text:
Solstice and the Amazons
How the Best Laid Plans Can Go Astray
Xena frowned. With the toe of her boot, she flicked a pebble over the edge of the abyss and listened as it bounced its way down to the fierce current some distance below. Adjusting the pack draped casually over her shoulder, she looked around for a place to sit. Spotting a reasonably sized boulder a short distance away, she walked over and settled on the hard surface. Digging around inside the pack for the apples picked earlier that morning, she pulled a pair of the juicy fruit free. Placing one on the rock beside her, she dropped the pack to the ground between her feet. Glancing back over her shoulder, she quickly spotted the familiar blond head poking up over the bushes Gabrielle was squatting behind. Smiling, she turned back around to eat the apple while waiting for her lover.
A few moments later, Gabrielle joined Xena. Smiling at the warrior, she reached for the water-skin and tucked it under her arm. Pouring a liberal amount of the liquid into her cupped hands, she briskly rubbed them clean.
"Lunch?" Xena asked, flipping the second apple to Gabrielle after she replaced the water-skin.
"Thanks. But I think I'll wait until we get across the bridge."
"You might want to re-think that."
Taking another bite of apple, Xena nodded toward the chasm.
Gabrielle turned around, noticing for the first time the missing rope bridge that she had been told spanned the deep canyon. Taking cautious steps closer to the rim, she searched the void. Hanging limply on the opposite wall of the gorge was what was left of the bridge; frayed ends of ropes woven from vines gave an indication as to its demise.
"Centaur poop. Now what?" She asked biting into the apple in her hand.
"Well…" Xena stood then walked to Gabrielle's side to look over the brink. "We could climb down this wall, cross the river using those boulders down there and climb up the other side." She wasn't too surprised to see Gabrielle look at her as if she had just sprouted a second head. "Or we can walk about two leagues south where there used to be a second bridge."
"Used to be?"
"Considering the condition of this one, chances are that one may not be any better off. So few people know about these bridges, let alone use them any more, that there's no one to care enough to make necessary repairs."
"Hmmm. Any other choices?" Gabrielle tossed her apple core into the nothingness in front of her. Not bothering to watch it fall, she turned and walked back to retrieve the pack.
"We go back to the village we stayed in last night. Get our room at the inn back and head north over the mountains in the morning. Which is what we'll have to do anyway if the other bridge is like this one." Xena's apple core followed Gabrielle's, only hers flew clear over the width of the canyon to the far side.
"Mountains." Gabrielle mulled over the option. "Snow. Slush. Icicles. Cold." She shook her head. "I vote for hoping that other bridge is still in one piece. Besides, crossing the mountains is twice as long and we'll be late getting back to Amazonia." And she had made too many plans for that to happen.
"True." After watching the apple core come to rest several strides beyond the opposite canyon rim, Xena turned and followed Gabrielle. "Going to be a long walk as it is."
"Tell me again why we're not riding." Gabrielle asked as she mentally calculated the extra distance they were now going to have to travel.
"You're afraid of horses."
"I'm not sure afraid is the right word."
"Okay. You don't like to be that high off the ground."
Gabrielle thought then nodded. "That's better."
"Ever wonder about the inconsistency of an Amazon Queen who doesn't like horses?"
"I like horses just fine, as long as I'm not on top of one of them. Besides, it's not any more inconsistent than a Warrior Princess afraid of rats."
Xena shuddered at the unpleasant thought of the furry rodents. "I'm not afraid of them."
"You don't like them."
"That doesn't mean I'm afraid of them."
"You'll do anything to avoid them."
"Still doesn't mean I'm afraid of them."
"Am not."
Solari sat on the porch steps of the hut she shared with Ephiny. It felt good just to sit after working all morning.
"I thought I might find you here." Ephiny said as she walked up to the hut and greeted her bond mate.
"I was thinking about taking a nap." Solari said hopefully.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful." With tired eyes, Ephiny looked up at the mid-day sun. "But I don't have a candle mark to spare. There's so much still to do before Gabrielle arrives."
"I was hoping we were almost finished. Pony should be back from Amphipolis soon. And Chalupa and the others should be finished decorating the feast area in another candle mark or two."
"I just wish we knew when they were planning to get here."
"I could put out more sentries but I'm not sure it would help since they could be coming from any direction. That must be Pony now." Solari said when a sentry's whistle alerted the village to the approach of a member of the nation.
Moments later a pair of horses trotted through the village gate. Pony astride one and Cyrene riding the other. The pair headed directly to the Regent's hut.
"Cyrene, it is good to see you again." Ephiny greeted her friend and the mother of the Queen's bond mate.
"I'm getting too old for long rides on horseback." Cyrene grumbled as she dismounted. "If this wasn't so important to Gabrielle, I would have happily stayed in Amphipolis." She rubbed her sore backside. "I'm looking forward to a long soak in one of your hot springs." She hugged Ephiny. "You look like you could use one too." She eyed Solari's sweaty appearance. "I'll hug you later."
"You, me and most of the village. We've been working non stop since we received Gabrielle's scroll with her instructions for decorating the village."
"The Queen is sure going all out this year. I wonder why?" Solari pondered.
"I think this will explain it." Cyrene handed the Regent a scroll. "Gabrielle sent this to me with instructions that I was to make sure nothing happened to it until I put it in your hands."
"That must be why she asked Pony to escort you here."
"I just hope she's prepared for Xena's reaction." Cyrene said while nodding in answer to Ephiny's statement.
Ephiny opened the scroll and read it. "Oh, boy. This is definitely going to make a certain warrior more irascible and snarky then normal."
"Once she figures out who was behind it, she'll calm down and enjoy herself, if only for Gabrielle's sake."
"You really think so?"
Cyrene smiled. If she knew one thing about her daughter, it was that the warrior loved her bond mate and would do anything to make her happy. Including happily enduring what the bard was secretly planning for this year's Solstice celebration. "I'm sure of it. So point me to the hot springs where I plan to enjoy a nice long soak while you take care of that." She pointed at the scroll in Ephiny's hand.
"Well, what is it the Queen wants us to do now?" Solari asked as Pony led Cyrene to the bathing pools.
Ephiny blew out a long breath. "You're not going to like this."
"You know, we don't have to go to Amazonia for Solstice." Xena said as she maneuvered over another stretch of rocky ground.
"We always go to Amazonia for Solstice." Gabrielle studied the path in front of her wondering if there was an easier way through the conundrum of rocks that seemed to make her take three sideway steps for every forward one. "Did you and Ares have a fight anywhere near here?"
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"Considering all the xenoliths, I thought maybe you had shattered a boulder over his head or something."
"Yeah. Small rocks that result from the smashing of larger ones; usually occurring when a well known Warrior Princess fights an equally well known Greek god."
Xena laughed. She stepped over another small boulder before returning the conversation back to her original point. "So why don't we do something different this Solstice? We could go visit mother or spend a few days in Athens where you could catch up with your bard friends."
"They're expecting us."
"The Amazons. They're expecting us and I'm sure Ephiny is planning a big celebration for when we get there."
"They'll get over it." Xena muttered as the trail began to smooth and she looked ahead spotting the rise that marked the location of the second rope bridge.
"Xe." Gabrielle sighed at the sometimes obnoxious woman who had become her whole life. The warrior might be a kick-ass killer if the situation called for it but she was also a royal pain in the ass when it came to anything having to do with Amazons or Amazon celebrations. This year's Solstice celebration was special and she wasn't about to let Xena ruin it. Of course, the warrior would probably kill her when she found out what made it so special. But she'd handle that when the time came. Right now, she had to concentrate on getting Xena to Amazonia.
"All right." Xena relented. It didn't take a genius to know Gabrielle had something up her sleeve – so to speak. "The bridge isn't too far now. Let's hope it's still in one piece."
"Where?" Gabrielle quickened her steps to walk beside Xena once the rocky ground was behind them.
"Just on the other side of that rise." Xena draped an arm across the bard's shoulders and gave them a tender squeeze. "Once we get across this gorge, we should have clear sailing to Amazonia."
"Please, Xe…" Gabrielle felt her stomach go queasy just hearing the naval term.
"Sorry, honey." Xena smiled sheepishly knowing how much her lover disliked being at sea. "We just need to get over the river and through the woods." She tried a different approach.
"That's kind of catchy. I'll have to remember that." Gabrielle repeated the phase a few times to herself. "Maybe I can use it in story."
They walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way to the bridge. Being together was all the communication they needed at the moment.
"So far, so good." Xena walked up to the rim of the canyon where two stout posts were buried deep into the ground. She grabbed hold of the vine rope tied to one of the posts and gave it a gentle tug. Taking a firmer grip, she yanked more forcefully. "Seems sturdy." She stepped to the other post and repeated the process.
"Is it okay?"
"Seems to be. Of course, there's no telling what shape the other ends of the ropes are in."
"Thanks for sharing." Gabrielle could have gone all day without that thought being planted in her head.
"No problem." Xena shrugged.
"Who goes first?"
Xena gave the question some careful and reflective consideration before answering. Normally, she would take the lead but after seeing the frayed ropes on the other bridge she wasn't comfortable with the possibility that her greater weight might cause weakened ropes to unravel. And, depending on which end gave way, could leave Gabrielle on one side of the canyon and her on the other. That is, if she managed to make it to the other side. On the other hand if Gabrielle went first and the ropes broke, the bard could end up in the middle of no man's land and Xena might not be able to do anything to save her.
"We go together."
"Is that wise?"
An eyebrow slowly rose as the warrior turned to scowl at the bard.
"I'm not questioning your strategy." Gabrielle reached up, lovingly patting the warrior's cheek. "So drop that eyebrow. It's just that usually, we cross these one at a time."
"I think, considering the circumstances, we should do this together."
Gabrielle took a long look at the rope bridge. It looked sound but she knew as well as anyone that looks can be deceiving. She stepped closer to Xena and wrapped her arms around the warrior. "Are you sure? We could go back to that village. I'm sure we could find someone willing to sell us a couple of horses."
Xena leaned down, placing a kiss on the top of Gabrielle's head. "I thought you were in a hurry to get to Amazonia."
"Not that big of a hurry." She sighed when strong arms encircled her and held her tight.
"Let's give it a try. You go first and I'll be right behind you. If something happens, grab on to me and don't let go."
Gabrielle nodded but did not release her hold on the warrior. She needed a few more moments before she'd be ready to let go. She sighed when she felt Xena's arms increase the pressure of their embrace.
"Is that the biggest tree you could find?" Ephiny's mouth contorted with the question as she gazed along the length of the pine tree behind Solari.
"Any bigger and it would have had to drag us back to the village." The exhausted woman signaled a rest break to the Amazons who had helped her haul the tree from where it had stood in the forest. "Where do you plan on putting it anyway? It's too big to stand up in any of the huts." She asked as the other women shrugged out of the harness they used to move the behemoth.
"It has to be big in order to do what the Queen wants. And it goes right in the middle of the square." Ephiny heard the groans and glowered at the grumbling Amazons. From where they stood at the village gate, they would have to drag the tree another hundred steps. "That is where the Queen said to put it."
"I know where I'd like to put it." Solari mumbled and was instantly sorry she had when she saw the look on her lover's face. "All right." She quickly added. "You heard. Now get over there and get a hole dug so we can brace this tree in it. And make sure it's deep. We don't want it falling and taking half the village with it."
"You are in so much trouble." Chalupa sidled up to Solari as her mate stormed away, her anger clearly exhibited by her short, deliberate steps.
"Tell me about it."
"I've got an extra cot in my hut if you should be in need of a place to spend the night."
"Don't make me hurt you." The cantankerous Amazon glared at her friend. "Go make sure they dig a deep enough hole. I think I better go make peace."
Chalupa grinned as Solari trotted after Ephiny. She could tell by the slump of the warrior's shoulders that she was not looking forward to what she was about to have to do. "There is something to be said about being single." She laughed as she walked over to where the other Amazons were working.
Gabrielle gingerly stepped up to the start of the rope bridge and took a deep breath.
The bridge consisted of no more than three thick cords made from vines braided together and stretched taut from one side of the canyon to the other. One rope was for walking on while the other two were used to maintain balance during the crossing.
"Just keep moving unless you hear different from me." Xena coaxed the bard. "I'll be right behind you."
Gabrielle nodded. She reached out placing a hand on each of the hold ropes and gave them a stern tug. She knew the warrior had already tested the strength of the vines but she wanted to assure herself that they were strong enough to bear their combined weight.
"And don't look down."
Gabrielle nodded again. If she thought the ground was a long way down when sitting on top of a horse, she was sure she wouldn't be happy in seeing how far it was to the river that rushed along the bottom of the chasm. "I'm ready." She said, her shaky voice betraying the confidence she was trying to project.
"Take it slow and keep moving." Xena moved close to Gabrielle. When the bard placed a booted foot on the rope, hers was immediately behind it.
The women inched their way across the bridge, Xena pressed against Gabrielle's back. To anyone watching from a distance, it would have appeared that a single person was moving along the ropes.
Gabrielle kept her eyes glued to the far side of the canyon. As the posts anchoring the opposite end of the ropes grew nearer, her trepidation lessened and her steps grew longer.
"Easy." Xena reminded the bard. "Slow is better. Don't want this thing to start swinging."
Gabrielle swallowed hard. She pulled back her front foot, placing it on the rope only half of the step she had first intended. Ten more steps and she would reach the end.
Nine…..……. Eight……….
Xena felt the tension on one of the hold ropes ease. Anyone else would have missed it but her heightened senses knew the slight vibration for what it was. "Faster."
"Don't argue. Move!"
Gabrielle did as she was told.
Seven…. Six…. Five….
"Let go of the ropes!"
One moment Gabrielle was tightly gripping the ropes and the next she was flying through the air. The posts she had been moving toward disappeared under her and she landed with a thud several feet past them. "What in Hades?" She sat up rubbing a sore spot on her hip, her back to the canyon. "That's going to bruise. Xena, did you have to do that?"
"Seem to make sense at the time."
"What did you say? You're mumbling." Gabrielle turned to look behind her where she fully expected to see the warrior. "Xena?" She saw nothing but vacant ground, her mind slowly registering the consequences of her lover not being in sight. She leaped to her feet and ran to the edge of the canyon wall. "XENA."
"I'm right here."
Xena was hanging by one arm. After lobbing Gabrielle to safety, she had just managed to wrap her left wrist around a rope. When the vines ripped apart, she could do nothing but hang on and hope for the best. Even as she slammed into the canyon wall, she conceded it was a lucky day. The ropes had frayed at the opposite end of the bridge leaving her hanging from a cord still firmly attached to its post.
"Move back."
Gabrielle took a single tentative step back.
Another step.
"Gabrielle, would you please move back." Xena growled, wanting to avoid a new calamity. The last thing she needed was the bard hovering at the edge of the cliff where she would insist on trying to help and could end up tumbling head over heels into the river below.
The bard leapt backward several feet.
"Thank you. Now stay there." With the way clear of bard, Xena started to pull herself upward. The distance wasn't that far and it didn't take but a few moments before she crawled over the lip of the canyon wall to safety. "That was a doozy of a ride." She grimaced, looking over her shoulder at what could have been.
"Are you okay?" Gabrielle wanted to rush to her lover's side but she stayed put, unsure if she should move or not.
"Nothing broken. I think." Xena pushed herself upright. "How about you?"
"I'm going to have a nasty bruise on my butt."
"Want me to kiss it and make it better?"
"Yes." Gabrielle giggled girlishly at the lecherous look on her lover's face. "But not here."
"Darn." Xena moved to Gabrielle, gathering her into open arms. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. But you could have given me some warning."
"Sorry. There wasn't time."
"How about you? That cliff must have hurt." Gabrielle pushed back just enough to look at the face she loved. She was surprised at the lack of any cuts or bruises.
"Took most of the impact on my shoulder. It's going to look pretty bad by morning."
"Let's find a place to camp and lick our wounds."
"Is that an offer?" Xena waggled her eyebrows.
"If you want it to be."
"I want." The warrior took Gabrielle's hand and led her away from the canyon. "I definitely want."
"We're supposed to do what?" Solari scratched her head at the bizarre instructions she had just received. "Ephiny, I love you but are you sure you haven't taken a knocker to the head?"
"It's all right here." Ephiny spread the Queen's parchment out on the table in front of her. "Gabrielle drew it exactly as she wants it done."
Solari questioned again how she had ended up in charge of making sure her Queen's new instructions were carried out. This year's Solstice preparations were rapidly tuning into a major fiasco and she wondered how much umbrage the young Queen would take if all her wishes weren't carried out.
"Solari, why are you making this difficult? Gabrielle is not going to be happy if she gets here and we don't have this done. And you know what happens if Gabrielle is not happy."
Guess that answers that question. "I'm not being difficult on purpose. But I honestly don't know how we can do what Gabrielle wants. I've never seen anything like this done before. Have you?"
"Um. Well…"
Solari waited.
"No. All right? No. But there must be a way to do it."
"Hey, we're ready to raise the tree. What's the hold up?" Chalupa warily poked her head into the Regent's hut.
"Come here." Solari waved the Amazon into the room. "We're supposed to do this with that tree." Solari jabbed a finger at the parchment.
Chalupa was flabbergasted at what she saw drawn on the parchment. "You're kidding."
"That's what I keep asking."
"It would take a god to get that done."
"Unfortunately, we don't have one of those." Ephiny sighed dejectedly. "Please, Sol, can't you just figure out a way."
"Come on. Let's see if anyone has any ideas." Solari snatched the parchment off the table on her way out of the hut.
"How cold do you think it will get tonight?" Gabrielle looked up at the sky, silently praying that the dark clouds weren't carrying any snow.
"Shouldn't be too cold. Why?"
"I was wondering how much firewood to gather." The bard dropped her load of dried sticks and branches close to where the warrior was building their campfire.
"That should be plenty for now. Why don't you get take it easy and rest that hip. I'll go find us some supper and pick up more wood along the way."
"I'm okay." Gabrielle rubbed her hip. It has started to ache not long after they left the canyon. "Your shoulder is in worse shape." She could easily see the ugly purple bruise even in the fading light of dusk. "You go find supper. I'll get our bedroll laid out and get another armful of branches. There's a fallen tree just over there so it won't take me long." She said before the warrior could object. "Depending on what you find to eat, I'll rub that shoulder while supper is cooking or after we eat. Deal?"
"Deal. if…" Xena grimaced as she rotated the stiff shoulder in an effort to ease the battered tissue and aching underlying muscles. "You let me rub that hip for you."
"Deal." Gabrielle agreed. "Now go while there's still enough light to see."
"Gabrielle." Xena shook her head in disbelief then smiled to let her lover know she wasn't really upset.
"I know, ol' great warrior. You can see in the blackest of nights. But I can't and I don't want to have to worry about you. So get going. And bring back lots because I'm starved." She called after the warrior who had already disappeared into the forest that surrounded their campsite.
"When aren't you?" The question echoed out of the trees.
Gabrielle heard the laughter following the taunt. "I'll make you pay for that, warrior." She muttered as she turned to the tasks at hand.
"I'm counting on it."
The words floated on the evening air and Gabrielle could do nothing but shake her head and grin.
"It can't be done."
"We have to figure out a way. And soon." Solari's chin was resting on her fists, her elbows braced on her knees.
Chalupa and a couple dozen other Amazons sat around her in similar dejected positions, frustration clearly written on their faces. The entire group was sprawled alongside the pine tree that still rested on its side. The women were hesitant to raise it until they had solved the problem facing them, afraid they might have to lower it again depending on the solution they came up with.
"Any ideas?" Ephiny asked as she approached the group.
"Not yet." The hapless warrior replied without lifting her chin off her fists. "We have thought of everything and nothing works. What was Gabrielle thinking?"
"She was thinking that we'd come through for her." Ephiny knelt beside her bond mate. "Just like she's come through for us when we needed her." There was no anger or insult behind her words and all who heard the comment accepted it for the truism it was.
"I don't think we can do it."
"We'll figure out a way." Ephiny said softly. "But first, we need to get this tree into place. Then call it a night. Tomorrow we'll start fresh and I'll bet we have no trouble at all in doing what Queen Gabrielle wants done."
"I'm glad you think so."
"I do. Now everybody up. Let's get this tree into that hole you worked so hard to dig." Ephiny said to all of the Amazons. Then turning back to Solari, she lowered her voice. "It is deep enough, isn't it?"
"By the gods, I certainly hope so." Solari pushed herself to her feet then pulled Ephiny up. After a quick hug she turned and walked away, calling out orders as she went.
"I certainly hope so too." Ephiny murmured.
"That was some tasty rabbit tonight." Xena was straddling Gabrielle, her strong hands gently massaging a very bruised but shapely hip.
"I bought some spices in the village yesterday. Our supply was getting pretty low. Want to know what they were?"
"No. That's your department. All I know is that was some real tasty rabbit." The warrior smacked her lips playfully.
"You're welcome." Gabrielle giggled but her mood quickly changed when nimble fingers brushed an extremely tender spot. "Ow." She cried out.
"Sorry. I'll be more careful."
"I have a better idea." Gabrielle rolled over and patted Xena's thigh to get her to move.
"And that would be?" Xena asked slipping to the bard's side to sit impatiently.
Gabrielle scooted under the blankets of their bedroll and held them open. "Get that bodacious bod of yours in here. I'm exhausted and you know I can't sleep if you're not holding me."
"Bodacious, huh. Just want does that mean?"
"It means you. Now come on."
"You're a willful little wench when you want to be." Xena said as she joined her lover.
"And don't you forget it." Gabrielle snuggled close against the warrior's naked body.
"Or what?" Xena rolled onto her side resting on an elbow, the fingers on her other hand played lazily around Gabrielle's navel.
"Let me think about that." Gabrielle smiled at her lover. "You know if you keep that up, you're going to put me to sleep."
"I know." Xena said, half mischievously and half apologetically. "You're tired and I'm too sore to do much else."
"That's okay, sweetheart. I would much rather we make love when we're both at our optimum. And tonight we are definitely not that. Lay down."
Xena settled beside her lover, wrapping an arm around Gabrielle when she rested her head on her good shoulder.
"The stars are beautiful tonight." Gabrielle gazed up at the blanket of stars that sparkled above them. Surprisingly, the clouds had disappeared about the same time they had finished their evening meal.
"They sure are."
"That group looks like a unicorn."
"More like a hippo or, maybe, an elephant, if you ask me."
Before Gabrielle could comment, a flash of light caught her eye. "Look, Xe, a falling star." She watched the star blaze across the sky and disappear before she asked, "did you make a wish?"
"What was it?"
"Did you know that some astronomer came up with the idea of calling those asteroids?"
"What's an astronomer?" Gabrielle knew Xena had purposely changed the subject. She would let it pass for now.
"Someone who studies stars."
"Why what?"
"Why study the stars?"
"Why not?" She gently hooked a finger under Gabrielle's chin. Tilting the bard's face upward, she leaned down placing a tender kiss on waiting lips. "Go to sleep, sweetheart."
"I love you, Xe."
"I love you, too."
Gabrielle snuggled closer to the warrior, content to listen to the beating heart under her ear. As the beats slowed, she knew the warrior was relaxing and would soon be asleep. "What was your wish?" she asked softly.
"What was yours?"
"That what we have will last forever."
"Everlasting love?"
"Would you like that?"
Xena pulled the bard to lie on top of her and tucked the blankets in tight around their bodies. "Everlasting love with you would be better than going to the Elysian Fields, my love."
"It would?"
"Yes. For me, it would be paradise."
"Well?" Solari looked at Chalupa.
"It's the best idea we've come up with so far."
"It seems to make sense."
The women had spent the better part of the morning brainstorming ideas for taking their queen's plans from a drawing on a piece of parchment to reality.
"I say we give it a try."
"Let's go for it."
"May Artemis smile on us today." Ephiny sighed as she watched her bond mate and Chalupa walk out of the hut and towards the enormous pine tree now standing upright in the center of the village square. "Or Gabrielle will kill us."
Solari was finishing up the work on the tree. The sun had set and she was working by torchlight. "Will you hold that thing steady." She growled at Pony as the flickering light moved away from the spot where she was working.
"I'm trying." Pony whined. She shifted the torch from one hand to the other then repositioned it while Solari waited. "Can't you work any faster? This thing is heavy and I've been holding it forever."
"I would have been done a candle mark ago if you could keep the light where I'm trying to see. Now, hold it steady. Gabrielle and Xena could be here anytime and I need to get this finished."
"They're here." Pony said excitedly, her head snapping up as a whistle announced the Queen's impending arrival at the village gate. The touch she was holding swung erratically as she momentarily forgot what she was doing.
"Son of a Bacchae." Solori snapped when the flame came within a finger width of the fuse. "Watch what you're doing Pony."
"Sorry." Pony turned her attention back to Solari. "But it's been a long time since the Queen was in the village."
"They'll be here for the next few moon cycles." Solari muttered. "You'll have plenty of time for catching up. I'm almost done. Concentrate."
Pony turned again to watch the area around the gate of the village, hoping for a glimpse of the returning queen. She thought she was holding the torch steady but she wasn't. The flame inched closer to the combustible tree, its progress unnoticed by either of the Amazons.
"Xe?" Gabrielle asked as she and Xena broke from the trees. Since they had entered Amazon territory, she had heard the scouts' whistles sending word of their approach to the village. She could now see the lit torches around the village and hear the rhythmic sound as drums being beat and knew she was about to be the recipient of another royal welcome, an aspect of being the Amazon Queen that she would never get used to.
"You never did tell me what you wished for the other night."
"I wished for a nice quiet Solstice. One where you and I can lay in front of a nice warm fire making love all day and night."
"That would be nice."
"Yes, it would."
They walked through the open gate of the village.
"Xena." The cry came out of nowhere.
"Mother?" Suspicious, Xena turned to look at her lover. She knew Gabrielle had been planning some kind of happening for their arrival at the village and she hoped it wasn't anything more than a surprise visit from Cyrene.
Gabrielle opened her mouth to respond to the warrior's questioning look when a chorus of shouts erupted in the village.
"Look out!"
"Run for cover!"
"Hit the dirt!"
Xena turned to see what the commotion was about.
Lines of fire sped up the trunk of a gigantic pine tree, every few finger lengths the flames set off mini explosions. When the flames reached the top of the tree, they encircled a large disk in the shape of the warrior's chakrum which began to spin. Faster and faster the disk spun, tossing off sparks as it picked up speed. The flames then raced back down the tree toward a series of letters resting in the branches.
In the top most branches, a larger than life effigy of the warrior stood holding a wooden sword that was shooting fire. Below it, the words HAPPY BIRTHDAY XENA lit up in a burst of flame that turned night into day. A shower of multi-colored sparks rained down on the village setting thatch roofs on fire.
"What in Hades!" Xena raised her arms to protect herself from the falling embers. The flashes of flame and the choking smoke brought to mind the descriptions of dragons she'd heard in her travels to the far east.
Gabrielle stood frozen in place, arms hanging limply at her sides and mouth agape, staring at her carefully thought out surprise literally going up in smoke.
A thick, black, oily cloud engulfed the pine tree and began spreading out over the village. The spinning chakrum at the top of the tree broke loose and burst through of the smoke. It hit the ground moving at an incredible speed and raced directly toward the bard and warrior.
The women stepped apart allowing the burning chakrum to roll between them. Bewildered eyes followed its progress as it continued out of the village and sped toward the forest, setting the grass on fire as it raced along. Then they turned back to face the donnybrook that had taken over the village.
The smoke was starting to clear as the flames burned out. Amazons were emerging from the hiding places that had afforded them some protection from the conflagration and bucket brigades were forming to save the burning huts. But before a single bucket could be filled with water, loud popping and hissing noises started coming from the pine tree. All eyes turned to watch in shock as the tree started to lean.
"Run." Someone screamed.
"It's going to fall."
"Save yourselves."
The tree swayed. Hesitated. Swayed some more. Then slowly tipped over to the side until it was halfway between upright and fallen. Then it stopped, its branches quivering.
"I know your Amazons aren't too fond of me." Xena commented on the sight before her. "But don't you think that's a little much."
Gabrielle couldn't speak. For once in her life she was speechless as she stood and stared.
The pine was leaning at a dangerous angle. The effigy had fallen loose of its perch and hung from a rope around its neck, twisting slowly on the evening breeze. The sword had come loose from the figure's hand and was impaled in the effigy's breast plate. In the branches, still sputtering flames were the letters H…..I..T……XE….
Gabrielle groaned, looked at her smirking companion and groaned again. "EPHINY!!" She bellowed for her regent.
"Somehow, I'm not surprised to find you in the middle of all this." Xena stood beside the smoldering tree looking down at two brown eyes looking back at her.
"You planning on helping me out of here or are you going to stand there laughing all night?" Solari asked, looking up through the branches that had trapped her when the tree fell to the side.
"I should leave you. It might actually be safer than what Gabrielle has planned for you."
"What she does won't compare to what Ephiny is going to do."
"Oh, I wouldn't be too concerned about that." Xena said casually. She pulled her sword from the scabbard on her back and began to cut away branches to clear an escape route for Solari. "By the time Gabrielle's done with her, she won't have too much energy left for you. How'd you end up under there, anyway?"
"I was finishing up the preparations when you and Gabrielle arrived. Pony was supposed to be helping me by holding a torch so I could see. But she was more interested in seeing Gabrielle."
"She was, was she?" Xena made a mental note to find out just how interested the Amazon was in her bond mate.
"She wasn't paying attention and the torch got too close to the tree. Fire started shooting out all over the place. I hit the dirt and Pony took off. Next thing I know, the tree is falling over and I'm trapped under it."
"You were probably better off under there than the rest of the village." Xena reached a hand down and helped Solari to her feet.
"Centaur poop." The Amazon sighed as saw the damage for the first time.
"Now I know where Gabrielle picked that up."
"What?" Solari asked absently.
"Never mind. Come on. Gabrielle will want to know you're okay before she skins you alive."
"She's really mad?"
"She's not happy. But I'm sure she's calmed down by now. Just what did you use to light all that up anyway? I haven't seen an inferno like that since I was in the Chin."
"Pine sap and coal ash. Wasn't expecting it to be quite that explosive. I think we may have gone a little overboard and used a little too much."
"Ya think?" Xena chuckled.
"You know, this is really all Gabrielle's fault."
"How do you figure?"
"She told us what she wanted but she never said how we were supposed to do it."
"Hmm. Guess that proves one thing."
"What's that?"
"Proves I'm the brains."
"I don't think I'll tell her that."
"Probably not a good idea."
As they walked across the village to the Queen's hut, Solari accessed the damage. Amazons scurried about carrying buckets of water to put out fires. Several huts had blackened roofs, many still smoking. A group of women was working on extinguishing the grass fire started by the flaming chakrum while another group struggled to jack up the pine to keep it from falling completely to the ground and smashing several huts.
"What a mess." Solari shook her head at Pony and Chalupa's bumbling attempts to cut down the Xena effigy.
Xena pulled her chakrum free and let it fly. It sliced through the rope, bounced off a post, ricocheted off the side of a drum and returned to her hand. No longer tethered to the tree, the effigy dropped pinning the Amazons to the ground beneath it. "You can say that again." She said, replacing the chakrum.
"Guess I better go face the Queen. Happy birthday, by the way."
"Oh, that reminds me. MOTHER!!"
"You have to admit it was different." Gabrielle said as she undressed. She and Xena were in the Queen's hut preparing for bed after a very long evening spent putting out fires and fussing at Amazons.
"Yes, it was certainly that." Xena paused in the process of removing her own clothes to watch her lover.
"It sure wasn't what I envisioned though. That's what I get for expecting a bunch of Amazons to do one simple thing." Gabrielle groused as she dumped her ash covered clothes in a bucket to soak.
"I guess so."
"What's that supposed to mean? You don't think my Amazons can do anything do you?"
"Sweetheart." Xena reached out, pulling the irritated bard into her lap. "They did the best they could under the circumstances." She smiled at the annoyed queen.
"But they ruined your birthday."
"No, they didn't. You have to admit that even with the rhubarb they created it was an effusive and unique display."
Gabrielle glared at the warrior but she couldn't stop the corners of her lips from twitching. "You're just making this up to make me feel better."
"No, I'm not. If I was just making it up, I would have said it was fantastical display of unlimited dimensions that easily overpowered the brain."
"Yeah, that definitely sounds like something you'd say." Gabrielle tried to remain angry but was having a difficult time of it because of the fingers seeking out particularly ticklish spots on her bare skin. "I wanted it to be special for you." She pouted between giggles.
"It was special."
"It was not."
"Sweetheart, it was special. In fact, it was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious special."
"Now I know you made that up."
"Yes, I did but I'm not making this up." Xena leaned down to capture pouting but luscious lips. "I love you. And I love that you wanted to do something special for my birthday."
"Which part of that statement are you questioning?"
"Oh, I know you love me. I love you too. But are you really okay with the rest?"
"Very okay." She pressed their lips together for another loving kiss. "Except…"
"You do know that I'm going to kill mother for telling you."
"You wouldn't."
"Wanna bet?"
"Gonna try and talk me out of it?"
"Come here, warrior." Gabrielle scooted off Xena's lap and stretched out on the bed. "Maybe I can come up with a way to make you forget all about it."
"You know how much I love a challenge." Xena straddled the bard. "But first, I've got something for you." She pulled Gabrielle up to sit in front of her. "It's not much but…" Pulling a necklace out of a leather pouch, she slipped it over Gabrielle's head.
Gabrielle lifted the piece of jewelry up so she could see it better. Hanging from the delicate links of a gold chain was a chakrum the size of her thumb. Attached to the chakrum and crossing it at an angle was a feather quill. "It's beautiful."
"So are you. Happy Solstice, Gabrielle."
"Happy Solstice, Xena. And Happy Birthday."
Total words used = 59 (at least 1 from each letter)
Amazons = 4 or 5 if you count Gabrielle
Back to the Entries
Return to the Academy


text:
A quick follow-up to the post yesterday about Business Insider's Tesla Model S cost guessing game. In case you missed it, BI thinks that Tesla's sub-$50,000 price is pretty much impossible. While some of you found faults in BI's methods and logic, Tesla spokeswoman Rachel Konrad gave AutoblogGreen an official response that digs right to the heart of BI's math. Business Insight did use "a source who'd prefer to be nameless," and Konrad said that:
Wild guesstimates from ostensible experts unwilling to identify themselves have little credibility. Perhaps the biggest flaw in their alleged reasoning is the assumption that Tesla has the same cost structure as an enormous automaker; in fact it's probably the leanest and most efficient in the industry.
[Source: Tesla Motors]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The second thing that California Cleanin' Pools does is to perform the repairs on any of your pool equipment that become necessary. Our years of training and experience are your assurance that your pool equipment is always in good running order and performing at it's best.California Cleanin' Pools carries that load and is licensed, insured and bonded for you as well.
We carry only the top lines of pool equipment, like Pentair, Jandy, Raypak, Sta-Rite, Polaris and Hayward are also available. This way, we're sure to be able to meet the requirements that your particular Commercial, private resort, Apartment, Motel, Hotel and your backyard environment requires.
Worry free pool service, and worry free pool equipment repair and replacement in the Santa Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountainview and Campbell area. By taking care of these for you, you and your family are assured of years of trouble free, worry free fun and relaxation and even healthful excercise.
We know individuality is important, which is why we pay special attention to the interests of each customer in the Santa Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountainview and Campbell areas . From the minute we shake your hand, meeting your needs is our top priority. Founded not only on excellent customer service, but also on the principles of hard work and a focused attitude, California Cleanin' Pools has a long list of satisfied customers. In the Santa Clara, San Jose, Sunnyvale,Mountainview and Campbell California area, California Cleanin' Pools is the name to remember in pool service and pool repair. Email us at email@example.com, or give us a call @ 408-249-9731
. As the weight of worrying about maintaining and servicing your pool becomes a thing of the past, you'll be glad that you did.
Thank You,
Joseph McVeigh


text:
- Home
- Grill Parts
- Members Mark Grill Parts
- Member's Mark Gas Grill Heat Tent Plate B10PG20-2C
Product Description
This Porcelain Steel Heat Shield is critical to maintaining the flavor of your fish and meats. Turns the grease drippings into smoke for added flavor. Porcelain Steel Heat plates are still the best method of radiant for your grill.
Fits Member's Mark Gas Grill Models: B10PG20-2C, B10PG202C
Measures: 11-13/16" X 8-7/16"
Also known as Heat Tent, Flavorizer Bar, Heat Plate, Heat Shield, Heat Distribution Plates, and Vaporizer Bars
Porcelain-Coated Steel Heat Plate
Aftermarket, NOT made by Member's Mark (Sam's Club)
Replacement Part Number: 92021
Product Reviews
Write Review


text:
THERE'S nothing quite as frustrating as cleaning up with a close shave, only to suffer from razor bumps. But, if you suffer from razor bumps and ingrown hair, there are ways to combat this unsightly and uncomfortable condition. Razor bumps occur when the skin gets irritated or when it starts itching after you have shaved. What follows next are bumps which will form small hard outgrowths that cause a lot of discomfort and pain.
Finding a solution to this condition is always a difficult task. Nevertheless, there are several ways to combat these tiny ugly monsters. For example, there are some bump removing products that are highly effective.
However, adhering to the following rules, one could minimize the effects of razor and shaving-related skin irritation.
*Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave.
*Scrub your face with a facial scrub lotion. This will help remove dead skin, bring out ingrown hair and reduce razor burn rashes.
*According to some school of thought, the best time to shave is after you must have taken a shower or after washing your face in warm water.
*Use new razor blades always.
*If you are using an electric clipper, be sure to clean and sterilize the blades regularly.
*Brush off hair on the blade after each stroke.
*After you must have completed shaving, wash your face and head in cold water with antiseptic soap.


text:
Whenever Joseph Toby's father, Sylvanus, came home from work, he usually brought a gift.
One day, he arrived with a soccer ball. Toby couldn't wait to play.
In the civil war-torn streets of Sierra Leone, that chance never came.
"I had the ball, and they started fighting," Toby said. "I didn't have the chance to play with it. I was just sitting there, watching the ball.


text:
Recent searches
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
The item is not eligible for the shipping destination you selected and has been removed from the shopping cart.
The items are not eligible for the shipping destination you selected and have been removed from the shopping cart.
Sony PlayStation 3D Monitor with SimulView Technology
When combined with essential accessories such as 3D glasses*, the Sony PlayStation 3D monitor is ideal for PlayStation 3 players who want access to the best in 3D quality entertainment.
The slim 24" Edge LED Backlight display features a Full HD 1080p resolution for clear, crisp images and boasts a 240 Hz refresh rate for tear-/stutter-free gameplay. One display. One game. But two full screen views? No problem. Advanced SimulView technology** delivers individual full HD screen visuals to each player in two-player mode. Coupled with awesome audio delivered by the integrated speakers and subwoofer, it's sure to bring players immersive 3D gaming experience.
Optimized for Serious Gaming Experience
Featuring Full HD 1080p resolution, the Sony 3D monitor brings your game into crystal clear focus. Its built-in Edge LED technology offers brilliant contrast, while a 240 Hz refresh rate ensures ultra-smooth gameplay.
SimulView Technology**
Never play spilt-screen two player mode again. Specially enhanced for gaming, SimulView technology delivers two different Full HD screen images from a single display, putting players deeper into the action.
Premium Sound
The Sony 3D monitor comes with built-in speakers and subwoofer to deliver crystal-clear, robust sound with deep, thumping bass, taking you deeper in the game.
All-around Connectivity
Turn any bedroom, den, or office into a 3D entertainment power suite with the best-in-class 3D display. It can be connected to cable TV boxes, a PC or any other compatible device via the display's two HDMI ports or its single component HD port. Both of these input types are conveniently located at the side of the display.
Handy Control
Power, volume, and menu buttons are placed on the back panel, allowing for easy control.
|Screen Size
|LED Backlight
|Recommended Resolution
|1920 x 1080
|Refresh Rate
|240 Hz
|Input Video Compatibility
|2 HDMI and 1 component HD inputs
Beyond any applicable Neweggflash return policy, this item is warranted independently by the product's Manufacturer or a Third party. Below is a summary provided for convenience only and may not be accurate or current.
Limited Warranty period (parts): 90 days
Limited Warranty period (labor): 90 days
Website: http://www.sony.com/
Support Phone: 1-800-222-7669
This item is covered by neweggflash.com's Standard Return Policy.


text:
After receiving my grandparents' letter about the four women taking a last spin on the Balboa carousel, I had to collect my tears and start to laugh about all the fun I have had on that wonderful carousel. It breaks my heart to think that they are going to take apart a piece of so many families' traditions to have a patio.
I spent so many summers standing in line watching it go round and round to pick out my favorite horse to ride. As soon as they took my token, I would run as fast as I could and jump on for the two-minute ride. That two-minute ride meant so much more than the token I gave to ride it.
As I remember, one of my grandparents was always next to my side, just to make sure I wouldn't fall off, as the other stood on the edge watching and waving while taking so many pictures. I'll always remember our midnight sneak-outs so we could go to the Fun Zone one last time.


text:
At the first mention of going to Roumania, a great many people, as I did myself, would take down their atlas and open the map. For Roumania, there can be no question, is among the lesser known lands of Europe.' So begins Sir Sacheverell Sitwell's account of his Roumanian journey, made in the 1930s, when Bucharest was still eight days overland from London. His four-week trip brings him into contact with longhaired gypsies at country fairs as well as the aristocracy in their medieval castles.
The natural richness and variety of the landscape-from Transylvania to the Wallachian plains, the Carpathian peaks to the Danube Delta-delight him, as does the diversity of humanity he encounters, while his deep knowledge of European art and architecture makes him the ideal guide to the paintings, frescos, and buildings of Roumania. It is impossible, of course, to read of Roumania in the 1930s without thinking of what lay ahead for that country, but the abiding impression left by the book is of the freshness of Sitwell's perceptions and his unquenchable curiosity in everything he saw.
|SITWELL, Sacheverell
|An apariţie
|Nr pagini
|23,5 x 15,5 cm


text:
How To Use My Olevia Television As A Computer Monitor
If you are tired of squinting to read an email or watch a video on your ancient computer monitor, and you see that sweet big screen Olevia television sitting across the room, then the question that you need to ask is how to use my Olevia television as a computer monitor. The process is a fairly simple one that involves connecting cables between the television and the computer and then telling the television to display the computer video feed. Remember that televisions usually have fewer supported resolutions, so your desktop and icons might get resized in the process.
- Make sure that your computer resolution is supported. In the back of the Olevia manual there will be a table containing all of the supported resolutions. Look under the VGA heading and see if your current resolution is listed. If your's is not listed, or if you don't know what you resolution is, then right-click on your desktop and choose the last option in the drop-down box. In the next window click on "Settings" or "Display Settings" and your resolution will be listed next to a slider where you can change it. If you don't have access to a working monitor, it may not be an issue, as Olevia televisions support most of the widely used resolutions like 1024 x 768 and 800 x 600.
- Connect the SVGA cable to both devices. Connect one end of the SVGA cable to the back of your computer. The SVGA cable is called a 15-pin connector since it has 3 rows of 5 pins. If your computer only has a DVI video output then you will need to place a DVI to SVGA adapter on the connector. Connect the other end of the cable to the 15-pin connector on the back of the Olevia television. It will be the only 15-pin connector on the television.
- Change the Olevia television source. Press the "Menu" button on the remote control, then use the arrow buttons to scroll through the options until you find "Screen." Press "Enter" to access the next menu, where you scroll to "PC/VIDEO" and press "Enter." Scroll to "PC" on the next menu and press "Enter" to start using your Olevia television as a computer monitor.
show comments


text:
Log In
Essential Oils
Therapeutic Blends - 10ml
Aromatherapy Pillows->
Bath & Body
Chakra Blends
Floral Water
Flower Essences
Gem Essences
Heavenly Hair Products
Home Fragrance
Male/Homme Range
Massage Oils
Mother and Baby Range
Product Making Workshop
Rollerball -portable heaven!
The 42 Synergies - 10ml
The Sacred Femme Range
Specials ...
New Products ...
Featured Products ...
All Products ...
Reviews [more]
Write a review on this product.
Shipping & Returns
Privacy Notice
Contact Us
Site Map
Gift Certificate FAQ
Newsletter Unsubscribe
Product Making Workshop
larger image
Product Making Workshop
Save: 9% off
This a great opportunity for you to spend half a day at our riverside workshop in Maidstone, Kent. You will be taught how to make a variety of products using esential oils and take 4 products home with you and a certificate of attendance. Refreshments are provided.
Perfect for a group of friends or a hen party or just for an individual.
Add to Cart:
Your IP Address is: 184.108.40.206
Copyright © 2018
. Powered by
Zen Cart


text:
iOS 6 developer betas are distributed by Apple as a way for their registered developer communities to test out the OS across devices prior to a full scale launch. These betas are usually distributed among those registered developers who have a $99 per year registration account with Apple.
However, it appears that some of these registered developers are in it more for the commercial reasons rather than coding. Apparently some of them have been reselling these pre-launch betas to private users for a small fee. How does this work? Every registered developer gets backdoor access to activate up to 100 Unique Device IDs (UDIDs) for their account. That means for every account, they can sale the pre-launch beta release to 100 different customers. Once they used up their quota they simply went ahead and registered another account to carry on their business interests. Some of them have done pretty good with sales reportedly in excess of $75,000.
This had been going on for some time now and in spite of the fact that Apple knew about these practices they did not bother to do anything about it. After Wired published a story listing names of the services that offered such iOS 6 betas for a price, it seems that Apple has finally realized enough is enough and started taking this issue seriously. MacStories have been following this news for a while and they have noticed that many of the services which were originally reported by Wired are no longer available. Apple has been taking these sites off, wielding the stick pretty harshly.
A few of the site owners have confirmed on condition of anonymity that their sites were taken down following complaints by Apple about the legality of this whole deal and the copyright infringement that these service owners are engaging in.


text: Little Fearless and her friends are prisoners at the City Community Faith School for Retraining, Opportunity, and Hope, a juvenile detention center in the City. The prisoners have their real names taken away and are endlessly forced to do laundry for the Cityzens. Little Fearless believes that if the Cityzens were aware of this treatment they would never allow it. In a series of nightly outings, Little Fearless escapes, trying to convince adult Cityzens to investigate. Night after night, confronted with apathy and fear, she returns home to protect her friends from punishment. Little Fearless's story begins as dystopian novel and concludes as allegory; while both are interesting, the transition is jarring. The symbolic weight in the latter half is marred by an overwhelming lack of subtlety, as when the City Boss orates upon "the bad people." And it's more the adults who learn and grow than the children, with Little Fearless acting as the innocent child savior. An enjoyable read, but a success at neither dystopia nor allegory. (Science fiction. 11-13)


text:
Hi There,
We had some awful news.
My sister in-law has acute leukemia and is in the hospital for treatment.
Our prayers and thoughts are with her and her husband.
I decided to make them both a card to say that we are thinking of them and praying that she'll get better.


text:
Other Searches
Line-By-Line Order:
Separate Line
Verse Only
Reference Only
Reference Delimiters:
None — Jhn 1:1 KJV
Square — [Jhn 1:1 KJV]
Curly — {Jhn 1:1 KJV}
Parens — (Jhn 1:1 KJV)
Paragraph Order:
Number Delimiters:*
No Number
No Delimiter — 15
Square — [15]
Curly — {15}
Parens — (15)
Other Options:
Abbreviate Books
Use SBL Abbrev.
En dash not Hyphen
Quotes Around Verses
Remove Square Brackets
Sort Canonically
* 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order'
Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.
Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.
A. John 7:37-39 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (NKJV)
1. It was the last day of The Feast of Tabernacles, (also known as the Feast of Booths).
a) A celebration commemorating the Lord's provision in the wilderness. (15th-22nd of October)
b) For 7 days the priests would go down the Pool of Siloam in the Kidron Valley and fill their water jugs and return to the temple courtyard.
c) As they would come into the courtyard the people would break out into singing as the priests would pour out the water on the pavement.
(1) As celebration and reminder of God's provision of water from the rock.
d) On the 8th day, there was no procession by the priest, and no pouring out of the water!
(1) This also was symbolic of the Lord's fulfillment to bring them into the land of milk and honey!
(a) In this new land, they could gather for themselves.
2. Tradition has it that it was during this time of the feast when the water would normally be poured out that Jesus stood up and made the statement in John 7:37-39.
a) He would have had an audience of thousands of people.
b) The fact that He stood up is also significant:
(1) Traditionally the "teachers" (or Rabbi's) were seated in the middle of their standing students.
(2) It was only when something was to be heralded or announced that the speaker would stand up!
c) And so, Jesus was proclaiming a truth!
d) Jerusalem is a very dry place, much like Phoenix.
(1) The need for "A cup of cold water" doesn't have to be explained to a Phoenician.
(2) The Hebrew was as aware of his need for water for survival as we are!
(3) And so the stage is set!!!
(4) It is this need for water that Jesus uses to explain a greater need!
A. He is spirit, he possesses a conscience, and it is all housed in a material body!
1. And so it is with all men, they are made up of body,mind, and spirit.(A bit of an un-holy trinity I might add.)
2. Because man is made up of these three parts, he is able to experience "thirst" in all three areas.
a) He can experience physical thirst, emotional thirst, and spiritual thirst.
b) As human beings we don't have a very difficult time understanding physical thirst.
(1) We need it to survive!
(2) When the body moisture get too low we will do just about anything for a glass of water.
B. Sociologists have proven that our emotional need is just as great!
1. Studies have proven that babies die without physical touch.
a) In such experiments, in only 6 months they suffered irreparable mental retardation.
b) And usually they died within 2 years without that holding and cuddling. They need to be loved!!
2. Another emotional need is the need for security.
a) We need to be needed.
b) We see this in couples who have lived together for 50 years.
(1) When one dies, often the other dies within the year.
(2) They need to be needed!
C. These is yet the third and probably the greatest need, and that is the need for God!
1. Romans 8:20 20 For the creation was subjected to futility (emptiness), not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; (by the Lord's design) (NKJV)
2. Deep within every man is the desire for life to make sense!
3. And that is not possible without God!
4. So when Jesus cried, "if any man thirsts", it was this thirst to know God that He was talking about!
A. The body, soul and spirit of man is so integrated that one affects the other.
1. In other words, if we are sick physically, it will affect us emotionally and spiritually.
a) The same is true of all three areas of life.
b) This was indicated in Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)
(1) Proverbs 15:13 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (NKJV)
(2) David knew what is has taken scientists centuries to discover!
2. It is significant to understand that our spiritual condition will also affect us physically, and emotionally.
a) They are all so intertwined that it is often difficult to discern whether we are under spiritual attack or simply physical attack!
(1) I think it is important to understand that satan will use any or all three of these!!!
B. Hebrews 4:12 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)
1. God's word is able to discern, between these tightly enmeshed areas of our lives!
a) Many churches think they are having deep spiritual services when they are only feeding their emotions. And many times their physical needs.
b) If they would only look into the word of God, it would give them the balance they desperately need.
(1) It would let them discern between the soul and the spirit!
(2) The word of God feeds the spirit of man!
C. Though these 3 areas of body, soul, and spirit are tightly enmeshed and one often affects the other:
1. Satisfying one, cannot satisfy the other!!!
a) You cannot fill a physical need with an emotional experience.
(1) If I am stuck out in the desert in August without water it isn't going to matter to me much if you come along and tell me that you love me!
b) You cannot fill an emotional need with a physical experience.
(1) This is where many of us men go wrong in our relationships with our wives.
(2) They often have the need simply to be loved and needed, yet we try to solve the problem by "buying" them something!
(3) Many parents do the same thing with their children.
(a) They buy them everything, but they do nothing with them.
(b) The video games and the TV become a substitute for love!
(4) And you cannot fill a need for God with either one!
(5) That is why the world is so empty even though they posses many things!
(a) American's garages and backyards are full of toys to enjoy life with, but most are miserable.
(b) They thirst for God but won't come to the well to drink.
(i) John 4:13 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, (NKJV)
(ii) As long as we keep trying to satisfy our spiritual thirst with this world's water, we will always be empty.
(iii) We should keep this in mind with everything we purchase in this life.
(iv) It is not wrong to have things, but they will never satisfy us.
(v) We will always be coming back for more!
(vi) We always need one newer or bigger or prettier.
A. What is the answer?
1. Things cannot satisfy us, but Jesus can! "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
a) Jesus takes the responsibility for satisfying our deepest needs in life!
b) He tells us that we will find what we are looking for only in Him!
(1) John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
(2) In the Greek, this would be better translated, "Out of his innermost being will gush torrents of living water."
(a) This is not a little stream, but more like Niagara Falls!
c) Some 60 years later, the Apostle John writes John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (NKJV)
(1) The Holy Spirit is supposed to be like this "torrent" "gushing" "out of" our innermost being!
(2) This is different that inviting Him in.
(3) Again many Christians have invited Him in, but He is surely not "gushing" out of their lives.
(4) So, the question is, "Does this describe your life in Christ?"
(a) Is it noticeable that the Holy Spirit is "overflowing" your life?
(b) If not, then perhaps you have not submitted to the power of the Lord's holy spirit through the baptism of His Holy Spirit!
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
Blue Letter Bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the Bible easy and rewarding.
Blue Letter Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
©2018 Blue Letter Bible | Privacy Policy
Note: MLA no longer requires the URL as part of their citation standard. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs.
Email / username or password was incorrect!
Check your email for password retrieval
Complete the form below to register [?]
Error: That Email is already registered
Error: Please provide a valid Email
Error: Passwords should have at least 6 characters
Error: Passwords do not match
Error: Please provide a valid first name
Error: That username is already taken
Error: Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores
Passwords should have at least 6 characters.
Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores.
Thank you for registering. A verification email has been sent to the address you provided.
Error: That Email / Username is not registered


text:
Baseball: Northwestern hopes to translate changes into breakout year
February 14, 2017
Hang on for a minute...we're trying to find some more stories you might like.
Email This Story
While Northwestern limped to a dismal 15-39 record in coach Spencer Allen's first season in the dugout last spring, Matt Hopfner tore up opposing pitchers to the tune of a .355 batting average.
This year, the senior right fielder with the second-highest batting average among returning Big Ten hitters feels like the rest of the team is ready to match his success.
"One year under the belt with the new coaching staff, we know what to expect," Hopfner said. "Everything is a lot more efficient right now in the way we practice. And obviously the addition of the 10 new guys, which I think will have an impact right away, blended with some of the older guys who have experience — it's a pretty good chemistry we have this year."
That group of 10 newcomers includes freshmen infielders Alex Erro, a Florida state semifinalist in high school last year, and Charlie Maxwell, a product of Evanston Township High School, who together will fill a void of left-handed hitters in the rotation.
They aren't the only changes to the squad. Sophomore Willie Bourbon, who started 52 games at second base as a freshman, is shifting over to replace the graduated Zach Jones at first base, which Allen said will give the Wildcats' defensive lineup more athleticism. Either Erro or Maxwell will be expected to fill the vacancy at second.
With last year's regular Friday starter Reed Mason also gone, pitching coach Josh Reynolds is looking to junior Tommy Bordignon, who made 17 of his 20 appearances in relief last season, to successfully transition into the No. 1 starter role.
"I think we're going to give him the ball and say, 'Let's go, Tommy, let's see what you can do,'" Reynolds said. "He's motivated, he's a different guy than last year, and … he's starting to figure out this is what pitchers have to do, this is what I have to work on."
Bordignon said starting will better fit his skill set than coming out of the bullpen did.
"One of my strong suits has been being able to maintain my velocity through multiple innings," he said. "The biggest thing for me has been keeping my strength throughout the later innings. (I'll) hopefully be able to go deeper in ball games this year."
Senior Joe Schindler, who missed most of 2016 due to suspension, and freshman Hank Christie, who Reynolds said has stood out most among the five freshmen arms, will also be tasked with improving a pitching staff that has nowhere to go but up. NU ranked dead last in the Big Ten last season in both team ERA and total strikeouts.
"We didn't hide from the fact that we did struggle last year," Allen said. "You start throwing losses together, and we weren't able to just stop it and play the game that day."
The second-year manager is making a point to emphasize a one-day-at-a-time mentality this season.
The Cats may need it just to survive a challenging 15-game stretch to start the season — 14 of those games are outside of Evanston, and 11 are in the Pacific time zone, including a three-game series at Arizona State this weekend. Reynolds said he's hoping to use the surplus of innings to get freshmen experience without "burying them" in pressure situations.
And with the new personnel, the wins might not be too far off.
"Yes, they're coming this year," Hopfner said with a smile.
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Twitter: @benpope111


text:
Christmas song parodies are just as much a staple this time of year as Christmas songs themselves. My personal favorite is the 12 Days of Christmas sung by Bob and Doug McKenzie.
Latest posts by TheSixMillionDollarJedi (see all)
- Listen to the music from Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids - September 13, 2016
- This Christmas Commercial From Kellogg's is "The Avengers" of Breakfast Cereal Commercials - December 18, 2015
- Tom & Jerry Meet Jonny Quest - May 4, 2015


text:
affiliated to the london football association
The league would like to pay tribute to previous individuals who were once involved in our league. Previous committee members, secretaries, players and anyone that was involved in our league at some point.
This page has been reintrodcued as of May 2016.
The page was originally put up several years ago but then removed due to certain people thinking it would be funny to send information about players who are currently still alive and playing in our league. Clearly this is no laughing matter so any inclusions onto this page will be ratified by the League Management Committee first.
If you would like to include anyone on this page then please email me at email@example.com (Adding any text and an image of your choice too)


text:
Economic justice, through supporting the rights of workers and critiquing the prevailing social order, was the primary focus of the Federation during its first several decades of the 20th century (see history highlights). Today MFSA's work on poverty and economic justice takes several forms including:
— providing resources to make people aware of actions they can take to promote economic justice
— the Social Questions Bulletin which periodically contains incisive economic analysis
— MFSA chapters working for the alleviation of poverty and promoting economic justice in their local areas.
Health Care
- New tool to evaluate health care reform proposals through faith values click here
- National Immigration Forum reviews impact of Health Care Reform (HR 3590) on immigrants
MFSA Statement on Reproductive Rights
Economic Analysis
- NEW: I am Prophet-Driven. This new campaign from the General Board of Church and Society highlights the importance of founding economics on moral principles–putting those at the bottom of the economic ladder at the top of the economic agenda. You can also check out GBCS Resources on Global Poverty and Hunger.
- Bread for the World Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, we provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities in which we live.
- Highlander Center Highlander serves as a catalyst for grassroots organizing and movement building in Appalachia and the South. They work with people fighting for justice, equality and sustainability, supporting their efforts to take collective action to shape their own destiny through popular education, participatory research, and cultural work.
- Move the Mountatin Leadership Center Move the Mountain Leadership Center provides transformational leadership and planning programs to align leaders and their organizations to high impact strategies that can reduce and eventually end poverty. The Circles™ Campaign was initiated by Move the Mountain to provide transformational leaders a structure to engage the community in ending poverty.
Living Wage
- Jobs with Justice Jobs with Justice engages workers and allies in campaigns to win justice in workplaces and in communities where working families live.
- Let Justice Roll The Let Justice Roll Living Wage Campaign is a fast-growing nonpartisan coalition of more than ninety faith, community, labor and business organizations committed to raising the minimum wage.
- GBCS Resources on a Living Wage


text:
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District was created by the visionary Sonoma County voters in 1990 to ensure that Sonoma County retained its rural way of life – including farming and ranching lands that produce local food and support our economy, community separators that maintain each city's unique identity and sense of place, and ecosystems that support a rich diversity of plants, wildlife and habitats.
The community also wished to see more opportunities for outdoor recreation. Realizing that we needed to protect Sonoma County from becoming the next San Jose or Los Angeles given our proximity to the rapidly urbanizing Bay Area, the visionary founders of the District – a diverse group of people representing agriculture, business and the environment – placed a measure on the ballot to fund agricultural and open space preservation by means of a quarter-cent sales tax.
The District was formed in 1990 and reauthorized in 2006 with over 76 percent support by the local community. The District and its partners are now responsible for protecting 111,000 acres of natural, agricultural, scenic and recreational lands from future subdivision and development, and have done so by leveraging local sales tax dollars with substantial outside funding. According to a recent study, the County's agricultural and scenic open space lands are a top draw for people who come to visit Sonoma County. These tourists spend money, resulting in over 25 percent of the sales tax revenue to the District and other sales tax-funded organizations.
We are now fully realizing the benefits of the community's vision to protect what we love about Sonoma County – clean and abundant water filtered by our forested watersheds, scenic beauty, local food, places for all people to exercise and experience nature, increased revenues from tourism, vibrant communities, and views of our mountaintops. I am especially proud of what we have accomplished in terms of natural resource protection and access to recreational lands for all of our citizens.
During my tenure on the Board, the District has opened up the 98-acre Montini Open Space Preserve right on the edge of Sonoma's downtown for public recreation and enjoyment, and in doing so, preserved the iconic backdrop to the city. The District has also added 29 additional acres to Sonoma Valley Regional Park and opened the 819-acre North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, which connects to Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.
I was also particularly fortunate to have joined in the celebration of the opening of the East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail, a special 1.2 mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail connecting to Jack London State Historic Park made possible by the hard work of private and public landowners, funders, NGOs, and the public. I was deeply honored to stand next to the late Pat Eliot and her husband Ted, who were instrumental in making the trail a reality, to cut the ribbon on the trail's opening day.
I look forward to working with our community and District staff to open Calabazas Creek Open Space Preserve to the public, inviting residents to enjoy its wild and pristine 1,290 acres of creeks and ferns, oaks and redwoods, wildflowers and grasslands. The District's protection of this magnificent property ensures that it will remain as healthy, functioning habitat for the plants and wildlife who call it home, as well as a beautiful and serene place for us to enjoy too. I am also eager to get to work on improvements and restoration enhancements at Maxwell Farms Regional Park in Sonoma with funding help from the District's matching grant program.
The beauty of land conservation is that it has multiple benefits: it can provide iconic backdrops to our cities, preserve our agricultural heritage, protect native plants and wildlife, and safeguard watersheds that sequester carbon and contribute to our water supply. Further, access to hiking, biking and riding trails helps to combat obesity, diabetes, and other mental and physical ailments, making us a healthier community all around.
With this great foundation of success, our Board has directed the District to embark on a comprehensive planning process to guide its work through 2031 and beyond. The planning process – entitled the Sonoma County Vital Lands Initiative – needs your input.
The Board will be leading a series of community meetings to gather input on your priorities and ideas for agricultural and open space protection and the work of the Ag & Open Space District moving forward. On March 30, a meeting will be held at Finnish American Heritage Hall, in Sonoma. For more information, visit the Sonomaopenspace.org/vital-lands.


text:
A reformed blog from what used to be meaningless chattering to what I hope is meaningful discussion on politics and society, with a heavy focus on gender issues. Please feel free to comment, especially if you disagree.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
I'm Disappointed, Michael Moore
So when Swedish authorities appealed this decision to let Assange out on bail, Michael Moore tweeted the following:
I will be lying if I didn't say I expected better from this man, perhaps naïvely. Michael Moore has bought into these theories of a joint Swedish government/feminist and CIA co operation conspiracy. As a man who have produced documentaries that I have enjoyed immensely because of their capability of revealing things that have not been seen when looking at issues superficially, I would have expected him to do a little bit more critical thinking than that. Instead, it seems, that his hatred of the American government(s) and their power plays has made him automatically assume that this cannot be anything but a great puppet show with the US apparatus pulling the strings. I am disappointed.
I have said before and I feel forced to reiterate: serious accusations deserve to be heard and considered in an appropriate manner. Accusations of sex crimes, including rape, are serious, and therefore deserve to be heard. They do not automatically deserve to be believed without any critical thinking, but neither do they deserve to be dismissed as another one of America's great schemes in the plot to take over the world.
I can understand the willingness to defend Wikileaks and post bail for a man that has not been sentenced to any crime yet, but I cannot understand how a world renowned investigative journalist dismissed these accusations through such narrow thinking.
9 comments:
- Alexa14/12/2010, 22:18
Sorry to disagree, Linnéa, but I think MM is factually right in this his assessment (or criticism). The question of Julian Assange's guilt or innocence is one that shall be decided by the courts, not by us or any media pundits. And it is also true that the strange Common Law "bail" system (characteristic of legally underdeveloped countries) should seem quaint if not offensive to Swedish (and many continental) jurists. But in his assessment of the role and behaviour of the Swedish prosecution service in *this* case, I think he is plainly right.ReplyDelete
I don't have a problem with MM contributing towards the bail, I have a problem with him dismissing the entire case on the belief that the Swedish authorities are USA's lapdogs. Is that the assessment you agree with him on?ReplyDelete
- Alexa14/12/2010, 22:32
I absolutely agree as much as the direction level of the prosecution service is concerned. Yes. I will not blame the two initial prosecutors who followed up the case as they each thought proper, even though their opinions diverged (as is not uncommon, and actually a good sign). But as to Marianne Ny, and as to the *present* PERsecution (no longer an orderly and indeed required PROsecution): absolutely YES.ReplyDelete
You can find a parallel in Wikileaks now, where you see how heavy-handed, in old-time Soviet style, the USA influenced a comparable legal case successfully, against the law, and that one even in Europe's most powerful country. :-(
Well, if his assessment would have been just that the Swedish prosecution was out of order, fine. Through tweeting that (above) tweet, however, he is dismissing the entire case as a co operation between the Swedish authorities and the US authorities with the sole purpose of dragging Wikileaks through the mud. Wikileaks is not Julian Assange, leaking cables is not a sex crime, and I would think that there would have been a better way to try to frame Assange than through sex crime accusations, especially in the Swedish system which doesn't exactly have statistics known for their conviction rate of accused sex criminals. That's not to say that the accusations are undoubtedly true or that USA is not using these allegations to fit their own agenda (I think they're definitely doing so). But that the US is using these allegations to manipulate and achieve another goal doesn't mean that the entire case is bollocks or a US scheme from beginning to end. That's a difference MM should be able to make.ReplyDelete
- Alexa14/12/2010, 23:04
It is a good differentiation that *you* have made now, in your last two (three) sentences, and I agree with it. :-)ReplyDelete
- Anonymous15/12/2010, 20:25
Moore doesn't mention the allegations in his tweet. I think his frustration is more a consequence of the actions of the Swedish prosecutors, which (on the issue of bail at least) seems to be mostly about harassing Assange.ReplyDelete
they may be, but he nevertheless spoke about it in a very clumsy way. He said to 'never, ever' believe the official story, and the official story in this case are the allegations made by these women that Assange sexually assaulted them in various ways (rape, molestation, sexual coercion). By saying that it is stupid to believe in this particular official story, he is dismissing this entire case as a sham, invalidating the accusations these women have made. He doesn't have to presume JA guilty, and he can point out that something is 'fishy', but to claim that the entire situation is orchestrated by America and its lapdogs is to trivialise rape accusations and feeding into one of the oldest rape myths - that a well-known and well-liked man who has done a lot of good cannot commit sexual crimes.
- Anonymous16/12/2010, 05:24
It's possible that Moore has said things dismissive of the accusations, but the context of that tweet is pretty clearly with reference to Assange's bail application.ReplyDelete
In any case, you might be interested in the following news update: according to this report Sweden didn't oppose bail for Assange, the U.K. did! If that's true, then apologies are in order to the Swedish prosecutors (on this issue). On the other hand, this latest twist also strongly suggests a political dimension to the way the legal process is playing out - regardless of the validity of the original accusations.
But even if the tweet was in context to the bail, it still suggests that Sweden is doing all this to please the US, which is the same thing as saying that the case is a sham or silly. The thing is that the US is after Assange for espionage, which is related to Julian Assange but mainly to Wikileaks the organisations. Sweden is after Assange for accusations of crimes of a sexual nature, which is related to Assange the private person and not at all to Wikileaks.ReplyDelete
I've seen that, and thanks for pointing it out! Does anyone know how it all was, because I saw Assange's lawyers later in the day on Sky News saying that Sweden was unsuccessful in their attempts to repeal the decision to post bail, so either they are ignorant too, blatantly deceiving people or Sweden was a part of it.
I don't doubt there are political motivations involved, but I don't think they necessarily reflect on the validity of the case. It might just be UK/US seizing the opportunity to ensure they have Assange where they know where he is, and the accusations might be separate from that.


text:
Personalized Dance Programs for:
- Bride & Groom
- Father & Daughter
- Mother & Son
*First Dance -- Our goal is to make your First Dance memorable. Your personalized routine will bring out your personality and vision at their best.
* D.J. Service -- We have wide variety of song choices to fit your need and style.
It's never too early to start!
Things you may want to know for your first lesson:
- What kind of music will you have at the wedding?
- Will a band or DJ play your first song?
- Will you have Mother/Son, Father/Daughter or bridal party dances?
- Will your honeymoon have dancing? (Latin/Tropical getaway, Cruise, etc.)
- What is the size of the dance floor at your reception?
- How many other weddings will you attend this year?


text:
Pioneers and leaders in Polyurethane foams, Established in 1959 by the father of Polyurethane foams in India, Our Chairman M Sarangapani, U-Foam is in the forefront of Polyurethane development. We are one of the few polyurethane foam manufacturers in the world who has the technical competence and expertise to be involved in all forms of Polyurethanes with over 250 years of combined experience makes us unmatched in Industry.
U-Foam has the widest and most diverse product range available in the Industry segment. We manufacture over 300 grades of foams for an entire spectrum of applications and uses, to name a few broadly.
Comfort Products - mattresses pillows cushions under our own registered brands. Technical Foams - flexible polyether foams, flexible polyester foams, rigid PUR and PIR foams, reticulated foams, felts, engineered and post processes foams, reconstituted foams, HR, CMHR, FMVSS-302, UL94 HF-1 foams, packaging foams. Moulded Foams - flexible and rigid, pipe sections of PUR and PIR. Insulated Panels - with a variety of cladding skins and thicknesses for a wide range of applications, wall, ceiling and roof cladding and insulation, floor decking. Pour in place foams for tank insulation and roof spray. Complete built solutions and turnkey contract s handled by a team of project managers of par excellence and over 300 teams for a diverse industry segment, environmental chambers, enclosures, telecommunication enclosures (shelters) cool and cold rooms, bunk houses, prefabricated homes, and refrigerated trucks besides pour in place tank insulation and roof spray
We invite you to browse through our extensive product range and get in touch with us.


text:
Houston Texans rookie linebacker Jadeveon Clowney told reporters at the NFL Rookie Symposium in Aurora, Ohio that his goal in the NFL is to sack Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
Houston Texans rookie linebacker Jadeveon Clowney wants to sack Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.
Clowney said this is his goal in the NFL when he spoke at the NFL Rookie Symposium in Aurora, Ohio on July 7, per the Texans' official website:
"At the 2014 NFL Rookie Symposium in Aurora, Ohio, Jadeveon Clowney opened up about what he wants to accomplish as an NFL player and as a rookie.
"Topping his list, the first-overall draft pick wants to go head-to-head with another former No. 1 selection: Andrew Luck. Clowney praised the Colts starter but hoped to make a big play against the AFC South rival.
"'My goal in the NFL is to sack Andrew Luck,' Clowney said. 'He's in my division. I'm playing him two times a year. He's a dangerous quarterback, very smart with the ball, he makes good decisions, so I just want to get after him and sack him one time.'
"Heading into his first NFL season, the outside linebacker wants to prove he simply belongs in the NFL and is worthy of playing alongside his teammates.
"'My goal for the rookie season is to try to better myself as a player, learn a lot about the game, help my team win and just be the best Jadeveon Clowney on and off the field,' Clowney said.
"The Texans will host Indianapolis in Week 6 on Thursday night, October 9 and then will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 15 for their second matchup."
"I want to prove that I have what it takes to play in the @NFL."
Jadeveon Clowney talks 2014: http://t.co/3CTf6iRUOl pic.twitter.com/9SzJtQQtMm— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 7, 2014
Clowney is still trying to familiarize himself with the city of Houston, according to Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official website:
"Houston is a long way from Rock Hill, South Carolina. It's something Jadeveon Clowney realizes every day as the tries to get around town.
"'I have to GPS everything,' Clowney said, with a laugh. 'Houston is big, man!'
"Clowney says after living here for nearly two months, he still has 'no clue' how to navigate his way around town. Even former South Carolina alums Jonathan Joseph and D.J. Swearinger advised him to just stick with GPS until he got a sense of his bearings.
"The one thing that he's had a little bit of an easier transition with has been the heat, after playing his entire career in South Carolina.
"Still, I had to ask: which is hotter, Houston or Columbia? Clowney's response was immediate.
"'Houston is hotter, very hot,' he said. 'Houston is a step hotter than Columbia.'
"It's a good thing the Texans get to head to Denver in August."
USA Today Sports' Jordan Godwin wrote a report about the Texans on July 7, saying Houston will draw plenty of strength from its defensive line with the addition of Clowney. However, the team needs to upgrade its depleted secondary:
"Changes have arrived in Houston as the Texans enter the first season under coach Bill O'Brien.
"While O'Brien's arrival has most fans fired up about the future, some players are less excited. Veteran receiver Andre Johnson expressed frustration over several decisions the team's front office made over the season and didn't attend spring workouts.
"The Texans traded longtime quarterback Matt Schaub, replacing him with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick in the near term. Promising prospect Tom Savage came in the fourth round of the draft.
"The defensive line, though, is firmly expected to provide one of the best pass rushes in the game. The Texans selected Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 overall pick, and he joins the 2012 NFL defensive player of the year, J.J. Watt, to form what should be a nasty one-two punch.
"The Texans had to revamp their secondary, however, and will have plenty of holes to fill in Romeo Crennel's first season as defensive coordinator.
"Houston went from being the back-to-back AFC South titlist to the 2-14 league cellar dweller in 2013. How much the Texans improve in 2014 will be decided by countless variables and intangibles."
For more of the hottest sports news, log on to Sport Balla today.


text:
LOS ANGELES — Republican John McCain on Wednesday called anew for the United States to work more collegially with democratic allies and live up to its duties as a world leader, drawing a sharp contrast to the past eight years under President Bush.
LOS ANGELES — Republican John McCain on Wednesday called anew for the United States to work more collegially with democratic allies and live up to its duties as a world leader, drawing a sharp contrast to the past eight years under President Bush.
"Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed," the likely presidential nominee said in a speech to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council. "We need to listen to the views and respect the collective will of our democratic allies," McCain added.
Coming days after his trip to the Middle East and Europe, McCain's speech was intended to signal to leaders abroad — and voters at home — that he would end an era of what critics have called Bush's cowboy diplomacy.
McCain never mentioned Bush's name, though he evoked former Democratic Presidents Truman and Kennedy.
It was, in effect, a fresh acknowledgment from the Arizona senator that the United States' standing on the world stage has been tarnished and that the country has an image problem under Bush.
"We know that we have work to do," McCain told reporters later.
Critics at home and abroad have accused Bush of employing a go-it-alone foreign policy in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks when the administration spurned international calls for caution and led the invasion into Iraq.
"The United States cannot lead by virtue of its power alone," McCain said in the speech, noting that the United States did not single-handedly win the Cold War or other conflicts in its history.
Instead, he said, the country must lead by attracting others to its cause, demonstrating the virtues of freedom and democracy, defending the rules of an international civilized society and creating new international institutions.
He said the United States must set an example for other democracies and renewed his call for creating a new global compact of more than 100 democratic countries to advance shared values and defend shared interests.
Later, he told reporters he discussed his League of Democracies idea last week with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
"If we lead by shouldering our international responsibilities and pointing the way to a better and safer future for humanity ... it will strengthen us to confront the transcendent challenge of our time: the threat of radical Islamic terrorism," the four-term senator and member of the Armed Services Committee, said in the speech.
"Any president who does not regard this threat as transcending all others does not deserve to sit in the White House, for he or she does not take seriously enough the first and most basic duty a president has — to protect the lives of the American people," McCain added, suggesting that neither of his Democratic rivals, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama, understand the stakes at hand.
Democrats, in turn, chastised McCain as offering the same policies as Bush.
"John McCain is determined to carry out four more years of George Bush's failed policies," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
Clinton, for her part, seized on McCain's Iraq position, which she termed the Bush/McCain policy. "Like President Bush, Senator McCain continues to oppose a swift and responsible withdrawal from Iraq," she said in a statement.
McCain staunchly defending his support for a continued U.S. military mission as the Iraq war enters its sixth year and the U.S. death toll tops 4,000. He derided Clinton's and Obama's calls for withdrawal.
Recalling his father's four-year absence after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, his grandfather's death a day after returning from war and his own imprisonment in Vietnam, McCain said: "I hold my position because I hate war, and I know very well and very personally how grievous its wages are. But I know, too, that we must sometimes pay those wages to avoid paying even higher ones later."
Answering questions afterward, McCain floated a fresh proposal — the United States entering into a free trade agreement with the European Union. "It would be a massive undertaking," he told reporters, but said he'd like to start a conversation about it.


text:
Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) and the 43rd session of the World Committee on Food Security (CFS)
17 October 2016 - 21 October 2016, Rome
Biowatch South Africa is participating in the Civil Society Mechanism (CSM), which facilitates civil society participation in the context of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security.
The CSM, which is taking place at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, is the largest international mechanism of civil society organisations (CSOs) seeking to influence agriculture, food security and nutrition policies and actions - nationally, regionally and globally.
The CSM is in preparation for the meeting of the World Committee on Food Security (CFS).
Events and Workshops
Mailing List
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Latest Publications
Agroecology Is Best Practice: Biowatch South Africa's work with smallholder farmers
October 2018
Biowatch Bulletin
June 2018
Research Paper
March 2018
Fact Sheet:
Household seed banks
Agroecology: Environmental, social and economic justice
Landmark Victory for Justice