This gull let me get pretty close so I could take its portrait ( I think I am starting to develop a certain relationship/understanding with the birds at the beach,LOL... there is a certain distance at which you can approach them without having them fly away...) ~ You can see the Pacific Ocean's waves after the storm, and also the cliffs of Pacific Beach in the back ~ This is on the North side of the pier ~

Crystal Pier~ Pacific Beach ~ California ~ USA ~

The tower in sight is the famous Galata Tower. The plane is probably a plane of Turkish Airlines.

 

Well, this frame resembles me the two faces of a coin.

 

Why?

Let me try to explain...

 

People had constructed towers for the good of man. Let's consider the Galata Tower. It had been built as a watch tower to detect the fires in the city. Let's consider the plane. It had been invented to travel faster and to overcome the obstructions of land and sea.

 

But aren't there any other uses for both?

Towers were built in the past by rulers who put themselves as gods and pharaohs to iconize their existence. Planes were manufactured to destroy lives in warfare.

 

It is all the same. Anything can be used for the good and can be used for ugly, bad, or also called as "evil".

Well, it sounds like a real cliche! Right?

Maybe it is "some people" who manipulated us to warp and to twist our perception and our understanding on what is good or the opposite... or even what is cliche and what is reality...

 

The matter is which side you choose and follow.

And it is not a simple and entertaining choice. :)

It is really true and is really much more serious than you can imagine.

But in the end, you will take your reward or your punishment for sure.

 

I recommend you to make some real research... and...

Open your eyes! ;)

[si,mi sono fatta un regalo,anzi due! uno piccolo piccolo,e l'altro grande e luminosissimo *-*]

 

Hello, my name is Chichiro

'Caring'

My spirit is thoughtful and understanding.

 

You show my caring spirit in your thoughtfulness and your desire to understand. By always seeking to consider and connect, you let others know that you care.

 

Scattata per il contest Weekend Creative del gruppo "Weekly Daily Monthly"

{tema: BLUE}

Punakaiki River Gorge, West Coast, New Zealand

 

We are heading back to the West Coast of the South Island next week for a 2 week photography trip, with the plan to spend most of the time exploring the areas that we haven't had the time to before.

 

So I have been looking through the photos from our last trip to that area (8 years ago, in a time prior to me understanding photography) and this image jumped out at me for the amazing light on the cliffs.

 

This shot was taken with a entry level 12 megapixel DSLR, using a kit lens, and shot as a Jpeg. But it still looks good to me.

Mette has a phone she can use to more than speaking and texting! I know, it is very strange to use a phone to anything but speaking, and a rare time sending a text message!! But Mette is a modern woman, so I have given up understanding it all.

 

Well, she captured a video of me on that "phone" today. She was loading and driving home logs, whilst I was cutting down more trees. So here is a short video of me with the chainsaw. I am all dressed in Stihl protecting clothes, and use a Jonsred chainsaw. Just because...

 

There is a dog somewhere in there too if you manage to see it all.

 

Parental guiding: this is not for tree huggers. Trees were hurt and killed during the filming.

 

Video: Mette

 

PS: I still do not approve phones to anything but speaking and texting!!

Last year I decided that I was going to start reading more and I read 255 books. This year, I wanted to up my game a little bit and do more like a reading marathon and ended up the year reading 365 books, a book for every day. Even though I am a pretty athletic person, I can't run because it hurts my knees. I am not as graceful and elegant as I would need to be for professional dance and sports has never interested me. But reading is the one thing I can do and I like to do at the gym, on planes, in bed, and in the bathtub primarily. So, I made an effort to read for a minimum of 2 1/2 hours per day and sometimes ended up reading for more like 4 hours a day on weekends and when I had other days off from work. I didn't read to show off but to escape the reality of our current country's political situation and to learn more about the lives and perspectives of others unlike me. Reading a mixture of novels, nonfiction essays and immigrant stories, collections of poetry and short stories, I read less than 10% of these books by white people and of those 10%, most were by women. I can say that I really enjoyed the vast majority of the books I've read and don't have any significant regrets for this reading marathon.

 

I should also note that, although some of these books did come out in 2019, many did not. The following are my favorite books of this year that I read this year (regardless of their original publication date). I know I am also probably forgetting some and I feel remiss in that too, but I spent hours writing the following (even longer than that reading these) and I hope some of you get some good recommendations of books you might also like to read or can connect with me on a book you have read. Feel free to share your favorites as well! I am highly interested in having conversations about books and finding out about literature I may have had less exposure to living in America.

   

1. Tell Me Who You Are by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi

 

This book is an astounding work that covers so many different states and personal backgrounds to reflect on race in America. If you like Humans of New York, this is a little like that in the sense that it explores what makes us human but it's a great more complex and thorough than that-maybe a Humans of America. The fact that Guo and Vulchi were able to travel all across the US to gain an understanding of so many people and how their race has affected their lives is a daring and meaningful venture in and of itself but it's also clear that they make a concerted effort to explore the things these people like and enjoy so that there's a fuller sense to some things they have in common with others. In addition, the photographs of these people really add to a sense of them. if you do not fall in love with these humans along with this work as a whole, that is a loss for you. We must change in our country. We must develop more empathy and patience. We must be able to listen to others who we think we share nothing in common with and find the things we do share whilst respecting individual differences. This is the only way we will be able to heal and move forward.

 

This book is a masterpiece and should be celebrated in every household across America.

 

www.chooseorg.org/ournewbook

  

2. Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli

 

This book is so relevant to what is happening at the border with the unfair treatment of families from Mexico right now in all of our names but it also manages a personal touch with an extended road trip and the link between the mother/protagonist and her own family and how she handles her own children being separated from her. This is a harrowing read, especially because there is truth in the weight of our names as Americans being tied to the deep sins of mistreating other humans. This is also, however a very poetic read, haunting in its lyrical quality and in the way that Luiselli is able to adeptly convey the range of emotions she feels, desperate and distraught but also so very insightful. You will read these pages wit your heart in your throat, worry that if you are not careful, you may actually end of swallowing it.

 

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/03/lost-children-archi...

  

3. Frontier by Can Xue

 

2019 was the year I discovered Can Xue, the experimental fiction author from China who, at first, everyone thought was male as her pen name isn't especially gender specific. Can Xue is not understood fully by probably most people and I myself had to read several sentences over again a few times, especially this work, the most esoteric of what I've read (three novels and one short story collection this year). The imagery is especially potent here and you don't really know exactly what is happening in the way the human form can transform. You really don't know quite what could be actually happening....and what could be a dream or a hallucination. This would be a book I would read at the end of the world cuddled under a blanket and remembering the most imaginative humans could be then hoping there were some creatives still left out in the tundra of the world.

 

www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-mysterious-fronti...

  

4. Though the Arc of the Rainforest by Karen Tei Yamashita

 

Another new author I discovered was Karen Tei Yamashita and, though I also enjoyed reading a collection of her plays entitled Anime Wong, I even more so enjoyed reading this novel. Yamashita is Japanese American but you get more of that specific perspective from her plays. Set between Japan and Brazil, this novel features a very vivid cast of interesting characters not to mention the protagonist that is the rotating ball in front of the Japanese train conductor's head. This is one of the most unique books I have ever read in my life and it's no surprise that the forward is from one of the most highly intelligent authors in the world, Percival Everett. This novel is a real treat and is a riveting surreal adventure.

 

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/karen-tei-yamashita-2/...

  

5. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick

 

I've spent many years not knowing very much at all about the lives of those who live in North Korea, much as the citizens of North Korea have spent their lives knowing not too much about others outside of their country. This non fiction work follows the lives of North Koreans who escape into China and South Korea and manage to be granted refugee status and follows them up until the early 2000s. It's another book that disarms you in its brutality. Demick records the stories of their lives, how they bought into propaganda, and how they started to gather inklings of the truth while they were in their home country. The depth of the poverty and brainwashing is immense from the time that these people are schoolchildren. Even if they were starving, if someone came by and saw that their picture of Kim Jong-il then Kim Jong-un weren't immaculate, they could be taken and forced into a labor camp. If they didn't weep loud enough at the death of Kim Jong-il, they were also suspect and no one could trust their neighbors, who could also very likely be government informants. The only media that they had access to was North Korean and Russian propaganda films and even their literature was greatly restricted. In addition, even having a bowl of rice a day was seen as a great luxury. Many starved to death and were happy to have less mouths to feed in their family. The clothing women could wear was also severely limited. This was (and possibly still in many ways is) a super suppressed society (from the point of view of an American especially.) I'd be curious if anything has changed and what but really what honestly struck me is how the government deliberately misled their citizens into thinking that they were producing things they weren't and that the rest of the world was under the same amount of hardship. This is a government who would rather see their people starve than to stoop to accepting aid from abroad. It's eye opening and terrifying for me to think of the people who have suffered and died under these regimes.

 

www.theguardian.com/books/2010/apr/03/nothing-envy-korea-...

  

6. The Pretty One by Keah Brown

 

There has been a real paucity in literature of valuable and unique human perspectives and this work of nonfiction is an incredibly valuable addition to the canon of literature as a whole and adds to our collective human empathy and understanding of the range of experiences one can have while being alive. Keah Brown is a woman like none other-honest about the world and her own growth as a human, friend, and twin sister, insightful about the racism and ableism in our current present world and humorous in her observations of pop culture. Keah Brown has a different ability level and many might say she has a disability. I say she has an ability that most other people do not possess and may not ever possess. That doesn’t mean that our physical environment does not need to become more accommodating (it does) and that people don’t need to develop more empathy (they do). But, it does mean that we would all be wise to learn from her perspective.

 

keahbrown.com/

 

www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/disabledandcut...

  

7. Your House Will Pay by Steph Cha

 

One of the most astounding books of fiction I read this year was a book that feels incredibly brave and is loosely based on actual incidents that happened in the Rodney King riots of LA. Steph Cha is Korean American but it became widely clear from this novel that she is very invested in promoting healing between the Korean and African American communities. The novel goes back and forth between 1991 and 2019 and explores racism with a deep and personal delving that made me literally at times gasp out loud. There’s a question of human accountability, retribution, and these are treated with care and contentiousness. This is the kind of wholly relevant novel we can all learn something from even despite it being technically fiction. There are still lots of truths to be found here.

 

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/steph-cha/your-house-w...

  

8. When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Asha Bandele and Patrisse Khan-Cullors

  

If you live in America and are even remotely aware of the racist systems and acts of violence that are committed against those in the African and African American communities, you should be appalled. I can tell you just reading even what is considered to be “liberal” news outlets I am appalled by how quickly and often they show any mug shot of a person of color but (I always call this correctly), when it’s a white terrorist who has committed a hate crime, we don’t see his face for several days or longer. The fact of the matter is, most of the time these acts are not even classified as terrorism and yet they are just as damaging and politically motivated. This book explores the heartache and mobilization of the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the police brutality and death and the systems in place that keep white people especially profiting. One day, I hope to live in a world where all are treated equally but we have a long ways to go and, as a human of privilege in this current world, I believe the only way we’re going to get there is if all people, including white people, advocate for an end to these racist systems and a place of acceptance, love, and respect for everyone in this world. I’m never going to claim I know the fear and the danger and the distrust that one must feel being Black in America but I do feel extreme sadness when I see cops having no accountability for murder, for profit prisons capitalizing on modern day slavery, and a whole range of racism happening in terms of regentrification, lack of funding for public schools in neighborhoods where there are more people of color, food deserts, and other appalling neglectful practices by our own government. It is shameful. There should be reparations. And, even more so, I do believe that the police in this country are currently doing more harm than good and that we should abolish at least 90% of our prisons. (I’d say abolish all but I want there to still be a place for Trump and all his friends.) This is a must read for all humans who want to come to a better understanding of what it takes to make a movement and the real human damage to what has occurred in several cities across America where the blood on our hands cannot ever be washed off.

 

patrissecullors.com/call-terrorist-black-lives-matter-mem...

  

9. Women Talking by Miriam Toews

 

I’ve read several novels by Miriam Toews and, though I have enjoyed all of them, this is one of her stand alone masterpieces. Miriam Toews comes from a Mennonite perspective and often her stories focus on Mennonite life with some personal anecdotes seemingly inserted here and there. This novel feels much different and offers an important aspect of feminism in terms of exploration of the human female mind after the real life events taking place in Bolivia in 2005-2009 when these women were raped consistently by men in their Mennonite community and were basically told by these men that these abuses were not happening and that these women were psychologically unsound. Most books of this nature explore the deep wounds of being a victim. This book offers a different sort of perspective. While still putting a human face to the damage done by men, it focuses more on the action of these women in discussions and meetings to decide how they will solve this problem going forward. Will they kick out the men? Will they leave completely? If they leave, will they take the children including the male children? At what age does a male stay behind? These are complex and very real questions and all choices are intellectually explored with great discussion. It made me feel the strength and empowerment of women vs. another book that would have focused more on these humans as victims instead. Well worth the read!

 

www.npr.org/2019/04/06/709530968/these-women-talking-buil...

  

10. Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann

 

This is a daunting read. When I say daunting, I should clarify that while I have read a few 1000+ page novels before, they are usually separated into separate sentences. Ellmann clearly was going for a marathon level of stream of consciousness when she wrote this one. Most of the novel (I’d say 900+ pages of it) are The fact of___ the fact of______ the fact of____ the fact of___ and Ellmann reveals what haunts her the most-Trump and corporations valuing profit over people, gun toting MAGA white terrorists on the loose, poorly built bridges, cops shooting unarmed African Americans, and sort of what I can only say I would consider the collective disease process of being American in this present day. But, there is also the overarching story line of being a mother, a daughter whose mother has passed away of Cancer, remarrying after divorce, and oddly enough being a pie baker. She goes through several harrowing real life incidents in the book where she and her family are put in danger but that doesn’t give us a break from her very loud internal monologue that will suddenly just start listing off facts of films, every city she can think of, and random products. The reader’s only reprieve from this great feat of literature is when we see the perspective of a lioness running from hunters and trying to protect her progeny. I do think this book is worth reading, especially if you can get in the groove and feel the pulse of the first person female protagonist but you do need to obviously put in a huge time and emotional commitment. In order to help things flow more smoothly for you if you decide to take up this challenge as a reader, I suggest reading about 100 pages for 11 days straight or 50 pages a day for 21 days straight. If you do this, you manage to get into a certain groove by page 300 or so. Slowly but surely, all the tangential word salad starts making a weird sort of sense and you begin to really feel for the sense of this woman’s personal story and what she’s going through. Maybe it says something about me that I found her relatable even though I haven’t lost my mom to Cancer, haven’t gone through a divorce, do not have kids, and don’t have a clue how to bake a pie. But, I understand being caught in a state of almost helplessness about what my country has become and what I witness in terms of how people act towards each other. Anyway, a lot of people have abandoned this but it might be the perfect book to add to the next time capsule. Hopefully, things will get better in the new year.

 

www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/can-one-sentence-capt...

  

11. In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero

 

I still haven’t watched the show Orange is the New Black, which stars Diane Guerrero, but I fell in love with her as Jane the Virgin’s good friend/sidekick Lina early on. (You can’t NOT watch Jane the Virgin if you live in Chicago. So many of my co-workers went to high school with Gina Rodriguez and always talk about how nice she was to everyone which is literally the opposite of what most people say about you in high school). That being said, I usually don’t read books just because they are by celebrities but I enjoyed this one as well as America Ferrera’s American Like Me: Reflections of Life Between Cultures and Tiffany Haddish’s The Last Black Unicorn. All three nonfiction autobiographies are worth reading and pondering over but Guerrero’s personal struggle against adversity when she literally came home as a teenager and found herself completely alone after her parents had been deported to Colombia struck a real sense in me of how, first it’s gotten even worse with ICE raids, and second, these children are such victims and we’re not even considering all the collateral human damage of what we do as a country when this happens. I found this autobiography brave, brutally honest, and even at times a little funny but mostly I found this to me about the power of perseverance and not giving up no matter what, not just in the struggle for survival, which was very real for Guerrero, but also in the struggle to do what you love and follow your dreams and actually make it. Guerrero is talented, that is for sure, but she is also a sort of superhero as well in what she has overcome and she has given us all a real gift of letting us glimpse the power of her human spirit.

 

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/diane-guerrero/in-the-...

  

12. A Particular Type of Black Man by Tope Folarin

 

This is a complex portrait of a Nigerian family who immigrates to Utah of all places and it seems like some of this story must be based on Folarin’s own life experience in that he did have a family who immigrated here from Nigeria and spent some time growing up in Utah and other areas that are also mentioned in this book. What makes this book more unique than many immigrant fiction or pseudofiction is the exploration of the human mind and exploration of mental health and illness within the protagonist as well as this family unit. What also makes it worth reading is the sense of a celebration in Nigerian culture vs. complete desertion. There were insights and information in this book that really astounded me, even having lived in this country all my life (though, to be fair I have never been to Utah). Well worth the read!

 

www.npr.org/2019/08/24/751917486/tope-folarin-was-a-parti...

  

13. The Memory Police by Yoko Agawa

 

This is the second full length novel I’ve read by Yoko Agawa (I’ve also read and liked The Housekeeper and the Professor as well as her short story collection entitled Revenge). I enjoyed all three of these works but I liked The Memory Police by far the best…the concept that you slowly lose the memory of everything around you and hold dear and the including literally parts of yourself-limbs, for instance, and that anyone who still has the ability to remember is not safe but is taken and separated from society at the very least is a really intriguing concept but where the book really succeeds is in its exploration of memories in the sense that they make us human and are truly a part of us. It’s also a book within a book as we experience this cruel postmodern society from the protagonist while, at the same time, experience her own protagonist of the horror typewriter story she’s been authoring. I really enjoyed the strong sense of mood and contemplation on the nature of existence.

 

www.npr.org/2019/08/12/749538789/quiet-surreal-drama-and-...

  

14. Revolution Sunday by Wendy Guerra

 

This is a mixed sort of book between prose and poetry with some aspects of experimental fiction as well. One cannot help but fall in love a little bit with Guerra as she travels to Mexico, falls in love with an actor, tries to escape persecution from the Cuban government who are constantly monitoring every move she makes, and above all keeps writing as she attempts to discover the truth of the death of her parents as well as gain a sense of her place in the world as a woman, a poet, a human. Some of these lines of poetry are completely haunting and there’s some real themes in this novel about deconstruction and reconstruction.

 

www.npr.org/2018/12/05/673387723/complicated-challenging-...

 

www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/books/review/wendy-guerra-revo...

  

15. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

 

Lefteri is British but has worked with immigrants in Athens, which is where this story takes place at least in part. This is a really harrowing fictional account of a Syrian husband and wife who have lost their child and are each coping with it in their own ways (the mother soon after goes blind and the father suffers from delusions and hallucinations). This is also a story about the struggle for survival after witnessing the tragedy-the destruction of your home and everything you love, and the process of immigration to a safer space and country and the real life troubles to be found in these places as well. Oddly enough, I also learned a great deal about bees from this book but I still feel it is more focused on the desperation that people in Syria must feel and trying to get over incidents that have devastated them and should have never happened in the first place. On a personal level, I don’t believe in borders and I’d rather have more Syrians in my own country than horrible rich white men. No thanks!

 

www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/beekeeper-aleppo-novel

  

16. Those Who Wander: America's Lost Street Kids by Vivian Ho

 

America is a country of great wealth but, unfortunately, until our tax structure changes, it is a wealth owned by the very few whose greed is overpowering (I mean, everyone needs a 100th house while the homeless are dying on the streets, right). In California, especially the Bay Area, where this nonfiction work concentrates on, this is even more vividly so. The book explores the reasons behind actual murders that took place but also the desperate conditions that drive people to become homeless, the psychologies behind being homeless, and the resources that are available and kind people who have tried to help. This book is a really difficult read because of the subject matter but it is important that none of us look away and turn our backs on those who struggle. No one should have to live in poverty just so the most affluent people can become more powerful. But, of course, these uber rich are miserable too, you know. They too won’t be free until every other human is free.

 

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/vivian-ho/those-who-wa...

   

18. So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo

 

Oluo is incredible candid and honest not just about racism within our structures such as our for profit prison industrial system but within our daily interactions. She answers some questions white people might be too scared to answer and illuminates other things white people might be oblivious about in terms of their/our own sense of privilege. And she does all of this, I’m guess, with the hope that speaking truth to power will lead us all to be better people regardless of our race and also because communities have suffered because in 2019 (now 2020), white privilege is still very much a thing and is going strong.

 

www.thenationalbookreview.com/features/2018/2/1/pzq0lfjcp...

  

19. Logic in an Illogical World by Eugenia Cheng

 

I wouldn’t call myself a Mathematician by any standards. I can do basic algebra without a calculator and I see the artistic nature of geometry and can read and extrapolate from a variety of graphs but, most of the time, I still prefer art, literature, and music to Mathematics. Still, the one time I became really and truly excited about Math happened when I leared about Mathematical/Logical proofs and Cheng explores the art of proofs within the context of several political arguments relevant to this period of time in our shared human history. She touches on the less controversial to the extreme controversial and offers insights into personality and how she herself has changed when she has thought of an argument or a collection of facts in a different context. This book will help you see multiple points of view and have richer discussions about everything from mandatory voting practices to abortion.

 

www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/19/the-art-of-logic-by...

  

20. Making Comics by Lynda Barry

 

Many of the books I have written about have touched me and I have learned a great deal from them but this is one of those books that gave me very concrete ideas about activities to do with children at Chicago Public Schools. Not all of these activities are written to be done with children but many can be adapted and I have found that giving kids a 4-5 minute free draw at the end of my Occupational Therapy sessions not only motivates them to complete other challenges but also addresses a visual motor need they might have. I have really enjoyed tremendously seeing kids draw their favorite monster and also as themselves as an animal in particular. I think drawing can definitely be like dreams….you never truly know exactly what you are thinking and feeling until you let your mind and your hands go across the paper. This book also inspired me in a different way, which is to look at my own drawings not as technically good or bad but as a product of my own mind and spirit and, in that sense, it’s less damaging to me and less frustrating when I can’t draw something exactly how it looks in real life, for example. I loved all the exercises and visual examples in this book! It really can change your life if you let it!

 

www.npr.org/2019/11/27/782921983/cartoonist-lynda-barry-d...

 

21. Blue Boy by Rakesh Satyal

 

I have to admit, I fell in love with the protagonist of this story, Kiran Sharma, who identifies with the deity of Krishna and is trying to find how own way in the world as both a boy who is discovering his own sexuality and the fact that he is gay, as well as a young man coming to terms with his identity as an Indian American boy living in middle America (Cincinnati, Ohio). Kiran is dramatic and perfect and Satyal really succeeds in painting a vivid portrait of growing up with obstacles but still being yourself despite these challenges. There were scenes in this book that made me laugh until I cried but also made me cry until I laughed. Wonderfully written with a true celebration of the human spirit and of the joy in being able to be yourself and learn to love everything that makes you: you!

 

www.lambdaliterary.org/reviews/fiction/06/08/blue-boy-by-...

  

22. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous By Ocean Vuong

  

First and foremost, Ocean Vuong is a poet and even in prose this comes out more than the vast majority of novel writers. This is his first actual work of fiction and feels a little traumatic and haunting it it’s deep feeling sense of the experience of life and family. Vuong’s deep feeling protagonist is trying to come to terms with the actions of and his relationship to his mother as well as some of his own life choices. You get the sense that each day brings its own struggles and is definitely not easy and that reality is a cruel sort of mistress that keeps revisiting him. But, the poetry above all will make you remember and want to return to this book.

 

www.npr.org/2019/06/05/729691730/on-earth-is-gorgeous-all...

  

23. A Woman is No Man By Etaf Rum

 

This book is about many things-family, tradition, but also feminism and a new generation of women who think and reach beyond their metaphysical borders. It follows three generations of a family who immigrated to Brooklyn from Palestine and the abuses they suffered at the hands of their men as well as the secrets they covered up. Most devastating is the way that the grandmother and mother expect (though much more so the grandmother) the conforming of the younger women to submit to all the male wishes and hide any evidence of their true selves that might appear ungrateful and difficult. This is a family that would rather kill than be seen as dishonorable and, though it is technically fiction, it is shocking in the depth of abuse these women take and how they themselves as humans are taken for granted. This book was full of surprises for me on virtually every page.

 

www.npr.org/2019/03/02/699051434/for-better-or-worse-new-...

  

24. Broken Places and Outer Spaces Nnedi Okorafor

 

I’m a big fan of the science fiction of Nnedi Okorafor, most notably Lagoon is my favorite, but this book is one I read this year and is a highly personal autobiographical account of her learning to break free from paralysis after a Scoliosis surgery that did not go as well as expected and finding her own unique voice and inspiration in the work of other artists to explore her own realm of Science Fiction in a way that is wholly worthwhile. I had no idea that the author I’ve read so many fiction books from had this extreme experience but I was indeed inspired by her own perseverance and coming to terms with the surgery and not letting limitations define her but pushing beyond these with a strength and dedication that doubtless has made her one of the very best authors in her field.

 

nnedi.com/books/broken_places_outer_spaces.html

  

25. John Edgar Wideman: Fanon

 

This is one of the more complex books of fiction I’ve read this year…it is truly a story within a story within a story based on some of Wideman’s real life with his brother as well as the actual life of the revolutionary Frantz Fanon..it’s about not wanting the cruelty of history to be repeated and about drawing connections between timelines and the way racism continues to impact people across continents today. It is at times highly poetic and at other times so visceral you might have to put it down but in any case very worthwhile reading and incredibly adept and masterful in its exploration of all of these connections and reconciliation between past and present with a hope for a better and different future. There are many passages here that are profound and all are thought provoking.

  

www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/books/review/Siegel-t.html

  

26. The Hungry Ghosts by Shyam Selvadurai

 

I have learned a great deal about the political crisis in Sri Lanka in the 1980s from Selvadurai. If you want to try to understand what was happening between the Tamil and Sinhalese people, this is a topic that Selvadurai visits often as well as coming of age as a man who is gay and being an immigrant in Canada. There’s also a real delving into the classism inherent within the Sri Lankan society between these people and also, between the protagonist’s own grandmother and her tenants and the abuse and neglect that happens to the poor. Meanwhile, the grandmother manages to distance herself from her actions and convince herself that these people brought these things on themselves with bad karma…by her own standards, she should expect a much worse life in her next one. There are many similar topics in terms of Sri Lankan politics and coming to terms with one’s own sexuality in Funny Boy but this seemed more of an in depth work so I would recommend reading The Hungry Ghosts if you have limited reading time but you may find you’d like to read his others anyhow.

  

nationalpost.com/entertainment/books/book-reviews/book-re...

  

27. Taina by Ernesto Quinonez

 

I read two of Quinonez’s novels back to back and while I liked the emotional drama and complexity of Bodega Dreams, I really liked the sense of Puerto Rican tradition and strong female main character here. This involves everything from the idea of magical realism to deep religious beliefs. Could Taina be a postmodern virgin Mary? Could this be immaculate conception? The other protagonist, a young male, is willing to believe anything she says and fight for her virtue. While this story takes place primarily in Spanish Harlem, it also shows the inherent racism and classism in NYC as a whole while adeptly pulling one into the personalities and tribulations of the characters. Well worth reading!

 

apnews.com/f8209640f0554191a893cbe61a4583b9

  

28. On Black Sisters Street Chika Unigwe

 

This book explores the lives of African women immigrating to Belgium in hopes of a better life and being lied to with the idea that they could be housekeepers and nannies but then are sold into a sex trade where they are basically enslaved until they raise an inordinate amount of money to “pay back” their immigration fee. It is about living unsafely as an illegal and being forced into prostitution just to survive, which happens far more frequently than many people might realize. Women on our own are valuable in terms of our ideas and our empathy but the world will still look at women as a whole and women from African especially as only worthwhile as a body to rape. This is a very difficult read, mainly because of the aspects of truth that this happens but also because you get attached to the characters and don’t want them to suffer, which is the work of a great novelist in and of itself.

 

www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/books/review/book-review-on-bl...

  

29. Home a Refugee Story by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah

 

This is a really insightful read for anyone who is looking to hear about the author’s escape from Syria to refugees in Canada. We learn a lot about the power of the human spirit and it is also in many ways a testament to why all countries should welcome refugees. It is also valuable in terms of giving ideas on how we can do better in terms of supporting the transition between countries when there is a new language, culture shock, and when families need to keep something similar in place such as even a space to pray in schools. We need to all make sure we are being kind and sensitive and welcoming as well as aware of the probably trauma that refugees have suffered, especially coming from war torn countries. This also shows us how valuable it is to listen and to help refugees tell their stories, as the work of Rabeeah’s Language Arts teacher Winnie Yeung is the reason why we have this remarkable autobiography.

 

quillandquire.com/review/homes-a-refugee-story/

  

30. The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

 

There were many times reading this book I felt fascinated, wondered about the choices of the characters and what they would do next, and drawn to the mystery surrounding the death that unites all of them from the beginning of the Moroccan American father who owns a restaurant and is suspiciously killed by a hit and run. This is a work of fiction but the way it explores racism and xenophobia is all too real and Lalami really helps the reader sense the loss of humanity when incidents like this take place as well as the complexity of it between the investigation and trial and the level of dishonesty too. It’s also interesting because it involves an unlikely inter-racial love affair and there’s a sense that when these two people can fall in love, maybe we can all reconcile our differences with each other…maybe….hopefully we are capable.

  

www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-lailalalami-otheramericans...

  

31. The Making of a Dream: How a Group of Young Undocumented Immigrants Helped Change What It Means to Be American By, Laura Wides Munoz

 

This is a really comprehensive work of nonfiction chronicling the 1,500 walk of a group of Dreamers and a decade of work beginning with Obama and coming up to the published date of January 2019. It makes no qualms about exposing the frustrations and stalemate of the Obama presidency in getting protections but also the horrors of our current political situation for these young and determined humans that are also vulnerable despite their bravery and fierceness. We get to know the inner workings of their lives and family situations, their education and history of what drives them the most in terms of their advocacy. Munoz also exposes how some movements such as gay rights and marriage are pitted against others like the movement to protect Dreamers and how a single year cut off can arbitrary ruin human lives and mean deportations. This is an important read for anyone who still thinks these amazing humans don’t belong or deserve to be here (They do!) and who still thinks it’s easy to become a legal immigrant if you’re just willing to go through the established process….this line of thinking is an ignorant myth. These humans deserve so much more than this. Let’s hope 2020 brings us a new president who is willing to provide more protections and also welcome more immigrants to America.

 

www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/books/review/laura-wides-munoz...

  

32. Go Ahead in the Rain by Hanif Abdurraquib

 

Hanif always brings himself into his writing about music and this is why, even if you are not the biggest Tribe Called Quest Fan, you will still find many reasons to fall in love with this book. That being said, my partner has always loved Tribe and I finally fell in love myself when I saw them perform and was able to photograph them (see: www.flickr.com/photos/kirstiecat/35348763944/in/photolist... ) Hanif made me love both him and the band even more in the way that he explores their history, why their music is groundbreaking, and their contemporaries as well. Hanif also explores his own love of music and how music was seen in his family. There’s also a story early on that shows the racism of his music teacher at school that made me feel so devastated that these things happen from teachers who are supposed to be loving and nonjudgmental. There is so much to love and learn from in this book and, even if you don’t fall in love with Tribe, you might still fall deeper in love with humanity and our relationship to nourishing sound.

 

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/10/go-ahead-in-the-rai...

 

33. Call Me American Abdi Nor Iftin

 

Oh my God the lengths that this man goes to in order to survive civil war in Somalia, escape to Kenya then to the US is insane. My heart was in my throat for the vast majority of this book…a really survival against all odds life story. It also gives a glimpse at how much tragedy some of our immigrants are carrying with them when they come here and the love and supports we should all give them. Abdi Nor Iftin is extremely intelligent and also funny but I can’t imagine going through even 10% of what he went through when he was trying to escape warring tribes and seeing so much death around him and still being able to lift my head off the pillow each morning.

 

www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/books/call-me-american-abdi-no...

  

34. Passing by Nella Larsen

 

I read both Passing and Quicksand by Nella Larsen this year and liked them both quite a bit. Both have a lot to offer in terms of insights into classism and racism but Passing feels a little more vivid to me maybe because it is set between Chicago and NYC whereas much of Quicksand takes place in Denmark. Both novels are well worth reading though and Passing has both a personal component between these two women with a shared history and that of secrets and racism as one woman is passing for white in trade of an elevated place in society at the time. In addition to giving us glimpses of both cities in 1929, it shows a little bit about what it was like both living as a white woman and living as a black woman and the level of anxiety felt by those who tried to keep their race a secret.

 

electricliterature.com/in-nella-larsens-passing-whiteness...

  

35. Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card Sara Saedi

 

In many ways, this is about a family torn because of their differing immigration statuses and how arbitrary all that seems when we’re talking about real humans and not just letters and numbers on a page. This is a family that will go to all lengths in order to get citizenship for themselves and others and will fight to be Americans even though America does not treat them as kindly or with justice. This is also a great deal about the joys of family, of Iranian culture, and also of coming of age and pop culture in America. Saedi, who now writes for iZombie (I still haven’t seen this show myself but now I might give it a try), is at times poignant and at other times really hilarious. You really get a sense of her personality in this autobiography and it really makes you again realize how much immigrants have to offer America and how they deserve far better than what they are given most of the time. It’s a tragedy that we treat humans the way we do simply because they aren’t born here. That needs to stop.

 

www.npr.org/2018/03/28/597600898/americanized-recounts-wh...

 

36. Lindy West: The Witches are Coming

 

Lindy West is hilarious in her examination of racism, sexism, whole bodyism and all that really needs to change about reality. I learned things I somehow missed, like how “Grumpy Cat’s” owners came up with a ridiculous far fetched story so cover up for the fact they were using an insult/slur used for those with different ability levels. I also found the chapters about Adam Sandler and Joan Rivers pretty insightful as well. There were many times I felt like, “Yeah, I agree with that” but she has a really great cutting way about how she presents information and also her opinions that make it a good read.

 

www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/lindy-west-casts...

 

37. The Reactive By, Ntshanga, Masande

 

I’ve never read a book quite like this. If you want to know what it was like to be HIV+ in the late 1990s-early 2000s and living in South Africa, this book is the one for you. But also, this book is about family, about overcoming loss, about deep friendships and has a great deal of existentialism and in general bizarre interactions, drug trial and substance abuse, and an analysis of racism in Cape Town as well. I felt very strongly that I both learned something and gained an attachment to these fictional characters and what they were going through.

 

slate.com/culture/2016/07/masande-ntshangas-the-reactive-...

  

38. Brother by David Chariandy

 

Set in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, this follows second generation Trinidadian immigrants and the racism they encounter living there in the early 1990s. This is a really well written look at family, especially these two brothers and the bond between them and how the family deals with all of life’s small and large tragedies. It’s also a book that will likely devastate you, though I don’t want to spoil anything by saying more.

 

www.cbc.ca/books/brother-by-david-chariandy-1.4246382

  

39. A People’s History of Heaven by Mathangi Subramanian

 

This could be another book about class warfare and profit over people but the layers in it are exceptional and what Subramanian does really well is to delve into the different personalities and power in the women in this place ironically called Heaven and illustrate the need for women to stick together.

 

www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/books/review/mathangi-subraman...

 

40. Dinner By, César Aira

 

I read a couple of novels/novellas by César Aira and a collection of short stories called The Musical Brain and Other Stories, which was also phenomenal. Dinner was even more unexpected and hilarious because it combines the need to be remembered and the power of names with a zombie uprising in the little town of Pringles in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I love the politically astute sense to this and the twists in the plot. Really a very unique book not just about zombies but about the power of human memory.

 

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/cesar-aira/dinner-aira/

  

A couple of really highly recommended books of poetry:

 

The City in Which I Love You Li-Young Lee

 

Rangoli by Pavana Reddy

  

A couple of quick cat related books

 

I don’t think the following books are necessarily life changing but I did want to mention to them in case you are a cat lover like I am! I think animals bring out the best in humans when we find ourselves at our most compassionate and so I’ve always enjoyed reading books that feature cats. Here are the couple I read this year and enjoyed:

 

If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura

 

We could give up movies and time but could we give up cats? What if we were terminally ill and this could buy us one more day on Earth….what would we give up?

  

The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

 

For the vast majority of this book, we really don’t know why the protagonist is looking for someone to take care of his cat but we get to meet a lot of different types of people from his past and learn about them, which is both interesting and philosophical.

 

This picture is part of a small series. You might take a look at the album for some better understanding of the idea.

And there is no door.

 

Tokyo, Japan

Mangesh and our guide Subhrota

Understanding Napoli, in Italy

The Petrified Elephant, Valley of Fire, Nevada

www.josephrossbach.com

  

We have a couple awesome upcoming workshop you may be interested in....

  

Take your nature photography skills to a new level by joining us on an educational weekend of classroom and field instruction in Chincoteague, Virginia where we will have a chance to photograph seascapes, wildlife, reflections, macro and much more. Classroom sessions include understanding exposure, advanced composition, working the light and post processing workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop. Register here - www.josephrossbach.com/chincoteague-nature-photography-bo...

  

This January we have lined up an awesome workshop in Moab, Utah photographing iconic Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Winter is a great time to explore the desert landscapes of Moab with snow capped mountains rising beyond red stone monoliths and arches. Not to mention that we will be out each evening working the stars and light painting in the parks. Register here for this workshop - www.josephrossbach.com/workshops/arches-canyonlands-winte...

An Understanding person remains calm. —Proverbs 17:27

 

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Unfortunately I bought a laptop a year or more ago whose graphics I am not totally happy with when it comes to photography. Not being a tech person i was unaware of differences in graphics with different units,different brands,etc. Like cameras and lenses,digital and film. What I have done therefore is use my wife's ipad,which is about a year old as well, as my guage for whether i approve of a photo or not that is first loaded thru my laptop. Recently a friend who knows more than I do played with my graphics on this computer; I think there's some improvement,but still falls short of what seems to be a more accurate representation of an image coming out of my cameras when I check it on an ipad,my wife's or my friend's here in Shawnigan Lake,B.C. where i am visiting 900 miles from my home. Beautiful beautiful place,as is all of Vancouver Island. That being said,this image,as it sits on my laptop this moment, is exactly what i want short of me miraculously becoming a known photography icon suddenly who churns out artistic gold whichever way he points a camera. I like it a lot. Sadly ,what you may,and likely see, is something different enough from what I am looking at right now, so that in essence they are two different photos. I have not seen this photo yet on another device,laptop or ipad,so I can't comment on the difference. Even if the difference is good and very acceptable,which is better than not so good or acceptable, there remains a "problem". What is this problem? My thought is this,that a still image is a moment,a brief moment,not necessarily a milli-second or a few seconds,though that is how fast a photo can be taken. In that momentary place there is a mood inside the photographer. Moods vary in intensity and duration and in the essence of their nature, a human being is a complex thing,more correctly a complex being. Nothing more complex in existence.Except God of course. The goal then is to not only come across something in the outside world that mysteriously yet beautifully seems to contain enough of of the same essence that is in you,me, the photographer in that brief time or moment...but then to be the photographer who skilfully or less skilfully uses themself and their camera to capture this outside moment and scene so that it is frozen,captured indeed. Quite an art isn't it? it less matters to me now after years and time how good or not good I am in comparison to others. I mean it matters less in the negative way in which we can think like that,which then is not helpful to us as a person,nor to our desire to do and enjoy expression of ourself and our heart in photography. Of course I compare and measure, believe though that there is healthy,normal,and very helpful measuring,then there is a bad,very bad measuring that brings no good thing to us. The bad either depresses us,making us think we are nothing,know nothing,have nothing to offer,it crucifies us. Or,it makes us prideful, hurtfully competitive,it is then all about us,not about anyone,or very few others. Even if we are really super talented, but this is where we live,my question is: so what? Photography is not just about imagery,it can't help but be about people,it is impossible for it to not also be about people. The first person photography about is oneself. We must not crucify others in photography or life so that only we remain standing,but we also must not crucify ourselves. Comparison of oneself with others leads to either the dual negative that works against oneself and others....or it can be the good and healthy act of comparison which is a path of kindness and consideration toward oneself,and thus enables one then to feel and walk in that same kindness and consideration toward others. For my part I am unable to separate this healthy approach from God, and am always aware that there are and always will be some who do not like me saying this or bringing it up. There is a difference between saying,believing something,and forcing ourself,our position upon others. I am aware not only of the mistake made by christians on this very specific point,and I believe I see the harm it can and has brought. I do however distinguish between deliberate intent to do harm by wilfully crossing into someone's boundaries against their wish and will....and making a mistake by not understanding people's free will is sacred. Free will is sacred since God himself in making mankind made us all 'in His image'. A simple concept,yet so easily misunderstood by us. If we like free will,which we do,no one wants to be controlled,pushed,dominated,coerced by anyone. Anyone who has one shred of decency and is still in some semblance of a sound mind,knows that such behaviour is evil. Lets call it for what it is. However, once again,it's important to remember that there is a distinction between intentionally doing this to another,or simply not understanding this sacred boundary exists and must be honoured and treated with the utmost reverence when approaching another human being. True? I think so,know so. However, I myself have had to take a lifetime to get to this place where this is an understanding with significant clarity,and I do mean a lifetime.

 

So.therefore....what then?

 

Well....photography is fun,great fun and enjoyment. But like everything,it eventually,if not quickly,reveals us to ourself and to the world. There may be murky,misty,out of focus shadows in the revealing,but like the making of a physical film print in the old typical way, or the just as cool and different yet similar polaroid or instax process, an image of us begins to form and be revealed to the world through our 'doing' of photography. Photography CAN reveal who and what we are. And the question more important than photography,is;who are we,what are we?

 

I now must stop here,not having time to complete this at the present time. I hope to find time to do that.

The nicest girl of the village. Hoba Haru village

Himba women are famous for covering their body and hair with a paste made of butter, ochre (hematite powder) and ashes, called otjize, which is supposed to protect them from the sun and the insects. The red complexion it gives to women’s skin, is considered a sign of beauty. Body decoration is important in Himba culture, especially for women. They wear jewelry made of shell, metal, bone or skin. Women usually go topless (as well as men) and wear a skirt made of goat skin. Adult women also wear heavy iron or copper necklaces, that can weigh several kilos, and beaded anklets to protect their legs from venomous animal bites. Himba dress codes and hairstyle rules are very complex. Himba hairstyles are really meaningful as they enable to identify their social status. Pre-pubescent girls wear 2 plaits in front of their faces. Replacing them with many strands hanging all over the head, means the girl is in her puberty period. A girl with long tied back braids is considered ready for marriage. Once married, an « erembe » (a piece of goat leather) is tied to the top of her head.

Although mariage is important in Himba culture, extra marital relations are encouraged. Polygamy is the rule for men and women also, who can have other partners in addition of their husband. This free sexuality in Himba culture might be explained by the fact that, children are needed in order to raise cattle. Sexual relations before marriage are authorized, maybe in order to make polygamy more accepable. Boys are generally circumcised before puberty in (around the age of 7 or 8), to make them eligible for marriage and leave the camp on this occasion during a few days, Girls also leave when they have their first periods. Weddings are arranged when boys are about nineteen and girls around thirteen.

Despite their traditional autarky and remoteness Himbas get in touch with modern culture, and unfortunately with one of its worse plagues : AIDS. The sexual pratices of the Himba increase the risk of infection, a few cases have been reported. HIV virus is spreading mainly through cultural norms. This is all the more worrying for namibian authorities as Himbas are not aware of what AIDS is, and have difficulty understanding they could be ill and even die, as it takes time for the effects of the virus to become apparent in human host. A disease that might kill them in several years is not a major concern for them, especially for the elders.

  

© Eric Lafforgue

www.ericlafforgue.com

In this image, perception is challenged, and the familiarity is quietly fractured. At first glance, it seems straightforward: Robert sitting on a bench, holding a frame. But once you look closer, you realize his entire pose defies normal body logic. By presenting a view that defies bodily logic, the work asks: Can we ever truly face ourselves? The act of “turning around” becomes both literal and metaphorical — urging introspection, yet trapping the subject in an endless retreat from his own gaze. The frame suggests the constructed nature of identity, while the physical impossibility of his pose evokes the contortions we undergo in pursuit of self-understanding. Here, the self becomes a paradox: always present, yet always just out of view.

Cavendish Mews is a smart set of flats in Mayfair where flapper and modern woman, the Honourable Lettice Chetwynd has set up home after coming of age and gaining her allowance. To supplement her already generous allowance, and to break away from dependence upon her family, Lettice has established herself as a society interior designer, so her flat is decorated with a mixture of elegant antique Georgian pieces and modern Art Deco furnishings, using it as a showroom for what she can offer to her well heeled clients.

 

Tonight however we have headed east of Cavendish Mews, down through St James’, past Trafalgar Square and down The Strand to one of London’s most luxurious and fashionable hotels, The Savoy*, where, surrounded by mahogany and rich red velvet, gilded paintings and extravagant floral displays, Lettice is having dinner with the son of the Duke of Walmsford, Selwyn Spencely. The pair have made valiant attempts to pursue a romantic relationship since meeting at Lettice’s mother, Lady Sadie’s, Hunt Ball the previous year. Yet things haven’t been easy, their relationship moving in fits and starts, partially due to the invisible, yet very strong influence of Selwyn’s mother, Lady Zinnia, the current Duchess of Walmsford. Although Lettice has no solid proof of it, she is quite sure that Lady Zinnia does not think her a suitable match for her eldest son and heir. From what she has been told, Lettice also believes that Lady Zinnia is matchmaking Selwyn with his cousin Pamela Fox-Chavers. In an effort to see what her potential rival for Selwyn’s affections is like, Lettice organised an ‘accidental’ meeting of she, Pamela and Selwyn at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show** a few weeks ago. As a result of this meeting, Selwyn has finally agreed to explain to Lettice his evident reluctance to introduce her to his mother as a potentially suitable match. Yet as she walks beneath the grand new Art Deco portico of the Savoy and the front doors are opened for her by liveried doormen, Lettice is amazed that surrounded by so many fashionable people, Selwyn thinks the Savoy dining room is the place to have a discreet dinner, especially after they have been very discreet about their relationship for the past year.

 

Lettice is ushered into the grand dining room of the Savoy, a space brilliantly illuminated by dozens of glittering electrified chandeliers cascading down like fountains from the high ceiling above. Beneath the sparkling light, men in white waistcoats and women a-glitter with jewels and bugle bead embroidered frocks are ushered into the dining room where they are seated in high backed mahogany and red velvet chairs around tables dressed in crisp white tablecloths and set with sparkling silver and gilt china. The large room is very heavily populated with theatre patrons enjoying a meal before a show and London society out for an evening. The space is full of vociferous conversation, boisterous laughter, the clink of glasses and the scrape of cutlery against crockery as the diners enjoy the magnificent repast served to them from the hotel’s famous kitchens. Above it all, the notes of the latest dance music from the band can be heard as they entertain diners and dancers who fill the parquet dance floor.

 

A smartly uniformed waiter escorts Lettice to a table for two in the midst of the grand dining salon, where Selwyn, dressed in smart white tie stands and greets Lettice.

 

“My Angel!” he gasps, admiring her as she stands before him in a champagne coloured silk crepe gown decorated with sequins with a matching bandeau set amidst her Marcelled** hair. “Don’t you look ravishing!”

 

“Thank you, Selwyn.” Lettice purrs in pleasure as she allows the waiter to carefully slide the seat of the chair beneath her as she sits. “That’s very kind of you to say so.” She gracefully tugs at her elbow length white evening gloves.

 

Sparkling golden French champagne is poured into their crystal flutes from a bottle sitting in a silver cooler on the linen covered table by their obsequious waiter. The expansive menu is consulted with Lettice selecting Pied de Veau*** and Selwyn choosing Cambridge Sausages**** both dishes served with a light Salade Romaine*****. Polite conversation is exchanged between the two. Lettice is given congratulations on the great success of the publication of her article in ‘Country Life’******, which Selwyn has finally seen. Selwyn is asked how Pamela’s coming out ball went. The pair dance elegantly around the true reason they are there.

 

It is only when a large silver salver of cheeses is put down and they are served Vol-au-Vent de Volaille à la Royale******* on the stylish gilt edged white plates of the Savoy that Lettice finally plucks up the courage to start the conversation that they have been trying to avoid.

 

Cutting a small piece of flaky golden pastry and spearing it with a piece of tenderly cooked chicken and a head of mushroom Lettice inserts it into her mouth and sighs with delight.

 

“There is nothing nicer than dinner at the Savoy, is there my Angel?” Selwyn addresses his dinner partner.

 

“Indeed no,” Lettice agrees after swallowing her dainty mouthful. “However, I must confess that I was surprised that you chose the Savoy dining room for us to meet. It’s the most indiscreet place to have a discreet dinner.” She deposits her polished silver cutlery onto the slightly scalloped edge of her plate. “We’ve been so careful up until now, choosing places where we are less likely to garner attention. Here we sit amongst all the most fashionable people of London society. There are bound to be friends of both your parents and mine who will see us sitting here together at a table for two.” She glances around at the bejewel decorated ladies looking like exotic birds in their brightly coloured frocks and feathers and their smartly attired male companions. “There are even photographers here this evening.”

 

“I know my Angel.” Selwyn replies matter-of-factly before putting a small amount of his own vol-au-vent into his mouth.

 

“Whilst I know my mother won’t mind seeing my name associated with yours, or a picture of the two of us together at the Savoy,” She glances nervously at Selwyn as he serenely chews his second course. “I thought we were trying to avoid Zinnia’s attention.”

 

Selwyn finishes his mouthful and then takes a slip of champagne before elucidating somewhat mysteriously. “A change of plans, my Angel.”

 

“A change of plans, Selwyn?” Lettice queries, running her white evening glove clad fingers over the pearls at her throat as she worries them. “What does that mean? I don’t understand.”

 

“You and I have had some rather awkward conversations over my refusal to introduce you to Zinnia, haven’t we, Lettice?”

 

“We have, darling Selwyn. And I thought that was what we were going to talk about this evening.”

 

“And so we will, but I also want this evening to be a statement of intention.”

 

“A statement of intention?” Lettice’s heart suddenly starts to beat faster as she licks her lips.

 

“Yes. . I invited you here this evening because it is one of the most fashionably public places to be seen. I want people to see us together this evening, my darling, whether it be Zinnia’s spies amongst us, or just the general citizenry of society. I also thought that since there is a rather ripping band playing tonight, that you and I might cut a rug******** a bit later and that perhaps we might get photographed. Zinnia won’t want to meet you, unless your presence is waved in front of her like a red rag to a bull.”

 

“I’m not sure I like that term when used in conjunction with your mother, Selwyn darling.” Lettice says warily.

 

“But it’s true. For all her forthrightness and ferocity, Zinnia is very good at playing ostriches when she wishes, and pretending not to see things she doesn’t want to see.” Selwyn explains before taking another sip of champagne. “I should have done this earlier, like when we agreed that I would escort you to your friend Priscilla’s wedding in November last year. However, I wasn’t man enough to stand up to her. Now I want to make a statement about you, about us,” He reaches out and places his pale and elegant right hand bearing a small signet ring over Lettice’s evening glove clad left hand, staring Lettice directly in the eye. “And I need Zinnia to sit up and take notice.”

 

Lettice picks up her champagne flute in her right hand and quickly sips as small amount of the effervescent beverage to whet her suddenly dry throat. She considers what Selwyn has just said along with other things people have said to her about Selwyn and Lady Zinnia over the last year since she reacquainted herself with Selwyn.

 

“The day I attended Priscilla’s wedding without you,” Lettice begins. “I met Sir John Nettleford-Hughes.”

 

“Sir John!” Selwyn scoffs, releasing Lettice’s hand, leaving a warm patch that Lettice can still feel through the thin fabric of her white glove. “He’s one of Zinnia’s cronies. I’m quite sure that they had,” Selwyn pauses whilst he finds the right word. “An understanding, shall we say, when they were both younger.” He looks at Lettice again. “I hope I didn’t shock you, my Angel.”

 

“Not at all, Selwyn darling.” Lettice assures him. “After all, I am twenty-three now, and a lady who has set forth into the world.”

 

“I’m glad my Angel. I’d never want to shock you with something like that.”

 

“It doesn’t shock me, Selwyn darling, but it would explain some things he said to me that day when I was cornered by him.”

 

“Cornered?”

 

“Yes. I now think he deliberately sought me out and cornered me so he could tell me what he did.”

 

“What did Sir John say?” Selwyn queries.

 

“I didn’t really pay that much attention to it,” Lettice begins, glancing down at her partially eaten vol-au-vent. “At least not at first. I thought he was just spitting venom at me because I spurned his affections the evening of Mater’s Hunt Ball when I met you.”

 

“What did he say?” Selwyn presses anxiously.

 

“When I explained your absence as my escort – he only knew because he is related to Cilla’s mother and she had been crowing to him about your attendance at the wedding – he laughed when I said that you were at Clendon********* meeting Pamela. He said it was not a coincidence that you were forced to cancel your own plans in preference for spending time with your cousin. He said that your mother had orchestrated it.”

 

“And so she had, my Angel.” Selwyn conforms. “And that is why I said that I should have been more of a man and stood up to Zinnia at that time. However,” He releases a pent up breath which he exhales shudderingly. “Zinnia is not someone to cross, especially when she is determined, or in a foul mood, of which she was both.”

 

“Sir John said that even though we had been discreet about spending time together, that your mother already knew about our assignations.”

 

“I would imagine him to be quite correct.”

 

“I accused him of telling her, but he denied it.”

 

“I would doubt that even as a crony of Zinnia, he would have had the pleasure of breaking the news of your existence as a potential future daughter-in-law to her. Zinnia’s talons reach far and wide, and her spies exist in some of the most unlikely places. What else did Sir John have to say?”

 

“He said that your mother is the one who would undoubtedly arrange your marriage to suit her own wishes. He implied that I ought not tip my cap at you since you were not free to make your own decision when it came to the subject of marriage. He said that even your father wouldn’t cross your mother on that front.”

 

Selwyn chuckles sadly. “Sir John is well informed.”

 

“So it’s true then?”

 

“What is, darling?”

 

“That you aren’t free to marry.”

 

“No, of course not. Not even Zinnia with all her bluster can force me to marry someone I don’t want to.”

 

Lettice releases a breath she didn’t even realise she was holding in her chest beneath the silk crepe and sparkling beading of her gown.

 

“However, Zinnia and my Uncle Bertrand have their own plans as regards Pammy and her relationship to me, and they are both applying pressure to both of us.”

 

“Sir John said that too.” Lettice utters deflatedly.

 

“I should like to point out, my Angel, that I was not aware as to the plans and plotting afoot for Pammy and I when I met you again at your mother’s ball.” Selwyn assures Lettice. “I didn’t even know about it in the lead up to Priscilla’s wedding. It was only that weekend at Clendon when I was first reintroduced to Pammy and I inadvertently overheard snippets of private conversations Zinnia and my uncle that I realised that they had been hatching their plot to bind us into a marriage of convenience to bind our families closer together for almost as long as Pammy has been alive.”

 

“So this wasn’t something new, then?”

 

“It was to me, Lettice darling, but not to them. Do you remember I told you at the Great Spring Show that my real aunt, Bertrand’s first wife, Miranda, was a bolter**********?”

 

“Yes Selwyn.”

 

“And that he fled to America and that was where he met Rosalind?”

 

“Yes Selwyn.”

 

“Well, the reason why he fled to New York was because the failure of his marriage to Miranda and her desertion of him led to quite a scandal. The scandal clung to Pammy, long after Miranda was gone, and I think after a he married Rosalind, being connected to an element of scandal herself, being a divorcée, she hatched the plan with Uncle Bertrand and Zinnia with Pammy’s social well being at heart.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Well, I mean that from the outside, there is nothing unusual or untoward about two distant cousins marrying. The fact that the Spencely and Fox-Chavers happen to be two very distinguished and wealthy old families who would doubtless look to intermarry across the generations also throws off any whiff of scandal.”

 

“Are you saying they planned to marry you two so that Pamela would be untarnished by her mother’s actions?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But how is the child responsible for her mother’s sins, Selwyn?”

 

“You know as well as I do, coming from a family as old and well established as your own, Lettice, that scandal sticks like glue.”

 

“Then why throw a ball for Pamela? Why introduce her to society?”

 

“Because as the next Duke of Walmsford, it is only fitting that I should marry a suitable girl from a suitable family who has been presented in society. Certain families won’t allow their daughters to socialise with poor Pammy, and I’m quite sure that whilst they send their eligible sons, just as many would never countenance a marriage between them and Pammy.”

 

“So if Pamela marries well, into a family who would welcome her, she is absolved of any wrongdoings of her mother. There is no whiff of scandal and she rises above reproach.”

 

“Exactly.” Selwyn sighs. “Clever girl.”

 

Lettice takes a larger than usual gulp of champagne as she allows the thoughts just formed from their conversation to sink in. “And how does Pamela feel about this? Does she even know that she is being matched with you, Selwyn?”

 

“Yes she does,” Selwyn explains. “Although I was the one who told her. However, like me, she has no desire to see us to get married. She barely knows me, and both of us treat each other like siblings rather than potential romantic marriage prospects.”

 

“Does she know why your mother, aunt and uncle hatched this plan?”

 

“Well,” Selwyn replies uncertainly. “She knows her mother deserted Uncle Bertrand, but I don’t think she realises that Miranda’s legacy to her is a tainted one, and I’m quite sure she doesn’t know about some of the other debutante’s families attitudes towards her because of Miranda’s actions.”

 

“So what is she to do, if no decent bachelor will have her, and you won’t marry her?”

 

“I didn’t say that no eligible bachelors would consider marriage with Pammy, Angel, only some.” Selwyn says with a smile. “And half of those who won’t marry her would only have wanted to marry her for her money.”

 

“You sound as if you know something.” Lettice remarks, giving her dinner partner a perplexed look.

 

“Oh I wouldn’t go as far as to say that, my Angel.” he replies mysteriously.

 

“So, what would you say then, Selwyn darling?” Lettice prods.

 

“I’d go so far as to say that being the happy and pretty young thing that she is, Pammy is in no short supply of admirers whose families would overlook her mother’s status as a bolter.”

 

“Because they want to marry her for her Fox-Chavers money?”

 

“Well, there are a few of those, I’ll admit,” Selwyn agrees. “But that is why her dear cousin Selwyn is escorting her to all these rather tedious London Season occasions. I can keep those wolves away. However even if we discount them, there are still a few rather decent chaps who are vying for Pammy’s attentions.”

 

“Are there any that Pamela is interested in?” Lettice asks hopefully.

 

“As a matter of fact there are two young prospects whom she is quite keen on, or so she confides in me.”

 

“Oh that’s wonderful, Selwyn!” Lettice deposits her glass on the linen covered surface of the table and claps her hands in delight, beaming with a smile of happy relief. The her face falls. “But then, what are we all to do? Hasn’t your mother charged you with chaperoning Pamela throughout the Season?”

 

“Well, that was the other reason why I decided to bring you to the Savoy, my Angel.” Selwyn remarks. “We need to be seen together about town, and the best way to do that is to be seen at the functions and places that will be popular because they are part of the London Season, like cricket matches at Lords, and the Henley Regatta************.”

 

“And the Goodwood races!” adds Lettice with enthusiasm. “And Cowes week************!”

 

“That’s the spirit, my Angel!” Selwyn encourages her with equal enthusiasm. “Zinnia has charged me with chaperoning Pammy for her own end, but we will use the Season to thwart her with our own ends in mind.”

 

“Oh Selwyn, how clever you are! What a darling you are!”

 

Just at that time, the waiter who served them their vol-au-vents and player of cheese approaches the table. Noticing their half eaten meals and their cutlery sitting idle, he tentatively asks, “Shall I clear now, Your Grace?”

 

“If you would fetch us clean plates and cutlery for the cheese.” Selwyn replies. “Which I think we shall enjoy after a turn on the dancefloor. Don’t you agree, my Angel?” He stands up, pushing his chair back and offering Lettice his hand.

 

“I do indeed, Selwyn darling!” Lettice pulls her napkin from her lap and drops it on the tabletop.

 

The waiter pulls out Lettice’s chair, and taking Selwyn’s hand, Lettice allows him to lead her proudly across the dining room of the Savoy. Pairs of eyes note the handsome young couple and lips whisper behind glove clad hands and fans as remarks are made as to who they are and that they appear to be together as a couple, yet for the first time since the night of her mother’s Hunt ball, Lettice doesn’t care what people are thinking or saying. She feels light, as though floating on a cloud, and as she falls comfortably into Selwyn’s strong arms and they begin to sway to the music, she feels proud to be with Selwyn: the man she is falling in love with, and who intends to marry her.

 

*The Savoy Hotel is a luxury hotel located in the Strand in the City of Westminster in central London. Built by the impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte with profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan opera productions, it opened on 6 August 1889. It was the first in the Savoy group of hotels and restaurants owned by Carte's family for over a century. The Savoy was the first hotel in Britain to introduce electric lights throughout the building, electric lifts, bathrooms in most of the lavishly furnished rooms, constant hot and cold running water and many other innovations. Carte hired César Ritz as manager and Auguste Escoffier as chef de cuisine; they established an unprecedented standard of quality in hotel service, entertainment and elegant dining, attracting royalty and other rich and powerful guests and diners. The hotel became Carte's most successful venture. Its bands, Savoy Orpheans and the Savoy Havana Band, became famous. Winston Churchill often took his cabinet to lunch at the hotel. The hotel is now managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. It has been called "London's most famous hotel". It has two hundred and sixty seven guest rooms and panoramic views of the River Thames across Savoy Place and the Thames Embankment. The hotel is a Grade II listed building.

 

**May 20 1913 saw the first Royal Horticultural Society flower show at Chelsea. What we know today as the Chelsea Flower Show was originally known as the Great Spring Show. The first shows were three day events held within a single marquee. The King and Queen did not attend in 1913, but the King's Mother, Queen Alexandra, attended with two of her children. The only garden to win a gold medal before the war was also in 1913 and was awarded to a rock garden created by John Wood of Boston Spa. In 1919, the Government demanded that the Royal Horticultural Society pay an entertainment tax for the show – with resources already strained, it threatened the future of the Chelsea Flower Show. Thankfully, this was wavered once the Royal Horticultural Society convinced the Government that the show had educational benefit and in 1920 a special tent was erected to house scientific exhibits. Whilst the original shows were housed within one tent, the provision of tents increased after the Great War ended. A tent for roses appeared and between 1920 and 1934, there was a tent for pictures, scientific exhibits and displays of garden design. Society garden parties began to be held, and soon the Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show became a fixture of the London social calendar in May, attended by society ladies and their debutante daughters, the occasion used to parade the latter by the former. The Chelsea Flower Show, though not so exclusive today, is still a part of the London Season.

 

***Pied de Veau is a dish of calves feet served in a thick creamy chicken sauce, often served with carrots and onions.

 

****Cambridge Sausages are made from coarse ground lean and fatty pork with binder (rice in some receipts) and a heavy admixture of sweet spices such as mace, ginger and nutmeg, linked, in medium skins.

 

*****Salade Romaine is a salad made of Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, parmesan cheese, and a delicious olive garden dressing.

 

******Country Life is a British weekly perfect-bound glossy magazine that is a quintessential English magazine founded in 1897, providing readers with a weekly dose of architecture, gardens and interiors. It was based in London at 110 Southwark Street until March 2016, when it became based in Farnborough, Hampshire. The frontispiece of each issue usually features a portrait photograph of a young woman of society, or, on occasion, a man of society.

 

*******Vol-au-Vent de Volaille à la Royale is a dish of sliced chicken with mushroom and quenelles cooked in a cream sauce served in a puff pastry casing. The Savoy’s kitchens were famous for their deliciously light and tasty vol-au-vent selections, with 1920s menus often containing a selection of four to six varieties as plats du jour.

 

********The term “cutting a rug” emerged in the 1920s from American culture and became common parlance on both sides of the Atlantic by the 1930s. It came about because of African American couples doing the Lindy Hop (also known as the Jitterbug). This was vigorous, highly athletic dancing that when done continuously in one area made the carpet appear as though it was “cut” or “gashed”. Selwyn using this language would have been at the front of the latest fashion for exciting youthful language from America.

 

*********Clendon is the family seat of the Duke and Duchess of Walmsford in Buckinghamshire.

 

**********A Bolter is old British slang for a woman who ended her marriage by running away with another man.

 

***********The Henley Royal regatta is a leisurely “river carnival” on the Thames. It was at heart a rowing race, first staged in 1839 for amateur oarsmen, but soon became another fixture on the London social calendar. Boating clubs competed, and were not exclusively British, and the event was well known for its American element. Evenings were capped by boat parties and punts, the air filled with military brass bands and illuminated by Chinese lanterns. Dress codes were very strict: men in collars, ties and jackets (garishly bright ties and socks were de rigueur in the 1920s) and crisp summer frocks, matching hats and parasols for the ladies.

 

************Cowes Week is one of the longest-running regular regattas in the world, and a fixture of the London Season. With forty daily sailing races, up to one thousand boats, and eight thousand competitors ranging from Olympic and world-class professionals to weekend sailors, it is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Having started in 1826, the event is held in August each year on the Solent (the area of water between southern England and the Isle of Wight made tricky by strong double tides). It is focussed on the small town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

 

This splendid array of cheeses on the table would doubtless be enough to please anyone, but I suspect that even if you ate each cheese and biscuit on this silver tray, you would still come away hungry. This is because they, like everything in this scene, are in reality 1:12 size miniatures from my miniatures collection, including pieces from my childhood.

 

Fun things to look for in this tableau:

 

The silver tray of biscuits have been made in England by hand from clay by former chef turned miniature artisan, Frances Knight. Her work is incredibly detailed and realistic, and she says that she draws her inspiration from her years as a chef and her imagination. The cheeses and the vol-au-vents come from Beautifully handmade Miniatures in Kettering, as do the two slightly scalloped white gilt plates and the wonderful golden yellow roses in the vase on the table. The cutlery I acquired through Kathleen Knight’s Dolls House Shop in the United Kingdom. The silver champagne cooler on the table is made by Warwick Miniatures in Ireland, who are well known for the quality and detail applied to their pieces. The bottle of champagne itself is hand made from glass and is an artisan miniature made by Little Things Dollhouse Miniatures in Lancashire. The bottle is De Rochegré champagne, identified by the careful attention paid to recreating the label in 1:12 scale. The two glasses of sparkling champagne are made of real glass and were made by Karen Ladybug Miniatures in the United Kingdom.

 

The two red velvet upholstered high back chairs I have had since I was six years old. They were a birthday present given to me by my grandparents.

 

The painting in the background in its gilded frame is a 1:12 artisan piece made by Amber’s Miniatures in the United States.

 

The red wallpaper is beautiful artisan paper given to me by a friend, who has encouraged me to use a selection of papers she has given me throughout the whole “Cavendish Mews – Lettice Chetwynd” series.

This week in 1960, NASA conducted the first of two tests of the first stage engines of the Saturn I rocket. The first test, SA-T, lasted approximately eight seconds. The Saturn I booster stage was powered by eight H-1 engines, which were capable of producing a combined 1.5 million pounds of thrust. Here, a Saturn I booster stage equipped with eight H-1 engines is successfully test-fired at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in February 1961. Today, Marshall is playing a vital role in the Artemis Program by developing the Space Launch System, the backbone of NASA’s exploration plans and the only rocket capable of sending humans to the Moon and Mars. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.

 

Image credit: NASA

 

Read more

 

Marshall History

 

For more NASA History photos

 

NASA Media Usage Guidelines

This is what happens when: A) You leave your Holga on bulb and walk around taking hand-held 1/8 second exposures where 1/60 would have sufficed and B) You get lucky with the result. Actually I am quite surprised this one did not turn out blurrier than it did, but I really liked the effect of the overexposure on the print. That is one nice thing about film, you can get a negative that is dense enough to be bulletproof and you can still pull an image out of it, sometimes one that is even better because of that massive overexposure.

 

But in terms of the Holga, a quick tip for all those just getting started with them; tape that N/B switch down. Trust me, it is easy to have it slide over to B then you run around all day taking hand-held long exposures. Sometimes they turn out fortuitously, but often they do not. Even if you are a longtime Holga user like I am, it is still surprisingly (and frustratingly) easy to miss this. It has happened to me twice now. So, yes, tape that switch down and save yourself some grief later, then if you do want to shoot bulb, you can simply remove the tape and replace it. One of the best easy Holga mods you can do yourself. :-)

 

In related news, I saw a really amazing show of photography last night at Newspace. Susan Burnstine is currently holding down the fort with a solo exhibit of her work. If you are not familiar with her photography, you should be. She specializes in photographing her dreams, really. She writes down dreams she has, then goes out and makes them into pictures using cameras she has built by hand, including lenses she molds herself. She then names each of the cameras (21 so far) after various musicians based on the sounds they make when fired.

 

I was particularly impressed with this show not just because of the quality of the imagery though, but the printing too. She uses an archival pigment process which she then hand varnishes. Seeing her prints was as rewarding as seeing her images.

 

I have long been printing digitally myself, but only because I feel I can often make a better image on the computer, even if the majority of digital printing is still inferior to optical printing, in my opinion. But in the past couple of years I have seen (and done) some printing that has really helped quiet that complaint. There is little shortage of amazing photography out there, but it does seem mildly uncommon to see exceptional printing, at least done digitally. And so many of us get used to seeing the average digital print that we either forget or have little understanding of just how much better printing can look. So we get our digital prints and think they look great... until you see something on the level of what Susan is doing. Then you realize the bar is actually set much higher than previously realized.

 

So for those reasons, get down there. It will be up for the remainder of the month and Newspace keeps pretty generous hours.

Classé en 1994 au site du patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco, le complexe Kiyomizu-dera est le symbole du syncrétisme religieux comprenant un temple bouddhique et un sanctuaire shinto,

Le temple principal, le Kiyomizu-dera Hondo à été construit en l'an 780.

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Classified in 1994 in the site of the UNESCO world heritage, complex Kiyomizu-dera is the symbol of the religious syncretism understanding(including) a Buddhist temple and a Shinto sanctuary,

The main temple, the Kiyomizu-dera Hondo in summer built in the year 780.

UPDATE – Oct. 14th

 

I know it’s been a LONG time since I’ve posted something on here, and I know people have been asking for updates (rightly so) – so I figured I’d provide some in a simple post here.

 

Two things must be made clear first – 1) my printer, who I’ve worked with forever and who produces the best prints of any printer I’ve worked with, has become very successful this past year and as such is trying to catch up with the growth of their business. As such, their times to process orders has more than tripled since the beginning of the year. This has caused many of the prints and test prints, etc. to be delayed by more than 2 months each. So things are slower to get printed now than ever before. 2) we are very close to getting our setup exactly as we need it with the injection mold company that we work with so that our parts are to the exact specifications and quality that we want, and that you expect. The injection molding process, and learning what is needed to create good parts, has been a huge learning process for us. The good news is that after months and months of working and tweaking things, we are very close to having our first parts (for Night Crusader and Original Super Soldier – and 1 surprise figure) ready to send to the printer.

With that being said, here’s some updates on some figs coming soon…

 

Homemade Arachnid Hero

 

Our first update will be for all those who ordered the Homemade Arachnid Hero. We are anticipating that this figure will be sent out to our presales customers and resellers the last weekend of October (2 weeks from now) and will go on sale on the website a week or two after that. We will try to post pictures as soon as he arrives.

 

Night Crusader

 

The test prints for the Night Crusader have been finalized and approved and we are all ready to go to print it. I usually don’t share pictures of the figures before they are completed, but since you all have been waiting so patiently for this figure, I thought I’d bend at least one rule to make you feel confident in your upcoming fig). However, we are awaiting the injection molded parts to arrive, so that we can align the head print exactly with the cowl part (we want to make sure his eyes are aligned correctly in those hole). We received the most recent samples from the mold and we still need to make a couple of final adjustments, so that it is to the exact quality that I know we all expect from the top customizers. He should be completed before Black Friday (week of Thanksgiving), if everything goes to plan. I will post an update if that is any sooner.

 

Original Super Soldier

 

The custom helmet part is being completed at the same time as the Night Crusader cowl, as they share the same mold, and as such is facing many of the same needs for updated changes. However, we are still also processing the prints still for this figure. The hope is that this will be available a couple weeks after Night Crusader is released.

 

Surprise New Figure

 

Along with the Original Super Soldier, we will be releasing a third, not yet published custom figure that will include 1 custom headpiece and a printed accessory. I think you guys should be very happy and surprised by this guy – can’t wait to show you! When the part is completed and we send him in for printing, we’ll provide a render of him to let you know what’s coming!

 

That’s all for now. I would first and foremost like to thank you all for your unwavering patience and kind understanding while I bring Phoenix Customs to a new era of custom figs. However, this kind of growth is not without hiccups and challenges, that is for sure. What IS for sure, is that we are not going to be bringing about products that can’t compete with the best out there. We will NOT sacrifice quality. We want to bring our figures to the next evolution, where unique custom parts and top quality printing go hand-in-hand. We can’t wait to bring these pre-ordered figs to life in the next couple months and to show you what we have in store for the coming months of the new year! So many good figs that I can’t wait to release!!

 

Take care!

Adam

And be sure to check by my other acount: www.flickr.com/photos_user.gne?path=&nsid=77145939%40..., to see what else I saw recently!!

 

Yes I'm back again.

However due to my main computer on which I edit my work being struck down with a big bad virus, this picture and all the others I am uploading, were Unedited but have now been replaced with Edited versions. So enjoy and Thanks for your patience and understanding.

 

I do still hate everything about this shit that is new Flickr and always will, but an inability to find another outlet for my work that is as easy for me to use as the Old BETTER Flickr was, has forced me back to Flickr, even though it goes against everything I believe in.

 

I don't generally have an opinion on my own work, I prefer to leave that to other people and so based on the positive responses to my work from the various friends I had made on Flickr prior to the changes I have decided to upload some more of my work as an experiment and to see what happens.

 

So make the most of me before they delete my acount: www.flickr.com/photos/69558134@N05/?details=1, to stop me complaining!!

Bertie and Sky were sitting on the sofa in their favourite place happily chatting away when Posh Bear sat down beside them.

“How are you guys today?” Asked Posh.

“We’re good thanks, Posh.” Replied Bertie.

“Posh, do you understand hoomans?” Asked Sky, with a hopeful look on his face.

“No, I don’t think there is an animal around that understands hoomans, why do you ask?”

“Well, Bertie and me were talking about it.” Replied Sky.

“That should be Bertie and I, Sky.” Corrected Posh.

“I don’t think so Posh, we have never spoken about what Sky and me were talking about.” Said Bertie defending his best friend.

“Okay, so why do you wish to know about hoomans?” Asked Posh giving up on the grammar.

“It was just an observation Posh; we were trying to work out if hoomans and clocks were related at one time.” Explained Bertie.

“Hoomans and clocks?” Said Posh scratching his head with his paw.

“Yes, we thought they might be related, or even that they may be in battle against one another.” Said Sky looking at Bertie.

“Why do you think that? I mean what do they have in common with one another?” Asked Posh still confused.

“Lots of things Posh.” Said Sky readily.

“Yes, they both have faces, they both have two hands, they often both have feet, and only the other week I heard the man talking about his ticker and clocks have them too.” Said Bertie nodding as he explained.

“Yes, and there is more too, Posh. Hoomans seem to live their life governed by time and clocks, as if they are confused but still fighting against time, like for ever.” Added Sky.

“There is also the fact that hoomans have tried to remove the face from clocks and also have taken their hands and ticks away on many new clocks, so they are just numbers. We find all this very strange.” Said Bertie firmly and looking at Sky in agreement.

“So, so what do you have to say about that Posh? Are we right?” Asked Sky seemingly desperate for his reply.

“Well, I agree that it all fits together and I suppose time was invented my hoomans, but I don’t think there is a real connection there.”

“How can you say that Posh? Hoomans are fascinated by time, they always want to look backwards and forwards into the future. Is that because they are not happy with the present?” Asked Bertie.

“I don’t know, and I don’t think you’ll ever find the answers chaps, let us change the subject and talk about something we do understand like honey?” Said Posh gently.

“Posh, do you think that if clocks were soft and fluffy like us, and were good listeners that never betrayed a secret, that were always there to listen and love their hooman, do you think they could replace us bears?” Asked Bertie.

Posh smiled softly at his friends as he shook his head.

“Now that I can be sure about, hoomans love us bears just as we love them and there is nothing, not even time, that will replace that bond we have between us. It is often forged just after the birth of a hooman, and goes deep down, it will last for ever.”

 

35x35 cm (14"x14")

Still needs a good cleaning!

understanding

Rovingian Council - The Deep Investigation of Ancient Mystical Practices and Records by Daniel Arrhakis (2026)

 

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The Rovingian Council and the Study of Ritualistic Geometries

 

The Deep Investigation of Ancient Mystical Practices and Records

 

The Work of the Rovingian Nomadic Monks

 

The essential mission of the Rovingian Nomadic Monks is the study, recording, and construction of sacred geometries and ritualistic patterns. These elements are found both in nature and in places considered sacred, such as ancient temples, historical buildings, and monuments. The monks' dedication manifests itself in the meticulous observation and documentation of forms and symbols that carry profound spiritual and cultural meanings.

 

Research in Books, Manuscripts, and Artifacts

 

In addition to fieldwork, there is intense research conducted through ancient books, manuscripts, maps, paintings, and even fabrics and tapestries. Ancient sacred geometries, tribal designs, and ritualistic descriptions that have been lost over time frequently emerge from these materials. The monks' efforts aim to recover and preserve this knowledge, rescuing practices and symbolism that were once central to various traditions.

 

Personal Records and Graphic Solutions

 

Each monk keeps a personal book, called "The Compendium," where they record their discoveries, thoughts, and cases of people who have asked for their help. This compendium also documents the graphic solutions of Symbolic Mysticism found, allowing the acquired knowledge to be perpetuated and to serve as a guide for others.

 

Understanding Sacred Geometries

 

More than iconography, the recording, analysis, and understanding of sacred geometries are considered the main working method in the Rovingian universe. These geometries can shed light on ancient ritualistic practices that have been lost in time, as well as provide insight into the mystical, cosmological, cultural, and practical concepts that originated their creation or construction.

 

The Rovingian Council and the Great Spiritual Guide

 

Every five years, the monks gather at the Rovingian Council to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and integrate the most important records into the Great Rovingian Spiritual Guide, entitled "The Mystical Itinerary of the Rites." This moment is fundamental for the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, consolidating the spiritual and ritualistic legacy of the group.

  

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21Estudo das Geometrias Ritualísticas - Investigação das Antigas Práticas e Registos Místicos

 

O Trabalho dos Monges Nómadas Rovingianos

 

Os Monges Nómadas Rovingianos têm como missão essencial o estudo, registo e construção de geometrias sagradas e padrões ritualísticos. Estes elementos são encontrados tanto na natureza quanto em locais considerados sagrados, como templos antigos, edifícios históricos e monumentos. A dedicação dos monges manifesta-se na observação minuciosa e na documentação das formas e dos símbolos que carregam significados espirituais e culturais profundos.

 

Pesquisa em Livros, Manuscritos e Artefatos

 

Além do trabalho de campo, existe uma intensa investigação realizada através de livros antigos, manuscritos, mapas, pinturas e até tecidos e tapeçarias. Nesses materiais, frequentemente surgem antigas geometrias sagradas, desenhos tribalistas e descrições ritualísticas que se perderam ao longo do tempo. O esforço dos monges visa recuperar e preservar esse conhecimento, resgatando práticas e simbologias que outrora foram centrais em diversas tradições.

 

Registos Pessoais e Soluções Gráficas

 

Cada monge mantém um livro pessoal, denominado "O Compêndio", onde regista as suas descobertas, pensamentos e casos de pessoas que lhe solicitaram auxílio. Neste compêndio, são também documentadas as soluções gráficas da Mística Simbólica encontradas, permitindo que o conhecimento adquirido seja perpetuado e possa servir de guia para outros.

 

Compreensão das Geometrias Sagradas

 

Mais do que a iconografia, o registo, análise e compreensão das geometrias sagradas são considerados o principal método de trabalho no universo Rovingiano. Essas geometrias podem lançar luz sobre antigas práticas ritualísticas que se perderam no tempo, além de fornecerem uma visão sobre os conceitos místicos, cosmológicos, culturais e práticos que originaram a sua criação ou construção.

 

O Conselho Rovingiano e o Grande Guia Espiritual

 

A cada cinco anos, os monges reúnem-se no Conselho Rovingiano para partilhar experiências, trocar conhecimentos e integrar os registos mais importantes no Grande Guia Espiritual Rovingiano, intitulado "O Itinerário Místico dos Ritos". Este momento é fundamental para a preservação e disseminação do saber, consolidando o legado espiritual e ritualístico do grupo.

  

Boyer’s work often examines what can be seen as contradictory experiences. During the COVID lockdown, the artist maintained her connection with nature and the land by watching the prairie sky from her window. She conceived of this work as an exploration of her identity as Métis, White settler and Queer, represented through the relationship among the sun, clouds and sky. For Boyer, the work ”materially connects my body, and the skies of places that were formative to understanding myself.”

Understanding how light bounces and spreads are an essential part of understanding the lighting principles of photography. Know the tips and tricks about monochrome photography by clicking right here - gophotoglife.com/top-starter-equipment-for-monochrome-pho...

George Washington Creef Memorial Park in Manteo, North Carolina is a picture perfect location nestled into the calm waters of the Shallowbag Bay, making it a local attraction for those visiting the revitalized downtown Manteo. The park contains a several attractions of interest that include the centerpiece that is the fourth version of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse, the Manteo Weather Tower once used to display signal flags to warn mariners of any weather concerns, a floating gazebo with an excellent view of the Elizabeth II replica ship docked at the Roanoke Island Festival Park, and a Helical Screw Pile (as seen in the photograph above) used in the 3rd version of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse constructed in 1877 and decommissioned in 1955. There is a informational panel (also seen above) that gives some details and shows 'drawings' of the screw pile from different views (plan view, profile view, a cutaway view, and end views). In each corner is The Town of Manteo logo and the Coastal Studies Institute of the University of North Carolina logo.

 

Seeing this historic piece of engineering, especially as a civil engineer myself, is fascinating! Understanding the engineering behind the item seen above and how it is the structural component that 'holds up' a lighthouse sticking up out of the water in the middle of the Croatan Sound (original location of the 3rd version of the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse) is just a small part of the fascination...the real interest is in the fact that the piece of engineering seen above is nearly 150 years old, was recovered from its original location at the bottom of Croatan Sound where it supported the lighthouse, and is now on display in Manteo. That is also an interesting feat of engineering by itself...I hope you all enjoy as much as I did!

 

theglovetrotters.com/north-carolina/roanoke-marshes_light...

 

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

 

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

 

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I'm very busy and will soon start to comment your photos. Thank you very much for your understanding .

 

Comments are always welcome and favs most appreciated.

Comentarios y favs son siempre bienvenidos

 

© Photography of Ricardo Gomez Angel

All rights reserved. All images on this website are the property of Ricardo Gomez Angel. Images may not be reproduced, copied or used in any way without written permission.

 

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You know I love to become a woman, I absolutely love it! I have no real understanding of this desire and powerful motivation apart from the certainty I really enjoy taking on a female appearance.

 

I enjoy a lot of things about cross-dressing as a woman. I love the sheer thrill of being a man daring to engage in the attempt to to look like a woman. I get a buzz from the prospect of seeing if I can actually act as if I was female and respond and behave as an heterosexual woman…such an adventure and with undoubted erotic overtones.

 

It’s almost like a drug, can I fool others into believing I am female and play the role convincingly? There are other aspects though. I will freely admit I love wearing make-up, I enjoy shaving my legs and wearing a skirt or a dress and high heels and really love wigs and experimenting with hair styles. I know I just enjoy the delight of dressing up as a woman and feel comfortable in the portrayal.

 

But why should I enjoy trying to look like a woman? After all, I am a man. I believe transvestism is a fundamental part of people who have this urge, this desire maybe it is a need? Why do I get such a thrill and emotional and truly joyous reward from cross-dressing? I do now understand that part of me feels this is how it could have been as part of me does desire to be a woman full time. As a teenager this was all consuming but as I’ve got older I have settled into my life as a man and would not actually like to transition.

 

As a young person I had a very black and white view on life and now I realise that was an immature way of thinking as very little in life is black and white. That neat view is too simplistic. I am indeed a man but part of me desires to be female. Could this be the trigger for my undoubted love and passion for dressing up as a woman and acting the part of one? Maybe! Maybe it is.

 

I also know that a big part of me is excited by the whole thrill and adventure of the acting and performance required to be a transvestite. To be a man that creates a female alter-ego is an addictive trait and quite an amazing experience and can provide reward on many levels. Yet such activity comes at a price. That price is for me fear. I feel genuine terror at the exhilaration and delight I experience when I dress up and pretend I am a woman. I know just how much I like it and just how willing I am to embrace being that woman and deep down I like the idea of making her real and becoming her exclusively to my male self. Yet, this desire to be female is given extra excitement by knowing I am a man engaging in an illusion and acting as the opposite gender. Surely that’s not transsexual? That's vanity, it is ego, it is somehow liberating in many areas such as emotionally and sexually, I feel free and empowered.

 

Despite the sheer intoxicating experience of cross-dressing I am fully aware it is the temporary nature that gives it the frisson. The fact I have spent several hours transforming myself and getting into the persona and the biggest thrill of all, daring to act as a woman…it is powerful and euphoric to dare to do this as a man.

 

My ambition is to become accomplished enough to be able to carry off the appearance and behaviour of a woman in a completely convincing way, that no-one is aware I am a man. I am willing to commit myself to that performance totally. How thrilling would that be?

 

I love the idea of being taken to dinner as a woman with a man and treated as a lady all evening and it is assumed I am female, that would fulfil me emotionally on quite a deep level. I know I would enjoy the experience. It is a selfish ambition as I am purely thinking about what I want to achieve, the male dining companion would be relegated to the status of being merely a prop for my ego’s indulgence. How shallow I am!

 

I cannot deny I feel very comfortable in make-up, wig, high heels, lingerie and wearing a lovely dress with painted nails, ear rings and perfume, oh how I adore it…I like being a woman, I really do. I cannot quite work out why when I dress up as a woman I feel more confident and enjoy attention, as a man I never have such inclinations. Get me in a dress, a bit of mascara and lipstick…I feel good, very good.

 

Maybe it’s a freedom? Maybe its a release of the transsexual aspects of me? Maybe it’s just the thrill of doing something daring compared to my male life? One thing I do know it is truly thrilling and so exciting and the adventure imagine is likely too ambitious for my abilities so unlikely to ever turn into a real experience.

 

It is good though to have hopes and dreams and to attempt to follow them. If I was not a transvestite I doubt would have enjoyed such wonderful experiences as I have in getting to dress as a woman and try and act like one, I love it!

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48 hours in Prague Blog Post

 

One of my favourite places in Prague, I thought I'd missed the chance to photograph this room as they closed up at 12 but it was only for an hour. Enough time to sample the monastery's on-site micro brewery selling very nice unpasteurised amber beer. The staff were also very patient with me whilst taking this shot with my tripod and lots of other visitors! You must buy a photography licence to take pictures in the monastery; however, it was only a small sum. Well worth it to work with such a location. There's also a guided tour that takes you into the rooms that aren't open to the public but it must be booked a few days in advance and subject to availability.

 

The Royal Canonry of Premonstratensians at Strahov is one of the oldest monasteries of the Premonstratensian Order in the world. It has been a working monastery practically ever since it was founded in 1142. Fire, the Hussite Wars, religious wars, and the Communists all failed to shut down this institution. Even when the members of the monastery were unable to live within its walls, they gathered wherever they could and nurtured the spirit of their House until they were able to return to the monastery complex.

 

The Theological Hall was built under Abbot Jeroným Hirnhaim (1671-1679). The architect was a Prague burgher of Italian origin, Giovanni Domennico Orsi, whose Italian school is evident in the stucco cartouches. The Baroque concept of the library is demonstrated by the shelves; unlike the Romanesque treasury system or the Gothic desk system, the books were stored upright. Above the shelves, there are gilded wooded carved decorations with wooden cartouches. This was a rudimentary library aid, because the pictures in the wooden cartouches and their titles specified the type of literature stored on the shelves. At this time (1672) Library Rules were compiled by Abbot Hirnhaim.

Theological Hall 1 Fifty years later, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the translation of St Norbert's relics (1727), the hall was extended by several metres. It was then decorated with frescoes by the Strahov Premonstratensian and painter Siard Nosecký. Symbolically, and based on quotations from the Bible (mainly Proverbs) and in part from the philosophical tracts of the hall's founder, Abbot Hirnhaim, he presented the true wisdom we acquire through piety, fear of God. In his tracts, Hirnhaim opposed scholasticism and its racionalistic understanding of the world and truth, which he believed to be false or proud wisdom. He wanted to gain an understanding of the world through true humble piety. A person enlightened by faith, however, must build on knowledge and education. The library hosts several frescoes as a symbol of this principle. Above the forged iron gates on the other side of the library there is a small legend: INITIUM SAPIENTIAE TIMOR DOMINI - the beginning of wisdom is fear of God. It remains a paradox that the philosophical works of the library's founder were put on the index of forbidden books and were therefore placed in special locked cabinets above both the hall doors; Hirnhaim himself had these cabinets installed. As time passed, publication of his works was permitted, and they became the inspiration for Siard Nosecký. A portrait of Jeroným Hirnhaim hangs by the first window, Nosecký's self-portrait by the second.

Theological Hall 2 The left-hand side of the hall is dominated by a Late-Gothic wooden statue of St John the Evangelist. The link between this statue and the library is his small pouch, held by St John in his left hand. This pouch called girdle-book, although frequently depicted in manuscripts, has only been preserved in several cases, mainly because of the purpose it served - as a travel bag. It was either destroyed during journeys or cut off on inclusion in the book collection. On the right-hand side, there is a 'compilation wheel', commissioned by the library in 1678 and used to compile texts. The scribe had the various sources he was using distributed over the shelves of the wheel. The planet mechanism means that when turned, its shelves were kept at the same angle so the books are not liable to fall.

A number of globes (both astronomical and terrestrial) line both sides of the Theological Hall. Some of them come from the workshop of the Rotterdam-based family Blaeu, which specialized in manufacturing maps, atlases, and globes over several generations in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Over 18,000 volumes are stored in the Theological Hall. The name of the hall comes from the content of these works. The northern wall contains nothing but different editions of the Bible or parts of the Bible in many languages.

In 1993 and 1994, the interior was restored; the shelves were completely dismantled and the wood was treated. At the end of the 1980s, the original red paint was discovered under the later blue-grey paint, and this red was used in the restoration as the oldest layer. The parquets from the 20th century were replaced with a historically and aesthetically more accurate copy of the original Baroque flooring. The original visitors' route went through all the main areas of the library. After long-term readings were analyzed, the tour was adjusted to the current version, as the humidity in the halls fluctuated so much during the day that the good condition of the frescoes and book bindings was in jeopardy.

 

The Strahov Monastic Brewery was first founded by King Vladislav II in 1142.

 

24 exposures combined in Photomatix Pro v5.

I would imagine that ancient man got a bit perplexed and even terrified by the aurora. It might have meant good tidings. It might have meant the opposite, depending on the culture. It's an awe inspiring sight, whatever era it happens in, though. And in this case, we were fortunate to stumble upon an unexpected display as we arrived to shoot Mount Hood and Trillium Lake here in Oregon. I'm starting to use more layers and masks in these types of shots, in this case curves and contrast masks on the sky and foreground. I'm not sure if there's a big difference in the final outcome compared with processing it as a single image through Lightroom and Photoshop, but I think it's at least a subtle improvement, even if the mask edges are a bit rough.

 

Thanks for viewing!

digital art

Quotes By Joanne Kathleen Rowling

Nourlangie Rock (Burrunggui)

Burrunggui (sometimes spelled Burrunguy, previously called Nourlangie Rock) is located in an outlying sandstone formation of the Arnhem Land Escarpment within the Kakadu National Park which is in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is the traditional Country of the Gun-djeihmi speaking people and according to Traditional Owners, was shaped by Ancestral beings in the creation period of the Dreaming. It was included on the World Heriatage Register. Kakadu National Park is included on UNESCO the World Heritage List due to its exceptional natural and cultural values.

Europeans were first in the area of Noulangie Rock in about 1845, after Ludwig Leichhardt’s explorations passed through the area. By the 1880s, European buffalo and buffalo shooters had moved into the area, and local Traditional Owners joined their shooting parties. Traditional owners told the buffalo shooters about the Dreaming stories at Burrungui and the many names of all the natural features of the landscapes. Chaloupka argues that the Europeans couldn’t remember all of the names, and called the area ‘Nourlangie’, a confused pronunciation of the name of the area generally called ‘Nawulandja’.

There are a number of shelters in amongst this large outcrop. The shelters contain amazing paintings that represent the Aboriginal Dreaming, with depictions of Namandi spirits, both male and female figures and one with six fingers on each hand. Many paintings in the Burrungui area also depict European items and introduced animals. Pigments are mostly of yellow, white and red ochre, with red ochre being used as a chalk to draw on the rock surface in some places. Early art at the site is evidenced in handprints on the rock in red pigment, or gars being flung on the rock. The paintings at Burrungui are in the Mimi and x-ray style, with Mimi being older and representative of Dreaming Ancestral beings. There are even depictions of Thylacines (Tasmanian Tigers), known to have been extinct in the area for at least 3,500 years. Superimpositioning of many animals such as kangaroos layered over one another, assist in the establishment of a temporal sequence at the site, however there appears to still be much research and work needed at the site for this to occur.

The rock art faces many threats to its survival, including tourists and destruction from natural processes such as ant trail that go across the older panels at Burrungui, water damage and wasp nesting. Interpretive signage is present at the art sites to assist visitors in understanding these rock art treasures and the importance of their preservation.

The Anbangbang Shelter drawings are some of the most famous in the National Park. One of the intricate paintings in Anbangbang shelter was created by Najombolmi, a renowned artist of the Bardmardi clan, who painted the images with his friends in the 1963-64 wet season. Najombolmi lived between 1895 and 1967 and is thought to have created around 604 paintings at 46 sites in Arnhem Land. Najomboli was also known as ‘Barramundi Charlie’ by some.

X-ray paintings are naturalistic depictions of animals that show the internal organs and other anatomical features, which were mostly painted by Aboriginal people in red and white ochre. One such painting created by Najombolmi depicts anthropomorphic figures of Ancestral beings such as Namarrgon (lightning man), painted in the x-ray style using European blue, that Chaloupka said came from the blue pigment put in washing by Europeans as a toner to keep clothes white. Paintings and rock art such as this among the only rock art that provides absolute dating of when it was produced, as rock art is notoriously difficult to date.

Anbangbang was excavated by archaeologists in 1981 and was found to have first been occupied more than 6000 years ago, with some occasional use being up to 20,000 years ago and with intensification of site use occurring between 800 and 1200 years ago when the nearby lagoon was fully formed

Najombolmi also painted at Nangawulurr Shelter (formerly spelled Nangaloar). It is located on the northern side of Burrungui (Nourlangie Rock). Nangawulurr shelter features many styles of Aboriginal rock art that appear in other sites around the region in one area. It includes hand prints, Mimi figures in ceremonial dress, Ancestral beings, x-ray animals and dolphin-like creatures depicted in red ochre. It also features a white depiction of a two-masted sailing ship with an anchor and dingy, which may relate to the early European buffalo shooters in the area). Unfortunately due to the fame of the site for its amazing rock art, in the early 1970s tourists came and destroyed some features and even stole Aboriginal Ancestral Remains from the site.Nawurlandja Lookout

Anbangbang Billabong

Anbangbang Billabong lies in the shadow of Nourlangie Rock within Kakadu National Park and is a good place to view a wide range of wildlife. Large numbers of water fowl and wading birds inhabit the billabong and many wallabies can be found grazing around the water’s edge. There is a walking trail around the circumference of Anbangbang billabong with many picnic areas. The Anbangbang Billabong is overlooked by the Nawurlandja and Nourlangie plateaus. In the wet season, it is fed by runoff from these plateaus, as well as overflow from Nourlangie Creek, however during the dry season it is cut off.

Like much of Kakadu, Anbangbang Billabong is home to a particularly large variety of bird life. The fluctuating water levels draw waterfowl such as Magpie Geese, Pelicans, Darters, Spoonbills and Brolga. Other fauna known to frequent the billabong include Wallabies, File Snakes, Long-necked Turtles, Dingoes and Goannas.

Mangroves lining the billabong support populations of Freshwater mussel. Adjacent woodlands play host to a different ecosystem again. The nearby Nawurlandja plateau supports local populations of Short-eared rock-wallaby and Chestnut-quilled rock pigeon, among other species.

The swelling billabong promotes seasonal growth of Sedges, Grasses and Water Lilies, and Freshwater mangrove line the water's edge. Swamp areas support many types of paperbark, in particular the Weeping paperbark, Silver-leaved paperbark and Broad-leaved paperbark.

The woodlands surrounding the billabong are a lush habitat comprising an abundance of plant species. Darwin woollybutt and Darwin Stringybark dominate, with large populations of Fan palms, Kapok, Red Apples, Wattle and Pandanus.

Like much of Kakadu, the Anbangbang Billabong region's climate is monsoonal. The region's aboriginal owners recognize six seasons, however these can be reduced to vastly differing dry and wet seasons where the billabong is respectively depleted and replenished.

 

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...taken at the Mark Rothko exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton...

 

Paris, France...

Priest and adepts of the temple of thunder (Benin)

 

The Thunder Temple is a sacred place devoted to Hevioso, the powerful god of thunder, justice, and fertility in Vodun tradition.

Known as the bringer of storms and balance, Hevioso's might is said to strike like lightning, both metaphorically and literally.

In this spiritual practice, those struck by lightning are considered to have been directly touched by the god. Some believe it is a sign of punishment, while others see it as a divine calling.

The Thunder Temple is not just a place of worship; it’s a gateway to understanding the Vodun belief system, where nature’s fury is seen as sacred and life is deeply intertwined with the elements.

 

Website: www.robertopazziphoto.com/

 

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8 metres high and 15 metres long, the artwork rotates and with its 13 red neon letters it forms a clear message: Understanding.

 

The initial plan was to present the work last summer at the cancelled Roskilde Festival no. 50. Now, it lights up the darkness in Copenhagen as an artistic gesture to the public spirit we all show at the moment.

 

The piece is created by the world-famous and award-winning British artist Martin Creed, and it has previously been raised in Brooklyn, New York, with Manhattan's skyline as a backdrop.

Covering 3000 sq km, the Zambezi Delta in Mozambique is one of the most diverse and productive river delta systems in the world. This unique wetland, which is protected under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, features a broad alluvial plain with vast mosaics of grassland, woods, deep swamps and extensive mangroves. Recognised as a global biodiversity conservation hotspot, this remarkable delta is home to a myriad of wildlife, from big mammals such as buffaloes, lions and elephants to water birds such as fish eagles and flamingos, to marine species such as dolphins and freshwater fish. As well as this rich biodiversity, this extraordinary delta not only provides a source of food for Mozambique, but also protects the coast from flooding.

 

While the Zambezi River Delta is an example of a healthy ecosystem, biological diversity is declining around the world. It is estimated that between 100 and 150 species disappear every day. The International Day for Biological Diversity is held every 22 May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues such as this. Ratified by 196 nations, the Convention on Biological Diversity is the international legal instrument for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.

 

Satellites observing Earth have an important role to play as images can be used to assess the health of important ecosystems and show how they may be changing. This image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2A satellite on 28 September 2016.

 

Credits: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2016), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO

Physics has always been of interest to me. That may be because I know how many things work, and physics gives the understanding of how everything in nature works. I can repair most anything, from cars, to computers, to plumbing, to electrical systems, and even air conditioners… my wife is quite happy about that. Likely more because of a touch of ADD than straight out insanity, I’ve never had a fear of trying new things… a sense of wonder has always drawn me further into many things that others have dreaded to tread… “dread”, “tread”, it’s a gift, I don’t talk about it much.

 

Have you ever truly watched young children at play? They dwell in wonder! Yet, as they grow older, that sense of wonder tapers, sometimes to the point that it disappears altogether to a jaded disposition of adulthood. Someone once humorously quipped that life consists of four stages. In the first stage, we believe in Santa Claus. At the second stage, we no longer believe in Santa Claus. The third stage is when we find out that we are Santa Claus. The fourth and final stage has arrived when we look like Santa Claus. Some years ago, I was in a church choir in Cedar Grove, North Carolina, and sat next to a local farmer who not only was a professional Santa Claus, but was also the spitting image of the classic Coca-Cola Santa Claus… so I am still in that first stage in life! Occasionally, “Santa” would fall asleep during the sermon and start to snore, understandably so at that particular church. I always woke him gently, so as not to be on the “naughty list”.

 

Have you wondered about wonder? Wonder is that place of the mind that charms the emotions while never conceding reason. It is a grasp on reality that does not need constant highs to be preserved, nor is it weakened by the low points of life’s struggle. It sees in the ordinary the extraordinary, and it finds in the extraordinary the reaffirmations for what it already knows. Wonder interprets life through the eyes of eternity while enjoying the moment, but never lets the momentary vision exhaust the eternal. Wonder makes life’s enchantment real and knows when and where enchantment must lie. Wonder knows how to read the shadows because it knows the nature of light. Wonder knows that while you cannot look at the light you cannot look at anything else without it. It is not exhausted by childhood but finds its key there. It is a journey like a walk through the woods, over the usual obstacles, and around the common distractions while the voice of direction leads, saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21 KJV). Wonder cannot help but sing… even nature recognizes that.

 

Here, from an image taken in 2015, some favorite familiar objects stand out in wonderful ways… the extraordinary in the ordinary, yet to me, it’s never ordinary. That’s a bit of Second Falls there as seen directly from the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 418.5… it's a good bet I'll make a stop here every fall and frame a shot with these three brilliant maples in the foreground. Just beyond the falls is Graveyard Fields, where the first of autumn colors are most prevalent in early October. I know how this works, too… the sun no longer beats down on this landscape as it did throughout summer and the nights become longer and much cooler. Eventually, the ground temperatures drop, triggering the autumnal effects on the leaves of a myriad of flora. The color that first appears at Graveyard Fields (elevation 5120 feet, or 1560 meters) drops in elevation about 100 feet per day. Knowing, however, only deepens my sense of wonder at this beautiful wall of fall (as I said, it’s a gift).

 

Fall colors have been slow in coming this year with warmer nights in the mountains. Hurricane Michael is bearing down to this region from the gulf as well, so many here are hoping the leaves won’t soon be gone with the wind. By the way, this year has seen Hurricanes with my mother’s name, Florence, my wife’s name, Joyce, and now one with my name. What’s up with that? I wonder.

Modern understanding of progress frequently equates to the expectation of increase. We aim for increasing assets or appreciation to satisfy our fear of loss. Hence, things speed up, which is why there is steadily more to achieve, earn, or optimize. As growth is on everyone’s lips, fast motion seems unquestionable.

 

When there is no enough, the setting has to adapt to the prevailing dogma. As a result, humans seek to squeeze the world into a suit that is many sizes too small. However, without a doubt, pulling in the belly is insufficient because what is not supposed to fit cannot fit.

 

But when the idea of exceptional guides us, everything has to become more outstanding. On this fast ride, we don’t stop at ourselves. Accordingly, we are seeking for more, personal growth – the perfect me. As priorities shift, something got to give way. Thus, reality feels heavy when one puts too much strain on it.

 

And while standing on this bridge, the pace of the daily grid runs underneath my feet. Within all of these actions, the expectation of growth has given way to the indifference. A moment of standstill in the tugging speed of the time in which we live.

Finding where you are, recognizing where you are, and understanding where you are

poetry series larger heart

The Genesa crystal is a sacred geometric symbol: four woven circles forming a sphere composed of six squares and eight triangles. This is an elemental geometry reflecting the ancient wisdom of unity and the modern understanding of interconnectedness. Used around the world, Genesa crystals are pleasing, interesting sculptures and potentially powerful tools for personal and planetary healing.

 

- purification (ambient and objects)

- meditation

- healing (for you or for your friends)

- attraction (love, money, hair and more)

- removal (weight loss, health problems and more)

  

You can try to make your dreams come true also in SL using the wonderful Genesa Crystal .

You can use our Genesa as home decoration too, it's modern and vibrant as you.

 

Available at OMG Gacha

 

P.S. Avenge is introducing a 3d geometric structure, no intentions or magical properties are assured.

All you can read here it's what you could have about Genesa knowledge in the world.