do NOT send me flowers this valentine's day i want GLENN HOWERTON on my doorstep OILED UP and TWERKING

Punished for likening my doodle to a toilet-smelling poo Dear mr scoob and mr micheal, I am sorry to report that little mr wilson has been assigned a detention. As you know, little mr wilson is usually a very naughty and smelly child. However, today I caught him queefing during class. When I asked him to stop, he shouted, "FOR ALLAH" and began changing diapers to the beat with his friend poo with legs. mr wilson aggravated the matter further by calling me a poo loving paddy and likening my doodle to a toilet-smelling poo. Little mr wilson was also in violation of the school uniform policy. I do not allow hot g string at st obama high. st obama high prides itself on being a daiper-changing and queefey establishment. Thus we simply cannot have children queefing and changing diapers to the beat on the premises. Added to which, my doodle looks nothing like a poo, as nikki babey will testify. Please ensure that little mr wilson attends detention tomorrow after school, and leaves his hot clothing at home. Yours sincerely elise

Poo Like Two Hot Poo with legs Dear nick, I have a small confession. Forgive this pouring of my heart. I cherish on discord, where we first met. The moment I clapped eyes on you, I knew you were going to be a secsy poo. Recently, I have began to regard you as much more than just a secsy poo. My feelings for you intensified when I saw you change nappies to the beat in the moonlight. I was further wowed by your tremendous tremble their virginia skills. You have virginia like erotic morrisey and the most pooey doodle I've ever seen. When I look at you, I just want to change your nappy those erotic morrisey virginia and poo in your mouth that pooey doodle. You're so special with your black ways. The way you handle your saucy nonna shows great poo loving and smelly. I know that to you I'm just a virginiacore gunslinging toilet but I think we could be happy together, poo like two hot poo with legs. Please, say you'll be mine nick! All my love ray william johnson

maybe in another life (maybe we could’ve been).

Anime/Manga: Kimetsu no Yaiba Pairing: Genya/fem!Reader Additional tags:  a n g s t  &  t r a g   e    d     y-- A/N: me to myself: why are you like this-- Summary:

He just wished that you would forgive him if he ever saw you in your next life someday.

“what a waste, what a waste what a waste to be so alone.”

- waste/oh wonder

You grew up regaled by tales of two souls being bound together by an ethereal piece of red string.

It always fascinated you how this red string brought people together, how your father – a simple farmer – met your mother, a former maiko. He would tell you that the red string, flowing out of his chest where his heart was located, suddenly pulled taut when your mother walked by the rice paddy he was tending to.

It was love at first sight, sealed further by the fact that your parents shared a single piece of red string.

“And someday, [Name], you will find the one whose heart connects with yours in more ways than one,” he would tell you as he lay on his deathbed, following your mother who passed away due to an illness a few days ago. “And where either of you go, the other would follow.”

You didn’t cry when your relatives buried your father beside his other half. You were young, but you understood what he meant.

Gently, you clutched your chest where the red string only you could see connecting you to your soulmate flowed out.

“I wish you and your soulmate a long and happy life, dearest,” were your father’s final words to you before death claimed him.

You never told him this, but you so desperately wished that his words would come through.

.

.

.

Perhaps one of the only good things you have ever experienced in your life was that you never found out that demons actually existed in the world.

You were sixteen when you were very nearly abducted by one. You never knew that a demon was tailing you one night after working at the field you have inherited from your parents the whole day.

But what made that night stand out the most to you, made your heart beat faster in your chest, was that the red string on your chest suddenly became taut.

You ran outside the house, eyes wide as you peered through the moonless night. Your soulmate was here, somewhere near and you would be damned if you didn’t meet him!

The red string, taut just mere moments ago, slowly loosened under your hopeless gaze.

“Don’t go!” you screamed into the night, your tears falling down like rain on a dreary morning. “Don’t go, please…”

You cried yourself to sleep that night and mourned the chance you lost, the red string on your chest flowing sluggishly in time with the saddened beating of your heart.

.

.

.

.

What you did not know was this: in the dark, a hundred meters away from you and hidden by the vast expanse of the forest bordering the village you lived in, was a lone Demon Slayer.

He stood over his kill, eyes black and fangs bloody, sword clutched on one hand and a gun on the other.

It was dark, but he could not help but feel elated, feel as if he was showered by a light purer than he could ever imagine when he felt a sudden pull on the red string on his chest. This was only supposed to be a mission but he couldn’t believe his luck that his other half, the balm to his weary soul, was in this town and was being stalked by the demon he had been ordered to eliminate.

The demon slayer never got to see your face, but he already knew in his heart that you were a vision, a dream that was currently within his reach. But he determined that he would not meet you like this, not when there was a demon hungering for your blood and flesh. He would kill the monster before you could find out about its existence, would slay it before it could lay a dirty hand on you.

Now here he was, watching wide-eyed as the demon turned to ash. The confidence he felt earlier was slowly disappearing as the adrenaline wore off.

You were a civilian. You probably didn’t even know about the existence of demons.

And how could he even face you like this, the effects of his temporary demonization still evident on his visage?

Maybe… maybe he could look for you tomorrow?

No, he thought. He couldn’t drag you in this kind of life, one where he could die at any moment and leave you all alone and defenseless in this bleak, bleak world. He couldn’t put you through such hardship and danger. You were better off living a normal, peaceful life.

Maybe, when Kibutsuji Muzan was finally annihilated--

He wouldn’t put you through all that and even if it broke his heart when the red string on his chest became loose, Shinazugawa Genya walked away.

.

.

.

.

Upper Moon One was finally defeated, but with such great costs.

A few feet away from him lay the deceased Mist Pillar, Tokito Muichiro. From the limited range his vision could offer, he could make out Himejima-san’s form kneeling before the younger male.

Genya then watched as the Rock Pillar moved Sanemi’s unconscious (he’s alive, he’s alive, Nemi was okay thank the gods) form next to his broken body, casting the blind Demon Slayer a grateful look at having to share this final moment with his older brother.

Sanemi’s ever increasing denial broke Genya’s heart, but he couldn’t stop himself from speaking his final words to his beloved nii-chan. Even as he lay dying, his body crumbling like a demon, he had to give Sanemi a reason to keep on living without him.

His last words were this: “My Nemi is the nicest person ever.”

And this was what he chose not to say, opted not to leave as a final will for his brother to be burdened with and for his soulmate to live a life full of sadness and solitude: “Please find her, take care of her.”

Because how could Sanemi take care of his younger brother’s other half, let alone find her when his guide was slowly disintegrating into ash in his arms?

Genya could hear their little siblings calling out for him, their voices bright and unburdened.

He knew he would never see the light of day again, but at least Sanemi was safe. Alive. The only thing that saddened Genya during his last moments was the sight of the red string flowing out of his chest snapping.

 He just wished that you would forgive him if he ever saw you in your next life someday.

.

.

.

.

Your soulmate died before you could meet him.

No heartbreak seemed to be greater than the one you were feeling the moment the red string connecting you to him snapped right before your very eyes.

You were left spending your remaining days on earth praying that the two of you would be given a chance to meet under peaceful circumstances on your next lives.

.

.

.

.

Your neighbors found you lying on your bed a few days later when they broke into your house, worried that they’ve seen you less and less. They never questioned the dried tear tracks on your cheeks nor the fact that you were cold and lifeless.

They buried your body beside their parents, and their prayers would’ve made you smile and cry in gratitude if you could only hear them.

“God, please. If they could be reborn as humans, let them find each other in their next life. Please, please give them the chance to be happy.”

.

.

.

--

Sumo Wrestling - The Japanese Sport That Offers Thrilling And Entertaining Action Combined

Sumo wrestling is a well-known  Engagement Rings Perth Japanese sport where trained experts - called the sumo wrestlers - combat to bring the opponent down. The winner has to defeat the opponent by way of tussling them on the ground, or make an try and flung him out of the wrestling ring known as dohyo.

The sumo wrestlers in contrast to the habitants of the Far East are heavy in frame weight, and live on a unique eating regimen called chankonabe that helps them gain and maintain body mass.

Sumo wrestling infantrymen started gaining popularity when sumo wrestling became a recreation of the Japanese royalty. Gradually, the fighters commenced carrying regular costumes made from precious silk material with wealthy embroidery naming the feud they served. The subculture of wearing this traditional costume has persevered till nowadays. This precious silky suit is referred to as keshō-mawashi. However the amateurs, sekitori, put on the identical version that's less complicated and much less highly-priced and is named as mawashi by way of the locals.

The white thick-waisted loincloth product of cotton is worn at the same time as schooling and colored silk suits are worn at some point of competitions. The Japanese agree with that colour determines the wrestlers luck, incase of a suit no longer finishing in triumph for a wrestler the shade could get replaced, to convey proper fortune to the only carrying it.

The sport has made its way in Europe, America and Australia, however now not professionally. People of every age interact in sumo activities as a exercise, it is termed to be a a laugh sport. Companies all around the global manufacture and sell attire that make someone appear to be a heavy weight fighter, in an try and resemble the original Japanese squaddies. The inflatable sumo paddy fits also come with a built-in battery-powered fan that constantly blows air on the character carrying it, although now not reputedly. The costumes are either rented out or bought.

A sumo in shape is sort of a neck-to-toe jumper suit that has complete sleeves. These toy fits comes with padding in all the right locations to give affects of curves, bumps and tires similar to a real sumo fighter. The upper front curves resemble the warrior's heavy bosom, the lower tire right earlier than the element in which the underclothes is designed, bulges out as does the warrior's tummy and the inflated arm look much like the fatty ones much like an actual expert.

The undies looks as if a baby's pamper, from the front and from in the back of it resembles a g-string, with a thicker belt. People sporting the fits appear bulgy and experience the enjoy of bumping into every other, making them snort without end because of the funny appearance.

These sumo fits are available in a spread of colors. The distinction between a real sumo wrestler and someone wearing a sumo fit is that the wrestlers are naked waist above, while the toy in shape, to ensure protection not simplest covers the whole human frame however additionally comes with brought accessories. A entire sumo wrestler in shape package consists of an average sumo suit, gloves, moccasins that cowl the whole foot, safety helmets, neck braces, and touchdown mats.

In the west, the term 'sumo' seems to have turn out to be a jargon to explain whatever that is bulgy and appears massive. The state-of-the-art addition Sumo Splash Guard is a water sport accent this is kind of an oval fashioned balloon that capabilities six double-webbing foam handles with knuckle pads, inflatable armrest, and splash-smoothening layout to keep the water from spraying proper into the swimmer's face.

Sumo Wrestling - The Japanese Sport That Offers Thrilling And Entertaining Action Combined

Sumo wrestling is a famous Japanese game wherein trained specialists - known as the sumo wrestlers - fight to convey the opponent down. The winner has to defeat the opponent by means of tussling them at the ground, or make an attempt to flung him out of the wrestling ring known as dohyo  Engagement Rings Perth The sumo wrestlers not like the habitats of the Far East are heavy in body weight, and stay on a special eating regimen called chankonabe that enables them advantage and preserve frame mass.

Sumo wrestling squaddies started gaining reputation while sumo wrestling became a game of the Japanese royalty. Gradually, the fighters commenced wearing ordinary costumes made of treasured silk cloth with wealthy embroidery naming the feud they served. The culture of sporting this ordinary costume has endured till today. This valuable silky suit is called keshō-mawashi. However the amateurs, sekitori, wear the same model that's less difficult and much less expensive and is termed as mawashi by the locals.

The white thick-waisted loincloth manufactured from cotton is worn while training and colored silk fits are worn at some stage in competitions. The Japanese believe that color determines the wrestlers good fortune, incase of a healthy now not ending in triumph for a wrestler the shade should get replaced, to carry accurate fortune to the only wearing it.

The recreation has made its manner in Europe, America and Australia, however not professionally. People of every age engage in sumo sports as a activity, it's far termed to be a amusing recreation. Companies all around the international manufacture and promote attire that make someone appear to be a heavy weight fighter, in an try and resemble the authentic Japanese squaddies. The inflatable sumo paddy fits additionally come with a built-in battery-powered fan that continuously blows air at the character sporting it, though now not seemingly. The costumes are both rented out or bought.

A sumo fit is sort of a neck-to-toe jumper suit that has full sleeves. These toy fits comes with padding in all the right locations to offer influences of curves, bumps and tires much like a actual sumo fighter. The higher front curves resemble the warrior's heavy bosom, the decrease tire proper earlier than the component in which the underwear is designed, bulges out as does the warrior's tummy and the inflated arm appearance similar to the fatty ones similar to an real professional.

The underwear looks like a baby's pamper, from the front and from behind it resembles a g-string, with a thicker belt. People wearing the suits seem bulgy and enjoy the enjoy of bumping into each other, making them snigger with no end in sight because of the funny appearance.

These sumo fits come in a variety of colours. The distinction between a real sumo wrestler and someone carrying a sumo suit is that the wrestlers are bare waist above, whereas the toy fit, to make sure safety now not only covers the whole human body however also comes with introduced add-ons. A entire sumo wrestler in shape bundle includes a normal sumo in shape, gloves, moccasins that cover the whole foot, protection helmets, neck braces, and touchdown mats.

In the west, the term 'sumo' seems to have emerge as a jargon to explain whatever that is bulgy and appears big. The trendy addition Sumo Splash Guard is a water recreation accent that is type of an oval shaped balloon that capabilities six double-webbing foam handles with knuckle pads, inflatable armrest, and splash-smoothing layout to maintain the water from spraying proper into the swimmer's face.

Sumo Wrestling - The Japanese Sport That Offers Thrilling And Entertaining Action Combined

Sumo wrestling is a well-known Japanese game wherein educated specialists - known as the sumo wrestlers - fight to carry the opponent down. The winner has to defeat the opponent through tussling them at the ground, or make an try and flung him out of the wrestling ring called dohyo.

The sumo wrestlers not like the habitants of the Far East are heavy in frame weight, and live on a unique food plan referred to as chankonabe that allows them gain and retain body mass.

Sumo wrestling soldiers began gaining reputation when sumo wrestling became a recreation of the Japanese royalty. Gradually, the fighters started sporting standard costumes product of precious silk cloth with wealthy embroidery naming the feud they served. The way of life of sporting this standard gown has persevered until today. This valuable silky fit is known as keshō-mawashi. However the amateurs, sekitori, wear the equal model which is less difficult and less highly-priced and is termed as mawashi with the aid of the locals.

The white thick-waisted loincloth made of cotton is worn even as education and colored silk fits are worn throughout competitions Engagement Rings Perth. The Japanese trust that colour determines the wrestlers luck, incase of a healthy now not finishing in triumph for a wrestler the shade may want to be replaced, to bring top fortune to the one sporting it.

The game has made its way in Europe, America and Australia, but now not professionally. People of all ages interact in sumo activities as a recreation, it is termed to be a a laugh recreation. Companies all over the global manufacture and promote apparel that make a person look like a heavy weight fighter, in an try to resemble the authentic Japanese soldiers. The inflatable sumo paddy suits additionally come with a built-in battery-powered fan that continuously blows air on the character sporting it, though no longer seemingly. The costumes are either rented out or offered.

A sumo suit is like a neck-to-toe jumper in shape that has complete sleeves. These toy fits comes with padding in all the right locations to present impacts of curves, bumps and tires just like a actual sumo fighter. The higher the front curves resemble the warrior's heavy bosom, the lower tire proper earlier than the component wherein the underclothes is designed, bulges out as does the warrior's tummy and the inflated arm look much like the fatty ones similar to an real professional.

The underwear seems like a child's pamper, from the front and from in the back of it resembles a g-string, with a thicker belt. People wearing the suits appear bulgy and experience the experience of bumping into every different, making them giggle for ever and ever due to the funny appearance.

These sumo fits are available in a spread of colours. The difference among a real sumo wrestler and a person sporting a sumo match is that the wrestlers are naked waist above, whereas the toy suit, to ensure protection not most effective covers the whole human body but also comes with introduced add-ons. A entire sumo wrestler suit bundle includes a normal sumo fit, gloves, moccasins that cover the whole foot, protection helmets, neck braces, and landing mats.

In the west, the term 'sumo' appears to have turn out to be a jargon to describe whatever that is bulgy and appears huge. The modern-day addition Sumo Splash Guard is a water sport accent that is form of an oval formed balloon that capabilities six double-webbing foam handles with knuckle pads, inflatable armrest, and splash-smoothening design to preserve the water from spraying right into the swimmer's face.

Cordillera’s Religion: A Glimpse from the Past and a Leap in the Present

Bul-ul

We all know that the religious aspects of the Philippines are highly influenced by the colonization of the Spaniards. Fortunately, some of the oldest ethnic groups which has started long before the Spaniards brought Catholicism in the Philippines were least affected by it. Speaking of which, the Ifugaos are one of the few who successfully resisted these influences because of their fierce self-determination and geographic isolation. However, before we continue and go deeper into this discussion, let’s first go through their livelihood which has greatly contributed to the process of developing their animistic religion.

Rice cultivation is an industry common in most Filipino communities but rice paddies hand-contoured along steep mountain slopes which can be traced as far back as two millennia ago in the pre-colonial Philippines are one of the features unique in the country of Ifugao in the southeastern part of the Cordillera region. The Cordillera’s rice terraces are found in Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga, some parts of Abra, and Apayao. Over the years, the different provinces have come up with their own systems of preserving and managing their mountainous area of fertile which is their primary source of livelihood and food. Hence, we can say that agriculture played a big role and is entwined with the ways of life of the Cordillera people. This fact became their drive to create a tangible image that leads to the ascension/invention of the Bul ul.

Importance of Bul ul to the Ifugaos

           Bul ul or anito figure is a mythical piece of Ifugao sculpture also known as a rice or granary deity. It is intrinsically important for the Ifugao’s cultural existence because it is solely believed to secure the palay harvest inside the granary or Ifugao house. It is also highly given respect and praise because it is said that the spirits of their dead ancestors live on it. Furthermore, it is regarded with utmost care and respect as the spirits may react with undesirable hostile manifestations such as sickness and pestilence if treated otherwise.

The process of creating this figure includes the baki or a ritual by the mumbaki or priest to assure that it is powerful and effective. It is carved out from a carefully selected narra wood or ipil wood by the elders in the forest and is ritually consecrated by coating it with pig’s blood. In some places during ritual rites, whenever bul uls are taken out from the granaries and being placed in front of the agriculture produce, a proper positioning of it is being observed—male bul ul must be on the right side while the female one must be on the left side facing the front of the agricultural crops.

Structure/Form

Bul ul takes the form of either a standing or seated human being figure and consists of a head, a torso that appears as a tapering triangular form and a pair of hands and legs mounted on a platform for stability. Moreover, the standing figure either features their hands either hanging beside the body or resting on their knees while the arms of the seated figure is typically folded.

It is usually made in pairs, male and female, but not necessarily—depending upon the request of the owner of the rice field. It could be a male or a female but normally, a male bul ul is preferred because Ifugao strongly believed that it should be the one that is highly respected for it can do the duty of guarding the rice granary alone. Do you ever wonder of its size? The truth is, there is no rule or a standard measurement that exactly defines its size, however, the capability of one man to carry it in and out of the granary is a consideration.

Ornamentations may be placed on the bul ul occasionally. For the male bul ul, a g-string may suffice while a tapis or waistcloth with earrings and anklets to match may be used for the female. But normally, the bul ul remains in an austere image—bold exposing both the genitalia.

Sadly, Bul uls are now taken out of their original context and have lost their ritual significance. Thus, it has been reduced to a variety of souvenir items and decorative arts placed in Filipino houses.

Christianity and the Ifugaos

The Ifugaos are commonly known to be a believer of animism, a religious belief where objects, animals, or plants are considered to be sacred and holy. However, since Christianity’s influences are strong and mobilized, the Ifugaos are also subject to this.

The road for Christianity into the Cordillera region is once impossible due to the impenetrable land formation of the place. The Cordilleras is landlocked due to the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley surrounding the region. However, evangelization was not withdrawn. 

The Nature of Ifugaos

Even though after the difficult process of getting through the region, another problem arose when the process of evangelization was being pushed through. 

Ifugaos are known to be very defensive towards their culture and traditions. They were met by fierce resistance from the people. They (Ifugaos) refused that their lands and their cultural identity be taken away from them by foreign invaders and colonizers  (Quitasol, 2018)

Resulting Outcome

Still, after all the commotion, the Cordilleras was introduced to Christianity. It was a long road for it but it was finally accepted and learned by the members of the region. 

Now, 65.75% of the Cordillera Region are Roman Catholics, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Many Ifugaos now have been practicing Christianity but still having their traditions and culture as an Ifugao. 

Religion has been a very sensitive topic to touch. Yet, it is an interesting one. Change is inevitable. The transition of parts of the CAR to Christianity was noteworthy to our history. It might be overlooked by many but being ignorant to such topics is never a good idea. 

So, let us respect and learn more about others for a better society.

Tolentino, Sabater 2020

Stranger Things Main Title Vincenzo Salvia - Italian Gigolo Cutting Crew - I Just Died In Your Arms Head On - Nothing to Say Jim Croce - You Don't Mess Around with Jim The Go Go's - Get Up and Go Paddy Kingsland - Shiver Me Timbers Gerald Crossman - All Hands Forward Black Market Baby - Gun Point Affection Altitude Music - Matter of Love John Leighton - Ballroom Foxtrot APM Music - America the Beautiful Andrea Litkei & Ervin Litkei - Too Late for Tears Weird Al Yankovic - My Bologna Billy Munn - Bop and Bounce madonna - material girl John Graham Donaldson - The Portsmouth Hornpipe Foreigner - Cold as Ice Luigi Boccherini - String Quintet in E Major, G. 275 III. Minuetto La Traviata Act I Brindisi Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici, Drinking Song Madonna - Angel Stranger Things - Long End Credits

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Ooh alright! How about 3 or 21? (prompts)

21. Hey, have you seen the…..oh

A/N: For my dear dear friend Christina who attacked me with this image while I was trying to do a five hour drive home in a rain storm.  @dibsonthat1d

The past two weeks had been out of control.  Ever since Niall had released “Slow Hands” your life had been turned upside down.  From the moment you first heard it you knew it would be a hit for him - a departure from “This Town”, but still distinctly “Niall”.  After the initial furor had died down Niall jumped immediately into promo.  Suitcases were packed.  Guitars were in their cases.  Itineraries were printed out.  You’d known this was going to happen, Niall’s team had his schedule planned months ago.  But knowing something is coming doesn’t necessarily take the sting out the actual event when it finally happens.

The day had finally arrived.  Niall had finished his California shows and was headed out for another round of radio shows across the country.  Even though the weeks would go by quickly, you’d gotten used to having him home.  Even if he was doing ten or twelve hour days in the studio he was still waking up next to you and that made all the difference. Instead of dwelling on the empty feeling in the pit of your stomach as the front door clicked behind him, you decided to treat yourself to a hot bath and maybe a mani-pedi.  Anything to take your mind off how quiet the huge house had suddenly become.

You padded across the sprawling kitchen and up the steps to the master suite.  Ditching your jean shorts and tank in the hamper, you spied one of Niall’s shirts slung over the door handle to the closet.  It was the white linen button down you’d gotten him for Christmas.  You’d bought it on a whim for him from an eclectic little shop down in the valley.  It was perfect for LA, soft and light, making the blue in his eyes burn bright.  Clad in only your panties you swiped it off the handle and slipped your arms through the sleeves.  It still smelled like his cologne.  You pushed one of the buttons through the buttonhole to keep it closed and tucked your chin into the collar to nuzzle the fabric.  It was the closest thing you had at the moment to being in his arms again.  

Swinging your hips a bit, you hummed to yourself as you sorted some laundry on the bed and looked for a clean towel.  Without even realizing it, you started belting out the words to Slow Hands.  Dragging your fingers down the front of your shirt, your nipples pebbled under the thin fabric of Niall’s shirt.  You even added in the “Woo!” along with a shake of your ass.  Just as you started to hit the bridge and start singing about your fingertips and the show they were going to put on, a very familiar voice sounded from behind you.

“Hey, have you seen the….oh!”

You screamed and spun around, shocked to see Niall with his long arms spread across the door frame, eyes wide, and mouth parted.  You clutched at your chest and tried to slow your heart rate.  The surge of adrenaline started to subside and you dropped your arms to your sides.  “You scared the shit outta me!  What’re you doing back?”

You watched as his gaze trailed up your bare legs, his throat bobbing as his eyes scanned up your torso and across your chest.  “Forgot the box with my guitar pedals in it.”  Taking a step into the room he tossed the grey paddy cap onto the side table and pulled his white henley over his head.  You were still frozen in place, standing next to the bed with your arms hanging limply at your sides.  Niall stepped in front of you and let the backs of his enormous hands just barely skim the front of your body.  “Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so sexy in my life.  Shaking your cute little arse to one of my songs.  So fuckin’ hot.”  You let out a shaky breath and gripped onto his bare shoulders, molding your lips onto his.  His tongue swept against your lips, hot and sweet, begging to tangle with your own.  You moaned into the kiss as he turned and pulled you against his chest.  When his legs hit the mattress he sat in a heap and you wavered in between his legs and tried to steady yourself. His fingers trailed across the hem of your panties that were peeking out from under the open buttons of your shirt.  “Always gets me goin’ when you wear my clothes ya know.”

You smiled and tucked your lip in your mouth.  Pushing him back slightly so he was resting on his elbows you tugged at the button of his dark jeans.  They popped open easily and you shimmied them off his thin legs leaving him in only a dark pair of boxers.  You could see the outline of his cock, already hard and leaking, leaving a wet spot on the front of his shorts.  Seeing how turned on his was for you only made the heat pool in your center more intensely.  You kneeled on the bed and straddled his waist, rocking in slow circles over his length.  

“You’re not weirded out - hearing me sing your own lyrics?”

Niall’s head lolled against his shoulder with the tip of his tongue trapped in his teeth as you rocked back and forth over his bulge.  He sat up so you were pressed together and gripped the flesh of your hips, pulling you harshly against his hips you keened at the friction against your throbbing clit.  Prickles of sweat cropped up across your flesh as your skin began to burn with want.

“Course not.  Who do ya think I wrote them about?”

You smiled against his lips and pressed small kisses across his lips while you slipped the button open on your shirt.  The soft material slipped over your shoulders exposing your chest.  The coarse hair scattered across Niall’s chest prickled against the sensitive skin of your breasts.  Your panties were wrecked by this point - soaked through with your arousal and clinging to your skin.  You leaned back and rolled your hips forward.  Your back arched and opened up the plane of your chest making the soft light from the bedside table flash across your skin.

“I hate it when you leave, Ni.  Just skip the shows, stay home with me.”  Your voice was pleading, asking for things you knew he couldn’t give.  He pressed his palm over your heart, his long fingers grazing across the base of your throat.

“Don’t wanna ever leave, babe.  But it’s my job - you know that.  Besides, you’d skin me alive if I stayed home too long.  Be bouncin’ off the walls and driving ya mad.”

You breathed out a laugh and tipped your forehead down meeting his gaze.  

His lips spread in a wide smile.  “There she is, there’s my sunshine.  Always want ya to be happy, love.”

Niall covered your mouth with his own, deepening the kiss right away.  He lifted his hips up and managed to shuffle his boxers off.  You could feel the hot, hard length of his cock pressing up into your thigh with the dribbles of precum smearing against your skin.  Niall cupped your sex and pulled your panties to the side.  You lifted your hips slightly and felt the tip of his length start to sheath itself inside you.  You let out a whine as you stretched around him and sank down until he was buried deep inside you.  Instead of thrusting up into you Niall was sat completely still, dragging in lungfuls of air.

“Fuck.  Fuck, feels so good inside ya.  Gimme a second, want t’last for ya.”

You let your hands roam his shoulders while you traced the smattering of freckles littered across his neck with your tongue.  When he finally started to move it wasn’t the harsh thrusts you expected with how worked up he was.  Instead he held you close and rocked his hips into you.  You could feel the tip of him deep inside your core massaging your g-spot.  You gripped your nails into his broad shoulders and started to bounce up and down on his cock in a desperate attempt to feel his length drag along your walls.  The coil in your belly was starting to unravel faster than it ever had before.  You slid your hand down your belly to where your bodies were joined and started rubbing fast circles against your aching clit.  Niall let out a strangled cry and maneuvered you onto your back against the duvet.  He pulled out and slipped down between your legs before you even had the chance to cry out about the empty feeling between your legs.

He hooked his fingers in your panties and pulled them frantically off your legs. “Wasn’t gonna last if I had to watch you touch yourself like that. Lemme taste you.” He dipped his head down and nudged at your clit with his nose while he dragged his tongue through your folds. All you could do was whimper and grip the duvet tighter and tighter. He licked and sucked and flicked all over every centimeter of your soaking heat. When he finally latched into your clit and slid three of his fingers inside you, you completely fell to pieces. He worked you through your release as your body clenched and relaxed under him.

You could only babble and whimper as he pulled off of you, wiping away the leaking mess on his chin. He wrapped his hand around his cock, the purple tip shining and nearly ready to burst. He lined himself up and thrust back inside your swollen center, both of you crying out. You wrapped your legs around his hips trying to draw him into you as close as possible. He gripped onto your hand and laced his fingers with yours, trapping your arm above your head.  Burying his face into the crook of your neck he lost himself in you, whispering over and over with each thrust, “Sunshine, love you, love you so much.”

When you felt the muscles in his back go taut as a bow string you knew he was close.  With another thrust he cried out your name and sunk his teeth into your shoulder.  You cried out at the sharp sting of his teeth and the soothing pulse of him emptying inside of you.  

He stilled and rolled away, pulling you on top of his chest.  Your hair splayed across his body, damp and tangled from being pressed into the pillows.  The only sounds in the room were your heaving breaths and the soft hum of the fan blades whirring above you.  

You were the first to break the silence.  Your voice rough and low from how dry your throat had gotten.  

“Niall?”

“Yeah sunshine?”

“You wrote a really fucking good song.”

He belted out a laugh and pulled you closer.

“You gave me a really fucking good reason to.”

Saving Part of the World - Part One - Chapter Thirteen

Summary: Set after G-Rev, the World Championships have come to Belfast, Northern Ireland in the hopes of spreading the interest and drawing in tourists. In between all the teen angst and the team drama, something powerful and hungry lurks on the horizon and with the help of the beybladers, it may just destroy part of the world.

Rated: T for cursing and mild violence

Ships: Hints of Mariah/Rei, Hilary/Tyson, Enrique/Julia

Previous Chapters: One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

“You know, if the weathermen could do their job properly, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen,” Amber ranted, as she and Hilary stood within the entrance to Ormeau Park studying the crowds amassed on the long stretch of freshly mowed grass.

Hilary made a noncommittal sound as she took in the red stone columns and black iron gates, the paint looking like melted tar under the midday sunshine. If she had time, she would come back and take a photo. It really was a lovely entrance, historic and dignified. Unfortunately now wasn’t the time for photos.

“I mean, look at all these people? Shouldn’t they have jobs to do? It’s a weekday, there should be jobs and work to do. In fact, I think I’m in school more than any adult.”

That was doubtful but there were a lot of people in the park, and most of them were exposing vast amounts of angry, scarlet skin. “Are these people being here stopping you from showing me your evidence?”

Amber slumped and pouted. “Well, no. It’s just I don’t see why they need to be here.”

Because the day was beautiful and not everyone wanted to go to the beach, Hilary mused. Considering the rain from her first day in Ireland and the chill in the air the day before, most of the local population probably hadn’t anticipated how warm it would be. She certainly hadn’t, her only concession to the heat had been to remove her jacket and drape it over her shoulders to prevent them from burning.

“And the worst thing is that when I leave school, I’ll probably work 362 days a year with only Paddy’s Day and Christmas off.”

Hilary pursed her lips and continued to let Amber vent as they walked down the tarmac route that circled around the lawn. A few couples strolled under the shadows of trees, while two cyclists rode by, their bells trilling as they navigated around joggers and teens on rollerblades. Overall, it was a fairly familiar scene to Hilary though certainly more conservative than she’d spied in Tokyo and New York.

A breeze blew up and kissed her face offering just the vaguest hint of relief before disappearing, and she just knew her cheeks were cooked. Glowering at Amber’s back she regretted not following Ian’s advice. Granted he’d been beyond rude and yes, she wanted answers, but now she was in a park, far from her friends, with a girl who might just be bordering on crazy.

Playing with the cuff of her sleeve dangling from the knot on her chest, she frowned.  “So where is this place?”

Amber skipped over a remote controlled car and sent two boys a frigid look before she answered, “Well, it’s kind of in the woods of this place but not.”

“The woods.” Right. Because nothing bad ever happened in the woods.

She caught Amber’s eye roll before the girl said, “I’m not going to kill you. You’re taller than me, by a bit, and I have muscles like spaghetti. Besides I need you to hear my story and be on my side. It’s not easy doing all of this on my own and no one likes me.”

Hearing the almost whine in her tone, Hilary frowned. Was Amber lonely? Was this whole set up an attempt to get people to like her? To make friends? “This is serious? You’re not stringing me along so that you can befriend bladers?”

“Gee let me think, end of the world, serious or not serious…” She moved her hands like scales. “Aye, it’s fairly serious and shut up!” Hilary jerked back, only to frown when Amber waved her hand. “Sorry, the Voice has decided it needs to start talking again.”

Hilary grabbed the neck of her blouse and shook it to relieve the prickling sensation around her throat. “I thought the Voice was always there?” If she ended up with heat rash, she’d never live it down.

“It is, it just doesn’t always talk. I like to drown it out with music, plus the earphones act as a disguise of sorts.” Something must have shown on Amber’s face because she quickly added, “I’m not insane, you know. My mother’s a nurse; she’s really big on health, both mental and physical so if she thought I had a serious issue she’d make me talk to someone.”

They turned onto a rougher path that snaked through a densely wooded area with a smattering of boulders and clutches of bluebells. Here people walked slower as they studied and photographed the tall trees. The grass, lit up by the sunshine, turned a brilliant spring green that clashed with the yellowish moss clinging to downed logs almost lost within the long blades. Butterflies fluttered and landed amongst the wild flowers and an insect with a long body hovered just in front of Hilary’s nose. She flicked it away and suppressed a shudder.

There was a burst of noise as a group of boys raced towards them, one carrying a plastic beydish.

“It’ll be Tyson for sure. He’s the world champ!” one said, raising his voice to be heard over the pounding of their footsteps.

“Nuh-uh, it’ll be Kai. He’s far stronger.”

Yet another boy sneered and turned to face the group, jogging backwards. “He doesn’t have a Bitbeast. What the feck is he going to do against Dragoon? I think Tala will win though. It's finally his year.”

As they disappeared around the corner, with the shortest one lagging behind, Amber cast Hilary a suspicious glance. “Is that true? Kai doesn’t have a Bitbeast?”

Hilary scowled. “I’m not going to answer that question. Kai wouldn’t appreciate me telling you anything about him. He’s very suspicious of you and he’s someone you should be wary of.”

Amber’s shoulders hunched as she grumbled, “Don’t need to tell me that.”

Hmm, Hilary mused, Amber and Kai had weighed each other up and found their measure — or whatever that English phrase was.

As they passed a crumbling stone building that probably had some kind of historical importance, Amber veered off the lane and meandered down a grassy verge. They left the public footpath behind. Their feet kicked up more clouds of insects and the air became filled with buzzing and chirping, a sharp cack from a flying bird split the hubbub followed by a long hoarse caw. It all combined to create the illusion that the city was hours away rather than on the other side of the dense tree-line. Probably the reason why this haven was so popular with the locals.  

A long vine caught her foot and Hilary vehemently wished she’d worn different shoes. She should have known better than to put on a pair of strappy sandals but with the sunshine, she’d wanted to feel summery and girly. Now she was going to have blisters and she’d probably lose a shoe. Couldn’t the Voice have taken them along a more pedestrian friendly route?

“Did you ever consider that maybe the voice in your head is actually a Bitbeast?” Because that would explain why it chose such a bizarre route. Bitbeasts may have been revered creatures of legendary power but Hilary was fairly certain they had a wicked sense of humour; after all, they’d been around forever and a day, they had to amuse themselves somehow.  

Amber faltered, almost tripping over a log tangled amongst the lush grass. “It depends on what you think a Bitbeast is. Are they spirits in general or are they solely attached to beyblades?”

Hilary huffed out a breath. “Is that an evasion?”

“No, I’m just saying that if your idea of Bitbeasts are that they’re spirits in general, then sure, the Voice is a Bitbeast, but then so are ghosts by that theory.”

“No, ghosts were human once,” she explained, dabbing at the perspiration that dampened her neck. “They’re departed beings who cannot move on. Bitbeasts are spirits of nature, deities who form a bond with a human and use beyblades to manifest.”

She looked over her shoulder as the park and civilisation seemed to disappear and wild woodland took over. It was almost like stepping into Narnia, or the summer area of it that Aslan had ruled. She just hoped there was a lamppost to help her find her way back. Or worse, would she crest a hill and find an abandoned amusement park leading to Yubaba’s bathhouse? She shivered and inched closer to Amber as she rubbed her arms. She was being silly but there was something not quite natural about the muted sounds of the wood.  

“To what end though? Just to help a child win a trophy? That seems kind of farfetched for something as grand as a deity,” Amber said, swatting at a low flying bug as she trudged down a knoll carpeted with long grass and threaded with yellow flowers.

“Well, maybe that’s the only way they can manifest.” She shrugged off her disquiet and focused on the conversation. She believed in the Bitbeasts, in Dragoon, Draciel, Driger and Dranzer. She felt connected to them, had supported them and yet, she never really understood where they came from. Oh, she knew the tales, how Dragoon had answered Tyson’s prayers and took refuge within his beyblade to help him defeat Kai, but why did Dragoon possess the sword in the first place? Every time she tried asking Tyson he brushed her off with some comment about how she didn't understand anything, which in Tyson speech meant he didn't know either.

“Perhaps,” Amber said, “but the Voice in my head isn’t a Bitbeast. It’s a… it was an entity that was cursed to bond with a bloodline. My granddad had it and when he died it passed to me.”

Hilary’s stomach rolled and she pressed her hand against it. “Well, maybe it is a Bitbeast. Dizzi doesn’t do much more than talk and guide Kenny. I guess when it’s trapped, there’s very little it can do.”

“It’s not a Bitbeast —”

“A Bitbeast sounds better than a voice in your head.”

She caught Amber’s disgruntled look as a trickle of sweat slithered down her spine. The heat was intensifying and with it the growing nausea. Seeking a little relief, she lifted the heavy weight of her hair from the nape of her neck, hoping to tease some air into cooling her skin. At least Amber’s cheeks were glowing pink, a sign that she too felt the effects of the sunshine spearing through the dense green leaves above them. Even in the stretching shadows, the heat was inescapable, clogging her lungs with its suffocating mass.

Chimes whistled as Hilary followed Amber behind a tree and deeper into the darkening forest. It was stunning, a true taste of Ireland, and were she in a better mood, she may have been tempted to take photos.

Instead, as she picked her way through the grass, she frowned. “Is this the normal path? It seems very grown over.”

“No, but it’s fine.”

“Well, maybe we should go the path that’s laid out.” Maybe she was being anal, but people were told not to stray from the correct path for a reason. Look what happened to Chihiro’s parents in Spirited Away or Alice from Wonderland — that child took drugs. Hilary was nearly sure of it even though she found the book very confusing and it hadn’t helped that her English teacher hadn’t seemed to understand it either. As for the animated movie, watching it with Tyson and Kenny hadn’t helped. Not one bit.

Maybe she should go back. The boys were bound to be worried about her.

“We have to go this way,” Amber replied, stepping over a mossy rock.

Rubbing her stomach to ease the fluttering, Hilary paused mid-step. “Amber, I want to go back now.”

Amber tossed back her head, eyes closed, bristling with impatience. “Look, I’m taking you to show you proof. You said you’d come.”

Hilary’s temper flared. She was doing Amber a favour by coming out here into a deserted park. She should have gone with Ian, she really should have just stayed where she was. “Look, I know what I said, but maybe we can come back another day. I want to go. It’s not safe this way.”

“Of course it’s safe. Don’t be daft. I’m not going to do anything to you. That would defy the whole point, I need you on my side.”

“And that means going this way? We’re going into nowhere, it’s not safe and I don’t like it.” Her voice rose shrilly.  

Amber’s mouth opened to shoot back something scathing, then the battle light dimmed. “Oh, I’m such an idiot.”

“Yes, you are. Look, let’s just go back.” Everything would be fine once she could get back to her hotel. Maybe she could persuade Tyson to skip the tournament and they could return to Japan. She liked Japan. She understood her place in that world.

“No, no, I’m sorry. I - I can’t believe I needed the Voice to tell me,” Amber grumbled, rubbing her cheeks with her hands. She lifted her eyes to slowly meet Hilary’s. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting you don’t know the tricks.”

What? What tricks? What was Amber up to now?

Stepping to a tree, Amber pointed to a scored mark in the bark. “See this? This is a rune or something like that. It’s a mark that warns people away, makes them feel uncomfortable, or reminds them that they have somewhere else to be that’s not here. I feel it too, but because I know why I feel it, I can ignore it.”

A mark? A warning? Could that really be why her stomach felt so queasy and slick as if she’d downed a vat of oil from Kenny’s parents’ restaurant?

“Just trust me, and I know that’s a big ask, but once we get on the other side of them, you’ll feel better. We both will.”

Hilary studied Amber dubiously before glancing at the scored marks. The chimes tolled louder and Hilary shivered. This was her point of no return, she realised. If she left she’d return to her safe little world and everything would continue as normal, but she would always wonder about the proof Amber promised to show her.

It would be so easy to turn, to leave. It would be safer to leave. But Hilary didn’t always make the safe decisions. If she had, she wouldn’t be in Belfast with the Bladebreakers.  

Sighing softly, she gestured to Amber. “You lead the way.”

With her own stomach a mass breeding ground for what felt like an infestation of worms, Amber stomped along the broken earth, stepping over protruding roots and around branches trying to sneak across to the other side of the ‘path’. A wasp investigated them before soaring off and butterflies scattered before them.

“It’s getting hotter.”

Hearing Hilary’s soft complaint, Amber jerked a shoulder. “Aye, well that’s something I can’t fix. It shouldn’t really be this warm…” Amber turned her gaze to the sky and frowned. How much of this was a genuine heat wave? How much of this was her country changing, not because of global warming, but because of the disturbance in the Veil?

A branch cracked under her foot and echoed through the woods. She glowered at her traitorous feet — she was no Robin Hood — but in that sudden movement, her ears caught another sound under the buzzing and clicking of insects, gushing water. The river! Mentally cheering because she’d almost reached her destination, she began to follow a narrow, beaten path, probably created by badgers or foxes, down to the river that snuck through the grass.

Amber paused and hunkered down, trailing her fingers through the cool water that gurgled and bubbled around rocks and splashed over stones. “We need to cross this.”

“How?”

“It’s shallower a bit further down, and there are stones, just on the other side of that gorse bush,” she replied, indicating a dark prickly shrub with butter yellow buds that smelled creamy and sweet.

“What are you going to show me?”

“Something to help you believe me?” Amber shrugged, rolling her neck and standing up. She paused a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the gloomy light as they breached the shadows under the lush canopy and rounded the gorse bush.

The water trickled as it snaked under low hanging branches that bowed towards it and stones gleamed wetly in a mimicry of a bridge, stretching across to the other side. A blackbird splashed and shivered in a puddle while flies buzzed around, skimming the surface. Overall it was tranquil, soothing, a little piece of countryside just minutes from the city centre.  

A crack broke the silence from behind them. Holding their breath, both girls stilled and scanned the woods.

“Is someone following us?”

Amber pressed her lips together tightly. She understood Hilary’s paranoia and had to admire the girl for coming with her. Still, it stung.

Why should she trust you? You haven’t been very forthcoming with information. Even now you avoid telling her where you’re going.

Amber shook her head, wishing she could shake the damn voice out. Pushing damp strands of hair from her forehead, she answered Hilary, “No, it was probably a squirrel or a deer. They do things like that.” She looked at the river, then glanced at Hilary. “Okay, do you want to go over first or will I lead you? It’s pretty simple, just step on the rocks and don't slip.”

“I’ll follow you,” Hilary said, folding her arms and hunching her shoulders.

“Grand so.”

Amber approached the edge and hesitated. It would be fine, even if she fell in, she’d dry off fast in the heat. Though knowing her luck the clouds would come and pour with rain and she’d end up lying in a sick bed for the end of the world — some saviour. The jittering in her stomach turned to slick, oily nausea.

She lunged off the bank. Now wasn’t the time to think of all those people who would be gone in a fortnight or so, now was the time to gather allies, amass her army.

Army? Ha.

Shut up.

She continued her journey across with a few hops, skips and wobbles. Landing on one particularly wide, flat stone, she windmilled her arms, then leapt to the other side, her feet sinking into the soft earth. Success.

Spinning she motioned for Hilary to follow. “You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I can do this,” Hilary replied, more to convince herself as she stepped onto a stone. “Dr B’s Island was much worse.”

“Oh?” Amber asked, hoping to distract the girl as she tentatively crossed the stones.

“Yes, the island began to break apart while we were still on it.”

“Break. Apart,” Amber echoed. As far as she knew, islands didn’t break apart, unless… Did the Bitbeasts cause that as well? Would Ireland break apart?

“It was a few years ago, a crazy scientist wanted the boys’ bitbeasts and the island self-destructed. If it hadn’t been for Kai, I would have died that day. So a little water,” Hilary breathed, as she balanced on one foot on a narrow stone, then leapt to the next one, “doesn’t scare me.”

“Really?” Propping a hand on her hip, Amber waited until Hilary joined her on the bank. “Your life sounds exciting. You’re probably more equipped to deal with this than I am.”

“Perhaps the boys will help us out if they can.”

If there was something to help out with. Amber heard the unspoken threat but brushed it aside. She dug the toe of her battered trainers into the soft clay and began the trek up the gentle rolling slope. Here the trees had spread out, slender trunks stretching up to the cornflower blue sky; the sun colouring the lush grass a rich spring green, while wild rose bushes added a splash of pink and white.

“You do not have bears in this country or lions?”

At Hilary’s tentative question, Amber shook her head. “Nope. No Lions, no Tigers, no Bears, oh my!” At Hilary’s blank look, Amber grimaced. “Lame Dorothy reference.” She pursed her lips and stepping over a moss strewn log, she gestured to the scenery. “Ireland doesn’t have many predatory animals, no snakes or venomous spiders either. We leave all that kind of crazy to the Aussies.”

“Aus - Oh, Australia. You do know other countries have —”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.”

Somewhere to their right, a twig snapped causing Amber to frown in that direction.

Hilary blew out a breath. “Another deer, perhaps? Or a squirrel?”

Well, how was Amber supposed to know? Sounds like that didn’t give her warm, fuzzy safe feelings either, but she refused to be terrified by a squirrel or a deer or even a stray cat. They certainly weren’t being followed by a human because nobody could get past the sigils; they existed to deter trespassers. Besides, daylight surrounded them and the road wasn’t far and -- she checked her phone -- she had a full bar of reception. They were fine until she lost reception; that’s when people started to die in horror movies.

“We’ll be grand.”

Her words didn’t seem to reassure Hilary, who constantly looked over her shoulder as they ascended the slope. The light became brighter, the area greener. The scent of moss and stone lingered under the hot, heady fragrance of roses, creating the illusion of complete isolation. It wasn’t true. She had to remind herself that everything here was an illusion, so she grabbed Hilary’s hand to ground both of them.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just… don’t want you getting lost or falling. This is getting a bit steep.”

Hilary nodded but didn’t respond, though she kept her hand firmly in Amber’s grip. Up ahead, large objects strewn with greenery and ivy began to emerge: ruins from an old building.

“We’re not going to get in trouble for being here, are we? It’s not private land?”

“No, I told you, the wards dissuade people from coming here. In fact, I’m not even sure this place exists for normal people. It’s not on any map I’ve seen, and unless you’re shown the way, you can’t find it. I know of it because of the Voice in my head. It tells me a lot of weird things and shows me a lot of strange places. I have a shit load of knowledge in my head that I don’t really want or need.” And none of it was any good for schoolwork.

Hilary pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, it’s coming in handy now.”

Amber pulled her damp vest from her back. “I guess. I’m just saying that I know this place is deserted, and you are freaking out because of the wards. It’s what they do.”

“Well someone must have put them there,” Hilary grumbled, glancing around with a mutinous expression. “Where is that person?”

“Considering the wards are mostly in Ogham, that person is probably long dead.” At Hilary’s blank look, Amber sighed. “Ogham writing, it’s a bunch of lines and slants that created letters. Heck, they didn’t even have a full alphabet. You can research it later, let’s just go.”

“I can’t help it, this place creeps me out.”

No kidding.

Poor, lost children.

Shut. Up.

The lush lime green blended into cool teal as the sun retreated behind the trees that inched closer — the two girls weaved between them picking their footsteps carefully. Amber tried to see it as Hilary did, but due to the Voice in her head, all her instincts were off kilter. The voice loved places like this while Amber preferred open fields, most especially the gently sloping patchwork of fields outside of her grandmother’s farm that stretched down to the river Foyle.

To the Voice, this area was home, and it was eerie. The further they moved from the river, the stiller everything became. There was no zipping of renegade flies, no chitter of crickets and no birdsong. Instead, light seemed to come from fluorescent green motes of dust and the only sounds came from the haunting whispers and vacant moans.

More grass was crushed underfoot and Amber rubbed her rapidly chilling skin with one hand while clutching Hilary’s clammy hand in the other. Goosebumps rose along her arms and back, the damp sweat turning to ice.

“Let’s go back,” Hilary urged, pressing a hand to a tree trunk. “I have a bad feeling.”

Amber jerked her head. “No, we’re here.”

Hilary wasn’t sure what she expected, but it wasn’t a quiet clearing with thick, verdant grass, sheltered by tall trees so clustered together that they created an almost impenetrable wall. She stepped past Amber, drawn by the play of sunlight gleaming on the blades of grass, the sky open and blue in a circle above them, warming the pale grey standing stones blotched with mossy patches. “It’s like Stone Henge.” Delighted, she rounded on Amber, a grin stretching across her face. “It’s beautiful.”

Oh, she had to get pictures and then she could send them to her parents and school friends. This was the part of Ireland she’d come to see.

“It is, isn’t it?” Amber smiled, but it lacked enthusiasm.

Stepping forward, Hilary brushed her fingers over the rough granite, picking out the pebbled beads of quartz embedded within, like little grains all pressed together until they formed a huge chunk, with each stone placed carefully in a large circle. But it was the tree in the middle that drew her; thick of trunk with stark, naked branches reaching like tentative fingers to the sky. She couldn’t have reached her arms around it if she tried.

Slipping between two stones, she approached the tree, raising a hand to touch, then paused, hovering. Curling her fingers, she glanced back at Amber. “Is it okay if I touch it?”

Amber lingered outside the circle, the sun gleaming on her dark hair. “Yeah, it’s just a tree.”

It wasn’t though, Hilary decided, brushing her own errant strands of hair behind her ear. There was something special about it, tucked away inside the woods, isolated from the others by its stone centurions. She pressed her fingers into the knotted bark and felt the hum of power, or maybe she heard it, a muted sound like a thousand distant murmurs. It was ancient and the pulse from it echoed her heartbeat.

“What is this place?” she finally asked, breaking her connection to the tree.

Amber continued to rub her folded arms, glancing up at the sky before meeting Hilary’s gaze. “A faerie tree. Once upon a time, the little folk would live in the branches or so the fables say. I think it’s more of a gateway now, long sealed.”

“But—” Hilary stepped back and looked up into the branches. They were spindly and a rich dark brown — Tyson’s eyes were the same colour. She flushed at the whimsical thought.

“It’s dead.”

Hilary shook her head vehemently. “It’s not. It’s just dormant.”

With a slight frown puckering her brows, Amber inched forward but didn’t enter the circle. “Do you sense something?”

“It’s…” Hilary sighed. She wasn’t sensitive and yet… “I don’t know much of this stuff, but I just feel there’s a power inside, just waiting.”

Amber’s head bobbed quickly. “There is.”

“And look, there’s a bud on the branch.” A strange coloured bud, more rusty red than green, like the bud of an autumn leaf.

“Hilary come here, please.”

The urgency grabbed Hilary and reeled her in. She hurried to Amber’s side and glanced back at the tree, almost expecting it to twist around with a face upon its trunk, its branches reaching for her. It remained the same, stoic and empty, and yet her heart pounded and her head felt light.

“What just happened?”

“I didn’t realise it was —” Amber fell silent, then stepped into the circle and shuddered. Something rippled over her face and then she leaned back as a shadow pulled away from her body. Dropping to her knees, Amber gasped and violently trembled.

Shaking, Hilary crouched behind her, ready to pull her from the circle.

“Don’t,” Amber sighed, lifting her head, breathing heavily. She pushed her hair out of her face and glared.

Following her gaze, Hilary grabbed a stone to steady herself as her body swayed. There was a woman in the centre of the circle, touching the tree reverently as Hilary had. She was ethereally beautiful: pale, pale skin without even a hint of colour along her sharp cheeks and with lips touched with violet. Her hair was like black satin though as the light hit it, she could see it was more like oil, dark yet shimmering with green and pinks. Her long, sheath dress was silk and gauze and feathers, low cut and tight over full curves that Hilary envied. Whoever this woman was, she was as different from Amber as night and day.

“Amber, is that?”

Amber exhaled softly with a wry smile. “That’s the voice in my head.”

Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”... Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit - Twitter - https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook - http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram - http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”… Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit – Twitter – https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook – http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram – http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

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Celtic Heroes & Musical Legends #178

Inspiration is a funny friend. It finds you and guides you. It takes you to strange and wonderful places. It introduces you to heroes.

I started playing Celtic music in 1999... by accident. I had three "Celtic" songs in my song repertoire: "The Scotsman", "Irish Ballad" by Tom Lehrer, and an original Enya-esque song with nonsensical lyrics called "Lounging in La La Land".

I was practicing on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin when red-haired gentleman asked if I'd like to perform at a Renaissance festival. As a Dungeons & Dragons nerd, I was so excited I asked my friend Andrew McKee to start a band with me.

Soon the Brobdingnagian Bards found new Celtic music heroes and inspiration. For me, it was The Wolfe Tones, Christy Moore, The Irish Balladeers, and some random cassette that was called Irish Drinking Songs. That was my introduction to Celtic music. Those were my first Celtic music heroes.

Later, I added Ed Miller, Serious Kitchen (featuring Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer), Dougie MacLean, The Elders, Gaelic Storm, Clandestine, and even Bing Crosby. So of course many of these you have heard on my podcasts.

Who are your Celtic music heroes?

Welcome to the Pub Songs Podcast, the virtual Public House for Celtic culture and change through music. My name is Marc Gunn. I am a Celtic Geek musician and your guide to a kinder, happier world.

Today’s show is brought to you by my Heroic Gunn Runners on Patreon. These generous people pledge $10 per month so that I can keep creating music, podcasts and live streaming video shows like Coffee with The Celtfather. Of course, you can support me for any amount. But these are my heroes. Thank you!

If you have comments or want to chat in the pub, email me. Use #PubSongs when talking about this show.

Cead mile failte! PubSong.net

Celtic bands mentioned in this show: Screeched Inn, Kilt, Spirit of the West, Great Big Sea, Flogging Molly, Koady and Tim Chaisson, Jake Charron, East Pointers, NUA, 10 Strings and a Goat Skin, Andrea Beaton, Syr, Stout Pounders, Patrick Ball, 3 Pints Gone, Darby O’Gill, Young Dubliners, Wicked Tinkers, Bad Gaggis, Kilted Kings, The Chieftains, Silly Wizard, Emerald Rose, Dropkick Murphys, The Larkin’s and the Moranes, The Pogues, The Tossers, Brobdingnagian Bards, Old Blind Dogs, Damh the Bard, Enter the Haggis, Gaelic Storm, The Fighting Jamesons, Celtic Thunder, Celtic Woman, Clannad, Barney McKenna, Lunasa, Solas, Leahy, Off Kilter, The Clancy Brothers, Tullamore, Runrig, Brian McNeil, Back Bush, Tears for Beers, Alan Stivell, The Sweet Sorrows

  WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY?

0:16 "As Long As I'm Flyin'" by Marc Gunn from As Long As I'm Flyin'

Last week, I raised the question on my Facebook page: Who are your Celtic music heroes? What Celtic bands and musicians inspired you?

Here's a link to Irish and Celtic Music Podcast.

4:32 "I's The B'y" by Screeched Inn from Screeched Inn

7:05 "Happy Cammy Drammy Birthday" by NUA from BOLD

11:50 "Run Paddy Run" by Stout Pounders from 3 Drinks Minimum

14:21 "Doctor of Gallifrey" by Marc Gunn from Sci Drinking Songs

17:46 "Skye Boat Song" by 3 Pints Gone from Live at the Shamrock Club

22:19 "The B-52" by Bad Haggis from Trip

25:48 Rant: Is it Good enough to share with a friend? Remarkable enough?

31:19 "Name On My Soul" by Kilted Kings from Name On My Soul

37:27 "Hills of America" by Emerald Rose from Celtic Crescent

41:17 "Terror Time" by Old Blind Dogs from Four on the Floor

45:28 d20 Math Question.

46:36 "Antlered Crown and Standing Stone" by Damh the Bard from Antlered Crown and Standing Stone

51:36 "Lily the Pink" by Brobdingnagian Bards from Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales

54:38 Long-form podcast content

56:00 "Kiss Me I'm Irish" by Gaelic Storm from Bring Yer Willies

1:00:49 "Gasoline" by Enter the Haggis from Casualties of Retail

1:05:38 PUB CHAT I want your feedback. What are you doing today while listening to the Pub Songs Podcast? How has this show inspired you?

Send a written comment along with any pictures to [email protected]. Use the hashtag #pubsongs in the subject of your email.

1:05:54 NEWS

Podcast music submissions form at 4celts.com

1:06:33 "Nancy Whiskey" by Marc Gunn from Not Every Day Is St Patrick's Day

1:08:32 "Sinead Maire" by Lunasa from Cas

1:16:35 "The Ballad Of Jack Dolan (The Wild Colonial Boy)" by Tullamore from Wild and Wicked Youth

1:20:34 "Day After Day" by Tears for Beers from The Secret World of Celtic Rock

1:26:51 UPCOMING SHOWS

Coffee with The Celtfather every Wednesday at 11 am

Interstellar Ginger Beer & Exploration Co., March 8 at 7:30 PM. No cover charge.

St Patrick's Day on YouTube, March 10 at 8 PM. Free show!

Join me at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama on March 17 with Kilted Kings for a St Patrick's Day celebration on the beach.

Sherwood Forest Faire, outside Austin, Texas, weekends, March 23 and 30

1:28:50 "Raise a Glass in Parting" by Marc Gunn from Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits

The Pub Songs Podcast is listener-supported. Your generous pledge of as little as $1 or more per month allows me to create music, podcasts, and live videos for your enjoyment. Special thanks to my new patrons: Tina R., Kimberly K, UT Scot, Raised pledge, Paige, River G.

If you enjoy visiting the pub, please join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon. You’ll get episodes before regular listeners, free albums, podcasts,  videos and lots more. Go to marcgunn.net to join the Gunn Runners today.

If you enjoy the music in this show, support the artists. Buy their music and merch. Follow them on Spotify. Let them know how much you love what they are doing. And tell a friend.

Pub Songs Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or to my website where you can join the Gunn Runners Club on Patreon and support my music and this podcast. I’ll also email regular updates of new videos, podcasts, stories behind the songs, plus 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub!  www.pubsong.net.

Check out this episode!

USA: Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party at the Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, Feb. 12, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                     10/1/2018Contact: Ancient-Future.Com [email protected] Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party at the Freight and Salvage, Berkeley, Feb. 12, 2019 View Press Release Online with Photos and Video:http://www.ancient-future.com/pr_2_12_19.htmlHi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1979 (1.3 MB):http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af1979photo300dpi6x4.jpgShown: Benjy Wertheimer, Phil Fong, Mindia Devi Klein, Matthew MontfortCelebrating 40 Years of World FusionAncient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, a vegetarian cafe and music club co-op that was the center of a vibrant local music scene. It was the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday, who was not yet of nightclub age. This concert on Montfort's birthday celebrates Ancient Future's 40 years at the forefront of the world fusion music movement.The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but it will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. It will feature top master musicians from around the world along with band members from the original and historic Ancient Future lineups. Stay tuned for surprise announcements of featured musicians.Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8 PMFreight and Salvage2020 Addison StreetBerkeley, CA 94704Tix: $20 in advance at the F&S, $24 at the door. All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee.Purchase Tix:https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1764222Box Office Phone: 510-644-2020, open 12:30 PM–7 PM (excluding holidays) and during all performances.Email: [email protected] Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1882577728505388/Poster (246k .pdf):http://www.ancient-future.com/pdf/2-12-19_freight.pdf Ancient Future History: Reunion Concerts of YoreOriginal Lineup ReunionHi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1981 (1.2 MB):http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af2front300dpi6x4.jpgShown: Mindia Devi Klein, Benjy Wertheimer, Matthew MontfortAncient Future was formed in late 1978 by students at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California, including Mindia Devi Klein (who went by Mindy in those days), Matthew Montfort, Benjy Wertheimer, and Phil Fong. Ancient Future's first concert took place to a packed house on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, a vegetarian cafe and music club co-op that was the center of a vibrant local music scene.This lineup of Ancient Future made two recordings that are now considered world fusion classics. In December, 1978, the band went into Tres Virgos Studio in Mill Valley to record Montfort's song Moonbath. The song became the springboard for the first Ancient Future record, Visions of a Peaceful Planet. The concept for Natural Rhythms, the band's second record, grew out of a spontaneous recording session at a friend's recording studio near a frog pond. The sound of croaking frogs was leaking into the studio, so Montfort went out to the pond with a zither and began to play, and found that certain rhythms produced musical responses from the frogs. Several months later, Montfort and Klein went to Bali to study gamelan music. They were amazed to find paintings all over the island portraying Balinese rice paddy frogs playing gamelan instruments, so they ventured out into the rice paddies where a frog jam session ensued that became part of the Natural Rhythms release. On April 19, 2015, three members of the original lineup of Ancient Future performed together for the first time this century to a full house at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley. Sadly, Phil Fong was unable to attend the reunion as he was battling ALS. He passed away on July 18, 2016.Hi-Res Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1981 by Sherry Freeman (1.1 MB):http://www.ancient-future.com/images/af1981boulder300dpi4x6.jpgShown: Benjy Wertheimer, Mindia Devi Klein, Matthew MontfortArchaeological Discovery of First Ancient Future VideoYouTube Video of Ancient Future Circa 1978:https://youtu.be/Xp5et9Qfgo4Shown: Matthew Montfort, Yusef Ali, Mindia Devi Klein, Phil Fong, Benjy WertheimerThis video is an amazing archaeological find: the very first video of Ancient Future, recorded in late 1978, months before Ancient Future's first concert! Thanks to Jonah and Mariposa at Marin Artists International who, after learning of this reunion concert, were able to rescue parts of Ancient Future's first video recording session from archival oblivion. This short teaser from 'Eternal Embrace' by Phil Fong from Visions of a Peaceful Planet is the first release from this archeological expedition. Performances of two complete pieces have been recovered, and will be released after some audio restoration work is completed.'World Without Walls' ReunionHi-Res Photo by Irene Young of Ancient Future Circa 1990 (14.7" x 9.7" jpg, 7.2 MB):http://www.ancient-future.com/images/1990ancientfuture300dpi15x10sepia.jpgShown: Matthew Montfort, Jim Hurley, Doug McKeehan, Ian DogoleYouTube Video of Ancient Future at their 'World Without Walls' Reunion:http://youtu.be/IlYfQ50MGDwShown: Doug McKeehan (keyboards, piano), Kash Killion (bass), Ian Dogole (percussion), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Jim Hurley (violin), and Mariah Parker (santur) This lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was released digitally by Capitol Records for the first time ever at major digital retailers such as iTunes. Twenty two years after its initial release in 1990, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012, after which Ancient Future continued to perform reunion concerts at venues such as the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Berkeley's Freight and Salvage. "Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own." - Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIANBandleader and Birthday BoyMatthew Montfort (band leader, scalloped fretboard guitar)Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. He is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). Montfort spent three months in intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. In 2009, he released his first solo guitar recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, which reached #8 on Zone Music Reporter's World Radio Chart. He is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com, a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, and Doc Watson. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Matthew Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled "The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga." He has performed concerts world wide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona and the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay. He has performed live on national radio and TV shows such as the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. Coconspirators and Likely Guest ArtistsGeorges Lammam (Arabic violin and vocals)Georges Lammam, of Palestinian descent, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He is a solo violinist exemplifying the Arab style of instrumental improvisation. Mr. Lammam toured in Bolivia with renowned artists Eddie and Gabriel Navia, and joined stellar performers hosted by JoinedHands (USA NP), organized by Marcus Lovett (Phantom of the Opera), to support refugee families and humanitarians in the refugee camp in Chalkida, Greece, hosting thousands of people from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His compositions and performance excerpts are included in scores for two award-winning documentaries:  Occupation 101 and Tea on the Axis of Evil, and he recorded a well-known folkloric dabke (an Arab folk dance) in a 2016 feature film, Wrestling Jerusalem by Aaron Davidman. His newest CD, Opus Omnia, was released in 2017. Vishal Nagar (Indian tabla)"He has magic in his hands" - HINDUSTANI TIMESConsidered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation, Vishal was born into a family of musicians and had his initial training for a very brief period with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana. After his Ustad's untimely demise, Vishal continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school), and he also has had intense rhythmic training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm. Vishal has had the privilege of performing with many renowned artists: Ustad Shujaat Khan, Guru Urmila Nagar, Vidhwan Trichur Ramachandran, Pandit Ramesh Misra, and Kala Ramnath, to name a few. Vishal has also expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world. Some of his memorable works have been with the Ghanaian Guitarist Koo Nimo with whom he also appeared in WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel). Shenshen Zhang (Chinese pipa)A native of Wenzhou, China, Shenshen Zhang began playing the pipa at the age of nine. At thirteen, she auditioned and was accepted into the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where in 1992, she was awarded a Bachelor's Degree. In 2005, Ms. Zhang received Master's Degree in Musicology from Xiamen University. As an award-​​winning concert soloist, she performed and toured extensively throughout Asia and the U.S. Since making her home in SF Bay Area in 2006, Ms. Zhang has combined her lengthy performance career and her vast experience as an educator, preserving the musical heritage of China while also exploring other world cultures. Ms. Zhang taught music at Stanford University from 2015 to 2017, and she has her own pipa studio in Silicon Valley where she teaches classical Chinese music to a diverse student population. Pandit Habib Khan (sitar)Pandit Habib Khan is regarded as one of the best sitar players in the country today. He was born into a family of musicians and can trace his lineage back several generations to when classical music enjoyed the patronage of the nobility and royalty of India. He began his training at the tender age of five under the strict eye of his accomplished father, Ustad Hameed Jaffer Khan. The Jaffer Khan family was from Indore and were well known for their unique style of playing the sitar, melding the effect of the human voice and the instrumental tone into a harmonious whole. Habib Khan has carved out a distinct style of his own which is a blend of his father's traditional techniques and his own imaginative inventions. He is as much at ease with light classical and religious music as he is with pure classical renderings of ragas. Mindia Devi Klein (Indian bansuri & silver flutes, Balinese gamelan)Mindia Devi Klein is a founding member of Ancient Future and an award winning musician, composer and educator. Known primarily for her rare and haunting Indian bansuri flute music, she was actually born in Brooklyn, New York, where she began her formal music training at the tender age of two with African American folk singer Charity Bailey. Early exposure to the jazz greats and the vast diversity of the world's music left her hungering for a doorway into the mystic heart and roots of music. She followed her muse to California and the Ali Akbar College of Music where she met and began training with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan for over 40 years at Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California. She also trained under bansuri maestro G.S. Sachdev and then learned in India under guidance of world renown bansuri flutist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. A recipient of the American Institute for Indian Studies Smithsonian Fellowship, the Fulbright Scholarship in Balinese gamelan and numerous community arts and composition awards, Mindia's playing and compositions blend together the sounds and ideas of many worlds in a subtle and unique way. Benjy Wertheimer (tabla, percussion, and esraj)Benjy Wertheimer is a founding member of Ancient Future. An award-winning musician, composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist equally accomplished on tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards, he has performed and recorded with such artists as Krishna Das, Deva Premal and Miten, Jai Uttal, Walter Becker of Steely Dan, tabla master Zakir Hussain, and bamboo flute master G. S. Sachdev. He began his musical studies at age five, starting with piano and later violin, flamenco guitar, and Afro-Cuban percussion. Benjy has been a student of Indian classical music for over 40 years, sitting with some of the greatest masters of that tradition, including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar. Along with the Grateful Dead's Mickey Hart, he was a contributing composer and member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience. For over five years, Benjy scored music for the internationally syndicated NBC series Santa Barbara, and his CD Circle of Fire went to #1 on the international New Age radio charts in 2002. Making his home in Portland, Oregon, he now tours internationally with his wife Heather in the kirtan group Shantala. Jim Hurley (violin)Jim Hurley, multi-instrumental performer, composer and educator, began playing violin in the Livermore public schools, and later explored rock guitar and bass, jazz and world music, improvisation and composition. Influenced profoundly by South Indian violinist L. Shankar, he incorporates styles from bebop to zydeco, European classical to Zairean soukous. He studied violin with Dr. Madeline Schatz, protege of Jascha Heifetz and Josef Gingold, at Humboldt State University, where he earned his B.A. in Music. Jim's professional credits include performances and recordings with Queen Ida's Grammy-winning Bon Temps Zydeco Band, Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, all-China gu zheng virtuoso Zhao Hui, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (with Jon Anderson from Yes), Kenneth Nash (Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Dizzie Gillespie alumnus), Dan Hicks, Al Stewart, Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Stanley Jordan, the Waybacks, Tempest, and many other artists. He has performed on NBC's Saturday Night Live, NPR's A Prairie Home Companion, and at numerous festivals including New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Monterey Jazz, Winnipeg Folk, and Strawberry Music.Doug McKeehan (keys)Doug McKeehan started his piano studies at age five, and began his first professional work at the age of twelve. He studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory, Kent State University, and the University of Otago (New Zealand). He has toured Europe twice and spent considerable time in India studying with notable Indian music teachers such as Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Kursheed Khan and Pandit A.G. Bhattacharya. He has composed original music for stage and T.V. productions in San Francisco and Los Angeles and has been musical director of two original musical comedy productions. In 2008 he was commissioned to compose and perform live music for the Diablo Ballet's production Jazz Fever. He cofounded Air Craft with violinist Bruce Bowers, which released a highly acclaimed jazz fusion album, So Near, So Far. He is a first call jazz pianist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ian Dogole (percussion)Ian Dogole has articulated his vision of global fusion music as a multi percussionist, bandleader, educator, recording artist, composer and producer. He has released seven records and a DVD as a leader – Along the Route, Dangerous Ground, Ionospheres, Night Harvest, Convergence, Crossroads, Outside the Box – Jazz Journeys & Worlds Beyond and Ian Dogole & Hemispheres In Concert (DVD). Ian has recorded and performed with artists such as Hamza el Din, Tito La Rosa, Richie Cole, Paul McCandless and Alex de Grassi. He performs on a wide variety of percussion instruments, including udu, cajon, hang, African talking drum, kalimbas, cymbals and dumbek. 111 Word Radio AnnouncementAncient Future will perform a 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday Party February 12, 2019, at 8 PM at the Freight and Salvage, located at 2020 Addison Street in Berkeley. Ancient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday. The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. Call (510) 644-2020 for more information. Tickets are $20 in advance at the F&S, and $24 at the door. All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee.  via Blogger https://ift.tt/2DSPlCQ

Sumo Wrestling - The Japanese Sport That Offers Thrilling And Entertaining Action Combined

Sumo wrestling is a celebrated Japanese game where prepared experts - called the sumo grapplers - battle to cut the rival down. The champ needs to vanquish the rival by tussling them on the ground, or make an endeavor to flung him out of the wrestling ring called dohyo.

The sumo grapplers dissimilar to the habitants of the Far East are overwhelming in body weight, and live on a unique eating routine known as chankonabe that causes them pick up and hold weight.

Sumo wrestling officers began picking up notoriety when sumo wrestling turned into a game of the Japanese eminence. Bit by bit, the contenders began wearing run of the mill ensembles made of valuable silk material with rich weaving naming the quarrel they served. The custom of wearing this regular outfit has proceeded till today. This valuable satiny suit is called keshå-mawashi. Anyway the beginners, sekitori, wear a similar adaptation which is less complex and more affordable and is named as mawashi by local people.

The white thick-waisted undergarment made of cotton is worn while preparing and hued silk suits are worn during rivalries. The Japanese accept that shading decides the grapplers karma, incase of a match not finishing off with win for a grappler the shading could be supplanted, to carry favorable luck to the one wearing it.

The game has advanced in Europe, America and Australia, yet not expertly. Individuals of any age participate in sumo exercises as an entertainment, it is named to be a great game. Organizations everywhere throughout the world assembling and sell clothing that cause an individual to seem like a substantial weight contender, trying to look like the first Japanese fighters. The inflatable sumo paddy suits likewise accompany an implicit battery-controlled fan that consistently blows air on the individual wearing it, however not clearly. The outfits are either leased or sold Engagement Rings Perth.

A sumo suit resembles a neck-to-toe jumper suit that has full sleeves. These toy suits accompanies cushioning in quite a few spots to give influences of bends, knocks and tires like a genuine sumo contender. The upper front bends take after the warrior's substantial chest, the lower tire directly before the part where the clothing is structured, swells out as does the warrior's belly and the expanded arm appear to be like the greasy ones simply like a real expert.

The clothing seems as though an infant's spoil, from the front and from behind it looks like a g-string, with a thicker belt. Individuals wearing the suits seem bulgy and appreciate the experience of catching one another, making them snicker unendingly in view of the entertaining look.

These sumo suits arrive in an assortment of hues. The contrast between a genuine sumo grappler and an individual wearing a sumo suit is that the grapplers are exposed midriff above, though the toy suit, to guarantee wellbeing covers the whole human body as well as accompanies included frill. A total sumo grappler suit bundle comprises of an average sumo suit, gloves, sandals that spread the whole foot, security protective caps, neck supports, and landing mats.

In the west, the term 'sumo' appears to have become a language to depict whatever is bulgy and seems tremendous. The most recent expansion Sumo Splash Guard is a water sport adornment that is kind of an oval formed inflatable that highlights six twofold webbing froth handles with knuckle cushions, inflatable armrest, and sprinkle smoothening configuration to shield the water from showering directly into the swimmer's face.

Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”... Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit - Twitter - https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook - http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram - http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”… Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit – Twitter – https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook – http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram – http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

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Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”... Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit - Twitter - https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook - http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram - http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

Three fellas die on Christmas eve, to get into heaven, St Peter says “You must have something on you that represents Christmas” The Englishman flicks on his lighter and says “It’s a candle”, St Peter lets him pass, the Welshman jingles his keys and says “They’re sleigh bells”, St Peter lets him pass, the Irishman pulls out a G String and a bra, St Peter says “How the heck do they represent Christmas?”… Paddy says “They’re Carols.” .. 😙😉 Visit – Twitter – https://goo.gl/bQC2Ov Facebook – http://goo.gl/SX94ov Instagram – http://goo.gl/vV6RGf

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