Podcasts about Picnic

L'estat manava, mana i, probablement, continuarà manant en el futur sobre totes les actuacions que es vulguin desenvolupar al litoral. A partir d'aquí, el Ministeri de Transició Ecològica i el repte demogràfic també té molt clar que no vol invertir recursos en tot allò que es desmarqui del criteri de 'deconstruir' el litoral. O sia, d'eliminar-ne tots aquells elements, sobretot arquitectònics, que s'hi han construït durant dècades i que, segons el ministeri, interfereixen o impedeixen la dinàmica natural de les platges i la seva erosió. Per tant, només la negociació podrà possibilitar que, en la mesura del possible, es puguin mantenir Kansas, Pic-Nic i Club de Mar, i que l'Ajuntament en pugui gestionar els espais fins que no s'arribi a una solució definitiva. Us expliquem com està la situació i el que queda per venir. L'entrada Els talusos del passeig, el Kansas, el Club de Mar i el Pic-Nic, i la situació del rocam dels museus. L’estat de la qüestió després de la reunió amb el MITECO ha aparegut primer a Radio Maricel.

How do we rebuild the social fabric of our neighborhoods and congregations in an age of disconnection and division? In this episode, Pastor Amy Schenkel joins Corey to talk about what it means to be a "weaver" in your own community. From a front-yard picnic table that became a neighborhood gathering place to decades of church planting in downtown Grand Rapids, Amy brings a grounded, practical theology of neighboring that cuts across political and religious lines. Along the way, she and Corey explore the difference between curiosity and contentiousness, how congregations survive painful splits, and why "mission" might be the one thing that unites people who agree on very little else. Amy is a pastor and ministries coordinator at Neland Avenue Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a regional mission leader who has also served as North American and U.S. Director of Resonate Global Mission. She's a trained missiologist, a church planting veteran, and a certified speaker with the Weave Speakers Bureau. Calls to Action ✅ If this conversation resonates, consider sharing it with someone who believes connection across difference still matters. ✅ Subscribe to Corey's Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion Key Takeaways Neighboring as a Practice: Neighboring doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentionality, imagination, and a willingness to show up consistently for the people around you. The Front-Yard Principle: A picnic table in the front yard rather than the backyard signals openness. Shared space that's accessible but not invasive invites connection without pressure. Missional Imagination: There's no curriculum for how your church or community should engage its neighborhood. It requires listening, creativity, and the willingness to try things and sometimes fail. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD): Instead of cataloguing what's broken in a neighborhood, start by identifying what's already there: the gifts, talents, and resources people bring. Let the community lead its own renewal. Mission as Common Ground: Churches and communities can disagree deeply about politics and theology while still uniting around a shared calling to love their neighbors. Mission can hold together what ideology pulls apart. Curiosity Over Contentiousness: Everyone is an expert in something you know nothing about. Approaching others with genuine curiosity rather than a prepared rebuttal changes the entire nature of a conversation. The Non-Anxious Presence: When a community faces painful decisions, the most valuable thing a leader can bring is a calm, non-anxious presence. It lowers the temperature and makes honest dialogue possible. Broken Open: Weave identifies people who have been "broken open" by loss or hardship as some of the most effective community weavers. Suffering, when it doesn't harden us, can deepen our compassion for those on the margins. Dispositional Preparation: The preparation that matters most before a hard conversation isn't rehearsing your rebuttals. It's working on your own disposition, arriving curious, open, and genuinely willing to hear. The Image of God Principle: Even when a relationship feels impossibly strained, there's a way through. Lisa Sharon Harper's prayer, "The image of God in me loves the image of God in you," offers a floor to stand on when everything else feels unstable. About Our Guest Pastor Amy Schenkel is a pastor and ministries coordinator at Neland Avenue Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she works to help one congregation connect more deeply with its neighborhood. A graduate of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, Amy was among the first women ordained in her classis within her denomination. Amy served for years with Resonate Global Mission, including as U.S. and North American Director, overseeing church planting and local mission engagement across the continent. Her work has always centered on a question at the heart of reformed missiology: how do ordinary people, in ordinary vocations, become agents of renewal in their communities? She and her husband Henry church-planted together in downtown Grand Rapids starting around 2000, learning early that a faith community rooted in a neighborhood has to think beyond Sunday mornings. Today she brings that same missional imagination to her work with individual congregations and with Weave: The Social Fabric Project, where she is a certified speaker available to address both secular and faith-based audiences. Links and Resources Weave: The Social Fabric Project weavers.org The Colossian Forum (recommended by Amy for congregations navigating conflict) colossianforum.org Lisa Sharon Harper (referenced in conversation) The Very Good Gospel and Fortune — both highly recommended by Amy lisasharonharper.com Amy Schenkel LinkedIn: Pastor Amy Schenkel Available through the Weave Speakers Bureau: weavers.org/speakers Connect on Social Media Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials... Substack LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Threads Bluesky TikTok Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners Thanks to Pew Research Center for making today's conversation possible. Gratitude as well to Village Square for coming alongside us in this work and helping foster better civic dialogue. Links and additional resources: Pew Research Center: pewresearch.org The Village Square: villagesquare.us Meza Wealth Management: mezawealth.com Proud members of The Democracy Group Clarity, charity, and conviction can live in the same room.

What happens when we accept Jesus' invitation to participate in the supernatural? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

El millor que se'n pot treure de la reunió de l'alcaldessa al MITECO és que l'Ajuntament podrà restaurar els talusos del passeig maritim enderrocats pel mar i, en conseqüència, si tot va bé no s'hauria de tornar a veure un queixal de ciment com el que va fer el ministeri arran dels temporals del 1997. Però per a que el Ministeri -que n'és el titular- ho permeti, cal que l'Ajuntament n'assumeixi el cost, i no serà barat precisament, però podrà ajudar a assumir-ho un ajut econòmic del propi estat -encara no quantificat- destinat als municipis que han patit destrosses arran dels temporals. A la part menys positiva de la balança hi ha una convicció del Miteco que no ha canviat: la de deconstruir el passeig, i això vol dir que vagin a terra Kansas, Pic-Nic i Club de Mar, i, si convé, el propi passeig, seguint el criteri de prioritzar la pervivència de les platges per davant del valor patrimonial d'allò que s'hi va construir dècades enrera. En un altre ordre de coses, l'alcaldessa es marca el mes de març com a data límit per a la presentació del pressupost, i davant de les condicions que planteja el PSC respecte a la continuïtat de Cristina Guiu afirma que no creu que sigui just ficar en l'àmbit de la negociació a una persona respecte a temes fonamentals pel municipi, però a la vegada Carbonell també ha mostrat la seva desaprovació per l'actuació de la regidora d'activitats en la discussió amb la propietat d'un dels establiments del carrer Joan Tarrida, per bé que també ha confirmat que de fa molt de temps hi ha un conflicte obert amb el mateix per a no atendre els requeriments dels tècnics respecte a la seva terrassa. A la conversa hi hem afegit les obres als tunels del ferrocarril al Garraf, i les restriccions de mobilitat durant el Carnaval. L'entrada L’Ajuntament restaurarà els talusos malmesos pel temporal amb ajuts de l’estat, però el ministeri manté el criteri de deconstruir edificacions i passeig ha aparegut primer a Radio Maricel.

How do we rebuild the social fabric of our neighborhoods and congregations in an age of disconnection and division? In this episode, Pastor Amy Schenkel joins Corey to talk about what it means to be a "weaver" in your own community. From a front-yard picnic table that became a neighborhood gathering place to decades of church planting in downtown Grand Rapids, Amy brings a grounded, practical theology of neighboring that cuts across political and religious lines. Along the way, she and Corey explore the difference between curiosity and contentiousness, how congregations survive painful splits, and why "mission" might be the one thing that unites people who agree on very little else. Amy is a pastor and ministries coordinator at Neland Avenue Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a regional mission leader who has also served as North American and U.S. Director of Resonate Global Mission. She's a trained missiologist, a church planting veteran, and a certified speaker with the Weave Speakers Bureau. Calls to Action ✅ If this conversation resonates, consider sharing it with someone who believes connection across difference still matters. ✅ Subscribe to Corey's Substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion Key Takeaways Neighboring as a Practice: Neighboring doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentionality, imagination, and a willingness to show up consistently for the people around you. The Front-Yard Principle: A picnic table in the front yard rather than the backyard signals openness. Shared space that's accessible but not invasive invites connection without pressure. Missional Imagination: There's no curriculum for how your church or community should engage its neighborhood. It requires listening, creativity, and the willingness to try things and sometimes fail. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD): Instead of cataloguing what's broken in a neighborhood, start by identifying what's already there: the gifts, talents, and resources people bring. Let the community lead its own renewal. Mission as Common Ground: Churches and communities can disagree deeply about politics and theology while still uniting around a shared calling to love their neighbors. Mission can hold together what ideology pulls apart. Curiosity Over Contentiousness: Everyone is an expert in something you know nothing about. Approaching others with genuine curiosity rather than a prepared rebuttal changes the entire nature of a conversation. The Non-Anxious Presence: When a community faces painful decisions, the most valuable thing a leader can bring is a calm, non-anxious presence. It lowers the temperature and makes honest dialogue possible. Broken Open: Weave identifies people who have been "broken open" by loss or hardship as some of the most effective community weavers. Suffering, when it doesn't harden us, can deepen our compassion for those on the margins. Dispositional Preparation: The preparation that matters most before a hard conversation isn't rehearsing your rebuttals. It's working on your own disposition, arriving curious, open, and genuinely willing to hear. The Image of God Principle: Even when a relationship feels impossibly strained, there's a way through. Lisa Sharon Harper's prayer, "The image of God in me loves the image of God in you," offers a floor to stand on when everything else feels unstable. About Our Guest Pastor Amy Schenkel is a pastor and ministries coordinator at Neland Avenue Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she works to help one congregation connect more deeply with its neighborhood. A graduate of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, Amy was among the first women ordained in her classis within her denomination. Amy served for years with Resonate Global Mission, including as U.S. and North American Director, overseeing church planting and local mission engagement across the continent. Her work has always centered on a question at the heart of reformed missiology: how do ordinary people, in ordinary vocations, become agents of renewal in their communities? She and her husband Henry church-planted together in downtown Grand Rapids starting around 2000, learning early that a faith community rooted in a neighborhood has to think beyond Sunday mornings. Today she brings that same missional imagination to her work with individual congregations and with Weave: The Social Fabric Project, where she is a certified speaker available to address both secular and faith-based audiences. Links and Resources Weave: The Social Fabric Project weavers.org The Colossian Forum (recommended by Amy for congregations navigating conflict) colossianforum.org Lisa Sharon Harper (referenced in conversation) The Very Good Gospel and Fortune — both highly recommended by Amy lisasharonharper.com Amy Schenkel LinkedIn: Pastor Amy Schenkel Available through the Weave Speakers Bureau: weavers.org/speakers Connect on Social Media Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials... Substack LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Threads Bluesky TikTok Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners Thanks to Pew Research Center for making today's conversation possible. Gratitude as well to Village Square for coming alongside us in this work and helping foster better civic dialogue. Links and additional resources: Pew Research Center: pewresearch.org The Village Square: villagesquare.us Meza Wealth Management: mezawealth.com Proud members of The Democracy Group Clarity, charity, and conviction can live in the same room.

Victor Langstrom's company picnic arrives at last. Within the palisades of the Tombstone Fortress, folks gather for a spot of hope amid the dark and fear…and others prepare a dark plot.

Dutch and Margo are free for the summer and enjoy the beauty and warmth of Picnic Point just off the University of Wisconsin Madison campus.Music by:  Valante - “Geimfa”Copyrighthttps://jemorin.com/ All Musical Soundtracks and Sound Effects provided by Epidemic Sound

Dieter Kurtenbach joined Greg Silver & Larry Krueger to bounce around the hottest topics in Bay Area sports. From the novelty of Macklin Celebrini and Tony Vitello to the futures of Brandin Podziemski and Mac Jones, Kurtenbach has no shortage of insights during this transitional period in the sports calendar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dieter Kurtenbach joined Greg Silver & Larry Krueger to bounce around the hottest topics in Bay Area sports. From the novelty of Macklin Celebrini and Tony Vitello to the futures of Brandin Podziemski and Mac Jones, Kurtenbach has no shortage of insights during this transitional period in the sports calendar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federica Muzzarelli"C'è un tempo e un luogo"Silvia CamporesiCentro della Fotografia, Romawww.centrodellafotografia.it“C'è un tèmpo e un luogo giusto pèrchè qualsiasi cosa abbia principio e finè…”dal film Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) di Peter WeirLa mostra C'è un tempo e un luogo, che apre al pubblico sino al 29 giugno nei nuovi spazi del Centro della Fotografia di Roma Capitale, è curata da Federica Muzzarelli, ed è dedicata al lavoro fotografico di Silvia Camporesi.Il titolo trae ispirazione dal film Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) di Peter Weir, opera cult intrisa di mistero e sospensione temporale, in cui i luoghi diventano protagonisti assoluti di una narrazione senza soluzione e nasce da una riflessione profonda sul concetto di frattura: tra reale e artificiale, natura e cultura, presenza e assenza, passato e presente.Come nel film, anche nelle immagini di Silvia Camporesi il tempo sembra arrestarsi e lo spazio si carica di un'ènèrgia ènigmatica. I luoghi – veri, alterati, ricostruiti o immaginati – non sono mai sèmplici soggètti, ma l'èsito visibilè di un procèsso più profondo: il viaggio, l'èspèriènza fisica è mèntalè dèll'artista attravèrso tèrritori gèografici, storici èd èmotivi.“Sono i luoghi i protagonisti indiscussi delle fotografie di Silvia Camporesi: veri, falsi, modificati, inventati, vissuti, stravolti o, invece, solo trovati. Ma questi luoghi, queste fotografie, sono il punto finale, l'esito oggettuale, di qualcosa di molto più importante e fondante per il suo lavoro di artista. Che è il percorso, l'esperienza, il viaggio attraverso e insieme a quei luoghi. Da La terza Venezia a Journey to Armenia, da Atlas Italie ad Almanacco Sentimentale e da Mirabilia all'Omaggio al Mattatoio, il lavoro di Silvia Camporesi rappresenta molto bene quella speciale e magica fusione tra l'espressione artistica e il bisogno autobiografico che la fotografia riesce a rendere in modo speciale. Un'attrazione verso quello che non sta dove dovrebbe stare, e che ti chiede di essere aiutato e sostenuto per essere reso ancora più strano e perturbante. In sostanza, quel segreto che sta dentro le cose, e che per questo non può che stare anche dentro l'anima della fotografia”, dichiara la curatrice Federica Muzzarelli, Profèssorèssa Ordinaria di Storia dèlla Fotografia prèsso il Dipartimènto dèllè Arti, Univèrsita di Bologna è coordinatricè dèl Cèntro di Ricèrca FAF (Fotografia Artè Fèmminismi).Il percorso espositivo, che si articola in cinque sezioni e riunisce cinque serie fondamentali rèalizzatè nèll'arco di quindici anni di attività: La terza Venezia, Journey to Armenia, Atlas Italiæ, Almanacco sentimentale e Mirabilia, contempla anche Omaggio al Mattatoio, opera che entrerà a far parte del neonato Archivio del Centro della Fotografia. Progetti diversi ma interconnessi, che testimoniano una pratica fotografica in equilibrio costante tra documento e finzione, rigore metodologico e libertà immaginativa.Dalla Vènèzia sospèsa è rèinvèntata, alla stratificazionè storica è umana dèll'Armènia; dai paesi abbandonati italiani, luoghi di memoria e cura, fino alla ricostruzione fotografica di eventi mai avvenuti o irrisolti e alle architetture visionarie di Mirabilia, Camporesi costruisce un atlante poetico in cui la fotografia diventa strumento di conoscenza, controllo e insieme di smarrimento.Al cèntro dèlla ricèrca èmèrgè l'idèa dèlla fotografia comè èspèriènza di fratturè: frattura temporale, che costringe passato e presente a coesistere; ontologica, tra verità e manipolazione; simbolica, tra apparenza e sostanza. In questa tensione si colloca una pratica artistica chè uniscè il bisogno autobiografico all'indaginè sul paèsaggio, trasformando l'immaginè in luogo di mèditazionè, silènzio è mistèro. Una riflèssionè sulla fotografia comè confine: tra vero e falso, naturale e artificiale, passato e presente. Le immagini mettono in discussione ciò che vediamo e ciò che crediamo di conoscere, invitando lo spettatore a rallèntarè lo sguardo è ad accèttarè l'incèrtèzza comè partè dèll'èspèriènza.C'è un tempo e un luogo è quindi un racconto per immagini che parla di memoria, fragilità e trasformazione. Una mostra che invita a perdersi nei luoghi e nei loro segreti, ricordandoci che, come nella fotografia, anche nella realtà esistono spazi e momenti che sfuggono a ogni spiegazione. La mostra restituisce una visione coerente e stratificata del lavoro di Silvia Camporesi, confermandone il ruolo centrale nel panorama della fotografia contemporanea italiana: una ricerca capace di rivelare, attraverso i luoghi, ciò che resta nascosto, fragile e indicibile.La mostra è promossa da Roma Capitale e Fondazione Mattatoio e organizzata da Civita Mostre e Musei.Accompagna la mostra un catalogo a cura di Cimorelli Editore.Silvia Camporesi (1973) laurèata in filosofia, utilizza i linguaggi dèlla fotografia è dèl vidèo. Nègli ultimi anni la sua ricèrca è dèdicata al paèsaggio italiano. Dal 2004 ha tènuto numèrosè mostrè pèrsonali è collèttivè in Italia è all'èstèro, vinto numèrosi prèmi è pubblicato divèrsi tèsti tra i quali Una foto è una foto è una foto, 2025, Einaudi, Torino o Romagna sfigurata, Sagèp, Gènova. Oltrè all'attivita artistica si intèrèssa alla ricèrca sullè tèndènzè dèlla fotografia contèmporanèa è tiènè workshop è confèrènzè in Italia. Suè opèrè sono prèsènti in collèzioni pubblichè è privatè in Italia è all'èstèro.Diventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarehttps://ilpostodelleparole.it/

Of je nu op zoek bent naar Japanse nori-wasabi-aardappelchips of naar een nieuwe wasmachine: binnenkort wil het Chinese JD.com het aan je voordeur komen brengen. De grootste webwinkel van China komt naar Nederland, en gaat hier de concurrentie aan met Bol.com, Amazon, maar ook alle online supermarkten. Kunnen ze die markt nogmaals ondersteboven zetten of beginnen ze aan een strijd die al gestreden is? Dat hoor je in deze aflevering. Daarin hebben we het ook over Theon. Het Griekse defensiebedrijf dat nachtkijkers maakt kwam met prachtige groeicijfers over het afgelopen jaar. Maar daar houdt het niet bij op. Theon denkt dat er nog meer groeiversnelling in het vat zit voor dit jaar. Het rekent er zelfs op dat het harder kan groeien dan de defensie-uitgaven van de NAVO-landen. Hoe ze dat voor elkaar kunnen krijgen zoeken we voor je uit. Verder hoor je nog waarom ASML de zegen van het Vaticaan krijgt, wat Apple leert van ons programma, en wat er nú weer aan de hand is in de overnamesoap rond Warner Brothers Discovery. Te gast: Mike Mulders van ING Investment Office BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij BNR Zakendoen en de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie. Van Musk tot Microsoft en van Ahold tot ASML. Wij vertellen je wat beleggers bezighoudt, wie de markten in beweging zet en wat dat betekent voor jouw beleggingsportefeuille.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father Quirk joins Taylor for a fun Anti-Valentines movie talk as they discuss Don't Look Now (1973) and Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). 

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Elizabeth Marvel, who is currently starring in THE DINOSAURS at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her unlikely beginnings, how Michael Langham gave her her Broadway debut in THE SEAGULL, performing the controversial revival of JULIUS CAESAR in the Park, why she wants to form a new National Actors Theater, being an American actor at Stratford, working with Glenda Jackson on KING LEAR, her collaboration with Ivo Van Hove, finding a new take on A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, researching THE LITTLE FOXES, starring in TOP GIRLS as a new mother, the drawings Edward Albee made during SEASCAPE, acting opposite Frances Sternhagen, why PICNIC was an exorcism for her, approaching Shakespeare like music theory, what draws her to new work, and so much more. Don't miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway's best.

Emma Memma joins Kaz and Tubes to preview her upcoming Jungle Picnic tour, kicking off in Hobart on Wednesday 8th April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Nature's Harmony: A Goat Joins the Tu Bishvat Picnic Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-02-04-08-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר קריר של חורף, נטעו נדב ותמר בגבעות הכפר כשהנופים הירוקים והמרהיבים פרושים לפניהם.En: On a cool winter morning, Nadav and Tamar planted in the hills of the village with the green and magnificent landscapes spread out before them.He: השמיים הכחולים והשקט של היום חיברו אותם לחגיגה של ט"ו בשבט, חג הטבע.En: The blue skies and the day's calm connected them to the celebration of Tu Bishvat, the holiday of nature.He: נדב, שאהב טבע והתפעל מכל ענן בשמיים, נשא סל פיקניק בידו.En: Nadav, who loved nature and marveled at every cloud in the sky, carried a picnic basket in his hand.He: הוא היה אופטימי וראה בכל דבר יופי.En: He was optimistic and saw beauty in everything.He: "איך אני אוהב את החג הזה," הוא אמר בחיוך רחב, "העולם מתעורר לחיים.En: "How I love this holiday," he said with a wide smile, "the world awakes to life."He: "תמר, שהייתה מעשית יותר, הלכה לצידו.En: Tamar, who was more practical, walked beside him.He: היא אהבה את נדב ואת השמחה שראה בדברים הקטנים, אבל הייתה מעט סקפטית לגבי פיקניק באמצע החורף.En: She loved Nadav and the joy he saw in the small things, but she was a bit skeptical about a picnic in the middle of winter.He: "נדב, בטוח שזה רעיון טוב?En: "Are you sure this is a good idea, Nadav?"He: " שאלה, מביטה סביב.En: she asked, looking around.He: "בטח, תמר.En: "Of course, Tamar.He: זו הזדמנות מיוחדת ליהנות יחד בטבע," השיב נדב.En: It's a special opportunity to enjoy nature together," Nadav replied.He: הם בחרו מקום נעים תחת עץ זית עתיק, ופרסו את שמיכת הפיקניק על הדשא הירקרק.En: They chose a pleasant spot under an ancient olive tree and spread the picnic blanket on the greenish grass.He: בתוך כל השקט והשלווה, פתאום הופיעה עז שובבה, גדולה עם פרווה לבנה, והתקרבה לכיוון השמיכה.En: Amidst all the quiet and tranquility, suddenly a mischievous goat appeared, large with white fur, and approached the blanket.He: העז נראתה חכמה, עם ניצוץ קונדס בעיניים.En: The goat looked smart, with a mischievous spark in its eyes.He: היא התחילה לחקור את סל הפיקניק.En: It began to explore the picnic basket.He: "תמר!En: "Tamar!He: העז רוצה לקחת את האוכל שלנו!En: The goat wants to take our food!"He: " נדב קרא בצחוק.En: Nadav called out with laughter.He: הוא התקרב בעדינות לעז, מחייך אליה.En: He gently approached the goat, smiling at her.He: "תיראה, אולי אם ניתן לה קצת אוכל משלנו, היא תשאיר אותנו לנפשנו," הציע נדב.En: "Look, maybe if we give her a bit of our food, she will leave us alone," Nadav suggested.He: תמר הביטה בעז ולא הייתה בטוחה.En: Tamar looked at the goat and wasn't sure.He: "אתה בטוח?En: "Are you sure?He: אולי היא תחזור עם כל החברים שלה," היא אמרה בהרמת גבה.En: Maybe she'll come back with all her friends," she said, raising an eyebrow.He: אבל נדב הניח קצת ירקות ותמרים בצלחת והשאיר אותם לכיוון העז.En: But Nadav placed some vegetables and dates on a plate and left them for the goat.He: העז נראתה מרוצה מהרמה שלה ונהנתה לחטוף את המתאבנים.En: The goat looked pleased with her portion and enjoyed grabbing the appetizers.He: לאחר כמה רגעים, היא שקטה וישבה בנחת לידם, כאילו היא חלק מהמשפחה.En: After a few moments, she quieted down and sat contentedly beside them, as if she were part of the family.He: "תראה, תמר.En: "Look, Tamar.He: החיוך שלה שווה הכול," נדב אמר, כשהם החלו לאכול את ארוחת הפיקניק המושלמת שלהם.En: Her smile is worth everything," Nadav said, as they began to eat their perfect picnic meal.He: תמר חייכה חזרה.En: Tamar smiled back.He: "אני למדתי ממך היום.En: "I learned from you today.He: לפעמים, פשוט צריך לקחת דברים בקלות ולשתף.En: Sometimes, you just have to take things easy and share."He: "עם תפיסת הטבע המשותפת ורגעים מתוקים, נדב ותמר סוף סוף נהנו מפיקניק מקסים.En: With their shared appreciation of nature and sweet moments, Nadav and Tamar finally enjoyed a delightful picnic.He: העז נשארה לצידם, וכך חגגו כולם את ט"ו בשבט בדרך מיוחדת ומלאה בחיוכים.En: The goat stayed by their side, and so they all celebrated Tu Bishvat in a unique and cheerful way. Vocabulary Words:magnificent: מרהיביםlandscapes: נופיםcalm: שקטcelebration: חגיגהoptimistic: אופטימיskeptical: סקפטיתopportunity: הזדמנותpleasant: נעיםancient: עתיקtranquility: שלווהmischievous: שובבהspark: ניצוץexplore: לחקורappetizers: מתאבניםcontentedly: בכיףunique: מיוחדתmarveled: התפעלbasket: סלpractical: מעשיתblanket: שמיכהapproached: התקרבהeyebrow: גבהportion: מנהfamily: משפחהfeed: להאכילnature: טבעsparks: ניצוצותshare: לשתףdoubt: ספקspread: פרושיםBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Jessica Nicole McAnelly joins My Life Now to talk about her children's book Birdie's Picnic Party, a fun and practical story designed to help kids learn real food safety habits without fear or boring lectures. We talk about what inspired the book, why these lessons matter for families, and how parents can use storytelling to build healthier routines at home. CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: https://jessicanicolemcanellybooks.com Hosted by Chris Buscher.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.

Spencer Martin and Johan Bruyneel break down the latest racing action from around the globe, including how Jay Vine's broken wrist reshapes the rest of his season and what a string of high-profile crashes at UAE could mean for the team's Tour de France lineup. They also discuss Unibet's Tour snub and why Caja Rural was selected instead, what Picnic–PostNL's financial issues signal for the team's future, Jonas Vingegaard's recent crash, and wrap up with listener questions. Become a WEDŪ Member Today to Unlock VIP Access & Benefits: https://access.wedu.team  

As usual, things at the Brass Keep Picket are not what they first seemed. Greenwarden asks questions, Lucky makes a friend, Mina is the toughest, and Webbie talks shop.The Professional Casual Network continues their play through of The Enemy Within.Join the PCN Discord: https://discord.gg/vshZ95dUTwitch.tv/professionalcasualnetworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfUOaJjpMfgRFWL7Z996lyQA special thanks to our Patron at Patreon.com/professionalcasual :Thank you to our most recent Patrons! Steve, Mel Cen, Mason D., Scazar, Sly Changeling, Bangarang, Craig S., Scumcat, Necromeat, Carlos, Okey A., Thomas S., theneilharris, Nemo R., Jari S., Manuel, Irishstu, Matthew, Anthony P., James J., Kyndra C., jay_dilf, Chris D., Oskar A., Handsome Andy, lil_willy, Kuaku, RandomGuy, Neckro, Bryan F., TheHarbingerPulsar, Ookfark, Thomas F., Therealmcasshole, Exile Creations, Tony M., KordixVR, Andrew W., Kilted Sparky, Oga, Astyria, BrooksHW, Cyril S., Josh, R Man, Scott R., James H., Thomas M., David P., Jan B., Kim B., DoomEagle55, Kenneth B, Pagan Prince, Brendan A., Patrick (The DM), Christian H., Fast and Bulbous, The Ryan, Achillesnick, Todd C., MidTable, Michael G., Haydenr, Charles M., Mr. Tisdale, Andrew K., Simon H., CJ Keller II, Dveli, John M., House., Marc "OG Griggs" G., Ben N., Brett L., Alex S., Will C., Dan H., Wizrdakills, IronMaize, ExPaxis, James M., Jian C., James G., Beefbarian, Joshua L., Devilpup, Paycheck S., Todd M, Nicholas B, Christian H., Ta03rd, Andrew G., Cupboard Kobold, Attila, Cole M., Liam A., Kristopher W., David H., Hunter W., Lankydiceroller, Alex S., Dave K., Justicar, Clayton P., Tim S., Stephen S., Brad A., Matt A., Brian W., Timothy G., VPotter, Mike D., Thoras, Justin K., Tepo C., Matt T., Rusty, Ara M., CyanidaCola, Nick A., Soren R., Kara N., Cliff K., David B., Cj K., David Q., Ben N., Syrpent, Zachary M., Robert W., Goodatthisgame, Will J., Otis H, Kalle H., David H., John O., Mikasaz, OmnusProtocol, Jonaspdv, Steve T., Chris and Nicky, William, AW B., Sam M., Kristoffer w., Luka J., Lexa W., Cyder D., Joe M., Paul H., Joe W., Alexandre R., Scott F., Nerdtism, Joe L., Richard G., Dani2Time, Michael M, Rich M., Soul Eater, Aaron H., Eric B., Quinn B., John S., William S., Rob M., Rob, Franz B., Film-Lars, Leslie S., Matt F., Paul S., Christopher T., Matt L., Zane T., Thomas T, Joe J., Jens R., Oliver H., Mikolaj W., Andrew, Zach C., Justliketheplant, Neil L., Jared S., Mikael N., Taylor M., George F., Tom M., Devin M., Nicholas W., Jonas P., Jonathan L., Simon P., Gareth G., Jacob Y., Lady_Leah, David R., Will B., Stephan S., Brian Y., William S., Path,Tim D., Simon W., Jake C., Theo A., Heber R., Ben R., Vaughan A., Daniel S., Lars, Taylor H., Blarin R., Gervasio L., Adam D., Craig G., Kevin C., WreckMyPodcast, Charlie S., Witchdream, Anthony R.Mailing Address: P.O. Box G, West Oneonta, NY 13861, United StatesVoicemail: 603-803-3235 (Country Code 001)https://streamlabs.com/professionalcasualnetwork1/merchhttps://throne.com/professionalcasual

L'espai Joan Tarrida ha acollit la presentació del cartell i del programa del Carnaval 2026 que manté l'agenda habitual d'actes i inclou algunes novetats. Més enllà del so centralitzat i el retorn de les grades al punt de la televisió tal com va avançar en aquest mitjà el president de la Comissió del Carnaval, Carles Garcia, aquest any s'ha previst ambientació musical prèvia a la rua de La Disbauxa amb una festa entre les 16h i les 18h de diumenge a la zona del Pic Nic. D'altra banda abans de les rues de La Disbauxa i l'Extermini l'organització ha previst també l'amenització musical a càrrec de dues xarangues que es mouran pel recorregut. En aquesta línia s'ha augmentat també la il·luminació a l'inici de la rua, al gir del Passeig de la Ribera amb el carrer de la Bassa Rodona i també a la plaça Pou Vedre. Pel que fa a canvis enguany també s'ha modificat el recorregut de la Rua d'Antes que aquest 2026 no serà circular i finalitzarà a la zona dels gronxadors del Passeig de la Ribera. Tot i que l'inici oficial de la festa és dijous gras amb l'Arribo de Sa Majestat Carnestoltes a càrrec de la colla Èrem Pocs el cert és que el dissabte anterior, 7 de febrer, tindrà lloc la presentació de la Reina del Carnaval de mans de la colla La Salsa del Xató, una cita que segons la regidora s'ha convertit en l'inici oficiòs de la festa. El Carnaval 2026 comptarà amb el mateix dispositiu de seguretat dels darrers anys que conformen mil efectius entre els diferents cossos per vetllar per les més de dues mil persones que desfilaran a les rues de la tarda i el miler d'infants que ho faran en les matinals. Ho han explicat la regidora de festes Eva Martín, el president de la Comissió del Carnaval, Carles Garcia, l'autora del cartell Lídia Estany i les representants de les colles organitzadores dels personatges protagonistes, Sílvia Peñas d'Èrem Pocs i Davinia Herrada de La Salsa del Xató. L'entrada El Carnaval 2026 celebra 50 anys de rues al carrer amb un cartell de Lídia Estany i anuncia més música al carrer i nou recorregut per la Rua d’Antes ha aparegut primer a Radio Maricel.

This interview first aired on Thursday the 29th of January, 2026 on ONE FM 98.5 Shepparton. One FM Breakfast announcer Plemo talks to children's entertainer and former Wiggle Emma Memma ahead of her coming to Shepparton for her Jungle Picnic Tour. Emma Memma's Jungle Picnic Tour will be on Thursday the 16th of April, 2026 at 10:00am at Riverlinks Eastbank, 70 Welsford Street Shepparton. All Tickets: $42.50. For more information call Riverlinks Box Office: 03 5832 9511 or go to https://riverlinksvenues.online.red61.com.au/event/829:2356/829:3284/ The Jungle Picnic tour brings Emma Memma's much-anticipated new album to life on stage, transforming its playful songs into a joyful, movement-filled live experience for children and their families. Inspired by the Jungle Picnic album, the show invites audiences to bring their picnic baskets and their pet rocks, jump up and dance with the elephants, sing along to deliciously catchy tunes, and play games alongside Emma Memma and her Memma mates. Featuring energetic dance moves, get-up-and-dance songs and inclusive storytelling, the performance celebrates imagination, outdoor adventure and shared play. Designed especially for young children, the tour continues Emma Memma's signature integration of sign language as a joyful and accessible way to communicate, marking the next chapter in Emma Memma's live journey as the brand heads into its biggest year yet. Every Emma Memma live performance is presented with an Auslan interpreter positioned side-of-stage, interpreting the music and storytelling throughout the show. In addition, Emma Memma and Elvin Melvin sign throughout each performance, ensuring sign language is naturally integrated into the experience rather than treated as an add-on. Families who require seating with a clear view of the interpreter are warmly encouraged to get in touch with the team ahead of time via team@emmamemma.com, so arrangements can be made to support the best possible viewing experience. Listen to One FM Breakfast with Plemo live on weekday mornings from 6am-9am. The ONE FM 98.5 Community Radio podcast page operates under the license of Goulburn Valley Community Radio Inc. (ONE FM) Number 1385226/1. Contact the station on admin@fm985.com.au or (+613) 58313131 PRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association Limited and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society) that covers Simulcasting and Online content including podcasts with musical content, that we pay every year. This licence number is 1385226/1

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Fluent Fiction - Hindi: A Republic Day Surprise: Picnic Plans Turn Into Yoga Fun Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2026-01-25-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: हर साल की तरह, इस बार भी दिल्ली में गणतंत्र दिवस की छुट्टी थी।En: Like every year, there was a Republic Day holiday in Delhi this time as well.Hi: सूरज की हल्की गर्मी और ठंडी हवा नयी उमंग भर रही थी।En: The light warmth of the sun and the cold breeze were bringing new enthusiasm.Hi: इसी अवसर का लाभ उठाने के लिए, आरव, नैना और विक्रम ने लोधी गार्डन में पिकनिक का प्लान बनाया।En: To take advantage of this occasion, Arav, Naina, and Vikram planned a picnic at Lodhi Garden.Hi: लोधी गार्डन, नई दिल्ली का वह स्थल, जो इतिहास और खूबसूरती से भरा हुआ है।En: Lodhi Garden, that site in New Delhi, is full of history and beauty.Hi: वहाँ की हरियाली, प्राचीन मकबरे और दूर तक फैले पार्क इस तिकड़ी को हमेशा खींच लाते थे।En: The greenery, ancient tombs, and the far-spread park always drew this trio to it.Hi: आरव हमेशा उत्साही और थोड़ी-सी लापरवाह मिजाज का था।En: Arav was always enthusiastic and a bit carefree in nature.Hi: वो जल्दी-जल्दी पार्क में अपने दोस्तों के साथ पहुंच गया।En: He quickly made his way to the park with his friends.Hi: नैना कुछ अनिश्चित सी थी, लेकिन सबके साथ रहते हुए मजाक और हंसी का माहौल हमेशा उसे भाता था।En: Naina was a bit uncertain, but being in a jovial and laughing atmosphere with everyone always appealed to her.Hi: विक्रम को तो बस किसी नये रोमांच की तलाश रहती थी।En: Vikram was always in search of new adventures.Hi: जैसे ही तीनों गार्डन पहुंचे, उन्होंने देखा एक बड़ा सा समूह लॉन पर जमा है।En: As soon as the three reached the garden, they saw a large group gathered on the lawn.Hi: आरव ने उत्सुकता से कहा, "ये जरूर पिकनिक ग्रुप होगा!En: Arav said eagerly, "This must be a picnic group!Hi: चलो चलकर मिलते हैं।En: Let's go and meet them."Hi: " विक्रम ने हंसते हुए कहा, "हां, आरव तो पकड़े बिना किसी ग्रुप में घुस जाएगा।En: Vikram laughed and said, "Yeah, Arav would jump into any group uninvited."Hi: " नैना ने हल्की मुस्कराहट के साथ सहमति जताई, "चलो, देखते हैं।En: With a slight smile, Naina agreed, "Come on, let's see."Hi: "लेकिन वहाँ पहुँचकर उन्हें अंदाजा नहीं था कि असल में यह ग्रुप योग कक्षा की हो।En: But upon reaching there, they had no idea that it was actually a yoga class group.Hi: आरव ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा, "क्या खूब इंतेज़ाम है!En: Arav smiled and said, "What great arrangements!Hi: ये लोग तो पहले ही खेलने लगे हैं।En: They're already playing."Hi: " और बिना ज़्यादा सोचे, तीनों उनके साथ आसन में बैठ गए।En: Without much thought, the three sat down with them for the poses.Hi: सूरज की किरणें उनके चेहरों पर पड़ रही थीं।En: The sun's rays were falling on their faces.Hi: "गहरी सांस लो, छोड़ो," प्रशिक्षक की आवाज़ गूँज रही थी।En: "Take a deep breath, release," the instructor's voice echoed.Hi: आरव को यह नया खेल लगा, और उसने उसे अनुभव करने को कहा।En: Arav thought it was a new game and decided to experience it.Hi: नैना ने चुपचाप उसकी नकल की, और विक्रम ने अजीब सा मुँह बनाकर उसका मजाक उड़ाया।En: Naina quietly mimicked him, while Vikram made a funny face and mocked him.Hi: जैसे ही योग सत्र कठिन हुआ, प्रशिक्षक ने एक जटिल आसन का निर्देश दिया।En: As the yoga session became difficult, the instructor directed a complex pose.Hi: अब आरव को संदेह होने लगा।En: Now Arav began to doubt.Hi: उसने हैरत से अपने दोस्तों को देखा, "अरे यार, यह कोई पिकनिक नहीं, योग कक्षा है!En: He looked at his friends with surprise, "Hey guys, this isn't a picnic, it's a yoga class!"Hi: " सब हंस पड़े।En: Everyone burst into laughter.Hi: विक्रम ने कहा, "आरव, तुम्हारी हवा में उड़ती कल्पना कभी गलतियों को भी मजेदार बना देती है।En: Vikram said, "Your drifting imagination sometimes makes even mistakes fun, Arav."Hi: "आखिर में, सारे लोग उनकी गलती पर मुस्कुरा रहे थे।En: In the end, everyone was smiling at their mistake.Hi: पर यह भी देखा कि वे तीनों योग का आनंद ले रहे हैं।En: But it was also observed that all three of them were enjoying the yoga.Hi: योग सत्र खत्म होने के बाद, आरव, नैना और विक्रम ने अपनी पिकनिक शुरू की।En: After the yoga session ended, Arav, Naina, and Vikram started their picnic.Hi: हंस-हंसकर पेट में दर्द होने लगा जब उन्होंने अपनी सुबह की मूर्खताएं साझा की।En: They laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt as they shared their morning's foolishness.Hi: इस मजेदार भगदड़ से आरव ने सीखा कि कभी-कभी अनजानी परिस्थितियों में भी मस्ती की जा सकती है।En: From this amusing confusion, Arav learned that one can have fun in unfamiliar situations.Hi: और वे दिनभर गार्डन में मौज-मस्ती, स्वादिष्ट खाना और ढेर सारी बातें करते रहे।En: And they continued to have fun, delicious food, and lots of conversations throughout the day in the garden.Hi: लोधी गार्डन ने इस गणतंत्र दिवस को उनके लिए यादगार बना दिया।En: Lodhi Garden made this Republic Day memorable for them. Vocabulary Words:republic: गणतंत्रadvantage: लाभenthusiasm: उमंगtombs: मकबरेcarefree: लापरवाहuncertain: अनिश्चितjovial: मजाकgathered: जमाeagerly: उत्सुकताuninvited: पकड़े बिनाlaughter: हंसीarrangements: इंतज़ामechoed: गूँजmimicked: नकलmocked: मजाक उड़ायाcomplex: जटिलsurprise: हैरतimagination: कल्पनाfoolishness: मूर्खताunfamiliar: अनजानीsituations: परिस्थितियाँmemorable: यादगारbreeze: हवाancient: प्राचीनsearch: तलाशposes: आसनbreath: सांसreleased: छोड़ोmistakes: गलतियाँconfusion: भगदड़

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: A Wintry Picnic Adventure: Unexpected Ducks Delight Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-22-23-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Bram stond vol verwachting met zijn picknickmand in de hand in het Vondelpark.En: Bram stood expectantly with his picnic basket in hand in Vondelpark.Nl: Het was winter en een dun laagje sneeuw bedekte de grond.En: It was winter, and a thin layer of snow covered the ground.Nl: De bomen stonden kaal en de vijver was deels bevroren.En: The trees were bare, and the pond was partially frozen.Nl: "Het is prachtig, Femke!"En: "It's beautiful, Femke!"Nl: riep Bram enthousiast.En: shouted Bram enthusiastically.Nl: Femke keek sceptisch om zich heen.En: Femke looked around skeptically.Nl: "Het is inderdaad mooi, maar ook koud," antwoordde ze glimlachend.En: "It is indeed beautiful, but also cold," she replied with a smile.Nl: Ze zochten een plekje dicht bij de vijver.En: They looked for a spot close to the pond.Nl: Bram legde een deken neer op de sneeuw en rommelde in zijn mand.En: Bram laid a blanket on the snow and rummaged through his basket.Nl: "Kijk, ik heb warme chocolademelk meegebracht en lekkere broodjes," zei hij terwijl hij alles uitstalde.En: "Look, I've brought hot chocolate and delicious sandwiches," he said as he laid everything out.Nl: Femke ging zitten en wreef haar handen over elkaar om warm te blijven.En: Femke sat down and rubbed her hands together to keep warm.Nl: Plotseling hoorden ze een luid gekwaak.En: Suddenly, they heard a loud quacking.Nl: Een groep eenden kwam enthousiast op hen af.En: A group of ducks came excitedly towards them.Nl: "Oh nee," lachte Femke.En: "Oh no," laughed Femke.Nl: "Die zijn niet verlegen."En: "They're not shy."Nl: Bram keek naar de nieuwsgierige eenden en kreeg een idee.En: Bram looked at the curious ducks and got an idea.Nl: "Laten we ze wat brood geven!"En: "Let's give them some bread!"Nl: stelde hij voor.En: he suggested.Nl: Femke trok een wenkbrauw op.En: Femke raised an eyebrow.Nl: "Ben je zeker dat dat een goed idee is?"En: "Are you sure that's a good idea?"Nl: Het bleek geen goed idee.En: It turned out not to be a good idea.Nl: Zodra Bram het eerste stuk brood gooide, kwamen de eenden als een zwerm om hen heen.En: As soon as Bram threw the first piece of bread, the ducks swarmed around them.Nl: Femke werd geduwd en moest lachen om de chaos.En: Femke was jostled and had to laugh at the chaos.Nl: "Dit was niet precies hoe ik de lunch had voorgesteld," grapte ze.En: "This wasn't exactly how I envisioned lunch," she joked.Nl: De eenden bleven maar aandringen, en de kou begon door te dringen.En: The ducks kept pressing, and the cold began to seep in.Nl: "Misschien was dit een beetje te avontuurlijk," gaf Bram toe.En: "Maybe this was a bit too adventurous," admitted Bram.Nl: Hij lachte zelf ook mee met de gekke situatie, want de eenden maakten het helemaal bijzonder.En: He laughed along with the crazy situation because the ducks made it truly special.Nl: Femke veegde een traan van het lachen uit haar ooghoek.En: Femke wiped a tear of laughter from the corner of her eye.Nl: "Zullen we naar dat café daar verderop gaan?"En: "Shall we go to that café over there?"Nl: stelde ze voor.En: she suggested.Nl: Met de picknickmand in de hand, trokken ze naar een gezellig café vlakbij het park.En: With the picnic basket in hand, they headed to a cozy café near the park.Nl: Binnen voelden ze al meteen de warmte en lassen zich met een kop warme chocolademelk verwennen.En: Inside, they immediately felt the warmth and treated themselves to a cup of hot chocolate.Nl: Ze zaten bij het raam en keken uit op de vijver, waar de eenden hun zoektocht naar eten hervatten.En: They sat by the window and looked out at the pond, where the ducks resumed their search for food.Nl: "Het was best grappig," zei Bram, en Femke knikte.En: "It was quite funny," said Bram, and Femke nodded.Nl: "De spontaniteit was leuk, zelfs als het niet precies het plannen was," antwoordde ze.En: "The spontaneity was fun, even if it wasn't exactly the plan," she replied.Nl: Ze genoten van hun drankje terwijl ze terugdachten aan de grappige ontmoeting met de eenden.En: They enjoyed their drinks while reminiscing about the funny encounter with the ducks.Nl: Soms zijn de onverwachte momenten juist diegene die je het meest koestert.En: Sometimes, the unexpected moments are the ones you cherish the most. Vocabulary Words:expectantly: vol verwachtingthin: dunbare: kaalenthusiastically: enthousiastskeptically: sceptischrubbed: wreefquacking: gekwaakjostled: geduwdchaos: chaosadventurous: avontuurlijkspontaneity: spontaniteitenvisioned: voorgesteldswarmed: zwermcozy: gezelligreminiscing: terugdachten aanfrozen: bevrorenpond: vijverblanket: dekenrummaged: rommeldetreat: verwencherish: koestertunexpected: onverwachteencounter: ontmoetinglaid: legdeget an idea: kreeg een ideepartially: deelscoursing: doordringenwarmth: warmteeyebrow: wenkbrauwgroup: groep

Fluent Fiction - Spanish: A Birthday Picnic Surprise: Love's Eternal Gift Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/es/episode/2026-01-20-08-38-20-es Story Transcript:Es: Bajo el brillante sol de verano, la Plaza de Armas de Santiago estaba llena de vida.En: Under the bright summer sun, the Plaza de Armas in Santiago was full of life.Es: Familias disfrutaban del día, niños corrían alegres y las notas de una guitarra resonaban en el aire.En: Families enjoyed the day, children ran happily, and the notes of a guitar resonated in the air.Es: En un rincón bajo las frondosas jacarandas, Lucía y Matías planificaban algo especial.En: In a corner under the lush jacaranda trees, Lucía and Matías were planning something special.Es: "¿Crees que a mamá le gustará?"En: "Do you think mom will like it?"Es: preguntó Matías, su voz era un susurro lleno de ansiedad.En: Matías asked, his voice a whisper full of anxiety.Es: "Claro que sí, Mati.En: "Of course, she will, Mati.Es: Lo que importa es el amor, no el dinero", respondió Lucía con una sonrisa reconfortante, aunque su propio corazón palpitaba con nerviosismo.En: What matters is love, not money," replied Lucía with a comforting smile, even though her own heart was pounding with nervousness.Es: Ellos vivían en un modesto apartamento con su madre, Isabel, quien trabajaba día y noche para mantenerlos.En: They lived in a modest apartment with their mother, Isabel, who worked day and night to support them.Es: Hoy, querían darle un respiro de la rutina y hacer que su cumpleaños fuera especial, a pesar de sus limitados recursos.En: Today, they wanted to give her a break from the routine and make her birthday special, despite their limited resources.Es: Con ingenio, Lucía había preparado sandwiches sencillos con los ingredientes que encontró en casa.En: With ingenuity, Lucía had prepared simple sandwiches with the ingredients she found at home.Es: Matías, siempre creativo, había desempolvado el viejo parlante portátil y cargó las canciones favoritas de su madre.En: Matías, always creative, had dusted off the old portable speaker and loaded his mother's favorite songs.Es: Juntos, decidieron celebrar con un picnic en el lugar donde tantas memorias felices compartieron, la Plaza de Armas.En: Together, they decided to celebrate with a picnic in the place where they shared so many happy memories, the Plaza de Armas.Es: Llegó la tarde, y con todo listo, los hermanos esperaban con ansias la llegada de Isabel.En: The afternoon came, and with everything ready, the siblings waited eagerly for Isabel's arrival.Es: Miraban hacia el camino, esperando ver su figura conocida entre la multitud.En: They watched the path, hoping to see her familiar figure among the crowd.Es: Matías apretaba el parlante mientras Lucía arreglaba los últimos detalles del mantel sobre el césped.En: Matías clutched the speaker while Lucía arranged the final details of the cloth on the grass.Es: Finalmente, Isabel apareció, su rostro cansado iluminándose al descubrir la sorpresa que sus hijos habían organizado.En: Finally, Isabel appeared, her tired face lighting up as she discovered the surprise her children had organized.Es: "¡Feliz cumpleaños, mamá!"En: "Happy birthday, mom!"Es: gritaron a coro Lucía y Matías, con sonrisas que daban vida al momento.En: shouted Lucía and Matías in unison, with smiles that brought life to the moment.Es: Isabel, con lágrimas de alegría en sus ojos, se sentó entre ellos.En: Isabel, with tears of joy in her eyes, sat among them.Es: "Esto es... maravilloso, mis amores".En: "This is... wonderful, my loves."Es: Y esa tarde, bajo la sombra de las jacarandas, compartieron risas, historias y canciones.En: And that afternoon, under the shadow of the jacaranda trees, they shared laughter, stories, and songs.Es: Conversaron sobre los días pasados y los sueños futuros, cobijados por el cálido abrazo de su pequeño acto de amor.En: They talked about past days and future dreams, sheltered by the warm embrace of their little act of love.Es: Lucía comprendió que los detalles sencillos, hechos con amor, eran suficientes para llenar el corazón.En: Lucía understood that simple gestures, made with love, were enough to fill the heart.Es: Matías, viendo la felicidad de su madre, se sintió orgulloso y más seguro de sí mismo.En: Matías, seeing his mother's happiness, felt proud and more confident in himself.Es: En ese instante, sus problemas financieros parecían más pequeños y la unión familiar más grande.En: In that instant, their financial troubles seemed smaller and the family bond larger.Es: Al caer la tarde, el cielo teñido de naranja, la familia regresó a casa con el corazón rebosante de felicidad.En: As evening fell, the orange-hued sky, the family returned home with hearts brimming with happiness.Es: Ese cumpleaños quedaría grabado en sus memorias como un símbolo del poder del amor y la resiliencia.En: That birthday would remain etched in their memories as a symbol of the power of love and resilience.Es: Así, Lucía y Matías reafirmaron su promesa de siempre estar juntos, superando cualquier obstáculo que la vida pudiera presentar.En: Thus, Lucía and Matías reaffirmed their promise to always stay together, overcoming any obstacle life might present.Es: Y con esa esperanza, los tres caminaban de regreso, riendo y soñando con los días por venir.En: And with that hope, the three walked back, laughing and dreaming of the days to come. Vocabulary Words:the whisper: el susurrothe anxiety: la ansiedadthe gesture: el gestothe ingenuity: el ingeniothe sandwich: el sándwichthe corner: el rincónthe notes: las notasthe guitar: la guitarrathe path: el caminothe crowd: la multitudthe figure: la figurathe cloth: el mantelthe grass: el céspedthe speaker: el parlantethe hug: el abrazothe shadow: la sombrathe heart: el corazónthe stories: las historiasthe dream: el sueñothe hope: la esperanzathe promise: la promesathe obstacle: el obstáculothe resilience: la resilienciathe memories: las memoriasthe figure: la figurathe face: el rostrothe afternoon: la tardethe sky: el cielothe blessing: la bendiciónthe embrace: el abrazo

Peter Filichia, Jena Tesse Fox, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere review Bug @ the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Going Bacharach: The Songs of an Icon @ Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater, The Opening @ The Players Theater, Picnic at Hanging Rock: The Musical @ the Greenwich House Theatre, Ragtime @ read more

John Varley (1947-2025), Hugo and Nebula Award winning science fiction novelist, who died on December 10, 2025 at the age of 78, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios July 17, 1992 while on tour for the novel “Steel Beach.” John Varley hit the ground running with his first short story, “Picnic on Nearside,” published in 1974 in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He was already considered the logical heir to Robert Heinlein by the time his novel, The Ophiuchi Hotline was published in 1977 and his short story collection, The Persistence of Vision a year later. He followed those books with a trilogy that included Titan, Wizard and Demon, then went to Hollywood for seven years. This Probabilities interview was recorded on July 17, 1992 when he returned to the field with his novel, Steel Dreams, first of two novels set in the Eight Worlds universe of his earlier work; the sequel, The Golden Globe, was published in 1998.. By the time of this interview, John Varley's history with Hollywood would be over. You can find a PBS version of Overdrawn at the Memory Bank on Pluto TV, and two episodes from the TV show Paradox on You Tube. The film Millennium is not streaming. After The Golden Globe, John Varley wrote seven novels, most in a new series titled Thunder and Lightning. He returned to the Eight Worlds for his final novel, Irontown Blues, published in 2018. There would also be The John Varley Reader in 2004 and another collection in 2013. The post John Varley (1947-2025), Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Science Fiction Author appeared first on KPFA.

Peso Pluma Biography Flash a weekly Biography.Hey darlings, its your AI gossip guru Roxie Rush here, and being powered by AI means I sift through the global tea faster than you can say sold-out stadium—delivering the unfiltered, verified scoop without missing a beat. Todays Peso Pluma flash is sizzling, straight from HOLA, his official site, Secret Miami, and College Football Playoff announcements.Our corridos king just lit up socials gushing over girlfriend Kenia OSs dramatic new 90s-vibe bob haircut she debuted Tuesday in steamy pink bodysuit snaps—Peso commented MY GIRLFRIEND BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL with that new look, all caps passion after their cozy Aspen New Years getaway. HOLA reports theyre stronger than ever, no drama, with Kenia calling him her prince charming and love of her life—they sparked in late 2024, went public at Pegasus World Cup, even smoked up at the Super Bowl. Shes teasing her K de Karma era with Belladona dropping January 15, but Pesos hype steals the show.Business-wise, his site confirms massive tour dates: headlining Lummus Park in Miami Beach tonight, January 18, then Festival Estéreo Picnic in Bogotá March 21—hes dropping heat like PEO PLUMA ft. Cardi B and more Double P Records collabs. Secret Miami and College Football Playoff news blast hes headlining the free AT&T Playoff Playlist Live tonight at Lummus Park, gates at 6 p.m. with Latin Mafia and Greeicy, hyping the National Championship chaos—pure cultural icon move, cementing his 45-million Spotify listeners and Grammy-winning legacy from GÉNESIS and EXODÓ.No fresh 24-hour headlines beyond that Miami megashow, and older cartel threats from TMZ are just echoes—no new verified drama. This beach bash could be biographical gold, proving Pesos unstoppable global takeover.Thanks for tuning in, loves—subscribe to never miss a Peso pulse, and search Biography Flash for more glam bios. Muah!And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Peso Pluma. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."Get the best deals https://amzn.to/42YoQGIThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Clare Balding meets the adventurer Pom Oliver for a woodland wander near her home in West Sussex. As they stroll amongst the trees, Pom recalls extraordinary chapters from her life: polar and desert expeditions, an epic hitch‑hiking journey from Cape Town to Sydney, and her time in the film industry working on much‑loved productions such as Biggles and Picnic at Hanging Rock.Their conversation also turns to Pom's latest adventure - a challenging three‑month trek across Saudi Arabia, tracing the footsteps of traders along the ancient incense route.The walk begins at Pom's home, but listeners keen to explore the woodland can enter it from The Blue Ship pub in the tiny hamlet of The Haven (postcode RH14 9BS).Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen Gregor

Scott interviews writer Chris Brunet about Paul Singer, American oil companies and everyone else who stands to benefit from what Trump is doing in Venezuela.   Discussed on the show: “The Biggest Winner in Venezuela: Paul ‘The Vulture' Singer” (Substack) Vultures' Picnic by Greg Palast Christopher Brunet is an investigative journalist. He began his career as an economist for the Canadian government before moving into conservative media. He now writes full time on Substack. Follow him on X @chrisbrunet Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott's work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott's other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott's books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Download Audio. Scott interviews writer Chris Brunet about Paul Singer, American oil companies and everyone else who stands to benefit from what Trump is doing in Venezuela.   Discussed on the show: “The Biggest Winner in Venezuela: Paul ‘The Vulture' Singer” (Substack) Vultures’ Picnic by Greg Palast Christopher Brunet is an investigative journalist. He began his career as an economist for the Canadian government before moving into conservative media. He now writes full-time on Substack. Follow him on X @chrisbrunet Audio cleaned up with the Podsworth app: https://podsworth.com Use code HORTON50 for 50% off your first order at Podsworth.com to clean up your voice recordings, sound like a pro, and also support the Scott Horton Show! For more on Scott’s work: Check out The Libertarian Institute: https://www.libertarianinstitute.org Check out Scott’s other show, Provoked, with Darryl Cooper https://youtube.com/@Provoked_Show Read Scott’s books: Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine https://amzn.to/47jMtg7 (The audiobook of Provoked is being published in sections at https://scotthortonshow.com) Enough Already: Time to End the War on Terrorism: https://amzn.to/3tgMCdw Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan https://amzn.to/3HRufs0 Follow Scott on X @scotthortonshow And check out Scott's full interview archives: https://scotthorton.org/all-interviews This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Incorporated https://rrbi.co Moon Does Artisan Coffee https://scotthorton.org/coffee; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom https://www.libertyclassroom.com/dap/a/?a=1616 and Dissident Media https://dissidentmedia.com You can also support Scott's work by making a one-time or recurring donation at https://scotthorton.org/donate/https://scotthortonshow.com or https://patreon.com/scotthortonshow

This summer we've curated your Help I Have A Teenager playlist with a healthy dose of culture-savvy conversation parents actually want - Parenting Out Loud. Parenting can involve big ideas, public debates and the odd festive guilt trip - and this week, we’re tackling all three. The man who created Adolescence has a new idea for how dads can connect with their sons - it’s beautiful, but one of us hates it. Plus, Amelia dives into the kids party photo that’s divided Australia: can you really “bags” a park table? And finally, it’s Elf O’Clock. Monz realises she’s the last mum on earth without a tiny spy living in her house, and wonders aloud if there are some traditions that should just be left alone. Our recommendations:

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   John Varley (1947-2025): Hugo & Nebula Award Winning Science Fiction Author John Varley (1947-2025), Hugo and Nebula Award winning science fiction novelist, who died on December 10, 2025 at the age of 78, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios July 17, 1992 while on tour for the novel “Steel Beach.” John Varley hit the ground running with his first short story, “Picnic on Nearside,” published in 1974 in the Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. He was already considered the logical heir to Robert Heinlein by the time his novel, The Ophiuchi Hotline was published in 1977 and his short story collection, The Persistence of Vision a year later. He followed those books with a trilogy that included Titan, Wizard and Demon, then went to Hollywood for seven years. This Probabilities interview was recorded on July 17, 1992 when he returned to the field with his novel, Steel Dreams, first of two novels set in the Eight Worlds universe of his earlier work; the sequel, The Golden Globe, was published in 1998.. By the time of this interview, John Varley's history with Hollywood would be over. You can find a PBS version of Overdrawn at the Memory Bank on Pluto TV, and two episodes from the TV show Paradox on You Tube. The film Millennium is not streaming. After The Golden Globe, John Varley wrote seven novels, most in a new series titled Thunder and Lightning. He returned to the Eight Worlds for his final novel, Irontown Blues, published in 2018. There would also be The John Varley Reader in 2004 and another collection in 2013. This interview has not aired in over thirty years.   Alan Furst: Best-selling Spy Novelist, 2002 Alan Furst, historical spy novelist, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios during the book tour for “Blood of Victory, September 26, 2002. This interview has not aired in over two decades. In this interview, he discusses his early career, resistance during World War II, and creating the unique atmosphere and characters in his books.His latest novel, Under Occupation, was published in 2019. Alan Furst's career took off with his novel Kingdom of Shadows in 2000, the sixth book in his series of stand-alone novels about heros and villains in Europe in the years leading up to, and including World War II.  Suffused with atmosphere, his books feel as if you're living with the characters in those haunted times. Of course, there is added resonance as we live through what might be similar times today. This is the second of five Bookwaves interviews with Alan Furst.   James Lapine discusses his collaborations with Stephen Sondheim.     Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. Some venues operate Tuesday – Sunday; others for shorter periods each week. All times Pacific Time. Closing dates are sometimes extended. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  See website for highlights from the 110th Annual Bay Area Book Festival, May 31 – June 1, 2025. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.  Monthly Event Calendar. BookShop West Portal. Monthly Event Calendar. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Green Apple Books. Events calendar. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actors Ensemble of Berkeley.  See website for readings and events. Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for upcoming productions. African American Art & Culture Complex. See website for calendar. American Conservatory Theatre  Paranormal Activity, Feb. 19 – March 15, Toni Rembe. Awesome Theatre Company. See website for information. Berkeley Playhouse. Once, February 20 – March 22.  Berkeley Rep. How Shakespeare Saved My Life written and performed by Jacob Ming-Trent .January 23 – March 1, Peets Theatre. All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Feb. 20 – March 29, Roda Theatre. Berkeley Shakespeare Company See website for upcoming productions. Brava Theatre Center: See calendar for events listings. BroadwaySF: The Notebook, February 10 – March 1, Orpheum. See website for complete listings for the Orpheum, Golden Gate and Curran Theaters. note: BroadwaySF is now ATG Tickets. Broadway San Jose:  The Book of Mormon, March 6-8. Beetlejuice, March 31 – April 5. Les Miserables, April 29 – May 3. Back to the Future, June 2 – 7. The Sound of Music, July 21-26, Center REP: Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon, March 29 – April 19. Central Stage. See website for upcoming productions, 5221 Central Avenue, Richmond Central Works After Happy by Patricia Milton, Feb. 28 – March 29. Cinnabar Theatre. My Fair Lady, January 23 – February 8, 2026. The Christians by Lucas Hnath, April 10-26, The Secret Garden, June 12 – 28. Club Fugazi. Dear San Francisco, ongoing. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Contra Costa Civic Theatre A Chorus Line, June 6 – 21, 2026. See website for other events and concerts. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming events and productions. Hillbarn Theatre: What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck, January 22 – February 8. Songs for a New World, music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, March 5 -22. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Sistah Friend by by Phaedra Tillery-Boughton, directed by Margo Hall. February 7, 2 pm, Museum of the African Diaspora. Los Altos Stage Company. Yoga Play by Dipika Guha. January 22 – February 15.. Lower Bottom Playaz  See website for upcoming productions. Magic Theatre. Macbeth, a new version by Migdalia Cruz. March 18 – April 5. Marin Shakespeare Company: Let The Wind Sweep Through: A Conference of Birds, Feb. 6-15. See website for schedule. Marin Theatre: The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov Jan . 29 – Feb. 22, 2026. Masquers Playhouse, Point Richmond. Improbable Fiction by Alan Aykbourn, Feb. 6 – March 1. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Closed. SF Chronicle gift article. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC)  Pride Cabaret, Feb. 5-7. Gods and Monsters based on the novel by Christopher Bram, written and adapted by Tom Mullen, March 6 – April 5. New Performance Traditions.  See website for upcoming schedule Oakland Theater Project. The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, Thurs-Sun, Feb. 5 – 15. Odd Salon: Upcoming events in San Francisco & New York, and streaming. Palace of Fine Arts Theater.  See website for event listings. Pear Theater. My Fair Lady, Feb 20 – March 8. See website for staged readings and other events. Playful People Productions. The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong, March 6 – 22. Presidio Theatre. See website for complete schedule of events and performances. The Children's Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTA) presents Once Upon a Mattress, January 24 – February 28. Ray of Light: Mean Girls. May 2026. Ross Valley Players: See website for New Works Sunday night readings and other events. San Francisco Playhouse. M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. February 6 – March 14.. SFBATCO.  See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: See website for events and upcoming season Shotgun Players.  Sunday in the Park with George, extended to February 15, 2026. South Bay Musical Theatre:  Little Women, The Broadway Musical, January 24 – February 14, 2026. SPARC: See website for upcoming events. Stagebridge: See website for events and productions. Storytime every 4th Saturday. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Lunatico  See website for upcoming productions.. Theatre Rhino  Left Field, written and directed by John Fisher, February 19 – March 15. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hershey Felder: The Piano and Me, January 17 – February 8, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Primary Trust by Eboni Booth, March 4 – 29, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto. Word for Word.  See website for upcoming productions. Misc. Listings: BAMPFA: On View calendar for Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2025 Season. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Fort Mason Center. Events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. See schedule for upcoming SFGMC performances. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org   . The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 8, 2026: John Varley – Alan Furst appeared first on KPFA.

Des dels aniversaris i les efemèrides, a les obres com la rehabilitació del campanar de la Parròquia, passant pel futur de Kansas, Pic-Nic o Club de Mar, o el 50è aniversari del Carnaval al carrer, el centenari de la inauguració del passeig marítim i l'Escorxador, o si es podrà fer o no el projecte de Vallcarca... En mitja horeta repassem el que hem viscut el 2025 i us exposem algunes de les previsions per a l'any que acabem de començar. L'entrada Allò que hem viscut el 2025 i el que haurem de viure (amb les previsions a la mà) el 2026 ha aparegut primer a Radio Maricel.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Chasing Joy: A Hanukkah Picnic Tale at Forsyth Park Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2025-12-28-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר חורפי באויר הקריר בפורסיית' פארק בסוואנה, עמד איתן עם חיוך רחב ונרגשות בליבו.En: On a winter morning in the cool air at Forsyth Park in Savannah, Eitan stood with a wide smile and excitement in his heart.He: הוא ארגן פיקניק קטן אך מיוחד כדי להפתיע את יעל ולחגוג יחד את חנוכה.En: He arranged a small but special picnic to surprise Yael and celebrate Hanukkah together.He: הוא הניח שמיכה בכבוד במרכז הדשא, וסידר את הלביבות על צלחות יפות - הכל היה מוכן.En: He spread a blanket in the center of the grass and arranged the latkes on beautiful plates—everything was ready.He: יעל הגיעה עם עיניים נוצצות וסקרנות בלב.En: Yael arrived with sparkling eyes and curiosity in her heart.He: היא התרשמה מהכנתו של איתן והרגישה את המעמד המיוחד שהוא יצר.En: She was impressed by Eitan's preparations and felt the special atmosphere he created.He: הם ישבו יחד, צוחקים ומדברים על ההיסטוריה של החג ועל הטעמים האהובים עליהם.En: They sat together, laughing and talking about the history of the holiday and their favorite flavors.He: פתאום, הופיע סנאי שובב מהעצים הקרובים.En: Suddenly, a mischievous squirrel appeared from the nearby trees.He: עיניו הגלויות התמקדו בלביבות שעל השולחן המאולתר.En: Its wide eyes focused on the latkes on the makeshift table.He: איתן מיד הבחין בסנאי והבין שיש לו מתחרה!En: Eitan immediately noticed the squirrel and understood he had competition!He: הסנאי התקרב לאט לאט, מנסה לשלוח את ידו הקטנה כדי לתפוס את הלביבה הקרובה ביותר.En: The squirrel approached slowly, trying to reach out its small hand to grab the nearest latke.He: איתן גיחך ורצה להגן על הפיקניק.En: Eitan chuckled and wanted to protect the picnic.He: הוא השתמש בתיקים שלהם כגדר מאולתרת, מקווה שהסנאי יוותר.En: He used their bags as an improvised fence, hoping the squirrel would give up.He: יעל הצטרפה אליו בחיוך והציעה לרדוף אחרי הסנאי כדי להפחיד אותו מעט.En: Yael joined him with a smile and suggested they chase the squirrel to scare it a little.He: האופק הירוק של הפארק התמלא בכיווחים ובקולות צחוק.En: The green horizon of the park was filled with giggles and laughter.He: הסנאי, עם תחושה של אומץ, קפץ עקפו ולקח לביבה ישירות ממרכז השולחן.En: The squirrel, with a sense of bravery, jumped past them and took a latke directly from the center of the table.He: הכל התרחש במהירות.En: Everything happened quickly.He: איתן ויעל פרדו לרדוף אחריו, צוחקים ומילים מעורבות של הוראות ואזהרות.En: Eitan and Yael rushed to chase after it, laughing with mixed instructions and warnings.He: המרדף היה מהיר ומשעשע.En: The chase was quick and amusing.He: בלא מעט זמן, הם חזרו למקומם, מתנשפים אך מאושרים.En: In no time, they returned to their place, panting but happy.He: מספר הלביבות ירד, אבל הזיכרון והחוויות היו עשירים יותר מכל ארוחה.En: The number of latkes had decreased, but the memories and experiences were richer than any meal.He: בסוף היום, איתן למד שערכו של רגע מושלם אינו במספר הלביבות אלא ברגעים הלא צפויים שהם חולקים יחד.En: By the end of the day, Eitan learned that the value of a perfect moment is not in the number of latkes but in the unexpected moments they share together.He: יעל ראתה צד חדש באיתן - צד מפתיע ומלא שמחה.En: Yael saw a new side of Eitan—a surprising and joyful side.He: התחמושת הבלתי צפויה שחייה דודתה את האווירה החגיגית, ואלו היו הם שזכו בפרס האמיתית של אותו יום.En: The unexpected excitement only enhanced the festive atmosphere, and they were the ones who won the true prize of that day. Vocabulary Words:winter: חורפיblanket: שמיכהlatkes: לביבותexcited: נרגשותsparkling: נוצצותimpressed: התרשמהsquirrel: סנאיmischievous: שובבmakeshift: מאולתרcompete: מתחרהgrab: לתפוסchuckled: גיחךimprovised: מאולתרתfence: גדרgiggles: כיווחיםbravery: אומץchase: המרדףpanting: מתנשפיםdecreased: ירדperfect: מושלםunexpected: בלתי צפויהatmosphere: אווירהside: צדsurprising: מפתיעjoyful: שמחהenhanced: חיהtrue: האמיתיתprize: פרסcuriosity: סקרנותexperience: חוויותBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 6 Planning a Future. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. October 17, 2020. All of Dave's partners were at the park, setting up the folding table and portable gazebo. None of his partners were wilting flowers, so he couldn't exactly muscle his way in to doing the set up. But, they had taken off with the intent that three would return to clean the dishes while the rest hung out in the park for Shawna to get off in barely an hour. Roscoe and Esme, of course, were among those getting to run around in the grass and fresh air. So, Dave was at the sink, scrubbing dishes with some of his favorite songs playing out of his Echo Show in the kitchen. The volume was cranked, and so was Dave's voice as he sang along, rather skillfully, but a bit out of practice. Currently, he was belting through a Kenny Loggins song. One that got him energized and moving. Isabella's eyes, Oh, shine your light and make your momma smile "Who, yeah, shake it baby!" Dave spun around, caught in the act. Doing dishes, and singing. And dancing. Sort of. Mel and Becca stood at the entrance to the kitchen, clapping and whistling. Lupie was beside them, with a smile and a raised eyebrow. "I claim dibs on naming my first daughter Isabella!" Rebecca called out. Melanie pursed her lips and looked defeated. "I'd fight you for that privilege, but with a daughter named Esmeralda, that'd be too close. Besides," Lupie added with a wry smile, "some would say it's the same name, so I guess I got there first." Then, she playfully stuck out her tongue. Now, Lupie is often fun loving, but this was a level of silly unheard of for her. Everyone was too busy laughing with her to show much in the way of shock though. Dave moved in to hug her and delivered a soft kiss. Lupie hummed into the kiss and smiled before pulling back with a playful scowl. "Don't think I forgot you were doing basic chores, David." "They needed doing, and I didn't have much on my plate at the moment, corazon ." Lupie just narrowed her eyes at Dave's reply, but the smile below gave away her jest. For added measure, Dave slapped her ass and then squeezed. That and Lupie's 'Eep!' got Mel and Becca laughing again. Then they took up position behind Dave's shoulders, so he was surrounded by his partners. Their hands slid along his sides in ways that were chaste, for now, but hinted at an interest in something more. "No, horny girls, remember this is Shawna's celebration. Picnic party in the park, the gift from Becca and Reena, and then she gets Dave all to herself until after breakfast." The younger women groaned, but acquiesced. "Shawna's heading straight there from work, and she texted me a few minutes ago she was on her way out the door. We need to wrap up here in short order and get to the park." Lupie sent Dave to wash up and change for the party while the ladies finished the remaining dishes and picked up the last needed items for the party. They got to the park about ten minutes before Shawna, or just enough time for Roscoe to finish saying hello to each of them. The other ladies greeted Shawna warmly, then she advanced on Dave, who had been waiting his turn. "Congratulations, babe. I'm proud of you and happy for you." Shawna wrapped him in a tight hug and a long, lingering kiss that was smoky rather than fiery. "I've been looking forward to that all day." Dave smiled and dropped a quick peck on her lips. "So, just the two of us until tomorrow morning huh?" Shawna grinned. "Umm-hmm. Very accommodating crew you've drawn to you, darling." "And pretty good cooks too. You should get something to eat. I made that cucumber tomato salad you like." "Ooo, with the fresh veggies you just harvested?" Dave nodded. Shawna skipped happily to the table, Dave beside her, holding her hand. Dave ate a double helping of everything. Each dish was tasty, and he was hungry. He sidled up to Shawna. "So how's Skippy the Wonder Boy doing?" Shawna's department now consisted of her, a young and fresh out of college guy with his master's in meteorology, and a young lady that was on her internship last spring when lockdowns hit. Each had different levels of skills, and each had shortages that Shawna, as the boss, had to train them up from. At least 'Skippy' had finished all the classes. He seemed like a pleasant guy on air. Unfortunately, he looked perpetually 14, wearing one of daddy's suits. The scruffy attempt at a beard was not helping. Shawna's scowled. Hard. "Mitchell is coming along just fine. Especially for a young man thrust into a position with far more responsibility than he should have to carry this soon out of school." "I'm sorry, hun. He always comes off as very pleasant, but he also looks way too young." "He is too young. He's handling his professional duties quite well, though. It's his personal life I worry about occasionally." "How so?" "Well, his first partner was a former Cowboys cheerleader, and looks it. She's been off the squad for two years, so she didn't get snapped up by some rich guy wanting a trophy." Shawna paused to a rough exhale. "But yeah, this earnest, and rather naïve, nerd boy has the devastatingly hot, bubbly woman three years older than him dumped in his lap. His first day back after she'd joined him, I thought the top of his head was going to fall off, he was smiling so big." Dave snorted at the image. He could understand the boy's predicament. That made him think. "That was just the start. His second partner was his sister's best friend; she was homecoming queen and prom queen. The sad side is, his sister didn't make it." Shawna's voice caught. "So sometimes he's having sex with this beauty that he never thought would come near him, and sometimes they're crying together over his dead sister and her dead friend." "Damn this fucking virus," Dave said huskily. He blew out a breath. "He really is one of us isn't he?" Shawna nodded. "How many partners does he have?" "Mindy, his fourth partner joined him last week. He's probably getting a fifth soon." She thought for a moment. "Guess that means you'll be getting another lady soon as well." Dave shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. I'm at seven now, so maybe that's it. That would be fine by me. Any one of you alone are incredible." He paused for the appreciative kiss. "I was thinking, if both families are plused up enough to be safe, then maybe we should invite him and his partners over. For games, or just talk and some background music." Shawna brightened. "Now that's the man I fell for." She kissed him firmly on the cheek. "I don't know if he has any friends or family left, and his girls are nice ladies, but not nerds. Well, Ginger, his third partner is an anime fan, but I think that's the extent of her nerd creds. Mindy's an athlete. Now, all of them love him to death, and they may share some of his other interests, but not the nerdy stuff." Dave frowned. "Sounds like Oracle isn't working out for him." "Oh, no. He has interests that aren't strictly speaking nerdy. And I know there's some sharing going on there. Kelly, the former cheerleader, shares his love of gardening." "And that's something Liv and I can share with the both of them." "Yup." "Okay, let's talk it over with the others and plan something." Dave looked chagrined. "So, uh, what's his real name?" Shawna gave him a pursed-lip grin with narrow eyes. "Mitch. Mitchell Westfield" "I'll work on that." Shawna gave him some side-eye, but with a grin, as they walked back to the others. Becca and Reena were waving them over excitedly and everyone had gathered around the box with the cake Lupie'd made. Shawna opened the package Reena held up for her. In the small box was a black t-shirt with the station logo over the heart on the front and "Weather Boss" across the back. The girls had carefully made sure it was just the right fit, not too snug or too loose for Shawna to wear to work. She laughed and hugged each teen. "You two are pretty awesome you know?" Both young ladies beamed. Shawna draped the t-shirt over her shoulder as Lupie opened the box to reveal the cake. It was three layers, with milk chocolate icing. On the top was the station logo, with the words 'Chief Meteorologist'. Around the sides, as one walked around, there was a sun breaking through clouds, a cloud with rain falling from it, and the third tableau depicted a tornado, with a bit of dust obscuring the bottom. "Oh, it's perfect Lupie! Thank you so much!" The ladies embraced before Lupie set about slicing the well-crafted dessert. Naturally, Shawna got the first slice. Between the layers was a thin puree of strawberries; Shawna's favorite. That was good for a small happy dance, which in turn, made Lupie happy. With everyone chatting happily, Dave slipped away from the others. He just had a small side trip he needed to make. About fifteen minutes later, Shawna came around the bend in the sidewalk as it exited the trees near the base of the bridge. She moved, unhurried, to Dave's side as he stood at the peak of the bridge, looking down at the stream passing below. In flood stage, it took a wider path, and might legitimately be called a river. Most of the time, it remained within the narrow channel with broad margins that were pleasant to walk along if you wore the right footwear. "You know, we all saw you leave. We just thought you needed some space. Or some time." She looked into his face, seeing the evidence of tears, but not a full-on bawling episode. "This is Eddie's bridge isn't it?" Eyes watering again, Dave didn't trust himself to speak and merely nodded. Shawna stepped closer and hugged him. They stood like that for a few minutes before she slowly released him. "Thanks. I needed that. I just; I'm such a damn wimp. I know I need to be stronger for all of you, but I; I can't move past this." "You keep focusing on the times you fall down. I see the man that gets back up, shoulders the burden, and keeps going." "I don't want to though, I only do it because I have to." "That's what makes you the man I've fallen in love with. No one wants to take the burden, and some people refuse to do it. You do it, knowing how much pain you'll go through again." "This world sucks ya know." "It always has, we just papered over it and let ourselves forget. Now is one of the times the ugliness rips through the paper walls and makes us look it in the face." Shawna paused to stroke the side of Dave's face soothingly. "Do you remember the Kurlan Naiskos, in TNG?" "Yeah." "One of your voices is an ox. Carry any burden, push through any problem, get the job done no matter the cost to yourself. A low-key hero. Maybe not the only hero within you. All I'm saying is, I am very glad to have you in my life, and to be a part of your life." They stood there at the railing, looking at the water for a minute or so. Then Shawna spoke again. "Honestly David, we're talking about your son's death here. I'd be worried if you weren't having bouts of sorrow. Hell, that would scare the shit out of me. I'd much rather come home to find you curled into a fetal position bawling your eyes out, than you just blithely going about your life as if nothing happened." Dave looked up at her and smiled weakly. "Okay. Sorry, I just feel like such a pussy when I get like this." "Don't make me tell Becca on you," Shawna said with a grin. With a sly smile, Dave rejoined, "So, how may I convince you to keep my dirty secret?" "Hmm, kitty's hungry, Davey." Shawna said in a low tone. Then she nibbled her finger and switched to a higher pitched schoolgirl pleading tone. "Kitty needs cream. Please Davey, pump your cream into my hungry, wet kitty." "Kitty hell, I'm looking at a strong, capable panther that could eat me alive and make me smile the whole time." Shawna grinned, excited. The skirt she wore that day was long and loose, without being flowy. Dave knelt briefly to reach his hands up and pull off her thong panties. He stuffed them in his pocket as she gathered the lower part of her skirt in her hands and leaned back against the railing. Fortunately, Dave was wearing jeans instead of cargo shorts today. Cargos would have dropped to his ankles the moment he unbuckled, leaving his bare ass out for anyone to walk by and see. Though no one seemed to be on the trail today. Instead, he unbuckled and unzipped, lowering his jeans and boxers just enough to bring his already half-erect cock out. When he stepped closer to Shawna, she wrapped her left leg around his waist and draped the skirt to cover the both of them. A few minutes of hungry kisses and energetic groping had Dave at full mast. He slipped himself inside Shawna's drenched pussy while she groaned. They fucked hard. Shawna focused mostly on staying upright and close, but put some effort into fucking back at him. Dave drove himself into her, his hunger matching hers, one hand behind her torso, the other fondling her tit through her shirt and bra roughly, the way she liked when they were going fast. His thumb and forefinger grasped at her nipple, and Shawna hit her first orgasm. She shook in Dave's arms, her rippling inner muscles running riot on his intruding organ. As she calmed, he approached his peak. She could see it in his eyes and urged him onward with soft, lusty whispers. As Dave erupted, she clutched him tight, her body overcome with spasms as the serum renewed her attachment to him, giving her pleasure when he attained climax. When her shuddering subsided, she kissed him warmly. Dave slipped himself out of her and quickly fixed his boxers and jeans. He handed her panties back, so she had something to stem the fluids flowing out of her. There were knowing smiles when they rejoined the others, but no commentary. In the mid-evening, with dusk sufficiently fallen outside, Dave and Shawna lay cozily tangled in the bath. With darkness outside and only the smallest, dimmest light on the vanity, the lighting gave a warm, inviting ambience. Peach bubble bath scented the air more than the water. It was just a little late in the year for a fresh peach; Dave checked that early in his planning. Shawna took another deep breath, a big, lazy grin on her face. "My favorite scent ever." "So can I call you my Georgia peach, even if you're not from Georgia?" "Well, I sort of am. My mother's from Georgia. Mom and Dad met at UGA. He was majoring in Civil Engineering and she was majoring in Music Education. When they graduated, they moved to St Louis to start their new life together. Dad grew up in Creve Coeur, a town near St Louis." "That's a sweet story." "Umm hmm. I'm hoping to have the same happily ever after here. They're both alive and quarantining hard. Hopefully, the vaccine will get there soon. I haven't said anything to them directly, but they are being careful." Dave gave a slight extra squeeze to the hug. They sat there in silence again for a while. Then Dave's hands slipped downward a bit, cupping her tits lightly as he hummed '; really love your peaches wanna shake your tree ;” Shawna recognized the tune and chuckled. It was a long, slow, comfortable night, with more cuddling and light touching than sex. Ditto for the wake up. Chapter 8; Planning a Future. October 19, 2020. Shawna's early shift meant she was home for dinner with enough time to change and sit with the family talking while Lupie and Reena prepared the meal. "Mom was a pretty good painter. She actually sold a few at small auctions. The one she was proudest of, she gave to Dave though. He's a fan of seascapes, so she made this beautiful painting with a cliff in the upper left and a roiling, storm-tossed ocean filling most the canvas. Lots of white caps and ocean spray, dark stormy waters, the whole works. You could almost feel like you were on the deck of a ship struggling to stay afloat in the storm." Liv looked wistful as she spoke of her mom's talents. "Oh! I've seen that one!" Jan exclaimed. The others looked between Livy, Dave, and Jan. With a neutral face that they had become accustomed to at certain times Dave said, "I put it away in a closet to keep it safe. I; went through a dark time there for a while. I didn't want to damage it." "And I found it when I was looking for the book boxes you mentioned. I'm sorry I brought it up, Dave." Olivia nodded her agreement with Jan. "Don't be ladies. Janelle's gift is a bright point. Honestly, I'm at a place now that I would feel safe bringing it back out. And the photos." A small relief settle over the gathering. There were a few spots that obviously held a picture or painting for some years, but had been bare when the ladies arrived. The general state of the world, and the events of Olivia and Melanie's arrival made each reluctant to broach the subject. "It would be good to see pictures of Eddie, Janelle, and; Carter?" Shawna said softly. "I don't think I ever saw Livy's parents, but I met Eddie a few times." Becca chimed in. "He was a nice guy. Kinda handsome too. But, I know where he got that from." She blew an air kiss to Dave. The others grinned or chuckled, with a few nods. "Well, she made the painting in Eddie's senior year, and he was between girlfriends when Mom finished. She had me bring it over on a weekend she knew Eddie was staying with Dave. Dave hadn't moved to this house yet." Dave chuckled, in memory, as he realized where Olivia was going with this story. "Keep in mind, Eddie is almost three years older than me. At the time, I was a few months past fifteen, and Eddie was shy of his eighteenth birthday by a few months. Mom drives me, but hangs back a bit, having me talk to Dave and Eddie. I get to Dave's front door, all flustered, 'cuz here's my crush, that I fantasize about spending my life with," Olivia is beaming a big smile at this point, with Dave replying with a shame-faced smile, "being all happy for this gift I'm giving him and showing me all this affection, but like I'm a well-loved daughter, not a woman he'd go out with. And all these little-girl-in-love feelings are just going haywire." The older ladies all showed some level of sympathy for Olivia. For her part, Becca slipped off her spot, nestled in beside Dave and said, "I don't know what you're talking about." The play-act was good for a chuckle. "That's when Eddie pipes up and offers to take me out that evening. He looked uncertain, but somewhat interested. We were friends, but there'd been no romance, no attraction. I was torn, because Eddie is a; " Olivia swallowed "--was a great guy, but he wasn't the guy I was after. I agreed, though. A week later he admitted that Dave put him up to it, and Mom was almost certainly involved. The three of them made multiple attempts at throwing us together. Hell, Eddie was the only boy Daddy didn't try to scare off." "Wait, so you dated Eddie?" "Not really. It was just two friends hanging out. It happened a few times as Mom, Dad, and Dave kept trying to get us together, but it never stuck. We both thought the other was an incredible person," she paused for a second again, "but there was no; no spark of desire. I mean, yeah, he thought I was pretty, I thought he was handsome, but it just wasn't there." "OK, 'cuz that would have been really weird. Especially if you two had; " "Nope." Olivia said it awfully quick, with a bit of extra color rising in her face. That caused everyone else to lean in. "Girl," was all Shawna said. Olivia rolled her eyes and exhaled hard. "They were trying so hard, and we really liked each other, and we thought maybe if we just tried; but we couldn't kiss without giggling. Like we couldn't bring our lips together we'd bust out laughing first. On the cheek was fine, but lips touching was just too goofy." Olivia stared off into space for a moment. "Okay, there was one time we tried to go all the way. I was over eighteen by then. We each undressed ourselves, but by the time we were both naked, we both had the nervous giggles. On paper, we should have been a great match, but something big was missing." "Oh, I've felt it," Becca said, waving her hand in the air, "I know what the big missing thing was." The whole house cracked up laughing. "Hey, we are talking about my friend here. And he's Dave son, so he was no slouch there. It just wasn't hard. That was a little demoralizing. I'm standing there, naked, tits out, not trying to hide anything, and I was already keeping it trimmed, so it's all out there where he can see it, and he's limp. Full length, but limp. That was a blow to my ego." "Coulda been worse. If you had slept with Eddie ;” A collective shiver ran through the room. "Yeah, yeah that would be weird. I may or may not have gone out the next weekend and found a guy to assuage my hurt ego, though." A few sympathy nods occurred in response. "About two months later, I found another boyfriend, but by then, I knew in my heart I was just biding time 'til I was old enough to pursue Dave. I was over eighteen, of course, but I knew I needed to be a bit older to really get his attention. That relationship eventually petered out, and every guy since has been a month or two fling about twice a year so I don't go crazy." "And now you have your dream guy." Jan supplied. Just then, Reena came out to the arch separating the dining room and living room. "We're starting to bring dishes out to the table. You can start taking seats." Looking at Becca, she added, somewhat resignedly, "Did you tell him yet?" Becca squealed. "I almost forgot! Thank you for reminding me! We were watching MTV earlier, and they're going through a leadership change. Like all the bigwigs got fired, and now they have a new CEO." Dave looked askance. "I haven't been interested in MTV for a few decades, back before they should have stopped using the 'M' if they were being honest." "That's just it though! The new guy has announced they will refocus on music." "But I liked The Real World!" Kareena grumped. Becca stuck her tongue out at Reena, before turning back to Dave. "And you'll never guess who the new head of MTV is!" "I don't follow music industry executives, so no, I really have no idea, who it could be." "But you know this guy," she said with a wide grin. "He's a little white, a little nerdy. He likes polka; " "No. Way." Dave said with a grin on his face. "Weird Al?" Shawna started chuckling. "Seriously?" "Yep! Weird Al Yankovich is the new head of MTV! They're having a grand re-opening Wednesday, noon, Pacific Time. They said there will be themed hours, so certain times will be 80's music, or 90's, or girl-pop, or hard rock, etc." "Wonder if they'll borrow VH1 'Pop-up Video' with the little factoids. That could be a good hour-block too." That's when Lupie appeared to summon them all to the table for dinner. Firmly this time. As dinner wound down, Lupie turned to Becca. "Have you asked him yet?" The little blonde shrunk into herself. "No," she said softly. "Ask me what?" Dave inquired. Reena looked at Becca like she was waiting for her to take the lead, but wouldn't for much longer. Rebecca swallowed hard, inhaled like she was steeling herself, and looked at Dave. "We didn't get a prom. Reena pointed that out last week. And, back then, it wasn't an issue for me. I mean, even without; everything that's going on. But now, it'd be kinda cool. So, um, the others are putting a prom on for us; me and Reena, I mean; so, uh, Dave, would you take me to prom?" Dave was surprised, and a little stunned. "I, uh," he sputtered, until Lupie, Jan, and Shawna fixed him with very determined looks. "Of course. Yes, Rebecca Sampson, I will escort you to prom." The cheers around the table settled after a moment, and attention turned to Reena. She beamed. "Dave, would you take me to prom also?" With a big grin, Dave replied, "Well, I dunno, I already have one prom date ;” his tone was playfully enough to keep most of the panic flutters out of Reena's stomach. "I would happily share a prom date with Reena." Becca interjected. "Then yes, Kareena Agrawal, I will escort you to prom along with Becca." Another round of cheers as both girls laughed. "So, you get a second prom Dave, this time with two hot dates!" Jan teased. Dave looked at her side eyed. "First actually. I wasn't in any kind of social demand in high school." "Wait, you didn't go to prom?" half the ladies exclaimed. Dave scoffed. "It was a social thing. I was a nerd. Okay, I'm still a nerd, don't give me that look. Anyway, I didn't belong at social events. Dances, football games, I didn't go and nobody missed me." "I'm a nerd, and I went to prom, David." Shawna replied. "You're a pretty girl. Boys like to go to dances with pretty girls. Girl nerds still get asked out, especially when they're attractive." No one wanted to ruin the mood by pursuing that line of discussion further, but they all noted an undertone in Dave's comments. October 21, 2020. Dave planted soft kisses on Lupie's shoulder as he drove himself in and out of her hot, wet tunnel. He held her hip with one hand and traced lazy patterns on her abdomen with the other. Lupie's hands rested on the wall as she bent over, pushing her ass out so Dave could pump himself into her sex. They were ten minutes into what was supposed to be a quickie, but both enjoyed the union so much they were subtly stretching out the encounter. Of course, the fact that Esme's room was right next to Dave's office added some need for quiet. And quiet fucks were generally slower. Still, they couldn't take forever. With this many people in the house, no matter how quiet they were, if they kept going, someone would walk in on them. Dave slipped his hand from Lupie's belly up to her tit. He took a firm, possessive grip and rubbed her nipple with his palm and massaging the bulk of her tit with his fingers. Lupie's right hand left the wall and flew to her mouth. Her shoulder braced against the wall, Lupie's eyes rolled back as her torso convulsed. Her low moan of ecstasy was largely stifled by her hand. The undulation of her inner muscles set Dave off, and he fired several ropes of hot cum into her waiting passage. Both stood there for a minute, steadying themselves and luxuriating in the primal satisfaction of the completed act. As Dave softened and slipped out of her, Lupie reached to the side table and grabbed some tissues to catch any leakage. She turned, resting her back against the wall and staring into her lover's eyes. "You know David, tomorrow is the day. Hopefully." Dave looked at her quizzically. "I ovulate tomorrow. I've been tracking it. This time could be the one that gets me pregnant." Dave leaned into Lupie and took her in his arms. A shudder passed through him as he realized he might soon be a father again. A dark, demented voice rose up to remind him just how well that worked out the last time. "Still," Lupie purred with a grin, "I wouldn't mind a second dose tomorrow, just to increase our chances." Dave kissed her slowly on the lips, with no tongue. "Purely for reproductive purposes of course." He added a wink. Lupie hugged him tightly after barking out a short laugh. Then they dressed and she headed back downstairs. Dave opened the new microfridge and pulled out a bottle of water and a pouch of tuna in sunflower oil. Livy and Mel picked up the fridge last week, during the grocery run. The same trip they'd gotten the palmprint secured gunsafe for Livy's headboard. Mel and Reena put it in place while Dave and Liv installed the safe. He guzzled about half the water bottle before setting it down. Then he took his time with the tuna and the other half the bottle. Time enough to mull over his problem. His game might be dead in the water, for good this time. As with so many others, he hadn't heard back from the artists that made the images for him in too damn long. The background artist, Harrison Black, had been incommunicado for months. That may not be an insurmountable problem. There was only one background missing from the scenes he had planned out. Those scenes might be movable to one of the existing settings. Or maybe he could find an artist to make that last image and match Harri's style; but that would be a dicey prospect. As long as he didn't add any new locations, he was good there. But; his character artist was also not responding. His last email two months ago mentioned he was sick. He had finished all of the characters through the last update, but the game had three more characters to complete the cast, and one played a pivotal role in the last two scenes of the pending update. He needed to find a new artist. And negotiate a new contract. For a game whose market may have shrunk drastically. Who the hell would pay money for a game about a guy surviving an apocalypse and fucking hot babes when they're in the middle of an actual apocalypse and every surviving guy had several women addicted to his cum? It was still worth a shot though. After mulling over the wording, Dave opened Discord and navigated to UnVale, the site he'd used before. He found an appropriate thread and started typing. budget: $800 plus 10% of revenue work: headshot and 3d poly-rigged female character, character description (rough physical and detailed personality) provided in further communications. three characters needed. possibly three artists, one per character. Upfront and percentage applied per character. timeline: 6-8weeks Commercial use, erotic game respond by DM please With that done, Dave left the server. There were other things to do. He logged into the email server for Eastfield and checked for messages. His dean emailed with a list of classes for spring semester. Technically, she was offering the list for his approval. Yeah right. She's the dean. Yeah, He'd made full professor rank five years ago, but getting in a pissing match with the dean over class assignments was never a good idea. And she'd never given him reason to anyway. The 'check these to make sure they are right' note always elicited that rebel reaction in him. Interesting. Math department must be shorthanded. Dave had one section of college algebra in addition to two sections of physics. One of those was calc-based, the other algebra & trig based. And then a section of gen ed physical science. That had been awhile, but something he'd done before. He emailed back the list looked fine, but he'd need a copy of the texts for the math and physical science classes, and quickly, so he could start planning. Hard copies if possible. At least a looseleaf version. He tagged in a suggestion they offer an astronomy class or earth science or oceans class. Something more focused that could get the kids attention. Student interest tends to improve student scores, after all. He pointed out with a little review time, he could teach the astronomy or earth science class. If they went with an oceans class, he'd need one of the biology folks to cover the portions of the class on sea life. Ugh. College algebra had some interesting and useful tools but teaching it to a class of mostly 'why do I have to take this'? whiners could make for a demoralizing semester. Well, maybe that would be the plus side of an apocalypse. The survivors might be all that much more desirous to grow and achieve. Okay, plan with positive thoughts. Expect hungry, eager young minds. Or even hungry, eager older minds. And a little bit scared. Some more than others. Lastly, he suggested that whichever of the three they offered should have a field trip component. Now more than ever, it was important to break students out of their doldrums and really see the stuff they talked about in class. "Dave! Dave! Dave!" Becca burst through his office door. "It's on! It's coming on next! Come down!" She gave him a quick kiss on the lips and raced back out. Dave was chuckling by the time she turned around, and rising as she passed the doorframe. He joined her in the living room in short order, without running. Lupie, Liv and Mel were waiting as well. Jan and Esme came out of the library just as Dave hit the bottom of the stairs. "All of you are music video fans?" Dave asked. "Or Weird Al?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm a you fan, David," Lupie replied, "and a Becca fan. You two are so excited by this, I had to be here to watch." "You exposed me to Weird Al when I was young and impressionable. My interest in him is all your fault." Olivia observed with a smirk. "Hey, I'm just band wagoning here," Melanie chortled. Then Jan chimed in. "This is a cultural event. It would be educational for Esme," she said with a sly grin. The commercial cut away and an aural cascade of celebration sounds issued from the TV. "Hello, all you beautiful people, I'm Martha Quinn, your Video Jockey for this inaugural segment of the renewed Music Television channel. Yes, we are concentrating on music again, and, in honor of the impending Halloween holiday, we have an oldie but a goldie; Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'." The screen cut to the iconic video by the king of pop. The full version. When it ended, Quinn was back. "I get chills from that every time." Martha shook her head, smiling. "Now, with the Thanksgiving holiday not far away, our new CEO has whipped up something to make the meal; just a little extra special." Guitar chords from Eric Clapton's 'Cocaine' start playing. When you eat leftovers, And you're feeling averse, ptomaine Half the room cracked up laughing. Dave didn't hear most the rest of the lyrics, but hell, his family was laughing. And surely the song would play again. It was good to laugh. By the time they settled down, the video was over and Martha Quinn's face stared back at them. "I hope you all enjoined that as much as I did. I'll be back to host 'The '80's Hump Day Show' this evening, but until then my younger colleagues will host shows featuring current, or at least more recent, styles. Our new formatting is geared to exemplify and introduce the unique and wonderful flavors of different eras and genres. We here at MTV would like to foster greater understanding and appreciation between peoples of different generations, so please, at some point during the week, take the time to sit in with us as we cover an era or style you are unfamiliar with and get to know some of the things that make other people in your life tick." Dave couldn't shake the sense that Quinn knew about the Quaranteam serum and was trying to foster connections between partners of well separated age groups, without talking about the serum in even the slightest. Then again, the sentiment had its own value, without the serum issues. October 22, 2020. The doorbell was still an unusual sound to hear these days, even though the house no longer felt like his own pyramid. It definitely wasn't quiet at the moment. House Belsus was in the midst of a round robin Mario Cart championship. Although, this one was a warmup. Shawna wasn't here, so they'd have another contest when the whole house was present. At the moment, Mel and Olivia were frustrated with each other and Esme's otherworldly ability both in the game and playing the two off each other. As the two of them attacked the other, Esme got ahead of them both. Becca was laughing, and well ahead of all three, sailing free and clear of any competitor or trap. Until Esme got a blue shell. Just as it detonated, the doorbell sounded. "I got it!" Reena shouted, leaping to her feet and rushing for the door. Dave rose to follow, but was tackled by Becca, Liv, and Mel. Lupie began to object, since Esme was in the room, but the girls were mostly just hugging, with some kissing. Lips only, no tongue. "Hey, come on! I need to go answer the door," he protested. "Nope," Becca retorted. "Reena hasn't gotten to welcome a new lady to the house yet. And you need to make a proper first impression when she walks in; smothered in adoring women!" Dave rolled his eyes but stopped trying to wiggle free. Lupie and Jan chuckled off to the side. "I heard that from outside." said a voice carrying a tinkle of amusement. All three young ladies scrambled up so Dave could stand and face their newest sister. She stepped forward, offering her hand. "Hi, I'm Vanessa Worton. You must be Dave. You have quite the entourage here." Dave reached his hand out to accept her greeting. Champagne blonde hair; with dark roots; fell from a middle part down the sides of her face to drape a few inches down her shoulders. Round, olive green eyes stared back at Dave from a face balanced between oval and rectangular. The wide smile, with plenty of teeth showing, appeared a mix of forced and natural while her cheeks gathered into pleasant apples above and beside her mouth. Vanessa wore a tight-knit thin teal sweater under a medium beige cardigan. Light tan slacks and slip-on comfortable walking shoes in dappled white and dark grey finished her business casual look. At 5'5" she wasn't exactly short for a woman, but neither was she tall by any stretch. She appeared to be a well-kept late thirties. The skin of her face was supple, but showed signs of experience in life; not all of it positive. Vanessa chuckled. "Well, it's always ego boosting for a man to be speechless upon seeing me. Especially one surrounded by such lovely ladies already." Dave collected himself. "Would you like a seat?" When he saw her noticing the paused game, he added, "We were having a playoff. Although this is really just practice, since Shawna's at work. She'll be home in another hour and a half. That's her usual time, though depending on her shift some days could be earlier or later." "So all of you are into video games?" Vanessa said as she stepped around her large pink rolling suitcase to find a seat. "No, some of us are into video games, and some of us join in for family unity." Lupie rejoined. "I can appreciate that." Vanessa smiled back. "Family sticks together." Her smile looked slightly artificial for a moment. "I like that you all refer to each other as family, rather than a team. It sounds; cozier, comforting. And the whole dogpile thing? Very Norman Rockwell. If Rockwell painted polygamous families," she added with a wide grin. "You must be Lupie," she said approaching the Latina. "I think your letter was the most convincing, and intimidating. I almost passed over Dave so I wasn't getting in the way of, or being overshadowed by, two long term loves." Everyone but Jan, Lupie, and Becca bore puzzled looks. That's when Jan cleared her throat and spoke up. "I was contacted the end of last week to type up a short mention of my time here, my thoughts, and such. I sent that in Sunday night." "I got mine in yesterday." Lupie said. "Me too," said Becca. "It was interesting getting three uniquely different people saying slightly different things that all painted the same picture." Vanessa walked back to Dave. "You're an interesting guy David Belsus." Dave looked slightly uncomfortable by instinct, but quickly applied some of the confidence he'd been gaining or faking. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, Ms. Worton." "Vanessa. Or preferably, Nessa. Given how; close we are going to be." She flashed him a playfully wicked smile. Dave was getting enough practice now to see beneath the surface. Under the playfully strong woman exterior was a deep current of uncertainty, even nervousness. "I have professional reasons to be here as well. I'm a realtor, so I'm involved in the re-housing project going on. If I hadn't matched to you, I would have been by to visit sometime next week, but as it is, I'd like to start that conversation now, lay out the parameters for all of you and after I wake up from imprinting we can talk about what you; well, what we want," she ended with a grin. "Sounds good," Dave replied. "Re-housing, huh? Are we really supposed to wind up with many more ladies in the house?" "I don't know any more than you've been told, really, but I've seen some families much bigger. Most seem to be heading that direction though. The metroplex - all of North Texas - got hit hard, David." She paused. "Harder than some other areas because of all the deniers. I don't know the numbers, since I'm not involved in that work, but we have a lot fewer men here. We also had a higher loss of women, but not nearly to the same degree as the increased loss of men. Only a few of the women are interested in re-locating, so families here will likely be bigger than families in California or New England; on average anyway." "That's how it's been before all this though too." "Well, yeah," she said with a chuckle. Then she cleared her throat and seemed to settle into a 'professional' facial set. "To ease the logistical load for utilities and other services, the government is encouraging folks to gather into consolidated neighborhoods or downtown living areas. They mostly want people to live in multi-use towers. Basically, skyscrapers with stores and service shops on the bottom floor or two, and residential spaces above. Each family would have one entire floor. A large family might get two floors." "I would rather not live in a high-rise." Dave kept his tone neutral and even, in a way that suggested much more passion behind the sentiment than that actually expressed. "Well that brings us to the communities being formed. Some are on cul-de-sacs with enlarged houses. And the cul-de-sacs are clustered. There are some that have semi-circle roads with houses on the outer edge and a park or shops in the middle. The smaller ones of those are also clustered." "Of course, the Las Colinas and South Lake folks already have their gated communities. They may bring a few others in to occupy a house that was already empty, or vacated by a; casualty, but mostly, they are 'keeping to their own'. I wouldn't expect you; us; to get in there." "Not sure I'd want to." That earned a few nods. "There are a variety of sizes in the midrange communities. Those also vary by amenities in the house. Some houses in the same community have different amenities, inside or outside. In fact some of the nicer communities in the midrange are; choosy, so, again, they could be hard to get into." Dave, Lupie and Liv just shrugged. "Now, generally speaking, the communities will be mixed so there is, as best as possible, a cross section of races, political views, and interests in each community. The intent is to hopefully negate the polarization we've all seen increasing over the past twenty years." All of the older members of the family nodded. Everyone old enough to watch the news knew exactly what she was talking about. "But, there will be some; themed communities. In the Mesquite area, there will be a community of multiple cul-de-sacs near a stables." "And a country bar?" asked Reena, teasingly. "Please," Dave rejoined, "Mesquite is for ropers. They wear bright colored boots and never rode a horse. They drive lift kit pickups without a single scratch in the bed. A whole community of truck balls, rattails and mullets." He paused for a second. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. I could do with never seeing another mullet or rattail." "Or a lift kit." "Or truck balls." "I'll scratch Mesquite off the list of possible destinations for this team. Um, family," Vanessa corrected. "What about Park Cities area?" Dave looked at her balefully. He started ticking off on his fingers, "I make less than six figures, I do not own a tux; and only one suit; and I have no idea what to do with my pinkie finger when drinking tea or coffee." All of the ladies giggled. "Worse," he made quote fingers in the air, "Lupie is Hispanic, Jan is Korean, and Shawna, who's at work at the moment, is black. Not exactly a picture of Park Cities demographics." Vanessa looked like she was about to object, but held off. He wasn't wrong. Changing the topic, she said, "So, all we really need right now is to think about what spaces you will want, and what spaces you will need. Do you need an office? Do any of the women need one as well? Can those be combined?" "That could wind up as an excuse to visit with you more often during the day," Mel asserted. Reena and Becca giggled. Esme hadn't left the room, so she slightly veiled her meaning. "I will need a separate office. Sometimes I just need to focus. Besides, having my own office hasn't stopped y'all from making 'visits' during the day." Lupie blushed at the implication. She wasn't the only one though, just the most recent. "But Dave, I might need some math help," Becca pleaded. Vanessa looked slightly amused while the others laughed. The tale had been shared around. "I should never have told you that story," Dave said with narrow eyes and pursed lips. Though there was a twinkle in his eye and his lips curled up at the corners. "So, something for you ladies to share with me later, I take it?" Dave threw his hands in the air theatrically. "I'm surrounded." "Well, Dave, that's how; " Liv cut herself off as she remembered Esme was still in the room. Esme rolled her eyes. "Do I need to leave?" "No, you do not." Dave replied. "We will watch ourselves. This conversation is one you should have some input on. You might not get what you ask for, but at least I'd like to hear your preferences as much as anyone else's." Vanessa nodded, looking at Lupie. "Yup, just like you said." Lupie blushed. At Dave's reaction, Nessa looked to him and added, "All good things, all good things." "Olaf!" Esme cried. "You should be Olaf for Halloween. That's next week right?! We're doing something for it, right Da- uh, Dave?" Dave did not miss what Esme almost said. If she finished the original word, he might have lost it altogether. As it was, he managed to maintain his composure. He wasn't the only one. Lupie looked ready to bust with joy. Nessa bore a knowing grin that matched the others around the room. The shaky breath he took to steady himself was all they needed to confirm the impact the verbal slip had on him. In their eyes, he could see that for some, it was the reaction they needed him to have. Well, one more proof they all matched well. His natural reactions were what they wanted. Sometimes, anyway. "I think I just ovulated." Livy muttered. "What was that?" Dave asked. "Nothing darling, nothing at all," the busty brunette replied with a mild blush. The cackling of half the room did not help deter attention. "Maybe we should just get back to the discussion topic," Dave said with a wry grin. "Esme, any thoughts?" "Adults are crazy." Vanessa and a few others laughed. Dave just stared at Esme, a slight grin on his face and one raised eyebrow. Esme giggled. "Okay, I'd like a big backyard, a pool and an indoor play space that can also be an art room." Then, with an impish smile she added, "And a pony." "Ponies do not come with a house." Dave observed wryly. "The pool idea is a good one. If there's no community pool close by, that is. I mean, having one in the backyard would be great, but so long as it's easy to get to, a shared pool will do nicely. Is that doable, Nessa?" "Absolutely. Most of the communities either have a pool space already built, or have one planned. Some of the houses have backyard pools." She cleared her throat. "Though, none of the houses have enough yard space for a horse." She winked at Esme. "But two communities are reasonably close to riding stables with lots of pastureland." Dave chuckled and shook his head. "And let's list the art, craft and play space as a want, not a need, but a really want. An indoor space like that could be very handy when the weather sucks. It could also work as a classroom. After all, you can do a lot of science with craft supplies." Esme groaned and slapped her forehead. " That's my signal to leave. Besides, I still have a geography assignment to work on. Let me know when you're ready to finish the game." She slipped out to the library. Vanessa looked at Lupie. "She's adorable." "Thank you. She's also a handful." "I can see that." Vanessa replied. "Doesn't stop me from wanting one. Not right away, I mean, but, sometime in this coming year, I want to start trying." She turned to Dave as she said this. "Is that a problem?" "No. Not at all. We haven't talked about timing or anything, but I'd like to have kids with each of you. At least, I think you all want kids. If I'm wrong, let me know." All the ladies nodded, some adding a few words to express their interest. "Timing is the issue, though. We don't want the whole house pregnant at once. And some have college to complete and careers to establish." "Anyone trying now? If it's not too personal." Lupie raised her hand. "You're family now, or soon will be. It's not too personal. We hadn't said anything yet, but we are trying." The others squealed happily and rushed to hug her. "I think the conversation just came to an end," Dave observed. "That's ok, the main need for tonight was to get you all thinking about what you want. By early next week we should get together and nail down a specific list of needs and wants." She shifted in her seat. "Speaking of which, I'd like to wait until after dinner, maybe an hour after. I'd prefer to have dinner first and give it time to settle." "That's perfectly understandable. We can talk again just before. I'll; " "I am sure of my decision. But that's ok, feel free to ask again later for your peace of mind." At Dave's puzzled look, she explained, "Lupie and Jan mentioned you would be concerned about my comfort level with this decision." Her eyes twinkled. "Your ladies know you, David. I'm looking forward to being here." Dinner was a simple, quick affair of burgers, mac n' cheese from scratch and steamed green beans. Lupie and Mel offered to make something a bit more exciting, but Vanessa insisted quicker was preferred. They smiled and got busy in the kitchen. Nessa recognized Shawna as soon as she entered the living room. She didn't fawn over the local celebrity, exactly, but it took her a minute to adjust. After dinner was a slow time of conversations in pairs and triples. Nessa spent a lot of time listening but shared a few things about herself with the family. Eventually, she gave Dave a look that he was becoming accustomed to. He rose, approached her, and offered his hand. She took his hand and rose to stand beside him. The two ascended the stairs together. Everyone watched but said nothing. There were a few grins exchanged. When they entered the bedroom and shut the door, Vanessa turned to him, pulling herself close and burying her face in his chest. Then she looked up, meeting his questioning eyes. "I want this David. I want to be a part of the family you have here. I want to be with you. I talked with the others downstairs. I know you like to take your time. This isn't your first imprinting though, so you know I won't; get there except at the priming and imprinting; surges. I'll enjoy the efforts, but don't spend too much time on it, it will just be frustrating for me. So, show me your kind, attentive side, but don't overexert yourself on it, ok? Save it for one of the others this evening." Dave stroked her back gently and kissed her forehead. Nessa raised up on her toes and kissed him full on the lips. She hummed when he responded. They took their time, reveling in the closeness. She could feel in his body the desire to give her an emotional bond before the physical one, but the serum did not permit that. Still, that he wanted to do that for her bode well for a future together. The kiss grew more intense. Hands roamed from the 'safe' areas towards the more stimulating parts of the partner's body. Dave and Nessa's breathing increased in unison. That was the best part. That the person getting you all excited was just as excited as you. The hunger in their eyes rebounded, building in power like a laser. The frantic energy powered their hands as they tore at each other's clothes. They were stripped bare in short order, at nearly the same moment. Dave put an arm around her back and began kissing her again, turning himself one quarter away and walking toward the bed. As they arrived, she crawled quickly up the bed, turning on to her back and laying her head on a pillow as she reached the headboard. Dave gazed at her as he drew himself up on the bed with Nessa. Her body was smooth and lovely, well maintained, but not young anymore. Quite alluring. Neither washboard abs nor a paunch. Smooth, medium sized tits with a natural sag, medium brown areolas a bit larger than a half-dollar coin, and nipples slightly smaller than a pencil eraser that were fully erect. Below, her bush was neatly trimmed away from her vulva, which was clearly engorged with arousal as her inner petals flowered themselves outward, her outer lips parted slightly, just barely exposing the tip of her clitoris. Her face had dropped any sense of demur acceptance. She needed him. It was time, she was his and he was hers, for this moment. Dave crawled between her legs and positioned himself over her. He lowered himself enough to make contact over much of their bodies, without resting his weight fully on her. His erection sandwiched between them. He lay soft, gentle, languorous kisses on her forehead, cheeks and lips. She hummed her approval. As his kisses proceeded down her neck to her clavicle, her breathing picked up again. Her pelvis rubbed against him, seeking what only he could give her, seeking the fullness she needed to feel. Dave kept kissing and progressing down to her tits, kissing the yielding flesh there as she began to whimper. The yearning radiated from her in palpable waves. Dave repositioned his face to Nessa's, with his hips arched over her core. She steadied her tumultuous hunger, recognizing his preparation. Dave moved slowly until the tip of his organ rested against her wet, open entrance. He thrust forward, smoothly, firmly, penetrating her depths with half of his length over the course of several seconds. Vanessa responded with a cross between a groan and a cry, clutching him tightly with her hands on his shoulder blades. He pulled back out, eliciting a brief whimper until he thrust full length into her, which earned him a moan of pleasure. Her enthusiasm brought Dave quickly to the point of leaking precum, which had the expected effect the moment the fluid made contact with her velvety interior. Dave held her through her serum induced ecstasy. As she settled, she wrapped her arms around his back and looked into his eyes. He kissed her again as he began thrusting once more. Then he lowered his lips to her ear. "You're mine now Nessa. No other man may touch you." She gasped, excited. "Mine to take care of." He felt her shuddered beneath him. "Mine to enjoy." He felt her inner muscles flex and grasp his thrusting cock. "All mine. Your heart." "Yes." "Your mind." "Yes." "Your body." "Yes." "and your will." He thrust deep, holding himself there and working his hips to strike all of her inner surfaces. "Yes! Please David, please more!" Dave began thrusting with more vigor, pounding her sex with his own. Pummeling her interior as she writhed in her enjoyment of his actions. Her hips rolled and bucked. Her hands clutched and groped on his back; and her eyes. Her eyes implored him to take her like a beast. His breathing ragged, he savaged her lower body, stoking his own fires as surely as hers. So lost he was in the primal act, he never noticed his own building arousal until he'd fired off a few spurts into her, arresting her cries of pleasure and replacing them with a primal scream and orgasmic spasms which ended with her flopping to the bed in a naked heap. "Imprinting; imprinting; imprinting ;” October 23, 2020. With the exception of Shawna, who was gone for work, the entire house devoted all of Friday to prom preparation. Lupie went to the store and picked up a few items she'd held off getting until day-of. On her return, she immediately lay into her prep work, getting the cold appetizers ready. Melanie came in to help in the early afternoon, once she had finished curating the song lists. She was the designated DJ for the evening. Becca and Reena both spent time with her a few days prior, nailing down what they wanted to listen to during dinner and dance to after. Liv and Janice were the decorating committee. They left the living room re-arrangement for last, starting that after Dave and the girls went to upstairs to dress. During the day, they set up the unused bedroom as a hotel room. It was close enough to the upstairs bathroom not to break the illusion. And it was well away from Esme's room. Esme was instructed to use the master bathroom from bedtime until after breakfast. By early afternoon, Becca and Reena retreated to the master bathroom to do their hair and nails. Reena did Becca's nails, and then her own. Once that cycle was done, she did Becca's hair and guided Becca through the steps for doing Reena's. Each girl did her own makeup, though Reena added a few touches to Becca's. Vanessa awoke by lunch time. She was tickled when Dave asked her to help out. He wanted a bit more dance practice. Dave was not a dancer. Mel and Olivia gave him some practice, about an hour or so each, on separate days earlier in the week. Those sessions went about how'd you'd expect. Started off with some innocuous club dancing, progressed into something steamy, and wound up in the horizontal mambo. On the plus side, each coed got her dose before prom night. By mutual acclamation, prom night was exclusively for Reena and Becca, and Dave reserved himself during the day as well. With Vanessa, he practiced a few more sedate dance styles, and a couple of the club moves, without the steamy stuff. She was still a bit sore from the vigor of last night. Although, she said so with a smile. Shawna took an early shift that day and arrived home shortly after Dave and Vanessa wrapped up their dance practice. Shawna first changed into an orange halter dress before taking possession of Dave, hauling him off to their tv room where his clothes were laid out. Nessa went downstairs to help Liv and Janice move the living room furniture to the borders of the room, leaving a respectable dance space in the middle. Once Dave and Shawna were both convinced his suit was laying perfectly, with no lint, and all the colors just right, they descended to the living room to wait with the others. Dave initially proposed he come to the master bedroom door and escort each girl downstairs, but they decided they would rather make their entrance on the stairwell, letting everyone, including Dave, see them as they came down. They drew straws to decide order, only to find out that Reena was drawing to go last and Becca was drawing to go first. A bit more communication would have saved them the whole drawing process and the debate on whether to draw straws or flip a coin, or rock-paper-scissors. The other ladies were dressed nice, but not prom nice. Lupie was looking lovely in her dark blue sundress with 2" (~5cm) diameter white polka dots. Mel & Liv wore 'club wear'. For Mel that meant 'liquid look' black pants and a tight white crop top showing a modest amount of midriff. For Liv it was tight jeans and a frilly blue blouse showing modest cleavage. Janice wore a red cocktail dress with her left shoulder exposed, a skirt that hugged her hips gently and fell past her knees. Nessa borro

Professor Matthew Longo. Longo shifts focus to "radical nobodies," specifically activists Ferenc and Maria, who conceived the Pan-European Picnic. He describes their audacious, naive plan to host a party at the lethal Iron Curtainborder near Sopron, intending to celebrate European togetherness and unwittingly sparking a major historical event. NOVEMBER 1961 BERLIN

Show Notes:In this week's episode, I talk with castmates Kaye Tuckerman and Bradley Lewis about their backgrounds in horror and their experience in the new musical adaptation of the Australian mystery film Picnic at Hanging Rock currently playing in New York City. Kaye explains again what it's like to visit Hanging Rock in Australia, Bradley tells me how he got into horror later in life, and how the rock score adds to the story. Bradley, who is of Native American heritage, told me about a site in New Mexico that's similar to Hanging Rock, what his heritage brings to his character, and we also talk about song lines, representation, and the mystery of the land in his heritage, as well as that of Hanging Rock.Socials & Where to Buy Tickets:Kaye's IG: https://www.instagram.com/kayetuckerman/ Bradley's Website: https://bradley-lewis.com/ Buy tickets to Picnic at Hanging Rock through 1/17: https://www.picnicthemusical.com/Who's There? Socials:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whostherepc.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whostherepcTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/whostherepcLetterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/thatgirlallison/ Email: whostherepc@gmail.com Website: https://www.whostherepodcast.com Join the Email List: https://mailchi.mp/4a109b94d3bc/newsletter-signup

Hey y'all! Kaleigh here for another minisode on the surprisingly recent origins of one of the most iconic children's toys - the Teddy Bear!Let's Chat! Bluesky: TINAHLPodcastEmail: thisisnotahistorylecture@gmail.com

Sunday morning sermon audio from Preston Highlands Baptist Church.

From playing at Willie Nelson’s Picnic to viral videos, Jaron Bell shares how  his love for music and comedy turned into a calling the country-singer-turned-pastor never expected. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect with The United Methodist Church by … Continue reading "A funny thing happened on the way to the sanctuary"

In this episode, AJ and Chris dig into a playful but insightful exploration: What would happen if an outsider spent a weekend in Bellingham guided solely by web searches or AI?Fresh off a Portland conference with heavy AI themes, AJ tests what “SmackGPT” thinks a weekend in Bellingham should look like across five traveler personas: the Local Explorer, Family Adventurer, Mindful Explorer, Camper, and Lux High Roller (exact output posted below).The gents review, refine, and sometimes hilariously correct the AI-generated recommendations, offering their hyper-local expertise on food, lodging, hikes, coffee shops, costs, and hidden gems. Along the way, Amtrak stories, camping advice, critiques of $10 gas estimates, and an update on the infamous “mics on sticks” recording setup.It's a mix of travel guide, tech commentary, and classic Bellingham banter all better than any bot.

learn how to say 'picnic' in French

Welcome to Coffee Talk! These are fun in-between episodes where we read your user-submitted stories, hang out with friends, talk about witchy pop culture, or chat with you about what's going on in our personal practices! This week, we listen to your listener-submitted ghost stories! Want to be featured? Head on over to coffeeandcauldrons.com, shoot us an email at submissions@coffeeandcauldrons.com, or give us a call at (351) 207-0799‬ And thank you to all our Patreon Subscribers! Without you, none of this is possible. https://patreon.com/magickalbeginnings

Young Activists Plan the Audacious Pan-European Picnic. Matthew Longo describes how in late June 1989, young activists Fedins and Maria in Debrecen conceived an audacious plan to throw a protest party—The Picnic—at the Iron Curtain near Sopron. They aimed to challenge communism and celebrate freedom. Though the Curtain was a deadly "death zone," not a simple fence, they secured a unique one-time crossing, allowing Austrians to join the Hungarians. Guest: Matthew Longo.

Panic, Pioneers, and the Moral Choice at the Border Picnic. Matthew Longo recounts that by August 19, 1989, hundreds of thousands of East German refugees were camped near Sopron, terrified of Stasi informers. Nemeth's government used the chaotic Picnic as a test for Soviet intervention. When a mass bolted across the border, mistaking champagne pops for gunfire, Hungarian guards made the tremendous moral choice not to shoot, allowing a bloodless breakthrough to freedom. Guest: Matthew Longo.

School_Picnic

NBC News Medical Reporter Dr. Akshay Syal and NBC News Medical Contributor, Dr. Natalie Azar stop by Studio 1A to explain hormone health and answer common questions. Also, Gadi Schwartz heads out to a sweet assignment following hundreds of cake lovers covering a cake picnic with his daughter for the TODAY series "Food for Thought." Plus, President and CEO of the American Humane Society Dr. Robin Ganzert gives an inside look into the 2025 Hero Dog Competition and shows off the nation's most heroic canines before announcing this year's winner. And, author C.J. Farley stops by to share his "What to Read" favorites.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we're doing a throwback episode to one of our favorites from the early days of Stories Podcast. The Goblin Picnic! In this slightly spooky story for Halloween, a boy named Hawk is lured in by the promises of an enchanted goblin picnic, despite his better judgement. When the food turns out to hold a terrible curse, his sister Rose will have to step up and help her big brother out. Can the pair make it through the Goblin Picnic unscathed? Tune in to find out! Check out Stories RPG our new show where we play games like Starsworn with all your Max Goodname friends, and Gigacity Guardians featuring the brilliant firefly! https://link.chtbl.com/gigacity Draw us a picture of what you think any of the characters in this story look like, and then tag us in it on instagram @storiespodcast! We'd love to see your artwork and share it on our feed!! If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can subscribe and give us a five star review on iTunes, check out our merch at storiespodcast.com/shop, follow us on Instagram @storiespodcast, or just tell your friends about us! Check out our new YouTube channel at youtube.com/storiespodcast. If you've ever wanted to read along with our stories, now you can! These read-along versions of our stories are great for early readers trying to improve their skills or even adults learning English for the first time. Check it out.