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From their humble beginnings as inventors of a handheld device with basic mind control capabilities, the tech-folk behind World Weary Avengers, Incorporated moved on to develop such gadgets as one capable of recording an individual's very personality and replaying it back into another person. Devices with even more sinister potential are in the pipeline. Only a small band of software quality assurance engineers stands between these audacious inventors and your very soul. Would you trust such as these with the future of mankind? I didn't think so. In 'World Weary Avengers', the beginning of the end, old friends Tom and Chris decide to change the world by a radically simple means. In 'Ledman Pickup', one of Tom's rare new devices is let loose in the wild, as the gadget seeks to make its own way in the world on its own terms. 'In Constant Contact' continues the saga of inventions gone wrong, when always-online 'professional friends' lead to nothing but trouble....

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World Weary Avengers Ledman Pickup In Constant Contact

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Software Quality Assurance is a specialized activity and it contributes in building capable processes in organization. This book details the different knowledge areas and provides practical insight which is required for software quality analyst to quickly grasp and start being productive within days, and contributes to build such capable processes. This book details the basics of quality assurance, relevant techniques and methods used in quality assurance. What is in there? • A quick description of various knowledge areas in software quality assurance • Frequently used tools and techniques in Software quality assurance • Sample cases to understand the concepts Why this book? • A simple ready recknor for SQA • Mix of pragmatic and theoretical elaborations • Industry specific and current needs of Industry is taken care • Short book for quick read Who should read? • People who are interested in making a career in software quality assurance • Who are interested in understanding Quality assurance • Who are leading an organization and wants to set up the Quality assurance function ...

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Audit Expectations: An audit is expected to check, does the Quality System meet the requirements of the relevant Quality System Standard/model or Contract? Does the organization do what the Quality System specifies? Is the Quality System, as implemented, effective in ensuring maintenance and improvement of the quality of products and services? Audit is not an alternative to an inspection operation and cannot serve as a crutch to an ineffective inspection or quality system Types of Audit: • First Party Audit (Internal Audits) • Second Party Audit (Customer Audits) • Third Party Audit (Audit Agencies) Horizontal and Vertical Audits: • Horizontal Audit - Assess same aspect in all projects. • Vertical Audit - Assess all aspects in one project • forward tracking • backward tracking • Hybrid Audits - Mixing Horizontal and Vertical Audits Audit Team: One or more auditors conducting an audit, supported if needed by Technical Experts. The auditors are lead by Lead Auditor. One or more auditees represent the function or the organization. Lead Auditor Responsibilities: (Second party and Third party audits) • Negotiate scope ...

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Quality Fundamentals Quality Assurance Functions Lifecycle Models Project Management Configuration Management Software Estimation Risk and Issue Management Tailoring and Waivering Software Engineering - Development Service Management Reviews Metrics Core SQA Activities Quality Audits Quality Control Tools and Basic Statistics Standards (ISO 9001, 20000, 27001) and Models (CMMI, PCMM) Agile Scrum Earned Value Analysis Reference Sites ...

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Postings on Wikipedia Ezhava Page I had done some postings on the Wikipedia Ezhava Talk Page, I did it without much deliberation, first. This first post generated a lot of retorts and reactions. This compelled me to give more answers. There were a lot acrimonious reactions to this. Many of my posts were simply deleted, or vandalised with someone posting obnoxious sentences into it. Moreover, since there was a lot of manipulation going on in my writings, with some of the alterations verging on dangerous provocative themes, I felt that there is need to maintain the integrity of my writings. So I am keeping a parallel copy of my posts in the Wikepedia Ezhava Talk Page here. So that anyone who desires to understand the continuity and logical progression of the themes, can come here and get the full gist. No other persons posts in the Wikipedia Ezhava Talk Page will be copied or posted here. In all posts, proper links to the Wikepedia Talk Page shall be given, for the interested reader to understand the context of the writings. It may be mentioned in passing that I do not have any caste feelings. I do not vouch for the o...

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At the request of Garret Hew, Manager of East Maui Irrigation Company, Ltd. (EMI), Kumu Pono Associates conducted a two-phased study of cultural-historical resources in the lands of Hamakua Poko, Hamakua Loa, and Ko?olau, in the region of Maui Hikina (East Maui), Island of Maui (an area that includes some 73 individual ahupua?a or native land divisions). The study included— conducting detailed research of historical records in public and private collections (Volume I); and conducting oral history interviews with individuals known to be familiar with the cultural and natural landscape, and history of land use in the Maui Hikina study area (Volume II). This study was conducted in conjunction with the Water License Application of the East Maui Irrigation Company, Ltd., to the Board of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawai?i. The specific scope of the study sought to investigate and describe the wide range of issues related to Native Hawaiian and historic practices associated with na mea wai (water and its usage). In order to understand the cultural-historical context of water resources including — those uses which have been ...

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The research and interviews conducted for this study were performed in a manner consistent with Federal and State laws and guidelines for such studies. Among the referenced laws and guidelines were the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended in 1992 (36 CFR Part 800); the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation?s “Guidelines for Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review” (ACHP 1985); National Register Bulletin 38, “Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties” (Parker and King 1990); the Hawai?i State Historic Preservation Statute (Chapter 6E), which affords protection to historic sites, including traditional cultural properties of ongoing cultural significance; the criteria, standards, and guidelines currently utilized by the Department of Land and Natural Resources-State Historic Preservation Division (DLNR-SHPD) for the evaluation and documentation of cultural sites (cf. Title 13, Sub-Title 13:274-4,5,6; 275:6 – Draft of December 1996); and guidelines for cultural impact assessment studies, adopted by the Office of Environmental Quality Contro...

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What this Book is About? The 1990s decision of Thailand to transition some public universities towards autonomy retained overall accountability for government allocations while internal university matters were to be left to University Councils. An autonomous university in Thailand is defined as a government agency that receives a block grant, operates outside the government bureaucracy and is overseen by the Minister of Education. This includes freedom to determine salaries and staff benefits. The policy objective was to allow flexibility to increase fiscal and academic efficiencies. The process of moving from a finely detailed and inflexible government department budget to one managed according to a strategic plan requires skilled planning. This is the process described and analysed in this book. The book context considered the subjects of: universities as specific institutions; the origins and operations of Thai universities; specificities of the South of Thailand (where Thaksin University is located); modernization of the sector, and university budgeting and financial management. Upon being proclaimed autonomous in 2008 th...

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What this Book is About? 1 Chapter 1 Towards University Autonomy 5 Using Experience from Australia 6 Relative Funding Models 7 National Weighting 8 University Administration in Thailand 9 Chapter 2 How Universities are Different 15 A. Universities as Specific Institutions 15 Universities in Australia 18 Recent Reforms in Australia 20 Autonomy and Academic Freedom 22 B. Origins and Operations of Thai Universities 23 The Role of Universities in Thailand 26 Thai and Global Universities 28 C. Specificities of Southern Thailand 30 D. Modernizing Thai Universities 35 Meaning of Autonomy in Thai Universities 37 The Transitional Path 44 Relative Funding Models 46 National Weightings 49 E. Budget Management in Univerities 50 Governance and Centrality of Finances 50 Model for Budgetary Autonomy 52 Learning from the Corporate Sector 53 Performance-Based Budgeting 61 Budgeting Transitions for Autonomy 66 The Autonomous University 68 Chapter 3 Analyzing the Transition to Autonomy 73 Nar...

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A collection of historical accounts and oral history interviews with elder Kama'ainan fisher-people from the Kapalilua region of South Kona, island of Hawai'i....

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This volume, compiled at the request of Scott Atkinson on behalf of The Nature Conservancy, includes excerpts from selected historical records and oral history interviews with elder kamaaina of the Kapalilua region of South Kona on the island of Hawaii. The area traditionally identified as Kapalilua extends from the Kealia-Hookena section of Kona to Kaulanamauna, situated on the Kona boundary of Kau, and includes the lands of Papa, Hoopuloa, and Milolii (Figure 1). The archival-historical research and oral history interviews conducted for this study were performed in a manner consistent with Federal and State laws and guidelines for such studies. Among the pertinent laws and guidelines are the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended in 1992 (36 CFR Part 800); the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's “Guidelines for Consideration of Traditional Cultural Values in Historic Preservation Review” (ACHP 1985); National Register Bulletin 38, “Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural Properties” (Parker and King 1990); the Hawaii State Historic Preservation Statue (Chapter 6E), which afford...

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Introduction -- 1 -- Background and Approach to Conducting the Study -- 1 -- Interview Methodology -- 1 -- Release of Oral History Interview Records -- 3 -- Contributors to the Oral History Interviews -- 3 -- Kapalilua Lands And Fisheries: A Historical Overview -- 5 -- An Overview of Hawaiian Settlement -- 5 -- An Account of the Naming of Kolo and Olelomoana (Human Bone Used to Make Fishhooks) -- 6 -- The Journal of Chester S. Lyman (A Journey along the Coast of Kapalilua in 1846) -- 7 -- Kaao Hooniua Puuwai no Ka Miki - The Heart Stirring Story of Ka Miki (recorded in 1914 -- 1917) -- 9 -- Kapalilua: Places, Features, Fisheries and Practices Described in Kaao Hooniua Puuwai no Ka Miki -- 10 -- Accounts of Niuhi Shark Hunting in “He Moolelo Kaao no Kekuhaupio, Ke Koa Kaulana o ke Au o Kamehameha ka Nui” -- 20 -- H.W. Kinney’s “Visitor’s Guide” (1913) -- 24 -- Kapalilua Fishery Rights And Land Tenure Defined -- 26 -- Mahele Aina: Development of Fee Simple Property and Fishery Rights (ca. 1846 -- 1855) -- 31 -- Kapalilua Boundary Commission Testimonies (ca. 1873 - 1882) -- 36 -- Kapalilua in Hawaiian Kingdom Survey Records -- 38 -- ...

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CMMI High Maturity is something every software organization is interested in! Attaining Maturity Level 5 rating means world class processes in place in that organization. Though it’s everyone’s interest, there is less details available in the world on how to practically implement CMMI ML5 and how to interpret the High Maturity practices. This book is an attempt to decode the high maturity practices with clear sample cases for all the High maturity process areas, there by connecting the dots of Implementation. This book explains the practicality of implementation of CMMI ML5 and has given specific guidance in many cases. Obviously it is not the whole of CMMI or the whole of everything, however may be this is the only book which offers highest possible insight in CMMI High Maturity Implementation. What it offers: • Complete guide as an End to End CMMI High Maturity Implementation • Practical interpretation of CMMI Practices • Sample cases covering CMMI Dev and CMMI SVC Models v1.3 • Basic Statistical Concepts Required for Implementing High Maturity • Clarity in definition and difference between important terms • Connects the E...

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CMMI High Maturity Handbook Indian Edition Vishnuvarthanan Moorthy Copyright © 2015 Vishnuvarthanan Moorthy All rights reserved. DEDICATION TO THE SUPREME POWER!. CONTENTS 1 High Maturity an Introduction 1 2 Prerequisites for High Maturity Pg 5 3 Planning High Maturity Implementation Pg 8 4 SMART Business Objectives and Aligned Processes Pg 17 5 Measurement System and Process Performance Models Pg 29 6 Process Performance Baselines Pg 70 7 Define and Achieve Project Objectives and QPPOs Pg 93 8 Causal Analysis in Projects to Achieve Results Pg 113 9 Driving Innovation/Improvements to Achieve Results Pg 131 10 Succeeding in High Maturity Appraisals Pg 150 11 Reference Books, Links and Contributors Pg 154 1 HIGH MATURITY AN INTRODUCTION CMMI High Maturity Level is one of the Prestigious Rating any IT/ITES Companies would be interested in getting. The Maturity Level 4 and 5 achievement is considered as “High Maturity” since the Organizations understand their own process performance and its impact on Business performance. In addition, they bring world class pra...

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High Maturity an Introduction 1 Prerequisites for High Maturity Pg 5 Planning High Maturity Implementation Pg 8 SMART Business Objectives and Aligned Processes Pg 17 Measurement System and Process Performance Models Pg 29 Process Performance Baselines Pg 70 Define and Achieve Project Objectives and QPPOs Pg 93 Causal Analysis in Projects to Achieve Results Pg 113 Driving Innovation/Improvements to Achieve Results Pg 131 Succeeding in High Maturity Appraisals Pg 150 Reference Books, Links and Contributors Pg 154 ...

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This study analyzes and assesses the changes in organization and structure of the active Air Force and ANG fighter maintenance units from the time the ANG became a separate reserve component in 1946 to the present-day organization, paralleling it with the active Air Force. It takes the reader from the ANG maintenance unit's beginning, through the changes that occurred over the years and the reason for the changes, to the present day organization. It then provides a glimpse at the future maintenance organization....

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1 AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE: PAST AND PRESENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I Centralized Control, 1930-45 . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Period of Uncertainty, 1945-55 . . . . . . . . . . 5 Return to Centralization, 1955-70 . . . . . . . . 7 Decentralized Control, 1970 to the Present . .8 Lessons Learned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Current Organization Structure Theory : A Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Air Force and Major Command Policy Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 2 THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION AND THE COMBAT ORIENTED MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . 23 The Centralized Organization . . . . . . . . . . .23 Strengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Weaknesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 The Decentralized Organization . . . . . . . . .26 Strengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Weaknesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 The Air National Guard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...

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The Book details on how to approach CMMI Implementation in an organization. It details out the various phases involved in CMMI Implementation and how to plan and execute them. It details on various aspects which we tend to overlook in CMMI Implementation. Who Should Read? • Organization looking forward to implement CMMI • Top Management person, trying to understand how to go about • SEPG, Program manager and Process Quality members • Anyone who is interested in understanding the Implementation of CMMI Why to Read? • To get complete End to End understanding on CMMI Implementation Lifecycle • Plan your budget, effort and resources for the program • Set your expectations clear on CMMI Implementation • Be aware of the different aspects in Implementation How it’s different: • Written from practitioners’ point of view • Communicates the reality in practical implementation Word of Caution: • The book contains only samples and typical examples and they are not comprehensive and to be verified and validated on a particular context for applicability ...

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This CMMI Implementation Guide is a reference book for anyone interested in implementing CMMI in their organization. The purpose of this book is, to provide insight in to CMMI Implementation phases and best practices to be followed in this journey. Most of us agree, that CMMI is more a De facto model that IT Industry follows and other industries also has shown lot of interest in adopting this model. The day to day popularity and its adoption rate is on the surge for CMMI. In this scenario, this book will help the new organizations and implementers, on how to approach CMMI Implementation practically in their organization. This book is not a replacement to the Model or to the resources which CMMI Institute Publishes. This is only an additional resource which user can benefit from. CMMI Institute holds the complete authority and rights to CMMI model and all the components within the framework. This book is prepared based on the experience of a practitioner on implementing the model in various organizations. The Author has worked in multiple roles in CMMI Implementation and has global exposure in implementing the model. We reiterate ...

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Contents Introduction to CMMI Initiating CMMI Implementation Planning CMMI Implementation Executing CMMI Implementation Appraising CMMI Implementation Sustaining CMMI Implementation CMMI High Maturity Implementation Miscellaneous References ...

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As the nation’s campaign against terrorism proceeds, our military services continue to embrace high technology, advanced sensors, and precision weaponry for use on current battlefields. The term cyber warrior has truly stepped from the pages of science fiction into reality. Equipment and technology do not constitute the only developments, however, because today’s cyber warriors emerge from a society and military culture very different in many respects from those of past generations of warriors....

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1 EMPLOYEE WARRIORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Values Crisis? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Harnessing a Different Military . . . . . . . . . . 3 Cultures in Conflict . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 2 TRADITIONAL MILITARY CULTURE . . . . . . .7 Professionalism and Homogeneity . . . . . . . .7 Fraternity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Institutional Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Value Studies of the Military . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Traditional Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 3 THE NEW BUSINESS-SCIENTIFIC CULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 New World Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Volunteer Fighting Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Occupational Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Technology and the Great Engineering Venture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Civilian Military . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Force of Specialists . . . . . ...

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This book covers a wide range of aspects of cattle and buffalo hide collection, storage and processing in Thailand. No previous collation of information on the subject exists and, together with research presented herein, this book represents a milestone in understanding of a neglected industry with great commercial potential from improved management. The story starts with the emergence of Thailand as one of the world’s major agricultural exporters in many fields often to the neglect of useful by-products. Treating hides as a by-product of the bovine industries has held Thailand’s own leather industry back. This book explains means by which it can be advanced to both national and commercial benefit. Because of the low quality of local hides in Thailand as in other developing countries, the end users in the industrial sector have long experienced major difficulties. As hide purchasers they need to meet quality requirements for their hide products in an efficient and financially viable manner. They operate without having the ways and means to deal with the existing problems of defects that originate from different sources in other seg...

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LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES viii LIST OF PHOTOS ix Acknowledgments x What this Book is About 11 Chapter 1 – Setting the Scene 16 Chapter 2 – An Overview of Thai Bovines 27 The Cattle and Buffalo Industry in Thailand 27 Populations of Cattle and Buffalo 28 Cattle and Buffalo Production Systems 30 Story of Kamphaeng Saen Beef Cattle 33 Development of Kamphaeng Saen Beef Breed 34 Kamphaeng Saen Beef Breeders’ Association 36 Genetic Improvement of KPS Beef Cattle 38 Markets and Marketing System for Live Bovines 44 General Characteristics of Cattle and Buffalo Markets 45 Marketing Systems 47 Purchasing Techniques 50 Procedures after Purchasing & Destination of Animals 51 Payment and Money Circulation in RLM 52 Thai Hide Transaction Chains and Marketing Today 55 Transaction Chain of Hides 55 Hides at Slaughterhouses 56 Hide Collecting Businesses 60 Hides at Tanneries 61 Marketing of Hides 64 Types of Hide Traders 65 Hide Purchasing 67 Use of Hides for Continuing Businesses 73 Physical Factors Affecting Cattle Hide Quality 75 Hide Preservation and Quality 77 Investigation of Defects on Cattle Hides 79 Quality Standard for Cat...

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Total consumption of milk in developing regions is projected to increase from 164 million metric tonnes in 1993 to 391 million metric tons by the year 2020 – a 138 percent increase! The expected increase in per capita consumption is from 38 to 62 kg/person. The triple effects of population increase, income growth and urbanisation will fuel this tremendous growth in demand. Milk provides quality protein and essential micronutrients needed for nutrient balance in marginal diets based on staple grain and root crops. The production of more milk in developing countries will help meet the needs of urban families at prices they can afford. With affordable prices, poor families, especially children, are more likely to consume the quality protein and essential micronutrients they need for healthy physical and mental development. Increasing dairy production is a major challenge for those engaged in international livestock development. Moreover, there are environmental concerns about livestock production in fragile landscapes, so increasing milk supply should be done in an environmentally sustainable manner. Research can help meet this c...

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Table of Contents About the Authors Acknowledgements Foreward Chapter 1: The dairy industry in a changing world H. Schelhaas Introduction Four specific features of the dairy industry Milk production The processing industry in Western countries Dairy policy Consumption of dairy products in Western countries The international dairy markets Conclusions Suggested reading Chapter 2: Dairy production systems in the tropics P. N. de Leeuw, A. Omore, S. Staal and W. Thorpe Global overview of tropical dairy production Sub-Saharan Africa Asia Central and South America Dairy production systems in sub-Saharan Africa Dairy production systems in Asia Dairy production systems in Latin America Dual-purpose systems Intensive milk production Conclusions References Chapter 3: Socio-economic aspects of smallholder dairy farmers A. J. De Boer Introduction Smallholder dairy farming systems Types of systems Post-milking considerations Technological change and technology transfer for smallholder dairying Background Methods On-farm trials Change, dynamics and opportunities Impact of economic liberalisa...

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Etymologically, aphorism + floral = aph(L)orism, which is a short reflection written on a floral design, or a short poetry accompanied by an artistic background. They are colorful contemplations. Maximus in minimis (Lat.) means very much in very little [max in min], or condensed thought, or ideating essence. They are actually maxims, adages, sayings mostly in one line (uni-stich) with a title, as a metaphoric statement, a breathing momentum that oils our soul....

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Nonchalantly : The wind with its mantle steps lightly. Skin Condition : The Sun has spots too. At what time? When it rains, God cries. Atmosphere : Blue, as the sky dirtied by clouds. Bright : A balcony full of Sun. Natural disaster : The swans look drunk on the fetid lake. Surprisingly : The crow is a beautiful black. Elegant woman : A bird high on her legs. Most powerful chess piece : You are a queen but only in the dark. Medicinal plant : You’re a flower but amongst weeds. Force that attracts food : The stomach’s gravitation pulls me to food....

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Passion.......................................................................23 Worthless.....................................................................23 Tired of you....................................................................23 Tittle-tattle....................................................................23 Talk is cheep...................................................................24 Give the man what he doesn’t have.................................................24 Novel for (non) writers...........................................................24 Desolate......................................................................24 Did I have the pleasure...........................................................24 Sloppy work....................................................................25 Despicable.....................................................................25 Wanted.......................................................................25 Talking in vain..................................................................25 Use caplets.....................................................