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Wonder Woman's FIRST FILM! It's happened! It's finally here! Ahhhh! :D
This is such a big deal!
Since the 1950's, Superman has had seven different solo films, while Batman has had eight with a ninth currently in the foreseeable future! Yet for some crazy reason, it's taken seventy-some odd years for Wonder Woman to finally get a movie to herself! She is so rich in her comic history that it's a wonder (no pun intended) that it's taken so long for it to happen!
I was really concerned for this film, for a number of reasons. Given the track record of DC films being on a scale of decent to less than average (with the exception of TDK Trilogy). Admittedly, I didn't have extremely high hopes for this film, but boy was I wrong!
This movie was absolutely fantastic!
There are lots of great things to talk about so I'm just gonna jump in here with the colors and see where that takes me!
The use of color was really enjoyable! Keeping consistent palettes associated with different locations was great! Whites Blues and Greens for Themyscira, Yellows and Browns for London, Greys and Blues for Germany! Some very refreshing visuals from DC. Plus it wasn't just color barfing everywhere like Suicide Squad or Green Lantern *shudder*
Speaking of which, the Cinematography was also really refreshing! A lot of tight shots of objects and characters left me appreciating the Prop and Costume Designers, or notice them in a way that I normally wouldn't. Like seeing Diana's Tiara or the God Slayer up close was very cool (from a production stance, that shit looked real as hell!)
Also, the Snyder Slow-Mo didn't bother me that much ...So I guess that's a bonus? :P
Oh, and the sideways right-to-left camera pan in the forest horse ride scene was something different! But I liked it a lot!
The action and choreography was great! Gal Gadot kicked ass and looked great doing it! I really appriciated that the action scenes weren't filmed to have weird sexy undertones to them *cough*BlackWidowThighGrapple*cough* They were shot to portray the power and grace these radical spartan-y warriors could yield! They could ride horseback and shoot arrows and use swords and spelunk from cliff sides and take bullets like badasses!
The Beachfront scene in particular was great for that reason, but also in a narrative perspective. It wasn't there without a purpose. The scene not only was used to break-up Diana's exposition, but give us some for Steve. It introduced us to him naturally while also providing more story/character development. The story was multi-tasking! :P
Speaking of multi-tasking, Wonder Woman had a great ensemble of supporting characters! Characters that felt like real people and not just the archetypes they're implied to be. Like yeah, you want your Sharp-Shooter Character, you want an Ammunition Bomb Tech guy, and a Smooth Talker, and a Smuggler etc.
But they handled it really well. Not once was a character humiliated for their flaws. In fact they were supported and encouraged to be human and feel the feelings their environment put them in. Like Charlie for example, PTSD through and through, but he's given levity after his own personal conflict, which leads into character development, which leads you to care about these people.
There own desires and independent motives keep the story interesting and engaging far more than if they were just their archetypes. Being driven to be what they have to be, and not what they ultimately want to be. You get to see slivers of that throughout the film, and it made me very happy. Everybody gets a chance to be themselves :)
Plus Wonder Woman's own characterization is phenomenally well written. I felt that the writers had a very clear idea of who and what Diana was and how she views the world. She has a take-no-shit attitude, with a compassionate, innocent heart tied to it all. But at the same time she's not unintelligent! She's brash, yes, and makes foolish decisions, but that's what drives the story to conflicts and gradually change her motives through the film!
She's like a puppy :P
Enthusiastic to new and different things, but never cynical or judgmental of others. Hell, she even shows compassion for the “villains” at times.
Not to mention all the strength and power she showed was incredible and astounding to watch! Like lifting that tank! Oh my word... :3
This movie was really good at using humor as levity too. Without it, I feel this would have been a rather long and depressing film, but the humor (tied with characterization) helped keep the movie flowing. The dialog always held a purpose; The humor almost always came from the characters reacting to their environment, and not the flaws of others. It's another case of natural story telling without cynicism or humiliation to get a laugh. There was never any dumb quips! (I'm looking at you Guardians 2... man that movie was dumb...)
I'm really glad that this was taken seriously by DC and the creators. It was a War Film with a Superhero tossed in the mess. It didn't feel ridiculous or nonsensical (like reading a comic book), yet it respected the history Wonder Woman comes from. Setting the story in the early 1900's helps too, not having to “modernize” every aspect of her origin.
Another credit to the writers, was how this movie wasn't just a giant trailer for future movies! It was it's own film with it's on arcs, and there wasn't any cliffhangers or loose ends!
There was an extraordinary good ratio of Set-Up to Pay-Off. With a Superhero movie, you come to expect a big dumb fight at the end, which there was, but the joy and relief I felt when it concluded was uncompareable to any recent Superhero movie I've seen. It was almost a sense of pride that Wonder Woman had won. ...But it felt bigger than that, in a really good way.
For example, seeing the enemy remove their gasmasks really drove the victory home. Not only did Wonder Woman save the good guys, but the bad ones too!
Admittedly I cried a lot more that I would have expected. Not only to the emotional beats, but to the film in of itself. Things like the sheer fact that this movie exists in the first place! I was tearing up just seeing little Diana and Themyscira for the first time! Seeing The WW costume on the battlefield, the beautiful shots with her Bracelets and bullet scatter! I even got emotional with the Christoper Reeve esque final frame!
Writing this now, it's really setting in. This is real! The first live-action Wonder Woman film ever, and I could say that I was there to see it! These are tears of joy and relief!
This was a movie that starred a woman and was directed by a woman yet no one actually said “Wonder Woman” the entire film. ...Makes you think :P
I can see a light at the end of this DCEU Tunnel! It feels like things may finally be turning around for my favorite comic book publisher!
Damn... what a film!
But I think I've said enough though :P
Oh btw, did you guys spot The Invisible Jet easter egg?! ...Yeah, me neither. *badum-tiss*
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I feel like some credits are in order!
Daniel Fortine was a large inspiration for the town buildings. I adapted his concept a tinge, but here's his original build I based mine off of: flic.kr/p/C5t714
He's got a ton of awesome Micro-Scale buildings that are really worth a look! :)
This style of image was also semi-inspired(rehashed) by one of my older (not very good) Captain America builds from 2012! flic.kr/p/cM35H9
Oh and if you're wondering, The German Torso's are from Brickmania :)
And yes, I realize this scene was in Germany. I didn't know that prior to seeing the film, so just go ahead and ignore that CapeMadness Union Jack flag :)
*phew* ...I think that's everything you need to know, but I'm sure someone's still gonna ask at least one of these questions in the comments anyway *ugh*
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“WONDER WOMAAAAAAN! WONDER WOOOMAAAAAN!” Visit Patreon to see early photography, BTS images and WIPs *cough*fundmyaddiction*cough* ...uh yeah... I'm just gonna keep singing now.... “In your satin tights, fighting for your rights, and the old Red White and Bluuuuuuue! WONDER WOOOMAAAAAN!”
Not the greatest Characterization of the character but he sure did look badass.
Armoured - I took a file to the original armour to make it look more accurate and beat up. Added a torn up cape and Kryptonite spear to complete the look.
Batsuit - The JL minifig with a modded crotch piece and dual molded legs. That’s supposed to be the “Bat Brander” he’s holding.
Knightmare - Just added a BrickArms rifle to the official fig. TLG killed it with this guy.
The fresco decoration of the Hall of Justice of the fortress of Angera constitutes one of the main figurative testimonies of the development phase of the Gothic pictorial language in the Lombard territory; it also proposes a rare and early example of painting with profane themes, of historical-political and celebratory significance.
The room, on the second floor of the Visconti wing of the building, has a rectangular plan, divided into two parts by a pointed arch. The ceiling, formed by cross vaults, is covered by a lively decoration with geometric motifs, with squares and rounds interwoven to form a sort of sumptuous painted fabric. The six bays of the walls, illuminated by large windows with two lights, host the pictorial decoration, which is divided into three superimposed registers within large arches defined by ornamental borders with stylized stars and flowers: the narrative scenes, in the center, are surmounted by a high band with astrological-astronomical subjects, while the lowest register is formed by a lozenge decoration that supported an elegant painted veil, now almost completely disappeared.
The cycle narrates the deeds of Ottone Visconti, archbishop and lord of Milan from 1277 after the victory obtained in Desio over the opposing Torriani family. Since a long time, studies have linked the frescoes to a precise literary source, the Liber de gestis in civitate Mediolani, a work in praise of the Visconti family written by the monk Stefanardo da Vimercate probably in the last decade of the thirteenth century; the tituli that accompany the scenes are inspired by it, while other Latin inscriptions report, to complete the upper decorative band, some verses of the astrological treatise De Sphaera.
From a stylistic point of view, the author of the paintings shows a marked taste for the complex layout of the scenes, while neglecting the coherence of the figure-architecture relationship; the forms are simplified and the faces, lacking in individual characterization, derive strong consistency from the resentful linear definition and the thick dark outlines; these elements constitute an evident link with the thirteenth-century pictorial tradition of Byzantine matrix, probably filtered through the knowledge of works from the Veneto area. Moreover, the attention that will be typically Lombardy for the realistic definition of details or for the description of costumes is already present and alive.
The brilliant overall effect of the room is enhanced by the whirlwind of colors of the vault, a real explosion of chromatic happiness that finds immediate comparisons in the vault of S. Bassiano in Lodi Vecchio, also decorated with joyful secular subjects.
The representations of the planets and the signs of the zodiac are still linked to those astrological-astronomical themes that had an enormous development since the beginning of the Christian Middle Ages and in particular in the Romanesque period; connected to the scansion of time and of the different working activities - in particular agricultural and pastoral -, they had multiple ethical, civil and religious implications. Situated in the courtroom of the Rocca, the cycle must have had the value of an exemplum for those who were called to judge, through the underlining of motifs such as the clemency of the winner on the vanquished enemy or the subjection of earthly power to the stars and to Fortune, and with precise indications on the virtues that should accompany the exercise of power.
As for the dating of the paintings, critics have expressed themselves in various ways, with wide oscillations between 1277 of the battle of Desio and 1314, the year in which Matteo Visconti definitively acquired possession of the fortress after a period of domination by the Torriani and other families.
"Everyone needs community, Rose. Especially those who claim they do not."
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In only the second comic book he's written in over a decade, veteran writer Christopher Priest creatively deconstructs and humanizes the story of Deathstroke by confronting the mercenary's addiction to violence with his need for emotional intimacy. Known as the Terminator to all but Slade Wilson to the select few, Deathstroke turns out to be far more complex character than he's ever been written as before, thanks to an intentional focus on his failure to maintain healthy relationships with his family members and loved ones. Political subterfuge and old school badassery undercut this central theme, while a vibrant cast of supporting and guest characters provide a believable human context in which Deathstroke can inevitably wreak psychological and physical havoc. Add in the fact that the artwork is consistently excellent, and there's no question that Christopher Priest's Deathstroke is decidedly one of the best titles DC has put out in years.
The only reason I ever took a look at this run was because it was constantly being recommended on Reddit. And I'm so happy that I did - just behind Superman, Deathstroke is my favorite Rebirth title. As a comic book character, Deathstroke is so mythically badass. He has an eyepatch, Minnesota high school hockey hair, and one of the most aesthetically pleasing costumes ever created. But despite these characteristics, he's never been written as a particularly deep character; he barely got any solo attention before the Flashpoint, and in the early New 52, Deathstroke was nothing but a musclebound, Liefeld-esque bruiser. But with a writing veteran such as Priest at the reins, Deathstroke has finally received the nuanced characterization and solo attention that he's deserved since his creation. If you haven't read this yet, you NEED to!
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This shot features main and supporting characters in the run, along with several guest stars that only appeared in single issues (Clock King, Superman, Batman & Robin, The Creeper). For those who haven't read any Deathstroke yet, here are a few quick summaries of characters that might not be immediately recognizable. Fig formulas are at the very bottom!
Joseph Wilson: Deathstroke's younger son, depicted in the final version of the Ikon Suit, created by David Isherwood. Joseph is more popularly known as Jericho in traditional DC continuity.
Clock King: Appeared in DEATHSTROKE #0s and #1 as a one-off villain. And yes, he appeared in classic Silver Age garb. :)
Adeline Kane: Deathstroke's ex-wife. Hates Slade for ruining their marriage and for indirectly causing the death of Grant and the mutilation of Joseph. Doesn't like Rose.
Ja Zaki: Real name Matthew Bland - an African dictator/supervillain who is a straight-up parody of Marvel's Black Panther. Is a recurring ally/rival to Slade throughout the run.
Grant Wilson: Deathstroke's older son, deceased from the combined effects of the H.I.V.E. super-serum and the stress from his long-ago battle with the Teen Titans. Slade's guilt over Grant's death principally drives the events of the Lazarus Contract.
Wintergreen: Slade’s oldest and (arguably) only real friend. I’ll save the details of his background for you to find out. :)
NOTABLE OMISSIONS:
Dr. Villain, David Isherwood, Power Girl, Roscoe, Raptor
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Fig formulas:
Deathstroke: greyed Luke Skywalker hair, Airen Cracken head, erased General Cryptor Ninjago armor, LBM Batman torso, Simpsons S2 Marge left arm, cut Scu-Batsuit utility belt
Rose Wilson: Storm hair, SW Rebels Sabine Wren head, Hobgoblin torso, dark azure arms, S4 Musketeer CMF legs
Joseph Wilson: Captain Marvel hair, White Tiger head, Cosmic Boy torso, Batgirl utility belt, First Order AT-DP pilot legs
William Randolph Wintergreen: Count Dooku hair, J. Jonah Jameson head, Superboy arms, S12 Gamer CMF hips, sand blue legs, walkie-talkie
Adeline Kane: Narcissa Malfoy hair, Padme Naberrie head, BvS Lois Lane base
Hosun: N52 Robin hair, Draco Malfoy head, reversed S14 Clumsy Guy cmf torso, S12 Gamer CMF arms, computer board
Red Lion: LBM Red Hood CMF head, Kraven collar, NK promo fig torso, Catman CMF utility belt, Wolverine claws
Superman (Rebirth): Superman base fig w/Senate Commando legs
Clock King: Clock round plate, reversed City Beachgoer torso, Ninjago Lloyd DX hips, dark azure arms and legs
Ravager (Grant Wilson): Damian Wayne hair, N52 Nightwing head, Ninjago Jay ZX armor, 2012 Hawkeye torso, dark blue arms w/red hands, Catman CMF utility belt BvS Superman legs w/red hips
The Creeper: LBM Joker hair, S16 Strongman head, LBM Red Hood CMF cape, S12 Lifeguard CMF torso, S3 Hula Dancer CMF legs
Batman (Rebirth): Buccaneer Batman cowl, N52 Batman torso, LBM Death Metal Batman CMF arms w/dark blue hands, Helicarrier Nick Fury legs, custom-cut Disney Maleficent CMF cape
Damian Wayne (Robin): Damian base figure with Shazam hair, S15 Grim Knight arms, green short legs
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Props to Multi_Sharp for requesting this shot a couple months back! He was the only one that did so, but it definitely gave me the push to greenlight this one. :)
In 1990! Nicolas Cage and Michael Keaton were to be the first Batman and Superman to share the silver screen! ...It didn't happen.
In 2006! Brandon Routh and Christian Bale were heavily sought after to be the first Batman and Superman to share the silver screen! ...That didn't happen either.
In 2009! Justice League: Mortal began pre-production with Mad Max's George Miller at the helm! :D ...But because of The Writers Strike... we got Green Lantern instead.... Yep... :|
In 2016! Batman and Superman... didn't get along very well on the silver screen (oh and Wonder Woman was there toooooo?!)!
FINALLY In 2017! We're just now we getting the first ever live-action Justice League film! Woo! Hooray! Yippee! It's Happened! We did guys! :D
Ya know... Its no big deal... it's only been 57 YEARS since The Justice League came together in The Brave and The Bold!! Plus the whole “JL Movie Idea” has only been bouncing around Hollywood for some 30 years now!
Well I say it's about freakin' time! :P
I was really pleased with this movie! But that doesn't mean I wasn't hesitant.... I mean off the back of what (a lot) of people say was the worst film of 2016... This had a lot to live up to. But since BvS we've had a mediocre Suicide Squad movie and an incredible Wonder Woman film! Oh and MoS was also great but that was SO LONG AGO!
So for me at least, DC's current movies are about 50/50. Not “terrible” but not like “blown away amazing” either (with the exception of Wonder Woman :P) Now I've always been pro DC since the beginning but that could fully be nostalgia goggles obscuring things. (...to be honest, even though BvS was total garbage I still kinda liked it)
:)
But now that that's off my chest... did I like this movie? :P
Due to the adrenalin rush of getting a new DC movie, Hell Yeah! I loved it! But really taking the time to think about this movie after the hype died down, it was still pretty solid! Significantly better than BvS.
I mean right of the bat, my overall first thoughts was that it felt like watching the DC equivalent to The Avengers (the first avengers) (the first time they avenged). Not to say that's a bad thing, but going with a formula of introducing one main character at a time to then establish their whereabouts and then they get together with a bit of a tussle and then they meet the bad guy for the first time and then they loose to him and then they squabble with each other for a bit but then they meet their differences and then they fight the big bad guy again as a team!
So... given a structure like that, it's so hard not to compare to Marvel. But that's how most, if not all Superhero team ups begin (or at least that's how they've been doing it for a long ass time now). It's a simple core concept that allows character development and a bit of a central narrative.
But at the same time, this was a totally different animal of a movie! It wasn't nearly as predictable as a Marvel movie, where you can see exactly where the jokes and action will land.
One of the major differences (visually) was the lived in environments! A credit to the set designers for the amount of realism that The DCEU strives toward. Just about every location has a diverse feeling to it and Metropotham (because it's basically the same city) has a very lived in quality. Although at the same time, this somehow felt like a cheaply made film in contrast to BvS.
Like everything from Sets/Costumes/On Site locations felt just a little duller than I recall BvS having. The movie had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of CGI. Cyborg was hit or miss, Steppenwolf's MoCap was a bit off putting at times, Henry Cavill's CGI upper lip wasn't great... and besides the Norwegian Fishing Village and The Bat Lake, most of the locations looked like things built on sound stages. Idk maybe that's just me. But it still overall captured the MoS/BvS realistic concepts, even if it wasn't always “real”. Just felt a little cheaper than previous films.
But despite some of my visual indifferences, I was a big fan of how The Speed Force was depicted. Barry literally bends the atmosphere around him when he access it. Even quick flashes of The Color Spectrum appear for brief moments (implying that he's moving at nearly the speed of light at times). That's also the reason his lighting is white. Aka No Color! That's some neato science-y shit right there! :P
But enough about visuals, let's talk movie talk!
This was an absolute treat for me! Doing all this research through the decades gave me a very wide viewpoint to this film and the overall JLA core ideologies through out the last 60 years. The characterization choices in this film were all kinds of interesting! We get the 90s Surfer Aquaman, N52 Cyborg, the George Perez 80s Wonder Woman, a goofy mid-2000s Wally/Barry hybrid ...and... a version of Batman! (More on that later)
But OH MY GOD SUPERMAN!
AAAAAHHHHHH!
THEY DID HIM RIGHT!
THAT WAS HIM! IT WAS SUPERMAN OMG HE WAS BRIGHT AND COLORFUL AND HE USED ALL SIX OF HIS POST-CRISIS POWERS AND HE SMILED AND JOKED AND HE WAS ALL ABOUT TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND SHIT OH MY GOSH! :D
...Damn Son! He even raced The Flash!
I kid you not, I began to cry tears of joy when that happened :3
As much as I enjoy MoS for it's bold ideas and moral ambiguity for the modern society, sometimes I just wanna see Superman use his freeze breath and rip open his shirt in front of a camera! There are two ways to my heart, clearly :P
And you know what, that can be said about a lot of this movie! It was fun! It was colorful! It was hopeful! Plus it was respectful to the source material it referenced! I can't think of anything (story-wise) that wasn't unfaithful to a reputable comic book in some way!
It had some really impacting opening scenes! Wonder Woman's museum heist was super tense and had some great sound editing! Batman's N52 Parademon Hunt had a fun/weird 1989 Batman vibe to it... Actually, come to think of it... The Batman 1989 theme was in there too! Danny Elfman scored the film! Totally didn't expect that! :P
DUDE! I almost forgot!
A Green Lantern for Sector 2814 was in the first Steppenwolf Battle! Ahhhh! :D
Now I really want my GL Corps Buddy-Cop-Frontier-Space movie! I WANT IT NOW! :P
Oh and referencing Jack Kirby's New Gods! Plus seeing Zeus and the Old Gods in action! Man that whole battle was crazy! :P
*phew* I gotta compose myself here... This movie was so much fun! :D
Okay!
You know, come to think of it, I wasn't a big fan of the dialogue. Most of what was said got the points across, but a lot of the Bat-Quips and humor felt a little played up. I mean it was nice to smile throughout a DC movie for once, but to sit around an audience awkwardly not sure when to laugh at something was... unsettling. I found moments personally funny that others didn't, and vice-versa.
Oh something that kinda pissed me off was all the signature Zach Snyder Butt-Shots. Anytime that man could, he was filming someone's butt! Don't get me wrong, Ray Fisher's tin ass has an appeal to someone I'm sure, but why were we looking up WW's skirt all the time?! Patty Jenkins wouldn't be having any of that! Nor the Amazonian Crop Tops for that matter! That was dumb too, but man did they kick ass or what!? :P
I felt like, out of all the JL members, Aquaman was the least developed. I would have thought we'd see more of Atlantis and the lore behind it, but Mera and some guards were okay too I guess.
Also, on a side tangent, how great is it that Aquaman is played by a Pacific Islander! That makes so much more sense than a white guy anyday! Plus that scene using Icky Thump! Man that all gets me so pumped for his solo film! :D
I'm not feeling the Batfleck though... Did any of you guys think that he was a bit disappointing? It felt like both Affleck and Irons were really phoning in their performances. I was expecting the same amount of commitment that they brought to BvS, but it never came. Plus Batman didn't really do a whole lot. We didn't even get another good Arkham Game fight sequence! But man did he have a lot of guns this time! But it's okay because they're not for shooting humans or something.... Also his goggles looked kinda dumb, sayin just sayin.
Oh and guilting Diana into being a leader by bringing up her dead boyfriend?! Not cool bro.
All that aside, by comparison, I feel like Ezra Miller was super committed to the project! Perhaps a little too committed, but hey, I've yet to feel there's been a perfect Live-Action Flash to date. Also (random thought) his helmet looks a little like a Chevy Sonic :P
But shit, his slow motion scenes just blew my mind! If Zach Snyder was gonna nail anything, it was that! :P
Lex (looking like how Lex should look!) and Deathstroke teaming up was really exciting too! I just wish it wasn't leaked that DS was gonna be in the movie! That would have been such a shock! But it makes me excited for future films (and surprisingly excited to see if he'll be in a Suicide Squad sequel)! :)
...okay I'm running out of things to talk about here...
OH! The team fighting Superman was hilarious! Haha! :P
But really though, this movie was a blast! It had significantly better pacing! Great Action! Some decent humor! Plus the side stories and origins were handled really well! Things didn't divulge to far from the main story, but didn't cut things short either! I mean, as a DC movie it relied a little on it's popularity as a company. Like for example, they don't have to tell you who that one guy was with the mustache that turned on the big Bat Light....
Goes to show that you don't need every detail handed to us! I liked that :)
All in all, my favorite aspect of this film was the idea of moving forward. Be that in the form of Diana moving on from Steve, or Bruce remodeling the Manor to have a big round JSA table :)
It makes a good paralleling comment about DC's status as it's seen in the modern day. Bruce has a conversation with Alfred about how the world is so much different. It used to be simpler, when their only concerns were robot penguins and the like. And in a way, the movies reflect that too. Back in the day, you could have a movie where the final climax was Superman stopping natural disasters and then just reverse time! Today the Superhero genre is taken (relatively) seriously. You can't just come up with a lazy contrived reason to have Bats fight Supes.
I personally got a vibe from the film that with the death of Cavill's Superman, 2016 became this turning point for both DC/DCEU and a growing state of unease in our daily lives. Whether that had to do with all the mass shootings over the past year and a half, or maybe that we have a Rapist in The White House.... Superman Died and everything went to shit. In real life, and in the DCEU.
With Superman back, smiling bright and hopeful, it gives me a sense of pride to be part of this tonal shift we're gonna see take place over the next few years. I'd go so far as to argue that if they get their shit together, DC will have better movies than Marvel. Due to either the world renowned familiarity with these characters, or just the hopeful nature that this (and Wonder Woman) gave off.
SUPERMAN IS BACK AND HE'S FUCKING SMILING YOU GUYS THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME! :D
I'm so happy! :)
...But yeah!
This movie wasn't perfect but it's a step in the right direction! I really need to end this somehow so uh... yeah! What did you guys think of it? I loved it, but I can totally see why not everybody will. BvS put a bad taste in people's mouths, but The Justice League was very tasty! :P
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To be honest, I'm a little sad (but very relived) that The Generations of Justice series is over! The whole project took too so many months of research, 8+ photoshoots over the course of 2017, plus countless hours upon hours of editing in post-production (I tried to keep track but lost count after 40+ hours in mid July).
All in all, I'm extremely happy how the entirety of how this last month has gone! You guys are all so supportive and wonderful! I'm really grateful for all of you keeping me going :)
I'll be taking a brief holiday break from posting new content here on flickr, but Patreon will see some (never before uploaded) throwback posts over the next few weeks. So if you're already a Patron, don't worry, I'm not going anywhere! You'll hear from me next week!
Oh Patrons btw! If you can tell, this image got some last minute edits, so this one may look a little different than the one I shared to Patreon a few days back, but if you wanna know the details of the new changes, hit me up over there on that original post! :)
To everybody else; if you like my work, I'd love it if you donate whatever you can to my Patreon to keep this flickr page alive, because I'll be damned if this place doesn't kill me! If you join, I'll give you a personal shout-out on my very next public post, plus a follow from yours truly! :)
But really though, thank you guys all so much! I really really mean that! This community is incredible (with the exception of a few) :P
I'm extremely glad to be a part of it, and being able to create art and see the joy it brings people :)
Thank you all so much!
Cheers!
:)
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this is were i put food in stuff - my stomach and fridge. we basically the same thing.
i went to go see the lovely bones, but found up at invictus. it was good.
I'm trying to pace myself in terms of new shots and figs but couldn't bear to keep this one under wraps for too long. Forever Evil was one of the more creative New 52 stories, and a very good one as well in terms of deepening the characterization of villains in the DC universe. And yes, I accidentally left out Batman and Deathstroke, but intentionally left out Owlman since I wasn't very pleased with how he turned out.
Too many figs to list, so I'll answer questions in the comments if anyone wants to replicate them. Black Adam and Mazahs are the only non-purist figs here; I just think the group photo looks a little better with the custom torsos.
I love Red Hood and the Outlaws, both the New 52 run and the Rebirth run, even if I wasn't crazy about Starfire's characterization at the times in the New 52 run.
Jason Todd/Red Hood is mostly based on his New 52 look, with some other elements from other depictions of the character, like the silver strand in his hair (which I wish he still had). The Starfire is the ordinary Lego Starfire but with a different hair piece that's been modified with paint to look like her DC Rebirth hair. As for the Arsenal, he is custom printed and ordered from X39BrickCustoms.
“It's about what you believe. And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world.”
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I saw Wonder Woman on the night of June 3rd, the day after it had released to US theaters. This was also the day of my 21st birthday, and I had just spent the last 24 hours helping my family cater and set up for my sister’s senior piano recital. Over 150 people had RSVP’ed to attend, and with my stubbornly Chinese mom insisting on preparing nearly all the food and reception decorations from scratch, I ended up spending my 21st birthday deseeding and dicing an endless deluge of bell peppers, lugging boxes of plastic utensils and cups across a parking lot, and not having a drop of alcohol in my blood by the end of the night. I knew that I wouldn’t be in the best mood after the recital, so I declined my parents’ previous offer to take me out for dinner. Instead, I asked them if I could see Wonder Woman.
To put it shortly, Wonder Woman is a crowning achievement for the DC Extended Universe and a rousing revival of faith in the female superhero. It portrayed an oft-overlooked era of history in gorgeous color and orchestral sound, featured phenomenal acting on ALL parts, and most importantly, embraced the idea that people don’t always have to lose something before wanting to do the right thing.
The last point in particular strikes a deep chord within me, especially in regard to the changes in DC editorial that started because of Rebirth. Before then, I had never agreed with the criticism that Cavill’s Superman was too grimdark and angsty to be an accurate representation of Big Blue. I reasoned that Zack Snyder’s gorgeous cinematography and operatic storytelling were reasons enough to support all aspects of the film, including this off-kilter characterization. Besides, the Superman films of yore were outdated and hammy, and ill-fit for modern cinema audiences. But after experiencing the paradigmatic shift in optimism that Rebirth brought to modern comics, I can’t help but shake my head at how far the first two DCEU films missed the mark.
Themes of hope, optimism, love, and human connection will NEVER become uninteresting or outdated to explore. Wonder Woman had a incredible cast of vibrant supporting characters (on par with that of the GoTG films) and an endearing, believable love story that recognized the value of the small moments. And like Rebirth’s Jonathan Kent, Wonder Woman’s desire to do good is principally motivated by gratitude and compassion, two things which are sorely needed in today’s increasingly cynical day and age.
And I certainly walked out of the theater feeling happier about having spent my 21st birthday helping my little sister feel special and loved instead of doing whatever I had personally wanted to do.
So I give Wonder Woman a smashing 9/10! If you haven’t seen it yet, GO DO IT.
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Some behind-the-scenes details about this shot:
I originally wanted to make all the important characters from the film, including Ares, Steve’s war buddies, and some Amazons. After thinking about how much time and money that would all take, I scrapped the idea and decided to only do Diana and Steve, and in their Rebirth outfits to boot. That way, I’d be doing something unique compared to the other WW reviews I saw.
This was also the first time I used an all new lighting system, and I think it turned out great. Using a combination of cold and warm light really brought out the colors of these figs, and the image clarity is some of the best I've ever put out.
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Fig formulas:
Wonder Woman (Rebirth): DCEU WW base figure w/BvS hips, 2013 WW tiara, OLS Gladiator cape
Steve Trevor (Rebirth): Aldrich Killian hair, AoU Thor head, Green Arrow hood, Steve Trevor torso, Superboy arms, S16 Hiker CMF legs, M16A4 assault rifle with M320 grenade launcher, Bowie knife
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Rebirth Deathstroke is finna going to be lit. I’ve got 13 minifigures planned!
The vessel KOBI RUEGG (IMO: 9713753, MMSI 311000683) is a Research Vessel built in 2015 (6 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas.
A 58-meter, multi-role survey vessel MV Kobi Ruegg has joined Fugro’s fleet and is set to begin her first project in the Egyptian sector of the Mediterranean Sea.
Working on behalf of Saipem, Fugro will deploy its large diameter piston core system to collect soil samples in the Zohr gas field; geophysical surveys for Pico and Shell will follow.
Having previously operated in the Gulf of Mexico for Fugro, the three-year-old vessel has recently been renamed in honor of a former member of Fugro’s management board who passed away in March 2017. Köbi (Jakob) Rüegg worked for Fugro for almost 20 years and from 2009 until he retired in 2013 was a member of the Board of Management with responsibility for the Offshore Survey Division.
The vessel replaces the Fugro Navigator which has been permanently retired as part of Fugro’s ongoing vessel rationalization process.
Permanently mobilized with a full range of geophysical survey and geotechnical sampling equipment, as well as a Seaeye Panther remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the vessel is based in Alexandria, Egypt. From her new homeport of Abu Qir, she will deliver Fugro’s marine site characterization services to clients in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea.
An enigmatic creature, he is typically known by the moniker "Desire". According to rumors, he originated from outside the Matoran Universe, entering unnoticed while the land was in the grip of war. Today, he is one of the most feared gang leaders on Stelt. What is his end goal; does he have one? No one can say for sure...
Quick 4th Wall: originally a character by Gringat! I came up with MOV and made an LDD rendition of the character forever ago, with the intention of making him for real. His characterization is a bit different from Gringat's original, but the vibe is similar.
Link to the OG: www.deviantart.com/lol-pretzel/art/Desire-292990830
The fresco decoration of the Hall of Justice of the fortress of Angera constitutes one of the main figurative testimonies of the development phase of the Gothic pictorial language in the Lombard territory; it also proposes a rare and early example of painting with profane themes, of historical-political and celebratory significance.
The room, on the second floor of the Visconti wing of the building, has a rectangular plan, divided into two parts by a pointed arch. The ceiling, formed by cross vaults, is covered by a lively decoration with geometric motifs, with squares and rounds interwoven to form a sort of sumptuous painted fabric. The six bays of the walls, illuminated by large windows with two lights, host the pictorial decoration, which is divided into three superimposed registers within large arches defined by ornamental borders with stylized stars and flowers: the narrative scenes, in the center, are surmounted by a high band with astrological-astronomical subjects, while the lowest register is formed by a lozenge decoration that supported an elegant painted veil, now almost completely disappeared.
The cycle narrates the deeds of Ottone Visconti, archbishop and lord of Milan from 1277 after the victory obtained in Desio over the opposing Torriani family. Since a long time, studies have linked the frescoes to a precise literary source, the Liber de gestis in civitate Mediolani, a work in praise of the Visconti family written by the monk Stefanardo da Vimercate probably in the last decade of the thirteenth century; the tituli that accompany the scenes are inspired by it, while other Latin inscriptions report, to complete the upper decorative band, some verses of the astrological treatise De Sphaera.
From a stylistic point of view, the author of the paintings shows a marked taste for the complex layout of the scenes, while neglecting the coherence of the figure-architecture relationship; the forms are simplified and the faces, lacking in individual characterization, derive strong consistency from the resentful linear definition and the thick dark outlines; these elements constitute an evident link with the thirteenth-century pictorial tradition of Byzantine matrix, probably filtered through the knowledge of works from the Veneto area. Moreover, the attention that will be typically Lombardy for the realistic definition of details or for the description of costumes is already present and alive.
The brilliant overall effect of the room is enhanced by the whirlwind of colors of the vault, a real explosion of chromatic happiness that finds immediate comparisons in the vault of S. Bassiano in Lodi Vecchio, also decorated with joyful secular subjects.
The representations of the planets and the signs of the zodiac are still linked to those astrological-astronomical themes that had an enormous development since the beginning of the Christian Middle Ages and in particular in the Romanesque period; connected to the scansion of time and of the different working activities - in particular agricultural and pastoral -, they had multiple ethical, civil and religious implications. Situated in the courtroom of the Rocca, the cycle must have had the value of an exemplum for those who were called to judge, through the underlining of motifs such as the clemency of the winner on the vanquished enemy or the subjection of earthly power to the stars and to Fortune, and with precise indications on the virtues that should accompany the exercise of power.
As for the dating of the paintings, critics have expressed themselves in various ways, with wide oscillations between 1277 of the battle of Desio and 1314, the year in which Matteo Visconti definitively acquired possession of the fortress after a period of domination by the Torriani and other families.
Siamese cats are known to be affectionate, friendly, loyal and bold. The Blue Point Siamese is said by some to be the gentlest and most affectionate of all the Colorpoint Shorthair varieties, although certainly many fanciers of the other Siamese color varieties might dispute that characterization. Siamese have been described as precocious, gregarious, intelligent and outgoing. They are extremely friendly with people and other pets that they know and like, and they thrive on companionship and affection. They form extremely close bonds with their primary caretaker and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. They often do better kept in household pairs or small groups, so that they can entertain each other while their owners are away. Some Siamese can have a nervous personality and most do not like sudden changes in their living environment. Siamese can be aloof toward strangers and are often skittish around newcomers to the home.
...Another behavioral trait of this breed is their tendency to thrash their tail when bored. They can be a bit demanding of attention. They are fastidiously clean and easy to care for as an indoor companion. They crave warm places and are fond of piling up with people or other animals. This is a breed of many extremes and makes a unique, wonderful companion...
:)
Esta es una imagen con © Todos los Derechos Reservados. Por favor no use esta imagen en páginas webs, blogs, facebook u otro medio sin mi explicito permiso.
This is a copyrighted image with © All Rights Reserved. Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, facebook, or other media without my explicit permission.
© All Rights Reserved.
© Todos los Derechos Reservados.
LA SALITA AL CASTELLO
L'Arco Bollani è un arco celebrativo costruito nel 1556, situato a lato di piazza Libertà a Udine, ai piedi della salita che porta al Castello, è opera documentata dell'architetto Andrea Palladio e costituisce il suo esordio in Friuli.
Il monumento fu fatto erigere dal luogotenente veneto (poi vescovo) Domenico Bollani (1514-1579) non solo con intento autocelebrativo e di caratterizzazione veneziana della piazza Contarena (oggi piazza Libertà) ma anche a ringraziamento per la cessazione di un'epidemia di peste.
Note tratte dal sito:
artbonus.gov.it/888-arco-bollani.html
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THE CLIMB TO THE CASTLE
The Bollani Arch is a celebratory arch built in 1556, located on the side of Piazza Libertà in Udine, at the foot of the climb that leads to the Castle, it is a documented work of the architect Andrea Palladio and constitutes his debut in Friuli.
The monument was erected by the Venetian lieutenant (later bishop) Domenico Bollani (1514-1579) not only with the intent of self-celebration and Venetian characterization of Piazza Contarena (now Piazza Libertà) but also in thanksgiving for the cessation of an epidemic of plague.
Immagine realizzata con lo smartphone HUAWEI MATE 20 PRO
Bobby Driscoll as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, 1950, Disney's first fully live action film, with co-star Robert Newton in his original and all-pervasively influential characterization of pirate Long John Silver.
Happy Whimsical Wednesday, everyone!! Here is some phoneography I shot on the campus of Portland State University with my iPhone 5. Some sad news, though: a few weeks after I photographed this I passed by again and found they had washed over this mural. WHY????
While she was cute in the movie, her characterization was slightly flat but her webisode debut 'scare-itage' made me want her. Then Jinkx Monsoon did a 'dios de los muertos' inspired look for this week's episode of 'Rupaul's Drag Race' and the face was almost a perfect match so I NEEDED her. XD
There are a boatload of Skelitas at my local walmart but no sign of Jinafire, who's own webisode debut has made me want her as well. Hrm....
Usualy under water in Bramiana reservoir but due to a very hot summer now nearly fully exposed.
The artificial lake of Bramiana was built in 1986 at Bramiana to meet the 30.000 of the greenhouses of Ierapetra. It is located 5km northwest of the town, in the road connecting Ierapetra and Kalamafka village. The lake covers an area of 1050 acres and has a capacity of 15 million m3, making it the second largest wetland of southern Greece, after Potami Dam at Amari valley.
The water is supplied mainly from sources in Kefalovrysi by Kalamafka, Krygios River that comes from Selakano Wood and Males area, from the springs of Malavra and from the springs of Korakas Gorge by Meseleri.
This artificial lake, in the middle of an arid area, has become an important wetland and a stopping point for migratory birds. Today, it attracts the largest populations of waterfowl in Crete. According to Natural History Museum of Crete, over 218 different bird species have been recorded in the region (2010), a very large number for such a young lake. All these reasons have contributed to the characterization of Bramiana as a national park.
Mallard ducks that had disappeared from the island since 1975, have started nesting in the dam. Ferruginous ducks, moorhens, herons, pewits, gulls and terns are some of the waterfowl species of the lake. Apart from these, there have been observed eagles, falcons, partridges, turtle doves, larks, swallows, etc. During spring and autumn, Bramiana dam is overwhelmed by thousands of migratory birds. In winter, the lake is a haven for birds wintering there, many of which are threatened with extinction worldwide (ferruginous duck, black stork, lanner falcon, kestrel etc). Other animals such as frogs, hares, hedgehogs, bats, shrew, turtles, water snakes and lizards are met in the area. The vegetation around the lake is characterized by reeds, plane trees, pines, poplars and tamarisks.
148/365
This photo is an outtake from this day!.
All the blood was added with photoshop THAT'S WHY IT LOOKS SO FAKE :) but it was the best i got, i cant make it better , so i can't make it looks realistic :( . I still like it , I want to make this a serie so maybe soon i'm gonna use the same idea in another photo, I'm thinking in start making more xmens or mutants photos, i want to re-take that serie, i know it is unoriginal really but i do it in my way and represent the character in my way, with a general vision, and not a perfect characterization.
Tonigh I travel to Santiago with my Mom and Sister to see our Dad and see my friends! yay !! AND I'M GONNA OPEN THE PRINTS THAT ALREADY ARRIVED! YEES!! I CAN'T WAIT! . I have no idea if i'm gonna use it for my 365, i mean this photo, so for now it is just something I uploaded LOlz.
IF U ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN ME EDITTING, TELL ME IF YOU WANT ME TO SEND YOU THE PHOTO WITH NO BLOOD AND YOU ADD IT :d THAANKS
PLEASE!!!! ASK ME A N Y T H I N G www.formspring.me/andruco
His incomparable work ethic, revolutionary techniques, and fearlessness towards standing up for his beliefs, all contribute to the legend that is Muhammad Ali.Cassius Clay Sr. gifted his son a new red-and-white Schwinn in 1954, which was promptly stolen. The 12-year-old, 89-pound Cassius Clay vowed “I'm gonna whup whoever stole my bike!” A policeman, Joe Martin, told young Cassius Clay that he better learn how to fight before he challenged anyone. After 6 months of training with Joe Martin, Cassius won his debut match in a three-round decision. Young Cassius Clay dedicated himself to boxing and training with an unmatched fervor. According to Joe Martin, Clay set himself apart by two things: He was “sassy,” and he outworked all the other boys.Shortly after his high school graduation, 18 year-old Cassius Clay began his journey towards greatness at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His expansive personality and larger-than-life spirit earned him the nickname “The Mayor of Olympic Village.”The future 3-time Heavyweight World Champion nearly missed the trip to Rome due to his fear of airplane travel; he insisted on bringing a parachute on the plane with him.On September 5, 1960, “The Greatest” proved his dominance in the Light Heavyweight Boxing Division by beating Zigzy Pietrzykowski of Poland, capturing the Olympic Gold Medal. Sports Illustrated praised Clay's “supreme confidence” and “intricate dance steps.”Muhammad Ali participated in the light-heavyweight class Golden Gloves tournament for novices in 1956. It took him three years, but finally in 1959, Ali was named Golden Gloves Champion and earned the Amateur Athletic Union’s national title in the light-heavyweight division.When Muhammad Ali refused to enter the Vietnam War draft he was stripped of his championship titles, passport, and boxing licenses. He lost an initial court battle and was facing a 5-year prison term. Muhammad Ali was the first national figure to speak out against the war in Vietnam. During his 3 ½ year layoff, Ali earned a living speaking at colleges. In 1970, with the mood of the country changing, Ali staged his comeback; first against Jerry Quarry in Atlanta, and then Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden. In his next match, billed as “The Fight of the Century”, Ali faced undefeated Champion, Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971.Ali fought valiantly, but lost. Months later, however, he won one of the biggest fights of his life – the Supreme Court reversed his conviction and upheld his conscientious objector claim. Ali was free of the specter of prison, and once again able to box anywhere in the world.While training for his title bout against the fearsome heavyweight champion, Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay met Malcolm X. Malcolm became young Clay's mentor and brought him into the Nation of Islam. Despite the 7-1 odds, Clay defeated Sonny Liston in Miami and became Heavyweight Champion of the world in 1964. Shortly after, he announced to the world that he was a member of the NOI and that his name was now Muhammad Ali. Weeks later, Malcolm X left the NOI and their friendship ended. Howard Cosell was one of the few journalists who acknowledged Ali's name change at the time. ALI ON SPEED BAG ">
In 1984, Muhammad Ali publicly announced that he had Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological condition. Following his diagnosis, he created and continues to raise funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Although his disease has progressed, Ali remains an active public figure and philanthropist, dedicated to his faith and humanitarian beliefs.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
Ali inspires millions worldwide. He gives people hope and proves that anyone can overcome insurmountable odds. He gives people courage. He makes fighters of us all. This is Ali and there will never be another.“HIS UNIQUE ABILITY TO SUMMON EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH AND COURAGE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, TO NAVIGATE THE STORM AND NEVER LOSE HIS WAY. HE HAS SHOWN US THAT THROUGH UNDYING FAITH AND STEADFAST LOVE, EACH OF US CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE. HE IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE CHAMP.”
President Barack Obama
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2uXKunVD0I
Exile and comeback.In March 1966, Ali refused to be inducted into the armed forces. He was systematically denied a boxing license in every state and stripped of his passport. As a result, he did not fight from March 1967 to October 1970—from ages 25 to almost 29—as his case worked its way through the appeals process before his conviction was overturned in 1971. During this time of inactivity, as opposition to the Vietnam War began to grow and Ali's stance gained sympathy, he spoke at colleges across the nation, criticizing the Vietnam War and advocating African American pride and racial justice.On August 12, 1970, with his case still in appeal, Ali was granted a license to box by the City of Atlanta Athletic Commission, thanks to State Senator Leroy R. Johnson.Ali's first return bout was against Jerry Quarry on October 26, resulting in a win after three rounds after Quarry was cut.
A month earlier, a victory in federal court forced the New York State Boxing Commission to reinstate Ali's license. He fought Oscar Bonavena at Madison Square Garden in December, an uninspired performance that ended in a dramatic technical knockout of Bonavena in the 15th round. The win left Ali as a top contender against heavyweight champion Joe Frazier.Ali and Frazier's first fight, held at the Garden on March 8, 1971, was nicknamed the "Fight of the Century", due to the tremendous excitement surrounding a bout between two undefeated fighters, each with a legitimate claim as heavyweight champions. Veteran boxing writer John Condon called it "the greatest event I've ever worked on in my life". The bout was broadcast to 35 foreign countries; promoters granted 760 press passes.Adding to the atmosphere were the considerable pre-fight theatrics and name calling. Ali portrayed Frazier as a "dumb tool of the white establishment". "Frazier is too ugly to be champ", Ali said. "Frazier is too dumb to be champ." Ali also frequently called Frazier an "Uncle Tom". Dave Wolf, who worked in Frazier's camp, recalled that, "Ali was saying 'the only people rooting for Joe Frazier are white people in suits, Alabama sheriffs, and members of the Ku Klux Klan. I'm fighting for the little man in the ghetto.' Joe was sitting there, smashing his fist into the palm of his hand, saying, 'What the fuck does he know about the ghetto?'"Ali began training at a farm near Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1971 and, finding the country setting to his liking, sought to develop a real training camp in the countryside. He found a five-acre site on a Pennsylvania country road in the village of Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. On this site, Ali carved out what was to become his training camp, the camp where he lived and trained for all the many fights he had from 1972 on to the end of his career in the 1980s.The Monday night fight lived up to its billing. In a preview of their two other fights, a crouching, bobbing and weaving Frazier constantly pressured Ali, getting hit regularly by Ali jabs and combinations, but relentlessly attacking and scoring repeatedly, especially to Ali's body. The fight was even in the early rounds, but Ali was taking more punishment than ever in his career. On several occasions in the early rounds he played to the crowd and shook his head "no" after he was hit. In the later rounds—in what was the first appearance of the "rope-a-dope strategy"—Ali leaned against the ropes and absorbed punishment from Frazier, hoping to tire him. In the 11th round, Frazier connected with a left hook that wobbled Ali, but because it appeared that Ali might be clowning as he staggered backwards across the ring, Frazier hesitated to press his advantage, fearing an Ali counter-attack. In the final round, Frazier knocked Ali down with a vicious left hook, which referee Arthur Mercante said was as hard as a man can be hit. Ali was back on his feet in three seconds.Nevertheless, Ali lost by unanimous decision, his first professional defeat.Ali's characterizations of Frazier during the lead-up to the fight cemented a personal animosity toward Ali by Frazier that lasted until Frazier's death.[34] Frazier and his camp always considered Ali's words cruel and unfair, far beyond what was necessary to sell tickets. Shortly after the bout, in the TV studios of ABC's Wide World of Sports during a nationally televised interview with the two boxers, Frazier rose from his chair and wrestled Ali to the floor after Ali called him ignorant.In the same year basketball star Wilt Chamberlain challenged Ali, and a fight was scheduled for July 26. Although the seven foot two inch tall Chamberlain had formidable physical advantages over Ali, weighing 60 pounds more and able to reach 14 inches further, Ali was able to intimidate Chamberlain into calling off the bout. This happened during a shared press conference with Chamberlain in which Ali repeatedly responded to reporters with the traditional lumberjack warning, "Timber", and said, "The tree will fall!" With these statements of confidence, Ali was able to unsettle his taller opponent into calling off the bout.After the loss to Frazier, Ali fought Jerry Quarry, had a second bout with Floyd Patterson and faced Bob Foster in 1972, winning a total of six fights that year. In 1973, Ken Norton broke Ali's jaw while giving him the second loss of his career. After initially seeking retirement, Ali won a controversial decision against Norton in their second bout, leading to a rematch at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 1974, with Joe Frazier who had recently lost his title to George Foreman.Ali was strong in the early rounds of the fight, and staggered Frazier in the second round. Referee Tony Perez mistakenly thought he heard the bell ending the round and stepped between the two fighters as Ali was pressing his attack, giving Frazier time to recover. However, Frazier came on in the middle rounds, snapping Ali's head in round seven and driving him to the ropes at the end of round eight. The last four rounds saw round-to-round shifts in momentum between the two fighters. Throughout most of the bout, however, Ali was able to circle away from Frazier's dangerous left hook and to tie Frazier up when he was cornered, the latter a tactic that Frazier's camp complained of bitterly. Judges awarded Ali a unanimous decision.
On February 14, 1973, Elvis Presley, who was a dear friend of Muhammad Ali's, presented the Champ with his own personal robe Elvis had designed especially for Ali.Muhammad Ali wears the robe that Elvis Presley designed for him. Muhammad Ali had taken a liking to a suit that Elvis had worn, that is what provoked Elvis to have this robe designed.The Story of The Robe from Elvis to Ali.
Chronicles of lifting Light :
Tales from The Poet and the Peasant
There is a certain daring “edge” in acting out a role playing game on a partner(s) in public, especially if (in our case) one favors pickpocketing.
It’s a certain adrenaline thrill, both addictive and desirable, that increases up until the “mark” is relived of one or more of her dangling valuables. Whether its carried out with a simple bump, a lift conveyed while, say dancing, or a squeeze play maneuvered with a second player, it all creates and holds a level of excitement most thrilling in its nature, quite erotic within its scope.
This Chronicle contains short essays on pickpocketing games played solely within our group over the past few years.
These were games only, done with full knowledge and consent of all the players ( with a couple of exceptions where the parties involved were not informed of the actual happenings until sometime after the fact.)
Any articles of jewelry lifted were returned to their original owners, albeit sometimes those owners at first thought the jewelry being returned had just simply fallen away.
The actual facts have been stretched, padded and enhanced, due primarily to the significant detail that I rather like those in my immediate circle, and in order to keep them liking me, have agreed to “put meat on the bone” so to speak, when putting pen to paper.
This journal is far from complete, and additional stories will be added as they are played out.
The “Poet and the Peasant” Is a little backwater pub owned and run by Brian’s Aunt and Uncle. It’s a laid back place, music (Mostly live, some dead, as our saying goes) .Beyond its ornate doorway one finds the usual caste of regulars ,Including us, consuming a generous selection of ales and other “demon” drink.
The pub is housed in an ancient old building with all sorts of old Victorian era objects, found and given a home in the pub’s numerous nooks and crannies. Including the yellowed skull of poor Erik.
Erik was a 14th century welsh poet and balladeer who supposedly was beheaded for making several torrid lyrics about a certain Saxon king. The lyrics are long forgotten, but Erik’s remains still reign. His grinning skull sits high up in a shelf along a balustrade, usually with a cigar clamped in his jaws. Couldn’t tell how many times some bloke with more’in his fill of drink has tried to light it for the poor blighter.
The pub is a regular howl around Halloween, thanks to Erik, who has obtained quite a degree of notability, despite being dead and silent for all these long years. Costume and poetry contests abound around this time of the year.
Basically, Erik aside, the “Poet and the Peasant” is a great place to hang out and make plans with a pint in hand.
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Opening Act
Atonement
We were heading to a small resort that we once had stayed at for a wedding and reception. It was Just “Ginny” and I on a 4 day escape from reality. We were passing through one of the small towns on the way, when Ginny spotted a dress shoppe, with several mannequins wearing evening frocks. She had to stop, we had a function the next month and she had “nothing to wear”( Liar I thought grinning).
We went inside and on a “gently worn” rack she pulled out this long string sleeved satin number and tried it on. The young clerk said it was patterned after the one in the movie atonement ( which neither of us had seen) but its rich deep green( Irish green the clerk called it, which I really had no idea was a colour) really set off Ginny’s long copper hair, and I liked the way her hair laid down her bare backside.
We arrived at the resort in early afternoon and claimed our suite( paid for by an anniversary gift) and set out to explore the place. The resort was packed, and we found out that there were 2 evening wedding receptions taking place on Saturday. An Idea began to take seed and as we walked I found a way to bring it into conversation.
Ginny had brought her rhinestones ( see Album Chronicles of lifting Light, B) for a bit of date roleplay in our suite some chosen evening of our stay. I suggested that she should give her gown and the rhinestones a try in public. Where she asked? I than laid out my game plan and a smile crept across her face, lit up by the sun poking through the trees on the wooded path we had been walking. Ginny liked to dress up, and I used that trump card to my advantage.
At around 5pm I slipped into the larger of the two receptions (crashed if you like) and wondering over to the bar I got a drink and waited, nursing it. I was reasonably presentable in a suit jacket, slacks, silk shirt and satin tie. As I waited I found myself pretty much unnoticed, which was a far cry from what Ginny encountered when she cautiously entered about fifteen minutes later, green gown swirling, rhinestones all a glitter. It didn’t take long for the sharks to start circling. One lad started a conversation, and I watched her squirm a little, before putting my drink down and coming to my damsel’s rescue. I had to literally peel the bloke away from her. We went onto the dance floor, pretending like we had never met. As we danced through several songs I could tell by the look in Ginny’s eyes that she was feeling the same fire within that I was. Ready for part 2 ? I asked, she got a surprised look in her eyes, and began to check herself, uh uh I said, not till we leave. We went out together; I spied the bloke watching us from a table, and smirked to meself over his look of frustration.
Outside we started to walk along the promenade, joining along with several other ladies, charming in their in gowns and frills, with their tuxedoed escorts, escapees all of us from the receptions. Ginny felt exceptionally good as, with my arm around her, she cuddled into my side while we walked some distance. But our bliss was not long, when Ginny , looking back, said there was a hotel security cop heading our way. Damn I thought, pinched for crashing the reception.
The rent-a-cop came up to us, and placing a firm grip upon my shoulder(or tried, I was a good foot taller, where do they find these blokes?) talked directly to Ginny. Everything alright then Miss, he questioned Ginny, trying to sound professional, and he almost pulled it off, except he squeaked on the word Miss.
Why yes, officer Ginny said, pouring on the charm( which is a quite frightful weapon in her capable hands), thank you for your lovely concern, but why do you ask? I received a report that this man may have been bothering you, Ma’am he said , no squeaks this time. He looked at me, I just grinned back at him, waiting for Ginny to belt it out of the park. She smiled, her green eyes brite, and laying a hand on the “officers” chin, told him how adorable his concern was for her safety, but her husband and she made sure he saw her ring, is really not that much of a bother most of the time. Husband he started, than stopped, caught his embarrassment nicely, then tried to save it, but Miss, I heard you had lost a necklace.
Whatever reaction he had hoped by saying this, it was not the one he got. Oh that, she said, the clasp broke, so my husband took it for safe keeping, really, where would I have put it, and she stepped back and let him look her over for evidence of supporting her statement. Game, Set and Match, I smirked to myself!
With the way she looked in that satin gown, and her charm at full output, no mere mortal male would have been able to stand a chance. Well, he choked out, all’s good then isit, and releasing my shoulder; he turned heel, and walked off hurriedly, like a scolded puppy with its tail between its legs. Ginny giggled, well played I told her, well played. And, again with my arm around her and Ginny cuddling in, we continued our stroll, with Ginny letting out the occasional chortal of laughter over the whole incident.
We reached an overlook over the lake, where a pair of swans was meandering about. A young lady in a long white dress with a glittering bracelet around one wrist, was walking along the path that edged along the lake. The swans were near her, reminding me of a tele commercial I had seen long ago ( If anyone else remembers it please leave a comment).
Ginny caught me looking, wanna do the path luv, she whispered with in a most beguiling manner. We did so, and eventually found a rather isolated little nook behind a hedge grow. Here I will have to leave to the readers imagination what transpired there, for the only witnesses were the two of us, and a rather surprised chippy who crawled out of his hole for a gander…
On our way back we once again stopped at the overlook. Time to tally up I said. Ginny smiled and opening her purse pulled out a scrap of paper. She showed it to me, on it was written the word necklace. Lucky guess, did you feel me take it I asked. Of course she lied; I could have done it better. Wanna bet I teased. Maybe someday we’ll see she responded. Now the way the game worked was that I pretended to be a light fingered jewel thief, with my eyes on the lady in green’s jewels. It was my objective to lift a piece of Ginny’s jewellery some point in the evening..
Ginny agreed to it on the condition that beforehand she would write down a piece of jewellery on a piece of paper, if it matched the piece I had lifted, than I could decide what we would do the next evening, if not, she would decide. So later, as we had a few drinks in a nearby pub ( still dressed in “costume”) I (the winner) outlined the plans for the next evening.
So the following evening, after a rather nice feast by the fireplace in the resorts great room, we found ourselves once again in a bar ( this time the resorts lounge). I was wearing the same suit, and had Ginny’s purloined necklace in my jacket pocket. Ginny was wearing a black satin blouse, ¾ sleeved, with long white and blacked stripped skirt. She wore her gold jewellery, and her long hair was up, held by rhinestone clips. At one point she excused herself to the loo, and when she returned took the chair next to me, and started to come on to me. I played along and after a few drinks, and dances, she led me out to the lobby.
Making way outside to the long wooden walkaway of the promenade, we began our way along it. Finding an isolated bench, we began to make out, as if we were strangers who had just met. After a long (glorious) while, we stood( wobbly) and made our way down to the lake, and continued our light petting.
At one point Ginny stopped, and looking me in the eye, said, well sir, its been fun, but id better go. Immediately I patted my pocket, the necklace was gone. Naughty I said, distracting me on the bench hussy, I teased. Her eyes got a gleam, follow me she said. We retraced our steps, hand in hand, and she led me to the the bench, and then surprisingly passed it. We regained the lobby, and she stopped by a corner, where a larger fern like plant sat in a rather big ceramic pot. Reaching in, she pulled out the necklace. Very good I said, never felt you take it.
So, I win then, she smirked. Yes I agreed, I had guessed wrong by thinking she had picked my pocket on the bench. So let’s go an collect me winnings then, sir, she ordered me, her eyes large and hungry. As we made our way I tried to get her to tell me when she had lifted the necklace, but she just placed a secret little smile on her lips, and remained silent on the subject….
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Act 2
Squeeze Play
Anyone who has taken the bother to riffle through my earlier Chronicles of Lifting Light, knows I have a twin sister who at times past has been my foil to practice upon. Well, I will leave it up to you to decide who the foil was in this tale.
We were all hanging out at the pub (“Poet and the Peasant” of course) one evening, the four of us, being the silly selves that mid- twenties youth are prone to being, especially when alcohol is involved.
We were trying to drink away the memories of what our previous week of work had given us, and were well on our way to meeting that objective, when a song from the band Cold Play come on. Ginny had asked my sister who it was, and instead of answering right away, she gave something a bit of thought, then my sister started smirking. Cold Play, like squeeze Play , remember “Ginny?”
Both Girls just started giggling, “Brian” just got a sullen look at the memory, and I, I just reflected…..
In our University years, my sister worked part time for a company that raised funds for charities, like OXFAM, etc. Among the various types of events were a couple of “Black Tie” affairs that I enjoyed because it gave Brian and I the chance to escort my Sister and Ginny ( the girls ever beautiful in fancy dress) to attend them.
Now, my sister had this co-worker,”Shiela”, who was absolute vinegar to my sister’s honey, hell, she was vinegar to any pretty female’s honey! She was a squawker, a squealer, and a backstabbing slag, in other words, not a very nice girl atoll. She was also was twice divorced from wealthy young scions who could not spot a gold digger for the life of them until they had been broadsided along the head with her gilded shovel.
During one warm late Autumn we were attending one of the Charity Dances being held in the big city proper. They had a pair of bands lined up, one kind of a Disco’ish throwback, and for later, a proper one that played a more romantic beat, one that called for slow dancing. The Girls were more into the Disco then we males were( a feeling that affected most of us in attendance) and the floor was flooded with a gaggle of swishing dresses and gowns dancing and swirling around to the frantic beat of the music, all performed with swirling lights in the darkened, smog filled dance floor, while the guys just sat around enjoying the show being put on.
As Brian and I watched the provocative females on the floor dancing, we noticed that our girls were slowly moving out amongst the throng of pretty dancers, rather than maintaining one area. Soon they had moved next to “Shiela”, who was dancing with this cousin of hers. Now I found this surprising, because Sis and Ginny had been throwing daggers with their eyes at “Shiela” all evening. She had been sitting with her wealthy new boyfriend, who was always bending to her demands, as evidenced by the expensive new finery she was sporting, which really had gotten a certain Twins goat. So it was with some puzzlement that when her cousin took a breather, Ginny and my twin slipped in to take her place, moving in rhythm with the now quite intoxicated “Shiela”.
Sis was facing “Shiela” and Ginny was behind her, all three of them gyrating their arms, hands and most of their other body parts in motion, up down and all around each other , so close at times that you would have had an effort at squeezing a hand between them.
What’s that pair up to now? Brain questioned me, as if I had a hand in it, I just shook my head, knowing only that I wanted to be in the middle of that sandwich instead of “Shiela”, but as it turned out, good thing I wasn’t.
We watched as the long song went on, with its deep bass beat that almost sounded like it had been lifted from some horror flick. Ginny and Sis continued to revolve, twist and swirl around the guileless “Shiela” as their colourfully brite (slinky) dresses shimmered in a most provocative fashion, bathed as they were caught by the dimly lit, smoke filled, dance floors blue strobes. A few times “Shiela” seemed to lose her footing, and fell against my Sister, who I thought took it surprisingly well as she gently steadied her foe.
Then the song ended, and all three girls laughed and giggled, actually hugged one another. I heard Brian letting out an chiding snort, I , well I was still just mesmerized by the whole act. Ginny and My Sister than walked the slightly dizzy “Shiela” back to her table, even going so far as to help her set down, before turning and heading back to our table. Both of them wearing chuff grins like the kittens that had eaten the canary.
Wotcher?, said Brian questioning their look. Oh God I thought, knowing the answer, for I had been watching “Shiela” as the girls had left and approached. My sister, looking around, held out her hand and opened her fist. There, all balled up and glittering, was the expensive diamond pendent of the set of matching diamonds that “Shiela” had been flaunting about to everyone all evening.
Brian Jumped all over the two, giving them quite the bollocking, “games we played on each other was one thing, but what you pair had done was wade into some very dangerous waters indeed”! So what’s next I chimed in, and by the looks on their heavily made-up faces realized the silly twits hadn’t thought of that end. We hastily discussed the matter, knowing that time was anything but on our sides. Finally Brian took it from my admonished(seemingly) twin, and marching it up to the disc jockey, had him make an announcement describing what his “sister” had found in the loo.
“Shiela”, whom we all had been watching, let out a shriek as her hands flew groping to her chest in fruitless examination, jumped up and immediately claimed it, or tried to as the Jocky had a little bit of fun with it first. “Shiela” and her haplessly star struck Beau, were so hopping mad at the Jocky, they pretty much gave no thought as to how the pretty thing actually had been lost in the first place. This was a lucky break for a couple of girls, who still sat their smugly smiling, as Brian tried in vain to continue scolding them. Me, I just looked at the twittering pair, wondering, pondering thoughts of me own.
Now it wasn’t until a couple of years later on the night my sister made the remark about the cold play song that the girls felt comfortable talking a bit more about the incident .And before Brian could listen without tabooing the subject. And it was then that I learnt how the pair of them had managed to take the diamonds from “Shiela”
It turned out the two had had no real plan, just that they had been discussing “Shiela” between themselves and had been debating over how fun it would be to knock her down a peg or so. One of the scenarios presented was to have her be given the shock of losing a piece of her expensive jewelry, and they even discussed bringing me into the fold, but thought better of it.
Although I am not sure if I would have taken them up on it, but since then I have thought out different ways I would have approached the problem, both by myself, and with the girls help. Although I wouldn’t have tried for the necklace, I figured her ring or bracelet would not have been beyond my scope of achievement. Although, with the girls help…….
Anyway they finally decided to try it themselves, after all how hard could it be to take, say a cocktail ring from “Shiela’s” sweaty finger as she was dancing away on the crowded floor?
They decided to join in the dance and get close to “Shiela” and if an opportunity arose, my sister was to signal Ginny by rubbing a finger alongside her nose to bump against “Shiela”, pushing the hapless B… into me devious twin. It was Ginny who came up with the name “squeeze play”, because I once had grasped and squeezed her from behind, removing her ring in the process.
Now “Shiela” was wearing what I guess is called an A-line gown, where her front was totally covered by the gowns shiny material, no gloves, just sweat glistened skin. As they moved in on “Shiela” Ginny took position behind, while Sis took the front, and at one point laid a hand upon “Shiela’s” shoulder, “Shiela” did likewise as they swayed to the deep rhythmic beats. Sis tried to grasp “Shiela’s” free hand, the one where she was wearing a diamond cocktail ring, but she kept missing. In the process she realized that the hand she had placed on her victims shoulder was almost touching the thick gold chain of her nemesis’s necklace, which held the diamond pendent that was bouncing about.
Looking “Shiela” directly in the eyes she began to work the necklace along as they danced, until her fingers felt the clasp. It was lobster clasp, similar to one my sister had on the emerald necklace Brian had given her. Sis gave it an exploratory push, and it surprisingly opened under her fingers. Startled at what had happened, she forgot the signal, and nodded to Ginny, who plowed into the hapless “Shiela’s” backside, as my sister felt “Shiela” fall against her. She whisked off the necklace with one hand, while steading the giggling “Shiela” with her other. Backing away she placed both hands behind her back as “Shiela” turned to receive Ginny’s apologies. Sis balled up the chain in one hand, holding it tightly closed for the remainder of the dance. They helped “Shiela” back to her table, my Sister placing the fist holding the necklace alongside her victims back as they helped guide the still giggling “Shiela” to a seat.
Walking away, my Sister thought that it had been almost scary how easily it had been to open the clasp and pluck off the necklace. It shouldn’t have been, she kept telling herself, but she knew it was, for she had the evidence in her hand, and she was not even close to ever being a professional about such things. My twin has said that afterwards that it had given her a lot of perturbed thoughts when wearing any good jewelry of hers in public, (particularly her emeralds with the Lobster clasp) and finds herself on occasion still doing spot checks whenever she has been brushed by someone. But then, I think we all do on occasion, knowing the kind of games we like to play.
So as one can see, overall ,this is a rather touchy subject to tackle. But there was no denying that Sis (and Ginny I suspect) were proud of their accomplishment at the time. It was almost like my twin was trying to impress upon me that I was not the only one with light fingers. A subject that, trust me, has been, and will continue to be explored down a sometimes crooked “garden” path.
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Anyone who has read Chronicles B knows that Ginny and Brian both received the upcommence for the manner in which they had gotten my sisters jewelry at the wedding reception. But as for me, she waited a bit, biding her time, for like the proverbial elephant( which she has a bit of a collection) my twin does not forget.
Upcoming :
And revenge is a dish best served cold.
She had pleaded with me to lend her £80! Her beguiling eyes were opened wide as she begged; “It’s perfect” she had said, “I will pay you back, with interest” she coyly added, looking into my eyes with that certain look that has served her purposes so very well.
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A bit of background:
We had all had been invited to my sister’s boyfriend “ Brian’s” parents renewal of their wedding vows the following month and , I knew she wanted to make an impression at the fancy dress. Sis and my better half, “Ginny” had gone dress shopping, and apparently Sis had found a gown that they both liked quite a bit, but it cost a bit more than she could afford the moment and Ginny, having just bought a new dress herself that day, was temporarily out of lending cash. So Sis had had them hold it, then tracked me down to ask a favor( nothing new there), and was now begging me to lend her £80, to help pay it off.
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She knew I was a sucker for a good plead, especially when I received the puppy eye look that my sister, and Ginny , had down pat ( not to mention my golden retriever Sam).
As it happened, I owed her a small favor, so I gave her the needed notes without making her bargain her life away, and she skipped off happily. I figured that would be the last of it until her payday, but being a mere man in a lady’s world, I was yet once more wrong on that account.
Later that week sis rang me up. She had a formal reunion she just received the invitation to. It was at a large, multipurpose hall about an hour away, and was going on the weekend before Brian’s parents do. It was being put on for her old coworkers at the Barristers office she had interned at while at Oxford. Brian was busy that weekend getting ready for his parents party, and would not be able to be her escort. So she called to see if I would be his backup. As incentive, said she would wear the gown I had lent her the money for if I agreed to be her chaperone. Seeing how smashing my sister looks when she dresses up (like my Ginny also), It was impossible to say no to her pleads. Unfortunately Ginny had switched weekends with a co-worker so she could make Brian’s do the next weekend, so she was out of the picture also. Which was a shame, escorting a pair of well-dressed young ladies is always something I always looked forward to doing. But one is also quite nice.
I arrived at my twin’s apartment that appointed evening and waited while she put on the finishing touches. Ready? she had called out sweetly, yes I said, and out she came strolling, a wide big smile on her dolled up face. I figured my eyes did a bugger, for she started to giggle in the way she does when overly pleased with herself (which actually happens quite a bit frequently).
She was totally stunning, a living “Galatea”, and I told her as much. Her long silvery gown was hanging from her figure like someone had poured it over her. And that is just what it looked like someone had done! I have heard the term liquid satin, but this was just incredible the way it delightfully flowed and swished as she moved about. Brian was going to go nuts when her saw her, and she definitely would be turning some heads as she strolled in with him. She twirled around in a circle for full effect, and I just stood there mesmerized by the women before me that was my kid sister( by all of 4 minutes), the same sister that had only days before been wearing stained shirt and jean jumper, tramping through the barn in the horses stalls, while hauling shovelfuls of …… well I’m sure you get the gist of it..
As I said it was a long thin gown, of a colour that seemed to change between silver and cream as it moved slinking along her youthful figure, with wide straps that went over her shoulders ending in four thin spaghetti straps along her back. The bodice was all decorated with swirls of rhinestones, going down and around her gowns waistline. She was also wearing her sliver open toed heels, the ones with the rhinestone straps (with pointed toes that rightfully hurt when kicked….. another day, another story). She had also put on her rhinestone jewelry, a set consisting of earrings, necklace and wide dangling bracelet. The total package presented was quite a vision to behold, and I told her as much.
That, my girl, I said with enthusiasm, is one rightful picture of eye-catching loveliness you have gone and managed to make of yourself! She gushed, your sweet, and gave me an all-enveloping hug. As she broke away, sis looked up at me smiling and curtsied, why thank you kind sir, and once you have picked your jaw off the floor, can we please be going. Certainly I said, and opened the door for her. As she rustled past, sis asked if I thought Brian would like it? Lass, I said with all due modesty, He would be a daft bugger if he didn’t. I added, It was certainly money well lent, and she looked at me teasingly, okay mood breaker, for that you won’t get the first dance. Likely I will be the only one wishing to dance with you anyway I retorted, what will you be doing then? She just squished her eyes at me, turned and closed and locked her apartment door.
Suddenly I stopped, Oi! , wait a minute, I felt my suit coat pocket, okay luv, give it back I said as she grinned back at me, producing my thin, special occasion only, wallet. Getting better, aren’t I? She stated happily, it wasn’t a question. A bit I admitted, you’ve been practicing then? Only on you and Ginny she stated, but you two are getting too easy she smirked. I playfully tapped her on the back, what’s all this about easy I asked, producing her bracelet from me pocket, dangling it shimmering in front of her mascara lined eyes, you may want to put this back on I said.
Turd, she exclaimed taking it back, no more hugs for you mister, she stated, taking my arm and pulling me out to my car. All tricks out of the way now?, Good we can enjoy the evening with no more worries. I just nodded as I led her to me car, a bullet grey 1954 Circa Mercedes that Brien’s Uncle had helped me restore. As I opened the door, my sister slipped herself in, while under her breath she said playfully ( and not for the first time) “how I ever survived those first nine months I spent with you in such close proximity without going bonkers, I will never know!”
It took us almost 90 minutes to find the joint, arriving with the do in full swing. I was amazed at the number of vehicles in the over filled lot. When we got inside the poshly decorated “palace” We discovered that there were a total of 3 formal functions going on, ours, and a wedding reception on the second floor, and a formal dance for some private girls only academy occupying the entire first floor.
We went upstairs and found the chamber where the Barrister’s office reunion was being held. Now I will admit that I had harbored some thoughts that Sis may have been quite a bit overdressed for the event, but my fears were unfounded. What greeted my eyes was quite a “snob fest” of overdressed and fairly pompous looking guests. I had only ever met a couple of my sister’s former coworkers, and they had been interns her own age. But the majority here were the snooty , older husband and wives, of , of course, a group of stuck up Barristers. We were unable to spy any of Sis’s old friends, but while looking we were immediately scooped up by one of her old bosses co-workers ( whom sis had found insufferable) and led around like some prize colts, being introduced to a bunch of older coots who forgot our names as fast as they were given( we were nobodies) , although I satisfactorily noticed more than a few leering and jealous eyes looking over me sister. But, alas, nothing from the female end found me even remotely interesting (ouch in the ego department there)
We finally found an empty table, and I went off for drinks. As I watched over my sister while waiting for the barkeep to mix the drinks, I saw a rather posh looking tux boy zero in on our table and swoop in for the kill.
He was a rather tall chap with devilish good looks, thin moustache, small ponytail, monkey suit, the works! Looking like he was a model Fortunes mag rag, he loomed over me sister, and I knew what the cheeky devil was asking. Sure enough, sis cutely offered him her hand and he helped her up and led her to the dance floor. The barkeep handed me our drinks, and as I turned , Sis shot a look back at me as they were passing, a rather chiding look that I took meant “ told you, no first dance, mate” my suspicions were confirmed when added insult to injury as she stuck her tongue out at me over his shoulder.. I raised my glass in cheers, and headed back to our table.
I watched the two swirling around, feelin a bit jealous, but then this was me sister, not Ginny. I knew Brian would be seething, so I felt jealous for him I told meself. Then my mind went on to fantasize “what if he was after something, like say her jewels, and my mind went into a jewel thief mode, with him as the main character. ” I almost wish he had been, than he would be just no realizing that this little charmer had nothing to offer, and would soon be leaving her for greener pastures ( of which there was acres of at that place) and so dump his pretty partner after the one dance.
I tried to lose my envious nature, but at one point he held her close, too close I reckoned. I felt like shouting out to them “Aye mate, make room for Jesus”! This bit came from couple of elderly nuns who had been chaperoning one of my old seminarian academy dances, would walk up to couples dancing a wee bit too close in their eyes, and place their hands between them, separating them a bit, while spouting off, “make room for Jesus children”- Ginny and I had been amongst the chastised ourselves!
When sis got back I rose and greeted the pair, shaking his hand as sis introduced us. She did not say I was her brother, so I knew that she wasn’t eager for any repeat performances. The Git had hands that didn’t know where to stop, in my opinion anyhows. But all that didn’t change the fact that my sister was still a bit smitten with the gigoloish bloke. All in all though, he was quit the polite bugger, shooting me a self-confident look like, ‘no worries old chap’, as I shook a firm hand, I nodded, and off he went to those greener pastures.
I turned to my now still fawning sister, Remember Brian I said, and she just gave me a simpering smile. I held out my hand, care to, Mademoiselle? Sorry luv, She apologized, I need to freshen up a bit first and she darted off like a swallow taking wing. She started to head off to the exit stairs, whoa I called out after her, powder room is the opposite way luv! No doing, she said as she coyly looked back at me over her shoulder, whispering her words, not sharing with any of those old crows, I will be using the one downstairs in the main lobby! And she scurried away on her mission, long gown fluttering merrily about her high heels.
I waited, bored, not one pretty female came up to my side and asked me to have a go on the dance floor, like “fingers” romeo had done with me sister. I looked around carefully, but I just did not see any female of the same ilk sitting alone and bored as I was at her own table, waiting for someone to rescue her pretty self. So I waited, and waited as the minutes went by, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 26,27,28,29..I had just decided to take a meander down to make sure there was nothing serious going on the first floor that might have been keeping her, like say, a sudden breakout of kittens, when I finally saw her smirking face popping up from the stairwell.
As she sat down I tried to playfully admonish her behavior, failing miserably. About time I said, since when does it take 30 minutes to have a P.. she cut me off by placing a finger to my lips, Sorry luv, You wouldn’t believe the twit I just ran into she said and leaned closer to me, for my ears only it seemed.
She started talking in a low voice, though no one else was in ear shot. Apparently that private girls Academy dance that is going on downstairs,.. well I , I just ran into one of em, a snobbish princess, a real talker and spinner of tales her about her pretty own self, a young girl named Rose. Sounds like Micke, I said, and sis suddenly exploded into giggles. She finally controlled herself, placing her hand on my shoulder, yes, exactly like our cousin Michele, they almost even look alike, though Micke’s hair is longer, and blonder
Our cousin Micke was one who could never tell the truth about anything, even when she was tattling on some poor soul. Apparently born with an overactive imagination ( Kinda runs in the family I suppose) her stories were always overly embellished with tall tales, stretched out wild examples, and added characterizations, all centered around herself being the Heroine. Someone like that would have made a great children’s story book writer, or gossip columnist, but not our Micke, she turned around and became, of all things, involved in politics….God save the Queen!
The upshot is that we all started to treat anything coming out of Micke’s mouth ( horrid pun that, I do apologize) as mostly fabrication, which would rile her to now end, especially if she was tellin the God’s honest truth! So I knew exactly what this cheeky creature named Rose was all about, as I looked at my giggling sister.
One she caught her breath, Sis started in on Rose. Just as she did, a song started up from the band and rising, I took her hand, lifted her up from her seat, her gown falling swishing down to her feet. But through all that she never stopped talking about the annoyance she had encountered downstairs whom had obviously stricken a nerve! I led my twin to the dance floor, taking the talkative imp into my arms as she continued to fill me in on the quite over imaginative young lady named Rose.
“My Lord” sis exclaimed, as we danced, “within the first ten minutes I learned more about this girl than even her own parents probably know. Talk about stuck up on herself. And did you know there is a rose garden by the entrance, just like her name!”, My sister did an imitation of a twittering nasally voice at the end of her statement, rolling her eyes in disbelief of it all. Of course we had noticed the rose garden, bit difficult not too since it was lining both sides of the concourse into the main way into the building. It had short paths branching off along the way with benches and fountains. But This Rose apparently had acted like she was the only one who had noticed, the rest of us apparently being blind as a colony of bats, Sis spitted out the words.
Sis went on, building up steam, her figure becoming rigid… “She first noticed me dress and come up to compliment me on it, but before I could thank her, she went off on a tirade about her own gown.” OOH, I hate people who ask you a question only because they want to tell cut in about their lives rather than give a listen to anything you may actually have to say… “he thought I was one of the chaperones at her party, apparently because I looked too old to be one of the guests! That stuck a nerve I tell you. I wasn’t able to get word in too let the little tripe know I didn’t belong with her elitist crew atoll!”
She took a breath, and now it was my turn to shush her with a finger placed to her lips. She actually bit it( well more of a playful nip, actually)! Better now I asked. She sighed, and I felt her figure go from tense to a bit more lithe. She leaned against me, yes she said, than pulled away and went off again! One more thing, she asked if my jewels were real, than before I could set the girl straight, Rose cut me off and spouted off about how she had won the pearls she was wearing at the Arthurian Carnival, and had decided to wear them rather than her own better diamonds. I mean, come’on, talk about rude, her pearls weren’t any more real than this, and she flipped her necklace in my face, then sis caught the look in me eyes, and went quiet, concentrating on her dancing, with a wicked little grin creeping across her face. Finally we were able to enjoy the music as we danced to the rest of the song.
Now after the song ended, sis spied, and dragged me over, to introduce me to her old chief, a pretty lady called Sarah. A lady not much older than ourselves. She had her long hair down, wearing a sequined red gown with long red satin gloves. Her green emeralds were real, a dainty set that set off her figure rather nicely. She was a rather pleasant lady, with a mischievous gleam to her green eyes. It had been a pleasant conversation, which ended abruptly as her husband called her away. As Sarah moved off, Sis explained that Sarah had been the “class clown” always telling jokes and playing tricks. But being the boss, no one who fell victim to her pranks ever dared to try and repay her back in kind!
The rest of the evening (shortened because the band was stopped at 9:30 – Barristers are such Scrooges!) followed pretty much to same formula; light mingling with people who only seemed able to talk a few minutes before being called away, snacking on a rather fancy display of hors d'oeuvres , and drinking ( the bar was the best attraction in my humble opinion).
I spotted Romeo a few times, but he never did a second approach on Sis, and I couldn’t really tell if she was relived, or not. As for myself, I was starting to feel fairly pleased that I had resisted the temptation to play any of my tricks on my Twin’s jewelry, so I had been a man of my word, so far. So, it was with mixed feelings from both of us, when the last dance was announced. The whole “congregation” seemed to flock swishing out on the floor, crowding it. It was a slow dance ( Mr. Rod Stewart, as I recall) and quite a pleasant way to end the evening.
Well, it was after the last dance, as we had collected our things to leave, when Sarah caught sight of us and called us over to the bar ( located off the main chambre, it was a small 3 sided room open to the dance floor with no seating) , where she was now holding a lonely court, apparently all alone! Sara was by now also pretty well toshed…..
We ordered a round of drinks ( bar was open till eleven, but the music had ended, a total ballyhoo on someone’s part in the planning) Taking mine, I left the chatting ladies and wondered over ( not for the first time) to a rather fine set of J.M Cameron prints on display. Soon I was joined by the 2 ladies, and I started to explain to Sarah about the photographer’s history.
As we talked, my sister maneuvered herself around behind Sarah. By the look on my sister’s face, I knew she was up to something. She got close behind, and Sarah backed into her, Sarah turned, there you are she said, and smiled, then looked back at me. She appeared to be deeply interested I what I was telling her about the life and times of Julia Margaret, a shirttail cousin of ours! As I continued, I saw that sis had her fingers on the red silk clutch purse that Sarah was holding to her side in her left hand. Sis said, “oh Sara, show my brother your ring”! Sarah held it up and I looked at it, Sis reached put her free hand on Sarah’s left arm, jostling it a bit, as she made like she wanted to look also, ,but I could see the red clutch out of the corner of my eye, and as sis was doing her little performance, she was gently pulling the small purse form Sarah’s gloved fingers. Slippery Satin gloves holding an even slipperier silk clutch purse, made the maneuver much easier than it probably should have. I started feeling a bit uncomfortable as I watched my amused sister manage to slip away with it, and holding the purse behind her come to my side, her back to a wall. We chatted for about another couple of long minutes, before Sarah was called away, and she left us, never realizing her clutch purse was gone. We walked steadfastly away, I imitated Bogart, and how much do you think the dame has in her purse. Oh, my twin answered, a few pence, and a soiled lace handkerchief she joked, without opening the purse.
Fine I said, you get the handkerchief, Rather not she said, giggling, and we headed over to The now deserted table Sarah had been sitting at, and Sis unflappably placed the purse on Sarah’s’ chair, alongside her satin wrap.
So have I created a monster no? I asked her as I led her away, she looked up at me with those big eyes of hers wide open with satisfaction, no worries luv, Sarah was always playing tricks on someone another, I just never dared to pay her back when we worked together. Just how much work did you girls actually accomplish? I chided She just sqoze my arm, and hurried me our way, as we tried not to look like we were bolting for the exit stairway.
We gained the stairs without any further ado, and made it through the lobby, and had gained the outside concourse, when I saw something up ahead, and taking my sister’s arm , I held her up from going any further.
Ahead of us was a petite lady in a shimmering blue satin dress, chatting away to a bored looking young man in an ill-fitting tux. If the lass’s hair had been a bit more blonde, and longer she would have passed as Micke’s double. Is that your Rose then I asked, nodding in the couple’s direction?
Sis looked over, and then answered me by pulling me forcibly the rest of the way off the path and out of sight of the main concourse, into a small alcove surrounded by some hedges. What do we do she said , That is her! That’s that twit of a creature named Rose I was tellin you about! She looked back towards the building, I don’t want to go back in she said, Sara my see us. What do we do?
The pair were some distance off in the rose garden. But there was no way out other than walking past them. I thought about it for a minute. Looking at my sister, in her quite fetching gown, with its sparkling bodice, as well as the sparkling rhinestone she was wearing, made me recall the fantasizing I had been doing as she had danced with that posh bloke. Thinking of him being a Jewel thief, and watching the other female guests in their finery, had been putting beguiling visions in my head all the evening long. Let’s play a game I said, one that will give yonder Rose a story no one will believe ever happened.. My sister looked at me wryly,( I could see it in her eyes,’ no time for games now lad, this is serious’’ but she just stated inquisitively, what sort of game sir?
One where we get yonder Rose girl to believe you have met a jewel thief I said, I could feel myself warming up to the idea now that I had said it. If we pull it off, that will be a story she will try telling that everyone will believe she totally made up in her head.
My sister balked, no, she said, one bit of fun this evening has been enough for this girl.
Okay I said, but how would this girl feel about having a bit of fun if she wasn’t owing her brother £80?
I saw her mascaraed eye’s light up, and she again gave me that wicked grin. Let’s have it than you scoundrel, I will give into your chicanery for the debt you hold over my head sir , she said giggling, stealing a line from a play she had been involved with. Knowing I had her hooked, I could tell she was warming up to the idea rather nicely, and not just because she owed me a healthy bit of the realms’ currency.
First off, I said, you don’t know me from Adam.
But your name’s not Adam she said in all seriousness.
Attend pleas, I told her smiling.
You go up and fall into Roses clutches, I follow once the lad leaves after being freed from his bondage.
Hey, how did bondage get into this she said, giggling, I don’t owe you that much mister. I just looked at her, we have to do this seriously to pull it off.
Okay she said, placing a hand across her mouth, like she was zipping it shut.
I follow after the lad leaves ( and he soon will ). I come up on the two of you, and make your acquaintances. Your act will be to find me charming… that’s not going to be easy, sis said, then quickly went back to listening
Then you, I said ignoring her, and continuing on …..
Once Rose has me in her hooks, you Meander off, bend down to look at some flowers, remove your earrings, and place them into your purse. I will listen on for a bit, take my leave, let Rose come find you, and let her discover your earrings are gone. Then let her think they were stolen by you? She asked. Right, and she should, as bobs your uncle, fall right into your story, I said. Then added, just play along like they were real diamonds and astonished at how I had managed to get them. Send Rose off back inside to go upstairs find your mother Sarah,( sis like that bit of it), and say in the meanwhile you are going off to see if you can get me license number. I will be waitin by the car to make our getaway….
I finished mapping it out, and she told me she had the gist of it. I had her hand pull her sunglasses from her purse and I put them on. Then she asked before walking off, “ not bad for on the fly, or had you already been putting thought into this play earlier?” I just patted her on her derriere, get going lass, times a wastin.
Turning she headed out, and from a hole in the hedgerow I watched as she moved off, her gown definitely swished in a most pleasing fashion I admitted to myself again. I’ll have to have Ginny buy one like it, I thought to meself, wincing over how pretty the thing was with sis wearing it , imagining my Ginny wearing it, her long red hair flowing free. I would willing give Ginny the money also, I promised to meself, no lending, and hang the cost….
Sis rustled her way up to the couple, Rose spotted her immediately and pulled her over. The 3 of them started to chit chat together.
I now thought of myself as the smarmy bloke who had cheated me out of a dance earlier, making him a thief in my mind. And like said thief, looking over the situation before me. I remembered an old show where this bloke in a white suit was pointing out his female guests jewels to a male who fancied himself a pickpocket and had just minutes earlier relieved the white suited host of his gold watch. As the camera (representing the blokes eyes) moved around the room, focusing on various well-dressed ladies and their jewels( hanging around necks, dangling from ears, attached to well-shaped bosoms ,bracelets wrapped around gloved wrists and ,rings glittering on fingers) the viewer was led to imagine the wheels turning in his head as to how he was to acquire them, ala Arsène Lupin. I had to leave, so I never finished watching it, nor could I ever find it listed again. But it was this type of character that I now fancied meself portraying.
(In Character) I had ducked into the hedge, the pair near the bend had not seen me, so it gave me time to plan how best to approach them. One was wearing a pretty dress of blue, long black hair up in a bun. She was the younger, definitely not a relation, I could tell by the way her companion was listening. The girl was wearing a cheap set of pearls, paste, not worth more in a few farthings. It was her companion that had caught me eye, and not just the pretty gown she had quite nicely wrapped herself in. But it was her diamonds, a pretty glittering set, that with a minimal bit of effort, would be coming home with me. I had actually danced with her earlier, so I had been able to appraise em, and now providence had put her in me way. I remembered how that shimmery little necklace had been taunting me while we had danced, my fingers had ached for a go at them. Now, all I needed was for a brief diversion, to get both the girl’s attention focused elsewhere, by, say smelling a rose, and with a nimble flick of me fingers, the necklace would be off from around her sweet throat and in me pocket. Possibly those dangling earrings of hers instead, if it was a long time she was paying attention to her roses.
My brief fantasy ended abruptly, it was time. Sis said something to the lad, who had been growing more and more uncomfortable, he answered, and then, managing to interject into Roses story long enough to pay his leave, He walked off. He was now coming up the path towards me, but not seeing me as I had moved further into the hedgerow. He walked on past, staring straight ahead…
Mentally prepared, I waited till he was well past my hiding hole. I adjusted the sunglasses and left my shadowy corner. Between the electric lamps that run along the gardens path, and the waning moon, I was able to see quite clearly with them. I also saw happily that the sparkles from sis dress and jewelry were not at all too muted.
I silently approached, came up upon the two without notice. They both jumped( In a quite charming manner, actually) as I started to speak.
Excuse me, this is that way out I asked, sounding confused. Certainly both girls chirped, and Rose pointed to the way out. Sis asked me if I had been at the dance. What dance I answered.? Is that why the two of you are so beautifully dressed. . Rose ate it up. And showing off her gown to me( and unknowingly ,her pearls) happily took the lead, telling me of the academies dance. As Rose started to tell me about all her academy, I walked over to a bush of white roses just off one of the branching paths, at the end of this particular path was as a fountain from which merrily gurgling falling water could be faintly heard. I bent down to smell a white rose. I offered it up to my sister, who bent over to sniff, her necklace and earrings swaying to and fro in a quite nice exhibition of colorfully brite sparkles. Rose just stood behind us, kept on chatting with her story, as I winked at my sister and she winked back. We both stood back up.
Sis turned to Rose, and suggested she take a smell also. As Rose ( still chattering )bent down to smell, sis, who had had her hand on Rose shoulder let go and of it, and as I watched out of the corner of my eye I saw my sister move her hand to the back of her neck and subtly undo her own rhinestone necklace, slipping it off, then she moved behind me as Rose, in her tight fitting dress, managed to stand back up and faced us, still prattling on. I was half listening, wondering what my sister was up to, changing the game plan like that. From behind me I felt the subtlest touch of a hand, and realized something was being skillful placed into me pocket, a reverse pick I remembered thinking, when all of a sudden, from behind me, I heard sis exclaim, all too loudly enough , “me necklace, its gone! “
Rose looked and I turned, me twin was standing there, holding a hand to her bare throat, looking down at the front of her gown. It was here a minute ago she went on, and then looked me dead in the eye, absolutely in all seriousness, “You!, it was you me lad, took me necklace as I was smellin them roses didn’t he Rose!” She looked at Rose, who was now looking me over aghast, as she started to check her own jewels to see if any of em were missing, nodded in agreement.
I was totally taken aback by the accusation, and placing a hand in my pocket with out thinking, felt the necklace, which startled me no end, even though I knew that it was there. All the while uncomfortably wondering how this story would be ending up?
Rose glared at me, “not much of a jewel thief then are you?” My sister and I both just looked at the prig , our jaws dropping as Rose carried on with it. “ Anyone can plainly see me pearls are worth a lot more than her shiny baubles!” she stated quite matter of factly. Sis kicked in without missing a beat, saying to me, quite a bit too rudely I thought , “How could you make a mistake like that, especially since nicking her pearls would have been child’s play to someone of your ilk!”
Rose, totally missing the insult, lifted up her necklace and taunting me with it, as she asked me twin, “ what should we do with ‘em, get the police? As Rose turned her attention back to me, I saw me sisters face over the top of Rosie’s head, smiling all for the world like the cat catching the canary. My sister said to the back of Rose’s head” No, go back inside and find out how many others lost jewels, you will be a hero. Ill take care of this one! Rose’s smug face lit up at the thought, as she turned and looked back at my sister. Sis held out her arms, and Rose went and gave my twin a big hug. Then turning and giving me a glare as she passed and off she went. I didn’t think it important to tell her that her pearl necklace was now absent from around her throat.
As Rose traipsed happily back up the path, sis grabbed me arm, “come along thief, best we get going.
I watched for a second, as me sister dropped the pearl necklace on the grass, where it laid clearly visible, and with a swish of her gown scurried off. She looked back at me, get a move on then, and I broke me stance and went dutifully after her.
We scurried to the entrance, and crossed into the lot and made for the other side, skirting around towards my vehicle while making sure the coast was clear. We regained my Mercedes. I let my sister in, slamming the door and practically jumping over the hood to get to the drivers side. Peeling off my suit coat and tie, tossing them along with the glasses into the jump seat , I climbed in fired up the engine, and tried not to speed as I left the parking lot.
As I had pulled slowly away, a couple had walked out and were heading to their car, paying us no never mind other than a nosy glance by the gentleman at me car. But I figured it was time to make ourselves scarce, and put up a bit of speed.
So, I said, still facing forward as I turned from the lot, what was that all about?
Killin a pair of birds with me stone she replied in a quite self-satisfied tone of voice. Then she started to fill me in on what had been transpiring before I had made me entrance…
When that Rose creature and I were talking with that lad she had snared, She admired me diamonds, then said, not real ducky, are they. Well I thought that was pretty rude, but held me tongue, and avoiding a smart answer, I asked about her pearls. were they real? Pretty valuable she said, I only spent 6 shillings at the carnival, but he said they were worth a lot more! . Then she shad started repeating the same nonsense about how she had a real diamond necklace at home that was worth quite a bit, and she was angry her Mater had not wanted her to wear the them out this evening,
So, then when I saw you coming up to play, I thought of a new plan to humiliate Rose. Can you just imagin what is going on in the ball room now.
…. and she broke into that nasely twang she had use earlier in imitation of Rose..
Rose- “Everybody There’s a thief stealing everyone’s jewelry! ! Party Guest- “ I see( in a disbelieving tone) “Rose, no one is missing jewelry “ Except you, what did you do with your necklace?” Rose – He must of stole it, the thief!” Party Guest- “What thief Rose, were is he?” “Rose- “Outside with me friend, he nicked her imitation dimonds dint he!” Part Guest-“ Rose, why would a thief steal fake diamonds?, and what Friend would that be now?” Rose- “ The chaperone, you know, the one with the silvery gown and long black hair!” Party Guest –“ Ther wasn’t no chaperone wearing a silver dress , show us what you are on about!” ( On the path by the rose bush) “ there’s no one here, Rose, and there are your pearls, laying on the ground! you and your stories you balmy twi…..”
Sis could not finish her routine, starting to chortle so hard at the picture of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. But I still had questions, so after she was through patting herself on the back I said
I get that, and it was a brilliant piece of work, but why call me out on it, that wasn’t the plan, me dear.
I know luv, she said, again quite smugly, placing her hand on me shoulder…. Recall that time you had me jewels in your pocket after the wedding reception, I owed you one luv, and having you put on for stealing me necklace was payback.
Use shortcut below for the story:
I had forgotten that you had said I would be paid back someday I admitted, and it was a really grand way of doing It I praised her, and saw her smile radiantly as I stole a look out of the corner of me eye.
Then she could contain herself no more, and starting to chortle so hard at the picture of all of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. I also was smirking, the whole affair, in my opinion, had all played out brilliantly!
All in all, twas a merry drive back to town for us, with me twin sister talking miles a minute over her successes that evening, including the obvious fact that she was quite pleased with herself for not only had she finally gotten her sweet revenge on the remaining member of the group who had swiped her diamonds on a dare so long ago, but her debt to me had been paid totally off in the process..
With interest paid darling, I thought to myself, as I stole a glance at my beautifully decked out passenger, with interest paid!
.
A bit of a side note:
Come to find out later the police were actually called to the place much later in the wee hours of the morning. Apparently some bloke in a tux waylaid two ladies he had met and been chatting with as they were all leaving an mugged them both good and proper. He was caught, but I still chuckle in wonder what Rose would have made of it all?
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In Appraisal
I do highly encourage anyone who has read my chronicles,( or looked at the clips below) and on the off-chance may actually have been entertained by them, and would like me to divulge more of our tomfooleries , to please leave behind a comment expressing that point.
Thank You
Food for thought:
Jewelry lifting Clips
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZdjhNVjxk&authuser=0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls8rw2V1QCU&authuser=0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RbLiI9ZFQ8&authuser=0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZ8s-R9vl4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofodSjKQ_-8
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Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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ψυχοτρόπων ψυχοπαθής.
Пробуждение галлюцинации яркие бред смерть кровать застелена,
esprits de l'intensité des perceptions de la solitude hyperventilation grimpé,
misurazione scontri masterizzazione culture rumore,
extraordinary characterization intellectual cyclothymic symptoms embraced,
誇張された診断の気質が行わあざける危険の悪口に苦しん,
tortrygginn lýsingar perturbed óþægindi beitti sársauki,
lacera reputans daemonia diros edidit effudit,
wódscipe flæscenness orfanc sweorcan ójöfnuður fundur illa ferðast,
dissipations forutsigbar lammet strofene søvn,
depression erschöpft Ängste Oper Stimmungen Nerven Kummer,
healfhunding αμφιταλαντεύεται φρενίτιδα choleric despondency years,
troubles légendaires de dérangement nuage,
eccentrici cogitationes foedum comploratio orta, curationes medicinae predictable,
overpowers díograis cionmhaireachtaí hysteria lasair,
irritaties terugval ellendige perioden instabiel psychose,
fengslet selv villskapen enchains dine fakultet øyne.
Steve.D.Hammond.
French postcard by Editions F. Nugeron, no. Star 136. Photo: Air France / Distribution VU. Caption: Federico Fellini, Giulietta Massina and Marcello Mastroianni, 13 April 1960.
Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini (1920-1993) was one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. He was known for his distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. In a career spanning almost fifty years, Fellini won the Palme d'Or for La Dolce Vita (1960), was nominated for twelve Academy Awards. He won an Oscar for La Strada (1954), Le notti di Cabiria (1957), 8½ (1963) and Amarcord (1973).
Federico Fellini was born in 1920 in Rimini in the Emilia-Romagna region. His native Rimini and characters there like Saraghina (the devil herself said the priests who ran his school) - and the Gambettola farmhouse of his paternal grandmother would later be remembered in several of his films. His traveling salesman father Urbano Fellini showed up in La dolce vita (1960) and 8½ (1963). His mother Ida Barbiani was from Rome and accompanied him there in 1939. Fellini's first passion was the theater, and at the age of 12, he briefly ran away from home to join the circus, later entering college solely to avoid being drafted. He enrolled in the University of Rome. Intrigued by the image of reporters in American films, he tried out the real-life role of a journalist. Additionally, Fellini worked as an artist on fumetti (Italy's illustrated magazines), and occasionally even made his living as a caricaturist at Roman restaurants. He caught the attention of several editors with his caricatures and cartoons and then started submitting articles. Several articles were recycled into a radio series about newlyweds 'Cico and Pallina'. Pallina was played by acting student Giulietta Masina, who became Fellini's real-life wife in 1943. They remained together until his death. The young Fellini loved vaudeville and was befriended in 1939 by leading comedian Aldo Fabrizi. Fabrizi recruited Fellini to supply stories and ideas for his performances; between 1939 and 1944. The two men worked in tandem on a number of largely forgotten comedies, among them No Me Lo Dire, Quarta Pagina, and Campo de Fiori. When young director Roberto Rossellini wanted Fabrizi to play Don Pietro in Roma città aperta (Roberto Rosselini, 1945), he made the contact through Fellini. Fellini worked on that film's script and is on the credits for Rosselini's Paisà (Roberto Rosselini, 1946). Dale O'Connor at IMDb: "On that film, he wandered into the editing room, started observing how Italian films were made (a lot like the old silent films with an emphasis on visual effects, dialogue dubbed in later). Fellini in his mid-20s had found his life's work."
Federico Fellini collaborated on films by Pietro Germi (including In Nomine Della Legge and Il Cammino Della Speranza) and Alberto Lattuda (Il Delitto di Giovanni Episcopo and Il Mulino del Po), among others. In 1948, Fellini completed the screenplay for Il Miracolo, the second and longer section of Rossellini's two-part effort Amore. Here Fellini's utterly original worldview first began to truly take shape in the form of archetypal characters (a simple-minded peasant girl and her male counterpart, a kind of holy simpleton), recurring motifs (show business, parties, the sea), and an ambiguous relationship with religion and spirituality. He further explored this in his script for Rossellini's Francesco, Giullare di Dio (Roberto Rosselini, 1949). In 1950, Fellini made his first attempt at directing one of his own screenplays (with help of Alberto Lattuda), Luci del Varieta (Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattudada, 1950), which further developed his fusion of neorealism with the atmosphere of surrealism. Fellini then directed the romantic satire Lo Sciecco Bianc. The film marked his first work with composer Nino Rota. Fellini's initial masterpiece, I Vitteloni, followed in 1953. The first of his features to receive international distribution, it later won the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival, the first of many similar honours. The brilliant La Strada followed in 1954, also garnering the Silver Lion as well as the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Picture. After helming Il Bidone (1955), Fellini and a group of screenwriters (including a young Pier Paolo Pasolini) began work on Le Notti di Cabiria (1956), which also won an Oscar. Then he mounted La Dolce Vita (1960), the first of his pictures to star actor Marcello Mastroianni. He would become Fellini's cinematic alter ego over the course of several subsequent collaborations, its portrait of sex and death in Rome's high society created a tremendous scandal at its Milan premiere, where the audience booed, insulted, and spat on the director. Regardless, La Dolce Vita won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and remains a landmark in cinematic history.
During the 1960s, many films by Federico Fellini were influenced by the work of Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and his ideas on the role of archetypes and the collective unconscious. The women who had both attracted and frightened him in his youth and an Italy dominated in his youth by Mussolini and Pope Pius XII inspired Fellini's dreams. In the 1960s, he started to record them in notebooks, and life and dreams became the raw material for such films as 8½ (1963) or Fellini - Satyricon (1969). With 1965's Giulietta Degli Spiriti, Fellini worked for the first time in color. After experimenting with LSD under the supervision of doctors, he began scripting Il Viaggio di G. Mastorna. Over a year of pre-production followed, hampered by difficulties with producers, actors, and even a jury trial. Finally on April 10th, 1967, Fellini suffered a nervous breakdown, resulting in a month-long nursing homestay. Ultimately, he gave up on ever bringing Il Viaggio di G. Mastorna to the screen, and his new producer, Alberto Grimaldi, was forced to buy out former producer Dino De Laurentis for close to half a billion liras. As the decade drew to a close, Fellini returned to work with a vengeance, first resurfacing with Toby Dammitt, a short feature for the collaborative film Tre Passi nel Delirio. Turning to television, he helmed Fellini: A Director's Notebook, a one-hour special for NBC, followed by the feature effort Fellini Satyricon. I Clown followed in 1970, with Roma bowing in 1972. Amarcord, a childhood reminiscence, won a fourth Academy Award in 1974. It proved to be his final international success. He later shot Il Casanova di Federico Fellini (1976), Prova d'Orchestra (1979), and La Citta delle Donne (1980), which were less successful. Fellini turned to publishing with Fare un Film, an anthology of notes about his life and work. E la Nave Va (1983) and Ginger e Fred (1985) followed, but by the time of L'Intervista (1987), he was facing considerable difficulty finding financing for his projects. His last completed film was La Voce Della Luna (1989). In the early 1990s, Fellini helmed a handful of television commercials, and in 1993 he won his fifth Academy Award for a lifetime of service to the film industry. In 1993, Federico Fellini died the day after his 50th wedding anniversary. He was 73 years old. Jason Ankeny at AllMovie: "One of the most visionary figures to emerge from the fertile motion picture community of postwar-era Italy, Federico Fellini brought a new level of autobiographical intensity to his craft; more than any other filmmaker of his era, he transformed the realities of his life into the surrealism of his art. Though originally a product of the neorealist school, the eccentricity of Fellini's characterizations and his absurdist sense of comedy set him squarely apart from contemporaries like Vittorio De Sica or Roberto Rossellini, and at the peak of his career his work adopted a distinctively poetic, flamboyant, and influential style so unique that only the term "Felliniesque" could accurately describe it. "
Sources: Jason Ankeny (AllMovie), Dale O' Connor (IMDb), Wikipedia, and IMDb.
And, please check out our blog European Film Star Postcards.
www.twitter.com/ecstaticist/ <-- I tweet when I post on flickr.
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This bamboo forest is in Vancouver's Chinatown. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens is an amazing oasis of calm and beauty in the Downtown East Side, which is otherwise notorious internationally for its drug addiction, poverty, decay and general nastiness.
The other side of that picture is exemplified by this wonderful installation. Built from 100 containers of rock shipped from China, I like to think of this place as emblematic of the stoic individuals who live in the DTES who do not conform to the outside world's characterization of them. Poor folks who, for whatever reason, live in the 'hood and daily suffer the neglect and poor public policy decisions that have led to the veritable institutionalization of this mothership of misery.
The gardens, to me, are like each otherwise unremarkable person's apartment here in DTES. Doing their best, the folk who weather the storm are putting up walls and carving beauty where they can midst the disaster zone.
It may be the case that no one but I draws this parallel, but the calm, serenity and cool green peace of this bamboo forest is my dedication to these everyday souls who are waiting for better leadership, stronger resolve on the public policy side, and a better future for the East Hastings neighborhood.
Three exposure HDR processed in Photomatix to bring out the detail in the bamboo and preserve the cyan sky and white light of hope.
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) is one of the most recognized sculptors of all time. Images of his work pervade our collective cultural consciousness, and he has been canonized into the narrative of Western art history as the epitome of the tormented, virile, creative genius.
Significantly, the myths created around him-and perpetuated relentlessly by him helped cement Rodin's reputation as the tortured, and ultimately triumphant, maker of art. His artistic output, however, is far more nuanced than this characterization. Rodin can be seen as a Romantic, due to his presentation of powerful emotions through the expression of physical form; as a classicist, for his commitment to the tension bound to the narrative messages of the past; and as a naturalist, given his profound consideration of the accuracy of movement, drawn from the sinew and skeleton of the human body.
Through an examination of a selection of Rodin's works, his varied artistic concerns reveal powerful conceptual and formal challenges with the art of his past and present that link him, indisputably, to the art of the future.
In this world there is nothing softer
or thinner than water
But to compel the hard and unyielding,
It has no equal.
That the weak overcomes the strong,
That the hard gives way to the gentle -
This everyone knows,
Yet no one acts accordingly.
--Lao Tzu 6th c. B.C.
The simple truth known to the brokenhearted, the mystic, and the physicist: what we think solid is not. What most of us believe constitutes the "real" material world - the stuff we can reach out, touch, hold, buy, and see - physicists all agree is actually not solid at all. In fact, what appears "solid" or material in our world is really 99.999999999999 percent empty space made "solid" by a miniscule fraction of matter that may not even be matter but wavelets of energy. Light is a particle that when we try and measure by passing it through a narrow opening behaves just like an ocean wave passing through a narrow harbor. Once through the slender opening, light wave and water wave fan out, each forming a crescent pattern. A far more accurate characterization of our universe would be "fluid."
-- American Visionary Art Museum, www.avam.org
(Updated on February 18, 2025)
Taken from the fabled belltower and former minaret, La Giralda. Facing west-northwestward.
The famous patio and its Seville Orange trees (Citrus x aurantium) is, with La Giralda, the remaining portion of the earlier Almohad-era Mosque complex. It was built of both brick and recycled stone.
Later, after the mosque had been converted into a church and was subsequently torn down, the current Cathedral was built. Completed by 1507, it was constructed with stone from many quarries.
The northern-transept spire partially visible at left may well be made of the building's predominant rock type, a yellowish, Pliocene-epoch limestone that weathers to gray and is also liable to conversion to gypsum and the development black crusting. Rock of this description was taken from Puerto de Santa Maria and other towns to the south and east of Seville.
So far, my two main sources for stone use in the Cathedral are
- Saiz-Jimenez, C., P. Brimblecombe, D. Carmuffo, R. Lefèvre, and R. Van Grieken. “Damages Caused to European Monuments by Air Pollution: Assessment and Preventive Measures.” In Air Pollution and Cultural Heritage. London: Taylor and Francis Group, 2004.
- Bello, M. A. and A. Martín. “Microchemical Characterization of Building Stone from Seville Cathedral, Spain.” Archaeometry 34:1, 21-29 (February 1992).
The first of these describes the limestone above as a biocalcarenite, an unusual type of carbonate rock made of fossil remains cemented with calcite. Another notable biocalcarenite is the most commonly used building stone in the US—the Mississippian (Lower Carboniferous) Salem Limestone, from southern Indiana.
While nether of these references contains reliable age citations for this rock type, I've inferred it's Pliocene from the EGDI online geologic map of Europe.
As to that handsome and soul-restoring planting of citrus trees, its members are also know by the rather tart common names of Bitter Orange and Sour Orange.
While I'm told peak flowering time for Seville's orange trees is usually in February and March, some of these trees here appear to be in bloom in this photo, in early April.
Regardless of whether their fruit is bitter or sweet, Orange trees produce blossoms that are an olfactory delight of the first order. Anyone who has caught their scent has already experienced paradise.
Oh that I were an Orenge-tree,
That busie plant!
Then should I ever laden be,
And never want
Some fruit for him that dressed me.
– GEORGE HERBERT, from "Employment”
The other photos and descriptions of this series can be found in my Architectural Geology of Seville album.
The Berlin Green Head is an ancient Egyptian statue head (AeMP 12500) made from greenschist and housed in the Egyptian Museum of Berlin, not far from the Nefertiti Bust. It has been considered the work of a highly skilled (though unknown) ancient Egyptian sculptor, as well as one of the most famous and credited pieces of art from the Late and Ptolemaic periods of ancient Egypt.
DESCRIPTION: The face of the statue is calm and emotionless and, unusually for contemporary works of art, also perfectly symmetric, and it is that of an intelligent-looking, middle-aged man with many well-rendered wrinkles and lines.
The statue's shaved, oval-shaped skull is so realistic that it was once believed that the sculptor could not have made it without ancient Greek knowledge of anatomy, a claim subsequently disproved by the analysis of similar, earlier Egyptian artworks.
On the back of the head, the top portion of a conventional back pillar is still visible.
The whole artefact is uninscribed, thus the owner's name and titles are unknown. For the same reason, the statue could only be dated on stylistic grounds. Once regarded as art of the Saite Period, it was later attributed to the Ptolemaic Period by Friedrich Wilhelm von Bissing.
In 1960, Bernard von Bothmer further reduced the time range between 100 and 50 BCE, arguing that the head reveals a maturity not compatible with the earlier Ptolemaic art, as well as a similarity with some upcoming Roman Republic-era Egyptian works.
Its provenance is also unknown, as well as its trace before 1895, when it was acquired from the collections of prince Ibrahim Hilmy and Henry Wallis.
The Berlin Green Head has been compared to the similar, yet earlier Boston Green Head, with the former one having lost part of the "verism" (among that, the asymmetry) which is more prominent in the latter one, yet without compromising the characterization of the individual represented on it.
(Source: Wikipedia)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Green_Head
----------------
LA CABEZA VERDE DE BERLÍN es una antigua cabeza de estatua egipcia (AeMP 12500) realizada en greenschist y que se encuentra en el Museo Egipcio de Berlín, no lejos del Busto de Nefertiti. Se ha considerado la obra de un escultor egipcio antiguo muy hábil (aunque desconocido), así como una de las piezas de arte más famosas y acreditadas de los periodos tardío y ptolemaico del antiguo Egipto.
DESCRIPCIÓN: El rostro de la estatua es tranquilo y carente de emoción y, excepcionalmente para las obras de arte contemporáneas, también perfectamente simétrico, y es el de un hombre de mediana edad de aspecto inteligente con muchas arrugas y líneas bien trazadas.
El cráneo afeitado y de forma ovalada de la estatua es tan realista que en su día se creyó que el escultor no podría haberla realizado sin los conocimientos de anatomía de la antigua Grecia, afirmación que fue desmentida posteriormente por el análisis de obras de arte egipcias anteriores similares.
En la parte posterior de la cabeza aún se puede ver la parte superior de un pilar trasero convencional.
Todo el artefacto carece de inscripción, por lo que se desconoce el nombre y los títulos del propietario. Por la misma razón, la estatua sólo puede datarse por motivos estilísticos. Considerada en su día como arte del periodo saíta, fue atribuida posteriormente al periodo ptolemaico por Friedrich Wilhelm von Bissing.
En 1960, Bernard von Bothmer redujo aún más el rango temporal entre el 100 y el 50 a.C., argumentando que la cabeza revela una madurez no compatible con el arte tolemaico anterior, así como una similitud con algunas obras egipcias de la época de la República Romana que se avecinan.
También se desconoce su procedencia, así como su rastro antes de 1895, cuando fue adquirida de las colecciones del príncipe Ibrahim Hilmy y de Henry Wallis.
La Cabeza Verde de Berlín ha sido comparada con la similar, aunque anterior, Cabeza Verde de Boston, habiendo perdido la primera parte del "verismo" (entre ello, la asimetría) que es más prominente en la segunda, aunque sin comprometer la caracterización del individuo representado en ella.
Chronicles of Lifting Light D:
Plucking a Rose
She had pleaded with me to lend her £80! Her beguiling eyes were opened wide as she begged; “It’s perfect” she had said, “so please, I will do anyt…,” she cut it off, remembering whom she was bargaining with for a favor. As her twin brother, we have done some pretty over the top bits of role playing over the years, and she was suddenly wary of signing her life away …….( smart girl)
^^^^^^
A bit of background:
We had all had been invited to my sister’s boyfriend “ Brian’s” parents renewal of their wedding vows the following month and , I knew she wanted to make an impression at the fancy dress. Sis and my better half, “Ginny” had gone dress shopping, and apparently Sis had found a gown that they both liked quite a bit, but it cost a bit more than she could afford the moment and Ginny, having just bought a new dress herself that day, was temporarily out of lending cash. So Sis had had them hold it, then tracked me down to ask a favor( nothing new there), and was now begging me to lend her £80, to help pay it off.
^^^^^^
She knew I was a sucker for a good plead, especially when I received the puppy eye look that my sister, and Ginny , had down pat ( not to mention my golden retriever Sam).
As it happened, I owed her a small favor, so I gave her the needed notes without making her bargain her life away, and she skipped off happily. I figured that would be the last of it until her payday, but being a mere man in a ladies world, I was yet once more wrong on that account.
Later that week sis rang me up. She had a formal reunion she just received the invitation to. It was at a large, multipurpose hall about an hour away, and was going on the weekend before Brian’s parents do. It was being put on for her old coworkers at the Barristers office she had interned at while at Oxford. Brian was busy that weekend getting ready for his parents party, and would not be able to be her escort. So she called to see if I would be his backup. As incentive, said she would wear the gown I had lent her the money for if I agreed to be her chaperone. Seeing how smashing my sister looks when she dresses up (like my Ginny also), It was impossible to say no to her pleads. Unfortunately Ginny had switched weekends with a co-worker so she could make Brian’s do the next weekend, so she was out of the picture also. Which was a shame, escorting a pair of well-dressed young ladies is always something I always looked forward to doing. But one is also quite nice.
I arrived at my twin’s apartment that appointed evening and waited while she put on the finishing touches. Ready? she had called out sweetly, yes I said, and out she came strolling, a wide big smile on her dolled up face. I figured my eyes did a bugger, for she started to giggle in the way she does when overly pleased with herself (which actually happens quite a bit frequently).
She was totally stunning, a living “Galatea”, and I told her as much. Her long silvery gown was hanging from her figure like someone had poured it over her. And that is just what it looked like someone had done! I have heard the term liquid satin, but this was just incredible the way it delightfully flowed and swished as she moved about. Brian was going to go nuts when her saw her, and she definitely would be turning some heads as she strolled in with him. She twirled around in a circle for full effect, and I just stood there mesmerized by the women before me that was my kid sister( by all of 4 minutes), the same sister that had only days before been wearing stained shirt and jean jumper, tramping through the barn in the horses stalls, while hauling shovelfuls of …… well I’m sure you get the gist of it..
As I said it was a long thin gown, of a colour that seemed to change between silver and cream as it moved slinking along her youthful figure, with wide straps that went over her shoulders ending in four thin spaghetti straps along her back. The bodice was all decorated with swirls of rhinestones, going down and around her gowns waistline. She was also wearing her sliver open toed heels, the ones with the rhinestone straps (with pointed toes that rightfully hurt when kicked….. another day, another story). She had also put on her rhinestone jewelry, a set consisting of earrings, necklace and wide dangling bracelet. The total package presented was quite a vision to behold, and I told her as much.
That, my girl, I said with enthusiasm, is one rightful picture of eye-catching loveliness you have gone and managed to make of yourself! She gushed, your sweet, and gave me an all-enveloping hug. As she broke away, sis looked up at me smiling and curtsied, why thank you kind sir, and once you have picked your jaw off the floor, can we please be going. Certainly I said, and opened the door for her. As she rustled past, sis asked if I thought Brian would like it? Lass, I said with all due modesty, He would be a daft bugger if he didn’t. I added, It was certainly money well lent, and she looked at me teasingly, okay mood breaker, for that you won’t get the first dance. Likely I will be the only one wishing to dance with you anyway I retorted, what will you be doing then? She just squished her eyes at me, turned and closed and locked her apartment door.
Suddenly I stopped, Oi! , wait a minute, I felt my suit coat pocket, okay luv, give it back I said as she grinned back at me, producing my thin, special occasion only, wallet. Getting better, aren’t I? She stated happily, it wasn’t a question. A bit I admitted, you’ve been practicing then? Only on you and Ginny she stated, but you two are getting too easy she smirked. I playfully tapped her on the back, what’s all this about easy I asked, producing her bracelet from me pocket, dangling it shimmering in front of her mascara lined eyes, you may want to put this back on I said.
Turd, she exclaimed taking it back, no more hugs for you mister, she stated, taking my arm and pulling me out to my car. All tricks out of the way now?, Good we can enjoy the evening with no more worries. I just nodded as I led her to me car, a bullet grey 1954 Circa Mercedes that Brien’s Uncle had helped me restore. As I opened the door, my sister slipped herself in, while under her breath she said playfully ( and not for the first time) “how I ever survived those first nine months I spent with you in such close proximity without going bonkers, I will never know!”
It took us almost 90 minutes to find the joint, arriving with the do in full swing. I was amazed at the number of vehicles in the over filled lot. When we got inside the poshly decorated “palace” We discovered that there were a total of 3 formal functions going on, ours, and a wedding reception on the second floor, and a formal dance for some private girls only academy occupying the entire first floor.
We went upstairs and found the chamber where the Barrister’s office reunion was being held. Now I will admit that I had harbored some thoughts that Sis may have been quite a bit overdressed for the event, but my fears were unfounded. What greeted my eyes was quite a “snob fest” of overdressed and fairly pompous looking guests. I had only ever met a couple of my sister’s former coworkers, and they had been interns her own age. But the majority here were the snooty , older husband and wives, of , of course, a group of stuck up Barristers. We were unable to spy any of Sis’s old friends, but while looking we were immediately scooped up by one of her old bosses co-workers ( whom sis had found insufferable) and led around like some prize colts, being introduced to a bunch of older coots who forgot our names as fast as they were given( we were nobodies) , although I satisfactorily noticed more than a few leering and jealous eyes looking over me sister. But, alas, nothing from the female end found me even remotely interesting (ouch in the ego department there)
We finally found an empty table, and I went off for drinks. As I watched over my sister while waiting for the barkeep to mix the drinks, I saw a rather posh looking tux boy zero in on our table and swoop in for the kill.
He was a rather tall chap with devilish good looks, thin moustache, small ponytail, monkey suit, the works! Looking like he was a model Fortunes mag rag, he loomed over me sister, and I knew what the cheeky devil was asking. Sure enough, sis cutely offered him her hand and he helped her up and led her to the dance floor. The barkeep handed me our drinks, and as I turned , Sis shot a look back at me as they were passing, a rather chiding look that I took meant “ told you, no first dance, mate” my suspicions were confirmed when added insult to injury as she stuck her tongue out at me over his shoulder.. I raised my glass in cheers, and headed back to our table.
I watched the two swirling around, feelin a bit jealous, but then this was me sister, not Ginny. I knew Brian would be seething, so I felt jealous for him I told meself. Then my mind went on to fantasize “what if he was after something, like say her jewels, and my mind went into a jewel thief mode, with him as the main character. ” I almost wish he had been, than he would be just no realizing that this little charmer had nothing to offer, and would soon be leaving her for greener pastures ( of which there was acres of at that place) and so dump his pretty partner after the one dance.
I tried to lose my envious nature, but at one point he held her close, too close I reckoned. I felt like shouting out to them “Aye mate, make room for Jesus”! This bit came from couple of elderly nuns who had been chaperoning one of my old seminarian academy dances, would walk up to couples dancing a wee bit too close in their eyes, and place their hands between them, separating them a bit, while spouting off, “make room for Jesus children”- Ginny and I had been amongst the chastised ourselves!
When sis got back I rose and greeted the pair, shaking his hand as sis introduced us. She did not say I was her brother, so I knew that she wasn’t eager for any repeat performances. The Git had hands that didn’t know where to stop, in my opinion anyhows. But all that didn’t change the fact that my sister was still a bit smitten with the gigoloish bloke. All in all though, he was quit the polite bugger, shooting me a self-confident look like, ‘no worries old chap’, as I shook a firm hand, I nodded, and off he went to those greener pastures.
I turned to my now still fawning sister, Remember Brian I said, and she just gave me a simpering smile. I held out my hand, care to, Mademoiselle? Sorry luv, She apologized, I need to freshen up a bit first and she darted off like a swallow taking wing. She started to head off to the exit stairs, whoa I called out after her, powder room is the opposite way luv! No doing, she said as she coyly looked back at me over her shoulder, whispering her words, not sharing with any of those old crows, I will be using the one downstairs in the main lobby! And she scurried away on her mission, long gown fluttering merrily about her high heels.
I waited, bored, not one pretty female came up to my side and asked me to have a go on the dance floor, like “fingers” romeo had done with me sister. I looked around carefully, but I just did not see any female of the same ilk sitting alone and bored as I was at her own table, waiting for someone to rescue her pretty self. So I waited, and waited as the minutes went by, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 26,27,28,29..I had just decided to take a meander down to make sure there was nothing serious going on the first floor that might have been keeping her, like say, a sudden breakout of kittens, when I finally saw her smirking face popping up from the stairwell.
As she sat down I tried to playfully admonish her behavior, failing miserably. About time I said, since when does it take 30 minutes to have a P.. she cut me off by placing a finger to my lips, Sorry luv, You wouldn’t believe the twit I just ran into she said and leaned closer to me, for my ears only it seemed.
She started talking in a low voice, though no one else was in ear shot. Apparently that private girls Academy dance that is going on downstairs,.. well I , I just ran into one of em, a snobbish princess, a real talker and spinner of tales her about her pretty own self, a young girl named Rose. Sounds like Micke, I said, and sis suddenly exploded into giggles. She finally controlled herself, placing her hand on my shoulder, yes, exactly like our cousin Michele, they almost even look alike, though Micke’s hair is longer, and blonder
Our cousin Micke was one who could never tell the truth about anything, even when she was tattling on some poor soul. Apparently born with an overactive imagination ( Kinda runs in the family I suppose) her stories were always overly embellished with tall tales, stretched out wild examples, and added characterizations, all centered around herself being the Heroine. Someone like that would have made a great children’s story book writer, or gossip columnist, but not our Micke, she turned around and became, of all things, involved in politics….God save the Queen!
The upshot is that we all started to treat anything coming out of Micke’s mouth ( horrid pun that, I do apologize) as mostly fabrication, which would rile her to now end, especially if she was tellin the God’s honest truth! So I knew exactly what this cheeky creature named Rose was all about, as I looked at my giggling sister.
One she caught her breath, Sis started in on Rose. Just as she did, a song started up from the band and rising, I took her hand, lifted her up from her seat, her gown falling swishing down to her feet. But through all that she never stopped talking about the annoyance she had encountered downstairs whom had obviously stricken a nerve! I led my twin to the dance floor, taking the talkative imp into my arms as she continued to fill me in on the quite over imaginative young lady named Rose.
“My Lord” sis exclaimed, as we danced, “within the first ten minutes I learned more about this girl than even her own parents probably know. Talk about stuck up on herself. And did you know there is a rose garden by the entrance, just like her name!”, My sister did an imitation of a twittering nasally voice at the end of her statement, rolling her eyes in disbelief of it all. Of course we had noticed the rose garden, bit difficult not too since it was lining both sides of the concourse into the main way into the building. It had short paths branching off along the way with benches and fountains. But This Rose apparently had acted like she was the only one who had noticed, the rest of us apparently being blind as a colony of bats, Sis spitted out the words.
Sis went on, building up steam, her figure becoming rigid… “She first noticed me dress and come up to compliment me on it, but before I could thank her, she went off on a tirade about her own gown.” OOH, I hate people who ask you a question only because they want to tell cut in about their lives rather than give a listen to anything you may actually have to say… “he thought I was one of the chaperones at her party, apparently because I looked too old to be one of the guests! That stuck a nerve I tell you. I wasn’t able to get word in too let the little tripe know I didn’t belong with her elitist crew atoll!”
She took a breath, and now it was my turn to shush her with a finger placed to her lips. She actually bit it( well more of a playful nip, actually)! Better now I asked. She sighed, and I felt her figure go from tense to a bit more lithe. She leaned against me, yes she said, than pulled away and went off again! One more thing, she asked if my jewels were real, than before I could set the girl straight, Rose cut me off and spouted off about how she had won the pearls she was wearing at the Arthurian Carnival, and had decided to wear them rather than her own better diamonds. I mean, come’on, talk about rude, her pearls weren’t any more real than this, and she flipped her necklace in my face, then sis caught the look in me eyes, and went quiet, concentrating on her dancing, with a wicked little grin creeping across her face. Finally we were able to enjoy the music as we danced to the rest of the song.
Now after the song ended, sis spied, and dragged me over, to introduce me to her old chief, a pretty lady called Sarah. A lady not much older than ourselves. She had her long hair down, wearing a sequined red gown with long red satin gloves. Her green emeralds were real, a dainty set that set off her figure rather nicely. She was a rather pleasant lady, with a mischievous gleam to her green eyes. It had been a pleasant conversation, which ended abruptly as her husband called her away. As Sarah moved off, Sis explained that Sarah had been the “class clown” always telling jokes and playing tricks. But being the boss, no one who fell victim to her pranks ever dared to try and repay her back in kind!
The rest of the evening (shortened because the band was stopped at 9:30 – Barristers are such Scrooges!) followed pretty much to same formula; light mingling with people who only seemed able to talk a few minutes before being called away, snacking on a rather fancy display of hors d'oeuvres , and drinking ( the bar was the best attraction in my humble opinion).
I spotted Romeo a few times, but he never did a second approach on Sis, and I couldn’t really tell if she was relived, or not. As for myself, I was starting to feel fairly pleased that I had resisted the temptation to play any of my tricks on my Twin’s jewelry, so I had been a man of my word, so far. So, it was with mixed feelings from both of us, when the last dance was announced. The whole “congregation” seemed to flock swishing out on the floor, crowding it. It was a slow dance ( Mr. Rod Stewart, as I recall) and quite a pleasant way to end the evening.
Well, it was after the last dance, as we had collected our things to leave, when Sarah caught sight of us and called us over to the bar ( located off the main chambre, it was a small 3 sided room open to the dance floor with no seating) , where she was now holding a lonely court, apparently all alone! Sara was by now also pretty well toshed…..
We ordered a round of drinks ( bar was open till eleven, but the music had ended, a total ballyhoo on someone’s part in the planning) Taking mine, I left the chatting ladies and wondered over ( not for the first time) to a rather fine set of J.M Cameron prints on display. Soon I was joined by the 2 ladies, and I started to explain to Sarah about the photographer’s history.
As we talked, my sister maneuvered herself around behind Sarah. By the look on my sister’s face, I knew she was up to something. She got close behind, and Sarah backed into her, Sarah turned, there you are she said, and smiled, then looked back at me. She appeared to be deeply interested I what I was telling her about the life and times of Julia Margaret, a shirttail cousin of ours! As I continued, I saw that sis had her fingers on the red silk clutch purse that Sarah was holding to her side in her left hand. Sis said, “oh Sara, show my brother your ring”! Sarah held it up and I looked at it, Sis reached put her free hand on Sarah’s left arm, jostling it a bit, as she made like she wanted to look also, ,but I could see the red clutch out of the corner of my eye, and as sis was doing her little performance, she was gently pulling the small purse form Sarah’s gloved fingers. Slippery Satin gloves holding an even slipperier silk clutch purse, made the maneuver much easier than it probably should have. I started feeling a bit uncomfortable as I watched my amused sister manage to slip away with it, and holding the purse behind her come to my side, her back to a wall. We chatted for about another couple of long minutes, before Sarah was called away, and she left us, never realizing her clutch purse was gone. We walked steadfastly away, I imitated Bogart, and how much do you think the dame has in her purse. Oh, my twin answered, a few pence, and a soiled lace handkerchief she joked, without opening the purse.
Fine I said, you get the handkerchief, Rather not she said, giggling, and we headed over to The now deserted table Sarah had been sitting at, and Sis unflappably placed the purse on Sarah’s’ chair, alongside her satin wrap.
So have I created a monster no? I asked her as I led her away, she looked up at me with those big eyes of hers wide open with satisfaction, no worries luv, Sarah was always playing tricks on someone another, I just never dared to pay her back when we worked together. Just how much work did you girls actually accomplish? I chided She just sqoze my arm, and hurried me our way, as we tried not to look like we were bolting for the exit stairway.
We gained the stairs without any further ado, and made it through the lobby, and had gained the outside concourse, when I saw something up ahead, and taking my sister’s arm , I held her up from going any further.
Ahead of us was a petite lady in a shimmering blue satin dress, chatting away to a bored looking young man in an ill-fitting tux. If the lass’s hair had been a bit more blonde, and longer she would have passed as Micke’s double. Is that your Rose then I asked, nodding in the couple’s direction?
Sis looked over, and then answered me by pulling me forcibly the rest of the way off the path and out of sight of the main concourse, into a small alcove surrounded by some hedges. What do we do she said , That is her! That’s that Rose creature twit I was tellin you about! She looked back towards the building, I don’t want to go back in she said, Sara my see us. What do we do?
The pair were some distance off in the rose garden. But there was no way out other than walking past them. I thought about it for a minute. Looking at my sister, in her quite fetching gown, with its sparkling bodice, as well as the sparkling rhinestone she was wearing, made me recall the fantasizing I had been doing as she had danced with that posh bloke. Thinking of him being a Jewel thief, and watching the other female guests in their finery, had been putting beguiling visions in my head all the evening long. Let’s play a game I said, one that will give yonder Rose a story no one will believe ever happened.. My sister looked at me wryly,( I could see it in her eyes,’ no time for games now lad, this is serious’’ but she just stated inquisitively, what sort of game sir?
One where we get yonder Rose girl to believe you have met a jewel thief I said, I could feel myself warming up to the idea now that I had said it. If we pull it off, that will be a story she will try telling that everyone will believe she totally made up in her head.
My sister balked, no, she said, one bit of fun this evening has been enough for this girl.
Okay I said, but how would this girl feel about having a bit of fun if she wasn’t owing her brother £80?
I saw her mascaraed eye’s light up, and she again gave me that wicked grin. Let’s have it than you scoundrel, I will give into your chicanery for the debt you hold over my head sir , she said giggling, stealing a line from a play she had been involved with. Knowing I had her hooked, I could tell she was warming up to the idea rather nicely, and not just because she owed me a healthy bit of the realms’ currency.
First off, I said, you don’t know me from Adam.
But your name’s not Adam she said in all seriousness.
Attend pleas, I told her smiling.
You go up and fall into Roses clutches, I follow once the lad leaves after being freed from his bondage.
Hey, how did bondage get into this she said, giggling, I don’t owe you that much mister. I just looked at her, we have to do this seriously to pull it off.
Okay she said, placing a hand across her mouth, like she was zipping it shut.
I follow after the lad leaves ( and he soon will ). I come up on the two of you, and make your acquaintances. Your act will be to find me charming… that’s not going to be easy, sis said, then quickly went back to listening
Then you, I said ignoring her, and continuing on …..
Once Rose has me in her hooks, you Meander off, bend down to look at some flowers, remove your earrings, and place them into your purse. I will listen on for a bit, take my leave, let Rose come find you, and let her discover your earrings are gone. Then let her think they were stolen by you? She asked. Right, and she should, as bobs your uncle, fall right into your story, I said. Then added, just play along like they were real diamonds and astonished at how I had managed to get them. Send Rose off back inside to go upstairs find your mother Sarah,( sis like that bit of it), and say in the meanwhile you are going off to see if you can get me license number. I will be waitin by the car to make our getaway….
I finished mapping it out, and she told me she had the gist of it. I had her hand pull her sunglasses from her purse and I put them on. Then she asked before walking off, “ not bad for on the fly, or had you already been putting thought into this play earlier?” I just patted her on her derriere, get going lass, times a wastin.
Turning she headed out, and from a hole in the hedgerow I watched as she moved off, her gown definitely swished in a most pleasing fashion I admitted to myself again. I’ll have to have Ginny buy one like it, I thought to meself, wincing over how pretty the thing was with sis wearing it , imagining my Ginny wearing it, her long red hair flowing free. I would willing give Ginny the money also, I promised to meself, no lending, and hang the cost….
Sis rustled her way up to the couple, Rose spotted her immediately and pulled her over. The 3 of them started to chit chat together.
I now thought of myself as the smarmy bloke who had cheated me out of a dance earlier, making him a thief in my mind. And like said thief, looking over the situation before me. I remembered an old show where this bloke in a white suit was pointing out his female guests jewels to a male who fancied himself a pickpocket and had just minutes earlier relieved the white suited host of his gold watch. As the camera (representing the blokes eyes) moved around the room, focusing on various well-dressed ladies and their jewels( hanging around necks, dangling from ears, attached to well-shaped bosoms ,bracelets wrapped around gloved wrists and ,rings glittering on fingers) the viewer was led to imagine the wheels turning in his head as to how he was to acquire them, ala Arsène Lupin. I had to leave, so I never finished watching it, nor could I ever find it listed again. But it was this type of character that I now fancied meself portraying.
(In Character) I had ducked into the hedge, the pair near the bend had not seen me, so it gave me time to plan how best to approach them. One was wearing a pretty dress of blue, long black hair up in a bun. She was the younger, definitely not a relation, I could tell by the way her companion was listening. The girl was wearing a cheap set of pearls, paste, not worth more in a few farthings. It was her companion that had caught me eye, and not just the pretty gown she had quite nicely wrapped herself in. But it was her diamonds, a pretty glittering set, that with a minimal bit of effort, would be coming home with me. I had actually danced with her earlier, so I had been able to appraise em, and now providence had put her in me way. I remembered how that shimmery little necklace had been taunting me while we had danced, my fingers had ached for a go at them. Now, all I needed was for a brief diversion, to get both the girl’s attention focused elsewhere, by, say smelling a rose, and with a nimble flick of me fingers, the necklace would be off from around her sweet throat and in me pocket. Possibly those dangling earrings of hers instead, if it was a long time she was paying attention to her roses.
My brief fantasy ended abruptly, it was time. Sis said something to the lad, who had been growing more and more uncomfortable, he answered, and then, managing to interject into Roses story long enough to pay his leave, He walked off. He was now coming up the path towards me, but not seeing me as I had moved further into the hedgerow. He walked on past, staring straight ahead…
Mentally prepared, I waited till he was well past my hiding hole. I adjusted the sunglasses and left my shadowy corner. Between the electric lamps that run along the gardens path, and the waning moon, I was able to see quite clearly with them. I also saw happily that the sparkles from sis dress and jewelry were not at all too muted.
I silently approached, came up upon the two without notice. They both jumped( In a quite charming manner, actually) as I started to speak.
Excuse me, this is that way out I asked, sounding confused. Certainly both girls chirped, and Rose pointed to the way out. Sis asked me if I had been at the dance. What dance I answered.? Is that why the two of you are so beautifully dressed. . Rose ate it up. And showing off her gown to me( and unknowingly ,her pearls) happily took the lead, telling me of the academies dance. As Rose started to tell me about all her academy, I walked over to a bush of white roses just off one of the branching paths, at the end of this particular path was as a fountain from which merrily gurgling falling water could be faintly heard. I bent down to smell a white rose. I offered it up to my sister, who bent over to sniff, her necklace and earrings swaying to and fro in a quite nice exhibition of colorfully brite sparkles. Rose just stood behind us, kept on chatting with her story, as I winked at my sister. We both stood back up.
Sis turned to Rose, and suggested she take a smell also. As Rose ( still chattering )bends to smell sis, had her hand on the girls shoulder. I watched in a mixture of horror and excitement as I saw my sister’s fingers nip over to the simple eye and hook clasp of Roes’ pearl necklace, pulled it up and with a flick of her fingers undid the clasp, an let it fall to the path just as Rose was straightening up. I think my twin was as astonished as I was that she had managed to pull it off, slipping off the obviously cheap pearl necklace that Rose had had dangling from her the front of her blue gown. I asked Rose a question pertaining to her story, and as I held her full attention, , Sis, who had been standing out of Rose’s sight behind her, wandered off for a distance, disappearing around behind the fountain with a whisk of her gown. Rose never appeared to have noticed my sister waltzing off as she straightening her pretty gown after rising up from her smelling of the rose, never missing a word in her story, nor her missing pearl necklace either!
I listened to Rose just prattle on, seemingly forever,( its amazing how long 3 minutes can last!) Finally, my leave-taking came in the form of a couple of girls in fluttering gowns walking up and past us, escapees from our little reunion upstairs I recognized. I smiled at them, and they smiled back( why hadn’t they been doing that back at the dance, when I had been left alone to my own devices!) One of the girls was flaunting some rather nice pieces of gemmed gold jewelry, and I made my decision to follow them, like any jewel thief worth his salt would do. I interrupted Rose, politely taking me leave, there goes some friends of mine, they apparently didn’t recognize me, but I need to ask one of them a question. I am sorry, but it has been a pleasure, but I must shove off. I took her hand and kissed a ringed finger, , she blushed rather prettily. Then if she didn’t try and start another story, I headed it off by asking, “Where did your pretty friend go, “as I looked round. Rose looked around also , There she is over there Rose pointed out after spotting my sister some distance away , her back to us, playing with a hand in the fountain . Right then, tell her I said cheerio, and left, giving her a nod as I started sauntering off after the disappearing pair of ladies. I looked back, and saw Rose darting off to where sis was standing
I quickly exited stage right, keeping on the sunglasses, I reached the entrance to the parking lot just as the pair of girls were turning a corner. I turned it behind them, gesturing like I was hailing out to them in case Rose was watching, although I had said nothing, and the pair in front of me were totally oblivious to their part in our little play. I crossed into the lot and made for the other side, skirting around towards my vehicle while making sure the coast was clear. I regained my Mercedes. After tossing the glasses and my suit coat and tie into the back seat, I climbed in fired up the engine, and left the parking lot, circling around a couple of blocks, before re-entering and pulling alongside the sidewalk, stopping just before the entrance to the concourse.
Five long minutes later my sister finally swished out through the exit, alone. She saw me, and scurried over, her gown doing its nice bit of fluttering along her figure as she moved. Not only had she taken off her necklace, but also the earrings and bracelet, I had gotten out, and was holding the door for her, She slipped into her seat. I regained mine as she was settling in I said, whew , you were right on about that one, did she buy it?
It was priceless sis said, she noticed my diamonds were missin, and I managed to really act astonished. Then Rose came to the conclusion herself, that they had been stolen, with her overactive imagination it was not a stretch for her. Then she looked herself over and discovered her pearls were missing. Oh no I asked how valuable where they. Pretty valuable she said, I only spent 6 shillings at the carnival, but he said they were worth a lot more! , what about yours, , were they rhinestones ? No I said, thery were real, she really didn’t hear me, she shad started repeating the same nonsense about how she had a diamond necklace at home that was worth quite a bit, and she was glad her Mater had not wanted to wear the thing this evening,
While listening, I had pulled slowly away, a couple had walked out and were heading to their car, paying us no nevermind other than a nosy glance by the gentleman at me car. But I figured it was time to make ourselves scarce.
I continued on with my questions: But your earrings and bracelet as well, she must have thought I was in possession of outstandingly light fingers! She didn’t question it, sis said, just gawked as I checked mesefl over. I must have drooped em I said, but she wan’t buyin it, no she exclaimed, he must have nicked them.
I had suggested that her pearls had simply fallen away, and we got back to where we had met you, and I spied the pearls on the ground, the thief had a hole in his pocket apparently, she figured. Brilliant mind that one I said, she should be a detective. Did she bite on the Sarah angle? Din’t tell her that, Sis looked smug, I improvised with a story of me own she admitted all happy with her darling self. And I teasingly told her as much!
Sis just smirked at me, and continued on.
I had to remind her that me jewels were missing to get her to stop her storytelling.
We looked a bit for mine, than I came up with a thought, tellin Rose that I had read about a jewel thief who had targeted a dance in oxford, stealing a few thousand pounds from the female guests there. I told her she should go back in and find out how many others lost jewels, I told her she would be a hero. You should have seen Rose’s smug face light up at the thought, and without another word, off she went.
Excellent, I praised her, much better way to end it. But I still cannot believe you went for her pearls like that, rather risky. Twas she conceded, but can you imagine her telling everyone about it…. and she broke into that nasely twang she had use earlier in imitation of Rose..
Rose-“the thief took my pearl necklace!,” Party Guest – “you mean the one you are wearing?” Rose- “Well yes , see he had this hole in his pocket, din’t he now! “ Party Guest- “ I see( in a disbelieving tone) “Rose- “What about me friend, had her dimonds nicked, dint she!” Part Guest-“ what Friend would that be now?” Rose- “ The chaperone, you know, the one with the silvery gown and long black hair!” Party Guest –“ Ther wasn’t no chaperone waering a silver dress you balmy twi…..”
Sis could not finish her routine, starting to chortle so hard at the picture of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. I also was smirking, the whole affair, in my opinion, had all played out brilliantly!
All in all, twas a merry drive back to town for us, with me twin sister talking miles a minute over her successes that evening, including the fact that her debt to me had been paid off. With interest paid, I thought to myself, as I stole a glance at my beautifully decked out passenger, with interest paid my dear!
.
Chronicles of Lifting Light D:
Plucking a Rose
She had pleaded with me to lend her £80! Her beguiling eyes were opened wide as she begged; “It’s perfect” she had said, “so please, I will do anyt…,” she cut it off, remembering whom she was bargaining with for a favor. As her twin brother, we have done some pretty over the top bits of role playing over the years, and she was suddenly wary of signing her life away …….( smart girl)
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A bit of background:
We had all had been invited to my sister’s boyfriend “ Brian’s” parents renewal of their wedding vows the following month and , I knew she wanted to make an impression at the fancy dress. Sis and my better half, “Ginny” had gone dress shopping, and apparently Sis had found a gown that they both liked quite a bit, but it cost a bit more than she could afford the moment and Ginny, having just bought a new dress herself that day, was temporarily out of lending cash. So Sis had had them hold it, then tracked me down to ask a favor( nothing new there), and was now begging me to lend her £80, to help pay it off.
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She knew I was a sucker for a good plead, especially when I received the puppy eye look that my sister, and Ginny , had down pat ( not to mention my golden retriever Sam).
As it happened, I owed her a small favor, so I gave her the needed notes without making her bargain her life away, and she skipped off happily. I figured that would be the last of it until her payday, but being a mere man in a ladies world, I was yet once more wrong on that account.
Later that week sis rang me up. She had a formal reunion she just received the invitation to. It was at a large, multipurpose hall about an hour away, and was going on the weekend before Brian’s parents do. It was being put on for her old coworkers at the Barristers office she had interned at while at Oxford. Brian was busy that weekend getting ready for his parents party, and would not be able to be her escort. So she called to see if I would be his backup. As incentive, said she would wear the gown I had lent her the money for if I agreed to be her chaperone. Seeing how smashing my sister looks when she dresses up (like my Ginny also), It was impossible to say no to her pleads. Unfortunately Ginny had switched weekends with a co-worker so she could make Brian’s do the next weekend, so she was out of the picture also. Which was a shame, escorting a pair of well-dressed young ladies is always something I always looked forward to doing. But one is also quite nice.
I arrived at my twin’s apartment that appointed evening and waited while she put on the finishing touches. Ready? she had called out sweetly, yes I said, and out she came strolling, a wide big smile on her dolled up face. I figured my eyes did a bugger, for she started to giggle in the way she does when overly pleased with herself (which actually happens quite a bit frequently).
She was totally stunning, a living “Galatea”, and I told her as much. Her long silvery gown was hanging from her figure like someone had poured it over her. And that is just what it looked like someone had done! I have heard the term liquid satin, but this was just incredible the way it delightfully flowed and swished as she moved about. Brian was going to go nuts when her saw her, and she definitely would be turning some heads as she strolled in with him. She twirled around in a circle for full effect, and I just stood there mesmerized by the women before me that was my kid sister( by all of 4 minutes), the same sister that had only days before been wearing stained shirt and jean jumper, tramping through the barn in the horses stalls, while hauling shovelfuls of …… well I’m sure you get the gist of it..
As I said it was a long thin gown, of a colour that seemed to change between silver and cream as it moved slinking along her youthful figure, with wide straps that went over her shoulders ending in four thin spaghetti straps along her back. The bodice was all decorated with swirls of rhinestones, going down and around her gowns waistline. She was also wearing her sliver open toed heels, the ones with the rhinestone straps (with pointed toes that rightfully hurt when kicked….. another day, another story). She had also put on her rhinestone jewelry, a set consisting of earrings, necklace and wide dangling bracelet. The total package presented was quite a vision to behold, and I told her as much.
That, my girl, I said with enthusiasm, is one rightful picture of eye-catching loveliness you have gone and managed to make of yourself! She gushed, your sweet, and gave me an all-enveloping hug. As she broke away, sis looked up at me smiling and curtsied, why thank you kind sir, and once you have picked your jaw off the floor, can we please be going. Certainly I said, and opened the door for her. As she rustled past, sis asked if I thought Brian would like it? Lass, I said with all due modesty, He would be a daft bugger if he didn’t. I added, It was certainly money well lent, and she looked at me teasingly, okay mood breaker, for that you won’t get the first dance. Likely I will be the only one wishing to dance with you anyway I retorted, what will you be doing then? She just squished her eyes at me, turned and closed and locked her apartment door.
Suddenly I stopped, Oi! , wait a minute, I felt my suit coat pocket, okay luv, give it back I said as she grinned back at me, producing my thin, special occasion only, wallet. Getting better, aren’t I? She stated happily, it wasn’t a question. A bit I admitted, you’ve been practicing then? Only on you and Ginny she stated, but you two are getting too easy she smirked. I playfully tapped her on the back, what’s all this about easy I asked, producing her bracelet from me pocket, dangling it shimmering in front of her mascara lined eyes, you may want to put this back on I said.
Turd, she exclaimed taking it back, no more hugs for you mister, she stated, taking my arm and pulling me out to my car. All tricks out of the way now?, Good we can enjoy the evening with no more worries. I just nodded as I led her to me car, a bullet grey 1954 Circa Mercedes that Brien’s Uncle had helped me restore. As I opened the door, my sister slipped herself in, while under her breath she said playfully ( and not for the first time) “how I ever survived those first nine months I spent with you in such close proximity without going bonkers, I will never know!”
It took us almost 90 minutes to find the joint, arriving with the do in full swing. I was amazed at the number of vehicles in the over filled lot. When we got inside the poshly decorated “palace” We discovered that there were a total of 3 formal functions going on, ours, and a wedding reception on the second floor, and a formal dance for some private girls only academy occupying the entire first floor.
We went upstairs and found the chamber where the Barrister’s office reunion was being held. Now I will admit that I had harbored some thoughts that Sis may have been quite a bit overdressed for the event, but my fears were unfounded. What greeted my eyes was quite a “snob fest” of overdressed and fairly pompous looking guests. I had only ever met a couple of my sister’s former coworkers, and they had been interns her own age. But the majority here were the snooty , older husband and wives, of , of course, a group of stuck up Barristers. We were unable to spy any of Sis’s old friends, but while looking we were immediately scooped up by one of her old bosses co-workers ( whom sis had found insufferable) and led around like some prize colts, being introduced to a bunch of older coots who forgot our names as fast as they were given( we were nobodies) , although I satisfactorily noticed more than a few leering and jealous eyes looking over me sister. But, alas, nothing from the female end found me even remotely interesting (ouch in the ego department there)
We finally found an empty table, and I went off for drinks. As I watched over my sister while waiting for the barkeep to mix the drinks, I saw a rather posh looking tux boy zero in on our table and swoop in for the kill.
He was a rather tall chap with devilish good looks, thin moustache, small ponytail, monkey suit, the works! Looking like he was a model Fortunes mag rag, he loomed over me sister, and I knew what the cheeky devil was asking. Sure enough, sis cutely offered him her hand and he helped her up and led her to the dance floor. The barkeep handed me our drinks, and as I turned , Sis shot a look back at me as they were passing, a rather chiding look that I took meant “ told you, no first dance, mate” my suspicions were confirmed when added insult to injury as she stuck her tongue out at me over his shoulder.. I raised my glass in cheers, and headed back to our table.
I watched the two swirling around, feelin a bit jealous, but then this was me sister, not Ginny. I knew Brian would be seething, so I felt jealous for him I told meself. Then my mind went on to fantasize “what if he was after something, like say her jewels, and my mind went into a jewel thief mode, with him as the main character. ” I almost wish he had been, than he would be just no realizing that this little charmer had nothing to offer, and would soon be leaving her for greener pastures ( of which there was acres of at that place) and so dump his pretty partner after the one dance.
I tried to lose my envious nature, but at one point he held her close, too close I reckoned. I felt like shouting out to them “Aye mate, make room for Jesus”! This bit came from couple of elderly nuns who had been chaperoning one of my old seminarian academy dances, would walk up to couples dancing a wee bit too close in their eyes, and place their hands between them, separating them a bit, while spouting off, “make room for Jesus children”- Ginny and I had been amongst the chastised ourselves!
When sis got back I rose and greeted the pair, shaking his hand as sis introduced us. She did not say I was her brother, so I knew that she wasn’t eager for any repeat performances. The Git had hands that didn’t know where to stop, in my opinion anyhows. But all that didn’t change the fact that my sister was still a bit smitten with the gigoloish bloke. All in all though, he was quit the polite bugger, shooting me a self-confident look like, ‘no worries old chap’, as I shook a firm hand, I nodded, and off he went to those greener pastures.
I turned to my now still fawning sister, Remember Brian I said, and she just gave me a simpering smile. I held out my hand, care to, Mademoiselle? Sorry luv, She apologized, I need to freshen up a bit first and she darted off like a swallow taking wing. She started to head off to the exit stairs, whoa I called out after her, powder room is the opposite way luv! No doing, she said as she coyly looked back at me over her shoulder, whispering her words, not sharing with any of those old crows, I will be using the one downstairs in the main lobby! And she scurried away on her mission, long gown fluttering merrily about her high heels.
I waited, bored, not one pretty female came up to my side and asked me to have a go on the dance floor, like “fingers” romeo had done with me sister. I looked around carefully, but I just did not see any female of the same ilk sitting alone and bored as I was at her own table, waiting for someone to rescue her pretty self. So I waited, and waited as the minutes went by, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 26,27,28,29..I had just decided to take a meander down to make sure there was nothing serious going on the first floor that might have been keeping her, like say, a sudden breakout of kittens, when I finally saw her smirking face popping up from the stairwell.
As she sat down I tried to playfully admonish her behavior, failing miserably. About time I said, since when does it take 30 minutes to have a P.. she cut me off by placing a finger to my lips, Sorry luv, You wouldn’t believe the twit I just ran into she said and leaned closer to me, for my ears only it seemed.
She started talking in a low voice, though no one else was in ear shot. Apparently that private girls Academy dance that is going on downstairs,.. well I , I just ran into one of em, a snobbish princess, a real talker and spinner of tales her about her pretty own self, a young girl named Rose. Sounds like Micke, I said, and sis suddenly exploded into giggles. She finally controlled herself, placing her hand on my shoulder, yes, exactly like our cousin Michele, they almost even look alike, though Micke’s hair is longer, and blonder
Our cousin Micke was one who could never tell the truth about anything, even when she was tattling on some poor soul. Apparently born with an overactive imagination ( Kinda runs in the family I suppose) her stories were always overly embellished with tall tales, stretched out wild examples, and added characterizations, all centered around herself being the Heroine. Someone like that would have made a great children’s story book writer, or gossip columnist, but not our Micke, she turned around and became, of all things, involved in politics….God save the Queen!
The upshot is that we all started to treat anything coming out of Micke’s mouth ( horrid pun that, I do apologize) as mostly fabrication, which would rile her to now end, especially if she was tellin the God’s honest truth! So I knew exactly what this cheeky creature named Rose was all about, as I looked at my giggling sister.
One she caught her breath, Sis started in on Rose. Just as she did, a song started up from the band and rising, I took her hand, lifted her up from her seat, her gown falling swishing down to her feet. But through all that she never stopped talking about the annoyance she had encountered downstairs whom had obviously stricken a nerve! I led my twin to the dance floor, taking the talkative imp into my arms as she continued to fill me in on the quite over imaginative young lady named Rose.
“My Lord” sis exclaimed, as we danced, “within the first ten minutes I learned more about this girl than even her own parents probably know. Talk about stuck up on herself. And did you know there is a rose garden by the entrance, just like her name!”, My sister did an imitation of a twittering nasally voice at the end of her statement, rolling her eyes in disbelief of it all. Of course we had noticed the rose garden, bit difficult not too since it was lining both sides of the concourse into the main way into the building. It had short paths branching off along the way with benches and fountains. But This Rose apparently had acted like she was the only one who had noticed, the rest of us apparently being blind as a colony of bats, Sis spitted out the words.
Sis went on, building up steam, her figure becoming rigid… “She first noticed me dress and come up to compliment me on it, but before I could thank her, she went off on a tirade about her own gown.” OOH, I hate people who ask you a question only because they want to tell cut in about their lives rather than give a listen to anything you may actually have to say… “he thought I was one of the chaperones at her party, apparently because I looked too old to be one of the guests! That stuck a nerve I tell you. I wasn’t able to get word in too let the little tripe know I didn’t belong with her elitist crew atoll!”
She took a breath, and now it was my turn to shush her with a finger placed to her lips. She actually bit it( well more of a playful nip, actually)! Better now I asked. She sighed, and I felt her figure go from tense to a bit more lithe. She leaned against me, yes she said, than pulled away and went off again! One more thing, she asked if my jewels were real, than before I could set the girl straight, Rose cut me off and spouted off about how she had won the pearls she was wearing at the Arthurian Carnival, and had decided to wear them rather than her own better diamonds. I mean, come’on, talk about rude, her pearls weren’t any more real than this, and she flipped her necklace in my face, then sis caught the look in me eyes, and went quiet, concentrating on her dancing, with a wicked little grin creeping across her face. Finally we were able to enjoy the music as we danced to the rest of the song.
Now after the song ended, sis spied, and dragged me over, to introduce me to her old chief, a pretty lady called Sarah. A lady not much older than ourselves. She had her long hair down, wearing a sequined red gown with long red satin gloves. Her green emeralds were real, a dainty set that set off her figure rather nicely. She was a rather pleasant lady, with a mischievous gleam to her green eyes. It had been a pleasant conversation, which ended abruptly as her husband called her away. As Sarah moved off, Sis explained that Sarah had been the “class clown” always telling jokes and playing tricks. But being the boss, no one who fell victim to her pranks ever dared to try and repay her back in kind!
The rest of the evening (shortened because the band was stopped at 9:30 – Barristers are such Scrooges!) followed pretty much to same formula; light mingling with people who only seemed able to talk a few minutes before being called away, snacking on a rather fancy display of hors d'oeuvres , and drinking ( the bar was the best attraction in my humble opinion).
I spotted Romeo a few times, but he never did a second approach on Sis, and I couldn’t really tell if she was relived, or not. As for myself, I was starting to feel fairly pleased that I had resisted the temptation to play any of my tricks on my Twin’s jewelry, so I had been a man of my word, so far. So, it was with mixed feelings from both of us, when the last dance was announced. The whole “congregation” seemed to flock swishing out on the floor, crowding it. It was a slow dance ( Mr. Rod Stewart, as I recall) and quite a pleasant way to end the evening.
Well, it was after the last dance, as we had collected our things to leave, when Sarah caught sight of us and called us over to the bar ( located off the main chambre, it was a small 3 sided room open to the dance floor with no seating) , where she was now holding a lonely court, apparently all alone! Sara was by now also pretty well toshed…..
We ordered a round of drinks ( bar was open till eleven, but the music had ended, a total ballyhoo on someone’s part in the planning) Taking mine, I left the chatting ladies and wondered over ( not for the first time) to a rather fine set of J.M Cameron prints on display. Soon I was joined by the 2 ladies, and I started to explain to Sarah about the photographer’s history.
As we talked, my sister maneuvered herself around behind Sarah. By the look on my sister’s face, I knew she was up to something. She got close behind, and Sarah backed into her, Sarah turned, there you are she said, and smiled, then looked back at me. She appeared to be deeply interested I what I was telling her about the life and times of Julia Margaret, a shirttail cousin of ours! As I continued, I saw that sis had her fingers on the red silk clutch purse that Sarah was holding to her side in her left hand. Sis said, “oh Sara, show my brother your ring”! Sarah held it up and I looked at it, Sis reached put her free hand on Sarah’s left arm, jostling it a bit, as she made like she wanted to look also, ,but I could see the red clutch out of the corner of my eye, and as sis was doing her little performance, she was gently pulling the small purse form Sarah’s gloved fingers. Slippery Satin gloves holding an even slipperier silk clutch purse, made the maneuver much easier than it probably should have. I started feeling a bit uncomfortable as I watched my amused sister manage to slip away with it, and holding the purse behind her come to my side, her back to a wall. We chatted for about another couple of long minutes, before Sarah was called away, and she left us, never realizing her clutch purse was gone. We walked steadfastly away, I imitated Bogart, and how much do you think the dame has in her purse. Oh, my twin answered, a few pence, and a soiled lace handkerchief she joked, without opening the purse.
Fine I said, you get the handkerchief, Rather not she said, giggling, and we headed over to The now deserted table Sarah had been sitting at, and Sis unflappably placed the purse on Sarah’s’ chair, alongside her satin wrap.
So have I created a monster no? I asked her as I led her away, she looked up at me with those big eyes of hers wide open with satisfaction, no worries luv, Sarah was always playing tricks on someone another, I just never dared to pay her back when we worked together. Just how much work did you girls actually accomplish? I chided She just sqoze my arm, and hurried me our way, as we tried not to look like we were bolting for the exit stairway.
We gained the stairs without any further ado, and made it through the lobby, and had gained the outside concourse, when I saw something up ahead, and taking my sister’s arm , I held her up from going any further.
Ahead of us was a petite lady in a shimmering blue satin dress, chatting away to a bored looking young man in an ill-fitting tux. If the lass’s hair had been a bit more blonde, and longer she would have passed as Micke’s double. Is that your Rose then I asked, nodding in the couple’s direction?
Sis looked over, and then answered me by pulling me forcibly the rest of the way off the path and out of sight of the main concourse, into a small alcove surrounded by some hedges. What do we do she said , That is her! That’s that Rose creature twit I was tellin you about! She looked back towards the building, I don’t want to go back in she said, Sara my see us. What do we do?
The pair were some distance off in the rose garden. But there was no way out other than walking past them. I thought about it for a minute. Looking at my sister, in her quite fetching gown, with its sparkling bodice, as well as the sparkling rhinestone she was wearing, made me recall the fantasizing I had been doing as she had danced with that posh bloke. Thinking of him being a Jewel thief, and watching the other female guests in their finery, had been putting beguiling visions in my head all the evening long. Let’s play a game I said, one that will give yonder Rose a story no one will believe ever happened.. My sister looked at me wryly,( I could see it in her eyes,’ no time for games now lad, this is serious’’ but she just stated inquisitively, what sort of game sir?
One where we get yonder Rose girl to believe you have met a jewel thief I said, I could feel myself warming up to the idea now that I had said it. If we pull it off, that will be a story she will try telling that everyone will believe she totally made up in her head.
My sister balked, no, she said, one bit of fun this evening has been enough for this girl.
Okay I said, but how would this girl feel about having a bit of fun if she wasn’t owing her brother £80?
I saw her mascaraed eye’s light up, and she again gave me that wicked grin. Let’s have it than you scoundrel, I will give into your chicanery for the debt you hold over my head sir , she said giggling, stealing a line from a play she had been involved with. Knowing I had her hooked, I could tell she was warming up to the idea rather nicely, and not just because she owed me a healthy bit of the realms’ currency.
First off, I said, you don’t know me from Adam.
But your name’s not Adam she said in all seriousness.
Attend pleas, I told her smiling.
You go up and fall into Roses clutches, I follow once the lad leaves after being freed from his bondage.
Hey, how did bondage get into this she said, giggling, I don’t owe you that much mister. I just looked at her, we have to do this seriously to pull it off.
Okay she said, placing a hand across her mouth, like she was zipping it shut.
I follow after the lad leaves ( and he soon will ). I come up on the two of you, and make your acquaintances. Your act will be to find me charming… that’s not going to be easy, sis said, then quickly went back to listening
Then you, I said ignoring her, and continuing on …..
Once Rose has me in her hooks, you Meander off, bend down to look at some flowers, remove your earrings, and place them into your purse. I will listen on for a bit, take my leave, let Rose come find you, and let her discover your earrings are gone. Then let her think they were stolen by you? She asked. Right, and she should, as bobs your uncle, fall right into your story, I said. Then added, just play along like they were real diamonds and astonished at how I had managed to get them. Send Rose off back inside to go upstairs find your mother Sarah,( sis like that bit of it), and say in the meanwhile you are going off to see if you can get me license number. I will be waitin by the car to make our getaway….
I finished mapping it out, and she told me she had the gist of it. I had her hand pull her sunglasses from her purse and I put them on. Then she asked before walking off, “ not bad for on the fly, or had you already been putting thought into this play earlier?” I just patted her on her derriere, get going lass, times a wastin.
Turning she headed out, and from a hole in the hedgerow I watched as she moved off, her gown definitely swished in a most pleasing fashion I admitted to myself again. I’ll have to have Ginny buy one like it, I thought to meself, wincing over how pretty the thing was with sis wearing it , imagining my Ginny wearing it, her long red hair flowing free. I would willing give Ginny the money also, I promised to meself, no lending, and hang the cost….
Sis rustled her way up to the couple, Rose spotted her immediately and pulled her over. The 3 of them started to chit chat together.
I now thought of myself as the smarmy bloke who had cheated me out of a dance earlier, making him a thief in my mind. And like said thief, looking over the situation before me. I remembered an old show where this bloke in a white suit was pointing out his female guests jewels to a male who fancied himself a pickpocket and had just minutes earlier relieved the white suited host of his gold watch. As the camera (representing the blokes eyes) moved around the room, focusing on various well-dressed ladies and their jewels( hanging around necks, dangling from ears, attached to well-shaped bosoms ,bracelets wrapped around gloved wrists and ,rings glittering on fingers) the viewer was led to imagine the wheels turning in his head as to how he was to acquire them, ala Arsène Lupin. I had to leave, so I never finished watching it, nor could I ever find it listed again. But it was this type of character that I now fancied meself portraying.
(In Character) I had ducked into the hedge, the pair near the bend had not seen me, so it gave me time to plan how best to approach them. One was wearing a pretty dress of blue, long black hair up in a bun. She was the younger, definitely not a relation, I could tell by the way her companion was listening. The girl was wearing a cheap set of pearls, paste, not worth more in a few farthings. It was her companion that had caught me eye, and not just the pretty gown she had quite nicely wrapped herself in. But it was her diamonds, a pretty glittering set, that with a minimal bit of effort, would be coming home with me. I had actually danced with her earlier, so I had been able to appraise em, and now providence had put her in me way. I remembered how that shimmery little necklace had been taunting me while we had danced, my fingers had ached for a go at them. Now, all I needed was for a brief diversion, to get both the girl’s attention focused elsewhere, by, say smelling a rose, and with a nimble flick of me fingers, the necklace would be off from around her sweet throat and in me pocket. Possibly those dangling earrings of hers instead, if it was a long time she was paying attention to her roses.
My brief fantasy ended abruptly, it was time. Sis said something to the lad, who had been growing more and more uncomfortable, he answered, and then, managing to interject into Roses story long enough to pay his leave, He walked off. He was now coming up the path towards me, but not seeing me as I had moved further into the hedgerow. He walked on past, staring straight ahead…
Mentally prepared, I waited till he was well past my hiding hole. I adjusted the sunglasses and left my shadowy corner. Between the electric lamps that run along the gardens path, and the waning moon, I was able to see quite clearly with them. I also saw happily that the sparkles from sis dress and jewelry were not at all too muted.
I silently approached, came up upon the two without notice. They both jumped( In a quite charming manner, actually) as I started to speak.
Excuse me, this is that way out I asked, sounding confused. Certainly both girls chirped, and Rose pointed to the way out. Sis asked me if I had been at the dance. What dance I answered.? Is that why the two of you are so beautifully dressed. . Rose ate it up. And showing off her gown to me( and unknowingly ,her pearls) happily took the lead, telling me of the academies dance. As Rose started to tell me about all her academy, I walked over to a bush of white roses just off one of the branching paths, at the end of this particular path was as a fountain from which merrily gurgling falling water could be faintly heard. I bent down to smell a white rose. I offered it up to my sister, who bent over to sniff, her necklace and earrings swaying to and fro in a quite nice exhibition of colorfully brite sparkles. Rose just stood behind us, kept on chatting with her story, as I winked at my sister. We both stood back up.
Sis turned to Rose, and suggested she take a smell also. As Rose ( still chattering )bends to smell sis, had her hand on the girls shoulder. I watched in a mixture of horror and excitement as I saw my sister’s fingers nip over to the simple eye and hook clasp of Roes’ pearl necklace, pulled it up and with a flick of her fingers undid the clasp, an let it fall to the path just as Rose was straightening up. I think my twin was as astonished as I was that she had managed to pull it off, slipping off the obviously cheap pearl necklace that Rose had had dangling from her the front of her blue gown. I asked Rose a question pertaining to her story, and as I held her full attention, , Sis, who had been standing out of Rose’s sight behind her, wandered off for a distance, disappearing around behind the fountain with a whisk of her gown. Rose never appeared to have noticed my sister waltzing off as she straightening her pretty gown after rising up from her smelling of the rose, never missing a word in her story, nor her missing pearl necklace either!
I listened to Rose just prattle on, seemingly forever,( its amazing how long 3 minutes can last!) Finally, my leave-taking came in the form of a couple of girls in fluttering gowns walking up and past us, escapees from our little reunion upstairs I recognized. I smiled at them, and they smiled back( why hadn’t they been doing that back at the dance, when I had been left alone to my own devices!) One of the girls was flaunting some rather nice pieces of gemmed gold jewelry, and I made my decision to follow them, like any jewel thief worth his salt would do. I interrupted Rose, politely taking me leave, there goes some friends of mine, they apparently didn’t recognize me, but I need to ask one of them a question. I am sorry, but it has been a pleasure, but I must shove off. I took her hand and kissed a ringed finger, , she blushed rather prettily. Then if she didn’t try and start another story, I headed it off by asking, “Where did your pretty friend go, “as I looked round. Rose looked around also , There she is over there Rose pointed out after spotting my sister some distance away , her back to us, playing with a hand in the fountain . Right then, tell her I said cheerio, and left, giving her a nod as I started sauntering off after the disappearing pair of ladies. I looked back, and saw Rose darting off to where sis was standing
I quickly exited stage right, keeping on the sunglasses, I reached the entrance to the parking lot just as the pair of girls were turning a corner. I turned it behind them, gesturing like I was hailing out to them in case Rose was watching, although I had said nothing, and the pair in front of me were totally oblivious to their part in our little play. I crossed into the lot and made for the other side, skirting around towards my vehicle while making sure the coast was clear. I regained my Mercedes. After tossing the glasses and my suit coat and tie into the back seat, I climbed in fired up the engine, and left the parking lot, circling around a couple of blocks, before re-entering and pulling alongside the sidewalk, stopping just before the entrance to the concourse.
Five long minutes later my sister finally swished out through the exit, alone. She saw me, and scurried over, her gown doing its nice bit of fluttering along her figure as she moved. Not only had she taken off her necklace, but also the earrings and bracelet, I had gotten out, and was holding the door for her, She slipped into her seat. I regained mine as she was settling in I said, whew , you were right on about that one, did she buy it?
It was priceless sis said, she noticed my diamonds were missin, and I managed to really act astonished. Then Rose came to the conclusion herself, that they had been stolen, with her overactive imagination it was not a stretch for her. Then she looked herself over and discovered her pearls were missing. Oh no I asked how valuable where they. Pretty valuable she said, I only spent 6 shillings at the carnival, but he said they were worth a lot more! , what about yours, , were they rhinestones ? No I said, thery were real, she really didn’t hear me, she shad started repeating the same nonsense about how she had a diamond necklace at home that was worth quite a bit, and she was glad her Mater had not wanted to wear the thing this evening,
While listening, I had pulled slowly away, a couple had walked out and were heading to their car, paying us no nevermind other than a nosy glance by the gentleman at me car. But I figured it was time to make ourselves scarce.
I continued on with my questions: But your earrings and bracelet as well, she must have thought I was in possession of outstandingly light fingers! She didn’t question it, sis said, just gawked as I checked mesefl over. I must have drooped em I said, but she wan’t buyin it, no she exclaimed, he must have nicked them.
I had suggested that her pearls had simply fallen away, and we got back to where we had met you, and I spied the pearls on the ground, the thief had a hole in his pocket apparently, she figured. Brilliant mind that one I said, she should be a detective. Did she bite on the Sarah angle? Din’t tell her that, Sis looked smug, I improvised with a story of me own she admitted all happy with her darling self. And I teasingly told her as much!
Sis just smirked at me, and continued on.
I had to remind her that me jewels were missing to get her to stop her storytelling.
We looked a bit for mine, than I came up with a thought, tellin Rose that I had read about a jewel thief who had targeted a dance in oxford, stealing a few thousand pounds from the female guests there. I told her she should go back in and find out how many others lost jewels, I told her she would be a hero. You should have seen Rose’s smug face light up at the thought, and without another word, off she went.
Excellent, I praised her, much better way to end it. But I still cannot believe you went for her pearls like that, rather risky. Twas she conceded, but can you imagine her telling everyone about it…. and she broke into that nasely twang she had use earlier in imitation of Rose..
Rose-“the thief took my pearl necklace!,” Party Guest – “you mean the one you are wearing?” Rose- “Well yes , see he had this hole in his pocket, din’t he now! “ Party Guest- “ I see( in a disbelieving tone) “Rose- “What about me friend, had her dimonds nicked, dint she!” Part Guest-“ what Friend would that be now?” Rose- “ The chaperone, you know, the one with the silvery gown and long black hair!” Party Guest –“ Ther wasn’t no chaperone waering a silver dress you balmy twi…..”
Sis could not finish her routine, starting to chortle so hard at the picture of it in her mind, she nearly busted a gut. I also was smirking, the whole affair, in my opinion, had all played out brilliantly!
All in all, twas a merry drive back to town for us, with me twin sister talking miles a minute over her successes that evening, including the fact that her debt to me had been paid off. With interest paid, I thought to myself, as I stole a glance at my beautifully decked out passenger, with interest paid my dear!
.
Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson, from a screenplay written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. It tells the story of abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed virtually all of his multimillion dollar estate to his other son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), an autistic savant, of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is left with only his father's beloved vintage car and rosebushes. Valeria Golino also stars as Charlie's girlfriend Susanna. Morrow created the character of Raymond after meeting Kim Peek, a real-life savant; his characterization was based on both Peek and Bill Sackter, a good friend of Morrow who was the subject of Bill (1981), an earlier film that Morrow wrote.[3]
Rain Man premiered at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Bear, the festival's highest prize.[4] It was theatrically released by MGM/UA Communications Co. in the United States on December 16, 1988, to critical and commercial success, grossing $354.8 million, on a $25 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1988, and received a leading eight nominations at the 61st Academy Awards, winning four (more than any other film nominated); Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Hoffman), and Best Original Screenplay.[5]
As of 2022, Rain Man is the first and only film to win both Golden Bear and Academy Award for Best Picture. It was also the last MGM title to be nominated for Best Picture until Licorice Pizza (2021) 33 years later.[6]
Contents
1Plot
2Cast
3Production
4Release
4.1Box office
4.2Critical reception
5Accolades
6In popular culture
6.1Qantas and airline controversy
6.2The Buick convertible
7See also
8References
9External links
Plot[edit]
Collectibles dealer Charlie Babbitt is in the middle of importing four grey market Lamborghinis to Los Angeles for resale. He needs to deliver the cars to impatient buyers, who have already made down payments, in order to repay the loan he took out to buy them, but the EPA is holding the cars at the port because they have failed emissions tests. Charlie directs an employee to lie to the buyers while he stalls his creditor.
When Charlie learns that his estranged father Sanford Babbitt has died, he and his girlfriend Susanna travel to Cincinnati in order to settle the estate. He inherits only a group of rosebushes and a classic 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible over which he and his father clashed, while the remainder of the $3 million estate is going to an unnamed trustee. He learns that the money is being directed to a local mental institution, where he meets his elder brother, Raymond, of whom he was unaware his whole life.
Raymond has autism and savant syndrome and adheres to strict routines. He has superb recall, but he shows little emotional expression except when in distress. Charlie spirits Raymond out of the mental institution and into a hotel for the night. Susanna becomes upset with the way Charlie treats his brother and leaves him. Charlie asks Raymond's doctor, Dr. Gerald Bruner, for half the estate in exchange for Raymond's return, but Bruner refuses. Charlie decides to attempt to gain custody of his brother in order to get control of the money.
After Raymond refuses to fly to Los Angeles, he and Charlie resort to driving there instead. They make slow progress because Raymond insists on sticking to his routines, which include watching The People's Court on television every day, getting to bed by 11:00 PM, and refusing to travel when it rains. He also objects to traveling on the interstate after they encounter a car accident. During the course of the journey, Charlie learns more about Raymond, including his ability to instantly perform complex calculations and count hundreds of objects at once, far beyond the normal range of human subitizing abilities. He also realizes Raymond had lived with the family as a child and was the "Rain Man", a comforting figure that Charlie had falsely remembered as an imaginary friend. Raymond had saved an infant Charlie from being scalded by hot bathwater one day, but their father had blamed him for nearly injuring Charlie and committed him to the institution, as he was unable to speak up for himself and correct the misunderstanding.
Charlie's creditor repossesses the Lamborghinis, forcing him to refund his buyers' down payments and leaving him deeply in debt. Having passed Las Vegas, he and Raymond return to Caesars Palace on the Strip and devise a plan to win the needed money by playing blackjack and counting cards. Though the casino bosses obtain videotape evidence of the scheme and ask them to leave, Charlie successfully wins $86,000 to cover his debts and reconciles with Susanna, who has rejoined the brothers in Las Vegas.
Returning to Los Angeles, Charlie meets with Bruner, who offers him $250,000 to walk away from Raymond. Charlie refuses and says that he is no longer upset about being cut out of his father's will, but he wants to have a relationship with his brother. At a meeting with a court-appointed psychiatrist, Raymond proves unable to decide for himself what he wants. Charlie stops the questioning and tells Raymond he is happy to have him as his brother. As Raymond and Bruner board a train to return to the institution, Charlie promises to visit in two weeks.
Cast[edit]
Dustin Hoffman as Raymond "Ray" Babbitt, an autistic savant who is Charlie's elder brother
Tom Cruise as Charles "Charlie" Babbitt
Valeria Golino as Susanna
Jerry Molen as Dr. Gerald Bruner
Ralph Seymour as Lenny
Michael D. Roberts as Vern
Bonnie Hunt as Sally Dibbs
Beth Grant as Mother at Farm House
Lucinda Jenney as Iris
Barry Levinson as Doctor
Production[edit]
A now-abandoned gas station and general store in Cogar, Oklahoma was used in a scene from the film. The Colvert sign has since been removed, revealing the full name of the business.
Roger Birnbaum was the first studio executive to give the film a green light; he did so immediately after Barry Morrow pitched the story. Birnbaum received "special thanks" in the film's credits.[citation needed]
Real-life brothers Dennis Quaid and Randy Quaid were considered for the roles of Raymond Babbitt and Charles Babbitt.[7] Agents at CAA sent the script to Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray, envisioning Murray in the title role and Hoffman in the role eventually portrayed by Cruise.[3] Martin Brest, Steven Spielberg and Sydney Pollack were directors also involved in the film.[8] Mickey Rourke was also offered a role but he turned it down.[9]
Principal photography included nine weeks of filming on location in Cincinnati and throughout northern Kentucky.[10] Other portions were shot in the desert near Palm Springs, California.[11]: 168–71
Almost all of the principal photography occurred during the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike; one key scene that was affected by the lack of writers was the film's final scene.[3] Bass delivered his last rough cut of the script only hours before the strike started and spent no time on the set.[8]
Release[edit]
Box office[edit]
Rain Man debuted on December 16, 1988, and was the second highest-grossing film at the weekend box office (behind Twins), with $7 million.[12] It reached the first spot on the December 30 – January 2 weekend, finishing 1988 with $42 million.[13] The film would end up as the highest-grossing U.S. film of 1988 by earning over $172 million. The film grossed over $354 million worldwide.[2]
Critical reception[edit]
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 89% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The website's critical consensus states: "This road-trip movie about an autistic savant and his callow brother is far from seamless, but Barry Levinson's direction is impressive, and strong performances from Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman add to its appeal."[14] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 18 critic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[16]
Vincent Canby of The New York Times called Rain Man a "becomingly modest, decently thought-out, sometimes funny film"; Hoffman's performance was a "display of sustained virtuosity . . . [which] makes no lasting connections with the emotions. Its end effect depends largely on one's susceptibility to the sight of an actor acting nonstop and extremely well, but to no particularly urgent dramatic purpose."[17] Canby considered the "film's true central character" to be "the confused, economically and emotionally desperate Charlie, beautifully played by Mr. Cruise."[17]
Amy Dawes of Variety wrote that "one of the year's most intriguing film premises ... is given uneven, slightly off-target treatment"; she called the road scenes "hastily, loosely written, with much extraneous screen time," but admired the last third of the film, calling it a depiction of "two very isolated beings" who "discover a common history and deep attachment."[18]
One of the film's harshest reviews came from New Yorker magazine critic Pauline Kael, who said, "Everything in this movie is fudged ever so humanistically, in a perfunctory, low-pressure way. And the picture has its effectiveness: people are crying at it. Of course they're crying at it—it's a piece of wet kitsch."[19]
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars out of four. He wrote, "Hoffman proves again that he almost seems to thrive on impossible acting challenges...I felt a certain love for Raymond, the Hoffman character. I don't know quite how Hoffman got me to do it."[20] Gene Siskel also gave the film three and a half stars out of four, singling out Cruise for praise, "The strength of the film is really that of Cruise's performance...the combination of two superior performances makes the movie worth watching."[21]
Rain Man was placed on 39 critics' "ten best" lists in 1988, based on a poll of the nation's top 100 critics.[22]
Accolades[edit]
AwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
Academy Awards[5]Best PictureMark JohnsonWon
Best DirectorBarry LevinsonWon
Best ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the ScreenRonald Bass and Barry MorrowWon
Best Art DirectionIda Random and Linda DeScennaNominated
Best CinematographyJohn SealeNominated
Best Film EditingStu LinderNominated
Best Original ScoreHans ZimmerNominated
American Cinema Editors AwardsBest Edited Feature FilmStu LinderWon
American Society of Cinematographers Awards[23]Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesJohn SealeNominated
Berlin International Film Festival[24]Golden BearBarry LevinsonWon
Berliner Morgenpost Readers' Jury AwardWon
BMI Film & TV AwardsFilm Music AwardHans ZimmerWon
British Academy Film Awards[25]Best Actor in a Leading RoleDustin HoffmanNominated
Best Original ScreenplayRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Best EditingStu LinderNominated
César Awards[26]Best Foreign FilmBarry LevinsonNominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards[27]Best ActorDustin HoffmanNominated
David di Donatello AwardsBest Foreign FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Best Foreign DirectorNominated
Best Foreign ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Foreign ProducerMark JohnsonNominated
Best Foreign ScreenplayRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Directors Guild of America Awards[28]Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesBarry LevinsonWon
Golden Globe Awards[29]Best Motion Picture – DramaWon
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – DramaDustin HoffmanWon
Best Director – Motion PictureBarry LevinsonNominated
Best Screenplay – Motion PictureRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
Goldene Kamera (1989)Golden ScreenWon
Goldene Kamera (1991)Golden Screen with 1 StarWon
Heartland FilmTruly Moving Picture AwardBarry LevinsonWon
Japan Academy Film PrizeOutstanding Foreign Language FilmNominated
Jupiter AwardsBest International FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards[30]Best FilmWon
Best DirectorBarry LevinsonWon
Best ActorDustin HoffmanWon
Best Supporting ActorTom CruiseWon[a]
Kinema Junpo AwardsBest Foreign Language FilmBarry LevinsonWon
Mainichi Film AwardsBest Foreign Language FilmWon
MTV Video Music AwardsBest Video from a Film"Iko Iko" – The Belle StarsNominated
Nastro d'ArgentoBest Foreign DirectorBarry LevinsonNominated
Best Supporting ActressValeria GolinoNominated
National Society of Film Critics Awards[31]Best ActorDustin Hoffman3rd Place
New York Film Critics Circle Awards[32]Best Actor2nd Place
Nikkan Sports Film AwardsBest Foreign FilmWon
People's Choice AwardsFavorite Dramatic Motion PictureWon
Turkish Film Critics Association AwardsBest Foreign Film2nd Place
Writers Guild of America Awards[33]Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the ScreenRonald Bass and Barry MorrowNominated
YoGa AwardsWorst Foreign ActorDustin HoffmanWon
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:
2006: AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers - #63
In popular culture[edit]
Rain Man's portrayal of the main character's condition has been seen as creating the erroneous media stereotype that people on the autism spectrum typically have savant skills, and references to Rain Man, in particular Dustin Hoffman's performance, have become a popular shorthand for autism and savantism. Conversely, Rain Man has also been seen as dispelling a number of other misconceptions about autism, and improving public awareness of the failure of many agencies to accommodate autistic people and make use of the abilities they do have, regardless of whether they have savant skills or not.[34]
The film is also known for popularizing the misconception that card counting is illegal in the United States.[35]
The Babbitt brothers appear in The Simpsons season 5 episode $pringfield. The film is mentioned in numerous other films such as Miss Congeniality (2000), 21 (2008), Tropic Thunder (2008) (in which Tom Cruise made an appearance), The Hangover (2009), Escape Room (2019), and also in the television series Breaking Bad.
Raymond Babbitt was caricatured as a rain cloud in the animated episode of The Nanny, "Oy to the World". During the episode, Fran fixes up CC the Abominable Babcock with the Rain Man. He is portrayed as a cloud of rain mumbling about weather patterns and being an excellent driver.
Qantas and airline controversy[edit]
During June 1989, at least fifteen major airlines showed edited versions of Rain Man that omitted a scene involving Raymond's refusal to fly, mentioning the crashes of American Airlines Flight 625, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, and Continental Airlines Flight 1713, except on Australia-based Qantas. Those criticizing this decision included film director Barry Levinson, co-screenwriter Ronald Bass, and George Kirgo (at the time the President of the Writers Guild of America, West). "I think it's a key scene to the entire movie," Levinson said in a telephone interview. "That's why it's in there. It launches their entire odyssey across country – because they couldn't fly." While some of those airlines cited as justification avoiding having airplane passengers feel uncomfortable in sympathy with Raymond during the in-flight entertainment, the scene was shown intact on flights of Qantas, and commentators noted that Raymond mentions it as the only airline whose planes have "never crashed".[36][37] The film is credited with introducing Qantas' safety record to U.S. consumers.[38][39]
The Buick convertible[edit]
Two 1949 Roadmaster convertibles were used in the filming, one of which had its rear suspension stiffened to bear the additional load of camera equipment and a cameraman. After filming completed, the unmodified car was acquired by Hoffman, who had it restored, added it to his collection and kept it for 34 years. Hemmings Motor News reported that this car was auctioned in January 2022 by Bonhams at Scottsdale, Arizona and sold for $335,000.[40] The camera-carrying car was similarly acquired by Barry Levinson, who a few years later had it restored by Wayne Carini of the Chasing Classic Cars television series.
A characterization exercise for my main character in the Lands of Mythron. Also an entry for the Coat of Arms category in the MocAthalon.
Red - Warrior; Military strength
Orange - Ambition
Black - Grief
Bow and Arrow - War; Power; Ability to hit a target
Cypress (could also be a different kind of tree) - Death and eternal life thereafter
The motto reads "Survival of the Fittest".
This is M16 captured from ICAstronomy in Oria, Spain.
The image was captured using a narrowband Hydrogen-alpha filter (Ha) as the moon was at about 70% this was a test of my new Ha filter. The filter lets the H-alpha light of emission nebulae pass and blocks nearly the whole remainder of the spectrum.
Also in the image is the famous Pillars of Creation.
Ha 10x1800 Secs
5 Hours in total.
The Eagle Nebula is part of a diffuse emission nebula, or H II region, which is catalogued as IC 4703. This region of active current star formation is about 7000 light-years distant. A spire of gas that can be seen coming off the nebula in the northeastern part is approximately 9.5 light-years or about 90 trillion kilometers long.
The cluster associated with the nebula has approximately 8100 stars, which are mostly concentrated in a gap in the molecular cloud to the north-west of the Pillars. The brightest star (HD 168076) has an apparent magnitude of +8.24, easily visible with good binoculars. It is actually a binary star formed of an O3.5V star plus an O7.5V companion. This star has a mass of roughly 80 solar masses and a luminosity up to 1 million times that of the Sun. The cluster's age has been estimated to be 1–2 million years.
The descriptive names reflect impressions of the shape of the central pillar rising from the southeast into the central luminous area. The name "Star Queen Nebula" was introduced by Robert Burnham, Jr., reflecting his characterization of the central pillar as the Star Queen shown in silhouette.
Equipment used:
Telescope: Tec 140 F7
Camera: Xpress Trius SX-694 Mono Cooled to -15C
Image Scale: 0.95
Guiding: OAG
Filters: Astronomik Ha 6nm
Mount: iOptron CEM60 "Standard" GOTO Centre Balanced Equatorial Mount
Image Acquisition: Sequence Generator Pro
Stacking and Calibrating: Pixinsight
Processing: Pixinsight 1.8, Photoshop CC
Granger, Texas:
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American slasher film directed by Tobe Hooper and written and co-produced by Hooper and Kim Henkel. It stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, and Gunnar Hansen, who respectively portray Sally Hardesty, Franklin Hardesty, the hitchhiker, the proprietor, and Leatherface. The film follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals while on their way to visit an old homestead. The film was marketed as being based on true events to attract a wider audience and to act as a subtle commentary on the era's political climate; although the character of Leatherface and minor story details were inspired by the crimes of murderer Ed Gein, its plot is largely fictional.
Hooper produced the film for less than $140,000 ($700,000 adjusted for inflation) and used a cast of relatively unknown actors drawn mainly from central Texas, where the film was shot. The limited budget forced Hooper to film for long hours seven days a week so that he could finish as quickly as possible and reduce equipment rental costs. Due to the film's violent content, Hooper struggled to find a distributor, but it was eventually acquired by Louis Perano of Bryanston Distributing Company. Hooper limited the quantity of onscreen gore in hopes of securing a PG rating, but the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated it R. The film faced similar difficulties internationally.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was banned in several countries, and numerous theaters stopped showing the film in response to complaints about its violence. While it initially drew a mixed reception from critics, it was highly profitable, grossing over $30 million at the domestic box office, equivalent to roughly over $150.8 million as of 2019, selling over 16.5 million tickets in 1974. It has since gained a reputation as one of the best and most influential horror films. It is credited with originating several elements common in the slasher genre, including the use of power tools as murder weapons, the characterization of the killer as a large, hulking, faceless figure, and the killing of victims. It led to a franchise that continued the story of Leatherface and his family through sequels, prequels, a remake, comic books, and video games.
Nikon D780
(C)Gaylon Yancy 2020-2021
Please, No images in the comments; TEXT only. Thanks.
The Custom House overlooks Burlington Bay and is located immediately across from the tracks of the Canadian National Railway, formerly the Great Western Railway. At the time construction, Hamilton Custom House, was located immediately south-east of the Great Western's station, offices and yard, making inspection of the rail-transported goods especially convenient. Placement halfway between the business district and the bay shore, but adjacent to the railway, indicates the importance of the railway to the activities of Hamilton's Custom House. Elements of the stone gateposts flank both sides of building.
The Hamilton Custom House was the last in a series of customs houses constructed by the colonial government, prior to confederation. Of substantial character and construction, the Hamilton Custom House, built 1858-60, recalls the growing responsibilities and presence of the government, during this time. Prior to this, government offices had typically been located in rented or private quarters, with construction campaigns focused upon transportation projects such as roads and canals rather than buildings. With collected duties representing the largest single source of revenue for the colonial government, and with Hamilton being the largest source of collection revenue in Ontario, after Toronto, the construction of a suitably prominent Custom House was justified. In the years leading up to the construction of the Custom House, Hamilton enjoyed the status as a leading Canadian port, commercial centre and transportation hub, with lines from the recently completed Great Western Railway converging in the city. The Great Western's lines connected Ontario to the United States at Niagara Falls and Windsor, contributing to Hamilton's large amount of international trade, and supporting the need for a large customs facility. Additionally, in the early 1850s, Hamilton was represented in Parliament by Sir Allan McNab, Premier of the Province of Canada, from 1854-56, who influenced the decision to locate a substantial Custom House in Hamilton, to benefit the city. The Custom House functioned in its original capacity until 1888 when overcrowding forced the relocation of this function to the Post Office building at John and King Streets.The Hamilton Custom House is the oldest, major, Canadian government building in Hamilton and among the oldest in Ontario.
Expensive to build and maintain, few government structures of this calibre were built, prior to Confederation, making the building a rarity from the beginning. Designed in the Renaissance Revival style, the Custom House is inspired by the Palladian and Renaissance palazzo architecture of Italy. Contributing to this characterization is a façade with a heavily rusticated first storey, containing large round headed windows, with voussoirs, while the ashlar finished second storey displays quoining, Corinthian pilasters and pedimented window crowns. While the Royal Coat of Arms survives in the roofline parapet, the rooftop balustrade with urns, and elaborated chimneys have been lost. Attesting to the sophistication of the composition, the structure is clad entirely in Hamilton and Ohio sandstones, and is detailed on all elevations. The interior was notable for its modern conveniences such as central heating, running water and gas lighting. The functional design contained a first floor examining warehouse and a second storey 'long room' where most public business was conducted over a long counter. Though Frederick Rubridge, architect for the Board of Works, finalized the plans, Frederick Rastrick is known to have produced the plans on which the design was largely based, with credit thereby extended to both architects; Frederick Kortum served as the supervising architect and was succeeded by Albert Hills.
A series of cropped migrant Swainson's Hawk photos from Borrego Valley, San Diego County CA, showing the range of plumage variation present. Dark birds were, in fact, numerically superior.
Plumage characterizations based on Wheeler & Clark's photo guide to N Am raptors.
~HSS~
Upper Left Corner of this street scene of Lightlings is a red elephant head with a broken trunk. He seems to be chatting with the Lightling bust of an old Smith Brothers Cough Drops guy or perhaps an old author with a large nose. They seem unsure about the crowd below.
The multi-colored Raintings crowd of Lowly Worm (Richard Scarry) look-alikes seems equally unsure (maybe in awe, maybe a bit afraid) of them.
In reality, this was a real Rainting of a red traffic light and perhaps a few cars driving by the other way. For me this was about fun, and characterizations and colors and shapes. There isn't any big secret agenda behind it. I do have fun, though, trying to create little scenes or stories out of what I see.
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"My thin white border is not so much a frame as a defense against Flickr's all dark background"
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(DSCN0132ResamLightlingsafraidofeachotherFlickr110820)