how can i tell this story and not go on and on about it? okay, i invited two of my girlfriends to come down and hand out Halloween candy on my mother's front porch. it's a wild thing on Union St. in Concord. On South Union (where i live) there are hundreds and hundreds of kids (and parents). On North Union, where some of the houses are more mansion-size, there probably are two or three thousand kids (and parents). The girls walked down from my apt. building. Becky had made some meat sauce for pasta, and Linda had bought about 600 pieces of candy, and a bottle of wine and some angel hair. i was going to go to the grocery and buy all this stuff, but because my sister was in a panic (she had a wheel bearing or something go out, and instead of parking her car she drove several miles on a flat, shredded the tire, and probably destroyed the rim, so she could get to my mother's house and I could help her), I let her have my car to take to Winston-Salem, even though it's been a long time since she drove a stick shift, and she was going to get a dog, and i've never loaned my car to anybody before. the only other option was to take my sister up there, and then i would miss my party. so anyway, Becky and Linda and I sat out on the porch with the candy. the kids would come up, and Becky would often take a picture, and the girls were handing out the candy, and i was offering a running commentary that i won't repeat here. my commentary is sort of r-rated (regarding mother's of children, and teenage girls dressed up like Playboy bunnies), and, well, you sort of had to be there. we were drinking a little wine, and we had a great time. Becky is going to email the photos to me tomorrow and i will post a bunch of them.

so then we ran out of candy, and i came inside to get the dinner ready. angel hair with meat sauce, a big bowl of salad, and garlic bread made out of English muffins. And just as i was getting ready to serve the plates, my sister walks in, and she has this rescue dog which turns out to be a puppy, and you know i hate words like "darling" (said of children), "stunning (said of women on Ebay, 1 out of a 1000 of whom actually is), and "adorable" (said of infants and whatever). Well, this damn dog, this puppy, this thing that looks pure-bred to me but my sister says it might be a mix of German short-hair and some kind of English pointer), this puppy was adorable. Becky, my friend from my apt. building, has this little miniature poodle named Snickerdoodle, and Snickerdoodle is an excitable dog, but this damn puppy is like a crazy dog, running around the house, playing this dog play, spinning circles around Snickerdoodle, tearing everything up, I mean, mrwaterslide fell in love with this dog. he's a cat person. the puppy was a little female puppy, and her name was/is Clancy. if my sister didn't like the name, she would change it, and of course if somebody adopts the dog, they can rename it. but Clancy is a cool name for a girl---if i had a little girl i would name her Clancy and encourage her to play lots of sports. my sister likes the name---she's not going to change it.

this little pointer dog has a coat like a dalmation, but then on one hindquarter and one flank, there are two big black patches. mrwaterslide let Clancy lick his face.

we might add that our sister, with whom we have not, in recent times, had such good relations (they are improving) looked radiant. she looked as good as she's looked since she was 35 (she's two years older than mrwaterslide) and becky took some pictures, so maybe tomorrow and in succeeding days mrwaterslide will share.

the girls loved the pasta. antiquedogphotos ate hers without sauce (she is a vegetarian, duh!) and then the girls walked home, and after turning his car around so his sister could drive it to her house and keep it overnight (she said she wasn't so good at putting it in reverse), mrwaterslide walked fast to catch up with the girls and accompany them to the apt. building, where they are safe in their own apts. and now he's back at his mother's house to do the dishes and go home to bed for some well-earned sleep.

yours, mrwaterslide

Great detail, eh? Ugh. This game is hard, already.

Well, dear readers. Do you realize, that in just under 6 years of livejournal usage, spreading the gamut from 3-times-a-day bleed your heart out angsty 18 year old entries to nothing but photos, I have never once actually, directly talked about a relationship? There have been implications via general happiness and photos, but never an actual direct reference to a beau, boyfriend, or a tale of dating. I mean. Those who weren't stupid figured it out, but still. I never actually talked about it here.

I know at least one person noticed that. actually pointed it out once.

Much like Liz before me, I know my first love would not want to be called out here. So for the purposes of this entry, lets call him Alec Baldwin.

I met my first love via this website, actually. We have some mutual friends. He found me, we began interacting in October or November of my junior year of college. We started talking via email and then yahoo messenger. I found out he worked in the city I went to school in, and as we talked more and more, I found myself falling more and more. It drove me crazy. I was 20 at the time, and the age difference was substantial - he was more than twice my age. I was a very unexperienced person at this point in my life. I had come out just one year prior; I had had but one kiss, and certainly had never been on a date. Alec was/is a charming, handsome man with a very kind and sensitive heart, inside a rugged, manly world. He was understanding and patient, and we connected on a variety of levels. I wasn't sure how to handle being attracted to someone so much older and I was still not entirely comfortable with the fact that I was attracted to men in general, really. I was, really, too scared to actually meet this person. I wasn't sure what I wanted, and I was even shyer than I am now, and ... well. Yeah.

I had a nice streak of emo angst over it. And then finally, on February 16th, 2007, after fretting my way around an email until 3:32 AM, I finally got the gall up and pressed send.

Heylo Alec-

this here's Todd (duh), and I'm writing to say that today (it's officially friday) I'm free between 10:20 and 1:30 if you want to meet up for coffee/lunch or somefing. I'm kind'f springing this at the last moment... and you have work, so I'm expecting the answer will be a no for today... but let it be known that my pluck is officially greater than 0. Hope that you have a good morning time period, as I'm fairly sure thats when this will reach you. I meant to bring it up tonight, but I forgot. Lemme know what the verdict is via email or the power of the cell: XXX-XXX-XXXX (if I don't answer I'm in class)

Hugs

-Todd

He replied. We didn't end up getting lunch or lunchtime coffee, but I was free in the late afternoon, and he was too. I made my way to his office, more nervous than I could possibly explain. I still feel nervous just remembering it.

I tapped the car in front of mine parking. I parked illegally and got a ticket, actually. Too nervous to pay attention. I was shaking as I got out of the car, wandered to the door to his building, and when I got there, he came to find me in the hallway. He was exactly as cute as any pictures I had seen. And his personality was everything in person it had been in our emails and chats. He offered me coffee. I don't even know if I accepted. And we went to his office. It was big, I sat on the couch, he sat in a comfy chair. And we just talked. It was wonderful and I spent the entire time nervously flipping out in my head, trying not to blush or embarass myself. When the time came to leave it had been many hours, and we had a long hug.

This was a friday. The weekend came. The weekend passed. I went skiing. I thought about every word. I. Was. Hooked. I got a note on monday afternoon asking if I wanted to get dinner that night. I did. I definetly did.

We met in the parking lot of the nearby Chili's. We sat, ate, and talked about this and that. He handed me the crayon in the above photo, pointing out that it was my favorite color and a color of power. I was in awe of this man in front of me who was [and is] wonderful, thoughtful, funny, smart.

Dinner ended. We walked to my car. I went for a hug, and somehow had a kiss. My mind was blown. THIS was what a kiss should feel like. [zomg I'm totally blushing at my desk just writing this.]

Within a few weeks, I had traveled to his home and spent the day. I quickly realized the age difference did not in the slightest bother me. Happiness outweighed it, and my friends were all just happy that I was happy. They didn't care about the age. I had the majority of my firsts, a wide world opened up. I told him I loved him. He returned it. We cried. There was great happiness. Things grew, bonds were created. I was head over heels. We were head over heels. It was wonderful. Which, really, is how it should have been. We spent our time making at least one night a week together. Some times at his house, some times in Providence.

We were together until my first fall in Boston. [Note the period of EXTREMELY negative 365 self-portraits around that time.]

I don't want to get into the break-up part. It was dragged out a bit longer than it should have been. It got nasty, I got passive aggressive. Let's just say there was a difference of opinion on whether or not the age difference would be/was a problem. I eventually called him and told him I couldn't see him anymore. We were both broken by it. I have seen him once since, but it was way too soon. We've resumed phone contact, which is nice. I hope to be able to hang out with him at some point, I'm trying to make sure time is taken so no one gets hurt by it. I have hope and faith it will be sooner than later, though.

[Full list of questions]

Actually a random shot but later we called it LIB :-) Do you see the connection?

This might actually be the back of Cook Inlet as I can't seem to find a name for this river just beyond Portage on the Seward Highway.

It's like every time I'm nearing completion I begin yet another extension.

Actually on sale card from Italy / Italia, Lombardy / Lombardia, Milan / Milano / Mailand, featuring FIAT Fiorino + Doblo taxi, VOLVO V40 taxi, a bus and others

Actually she was Canadian. ;)

Bk.

Actually, it just means "lucky."

Day 6 of the trip.

There was discussion this morning on how many orchid species we have actually seen, it is possibly either 39 or 40. Which is quite amazing, really.

And there was the promise of yet more species through the day.

I was up at six, and after a shower, I went for a walk to the coffee shop for a double Greek coffee and one of the small sesame seed coated baguettes they sell, which I ate in the French way, dipping mouthfulls in the coffee.

Yummy.

I walked back to the hotel, with the sound of a Hoopoe echoing around the village, though I never got a look at the bird, I do know its call.

ack at the hotel I had second breakfast of Greek yogurt, fruit and a slice of cake, and yet more coffee. I felt I could take on anything.

So, at nine we loaded up the busses and headed to the wooded hill in the centre of the island where we got out and straight away were shown the first rarity of the day, a Milky Orchid, which is a small understated orchid.

We took turns to photograph it, then moved on up the slope where we found the next rarity, Neotinea maculata, known as the Dense Flowered Orchid, which is found in some places back home, but not Kent. It is a cousin of the Milky, but looks very different. Just a handful of these tiny orchids were found, some more delicate than others.

Over the hill and down a slope came the only disappointment, just unopened spikes of the very rare Limodorum abortivum, a half dozen round the foot of a fir tree. We hope to return on the way to the airport on Saturday, but in the end, time beat us.

We walked back to the car, and drove a short distance where at a rocky outcrop we found smaller Milky Orchids, missed by the herds of feral goats.

We moved on.

To a dry site next, where we had hoped to find a coterie of spikes, but found just one impressive Ophrys mammosa, which we all snapped anyway.

We had lunch, and as well as the usual rolls, we had pastries and stuffed vine leaves cooked by the mother-in-law of the owner of the tour company.

Along a river valley, we stopped to see the largest colony of Orchis italica on the island. We took our time to record those, and with that came the realisation that we were running out of orchids.

-------------------------------------------

O. italica was first described by Poiret from Italy in 1798. Since that date it has become perhaps the most familiar of Mediterranean orchids, arguably the most abundant. It is a member of the O. militaris group and commonly known as the Naked Man Orchid, a reference to the general outline of the flower.

O. italica is widespread in the southern Mediterranean and may be found from North Africa up to central Italy and central Spain whilst in the east it reaches Israel and is particularly common in Greece, the Aegean basin, Crete and Cyprus. The species is not a particularly variable one and its colouration is usually pink, although white is not at all uncommon and in Sicily there exists a hyperchromatic variant, purpurea that is deep red. As one would expect with such a plentiful species, hybridization is frequent, particularly with O. militaris group members, one of the commoner hybrids being O. italica x anthropophora. Intergeneric hybridizations have also been recorded.

O. italica is a robust orchid that can reach 70cms and contain up to a hundred individual florets within the inflorescence. The flowers are distinctive and notable for the length of the appendage between the secondary lobes (legs) of the lip, this being an easy differentiator when comparing to O. militaris with its much stubbier appendage and secondary lobes. The leaves are also a distinct feature of the species, being significantly undulate and forming a tight and unmistakable pale green rosette.

Unlike most of the O. militaris group, O. italica it is not restricted to alkaline substrates and tolerates most nutrient poor soils, where it is often the only orchid species present.

www.orchidsofbritainandeurope.co.uk/Orchis italica.html

Equirectangular panorama built from 33 pictures (EXIF data from the first one).

See also its stereographic projection.

After that older metapanorama, I figured this one would be something nice to upload on my birthday.

Now you know why I took some special attention to build a high definition version of the displayed planet.

Actually "Mysteries of Unexplored Worlds" number 47. Cover and interior art by Bill Fracio and Tony Tallarico. Written by Joe Gill.

Actually a Daimler

Rainbow actually is all around us :)

The photo taken through polarized sunglasses

I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Allah’s peace be upon Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), the glorious Prophet of Islam, and on his Companions and his followers.

TASAWWUF

"There is no doubt that Tasawwuf is an important branch of Islam. The word itself may have been derived form the Arabic word "Soof" (Wool) or from "Safa" (cleanliness), but its foundation lies in one’s personal sincerity in seeking Allah’s nearness and trying to live a life pleasing to Him. Study of the Quran, the Hadith, and the practical life of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) and his faithful Companions provide unmistakable support to this reality." (Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A)

SUFISM, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ISLAM

Doubts exist not only in the minds of the Muslim faithful but also among the Ulema, notably the exoteric about Tasawwuf and its votaries. Often they lead to misunderstanding, as if Shariah and Tariqah were two separate entries, or that Tasawwuf was some obscure discipline foreign to Islam, or that it was altogether above the established laws and injunctions of our Religion. To help remove these misgivings and to reassure seekers, as well as scholars, our Sheikh Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), Sheikh Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia, wrote Al-Jamal Wal Kamal, Aqaid-O-Kamalaat Ulmai-e-Deoband, Binat-e-Rasool (S.A.W), Daamad-e-Ali (R.A), Dalael-us-Salook, Ejaad-e-Mazhab Shia, Hayat-un-Nabi (S.A.W), Hayat Barzakhia, Ilm-o-Irfan, Niffaz-e-Shariat Aur Fiqah-e-Jaferia, Saif-e-Owaisi, Shikast-e-Ahdai Hussain and Tahkeek Halal Haram books.

BIOGRAPHY

Sheikh Allah Yar Khan was born in Chakrala, a remote village of Mianwali District of Pakistan, in 1904. He completed his religious education in 1934. The very year, he met Shaykh Abdul Rahim, who took him to the shrine of Shaykh Allah Deen Madni. By Divine Will his spiritual connection was right away established with the saint of the 10th century Hijra (sixteenth century) and he started receiving spiritual beneficence. His sublime education in Sufism, signifying progressive spiritual growth and advancement, continued for about twenty-five years. In 1962 he was directed to carry out the propagation of Prophetic blessings - a noble mission that he accomplished with singular enthusiasm and devotion for a period spanning half a century. Anybody who visited him was duly rewarded with a share of spiritual bliss as per his/her sincerity and capacity. Shaykh Allah Yar Khan's mission produced men and women of deep spiritual vision and distinction.

Although Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A) have lived a major portion of his life as a scholar, with the avowed mission of illuminating the truth of Islam and the negation of fallacious sects, and this would appear quite removed from Tasawwuf, yet the only practical difference between the two, namely the use of the former as a media to expound the truth, and the latter to imbue people with positive faith. Nevertheless, people are amazed that a man, who until the other day, was known as a dialectician and a preacher of Islam, is not only talking of Mystic Path, but is also claiming spiritual bonds with the veteran Sufi Masters of the Past. This amazement is obviously out of place in the view of Quranic injunction: This is the bounty of Allah which He gives to whom He wills. (62:4)

THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL

The purification of the soul always formed part of the main mission of the Prophets; that is, the dissemination and propagation of the Devine Message. This responsibility later fell directly on the shoulders of the true Ulema in the Ummah of the last Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), who, as his genuine successors, have continued to shed brave light in every Dark Age of materialism and sacrilege. In the present age of ruinous confusion, the importance of this responsibility has increased manifold; of the utter neglect of Islam by Muslims has not only driven them to misery, but also grievously weakened their bonds of faith in Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). The decay in their belief and consequent perversion in their conduct has reached a stage that any attempt to pull them out of the depth of ignominy and the heedless chaos of faithlessness, attracts grave uncertainties and apprehensions rather than a encouraging will to follow the Shariah, to purify the soul and to reform within. The Quranic Verse: Layers upon layers of darkness… (24:40) provides the nearest expression of their present state.

SHARIAH & SUFISM

Any action against the Sunnah (Prophet’s way of life) cannot be called Sufism. Singing and dancing, and the prostration on tombs are not part of Sufism. Nor is predicting the future and predicting the outcome of cases in the courts of law, a part of Sufism. Sufis are not required to abandon their worldly possessions or live in the wilderness far from the practical world. In fact these absurdities are just its opposites. It is an established fact that Tazkiyah (soul purification) stands for that inner purity which inspires a person’s spirit to obey the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). If a false claimant of Sufism teaches tricks and jugglery, ignoring religious obligations, he is an impostor. A true Sheikh will lead a believer to the august spiritual audience of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). If you are fortunate enough to be blessed with the company of an accomplished spiritual guide and Sheikh of Sufism, and if you follow his instructions, you will observe a positive change in yourself, transferring you from vice to virtue.

ISLAM, AS A COMPLETE CODE OF LIFE

Islam, as a complete code of life or Deen, was perfected during the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). He was the sole teacher and his mosque was the core institution for the community. Although Islam in its entirety was practiced during that blessed era, the classification and compilation of its knowledge into distinct branches like ‘Tafsir’ (interpretation of the Quran), Hadith (traditions or sayings of the holy Prophet- SAWS), Fiqh (Islamic law), and Sufism (the soul purification) were undertaken subsequently. This Deen of Allah passed from the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) to his illustrious Companions in two ways: the outward and the inward. The former comprised the knowledge defined by speech and conduct, i.e., the Quran and Sunnah. The latter comprised the invisible blessings or the Prophetic lights transmitted by his blessed self. These blessings purified the hearts and instilled in them a passionate desire to follow Islam with utmost love, honesty and loyalty.

WHAT’S SUFISM

Sufism is the attempt to attain these Barakah (Blessings). The Companions handed down Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) teachings as well as blessings to the Taba’een. Their strong hearts were capable of infusing these blessings into the hearts of their followers. Both aspects of Islam were similarly passed on by the Taba’een to the Taba Taba’een. The compilation of knowledge and its interpretation led to the establishment of many schools of religious thought; famous four being the Hanafi, the Hanbali, the Maliki, and the Shafa'i, all named after their founders. Similarly, in order to acquire, safeguard and distribute his blessings, an organized effort was initiated by four schools of Sufism: The Naqshbandia, the Qadria, the Chishtia, and the Suharwardia. These schools were also named after their organizers and came to be known as Sufi Orders. All these Orders intend to purify the hearts of sincere Muslims with Prophetic lights. These Sufi Orders also grew into many branches with the passage of time and are known by other names as well. The holy Quran has linked success in this life and the Hereafter with Tazkiyah (soul purification). He, who purified, is successful. (87: 14) Sufi Orders of Islam are the institutions where the basics of Tazkiyah (soul purification) and its practical application are taught. They have graded programs in which every new seeker is instructed in Zikr-e Lisani (oral Zikr) and is finally taught the Zikr-e Qalbi (Remembrance in heart).

ZIKR-E QALBI

However, in the Naqshbandia Order, Zikr-e Qalbi is practiced from the very beginning. Adherence to the Sunnah (Prophet’s way of life) is greatly emphasized in this Order, because the seeker achieves greater and quicker progress through its blessings. The essence of Zikr is that the Qalb should sincerely accept Islamic beliefs and gain the strength to follow the Sunnah with even greater devotion. ‘If the heart is acquainted with Allah and is engaged in His Zikr; then it is filled with Barakaat-e Nabuwwat (Prophetic blessings) which infuse their purity in the mind and body. This not only helps in controlling sensual drives but also removes traces of abhorrence, voracity, envy and insecurity from human soul. The person therefore becomes an embodiment of love, both for the Divine and the corporeal. This is the meaning of a Hadith, “There is a lump of flesh in the human body; if it goes astray the entire body is misguided, and if it is reformed the entire body is reformed. Know that this lump is the Qalb”.’

PAS ANFAS

Recent History Khawajah Naqshband (d. 1389 CE) organized the Naqshbandia Order at Bukhara (Central Asia). This Order has two main branches – the Mujaddidia and the Owaisiah. The former is identified with Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi, known as Mujaddid Alif Sani (literally: reviver of the second Muslim millennium), a successor to Khawajah Baqi Billah, who introduced the Order to the Indo- Pakistan sub-continent. The Owaisiah Order employs a similar method of Zikr but acquires the Prophetic blessings in the manner of Khawajah Owais Qarni, who received this beneficence from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) without a formal physical meeting. The Zikr employed by the Naqshbandia is ‘Zikr-e Khafi Qalbi’ (remembrance of Allah’s Name within the heart) and the method is termed ‘Pas Anfas’, which (in Persian) means guarding every breath. The Chain of Transmission of these Barakah, of course, emanates from the holy Prophet- SAWS.

SPIRITUAL BAI’AT (OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

It is necessary in all Sufi Orders that the Sheikh and the seekers must be contemporaries and must physically meet each other for the transfer of these blessings. However, the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order goes beyond this requirement and Sufis of this Order receive these Barakah regardless of physical meeting with their Sheikh or even when the Sheikh is not their contemporary. Yet, it must be underscored that physical meeting with the Sheikh of this Order still holds great importance in dissemination of these Barakah. Sheikh Sirhindi writes about the Owaisiah Order in his book ‘Tazkirah’: ‘It is the most sublime, the most exalted, and the most effective…and the highest station of all others is only its stepping stone.’ By far the greatest singular distinction of the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order is the honor of Spiritual Bai’at (Oath of Allegiance) directly at the blessed hands of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

SHEIKH HAZRAT MOULANA ALLAH YAR KHAN (R.A)

The Reviver Sheikh Allah Yar Khan was born in Chikrala, a remote village of Mianwali District of Pakistan, in 1904. He completed his religious education in 1934. The same year, he met Sheikh ‘Abdul Rahim, who took him to the shrine of Sheikh Allah Deen Madni. By Divine Will his spiritual connection was immediately established with the saint of the 10th century Hijra (sixteenth century CE) and he started receiving spiritual beneficence. His sublime education in Sufism, signifying progressive spiritual growth and advancement, continued for about twenty-five years, after which he was directed to undertake the propagation of Prophetic blessings - a noble mission that he accomplished with singular zeal and dedication for a period spanning half a century. Anybody who visited him was duly rewarded with a share of spiritual bliss commensurate with his/her sincerity and capacity. Sheikh Allah Yar Khan’s mission produced men and women of deep spiritual vision and eminence. He authored eighteen books, the most distinguished being Dalael us-Sulook (Sufism - An Objective Appraisal), Hayat-e Barzakhiah (Life Beyond Life) and Israr ul- Haramain (Secrets of the two holy Mosques). He was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished Sufi saints of the Muslim Ummah and a reviver of the Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order. He passed away on 18 February 1984 in Islamabad at the age of eighty.

THE CHAIN OF TRANSMISSION OF NAQSHBANDIA OWAISIAH

1. Hazrat Muhammad ur-Rasool Allah (Sall Allah-o Alaihi wa Sallam), 2. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (Radhi Allah-o Unho), 3. Hazrat Imam Hassan Basri (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 4. Hazrat Daud Tai (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 5. Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 6. Hazrat Ubaid Ullah Ahrar (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 7. Hazrat Abdur Rahman Jami (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 8. Hazrat Abu Ayub Muhammad Salih (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 9. Hazrat Allah Deen Madni (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi), 10. Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (Rahmat Ullah Alaihi).

THE SPIRIT OR RUH

The spirit or Ruh of every person is a created reflection of the Divine Attributes and it originates in Alam-e Amar (Realm of Command). Its food is the Light of Allah or the Divine Refulgence, which it acquires from the Realm of Command through the holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s choicest favors and peace be upon him), whose status in the spiritual world is like that of the sun in the solar system. The Quran refers to him as the ‘bright lamp’. Indeed, he is the divinely selected channel of all Barakah. All Exalted Messengers themselves receive these Barakah from him.

LATAIF

The human Ruh also possesses vital organs like the physical body; through which it acquires its knowledge, food and energy. These are called Lataif (singular Latifah: subtlety). Scholars of various Sufi Orders have associated them with specific areas of the human body. The Naqshbandia Owaisiah Order identifies these Lataif as follows. First - Qalb: This spiritual faculty is located within the physical heart. Its function is Zikr. Its strength increases one’s capacity for Allah’s Zikr. Second – Ruh: The site of this Latifah, which is a distinct faculty of the human Ruh, is on the right side of the chest at the level of Qalb. Its primary function is concentration towards Allah. Third – Sirri: This is located above the Qalb and functions to make possible Kashf. Forth – Khaffi: This is located above the Ruh and functions to perceive the omnipresence of Allah. Fifth – Akhfa: This is located in the middle of chest, at the centre of the first four Lataif and makes it possible for the Ruh to perceive the closeness of Allah, Who is closer to us than our own selves. Sixth – Nafs: This Latifah is located at the forehead and functions to purify the human soul. Seventh – Sultan al-Azkar: This Latifah is located at the top centre of the head and serves to absorb the Barakah of Allah into the entire body, so that every cell resonates with Zikr.

FIVE EXALTED MESSENGERS OF GOD

There are Five Exalted Messengers among the many known and unknown Messengers of Allah. They are Hazrat Muhammad, Hazrat Nuh (Noah), Hazrat Ibrahim (Abraham), Hazrat Musa (Moses), and Hazrat Esa (Jesus), peace be upon them all. Hazrat Adam is the first Prophet of Allah and the father of mankind. Each Latifah is associated with a particular Prophet. The Barakah and lights from Hazrat Adam (peace be upon him), descend on the first Latifah Qalb; its lights are reflected from the first heaven and are yellowish. The second Latifah is associated with Hazrat Nuh and Hazrat Ibrahim (peace be upon them). Its lights descend from the second heaven and appear as golden red. The lights descending upon the third Latifah are from Hazrat Musa (peace be upon him) and are white. One the fourth Latifah, the lights of Hazrat Esa (peace be upon him) descend from the fourth heaven and are deep blue. The fifth Latifah receives its Barakah directly from the holy Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s choicest favors and peace be upon him). The lights associated with this Latifah are green, descend from the fifth heaven, and overwhelm all the first four Lataif. The Lights descending upon the sixth and seventh Lataif are the Divine Lights, whose color and condition cannot be determined. These are like flashes of lightening that defy comprehension. If Allah blesses a seeker with Kashf, he can observe all of this. The vision is slightly diffused in the beginning, but gradually the clarity improves.

SULOOK

Stages of the Path After all seven Lataif of a seeker have been illuminated with Divine Lights through Tawajjuh of the Sheikh and his Ruh has acquired the ability to fly, the Sheikh initiates its journey on the sublime Path of Divine nearness. The Path is known as Sulook, and its stages are not hypothetical imaginations but real and actually existing stations on the spiritual Path. These are also referred to as Meditations, because a seeker mentally meditates about a station while his/her Ruh actually ascends towards it. The first three stations that form the base of whole Sulook are described as; Ahadiyyat, a station of Absolute Unity of Divinity. It is above and beyond the seven heavens. It is so vast a station that the seven heavens and all that they encompass are lost within Ahadiyyat as a ring is lost in a vast desert. Its lights are white in color. Maiyyat station denotes Divine Company, ‘He is with you, wherever you might be.’ This station is so vast that Ahadiyyat along with the seven heavens beneath are lost within it as a ring is lost in a desert. Its lights are green in color. Aqrabiyyat station denotes Divine Nearness, ‘He is nearer to you than your life- vein.’ Again, Aqrabiyyat is vast as compared to Maiyyat in the same proportion. Its lights are golden red and are reflected from the Divine Throne. It is indeed the greatest favor of Almighty Allah that He blesses a seeker with an accomplished Sheikh, who takes him to these sublime stations. The final station that a seeker attains to during his/her lifetime becomes his/her Iliyyeen (blessed abode) in Barzakh and his/her Ruh stays at this station after death.

ZIKR

Why is Zikr Necessary for Everyone? Allah ordains every soul in the Quran to Perform Zikr. This not only means reciting the Quran and Tasbeeh but also Zikr-e Qalb. It is only through Zikr-e Qalbi that Prophetic Lights reach the depths of human soul and purify it from all vice and evil. Zikr infuses a realization of constant Divine Presence and a seeker feels great improvement in the level of sincerity and love towards Allah and the holy Prophet- SAWS. Such levels of sincerity, love and feelings of Divine Presence can never be obtained without Zikr. It would be a mistake to believe that Zikr may be a requirement only for the very pious and virtuous people. Zikr provides the Prophetic blessings which are in effect the life line of every human soul. It transforms even the most corrupted humans into virtuous souls by bringing out the best in them. The fact is that Zikr is the only way to achieve true contentment and satisfaction in life. The holy Quran has pointed to this eternal fact that it is only through Zikr Allah that hearts can find satisfaction. Such satisfaction and peace are the ultimate requirements of every person, regardless of religion, race and ethnicity. Practicing Zikr regularly removes all traces of anxiety and restlessness, and guides the human soul to eternal bliss and peace.

KHALIFA MAJAZEEN

Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), during his life time in 1974, presented a nomination list to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), during Maraqba, of expected Khalifa Majazeen for Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) approved some names, deleted some of the names, and added down the name of Major Ghulam Muhammad as also Khalifa Majaaz of Silsila Naqshbandia Awaisia (which was not previously included in the list)

The approved names at that time included:

1. Mr. Muhammad Akram Awan Sahib,

2. Mr. Sayed Bunyad Hussain Shah Sahib,

3. Mr. Major Ahsan Baig Sahib,

4. Mr. Col. Matloob Hussain Sahib,

5. Mr. Major Ghulam Muhammad Sahib of Wan Bhachran Mianwali,

6. Mr. Molvi Abdul Haq Sahib,

7. Mr. Hafiz Abdul Razzaq Sahib,

8. Mr. Hafiz Ghulam Qadri Sahib,

9. Mr. Khan Muhammad Irani Sahib,

10. Mr. Maolana Abdul Ghafoor Sahib,

11. Mr. Syed Muhammad Hassan Sahib of Zohb.

These Majazeen were authorized to; held Majalis of Zikar (Pas Anfas) in their respective areas, arrange Majalis of Zikar in neighboring areas, train them on the way of Sulook, prepare them for Spiritual Bai’at (Oath of Allegiance), and present them to Sheikh Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan for Spiritual Bai’at at the Hand of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), in the life of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A), and were all equal in status as Khalifa Majaaz of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A).

Presently we are following Hazrat Major ® Ghulam Muhammad Sahib, Khalifa Majaaz of Hazrat Moulana Allah Yar Khan (R.A).

Actually, she didn't really like it. She just took out all the pumpkin seeds and wanted to leave the party ;)

Actually, I am highly entamophobic :-). I still remember an incident when a praying mantis landed on my shoulder and I literally froze for a good 15 mins until one of my friend, after laughing his intestines out, shrugged it off and finally i could breathe:-)

Focusing this one through the viewfinder gave me goosebumps and now i think i'm getting over it :-). Wish I could use an external flash and furthur narowed down on the aperture to get more depth of field but my kit was lying in my car and i didn't want to miss this one.

Actually there were two brief showers during my visit to this area of Galway.

Claddagh is an area close to the centre of Galway city, where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay. It was a fishing village, just outside the old city walls. It is just across the river from the Spanish Arch, which was the location of regular fish markets where the locals supplied the city with seafood as recently as the end of the 19th century. People have been gathering seafood and fishing from the area for millennia. It is one of the oldest former fishing villages in Ireland - its existence having been recorded since the arrival of Christianity in the 5th century.

During the 19th century the Claddagh attracted many visitors, including writers who spread its fame. The original village of thatched cottages was razed in the 1930s and replaced by a council-housing scheme.

actually, picture taken at the Layton Store shed, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Long Island, New York

I actually finished one! I thought that the figuring of the pre-printed fabrics would keep me from doing it until the last minute but now I have them all calculated and strips cut and I'm ready to go! And 12 days to spare until the swap deadline.

Block measures 3.5 inches square.

**The rolling pin is indeed going into the seam allowance. It's 3.25 inches long. So it'll just have to be artistic like that. It's what happens when you're working with a premade rubber stamp, I suppose.

Yes, I actually signed up of my own free will to take a test. Though, this test has no negative repercussions if it's failed. I've always wanted to be on JEOPARDY!, and watched it since I was a little kid, so I thought I'd give College JEOPARDY! a shot.

Actually, Bald Eagle, Lucky club, and Lucky strike aren't brothels...they're russian, ahem, hostess bars.

Lisette actually had a bit of the old diva dog in her this week. She even enjoyed posing for me for the first time since December.

14.5 yr. old Lisette has had a surge of energy this week. She was half down for the count after bloating in Jan. And having a cyst on her rump burst and leave a large gaping wound that would not heal. Many vet visits later, little progress, until one vet pushed us hard to do a blood test. She thought it might help us make a decision what to do. . . Ah, the journey of life with a senior dog. Miraculously, the blood tests came back relatively healthy, just a little anemic. I decided to start cooking and feeding her chicken livers, and now she is bouncing back a little. She's gained a pound, and has a spring in her step again, and more wags in her tail.

There are still problems. Mild incontinence, and now the side effects of Proin and hormones are intolerable for her. We're trying an herbal mixture called bladder control. (I'm open to your suggestions about other treatments for incontinence - she is an older spayed female. And also ideas about what might help her gain weight.) Her wound has partially healed, but still has a way to go. She is still a skeleton, but has had a good appetite all along. She is very happy to be with us. Perhaps we have a bit more time. We are blessed to have each other.

Taken 5/3/14, uploaded 5/4/14, 2014 05 03 ar72 SECl Lisette flowers wind KL-2765-Edit.tif-

Deep in the outskirts of East Berlin, a tired, haunted Castle hosts debauched revelries that began with pounding music, cheap German beer and thrilling dance sequences. The rituals culminated in intoxicated enlightenment, twisted spines and arizona dreams. The morning after was diabolical for some and a renaissance for others. It all depended on social status. Who was in, who was out.

Actually Rakowiec neighbourhood in Warsaw

march 2013

centralny.info/en/blog/26/2013/

Sweet Talkin' Guy

Chiffons

Laurie LLP 2036

1966

Actually he is more like Happy Diablito but come on check The Ninja Glamour :)

Mexico DF, Mexico, May 3th 2009

One and half y.o.

Digital, Mark II, 24-70 Canon Zoom Lens, 21 MgPx

Actually a planter, and yes, that's a tongue

Bodhisattva from Gandara, Peshawar.

Here it is…my last big vacation of 2015. It also happened to be the longest of the year. I’ve actually put off editing these pictures (until this week – mid-January 2016). I’ve been putting this off because, honestly, I have very mixed emotions about the trip.

I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about India and all the Indians I met there – better things yet to say about Indian cuisine. However, I didn’t travel alone, and that caused quite a bit of headaches. So, I’ve been lazier than usual about going through these. However, in looking at them, I’m starting to dwell only on the good side, and hopefully will show that here. (I won’t mention anything else about what or why I didn’t enjoy the trip. Honestly, I hope to go back to India again sometime. It’s the 7th largest country in the world and has a lot to see…)

This particular trip was 13 days…and very localized. We only visited two states: Rajasthan (RJ) and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Also Delhi, though I didn’t go out in Delhi and don’t have a single picture to show for it. In those two weeks, we took the following tour, in this order: landed in Delhi (at 3:00 a.m.) on September 26. At 7:30 a.m., we were on a bus to our first destination: Rajasthan.

The first week we spent in Rajasthan visiting each of these cities for approximately two days: Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. (I found myself thinking, “There sure are a lot of ‘purs’ here…just like there are a of ‘zhous’ in China – Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, Zhouzhou. ‘Pur,’ like ‘zhou,’ apparently means “town.”) Rajasthan is hot. Damn hot. Even in late September the daytime temperatures seemed to soar close to 40 degrees. At least 35, for certain… Rajasthan has a lot of desert terrain and many castles. Quite a few old palaces are out in Rajasthan, so it can tend to have a bit of a romantic feel to it.

After finishing in Rajasthan, we went over to Uttar Pradesh for literally one afternoon seeing the Taj Mahal in Agra, before shuffling off to the holy city of Varanasi (one of Hinduism’s most famous – if not the most famous – cities). From Varanasi, we took an 18 hour train ride (during which I apparently ate something so nasty that it stayed with me…for close to three months). Note to readers: Try to avoid eating on Indian trains. After another two days in Delhi, we flew back around 4:00 in the morning on October 9. For now…back to the beginning in Jaipur.

Jaipur is famously called the Pink City. A lot of the old town architecture is pink, so…well, you get the idea. It’s named for its founder, Jai Singh II (1688-1744), a great warrior-astronomer who assumed power at age 11 upon his father’s death.

The following is from Lonely Planet India: “Jai Singh could trace his lineage back to the Rajput clan of Kachhawas, who consolidated their power in the 12th century.” Their capital was at Amber (which is pronounced ahm-AIR…not AM-burr) about 10 kilometers northeast of town. This is northern India’s first planned city, if LP is being honest with me.

All I hope you get out of that is that this is an area with close to a millennium of “important” history to India, but the city of Jaipur as we see it now is only about 300-400 years old. Jaipur currently has a population of about three million. There’s an Old City (Pink City) which is where most of the tourists head – including yours truly – a new city, and….that’s about it. For my purposes (and in an attempt at brevity), I’ll say we went to the Central Museum (Albert Hall) south of the Old City. We also visited Hawa Mahal, Tripolia Bazaar (and Gate), and Jantar Mantar in the Old City. Other than that, we went to Amber Fort for a few hours.

Things started innocuously enough. We had left Delhi at 7:30 in the morning and gotten to Jaipur about 5 hours later. We had one stop on the bus for breakfast. I don’t recall what I ate…some type of curry, of course, but I don’t recall which. It may have just been mutter paneer. It was, however, delicious, and I didn’t feel hungry at all again until dinner.

The bus. Bus transportation in India, by the way, is rather interesting. Sometimes they are private buses (the small kind that only hold 8-12 people), sometimes sleeper buses, sometimes regular coaches…but the regular coaches didn’t seem too common. There doesn’t seem to be any uniformity in India about this.

Anyway, the bus dropped us off right next to Amber Fort. Since this was one of the small 8-12 person jobs, it could pretty much stop and go where it pleased, it seems, and this one didn’t actually take us to Jaipur.

As soon as we got off the bus here, we hired a tuk tuk (san lun che, for you Chinese readers) that took us down to the Old City. There, we switched to another one that took us the 2-3 kilometers west of the Old City to the more quiet and residential Bani Park where our hotel (the Hotel Anuraag Villa, which turned out to be about the nicest one we stayed in) was located. The second tuk tuk driver is the one we hired to take us around that afternoon and the next day. For the first day, I paid 500 rupees (~50 RMB/$8) for 4-6 hours’ work. We checked in and he waited patiently as we ate lunch in the backyard of the hotel.

Our driver took us first to the Central Museum (Albert Hall) where we spent an hour or two in mid-afternoon. The museum itself isn’t too bad. It has standard fare: tribal dress, Buddhist sculptures, even an Egyptian mummy. The building itself, though, is worth seeing. Anyway, an hour here was more than enough time.

From there, we went to the Sun Temple (I think that’s what it’s called) where I enjoyed the late afternoon sun (and rather smoggy view, though not quite as smoggy as Chinese cities I’m accustomed to). After that, we ended up going to a rather nice restaurant that cost about 2500 rupees (250 RMB/$40) for two. I splurged. It was fantastic.

After a night of sleep that may or may not have transported me to an alternate universe (I sleep more deeply than most bears), I woke up ready to go the next morning. I hired the same tuk tuk driver to haul us around, and we went first to the Old City (Hawa Mahal, the Tripolia Bazaar, Jantar Mantar, and Amber Fort…plus another fort in the middle of the water whose name I’ve forgotten). Though the time was a little shorter than the previous day, I paid him 750 rupee, since he actually drove us around farther. That’s still just under $15, so I had no problem with that.

Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) is the most recognizable architectural building in the Pink City (though it’s technically just outside the Old City). It’s a five story building that was built by Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 to “enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city.” There are nice views of Jantar Mantar and the City Palace to the west and the Siredoori Bazaar directly across the street.

Jantar Mantar is an observatory that was built by Jai Singh in 1728. “Jantar mantar” is derived from the Sanskrit “yanta mantr,” which means “instrument of calculation.” There are some rather large, interesting, and certainly eclectic sculptures, all for measuring time among the heavens.

Amber Fort was the highlight of Jaipur for me. The Kachhawaha Rajputs ruled from here for over 800 years. This fort was built beginning in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh using war booty. It’s a royal palace built from pale yellow and pink sandstone with various courtyards. If you walk up the hill, you will enter the fort through the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) and find yourself in Jaleb Chowk (Main Square) where the armies presented to the king. Walking up the stairs from Jaleb Chowk will bring you to the second courtyard and Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience) with its double row of columns. The maharaja’s apartments are located around the third courtyard, which you enter through Ganesh Pol. On one side of the interior courtyard is the Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) which has many mirrored tiles. On the opposite side of Jai Mandir, across Maota Lake (a very small decorative pond, really) is Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure). The fourth courtyard has the zenana (women’s quarters), which were designed so the maharaja could make his nightly visits without the other women knowing about it. In all, the fort/palace and the views from the fort are wonderful. I won’t say “breathtaking” or “stunning,” but certainly worth the visit.

Once I bade farewell to the tuk tuk driver, we wandered around the Old City a little longer before heading over to the hotel for dinner and to see a puppet show (that was not free, but wasn’t advertised as costing anything; they basically try to shame you into “donating” when they’re done). After that, we headed to the train station for a midnight ride across the state on Indian Railways…the first of five train rides throughout these two weeks.

If anyone has seen Slumdog Millionaire, you saw Indian Railways in action…with people riding ON the cars, among other things. I didn’t see anything quite like that, but…the lowest class passenger cars were quite crowded. We were always in first- or second-class sleepers which, to me, didn’t differ too much from the style of sleeper cars in China, though they weren’t quite as nice. They were…very close to the same, at least from my experience.

So, goodbye Pink City and hello Golden City. Jaisalmer was a twelve hour ride due west from Jaipur, and we arrived sometime mid-morning. More to come…

actually i don't remember what this 15 originally means

▪️1.) "If anyone was ever capable of actually tearing the cover off the ball, it would be Double-X. . . . It sounded like cherry bombs going off when Foxx hit them." — Ted Williams

▪️2.) "Jimmie Foxx [is] maybe the greatest right-handed power hitter of all-time. When I first came up, I used to talk hitting with Jimmie whenever I had a chance. He was a friendly, warm person, always very helpful to everybody." — Hank Greenberg

▪️3.) "If I were catching blindfolded, I'd always know when it was Jimmie Foxx who connected. He hit the ball harder than anyone else." — Bill Dickey

▪️4.) "Foxx has abnormal strength in his two forearms, which permits him to handle a big war bludgeon as if it were a feather duster. This strength of hands, wrists, and arms gives him a lashing power, which might break up a ball game at any given moment." — Grantland Rice

▪️5.) "When I was 12, I could cut corn all day, help in the wheat fields, swing 200-pound bags of phosphate off a platform into a wagon. We had games on the farm to test strength and grip. . . . Another trick was to lift a 200-pound keg of nails without letting the keg touch your body. I could do that easily." — Jimmie Foxx

▪️6.) "He [Foxx] had great powerful arms, and he used to wear his sleeves cut off way up, and when he dug in and raised that bat, his muscles would bulge and ripple." — Ted Lyons

▪️7.) "Look at those shoulders! That boy’s a natural-born batting wonder. No more coddling or training could make a fence-buster like that! Jimmy Foxx was just a rookie when canny Connie Mack gave him that size-up. Four years later he was crowding the swat kings of both leagues." — Robert Ripley in a 1930 ad for Old Gold Cigarettes

▪️8.) "He [Foxx] has petrified Philadelphia baseball followers in recent days with a series of home runs that carried so far as to make open-mouthed spectators believe that it was an overt violation of Ruth's well-known copyright for distance." — Connie Mack (1930)

▪️9.) "[T]he trail of Foxx’s longest drives challenges credibility. Twenty-four times he cleared the 65-foot high left field grandstand roof in Philadelphia. At Comiskey Park in Chicago, where no one else reached the towering roof more than twice, 'The Beast' did it six times. . . . Everywhere Foxx logged more than just a few games, and in many places where he stopped only once, the man hit home runs that defied logical analysis." — Bill Jenkinson (SABR)

▪️10.) "When Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon, he and all the space scientists were puzzled by an unidentifiable white object. I knew immediately what it was. That was a home run ball hit off me in 1937 by Jimmie Foxx." — Lefty Gomez

▪️11.) "James [Jimmie] Foxx is the most promising player I have ever seen." — Home Run Baker (1924)

▪️12.) "Jimmy Foxx, Herculean batsman for the Philadelphia Athletics, is being picked by baseball critics as the man who will make fans forget about the mighty Babe Ruth. When he pounded out his fortieth home run the other day, Foxx was more than a month ahead of the Babe's mark at that date in 1927." — The Roanoke Rapids Herald (August 1932)

▪️13.) "If I had broken Ruth's record it wouldn't have made any difference. Oh, it might have put a few more dollars in my pocket, but there was only one Ruth." — Jimmie Foxx

▪️14.) “If it wasn’t for [Mickey] Cochrane, Foxx would have developed into a great catcher. He was the greatest all-around athlete I ever saw play Major League Baseball." — Rick Ferrell

▪️15.) "He’s a marvel, isn’t he? Tell me: who was a better all-around ball player than Foxxie? Why right now I’d say he was the best catcher in the American League. . . . They can talk all they want to about some of those old-time ball players being able to play different positions. I’ll take Foxxie. They don’t come any better.” — Joe Cronin

▪️16.) "I can play any position except shortstop. I don't like shortstop." — Jimmie Foxx

▪️17.) "He [Foxx] was the greatest natural athlete I have ever seen." — Professor John Bruehl, who once scrimmaged against Jim Thorpe

▪️18.) "He was built like a Greek god with bulging biceps and sculpted physique. His rounded face was marked by handsome features set off by a full head of brown hair and bright blue eyes. His joy was infectious, hustling on the field with a spontaneous smile and boundless enthusiasm. He played the game with a combination of speed and power that a later generation would see in Mickey Mantle. Foxx ran like a cheetah, threw like an Olympic javelin champion, and hit the ball like Babe Ruth." — Bill Jenkinson (SABR)

▪️19.) "When he got good wood on a pitch, it took you 20 minutes to walk where the ball landed. He was the only hitter I ever saw who could hit balls on his fist and still get them out of the park.” — Lefty Gomez

▪️20.) "If I’d had Foxx’s strength, I’d have hit a hundred extra homers." — Ted Williams

▪️21.) "Some of these days when baseball historians meet to award the capital prize of the national game to its greatest player of all time, they are not going to give the title and plaque to Tyrus Raymond Cobb, nor to George Herman Ruth. . . . The present-day has its candidate for the greatest of all ballplayers, and his name is James Emory Foxx.” — The Washington Times-Herald (1940)

▪️22.) "The star slugger gave handsome tips to everyone from the bellhop to the batboy, and he insisted on picking up the entire tab at every dinner and outing. He was known to literally give the shirt off his back if someone asked him for it. Many years later, Foxx’s former teammates and opponents still spoke with reverence of his personal kindness and goodwill." — John Bennett (SABR)

▪️23.) "Jimmie was one of my personal friends. I loved him. . . . Every ballplayer admired Jimmie Foxx." — Harlond Clift

▪️24.) "Daddy, he just enjoyed interacting with people. It didn’t matter if you were the president or the garbage man. He would sit there and sign autographs for hours." — Nanci Foxx Canaday

▪️25.) "Jimmie Foxx was good for baseball. Players and fans liked him for his happy nature, positive attitude, and baseball heroics. . . . He was a good ambassador for baseball, much like Ernie Banks, Brooks Robinson, or Cal Ripken." — Mark Millikin

📖 Sources: Millikin, Mark. "Jimmie Foxx: The Pride of Sudlersville." Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. + Cohen, Robert. "The 50 Greatest Players in Boston Red Sox History." Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2014. + chroniclingamerica.loc.gov + baseballhall.org + sabr.org + www.theknoxstudent.com + baseballhistorydaily.com + www.myeasternshoremd.com + www.baseball-almanac.com

111/366 The girls are throwing a costume party on the Penthouse.

Actually I'm not used to be so sweet, but these are hard days, so let's love!

Actually, they are just going over their "Synchronized Alfalfa Bingeing" routine...........

Actually it’s a mushroom thingy stuffed with cheese and spinach and served with polenta and vegetables topped with fresh basil and fresh grated ginger.

first attempt at an amazing circle. They're pretty sweet to make actually

Actually made it onto Explores front page ; )

*sigh*

I actually got a pretty good series of these two... this is soon after I got a shot from the front, he had now spotted me... and pulled her in closer to make it look OH so much better... thank you, whoever you are!

Actually not so much snow here, but it is pretty gosh-darned frigid out here in the Midwest!

flat

The first of two weddings I've shot this Summer. This is actually the first wedding I've ever shot and you'll be pleased to know it couldn't have gone any better. A fantastic bride and groom to work with, a great day with no set-backs and about 2000 images to remember the occasion with.

For me, the posed shots we did after the ceremony were the most important for me to take. Growing up in my old house I would always stare at a large framed portrait of my Mother in her wedding dress, and I guess subliminally it became one of the first photographs that inspired me to get into photography. The idea of having an image I'd taken being displayed in someone's house, front and centre for friends and family alike to see was a really humbling thought. Timeless images can be incredibly tricky to take, especially when they're posed, but when done correctly a single shot can capture so much history and importance to the people involved. Although I use photography for many reasons in my life, my ultimate goal, as far as being a professional, is to create images for clients that they'll be proud to display to friends and family for the rest of their lives.

This image is also another first for me as it's sporting my new signature watermark design for the rest of 2013. Made by Nadine Bouteloup. I felt it was about time to change up the standard copyright logo with something a bit more professional, if you like it let me know!

2003 nov 11

© woolloomooloo / woolloomooloosky. all rights reserved.

Actually i was contemplating an early morning swim and eventually got in for a nice dip.

Why Worry?

there should be sunshine after rain

there should be love after pain

I was actually looking at the poster, but then that happened...

Featured on Borderstan.com: www.borderstan.com/02/thursdays-photo-doggy/

(See Yelp link below)!!

Also known as Kellog's Trail Motel.

UHHH... NOOO we didnt stay here!!... I just stopped here to take a few pictures in the area.

Mostly of the interesting motel sign... when some woman (owner? manager?) RAN out of a doorway there SCREAMING about me taking a picture of the motel sign, that she would call the police if I didnt leave... ???

Hey calm your tits psycho lady (which I didnt say),

Im ONLY taking a picture of the sign! (Which I did say).

The rest of whatever she screamed was incoherent but man she was she having a cow. My friend waited in the car, luckily. But after we left I said 'ya know its too bad I didnt get her picture in one of my photos, I could have had the photo blown up & made into a postcard & mailed it to her! HAHAHA!! But she wasnt in any any of the photos. Lucky her. Was NO need to go psycho.

However, I did find this DIVE motel on Yelp... no reviews unfortunately... but wait until you see the 9 photos that someone posted!! YIKESSSSS!! THAT BEDDING!!!

Kellog's Trail Motel / Trail Motel - Yelp.com photos!

9944 Hornbeam Rd. Henryetta, Oklahoma. 101721.

Actually, don't answer that.

Actually too close, the pilot breaks away as briefed if he becomes uncomfortable - good photo opportunity though.