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Friday, April 16, 2010

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: (and more!)

Happy Friday, friends!

Before I offer you some fabulous Weekend Bloggy Reading links, I wanted to welcome all the new Followers who signed on this week. I am so glad you're here!

I also wanted to say a BIG thank you to every single one of you who linked up to the very first Dishing It! party. It turned out to be a much larger party than I was expecting. That's awesome, but what I truly hope is that you all took to heart my intentions for any party I host.

A party is not a party unless the guests are networking and getting to know one another. Please make every effort to return comments that were left for you during my Dishing It! party. Take a few days if you need to, but please be mindful of blogging's just plain nice to return a visit to your blog if you can. If you joined the party late on Thursday, you may want to do a bit of visiting if you haven't received any comments yet. People might not have seen your link yet!

To show that I meant it when I said I valued relationships in blogging, and I appreciate bloggers who take the time to really participate in parties, I planned my own little surprise Giveaway. I went through every single link on my list, leaving a comment, but also looking to see who was doing the most visiting.

Ironically, Jen from Tatertots and Jello had a comment on many of the blog posts (I truly lost count after awhile), and she definitely doesn't need any return traffic with a blog as huge as hers! What I appreciate about Jen is that even though she has a very popular blog, she takes the time to get to know her readers. So, Jen, I have a little Spring "thank you" surprise for you.

Now, on to the big fun! Here are some super-fun links I found this week when I wasn't Dishing It! with you guys.

~Check out Stacey's wonderful Before and After photos in her Guest Bedroom Makeover.

~Paula blogs about the Progress on the Walnut Avenue Remodel she's made with her mom over at Sweet Pea.

~Tiffany's "Wordy Birdie"

~Kelli's Applique Beach Towels...start now to be finished in time for pool weather.

~Cheryl had a fabulous post on How to Make a Ruffle. Excellent for sewing rookies like myself!

So, did you enjoy partying with me this week? Haven't had enough? Even though my (big, gulp) birthday is coming up next Wednesday, I'll be hosting the next session of Decorating Dilemmas!

This is another blog party designed with the idea of bloggers encouraging one another and offering helpful feedback. You can link up a Dilemma OR a Solution...anything in or around your home that is decorating related! You can click here to see how the last Decorating Dilemmas party worked. Please link up on the 21st so my birthday won't be a downer, 'kay?

{Got any big plans for the weekend?}

We have a MOPS playdate at a local indoor play park this morning. This means we will need to bathe in Purell when we get home. Good times. Pizza party and dessert with my brother and favorite (for realz, SuSu!) sister-in-law tonight. She wants some help burning a CD for my totally RAD 80s themed birthday party next weekend. Hoping I can trick convince T to take me to see Date Night on Saturday...that would be fun, right?

Don't forget that there's still time to enter the simply adorable Cutie Pants Giveaway!

Have a wonderful weekend!
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  1. I didn't get to enter but I did visit some new blogs, it was a great idea !

    Today is the last day for my dwell giveaway if you'd like to enter :)

  2. I'm so glad your linky party was a success! Isn't Jen the best too:) Thanks so much for featuring my towels!

  3. Thanks again for hosting the party! It was so much fun, I can't wait for tomorrow when I have time to go visit more blogs!

  4. Hi Amanda;

    Thanks so much for hosting this party.

    As a blogging newbie, it was a kick and a half to have the extra traffic to my blog, and read all the lovely comments.

    May I say your site is lovely, like a present wrapped in designer paper.

    I first visited your site because of your title, as I'm a huge Seinfeld fan too.

    Thanks again!

  5. Glad the party was a success!! And even larger than you figured!! Woot!! That is super!

  6. You are the best, Best, BEST hostess. No wonder your party was such a success!

    Hope your weekend is wonderful. Don't forget to close your eyes when you bathe in Purell. That stuff hurts if it gets into your peepers!

  7. I love your blog and am giving you an award. Come on over to my blog to check it out.

  8. Thank you so much for hosting the party. It was a blast. I didn't get to visit as many as I would have liked, but plan on visiting over the weekend. Thanks again :)

  9. Amanda --

    You are so sweet! I must have missed your first email. I love parties like yours because it gives me a chance to meet new people, and that's the reason I blog.

    You are the sweetest and the best commenter. I love reading yours because they are so sincere and thoughtful!

  10. Thanks for hosting it Amanda! It was a great way to find blogs that I wouldn't otherwise have! Have great weekend!

  11. Amanda it sounds like your party was great! I am sorry I didn't get to link up to it...I will for the next one. :) You have always been so great on making other blogs feel love and commenting. You are so thoughtful and caring...that is what I love about you! I thank you for your friendship since I have known you in this bloggy world. :) I didn't realize we have our birthdays so close together...mine is the wonder we get along so good, great minds think alike!
    Hugs and love,

  12. Your party was a big success! I'm still making my way through the list.

    Thanks for featuring Mama's house this week. The next update hopefully will be a big one that shows a lot of cosmetic changes that make a big difference like paint.

    Enjoy your weekend and I hope you get to go to the movies with T.

  13. Thanks so much for hosting the Dishing It party! I enjoyed participating as well as visiting other blogs and meeting new people! I'm following your blog now and I can't wait to see more of your ideas!

  14. Amanda,
    Thanks so much for linking up to my Guest Room makeover! :) So sweet of you! Hope you have a fun weekend, sounds like you have a lot of great stuff planned! Hubby & I are getting the kids watched for free tonight at our church (ya-hoooo!!) so we're having a date night tonight, then a work day on the house tomm! Enjoy your weekend!

  15. Hello friend! You are such a fabulous hostess! I LOVE Jen, she is so sweet and sincere.

    I can't believe it's your birthday again...we have really known each other for awhile now!

    This weekend I have a bridal shower to attend, and lots of cleaning to do! (boo.)

  16. What a sweet idea to give a gift to one of your most active participants. Love that.

    Now I'm off to check out that Guest Bedroom Makeover that looks so pretty! :-)

I love to hear your feedback! Please feel free to leave comments...just don't send me spam asking me to buy stuff off your website! I've got three kids and no money to purchase your magic weight-loss pill or bust enhancement, or whatever else you might be selling. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! :)

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About SERVPRO of Wexford

Doug Lemke

Owners of SERVPRO of Wexford

SERVPRO of Wexford understands the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

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Old Stamfordians: Legal group meets again for quiz night in London

Several members of the Stamfordian Legal Group met up on Monday 2 October for a quiz night and sausage-and-mash supper held in the Old Hall of Lincoln's Inn.  This beautiful medieval building is the setting of the first page of Dickens' 'Bleak House', where the Lord Chancellor presides over the interminable chancery case of Jarndyce v. Jarndyce. Our evening proved to be a rather more cheery occasion and, while the Lord Chancellor was already spoken for, non-OS ringer, Her Honour Judge Khatun Sapnara joined the Stamfordian team to sprinkle a little judicial stardust over proceedings.   Flowing ales and fine wines didn't prevent the Stamford team from reaching a podium position at the end of the first half but Lincoln's Inn's finest minds managed to pull ahead after the dinner break and we failed to win the fiercely contested cash prize.  We did, however, win a bottle of champagne as the prize for the best team name ('We thought this was speed-dating') and since, as everybody knows, choosing a name is easily the hardest question in any quiz, we were pretty satisfied with that.  The Stamfordian Legal Group will be meeting again in the new year.

Simon Stanley (OS 85)


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Business Major Re-Launches E-Commerce Site

Fitzgerald Robertson (SHU '18 ), with assistance from the Wukich Center, has re-launched his e-commerce website, The Fitzgerald Collection, "an online retail store for men’s and women’s fragrances with the aura of simple elegance and sophisticated style." Fitzgerald is earning his undergraduate degree in business administration with specializations in entrepreneurial studies, marketing and human resources.


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In the previous chapters we meet the closeted Nathan who lusts after his hot best friend, Jake. A strange supernatural event causes Nathan to swap bodies with Jake's crush, Natalia, a hot gym trainer. Nathan makes the most of it, seducing his friend and finally enjoying what he'd wanted for so long.

In this chapter, we pick up with Natalia, who has also undergone quite a change...
Natalia woke up from an intense erotic dream pressing her right hand between her legs. She must have been touching herself while dreaming, but the feeling between her legs was like nothing she’d ever felt before. There was a great swelling there, as though she were expanding, throbbing, protruding out of herself. But how could that be possible?

Not to mention she wasn’t touching herself how she normally did. Instead of sliding her fingertips over her clit as she’d done so many times before, she now felt her hand gripping and squeezing something…something that felt like a large, erect, and throbbing —

“What the fuck?” she said aloud, but instead of her own feminine voice, she heard a low voice, a man’s voice, and it was definitely coming out of her throat.

She threw back the blankets and screamed in surprise as she looked downward to see a large, cotton-covered tent standing out of her underwear-clad crotch.

For obvious reasons this sight immediately drew her attention, but there was so much else wrong with the scenario. For one thing, the underwear she was wearing - men’s gray boxer briefs - were nothing like the tiny panties she’d gone to sleep in. And instead of her muscular, smoothly shaven legs she saw a pair of masculine legs covered in dark hair. She touched her torso, her waist, her chest where she was surprised to find no breasts to speak of. She was touching the body of a man. A nicely fit, slim, muscular man, but a man nonetheless.

She tried to calm her mind so that she could figure out just what the hell was going on, but it was difficult to think clearly, filled as she was with so much desire - with this aching hard-on throbbing up out of her crotch. Unable to stop herself, she again squeezed the impressive cock, and felt a pleasure the likes of which she’d never before experienced.

It was practically tearing through the fabric of her underwear, and she had an urge to throw her underwear off and start stroking the nearly uncomfortably erect thing right there.

But with a valiant effort, she tried to put her lustful thoughts aside, jumping out of bed and taking a look around. The disorienting things were too many to count - where was she? And who was this cute, slender but muscular young man staring at her in the mirror with the nice abs and the prominent hard-on?

She moved her right hand up to her hair, and saw the man move his hand up to the dark hair that hung down to his defined cheekbone. He was handsome in a delicate way, and he looked familiar to her somehow. She grabbed the waistband of her shorts and saw the man in the mirror make the same action. Then she readied herself and yanked them down.

“Ah!” she heard her voice, now low and manly in her throat as she saw her long, erect cock spring out, feeling the strange vertigo of understanding somehow that this was her body, this lithe, male torso, this impossibly stiff cock sticking upwards over a patch of dark pubic hair, these balls hanging below…

“OK, OK, don’t panic, just figure out where you are,” she thought to herself.

But as she slowed her breathing and became calmer, she began to feel her desire grow even more - almost completely clouding her mind. She needed to do something about it, and needed to do it now.

And before she knew it, as though by instinct, she had spat in her hand and begun to stroke her new cock slowly savoring the feeling of her palm sliding down over the aching slab of flesh. It was a brand new feeling for her - to be able to wrap her fingers around her own long, hard cock, and enjoy the incredible sensation both from the outside (which she was very used to) but now also from within. She gave herself over to the same instinctual urge, which now caused her to stroke faster, concentrating on the underside of the head which felt incredible.

She could hear her voice moaning now, low, involuntary, and opened her eyes to see her newfound self jacking off and, wow, did she look sexy. Her new face was handsome with clear skin, icy blue eyes, and sharply defined cheekbones and it looked so sweetly serious as she went about her task. The veins in her arms stood out as she jacked her cock, and the defined pec muscles bulged with each stroke.

As she watched and appreciated this new body of hers, and the look of strained desire on this man’s (her own?) face, all of a sudden, she felt an intensity like nothing she’d ever experienced, and the hot flesh in her hand swelled now even larger, even larger as she felt her balls tighten and…

“Oh, fuck!” she yelled out as she felt warmth radiating up through her groin and outward where she saw her cock begin to shoot out streams of thick, white sperm wildly, uncontrollably all over the mirror.

Geez, it was getting everywhere, but in her deeply horny state she didn’t care at all — she just kept jacking it and jacking it, getting out every last drop until the convulsions that wracked her body had subsided and she fell back on the bed in a satiated stupor.

Well, that was fun. And messy. She felt her mind come back to her, clearer now. And then the panic begin to rise again. Just what in the actual fuck was going on!

She started to look around the room, searching for clues to her identity. The room was clean, ordered, and sparsely but tastefully decorated. Looking at the photos on the dresser, she saw a photo of her new self together with a good looking athletic guy who also looked familiar. That’s it! She must have seen them around the gym. They were both pretty cute, though she preferred the friend - he was super hot. In fact as she looked at the photo she felt herself begin to harden again.

This made her wonder about the sexual proclivities of this man she found herself somehow inhabiting. If she was now a man, why was she was still attracted to men and not women?

Looking closely at the photo, she thought she could detect something about the way he was looking at his friend, something that might indicate a…stronger feeling than just friendship.

Curious, she began to look through the room — opening drawers, rifling through the closet. Bingo! Under some old sweaters in a drawer in a closet was a dog-eared, well used magazine on the cover of which was a ripped, oiled up stud sporting a hefty, semi-erect schlong barely hidden by a pair of tiny black speedos. She flipped through the pages and saw hot guys in various states of undress performing sex acts on one another.

One image caught her eye and she lingered on it - two hot, ripped guys, both nude, one blond and one with close cropped dark hair, making out with open mouths, each with his hand around the other’s hard cock. She was practically drooling.

Through the haze of her lust, she realized how strange this feeling was. For one thing, she’d never been that turned on by seeing photos of guys, but now she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

Also, though she loved men and had what she considered to be a very healthy sex life, she’d never found herself attracted to the idea of two men being together sexually - usually, if she was honest, it kind of grossed her out - but now she couldn’t get enough of the idea. Not only had that aching, stretching, deliciously full feeling returned to her new package, but she also felt a throbbing from within her - a familiar feeling of wanting to be penetrated, but now somehow emanating from a different, deeper place. She felt herself blush as she realized what this could mean.

Willfully pulling herself away, she realized that something about inhabiting this body must be influencing her sexual desires as well. Clearly she was taking on some of this man’s (or his body’s?) deepest sexual desires - namely, to be with men and, she realized with a deeper throb to her member, to be fucked by guys.

“Ugh - OK - get yourself together, Natalia!” she thought. What was going on? She was a super sexual person, but this inability to stop obsessing over sex for even a moment was something she’d never experienced. She needed to stop this nonsense.

With determination, she continued her search through the closet only finding more clothes.

On the desk in the corner of the room she found a pair of pants draped over a chair, in whose pockets she found a wallet containing a driver’s license with a cute photo of her new self, and the name “Nathan,” along with a birthdate telling her she was 22 years old. She also saw his address, which was in a neighborhood she recognized.

She began to rummage through the desk, soon coming across a notebook which she quickly gleaned was Nathan’s journal. Reading through it quickly, she learned a bit more about this young man. The picture painted by the entries was quite sad - here was a guy who was clearly smitten with his best friend, Jacob (and if that was the guy in the photo, who could blame him?) lovingly describing every part of him, and Nathan’s deep obsession to be with him sexually, something that could never happen.

And not only that, but he would barely admit even to himself that he liked guys even though it was plain as day. When he did admit his attraction to men, even the slightest bit, it was always accompanied by some phrase like, “No one can know,” or, “Why can’t I be normal?”

She felt bad for Nathan. She had plenty of gay friends in town and knew that once they fully admitted that truth to themselves, their lives became so much happier (not to mention they started to have a LOT more sex).

Nathan was so cute, she felt certain there would be a ton of guys who’d be into him if he were just open with himself. She wondered if there was anything she could do to help him along. And then, without meaning to, she felt her mind fall back to that cloudy, horny state that seemed to be this new body’s default mode — filling with images of Jacob, shirtless and working out, muscles straining; and other gorgeous men, kissing, jacking each other off, and fucking, glistening with sweat.

Well, it was clear that she had to do something for Nathan - it wasn’t healthy to be this obsessed and not to do anything about it! And along the way she might be able to help him realize his true self. That’s what she told herself, at least, though a part of her just wanted to take this new body for a joyride. She wasn’t nearly as inhibited as it seemed Nathan was, and if she was going to be this incredibly, uncontrollably horny, she was going to do something about it.

She knew that a ton of guys would be attracted to the sexy young specimen she now found herself to be. And, to be honest, she’d always felt a little jealous of how promiscuous it seemed gay guys had a license to be. She’d finally get to see how it felt to live in their world.

But where would she go? As she dutifully cleaned up her cum from the mirror, she found herself thinking back to a conversation she’d had with a friend, a co-worker named Ted who was a fellow trainer at the gym. He was very hot (if he wasn’t gay she would have bedded him ages ago), and seemed to have endless stories of going out to a bathhouse in town where, from the sound of it, nothing was off limits.

She had always wondered about this place and what it must be like to have anonymous sex with the men there as it seemed Ted did on the regular. But of course at the time it would have been impossible for her to go - the place was for men only. Clearly that was no longer a problem and she felt certain the clientele would be quite happy to see Nathan.

She went about getting ready with a delicious mix of anticipation and fear - showering and delighting in lathering up this new body with soap, trimming her body hair, and putting lotion all over her body, preparing herself for the men she hoped to satisfy.

She didn’t spend too much time on her outfit as she knew the spa where she was headed required full nudity — threw on some jeans and a t-shirt, grabbed her keys, and headed out quickly, not wanting to run into anyone on the way out.

Getting into Nathan’s compact car, she took stock of her surroundings, pulled out, and began the drive to the bath-house, a couple miles away.

As she drove, she wondered again what had happened and how in the world she’d ever return to her normal self, but soon her thoughts drifted back to her mission and she began to think with a single minded focus only of what awaited her at the spa.

She arrived and parked. From the outside it was nondescript - a single-story building in an industrial neighborhood surrounded by other semi-illicit establishments - a few porn shops, a couple strip clubs. She’d passed this place a million times and was excited to finally be going in. She locked the car, took a deep breath, and went inside.

She strode purposely up to the counter where a cute guy about her age and build stood behind a cash-register.

“How can I help you?” he asked. Natalia could feel his gaze traveling over her body with an open and very clear appreciation.

“One please — for the spa,” she said, still becoming used to her new voice.

“First time?” the man behind the counter asked. She smiled, thinking that he had no idea in how many ways that was true.

“Yeah,” she said, “anything I should know?”

The man behind the counter grinned lasciviously and turned to grab a bracelet with a key from a wall behind him.

“I think you’ll get the hang of it quickly - a guy like you should definitely have a lot of fun here.”

Again she felt the anticipation rise and her heart quicken. “What makes you say that?” she asked. The man grabbed her hand gently and slipped the stretchy rubber bracelet around her wrist without breaking his gaze.

“Just a feeling I have,” he said, smiling. “You’re just his type.”

“Pardon me?” she said, thinking she must have heard wrong.

“This key will unlock your locker. No clothing allowed in the spa,” he said, patting her on the hand, “and that’s all you’ll need to know.”

Nathan quickly paid the entrance fee which was reasonable, and headed toward the door to the locker room. “Have fu-un,” the guy at the counter said suggestively. She looked back to see that he was very openly checking out her snugly denimed ass. A little surprised (but no less pleased) she smiled and went in.

As she entered, she felt a small thrill at entering a men’s locker room for the first time, nervously finding her locker. She looked around, trying to get the lay of the land without letting her gaze linger anywhere for too long. Men of all shapes, sizes, colors were in various stages of undress - coming and going from a door that must have led to the saunas. Her gaze quickly alighted on a face here, a pendulous cock there, a well-conditioned chest, a beautifully toned ass. She went to her locker and hid her face, glad to have a moment to collect herself.

As she stripped, she realized that almost all of the men were watching her. And then she reminded herself of why they had come, and thought that maybe she didn’t have to be so careful. As she clicked the locker closed and stood there, fully nude, she met the gaze of each of the men she passed and they looked right back at her - some smiling, some giving steely, sultry stares. She realized that whatever she, as Nathan, had, it was something that these men deeply desired - and they were not afraid to show it. The only trouble now was choosing the lucky guy who would be her first conquest.

With a thrill, she walked to the door of the sauna (still delighting in the feeling of her cock swaying back and forth) took a big breath, and opened it.

As she entered the sauna, the heat swept over her fully naked body - a dry heat that made the sweat stand out on her new skin. It was dimly lit and full of steam so she couldn’t see much of anything for a moment. Then, gradually, masculine bodies began to materialize out of the thick steam, leaning against the walls and sitting on benches in the long room that stretched back, like a corridor, shrouded in vapor. All of the men’s cocks were in a state of arousal - some fully hard and standing straight up, others semi-erect and lazily interested in the proceedings. Everyone there looked openly at one another, appreciatively, and many directed those looks toward her. Horniness and male hormones permeated the air. She heard the sound of slick flesh moving along slick flesh, and the moans of men orgasming, or getting close to it.

“Wow,” she thought. “OK, I’m really here. I’m really doing this.” She felt the now-familiar, lustful, cloudy, delicious feeling begin to take hold of her as she beheld the proceedings. Bodies emerged from the fog - shoulders, jawlines, muscular thighs - and she saw now that there were several men, handsome, fit and completely nude, standing around her, stroking their erect cocks as they looked toward the front of the room.

She smelled sweat and chlorine, and a sharp unmistakable smell that made her nipples immediately harden - the musk of masculine arousal. The air was charged with a strong male energy that she hadn’t experienced before, never having been around this many horny men at once. She continued to be pleased that many of them seemed acutely interested in her new body. She felt their lustful gazes feasting on her taut form as an almost physical sensation, and she luxuriated in the idea that she, in her new form, was the cause of their ridiculously swollen cocks. She realized, not without some self consciousness, that this was also causing her to become fully erect, her attraction to all these men now plain for all to see.

She quickly decided she had nothing to hide here — in fact her throbbing cock seemed to be bringing her even more attention than before — and she definitely enjoyed the stares it attracted.

“Who’s the new guy,” she heard a deep voice behind her say, and felt a strong hand gripping her bare ass which she reflexively, but playfully, swatted away. “Mmm, hard to get…I like it,” said a beefy older man with silver hair, a barrel torso, and a fat hard-on.

She hesitated a moment but continued forward, not wanting to simply take the first opportunity that came by. Besides, she was curious about what everyone was looking at further in toward the back of the room.

She couldn’t help but take one glimpse back where she saw the man (wow, he really was handsome) gripping his cock, staring at her ass, and biting his lip. She gave him a playful smile and continued on.

As she got further, the men were uniformly staring ahead, rapt, no longer interested in anything but what (or whom) lay ahead. Her curiosity was piqued.

Then from out of the haze at the end of the room, she began to see the form of a large man, fully nude, sitting upright on the bench, gazing out over the room.

He was majestic with long, dark hair brushed back from his forehead. His skin was tan all over and he was brutally good looking - a strong jaw, wide neck, broad shoulders and chest - huge arms. Dark hair covered his brawn and a sheen of sweat made his muscles glisten in the dim light. It was no exaggeration to say that he was physically one of the most impressive men she’d ever seen.

But as her gaze traveled down his exquisitely built torso, she was surprised to find the most incredible thing about him was the beast that rose out of his lap, glistening in the dim light of the sauna — an astonishing length of cock the likes of which she’d never seen. The glorious giant was impossibly erect, throbbing visibly atop two large, heavy hanging balls.

Everything about him seemed to radiate masculinity, virility, and dominance.

He sat with his hands on his muscular thighs, staring forward. As she admired his defined quads and the impressive size of his calves, she realized that she’d been standing there for some time in his thrall, devouring his body with her eyes. She looked down and saw that her cock was even harder than she’d yet experienced, finding it awkward to be showing this man such a visible sign of her powerful desire.

But the man’s gaze forward betrayed none of the desire she saw straining beneath his waist. He looked impassive, unshakable. She felt herself drawn to him, but as she got closer, walking through the crowd of gorgeous, fit men, she began to slow, feeling timid in his presence, even while drawn involuntarily closer to him.

The men surrounding her were jacking off as they stared ahead at the man, their nude bodies shimmering with sweat.

She took a step back, meaning to fade into the crowd and find a good vantage point, but as she did so she saw the man raise his hand up from his body, and point a large finger directly at her.

An audible gasp rose from the crowd as all eyes focused on her.

A large grin spread across the mans face, and he motioned with his finger, beckoning her to come closer.

She was frozen. She looked behind her, thinking he must mean someone else.

“You,” he said, with a low and smoky voice, ”come on, don’t be shy” .

Though she was nervous, something about him and his decisiveness calmed her. She stepped forward, shoulders back, head held high, erect penis jutting upwards.

The man looked her over from head to toe, as though appraising every inch of her newfound body.

“So,” he began, “what makes you think out of all of these guys I’d choose you?” he asked.

Was that what this was, she thought, some contest for this man’s affection? Though she would be happy for him to lavish it on her, she didn’t quite want to play his game. But who was she kidding, of course, with a prize so absolutely mouth-watering, she would do practically anything to win that contest.

“What makes you think I’d choose you?” she shot back, looking him in his deep gray eyes.

He laughed at her insouciance.

“Well, you sure seem happy to see me,” he said, gesturing at her hard-on. Inside she felt herself swooning, loving his attention. But if she knew one thing about men, it’s that they love a challenge. She remained silent for a moment.

“Well, you’ve got quite a giveaway there, too,” she said glancing down at his otherworldly hard-on.

“Oh this?” he said, gesturing toward the object of beauty in his lap. “What makes you think you’re the cause of this?” the man said, gesturing out at all the other men in the crowd. She blushed feeling silly, but maintained her confidence.

“Just a feeling I have,” she said smiling coyly. The man smiled back, and the two were like that for a long while, staring at one another. No one spoke, amid the sounds of stroking, deep breathing, and sighs of pleasure.

“Why don’t you come closer?” he said, breaking the silence. “I want you to be closer to me.”

She wanted to pause a moment to maintain the illusion of casual, nonchalance. Everything in her told her to stay put and continue to play hard-to-get.

But…who was she kidding? She was no match for the lust she felt, and was definitely seduced by his forthrightness. So, despite her wishes, she found herself stepping forward briskly and coming to a stop standing just inches in front of the man.

“Mmmm,” she felt him growl low as he devoured her with his eyes. “You are just my type.”

Her thoughts were drawn back to the man at the counter. Is this what he was talking about? She stood silently, desire roiling inside her.

“Don’t stop there,” he said, “climb on up.” And with that, he brought his hands down on both of his muscular thighs with two slaps that resounded through the room.

She hesitated for just a moment, surprised by his brazenness, still wondering how to play it. She then heard him say, “Or else…I can ask one of these other guys too.”

She laughed a little to herself, astounded by his arrogance. But he just continued to sit there, unflinching. She looked at him and felt the seriousness in his steely gray eyes. Something powerful from within her drew her to follow his order. Of course the magnetism of the man himself was overwhelming, but there was also something about this exchange happening in front of an audience of hot guys that piqued her imagination. And even more than that, she wasn’t about to lose this experience to anyone else in the room.

So, putting aside all self-consciousness, she slid first one knee onto the bench beside his hip, then the other, bringing herself up to straddle him, now only inches from his smiling, arrogant face. She knew that, in this position, her ass was now on full display for the audience of hot men and, somewhat shamefully, felt herself involuntarily angling it to give them the best view.

“That’s it,” the man purred, clearly pleased. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her, drawing her close. She closed her eyes and let herself sink into his strong, warm embrace reveling in the feeling of his naked flesh against hers. She felt his breath whispering into her ear, assuring her, “You’re way hotter than any of them.”

This time she couldn’t contain her swoon, to be so close to him, to smell his musk. She had never had such a big, sexy pair of arms wrapped around her.

“You’re my favorite,” he said, in a voice so low that only she could hear.

And just like that she was kissing him, his powerful arms now pulling her close in. He had incredibly soft, pillowy lips for such a hard bodied man. Her chest was pressed against his chest, broad, strong, and nearly twice the size of hers. Below that, she realized that their cocks were now sliding together, lubricated by their sweat and the condensation from the steam around them. Her hips gyrated, grinding involuntarily against him, dry humping her cock against the man’s as their kisses grew deeper. And the man responded in kind, working his mind-blowingly large cock against hers. She let her hands play in his long hair as he grabbed her ass, kneading her taut glutes.

Throughout this exchange there were gasps and moans from the men around her, she was pretty sure some were even coming, not able to contain themselves as they beheld the passion playing out before them.

As they continued to make out, she felt the man’s big hand slide down around both of their shafts, jacking them like one huge, all feeling cock. “Ungggh” he moaned aloud, or was it her own voice rising in her throat? She couldn’t tell any more.

He stopped kissing her, and now stroking just her cock lightly he said, “You know what I’d love?”

At that moment feeling his hand on her sex, being so close to his animal attraction, she’d do anything he said. She even said it out loud.

“Anything,” she said, dazed by lust. “Anything.”

“That’s my favorite word,” he said. “Well,” he continued, smiling at her as he continued jacking her off, “here’s what I’d love — my friend Clive would like to join our fun, would you like that?”

With that, the man motioned to the crowd. Following his gesture with her eyes, she was happy to see the silver fox who had earlier grabbed her ass striding up, his cock even harder than before. She felt herself smiling.

“Mmm - you like Clive?” he asked.

She nodded somewhat sheepishly. Clive was incredibly hot.

“I can tell,” he said. “Now what I would love is if you would wrap those sexy lips of yours around my cock while Clive licks your ass. Does that sound good to you?”

She felt herself nodding as she got on all fours on the bench before his spread legs, sticking her muscular ass in the air behind her, and beholding the majesty of his cock now up close.

It was even more impressive from this vantage, a fat scepter of flesh topped by a tremendous, oozing head that shone in the dim light. She wanted to take it all.

She decided to start at the bottom, leaning in and placing her tongue gently on his big ballsack, pressing it down and letting it slide up between the heavy balls, onto the base of his tree-trunk sized manhood, then up, and up, and up seemingly forever until she reached the underside of the plump, salty head, eliciting a gruff moan of pleasure from above, which felt to her in that moment like everything she’d ever wanted.

She felt his hand on the back of her head, gently urging her on and she allowed it, opening her mouth in response, letting the cock crown slide between her lips, tasting his pre-cum dragging a trail down her tongue as the man pushed the head slowly in and out between her lips.

Now she felt a hand gently lower onto her upraised hip, and was pleased to remember that Clyde was still there. She moaned involuntarily at the thought.

“Mmm, I knew you’d let me have this ass,” she heard Clive say behind her, the naughty grin audible in his words.

She looked back to see him smiling at her and kneeling down. Her knees gave a bit as his piercing, green eyes met hers. She nodded at him, coaxing him on.

Pulling herself from Clive’s gaze, she quickly resumed what she had been doing, slipping her lips over the engorged head hungrily, then swirling her tongue around it slowly, savoring it.

Meanwhile, she positioned herself to give Clive better access, sticking out her ass and leaning forward so that she was in a doggy-style position with her forearms resting on the man’s massive quads. Clive’s hand began to fondle her balls from behind, and then, suddenly, deliciously she felt a warm sensation back there as his wet tongue began to glide up and down over her asshole.

Her moans were muffled by the fat cock which she now forced further and further down her throat. “Yeah, lick his ass” she heard the man say as she felt Clive’s hot tongue spreading her tight hole open, beginning to penetrate into her with his tongue in tantalizing little thrusts.

Meanwhile she realized the man was now moving his hips, driving his unbelievable cock deeper, ever deeper into her throat, and she was taking it - driven mad with horniness by Clive’s tongue now rapidly, but gently spreading her tight ring, his hands holding her hips steady, burying his face between her cheeks.

She did her best with the cock in front of her, sliding it into her throat, pushing it as far in as she could take. Judging by the moans she elicited from the man, which were rapidly increasing in volume and depth, she must have been doing a good job, though she knew she could do better and kept on trying - deeper, deeper, deeper with every swallow, until she gagged and was forced to take a break, stroking the saliva-lubed masterpiece before her as she caught her breath, before dropping her head and hungrily returning for more.

Meanwhile, Clive was doing a great job of getting her nice and ready, getting her very wet with his spit and stretching out her tight ass with his tongue.

“Mmm,” she heard the man’s voice above her. “Clive, I’m ready for him.”

She felt Clive stop licking and step away obediently.

Sensing a new and different phase, she popped the man’s wand out of her mouth, continuing to stroke its length as she looked up to him. “You ready?” the man said, looking her in the eyes. She nodded. “I want you to ride me,” he said, and she quickly complied.

She rose to kneeling and then straddled him again. This time she was wild with lust, and it was clear that the man was driven a bit mad by horniness too. He lifted her quickly by her hips so that she was kneeling high, her cock pressed against the deep central ridge of his upper abs, then with his left hand still on her hip, he gripped his cock with his right hand, bringing it into tantalizing position, the tip of the head pressed just against the puckered center of his asshole, still wet with Clive’s spit.

By now she wanted very, very badly to be penetrated. She’d never felt anything before like this desire to have him deep inside her. Of course, she’d done anal plenty of times before but it was never her favorite. But now, in Nathan’s body, it was her single-minded focus, everything she wanted in that moment.

Kissing the man, she began to push back gently against his cock. Her asshole was so tight, and his cock so huge that it seemed almost impossible to make it work, but she was determined, and with each small push back she began to feel it stretching her, stretching her just a tiny bit open, and then a bit more until *POP* suddenly the whole head was inside her!

She moaned deeply with the sudden flush of pleasure that washed over her, but she barely had time to savor it as she soon found she was instinctively riding him, and the man, following her eager cues, was no longer holding back but responding to her steady bouncing with upward thrusts that were driving deep, deep inside her ass, causing her to moan uncontrollably as she rode the man’s massive cock. He fucked her deeply, enveloping her in his arms and thrusting unceasingly.

She had been fucked in the ass plenty of times, but she’d never felt anything like this, the head of his cock sliding over and over against a new center of pleasure deep within her which she could only guess must be her G-spot. And he seemed to know exactly where it was, hitting it again and again. She realized that with each thrust, pre-cum was spilling out over her cock, oozing down onto her balls, her hard cock bucking up and down as she rode him with abandon.

Then she felt herself rising, and realized the man was lifting her, arms wrapped around her back, still with his cock firmly buried in her ass. He kissed her deeply now, and gently placed her on her back, lying down fully on the bench. She willingly lay back and cocked her legs up onto the stud’s broad shoulders, knowing exactly how she wanted to be fucked. She braced herself as he leaned over her, and pulled out for a moment.

“Are you ready?” he asked, poised like a statue of the masculine ideal right above her. She reached out, gripping the magnificent fuck-tool, stroking it and bringing it back to press against her asshole. He grinned, said “Guess I’ll take that as a yes,” and slid his cock back into her asshole. She responded by grabbing onto the man’s muscular ass, gripping it and pulling him into her, holding him there to fully savor the full length of his cock within her.

The man leaned over her now, his handsome face again nearing hers to kiss her deeply, their torsos now making contact as he really began to fuck her.

Between thrusts, she vaguely realized that a ring of men was now surrounding the bench, standing closely, jerking off, beholding the copulating pair. The sight of them filled her with even more frenzied lust.

“Fuck me,” she heard herself saying, “Fuck that tight ass,” but the man didn’t need much encouragement as he drove into her again and again, his handsome face contorted with pleasure.

Now he started to pull back a little bit, not as deep, but with intent and she realized that the experience had somehow become even more pleasurable as he drove into the center of her pleasure, her prostate, her G-spot.

The man responded when he heard her moans change, knowing exactly what he was doing with precise control, staying in that one spot and hitting it again and again.

“I want you to come,” he said now, holding her hips and driving into that spot.

As she felt a profound wave of pleasure begin to build in her, and she began to moan uncontrollably, the thought occurred to her that she didn’t think a man could come this way, just by being fucked in the ass. But the feeling in her body was telling her something very, very different. Feverishly, she matched his thrusts over and over, driving her prostate against the fat head of his cock.

As she looked into his steely grey eyes, locking in with him as he fucked her, she could feel it unmistakably welling deep within her. “Make me come,” she said, “Yeah, make me come!”

He kissed her deeply, gripped her firm butt, and kept thrusting in the exact same spot, blinding her with pleasure. She couldn’t stop that unavoidable feeling flooding through her.

As the men around her realized what was happening, they could no longer contain themselves either. She began to hear first one and then many voices crying out in pleasure - she was making them come as well.

The first moan worked like a wave, setting them all off until all of the men were coming, causing the space to echo with moans of pleasure.

And then she realized she couldn’t last any longer. The man looked into her eyes and said, “Come,” as he kept on thrusting.

*Spurt* then she felt it, gliding through the length of her hard cock and out onto her chest.

She felt wild, orgasming solely from his skillful penetration of her ass. The man knew what he was doing, not slowing the movement of his hips as she came uncontrollably. Only as her convulsions slowed did he reach down and grab her cock, coaxing the last drops out and causing her to moan even more loudly.

As the waves of pleasure subsided, she began to focus even more on his pleasure. Looking into his eyes, she could tell just how much he was enjoying this tryst.

“Now I want you to come,” she said.

The man kissed her deeply, and said, “Turn over for me.”

He slowly pulled his cock out of her ass, astounding her again with it’s tremendous size.

As soon as it was out, she turned over onto all fours quickly, wanting it right back in. She was now positioned to be looking out over the crowd of men who were avidly watching the proceedings. She delighted in seeing how much she was turning them on. She couldn’t help but smile, and as she did so she saw one of the men standing closest begin to come, spurting his seed onto the floor. “Fuck yeah,” she couldn’t help herself from saying. She enjoyed the power she wielded over these men in her new body.

But she didn’t have long to ruminate on this, as just then the man slid his cock right back inside her, all the way up to the hilt, balls resting against her perineum. She moaned now involuntarily as he held there and wrapped his big arm across her chest, lifting her front half off the ground, causing her to arch her back. She leaned back now, tilting her head and kissing him as he began fucking her softly, gently.

He seemed to be savoring it, letting each stroke linger. And then, still kissing her, he began to thrust harder with quicker movements.

She turned to steady herself again on all fours, hands against the ground. He gripped her ass with both hands and now started fucking her entirely for his own pleasure, enjoying every inch of her ass, stretching her out, using her.

She bucked her hips back, fucking onto him, encouraging him. And after several thrusts, she knew she could feel it. That familiar feeling she knew when a man is just on the brink. She increased the tempo and moaned for him, willing him, with everything in her, to come.

Now his cock swelled just a bit more and tensed up. She turned her head to look back at him. There he was thrusting, eyes open, his abs flexing and relaxing with each movement. “Yeah, I’m gonna come,” he said now as though in a trance.

“That ass is so good, make me come,” he said. She looked out at the audience and saw guys coming again, not able to take it. She thrust back harder now, giving it everything she had.

He moaned now, clutching onto her hips and driving more deeply than she even thought possible. “Fu, fuck - yeeeeeah.” Her knees were lifted up off the ground by this final push as she felt an incredible, warm geyser now rushing out into her, a great fountain of cum flooding her so that she could feel it spilling out of her onto the bench below.

When he was finally done he pulled out, laughing, content. “Wow,” she heard him say, “Just…wow.”

She got up on her knees now, approaching him. He pulled her in for a deep kiss as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, both of them basking in the afterglow. She silently thanked Nathan, whoever he was, for allowing her this experience, and then began to think about what she would do next…
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Draymond Green apologetic — and stoked for Game 6

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Sporting Green // Bruce Jenkins

Draymond Green apologetic — and stoked for Game 6

CLEVELAND — As the Warriors’ general manager and architect of a championship roster, Bob Myers was primed for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. It was right there at Oracle Arena, where the Warriors rule, and there were all sorts of celebratory plans ready to be uncorked.

But Myers wasn’t there. He was next door at the A’s game, spending time with the banished Draymond Green in a private suite, and they were together until Game 5 ended. That says everything you need to know about the character of the organization, and Green was blown away by Myers’ sense of camaraderie.

“Bob coming in there to sit with me, that’s the kind of stuff that goes a long way,” said Green, who wasn’t allowed inside Oracle after drawing a one-game suspension from the league. “He’s been by my side through this entire thing. (Co-owners) Joe Lacob and Peter Guber texting me constantly, kind of sharing that tough moment with me, it means a lot. That’s the kind of thing that makes you say, ‘I want to be a Warrior forever.’”

Green spoke to a large group of media members Wednesday afternoon before the Warriors’ shootaround, and he stood tall. He didn’t blame the referees, LeBron James or the NBA for his plight, rather putting it all on himself. That’s how the big stars are supposed to act.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors during a media availability.
Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

“I learned a lot, as a basketball player and as a man,” he said. “One thing I’ve been teaching myself, and trying to learn how to do, is control my emotions. Not being on the floor to battle with my guys is being a bad teammate. It’s awful. Terrible teammate. I have to be better, and not put myself in position where there’s a decision, or an investigation. I have to be better as a leader. I did my teammates an injustice watching that game in street clothes at the A’s game.”

It would be wrong to believe his teammates were incensed. They were astonished at the league’s ruling, “but it’s an exaggeration to say he’s a bad teammate,” forward Harrison Barnes said. “No one has gone that far. He might have said that, but we’re not going with it. Things happen. We have to move on from it.”

Green sent the players a group text after Game 5 and also met with them personally. “He was very apologetic,” guard Klay Thompson said. “You could tell it hurt him bad. He told us it was the toughest thing he had to sit through as an athlete. We understood. We had no hard feelings against him. We just need him to come correct (Thursday), and everyone will forget about it.”

Draymond Green (23) grabs a rebound away from Tristan Thompson (13) in the fourth quarter as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Head coach Steve Kerr said it’s hardly a mystery how Green has to approach the next game (or two).

Draymond Green, in his first public comments since being suspended for Game 5, said Wednesday that he needs to keep his emotions in check and “be better as a leader.”
Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

“He knows that if he gets another flagrant (foul), he misses Game 7. I’d be shocked if anything happened on that front. I think he feels bad enough as it is, over missing Game 5. He’s not going to put himself at risk of missing another game.”

Stephen Curry called Green “the spirit of what we do. I think he’s going to play with the same aggression, same passion, leave it all on the floor but be smart. I think he can do that without having to take away a piece of who he is, as a player and competitor. He won’t get baited into any altercations.”

The Cavaliers might well be planning a provocation or two, although head coach Tyronn Lue discounted the notion. “No, I think you just play the game, play hard, compete for 48 minutes. We’re not going to go in trying to make him pick up a technical or flagrant foul. You’ve just got to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”

Last year at this time, the Warriors won Game 6 with Andrew Bogut on the bench and Green anchoring the Warriors’ “death lineup” at center. It’s different on the Cleveland side, with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in uniform, but the Warriors will be executing a small-ball strategy they’ve perfected over the past two years.

Green is just relieved to be freed from exile. He said it was “brutal” being away from Game 5, “one of the weirdest days ever for me. It’s one thing if you’re out with an injury. To not even go in there and help my guys — brutal day.”

Curry said he couldn’t help but imagine “the ultimate video montage” if the Warriors had won Game 5, “just seeing Draymond running across from the baseball stadium with a camera following him into Oracle Arena. That was like the dream celebration.”

It didn’t happen, but an equally compelling story unfolded next door. Green had the company of his general manager on a night when both men longed to be inside Oracle. “Warrior forever” sounds good to everyone concerned.

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: Twitter: Bruce_Jenkins1


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REVIEW: Matter by Iain M. Banks

After a very long dry spell, the Culture is back in Iain M. Banks’ new novel, Matter. I’ll state upfront that I absolutely love Banks’ Culture novels. In fact, Use of Weapons currently holds the top spot in my ‘Most Favoritist Science Fiction Novels’ list, so you can imagine the glee with which I tore into Matter. And, for the most part, I wasn’t disappointed.

Matter is the story of three siblings whose father, King Hausk, conqueror of the 8th level of the Shellword Sursamen, is traitorously murdered by his right-hand man Mertis tyl Loesp during the final battle of conquest. Ferbin Hausk witnesses the murder and ends up on the run from those who seek to keep the King’s murder secret. Ferbin’s brother, Oramen, is next in line to become king when he reaches the appropriate age, if he lives that long, and Loesp will act as Regent until then. Djan Seriy Anaplian, the sister of both Ferbin and Oramen, was sent to live in the Culture and is now part of Special Circumstances. It’s to her that Ferbin ultimately turns to for help.

Earlier I said that the Culture is back. Well, that isnt’ quite true. The Culture, in the form of Anaplian, is a major character in the book, but she takes a leave of absence from Special Circumstances to attend to matters surrounding her father’s death. So, in that respect, the Culture as a whole doesn’t really come into play in Matter. If you’re looking for something set entirely within the Culture, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The best I can describe the feel of Matter is Inversions crossed with Feersum Endjinn. But, typical Banks, more is going on than appears at first glance. The Minds of Special Circumstances take an interest in the goings on around Sursamen and Anaplian’s trip has more than a hint of SC help behind it.

The other prblem I had was the pacing of the book. The majority of the book moves along at a very deliberate pace. We have three different major story threads to follow (Ferbin, Oramen and Anaplian) and a couple of minor ones. Banks weaves in and out of these threads which serves to slow the pace down. Ferbin and Anaplian don’t meet until roughly 100 pages till then end. At that time, we start to find out what is really going on and Banks kicks it into high gear for high speed action till the end. That’s not necessarily bad, as the end section gives us plenty of SF-nal action, but it does clash with the pace of the rest of the book.

Speaking of SF-nal stuff, Banks gives us his usual array of cool ideas. The Shellworlds, think of Russian nesting dolls, only each ‘level’ is a world, with an alien ‘god’ at the center, the awesome Morthanveld orbital, the usual assortment of unique ship names and a terrific SF battle at the end. Along the way we are treated to some smaller ideas, those that happen to exist on the Shellworld. But if you’re looking for the ‘soaked-in-SF’ setting of the other Culture novels, Matter isn’t like that. It’s more of a political intrigue thriller than straight out SF action story.

But Banks does give us a healthy dose of his trademark humor and interesting characters. In fact, two of the best turn out to be Ferbin’s retainer and manservant, Holse, and an avatar of the ship Liveware Problem. Both end up being both more, and less, than what they were when they started.

Which brings us to the end. Matter actually has two endings. The first is the typical Banks, non-Hollywood ending, with the characters doing what needs to be done. You may, or may not like this, depending on your tolerance for this sort of thing. It didn’t really bother me much, but I was still a bit sad at how things turned out. Then the Appendix shows up, which is weird, because, after the Appendix, is more story, in the form of an Epilogue. It’s here that I think Banks pulled off one of the best endings in the Culture series. I won’t say much, but I think it was pitch perfect, showing the growth of the characters involved and it plays directly opposite to the tone of the first ending. It’s that last 100 pages, and this ending, that really brought this book out of the middling range to something special.

Is Matter the best Culture novel by Banks? No, that’s still Use of Weapons. However, Matter can sit comfortably alongside Consider Phlebas for second.

About JP Frantz (2323 Articles)
Has nothing interesting to say so in the interest of time, will get on with not saying it.

6 Comments on REVIEW: Matter by Iain M. Banks

  1. Nice review, and I agree with most of your points, especially that the final 100 pages is the best part.

    In my mind, the Holse character took on the appearance of Sam Gamgee from Lord of the Rings, since he speaks in the same way and even uses the same colloquialisms (i.e. “like as not”).

    The Mediaeval setting works great as a contrast for the liberty and enlightenment of the Culture, but Banks has done that before (Inversions), and I found it tiring this time around.

  2. Colin de Silva // March 7, 2008 at 6:58 pm //

    I did read the first three-quarters of the book, thinking when was the familiar Banks’ funny-under-pressure dialogue was going to kick in..not sure I got my fix in the end.

    I also do wonder why all Iain’s characters ‘talk in the same way’, even the alien ones at times, with the “Ahh….” bit.

    I do not think this is Iain’s best piece of work, it meanders quite a bit before settling down to business, and there is precious little detail in the final fight where before everything was in excruciating detail – it was like Iain himself got fed up of it at the end?

  3. Hi

    Thanks for your review. I have just finished this book and was really disappointed so was looking for some more positive news about the novel.

    I adore all of Iain Banks earlier sci-fi and reread them regularly – he is one of the authors by whom I judge all other sci-fi.

    I just found this book overlong (I think about 3/4 quarters could be easily edited out) and erratic – lots of detail about things that didn’t matter, and precious little about anything much that did. For me, it didn’t have that edginess and darkness that was so characteristic of his earlier novels – filled with memorable characters who for one reason or another get themselves into situations from which there can be no happy return. So they go out all ‘guns blazing’ as it were. I really didn’t care about anyone after the first 100 pages or so….and that ending/s…..sheesh…

    There is always an air of poignancy to his plots and a elegant tersness to his writing that I sorely missed in this.

    Sorry – no where near second – what about ‘Against a Dark Background’. Even if I pretend this was not by Iain, I would be disappointed in it…

    and we have to wait 18 months for another go?

  4. Chris Kirton // July 12, 2008 at 7:13 am //

    Very disappointing. There are lots of interesting plot lines, non of which are adequately dealt with, then everyone dies; as usual.

  5. Good reivew, thanks!

    I just picked up a copy of Matter and intend to get into it tonight. I just wanted to say I disagree that Use of Weapons is the best culture novel (followed by Consider Phlebas). For me, The Player of Games stands head and shoulders above the rest.

  6. I just finished Matter and, though I greatly enjoyed the novel as a whole, the ending was just…worthless. The novel did not conclude in any real sense: it simply stopped. Boom! Finished. OK…so what does the Xinthian WorldGod have to do with anything? Who built the Nameless City? And why the hell was the Nameless Thing trapped there anyway?

    Now, I generally like novels with indeterminate endings–they give you something to think about long after the narrative itself has concluded. But…Matter seemed to indicate promising revelations that it never bothered to deliver. Quite frankly, the book felt like Volume 1 of a longer series, in later volumes of which certain elements–such as the activities or fates of the inhabitants of the other Levels of Sursamen, the future of the Sarl people, etc.–will be explored more fully. I certainly hope this happens, because as it is, Matter is the first and only Iain M. Banks book that I’ve ever read that does not feel complete.

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3601 1151 W Georgia Street, Vancouver

Trump International Hotel and Tower, iconic building in the center of downtown Vancouver. This spacious one bedroom plus den features endless high level finishes: Arclinea kitchen system, Gaggenau kitchen appliances, AEG range hood, BOSCH washer/dryer, full air-conditioning, radiant heated ensuite bathroom and more. Living in Trump tower, you can enjoy many services provided including Rolls Royce car service, the Spa by Ivanka Trump, indoor swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi and fitness room, 24/7 doorman and concierge. The champagne lounge, Drai's night club, and award winning Mott 32 fine dining Chinese restaurant are those luxurious dining choices you can reach in the same building.

Taxes (2018): $2,747.17

Air Cond. Central Elevator Exercise Centre Pool; Indoor Restaurant Sauna Steam Room

Air Conditioning ClthWsh Dryr Frdg Stve DW
MLS Reciprocity
Listed By: Sutton Group - 1st West Realty
Disclaimer: Listing data is based in whole or in part on data generated by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley Real Estate Board which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy.


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Yup. Sure do. {this weeks FAQ}

This week's frequently asked question: "Do they all cry at the same time?" Yup. Sure do.

It usually happens when they are all ready to eat. Diaper changed, sitting in their loungers with bibs on. and mom is late with bottles.

It's all mom's fault, let's face it.

Wanna see what it's like?

here ya go.

[vimeo 98724505 w=500 h=889]

But after they're full they get super adorable again...see?

IMG_1438 IMG_1443

Hope that awesome video really set the scene for everyones weekend :) Happy Friday!


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In + Out day

My last belly picture was 31weeks, 4days. I delivered them 2 days later at 31+6.

Today my babies have been alive as long as I carried them in my belly.

I couldn't imagine what I would do without all of these ridiculous humans! All at once!!!! They have changed our lives in so many ways. Ya know, like sleep deprevity, money sucking, time consuming..... Ha! Totes kidding.

IMG_4260.PNG My cup runneth over.


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Dr. Thomas Holsomback, MD - Baytown, TX - Surgery

Dr. Thomas Holsomback, MD

  • Accepting New Patients

Dr. Holsomback's Locations

    • A
      Triumph Hospital Baytown1700 James Bowie Dr Fl 3Baytown, TX 77520
      • Accepting New Patients
Hospital Affiliations

      Dr. Holsomback's Accepted
      Carriers & Plans

      While this information is updated regularly, check with your health plan or provider to confirm network status and coverage.
      • Medicare
      • Medicaid


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skip navigation

Sponsor Ad Space

08/05/2015, 5:00pm EDT
By Nathan Taylor

Would you like to purchase this ad space?

Please contact Nathan Taylor for more information about sponsoring the Stallions by purchasing ad space available here or in other locations throughout the website for the 2015 season.

Tag(s): INFORMATION  FOOTBALL  CHEER  CALENDAR  MEDIA  ABOUT US  DISCUSSION BOARD  Documents  Photos  Videos  Practice Parking Info  Player Code of Ethics  Parent Code of Ethics


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Hypertension (study day)

Who is it for?

This study day is suitable for first level registered nurses working in primary care settings.

Overview of content:

  • Epidemiology
  • Pathophysiology
  • Investigations
  • Pharmacological and non-pharmacological management
  • Patient education and current evidence based guidelines

What is it about?

This study day focuses on the management of hypertension in primary care. The study day will cover the pathophysiology in hypertension – a brief introduction to the physiological changes taking place in hypertension and the associated significance, epidemiology – an overview of incidence and prevalence of hypertension, presentation and investigations – the clinical features of hypertension and the role of routine investigations and screening tools for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It will also look at the pharmacological management – an introduction to the drugs used in hypertension and the non-pharmacological management – care and management options including lifestyle issues and patient education.

How will it enhance practice?

Nurses learn how to identify patients with hypertension as well as how to follow the recommendations for managing the condition.

Course Structure:

1 x day study day 09.30 - 16.00

Upcoming dates:

6 November 2019

Application and Funding

To apply for this course, please select the "apply" link at the top right of this page. For information on funding options please see here.

If successful in your application for the course you will receive a confirmation email with the exact details of the location of teaching, closer to the start date.

Tuition Fees

For details of current tuition fees for self funded or sponsored applicants please click here.

Programme Leader/Contact Name:

Debbie Limb

Tel: 0114 222 2050; Email : d.c.Limb@sheffield.ac.uk

Admissions/Support Officer:

Deborah Reid

Tel: 0114 222 2037; Email: snm-admin@sheffield.ac.uk


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Private Yoga Application

Interested in working together one-on-one? Please take a few moments to complete this questionnaire and help me get to know you and your needs a little better.

Please complete the form below

Name *
Include any recent injuries, surgeries, or conditions (including pregnancy) that may effect your practice.
Typically working together means finding a set time to meet each week or every other week and committing to consistently working together.


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Home - ShemaleCumTV.com

pretty ladyboy Cheerleader Plays With Pom Poms

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  • 2014-08-30 13:14:08
Spicy blonde cheerleader brushes her pom poms all over her fine shemale body. Her attractive breasts hang loose and she wiggles them towards the camera while shaking those pom poms
Categories: Blonde

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AAP Soccer

A-League Glory’s Castro made to bide time

By AAP Newswire

Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic will resist the urge to hand Diego Castro a starting role in Saturday night's A-League clash with Melbourne City.

And defender Matthew Spiranovic may be forced to wait at least another week before making his long-awaited A-League return.

Castro has made two substitute appearances since recovering from a serious hamstring injury.

The 36-year-old came on in the 74th minute in a 3-2 win against the Mariners last month.

And he scored the equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw with Wellington after being introduced in the 65th minute.

Castro's spark was crucial against the Phoenix, but Popovic is likely to err on the side of caution with the skipper against Melbourne City.

"He's getting closer," Popovic said.

"We feel that he's getting stronger with each training session.

"He's shown that in the games as well - the two matches - that he's looking better and better.

"He'll certainly play a part this week, and we'll see how many minutes that is."

Spiranovic hasn't played at senior level for about a year because of a long-standing hip injury.

But the 30-year-old has made it through two youth matches for Glory, and is an outside chance to be named on the bench against City.

"He's played 45 minutes and 60-odd minutes in the youth team," Popovic said.

"He's still a long way off from being fully match fit in the A-League.

"But with his quality, you have to consider it every week, and we have been for the last month or so."

Glory sit on top of the ladder after snaring four wins and two draws from the first six rounds.

City are four points further back in fifth spot, but will enter Saturday's match at nib Stadium full of confidence following last wee's 3-0 demolition of Newcastle.

However, the drama surrounding Bruno Fornaroli continues to dog City, with coach Warren Joyce snubbing the star Uruguayan for a third straight match.

Joyce says Fornaroli's lack of commitment in training is the reason behind the decision, but a large chunk of City's fans aren't happy with the move.

*Melbourne City have won just one of their past 10 games at nib Stadium (D1, L8). Their last triumph in Perth came in round 15 last year, when they won 2-0.

*Melbourne City (82 per cent) are the only team to enjoy a passing accuracy greater than 80 per cent this season.

*Glory attacker Chris Ikonomidis has been directly involved in six goals this season (4 goals, 2 assists). Only Victory's Keisuke Honda (4 goals, 3 assists) has been directly involved in more.


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The Film Room: Curtis Blaydes

By Kevin Wilson Mar 21, 2019
You can sign up for a free seven-day trial of ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC on ESPN+ live on your computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Curtis Blaydes will return to the Octagon for the first time since his devastating loss to Francis Ngannou four months ago, as he tries to get back on track with a win over the underrated Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night 148 on Saturday in Nashville, Tennessee. Already one of the best grapplers in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division, Blaydes, at 28, still has plenty of time to round out his game and become a legitimate title contender.

Ahead of his showdown with Willis, Blaydes steps into The Film Room spotlight.

Blaydes is a former collegiate wrestler and compiled an impressive 95-18 record over his four-year career. He generally waits for the opponent to overextend on a strike and ducks under for the counter double-leg, but he is also adept at backing opponents to the fence and using the cage to help with the takedown. The major problem with his takedowns is the lack of setups. When Blaydes is not looking for the counter takedown, he ends up shooting for the hips from a mile away, and with no setup, they become easier and easier to defend.

When the fight hits the ground, Blaydes is rather patient and focuses on improving position and keeping the opponent down rather than unloading with ground-and-pound. Once he moves to a favorable position, he will keep a constant pace of ground-and-pound while never getting too aggressive or losing the position. Blaydes’ ground-and-pound comes with intent. Instead of merely attacking the head, Blaydes will frequently target the body and even the legs at times.

Blaydes is nothing special on the feet, but he is proficient enough to hold his own until he can get the fight to the ground. His leading attacks can be sloppy at times, but he has shown a nice straight right hand when he is not trading wild hooks in the pocket. He could stand to be more aggressive on the lead and throw something other than just the right hand, and he would have more success with his takedowns if he would set them up with a leading combination.

Just like his takedowns, most of Blaydes’ striking is done on the counter. Again, most of his counters are simple right straights, which makes him predictable on the feet. The speed of his counter right has been enough to land against most opponents, but Willis is a smart striker and Blaydes’ predictable striking could get him in trouble if he cannot land takedowns.

Blaydes could use his jab more. He routinely backed Daniel Omielanczuk to the fence with jabs, which set up his takedowns against the cage. Since Blaydes often gets coerced into wild exchanges in the pocket, the jab would work wonders for him to keep opponents at bay. The jab would also force his opponents to keep their hands high, which would leave their hips open for a takedown. In short, Blaydes must develop his jab more if he wants to compete at the highest levels.

As a grappling-based fighter with only five years of professional experience, Blaydes’ defense is severely lacking for someone at the top of the rankings. As stated earlier, he gets deceived into trading in the pocket way too often. Against Alexey Oleynik, Blaydes was routinely caught with sloppy hooks in the pocket that most fighters would have easily seen coming. His chin has held up thus far, except against Ngannou. However, it is only a matter of time before getting hit this often catches up to him, and Willis might be the second man to make him pay for it. Advertisement

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handpicked deals right into your inbox!

With only about six weeks left before the end of the year, it’s time to look ahead to 2013 and the promise of new outdoor adventures. If you haven't started yet, it's also probably time to think about the outdoorsman on your holiday gift list. The trouble is, there's a lot of stuff out there vying for your hard-earned money. Almost every season, new equipment ranging from the essential to the incidental appears in stores and online, and it can be tough to keep up with every new development in outerwear, boots, and backpacks. But since a few pieces of outdoor equipment always help to inspire travel and recreation, I've spent some time narrowing down the field. And so for the adventure-seeker you always have trouble shopping for, here's a short list of gift-worthy gear they'll be thrilled to unwrap this year.

ECCO Mens BIOM Hike 1.2 ($225.00) : Cold, sore, or wet feet will ruin a trip, so in my opinion, comfortable, reliable footwear is the most important thing an outdoorsy guy can buy. On a test run in New York’s Shawangunks, these boots provided cushioning, ankle support, and ample traction over more than seven miles of muddy, rocky terrain. Plus, a Gore-Tex lining kept me dry, and the chunky rubber outsoles never slowed me down — in fact, I was surprised by the lightness of these versatile hikers.

OnTip Softshell Glove ($49.50): Similarly, good gloves are something else you don’t fully appreciate until you don’t have them. Since it’s hard to predict when the temperature is going to dip, chilling your extremities, I almost always carry a pair in my daypack. Wind resistant and lined with wicking micro fleece, these gloves feature raised, superconductive fabric on the tips of the thumb and index finger that enable you to use a touch screen device without ever exposing your hands to the elements.

Hydrapak Laguna ($119.99): With your hands and feet taken care of, it’s time to think about other essentials, like water. I don’t always drink a lot of water on short hikes in the Catskills or the Lower Hudson Valley, but I always bring plenty of H20. That's is why I like the thoughtfully designed Laguna. It’s got room for a three-liter water reservoir and close to 10 liters of gear divided between five pockets. A magnetic clip keeps the drinking tube from flapping around when you’re not using it, while a sternum strap, a removable waist belt, and side compression straps take the hassle out of adjustments.

SteriPEN Freedom Water Purifier ($119.95): If your trip includes an overnight or two, carrying enough water for cooking and drinking might be a challenge. And even in remote parks, far from the danger of contaminants introduced by humans, you never want to take a risk with your health. This is where the small, 2.6 ounce Freedom comes in handy. Using ultraviolet light, it destroys over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in under a minute and a half. Better still, you can recharge this purifier with a laptop or an AC adapter.

BioLite CampStove / BioLite
BioLite CampStove ($129.00): The other way to render suspicious water safe for drinking is to boil it, something that can be done quickly and easily with a portable camp stove. One of the coolest (and cleanest) models out there is the BioLite, a compact and convenient stove that doesn’t require a fuel canister, relying instead on a thermoelectric generator and a fan to make a small, old-school wood fire ultra-efficient. Not only that, this 8.25 x 5-inch unit converts surplus heat into electricity for USB-chargeable devices.

EMS Mountain Light 15° Sleeping Bag ($369.00): And finally, at the end of any activity-filled day, the last piece of gear you’re likely to need is a warm sleeping bag. Fortunately, choice is not something you’ll to have to compromise on. Three season campers eager to take the guesswork out of deciding should consider the Mountain Light, a bag that will keep you toasty with 800-fill water repellant DownTek goose down, but weights a mere two pounds. Vertical baffles are designed to eliminate cold spots and the ripstop nylon shell resists wind.

Check out all of our other 2012 travel gift guides for the holidays.

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Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices

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I am not getting it all done; Homeschooling multiple children & multiple subjects

01 13 14 Not getting it all done

“I am not getting it all done…”

That’s what she said to me the other day. A mom who had recently begun homeschooling her four children was telling me how she had been struggling to find the time to cover every subject with every child every day.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard moms say this sentence over the years. It is understandable. We have to cover subjects that go from reading and writing to foreign language, math, science, history and then to music, art and computer. For those of us with several children, it can be even more challenging, trying to meet all the instructional needs of each grade level every day.

No wonder we can’t seem to fit it all in. I know I struggled with this a lot when my children were younger. I had had four children in a period of six years. I was daily spending time trying to teach one to read, work with another on his cursive writing, introduce fractions to a third, and gather materials for a science experiment for the fourth.

Every day.

You know. Like the guy in the circus who has those long poles with spinning plates balanced on top of each one. As one plate slows down and begins to wobble, the guy has to run to it and twirl it around again, just in time to run to the next one and keep it spinning. One after the other after the other.

Spinning plates I was spinning homeschool plates each day, going from one child to the other to the other, and by the end of the day I always felt like I had done a lot of work, but accomplished very little. Some subjects always seemed to fall by the wayside. No rubber bands in the cabinet? Well, I guess we can’t do the science lab today – maybe tomorrow. You didn’t finish your math problems? We can work on it together in the morning while everyone else is getting dressed.

I wondered if I would ever be able to do it all. Then one day I didn’t wonder any more. I realized that I would NOT be able to do it all! There is absolutely NO WAY we can do it all. Does that surprise you to hear me say that?

I just figured out that I would never be able to teach everything about everything to my kids. No one ever learns everything about everything in school.

Does this mean that my kids were not going to have a complete education? Of course not. Though it was likely that we would not be covering 13th century ancient Chinese history or the string theory of physics, I didn’t have to stress about it. If I taught my children to love learning and how to learn, then I would be giving them the best possible education. They would be gaining a way to educate themselves.

Of course, I consolidated subjects whenever I could, and I highly recommend that for families. Whenever possible, we would cover the same history or science together, and I would give different assignments to the children based on their abilities. Then we would all come together and present what we had done  – from illustrations, to short stories, to reports or even plays – they were all about the same subject, and we would all learn a bit more by hearing what everyone else did.

I taught my children to use reference materials, do safe internet searches, and we spent hours at a time in the library, enjoying the adventure of hunting down information. I even broke down the word “research” into its prefix “re” and the root “search,” telling my kids that it was an adventure to "search out" information hidden in the texts around us. One of my sons was so energized by the idea of research that he often wore his safari hat while he did any history work, telling me that he was prepared to hunt out the information.

I focused on the three R’s during the elementary years. After all, how many times do we have to cover Medieval Times or the Boston Tea Party in elementary school? If students get a solid understanding of how to read and write, and they learn the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, then they have the foundations to build on those skills in the upper grades.

Now eventually, I had to let my older ones branch out into individual work as they entered high school. We just couldn’t do every subject as a group. But by that age, they were more able to do independent work and (for the most part) required less and less of me to complete their assignments.

This is what we want for our children in a home education. We are striving to produce independent learners who have a life-long desire to know more. It doesn’t always play out perfectly. Believe me, I know. I have had struggling learners and two with learning issues (which I like to refer to as just a personal way to process material that is out of the box). But we would try different learning strategies until things seemed to click better. Plus we always stressed the fascination with learning something new and tried to allow them to pursue many subjects in their areas of interest.

Did my children have gaps when they graduated? Of course. We all have gaps. We all don’t know everything about everything. But if they know how to find information and if they have a love for learning, then they can seek out information to fill any of those gaps as they continue in a career or in a college setting. They will be proactive and can take control of their learning.

So don’t fret if you feel that you just can’t seem to finish everything in your lesson plans each day. Try to consolidate when you can. Do some non-core subjects every other day or once a week. Revisit your plans again and again, praying for wisdom as you do.

And know that you are providing an opportunity to build a love of learning that will benefit your children for the rest of their lives, giving them the best possible academic tools for success. You are getting the important things done!

HomeschoolSherri Seligson


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May at the Fuzzy Duck in Armscote

The Fuzzy Duck are supporting Shipston Home Nursing in MayFuzzy Duck_1

Visit the website at The Fuzzy Duck or call 01608 682 635 for reservations and help raise even more money for the charity.

Sign up for the latest newsletter

Fill in your name and address below to recieve our newsletter through the post (once a year).


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Family photos manhattan beach

Charlotte, Grace & Nora at the Beach! {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

It's always great catching up with this beautiful family every year and this year was no exception. I met them at the beach to document their last day of summer vacation and had a blast with these girls! Here are just a few of my favorites from their latest session... enjoy!

Baby Elizabeth {Manhattan Beach Baby Photographer}

Beautiful! Beautiful baby Elizabeth was too cute for words - those big eyes! She was such a sweetheart too (and so were her super-fun parents) - not to mention a total trooper amongst all her delightful wardrobe changes. SO hard to pick just a few to blog :)


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Beauty, Makeup, Skin Care

Spring Break Beauty Essentials

spring break beauty essentials at Bella Reina Spa

Spring Break Beauty Essentials

After a harsh winter that feels like its lasted an eternity, Spring Break is finally here! Time to trade in those plum and deep red lipsticks for something a bit more light and airy – along with that wool jacket. Time to hit the beach with a carefree spirit and some spring break beauty essentials. During this time of year, less is more. Follow our Spring Break Beauty Essentials guide and you’ll soon be glowing like the sun goddess you are.

When it comes to spring break beauty first things first: sunscreen. Getting a golden tan is a spring break yes, but skip the sunscreen and you’ll be as red as a lobster. Make sure to use at least an SPF 25 and re-apply every two hours or after swimming. Pack our Environ Sunscreen SPF 25 and a hat. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later.

Pressed Powder

You want to radiate, not shine. Being out in the hot sun all day will cause you to sweat, including the skin on your face. Apply a pressed powder, like our Bella Reina 7 Free Vegan Mineral Powder, to fight oil and while covering blemishes for a natural, flawless look.

Give that sun-kissed glow a boost by adding a touch of bronzer to your cheekbones. Ecco Bella FlowerColor Vegan Bronzing Powder Sunflower will highlight your tan while nourishing skin in vegan-friendly flower wax infused minerals, aloe, vitamin E and green tea.

Waterproof Mascara

Look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed without fear of looking like a raccoon. Spring Break means sun, sand and surf, so an eye-popping mascara that’s also waterproof is a must. Try our Beauty Without Cruelty Vegan Waterproof Mascara to keep lashed looking gorgeous all day.

Nail Polish

Kick off those boots and show off your toes! The only acceptable footwear for Spring Break is flip-flops and wedges. Whether you opt for polish that’s bright and tropical or pale and breezy, give your nails a pop of color. Our top choices for spring break are Bella Reina 7 Free Vegan Nail Lacquer Polish in On Vacation.

Lavender Essential Oil

Leave the heavy perfumes at home and opt for something lighter. Lavender Essential Oil by Bella Reina is 100% organic and the perfect scent for spring time. Dot it on your wrists and neck to stay smelling fresh. Plus, lavender oil is loaded with aromatherapy benefits to revitalize not only your mood, but also the mood of everyone around you! Let’s see your normal perfume do that.

Don’t forget to keep you lips moisturized. Kanebo Mode Gloss Lip Gloss Lipstickkeeps lips moisturized with vitamin E and provides just a hint of color.

Skin Revitalizer

A day basking in the sun, sand and sea spray may be paradise but not without doing quite a number on your skin. It’s important to pamper it every night and put back any moisture lost during the day. Use Nancy Regan Skincare Rose Rosehip Argan Oil, made with 100% Pure Argan Oil and antioxidants to nourish skin at its deepest level and promote healthy cell renewal. Use it in the morning and at night to fight wrinkle-causing damage to keep you a Spring Break Beauty 24 hours a day.

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ShopFreeMart Nano Cards

Negative ions abound in the air near waterfalls and after a gentle rain. Some people have even said that negative ions are

Negative ions have long been attributed to improvements in mood and physical health. Research supports the view that negative ions have a net positive effect on health, including improved mood, stabilized catecholamine regulation and circadian rhythm, enhanced recovery from physical exertion and protection from positive ion-related stress, electromagnetic radiation and exhaustion disorders. Negative ion-generating technology has been shown to reduce airborne pollutants, dust, cigarette smoke, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, viruses, and bacteria from the air and reduce the negative effects of EMF radiation from electronic devices.

So how does this all relate to our ShopFreeMart Nano Cards?

ShopFreeMart Nano Cards come 5 to a package and have been manufactured and produced utilizing a unique bio nano-composite ceramic powder, which provides an abundance of Far Infrared Rays (FIR) and Negative Ion Technology. Tested with expensive meters costing $1,300 each, these nano cards show a continuous reading of emitting a continuous stream of 6,000 or more Negative Ions per card twenty four hours per day.

Possible Health Benefits

  • Helps improve proper and healthy blood circulation
  • Helps reduce stress and fatigue and increase energy
  • Helps structure the water molecules in the water you drink
  • Helps maintain freshness and increase shelf life of fresh food
  • Helps eliminate offensive odors (car, refrigerator, body)
  • Helps reduce back pain, migraine headaches, and the pain of arthritis
  • Helps facilitate a healthful environment for plants and pets

How to Use ShopFreeMart Nano Cards

Simply put one of the Cards in your pocket or carry it with you. Not only are you receiving immediate health benefits, but now in cases of stress that you have put upon your body by exercise or injury, you may experience less inflammation and improve recovery time.

It is recommended to place a card in each shoe of anyone who is required to be on their feet for long periods of time. This may reduce pain and improve balance. Cards can also be applied to any areas where you are experiencing pain to reduce inflammation.

Put a card in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator or under the eggs, dairy products, and under the meat to preserve freshness of foods for longer periods of time. Cards can also be put under a fruit bowl on the counter, or with your whole grains, nuts, and seeds to keep them fresher.

Glue a Nano Card on the bottom of your car’s gas tank to ionize your gasoline. When gasoline is ionized, it makes for better combustion, which may translate to increased energy output, better gas mileage and reduced emissions.

Some people believe that putting a nano card on the gas meter coming into your home can also improve efficiency and also that a nano card in your electrical panel can reduce spiking and concuption of electricity.

Put nano cards in your bed and under your pillow for better sleep. Use your imagination as to where you can use them.

Tape one to your body or put one in a nylon stocking to be tied around your arm, leg, neck, forehead, temple, or wherever you are experiencing pain or inflammation.

An overabundance of positive (poisonous) ions cause inflammation and pain in the body. Some of the negative ions and far-infrared light (FIR) being generated by the ShopFreeMart Nano Cards are known to penetrate through your clothing all the way into your deepest tissues and reduce inflammation by cancelling out the effect of the positive ions that are associated with the inflammation.

The Nano Card is safe and beneficial for everyone – adults, children, babies, and pets. Pets love having the Nano Card in their beds and under their water dishes.

Nano cards have been tested to provide beneficial Negative Ions and far Infrared Rays for more than 6 years. I like to have several of them close to me at all times. Try some for yourself and pass some out to your friends when you find somebody suffering from an ache or pain. Often times the pain will subside immediately and you will not only have a friend, but you can earn money every time someone asks you how they can get their own set of nano cards.

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