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"Blimey! This place is… well, it's bloody gorgeous, that's what it is." For once it was the younger brother effusing while the elder gawked at the looming prospect, open-mouthed and wide-eyed.
Still as statues, they remained just outside the TARDIS doors, awash with wonder and awe at the beauty of the unknown planet, and in respective anticipation and anxiety of the possibilities it presented.
Pantheons of marble shone brilliantly in the sunrise on this mysterious world. The early morning sun crested a snow-capped mountain keeping its solitary vigil over the gleaming marvels below. Pale gold in the chilly, early morning hour, the sky held whisperings of clouds that gently swagged the horizon like puffs of silvery gossamer. Gardens of brightly coloured flowers, most of which the brothers had never encountered, flourished around the marble-paved canals of shimmering water that wended their leisurely ways through the city. The water itself picked up the hue of the dawn, and appeared as though bullion rivers flowed like life's blood through the streets. Creeping ivy climbed nearly every wall in sight. Olive trees, and fruit trees occupied every nook and cranny, as if the structures had been built lovingly around them, and an enormous, white oak, covered with thousands and thousands of just-stirring butterflies, stood in the centre of the large, verdant courtyard before them.
The city was quiet, but it seemed to pulse with veiled life and energy.
The Doctor unobtrusively observed the boys as they gaped, the spectacle more beguiling than the wonders of an alien world. A small, private smile graced his deceptively young face. Their reaction reawakened the thrill of exploration within him. He'd feared – was almost certain – he'd lost it after he lost Amy. He had simply been… going through the motions since. He'd been so close to… giving it all up. After all, what purpose did any of it serve? What good did he do in the end? Why did any of the paltry little problems on any of the pathetic little worlds around their fleeting little stars matter? Where was the greater meaning?
This. Right here. This was it. Shining from each of their astonished faces, was why he travelled.
It was always new and beautiful to someone. There was always something more to learn, to experience. The phenomenon was not unique to him. He lived to give it to others. That was how he made his difference.
Torin finally found his voice. "What is this place? Where are we?"
Inexplicably to the thunderstruck brothers, the Doctor frowned. "Somewhere we shouldn't be, I think," he confessed and straightened his bow-tie nervously. "Still," he grinned, "should be fine if we keep our heads down. Blend, Tylers, blend," he chided, waving a lazy arm at them as he did.
"Shouldn't we be dressed differently?" Lios, ever cautious, glanced down at his silver waistcoat and black twill trousers in a worried manner. His sister would call them all idiots for running about unprepared and conspicuous. Their clothes were fine on Garazone Prime, and other such market planets where diversity was the norm, but this place seemed as though it had a unique and untouched culture inhabiting it. It would not do. If they were going to explore, he had to get them to go back in and change. The Doctor had a wardrobe two miles deep. Maybe, while they were getting changed, he could pop in and tell the Alpha not to worry…
The Doctor regarded him with an expression which clearly stated he cared very little for the idea of going incognito—in fact, he very much thought of the notion as utterly boring and totally useless. "Nah," he replied like it was obvious, hands flapping, "just try not to get arrested."
The younger man gaped at him.
"Really," he insisted, clapping a hand on Li's shoulder and giving it a light, reassuring squeeze, "it's fine! Stop fretting! I mean, unless you want to have a little fancy-dress excursion, and in that case, I'll take you to Venice—the planet! Every day is a masquerade on Venice, but from the look you're giving me, no, having a bit of dress up isn't what you're after, is it. Well, I think it would still be worth a visit some time. We're on Olympia! I think. Fairly positive, yes. Only… er… They don't really care for…" he moved in closer and stage whispered, "Time Lords," then tapped his nose and leaned back away. "So, we'll be keeping that under our hats, even if we aren't wearing any just now."
Torin grinned, clearly twitching internally to be off and amid all the exotic and unfamiliar.
"Just keep a telepathic barrier in place, and try not to drink anything anyone offers you. It'll be fine, I think. Nearly positive," the Doctor continued in the same placating tone. "Besides! It's gorgeous! And just wait 'til you see the locals! Yowzah!"
Both brothers looked incredulous after he uttered the word, one with eyes narrowed and an eyebrow cocked, the other with barely-contained mirth behind wide eyes. If he had been a human, he might've blushed. It slipped. He'd tried to give it up once, and failed. So, it was a word he said, and, therefore, it was cool… well… he liked it, in any case, and it communicated the point he was trying to make efficiently. Oh, well. Damned judgemental kids. They were bound to hear it sooner or later.
They'd get used to it.
"Oh, look!" he dodged. "A fig tree! Love a fig." And with that, he was moving in the direction of the flowering fruit trees, leaving them to their opinions and entertainment at his expense.
"Oi!" Lios grabbed his brother's arm before he could get too far. "I have a feeling we shouldn't be here. I'm going back to let the Alpha know in case she has to get us out of it, at least."
"Liiiii-oohs…" He yanked his arm away with a huffed sigh worthy of their crabby sister. "Just shut up and enjoy it for once!" Torin grabbed hold of his brother and dragged him after the Doctor.
They caught up and fell into step with the older man.
He was glowering at a gnarled tree with broad green leaves. "Figs are rubbish…" he muttered darkly, then clapped his hands together, and adopted the demeanour of a university professor. "So! Olympia. Planet of the Almighty Immortal Gods! Well, not really gods, are they? And not immortal, just very, very, very long-lived natives, and well-known throughout the universe. Throughout their long history, they touched many other star systems. Gave the proverbial Promethean Fire to many a civilisation— oh, Prometheus was a generous fellow, but it wasn't literal fire in most cases. It was usually just a push in the direction of democracy, and scientific reasoning. Earth! Earth was visited once early in human history—by mistake, of course. A diplomatic ship had a rough landing after a run-in with some Ice Warriors who didn't appreciate being talked down to— and they had to stay on Mount Olympus while they fixed up their ship. They also needed to give the locals a bit of a jumpstart to get the materials they needed though, the humans were so primitive at the time. Well, I'm sure you clever boys can deduce what happened after. One of the golden ages of humanity! Of course, none of their myths actually happened, but the Olympians left a fingerprint on them that never quite went away, did it? Of course, humans weren't ready for what they were given. It was too soon for their tiny little brains, all these grand ideas only a few of them remotely grasped. It was only a matter of time before it all devolved back into poking each other with sharp objects, and squabbling like cats, wasn't it?"
"Why don't they like Time—" Lios began soberly.
"Geejuhbrrnuh-uh! Shhhh!" He tapped his nose again once. "Well, rivalry. Old rivalry. Nothing to fret about."
"Come on, Li, stop being a prat," Torin rolled his eyes. "Look where we are! No ship parts in sight! No nagging! No digging through dirt and piles of—and look!" He grasped one of his brother's shoulders and pointed toward the natives newly emerging from the pantheons. "People! Cor… Those're… look at her…" His eyes were the size of saucers as he took in the woman who had emerged from an ornate pantheon, and was filling a delicate amphora in the canal to their left.
Draped in shimmering, diaphanous cloth of sky blue and silver, she had long, platinum hair, intricately plaited around her head. The braids were ornamented with enamelled roses, and jewelled ivy garlands. Her skin was a coruscate, golden tone, and her lips a deep crimson. She hummed a lovely, lilting melody as she went about her business, and Torin found himself drifting, dazed and absent, in her direction.
His brother pulled him roughly away before he made a fool of himself.
He made a choked, thoroughly disappointed sound in the back of his throat as the woman stood and vanished between the carved white columns.
"Ah," the Doctor interjected nonchalantly, popping his head between their shoulders, "probably should have mentioned, not a big deal really, but that was a Muse. They're the ones who wear the silver sashes. Best to avoid listening to them sing—or talking to them—or looking at them directly—or generally getting near them at all. They—er—inspire others to—er—act on impulse. Lower inhibitions, and whatnot. Supposed to allow one to be creative, you know, letting go of the things that hold one back. Trouble is, most people let go of the good judgement that keeps them out of a prison cell—or a pig's wallow, covered in mud with a massive headache and a dicky belly. Magnificent, eh?"
Again, Lios regarded the old man with narrowed eyes and a quirked eyebrow.
"Guh…" Torin agreed.
"Right," the Doctor smiled knowingly, "should be able to get some breakfast soon. The locals are waking now. Eat up, but don't wander off, and don't drink anything but the water. I'm going to find out which city we're in." He loped off in search of information, and left them standing in the centre of the courtyard which was beginning to buzz with activity.
The alien butterflies had left the tree, filling the air and gently fluttering amongst the many lush gardens. One alighted softly on Lios's nose, and he giggled with child-like wonder. Its wings were silver, and rimmed and dotted in gold. He examined it, cross-eyed, before blowing it back into the air with a gentle puff from his lungs. He held up his hand, and several more touched down upon it. He stayed as still as he could, allowing the beautiful insects to roam freely over his outstretched limbs. It tickled a bit, and he had a hard time keeping still to let them explore him as he, in turn, observed them.
This was brilliant! He wished his sister could see it. He had to admit to himself, this was a damn sight nicer than lurking in alleys, and staying cooped in their console room. It was a shame she shouldn't be having a break with them. His mum would have loved it here too! She would have laughed with utter delight at the sight of her son covered in hundreds of metallic butterflies. She would have danced with joy at the beauty surrounding, and skipped about in the many gardens. She had no such opposition to figs, and—
He heard a soft, tinkling giggle behind him, and was startled out of his reverie, sending up a cloud of silvery, fluttering wings as the insects took to the air. He looked, first, for his brother, and noticed he was alone.
That was what he got for allowing himself to be distracted. Not two minutes, and he couldn't be bothered to—bloody git, wandering off and leaving him standing there like a—
He'd turned on his heel, and found himself nearly nose-to-nose with a young woman. Long, strawberry hair cascaded loosely behind her in soft waves under artfully draped plaits. Her intense, green eyes watched him with a joyful grin on her cherry-blossom coloured lips. She was swathed in soft white and gold cloth that was clinging to her tall, lithe figure in a way that made his stomach clench tightly. She was uncomfortably close, but he couldn't bring himself to step back and give himself the space he needed to reboot his stupefied brain.
Instead, he swallowed audibly.
She was carrying a basket of fruit that was alien to him. All were the shape of large aubergine, but golden in colour. She tilted her head and smiled at him again, making his stomach clench. "You, sir, are a butterfly charmer. I have never before seen them behave so."
She giggled and stepped even nearer. "From where do you come? Your dress is strange, and your face is unknown to me."
"Er—ah—yeah," he finally found his voice, wishing he could find the ability to move—away. He needed to be away. Or not. Not was okay too. But away was maybe, perhaps, better. "Not from around here. Er… I'm from far away from here. I'm just visiting here. I like it here… It's beautiful here."
Blimey, he sounded like a div.
She giggled again. He wished she wouldn't. It made his brain turn to jam, and his gut feel like he'd swallowed a pack of the fluttering insects he'd all but forgotten. He had little experience with women of the opposite sex. He had little experience with people in general, to be totally honest, but women were an especially confounding conundrum. He couldn't behave as he did with his sister, because his sister was apparently not typical by a long shot. Being shy made the comfortable, safe dynamic he shared with both his siblings an easy refuge. He used it as a buffer to keep from interacting with others—especially girls.
"I am Nymph Clytie."
He stood, stock still, and continued his ridiculous gaping.
"And you are called?"
"L-L-Lios." He finally managed to move himself back a couple steps with the prompt for a proper introduction, and extended a hand awkwardly. The distance did not seem to fix his issues. Perhaps, more would have been ideal as they were still far too close for comfort, but he still could not seem to make his legs cooperate, and so he reasoned that her people may naturally behave in such a familiar manner, and that, maybe, moving too far would be an insult in the highest. He certainly couldn't risk it.
She tilted her head again, pondering his outstretched appendage with a cocked, red-blonde eyebrow. "As in, Helios Shining?"
"Sh-short for it, yeah… Only not really."
He jerked his hand back and stuffed it in the pocket of his huge brown coat. They must not shake hands here. Or, maybe, he had just made a pass at her, or committed a taboo. Another capital offence, he was certain. He could do nothing right. Not only would he set the record for time it took to get himself locked in a cell, but he was going to make the lovely creature run screaming from him any moment. And she might cry.
"Just Lios, actually. O-or Li. You can call me Li, if you like. My mum insisted that I'd never stop being teased if it was fully Helios. No one to tease me about it mostly, though. I-I didn't grow up with a lot of other children. Just my sister and brother, mostly, and they'd never have known the difference, now I think about it. Would've been completely normal. Normal is good, yeah? Very normal to be named H-Helios," —danaritaxicor, he added in his head. Couldn't add that bit here, sounded too Time Lord-y, and she probably wouldn't like him anymore if he did, and he'd definitely, absolutely go to jail. And she'd cry. A lot. And maybe faint. Or hit him, though he'd be happier about hitting than crying. "Or, well, you could call me Helios. I really wouldn't mind at all—like it even, if you did—do—you—er, well, you can."
Blimey, when did he lose control over his gob? He sounded like Torin!
"Er—ah—erm—what-what're those?" He pointed to her basket, seizing the opportunity to try to engage her in speaking instead of continuing to run his mouth like a clod with a death wish.
She gave him another confused look. "Surely you recognise Ambrosia fruit when you see them?"
"Right!" He smacked himself on the forehead and made use of the opportunity to move another step back. "Yeah. Ambrosia fruit. 'Course! Er… "
He shook his head to clear some of the haze from his brain. What had he been doing?
"Want to eat—er—food? Er—with me? Get something to eat, I mean. With me. You and I could eat—er—something. Together. If you wanted to."
He wanted to kick himself, or run away. Or, kick himself and run away. Or, less embarrassingly, run away then kick himself. Yes, that was the one.
She smiled, and his insides melted again. "I would be delighted, Helios Shining, Charmer of Nymphs and Butterflies."
Relief and triumph flooded him in equal measure, fear and doubt taking a back seat to the influx of endorphins and oxytocin he could calculate in some banished corner of his consciousness. He grinned like an idiot and extended an arm, which she looked at in surprise for a moment, but took with no hesitation after the initial surprise. He swept the basket out of her hands in a chivalrous gesture he hardly understood or planned, and led her from the courtyard with no idea where he was going.
The Doctor, meanwhile, was meandering his way through the Olympic marketplace, picking up rare fruits here and there to bring back to the TARDIS. Some he would eat with zeal, others would make brilliant jam, and that alone was worth this trip into just-slightly-forbidden-ish territory. They might even be able to tempt the elusive Alpha from her cave if they had a few of the more irresistible delicacies as well. And if she still balked, well, none of it would be wasted.
Winning entirely so far.
He amused himself with the idea that he cared at all, and upon closer inspection of the feeling, it wasn't all vindictive. She was obviously content to stay withdrawn, and he figured he should just leave her to it, but he could hardly invest himself so thoroughly in her brothers, and ignore how important they all were to each other. It wasn't as if he thought she was a lost cause either; she was her own brand of fascinating and frustrating, he just remained at a loss as to what he should do to bridge the chasm between them. He was angry, sure. He disliked her methods, her insults, her bossiness, her manner in general—right, well, they had differences, but all problems had solutions by nature. He just needed to solve the particular problem that was she.
Perhaps, swanning off with the people she cared for most wasn't the best way to go about it, but they'd be back before she was even aware of their absence, and it made Torin and Lios happy. Well, Torin was happy. Lios would warm up to happy presently, even if he had some initial resistance. That was worth weathering anyone's sulky displeasure.
As luck—or the meddlesome design of a sentient ship—would have it, they were in the Outer City of Zeus Lycaeus, and he was glad of it. If they'd ended up anywhere else, he might have ushered the boys straight back to the TARDIS, but Lord Lycaon was an old friend.
Sort of.
Lycaon visited Arcadia a few times, and the Doctor and he had gotten on—almost, sort of—in their mutual disgust with Time Lord arrogance and austerity. Olympians were an open and affectionate species; a stark contrast to the formal, physical near isolation instituted by his people. Touch, among Time Lords, was not forbidden, only deeply frowned upon, but the people of this world viewed the practice as untrustworthy, secretive, bordering hostile. Touch, to these telepaths, was truth. To his people, it was invasion. Both their peoples were proud, and immovable in their principles. There were bound to be problems.
In short, those diplomatic stays in Gallifrey's capitol hadn't ended well. The Time Lord High Council had effectively cut off dealings with the Olympians, and, likewise, the Olympians had banned all trade and commerce with Gallifrey—but that was centuries ago! And Olympians weren't really uptight as a rule, even if they did know how to carry a grudge for… indefinitely.
Still! Olympia! He hadn't been there since he escaped the dungeons of Apollo! Very exciting! And the boys—oh, right, the boys, he should probably go collect them—were getting a sight that few in the universe got to experience. Literally stuff of legends.
He fished in his pockets for some gold coins—they weren't Olympic, but gold was gold, and acceptable almost everywhere—and offered them to the merchant for the fruit he had picked. She smiled and accepted them with a bow, pushing a few pastries filled with date jam in his direction. He stuffed one, whole, into his mouth, and grinned in pleasure at the buttery sweetness.
Loved this planet. Best tarts and treats anywhere.
It was time, he decided, to collect the Beta and Omega. He wanted to see how they were getting on, having been essentially thrown into the thick of things without a hand to hold. Would they enjoy it as much as he expected? It was high time they were given the opportunity for independence, but he did need to make sure they could get out of whatever trouble they found—or whatever found them. He had no doubt it would, they were Rose's children, after all.
He passed by a shop selling bolts of the shining silks that adorned the planet's people, and a length an exact shade of Police Box blue caught his eye. He stopped to pet it, the vendor scowling momentarily at his sticky fingers, before adopting an expression of submissive interest. He grinned sheepishly, and offered her a few of his remaining coins. Her demeanour changed instantly, and she plucked the swath of silk from the wall, wrapping it around his neck before leaning in to kiss each of his cheeks.
They certainly had gotten friendlier here! He'd expected a reach for his hand, palms up—which was the customary gesture between strangers, or those in business—but kisses! Too bad he didn't do well with kisses. Although, so long as they were the on-the-cheeks kind, and in the one-on-each-side format, he thought it might be something he'd try in the future as a greeting. Seemed fitting.
Come to think of it, he'd never met so many demonstrative female Olympians. And, as he looked around, he wasn't seeing any males of the species. Only ladies. Interesting.
The woman plucked from the wall another bit of silk in a pale gold colour, spangled with swirls and stars, and tied it about his waist. "This will bring you good fortune, young man. May the Wolf Goddess keep you ever in favour!"
"I'm sorry," he fished, "did you say, Wolf Goddess?"
"Of course!" she nodded in bemusement. "Lycanea, and may her light shine upon you."
"But, isn't this City devoted to Zeus Lycaeus?"
She tilted her head and furrowed her golden brows. "Not for centuries! Not since the Great Purge. From where did you come, stranger?"
"Oh, nowhere anymore," he evaded with a wave of a limp hand, a charming smile, and pull at his fringe. "I get restless. I travel around here and there. The Great Purge, did you say?"
"Yes," she replied hesitantly, as though the subject were a little taboo, or at the very least impolite to mention in mixed company, "when we were banished to these out-land cities to protect our peace and virtue. Surely you know! It is a rare treat to have a man call upon us! Thank you for the blessings you have offered!"
"Right!" He nodded amiably with another smile that he hoped would soothe any suspicions she was experiencing. "You're welcome. Should I… Not be here? My last visit was before the—er—Great Purge."
"Good sir," she reassured, "men are always welcome here. It is we who dare not go into the Capitol Cities."
"Yes, of course. Stupid of me. Carry on."
Something was definitely, very much not exactly right on this planet. Segregation of the sexes? On Olympia? That couldn't be right! These people revelled in the company of the opposite sex—had fertility festivals in the names of Aphrodite and Hestia which lasted weeks! Not to mention the drunken ruckus they made whenever it came time to honour Bacchus! The Maenads were so zealous in their celebrations, no one could resist joining them once they'd started… He was younger—and curious! It was another time and another him, and it put him off drinking for centuries. And none of that mattered now, what mattered was the culture had never been so abstemious! What the devil had happened?
Right. First, he'd get his charges, then they'd figure out what was going on.
However, when he returned to the courtyard, the boys were nowhere in sight.
Did no one listen when he said, "Don't wander off?"
No, they really didn't. Long gone were the days when he had an old face to which young people were inclined to listen, or follow his directives implicitly.
Actually, had they ever?
Forget it, didn't matter. Finding the Tylers mattered, so that's what he'd do.
Torin found himself staring up at a shrine topped by a snarling wolf. The enormous marble statue was beautiful, and… unsettling. Something about it was eerily familiar, but it just felt… insidious, like the wolf in question was a gross misrepresentation of something inherently benevolent. It evoked the feeling of ferocity and danger where he'd always associated wolves with family and benign power. He didn't like it, and couldn't pin down exactly what made it so… wrong. Despite the garlands of pink and yellow roses which draped the altar and lined the marble walls, and the offerings of strange golden fruit in woven baskets before him, the whole temple seemed steeped in menace.
For the first time since he'd begun his exploration, he found himself wishing for his brother and sister, if only to get what they made of it all. Being on his own was great, lovely, molto bene, but it felt like he was missing a limb.
Perhaps, it was just the newness of the culture and his own lack of experience with the universe. He certainly hadn't been given cause by any of the ladies he'd bumped into to feel such alarm, quite the contrary, actually. They'd been friendly as anything. Food was shoved at him from all directions, and he had access to every place he'd sought entry. He was probably just experiencing culture shock. No doubt, they saw a staunch defender when they looked at the vicious snarl, nothing to worry about. After all, they made offerings of fruit and flowers, not living sacrifices, or anything awful.
Out of pure scientific interest—he'd eaten quite a lot in his last hour exploring the market, he casually picked up a piece of the golden fruit, and sniffed at it a moment before giving it a lick. He determined the chemical composition was, indeed, innocuous, if curious in the balance of 4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-trimethoxyphenethylamine, and copious amounts of fructose. Deeming all were easily metabolized, he took a tentative bite.
His eyes widened in astonishment at the indescribable flavour, then rolled back with pleasure. It was truly heavenly, with a mellow sweetness, and a slightly tart aftertaste. Juice dripped, unheeded, down his chin as he chewed. He'd eaten the whole thing in a matter of seconds, and quickly snatched up another.
He'd quickly eaten four and was going in for a fifth, when his wrist was seized in a steely grip by gnarled, golden fingers.
"Oh. Hullo!" he intoned amiably with a wave of his sticky, free hand to the silver-haired crone glaring daggers at him. "Good, those! What are they?"
He felt a tingling emanating from her fingers, and a pushing at the back of his consciousness. He quickly tried to re-enforce his barriers as she prodded.
Had the Doctor mentioned the natives were telepathic? He couldn't remember, but he didn't think so. Would've been useful information, but he didn't want to assume the withered old woman had any nefarious designs on him. In the end, it was just one more thing to file away for future examination.
He hoped.
"Stealing the offerings to Lycanea is utterly disrespectful, boy!" she chastised in a creaky, unnerving voice. "Why would you do such a thing?"
"Right! Sorry!" he blustered in return.
Not, in retrospect, one of his better choices in general, no. He shuddered to think what Lios would say, or Selene would throw. Many utterings of "plonker," and "gormless," or even "twat" would have been levelled in his direction, he was sure. But, he hadn't harmed anyone or anything. Maybe, she just wanted paying for them, and he was sure, if she'd let him find the Doctor, the situation could be easily rectified. He hoped he wouldn't be the one to foul up the only directive the Doctor had really given by going and getting himself arrested.
"Didn't mean to offend!" he continued, nerves and embarrassment making the blood rise in his cheeks unchecked. "I was curious, and it was quite delicious. Got carried away. Won't happen again."
"What are you, child?"
Oh. Not good.
Bloody non-existent impulse control. He must not have gotten his shields up in time to keep her out entirely. Well, he'd just have to worm his way out somehow. He was sure he'd find a way. How hard could it be? She was one, little—well, not so very little, the Olympians were not small in general, but not as large as he could boast—old woman, and he was quite brilliant.
"A man!" he shot back, as puffed up and affronted as possible. Maybe, if he waffled proudly enough, she'd back down a bit. "Good Lord! Haven't you ever seen one before?"
She relaxed, and let go of his now aching wrist. "Not in many, many years," she said, almost wistfully, before tentatively adding, "you have something of the wolf about you."
"Oh, do I?" He wasn't sure, with their depiction of wolves, if he should be impressed or offended. He certainly didn't think of himself in the way they portrayed, but again, cultural differences… "That's interesting. Well, places to see and all! Good chat."
He tried to scurry away, but she stepped in front of him.
"You will find what you have come seeking if you follow me," she persisted as he tried, once again, to move past.
"Weeell, you see, I'm not really looking for anything," he deflected, rather unsuccessfully if her face were any measure. "Just—er—you know, seeing—er—the sights."
Still she did not move from his path.
"Lots of sights about. Not here. Out there," he babbled. "More out there than in here, actually. So, I'll be going. Out there."
He moved to go around her several times, but she kept putting herself directly in his way.
"Right," he huffed impatiently. He resisted the urge to just pick her up and move her to the side. She was small for an Olympian, and he could if he wanted to. "If you'll just budge up a bit, this will work much better."
Several wrinkled old women in grey robes appeared from behind the altar. In moments, they surrounded him.
So, bit of a pickle. A little tricky, sure. Just a tad not good.
"I do insist, you see."
"Ah. Yes, I do believe I'm gathering that. Genius, me." He spun in a small circle, taking in each of the shrivelled, golden women in their heavy, grey attire. "Any chance I can persuade you not to? Insist, that is."
Many pairs of hands grabbed him from all sides in answer.
"That'll be a no, then."
Clytie was absolutely entrancing.
It was the way she moved like she weighed no more than a feather—or maybe, the way the sunlight caught her coppery hair just right and it shined like rose gold—or perhaps, it was the way her bottle-green eyes danced as she named each flower they passed—or the way her slender golden arm felt tucked into his own… perfect, and soft, and—not that he could feel her skin, but he imagined it was soft and velvety—or how each time she offered him a bit of fruit, she brought it right to his lips, and delighted in the pleasure she saw in his eyes. Or maybe, it was the way she laughed when he blustered and made speeches worthy of Torin's Almighty Gob. His inexperience made it impossible to tell. He was feeling like a goner already, and he hadn't known her three hours! Only two hours, thirty-eight minutes, and five seconds.
"Helios Shining?" She caressed his name—well, sort of his name if you squinted, and tilted your head, and overlooked the fact that his mum had staunchly refused to officially make it his name—in her mouth like a lover's embrace. He didn't think he was imagining it.
"Where do you come from?" she posed innocently with a disarming smile. "Your speech is strange, your attire unlike any I have seen, and you tell tales of places I am sure are not found anywhere on Olympia. Your mind, too, is closed to me. Are you a god?"
"W-What?" He choked and spluttered, missing the implication that her mental capacities were more than he'd picked up on. "N-no! Of course not! Nowhere near! I'm just a-a person! A travelling person, who—er—travels, and—er—popped in for a bit to see the sights and such! Beautiful here, you know?" he said, looking only at her as he did.
She smiled her glorious smile, which showed each of her pearly teeth between plump, pink lips, and his legs felt wobbly.
"Will you be travelling again soon?"
Was that sadness in her voice, or was he projecting?
His stomach dropped. "Well, y-yeah, I guess I will. See, I'm not by myself. My—er—family is here with me and we—er—really can't stay."
She cast her eyes downward sadly, and nodded. "Is it very strange that I feel I know you, Helios Shining? Like I have known you for thousands of years?"
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "Not at all, Clytie. I—er—feel like that too. I mean we just met and already I—wait, thousands of years? How old are you?"
She laughed, and it sent shivers up his spine.
"Ageless, of course. You are not?"
"N-no… No, not quite."
Lios didn't know what to make of it, but decided, quite boldly for him if he thought about it, that it didn't matter at all. Well, to him. Maybe it would matter to her? He hoped not. It wasn't like he had a human lifespan to her not-human one.
"Old enough," he said firmly, "but well, that's amazing, yeah? Have you always lived here?"
"No, I once resided in the Capitol City of Zeus Olympus," she had a touch of melancholic regret in her voice, and refused to meet his eyes as she spoke, "but that was long ago when my people were… very different."
"Different? Different how? I—er—don't know much about Olympia, but I'd like to very much—if you'll tell me."
They sat together near the stream which fed the city's canal system and she reached a couple of slender, golden fingers into the cool water. She didn't speak for three minutes and eleven seconds while she thought. The only sounds, bird song and the babbling brook before them.
"Long ago," she began timidly just when he was about to begin apologising profusely for bringing up painful memories, and renounce his request to learn her history, "my people lived as one. Peace and prosperity were universal and without exception. We were the models to many other worlds. Models of culture, and government, and knowledge. Our influence was far-reaching, and our lives blessed."
A wistful smile graced her visage for only a moment before it was replaced by an expression of bitter pain.
"Then, hundreds of years ago, a war came to the planet of the Lords of Time, and all the systems surrounding them were thrown into chaos," she almost whispered. "Their war raged for nearly a century before a man, fleeing from its ravages, sought safe-haven here."
Lios swallowed hard, but the lump forming in his throat seemed to be stuck fast, and growing.
"At first, we welcomed him, and made him a part of all that we could. He was thankful, and charming, and eager to share his knowledge. We had so much to learn about his people, having never associated much with the Lords of Time. Our culture, you see, was of little import to these mighty Lords of Time, and we cared little for such arrogance. Do you know of them?"
Lios forced himself to shake his head, and he thanked the universe for being able to regulate his temperature so he wouldn't sweat.
"I thought not. They have been gone a very long time. Their war destroyed them all… I must admit, and please do not think me very wicked, but I am glad of it."
Lios, once again, tried swallowing that lump, which he was sure had grown to the size of a small moon. "W-why is that?"
"They were evil."
"They can't all have been," he nearly pled.
She shook her head sadly. "I cannot believe that when so many innocents suffered on their behalf."
Eager to move the conversation in any other direction, Lios asked, "What happened to the one who came here?"
"That man shared his knowledge unreservedly. His influence ushered in a period of great technological advance and we rejoiced, but the man was insidious. He betrayed our trust. He killed our High Lord Zeus Thunderous, and together with the traitorous Lady Hera unleashed the Titans, and conquered and slaughtered so many. We had not experienced such wanton destruction and death since the High Lord Zeus imprisoned the Titans in the Before Time. We were devastated. We had no hope, and the few lands where resistance still existed, were soon to be crushed when the Wolf Goddess came. She destroyed the Titans and banished the Lord of Time and the Lady Hera forever. I know not where they fled. The Lord of Time, it is said, went back to the stars, and perhaps to his war. The Lady travelled with him, though some say she is still cowering on the great mountain, waiting for the Lord to return for her." She heaved a sigh before continuing her tale. "The Wolf Goddess was never seen again, and my people, torn and broken, were left to rebuild. A new High Lord was elected, but my people remained divided. Some believed the fault of our suffering lie with the man. Others argued it was the Lady's evil influence that inspired such heinous acts, so the High Lord decreed that peace was best kept if the sexes no longer influenced each other, and all of Olympia's women were sent to cities outside Zeus Olympus. We are forbidden to travel to the inner cities, though men may come here to trade and propagate."
"Do you ever wish it could go back? To the way it was, I mean, without everything being separate? Seems wrong that you can never go home again." Lios frowned. Her story had gutted him. He wondered who the Time Lord who cocked everything up had been.
"Yes, I miss the place of my birth immensely. I am thankful for the peace, however."
"Yeah, I guess that's something."
He flopped down onto his back, and looked up at the bright blue sky. The silver clouds from the morning had burned off, and the expanse of azure seemed to go on for eternity.
"But this can't be the only way, can it?" he asked, folding his hands behind his neck as she leaned in next to him. He shivered again at her proximity. "Why hasn't anyone tried putting it right? Or rather, back the way it was. Surely, it was long enough ago now, you lot could give it another go?"
"Only the High Lord or Lady may change the laws." She smiled to hide her gloom, and returned her gaze to the water.
His heart broke for her and her people. Surely, they could do something! A Time Lord made this mess. Perhaps a few of them could fix it?
He got to his feet and pulled her up after him. "Come on, Clytie. There's someone you should meet."
"Oh? Another traveller?"
"Yes. He's called the Doctor."
Chapter 11: Symbols and Secrets


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Hello Indiana Mall Cinemas Customers,
Thanks for your interest in booking one of our Private Theaters for our Movie Classics! Please follow our steps below to book your showtime. We do not have a wait list.
Each week, we will have a new list of Movie Classics for you to enjoy. To learn when we post new rental times, please sign up for our MovieScoop Express email or check back here regularly.
Here are the steps you will need to take to reserve a theater:
1. Go to our homepage MovieScoop.com/Indiana-Mall
2. From the calendar slider, select the date that you would like to reserve
3. Scroll the list for the "Private Theater" icon and select the time slot that you would like.
4. Toggle over the time and click - "Buy tickets"
5. There will only be one ticket available for $50. (You do not need to know how many people will be in your party at this time; only plan to have up to 20 total, including you!)
6. When you are directed to pay for your rental, you will be prompted to provide "Your Details" such as your name, email, and phone number. You do not need to log in, sign up, or join anything in order to enjoy this deal. You will need to click the "I agree to the Terms and Conditions" box to be directed to a secured webpage where you enter your payment information. Your desired rental time is not confirmed and finalized until we receive the $50 payment and the completed confirmation form with your movie selection and concession items. Thereafter, your payment is non-refundable.
Pay for your $50 reservation. You will not choose your movie at this time.
Within 24 hours, our managers will email you a Confirmation Form regarding your movie selection and if you'd like to pre-purchase special priced popcorn/drink combo deals as a contact-free option. This form must be completed within 24 hours, otherwise your reservation will be canceled, your money returned, and the reservation time opened back to the public. We also suggest you review our Safe at the Cinemas guidelines on face coverings and physical distancing.
You will receive a final confirmation email with all of your details. Enjoy! Thank you!

subset: commoncrawl


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4-bedroom unit at Sculptura Ardmore sold for S$4,687 psf
Buyers are Briton, German duo, who paid S$16.8 million for the unit; this is one of just 11 non-landed deals to cross S$4,500 psf in the past five years
Wed, Jul 24, 2019
A FOUR-BEDROOM apartment at SC Global Developments' Sculptura Ardmore development has been sold at S$4,687 per square foot (psf), one of only 11 transactions of private non-landed residential units here to have crossed S$4,500 psf in the past five years, based on caveats data.
The absolute price for the unit, which is above the 20th floor of the 36-storey, completed freehold project, is S$16.8 million. The unit's strata area of 3,584 sq ft includes 32.3 sq ft of strata void area.
The Business Times understands that the unit is being bought by German national and independent art adviser Armin Bienger, and UK citizen Paul Andrew Cook, who works at Royal Bank of Scotland, where he is head of international bank partnerships, according to his LinkedIn account.
The two are not Singapore permanent residents; hence they would have paid 20 per cent additional buyer's stamp duty on the purchase price, amounting to S$3.36 million.
The deal is understood to have been brokered by Linda Chern, the head of prime sales and corporate leasing (residential) at Knight Frank Singapore.
To date, the only other unit at Sculptura Ardmore for which a caveat has been lodged is a low-floor unit which was sold in 2017 for nearly S$12.44 million, reflecting S$4,171 psf.
The project's super penthouse, which was acquired in 2017 by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, has not surfaced in caveats databases. He is understood to have paid S$58 million, which works out to S$5,648 psf based on the strata area of 10,269 sq ft. This includes nearly 474 sq ft of void area. The penthouse, on levels 35 and 36, has a cantilevered private pool.
That transaction was the highest in absolute price terms for a non-landed private home in Singapore, until it was toppled by the S$73.8 million fetched this year for the triplex penthouse at Wallich Residence in the CBD. It was bought by British consumer electronics maker Dyson's founder, James Dyson, and his wife, Deirdre. The unit is perched on the top three levels of the 64-storey, 290-metre high block at Guoco Tower in Tanjong Pagar, making it Singapore's tallest residence.
Guoco Tower is on a site with 99-year leasehold tenure starting from February 2011; this leaves a balance lease term of about 90.5 years.
In terms of psf, the priciest condo transaction on the island, based on caveats data, is the S$6,650 psf fetched in 2011 for a four-bedroom apartment on a high floor in the 24-storey Premier Tower of The Marq on Paterson Hill, another development by SC Global.
An entity linked to Spanish tycoon Ricardo Peralta is understood to be the buyer of the 3,089 sq ft unit, which was sold at slightly over S$20.54 million.
What is interesting is that of the 11 caveated deals to have crossed S$4,500 psf in the past five years, eight were done this year.
"The Singapore luxe condo market has seen a resurgence in foreign buying, particularly by mainland Chinese, many of whom are not Singapore PRs and hence pay the 20 per cent ABSD," said Bruce Lye, the co-founder and managing partner of property agency SRI.
The company was not involved with the recent Sculptura Ardmore deal but has handled transactions in projects such as Boulevard 88, Nouvel 18 and South Beach Residences.
The key factors attracting foreigners include the Republic's stability and relative resilience of the Singapore dollar, Mr Lye added.
"Most of the mainland Chinese buyers are purchasing for their own occupation; they are planning to set up their businesses in Singapore and relocate their families here. Hence ABSD is a secondary matter to them."


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***How communities work
Central to the Davos ethos is the notion of community. I've had a fascinating glimpse of how a community can function in a truly vital, energising way thanks to the Internet.
Davos Newbies is now written using an innovative piece of software called Radio UserLand. To help me and other users, there is a discussion group on egroups, where I was assured any problems would be dealt with sympathetically and reasonably swiftly.
When I came into the office this morning, I found nearly 200 email messages from the Radio UserLand discussion group. At one level, that was annoying. I get enough email that I didn't need another 200. But because RU (as users tend to call it) is important to me, I went reasonably systematically through my inbox. What I discovered demonstrates what makes communities (and online communities in particular) so valuable.
There were two principal reasons for the heavy traffic. The first was a bug that had appeared in RU (this is beta software, so bugs are part of the bargain — the software is free for the moment). A lot of the traffic came from users crying, "Help!" And their cries were answered. First with a simple procedure to work around the bug. Then with a fix for the bug itself. So a first lesson in the importance of community: appeals for help are answered because everyone wants the community to continue functioning.
The second reason is more important. The bug arose because the developers of RU have been cracking through a bewildering range of new features. What I got from the community was not only a steady account of new features but also a flow of feedback on ideas almost as they happened. And this emerged into a bigger discussion about what RU is and how users feel about it. The answers were overwhelmingly positive, even if there was some kvetching about elements of the user interface. So the community provided ideas, feedback and enthusiasm in ways that would never have happened (or at best happened at a glacial pace) in the days of shipping a shrinkwrapped product through an impersonal retail network.
So this community is clearly valuable for both users and the developers (and the developers, not incidentally, love to see the users develop new ideas and tools for the software). It is truly vigorous. I think one could begin to define the quality of almost any product, process or institution by how it successfully it supports and fosters a community with these characteristics.
***Davos A to Z
I'm in the process of creating a Davos A to Z. I'm up to the Gs, but I'd welcome suggestions of further items to add.
***Explaining mathematicians
As someone who was once very good at mathematics (that was before I met people who were amazingly good), I've maintained an amateur's interest in the field. In Davos last January, we even had a session on math, "Delights of the mind", that was a great success. So I was interested to read Jim Holt's diary of life at Berkeley's Mathematical Sciences Research Institute.
There's one joke I enjoyed: "Why did Fermat write his proof in the butter? Because there wasn't enough room in the margarine."
Holt also writes about the affinity mathematicians have for music. When I was at university (and having discovered there were people far matter at math than I was), I did get a chance to collaborate with some of the world's best mathematicians. A group of them were serious amateur musicians and decided that they would devote a Sunday to playing through Bach's six Brandenburg concertos. The one thing they were missing was someone who could play the trumpet part in the second Brandenburg. So I sat in for the day and was fine until someone happily suggested we run through the piece again (see the fourth story on this page).


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When I received my copy of Joe Hill's The Fireman from Goldsboro Books with sprayed edges, I thought, "Man, how cool is this"! So I decided I'd start with them and collect their sprayed edge editions.
With my first order, I requested that they assign me a number moving forward and try to match the older copies to the best of their ability. They either ignored this request or simply can't do it. Not a deal breaker either way but the OCD in me thought it'd be a nice bonus.
I collect some comics as well so I might post those at some point.


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Reading: When he was about to die under the blows, he groaned and said: "The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that, although I could have escaped death, I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging, but also suffering it with joy in my soul because of my devotion to him." (2 Maccabees 6:30)
Observation: I guess you could read this first reading today and say that we should lament that we don't have these older examples in the church to look up to. I mean when was that last time you saw a man that was over the age of 50, really give up something for God in a public way, in order to give the younger generation an example of what our faith should look like. There are two contradictions to this lament that you may or may not agree with. First, we do have some older men, such as Father Roy who has given his life and specifically his retirement years to our Parish, so that we are not left with nothing or turned into a mission church because of the lack of priests currently ready to take over a parish. Second, why am I not a better example of my faith to the younger generation? What have I given up lately to show my willingness to align my will with the Father's will?
Personification: Self-Control It is my hope that God will supply me with enough grace to control my mouth. My wife has been saying to me lately that it is not so much of what others ask of me that requires so much of my time, rather it is the random running off at the mouth that I do that squanders the quality time that I could be spending with my family. Of course, my wife is accepting of the fact that it happens at church, but she is right that I need to learn to control my tongue and only speak when I feel the Holy Spirit moving me to take action and not just to make a point.
Prayer: Lord, please give me the strength and wisdom to know when I should be holding back my speech from getting in the way of what the Holy Spirit is trying to do. Thank you for the gift of my wife to bring this wisdom to me and I'm sorry for not appreciate the gift that she is to me more often. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


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Meditation Classes
Meditation has been used for thousands of years in many traditions around the world. There are many different forms of meditation and I offer an introduction to a number of different traditions.
Online sessions during lockdown
The British Acupuncture Council have stated that during the lockdown, all Acupuncturists should stop see clients face to face.
I am now working online with clients by phone, WhatsApp and Zoom calls using acupressure, meditation and Identity Therapy. Clients have been reporting remarkable results during and after the sessions.
For example, one client went from high anxiety to blissful calm, another client's low grade nausea went entirely.
Acupressure and meditation can contribute significantly to our underlying health and immunity and reduce the stress and anxiety levels.
Please do give me a call if you wish to discuss your appointment or treatment with me.
Best wishes
Identity Therapy
Identity Therapy helps get to the root of behavior coming from our childhood experiences and family history, bringing understanding and resolution in a safe step by step environment.
Acupuncture is a proven therapy with thousands of years of use. Treating the body, the mind and reconnecting to the spark within, the Spirit, to stimulate your own healing system, Acupuncture has been shown to help many conditions
Healing starts from within.
All the work I do is based on the premise that your body has the ability to heal itself, given a helping hand.
My aim is to stimulate wellness in your system, and to help you find what is blocking your body's natural healing ability.
I use whatever suits your problems best, drawing from 30 years experience. I use Acupuncture, Identity Therapy, Acupressure, Zero Balancing, Counselling, Healing, and Guided Meditation.
Zero Balancing
Zero Balancing was developed in the 1970's, arising primarily from Ostepathic and Acupuncture techniques. It is a gentle, deeply relaxing therapy that invites the body to let go of stress, trauma and emotions held in the bones, joints, ligaments and the tissues.
"Richard, with Zero Balancing, has supported me through some big transitions of life over the past five or so years.
His ability to listen to me, and replicate his listening with Zero Balancing touch, is second to none. Together with many skills, on reflecting, he has gently enabled me back to my place of inner peace, tranquillity and love. I have discovered a lot about my self with the work we have shared together.
I highly regard Richard's work, and recommend Richard for his expertise and knowledge."
Rob Williams


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Not a Kohl's Cardholder that's ok. You can use promo code SPRINGSAVE to take 15% off the sale price of $13.99. That makes the final price just $11.89. Be sure to select free in-store pickup if available, to avoid shipping fees. Otherwise orders of $75 or more will ship free.


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Country of origin: England?
I was meant to make Hot Cross Buns in time for Easter but missed the boat. However, I refuse to wait until next Good Friday to try these (In Elizabethan times, this may have gotten me in a lot of trouble!). In England these are sold year-round and I think therefore a little unappreciated. They are first cousins of the equally delicious teacake which is also served split, toasted and buttered.
There are many recipes around for these buns, some with really short proofing times for the yeast (Delia Smith's recipe) and at the other end of the scale, 12 hours. My quest for the perfect Hot Cross Bun recipe is not over, but this was a fair start. Simon Rimmer's recipe starts with strong white bread flour being combined with other dry ingredients such as spices and dried fruit. Butter and milk are then heated, an egg is whisked in and this liquid is poured onto the dry ingredients. Once the dough is kneaded there's the 12-hour wait, after which you can pipe on the crosses as below (warning: the flour, sugar and water mixture is very gloopy).
The buns are then baked for about 20 minutes and then brushed with a warm glaze. I used apricot jam rather than marmalade for a bit of extra sharpness. Although these buns cooked well, and look the part, they just weren't sweet enough for me; perhaps more raisins and/or sugar would do the job.


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I made a recipe from Molly's blog this week. A bundt cake that is not in her book that I saw on her blog a while back. Sweet Potato Pound Cake. It sounded really good and hey, if it has sweet potatoes, it must be healthy, right? Well, it is so good! So good that I can't resist it. I keep shaving off little slivers of it, just for one more taste and couldn't believe how much those little slivers add up to until I went to take a picture of it to post here. After looking at how much I had single-handedly eaten, I decided I was too embarrassed to take the cover off for a picture to post. Here is the link to the blog to get the recipe. http://orangette.blogspot.com/2009/03/i-mean-it.html It really is worth the effort to give it a try. I recommend the glaze on top too. It has helped keep it moist for days now. I made it on Friday and by today, it is even better than Friday! (of course, it is way more eaten up by now too!) Just in case you really want to see how it looks, here it is.
I really did eat all that by myself in just one day! YIKES! I should be ashamed of myself...but NO, I'm ready for another piece. (it is called POUND cake for a reason)


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Whenever I have something new I want to wear it as soon as possible. Sounds familiar? Luckily for me it was the perfect weather for my new Tommy Hilfiger vest last weekend. The weather was great, in the sun it was hot but as soon as the sun was behind a cloud it was a bit chillier. I decided to combine my new vest with shorts and a tee. And as you can see, I do own more than one pair of sunglasses. For some reason the heartshaped ones have been on my face a lot lately. Here is my outfit of the day.
My vest en shorts are from Tommy Hilfiger, my tee is from H&M and my sunglassed, necklace and flats are from Primark.
Photos by my mom


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courtesy of mingpao.com
In the Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) starred film OCEAN HEAVEN he plays an ailing but kind father who has to take care of his autistic son. Yesterday he and a group of autistic students visited Ocean Park's dolphins. Lee Nin Kit expressed that before making this film Heaven played a joke on him, as the doctor suspected that he had a tumor and urged him to immediately stop all of his work for an examination. Luckily it was a false alarm. Lee Nin Kit said, "Just like the father character in the film, I was able to fathom the difficulties that the character in the film faced. I also encourage young people not to give up on life so easily. Lee Nin Kit may be a good fighter but he gets sick too."
Lee Nin Kit expressed that patience and providing a sense of security were the most important in getting along with someone with autism. The film's Mainland release has already brought many viewers to tears. Lee Nin Kit said that he too was touched when he first read the script. Will he watch it with his children? He said, "Definitely, the film's story very simply talks about the relationships between children and parents. Actually my two daughters are very curious about my charity work, as they often would ask where I was going to do good deeds." Will he bring his children to visit? He said, "I have to do it secretly because the media are more passionate."
In addition, OCEAN HEAVEN had a low budget but received help from many celebrities in the industry. Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) performed the theme song for the film. Lee Nin Kit honestly thanked everyone's sincere help.


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So it struck me when Bristol used the term "game plan" not once but twice in the interview, that those were not her words, either. Here's the relevant section of the interview to put this phrase in context (bolding is mine and the transcript comes from Fox):
VAN SUSTEREN: And I imagine [your mom and dad] had some guidance for you, or some thought.
BRISTOL: Yes, they just wanted us to sit down and make a game plan, like, what we were going to do and stuff.
VAN SUSTEREN: Had you told Levi's family?
BRISTOL: No, not yet.
VAN SUSTEREN: When did that come about?
BRISTOL: That came about probably, like, the following day.
VAN SUSTEREN: And how did that go over?
BRISTOL: Well, his mom was -- she was scared for us, too. Just we needed to sit down and make a game plan. But she was excited. We were all excited for the baby, of course.
What sort of "game plan" do you need to sit down and devise when your high school junior tells you she's pregnant? Here's a definition for "game plan" from an online dictionary:
|game plan - (figurative) a carefully thought out strategy for achieving an objective in war or politics or business or personal affairs; "newscasters speculated about the President's game plan for an invasion"
|game plan - (sports) a plan for achieving an objective in some sport
Schemes, strategies, achieving objectives, and sports metaphors -- that sure sounds like Sarah and not Bristol to me. So what kind of "game plan" exactly was needed? You don't have to make a game plan to figure out what maternity clothes to wear. Or when to have pre-natal visits. Or how to get the vitamins and nutrients your body needs during pregnancy.
No, I think this "game plan" refers to something much larger -- a plan to achieve an objective that requires careful thinking-out, diversions, and a flexible strategy. What was the objective of the "game plan" that Bristol and Sarah and Todd (and possibly Sherry and Levi Johnston) worked out? If we hypothesize that Bristol is Trig's birth mother, we might have this plan.
The Trig PlanObjective
Cover for underage, unwed daughter Bristol's pregnancy by making it look like Sarah is having the baby instead.
- Avoid embarrassing the Governor and disrupting her political ambitions
- Avoid embarrassing the family members
- Gain sympathy from community and church
- Use DS baby as a political pro-life credential
- Hide Bristol during last 4 months of pregnancy by sending her to Sarah's sister in Anchorage.
- Preemptively deny rumors of Bristol's pregnancy to the press, to 'nip it in the bud.'
- Wait until 4-6 weeks before Bristol's due date, then have Sarah announce she is pregnant and due in 2 months. This will cut down on the amount of time Sarah has to fake her pregnancy.
- Have Sarah start wearing scarves, jackets and coats to disguise body.
- Explain away lack of sharing the news of Sarah's "pregnancy" with family and staff as needed.
- Keep Bristol and Trig out of sight if the baby comes too early.
- Get Sarah's picture taken with a fake belly a couple of times. Release them if necessary.
- Announce the birth of Trig after Legislative session is over and Texas speech delivered, saying he was born 4-5 weeks prematurely. Refer to him as a gift, a joy and a blessing.
Another quote from the transcript noted above leads me to think there was also a "game plan" for Tripp. Sarah mentions twice that Bristol's pregnancy was a shock. In the context she says this, I take it to mean Bristol's second pregnancy was a shock since who would have thought Bristol could get pregnant again so soon?
SARAH PALIN: I'm still getting used to having a -- you know, my last child, Trig, much less that, you know, knowing that we would have another little bundle of joy in our midst. So yes, it was a surprise. It was a shock.Sarah says, "I'm still getting used to having a -- you know, my last child, Trig..." Why would having recently had Trig contribute to Sarah's shock on learning of Bristol's pregnancy with Tripp? One answer is that Sarah couldn't believe that Bristol went and did it again. So then, we have need for another "game plan."
VAN SUSTEREN: Did you give her hell or were you -- at first? I mean, what...
SARAH PALIN: Yes, I kind of did. I mean, I was...
BRISTOL: We were all surprised.
SARAH PALIN: We were all surprised. Let me put it this way. And this is -- I think Bristol's kind of an example of, truly, it can happen to anybody. [...] But still an absolute shock that it happened.
The Tripp PlanObjective
Get the most benefit out of releasing information about Bristol's (second) pregnancy, in light of already being nominated for Vice President.
- Use the announcement to quell rumors that Sarah did not give birth to Trig.
- Sarah gains sympathy by being supportive of Bristol.
- Sarah gains further cred with the religious right because Bristol made a mistake getting pregnant but at least she is going to have the baby and get married (we'll see about that).
- Bristol will become an 'advocate' for something... like the benefits of abstinence, or why you should just say No, or what a pain it is being an unwed mother unless you are a Governor's daughter, or...
- Preemptively announce Bristol's pregnancy as soon as possible after the VP selection announcement (throw her under the bus) to quash Babygate rumors. After all, McCain has made his choice and can't back out now.
- Have some anonymous aide say that Bristol is about five months along, which will be about one month too early for her to have also birthed Trig.
- Keep Bristol on the bus as much as possible to avoid speculation on the stage of her pregnancy.
- Once the campaign is over, hide Bristol away.
- Push the supposed birth date out from middle to late December, and then announce it just before the year ends no matter what.
- Procrastinate if magazines come calling to get baby pictures.
- Keep Bristol hidden until she does give birth.
- As soon as Tripp no longer looks obviously newborn, get a friendly TV personality to do an interview with Bristol and finally show the new arrival.
- Use the interview to start Bristol's career as an 'advocate' for something and as another way to get Sarah's political positions on prime time TV.


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Herbs have been used for healing for thousands of years and by almost every culture on earth. Plants have co-evolved with humans and animals, and historically people have watched which plants the local animals consume safely and then copied them. Pregnant elephants, for example, will walk miles to eat a certain plant at the very end of pregnancy, and now certain tribes in Africa use this same compound to induce labor. It is similar to Pitocin, which is used in hospitals today.
It is difficult to watch our beloved pets age and develop aches and pains. Many dog owners have gone to their veterinarians at some point and come home with NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) such as Metacam, Rimadyl, Deramaxx, or Previcox for their pets. These drugs can work well to address joint pain and limping, but they are often prescribed for the rest of an older dog's life and may have many side effects. After giving your dog a particular pharmaceutical for months on end, you may find yourself "googling" the problem to see if there are other options. Often herbs are a healthy and effective alternative.
The onset of symptoms is the body's indication that it is trying to heal itself, therefore traditional Western medications that inhibit or control symptoms can actually interfere with healing. In addition, side effects are common with many Western veterinary medications, while natural herbs tend to be very well-tolerated.
Western and Chinese herbs can be used to address a wide variety of conditions, including allergies, infections, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, cancer, and recovery from surgical procedures. Often they complement or can substitute for the use of Western pharmaceuticals, and it's a wise idea to take this route whenever possible.
Here are some of our favorite herbs for dogs.
Boswellia (Boswellia Serrata) – This plant is also known as Indian frankincense. The resin is the primary part used, and it is extracted by cutting the bark and allowing the sap to ooze out and harden before collection. It is most commonly used for inflammation and arthritic pain and has also shown benefits for asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, and other chronic inflammatory conditions. A reported side effect is that it can be difficult to digest. It is frequently prescribed for canine arthritis, in conjunction with other herbs.
Yucca (Yucca Schidigera) – Yucca contains steroidal saponins, which are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Steroids, which can cause serious side effects, are commonly used in veterinary medicine, and yucca may help alleviate the need for them or at least decrease the required dose. It can also be used in poultices for sores or traumatic injuries, such as tendon sprains. Yucca is used most commonly in veterinary medicine for arthritis. We like to use yucca topically for injuries and some skin conditions, as well as internally for joint pain, especially when other anti-inflammatory medications are not well-tolerated by the gut.
Aloe (Aloe Barbadensis) – In dogs and cats, aloe juice can rapidly correct constipation because it increases motility and mucus secretion. Aloe vera is also widely used as a topical treatment for wounds and burns, in animals as well as humans. Acemannan, a component of aloe gel, has anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects, accelerates wound healing, and increases immune protection against malignant tumor cells. It can help regulate hyperthyroid conditions but should not be used for a prolonged period One of our favorite bits of aloe advise is to have an owner scoop some fresh goop from the inside of a leaf and apply it directly to a dog's wound or lick granuloma. This helps create a protective layer over the wound, promotes healing, and tastes awful so the dog stops licking.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) – This powerful herb is frequently included in Chinese herbal therapy. It is primarily used to enhance the immune system, but it is also cardio-tonic, diuretic, and hypotensive (lowers blood pressure). Studies have shown that it also has anti-cancer effects and improves kidney circulation. It is commonly used as an immune tonic and might be prescribed in conjunction with other herbs for a pet with a chronic infection, early renal failure, or cancer. Astragalus is a very safe herb, but it would be contraindicated for a pet with an abnormally increased immune response or, in Chinese medicine, an "excess heat" or "yin deficient" pattern.
What these herbs all have in common is that they are safe and well-tolerated, can be used to address many common pet conditions, and may help alleviate the need for other medications. Most herbs can be used alone or to complement other herbs or pharmaceuticals that have been prescribed. However, herbs should not be taken without knowledge and understanding, as they can have powerful and potentially negative side effects.
Many pet owners make the mistake of giving their pets too many herbs or inappropriate combinations or selections of herbs. When this happens, their animals may get sicker, start to refuse their food and supplements, or simply not get better. Herbal medicines therefore should be prescribed or recommended by a veterinarian or by an herbal professional working with a veterinarian.
It is also important that a clear diagnosis be made before herbs are started. This ensures that the herbs are used appropriately and with a particular goal in mind, which helps in monitoring their effectiveness.
Plants are our healing allies and can be beneficial in many canine medical conditions. Next time you consult your veterinarian regarding drugs and other therapies for your dog, ask if there are herbs that can be used instead of or in combination with standard medications.
Dr. Molly Rice and Dr. Kari DeLeeuw work together at Coastal Holistic Veterinary Services in Pacifica. There they provide acupuncture, chiropractic care, and herbal medicine as well as traditional western medical care.
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I previously had a blog but the last entry was June 2008. That was the time my wife of 28 yrs beacame ill with cancer..She died in November of 2008. Then my computer crashed. I had to start all over learning as I went., If you accept me again please allow anyone to contact me by my e-mail that wishes to.. I look forward to another blog with you.
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Five million euros for establishing the LMU Center of International Health
Munich, 06/09/2009
LMU Munich's Center of International Health is based upon three components. The first is to support universities and teaching establishments in developing countries on the creation and optimization of curricula, as well as the targeted training of academic staff. This will fall back on LMU Munich's existing cooperation with, among others, Jimma University (JU) in Ethiopia and Danang University in Vietnam, and will establish a network of departments for the development of curricula and special training courses for healthcare professionals.
The second component concerns the establishment of "PhD International Health", an interdisciplinary doctoral degree program to represent development research, basic research and clinical research. It is to reflect the entire spectrum of health sciences at LMU Munich. Furthermore, intensive cooperation with the "Global Health Governance" program of the Social Sciences Faculty is planned, which work is aimed strongly at developmental political issues. The doctoral degree program shall provide a setting for cooperation with developing countries, and give their professionals the opportunity for initial and continuing scientific training and an academic career.
The third component comprises training programs such as regional summer schools in Germany or in the developing countries, aimed primarily at experts and political decision-makers. The starting issue is occupational medicine. Despite the fact that up to 20 percent of the gross domestic product of a country can be lost each year simply though bad working conditions, occupational illnesses and work accidents decision-makers in developing countries frequently perceive occupational medicine as an unaffordable luxury. Among other things, the summer schools shall offer training and communication on all important aspects of it, and shall be open to public health specialists as well as to postgraduates from other fields. Further steps will then be to establish a regional diploma program in the field of occupational medicine in Latin America, and additional summer school programs to cover the issues of healthcare policy, epidemiology and the combat of infectious diseases.
The aim of "Higher Education Excellence in Development Cooperation" is to reinforce German higher education establishments and partner schools in developing countries in the fields of teaching, research and services, as a means to achieving political goals such as the Millennium Development Goals and other global challenges. Furthermore, the engagement of German universities in the solution of global problems shall become a visible, driving force for German development cooperation. Alongside LMU Munich, funding will now be given to another four universities (TU Braunschweig, Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Hohenheim University and Kassel University) that have proven skills in development cooperation in teaching and research, and which will be able to produce a coherent future concept on this basis with the involvement of their partners in the developing countries.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Löscher
Speaker for the LMU Center of International Health
Department of Infectious and Tropical Medicine
Tel.: 089 / 2180 – 3517
E-Mail: email@example.com


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Editor: This letter is directed to the Davidson County Board of Education.
I'm going to get right to the point. Why are you "forcing" teacher assistants to drive buses for Davidson County Schools? You are putting non-qualified, inexperienced individuals behind the wheel with children as passengers. I know there is a "little" training, but to be honest with the information the TAs have to learn plus the under-the-hood questions, I'm not sure if some mechanics could qualify for a driver position. Maybe the principals at ALL the schools should take the test and let's see who qualifies and who doesn't?
I'm sure when the TAs went to school to get their early childhood education degrees nothing was mentioned in their courses about having to drive a bus. It's very unfortunate these teachers have to be put through these trials and tribulations when all they want to do is their job of assisting the teachers they work with and helping the children of Davidson County to be the best they can be.
I know this may not help in any way, but my opinion is for the Board of Education to rethink their position and do what their website states: Bus Drivers Needed - DCS Transportation - Call 336-242-5567.
I'm sure if you put forth the effort like the TAs do in the classroom, you will find a way to find qualified bus drivers who want to drive a bus and we can keep the TAs in the classroom where they belong. Now, if a TA wants to take on the responsibility of driving a bus, sounds great, but let's not penalize the ones who don't.
Remember, teachers should teach and buses should be driven by qualified individuals because they are carrying precious cargo, our children.
Gary O. Rhodes


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WASHINGTON, Mar 19:The Pentagon has sent a 20-page list of military construction projects to Congress as lawmakers tried figuring out which might be cut to pay for President Donald Trump's wall along the Mexican border.
Democrats expressed hope that the task would make lawmakers more likely to override Trump's veto of a measure aimed at preventing the cuts.
The document sent Monday listed hundreds of projects envisioned around the US and the world that are worth around USD12.9 billion. In an accompanying letter, Defence Department officials said that because they won't target projects for which money was already awarded or for items like housing, many items listed won't be cut.
They did not specify which would be exempted.
Trump declared a national emergency at the Mexican border last month, invoking a law that would let him siphon other budget funds to build barriers and fulfil his prime 2016 campaign promise.
Trump proposed using his declaration to steer USD 3.6 billion in military construction projects to wall constructions. He has vetoed legislation aimed at annulling his border emergency, and the House plans to vote on overriding the veto next week. Congress is expected to fall short of the two-thirds majorities needed in each chamber to override the veto. (AGENCIES)


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BEAUTY TREATS Oatmeal Oxygen Bubble Mask Display Set, 24 Pieces
- $28.80
- Ex Tax:
- Brand: Beauty Treats
- Product Code: BT204OAT-X
- Reward Points:
- Price in reward points: 0
- Availability: In Stock
Oatmeal oxygen mask immediately turns into oxygen-rich foam, revitalizing skin with oxygen as it deep-cleanses, exfoliates, and massages skin. The oxygen foam deeply penetrates into the skin to eliminate pore-clogging impurities, blackheads, and dead skin cells, while it helps brighten uneven skin tones. Oat extract moisturizes and re-illuminates dull skin. Papaya, Green Tea, and Bamboo Extract leave skin soft and supple.
Each Display Set includes 24 Oatmeal Oxygen Bubble Mask packets and each packet contains two treatments.
Net Wt.
Treatment 1: 0.12 fl. oz. / 3.5 mL X 24
Treatment 2: 0.12 fl. oz. / 3.5 mL X 24


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Laurent Nkunda
Do I like this guy? I like his style...
|Laurent Nkunda, leader of the rebels inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, allied with the Tutsis in Rwanda (Rwanda, BRAVE ALLY IN THE COALITION OF THE WILLING!) and seen here wearing what appear to be U.S. military camouflage.
In case you don't recall. The first Congo war put Laurent Kabila in power, and he was sponsored by, among others, the Tutsi government of Rwanda which was mad at Mobutu because he led Hutu rebels operate from eastern Congo (the Kivu region). When Kabila got in power, however, he didn't put a stop to it, either, so the Rwandans, among others, started the Second Congo War. Kabila died, his son was put in the Presidency, but that didn't change anything. That war only officially ended in 2003, but the fighting continues, and has been the most deadly war since WWII.
The American international war reporters have shown virtually no interest in it. Few christians or arabs or muslims are involved, plus, the main mineral there is in your cellphone. It does American reporters no good to tell you the truth. There is no money in it. Does anyone want to let me run a newspaper's international reporting?


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peg jumper free online
Peg jumper free online board game jump over pegs to remove them from the board. Click on the pegs you want to move, clear the peg jumper board the best solution leaves the last one in the center. Remove the pegs until there is one peg left the best score is having the last one in the center. You have to clear the board by jumping one peg over another into an empty spot. This removes the peg you jumped over from the board. Just click on a peg and if there's a valid -- horizontal or vertical -- move available, the peg will jump. If there's more then one valid move available, you'll have to choose a destination. To win you have to end up with only one peg. The best solution for peg jumper free game online has this peg in the center. Peg Jumper Play the peg jumper free online at the MegaFunGames fun, free games arcade. online Great game deals.
Careful, these games could be fun!
|The best stinkin' game site on the net!
Copyright ©2004-2020 MegaFunGames


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The history and tradition of VBM is all concentrated in the replica HX with heat exchanger, whic for thirty years has never ceased to excite the baristas in love with this epic E61 Group. Replica embodies the very history of VBM. A Coffee machine that in terms of both technology and style, has a direct link with the epic past of italian coffee making proudly inspiring the entire VBM 1961 Line
A very powerful blender in elegant brushed steel, with a motor of max. 800 watts. With 2 speeds and a pulse button. 1.5 litre glass jug with measurements. Steel cutting mechanism for the perfect preparation of various fruit and vegetable juices, cocktails, milkshakes and soup. Product Data Sheet


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Overall Rating: 8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 04/26/2000 06:26:49 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.205.139)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=19135
Overall Rating: 6
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 01/23/2000 04:54:41 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.217.208)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=19134
Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 12/26/1999 11:57:34 am PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.200.132)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=19133
Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
Date: 09/24/1999 04:49:20 pm PST
By: Anonymous (xxx.xxx.39.202)
Link to this vote: http://www.excelsis.com/1.0/displayvote.php?voteid=19132
©2019 by Excelsis Consulting. All Rights Reserved. E-mail webmaster to report abuse, problems, or comments.


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Feather (Switch, PC)
The joy of flight is always a highlight in many a video game. Remember when you first got an airship in a Final Fantasy game? Or the wing cap in Mario 64? How about flying with feathers in Banjo-Kazooie? Speaking of feathers, here's a game that's nothing but flying as a bird, as you soar around an island in a stress-free environment. Feather is available to download on Switch and PC, but reviewed on the former here.
Controls are pretty easy to figure out, and they give you a tutorial at the beginning of the game and you can review it at any time in case you forget. Steer with the analog stick and roll left and right with the shoulder buttons. The L2 and R2 shoulder buttons let you speed up and slow down, and the X button lets you reverse direction. The Y button is for tweeting, and when you press it the bird will pull out its cell phone and start texting! Just kidding! The bird just tweets like a real bird does.
And that's pretty much it. There are no goals or objectives, just messing around flying and seeing the island. The cartoony graphics are nice, but without any goals, there really isn't much to do. Scattered about the island are rings that, when you fly through them, will change the music. But that's pretty much it. They could've added some objectives to make it feel more like a game, and still be stress free, I think. How about flying through ring races, or hidden items around the island, or letting you feed baby birds? Maybe they could've added other birds with different flight abilities you could play as? Without all that kind of stuff, Feather doesn't have much staying power otherwise.
Kid Factor:
Nothing violent or objectionable here. If you steer your bird into a wall or other danger, the screen will turn black and white and rewind a little bit and you can try again. Reading skill is helpful for the text, but not necessary just to play. I guess if you have very young gamers or inexperienced players, this game would be great for them to mess around with. But I imagine most will quickly get bored with the lack of goals and objectives. Feather is rated E for Everyone.


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Attorney Michael Avenatti told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow that his client, whom he describes as a "witness and a victim," is going to come forward within the next 48 hours with new allegations against Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Just before the television interview, host Rachel Maddow read from what appears to be a list of questions drafted by Avenatti for witnesses of a claimed gang rape oragnized by Kavanaugh and his longtime friend and alleged drinking buddy Mark Judge.
The Supreme Court nominee is apparently going to be accused by Avenatti of participating in gang rape.
My e-mail of moments ago with Mike Davis, Chief Counsel for Nominations for U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. We demand that this process be thorough, open and fair, which is what the American public deserves. It must not be rushed and evidence/witnesses must not be hidden. pic.twitter.com/11XLZJBTtY
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) September 24, 2018
Kavanaugh's third accuser has received multiple government clearances, including a "secret" clearance, said Avenatti. This fact was repeated a few times, presumably to emphasize the woman's credibility.
Avenatti told Rachel Maddow that "Mark Judge and Brett Kavanaugh were joined at the hip" in their high school days.
"I'm confident that those facts and circumstances are going to be disqualifying for Brett Kavanaugh," he said tonight.
Avenatti also gave a sitdown to CNN's Chris Cuomo tonight. And, he's speaking at a political fundraiser in Los Angeles this evening. Busy guy.


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Value Of Dairy Exports Highest In Four Years
Even with China anchoring dairy export totals, the total value of U.S. dairy exports was up 6% in May and at $539.1 million reached the highest level in four years, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Higher values were fueled by an increase in cheese exports and improved world prices.
Through the end of May, overall volume of U.S. dairy exports is on track to be the third highest on record. This is despite the heavy anchor China is placing on product sales. Shipments of milk powders, cheese, butterfat, whey products and lactose to China were down 67%, while exports to the rest of the world were down just 1%, USDEC reports. In total, U.S. export volume was off 13% from what was a robust May 2018.
Cheese exports remain strong, with May exports 11% higher than May 2018. So far in 2019 cheese export volume is the highest in five years. According to USDEC, sales to Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea were all up by more than 1,000 tons from a year ago. However, exports to Mexico, the largest market for U.S. cheese, were down 7% from last year.
The biggest impact on the Chinese pullback in U.S. dairy product purchases is in the whey market. Total U.S. whey exports were down 29% from last year, and shipments to China were down 67%. That's the lowest monthly volume in nine years. Some whey exports were diverted to Southeast Asia where total whey volumes reached a record high 11,525 tons in May, up 17% over last year.
Total U.S. exports were equivalent to 14.7% of U.S. milk solids production in May. Through the first five months of the year, exports were equivalent to 14.2% of production, compared with an average of 14.7% from 2014 through 2018.


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India, Afghanistan likely to ink key motor vehicle pact by May to put pressure on Pak
The agreement will help Afghanistan goods vehicle to cross Attari, check-post and come to Delhi, which would boost both bilateral trade with Afghanistan, besides bolstering regional connectivity.india Updated: May 01, 2017 12:51 IST
India and Afghanistan are likely to sign a bilateral motor vehicle agreement in May to put pressure on Pakistan, which is blocking New Delhi's regional connectivity plans.
Government sources said that the pact is likely to be signed during the forthcoming visit of Afghan foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani to New Delhi to review the bilateral cooperation within the third week of May.
The agreement will help Afghanistan goods vehicle to cross Attari, check-post and come to Delhi, which would boost both bilateral trade with Afghanistan, besides bolstering regional connectivity.
As far as the bilateral trade is concerned, connectivity has remained a huge stumbling block, resulting in the sluggish pace of bilateral trade. According to the latest available government figures, the bilateral trade was $684 million for 2014-15 ($422 million export and $ 262 million import by India).
"However, the trade relations can realise its true potential if the Wagah-Attari route is opened for bilateral trade. The Pakistan-Afghanistan trade and transit pact was of no help in this regard," said an official.
He said since with this transit agreement, Afghanistan can better leverage Indian policy of giving greater market access to the least developed countries from the SAARC region. So for the pact to be successful, Pakistan will have to come on board.
In the absence of a bilateral motor vehicle agreement with Pakistan, Indian vehicles cannot enter Pakistan.
Afghanistan has already signed the transit and trade agreement with Pakistan in 2010 that allows both countries to enter each other's territory. But in absence of a pact with India, Afghanistan vehicles could come up to Wagah, the last check-post on Pakistan side, unload their goods and return.
From Wagah, the goods were again transported to Attari from where they were picked up by Indian transporters. But the larger aim seems to be Afghanistan nudging Pakistan to let Indian vehicles travel to Afghanistan and central Asia.
"The move will give some more leeway to Afghanistan to bargain with Pakistan. Pakistan has wanted to go to Central Asia via Afghanistan but the move has been resisted by Afghanistan. The latter demanded reciprocity vis-a-vis India," said a Union road transport and highways ministry official.
India had earlier planned to sign the agreement during Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani's visit to India in 2015.
Talks to have a bilateral MV agreement between India and Afghanistan started after Pakistan backed out from an ambitious project for South Asian road connectivity in November 2014. The Saarc motor vehicle pact would have allowed free movement of passenger and cargo vehicles within the eight-member Saarc nations: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
India, Iran and Afghanistan have already signed the Trilateral Transport and Transit corridor agreement in May 2016 during PM Narendra Modi's visit to Iran.
Sources said an Indian delegation is also visiting Iran in the second week of May to discuss the protocol for the agreement, which will allow Indian goods to enter Iran through Chhabar port. From there the goods can be transported through road and rail link to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
India has a container terminal at Mundra, which is some 550 nautical miles from Chhabar port. "Its nearest to Chhabar and once the port is ready, container vessels carrying goods can reach Iran in approximately two days," said a shipping ministry official.


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The Realself "Most Worth It 2020" ratings were released. EMSCULPT has been nominated in a new category "Non-surgical Body Sculpting" and it is the only winner in this category
RealSelf released the latest 2019,
The cosmetic nonsurgical treatment with the highest growth is EMSCULPT, which saw an increase of 450% compared to 2018.
The Winner takes it all: Emsculpt BTLAesthetics received 4 awards from the Medical Business Academy:
Innovative Treatment of the Year - Australasia
Minimally Invasive Device of the Year - Australasia
Body Reshaping Treatments of the Year - Australasia
New Treatment of the Year - Australasia
BTL thanks all our supporters and fans, these are truly your awards just as much as ours!
Let's keep Emsculpting together
This award goes to all BTL supporters, our fans and colleagues. To everyone from R&D and manufacturing to marketing and distribution, everyone who joined forces in bringing this first and only miracle to life. Today we are proud to say that Emsculpt from BTLAesthetics is available around the world! Thank you for being with us!
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., July 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BTL, leaders in non-invasive
aesthetics, today announced a partnership with Dress for Success – a global not-for-
profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by
providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools so that they
can thrive in work and in life.
We are proud to announce that the EDPA jury committee certifies that the project BTL EMSCULPT APPLICATOR, has been awarded Gold Price in Industrial and Life Science Design, Medical/Scientific Machinery.
The actress credits the game-changing procedure for her newly toned and strengthened core


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Anthony Johnson says he and Bernard Morley want to take Chester FC as far as possible in the cups this season and know how important the competitions can be to securing vital income for the football club.
A few years ago, Morley and Johnson were at the helm of a Salford City side which captured the nation's imagination with televised live FA Cup matches.
The Ammies dumped out League Two side Notts County with a 2-0 at Moor Lane in the first round proper, before taking Hartlepool United to a replay in the second round following a 1-1 draw.
Salford were later knocked out by the League Two side, but the television money, as well as the reward from FA prize fund for reaching the second round proper netted the Ammies a cool £221,000 for their impressive run.
The FA Cup prize fund for this year's competition has doubled , meaning should the Blues beat City of Liverpool tomorrow, the club would pocket £9,000.
And the carrot of financial rewards is not lost on Johnson and the Blues, though the prospect of reaching the stages of the competition where EFL and eventually Premier League sides enter the fray are also massive lures.
"Every single player and member of staff are under no illusions how important it is for the club in terms of income," said Johnson.
"But on top of that, the first round for us is our FA Cup Final, getting to the third round is winning it, so you look forward to these games. We don't mess about.
"We want to get as far as we can and it's the same with the FA Trophy, we're lucky that we're now at a football club that is desperate to do well in these cups.
"We've also been quite fortunate in the past where a certain club didn't want to progress because they wanted to concentrate on the league. That's fantastic, that's not an issue.
"But for us, our sole and only thing now, our focus is on Saturday's game and as I say, we know it's a banana skin. We absolutely have no doubt what it's going to be, it's going to be a tough game and we know that for the first 60 to 70 minutes they'll stay with us, because ultimately they train on the same nights as we do.
"We don't have an extra three or four training sessions than them, but you're just hopeful that our quality will get us through."
The experiences with the Ammies and the stage they got to meant they actually reached the third round draw, where Championship and Premier League sides entered the draw.
Had they beaten Hartlepool, Johnson and Morley would have taken on Championship side Derby County, who eventually played Manchester United at Pride Park.
With the Blues being in thick of National League North action having four games in the competition over the past fortnight, the management made sure tomorrow's tie was put to the back of the players' minds, but that now the club is fully focused on the visit of City of Liverpool.
Johnson said: "Two or three years ago, we got in the third round draw and we got drawn against Derby who eventually played United, so you could see the path of where we got to.
"So you do dream about it. Their lads are doing it, are lads are, that's all you talk about now.
"We've made sure we haven't spoke about it in any, way, shape or form because we had the Boston and this (Kidderminster) games, but now all our focus is on that. We don't even think about the Chorley game. It's all about Saturday for us."