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Welcome to November, Cosmic Cousins. On this episode, Jeff Hinshaw of 'Cosmic Cousins' joins forces with Taylor Ursula of 'That's So Pisces' to explore the transits of November 2025. We enter November deep in Scorpio Season, a time of release, renewal, and emotional truth-telling. The veil is thin, the energy is potent, and transformation is inevitable. As the month unfolds, we move from Scorpio's waters into Sagittarius' fire, from introspection into expansion, from death into renewal, from mystery into meaning. Neptune Retrograde in Pisces (final return) Theme: The last veil before awakening. Tone: Dreamlike, nostalgic, spiritually dissolving. Neptune revisits the past 15 years of mystical growth. A reflective passage to integrate lessons before Neptune enters Aries next year. October 29 — Mercury Enters Sagittarius Theme: Expansive thinking, philosophical dialogue. Tone: Curious, blunt, humorous. Conversations take on big-picture meaning. Ideal for storytelling and exploring new perspectives, but avoid over-promising. November 4 — Mars Enters Sagittarius Theme: Adventure, inspired action. Tone: Fiery, restless, truth-driven. Mars fuels pursuit of ideals. Paired with Mercury, early November has preacher energy, bold, outspoken, needing freedom. November 5 — Taurus Full Moon Theme: Grounded embodiment of desire. Tone: Sensual, stabilizing. This lunation balances Scorpio season with tangible pleasure, focus on finances, creativity, and embodiment. November 6 — Venus Enters Scorpio Theme: Deep intimacy, emotional alchemy. Tone: Seductive, investigative. Venus explores loyalty, shadow, and soul bonds. Prioritize truth and passion over comfort. November 7 — Uranus Re-enters Taurus Theme: Stability through disruption. Tone: Earthquaking yet inventive. Uranus revisits Taurus for the last time in our lifetime, reinvention of finances, material structures, both personally and collectively. November 9 — Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius Theme: Re-examining beliefs. Tone: Reflective, revealing. A time to revise philosophy, education, travel, or messaging. November 11 — Jupiter Retrograde Theme: Faith under review. Tone: Slow growth, inner optimism. Big dreams gestate internally before expansion resumes in 2026. Practice patience and gratitude for small wins. November 15 — Vesta Enters Capricorn Theme: Sacred discipline. Tone: Grounded, devotional. Focus on legacy, sustainable effort, and aligning purpose with structure. November 18 — Mercury Re-enters Scorpio Theme: Truth-digging, intuitive perception. Tone: Investigative, psychological. Words gain emotional depth. Ideal for journaling, therapy, or uncovering hidden motives. November 19 — Scorpio New Moon Theme: Emotional renewal through release. Tone: Transformative, ritualistic. A portal for shadow work, regeneration, and reclaiming power. Tie into Mercury retrograde for re-exploring unspeakable truths. November 21 — Sun Enters Sagittarius Theme: Shift towards expansion and optimism. Tone: Celebratory, adventurous. Shifts focus from depth to horizon. Encourage laughter, storytelling, teaching, growth and expansion. November 27 — Saturn Stations Direct at 25° Pisces Theme: Maturity of faith. Tone: Grounded mysticism. Progress in integrating compassion into boundaries. Collective issues around institutions, spirituality, and accountability move forward. November 29 — Mercury Stations Direct at 20° Scorpio Theme: Clarity returns. Tone: Sharp intuition, empowered communication. Fog lifts, understanding and resolution emerge. Strong day for declarations and agreements. November 30 — Venus Enters Sagittarius Theme: Playful love, cross-cultural beauty. Tone: Flirtatious, inspired, generous. Relationships and creative connections lighten through expansion. Desire for freedom and shared growth blooms. Late November — Mars Conjunct Juno at 17° Sagittarius Theme: Partnerships aligned through mission. Tone: Purpose-driven union. Combines desire with commitment, amplifying collaboration in relationships or creative projects. This episode features music from artists: Hannah Ramone featuring Taylar Elizza Beth with Clarity Cosmic Cousins Links Cosmic Cousins Memberships Intro & Outro Music by: Felix III Mentorship Deep Dive Astrology Readings Tarot Soul Journey
Stāsta folkloras pētniece Aīda Rancāne Latviešu gadskārtu svētku un kāzu rituālajā maskošanās darbībā vārds "čigāni" neapšaubāmi saistās ne tikai ar etnosu, bet arī ar stabilu masku tēlu. Šajā masku pasaulē, kurā mēdz parādīties arī citu etnosu tēli, piemēram, Žīds, Čigāns iegūst pārliecinoši vadošu un centrālo lomu. Čigāns bieži vien ir galvenais atslēgas tēls – barvedis, parasti ierodas kopā ar savu sievu Čigānieti. Šī nozīmīguma dēļ visa masku grupa nereti tiek dēvēta par čigāniem, bet pati maskošanās akcija tiek apzīmēta kā čigānos iešana vai čigānos laišanās. Pētot leksēmas "čigāni" lietojumu klasiskajās tautasdziesmās, ir secināts, ka čigānu daudzinājums ieņem ceturto vietu aiz vāciešiem, krieviem un leišiem – tautām, ar kurām latviešiem veidojušies cieši kultūrvēsturiski sakari. Čigānu tematikas dziesmu relatīvi prāvais skaits skaidrojams nevis ar leksēmas lietojumu kā etnonīmu, bet gan kā masku gājienu dalībnieku apzīmējumu. Šeit parādās vēsturisks paradokss: tautasdziesmu aktīvās jaunrades periods datējams ar 13.–16. gadsimtu, bet čigānu ieceļošana Latvijā no Polijas un Vācijas notika vēlāk – 15.–16. gadsimtā. Tādējādi dziesmu rašanās intensitāte nav tieši saistīta ar etnisko čigānu klātbūtni, bet drīzāk ar tēla simbolisko nozīmi. Turklāt statistiskie dati par šo dziesmu koncentrācijas blīvumu nav saistāmi ar tiem novadiem, kuros mitinājies lielāks etnisko čigānu skaits. Pieņemot, ka Čigāna tēls ienācis masku pasaulē vēlīni, zemniekiem imitējot īsto čigānu dzīvesveidu un atdarinot viņu valodu dziesmās (piemēram, siku siku parsipellā), var skaidrot čigānu masku tradīcijas Kurzemē, kur tika reģistrēti visvairāk etnisko čigānu. Tur arī koncentrējas vēlīnas izcelsmes dziesmas ar plaša diapazona melodijām un piedziedājumiem. Meklējot čigānu masku tēla saknes senākos kultūras priekšstatos, melodiju analīze atklāj, ka lielākā daļa ar maskošanos saistīto dziesmu pieder senajam muzikālajam slānim — rečitācijai, kuras raksturīgās iezīmes ir šaura melodiskā amplitūda un fonētiski krāsaini refrēni, piemēram, "kalado", "tondaro", kas īpaši izplatīti Latvijas austrumdaļā. Svarīgs arguments par Čigāna tēla senumu ir vārda etimoloģija. "Čigāni" ir eksonīms, aizgūts no grieķu atsinganos, kas nozīmē "neaizskaramie" vai "izstumtie". Šis jēdziens saistāms ar hinduistu sabiedrības zemāko kastu — čandalām, kuru pienākumos ietilpa rituāli netīru funkciju veikšana, piemēram, līķu aizvadīšana. Viņu sociālā izolācija un mistiskā loma sabiedrībā radīja kultūras stereotipu, kas vēlāk migrēja uz Eiropu kopā ar romu tautām. Līdzīgi kā čandalas, arī čigāni Eiropā un Latvijā nodarbojās ar peripatētiskām profesijām – kalšanu, zīlēšanu, muzicēšanu –, kuras sabiedrībā tika uzskatītas par marginālām. Viņi atradās ekonomiskajā un sociālajā perifērijā, piedāvājot pakalpojumus, kurus nometnieku kopienas nevēlējās pastāvīgi uzturēt. Senajās sabiedrībās aptuveni 5% iedzīvotāju bija migrējoši, un šie cilvēki bieži tika apzīmēti ar vispārīgo jēdzienu "čigāni". Tas parāda, ka vārda "čigāni" etimoloģija nav tikai lingvistiska, bet arī sociāli stigmatizēta — saistīta ar izstumtību, mistiku un marginalitāti. Čigānu maskas ietver plašu semantiku: etniski citādais, profesionāli izdalītais, mītiski svešais. Tieši šī marginālā statusa dēļ Čigāna tēls folklorā izkonkurē citus etniskos tēlus, piemēram, Žīdu, un iegūst lielāku popularitāti. Maskošanās rituāli nav tikai dzīves atspoguļojums, bet arī ilgdzīvošanas mehānisms, kurā tēli ar rituālu jēgu un mītisku nozīmi nodrošina saikni starp pasaulēm. Tādējādi Čigāna tēls folklorā kļūst par maskošanās kvintesenci — tajā saplūst klejotāja dzīvesveids, sociālā izstumtība, citādība un saikne ar mirušo pasauli. Ar spēju šķērsot robežas starp šo sauli un viņsauli, Čigāns ierindojas līdzās citiem masku tēliem kā mītisks ceļotājs starp pasaulēm, nesot auglību un svētību.
Proverbs 3:1-12 NLTMy child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.In this passage, and throughout the Bible, the writer refers to the reader as ‘my child'. Returning to a position where we don't have everything figured out on our own seems to be a common theme throughout scripture.Listen to this passage again from the mindset and the position of your heart of returning to the perspective of a child, with much to learn, not having everything figured out.My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. My child, don't reject the Lord's discipline, and don't be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT)‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on your own understanding' pretty much sums up what this is saying.Is there an area in your life that you have been leaning primarily on your own understanding? Can you do what this passage suggests, ‘seek him in all that you do and he will show you which path to take'? Letting go of the preconceived idea that you are required to have this all figured out on your own is foundational in living with the abandon of childlike innocence, living with a healthy sense of dependency and trust in your Father who goes before you.Let's pray: Father, help me to surrender my natural way of looking at things, that I have to have everything figured out. Help me to lean on You, help me to seek You in all that I do as I trust you to show me which path to take. As above, so below.”
Starp visām cilvēka maņām oža nereti paliek pēdējā vietā. Mums tā nav tik labi attīstīta kā citiem dzīvniekiem un līdz ar to - diez vai būs noteicošā mūsu izdzīvošanā.Taču ožai ir sava īpaša loma - ļoti cieši saistīta ar mūsu emocijām, atmiņām un funkcionēšanu sabiedrībā. Kāda būtu dzīve bez ožas? Ko smaržu uztveres traucējumi stāsta par mūsu psihoemocionālo veselību un kā apkārtni ļauj uztvert neredzamā smaržu pasaule? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā stāsta Nacionālās psihiskās veselības centra ambulatorā centra "Veldre" vadītājs, profesors Māris Taube un Latvijas Universitātes Uztveres un kognitīvo sistēmu laboratorijas vadītājs, profesors Jurģis Šķilters. "Ožai ir klīniski apstiprināta iedarbība uz gan kognitīvām funkcijām, gan arī uz emociju apstrādi," atzīst Jurģis Šķilters. Var teikt, ka ceļš uz emocijā ir caur ožu. "Tie reģioni ir ļoti tuvi, kas saistās ar depresiju, trauksmi, arī pētījumi pierāda šo saistību," piekrīt Māris Taube. Jurģis Šķilters skaidro, ka oža cilvēka dzīves laikā mainās. Tāpat kā visas maņas. "Oža optimāli darbojas cilvēkam vecumā no 20 - 40 gadiem. Ar laiku ožas jutība mazinās. Ja strauji mazinās, ir liela varbūtība, ka ir kāda psihiatriska ķibele," norāda Jurģis Šķilters. "Otra interesanta liela - oža ir adaptīva," turpina pētnieks. "Ienākam radio mājā, cik mēs ilgi to radio mājas smaržu vai smaku sajūtam? Tās ir kādas minūtes trīs, varbūt piecas. Mēs ātri pie smaržām adaptējāmies, pierodam. Īstermiņa pierašana ir viena lieta, bet ir cilvēki, kuri visu mūžu lieto vienu aromātu, smaržu. Kaut kādā brīdī dzīves laikā viņa draugi un paziņas, un apkārtējie viņu nevar vairs ciest, jo viņš lej tik daudz to smaržu. Bet viņa ilgtermiņa ožas adaptācija ir tā izveidojusies, ka viņš daļēji nejūt." Māris Taube piebilst, ka jārēķinās, ka veci cilvēki daudz vājāk sajūt smaržās un reizēm tas varbūt kā iemesls nelaimes gadījumam, ja, piemēram, daudz vēlāk sajūt dūmu smaržu telpā, ja ir piededzis ēdiens. Tā ir ožas saistība ar Alcheimera slimību, vecumu. Mazāka spēja sajust aromātu ir normāls novecošanās process, katrā gadījumā nav jāsatraucas par agrīnām demences vai Alcheimera pazīmēm. "Gandrīz visu maņu jutība ar laiku mazinās. Samazinājums nav pēc viena principa. Cilvēkam salīdzinoši labi saglabājas valodiskais intelekts, arī sirmā vecumā viņa vārdu krājums ir pavisam labs un uzteicams. (..) Ja mēs domājam par garšu, ožu, arī termouztvere dzīves laikā mazinās, bet tā ir normāla novecošanas īpatnība. Man liekas, problēma ir tāda, ja piepeši kāda no maņām kļūst būtiski vājāka, tad tam ir kāds iemesls," atzīst Jurģis Šķilters. Sievietes smadzenes grūtniecības un bērna kopšanas laikā ietekmē piedzīvo izmaiņas Ir izpētīts, ka grūtniecība un bērna kopšana laiks līdz aptuveni viņa divu gadu vecumam ietekmē mātes smadzeņu darbību - grūtības koncentrēties, uztvert informāciju, lēnāka domāšana. Tas ir izpētīts nevis aptaujājot sievietes par viņu sajūtām minētajā periodā, bet to pierādījuši galvas smadzeņu skenēšanas rezultāti. Pirms vairāk nekā gada žurnālā „Nature Neuroscience” tika publicēts raksts, kura līdzautore Kalifornijas universitātes pasniedzēja Liza Krastila, esot stāvoklī, veica 26 reizes elektromagnētisko rezonansi smadzenēm un, salīdzinot skenēšanas rezultātus, izrādījās, ka bija samazinājies pelēkās vielas apjoms. Uzreiz jāsaka, ka tas nav unikāls un biedējošs atklājums, kas varētu ietekmēt sieviešu izvēli dzemdēt. Vienkārši tāpat kā citas izmaiņas, kas noris grūtniecības laikā sievietes ķermenī, tā arī tās notiek galvas smadzenēs. Runa ir par diviem hormoniem - esterogēnu, kas paaugstina smadzeņu aktivitāti, un progesteronu, kas to samazina. Vairāk par to, kā šie hormoni darbojas tieši topošo un jauno māmiņu galvās, vai tiešām viss ir tik vienkārši, un vai vīriešu uztvere atšķiras no sieviešu, stāsta neirologs, Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Neiroloģijas un Neiroķirurģijas katedras asistents Jānis Mednieks.
Stāsta arhitekte Dace Kalvāne Tradicionāli mēs redzam ēkas četras fasādes — tās, kas vērstas uz apkārtējo vidi. Taču jumts ir piektā fasāde jeb virsma, kas no putna lidojuma kļūst par pilsētas kopainas daļu. Jau 20. gadsimta sākumā Barselonā arhitekts Antonio Gaudi savam ēkām Casa Milà un Casa Batló veidoja jumtus kā skulpturālus parkus. Skursteņus, ventilācijas šahtas Gaudi pārvērta tēlos, kas dzīvoja, kas bija kā daļa no ēkas organisma. Gaudi reiz teica: "Skaties uz jumtiem ap sevi — tie ir neglīti. Bet tie var būt skaisti, ja tiem ļauj dzīvot." Šī doma ir Gaudi arhitektūras būtība — dabiskums, telpiskums un nepārtraukta forma. Gaudi gan nelietoja terminu "piektā fasāde", taču viņš to parādīja praksē. Termins "piektā fasāde" vēlāk parādījās arhitekta Le Korbizjē rakstos. Viņš vēlējās piešķirt nozīmi tam, kas līdz šim bija tikai ēkas augšējais segums. Kā viņš rakstīja — jumts ir jēgpilna telpa, vieta, kas var kļūt par dārzu, atpūtas laukumu, dzīves turpinājumu zem atklātām debesīm. Modernisma laikā tas vairs nebija tikai ēkas noslēgums, bet vieta, kur var dzīvot, sauļoties, dzert kafiju, stādīt augus. Le Korbizjē projektos jumts kļuva par atvērtu, daudzfunkcionālu telpu, ar skatu uz apkārtējo vidi. Mūsdienās ideja par piekto fasādi turpina dzīvot. Amerikāņu arhitekts un mākslinieks Alans Maskins radīja projektu "The Fifth Façade Project" — pētījumu un radošu stāstu par pilsētu jumtiem kā neizmantotu pasauli. Tas sākās kā arhitektūras izpēte, turpinājās kā zinātniskās fantastikas stāsts, tad kļuva par grafisko romānu un filmu "Welcome to the Fifth Façade". Šis darbs ieguva pirmo vietu pasaulē lielākajā arhitektūras ideju konkursā — "Blank Space Fairy Tales Competition". Maskina ideja bija skaidra: jumti ir mūsu nākamā robeža — vieta, kur var atdzimt pilsētas dzīve. Šodien arhitektūrā piektā fasāde iegūst arī ilgtspējīgu nozīmi. Zaļie jumti palīdz uzkrāt lietus ūdeni, samazina karstuma salu efektu, uzlabo ēku energoefektivitāti, rada dzīvotni putniem un kukaiņiem. Rīgā ir vairāki piemēri, kad bites ir iedzīvojušās gan uz viesnīcu, gan citu ēku jumtiem, veiksmīgi vairojas un ražo medu, kas ir garšīgs un tīrs, un lietojams uzturā. "Piektā fasāde" nav tikai par tās lietderību un skaistumu. Tā ir arī par atbildību, kā arhitekti veido ēkas siluetu, kā tiek veidota pilsētas panorāma. Mūsdienās, kad pilsētas kļuvušas blīvākas, "piektā fasāde" atgriežas ar jaunu nozīmi. Jumti kļūst par sabiedriskām vietām, kur tiek ierīkotas kafejnīcas, dārzi, skatu laukumi. Tas, kas reiz bija neredzams, tagad kļūst par daļu no pilsētas sejas. Tradicionāli "piekto fasādi" uztvēra kā jumta virsmu, kuru redz no putna lidojuma, bet šodien no Svētā Pētera baznīcas torņa un jebkuras augstbūves Rīgā redzama vesela jumtu pasaule. Torņi, kupoli, dažādu materiālu jumti — kopā tie veido pilsētas mozaīku. Tā ir Rīgas namu "piektā fasāde" — mūsu urbānā auduma daļa, kuru redzam tikai tad, ja paskatāmies no augšas. Tie, kas pazīst Rīgas jūgendstilu, zina, ka daudzām ēkām arī jumti ir veidoti dekoratīvi, ar karnīzēm, tornīšiem, kupoliem, lai ēka izskatītos harmoniska arī no augšas, no pretējās ielas balkona vai kaimiņu mājas loga. Arhitektiem šodien jādomā ne tikai par to, kā ēka izskatās no ielas, bet arī — kā tā izskatās no putna lidojuma.
Līdz ziemai noteikti vēl ir kāds laiciņš palicis, bet bieži gadās, ka ziema savu pirmo uznācienu sarīko jau oktobrī vai novembra sākumā, kad bieži arī sniegam neesam gatavi. Tieši par šādām agrām sniega stihijām stāsts raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā. Šoruden patiesi sals un sniegs nesteidzas uz mūsu pusi. 12. oktobrī Latvijas austrumu daļā pirmās slapjās sniega pārslas krita, bet sniega segu neveidoja. Bet ir bijušas reizes, kad jau oktobrī atnākusi ziema un paralizējusi ikdienas dzīvi. Daudzi pirmo sniegu jau gaida, jo pelēkais laiks ir sācies, tas nenoliedzami ir drūmāks bez sniega. Bet, kad tad ir normāli, kad uzsnieg pirmā sniega kārtiņa? Dati par Rīgu kopš 1961. gada liecina, ka vidējais datums pēdējā desmitgadē, kad ne tikai nobirst dažas pārslas, kas tūlīt izkūst, bet jau izveidojas vismaz centimetru bieza sniega sega, bijis 29. novembris. Tā kā vēl mēnesis jāgaida. Savukārt vēsturiskie dati rāda, ka šāda pirmā sniega diena ir kļuvusi ievērojami vēlāka 60. un 70. gados. Šajās desmitgadēs vidējais datums bija, kad izveidojās 1 cm bieza sniega kārta, bija 14. novembris. Protams, korekti būtu salīdzināt trīsdesmitgades, jo klimatoloģijā laika solis ir 30 gadi. Tad, ja paņemam 1961.-1990. gadu, pirmā sniega diena bija 17. – 20. novembrī. Šādi paraugoties, protams, pieaugums nešķiet liels. Bet pēdējā desmitgadē pirmais sniegs ir bijis arvien vēlāk. Pagājušajā ziemā pirmā diennakts ar vidējo sniega biezumu vismaz 1 cm bija tikai 4. janvārī. Protams, ir bijušas daudzas reizes, kad pašā oktobra uzsnieg, kā arī reti gadījumi, kad jau septembrī ir bijis sniegs. Digitalizētajā Latvijas Televīzijas arhīvā var atrast ziņu par sniega stihiju Latgalē 1992. gada 27. oktobrī. Latvija ir nesen atguvusi brīvību, ir milzīgas finansiālas problēmas un Latgalē ilgstoši palikusi bez elektrības sniega dēļ. Toreiz vidējais sniega biezums bija 15-22 centimetri, dažviet mērījumi liecina, ka pat 37 cm. Togad sniga arī pārējā Latvijā, bet pārsvarā sniega biezums bija līdz 10 centimetriem. Savukārt 2002. gada kārtīga ziema ne tikai ar sniegu, bet pat -15 grādu salu Vidzemē ieradās jau 21. oktobrī. Bet 2003. gadā tieši Rīga un tās apkārtne piedzīvoja lielāko oktobra sniega stihiju zināmajā vēsturē. Naktī no 26. uz 27. oktobri Rīgā uzsniga 39 centimetri sniega. Tas ir liels sniega daudzums pat jebkuram ziemas mēnesim, kur nu vēl oktobrim. Pilsēta, protams, bija paralizēta tajā rītā.
Stāsta UNESCO Latvijas Nacionālās komisijas Kultūras sektora vadītāja Beāte Lielmane Piromantija ir zīlēšana, izmantojot uguni. Pateicoties tās nozīmīgajai lomai seno ķīniešu dzīvē, šīs prakses liecības veido unikālu dokumentāro mantojumu, kas 2017. gadā tika iekļauts UNESCO programmas “Pasaules atmiņa” starptautiskajā reģistrā. Šīs liecības saglabājušās uz vairāk nekā 3000 gadus veciem zīlēšanas kauliem, kas radīti vēlajā bronzas laikmetā Šanu dinastijas laikā. Kauli pierādīja, ka leģendām apvītā Šanu dinastija tiešām pastāvēja. Uzraksti vēsta par dabas parādībām un klimatu, dzīvnieku un augu sugām, dabas resursiem, ekonomiku un cilvēku ikdienas dzīvi. Tie ir arī senākie saglabājušies pierādījumi par ķīniešu rakstību, kuras nozīmīgums pielīdzināms šumeru ķīļrakstam uz māla plāksnītēm. Šīm rakstzīmēm jau piemita attīstītas rakstības pazīmes – ķīnzīme jeb ķīniešu hieroglifs vairs nebija tikai piktogramma, bet ieguva fonētiskas, asociatīvas un semantiskas funkcijas. Līdz pat 19. gadsimta beigām ķīniešu historiogrāfijā zīlēšanas kauli tika uzskatīti par mītu. Situācija mainījās 1899. gadā, kad kāds ierēdnis saslima ar malāriju un vērsās pie ārsta, kas tirgoja tā dēvētos “pūķa kaulus”. Uz šiem it kā pūķa kauliem tika pamanīti dīvaini simboli, kas atgādināja senos ķīniešu rakstus. Tas aizsāka kaulu patiesās izcelsmes meklējumus, kuri vainagojās ar panākumiem 20. gadsimta 30. gados, kad ķīniešu zinātnieki noteica, ka tie nāk no senās karaliskās galvaspilsētas Iņsjui. Senās Iņsjui drupās tika uzsākti izrakumi un atrasti vairāki tūkstoši kaulu ar uzrakstiem, kas bija pieraksti par Šanu dinastijas zīlēšanas un lūgšanās tradīcijām aptuveni no 1400. līdz 1100. gadam p.m.ē. Ņemot vērā nozīmīgos bronzas laikmeta atradumus, karalisko kapeņu un piļu paliekas, Iņsjui arheoloģiskā vieta kopš 2006. gada ir arī UNESCO Pasaules mantojuma sarakstā. Līdz šim tur atrasti apmēram 150 000 zīlēšanas kaulu, tomēr kolekcija ir izkliedēta pa vairāk nekā 100 institūcijām visā pasaulē. Pasaules atmiņas reģistrā iekļauti vairāk nekā 90 000 eksemplāru no 11 Ķīnas institūcijām. Lielākā kolekcija (vairāk nekā 34 000 vienības) glabājas Ķīnas Nacionālajā bibliotēkā. Zīlēšanai izmantotie kauli visbiežāk bija liellopu lāpstiņas vai bruņurupuču čaulas, retāk – liellopu ribas un stilba kauli, cūku lāpstiņas, briežu galvaskausi, bifeļu, tīģeru un ziloņu kauli, un atsevišķos gadījumos pat cilvēku galvaskausi. Uzraksti tika iegravēti ar bronzas vai nefrīta instrumentiem, bet aptuveni uz 80 kauliem pieraksti veikti ar otu, izmantojot melnu vai sarkanu tinti. Zīlēšana bija tehniski sarežģīts process. Kaulus vispirms sagatavoja, attīrot no miesas, izurbjot virkni mazu bedrīšu un iegravējot jautājumu. Jautājumi parasti bija neitrāli apgalvojumi, piemēram: “Šajā mēnesī līs lietus.” Kad kauls bija sagatavots jautājuma uzdošanai gariem, bedrītēs ievietoja degošus priekšmetus un zīlētājs gaidīja, kad čaula saplaisās. Plaisu formas tika interpretētas kā dievu atbildes. Kauli kalpoja kā starpnieki starp cilvēku un garu pasauli, kurā mājoja dabas spēki, senču gari, dievība Di, kā arī citi augstākie spēki. Valdnieks bija galvenais zīlnieks – viņš interpretēja plaisas, bet rakstveži iegravēja datumu, jautājumu, atbildi un nereti arī prognozes iznākumu. Valdnieka prestižs bija cieši saistīts ar zīlēšanas precizitāti, tāpēc pierakstos gandrīz vienmēr tika uzsvērts, ka viņa pareģojums piepildījās. Zīlēšanas kaulu raksti ir īpaši, jo tie dokumentē nevis ikdienas sarunas starp cilvēkiem, bet saziņu starp cilvēkiem un dieviem. Tie galvenokārt atspoguļo valdnieka un galma darbības – upurēšanu, lūgšanas, militāros pasākumus, ražu, laikapstākļus u.tml. Tas ļauj rekonstruēt Šanu dinastijas ģenealoģiju, svarīgākos notikumus un dzīves veidu. Pēc 1046. gada p.m.ē., kad Šanus gāza Džou dinastija, zīlēšana ar pelašķiem kļuva populārāka, un zīlēšanas kaulu lietojums strauji izzuda. Līdz šim uz kauliem identificētas vairāk nekā 4000 unikālu rakstzīmju, taču bez Rozetas akmenim līdzīga ceļveža zinātniekiem izdevies atšifrēt vien apmēram 1000. Pētījumus apgrūtina tas, ka rakstzīmes gadsimtu gaitā ir ievērojami mainījušās. Lai veicinātu izpēti, pirms dažiem gadiem kāds muzejs Ķīnā pat izsludināja atlīdzību – 100 000 juaņu jeb aptuveni 12 000 eiro – par katru veiksmīgi iztulkotu zīmi, protams, ar pierādījumos balstītu pamatojumu. Šodien arvien lielāku nozīmi šajā procesā iegūst mākslīgā intelekta sniegtās iespējas, kas palīdz seno pareģojumu atšifrēšanā.
Joahims Meierhofs ir ne tikai viens no labākajiem vācu mūsdienu teātra aktieriem, bet pēdējo gadu laikā iemantojis arī ļoti veiksmīga rakstnieka reputāciju. Tagad Meierhofa darbs ir iestudēts Jaunajā Rīgas teātrī. Kultūras rondo tiekamies ar iestudējuma „Kritiens augšup” tulkotāju Gundaru Āboliņu, kurš pats arī piedalās izrādē un Gerdu Lapošku. Ceļš pie mammas un aktiera profesijas neredzamā puse. Izrāde tapusi pēc Joahima Meierhofa jaunākā romāna "Var jau krist arī augšup". „Manuprāt, nav daudz mana vecuma cilvēku, kuri no visas sirds gribētu divus mēnešus pavadīt kopā ar savu māti,” savā jaunākajā grāmatā raksta viens no vācu aktiermākslas un nu jau arī literatūras dižākajiem spīdekļiem Joahims Meierhofs. Autors turpat piebilst: „Tieši tad, kad pavadām kopā laiku, kas pārsniedz kārtējos īsos apciemojumus, var kaut kas notikt.” Un tas, kas notiek ir vesels romāns par ceļu pie mātes daudz un dažādos līmeņos, kā arī par aktiera profesijas daudzpusīgo un lielākajai daļai neredzamo pusi. Romāns ir iztulkots, pārkausēts triju cēlienu izrādē Jaunajā Rīgas teātrī. "Mēs stāstam par māti, un katram, kas sēž zālē, taču ir māte un raisās asociācijas, un ir piedzīvotas līdzīgas situācijas, un ir arī vēl trakākas lietas. Ir neizmērojamas iespējas. Galvenais, lai skatītājs un klausītājs, ieklausās, atveras tai informācijai, ko mēs no skatuves raidām. Izrāde jau faktiski notiek viņu galvās, viņu iztēlē, jo uz skatuves ir tikai aizvērts priekškars, divi krēsli un un ekrāns, kurā ir Mārtiņa Grauda fotoportretu galerija," par izrādi atklāj Gundars Āboliņš. "Meierhofam ir ļoti smalka un atturīga, un tāpēc varbūt arī dziļāka humora izjūta. Un viņš kā stāstnieks neskrien nekad stāstam pa priekšu. Viņš atvēl ļoti daudz telpas un laika savu skatītāju un klausītāju iztēlei un fantāzijai. Caur šo atskārsmi un sapratni skatītājam un klausītājam reizēm pat lielāks prieks, nekā, ja viņam ir jāseko tam tempam. Man vienmēr bijis jātur sevi, lai es neaizskrienu lokomotīvei pa priekšu tādā nozīmē," sarunā atzīst Gundars Āboliņš. "Viņš jau vairāk nekā 30 gadus ir viens no vadošajiem vācu aktieriem, tieši teātra aktieriem. Filmēšanas pieredze viņam nav tik liela, un par to, starp citu, ir viena nodaļa arī, ļoti interesanta nodaļa arī grāmatā," ar Joahimu Meierhofu iepazīstina Gundars Āboliņš. "Viena pieredze viņam bija iepriekšējā grāmatā - "Ak, šī plaisa, sasodītā plaisa", kā viņš filmējās pie vecāsmātes gultas. Pēc daudziem gadiem viņam ir otra iespēja, un par ir jaunajā grāmatā. Es neatklāšu kārtis, lai nezaudētu intrigu." "Viņš ir zināms kā aktieris, spēlējis vadošās lomas. Sācis, protams, kā pilnīgs, kā mēs sakām, lūzeris, neveiksminieks, nepieprasīts, ļoti ar sevi cīnījies, visiem kompleksiem un tā tālāk, un tagad viņš ir viens no intelektuālākajiem un zināmākajiem vācu teātra aktieriem. Uz viņa vārdu jau Vācijā iet uz izrādi, ja tu spēlē Meierhofs, tad iet," turpina Gundars Āboliņš. "Viņš ir bijis arī režisors, iestudējis ļoti interesantas izrādes, kas ir rokraksta ziņā diezgan radniecīgas un līdzīgas tam, kā strādā Alvis Hermanis." Kopumā Joahima Meierhofa autobiogrāfiskajā ciklā ir sešas grāmatas. Divas ir pirms latviski tulkotās "Ak, šī plaisa, sasodītā plaisa!", tad vēl divas un "Var jau krist arī augšup", kas uz JRT skatuves iestudēta kā "Kritiens augšup", kas arī drīzumā iznāks grāmatā. "Viņš raksta ātrāk nekā es spēju iztulkot," bilst Gundars Āboliņš. Izrādē "Kritiens augšup" piedalās Gundars Āboliņš, Vilis Daudziņš, Kaspars Znotiņš, Andris Keišs, Jānis Skutelis, Ritvars Logins, Gerds Lapoška, Kristīne Krūze.
Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 15 Chancellor Gets Boned In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels. The pursuit of power is pointless unless you know how to use it The look the Chancellor gave me was filled with hate alright, but it was awash in a desperate sexual hunger too. "You goddamn bastard," she huffed through clenched teeth. My response was to switch finger slamming her, instead rolling her rather large clit between my forefinger and thumb gently. "Gak," she choked out. "You can get on top and ride me," I promised her softly. "You an even tie my hands up with the sash of my robe." "On your back, damn you," Melrose snarled ferociously. As I fell back, she ripped my bathrobe sash off so fast it yanked me off the bed. My ass had no sooner hit the bed again when Bazz pulled my robe open and straddled me. She pulled my arms together and bound my wrists with frightening proficiency. "Not your first time at the rodeo?" I joked. She slapped me across the face; not so hard to break my skin but enough to make me have to rework my jaw to get it set again. "Shut up, Braxton," she gloated over me, "I'm going to treat you like the piece of trash that you are. You are going to regret ever thinking you belonged here." Mel rose up on her knees, maneuvered her hand onto my cock, and aimed it at her cunt lips. "Oh," she gasped as her sex blossomed and let my cockhead in. She slowly began shifting down my cock with ecstatic pleasure written all over her face. "It feels pretty good," I started to say. I was going to finish with 'doesn't it?' but she cut me off. "Shut up!" she seethed. "You exist solely for my pleasure. I don't need to hear your juvenile stumbling at sexual banter." This wasn't the time to start a fight; that would come later. Doctor Bazz kept wiggling her ass down my shaft. She was so lost in her own fulfillment that she almost forgot about me. I grunted when she planted herself down particularly hard as she was humping me. Melrose looked down at me. With one hand she struck snake-like at my throat, squeezing my windpipe shut. "You are just a child," she taunted me wickedly, but then her whole tone changed to a creepy, appreciative voice, "a pretty, pretty child." Okay, I want a psychopath. I want a selfish bitch with no issues beyond insensitivity. I do not want a woman in her forties telling me I'm "a pretty, pretty child." That's just wrong, and that's coming from a guy who screws just about anything that moves. "Is this how you screw those sluts?" she moaned. "Is this how you pack Heaven's tight little ass? Does she scream for you?" Wait; did she call Heaven a 'she'? That's progress! I choked out a non-response. I was getting enough air to breath but not enough vocal freedom to talk, and I had a feeling this was on purpose. "You don't need to answer that," she chuckled eerily. "I've heard reports of their sad little cries as they squirted all over you. You love it when you break their wills to you and this, oh, God, big cock, don't you?" The Chancellor leaned forward, her bra-covered breasts dangling tantalizingly close to my mouth, and rolled her hips so that her clit rubbed against my cock. "You hammer them, hammer them, and hammer them some more until their tight little bodies can't even crawl out of your bed. And you wanted to hammer me with this huge cock of yours; you wanted to make me sweat, make me cry out your name, you wanted to wreck me," she sneered. I reached up with my bound hands and lifted her grip off my throat. "Actually, I'm done. I want you out of my room," I growled back. Melrose's breast heaved and she glared down at me, angry but uncertain. "I was hoping there would be something intriguing about you but seriously, you are just, mediocre. Hell, Heaven is more of a woman than you are and that's kind of pathetic. I wasn't denigrating Heaven, who I cared about, but was using Doctor Bazz's prejudice against the bitch. "How dare you?" she muttered. She hadn't stopped humping me yet. "Get some plastic, a broom handle, I don't care, but get the hell off of me, you evil witch," I insisted. As a counterpoint to that, I began to thrust my cock deeper into her womb. "Ugh, ugh, no," she gasped. "You don't, tell me what, to do." Mel had now positioned her clit so that it received maximum impact with my pelvic bone. I flipped us over; even with her resistance, I was too strong for her. I pushed my bound hands down on her sternum, the fear of sexual frustration written large over her face and burning forth from her eyes. "I want Heaven back," I demanded. "Never," she growled. I began to withdraw my cock from her cunt. She whimpered and tried to hold me to her body by grabbing my shoulders in each hand. "Get off me," I insisted. "Get off of me. If you want some piece of meat between your thighs, go to an over-forties bar and pick up some Momma's Boy who will pop in less than fifteen seconds, then grovel at your feet for an hour like a worm. "It would be better than an immature punk like you," she struggled to insult me and my performance. I took three long strokes inside her, flexing my cock when it was at its deepest, thumping her G-spot each time. I could see tears of pleasure in her eyes. I tried to pull out the fourth time but she hooked her legs behind me and held my shoulders tight. "No," she persisted. "I am going to use you until I'm satisfied." Instead of wrestling with her, I pulled her up so that my hands cupped her ass, her arms remained around my shoulders, letting her kiss me, and her thighs and calves were wrapped around my waist. I bounced her up and down quickly, quickening her passion as each drop onto the fullness of my rod brought her closer to orgasm. "What?" she gasped, "Where are we, " "Outside, so that your security can see us," I explained evilly. "No!" she squeaked. "Heaven," I stated. She shook her head so I took two more steps to the cutback exit in the screens. "No, no," she insisted then as I took the next step. "Fine," she said in defeat, but hating me for it. "You can have her back for the short time she's still here," she seethed. "The Board will support my decision and that will be it for her, and probably the rest of you too." "Don't be bitter, Mel," I teased. "You've been good to me so I'm going to be good to you. How do you want it?" She glared at me so I continued talking as I walked us back to the bed. "You want to be slammed from behind, don't you? It is hard to get those girls you break down to do a convincing job of it, yet you miss being treated like a slut," I verbally prodded her. She'd gone over too fast to face down and ass sticking out for someone who didn't crave it. I gently lowered us down to the bed while keeping eye contact. "Take off your bra, then roll over on your hands and knees right here on the edge of the bed. She was torn; she had hold of me at the moment, but she really wanted to give me my grudge fuck. As she opened her shirt, I dove into her cleavage, kissing and licking. She purred hungrily even as she worked her shirt off and then her bra. While keeping up my torture of her breasts, I hooked her thighs with my hand and hiked up her legs until I had her splayed out, her knees pushed halfway to her breasts. I dove down to her muff and ravaged her clitoris and lips. Doctor Bazz squealed with surprise and pleasure. Right as my vaginal attention got to be too much for her, I yanked her ass over the edge, bent her farther over, and returned to chewing on her nipples. If she was upset that I wasn't immediately fucking her, she was doing a good job of hiding it. The next time I dove on her cunt, I kept my fingers on her engorged nipples, teasing to the point pleasure and pain collided. I tore up her cunt with a total disregard to patience and sensitivity. The Chancellor squealed, squirmed, and thrust against me without inhibition until she growled loud enough to bring any guards, had they been close enough. She hit her second spasm when I rushed one hand down to her twat and began to jackhammer two fingers inside her cunt, unrelentingly driving her eruption from crest to crest. When her eyes rolled back in her head, I released her, but only to move to my next stage. I'd promised her a good hard fucking after all. I took Melrose's hips and repositioned her so that she was face down, her knees on the edge of the bed and her legs dangling over. I knelt between her thighs and began licking her from clit to anus. A few passes into it, I sucked several of my fingers on one hand until they were really slick while working her cunt over with my other hand. I think she was a bit surprised when I pressed my first finger against her anus. As her sphincter gave way, Doctor Bazz finally spoke up. "Don't you dare," she moaned sensually. "Don't do this?" I teased her, as I sunk another half-inch into her rectum. "Oh, God, yes," she groaned like a wanton whore. I wiggled in a little farther; Melrose gasped and shook her big ass in my face. I pulled the finger, she whimpered in need, and I went back to assaulting her cunt with my tongue and teeth. "Put it back," she panted. "If I put it back, I'll have to use two fingers," I informed her. Mel coughed in response. I obliged her quiet acquiescence by teasing her anus once more. "Ugh, bastard," she grunted. It started out angry but transformed to sexual in mid-vocalization. I worked my two fingers in slowly, I didn't want her to scream and I'm basically not a sadist. I also ameliorated the pain by slipping my cock back into her cunt seconds later. I developed a slow rhythm, picking up the pace incrementally until she was really taken aback the moment I bottomed out in her womb, tickled her cervix, and twisted my two fingers 180 degrees in her anus. "Oh, God," she moaned. I began fishing through a list of affections until I found the one that bit - 'Gorgeous'. That word bit into her psyche and I decided to use it. "Oh, fuck, Gorgeous, you are so damn sexy," I whispered to her. Melrose coughed, then growled. I took the moment to lean on her back and cruelly grab a breast and begin to aggressively maul it. "Oh, God, yes!" she exulted heavily. "You are a filthy-minded, little, huge damn delinquent." "And you finally got me to ream you good, didn't you?" I responded. "Play, play all you like," she groaned, "but I know how to break you, now." 'Yes', I thought back, 'but I know you want something too.' About this time I was pretty sure there was no possible way I was getting away with this. I had fucking silk screen walls, for pity's sake. Chancellor Bazz was equally sobbing and cursing into my sheets. One second she was encouraging me to pound her harder, I obliged, and the next second she was telling me how good it felt. I will give her this much; the old bird had a lot of sexual frustration to work out and I was her instrument. Having this game go on and on certainly wasn't going to work so I had to figure out what I could do that I wasn't already doing and what would turn her on. I didn't like my answer. I reached down and took Melrose by the back of her head and pushed her face deeper into the bed. First she moaned louder and then her body started to tremble as she thrust back harder. When the suffocation set in, she struggled to rise but I was too strong and pressing her down with too much force. The Chancellor reached back from her vulnerable position and tried to push me off and remove my hand holding her head down. She became more and more frantic, undoubtedly fuelled by her own sense of rage upon the world and mirroring my own hatred of her as my motivation. Her last explosion of air was a scream into the bed. A fear-fueled orgasm overwhelmed her with her whole body going rigid, then lurching about. Now that I'd gotten her off, I let go of her neck, going so far as to grabbing her shoulder and pull her up for a desperate breath. I withdrew my fingers from her ass and my cock from her flooded cunt. Melrose lay boneless on the bed, dazed and incoherent. I put my fists on either side of her shoulders and leaned over my tormentor and victim. "You damn near killed me, you bastard," she moaned heatedly. "Was the orgasm worth it, knowing this might be the last thing you feel in this life?" I whispered to her. "Don't answer because your body told the story already. As much as you hate me, you loved putting everything on the line like that." "Shut up," she wheezed. "You know nothing, Child." "I know you are lying face-first, mostly naked, on my bed, freshly fucked, covered in sweat, my cock resting on your open, inviting ass with your legs spread wide for me, Doctor Bazz. I know I said that the next time we met I was going to fuck you like I owned you, and I think I've done that." "I am, going to, break, all of your girl, friends," Melrose ground out. "We will see who owns who when this is over, Mr. Braxton," she gasped once she'd finally calmed down and she could take an unlabored breath. As I slowly got off of her, she gave out one last sigh. "Remember your promise, Chancellor," I cautioned her. "I remember all kinds of things," she snapped back. Doctor Bazz resumed a standing position but was polite enough not to kick me when I helped her get her panties back on. "Let's not do this again," I cautioned the Chancellor. "If we do, I'm going to have to tie you up and abuse all three of your holes all weekend long." "The only 'next time' will be my last time using you," she growled. "You didn't let me finish, Mel. Next time, after I've got you warmed up, I'm handing you over to Rio who, trust me, will be a lot less compassionate than I am. Like you, she's got some anger issues to work through," I grinned. "Thank you for putting her back on my radar," she sneered back sweetly. "I'm not too worried, Mel," I replied. "You are a pretty smart woman. You know that with Rio, the pain and risk of permanent harm isn't just play. She'll be looking forward to making you beg for your life." The expectant smile she shot my way chilled the soul. God, can't you give me some not-so-crazy women to deal with? For once, he gave me a reply by way of a sudden insight: try not to solve every problem with my cock and appreciate the sane women who do spend time with me. Doctor Bazz moved past me so I gently stroked her ass. "Done?" she snarled while looking straight ahead. Her anger was betrayed by her hardening nipples. "Yes. And I apologize, Chancellor. I was only thinking about your arms bound behind your back while I pounded your cunt at the same time as Rio slammed you from behind," I said softly. She rotated her gaze to me, lust and hate warring across her countenance. "Every time we are alone together, Melrose," I breathed into the side of her face as I rubbed a hand down from her stomach to her crotch, "I am going to have to check out how wet you are." Her hand flashed down and stopped my progress. "Or would you rather I check you from behind?" I added as I ran a hand down her rump. "Fuck you," she sighed. "Is that an invitation?" I teased. This was killing me inside. "Just remember that next time, you are getting that dildo rammed up your ass." "Damn you," she seethed once more. "I have to go before security suspects something." Like they didn't all know precisely what had been going on? How dumb did she think they were? Without another word she strode out of my bedroom into the main area. "What have you found?" she questioned the guards. Of course they had found nothing damning. They had to be suspicious of all the TVs and computer stations without internet hook-ups but no one mentioned a thing. "This was a colossal waste of time," Melrose said in an exaggerated display. "Let's go." Doctor Bazz led the way down the stairs but stumbled on the first step. The last guard in line smirked at me. "Do you miss Dana much?" I inquired quietly. "And how," she rolled her eyes. "Tonight was a total bust. Anyone with half a brain knew you expected a raid tonight and would have everything stashed somewhere else. All this overtime is good for my paycheck but I'd kill for a good night's sleep." "Oh, you are preaching to the choir, ma'am," I chuckled, "preaching to the choir." I went back to my room and lay down. Sleep did not come easy. I knew that the Science Club's cameras had recorded the events of the past half hour; I just had to figure out what to do with them, besides get Heaven back. Rolling Off the Bottom I had grabbed a shower around 2:00 so I wasn't really surprised that a dozen feet came running up my steps at 6:15. I was barely able to prop myself up in the bed when Rio came storming in. "What's up, dude?" she said as she plopped down. "Planning to forgo cleanliness?" "I showered earlier," I told them. Valerie, Iona, Opal, Brandi and Barbie Lynn all came in and sat around me. Barbie Lynn was the first to clue in that something was off. "What's wrong, Honey?" she asked with concern. "My room was raided last night," I answered. It wasn't the total truth but I wasn't sure how I felt about my actions with the Chancellor the night before, much less how my friends would take it. "Well, you are still here so they didn't find anything, so what is it?" Opal prodded. "Ladies, can I keep this plan to myself?" I requested. "Of course," Iona responded. Sadly, she seemed to be the only one who appeared ready to let the situation lie. "Don't make us get all CSI on your ass," Rio teased. "You know we'll eventually figure it out so you might as well tell us." I studied her for a few seconds. "I ass-raped the Chancellor in order to get Heaven back," I told her in a dead-even tone. It was an empty joy to see that most of them realized too late they really didn't want to know after all. "What did she say?" Barbie Lynn came to my rescue. "Are we getting Heaven back?" "She promised me, and I have reason to believe she'll actually honor it," I replied. "Well, Rio finally kicked in, "How was she?" "Why do you think I took a shower earlier?" I pointed out. "I've never used sex that way and I pray it never happens again." "Don't beat yourself up over this," Brandi consoled me. "You did say that being young means you get to do stupid shit?" I don't recall using those exact words but still, "I think we can agree to not talk about this outside of this room," Opal added. "So do you know of any Thai Sexual Cleansing ritual that will help you get over last night?" Brandi grinned mischievously. I chuckled. "We'd love to help," Barbie Lynn chimed in. "Thank you, ladies," I smiled, "but I think I need to get my head on straight before diving back into the pleasurable side of this school. I need to know if I did the right thing or not." On that cheery note we all began to move toward the stairs and out into the world. In the stairwell Valerie cornered me, put a hand on my chest to impede my progress, and motioned to me that she had something to say. "From the discussion in the Chancellor's office Monday I get the feeling that Heaven is a girl-guy, shemale, what have you; right?" she started off. I nodded. "You clearly like girls but you are real close to Heaven; right?" Val continued. "Yes," I replied. "So you risked something you love, namely, the pleasure you derive from sex, to save her; right?" she prodded. "Yes," I sounded curious. "Then you did the right thing," she concluded. "Zane, I'd kill for the people I love and I imagine you would too. What's death compared to a little rough sex with an evil controlling bitch to get her to release someone as close to you as Heaven appears to be?" "Thanks, Valerie," I grinned. "My heart knows you are right but it is going to take my mind a while to accept that. I guess I'm over-thinking things." "Happens to the best of us," Valerie joked, then punched me in the arm. "Let's catch up with the others before Rio does something stupid, okay, does something more stupid than normal." We were halfway through breakfast when I noted a diminishing of noise from the south entrance of the hall. Being taller than the average female student, I was able to make out the cause of the disturbance. I catapulted out of my seat and raced for the lady at the door; I had the vague impression I wasn't alone. I rushed up within a few feet of Heaven, who had dropped her bags and looked at me with fear and expectation. I didn't want to overwhelm or embarrass her so I pulled up short to make sure the moment was special. I'm an idiot!! Rio slipped past me, grabbed Heaven's cheeks, and planted a deep kiss full of longing on MY GIRL's lips!! "Oh, Babycakes, I've missed you so much," Rio panted passionately to Heaven. "Ah, thanks, Rio," Heaven said, "but if you don't let go of me right now, I'm going to strangle you with your own intestines." Heaven untangled herself from Rio, shot a look my way, then rushed into Christina's arms. Rio smirked at me. The rest of Christina's crew swarmed around Heaven and rejoiced at her return. I took a step back to give them some room. I did note Chancellor Bazz glaring at me from the head table. I looked back to catch sight of Dana Gorman giving me a lopsided grin from the door Heaven had come through, a McDonald's bag in hand. I missed Heaven's arm slipping through her knot of friends and pulling me in. She pressed her body against me and looked up into my eyes. "I want you inside of me so bad," she whispered. Why can't a woman look at me and say "I've missed gazing into your eyes" or something romantic like that? "How about we get Heaven squared away in our room before Assembly?" Christina suggested. "We'll get her bags," Hope volunteered. "I'll come too," I joined in, but Chastity quickly put a hand up. "No, you don't," she smiled. "We'd like Heaven to actually get to Assembly." "There is no Assembly today," Iona pointed out. "Great, I can go straight to Zane's room," Heaven beamed. "I don't think we'll mind the company," Paige announced. I was suddenly left trying to figure out how she'd appeared next to me in this crowd, as well as how my arm ended up around her waist. "Holy Hell, Paige," I hissed. "You are going to give me a heart attack if you keep that up." "It isn't worth it unless you pay the price," she teased me. What the hell did that mean, 'pay the price'? Heaven balled up her fists and I was sure blood was about to be spilled. "Paige, we need to figure out what you are wearing to the party this weekend," Valerie intervened. "Party?" Paige sounded intrigued. Valerie edged Paige away and the situation defused. "Heaven, unpack," I began. "Iona, round up the Coach and get her to our place." "Barbie Lynn, could you and Alice watch over the door to make sure we aren't overwhelmed by non-freshmen?" Alice had been standing on the periphery and was clearly stunned that I was addressing her in this manner, but still rapidly nodded and looked to Barbie Lynn to gauge her perception of the request. Barbie Lynn gave her 'replacement' a smile and motioned Alice away from the group as well. "Alright, everyone," Doctor Larson spoke up, "finish breakfast and then back to your rooms. We are still under twenty-four hours of restricted travel so I do not expect to see any of you again until lunch. Please get about your business. Lastly, I expect some of you will be called before the Board of Directors to give testimony or receive a verdict on your status here; make yourself ready and presentable." "Mr. Braxton," Doctor Topaz Larson fixed me with a deadly eye, "that will require you to remain fully clothed most of the time. Do you understand?" "Of course, Doctor Larson; I'll do my best," I swore. "Sweet! That means I get to run around naked!" Rio exalted. "Ms. Talon, are you taking your anti-psychotic drugs?" Doctor Larson said deadpan. "Nope; I've been slipping them into the Chancellor's tea," Rio grinned all crazy-like. "Do you think anyone has noticed?" "If you want to take credit for the past two weeks, by all means do so," Topaz allowed. "I was looking for a cheap and sleazy way to be despised by everybody, she began, but I headed her off. "She'll stay in clothes and we'll make sure that all her pills are changed to suppositories. I know she won't miss any of those," I taunted my friend. "That may be for the best," Doctor Larson snorted disdainfully, but ruined it with a grin. She turned and strode back to the table. I wasn't sure which one of us the Chancellor hated more; Doctor Larson for keeping order or the rest of us for obeying. "Okay, I'm going to the bathroom. Heaven, can I hope to see you once you are squared away in your room?" I asked as I hugged her once more and headed away. I knew the questions would come soon enough. One aspect of a women's college that guys might not appreciate is that there are only stalls in girl's bathrooms, and since FFU has a grand total of two men's rooms on the entire campus (Administration and Athletics), I was always using a female facility. I was about to finish business, the standing-up kind, when my door rattled as someone tried to get in. "Excuse me?" I inquired. "Let me in," hissed my visitor. Since I clearly knew the voice, I zipped up and unlatched the door. She pushed in and latched the door behind her before pushing me down and straddling my lap. "You did, Heaven kissed me ", something." Kiss, kiss. "Christina says it had to be you who got me back." She went back to kissing me. "You are my girlfriend, Heaven. I don't know what I wouldn't do for you, Babe," I told her. She nestled into my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. "You make me feel so alive, Zane," Heaven related in a soft vulnerable tone. "Don't get all romantic on me," I teased her between light kisses on her lips. "I've got a whole bottle of Viagra showing up at noon and I need someone to work all that sexual energy out on, and, okay, I missed you." She wiggled into a more snug fit in my lap. "Did you miss me more than Barbie Lynn, or Paige?" she teased. "They aren't you," I countered. I ran my right hand between us, worked up her skirt, and began rubbing her package, which was clearly straining against the strap-down. Heaven began moaning, then slowly rolling her body against mine. "Come on," she panted, "let's have a quickie." "Can't happen," I whispered. To prove my dedication to my statement, I ran my left hand around her hip, under her skirt, and to her covered ass. I pressed a finger between her ass cheeks until I pressed against her anus. Now I was massaging her front and back. "Oh, God, you bastard," she sobbed while she rocked back and forth. "We really need to get going, though," I sighed. "Bazz will send someone after us soon enough." "I, Gurr, I owe you, Zane," Heaven groaned. "You stood by me. Damn, you fought Gorman by yourself for me and somehow you got me back. I know I can be a horrible person but you've always looked past that and saw who I could be." "I could continue being a jack-ass and say that I looked past your horrible personality to that luscious ass but I think I'd rather remind you that I chose you to be my lover and no one else," I smiled at Heaven. "Your lover, she murmured happily. "And you are my bitch," she tacked on that bit from our sexual encounter in the Kappa Sigma closet hardly one week back. We still managed to stand up and get the door open before Ms. Marlowe came in quietly. She frowned at us while we grinned at her, cleaned our hands, and walked past her back to the Dining Hall. Restructuring We sat outside in the hall opposite the main Administrative conference room. There weren't a ton of us; the individual class presidents plus Heaven, Rio and myself. Christina and Rhaine shared the Senior Class spot. "Drink run," I volunteered. "Who wants what?" "Zane, if they call for you and you're gone, it will be big trouble," Christina pointed out. "If I stay here one more minute, I'll strip off my clothes, paint myself blue, and streak across campus," I grinned piratically. "Sprite," Heaven spoke up. A series of orders followed and I hurried off. Upon my return, I handed Rhaine (last in line) a Doctor Pepper, which caused her to give me an odd look. "I didn't ask for, she began muttering. "Nah, but I always see you drinking the stuff so I figured you could use one," I told her. "Ah, thank you," she responded with a cautious smile. "If it makes you horny then it was my idea too, Rhaine," Rio leaned forward so Rhaine could see her and smiled. "Is she hormonal, dropped on the head as a child, or what?" Simone Brady asked the group of us. She was the Junior Class President and nominally a Rhaine supporter. She'd asked for and received a Sunkist. "Tie me up in your room and we'll find out," Rio licked her lips at Simone. "Isn't that supposed to be the other way around?" Heaven quizzed Rio. "No; Simone looks like a slow learner and I don't want to scare her off on our first date," Rio leered. "Now you know what I went through," Rhaine explained to Simone, who sniffed in derision. "Hey, I don't know this crazy woman at all but even I can tell she's playing with you two," Hannah Cartwright, Sophomore Class President, rolled her eyes. "How about we all try to remember we are all here to save our school?" Christina interrupted. The conversation had died down to nothing when Rio nudged me. "There's this old guy coming down the hallway and he looks like he knows you," she whispered. I looked up and my heart nearly stopped. I'd fucked up even worse than I thought. "Uncle Josh," I said weakly, as I stood and faced him. "Dude, I thought you said your family was dead," Rio continued. "Technically, that would be true," the old man rumbled, "and you would be Rio Talon. I'm Joshua Coppersmith, old family acquaintance and the Braxton family executor." "The last time I saw you I was being placed on a plane to Thailand," I stated somewhat bitterly. "It was part of your father's will, Zane. He was my boss and the son of a friend so I owed it to him to trust his judgment concerning his only child," Uncle Josh explained. "I recall wanting to stay with you," I reminded him. I recalled crying a river of tears, hoping to stay. I actually knew who Josh was, where Tim and Jill were virtual unknowns. "A normal life is not allowed for everyone," Christina spoke up; "Past battles and all." I hate being beaten with my own words. "That was one of your father's favorite sayings," Uncle Josh said. "I am glad to see you living by it. Thank you, Ms. Buchanan." She nodded politely. "Who is this old geezer again?" Rio interjected. "He was a close personal friend of my grandfather. They turned the company from a tired little mining concern to something a bit more. He mentored my father and they worked side-by-side when granddad died. Now he sort of runs thing until I inherit," I outlined. "That is somewhat correct but not why I'm here. I could hardly miss the past week's activities here at Freedom Fellowship University. As the child of Victor and Jenna Braxton, I owed it to them both to let Zane sink or swim on his own. As the future head of the corporation I work for, I need to make sure he doesn't end up in prison," Josh clarified. "Dude," Rio scoffed, then came to my side, "your boy went to jail last week. Where were you then?" "Ms. Talon, I do not have spies watching his every move. By the time I became aware of the matter, it had been resolved," my pseudo-Uncle responded. "I seriously suggest you get a 'minder' for Zane," Hannah Cartwright weighed in. "He's a real nutjob." That assessment would have angered me more had I not seen everyone nod in agreement. Instead, I went for the redirect. "You've been in contact with Aunt Jill?" As far as I knew, Jill despised every aspect of my Dad's life. "Zane, Jill has never handled more than two hundred dollars her entire life; of course I'm keeping an eye on her, and you," Josh stared at me. "I carefully monitor both yours and her finances." "Seriously?" Christina asked skeptically. "He bought a warehouse full of furniture and that didn't appear to you to be frivolous?" "Frivolous would be renting a private jet and a penthouse for a weekend in Las Vegas. Since Zane can't use eight sofas, I made the educated guess he was buying them to help out his dorm mates," Josh countered. "It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I'm Rhaine Ritchie, Senior Class President," Rhaine jumped in. "I am curious as to your purpose here. Are you here to take Zane away or are you going to help him stay here?" "President Presumptive," Heaven growled. "That's good to know," Josh nodded, "and I'm here to represent the corporation's interests, in this case, avoiding embarrassment to the company's executive branch." "If you want an embarrassment, you don't need to go any further than Heaven," Rhaine insinuated. "She's my transgender girlfriend and we have rocking sex," I blurted out to preempt Rhaine. Heaven's eyes flew open; Joshua looked totally nonplussed. "Did you buy her in a Manila slum?" Josh asked me dryly. "Ahh, no?" I stammered. "Oh, that's alright, then," Uncle Josh mused. "I mean, once I had to fly a fourteen-year-old Tanzanian princess back to her home and explain to her parents why she and Victor weren't really married." He looked at Heaven, "Besides, she's clearly an adult and we could do far worse with photo opportunities." "His father dated his share of actresses and models before he settled down and I have every reason to believe Zane will be just as much trouble before some woman steals his heart and reins him in," Uncle Joshua related. "Too late," Rio snickered, but I cut her off with a painful elbow to the ribs. "Ow!" "That would be me," Christina stood and declared proudly. Josh looked her over. "Little lady, I hope you have patience, iron resolve, and the will to exert them both in equal measure," he informed her. "I am not sure I want him yet," Christina retorted. "Ah, then you are intelligent as well," Josh smiled. "Please make sure that if you do marry, you don't murder him until you have a child. Otherwise, the inheritance will be a bear. I like Jill but she comes from a family of nitwits," Josh continued. "That won't be a problem," Rio grinned evilly. "Zane's adopted a daughter since coming to FFU." "Iona is not my daughter," I snarled at Rio, "but I could do worse than making her my heir." Instead of being shocked, Josh rolled his shoulders. "I'll get the paperwork to you next week." "Are you sure you want to do that to Ms. Beckett?" Christina asked me. "Who else would be saint enough to deal with Rio if I was gone?" I explained. "Just for that, you get to wear the ball-gag and restraints next time," Rio warned me. "Mr. Coppersmith?" an attendant from the Board meeting asked when she poked her head out of the conference room. Her eyes flitted from me to my 'Uncle', locking on him. He nodded and followed her into the room. "Umm, he looks like my first husband," Rio mused. "I'm sure his wife, children, and grandchildren will take to that without protest," I joked. "Fine; I'll settle for being his mistress," Rio sulked. The Inquisition "Okay, I am missing something," Rhaine spoke up. "What is going on, Zane? Now that you know Heaven is a guy, how can the two of you still be going out together? You are not gay." "Rhaine, I already knew about Heaven before we actually had intercourse, though I admit to being attracted to her before then," I responded. "But, he's a guy. What do you do?" Rhaine wondered out loud with a quizzical look on her face. "Rhaine," Christina chimed in, "what kind of sex do you think Zane has been having with all the women he takes to bed? He's not taking their virginity, after all." "Oh, that's sick!" Simone declared. "Simone, have you ever had anal sex?" Rio grumbled. "God, no, that's gross," Simone said indignantly. "So what was it like when you walked the Dolorosa?" Rio queried. I was pretty stunned Rio even knew what the path that Jesus took to Golgotha was called. "What? I've never been to Israel," Simone answered. "I bet you'd like to go and I'd bet you think you'd like it," Rio grinned. "Yes, I would want to go, and I know it would be spiritual, but this has nothing to do with homosexuality being wrong," Simone struck back. "Listen, you stuck up bitch," Rio kept grinning, "Jesus was a pretty smart Son of God so we would assume if something was really important to him, he'd have brought it up before the Romans gakked him. Seriously, how long does it take to say 'homosexuality is wrong; no more butt-sex'?" Rio beamed vile unpleasantness at Simone. "You are an immoral soul," Rhaine jumped in. "If that is how you want to describe someone who is honest, fearless, and who thinks for themselves, then I guess Rio and I are both immoral souls," I defended my best buddy. "Count me in," Christina raised her hand. "Me, too," Hannah and Heaven joined in our little heresy. "Hannah, how can you go down the same way they are?" Rhaine complained. "Heaven is gay and Christina has lied for her since the beginning; Rio is a criminal; and Zane is, a boy." "Listen, Rhaine, I don't claim to understand what is going on with Heaven and Zane but I figure if God is pissed, he'll let them know," Hannah stated. "In the past two weeks, short of dodging you and your enforcers, I haven't known Rio to do anything wrong. She's served her time so we should forgive her and give her a chance. St Paul started out persecuting early Christians before he saw the light. What would have happened if Jesus hadn't given him a second chance?" Hannah sighed. "How could I do less?" "And Zane, face it, he's eye-candy, and I've got a list of ten different things I want to do with him when my time to have him for Handmaiden's Duty comes up," she finished with a grin. "Just once I'd like to have a girl here tell me I'm smart, or funny, or that I have a nice personality," I griped. "But No, it is always 'he's got a fifteen inch cock as thick as his forearm; he can screw for two hours straight; or that I have a prehensile tongue that can tickle the ovaries and bring a girl to multiple orgasms." Simone and Hannah's eyes grew larger as my gross exaggerations persisted. "It's not fifteen inches long," countered Rhaine decisively. Simone missed it. "How do you know how big it is?" Hannah clearly didn't. "I, Rhaine choked. "I was coming out of the shower when Rhaine, Joy Jefferson, and Mercy Chaplain intercepted me. My towel accidently fell off and she got a brief view," I volunteered. Rhaine's look of surprise became one of veiled thanks. "Because it wasn't like Rhaine wanted that massive piece of meat rubbing between her legs until she cried out in ecstasy or anything like that," Rio teased. "That's enough," I cautioned Rio, and put an arm around her waist to pull her in. That calmed things down until we were all called into the meeting. Uncle Josh was sitting against the near wall. Against the North wall sat Ms. Lane and a dark-haired fortyish woman with reading glasses I didn't recognize. They both were taking notes. On the South Wall sat a different woman, early thirties with short black hair and what I could best describe as a casual lethality. Both new women looked over us newcomers but lingered on Christina, Heaven, and myself. Looking at the eight men on the Board of Directors was rather anticlimactic comparatively. "Ms. Ritchie and Buchanan, we have decided to uphold Chancellor Bazz's decision to annul the last election of Senior Class President. The matter will be decided during Freshman elections in October. We find both of your behavior to date this semester to be deplorable and a sad example to your fellow seniors. Do you have any comments? Ms. Buchanan?" "Directors, what do we do if the Chancellor once again annuls the elections?" Christina asked. "You appeal the action to the new Vice-Chancellor, Doctor Victoria Scarlett," the head of the board directed our attention to the woman sitting with Ms. Lane. As if my life wasn't hell already. "Oh, you would so do her," Rio whispered to me with her insane grin. I was so busy praying that no one heard her that I missed Simone being read the riot act next. She'd be facing re-election in a few weeks too, a fact she was distinctly upset by. Hannah was given the same news but her reaction was to flick her hair over one shoulder and give a bored sigh. "What was that, Ms. Cartwright?" the Head Director grilled her. "Reverence, Purity, Integrity, this is what our school supposedly stands for," Hannah faced the man down. "I can vote and fight for my country but you are treating us like children, Sir. The Chancellor was wrong and we fought back against her tyranny because that was the only choice our Christian moral code left us." "It is hardly Christian to physically attack your fellow students, Ms. Cartwright," he shot back. "I didn't tell any of my class to attack anyone but I admit that I punched two girls who I knew attacked other students," she admitted. "I figured it was time for a little Old Testament 'Wrath of the Israelites' kind of thing." "Your intransience is not encouraging," a different man on the board stated. "I apologize, Sir. I was hoping my love of justice would not be misunderstood," she sighed. "Hannah, I'm voting for you as my class president," Rio leaned forward and addressed Hannah. "You can't, Rio; you are a freshman and I'm a sophomore," Hannah grinned back at her. As far as I could tell, this was the most either had ever said to the other. "Obviously you've never heard of gerrymandering and ballot box stuffing," Rio snickered. "This is neither the time to joke nor a subject to joke about, Ms. Talon," the Chairman said crossly. "Sorry, Sir," Rio beamed. "I wasn't trying to be frivolous; elections are a good thing. I'm all for seeing more of the girls here, to see them get excited and come together for their mutual enjoyment, I swear I do." While that seemed to satisfy the Board, Hannah had to look down at her lap and Heaven developed a sudden coughing fit. "Um, um, Vickers, umm, you represent quite a quandary. We suspect you lied on your application to this school three years ago and you absolutely understood you would not have been admitted if you had been honest with us," the Chairman of the Board declared. Heaven shivered so I took one of her hands while Christina took the other. Our motions were noted but I doubt the three of us cared. "Now, Vickers, we could deal with this matter if you would submit to a medical examination," he continued. "Why?" Christina replied. "Is every other applicant to this school required to do the same?" "No other student has their gender called into question," a third board member informed us. "She is not going to go along with this blatantly discriminatory policy," Christina retorted. "If I may," Doctor Scarlett raised her hand. After a moment the Chairman nodded. "Mr. Braxton, as a man and someone with a confessed familiarity with Heaven Vickers, would you assert that said person is a woman?" "She's more than woman enough for me," I quickly answered. "Since it is clear that I have the lowest moral threshold in this room, it isn't going to make anyone think less of me if I attest that I've seen Heaven naked and she's got all the girlie parts I like," Rio threw her soul into the struggle. Heaven virtually froze up at that declaration. "Are, are you saying that you've seen Umm, Vickers naked?" the second director stuttered. "Dude," Rio scoffed, "we have communal showers here. Seeing a girl naked is hardly a rare occurrence. Since you seem like a kindred kinky soul, I'll let you know that I've seen Heaven under the sheets and I can give that body my pseudo-lesbian seal of approval." "Have you had homosexual relations?" the Chairman gasped. "With Heaven, definitely not," Rio swore with an upraised hand. "As for anyone else, what does it matter?" she joked. "You already think I'm a whore." "You should watch your language," the third director warned Rio. I put my hand on her stomach to hold her back from saying something that would only make it worse for her. "To the bitter end," she winked at me. "To the bitter end," I smirked back. She was taking one for the team; drawing off the discussion about Heaven by shocking the Board. Unfortunately, I wasn't alone in seeing that. "Mr. Chairman," Doctor Scarlett addressed the Head of the Board, "perhaps we could return to the agenda if you want to stay on schedule." "Very well," the man allowed. "Umm, Vickers, this matter isn't over but since we do not have conclusive proof about your gender, your application will remain under review." "Thank you," Heaven replied softly. "Don't thank us," the man spat. "Your deviancy will reveal itself soon enough. Evil can never hide from God's Truth." "God is with us," I glowered back. I wasn't winning any friends on the far side of the table. "Your time is coming, Mr. Braxton," the Chairman retorted. "Ms. Talon, we find it miraculous that you haven't racked up more infractions in your short time here. Now, your parents and this board agreed, upon your admittance, that you would live with the strictest discipline and you've attempted every trick in the book to circumvent those intentions." "They did this to me on purpose," Rio moaned over the revelation of her parents' role in events. They'd given the Chancellor and Dana Gorman carte blanche in dealing with Rio. "Nothing has changed," I whispered to Rio. She turned and looked at me with tear-brimmed eyes. She nodded once in understanding. "A special guardian will be assigned to see to your physical and spiritual security," he continued. "Who?" Rio questioned quietly. "Administration will decide on who is most appropriate," he responded snidely. "Now for Mr. Braxton." "I would like to say how much we appreciate you ladies and gentlemen taking time out of your busy schedules to deal with matters here today," I interrupted. I earned several glares for my effort. "Mr. Braxton, you are an unfortunate aberration that should never have been allowed to happen. All disruptions that have happened in the past few weeks can be laid at your feet," he opened with. I raised my hand. The man opened his mouth to continue but seemed annoyed with my gesture. "Yes, Mr. Braxton?" "Sir, how did you come to this conclusion? I'm one guy, and a freshman at that," I countered. "You are the man, of course," the Chairman snorted. "It is only natural that the women of this campus would follow your masculine authority no matter how unfounded and perverse." Wait, did he just call every woman in this room mindless sheep? "Still, we are caught in the same quandary that left you here in the first place. Since we have already isolated you in a Solarium, you will also be assigned a guardian," he grumbled. "Oh, okay," I shrugged. "What happens to Dana Gorman?" "Ms. Gorman has been terminated," he shrugged back. "But it wasn't her fault. I'm no fan; she did knock me out during a practice session once after all," I pointed out. "She is good for this school, though." "We have a new Head of Security and the Athletics Department is being suspended for the rest of the semester," the Chairman informed us. "That would be the neo-fascist in black at the end of the table," I directed my attention to the lone woman on the south end of the table. "Ending our sports programs would be a serious mistake for the morale of the school. Ms. Gorman has done a bang-up job and it would show real concern for the students at this school if you would keep her on as Athletics Dean." "Ask around to any of the hundreds of students who participate; ask Rhaine, she's worked closely with the Coach before," I begged. I had no idea which way Rhaine would jump but she was the only trump I had to play. The big guy didn't seem inclined to listen to Rhaine but that didn't stop her. "Coach Gorman gives every girl an active outlet for our energy," Rhaine volunteered. "She also allowed the reliable elements of the student body to aid with security. It was a shame that Zane's masculinity unbalanced the school populace; the student body does not blame her for what Zane and Christina did." "She should hardly be rewarded for such a catastrophic loss of control," the second director stated. "Reinstating Coach Gorman as Athletics Dean would save us the need for creating new creative programs to provide for the physical well-being of the girls," Doctor Scarlett suggested. "This is a matter for the Board to discuss," the Chairman announced. "You students are released to return to your dorms. Thank you for your attendance. Mr. Braxton and Ms. Talon, you will be assigned your guardians before you arrive at breakfast tomorrow." We took that as our clue to leave. We made it out of the room and almost out of the building. "A moment, Mr. Braxton, Ms. Buchanan," the short-haired woman called out. I turned and met her while the rest of the group slowed down behind me as we started to exit the building. "I'm Gabrielle Black, your new Head of Campus Security. I thought it was important to meet you before classes formally resume." She stepped up and shook Christina's and my hand while we studied her. "You may call me Zane," I offered. "I hope this means we are getting off on the right foot despite that whole neo-fascist thing." "I don't see any panty lines 'Gestapo' Black," Rio interjected herself. "Have you gone commando today?" "I usually make someone earn the right to find out, Ms. Talon," she gave Rio a shark-like grin. "I really don't see how that is relevant and I really don't want to know," Hannah spoke up. "Come on, Zane," Rio persisted, "give it a shot." "Hannah doesn't want to go there so why don't we say good-bye to the nice lady and go," I responded. "What exactly is Ms. Talon asking for?" Ms. Black inquired. "Apparently Zane has a thing for figuring out women and woman's lingerie," Christina said with a degree of caution. "I hope Ms. Cartwright will forgive me but I'd like to test this little trick," Gabrielle requested. "If Hannah doesn't mind," I asked the sophomore class President (sort of). She nodded so I looked to Gabrielle. "Give me a second," I requested. "What's wrong, Zane?" Rio wondered when I didn't immediately start reeling off the facts. "She's good at lying," I informed the group, "but, " "But?" Gabrielle smirked. "Lycra, form-fitting, probably a custom job, dull black, and I guess, with some sort of synthetic weave," I stumbled along. "I've never seen anything precisely like it." "I have," Simone muttered. "A woman in the Presidential Detail for the Secret Service talked about having o
Pirms nedēļas ar jomas speciālistiem tiekoties Latvijas Sabiedriskā medija (LSM) un Sabiedrisko elektronisko plašsaziņas līdzekļu padomes (SEPLP) rīkotajā konferencē "Vienoti, daudzveidīgi, digitāli – sabiedrības labā", aizsākās sarunas par dažnedažādiem mediju jautājumiem. Turpināt attīstīt idejas par mediju transformēšanos, sabiedrības uzticību un arī citiem jautājumiem "Klasikas" galvenā redaktore Inga Saksone aicinājusi Latvijas Universitātes Filozofijas un socioloģijas institūta vadošo pētnieku, sociālantropologu Andri Saulīti, kurš nesen atgriezies no Itālijas, kur divu gadu garumā strādājis pie pēcdoktorantūras darba. Andris Saulītis: Tas bija saistīts ar ēnu ekonomiku. Šajā divu gadu periodā viens uzdevums bija saprast, kā un vai cilvēki godīgi atbild iedzīvotāju aptaujās, atbildot uz jautājumu, vai viņi iesaistās ēnu ekonomikā – vai viņi saņem ienākumus, nemaksājot par tiem nodokļus. Atbilde ir – laikam jā, bet tā ir īsā atbilde. Tātad – var uzticēties šīm socioloģiskajām aptaujām: cilvēki nebaidās to atklāt. Un otrs jautājums, uz kuru vajadzēja rast atbildi – kā uzlabot disciplīnu uzņēmumiem, kuri dažādu iemeslu dēļ kavē darba devēja ziņojuma iesniegšanu Valsts ieņēmumu dienestam. Sadarbībā ar Valsts ieņēmumu dienestu mēģinājām saprast, kā panākt to, ka deklarāciju iesniegšana netiek kavēta, jo kavējumi rada problēmas gan Valsts ieņēmumu dienestam, gan arī pašiem uzņēmumiem: tas principā ir administratīvs pārkāpums, par kuru var saņemt sodu. Nedomāju, ka lielākoties tā ir ļaunprātība – drīzāk aizmāršība. Un tad ir jautājums, kā uzvedības ekonomika un uzvedības psiholoģija var palīdzēt veidot cieņpilnu komunikāciju starp uzņēmumiem un Valsts ieņēmumu dienestu, lai kopīgi padarītu šo valsti labāku. Inga Saksone: Man tomēr jautājums par Itāliju. Mūsu priekšstats – ka uz šo zemi jābrauc atpūsties, baudīt mākslu un kultūru. Vai pētīt, rakstīt un zinātniski darboties tur ir viegli? Tur tam ir dziļas tradīcijas, kas ir stipri senākas [nekā Latvijā]. Tur tiešām jutu stipri eiropeiskāku [pieeju]! Tas, kā man pietrūkst Latvijā, ir tā saucamie progresa darbi (work in progress), kad tev tas pētījums vēl līdz galam nav izstrādāts, un tu ar saviem kolēģiem regulāri satiecies, lai to pārrunātu. Mums [Latvijā] varbūt ir bail kļūdīties, bail saviem kolēģiem teikt, ka kaut kas nav tā, un varbūt tās ir arī grūtības uztvert kritiku. Savukārt Itālijā mums reizi nedēļā vai divās ir regulāri semināri, kur to vien darām, kā mēģinām "nokritizēt" citu pētījumus. Tā ir daļa no zinātniskā procesa. Nesaku, ka Latvijā tas nenotiek vispār, bet tā intensitāte, kuru redzu citās Eiropas universitātēs, kurās esmu bijis, kā arī ASV Jeila universitātē – tur tas ir regulārs process un galarezultātā tas nozīmē, ka tajā brīdī, kad tavs pētījums ir publicēts, tas ir daudz noslīpētāks, pamatīgāks un tāpēc ir daudz vieglāk kaut ko mainīt šajā pasaulē. Jo pirms tam jau uzklausīti viedokļi! Tieši tā. Piemēram, kad veicu antropoloģisku pētījumu, kas vairāk ir sarunāšanās ar cilvēkiem, mēdzu šī pētījuma rezultātus iedot tiem cilvēkiem, kurus esmu pētījis: prasu, ko viņi domā par to, ko domāju par viņiem. Tas ir arī veids, kā veidot komunikāciju ar sabiedrību par pašu pētījumu, lai cilvēki, kurus esmu pētījis, saprot, kas īsti ir pētījums. Tas man atgādina Ivara Zviedra filmu "Dokumentālists"… Ja nosedz pirmo slāni, kur Purva Inta vienkārši lamājas, tad tas, ko Ivars Zviedris jautā, ir par to, kā šie cilvēki uztver pašu dokumentālistu, kurš dokumentē. Šis jautājums ir ārkārtīgi svarīgs arī pašā zinātnē – kā mūs, pētniekus, uztver, un kā cilvēkiem paskaidrot, ko mēs darām. Ko līdzīgu Komponistu savienībā dara tās vadītājs Krists Auznieks – arī Jeila universitātes absolvents. Arī viņš labprāt rāda savu skaņdarbu skices un uzmetumus, kas mums šķiet mazliet mulsinoši, jo tas ir kas jauns. Tā nav vienīgā pieeja. Var dažādi strādāt, bet galvenais ir tas, ka mums ir akadēmiskā brīvība – varam rīkoties brīvi un tajā pašā laikā atbildīgi arī sabiedrības priekšā, lai visiem ir saprotams, kāpēc tas tiek darīts un ar kādu mērķi. Jā, svarīgākais ir akadēmiskā brīvība. Bet mūzika un kultūra Itālijā? Mūzika un kultūra… Neteiktu, ka Turīnas opernams mani ar kaut ko pārsteidza: šim operteātrim bijuši arī labāki gadi. Taču Turīnā joprojām atrodas Rai orķestris, un tā koncertus gan es regulāri apmeklēju. Viņiem ir ļoti labas programmas: Mālers, Šostakovičs, Šūmanis, Šūberta "Nepabeigtā simfonija", kas ir viens no maniem iecienītākajiem skaņdarbiem, un daudzi citi brīnišķīgi skaņdarbi. Tas bija principā tas, kurp es lielākoties devos brīžos, kad vēlējos klausīties klasisko mūziku klātienē. Uz "Klasiku" esi ņēmis līdzi arī vienu fragmentu no Itālijas klasiskās mūzikas raidstacijas! Jā, tas bija tāds pārsteigums… Pēdējos gadus daudz esmu pētījis sabiedriskā medija darbu, un viena no lietām – kā tu veido komunikāciju ar auditoriju, ko jau pieminēju arī pētījumā ar Valsts ieņēmumu dienestu. Tas ir jautājums par jebkuru organizāciju, par jebkuru iestādi! Ikdienā bieži klausos klasisko mūziku, un arī Latvijas Radio 3 "Klasika" man bieži skan. (..) Savukārt Itālijā sapratu, cik svarīgi ir tas, kā tiek programmēta mūzika, kas izskan ēterā – precīzāk, kas skan kurā brīdī, jo Rai Radio Classica no rītiem reizēm spēlē gan Šostakoviču, gan – varbūt kļūdos, bet tiešām man bija tāda sajūta, ka reizēm – arī Rekviēmu jau no paša rīta... Bet otra lieta ir striktais tonis, kādā tiek pieteikta programma! Ja "Klasika" tiešām ikdienā veido dialogu ar klausītājiem, tad Itālijā… Nezinu, kas tā ir par tradīciju un no kuriem laikiem tā saglabājusies, bet tas, kā skaņdarbi tiek pieteikti un atteikti... (Skan fragments no Itālijas klasiskās mūzikas raidstacijas.) Dikcija laba, bet, ja tev tiešām bērnībā nepatika mūzikas skola un tev bija barga mūzikas literatūras skolotāja vai skolotājs, tad principā šis ir tas, kas tevi atsit atpakaļ. Man bija brīnišķīga mūzikas literatūras skolotāja cauri gadiem arī mūzikas vidusskolā, bet principā – ja kādam ir bijusi šāda bērnības trauma, tad, klausoties šādus klasiskās mūzikas raidījumus, klausītājs novērstos. Bet pieļauju, ka tur ir citas tradīcijas un iemesli, kāpēc tas tā notiek. Man radās sajūta, ka tas ir automāts, nevis dzīvs cilvēks. Domāju, ka tas tomēr ir iepriekš studijā ierakstīts – var just [montāžas] pārejas. Protams, tas [iepriekš ierakstīti pieteikumi, ne moderēšana studijā tiešraidē] ietaupa līdzekļus, bet jautājums – ar kādu mērķi? Ja tajā brīdī mums pazūd saite ar auditoriju, kas tiešraidē vienmēr ir stipri lielāka, tad vienmēr jāapsver ieguvumi. Jebkurā gadījumā man šķiet, ka "Klasikas" skaņdarbu izvēle, ko un kurā brīdī spēlēt, un arīdzan tas, kā jūs veidojat saikni ar auditoriju – tas man labpatīk labāk. Savukārt Amerikā, kur studēju maģistratūrā, klasiskās mūzikas kanāli ir stipri komerciālāki, kas nozīmē, ka skaņdarbu izvēle ir stipri, stipri vienveidīgāka – tie ir tādi klasiskās mūzikas hiti, un reizēm pat dažs labs skaņdarbs netiek nospēlēts līdz galam. Tāds hitu radio, kur tev trīs minūtes kaut kas paskan un jau aiziet tālāk nākamais. Saruna pilnā apjomā klausāma audioierakstā; teksta formātā drīzumā tā būs lasāma arī portālā lsm.lv!
David Guetta, Olivier Giacomotto, Kiko - After You The Chainsmokers - Smooth Mau P vs. Tiësto - LIKE I LIKE IT (Kastra "Raven" Edit) sombr vs. Dubvision - Back To Friends (Kastra "Endless Dreamers" Edit) Kastra & Amanda Collis - Wrong Side Of Love Martin Garrix & Matisse & Sadko Ft. BARBZ - Butterflies Lucas & Steve - Push The Feeling On Don Diablo - Lose Control RetroVision, Landis & Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag Goshfather - Believe In Me Yes Boone - Window 2 Daft Punk - Too Long (Syskey Remix) Calvin Harris - Blessings (Kettama Remix) Sem Gellaitry - Assumptions (BURNS Remix) Bucketheads - Bomb (Edit) Goshfather x Mgr Mike - SOUL Breakbot and Irfane - Baby Im Yours (Hotel Garuda Edit)
Links & Mentions: Consult booking link: www.dryazdancoaching.com/consult Email me: DrDYazdan@gmail.com Make more money video: www.dryazdancoaching.com/MDM Follow me for more tips: (@DrYazdan) www.instagram.com/dryazdan and (@DrYazdanCoaching) www.Instagram.com/dryazdancoaching Are you constantly frustrated with your team? Do you feel like no one does things quite the way you want — even when you've told them before? If so, you're not alone… and you're probably running your practice from an invisible “manual.” In today's episode, Dr. Yazdan breaks down the hidden expectations that might be sabotaging your growth, draining your energy, and keeping you stuck in micromanagement mode. She shares how to identify your “manual,” why it's not working, and the step-by-step process to replace it with systems that actually scale. This episode is packed with real-world examples from dental practices just like yours — and practical tools you can start using today to stop spinning your wheels and start leading with strategy.
Būtu svarīgi zināt, ko mēs ēdam, kaut vai tāpēc, lai apzinātos dažādu vielu ietekmi uz organismu. Tomēr - vai pievēršam tam pietiekami daudz uzmanības un kāpēc tas var izrādīties svarīgi, skaidrojam raidījumā Kā labāk dzīvot. Skaidro Pārtikas un veterinārā dienesta Pārtikas izplatīšanas uzraudzības daļas vecākā eksperte Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča un sertificēta uztura speciāliste Zane Timpare. Vai iedzīvotāji, iepērkoties veikalos, pievērš uzmanību produktu sastāvam un e-vielām, to vaicājam Rīgas ielās sastaptajiem cilvēkiem. Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča skaidro, ka e-vielas ir precīzi definētas vielas un tās tiek stingri uzraudzītas un reglamentētas. Tās ir vielas, kuras pievieno pārtikas produktiem pārstrādes un ražošanas procesā ar zināmu tehnoloģisko nolūku - sasniegt noteiktu uzturvērtību, sasniegt noteiktu uzglabāšanu pārtikas produktiem un drošumu. Tās obligāti jānorāda pārtikas produktu marķējumā. Ikviens var iepazīties pirms iegādāšanās. E-vielas, pirms tās iekļaut atļauto sarakstā, stingri no vērtē no dažādiem bīstamības aspektiem. "Neapstrādātiem produktiem - augļiem, dārzeņiem, piena produktiem, medum, bērnu un zīdaiņu pārtikai e-vielas nemaz nedrīkst pievienot," norāda Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča. Runājot par nitrītu un nitrātu pievienošanu gaļas izstrādājumiem, Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča norāda, ka no 2025. gada 9. oktobra gaļas produktos ir samazināts pievienojamo nitrītu un nitrātu daudzums. Devas ir samazinātas, bet ņemts vērā, lai mikrobioloģiskais drošums būtu saglabāts. "Produkti, kas satur nitrātus un nitrītus, gaļas izstrādājumi ir ļoti populāri, cilvēkiem ir grūti atteikties," vērtē Zane Timpare. "Pēdējā laika ieteikums ir, ja ēdam kūpinātas gaļas šķēli, tad ar rupjmaizi un dārzeņiem. Kāpēc? Jo dārzeņi saturēs C vitamīnu, flavonoīdus, dažādas bioloģiski aktīvās vielās, kas mazinās kaitīgo ietekmi, ja tā ir. Tas nenozīmē, ka es rekomendēju ēst šos produktus. Tie, kam kūpinātas gaļas maize tā garšo, tā varētu būt laba kombinācija." "Neatkarīgi no tā, kā e-vielas ir iegūtas, visām ir jābūt drošām, ja tās ir iekļautas atļaut e-vielu sarakstā," atgādina Svetlana Aļminoviča-Miļjanoviča. "Visi produkti, kas nonāk veikalu plauktos, tirgū vai tirdzniecības vietās un ir pieejami, apriori ir droši un nekaitīgi. Piesārņoti produkti nedrīkst nonāk veikala plauktos vai tirgū. Ja tas ir nonācis veikala plauktā, pats par sevi produkts ir drošs un nekaitīgs. Protams, gadās dažādas nianses attiecībā uz uzglabāšanu." Zane Timpare mudina paskatīties uz e-vielām no cita skatupunktā - kas ir tie produkti, kam e-vielas visbiežāk pievieno. "Ir svarīga produktu grupa, ko angliski dēvē "ultra-processed food" vai "hyperpalatable food", no kuriem pēdējo tulko kā pārmērīgi garšīgs. Varētu teikt, nesalīdzināmi garšīgs produkts, salīdzinot ar vienkāršo, ar melleni, burkānu, grūbām," norāda Zane Timpare. "Man liekas, lielākā problēma ir šo produktu pamatsastāvs, šādos produktos ir daudz tauku, daudz cukuru, vai daudz tauku un ogļhidrātu, vai daudz sāls. Tad jau e-vielas ir papildinājums. Jārunā par šo grupu, kuras patēriņš, ka liecina pētījumi, ļoti pieaug. Un arvien vairāk pieaug jaunu cilvēku vidū. Tas ir riska faktors. Ja runājam par e-vielām šādos produktos, tad ražotāji iet uz priekšu, ir nomainītas sintētiskās krāsvielas pret dabīgām, jo ražotāji seko līdzi tam, ko prasa patērētāji. No e-vielu skatupunkta nav riska, risks ir par pamatsastāvu. Lai panāktu šos produktus garšīgākus, kraukšķīgākus, krēmīgākus, visam vajadzīgas e-vielas, nav svarīgi, vai tās ir kaitīgas vai nekaitīgas, bet visi šie produkti veicina vēlmi ēst. Tur ir riska faktors - mēs gribam, lai ir garšīgāks, kraukšķīgāks, un ražotājs piedāvā. Tad ir pircēja izvēle."
This week's I-5 Corridor Traffic Report begins with the heartbreak of the Mariners' Game 7 loss to Toronto in the ALCS. It ends with talk of the Grateful Dead, Tie-dye and whether or not we just don't get it. And in the middle, the two dissect Oregon's 56-10 beating of Rutgers.
Send us a textIn this episode, after asking herself a single question, Jaimee shares the results of continually asking "But why?" Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Stāsta arhitekte Dace Kalvāne Vai esat kādreiz, ejot pa Rīgas ielām, sajutuši, ka kāds jūs vēro no namu fasādēm, no balkoniem vai ieejas portāliem? Tās ir sievišķīgās akmens sejas, kas jau vairāk nekā gadsimtu vēro pilsētu un tās cilvēkus. Šīs akmens dāmas – skaistas, cēlas, reizēm biedējošas – ir eklektiskma un jūgendstila laikmeta mūzas, tapušas laikā, kad Rīga kļuva par vienu no Eiropas arhitektūras pērlēm. Tās stāsta par skaistumu, gudrību un spēku, kas reiz tika atveidots akmenī. Eklektisma un īpaši jūgendstila periods Rīgā bija laiks, kad arhitektūra kļuva personiska — katra ēka bija veidota kā stāsts, fasādes detaļas piesātinātu emociju pilnas. Un nereti sievietes tēls namu fasādēs atspoguļoja skaistuma, gara un dzīves alegoriju. 19. gadsimta beigās, kad pilsēta piedzīvoja strauju uzplaukumu, sievietes tēls arhitektūrā bija viens no namu fasāžu dekoratīvajiem elementiem, simbolizējot dabas spēku, mākslu, intuīciju un skaistumu. Daudzus no šiem tēliem radīja Augusts Folcs – vācu izcelsmes tēlnieks, kura darbnīca Rīgā bija viena no nozīmīgākajām Baltijā. Folca darbnīca sadarbojās ar arhitektiem Eizenšteinu, Pēkšēnu, Alksni, Šēlu un citiem.Tieši viņu darbnīcā tapa daudzi sieviešu tēli, kas šodien rotā Rīgas ēku fasādes – smalki, emocionāli un dzīvi. Alberta ielā – Rīgas jūgendstila sirdī, Mihaila Eizenšteina projektētajās ēkās – šīs sievietes ir visdažādākās, viņu sejās atspoguļojas viss emociju spektrs: skaistums, ekstāze, šausmas, sapnis. Šie tēli rada drāmu, kurā akmens kļūst par dzīvu būtni. Ne velti saka, ka Alberta iela ir Rīgas akmens galerija – vieta, kur arhitektūra runā arī caur sievietes tēlu. Savukārt Elizabetes ielas 10a nama fasādē pārsteidz dramatiskā sieviete ar čūsku matos – viņa simbolizē zināšanas, kaisli un cilvēka iekšējo konfliktu – to, kas vienlaikus pievelk un biedē. Tā ir jūgendstila būtība: noslēpumainais skaistums... Arī ārpus jūgendstila epicentra, Ģertrūdes ielā 10/12, sieviešu tēli veido harmonijas pilnas kompozīcijas. Tur portālu ieskauj sievietes figūras, kas saplūst ar ziedu un lapu ornamentiem – dzīves un dabas vienotība. Un tad – Smilšu iela. Te mājo īpašs noslēpums... Smilšu ielā 8, arhitektu Heinriha Šēla un Frīdriha Šefela projektētajā namā, virs portāla slejas divas akmens dāmas. Viņu sejās – gan maigums, gan noslēpums, it kā starp viņām noritētu klusa saruna. Tās it kā sarunājas – viena pavērsta gaismai, otra ēnai. Folca darbnīcas tēlnieki šeit radījuši sieviešu figūras, kas ir gan dekoratīvas, gan emocionāli patiesas. Un tomēr… Tikai dažu soļu attālumā ir viņa — skaistākā no visām. Smilšu ielā 2 – Konstantīna Pēkšēna projektētajā namā, kur virs portāla slejas majestātiska kariatīde. Tautā viņu sauc par "Akmens Mis Rīgu". Viņas sejas vaibsti ir gandrīz dzīvi – viegli pacelta galva, dziļš, mierīgs skatiens, lūpas, kas it kā tūlīt pasmaidīs. Kopā ar pāva tēlu, kas simbolizē skaistumu, un spārnoto sievietes galvu – saules simbolu, šī fasāde kļuvusi gandrīz vai par Rīgas jūgendstila emblēmu. Te Folca darbnīcas meistarība un Pēkšēna arhitektūra saplūst pilnīgā vienotībā – akmenī dzimst sieviete, kas pārdzīvojusi gadsimtus. Fasādes centrā, virs ieejas portāla, atrodas sievietes figūra ar mierīgu, cēlu sejas izteiksmi, kuru ieskauj bagātīgi jūgendstila ornamenti. "Akmens Mis Rīga" ir kļuvusi par neoficiālu Vecrīgas skaistuma un jūgendstila emblēmu. Tūristi to bieži fotografē, un tā tiek pieminēta arī Rīgas jūgendstila muzeja un arhitektūras vēsturez lekcijās kā viens no simboliskākajiem sievietes attēlojumiem Latvijas arhitektūrā. "Akmens Mis Rīga" ir ne tikai arhitektūras rotājums. Viņa ir pilsētas seja, rīdzinieces ideāls, skaistuma un spēka alegorija. Tāpēc, kad nākamreiz, kad iesiet cauri Vecrīgai, paskatieties augšup. Varbūt sastapsiet viņas skatienu!
Members of the House of Strauss community are, as noted, invited to do our NBA season over/unders contest over at Sports Predict. Personally, I am agonizing over the Warriors and their O/U of 46.5. We discuss this in the pod with Steve, plus other NBA trend subjects. Topics include…* Shoutout to Sid Kali for winning last week in NFL picks. Email me at houseofstrauss@substack.com if you wish to collect a prize* What's my overall strategy for making NBA picks now that I'm not deep in the weeds?* Steve is trying to break the NBA with an idea that, in my opinion, broke the MLB* The Rockets' style is gaining traction, but is it good for the sport? * That Houston Rockets O/U* I have a non analytical reason to love the Orlando Magic OVER* Steve and I disagree on the Lakers* Is weather is a HUGE underrated influence on quarterback performance?Oh, and again, details for entering the contest: The NBA Smart Predictor ChallengeThink you've got one of the sharpest NBA minds around?Here's your chance to prove it — and maybe pocket up to $1,000 while doing what you already love: thinking deeply about basketball.How It WorksThis is the Season Win Totals Challenge — a simple but revealing test of who really understands the league.You'll see the projected win totals for all 30 NBA teams for the 2025–26 season.Your job: for each team, pick Over or Under. Before the first game begins of the season begins. That's it.Scoring• Winner: Whoever gets the most correct picks.• Tie-breaker: If multiple people nail the same number of teams, we go to total net wins differential — meaning how right you were and by how much. It's a clean way to separate luck from skill. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter speak with Andrea Steele, Area Vice President (AVP) eCommerce & Customer Marketing at Kraft Heinz.Andrea shares her framework for embedding digital and eCommerce capabilities across large organizations, and how true transformation starts upstream, in brand strategy, product development, and core business processes.She breaks down five steps to make digital change stick, from aligning on strategy to measuring success and celebrating wins. Andrea also discusses balancing change management with team wellbeing, fostering collaboration across functions, and driving long-term transformation while keeping pace with an industry and audiences that move at lightning speed.Key takeawaysLead with strategy: Tie every digital effort to a clear business goal before investing in tools.Embed early: Bake eCommerce into brand planning and product development to make change stick.Align cross-functionally: Involve legal, finance, and supply teams early to remove bottlenecks and speed up execution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stop chasing motivation and build momentum you can count on. I sit down with Robin J. Emdon, the procrastination slayer, to unpack his GetResultsology framework for solopreneurs and business owners. Robin explains why procrastination isn't about laziness but about how our brains are wired, and he shows how to spot it before it takes hold. Together we explore his productivity trifecta of brain chemistry, the power of micro-deadlines, and why accountability works best when it creates support instead of pressure. You'll hear how breaking projects into 10-minute wins builds confidence, how routines and structure reduce overwhelm, and why connecting daily actions to your bigger life vision makes progress inevitable.Highlights:Catch procrastination before it starts - Learn a quick self-check to notice when you're slipping into “I'll do it tomorrow,” and how to redirect in the moment. Use the Productivity Trifecta - Understand dopamine (the conductor), acetylcholine (the scholar), and noradrenaline (the fun-size warrior) so your brain is set up for focus and follow-through. Make structure do the heavy lifting - Pre-decide routines, add accountability for feedback not pressure, and use micro-deadlines to shrink overwhelm. Turn big projects into bite-size wins - Chunk work into small steps, set near-term hurdles, and apply the Pomodoro approach to build momentum daily. Lead with life vision, not just goals - Tie today's tasks to a clear life vision so chores become stepping stones, not stress triggers.Connect with Robin:Website: https://getresultsology.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinjemdon/ Podcast: https://getresultsology.com/podcast/ Get your Free PDF of Robin's book – “Get Results-ology” at https://reallyusefultips.com In appreciation for being here, I have some gifts for you:A LinkedIn Checklist for setting up your fully optimized Profile:An opportunity to test drive the Follow Up system I recommend by checking this presentation page - you won't regret it. AND … Don't forget to connect with me on LinkedIn and be eligible for my complimentary LinkedIn profile audit – I do one each month for a lucky listener!Connect with me:http://JanicePorter.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/janiceporter/https://www.facebook.com/janiceporter1https://www.instagram.com/socjanice/Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode andthink that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the...
Trade leaders win when appreciation becomes a system, not a slogan. In this solo lesson, Chad Peterman shares the 20-year story of a position coach's handwritten note that flipped his mindset and how HVAC, plumbing, and home-service teams can use the same playbook to unlock belief, consistency, and effort. You'll learn the four elements of effective appreciation, how to “close the coaching loop,” and a simple weekly cadence that raises performance without lowering standards. Additional Resources: Join The ARENA - a CSTG Community (powered by our media partner, PeopleForward Network) Chad on LinkedIn Chad Peterman | CEO | Author Peterman Brothers Website Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Appreciation outruns perfection: Praise visible effort and progress to drive long-term results. Make it specific: Tie gratitude to observable behavior and impact so the team can repeat it. Close the loop: Coach the mistake, then praise the corrected behavior to cement learning. Keep it sincere and concise: A short, genuine note often beats a long speech. Lead from gratitude: Daily gratitude practice improves mood, influence, and resilience under pressure.
In this week's episode of The Chazz Palminteri Show, I sit down with the legendary Tony Orlando, whose voice and charisma defined an era of American music. From his timeless hits like “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “Knock Three Times,” to his incredible career as a singer, songwriter, producer, and television host, Tony shares his life journey through music, family, and perseverance. We talk about: Tony's early rise in the music industry and how Dawn became a household name The stories behind his biggest hits and how they shaped pop culture What it was like navigating fame across seven decades of show business The importance of faith, humility, and gratitude in staying grounded Our shared Bronx roots, performing for generations, and the joy of connecting with fans This episode is filled with laughter, wisdom, and inspiration from one of the most enduring voices in music history.
Po dvoch rokoch, ktoré stáli životy desaťtisíce ľudí a ktoré doslova rozdelili celý svet, nastalo prímerie.Vzorec je pomerne jednoduchý. Mladý muž či chlapec, ktorý sa cíti osamelo, nedostatočne či neatraktívne, sa zahĺbi do sociálnych sietí. Tie mu ponúknu jedno dve videá s obsahom, ktorý by sme mohli nazvať maskulínny, antifeministický, ľahko mizogýnny a ak ich pozerá dosť dlho, ponúkne mu ďalšie a ďalšie a radikálnejšie.Postupne sa dostáva pod vplyv takzvanej manosféry a nachádza podobných mladých mužov, ktorí si hovoria inceli. A zrazu nie je taký sám, zrazu sú takých ako on tisíce. O ženách si začne myslieť svoje, dlhujú mu všetko a nie sú ani ľuďmi.Online prejavy tejto nenávisti sa pretavujú aj do reálneho života, napríklad zhoršeným psychickým zdravím mužov, ale aj násilnými útokmi. Denník SME incelov pozoroval a komunikoval s nimi na najväčšom uzavretom fóre, kde sa združujú.O tom, čo sa tam dialo, ako títo muži premýšľajú a čo sa s tým dá robiť, sa Nikola Šuliková Bajánová rozpráva so stážistkou denníka SME Líviou Lukácsovou.OdporúčanieVeľa z toho, o čom sme sa dnes rozprávali, má koreň v nezahojených traumách, často spôsobených výchovou. Preto, či už máte alebo nemáte deti, odporúčam prečítať si knihu Toto mali čítať naši rodičia od Philippy Perryovej. Je to bestseller o tom, ako si vytvoriť s deťmi kvalitný a bezpečný vzťah, a takisto pomáha pozrieť sa na vlastné detstvo očami psychoterapeutky.–Všetky podcasty denníka SME nájdete na sme.sk/podcasty–Odoberajte aj audio verziu denného newslettra SME.sk s najdôležitejšími správami na sme.sk/brifing
Centieni dzīvot ilgāk un labāk mudina dažādas interesantu kopienas aizrauties ar "virtuves" ģenētiku jeb biohakingu. Vai varam šunas apmācīt tās darboties efektīvāk un ļaut mums dzīvot ilgāk un labāk. Vai mūsu lielās un mazās dzīvesveida izvēles patiešām var ietekmēt šūnu darbību? Vai rīta kross, augu valsts uzturs vai badošanās patiešām mainīs mūsu šūnu darbību? Vai varam "ieprogrammēt" šūnām darīt to, kas tām nav paredzēts un apiet nevēlamas izpausmes vai ģenētiskas slimības? Vai varam pārgrogrammēt un atjaunot mūsu ķermeni ar jaunāku, labāku programmatūru gluži kā robotu? Kā šūnu programmēšanu pēta zinātnieki un vai kādu dienu varēsim "apmācīt" vēža šūnu uzvesties kā parastai šūnai? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā analizē medicīnas zinātņu doktore, Latvijas Universitātes tenūrprofesore precīzijas medicīnā Una Riekstiņa un Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Sabiedrības veselības un epidemioloģijas katedras vadītājs Ģirts Briģis. Sintētiskā bioloģija pēta, kā šūnas pašas var sākt darboties kā dzīvas zāles Procesi dzīvās šūnās dažkārt var kalpot kā iedvesma, lai radītu elektroierīces un citus rīkus cilvēka ikdienai. Bet reizēm ar elektrotehnikas un matemātikas palīdzību šūnas iespējams uzlabot jaunā līmenī, ka tās pašas var sākt darboties kā dzīvas zāles. Tieši šādus jautājumus skata sintētiskā bioloģija, un šīs jomas pārstāvis - profesors Mustafa Khamašs no Šveices - nesen viesojās Rīgā. Mustafa Khamašs (Mustafa Khammash) ir Šveices Federālā tehnoloģiju institūta Cīrihē (ETH Zürich) Biosistēmu zinātnes un inženierijas departamenta profesors. Pagājušajā nedēļā, viesojoties Latvijā, viņš ar referātu uzstājās Rīgas Tehniskajā universitātē, aplūkojot sintētiskās bioloģijas sasniegumus. Sintētiskā bioloģija paver ceļu jaunai dzīvo zāļu paaudzei - inženierijas ceļā radītām šūnām, kas uztver slimības signālus un reaģē ar pielāgotām terapijām. Profesors tic, ka ar sintētiskās bioloģijas palīdzību cilvēka organismam netiek iedots kaut kas svešs, drīzāk var atdot atpakaļ paša cilvēka dabisko regulatoro mehānismu, kad kaut kas nogājis greizi. Saruna par sintētisko bioloģiju - tā vienlaikus ir sastapšanās ar elektrotehniku un tādu jēdzienu kā negatīva atgriezeniskā saite, kad izejas signāla fāze ir pretēja ieejas signāla fāzei, un pat matemātiskās analīzes terminu “integrālis”. Profesoram vispirms vaicājam, vai sintētiskā bioloģija, dēvēta arī par inženierbioloģiju, ir pavisam jauns virziens, vai arī - esam ar to sastapušies jau labu laiku, tikai tagad devuši tam apzīmējumu?
Stāsta UNESCO Latvijas Nacionālās komisijas Kultūras sektora vadītāja Beāte Lielmane Dokumentārais mantojums ir nozīmīgs instruments nemateriālā jeb dzīvā mantojuma saglabāšanā, savukārt nemateriālais mantojums palīdz izprast dokumentārā mantojuma nozīmi. Spilgts piemērs šai mijiedarbībai ir antropologa Artūra Bernarda Dīkona (Arthur Bernard Deacon) piezīmju un zīmējumu kolekcija no viņa lauka pētījumiem Vanuatu. Tā 2013. gadā tika iekļauta UNESCO programmas "Pasaules atmiņa" starptautiskajā reģistrā. Vanuatu ir neliela salu valsts Klusajā okeānā uz austrumiem no Austrālijas. Jau 20. gadsimta 20. gados tās unikālais nemateriālais mantojums bija apdraudēts. Tieši to dokumentēja Dīkons, kurš 1926. gadā ieradās Malekulas salā, kas ir daļa no Jaunhebridu salu arhipelāga, uz kura mūsdienās atrodas Vanuatu Republika. Diemžēl viņa pētījumi aprāvās traģiski pāragri – 1927. gadā 23 gadu vecumā viņš mira no malārijas komplikācijām. Dīkons piedzima 1903. gadā Krievijas impērijā dzīvojošā angļu ģimenē. Viņa tēvs strādāja kuģniecības uzņēmumā – vienā no galvenajiem kuģu būvniecības centriem Melnajā jūrā, mūsdienu Mikolajivā, Ukrainā. Trīspadsmit gadu vecumā topošais pētnieks tika nosūtīts atpakaļ uz Angliju, lai pabeigtu izglītību. Dīkons absolvēja Trīsvienības koledžu Kembridžā un ieguva stipendiju saviem antropoloģiskajiem lauka pētījumiem. Viņa kolekcijā, kas glabājas Karaliskajā Antropoloģijas institūtā Londonā, ietilpst 16 piezīmju grāmatas, korespondence, vietvārdu rādītāji, glosāriji, ģenealoģiski pārskati, pasakas, kartes, diagrammas un zīmējumi. Materiāli sniedz ieskatu vietējo priekštatos par katru cilvēka dzīves posmu – no dzimšanas līdz apbedīšanai –, kā arī laulībās, radniecības sistēmās, maģijā, medicīnā, astronomijā, mūzikā un sadzīves prasmēs – no lauksaimniecības līdz kanoe izgatavošanai. Dīkons apraksta arī neparastas Vanuatu tradīcijas. Piemēram, atsevišķos rajonos meiteņu iniciācija sieviešu kārtā notika, izsitot tām divus augšējos priekšzobus. Ja tas nebija noticis pirms laulībām, rituālu pirms kāzām veica līgavas mātes brālis, apmaiņā pret to saņemot cūkas. Cūkas vietējā sabiedrībā bija galvenais bagātības un prestiža simbols – tās nogalināja tikai svētku un rituālu laikā. Sociālais statuss tika iegūts nevis ar cūku skaitu, bet ar to kvalitāti. Īpašu nozīmi ieguva pseidohermafrodītiskās cūkas, kurām bija gan tēviņu, gan mātīšu dzimumorgāni. Tā kā tās tika izmantotas ceremonijās, vietējie tās īpaši pavairoja. Tādēļ mūsdienās Vanuatu ziemeļos pat ir izveidojies atsevišķs starpdzimumu mājas cūku paveids. Savukārt mežacūkas tika klasificētas pēc ilkņu formas un to attīstības pakāpes – Lambumbu cilts atšķīra 11 tipus, bet Seniangas cilts pat 23. Šis antropoloģiskais materiāls ir unikāls tilts starp dokumentāro un nemateriālo mantojumu. To apliecina fakts, ka UNESCO Cilvēces nemateriālā kultūras mantojuma sarakstā iekļauta Vanuatu smilšu zīmējumu tradīcija. Zīmējumi tiek veidoti, ar vienu pirkstu smiltīs, pelnos vai mālā velkot nepārtrauktas līnijas, radot simetriskus ģeometriskus rakstus. Šie zīmējumi kalpo kā saziņas līdzeklis starp aptuveni 80 valodu grupām, kā arī kā mnemoniski līdzekļi rituāliem, stāstiem, dziesmām, zināšanām par kosmoloģiju, arhitektūru, amatniecību un horeogrāfiju. Dīkons uzsvēra, ka šajā tradīcijā galvenais nav gala rezultāts, bet gan pats radīšanas process – līnijas nepārtrauktība un vienmērība. Apstāšanās tiek uzskatīta par nepilnību.
A rates cap is one of those policies that immediately sounds appealing. Look no further than yesterday's CPI number. It's one of your top three inflation feeders. So, throw a cap on them. Tie their hands behind their backs. Reign 'em in! Get rid of the hundred-thousand-dollar bike rack here, the million-dollar disco toilets there, the coffee machines for staff over there. But in practice, how do actually make it work without starving these councils of revenue they actual need to fix the pipes? I spoke to Ben Bell from Gore yesterday. He said almost 90% of council spending there goes on basics - pipes and roads. The rest is "nice to haves". Libraries and swimming pools etc. There's no club sandwiches as council meetings. They're drinking instant coffee. And yet, Gore's rate increases have been double digit or close to it for several years. They'll be close to double digits again this year. Despite that, the good people of Gore have re-elected Bell for a second term. So, we say we want lower rates, of course we do, but the question is what will it cost to us? Will capping them actually hurt us? Our local economies, productivity, efficiency. Last week, Wayne Brown told me on Herald Now that Auckland could have a ZERO increase next year if it wasn't for the City Rail Link spending coming online. It's a major transport project. It'll, in theory, benefit Auckland and the country. It was paid for by both Jaffas and taxpayers. If we want lower rates, we could just not run any trains on the tracks. But is that sensible. Don't get me wrong, I'm the first to criticise the big spending bozos who chuck money at dumb stuff. But most council spending isn't that. Most of it is stuff we need. D-day is looming for the government's plan to cap rates, and it needs to be a measured response. We need spending on pipes and roads to continue and waste on disco loos flushed down the dunny.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kas gan īsti notika Elsinorā? Ar šo jautājumu jau vairākus gadus nodarbojas mākslinieks Miervaldis Polis, pētot un tulkojot Šekspīra lugu "Hamlets". Un kam dot Polonija un Klaudija lomas? Bet iestudēt gan varētu tāds režisors, kas pats ir labs aktieris – arī par to tulkotāja vēstulē. Šoreiz Radio mazās lasītavas ieraksts ir tikpat neparasts kā arī šis izdevums – žaketes kabatā ieliekams, melnu vāku, sarkaniem burtiem "Dāņu princis Hamlets". Radio studijā uz galda ir ne tikai grāmata, bet arī vēstules, kurās Miervaldis Polis rakstiski atbildējis uz Gundara Āboliņa un Ingvildas Strautmanes jautājumiem. Atbildes rakstītas ar parasto zīmuli. Ja ko pārdomā, var arī izdzēst, bet, ja ne – tad grafīts ir noturīgāks pret laika pārbaudījumiem. Tieši dažādu laiku sociālie vai politiskie uzslāņojumi "Hamleta" tulkojumiem latviešu valodā arī pamudinājuši Miervaldi Poli radīt savu. Par citiem apsvērumiem lasāms tulkotāja priekšvārdā. Vēstules mums nogādāja un studijā sarunājās grāmatas dizainere un izdevēja Katrīna Vasiļevska. Šekspīrs. "Dāņu princis Hamlets", no angļu valodas tulkojis Miervaldis Polis. Droši vien stāsts par Dāniju arī ir tikai māņu kustība kā paukošanā. Joprojām. Raidījumu atbalsta:
Send us a textJaimee provides an exciting update about the Kickstarter Book Campaign. And she shares the story of the first time she ever ventured out as her true self.Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Identity doesn't vanish after suicide loss; name the parts that still fit and make room for them on purpose. Journal prompt: “Where I feel most like myself lately is…”Identity doesn't vanish; it gets buried. Today we name the parts of you that still fit—and make room for them on purpose.A Flicker (Hope) — A familiar thread Notice one moment you felt like you this week—how you spoke, moved, created, cared. Keep that thread.To Rebuild (Healing) — Pick 1–2 identity words Examples: listener, maker, advocate, steady, honest, curious, playful, caretaker, organizer. Circle 1–2 that land today. Write them at the top of your notes app.Take a Step (Becoming) — Put identity on the calendar (≤10 min) Tie one micro-act to your word:Maker: lay out one tool (sketchbook, yarn, instrument) and touch it for 10 minutes.Advocate: send one supportive message or share one resource.Listener/Steady: check in on one person with a two-sentence text.Choose-your-energy menu:Hollow (low): Hollow — Whisper your word once. Put a hand on your chest and breathe out longer than in.Healing (medium): Healing — Do one 10-minute identity act; stop when the timer ends.Becoming (higher): Becoming — Schedule this identity act 3 times this week.Food for Thought Today: Identity isn't a costume you perform; it's a way your love moves through the room. When you choose one small act that matches who you are, you're not pretending you're okay—you're remembering yourself in real time.Exhale. Keep what serves you; leave the rest. I'll be here again tomorrow.
3rd Annual History of the Bay Day, 11.9.25 at Public Works, SF - ticket link: https://www.tixr.com/groups/publicsf/events/3rd-annual-history-of-the-bay-day-159082OopzAllBerryz is a fixture in the Bay Area scene known for being a member of HBK Gang and owning the second Shmop House. Although he's not a musician, he's known in the local party scene for spreading good vibes. Growing up in Oakland, Oopz' interest in cannabis and psychedelics led him to adopt the hippie lifestyle and his signature tie-dye outfits. Starting off as a fan of HBK's music, he eventually became friends with Kool John and has been part of Shmop Life ever since. Oopz has also launched his own products and projects and continues to push his own lifestyle brand.--For promo opportunities on the podcast, e-mail: historyofthebaypodcast@gmail.com---History of the Bay Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZUM4rCv6xfNbvB4r8TVWU?si=9218659b5f4b43aaOnline Store: https://dregsone.myshopify.com Follow Dregs One:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UNuCcJlRb8ImMc5haZHXF?si=poJT0BYUS-qCfpEzAX7mlAInstagram: https://instagram.com/dregs_oneTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dregs_oneTwitter: https://twitter.com/dregs_oneFacebook: https://facebook.com/dregsone41500:00 Introduction02:58 Tie dye style07:20 Growing up in Oakland10:32 Cannabis culture16:54 Psychedelics 26:47 Ladies man29:10 Meeting HBK32:45 Shmop House parties35:11 HBK era41:45 Party music52:20 Oopz brand
THE Sales Japan Series by Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo, Japan
The 3 Everyday Habits That Win Trust Sales rises or falls on trust. As of 2025—post-pandemic, hybrid, and time-poor—buyers have less patience for fluffy rapport and more appetite for authentic, repeatable behaviours. This guide turns three classic human-relations principles into practical sales moves you can use today: be genuinely interested, smile first, and use people's names naturally. What's the fastest way to build trust with time-poor buyers in 2025? Lead with curiosity, not a pitch. Ask about their context before your product, and mirror back what you heard in concrete terms (KPIs, deadlines, constraints). This converts a transactional meeting into a partnership from minute one. In Japan, the US, and Europe alike, executives are bandwidth-constrained; they remember the seller who reduces cognitive load. In enterprise deals, curiosity surfaces hidden stakeholders and post-purchase risks. In SMEs and startups, it reveals cash-flow windows and procurement shortcuts. Curiosity isn't manipulation; buyers detect feigned interest instantly. Done right, it creates common ground that makes every later ask easier. Start every meeting with one “business-human” question (e.g., “What must be true by quarter-end for this to be a win?”). Mini-summary: Curiosity first → faster trust → smoother deals. Do now: Prepare three context questions per persona. How do I show genuine interest without going off-topic? Be human, but keep it business-linked. Tie personal context to business impact; keep it relevant, short, and anchored in their role, industry, and timeline. Ask about post-purchase adoption (“What would success look like for your users in the first 30 days?”), operational realities (e.g., Japan-specific compliance), and leadership pressures (“What will your CFO scrutinise most this quarter?”). Compare contexts—APAC vs EU privacy, B2B vs consumer rollout, startup urgency vs multinational governance. Document what you learn and open the next meeting by recapping their words—snippet-ready proof you listened. Mini-summary: Human questions, business purpose. Do now: Build a one-page “interest map” per account. Does smiling still matter in serious, high-stakes meetings? Smile first to set the social temperature, then match the room. Under deadline pressure, many sellers present a tense “serious face” that raises defensiveness. A genuine, early smile lowers friction and signals “I'm safe to talk to,” especially in first meetings or escalations. In Japan's formal settings, a measured smile plus a slight nod communicates respect and openness; in the US, a warmer smile can accelerate rapport. The key is timing: smile as you greet, then calibrate to the buyer's style within seconds. The goal isn't cheeriness; it's creating a cooperative atmosphere where tough topics (risk, price, delivery dates) can be discussed without posturing. Mini-summary: Smile first, calibrate fast. Do now: Add “reset face → greet with smile” to your pre-meeting checklist. How can using names increase influence without sounding fake? Use names sparingly at moments of emphasis. Offer your own name first, confirm pronunciation, then use theirs to mark alignment and commitment—never as filler. In group settings with multiple stakeholders, sketch a quick seating map to avoid missteps later. This habit personalises without pandering and helps you track the real decision network behind procurement. Close clearly: “Aiko-san, we'll send the red-lined MSA by Friday.” Mini-summary: Names for signal, not filler. Do now: Practise name recall and pronunciation before the meeting. What's the cross-market playbook (Japan vs US vs Europe) for relationship momentum? Universal habits, local nuance. The same three behaviours—interest, smile, names—work everywhere, but settings differ. In Japan, invest more time upfront on context and internal harmony; be precise with honorifics and follow through meticulously. In the US, move faster to value articulation and next steps, keeping warmth high. In Europe, expect variance (Nordics vs DACH vs Southern Europe) in decision cadence and consensus. Align to company type: startups reward speed and flexibility; multinationals reward consistency and risk management. Hybrid selling post-2020 demands tighter summaries and clearer asynchronous follow-ups. Mini-summary: Universal habits, local settings. Do now: Add a “market nuance” line to every call plan. How do I turn these habits into a repeatable system my team can use? System beats intention. Bake the habits into templates, rituals, and measurable checkpoints. Create a pre-call sheet with (1) three curiosity questions, (2) a reminder to smile on entry, (3) stakeholder names and pronunciations, (4) a 90-second recap script for follow-ups. In your CRM, add fields for “buyer language used,” “stakeholder map,” and “adoption risk notes.” In weekly pipeline reviews, inspect not just stages but relationship signals: trust markers logged, name usage at key moments, and recap emails sent within 24 hours. Train using short, scenario-based drills (enterprise renewal, startup pilot, public-sector RFP). Mini-summary: Process it so it happens. Do now: Standardise a one-page “relationship checklist.” Final wrap Make the buyer—the human—the centre of the conversation. Start with interest, open with a smile, and use names with intent. Then systemise the behaviours so they happen every time. When products look similar, these micro-habits become the differentiator. About the author Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie “One Carnegie Award” (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including ザ営業, プレゼンの達人, トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう, and 現代版「人を動かす」リーダー. Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews.
Šakāļi māju pagalmos, caunas, kas pārgrauž automašīnu vadus, ezis, kas ziemas migu uztaisījis komposta kaudzē, un lapsas, kas siro pa atkritumu konteineriem. Cilvēka tuvumā dzīvnieki atraduši sev gana piemērotu vietu, lai dzīvotu. Kāpēc mūsu tuvums dzīvniekiem ir noderīgs un kā sadzīvot ar savvaļu uz mājas sliekšņa? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā sarunājas Rīgas Nacionālā Zooloģiskā dārza pārstāvis Māris Lielkalns, Latvijas Nacionālā Dabas muzeja pārstāve, zooloģe Inta Lange un zoologs Vilnis Skuja. Zinātnes ziņas Nobela prēmija fizioloģijā vai medicīnā 2025 Šis ikgadēji ir Nobela prēmiju laureātu paziņošanas periods. Tieši pirms nedēļas raidījumā runājām par imunitāti un imūnsistēmu, un arī Nobela prēmija fizioloģijā vai medicīnā šogad pasniegta trim pētniekiem - amerikāņu zinātniekiem Mērijai Brankovai un Frederikam Ramsdelam, kā arī japāņu zinātniekam Šimonam Sakaguči - par atklājumiem imūnsistēmas kontroles jomā, proti, par to, kā imūnsistēma tiek pasargāta no uzbrukumiem mūsu pašu ķermenim un orgāniem. Džeina Gudola mainīja mūsu priekšstatu par pērtiķiem Mūžs, kas veltīts zinātnei, var vainagoties ar Nobela prēmiju, bet vēl viens vienreizējs mūžs noslēdzās pagājušajā nedēļā. Runa ir par ievērojamo primatoloģi, šimpanžu pētnieci, Džeinu Gudolu, kura pagājušajā nedēļā 91 gada vecumā devās mūžībā, bet viņa sniegusi lielu ieguldījumu mūsu priekšstatos par pērtiķiem. Tāpēc visas nedēļas garumā tīmeklī aizvien parādās raksti par Gudolas dzīvi un darbu. Vai jūs ēstu jogurtu, kas gatavots ar skudrām? Zinātnieki to izdarīja Kukaiņi var ne vien kaut ko sadalīt vai noārdīt, bet arī radīt, un tie var radīt jogurtu. “Vai jūs ēstu jogurtu, kas gatavots ar skudrām?” - tāds jautājums tiek uzdots “ScienceDaily”, piebilstot, ka zinātnieki to ir pamēģinājuši. Apvienojot zinātni un tradīcijas, pētnieki ir atdzīvinājuši senu Balkānu un turku jogurta gatavošanas tehniku, kurā skudras tiek izmantotas kā dabiski fermentētāji. Skudru baktērijas, skābes un enzīmi pārveido pienu bagātīgā, pikantā jogurtā, vienlaikus demonstrējot daudzveidību un sarežģītību, kas dažkārt zūd mūsdienu industrializētajās jogurta šķirnēs. Eksosomu zinātne - jaunākā apsēstība ādas kopšanā Eksosomas ir nanoizmēra daļiņas, ko izdala lielākā daļa šūnu veidu un kas tiek slavētas par to atjaunošo spēku cilvēka organismā, tostarp par signālu sniegšanu, kad ražot vairāk kolagēna. Eksosomu serumi šobrīd ir kļuvuši ļoti populāri ādas kopšanas jomā, arī sociālajos medijos tie tiek ļoti popularizēti, tomēr eksperti mudina ievērot piesardzību un nepārvērst eksosomas par apsēstību.
Send us a textJaimee shares some reflections on part of her life that she misses from when she presented as a male. Here's the link to our Kickstarter Campaign. Or if the link doesn't work, copy and paste this URL https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cbthh/getting-a-transgender-memoir-editedSupport Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Man, that Packers-Cowboys tie left a sour taste—our once-dominant defense got torched for 40 points, while the offense scraped by with Jordan Love and Romeo Dobbs shining through the mess. Callers vented hard on the lack of pass rush, sloppy special teams, and Matt LaFleur's questionable deep shots that killed early momentum. It's raw frustration as fans question if this team has any real identity amid injuries and inconsistencies. Defense meltdown: No pressure on Dak, missed tackles, and calls to rethink Quay Walker's future. Offense highs and lows: Solid from Love and Dobbs, but too aggressive early without rhythm. Coaching heat: Blasts at LaFleur for conservative end-game calls and Hafley for failing to adjust. Positive spin: Tie beats a loss, and with pieces returning post-bye, maybe we turn it around like past champs. This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY and visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. Subscribe, rate, and review to keep the After Dark vibes rolling—hit us up on social with your hot takes. Tease: More Packers drama incoming after the bye. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast #Packers #AfterDark #NFLDrama #GreenBayTiesSuck
Man, that Packers-Cowboys tie left a sour taste—our once-dominant defense got torched for 40 points, while the offense scraped by with Jordan Love and Romeo Dobbs shining through the mess. Callers vented hard on the lack of pass rush, sloppy special teams, and Matt LaFleur's questionable deep shots that killed early momentum. It's raw frustration as fans question if this team has any real identity amid injuries and inconsistencies. Defense meltdown: No pressure on Dak, missed tackles, and calls to rethink Quay Walker's future. Offense highs and lows: Solid from Love and Dobbs, but too aggressive early without rhythm. Coaching heat: Blasts at LaFleur for conservative end-game calls and Hafley for failing to adjust. Positive spin: Tie beats a loss, and with pieces returning post-bye, maybe we turn it around like past champs. This episode is brought to you by PrizePicks! Use code PACKDADDY and visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACKDADDY to get started with America's #1 fantasy sports app. Subscribe, rate, and review to keep the After Dark vibes rolling—hit us up on social with your hot takes. Tease: More Packers drama incoming after the bye. To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/packernetpodcast #Packers #AfterDark #NFLDrama #GreenBayTiesSuck
1 My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 you are trapped by the words of your mouth; you are ensnared with the words of your mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver yourself, since you have come into the hand of your neighbor. Go, humble yourself. Press your plea with your neighbor. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways, and be wise; 7 which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, 8 provides her bread in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you sleep, sluggard? When will you arise out of your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your scarcity as an armed man. 12 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, 13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, 14 in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 16 There are six things which Yahweh hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. 20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and don't forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them continually on your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, it will lead you. When you sleep, it will watch over you. When you awake, it will talk with you. 23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, 24 to keep you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the wayward wife's tongue. 25 Don't lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids. 26 For a prostitute reduces you to a piece of bread. The adulteress hunts for your precious life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished. 30 Men don't despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is hungry, 31 but if he is found, he shall restore seven times. He shall give all the wealth of his house. 32 He who commits adultery with a woman is void of understanding. He who does it destroys his own soul. 33 He will get wounds and dishonor. His reproach will not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy arouses the fury of the husband. He won't spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He won't regard any ransom, neither will he rest content, though you give many gifts. Listen Donate Subscribe: Proverbs Daily Podcast Psalms Daily Podcast
Send us a textIn this bonus episode, Jaimee shares some breaking news about the Book. Here's the link to our Kickstarter Campaign. Or if the link doesn't work, copy and paste this URL https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cbthh/getting-a-transgender-memoir-editedSupport Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and InstagramSupport the show
Šogad aprit 100 gadi kopš tika dibināta Latvijas Sieviešu organizācijas padome, klajā nākusi arī grāmata, kurā pētīta padomes darbība un sievietes tajā. Kā Latvijas politisko, sociālo un kultūras dzīvi veidoja padomes darbība gadsimta sākumā un vai Latvijas politiskā vide beidzot ieguva arī "sievietes seju"? Stāsta vēsturnieces Latvijas Nacionālā arhīva pētnieces – Aiga Bērziņa-Kite un Ineta Lipša. Latvijas Nacionālais arhīvs ir izdevis grāmatu “Latvijas Sieviešu organizāciju padomes darbība, 1925–1940: protokoli, biedrības, biogrāfijas”, ko sarakstījušas LNA Dokumentu publikāciju un popularizēšanas nodaļas vadošās pētnieces vēsturnieces Aiga Bērziņa-Kite un Ineta Lipša. Grāmata iznākusi Latvijas Nacionālā arhīva izdotajā sērijā “Vēstures avoti” kā 14. sējums. Tā vēstī par sieviešu organizāciju savstarpēji saskaņotu iesaistīšanos valsts sabiedriskajā un politiskajā dzīvē pēc pirmās Latvijas sieviešu konferences, kas notika 1925. gada 26.–27. septembrī Rīgā, līdz padomju okupācijai 1940. gadā. Šogad šim nozīmīgajam pasākumam – pirmajai sieviešu konferencei – aprit 100 gadi. Eiropas Savienības Jauno zinātnieku konkurss pirmo reizi norisinājās Latvijā Eiropas Savienības Jauno zinātnieku konkurss šī gada septembrī jauniem pētniekiem no Latvijas ļāvis gan prezentēt savus darbus bioloģijas, ķīmijas un inženierijas jomā, gan attīstīt citas prasmes - piemēram, laika un finanšu plānošanu, kā arī zinātnisku darbu rakstīšanu kopumā. Kādam tas noteicis arī studiju izvēli. Kādas pētniecības tēmas jaunie zinātnieki šogad konkursā piedāvāja? Eiropas Savienības Jauno zinātnieku konkurss ir prestižākā skolēnu zinātniski pētniecisko darbu izstāde Eiropā. Šī gada septembrī konkurss pirmo reizi norisinājās Latvijā, pulcējot vairāk nekā 130 jauno pētnieku no 37 valstīm, kuri starptautiskai žūrijai angļu valodā prezentēja savus inovatīvos projektus. Konkursa ideja ir tāda, ka darbam jābūt ar kādu praktisku nozīmi. Tā var būt kāda pētnieciska metode, jau gatavs produkts vai tā prototips. Tātad kaut kas attīstāms vai uzreiz pielietojams industrijā. Šogad Latviju konkursā pārstāvējusi Evita Mārtinsone no Siguldas Valsts ģimnāzijas, Rolands Eisāns no Daugavpils Valsts ģimnāzijas, un nu jau Rīgas Valsts 1. ģimnāzijas absolventi Francis Roops un Aleksis Veide. Jaunieši skaidro, ka atlases, lai tiktu uz šo konkursu, sākas jau skolā. Tie ir kā vairāki pakāpieni, no vienas zinātniski pētniecisko darbu kārtas nonākot līdz nākamajai.
At 43, Ray Martin's world fell apart. His marriage ended, his business unraveled, and his father passed away, all within months. What looked like an ending became the beginning of his midlife transformation. In this episode, Ray shares how he went from broken and lost to discovering that “Ray the Businessman” was just a character he had been playing. Through an unexpected acting role, a six-month sabbatical that stretched into 14 years, and a backpack full of lessons on minimalism, meditation, and intuition, Ray learned how to align with his true self. His story is proof that when life implodes, it can be the opening to something extraordinary.Guest Bio Ray Martin, aka The Daily Explorer, is an entrepreneur and award-winning business leader. As a coach, mentor, facilitator, speaker, writer, and mindfulness teacher, he is a torchbearer for greater human consciousness. Ray is also a marathon runner and fundraiser. He's on a mission to empower people to live authentically and to bring more joy and happiness into the world.Turning 40 and taking the next right stepAt 43, Ray Martin's seemingly perfect life collapsed overnight. A thriving consulting firm, public recognition as the United Kingdom's “Business Leader of the Year,” and a marriage that doubled as a business partnership: all of it came undone when his wife walked out and his father died within months of each other. Suddenly, the man who had done everything “right” was standing in the rubble of his own blueprint, wondering if happiness was forever out of reach. What followed was a radical reinvention that took Ray from despair in London to the stage in Australia, to a six-month backpacking trip across Asia that turned into 14 years of minimalist living, marathon running, and meditation. His journey shows us what can happen when you stop playing the character others expect you to be and start writing your own script.Highlights from this episode:How Ray's life imploded at 43 despite having “checked every box” of success.The moment he realized “Ray the Businessman” was just a character he had created.Why listening to his gut, and asking for confirmation signals, became his compass.How a 10-day silent meditation retreat shifted his mindset from outside-in to inside-out happiness.The sabbatical that turned into 14 years of travel, minimalism, and discovery.The guiding principles he created to stop the cycle of negative self-talk.Building a foundation of trust in intuition that led him to running marathons, fundraising, and eventually writing his memoir, Life Without a Tie.Ray Martin's story is a vivid reminder that midlife is less about crisis and more about opportunity. When the life he had built fell apart, he discovered that identity is flexible, happiness can be cultivated from within, and alignment with your true self often means following the path that feels effortless. His journey from boardrooms to backpacks invites us to reflect on the characters we play, the voices we listen to, and the possibility of stepping into the role of author and director of our own lives.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, and share The Big Four Oh Podcast so more people can hear these powerful stories of transformation.Guest ResourcesGet a signed copy of Ray's book, Life Without a TieConnect with Ray on LinkedInDo you have the Midlife Ick? Download Stephanie's guide to the Ick to diagnose whether you or someone you love is suffering from this insidious midlife malaise. www.thebigfouroh.com/ick
Latviešu zinātniece Inta Gribonika pēta cilvēka ādas spēju funkcionēt kā aizsargbarjerai ar savu īpašo imunitāti. Viņas pētījumi apliecina, ka āda ir kas vairāk par robežu starp mūsu iekšējiem orgāniem un ārējo pasauli. Diendienā spītējot mūsu apkārtējai videi, laikapstākļiem un dažkārt mūsu pašu rīcībai, āda centīgi sargā mūs no apkārtējas pasaules un kalpo par mūsu ķermeņa imunitātes vairogu. Talkā tai nāk dažādi vēlami mikroorganismi, apturot infekciju pirms tā tikusi tālāk organismā. Kādā veidā āda mūs sargā ikdienā, skaidro mikrobioloģe, Lundas universitātes pētniece Gribonika un dermatoloģe, Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Dermatoloģijas un veneroloģijas katedras vadītāja un docente Elga Bataraga. Ir dzirdēts, ja ātri dzīst kāds skrāpējums, tad ir laba imunitāte. Vai tas ir mīts vai patiesība, vai varam mērīt savu imunitāti, skatoties uz to, cik ātri vai lēni mūsu brūces pazūd? "Brūces ir ļoti dažādas. Dažkārt ir pat imūnās šūnas, kurām vajadzētu mūs pasargāt. Ja imūnsistēma nestrādā kārtīgi, tad imūnās šūnas var padarīt brūci vēl sāpīgāku un dzīšanas procesu vēl daudzkārt grūtāku. Es gluži nevilktu paralēles," atzīst Inta Gribonika. "Brūču dzīšanā bieži vien ir ļoti svarīgs arī kopējais veselības stāvoklis, vecums noteikti. Bieži vien jāskatās, vai nav vitamīnu vai kādu citu vielu deficīts, kas to var ietekmēt. Tiešu vienādības zīmi būtu grūti likt. Protams, citādi veselam cilvēkam mēs gaidītu, ka dzīšanas procesi būs ātrāki, bet tā arī reizēm mūsu audi mēdz izveidot tādus rētaudus, kas negribēti aktīvāki," skaidro Elga Bataraga. "Hipertrofiska rēta "draudzīgāka" pacientam, bet keloīdu rētas, kad audi ir aktīvāki, nekā mēs gribētu un savā veidā ietver specifisku iekaisumu, to biežāk var redzēt jauniem cilvēkiem, arī kādam bērniņam. Arī savā praksē man diemžēl ir bērniņi, kuriem pēc kaut kādām noteiktām medicīniskām manipulācijām āda nevis vienkārši sadzīst, bet izveido šādu negribētu, cietu, sāpīgu rētaudu sakopojumu. Mums gribētos domāt, jo jaunāks, jo veselāks, ar labāku, aktīvāku imūno sistēmu. Bet ne vienmēr," turpina Elga Bataraga. Atbildot uz jautājumu, vai var pateikt, kurā vecuma posmā ādas imunitāte ir visspēcīgākā, Elga Bataraga skaidro, ka līdzīgi kā ar dažādiem vīrusiem, ko izslimo bērni mazā vecumā, arī ādai ir raksturīgas dažādas vīrusa infekcijas, un bērniem ir vieglāk ar tām inficēties nekā pieaugušajiem. "Arī āda ir var kādu laiku, nu tīri no tāda imunitātes viedokļa mācīties, un tad varbūt pieaugušā vecumā mēs esam pret daudz ko noturīgāki, ar pieredzi nekā agrīnākā vecumā. Bet man būtu arī grūti uzstādīt tādu vienu ideālo vecumu," atzīst Elga Bataraga. "Protams, mēs vienmēr runājam arī par noteiktām ādas novecošanās īpatnībām, un imunitāte arī ādā vēlākā vecumā samazinās. Vienu ideālāko vecuma grupu man laikam būtu grūti nosaukt. Droši vien, jāņem kaut kāds vidusposms, kad mūsu āda ir gana gudra, bet vēl nav sagurusi." Zinātnes ziņas Zinātnieki beidzot izskaidro, kāpēc grūtniecēm ir rīta nelabums. Saskaņā ar Nacionālo veselības institūtu datiem, ar nelabumu saskaras līdz pat 80% agrīnās stadijas grūtnieču. Bet - pat ja tās šķiet kā mocības, rīta nelabums varētu būt evolūcijas gudrs paņēmiens, lai aizsargātu gan pašas mātes, gan mazuļus. Vietnē “Live Science” skaidrots, kāpēc zāles, ko lietojam slimošanas laikā, vairumā gadījumu ir negaršīgas. Veikts arī līdz šim lielākais pētījums, kurā analizēta tādu faktoru kā higiēnas un reibuma pakāpes ietekme uz odu maltītes izvēli, proti, vai odiem varētu būt īpaša vēlme pamieloties ar to cilvēku asinīm, kuri vairāk patērē alkoholu. Maldugunis purvā izraisa dīvaina ķīmiska reakcija. Publicēts jauns starptautiskas pētnieku komandas raksts: aizdegšanās avots varētu būt mikrozibens jeb sīkas, spontānas elektrības dzirksteles, kas rodas ūdens pilienu virsmu lādiņu atšķirību dēļ.
Send us a text Here's the link to our Kickstarter Campaign. Or if the link doesn't work, copy and paste this URL https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cbthh/getting-a-transgender-memoir-editedIn this episode, Jaimee answers the 15 questions that Stephen Colbert asks his guests on his late-night chat show. Support Us or Get In TouchSend us an Email at jaimeecbthh@gmail.comBuy Us a CoffeePlease give us a review on Apple Podcast. (It really does help)Visit the Tie and High Heels websiteVisit us on Facebook and Instagram*** In no way is Caught Between a Tie and High Heels endorsed by or sponsored by Spartina Productions, Busboy Productions, CBS Broadcasting Inc., or Paramount Global. Support the show
Episode Summary Bill and Pete get personal about a shared health detour—early-detected prostate cancer—and how “health meets wealth” shows up in real life. They unpack the emotional and practical steps (baselines, deltas, options, decisions), then pivot to Pete's new niche venture: Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) work and the launch of The Confident Exit podcast for business owners. Time-Stamped Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome & context Bill opens the show and explains they've been on a brief hiatus; Pete joins remotely from San Francisco (actual hotel room, not a virtual background). 00:43 – Where's Pete? Pete's calling in from San Francisco, CA; quick banter about travel and being “alongside on screen.” 01:13 – Why the hiatus It's “been a minute.” They tee up a candid health conversation and a new podcast announcement. 01:30 – Health Meets Wealth (Chapter call-back) Bill frames the pause through the lens of the book's “health meets wealth” theme. 01:39 – Pete's health journey (early detection) A year-long series of tests escalates from “yellow flag” to “red flags.” Diagnosis: prostate cancer, caught early. Pete opts for surgery (early May), good recovery, and gratitude for proactive care and skilled medical teams. 03:18 – Bill's parallel path Family history heightens vigilance. Bill tracks PSA trend (delta) even while within “normal,” leading to MRI → biopsy. 04:34 – Valentine's Day twist: both brothers end up getting biopsies the same day—unknowingly. 04:45 – Diagnosis details & options Bill's Gleason score is a bit lower; he explores alternatives (incl. TULSA-PRO) and clinical trials comparing it to standard surgery. Randomized to surgery; undergoes laparoscopic removal at end of July. Two months post-op at recording—healing well. 06:32 – The headspace & decision process Choosing among credible options; balancing personal values, family impact, and medical clarity. Pete's approach: execute step-by-step (don't over-project), while noting loved ones may process differently. 10:24 – September awareness It's Prostate Cancer Awareness Month; heightened appreciation this year. 10:36 – Community support: Blue Ribbon Soirée involvement becomes part of their ongoing advocacy. 10:51 – “Snakes on the runway” Bill's milestone moments: heart scare at 50; prostate surgery at 60. The “snake in the grass” metaphor from the book—find it, step over it, deal with it—and the humor (what happens at 70/80?). 11:35 – The big takeaway: baselines Be proactive: get baseline labs and track the delta annually. You owe it to yourself and your tribe (family, partners, employees). Tie-in to CYA360 themes: key-person health risk to a business. 12:54 – Bites & Insights + “Glimpse of the Future” At Horizon lunches, they use the handout to project yourself—and your tribe—forward in 5-year increments. Planning for your future self is easier when you visualize loved ones aging too. 15:28 – Cognitive risk in later years Stats awareness (e.g., dementia/Alzheimer's prevalence in the 80s) reminds listeners to pre-plan for wealth protection as cognition can decline—even for once-meticulous stewards. 16:26 – Making the future “feel real” Bill's example of projecting his daughter's milestones to make his future tangible (weddings, timing, costs). 17:16 – Time flies 59½ used to feel far away; now it's in view or in the rear-view. Keep thinking ahead; stay systematic about savings, investing, and health check-ups. 18:02 – Programming note: Pete's new focus This is Pete's last regular Runway Decade episode for a while. He's leaning into exit planning (CEPA) with a new podcast: The Confident Exit. 18:29 – Why exit planning now Background: client exits, Horizon's own acquisitions, and a maturing ecosystem (valuation, legal, tax). Show format returns to guests—experts surrounding business owners. 20:08 – Where to find it HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning page; podcast hosted there and on Apple/Libsyn. Three episodes recorded and rolling out. 20:34 – The niche Just like Runway Decade targets 50-somethings, The Confident Exit targets owners with most of their wealth locked in one illiquid asset—the business. Goal: help monetize and design “what's next.” 21:36 – Wrap & contacts Bill: bbush@horizonfg.com, RunwayDecade.com contact box, or HorizonFG.com. Pete: pbush@horizonfg.com; follow his exit-planning articles and podcast clips on LinkedIn and Horizon's site. Safe travels & sign-off. Key Takeaways Early detection saves futures: Get annual baselines and watch the trend (delta), not just “normal ranges.” Decisions are personal: Multiple credible pathways (surgery, radiation, ablation/TULSA-PRO, etc.); choose with your values, facts, and family in mind. Health ↔ wealth: Your wellbeing is a key-person risk to your family and business; plan accordingly. Future-you planning: Use “glimpse of the future” to make timelines, costs, and care needs real. New resource for owners: Check out Pete's The Confident Exit for valuation, legal, tax, and deal-prep insights. Pull Quotes / Sound Bites “Get a baseline on everything—and track the delta.” “Step over the snake: find the problem, choose the path, execute.” “Life goes fast—think ahead: health and wealth both reward early action.” Resources & Links Runway Decade site & contact: RunwayDecade.com Horizon Financial Group: HorizonFG.com → Business Exit Planning The Confident Exit podcast (Pete) — also on Apple/Libsyn Email: Bill — bbush@horizonfg.com | Pete — pbush@horizonfg.com Disclosure The views depicted in this material are for information purposes only and are not necessarily those of Cetera Advisors LLC. They should not be considered specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Neither Cetera Advisors LLC nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice. Bill Bush, Andy Bush, and Pete Bush are registered representatives offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisors LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker-dealer, and registered investment advisor. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 15015 Jamestown Boulevard, Suite 100, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70810.
Shan joins the K&C Masterpiece to react to the Cowboys' thrilling overtime tie to the Packers.
Dallas Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones joined the K&C Masterpiece to weigh in on Dallas' 40-40 tie with the Packers on Sunday Night Football. Jones discussed star performances from Dak Prescott and George Pickens, the continued struggles on defense, injuries to Malik Hooker and Tyler Guyton, and much more.
Sports with Rod 9-29-2025 …A Tie? Seriously. A Tie? …Shout Out for the ODU Dynasty Dance Team …Snoop Dogg will once again be a Correspondent …Be a Man Monday
Russian hottest electronic dance music duo Swanky Tunes delivers you a weekly radio show. Thrilling 60 minutes of their biggest tracks and hottest bootlegs are waiting for you. From Russia with love! Swanky Tunes - SHOWLAND 584 01. Mkaya - Gbon 02. El Khatib, Mosii - Amara 03. Dj Stavo & Nokwazi - Makwenzeke (Aytiwan Remix) 04. Lizwi, ARTA - Gezu 05. Kölsch - All Week 06. Adriatique, Tim Engelhardt, Coach Harrison - Maybe 07. Adem Bogoceli - African Ocean 08. Betical - Do It Again 09. Anthony Sebastian - Tu Amor 10. TR3NACRIA x Supafly x ShezAr - Going Back To My Roots 11. Shapov, Swanky Tunes - Flipdat 12. Trace - Bad & Boujee 13. VOLAC - Wannabe 14. Årabrot - Of Darkness and Light (Karin Park Version) 15. Fedde Le Grand feat. Mr. V - Back & Forth (Chester Young Remix) 16. NIIKO x SWAE & Honey & Badger - Automatic 17. Yves V & Diego Miranda - Been A Long Time 18. Tiësto - RVN (Raven) 19. Chapter & Verse - Devil 20. Martin Garrix, R3HAB & Skytech - Voodoo 21. Mike Williams x NOME. - Back to Life 22. Quintino - Warehouse
What happens when life as you know it is suddenly pulled out from under you? For Ray Martin, the unraveling of his marriage, the death of his father, and the collapse of his career all came within months of each other. Left with nothing familiar to hold onto, Ray made a choice to let go of clinging to the life he had built. What began as a six-month sabbatical turned into a 14-year journey across Asia. Along the way, Ray discovered mindfulness and a new definition of success that wasn't tied to titles, possessions, or status. His experiences became the foundation of his book Life Without a Tie. In this conversation, Ray shares the lessons he learned from starting over and the six rules of happiness that guide him today. We'll cover: How Ray turned personal loss into a catalyst for growth The most common regret people share at the end of life What he discovered during a silent 10-day meditation retreat The framework Ray calls his six rules of happiness How to approach life transitions with greater clarity and purpose Resources:Life Without a TieLife Without a Tie on AmazonConnect with Ray on LinkedIn
High-performing teams don't happen by accident. In this episode of Millions Were Made, Jessica Marx breaks down how to architect incentive compensation that drives profitable growth quarter after quarter—without bloating base salaries or rewarding the wrong behavior.You'll learn exactly how to:Define “incentive comp” for W-2 roles (and when it can apply to select 1099s).Replace vague annual bonuses with 90-day, KPI-tied payouts that create focus and speed.Negotiate top talent you “can't afford” by holding base flat and layering an upside they can actually earn.Weight goals across 3–5 initiative buckets (e.g., margin protection, volume, cost control, culture/retention) so you're not bribing for unhealthy revenue.Set targets that are achievable but ambitious, and what it means if someone only hits 20% of the plan.Roll out a plan mid-year the right way (what to communicate and when).Use AI (yes, ChatGPT) the right way to draft plans you'll still refine to your business.Key TakeawaysQuarterly > annual. 90-day sprints increase focus, frequency of reward, and recall of what earned the bonus.Not just revenue. Tie upside to profitable growth and cost/quality leading indicators (retention, budget adherence, pipeline volume, deliverable quality).Pay mix is a lever. Use incentive comp to bridge a salary gap in hiring—only paying extra when the business wins.Clarity wins. Show the scorecard, weights (e.g., 30/25/20/15/10), how it's measured, and pay timing (mid-month following quarter close).Reality check. If targets are routinely missed, either the plan is unrealistic—or the person isn't the fit.Mini-Timeline00:02:29–04:33 What incentive comp is (beyond sales) & why quarterly works05:53–08:10 Hiring example: hold base steady, add $24k annual upside tied to ROI10:53–12:56 Why you must avoid “unhealthy revenue” targets16:49–19:05 When and how to roll out the plan (and what not to do)20:45–21:56 Calibrate difficulty; what persistent 20% attainment really signalsResourcesConnect with us on IG @MillionsWereMadeListen to episode #44 - How to Motivate How to Motivate Your Team and Build a Scalable Company Culture
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