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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Eric raised his chin. It wasn't comfortable being on his knees, but his body remembered the position and his mind automatically found the place where his focus shifted from the strain on his body to what mattered, his Maker.
"Robert should have known better than to try and fool you," Appius purred. "I trained you too well."
His Maker hadn't changed, he never did. The casual slacks suited his wiry frame. He was wearing a plum-tone cashmere pullover sweater. He'd insisted Eric change into similar attire, only Eric's sweater was an ice blue. He'd purred that the color matched Eric's eyes and there had been an uncomfortable moment when Eric thought his Maker would decide to use Eric's body, but the moment passed. Instead, Appius signaled over a glamoured, clearly terrified youth, settling him between his legs. Even now, Appius shifted as the youth's mouth did its work. "Tell me how you discovered the plot," Appius smirked, burying his fingers in the youth's curly hair and directing his movements more forcefully.
By the time Eric finished the story, his Maker had finished, releasing his toy to recover. For a moment, Eric thought Appius would kick the youth, but instead, he glanced at Eric. "Clean me up," he ordered, and Eric did. He crawled forward and completed the ritual he'd performed countless times over the centuries he'd traveled with his Maker. When he finished buckling the thin belt, he tilted his face up for his Maker's kiss.
"I've released you," Appius snorted. "I don't reward you with kisses anymore."
"As you wish," Eric bowed, and at his Maker's signal, returned to his prior position.
"Just because I don't visit you often, don't think I'm any less proud of you," Appius smiled. "You are one of my greatest creations. I enjoy receiving news of you."
"I am pleased to have made you proud," Eric replied. He couldn't help the shiver of pleasure he felt. Praise from Appius was hard-won. It had taken him over a hundred years to earn the right to use his Master's first name and, even now, he used it carefully. "You are a great vampire," Eric added.
"Yes, yes…" Appius sniffed. "You look uncomfortable, Eric. Are you uncomfortable?"
Eric recognized this as a trick question. He couldn't help the small smile that crossed his face. As if he would forget! "I am pleased to await your pleasure," he replied, as his Maker had taught him.
Appius didn't beam, though. Instead he looked bored. He nudged the youth who was still lying on the ground with his foot. "Get up! Are you damaged?" The dark-haired man levered himself up. Eric could see the tears on his face and it reminded him of other times.
"Does he please you?" Eric asked.
"Enough to keep?" and Appius ran his hand along the youth's smooth face. "He's young enough." He glanced at Eric, "Younger than you."
"I was not your first choice," Eric bowed his head.
"But I was starving," Appius grinned. "It was an opportune night for both of us."
"I am forever grateful," Eric bowed lower. In the back of his head, though, something stirred. He recalled that night again and the way he'd felt, anticipating his bride. It was a memory he'd not given himself permission to consider, not in a long time; not until his bonding with Sookie.
"What is it?" Appius asked, and Eric felt his sudden interest.
"Nothing," and Eric pushed the thought from his head. He found his place of meditation again, imagining a placid pool on which his Maker's words were the only ripple.
"Open your thoughts to me," Appius demanded, so Eric did. He dove into the pool he could see so clearly, swimming endlessly through blue water, watching the sunlight spear through from above. He felt Appius in his head, sifting and savoring. It seemed a long time before his Maker withdrew. "Thank you, my Child," and Appius' eyes returned to the young man beside him.
"Not enough," he said gently, and, with a wave of his hand, the youth's neck snapped. As the body fell forward, Appius said, "Take care of that, will you?"
Eric rushed forward, knowing that if he moved quickly enough, the body wouldn't have time to evacuate, making the job of cleaning the room in this safe house that much harder. 'Call Xavier for help,' his mind clicked, starting the mental list of what must be done. He trusted that his Maker found this man among the homeless and helpless. There would be no one looking for him, but, still, hiding bodies was harder than it had once been. There was too much technology now, DNA testing and fingerprinting. In some ways, Eric wished Appius would prey on the Fae instead. Their bodies had the advantage of falling to dust, even if paying retribution was expensive.
"I don't get enough of what I deserve," Appius sighed. "It's become too hard to travel with what I truly wish." Eric knew what his Maker meant. Appius preferred younger men, teenagers. He enjoyed the smooth texture of their skin and the lean lines of their body. It had been what saved Eric. The winter that year had been exceptionally hard, and Eric's body was half-starved, as happened when stores ran low. It gave Appius the lean lines over muscle he desired. He'd made Eric shave most of his body before turning him, so that as a vampire, the Viking would have little body hair to hamper the slide of the older vampire's hands. "People see an older man with a youth and they ask too many questions," Appius snarled. "They should mind their own business, but there are too many humans to glamour. Too much trouble."
Eric said nothing, tying the shower curtain tightly above and below. 'Lucky.' The word sprang into his head and he immediately dismissed it. It was not his place to judge his Master, not ever.
"With your permission," Eric smiled, and at his Maker's grace, he stood, lifting the corpse in its plastic sheathing.
Stopping on the back landing, Eric texted Xavier. Appius Livius Ocella had registered his presence with Xavier upon his arrival. Eric's counterpart had taken the unusual step of traveling to Edinburgh to receive Appius' assurances to abide by the rules in person. None of them were fooled. Appius would do as he wished, and Xavier would remain close until his Maker decided to return to Russia. 'Xavier is making sure things don't get out of hand.' The rebellious thought sprang into Eric's head and he pinched it off. That kind of thinking never led anywhere good, not when it came to Appius.
Now it looked as if Xavier's fears were confirmed. Eric shifted from one foot to the other, counting the minutes it took for the short knock down below. The Viking knew the longer Appius sat alone, the angrier he would become. He was here to see his progeny, so it was Eric's place to remain by his side until it was time to leave. If Appius created conditions that forced their separation during this time, it was a test. Eric must be clever and prove his Maker's faith in him. He must engineer things so that Appius remained happy.
Finally, the knock came, and Eric raced down the stairs, setting down the bundle to open the door.
"How many is this so far?" Xavier hissed.
Eric didn't look at him. Instead, he stepped past to hand the bundle to the cleaning crew standing behind Xavier. These vampires would process the body, making sure its former owner remained among the missing. Eric couldn't meet their eyes. He knew he'd see their judgment.
"How many?" Xavier asked the supervisor of the cleaning crew.
"Twice this week," the vampire answered. Xavier waved him away and waited for the truck to leave. Eric waited, too. He could feel Appius' growing frustration, but not talking with Xavier might lead to larger problems.
"This can't go on," Xavier hissed. "How long is he going to be here?"
"It is not my place to dictate my Maker's plans," Eric hissed back.
"I appreciate the difficulty…" Xavier started to say, but Eric interrupted.
"My Maker is a great vampire!" It sprang from Eric's lips. No one was allowed to insult his Master. It was not to be borne!
"I understand," Xavier conceded, "but I must let Andre know. It would be better if the old one didn't free range this way." When Eric opened his mouth to protest, Xavier added, "If this were my Maker and we were in your territory, you'd be telling me the same thing." Eric's colleague held up his hand, "I know, Eric, and I don't want you to answer. We all know your Maker's reputation."
"Don't pity me!" Eric hissed. It wasn't the first time he'd seen this look from other vampires, but it was unacceptable. If you accepted that others felt sorry for you, it meant accepting his Maker was a monster, and that way led to memories Eric never wished to revisit. Appius punished weakness. He punished pity and self-loathing. Appius rewarded strength and if Eric could show that he was strong, Appius would be satisfied and leave. That was how it always happened.
"Robert sent him, didn't he?" Xavier asked.
"Don't think I don't know about your channel to Robert," and Eric pulled himself taller. "Spying against your Queen?"
"It wasn't like that," Xavier protested. "Robert and I worked together, fought together, once upon a time. He's changed."
"Vampires don't change," Eric snorted.
"Vampires change all the time," Xavier shot back. "Look at you!"
"I haven't changed!" Eric flared.
"Then what do you call what you're doing with Brigant's whelp?" Xavier hissed. "You think I'm blind? It's Suzanne all over again…" and when Eric's eyes widened, Xavier leaned in, "Only more this time, isn't it?"
Eric couldn't help it. His eyes flicked back to the house, brow furrowed with worry. He could pinpoint his Maker's position in the house, too far to overhear them. "Don't worry," and Xavier leaned closer. "I won't tell, but, Eric, if Appius stays, he will find out about her, if he doesn't know already." Xavier looked at the road the cleaning crew had taken. "When Appius orders you to end her, what then?"
"There is no reason for my Maker to believe that anyone has taken precedence over him," Eric answered. "He wishes my loyalty to him to be beyond question. It is. He is my Maker."
"How are you going to keep him here?" Xavier asked. "What are you going to do when he demands you return with him to Ireland?"
"He has no interest in visiting Ireland," Eric answered. His chest felt tight and although he had no need to breathe, he found it hard to speak. "He and Sophie-Anne are not friendly."
"So, you think this is a social call and he'll return to Moscow…" and Xavier let the question hover in the air between them.
"Soon," Eric answered. "I will do better to keep my Maker entertained. Perhaps you might arrange a suitable blood supply."
"Supervised," Xavier nodded. "It won't be easy, but it's possible. No one is going to offer up escorts if he," and Xavier glanced at the house, "is going to kill them."
"Young," and Eric's mouth felt dry. "Male…"
"We all know Appius' appetites," Xavier shrugged. "I mean it. No more deaths!"
"I will inform my Maker," and Eric bowed low.
When Eric walked back into the room where his Maker waited, he dropped to his knees. He kept his chin high, his hands on his thighs. "The Sheriff has been here."
"I heard his voice," Appius sniffed. "Complaining, I expect."
"He did not understand your needs," Eric explained. "He will arrange a blood supply for you. He will have someone bring you suitable donors…"
"Tame cattle," Appius sneered.
"Xavier reminds me of the rules of this kingdom," Eric replied.
Appius' teeth clenched, and his black eyes snapped. "There was a time we ruled the night," he snarled. "We were the supreme predators, the shade in the night that humans whispered about around their fires. We had power, wealth…"
"Until the humans learned how to destroy us," Eric interrupted. Eric kept his eyes downcast. Even though it was a risk, it was better to cut off these monologues before they got started. Once Appius worked himself up to righteous indignation, he would feel compelled to kill, just to prove he could.
Appius hissed, lashing Eric with his annoyance, but then, he stopped. Eric looked up, surprised. His Maker had collapsed back on the chair. "I'm feeling my years, Viking." Appius picked at the arm of his chair, his long, pointed nail ripping into the fabric. "There are moments I feel the same freedom, but more often…" and his eyes flicked to Eric, "I wonder if I've outlived my time."
"Never!" Eric protested. "You are a giant among us, King of our kind. Are there any older than you? You define us, you are a colossus…"
"Yes, yes," and Appius smiled briefly. "You flatter me."
"I do not mean to appear insincere," Eric assured him, and he pushed his feelings, inviting Appius to explore them, but the older vampire didn't.
"There are still places in the world where money buys me some semblance of how things should be, but I can't escape knowing it's an illusion." Appius sighed. It was so out of character, Eric was stunned into silence. "I confess," the old Roman said quietly, "I have thought of meeting the sun."
"No!" It was heartfelt and yet, it wasn't. Eric couldn't imagine a world where this vampire, who had made him, didn't exist. What lay between them was stronger than blood, stronger than love. Appius Livius Ocella had forged Eric Northman. He had taken a man and broken him over and over, until there was nothing left. Eric remembered his despair, and then, one night, Appius had rewarded him. It was a little thing, but Eric found he craved any kind word from this vampire. Over time, he learned how to please his Maker. He remembered how devastated he'd been when Appius released him. There had been no warning. His Maker told him it was time and Eric was alone, having to trust in the training he'd received, to make his way in the world. There were those who assured him his success had nothing to do with Appius, but Eric knew they were wrong. This vampire was why he survived, and no one could convince him otherwise.
And yet… There was a small voice that whispered, 'What about Sookie?' That voice reminded him that he was faced with two worlds: the world of Appius and the world where he loved. 'Those worlds can't meet!" the voice sang, and Eric knew it was true.
Eric brought himself back under control and opened his mouth to protest, and that's when he noticed. Appius was staring at him. It had been a test! "I bow to your superiority," Eric smiled, and he did bow low, touching his forehead to the floor.
"Yes, yes, enough of this playing," Appius sniffed, his good temper restored. "Tell me of your time here. Do you enjoy playing Sheriff to the child Queen?"
"Sophie-Ann is pleased with me," Eric sat back on his heels. He allowed himself a smile. "I assume you knew of Robert's plan to take over her kingdom?"
"Robert has done well for himself," Appius replied. "He finds ways to make peace with this new world, hiding and striking from the corners."
"He hasn't your strength, Master," Eric purred, and when Appius settled back, Eric continued. "I spotted the inconsistencies with his Sheriffs right away. It did take me two weeks to develop my suspicions, but every trick you taught me was of value. I followed, I observed. When Sophie-Ann and Andre were skeptical, Pam and I…"
"How is your progeny?" Appius interrupted. It was rare Appius asked and when he did, Eric rarely felt easy about it.
"Pam has earned her place among us," Eric replied. It was hard to keep his pride from showing. He was proud of his daughter, but he knew his Maker didn't approve.
It had been a near disaster when Appius returned following Pam's turning. Appius had no use for women and he sneered that Eric had gone back to his prior preferences. 'It shows a lack of progress,' Appius had hissed. The old Roman toyed with Eric for days, flattering Pam to her face, and then telling Eric that he felt he'd need to order Eric to end her. 'She is unworthy of you,' Appius taunted him. 'She will never make a true vampire.' To this night Eric wasn't sure why Appius relented, and it still left him cold any time Appius took notice of her.
"She was a mistake," Appius sniffed. "Look at you! Still only a Sheriff to an unworthy Queen, but what else could be hoped? Who would take you as consort, knowing it means that baggage comes with the bargain?"
"Pam has earned her place!" Eric repeated.
"So," and Appius' eyes narrowed, "does that mean you have freed her?"
"I…" and Eric's words caught before he steadied himself. "I have not told her, but it is my intention."
"Then do it," and Appius' lip curled. "You have my permission to use your phone. Go ahead, cut her loose!"
Eric knew his Master was enjoying the idea of hurting Pam, but Eric reminded him, "It wouldn't be recognized. There is paperwork required now, but I take your meaning. I will make arrangements to make it official. You are wise in all matters, my Master. It is past time."
Appius sniffed and his eyes narrowed again. "So, Andre is still Sophie-Ann's Second?" Eric knew what his Master was asking.
"Sophie-Ann has suggested I join her as consort," Eric offered, "but with Andre in place, I did not consider that position advantageous."
"She is too attached to Andre," Appius nodded. "You would have to kill him."
"It would destroy any chance to rule through her," Eric advised, "but there is money to be made and influence to wield. My position is unique. I have leave to travel and take on any opportunities I wish."
"And what do you receive in exchange for your body?" Appius asked.
Eric's eyes widened. It was unrealistic to believe his Maker didn't know of his bonding, but he had hoped. "As I have told you, I have unfettered freedom. I have Sheriffs who report to me supported by the kingdom. My tithes are nothing. I am welcome in Court and my words carry weight. Ireland is uniquely positioned…"
"It crawls with Fae," Appius sneered. "Dancing, prancing…"
"Wealthy, powerful," Eric countered.
"Don't contradict me!" and Appius slapped the arm of his chair. "You think well of yourself! Too well!" The older vampire's mouth was working. Eric recognized that look and it took everything not to show fear. After a long moment, the older vampire settled back again, "No one asked my permission."
"Sophie-Ann did not ask my permission either," Eric replied, throwing the Queen under the bus in an effort to distract his Maker from where this conversation would lead.
"You should have ended her!" Appius snarled. "She forced you? My Child?"
"It seemed a small thing," Eric shrugged. "Temporary."
"I hear this bride of yours is Seelie," and Appius' head tilted. "Blonde with tits like a cow." His lip curled, but Eric didn't miss the sharp way the black eyes watched him. When Eric didn't respond, Appius pressed, "Well? What of it?"
"She is under Niall Brigant's protection," Eric informed Appius. "She is his issue through a human lover."
"Temporary?" Appius asked, following up on Eric's remark.
"She's mostly human," Eric lied. "Fragile."
"But under Brigant's protection," Appius confirmed. "I understand why you haven't ended her yet. The old fox has sharp teeth. Tweaking him requires great care." Appius tented his fingers, appearing lost in thought.
Eric knew the stories. Appius and Niall loathed each other. On those rare occasions they did run across each other's paths, there was generally some incident. Eric also knew his Maker was almost always the loser in these encounters. Although he knew he wasn't meant to feel it, the Viking couldn't miss the undertone of fear that laced Appius' anger. When the Roman flicked his eyes in Eric's direction, the younger vampire wisely dropped his eyes, refusing to show any sign of apprehension. Like a storm passing, the tension in the room dropped and Appius asked, "So, what have you done to profit from this arrangement?"
"I operate pubs within Brigant's territories, for which he asks no consideration." Eric listed other assets: houses and relationships. "Most recently, the Seelie King has opened his business ventures for vampire employees," Eric concluded.
"But these only benefit Sophie-Ann," Appius pointed out. "Your choice of occupation troubles me. I released you because I believed you would prosper and what do you have to show for yourself? A lower level position sworn to serve a weak Queen! You are tied up with the worst sorts of people and vampires who should be your peers feel compelled to track me down, worried about your future."
"If this is about Robert…" Eric felt a rush of anger. This wasn't new. How many times had vampires complained about Eric in past, seeking to harm him? In Appius they always found a willing audience. "Why do you believe everyone but me?" The words slipped out and Eric immediately realized his mistake. "I don't mean to challenge you, Master!" he quickly apologized, bowing his head. "It is your right to make these decisions. You only seek to improve me…"
"As you should know without having to retract hasty words," Appius said coldly. "I begin to believe that Robert was right. You are forgetting your destiny. You are allowing shiny objects and a warm cunt to distract you."
"I believe I am doing a poor job in describing the network I have established," Eric countered. It was a gamble, but he added, "Perhaps, if you returned with me to Ireland as my guest, you would see…"
"I loathe Ireland," Appius growled, but he looked closely at his progeny. "It does mean something to me that you would be willing to show me, child. Perhaps Robert was hasty."
"Perhaps Robert was looking to overthrow my Queen," Eric added. "Perhaps this is simply mischief intent on weakening her position so that he might return to complete what he started."
Appius grinned. On another person it might have been taken for humor, but Eric knew better. "Perhaps he wanted to free you from your folly." There was a thought forming and it didn't make Eric comfortable, but Appius interrupted it by saying, "Still, things don't seem to be as Robert said. I will return to Moscow. You could come with me…" but before Eric could answer, Appius concluded, "No. You are doing well here, in spite of your unfortunate circumstances."
Appius rose then, walking until he stood before Eric. He laid his hand on the Viking's blond head, "Consider your situation, my child. Consider whether this is the future I trained you to assume. I've warned you before. These other creatures are beguiling, but they should not turn you from your true purpose. Now, you may show your Maker your gratitude."
"Yes, Master," Eric nodded, and reaching for Appius' belt, laid his head against his Maker's thigh.
"Jesus, you're going to kill me!" Sookie gasped. She was laughing, her blonde hair tumbling around her face. Her skin wore a faint sheen of sweat and she smelled wonderful, that unique combination of sun and warmed wheat.
"Again!" Eric laughed, pulling her legs toward him.
"Slow down, Buster!" Sookie giggled, and slapped at his hands. "Give my poor pussy a minute to catch her breath!"
"But, I'm hungry for you!" he play-growled, running tongue and teeth along her belly. Her scent here was strong. It offset everything he didn't wish to remember.
"Well, then you can take care of yourself," Sookie smirked. "I'll be right here, and you can watch yourself run out of me, Mr. Happy."
"And what will you do?" Eric asked, his eyebrow arched.
"I'm going to enjoy the show," Sookie assured him, "and I suspect at some point, I'll be joining in."
Eric leaned against the poster of the bedstead, his legs spreading as he slowly stroked. His eyes were hooded, watching his mate. "Happy to have you back, too," Sookie said, then bit her lip, fondling her breast and pinching her nipple, knowing he liked watching her. When his hand started to move a little more quickly, she asked, "So, how was Scotland?"
Eric's stroke slowed. "Long," he told her. "Satisfactory."
"Did you see Xavier?" she asked. He knew she wanted him to tell her what had kept him there, but he wasn't ready to talk of Appius, not yet.
"I saw many people," he countered. "And I will tell you all about it, Lover, but first, I wish to have your taste on my tongue."
"Don't vampires ever get tired?" Sookie laughed.
"We regenerate," Eric teased, "and when we are with Seelie women, our stalks grow strong."
"Poetic," Sookie declared, but obliged him by getting on all fours and presenting herself again. His tongue was within her almost at once and she couldn't help her sigh followed by her moan. They had been at it for hours, ever since he rose. She'd found him beside her this morning. There'd been no warning. For night after night he'd ignored her texts. No messages, no calls. Even Pam hadn't heard from him, or so she said.
When fingers joined tongue, Sookie winced, but then any residual pain disappeared. Some part of her brain told her he'd probably laved her with his blood, but the most part of her was enjoying the ride. Even when they'd first married, he hadn't been like this, so insatiable. 'What happened?' her inner voice asked. 'He's making up for something,' then Sookie dismissed it. 'I trust him!' she reminded herself, sighing as he quickened his movements, drawing another orgasm from her, sinking teeth at the optimal moment.
The sky was lightening by the time they cuddled together. "Okay, Marathon Man, I think you'd better tell me what happened," Sookie insisted.
Eric didn't play coy. "My Maker was in Scotland," he told her.
"Your Maker?" Sookie remembered Felicia and Bobby Burnham. "Is he coming here to visit?"
"No," Eric chuckled. "He's returning to Russia. I think he's living in Moscow now." When Sookie continued to stare, he laughed, "It's just as well, Lover. Appius Livius Ocella feels women have their place, but he prefers the company of men. With your temper, you would soon say the wrong thing, and then there would be no end to the kind of trouble only you could cause!" Eric said it lightly, but Sookie somehow knew what Eric described was no laughing matter.
"Why didn't you return my texts?" Sookie asked.
"Appius requires my attention," Eric shrugged. When Sookie continued to stare, he added, "I turn off my phone when I have the opportunity to see him. Appius is old. He doesn't approve of new technology." That wasn't entirely true, on many counts. Eric did turn off his phone, but he also handed it to his Maker along with his password. Eric was fairly certain Appius used any time they were apart to review Eric's messages, but, as his Maker, that was Appius' privilege. "Besides, I thought you were tiring of my attention," and Eric cupped Sookie's sex.
Shoving his hand away, Sookie just shook her head. "Be that way!" she laughed. "Just tell me you're okay and everything's all right."
Eric's eyes softened, "That would be enough for you, Älskade? Truly?"
"I trust you," Sookie confirmed, and followed her words with a kiss.
The feeling that overcame him was surprising in its strength. He would gladly give this woman anything, including the truth if she asked it. As it was, he returned her kiss and pulling her within his arms, declared, "You are more precious to me than I can explain. You are the thing I didn't know I was missing."
"I love you, too," Sookie assured him, and when his grip loosened, she smiled, stroking his lips with her fingers.
"Why were you texting me?" he finally asked, and Sookie told him of Carrack. "Did Chow find out who was glamouring the employees?" Eric asked.
"No," Sookie shook her head. "Whoever did it was smart, too. The staff only stole during daylight hours. This could have gone on for a long time."
"It makes no sense," Eric's eyebrows drew together. "Of course, it would be caught. Vampires keep a close eye on their finances. What I don't understand is why the money was given away." Each of the staff people who stole was followed and each disposed of the money, but seemed to have no conscious thought of what they were doing. It was like watching sleepwalkers. The waitress, Finola, deposited her stolen cash with homeless people. Another waitress deposited hers in a mailbox that was on her walk to the bus. The bartender threw his in a trashcan. "It was as though someone knew a daytime person would be needed…" and Eric pulled Sookie closer.
"Do you think this was about me?" Sookie asked, and then dismissed it in the next breath. "That's a crazy thought! I don't even live in that town. There was no way anyone could think I'd go to Carrack. I'll grant you, it doesn't make sense, but it's more likely someone just wanted to cause you problems. Look at all the time it's already taken and if I hadn't bullied Chow, he would have hurt someone, and you could be facing a whole other set of problems."
"I do have my detractors," Eric nodded. He wasn't smiling and Sookie noticed his eyes seemed far away.
"Are you in trouble?" she asked.
"No," he quickly answered. "No, all is well. What's important is we discovered the issue and countermeasures have been taken. Pam has paid for a charm and now, if we have any further glamour problems, we will see the glow around that person."
"Octavia says you're becoming her best customer," Sookie teased.
"She is willing to provide the service," Eric nodded. "She is fond of you."
"Well, I'm fond of her, too." Sookie snuggled closer. "Who'd have thought it? Witches! What a world!"
"What is more troubling is this talk of an ill wish," and Eric drew his Mate closer. "Usually these things require contact of some kind, a charm among your belongings, or something you take… Food perhaps?"
"I haven't found anything," Sookie replied. "I've been pretty busy, but I've also been living out of suitcases again. If there was something new, I think I'd notice it."
"Niall said it was gone?" Eric asked. When Sookie nodded, Eric still seemed troubled. "Sometimes these things return," he told her. Sookie had heard that from Octavia as well, but Eric continued, "Still, having it banished by a Seelie King should hold." He stroked her bare arm, "I certainly don't feel anything clinging to you."
"You sure don't!" Sookie sassed, meaning something different. She could feel the pull of another dawn on him and how he was fighting it. "It's okay," she soothed. "We can talk some more tonight. I'll be right here."
"So will I," he answered, but Sookie fancied the words were as much for him as they were for her. His eyes met hers as he turned on his side and, in an instant, Eric Northman was gone.
"What do you know about Eric's Maker?" Sookie asked Pam.
Pam's mouth fell open and her eyes darted around before she asked, "What do you want to know?" in return.
"Did you know he was the reason Eric went to Scotland?" Sookie asked.
"I found out," Pam shrugged. "I just assumed Eric told you."
"No, you didn't," Sookie snapped. "You didn't assume any such thing or you would have said it."
"Look," and Pam took a deep breath, even though she didn't need it. "Eric's Maker is bad news. I don't even like to say his name in case he's like Beetlejuice and it summons him. He's the reason people are afraid of vampires." When Sookie didn't look convinced, Pam looked around again, but this time Sookie was pretty sure it was to make sure they wouldn't be overheard, not because her friend was worried.
"He's old," Pam started. "Really old, like one of the oldest vampires walking. There's one who's older that I know of, but other than her, he might be it. Vampires call him the Old Roman, or The Centurion. Think B.C."
"Like, before Christ? Yeah, Eric told me that once," Sookie nodded.
"He hates me," Pam continued.
"Why?" Sookie asked. "I'd think he'd be pretty pleased."
"He hates women," Pam told her.
"So, it's a good thing you're Eric's and not his," Sookie smiled, trying to be supportive.
"He almost ordered Eric to end me," Pam pressed.
"What are you saying?" and now Sookie started to worry. "But he didn't, so…"
"Only because he relented at the last minute," Pam continued.
There was something there, behind Pam's eyes. "How did that happen?" Sookie asked.
"Eric had to persuade him," Pam answered, "and that's all I'm going to say. Appius Livius Ocella is bad news. I couldn't believe he traveled to Scotland. Most of the time, it's like he forgets Eric exists, and then something happens and he shows up like the bad penny he is." Pam made an angry noise and hissed, "I think Robert had something to do with this!" Pam ripped a napkin into small pieces, then made a sound Sookie was pretty sure meant Pam was laughing at herself.
"Robert headed back to New York with his tail between his legs. Most vampires would accept they had lost and move on, but Robert's always been petty," Pam explained. "He knows Appius and he knows the kind of havoc that old bastard creates. It would be just like him to track the Roman down and sic him on Eric."
"But if he's Eric's Maker, he'd stand up for Eric, right?" Sookie asked.
"Appius loves pain," Pam answered. "He's a real sick fuck. I wouldn't have survived being his Child. Eric's the only one who has…survived, I mean."
"There have been others?" Sookie felt the room had become too warm.
"Enough," Pam nodded. "I don't know how many he made before I came along, but Eric feels it when Appius turns someone, and he definitely feels it when they're ended."
"He kills his own children?" Sookie gasped.
"Or arranges it," Pam nodded. "There are rules, of course, and, now, if you intend to turn someone, you have to file paperwork and get permission from the ruler in your area. No one likes the idea of unsupervised progeny running around."
"Why?" Sookie asked. With the number of times becoming a vampire had come up, she found she had more than a passing interest in the subject.
"For one thing, there's impulse control," Pam said, ticking her fingers. "There's the sensory overload, intense hunger, disorientation…" and then Pam honed in on Sookie. "It's not that bad! Really! Your Maker siphons off most of the effects. Eric pretty much wrapped me in cotton for the first few months. By the time he let everything come through, I was more than ready to handle it."
"Sounds like a pretty close relationship," Sookie said, biting her lips.
"I told you before how it was," Pam pointed out. "Over a hundred years ago, but, yeah, that's how it is with most Makers and progeny. You're like two sides of the same coin. It's intense."
Sookie nodded. She understood what wasn't spoken, that the relationship also included a sexual aspect. Pushing that inconvenient idea to the back of her head, Sookie asked, "So, if it's so intense, how can Appius bring himself to kill his own progeny? Wouldn't that be like cutting off some part of himself?"
"Appius is different," Pam said flatly. "Eric always makes excuses, says it's bad luck, but Appius is too sneaky to be so careless when it comes to his progeny." Pam stared at Sookie, "He feeds on fear. If he thinks you're afraid, he'll keep the pressure up to see just how terrified he can make you."
"That's terrible!" Sookie sighed. "At least, he doesn't do that to Eric." Pam's eyebrow lifted, and Sookie gasped, "He doesn't, does he?"
"It would be best if you never met the old bastard," Pam replied, "although that's a stupid wish. If you remain with Eric, it's inevitable."
Sookie thought of the times Eric had talked about Appius. "Have you noticed that whenever his Maker comes up, Eric kind of sleep talks this little phrase?"
"'Appius is a great vampire,' or something like that?" Pam asked. "Yeah, we all see it."
"What is that about?" Sookie asked. "It feels like brainwashing…"
"Or survival," Pam finished. "You have to understand; a Maker has absolute power over his progeny. If Appius ordered Eric to end me, he would. Eric would feel terrible about it, but he wouldn't be able to stop himself."
"And Eric would do that kind of thing to you?" Sookie asked.
"He could, but he wouldn't," Pam answered. "I'm told that once a Maker releases you, the power to command fades."
"But you don't know." Sookie finished. "So, that means Eric hasn't released you?"
"Not yet," Pam nodded, then added, "Don't get any ideas! Being released isn't all it's cracked up to be. With the tie between us, Eric's responsible for me, kind of a big safety net. No one questions what I do, or holds me accountable. It all goes back to my Maker."
Sookie thought about that, and then thought she'd better confirm, "But Eric's Maker did release him."
"Yes," Pam nodded. "But…no. I don't know. There's something between them that's not how I've seen others behave. I mean, Eric is recognized as freed, but it's like the power Appius holds over him is still absolute. It's odd."
Eric walked into the Kiss and his face broke into a smile. His happiness was like a living, breathing thing, and Sookie found herself on her feet, walking into his arms, and meeting his lips. "What were you talking about?" he asked when she finally pulled away, mussed and bemused.
"My Grandsire," Pam remarked.
It was as if a cool breeze blew through and Sookie shivered in Eric's arms. "Do you have questions?" he asked his mate.
"Pam says your Maker hates women." Sookie glanced at her friend, worried she might be breaking trust, but Pam nodded her agreement.
"My Maker prefers men," Eric confirmed.
"Young men," Pam added.
Eric shot her a sharp look, but then confirmed Pam's words, adding, "It comes from his time. It was more appropriate for Roman soldiers to have a youth as a lover. Wives were arranged, and they remained behind walls. Your social life was spent with male company."
Sookie was getting a picture and it wasn't pretty. "I guess it's a good thing he decided to return to Russia, or wherever," she said.
"I would be honored if my Maker were to come here!" Eric protested. "My Maker…"
"Is a great vampire," Sookie finished, "yeah, I know."
Seeming to make a decision, Eric took Sookie's hand and led her back to the office. He sat down and started to pull her onto his lap, but then thought better of it and sat her on the desk in front of him. "One thing my Maker's coming has brought to mind," and Eric stroked Sookie's hands. "We have talked of your turning, but we haven't come to a decision."
"I thought we had," Sookie answered. "I mean, I thought you understood how much I'd miss sunshine and birds." Sookie ran her fingers over Eric's upturned lips, "If I grow old, are you going to have to set me aside, like Chow and Octavia?"
"It would be expected," Eric nodded, "but I've promised Niall I would not. I will remain beside you until you are no more." He looked sad and Sookie could feel a strange emptiness she was sure came from him.
"We have a long time until that happens," Sookie assured him.
"Twenty years," Eric smiled softly, "Thirty. A moment for someone like me."
"I know you don't want to hear this, Eric, but I don't think I ever want to become a vampire," Sookie sighed. "It's more than just missing daylight. It's the idea that someone could have the kind of power over me that you have over Pam…or your Maker has over you." Eric didn't disagree, which only steadied Sookie's resolve. "I accept my mortality, Eric. I accept that each moment with you is just that. There is no forever and for that reason alone, I cherish every second we have. Does that make sense?"
"When we could have forever?" he sniffed. "No. It doesn't make sense to me, but I won't force you. I love you too much to do that."
Sookie could tell she'd disappointed him, but after everything Pam told her and her own reservations, Sookie knew this wasn't anything she wished.
"I told you I would continue," and Eric pressed her hand to his lips. "You told me you wish that for me, but I tell you now, I don't believe it's possible. There is something more than the bond between us, Sookie. The idea of not having you in this world is not possible."
"Just wait until I go grey and saggy," Sookie joked, but the look Eric gave her told her he didn't find anything about this funny. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "That was thoughtless."
"Being vampire is a wonderful life," Eric told her. "You are so close to Fae now, why not choose to complete that journey?"
He was pleading. It was in his voice and in the feelings he was sending her. Sookie could feel his sincere desire. "I'll think about it," she told him, knowing that even as he wrapped her in his arms, she was lying.


text:
User:Karmella Haynes/Notebook/Polycomb project/2010/05/09
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Pc-ATF neg ctrl lines RFP screen
--> Note: KAH159 clones with ++ expression show a strange single bright dot of RFP, plus medium level RFP expression throughout the nucleus. Nuclear protein aggregate?
--> Tomorrow: transfer dox- cells to 24-well plates

subset: commoncrawl


text:
This fort has been built around a large cave complex several miles away from the city and is protected by some of the best soldiers in the Flannish Cities. Technically a part of the Praxus Protectorate, those with the right connections say that the fort is controlled by a joint effort of several major city-states in the Flannish Cities. Beyond that, information as to its purpose is kept very quiet. Some hypothesize that the fort is really protecting the area around the cave, preventing some monster from escaping, while others claim that the cave is a coincidence, and the fort is merely a meeting place for dignitaries to gather.
The fort is protecting a joint effort to maintain key teleportation circles available in case of attack. The teleportation circles were built inside of the cave, following earlier designs shown to be effective, and "fail-safe" devices were placed above so they could be buried immediately if they fell under the wrong hands.
Holdenford Fort maintains constant open communication between the other teleportation centers throughout the nation using magical communication devices.


text:
But why would you? Isn't it enough to feel grateful for things I have?
with cool tips on fashion, green living
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I read Dr. Hilbert's 10 ways. Worth trying some of these, although I have done some of them routinely over the past years (writing thank-you notes, for example). Thanks.ReplyDelete
Wonderful, Good for you! It can only help, MikeB! It does take a conscious effort, but the result is a happier you!ReplyDelete
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text:
We're having several issues with users getting logged out and/or not being able to sign in to our Django application. We have a single database, multiple front end servers, and a nginx load balancer using ip_hash, and are experiencing two problems, I'm not sure if they are related.
The first is that many users will get logged out if their hits move from one frontend server to another, for instance if one is taken down for maintenance. Just using the standard Django database session storage and auth package so it seems like this shouldn't be an issue.
The second is that a few users are having problems signing in. After they have been authenticated, (and confirmed that their sessionid matches one for their user in the db), the site then responds to their requests as if they are not signed in. They can try to sign in again and get a new session id, but still get pages as if they are anonymous. I cannot replicate this, so deeper testing is difficult. I'm not sure if it's django failing to recognize the session somehow, or perhaps the pages are getting cached for them (confirmed it's not browser cache). The main site page is served with cache-control headers: no-cache, max-age=0, must-revalidate, and django should serve a redirect if the user is authenticated, which is not happening.
Any suggestions on why this might be happening or what to look for are appreciated.


text:
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
pCubee: A Perspective-Corrected Handheld Display
Shaking cows around is such a brilliant idea. I smile every time I see it. This looks like a wonderful toy. To be able to render the scene in correct perspective, they use some kind of magnetic head-tracker mounted on a pair of headphones.
|Your reaction?:
2 comments:
- Karine Rosa said...
Hi, I'm a brazilian student and I'm doing a journal for college about touch screen.
Could you answer a few questions about this for me?
The questions would be these ones:
What do you think that is the importance of touch screen in our days?
Do you believe that touch screen will be the future of all our products or do you think that soon will be past?
Do you believe that touch screen is better to interact with the users?
I really need this answers and would be so so happy if you answer that for me.
My e-mail is email@example.com
And I would need your full name, age and profession.
Thank you for the attetion and I will wait soon.
- September 22, 2010 at 2:28 AM
- Staffan Lincoln said...
Touch screens are very important because of their versatility.
The same physical device can have multiple layouts with buttons in arbitrary places on the screen. Touch screens will be with us forever.
That said, a physical button is easier to find with your fingers. When you play the piano or type really fast, your fingers feel their way to the keys. Both of these can be used by experts without looking. I'm sure we're going to get touch non-flat touch screens that can have raised buttons eventually. If it's 3 years away, or 30, nobody really knows.
- October 11, 2010 at 2:14 PM


text:
New polling shows Trump's support slipping among Republicans
Donald Trump wants to be seen as a popular president, which leads him to seek out polling data, cherry-pick the outlier results that tell him what he wants to hear, and tout the satisfying data with great vigor.
In reality, however, Trump continues to struggle in ways we've never seen in a new American president.
At 36 percent, Mr. Trump's approval rating is now his lowest in CBS News Polls since becoming president. Fifty-seven percent now disapprove.
The drop in the President's approval rating is partially due to ebbing support among Republicans. Seventy-two percent approve of the job Mr. Trump is doing, a decline of eleven points since April.
It's that second part that stands out as notable. The fact that the CBS News poll shows the president's overall approval rating in the mid-30s isn't especially noteworthy – that's roughly in line with most other major polls of late – but the more Trump's support slips with voters from his own party, the more significant the political impact.
CBS News' report added that other recent presidents have seen their support drop to similar levels with their party's voters, which is true. What's also true, however, is that Trump's recent predecessors didn't have a 72% approval rating among their ostensible partisan allies five months into their first term.
To be sure, this is obviously just one poll, but it's not the only one that's shown Trump's support among Republicans looking shaky, and if other surveys start pointing in this direction, the White House will have a problem for which there is no solution.
Remember, rank-and-file GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill have a very strong incentive to toe the party line and follow Trump's lead: the most rabid contingents of the Republican base support the president, and GOP officials who break ranks risk a backlash – or a primary challenge.
But the more Trump's standing among Republican voters slips, the less Republican lawmakers feel electoral pressure to be a "team player."


text:
The Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2019 Clovies business excellence awards.
At the annual awards evening, businesses of all sizes are honoured for excellence in customer service, innovation in their industry and creating a positive work environment for employees. There are categories to honour new businesses, young entrepreneurs, and not-for-profit organizations.
The awards also acknowledge the people that make the community, and local business, thrive.
Large Business of the Year
The Honeybee Centre, which won this category last year, as well as Green Business of the Year in 2017.
JRG Group
Elements Casino
Medium Business of the Year
Harry & Sons
Atkinson Landscaping Inc. (Co-owners David Endacott and Matt Atkinson are both up for Young Entrepreneur of the Year as well.)
Small Business of the Year
Bone & Biscuit
S.E. Parker & Associates Ltd.
Servcomm Communications Ltd.
Not-for-profit of the year
Cloverdale Community Kitchen, which won this category in 2017.
For the Love of Thrifting
Cloverdale Arts and Entertainment Association
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
David Endacott
Matt Atkinson
Danielle Neilson, whose Centric Culinary business was a finalist for New Business of the Year in 2018.
New Business of the Year
Emerge Fitness Studio
Power Apparel
The Heart Cloverdale
Good Citizenship Award
Rob Paterson
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis
Ben Wevers
Bill Reid Memorial Businessperson of the Year
Coreen Windbiel
Dean Moore
Beni Bennett
The fourth-annual awards ceremony will take place April 25, at the Northview Golf and Country Club, where winners of each category will be announced. For more information, visit theclovies.com.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter


text:
Child Dedications
We offer Child Dedication ceremonies for infants and children rather than holding Christian-style baptisms or christenings. These ceremonies can vary depending on the unique needs of each family, but generally they include the following elements:
- A blessing for the new life of the child
- An expression of the parent or parents' hopes for the child
- A promise by the congregation to support and nurture the child
If you are interested in having your child dedicated by a Unitarian Universalist minister, either in your home or in the congregation please contact Rev. Ken Jones.


text:
Radiesse in Rogers, AR
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- Is moldable, so it can be used to shape, contour and sculpt your face.
- Can be used in many areas, including the lips, nasolabial folds and peri-oral lines.
- Can make wrinkles and folds disappear with just one treatment .
- Is truly unique in its ability to act as a scaffold under the skin, providing lift and stimulating the production of your own natural collagen.
- Naturally stimulates the production of your body's own collagen, so your skin looks even better over time.
- Is clinically proven to last a year or more in many patients.
- Is FDA-approved to mix with lidocaine to significantly improve comfort during procedure.
- In clinical studies, RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler patients were more satisfied with the results they received from their treatment versus leading fillers.


text:
Since we've been talking about other fun kitchen play (with rice, with potatoes, with water), I had to do a post on good ol' flour.
It's been snowing here, and my toddler ("J") has been really interested in the snow. I decided to make him some "fake snow" out of flour so that he could push it around with his bulldozers and pretend they were snowplows. As it turned out, we didn't get that far because he loved playing with it with regular kitchen utensils so much! (Plus, I wasn't in a hurry to get his toy trucks full of flour.)
A few weeks ago, I bought a plastic fold-out table from IKEA that's meant for having breakfast in bed or in front of the TV. I had been searching for a short table that "J" could use when he helps in the kitchen, and I hoped this would be perfect. It is! It's easy to clean, relatively large, folds up so that I can store it in a kitchen cabinet, and is sturdy enough that he can put his weight on it without destroying it (though it's debatable how many more times he can SIT on it before it breaks). I can't seem to find it online, but you can see it in these pictures. I highly recommend it!
Kitchen utensils and containers (i.e. spoons, bowls, cups)
A place to play (table, mat on the floor, etc.)
- Give the flour to your child, and let the fun begin!
- For added enjoyment (but a larger mess), you can also give your child a small amount of water to mix into the flour.
I let "J" play for a little while with the flour alone and then gave him a small cup of water. He immediately and happily dumped the water into the flour and turned to me with an enthusiastic, "More!"
Don't forget to rinse your table and utensils soon after you finish playing, or it will be really hard to get that watery flour off!


text:
We've just been looking at an advert for a Quooker in one of Elizabeth's magazines. It's a device which gives you instant boiling water on tap and is all the rage in the modern kitchen (so I am told). They are pretty expensive (about £700) so we won't be installing one anytime soon.
Or maybe we should? After all one of the reasons for getting these devices is that it is very energy efficient. It costs 3p a day to run and that's "a saving of up to 55% against a kettle". That's got to be good.
Hang on though.
If 3p a day is a saving of up to 55%, then presumably a kettle costs around 6p a day?
That would be a saving of 3p x 365 = £10.95 per year
So that means the tap pays back in slightly under 70 years.
Sounds like a good investment to me!


text:
Amazon has Remington HC4250 Shortcut Pro Self-Haircut Kit, Hair Clippers, Hair Trimmers, Clippers, (13 pieces) for only $28 after additional $10 off coupon
Remington HC4250 Shortcut Pro Self-Haircut Kit, Hair Clippers, Hair Trimmers, Clippers, (13 pieces)
- Fits in the palm of your hand so you can easily reach the back of your head, neckline and around your ears. Precision ground, stainless steel blades easily cut through even the thickest hair, reducing pulling and snagging
- Extra-wide Curved Blade – The blade contours to your head with maximum coverage to provide a close, even cut. Shortcut Pro Hair Clipper is 100% Washable – Conveniently rinses clean under the faucet
- Lithium, Rechargeable Battery- 40 minutes of cordless runtime. The Shortcut Pro Hair Clipper can also be used corded for maximum versatility and convenience
- 9 Length Combs – Cuts 1/16" – 5/8" to achieve the exact look you desire
- 13 Piece Kit Includes– Hand-held clipper, 9 Length-adjusting combs, cleaning brush, storage/travel pouch, oil (charging adaptor also included)
Shipping is free for Prime Members or with orders over $25


text:
-- Michael Novak, "God in the Colleges," Harper's (1961)
What, then, is the place of God in our colleges? The basic human experiences that remind man that he is not a machine, and not merely a temporary cog in a technological civilization, are not fostered within the university. God is as irrelevent in the universities as in business organizations; but so are love, death, personal destiny. Reliigion can thrive only in a personal universe; religious faith, hope, and love are personal responses to a personal God. But how can the immense question of a personal God even be posed and made relevant when the fundamental questions about the meaning and limits of personal experience are evaded?
"God is dead... What are these churches if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?" Nietzsche asked. But much of Western humanism is dead too. Men do not wander under the silent stars, listen to the wind, learn to know themselves, question, "Where am I going? Why am I here?" They leave aside the mysteries of contingency and transitoriness, for the certainties of research, production, consumption. So that it is nearly possible to say: "Man is dead... What are these buildings, these tunnels, these roads, if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of man?" God, if there is a God, is not dead.
He will come back to the colleges, when man comes back.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Do the liberal arts leave the academy when God does?
I received the following quotation from my son, Christopher, apropos the ongoing debate at Lenoir-Rhyne College over the administration's effort to reduce the size of the liberal arts in the core curriculum. The author, Michael Novak, suggests a link between the eclipse of God and the eclipse of Western humanism in education:
Posted by Pertinacious Papist at 8:22 AM
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text:
I still whip out a fully goth outfit now and then between my more colorful alternative outfits, and this one is one of my favorites of late.
It's all thrifted, except for the Dangerfield tights, shoes, and accessories.
I had bought the long, billowy silver top with the cute sleeves a long time ago, but found it a little too large and unflattering to wear anywhere except to work.
Recently, I found this amazing little pinstripe and black lace vest and it all came together beautifully with a pinstripe skirt.
Now it's an outfit I wear shopping or out to dinner, though it's too goth for work.
And I dyed my hair red! It has been over a year since I went blond so it was time for a change, and going to red then gradually back to black has been my long-term plan as I let my hair grow back out.
Going blond for the first time was fun and I enjoyed eventually learning how to bleach and tone it myself, with a few temporary crazy colors thrown in now and then, but regular bleaching is a lot of work and certainly takes its tole.
This red is L'oreal's 'Cherry Red' from the semi-permanent Castings range. I had first gone a light, orangey red but wasn't as thrilled with that result as I am with this color.
In other news, I am happy again. It has been a long time since I felt relatively content from the time I wake up in the morning till when I go to bed, but I have done a lot of healing work on myself this year and have sorted a lot out in my head and with my life.
I have always been a generally positive-minded person, but the last two years were a massive disappointment on many levels, though there is still a lot I am extremely grateful for and that I am using now to get to where I want to be.
Last week I had a day where I felt so good about all the aspects of my life that I realized feeling happy had become a daily occurance, and I literally broke out in a song and dance that seem to last all day! I sang James Brown's 'I Feel Good' all over the house, and got a lot done that day while listening to this James Brown mix on YouTube.
There is nothing like getting your life mojo back. I literally felt like my body was humming with energy!
I hope to make the time to share some of my physical and mental healing exercises I did over the last few months here on my blog, because I would love to help other women climb out of ruts like the kind I feel I have freed myself from.
2019 UPDATE: I stopped posting my outfits on this blog when I became obsessed with digital marketing and decided to start teaching it here, but I am still showing off my outfits on my personal Instagram account: @Christine_of_Hexotica ! 🙂


text: It really seems like Taylor had no idea Jimmy Fallon got this video from Taylor's mom. It looked like Taylor was a bit afraid of what was about to happen as Jimmy set up the clip. Not only is it funny, it's cool to see Taylor looking so normal in her unglam state of post op recovery. Glad she's feeling better.


text:
Back in my early 20s, one by one, all of my straight friends started to get married. For the most part, I was happy for them. I loved discussing the details of their big days, probably more than they did. I could tolerate spending Sunday afternoons at wedding showers making small talk with grandmothers (at least it gave me a socially-acceptable excuse to drink during the day). I even came to terms with the fact that I'd be shelling out a grand every time someone asked me to be a bridesmaid.
What I absolutely, positively could not tolerate was when one of my friends sheepishly told me she was considering the unthinkable – taking her husband's last name. What!?! We were feminists. We took care of ourselves. We had careers and ambitions. These were strong and independent women who had no problem bucking convention in millions of other ways, so it was impossible for me to understand their decisions at the time.
The first time one of my feisty feminist pals was introduced at her wedding as "Mrs. Susie [LAST NAME OF SOME STUPID BOY]," I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming, "Do you remember all of the Take Back the Night and pro-choice rallies we marched in? Have you forgotten all of the Ani DiFranco concerts we went to? Did none of that mean anything to you?"
And then I fell in love.
Of course, I didn't fall in love with a man; I fell in love with a woman (a few of them over the years, actually). Marrying one of these women wasn't really of an option a decade ago, but even if it had been, the notion of changing my name never would have entered my consciousness. That was something silly straight people did. Nevertheless, the experience of being in love softened me a bit, and if I didn't completely understand my hetero friends' decisions to change their names, I was at least able to accept that their brains had not been taken over by misogynist Martians.
Fast forward to today, and marriage is a realistic option for lesbians. And unbelievably, I've found the one who I want to marry (and who claims she is willing to tolerate me for the rest of her life!). Maybe it's because we still have to jump through all kinds of legal and cultural hoops to get our lesbian unions recognized, but I feel the need to let the world know my relationship is real and that we are in this for the long haul – just like every straight couple who strolls down to city hall and seals the deal with one piece of paper.


text:
It was a chilly Sunday when I prepared this dish for our (grown up) kids who were all coming over for dinner. Though they all enjoy pasta and homemade mac and cheese, I changed this dish up a bit by adding pepper jack cheese, which is Michelle's favorite and added some other varieties that I had on hand in the fridge.
I like to use Campanelle Pasta, which means little bells. These curled pasta resemble a dangling bell. They and suck up the soupy mixture and hold up their nice al dente texture even when baked!
This is an easy dish to prepare and has a lot of flavor! It's rich and delicious and is comforting on a cold winter day!
1 lb. Pasta (dry store bought)
1/2 Stick Butter, plus 4 Tablespoons
4 Tablespoons Wondra
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 Quart 1 % Milk (because it's what I had on hand! You can use any milk)
2 Cups Chicken Stock, (homemade and pulled from the freezer is best!)
1 Nutmeg, grated
3 Tablespoons Paprika
2 Tablespoons Garlic, granulated
2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard
2 Eggs
Salt & Pepper, to taste
8 oz. Mild Cheddar Cheese, grated (about 2 Cups)
8 oz. Pepper Jack Cheese, grated (about 2 Cups)
2 Cups Mozzarella, shredded
6 oz. Velveeta
2 Cups Corn Flakes, smashed a bit
2 Tablespoons Butter, melted


text:
Look at the phrases or sentences below and rewrite them, taking out the negativity while maintaining the core message. This is much easier to do when you are not in a difficult situation or angry and upset. However, this practice will help familiarize you with what truth without judgment looks like.
I'm worried you will not follow through when I'm counting on you.
Tip: One way to do this is to think about why you are upset, or how it makes you feel when this person does something that hurts or upsets you, instead of just describing the behavior or name calling. Instead of, You 're always late because you don't care about anyone but yourself, try, When you are late, it makes me feel like you don't care about me and that hurts.
Now try writing some truth without judgment statements
You are selfish and don't care about anyone.
Change to:
You spent the whole evening getting drunk and acting like a fool. Change to:
I hate how she shows off. Change to:
Write down a few judgmental, blaming, or negative comments you have made in the past and then change them to truth without judgment statements. (Tip: Keep in mind that in real conversation your tone and body language count for a lot.)
My original statement.
Change to:
My original statement. Change to:
My original statement. Change to:
Think of a person with whom you are upset or have unfinished business with, and write down what you would say to him or her, uncensored, without holding anything back.
Now write your truth about the situation, telling the person what you need to communicate, but without any negative comments or judgment.
Next time you are upset with someone, practice telling the truth without judgment and write about your experience below. Were you able to do it? How did the other person respond? Is there anything you would do differently next time?
Telling the truth without judgment does not ensure that others will not get mad or be hurt. You can only do your part. However, just like a tuning fork that sends out a certain vibration, we have found that when you stay connected to your soul self you can help bring out the soul self in others. Practicing truth without judgment will help improve the quality of your interactions and relationships. We have yet to find anyone who says otherwise. The following examples illustrate how these concepts have helped clients.
When I first learned truth without judgment I found it so simple to understand, yet difficult to do. The main reason is that when I'm angry and feeling the most judgmental it is hard to quiet my screaming upset ego and stop it from dumping all the negativity in my head onto the person I'm mad at. What really got me hooked on truth without judgment is that when I could do it, I discovered how great it worked. What I was communicating came across, but the other person was way less defensive and I got into far fewer arguments. I feel better inside when I have to approach people now with a difficult subject, because anger usually stays out of it when I can stick to truth without judgment through the whole conversation. This gets harder when the other person gets angry and negative, but it's not impossible. I'm not exaggerating that this one concept has changed my relationships and my life.
Truth without judgment is one of the most important things I learned in treatment. I used to blame everyone around me for my feelings. I wanted people to change. If anyone hurt me, I felt justified telling them off, being critical and negative.
The problem is this was not really working, and I was miserable most of the time. The concept of ego and soul was helpful, but I did not think of myself as a spiritual person and did not grasp how to live from my soul self until I learned truth without judgment. It is not esoteric; it is simple. All I had to do was practice staying calm and not use any blaming, negative, or judgmental words. I'm not saying it was easy at first, it was hard, but once I got it, I could not believe how it made me, and the people around me, feel. I remember when I realized that although I had not thought of myself as a spiritual person, practicing truth without judgment is a spiritual tool that changed my life, so I guess I can say I am kind of spiritual after all.
Showing up, paying attention, and telling the truth without judgment may seem difficult, but the reality is that following these principles gets easier as you practice and see the benefits. There will be times when your ego is the only part of you showing up, your words fly out of your mouth full of judgment, or you have neglected paying attention in some important way. Once you realize what is happening, you can just get yourself back on track. Doing what you can to live by these guidelines will bring positive results, and the feedback and reinforcement you get will help you to continue following these principles until over time they become your natural way.
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text: Oliver's Haven Adventure Oliver is three and lives in Cambridgeshire with his parents and his three siblings. Oliver loves the sea and swimming, and takes after his older brother with his love for football. Oliver's mum, Stacy, told us that "Oliver was born with a cleft lip and palate, and has moderate hearing loss and a severe speech delay. He uses sign language mostly, but he can get quite cross and frustrated when people don't understand him." "We first found out about Family Fund through Little Miracles, and our local council also mentioned it to us when helping us with the process of applying for DLA. We decided to apply for a family break, as it's something that would benefit Oliver but is also for the rest of the family. There are six of us in our family, so trying to do something for everyone can be hard, especially when Oliver gets most of the attention all the time. We decided to go to Haven in North Wales, it's a beautiful part of the world, and my husband and I had our honeymoon in North Wales so it was lovely to go back with all the family this time." "Oliver had the time of his life, he absolutely loved it. He got to try archery and fencing, and absolutely adored going to the beach every day. Oliver loves anything outdoors, especially the sea. It's where he can switch off and he finds it really calming. The older children loved it as well, everything is on site and it's very safe and secure so they enjoyed having lots of freedom to do what they wanted." "It was amazing to see Oliver so happy and carefree, he's had three operations so far to repair his cleft palate and he only had his last one six weeks before our holiday so it was perfect timing for his recovery! There was so much for him to do, his favourite part was the fencing which is something we'd never get the opportunity to try at home. We're so grateful that we were given the chance to get away and spend some time together as a family."


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Which renovations will add the most value to your home?
PUBLISHED: 12:00 11 October 2017 | UPDATED: 12:06 11 October 2017
Turning your garage into an additional room can increase your property's value by up to 20 per cent, new research has revealed.
According to Towergate Insurance, a garage conversion would add more than £26,012 to the value of the average UK property, rising to £80,857 in London.
In some areas, the cost of renovations may outweigh any increase in asking price they're likely to create, however.
In order to assess the impact of home renovation on a property's value, Towergate Insurance has created an interactive tool designed to show home owners if the upheaval is likely to be worth it.
It also shows which renovations will add the most value based on your budget and the current value of your home.
Simply enter the current value of your home, select your budget and the tool will calculate the average cost of works for anything from decorating to decking, the estimated increase in your home's value and the likely profit after the work has been paid for.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Herts Advertiser. Click the link in the yellow box below for details.


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Get a quick look at the powerful impact demand-driven supply chains can bring to your customer satisfaction and operational value in this short video from Jim Tompkins, CEO of Tompkins International, and Greg Brady, CEO of One Network.
Learn why demand-driven is the only operations strategy that succeeds in today's complex, multichannel environment in which customer expectations change as quickly as new technologies emerge.
View the video to see how the serious challenges of e-commerce can be solved with demand-driven operations, including typical results and benefits seen after demand-driven operations are implemented. For more details and the specifics about demand-driven, view the full-length video.


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When I asked which Bible verse makes people feel most loved, the answers were surprising. Very few verses mentioned love at all. Many people were deeply affected by descriptions of Jesus' agony, suffering, and death on the Cross to save us. Others were amazed by all God had promised to give to us and how close he had to be, how far he had to stoop, to give us these gifts. But everyone had a different favorite. It made me realize how intensely each line of the Bible speaks to us. God's strength and love shine through his Word with the power to pierce every human heart.
Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium emphasized that God's love is the starting point for every evangelical effort. Without immense confidence in God's love, a person cannot take God's word to heart. Think of the parable of the sower (who is God) casting his seeds into good and bad soil (the hearts of men). The seeds of God's word only flourish in the good soil. But what makes the soil good? It must be tilled and prepared. It must be made ready.
Some people have naturally ready and open hearts, but many of us are cautious, closed, distrustful, even afraid. We can't always feel the love of God. But we can stir up that love like stirring up a fire that has grown low. We can practice gratitude, we can seek out beauty, and we can feed on God's words of love to us.
Here are some Bible verses that touched others' hearts. Let these verses stir up your love for God. And feel free to add your own in the comments!
1. He knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps. 139:13).
2. Even if a mother forget her child, he will not forget you (Is 49:15).
3. You have ravished his heart (Songs 4:9).
4. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you (Is 62:5).
5. His plans for you are for good and not for evil (Jer 29:11).
6. He will refresh you when you are weary (Jer 31:25).
7. He will heal your broken hearts (Is 61:1).
8. He will take away your sickness (Dt 7:15).
9. He will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Rev 21:3-4).
10. He will cover you with the robe of righteousness (Is 61:10).
11. He will not leave you lonely (Jn 14:18).
12. He will never forsake you (Dt 31:6).
13. He will stay with you always, even to the end of the world (Mt 28:20).
14. He has come that your joy may be complete (Jn 15:11).
15. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him (1 Jn 4:16).
Photo Credit: Bludgeoner86 via Compfight cc
Copyright 2014 Karee Santos


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Benefits of Being Healthy in Today's World
What do you know about becoming healthy? Are there are a lot of steps that must be followed to become healthy? Something that many people don't realize is that being healthier is not just about being able to follow a set of steps. Being healthy is not following a diet plan either or being able to keep track of all of the things that you put into your body. In order to be healthy, you should be sure to eat the right foods, eat the right portions, change any bad habits that you have, and make sure that you do activities that help you in the long run. Although it may sound like a lot, it really isn't as hard as you may think as long as you have some discipline.
In order to get healthy and keep yourself healthy, you have to make sure that you are deciding to do things that are going to be good for you in the long run. Although dieting and exercise can be important to a healthy lifestyle, they are not the main components as many people believe. You have to want to be healthy before you can make it happen. If you want to be actually healthy, there are certain things that you should be able to do in order to make this happen.
The first thing that you have to do is make sure that you are not constantly comparing yourself to others. Many people find that weight issues are what push them to start the journey to a healthier lifestyle. Beauty is whatever you want it to be and doesn't have to be what everyone else thinks it is. If everyone looked like everyone else, what would be the point in trying to be special? You have to want to become healthy for yourself and no one else.
Another thing to remember is that no one is perfect. If you push yourself too hard, you won't be able to meet your goals. If you make a mistake, it's okay. As long as you are mostly eating healthy things, if you eat one thing that is unhealthy every now and then, that is completely fine. You can't be too serious because it should be something that is a positive experience for you.
Many people find that when they start to be healthier, they start to gain more energy. It is a good idea to consider using this time to exercise, look up new recipes, or maybe even learn a new skill.
The 10 Laws of Resources And How Learn More


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Repair Help & Product Troubleshooting for Chevrolet Caprice Classic
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text: Print Diagnosis Colonoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close Colonoscopy Colonoscopy During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a colonoscope into your rectum to check for abnormalities in your entire colon. Rectal cancer is often diagnosed when a doctor orders tests to find the cause of rectal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia. A colonoscopy is the most accurate of these tests. In a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a video camera at its tip (a colonoscope) to view the inside of your colon and rectum. Sometimes rectal cancer has no noticeable symptoms. People without symptoms may learn they have rectal cancer when they have a screening colonoscopy — that is, a colonoscopy recommended at age 50 for everyone with an average risk of colorectal cancer. It's usually possible to remove small tissue samples (biopsies) from suspicious-looking areas during a colonoscopy. Laboratory analysis of this tissue helps pin down the diagnosis. Staging rectal cancerOnce you are diagnosed with rectal cancer, the next step is to determine the cancer's extent (stage). Staging helps guide decisions about the most appropriate treatments for you. The following blood tests and imaging studies are involved in staging rectal cancer: Complete blood count (CBC). This test reports the numbers of different types of cells in your blood. A CBC shows whether your red blood cell count is low (anemia), which suggests that a tumor is causing blood loss. A high level of white blood cells is a sign of infection, which is a risk if a rectal tumor grows through the wall of the rectum. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Cancers sometimes produce substances called tumor markers that can be detected in blood. One such marker, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), may be higher than normal in people with colorectal cancer. CEA testing is particularly useful in monitoring your response to treatment. Chemistry panel. This test measures a number of chemicals in the blood. Abnormal levels of some of these chemicals may suggest that cancer has spread to the liver. High levels of other chemicals may indicate problems with other organs, such as the kidneys. CT (computed tomography) scan of the chest. This imaging test helps determine whether rectal cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver and lungs. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the pelvis. An MRI provides a detailed image of the muscles, organs and other tissues surrounding a tumor in the rectum. An MRI also shows the lymph nodes near the rectum and different layers of tissue in the rectal wall. Rectal cancer stagesRectal cancers fall into one of five possible stages (stage 0 through stage 4). The stages, in simplified form, are: Stage 0. Cancer cells on the surface of the rectal lining (mucosa), sometimes within a polyp Stage I. Tumor extending below the rectal mucosa, sometimes penetrating into the rectal wall Stage II. Tumor extending into or through the rectal wall, sometimes reaching and growing on or sticking to tissues next to the rectum Stage III. Tumor invading lymph nodes next to the rectum, as well as structures and tissues outside the rectal wall Stage IV. Tumor spread to a distant organ or lymph nodes distant from the rectum Staging also involves examining a sample of tissue taken from the tumor (a biopsy) to determine the tumor's grade. Low-grade tumors tend to grow and spread slowly. In contrast, high-grade tumors grow and spread quickly, so they may need more-aggressive treatment.More InformationRectal cancer care at Mayo ClinicColonoscopyFlexible sigmoidoscopy TreatmentRectal cancer often requires more than one treatment type (modality), an approach known as multimodal therapy. In general, the treatment modalities used in rectal cancer are the same ones used to treat many other types of cancer. They are: Surgery to remove the tumor. Chemotherapy, usually consisting of two or more drugs that target cancer cells. In people with rectal cancer, chemotherapy is often used along with radiation therapy, either before or after surgery. Radiation therapy, which uses high-powered beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. SurgeryYour surgical options depend on a number of factors, including: The stage and grade of the cancer The location of the tumor in the rectum The size of the tumor Your age Your general health Your medical history Your preferences after you learn about different procedures Some of the procedures commonly used to treat rectal cancer are: Abdominoperineal resection with end colostomy Abdominoperineal resection (APR) offers the best chance of cure for rectal tumors located extremely close to the anal sphincter. With cancer in this location, the surgeon has to remove both the tumor and the sphincter. Otherwise, it's not possible to take a margin of healthy tissue on all sides of the tumor — and clear or healthy margins reduce the risk that the cancer will return. After APR, it is no longer possible to pass stool through the anus. An end colostomy connects the end of the colon that was attached to the rectum before APR to a surgical opening (stoma) in the lower abdomen. Stool then passes into a removable pouch placed over the stoma. Coloanal anastomosis This sphincter-sparing procedure may be an option for rectal cancer surgery if the tumor is at least .39 inch (1 centimeter) above the top of the anal sphincter. The surgeon removes the entire rectum and enough of the surrounding tissue to achieve clear margins. Then the remaining end of the colon may be shaped into a pouch that is connected to the colon. Alternatively, the end of the colon may be connected directly to the anus. Low anterior resection This procedure, which also leaves the anus intact, may be performed when the tumor is located in the upper part of the rectum. The surgeon removes the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue around it, leaving the lower part of the rectum. The end of the colon is then attached to the remaining section of the rectum. Local excision Local excision takes out the rectal tumor, along with a margin of healthy tissue and the section of rectal wall beneath the tumor. This technique is generally reserved for early, small stage 1 rectal cancers, after a biopsy shows that the tumor is unlikely to spread or recur. Unlike the other procedures listed, local excision does not include lymph-node removal. Instead, the excised tissue is examined in a laboratory to make sure the tumor doesn't have features that suggest more-advanced cancer than expected. If any of these features are present, a standard operation may be necessary. More-extensive surgery People with rectal cancer associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer typically need surgery that is more extensive than are the procedures described here. Chemotherapy is also needed before or after surgery. Combination therapyStandard treatment for stage II and stage III rectal cancers is typically a combination of chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiotherapy) given before surgery (preoperatively). This approach is also an option for treating some stage I rectal cancers that have a high risk of recurring. Benefits of preoperative chemoradiotherapy include: Increased response to radiation because of chemotherapy's effect on cancer cells Reduced tumor size Lowered cancer stage in some cases Better chance that surgery will leave the anal area intact (sphincter-sparing surgery) Lower risk of cancer recurrence The usual period between preoperative chemoradiotherapy and surgery is about six weeks. After surgery, most people also have additional chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Stage IV rectal cancerSome of the treatments used in stage II and III rectal cancers may also be appropriate for cancers in stage IV. By definition, though, stage IV rectal cancer has spread (metastasized) to a different part of the body, usually the liver. In some cases, a metastatic tumor may appear in the liver when the primary tumor is still confined mainly to the rectum and nearby lymph nodes. If this happens, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove both the primary tumor and the liver tumor at once. In other cases, the primary tumor may have spread to organs near the rectum, such as the uterus and ovaries, before liver metastasis appears. Complex surgery and reconstruction of pelvic structures may be possible in these cases as well. Drugs for stage IV rectal cancerChemotherapy may extend life for people with stage IV rectal cancer, as may radiation therapy in some cases. Either treatment may be given after surgery, while chemotherapy is more commonly used before surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation may be used to relieve symptoms in cases where the cancer is too extensive for surgery. People with stage IV rectal cancer may receive one of three newer FDA-approved drugs in addition to cancer chemotherapy. These drugs, called biologics, target cancer-cell traits that allow tumors to grow. The addition of a biologic drug to standard chemotherapy has been found to improve response to treatment in certain cases of colorectal cancer. Therapy that includes biologics is called targeted therapy. The FDA-approved biologics used with chemotherapy in first line treatment of stage 4 colorectal cancer are: Bevacizumab (Avastin) Cetuximab (Erbitux) Panitumumab (Vectibix) Supportive (palliative) carePalliative care is focused on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness. Palliative care specialists work with you, your family and your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support that complements your ongoing care. An example of palliative care might be surgery to relieve a blockage of the rectum in order to improve your symptoms. Palliative care is provided by a team of doctors, nurses and other specially trained professionals. Palliative care teams aim to improve the quality of life for people with cancer and their families. This form of care is offered alongside curative or other treatments you may be receiving.More InformationRectal cancer care at Mayo ClinicChemotherapyMinimally invasive surgeryRadiation therapyInfographic: Innovative Rectal Cancer TreatmentsShow more related information Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Clinical trials Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. Preparing for your appointmentIf your doctor suspects you may have rectal cancer, you'll likely be referred to one or more specialists who treat rectal cancer, including: A doctor who treats digestive diseases (gastroenterologist) A doctor who treats cancer (oncologist) A surgeon specializing in procedures involving the colon and rectum (colorectal surgeon) A doctor who uses radiation to treat cancer (radiation oncologist) Here are some things you can do before you meet with these doctors: Find out if there's anything you need to do before your appointment, such as avoid certain foods or medications. Make a list of all your medications, including vitamins or supplements. Consider taking a family member or friend along to take notes on what your doctors say, so that you can concentrate on listening. Write down questions to ask your doctor. For rectal cancer, here are some questions you may want to ask: In what part of the rectum is my cancer located? What is the stage of my rectal cancer? Has my rectal cancer spread to other parts of my body? Will I need more tests? What are the treatment options? How much does each treatment increase my chances of a cure? What are the potential side effects of each treatment? How will each treatment affect my daily life? Is there one treatment you feel is best for me? What would you recommend to a family member or friend in my same situation? How much time can I take to make my decision about treatment? Should I seek a second opinion? Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend? By Mayo Clinic Staff Rectal cancer care at Mayo Clinic Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments Oct. 09, 2019 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references AskMayoExpert. Colorectal cancer. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015. Bailey HR, et al., eds. Management of rectal cancer. In: Colorectal Surgery. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 4, 2017. Rectal cancer treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/rectal/HealthProfessional. Accessed Dec. 30, 2016. Fischer J, et al. Outcome for stage II and III rectal and colon cancer equally good after treatment improvement over three decades. International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 2015;30:797. Peres-Ruiz E, et al. Immunological landscape and clinical management of rectal cancer. Frontiers in Immunology. 2016;7:1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4761957/. Accessed Feb. 22, 2017. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Cancer of the rectum. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2014. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 4, 2017. Etzioni DA, et al. Patient survival after surgical treatment of rectal cancer: Impact of surgeon and hospital characteristics. Cancer. 2014;120:2472. Renouf DJ, et al. Improvements in 5-year outcomes of stage II/III rectal cancer relative to colon cancer. American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013;36:558. Colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer.html. Accessed Jan. 4, 2017. Macrae FA, et al. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and staging of colorectal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 4, 2016. Ryan DP, et al. Overview of the management of rectal adenocarcinoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 4, 2016. Mahipal A, et al. Role of biologics in first-line treatment of colorectal cancer. Journal of Oncology Practice. 2016:12:1219. Holman FA, et al. Results of a pooled analysis of IOERT containing multimodality treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer: Results of 565 patients of two major treatment centers. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2017;43:107. Holman FA, et al. Results of intraoperative electron beam radiotherapy containing multimodality treatment for locally unresectable T4 rectal cancer: A pooled analysis of the Mayo Clinic Rochester and Catharina Hospital Eindhoven. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2016;7:903. Larson DW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 30, 2016. Related Infographic: Innovative Rectal Cancer Treatments Rectal cancer Associated Procedures Chemotherapy Colonoscopy Flexible sigmoidoscopy Minimally invasive surgery Radiation therapy Show more associated procedures News from Mayo Clinic Infographic: Innovative rectal cancer treatment Jan. 09, 2019, 03:30 p.m. CDT Products & Services Book: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health Rectal cancerSymptoms & causesDiagnosis & treatmentDoctors & departmentsCare at Mayo Clinic Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Marketplace Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health LetterLive stronger and healthier at any ageThe latest digestive health guidanceNEW – Guide to Your Baby's First YearsThe Mayo Clinic Diet Online CON-20306109 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Rectal cancer


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Building Fences On The Farm
Building fences normally means repairing wrongs one has done to another but in this case Warren is literally building fences. Houses too! Well small ones. Oh we're not being very clear. Let's start again. Fencing and Houses We are due to have a lot of babies. Baby animals that is. Our sheep and dairy goats are due to give birth to their lambs and kids


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The RapLab project originated from previous RAPOLITICS work with raptivists from Middle East and North Africa eager to use their skills in work with youth, such as RAPOLITICS Bokra, Tomorrow Today, Raptivists from Gaza, Rap Boost in Alexandria, Revolutionary Rap from Egypt and Rap Queens from the Middle East. As a result of the commitment and passion of these raptivists, the idea emerged to connect them to young people in Denmark with similar goals, exchange ideas, experiences, and perspectives, and facilitate workshops in the local community to learn about the differences and similarities. The project fits perfectly in RAPOLITICS' focus on revolutionary rap and the MENA-region in 2012 and 2013.
Project Info
RAPOLITICS Raplab MENA-DK brought in September 2013 together 35 raptivists – 20 from the Middle East and 20 from Denmark – to participate in a 9-day training in Copenhagen. The participants came from various countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine and discussed, in the period of the training, future dreams and reflected on future opportunities in order to decide what they can do today to achieve what they want – personally and collectively. The project resulted in a number of tracks recorded by the participants as well as a series of "2-minute videos," which together will form a youth manifesto about the future. The raptivists also facilitated workshops in high schools and engaged in dialogue with young people, youth organizations, danish rappers, youth debaters and associations in Denmark. The overall goal was to give the 35 raptivists an opportunity to learn, to teach and to communicate their ideas about youth, culture and music to a broader audience. The whole seminar finished off with a final concert in Vesterbro where all the rappers participated in a concert dedicated to the future discussion of the youth.
Article: Rappers develop "raptivism" (in Danish)
Article/video: Global HighSchools (in Danish)
Video: Cypher with XILL Entertainment part I
Videos: Hope Spoken/Broken
Event: Concert @ Basement
Event: Film with CPH:DOX
Event: Raptivism with Aisha Fukushima
Pics: of RapLab on Facebook
Tracks: from the participants on Soundcloud


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Mens Office Wear Suits
Since 2009, we have been betrothed in bringing forward an aesthetic range of Mens Office Wear Suits such as corporate men suit and western suit. Ideal attire for any formal occasion, the offered suits are highly cherished among gents due to their colorfastness and tear resistant nature. These suits are designed under the strict guidance of ingenious professionals by utilizing premium quality fabrics. In addition to this, the provided Mens Office Wear Suits are available in various colors and sizes at nominal rates.
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