Podcasts about upwards

As CNN chokes on the economic and jobs data, the numbers don't lie. Consumer confidence is roaring, jobs numbers have beaten expectations, and the administration even had to revise April and May's job numbers UPWARDS. Democrats wail and rumor monger pre-determined talking points - alleging the OBBB will kill people. But the White House is ready with the one sheet to debunk them.

He's Back! I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Taylor a little while ago - ostensibly to talk about pudendal neuralgia...except we got sidetracked into an extensive discussion about male pelvic health. However, we did promise to re-convene and discuss Pudendal Neuralgia and here we are!In this conversation we talked about all the angles and our joint consensus is that most of the problems that are attributed to pudendal neuralgia are actually...not thatIn this conversation:​we talked about the potential for misdiagnosis (and gaslighting)​how the other nerves in the pelvis are often overlooked ​the importance of considering the whole person, including an assessment of their movement, their sciatic mobility, nutrition and sleep; we also explored the importance of a nuanced pelvic floor approach, taking things like constipation, breathing and inflammation into account​we paid respects to the complexity of persistent pelvic pain, and how systems are dynamic and interconnected - and the importance of listening to what's really important to the person in front of us, and giving them knowledge, agency and support This is NOT a short conversation - but no apologies as we really wanted to give a comprehensive overview of assessment and treatment strategies for this often intimidating diagnosis - hopefully you'll think we did a good job!Bill is an absolute superstar and one of my favourite colleagues and friends - I love the way he thinks and his openness to lateral thinking and exploration - Bill is doing a post-con at Pelvicon and you can find all his info at billtaylor.com

A new track by DJ Habett from the album "Nach Mitternacht" (2025-06-26). Tags: Ambient, Beats, Frequencies, Upwards, Theme, Relief, Summer, Glorious, Horizontal CC(by). Production notes: Heat up the MPC. This sample is so big/obvious, I feel guilty. Harmonics felt ok as of programing the pads. Euphoria for Peace.

Hello & Welcome to this episode - all about scar therapy after c-sections!My guest today is Hannah Poulton, women's health physio who is embarking on the fun and easy road to a PhD, all about postnatal scars. It should be noted that C-sections, the most common surgery worldwide, often require additional care due to the responsibility of caring for a newborn, after major abdominal surgery!In our conversation, we discussed the available evidence to support scar therapy after a C sectionOur conversation also covered various aspects of scar management, including manual therapy, movement, nutrition, sleep, and hydration, emphasising that scar treatment is part of a broader recovery process (lots of clinical pearls here!)We explored how scar tissue can affect pelvic health and bladder function, with Hannah noting that even old scars can benefit from treatment. Hannah is developing a questionnaire to standardise scar mobilisation techniques and shared that while research evidence is limited, there is documentation supporting the use of mobilisation and desensitisation for scar tissue.Hannah emphasises the importance of scar therapy in holistic treatment protocols, discussing various aspects of scar management and its impact on physical and emotional well-beingHannah discussed her upcoming Scar Symposium on November 15th at the Birmingham NEC, which will include research collaboration and teamwork focused on benefits for patients. You can find Hannah on instagram as @hlptherapy and her website HLP-therapy.co.uk) and she has requested as many questionnaire responses by the end of June as possible please!Want to learn more about women's health AND save money? All of my online courses, from Menstrual, Maternal & Menopausal Health to Oncology Rehab, Bowel Health or Back Pain through a femalecentric lens are on sale this month - just remember use the code RESEARCH75 at checkout to save €75! Visit celebratemuliebrity.com for all the deets!Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

#bitcoin (19-06-2025)Is a big move up imminent? - The buying is non stop!MY VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND I MAKE NO PREDICTIONS OR GIVE ANY FINANCIAL ADVICE, SO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING ANYTHING!Subscribe to my ‘UK Bitcoiner' Backup Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3p4A_VqohTmbm44z4lgokgBy The Book Accountancy:Website: www.bythebookaccountancy.co.ukWebsite: www.cryptotaxhelp.co.ukSupport the show in fiat:https://revolut.me/ukbm25Get 5,000 sats when you subscribe to Orange Pill App:https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/UKBitcoinMasterUK Bitcoin Master Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/ukbitcoinmasterNostr Public key:npub13kgncg54ccmnmvtljvergdvrd7m06zm32j2ayg542kaqayejrv7qg9wp2sUKBitcoinMaster video library:http://www.UKBitcoinMaster.comUKBitcoinMaster Interviews: http://www.BitcoinInterviews.comThe Best Of Exmoor:https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/298.htmlMondays Live Show:  https://youtu.be/wRnMmZUIv6U

The price of butter has continued to rise, and could be set to stay that way for some time according to dairy analysts. The demand for reasonably priced butter has seen it become a fundraising favourite and people travelling hundreds of kilometers to the cost price grocey giant Costco to stock pile. Currently the average price of a 500 gram block of butter sits between $8.50 and $11. Senior manager of global market insights at HighGround Dairy in Chicago, and former Kiwi dairy farmer Stu Davison spoke to Lisa Owen.

In this episode #94 of "Reflections & Reactions", I talk with Henry Bolton (OBE) about his life and the social and political landscape of Britain. While talking about his life we take many detours into the world of policing, military, and diplomacy. I hope you all like this fascinating conversation.

Hi everyone and welcome to this episode, where I had the pleasure of chatting with physiotherapist, Rachael Kuik ,who has published the amazing 'Dancing Beyond' perinatal guidelines for female dancers and the healthcare professionals who serve them - an exciting development at the intersection of pelvic health and dance medicineIn this episode we discuss the intersection of pelvic health and the athletic needs of the perinatal dancer, the challenges and solutions in addressing the pelvic health needs within the dance community, including the need for multidisciplinary care, especially when considering prevalent issues including hypermobility and REDs, which will impact pelvic health.Rachael emphasises the importance of desensitising dancers to open discussions about these issues and provide them with educational resources, as well as discussing the importance of understanding the potential issues dancers may face, from pregnancy, through labour & delivery and the timing of postnatal return to exercise and dance.Lots of clinical pearls here with immediately applicable strategies, that we could actually apply to all female athletes!The guidelines & infographic that have been produced will be great resources for dancers, and can be accessed at Rachel's website, rachaelkuik.com/dancingbeyondWant to learn more about helping postnatal women return to exercise? There's a whole module on maternal health in my online course, Female Hormonal Health Masterclass, which also covers Menstrual and Menopausal Health - AND if you use the code RESEARCH75 at checkout, you can save €75 AND get evergreen access!! All of the course info is at CelebrateMuliebrity.comThanks for being here and as always, subscribing to follow the podcast and leaving a review is much appreciated! Until next time, Onwards & Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

The post Look Upwards and Outwards appeared first on The Bridge Church.

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen (LSK) has been serving meals to the less fortunate for the past 40+ years and will continue to do so as long as there is a need. LSK is blessed to have a great core of volunteers from many churches and service clubs in Lethbridge and surrounding area, many of whom have served for as long as the soup kitchen has been in existence. Upwards of 800 volunteers representing all ages and walks of life are gratefully doing much of the daily work to compliment the many suppliers, who provide most of the supplies needed to prepare the meals that are served three times a day, seven days a week. The speaker will account for how the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen has evolved since 1984 and speculate on its future - while giving BIG thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors. Speaker: Bill Ginther Bill Ginther is currently the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, a position he has held for almost 8 years, his third post-retirement job. He came to this role after having spent most of his career in International Relief and Development with a focus on food security, primarily in Eastern Africa. Prior to choosing that career path, he completed undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Psychology & Theology from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Bill's REAL “Claim to fame” is that he has been married to his wife Joan for almost 55 years and is a Papa to 12 grandchildren. His deepest desire in life (other than his Christian faith) is to treat and encourage others to respect and enhance the lives of our neighbours without a place to call home here in Lethbridge.

Fáilte ar ais chuig eagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo ar an 5ú lá de mí an Mheithimh, liomsa Lauren Ní Loingsigh. I 1971 chuaigh iascaire printíseach a raibh aois 16 ó gcontae Maigh Eo ar iarradh agus thit sé ó thrálaer I mBaile Átha Cliath. I 1981 tháinig an nuacht amach go mbeadh peitreal 2 punt gach galún roimh dheireadh an mhí de bharr go raibh an dollar ag ardú. I 1997 bhí níos mó na 6 míle duine ó gach áit sa tír ag an imeacht caora darbh ainm Sheep 97, I Ros Cré. An tarraingt is mó a bhí ann ná bearradh caorach ó churadh domhanda David Fagan. I 2006 scríobh Brinsley Weldon ceoldráma Orfeo Baggio agus d'oscail sé I Florence agus bhí ceiliúradh ann don treoraí na himeartha Iodálach Roberto Baggio mar dhraíodóir agus dúradh go raibh Eoin Kelly ó Muileann na mUamhan ag déanamh an rud céanna. Sin Shania Twain le You're Still The One – an t-amhrán is mó ar an lá seo I 1998. Ag lean ar aghaidh le nuacht cheoil ar an lá seo I 1964 chan The Rolling Stones a chéad cheolchoirm I Meiriceá nuair a chan siad ag an Swing Auditorium I gCalifornia. Chan siad amhráin óna chéad albam darbh ainm The Rolling Stones agus bhí siad I Meiriceá Thuaidh. I 1993 phós Mariah Carey uachtarán Sony Music, Tommy Mottola I Manhattan. Bhí daoine ann cosúil le Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand agus Ozzy Osbourne. Scair siad I 1997. Agus ar deireadh breithlá daoine cáiliúla ar an lá seo rugadh aisteoir Jeff Garlin I Meiriceá I 1962 agus rugadh aisteoir Mark Wahlberg I Meiriceá ar an lá seo I 1971 agus seo chuid de na rudaí a rinne sé. Beidh mé ar ais libh amárach le heagrán nua de Ar An Lá Seo. Welcome back to another edition of Ar An Lá Seo on the 5th of June, with me Lauren Ní Loingsigh 1971: a 16 year old co . mayo apprentice fisherman was lost overboard from a Dublin trawler yesterday. 1981: Petrol was likely to be £2 a gallonn before the end of the month of June due to the soaring value of the dollar. 1997-Upwards of 6,000 people from all over the country attended Sheep '97, Ireland's biggest sheep event, at Gurteen Agricultural College in Ballingarry, Roscrea, one of the main attractions of the day was a sheep shearing display by World Champion David Fagan  2006 –Brinsley Weldon wrote, an opera, Orfeo Baggio, opened in Florence and celebrated the pig-tailed Italian playmaker Roberto Baggio as an enchanter of the masses – Mullinahone's Eoin Kelly deserves similar. Deserves singular celebration. The ability of this 24-year-old smacks of the ridiculous.  That was Shania Twain with You're Still The One – the biggest song on this day in 1998 Onto music news on this day In 1964 The Rolling Stones played their first-ever live date in the US when they appeared at the Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California. The Stones were supporting their first album release The Rolling Stones, in North America. 1993 Mariah Carey married the President of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola in Manhattan, guest's included Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Ozzy Osbourne. (The couple separated in 1997). And finally celebrity birthdays on this day – actor Jeff Garlin was born in America in 1962 and actor Mark Wahlberg was born in America on this day in 1971 and this is some of the stuff he has done. I'll be back with you tomorrow with another edition of Ar An Lá Seo.

The Murrumbidgee River catchment extends from the Snowy Mountains to beyond the dusty plains of Hay and includes numerous permanent and temporary wetlands. Fivebough Wetland is distinguished through recognition under the United Nation's Ramsar Convention, which identifies sites of international importance for migratory birds. Many birds travel to Fivebough from the northern hemisphere during spring, where they stay for summer and then return to their breeding grounds in northern Australia and other islands to our north.  In winter the wetlands are also home to thousands of migratory birds taking advantage of the food and shelter resources available. Over 170 different bird species have been observed at Fivebough, including seven species considered threatened in New South Wales. Of 360 wetlands surveyed within the Murray-Darling Basin, Fivebough recorded the highest number of waterbird species and it ranked second for the total number of species recorded in a single survey.  Upwards of 20,000 waterbirds have been counted on several occasions, principally in summer, with the greatest count being above 50,000 birds. Despite the huge influx of international visitors each year, many residents in the nearby town of Leeton are unaware of the significant role played by “the swamp”. Fivebough was drained over a lengthy period in the mid-1900's, impacting on black box woodland adjacent to the wetlands, and belah, saltbush and boree woodland on the higher areas.  In the late 1970s Fivebough, along with nearby Tuckerbil swamp, became known for their birdwatching qualities.  Sometimes brolga can be seen “dancing” at these wetlands, which also serve as a breeding site for black swans. Recorded by Jason Richardson.

Ladies and Gentlemen, that is a WRAP! Year 4 officially ended last week, and The Nerds look back at what they've done and what they hope to accomplish in the next year.      Like the intro music? Go check them out!  "90s TV Sitcom Themes - John Bartmann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3xt1u3C1M8 Robots a Cometh - Dan Lebowitz   This Issue is Brought to You by: Bryan Quevedo, Rene Bravo, Sean Rodriguez & Nick Valero   Podcasts can also be found here! YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/y6luw7uq Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/y4q64run Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/y4ztkn2o   Follow us on our socials! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepingwiththenerds/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/KeepitNerds Ask us questions and leave us a like and comment! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a follow!

Investors now want more compensation for the risk of holding long-term bonds. Michel Dilmanian, Portfolio Strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains why we see this as a return to past norms and keep our long-held underweight. General disclosure: This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL's Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2025 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.IIM0525U/M-4544841

Welcome to the podcast! I'm so glad you're here!This is one of the most revelatory conversations I've had on the podcast - about a diagnosis that too often flies under the radar, despite being potentially the second most common cause of pelvic pain (after endometriosis)I'm talking about Pelvic Venous Disease (formerly known as Pelvic Congestion Syndrome) and I'm talking to a leading expert on the conservative/ pelvic rehab management of it, Dr Julie BaronIn this conversation, we discussed:~ pelvic venous disorders, highlighting their prevalence as the second leading cause of chronic pelvic pain in women after endometriosis, and discussed their symptoms, risk factors, and diagnostic tools. ~ Julie emphasized the importance of recognizing and treating these disorders to avoid unnecessary surgeries and improve patient outcomes. We also discussed potential connections to long Covid, endothelial dysfunction, and menopause.~ We chatted about surgical and conservative options; Julie discussed the complex interplay of factors contributing to pelvic venous disorder management, including breathing patterns, thoracic mobility, and pelvic floor function. She emphasized the importance of addressing these issues through conservative management strategies, such as improving thoracic mobility, optimizing breathing techniques, and retraining the pelvic floor muscles, and noted that these approaches can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life for patients with PVD, potentially reducing the need for surgery...and SO much more!Want to learn more? Julie offers continuing education opportunities which you can check out on her website - drjuliebaron.com - she really is leading the conversation on this topic!If you'd like a deep dive into understanding and managing the treatment of women who are living with pelvic pain diagnoses such as vulvodynia, pudendal neuralgia, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea and IC/bladder pain syndrome (and more!) then check out my online Female Pelvic Pain Rehab course, available at CelebrateMuliebrity.comStay tuned to my instagram feed, @michellelyons_muliebrity for ongoing updates in all things women's healthIf you're enjoying this podcast, I'd appreciate you following/subscribing and leaving a review, or a comment?Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx #celebratemuliebrity

This live to air broadcast was one of the hardest I had to do, yet somehow the most meaningful. NL lost one of its own with the untimely passing of legend Mark Hiscock. The first hour paid homage to this outstanding squeezebox player—one of the best the island has ever seen. I was able to talk to Paul Hamilton and Lindy Hickey of Hamilton Sound and Dave Fitzpatrick of The Fables. They shared their personal experiences with Mark and of course with his founding of the iconic band Shanneygannock. You'll hear some from Mark as well as Shanney and others to pay tribute to the one who is playing for those who passed before him.Also on the show, we cannot forget the New Music Monday with debuts from Corey Poole, Kim Hamlyn, Logan Bolt, Evan Watts Smith and the sneak peek at Silver Wolf Band's newest single. All this and more on this podcast taken from the live show May 12, 2025.You can always listen to the many genres of music of NL by tuning into Jigs & Reels Radio KW on live365.comJigs And Reels Radio KW - Free Internet Radio - Live365—our high-quality audio stream brings the authentic sounds of Newfoundland right to your device! Be sure to download the app and take it anywhere. Upwards of 5000 songs in rotation and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NL music from yesterday, today and tomorrow.Don't forget to follow and subscribe for a fun-filled musical journey that keeps you up to date with new episodes uploaded to your favourite streaming platform.

Stake yourself today in Jesus. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible.     Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org   Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

#bitcoin (15-05-2025)The amount of BTC being accumulated - Exchanges draining down - Huge moves ahead?… More!MY VIEWS ARE MY OWN AND I MAKE NO PREDICTIONS OR GIVE ANY FINANCIAL ADVICE, SO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING ANYTHING!Subscribe to my ‘UK Bitcoiner' Backup Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3p4A_VqohTmbm44z4lgokgBy The Book Accountancy:Website: www.bythebookaccountancy.co.ukWebsite: www.cryptotaxhelp.co.ukGet 5,000 sats when you subscribe to Orange Pill App:https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/UKBitcoinMasterUK Bitcoin Master Social Media Links:https://linktr.ee/ukbitcoinmasterNostr Public key:npub13kgncg54ccmnmvtljvergdvrd7m06zm32j2ayg542kaqayejrv7qg9wp2sUKBitcoinMaster video library:http://www.UKBitcoinMaster.comUKBitcoinMaster Interviews: http://www.BitcoinInterviews.comThe Best Of Exmoor:https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/298.htmlMondays Live Show:  https://youtu.be/Ae7jJRTy1FI

Dr. Martijn Figee, director of the Mount Sinai Interventional Psychiatry Program, joins Heart of The East End Gianna Volpe on WLIW-FM amidst Mental Health Awareness Month to discuss the TRANSCEND clinical trial, which uses implants to help people living with Treatment-Resistant Depression. TRD is a condition diagnosed in people with a major depressive disorder (MDD) who have not responded to multiple treatments. Upwards of 730,000 (11%) of adults living in New York City have been diagnosed with MDD, according to a study published in 2024 by the city.Listen to the playlist on Apple Music

Did 60 Minutes just admit Elon was right? Upwards of $1 trillion in tax dollars a year is stolen from the American people? Plus, Trump's high stakes Saudi shake up gamble. (Please subscribe & share.) Sources: https://www.nysun.com/article/biden-appears-to-be-on-bended-knee-aiming-to-make-the-saudis-happy

John and Ben break down the Twins week of games, dropping three very winnable games against the Cleveland Guardians and stealing a series from the Red Sox in Boston. They look at the starting rotation's strong overall numbers, despite some luck from Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson, and why the offense is still struggling despite strong weeks from Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers. Plus, an exciting update on Royce Lewis' and Willi Castro's imminent return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reflection on the turn to spring, immense changes, following intuition, the power of saying "no" to what is no longer true (creates essential space for what is true to emerge), the power of living in alignment & synchronicities that follow, asking for help, notes on finding creative flow without masks, how the journey home is like an upwards spiral, & more.

It's a huuuuuge week in Spurs' recent history, beginning with an undignified defeat at Anfield. Upwards from here, right?https://drinkag1.com/extrainch - the hat is available until 30 April or while stocks last.The Extra Inch Podcast, in association with 1882fanzine. Get your copy of the latest issue and the whole back catalogue at https://linktr.ee/1882fanzine.----------You've been listening to The Extra Inch, a Spurs podcast.Become an xSub: https://www.patreon.com/theextrainchProduction by Nathan A Clark (Twitter @NathanAClark).Intro music by David Lindmer (https://www.instagram.com/davidlindmer).Artwork by Trayton Miller (https://www.traytonrmiller.com/).Go get your merch at https://www.theextrainch.co.uk/Email us at podcast@theextrainch.co.ukTwitter: https://twitter.com/TheExtraInchFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheExtraInch/Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theextrainch#Spurs #COYS #THFCThe Extra Inch is a Tottenham podcast brought to you by Windy, Bardi and Nathan A Clark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you for listening to today's message. Stay Connected With Us Using The Links Below: Stay in the know: nebc.ch/weekly Give: nebc.ch/give Need Prayer?: nebc.ch/prayer Made A Decision For Christ?: nebc.ch/decision Mobile App: nebc.ch/mobile Website: nebc.ch #YouBelongHere

Hello & Welcome to the latest episode of the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast!After a short Easter break and a trip to Prague to present at SEUD (more about that soon!) we're back with a new podcast episode - where Dr Becky Parr and I had a great time discussing pelvic health in athletes, trauma informed care and pelvic girdle pain & pregnancy related abdominal wall neuropathy (or PRAWN

Hey there folks. This week, hell breaks loose. Next week, the battle ends as we read After the Battle | through Family! Beyond that, please be sure to follow us or subscribe on your podcatcher of choice, and leave a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever. It goes a long way to helping the podcast grow. You can also check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/Wordsandwhiskey Check it out! Another way you could help us out? Refer us to your friends. We love a good referral, don't we folks? Send us ANY questions to our twitter account, Instagram, or to our email. See you next week! Link: https://wordsandwhiskey.show/episode/251-the-heroes-day-three-onwards-and-upwards-stuff-happens

I have eyes in the back of my head I have goats at the top of my bed I have goats on the cap of my knee I think I wrote my own obituary Oh, you hetcha Bitch, you ain't me Shit be poppin off at the rock in 8 minutes exactly In studio 8H That's where I am, Amen again Cause I meant it And I mix in the pancake batter Perhaps some berries? Apparently not, 7 minutes and counting I'm at the Rock Now I'm putting away my don't ask, don't tell Ok. Okay? Okay? Now I'm making arrangements; Don't want to be your favorite, I just miss LA with a hankering Call Hank team USA That's FBI I'm so Walter White that I watch Saturday Night — not live, though I'm too broke for peacock, YouTube And cable! Dang, bro! How many subscriptions do I need Just not to dry myself to sleep. Send me some pictures January jonesing for a free ride scholarship To on God university, Aka: inside the TV DOBT BE EVIL. WRITE ME A SEQUEL! Ok tv people First just let me … son of a bitch! I told you she'd be back. Yo. Whaddup. You killed Jimmy Fallon! I did not. You did! Yes you did. I didn't. He was already like that. What! You heard me! Explain to me how— This man: [This man] *heavy gasps and anxietal wheezing fills the room* Explain this. Metaphisics. That doesn't explain anything. It explains everything, actually. *explodes* Excuse me, miss— do I smell a remix? No, that's pancakes. I got capacity for losers; I'm no longer lonely A broke in horse with no saddle Don't ride me less it's barevack Down and dirty Downhome and in the raw I like to buck And I like it hard A strong gallop and pull, Top speed Why I don't pay for dreams Why I got tv and movie stars in my dreams Why Ariana grande so pretty? Why when we leave outside the crowd still roaring for an e core? Why am I a mogul; Why do I look like a fashion icon? God for it right, I guess but why do I still feel Wildly unsatisfied The lights said I left the water on Turn the lights off Turn the water on I speak color, I am an animal I spoke 9 Gods I am an animal Rise to the occasion I broke the code I threw the rock off the rock k I smoke the fountain I run the block once Come twice Nice shockwave right there Hi God. A beautiful night to die But no time to fall I despaired on desire, Why right on Maine Radio towers Icons Beautiful glimmering city Mayday mayday went haywire Repeat Mayday mayday Went haywire Repeat Mayday mayday Went haywire Now rinse thoroughly Alright, alright. So hawked it. You hawked my father's antique stopwatch?! Sorry. Sorry?! AAAAGG— [The Festival Project ™{ Mayday mayday Went heywire They need more scriptwriters I want an empire I wrote half of the Super Bowl commercials Mayday mayday Oh man. Oh, fuck. You had better wash your hands before you touch my crotch. I don't. Give me—- my— body back. Nope. AUghhhh. My inspiration is dead in the water Can't watch hot ones That guy ruined it Ruined September And ruined October Ruined the cosmos And ruined my song, bro— I'm ruined. My inspiration is dead in the water I am a trash can, Man, this is awkward I won an award for songs post mortem Then I wrote more of them This is the afterlife I'm an immortal. My inspiration is dead in the water I'm just not moved man I need a baseball cap and some phantoms A laxatives Maybe some large hands A ball glove Some box seats Smoked sausage And the dodgers. I wanna go home and not be homeless. I want a condo above four stories. I want the whole world on top of its axis I want the other half of the balance My whole life been whack, Where's the reverse card? Run the tarot— Pull the rewards back, Don't touch the foreskin, Call back the foreman Redact that! Redact that! We're starting to crossfires. We met at the crossroads; One goes down, one goes up. Oh, the Irish are back, look: That's good— I got bored. {enter The multiverse} We were at blue suits and sweater vests And now I know better than To count on comics designed to be weather men Of pop culture— current events a spin on the news l went there for clarity, And left there confused. Confused. If the transmitter is at the World Trade Center, Then why is it every time I to go Rockefeller Center, I feel like I've just been electrocuted? Not enough to die, but like I'm buzzing all over and out of my body? Remarkably, and no matter what — Whenever I'm there, I just feel weird. Like, mad weird. Hey. What. Did you see a guy? I'm a guy. Really? Apparently. Well, I'm looking for this guy. I did see a guy like that. Really? Yeah. He was weird. Which way did he go? Uh. [Sunni BLU points up] Really? He went upstairs? Sure! Huh. Thanks. Whatever. I need you to need me I need me to be cool I need you to want me To love me To free me To love me To hold you I know you I know you I know. Knockout with a scarred lip Knockout was a good guy Knockout got knocked up Knockout had a good try Knockout got knocked out Knockout had a good cry Knockout got locked up Goodbye. Good luck. Here's a chalice. 09. Don't waste time. But I'm tired I'm shadow boxing my mind I'm lights out Candles lit I, I, I I, me, mine And God But I won't waste time I'm still dried out I got my eyes lost Wrapped around you In hindsight I'm behind Blind to the power I love my readheads and range rovers I lost my mind on mullholland Pull over and vomit And suddenly I'm at the Portal Plummet Plaza. [The Festival Project ™ ] The rock and the kite VI Rosie o donnel is chillin. Jimmy Kimmel kicks in the door. Oh look, the cat is back. Meow. To what do I owe the pleasure. You remember that cup of sugar you borrowed? …okay? I need it back. I see. —and my blender. Rosie o donnel takes a deep breath and then sighs. The cup of sugar I can help you with… the blender, I still need. Fair. Follow me. Rosie and Jimmy exit the room, the glimmer of the television still flickering on the green postered armchair with the remote control atop the armrest m; the actual cat (we presume) climbs up into the chair and appears to begin watching the TV? What's on the TV? Why, it's the very orogramme we're all currently tuned into. This just got meta. Again. The cat, looking bored, changes the channel to Garfield. Much better. He looks satisfied now, but is entirely still 199% just a cat. We presume. Your body ponders My eye wander to you're belt buckle My mind watches. Sorry. Your body calls me. My love hurts. I want you. My thought sparkles with the thought of a touch I'm not hungry, I just want you I desire to hold hands and then Dive off I thought you up to love you The time was wrong So now I watch That's all A long rush to nothing Dogtown, Godland. Longboards, longhairs, all body No shine, bro Hard wax, yellow soldier Wavestirm? Epoxy? North shore surf boards Surf harder Fuck New York I wanna go home Panoramic Hollywood golden Who lost apartheid Who first of all Chosen sources First mate Overboard Long hair Wrong rowboat Oh lover Lord of all I almost forgot it was Saturday, Saturday Night I was too busy not working I'm all yours for Passover I'm all ears, And now I get a sense that this Is my last and greatest trick; Disappearing for this, And again forever This is going to take Forever All wrong: You work for the network Interesting choice of wardrobe– another old code magician Ring on opposite finger– The other, I'm so much aware of The ice cream in tubs on the road Not melted, but partially hardened I can also feign confusion You don't say, You don't say, now. Shake hands with your guest; Monologue, monologue smug smirk Make good face– Now put a name to the face Put a time to the place IOh, all the love in the world in three flames All the doves in the flock, And three flames Put a name to the face Monologue monologue Doesnt take long but When do i get to slap the desk? Johnny! What happened? Whats the 10 vodkas, Five spritzers Full figure Figure this You were out for the count! Do tell! Or better yet, don't. I remember tgis mologue, But i dont know how 16 hours ago, I was Out for the count, you say?! OUT, Johnny! Our market is livid! lol who plays john carson Your mother. YO! I'M OLD! I LIKE OLD DUDES NOW! I'm like When the fuck did this happen?! That ain't no SILVER FOX! That's a TOTALLY CUTE DUDE! HE'S 55!! OH NOOOOOOOO! i'M OLD!!!!!!! its wednesday eve in Boston Mass… SETH MEYERS! Ah, he's going for it. Ah, man. SHOW ME YOUR EYES. Fuck. SHOW ME YOUR EYES! SUDAKIS shines a bright flash light into his former colleagues eyes. …You're not Seth Meyers. Seth Meyers does not respond, but relaxes slightly; it's obviously not safe to be Seth Meyers right now. Where's Seth Meyers? Seth shrugs but still doesn't say anything– Where is he? I have to stop here; Cop out for body language somebody's watching Somebody knows who I am I am I remember now You looked like that It went like this: I moved the world The need was good The love was gone The vein was split open And broken No fair Also, no omletts 60 minutes 60 years and 60 second clips 60 second glimpses 60 men on television but really, my attention just centers on Around ten of them or so And believe it or not, I care approach. Believe it or not, I care Or don't! –or don't! Johnny! You don't get it! You missed a show! THE tonight show! We are fucked! we are NOT! youre still sauced. I'll just take the car! What car!? Now that JOHNNY CARSON knows his Delorean can time travel, he's absolutely unstoppable. Unfortunately, it appears his delorean has been switched with a regular one– If I shoot you in your forehead? I'd rather that, than this. And I kiss you in your temple? Dear templeton, my simpleton's i'll die I desire. A wicked want. And then? A callous shadow, If i may, To bear for nothing, But a mirror This is our concept And wilted her e the flower does grow the flame The faming true and ache of lust and there For our want a jasper shore and emerald cascades there you are, And there you'll find The wave beyond the peaking break where great white sharks reside But do not wade to shallow waters; And there you find peace, And there you find certainty But now, And here, is war And fortune not but seeks truth in the gaze And for fear there does not live, but hides instead the truth that seeks to guide the lite, And yet does know our trust And there does find the faith, Forward and not Upwards and back Arrow and arrow Truth and sparrow Wreaking and wretched thoughts And the rope does hang high and solemn Looking, leap and gasp For I fall but did not land I pulled for you, I weep, my shadow, The two of diamonds, the Ace of spades, The Three of Hearts, Without my shadow I weep. I know for you nothing but conscious and knowing and needing and fated departure. I know for you nothing but chakras and eyesight and shadows and foresight. I need fo you nothing but want and by conscious, departure For nothing I want you, I weep. Sorrow. On approach of danger, The knowing, On seeth did gather, the sinking ritual the carried tribes in ships tied, weaving strings The spider bites hard And she stole my love twice And she stole my love always And she stole my love Lighting my light wit blue eyes The deception If love could be stolen at all But if not Then not love for seeking is finding and gathered had hunted And truth in forbearer Forbearance and otherwords, Shadows and shattered and ferris wheels, Now forward Gathered here for are I trust And be dismayed for you have faltered You have failures and you have cast us out of these things thinking We have not made them for you And still we seek to gather with you And here does forshadow your making Our promise to come as ones, Not as Gods, But as others, you cast out. Now, with your wicked ways and cruel be done, for sure the tables have turn, one And the gallows have not wandered far, Barrels of guns and barbells bottles and hearts of three reading cards and wanting none but justice Is he and she who are I now Begin to run from your pitied structure And there in the gasping cruelness of seeking from warcrimes this, come what may, Moving and seeking, For seeking is finding, And run, my legs have come far But trust, my dove, My wings have too, sprouted An honor, an honor one candle and three wicks Three candles and three worlds over One world and one building and still far from under the Hollywoodland Crickets sounding The Hollywood Sign Still standing and here I am not, Blades of grass And who are I now Of that which you balk at Look, ponder Go, far asunder And wish now had you not What I am is that, Run Temper temper. Mind your business. Is it gathered? To burn, or burden? Gathered. Gathered here. Then here ive wandered. To stake? Argue. I will not. And I will not. Wiry bird, From where you flown i do ponder– re d with spirit and wilding eyes, Narrow server and paring wires; I do not wish to know you now or ever, But only as bird that does golden remember. The love has not gone, And instead lives in my throat, And twists in my lungs, Ans sits in my tongue, Not as speech, or whispers, But tragedy. Unknowing this, my tender being It can never be, the nervous hill And rolling down the hill as if The weel of time itself, Not unbroken, but resilient; In sll ways, meant to tear And turn, And wobble Made for terrain for which our eyes have known And our minds have built And hands molded wiith clay, The bodies whole of all our galaxies terra feighn Terra fine Terra wept tears of a clown, And iron And veins And shadows And plays, And secrets , And whispers And truth And far And Afters. I taste a saline drip, I swallow, Suddenly cold and all the knowing that What I was, I surely already am again And what I will be, Has already come and past. The monologue, I do remember Face to a name and none to forget Well rehearsed forager! Well done bayonet! Well done, my shadow For my time is coming to wander to night And never today again for it shall never Today again, And Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow. [The Festival Project ™ ] They said he would destroy me. …Ya'll were right. that fucked me up. {Enter The Multiverse} So…forfeit? Something tells me its not over The heavy heart is shattered But also tied to that which appears to come upward As if on air To be heavy And lighthearted at once– A shadow above a balloon. A rock is attached to a kite– A diamond becomes a bassoon, Then a vampire bat, and then Cut ties. In the fourth act, we all die, and now– A revival. I was crucified, But i was also suicidal so. Lets just call it a tie. L E G E N D S V.O. Crusher. My show was being subliminally plugged on at least two of the five major networks. Safe bet I could make it a third, but I didn't know where to check. I did…but didn't want to. There was much beyond the surface, Darkness in the glimmering eyes of the men in ties and uniformed suits. I was sure I was tied to something– And since I didn't know why, Or to what, The best bet I'm all in. Fuck. Was to stay broken, Under the radar, Hidden, and most importantly– Unspoken. These days. I kept more to myself than I could with the world– As it turned out… No, not yet. What do you mean? It's not time yet. They'll have to know. But not yet. At some point, they'll have to know. But not–yet. No time like the present. You made that up. Because you made up time. And it's stupid. This is ruthless. And again–they'll have to learn somehow. But not now. The sun sets at noon on our side, and still 21 hours of dark time. Did I have another tag to throw on it this? No. Are you sure? Doesn't the new series have a subtitle? No. Is it not “quantum force” That's only one, though. What's the difference. ERMO, DON'T! I'm gonna kill him! BIG BOYD, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! DOn't tell me what to DO. Wow. of course. Well yeah, they're not going to let me do– LAWYERS No. Any of this stuff with the actual muppets. You're wasting precious time! GET BACK IN YOUR HOLE, RED. ok, where does it– {cut to black} Learning to assimilate and readily avalible What's next A vape to calm the nerves? What's next? A hero fighting for relevance in corporate structure. Sure, some would pay to dress an avatar But I've run out of water before I try to laugh and roll with the punches This is work and not fun for me This is not social, it's business I am not person, I'm product. Go on a walk, and look the part I took the oath, I shed the blood— Cruxes. This is a bad idea, Mark. Fuck you. All my ideas are great. MARK WAHLBERG enters the cooridor and opens the metal double doors, revealing two l jet skis on a trailer hitched to a 4X4 monster truck. [The Festival Project ™] I'm telling you. You got to get yourself one of these. I don't know, Bob, how does it work? BOB odenkirk opens a large, obscure black bag that's nearly half his own size by way of one way zipper. I'll show you. {Enter The Multiverse} JOHNNY CARSON has been in the DRUNK TANK for the maximum allowance, 48 hours, yet his blood alcohol level still reads 3 times over the legal limit. He is transferred to DETOX as the mysterious circumstances surrounding his car accident, and then the apparent disappearance of his entire “car” a (then) brand-new DeLorean from the scene of the crime, MR. CARSON insists on his lawyer, who under no circumstances seems to exist at all being present. The exact year of his whereabouts are still unknown. Still an hour to the test And I hate myself again Milk and cookies, hit the bed Shut it down, yo Shut it down. DIPLO arrives via HELIPAD to an secret location; a sniper squad of the adversary team watches from an adjacent rooftop via binoculars. …hey. Whaddup. You say diplo's on that list? Yeah. Yo… …There he is. In your sight? Yep. Shoot that motherfucker! …I can't. Why not? He's like— Just shoot, fool. —he's like holding something. So? I don't know what; it just seems— What the fuck, dawg. It just seems important. Let me see. Look. [ESSE looks down the sights and zooms to see DIPLO is holding an object firmly in his grasp. He appears to be twirling it purposefully as he conversates wi th associate.] Yeah! Get em! Shoot that motherfucker! Where the hell have you been? In my fuckpad. Where the hell is that? You haven't seen my fuckpad? What even is that. It's ballin. Whatever, dog. Did you get the— Shh. Why else would I be here? [beat] You look— did you cut your hair or something. You're so redundant. Yo shoot that motherfucker. What are you waiting for?! He's right there? Apparently, we've been building to this moment from another dimension in from another point in the series? I thought— {Enter The Multiverse} [The Identity Crisis] The identity crisis, A loose knit muse, A fog of confusion At most, let with offline regaining of conciousness. No more monsters? All blondes are. Let them have you No grapple promotions (I know I can't afford you) New friends for relevance Prototypes of your tools Forward all immortals I'll see you when your shows stop Freckled glances Eyes reflecting light How strong I am Demolish monsters Social structure, constructs Not fair, are I? Nor earned, Only fair skinned Access Access Access denied. Crookshanks, old boy! The man turns around almost as if he doesn't want to, but obliges the other man, as he comes running towards him. My Goodness, you stink. Why of course! I'm a dog! [The Festival Project ™] The Complex Collective © | COPYRIGHT 2018-2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED -Ū. {Reposts}

Hi everyone and welcome to this episode of the Celebrate Muliebrity podcast, where I had a great conversation with Dr Tina Mapa, who has built a flourishing career delivering pelvic healthcare, with a focus on dyspareunia, completely virtually!We talk about how telehealth is different and perhaps even superior in some regards when it comes to improving access to care and promoting self-efficacyWe did address how manual therapy and in person assessment skills can be adapted...We discussed the importance of promoting holistic health, the evolving understanding of pelvic pain, and the benefits of telehealth for pelvic health, particularly for those who have experienced trauma or pain.Dr. Tina discussed her background and current work in telehealth pelvic floor physical therapy, emphasising the importance of empowering patients to take charge of their own health and recovery through education. The conversation also touched on the benefits of telehealth for pelvic health, the challenges faced by women in healthcare, and the potential of a cash-based model for physical therapy. I think this was a really thought provoking conversation which may challenge some biases! To find out more about Tina and her work, you can find her on instagram as @dr.tinamapa and @vrdxdr.tinaWant to learn more about promoting sexual health, treating dyspareunia, understanding the effects of different types of contraception and our evidence based role in promoting fertility, including ART/IVF? Then you might be interested in my latest online course, Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility - you can find all the details at CelebrateMuliebrity.comQuestions or thoughts about this? Let me know! Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx and don't forget to #celebratemuliebrity

Https://www.iamu.guru “THE FLUFFER” I have eyes in the back of my head I have goats at the top of my bed I have goats on the cap of my knee I think I wrote my own obituary Oh, you hetcha Bitch, you ain't me Shit be poppin off at the rock in 8 minutes exactly In studio 8H That's where I am, Amen again Cause I meant it And I mix in the pancake batter Perhaps some berries? Apparently not, 7 minutes and counting I'm at the Rock Now I'm putting away my don't ask, don't tell Ok. Okay? Okay? Now I'm making arrangements; Don't want to be your favorite, I just miss LA with a hankering Call Hank team USA That's FBI I'm so Walter White that I watch Saturday Night — not live, though I'm too broke for peacock, YouTube And cable! Dang, bro! How many subscriptions do I need Just not to cry myself to sleep. Send me some pictures January jonesing for a free ride scholarship To on God university, Aka: inside the TV DOBT BE EVIL. WRITE ME A SEQUEL! Ok TV people First just let me … son of a bitch! I told you she'd be back. Yo. Whaddup. You killed Jimmy Fallon! I did not. You did! Yes you did. I didn't. He was already like that. What! You heard me! Explain to me how— This man: [This man] *heavy gasps and anxietal wheezing fills the room* Explain this. Metaphisics. That doesn't explain anything. It explains everything, actually. *explodes* Excuse me, miss— do I smell a remix? No, that's pancakes. I got zero capacity for losers; I'm no longer lonely A broke in horse with no saddle Don't ride me less it's bareback Down and dirty Downhome and in the raw I like to buck And I like it hard A strong gallop and pull, Top speed Why I don't pay for dreams Why I got TV and movie stars in my dreams Why Ariana Grande so pretty? Why when we leave outside the crowd still roaring for an eNcore? Why am I a mogul; Why do I look like a fashion icon? God got it right, I guess but why do I still feel Wildly unsatisfied The lights said I left the water on Turn the lights off Turn the water on I speak color, I am an animal I spoke 9 Gods I am an animal Rise to the occasion I broke the code I threw the rock off the rock I smoke the fountain I run the block once Come twice Nice shockwave right there Hi God. A beautiful night to die But no time to fall I despaired on desire, Why right on Maine Radio towers Icons Beautiful glimmering city Mayday mayday went haywire Repeat Mayday mayday Went haywire Repeat Mayday mayday Went haywire Now rinse thoroughly Alright, alright. So hawked it. You hawked my father's antique stopwatch?! Sorry. Sorry?! AAAAGG— [The Festival Project ™] Mayday mayday Went heywire They need more scriptwriters I want an empire I wrote half of the Super Bowl commercials Mayday mayday Oh man. Oh, fuck. You had better wash your hands before you touch my crotch. I don't. Give me—- my— body back. Nope. AUghhhh. My inspiration is dead in the water Can't watch hot ones That guy ruined it Ruined September And ruined October Ruined the cosmos And ruined my song, bro— I'm ruined. My inspiration is dead in the water I am a trash can, Man, this is awkward I won an award for songs post mortem Then I wrote more of them This is the afterlife I'm an immortal. My inspiration is dead in the water I'm just not moved, man I need a baseball cap and some phantoms A laxative Maybe some large hands A ball glove Some box seats Smoked sausage And the dodgers. I wanna go home and not be homeless. I want a condo above four stories. I want the whole world on top of its axis I want the other half of the balance My whole life been whack, Where's the reverse card? Run the tarot— Pull the rewards back, Don't touch the foreskin, Call back the foreman Redact that! Redact that! We're starting to cross fires. We met at the crossroads; One goes down, one goes up. Oh, the Irish are back, look: That's good— I got bored. {Enter The multiverse} We were at blue suits and sweater vests And now I know better than To count on comics designed to be weather men Of pop culture— current events a spin on the news l went there for clarity, And left there confused. Confused. If the transmitter is at the World Trade Center, Then why is it every time I to go Rockefeller, I feel like I've just been electrocuted? Not enough to die, but like I'm buzzing all over and out of my body? Remarkably, and no matter what — Whenever I'm there, I just feel weird. Like, mad weird. Hey. What. Did you see a guy? I'm a guy. Really? Apparently. Well, I'm looking for this guy. I did see a guy like that. Really? Yeah. He was weird. Which way did he go? Uh. [Sunni BLU points up] Really? He went upstairs? Sure! Huh. Thanks. Whatever. I need you to need me I need me to be cool I need you to want me To love me To free me To love me To hold you I know you I know you I know. Knockout with a scarred lip Knockout was a good guy Knockout got knocked up Knockout had a good try Knockout got knocked out Knockout had a good cry Knockout got locked up Goodbye. Good luck. Here's a chalice. [09. Don't waste time.] But I'm tired I'm shadow boxing my mind I'm lights out Candles lit I, I, I I, me, mine And God But I won't waste time I'm still dried out I got my eyes lost Wrapped around you In hindsight I'm behind Blind to the power I love my readheads and range rovers I lost my mind on Mulholland Pull over and vomit And suddenly I'm at the— Portal Plummet Plaza. [The Festival Project ™ ] The rock and the kite VI Ahem. “The Rock and The Kite VI” ROSIE O'DONNEL is chillin. JIMMY KIMMEL kicks in the door. ROSIE Oh look, the cat is back. BIG JIMMY Meow. ROSIE To what do I owe the pleasure. BIG JIMMY You remember that cup of sugar you borrowed? ROSIE …okay? BIG JIMMY I need it back. ROSIE [beat] I see. BIG JIMMY —and my blender. ROSIE O DONNEL takes a deep breath and then sighs. ROSIE The cup of sugar I can help you with… the blender, I still need. BIG JIMMY [KIMMEL] Fair. ROSIE Follow me. ROSIE AND JIMMY exit the room, the glimmer of the television still flickering on the green upholstered armchair with the remote control atop the armrest; the actual CAT (we presume) climbs up into the chair and appears to begin watching the TV? What's on the TV? Why, it's the very programme we're all currently tuned into. This just got meta. Again. The CAR, looking bored, changes the channel to Garfield. Much better. He looks satisfied now, but is entirely still 199% just a cat. We presume. Your body ponders My eye wander to your belt buckle My mind watches. Sorry. Your body calls me. My love hurts. I want you. My thought sparkles with the thought of a touch I'm not hungry, I just want you I desire to hold hands and then Dive off I thought you up to love you The time was wrong So now I watch That's all A long rush to nothing. Dogtown, Godland. Longboards, longhairs, all body No shine, bro Hard wax, yellow soldier Wavestorm? Epoxy? North shore surf boards Surf harder Fuck New York I wanna go home Panoramic Hollywood golden Who lost apartheid Who first of all Chosen sources First mate Overboard Long hair Wrong rowboat Oh lover Lord of all [The Festival Project ™] I almost forgot it was Saturday, Saturday Night I was too busy not working I'm all yours for Passover I'm all ears, And now I get a sense that this Is my last and greatest trick; Disappearing for this, And again forever This is going to take Forever All wrong: You work for the network Interesting choice of wardrobe– another old code magician Ring on opposite finger– The other, I'm so much aware of The ice cream in tubs on the road Not melted, but partially hardened I can also feign confusion You don't say, You don't say, now. {Enter The Multiverse} Shake hands with your guest; Monologue, monologue smug smirk Make good face– Now put a name to the face Put a time to the place Oh, all the love in the world in three flames All the doves in the flock, And three flames Put a name to the face Monologue monologue Doesn't take long but When do i get to slap the desk? Johnny! JOHNNY CARSON is wearing the usual getup and a pair of very dark sunglasses. What happened? Whats the- 10 vodkas, Five spritzers Full figure Figure this You were out for the count! Do tell! Or better yet, don't. I remember This monologue, But i dont know how 16 hours ago, I was— Out for the count, you say?! OUT, Johnny! Our market is livid! lol who plays john carson Your mother. YO! I'M OLD! I LIKE OLD DUDES NOW! I'm like When the fuck did this happen?! That ain't no SILVER FOX! That's a TOTALLY CUTE DUDE! HE'S 55!! OH NOOOOOOOO! i'M OLD!!!!!!! its wednesday eve in Boston Mass… SETH MEYERS! Ah, he's going for it. Ah, man. SHOW ME YOUR EYES. Fuck. SHOW ME YOUR EYES! SUDAKIS shines a bright flash light into his former colleagues eyes. …You're not Seth Meyers. Seth Meyers does not respond, but relaxes slightly; it's obviously not safe to be Seth Meyers right now. Where's Seth Meyers? Seth shrugs but still doesn't say anything– Where is he? I have to stop here; Cop out for body language somebody's watching Somebody knows who I am I am I remember now You looked like that It went like this: I moved the world The need was good The love was gone The vein was split open And broken No fair Also, no omelettes 60 minutes 60 years and 60 second clips 60 second glimpses 60 men on television but really, my attention just centers on Around ten of them or so And believe it or not, I care approach. Believe it or not, I care Or don't! –or don't! Johnny! You don't get it! You missed a show! THE Tonight show! We are fucked! we are NOT! youre still sauced. I'll just take the car! What car!? Now that JOHNNY CARSON knows his Delorean can time travel, he's absolutely unstoppable. Unfortunately, it appears his DeLorean has been switched with a regular one– If I shoot you in your forehead? I'd rather that, than this. And I kiss you in your temple? Dear templeton, my simpleton's i'll die I desire. A wicked want. And then? A callous shadow, If i may, To bear for nothing, But a mirror This is our concept And wilted here the flower does grow the flame The flaming true and ache of lust and there For our want a jasper shore and emerald cascades there you are, And there you'll find The wave beyond the peaking break where great white sharks reside But do not wade to shallow waters; And there you find peace, And there you find certainty But now, And here, is war And fortune not but seeks truth in the gaze And for fear there does not live, but hides instead the truth that seeks to guide the lite, And yet does know our trust And there does find the faith, Forward and not Upwards and back Arrow and arrow Truth and sparrow Wreaking and wretched thoughts And the rope does hang high and solemn Looking, leap and gasp For I fall but did not land I pulled for you, I weep, my shadow, The two of diamonds, the Ace of spades, The Three of Hearts, Without my shadow I weep. I know for you nothing but conscious and knowing and needing and fated departure. I know for you nothing but chakras and eyesight and shadows and foresight. I need fo you nothing but want and by conscious, departure For nothing I want you, I weep. Sorrow. On approach of danger, The knowing, On seeth did gather, the sinking ritual the carried tribes in ships tied, weaving strings The spider bites hard And she stole my love twice And she stole my love always And she stole my love Lighting my light wit blue eyes The deception If love could be stolen at all But if not Then not love for seeking is finding and gathered had hunted And truth in forbearer Forbearance and otherwords, Shadows and shattered and ferris wheels, Now forward Gathered here for are I trust And be dismayed for you have faltered You have failures and you have cast us out of these things thinking We have not made them for you And still we seek to gather with you And here does forshadow your making Our promise to come as ones, Not as Gods, But as others, you cast out. Now, with your wicked ways and cruel be done, for sure the tables have turn, one And the gallows have not wandered far, Barrels of guns and barbells bottles and hearts of three reading cards and wanting none but justice Is he and she who are I now Begin to run from your pitied structure And there in the gasping cruelness of seeking from warcrimes this, come what may, Moving and seeking, For seeking is finding, And run, my legs have come far But trust, my dove, My wings have too, sprouted An honor, an honor one candle and three wicks Three candles and three worlds over One world and one building and still far from under the Hollywoodland Crickets sounding The Hollywood Sign Still standing and here I am not, Blades of grass And who are I now Of that which you balk at Look, ponder Go, far asunder And wish now had you not What I am is that, Run Temper temper. Mind your business. Is it gathered? To burn, or burden? Gathered. Gathered here. Then here ive wandered. To stake? Argue. I will not. And I will not. Wiry bird, From where you flown i do ponder– red with spirit and wilding eyes, Narrow server and paring wires; I do not wish to know you now or ever, But only as bird that does golden remember. The love has not gone, And instead lives in my throat, And twists in my lungs, Ans sits in my tongue, Not as speech, or whispers, But tragedy. Unknowing this, my tender being It can never be, the nervous hill And rolling down the hill as if The weel of time itself, Not unbroken, but resilient; In sll ways, meant to tear And turn, And wobble Made for terrain for which our eyes have known And our minds have built And hands molded wiith clay, The bodies whole of all our galaxies terra feighn Terra fine Terra wept tears of a clown, And iron And veins And shadows And plays, And secrets , And whispers And truth And far And Afters. I taste a saline drip, I swallow, Suddenly cold and all the knowing that What I was, I surely already am again And what I will be, Has already come and past. The monologue, I do remember Face to a name and none to forget Well rehearsed forager! Well done bayonet! Well done, my shadow For my time is coming to wander to night And never today again for it shall never Today again, And Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow. [The Festival Project ™ ] They said he would destroy me. …Ya'll were right. that fucked me up. {Enter The Multiverse} So…forfeit? Something tells me its not over The heavy heart is shattered But also tied to that which appears to come upward As if on air To be heavy And lighthearted at once– A shadow above a balloon. A rock is attached to a kite– A diamond becomes a bassoon, Then a vampire bat, and then Cut ties. In the fourth act, we all die, and now– A revival. I was crucified, But i was also suicidal so. Lets just call it a tie. L E G E N D S V.O. Crusher. My show was being subliminally plugged on at least two of the five major networks. Safe bet I could make it a third, but I didn't know where to check. I did…but didn't want to. There was much beyond the surface, Darkness in the glimmering eyes of the men in ties and uniformed suits. I was sure I was tied to something– And since I didn't know why, Or to what, The best bet— I'm all in. Fuck. Was to stay broken, Under the radar, Hidden, and most importantly– Unspoken. These days. I kept more to myself than I could with the world– As it turned out… No, not yet. What do you mean? It's not time yet. They'll have to know. But not yet. At some point, they'll have to know. But not–yet. No time like the present. You made that up. Because you made up time. And it's stupid. This is ruthless. And again–they'll have to learn somehow. But not now. The sun sets at noon on our side, and still 21 hours of dark time. Did I have another tag to throw on it this? No. Are you sure? Doesn't the new series have a subtitle? No. Is it not “quantum force” That's only one, though. What's the difference. ERMO, DON'T! I'm gonna kill him! BIG BOYD, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! DOn't tell me what to DO. Wow. of course. Well yeah, they're not going to let me do– LAWYERS No. Any of this stuff with the actual muppets. CO-OH-NO-NAN You're wasting precious time! GET BACK IN YOUR HOLE, RED. ok, where does it– {cut to black} Learning to assimilate and readily available What's next A vape to calm the nerves? What's next? A hero fighting for relevance in corporate structure. Sure, some would pay to dress an avatar But I've run out of water before I try to laugh and roll with the punches This is work and not fun for me This is not social, it's business I am not person, I'm product. Go on a walk, and look the part I took the oath, I shed the blood— Cruxes. This is a bad idea, Mark. Fuck you. All my ideas are great. MARK WAHLBERG enters the cooridor and opens the metal double doors, revealing two l jet skis on a trailer hitched to a 4X4 monster truck. [The Festival Project ™] I'm telling you. You got to get yourself one of these. I don't know, Bob, how does it work? BOB odenkirk opens a large, obscure black bag that's nearly half his own size by way of one way zipper. I'll show you. {Enter The Multiverse} JOHNNY CARSON has been in the DRUNK TANK for the maximum allowance, 48 hours, yet his blood alcohol level still reads 3 times over the legal limit. He is transferred to DETOX as the mysterious circumstances surrounding his car accident, and then the apparent disappearance of his entire “car” a (then) brand-new DeLorean from the scene of the crime, MR. CARSON insists on his lawyer, who under no circumstances seems to exist at all being present. The exact year of his whereabouts are still unknown. Still an hour to the test And I hate myself again Milk and cookies, hit the bed Shut it down, yo Shut it down. DIPLO arrives via HELIPAD to an secret location; a sniper squad of the adversary team watches from an adjacent rooftop via binoculars. …hey. Whaddup. You say diplo's on that list? Yeah. Yo… …There he is. In your sight? Yep. Shoot that motherfucker! …I can't. Why not? He's like— Just shoot, fool. —he's like holding something. So? I don't know what; it just seems— What the fuck, dawg. It just seems important. Let me see. Look. [ESSE looks down the sights and zooms to see DIPLO is holding an object firmly in his grasp. He appears to be twirling it purposefully as he converses with his associate.] Yeah! Get em! Shoot that motherfucker! Where the hell have you been? In my fuckpad. Where the hell is that? You haven't seen my fuckpad? What even is that. It's ballin. Whatever, dog. Did you get the— Shh. Why else would I be here? [beat] You look— did you cut your hair or something. You're so redundant. Yo shoot that motherfucker. What are you waiting for?! He's right there? Apparently, we've been building to this moment from another dimension in from another point in the series? I thought— {Enter The Multiverse} {Enter The Multiverse} [The Festival Project.™] COPYRIGHT © THE FESTIVAL PROJECT 2022 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. © -U.

Ludvig Borga and his amazing fall Upwards, Stalking Gators win Natty, Trey Lance get paid (Again)

The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week

Join me on Drift with Erin Davis for Drifting Upwards, a gentle modern-day story of a hot air balloon ride. A loving couple celebrates their 40th wedding anniversary high above the places where a lifetime of memories were made. Thank you to Diane Waterman for sharing her lovely creation. Listen free, thanks to enVypillow.com and SierraSil.com. Drift is free, thanks to our wonderful sponsors, enVy Pillow.com and SierraSil.com, both of whom generously offer discounts on all online purchases when you use the code drift.

Hello & Welcome to this episode of the podcast, where we're talking about all things prolapse, with advanced practice women's health physio (& pilates teacher!) Leah Bryans​In today's conversation we discussed the evolution of our roles as physiotherapists, particularly in pelvic health. Leah shared her journey from not realizing the extent of what physio could do to becoming more confident in managing conditions like prolapse. ​We talked about the importance of continuous learning, collaboration with other professionals, and understanding the individual needs of patients, and of course I had to hop on my soapbox about the shift from being mechanics to educators, focusing on facilitating patient progress rather than fixing issues. ​We're both keen to emphasise the need to consider patients' overall health, including their bladder and bowel function, fluid intake, and diet. We also highlighted the significance of assessing patients' pelvic floor movement and identifying risk factors for prolapse​We discussed the potential benefits and challenges of using pessaries for postnatal women, and noted that some women may be hesitant to try pessaries due to psychological barriers, while others may not be seen early enough in primary care or public systems to receive this treatment​We also discussed the importance of building confidence and gradually increasing strength in patients, particularly those with pelvic health issues. ​It's important to remember the the need for a low-threat approach to exercise, focusing on breathwork, relaxation, flexibility, and proprioception at first. We also highlighted the benefits of Pilates as a gateway to heavier lifting and osteogenic activities. ​The conversation concluded with the importance of education in helping patients manage their conditions, including the use of tools like the femmeze for splinting during bowel movements.Leah teaches a prolapse management course with Suzanne Carney (@anatomy-_physiotherapy) and they have an upcoming event in May - contact them for details!And if you'd like to learn more about my online courses, please visit CelebrateMuliebrity.com Until next time, Onwards and Upwards! Mx #celebratemuliebrity

Are you struggling to feel heard in meetings and frustrated by misaligned conversations with your boss or team? In a world where 70% of workplace mistakes stem from communication breakdowns, your voice isn't just a tool—it's your leadership superpower. But if you're not using it effectively, you risk misalignment, micromanagement, and stalled progress. In this episode, I dive into the strategies you need to master leadership communication, coach upwards, and navigate challenging workplace dynamics. You'll hear about Sarah, a leader who transformed her relationship with a micromanaging boss through proactive updates, clear expectations, and boundary-setting. Plus, I break down practical tools to handle pushback, communicate with confidence, and build trust with your team. "Mastering communication isn't just about speaking up, it's about truly understanding and empathizing and adapting to the needs of those around you." What You'll Learn in This Episode: The root cause of communication gaps—and how to bridge them How to proactively update your boss to reduce unnecessary check-ins The key to setting clear expectations and owning your autonomy Practical strategies for handling pushback with confidence The role of empathy and active listening in leadership And more Want to improve your leadership communication and coach upwards with confidence? Tune in now! **Useful links** If you are ready to uplevel your career, get unstuck or you are simply ready to unlock those leadership time-management techniques then join us in my monthly career & leadership coaching program exclusively for women in tech: https://www.tonicollis.com/academy  Catch the show notes, and more details about today's episode here: https://tonicollis.com/episode243  Check us out on Youtube. Join the Leading Women in Tech community in Slack where we discuss all-the-things for women's tech leadership, covering everything from early-career leadership to C-level executives.

My first male guest on the podcast - who better than Bill Taylor!I've known Bill for ages and we can talk and talk and talk... Bill is a brilliant clinician and a great friend. We had intended to talk about pelvic neuralgias, and what makes us suspect or rule out the pudendal but...we actually ended up talking about male pelvic health (seems inevitable in hindsight with my first male guest!)Don't despair - I'm already working on getting Bill back for a chat about pelvic neuralgias - coming soon!We talked about male pelvic pain, sexual health, the differences (and similarities) between male and female patients and we we need more of the male perspective in pelvic rehab Bill was brilliant at Pelvicon last year and he's doing a position this year. In person tickets are sold out but you can purchase live online access to the main conference and get access to the recordings and manual here: https://pelvicon.mykajabi.com/offers/PfHzpsoWI hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed chatting - remember if you'd like to learn more about my online women's health courses, all the info can be found at my website, CelebrateMuliebrity.comUntil next time, Onwards & Upwards, Mx

It's been a minute!! In today's episode, I explain where Onwards & Upwards went and introduce you to Sincerely, Hope. I am so incredibly excited about this new chapter, and I can't wait to share it with you!! To submit a story to share, ask a question, or ask for advice, please DM me at @lifewith.hopee on Instagram. All submissions will always be anonymous. Thank you so incredibly much for being here.

Clare County Council has heard calls for training on recognising FASD to be included in the curriculum for third level education. Upwards of 9,000 people are thought to be currently living with the disorder in Clare, despite not receiving a full diagnosis of the condition. 7.4% of the Irish population are estimated to be living with FASD, this equates to approximately 380,000 people across the country with 9,467 of those residing in Clare. Given at least one child in every mainstream classroom will live with the condition, calls have been made to ensure a module on neurological disorders is delivered as part of teacher training. Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Ennis- based FASD Ireland, Mike Taylor, claims the government to this point has failed to support those affected.

Hello & Welcome to today's episode - March is, as you know Endometriosis Awareness month - we know there's a lot of room to improve when it comes to diagnosis and treatment ...but today, I wanted to focus on what's going well when it comes to helping women with endometriosis live wellMy guest today is Emma Sheehy, a physiotherapist who is driving the conversation about a biopsychosocial multimodal approach to whole person management of endometriosisSome of the things we talked about:

Welcome to the Circle of the World Podcast! Join Harrison, George, and Jeffrey as we continue our coverage of Joe Abercrombie's First Law series! For this season, we review The Heroes, and this week, we cover Onwards & Upwards, More Tricks, and The Tyranny of Distance.Meme of the week:https://www.reddit.com/r/HouseOfTheMemeMaker/comments/1imy5ud/live_is_a_misery_we_endure_between_dissapointments/Music Credit: Maszy MusicLeave us a commentSupport the show

John Kosar returns with the Asbury 6, saying the “lights are green” since Feb. 5. He charts the S&P 500, forecasting expansion upwards after recent consolidation. He discusses the potential of volatility flipping Asbury signals to red.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

KEXP DJ Abbie joins host Evie Stokes to talk about Ela Minus getting her through the pandemic, and Minus' new album. Plus, you'll hear all about Abbie's Franz Ferdinand fan card! KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares a new song from Chicago multidisciplinary artist Damon Locks. Songs featured: Ela Minus – “Upwards” Franz Ferdinand – “The Doctor” Damon Locks - “Click” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William MyersEditorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube. Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphonesContact us at headphones@kexp.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

hello again!I'm still a bit croaky but nevertheless, I persisted!In this week's episode, I want to look at how we can best help women with dyspareunia (and maybe throw a bit of evidence based myth busting into the mix!)In this episode I talk about the different types of sexual pain, the drivers and how we can best come up with clinically reasonable treatment planning, that includes pelvic rehab at the centre of a multi-modal approach.The main focus is on finding the drivers - is it superficial or deep? Is it primary or secondary? Is there a specific diagnosis? Is there always a bio cause (are we including the psychosocial? the nociplastic?) Are we comfortable having the discussions? I think yes, if we know what questions to ask AND what to do with the answersI think the key to good outcomes is to believe the story, take a great history, create a safe space to discuss these issue and having a deep and wide biopsychosocial treatment toolboxLet me know if you'd like a Part 2 on treatment strategies! Or in the meantime, if you'd like to learn more, my new course 'Female Sexual Health, Contraception & Fertility - considerations for pelvic rehab'. It's still on pre-sale pricing until the final module is released next weekend! You can find the details on my website or in the bio of my Instagram account @michellelyons_muliebrityUntil next time! Onwards & Upwards, MxAll the course info can be found right here too! https://michelle-lyons-muliebrity-education.teachable.com/?preview=logged_inLet me know if you have any questions!

In 2018, Chinese tech company ByteDance launched TikTok in the United States, determined to make the app one of the top entertainment platforms in the country. And by spring 2020, ByteDance achieved its goal, thanks, in part, to a global pandemic that sees people spending more time on their phones. But while TikTok faces competition from other social media sites, its greatest threat is the U.S. government. Lawmakers worry the e Chinese-owned app is a serious national security risk and a growing faction is determined to take it down. Be the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/business-wars/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Andrew talks about going to his nephew's elementary school graduation and realizing the power of celebrating small wins. He shares how a simple ceremony can bring families closer, boost confidence, and lead to bigger successes. He also explains why supporting each other's achievements, even when they seem small, can make a big difference. This real-life story will help you improve your English skills and become a better communicator. How this episode will improve your English: Listening: Hear natural, everyday English as Andrew describes his day at the graduation and how it changed his perspective on small victories. New Vocabulary: Learn words and phrases related to school ceremonies, encouragement, and showing support to loved ones. Idioms and Expressions: Discover helpful English expressions like “no easy feat,” “to miss by just a hair,” and “in the whole scheme of things,” and see how they are used in real conversations. Pronunciation: Listen for how Andrew clearly pronounces words, stresses important syllables, and connects phrases. Then practice repeating short parts of the episode to develop your pronunciation skills and speak more clearly. Speaking: Join discussions with other listeners on the Culips Discord server, share your own surprise stories, and practice using new vocabulary in casual conversations. Important links: Become a Culips member Study with the interactive transcript Join the Culips Discord server Small-group discussion class schedule (member only)

Upwards of 90% of adults with obstructive sleep apnea are undiagnosed. A significant majority of dental practices do not treat sleep disorders. Some have clinical success issues—listen in to Dr. Pam's personal story! Many who try fail to master attracting patients and successfully billing patients, unless they have an expert in their corner who has mastered the process from start to finish and who knows every key player in the game. Join Pam, David, and founder of SleepBetterNYC, Teresa Power, and learn to sleep your way to success. Instagram @sleepbetternyc

Let's explore a powerful thought - climbing the ladder to success. No matter what remember that you might still find yourself standing on the first rung of the ladder looking upwards.  Do you agree?

Hello & Welcome to 2025! The New Year is here - and this is often when we see many runners back on the road again - with or without their pelvic rehab issues! In this conversation we discuss all things running & women's health including: the overlap between ortho/musculoskeletal and pelvic health for female runners, whether we're talking about elite level or weekend warriors how we can avoid pelvic health problems becoming a problem or even a barrier to running recognising REDs throughout the lifespan the issues facing pregnant & postnatal runners - setting a good foundation over the 9 months of pregnancy and markers for return to running managing expectations about return to running after any injury - the physical, the pelvic and the emotional needs masters athletes - how can we help them avoid pitfalls like tendinopathies or stress fractures and much more!! Jessica brings so much expertise as a runner herself, as well as her vast clinical experience in sports medicine and pelvic health. You can find Jessica on Facebook and instagram as @Jessica.w.dorrington Do you want to learn more about helping female athletes at every age and stage? ⁠My online Female Hormonal Health Masterclass covers athlete concerns during the menstrual, maternal and menopausal transitions, from REDs to Return to Running to the Masters Athlete - you can find out more here⁠ Until next time, Onwards & Upwards, and don't forget to ⁠Celebrate Muliebrity!⁠

In light of the Seven Words of Mary in Scripture, we open up the question of who the Virgin Mary is as a person and what her incredible importance is for us and for the whole Universal Church.Join Fr. Robert Healey from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in the pursuit of real holiness, as a day-to-day response to grace, and a movement into an ever-deepening union with God. Find more episodes of Spiraling Upwards and listen to the full Podcast catalog on:• Apple • PodBean

Hello & Welcome To This Week's Episode! I'm really excited to share the conversation that I recently had with Dr Lori Brotto, and to take a dive into the research around mindfulness & pelvic health If you're enrolled in my Female Pelvic Pain Rehab or my Female Sexual Dysfunction courses, you'll know that I love the research of Dr Lori Brotto; I think she makes the science around mindfulness & pelvic health clinically useful & accessible Dr Brotto is a researcher and clinician who has authored over 150 papers on the benefits of mindfulness and she is also the author of one of my most recommended books, 'Better Sex Through Mindfulness: How Women Can Cultivate Desire' She is a fan of multimodal biopsychosocial approaches to pelvic health, whether we are talking about GSM at menopause, vestibulodynia and sexual health concerns including lack of desire In this conversation we discuss: what mindfulness is, and how it can significantly affect pelvic health issues, from vestibulodynia to dyspareunia how stress affects desire, and the differences between male an female responses how to incorporate mindfulness when working with people who have vestibulodynia, as part of a multimodal approach why we don't necessarily have to avoid painful touch - teaching people resilience and self-management and what to do in a flare and much more! I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did - I've been practicing and teaching mindfulness for years now but I definitely picked up some more pearls of wisdom here! You can find Dr Brotto on Instagram as @drloribrotto and she also features on Masterclass (in the Menopause class) and The Principles of Pleasure on Netflix If you'd like to learn more about multi-modal approaches to pelvic health AND ave some money, don't forget to use the code COCCYX24 at checkout on any of my online courses to save €75 - but only until the end of this month! All the course info can be found at CelebrateMuliebrity.com Until next time! Onwards & Upwards, Mx

Ross and Daily discuss the Kings' latest home victory over the Phoenix Suns. They also break down the last three weeks of Kings games, including the successful road trip earlier in the month. They also talk about the importance of Keegan Murray, how the Kings stack up against the elite teams in the league, and more. Follow Daily on X/Twitter:   @DailySabonis *ad music via migfus20 on freesound.org Follow Ross on X/Twitter:   @Rossdreiz Follow Elizabeth and Naema on X/Twitter:   @Hardiman_12  @naemaj11 Rate, Review & Subscribe to The SportsEthos Sacramento Kings Podcast on iTunes and stay linked to @EthosKings on Twitter for podcast episodes, Kings news, and more! PropUp on ThriveFantasy this NBA season! Use code ETHOS at signup for a 100% deposit match bonus and win big cash by simply flexing DFS prop knowledge on the biggest names on the board! Manscaped is BACK, baby! Just like the NBA! Use coupon code HOOPBALL20 to get 20% off and free shipping on your purchase at Manscaped.com! Want more codes? We got 'em! ExpressVPN is offering 3 BONUS months on every 12-month membership purchase by using this special link: https://www.expressvpn.com/hoopball