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1. These terms
1.1 What these terms cover. These are the terms and conditions on which we supply products to you.
1.2 Why you should read them. Please read these terms carefully before you submit your order to us. These terms tell you who we are, how we will provide products to you, how you and we may change or end the contract, what to do if there is a problem and other important information. If you think that there is a mistake in these terms [or require any changes], please contact us to discuss.
2. Information about us and how to contact us
2.1 Who we are? We are Denson PK Limited of Thorp Arch Trading Estate, Unit 712, Street 3, Wetherby LS23 7FF Company number 12130893 registered VAT number is 3309310134.
2.2 How to contact us. You can contact us by telephoning our customer service team at 0113 366 8809 or by writing to us email@example.com
2.3 How we may contact you. If we must contact you, we will do so by telephone or by writing to you at the email address or postal address you provided to us in your order.
2.4 “Writing” includes emails. When we use the words “writing” or “written” in these terms, this includes emails.
3. Our contract with you
3.1 How we will accept your order. Our acceptance of your order will take place when we tell you that we are able to provide you with the product, which we will also confirm in writing to you with a quotation, which you can then accept online at which point a contract will come into existence between you and us.
3.2 £1,000 deposit scheme. At this point you will be required to make a deposit of £1,000, this is fully refundable for up to 14 days unless you request additions and alterations to your vehicle. Any additions and alterations you request us to make to your vehicle must be paid for in full in addition to your £1,000 deposit prior to any addition or alteration is undertaken.
3.3 If we cannot accept your order. If we are unable to accept your order, we will inform you of this. This might be because a credit reference we have obtained for you does not meet our minimum requirements, or we have identified an error in the price or description of the vehicle and/or product or because we are unable to meet a delivery deadline you have specified.
3.4 We only sell to the UK. Our website is solely for the promotion of our products in the UK. Unfortunately, we do not deliver outside the UK.
4. Our product
4.1 Products may vary slightly from their pictures. The images of the vehicles and/or products on our website are for illustrative purposes only. Although we have made every effort to display the colours accurately, we cannot guarantee that a device’s display of the colours or the printed pictures in our brochure accurately reflect the colour of vehicles and/or products. Your vehicle and/or product may vary slightly from those images.
4.2 Making sure your specification is accurate. If we are making the product to your specification, you are responsible for ensuring that the specification is correct.
4.3 Product description. Denson is a brand that ‘Converts’ vans into camper vans, while we may supply the vehicle also it is not classed as our ‘Product’ – the internal and external conversion of the vehicle is our ‘Product’. We also supply our finished product with an RAC mechanical Warranty for peace of mind, however, certain van features (such as aircon, parking sensors, radios, cup holders and sun visors and are not part of a Denson Conversion. We will do our upmost to ensure these are in good working order but they do not constitute as part of our contract to you.
5. Making changes
If you wish to make a change to the vehicle specification you have ordered, please contact us. We will let you know if the change is possible. If it is possible, we will let you know about any changes to the price of the product, the timing for delivery or anything else which would be necessary because of your requested change and ask you to confirm whether you wish to go ahead with the change based on a revised quotation. Any additions and alterations you request us to make to your vehicle must be paid for in full prior to any addition or alteration is undertaken.
6. Our rights to make changes
6.1 Minor changes to the product. We may change the product:
(a) to reflect changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements and
(b) to implement minor technical adjustments and improvements
6.2 More significant changes to the product and these terms. In addition, we may make changes to the vehicle specification but if we do so we will notify you
7. Providing the Vehicle
7.1 Delivery costs. The costs of delivery will be as told to you during the order process / set out in our current price list, if applicable.
7.2 When we will provide the products. During the order process we will let you know when we will provide the products to you.
7.3 We are not responsible for delays outside our control. If our delivery of the vehicle or installation of any goods or products is delayed by an event outside our control, then we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know and we will take steps to minimise the effect of the delay. Provided we do this we will not be liable for delays caused by the event.
7.4 Collection by you. If you have asked to collect the vehicle and/or goods from our premises, you can collect the vehicle from us once the balance due has been paid and during our working hours within 14 days after we have informed you it is ready for collection.
7.5 When you become responsible for the vehicle or goods. The product will be your responsibility from the time we deliver the product to the address you gave us, or you collect it from us. We are not responsible for any damage or theft to vehicles left on our premises 24 hours after final payment for the vehicle has been made.
7.6 When you own the vehicle and/or goods. You own the products once we have received payment in full. Unless otherwise stated in writing by the ownership (title) to any goods supplied by us remain with us until such time as they are paid for in full. We lay claim to repossess any such unpaid goods as we deem necessary and at our discretion.
Our rights to end the contract
7.7 We may end the contract if you break it. We may end the contract for a vehicle and/or product at any time by writing to you if:
(a) you do not make any payment to us
(b) you do not provide any information requested by us to enable us to perform the contract within a reasonable period or at all
8. Your Rights to cancel the contract
8.1 You have the right to cancel the contract within 14 days of inception of the contract without giving any reason UNLESS you have waived your right to do so OR the goods are:
a) Bespoke i.e., made specifically to a customer’s requirements, in relation to size or otherwise; and/or
b) items such as kitchen cabinets, seats, pop top, that have been made specifically to the requirements of the customer’s vehicle rather than using stock parts.
8.2 In most circumstances our vehicles are modified to the customer’s specification and therefore these cancellation rights do not apply.
8.3 In all other circumstances the cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day of the inception of the contract/quotation. To exercise the right to cancel, you MUST inform us of your decision to cancel this contract in writing or by completing the cancellation form and sending/emailing it to Denson PK Limited, Thorp Arch Trading Estate, Unit 712, Street 3, Wetherby LS23 7FF or by email to firstname.lastname@example.org.
8.4 If you choose to cancel the contract after 14 days of entering into the contract, you will forfeit your deposit of £1,000, plus any costs associated with any additions and alterations you request us to make to your vehicle.
9. If there is a problem with the product
9.1 How to tell us about problems. If you have any questions or complaints about the product, please contact us. You can telephone our consumer service team on 0113 366 8809 or by writing to us email@example.com
9.2 Summary of your legal rights. We are under a legal duty to supply products that are in conformity with this contract.
9.3 Your obligation to return the vehicle and/or goods. If you give us notice during the warranty period of a non-conformity to the contract and within a reasonable time of discovery of it:
a) You must give us a reasonable opportunity to examine the vehicle and/or goods and return it to our business premises
b) If you hire or loan your vehicle out to any third party we will not be held responsible for any damage, defaults and/or issues that may subsequently arise from a third party using the vehicle without having been instructed by a member of the Denson team how to operate all the features and functions of the vehicle.
10. Price and payment
10.1 Where to find the price for the product. The price of the product will be the price set out in our quotation in force at the date of your order unless an estimate is provided to you. We make all reasonable care to ensure that the price of vehicle and/or goods advised to you is correct.
a) Any delay in providing us with instructions, information and/or payment
10.2 Price changes. It is possible despite our best efforts and for reasons beyond our control that prices of goods may increase this may include but is not limited to:
10.3 When you must pay and how you must pay. You must pay for the vehicle and/or products before collection them. We will accept payments by bank transfer only. We do accept credit or debit cards.
10.4 We can charge interest if you pay late. If you do not make any payment to us by the due date, we may charge interest to you on the overdue amount at the rate of 4% per annum above the base lending rate from time to time. This interest shall accrue daily from the due date until the date of actual payment of the overdue amount, whether before or after judgment. You must pay us interest together with any overdue amount.
10.5 What to do if you think an invoice is wrong. If you think an invoice is wrong, please contact us promptly to let us know and we will not charge you interest until we have resolved the issue.
10.6 We are not liable for business losses. We only supply the products for domestic and private use. If you use the products for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose we will have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.
10.7 Part-Exchange. Quotations for part-exchange valuations are valid from the date of valuation for up to 30 days. We reserve the right to cancel a part-exchange at any time should the valuation be affected due to changing market circumstances.
11. How we may use your personal information
11.1 How we will use your personal information. We will use the personal information you provide to us:
(a) to supply the products to you.
(b) to process your payment for the products; and
(c) if you agreed to this during the order process, to inform you about similar products that we provide, but you may stop receiving these communications at any time by contacting us.
11.2 We may pass your personal information to credit reference agencies. Where we extend credit to you for the products, we may pass your personal information to credit reference agencies, and they may keep a record of any search that they do.
11.3 We will only give your personal information to third parties where the law either requires or allows us to do so.
12. Other important terms
12.1 This contract constitutes and entire agreement between the parties and supersedes and extinguished any and previous agreements, promises, assurances, warranties and/or representations whether written or oral.
12.2 We may transfer this agreement to someone else. We may transfer our rights and obligations under these terms to another organisation. We will always tell you in writing if this happens and we will ensure that the transfer will not affect your rights under the contract.
12.3 Nobody else has any rights under this contract This contract is between you and us. No other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms.
12.4 If a court finds part of this contract illegal, the rest will continue in force. Each of the paragraphs of these terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
12.5 Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later. If we do not insist immediately that you do anything you are required to do under these terms, or if we delay in taking steps against you in respect of your breaking this contract, that will not mean that you do not have to do those things and it will not prevent us taking steps against you later. For example, if you miss a payment and we do not chase you, but we continue to provide the products, we can still require you to make the payment later.
12.6 Which laws apply to this contract and where you may bring legal proceedings. These terms are governed by English law, and you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the vehicle and/or products in the English courts.

domain: law


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Steve and I are planning a trip to Natchitoches next week.
Yes, I have called ahead this time to be sure The Pioneer Pub is open; what heartache last year!
I'm going to pull out all my brochures and things tonight and see what adventures we can get into this time. Last year we visited Oakland plantation and it was absolutely wonderful. I wouldn't mind doing that again, but we like to do something different each time we go.
I've never been to Melrose; it's a bit further down that river road than Oakland.
I'll definitely try to find some out of the way antique stops!

domain: geography


text:
Since 1989, Baykeeper has advocated for the health of San Francisco Bay. We use science and clean water laws to improve habitats and communities reliant on a thriving Bay ecosystem.
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Environmental, public health advocates applaud recent climate emergency declaration while calling for planned, equitable shift to clean energy economy
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The Bay Area and Coal Country seem worlds apart. But it turns out the San Francisco Bay plays a critical role in the export of coal to Asia.
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text: With some states choosing to legalize marijuana, we hear very little of cannabis’ effects on health, and even less on its impact on reproductive health. We have know for years that pot smoking can cause chromosomal breakage, and so for those couples trying to get pregnant, many reproductive specialists encourage both partners to quit when attempting pregnancy. Now, some new data out of the UK shows men who use marijuana are considerably more likely to have abnormally shaped sperm, Interestingly, in the same study, alcohol and tobacco did not. Since even in normal men, it is normal to have some proportion of misshapen sperm, this finding in itself is not enough information to say that marijuana causes infertility. Still, why take the chance? This is just another good reason to quit if you are planning to start a family in the near future.

domain: medical


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Specialty insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is designed to meet the unique needs of specific industries or businesses. For e-commerce companies, specialty insurance can provide essential protection against a wide range of risks and liabilities. In this article, we will explore the basics of specialty insurance for e-commerce companies, including the types of coverage available, the benefits of specialty insurance, and how to choose the right policy for your business.
The Importance of Specialty Insurance for E-commerce Companies
E-commerce companies face a unique set of risks and liabilities that are not typically covered by standard business insurance policies. From cyber attacks and data breaches to Product liability and shipping delays, there are numerous potential risks that can have a significant impact on an e-commerce business. Specialty insurance is specifically designed to address these risks and provide comprehensive coverage for e-commerce companies.
One of the key reasons why specialty insurance is important for e-commerce companies is the increasing prevalence of cyber attacks and data breaches. E-commerce businesses handle a large amount of sensitive customer data, including credit card information and personal details. A data breach can not only result in financial losses but also damage the reputation and trust of the business. Specialty insurance can provide coverage for the costs associated with data breaches, including legal fees, notification costs, and credit monitoring services.
Another important aspect of specialty insurance for e-commerce companies is product liability coverage. E-commerce businesses often sell products manufactured by third parties, and if a customer is injured or suffers harm as a result of using a product, the e-commerce company can be held liable. Product liability insurance can protect e-commerce companies from the financial consequences of such claims, including legal fees, settlements, and judgments.
types of specialty insurance for E-commerce Companies
There are several types of specialty insurance coverage that are particularly relevant for e-commerce companies. These include:
- Cyber Liability Insurance: This type of insurance provides coverage for the costs associated with data breaches, cyber attacks, and other cyber-related risks. It can cover expenses such as legal fees, notification costs, public relations efforts, and credit monitoring services.
- Product Liability Insurance: Product liability insurance protects e-commerce companies from claims related to injuries or damages caused by the products they sell. It can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.
- Shipping Insurance: Shipping insurance provides coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen goods during transit. It can help e-commerce companies recoup the cost of lost or damaged items and protect against financial losses.
- business interruption Insurance: This type of insurance provides coverage for lost income and additional expenses in the event that an e-commerce business is unable to operate due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster.
- Errors and Omissions Insurance: Errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, protects e-commerce companies from claims of negligence or mistakes in the services they provide. It can cover legal fees, settlements, and judgments.
Benefits of Specialty Insurance for E-commerce Companies
Specialty insurance offers several benefits for e-commerce companies, including:
- Comprehensive Coverage: Specialty insurance policies are specifically tailored to the unique risks and liabilities faced by e-commerce companies. This means that they provide comprehensive coverage that is not typically included in standard business insurance policies.
- Financial Protection: Specialty insurance can protect e-commerce companies from significant financial losses in the event of a covered event, such as a data breach or product liability claim. This can help businesses recover and continue operating without facing crippling financial consequences.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your e-commerce business is protected by specialty insurance can provide peace of mind. It allows you to focus on growing your business and serving your customers, rather than worrying about the potential risks and liabilities that could arise.
- Enhanced Reputation: Having specialty insurance coverage can enhance the reputation and credibility of your e-commerce business. It demonstrates to customers, partners, and investors that you take risk management seriously and are prepared to handle any potential issues that may arise.
Choosing the Right Specialty Insurance Policy for Your E-commerce Business
When selecting a specialty insurance policy for your e-commerce business, it is important to consider several factors:
- risk assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify the specific risks and liabilities faced by your e-commerce business. This will help you determine the types and amount of coverage you need.
- Policy Coverage: Review the coverage provided by different specialty insurance policies and ensure that they align with the risks and liabilities identified in your risk assessment. Pay attention to any exclusions or limitations in the policy.
- Policy Limits: Consider the limits of liability provided by the policy. Ensure that the coverage limits are sufficient to protect your e-commerce business in the event of a significant loss or claim.
- Deductibles and Premiums: Evaluate the deductibles and premiums associated with different specialty insurance policies. Consider your budget and financial capabilities when selecting a policy.
- Insurance Provider: Choose a reputable insurance provider with experience in providing specialty insurance for e-commerce companies. Research the provider’s financial stability, customer reviews, and claims handling process.
Specialty insurance is essential for e-commerce companies to protect against the unique risks and liabilities they face. From cyber attacks and data breaches to product liability and shipping delays, specialty insurance provides comprehensive coverage that is specifically tailored to the needs of e-commerce businesses. By choosing the right specialty insurance policy, e-commerce companies can ensure financial protection, peace of mind, and enhanced reputation. Conducting a thorough risk assessment and considering factors such as policy coverage, limits, deductibles, and the reputation of the insurance provider are crucial in selecting the right policy for your e-commerce business.
Remember, specialty insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each e-commerce business has its own unique risks and liabilities, so it is important to carefully evaluate your specific needs and select a policy that provides the appropriate coverage. By investing in specialty insurance, you can safeguard your e-commerce business and focus on its growth and success.

domain: finance


Schaeffler Paravan - Steer-by-Wire - 24h endurance test
When the starting lights of the Nürburgring turn green on Saturday, 26 September 2020 at 3:30 pm, the longest endurance test to date will begin for the Space Drive System on board the Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 #58: The ADAC TOTAL 24h Race Nürburgring is the next phase in the system's development following its deployment in sprint races.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is considered the most difficult race track in the world for material and drivers. In the "Green Hell", the Space Drive System has to prove itself - twice around the clock - until the chequered flag falls on Sunday afternoon. A quartet of drivers with a wealth of Nordschleife expertise will be behind the wheel: Marvin Dienst (Lampertheim), Niklas Steinhaus (Schwelm), Kai Riemer (Filderstadt) and the 2011 VLN Endurance Champion Tim Scheerbarth (Dormagen) will take on the challenge.
For Schaeffler Paravan, this endurance test is the next logical step after Steer-by-Wire was successfully used in five race cars this year at various sprint races and test drives for more than 11,000 kilometres. So far, it has been installed in the Audi R8 LMS GT3, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Porsche 911 GT3 R, McLaren 570S GT4 as well as the Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 without any technical problems and has been put to the test under real conditions on many race tracks. In GTC racing, the teams have already achieved numerous successes.
The Space Drive technology was approved by the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB) in 2019 for the Audi R8 LMS GT3 as the first vehicle of its kind in the world and is now firmly anchored in the regulations of the series. Through the use of a real-time operating system, the responsiveness as well as the dynamics of the Space Drive System could be significantly increased. The tracking system has also been further optimised by new software features. In addition to the steering system, the force feedback steering wheel used is also being further developed. In addition, the diagnostic capability of the system was optimised by means of further sensor technology. The knowledge gained from the application flows directly into the further development of the system.
The use of the Space Drive System under the extreme conditions of racing has already given us many important impulses for the further development of the system. Through the optimisations, we have already been able to drive out important parameters.
"The use of the Space Drive System under the extreme conditions of racing has already given us many important impulses for the further development of the system. The optimisations have already enabled us to drive out important parameters," says Roland Arnold CEO of Schaeffler Paravan Technologie GmbH & Co.KG and founder of Paravan GmbH, which developed the technology from disabled mobility. "Testing the robustness and durability of the system over such a long distance is the next logical step after the successes of the last races. We hope that this will provide us with further important findings for large-scale production. In this way, we are creating an important basis for new mobility concepts for the future. Space Drive is already road-legal today and an important key technology for autonomous driving in Level 4 and 5."
About the race car
The Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 has been used very successfully by W&S Motorsport from Ofterdingen in the Nürburgring Endurance Series since this year. The race car has completed five endurance races of four or six hours without any technical problems and was able to achieve podium finishes. At the beginning of September, the vehicle was modified and is now in use with the Space Drive steering system - with no mechanical connection between the steering unit and the steering gear - from Schaeffler Paravan. The Cayman already successfully completed its first test run a fortnight ago at the GTC Race.
"As W&S Motorsport, we want to guarantee optimum use for the system, deliver a top team performance and thus contribute our part to the further development of the system," says W&S Motorsport Team Principal and Managing Director Daniel Schellhaas. "The assignment is something very special for us. We can make a significant contribution here to the further development of an important future technology and thus prove that the Space Drive technology from Schaeffler Paravan is already ready to withstand 24 hours under extreme conditions without any problems."
We want to show that the system can drive for 24 hours, or over 3,000 kilometres at a stretch, and that on the toughest track in the world. The Nordschleife is known for its pitfalls. Proving that is a great challenge and, if we manage it, also a huge achievement.
The system was implemented within a week. An achievement that was only possible as a team. A great team spirit developed between the W&S engineers and mechanics as well as the Schaeffler Paravan and PARAVAN team. After the complete integration of the Space Drive System, the first practical tests were carried out on the company's own test site as well as on the Mengen airfield.
"We want to show that the system can drive for 24 hours, or over 3,000 kilometres at a stretch, and that on the toughest track in the world. The Nordschleife is known for its pitfalls. Proving that is a big challenge and, if we succeed, also a huge achievement," says Axel Randolph, Head of Racing at Schaeffler Paravan Technologie.
Quotes from the drivers after the first race at the GTC Race on the Grand Prix circuit of the Nürburgring and before the ADAC TOTAL 24h Race
"The first feeling was not fundamentally different from the conventional steering. I felt comfortable straight away in free practice. It always motivates me when I can contribute to future developments," says Marvin Dienst.
"At first it feels a bit organic, like simracing, but in the race it quickly becomes apparent: there's not much difference!" reports Nordschleife specialist Kai Riemer after his first drive. Riemer is taking part in the 24h race for the 28th time - and yet this time it is a premiere for him as well. "In the 24h race we will certainly not drive as aggressively as you do in sprint races, for example. It will feel easier from the start. Our goal is to get the car over the distance, I'm very optimistic that we'll succeed."
"You can hardly tell the difference," Niklas Steinhaus agrees. "Then, when you are in your racing flow and driving at speed, you quickly forget that you don't have a mechanical connection at all. That gives you a safe feeling. If the data can be used in ten or even twenty years and if you have made a contribution to it, that makes me proud. With its heights, crests and dips, the Nordschleife is a special challenge." As an engineer for vehicle technology, he knows these special features.
"For me it is the first race with W&S Motorsport on the Nordschleife. The guys work very professionally and are extremely successful in the NLS," Tim Scheerbarth is pleased. For him it is the eleventh 24h race. "Of course, we want to generate as much data as possible on Space Drive and drive through without any problems. A good result on top would be super, of course."
The first feeling was not fundamentally different from the conventional steering. I immediately felt comfortable. It always motivates me when I can contribute to future developments.
The final preparations for the motorsport marathon are running right up to the last minute. On Monday of the race week, Michelin was still testing at full speed at the Hockenheimring. "Every day we spend on the race track gives us new insights. We are learning more and more about the system, especially with regard to the development of new components," summarises Axel Randolph, Head of Racing with regard to technology development.
24 hours are also a special challenge for the race engineers. Technical preparation is important so that all the data can be collected and processed. In contrast to other series, this data can already be transmitted live from the car to the pits during the race.
"This is the first time we are racing at the 24h race. For us, the primary goal is to drive the distance," says Klaus Graf, who himself has been a participant in the 24h race several times and is responsible for team coordination and strategy in the Schaeffler Paravan Racing Team. "That's what our strategy is designed around, the primary goal is to showcase the technology and demonstrate the longevity of Space Drive in competition. For the drivers, with a view to physical strain, we already expect advantages when steering."
The final preparations on site are on the team's schedule for Wednesday 23 September, before things get serious on the Nordschleife for the first time on Thursday. Here, the Space Drive System will have to face the demanding endurance test in Qualifying 1 as well as in the night qualifying. The big race itself will be exhausting due to the long night hours, and the Eifel weather forecaster has already predicted some rain.


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The other day I was sent some wine to review from http://www.vintageroots.co.uk/. They are the UK's leading organic wine specialist, who delivers certified organic wines direct to homes and businesses nationwide. They also stock certified organic wines specifically for vegetarians, and for vegans, and their offerings include biodynamic, Fair-trade and low sulphite options.
I absolutely love sparkling wine so I was so excited when I was sent some to review. I was sent IGT Veneto Prosseco Frizzante Bianco Giol which is a lovely organic sparkling wine. It was a 75cl and cost £9.25 (a bargain for the quality of it). You can see the exact one I got on their website here: http://www.vintageroots.co.uk/IGT-Veneto-Prosseco-Frizzante-Bianco-Giol-
It was really quickly delivered too; it came within a day and was really well wrapped and safely delivered in a box which I couldn’t wait to open. I’m like a kid at Christmas whenever I get parcels through the door.Before I actually got to try it I had the task of getting the cork out. I must admit I always struggle with cork bottles and usually end up with half the cork in the bottle. However this time I managed to get the cork out straight away which is a first for me, and all in one piece as you can see from the below picture.
Now was the best bit, actually getting to try the wine. When I first poured it into the glass it was really fizzy, just how I like it, and the smell was a really sweet strong smell. As you can see from the below picture the wine was really pale in colour.
This wine had loads of flavour. The flavour was a mixture of dry and sweet which when combined with the fizz made the perfect mix. I absolutely love sparkling wines but some I’ve tried in the past don’t have much taste. Not this wine, it’s perfect and unlike some wines it doesn’t leave a really strong aftertaste which is even better. I also gave a glass to my mam to try who’s not a really big wine drinker but even she loved it and said the mix of flavours worked really well together. This is a very affordable bubbly that delivers plenty for the price, the perfect wine for me.
If you’re like me and love wine you should definitely have a look on their website at all their different wines, they have a wide range of different wines to suit everyone’s taste. You can find Vintage Roots The Organic Wine People on:

domain: hobby


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Brain fog is a really hard symptom to describe unless you’ve experienced it. It’s literally like seeing things through fog, where you concentrate really hard but everything still looks fuzzy. I guess it’s a bit like ‘baby brain’, particularly in my case since it’s the same bunch of hormones causing the problem. Except it’s a bit more than that – brain fog is also to do with fatigue, not just forgetfulness, where you’re so tired you can barely remember your own name. It means you do some really stupid things, which can be quite funny!
The first time I noticed I had brain fog was when I would suddenly have periods of time I couldn’t remember while at work. Teaching teenagers, the cynical part of my brain was telling me the kids were trying to pull one over on me but my pupils were the type to be honest, almost brutally so. So when they were stood there saying (shouting) ‘are you kidding me?! I actually did your homework and you’ve gone and lost it!’ (with a few more expletives of choice), you know they’re telling the truth. It’s hard to give the illusion of being all knowing and ‘on it’ if you can’t remember half of what’s going on!
Yesterday I tried to make myself porridge for breakfast. I’ve made porridge every day for years, that’s the only reason I can do it. I know I have to weigh it out and I know where all the components are because they’re strategically left in the same place, otherwise I couldn’t do it. Except the scales were switched to ounces and I needed grams. I’d already started pouring by this point so I switched it to grams and got another bowl but couldn’t work out how I could get the porridge oats from the bowl that started in ounces into my new bowl which was now grams. So I left the old bowl of oats on the side and started again. When my husband came home, he said ‘why didn’t you just tip the old ones into the new bowl’, which would have been the logical thing to do. Because I couldn’t work it out at the time, which sounds ridiculous, I know! Quite a lot, I then forget that the bowl will be hot when I get it out of the microwave, so I burn myself. It’s weird, because I know it’ll be hot, but it doesn’t quite transfer to what I’m trying to do- like reading a sign that says ‘electric fence’ and touching it anyway. Sometimes I ‘forget’ I’ve already put Nutella in and more accidentally ends up in my bowl. I really hate it when that happens 😉
Sometimes I go to the toilet when I’m out and have a bit of a rest first. It means I can go back to putting on an act for people who don’t know me so they can’t see if I’m struggling. It pretty much means I shut the cubicle door, close my eyes and lean my head against the wall and sometimes have a quick nap. However, what happens a lot is I’ve woken up and left and not actually used the toilet and had to go back again straight away to use it, looking like a right wally.
It does have an annoying habit of sneaking up on you and wiping your memory when you’re in the middle of doing something. It feels a bit like the obliviate charm in Harry Potter, you know, the one that wipes memories instantly. One minute you can do or know something, the next you can’t. Like I could be stood in the middle of town and someone could say ‘hey let’s go to primark’ and I think ‘I have no idea where primark is, how do we get there? Do we have a primark here?’ and not have a clue even though I can see it. It just doesn’t register. Other times I’ll be listening to someone speak and suddenly it’ll sound like they’re talking Japanese and I have no idea what they just said. Or I’ll get half way through a sentence and forget how to speak English.
Other examples include trying to open my house door with my car key remote, putting conditioner on my body instead of shower gel and then forgetting to condition my hair, looking for my glasses when they’re already on my face, I fall over a lot because my coordination gets bad… the irony of brain fog is there’s probably a lot more funny things I do, but I can’t actually remember what they are…!
A lot of this is ‘silly’ stuff which lots of people do when they’re tired. I think the difference between being tired and fogginess is the fact that when you’re tired, you might realise quite quickly that you’re being silly and be able to laugh it off and resolve it. But when you’re foggy, you don’t necessarily realise there’s a problem and then if/when you do, you don’t have the cognitive function to be able to work it out and fix it. Even if someone shows you or says a (what should be) straight forward instruction, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to do it. I still laugh it off a lot of the time, but it can also be really frustrating- I’ve always wanted to do things for myself and it can be upsetting if I can’t.
How can you help someone with brain fog? Patience. You might have to explain things a lot or wait a lot, but if you would wait patiently for a toddler or a person with Alzheimer’s to complete a task, then waiting for me to complete a task is kind of the same- it feels like I’m seeing or doing things for the first time a lot so I have to ‘relearn’ it. The more stressed I get about the fact I can’t do something or that people are waiting, the less chance there is of me doing it. Reassurance also helps, in a not patronising way. Because brain fog is usually accompanied by sensory issues processing sound and light, getting irritated, shouting at me or gesturing wildly won’t help, it just makes it worse. Sounds at normal volume feel like they’re weighing down on me, pushing me into the ground, and even normal light and movements feel like I’m in some kind of disco with strobe lighting, so adding irritation on top is unbearable. And if I want to laugh about it afterwards, joining in definitely helps!

domain: psychology


A Met police officer has gone on trial, accused of racially abusing a suspect during last year's riots.
A court has heard how the officer allegedly racially abused a suspect who had been arrested.
Pc Alex MacFarlane is accused of using racist language in an exchange with Mauro Demetrio on August 2011.
Mr Demetrio told Southwark Crown Court he felt "violated".
Phil Bayles reports.
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Highs on Thursday of 18C.
Barnet Council ran the school, which was an institution for young people with learning difficulties.
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text:
The Dryad’s Dream
Chapter 7 – Seen
Taya spun around, snapping her spear in a tight arc that cut the air with enough force to whistle the blade. The whistling stopped as the weapon sliced perfectly through the neck of the orc that was charging her from behind, its head lopping off over her shoulder, even as she stepped out of the way of his crumpling body. Two more corpses lay at her feet.
“How many more, Law?”
“TWO! Both to your left!”
The tall redhead turned to face her remaining attackers. The first had a battered sword drawn, and was making feigning lunges in her direction while it snarled and hissed. The second was several meters back, and looked slightly less imposing than its larger comrade.
“Come on then…” she muttered under breath as she held her spear at the ready.
The orc made a horrific battle roar as it stepped into range and swung its weapon in a wide opening arc. The beast was big, far bigger than a human opponent, and much stronger. Taya would never risk blocking the heavy longsword with her shaft. It would cut right through as easily as chopping through her bones. She countered with a single step back, deflecting the blade with the forged metal tip of the weapon, pushing the sword downward. Even still, the force of the attack was considerable. Orcs weren’t very smart, or skilled, she decided, but they somewhat made up for the lack in their strength and ferocity. The obvious recourse was grace and tactical play.
As she pushed the sword down, she stepped out of range behind the orc and waited for him to decide which way he would turn to face her. She guessed he would try to follow her instead of spinning the other direction, which would have given him a longer, more powerful swing on his next attack. She was right. As soon as he started to lift his sword, she let her spear come up between his legs and neatly sliced the tendons behind his left knee. He crumpled to the ground even before he completed his swing. Lying on his sword arm, the beast was unable to parry her next thrust, which speared him through the eye.
“Taya! The last one is running!” Lawen called out from nearby.
Calmly, she withdrew her dagger and took aim. Three turns, and the blade was buried to the hilt in the falling orc’s back.
“Woohoo!” cried the elf, raising a fist. “You’re amazing, Taya!”
She began cleaning her blade off on the dead foe’s clothes. “Thanks. Dark magic and poisoned stickies may give me trouble, but orcs I can do. You okay?”
“Oh sure. They never got close to me. I think they forgot I was even there as soon as you cut down the first one. They never stood a chance.”
“We need to be more careful. A patrol is one thing, but they’d be much more formidable in greater numbers.” She looked around at the fallen creatures. “How did they even find us? Not by smell…”
Lawen shook her head. “No way. We were downwind the whole time.”
“They were traveling in a hunting pattern… A good one. They’re not that smart.”
“What are you getting at?”
Taya was frowning. “We’re not seeing the whole picture here. Someone, or some thing else is directing their actions. Did you notice their erections?”
“Bit hard to miss,” replied the she-elf, staring down at one of the corpses.
“The forest is affecting them. They were nearly feral with battle lust. It happens in males. They get excited during an encounter and can’t shut it off. It completely messes with their ability to fight.”
“Huh. Uh, do you ever get that? Battle lust?”
The human looked over at her, with her mouth open. “Combat always makes me horny… If you’re wondering whether or not you’ll get lucky tonight, relax. Provided we can find a safe place to camp, I’ll see to it that you’re… satisfied.”
The she-elf giggled. “Might take a bit. This damn forest has got me pretty worked up as well. What do the erections have to do with anything?”
“The orcs are dim, but they’re obviously a warrior race. They have to know this place is making them ineffective. They would never come here on their own, at least not now, in the heat of spring.”
“You think they were ordered here?”
“Maybe. Or paid to be. See that sword, it’s human made.”
“You’re kidding… Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I recognized the hilt. Baron Yimmon’s clan. I fought against his men once. Clumsy. The first one that attacked us had a shield from the Storm King. First Legion I believe. The fact that those are here shows me that these orcs were given weapons and armor. These are mercenaries.”
“Paid fighters? Paid by who?”
She sighed. “That, my sultry elven lover, is a very good question.”
They scavenged what they could, and moved on. Taya let Lawen lead, as the elf knew the dangerous plants and animals, especially the ones that had a tendency to get ‘friendly’. They did pretty well avoiding most of them, but the whole forest was put against them it seemed. There were bogs with mud that appeared right under their feet out of nowhere, and flowers that looked so bright and beautiful that you wanted to cry for joy, but would snap you with a paralysing toxin if you bent down to smell them. They were forced to kill innumerable toads, and snakes, several of the latter giving Taya a start by trying to slip up the leg holes of her pants. They were taking a break after having to struggle up a small ravine, when Lawen gasped.
The warrior looked over and saw that her friend seemed to be dangling by her left hand from the trunk of an oak. She rushed over, setting down her spear and drawing her dagger.
“I just put my hand against the tree for a second to catch my breath, and the next thing I knew it was being hoisted up over my head. I don’t think it likes me.”
Taya snickered. “Or maybe it likes you just a little too much. Hold still, it’s wound you up pretty tight.”
“I get scared when my hands are bound. I need them for my charms and such.”
“Don’t worry. I think I can just… hey! Crap…”
“I think something just wrapped around my ankle…”
Lawen’s eyes got wide. “Get us out! Get us out!”
“Well, I’m working on it, if you would just hold still…”
The she-elf was frantic. “Hurry, Tay! I think this is Corgen’s Folly!”
“Corgen’s what? Look, if you keep wiggling around like that, I’m liable to…”
In a swirl of green, vines reached around Taya’s hand and pulled it up next to Lawen’s.
“Shit! Hold on…” She reached up with her free hand to take the knife, but as soon as it was close, another set of vines came around from the other side. It took only seconds, and she was helpless.
“Son of a bitch! Law, I think we’re in trouble. Can you do anything with your free hand?”
“I might have been able to if it were still free…”
Lawen moaned. “Taya, this is bad. Corgen’s Folly is nasty stuff. It’s not going to let us go easily. It slowly covers its victims in vines… Dark magic vines.”
“Uh… Yeah, I think I’m feeling that…” She mentioned as something reached around her back at her waist. A moment later it was drawing tight. A few seconds more and there were similar pressures at her shoulders and knees. They were facing each other, so Taya had a clear view of Lawen when the elf suddenly blushed and sucked in her breath.
“Law? Are you okay?… I mean, aside from our being trapped and helpless in the grip of an evil tree.”
“I… I don’t know. I feel weird. I’m scared, but having your body pressed against mine like this… It’s making me… It’s the vines. I think I might be more sensitive to their effects. I don’t think I should be feeling this aroused, Tay.”
“Aroused?” The human was only half surprised. “I suppose it is kinda sexy, but don’t you think we should work on getting free? I still have the knife in my hand. If we can just get one of us free, we might…”
“I… think I want you to kiss me. P-please kiss me…”
Taya swallowed as she looked into the eyes of the she-elf she was pressed against, stunned at the level of lust that stared back at her.
“It’s the tree, Lawen. The vines, remember?… Making you horny.”
“Don’t you want to kiss me?” she asked, breathlessly.
“Sure I do! But not here… later tonight when we’re out of this mess and I can put my whole attention into it.”
“Ughnn… Oh goddess…” Moaned the elf. Taya felt her shifting against her; squirming. After just a few seconds of this, Taya felt her own face grow hot.
“Lawen, listen to me. If we don’t get out of this soon, it’ll be too late. We have to focus!”
“It’s already too late. We’re stuck, Taya. The vines have us now, and we’re not going to be able to get free. But at least I have you, right here, right against me…” She was moving her body, slowly undulating against the human so that her thigh pressed erotically against Taya’s sex. The woman’s mouth dropped open in sudden arousal.
“Ah! Law… no, ughmmm… s-stop that… We have to work… ughn… together.”
“Work me…” She rolled her hips.
“L-Lawen… gods… ughn, no… I… I… ughnnmm…”
“Kiss me, Tay… please…”
Taya found herself moving her face closer and closer. It didn’t help that the vines had pulled them tightly together now, and were growing tighter with every passing second. She could feel the she-elf’s hard nipples poking into her abdomen as the elf’s thigh continued to rub back and forth over her apex. Her heart pounded in her chest, and the human knew that if she gave in, even for a moment, she’d never get back her concentration.
But it was no good. She just couldn’t resist. Maybe it was some dark magic the vines were casting over them, or perhaps she finally felt the inevitability of the trap they had fallen into. Whatever the reason, she let her head come down so that their lips met, and the second they did, her world tumbled.
Hot pleasure rolled up her torso in a wave as she came in wonderful ecstasy. Although she were nearly lost to the timeless climax, she could feel Lawen shudder into bliss as well, their bodies uncontrollably trembling together in a lust that seemed to go on and on. All the while, the thin loops of plant fiber continued to encircle them as though fueled by the pair’s sexual delirium, binding them together to the old oak, and locking in their fate. But neither of them cared any longer. The dark magic had fully seeped into their minds and captured them in an entirely different kind of bondage. Several hours later, they were still slowly undulating against each other when the orc party cut them loose and carried them away in chains.
“Lawen…” said the human warrior as she slowly came out of a euphoric haze. “Wha… What happened? Where are we?”
She could see a camp of sorts, with a fire pit, but it didn’t look familiar. In fact, it didn’t look like any camp they had ever made.
“Law, where are you?”
<<She is nearby.>> said an odd voice in her head. <<Being prepared.>>
Suddenly terrified, Taya scanned the site with the clarity that only profound danger can bring. Whatever was speaking to her, used a voice that connected directly with her mind. It was everywhere, and nowhere; male and female. It shifted and faded, like a shadow in a fog… and it was unmistakably evil.
<<Would you like to see?>> it asked. She became aware that her arms and legs were strapped to an armature of sorts, with her limbs held out in an X. She was startled to find the whole structure lifted and turned about 90 degrees, but she was even more surprised to see her friend and lover lying naked on a mat of some kind about five meters away. Her arms were bound behind her. Three very aroused orcs, also naked, were calmly covering her whole body with a heavy oil that left her glistening in the firelight.
“LET HER GO!”
<<Such passion from one with so little power,>> replied the voice. <<You care deeply for her. Good. It will make your torment all the more sweet.>>
“Fuck you! Show yourself, coward!”
<<As you wish.>>
Suddenly, Taya was very nervous. She could sense a presence behind her, moving nearly without sound, yet she felt the bulk of the creature long before it even came within view. The monstrosity was as a huge floating ball almost three meters wide, with dark hide-like skin and a single massive eye. There were smaller eyes at the ends of nearly a dozen short tentacles protruding from the top of the horror, and it possessed the largest mouth that Taya had ever seen, nearly splitting the creature in half.
She wanted to scream, but she didn’t. She needed to be strong, if for no other reason than to somehow help Lawen.
“What have you done to my friend?!”
<<The elf is unharmed… for now. I am keeping her unconscious until it is time. You and I, however, have much to discuss.>>
“Go back to hell, demon!”
There was a deep, slow laughing in her head. <<You don’t even know what I am, do you? You, simple human from outside the vale… look around you. Do you believe these orcs stay here of their own volition? I control them. Little more than simple-minded beasts they are, bred for war and death… their minds are easily manipulated. But not you, Lieutenant Tiracle, Spear Master of the King’s Royal Guard, and niece of the King himself. No, your mind is nimble and well educated. You come from noble blood. Your will is STRONG>>
“How do you know so much about me?”
Again, there was a deep laughter as the massive eye moved even closer, pinning her under its gaze.
<< I know you, because I. SEE. YOU.>>
Taya felt a heaviness fall over her mind, as though she had just been covered with a large wet blanket. It pressed all around her awareness, pushing and prodding to find a way in. It took incredible concentration to resist the presence, an effort that left her sweating and panting when it finally relented.
<<I am a Beholder, petty human. We were ancient long before your pithy race ever existed, and we will exist still, long after you are gone.>>
“Yeah, so? What do you want with us?” The warrior was only half interested in the answer to her question. As long as her captor was still talking, it wasn’t eating her.
<<To feed of course.>>
<<Your kind can nourish us in many ways. Your flesh, yes, but your mind as well. Humanoid females experience such wonderful energies when you are pleasured. Your ecstasy is a delicacy so rich and pure… like a sweet candy to be sucked and savored.>>
Taya didn’t like the sound of that, not at all.
<<But more than anything, we seek to feed on magic…>>
“You won’t get much of that from me,” she argued. “I’m a warrior, not a sorceress.”
<<Ignorance. You hold much magical essence, Lieutenant. All creatures have a bit, but humans carry theirs deep inside where is it difficult to reach, like the meat of a hard nut. You are highborn as well, of Fae lineage…>> The creature’s massive eye shifted momentarily to her ginger hair. <<You hold within yourself enormous power… and I intend to crack your shell and eat out every last bit before we’re done.>>
Taya pulled at her wrists, testing the leather straps that bound her to the armature. The bindings were thick and well wrapped. There would be no easy escape that way.
The monster chuckled. <<This is your end, human. Your fate is sealed. But, you can lessen your own suffering… I might consider killing you more quickly if you were to… cooperate.>>
She sighed. “What do you want?”
<<Tell me of the wizard and the girl…>>
Frowning, the woman quickly considered the creature’s words. How did it know about them? She needed more information.
The monstrous orb loomed close to her face. <<You play games with me?! I can see them in your recent memory… I can smell the magic on your clothes like ash from a fire. Tell me where they are and I might consider a merciful death.>>
So, it couldn’t read everything in her mind… “Not happening, bubble boy.”
<<ARRRG! Insolent child! How dare you deny me my prey!>>
“Sorry, but unless you have a better offer than a ‘quick death,’ I don’t really see the advantage in giving up my friends.”
The great eye squinted at her, and again she could feel the horrible pressure squeezing at her mind, pushing and pulling at her thoughts. There was a sickening sensation of being drained, and no matter how hard she tried not to let the creature manipulate her, keeping the memories from slipping out was like trying to hold an ever increasing quantity of sand in your hands.
<<You do not care for your own life…>> it said, simply. <<As a warrior, you are prepared to die. But you are weak… you DO care for other’s lives. The wizard, the girl, your teammates… especially this one.>> The eye turned to look at Lawen’s prone body, then back to the human. <<You have been intimate with the she-elf. She is special…>>
“Leave her alone!” she yelled.
<<No. If you will not give me what I want, then I will make you watch as I feed on her.>>
“No…” she whimpered, pulling at her bonds again.
The orcs were sitting her up, and to Taya’s surprise, the elf’s eyes were open.
“Lawen! I’m here!… Hey, Law, wake up, girl!” she called out, but the female did not respond. “What have you done to her?!”
<<The she-elf was unable to resist me. She is mine to control. I assure you, she is quite aware of her situation, and will feel everything done to her. She can hear you, but can do nothing but what I tell her to.>>
Taya watched helplessly as one of the orcs laid on his back, his massive erection pointing to the night sky. Without comment, her lover moved forward and then lifted her leg over the creature so that she was seated on his thighs. Her hands then reached out and grasped the orc’s shaft, stroking him with the oil.
<<This was your choice, human.>>
Rising up on her knees, Lawen wordlessly shifted forward, and then positioned the beast’s phallus under her, slowly lowering herself onto him, gasping softly as the slickened tip of his rod just pressed into her folds… and stopped.
<<I have given her enough control to resist, but the arousal she feels is growing. Eventually, it will break her and she will give in to her lust.>>
“Fight it, Lawen! You can beat this prick! Fight!”
<<In the end, it won’t matter. I could force her, but I want you to see her fail. I want you see how easily she is corrupted and seduced. She can not fight her own desire.>>
The she-elf was trembling, her face a mask of desperation as she looked down at the well-muscled orc she was poised above. Her breathing was deepening, and Taya saw the girl clutch her hands against the bare chest of the wide-eyed dark warrior in growing distress.
<<Every breath, every tiny motion of her body is sexual torment for your lover now. In a moment she will falter, and won’t be able to help herself anymore. She will give herself to the pleasure and I will begin to feed…>>
“Noo… Stop, please! Don’t make her do this!”
<<Tell me of the wizard and the girl…>>
Why hadn’t he simply pulled it from Lawen’s mind if he had control of her? She shook her head slowly.
“Ah… ah!… AH!” gasped the elf, as her thighs slowly gave way and lowered her trembling body, the large pulsing shaft of the dark minion gradually easing into her warm sheath. With a violent spasm, Taya knew that her friend had just come hard. She saw in that moment, the dizzy, euphoric rolling of the other’s eyes, and understood the complete overload of hedonism that was taking her.
The Beholder rumbled in contented triumph.
<<There. It has begun. There’s no turning back for her now. She will continue to drive herself to ecstasy over and over, until she is so spent that her very soul will be accessible to me. And then I shall take her magical energy as well, sucking that sweet nectar from her like squeezing an orange for it’s juice.>>
“Lawen…” she sobbed.
<<And when that too is gone, I will finally feast on her flesh, savoring the texture of her bones in my belly!>>
“Nooo, no no no…”
<<Do you still deny me my request, warrior? Do you still refuse to give me what I want?!>>
She watched Lawen’s hips helplessly take on a deep, rolling undulation as she thrust atop the beast’s member again and again and again. She could see the torment of passion in the girl’s face as she tossed her head back and forth, her mouth wide as she fought for each sharp breath. Her cries of her mounting bliss began to echo into the dark forest night.
Suddenly, Taya gasped as she felt a liquid pleasure in her middle, and had the momentary sensation of being penetrated right to her core.
<<Shall I share her revelry with you?>> asked the Beholder, its single bright eye abruptly fixed on her again. <<I can let you feel her ecstasy… let you come together in her moments of carnality…>>
“NO!” she screamed, and struggled frantically against her bonds.
She turned to Lawen and could feel the orc’s rigid flesh sliding within her own sex in perfect time with the motion of the girl’s hips. She felt the ache in her thighs, and the tight stretching of her flower around the thick member each time it thrust into her from below. It was as though she herself were sitting atop the powerful humanoid.
There was a queasy tension in her middle that was not her own, and Taya realized that the she-elf was about to come again. The warrior strained with all her strength to escape the phantom lover, but it was too late. The elf’s ecstasy washed over her in a hot rush, and Taya bucked and gasped until her thighs were reduced to quivering mush. She hung, limp and exhausted from the rack she was strapped to, shocked at the amount of pleasure her lover was being subjected to.
The shadow sensations faded away, replaced by feelings of guilt and rage.
“You fucking bastard…” she whispered.
<<Tell me about the wizard and the girl, Taya Tiracle…>>
“I’m not going to tell you anything…”
She spit at the eye.
<<Perhaps… you will be more receptive if I drain your strength as well…>>
The human felt something at her sides and looked down just as the breastplate of her armor fell to the ground at her feet. Even as she watched, the straps of her shoulder guards were unhooking themselves.
<<I have no need of hands, little human. I am not restricted by the limits of my flesh.>>
There was something touching her. All along her sides and belly, she suddenly felt soft pressures, as though unseen hands were stroking her over her clothing, squeezing and pawing her. The invisible fingers worked at her garments as well, popping the row of buttons at her chest even as the belt at her waist was undone.
“No…” she groaned, struggling helplessly again as she was progressively stripped out of her clothing. The Beholder’s unseen limbs were even able to unlace the sides of her britches from top to bottom, so that they pulled away, leaving her in only her panties and open shirt. With a quiet ripping, even those remnants were finally taken from her. With their work done, the ghostly hands returned to the exploration of her body. The Beholder’s single eye searched her face as it silently molested her, reveling in her every twitch of revulsion.
<<It must frustrate you to be so helpless and weak, yes? …Completely at the mercy of your own pleasures. As a warrior, you rely on your strength and will to overcome your enemies. But you can’t fight against your own flesh… your own desires.>>
The unseen fingers cupped her breasts, stroking her nipples into pulsing hardness. Down lower, it was very lightly brushing along the length of her womanhood, just grazing the softer hairs at her pubis. The effect was maddening, and as the creature said, very pleasurable. She could already feel the erotic pressure building deep inside her.
<<You would prefer to face me with your might and skill, as a fighter… But I’m going to take you down like a common whore. By hour’s end you’ll be screaming in ecstasy, begging for more… just like you did with him…>>
Images flashed in her mind, and Taya was suddenly filled with a deep sense of shame. How could it know?! Had it already broken her mind?
“Ahh! UGH!” she hissed, as the beholder’s touch drifted right along her cleft, causing her to wrench away. It didn’t help. The unseen digits followed her, repeating the feather-like caresses over her jewel and then slowly over her outer folds again, and again. Each time, it grew a little more bold.
<<You were so young… just of age, but even then you were hungry, and curious. You liked it when he touched you… opening you slowly like this… You wanted it… begged him for it.>>
“No… ughmm… stop… AHH!” Her body was already shaking as her excitement grew, the arousal confusing and clouding her thoughts.
<<And he gave you what you wanted… what you asked for. He made you come so hard that you left his hand drenched in your juices.>>
She could feel the tightening in her belly again as she was gradually seduced toward her moment.
“N-n-no… ughnn! Th-that’s not what… UGHN! Oh g-gods!”
<<That was but the first time. Remember how you returned to him that night, and let him take you? How you laid on your back with your thighs wide… how his tongue brought you such delight? You trembled in pleasure at the feel of his slick, soft flesh riding over your maidenhead, especially enjoying how warm it felt when it pressed inside you. Would you like me to use my tongue, Taya? I think you will find it much more… fulfilling.>>
Her heart beat even faster at the sight of the Beholder opening its massive maw. From inside the foul hole extended a flat, reddish muscle over a meter wide, and several times that long to where it tapered down to a long point. Dripping with thick saliva, Taya could feel the moist heat from the organ as she watched it reach out and move slowly between her thighs. Her ankles bound, she could do nothing as the dark mass rolled upwards and settled over her apex all at once. Between the slippery soft flesh, and the blood-warm heat pressed against her entire pelvic region, the warrior suddenly found herself pushed sharply over the edge. Her orgasm caused her to arch her back in both shock and panic, for the flowing wave of flesh continued to curl up and over her sex, sliding along her belly as it covered her entire front.
She trembled helplessly, gasping for breath until the wet heat engulfed the whole front of her torso, including her breasts. Taya had one long look into the creature’s hideous mouth before she was distracted yet again by the tip, which wiggled and undulated right up into her.
“UGHNN!! Oh, G-GOD! AHHH! AHHH!” she wailed, unable to do more than thrash and thrust her hips in erotic agony. The slippery mass seemed to fill her until it was impossibly deep, the thinner vertex finally licking at the very entrance of her womb. Her thoughts blurred into a whirling mash of past and present pleasures as her will to resist the Beholder faltered, and she could sense the creature drawing out the memories as though it were sucking the marrow from her bones.
<<Ahh. That’s it… Come for me, Taya. Let me taste you… Let me feast on your passions. You can’t fight it. Already you feel yourself cracking…>>
She did feel it. She could feel the monster’s oily mental presence peeling back her resistance, exposing her most intimate and personal moments. She felt the slow insertion of its psychic tendrils reaching into her secret self, like the gradual invasion of parasitic roots… She felt them corrupting and feeding on her soul.
<<Yes. Remember. Let your lust flow… Feel me working you, just as he worked you, over and over…>>
The tongue was easing in and out of her, pulsing and twisting as it explored every tiny crease and furrow of her depths. The same flesh stroked at her hooded jewel and languidly rolled over her belly. It cupped her breasts in its warm heat, and teased her nipples into hard points of erotic fire. She could feel the wet muscle curl around her sides, as if to swallow her completely, drawing her helpless body closer to the rows of sharp teeth just inside the Beholder’s maw.
Taya couldn’t hold back anymore. Her resistance was lost to the constant waves of orgasm that tortured her tired body. She felt herself sinking into the endless stream of carnal memories, drowned by her own animalistic lusts.

domain: literature


text:
Women walk a tightrope to be heard
Imagine you are in a meeting, mid-way through making an important point, and suddenly a colleague cuts across you, disregarding your contribution. Understandably, you get flustered, lose your train of thought and feel your chance to make your voice heard slip away.
International research suggests women frequently face this scenario in the workplace. For example, a 2014 study by George Washington University found that women were more likely than men to be interrupted. Other studies point to women being judged more harshly than their male counterparts when they do speak up.
So, on this basis, are women afraid to speak out?
“When a woman speaks in a professional setting, she walks a tightrope. Either she’s barely heard or she’s judged as too aggressive. When a man says virtually the same thing, heads nod in appreciation for his fine idea. As a result, women often decide that saying less is more,” wrote Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg in a 2015 article for The New York Times.
The article, co-written by Adam Grant, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, explored the reasons why women often stay quiet at work.
For women, speaking up in the workplace or in other areas, such as politics, for example, can bring very different results than for a man with the same message. Women often find themselves judged by different measures than men.
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence touched on this idea in a 2015 essay about the gender pay gap in Hollywood.
“All I hear and see all day are men speaking their opinions, and I give mine in the same exact manner, and you would have thought I had said something offensive,” Lawrence wrote. “I’m over trying to find the ‘adorable’ way to state my opinion and still be likeable. I don’t think I’ve ever worked for a man in charge who spent time contemplating what angle he should use to have his voice heard.”
Many female leaders worry about how they come across in the boardroom, explained career coach Jane Downes.
“Growing up, we’re programmed to think that women are softer, gentler beings,” says Downes, founder of Clearview Coaching Group and author of The Career Book. “When we go into the workplace, we’re expected to keep that going – but that doesn’t get us places. Certainly, young women setting out in their career do not want to be tagged as being ‘the bitch’.”
As a career coach, Downes works with people to manage the message they’re “giving out in the office”.
“For women, it’s about gently asserting yourself from the start so that people know what you’re willing to tolerate – and what you’re not. Where it can tend to go wrong and where women get a bad name is if we over-assert ourselves out of frustration,” she says.
“Women feel more comfortable in environments where they can be heard and it is less of a boy’s club and more of a club for professionals who are there to do a job no matter what gender.”
According to Labour Senator Ivana Bacik, women are often viewed “as less of a rainmaker”, and thought of as having less “social capital”.
“And likeability, that’s often code for ‘she’s a woman’,” Bacik says.


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Earlier this month Narrator Writing Prompts Editor Derek Loosvelt challenged us to find our own stories and adventures with Bobby McGee, and if you still seek that spark of soulful storytelling from a late great, I have four words for you: Lincoln Center. Curtis Mayfield.
For one night only, the Lincoln Center Festival and the Mayfield estate will come together to pay tribute to the soul singer and civil rights icon on what would have been his 70th birthday, with Here But I’m Gone.
A purely self-taught guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Mayfield widely known in the 1960s, writing and recording socially conscious pieces, like “People Get Ready,” with The Impressions. But in the 1970s, he found solo success by writing and producing soundtracks for cultural staples like Super Fly (1972) and Claudine (1974).
In addition to movie soundtracks, Mayfield produced many of the songs that helped shape the US Civil Rights and Black Power Movements in the 1960s and 1970s. With tunes like “We’re a Winner” and “Keep on Pushing,” he was right up there with Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder in taking a look at racism, black pride, and economic equality through infectious pop, soul, funk, and R&B.
Later, Mayfield worked on his own label, Curtom Records, and produced for Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and other artists. He also earned numerous awards, such as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with The Impressions.
Mayfield died in 1999 at age 57, nine years after he was left paralyzed from the neck down by an accident during his Wingate Field concert in East Flatbush, but this Friday, July 20 artists spanning genres and generations will gather to celebrate his life, his work, and his soul. According to the Lincoln Center Festival, a 14-piece house band under the musical directorship of guitarist Binky Griptite of the funk-infused Dap-Kings, will join The Impressions, with special performances by Bilal, Sinead O’Connor, Mavis Staples, and The Roots, among others.
This concert also celebrates the launch of the Curtis Mayfield Foundation, created by the Mayfield family to help disadvantaged youth realize their musical dreams. Tickets for the evening are still available (as low as $35!), and you can see the full line-up and program here. In the meantime, check out Mayfield’s performance of “Keep on Keeping On.”

domain: entertainment


read Latest articles about music festival
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Five of the biggest music and arts festivals that are worth seeing in Europe this summer.


April 9, 2019
The mayor of Fredericton is calling on the province for a new temporary homeless shelter that would open next month.
With Fredericton’s temporary out-of-the-cold shelter closing at the end of April, Mayor Mike O’Brien wrote a letter to Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard, asking the province to take action on the issue of homelessness.
O’Brien says the homelessness problem isn’t going away once the shelter, located at 791 Brunswick Street, closes at the end of the month.
And if plans aren’t put in place soon, dozens of people will be back on the streets.


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Growing the fastest growing houseplants for beginners is becoming one of the top trends among city dwellers as the demand for fresh vegetables increases. However, herbs or vegetables are not easy to grow and harvest.
This article provides some quick growing houseplants tips that will meet your daily nutritional needs while saving time, effort, and money on planting.
Lettuce vegetables are easy to produce high yields if you know how to add more specialized soil for loose humus and vermicompost vegetables. Do not use ornamental plant manure, otherwise the lettuce will turn yellow or more prone to stunting. You also need to make sure that your soil is nutritious and free of pathogens. When fertilizing, you should keep a tiny layer of soil so as not to grow vegetables too thin or too thick. If the soil layer is too thin, the roots of the vegetables have no place to grow and regenerate new vegetable tops.
You can plant it on the patio, roof, or foam box. Since lettuce is not fussy about soil and doesn't like light, you can place it anywhere to save maximum land area, especially in urban areas. You can harvest lettuce 40 to 45 days after sowing. You can use the next young lettuce in just 3 to 4 weeks. The best thing to do is to pay attention to the right time and the climate in which you live.
Hydroponic tomatoes are one of the most popular and fastest growing houseplants for beginners because they love the sun and don't take up a lot of space. And even if you are not careful, the tomato plant will grow well and bear fruit on a regular basis. There are many types of tomatoes, so you are free to choose the type of tomato that you like best. If you sow the tomato seeds in July or August, through October or December, you should be able to eat juicy tomatoes.
If you are a spicy fan, you will be fascinated by chilli. Chili is easy to grow and can easily live year round. Just leave the pot in a warm, light place that is regularly green and fruity. Colorful chili plants brighten up the kitchen and don't take up much space. Each tree can produce up to 50 chili peppers.
If you want to save money, you may not need to buy flower pots, but use empty plastic bottles to sow carrot seeds. From 80 to 90 days, you can pick carrots to make any dish in the family meal. To grow the best carrots, the most important thing is to keep the ideal temperature between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and to keep the soil moist at all times. Another common mistake many newcomers make when growing the fastest growing houseplants is planting seeds that are too thick.
If you do not plant the seeds of carrots while thinning and spitting them, it will be difficult for the carrots to grow and squeeze each other to grow. This has a direct effect on photosynthesis and development of plants when the nutrient source is highly competitive. Sowing with a thick density of seeds also makes the plant more susceptible to pests and diseases, if any. Therefore, when growing carrots, you should learn how to sow and care for carrots in advance so that the plant grows smoothly.
Peppermint is one of the plants that are grown from roots or seeds. You can grow and harvest mint all year round. You should be able to harvest the mint seeds a month after sowing them. You can harvest again about every 2 weeks after you cut a top stem that is 4 to 5 to 5 inches long. Remember to water the mint in the morning or near the evening and not at noon as the plant is prone to heat shock. Watering should be done once a day as peppermint is a heavily watered food. When mint is planted in hot weather, the mint wilts quickly if there is not enough water. To increase the yield and vitality of your mint, you should install a drip irrigation system to keep the plants green and you won't have to water the vegetables as often.
If you love to eat strawberries to beautify and strengthen your immune system, don't be afraid to grow strawberries at home. You can grow strawberries at any time of the year. You should buy small plants to plant instead of seeds. After planting small trees for 3 to 4 months, you will taste the first strawberries. What you need to do when planting in a garden is to pollinate the plant with insects. If you're growing it in the kitchen, use a brush to pollinate efficiently. The ideal temperature for growing strawberries is between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
After reading this article, do you have your own choice? Hopefully through this article you can easily choose from the fastest growing houseplants that are easy to grow and care for. You are sure to enjoy the flawless, convenient, and cheap eating at home after you start designing your garden!

domain: food


text:
Myles S. Alexander, AIA Partner
As a founding partner of Vin-Yet Architecture, Myles brings his experience with the current sustainable design andbuilding techniques to every project, big or small. He is intimately involved in the initial design of the project, as well as construction document creation and construction administration. Having successfully completed projects in multiple states across the U.S., Myles designs buildings that reflect the unique character and attributes of each individual site. He is currently the Director of the Young Architect’s Forum (YAF) for the Asheville chapter of the AIA where he mentors and tutors emerging architectural interns and newly licensed architects. After graduating with honors from Clemson, for both his undergraduate and graduates degrees, Myles practiced in Key West, Florida for 3 years, before moving to Asheville, NC in 2005, where they currently reside.
R. Justin Smith Partner
Holding his degrees from Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Justin is a local that has his finger directly on the pulse of the South Carolina vernacular. After receiving his training from one of the Southeast’s most respected residential designers, Vin-Yet was created as a direct response to the growing need for fresh approaches to design, employing the services of new technology while holding true the artisan values from which the profession was first realized. Bungalows or compounds, Justin has designed it all with the same level of detail our customers deserve. Although he and his family have lived in various cities throughout South Carolina, they currently call Rock Hill, South Carolina home.
Emili McMakin Team Member
Emili brings experience as a project manager and is responsible for the day to day project needs, attends all project meetings and is intimately involved in the creation and quality control of the design and construction documents for your project. Emili has lived in Asheville since mid 2011, moving here upon completion of graduate school, from University of Colorado at Denver, with her husband and two children. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of Texas at Austin and has previously worked for firms in Denver, CO and Black Mountain, NC before joining the Vin-Yet team.
Andrew studied Architecture at Clemson University and University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Prior to joining Vin-Yet Architecture in 2012, he worked in Nashville, TN and Southern California. Andrew’s experience as a project manager and designer makes him a valuable asset during the construction process. He now enjoys his role at Vin-Yet and uses his skills to complement the firm’s vision from the earliest stages of design.

domain: design