$(document).ready(
    function () {        
        $(function () {
            $("#slides").slides({
                preload: true,
                preloadImage: "../images/highlight_1.jpg",
                container: "slides_container",
                pagination: true,
                paginationClass: "pagination",
                slideSpeed: 500,
                effect: "fade",
                play: 5000,
                pause: 2500
            });
        });
    }
);