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Secondhand slide
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Hi everyone!
Here is my release this month for Equal10!
Cybele is a 3 piece set of Dress, Corset and Sleeves. All can be worn separately.
3 Addon Packs available in Knit, Lacework and Latex.
They allow you to change the Dress, Corset Base, Corset Trim, Ribbons, Ruffles and Sleeves. Addon Packs also come with the ability to tint every piece.
Sizes for: Reborn, Waifus, Legacy, Larax
This is a PBR Only release
Please try the demo and I hope you love it!
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) - Gator Creek Road, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida
The approach-ability to Great Blues can vary considerably in Florida where there are some who will approach fishermen looking for a hand-out from the bait bucket, to other birds that will fly off when you get within 100 yards of them. Needless to say this guy was one of the friendlier ones, though it wasn't looking for a hand out, and was determined to catch its own diner.
It's also a little easier to get close to these guys when you stay in your car, and you can keep something (like the bush in the foreground) between you and the heron.
nikkor lens (probably nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4)
processed at Nation Photo, Paris
Scanned at home with D750 + Kaiser RS2XA + skier sunray copy box
inversion in RawTherapee-5.8 dev branch
Start 20190413
end 20190601
A fun build for the ABC’s of Castle, over on Classic-Castle. The idea is to pick a castle word that starts with any letter, build it and then post it (in alphabetical order). For my first contribution, I did the letter ‘B’, which stands for blacksmith.
The blacksmith shop lifts off the base for easy play-ability, and features a full interior, as well as hinging walls for easy access. Inspiration for the wall texturing goes to Rod Gillies.
More pictures on Brickbuilt
After what seems like an eternity without the ability to travel and meet up with friends, finally an opportunity arose to do that very thing.
This summer Matt Hacker (entropedian) came to visit The Netherlands and stayed at my place for nearly two weeks. During that time we ventured out to various extremities of my country as well as the neighboring Belgium.
We also visited our mutual friend Ralph Savelsberg (mad physicist) in Den Helder for a couple of great days during which Anton Raves also came to join us.
Some personal highlights:
click on the photo to view it on black background ...
Water is undoubtedly the most powerful substance on earth ... It has the ability to surface the roots of twenty meter tall plane trees, the potential to curve mountains, the power to shape the earth ... A substance that has the efficacy to give life ... the might to destroy and at the same time to create ...
The place is located at Drama's prefecture, near a village called Terpsithea ... About a hundred meters away from this place on the 15th of September 1994, ten brave forest - guards lost their lives after the fall of their helicopter on the line of duty ...
NIKON D90 with Nikon Nikkor 18 - 55 mm lens, Manual Mode, f 8, ISO 250, focal length 18 mm, manualy adjusted focusing, shutter speed 1/80 s, manually adjusted white balance, center weighted average metering mode, flash didn't go off, HDR made by only one original shot, no tripod, no flash ...
© Copyright - All rights reserved
The toco toucan has a striking plumage. What appears to be a blue iris is actually thin blue skin around the eye. This blue skin is surrounded by another ring of bare, orange skin. This species is the largest toucan.The most noticeable feature, however, is its huge bill, which measures from 6.2 to 9.1 in in length. It looks heavy, but as in other toucans it is relatively light because the inside largely is hollow. Research has shown that one function is as a surface area for heat exchange. The bill has the ability to modify blood flow and so regulate heat distribution in the bird, allowing it to use its bill as a thermal radiator. In terms of surface area used for this function, the bill relative to the bird's size is amongst the largest of any animal and has a network of superficial blood vessels supporting the thin horny sheath on the bill made of keratin called the rhamphotheca. (info from Wikipedia)
Born Jan. 24, 1926, in Norwalk (Los Angeles County), Ms. Asawa was the fourth among seven children of immigrant truck farmers whom state law then prohibited from owning land or applying for citizenship.
During childhood, Ms. Asawa did farm work with her family and attended both public school and a "Japanese cultural school," where she learned calligraphy and her parents' native language. Her teachers appreciated her drawing ability.
In 1942, the federal government began to implement the executive order mandating internment of Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Ms. Asawa's father was separated for six years from the rest of her family, who were housed initially in the Santa Anita racetrack stables, and eventually at an internment camp in Rohwer, Ark.
Ms. Asawa continued drawing and learned as she could from older internee artists. She completed high school in the camp and won a scholarship to Milwaukee State Teachers College.
Because of anti-Japanese prejudice, Ms. Asawa was unable to obtain mandatory teaching credentials. She instead entered Black Mountain College in North Carolina, an educational experiment that in its brief life span became a hotbed of artistic innovation. It attracted future luminaries such as Buckminster Fuller, John Cage, Franz Kline, Robert Creeley, Charles Olson and Bauhaus exile Josef Albers who, improbably, acted as Ms. Asawa's mentor.
Ms. Asawa passed away in 2013.
(from SF Gate obit)
Teresa Lloro-Bidart (Cal Poly Pomona) and I are studying how people and coyotes manage to get along in US cities. The environmental political theory blog "Inhabiting the Anthropocene" recently published a piece based on our research. Go check it out!
inhabitingtheanthropocene.com/2018/08/22/there-goes-the-n...
Coyotes have incorporated themselves into nearly every major city in North America. Coyotes’ ability to thrive in cities testifies not only to the Anthropocene’s blurring of human-wildlife boundaries; it also undermines the idea that cities and suburbs are places where people don’t have to contend with wild predators. In cities where coyotes have become established recently, their arrival has coincided with a reevaluation of urban ecologies and of the role of wild animals in urban settings. Conservation scientists are deemphasizing conflict management in favor of peaceful coexistence. And human-animal studies scholars are generating multispecies accounts of city life that seek to take seriously wild animals as social actors, both in how they interact with humans and in their own right. Our study of how residents of two cities – Philadelphia, PA and Chino/Chino Hills, CA – attempt to make sense of urban coyotes asks how such calls for more inclusive human-wildlife relations resonate in popular imaginaries of urban life.
Images have the ability to immortalize things that don't last. And freeze moments so they last forever. That is honestly a little bit haunting to me. The idea that the only thing left of me when I'm gone is going to be an image.
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A street photographer always appears in the right place, at the right time.
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And holidays. Ntages, known under the name Dagan, has the ability to appear in interesting places.
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His portfolio consists entirely of random👫 people, animals🐇, items, and ads that interact with each other.
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For example, in one of the photos, it seems that a giant man that eats group👩👩👧👧 people. Standing on the diving Board into the water 💦.
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On the other picture, the woman's head is 💨 smoke.
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The photographer shows interesting matches with people in his Instagram. And they do not even know that they have become a work of art.
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The message of the holidays. that we have started to notice 👀 stuff. And be attentive to your life.
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💬Often see on the street an interesting picture? For example, how does a man blend into a poster? Write in the comments.
#Photograph #Beauty #Blond #Fashion #Sitting #Street_fashion #Footwear #Leg #Model #Photo_shoot #Photography #Long_hair #Human_leg #Cool #Brown_hair #Textile #Jacket #Leather #Leather_jacket #Wood #Shoe #Stairs #Style #Portrait_photography #Thigh #NikonD800
Excerpt from brainproject.ca:
hard-wire (härd′wīr′)
Many aspects of the brain are considered to be hardwired and cannot operate outside of a specific set of functions. But the brain, as with electricity, has an innate ability to reroute and redirect its signals to keep a connection alive. The artist’s grandmother had severe Alzheimer's, but as her memory gradually faded, she was still able to remember people, places and things she and her husband had experienced decades earlier. Darrach knew that her grandmother’s brain was still working to reconnect those once hardwired functions. This piece was made in her memory.
Right and Left Hemisphere
Daniel St-Amant’s sculpture is a representation of the two sides of our brain. The right side is used for recognizing faces, visual imagery, colour and music. People sometimes call it the right hemisphere or The Creative Brain. St-Amant presents it as a lush meadow with trees and grass.
The left hemisphere is known as The Logical Brain. It is responsible for logic, numbers, words, lists and analysis, and represented by construction, civilization and development. St-Amant hopes to remind people that we must keep a healthy balance between the two in life and in spirit.
Loss
Artist Keight MacLean’s brain sculpture explores the idea of memory and memory loss through the portrait of a loved one. On one side of the brain is a portrait of a young woman, her face slightly obscured by drips of paint. On the reverse side, the portrait begins to slightly warp as more of the woman is obscured by paint and dirt.
Black hole memory
Artist Stéphane Langlois has created a brain in aluminum with some holes through the brain. Some parts are polished and some parts have a patina like rust. Over the years, the patina will continue to generate over all the areas and become – comparable to Alzheimer’s and dementia – a progressive degenerative disease of the brain, in which thinking and memory become seriously impaired.
Raining Cows, “BLUE SUN”
The artist’s life came to a screeching halt after the tragic and violent death of his brother and best friend. Everything positive and creative was replaced by darkness. His world was upside down. He was extremely depressed. He thought there was no hope. One day he took an old canvas from his closet and started painting these "Raining Cows." After he started, he could not stop. He created this imaginary world to cope with reality. He painted these floating creatures to help him with the traumatic experiences he has had. It is therapy for him. It is his outlet. The "Raining Cows" encourage and motivate him to keep going regardless of what happened in his past. The Sun is still Blue but soon it will rise and the fire in him will blaze red once again.
The Pith and Nectar
Constructed from glazed ceramic and porcelain, The Pith and Nectar serves as a bittersweet meditation on the fleeting nature of time and memory. Like the human brain, clay is malleable with surprising plasticity. Soft, workable clay is capable of infinite amalgams and formations. After going through an alchemical transformation in the high temperatures of firing, ceramic remains fragile but endures —retaining every delicate impression.
Short Circuit
Artist Ron Eady had a good concept for the Brain Project but before he could write it down he forgot what it was. Then he realized that was it!
It seems as he gets older, he will occasionally experience these short circuits. He’ll go to do something, then the thought will evaporate or he will temporarily forget something that he would normally know. Everyone experiences these faulty electrical impulses to some extent. To a greater extent, mental illness could be considered short circuiting, a malfunction of the neurons and chemical impulses in the brain.
Beyond the Skull
A skull physically protects the brain. But there are many other factors that impact brain health such as eating right, exercise, managing stress, proper sleep and social interactions. These mini skulls that collectively create a single layer of protection symbolize all these other factors and serve as a reminder for the need to manage each of these factors to protect the brain beyond the skull.
This HYBYCOZO sculpture is titled Axis Mundi. It is in the Lewis Desert Portal and anchors the keystone of the Desert Discovery Trail.
Axis Mundi 2024.
Stainless Steel, Powder Coat Pigment, LED
Axis Mundi draws inspiration from the crystalline structure of fluorite, which contains shapes similar to honeycomb. This artwork is made up of hexagons and squares that efficiently fill space without gaps. These patterns are remarkably elegant and balanced in their division of three-dimensional space.
dbg.org/events/light-bloom/2024-10-12/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFelgzzzQqg
LIGHT BLOOM by HYBYCOZO is a limited-time exhibit where nature and light converge. This mesmerizing display invites you to explore the Garden transformed by stunning geometric light installations that illuminate the beauty of the desert landscape in a new way. As the sun sets, LIGHT BLOOM comes to life, casting intricate shadows and vibrant hues across the Garden. Wander the trails and let the enchanting installations transport you to a magical realm where the natural world meets the abstract.
HYBYCOZO is the collaborative studio of artists Serge Beaulieu and Yelena Filipchuk. Based in Los Angeles, their work consists of larger than life geometric sculptures, often with pattern and texture that draw on inspirations from mathematics, science, and natural phenomena. Typically illuminated, the work celebrates the inherent beauty of form and pattern and represents their ongoing journey in exploring the myriad dimensions of geometry. HYBYCOZO is short for the Hyperspace Bypass Construction Zone, a nod to their favorite novel (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) and was the title of their first installation in 2014. They continue to create under this name. In the novel earth was being destroyed to make way for a bypass. It lead Serge and Yelena to ask what it means to make art at a time where the earth’s hospitable time in the universe may be limited.
dbg.org/meet-the-artists-behind-light-bloom/
Q: Walk us through your creative process?
A: The focus of our creative process is to explore the intricate interplay between geometry, light, space and to inspire contemplation, wonder and a sense of place among our audiences. Geometry and pattern-making serve as the backbone of our creative expression. It is the framework through which we navigate the complexities of form, proportion and spatial relationships. Patterns, both simple and complex, have a profound impact on our perception and understanding of the world. They possess the ability to evoke a sense of order, balance and aesthetic pleasure. Pattern making and geometry offer us a means of storytelling and communication. These patterns serve as conduits for deeper exploration, provoking introspection and contemplation to uncover the underlying symbols embedded within the human psyche.
Q: What inspired the concept of LIGHT BLOOM?
A: Just as many cactus and desert plants have evolved to produce night-blooming flowers, adapting to their environment and thriving in darkness, our sculptures come alive after sunset, blossoming with light and transforming the night into a glowing landscape of art and geometry.
Desert Botanical Garden has an incredible collection of plants and cacti arranged in a beautiful park setting.
"Think the desert is all dirt and tumbleweeds? Think again. Desert Botanical Garden is home to thousands of species of cactus, trees and flowers from all around the world spread across 55 acres in Phoenix, Arizona."
Desert Botanical Garden
DBG HYBYCOZO Light Bloom
On 25 January 2017, I had such a great day, spent with friend, Phil. We drove the main roads and zig-zagged along the back roads SE of the city, hoping to find owls and any other birds that we might be lucky enough to see. I haven't been able to get out much this winter, and have had very little luck finding certain owls, including Snowies, Short-eared Owls and a Long-eared Owl. Phil has an unusual ability to see things that are almost invisible to the naked eye; things that I know I would never spot if I was driving on my own. Amazing how some people can do this - and, of course, the rest of us always benefit from their ability. I was confident that we would see a Snowy Owl, but had no idea that we would see 11 of them by the end of the day!
In the morning, there were few birds of any kind to be found, but thankfully more gradually appeared as the day wore on. Birds for the day included the 11 Snowy Owls, 3 Rough-legged Hawks (one a very dark individual), 2 Prairie Falcons, quite a few Grey Partridge, and a beautiful, distant Bald Eagle down on the ground the far side of a field. It was bathed in beautiful sunset light, which showed the detail of each and every feather.
Mammals for the day included a number of Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer, some of them surrounded by hoar-frosted stubble. We also saw a very distant Red Fox hunting, 3 Elk (which surprised both of us), and several Coyotes. Everywhere was covered in hoar frost, which lasted well into the day.
The sky was amazing for a while, with just a narrow band of light between the earth and the thick cloud pattern above. I don't remember ever seeing greenish sky before, but part of the narrow band was green, as can be seen in this photo. No idea why.
Thanks so much, Phil, for such a great day! A day of hoar frost and glorious cloud formation, beautiful landscape, and more than enough Snowy Owls to keep anyone happy. Perfect company, too, of course. Greatly appreciated!
I mean, if I actually had the ability to shrink myself in real life, this is probably something I would try out..
Since the beginning of this year, I have been absolutely obsessed with this scent from Rituals. I feel it really helps bring a sense of a new start in your life!
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Xing Ping is a pretty Chinese village located on both shores of the Lijiang River. Not too long ago, fishermen in the village would catch fish using cormorants with necklaces that limited their ability to swallow fish above a certain size. The fishermen would then save the fish that were too large for the cormorants to swallow. Although this tradition is no longer in active use, the village celebrates its fishing heritage with performances showing how things used to be done.
Getting a modest set up going for a space hanger. Tried using the City road plates (60304), and while not perfect, I think they are a good inexpensive way to get one started.
The original ship is an alt build of 10497-1 Galaxy Explorer by @bummionterra Check out his awesome alt build set which includes a base, moon buggy crane, and droids in addition to the ship on Rebrickable.
I started with his base design and then added a different front landing gear, some greeblies to the canopy and fuselage, and a more detailed cockpit. I'm really happy with the results. Since I don't have much confidence yet in my ability to build a whole new ship from scratch I've found this to be a good exercise in improving my skills.
PLEASE, NO invitations or self promotions, THEY WILL BE DELETED. My photos are FREE to use, just give me credit and it would be nice if you let me know, thanks.
The Fisherman's Life Museum a Nova Scotia fisherman's house from the early 1900s.
In this house once lived Ervin and Ethelda Myers and their 13 daughters. Like many inshore fishermen and their families, their livelihood depended on their ability to take advantage of the natural resources around them. Ervin fished and, each winter, worked in the woods. The family raised root crops and preserved food for the long winter months. Life was full of hard work, life challenges but joy and family unity as well.
This is the place to experience one fishing family's life of independence and self-sufficiency, an ordinary family's special way of life on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore.
La Resiliencia es la capacidad de superar la adversidad, en ello pensé cuando vi a las algas romper el hielo para sobrevivir...
Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity, in that I thought when I saw seaweed breaking the ice to survive ...
I’ve reached the limit of my ability to cope with the trees overgrowing the overlook at Monte Sano State Park. I guess I could drag a ladder out and shoot from that. But I won’t. Not in the dark. Not at my age. So I guess I’ll find somewhere new to shoot. In this picture my fellow photographer, Tom, is standing in the only gap we have to shoot from (at this time of year). You can see the trees I’m talking about on his right. There are others on his left — just out of the frame.
I know the park folks have plans to cut back the growth to preserve the view. When they get around to it, I’ll get around to shooting more sunrises from the overlook. Until then — or until the Sun moves back north — I’ll wander around, searching for a decent sunrise location. And to the hundreds of people I’ve told that “I’m up here every day” -- I won’t be any longer.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t say these two words: Photography Park.
Nikon D7200 — Nikon 18-300mm F6.3 ED VR
300mm
F8@1/800th
ISO 400
DSB_9960.JPG
©Don Brown 2024
In the 25th century, the Justice League's history- their origins, their identities, are all an open book, and they're all linked by one thing. Tragedy. It's inescapable. There is no life without loss. No progress without pain. Barry Allen lost his mother when he was a boy. Bruce Wayne lost his parents. J'onn Jonzz was the last son of Mars. And in my time, they are heroes. They are better because of it. They know what they have to sacrifice to win, to be greater.
...I know tragedy too. I lost *my* mother when I was eight, my father was gunned down by police. I lost my marriage, my mentor, my ability to walk, to tragedy. It's what brought me to the Reverse-Flash, and it's what finally gave me a new purpose.
My name is Hunter Zolomon, and for years I was best friends with Wally West. Ever since I met him, I wanted nothing more than to be his teacher, to show him that tragedy is not something to be avoided, it is *necessary.* Time and time again, he rejected my gift. He didn't understand that you can't save the world with a smile on your face. You can't save the world without dirtying your hands. Some consider him a lost cause, that he can't be helped, and that? That hurts me more than anything.
===Arkham Asylum===
Since the inmates were transferred to Arkham City the year before, the Asylum had been quiet. Peaceful, one might even say. No more desperate screaming through padded cells. No more deranged cackling from the basement.
As far as most people knew, it had been abandoned. The acting mayor even had plans to demolish it come spring.
But it wasn't abandoned.
The low trundle of a wheelchair squeaked against the wet ground. A greyish hand grasped the wheel, and propelled himself forward. The last of Arkham's patients. He'd been told he wouldn't survive the trip to Slabside. That his body was too broken. And so they sent him here, discarded him like a broken toy. He looked down to the grounds below- Maybe... Yes, from this height, the fall would kill him, he thought.
And yet, he'd thought the same thing last time, during the quake, and all that had left him with was a broken body. Jonathan Crane sat there, in silence, the faint outline of his city just visible through the trees- Wayne Enterprise's latest steel monstrosity towered above the rest, as though it were mocking him...
"Ooga Wooga Booga!"
Crane turned his head slowly, unimpressed. "I knew you'd come, sooner or later. Don't presume that your little... jaunts across the island have gone unnoticed."
Knelt beside him, dressed in a bright purple suit and grinning like a hyena, was The Joker. "It's true!" he giggled. "You can't be spooked!"
Crane's tone shifted as he whispered bitterly. "I don't want to talk about it."
"Sure, you do... That's all you ever did. Lecture on top of lecture, speech on top of speech. Sure, *occasionally* you'd unleash some horrible doomsday weapon, create a new virus, but if there's one thing you loved more than fear, it was the sound of your voice when you talked about it."
"Eno-" Crane begins, but Joker's already raising a finger to silence him.
"Heh... It's funny, Straw Man," he smiles, rising to his feet, his hands on the wheelchair. "One push and... game over. "
"Joker, enough! I won't play your game."
"But it's fu-un," he sings, as he trundles the chair closer to the edge.
"In case you've forgotten, *I* can't be scared, so these cheap theatrics of yours are meaningless"
"No, but you *can* be killed," Joker continues, rocking the chair back and forth. Back and forth.
"I would welcome it!" Scarecrow hisses back.
...
"Now isn't that interesting..." Joker chuckles, his hands sliding off the handlebars.
"Let me tell you a secret Jonathan," he whispers. "There's a reason why they dumped you out here. A reason why they'd rather drop you here, than roll you out to Slabside with the big boys. They're not scared anymore. Why would they be... most evil lairs don't have disabled access after all! But I have a solution, a nasty, vile, undoubtedly bloody solution, and for that... I need your latest plague."
Crane paused. "Then, I suggest you check the bottom of the Gotham river. *Kite-Man* destroyed my factory."
"Please, don't lie, not after all we've been through- The good times! Drury's trial, the Cloudburst, others, that ellude me..."
Crane's ear's pricked up. "What do you want with that... idiot?" he asked, a note of disgust in his voice.
"Play nice, and I'll tell you... Hell, maybe I'll keep you around. Heh. You might even enjoy yourself," Joker laughs, as he pats Crane on the back, and lifts his cane up off from the ground.
"Joker, wait," Crane called out. "There's a rumour, that the pup has her father back..."
Joker smiles.
"So it's true?" Crane sighed. "There used to be a saying, do you remember? "Only the good villains come back." Though, I suppose that once Ted Carson was resurrected, that all went out the window."
"Heh. Rumours... Nasty, those. I think I killed him, you know. Maybe. Bullet to the skull really ought to have done it, but, heh, this is Gotham."
Crane nods. "Rumours, yes. I *may* have heard that the snowman took two gallons of my toxin..."
...
"Johnny, I love you, but you have to be more specific. Do you mean Freeze, or the literal hairy, yeti Kelsey Grammar bloke?"
...
"Yes, I meant Freeze."
~
It's 1991. I come home to find my parents dead. My father, gunned down by police. My mother, his final victim.
2003. The Flash, Barry Allen, encounters his first villain: Leonard Snart- Captain Cold, a self titled rogue armed with a cold gun. My fascination with these... Rogues is piqued.
2004. During my first year of college, I fall in love with my classmate, Ashley. I strike up a friendship with her father, the criminology professor at our school.
It's 2008. My wedding day. Ashley's father is my best man.
2010. Her father- in many ways *our* father, lies dead in my arms, a victim of my error. Ashley files for divorce.
2012. I come to Keystone City for a fresh start. Becoming the "Rogues Profiler" for KCPD, I meet a young man called Wally West. The Flash.
2013. A riot at Iron Heights renders me paralysed. In desperation, I turn to Wally, urging him to travel back in time, and fix my life. He refuses. In an attempt to use the treadmill myself, it explodes, effectively knocking me out of the timestream. I become Zoom. My new mission, to help the Flash, no matter the cost.
"The Flashes, are not worth your time Hunter."
~
Now, it is 2018, Louisiana. "They're nothing but selfish, cruel, vain individuals, not worthy of your... kindness." Beside me, Thawne tinkers with a machine. In a few hours, Lex Luthor will give the order, and the Secret Society will activate our Fear Gas Bomb in the heart of Gotham. Of the thousands affected, one in two will emerge stronger, their demons conquered.
"Idisagreeeeeeeee. You've spentyour eeeeeeentire life making BarryAllenbetter, JokerandBatman, Sineeeeestro- Haaaaal Jordan, BlckMnta- Aquaman. You aaaaall makeheroes strong."
"That's where you're wrong, Hunter. I don't want to *help* Barry Allen, I want to destroy him. Take apart all that he has. All that he *is*. You've seen my files. Do you really think Manta fights Aquaman to make him better?! Heh. Black Manta is a sociopathic maniac with an inane case of daddy issues. However, he does make an excellent tuna sandwich. He doesn't know I steal them."
~
Two years earlier, I am visited by an older Thawne. He's dying. Having just escaped an alternate timeline, the energy it took has dampened his speed. His one hope is a "Get out of Hell Free card." In the year that follows, Thawne recruits Drury Walker to infiltrate the Suicide Squad and find him that card. I'm not sure why he chose *him.* Thawne said it was a cruel irony of sorts, brought about by his time in this other timeline. Mothpoint. He uses the opportunity to punish Walker for his failings, and to tie up loose ends, by murdering the Van Cleer boy. His son. Moments later, the Signal Man issues a city wide blackout, wanting the card for himself. In the ensuing chaos, Thawne succumbs to his wounds, killed by the boy's stepmother.
Walker's grief, and role in Cobb's defeat inspires him to become more than a simple criminal. He runs for Mayor. A year later, the boy is resurrected. The tragedy, was undone. The lessons Walker learned? Unlearned.
2018. While Bane works to reshape the Society, Thawne is set on the path that will lead to his death. A confrontation with the Ratcatcher and the KGBeast ends with him retreating into the speedforce, as time changes around him. He's dumped in December, 2018. A new world, and is forced to work with Walker's boy. His disobedience and compassion makes him an unreliable ally. He plans to murder him once the timeline is restored.
2019. Thawne visits Bane one final time. I, am sent to deal with a rival Society spearheaded by Lex Luthor. The key, is the Riddler's journal.
The Joker destroys it before I can learn what he might have planned. The Society is satisfied.
2020. During an assault on the League of Assassins, Bane, Calculator, Sinestro and Zod are all apprehended. Kuttler's testimony grants him freedom. Though Faust, Ocean Master and Black Adam remain, each go their separate ways. The Society is finished. Intent on confronting the Joker, I travel to Gotham City. Instead, he imparts on me a new mission.
=Drury's Apartment, Keystone=
"Drury- Drury!" Wally called out. "Axel's been spotted with the Rogues, and I just- Drury?"
"Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah-Wah" a voice answered back, mockingly. Sat in the living room, draped in a tartan blanket, and a glass of scotch in his hand, was Drury Walker. Opposite him, playing Cooking Mama on the TV, was The Suit.
Wally sighed. "C-C'mon, man, that's just childish."
"Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi-Mi-Muh."
Wally edged into the room, and knelt beside Drury. "You don't want your kid in Iron Heights. I get it... I don't either! But he keeps going out with the Rogues, that's what's going to happen."
Drury took another sip of scotch. "Let him have his fun. He hasn't had *his* hopes and dreams stabbed yet.
Wally bowed his head. "Look, I'm not thrilled with this arrangement either. But we could at least try to get along, right? How about a pizza? Would you like a pizza."
"Gotham's are better."
"I can go to Gotham. Fastest man alive and all that."
"Lucky!" Drury called back sarcastically.
"Right. It's been a pleasure. Suit," he nodded, the empty costume putting the controller on the table and waving goodbye. The door slamming behind him, Drury rushed to the window. "Thank god he's gone," he smiled, and ripped his dressing gown off to reveal the costume underneath. "Now, where were we?"
He flipped the tablecloth over, unveiling a map of the prison on the other side.
"We really need to re-evaluate your artistic merits..." Drury murmured, as Suit rolled in a large mirror, and handed Walker a silver blaster.
"McCulloch this mirror gun better fucking work," Drury mused, as he pointed it at the mirror, and fired a white beam of light. The mirror now a dazzling portal, Drury winks back, and enters through the looking glass.
The ability to run both up and down tree trunks, jump from branch to branch makes the grey a firm favourite. Easy to recognise with it’s long busy tail, short muzzle and rounded ears the grey is both bigger and heavier that it’s native Red cousin. Squirrels are diurnal, with peak activity during early morning and late afternoon. They don’t hibernate but do become less active during the winter months.
The Grey Squirrel was introduced to the UK buy wealthy landowners from North American between 1876 and 1929 , originally as a decorative addition to their country estates. Since then it has spread over much of England and Wales and much of southern Scotland , pushing back the Red Squirrel into smaller pockets of land in England and the Highlands in Scotland.
Adult male squirrels compete to mate with suitable females , and the female will mate with multiple males during the estrus period. The gestation period is about 44 days , when the female gives birth to a litter of between 1-4 pups. The young are born in a nest or “Drey” similar to a birds nest but made from twigs cut live from the host tree, often with leaves still attached. Newborn squirrels are entirely hairless and pink , weigh between 13-18 grams and are born blind. The young are weaned at around 10 weeks old and leave the nest after around 12 weeks. Only 25% will survive the first year to reach maturity. A squirrel can live up to 20 years in captivity , but in the wild average life expectancy is around six years.
Squirrels cannot digest cellulose , a compound found in most green plants. They rely on a diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats, primarily nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi and conifer cones. During hard times squirrels have occasionally been known to eat insects, eggs and small birds. Squirrels start to stash away surplus nuts in autumn when there is plentiful food supply , burying nuts in small holes in soft earth, returning later during winter to retrieve their stored food supply. A squirrel can even sniff out stored nuts under a layer of snow.
I don’t think this Squirrel has ever seen a Walnut before ………
The ability to run both up and down tree trunks, jump from branch to branch makes the grey a firm favourite. Easy to recognise with it’s long busy tail, short muzzle and rounded ears the grey is both bigger and heavier that it’s native Red cousin. Squirrels are diurnal, with peak activity during early morning and late afternoon. They don’t hibernate but do become less active during the winter months.
The Grey Squirrel was introduced to the UK buy wealthy landowners from North American between 1876 and 1929 , originally as a decorative addition to their country estates. Since then it has spread over much of England and Wales and much of southern Scotland , pushing back the Red Squirrel into smaller pockets of land in England and the Highlands in Scotland.
Adult male squirrels compete to mate with suitable females , and the female will mate with multiple males during the estrus period. The gestation period is about 44 days , when the female gives birth to a litter of between 1-4 pups. The young are born in a nest or “Drey” similar to a birds nest but made from twigs cut live from the host tree, often with leaves still attached. Newborn squirrels are entirely hairless and pink , weigh between 13-18 grams and are born blind. The young are weaned at around 10 weeks old and leave the nest after around 12 weeks. Only 25% will survive the first year to reach maturity. A squirrel can live up to 20 years in captivity , but in the wild average life expectancy is around six years.
Squirrels cannot digest cellulose , a compound found in most green plants. They rely on a diet of protein, carbohydrates and fats, primarily nuts, seeds, fruit, fungi and conifer cones. During hard times squirrels have occasionally been known to eat insects, eggs and small birds. Squirrels start to stash away surplus nuts in autumn when there is plentiful food supply , burying nuts in small holes in soft earth, returning later during winter to retrieve their stored food supply. A squirrel can even sniff out stored nuts under a layer of snow.
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The Intha’s story is a picture of unparalleled way of adaptability,
of man’s ability to survive in the face of seemingly odds. When they left their Tavoyan homeland (Tavoy region of Tenasserin) as a small tribe and resettled in this far-off mountain region, they had to acquire a totally new set of cultural survival technique. The migration started around 14th Century. Most probably they only completed their resettlement at Inle during the 18th Century, when their homeland was ravaged by the continuos wars between the Siamese (Thais) and the Burmans.
The men became fisherman whose unparalleled way of rowing and whose unique conical fish traps are to be found nowhere else in this world. Their wives’ floating gardens are equally unique. Since the land fronting the lake belonged to the Shans
- the original inhabitants of this are – when the Inthas arrived,
the immigrants had to move “on top” of the lake. There they
constructed their own gardens on the water. They matted dried reeds, covered then with muck scooped from the lake bottom, and anchored these two-by-100-meter floating gardens around their stilt houses with bamboo poles in the shallow lake. The depth of Inle lake does not exceed three meters. Today the Inthas are Burma’s foremost vegetable growers and flower gardeners.
INLE LAKE - SHAN STATE – BÛRMA
Camera: Nikon F4
Film Type: Kodachrome 64 E100
Lens: Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 AF
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Lost Favs in the web of Flickr's bugs...
This picture was marked as favorite by more than 70 and less than 80 people in the past. Unfortunately it was all washed out…
This is my first photo posted on Flickr or how I started my photostream.
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Since I photographed this birch tree in a marshy area I'm pretty sure it's a type of Birch (Betula) called a River Birch (Betula nigra). It is the southernmost New World Birch and the only Birch that occurs at low altitudes in the southeastern United States.
Ranges from southwest Connecticut south to northern Florida, west to east Texas, and north to southeast Minnesota; local in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire; to 1000' (305 m); to 2500' (762 m) in southern Appalachians.
Habitat wet soil of stream banks, lakes, swamps, and flood plains; with other hardwoods. Its ability to thrive on moist sites makes it useful for erosion control.
ISO400, aperture f/11, exposure .003 seconds (1/400) focal length 300mm
But it isn’t over.
My armour damaged, my nose bleeds....yet I still stand firmly. Friends around me may have fallen, but I feel the electricity surging through my veins.
Then Igarashi stands up as well, his face heavily scarred. He tries to use his “powers” on me, but he fails to do so when I’ve finally got a hold—as I shock him right on the spot. It's over for him. Connor, covered in dust and grime, rises but behind him, knocking Igarashi on his feet.
Now the student looms over his defeated sensei, huh, well played. I couldn’t be more glad to see him alive, my older brother. He was holding a staff, despite the rough, scarred edges, in his left hand, and the katana on his right. Even if I can't see through his mask, I could picture how his eyes would look like, being ready to execute him right away.
Connor: “This is over, Igarashi. You’ve used up your powers, and it’s out of your reach for the katana to be understood. This is a relic to be respected. Worse yet, you lied to us far too long. You have committed so much heinous crimes for too long. Ambition for power and all that... ”
Igarashi: “Yes—-young one.....yes! I conspired against you....because possessing the sword meant I would ascend to the highest rank of the crime families! I wanted more power....the ability of a superhuman.....but you had to stop me! You have given yourself to the cause of your family and friends more than us!”
Connor: “Unfortunately you misused it, and that’s not how it works. Abusing the greatest thing the guild ever stood for: honour. I’m sorry, but you’re going to—“
Igarashi: “Die?! Fine, go ahead and kill me! Do not forget who trained you? Who raised you to become the man today?!”
Oddcrow: “Wait! Cease your fighting at one! Dusksmoke, you’re not going to kill your sensei! I only did my part to protect you....I thought sacrifice was a way out.”
Connor: “Yes. But I’m holding back. People like him don’t deserve death like this, despite the actions he’s done. But he did have a hand in raising me. I guess I’m going to call it fair. In fact, you’re the one to make a choice. Because you’re going to be the next leader. You were my sensei after all. This isn’t a matter of his nationality or race, but I believe you have potential and true leadership. My fellow guild, would you agree?”
Assassins: “Yes. We vote in favour. He....is our new leader.”
Oddcrow: “Alright. He’ll be exiled. To an island where he will be spending the rest of his life. Take him away.”
Igarashi: "Wait--no, you can't do this! You will regret this! I will come back! I will have more power, and I will wield the katana however I see fit! Dusksmoke, you will pay!"
Connor: "No, you won't. I'll make you won't see the light of day if you try to ever make a return. Your last days and fate will be a collective judgement. Send him off, please."
***
Oddcrow: “Well, I guess this isn’t too bad after all, from a schoolteacher to a guild master....”
Dustsmmoke: “Nah, it’s good. You ever seen a cybernetic warrior going around doing stuff? That’s what I did....I saved children. From the Spectres.”
Oddcrow: “All these years, we were mistaken on the wars from the outsiders. However with Connor’s faith, he managed to bring us together. To shape a better guild. Because we’re not killers, exactly.”
Ty: “That’s honourable.”
Erin: “Yes. And will his old classmates and best friends, I can't wait for our big reunion”
Ty: “Glad to know you’ve got my back, like Avalon does.”
Sam: “This is where we’re leaving off, are we? To save the day again!”
Edens: "Well, I can't exactly leave you hanging at the end of every mission like that, fill the paperworks and---
Riley/Jesse: “C’mon Doc, at least give us the holiday back!”
Edens: “Right, right....vacation continues. No disruptions. Only if it's emergency. Two weeks, sound good?”
Kieran: “Let’s call for a celebration. Let's cheer ”
Oddcrow: “You are granted an extended stay in Japan. Go anywhere you want, how about that too? For Avalon, you are deemed worthy and you can come whenever you please. You have gained our trust. We are in your debt and would be gladly to call you allies.”
Edens: "For sure, we have your word. Now we gotta...clean up a bit before alerting the agency."
Harry: "Well, least to say I'm done killin' anyone for the night."
***2 days later, at Edens' Japanese penthouse:***
Ty: “Maybe I could take a look at the ancestry books, considering I’ve got my heritage here.”
Erin: “I’m sure you’ll love finding them here, Shiro.”
Ty: “Since when did you start calling me that again? Oh, and yeah, maybe I could bring gran and mom here one day...maybe even my sister.”
Erin: “Sure, family’s fun. I don’t know. Maybe since the first day? I had a big crush on you when we got to elementary. I think's it's cute.”
Ty: “That’s....makes sense. I knew I laid eyes on you since we met. I love you, Erinbug.”
Erin: “I love you, too, Ty.”
Connor: “Ahem, good chemistry, you two. I knew that’s why I aced every test in science class. Sensed it in the air around me. Couldn’t hold back before you wanna kiss, cuz I had to bring the gang back together like a glue.”
Erin: "I remember how you liked me for a while before it ended up a wingman for him."
Connor: "I was very helpful wasn't I? Crush turned into one of the best friendship. I helped you get notes for him. You know, just anything to impress. Ty, I helped both of you. Give me some credit."
Ty: “Very funny. You sound just like your brother.”
Jesse: “Well, Arden genes, hermano! Except for the fact when the other team’s gone around town. Gary and the ladies are going crazy at shopping, man.”
Edens: “Well, it seems like this is definitely elementary reunion after all. I got a question stuck in my head since then....have you actually considered it yet, Dusksmoke? On our offer?”
Connor: “Oh, on that? l’ve thought it through. Oddcrow’s a better leader than I am. Though for me, I could work solo even if there’s nowhere to go....and my friend’s still in hospital.”
Jesse: “We’ve got a spot up for you if you need it.”
Sam: “Could always lend a hand in Japanese weapon mastery and those herbs of yours, so I can work on medical stuff with Kurt and co.”
Connor: “Hmm, that’d be interesting.”
Ty: “You’ve proven yourself too, earned a worthy spot. Avalon deserves a sixth member just like Gamma....turns out it might be you now, Connor. Which makes you 11, sort of.”
Connor: “I’m game. This is might fight now, since guild stuff is gonna have to reform and change in time. Guess I do have a lot to catch up in what you guys do, eh? Wait, is that Agent Khattar?”
Khattar: “In the flesh, agents. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting a nice reunion, but I’m here to announce I’m officially in on the Paladin stuff.”
Edens: “Just before you all get surprised, Navin’s now a partner with Paladin. He might belong to Interpol, but we secretly had an agreement to benefit conditions on our terms. Again, I'm sh*t at keeping it secret.”
Harry: “Though the boards would never agree...I’ll still play it through. Cheers.”
Khattar: “Cheers to you too. I’m sure it is going to be fine, a promise is a promise—-it’ll be confidential. I trust all of you given your defense in Tokyo and the countries you hopped on fighting. But as I suspected, that there are bigger hands behind what we’re looking at. They might be planning something....and your business friend is in danger.”
Edens: “Mason? He’s doing fine....but he’s been strange as always.”
Khattar: “Then you’ll have to keep an eye on him. For now, I will leave you guys be. Have fun! And also, Dusksmoke, your friend is doing alive and well. Go check up on her when you have the time.”
***
Board member: “And he’s officiated? Wonderful. For this event, I will not hold regard or remorse, but you should have let us know, Remus."
Edens: “Yes. Dusksmoke was always one of ours. He’s been playing the mole this whole time.
Raze: “Pfft, fine. You have it off easy this time since it's the Paladin council deciding together. But I will not tolerate your secrets being kept from us, privately and personally as a high ranking official. There will be no next times. You know what the
consequences, don’t you Avalon?”
Ty: “Of course. I’m proud to lead this team, ma'am.”
Raze: “And the Interpol agent....he’s an ally too?”
Erin: “Precisely.”
Raze: “What about the sword?”
Harry: “In the care of the guild. We know who the White Ninja is....will send in the details later.”
Sam: “But yes, allow us to have this holiday first....the job can come in for a bit.”
Raze: “Approved. You are now dismissed. Raze and council out.”
Once we disconnected with the leaders, we were left to our own. What a relief. There’s so much questions to ask. So much answers to be sought—-which means there are deep mysteries yet are unsolved.
I know it isn’t over yet, but I’m glad that I’ve found my brother, who I deeply miss, a boyfriend who I truly love, and my friends getting together, at full circle. The experiences of saving lives have never been better.
But I can always assure to the world, that Paladin is needed, no matter what cost or conflict there is....
We’ll be there.
FORT IRWIN, CALIF. – A vehicle from Killer Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, defends their position while firing a simulated Tube-launched, Optically Tracked, Wire Guided missile at a 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in the distance at the National Training Center, Aug. 3, 2016. This exercise was designed to test the Devil Brigades’ ability to conduct defensive operations while defending their Tactical Operations Center. (U.S. Army Photo by Pvt. Austin Anyzeski, 11th ACR) www.dvidshub.net
They all look the same, dress the same way, use the same facial expressions and body language but each will tell you he's "doing his own thing" Interactions, mirroring consists of the parent imitating the infant's expressions while vocalizing the emotion implied by the expression. This imitation helps the infant to associate the emotion with their expression, as well as feel validated in their own emotions as the parent shows approval through imitation. Studies have demonstrated that mirroring is an important part of child and infant development. According to Kohut's theories of self-psychology, individuals need a sense of validation and belonging in order to establish their concepts of self. When parents mirror their infants, the action may help the child develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-control, as they can see their emotions within their parent's faces. Additionally, infants may learn and experience new emotions, facial expressions, and gestures by mirroring expressions that their parents utilize. The process of mirroring may help infants establish connections of expressions to emotions and thus promote social communication later in life. Infants also learn to feel secure and valid in their own emotions through mirroring, as the parent's imitation of their emotions may help the child recognize their own thoughts and feelings more readily.When we meet others for the first time, we need to assess quickly whether they are positive or negative towards us, just as most other animals do for survival reasons. We do this by scanning the other person's body to see if they will move or gesture the same way we do in what is known as 'mirroring'. We mirror each other's body language as a way of bonding, being accepted and creating rapport, but we are usually oblivious to the fact that we are doing it. In ancient times, mirroring was also a social device which helped our ancestors fit in successfully with larger groups; it is also a left-over from a primitive method of learning which involved imitation.Additionally, individuals are likely to mirror the person of higher status or power within the situation. Mirroring individuals of higher power may create an illusion of higher status, or create rapport with the individual in power, thus allowing the person to gain favor with the individual in power. This mechanism may be helpful for individuals in situations where they are in a position of bargaining with an individual who possesses more power, as the rapport that mirroring creates may help to persuade the higher status individual to help the person of lower status. These situations include job interviews, other work situations such as requesting promotions, parent-child interactions, and asking professors for favors. Each of these situations involve one party who is in a more powerless position for bargaining, and another party who has the ability to fulfill the person of lower status's needs, but may not necessarily wish to. Thus, mirroring can be a useful tool for individuals of lower status in order to persuade the other party to relinquish goods or privileges for the lower status party.Mirroring generally takes place subconsciously as individuals react with the situation. Mirroring is common in conversation, as the listeners will typically smile or frown along with the speaker, as well as imitate body posture or attitude about the topic. Individuals may be more willing to empathize with and accept people whom they believe hold similar interests and beliefs, and thus mirroring the person with whom one is speaking may establish connections between the individuals involved.
One of the most noticeable forms of mirroring is yawning - one person starts and it sets everyone off. Dr. Robert Provine found that yawning is so contagious you don't even need to see another person yawn - the sight of a wide-open mouth is enough to do it. It was once thought that the purpose of yawning was to oxygenate the body but we now know that it's a form of mirroring that serves to create rapport with others and to avoid aggression - just as it also does for this pictured boat and yawning building.
Wearing the same outfit as another woman is a mirroring no-no. But if two men show up at a party wearing the same outfit, they could become lifelong friends.
Non-verbally, mirroring says 'Look at me; I'm the same as you. I feel the same way and share the same attitudes.' This is why people at a rock concert will all jump to their feet and applaud simultaneously or give a 'Mexican Wave' together. The synchronicity of the crowd promotes a secure feeling in the participants. Similarly, people in an angry mob will mirror aggressive attitudes and this explains why many usually calm people can lose their cool in this situation.
The urge to mirror is also the basis on which a queue works. In a queue, people willingly co-operate with people they have never met and will never see again, obeying an unwritten set of behavioral rules while waiting for a bus, at an art gallery, in a bank or side by side in war. Professor Joseph Heinrich from the University of Michigan found that the urges to mirror others are hardwired into the brain because co-operation leads to more food, better health and economic growth for communities. It also offers an explanation as to why societies that are highly disciplined in mirroring, such as the British, Germans and ancient Romans successfully dominated the world for many years. Mirroring the other person's body language and appearance shows a united front and doesn't let either get one-up on the other
Mirroring makes others feel 'at ease'. It's such a powerful rapport-building tool that slow-motion video research reveals that it even extends to simultaneous blinking, nostril-flaring, eyebrow-raising and even pupil dilation, which is remarkable as these micro-gestures cannot be consciously imitated.
Creating the Right Vibes
Studies into synchronous body language behavior show that people who feel similar emotions, or are on the same wavelength and are likely to be experiencing a rapport, will also begin to match each other's body language and expressions. Being 'in sync' to bond with another person begins early in the womb when our body functions and heartbeat match the rhythm of our mother, so mirroring is a state to which we are naturally inclined.
When a couple are in the early stages of courtship it's common to see them behave with synchronous movements, almost as if they are dancing. For example, when a woman takes a mouthful of food the man wipes the corner of his mouth; or he begins a sentence and she finishes it for him. When she gets PMT, he develops a strong desire for chocolate; and when she feels bloated, he farts.
When a person says 'the vibes are right' or that they 'feel right' around another person, they are unknowingly referring to mirroring and synchronous behavior. For example, at a restaurant, one person can be reluctant to eat or drink alone for fear of being out of sync with the others. When it comes to ordering the meal, each may check with the others before ordering. 'What are you having?' they ask as they try to mirror their meals. This is one of the reasons why playing background music during a date is so effective - the music gets a couple to beat and tap in time together. Mirroring on a Cellular Level
American heart surgeon, Dr Memhet Oz, reported some remarkable findings from heart recipients. He found that, as with most other body organs, the heart appears to retain cellular memories, and this allows some patients to experience some of the emotions experienced by the heart donor. Even more remarkably, he found some recipients also assume the same gestures and posture of the donor even though they have never seen the donor. His conclusion was that it appears that the heart cells instruct the recipient's brains to take on the donor's body language. Conversely, people suffering from disorders such as autism have no ability to mirror or match the behavior of others, which makes it difficult for two-way communication with others. The same goes for drunk people whose gestures are out of sync with their words, making it impossible for any mirroring to occur.
Because of the phenomenon of cause and effect, if you intentionally assume certain body language positions you will begin to experience the emotions associated with those gestures. For example, if you feel confident, you may unconsciously assume the Steeple gesture to reflect your confidence, but if you intentionally Steeple you will not only begin to feel more confident, others will perceive that you're confident. This, then, becomes a powerful way to create a rapport with others by intentionally matching their body language and posture.
Mirroring Differences Between Men and Women
Geoffrey Beattie, at the University of Manchester, found that a woman is instinctively four times more likely to mirror another woman than a man is to mirror another man. He also found that women mirror men's body language too, but men are reluctant to mirror a woman's gestures or posture - unless he is in courtship mode.
When a woman says she can 'see' that someone doesn't agree with the group opinion she is actually 'seeing' the disagreement. She's picked up that someone's body language is out of sync with group opinion and they are showing their disagreement by not mirroring the group's body language. How women can 'see' disagreement, anger, lying or feeling hurt has always been a source of amazement to most men. It's because most men's brains are simply not well equipped to read the fine detail of others' body language and don't consciously notice mirroring discrepancies.
Men and women's brains are programmed differently to express emotions through facial expressions and body language. Typically, a woman can use an average of six main facial expressions in a ten-second listening period to reflect and then feed back the speaker's emotions. Her face will mirror the emotions being expressed by the speaker. To someone watching, it can look as if the events being discussed are happening to both women.
A woman reads the meaning of what is being said through the speaker's voice tone and his emotional condition through his body language. This is exactly what a man needs to do to capture a woman's attention and to keep her interested and listening. Most men are daunted by the prospect of using facial feedback while listening, but it pays big dividends for the man who becomes good at it.
Some men say 'She'll think I'm effeminate!', but research with these techniques shows that when a man mirrors a woman's facial expressions as she talks she will describe him as caring, intelligent, interesting and attractive.
Men, on the other hand, can make fewer than a third of the facial expressions a woman can make. Men usually hold expressionless faces, especially in public, because of the evolutionary need to withhold emotion to stave off possible attack from strangers and to appear to be in control of their emotions. This is why most men look as if they are statues when they listen.
The emotionless mask that men wear while listening allows them to feel in control of the situation, but does not mean men don't experience emotions. Brain scans reveal that men can feel emotion as strongly as women, but avoid showing it publicly.
What to Do About It if You're Female
The key to mirroring a man's behavior is in understanding that he doesn't use his face to signal his attitudes - he uses his body. Most women find it difficult to mirror an expressionless man but with males this is not required. If you're a woman, it means that you need to reduce your facial expressions so that you don't come across as overwhelming or intimidating. Most importantly, don't mirror what you think he might be feeling. That can be disastrous if you've got it wrong and you may be described as 'dizzy' or 'scatterbrained'. Women in business who listen with a more serious face are described by men as more intelligent, astute and sensible.
When Men and Women Start to Look Alike
When two people live together for a long time and have a good working relationship, they often begin to look alike. This is because they are constantly mirroring each other's facial expressions, which, over time, builds muscle definition in the same areas of the face. Even couples who don't look facially similar can appear similar in a photograph because they use the same smile.
n 2000, psychologist Dr John Gottman of the University of Washington, Seattle, and his colleagues, discovered that marriages are more likely to fail when one partner not only does not mirror the other's expressions of happiness, but instead shows expressions of contempt. Instead, this opposite behavior affects the smiling partner, even when they are not consciously aware of what is happening.
Do We Resemble Our Pets?
You can also see mirroring occur in the pets some people choose. Without realizing it, we unconsciously tend to favor pets that physically resemble us, or that appear to reflect our attitudes. To demonstrate the point, here are a couple of examples: too far and presume that our model of body language and social interpretation applies to a dog's body language.
Be careful however not to extrapolate the metaphor too far and presume that our model of body language and social interpretation applies to a dog's body language.
Monkey See, Monkey Do
The next time you attend a social function or go to a place where people meet and interact, notice the number of people who have taken the identical gestures and posture of the person with whom they're talking. Mirroring is the way one person tells another that he is in agreement with his ideas and attitudes. One is non-verbally saying to the other, 'As you can see, I think the same as you.' The person with the highest status often makes the first moves and the others copy, usually in pecking order.
In the image above it is apparent by virtue of the facial expressions and other body language that there is a good rapport between the US President's wife Michelle Obama, of informally superior status, and a university president. If Michelle changes her body posture, one might expect there is a reasonably good chance the gentleman will unconsciously emulate her posture, indirectly demonstrating they are of the same mind. Mirroring happens among friends or between people of the same status and it is common to see married couples walk, stand, sit and move in identical ways. Albert Scheflen found that people who are strangers studiously avoid holding mirror positions.
Matching Voices
Intonation, voice inflection, speed of speaking and even accents also synchronize during the mirroring process to further establish mutual attitudes and build rapport. This is known as 'pacing' and it can almost seem as if the two people are singing in tune. You will often see a speaker beating time with his hands while the listener matches the rhythm with head nods. As a relationship grows over time, the mirroring of the main body language positions becomes less as each person begins to anticipate the other's attitudes, and vocal pacing with the other person becomes a main medium for maintaining rapport.
Never speak at a faster rate than the other person. Studies reveal that others describe feeling 'pressured' when someone speaks more quickly than they do. A person's speed of speech shows the rate at which their brain can consciously analyze information. Speak at the same rate or slightly slower than the other person and mirror their inflection and intonation. Pacing is critical when attempting to make appointments by telephone because voice is your only communication medium.
Intentionally Creating Rapport
The significance of mirroring is one of the most important body language lessons you can learn because it's a clear way in which others tell us that they agree with us or like us. It is also a way for us to tell others that we like them, by simply mirroring their body language.
If a boss wants to develop a rapport and create a relaxed atmosphere with a nervous employee, he could copy the employee's posture to achieve this end. Similarly, an up-and-coming employee may be seen copying his boss's gestures in an attempt to show agreement when the boss is giving his opinion. Using this knowledge, it is possible to influence others by mirroring their positive gestures and posture. This has the effect of putting the other person in a receptive and relaxed frame of mind, because he can 'see' that you understand his point of view. Before you mirror someone's body language, however, you must take into consideration your relationship with that person. Let's say, for example, a corporate employee has asked for a pay rise and is called into his manager's office. The employee enters the office, the manager asks him to sit down and assumes the Catapult with a Figure-Four showing the employee a superior, dominant attitude. But what would happen if the subordinate then instinctively copied the manager's dominant body language while discussing the potential salary increase? A boss might perceive a subordinate's mirroring behavior as being pushy or impertinent
Even if the employee's manner of speaking and phrasing was typical of a subordinate, the manager could feel affronted by the employee's body language, placing the employee's pay increase request in doubt and perhaps posing a threat to his future promotability. Mirroring is also effective for intimidating or disarming people who deem themselves 'superior' and try to take control of situations. Accountants, lawyers and managers are notorious for using superiority body language clusters around people they consider inferior. By mirroring, you can disconcert them and force a change of position. But never do it to the boss. Through mirrored multi-tasking, these business associates are taking their minds off what can seem an awkward encroachment on their personal zones.
Who Mirrors Whom?
Research shows that when the leader of a group assumes certain gestures and positions, subordinates will copy, usually in pecking order. Leaders also tend to be the first of a group to walk through a doorway and they like to sit on the end of a sofa, table or bench seat rather than in the center. When a group of executives walks into a room, the person with the highest status usually goes first. When executives are seated in the boardroom, the boss usually sits at the head of the table, often furthest from the door. If the boss sits in the Catapult, his subordinates are likely to copy in order of their importance within the group You can see this in a meeting where people 'take sides' with others by mirroring their body language. This lets you see who will vote with you and who will vote against you.
Mirroring is a good strategy to use if you are part of a presentation team. Decide, in advance, that when the team spokesperson makes a gesture or takes a posture when speaking, the entire team will mirror. This not only gives your team the powerful appearance of being cohesive, it can frighten the hell out of competitors who suspect something is up, even though they can't quite figure out what it is. When presenting ideas, products and services to couples, watching who mirrors whom reveals where the ultimate power or final decision-making ability lies. If the woman makes the initial movements, however small, such as crossing her feet, lacing her fingers or using a Critical Evaluation cluster and the man copies, there is little point in asking him for a decision - he doesn't have the authority to make it. When we rub both of our eyes simultaneously, it is as if we are telling our psyches, "I wish I never saw that", or "I can't believe he did that". We are trying to wipe it from our minds. People will also display this body language tell when recalling a past event in the "mind's eye".
Group Mirroring
It happens on fall season Sundays in American football stadiums around the country. Suddenly, 50,000 individuals became a single unit, almost a single mind, focused intently on what was happening on the field - that particular touchdown grab or dive into the end zone. Somehow, virtually simultaneously, each of those 50,000 people tuned into what the other 49,999 were looking at.
Becoming part of a crowd can be exhilarating or terrifying: The same mechanisms that make people fans can just as easily make them fanatics. And throughout human history we have constructed institutions that provide that dangerous, enthralling thrill. The Coliseum-like stadiums that host American football games or soccer games throughout the world are, after all, just modern knockoffs of the massive theater that housed Roman crowds cheering their favorite gladiators 2,000 years ago.
In fact, recent studies suggest that our sensitivity to crowds is built into our perceptual system and operates in a remarkably swift and automatic way. In a 2012 paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, A.C. Gallup, then at Princeton University, and colleagues looked at the crowds that gather in shopping centers and train stations.
In one study, a few ringers simply joined the crowd and stared up at a spot in the sky for 60 seconds. Then the researchers recorded and analyzed the movements of the people around them. The scientists found that within seconds hundreds of people coordinated their attention in a highly systematic way. People consistently stopped to look toward exactly the same spot as the ringers.
The number of ringers ranged from one to 15. People turn out to be very sensitive to how many other people are looking at something, as well as to where they look. Individuals were much more likely to follow the gaze of several people than just a few, so there was a cascade of looking as more people joined in.
In a study in Psychological Science, Timothy Sweeny at the University of Denver and David Whitney at the University of California, Berkeley, looked at the mechanisms that let us follow a crowd in this way. They showed people a set of four faces, each looking in a slightly different direction. Then the researchers asked people to indicate where the whole group was looking (the observers had to swivel the eyes on a face on a computer screen to match the direction of the group).
Because we combine head and eye direction in calculating a gaze, the participants couldn't tell where each face was looking by tracking either the eyes or the head alone; they had to combine the two. The subjects saw the faces for less than a quarter of a second. That's much too short a time to look at each face individually, one by one.
It sounds impossibly hard. If you try the experiment, you can barely be sure of what you saw at all. But in fact, people were amazingly accurate. Somehow, in that split-second, they put all the faces together and worked out the average direction where the whole group was looking.
In other studies, Dr. Whitney has shown that people can swiftly calculate how happy or sad a crowd is in much the same way.
Other social animals have dedicated brain mechanisms for coordinating their action - that's what's behind the graceful rhythms of a flock of birds or a school of fish.
Summary
Mirroring someone's body language makes them feel accepted and creates a bond and is a phenomenon that occurs naturally between friends and people of equal status. Conversely, we make a point of not mirroring those we don't like or strangers, such as those riding with us in a lift or standing in the queue at the cinema.
Mirroring the other person's body language and speech patterns is one of the most powerful ways to build rapport quickly. In a new meeting with someone, mirror his seating position, posture, body angle, gestures, expressions and tone of voice. Before long, they'll start to feel that there's something about you they like - they'll describe you as 'easy to be with'. This is because they see themselves reflected in you. A word of warning, however: don't do it too early in a new encounter as many people have become aware of mirroring strategies. When someone takes a position you have one of three choices - ignore it, do something else or mirror it. Mirroring pays big dividends. But never mirror a person's negative signals.
westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/...
Kanohi Tallus - the Mask of Walking
The wearer of this mask is granted the ability to walk on any surface regardless of density and orientation. The more it defies physics, the more the user must concentrate to keep the power active.
This mask was a project I actually planned on doing a couple years ago, initially inspired by the mask maker contest, which I didn't find time to take part in. Back then I bought the Technic 24-hour race car for parts for the build, but the threshold to start such a project proved too high. Only a bit over a month ago did I actually start making the mask, and ironically it took only 7 hours over two sessions. I think it helped that I had been thinking of the design and color scheme for a couple of years.
The color scheme was initially meant to be black at the bottom, green in the middle and white at the top, but due to part limitations and the color of the eyes that changed to primarily green and black. I mainly used parts from the 24-hour race car and air race jet technic sets, with a couple extras from my bin. The blue was not initially meant to be included, but when I was running out of green to define the eyes, the blue turned out to give a great accent, so I went along with it.
I wore the mask at Pii Poo 2018 lego event last month and a lot of jaws dropped when the kids saw it. It was kinda priceless.
Shooting almost into the sun...colors were washed out so try a little desaturation and vintage look for a change.
"Creativity is a God-given ability we all possess."
~ Unknown
..............
.
1. title,
2. "Creativity is an ability to take something ordinary and change it into something special.",
3. "Creativity is the openness to making something special in a new way.",
4. "Creativity is adapting a new idea.",
5. "Creativity is discovering a new pleasure which results in happiness.",
6. "Creativity is discovering the essence of the spirit of good will and good cheer."
..............
Original Kaleidoscopes...
memories of water drops on pine needles...
Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris
My Photo edited with www.tuxpi.com
Mosaic created with fd's Flickr Toys.
With all my ❤️ I thank you for your ⭐ or 💬 or just for 👀 it.
A 📷 taken by me + Photmatix HDR + Photoshop oil
IT'S NOT AI 📀
You can look at the Exif data on your right.➡️
Imagine, for a moment, standing next to a calm pond in the middle of a lush Japanese landscape. In front of you stands a magnificent structure, the To-ji Pagoda, with its five floors rising towards the sky.
But what really makes this moment special is what happens on the surface of the water. There, in the pond, the blurred pagoda is reflected. Every detail of its architecture is perfectly duplicated in the still water, creating an image that looks more like a work of art than a simple reflection.
It is as if the pond acts as a magic mirror, capturing the very essence of the pagoda and returning it to the world with indescribable beauty. Watching this scene, one cannot help but feel a sense of awe and admiration at the perfection of nature and human ability to create something so sublime.
It is a moment in which the long journey to the country of the rising sun gives meaning to the well-deserved effort and there is only room for wonder and gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us. It is an image that will linger in the mind and heart long after the moment has passed, I will remember the beauty that can be found in the most unexpected places and in the simplest moments of life.
...Nature has the ability to humble, simplify and connect at a level that goes beyond the physical and into the spiritual realm. ~ Judy Lalingo
One of many spectacular and awe inspiring views along the Columbia Icefields Parkway between Banff & Jasper National Parks. Have a great Wednesday, and as always, thanks for stopping by to visit!!!!
© Darlene Bushue - All of my images are protected by copyright and may not be used on any site, blog, or forum without my permission.
Attitude determines how well you do it :-) Lou Holtz
willowleaf magnolia, 'W. B. Clarke', sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
Fredrick ‘Mickey’ Hill said killed by masked policemen
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/McNeill--JFJ-call-for-invest...
A very sad but common story in Jamaica, about the killing of a young man name Sonnieko Williams by the Jamaican Police. The article was written by someone making a concern appeal for help on Facebook.
The last time we spoke, Sonnieko told me that he wanted to go down to Pulse and see if he could become a model. He asked me if i had a link.
He had been doing menial jobs to send himself to school since he was 9 years old. At 20, we were having our final conversation as we both walked off the hill. He had been heading to Heart Trust NTA to register for school which was to begin for him in January where he was to pursue his talent in the culinary arts.
The first few times i encountered Sonnieko, it was because he would hail me by name long before I knew his. "Wahgwaan (My Name)" he would say to me and i would acknowledge him, but i remember asking few people around me repeatedly' "Who is that youth; he always calls me by name and i dont even know him." Eventually i came to understand that he worked for a prominent family on the hill, doing odd jobs in the yard.
Other than his vibrant smile and his consistent hail, Sonnieko never had much to say. He was a great listener; a young man who was only a few steps from greatness. There is not one member of the community of Skyline Drive who did not love him; including those who did not know him well.
Skyline Drive is divided by a chasm which was created in heavy rains many years ago. As a result, through way traffic has come to a halt on this hill. The only vehicles that drive here belong to persons that live here or visitors of persons that live here.
A half hour before his death, his friends who were on my side of the chasm called him and told him to forward and linkup. He had told them he was stewing a pot; indulging in the one thing which would have freed him in life; his desire to feed people. His friends on his side of the chasm told me that he had then finished making breakfast, from which some of them had eaten.
There is a wanted man who lives in Jacks Hill. I will not disclose his alias. Apparently the police received intelligence that this particular wanted man had ventured out and was headed toward the chasm. Whomever called the police also stated that the wanted man had been dressed in a grey hoodie.
Hoodie's are commonplace dress on Skyline Drive. Not only because of threat of Tomas, but because the weather here on any normal day is a bit chilly. Sonnieko ventured out of his house to go meet up with his friends. He passed a crowd of people by the corner shop who he greeted cheerfully. He had a small comb in the front of his hair as he usually did, and was wearing a grey hoodie.
Having left the shop he continued down the road.
Maybe thirty seconds later persons at the shop saw one police van come hurtling around the corner skidding in the mud as they went. On the other side of the chasm, two police vans parked and officers dressed completely in blue with knee guards on scampered into Rita Marley's front garden, which is the only way to get to the other side.
Unawares, Sonnieko kept walking toward the chasm.
Sitting in my house, on my side of the chasm, I heard four gunshots. I wondered to myself who could possibly be shooting on the hill. As soon as that thought was completed i heard six more shots fired, and then another five, the last five sounding like that of a heavier firearm and the first ten sounding like those of smaller arms.
I called a friend of mine who lives across the chasm, and he told me that he had been further up the road, but that he had seen some police vehicles pass him. He said when they passed him they slowed beside him and he heard one of them say, " No anno him dat"
I put on my shoes and went next door to the music studio where I spoke with the producer who said he had heard nothing. Continuing outside i reached up onto the road to see a police van speeding down the road. The other was sitting at the edge of the chasm, still throttling, with no-one in it. A policeman shouted: "We kill one a dem, and we not makin the rest of them get weh!" A group of police then walked out of Rita's garden into their vehicles and drove away.
I walked through the garden.
The last time i saw Sonnieko, I was walking through the garden. My head was down as i was carefully observing the (treacherous when wet) terrain. Hearing footsteps i lifted my head to see Sonnieko walking toward me. He broke into a smile. With an outstretched hand he said' "Wah Gwaan (My Name)!" I replied, "Big up youself mi yout" He said, "Dont say a word" and continued along as i went on my way.
When i got to the other side of the garden, I walked around the first bend in the road and saw a group of people up ahead. They were gathering around a particular area. As i got closer, i saw a small pink comb with blood and brain marrow spattered across and around it. There were two feet of blue slippers as well with blood dribbled across them.
I got there just in time to see his mother come running out of her house and down the road from the other direction headed toward the crowd. She screamed at the crowd asking them: "Who see dem!" Who see!" "Nobody dont see mama", was the reply. She crumbled into a heaving heap, with a cry that cut the sky open.
The rain began to fall. The people wished Tomas had come. If Tomas had come, someone said; this would never happen.
The friend i called who had seen the police pass up the road was there, dressed also in a hoodie. His hoodie though was black.
After shooting the innocent 20 yr old whom they had mistaken for someone who did not even slightly fit his description, they scooped up his remains and drove hastily out of the community, pointing their guns in the direction of persons who stuck their heads out of their homes hoping to figure out what had just happened.
I gave my tv away one month before World Cup. I do not own a radio. Some persons wonder why and have asked me. Hopefully the following paragraph will tell why.
Four new police vehicles arrived on the scene of the crime, cordoned off the area and began to take pictures. They told the community members that they received a report that the team who had been there earlier were doing a patrol through the hill, came upon a group of men and came under heavy gunfire. Does this sound too familiar? When i found myself speaking to these new officers, their response to me was to ask me if it does not seem illogical that the highly trained police would just drive up and shoot an innocent man; i told them that was exactly the point of what took place. They told me not to swear his innocence. They told me that I am not with this young man every minute of the day and therefore can not state that he did not have a gun on him. I told them that in as much as they were asking me to be objective in my assesment, they should be objective enough in theirs to also accept the possibility that my friend, Sonnieko was killed in cold blood..
CVM arrived on the scene but not on the side of the chasm where the people were. The police had cordoned off the road and would not allow the media to cross the crime scene. I wonder what the news report on CVM will say tonight.
Even more so, i wonder if justice will come to this humble family of the hills who have done nothing but respect each other and their community, and occasionally wear grey hoodie's when going to look for a friend.
It could very well have been me, coming home from a trip to the corner shop. I too own a hoodie. But that day, maybe my life would have been saved as my hoodie is brown. But maybe if I had seen Sonnieko at the shop, as is typical I would have told him to wait on me, and together we would have been walking back around. And I am sure the story would have been that two cronies were killed. I almost wish I was among the dead, so persons could clearly see that someone they knew well had been killed as well. Someone who more persons of in positions of power could vouch for in a personal way. Some have been heard to be saying that my story is one side of the story. I know Sonnieko. Maybe if they killed me too, some of you would take another look at this case.
After a trip to Maddens Funeral Home, Sonnieko's mother found that he had recieved three shots. Two to his back, and one to his head. The shot that hit him in the head from the back pushed his forehead out of his body just above his eye.
The family needs a lawyer to represent their case. They CAN NOT afford one. If anyone in such capacity has read this letter and is moved to acting, whether through funding the process or giving legal aid pro-bono. Please. Contact me.
Let it not be said that this is a moving story. Let it be said that this was a spark, and that cumulatively we began a fire that forever changed the course of our nation’s history. Without that, this story would not have been moving, nor would it have moved anything or anyone into action.
I WRITE THESE NOTES FULLY COGNIZANT THAT MY ACTIONS COULD MAKE ME A TARGET. I HOWEVER AM WILLING TO STAND FOR CHANGE.
The bigger issue is that, by law, when the police shoot someone, they are supposed to carry them to hospital immediately. There was no crime scene cordoned off immediately with police left on scene. Due to this, considering the fact that when the investigating officers arrived on scene they told the community that they were informed that the unit had been fired upon, i surmise a gun will be produced. I also surmise that the gun will have Sonnieko's fingerprints on it, probably placed there on the journey from the hill to KPH, by putting his dead hands on to the gun.
Sonnieko died for a reason. He died because he has the right friends, in the right positions of power, and with the ability to make things happen. The bigger issue is that the system is designed to accomodate the possiblity of corruption in the JCF. This system is the (My Name)e system which has caused the unlawful deaths for numerous youths across the island, none of whom had the voice to speak for them after their passing.
Sonnieko's death was not just an isolated unlawful act. It is the product of a flawed system of justice, or might i say a perfected system of injustice, which allows officers of the (law) to cover their tracks when they make poor judgement and without accosting their victims, murder them from many metres away.
Sonnieko's death is a spark. We are the fire. We must be the change that will affect the history of our island going forward. I knew Sonnieko was destined for greatness. There could be no greater outcome than this, for Sonnieko's passing. Let us unite to achieve this end.
Join the group for updates at the following link:
In 1661, Freswick was sold by the Mowats to William Sinclair of Rattar, and with the new ownership, it is likely that a new phase of building was undertaken. William Sinclair, whose son John by his first marriage inherited Rattar, was followed as laird of Freswick successively by all three of his sons from his second marriage. none of whom had children. Succession then passed to William Sinclair, second son of John of Rattar. William was a gentleman of ability and of considerable local note. He enlarged both his estates and his house, as well as being leader of one of the two political parties into which Caithness was then divided (neither of which was the SNP!).
So often, many potential Customers/Clients
ask for a "free drawing" to see what I can make for them.
Do they think- EVER- of asking a Doctor to give them free Medical Advice? Would they ask a Criminal Defense Attny for
some free advice?
How many Plumbers come visit your home or business for "free"?
Then WHY IN H£LL
would any person
want a talented Designer to offer them
a FREE DESIGN Drawing ,
to show them what I can build for them?
Another shot of the mantis threat display intended to cause fear and intimidation...
As well as the wings featured in the last image, notice here the forelegs displayed uprightly and widely apart. The false eyespots on its inner forearms are meant to look like large and scary eyes, adding to the intimidation factor. What AREN'T false are all the barbs and thorns on its forearms, adding both fear and the ability to keep prey in its grasp once its been captured.