en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_Cathedral

  

Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England Cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. It may be referred to as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool (as recorded in the Document of Consecration) or the Cathedral Church of the Risen Christ, Liverpool, being dedicated to Christ 'in especial remembrance of his most glorious Resurrection'.[1]

 

The cathedral is based on a design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The total external length of the building, including the Lady Chapel (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin), is 207 yards (189 m) making it the longest cathedral in the world;[n 1] its internal length is 160 yards (150 m). In terms of overall volume, Liverpool Cathedral ranks as the fifth-largest cathedral in the world[2] and contests with the incomplete Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City for the title of largest Anglican church building.[3] With a height of 331 feet (101 m) it is also one of the world's tallest non-spired church buildings and the third-tallest structure in the city of Liverpool. The cathedral is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.[4]

 

The Anglican cathedral is one of two in the city. The other, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool, is situated approximately half a mile to the north. The cathedrals are linked by Hope Street, which takes its name from William Hope, a local merchant whose house stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall, and was named long before either cathedral was built.

  

Background

  

John Charles Ryle was installed as the first Bishop of Liverpool in 1880, but the new diocese had no cathedral, merely a "pro-cathedral", the parish church of St Peter's, Church Street. St Peter's was unsatisfactory; it was too small for major church events, and moreover was, in the words of the Rector of Liverpool, "ugly & hideous".[5] In 1885 an Act of Parliament authorised the building of a cathedral on the site of the existing St John's Church, adjacent to St George's Hall.[6] A competition was held for the design, and won by Sir William Emerson. The site proved unsuitable for the erection of a building on the scale proposed, and the scheme was abandoned.[6]

 

In 1900 Francis Chavasse succeeded Ryle as Bishop, and immediately revived the project to build a cathedral.[7] There was some opposition from among members of Chavasse's diocesan clergy, who maintained that there was no need for an expensive new cathedral. The architectural historian John Thomas argues that this reflected "a measure of factional strife between Liverpool Anglicanism's very Evangelical or Low Church tradition, and other forces detectable within the religious complexion of the new diocese."[8] Chavasse, though himself an Evangelical, regarded the building of a great church as "a visible witness to God in the midst of a great city".[8] He pressed ahead, and appointed a committee under Sir William Forwood to consider all possible sites. The St John's site being ruled out, Forwood's committee identified four locations: St Peter's and St Luke's, which were, like St John's, found to be too restricted; a triangular site at the junction of London Road and Monument Place;[n 2] and St James's Mount.[9] There was considerable debate about the competing merits of the two possible sites, and Forwood's committee was inclined to favour the London Road triangle. However, the cost of acquiring it was too great, and the St James's Mount site was recommended.[9] An historian of the cathedral, Vere Cotton, wrote in 1964:

 

Looking back after an interval of sixty years, it is difficult to realise that any other decision was even possible. With the exception of Durham, no English cathedral is so well placed to be seen to advantage both from a distance and from its immediate vicinity. That such a site, convenient to yet withdrawn from the centre of the city … dominating the city and clearly visible from the river, should have been available is not the least of the many strokes of good fortune which have marked the history of the cathedral.[9]

 

Fund-raising began, and new enabling legislation was passed by Parliament. The Liverpool Cathedral Act 1902 authorised the purchase of the site and the building of a cathedral, with the proviso that as soon as any part of it opened for public worship, St Peter's Church should be demolished and its site sold to provide the endowment of the new cathedral's chapter. St Peter's place as Parish Church of Liverpool would be taken by the existing church of St Nicholas near the Pier Head.[9] St Peter's Church closed in 1919, and was finally demolished in 1922.[10]

  

1901 competition

  

In late 1901, two well-known architects were appointed as assessors for an open competition for architects wishing to be considered for the design of the cathedral.[11] G. F. Bodley was a leading exponent of the Gothic revival style, and a former pupil and relative by marriage of Sir George Gilbert Scott.[12] R. Norman Shaw was an eclectic architect, having begun in the Gothic style, and later favouring what his biographer Andrew Saint calls "full-blooded classical or imperial architecture".[13]

  

Architects were invited by public advertisement to submit portfolios of their work for consideration by Bodley and Shaw. From these, the two assessors selected a first shortlist of architects to be invited to prepare drawings for the new building. It was stipulated that the designs were to be in the Gothic style.[14] Robert Gladstone, a member of the committee to which the assessors were to report said, "There could be no question that Gothic architecture produced a more devotional effect upon the mind than any other which human skill had invented."[15] This condition caused controversy. Reginald Blomfield and others protested at the insistence on a Gothic style, a "worn-out flirtation in antiquarianism, now relegated to the limbo of art delusions."[16] An editorial in The Times observed, "To impose a preliminary restriction is unwise and impolitic … the committee must not hamper itself at starting with a condition which is certain to exclude many of the best men."[17] Eventually it was agreed that the assessors would also consider "designs of a Renaissance or Classical character".[18]

 

For architects, the competition was an important event; not only was it for one of the largest building projects of its time, but it was only the third opportunity to build an Anglican cathedral in England since the Reformation in the 16th century (St Paul's Cathedral being the first, rebuilt from scratch after the Great Fire of London in 1666, and Truro Cathedral being the second, begun in the 19th century).[18] The competition attracted 103 entries,[18] from architects including Temple Moore, Charles Rennie Mackintosh,[19] Charles Reilly,[20] and Austin and Paley.[21]

 

In 1903, the assessors recommended a proposal submitted by the 22-year-old Giles Gilbert Scott, who was still an articled pupil working in Temple Moore's practice,[22] and had no existing buildings to his credit. He told the assessors that so far his only major work had been to design a pipe-rack.[23] The choice of winner was even more contentious with the Cathedral Committee when it was discovered that Scott was a Roman Catholic,[n 3] but the decision stood.[22]

  

Scott's first design

  

Although young, Scott was steeped in ecclesiastical design and well versed in the Gothic revival style, his grandfather, George Gilbert Scott, and father George Gilbert Scott, Jr. having designed numerous churches.[24] George Bradbury, the surveyor to the Cathedral Committee, reported, "Mr. Scott seems to have inherited the architectural genius so marked in the Scott family for the last three or four generations ... He is very pleasant, agreeable, enthusiastic, tall and looks considerably older than he actually is."[8] Appearances notwithstanding, Scott's inexperience prompted the Cathedral Committee to appoint Bodley to oversee the detailed architectural design and building work. Work began without delay. The foundation stone was laid by King Edward VII in 1904.[5]

 

Cotton observes that it was generous of Bodley to enter into a working relationship with a young and untried student.[25] Bodley had been a close friend of Scott's father, but his collaboration with the young Scott was fractious, especially after Bodley accepted commissions to design two cathedrals in the US,[n 4] necessitating frequent absences from Liverpool.[22] Scott complained that this "has made the working partnership agreement more of a farce than ever, and to tell the truth my patience with the existing state of affairs is about exhausted".[22] Scott was on the point of resigning when Bodley died suddenly in 1907, leaving him in charge.[26] The Cathedral Committee appointed Scott sole architect, and though it reserved the right to appoint another co-architect, it never seriously considered doing so.[8]

  

Scott's 1910 redesign

  

In 1909, free of Bodley and growing in confidence, Scott submitted an entirely new design for the main body of the cathedral.[27] His original design had two towers at the west end[n 5] and a single transept; the revised plan called for a single central tower 85.344 metres (280.00 ft) high, topped with a lantern and flanked by twin transepts.[29][n 6] The Cathedral Committee, shaken by such radical changes to the design they had approved, asked Scott to work his ideas out in fine detail and submit them for consideration.[27] He worked on the plans for more than a year, and in November 1910, the committee approved them.[27] In addition to the change in the exterior, Scott's new plans provided more interior space.[31] At the same time Scott modified the decorative style, losing much of the Gothic detailing and introducing a more modern, monumental style.[32]

 

The Lady Chapel (originally intended to be called the Morning Chapel),[8] the first part of the building to be completed, was consecrated in 1910 by Bishop Chavasse in the presence of two Archbishops and 24 other Bishops.[33] The date, 29 June – St Peter's Day, was chosen to honour the pro-cathedral, now due to be demolished.[34] The Manchester Guardian described the ceremony:

 

The Bishop of Liverpool knocked on the door with his pastoral staff, saying in a loud voice, "Open ye the gates." The doors having been flung open, the Earl of Derby, resplendent in the golden robes of the Chancellor of Liverpool University, presented Dr. Chavasse with the petition for consecration. … The Archbishop of York, whose cross was carried before him and who was followed by two train-bearers clad in scarlet cassocks, was conducted to the sedilla and the rest of the Bishops, with the exception of Dr. Chavasse, who knelt before his episcopal chair in the sanctuary, found accommodation in the choir stalls.[35]

  

The richness of the décor of the Lady Chapel may have dismayed some of Liverpool's Evangelical clergy. Thomas suggests that they were confronted with "a feminised building which lacked reference to the 'manly' and 'muscular Christian' thinking which had emerged in reaction to the earlier feminisation of religion."[8] He adds that the building would have seemed to many to be designed for Anglo-Catholic worship.[8]

  

Second phase

  

Work was severely limited during the First World War, with a shortage of manpower, materials and donations.[36] By 1920, the workforce had been brought back up to strength and the stone quarries at Woolton, source of the pinkish-red sandstone for most of the building, reopened.[36] The first section of the main body of the cathedral was complete by 1924. It comprised the chancel, an ambulatory, chapter house and vestries.[37] The section was closed with a temporary wall, and on 19 July 1924, the 20th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone, the cathedral was consecrated in the presence of King George V and Queen Mary, and Bishops and Archbishops from around the globe.[36] Major works ceased for a year while Scott once again revised his plans for the next section of the building: the tower, the under-tower and the central transept.[38] The tower in his final design was higher and narrower than his 1910 conception.[39]

 

From July 1925 work continued steadily, and it was hoped to complete the whole section by 1940.[40] The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 caused similar problems to those of the earlier war. The workforce dwindled from 266 to 35; moreover, the building was damaged by German bombs.[41] Despite these vicissitudes, the central section was complete enough by July 1941 to be handed over to the Dean and Chapter. Scott laid the last stone of the last pinnacle on the tower on 20 February 1942.[42] No further major works were undertaken during the rest of the war. Scott produced his plans for the nave in 1942, but work on it did not begin until 1948.[43] The bomb damage, particularly to the Lady Chapel, was not fully repaired until 1955.[44]

  

Completion

  

Scott died in 1960. The first bay of the nave was then nearly complete, and was handed over to the Dean and Chapter in April 1961. Scott was succeeded as architect by Frederick Thomas.[45] Thomas, who had worked with Scott for many years, drew up a new design for the west front of the cathedral. The Guardian commented, "It was an inflation beater, but totally in keeping with the spirit of the earlier work, and its crowning glory is the Benedicite Window designed by Carl Edwards and covering 1,600 sq. ft."[46]

 

The version recorded in Gavin Stamp`s obituary of Richard Gilbert Scott, which appeared in The Guardian 15 July 2017, differs slightly: " When his father died the following year (1960), Richard inherited the practice and was left to complete several jobs. He continued with the great work of building Liverpool Cathedral but, after adding two bays of the nave (using cheaper materials: concrete and fibreglass), he resigned when it was proposed drastically to alter his father’s design. The cathedral was eventually completed with a much simplified and diminished west end drawn out by his father’s former assistant, Roger Pinckney".[47]

 

The completion of the building was marked by a service of thanksgiving and dedication in October 1978, attended by Queen Elizabeth II. In the spirit of ecumenism that had been fostered in Liverpool, the Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock played a major part in the ceremony.

  

Dean and chapter

  

Dean – Vacant

Vice Dean and Canon Precentor – The Revd Canon Myles Davies (Canon since 2006; Precentor since 2008; Acting Dean, 2011–2012, then 2017-)

Canon for Mission and Evangelism – The Revd Canon Richard White (since 2009 installation)

Canon Chancellor – The Revd Canon Ellen Loudon (since 2016 installation)

Canon for Discipleship – The Revd Canon Paul Rattigan (since 2013 installation)

  

Completed building

  

The cathedral's west window by Carl Johannes Edwards.[49] The uppermost window is the Benedicite window. The pink neon sign by Tracey Emin reads "I felt you and I knew you loved me“ and was installed 2008 when Liverpool became European Capital of Culture.

 

The cathedral's official website gives the dimensions of the building as

 

Length: 188.7 metres (619 ft)

Area: 9,687.4 square metres (104,274 sq ft)

Height of tower: 100.8 metres (331 ft)

Choir vault: 35.3 metres (116 ft)

Nave vault: 36.5 metres (120 ft)

Under tower vault: 53.3 metres (175 ft)

Tower arches: 32.6 metres (107 ft)

The cathedral was built mainly of local sandstone quarried from the South Liverpool suburb of Woolton. The last sections (The Well of the Cathedral at the west end in the 1960s and 1970s) used the closest matching sandstone that could be found from other NW quarries once the supply from Woolton had been exhausted.

 

The belltower is the largest, and also one of the tallest, in the world (see List of tallest churches in the world). It houses the world's highest (67 m (220 ft)) and heaviest (16.5 long tons (16.8 tonnes)) ringing peal of bells, and the third-heaviest bourdon bell (14.5 long tons (14.7 tonnes)) in the United Kingdom.[50]

  

Services and other uses

  

The cathedral is open daily all year round from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (except Christmas Day when it closes to the public at 3 pm), and regular services are held every day of the week at 8:30 am: Morning Prayer (Holy Communion on Sundays). 12:05 pm Monday-Saturday (Communion) and Monday–Friday at 5:30pm (Evensong or said Evening Prayer according to day and time of year). At the weekend, there is also a 3pm Evensong service on Saturdays and Sundays with a main Cathedral Eucharist at 10:30 am, which attracts a large core congregation each week. It also has a more intimate Communion on Sundays at 4 pm. Since early 2011, the cathedral has also offered a regular, more informal form of cafe-style worship called "Zone 2", running parallel to its main Sunday Eucharist each week and held in the lower rooms in the Sir Giles Gilbert Scott Function Suite (formerly the Western Rooms). The core services at 5:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30am on Sundays and 3pm Saturdays and Sundays are supported on each occasion during term time by the cathedral choir.[51]

 

Following the closure of their building in Rodney Street in 1975, the Liverpool St. Andrew's congregation of the Church of Scotland used the Radcliffe Room of the cathedral for Sunday services. The congregation finally disbanded in November 2016.[citation needed]

  

Admission to the cathedral is free, but with a suggested donation of £3.[n 7] Car parking is available on site on a pay-on-exit basis. Parking is free for attendance at all services. Access to the main floor of the cathedral is restricted during services and some of the major events.[52]

 

The building also plays host to a wide range of events and special services including concerts, academic events involving local schools, graduations, exhibitions, family activities, seminars, conferences, corporate events, commemorative services, anniversary services and many more. Its maximum capacity for any major event including special services is 3,500 standing, or about 2,300 fully seated. The ground floor of the cathedral is fully accessible.

 

Liverpool Cathedral has its own specialist constabulary to keep watch on an all-year 24-hour basis. The Liverpool Cathedral Constables together with the York Minster Police and several other cathedrals' constable units are members of the Cathedral Constables' Association.[53]

  

Bells

  

At 67 m (220 ft) above floor level, the bells of Liverpool Cathedral are the highest and heaviest ringing peal in the world. [n 8] Two lifts are provided for the use of the bellringers and other visitors to the tower. The peal proper (hung for full-circle change ringing) consists of thirteen bells weighing a total of 16.5 long tons (16.8 tonnes), which are named the Bartlett Bells after Thomas Bartlett (died 4 September 1912), a native of Liverpool who bequeathed the funding.[54] The bells vary in size and note from the comparatively light 10 long cwt (510 kilograms) treble to the tenor weighing 4 long tons (4.1 tonnes). The 13th bell (sharp 2nd) is extra to the main 12-bell peal, and its purpose is to make possible ringing in a correct octave on lighter bells.[55] All thirteen bells were cast by Mears & Stainbank of Whitechapel in London.[56] The initial letters of the inscriptions on the thirteen bells spell out the name "Thomas Bartlett" (from tenor to treble).[57]

 

The Bartlett bells are hung in a circle around the bourdon bell "Great George".[n 9] At 14.5 long tons (14.7 tonnes), Great George is the third most massive bell in the British Isles. (Only the 16.5 long tons (16.8 tonnes) "Great Paul" of St Paul's Cathedral in London, and the 2012 Olympic Bell (22.91 tonnes) are heavier.) Great George, cast by Taylors of Loughborough and named in memory of King George V, is hung in a pendant position and is sounded by means of a counterbalanced clapper.[59]

  

Music

  

Organ

  

The organ, built by Henry Willis & Sons, is the largest pipe organ in the UK with two five-manual consoles, 10,268 pipes and a trompette militaire.[60] There is an annual anniversary recital on the Saturday nearest to 18 October, the date of the organ's consecration. There is a two-manual Willis organ in the Lady Chapel.[61][62]

  

Organists and directors of music

  

1880- 1916 – Frederick Hampton Burstall (died 1916)

1915–1955 – Walter Henry Goss-Custard

1931–1982 – Ronald Woan (director of music)

1955–1980 – Noel Rawsthorne

1980 – Ian Tracey (later organist titulaire)

2008 – David Poulter (director of music)

  

Assistant organists

  

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Noel Rawsthorne 1949–1955 (afterwards organist)

Lewis Rust (part-time) student at Liverpool Institute and ex-chorister

Ian Tracey 1976–1980 (afterwards organist)

Ian Wells 1980–2007

Daniel Bishop 2010–present

  

Organ scholars

 

Lewis Rust (approx dates 1960–70)

Ian Tracey (organist) (later organiste titulaire)

Ian Wells (later, Holy Trinity, Southport)

Geoff Williams 1983-85 (now Director of Music, St Anne's Stanley)

Stephen Disley (now assistant organist and director of the girls' choir, Southwark Cathedral)

Paul Daggett

Martin Payne 1994–95

David Leahey 1995–97

Keith Hearnshaw 1997–98

Michael Wynne

Gerrard Callacher

Daniel Bishop (later associate organist)

Shean Bowers 2004–06 (later assistant director of music at Bath Abbey)

Samuel Austin 2007–08 (later assistant director of music at Aldenham School)

Martyn Noble (2009–11)

James Speakman (2011-12)

Daniel Mansfield (2014 - 17)

  

Artists and sculptors

  

The high altar

  

In 1931, Scott asked Edward Carter Preston to produce a series of sculptures for Liverpool Cathedral. The project was an immense undertaking which occupied the artist for the next thirty years. The work for the cathedral included fifty sculptures, ten memorials and several reliefs. Many inscriptions in the cathedral were jointly written by Dean Dwelly and the sculptor who subsequently carved them.

 

In 1993 "The Welcoming Christ", a large bronze sculpture by Dame Elisabeth Frink, was installed over the outside of the west door of the cathedral.[63] This was one of her last completed works, installed within days of her death.[64]

 

In 2003 the Liverpool artist, Don McKinlay, who knew Carter Preston from his youth, was commissioned by the cathedral to model an infant Christ to accompany the 15th century Madonna by Giovanni della Robbia Madonna now situated in the Lady Chapel.[65]

 

In 2008 a work entitled "For You" by Tracey Emin was installed at the west end of cathedral the below the Benedicite window. The pink neon sign reads "I felt you and I knew you loved me", and was installed when Liverpool became European Capital of Culture. The work was originally intended to be a temporary installation for one month as part of the Capital of Culture programme, but is now a permanent feature.[63]

 

Another work by Emin, "The Roman Standard" takes the form of a small bronze sparrow on a metal pole, and was installed in 2005 outside the Oratory Chapel close to the west end of the cathedral.[66] The sparrow was stolen (twice) in 2008, but on both occasions was returned and replaced.[67]

  

Stained glass

  

The firm of James Powell and Sons (Whitefriars), Ltd., of London, provided most of the stained glass designs. John William Brown (1842–1928) designed the Te Deum window in the east end of the cathedral, as well as the original windows for the Lady Chapel, which was heavily damaged during German bombing raids in 1940. The glass in the Lady Chapel was replaced with designs, based on the originals, by James Humphries Hogan (1883–1948). He was one of the most prolific of the Powell and Sons designers; his designs can also be seen in the large north and south windows in the central space of the cathedral (each 100 feet tall). Later artists include William Wilson (1905–1972), who began his work at Liverpool Cathedral after the death of Hogan, Herbert Hendrie (1887–1946), and Carl Edwards (1914–1985), who designed the Benedicite window in the west front. The cathedral has approximately 1,700 m² of stained glass.[68]

  

Burials

  

Chavasse and Scott are buried in the precinct of the cathedral, the former in Founder's Plot, and the latter at the west end of the site.[69] Clergy buried within the cathedral include the bishops Albert David and David Sheppard. Among the benefactors whose remains are buried in the cathedral are William and Edmund Vestey and Frederick Radcliffe. The ashes of the donor of the cathedral bells, Thomas Bartlett are interred in a casket in the ringing room.[69] At the rear of the memorial to the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division rest the ashes of Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Jeudwine, who commanded the division from its formation in 1916 until the end of the First World War.[70]

Ready to walk outside, loading up with facial gear. ISO 6400 on an old Fuji X-T1. I do think this color of mask goes quite well with my lovely complexion and childlike innocence. :)

© 2015 Lyn Randle.

Please DO NOT USE, copy, sell, share or download this image. It is illegal to use someone else's images without their permission. My work is NOT for free.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate:

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance or nature’s changing course untrimmed.

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;

Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

 

Sonnet 18, William Shakespeare

At night one can appreciate the splendour and beauty of Regent Street. When the lights come on, the complexion of this grand street changes. The contrast of the grand white architecture contrasted with the dark night sky is simply magnificent. What is even better is there is little pedestrian traffic so you can appreciate the curved buildings more than when you're dodging the daily pedestrian commuters, tourists and shoppers.

 

Many years ago I confused Piccadilly Street with Regent Street for some odd reason. I'd race up Piccadilly thinking I'd arrive at Liberty in less than five minutes only to find myself at Green Park and far from where I wanted to be. There is a lesson to be learned when navigating the streets of London on foot - use a map or know where you're going. I did neither in my early years. I can now get from Point A to Point B with my eyes closed.

 

Since my London book project began, I've learned when to zag instead of zig to end up where I need to be. Thank the street gods for that. Learning to navigate is not at all difficult. I often say I am not a fan of public transportation. The reason for this is because I miss out on London by being on a bus or underground. The sounds, sights and even the smells of London make it remarkable. So, stay on foot, walk a bit more and discover London the way it should be discovered.

 

That said, Regent Street is a good example of starting at one point of London thinking you'll end up where you want to go, but really end up at Point C. Always look on the bright side - there are great shops along Regent Street to keep you entertained. You might also think about these interesting facts about Regent Street :

 

:: Regent Street was one of the first planned developments in London. It was intentionally constructed by the government as a commercial business area.

 

:: Regent Street was given its name in honour of Prince George (later King George IV), who funded most of the construction.

 

:: In 1850, Regent Street shops stayed open until a whopping 7 pm making it one of the first late-night shopping events in the city.

 

:: Over 7.5 million people visit Regent Street every year. The street is over a mile long and the shops along it employ about 20,000 people. Regent Street also contains room for over 400 small offices and 750,000 square feet of large office space.

 

:: Due to its status as a fashion Mecca, and its length, Regent Street is also referred to as the "Mile of Style."

 

:: Open since 1881, Hamleys toy store is the oldest operating business on Regent Street, having opened originally in High Holborn in 1760. The oldest continually operating store perhaps goes to Liberty, which opened six years before in 1875.

 

The video on the blog includes a night scene of Regent Street. The lighted pavement in the foreground is brilliant. Below are a few images of Regent Street.

  

I help aspiring and established photographers get noticed so they can earn an income from photography or increase sales. My blog, Photographer’s Business Notebook is a wealth of information as is my Mark Paulda’s YouTube Channel. I also offer a variety of books, mentor services and online classes at Mark Paulda Photography Mentor

 

All images are available as Museum Quality Photographic Prints and Commercial Licensing. Feel free to contact me with any and all inquiries.

 

Follow My Once In A Lifetime Travel Experiences at Mark Paulda’s Travel Journal

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Check out the Entire Album "Mathura Holi | 2016" for more Pictures.

 

Holi, the Festival of Colours has been celebrated in India since thousands of years and is now also celebrated by various communities of South Asia including non-Hindu communities.

 

While Holi is celebrated in almost every part of India, Holi in Braj is especially famous. Braj is a historical region which covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan,Barsana,Nandgaon and some nearby areas. Holi here attacts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world because of it’s special customs and traditions. Mathura is the birth-place of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up in his childhood.

 

When Krishna was young, he cribbed to his mother about Radha (his friend) being fair while Krishna himself was dark complexioned. His mother (Yashoda) suggested him to colour Radha with colors in a playful manner. Over the years, Krishna from his village Nandgaon used to go to Barsana (Radha’s village) to color Radha and other Gopis. They also used to playfully beat him with sticks. And hence the tradition evolved.

 

I like this wig more than I expected. I think the color goes well with her complexion and the bangs keep her looking young. :)

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“Seventeen” magazine

February 1957

A professional studio portrait features a stunning woman in her mid-20s with a Mediterranean complexion, lying gracefully on a pristine wooden floor against a studio setting. She rests on her stomach, her shapely legs bent upward at the knee, showcasing elegant black pointed-toe stiletto heels. Her chin is propped on her clasped hands, highlighting perfectly manicured red nails. She wears an red lace babydoll top paired with a black lace choker adorned with crimson gemstone accents. Her long, flowing wavy black hair cascades dramatically to one side, catching directional highlights that emphasize her intense, captivating blue eyes. She holds a confident gaze directly into the lens. Delicate red rose petals lay near her hair, adding a touch of romance. Shot with a 85mm lens, the composition utilizes shallow depth of field, keeping razor-sharp focus on her expressive face. The lighting is masterfully sculpted, utilizing high-contrast glamour techniques to create a cinematic atmosphere.

 

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Find me on: Facebook | Instagram | Web

 

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

 

***100 Strangers Group meetup is happening in London - check out the details below***

www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/discuss/72157655532566...

 

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

 

Arnab and I were exploring the potential backgrounds of the Covent Garden area when we found this lovely alleyway, with nice light and relatively few people passing through. I waited patiently to see if someone I felt inspired by passed us, and then I saw Josie striding purposefully towards something or someone. I intercepted her and let her know I thought she had a lovely complexion, and would she agree to a portrait? It turned out that Josie had a friend waiting for her right there and I had managed to (inadvertently) interrupt their greetings! Oops.

However, Josie was up for it and her friend was also a good sport, encouraging her not to worry about maknig her wait a little longer, so off we went to the alleyway!

 

Arnab kindly helped hold a silver reflector to bring up the shadows on Josie's face on the right at first, but then this didn't quite work as the light that was reflected was almost as strong as the normal light reaching the other side of Josie's face, making it less contrasty than I'd have liked. So we switched to the reflector on the left side to complement the natural light but evening it out from the bottom, resulting in smooth tones across the lighter side of Josie's face. It did mean the darker side needed a little post production work to smooth the shadows, but I am quite happy with how it turned out (it was around 10 minutes work so not much processing). Josie's delicate features and her boho outfit really works with this warm background. I wish I'd moved her a little so her head blocked out the lighter area behind it (by moving her away from it more) but that's a learning for a future encounter... :)

Still unable to use makeup due to my little complexion problem but hope is on the horizon, the GP has just prescribed antibiotics which he says will clear it up.

This is a photo in my very full and flouncy Per Una Skirt, I am wearing wedge sandals which I love to wear.

Piero's war

You sleep buried in a wheat field

it's not the rose, it's not the tulip

watching on you from the shadow of ditches

but it's a thousand red poppies (...)

Faber

 

La guerra di Piero - Fabrizio De André

 

La guerra di Piero

Dormi sepolto in un campo di grano

Non è la rosa, non è il tulipano

Che ti fan veglia dall'ombra dei fossi

Ma sono mille papaveri rossi (...)

Faber

 

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“A story exists only if someone tells it.”

TITIAN TERZANI

... this aphorism to introduce this photographic story, which begins in Germany close to the Second World War, to end tragically in Sicily: the main protagonist of this "photographic" story is of German origin, his name is Carl Ludwig Hermann Long (known as Luz Long), but this story could not exist without another great protagonist, American, his name is Jesse Owens. Let's start in order, Luz Long is a brilliant law student at the University of Leipzig, he represents the incarnation of the Aryan man, he is tall, blond, has an athletic physique, his great passion is the long jump, he is a natural talent, this allows him to enter in a short time among the best long jumpers of the time (so much so that he won third place at the 1934 European Championships); Long will be one of the favorites in the long jump at the Berlin Olympics in 1936, whose historical context is that of Nazi Germany which would soon unleash the Second World War, including the racial hatred that resulted in the extermination camps with the Holocaust. Luz Long is remembered both for his great sportsmanship gesture towards his direct American opponent Jesse Owens, who, thanks to Long's unexpected help, will win the long jump competition, thus winning the gold medal (one of the four gold medals he won), while Long finished second by winning the silver medal, but Long is also remembered for his sincere friendship with Jesse, free from hatred and racial prejudice. The Berlin Olympics represent an extraordinary propaganda to the ideals of the Third Reich, it is a very important historical moment to show the superiority of the Aryan race to the whole world; the sports facilities were built with the utmost care by the architect of the Nazi regime Albert Speer (with architectural references from Ancient Greece), the sporting event was about to turn into an ideological tool of the regime, the documentary film " Olympia" of 1938 was also shot for this purpose directed by Leni Riefenstahl (author of films and documentaries that exalted the Nazi regime), where many innovative cinematographic techniques were used for the time, with unusual and original shots, such as shots from below, extreme close-ups, to the platforms in the Olympic stadium to photograph the crowd. Hitler wanted to demonstrate the supremacy of the Aryan race with the Olympics, the Aryan athlete had to correspond to a statuesque stereotyped figure, tall, blond, athletic, fair complexion, blue eyes, Luz Long was the ideal incarnation of him. Forty-nine countries participated in the Olympics, a number never reached before; German-Jewish athletes were expelled from all sports; even African Americans were discriminated against in their country, but they were allowed to compete, even if in smaller numbers, one of them was called James Cleveland Owens, but everyone knew him as Jesse (due to an error of interpretation by the his professor); it was his athletic abilities that allowed him to achieve several records, an important moment was the meeting with Larry Snyder, a good coach, and so thanks to his victories he had the opportunity to compete in the Berlin Olympics: he will be the protagonist of the Olympic Games, a 23-year-old boy originally from Alabama, who in a few days will win 4 gold medals, the 100m race, the 200m race, the 4x100m relay race and the long jump race in which there will be the story that will be worth all the gold medals in the world with Luz Long). Let's get to the point, on the morning of August 4, 1936 Luz qualifies for the long jump final, for Owens the qualification takes place in conjunction with the races of 200 mt. plans, Ownes is engaged in both races, the simultaneity of the two events, and a different regulation between the European and the US one entails him two null jumps, the first jump he thought was a test to test the terrain (as per the US regulation) , instead it was a valid jump for the competition, the second jump sees him very demoralized and makes the worst jump of his life. the elimination is now one step away, but Long interprets with great depth of mind the psychic state of prostration of his direct opponent, he sees him transformed into a face, dejected, Luz approaches him in a friendly way and suggests him to disconnect 20-30 cm before the serve line (and shows him the exact point by placing a handkerchief right next to the platform, at the height of the ideal take-off point, even if not all those who report the event in their chronicles remember the detail of the handkerchief), but also exhorts him by telling him that a champion like him shouldn't be afraid to take off first for the jump: for Owens the third jump if it had been void would have meant his elimination from the competition (and the certain victory of Luz), but, thanks to the suggestion of a technical nature (and perhaps the laying of the handkerchief...), but also affective-psychological ( !) by Luz, Owens following the advice of his direct rival, makes a formidable jump, which allows him to qualify. Long is the first to congratulate Jesse, both on the occasion of qualifying and after him with his final victory, which will result in his fourth gold medal. A deep, true friendship is born between Long and Jesse, in the videos available of the time it is really exciting to witness their handshakes and their embraces in those first moments, under the stern gaze of the Führer, a friendship that will consolidate in the following days, making a habit of dating in the olympic village. After the 1936 Olympics, in 1939 he became a lawyer, in 1941 he married, shortly after his son Kai was born, in 1942 he was called up as an officer of the Luftwaffe and sent to the front line, in April 1943 he was assigned to the Herman armored division Göring and the following month he was sent to Sicily immediately after the Allied landing on the island (Operation Husky): Long dies at the age of thirty, he is in Niscemi with the armored division, and is thus involved in the fighting for the defense of the Biscari-Santo Pietro airport; the causes of death are not certain, the most plausible is that of an aggravation due to wounds sustained in combat against the Anglo-Americans, he was found by a fellow soldier on the side of a road, from here he was transported to the nearby field hospital, where he died on July 14, 1943. He was first buried in a temporary cemetery, then his body was exhumed and then transferred in 1961 to the German military cemetery of Motta Sant'Anastasia while it was still under construction, now it is there that Luz Long rests: crypt 2 “Caltanissetta”, plate E, his name engraved on the slate slab preceded by the rank “Obergefreiter-dR" (Appointed of the Reserve), followed by the dates of birth 27 IV 13 and of death 14 VII 43; it is what remains of Luz Long, one of the 4,561 German soldiers who died in Sicily during the Second World War and are buried here. In his last letter to his friend Owens, Luz magining its end near, he asks him to go to her son and tell him who had been his father; his friend Jesse did as requested and even went to his son's wedding. And Owens….? … Jesse returned to his homeland did not have the respect he deserved after winning 4 gold medals (!), Those were the times when black people were considered "second class" (!); indeed, although with a nod the fuhrer saluted him (as Owens himself declared), the behavior of the American president Franklin Delano Roosevelt was unspeakable, he did not even deign to welcome the Olympic winner to the White House as tradition required (! ). Back in the United States, Jesse had to adapt to doing the most varied jobs, including being a boy at a gas station. To make a living he raced against horses, dogs and motorcycles, as a freak show; many years would pass before his value was recognized; he said «all the medals I have won could be melted down, but the 24-carat friendship that was born on the platform in Berlin could never be reproduced».

Postscript:

Long did not share the Nazi objectives and ideology, he was in complete antithesis with them, endowed with great sensitivity and profound nobility of mind, he was very far from the fanatical and cruel creed of Hitler's Germany, as demonstrated by the words he wrote in 1932 in a letter sent to his grandmother: “all the nations of the world have their heroes, the Semites as well as the Aryans. Each of them should abandon the arrogance of feeling like a superior race."

On his tombstone (as well as on others), under which his remains rest closed in a box, next to his name, today there are some small stones, they are small symbols, which recall the Jewish custom of leaving, instead of flowers, a pebble on the graves of the deceased, to demonstrate that his story has not been forgotten, it is a message of peace and brotherhood of which Luz was a promoter in life, his thoughts also reach us through his burial place, because, as stated on the plaque placed at the entrance to the German military cemetery of Motta Sant'Anastasia "the graves of the fallen are the great preachers of peace" (Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize).

 

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“La storia esiste solo se qualcuno la racconta.”

TIZIANO TERZANI

… questo aforisma per introdurre questo racconto fotografico, che inizia in Germania a ridosso della seconda guerra mondiale, per terminare in maniera tragica in Sicilia: il protagonista principale di questa storia “fotografica” è di origine tedesche,si chiama Carl Ludwig Hermann Long, detto Luz (conosciuto come Luz Long), ma questa storia non potrebbe esistere senza un l’altro grande protagonista, statunitense, si chiama Jesse Owens. Iniziamo con ordine, Luz Long è un brillante studente di legge all'Università di Lipsia, rappresenta l’incarnazione dell’uomo ariano, è alto, biondo, ha un fisico atletico, la sua grande passione, è il salto in lungo, è un talento naturale, ciò gli permettendogli di entrare in breve tempo tra i migliori saltatori in lungo dell’epoca (tanto da conquistare il terzo posto agli Europei del 1934); Long sarà uno dei favoriti nel salto in lungo alle Olimpiadi di Berlino nel 1936, il cui contesto storico è quello della Germania nazista che da lì a poco avrebbe scatenato la Seconda Guerra Mondiale, incluso l’odio raziale sfociato nei campi di sterminio con l’Olocausto. Luz Long viene ricordato per il suo grande gesto di sportività verso il suo diretto avversario statunitense Jesse Owens, che, grazie all’inaspettato aiuto di Long, vincerà la gara del salto in lungo, così conquistando la medaglia d'oro (uno dei quattro ori da lui vinti), mentre Long arriverà secondo vincendo la medaglia d'argento, ma Long viene anche ricordato per la sua sincera amicizia verso Jesse, scevra da odi e pregiudizi raziali. Le Olimpiadi di Berlino rappresentano una straordinaria propaganda agli ideali del Terzo Reich, è un momento storico importantissimo per mostrare al mondo intero la superiorità della razza ariana; le strutture sportive vengono realizzate con la massima cura dall’architetto del regime nazista Albert Speer (con riferimenti architettonici dell’Antica Grecia), la manifestazione sportiva diviene uno strumento ideologico del regime, a tale scopo viene girato il film-documentario “Olympia” del 1938, diretto da Leni Riefenstahl (che oltre ad essere attrice, regista, fotografa, diventa autrice di film e documentari che esaltano il regime nazista), nel docu-film delle olimpiadi vengono impiegate molte tecniche cinematografiche innovative per l'epoca, con inquadrature insolite ed originali, come le riprese dal basso, con primi piani estremi, l'utilizzo di binari nello stadio olimpico per riprendere la folla. Hitler vuole quindi dimostrare con le Olimpiadi la supremazia della razza ariana, l’atleta ariano deve corrispondere ad una figura stereotipata statuaria, alto, biondo, atletico, carnagione chiara, occhi azzurri, Luz Long è la sua incarnazione ideale. Alle Olimpiadi partecipano quarantanove Paesi, un numero mai raggiunto prima; gli atleti ebreo-tedeschi vengono espulsi da tutte le discipline sportive; anche gli afroamericani, sono discriminati nel loro paese, però ad essi viene concesso di gareggiare, anche se in numero minore, uno di loro si chiama James Cleveland Owens, ma tutti lo conoscono come Jesse (per un’errore d’interpretazione da parte del suo professore); sono le sue capacità atletiche a consentirgli di realizzare diversi record, un momento importante è l’incontro con Larry Snyder, un bravo allenatore, e così grazie alle sue vittorie gli si presena l’opportunità di gareggiare alle Olimpiadi di Berlino: sarà lui il protagonista dei giochi olimpici, un ragazzo di 23 anni originario dell’Alabama, che in pochi giorni si aggiudicherà ben 4 medaglie d’oro, la corsa dei 100, dei 200, la corsa a staffetta dei 4x100 e quella del salto in lungo nella quale ci sarà la vicenda con Luz Long che varrà tutte le medaglie d’oro del mondo). Veniamo al dunque, la mattina del 4 agosto 1936 Luz si qualifica per la finale del salto in lungo, per Owens la qualificazione si svolge in concomitanza con la gare dei 200 mt. piani, Ownes è impegnato in entrambe le gare, la contemporaneità dei due eventi, ed un diverso regolamento sportivo tra quello Europeo e quello Statunitense gli comportano due salti nulli, il primo salto egli pensa fosse di prova per saggiare il terreno (come da regolamento Statunitense), invece è un salto valido per la gara, il secondo salto lo vede molto demoralizzato e compie il peggiore salto della sua vita, l’eliminazione è oramai ad un passo, ma Long interpreta con grande profondità d’animo lo stato psichico di prostrazione del suo diretto avversario, lo vede trasformato in volto, abbattuto, Luz gli si avvicina con fare amichevole e gli suggerisce di staccare 20-30 cm prima della linea di battuta, gli mostra il punto esatto dove staccare poggiando un fazzoletto proprio di fianco alla pedana, all’altezza dell’ideale punto di stacco (anche se non tutti coloro che riportano nelle loro cronache l’evento, ricordano il particolare del fazzoletto), ma anche lo esorta dicendogli che un campione come lui non deve temere di staccare prima per il salto, qualche centimetro in meno per lui non sono certo un problema!: per Owens se il terzo salto diviene nullo comporterebbe la sua eliminazione dalla gara (e la sicura vittoria di Luz!), ma, grazie al suggerimento di carattere tecnico (e forse della posa del fazzoletto…), ma anche affettivo-psicologico (!) di Luz, Owens seguendo il consiglio del suo diretto rivale, compie un formidabile salto, il che gli consente di qualificarsi. Long è il primo a congratularsi con Jesse, sia in occasione della sua qualificazione, sia dopo, con la sua vittoria finale, che gli comporterò la conquista della quarta medaglia d’oro. Tra Long e Jesse nasce una profonda, vera amicizia, nei video disponibili dell’epoca è davvero emozionante assistere alle loro strette di mano ed ai loro abbracci di quei primi istanti, sotto lo sguardo severo del Führer, amicizia che si consoliderà nei giorni successivi, prendendo l’abitudine di frequentarsi nel villaggio olimpico. Dopo le Olimpiadi del 1936, nel 1939 Luz diventa avvocato, nel 1941 si sposa, poco dopo nasce suo figlio Kai, nel 1942 è richiamato alle armi come ufficiale della Luftwaffe e spedito in prima linea, nell’aprile del 1943 viene assegnato alla divisione corazzata Herman Göring ed il mese successivo è inviato in Sicilia subito dopo lo sbarco degli Alleati sull’isola (chiamata Operazione Husky): Long muore così a trent'anni, si trova a Niscemi con la divisione corazzata, viene coinvolto nei combattimenti per la difesa dell'aeroporto di Biscari-Santo Pietro; le cause della morte non sono certe, la più plausibile è quella di un suo aggravamento dovuto alle ferite riportate in combattimento contro gli Anglo-Americani, viene trovato ferito da un suo commilitone sul ciglio di una strada, da qui viene trasportato nel vicino ospedale da campo, dove morirà il 14 luglio 1943. Dapprima viene sepolto in un cimitero provvisorio, poi la sua salma viene riesumata e quindi trasferita nel 1961 nel cimitero militare germanico di Motta Sant'Anastasia mentre è ancora in costruzione, adesso è li che Luz Long riposa: cripta 2 “Caltanissetta”, piastra E, il suo nome inciso sulla lastra di ardesia preceduto dal grado “Obergefreiter-dR" (Appuntato della Riserva), seguito dalle date di nascita 27 IV 13 e di morte 14 VII 43; è quanto resta di Luz Long, uno dei 4.561 soldati tedeschi morti in Sicilia durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e qui sepolti. Nell'ultima lettera all'amico Owens, Luz immaginando che il suo destino a presto si sarebbe compiuto, gli chiede di andare da suo figlio e dirgli chi è stato suo padre; l'amico Jesse fa quanto richiesto, va persino alle nozze del figlio.

Ed Owens….? … Jesse rientrato in patria non riceve dal suo Paese il rispetto che merita dopo aver vinto ben 4 medaglie d'oro (!), sono i tempi in cui le persone di colore vengono considerate di “serie B” (!); addirittura, sebbene con un solo cenno, dal Führer viene salutato (così dichiara lo stesso Owens), invece il comportamento del presidente americano Franklin Delano Roosvelt, è inqualificabile, non si degna di accogliere il vincitore olimpico alla Casa Bianca come prevede la tradizione (!). Tornato negli Stati Uniti Jesse deve adattarsi a fare i lavori più disparati, fra i quali anche il garzone in una pompa di benzina. Per guadagnarsi da vivere gareggia contro cavalli, cani e motociclette, come fenomeno da baraccone; passeranno molti anni prima che gli venga riconosciuto il suo reale valore; egli ebbe a dire «si potrebbero fondere tutte le medaglie che ho vinto, ma non si potrebbe mai riprodurre l’ amicizia a 24 carati che nacque sulla pedana di Berlino».

Post Scriptum:

Long non condivideva gli obiettivi e l'ideologia nazisti, lui era in completa antitesi con esse, dotato di grande sensibilità e profonda nobiltà d’animo, lui era lontanissimo dal credo fanatico e crudele della Germania di Hitler, lo dimostrano le parole che egli scrisse nel 1932 in una lettera inviata a sua nonna: “tutte le nazioni del mondo hanno i propri eroi, i semiti così come gli ariani. Ognuna di loro dovrebbe abbandonare l’arroganza di sentirsi una razza superiore".

Sulla sua lapide (così come su altre), sotto la quale riposano i suoi resti chiusi dentro una cassetta, accanto al suo nome, è posta oggi qualche piccola pietra, sono piccoli simboli, che ricordano l’usanza ebraica di lasciare, al posto dei fiori, un ciottolo sulle tombe dei defunti, per dimostrare che la sua storia non è stata dimenticata, è un messaggio di pace e di fratellanza del quale Luz è stato promotore in vita, il suo pensiero ci giunge anche attraverso il suo luogo di sepoltura, perché, come riporta la targa posta all’entrata del cimitero militare germanico di Motta Sant’Anastasia “i sepolcri dei caduti sono i grandi predicatori della pace” (Albert Schweitzer, premio Nobel per la pace).

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You guys! This is major! Riviera Drama Agnes Von Weiss’ full promo shots are finally unveiled and she is phenomenal!

 

As we were only shown a sketch when we pre-ordered her I’ve thought about what the color of her jumpsuit would be so I went ahead and made some edits on Photoshop and the first color I picked is the one you are seeing right now on the sketch on the left which I did back in January and sure enough the designers picked almost the same exact color! The only change I did was her skin tone to match Agnes’ Cream skin tone which I did recently. I originally gave the sketch a dark skin tone because among the characters to choose from I chose Jordan who I thought would look amazing in this color with her dark complexion, plus we haven’t seen her in a very long time that I want her released as the Upgrade doll so badly. But the good thing is that we will still see her possibly as part of the main FR collection this year. I didn’t want to expect too much of this doll because there are times that some dolls are not as outstanding as they are from their initial sketch but seeing how beautiful the outcome of this doll, I am definitely ecstatic that I took a risk of pre-ordering two copies.

 

The color of her dress can be off-putting more so with her red purse that she looks like she’s ready for a Christmas party. But as I stare at the promo shots I might have to go out on a limb here and say that I actually love the color on her. I wanted this shade of green which I associate with water and the ocean but to some they associate the color with pine trees and the holidays. We’ve seen blues, and turquoise and lavenders that I wanted something different from what we already have. I believe the jumpsuit was inspired by one of the looks from Elie Saab Resort 2017. The one shoulder, the asymmetrical lines and the pleats on the bodice are similarly done but the Elie Saab jumpsuit had a lace insert on the mid-section and a long panel falling down the back of the shoulder all the way to the floor. These details would have added drama to her look. Let’s stress on the drama, shall we? I do love this jumpsuit but it could have been better. The wedges they chose for her are on the basic side. Once again, I like them but I don’t love them. I’m sure that they’re based on a pair of designer shoes but I would have expected a more elevated and a more fashion forward shoe style and not the typical wedge that we see with resort looks. Elie Saab resort 2017 had the most amazing platforms and wedges and actually Versace has the most amazing shoes this year (um… google them!) and I would love to see them in doll scale. I’m hoping that we have better shoes for the main FR collection. This feels safe and I don’t want safe! Those flat sandals they’re introducing this year better be top notch or else…!

 

She is not head-to-toe perfection I get that. I would have chosen a different color for the clutch purse, a different set of jewelry and a different pair of shoes but the doll itself is a winner. I mean… wow! Again I was preparing myself to be disappointed but I’m impressed! The face design looks like High Gloss/ Firefly which in all honesty I am not really a fan of. Love the eyebrows but comparing High Gloss to Silver Zinger I would choose the latter because that combo of High Gloss brows and Optic Verve side eye is perfection. With Riviera Drama I’m seeing a modified and improved version of the High Gloss/ Firefly screening. There are times that it looks like High Gloss and Firefly looks a bit cross-eyed with the position of their irises and I’m hoping and praying that they fixed the screening with Riviera Drama. I love how soft her make-up palette is in contrast to the fierce attitude she’s giving. Now I can’t wait for the main Fashion Royalty collection to be revealed. I think it’s going to be amazing!

For Inti

 

Request For:

 

Warm yellow or peach based complexion.

Up to my discretion

no freckles. Not goth. Eyebrows should not be too long, too short, too thin, too thick, too dark or too light. -___-

 

Another instruction I got for all the dolls is not to use cheap lashes and to make sure they show up and don't fall off....I have to say my lash application is fairly sturdy. Just dont dunk in water or pull hard on them.

 

I had several thoughts here. I do a lot of natural looking faceups and so I like to play around a bit if I have the chance. At first I wanted to do a light eyeshadow with classic red lip look but Inti wasn't too keen on that so I went more natural with a warm gold/brown/green eyeshadow look and pearlescent peachy gold lips.

 

I kind of love her lol.

 

Eyelashes used are from ForMyDoll Eyelash AA in brown but it is customized by adding individual hairs for a lusher more natural look. Until I find lashes that suit the look I want, this is the method I use and it's very time consuming. Formydoll lashes are $2.50 and the extra customization cost $10. (as i said, very time consuming.)

 

Eyes: 12mm eyes with small irises from C.I.G.

June's dream is to tell stories.

 

June Arunga is currently a self-described seeker. Her ultimate destination is unclear, but she says that she has found tidbits of key elements in economics, anthropology, history, science, life, people, and "everything in between and beyond". Her family is from Kenya and she has been formally educated in the UK. She speaks in an engaging and excited royal tone, quickly looking up and down the canal, analyzing everything. She asks me a lot of strange questions and quickly processes the answers.

 

Looks Best: Large on Black

 

This is picture 20 of my Dream Portrait set

 

Thanks all! For you, here are the most Popular Pictures you dig from my stream. Thanks again!

 

She and a co-worker had a dolly of large packages they were pushing along the sidewalk. They stopped to take a break and I got three interesting candids. I like this one, because she glanced up...her expression is wonderful!

 

I like the slight flush of here complexion...hard work, hot day!

model: john thomas

  

The Sahassadeja statue is one of the 12 giant (yaksha) guardian statues standing at the Royal Grand Palace in Bangkok, serving as a protective figure from the Ramakian (Thai Ramayana) epic. As a white-faced giant, Sahassadeja is paired with another guardian, typically at temple gates or entrances, protecting the Emerald Buddha and the palace from evil spirit.

 

Sahassadeja is a powerful white-skinned Yaksha (giant) in the Thai Ramakien epic, renowned as a guardian deity and brother to Moonplum. He entered the Longka war to avenge his brother but was deceived by Hanuman, who stole his magical club. He is frequently depicted as a protective, menacing figure at Thai temples, notably Wat Arun and the Grand Palace.

  

There are two large statues at the Grand Palace. One is emerald green and the other one a creamy yellow. The yaksha or the guardian of the Hindu and Buddhist lore is called a yak in Thai and is to be found in fine figurative proportions compared to say Cambodia and Java where they have a squatter, bulkier and in a kneeling down position.

 

The advent and influence of the Hindu mythological tales into Thailand is from the Khmer people who had extensive contacts and trade with India.

 

The yakshas are very ornately covered with colored stones and paintwork and stand tall and imposing in the temple complex.

 

The Legend of Thotsakhirithon

 

Thotsakhirithon is a key character from the Ramakien, Thailand's national epic based on the Ramayana. In mythology, he is the son of the demon king Thotsakan (Ravana) and an elephant mother, which is reflected in his unique physical feature—a long, elephant-like trunk instead of a standard human nose

  

_DSC4063 nef 2025 straightened

Wubba is enjoying her 15minutes of World Fame - as the Poster Wubba for the current production at our local theatre.

 

Violetta took her to see the poster outside the theatre. Wubba was surprised to see how large she is in the poster ... but is not sure if bright pink really suits her complexion.

 

"Bok bok - I think my purple boa suits me better. Bok"

 

Happy Wubba Wednesday

TYRON CATWA SKIN APPLIER

 

Hi guys! Tyron skin applier is compatible with Complexion Male Body Appliers

 

Avaliable On Marketplace: marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/224773

 

Shown on Catwa Stanley head

Available in 2 Skin tones [Mocha,Espresso]

 

pack included:

 

No Eyebrow Option/ Eyebrow option

 

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A rare sighting of this super rare, priceless and highly endangered (kena threaten) tailless cuckoo. Thought to be extinct at the turn of the century when one of these freak was sighted perching on a CB (chee bye) tree just outside Elvis's Pub (China Town, SG) on Independence Day in 1945. As far as records shown, this is the second sighting since the second world war, WWII. I'm sure there are more world wars ahead if this species continue to be sighted especially in SG and especially among the CB photographers here. The first sighting was however, in a faraway Jalan Bersar toilet a long long time ago, too long to remember and there's no point mentioning.

In fact this sensationally enigmatic bird is long suspected to be a close relative of a very strange thing called Archaeopteryx (missing link between dinosaur and modern bird. The anatomical characteristics between the 2 are almost identical except for one major difference in their respiratory system in which one take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide while the other take in money and expel laughing gas) this strange creature possess feathers just like a modern bird but with a mouth full of very sharp teeth just like the cuckoo shown above. The set of 32 sharp teeth always get the job done in amazing ways. Feathers first evolved as a means of temperature regulation, inadvertently providing the wonderful possibility of flight. A 200 million year old fossilized remains of this creature suggest that it possesses advanced flight feathers which bear close resemblance to the Long-legged bare-backed Cuckoo shown above and thus for sure it's able to fly like a housefly. It also shared many characteristics such as long sexy legs, bare back, 2 boobs, long hair, nice butt, nice smell, nice shape, tasty, crunchy, smooth complexion, contour body and most strikingly of all, able to stand on just 2 legs with or without heels. This is a clear indication that she is a bipedal vertebrate and having the ability to walk upright and wear dress. A far cry from its ancestors which could at the best of their ability only crawl in small circles on the floor and could fart a little bit along the way. But exactly at which stage of the evolutionary ladder when she starts to develop such unique and impressive characteristics remains unknown and often hotly debated among the brightest brains in the scientific community. One such bright sunny brain is Professor Humpty Dumpty from the University of Hornytown. He had devoted his entire life studying a 220 million year old fossilized remains and has make a startling discovery that the remains were actually leftover chicken bones from last night's dinner xyz***!!F__K!!KNN.

However it's hypothetically accepted that once the position of her butt had evolved sufficiently to line up with her skull within an angle of 13deg from her spine or in simple terms when all of her 206 bones have anatomically fall into their correct place to take the form of half a cuckoo she would begin to stand upright and able to walk and run in circles probably able to jump and sings twinkle twinkle little stars along the way. Fossilized records had showed that this happens around 135.25 million years ago and still happening today at 4pm. Incidentally, by looking at this bird you are watching evolution unfolding in real time right before your very eyes.

However, scientists are still missing 2 critical components needed to establish the link between the 2 creatures to be the same exact species....the elusive number 2 left butt cheek bone and the left nipple bone If anybody happen to come across these 2 missing items, please alert the ICI (International Cuckoo Institute) The 2 cuckoo scientists on duty will be glad to provide protocol on the handling of artifacts with great paleontological significance such as these.

Birds like this one is one of the immensely successful evolutional outcomes of nature, a cornerstone to the trail of life on the planet.

In the beginning of time (some 150 million to 220 million years ago), there was only one single most successful design of living thing on our primitive world known as the sexysaur. One fine day, this group of hopelessly overweight organism decided to go air borne. In order to achieve that, they dramatically reduced their size and started to develop wings and took flying lessons. The possibility of flight opens up numerous window of opportunities greatly enhancing the survival of the species and thus securing a successful path in the process of evolution. The ability to fly allows them to travel over great distances in short period of time to places otherwise unreachable in search of food or mate, sight seeing, look for loss pets, search for food court, or serve as quick getaway from nasty flightless debt collectors. The perfect strategy that results in the successful evolution of bird species in the world.

The Long-legged bare-backed Cuckoo display above is one of its success story for which she serves as a living testimony. No other species, subspecies, antispecies, funnyspecies or even nonspecies is as successful as this sexyspecies.

Those that did not buy the idea happily went extinct some 65million years ago (this group of idiots become known as the dinosaurs)

Those that took to the sky, took their success, secrets, tactics, riddles and technology with them. Those folks became the birds that we know today including the one shown above.

In fact, in the history of evolution, the earth has underwent not one but several mass extinction brought on by either very violent natural causes or of extra-terrestrial origin such as a massive asteroid impact. The most recent is 65 million years ago (in geological time scale is just about during the last Christmas when you are about to have the first bite of your favorite Christmas pie when a stone the size of a football stadium hit the earth with incredible devastating consequences). In that geological instance, the big boys dinosaurs are completely annihilated, leaving behind their descendants flying above us today and some left-over bones for us to ponder. Destructive and violent as it sounds but such occurrence actually accelerates and assist evolution by wiping out the out-of-date, out-of-fashion, out-of-steam, incorrigible, bossy, stingy, rude, smelly, noisy, inconsiderate, oversize, unreasonable, difficult to control, impossible to tame, obese, unfriendly, grumpy, uncooperative, busybody, potential terrorist, all talk no action, indecent, big bully and out-of-money dominant life forms and provide the possibility of diversification in the development of new and improved life forms or organism. Our very own existence is the eventual outcome of such destructive forces. Prior to this, we are just a bunch of noisy little apes wondering around the plains of Africa looking for berries to eat.

One burning riddle scientists are still trying to figure out is that why this particular cuckoo has taken evolution not 1 not 2 but hundred of steps further and go wingless yet fully capable of flight. Perhaps this is an adaptation to the strange combination of high sugar bubble tea/apple pie diet and the lack of horny ground predators in sg. Nevertheless, it's clear that birds have evolved from dinosaurs (some might have even developed from sexysaurs, a kind of horny dinosaur that refuse to be annihilated 65 million years ago despite being hit by a massive meteoroid from an amusement park across Wall street) and this bird has came a long way transforming from a 40 ft ferocious meat-eating T-rex to a bird-sized gentle bubble tea sucker.

Looking at the image, not much eye contact though. But back contact is not bad too. This one comes with my favorite original contour body, rosewood fretboard on maple neck, sexy G-string, synchronised tremolo and locking tuner by Fender. Wonder if she is a brood parasite. I certainly would not mind if she visit my nest, I would be more than happy to provide full gps coordinates of my nest : 3rd stone from the sun

 

Additional note :

130 million years of gradual speciation had resulted in a pair of long slender cuckoo legs that is covered with gorgeous fair smooth skin instead of scales found in other bird or bird-like species. This gives the animal a huge evolutionary advantage over a pair of stupid scaly legs. That would allows her to attract more horny male species resulting in higher number of nesting cycles, hence more offspring, especially horny female chicks..the more the better

 

This is the only cuckoo and for that matter the only bird species which spot the longest hair on the planet. These what looks like human pubic hair is in fact very fine strands of crystallized radioactive carbon 13.13 isotopes. The phenomenon is a result of a combination of factors. One such combination is the excessive exposure to male species not of her own kind during her most horny period.

This is a direct result of a hypothetical condition known as Reset Windup. In engineering term, Reset Windup is a situation whereby the cuckoo's brain is overloaded with corrupted data during an attempt to correct an excessive amount of error information accumulated in her hippocampus as a result of some serious horny misjudgment As a consequence, the inner lining of her skull's tissue is heated up by the contaminated fluid to extremely high temperature and pressure. In a response to such deadly situation, her brain would then starts to drain off the deadly sexy fluid thru' the follicles thus allowing the internal pressure to falls back to its normal level of 13000 PSI (Pound per Sexy Inch) at ambient temperature. Million of years of evolution has equipped this cuckoo with a super brain capable of processing tremendous amount of data in a very short period of time with self diagnostic, self troubleshooting, self stimulating and debugging function. This special abilities allow the cuckoo to correct the mentioned deadly condition incredibly fast thus protecting her brain from serious hardware, software as well as underwear injury. Otherwise she could be a mad cuckoo or worst, dead cuckoo with a living but very corrupted brain. For any other bird species, the result would be undoubtedly 100% fatal. Even panadol can't help either.

The sexy sticky yellowish fluid subsequently cools and crystallize into the black-colored hair-like particles suspended from her skull as shown in the image.

Anyway, regardless of the vast number of strange combination of factors, long hair is always better than no hair (botak) for this particular species..

 

A recent discovery of a set of fossilized upper jaw bone by Professor Robin Hoody (Swordsman University) lies buried for 200 million years

under a 7-Eleven store at Wall Street belonging to this species has revealed something extraordinary. At some point in its evolutionary past this creature has possessed something out of anybody’s imagination, venom yes 100% pure venom no joke.

It is evident by its 2 enlarged front teeth still attached to the jaw structure after 200 million years by a tiny piece of pre-historic Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. It has evolved to generate and store huge amount of venom ready to inject into her lucky prey victim just for one single most important purpose, kill the bargirl.

Traces of fossilised DNA in her mouth indicates there are at least 2000 complex chemical components of various type of toxin in her venom composition.

Each component has evolved to perform a very specific task, some of which makes the victim laugh and dance in circles fully naked while others destroy the blood structure turning it into a thick straw berry chicken soup which halt blood flow resulting in a joyful death. Both methods are extremely effective in taking the lives out of its living victims

Together they form a very potent Hemotoxin cocktail cough syrup which design to kill its victim in miniseconds in one single bite sometimes 2, depending male or female sexually active prey.

How and why at one point in time this sweet and gentle creature has developed such a nasty defensive/offensive mechanism is still a subject of intense study and would remain so for the next 200 million years until some smart Alec comes along figure that out and comes up with a rational explanation follow by a possible resolution.

However, recent studies show that this creature has given up its deadly chemical weapon sometimes between 100million and 50million years ago for something that is less nasty and deadly, a pair of boob-like airbags which attached to her chest. (subsequently the patent for the generation of the deadly venom has been sold to Poseidon (sea god) which he then deploy on some of his cheeky sea creatures such as Cone Snail, Box Jellyfish and Blue ring octopus to kill innocent cold blooded prey items under the sea and is met with huge success as a result of its extreme toxicity which could deliver instant death to their victims. They would become the world's most venomous animals. There are plans to expand its venom producing plants to China taking advantage of its cheap labour and free WIFI.

The reason for that is largely due to the extreme seasonal/environmental change which has impacted the behavior of her aggressive fast moving prey items. The greenhouse effect has caused her prey items to become more sluggish, stupid, lazy, groggy, grumpy, inconsiderate, abusive, unreasonable and most importantly loses their ability to run fast which eventually lead to their demise. (this is exactly

what 's happening to us currently)

As such, advance predator such as this female cuckoo, which is designed to be predatory at that moment in the evolutionary history also changes her predatory instinct. She can then focus her energy into more mating cycles instead of wasting her resources to generate venom of such complexity to bite and kill fast running sexy preys which has became obsolete since. Instead of biting her victim to death she seduce them to die for her. This method only works on male prey items for obvious reasons. Concurrently, she also give up the idea of large prey predation and devote to eat something more manageable in size such as tiny worms and occasionally a Big Mac or 2.

The male cuckoo however, is non-predatory from the very beginning of time and only eats fresh buttercake and drink lukewarm pure pussy juice.

 

highlight :

The absence of the usual tail feathers has revealed an extraordinary appealing organ which is usually well hidden from sight known as a butt and it grab me by the throat. This piece of juicy, extremely elastic, hand woven, shiny, safe-to-use, easy to wash, irresistible, often unusable, machine washable, microwave safe, warm & smooth, carefully calibrated, 100% sterilized, tasty, sometimes slightly salty, highly aromatic, at times problematic, robust, extremely stable, low in fats, high in proteins, low in cholesterol, sugar free, mostly playable, top quality, reliable, highly maneuverable, a little bit tricky, insect-resistant, a little bit slippery, weather resistant, water proof, solid and at the same time soft to touch organ (wish my bolster has all these qualities) allow her to sit comfortably on the eggs during incubation period and simultaneously preventing her from falling out of the nest when she farts in her sleep. Usually Cuckoo would build their nest more than 3 meters up on the tree and as such, this job is considered to be working at height. Risk assessment must be carried out and PPE (personal protective equipment) such as safety harness, hard hat, safety goggles, ear protection, safety pussy shoes, super glue, luggage bags, tooth pick, sun block, ladder, fishnet stocking, perfume, tampon, reader digest, fire extinguisher, speargun, shopping bag, manicure, moisturizer, hamburger, 7-up and parachute is required by law. However, in view of her super ass which is also a shock absorber and a pair of boob-like tissue which double as a parachute, she is well exempted from all safety equipment including toilet roll. It also has a build-in AI temperature and pressure control system which intelligently adjust to the optimal settings in the course of the incubation period for best comfort, stability, safety, gas exchange and heat transfer. Another amazing feature is that it can be programmed to switch off when the butt is not in use for incubation during which it can be used for other more functional purposes such as attracting a mate, for hire or just showing off.

Hence, this multifunctional multicoloured butt is indeed a staggering marvel of engineering bearing the hallmark of a product from nature manufactured to the highest quality and safety level which surpass all standards set by horny mankind

If you wish to have one installed, please contact Dr Hairy Cock mobile 88813888

Just in case you can't reach him. Just drop by at his workshop located at no. 13 Manymorecocks Street. He is sure in, 24/7. There in his ISO certified, digitally hygienic, explosion proof, terrorist-free, tax free, high-security, air-tight, earthquake-proof, anti-tsunami, mold-free, worry-free, cyber secured laboratory, you can find him busy at his work dismantling, assembling, designing and constructing a wide range of butts for an endless range of applications. His latest project which I'm not supposed to tell is a space butt mounted on a cuckoo just like the one display above and send the entire package to Mars. This highly classified scientific experiment is to test out the theory of cuckoo colonization in another planet outside of our own. In addition, the program is also design to seek out the origins of the Martians. Where do all these idiots would possibly come from? Have they evolved from kind of strange ancient microbial life or imported from another screw-up planet by some screw-up aliens on holiday and how they manage to evolve so unsuccessfully to become the present day Martians living in such a hostile place with no air, no water, no shops, no food court, no casino, no WIFI, no YouTube, no convenient stalls, no porn, no where to go except hiding under thick layers of red sand waiting for a sexy earth cuckoo to drop by once every few million years.

Unlike mother earth where we are all too familiar with, Mars has yet to install an atmospheric curtain around the red planet due to budget constraints of the stingy Martians. Without which, the cuckoo from earth would not survive for long no matter how good is her mating and incubating skills. No air means dead cuckoo. In order to overcome that, the future Mars cuckoo would need to evolve to develop a self- sustaining internal oxygen compartment which allows the generation and storage of oxygen gas. The solution, to convert her 2 existing boob-like organs into gas chambers each capable of storing 50 tons of O2 gas with provisions to generate and store an additional 50mg of Nitrogen/hydrogen sulfide mixture, 2.5mg of horny gas and a little laughing gas as well. With the well-thought system in place, we never need to depend on the cunning Martians for air. They overcharge every time. One major engineering problem pin down but still thousands more to go.

Another major issue is the lovely solar winds from the sun.

Without a magnetic curtain (generated by the earth's core) to repel them just like mother earth does, the deadly UV rays, cosmic rays, X rays, grandma rays, grandpa rays, stink rays, funny rays and a whole range of high energy nasty charged particles will soon strip the cuckoo external plumage exposing her naked body. That would prove fatal not for the cuckoo but for the Martians. The Martians for the longest time have never seen a naked cuckoo before and that would certainly blow their minds turning them into headless Mars bars. They must find a solution to this sticky problem fast otherwise the 2 remaining martians would be annihilated staring at the naked cuckoo all day long with the solar wind gently blowing.

However, this cuckoo has one super trick up her sleeve. Not only does her 2 boob-like organs able to generate and store gases they also double as electromagnetic flux generators. The resultant sexy magnetic field forms a cocoon-like shield wrapping all around her, protecting her fragile body from the deadly solar winds radiate from the sun's surface especially during a sunspot when the radiation is at its peak.

Apart from the protective function, the magnetic flux also create a spectacle of colorful aurora called Assrora in the region around her ass. This is a result of the intense magnetic forces interacting with the highly active stream of chemically complex mixture of gases exiting her bottom especially after a heavy meal of garlic and anions. At times, bright streaks of lightning can also be seen resulting from the excessive build-up of cheeky-charged particles discharging to the ground below follow by a series of ass splitting banshee screams.

 

Final conclusion :

Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace both came up with the Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection independently. Hat off to you guys.

Both are immensely successful in the development of their "The Origin Of Species" thesis thru keen observations of the natural world.

(but that did not shed light on why my boss crucified me for an incompetency that i never agree during the course of work despite after working diligently for half a million years. I am completely devastated. It's like a bullet thru' my brain. They forced me to take over a super hot potato and swallow it without a single drop of water, that really hunts. But life have to go on. I pray that one day justice will prevail and cleanse my name )

Sadly, both somehow missed this cuckoo. Has Alfred Wallace discovered this cuckoo during his field trip here in 1854 things will never be the same.

This cuckoo would provide all the materials he needs to formulate his theory and the answers to all the intriguing questions that he is dying to know about the origins of species and will undoubtedly be way ahead of Charles in that regards.

He would be able to see this cuckoo evolving right before his teary eyes in real time which otherwise would take millions of years, too slowly to be observed, study and recorded by any living human being.

Observing this cuckoo in real time doing the real things is like travel back in time doing the fake things. The technological innovations that nature has put into this bird is simply mind blogging. Such example is the transformation of the black bill into a CBlips, the boob-like objects in disguise, the extraordinary butt, from rock to rocket, from wings to no wings to chicken wings, from feather to fair skin, from bird-eyes to human-like eyes, from bird smell to sexy smell, from scaly legs to sexy legs, from dinosaur to sexysaur last and not least the state-of-the-art Fart propulsion system. In order to fully digest all her natural wonders of evolution, he probably have to dissect this human-like cuckoo to have a detailed look of her from the inside, outside and backside. I’m sure he is able to unlock more secrets and unravel more mysteries about this cuckoo and for that matter evolution itself. I’m sure he would exclaim after a detailed analysis of this cuckoo …damn it, this thing is a super delight...and damn hot !

This will also shed light on how other species evolve, half evolve, strangely evolve, little bit evolve, anyhow evolve or successfully fail to evolve. Evolution as we know today will never be the same again. All the books on evolution that we know about will have to be re-written for the sake of one bird, the Long-legged bare-backed tailless Cuckoo....sweat !

(have a good look at the specimen shown above. However, for safety reasons male reader is advised not to pay too much attention at one particular highly evolved piece of hardware known as the butt. It was reported that a curious male reader has suffered a phenomenon called pulsating eye-ball syndrome after having stared at the arousing object for 13mins straight without blinking leading to a massive short-circuiting of the brain cells which in turn causes the affected eye-balls to expand and contract at an alarming rate. If the condition is not treated promptly, the eye-ball would invariably turn into fish-balls)

In the image, there is a red color pillar with a grey color onion shaped object situated at the left side of the cuckoo. This strange looking structure is actually a mini nuclear missile which runs on radioactive plutonium13.13. Its function, however is not to deliver a massive destructive force to its enemy but to serve as a quick getaway transportation for the cuckoo in distress.

In the event of an emergency such as uncontrollable large scale fire or a horrible horny riot that ever to break out in the vicinity , this wingless cuckoo would then be able to jump onto the device right away, hold it tight like a bolster and launch herself away from any imminent dangers by licking the onion vigorously. A perfect escape strategy.

The last time a cuckoo ever try this out is yesterday 4pm when a stray exploding firecracker drop 4ft away trigger a responsive reaction. The cuckoo immediately swing into action and ride on the damn thing. The missile take off successfully saving the cuckoo's life. However, at 10,000ft in the air, the combustion chamber, a major component of the device suddenly blow up due to excessive temperature build up and blow the poor cuckoo's ass into 13 pieces. The cause of the incident was traced to a pair of faulty 'o' ring which served to isolate the cuckoo's fart gases from coming into contact with the rocket fuel source of highly compressed laughing gas.

The mixing of these gases created an phenomenon known as Shaky-ass where the highly excited male air molecules build up inside the cuckoo's butt starts to vibrate so violently that it leads to the catastrophic breakup of her ass. She survived the incident after having her badly damaged ass sew up in the Smithsonian Institution's gift shop. The repair job takes over a month to complete during which the out-of-action cuckoo is confined to doing blowjob. To blow away the curious Big-eye flies which gather around her injured butt just to watch.

To prevent such tragedy from happening again, it is mandatory for all female wingless cuckoo species to install titanium heat shield to protect their butt. As from yesterday, under the bizSAFE WSH regulation those cuckoo which deem vulnerable to the potentially fatal Shaky-ass condition and do not have sufficient protection for their asset will have their butt confiscated by the long and horny arms of the law. The better quality butts would then be used to installed in sex toys for the cuckoo sex industries to boost the declining birth rate. The resulting buttless cuckoo which have lost their sexual appeal to their male counterparts will have to be scraped or convert to sex slaves for a group of very horny male hyena in the singapore zoo and to be consumed as snack then after.

I'm not too sure if this particular cuckoo conform to the specific requirement unless an intimate butt inspection is being carry out to determine if the protective shield is of the right material and dimension to offer full protection to the entire butt and not half a butt or quaterbutt

For new installation, please contact Mr Hairy Maniac at 999111

For repairs/overhaul/replacement or unconditional sniffing contact Mr Spill Gates at $$$$123

For spare parts, you seriously run out of luck

 

One final and most important note (I promise) :

Cuckoo species are infamous for their brood parasitic behavior. Most cuckoo parents would leave their parental duties from incubating the eggs to feeding their own young

entirely to another species If this young cuckoo chick needs help, I won't mind to feed this hot freak until she is mature enough, tame enough, wild enough, hot enough, cheeky enough to fend for herself and at the same time providing her with the best TLC I could afford to give this poor chick a head start in life.

But please don't tell my wife about it....otherwise the consequence is unimaginable. I'll be put into an exceptional evolutionary transition transforming from a human being into a single cell organism in a brink of an eye. Literally nothing left.

 

The story of CB leaf :

According to historical records which date back to the early days of the SAF (sg army). Soldiers were strongly discouraged from using a particular type of plant for camouflage purpose in the course of field craft training. It was green and it was big and best of all it looked like a pussy. It was extremely hard for your enemies NOT to spot you from miles away because you looked just like a gigantic green moving pussy.

This is the infamous CB leaf. scientific name : Chee Bye leaf, common name : simpoh air plant

uncommon name : plant more leaves

Christian name : Chai tow kway (fried carrotcake) leaf

Hokkien name : CB leaf also

Cantonese name : also CB leaf

Malay name : CB leaf sama sama

 

Alternative name of the plant around the globe :

Indian name : roti prata curry leaf

Japanese name : Love that pussy leaf

Chinese name : make more pussy leaf

European name : eat the pussy leaf

American name : play that funky pussy leaf (til you die .......♫♫ ♪)

North Korean name : Rocket pussy leaf

Martian name : space pussy leaf

Mexican name : hot pussy leaf

Russian name : freeze pussy leaf

African name : Serengeti pussy leaf

Australian name : Kangaroo pussy leaf / Down under got pussy leaf

Thai name : Tom Yum pussy

Singapore name : Chilli pussy crab

Terrorist name : bomb that pussy

English name : pussywillow

Hungary name : Budapussy

Italian name : Pastapussy

Mongolia name : Magnolia icepussy

James Bond name : Octopussy leaf

Musical name : Pussy note in F major (with accidental)

Airplane name : Fly Pussy Fly

IT name : Fire Pussy Wall

Vacation name : Annual pussy leave

Technological name : acute erotic Pussification misalignment

Medical name : unkeratinized stratified squamous - epithelium......nevermind

Family name : Miss Pussy Leaf

WI-FI name : pussy 5G

Nickname : Lan Jiao (Lan bird)

Hieroglyphic name : dunno how to read

Fakename : Pussy Sham Leaf

Brandname : Brand essence of Pussy

Atomic name : Uranium Pussy 235 Leaf

Roadname : Missy Pussy street

Story name : 3 little pussy pigs

Ancient name : Rivers Of Babylon(there we sat down)

Alcoholic name : Johnnie Woker black pussy label.

Song name : Stairway To Heaven (Dazed and confused)

Band name : ZZ TOP (just got back from pussy's)

Astronomy name : Milky pussy way

Botanical name : Bellis perennis pussykickapoo

Biblical name : Caiaphas&pilate_Q_gsus

Technical name : Electromagnetic pussy excitation

Guitar name : Fender stratocaster vs Gibson les pussy

Biology name : multicellular pussycitation

Cosmology name : Supermassive black hole (there is one in every galaxy including ours. There is one found in our company known as the BOSS or more appropriately SMAH (SuperMassive AssHole)

Mystery name : Shroud of Turin. relics of Crucifixion & resurrection of the Lord.

Electrical name : High tension busbar juice

Arabic name : ساق طويلة كس زهرة

Electronic name : VLSI (Very Large Sexy Integration)

Archaeological name : Archaic pussy

Baby name : Cinderella, little glass pussy

Hebrew name : נֶחְמָד מודיע אלמוני flou(-ə)r

Thai name : ดอกไม้ หี

Surname : Ah Lian (aka pussy lian)

SG Lockdown name : Circuit Breaker, stay home stay safe, stay D (steady).

Controversy name : Documentary Hypothesis

Lost gospel name : Q source oral tradition

  

more info :

...

 

extra info :

This is a female featherless bird species (male species has got absolutely no interesting features and therefore nut thing worthy to talk about)

Only 4 species known to have existed in this world.

I got 3 of them and the forth one is still at large.

Believe to be hiding in a place far far away. A place so remote that even MRT+LRT+SBS bus can't reach.

I'm determined to track her down one day, shoot her and post her in flickr backside....i mean ...website.

 

What actually happened :

This group of people/photographer together with their supposedly hired model came by while I was busy shooting the Stork-billed Kingfisher hunting beside a small pond.

Out of nowhere a lady came over accusing me for trying to shoot their model and thus scaring her demanding me to move off from the area. I was rather taken aback and pissed off at her rude remarks. I then reminded her that this was a public place. I shoot my bird while you guys shoot your model. In fact I think the appearance of this huge group of people really impacted my photography.

It was at this moment that I decided to do exactly what they were accusing me.....shoot their fucking model !

A subject that was last on my list. I turn my lens away from the king and started framing this girl which I soon found her to be more appealing than my kingfisher. (Damn it I should have devoted my time shooting girls instead!)

Later, while I was reviewing the pics that I decided to do a write-up on this rather unexpected encounter. Inject a little humor, married it with a little avian flavor, spice it up with a little archaeological excitement, mix it with some astronomical reasoning, stir it with a bit of engineering logic, fix it with a dose of interplanetary space exploration, sprinkle with lots of nonsensical bullshit and turn it into something amusing.

100KV 07092018 1550

200KV 20122018 0808

300KV 24022019 2200

400kv 29052019 0100

500kv 01092019 0100

600kv 27022020 0100

700kv 12032021 0100

800kv 08042022 0100

1006022 25062024 0849

1,100,197 090226 1122

This picture is #75 in the 100 Strangers Project - Round 2

 

Meet Julia.

 

Still running very behind on my posts - trying to catch up soon with the pending ones and hoping to not run into more standout folks till I am done (well maybe not :-))

 

The good thing about a project such as the 100 Strangers project is the potential of finding a great subject out of nowhere. I had such luck when visiting the new National Geographic Museum in DC with my son few weekends ago. It was a rainy day and we were winding up with the exhibition and picking up some souvenirs in the museum shopping area when I saw Julia with her friend Andy.

 

Some subjects practically jump out at you as a potential "portraits" and the young lady was no different. A fabulous complexion complementing the beautiful earnest hazel eyes were difficult to miss. . As I was carrying my camera by habit, and we were almost done (and looked like they were too) I made my request and she happily acceded to my request. We stepped out and using the clouding overcast conditions and the soft light we clicked a few quick shots including a couple with her companion Andy (who was a great help during these shots)

 

Julia is a Pre-Med studying at the George Washington University in addition to being a Economics major. Her hobbies include reading, yoga and playing the violin. My 11 year old who also takes violin lessons joined in the conversation for a bit. Her favorite memory includes going to church with her family. I also learned that she had Romanian roots. Her favorite qualities about herself include her ability to stand her ground on her opinions but being able to admit being wrong if she is (a rare wonderful trait to have that balance I'd say). She also feels that her inherent strengths include her ability to grasp and pick up things when she devotes herself and immerses herself in the subject. When I asked Andy what he liked most about her pat came his reply "she is smart ....!!!" ... Honestly, its not every day that I have heard this as a "quality" from a companion so kudos to the young man.

I'll say though. that it was difficult to miss the earnestness and honesty of her responses, as also the calm and sense of innocence on her face.

 

Thank you Julia for being part of this project. It was great meeting you and Andy and I wish you all the very best for the future (and look forward to photographing you again)

 

Find out more about the project and see pictures taken by other photographers at the 100 Strangers Flickr Group page

For my other pictures on this project: 100 Strangers - Round 2.

For pictures from my prior attempt at 100 Strangers: 100 Strangers - Round 1.

A "Hot Air Postcard" addressed on the other side to Mrs. Lillian Dewey, South Street, Auburn, Mass., and postmarked at Globe Village Station, Southbridge, Mass., Aug. 17, 1909.

 

For similar cards, see I'm Just Your Size and Complexion and Let's Get Acquainted, If You Have No Objection.

 

Dear Friend

 

I am just your size and complexion

And I am going in your direction

So if you have no objection

I would like to be your protection

 

Yours very truly

 

Miss Catch Me When You Find Me

 

Hot Air Postcard

“Radhey-Radhey” is best example of rendition of a word into life. Krishna was born here. He lives in the heart of all the Vrindanvasis. Krishna loves Radha. People love Krishna. So, people love Radha to love Krishna. The people are eager to please Krishna, and His beloved Radha, simultaneously. They chant “Radhey- Radhey”. To hear Krishna. To be with Krishna. To feel the warmth of Krishna. To seek affectionate blessings from Krishna. They sing “Radhey- Radhey”. They dance to the tune of “Radhey- Radhey”. 24x7. Round the clock.I was moving amidst the ambience of “Radhey- Radhey”,

 

Check out the album "Mathura Holi | 2016" for more pictures.

 

Holi, the Festival of Colours has been celebrated in India since thousands of years and is now also celebrated by various communities of South Asia including non-Hindu communities.

 

While Holi is celebrated in almost every part of India, Holi in Braj is especially famous. Braj is a historical region which covers the area of Mathura, Vrindavan,Barsana,Nandgaon and some nearby areas. Holi here attacts tourists and pilgrims from all over the world because of it’s special customs and traditions. Mathura is the birth-place of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan is the place where he grew up in his childhood.

 

When Krishna was young, he cribbed to his mother about Radha (his friend) being fair while Krishna himself was dark complexioned. His mother (Yashoda) suggested him to colour Radha with colors in a playful manner. Over the years, Krishna from his village Nandgaon used to go to Barsana (Radha’s village) to color Radha and other Gopis. They also used to playfully beat him with sticks. And hence the tradition evolved.

 

But sometimes two photos taken seconds apart give a completely new perspective. Complexion and hair color are totally different. The one thing this has in common with its neighbor is over-exposure, which is very forgiving! Kind of washed- out, I know . . . but these pix reminded me of an especially happy day.

She was at the next table in a favorite coffee bar, and she's a teenage student.

 

A mild painting tool was used to smooth out the subject's complexion, and to give the image an "any young woman" ambiance. Also, several Topaz programs were used to bring up the tones and contrast.

 

Happy Sliders Sunday!

side by side

Love her fair complexion and dressing in white totally suits her! (I got a thing for white! haha) I love how her baby goes: "Mummy, you're on candid camera!", pointing his finger at me.

Found this from last year. At the time I didn’t like how the light shared an aging complexion. Fast forward about a year later, and I have mellowed a bit. Turns out trans girls can age too!

Procesiona el Jueves Santo en Salamanca, es impresionante ver a mas de 100 chicas, muchas de complexión pequeña, soportando un peso tremendo durante el largo recorrido.Llevando sobre sus hombros el trono de la Virgen

 

UN HOMENAJE A MI AMIGA SONIA

 

óleo sobre lienzo.

 

Foto reeditada

A friend of mine and I were walking on a woodland trail when we spotted this pair of Great Horned Owl sitting high up on a pine tree - totally cool and relaxed. The one on the left is the female (from her bigger size). The interesting aspect of the male (on the right) is its paler complexion compared to the female. A little bit of online search indicated that there are four different subspecies of Great Horned Owl found in Ontario. The general rule of thumb is northern subspecies are lighter in color compared to their darker cousins to the south. I have never seen a pair together like this, so it was a treat. It is nesting time, hopefully these two will have babies soon somewhere nearby. Whitby, Ontario, Canada

I decided to take close-up shots of Our Lady's antique (more than 150 years old) image from Spain, to show her lovely Castillian features, despite her Moorish complexion.

Re-Edited From Original Colour Version: www.flickr.com/photos/andy_ledd/3073465095/

He’s as a streetlife available denizen across whom I usually come, indeed I didn’t know where he’s from, but his hoary hair tufted, scragyy, raw-boned, dark suntanned complexion, it was appeared to be ups and downs, dripted and floated on the sea of his life, he told me that he's been supposed to be resemble a controversial charater in swashbucklers of KimDung’s ( a decade 60's well-known Chinese novelist of Kungfu swashbuckler romance)

 

A beautiful Lady in her gorgeous red gown, relaxing in the rose garden. Her complexion is flawless. I enjoyed this colouring, so romantic. Hope you like.

Alondra totovía

(Lullula arborea)

Aláudido rechoncho, de distribución restringida a Europa, Oriente Próximo y el noroeste de África. Está ampliamente repartido por toda la Península Ibérica, aunque escasea o falta en algunas zonas cantábricas, la depresión del Ebro y el sureste. Ocupa medios abiertos con árboles o arbustos dispersos, y posee buenas densidades en dehesas y bosques aclarados.

Descripción y Clasificación

Orden Passeriformes; familia Alaudidae

Longitud 15 cm. Envergadura 27-30 cm.

Identificación

Presenta un aspecto similar al de otros aláudidos, con una coloración de tonos pardos crípticos. De complexión rechoncha, tiene moño pequeño, cola corta y oscura, y rectrices externas blancas. Su diseño facial es muy contrastado (dibujo 1), y posee una característica mancha blanquinegra en el borde anterior del ala. Exhibe un vuelo rápido de fuertes batidos, con pronunciadas ascensiones y descensos.

Canto

Resulta muy característico y está constituido por una estrofa larga, que comienza de manera relativamente lenta, pero avanza con rapidez, acelerándose y haciéndose progresivamente más grave.

 

Canon AE-1 Program | Vivitar "Series 1" FD 70-210mm f/3.5 | Fuji Superia 200

 

Paris - Septembre 2013

I believe stories play an integral part of our lives and a good storyteller has a unique place of his/her own. In this scene Joe Plaice was telling the crew that " the devil be at the wheel of that there ghost ship". His character is a classic storyteller!

EXPLORED ! :) awesome!!!!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Bagh

 

Muslim Bagh is a town of Qilla Saifullah District in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. According to Census of 1998, the population of Muslim Bagh is 70,361 (Male 37,303 and Female 33,058) and 10,188 household. Muslim Bagh (formerly called Hindu Bagh) is believed to be named after a garden planted by a Hindu saint and Later it was named as "Muslim Bagh" by former minister of that time "MOLVI SALEH MUHAMMAD MARDANZAI".

In some winters, Kan Mehtarzai and Muslim Bagh experience several feet of snow, though normal temperature is about 19-50 °F.

Various tribes of Kakar Pashtoon inhabit the Valley, in kakar tribes the most famous tribes Mardanzai,Sargarhai, Samkhail, sultan zai, Baigzai. Medium statured and well built these handsome people are mostly wheat complexioned but some of them are really fair and have blue eyes. Though in touch with the outside world for a long time they have retained their age-old traditions and are proud of them. Their hospitality is well known and the coming of a guest is always considered a blessing. There are seven Union council of Muslim Bagh.

 

Railways

This section of railways, when laid during the British Raj, was called the Zhob Valley Railway (ZVR). It has been out of service since 1986 but these days all the left over track is being uprooted and sold as scrap. This was once longest Narrow-Gauge Railways of the subcontinent. During First World War, a Railway line was laid from a place called Khanai (30 km north of Quetta) to a place called Hindubagh (renamed as Muslimbagh in 1960s). Hindubagh had Chrome mines, which was used in munitions of First World War. The railway line at that time was a private siding for the Balochistan Chrome Ore Company. The work started on Khanai-Hindubagh line in 1916 and was opened for rail traffic in 1921. In 1927, the Hindubagh to Qila Saifullah section was opened and finally the section up to Zhob was opened in 1929. The total length of this railway from Bostan to Zhob was 294 km, which made it the longest narrow gauge railway of the subcontinent in 1920s. It had 11 stations in between including the famous Kan Mehtarzai station which was the highest station in Pakistan at an altitude of 2224 metres (7295 feet).

For a long part of its journey, the railway followed the Zhob River and thus it was called the Zhob Valley Railway (ZVR).

  

Chromite

Chromite is the source of chromium used commercially and as an alloying element plays an important role in metallurgy. Balochistan is endowed with huge reserves of chromite. The first discovery was made at Muslim Bagh and Khanozai in district Kila Saifullah in 1901. Muslim Bagh deposits were first discovered by Vredenburg during the same period in the course of regional reconnaissance mapping of the province. Chromite mining has not been systematic but random and totally disorganised. It is mined by both open pit and underground methods. In Muslimbagh, Ras Koh Range and Wad areas, chromite is mostly mined by open pit method. However, due to podiform nature of the chromite, underground mining is also done. Use of donkeys for hauling the ore from underground is still in practice. The haulage machinery is also used. Presently, 300 to 500 tons of chromite are being produced at Muslim Bagh and Khanozai daily. It is taken in trucks to Karachi where it is crushed and packed in bags for export to foreign countries. The mineral is being sold between Rs30,000 to Rs45,000 in the local market. Price depends on chrome content. China is a big market for the Balochistan chromite. Production activity in the sector directly depends upon the export market. The Provincial Inspectorate of Mines is responsible for regulating the mining operations. Presently, a few local companies are engaged at Muslim Bagh. The sources added that during 1970s, Pakistan Chrom Mines (PCM) project was launched in Muslim Bagh area which was closed in 1989 due to financial constraints and lack of locally available technical staff. The land for mining is allotted under the Mines Act 1923 by the Directorate of Minerals, Balochistan. The provincial government levies 10 per cent sales tax. The export earnings from chromite during the period 1997-98 to 2001-02 have varied between Rs167 million to Rs404 million.

  

Archeology

The district has some archaeological sites mainly attributed to the Mughals. The ruins of an old fort called Mughalo Killa or "the fort of the Mughals" were found to the west of the Karezgai village, about 3¼ kilometres from Muslim Bagh, below which there is a spring of water which was reopened about 125 years ago. Fragments of ancient pottery were found in these ruins and it is said that old silver and copper coins were also found. The ruins of a fort called Khanki lie near Shina Khura about 25 kilometres east of Muslim Bagh. Local tradition asserts that the fort was held by Miro, a Mughal governor, who was miraculously overthrown by Sanzar Nika, the progenitor of the Sanzarkhel Kakars. There are also ruins of an old fort called the Mughalo Brunj in Murgha Faqirzai. Similar ruins occur near Toiwar, Sharan, Ismailzai and on the Zhar hill near Akhtarzai. There also exist ancient karezes, said to have been made in Mughal times, which may be considered as relics of archaeological interest. These include Karez Akhtarzai, Karez Soghai and Mustafa Karez in Killa Saifullah sub-division and 2 karezes in Sra Khulla, about 6½ kilometres from Muslim Bagh.

It is located at 30°49'31N 67°44'25E with an altitude of 1787 metres.

 

Summary Data

 

State or Country of birth: Illinois

 

Home prior to enlistment: Winnebago, Illinois

 

Occupation prior to enlistment: farmer

 

Service:

Co M 8th Illinois Cavalry - 1864 - 1865

 

Rank at enlistment: private

 

Highest rank attained: private

 

Principal combat experience:

Monocacy, Maryland

numerous scouts and skirmishes with rebel guerrillas

 

Casualties: none

 

Photograph by: Gideon Smith, Geisboro, D.C.

 

Inscription in period ink on back: "Charles Prescott"

  

There were several men named Charles Prescott who served in the Union cavalry during the Civil War. However, based on my research the man who best fits this photo according to his matching signature, physical description (blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, and standing 5'8" in height), and who had an opportunity to be at the Geisboro Cavalry Depot in Washington, DC, was Charles Prescott of Winnebago, Illinois.

 

The 8th Illinois Cavalry Regiment had originally been recruited in the late summer of 1861. Since that time it had served entirely in the east, fighting with the Army of the Potomac. It's most notable battles and campaigns from 1861 through 1863 included Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Stoneman's Raid, Brandy Station and Gettysburg, as well as many more numerous minor skirmishes and scouts. It had acquired a well-deserved reputation as one of the most reliable hard-fighting regiments of cavalry in the Union Army. In January 1864 a majority of the men of the 8th Illinois Cavalry agreed to reenlist as veterans, and while the men went home on veteran's furlough the regiment took the opportunity to recruit new members to help fill up its ranks.

 

One of those responding to the call was Charles Prescott, a farm boy from Winnebago County, who was born in October 1848. Prescott lied about his age, claiming to be 18, the minimum age for enlistment, when he signed up on January 29 at Marengo, Illinois. In actuality he had just turned 15 the previous October. He was big for his age, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, and was described as having blue eyes, brown hair, and a light complexion. His father was dead and his widowed mother still had several other children at home. Prescott was offered an enlistment bounty of $300 ($140 to be paid up front and $160 at discharge). The money must have been a significant windfall for the young lad. Charles Prescott was mustered into the service at Marengo, Illinois on February 2, 1864, with the notation that his time in service was to date from his enlistment on January 29.

 

On February 18th the regiment's commanding officer issued an order recalling all veterans stating, "All leaves and furloughs to officers and men are herby revoked, and all will join the regiment at St. Charles, Illinois, without delay. The regiment is ordered to active service in the field at once, where it has been continuously in the front during the last two and a half years. It is a high compliment to the regiment to be ordered back again inside of thirty days, while other cavalry regiments have been permitted to remain over two and a half months at home, evidently showing that the Eighth Illinois Cavalry is two and a half times more efficient than some other regiments. I will therefore expect that the regiment will assemble promptly and be ready to fight its way through as heretofore, without expecting or receiving any favor from any source. The fighting reputation of the old Eighth must be retained without any fictitious puffs so much depended on by others. - William Gamble, Colonel Commanding Eighth Illinois Cavalry."

 

No matter what the veterans might have thought of the compliment paid to their abilities, the premature recall from their veteran furloughs must have disappointing. For the new recruits, such as Charles Prescott, it meant the beginning of their grand adventure in the army. On February 25, 1864 they took the train headed for Washington, DC, and arrived on March 1st with the snow "several inches deep and thawing." On March 3rd the regiment was sent to camp at Geisboro Point "by the side of the government corral, where were kept from ten to fifteen thousand horses for mounting cavalry and for artillery purposes." While at Geisboro, Prescott took the opportunity to have his photo taken with his saber and holstered pistol. In it he is wearing spurs and has a piece of small brass on his cap that may be the number 8. The men of the 8th Illinois Cavalry remained in this camp about two months then moved to other quarters in the city. During the day the men were assigned guard duty at various places throughout the city. And at night they patrolled the city, entered suspicious places and arrested any hapless soldier who should be found without a pass. "But this work, although it amused the men for a time, and was arduous to perform, did not satisfy those who longed for more active service."

 

In the spring, rather than join General Grant for the opening of his campaign at the battle of the Wilderness, the regiment found itself in the role of onlookers. The regiment was divided by detachments and sent to various posts in Washington, Maryland and Virginia. On July 4, much of the regiment was dispatched to Point of Rocks on the Potomac River to intercept Mosby and his band of partisan rangers. After a brief skirmish there, they moved up beyond Frederick where they confronted the advance force of General Jubal Early's army on its way to attack Washington. The 8th Illinois took part in the battle of Monocacy on July 8 and 9 and the subsequent retreat to Baltimore. From there they were sent to Cockeysville to guard the railroad from rebel depredations.

 

August found the men scouting along the Potomac near Muddy Branch and guarding the fords on the river. The regiment also conduced raids into Virginia against Mosby and his guerillas, after which, "The regiment then returned to Muddy Branch with their prisoners, horses and plunder. This expedition, like many others that preceded it, was one requiring great courage and endurance. Marching from thirty to forty miles and skirmishing most of each day, lying down on the ground at night and rising in the morning to repeat the labor of previous day, was a work to be endured only by veterans like those of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry." Presumably the new recruits managed to keep up with their veteran comrades.

 

For some time the regiment had been divided by separate detachments, but it was now about to be scattered to an even greater distance - stretching from Muddy Branch on the Potomac north of Washington to Port Tobacco far south of the city, and embracing an expanse of some sixty to seventy miles. "September 8th, part of the regiment was sent down the Potomac, on the Maryland side, to the vicinity of Port Tobacco to look after and arrest blockade runners, which duty though arduous and sometimes perilous served to amuse the men, and was very different work from that of facing and fighting the rebels, which they were always prepared to do." Charles Prescott was included in the detachment sent to Port Tobacco.

 

By October the scattered detachments of the 8th Illinois Cavalry were consolidated somewhat in Loudon County, Virginia, and engaged in scouting against Mosby and his guerillas. On November 24, 1864 the regiment was sent to Fairfax Court House as part of a new brigade whose "duty was to guard the line extending from Prospect Hill on the Potomac River to Burkes' Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, a distance of twenty miles, and to scout and forage the country in our front to the Rappahannock River."

 

The coming of snow and cold weather sent the men into winter quarters. "The winter was spent in a very agreeable manner for soldiers. The finest houses in Fairfax were used as headquarters; the men built excellent huts for their protection and barracks were erected for the horses. When building their huts some of the soldiers asked for permission of General Gamble to take bricks from an elegant mansion, the 'Love House,' to construct their chimneys. The General gave permission to take none but loose bricks. In forty-eight hours that fine building was a heap of ruins. When questioned as to exceeding their permit the soldiers replied that they brought away 'none but loose bricks.' A fine church building was in like manner made to contribute to the comfort of the men."

 

"January, 1865, found the regiment performing the ordinary duties of winter life in the field and at the headquarters both of the brigade and the regiment. Frequent parties and social gatherings enlivened and relieved the monotony of camp life. A grand New Year's ball was given at the brigade headquarters, where a number of guests from Washington and no small number of Virginia ladies were present." Otherwise, for the enlisted men anyway, the new year of 1865 opened much like the latter part of 1864, with frequent scouts and skirmishes with confederate guerillas.

 

News of the fall of Petersburg and Richmond created great excitement and wild enthusiasm within the camp of the 8th Illinois Cavalry. The surrender of Robert E. Lee a week later was even more happily received. The mood changed drastically upon receipt of the tragic news of the President's assassination at Ford's Theater by the actor John Wilkes Booth on the evening of April 14.

 

"The Eighth were at once sent down the Maryland side of the Potomac, in the vicinity of Port Tobacco, which country they thoroughly searched, leaving no nook or corner in which the assassin could be secreted. The well known rebel sentiment of this part of Maryland made the duty extremely arduous, for no information would the citizens give which they could possibly withhold. Booth, however, had succeeded in crossing the river into Virginia, and was finally captured by other cavalry."

 

Following their unsuccessful search for Booth, the regiment returned to their camp at Fairfax. News of the surrender of the rebel army under Joseph Johnston in North Carolina arrived in camp on April 29. This virtually put an end to the rebellion. "Following this event, rebel soldiers came by scores to our headquarters to be paroled, as the same terms were granted them as were given the soldiers of Lee and Johnston."

 

When, on June 16, 1865, the regiment was ordered to proceed to St. Louis, Missouri, "arrangements were rapidly made, and on the 19th the Eighth Illinois bid farewell to Fairfax and Virginia. We marched to Washington and took the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Parkersburg, West Virginia. At that place we were taken on board of steamboats. On arriving at Cincinnati, Ohio, Companies I and M were transferred to the railroad and went to St. Louis by cars...Companies I and M reached East St. Louis June 25th, and Companies B and E June 27 and that afternoon crossed the river and went in Benton Barracks...The majority of the regiment came in by boats by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers."

 

"July 1st orders were received to proceed to fort Riley, Kansas, which gave great dissatisfaction. The men claimed they re-enlisted for three years or during the war; that now the war was over and having fulfilled their part of the contract they should be mustered out. A petition embodying these views was signed by all the officers present belonging to the regiment, and sent to General Pleasanton, chief of cavalry in Missouri. The General telegraphed the substance of the petition to Washington with a hearty indorsement; and on the 4th of July an order was received to turn over all government property and be mustered out. When the order was read to the men such a shout as went up from them had not been heard since their victories over the rebel cavalry in Virginia."

 

The next two weeks were spent in turning over government property and in preparing the muster rolls. Muster out was completed on July 17 at Benton Barracks in St. Louis and on the 18th the regiment started for Chicago. Those that did not live in Chicago went out to Camp Douglas where final payment and discharge was completed by July 21.

 

Charles Prescott, only 16 years old at the time he mustered out, was now a veteran with a year and a half of service in the army. At discharge, he chose to retain his government issued arms and accordingly had $21 of his pay withheld in order to pay for his carbine, revolver and saber. He retuned home to his mother for a while and took work as a laborer. By 1880 he had moved out on his own, boarding with a family in Fairmont, Nebraska, and working as a carpenter. In 1881 he married a woman named Anna, who also hailed from Illinois. The two of them would eventually have four children; three sons and a daughter: Wade in 1883, Bertie in 1885, Charles C. in 1889, and Ethel in 1894.

 

Charles continued working as a house carpenter and eventually bought his own home in Fairmont. By 1920 he had retired and his grown sons had moved out, although Ethel, his 25-year-old unmarried daughter, was still living at home and working as a telephone operator. Charles Prescott, the one-time boy veteran, died sometime around October 1927.

 

[All quotes taken from "History of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment Illinois Volunteers" by Abner Hard, M.D., surgeon of the regiment, published 1868.]