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Allah Las'
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Calico Review Quick ViewUNIM-MEX-2510$17.99Buy Now
Calico ReviewIf you drive past the 200 block of South La Brea, there is a lamp shop, a pet shop, and a little glass door that says "Casting Agency" above it. Inside you'll find one of LA's most stereotypical rituals, where men & women from all walks of life vie for the attention and popularity of the Hollywood producer. It's a dream factory for some of them. It's also a place where Los Angeles outsiders learn what the city is really like, beyond the sun and surf and celebrities, where every brightly-lit surface eventually faces a cloud.
Indeed, the lessons learned by the Allah-Las - guitarists Miles Michaud and Pedrum Siadatian, bassist Spencer Dunham, drummer Matthew Correia - since their auspicious formation in 2008 have been tempered with experience. Now, with their third album Calico Review (their first for Mexican Summer), their experience transforms once more, this time into wisdom. The band's trajectory, formed around mutual appreciation for the same kinds of music and a host of shared experiences, focuses on both the outer trappings of their home and surroundings, and the through line of darkness that suffuses life in LA county.
Where the Allah-Las display their insight, and what really shines across the 12 songs that comprise Calico Review, is the way that the group has pivoted from specific influences and nods to the music they love, to crafting the feelings of freedom, grit, and melancholy in their music. That feeling - the peerless capture of music long in the tradition and mood of California pop, the sound that's captured the essence of the LA experience - aligns with their stylistic technique and their experience in the studio environment to create their strongest album to date, one which showcases their developments in songwriting and arrangements.
The process began with their self-titled debut, which captured the Allah-Las' live set circa 2012 and continued onward with 2014's Worship the Sun, where they began to experiment with overdubs and writing songs individually instead of as a band. Now, Calico Review showcases a band that's grown confident in its own style to reflect the perspectives of each member, to craft an album that changes up the approach from song-to-song, while retaining their abilities as a cohesive unit.
Audiences familiar with the band will recognize the levels of nuance and steadiness the Allah-Las have grown into throughout Calico Review. It's immediate, the first thing you recognize about the band in the opening moves of "Strange Heat," in the amount of control and character burning off of the band's knack for restraint. Songs like "Famous Phone Figure" cradle character sketches over delicate strains of violin, organ, and Mellotron, Correia's drumming carefully underlining a three-note theme that casts a phantom sadness over the proceedings, the group exerting a touch both light and steady enough to bring your mood to theirs. "
Could Be You" works off a steady percussive gallop, guitarist Miles Michaud waxing reflexively on second chances while the band focuses on forward motion. "Roadside Memorial" applies the Bo Diddley beat to the open road, Pedrum Siadatian stepping up on vocals, and finding new ways to match his talents to propulsive musical ends. Elsewhere, "High & Dry," featuring drummer Matthew Correia on lead vocals, focuses on the Allah-Las most quintessential and peerless quality: writing emotionally resonant pop, at once direct and detached, casual and knowing, and instantly memorable. The dream factory itself gets called out in the fun, surf-stung number "200 South La Brea," its carnival-like atmosphere reflecting the excitement and anxiety of those who await their judgment.
In between releases, the Allah-Las have toured around the world, and will continue that journey in support of Calico Review. The experience of traveling and idle time on tour inspired the group in different ways, and provided the pathways by which the band transports its listeners to a different place, be that wherever they are, and where the band has been.
What the Allah-Las present is not necessarily crossing the L.A. River, coin in mouth, on the Riverboat Styx. It's not Raymond Chandler and it's not Raymond Carver. But the band's four members are aware of the pitfalls that stack against the idyllic notion of southern California life that forms from outside of the city. It's a siren call to the hopeful, and it's a successful town for tempering dreams into wakeful reality. Even with over 8,000 people per square mile, there is room for everyone, and then some, to be completely alone, by choice or otherwise.
Calico Review bears the mark of four students becoming the teachers, sharing the sentiments of the town they call home. Join them. There's a lot to learn.1. Strange Heat
2. Satisfied
3. Could Be You
4. High & Dry
5. Mausoleum
6. Roadside Memorial
7. Autumn Dawn
8. Famous Phone Figure PLAY
9. 200 South La Brea
10. Warmed Kippers
11. Terra Ignota
12. Place In The Sun$17.99Vinyl LP - Sealed Buy Now
Never Twice Quick ViewREDI-INN-1434$19.99Buy Now
Never TwiceBrisk, self-contained, a little mysterious, and catchy enough to revisit again and again
-Paste Magazine
His style is all his own
The second coming of soul, infusing a distinctly California surf-rock spin to the genre
Many moons ago Primo Pitino, the DJ of San Francisco's legendary Oldies Night, passed me a copy of his friend Nick Waterhouse's "Some Place." Nick was a local vinyl DJ and the kid working at our Shangri-la, Rooky Ricardo's Records. Though he didn't have a band at the time, Waterhouse assembled some local musicians to cut a one-off 45 in the vein of the electrifying mid-century modern rhythm and blues he loved. I threw "Some Place" on the Technics during sound check a few cities down the line and was blown away from the howling falsetto all the way to the end! I gave it a whirl every night from Texas to Tennessee and all the way back home to New York. Not only were the dancers' feet responding, but they were also asking about the track on a nightly basis. The Nashville Scene was so blown away that they printed a piece on Nick after a single listen. DJs and collectors everywhere wanted it so bad that the little record with the big sound started fetching upwards of $300 on Ebay.
The immediate and unprecedented underground dance party success of Nick's DIY record resulted in a full band, gigs, and, after a number of obstacles, the widely acclaimed 2012 LP Time's All Gone. Nick's music, vision, and fully formed aesthetic caught on globally and he was instantly a fixture at nearly every major nightclub and festival on both sides of the Atlantic, Australia, Japan, and Russia - hitting stages everywhere from Primavera to Montreux Jazz Festival and charting on college, public, and commercial radio.
Only a year after self-releasing his first single, Nick Waterhouse was thrust into the chaos of leading a band, touring, and recording in the big leagues! Pummeling high speed down a bumpy hill of lineup changes, economic problems, and general chaos without any breaks, Nick made it through and the challenges made him more focused. 2014's Holly captured a more experienced artist upping the ante in writing, performance, recording, and production, inspiring a new level of critical and commercial success.
In addition to a jam-packed five years on the road, in the studio, and in the practice space, Waterhouse also produced septuagenarian soul legend Ural Thomas, Los Angeles Latin stars the Boogaloo Assassins, and garage rockers the Allah-las. He's currently collaborating with the likes of young Grammy-nominee Leon Bridges and Steven Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste. The Rolling Stones blast Nick's version of "I Can Only Give You Everything" at stadiums before they go onstage. Vogue hired him to pose with Kendall Jenner. He hipped her to Little Willie John while Anna Wintour complimented his shoes. While a lesser artist would get lost in these distractions, Nick Waterhouse's acclaim only seems to energize him and make him work harder and push his music to the next level.
Nick's latest Never Twice is a culmination, intensification, and realization of everything he's been developing throughout this prolific frenzy. Catchier and loaded with more hits than its predecessors, Nick's new LP is at the same time harder hitting, more rhythmic, more harmonic, more diverse, and more adventurous than any of the excellent work that already separated him from the pack. A cool and elegant post-post-modern cocktail of 1950s r&b and club jazz, mixed with 1960s soul and boogaloo, and shaken with a minimal contemporary sensibility, Never Twice finds the artist taking his time, refining his vision, and speaking with new authority. In five short years Nick Waterhouse has come a long way and it looks like he may have just painted his masterpiece.
- Jonathan Toubin1. It's Time
2. I Had Some Money (But I Spent It)
3. Straight Love Affair
4. Stanyan Street
5. The Old Place
6. Katchi (feat. Leon Bridges)
7. Baby, I'm In The Mood For You
8. Tracy
9. Lucky Once
10. LA Turnaround$19.99180 Gram Audiophile Virgin Vinyl LP - Sealed Buy Now
Worship The Sun Quick ViewREDI-INN-0642$19.99Buy Now
Worship The SunAllah-Las met while working at Amoeba Music, a key destination for music lovers in Los Angeles. While this experience helped shape their sensibility, their sound was forged in an underground basement where they came together as a band. They began gigging in Los Angeles in 2008, refining their live performance, and finally released their first 7" single Catamaran / Long Journey in 2011. In 2012, they began their relationship with Innovative Leisure, releasing their first self-titled album, Allah-Las, anchored by their second single Tell Me (What's On Your Mind) / Sacred Sands. The release was met with critical acclaim and the band toured extensively in the States and abroad before going back into the studio to record their follow-up.
Allah-Las' second album, Worship The Sun, expands on the sound established by their maiden effort, honing their fusion of West Coast garage rock and roll, Latin percussion and electric folk. As richly textured and timeless as a Southern California beach break, the songs are evocative of Los Angeles' storied past. Beatniks, artists, surfers, nomads. Remnants of a bygone Sunset Strip. Golden tans and cosmic sunsets. One can feel the warmth of the sun, but the band deftly avoids the kitsch so often indulged by lovers of these things. Hints of Byrds, Love, Felt, and those who follow are threaded into the tapestry.
LA's seminal Ferus Gallery - the home of Wallace Berman, Ed Kienholz, Ed Ruscha, Billy Al Bengston - is paid homage in an eponymous instrumental, broadening the scope beyond mere sea, surf, and sand. The lyrics reveal a new maturity; reflections of a band that has grown together through experiences on the road and in the studio. Worship The Sun is at once the perfect soundtrack for the greatest surf film never made and for a golden hour drive through Topanga Canyon. Yet, while grounded in the Southern California experience, the appeal of the album is not limited by locale. It is a teenage symphony to the sun, for all those who know its grace.1. De Vida Voz
2. Had It All
3. Artifact
4. Ferus Gallery
5. Recurring
6. Nothing To Hide
7. Buffalo Nickel
8. Follow You Down
9. 501-405
10. Yemeni Jade
11. Worship The Sun
12. Better Than Mine
13. No Werewolf
14. Every Girl$19.99Vinyl LP - Sealed Buy Now
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Know more about this business than we do? Cool! Please submit any corrections or missing details you may have.Help us make it right
Be the first cleveland.com user to add photos or videos of City Year Columbus
City Year Columbus can be found at N 4th St, Ste 350 35. The following is offered: Other Organizations. The entry is present with us since Sep 9, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Columbus there are 25 other Other Organizations. An overview can be found here.
City Year Columbus was founded in 1994, and is located at 35 N 4th St Ste 350 in Columbus.

subset: commoncrawl


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When it comes to beauty, I can't say I am lazy, it would be a lie. Lies are bad, anyway, and if you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything: I have bad memory, so I would rather make my life easy. Anyway, we were saying: I like to spend time in front of the mirror, trying out different looks, experimenting with something different every day, testing products to include in our awesome galleries on the blog, you know what I mean. If there's one thing that drives me crazy, though, that is eyeliner. As Einstein said, any fool can know, but the point is to understand, and even though my friends think I am a pro, I don't understand eyeliner. I always waste at least 25 minutes with it, truly, I checked. I'm not kidding. It happened to me before that I was at home, ready, too early to leave, and I still came late, because of an eyeliner.
I obviously gave up at that point: my social life was already too precarious for it to be ruined by one of the few things I really love in this world. Beauty must be something that puts a smile on my face for me, not a challenge. So, I stopped wearing eyeliner, period. Just kidding! My struggle is over, but definitely not thanks to my skills. I found out I can cheat, and make my life easy while still getting to draw that clear line along the edge of my eyelid. Hurrah, yay! Get your confetti out, get the party hats, because I am about to share my secret: there are eyeliner runners and transfer stamps.
Eyeliner runners are made of plastic and look like guitar plectrums, but I found out that some people just use sticky notes, getting rid of the excess glue on the back of their hand, in order to protect the under-eye area's delicate skin. Transfer stamps are just genius, though, really! They are small cat-eye-shaped stamps, you just apply your eyeliner on them, and then place them on your eye. If some details are a little smudged you can correct them by hand, but that will still have taken care of the hardest part!
Which version would you try? Have a look at the gallery and pick your favorite gadget!


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Germany Beck Fighting Fund - Help Save Fulford.
17 March 2014
A sincere THANK YOU to the 'Help save Fulford' team and to the residents of Fulford for such a successful and enjoyable afternoon yesterday. More than £1300 was raised for the Germany Beck fund - see todays news item!
5 March 2014
Since the relaunch of the Germany Beck Fund, more than £4000 has been raised. We are grateful for the support of residents for the Parish Council's continuing legal action - THANK YOU.
The appeal against the recent court judgement has been lodged and a decision 'on the papers' is awaited.
A local fund-raising group 'Help Save Fulford' has been formed by a resident - find it on facebook.com/helpsavefulford and twitter @helpsavefulford. The first event is afternoon tea and cakes on Sunday16 March 2-5pm at Fulford Social Hall. Please come along to find out how the development would affect you - parish councillors will be there to answer questions and there will be raffle prizes.
IF you would like to help Fulford Parish Council in its legal battle, full details can be found in the news section.Your continuing support is vital for Fulford's future.
If you would like to assist in any other practical way, please let us know.
Thank you.


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Soap stone tea pot from Java.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Her general comments are also very interesting:
'Barque 'Belmont'
South Atlantic Lat. S 18ş 50, Long W 3ş
24th August 1894
Dear Papa,
…The Weather has been lovely, one only little hard blow off the Cape for 24 hours. The Ther. has never been below 60ş and it was mid-Winter when we came round the Cape of Good Hope. We have been and are over run with rats. On leaving Singapore we had two cats but they both died, we thought from eating too many rats. I don't know what we shall do if we can't get a cat at St. Helena. I am afraid to go to sleep now. We caught two the other night in the Piano - killed them both. I read somewhere Cayenne Pepper scattered around would keep them away. I tried that but the draughts kept it in the air, and we nearly all strangled with coughing….'
Maori jade axe from New Zealand
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Perhaps her most interesting, and touching, story is of the boy from a China Sea island:
'Ship 'Morning Light'
29th Oct. 1886
'… About four PM o'clock we sighted Anna I., a small island, about a mile in circumference (probably Pulo Anna, an island belonging to the Republic of Palau, in Micronesia). When we were about ten miles off, we saw two boats coming off. We thought they must be some ship boats which had been wrecked there, but as they came nearer we saw they were natives. We knew they must want something pretty badly because it was getting dark and looked like squalls. They came up along side. Fred let them come on board. They all came, about twenty, among them a little boy about Ron's age, perhaps older but not as large. All had long straight hair and the poor things were almost starving-didn't have a thing in their boats except mats, splendid fishing lines and shells, said they were 'poor.' They ate about a bushel of bread but the only thing they would take for their mats was tobacco. They seemed crazy for it. You can imagine how much they wanted it when I tell you they SOLD the LITTLE BOY to Fred for FOUR POUNDS of TOBACCO. One they called the king, he did the trading. Wanted to sell two more but F. would not take them.… The island must be over running with people. When they left, the little boy's father rubbed his nose four times, all the rest once. I sent a piece of tobacco to his mother so she would not cry. It was dark when they left us. Mr. Crocker cut Johnnie's hair, gave him a bath. He seemed contented, amazed at everything. Did not know how to go downstairs, cannot speak a word of English, but seems bright and is a nice looking little savage.'
The 'Morning Light' continued on its way to Shanghai and then sailed for New York. Grace Ladd's letters for the next fifteen months are missing so we can learn the rest of 'Johnnie's' story from Grace and Fred's daughter Kathryn:
'He was completely uncivilized but very smart and eager to learn. My parents became very fond of him. When mother took him down stairs to the After Cabin to find some clothes, he looked at the stairs - then proceeded to go down on his hands and knees head first.… Mother amused herself by teaching him to read and write. He caught on quickly and soon learned to speak English.… Unfortunately the cold weather in Shanghai in late November and early December did not agree with Albert (Kathryn's name for 'Johnnie'). He caught a cold and then as they sailed back south to the Equator, he seemed to recover - until they sailed for South around the Horn when the cough returned. By the time the 'Morning Light' reached New York on June 24, Albert was very ill and they took him to the Hospital. He was dying and very home sick saying to mother, 'Oh Misey, if I could have a Cocoanut!' In 1887, cocoanuts were scarce in New York. Father combed the City and eventually found one. Little Albert Died with the Cocoanut in his arms.'
The barque 'Belmont' of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
In 1891 Capt. Ladd, on behalf of 'The Belmont Shipping Co. Ltd.' took delivery of the newly constructed barque 'Belmont'. Built in Port Glasgow, Scotland the 'Belmont' was a 1415 ton barque made entirely of steel and some 216 feet in length. He then sailed to Cardiff where he loaded a cargo of coal for Rio de Janeiro. The 'Belmont' was to be the Ladd's main home for the next twenty or so years.
Maté cup and spoon from Buenos Ayres.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Carved 'bog oak' box from Queenstown, Ireland.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Carved emu egg from Cape Town, South Africa
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
The Yarmouth County Archives' collection contains a number of shipboard photographs of their daughter Kathryn who sailed aboard the barque 'Belmont'. At that time the vessel was mainly involved in the New England to Buenos Ayres trade although the 'Belmont' also travelled to Europe. Kathryn lived most of her life, until she was twelve, aboard this vessel.
Kathryn Ladd dressed for a storm.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Kathryn with her pets.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
When the First World War broke out the 'Belmont' was re-registered as an American, and therefore a neutral, vessel. By 1915, with the torpedoing of many square-riggers by German submarines, Capt. Ladd decided that it was too dangerous to keep his family at sea with him and so moved them ashore. He shortly afterwards retired himself. The 'Belmont' sailed throughout the war under Capt. H.W. Fancy of Queens County, NS. In 1921 the vessel was converted to a coal barge and eventually sank off the coast of Florida in 1933.


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Bloggings on Immigration Law
by Roger Algase
Bloggings: Reform, What Could Stop Thee? Let Me Count The Ways. By Roger Algase
With my apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning for the heading, this comment will look at some of the main obstacles to passage of immigration reform, current and recent, and offer a few off the cuff thoughts on which, if any, of them may have a serious chance of derailing the Senate Gang of Eight's CIR bill. I do not claim *to offer a comprehensive, detailed analysis of this issue, but will only make a few brief observations.
First, there was Boston. As soon as it developed that the bombing suspects were Chechen Muslims who were born in and had family connections to a dangerous and violent part of the world, the aha! gotcha! signal went up among right wing immigrant-haters, who tried to use the deaths of four innocent people (one of whom was a student from China) and the horrible injuries to so many others as an excuse to delay or block CIR.*
Now, a month after the bombing, it is safe to say that this terrible insult to the victims of the Marathon attack, namely using their suffering and the grief of their families as an excuse to continue deporting 11 million Latino, Asian and other unauthorized immigrants, mainly of color, didn't work.
Next, there is Benghazi. This is not the place to go into the details about this unfortunate event which lead to the deaths of the US ambassador and three other American diplomats, something which is still under investigation, but it is clear to virtually everyone who is not working for Fox News that, as far as discrediting President Obama (Or Hillary Clinton), there is no there, there (as Gertrude Stein is supposed to have said about Oakland CA).
The people who are promoting the Benghazi witchhunt are by and large the same people who have been pushing the idea that President Obama is a socialist, "illegal alien", terrorist-loving, America-hating Muslim who wants to turn this country into a Communist (or Fascist) dictatorship ever since he was elected to his first term.*
No one claims that Benghazi has anything to do with immigration, but the president is for reform, so any attempt to smear or discredit him will (the right wing hopes) rebound against any initiative he supports, including CIR.
Since not even the right wing withchunters have attempted to tie the attack at the US consulate into anything to do with visas, it is a safe prediction that, as an obstacle to CIR, Benghazi will sooner or later go the way of Boston.
This brings us to the alleged scandals that are suddenly gripping the administration, one right after another. See Politico, May 14, West Wing schooled on scandal. These include the IRS "special scrutiny" of Tea Party groups applying for tax deductions (as if anyone seriously thinks that these groups were not political to the core, and as if the IRS had never investigated the NAACP or audited liberal groups under Republican presidents).*
The scandal accusations also include alleged Justice Department harassment of the AP, as well as sexual assault claims against the military (See Washington Post, May 14).
The cumulative effect of these allegations may be to try to create a circus -style atmosphere of investigations during the coming months, possibly leading to the biggest circus of all, politically motivated but completely groundless impeachment charges against the president.
What a boon that would be to the anti-immigrant lobby - to bury CIR underneath a political and media impeachment firestorm that would distract the country from everything else.
A future comment will discuss what may, arguably, be more substantial obstacles to immigration reform. These are the evident reluctance in the House to move ahead on reform (See Politico, May 14, House immigration group at impasse) ,and, most serious of all, the endemic racism in the "conservative" wing of the Republican party which is fueling opposition to reform, even at the price of destroying the GOP. To be continued.
About The Author
Roger Algase is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. He has been practicing business immigration law in New York City for more than 20 years.


text: With so many health problems in our nation directly related to food intake, how can we reform the food system to deliver healthy, convenient, affordable food to the underpriviledged? And how can we do it without a heavy government hand, but rather through presenting food that is simply preferential? I believe a degree of policy and education in the areas where dietary improvements are needed most would be necessary, at least in the beginning. I'm thinking: in addition to the McDonald's, Burger Kings, KFCs, Taco Bells, etc that generally provide the meals for individuals and families with less money to spend on food, a healthy version of all these types of restuarants. Grocery store food options may change, as well, but I believe that the "quick and easy" food options that are so appealing to poor neighborhoods, single moms, families with 4+ children, and more is an effective place to begin to address our nation's dietary crisis.


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Charolette Bridge Home https://www.veteransbridgehome.org/ CBH is the one-stop shop for Veterans in Charlotte and the surrounding communities experiencing transition. Without CBH, the civilian community can feel overwhelming and confusing to a Veteran just leaving the armed forces. With CBH, Veterans in transition have a single point of contact to help navigate this very important life event, in a compassionate, low-pressure and productive manner.
Citizen Soldier Support www.citizensoldiersupport.org. To help build bridges between community resources and Reserve Component families, Congress established the National Demonstration Program for Citizen Soldier Support in 2005. CSSP's offices are located in Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro North Carolina, just a few miles from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. CSSP staff work at this location as well as in cities across the country to facilitate the development and sustainment of effective military/community partnerships in support of our Reserve Component members and Families.
Cohen's Veteran Network – https://www.cohenveteransnetwork.org/at-a-glance/ For veterans and families in need of mental health for low to no cost.
Eagle Rock Camp Retreats – http://www.eaglerockcamp.org/ Retreats designed for veterans and families at no cost.
Military and Veterans Resource Coalition https://mymvrc.org/ The Military and Veterans Resource Coalition (MVRC) serves the military and veteran community in and around Raleigh, NC. MVRC is contacted by veterans, military, families and organizations to assist with finding resources in the local area. We serve organizations who seek further assistance outside of their scope of programs for military/veterans/family. We serve military/veterans/family who are seeking to be connected to organizations that have programs to assist their needs.


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February 16, 2010 --Two area school districts are considering cuts Tuesday to try and ease budget deficits. The board of Crete-Monee School District 201-U, voted last month to reduce its budget by at least $3.6 million. The board wants to freeze the salaries of all nonunion employees and cut more than 100 staff members, including 53 teachers. A public hearing is scheduled Tuesday night at the Milton Payton Performing Arts Center.
And on Tuesday night, the school board of trustees for the town of Highland, Indiana, will consider ways to trim the budget. Options include salary cuts for administrative and nonunion employees and cuts for 40 coaching and extracurricular positions. Teaching cuts include 12 positions and other possible union concessions.


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Oedipus the King was written by Sophocles in 425 B.C. This play was one of the greatest tragedies of all time. Oedipus's downfall is due to both fate and freewill. Yes, it was fate that Oedipus was to kill his father and marry and have children with his mother, but it was his freewill that led him to this fate. His arrogant, aggressive and stubborn personality pushed him right down a path that complied directly with his pre-ordained fate. Thebes had been struck by a plague. The people were very sick and when they went to the priest to help, he told them that only the king could save the city. So, they all turned to Oedipus for their salvation. Oedipus then has Creon his brother-in-law go to speak with the oracle of Delphi. When Creon returned he told Oedipus that the reason for the curse that had fallen on Thebes was because the person who killed Liaus was still living in the city.He told him that Oedipus must get that person out of Thebes and take his revenge out on him. Creon goes on to finish what the oracle has told him and starts to get to the point in the story where he is about to say that Oedipus is the murderer, when Oedipus completely loses his temper and starts screaming that Creon is a traitor and is committing treason and he wants him exiled and put to death. His wife comes in and puts a stop to this, considering that Creon is her brother. This is just the first of many instances where Oedipus' arrogant and aggressive personality inhibit him from putting a stop to or trying to do anything to fight the prophecies that he keeps being told from coming true. After this confrontation with Creon he decides...
pages: 3 (words: 799)
comments: 1
added: 04/29/2011
Rating: (4 / 5) Review by Amber: Overall, a fairly good book. Good as an introduction to allegories. If you enjoyed this book, you might also enjoy "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding. Unusual Features of the book: Very sophisticated language used by animals, as well as they are also given the ability to run a farm without a farmer. Keywords: allegory, animal, betrayal, government, cruelty Theme: Bullying, Other, Poverty/Wealth, Race, Violence, War Genre: Personal-experiences, School Watch out! Bad governments lurk around every corner. Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union were all governments gone bad. I read the book Animal Farm, by George Orwell. Animal Farm is a story about a rebellion of animals against their farmer. After the rebellion, though, they become worse off than they were before, forcing their community to tyranny. The Animal Farm is a good book, with just the right amount of action and many lessons to learn. Animal Farm has just the right amount of action to keep the reader involved. For example, there are several gruesome scenes involving substantial activity. I especially enjoyed when they came unexpectedly; for example when the dogs start ripping apart other animals for doing things wrong, I was totally surprised. Also, the action of the book made me realize that it wasn't just another boring story about government. Aside form the action of Animal Farm, there are many important lessons to learn. Animal Farm teaches a variety of significant societal lessons. One lesson is that if you give someone too much power, they can become a tyrant. When the animals of Animal Farm give their complete trust to Napoleon, he became a tyrant. Another poignant lesson is that communism doesn't work. Communism has never worked in history. This book shows, in detail, how a communist government can go bad. In conclusion, Animal Farm is a good book. In...
pages: 2 (words: 390)
comments: 0
added: 12/23/2011
The fact that Renton, one of the main characters, starts off the book with severe junk withdrawal really sets the mood for the rest of the book. He also refers to most of his friends as "...a cunt..", which gives us a big insight into his dark, depressed character. The book is written for the most part in Edinborough dialect, and is a collection of disjointed, sickening and often gut-wrenching tales about a group of socially dysfunctional people, who could be described as "friends", in a very loose way. It lays bare to the base, coarse, and bleak souls of the junkies, wide boys, psychos and drunkards who exploit 'the system', and frequent the pubs and clubs of Edinborough, lining the pockets of the dealers, and keeping the 'filth' busy. Welsh explores the terror of HIV, and other everyday issues in Edinborough, while at the same time somehow inserting a black humour and absurd irony into the depressing downward spiral of his characters' lives. "...it may feel like a bad day in bedlam, but boy is it exhilirating". The novel is very uncomfortable, but in some ways a breath of fresh air, freed from the monotony of political correctness, and straight into the disturbing world of the no-hopers, addicts and schizos. The stories we hear are retched from the gullet. This is the real world, horrific, debauched, stripped of all false niceities and raw; a trip back to the dark ages, or a wake-up call from reality? i thought this book was of excellent quality, mind boggoling but full of charisma and excitment....
pages: 1 (words: 263)
comments: 1
added: 11/28/2011
Boy Overboard – Short Book Report Boy Overboard, by Morris Gleitzman is a children's book aimed at those around ten to fourteen years-old. The book is about a boy, Jamal, who has to flee to Australia with his family. The book is presented well, in that the sentences aren't too long and are easy to understand but not boring at all. When Jamal and his sister, Bibi, are separated from their parents on the way to Australia from Afghanistan they wonder if they will ever see them again. This novel is an enthralling, exciting, passionate story and would be loved by children and adults alike. I recommend Boy Overboard for anyone wanting a good read, but it isn't for those who don't like getting emotional. Over all, I give Boy Overboard four stars out of five, being an excellent read. Boy Overboard, by Morris Gleitzman is a children's book aimed at those around ten to fourteen years-old. The book is about a boy, Jamal, who has to flee to Australia with his family. The book is presented well, in that the sentences aren't too long and are easy to understand but not boring at all. When Jamal and his sister, Bibi, are separated from their parents on the way to Australia from Afghanistan they wonder if they will ever see them again. This novel is an enthralling, exciting, passionate story and would be loved by children and adults alike. I recommend Boy Overboard for anyone wanting a good read, but it isn't for those who don't like getting emotional. Over all, I give Boy Overboard four stars out of five, being an excellent read....
pages: 1 (words: 274)
comments: 4
added: 12/16/2011
Many novels today relate to a journey that is undertaken by a character that presents a version of the readers historical past. These journeys in particular mostly seem to deal with either the physical or psychological side to a traditional quest, it is this psychological journey that is evident and heightened in Joan London's text 'Gilgamesh'. London's text involves a young Australian farm girl 'Edith' embarking upon such a psychological journey. Her ideals over this particular time reflect her personal psychological growth in such areas as representation of gender and both self and social acceptance. London employs certain narrative conventions to assist in the understanding of such themes and issues. London's uses of such narrative conventions help heighten an understanding of the themes and issues through her presentation of setting, characterisation and representation. The story begins in the homeland of England nearing the end of the First World War. It is set in a rather anomalous image of a London household, with very many Russian influences, little privacy and much gossip as it is described as "a gloomy country house..". Often throughout this particular time in the London setting many references are made towards the soldiers returning from the war "…an artilleryman from Melbourne, who wept like a baby in his sleep". Such a statement seems to promote negative connotations towards the events unfolding. London's strong use of imagery is shown here, as she challenges for the first time the representation of gender. It is shown in this particular example where London gives the impression of a stereotypical male descried as, "an Artilleryman from Melbourne'. This particular stereotypical representation of gender is soon challenged as she states, "who wept like a baby in his sleep" such a statement seems to employ certain feministic connotations, Resulting in the reader responding negatively towards the issue of...
pages: 6 (words: 1576)
comments: 1
added: 10/14/2011
Hamlet Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a very tragic story. It is one that has stood the test of time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for many reasons. First being that the reader was able to see inside the characters head especially Prince Hamlet. Shakespeare allowed you to see the process by which Hamlet's madness developed. This was very important because you are able to better understand his actions.Secondly the story is a timeless piece because the events that occur due to emotions still happen today. People will always be jealous , revengeful and people will always love. The tragic tale of Prince Hamlet will make a lasting impression after reading it. From the opening scene it is tragic; it all begins with his father's death followed quickly by his mother's marriage to his uncle who has assumed the throne. Hamlet already overcome with grief and to make matters worse he is now seeing his father's ghost. His father then proceeds to tell him that his uncle murdered him. This is the start of the madness. Hamlet shuns Ophelia his true love , murders her father accidentally which then leads to Ophelia's suicide. He then decides to produce a play which replays his fathers murder proving that Uncle Claudius is guilty therefore justifying Hamlet's plot to kill him. The story then proceeds with Claudius plotting to kill Hamlet also.This is where Ophelia's brother Laertes comes into play. Being very much in Hamlet's position Laertes wants to avenge his father's death which means killing Hamlet.So he and Claudius hatch a plot to kill Hamlet with a poisoned drink or by a poisoned sword. So the duel takes place between Hamlet and Laertes which ends in Laertes death but not before he poisoned Hamlet with the sword. This is not the end though ,...
pages: 2 (words: 483)
comments: 1
added: 12/17/2011
"In a distant and second-hand set of dimensions, in an astral plane that was never meant to fly, the curling star-mists waver and part… See… Great A'Tuin the Turtles comes, swimming slowly through the interstellar gulf, hydrogen frost on his ponderous limbs, his huge and ancient shell pocked with meteor craters. Through sea-sized eyes that are crusted with rheum and asteroid dust, He stares fixedly at the Destination." The Colour of Magic, by Terry Pratchett, which is a fantasy book, is the first novel in his phenomenally successful Discworld Series. This series is made up of 27 books based on a world supported on the back of a giant turtle. The Colour of Magic is made up of four small novels, which is mainly about the magical aspects of this world, with the different types of magic known to Rincewind the (failed) Wizard and Twoflower, the universe's first tourist. Terry Pratchett is known for his fantasy novels, some of them being truckers, diggers and wings from the Bromeliad series. He is one of those authors who have managed to create a whole world, with its own history, heroes and language, very similar, in these aspects, to Tolkein's books. The Colour of Magic is another one of these creations. As mentioned before, the Colour of Magic is set on the back of a giant turtle called Great A'Tuin. From the beginning, the author shows a wide range of ideas that relates to the real world, one example being "that A'Tuin crawls from the Birthplace to the Time of Mating… This is known as the Big Bang Hypothesis." The first book of the Colour of Magic, also called the Colour of Magic, starts off in one of the most infamous cities on the Discworld, Ankh-Morpork. This book is more like an extended introduction to the Discworld. Here...
pages: 6 (words: 1450)
comments: 0
added: 01/12/2012
Harriet Beecher Stowe's main goal in writing her novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was to convince people, mainly her fellow northerners, of the need to end slavery by showing it's evils that are thrust upon black people and to convince all her readers that slavery conflicts with Christian values. To effectively establish her point, Stowe takes us along on the two very separate journeys of the novel's main characters, Uncle Tom and Eliza Shelby. It is on their journeys that the readers bear witness to the various evils that the system of slavery encompasses. Stowe begins the novel discussing a warm atmosphere on the Shelby plantation and presents to us the best possible circumstances of slavery where slaves are treated very well by compassionate owners. However, no time is wasted in this warm and compassionate setting, not twenty pages into the story we find that even the best masters fall into debt and must settle their bills by what ever means possible. This development quickly brings the reader into the slave world where humans, such as Uncle Tom, are sold to slave traders to settle their master's debts and it is here that a very strong argument against slavery is made. Stowe shows us how human lives can be destroyed even under the best conditions slavery can offer. She also proves that slavery is a terrible ordeal for not only the slaves (Tom, Tom's Family, Eliza, and Harry) who will be forced to move and never see their loved ones again, but for the owner's family, who are very broken up at having to sell their close companions in order to pay off bad debts. She effectively illustrates this point by delving into the strong feelings of Mrs. Shelby, George Shelby, Eliza, Aunt Chloe and Uncle Tom. The readers are shown how...
pages: 7 (words: 1754)
comments: 1
added: 01/30/2012
All Quiet on the Western Front All Quiet on the Western Front is a story of a German soldier involved with World War One. The soldiers' name is Paul Baumer, a nineteen-year-old student who is convinced to join the German army by his schoolmaster, Kantorek. Some of his classmates are also convinced to join by Kantorek. While in the service, Paul meets many others who play an important part in his life. The time frame of this story is from 1915-1918. Kantorek is a small man who is said to be stern. Kantorek believes in nationalism and patriotism. Paul refers to Kantorek as being of similar stature as Corporal Himmelstoss, "the terror of Klosterberg". He finds men Kantoreks size to be the cause of a lot of unhappiness in the world. Although Kantorek preaches patriotism to all of his students, he never would enlist. As Paul receives letters throughout the story, he and his classmates laugh at the irony of the man who writes letter about the "Iron Youth", yet stays safe enough to write letters from home. Corporal Himmelstoss is Paul's commander. He is very strict and finds Paul as well as his comrades to be defiant. He does not treat Paul very well as is seen by the drills they are made to do in the mud and cold. Himmelstoss is not a deep thinker. He once tried to cure two men who wet the bed by placing one over the other in a hammock style bunk. The result was one would lay in filth and the other would stay dry. The next night they would swap. Eventually one man would sleep on the floor and the other in the hammock. Paul and a couple of others planned revenge for the night before they were sent to the front. Paul, Tjaden,...
pages: 10 (words: 2634)
comments: 1
added: 12/07/2011
The Anatomy of Revolution by Crane Brinton In The Anatomy of Revolution, Brinton argues that the four major democratic revolutions of Western Civilization—the English, American, French, and Russian revolutions, were fundamentally similar in their causes, phases, and results. Brinton supports this argument through the use of scientific methods applied to the study of history. Among the causes of the revolutions that Brinton lists, the most important appear to be an acceptable level of well being combined with rising expectations, an ineffective government, excessive taxation, and abandonment of the government by the intellectuals. Contrary to popular belief, revolutions do not occur when everyone is poor and starving, but rather when the middle and the merchant classes experience rising expectations that are not being fulfilled. In France, for example, just before the revolution, the economy was rising. The harvests were ample; however, most of the wealth was monopolized by the aristocracy. The peasants and merchants had high hopes for improving their economic conditions, but when these wishes did not come true, they were infuriated. James I provides an example of an ineffective government. Despite his constant raising of taxes, he continued to drive the English economy deeper into debt. The reign of his son, Charles I, was no better. The slogan "No taxation without representation," excited many colonists in America to revolt against the unjust taxes placed upon them by George III. In Russia, almost all intellectuals opposed the Czar. Writing and teaching in those days meant being against the government. The four phases of revolution are the first stages, moderate rule, a reign of terror and virtue by the extremists, and reaction. In the first stages of the American Revolution, a form of parallel government was set up called the Committees of Correspondence, which provided the basis for revolutionary agitation. After the overthrow of...
pages: 3 (words: 557)
comments: 0
added: 01/04/2012


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With our apologies, due to an unexpected high number of registrations this year and space limitations the registration page is now closed.
Our Annual Candyland Ball will be held Friday, February 10, 2017 for fathers and daughters of all ages. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Buffet style appetizers and dinner begin 6:00 pm, including an ice cream sundae bar. Music for dancing by a popular DJ. Donations accepted at the door, $10/person suggested. Professional photos available for a minimal additional fee.


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Personal Injury
If you have been injured in an accident that wasn't your fault and feel that you might be entitled to compensation, then you are already going through a difficult time without having to scour through the numerous firms looking to blindside you by pitching No Win No Fee and that they can offer you thousands of pounds in compensation.
Most of these firms are delivering a sales pitch. However, we believe that No Win No Fee can be the best way forward when it is properly explained and not oversold.
Our personal injury solicitors in Birmingham and Nottingham will make everything clear to you so you know everything you need to know and that you will not end up out of pocket by making a claim. Our Personal Injury team will deal with all aspects of the claim, meaning that you can move forward from your accident and look ahead to the future.
Our personal injury solicitors in Birmingham and Nottingham are recommended as a Leading Firm in the West Midlands by the Legal 500. Vicky Blodwell holds the Law Society Personal Injury Accreditation and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in her field.
This means that you can be safe in the knowledge that our personal injury solicitors in Birmingham and Nottingham are highly trained and have expertise in handling claims with a personal touch and a clear and thoughtful approach tailor made to our clients' individual means.
Our personal injury solicitors in Birmingham and Nottingham can handle your case in the following various scenarios:
- accidents at work
- road traffic accidents
- accidents on private land or in shops and buildings
- accidents involving children
- accidents on the street or public highways
- accidents abroad or when travelling on boats and in aeroplanes
- fatal accidents
- injuries caused by negligent medical care or treatment
- injuries and death caused by exposure to harmful substance or chemicals
- occupational disease and stress claims
- catastrophic injuries
- criminal injuries
To talk to a personal injury solicitor, call DBS Law today on 0800 157 7055, or use the form below to get a call back.


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Premier Starbella Soho Yarn - Varick
Varick - 3.5 oz/33 yds - Bulky Weight #5 - 77% Acrylic, 11% Polyester, 7% Polyamide, 3% Wool, 2% Metallic - View Complete Details
Product Number: NOTM430086
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Premier Starbella Soho Yarn - Varick - Premier Yarns-Starbella Soho Yarn. This super bulky yarn is perfect for knitting and crocheting projects! Weight category: 6. Content: 77% Acrylic/11% Polyester/7% Polyamide/3% Wool/2% Metallic. Putup: 3.5oz/100g; 33yd/30m. Gauge: 19stx26r = 4in/10cm on size US6/4mm knitting needles. Suggested crochet hook size H8/5mm. Dyelotted: we try but are not always able to match dyelots. Care: Hand wash, dry flat, do not bleach, do not iron, do not dry clean. Comes in a variety of colors. Each sold separately. Imported.Still have a question? Click to ask a Question


text: Your eyelashes go a long way towards highlighting your face's natural beauty and showing off your eyes. Unfortunately, many women simply don't feel like their lashes are doing them justice. Maybe you find yourself filled with jealousy when you flip through celebrity gossip magazines and see the luscious lashes of famous celebrities. After all, it's Read More


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— 1 —
Books are arriving! Many are from Amazon, but I picked up a few treasures at the local homeschool book sale. We love Robert McCloskey and Steven Kellogg, as well as the One Small Square books. After getting a chance to browse Keeping a Nature Journal I'm very glad I picked it up. It was difficult to tell what type of book it was from the Amazon preview, but I'm happy to report it contains many examples, some getting started challenges, and is all-round inspiring.
— 2 —
Our wonderful, early spring has ushered in the worst allergy season of my life. Usually I am only minimally inconvenienced by allergies, so this year has been a surprise. Many, many others have allergies worse than I, but I'm weary of partially-effective allergy medication which leaves me half asleep. I miss me.
— 3 —
Utopia. (Cue ominious drum beats.) One of the feared books from Ambleside Online's year 8. I took the advice at Oh Peaceful Day and purchased the newer translation by Paul Turner. I've actually finished reading book one, which was both understandable and enjoyable. I also started book two, and have decided Utopia (the place) sounds B-O-R-I-N-G. No thanks. But now I'm excited to be reading this title with my son next year.
Everyman, A Morality Play (another a year 8 book) also arrived, and I enjoyed reading it, as well as the play about Noah's Ark (also contained in the Dover edition). There is a dramatized reading on Librivox which I hope to utilize (I haven't listened to the whole thing yet).
— 4 —
I purchased a "Mixed Media" spiral book at Walmart and have been trying to paint more often. I have one, and only one, completely awe-inspiring tip for fellow watercolorists: let the paint dry before adding another color. You're welcome.
— 5 —
I have my ticket to the upcoming Ambleside Online conference! I'm so excited and a bit nervous. My last ride in a commercial jet took place when I was around two years old. I was told I screamed most of the trip. I'll try to be quieter this time.
— 6 —
I've mentioned before how I love Youtube (with prescreening and an ad-blocking program). This drawing by J-age-12 (I'm stealing that notation from Brandy) was done after we watched a few video tutorials about drawing dragons. For physical books, Drawing Dragons is a favorite around here, along with the more general Drawing Textbook.
— 7 —
The beast is back! My baby is running again. Well, technically it's been running, but with a pretty new clutch, it's also moving again. Thanks Dad for driving down to fix it! (I lesser-than-three my truck.)
3 Comments
I just picked up Leslie's book at our library! I've barely skimmed through it, though (got it yesterday). I'm glad to hear someone else has found it useful! I've been looking for some tips to begin nature journaling since my dd6 will be starting year one soon and I'm pretty clueless 🙂↓
I've had that book about nature journaling on my wishlist for a while now. I may have to actually add it to the cart one of these days.
I love your aloe vera painting. 🙂
And, Holy Big Truck, Batman!↓
I really like your Aloe Vera!! And man, that's a good looking stack of books. 🙂↓


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Buy art online from Jan Matson Art. Original paintings through her Etsy Store and prints through her JanMatsonArt Galleries.
NEWS! All prints and phone cases are now being produced and shipped from within AUSTRALIA as well as US, which means lower shipping costs.
Stretched canvas prints, acrylic, metal or framed prints, posters, phone cases, greeting cards, duvet covers, tote bags, beach bags, shower curtains, T-shirts and throw pillows. Browse beach scenes, animals, flowers, kids room decor, landscapes and street scenes. Click on the products in the drop down menu to see the full range.
Jan Matson has over 800 images in 8 separate galleries where you can buy art online! Over 200 are her popular BEACH paintings! Just click on the thumbnail of the gallery to scroll through. Select an image and you will see the various types of printing available. Printed by Fine Art America, who guarantees to 'deliver a museum-quality masterpiece to your doorstep with a 30-day money-back guarantee!'. Fine Art America prints are shipped from UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, EUROPE and UK.


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Click here to register
Date: Friday, May 8, 2015
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET/ 11:00 a.m. PT
The growing increase in adoption of Cloud and SaaS services, is taking place with the most intense threat landscape we've seen in generations. That's why all major Cloud providers such as Microsoft Office365, ServiceNow, Amazon WebServices and more look to amplify and extend their security through around targeted threat detection, breach discovery and incident response. This session delivered by Palerra, a Gartner2015 Cool Vendor, focuses on critical security use-cases for enterprises implementing Cloud applications. Learn how your peers are leveraging the convenience and simplicity of Cloud while ensuring there are no gaps in security across your Cloud footprint.
Karl Miller, Director, Solution Engineering, Palerra
Sponsored by:


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Dexter's Killer Composer Dan Licht Revisits The Series
BY: Marjorie Galas, Editor
For eight seasons, composer Dan Licht burrowed into the emotions of forensic expert/serial killer Dexter Morgan to score Showtime's hit series "Dexter." Although the final episode aired September 22, 2013, the charismatic character hasn't fully departed from Licht's life yet. Currently, he's remixing selections from the series for a live performance featuring an 18 piece ensemble as well as completing the score the for the upcoming "Dexter" DVD release.
"I'm working on the deluxe version now and we are going out with a bang," said Licht. "There are two original songs we're including."
See Also: Composer Sean Callery Returns To "24: Live Another Day"
Licht has been creating signature scores for films and television for over 33 years on a diverse range of projects, from "Hellraiser: Bloodline" and "Permanent Midnight" to "Kitchen Confidential" and "The Blacklist." Upon the conclusion of "Dexter" his attention turned to scoring the second season of "The Red Road" as well as a yet-to-be-announced video game. Returning to the series has reconnected Licht was a unique experience he had as a composer.
"Music was a very prominent part of the show; it was important because it underscored the humanity of the character," said Licht. "This emotionless character was learning how to have and how to deal with remorse. In a sense it was a coming of age story."
Licht's early musical training informed the basis of his compositions throughout "Dexter." He studied world music at Hampshire College and, upon graduation, moved to New York where he split his time immersed in the downtown avant-garde and East Village jazz scenes. Throughout the eight seasons, Licht spent the bulk of his time focused on the quality of sounds. He'd periodically spend one to two full days crafting a sound which he'd then build the remainder of the orchestration around, providing an aggressive quality to a melancholic score.
"In New York City I learned a lot about improvised music and experimentation, such as sticking metal in guitars and bowing them. It expanded the musical language," said Licht. "Harmonies have limitations. You can create a lot of uneasiness and emotions using notes."
While he frequently uses guitar or piano when writing compositions, working on "Dexter" Licht would often sing melodies until he determined the best instrument to write the score for. Licht is especially fond of the moments that were created in bridging different themes and refining the craftsmanship of pulling a baseline and topline together. An example that proved particularly challenging for Licht to score was Dexter's discovery of his murdered wife – a moment that ultimately bridged dark and loving moments together.
While a strong script with compelling characters is always Licht's launching point into a project, his resume boasts a plethora of horror and thrillers. When working in this genre, Licht first determines the point of view of the film – is it an audience study or character study – then builds the score to highlight the POV. He's always on the search for scripts that will provide a lot of freedom to explore and experiment with the music, and enjoys those scripts where the music isn't required to prop up the action.
"Great films can make a composer look great," said Licht. "We're going along for the ride; it's a little unfair, really."
To hear selections of scores composed by Dan Licht, visit his website:


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Yesterday's End-168
The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult audience with an open mind.
It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of the celebrities included in this story.
This story is fiction, meaning not real.
It's all for fun and enjoyment.
If you are under age, or it is illegal in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading this immediately.
Chapter 168
Lucas smiled, taking in all the awed faces surrounding him.
Everyone was seated in the pews, their eyes constantly scanning everywhere, as they had been since they'd walked from the beach back up to the pool's clearing.
They'd all been greeted by a newly revitalized church display.
The pews were all now aligned in a total circle, four sections separated by four aisles.
The pews were again white, now circular in design, the altar now in the center of the circle, surrounded by the pews.
Floral bouquets were at each end of the pews, the central altar surrounded by large baskets of flowers, a path from each aisle between them.
Justin smiled at Lucas; he, Josh and Joey all seated on a platform behind the last pews at the end of one aisle.
The four were providing the music again, their smiles filled with happiness.
Lucas' violet pools met Josh's blue, the two smiling at each other with deep love.
Lucas stood at the altar, the young man smiling at Lewis standing beside him.
"You amaze us all, Lucas. Another moment of revitalized love." The minister said, Lucas smiling at him.
"Love amazes everyone, Lewis. Its surprising depth warms the most lost heart. Thank you for agreeing to my request." He smiled, Lewis nodding and smiling at him.
Lucas smiled back, the young man walking down one of the aisles, disappearing through the flower covered archway at its end.
Each aisle began at a flower covered archway, what was behind it hidden.
Lewis smiled, the signal given from Lucas just before he disappeared through one.
The minister smiled around at everyone, walking onto the wooden altar, standing in its open center of white gleaming brightness.
"Paths of love begin again. Let us all stand and welcome they of joining love, everyone." He said, everyone rising from their seats, soft music filling the air.
Through each of the flowery arcs one of four grooms walked through.
Justin and Josh were singing again, the song From This Moment filling the clearing.
Alain walked down one aisle, his arm entwined with his cousin Baja, both men smiling widely, their white teeth gleaming from their black handsome faces.
On the second aisle, Andrew was walking with his uncle Sol, the young man smiling widely, Sol's face showing a look of total happiness.
On the third aisle Aaron walked, Nick's arm entwined with his, Nick's three husbands smiling at the beauty of his happy, handsome face.
Aaron wore a white tuxedo, the young man looking amazing.
On the fourth aisle Finn walked, the young man surrounded by his parents, his arm around his mother, Momma Mavis practically bawling, Sean smiling at his son and his wife.
Alain stopped at the end of the aisle, hugging Baja, the man smiling widely, kissing his cheek.
"Love ya, Ali." He said, Alain tearing up and walking up onto the altar, his white tuxedo gleaming in the sunshine.
Andrew kissed his uncle's cheek, Sol hugging him, the young black tuxedoed man walking up onto the altar, Alain smiling at him, his arm going around him, the two standing on Lewis' left.
Aaron stopped at the end of his aisle, Nick hugging him close.
"Love you, Aaron. I welcome you and my new brother to my heart always." Nick said, Aaron tearing up, walking up onto the altar, going to his heart's need.
Finn's parents kissed his cheeks when they made the end of their aisle, Momma Mavis staring at him with maternal love.
"My little boy! I love you!" She cried, Sean patting his son's shoulder, guiding his wife with love to their front pew seats.
Finn smiled, walking up onto the altar, his grey Versace tuxedo accentuating his handsome physique.
He stood beside Aaron, the young man smiling at him with happiness.
Finn smiled, his arm going around the young man's shoulders.
The four on the altar smiled at the minister, Lewis smiling at all four.
All their eyes went forward, Josh's voice now filling the air, another song beginning.
His rich, melodic voice began to sing I Honestly Love You.
Finn's eyes moved to the aisle right in front of him, a vision of yellow sunshine walking towards him, his breath catching in his throat.
Skyler was a vision of yellow beauty, her soft yellow dress seemingly catching the sun's rays as she walked towards him, her father's arm in hers, Ian Templeton smiling widely.
Skyler's beautiful face was covered in a sheer yellow veil, her beauty still showing.
Rosa Sharon walked before her, her short dress now a matching yellow, the girl tossing yellow rose petals ahead of her.
Finn's eyes were on Skyler, the young man moving down off the altar, standing before it, she smiling at him as she stopped at the aisle's end.
Her father kissed her cheek, her mother smiling with tears from the front pew, her grandchildren in her arms.
Finn extended his hand, her hand going in his, their eyes staring into their souls.
"You...you are so beautiful, my Sky." Finn said, his eyes now glistening with tears, her smile filling his heart with love.
The couple walked onto the altar, standing together in front of the minister and their friends.
Andrew's blue eyes looked down the aisle in front of him, a vision of total white beauty walking towards him.
Trish's smile was wide, her wedding dress flowing behind her, her father's arm entwined with hers.
Henderson's face showed a wide smile, the man walking his daughter to her happiness.
Andrew smiled, walking off the altar, awaiting her.
Vivian was tearfully smiling at her daughter from the front pew, her sister's arm around her, Savannah smiling as well.
The two stopped at the end of the aisle, Henderson kissing her cheek, she smiling at her father, then her blue eyes meeting Andrew's blue, his hand going into her.
"You are so beautiful, Patricia." He smiled, she tearing up as the two walked onto the altar, joining Finn and Skyler, the two smiling at their friends.
Alain's eyes were now focused on the aisle in front of him, a handsome white covered vision of masculine beauty walking towards him.
Harry was surrounded by his parents, their love shining for their son's happiness.
The three moved to the end of the aisle, Alain already there, waiting for his Harry.
The young man smiled at him as his parents kissed his cheeks, his father guiding him into Alain's arms.
The two smiled at each other, walking onto the altar, their identical white tuxedos showing off their masculine beauty.
Aaron smiled at all six now standing in front of him and Lewis, his blue eyes then moving to the last aisle that stood in front of him.
Through the rose covered archway at its end walked a youthful vision of total beauty.
Aaron teared up, staring at his soulmate, his feet moving on their own.
Craig's face wore a wide smile of total love, his suit a soft blue in colour, matching Aaron's blue pools, the young man awaiting him at the end of the aisle.
Josh's blue pools were following the vision of masculine beauty walking beside Craig.
Everyone was staring at the two young men who walked down the aisle, Lucas' handsome face wearing an identical smile to the young man beside him.
Lucas' black suit seemed to softly glow, its shine seemingly making Craig's beauty shine even more.
The two stopped at the end of the aisle, Craig hugging Lucas tightly, the young man smiling at him.
"Love you both." Lucas smiled, the young man moving back down the aisle, Aaron and Craig staring at each other, their hands joining, the two walking up onto the circular altar, joining the other three couples of love in front of Lewis.
"Paths walked with need, couples joined with love. All is right in this world of love. You may all be seated." Lewis said, his voice travelling across the clearing.
Everyone sat down, all smiling at the circle of love before them.
Lewis smiled, staring at the eight before him.
"We stand in a circle of
white love. A symbol of the circle of lives you have all walked. The eight of
you have come full circle. From youthful loneliness to youthful happiness."
The eight smiled at their soulmates, their eyes clouded with tearful love.
"One who stands apart from us has seen and felt the love of all these twosomes. We stand before his pool of love, his love enriching all of our hearts. He has asked for a moment of truth before all of you. My love for him would grant him any wish he asked of myself. Your hearts will grant him these words of love." Lewis smiled, the eight in front of him smiling and turning around, all eyes looking for Lucas.
"Lucas, you may come forward. I shall yield to your love." Lewis said, looking around as well.
Josh's blue eyes looked towards the archway where Lucas had disappeared through, seeing no one.
All eyes scanned around, looking at each other.
Finn's eyes met Lewis', the minister shrugging his shoulders.
He was about to speak again, a sudden sound catching his and the couples before him attention.
The altar they stood upon began to move.
All four couples wrapped their arms around each other, a small opening divide beginning to form between each of them.
The altar below their feet began to divide, each couple on its own white section, all joined with the center of the altar.
The back of the altar was still whole, four separate sections now on the front half.
Lewis stood in the altar's center, the man feeling the floor beneath him begin to move.
He stepped back, a circular hole now in the altar's middle expanding right in front of him.
His blue eyes widened, seeing someone beginning to rise out of the center of the altar.
The four couples in front of him stared in surprise, Lucas' muscular form beginning to rise from under the altar.
They took in his changed appearance, the young man now wearing a silvery grey tuxedo, its gleaming beauty accentuating every muscular inch of his handsome physique.
His face wore a smile of total beauty, his black curly hair cascading behind him.
Josh, Justin and Lance all stared at him, never before seeing the young man look so unbelievably handsome.
It was as if love was shining off his face like a glow of sunshine.
Everyone stared at him, the clearing blanketed in silence.
The small platform he stood upon now flushed even with the altar, Lucas standing in its center now before the four couples.
He smiled, his body having been rotating, his violet pools shining around at all surrounding him in the wedding circle of love.
The circle stopped before the four couples, Lucas smiling at Finn and Skyler, then Trish and Andrew, then the other two couples of love surrounding him.
"Hello my friends, brothers and sisters. I stand in the circle of your love." He smiled, the eight smiling at him.
"I have asked the good reverend here for a moment of my own surprising love. His love for myself--and for you--has now given in to it." Lucas smiled, his eyes meeting the minister's blue pools.
Lucas' violet pools turned back to the couples, his eyes meeting Trish's blue.
"I love you, Patricia, my sister of love. I love you, Andrew, my new brother of love. I have a surprise for both of you." He smiled, Trish and Andrew staring at him, Lucas smiling more.
His violet pools met Finn's blue, Skyler smiling at him with love as well.
"It is the same surprise I have for you, my brother and sister of love." He said, Finn and Skyler staring at him with awed wonder.
"The same surprise I have for my brothers Alain and Harold, and my new brothers Aaron and Craig. Before my stands my sibling heart. You are all the siblings of my love."
All eight teared up.
"Lucas, Aaron and I! We...we couldn't..." Craig said, his voice emotional.
"You couldn't deny me your love? I love both of you. As I love all those around you. Everyone here is my family." Lucas smiled, the two young men tearing up.
Aaron moved forward, as did Craig, Lucas smiling at both his hand going up and stopping them.
"I love you both. I welcome you both to my family."
The two men nodded, their hands joining.
Lucas' head turned, staring into Lewis' blue pools, the minister smiling and nodding.
Lucas smiled, turning back to the eight.
"I love you all. My dearest friends from my youth, my sister of life, her soulmate of my friendship. And four new friends of love." He said, all eight smiling.
"I have took it upon myself—with Lewis' guidance—to be ordained so that I could marry all eight of you. I wanted to join all of you with my loving heart. I wanted to stand before you all and marry you. Would you give me that gift from your heart?"
All eight looked shocked, the audience surrounding them shocked as well.
"Lucas...you...you are going to marry us?" Finn stuttered, Lucas smiling at him.
"You are my brother, Finn. My heart needs this." Lucas said, his violet pools now filled with tears.
Finn's eyes were filling with tears, the young man moving forward, Skyler crying behind him.
Finn's arms wrapped around him.
"I would never deny your heart anything, Lucas! You are beyond surprising!" Finn cried, Lucas smiling and hugging him close.
The other seven were in tears, all now surrounding the two young men.
"I want that as well, Luke. For you to marry us would fill my heart with happiness!" Trish cried, Andrew nodding his head, smiling with love at Lucas.
"I love you, my new brother. I would love you to marry me to my Alain." Harry said, Lucas smiling at him as Finn broke their embrace.
Alain nodded his head as well, smiling with love at his new brother.
Craig smiled at Lucas, Aaron smiling as well.
"We need your love to unite us, Lucas. It's a part of us now." Aaron said, Lucas smiling at him and Craig.
"Then let's get this wedding started." The young man smiled, his face showing its smiling happiness again, his tears gone.
The eight smiled, the four couples joining again in front of Lucas, Lewis walking up to the young man's side, smiling out at the smiling congregation.
"Lucas has been ordained as a minister in God's church. He's legally allowed to marry couples of joining love. It is his special gift to these eight today. Let's enjoy his radiating love." The man smiled, his blue eyes meeting his Jacques' blue in the pews.
Lewis smiled at Lucas, the minister walking off the altar, joining his husband in the second pew behind Finn's family.
Lucas smiled, the eight before him smiling, the clearing again bathed in soft silence.
Lucas' violet pools stared at the eight before him, all eight smiling at him.
"We have all been blessed to
see the beauty of God's love shining these last few days. Couples and trios
have been joined under that love and ours. We stand here again to join four
more couples of joined love. You have seen the magic and the love that
surrounds you. Flowering blossoms of love, radiating sunshine of life. The
greater love and beauty, and radiating sunshine, lays within your own hearts.
Love is an elixir that knows no greatness or no intensity from individual dualities.
Each couple of love is different. It their uniqueness, in their intensity of
love, in their degree of age or of beauty. Love lays as it lays. Each couple
knows the trueness of what lays within their own hearts. What lays within the
duality of the one heart of love they share together? Two souls join as one in
different ways."
The eight smiled, staring at each other's soulmate.
"Today I join each twosome
of love under one heart and soul. My love is here for you, always has been here
for you. Today a greater love will consume you. It is the love of your one
All eight teared up, staring with love at their soulmate.
"Patricia and Andrew, please step forward and join hands before each other. You will now stand in God's circle of love." Lucas smiled, his sister and Andrew moving in front of him, their hands joining together, facing each other.
Trish smiled at her brother, Lucas smiling back.
Lucas' hand moved, the young man pulling out a small cloth from his suit jacket pocket, unfolding it in front of him, the couple staring at two golden rings laying on it.
"Each of you take a ring and
place in on the finger of the other."
The two picked up a ring each, placing it on their soulmate's finger, staring at each other.
"Speak words from your heart, let that be the binding answer your heart needs before God." Lucas smiled, Andrew staring at Trish.
"I love you, Trish. You are my life. My life was nothing without you, it is everything with you. I will spend the rest of my life loving you. You are my life, and my love." He said, Trish tearing up.
"I love you, Andrew. With all my heart and soul. I need your love always. You shall have mine forever. I will love you forever." She cried, Andrew holding her close, Lucas smiling at both.
"Will you marry my sister Patricia Carver, Andrew McLaughlin? Will you love her always?" Lucas said, Andrew smiling at him.
"I will, Lucas."
Trish smiled, looking into her brother's violet pools of love.
"Will you marry Andrew McLaughlin, Patricia Carver? Will you love him always?"
"Yes I will, angel of God's love. I will love him forever." She said, Andrew smiling at her with tearful love.
"A kiss will seal your love forever. The magic of it will be eternal."
The two moved, their lips meeting, thunderous applause surrounding them.
Lucas smiled, lowering his eyes as the two sealed their pact of love.
The two broke their kiss, smiling at Lucas.
"By the power invested within me by the state of California and God's love, I now pronounce you man and wife. "
The two smiled widely holding each other close, their hands joining, both kissing Lucas' cheeks.
The young man smiled, the two stepping to his left side.
"Will Aaron and Craig step forward, please. Walk into the center of God's love." Lucas smiled, the two young men moving, smiling and joining their hands together in front of Lucas, both facing each other.
Lucas' hand moved again, closing the cloth within his hand, then opening it again.
Two new identical golden rings with sparkling clear diamonds sat in the middle of the cloth.
"Please take a ring each and place it on the finger of your betrothed. Then speak words of heart-filled love to each other." Lucas smiled, the two young men each taking a ring, placing it on their soulmate's finger.
Aaron stared at Craig, the young man smiling at him, he beating him to his voice.
"I love you, Aaron. From the first moment we stared into each other's eyes. In you I have found the other half of my soul. I am yours forever. And I will love you forever. I love you."
Aaron teared up, Craig's hands squeezing his.
"I was so lost, Craig. Lost in the pain of my life's loneliness. In your blue eyes I found salvation. I found true love. I need that love always. That love has healed my soul. That soul is now yours, always. I love you, Craig. I need your love. I will spend all my life enjoying that love. I shall love you forever."
Craig was in tears, Nick's eyes filled with tears as well, his two husbands surrounding him with their love.
Lucas smiled at both young men, feeling their total love.
"Will you take Craig Harrington as your husband, Aaron Carter? Will you love him and be faithful to him always?"
"Yes, I shall. He has my love and my life forever." Aaron said, Craig smiling at him with tears.
"Will you take Aaron Carter as your husband, Craig Harrington? Will you love him and be faithful to him always?" Lucas asked.
"I need only his love, Yes, I shall. Now and for always." Craig said, Lucas smiling at the young man moving towards Craig.
The two joined, their lips meeting, applause filling the clearing again.
"Youth shines in need, youth shines in passion." Lucas smiled, the two slowly parting, both smiling at Lucas, their arms going around each other.
"In front of God's beauty, in the happiness of your families, I now pronounce you husband and husband. Your youthful love will shine always. I've got sunglasses for everyone." Lucas smiled, the two young men smiling, then laughing, both hugging Lucas close, the young man feeling their happiness.
The two young men parted, walking over to Trish and Andrew, both kissing their cheeks.
Lucas smiled, his eyes meeting Harry's and Alain's.
"Will our two white angels step forward? The center of God's love awaits you." He smiled, Alain and Harry smiling at each other, their white covered beauty stepping in front of Lucas, their hands joining, facing each other.
"The purity of your love shines in the whiteness of your attire. You are both innocent of the world's pain, of the world's crushing reality. You have loved each other from the moment of love's beginning in your souls. Today you join as one. One of love and of life."
The two smiled, lost in Lucas' touching words.
He closed the cloth he held in his hand, opening it again.
The two young men stared at two silver rings, golden leafs in their center, a blue and a golden diamond embedded in each.
"Please take a ring each of you. Place their symbolic centers on each other's fingers." Lucas said, both young men picking up a ring, placing it on each other's fingers.
Both seemingly trembled, Harry more than Alain, Alain steadying his man.
"Speak from your soul of new love." Lucas smiled, Alain staring at Harry.
Lucas' cousin spoke first, Alain staring at his soulmate.
"I love you, Alain. You were my first and only love. All I want and need is you. You complete my soul and my heart. Both are yours forever. I love you, my Alain. Today and always."
"I love you, my Harry. You
were and are my only love. All I need and want is you. You are my life and my
love. I am nothing without you, I am everything with you. Love me forever, for
I shall love you forever. We are one, in God's sight, and in our own hearts. I
love you, Harold."
Harry was in tears, the young man moving forward, a hand resting against his chest, stopping him.
"The eagerness of youthful love. I hope your suit's tearaway, Alain?" Lucas smiled, Harry blushing, Alain smiling at him with love, laughter filling the clearing around them.
Finn's laughter was the loudest, Lucas smiling at his friend, Harry blushing more, Alain's hands squeezing his.
"Will you take Harold Carlisle as your loving husband, Alain Devereaux? Will you love him always and be faithful to love?"
"I shall, Lucas. I will love my Harry forever. I love you, Harry." Alain said, Harry smiling at him.
Lucas smiled, looking into Harry's blue pools.
"And you, our youthful
tiger? Will you take Alain Devereaux as your husband, Harold Carlisle? Will you
love him always and be faithful to love's realness?"
Harry stared at his Alain.
"Yes, I shall. I shall love you forever, my Alain." Harry smiled, Lucas patting his shoulder.
"Go ahead and pounce, tiger of love." He smiled, Harry grinning, his lips meeting Alain's immediately, their arms wrapping around each other, applause filling the clearing again.
The two slowly parted, their lips the last to break their hold, their hands going together.
Lucas smiled at both, the two moving to his right side, the other four smiling at them from Lucas' other side.
Lucas smiled forward, meeting two sets of blue eyes, loving faces of happiness shining around each.
"The last twosome to unite under my love. And the most beautiful, but not yet complete." Lucas smiled, nodding towards Skyler's mother.
Lorraine smiled, rising from her seat, Momma Mavis smiling and rising from hers, Lorraine smiling as Momma Mavis took Julian from her, the two mothers walking forward, walking up onto the altar.
Lucas smiled, taking both infants from the two women, both women kissing each child's cheek, Finn and Skyler smiling at them, the two returning to their seats.
Lucas smiled, carrying two small bundles of happiness, two small faces of love cooing at their parents.
"Step forward, Finnegan and Skyler. Your family and love awaits in God's circle of love." Lucas smiled, the two walking forward, joining hands in front of Lucas and their children, facing each other.
"Hello, my brother and sister of love. Your moment of love is upon you. We are all here to feel its radiating beauty." Lucas said, Finn and Skyler smiling at him.
"I have known both of you
for years, my brother and sister. I have seen your love for each other always
shining around you. You were both always destined to be soulmates. Your love is
true love."
The two teared up, staring at each other.
"Your love created new love. I hold in my arms that love. Two visions of beauty, happiness and contented love. You need that love to join as one." Lucas smiled, Finn and Skyler smiling, Lucas walking up to both, standing in front of them.
"Take your son, Finnegan.
Take your daughter, Skyler. They are a part of your total love."
The two smiled, each taking a child, holding them close to their hearts, the two little ones cooing.
"See? They feel your love. They are a part of you, you are a part of them." Lucas smiled, the young man joining their one free hand together.
The couple smiled, Lucas staring into Finn's blue pools.
"I love you, my brother. Speak from your heart to your family." Lucas smiled, Skyler smiling at him, then staring into her soulmate's blue eyes.
"I love you, Skyler. For the gift you've given me. First your unending love, now theirs. You three are my life. I will love all three of you forever. I will love you forever. You are all I shall ever need. Your love captures my soul. Their love completes me. I need your love. I need my family's love. I love you, my Sky. You are the sky of my heaven."
Skyler was in tears, her blue eyes meeting Lucas' smiling, loving face.
"I told you he was a smoothie underneath."
Skyler laughed, Finn blushing but smiling, rocking his son in his arms.
Skyler smiled, staring into the Welshman's blue pools.
"I love you, Finnegan. I have been lost in your love from my youthful childhood. I found my soulmate in your blue pools. And now I see the same blue pools of deep love in these two treasures of our love. We are a family, my love. You are my soulmate, they are my children. Our family is now--and will forever be--one soul of love. I love you, my Finny."
Finn was in tears, his body trembling, Lucas' hand rubbing his shoulder.
"Even monsters cry when they're rewired with love."
Alain laughed loudly, Finn blushing but laughing, laughter filling the clearing.
"Okay, I as a smoothie!" Finn grinned, Lucas smiling widely, his hand going on top of their joined hands.
"Do you, Skyler Templeton, take this man of monstrous mirth, our Finnegan Delaney, as your soulmate and husband? Will you try and control him for the years ahead? Will his love be enough?" Lucas smiled, Finn smiling, Skyler beaming.
"I just got him rewired to my
liking. I think I'm stuck with him."
Everyone laughed, Finn blushing, Skyler squeezing his hand.
"Yes, I shall, Lucas. I will love him forever. He is my soul." She smiled, Finn smiling with tearful love.
"And do you, Finnegan Delaney, take this beautiful creature of yellow love, your Skyler Templeton, as your loving wife? Will you love her forever, will you be the father to your children of uniting love?"
Finn smiled widely, staring at Skyler with total love.
"Yes, Lucas. I shall love her forever. I shall love our children forever. I am theirs forever."
Lucas smiled, patting his back and Skyler's.
"Then seal it with a kiss. Try not to fry his wiring, Skyler."
Skyler laughed, their lips joining, their children held between them.
The two broke their kiss, staring into each other's eyes with love, then gently kissing each of their children.
"I now pronounce you married in front of God's love, in front of all our love. I now pronounce you a family of total love."
The applause was loud, the clearing filled with happiness.
The family of four joined Harry and Alain, all four kissing each other with happiness.
Lucas smiled out at everyone, smiling with a large smile of total love.
"If the four couples of love will walk off the altar, their registries await." Lucas smiled, remaining in the circle in the center of the altar.
Lewis arose from his seat, the minister smiling and guiding all four couples over to the small table set up beside the circular altar, each sitting down and writing in their registry.
Music began to play again, Josh, Joey and Justin singing Love Me Tender, their rich voices filling the clearing.
Momma Mavis and Lorraine held the infants again, their parents legalizing their wedding signatures.
Josh's blue pools were staring at Lucas, the handsome young man not moving from his spot, smiling at the couples standing together.
He saw a soft glow in his soulmate's violet pools, a soft tinge of emerald glow in their centers.
Josh's eyes met Justin's, he having seen Lucas' magic on as well.
The couples finished their writing, Lewis guiding them in front of the altar, smiling out at the crowd.
"Lucas if you will, please welcome them with happiness." Lewis smiled, turning to the altar, the minister gasping, all eyes now following his.
"Oh, wow!" Finn said, staring at the white altar.
Lucas was gone from the altar.
Where he had stood was now a large flowering fountain.
The white altar was now covered in red and white roses, four heart shaped rose bushes at least seven feet tall now in its center.
In the center of the red rose bushes, white names were etched in white roses, each couples' names spelled out in whiteness.
A waterfall of cascading clear water was flowing above the rose bushes, cascading down into a circular pool at their bottom, the bushes surrounded by blue water, small red and white roses floating in it.
"It's so beautiful." Trish said, staring at the flowery display.
"Your love for each other flows outward. Its wetness shall wet all our souls."
All eyes turned, Lucas smiling at all of them, the young man at the end of one of the aisles, standing under the archway of red and white roses at its end.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you our four couples of love. Mr. and Mrs. Finnegan Delaney, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McLaughlin, Mr. and Mr. Aaron and Craig Carter-Harrington and Mr. and Mr. Alain and Harry Carlisle-Devereaux." Lucas smiled, everyone clapping and rising from their seats, the four couples smiling widely, beginning to walk down the aisle towards Lucas.
The moment they began to move the watery fountain behind them changed, the water exploding into the air, the clearing suddenly raining down flower petals of red and white.
The couples looked up, Finn smiling.
"Lucas' love flows over us." He smiled, Skyler kissing his cheek, their children back in their arms.
All the couples smiled, walking down the aisle, Lucas guiding them out of the church's flowing, flowery beauty.
"I can't breathe, Finny!" Lucas gasped, his feet off the ground, the Welshman's arms holding him tight.
"You are amazing, Luke!" Finn cried, Josh, Lance and Justin smiling behind him, Skyler standing between them.
Lucas' face showed its familiar soft embarrassment, the man setting him down, their lips meeting.
Skyler smiled seeing the look of shock on Lucas' face when their lips had met, Josh smiling at him.
"I think Finn's gone bi." Justin said, Skyler laughing.
"Oh he's not bi, believe me, Justin." She smiled, the two breaking their kiss, Lucas' face showing awed shock, staring at his friend.
"Your lips are divine, Lukey. But Sky's got you beat." Finn smiled, staring at his friend, Lucas' face showing a wider smile.
"I had to get you bawling at a wedding to get some good sugar. Well worth the effort!" Lucas smiled, Finn laughing, his hand going to his friend's shoulder.
"Thank you, Lucas. For the surprise of your ministerial love. I couldn't have asked for a better surprise." The Welshman smiled, Skyler hugging Lucas now, kissing his lips.
"Neither could I, Lucas. You love is unending. It's joined us forever." She teared up, Lucas kissing her cheek.
"Now, no crying. You'll get the monster bawling again." He smiled, Skyler laughing, Finn's hand going in his.
The newlyweds were engulfed in Josh's and Justin's arms, congratulations given, Lucas feeling Lance's arm going around his waist.
"You are beyond amazing, Lucky. And beyond surprising! You're ordained? When did that happen?" Lance smiled, Lucas smiling at him.
"I took online classes in my spare time for the last six months." He smiled, Lance looking surprised, Lucas smiling at him with love.
"You planned this for that long?"
Lucas smiled widely, kissing Lance on the lips, the man feeling his flowing love.
"Love is the greatest plan of life, Lance. And it ain't over yet." Lucas smiled, his hand kneading Lance's left butt cheek, Lance staring at him.
"You and I have a wet date in a bit, beautiful." Lucas whispered in his ear, the man feeling the young man's sensual touch.
Lucas smiled, releasing his hold on Lance, the young man smiling at Josh and Justin, the two now hugging Trish and Andrew who had walked up to them, Lucas smiling at his sister now.
Trish moved from Justin's arms into her brother's.
"Oh, Lucas! What a surprise! Your love...that you'd want to do that!" She said, tears forming in her eyes.
"You, Andrew, Finn and Sky are my family, Trishy. I wanted to show you my total love. That love is enriched with God's love." He said, tears showing in his eyes.
Josh stared at his man with love, seeing Lucas' giving heart open to his brothers and sisters.
"We all love you, brother." Andrew said, his arm going around his wife, Lucas smiling at him.
"She's yours now, Drew. Congrats and good luck! You'll need it! Trashy's a handful!" Lucas laughed, Trish smiling at her brother, her hand finding the side of his head, Lucas ducking, Trish smiling and stopping her assault.
"That I am! And he's going to love it!" She smiled, Andrew grinning, their lips meeting.
Lucas smiled, his eyes meeting his Josh's.
"Love is amazing when it's real." He smiled, the young man looking towards the church area, the fountain of flowers still discharging petals of white and red all over the pews of white.
His eyes lowered for a moment, Lance staring at him.
Their violet pools raised, everyone seeing a deep smile of total love on his handsome young face.
"Refreshments are ready again. Everyone mingle. We have a couple of hours before the final moment of love." He said, his eyes meeting Josh's again.
"The final moment of my love." Lucas said, the young man lowering his eyes again, moving away from everyone, walking towards the church area.
Lance's eyes followed him, then met Josh's and Justin's, Justin's arm around Josh.
"Is he alright, Josh?" Trish said, Josh smiling at her.
"His love is fine, Trish. I feel that in my soul. But something is bothering him. Excuse me." Josh said, beginning to move, Justin's arm stopping him.
"Remember tradition, Joshy. You can't talk to him until you're married. Let me go to him." Justin said, Josh staring at his friend.
"Tell him I love him, Jus."
Justin smiled, kissing Josh on the lips.
"He knows that, Josh. He'll
be yours tonight forever."
Josh smiled, Justin smiling and walking toward the church area.
Lance's eyes followed his man's, the man then moving and hugging Trish and Andrew, both feeling his welcoming congratulations.
Justin walked through the archway, walking down the aisle, spotting Lucas sitting in the front pew in front of the flowering fountain.
His eyes scanned his silvery grey suit, seeing the masculine beauty of his handsome physique, Justin sitting down on the pew beside him.
Lucas' face moved, staring into Justin's blue pools.
Justin saw the confusion and uncertainty in Lucas' violet pools, and also the wetness of his tears.
"I thought Joshua might break with tradition. Thank you for showing your love for him, Justin."
Justin smiled, his arm going around Lucas' silvery form, Lucas leaning into him, his head going to Justin's shoulder, his arm pulling him close.
"What's got you upset here in the beauty of your flowery love, Lucas?" Justin said, seeing the rose petals now beginning to cover both of them.
"I'm not upset, Jus. I'm lost."
"Lost, my Lucky?" Justin said, kissing the young man's forehead, Lucas snuggling closer.
"I'm lost in my own magic,
Jus. These things that I've done, these moments of magic and love, they've come
with a price."
Justin pulled the young man closer, feeling him tremble.
"What price, Lucas? What's going on?"
Lucas raised his head, staring into Justin's blue pools.
"The magic now owns me, Justin. It's moving on its own. These flowery displays are its doing. It feels my soul and what I want to achieve and then it acts upon it." Lucas said, staring at the fountain in front of them.
"What you wanted to achieve was total happiness and surprise for all of them, Lucas. The magic delivered on your love for them." Justin said, Lucas staring into his blue pools.
He rose from his seat, walking up to the fountain, pulling a white rose out of the blue water at its base, the fountain suddenly vibrating, Justin standing up.
"Why did it do that?" He said, Lucas looking back at him, turning and walking up to Justin.
Lucas moved the white rose in his hand, sticking it in Justin's black suit lapel, patting his chest.
"It felt my love. It shimmered by its intensity. It knew I was picking a rose for you." Lucas said, the young man leaning forward, his lips meeting Justin's, Justin lost in the love suddenly flowing through him.
The two slowly broke their kiss, Justin feeling Lucas' hands on his backside, pulling him close.
"I have my answer, Jus. I have the answer to the magic's control. I now know what I what to happen tonight for all of us. Forgive me if it isn't enough."
Justin stared at his friend, seeing the love shining in his violet pools.
"You love is more than enough, Lucas. As is my Lance's and our Josh's. You three are my life. Lance is my soul."
Lucas smiled, nodding his head.
"Yes, your soul. And Josh and I are your life. The magic moves again. This time I'm in control. I may answer for that, but it's what I want. I hope it's what you three want."
Justin pulled him close, staring into his violet pools.
"We want love, Lucas. We have that in each other." Justin said, Lucas smiling at him.
"Prepare for the ride of your life, Justin. I think I just sat down in the driver's seat. I just hope I don't crash it and destroy us all." Lucas said, the young man sighing.
His eyes met Justin's again, staring into his soul.
"I feel Josh's love, Jus. I know he loves me. Tell him my soul, my life and my love is his. Until we join together forever, then it's more." Lucas said, the young man moving again.
Justin watched him walk onto the altar, the young man disappearing into the fountain before him.
Justin's eyes widened, the flowering fountain suddenly collapsing, the flower disappearing in an instant.
Justin stared at the white altar, the hole in the altar's center closing.
End of Chapter 168
And so another four twosomes unite under Lucas' love.
And he showed a surprising new side of himself.
Lucas married his sister and friends himself.
Finn was beyond surprised, his old friend's love showing its giving soul.
Only one other foursome of love are left to marry.
Our Justin and Lance, and our Lucas and Josh.
Two couples of true love will join under the sunset of New Year's Eve.
I'm sure Lucas has more surprises in store.
But what of Lucas' words to Justin?
Of a price being due?
Of magic's now ownership of him?
Where did Lucas disappear to?
Happy New Year to all my
Let's start it off with a bang.
Up next, the final love shows.
And love grows.
Hugs, Angel.
Email: email@example.com


text:
The Play Your Life Forward Project is geared up for teens and college students to have self-awareness and empowerment in order to live their best life!
It kicks off with an inspiring speaker assembly lead by Amber Leone Murphy-- highlighting her own personal story inside the loss of her dreams due to alcohol use and abuse. Then it breaks off into a Play Your Life Forward Club where teens and college students utilize peer-mentorship and club materials to help keep one another on a focused path to achieving goals, dreams and aspirations.
Teens will be more motivated and aware while encouraging one another to choose courage! By saying, "Hey, Play Your Life Forward."...they stimulate forward thinking.
The objective is a pursuit for a happy, healthy, awe-inspiring kind of life! Amber gets it. She's been there and believes in this work.For more information Schools and Colleges may contact Amber Leone Murphy at email@example.com