text:
Here I am, finally with a fic to one of my most treasured and the longest running obession I have ever had (1997-now, holy crap, that's such a long time!);POKEMON! This one is centred on Ash and Paul, my second Pokemon OTP, a close second to Palletshipping, heh.
Even when I was a kid and Gary would come on being a total ass to Ash, I would giggle and constantly tell them to hurry the hell up and just travel together, alone. It was obvious Gary only acted the way he did to get Ash's attention *Gary was here, Ash is a loser!*. Ahh, I love them dearly.
NOTE: I wrote this a while back when I was still trawling through Battle Dimension, and I imagined Ash beat Paul in the League and after Dawn, Brock and Ash split up, and Ash was heading back to Pallet for a homey visit. In this fic he decided to stop by Reggie for a visit in hopes of seeing Paul, and yada yada. Since the actual conclusion to the Dimond/Pearl saga ceased to exist when I wrote this the beautiful romantic scene between Ash and Paul by the sunset after the league dosen't exist, so Paul still holds his sour blocked off attitude towards Ash.
DISCLAIMER: Yeah, I invented Pokemon in 1997. Cause a little toddler could really initially think up 150 individually themed monsters, along with their trainers, moves and plot and then promote it into the real world. Weeeeell, there are those rare lil' kids that have their paintings solds for thousands of dollars... (little brats.)
'Hey!' Reggie greeted upon opening his door to a very familiar face, the surprise and cheer in his voice credible. 'Ash! What a surprise! How's it going?'
When the door had been opened Ash's first impulse had been to run upon seeing the familiar bundle of purple hair before realizing it was the older and much kinder version of Paul, and not his actual intimidating rival. An audiable sigh of relief was heard, and Reggie cocked his head, still grinning.
'Hi Reggie,' Ash answered with a smile, reaching up to support Pikachu as the yellow mouse teetered precociously towards Reggie, squeaking happily. 'I'm doing fine, thanks! Still breeding?'
Reggie smiled at Ash. 'Could I be doing anything else? But yes, it's going great, especially this time of year. All the pokemon are starting to search for mates, and that means work is double for me. What brings you here?'
'I was in town, on my way back to Pallet. Gonna have a breather before I head onwards, you know?'
Reggie nodded sagely, sounding a bit too much like Professor Oak as he said, 'A breather is sometimes always the best. Oh, that's right! Have you see Paul around yet? He's been hanging around Veilstone. I only saw him last week…' He lifted a hand to scratch Pikachu behind the ear, smiling softly at the soft chirruping that erupted from Pikachu.
Ash's eyes brows rose at the information, listening to it echoing throughout his head before coming to a blunt and slightly startling conclusion. 'Wait… Paul's actually here? Well, I guess I did come to say Hi, but I never really expected him to be here! ' He exhaled roughly, causing his shoulders to slump and dislodging Pikachu from Reggie's petting fingers. 'Pi, Pika Pika!' Pikachu scolded, sounding miffed. Ash barely noticed. He couldn't decide if he wanted to be excited or dreading upon that news. He missed Paul, and wanted to see him again, but didn't really feel like fighting Paul just for a polite 'hello' just now.
Ash grimaced, looking sideways at Reggie, quick to reprimand himself for his rudeness. 'Sorry, I didn't mean…' He hadn't meant it to come out like that, but Reggie took no offence to it, as usual. He loved his brother, but that didn't mean he had to stand him all the time.
'No problem. I never get tired of seeing people's reaction to my brother. I can tell a lot about a person by that.' At Ash's cocked head and amused expression Reggie grinned. 'I'm serious.'
Ash shuffled nervously, processing their conversation, while Reggie waited patiently, smiling softly, both at Ash and his trainer. He had always been fond of the black haired trainer, and could only hope- and prod- for his brother and Ash to become closer. And, from the general vibes he had been collecting from both his brother and Ash over the last few months, he wouldn't need too. Although, at times like this it seemed the both of them could use a bit of prodding.
'So Paul is here?'
Ash attempted to keep the slightly hopeful note out of his tone, but by the understanding smile Reggie sent him he could tell his efforts were lost on the far older and more experienced breeder. Reggie had always seemed to know way too much for his own good anyway.
'Sure, but…' Reggie tailed off before inclining his head with a roll of his eyes before smiling while shaking his head. Ash blinked at the complex reaction before laughing knowingly. 'Paul's just being Paul, right?' he said.
Reggie laughed too, pausing in his fond petting of Pikachu to pat Ash on the shoulder. 'I really couldn't have put it better myself, you know. But yeah, he's fine. Just wandering around a bit, training harder and harder. I'm starting to worry he might have lost some inspiration cause he's never stayed near home this long, but what can I do? I know he'll find his way soon enough. He always does.'
'Sure,' Ash retorted, grinning at Pikachu and glancing at the sky, suddenly worried when he noticed the darkness that had descended upon the town. 'Listen Reggie, it was nice seeing you, but I've really gotta get going now.'
'Where are you off to?' Reggie questioned, abandoning Pikachu's ears despite the annoyed demands that followed. When he didn't resume, Pikachu huffed and crawled down Ash's t-shirt and jacket, snuggling into his front to hide from the night chill.
'Well,' Ash started, glancing at the sky again while hugging Pikachu snuggly against his chest, electing a few content purrs, 'I just need to find somewhere to stay the night before I head off tomorrow. But a lot of hotels are booked out and the Pokemon centre is still full from all the trainers from the tournament…'
'I see. Well, would you like to join me for dinner now? I've just gotten fresh ingredients. You see, I only just got back from the markets,' he gestured behind him, vaguely in the direction of his kitchen.
Ash smiled, 'Wow, thanks Reggie, but I really need to find a place for the night…'
Reggie shook his head good naturedly, grinning hard and fighting the urge to chuckle at the boy. 'Ash, a room was included with the dinner, just for the night, or another, if you need.'
'Really?' Ash asked incredulously. 'Thanks, but I wouldn't want to intrude…'
Especially if Paul's hanging around. Suddenly he wasn't feeling so sure about running into Reggie's purple haired twin. The nervous yet excited pulling in his gut that had shoved him here in search of Paul had now abandoned him, and he suddenly had no idea what to do.
'No, don't worry about it! I insist. Let me make you a nice dinner. You look like you could use a little pick-me-up, and I am one mean chef.' Grinning smugly, Reggie grabbed Ash's arm and started steering him forcefully inside. Allowing himself to get herded to shelter, food and a warm bed, Ash succumbed easily, but was unable to stop himself from mischievously stating, 'I bet Brock could out cook you any day, not even to mention my mother!'
Reggie let go of his arm and smirked as Pikachu's head popped out of Ash's jacket at a laughable angle. 'We'll see.'
Reggie's house was just as cozy and neat as Ash remembered it when he had last visited, and he gratefully sunk into the armchair near the fire as soon as he had entered. Pikachu jumped out and greeted the excited Growlith that had been lazing around the fire until they arrived, and Reggie disappeared into the kitchen as the Growlith and Pikachu touched noses, Pikachu albeit nervously, anticipating it when the Growlith jumped on him and started licking enthusiastically.
Reggie appeared at the door and unable to stop smiling, watched them for a few moments as the Growlith then proceeded to clamber onto Ash's lab and beg for attention. 'Aw, Amber was always a people person,' he said, referring to the Growlith taking up most of Ash's lap, leaving Pikachu to huff from his trainer's shoulder. 'She belongs to one of the locals.'
'She's beautiful,' Ash said, rubbing Amber's ears eagerly, grinning as she jumped up to lick his face.
'Do you wanna help?' Reggie offered, turning back into the kitchen. 'I know I used to love cooking with my family before sitting down for a nice meal.'
He heard Ash enter the room and Pikachu hopped on the table with a cheerful 'Chu!', followed by rustling as Ash examined the packets he had received from the pantry. 'Sure,' the younger trainer grinned. 'Why not? I remember making cookies with my mom years ago when I dropped the flour bag in the kitchen.' Ash let out a giggle as Reggie turned to him, looking bemused. 'You dropped the flour? What a mess.'
Ash shrugged, dropping some tomatoes next to Reggie and reaching out to ruffle Pikachu's fur. 'That was after I lifted the electronic egg beater out of the mix while it was still going.'
'Maybe it was a mistake to ask you in my kitchen,' Reggie said, pretending to talk to himself. 'This might be the last time I will be able to cook before it's destroyed.'
Ash pulled a face as Reggie laughed and continued collecting packets and spices from the pantry.
Much to Ash's excitement and ridiculous happiness, Reggie and him made Spaghetti Bolognese. The last time he remembered having Spaghetti Bolognese was after he had won the Orange Islands Cup and had returned home triumphant. That night his mom had invited everyone over with a feast of the spaghetti dish and it still remained one of Ash's most loved moments. Misty, Brock and Tracy had attended and were followed closely by Professor Oak dragging a moody Gary and half of the town. Everyone had been laughing and joking, and even Gary had offered a word of congratulations, and that was all that mattered to Ash, even if they bowled Tracy and his chair over in a small fight (by their proportions) about how Ash won the Orange cup.
Making Spaghetti with Reggie was just as good as that. True to his unfairly clumsy nature Ash split the sauce (much to the delight of the drooling Growlith waiting at their feet) while mixing it with the mashed tomatoes and spices Reggie had showed him, and because they were busy cleaning it up and shooing the playfully happy Growlith away the pasta on the stove had been overcooked, causing Pikachu to call wildly from his 'referee' point next to it. Even so when they finally sat down with bits of herbs sticking to them and smelling of tomatoes and spices the Spaghetti smelled almost as good as his mom's.
They had been eating up time as they ate their dinner, talking about the small things in life and often laughing. Ash found himself completely at home and relaxed, sorry he had not made any effort to see Reggie more between his travels around Sinnoh.
Reggie was like a comforting mix of Brock and his mother. Kind, helpful, motherly and sweet were words he would use to describe all of them. And especially after Brock had left to follow his own career Ash had suddenly felt alone and empty, sad that he had lost one of his longest friends but happy he had followed his own path for the best. Company right now was a blessing.
Ash was lazily picking spaghetti piece after spaghetti piece from the unfinished mound on his plate and feeding it to the Growlith underneath the table, grinning when she got too overexcited and chomped mindlessly at the tiny morsels, nipping his fingers in the process when the front door suddenly slammed. Reggie glanced up while Ash gave the sound no more than a uninterested indication of the head until a voice he knew very well echoed throughout the house.
'It's me. I'm back.'
Just as blunt and deep as the hundred times Ash had heard it before. But it was slightly different now. There was none of the coldness or open hostility it often held when Paul addressed Ash. It was… normal. Neutral. Strangely pleasant.
Ash froze, his head snapping in the direction of the hall that lead to the front door while Reggie glanced up in surprise before going back to orderly scraping the last of his dinner off his plate. The Growlith whined while nosing Ash's hand, and when Ash did nothing, she started to lick and nuzzle at Ash's fingers, cleaning the drops of sauce on his hand. Ash considered bolting.
'That smells good. What did you-'
Too late. Paul stopped dead in the doorway of the dining room, his wide gaze travelling almost frantically from his brother to Ash, who stared back, his eyes wide and mouth open. Paul blinked in shock before his small wounded moment ended and his content expression snapped off like a Shelder, immediately displaying his normal sharp glare, seething with anger.
'What's HE doing here?' He spat accusingly at Reggie, sparing Ash a quick, condensed glare before openly growling at his brother. Reggie ignored the demanding finger pointed in his direction as he calmly placed his fork down and turned to smile evenly at Paul. 'He needed a place to stay, what could I do? Now sit down. It's delicious; me and Ash made it together.'
'Uh…Hi, Paul? How's it… how's it hanging?' Ash smiled weakly, giving a half hearted wave that waned under Paul's ferocious look that seemed to leak with hatred, all aimed at Ash. Ash flinched under the heavy aura emanating from Paul, while Pikachu frowned and moved closer to Ash, whispering 'Pika pika pika CHU,' in his ear. Ash responded with a nod as Paul turned back to Reggie, blowing out in relief in response. 'You don't have to tell me twice, Pikachu. I know.'
'Come on, Paul. You look famished. I'm sure you'd like some?' Reggie was kindly prompting, standing to head to the kitchen.
'No thanks, I'm not hungry,' Paul answered coldly. 'I'm going to bed.'
With one last angry glace Ash's way Paul turned and stomped up the stairs, seemingly attempting to make sure the whole house was aware of his current sour mood. Reggie frowned as his brother abused the stairs and followed the stomping as it hit the second floor and stopped somewhere above their heads. 'Whoa…' Reggie lamented to himself aloud. 'I've never seen him that angry before…'
Ash stood slowly, his posture uncomfortable. 'Maybe I should leave…' he said uncertainly.
Reggie turned sharply back to Ash, his eyes flashing. 'And go where? Sit down, now.'
Ash complied, grinning slightly at his own willingness to obey Reggie's strict mother-like nature, which again brought Brock and his mother to mind. Reggie shook his head, immersed in his own thoughts for a moment before smiling at Ash and Pikachu. 'Would you like some ice-cream?'
A rather large thump sounded above them at that moment, causing Pikachu to jump and grab Ash's arm in fright. Reggie sighed in irritation as they all looked at the ceiling, Ash gently rubbing Pikachu's head. 'Great, now he's sulking…'
'Sulking?' Ash questioned, letting out a 'ppffft' of muffled laughter as the words 'Paul' and 'Sulking' collided in his head.
Reggie sighed again, not noticing Ash's covered laughter. 'Please excuse me Ash, but I must go talk with him. I'm terribly sorry about this. There is ice-cream in the freezer. Please don't wait on me.' Without so much more as a backwards glance Reggie reached the stairs in the hall and began swiftly climbing them, disappearing from sight a minute later.
Pikachu watched Reggie leave for a moment before glancing at Ash with a delighted 'Pikpi!' as he jumped off the dining table and headed for the freezer in the kitchen. Pikachu skidded to a stop when Ash didn't follow him, and he turned to see Ash still standing there, head cocked and eyes trained on the stairs in the hall. Pikachu sighed and rolling his eyes, grudgingly heading back.
Ash strained his ears, but he could not hear any of the raised voices he expected. Even so, the silence seemed even more forbidding. He jumped as Pikachu leapt onto the table and nosed his hand, making worried noises. Ash glanced down at Pikachu's anxious gaze and smiled reassuringly, taking a few steps forward. 'I'm just going to see what's taking Reggie so long,' he said, using that excuse for his own curious nature, both about the reason for Paul's unadulterated hatred of him and Paul himself. How that trainer thought was one of the things Ash had been continuously struggling to comprehend.
Pikachu dashed forward onto his shoulder, shaking his head. 'Pika pi pi chu pi!' He said, pointing towards the kitchen and shaking his head at the stairs.
'Shush, Pikachu,' Ash quietly hushed, drawing closer to the stairs, head cocked. He could still hear nothing. 'I just need to see what Reggie's doing…' he lied blatantly to himself, going for the stairs fully now. Pikachu abandoned his shoulder and started trying to pull his pants leg back, which Ash ignored as he ascended the stairs quietly, leaving Pikachu to follow, chittering nervously.
Ash paused at the top, unable to go any further due to his own conscious and fear of getting caught. His gaze followed the sound of voices coming from his right, and he leant against the wall, straining to hear the conversation. He could hear muffed sounds but were unable to make them out as voices until Paul's enraged tone sounded from the room and he heard the creak of a door opening slightly. He tensed, ready to run, but when nothing ensured he leant forward eagerly, finally able to make out legimate voices.
'That doesn't matter! I still just CAN'T believe you let him in your house! Especially when I'm here—'
'Now, listen here! I had no clue you were coming, and Ash is a delight to have over. I can't believe you're being completely disgusting to him like this just because of some old grudge—'
'Shut up,' Paul hissed. 'You don't know anything.' Ash crept around the corner slightly in order to hear, his own fear propelling him forward and yet keeping him back. The sharpened edge in Paul's words sounded dangerous, and Ash found it hard to remember it was him they were talking about.
'Have you ever actually talked to him, Paul? Without immediately trying to bite his head off? Who cares if he raises his Pokemon differently from yours?'
'It's not about that!' Paul snarled back, his voice low and enraged.
'Then what is it about? Have you even considered—'
Ash withdrew hastily, suddenly unable to bear hearing the brothers fight like this about his spot in this house. He charged down the steps while trying to limit the sound of his feet hitting the boards as much as he could, deeply gulping air. He felt guilty and awful, like he had intruded on something he had no right to at all. Both of the brothers sounded so different from what Ash was used to, and the way they had furiously clashed over him was disturbing. What was Paul talking about?
He quickly dashed for the chair and flopped down into it, exhaling deeply. Pikachu jumped onto his lap and rubbed against his stomach, snorting out a few reprimanding "Pika-pika-chu's while comforting Ash. Ash started to relax at Pikachu's gentle touch and he began to mull over all he had heard while stroking Pikachu's ears.
Reggie returned a few minutes later, looking quite unfussed, which set Ash's nerves on edge a bit, while marveling Reggie's ability to carry on so calmly. But then, Ash couldn't help but notice how Reggie seemed reluctant to catch his eye despite his cheerful demeanor. 'I see you're done,' he said warmly, starting to gather their plates up. 'I'll get the ice-cream. Chocolate or Vanilla?'
Ash yelped when his foot unexpectedly hit the next stair and the tray in his hands teetered dangerously to the side. Pikachu let out a cry of surprise and dashed away from the tray's range as Ash hopped on one foot before gently bringing the other down on the next rise. 'Whew…' Ash muttered as he adjusted his grip on the tray, which featured the Spaghetti Bolognese, a small cup of milk and some white goop that had originally been ice-cream. Ash had made the ice-cream first to go on the tray, idiotically not considering that it would melt while he did the rest.
Taking a deep breath, Ash continued on his way up the stairs with Pikachu dashing ahead of him. He stopped outside Paul's door and remained there for a minute, going over things in his mind in a last-minute panic.
Pikachu shook his head in amusement at Ash and nudged Ash's leg towards the door, nodding encouragingly. Ash grinned at Pikachu. 'You're right, buddy. Best get it over with, huh?' At Pikachu smug nod, Ash glanced down at the yellow mouse waiting at his feet, struck by a sudden thought.
'Maybe you should go downstairs and wait with Reggie. I'm not sure Paul would appreciate it with both you and me bullying him. And if I want to make a connection, I don't need any distractions for Paul,' he whispered, careful not to let Paul hear him.
Pikachu puffed out his cheeks angrily at Ash's apologetic smile before turning and slowly trotting to the stairs. At the top he stopped and pointed insistently at Paul's door, giving Ash a reprimanding glare as he did so. Ash smiled again as Pikachu disappeared before letting it slide off his face.
Looking at the dinner tray in his hands one more time to remind himself what he was doing, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door firmly with his elbow, nearly losing the milk in the process. It was a long shoot to come up here and offer dinner to Paul. Ash didn't even really expect him to open the door.
Because of this Ash danced backwards in surprise as the door shot open to reveal an irate Paul, his eyes small slits and mouth pushed together angrily.
'God, Reggie-' Paul's eyes widened considerably when he realized who it was before they immediately narrowed. 'Get lost,' he growled simply, stepping back and grabbing the door.
'Wait!' Ash hastily shoved his foot in the rapidly closing gap, causing him to stumble with his precocious load. Paul continued struggling with the door most viciously (without caring for Ash's gasps and whimpers of 'ow!') before he noticed the food tray as Ash accidently swished it past his nose in his efforts to keep the door open as well as his balance.
Paul's steel grip on the door loosened, his gaze locked hungrily on the food, taking a step forward. Ash mirrored him and took a step back, grinning. 'Yeah, I thought you might be hungry,' he said, watching for Paul's reaction and dodging back in delight when Paul reached for it.
'Uh uh!' he playfully probed. 'You get this if you let me in and we talk.' Paul stepped back into the shelter of his room and glared openly from his doorway, holding Ash's gaze steadily for the first time. Ash found himself quite unnerved by it as Paul suddenly studied him.
'You better take the deal,' He said again, scrabbling for his last chance here to finally just talk to Paul and find out what his problem was. Seeing he had Paul's full annoyed attention, he grinned. 'And I wouldn't go downstairs either. Reggie's waiting to give you another speech. Says he can't believe you're treating a guest this way. That you wouldn't be getting dinner anyway if it was up to him.'
Noticing Paul's exasperated grimace he waved the tray temptingly closer, expecting a full victory. Instead Paul's hands shot out unexpectedly and grabbed the tray, swiftly yanking it out of his hands. He immediately retreated into his room, leaving Ash frozen outside the door with his mouth open. It took him a few moments to realize Paul had left the door open and was staring at him expectantly from his crossed-legged position on a simple bed. 'You coming in or what?' Paul aggressively growled, reaching for the bowl. 'If you aren't, get lost.'
'I…uh…' Finding himself suddenly lost for words Ash gave up on speaking and entered the room hesitantly, looking around. It was typically simple, although a few items and posters here and there caught Ash's attention. Practically the weathered and ripped looking 'The Adventures of Red' poster that was close to falling off on the opposite wall.
Hiding a grin, He sat beside Paul slowly, his movements uncomfortable and jerky. Paul paid no heed to Ash, attacking his food silently. After a few quiet moments with no movement from either side Ash sulkingly offered a slightly bitter 'You're welcome,' to Paul.
Paul paused in eating before glaring. Being ignored by him for the majority of the night, Ash flinched as the sudden full burn that was Paul turned on him.
'What do you want me to say?' Paul demanded sullenly more as a statement than a question. 'Were you expecting something like a 'Oh, I'm sorry for being such a cow, and know we'll trade Pokemon tips and friendship bracelets? Huh?' He sarcastically remarked, his voice coated in venom. 'Is that what you want ?'
Ash retreated, looking hurt. Paul's glare remained, his hard eyes unable to look away from Ash's wounded but firm gaze. Catching himself, Paul narrowed his eyes and went back to his Spaghetti.
'So why do u hate me?' Ash asked Paul simply, anger simmering slightly underneath his tone.
Paul scoffed in answer, refusing to look at Ash. 'As if you'd wanna know,' he muttered. Ash tilted his head in confusement.
'But I'm asking you,' Ash said. 'I want to know.'
Paul turned slowly to look at the younger boy, studying him closely, in which Ash felt like he was passing under a high-tech security laser. He froze, holding Paul's heavy gaze. Paul blinked, then seemed to relax slightly, because he smirked suddenly and remarked; 'Geez, and you wonder why I call you dumb sometimes…'
'You call me dumb…? Hey!' Ash growled, narrowing his eyes.
'Not to your face, idiot.'
Ash frowned. 'That's not very nice,' he mumbled, finding nothing else to say. His ignored thoughts of abandoning Paul as a friend were starting to emerge, but even so Ash found himself unwilling to give up. Paul was only human, after all. There HAD to be a reason for him to be such a sourpuss…
'Since when have I ever been nice?' Paul snorted, causing Ash to stare at Paul.
'Yeah, but there's a big difference between saying something to someone's face then saying another behind their back,' Ash pointed out, leaning back on the bed and frowning again.
'No, there isn't,' Paul corrected haughtily. Ash glared as Paul continued, glaring at the ceiling. 'There isn't, because not matter what you say to them or not, that's still what you feel about them. And even then, what you say doesn't matter at all because that might not be how you really feel about them at all.'
Ash opened mouth to say something, but then closed it again, considering Paul's words.
'And besides,' Paul continued, at loss himself as to why he kept blabbering like an idiot, 'There's a lot of stuff I don't say to your face, loser.'
That defiantly piqued Ash's interest. 'Like what?' Paul gave Ash a sharp sideways glare and snorted again. 'You really think I'm going to tell you? You're really dumber than I thought.'
'Hey!' Ash snarled, clenching his fist. When Paul gave no response and continued glaring at everything in the room but Ash, Ash sighed. 'Paul, what do you really think of me?' He asked softly, deflating. 'I need to know.'
Paul gave no indication he heard, turning his heated glare onto the empty bowl in his lap before he placed it and the tray to the side gently, his eyes finally training on Ash. There was silence for a moment, surprisingly gentle, like the calm before a storm.
'You really want to know?' His voice was soft and normal. Not harsh, or mocking, or cold. Just even. Ash found it melodic, somewhere in the back of his entrapped mind.
Ash nodded. 'Of course…' Ash's face suddenly grew determined, and his eyes hardened and brightened, a face Paul was accustomed to seeing in the heat of battle right. The pure familiarity almost made him smile.
'Of course! I'm really sick of us being like this. I really do just want to be your friend, Paul.'
Paul chuckled darkly, moving closer. Ash kept his look curiously, shifting uncomfortably as Paul suddenly grew nearer. 'Say goodbye to friendship-,' Paul whispered, suddenly closing the gap and leaning over Ash dominantly, drinking in Ash's surprise and the sudden fear he was showing, '-Cause it ain't gonna happen.'
Paul grabbed Ash's face and leant closer, guiding Ash's own face towards his. Ash followed Paul numbly, his mind shutting down briefly. Their lips touched softly, with no movement from either of them for a few moments. Ash's mouth opened partway in shock and Paul seized that chance, encouraging him to tilt his head slightly so he could to nibble on Ash's lip and slick his tongue along the younger boy's lips.
Ash gave no response at all as Paul tenderly caressed his face and continued, ignoring Ash's immobility and lack of response as long as he could.
Sooner or later he had too let go though.
Sighing deeply, Paul ended it and drew away from Ash, not at all surprised to find his head spinning. It had been as nice as he had ever wondered it could be, but he wasn't willing to take the chance that Ash didn't think so. He had, after all, not moved once since Paul had started the kiss. He didn't know what he had expected; Ash to kiss him back, or Ash to smash him in the face and start yelling… but Ash's inactiveness was worse than a brawl. It was… like Ash couldn't stand him. Like Ash was too speechless with disgust to say anything.
Paul tried to pretend it didn't hurt.
That it didn't hurt at all.
'There,' he growled harshly, his head turned from Ash. 'Get lost.'
Ash jumped, coming back to reality, his eyes wide. 'Paul…' he started uncertainly. 'I—'
'Get out!' Paul snarled. 'Now!
Ash stared, then slowly rose and silently exited the room, glancing Paul's way to see Paul glaring daggers at the opposite wall, his face covered with a thin film of red.
Only after Ash shut the door and Paul heard a faint click did his shoulders slump. He turned his downcast eyes to his lap, numbly watching his hands tremble.
'See you later, loser,' he whispered, his voice so quiet he couldn't hear it over his own thumping heart.
Paul slowly opened the door, careful not to creak it, and slowly surveyed the area. It was dark, and Reggie's bedroom door was closed. Paul nodded once, and crept forward a few steps, holding the empty tray of plates in his hand. At the top of the stairs he peeked down, pleased to see the lights downstairs were off. That meant he had free passage.
He quickly walked down the stairs and went to swerve into the kitchen, but stopped suddenly when he caught sight of Ash lying on the couch in the dim light. Momentarily frozen, Paul shook his head and continued on to the kitchen, dumping the plates into the sink once he got there.
He intended to head straight back up the stairs and into bed, but somehow his legs ended up taking him into the living room, where he found himself standing over Ash, watching him quietly.
His trusty rat was curled up n his side, and the Growlith his brother was watching was stretched on the ground next to them, whining softly in her sleep. The sheets were tangled around Ash, barely covering anything, and allowing for a nice view of his slimly toned stomach. Paul watched, enticed, as it rose and fell slightly with his gentle breathing, and his gaze travelled up his thinly covered chest to his ached neck, unspoiled and slender.
In truth, Paul found the sight extremely endearing. Not to mention enticing.
Paul abruptly cut off his view of Ash when he angrily shook himself and jerked around, squeezing his eyes shut and rubbing at his face, sighing and growling softly to himself at the same time.
It wasn't worth the time to tease himself like this. It wasn't worth it hoping. It wasn't worth liking for no reason. He was going to destroy himself from the inside if he kept up like this; it was getting ridiculous. But there was nothing he could do.
Even so, he looked over his shoulder one last time, his eyes soft, before closing them and walking silently out the room, sighing heavily
Things like this were just meant to hurt.
The next time Paul woke up, it was the crack of dawn. He rose quietly and packed his things, finishing before the sun had risen a quarter of an inch. He couldn't stay here any longer. This was it.
Heaving the bag over his shoulder he glided down the stairs and ran lightly to the door. Running was necessary. If he didn't, he might have seen Ash again and his body would have froze again. He couldn't even afford one last glance. Why bother? The raven-haired trainer would pop up continuously unwanted in his dreams, mocking him.
He scowled, pushing the door open and inhaling the crisp morning air.
Despite the lovely day, he was in the worst mood. Three guesses why.
He wanted to get out of there, and be alone with his thoughts. He needed to get out of there, or his annoying eyes might start tearing up. Or he might turn around and wait for Ash, so they could travel opposites as rivals again. That was much more favorable than running constantly.
'Hey, Paul! Wait!'
Paul stopped dead as an extremely cheerful and familiar voice called out to him. Glancing over his shoulder, he scowled furiously when he saw Ash, clear as day, running towards him. He turned away and continued, determined to chase him away with his cold attitude. Inside, he was screaming.
How the hell had Ash even gotten dressed that quickly, let alone woken up?
He heard Ash come up behind him, and sensed the boy fall into step beside him, but still refused Ash the honor of his attention. That didn't mean he wasn't listening, though.
'Which town are you heading to now?'
Paul gave a brief shrug, shocked when the answer suddenly slipped out. '…Hearthome.'
'Really?' Ash said, soundly genuinely excited. 'I was on my way home to Pallet, and that city is on the way.'
The unparalleled enthusiasm in Ash's voice had reached Paul's breaking point in the centre of his black hurting mood and the hurt and frustration inside him snapped.
'Why?' He spat, whirling on Ash. 'What do you want? Why do you care where I'm going? Why do you care about me? Huh?'
Ash stopped then, and looked at Paul, his expression going from happy to surprised to a small, comforting smile. On his shoulder, Pikachu watched Paul, leaning against Ash's head. Paul, as messed as he was, found himself even more so under the rat's heavy calculating gaze.
'Well…,' Ash began rather shyly, 'I was wondering if I could travel with you…' In one swift movement, he reached out and slipped his hand into Paul's.
Paul's mouth opened, and he stared down dumbly at their entwined hands.
'Because I want to go with you.'
Paul looked at Ash, then at his hands again, face carefully slipping into a neutral mask. 'Why?' he shortly asked, his eyes locked on their hands, to which Ash gave a comforting squeeze.
'Because... I'd like to travel with you,' he said, sounding sure but hesitant at the same time. 'I wasn't sure at first, but I talked to Reggie, and I had some time to think…'
Ash smiled and shifted in front of Paul's gaze, forcing the lavender-headed boy to lock eyes with him.
'And I'd like to get to know you… better than I do now.' He indicated to their hands shyly again.
Paul blinked stupidly, feeling extremely exposed. He felt like he had fallen into a dream, that this couldn't possibly be true—than one thing stuck him.
'Wait, you told Reggie?' he asked sharply, unable to keep the edge of embarrassment out of his voice. 'How much?'
Ash shrugged, grinning slightly while glancing sideways at Paul. 'Everything.'
Paul growled, raising his eyes to the sky. Ash squeezed his hand again, and Paul jumped at the contact, his gaze shooting down to their hands, shifting his fingers slightly. Feeling Ash's warm hard around his. It was… wonderful.
He slowly met Ash's eyes and they both just stared for a few moments. Paul wasn't sure if it was some kind of test on his part or his last chance, but as he slowly allowed himself to smirk. Ash mirrored him, except with one of his signature smiles. Even Pikachu relaxed.
Understanding passed between them then, and Paul turned away only so he could smirking giddily at the ground without Ash seeing.
'You can travel with me only if you don't slow me down,' he said nonchalantly, giving a last ditch attempt at passing his attitude off as careless. He could tell Ash wasn't fooled, but for the first time, he could deal with that. Ash had always been the one to see straight through his usually impenetrable blockades, and he saw no reason for that to stop now.
With that he released Ash's hand and headed off down the road, transferring his sweaty hands into his pockets so he could wipe them discreetly while still holding his image. When he reached the road and turned back to see Ash still standing in the same spot, looking expectant, he was unable to stop himself from smiling ruefully, his eyes falling half-mast and hair gently flowing around his content face in the breeze.
'Well, aren't you coming, loser?' he said. 'Hurry up or I'll leave you behind.'
Ash blinked. Slowly, a grin formed, and he was suddenly running out the gate to Paul, unable to stop smiling. Paul rolled his eyes and shook his head before starting off again with Ash by his side, suddenly feeling as if nothing else in the world mattered anymore.
Ash shifted closer and shifted his hand into Paul's again, intentionally brushing against him.
Well, maybe it didn't.
Back at the house Reggie leant out the window, positively beaming at the beautiful day and watching his brother and Ash depart down the road towards the start of something new.
OH, I LOVE REGGIE! He's the sweetest! I really couldn't resist the short fluffy family moments with him in the beginning. Him, Ash and Paul... the perfect family!
This has the potential for a few continuing oneshots in the future, so don't be surprised if t a few pop up. Hope you enjoyed it! :)


text:
Who knows what he'll make up in Tokyo?
Ryan Lochte confirmed on "Hollywood Today Live" Friday that he will compete in the 2020 games.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I will be there in 2020," the swimmer, who got into hot water for telling tall tales about his Rio "robbery," revealed to hosts Ross Mathews and Samantha Harris.
He added, "I'm taking my mental break from the sport. I have no time [because of 'Dancing with the Stars']. When [the show] is all done, I'm going to finally go on a vacation with my fiancée and then I'll get back into it."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
BURLESON, Texas -- Mel Maxfield's loyalties die hard. Some don't die at all.
The head man at Burleson (Texas) hated to give up his Kodak projector, clicker and all, for reviewing practices and scouting opponents. He made the transition to videotape and recently went digital, though he leaves the details to some of his younger assistants. Generation X, he calls them.
But no one in his 23 years as a high school head coach in Texas has persuaded him to forsake the wing-T offense, which he brought to this growing town south of Fort Worth seven years ago. Though some well-meaning dads suggest making an offensive change
"Every year," he said recently with a laugh.
Maxfield's Elks have qualified for the Class 5A playoffs every other year. In 15 previous seasons at then-3A Forney, five of his teams went into the playoffs undefeated.
To twist the Bill Parcells phrase slightly, Maxfield prefers the wing-T because he cooks the meal but can't shop for the groceries.
"We don't recruit. We can't go sign free agents," Maxfield said. "I think it's very adjustable to the talent that changes from year to year in high school."
The wing-T relies on quick traps, sweeps and counter plays. It's known mostly as a running attack but can turn to the air when conditions are favorable.
Burleson's Heath Raetz became an offensive tackle at nearby TCU, which has put together one of major college football's best winning percentages in recent years. He described Maxfield's simple but effective philosophies on each side of the ball.
"You don't have to be stronger or faster. Just out-hit 'em," said Raetz, who graduated in the spring. "Offensively, the goal is four yards at a time. Defensively, you swarm to the football. No blitzing. Just work as a team."
Raetz particularly enjoyed when opposing defenses wore down late in games.
"The backs break runs for 15, 20, 40 yards," he said, almost relishing his old offense. "Downfield, you can hit guys that are a little smaller. And at full speed."
Elks offensive coordinator David Hunt came over with Maxfield from Forney and joined the staff there specifically for a chance to coach the wing-T.
"It's the great equalizer," Hunt said.
Maxfield grew up in the small West Texas town of Gorman and played college ball at Texas-Arlington, which dropped football in the mid-1980s. UTA's offensive line coach then was Bob Noblitt, an option devotee who helped instill in Maxfield an appreciation for establishing fundamentals as used by Army, Navy and Air Force.
"Coach Noblitt mentioned how smart those guys were, how much they adjusted," Maxfield said. "I love watching the academies play, how they execute."
Maxfield's office is a football library, containing books written about former University of Alabama coach "Bear" Bryant and NFL legends Bill Walsh and Vince Lombardi. There's one written in 1957 about the elements of the wing-T that he got before he started coaching. ("We'll literally go back to it from time to time when we're stuck.")
He keeps some books in his desk drawer, and one requires special attention. "Darrell Royal Talks Football" is a softcover version of the 1963 book written by the former University of Texas coach with Dallas sports columnist Blackie Sherrod (price: $1.95). This one is held together with the help of a sturdy rubber band.
"He likes to tell stories about Texas and Darrell Royal," said Cody Nerius, who will be a senior tight end this season.
Maxfield also likes to tell his players to be good sons and good friends. Said Hunt: "Every kid, he wants him to walk away a better human being."
Maxfield tells them war stories and suggests books to read. Nerius said this season's book is "The Pep Talk: A Football Story About the Business of Winning." It's a novel in which co-author Kevin Elko employs principles that he has passed along in motivational talks to NFL and college teams.
"I'm always looking for something new out there," Maxfield said, half-apologetically. "I don't know what makes 'em tick."
Maxfield is a coach's son and considers coaching more of a way of life than a career. He recalls the story of a football coach whose daughter was about to head off on her own out across West Texas. The coach pulled out a map and identified the various towns along her route and who coached where. If you break down, he told his daughter, call the local coach. He'll be happy to help you.
"It's a pretty close-knit profession," Maxfield said. "That's not to say competing insurance agents wouldn't help each other out.
"Back to participating in Little League, I never had a bad coach."
Clay Beason played for Maxfield at Forney, has been in coaching for 10 years and readily credits "Coach Max" for inspiring him to pursue the profession.
"He's just a down-to-earth guy," said Beason, an assistant at Harding University in Arkansas. "He pushed all of us, but never overboard."
When Beason played for the Forney Jackrabbits, Maxfield read them the poem "The Man Who Thinks He Can."
Said Beason: "I've used it with my teams."
By the way, Maxfield isn't just being stubborn in missing that old projector. He has his reasons.
"Now you can pull up all the third-and-longs from the right hash, but you don't know what brought it to the right hash," he said. "I still like to watch the game in its entirety to try to get a feel.
"Do they go for a home run after they got a turnover? After they've given up a turnover, do they bring the house the next time? You can kind of get a rhythm."
Jeff Miller is a freelance writer in Texas and can be reached at email@example.com.


text:
Mega Beasts (6×60′) – Scientists use fossils and CGI to recreate how six massive dinos lived, fought and behaved. Featured dinosaurs include a 7 ft 300 lb 'terror bird' and a marine monster.
Channel: Discovery
Producer: Creative Differences
TX: 13 September 2009 (x2) + remaining programmes in Dino December.
Source: Cynopsis


text: Motorcycle Emergency Kit For Fist Aid Riding a motorcycle is not the same as driving a car for many reasons. For one, instead of being protected in a steel and plastic shell, seated in a soft, cushioned seat surrounded by airbags, you are exposed to the elements. You are surrounded instead by cold,the rain, heat, […]Continue reading


text:
Results 1 to 3 of 3
Thread: m204 and db2
08-20-11, 12:50 #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Posts
- 2
Unanswered: m204 and db2
Hello,I want to know the major difference between DB2 and m204 since I am not familiar with them just know they are IBM product.thanks.
08-20-11, 14:22 #2Registered User
- Join Date
- Nov 2010
- Posts
- 14
M204 (Model 204) is a high volume OLTP database for IBM mainframes from Rocket Software.
Rocket Model 204 Overview | Rocket Software
DB2 is a database caters both OLTP and OLAP workloads for both mainframe and distributed environment from IBM.
IBM - DB2 database software/* SK Chandra */
08-20-11, 17:03 #3Registered User
- Join Date
- May 2003
- Location
- Posts
- 5,737
I haven't worked with M204 for over 25 years. At that time it was an inverted list database (similar to Adabas). I suppose the have probably added a SQL front end on it since then, but I doubt if it is really relational like DB2.M. A. Feldman
IBM Certified DBA on DB2 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows
IBM Certified DBA on DB2 for z/OS and OS/390


text:
Dance, Tech House, Deep house Klangkubik Music
Klangkubik - Wanna Get (KLANG052.1 PREVIEW)1:48431 Reshare Social EmbedAddto Set to Group to Playlist1:48
Yessss, he comes back :)
Friendly awaited: the next level of Klangkubik Music. Here you´ll see his deep and soulfoul influences in the synthesizer way ;) Because you don´t wanna hear him sing ;) But on the old knobs a perfectionist - fitted old drummachines into ableton live.
Stay tuned for more exciting adventures ;)
...#wannagetintoit already shows it: 2 TRACK EP. #techhouse #deephouse #deephousemusic #realhousemusic #klangkubikshowcase
This track was tagged with the following keywords: Dance, Tech House, Deep house.
These are the meta information of this upload:
- Type: Original
- Release Date: 08/30/2016 8:56 AM
- 124 bpm
- © All rights reserved
1 liked it. 4 played it.
Listen to all music and sounds of Klangkubik Music and follow this user by signing in for free.
Dance, Tech House, Deep house, Techno, House
- Type: Original
- Release Date: 08/30/2016 8:56 AM
- 124 bpm
- © All rights reserved


text:
The sword is worse than death, famine is harder than the sword, captivity is worst of all...(Talmud, Bava Batra 8b)
In the early 1980s, Jonathan Pollard was a civilian analyst in the U.S. Navy. He was deeply troubled that the U.S. government did not seem to appreciate the threat to American interests posed by Saddam Hussein. He also tried desperately to hold the U.S. to its commitment to warn Israel of Iraq's lethal plans for the Jewish State.
In his efforts to get this information legally released to Israel, Pollard appealed all the way up the chain of command in the Pentagon. To no avail. In desperation, Pollard finally gave the information to Israel himself.
Essentially, Jonathan Pollard warned Israel that Saddam Hussein was planning to scorch the Jewish State with weapons of mass destruction. What is perhaps most shocking of all, though, is the fact that this vital information was being purposely withheld from Israel by the U.S., Israel's closest ally.
In warning Israel, Jonathan broke the law. He deserved to be punished. But the punishment has to fit the crime. The usual sentence for spying for an ally is 2-4 years. Jonathan has been imprisoned since 1985, completing a life sentence, with virtually no possibility of parole.
Jonathan Pollard did not spy against the United States. He was never indicted for intent to harm the United States, nor for treason, though he has been falsely accused of both. He received his life sentence without benefit of trial, but as the result of a plea bargain which Jonathan honored and the U.S. violated.
Jonathan received a sentence far harsher than most of those who spied for an enemy nation. Only Jonathan Pollard, a Jew who spied for the Jewish State, remains in prison with no end in sight.
The facts of the case show that none of the information provided by Pollard resulted in the loss of lives or the utility of any agents, the need to replace or relocate intelligence equipment, the loss of sources of information, or the compromising of technology. And while sentences in espionage cases are traditionally proportional to the damage caused, Pollard's sentence is in gross violation of this principle. Jonathan Pollard's sentence does not fit his crime.
Pollard's greatest "sin" was giving Israel vital security information which permitted the Jewish state to act in its own defense. For decades, Washington has sought to assure Israel of a qualitative military and strategic advantage against its Arab neighbors. Pollard's actions were, if anything, consistent with this goal.
In spite of the passage of time which has exposed government allegations against Jonathan Pollard as either gross exaggerations or outright lies, and in spite of all the evidence to the contrary, America continues to punish Jonathan Pollard as if he had committed a far more serious crime and as if Israel were an enemy state.
The Dreyfus Affair which ensued caused a deep rift between intellectuals not only in France but in all of Europe and the United States. It unleashed racial violence and led to the publication of history's most famous call for justice 'J'accuse' addressed to the President of France by Emile Zola, who was to become in the words of Anatole France "the conscience of mankind".
The Dreyfus Affair also led to an increase in anti-Semitism in France. This development helped convince Austrian journalist Theodor Herzl that Jews could never find a home in non-Jewish societies. As a result, he organized a worldwide Zionist movement, which inspired the founding of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, the Land of Israel.
The key to securing Pollard's release might be in the hands of the American Jewish community. Until when are you planning to ignore this major injustice? We call upon all American Jews to use all legal means at your disposal to expose the truth and to work on behalf of justice for Jonathan Pollard to allow him to obtain the freedom he so justly deserves.
By releasing Jonathan Pollard, America will demonstrate her renewed commitment to equal justice for all, and reaffirm her relationship to Israel as a valued ally and faithful partner.
For further information on the Pollard Affair, visit the
Justice For Jonathan Pollard website.
Recommend This Page To A Friend
Take the Israeli Opinion Poll!


text:
Brand new fire once again from Bart B More. I wish the track wasn't as heavy on the vocals, but I'm into this significantly more than his last remix for Teenage Bad Girl. I'd have to say the next big track to look out for from Bart B More is with TAI (which you can preview here). It's very much like TAI's collaborations with D.I.M., but you can definitely feel the Bart B More's influence on it. Bart can do no wrong, people.
Baskerville – Devil's Town (Bart B More's Stuiter Remix) (320 kbps)
4 Comments
Sjoerd Romkes August 2, 2011 at 7:42 am
You should also check out the RipTide remix of Devil's Town. Not really 'banger'-wise, but just a great remix. :) http://soundcloud.com/riptide/baskerville-devils-town It's also on the remix EP
iDonut August 2, 2011 at 8:48 am
Like! Also looking forward to the Collaboration with TAI – I loved Ion :)
Whtvrz_klvr August 2, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Bart is on fire! His tiesto remix is just..BOOM
Ruadhan August 3, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Saw Baskerville live a couple of months ago, you should listen to the remix they did of Global grind by Dem Slackers, that tune is bangin


text:
Hide Images
1Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2In 12-inch skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up with spoon, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in pie filling and apples. Spread mixture evenly in baking dish. Top with 1 cup of the cheese.
3In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, salt, pepper and eggs with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour evenly over cheese.
4Bake 30 to 37 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.


text:
Eversheds has agreed to work for free on Birming-ham's high-profile bid to replace Wembley as home to England's national football stadium.
Eversheds was appointed by a bidding consortium comprising Birmingham City Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the NEC Group.
Their bid is seen as a frontrunner alongside two alternative schemes for Wembley. Coventry is also making a bid to take on the project.
Eversheds Birmingham property head Tim Webb said: "We've been appointed to advise on strategic planning and site assembly for the Birmingham national stadium.
"We'll be working pro bono until we hear that the bid is successful. After that we will charge accordingly."
"This is so wound up in the psyche of the British public. It seems so obvious for it to come to the Midlands that anything we can do to help seems worthwhile"
Tim Webb, Eversheds
A decision on the rival proposals is expected within the next two weeks, and if Birmingham is still in the running at that stage, the Birmingham consortium will submit a planning application in October.
Webb said the decision for Eversheds to do the work pro bono was agreed mutually.
"The project is speculative on the part of the consortium and we're showing our commitment to the project until they hear the news on the scheme," said Webb. "We're sharing the risk as a partner with them in the scheme.
"This is so wound up in the psyche of the British public. It seems so obvious for it to come to the Mid-lands that anything we can do to help and support the project and bring it home seems worthwhile."
The £324m scheme for an 85,000-seater stadium, which would include the acquisition of a 190-acre site, is far cheaper than the original £700m Wembley project and other alternatives for the Wembley site.
But the Birmingham scheme is also controversial, since it would eat into greenbelt land which lies between Birmingham and Coventry.
"The application is expected to be called in and fast-tracked by the Secretary of State for Local Government, Transport and the Regions," said Webb. "A public inquiry will then be heard."
The appointment to work on the stadium project followed swiftly on the back of Eversheds' hire of a key planning lawyer from Birmingham City Council. Gerry Sheedy was previously head of the highways and planning legal team.
Sheedy is working closely with Eversheds' national head of planning Rod Bull on the national stadium scheme. Webb is leading on the property side.
"Gerry's reputation in the public sector certainly helped to get the stadium appointment, and Rod's leading reputation on a national basis was critical. The appointment is also a reflection of Eversheds' standing in the business community," noted Webb.


text:
MOVIE SYNOPSIS [ General Audiences ] Being a production of USA, this 2016 film was directed by Cambria Matlow. You can watch The Woodsriders online on TV cable or theaters with original audio in English at different dates. This film premiered in theaters in 2016.
Rating: 5 by 10 users./
Runtime: 100 minutes
Sadie Ford.
100-minute film (full movie) directed by Cambria Matlow.
The original audio of The Woodsriders has dialogues in Dolby Digital, it was produced in USA.
It premiered in cinemas or television in 2016.
Jerred North.
Cambria Matlow, Claire Weingarten and Janique L. Robillard.
This film was produced and / or financed by Woodsrider Films.
Composed by Ronen Landa.
Without commercial breaks, the full movie The Woodsriders has a duration of 100 minutes; the official trailer can be watched in streaming on the Internet. You can watch this full movie free in EnglishDolby Digital in movie TV channels, renting the DVD or with VoD services (Video On Demand player, Hulu) and PPV (Pay Per View, Netflix).
See the page of this full movie, The Woodsriders in FULLTV Movies.


text:
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu
Expected publication: October 4th 2016 by Simon & Schuster
In the much-anticipated sequel to the "magnificent fantasy epic" (NPR) Grace of Kings, Emperor Kuni Garu is faced with the invasion of an invincible army in his kingdom and must quickly find a way to defeat the intruders.
Kuni Garu, now known as Emperor Ragin, runs the archipelago kingdom of Dara, but struggles to maintain progress while serving the demands of the people and his vision. Then an unexpected invading force from the Lyucu empire in the far distant west comes to the shores of Dara—and chaos results.
But Emperor Kuni cannot go and lead his kingdom against the threat himself with his recently healed empire fraying at the seams, so he sends the only people he trusts to be Dara's savvy and cunning hopes against the invincible invaders: his children, now grown and ready to make their mark on history.
The first book was one of my favorite reads of last year, so I've been anxiously awaiting this. No sign of an ARC yet, but my fingers are crossed.


text:
My Trackers
my Nutrition
my Fitness
my Weight
Other Goals
my SparkPoints
Community Home
Community Feed
Message Boards
Challenge Central
Member Blogs
What's New
Health & Wellness
Weight Loss
Stuff We Love
Healthy Family
Pregnancy & Postpartum
Instant Inspiration
Food Database
Lifestyle Centers
The SparkPeople Blog
Stream hundreds of free workout videos and track them in one click. Get fit at home, at work or wherever you are!
Today's Featured Video:
Visit SparkPeople.TV
Access hundreds of thousands of recipes that are healthy and easy to make. Get full nutrition info for every recipe and track with one click!
Today's Featured Recipe:
Roasted Root Vegetables
Visit SparkRecipes.com
So...What Now?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Share This Post With Others
Report Inappropriate Blog
Member Comments About This Blog Post
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
You can't have regrets - so did what you want maybe not in the style you want to, but guess what that is LIFE. Life always enters and messes with your ideal plan. It is modifying your goals - goals should be fluid.
Hope you enjoy Goofy - it isn't for the faint at heart. My husband did it last year and I know what it did to him and his body. I know you will finish and enjoy your runs just listen to your body. Lesson my husband learned - take it or leave it - fuel diligently during the half every 30-45 minutes because you are actually fueling for the next day not so much the half.
1880 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
I totally relate, I struggling with that now. Hang in there!
1881 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
One day at a time, that's what it takes and you have the plan to succeed.
1881 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
you can do it!!!! (i feel like a 14 year-old writing all those exclamation points).
the important thing about mistakes is learning from them.
and what catherine said.
1881 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
You can do it. You have the tools, the experience, and most of all - the support!
Goofy will be epic! You can make it so!
1881 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
One thing about races -- there is that clearly defined "finish line." Life isn't really like that, well, there is a finish line but that's not what we want to cross any time soon. Every day is new and requires that we make choices. Every day is new and a start over. As long as you are alive, you are never done. You are never done, even if you have been successful. You are never done, even if you haven't been. That gets to some people, but I find that realization both exciting and very freeing. It is always possible to be better, no matter where you were yesterday.
1881 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Emily, use the Space Coast experience and the photos taken as a motivational tool. That can be very powerful for you. When we ran SC you were on top of the world and was unstoppable. I miss that happy energetic Emily and that grin that wouldn't be wiped away. Again, I so want you to experience what I did yesterday so badly. You were there once and you can be there again only stronger physically and MENTALLY!!! Own it, girl! you can do this and YOU WILL!!! It's all yours for the taking if you keep to your awesome plan.
FIGHT FOR IT because YOU deserve it!
1882 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Oh that denial thing. I was at a really good weight between my second and third child. And then pregnancy, bed rest and stress. And the weight crept up. I did not look at the scale. I bought pants with elastic waists so I did not see the true size.
I did not want to know, because I did not like myself for gaining that weight.
But I've looked at it differently lately. That weight was not healthy for me, but I had not been a bad mean person while gaining it. As a matter of fact I'd sometimes made the bad eating decisions because I was not taking care of myself and was taking care of others.
But I needed to take care of myself lovingly, like I would someone else. And step by step lose that weight I'd gained.
Take care.
1882 days ago
Report Inappropriate Comment
My SparkPage
Those steps will get you where you want to be.
I am going to tell you again, I am so damn proud of you!!
1882 days ago
Add Your Comment to the Blog Post
Log in to post a comment
Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.
Get An Email Alert Each Time
EMILY1244 Posts
See Today's Featured Member Blog Posts
More Blogs by EMILY1244
A New Mission
- 6/8/2013
- 3/23/2013
When there's nothing left...
- 3/22/2013
- 3/20/2013
View All ›
close ×


text:
WEG Spectator Parking, Transportation Options Set
- Jun 24, 2010
- Topics:
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games spectators will have a variety of parking and transportation options, including hotel shuttles and on-site parking, for the 16 days of the event.
With the recent availability of property adjacent to the Kentucky Horse Park, parking for 10,000 vehicles each day is now possible on-site. Parking will be $20 per vehicle with cash only accepted on entry. A limited number of premium parking spaces near the spectator entry, with pass-out parking privileges, are also available for $100 per day at www.alltechfeigames.com
Nine hotel shuttle routes will be implemented for Games spectators, providing a door-to-door transportation service for selected hotels. Spectators who have arranged accommodations through the Games Housing Bureau for the selected hotels, located in Lexington, Georgetown and Frankfort, will be e-mailed a direct link on or before July 6 with the opportunity to pre-purchase hotel shuttle wristbands online for $5 before Aug. 1. After Aug. 1, the shuttle wristbands will be $10 for Housing Bureau guests. During the Games, wristbands can be purchased for $15, subject to availability. Wristbands are date specific and valid for one day's round trip transport to the Kentucky Horse Park and are non-transferable.
A list of hotels on the shuttle routes will be available on the Spectator Information page of the Games website by July 6. Buses equipped with ADA seating will be operating on all hotel shuttle systems, and mobility shuttles will be stationed in the on-site parking lots for those who need assistance from designated ADA parking areas.
In addition, taxi cabs and Gold Shield Car Services will be available to transport spectators to the main entrance of the Games at the Kentucky Horse Park. LexTran, the city of Lexington's public transportation system, will also have roundtrip bus service to the Kentucky Horse Park for $5 per passenger, with parking near Lextran's Vine Street terminal in downtown Lexington.
"We feel these parking and transportation options provide maximum flexibility and value for our spectators," said Games CEO Jamie Link. "We expect thousands of people will visit the park each day and our goal is that everyone arrives in a safe and efficient manner, ready to enjoy a great day at the Games."
Detailed information on transportation services, including directions to on-site parking, hotel shuttle routes, and information for local commuters whose daily routes may be impacted by event traffic will be available soon at www.alltechfeigames.com.
Related Content
Fire Kills Six Horses, Injures Four at WEG Eventer's Barn
Keeping the WEG Healthy
Fair Play: World Equestrian Games
Mass Transit; To the World Equestrian Games We Go!
Ask the Vet LIVE Q&A: World Equestrian Games Horse Care Recording Now Available
WEG: Safeguards for International Horse Movement
Greening the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
FEI Athletes Receive Anti-Doping Regulation Training
Anky: Salinero Won't Compete in WEG Dressage, Still Mending
WEG Horse Feed Plan Emphasizes Consistency
POLL: Equine Acupuncture


text:
Image 1 of 1
GRABOVO, UKRAINE - JULY 19: A separatist fighter speaks to reporters at the scene of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 17 after establishing control of the site on July 19, 2014 in Grabovo, Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it crashed killing all 298 on board including 80 children. The aircraft was allegedly shot down by a missile and investigations continue over the perpetrators of the attack. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
- Copyright
- Brendan Hoffman
- Image Size
- 5760x3840 / 7.4MB
- Contained in galleries
- War in Ukraine


text:
Set in the highlands of the Mexican state of Chiapas, The Book of Lamentations tells of a fictionalized Mayan uprising that resembles many of the rebellions that have taken place since the indigenous people of the area were first conquered by invaders from Europe five hundred years ago. With the panoramic sweep of a Diego Rivera mural, the novel weaves together dozens of plot lines, perspectives, and characters: the ambitious Maya shaman Catalina and her husband, Pedro, a seeker after justice; the wealthy, ruthless landowner Leonardo; Marcela, the Maya girl raped by Leonardo who gives birth to a son, and many more. In a tour de force of narrative structure, these threads intertwine as the plot drives toward a conclusion as devastating as it is inexorable.
A classic of Mexican literature since its publication in 1962, this historical epic appears in its first English translation with fortuitous timing. It takes place in the impoverished southern Mexican state of Chiapas, where, since 1994, Mayan rebels known as the Zapatistas have won sympathetic media attention for their grievances against the Mexican government. Castellanos (1925-1974) takes events that occurred in 1712 and 1868 and resets them in the 1930s to create a complex tale of race, class and gender. Constructing an entire provincial society, she portrays macho landowners, exploited Indians, submissive wives, misguided politicians and corrupt religious officials clashing with one another and among themselves in a thirst for power. At the center of the landowners' elite circle is political aspirant Leonardo Cifuentes, who incites fear and hatred of the Indians, claiming they pollute the region's civic, moral and religious values. The indigenous community, long abused by the landowners, revolves around Catalina, an ilol, or prophet, who instigates a rebellion when she creates a cult around three stone idols. The major confrontation occurs at Easter, when indigenos crucify a boy conceived in a rape of a young Indian girl by Cifuentes years before. The novel features intriguing interior monologues and indirect discourse, but the third-person omniscient narration doesn't quite unite the many characters and plot lines or satisfactorily compress the immense volume of historical detail into digestible form. Still, this is an always panoramic and often moving novel that brings Mexico's turmoil to complex, tragic life. (Dec.) FYI: In 1974, Castellanos was electrocuted while trying to plug in a lamp in Israel, where she served as Mexico's ambassador.


text:
U.S. national team star and former Columbus Crew goalkeeper Brad Friedel announced his retirement from international competition on Monday. The 33-year-old, who played two seasons in Columbus before moving to the English Premier League, will continue his club career with Blackburn Rovers.
"I would like to spend my time away from my club team with my family," Friedel said during a telephone conference call. "The second reason is based on prolonging my club career, because I have picked up, albeit slight, muscular injuries lately."
The commanding Friedel was a major part of the U.S. national team's unprecedented success at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual runner-up Germany. It was the best showing by a U.S. team in the competition since its inception in 1930. Friedel saved two penalty kick attempts during in five games, including a crucial stop against South Korea in the USA's second match.
"Certainly his performance in the 2002 World Cup was a huge factor in our success," said U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena during the call.
Friedel joined the Crew for the inaugural MLS season in 1996. In that year the Ohio native played in nine matches, posting four shutouts and an impressive 0.78 goals against average. He was the regular starter for Columbus in 1997, featuring in 29 contests. Eight times Friedel kept clean sheets, stopping 131 shots and earning a 1.21 GAA on the season. He also made seven playoff appearances for Columbus over two seasons, allowing 12 goals.
After making his national team debut in 1992, Friedel went on to earn 82 caps. He played in two World Cups and racked up 24 shutouts during his tenure. Friedel transferred to Liverpool FC in England on Oct. 24, 1997, then moving to Blackburn in the middle of the 2000-2001 season. He was voted the top goalkeeper in the Premier League by fellow players following a superb 2002-2003 campaign. The UCLA product has 18 months remaining on his current contract, though he has expressed an interest to extend that deal.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.


text:
Colliers' Q4 2015 Office Report Points to Continued Momentum in the Year Ahead
A Dynamic 2015 Points to Continued Momentum in the Year Ahead
Leading global commercial real estate services firm Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ:CIGI, TSX:CIG) today released the 2015 Q4 U.S. Office Market Outlook 2015.
Nearly 40% of the 80 markets Colliers tracks have vacancy rates at or below their pre-recession lows. In addition, absorption in CBDs was the second highest since 2006, though it dipped modestly from 26.5 MSF in 2014 to 24.4 MSF in 2015. Meanwhile, the suburban total of 62.2 MSF was the largest total since 2006. The CBD asking rent ($49.24/SF) is the highest since the third quarter of 2008, and just under the peak of $49.99/SF reached the quarter before that. The $29.00/SF asking rent in the suburbs marks a new peak, eclipsing the $28.75/SF from the first quarter of 2008. On the investment side, cross-border investment fueled nearly 20% of the total volume in 2015, with over $25 billion in investment - surpassing the prior peak of $21 billion in 2006.
Key Observations:
- Strong positive absorption fueled further gains in occupancy, with the fourth quarter totaling 27.3 MSF nationally – the highest figure in nine years.
- Moderate economic expansion continued in 2015.
- Strong growth in the technology sector has fueled office gains across the country by absorbing record volumes of space.
- Leasing is also being fueled by large tenants executing leases well in advance of their current lease expirations, particularly in New York.
- Occupancy strengthened in 2015, with the national vacancy rate declining by 70 basis points, ending the year at 12.5%.
- Rents recorded some of their largest gains of this cycle in both CBDs and suburban areas.
- The office new construction pipeline continued to grow – up 11% this year to 106.6 MSF.
- Investor demand for U.S. office properties continued to be robust throughout 2015, with capitalization rates dipping below 4% in some gateway markets.
- Looking further ahead in 2016, although valuations of newer, high-growth tech companies have begun to moderate, there will still be voracious demand, particularly by the "titans of Tech" such as Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon.
- Areas with the largest projected growth in employment and gross metro product (Orlando, Phoenix, Portland and Raleigh-Durham) will draw greater interest from investors looking for new opportunities or who have been priced out of core markets.
For more details, Colliers International's 2015 Office research report is available for download at http://www.colliers.com/en-us/us/insights/marketnews/2015-q4-office-report


text:
CAJ Jazz Resource Team Available to Jazz Educators. Feel free to contact these amazing educators/players if you have questions.
An excellent, cool-toned straight-ahead altoist influenced by Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, Gary Foster's years in the studios have been legendary. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 and soon settled in the Los Angeles area, where he has been active ever since in the studios, as a woodwind teacher, and in big bands, including those of Clare Fischer (since 1965), Louie Bellson, Toshiko Akiyoshi (in the 1970s), and the Marty Paich Dek-tette. He remains one of LA's most used and respected Woodwind artists.
Saxophone; one of the founding members of the Orion Saxophone Quartet, is a frequent performer in the Los Angeles area. He has appeared with the Redlands Symphony, the Riverside Civic Light Opera, Dinah Shore, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Mark Masters' Jazz Composers Orchestra of Los Angeles and the Kevin Mayse Big Band. A graduate of the California State University, Los Angeles, where he received both Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees, he has studied saxophone with Harvey Pittel, Anthony Desiderio and Vito Susca. His compositions are published by the UNC Jazz Press, and he has been the recipient of a "deebee" award from Downbeat magazine for Best Original Extended Composition. Charlie is currently Co-chair of the Music Department at Riverside Community College, where he also teaches studio saxophone and directs the Jazz Ensembles.
Saxophone: BM in music theory with a performers certificate and MM from Eastman School in Jazz Studies, as well as attending the Banff School with Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, and David Liebman. He has played with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Tom Harrell Big Band, Doc Severinsen Big Band, Joe LaBarbera Quintet, Kurt Elling, in addition to single performances with Dave Liebman, Mel Lewis, Hank Jones, Clark Terry, and as a soloist with the Houston Symphony Orchestra. His teachers include Dave Liebman, Al Regni, Micheal Nascimben, Joe Allard, Ramon Ricker, and Mardele Marcellus. As a jazz artist he is a featured sideman with Steve Houghton, Bob Sheppard, Bill Cunliffe, Matt Harris, and Mitch Watkins for Enja records. In TV and film Rob has worked on Star Trek, Jag, Party of Five, Fish Police and many films including the jazz score of Dillinger with Charlie Haden. He has taught for over 20 years in New York, New Orleans, Austin and Los Angeles.
He is an accomplished woodwind doubler and is a free-lance musician having lived in Lake Tahoe and Los Angeles, CA. One of the few who plays "all" the woodwinds, including oboe and bassoon, John got his bachelor's degree from Univ. of Nevada, Reno where he started playing in the backup band for Harrah's Reno. John also has a Master's in Woodwind Doubling from University of Redlands.
Rory Snyder is the Director of Jazz Studies at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill and for 16 years was the Director of Bands at Homestead High School and Jazz Director at Santa Clara University. He earned a B.A. from UCLA and an M.M. from the University of Northern Colorado, and is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician and guest artist throughout the west.
Joey Sellers is a highly regarded composer, arranger, trombonist and educator. Sellers, Director of Jazz Studies at Saddleback College, teaches improvisation, jazz ensembles, composition, and jazz history. Sellers freelanced for years in New York City and Los Angeles and was Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University.
Marshall Hawkins is currently head of the Jazz department at Idyllwild Arts Academy, a position he has held since its inception in 1985. He is also Music Director and co-founder of the Jazz in the Pines festival. Born in Washington, D.C. on July 14, 1939, Marshall joined the Miles Davis quintet in 1968 and traveled throughout the United States. Marshall organized the Marshall Hawkins Quintet in 1971 and performed for ten years in the D.C. area. He moved to California in 1978 and joined Eddie Jefferson and Richie Cole.
Jazz vocalist, pianist, and studio singer who brings an immense wealth of experience to our faculty. She has a full, rich voice of great range and versatility. Christine mainly works as a jazz vocalist, but performs all types of musical styles including classical, pop/rock, musical theater, country, and blues. She has performed extensively at concerts, festivals, colleges, and other venues in the United States, Canada, and Europe. In the United States, Christine has worked with many legendary musicians including Rosemary Clooney, Joe Williams, Diane Schuur, Maynard Ferguson, Mercer Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, and Bobby McFerrin. She has also toured internationally with the Dorsey Then and Now Orchestra. Christine has worked extensively in studio settings since 1990, and has sung on Hollywood soundtracks including X-Men 3, Superman Returns, Charlotte's Web, Deep Sea 3D, and Happy Feet. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). She also sings in the internationally renowned jazz ensemble, Vocalogy. An extraordinary teacher and clinician, Christine is active nationally as a guest conductor, lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician. She has presented numerous clinics and performance demonstrations for music education organizations and conferences. Christine is a member of the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE), California Music Educators Association (CMEA), Music Educator's National Conference (MENC), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). She has been a clinician for vocal jazz festivals and workshops in New York, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, and California. She has also been involved with the NARAS Foundation as director of the Grammy Jazz Choir in Miami, Florida.
Trumpet; Director of Jazz Studies at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU, Long Beach. Music Director Emeritus of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra and is a former Vice-President of the International Association For Jazz Education. He is part-owner of Kendor Music, Inc. Jeff's early career as a studio trumpeter encompasses over 100 albums for such names as Lou Rawls, Melba Moore, The O'Jays, and many more. He has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellson, Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, Joe Lovano, Henry Mancini, Slide Hampton, Eddie Daniels, and Doc Severinsen. Jeff is frequently commissioned to compose for schools, military and professional musical groups, along with serving as a contributing editor for The Instrumentalist, and other music trade journals. A Yamaha trumpet artist, Jeff has been featured with the USAF Airmen of Note, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, US Army Jazz Ambassadors, Riverside Jazz Orchestra, Oslo Big Band (Norway), US Army Blues, Frank Mantooth Jazz Orchestra, Denver Symphony Orchestra, USAF Shades of Blue, and more.
Piano: BA, University of Miami, masters degree from Eastman School of Music; based in Los Angeles; keyboardist, composer/arranger; previously toured with Maynard Ferguson and Buddy Rich; both leaders performed and recorded his charts, many of which are featured in the Kendor jazz catalog. Recording debut as a leader on Voss Records; most recently accepted an appointment as Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Northridge.
Jazz saxophonist/clarinetist and recording artist plays in the tradition of all the jazz legends. Employing a warm tone and melodic approach, he has won praise from jazz critics worldwide and has worked with many major jazz and commercial artists. Dan's recordings are heard internationally on jazz radio and have been the subject of articles in such publications as Downbeat, JazzTimes, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Japan's Jazz Critic magazine, France's International Herald Tribune, among others. Dan St. Marseille is also a Yamaha Performing Artist and Clinician, a Rico Reeds Performing Artist and has presented workshops at major Colleges and Universities and maintains a regular teaching studio in Southern California. He holds a B.M in Clarinet Performance from Chapman University, and a M.M. in Saxophone Performance with Jazz Studies Emphasis from California State University Fullerton.
Bill Yeager has a diverse musical background, both as a performer, composer, andeducator. He is equally comfortable in classical, jazz, and commercial music settings. He is a Professor of Music and the Director of Jazz Studies at San Diego State University.
Professor Yeager is a well-known studio, jazz and classical trombonist performing on hundreds of records. Before coming to San Diego, Bill was Founder/Director of the highly acclaimed Los Angeles Jazz Workshop where he recorded three very successful albums. Former members of the LAJW now rank as some of the top professional musicians and educators nationally and internationally. Bill's enthusiasm, musical expertise, and his love for the jazz art form have made him a much sought after clinician and performer at college and high school festivals across the country. He has conducted many All-State Honor Groups. Bill has been a member of the Westwind Brass, one of the top brass quintets in the U.S. in which he is featured on two recordings. Bill received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas where he was lead trombone in the famous One O'clock Band.
Lori Andrews continues to push the boundaries of what the harp can do, bridging the gap between traditionalism and contemporary jazz. Having distribution in Japan (Kanzen Records) and recently obtained distribution in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (Laika Records) she has become a mainstay of the festival circuit – wowing audiences worldwide with performances and interviews. A past winner of the Jazziz Readers poll as best jazz harpist, Lori and her quartet have been featured at the Playboy Jazz Festival, Long Beach Jazz Festival, and Sacramento Jazz Festival as well as performing for presidents Clinton and Ford and the king and queen of Spain. Lori's unique style has been heard for years with artists such as Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, Mary J. Blige, Ruben Studdard, Michael Paulo, Mary Mary and Sygnature.
Playing fretted, fretless, upright and orchestral basses, Bart can be seen and heard world-wide, in all media as well as in live performance. In the studio, his movie credits are many, including Up in the Air, Dear John, Marmaduke, Dreamgirls, The Invasion, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Superman Returns, The Fantastic Four, and The X-Men. Bart has also recorded many TV themes and cues including MadMen, Battlestar Galatica, and The Practice. He has also been working as a composer, writing for film – titles including Daddy's Home, Raggedy Anne, Leaving Hollywood, and many others. Bart's forte however, is constantly searching for a new approach to his instrument. This is clearly evident in his recordings and becomes even more dynamic in his live performances.
Brandon Fields was Born in Indiana and raised by music loving parents in Santa Ana, California, He began working as a freelance musician while still a teenager, and moved to the Los Angeles area in 1982 to embrace the inspiring local club and studio scene. Brandon's debut recording The Other Side Of The Story came out in 1986 demonstrating what would become the common thread connecting his original recordings, a multifaceted take on songwriting and a high level of interaction with his talented bandmates. Three additional concept albums followed, including A Coffehouse Christmas, Higher Ground (the music of Stevie Wonder), and most recently Fields and Strings, a beautiful collection of standards released in late 1999 on Paras Records. He received a 2002 Album of the Year Latin Grammy for Alejandro Sanz Y Solo Se Me Ocurre Amarte and performed on Ray Charles' 2005 Grammy slamming Genius Loves Company. As a clinician for Selmer Saxophones and Rico Reeds, Brandon has taught at some of the premier music camps and schools around the world. He has toured with several prominent performers including George Benson (1985-86), Kenny Loggins (1987), The Rippingtons (1987-89), Tower of Power (early 1990′s), Earth Wind and Fire (1995), and the Dave Weckl Band (1998-2002). Since June 2006 he has been performing with Barry Manilow for the legendary star's house gig at the Las Vegas Hilton. When he's home in Los Angeles, Brandon continues to write and record, honing his skills on a variety of auxilliary instruments (flutes, keyboards, and percussion), and to play at his favorite L.A. area clubs in both acoustic and electric settings, performing original material and arrangements of current faves, combining his wide range of influences into his own unique expressive instrumental style.
Tom Hynes is an active composer, musician and educator in southern California. He earned his Bachelor's in Music: Studio/Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in Music/Composition from California State University at Los Angeles. As a guitarist, Tom has performed with Liza Minelli, Bob Hope, The Fifth Dimension, Frederica von Stade, the Pacific, Santa Barbara and Bakersfield Symphonies, and the Grammy-nominated Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra. His own jazz credits include the jazz-fusion CD The Sun Shop (Chase Music Group), a 1996 US State Department tour with trumpeter James Linahon, and the live CD Tom Hynes and Marshall Hawkins: Live at the Fret House. Tom has composed numerous small and large jazz ensemble works, including recent commissions for Hemet High School, Riverside and Citrus Colleges and Azusa Pacific University, as well as music for three short films commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Tom is an Adjunct Professor in the APU School of Music, where he teaches Theory, Commercial Guitar Instruction and Jazz Improvisation Workshop.He also teaches at Citrus College and the Northwoods (WI) and Idyllwild Arts jazz camps.
Jeff Tower Received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa and his Master of Music Degree in Trombone Performance at the University of Redlands. Mr. Tower has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from Pacific Western University for his accomplishments in Music Education. From 1977 to 2007 Jeff Tower was the Director of Bands at Hemet High School in Hemet, California. Under his direction the Instrumental Music Program maintained a fantastic reputation as one of the nation's finest. Mr. Tower is also The Chairman of Summer Jazz Studies at the Idyllwild Arts. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor at music festivals, conventions and camps all over the nation in both the Jazz and Classical venues. He serves as an Educational specialist and Trombone Artist for Conn/Selmer Musical Instruments, is a member of the University of Northern Iowa School of Music Advisory Board and American Band College Faculty. As a professional trombonist, Jeff Tower has experience in all aspects of the music industry on all trombones. He has performed with Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Mel Torme, Sarah Vaughn, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett to name a few. He has served as President for the International Association of Jazz Educators in Ca. C.A.J. and Jazz Coordinator for So. Ca. School Band Association for terms of eight years, and is the Sales Director of LMP Studios.
Wayne Bergeron is enjoying a career as one of the most active players in the world. With studio dates, International touring, jazz concerts, guest soloist appearances and clinics, he has no intention of slowing down. In 1986, Bergeron landed the lead trumpet position with the Maynard Ferguson Band. He can be heard on such MF recordings as "Body & Soul," "Big Bop Nouveau," "Brass Attitude" and "The One & Only Maynard Ferguson." Remarking on the talented trumpet player, Maynard Ferguson had this to say during a radio interview: "Wayne is the most musical lead trumpet player I've ever had on my band."As a sideman, Bergeron's list of CD credits reads like a who's who in contemporary jazz and pop, running the stylistic gamut from Ray Charles to Green Day. Bergeron has worked on 300 plus TV & motion picture soundtracks Wayne's featured trumpet solos can be heard on the motion pictures Duplicity, Rocky Balboa, The Incredibles, Leather Heads, Princess & the Frog, The Perfect Game, High Crimes, Rounders, Fled, Hey Arnold (the movie), The Mask, The Life Aquatic, The Rat Pack, Child Star, Illegal Tender, Aladdin King of Thieves, Foolproof, and Two Days in the Valley. Numerous TV credits include shows such as NBC, ESPN & TNT sports themes, Entertainment Tonight Theme, Academy Awards, American Idol (2001-02), Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Latin Grammy's, The Goode Family, Jeopardy, America's Funniest Home Videos, Phineas & Ferb, Emperor's New School, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Mouse works, Make em Laugh, House of Mouse, King of the Hill, Futurama, Buzz Lightyear, Hercules and Hey Arnold. Bergeron's passion for big bands has led to his inclusion in some of Los Angeles' most well respected bands. He has recorded with Quincy Jones, Gordon Goodwin, Arturo Sandoval, Pat Williams, Sammy Nestico, Jack Sheldon, Chris Walden, Tom Kubis, John La Barbara, Andy Martin, Ralph Carmichael, Bob Florence, Frank Capp, Matt Cattingub, Bill Liston, Kim Richmond, Ray Anthony, Buddy Childers, Roger Neumann, Bill Perkins, Bill Elliott, Gary Irwin, Bill Watrous, Bob Curnow and Phil Kelly. Bergeron is a National Artist for the Yamaha Corporation of America and is co-designer of the YTR-8335LA trumpet and YFH-8315G Flugelhorn. Bergeron enjoys his work as a clinician/educator and feels it's important to "give back" by mentoring young musicians.
Gary Francisco graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a BA in Music Education, following which he opened "Gary's Music Center", a band and orchestra specialty store that grew to three locations in the Inland Empire. The company was sold in 1995 and in 2002 Gary came to work for Nick Rail Music as manager of the Redlands location. He moved up to Director of Sales for the company when Nick Rail Music acquired its two San Diego stores in 2006. He is a familiar Face at Southland Jazz Festivals and has served thousands of students and directors in the jazz products environment.
For more than thirty years, Craig has been working as a professional musician and educator. Craig received his B.A. and his masters degree from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. His experiences range from classical, Rhythm and Blues, Funk and Jazz. Craig has taught privately and in public schools dealing with beginners through very advanced players. He has also been very involved as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the southwest. His musical credits include several long-term show room house band gigs in major hotels, studio recordings, club and concert dates. Over the years Craig has worked with numerous artist including, Donna Summers, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Dionne Worwick, Kenny Rogers, Joe Williams, Marlena Shaw, Clint Holmes, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Lou Rawles, Clark Terry, Carl Fontana and many others. Craig is currently teaching in Menifee, California and is actively playing professionally.
Markus Burger is a critically acclaimed multi dimensional improviser, pianist and recording aritst and has played and worked with: Joe La Barbera, Bob Magnusson, Peter Weniger, Kenny Wheeler, Normah Winston, Marshall Hawkins, Andrea Tofanelli, Paul Kreibich, Cecil Payne, John Tchicai, Bob Mintzer, Jan von Klewitz, Chris Walden,Michael Schiefel, Jim Linahon, Bill Yeager, Mat Marucci, Mitch Holder to name a few! He played Jazz Festival throughout Europe, Africa and the US. He appeared in most important venues in Europe and the USA and introduced his music to german embassies and consulates throughout the world. He is the founder of the Northern Alliance of Jazz Quintet and is currently Head of the electronic music studio at Fullerton College in Ca. and teaches jazz piano on staff.
James Linahon is an award winning music producer, composer and trumpet artist with more than 300 recording projects for Film, Television, Radio, Musical Theater and CD/DVDs to his credit. Jim has recorded / produced for a wide diversity of artists, studios and agencies worldwide in both music, film and television for Grammy, Emmy and Academy Award productions.
Brian Hamada – closet cowbell enthusiast, drummer and jazz educator – has performed with many modern jazz greats, including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Lanny Morgan, Bobby Shew, Ernie Watts, Bud Shank, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Lorber, Peter Epstein, Tim Ries, Matt Otto, Tamir Hendelman, Jim Snidero, Michael Davis, Carmen Bradford, Madeline Eastman, Brian Lynch and Ingrid Jensen. As a member of the legendary CSU Fresno Jazz Band 'A' he toured Japan, Korea and Europe, performed at the Northsea and Montreux International Jazz Festivals, and in 1983 he was the recipient of a DownBeat jazz soloist award. He has been an active jazz and drum clinician / adjudicator throughout California & Nevada for over 25 years, maintains a vibrant drum studio in central California, and currently holds down the drum chair for the Fresno Jazz Composers Orchestra. Brian is now teaching jazz drumset at CSU Fresno in the school's new Jazz Instrumental Performance degree option.
Dr. Robert Klevan is the Jazz Education Director for the Monterey Jazz Festival and conducts the wind ensemble and big band at the University of California at Santa Cruz. For 27 years, Dr. Klevan served as Director of Music and Fine Arts at the Stevenson High School in Pebble Beach. He is a Past President of the California Music Educators Association and California Orchestra Director's Assoc., as well as Past Vice President of the California Alliance for Jazz. In 2004 Dr. Klevan received the MJF Jazz Director of the Year award; in 2007 was named the CMEA Jazz Educator of the Year; and in 2009 received the Downbeat Magazine Jazz Education Achievement Award.
Richard Watson is Jazz Director at El Dorado High School, having previously served 35 years as Director of Instrumental Music. Richard is an honorary life member in the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association. He is well known as a teacher, performer, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the area, and in May 2010 was awarded the Irene Shoepfle Music Education Award by the OCMAA, in recognition of his lifetime of service in music for the students in Orange Countydirector. He toured with Roger Williams and has played for many celebrities including Connie Stevens, Carol Lawrence, Maureen McGovern, and Fred Carroll. Richard has played with the Pacific Symphony and currently plays with the California Wind Symphony. He has worked for the Disney company for over 30 years and was selected as the drummer for Disney's ten city tour of Symphonic Fantasy.
Michael Galisatus is the Director of Bands at the College of San Mateo. and has been the recipient of various teaching honors including the Peninsula Arts Council Arts Educator of the Year for 2007, the Otter Distributors 2004 Jazz Educator Award for the state of California, and the Gil Freitas Memorial Award for achievements in music education. He is in demand as an adjudicator and guest conductor throughout California, and currently holds the office of Past President of the Bay Section of the California Association for Music Education. As a freelance trumpeter in the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael has recorded with Pete Escovedo and Queen Ida, and has performed with a variety of artists, including Frankie Valli, Kenny Loggins, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole, Louis Bellson, Johnny Mathis, Mel Torme, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Heat Wave, The O'Jays, and a host of others
Chuck Wackerman received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Science in Music Education from the University of Southern California. He has taught elementary, junior high and high school band, orchestra and jazz bands in the Seal Beach and Los Alamitos school districts. He also has been awarded the Jazz Educator of the Year from the Fullerton College Jazz Festival. Currently he is teaching jazz band at McAuliffe Middle School in Los Alamitos. Mr. Wackerman's Jazz Groups have always been great musical examples at jazz festivals thru out Ca. His own Children are also entrenched in Musical Careers and Chuck has certainly a pioneer and role model for jazz education in California. Chuck is celebrating his fifty third year of teaching instrumental music.
Pianist/clarinetist/composer/arranger Tom Ranier is one of Southern California's top jazz improvisers, a musician both technically resplendent and emotionally open. At the keyboard, he reveals an increasingly personal style that bears the influence of Oscar Peterson's bravura and bluesiness, Chick Corea's at once intricate and beautiful melodies, and Bill Evans's chordal brilliance.
Ranier was born in Chicago on July 13, 1949. He moved with his family to Garden Grove, in Southern California's Orange County In 1975, he recorded for Warner Bros., and in the early '80s, for the First American label. Lately, he's worked with the Terry Gibbs-Buddy DeFranco Sextet, George Coleman, and Lew Tabackin, and recorded with altoist Lanny Morgan.
Ranier has also long been a primary member of the Southern California studio scene. Among his recent activities include performing on the film scores to Forrest Gump and Space Jam (with Michael Jordan), TV soundtracks to Diagnosis Murder with Dick Van Dyke, and singer Natalie Cole's latest album Stardust. If not performing, practicing, or writing, Ranier is likely to be found at U.C.L.A., where he's a part of the new Jazz Studies program headed by guitarist Kenny Burrell, and teaches jazz piano and jazz theory.