#Bill Napp

[cryptocollectibles]

Green Hornet 6 Issue Mini Lot (1991-1993) by NOW Comics

Written and drawn by various.

[detournementsmineurs]

On ne change rien aux basiques brasserie parisienne : entrée poireaux-vinaigrette, puis pièce de bœuf et sauce-poivre accompagnée de ses frites, et pour finir les fameuses profiteroles, sans oublier l'addition écrite au stylo-bille sur un coin de nappe, avec un serveur charmant dans son 2e jour, chez Chartier à Montparnasse, Paris, août 2024.

[potential-fate]

Happy Pride Month! 🌈 Which of your Arkhelios sims are LGBT (apart from the already canon ones like Sheldon, Melvin, Abe, Roman, and so on)?

hahaha had to stop myself from just answering this with "yes." no but fr all my sims are pretty fckin queer. it would be quicker to list the ones that are cishet. either way though uhm.

as you said, a lot of them are canonically lgbtq and tbh I can't keep track of which ones were coded as bi before I started playing, so in any case this may be a mix of headcanon/canon depending.

also I guess this is somewhat spoilery for the teens but 🤷‍♀️ I put them at the end just in case you don't want said spoilers.

the adultier adults include melvin and sheldon (gay/bi respectively) Wanda and Darcy are both bisexual, and so is Valerie, though we don't see her much. (She's Darcy's friend/Dmitri's mother) Narcissa's pretty much ace/aro. Oh, and the one the only, Abraham is canononically bisexual as well.

YA sims: Roman is bisexual, along with Ashe, Pelle, Adrian, Maura and Callum (though Callum tends to mostly date men so most people assume he's gay.) Tennyson is ace but not aro. Ulyssa is bisexual. Kaeileen is nb. Zane is also bisexual, but there's a pretty high likelihood he never actually acts on it, so people don't realize. Not even sure he really realizes it. Kiera (Ulyssa's rainbow haired friend) is a lesbian, and Talin (Kae's fwb/bf) is bisexual as well. Which leaves Pia, Thomas, Lucy, her bf Bill, Mary (Tenn's gf) and Jun as straight.

(ftr Pelle belongs to @nappe-plays-the-sims and Adrian and Maura are @luverofralts)

Teens: Nathan's gay, Jorah's bi, Lillie is bisexual as well, Ellie is a lesbian, (as a side note, their moms, Alex is canonically bisexual, and I think Wbuna is canon lesbian, but that might be just me.) Nicholas is demi. Dmitri (who's only been mentioned) is straight though. Kira (Ellie and Lillie's friend from the pool scene) is a lesbian, and I believe her gf Noelle is as well... but they're from Copperhead city, which is by @aondaneedles so I'm not 100% sure on that.

[nightsidewrestling]

D.U.D.E Bios: Napier Rhydderch

The Cyhyraeth Duke Napier Rhydderch (2020)

Patrick's son and Naoise's grandson, Napier. AN Irish-Catholic living in Wales and a motivated and tender-hearted young man. He's one of Kirby's first cousins once removed.

"Look like a badass, feel like a badass."

Name

Full Legal Name: Napier Ross Finbar Ophiuchus Rhydderch

First Name: Napier

Meaning: From an English and Scots surname meaning 'Linen keeper' in Middle English, from Old French 'Nappe' 'Table cloth'.

Pronunciation: NAY-pee-uh

Origin: English

Middle Name(s): Ross, Finbar, Ophiuchus

Meaning(s): Ross: From a Scottish and English surname that originally indicated a person from a place called 'Ross', derived from Gaelic 'Ros' meaning 'Promontory, Headland'. Finbar: Anglicized form of 'Fionnbharr', Old Irish 'Finnbarr', derived from 'Finn' 'White, Blessed' and 'Barr' 'Top, Head'. Ophiuchus: Latinized form of Greek 'Ophiouchos' Meaning 'Serpent bearer'.

Pronunciation(s): RAWS. FIN-bahr. o-fee-YOO-kas / ahf-ee-YOO-kas

Origin(s): Scottish, English. Irish. Astronomy.

Surname: Rhydderch

Meaning: From the given name 'Rhydderch' from the Old Welsh name 'Riderch', derived from 'Ri' 'King' and 'Derch' 'Exalted'.

Pronunciation: HRUDH-ehrkh

Origin: Welsh

Alias: Cyhyraeth Duke, Napier Rhydderch

Reason: This is Napier's ring name

Nicknames: Barry

Titles: Mr

Characteristics

Age: 18

Gender: Male. He/Him Pronouns

Race: Human

Nationality: Welsh

Ethnicity: White

Birth Date: October 1st 2002

Symbols: Banshees, Cyhyraeths, Ghosts, Crowns

Sexuality: Pansexual

Religion: Irish-Catholic

Native Language: Welsh

Spoken Languages: Welsh, Irish, Scottish (Scots Gaelic), English, Swedish

Relationship Status: Dating

Astrological Sign: Libra

Theme Song: 'Unconditional Love' - Cyndi Lauper (2020-)

Voice Actor: Dan Mitchell

Geographical Characteristics

Birthplace: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Current Location: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Hometown: Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, Wales

Appearance

Height: 5'11" / 180 cm

Weight: 157 lbs / 71 kg

Eye Colour: Blue

Hair Colour: Brown

Hair Dye: None

Body Hair: Sparse

Facial Hair: Clean Shaven

Tattoos: (As of Jan 2020) 0

Piercings: Ear Lobe (Triple, Both), Snake Eyes

Scars: None

Health and Fitness

Allergies: None

Alcoholic, Smoker, Drug User: Smoker, Social Drinker

Illnesses/Disorders: None Diagnosed

Medications: None

Any Specific Diet: None

Relationships

Allies: (As of Jan 2020) The Rhydderch Clan

Enemies: (As of Jan 2020) None

Friends: Isidore Herbert, Odin Rhydderch, Gabriel O'Hannigan, Zayden O'Hannegan, Pacey Rhydderch, Zechariah Rhydderch, Eadberht Rhydderch

Colleagues: The C.R.C Locker Rooms / Too Many To List

Rivals: None

Closest Confidant: Zuleika Björklund

Mentor: Patrick Rhydderch

Significant Other: Zuleika Björklund (19, Girlfriend)

Previous Partners: None of Note

Parents: Patrick Rhydderch (41, Father), Moira Rhydderch (42, Mother, Née Callaghan)

Parents-In-Law: None

Siblings: Macaulay Rhydderch (21, Brother), Oighrig Rhydderch (15, Sister), Paige Rhydderch (12, Sister), Quintus Rhydderch (9, Brother), Radcliff Rhydderch (6, Brother), Sable Rhydderch (3, Sister)

Siblings-In-Law: Anwen Rhydderch (22, Macaulay's Wife, Née MacIntyre)

Nieces & Nephews: Alpin Rhydderch (1, Nephew)

Children: None

Children-In-Law: None

Grandkids: None

Great Grandkids: None

Wrestling

Billed From: Anglesey, Wales

Trainer: The C.R.C Wrestling School, Naoise Rhydderch, Patrick Rhydderch

Managers: Zuleika Björklund

Wrestlers Managed: Zuleika Björklund

Debut: 2020

Debut Match: Napier Rhydderch VS Patrick Rhydderch. Double Count Out

Retired: N/A

Retirement Match: N/A

Wrestling Style: Brawler / Hardcore

Stables: The Rhydderch Clan (2020-)

Teams: No Team Names

Regular Moves: Belly To Back Suplex, Bulldog, Figure-Four Leglock, Inverted Atomic Drop, Low Blow, Multiple Jabs, Poking / Raking Opponent’s Eyes, Running High Knee Strike, Big Boot, Atomic Drop, Backbreaker Rack, Diving Overhead Chop, High Knee, One-Armed Body Slam, Piledriver, Running Big Boot, Running Leg Drop, Vertical Suplex Powerslam

Finishers: Sleeper Hold, Jumping Knee Drop, Top Rope Jumping Knee Drop

Refers To Fans As: The Fans, The Family

Extras

Backstory: Napier Rhydderch of the C.R.C (Welsh Wrestling League / Cynghrair Reslo Cymru) owning Rhydderch family. When Patrick dies Napier will have a 1/392th ownership of the promotion. Napier is a 'Cyhyraeth Style’ (Brawler / Hardcore) trainer. He’s mostly Irish.

Trivia: Nothing of Note

[hardynwa]

Abuja private school owners reject Wike’s fee hike

An unprecedented hike in fees for Abuja-based private schools is imminent following the decision of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to hike operation charges of private schools in the capital city. Under the new tax regime, each school will be billed according to tuition paid by students and the number of enrolments. A memo by the Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed, which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday, said the development would take effect from January 2024. The memo was titled: “Review of private school operation charges in FCT,” and it read: “ Following the approval of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for a review of operational charges (annual charge, accreditation, application, re-accreditation, commencement and recognition) payable by private schools in the FCT. “You are by this letter informed that the old rate of charges cease to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024. “Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.” Meanwhile, the National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT, in a letter written to the Education Secretariat, noted that such a tax review at a time when the Federal Government had promised to eliminate multiple taxes would only increase the cost of education beyond the reach of many parents, thus adding to the population of out-of-school children. In the letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, NAPPS added that the tax review would further put pressure on private schools in the FCT as it would increase their running costs. The association said, “Unfortunately, our members rejected the proposal in its entirety. They cited the hard economy, the huge bank loans outstanding in their books, the unpaid fees by many owing parents, the many levies payable to local government and other agencies, and more importantly payment of their teachers’ salaries, other staff as well as maintenance of our infrastructure. “Our members, therefore, plead that you use your good office to effect a 50 per cent reduction in the existing annual dues to enable your office to recover the outstanding dues. We will partner with you to achieve this.” Speaking with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, a member of the association said the association was planning to write the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and also notify the Parents-Teachers Association of the newly imposed tax. Read the full article

[satanspersonaldiary]

Not enough monies, waiting for disability payments to come through hopefully.

I also have normal bills to stick to and my savings goal to meet

My partner jokes about being my sugar daddy but I also don't want to abuse his kindness and generosity.

I need to fix my car

Catch up on my work stuff (NAPPS/EP)

Lose weight (goal 17-20 %bf)

Get a promotion or GTFO

Low blood pressure from post surgery blood loss

Finish healing from surgery

Trying to limit watching fancy and stick to foods in the house or already purchased.

[nationalassociationofpreferredpr]

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OnOne Software is also offering NAPP members a discount on their new accounts. Normally, a new bill would cost a few hundred dollars, but NAPP members can get a free membership and a 10% discount on their new purchase. This is a great deal that can't be beaten, and the fact that NAPP members can save money makes it even better.

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As a Better Money Habits Champion at NAPP, Nanelle Napp has shared her financial knowledge for several years. After the 2008 financial crisis, Nanelle began to teach financial education to groups of all sizes. She specializes in budgeting, paying down debt, and understanding credit scores. Narelle loves working with groups of all sizes; she is comfortable guiding them through financial education and presentation skills.

Bank of America has released a new report that explores how Gen Z is rethinking their financial habits. The report found that Gen Z has grown up during a financial crisis and has focused on saving money and gaining financial independence. The report also found that Gen Z is balancing the demands of everyday life with saving for the future. The report also found that Gen Z seeks advice and guidance from adults about managing their money.

[endreal]

Bill Nye the science guy

Bill Naan the science man

Bill Napp the science chap

Bill Nellow the science fellow

Bill nude

[norsesuggestions]

As a swede, living in stockholm were basically people who dont know eachother never ever talk to eachother, yes even when they are pushing you away so they can get off the metro,

The concept of new yorkers being the "impolite" usa people is hileroius to me

They are so damn polite, non stop, in the public space

Once i was trying to get to my seat in a restuarant the normal stockholm manner, which is to try squeze past other people eating in the restuarant without distrubing their chair

And the person in that stair stood up and told me

"you could just have asked me to stand up!"

And as swedes me and my parents

"oh dammit, we missed doing a polite thing, time to feel that typical swedish tourist feel when people tell after us in the streets to be more polite"

But then i said

"i am sorry, i am from Stockholm, and we hardly never talk to strangers in public spaces"

And he just did not reply and got over it!

This places new york in politness well. The majority of central europe/west of nordics europe. Easy going you know? Yeah i broke some politeness rule, but in Germany people will give you like an angry rant for breaking politeness rule.

In Germany i ran with my luggage through train plattforms to catch my train, and did mot say entschulding when my bags got in the way of someone else. And there people screamed angirly after you when you did so!

Anyway, new yorkers, from a nordics perspective you are very very polite in public settings, but also! Easy going, which is nice.

Its always all :( when like. Englishmen screams at us swedes because we like cut the line in London or something

Although it should be said. From a swedish perspective the over politness of your service staff (like restuarant servers) really makes us feel uncormfortble because it just makes us see the metaphorical axe they have hanging over their heads to be polite all the time, and otherwise not get a wage. This is NOT the service staff fault ofcourse, but it could be interesting perhaps for usa people to know, that if swedes appear uncormfortble when talking to staff in retail etc in usa, its mostly NOT because we are displeased with the service, but because we see the thing usa consider "customer service" as

"oh no, doing this must be awful for you, i have seen you have not sat down in ages, please sit down, and I wanna give you enough tip, i know its your wage and really important to you, i should just ask how one gives you enough tip at the bill portion"

Etc as a constant mantra

Because sometimes i felt that waiters etc appeared a bit like. Vaguelly worried that we were displeased because we never asked for anything? We were not, we were just swedish, and not used to the waiters constantly arriving to our tables

It should be said though that 1 thing they do in resturant in usa, and in new york, is considered absurdly impolite in sweden. We dont blame the waiters for it, we were told by my brothers american wife this is standard in new york area

But! You steal our plates constantly! Stop stealing my plate! Like, the waiters cant stand one second of us not constantly eating from a plate, so they just napp your plate from under your hands

Its like

I was eating that! Dont kidnapp my food!

And they did that even if their were very few customers in the food place (which it useally were, i am guessing we swedes eat our meals at different hours than most new yorkers food breaks are)

Stop kidnappning my plate of food, i was eating that :(

[asimplevampire]

Widespot Makeovers- the Beeches

Thanks to @nappe-plays-the-sims​ I got inspired to try out @penig​’s Widespot neighbourhood again. I made over the Manns, the Harts, and the Weisses. It’s time to start moving to the bigger families- here are the Beeches!

Daytona Beech Popularity/Family, Aries, State Assemblyperson; LTW: Own Five Top-Level Businesses Hot-Headed, Night Owl, Born Salesperson, Brave, Great Kisser This is a small pond, but Daytona's the big fish in it. After finally bringing the highway and economic development to Widespot, should she push for higher office, or stop and smell the grandchildren? (I wanted something a bit classy for Daytona- she is supposed to be a politician, after all- but also a bit grandmotherly. @serabiet‘s Awkward Calf-Length Skirt fits the bill.)

Hamilton Beech Popularity/Family, Gemini, Campaign Manager; LTW: Own Five Top-Level Businesses Neurotic, Hopeless Romantic, Dramatic, Handy, Inappropriate Hamilton always does the right thing. He knows it's the right thing because Mama says so. (Hamilton’s clearly campaigning for the abolition of the Fashion Police.) 

Sandy Beech Popularity/Fortune, Scorpio, Unemployed; LTW: Become General Brooding, Neat, Clumsy, Socially Awkward, Adventurous Sandy is tired of never getting her own way. Isn't it time she had a little adventure? Did something on her own? (Sandy’s clearly had a Hard Life. She compensates for never getting to join the army by wearing combat boots and making hospital corners on all the beds.)

Virginia Beech Popularity, Gemini, Student; LTW: Become Captain Hero Schmoozer, Supernatural Fan, Brave, Workaholic Virginia understands the importance of social networking and getting everything done right, whether it's banners for the prom or solving world hunger. She just wishes she were better at it. And at everything! (Why, yes, that shirt does say MetalliCats. XD Virginia has just a bit of a Tween Mean Girl Instinct going on, but she’s from such a small town that it hasn’t had much chance to surface. If more folks move in.... she may give everyone else a Bad Time.) 

Rocky Beech N/A, Libra, Student Lucky, Night Owl, Inappropriate Rocky just wants everybody to get along. (Cute little ‘un, hasn’t had the chance to step out of his parents’/big sis’s shadow yet. I dressed him in clothes that look too big- figure they’re someone’s hand-me-downs.) 

[pourlemeilleur]

“Un beau jour j'ai fermé une porte, refusant de laisser les choses, qui se trouvaient derrière, interférer avec ma vie, mes envies, mes ambitions, mes rêves. J'ai fermé cette porte avec la conviction infime que, si je la laissais ouverte, elle ne m'apporterait rien, qu'elle me pousserait à me mettre de côté, qu'elle m'étoufferait. Bille en tête, je me suis dis qu'elle n'allait ni m'aider à avancer, ni m'aider à comprendre quoi que ce soit sur moi. Et j'ai continué ma route avec cette porte fermée derrière moi, souhaitant m'aventurer vers d'autres chemins, qui n'étaient sûrement pas les miens ; chemins sinueux, dangereux, sur lesquels se trouvaient des panneaux "danger” à chaque intersection. Et c'est en m'enfonçant dans cette nappe sombre, ce voile opaque, que j'ai compris que je m'étais perdue, que j'avais dévié de ma trajectoire. Je me suis perdue, et je me suis retrouvée solo. Pour vous imagez la chose : prenez une pièce enfumée, et visualisez-vous en train de fumer, tout en vous plaignant de ne rien voir. D'une vous n'aidez pas votre vision à distinguer quoi que ce soit, et de deux, vous êtes responsable de cette nappe de fumée qui vous empêche de voir. C'était flou ; j'étais dans le flou. Un beau jour j'ai fermé une porte, et j'ai très vite compris que c'était la seule à laisser ouverte, car c'est la première que j'ai poussé, celle qui définit qui je suis. Cette porte c'était moi.“

[arthur-erickson-officialblog]

Arthur Erickson & The Royal Family

Following the passing of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II, who will be dearly missed, Prince Charles now becomes King Charles III, and we wish him the very best during his reign. 

Arthur Erickson dined with Her Majesty and Prince Phillip on a few occasions, and also knew Charles and Princess Diana from such royal occasions, and events such as the unveiling of a Bill Reid sculpture at the Museum of Anthropology. There were other times they spent together socially, such as travelling in Canada’s far north with mutual Italian friends, boating on a private yacht to Vancouver Island, in London and Cambridge after Arthur Erickson Architects won the international Napp Laboratories competition, and vacationing on the Caribbean island of Barbuda with Princess Diana.

Photos: Prince Phillip touring the new Napp Laboratories in Cambridge England, a building both he and Charles admired (top & middle); Arthur Erickson boating with then Prince Charles in Vancouver during Expo ’86 (bottom). 

Napp Laboratories: https://arthurerickson.com/medical-buildings/napp-laboratories/1/caption

[hardynwa]

Abuja private school owners reject Wike’s fee hike

An unprecedented hike in fees for Abuja-based private schools is imminent following the decision of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to hike operation charges of private schools in the capital city. Under the new tax regime, each school will be billed according to tuition paid by students and the number of enrolments. A memo by the Head of Account, Department of Quality Assurance of the Education Secretariat, Mudi Muhammed, which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday, said the development would take effect from January 2024. The memo was titled: “Review of private school operation charges in FCT,” and it read: “ Following the approval of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for a review of operational charges (annual charge, accreditation, application, re-accreditation, commencement and recognition) payable by private schools in the FCT. “You are by this letter informed that the old rate of charges cease to be valid as of 31/12/2023 and the new rate of charges effective 1/1/2024. “Under the new rate, each school is billed according to the tuition charged and the number of enrollments. As a consequence, each school has its peculiar bill. You should also note that all application(s) are now N40,000.” Meanwhile, the National Association of Private School Owners in the FCT, in a letter written to the Education Secretariat, noted that such a tax review at a time when the Federal Government had promised to eliminate multiple taxes would only increase the cost of education beyond the reach of many parents, thus adding to the population of out-of-school children. In the letter signed by its Chairperson, Ruqayah Agboola, NAPPS added that the tax review would further put pressure on private schools in the FCT as it would increase their running costs. The association said, “Unfortunately, our members rejected the proposal in its entirety. They cited the hard economy, the huge bank loans outstanding in their books, the unpaid fees by many owing parents, the many levies payable to local government and other agencies, and more importantly payment of their teachers’ salaries, other staff as well as maintenance of our infrastructure. “Our members, therefore, plead that you use your good office to effect a 50 per cent reduction in the existing annual dues to enable your office to recover the outstanding dues. We will partner with you to achieve this.” Speaking with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, a member of the association said the association was planning to write the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and also notify the Parents-Teachers Association of the newly imposed tax. Read the full article

[nationalassociationofpreferredpr]

What exactly is the National Association of Preferred Providers (NAPP)?

The National Association of Preferred Providers' primary goals is its members' health, well-being, and education. This non-profit organization began in Texas, but its programs have spread nationwide. A group of physicians founded the organization to help lower healthcare costs for its members and to influence legislation that promotes better healthcare outcomes for member communities across the country.

Participation in the National Association of Preferred Providers

Numerous benefits are available to those who join the NAPP, all of which contribute to the advancement of the members' welfare and well-being. Unfortunately, enrollment in the program is limited because programs are unavailable in every state, and members must be employed for a minimum of 12 months by a small business with fewer than 50 employees. However, the essential membership cost is meager, at only $12 per year, with the option to cancel within the first 30 days and receive a refund.

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Membership in the NAPP is beneficial in a variety of lifestyle areas. These are just a few discounts to help you live a healthier, happier lifestyle.

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When members receive special discounts on vitamin products, they achieve the goal of being healthier. Members can save up to 75% by using the Vitamin Savings service.

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Dental PPO Dental HMO Accidental injury, death, or dismemberment Vision coverage through VSP

A low-cost membership in the National Association of Preferred Providers provides access to these benefits. This organization promotes low-cost, healthy lifestyles for individuals and families.

[top-projets]

Le meilleur drap de billard au monde

Si vous êtes déjà allé dans un salon de billard, vous avez probablement remarqué que le feutre de la table est vert. Mais pourquoi ? Comme pour beaucoup de petits mystères de la vie, la réponse a beaucoup à voir avec la tradition.

Les premières tables de billard étaient construites à la main et étaient souvent recouvertes d'herbe, car elle était abondante et facile à entretenir. Cependant, les joueurs se sont vite rendu compte que l'herbe ralentissait le jeu et rendait le contrôle de la boule plus difficile.

Ils ont donc commencé à expérimenter d'autres matériaux comme l'argile, le sable, la sciure de bois et la laine, mais chacun présentait ses propres problèmes. À la fin du XVIIIe siècle, les soldats français ont découvert que le tissu utilisé pour leurs tentes était idéal pour recouvrir les tables de billard, car il était durable et de couleur vive.

Le drap de billard a beaucoup évolué depuis les années 1700. Le feutre de table d'aujourd'hui est généralement fabriqué à partir de laine ou de fibres synthétiques comme le nylon ou le polyester. Les meilleurs draps de billard sont composés de 70 % de laine et de 30 % de nylon et sont teints à l'aide de colorants aniline qui ne se décolorent pas et ne déteignent pas aussi facilement que les mélanges moins chers.

Un drap de billard (généralement juste un drap) est le matériau qui recouvre le lit d'une table de billard. Il est généralement fait de laine tissée, mais peut aussi être fait de fibres synthétiques. Le drap a plusieurs fonctions, l'une étant d'aider les boules à rouler en douceur sur la surface de jeu. La nappe est la direction dans laquelle le tissage de la toile s'étend, normalement de l'extrémité du pied de la table de billard à l'extrémité de la tête.

L'épaisseur du tissu influe sur la façon dont les boules réagissent au coup du joueur et sur la facilité avec laquelle il peut les positionner pour jouer. Plusieurs types différents de draps à poils sont disponibles dans le commerce et chaque type a ses propres caractéristiques, qui sont souvent considérées comme des avantages ou des inconvénients par les différents joueurs. Une table avec un tapis rapide causera moins de friction pour les boules qui roulent dessus, affectant la distance qu'elles parcourent lorsqu'elles sont caressées doucement, et l'influence directe que les joueurs ont sur leur trajectoire après un contact avec d'autres boules. Inversement, une table avec un tapis lent causera plus de friction pour les billes objets, absorbant plus de leur élan lorsqu'elles sont frappées et rendant leur trajectoire moins prévisible après une collision avec d'autres billes.

Afin de réduire l'usure et d'éviter les accrochages, le drap de billard est recouvert de craie en poudre chaque fois que possible pendant son utilisation, surtout s'il est utilisé pour des coups glissés.

Le billard est un terme générique qui englobe plusieurs jeux, dont le billard carom et le pool. Le billard carom se joue entre deux joueurs ou équipes sur une table à quatre bandes et sans poches. Le pool se joue entre deux joueurs ou équipes sur une table à six bandes et six poches (ou parfois seulement cinq poches). Le billard et le billard carambole se jouent avec trois boules et une boule de choc. La boule blanche est blanche, les autres boules sont rouges et jaunes.

La toile de billard est le tissu qui recouvre la surface de jeu d'une table de billard.

[julianletutour]

Pastiche de Maylis de Kérangal

Pastiche d’un extrait de Maylis de Kérangal, Réparer les vivants (2014), chapitre 6, dans le cadre d’un cours de stylistique avec Frédéric Martin-Achard, à partir d’une séquence narrative minimale : le braquage de Kim K à Paris en octobre 2016.

Il était sur scène en train de chanter — dans la nuit je les entends parler, l’histoire la plus froide jamais contée, quelque part le long de cette route il a perdu son âme pour une femme sans cœur, comment peux-tu être à ce point sans cœur ? Il chantait le début de cette chanson mais s’arrêta net, la bande-son continuant un instant trop long, les nappes électroniques qu’il tentait de recouvrir l’empêchant de dire j’suis désolé… j’suis déso… puis le silence se fit et dans le tremolo de sa voix encore couverte d’auto-tune il bredouilla qu’il devait arrêter le concert, qu’il y avait une urgence familiale. Dans un lieu où il se mettait à nu avec des paroles si personnelles, s’exorcisant devant de multiples consciences qu’il ne pouvait discerner, il était d’autant plus incapable d’imaginer Kim à plus de 3000 miles, à Paris, en danger sans lui. Il en fit plus tard des cauchemars arrachant son sommeil pendant des semaines, avant une grosse dépression et un séjour en psychiatrie à l’hôpital d’UCLA. Plus rien n’avait de sens pour lui.

Il a dû la voir attachée, les yeux et les mains bandés, en une seconde qui en paraissait sûrement mille, sortant de scène d’une marche déterminée et mécanique, comme dépossédé car on avait atteint sa moitié, on avait enlevé la clé de voute qui permet l’équilibre et qui supporte toute la pression de chaque côté. Enfermé dans sa loge il déverrouille et verrouille son portable en pressant frénétiquement le bouton faisant apparaitre l’heure sur son fond d’écran — 00:02 passe à 00:03 devant un selfie de Kim en robe crème arborant une parure Loren Ridinger — il doit savoir qu’il ne peut la joindre mais compose quand même son numéro et tombe directement sur le répondeur à plusieurs reprises, il tourne en rond dans la petite pièce tandis qu’on frappe à la porte laissez-moi seul ! Laissez-moi ! L’écran se verrouille à nouveau, quand dans le noir des pixels éteints de l’écran LCD il croise furtivement son regard — deux billes trop brillantes, sphères livides, la pupille vide et caverneuse — et se trouve absent à lui-même comme s’il était parti, comme s’il ne pouvait plus être ici-bas avec lui-même car il ne peut pas être là-bas avec elle, dans la douceur de ses bras. Ce qu’il sent, c’est un courant d’air poussiéreux qui s’infiltre dans chacune de ses veines, un grand froid qu’il prend en pleine face et le pétrifie, le froid d’une vague meurtrière qui arrive inéluctablement sur son bateau et dont il n’a pas d’autre choix que de contempler lentement la dysmorphose avant de venir s’éclater contre le bois de toute sa force, le sel brûle ses yeux : le poids de sa confiance brisée prend trop de place dans son cœur et c’est la seule chose qu’il connait maintenant, aspirant tout le reste, Kanye a le sang glacé.

Par le hublot elle fixe l’horizon, un lever de soleil perce la mer de nuages au loin, vers la côte. Elle a posé son iPhone un peu plus loin, ne veut plus s’en approcher. Son casque sur les oreilles, elle ne parle à personne sauf pour demander à Stephanie de mettre de la musique — Blonde de Frank Ocean. Elle se dit qu’ils auraient pu la violer, qu’elle aurait pu y passer mais merci mon Dieu, merci Seigneur elle est sauve. Elle s’y était préparée, les mains dans le dos, attachées par ces colliers en plastique, qui lui serraient les poignets, oh elle en a gardé des marques sur la peau. Elle avait cru que c’était son heure et se disait OK je ne dois pas paniquer, ça va être un moment difficile mais je m’en remettrai, je ne veux pas mourir. Elle n’était pas prête pour mourir. Elle avait pensé à s’échapper, courir et descendre les escaliers pour s’en sortir, mais ils auraient pu lui tirer dans le dos. Cette vision l’avait paralysée. Elle essaye de l’oublier, augmente le volume : that's the way everyday goes, every time we've no control, if the sky is pink and white, if the ground is black and yellow. Ses yeux s’emplissent et tremblent comme les vagues de l’Atlantique salé et profond, plus de 5 miles sous ses pieds. Une larme coule sur sa joue pas encore démaquillée mais elle n’ose pas l’enlever, elle ne veut pas faire ce geste de balayer sa main sur son visage pour chasser la tristesse, mais merde elle n’est pas triste elle ne comprend pas ce qu’elle ressent, elle aimerait pouvoir dormir mais elle n’y arrivera pas pendant longtemps. Stephanie arrive les bras tendus, everybody needs you, oooh nani nani, this feel like a quaalude, no sleep in my body, ain’t no bitch in my body, elle craque. Ça va aller ma belle ne pleure pas. Chaque fois qu’elle était venue à Paris, elle aurait pu se faire braquer. Si ça se trouve le concierge était de mèche, et il prévoyait son coup depuis longtemps. Elle revoit tous ces moments, seule dans la chambre d’un hôtel particulier, avec ses bijoux sur la table de chevet ou dans sa malle Vuitton, elle n’en portera plus autant, et elle les laissera à LA désormais, si tous ces beaux diamants mettent ses jours en danger, il n’est plus question d’en racheter. La bague froide qu’il lui reste à l’index droit lui serre le doigt, spending each day of the year, white Ferrari, good times, in this life, life, in this life, life. Elle l’enlève et la met dans son petit sac à main et le garde contre son ventre. Elle ferme les yeux puis les rouvre, eat some shrooms, maybe have a good cry about you, see some colors, light hang glide off the moon. Elle arrive bientôt à la maison, oui on arrive bientôt.

Pour comparer, voici l’extrait original pastiché :

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BzKkhatUo-IlDCiY6z2oVsTz0sA6QV2I/view