View allAll Photos Tagged Less
Explored #440 23/4/13
I am loving my panoramic photos lately. This was from one of the recent spectacular sunsets. I may revisit this property once I get ahold of the owner. Unfortunately I was stuck shooting from the road. I feel the road works well in this, despite leading your eye out of the photo.
Cerastes are small snakes, averaging less than 50 cm in length, but are relatively stout in appearance. The head is broad, flat and distinct from the neck. The head is covered with tubercularly keeled scales, which usually number 15 or more across, and a supraorbital horn may be present over each eye in some species. The snout is short and wide and the eyes, which are set well forward, are small to moderate in size. The body is short, stout and cylindrically depressed. The tail is short and tapers abruptly behind the vent.
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerastes_(genus)
This snake is called in Libya the snakes of horns and it's very venom according to our guide because it's bites him before :).
Less is more. Simple is complex. This Lutheran church in the middle of Reykjavík is a prime example.
Please forgive me for revisiting this saga so soon. For the thoughts of that witnessed moment in time which planted a seed for a story, still remains, still ticklingly entices my imagination..
And I think most of us know what a bugger an inkling like that can be...!
And the Chatwick in me had a yearning, actually no, a compelling, need to appease, so to tell the same story in a bit different take on the observed actions of the young lad I called the Hugger Mugger… had to be forthcoming post haste …
And So we Have.....
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The Importance of paper mache Princesses
Lucidity of Providence
I first noticed the lass whom I came to call the paper mache princess, as she slithered and swished about in the quite devastatingly pretty gown she was so winningly wearing along her youthful, but yet well appointed figure.
The gown was dyed the shade of fresh spring lavender, the satiny material, probably soft as a new borne downy chick, freshly shimmering and glistening as she stunningly exhibited it whilst wriggled in from the serving room.
My fancy was tickled by this, for my Sister had once worn a very similar dress , and I carried quite pleasant memories of the fun we had had shared that particular evening…..
But I only noticed this new lass’s apparel briefly though, for once I had her properly in my sights, her adorning jewels(rhinestone?) totally commanded my full and undivided attention.
For, see in my humbled opinion, it was silly for one so obviously saturnine, so quite gullibly young, to be wearing such shimmering sparklers! Though to truthfully admit, I had no real issues along those lines!
The sparkling jewels consisted of a thin silver plated necklace, matching dangling earrings and a thin bracelet worn around her satin gloved clad wrist.. , all were set with the fiery brilliance of (rhinestone?) diamonds.
Twas a pity someone darkly moody like that would be in possession of jewels so pretty.. She obviously had no inkling or care about em, in my observation of her, she probably could care less that she was wearing them, and probably had whined miserably about putting them on!
A hallowed mockery of all that is truly feminine.
An aloof paper mache princess who deserved to look more of a pauper in me own personal opinion...!
And that thought, I found to be quite enticingly entertaining on a personal level! Admittedly though, at that time, I was finding a great deal of my surroundings to being quite vexing.
But there was also a reason for my interests, for I will have to admit to possessing a bit of a rascally bird like, Magpie keen, interest in all things shiny!
And my curiosities had already been at peek height due to several other observations I had made upon my first arrival at the wedding reception: Including one subject in particular!
First off, the wedding was definitely upscale, and the wealthy Bride had chosen a rather unique venue for her reception.
Located in a rather daringly wrong side of the tracks area. The place was the site of an old brick, eel tinning factory that someone had cunningly restored and was princely offering as a uniquely posh reception venue for those rich enough to pay out the nose for something out of the ordinary. To me it looked like someone had extravagantly decorated up an old slummy red brick alleyway.
And as to why I was there..?
Well my friends, that’d be another whole tale in the tellin....
So, only tellin one tale at a time then......
Anyhows, there I was, dressed up in my best, and starting to do a bit of visually opportunistic prowling about amongst the well heeled guests who were making merry in the venues’ rather dubious surroundings…. When I saw him...
Him, the laddie, a young male of about 13, scampering happily about at the reception hall .
Something about his mannerisms drew my mind to him, so I discreetly asked around.
I soon found out he was the son of a single mother, both the bride’s sister and maid of Honour. So he was pretty much being left to himself, which explained things a bit.
The lad was also obviously across the threshold of young puberty: as was witnessed by some of his antics, not only with the touchy teasing of the younger girls present, but also in the way he was treating certain poshly dressed adult females, especially in sneaking up and giving his darling grandmother hugs from behind.
She though, thought it was cute and just laughed, and squealed happily, “look another drive by hugging”, or “thanks for the warm hugging honey, just lovely”, encouraging to no end the youth to keep his voyeuristic advances up.
But the grandmother was a short lady, his size, and I knew what was going on, even if the silly twit didn’t have a bloody clue.
The Lads arms, as he hugged his grandmother’s warm figure before running off, were brushing just under her perk breasts, molded nicely by the tight fitted mother of the bride gown she was attired in.
I also knew that , along with copping a titillating feel, he was also enjoying the tingling sensation from the slick thicke material of the lengthy, swishing gown the rather youngish ,stylish grandmother was wearing…
I watched, the lad as he performed this trick several times, holding onto the warm sweaty figure of his still perky, grandmother, before I would finally admit to the fact, I was jealous!
Jealous, for she was wearing some rather pretty jewelry of diamonds, real ones too judging by the fiery pinpricks of flashes they was giving off. Grandad must have spent a bloody mint on them.. For an Anniversary or an apology? There laid the rub..
And I would have given anything for a closer gawk at the ladies finer points, if one gets my drift, eh ?
Nudge, nudge... as they say...
It was while watching the lad yet again going and performing his hugger mugger routine from a bar stool, that my I first laid my eyes on the young paper mache princess in the lavender gown and wearing her own set of diamonds( rhinestone?). I don’t know when she had entered the reception’s proverbial stage, but she was one of the last lot to be leaving the room where the food service was laid out.
She was all of 16 years old, probably bitter sweet, and most definitely, caustically, immature!
She was with a second girl, 14 years I would guess, possibly a younger sister, clad in a thin dress of red silk that poured out dancingly below a matching jacket of velvet. She was wearing a glistening set of, faux?, pearls, and a (rhinestone?) brooch on her jacket, the bauble shaped like a colourful humming bird set with coloured gemstones.
They both stopped at the doorway, watching the dance floor with a peaking interest .
The live band had started up, and a group was upon the floor, swishing and swirling about in a quite pretty display of both colour and glitter that was being caught up in the dim incandescent lighting of the olde re-imagined factory.
I allowed my interest to follow this action for a bit, before curiously allowing my eyes to again seek out the pair of lasses.. Sneaking in close by the bar for a better, keener look over as I did so.
When I found them I saw that they had been joined by the huggy strap of a lad. He was standing close to them, and I caught him gingerly sliding his hand up behind the paper mache princess , chubby fingers tentatively rubbing along the waistline of the slick lavender gown being worn so winningly by the vixen of a sixteen year old.
She giggled and turned to him, her eyes giving an “oh, its you” look to the lad. Oblivious to the look, he started talking the pair up, and I saw them both shake their heads no at whatever he must have been suggesting.
Both girls petite earrings’ swaying in the light as their heads moved side to side . The Paper Mache Princess’s inset diamonds of her earrings sparkling madly, while her smaller friends bobbling earrings of Faux pearl gleamed a glistening pure white.
The pair turned dismissively back to the dance floor, and he stared them down from behind their glimmery sleek dresses for a few seconds, before he walked away, head bent down like something of an admonished puppy!
I felt sorry for the young git, red faced, as he was walking away,.
Then I suddenly realized that his course was taking him right past me.
Not sure why at the time, but suddenly I wanted to capture this lad’s attention. For I was Bored and feeling peevishly mused to try and do something to quell those copious desires I had been mulling..!
So I played it by ear... Something which in my profession that I tend to do a lot of!
Now, since, sleight of hand and misdirection are a couple of me talents, I reached into my pocket , thoughtfully fingering one of my ever-present coins of the realm.
As the lad , sad head down, sauntered droopily by me, I caught his attention by dropping a penny.
He obligingly retrieved it for me, and as he handed it back, I turned down my wrist, then took my hand to his ear, appearing to change the penny into a twenty pee piece… Which I handed the coin to the amazed lad for keeps. Thereby also gaining his full and undivided attention.
“Want to see another?” I asked, and he shook his head yes eagerly. I pulled out an also ever-present deck of cards, and had him ruffle them up a bit. Talking it up to him as I did.
The simple card trick would allow me to banter and hopefully my words would thus stoke the id of his sexually driven impulses whilst the ego thoughts in the lad’s head where following the cards. With my intents to flaring up the lad’s super – located in the deep recesses of his mind were certain male thoughts are often guiltily , forcibly, kept alone to themselves.
The first trick was an easy one that had him picking his own card from a group laid out on the bar. It was as I went through the motions, and watching his focus on the cards, I mentioned how pretty I had thought some of the dresses worn by the girls here were.
That opened him up royally...
I soon had him chatting away, eating out of my hand as I told him a subtly suggestive story of my youth, centering around the true enough episode where I had danced with my sister who had been wearing a dress very similar to the one worn by the paper mache princess....
A tid bit of a description that I knew would send his little pubescent desiring mind whirling .
I then, also with casual finesse, asked him quite a few questions about himself, about the reception, and particularly centered around finding out a bit more about the paper mache princess.
He readily came out with the fact that the paper mache princess, the one I had truthfully said was dressed like me sister had been , was nothing more than his cousin. He also volunteered tid bits about her that led me to believe that she could be a bit fey, but liked to pretend and daydream.
He also chimed in that he liked to play games like hide an seek with her and her friend’s, when she allowed him to!
Not playing now I asked? Seeing a light opening up at the end of a certain tunnel of my thoughts.
No he said, she said that she did not want to get dirty, her friend either.. Too interested in acting like proper ladies, dancing and watching, he added sadly..
“Quite boring.. he also added quite drearily ..”
That was all I needed to hear! So, agreeing with the boring part, I drew him close in the confidence of a co-conspirator.
Tells you what kiddo, let me explain how we used to play tag games when I was your cousins age.
I bet she will change her mind to play this version with you today! ( Actually, I know she would have no choice but to play his game once we were done with her!)
Really, he said, his eyes wandering and latching onto the two swaying young vixens, looking them up and down as I spoke.
Certainty ‘Mon garçon’ I said, and began to explain, taking certain inventive liberties with the details to ensure capturing this young man’s burgeoning lusting fantasies !!
I explained that as lads we would play tag by having the crooks steal something, then the person who was robbed would chase us like a copper until we either got away, or placed in “prison”
Cops and robbers see.. ever hear of the game.?
He nodded his head assuredly that of course he knew the game..!
I could also see I had grasped a craving interest within him, so I then happily continued on
“Now, the girls in our group would sometimes dress up and wear ‘cheap’ play jewelry, like your cousin and her friend over there. “ I lied convincingly.
He turned to watch the pair of proper appearing princess wanna-bees, both with eye appealing resplendence in their gowns, jewels and fine frills..
“Then us boys would sneak up and try to distract them, so we could teasingly come away with some of their play jewels without them catching on to what we were on about.
Then we would point out their loss after a bit, and the girls would give chase to us trying get them jewels back !”
He smiles, liking the idea.
I could see he was chewing on my words while still Drooling over the two pretty young lasses and their shiny frocks and ample shimmering jewels.... rather convenient having the real thing in sight when telling my stories I devilishly thought.
I had captivated his interest, and could see that he was earnestly watching his cousin ( whose necklace I should mention, was quite invigoratingly rippling small sparkles of fire around her throat as she was swaying to the music.)
I began with renewed relish, allowing the seed I had planted to grow, by explaining in detail how to draw his pretty lass of a cousin into the “Game”!
Both his and mine!
Using as an example, a story on how I had played this same game I was proposing on, while dancing with me own lavender gown wearing sister for reference. Actually it was a true enough story, only the young lass I had played it out on had not been me sister, and the gown, which most definitely had been soft as a new borne downy chick, had been of a shiny ripe peach colour!
I explained in simple detail how to approach his cousin, and what words would work best in convincing her that a dance was in order.
Then once they were into the dance, I explained in easy detail, the next steps to be taken to ensure his cousin would be a player for the next phase of the game, namely the catchy, touchy, tag part of it.
I could see the laddie was doing quite well, grasping the rudimentary idea of it all. And as he shook his head vigorously yes when I asked if ready. I gently pushed his back, propelling his quite noticeably Horney figure loose towards his innocent victim.
Go get em tiger....
I watched with growing anticipation as the lad moved in, eagerly approached his victim, then again sliding a hand on along her waist, successfully prying and fully capturing his cousins attention away from the dance floor. He started talking affably and I could see her dart a look back to the dancers,then to her 14 year old friend, then finally back to her cousin. Her jewels nicely sparkling in the low lights as she carried out this performance.
Then, bless the faux pearl laden pixie, for as I watched, the paper mache princess’s young friend most advantageously helped out our cause. Chirpily chiming in her two cents worth. saying something excitedly as she tugged at the cousins dress whilst pointing to the lad and the dance floor!
And ‘Bob’s your uncle!’ a few minutes later the pair of them were on that polished wooden dance floor, looking exceptionally cute as a couple, as they danced to a romantic slow tune whose name has since slipped my mind. The young darlings mimicked the adults around them by embracing closely against one another.
I waited and watched with baited breath, so many things could go wrong, and there was no good reason they shouldn’t. I began to think my ideas had been quite folly. Draining my drink, I made my plans for a quick get away to avoid any attention and have to answer rather awkward questions if things went awry.
But they didn’t!
As he had been directed, he bided his time, no hurry.
I watched with baited breath as finally his hand cunningly started the process of snaking up along the back of her sensuous dress, a bit quick perhaps, but maybe his partner was feeling his hormones actively running wild and was responding in kind.
For she had no issues dancing close, and no notice of the shenanigans of the creeping male fingers nimbly reaching up her back. I could see that her own gloved hands were firmly grasping her dance partners waist. The diamonds on her thin bracelet merrily winking back at me!
She seemed so happy, her eyes closed shut as she was into what ever fantasies young sixteen year old paper mache princesses, wearing pretty gowns and flashy jewels, have going on!
But I was also fairly certain that those fantasies of hers did not dwell any where’s near the reality of what was being played out on her in real life at that moment!
I looked around, Nor were any of the adults paying the pair any heed..
Even the Sixteen year old’s young Faux pearl wearing pixie of a friend was watching something away from the dance floor, her own fingers idly playing with the shimmery rhinestone brooch on her velvet jacket as she, with no shyness, was ogling a bloke in a tux snogging with one of the bridesmaids in a secluded corner!
I perked up, setting my empty glass down, casually picking out a handful of pub nuts from a jar at my elbow, I thought, this trick may actually bloody work!!
His fingers finally reached the victim’s primed objective, the one I had suggested, namely the thin gem studded necklace. The pretty jewels that laid flickering around the high, glossy neckline of his victims gown. That fiery necklace had been dangling and moving about with an easy sliding fluidity along down the smooth satin of its’ wearers gown, making it a fairly easy pluck for any amateur’s game!
The gem stones were set in a finely woven silvery chain, there should be no telltale snagging, no matter how jerky the chubby fingers were in making the attempt the lift them!
Obviously I had been thinking this through as I had been carefully watching my pretty paper mache princess. And just as obviously I was now vicariously living those day dreams through the lads antics!
So it was with an unabashed delight, that I watched as his fingers glided along the pretty baubles chain till the necklaces hook in eye clasp was located, and pulled up ever so lightly!
He did fumble a bit with the clasp,( his first time after all) but I saw him carefully peeking over her shoulder for a better look, and using one hand he managed to delicately unhook the two ends on his second attempt.
The fraternal twin ends lay loose there, glimmering for a few seconds, as they hung freely unclasped down her back. His fingers slipped back over her shoulder and slyly lifted a sparkly end up.
He then methodically began to slide the long necklace up along the front of his dance partners rich, lubricious, satin gown! It was easily slipped away, slither inly over her shoulders’ satin sleeve and free fell down behind her back where it dangled for a few precious seconds in his chubby fingers, before the lad secreted the shimmering thing of beauty into his pocket ..
I released my breath not realizing I had been holding it.. He had gotten away with it, pretty as one pleases. His fantasizing, gorgeously dressed cousin, hadn’t a bloody clue as to what had just transpired as she and her glittery necklace were naughtily being parted!
And just as important, no one else had noticed my little hugger mugger in action either!
His victim still had her eyes blissfully closed, and was leaning her head back in what can be best described as dreamy happiness.
Her earrings and bracelet sparkled on, as noticeable in their positions, as the place her necklace had been, now was not!
Her male partners eyes were wide, and darting around. I was worried that he may end up alarming the girl, so I rose, and managed to catch his gaze, and smiled giving a thumbs up. This made him grin, and settling down a bit, grasped his partner close and twirled on.
I smiled, feeling rather excited meself, for watching the lad in action had been like reliving the somewhat similar, long past, incident that I had used as an example, lying to him that I had played the game on me sister!
^^^^^^
Well , they finally finished the dance, it seemed like an eternity, but it was thrilling to try and catch glimpses of the cousins’ now bare neckline!
Finally they broke apart and he walked off with her to the opposite edge of the dance area from where they had started. I held my breath again, but he seemed to inherently realize that as part of the game, he didn’t want her suspicions raised by being quick to leave. God bless his natural budding adult male like deviousness!
When he finally left her and came over , he was grinning ear to ear like some Cheshire Cat.
“Well done lad, you played that brilliantly! Fun Like I said it would be” I praised and questioned?
He nodded , quite pleased with himself, and that pleasure was evident in more places than just his face!!
He most definitely was getting a “titillating feel” for the playing the game. A feeling I could very well understand from me own personal experiences!
I turned him around to face his cousin, his back now to me.
The young paper mache princess was back to aloofly standing, watching, on the outer rim of the dance floor. As we watched, we saw her young friend returning, regaining a position up alongside her
I gripped my hand upon the lads shoulder, speaking into his ear as he conveniently faced away from me..
I explained that he needed to go up and do next ..
Sneak up and hug his cousin from behind( I could tell he liked that!) , then as you tickle her a bit, say something like “now catch the tickle thief” , and then, see that door just off the loo?
He turned his head over to where I was pointing.
I knew that the door was an exit, leading upstairs, then outside to a small park.
“Break away before she can catch you,, and RUN! through that door, then out into the park .”
I turned him back around to face me , I wanted to really drive home the last bit…
I was smiling mischievously in his eyes, which brightened up as he warmed up to the ideas I was planting.
“Then in the woods you can hide and touch tag as she tries to get her necklace back!”, and I tapped his pocket with my free hand, jingling the contents.
“But remember laddie, the trick is not to show her what you took. Make her chase you, and if she finally catches you, make her search you for it, or have her cry Uncle before handing it over!”
“And as she is so occupied, try for an earring or bracelet to keep the game on. Or if her friends is close enough then snatch…..”
But I stopped, I could see all too well in his wide eyed glazed over look, that he had caught onto the gigs gist, and there was no need to say more with out risking my hugger mugger to become too prematurely excited before playing it out.
I looked up over his head to make sure the stage was still set…
I suddenly stiffened....
Ere now, look lad, I think your game is beginning, she is noticing the loss.
We both looked, the young friend of the sixteen-year-old was pointing to the paper mache princess’s bare throat. No need to hear the question.
Then as We both gawked ,the cousins gloved hand shot immediately up to her throat ,fruitlessly feeling around as her face contorted up in a horrifying gasp.
“Now lad I said turning him back around so he was facing the dance floor., quickly toddle up behind and give your cousin that hug to start it off! That’s a good lad!”
“I guarantee you she is going to play into your game now.” I said, sending the words off after him as he scurried stiffly off.
He was definitely carrying off with him a quite “hard” vested interest in the game at hand.
He approached the pair, both of whom were now looking about their feet for the missing necklace.
I saw him readily grasp, then pull up his Cousin into a slippery hug..
She jumped a bit ,alarmed!
But no blaming the sullen looking lass. Worries about her missing necklace combined with someone unexpectantly grasping her from behind, then feeling something hard being pressed up against her, would cause a bit of inherent distress for any poshly attired damsel!
Startled as she was, she stood stiffly in her fast waning shock, as her male cousin whispered into a bejeweled ear, then letting her go, the lad dashed off towards the exit as planned.
The two girls looked at each other questioningly, the pixy was holding her faux pearled necklace, the cousin a hand to her bare throat. They then stared at the fleeing cousin, before, in a shimmering, swishing, fluttering, flurry, taking off after the escaping lad.
I turned away and watched as he disappeared through the exit door by the loo.
The female cousin and her similarity dressed young friend, were following almost upon the lad’s heels, gowns whirling , and they too slipped through the closing door. I, probably for the last time, admired her taunting bracelet, as it flashed and sparkled, while she gripped to hold open the closing exit door..
All three had now disappeared from the venue without anyone a noticing.
I believe free booze, and the length of drinking time that the adult guests had been imbibing played a rather big part in that the trio of escapees were not paid any heed!
Babes in the woods, going beyond the security of the pale. I thought, making my way through the thronging crowd of merry guests .
I headed out towards the main exit located on the opposite side of the building from the restrooms.
Just before taking my permanent leave I looked around the venue again. The dim lighted red brick lined walls of the old ell tinning factory did indeed resemble an olde alleyway. And one can just imagine the types of mischief that would be going on in olde alleyways!
Reaching the outer walk I forced meslf to meander on till I had safely gained some distance, stopping as I came up to a patch of woods.
Where, next to an ancient Wytch Elm tree with its grotesquely reaching branches, started a thin path leading off amongst the trees towards the other side of the olde eel tinning factories building..
I stood there, and after checking around me, Pulled a chrome flask from a vest pocket.
I took a good long swig of ginger brandy in celebration of the moment!
“The path less travelled today mate! .”
Replacing the flask, I reached a hand in my suit coats pocket for me pipe and tobacco, .
Feeling as I did the now cold hardness of the quite genuine, quite expensive, diamond necklace that I had so quite easily lifted from the youths jacket pocket ( pickpocketing - another of my skills)
As I packed my pipe and then cupped my fingers as I struck a match to get it going, I allowed my mind a quick remembrance….
I played out how pretty that young lass had been in her peach satin gown. We both had been around 14 years, socially awkward as youths that age can be.. She had suggested the dancing, and I was amazed at the feel of her in my arms. Never had I felt anything so warm, so incredibly soft. And how sparkling her necklace had been. As we danced, and as I secretly admired her necklace, I remember meself subtly lifting the pretty thing up from her throat. Then it had suddenly unclasped, and I found meself pulling it off from around her throat and stuffing it in a pocket. She had had no clue, and I and me mates had used it’s loss to tease her before giving it back.
It had been a most satisfying newly acquired feeling for me at that age.... Which I had gambled would be the same feelings my young hugger mugger lad would also feel.
With a wry smile I wondered what my hugger mugger lad’s reaction would be as he would finally was made to give back the necklace. And what the overall reaction of the group would be when instead of the paper mache princess’s pricey diamonds in his pocket, he finds the small bits of pub nuts I had switched out with the necklace.
What I would have given to be able to witness that moment in time I thought , as I threw away the match and began puffing smoke from the lit pipe. I imagined what the three youths puzzled, gasping expressions would be like..!
Indeed, whose game had they been playing at?
I wondered if anybody would ever figure it out, or would it remain a mystery?
After a few puffs I looked in the direction of the park.. where I imagined the three were have gleeful adventures, for a bit anyways., and hopefully no further mis adventures...
I gave another long , thoughtful pull at me pipe...
Now, Just down that path would be that very park where at that very moment, a young lady clad in sleek lavender satin and sporting the remains of her dazzling collection of expensively brite sparkling diamonds ,was running about willy nilly in the woods.
Her eye catching gown and glistening, baiting jewels unsuspectingly openly exposed to the wilds outside, and fully unprotected by any observable means...
Not to mention there is also a spare, herself fetchingly attired in red silk and velvet. Herself wearing spiffen faux pearls and a glistening rhinestone hummingbird brooch!
It could very well be like taking away the proverbial candy from silken clad Babes...
Hmmm, a rather treasure trove of an opportunity indeed!
After a few minutes ponderings, I finally Let out an exasperated puff of smoke, as I regrettably shook my head NO..., no teasing my recently bestowed acte of providence, not by this Bloke.... and certainly not this evening !!
One in hand, I scolded meself ..
So, let it be Cheerio, I thought nodding down the side path of the woods towards the park in a solemn’ fare thee well’ salute..
And walking out into the glooming twilight of the evening, strode down the side walk to disappear into the misty aire..
Taking the smoking pipe from me mouth, I began Whistling the tune ...
‘Who put “Bella in the Wytch Elm”?
After all, who does not like coming up across a mystery?
“vade ad victor spolia”
Fini
- When the golden sunlight illuminates the world, everything is more intense, less real ......
.- Cuando la dorada luz del sol ilumina el mundo, todo es mas intenso, menos real....
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
~ Robert Frost
Betafo est une commune urbaine malgache, située dans la partie centrale de la région de Vakinankaratra
Was awaiting for the passing clouds to spot light the bright white houses overlooking Lough Keel with Doogort Mountain at backdrop(Achill Island)
Abandoned sanatorium G, Rolling with
Pere73,marcosz83 and Teo, a great crew and lots of fun and exploring,
Another non hdr shot just a little touch up on the light, this will form part of my Non Hdr set)
Film: Ilford SFX200
Format: 35mm
I am not religious but I have always been able to appreciate the beauty in all religious art and religious architecture as a form of visual expression of peoples' beliefs.
The sculpture represents the crucified Jesus on the cross with Mary, and John the Apostle by his side.
I am very pleased because I went through a lot to get this picture. It was not easy for me. My legs were shaking. And I don't like/do heights anymore. It was a 'miracle'. haha
No Crop. No Filter. No Post Editing. NOT A.I. (That to me is like physically chopping up peoples' paintings and making a new painting from the pieces).
Camera: 1954 Leica M3
Lens: Summicron f=5cm 1:2
Metering: Sunny 16 Rule
F16 and 1/1000
Development:
Ilford HC. 9 Minutes. 20C. 1+31.
Ilford Fixer 3.5 minutes
Ilford Wetting Agent 1 Minute (few drops)
Highway 1 - Minnesota
Driving down from Ely, this highway is a remote, quiet drive with very little traffic. A delightful opportunity for wildlife, fresh autumn colors and some solitude.
The first weekend in October is usually the best fall colors! The contrast with the dark pine makes for some stunning photos! If you truly like peace and quiet, I would recommend this route!
Copyright 2016
Saturday, the next day after Mary and Steve met at the bar and later hung out at Steve's apartment both of them were thinking they wanted to get back together. Mark/Mary was still a bit nervous that Steve still didn't know he was a crossdressed guy. Things could still go in a very bad direction if Steve didn't handle things well when he found out he had been making out with another guy.
Steve couldn’t get Mary out of his thoughts. He was thinking about how wonderful it was to feel a great connection with someone again. He both missed his ex-wife and was thinking about Mary. He still loved his ex-wife but she had wanted out. She felt like they had drifted apart and wasn’t willing to work on any kind of repair. Steve had been concerned that he wouldn’t ever find anyone that could measure up to how much he loved her. When Steve met Mary and had an almost instant connection he started to think maybe he had options and could find another companion.
Mark was already thinking about their next encounter and what the heck would he wear/ What the heck, was he thinking like a woman or what? He finally settled on his denim skirt and a sports top that he liked. He thought, "I think I need to tone down the femininity just a bit and be myself. I feel comfortable in the skirt and top. Both still are feminine but without stockings my legs might look just a bit less feminine so it will start giving Steve a hint when my legs aren't covered with silky material."
Steve was already thinking about where he might ask Mary to go or where to meet up. He thought, "How about just for coffee and meet at the Starbucks around the corner? Or we could go to the park and walk and talk on Sunday afternoon. The weather is getting to be nice and it would be a good place to just talk. We could go out to lunch but that seems to restrictive and I want to really get to know Mary better. Lunch might be too short. I think I should ask her to take a walk in the park after we stop at Starbucks for something to drink. We can also get something small to eat and share while we are walking. There are some nice places to sit down by the lake. Ok it's settled, now all I have to do is ask her, I hope she still wants to get to know me more..."
Steve set out thinking how to ask Mary out and settled on just a simple text. Steve wrote, "Mary, I really enjoyed last night with you and would like to get to know you better. How would you like to meet at Starbucks on Sunday about 3:00? We can have a cup of coffee or something and if you are OK with it, we can take a walk in the park. Let me know what you think." Steve read it several times and just hit the send button.
Mark was in the midst of thinking about what he would wear if Steve and he were to get together again when the text came in. Mark saw it was from Steve and opened it immediately and read it. Mark thought, "WOW, nice, we both seem to be on the same page except for him knowing that I'm a guy. Maybe I can figure out a way to let him know tomorrow. I hope he doesn't flip out."
Mark sent a text back to Steve, "Steve, I too enjoyed last night and felt a nice connection between us. I would like very much to meet you at Starbucks tomorrow."
Steve texted back, "Great, I'll see you tomorrow."
Mark spent the rest of the day thinking about how to tell Steve he was a crossdressed guy but nothing seemed to be the exact right fit so Mark just tried on different clothes to be sure he had chosen the right outfit. His panties were quite wet with precum both from trying on the outfits and thinking about how much he seemed to like Steve.
Steve gathered up a blanket in case they needed it to sit on in the park and sat around trying to watch TV.
Sunday morning came and Mark switched into high gear to get ready. Mary was ready by noon, way ahead, considering it was a few minute walk to Starbucks. Mary just sat on the couch and waited anxiously for the time to pass while playing on her phone. Finally she just said to herself, "I'm just going to head down a little early, maybe just people watch from one of the Starbucks tables out front until Steve shows." Mary headed out. When she hit the street she realized, "OMG, this is my first time out dressed AND in the daylight. Oh well, here goes nothing," as Mary headed down the street towards Starbucks.
Steve woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep so he headed out for a walk hoping to take his mind off how anxious he was about meeting up with Mary again, hoping that things would go well. It didn't really work so he headed home, showered and headed to the Starbucks a little early so Mary wouldn't have to wait for him even if she was a few minutes early.
Mary got to the Starbucks first and was checking out which table to take. She decided on one back against the building instead of any of the ones that were right up close to the pedestrians walking by. Before she got to the table Steve walked up and said, "Hi Mary, looks like both of us are a bit early, What would you like to drink? I can get it while you hold the table."
Mary visibly startled a bit, not expecting him that early said, "Wow, yes we are both a bit early, how about a vanilla latte?"
Steve said, "Funny, that is what I like too, guess I'll just get 2"
Steve went in and got the drinks and got a couple of pieces of their pumpkin bread for the park. Steve brought them back to the table and when he got there he said, "Mary, you look nice. I like that skirt and top together and they will be perfect for our walk in the park. I brought a blanket in case we wanted to sit for a bit."
Steve couldn't help but think that he hoped they might be able to use the blanket because he very likely would get a glimpse of Mary's panties if she had to sit on a blanket in that skirt.
Mary said, "Thanks, I really like this outfit too, it's VERY comfortable." Meanwhile Mary is thinking, "OMG, I may have to figure out out to sit on a blanket without totally showing Steve my junk hidden in my panties."
They talked for a few minutes, sipping on their coffees. Steve's mind kept veering off to Mary's panties under her skirt. Finally Steve just said, "How about we take all this to the park. It's much nicer there?"
Mary said, "OK," and they headed over to the park.
On the walk over to and into the park Mary kept noticing that she thought guys were looking at her. She thought, "Was it that they noticed she was a crossdresser or was it that they thought she was good looking or what?"
Steve spotted a grassy area off to the side a bit and in the shade. He said, "How about we spread the blanket over there? It looks really nice in the shade."
Mary said, "Sure," as they headed over and both of them refolded the blanket to a small square and laid it down. Mary sat down with her legs together and to the side a bit. So far her panties seemed to be hidden. Mark sat and they continued to talk.
Mary's legs were cramping a bit after a few minutes so she tried to shift a bit. She ended with one leg stretched out a bit and her panties were still hidden. Finally Mary just said, "Steve, I'm trying to sit ladylike here but its hard. I'm not much of a lady when it comes to this so I hope its OK if I just sit Indian-like."
Steve said, "Hey, we can go over to a bench somewhere or you can sit however you like here."
Mary shifted and sat Indian-like and held the front of the skirt down to cover her panties. Steve did however get a glimpse of her pink panties as she shifted.
As they continued to talk Mary would sometimes not be attentive to her skirt and Steve got more glimpses of her panties.
Mary was still looking for an opening to tell Steve he was a guy but didn't see any good openings. Steve asked, "Mary, would it be more comfortable if you laid down? Might be nice to look up into the trees and I could rub your feet and legs."
Mary said, "Sure, that would be really nice?" Mary slipped off her sandals, laid on her back and Steve moved below her feet and began to massage her feet. As Steve moved up Mary's calves and Mary's legs parted slightly Steve got a view of Mary's panties. At first he was just mesmerized by the sight of the material and continued to massage her legs and feet. Then he was unsure if he was seeing an unusual amount of bulge in her panties for a woman but couldn't see clearly enough.
Steve had parts within him that were wrestling with whether the mere thought of a dick in her panties was turning him on and another part that said he needed to find out to see if he needed to get out of this situation. Before he came to resolution in his head, Mary sat up and said, "I really appreciate you massaging my feet and legs but I really need to tell you something."
Almost before Mary got out the last word Steve leaned in and kissed her on the mouth. It turned into a very passionate kiss and they both laid down beside each other and continued to kiss passionately. Steve had his arms around Mary and was caressing her buns as he kissed her. Mary was just holding on in a passionate hug while she returned the passionate kiss.
After a few minutes of that Mary could feel Steve's dick hardening in his shorts against her body. Meanwhile Mary's dick was also hardening but she was purposely keeping it from pressing into Steve.
After a few more minutes, both of them broke off the kiss and laid back on their backs. Steve said, "I don't know what is coming over me but I feel this great connection with you and don't want it to stop."
Mary had forgotten that she was about to tell Steve she was a crossdressed guy and just laid there and then said, "I'm feeling some of the same thing."
Steve got back up, readjusted his shorts as his hard-on started to subside. He resumed his position massaging Mary's feet and calves. This time he started to go up over Mary's knees to her thighs a bit. Both of them were in heaven but Mary's dick had not shrunk back completely so Steve was seeing a bit more of a bulge in her panties than before. His dick began to grow again as he wondered if Mary had a dick and that was what she felt she needed to tell him.
Steve thought, "What would I do if Mary did have a dick? I am still feeling a wonderful connection to her. Does it matter? I'm not gay but I do want a connection like I am feeling. Man, now I have to know. Do I just ask or do I just continue? Asking would be awkward. What if I just discover it and accept Mary as she is if she has a dick? I think I am just going to continue with this massage and see where things go."
Mary is just laying there enjoying the massage now and her dick is staying in a partially hard state. She says to herself, "I know my dick is partially hard, showing more in my panties and I am probably also leaking precum into my panties but this feels so good I just don't care if Steve sees, in fact I hope he does but accepts me as I am."
Steve continues the massage and moves up Mary's thighs more and more. His dick is now hard and you can actually see his dick head sticking slightly out of his boxers and short's leg hole. When his hand lightly brushes against Mary's dick in her panties the world stops for both of them. Steve's hand is still touching Mary's dick when suddenly Mary's dick twitches against Steve's hand. That is when Steve rolls up over Mary and starts to kiss her passionately while lying on top of her. Steve's dick is now pressing firmly agains Mary's dick. Both dicks are twitching and pushing against each other as they kiss and they push their hips into each other.
They continue to kiss and grind together until Mary starts to near orgasm. She clutches Steve tightly and she feels her dick pumping cum into her panties. After a couple of pumps of cum into her panties Steve, feeling her dick ejaculating, has an orgasm and pumps his cum out but cums all over the outside of Mary's skirt creating an enormous wet spot and soaking into some of the hem of Steve's shorts. Both of them are so busy enjoying their respective orgasms that they don't realize what is happening as they stay in their loving embrace.
After a few minutes Mary feels Steve's cum soaking through her skirt and panics a little. Steve rolls off and the mess is revealed. Both Steve and Mary exclaim at the same time, "Oh SHIT." It was a good thing that they were pretty far from the path where people periodically walked by. Steve grabbed the bag with the pumpkin bread and pulls out the small pile of napkins he had put in there and both Steve and Mary try to clean his cum off the front of Mary's skirt but denim shows wet spots, big time. They grabbed the edge of the blanket and continue to dry her skirt as much as they can. So far they hadn't done anything with Steve's shorts but the skirt was the bigger mess.
Mary finally said, "Hey, let's just sit here and talk a bit longer. The sun will start to head down in not too long and then we can make our way back in the lower light and the denim will be a little lighter as it drys a bit more. Besides, I think we have a bit more to talk about after that."
Steve says, chuckling, "Yes I guess we do but before we go too far I'd like to say that was extremely fun and one of the best orgasms of the century."
Mary said, "Yes, it was amazingly good for me too. I've never cum like that before, from just grinding together. Well, Steve, now you know what I was trying to tell you the other day. I'm a guy that likes to crossdress. Until the other day in the bar I had never ventured out dressed, only hung around the house. After getting the dress I wore that first night I decided to buy a wig and some makeup. I seemed to look pretty good and wanted to venture out and see how it went. I had no idea or plan to meet up or do anything with anyone while I was out. Then I met you and we hit it off so well with me as Mary. You stirred things in me that I didn't know were there and I didn't want it to end but felt I needed to tell you I was crossdressed. I was afraid it would go badly and I would never see you again."
Steve said, "I was actually at that bar trying to meet women for the first time in over 20 years. I was so nervous. It was fate that we both ended up there at the same time and you ended up sitting next to me. You also stirred several things in me. I wasn't sure I would ever have such a connection to another woman that I had with my ex-wife. It was exciting to me that we hit it off so well. Then when my hand brushed up against your panties and I felt your dick inside the world stopped for me. When your dick responded to my touch I felt this overwhelming passion toward you. I never thought another dick would turn me on like that."
Mary said, "WOW, who would have thought... how about we head back now? I think the sun is down enough. How about we head to your place since it is closer. There I can clean up a little more before heading home."
Fortunately, the walk was uneventful. It seemed like one couple might have noticed the dampness of the skirt but they didn't do anything. When Steve and Mary got to Steve's place Mary slipped off her skirt and Steve gave her a damp towel to clean it a little more. Mary was standing there in only her top and panties and the panties were still quite wet from Mary cumming in them. Cleaning the skirt was pretty pointless and Mary said, "This isn't doing much, I think it will be dark enough that no one will notice anything."
Steve said, "I'll also walk you home to be sure nothing happens to you." Then Steve stepped behind Mary and felt and massaged her buns through her panties. Mary turned and they kissed again with Steve pulling Mary close by holding her buns.
Mary said, "Steve, I feel like I want to see your cock. Can I take your shorts off for you so I can see your cock?"
Steve said, "Are you sure? There are no expectations of anything."
Mary said, "I know but I have this intense curiosity building inside me." with that she undid his belt, button and unzipped his shorts. Then she grabbed both his boxers and his short and lowered then slowly down until his partially hard cock was visible. She said, "Wow, you have a nice cock!" as she lowered his shorts to the floor, kneeling so he could step out of them. She was now eye-to-eye with her first cock.
Mary said, "This is beautiful. Can I touch it?"
Steve said, "Yes, you can do anything you want but again there are no expectations."
Mary wrapped both hands around his cock and it jumped with her touch as it hardened more and more in her hands. She stroked back and forth gently and felt the firmness building within his cock. A little precum started to ooze from his cock and Mary started to feel the urge to suck Steve's cock. She leaned in and without another word slide his cock into her mouth. Steve moaned with pleasure which fueled Mary's desire to suck even more. She moved her head back and forth taking more and more of his cock into her mouth until he was gently hitting the back of her throat with each stroke. Steve was just moaning with pleasure the whole time. Soon Steve was nearing orgasm and started to tense up to release his load. Mary just intensified her sucking and felt her passion building even more. Steve's cock twitched a bit in her mouth and then jettisoned his load into Mary's mouth. Mary simultaneously came in her panties and swallowed pulse after pulse of Steve's cum as his cock pulsated in her mouth.
Mary laid back on the carpet totally wiped from the intensity of her first time sucking a cock. It was so passionate and she was in the heavenly afterglow of her orgasm and the memory of feeling Steve's cock pulsing to deliver its luscious load into her mouth.
Steve almost collapsed next to her on the floor with his dick still slightly erect but softening. They rolled towards each other, hugged and kissed tenderly for a few minutes and then just laid there in each other's arms.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mary said, "Steve, unfortunately I really need to head home, I have to get up for work early tomorrow but I really want to see you again soon. Can we have dinner in a couple of days, say Wednesday night?"
Mark said, "Sure, I'd like that."
They both got dressed and Steve walked Mary home. It was quite dark now so the only risk was when they entered Mary's building. They saw one other person but Steve kind of walked in front of Mary to block their view of Mary's cum stained skirt.
When they got to Mary's door Steve said, "I am looking forward to Wednesday night. I'll figure out some options for where to eat unless you have something in mind."
Mary said, "You pick it. It's kind of nice playing the stereotypical woman's role for a change."
Steve just leaned in and kissed her goodnight and said, "I like treating you like a lady. I'll see you Wednesday night. I'll come by about 7:00 if that is OK with you."
Mary said, "Yup, fine with me."
Steve walked home with a new spring in his step. This was a wild couple of days but he was feeling better than he had in quite some time.
That night both of them went to bed thinking about each other and where the heck was this crazy relationship thing going?
Once past the village the walk along the levada was altogether a less scary and more relaxed experience. It was sedate walking at its very best
1. Taking pictures a tool (camera), not a photographer.
2. The choice of tool limits the possibilities.
3. Experience allows him (instrument) less and less to limit their capabilities.
4. The ability to see is given only when the observer allows ...
5. The moment of observation is the real find ...
6. Training and mastering it defies. Training leads to poor imitations of the original.
7. Often the result should ripen, like wine. Although time is the understanding of the mind, therefore it is very speculative.
8. The meaning of all this is the process!
9. Let it be!
youtu.be/2pQrWPpUN1U
www.facebook.com/oleg.pivovarchik.1971
listenwave.smugmug.com
#FilmOFone
The big four pack of various GE locomotives weren't as impressive rolling downhill as they were going uphill, however the fact that the train was set up like this was still pretty cool.
As Coco said “take one thing off before you leave the house” or words to that effect, lol. Anyhow, that’s how I’m feeling about my makeup. It’s not practical to take something off so I’m starting with less. Wish me luck! Lol
Ten less-than-inspiring images posted late tonight, all taken in the morning of 14 May 2018, Day 8 of our two-week holiday in Ontario and Quebec. Hopefully, I might be able to get a few more photos edited and uploaded in the next few days, especially if the weather forecast actually turns out to be accurate - i.e. snow for the next three days. It has been about eight months since friends and I returned from this amazing holiday, so I have forgotten all the French names of the various places we drove to during our week in Quebec, I will try and research some of them tomorrow.
Too tired to do anything further tonight after a day that didn't turn out how I had expected. After seeing the forecast for snow, I thought I had better make another drive east of the city. I had been hoping to see a Short-eared Owl, but there was no sign of it. Next plan was to drive some of the back roads in search of a Snowy Owl or two. However, once again, I left Calgary in sunshine and found myself driving in fog, just like another recent day. Today was not such dense fog, but everywhere was heavily overcast. I had only driven two gravel back roads and was just doing a U-turn when my car started making a dreadful noise - a rather metallic scraping sound. No warning lights came on on my dashboard, which was promising, but that loud noise persisted the whole drive back to the city from east of Langdon. I drove straight to the dealership and they were able to take a look at it this afternoon. When it was taken for a test drive, it made no noise, apparently - of course! Most likely, a rock or piece of gravel had got into the brakes and it became dislodged when the mechanic drove it. My car is in good condition, I was told, but I definitely thought I was going to be stuck out east earlier today, ha.
More info on Day 8 will be added tomorrow.