MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1032 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Re: This is very short.... by Chris & Sean Talbot 2) RE: Aistes's Bday by Chris & Sean Talbot 3) Re: birthday Wishes by Chris & Sean Talbot 4) Re: Scary Books - no Misty by Chris & Sean Talbot 5) Re: This is very short.... by "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" 6) Re: Lifebonded: Hopeful :-) vs. Bitter :-( by "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" 7) Re: Books that bother me/Chris' Dad/X-mas toys/Misty-mention by "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" 8) HELP!!!!! by NWMT42C-+AT+-prodigy.com ( MICHELLE DAVIS) 9) Re: This is very short.... And off topic, no ObMisty by Gyrfalcon 10) Happie Christmas and Marrie New Year :) by Lady Becky of the Hills 11) Re: Scary Books - no Misty by Mark Severson 12) Re: Happie Christmas and Marrie New Year :) by Eleonora 13) Re: HELP!!!!! by "KIERSTIAN SLAYER, THE AMBER DISCIPLE OF BELINDA" 14) Christmas by Lady Windsong 15) Re: Valdemar by davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) 16) I hope this works... by Phil Cartier 17) Re: Lifebonded by Randi Skjaeran 18) Re: HELP!!!!! by Brian Bennett 19) Re: Scary Books - no Misty by Chris & Sean Talbot 20) Re: I hope this works... by Chris & Sean Talbot 21) 4-day BDAY warning by Eleonora ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 12:50:51 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: This is very short.... Message-ID: <199612251750.MAA18089-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 10:27 PM 12/24/96 GMT, you wrote: >Okay, people.... > >Aistes -- I don't know if I did already, but I'd like to wish you a happy >birthday.... your gift.... Oh yeah, a 'Net program that is completely crash >proof, a telephone in which only you and whoever you're talking to can >listen, and a cookbook that produces all of your favorite goodies whenever >you open it. Happy B-Day! Thank you. The huge response to my B-Day was very surprising. Thank you for the wish and the present. Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 12:50:48 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: RE: Aistes's Bday Message-ID: <199612251750.MAA18081-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 09:32 PM 12/24/96 GMT, you wrote: >Happiest Birthday Aistes! >I gift you with a pegasus of rainbow hues with which to fly on with >your imagination to visit any mythical land of your choice. > >Dax the Eternal, Lady of the Unicorns and Pegasai >Goddess of Elves, Evangelist of Low Humor > Thankyou for your birthday wishes. It is much appreciated. Sorry for the one liner. Thanks Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 12:50:53 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: birthday Wishes Message-ID: <199612251750.MAA18104-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 03:48 AM 12/25/96 GMT, you wrote: >Aistes I gift you with a dozen white roses that never wilt and are always in >bloom. > >Zhai'helleva, >David > Thankyou. The response is amazing on how many people will remember about birthdays. A dozen white roses is much appreciated. I could have used them for my 6th months anniversary with my GirlFriend. He red rose died. She didn't like it when it died so it they don't die or wilt it would be very nice. Thanks Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 12:50:55 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Scary Books - no Misty Message-ID: <199612251750.MAA18108-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 03:50 AM 12/25/96 GMT, you wrote: >Sara, If you are looking for a scary book or two I would suggest picking >up some H.P. Lovecraft. Not bedtime material. > >Mark > I have heard that he is very good. Would you recommend a book by him that was your favorite. I wish to see what he is like. Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 14:29:56 -0800 From: "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: This is very short.... Message-ID: <32C1AAE3.6263-+AT+-inreach.com> miyako hirao wrote: > On Evita -- Okay, this may be a boring topic, but I was watching "VH1 FLix" > this morning, and they had a special on Madonna in Evita. I thought she > absolutely butchered the beginning of "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" -- > couldn't they get someone to sing the role for her? Say, Sarah Brightman? I > don't think I'll even see it because it sounded a little disappointing. Hmm Sarah Brightman? I can't see her playing anyother role than Christine in PTO (wishes her and Michael would do a PTO reunion on the west coast). If Madonna hadn't of turned her image around to a slimy little s*&t in the early 90's I would probably give her more credit. But I do agree with you on her role as Eva Peron. They definately could've found someone better, but gee, *CAN* Antonio Banderas sing???? I can't picture it. I still think that Rosanna Barr could've done a better job at playing Evita than Madonna, okay maybe not that far but you get my picture hehe! NO MORE TME'S!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! The only thing I can think of off the top of my peabrain is that in WoF Elspeth made those ceramic toys for the twins and they had to have the same thing each with very slight differences as with the toy companions. Hmm maybe that doesn't apply. Kerowynn k'Sheyna Clan Woad ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 14:14:27 -0800 From: "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Lifebonded: Hopeful :-) vs. Bitter :-( Message-ID: <32C1A742.6C42-+AT+-inreach.com> Kimberly wrote: > "Kerowynn posted that if she were to suddenly get lifebonded > (which doesn't have a snowflake's chance on a frying pan, since she looks > more-or-less stable *grin*) she would have no choice in the matter. She'd > have to drop her husband, home, and even her children, if she had any, > because that would be the choice she'd have to make in order to keep her > lifebonded." "...knowing how much I care about > my kechara, but he's already my choice. Always. And I'll stick by it. If I > lost him, I'd turn it inward, and I think I might kill myself (which is > usually what you end up doing in a lifebond because you've given everything > else up." Ack!! Who said I'm stable!??! hehe I'm a complete wacko and its kinda hard for me to think of something "sane" to say unless I think about for an hour *giggle*. Anyways, about "keeping" my lifebond, umm give me a minute, or 60 *grin*, if my lifebond were to come into my life, it's not a matter of "keeping" it's the whole thing about him actually being there and being so smitten with each other I wouldn't be able to think of my husband. If I were to choose my husband over my lifebond, I'd be the most unhappy person in the world. Being with your lifebond would make you feel whole and complete, and to have that feeling ripped from you from making a choice that you felt was your duty (as a wife), would drive me insane!! Not that I'm already there, but that's not the point hehe. Sure a relationship with your lifebond would not be perect, it would be like any other relationship, with the occasional argument here and there. But what makes it different would be the perfect feeling of love you have for each other. From what you say about your kechara, it sounds like you have found your soulmate, whether you know it or not. I for one would never ever think of killing myself if I lost my husband, I would mourn a bit but my life would go on. I know it sounds cruel but that is how I feel, I love my husband but not enough to actually end my life if he were to divorce me or pass on. As for the children, well hopefully they'd be old enough to make thier own choice, and we had already agreed that in case of a divorce, he would get one and I would get the other. And they's still be able to see each other, then make their own choice when they got old enough to. I'm gonna get a brain freeze in a minute if I keep being serious here hehe. Kerowynn k'Sheyna Clan Woad P.S. Umm a snowflake could very well last in a frying pan, if the pan was colder than or as cold as the snowflake! (hehe I know what you meant) :) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 14:59:41 -0800 From: "Kerowynn k'Sheyna" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Books that bother me/Chris' Dad/X-mas toys/Misty-mention Message-ID: <32C1B1DD.23E3-+AT+-inreach.com> > Dax wrote: > *snip* > > my 9 year old liked KoGaS, but she likes Tales from the Crypt >and > Goosebumps too! Sara A Youngblood wrote: > You know, I read one of those Goosebumps books (The Babysitter II) and > found them really disturbing. I just disn't like the idea of children > reading about kids their own age going crazy and stabbing other people. > Gory stuff doesn't bother me but that kind of situation does. I agree with you there. I don't think I'd ever let my kids read those books until they were older. 'specially when they are so impressionable at that age. Some of them have some pretty good morals to them but geez do they have to be so morbid about it?! Even if it _is_ what kids are into nowadays, but geez, whatever happend to Aesop's Fables?!? heh Kerowynn k'Sheyna clan Woad ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 19:01:01, -0500 From: NWMT42C-+AT+-prodigy.com ( MICHELLE DAVIS) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: HELP!!!!! Message-ID: <199612260001.TAA10524-+AT+-mime4.prodigy.com> Can someone tell me how to get off this list???? I don't get on as much as I use to and I just can't keep up with all the mail. I can't seem to find how to get of this mailing list. Thanks for the help!!!! Jennet ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 22:39:44 -0500 (EST) From: Gyrfalcon To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: This is very short.... And off topic, no ObMisty Message-ID: On Wed, 25 Dec 1996, Kerowynn k'Sheyna wrote: > Hmm Sarah Brightman? I can't see her playing anyother role than > Christine in PTO (wishes her and Michael would do a PTO reunion on the > west coast). Actually, Brightman did many of the soprano parts in alot of ALW's musicals. Unfortunately, I can't remember any of the characters names except Christine (PotO) and Silibulb (Cats). But I'm fairly sure she was also in Tell me on a Sunday, JC Superstar, and... Starlight Express. But I don't remember any of the character names. :( Merry New Year, and Happy Christmas Everyone. And have a happy Yule for the rest of us. --Gyrfalcon ==================msowers-+AT+-menger.eecs.stevens-tech.edu================== Sometimes, even the darkest of mages hear a nagging little voice in the back of their mind, urging them to drag out the old armor, dress up and play the White Knight for a while. Remember, miracles do happen ======================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 20:26:53 -0800 (PST) From: Lady Becky of the Hills To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Happie Christmas and Marrie New Year :) Message-ID: ***or*** Run for your lives, Becky's back.....and she's *perky* :) Merry Marry Merrie Marrie Marie Meriy Mariy Christmas to everyone!!! You guys are wonderful, and I love you all, and if I could, I would have wrapped every last one of you up with tacky christmas wrap, covered you in bows and ribbons, and put you under my tree, unfortunately, I couldn't pay the FedEx guys enough to kidnap you all. :) What a pity, I even had a real pretty room to lock everyone up in so you could never leave. :( Oh well, there's always next year! For those of you who don't have christmas cards from me yet, wait a bit, I ran out of stamps, and barely got them yesterday, and forgot that mailmen didn't come on holidays. :( Oh well, it's the though that counts, right? Right? I sure hope so. :) Well, you couldn't expect me to get them *all* out on time now could you? I am after all, the Handmaiden of Procrastination. Anyways, they'll be there soon. Be patient with me! Okay, in order to keep up, I've had to go digest mode, weird transition, but I'm getting used to it, it's much easier to keep up with when your overwhelmed, it makes me feel better to know that I only had three or four huge mails, than 100+ medium to small ones. It's a new years resolution to stay caught up this year (yeah...right...if I just keep saying that to myself ) Merry Christmas!!!! I llllllllloooooooooovvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee you all!! ___ ____ ___ ____( \ .-' `-. / )____ (____ \_____ / (O O) \ _____/ ____) (____ `-----( ) )-----' ____) (____ _____________\ .____. /_____________ ____) (______/ `-.____.-' \______) *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug**Hug**Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug**Hug**Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug**Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* *Hug* ^ | It's a Really Great Big Becky Hug(tm) *--------------------Lady Becky of the Hills--------------------* |Goddess of Tofu and Dry Breakfast Cereals | |Handmaiden of Procrastination | |Lady in Green | |Founder of the AftPoSWT (confused? Just ask.) | |Mailing List Homepage http://www.psnw.com/~deb/becky/misty.html| |beckyanne-+AT+-iforge.com | *---------------------------------------------------------------* ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 20:48:56 -0800 From: Mark Severson To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Scary Books - no Misty Message-ID: <32C203B8.26A3-+AT+-eonet.com> Chris & Sean Talbot wrote: > > At 03:50 AM 12/25/96 GMT, you wrote: > >Sara, If you are looking for a scary book or two I would suggest picking > >up some H.P. Lovecraft. Not bedtime material. > > > >Mark > > > > I have heard that he is very good. > > Would you recommend a book by him that was your favorite. I wish to see > what he is like. > > Aistes The Dunwich Horror I think was his best novel, for short stories I would try The Tomb and Other Tales, or perhaps The Shuttered Room. Some of his stories have been made into movies. Only one of which was really well done, and even then they had to cut corners. That movie was based on The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, if you can't find The Dunwich Horror check out CDW. A couple of other authors "took up the pen" so to speak and wrote stories of the same type or finished works Lovecraft had started. August Derleth is one of them, I can't recall the other at the moment. Fair warning his stuff is disburbing! Mark ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 01:47:39 -0300 From: Eleonora To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Happie Christmas and Marrie New Year :) Message-ID: <32C2036B.3717-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy> Lady Becky of the Hills wrote: > For those of you who don't have christmas cards from me yet, wait a bit, > I ran out of stamps, and barely got them yesterday, and forgot that > mailmen didn't come on holidays. :( Oh well, it's the though that counts, > right? Right? I sure hope so. :) It is certainly the thought that counts, or at least I *do* hope so. (Ele has not even designed the Xmas cards to send to her clients. She had intended to do so today, but she just decided to tithe once more to Mat on that one ;)) > Well, you couldn't expect me to get them > *all* out on time now could you? I am after all, the Handmaiden of > Procrastination. Anyways, they'll be there soon. Be patient with me! Dearest Lady Becky, of course we are patient, but may I also make a suggestion?. I believe you should also be a priestess or handmaiden of hyperness and overbubliness ;) You certainly act the part very well, and I always find myself stimulated after your posts :) Love, Ele Priestess of Karma LotPW Dame of the OAM ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 22:52:23 -0600 (CST) From: "KIERSTIAN SLAYER, THE AMBER DISCIPLE OF BELINDA" To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: HELP!!!!! Message-ID: <01IDFZJ84I3M8Y7Q8P-+AT+-Jetson.UH.EDU> Sorry, Jennet, I am not the one to with the knowledge of how to get off this list...However, once you find out, will you pretty please tell me how as well? While I just adore Valdemar and Mercedes Lackey, I find that all the mail I get from this list is just too much. So please, I beg of thee (: share the info when you get it...thanks. Heath ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 14:45:34 +0800 (SST) From: Lady Windsong To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Christmas Message-ID: <2.2.16.19961226144510.2dc7d654-+AT+-singnet.com.sg> Heyla, everyone! 'Tis the day after Christmas, and I'm reading all the mail that's piled up over the last couple of days, and I'd like to tell you all once again how much you all mean to me. To all those who have lost loved ones or have loved ones ill this Christmas season, I'd like you to know I'm praying especially hard for you. And to everyone: I love you all. :) Happy Holidays! and Walk in Peace always, Lady Windsong. 'Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.' Gibran, _The Prophet_ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Dec 1996 22:48:54 -0800 From: davidt-+AT+-cet.com (D H Tiffany/Shawn Marie Walker) To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Valdemar Message-ID: David Maginnis wrote: >Merry xmas everyone!, > Does anyone know if Mercedes Lackey has written or >is planning to write about the first heralds,Sunsinger and Shadowdancer? According to several list memembers she has said in an interview that she has no intention of doing so. Of course at one time MZB was adamant that there was no pint in Darkover books set before the Terran contact period so maybe there is hope? (hey, i'm still hoping for a new series of Doctor Who. They call me a cock-eyed optimist....) David Tiffany, Glod of Tyups ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 04:28:48 -0800 (PST) From: Phil Cartier To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: I hope this works... Message-ID: <199612261228.EAA07345-+AT+-switzerland.it.earthlink.net> We've been having problems with the email at home (in PA) and I think that the mail server is skipping some of the listmail... We shall see. A belated Merry Christmas/ very belated Happy Hannukah/ slightly late Yule to everyone! Also, I've been praying for all of you who are dealing with a dying relative. I can understand the feelings because they gave our pastor 6 months to live when I was a freshman in HS. He's still around, and the doctors have stopped giving him a defined time. But he's getting much worse and is really ready to die. It's uncomfortable waiting for the funeral of someone you love, cause it makes you feel cruel even when it is better for them to die, rather than live out their life in pain. On a happier note, I'm waiting for everyone to wake up so I can get all the running around done. I need to take my brother to the mall so he can exchange a CD, and I need to take my sister shopping for a b-day present for Mary. I think that we're going to Encore Books... Joy... Maybe I can find a new book to read... I've already finished the Christmas ones. Emily the invisible ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 14:30:37 -0800 From: Randi Skjaeran To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Lifebonded Message-ID: <32C2FC8D.6BDF-+AT+-sn.no> Seems to me lifebonded and loving is not necessarily the same thing, but you get connected with a lifebond and really need each other and can help much more than anybody else. Everything isn't open though - remember Randale hiding how ill he is from his lifebonded? And she hiding the unrestricted link? I really hope I'm not lifebonded to my husband, even though something happened the first time we talked. When one of us die, the other really needs to get on with life as well as possible, caring for the kids (we have one and next due in may/june). Having the (true) feeling half of you is gone would _not_ help. I love him very much though - thought I loved my previous husband for several years but now I know the difference. Impossible to put into words, sorry! (He's a song in my heart - trite but as close as I can get.) Oops, got sidetracked there. But IIRC Misty says that lifebonds are few and far between, happens to real special people that really need them for strength, stability and Special Situations... So we less important characters can draw a relieved sigh. BTW, my name is my name and not Randale's nickname! Though the coincidence (?) means I'll not get a different list name. I _really_ admire Randale. Standard Norwegian girls name but a bit old-fashioned, I was named after my grandmother who I've been thinking about a lot lately thanks to this list. She died in 1990 and I'm sorry my husband never met her (they'd probably quarrel and love it - she was not a peaceful person!) Happy New Year to all! -- hug from Randi :-) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 09:11:23 -0800 From: Brian Bennett To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: HELP!!!!! Message-ID: <32C2B1BB.389A-+AT+-erinet.com> > Sorry, Jennet, > I am not the one to with the knowledge of how to get off this > list...However, once you find out, will you pretty please tell me how as well? > I'm a newbie to the list but this is the information I was given for unsubscribing from the list. Send a mail message to listproc-+AT+-herald.co.uk with subject blank and message body UNSUBSCRIBE MERCEDES-LACKEY I hope this helps and I hope you reconsider and stay on the list. Shadow Wolf aka Brian Bennett ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 09:50:03 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: Scary Books - no Misty Message-ID: <199612261450.JAA01222-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 05:15 AM 12/26/96 GMT, you wrote: >Chris & Sean Talbot wrote: >> >> At 03:50 AM 12/25/96 GMT, you wrote: >> >Sara, If you are looking for a scary book or two I would suggest picking >> >up some H.P. Lovecraft. Not bedtime material. >> > >> >Mark >> > >> >> I have heard that he is very good. >> >> Would you recommend a book by him that was your favorite. I wish to see >> what he is like. >> >> Aistes > >The Dunwich Horror I think was his best novel, for short stories I would >try The Tomb and Other Tales, or perhaps The Shuttered Room. >Some of his stories have been made into movies. Only one of which was >really well done, and even then they had to cut corners. That movie was >based on The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, if you can't find The Dunwich >Horror check out CDW. A couple of other authors "took up the pen" so to >speak and wrote stories of the same type or finished works Lovecraft had >started. August Derleth is one of them, I can't recall the other at the >moment. Fair warning his stuff is disburbing! > >Mark > Thankyou for the help. It is much appreciated. Now only if I could find other authors in Fantasy that are good. Maybe this list can help. Can anyone suggest some great Fantasy authors? I need some new books to read and Fantasy is what I normally read so any help will be very appreciated. Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 09:54:23 -0500 From: Chris & Sean Talbot To: mercedes-lackey-+AT+-herald.co.uk Subject: Re: I hope this works... Message-ID: <199612261454.JAA01883-+AT+-nemesis.idirect.com> At 12:55 PM 12/26/96 GMT, you wrote: >We've been having problems with the email at home (in PA) and I think that >the mail server is skipping some of the listmail... We shall see. > >A belated Merry Christmas/ very belated Happy Hannukah/ slightly late Yule >to everyone! Also, I've been praying for all of you who are dealing with a >dying relative. I can understand the feelings because they gave our pastor 6 >months to live when I was a freshman in HS. He's still around, and the >doctors have stopped giving him a defined time. But he's getting much worse >and is really ready to die. It's uncomfortable waiting for the funeral of >someone you love, cause it makes you feel cruel even when it is better for >them to die, rather than live out their life in pain. > >On a happier note, I'm waiting for everyone to wake up so I can get all the >running around done. I need to take my brother to the mall so he can >exchange a CD, and I need to take my sister shopping for a b-day present for >Mary. I think that we're going to Encore Books... Joy... Maybe I can find a >new book to read... I've already finished the Christmas ones. > >Emily the invisible > > That is good. I as well need a new book to read. But I also want to go out. But then again I want to buy myself a late B-day gift. It is a way to explain the spending of all the money I got for my birthday. Aistes ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Dec 1996 12:05:34 -0300 From: Eleonora To: Mercedes Lackey Mailing List Subject: 4-day BDAY warning Message-ID: <32C2943E.6533-+AT+-distrinet.com.uy> Rainwood's birthday is on Monday Dec. 30, get ready :):) Love, Ele Priestess of Karma LotPW Dame of the OAM Acting Custodian of the BDAY list ------------------------------ End of MERCEDES-LACKEY Digest 1032 **********************************