text:
Underneath My Being is a Road That Disappeared
On bended knee is no way to be free;
lifting up an empty cup I ask silently
that all my destinations will accept the one that's me,
so I can breathe.
Don't come closer or I'll have to go;
owning me like gravity are places that pull.
If ever there was someone to keep me at home,
it would be you.
Guaranteed, Eddie Vedder
Booth closed the door gently behind him, pausing after the soft click to listen for signs of stirring within the apartment. When all remained still, he slid the bolt into place and started toward the bedroom, grimacing as he caught a whiff of his suit; scents of charred wood and flesh clung to him, much more evident now than they had been at the crime scene. He needed a shower. A slight change of direction brought him to the laundry room door, and he stripped in the hall and tossed the soiled clothing directly into the 'dry-clean-only' hamper – the one Brennan had insisted the laundry room needed – before doubling back to the bedroom.
Upon entering the room he saw Brennan stretched out on her stomach in the middle of his bed, and suddenly the night didn't seem quite as bleak as it had only moments before. He had told her he wouldn't be home for hours, and even though she generally spent Tuesday nights at his place, in his absence he had expected her to return to her own apartment. Light and fresh on the air there rested the unmistakeable scent of his partner's body wash. Her soothing smell enveloped him through the now open door; it repelled the scent of death clinging to his body, and he savoured the calming effect of the honey and lavender vapours. He was partial to that particular soap of hers; it was the same honey and lavender scented soap she had thought she so subtly slipped under his sink a month or so into their relationship, after she began spending increasingly frequent nights at his place. The same honey and lavender scented soap that had stuck out like a nun in a nightclub amongst the other unquestionably masculine toiletries that filled his cupboard. He smiled to himself and gazed fondly at the body mostly buried under the blankets on his bed as he thought to his quick discovery of said body wash, and its subsequent relocation.
His gaze followed her through the mirror as she hung a towel across the bar to the right of the shower. He had intentionally pulled back the shower curtain, so he knew it was only a matter of time before she noticed what he had done, but until that point he revelled in observing her, the way he always did. Should she suddenly turn around, she would find him dutifully brushing his teeth, clad only in his boxers and a pair of socks. He saw the exact moment her eyes found the body wash sitting on the rim of the tub, in the corner tucked in-between his bottles of soap and shampoo as if there had never been a time when it didn't belong there. Her eyes darted swiftly between the bottle resting in the shower and the cupboard in which she had last left it, and Booth took his gaze away from her long enough to spit the toothpaste into the sink and rinse out his mouth before casually turning toward her.
"Morning, Bones." He grinned, tapping the excess water from his toothbrush before dropping it into the cup beside the faucet.
"Good morning." She responded uncertainly. Logically, she had realized that if she didn't want to go to the lab smelling like Booth, certain changes had to be made. Logically, it made sense to keep supplies in Booth's apartment now that she didn't always have time to make it back to hers before work. Unfortunately, as seemed to occur when it came to her emotions involving Booth, reciting these rational conclusions to herself did little to appease the irrational nervousness tingling through her.
He put her out of her misery quickly. Closing the distance between them he slid his hand beneath her thin cotton tank top and ran his hands over her soft, chilled skin.
"I want you to be comfortable here, Bones." He murmured in her ear as he pulled the tank top over her head. "Whether it's a tiny ass space on the sill of my tub, or half my damn closet. Everything I have is yours; don't be afraid to take it."
He liked to think she understood that he had been referencing a lot more than her girly smelling soap.
His muscles began to relax from the moment he reached to turn on the taps, and by the time he stepped out from under the spray of the showerhead, Booth felt a languid exhaustion pooling in his limbs. The knowledge that he was steps away from clean sheets and his partner's warm, sleeping body was enough to give him hope for a solid, dreamless slumber.
When he opened the door to the bedroom he hesitated ever so slightly; something seemed… off. Not necessarily dangerous, but wrong nonetheless. His gaze automatically flitted expertly about the room, but seeing nothing amiss and finding it increasingly hard to remain conscious, Booth let it go and moved to his side of the bed. Of course, that was the moment the mystery solved itself. Brennan was curled up on her side, her face twisted with obvious displeasure as she muttered a few unintelligible words and twitched arbitrarily. Booth's face flooded with sympathy and he wished – not for the first time – that nightmares weren't such a common occurrence for both of them. With a sigh he slid beneath the duvet and pulled her body against his, relaxing into the mattress and providing Brennan with the only comfort he presently could. In seconds, he began drifting off into a dead sleep, only to be startled into instant alertness when the woman in his arms stiffened and woke up gasping.
In one smooth motion Booth pulled her into a sitting position beside him and reached over her body to turn on the lamp on the nightstand. He had learned that she always had a moment of panic when she woke up in the dark. A brief moment before she logically reminded herself that she wasn't in a car quickly filling with earth, a second or two at the most, but a terrifying moment for her all the same. She played it off well, but Booth saw. Of course he did. And so he turned on lights before she could open her eyes, and she pretended she didn't notice.
"I got you." Booth murmured gently in her ear, crushing her body against his chest. "You're okay."
"I'm sorry." She breathed desperately.
Booth kissed the top of her head, "Sorry for what? You haven't done-
But she was awake now. The fog cleared from Brennan's eyes and the confusion disappeared soon after. She inhaled and exhaled deeply and brought one hand to her forehead while using the other hand to push insistently against Booth's chest, demanding a little bit of space. Booth obligingly released her, but he kept his palm resting lightly on her back.
"Do you want some water?" He asked softly.
Brennan nodded her head, and without another word Booth was off the bed and out the door so quickly and quietly she could barely process that he'd moved.
She heaved a sigh and then laughed in a decidedly self depreciating fashion. That had been… interesting.
Booth returned with a glass, already slippery with condensation, and she smiled gratefully as she took it from his waiting hands and allowed herself a long drink.
He smiled as she looked around for a coaster, refusing to rest the glass down atop the oak night table until she managed to locate one. When she turned back to face him quizzically, wondering why he had yet to return to the bed, Booth's eyes glinted mischievously and he presented her with the bottle of Tequila he had been concealing behind his back.
"What do you say we go for something a little stronger?" He said lightly, taking a very childish flying leap onto the mattress.
"Booth." Brennan protested bemusedly.
He passed her the bottle. "Ladies first."
The smile she gave him as she took the bottle was genuine. He was sensitive to her feelings, and he really did try to give her space when he thought she wanted it. Three years ago she may not have been able to tell, but now she could easily recognize that he was reacting to the way she had pushed him off of her when she first became coherent; he was trying to make her laugh instead of comforting her directly. It was sweet in a very Booth-y way.
"Tempting." She answered ruefully, but she set the bottle on the floor without opening it. "It's entirely unnecessary though, Booth. I'm fine."
"'Fine' is no reason to turn down a perfectly good drink." Booth replied, feigning great offense. "No one appreciates good Tequila like you do, Bones. You didn't even look at the bottle! I picked it up while you were in Sweden last month."
She suddenly looked very, very tired.
"It's an admirable gesture," she said softly, wearing only a shell of her former smile, "but not tonight."
Dropping the teasing façade, Booth's features grew serious and his eyes darkened protectively as he placed a hand on her thigh. "She won't touch you again. Ever."
"It wasn't that. It was silly." Brennan insisted reluctantly.
Her conviction that the episode hadn't been anything short of foolish was cemented by the rather rare blush that stained her cheeks, and Booth frowned. The, "I'm fine" responses Brennan was apt to delivering when she wanted to avoid admitting weakness were usually coupled with a lack of eye contact and restless movement. While her fingers were indeed twisting nervously, she was meeting his gaze directly and earnestly; something she had difficulty doing when she was skirting the truth. Booth was once again consumed by the feeling that something within their bedroom was off kilter.
"How come you went to the crime scene without me?"
The indignant question came out of left field as Brennan latched on to his moment of uncertainty and used his contemplative silence to change the subject. Booth recognized the distraction attempt for what it was; hell, she had learned to do that from him. But if this was what she needed, he would give in to her. For now.
"Bones, there are plenty of things you do at work without me; why is it so hard for you to wrap your head around me doing the same?"
The frown deepened and she brushed a few flyaway strands of hair out of her face. "In the lab your presence often proves more of a distraction than anything else. In the field I've consistently proven myself to be of great assistance to you."
He slid under the heavy duvet and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
Brennan wrinkled her nose in distaste and resisted his touch as he tried to pull her to the mattress. "I'm finding I'm still every bit as irritated with you when you're condescending as I was before we started having sex with each other."
Booth rolled his eyes, "Not now, okay, Bones? Tomorrow morning I'll be ready to argue our conflicting feminist and patriarchal tendencies, but for right now, I just want to hold my partner and pass out for a few hours before the alarm goes off."
She gave a huff of displeasure – one that pleased him because it meant that something about her was normal tonight – but then her face flashed sadness as the memory of whatever it was she was keeping from him found its way back to her.
The silence was oppressive; the air thick with the thoughts weighing on her mind that she couldn't bring herself to share. Booth pulled her closer and refused to be deterred when her body flinched ever so slightly before he could all but hear her command herself to relax. God, he was exhausted. But he would never get to sleep with them like this.
"Temperance," he breathed, "talk to me, baby."
Her breathing stopped for a moment; she couldn't help being affected by the gentle, yet indelibly commanding voice he adopted under circumstances that he deemed exceptionally important. For a moment he thought she would give in, but then she steeled herself and exhaled sharply before falling back onto age old defenses.
"Don't call me baby."
The alarm clock sounded off in the bedroom three and a half hours later, and Booth muttered a few choice expletives as he waited for Brennan to turn the damn thing off.
On a morning not so long ago, she had very practically suggested that moving the alarm from his side of the bed to hers would save him the cost of having to replace the machine repeatedly, while simultaneously saving her from being startled awake when he angrily (noisily) smashed it into silence after a night of too little sleep.
When the increasingly aggravating, monotonous beeping continued, Booth groaned and buried his face further into his pillow.
"Bones, come on. You're killing me here."
When his complaint was met with silence, Booth reluctantly turned his head to her side and opened his eyes. There was a moment of confusion when he took in the empty space beside him, and then the awkwardness of only hours before came rushing back. He wearily sank back into the mattress and placed an arm over his eyes to shield them from the bright sunlight.
The fact that he hadn't so much as stirred when she left the room was testament to his exhaustion. He tried to gather his thoughts and structure an opener for the conversation he was going to have to have with Brennan, but it wasn't long before the blare of the alarm clock was seeping through every part of his consciousness and drowning out all other brain function.
And then Booth was angry. He was angry with the arsonist who had torched the Rose Hill townhouse that morning, he was angry for the family who had burned within it, he was angry at the job that took and took and took from him and still grudged him a full night's sleep, he was angry with Bones and the way she had bolted as if they were a week into their relationship instead of two thirds of a year, and he was angry with that fucking clock-
In one of the blinding fast, practiced movements which told the world that the seemingly calm waters of Seeley Booth ran unquestionably deep, he ripped the alarm away from the outlet and hurled it against the far wall.
That took care of one problem.
He looked sheepishly in the direction of the bedroom door, half expecting it to open as Brennan came to investigate the noise and exasperatedly scold him for the rather childish display of temper. When the door remained closed, the surge of anger faded away and left Booth simply filled with dread for the upcoming day.
Her toothbrush was dry in the bathroom, there was no coffee waiting in the kitchen, and the morning paper was still hanging on the outside of the front door; all indications that she had left the apartment hours ago, possibly (likely) right after he had fallen asleep. Booth sighed and shook his head, putting all thoughts of his partner temporarily out of his mind as he set the coffee percolating and gathered his case files from the living room coffee table.
Angela yawned as she somewhat sluggishly fumbled with the sliding door and made her way into the lab. Playing hooky with Jack yesterday had been worth it – God, had it ever been worth it – but Cam would have her ass on a platter if those sketches weren't waiting for her the moment she came in. Even though it pained her, here she was, reporting for duty, at the absolutely ungodly hour of 6:30am.
She took a sip of her latte and shuffled toward her office by memory, with her eyes mostly closed.
"…grooves in the right ulna contain unidentified fragments; organic in appearance… further lab analysis should reveal-
Angela's eyes snapped open at the sound of her best friend's voice, and her gaze came to rest on the platform where Brennan was hunched over an examination table, intently recording her thoughts via the recorder in her left hand.
Angela smiled to herself and changed direction. She was already impossibly behind on those sketches; a couple more minutes of procrastination couldn't possibly make a difference.
"Morning, Sweetie." Angela grinned as she skipped up the platform stairs.
"Hey Ange." Brennan answered distractedly without lifting her eyes from the skeleton before her.
"What are you doing here?" She laughed, "Are you fighting with Booth again? Is he still mad about you wearing the totally hot fuck-me heels when we went to that club Saturday? Don't blame me, Bren, you looked stunning and the make-up sex is going to be fabulous… hey maybe you can do the surprise quickie thing in his office again around lunch; he sure liked that well enough the last-
Brennan finally looked up, and the teasing smile immediately fell away from Angela's face.
"What happened?"
Brennan strode across the platform with feigned nonchalance and placed the recorder on a nearby table. "Nothing happened, Angela. I just have a lot of work..."
"Yeah... I'm going to go ahead and call 'bullshit' on that one." Angela retorted bluntly. Her eyebrows furrowed and under her intense gaze, Brennan took a step back.
It was bad enough thinking about Booth looking through her that way; she couldn't, couldn't handle Angela doing it right now too. She averted her eyes and stripped the latex gloves from her hands, walking purposefully past Angela to drop them in the garbage can. Before she could head to the safety of her office, Angela was stepping in front of her.
"No. No, I know that face. I'm not letting you past me until you tell me what's going on."
The concern in Angela's voice was palpable, and when Brennan was unexpectedly overwhelmed by the care of the friend who had always just loved her, she succumbed to the sudden impulse to throw her arms around Angela and pull her into a tight hug.
Whether the action surprised her more, or Angela, neither of them would ever know.
Hot coffee sloshed out of the hole in the lid and scalded Angela's hand, but she held in the hiss of pain and quickly returned the hug, putting all the love into the motion that she could manage.
"Tell me what happened, sweetie." She encouraged gently, "You'll feel better."
"I…" Brennan started slowly, her voice muffled by Angela's sweater, "Booth… I don't…" A beat passed and then Brennan pulled away. "I can't, right now. Ange, I really can't. Can we do this later? Please?"
Angela took a deep breath. Brennan's expression was desperate, and in the interest of letting her maintain the tentative control she was struggling to keep over her emotions, Angela forced a friendly smile. The crease between her brows smoothed out, and she moved the coffee cup to her opposite hand and wiped the wet one on her jeans before offering the drink to Brennan.
"Here. I think you need this more than I do. There's only a sip or two missing."
Angela winked, and Brennan visibly relaxed. "Thank you. But I really don't have time… I need to get back to work."
"Oh, come on." Angela cajoled, waving the paper cup temptingly, "Hazelnut soy milk latte, no whip, an extra shot of espresso AND a shot of vanilla for good measure. This baby is your dream, Bren."
"I don't want the coffee, Angela!" Brennan snapped, "God!"
Silence descended; Brennan's fists clenched at her sides, and the look Angela gave her almost did her in. Because there wasn't a hint of anger to be seen in her best friend's face. Nor was there hurt, disappointment, or any array of appropriate emotions she had come to recognize in the last few years. Angela just stood there looking so concerned that it made Brennan feel infinitely worse than she would have if Angela had simply given her what she had coming and poured the drink down her shirt.
"Excuse me." She mumbled. Then she hurried down the steps and strode stiffly out of Angela's sight.
When he arrived at the lab late that afternoon, the first people Booth saw were Hodgins and Cam on the platform. Hodgins was gesturing emphatically as he explained something to his boss, and Cam processed the information intently with her arms crossed over her chest. At the sound of his footsteps they both looked up, and Booth caught the look of relief they exchanged with one another before hesitantly acknowledging his presence with a nod.
Before Booth could put too much thought into the significance of their shared glance, Angela stepped out of her office and into his path. He immediately raised a hand in greeting, expecting to be met with a flirty grin in return, but he stopped abruptly when instead, Angela's eyes grew stormy as she strode purposefully in his direction.
He stood stock still, frozen in shock at the look on Angela's face that could be interpreted as passionate dislike at best, and something akin to hate at its worst. He was uncomfortably searching his brain for anything he could have possibly done to offend her when she reached his side and thumped her clipboard solidly against his left bicep.
"Ow! Hey! What is your problem?" He yelped in surprise.
"What did you do to her?" Angela's voice was low and furious. "Booth, only you could affect her like this."
Without giving him time to respond, Angela raised the clipboard once again and used both hands to slam it back down on his body.
"Okay, seriously," Booth's eyes darkened, "You need to knock that off."
Angela continued to glare defiantly, but her arms dropped to her sides.
"I have no idea what the hell you're talking about." His voice was a tension wrought growl and his eyes darted about the room, searching for signs of his partner's whereabouts. "What did she say to you?"
Hodgins and Cam had resumed their conversation, but the half dozen times their gazes had strayed to his and Angela's position assured Booth that they were listening closely to every word. Feeling as if everyone in the room knew something he didn't, Booth raised his voice and agitatedly addressed them as well. "What the hell is going on?"
Angela raised her chin and remained wilfully silent. She didn't know anything, actually, but she'd be damned if she let Booth know that. Her friend's utterly despondent face was still fresh in her memory, and Agent Studly wasn't very high up on her list of favourite people right now.
In the end, it was Cam who finally provided him with an answer.
"Dr. Brennan has resigned herself to bone storage for the afternoon." The pathologist stated in an even, practiced tone that revealed nothing and everything at the same time. "She's finding herself exasperated by the lack of focus being displayed by the rest of the team today."
There was no mistaking the sardonic spin of Cam's words. She met his eyes without wavering and quirked an eyebrow expectantly; the message was clear. You've pissed off our anthropologist, Seeley. Thanks.
It was Angela's continuing stubbornness that kept him from getting sidetracked by a general frustration with Brennan and the squints and the world in general. While a part of him wanted to indignantly protest the way they all assumed that whatever had happened (what had happened?) was his fault, the part of him that was in control recognized that it really wasn't like Angela to direct so much aggression his way. If his partner were merely pissed off at something he had done, Angela would be smirking and teasing and verbalizing every sexual innuendo her dirty mind could come up with. This steady fury indicated that Angela honestly believed he had hurt her.
Booth tossed the folder in his hand in the general direction of the platform and stepped around Angela.
"Sign those for me, will you Camille?" He said tersely.
He didn't wait for a response from any of them, and if they gave one, he didn't hear it.
When Booth reached the bottom of the staircase leading to limbo he dialled the familiar number; from the dark recesses of the depressing space, he heard a faint chirping ring through once, then twice, and then cease altogether. He tried dialling her number again, but she was, after all, a genius; if she didn't want to talk to him, she certainly wasn't going to make it easy for him to find her. This time the phone went straight to voicemail.
Starting down the nearest corridor to the far wall, Booth prayed she wouldn't simply walk up the stairs back to the lab once she figured out he didn't plan on leaving until he found her. He walked systematically through the labyrinth-like layout he had come to know as well as the architect who designed it, and he kept his ears attuned to any noise that fell outside the dull buzzing created by the air conditioner.
Only six minutes passed before he picked out her figure. In her own strange and twisted form, Lady Luck was with him.
The aisle he found Brennan sitting in was no different from the previous dozen he had already covered, and as he rounded the corner he exhaled deeply in relief. Her eyes were closed and her knees were drawn up against her chest; arms wrapped around them tight as if some part of her believed the motion was literally holding her together.
That's not possible, Booth. The sound of her sensible voice flitted through his mind in response to the irrational thought that had dared to pass through him, and he shook his head to clear it.
Booth ambled down the aisle toward her with a practiced calm, and he intentionally, subtly, made a little noise for the first time since coming down the stairs.
Brennan opened her eyes and lifted her head from where it rested against the wall of storage containers.
"You found me." She said softly.
"Former ranger, Bones." Booth replied easily, settling himself on the ground beside her without touching her. "We've had this conversation."
He stared straight ahead in order to keep her from feeling pressured. The glassy sheen of her eyes he had witnessed before he sat down told him that while she hadn't been crying, it was taking all her effort to keep emotion at bay. Now that he was sitting here, she was fighting harder than ever. Without turning to face her he let his hand find hers, and after a moment's hesitation her fingers curled around his.
Slowly, her arms dropped away from her knees and fell to her sides, and through their hands alone they remained connected over the two feet of space between them.
For Brennan, it soon felt too comforting. Too safe. Too much as if as long as his hand was warm and her hand was in his, nothing could be as bad as it seemed. Too much conjecture. Where was her logic? She wanted her hand back.
Booth wouldn't let go.
He could feel her emotions whirring, and he could imagine that the anger she was emitting was directed at herself more than it was him. She was trying with everything she had to shove whatever it was that was bothering her into a box, and it simply would not stay. Her brilliant mind was defying her, and she was enraged by it.
Booth waited patiently; the patience of a sniper, the patience of a father; the patience that came of an eight year partnership with one Temperance Brennan.
"I'm pregnant."
A week and a half ago, Brennan had left work early of her own free will. No nagging from Booth required. She had slipped past Hodgins and Wendell without a word; focus already redirected from skeletons to her doctor's appointment.
For four days of every month, Brennan underwent the menses stage of her menstrual cycle and shed her uterine lining. Four days at the beginning of every month like clockwork, since she was fifteen years old. And because she was a logical, pragmatic scientist, when those four days hadn't begun precisely on schedule it hadn't taken her more than a moment to conclude a severe ear infection and an intense cycle of antibiotics could have been enough to affect the effects of her birth control; she was never late. But, because she was a logical, pragmatic scientist, because she didn't accept any scenario (no matter how plausible) without irrefutable evidence to stand behind it, Brennan hadn't dwelled on it again until her doctor had provided the required lab work informing her she was, in no uncertain terms, pregnant.
"I'll need a quantitative blood test as well."
"The urine tests are more than adequate, Dr. Brennan." Dr. Faye Callahan had assured her.
She bristled. "I'm well aware of the statistical probabilities associated with testing urine for HCG." She had clamped her jaw shut, because she hadn't had the patience to give a lecture when her doctor was eventually going to have to give her the goddamn test she wanted anyway. "If you'll just give me the paperwork, I'll be on my way to get the samples drawn from the clinic."
The physician paused, having had Brennan as a patient long enough to know the woman was… tenacious.
"It'll be at least a week before you're contacted with the results." She had tried one last time without much conviction.
"I'm aware of that." Brennan had responded, slightly offended by the fact that her doctor felt the need to tell her how long lab results took. She began stripping out of the standard issue gown with her usual lack of modesty and reached for her blouse and jeans. "Just sign the forms. I need to get back to work."
And then, again, the issue had been put out of her mind until yesterday evening when her blackberry had rung as she was sprawled on the couch in Booth's apartment. One minute she had been working on her novel and waiting for him to come home, and the next there had been no more room for denial. Just a slap in the face with the cold straight facts that had left her stunned.
"Positive. The results are undoubtedly positive."
She hadn't been able to bring herself to type another word after that. The phone call had interrupted Andy and Kathy in the middle of passionate, wild, uninhibited sex, and she couldn't move them forward because shouldn't they know enough to be careful?
This baby is your dream, Bren. At the time, she had taken Angela's sentence out of context, but just thinking about it made her want go find her friend and yell at her all over again. This was not a dream. It was real and terrifying.
They had yet to look at one another since Booth had sat down beside her, and she kept her gaze fastidiously ahead after the words finally left her mouth.
Pregnant. I'mpregnantI'mpregnantI'mpregnant.
In spite of herself, Brennan's mind strayed to that morning and the less-than-nightmare which had been nonsensical and clichéd to the point of ludicrousness. It had been embarrassing, and Booth's attentiveness when she (pathetically) woke up had made it worse.
Logically, there was fact 1: Parker hadn't been planned any more than this… zygote? Fetus? (she had a feeling Booth would dispute both terminologies) .
Logically, there was fact 2: Booth loved Parker more than he loved anyone in the world, regardless of the accidental conception.
But the bill (coin, Bones. It's coin) had two sides. And in examining the negative, the positive points were swiftly out measured.
Fact 3: Parker caused Booth constant worry.
Fact 4: even she, who could claim no blood tie to the child, had experienced a sickening, stomach churning feeling like no other when she saw harm come to him. The time he was struck in the face by that baseball at the game she went to with Booth. The time he slipped on the ice and hit his head when she was supposed to be watching him.
She still couldn't be entirely certain that it was worth it.
She forced her mind back to the present. Back to the man beside her. Back to the news she had just blurted out with her usual lack of tact. Twelve seconds of silence passed (she counted) but Booth didn't pull away his hand. She kept panic at bay by focusing on this detail. Past experience had taught her that while Booth was generally very tactile, furious-Booth refused to touch or be touched by her. She focused on their entwined fingers and told herself that this particular line of reasoning wasn't based in conjecture, but was rather a rational assumption formed upon years of collected data; one and a half sugars in her coffee were fine, but two would be too sweet. Tequila caused hangovers, but overindulging in vodka would not affect her the next morning. If Booth was angry, he wouldn't hold her hand.
She repeated all this to herself one more time as another five seconds passed.
"Okay." Booth finally said.
"Okay?" She repeated slowly, dubiously; as if the word was new and foreign on her tongue and she didn't quite trust it.
"Okay." Booth confirmed firmly, rubbing his thumb back and forth over the velvety skin covering her knuckles.
Brennan couldn't bring herself to break the sense of comfort their lack of eye contact had brought her, but she let her eyes slide Booth's way and studied his face through her peripheral vision. Reading people wasn't her strength, but she could read Booth. Most of the time. She had a vague notion (originating in a place that Booth would call her gut) that no one could read him if he didn't want them to, but that was more conjecture. There had been more than enough of that lately.
She struggled to interpret what she could see from her limited view.
Determination; that was easily identifiable through the clenched jaw. There was fear, too, evident in the way the pressure on her hand increased ever so slightly. The difficulty lay in his eyes; his expressive brown irises were soft, which put them in direct contrast with the tension radiating from the rest of his body. A frown marred the impassive mask Brennan had been maintaining with varying degrees of success as she fought to quantify the anomaly. She knew that expression. Maybe if she were staring at him directly she could place it, but as things stood, it was just outside her-
It clicked. There.
Unbridled love and devotion. The warmth he had taught her to recognize through his own example. The same warmth that crossed his face when he woke up to find her intently memorizing his features. The warmth she had seen so brightly the first time they had had sex (made love, Bones). Suddenly, Brennan thought she might finally cry, even though she wanted very much not to do so.
She allowed herself a small snuffle, and then she scooted toward Booth without releasing his hand until their sides were pressed together and his body heat was seeping through her light cashmere sweater to rest against her skin. Her head dropped to his shoulder, and his head rested against hers, and Brennan tentatively explored the idea that this might actually prove to be okay.


text:
You think Boston fans were out of control after the Celtics won the NBA Finals? (OK, maybe they weren't.) Regardless, nobody has anything on the Russians.
After Russia's win over the Netherlands in Euro 08 over the weekend, their fans were really going nuts.
Moscow is naked, drunk, all covered in broken glass; figures "3″ and "1″ have been [snatched away] from all currency exchange displays […].
[Tverskaya St.] is cordoned off, girls are lying on car hoods and roofs, people are attacking empty garbage and dump trucks, getting inside, beating on them, screaming; all guys are naked, some of them have beautiful bodies; girls at the sidewalks take their t-shirts off and walk around topless; everyone is impossibly happy, carrying each other on the shoulders, kissing, running to hug with strangers and drivers of the cars passing by; nothing like this has ever happened before, traffic rules are gone to hell, a road hysteria has begun.
Heavens! We are very pleased this didn't happen when the Cardinals won the World Series.
Russia Football Revolution [Global Voices Online]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Locked Out Of My Car In SF, Expert And Local Locksmiths!
Do You Need Locked Out Of My Car In SF?
Call Locksmith Now (415) 943-3009
Locked Out Of My Car In SF, you discover you're a lockout of your car and ask yourself!
Even though it's quite frustrating!
Being locked out of your car doesn't have to be as stressful as you may think it is.
The first thing to do is call our office locksmith San Francisco!
So our friendly customer service representative will require some information from you.
Such as your contact phone number and the address of where your car is at!
A technician will then be dispatch to your location.
So now I know what you're thinking.
And also, I will be here for hours waiting for a tech to show up!
And also, if you're that would be incorrect.
After the technician from Locksmith San Francisco arrives at your location.
Because he'll evaluate your car to ascertain what the best means of getting in will be.
There are numerous methods they can use for example picking the lock or using air pumps.
Whichever way the tech decides to use.
It'll be carrying out with no harm to your car in any respect.
Need A Locked Out Of My Car In SF? Call Us Now (415) 943-3009
Spare Office Key Replacement
Once the technique is determining he will explain to you what will be done.
And what the price will be before any work is to start.
A starting price is usually given over the telephone, due to every job.
And also, an automobile being different just after a tech evaluates is a set cost given generally.
Now that Auto locksmith San Francisco tech has to assess.
And the cost agreed upon he'll proceeding to put you into your car or truck.
The last step will be to pay the technician for services.
Our technicians can accept cash, debit!
And all major credit cards as a form of payment.
The entire process should be complete.
And have you going on to your day from your original call to our office.
Now you don't feel like saying any more I'm the lockout of my Auto locksmith San Francisco.
It will be thank you and it was our pleasure.
Do You Need Locked Out Of My Car In SF?
[mappress mapid="24″]


text:
hat could your dealership do with 150, 250 or more leads each month?
Lead generation and conversion optimization (getting more of your web traffic to convert into leads) are central to your dealership's success. It's easy math: the more quality leads you have calling your dealership and
walking onto your lot, the more cars your sales team will move. It's that simple.
We use cutting edge technologies and more importantly, the most innovative strategies in the industry, to capture and convert more leads than any other digital marketing firm, ad agency, or lead generation consultant, anywhere.
We provide re-targeting, geo-fencing, programmatic advertising, pay-per-click advertising, conversion rate optimization and search engine optimization, using platforms like Google, Facebook, Bing, Wishpond, Visual Website Optimizer and WhatConverts, among many others. With expertise in each area, we help our clients drive more leads and more sales from the web.


text:
Transfer Rater: Jonny Evans to Leicester City, Kieran Gibbs to Watford
Things change in the blink of an eye in football. The Football Whispers Index takes the latest transfer rumours and gives them a score out of five; the higher the score, the more realistic and reliable the whisper.
Here are today's top five emerging whispers for the summer. And keep an eye on Transfer Talk for all the latest gossip.
Kieran Gibbs to Watford
Watford have reportedly agree a fee for out-of-favour Arsenal left-back Gibbs. The defender, who is in the final year of his contract at the Emirates, is reportedly keen on a move to Vicarage Road after West Bromwich Albion pulled out of talks to sign him last month. Newcastle United have also expressed an interest in the 27-year-old but it appears the Hornets are the clear frontrunners.
Jonny Evans to Leicester City
West Brom are braced for a new bid from Leicester to sign Evans after already turning down a £23m offer. The Manchester City transfer target, who joined the Baggies from Manchester United in 2015, is in high demand after an impressive spell at the Hawthorns. If Evans is to move to City then Baggies boss Tony Pulis reportedly wants Eliaquim Mangala in exchange. But it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola will allow the Frenchman to leave.
Jeroen Zoet to Newcastle United
Newcastle United have expressed interest in signing PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet. De Telegraaf claims that Crystal Palace are also in the frame for the 26-year-old but it is unclear whether either club are willing to meet the Eredivisie side's asking price, which has reportedly increased after interest was shown. Rob Elliot has started as the Magpies' No. 1 but it is one of several positions manager Rafael Benitez is keen on strengthening before the window closes.
Simon Mignolet to Napoli
Liverpool keeper Mignolet could follow the path of Pepe Reina by signing for Napoli, according to reports. The Belgian stopper was dropped for the Reds' win over Arsenal on Sunday, with Klopp saying afterwards: "Intensity for a goalkeeper is different. It is not physical. It is mental. Simon is a clear No. 1. He won the race in preseason. You can always rely on him. He is solid -- a machine; 100 percent he plays against City." But Napoli have made enquiries as they prepare to potentially lose Reina to Paris Saint-Germain.
Divock Origi to Marseille
Marseille are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Liverpool forward Origi. The 22-year-old, who has not been in Klopp's matchday squad for the last two games, has only made one substitute appearance this season and is keen to play regularly for fear of losing out on a place in Belgium's World Cup squad. Following the thrashing of Arsenal, Klopp was coy when asked if Origi could leave the club on loan, simply saying: "We will see."
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN's media platforms. Learn more.


text:
Best Used Luxury Cars Under $20,000
June 13, 2018
If you are in the market for an upscale car but don't want to spend a fortune, you might be considering purchasing a used luxury car.
Luxury cars tend to depreciate more rapidly than other types of cars, and you can easily snag a great deal on one. Here are some of the best used luxury cars under $20,000.
Best Used Luxury Cars Under $20,000
2013 Lexus ES
With a fresh design, the 2013 Lexus ES is a luxury midsize sedan that comes with an elegant interior and exterior design.
The Lexus brand carries Toyota reliability and durability, making it one of the best luxury cars under $20k.
The V6 engine is rated at 268 horsepower and provides enough power without sacrificing fuel economy, which is at 21/31 MPG.
The soft suspension smooths out rough roads and speed bumps. The interior features a crisp design with an easy to use interface.
The Lexus ES also offers generous head and leg room for both the driver and all passengers.
Standard features on all ES include a moonroof, alloy wheels, and satellite radio. Users can also opt-in for an infotainment system on some models.
If you are looking for a handsome car with a near timeless design, the 2013 Lexus ES is the right choice for you.
2015 Infiniti Q40
The 2015 Infiniti Q40 is designed to be the replacement of the famous G-Series cars.
The 3.7L V6 engine is durable and produces 328 horsepower. The Q40 shares the same power plant as the infamous 370Z from Nissan.
The high power output is counterbalanced by an MPG of just 19/27 in the city and highway respectively. The Q40 flaunts a near perfect weight distribution which allows for nimble handling and steering.
Every Q40 comes with standard features including heated seats and leather upholstery. While the car does provide ample head room, leg room for the rear passengers is tight.
Critics claim that the Infiniti Q40 is not as refined as its competitors, but the car does come with some standard technology like Bluetooth and satellite radio.
Although some owners feel that the interior does not compete with BMW and Mercedes, the car is loaded with technology features including an infotainment system and a backup camera. If you are looking for one of the best luxury cars under $20,000, the 2015 Q40 is a great choice.
2013 Audi A4
The powerful and torque-rich turbocharged engine in the 2013 Audi A4 makes this car a performer.
Although the car is only rated at 211 horsepower, the 2.0L engine produces nearly 258 pounds-feet of torque at just 1,500 RPMs.
Handling scores remarkably high thanks to its smooth ride and balanced design.
The interior is classy and upscale, with comfortable seats that support the driver and passengers.
Critics were impressed with the quality and refinement of the interior trim pieces and the cars nimble handling.
However, many felt that the infotainment system was difficult to use and that the rear seats were cramped. The buttons inside of Audi's cars have also been known to show signs of wear rapidly, with many chipping and losing paint color over time.
A sunroof, Audi's MMI Infotainment system, and backup camera all come standard on all A4 models. The car nets 24/31 MPG on the city and highway respectively. If you are looking for the best luxury car under $20,000 that offers both performance, fuel economy, and beauty, the 2013 Audi A4 is a solid choice.
BMW is world renowned for its luxury cars, including the 2013 BMW X3. The X3 is a perfect compact SUV that offers economical gas mileage and nimble handling.
The X3 ranks near the top of its class due to its pleasant ride, brisk performance, and great safety ratings.
The former turbocharged V6 motor is gone for the 2013 model year, with the replacement being a turbocharged 4 cylinder motor rated at 240 horsepower.
Extra space is ample in this car, making it comfortable for long family road trips. The interior materials are high quality and durable. Fuel economy is respectable for its class, coming in at 21/28 MPG in the city and on the highway respectively
Although the X3 brings European styling and class with it, it can also bring European car problems as well. As you might expect, replacement parts are expensive and so is the labor.
Many owners report sensors failing consistently, which can be expensive to repair if the car is out of the warranty period.
Overall, the BMW X3 is a perfect used luxury car for a small family.
2012 Mercedes Benz E-Class
The 2012 Mercedes E-Class steals the top spot due to its high safety rankings and upscale interior.
The seats are roomy and offer complete comfort for both the driver and passengers.
The midsize luxury car is nimble and easy to drive thanks to its humble yet powerful V6 engine. You can also find twin turbo V8 versions for a slightly higher price.
The base motor in the E-Class for 2012 is a 3.5L V6 engine, producing 210 horsepower with an MPG of 20/30 on the city and highway respectively. The 2012 E -class can be found in a coupe, sedan, or convertible form.
If rear spacing is an important factor in choosing a luxury car under $20,000 the 2012 E-Class is a great choice. Both the rear seats and trunk measure larger than other similar cars.
Standard features for 2012 include a sunroof, power seats, and Mercedes' COMAND infotainment system. Critics have stated that the 2012 Mercedes E-Class does not offer the same sportiness of some rivals.
However, if you are looking for a luxury car that excels in almost all other aspects, the 2012 E-Class is for you,
Final Note
Shopping for the best used luxury car under $20,000 can be a fun and exciting time. If you are looking for money to finance your purchase, CrediReady can help. Our nationwide network of trusted dealers and verified lenders work with buyers in all credit situations.
Take a moment to fill out our free no obligation loan inquiry form today to start searching for your next car!
Free Credit Score
Get your free credit score now! Get a copy of your most recent credit score.
get your free score
Auto Insurance
Get your free insurance quote now! Save big on auto insurance today!
get your free quote
Vehicle Warranty
Protect your vehicle and you could save thousands on auto repairs.
get your free quote


text:
Unfortunately, no results matched your search criteria.
You may wish to review your criteria. Alternatively, please check again soon as listings are being added regularly.
Can't find a suitable industrial property in Pigeon Ponds? Stop wasting time trying to navigate the confusing commercial real estate market and let us do the leg work. Whether you want to expand operations or revolutionise your manufacturing and production practices, CommercialVIEW can connect you to relevant, current and comprehensive listings in and around Pigeon Ponds.
Your business is unique, and we know that you need an equally unique property to allow you to create the most efficient warehousing solution for your business. With one of the most expansive collections of warehouse property listings to buy or lease across Pigeon Ponds, CommercialVIEW is here to help.
The early bird gets the worm, so don't delay, check out the range of Pigeon Ponds warehouses available on CommercialVIEW right now!


text:
Unforgettable Glamping Holidays in Nottinghamshire
Southwell Retreat provides a relaxing glamping experience to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, nestled in a quiet rural location you can sit back chill out and relax, go walking in the beautiful woodland or countryside walks. For action packed adventure visit Sherwood Pines for mountain biking and exploring the tree tops with Go Ape. Southwell Retreat is ideally located to explore the many attractions and beautiful countryside in the Nottinghamshire. Based near the pretty market town of Southwell we are also within each reach of Nottingham, Lincoln, Newark, Retford and Sherwood Forest is right on the doorstep waiting to be explored.
The variety of scenery and attractions around us provides endless possibilities for walking, cycling and exploring.
Our well-equipped glamping pods sleep up to 4 people and allow you to enjoy all the comforts of home, combined with camping in a beautiful rural location. The pods are warm and cosy inside with underfloor heating. Glamping is hugely popular with families and adults, we also have 1 pod that is pet friendly, allowing a small well behaved dog.
What our visitors have to say…
From booking to leaving, Lindsay was amazing. I booked 2 pods as a surprise for my husband's birthday, Lindsay went the extra mile and even decorated up the pod, left a birthday card, and a present for my husband. Nothing was too much trouble for her. The pods themselves were stunning and comfortable. The setting was beautiful, so relaxing and quiet. We will be going back. Thanks Lindsay.
Great place, everything you need and great host. Highly recommended.
Relaxing glamping holidays with adventure on the doorstep


text: EAGLE FINANCIAL AND LEASING SERVICES (UK) LIMITED offers a quality financial organization service to many commercial and internal market. At EAGLE FINANCIAL AND LEASING SERVICES (UK) LIMITED, We pride ourselves with a wide range of professional hard working staffs who ensure clients demand are met in a timely manner. Also we ensure that clients requirements are met according to specification. Our project funding is structured to suit the individual needs of our clients as we believe a satisfied client is the best business strategy of all. Accessing the right financial product or facility at a crucial stage can be the key to business success, you are at liberty to engage our leased facilities into trade programs as well as in signature project(s) such as Aviation Agriculture, Petroleum, Telecommunication, construction of Dams, Bridges and any other turnkey project(s) etc. Our terms and Conditions are reasonable. Contact us today with your inquiries. Kind regards, WHITE, Christopher Simon Director (EAGLE FINANCIAL AND LEASING SERVICES (UK) LIMITED). Leasing Price : 4%+1% Buying Price: 32%+2% White, Christopher Simon email : email@example.com skype: advice.eagleflsltd


text:
Jenny Mercer (Nee Mason, Formerly Emmott)
MERCER Jenny (née Mason, formerly Emmott) On April 7 2019, peacefully at Steeton Court Nursing Home, Jenny, aged 89 years, loving mother of Heather, William, Susan and Gillian, a very special gran of Adrian, Philip and Laura and a proud great grandmother of Emily, Jessica and Harriet. The funeral service and cremation will take place at Skipton Crematorium on Thursday, April 18 at 1.20pm. Will family and friends please assemble at the crematorium chapel. Family flowers only please but donations would be appreciated to Alzheimer's Society. A box will be provided at the service for this purpose or may be made online at www.david-gallagher.co.uk
248 views


text:
Waikiki Solitaire
- Publisher: Platon Butko
- Genre: Card
- Released: 4 Sep, 2012
- Size: 14.8 MB
- Price: FREE!
- App Store Info
Show all app activity
You are right. The metacritic audience doesn't seem to care about mobile games. You can however…
I like your article , you presented very good information to us, thank you…
I like your article , you presented very good information…
app spy was okay at first, then there were many glitches and I eventually lost connection... I had…
Sponsored feature


text:
DPS is about the mystery encountered during a slide across deep snow. It is the inspiration for everything we create. It fuels a reverence for mountains, storms, and the people who sculpt powder culture. It leads us on a search for distant ranges and on a quest for the most progressively shaped and built skis on the planet.
Great, You Are Now Subscribed!Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Actually, unsubscribe me.
By subscribing to the mailing list of DPS Skis your email address is stored securely, opted into new post notifications and related communications. We respect your inbox and privacy, you may unsubscribe at any time.
© 2019 DPS Skis


text:
It's amateur hour at City Hall. No, really. Yesterday, after a plan to quickly select Gavin Newsom's successor predictably fizzled --- homeless men passed out in the streets knew Supervisors Chris Daly, John Avalos, and David Campos didn't have the votes. Why didn't they? -- the progressive supes instead called for public input in naming the next mayor.
You mean San Franciscans need encouragement to totter up to the dais during board meetings and tell the supervisors how it is? Who knew?
The notion of folks taking a break from yammering to the supes about vast conspiracies undertaken by the library system or how Smart Meters are melting our brains to instead advocate for their mayor of choice will certainly bring only clarity to the process.
If you're confused, here's the succession scenario stripped down to as simple as we can make it:
The basics are, well, basic: If six members of the current board can agree on a mayoral successor, that "interim mayor" can be appointed and take power when Newsom leaves to assume the reins of lieutenant governor, ostensibly on Jan. 3.
If the supes can't make up their minds, Board President David Chiu automatically becomes "acting mayor." (and earns far, far less than an "interim mayor," incidentally). If Chiu is unseated as board president when four new supes are sworn in on Jan. 8, would he then be out as acting mayor? So it would seem.


text:
Icebergs Abstract I
The iconic Bondi Icebergs pool, with it's azure waters, crisp grey and white surrounds... Everything we love about this new Olive et Oriel original abstract piece. Get washed away with this beautifully detailed photographic design. Can be hung either landscape or portrait, whichever way you prefer.
Prints & Posters
All Olive et Oriel wall art is professionally printed with premium inks on high-quality matte stock, resulting in beautifully detailed art pieces.
Note: Art is unframed unless framed option is selected.
Framing specifications & useful information
Olive et Oriel artwork is designed and made in Australia. Professionally printed in-house in the Olive et Oriel design studio. Please contact us at email@example.com if you have any questions or concerns regarding your order.


text:
Karen Millen
- Red a-line skirt
Karen Millen KM51922102 SE036 Tailored Skirt
Regular price $1,050.00 Sale price
- Red a-line skirt
- Knee length
- Metal zip at front
- Front split
- Black button detail on front
- Fully Lined
- Total length measures 53cm (Size 10)
Fabric: Lining, 100% acetate,main, 80% viscose, 20% virgin wool
Wash Care: Specialist dry clean
Easy to dress up. Easy to dress down. This skirt is so versatile, you can style it with your eyes closed. Tailoring-inspired details make you feel polished and the lined finish keeps you comfortable.


text:
Kitchen shelf organizer closet and storage staggering grey details pantry organizers 64_1000 corner. Kitchen shelf organizer white details pantry organizers 64_1000 staggering medium the home closet. Kitchen shelf organizer s l1000 closet and storage staggering cabinet expandable dish cup can. Kitchen shelf organizer staggering closet and storage real solutions for life divider racks pnpkit r blk 64_1000 pot pan cabinet adjustable.
All contents published under GNU General Public License. All Rights of images and videos found in this site reserved by its respective owners.
Copyright 2019 Duncanforcongress. All Rights Reversed.
About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Terms | Copyright | Cookie Policy


text:
Earlier this week, international online betting platform, Betway, donated sports kits to G12, a grassroots football club in Lagos Island, Lagos State at an event at the teams home ground, Campos Field. With this initiative, Betway further strengthens its tag-line, "For the Love of the Game" as it continues to support the development of sports in the country.
Here are 3 Takeouts from Betway latest CSR efforts.
Nigeria is blessed with many football talents:
The G12 football club, in the last three years, has been able to produce a steady flow of talented and well-groomed football players who have been good enough to be scouted for the U17 team. With this donation from Betway, the young players at G12 will perform even better.
Betway continues to support the growth and development of grassroots football:
This donation is another proof of Betway's commitment to growing grassroots football in the country. Last year, the Principal Sponsors of West Ham United, organized the first ever 5 s-side league in the country. The league was organized primarily to tap into the culture of 5 a-side football and also serve as a platform where young football players can showcase their numerous talents.
Grassroots football in Nigeria is still underdeveloped:
Many grassroots football clubs in the country are privately owned and managed. The government, over the years, has failed to develop a working formula that will ensure that young talents are discovered and nurtured, leaving many clubs to independently recruit and nurture these players with help from corporate entities like Betway.
Betway continues to provide a Nigerian sports fan with multiple betting features and promotions such as Win Boost, 4 to score and many more.
Ⓒ Copyright NET News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Please use sharing tools. Do not cut, copy or lift any content from this website without our consent.


text:
This Saturday, a little over a year after introducing its namesake signature fragrance — a combination of rhubarb and Madagascar vetiver — the Greenwich Village boutique-turned-perfumer Aedes de Venustas will release its much-anticipated follow-up. Teaming up this time with the German perfumer Ralf Schwieger, whose clients include the likes of Frédéric Malle and Hermès, the brand's co-owners Karl Bradl and Robert Gerstner attempted to capture the essence of a rare flower to create the unisex aroma Iris Nazarena. "The inspiration was an iris that grows only in the mountains of Nazareth," said Bradl, who discovered the species through art on a postcard. "It is a protected wildflower, so we could not harvest or remove the flower." What's more, iris flowers don't actually have a scent — typically, only their roots do — so the team had to get creative. The fragrance they created, according to Bradl, is inspired by the "color, texture and pattern of the blossom." The result is decidedly not floral. Instead, the eau de parfum has a powdery quality, with musky hints of clove and star anise, evoking burning incense — a signature note in the olfactory repertory of Aedes de Venustas, whose house line includes a scented room spray and candles. The effect is like a visit to an officers' club from a bygone era, all smoky wood, aged leather and classic men's cologne.
Aedes de Venustas Iris Nazarena Eau de Parfum ($245) will be available June 15 but is available now for preorder; aedes.com.


text:
And just for thought...
Like Old Times
I can not say I have changed over the years.
I see you and I have all the same urges.
You placed your face close to mine tonight like you used to when we were kids.
All I wanted to do was softly kiss your lips like before.
It has been years since I felt your hands.
Tonight I missed you even though you stood so close to me.
The only difference between then and now is that we're nothing to each other
but the feelings are like arm that is no longer there, you still feel them.
I left tonight because my skin moved to close to you
and I felt that old ache in my heart for you.
You looked at me, telling me it was all right, just one more night.
I just turned away.
Leave a Reply.
At the end of the day, I'm just a girl who has been in love with writing her entire life. I am full of quirks, anxieties, fears, joys, laughter. And all I have wanted to do was give the world a smile.
November 2019


text:
A strong dollar is a powerful dampener of U.S. inflation. Over the last twelve months, the dollar's trade-weighted exchange rate rose 13.3 percent – marking 14.4 percent and 13 percent increases against the euro and the yen, respectively. These two currencies are legal tenders in one-fifth of the world economy, which is a destination for 18 percent of America's foreign trade.
How important is all that in the Federal Reserve's policy deliberations? There are two parts to the answer.
First, the dollar's exchange rate operates directly on U.S. exports and imports, which represent nearly one-third of the economy.
Second, that impact is much wider. Acting as a de facto import subsidy, the rising dollar puts downward cost pressures on American import-competing industries. At the moment, these pressures are quite strong. Driven by the weakening energy market, the U.S. import prices declined 5.5 percent last year, showing the largest drop since 2008. Nonfuel import prices were also falling toward the end of 2014, but remained stable for the year as a whole.


text:
Encrypting folders for Win2k laptops
You can have a central set of Data Recovery Agents that are used by laptops even when they are not connected to the network.
Be sure to have your laptop users log onto the domain even when they are on the road. The logon will pause a few seconds then proceed with cached credentials. The public key of the domain DRA is stored in the Registry. Because the user logged onto the domain (from the perspective of Winlogon), EFS running under the user's security context can access the domain DRA key.
It's very, very important that the users don't log onto their local desktop SAM rather than the domain. If they do, then the local Admin account on the Pro desktop will become the DRA for their encrypted files. Also, the password hash from their local SAM account will be used to encrypt the master Crypto key used to encrypt the user's private EFS key. When the user comes back to the office and logs onto the domain, they will not be able to open the files they encrypted while they were logged onto the local SAM.
Even worse, if a bad guy steals the laptop, it's a trivial process to change the local Admin password and use that account to open the encrypted files. File encryption is only secure when the laptop is a member of a domain and the user logs onto the domain account.
Dig Deeper on Windows Server storage management
Have a question for an expert?
Please add a title for your question
Get answers from a TechTarget expert on whatever's puzzling you.
Meet all of our Windows Server experts
View all Windows Server questions and answers


text:
Mt Everest News 2012
Parvaneh Kazemi Conquered Mt Everest
Mrs. Parvaneh Kazemi after 45 days attempt managed to stand on the Himalayan summit, Mt Everest Peak 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) on 18th May 2012 at 13:30 local time. This Iranian lady is the first climber in the world to summit Mount Everest in 2012 climbing season along with her favorite climbing sherpa, Nima Gyalzen from Bedin.
Congratulation and best wishes to this great Persian female Hymalia Mountaineer.
Mount Damavand Guide Team. 19 May 2012
Parvaneh Kazemi
About Parvaneh Kazemy
Born: Sep 1970 Tehran, Iran.
Academic Degree: University Dgree in Mathematics.
Occupation: Mathematics Teacher.
Hobby: Mountaineering, mountain guide, photography.
Club: Member of Espilat Mountaineering Club Tehran, Iran.
Mountaineering Ranks and Records
Facts and Figures about Parvaneh
- First NGO Iranian lady to attempt Mt Everest independently.
- Third Persian female climber to ascend Mt Everest summit.
- First mountaineer to stand on Mt Everest Peak in 2012.
- First Iranian lady to summit Mt Manaslu, Mt Muztagata and Mt Ama Dablam.
Mountaineering Experience and Backgrounds
- Over 8000 m: Mt Manaslu (8163m) 29 April 2011 and Mt Everest (8848m) 19 May 2012.
Immediately after her successful climb to Everest, in May 2012, Parvaneh is attempting her third climb to 8000 meters, Mt Lhotse 8,516 metres (27,940 ft) the fourth highest mountain on Earth (after Mount Everest, K2 and Kangchenjunga).
- Over 7000 m: Mt Muztagh Ata, or Muztagata 7,546 m (24,757 ft) in 2010
- Over 6000 m: Mt Ama Dablam 6,812 metres (22,349 ft), in 2011
10 years mountain climbing over 4000 and 5000 meters.
- Over 5000 m: Mt Damavand 5671 m (many times).
- Over 4000 m: Mt Alam Kouh 4850 m, Mt Sabalan 4820 m, Mt Dena 4350 m, Iran.
- Over 3000 m: Mt Tochal 3960 m (almost every week!)
Parvaneh Kazemi
پروانه کاظمی کوهنورد سخت کوش ایرانی در بک تلاش 45 روزه موفق به فتح قله اورست در روز جمعه ۲۹ اردیبهشت ۱۳۹۱ ساعت ۱۳:۳۰ به وقت محلی شد. پروانه سومین بانوی هیمالیا نورد ایرانی استکه موفق به این افتخار آفرینی شده. اورست با ارتفاع 8848 متر بلند تری کوه جهان است. پروانه نخستین کوهنورد جهان استکه باتفاق شرپا نیما گیالزن در سال ۲۰۱۲ میلادی بر بام جهان دست یافته
شایان ذکر است، پروانه اولین بانوی کشور استکه به صورت انفرادی و مستقل وبدون استفاده از امکانات و حمایت فدراسیون کوهنوردی ایران و تنها با هزینه شخصی خود این صعود را انجام داده است
درود بر پروانه بانوی هیمالیا نورد ایرانی
از طرف دوستان و همنوردان او
Parvaneh Kazemi
Mount Everest 8,848 metres (29,029 ft)
Everest is the earth's highest mountain. The Tibetan name is Chomolungma or Qomolangma which means "Holy Mother". It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs across the precise summit point. Its massif includes neighboring peaks Lhotse, 8,516 m (27,940 ft); Nuptse, 7,855 m (25,771 ft); and Changtse, 7,580 m (24,870 ft).
The highest mountain on the earth attracts many well-experienced mountaineers as well as capable climbers willing to hire professional guides. While not posing substantial technical climbing challenges on the standard route, Everest presents dangers such as altitude sickness, weather and wind.
Mount Everest Map
Everest from Kala Patthar in Nepal
Manaslu at 8,156 metres (26,759 ft) above mean sea level (m.s.l) is the highest peak in the Lamjung District and is located about forty miles east of Annapurna. The mountain's long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions, and culminate in a peak that towers steeply above its surrounding landscape, and is a dominant feature when viewed from afar.
The Manaslu region offers a variety of trekking options. The popular Manaslu trekking route of 177 kilometres (110 mi), skirts the Manaslu massif over the pass down to Annapurna. The Nepalese Government only permitted trekking of this circuit in 1991. The trekking trail follows an ancient salt-trading route along the Budhi Gandaki river. Enroute, 10 peaks over 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) are visible, including a few over 7,000 metres (23,000 ft). The highest point reached along the trek route is the Larkya La at an elevation of 5,235 metres (17,175 ft). As of May 2008, the mountain has been climbed 297 times with 53 fatalities.
Manaslu Conservation Area has been established with the primary objective of achieving conservation and sustainable management of the delimited area, which includes Manaslu.
Mount Manaslu at sunrise
Mount Muztagh Ata 7,546 m (24,757 ft)
Muztagh Ata, or Muztagata ("ice-mountain-father"), is the second highest (7546 metres) of the mountains which form the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau (not the second highest of the mountains of the Tibetan Plateau). It is sometimes regarded as being part of the Kunlun Shan, although physically it is more closely connected to the Pamirs. It is also reputedly one of the easiest 7,000 m peaks in the world to climb, due to its gentle western slope and the comparatively drier weather of Xinjiang.
Muztagh Ata lies just south of Kongur Tagh, the highest peak of the Kunlun Shan. Together they form a somewhat isolated group, separated from the main chain of the Kunlun, and also separate from the Pamir Mountains to the west. (Both peaks are sometimes regarded as being in the "Chinese Pamir", and are more closely connected to the main Pamir group than the main Kunlun group.) Not far to the north and east of this group are the lowlands of the Tarim Basin and the Taklamakan Desert. The Karakoram Highway passes very close to both peaks as well as Karakul Lake, from which the mountain is conveniently viewed. The closest city is to the mountain is Tashkurgan, the westernmost town in China and very close to the border with Pakistan.
Muztagh Ata, as viewed from the Karakoram Highway
Mount Ama Dablam 6,812 m (22,349 ft)
Ama Dablam is a mountain in the Himalaya range of eastern Nepal. The main peak is 6,812 metres (22,349 ft), the lower western peak is 5,563 metres (18,251 ft). Ama Dablam means "Mother's necklace"; the long ridges on each side like the arms of a mother (ama) protecting her child, and the hanging glacier thought of as the dablam, the traditional double-pendant containing pictures of the gods, worn by Sherpa women. For several days, Ama Dablam dominates the eastern sky for anyone trekking to Mount Everest basecamp.
Ama Dablam is the third most popular Himalayan peak for permitted expeditions. The most popular route by far is the Southwest Ridge (right skyline in the photo). Climbers typically set up three camps along the ridge with camp 3 just below and to the right of the hanging glacier, the Dablam. Any ice that calves off the glacier typically goes left, away from the camp. However, a 2006 avalanche proved otherwise. A climbing permit and a liaison officer are required when attempting Ama Dablam. As with Mt. Everest, the best climbing months are April–May (before the monsoon) and September–October.
Mount Ama Dablam, The classic view from the southwest
Parvane Kazemi Everest MDG23MAY12B
Copyright © Mount Damavand Guide. All rights reserved.


text:
Toss: West Indies chose to bowl v India
playAgarkar: India could bring in Chahal for UmeshAjit Agarkar and Phil Simmons discuss the possible XIs for the first international match to be played at a new stadium in Lucknow
Carlos Brathwaite called correctly when the coin went up for the first time in a men's international match at the Ekana stadium in Lucknow. There was no surprise in his decision to bowl first, what with the unknown pitch, expected dew and their batting failure when they were asked to set a target in the first match.
Both sides made a change each. West Indies left out allrounder Rovman Powell for Nicholas Pooran, and India brought the healthy-again Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in to replace Umesh Yadav.
India 1 Rohit Sharma (capt.), 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 KL Rahul, 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Rishabh Pant, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Khaleel Ahmed
West Indies 1 Shai Hope, 2 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Darren Bravo, 6 Kieron Pollard, 6 Carlos Brathwaite (capt.), 8 Keemo Paul, 9 Fabian Allen, 10 Khary Pierre, 11 Oshane Thomas


text:
Cowboys and cowgirls headed to LVIV Hall on Friday, March 22nd, 2019 for the 7th Annual Cowboy Chic fundraising event. It was an evening of live music, bull riding, dancing and a rootin'-tootin' good time.
Ajax-native, Kris Barclay graced our stage again this year for what was another night full of energy and great music.
Attendees had a great time taking photos in the photo booth, snacking on our late-night potatoes and enjoying all the other fun activities going on (like sending someone to "jail" or buying a ticket for a chance to win the Chariot of Cheer).
Thank you to all of our very generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers for making this event possible!
We look forward to seeing cowboys and cowgirls return for our 8th annual Cowboy Chic on March 20, 2020. Be sure to follow us on facebook (@BGCDurham), twitter (@BGClubDurham) and instagram (@bgcdurham) for all the latest details!
Please e-mail email@example.com with any inquiries or if you are interested in being one of our sponsors for 2020. Feel free to download the sponsorship brochure (coming soon) for more details on sponsorship levels and benefits.
Check out more pictures from the event in our Facebook album!
Check out our other YouTube videos and subscribe to see new videos as soon as they're posted!


text:
The Diamond Vision Laser Center of Paramus, New Jersey, offering state of art Custom LASIK, Intralase and PRK, Laser Eye Surgery and Lasik Eye Surgery serves to the needs of Bergen County, NJ, Passaic County, NJ, Hudson County, NJ, Essex County, NJ, as well as the towns of Paramus, NJ, Ridgewood, NJ, Fair Lawn, NJ, Paterson, NJ, Bergenfield, NJ, Teaneck, NJ, Hackensack, NJ, Orange, NJ and many others. One convenient location for all your eyecare needs including: Optician, Surgeon, Doctor, LASIK, Eye Exams and more.
Phone : 201-204-0062
Phone : 201-204-0062
The Diamond Vision Laser Center of New Jersery
1 Kalisa Way Suite 209 PARAMUS, NJ 07652 - Get directions - View larger map


text:
Congratulations you can now be tried as an adult in court and pay more taxes. Welcome to adulthood.
You don't HAVE to pay taxes.... but if you choose to go that way, I recommend you run. Using rocket boots.
Taxation is rape. I plan to go off the grid, live in a tall tree, and evade taxes entirely.


text:
S30 E04: Gun Rights
Season 30 Episode 4 | 26m 41s
The executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association discusses weapons in the aftermath of the Las Vegan shooting. Richard Pearson says the ISRA cannot support any legislation that would further restrict gun ownership. He believes there needs to be more focus on mental health and illegal drugs.
Aired: 10/04/17Video has closed captioning.


text:
On Saturday, March 24, 2018 the Patient Services team attended their Annual Training where they participated in two group activities. Susan Garcia with UNM Office of Professional Development, who served as the facilitator, presented the "Stub Your Toe - Tough Conversations Difficult to Doable" to the group, with interactive team conversations throughout. The learnings from this activity were better approach and communication, less reaction, listen and evaluate, being mindful of each other and staying positive.
The team also participated in a group activity called the "Egg Drop" challenge. The "Egg Drop" challenge is an experiment where teams attempt to create a device that keeps a raw chicken egg intact when dropped from a height. In this challenge the egg represented the patient, who we assist through the Cancer Center, from the initial referral through frontline services. The team was divided into six groups of 8-9 participants and provided supplies to use for their challenge. Each group worked together to craft their device and when all were finished, team members were selected to drop the device from the fourth-floor balcony. We are happy to say that each team was successful in keeping "their egg" from breaking. Good Job Patient Services Team!!


text:
This basic pasta dough recipe will help you quickly and easily make homemade pasta at the last minute, almost as quickly as boiling store bought.
Making a basic pasta dough is one of those simple things that people seem to find intimidating for some reason.
I actually understand completely, though. I was one of them.
I owned my pasta machine, which I had bought on sale on a whim, a long time before actually trying to make it. I even almost saved it for crafting rather than for making pasta. Yes, really!
In actuality, not only is it easy, but it probably doesn't take more time to make your own than it does to boil dried, store bought pasta.
How can that be true?
Dried pasta takes a lot longer to cook than fresh, homemade pasta which cooks almost instantly. Of course, if you make it yourself, you will have more clean up work, and during your preparation time you will have to work on making pasta rather than just watching the pasta boil, but the result is so much better; it's definitely worth it.
If you don't have a food processor or a pasta maker, I'm not going to lie; the process will take longer. If you do have access to both, though, you'll eventually get so quick at making pasta, that it really only takes a few minutes.
Basic Pasta Dough Recipe
- 2 egg
- 1 cup pasta flour (Approximate, depending upon the size of your eggs- Have more ready!)
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Put all of your ingredients into your food processor.
- Process at a low to medium speed until it all starts to come together.
- You are looking for the consistency of large crumbs. If it all comes together into a sticky ball, you will need to add more flour. (To better understand what I mean, watch the video.)
- If it's not coming together at all, and you only have tiny crumbs that don't stick together, you will need to add some liquid. You can add a small amount of water, and try to mix it up some more.
- Once you have achieved the right consistency, use your hands to form it into a ball. Knead it for a minute or so, and divide it into smaller balls of dough.
- Beginning with one of the balls, flatten it out as best you can, and put it through the pasta machine at its widest setting. (On my machine, that is a 9.) I like to pull it through twice, for good measure. If it falls apart, fold the dough over on itself and put it through the machine a few more times. That will help the dough become more elastic.
- Narrow the rollers of the pasta machine by one setting, and pull it through. Narrow it again, and put it through once more. You will continue that process until you get the thickness you want.
- Set that dough aside to dry slightly while working on the rest of the dough.
- If you have an attachment, like one for making spaghetti and fettucini, you can very quickly and easily pull your dough through that, and you are finished! If not, you can use it as is, for making lasagna, fill it and cut it into ravioli, or even cut it by hand into fettucini; a pizza cutter works well for that.
You can either hang the pasta to dry for later use, or make it immediately like I always do.
If you use it immediately, it will only need to boil for a minute or two. It is really that quick! If you decide to dry it for later use, though, it will take a couple of minutes more, but it will still cook more quickly than store bought, dried pasta.
For those who prefer to see it in video…
Homemade pasta with homemade pesto sauce, made with fresh basil from my garden, is one of my son's favorite foods. To make sure I always have pesto on hand, I make it in big batches in the summer, and freeze it in my favorite cube trays. It freezes really well.
This summer, I'll have to show you how I make it.
Meanwhile, I shared this basic pasta dough recipe because I have another surprise for you for Valentine's day….
I've been working on a dessert pasta, and it's gonna be great, if I do say so myself. 🙂


text:
General Politics & International Relations (1)
American Government & Politics (52)
Research Methods for Politics & International Relations (21)
Regional & World Politics (41)
Strategic & Defense Studies (29)
Please note that these are broad subjects to help you navigate the Politics & International Relations curricula, and they can be drilled down even further on the platform. Click here to search and browse all Politics & International Relations videos, or click here to view only the title list.
|Video Type
|Identity Politics: The Middle East and Africa
|Professor Richard Mansbach explains how identity-based conflicts can arise from religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, and other sources. He touches on several identity conflicts in the Middle East and in Africa, and points out that these conflicts are often misunderstood as interstate problems rather than identity-based problems.
|Video Case
|Working as a Member of the European Parliament
|Dr. Charles Tannock explains his role as a member of the European Parliament. He discusses his day-to-day activities, as well as raising specific points and idiosyncrasies of the European Union.
|In Practice
|A University of Essex political science panel discusses whether the 2016 U.S. presidential election is unique. Though not common in recent memory, aspects such as the appeal of outsider candidates and unacceptable candidate rhetoric have happened before. The panelists also discuss voter dissatisfaction, political conventions, primaries and caucuses, gender politics, scandals, and socioeconomic issues.


text:
Re: Joysticks
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:12 pm
Yes they all cost 5000-5500 drachmas back then. We benefited from a healthy competition of two fantastic joysticks, the Pacman (like the one Panayotis uses) and the Tomahawk (like the one I use). The fact that they remain in perfect working condition after 20 years says it all.


text:
July 2011
Leftover parts.
I tried to sell all the sheet metal, but there was a little too much rust on the tub and front fender. The hood, too, had problems: It seems to have popped up on someone at high speed and creased the metal at windshield height. And so forth. In short I had leftover parts.
And after looking on Craig's for a tabletop, it occured to me that my mother had a couple of big pieces of glass just sitting around waiting for a job. I was looking for 4' x 6'. She had 3 1/2' x 6'. Ok!
Even the radiator got sliced.
Past features. - Back.


text:
Do you love the look of rockstars like Ozzy and Lemmy whose heavy metal was accompanied by a fistfull of… heavy metal?
Gothic jewellery looks great wherever you are and whatever you're wearing. The Great Frog is perhaps the biggest name that comes to mind when you think of skull rings cast in high quality sterling silver.
Unfortunately with average prices pushing £150+ these incredible pieces are prohibitively expensive – especially when you want to fill a fist like a real biker. Then there's the next most recognised brand Crazy Pig of Covent Garden that sells absolutely breathtaking designs but for an even steeper premium.
Good Hunting
Jewellery is a luxury that can be hard to justify. Some of these huge skull rings and pendants can be a bit much for everyday wear and so as beautiful as they are they may not represent a good investment even if you do save up to treat yourself. But those gleaming cabinets can be more accessible than you think with the right method.
It's also important to remember that jewellery keeps a high capital value that can be liquidated if you regret your purchase or simply want to move on and raise some cash years down the line. The problem is the initial retail markups can be huge so the moment you make a purchase – unless its a rare collaboration – you are very unlikely to make back anything close to what you paid.
Overall bringing down the bottom line is key – and we don't mean haggling. For a start, try looking into other brands. Etsy has some great small-scale makers who can be a lot cheaper without the premium branding, plus you know your money is supporting one artisan who probably isn't backed by celebrity clientele.
But if you still want the original and the best then there's good news for you. Plenty of past buyers want to move on from their rock'n roll jewellery and so you can snap up some real bargains on Ebay if you know how. Have a look at some of the amazing designs from The Great Frog and Crazy Pig right now through these links.
Next, get yourself a ring sizer. These can be found very cheaply and while investing in both a ring-sizer mandril and ring-sizer keys for your first purchase may seem excessive it can save you a whole lot of trouble in the long run.
How to find your ring size
Ring sizers make it easy to find out what secondhand jewellery will fit you when you don't have the luxury of buying your size upfront in a shop. If you already have a ring that fits you and you want to buy another the same size then slide it onto the mandrill and it will tell you your size. Most designs like this one show the size in various international formats which can be a great help.
If you don't have a ring or want a ring for a different finger then you need a set of ring-sizer keys. These loops slide onto your finger so you can find which one fits right and read what size it is. Make sure you can comfortably get the ring-size on and off so you don't risk cutting off your circulation when the ring you order to that size arrives. Also remember that biker rings tend to be big and heavy and so while you don't want a ring that's too tight you still need a good fit.
Now have a look at these secondhand offerings and see what could fit you already. This is an easy way to grab bargain jewellery since most people don't know their ring size and have to factor in an additional cost of resizing.
If a design you really like isn't in your size then you can normally have it resized by a good jeweller for around £10-£20 while Crazy Pig or The Great Frog will also resize for you providing that your design was made by them.
Expand and Improve Your Collection
Collecting jewellery like this is addictive and sooner or later it's very likely you will grow quite a collection – often with some fingers ringless and others with a choice of several rings made to their size. As with any collection you can choose to downsize and then upgrade by selling a few pieces and buying one extra special object with the proceeds.
Look at the extreme high-end of rock n roll jewellery that pushes the boundary of taste with brands like Chrome Hearts and King Baby. Etsy also holds a few hauntingly good makers like Book of Alchemy and BroncoManor that are both costly but offer incredible anatomical pieces.