gambling problem is, you lie to loved ones, therapist or others.
  • Bailout: Gambling affects your financial status and whenever it does, you rely on family or friends to help you out—provide money for you.
  • Illegal activity: For the sake of gambling, you’ve committed unlawful acts like fraud, forgery, embezzlement or theft.

If you’re serious about quitting gambling, there are practical steps you can take to fully recover.  You need all the support you can get from your loved ones in order to completely be free from gambling.

Leave a Reply

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« Lesson From Games | Main | Open Letter To Jason Della Rocca »

April 19, 2006

Mark Nau

Miss you too, sweetie. Now go do something new and awesome.

This promises to be the best game of 2007!!!! Thanks for the sneak peek!

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Jamie's Bragging Rights

  • Spider-Man 2
    The best superhero games of all time Game Informer
    Top five games of all time Yahtzee Croshaw
    Top five superhero games of all time MSNBC
    Top 100 PS2 games of all time Official Playstation 2 Magazine
    1001 Games You Must Play Before You Die Nomination for Excellence in Gameplay Engineering Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
  • Schizoid
    Penny Arcade PAX 10 Award
    Nominated for XBLA Best Original Game
    Nominated for XBLA Best Co-Op Game


text:
Dirt 5 - XBOX Digital Code

Dirt 5 - XBOX Digital Code Dirt 5 - XBOX Digital Code

This product is a digital code and you can receive it within minutes when you pay online

Genre: Driving/Racing

Dirt 5 - XBOX Digital Code

EGP 0.00
DIRT 5 on XBOX ONE, XBOX Series X from Games2Egypt is the bold new off-road racing experience created by Codemasters. Blaze a trail across the most iconic routes in the world. Drive the widest roster of cars from rally icons, to trucks, to GT heroes and lots more. Play through a star-studded Career, four-player split-screen, innovative online modes, livery editor and more new features. DIRT 5 is the next generation of extreme racing.

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Play the series' deepest ever Career mode, go online with action-packed races and innovative game types, or design the event of your dreams in Arcade or Time Trial. More to be revealed!

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text:
Glance at Space Avenger’s screenshots and you’ll soon get the gist. It’s a top-down arena shoot-em-up where asteroids hurtle about while you scramble to destroy ships gunning after you. It does, at least, show what a bit of love can do to a genre that’s as old as gaming itself.

Things start off slowly. Your ship isn’t up to much – the weapons are lame, and you cannot aim in any other direction other than the one you’re facing. It moves as quickly as a milk float and just a few hits will cause it to explode into a million pieces. During the first mission, you get absolutely wrecked as you come up against enemies that rip you apart.

Turns out this is by design. This opening is a tutorial of sorts, see, teaching just how valuable the speed boost manoeuvre is. Once this lesson has been taught, deeper depths are revealed.

Upon destroying an enemy or a yellow coloured asteroid, stars are gained. These can be used to upgrade your ship. An upgrade tree you say? I bloody love an upgrade tree. As well as the endorphin kick of unlocking a new thing, it makes you feel like you didn’t waste your time. Even if you perform worse than the UK’s Track & Trace system, you still get some lovely stars to bank, working your way towards unlocking better weapons and increased manoeuvrability.

As you upgrade, you also start to realise that the game’s slightly slower pace works massively in its favour. Asteroids become good, tactical, cover. Not only that but when coloured asteroids are hit, they spew out goodies like a health top-up or some fuel for your missiles. Unfortunately, your guns don’t tend to have much effect, so strafing around the asteroids and trying to get the enemies to shoot or move first plays a big part.

Speaking of which, there’s a good selection of enemy types. Some have bullets that create formations, while others fire missiles. Some even try to ram you. This keeps things fresh for each wave of enemies, teaming up in ways that can be tricky to handle.

We did spot a bit of slowdown when there was too much happening on the screen, which really shouldn’t happen in a game of this ilk. The story is deeply uninspired too. Some humourless dreck about defeating the evil ‘Nexx’ empire, full of character artwork resembling the front of a German board game – pompous warmongers in uniforms looking moody and serious. You won’t miss much by skipping it.

In fact, there’s a certain amount of blandness to Space Avenger that does it no favours. The name, for one, is as generic as possible. The graphics are serviceable, with lots of different ship types, but they fail to stand out, while the enemies and upgrades are all fairly generic. It all feels like it could do with an extra layer of personality.

I still had a lot of fun with Space Avenger, though. It’s a simple idea well executed, although the lock-on targeting won’t be for everyone. Twin-stick obsessives after an intense fix shouldn’t apply, but if you’re after a simple ‘spacey shooty time’ you could do much worse. Offering new twists on classic ideas, I think fans of Atari’s early coin-ops will find a lot to love.

Space Avenger – Empire of Nexx is available now on the Switch eShop.


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2006 BMW K 1200 S

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Prince Reno, 28M.

Chicago, Illinois
Joined Mar 2012
57 Followers 54 Following
  • rio_da_kidd
    rio_da_kidd reviewed Man's Country Over a year ago
    Hates it

    I've been here twice and both days I went the place was empty. No Black Guys Like I been hearing Or Whites. The place is big and have potental to be better than steamworks if people ever come. I've benn dissapointed both times I came here and feel like i wasted money. Steamworks may not have attractive guys but one thing about steamworks is that they are always busy. ALways !!


text:
By Alpha Artemis
published June 12, 2020
1447 words

Training a puppy is hard work. But man the rewards are nice.

Darren looked at the diapered boy giving him puppy dog eyes, well begging and panting in his lap. He smiled as a small plaintive whimper came from the poor boy as he again tried to grind his padded butt against Darrens crotch desperate for a treat from his favorite “bone”. Darren looked the puppy in the eye and said in a teasing tone of voice, “Aww does Alphas lil baby bitch pup wanna nurse again already?”

The puppy bounced up and down and barked happily, pawing at Darren’s crotch and grinding his diapered bottom against his leg. Darren relented and unbuttoned his jeans and tugged down his boxers so his puppy could get at the prize inside. With a happy yip the puppy dived down and instantly settled into place against Darren’s side. His warm, wet mouth began sliding back and forth on Darren’s cock while he gently ground his diapered crotch against Darren’s leg. Darren could feel the caged cock rubbing against his leg inside the puppy’s diaper and smirked again.

“Aww someone’s trying to get hard, isn’t he? But he can’t because Alpha locked his little puppy bits away in a nice tight cage, because little puppies like you don’t need their cocks huh boy?”

Darren smirked as a muffled whimper vibrated the throat of the puppy as it continued to move its mouth up and down on his cock, savoring the steady leak of pre cum from his Alpha’s bone. Darren leaned back and rubbed the back of the pup’s head, pushing him down a bit further each time; just enough to gag him and then pulled him back, letting him breath before slowly pushing him back down.

Darren smiled again as the puppy started taking more and more of his cock without being forced on it. He kept one hand resting lightly on the puppy’s head and used the other to gently pat the back of the thick, colorful diaper enclosing the pup’s bottom and locked privates. As the pup moved back and forth and continued its slow grind against his leg, he thought to himself how delightful it was to have a new pet in the house. His last one had been sold the month before and it had been rather quiet and boring around the house since. Plus, now he could get his rocks off whenever he wanted and his new puppy would always be ready to lend a paw, mouth or tail hole to the cause.

What had this one’s name been? Alex? Arron? Adrion? Darren tried to remember but shrugged and thrust into the puppy’s throat causing him to gag and then recover and take even more of the shaft down his throat. He had seen him harassing a gay couple on the street and decided to make him his next “project”. A little slight of hand hypnotism combined with some sleeping pills in the drink he bought the guy for “fighting the good fight” and he was out like a light and swept into Darren’s arms and carried to his apartment downtown. Darren remembered cackling like a loon when the guy’s eyes had rolled up into his head right in the middle of railing against the “faggots” infesting the city as he passed out.

And now look at him. Amazing what a week spent in a drugged haze and some hypnotic suggestions and conditioning could do to a person’s outlook. This little puppy was already sucking dick like he was born for it. And with a bit more time and a few more sessions with Darren’s special video collection and his little puppy would be ready to start getting fucked and bred like the little bitch he was. Darren grinned and, after sucking on his finger for a moment, slowly moved his hand down the back of the puppy’s diaper and, grinning like a cat that caught the canary, slowly slipped the digit inside of the puppies hole.

The blowjob suddenly stopped and the puppy let out a long slow moan of pleasure causing his throat to vibrate around Darrens cock. Darren growled softly in pleasure and pushed the puppies head down to get him started again. His finger moved slowly in and out of the tight hole and the puppy continues to moan and whimper around his cock and the humping grew even more excited. Bending his finger slightly and locating the spot he wanted, Darren began a slow, teasing massage of the puppies prostate well still moving his finger in and out.

“Mmm that’s right good boy. You feel that? You feel where Alpha is pressing on. That special spot inside your tail hole? That’s puppies prostate. And pretty soon it’s gonna be the only way you can cum. Your gonna need something shoved up your little hole working it over so you can splatter your little load out of your locked cock. And your gonna beg and whimper and whine and plead with me to help you do it. But remember. You only cum it Alpha is satisfied”

Darren could feel the puppies grinding getting more and more frenzied and decided to make it more fun. He slowly withdrew his finger and leaned over to were the puppy was resting his head on Darren’s lap well he sucked. And he whispered a word into the puppies ear causing a small shudder to run the puppies entire form before a soft hissing sound started and the puppy whimpered several times and pulled his mouth off Darren’s cock and pawed at his crotch as his locked little bits filled his diaper with a flood of warm piss without any way of stopping it. The puppy whined and looked up with shame and fear in his eyes but Darren smiled at the poor boy and gently stroked his head before pushing him back down into his cock to resume the blowjob.

“Shhh it’s okay buddy. Your just filling your diaper like a good boy. Little puppies aren’t potty trained. That’s why they wear a diaper. Don’t worry buddy. Its all natural. Just keep nursing away.. You have almost earned your treat. Puppy want a treat?” Darren said in a supportive and teasing tone of voice.

The puppy begin to move faster and faster and Darren felt his balls rise up and pushed the puppy as far down as he could go safely and with a low moan began to shoot ropes of cum straight down the puppies throat. Three shots went straight down the pups throat before he pulled out and shot another 3 across the puppies muzzle and on his chest. The puppy squirmed and lapped at the head of Darren’s cock trying to get as much of the treat as he could. Darren let him lap away and clean him up before he rubbed he cum into the puppies chest and fed the rest to him.

Sitting up slightly and scooping the smaller boy into his arms Darren carried the puppy over to the large playpen in the corner of the room and set him inside of it. He smiled and rubbed the puppies head and said “go play with your toys buddy. Alphas gonna turn on a nice musical track for you to listen to well you play. Remember to be quiet don’t wanna wake the neighbors.”

The puppy barked softly with his tongue out and then went to gnaw on nearby toy well soft music began to fill the room and fill his ears. He slowly grew more and more tired until he curled up on his bed with his Alphas dirty shirt on it and dozed off well the music floated through his head and his caged bits jumped up and down in the cage trying to get excited and his little hole flexed and remembered all the pleasurable feelings his Alpha has given him.

Darren shut the door and went to his computer to get some work done. The music would have the pup asleep in a 30 minutes or so and would start the process of making it easier to train the puppy to get fucked and remove more of his bladder control. He smiled and thought to himself how good the little guy looked with ropes of spunk across his face and chest.

“Hmm. Spunky. That’s a perfect name for the little guy.” Darren thought aloud as he turned to his computer and casually rubbed his cock through his pants anticipating the next step in the pups training.

Mind control
Wanking material
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text:
The Game

By Willie Cici
published July 6, 2015
4468 words

Justin wanted to find out for himself why his roommate couldn’t get enough of his new video game - - -

Justin went home after a day of classes and swim practice. Tired and spent, Justin longed for a quiet evening at home. Luckily, his roommate, Brian and he met as freshmen and have become great friends. At the end of their freshman year, the boys decided that they would find off-campus housing for the next year. Admittedly, Justin took advantage of Brian. Brian’s mega-rich daddy took a liking to Justin. He thought that Justin was a good influence on his slacker son who preferred smoking weed and drinking to excess. When Brian’s dad offered to pay $1500 a month for the rent, Brian and Justin decided to find a two-bedroom in an exclusive neighborhood. Brian and Justin would reap so many benefits of such a move: quiet retreat from school, plus a pussy magnet for sure.

As Justin walked into to the fifth floor condominium apartment, he called out, “I’m home.” Justin dropped his duffle bag and sauntered into the kitchen to grab a bottle of Gatorade. “Anyone home?”.

“In my room.”, a voice called out.

Justin walked towards Brian’s bedroom and opened the door. Brian’s room had a balcony. To the left of the balcony entrance, on a decorative table, Brian had a 62” LCD flat screen TV. The bed, in the middle of the room, served as his prop as he leaned against the bed, playing a video game.

“Dude, I left you this morning playing this game. Did you leave the house?”, Justin asked.

“Yes. I went to class. I’m playing online with someone across the globe. And he’s beating my ass.”

“You mean she.”, Justin laughed.

“Funny, douche bag. Now leave me alone. I need to concentrate.”, Brian retorted.

Justin closed the door of Brian’s room and left him to his video game machinations. As the door closed, Brian said, “That was close. Now back to it.” The young stud laying on the Oriental rug in Brian’s room resumed sucking Brian’s cock as Brian continued to play the video game. When Brian reached another level, the game spoke, “Level 12. The Wand.” As the game spoke, Brian pulled out the game’s accessory, the wand, and handed it to the young stud. As the young stud continued to suck Brian’s cock, the young stud inserted the wand (a vibrating rubber dildo) into Brian’s quivering hole. Brian did not moan or whimper. He accepted the wand and continued to accept the pleasure of the young stud’s mouth. Brian continued to play the game pushing the limits, taking risks, challenging every presumption. When Brian reached Level 13, the game spoke, “Now, enter the realm.” Brian stared at the screen, a pulsating image of orange, brown and gold hues that pulled Brian into the depths of the flashing images. The young stud pulled out the joystick from Brian’s tight hole. The young stud likewise leaned against the bed. Side by side, Brian and his young stud jerked each off, their massive beer can size cocks glistening as precum lubed their cocks. Finally, the game spoke, “Cum.” Within seconds, Brian and his young stud shot their loads, ounces of jizz erupting from their beefy rock hard cocks.

Brian grabbed a towel from underneath the bed and wiped his cock. When he finished, Brian handed the towel to the young stud, saying to him, “Whatever your name is, just wait here. I’ll get my roommate out of the apartment. You can leave then.” The young stud accepted Brian’s instructions.

Brian pulled up his pants and exited his bedroom, leaving the young stud camouflaged by the size of Brian’s king sized bed. Brian walked into the living room and said, “You up for Thai?”

Justin replied, “Yeah. Sounds great. Let’s go.” The two roommates left their apartment. Within minutes, the young stud, now fully clothed, exited the apartment, scurrying about, making sure that no one detected his departure.

With the end of the spring semester, Brian and his family departed for their annual three-week vacation to the French Riviera. Justin found himself alone in the apartment and loving it. With the summertime employment he had secured, Justin could enjoy his sumptuous apartment and entertain all the honeys he could entice. Justin had an upper hand in the seduction game. The quintessential California surfer dude, Justin was 6’3”, sculpted swimmer’s physique, but with more definition and muscle in his core, lats and chest. With his locks of blond hair flowing, chiseled features, and ensnaring hazel eyes, Justin melted hearts and pounded pussy. As he showered for his evening’s date with Vanessa, Justin soaped and lathered his taut, muscular frame, his cobbled core and his swinging 9” monster cock. After he toweled, Justin donned a pair of linen drawstring pants, a lycra-tight brown t-shirt and pair of Nike sports sandals. He grabbed the keys to his Jeep Wrangler and headed for his evening of entertainment.

At 10pm, Justin returned to his apartment, alone and disgusted. He started murmuring to himself, “What a teasing bitch!! I don’t understand how a kiss could piss off that little slut. A kiss, little tongue. What the fuck?” He walked into his room, disrobed and entered the living room. Justin surfed the TV listings for something to watch, maybe an NBA playoff game, something. With nothing to watch, Justin had an idea. He always wanted to see the fascination with the video game that Brian enjoyed playing endlessly. Justin decided to give the game a whirl.

Justin walked in to Brian’s room and activated the TV screen and the game box panel. Justin lay on the floor of the bedroom, leaning against Brian’s bed. The screen flashed once and an image of a castle appeared on the screen, “Enter the Realm and seek the treasure.”, the game voice spoke. The door of the castle opened. With joystick in hand, Justin walked his character through the doors and began to fend off attacks from the guards inside the castle. Once Justin cleared this first level, the game said, “Level 2. Tread carefully young warrior.” The screen depicted a descending staircase. As the computer-generated character walked down the staircase, the game voice said, “Tread slowly, young warrior. First step, carefully descend. Second step, calm. Third step, relax and accept. Fourth step, fear not. Fifth step, relax and accept. Sixth step, proceed with courage, young warrior. Seventh step, relax and accept.” The game voice continued to lead Justin down the circular fifty-stepped staircase. “You have reached the bottom of the dungeon. Now, take heed and search for the golden key.”

Justin immediately continued with the game searching for the golden key. He encountered flying beasts and gargoyle-like prey. With the character’s sword, Justin fended off every beast until he found the golden key. As Justin’s computer character grabbed the golden key, a barrage of flashing lights and circular patterns filled the TV screen. The lights continued to flash for minutes. Justin thought he heard voice saying ‘accept – obey – submit’. He heard these words repeated in various high-piercing decibels as the lights continued to flash faster and faster. Finally, the game voice spoke, “Level 3. The prize.”

Justin searched for the video game’s accessories and found the prize, a rubber device placed over the cock that simulated a sucking motion. Justin grabbed the device and placed it on his cock. Justin quivered from the pleasure he received. He retrieved the joystick and began to maneuver the rigors of Level 3. He encountered many challenges at this level. Justin crashed three times and could not escape Level 3. The game voice spoke, “Your time has ended. Retrieve the Tantrus and the Cage and follow the instructions on the screen.”

Justin again searched the accessories and found the prostrate massage toy, the Tantrus, and a clear-plastic cock cage. The game provided instructions on how Justin would place his cock in the cage and lock the device. Justin crammed his semi-hard cock into the cage, experiencing a bit of painful pleasure in the process. As for the Tantrus, the screen ordered him to remove the cock device, lube the Tantrus, and insert the prostate massage toy into his quivering hole. As Justin sat there, legs spread, cock in a cage and ass filled with the Tantrus, the screen flashed the three words repeatedly: accept – obey – submit. Meanwhile, the game voice spoke, “Resume play in 12 hours from now.”

The TV screen continued to flash, bright lights and spiral images of the three words for next fifteen minutes until suddenly the screen went dark. Justin rose from the floor of Brian’s bedroom and went to his room. He lay on his bed, at first unable to sleep, but eventually, sleep descending.

The next morning, Saturday morning, Justin awoke and found himself encased and plugged by the prostate massage toy. His cock was diamond hard and pressing against the limits of the cage. As he rose from his bed, Justin walked towards his en suite bath and stared at his physique. He could not remember how this happened to him. Justin’s first impulse was to remove the cock cage, but he inexplicably dismissed the thought. The same applied to the prostate massage toy that vibrated and tickled his prostate in a constant fashion. This tickling hardened his cock to the point that precum dripped from the tip of the cage. As he exited the bathroom, Justin noticed the time: 11:10am. He walked into Brian’s bedroom and fired up the game system. As the game followed the ordinary, introductory sequences, the game voice spoke, “Resume or begin anew?” Justin chose the resume option with his joystick. There, Justin continued to climb out of Level 3. When he succeeded on the last attempt, the screen flashed, “Level 4. The Ring.” Justin removed the cock cage from his cock and the prostate massage toy from his expanded hole. He searched about the accessories for the game. Justin found the Atomic Z Balls ring. The game video described how he was to attach the cock ring to the base of his shaft and his balls. When he finished arranging his cock and balls in the ring, Justin attached the metal wires to the game console.

When Level 4 began, Justin began to move his character piece about the wooded forest that was Level 4. At every impasse, when Justin destroyed a beast of the forest, the game console sent an electrical impulse to the cock and balls rings. The pleasure he enjoyed was mind-blowing. Justin could not wait to ply his sword and massacre a beast of the forest. When he killed two beasts at one blow, the cock ring pleasured Justin to the point that he dropped the joystick for a brief moment. As Justin continued to massacre the beast, his cock throbbed and hardened. The sensations were too much for Justin. As Justin completed Level 4, the game console sent a continuous flash of impulses to the cock ring. Justin, rock hard and cum-denied for some time, blew his load, ounces of jizz dripping from his massive cock.

“You did not ask for permission to enjoy the pleasure of the realm.” The TV screen began to flash furiously, images, sounds, and instructions for the next fifteen minutes. Justin lay there mesmerized by the sights and sounds of the game. When the TV went dark, Justin collected his thoughts. He removed the cock and balls ring and returned all the accessories to the game storage box. Justin then rose from the floor and entered his room. Justin searched his room for a pair of tight spandex compression leggings. He found a black pair and put them on, foregoing any underwear or jock strap. Justin loved the feel and touch of the spandex on his cock. Then he searched for a plain white t-shirt. He looked for a black felt tip marker and wrote on the t-shirt nearest to his heart, ‘The Game’. As he put the t-shirt on, Justin grabbed his car keys and walked to his vehicle.

A beautiful May afternoon, Justin drove along the Pacific Coastal Highway with the top down, the sun beaming and warming his skin. Justin drove for approximately thirty miles. He drove from outside of Santa Monica until he reached a housing development in Ventura. He wound about until he found the address he was searching. He parked the car in the driveway and approached the door.

A woman answered the door and said, “If you’re looking for Billy, he’s in the suite over the pool house.”

“Thanks.”, Justin replied. He walked around the perimeter of the home and found the pool house. As he ascended the outside staircase, he approached the door and opened it. Justin found naked Billy, playing ‘The Game’ in front of a huge flat screen TV, the surround sound filling the space. Justin approached Billy, removed his t-shirt and knelt to Billy’s side. Justin grabbed Billy’s semi-hard 8” cock, veins ripped and filled, and began to lick Billy’s smooth shaven balls and to rim Billy’s hole. Billy did not flinch. He was engaged in whatever level of the game he was currently tackling. Justin engulfed Billy’s massive cock in his mouth, sucking and licking in a twirling sensation. All the while, Billy played the game, enjoying the benefits of reaching Level 10. Billy had played long and hard to reach Level 10. He endured many failures and setbacks. Billy had endured massage toys, sex with a she-male, constant visit to other game players. Billy did not want to endure that again.

Justin lay there nonchalantly enjoying Billy’s expanding throbbing cock. When Justin was not sucking cock, he was tickling Billy’s balls or fingering his tight hole. After an hour of suck and lick, Billy shouted, “Level 12. The Wand.” Billy handed the wand to Justin. Justin stared at Billy. Justin licked the wand and slobbered the dildo with his spittle. Immediately, Justin rammed the dildo in Billy’s quivering hole and activated the vibrating function. Justin then resumed his cock sucking, as Billy continued to play the game and move along the game levels. After another ten minutes, Billy achieved Level 13. The game voice spoke, “Now, enter the realm.” Suddenly, a pulsating image of orange, brown and gold hues ensnared Billy into the flashing images. Justin yanked the wand from Billy’s tight hole. Justin then sat next to Billy, lowering his spandex exercise pants. He began to stroke Billy’s cock. Billy likewise jerked off Justin. Side by side, the mesmerized studs stroked each other to a frenzy. After several minutes, the game spoke, “Cum.” Within seconds, Billy and Justin shot their loads, jizz oozing, cocks glistening.

Justin rose, dressed and left the pool house suite. He did not say a word. Justin understood that his mission was not completed. Billy was the first cock that he would service that evening. Along the Pacific Coastal Highway, Justin would seek two other ‘gamers’ and render the pleasure that Level 12 and 13 deserved.

When Justin returned to his apartment later in the day, he stripped off his clothes as he walked into his apartment. He rushed towards Brian’s room and activated the game console to resume playing ‘The Game’. As he plied through Level 5, Justin encountered many difficulties and unexpected traps. When he failed to achieve Level 6 after the third attempt, the game voice spoke, “Your time has ended. Retrieve the Tantrus and the Cage and follow the instructions on the screen.”

Disgusted, Justin retrieved the prostrate massage toy and cock cage. Again, Justin followed the instructions. Again, Justin sat there, legs spread, cock in a cage and ass filled with the Tantrus, watching the screen flashing images and words: accept – obey – submit. Again, the game voice commanded, “You will keep these devices on until you play the game, 12 hours from now.”

Justin rose from the floor. Naked and spent, he climbed upon Brian’s bed and quickly fell asleep. Sunday would be another day of gaming. Justin could not wait for Sunday.

Justin spent his Sunday playing ‘The Game’. He tried to reach each level without failure, but failed. On Monday morning, Justin faced a challenge. While Justin could handle the game accessories in his apartment, Monday morning meant the beginning of the workday. Justin showered in the morning. He donned a jock strap and then put on a pair of tight bicycling shorts. The combination of both the jock and the shorts camouflaged Justin’s semi-hard cock, encased in its cage and the Tantrus. With a loose pair of kakis, Justin grabbed his messenger bag brief case and headed for his summer internship office. At the office, Justin kept close to his cubicle, did not stroll around the office, as was his custom. When the guys in the office suggested a beer at day’s end, Justin fabricated some excuse and declined.

At the end of the day, Justin ran towards his vehicle. He sped along the side streets and highways as he drove home. He parked his car, rushed towards the stairs of his apartment and hurdled the five stories. The running stimulated his prostate, his cock now rock hard like diamonds. As he entered his apartment, Justin stripped his clothes and threw them about the foyer and living room. He rushed to Brian’s bedroom and activated the game.

Justin pondered the strategy he would employ. He wanted to get to the next level. Quite frankly, Justin tired of the monotony of the massage toy and cock cage, despite the pleasure he enjoyed. Justin wanted to achieve another level of pleasure. As Justin wiggled his way through Level 7, he encountered the same difficulty he had experienced all day Sunday. Finally, Justin followed a different path, which ultimately led him to Level 6. Then, the screen flashed, “Level 8. The Rings.” Justin removed the cock cage from his cock and the prostate massage toy. Justin looked in the accessories box and found a leather and metal ring device. There were seven metal rings. The game video instructed how to attach the “7 Rings of Hell” to the base of his shaft and his cock. When he finished attaching the rings, Justin attached the metal wires to the game console.

As Level 6 began, Justin began to move his character piece about the dimly part of the castle. Justin could not wield his sword recklessly. He could only do so when a kill was certain. Should he attack and miss, the game console would emit an electrical impulse that shocked his cock and balls. The more he erred, the more shocks he would receive. This level did not have a failure penalty. The player remained in Level 8 until he progressed forward. For four hours, Justin experienced the electrical stimulation on his cock, now throbbing, swollen, oozing precum. Again, the electrical impulses were too much for Justin to endure. When Justin completed Level 8, the game console discharge a purge of impulses upon the metal rings. Justin, rock hard all day, blew his load, jizz oozing from his massive cock.

“You did not ask for permission to enjoy the pleasure of the realm.” The TV screen began to flash furiously, images, sounds, and instructions repeating for the next fifteen minutes. Justin lay there entranced by the game. When the TV went dark, Justin removed the metal rings from his cock, returned all the accessories to the game storage box, and then dressed – a pair of tight spandex compression leggings and his white t-shirt. As he headed for the door of his apartment, Justin grabbed his car keys, wallet and headed for his vehicle.

Justin drove about four miles to a secluded home in a wooded field. He parked the vehicle and approached the front door of the home. When the door opened, Justin encountered a young man, maybe 20 years old, naked, a hard-on of massive proportions. The young stud led Justin to his bedroom where the young stud was playing ‘The Game’. As Justin entered the bedroom, the young stud grabbed Justin’s exercise pants and stripped them. Justin removed his shirt. The young stud blindfolded Justin with a soft leather cloth. He led Justin to the game console and screen and forced him on his stomach. Without a word of warning or caution, the young stud penetrated Justin’s tight quivering hole. The young stud sat and rode Justin like a toy, as he continued to play the next level of ‘The Game’. Justin endured this ass plowing for the next two hours. All the while, Justin’s cock rubbed upon the bearskin rug that lay on the floor near the TV console. Rubbing and tugging along the rug produced numerous emissions. Every time Justin shot a load, the young stud shoved his cock further and further into Justin’s tight ass. The young stud’s 11” practically reached Justin’s prostate. After two hours, the young stud pulled out his cock, dripping and oozing in two hours of cum. The young stud grabbed a towel and wiped Justin of the cum on his dick and the cum dripping from his ass cheeks. Justin grabbed his clothes, dressed and left the young stud’s home. He returned to his apartment, took off his clothes and resumed his place in front of Brian’s television.

Justin played the game for another two hours until he failed out playing Level 9. Justin grabbed the accessories he now grew accustomed to and enjoyed another night of cock-caged erections and ass-tingling massages.

For the next two weeks, Justin played ‘The Game’ every chance he could. It took many nights for Justin to complete the various levels. Except for work, nothing else by ‘The Game’ mattered. When he reached Level 11 and welcomed the sexual pleasures of a game area player, a buff 22 year old college stud, Justin knew that he would play this game for a long time. When Justin reached Level 12, Justin’s game boy continued to suck Justin’s cock, and also inserted the wand into Justin’s tight asshole and massaged his prostate. Justin’s cock was rock hard, precum pulsating from his cock. When Justin achieved Level 12, the game spoke, “Now, enter the realm.” Justin and his game boy stared at the TV screen, the pulsating spirals of orange, brown and gold tones entrancing Justin and the play thing. Justin and his game boy leaned against the bed. They stroked each other’s cocks waiting for the game to offer the ultimate prize. Finally, the game spoke, “Cum.” Justin blew his wad spraying jizz all over his chest and thighs. Justin’s game boy likewise shot his load all about his chest. Justin grabbed a towel to wipe himself. Before he could do so, the game boy lay before Justin and cleaned the cum from his cock, his thighs, his chest, from any orifice that glistened with jizz. When he finished his cleaning, the game boy rose and left the apartment, silent and compliant.

When Brian returned from his French Riviera vacation, Justin found himself in a quandary. He wanted to play the game, but Brian played the game all the time. One night, a week after Brian’s return, as Justin returned from work, Brian shouted out, “Dude, I have good news. Come in.”

As Justin entered Brian’s room, he found Brian naked, seated in front of the TV screen. Attached to the game consoled, Justin saw another game joystick. “We can play head to head. Isn’t that cool?”

Justin needed no further prompting. He tore off his clothes and sat beside his roommate. Justin and Brian played against each other, fighting each other for that level’s victory. When Justin lost to Brian at Level 1, the screen began to flash, lights spiraled and sounds blared. Instantly, Brian grabbed the Tantrum massage toy. Brian flung Justin on to the bed and rammed the prostate massage toy into Justin’s tight hole. All the while, Brian teabagged Justin, demanding that Justin suck his balls.

When the game signaled Level 2 to begin, Brian and Justin resumed their places on the floor of Brian’s bedroom, the prostate massage toy embedded in Justin’s ass. The boys resumed the game and fought their fight against each trying to reach the heights of the castle rampart. Brian won Level 2 as well. Brian grabbed a toy that Justin had never seen before, a “Mike’s Spikes”, a clamp around a man’s balls with little metal spikes inside. Brian grabbed Justin’s balls and placed Justin in the clamp. Once the clamp was secure, Brian cranked the key and adjusted the spikes. As the spikes nicked his balls, Justin began to scream. Brian grabbed the ball gag and secured it in Justin’s mouth.

Again, the game signaled Level 3 to begin. By now, Justin tired to losing to Brian. He focused upon the game, tried different strategies and hoped for victory. But, alas, Brian reached the door to the King’s chambers before Justin. Brian removed all the accessories from Justin’s body except for the ball gag. Brian pushed Justin upon the bed. He shoved his throbbing 10” into Justin’s well-lubed hole. For the next hour, Brian plowed Justin’s ass. As Justin’s cock rubbed against the material of the bedding, his cock erupted with pleasure. Brian likewise felt the swell and release of his cock into Justin’s ass. Even when he came, Brian did not stop his thrust and parry. He fucked Justin’s ass continuously. Brian turned Justin around, on his knees, doggie style allowing Justin to stroke himself and shoot his load. There was no end to their orgasms – cum abounded.

Whatever Brian demanded, Justin complied. Justin knew the rules of ‘The Video Game’.

Mind control
Wanking material
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