Everyone expects. Each one for something else

or someone.

And now, the expectation belongs to everyone.

Yet, each one with their own expectations.

Who will sit in the empty chair?

Attente

Tout le monde attend. Chacun pour quelque chose d'autre

ou quelqu'un.

Et maintenant, l'attente appartient à tous.

Pourtant, chacun avec ses propres attentes.

Qui s'assiéra dans la chaise vide ?

Despite Mandy expecting our first child, she regarded going out dancing as exercise and a needed break to have fun. Even at three months she could still wear a mini-skirt, although it was getting tight. But those legs and that form grabbed my attention. I asked if she wanted to play a game of chess first, she just laid back, crossed her legs, and smiled. We left soon thereafter.

Been down the dump this morning ( or should that be the amenity centre ) and did not expect to come back with anything !! Well I did get a shot -sort of . There was a chap there with a bird of prey on his arm - a Harris Hawk it turned out to be . A quick word with the guy and they were there doing a bit of gull scaring - as they were working he did not want to stop and pose ,but as I got back to the car I grabbed the P&S in my bag and took a couple of quick snaps with a bit of zoom from a distance .

Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), formerly known as the bay-winged hawk or dusky hawk, and known in Latin America as peuco, is a medium-large bird of prey that breeds from the southwestern United States south to Chile, central Argentina, and Brazil. Birds are sometimes reported at large in Western Europe, especially Britain, but it is a popular species in falconry and these records almost certainly all refer to escapes from captivity.

The name is derived from the Greek para, meaning beside, near or like, and the Latin buteo, referring to a kind of buzzard; uni meaning once; and cinctus meaning girdled, referring to the white band at the tip of the tail. John James Audubon gave this bird its English name in honor of his ornithological companion, financial supporter, and friend Edward Harris.

The Harris's hawk is notable for its behavior of hunting cooperatively in packs consisting of tolerant groups, while other raptors often hunt alone. Harris hawks' social nature has been attributed to their intelligence, which makes them easy to train and have made them a popular bird for use in falconry.

Glad I chose today to go down the dump !!

In 2007, I first left school to come to Korea. I had no idea what to expect before coming. I’m not sure I cared really. I just wanted out of the stress I was feeling at school.

I spent my first month in Korea with other foreigners (외국인). I spent it with them because it was the easiest way to not be alone. We would go to bars and pubs in big packs, 20 or 30 sometimes. We would take over, not giving a fuck about the other patrons or staff. We would yell, shout, say the worst kind of things thinking no one understood us.

After a month or so of this I started to realize how fucking stupid we all were. We would complain about the “racist” owners and patrons who would ask us to move or be quiet. We would yell more to make a point.

Ridiculous.

I decided on one night, I can’t remember which, to leave this shit behind. Korea couldn’t be about this. I had started to feel myself joining the pack mentality and it wouldn’t do. No chance.

Through a Korean co-teacher I started to make a solid group of Korean friends. I realized quickly that Korean people were some of the warmest and most loyal friends you could have.

If you let them in.

Barriers toward foreigners started long before English teachers started coming here. Deeply routed in a society that has long dealt with oppression from other nations proving my sincerity to join in became important to me. I started to learn the culture and the language. I started to spend as much of my time as possible with Korean people. It is the right way.

I learned quickly that no matter what I did, I would always be a 외국인. People will always stare with a look that might seem cold. I’m okay with that now as I understand why. The look only remains cold until you smile.

Portrait of a girl.

Seoul, South Korea.

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Abraham Lincoln

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Happy birthday my dear sis ... make all your wishes come true Tara

.......How do you expect me to remember your birthday,

when you never look any older? :)......

_______

Gorgeous texture provided by:'Playingwithbrushes'

Stock butterflies by 'shoofly-stock'

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The Bluebirds have completed their nest, pretty much rid the yard of the large flock of competing Bluebirds and are now dealing with Tree Swallows (who have their own box). I expect eggs in the next day or two. We also have three large masses of Wood Frog eggs in the frog pond and the Peepers and Toads are still calling for mates.

Female Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) on a fence post.

www.SteveByland.com

© Steve Byland 2015 all rights reserved

Sometimes, fireworks don't explode where you expect them... Thanks to photoshop, I develop my own technique to put them where I want them to be plus combining this with my DRI technique.

Parfois les feux d'artifices n'explosent pas toujours là où on voudrait... Grâce à photoshop, j'ai développé ma technique qui me permet de les mettre là où je les veux en la combinant à ma technique DRI.

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WEBSITE .......: www.jeansurprenant.com

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My GETTY IMAGES work

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Thanks for the visits, comments, awards, invitations and favorites. Please don't use my images on websites, blogs or others medias without my explicit permission.

Thanks!

© All rights reserved

My technique is alway the same:

Three exposures -2EV, 0, +2EV and then temperature adjustement using Lightroom and layering with luminosity mask using photoshop. Removal of distracting stuff with the stamp tool or patch tool. High pass filter to enhance details. Then saturation, contrast selectively control, dodge and burn where need...

DRI stand for Dynamic Range Increase. Three RAW files are used to achieve this. Rather than using a software like Photomatix for instance, I simply use mask to blend, my own way, the light, dark and normal shot with Photoshop and Lightroom.. To me, It looks more natural than the usual HDR treatment that I would normally applied.

Merci pour les visites, commentaires, récompenses, invitations et favoris. S.V.P. n'utilisez pas mes images sur des sites web, blogs ou autres médias sans ma permission.

Merci!

© Tous droits réservés

Ma technique est toujours la même:

Trois prises de vue -2EV, 0, +2EV. Ensuite ajustement de la température de couleur avec Lightroom et usage de calques et masques de luminosités avec Photoshop. Retrait d'éléments de distraction avec l'outil tampon. Filtre High pass pour le rehaussement des détails. Ensuite saturation et contraste ajustés de façon sélectives et locales. Dodge and burn là où requis...

DRI vient de l'anglais Dynmic Range Increase, qui pourrait se traduire par étendue dynamique améliorée. Les même 3 fichiers RAW entrent dans la composition d'un DRI. Plutôt que de se servir d'un logiciel comme Photomatix qui fait tout le travail, je me sers plutôt de masques pour filtrer l'éclairage dans photoshop et Lightroom. De mon point de vue, cette façon de faire donne une image plus naturel que le traitement HDR que j'employais auparavant.

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Follow me on FACEBOOK

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WEBSITE .......: www.jeansurprenant.com

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My GETTY IMAGES work

Reposted from 2011 with a new scan:

Where it was postmarked is illegible, but it was mailed to an address in Hanover, Indiana. This card is embossed, with the embossing coming through the verso side. Beautiful penmanship even with the embossing.

expect rain

I wasn't expecting to see Highland Cattle in Wales, driving past this baby was so cute, with very protective family members surrounding him

Highland cattle (Scottish Gaelic: Bò Ghàidhealach; Scots: Heilan coo) are a Scottish cattle breed. They have long horns and long wavy coats that are coloured black, brindle, red, yellow, white, silver (looks white but with a black nose) or dun, and they are raised primarily for their meat. They originated in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and were first mentioned in the 6th century AD. The first herd book described two distinct types of Highland cattle but, due to crossbreeding between the two, only one type now exists and is registered. They have since been exported worldwide.

They are a hardy breed due to their native environment, the Highlands of Scotland. This results in long hair, giving the breed its ability to overwinter. Bulls can weigh up to 800 kilograms (1,800 pounds) and cows up to 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds). Their milk generally has a very high butterfat content, and their meat, regarded as of the highest quality, is gaining mainstream acceptance as it is low in cholesterol.

With 5 September 2009 expected to see the last ever loco-hauled FGW summer Saturday Bristol-Weymouth working, DB decided to bring the curtain down in style with superbly-presented 37670 and 37401 replacing the usual ‘top and tail’ Class 67s. An extra coach was added for the expected enthusiast element, but the service was still reported as ‘standing room only’ after Bath. The outward service is captured leaving Oldfield Park, a short distance west of Bath Spa. As it turned out, an ongoing shortage of DMUs would force FGW to continue with loco-hauled trains for another year, with the real finale of the Weymouth working coming at the end of the 2010 season - marked then with haulage by GWR lined green 57604.

SOOC. On a magic mountain anything could happen... such as snow at sunrise on April 19.

akeyphoto.com

instagram.com/rayakey

facebook.com/rayakey

I expect to pass through this world but once;

any good thing therefore that I can do, or any

kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature,

let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it,

for I shall not pass this way again.

H

"Expect Some Unicorns to Lose Their Horns, and It Won’t Be Pretty" by STEVEN DAVIDOFF SOLOMON via NYT t.co/Y4Ksyzhh8O (via Twitter twitter.com/felipemassone/status/689597401951256576)

Expect more Umbara builds from me in the future! :D

So yeah, I finally got some Dark Trans-Blue Lightsabers. And I decaled that 501st Trooper all by myself! Decals by Deanlego.

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed…Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.”—Henry David Thoreau, “The Succession of Forest Trees”

“As Emerson said, “There is one mind common to all individual minds.” Just as the acorn has a need to become an oak tree and the grape seed has a need to become the grapevine, so you will draw out of the Divine Mind whatever is necessary for your needs.”—Eric Butterworth, “The Creative Life”

this flower ripe

giving me a glimpse of eternity

of Divine providence,

grace,

that life will continue;

reminding me

of the God seed within us all

of the ripening Divine Light

that gives us wings

to be flowers of light

reminding me

of ideas simmering

ready to be launched.

praying all our hopes-and-dream-seeds

will find fertile ground

and blossom…

From The Boneyard

Oh hai girls and ghouls and welcome to your second judging!

Before we get started on judging your “crazy close-up” pictures lets re-fresh our memories on the judging criteria:

-Must be photographed from the waist up or closer (but not further away)

-Show lots of creativity in your background choices, styling and hair!

-This is a simple theme as I want to see creativity from you all

-Be prepared to take risks!

-Prove to me that I made the right decisions!

So let’s get started with Team Barbie and other fashion dolls and in no particular order we shall start with Verucca!

Sailorb1959 with Verucca; flic.kr/p/cENqZh

I really like this Verucca, I feel that your interpretation of the theme was very unique which was exactly what I was looking for! The use of the crown was certainly a big risk (mainly in the choice of word written on it which did make me chuckle) and I think it paid off!

P.K.L with Kenzie: flic.kr/p/cES5HC

I love how you took this outside (I believe you were the only contestant to do this) and you styling is so sophisticated and elegant and the bow and arrow give it a slight “warrior” feel to it. I love your hair it’s just so amazing and overall I find the more fantasy take on the theme really makes you stand out!

bratzjaderox with Aria: flic.kr/p/cFe3W3

Now this is really good and I like the kinda glam styling. I like the way you have such an attitude like you did in your audition but I just wanted this picture to be a little more exciting. I think you have a lot more to give and after having such a good audition I expected a little more from you. Step it up next time – I know you can do so much better!

Fabulousdolls with Gwen; flic.kr/p/cFiTfh

Gwen, your just oh so adorable! I love all the purple, love the fur, love the lighting, love the pose….basically I love this …just wow! I really like the direct eye contact; it gives it a real mood to the picture! Plus you really stepped it up from your audition picture! Very impressed!

Obsegebitz with Blake: flic.kr/p/cFb9Hy

I like this, your dress is really cute and the touch of glam with the belt is nice! I like the simplicity of it and I see that’s what you were going for, I just feel it needed something more, I can’t quite put my finger on it but there’s something missing!

And onto Team Monster High

BarbieCollectionXD2 with Juliet: flic.kr/p/cF3Ugf

This is seriously good! I love the bright prints and colours as well as your clothes and choice of hair style! The pose is nice as well and I like all the detail you’ve put into it. The vibrancy really makes you stand out, next time just try and have a little more eye contact!:)

NinaaunddiebarbiesXD1 with Ashley: flic.kr/p/cFbybG

I love the choice of outfit here and the amount of belts your wearing is just awesome! The background and your pose are also nice. I did ask for the shot to be from the waist up and this is shot from below the waist, not meeting a main requirement.

lena8137lena with Kate: flic.kr/p/cFUNF5

Hmm, now I like the background and the cute cat ears but that’s about it. The styling isn’t great at all and you haven’t taken your picture form the waist up. Step it up if you wish to progress in this competition!

Sabrina Saturn with Sabrina: flic.kr/p/cHdQtA

I love the futuristic take on the theme! I love the combination of the blue lighting and the blue hair. I love the metal bar thingy over your face and the clash between that and the rough background. Next time try and improve the photo quality as it’s a little grainy compared to your audition!

Dollywood with Celeste: flic.kr/p/cJABGs

I’m actually shocked! Honestly, this is awful. The scruffy hair, the bad outfit and un-interesting background just make it fail. Sorry but after your impressive audition this is huge step back. I understand you have been busy but you have to step it up.

Next up - Team Bratz

lola.a.you with Mia: flic.kr/p/cF8Ka5

This is a very impressive picture! I love how creative you have been with make-up choices and clothes (or lack of them) and then contrasting that with the bright white background. I like how you almost did the theme twice as you feature twice in this picture. However, the picture of you on the right isn’t as close-up and I would have liked but you’ve done a great job here!

S.U.N with Jenna: flic.kr/p/cJVo3h

Hmm now this shows potential. Your background and styling is nice and the profile view really works! The weirdness that’s going on around you head is a bit strange and it looks like you tried to edit the tape holding your mask type accessory on away. It’s a little messy but overall good job!

Anima with Scarlett: flic.kr/p/cK3Mdh

This is good! The way you have kept everything quite plain and let your beauty shine through is really nice and refreshing. The angling is nice and the dark background makes you hair stand out! It is a little grainy but I can appreciate that you couldn’t find your camera but I hope you can find it for future themes!

KitKat255 with Ava: flic.kr/p/cJS3UJ

I really like the background and your clothes as well as your glasses! However, I’m not so sure on your eye make-up editing it kinda looks like you have a black eye. Overall this is very good but I think your capable of a lot more!

Andifismoke and Cheryl did not do their photo and did not give me a reason as to why. Therefore Cheryl you are eliminated and no longer have a chance of becoming Flickr’s Next Top Model.

As SonyphotographyX3 with Jade initially auditioned for Team Bratz but made into the underdog team she shall be promoted into Team Bratz and her audition shall now be judged!

SonyphotographyX3 with Jade: flic.kr/p/cELDAS

I really like the use of the mirror as well as the use of lighting to create a mood within the picture. There is some huge grey splodge on the left side of the picture which is somewhat off putting. This shows a lot of potential if you step it up next theme!

Now for the second to last Team, Team Pullip

KawaiiBirdaii with Prue: flic.kr/p/cG7F2C

This is good and I like the glam approach to the theme but I just wanted a lot more glam! Your dress is nice and I love the little braclets and the picture is good I just think you could have made it a lot more glam and exciting!

~a*w~ with Brayleigh: flic.kr/p/cFaSzw

This really good! First of all I must say I love your new wig! Your background is nice and matches your outfit well and I love the little hair bows! Your pose is really cute but there is a weird fuzzy mark in your hair which appears to be editing – try and avoid this is future!

Candizx3 with Suki: flic.kr/p/cGeK63

I like how you are sleeping and this makes yours very different to everyone else’s photos! I like your styling and pose and the way this matches your personality. The lighting is a little dark, try and improve this for future shoots!

Allie~Chan with Kiyomi: flic.kr/p/cJwCF9

I love the gothic take on this theme! The spider web background and your black and white clothes look really great and I love the way you are touching chin as this makes you look very thoughtful and intriguing! Like your audition this is really good!

Myookat with Wren: flic.kr/p/cJFWJW

This is good but I felt your audition had a lot more impact! Personally I prefer your blonde curls instead of the straight blue/purple hair and I hope to see them back again next week. Your jacket is nice and the background texture is good but next week you need to get back to the standard of your audition at least!

And finally Team Underdog

MermaydProductions with Angelica: flic.kr/p/cGnDbh

This is really and truly great Angelica! Absolutely flawless! I just love every aspect of this and you seriously stepped it up from your audition! Great job!

Gagaluv! with Alice: flic.kr/p/cHodEN

I like how you background matches your eyes and your top/dress thingy is super pretty and your pose is nice! Truthfully, I preferred your old hair, its suited you better but other than that great job!

RagDollKitty with Imogen Ghoul: flic.kr/p/cFxxFf

This is really great, I love all the flowers in your hair and the bright lighting! Your clothes are really nice and altogether this is rather impressive! Great improvement from your audition!

Lillycat with Anna: flic.kr/p/cFxcQo

Honestly, I didn’t really like this. You are photographed from too far away and I don’t like your dress or bow! The bright background however does work very nicely but please improve for future themes!

Miss America 2011 with Meow-leory: flic.kr/p/cHGBPS

I like the way there is a lot going on in this picture! Your styling is nice, but you did wear that jacket for your audition (Try and avoid this in future) and I’m not sure on the scarf thing. I would have liked more of a pose but this really does show potential!

Now you have seen my thoughts on your “crazy close-ups” its time for your placings 1 being the best in your team and 5 being the worst!

Team Barbie and other fashion dolls

1. Fabulousdolls with Gwen

2. P.K.L with Kenzie and Sailorb1959 with Verucca

4. Obsegebitz with Blake

5. bratzjaderox with Aria

Team Monster High

1. BarbieCollectionXD2 with Juliet

2. Sabrina Saturn with Sabrina

3. NinaaunddiebarbiesXD1 with Ashley

4. lena8137lena with Kate

5. Dollywood with Celeste

Team Bratz

1. lola.a.you with Mia

2. Anima with Scarlett McCloud

3. KitKat255 with Ava

4. S.U.N with Jenna Smith

5. SonyphotographyX3 with Jade

Team Pullip

1. ~a*w~ with Brayleigh

2. Allie~Chan with Kiyomi

3. Candizx3 with Suki

4. Myookat with Wren

5. KawaiiBirdaii with Prue

Team Underdog

1. MermaydProductions with Angelica

2. RagDollKitty with Imogen Ghoul

3. Gagaluv! with Alice

4. Miss America 2011 with Meow-leory

5. Lillyycat with Anna

Overall my favourite picture from this theme was….. ……………………………………………………………… Fabulousdolls with Gwen and MermaydProductions with Angelica! Congratulations! I couldn’t choose just one of you, you both did such a great job!

Now next week’s theme is: Water

The requirements are

-Include water in your picture (obviously XD)

-Be creative – most of all that’s what I want from you all!

-Think carefully about your styling and hair!

-Be inventive in the way you use water, try and be different to other contestants!

Next week I will be eliminating two members from each team! Make sure you makes these pictures your best! Please can you post your pictures in the comments on this picture, tags can get rather confusing!

Deadline: Wednesday 15th August

Love DisneyKid96 xoxoxo

Entries!

Team Barbie and other fashion dolls

Gwen: flic.kr/p/cPjzUA

Aria: flic.kr/p/cNR637

Kenzie: flic.kr/p/cRHYbQ

Verucca: flic.kr/p/cS4T9b

Team Monster High

Ashley: flic.kr/p/cPkCxS

Juliet: flic.kr/p/cPzdME

Katie: flic.kr/p/cQ89mA

Julie: flic.kr/p/cQBMdL

Sabrina: flic.kr/p/cRDSvL

Team Bratz

Jade: flic.kr/p/cMGnd1

Ava: flic.kr/p/cNdN25

Jenna: flic.kr/p/cRf9fG

Mia: flic.kr/p/cSzWvC

Team Pullip

Brayleigh: flic.kr/p/cPKJ9y

Wren: flic.kr/p/cRsJR1

Kiyomi: flic.kr/p/cRURWf

Suki: flic.kr/p/cSAn19

Alice: flic.kr/p/cQSdvq

Team Underdog

Imogen: flic.kr/p/cNzskW

Angelica: flic.kr/p/cMzyqL

Anna: flic.kr/p/cPS1mh

Meow-leory: flic.kr/p/cRN2Uh

Rowan: flic.kr/p/cSxLWf

Nestled in the Balkans and draped in a fine powder of snow, the sovereign nation of Modora has survived for nearly four hundred years. It survived the great ravages of a Vandal Savage on the warpath, stood strong through innumerable winters, and joined the resistance when it was taken by Nazi forces during World War Two.

And although it had seen better days, the small nation still managed to crawl along. It’s inhabitants were content, and its economy stabilizing.

It would be astounding however, it Modora survived what happened next.

The green light we’ve all come to expect tears through the atmosphere, and dissipates in the cobblestone Modora streets. In its wake stands six figures in outlandish costumes. Their presence causes confused glances from the passerby.

Sonar: Ah, what is the expression? Home is the sweetest home?

Answer, behind him, still struggles in the grips of the Multiplexes.

Answer: Sure, if you’re an invalid.

Sonar turns and smiles. He takes a few steps towards Answer.

Sonar: Ah, our delightful Mister Answer. Welcome to my home. What do you think?

Answer spits: Looks like every other stick-built pile of mud the Europeans are so well known for.

Angle-Man: Who’s being racist now, eh?

Sonar: Quiet please, Bend.

Answer: You may as well just kill me now metalfingers, otherwise I promise to you I’ll be nothing but hell in a handbasket.

Sonar laughs: No, no. For now you remain alive. It is not that I need you, it is that you shall serve as the first public execution under my new rule. Mister Black, please release him. He can do no harm here. However, If he tries anything, do tear him limb from limb.

At this he ascends, rising up into the air above the ancient, shingled rooves. Below, Angle-Man, Agent Orange, and Multiplex watch him rise. The Answer however, glances briefly at Hypnota, and strokes his chin once. Hypnota strokes her own false beard once in return.

Above the rooftops, Sonar takes in the crisp mountain air, extends his arms, smiles, then releases a resounding shriek from the devices in his fingertips. The sound rattles beams, shatters windows, and causes ears to bleed. Somewhere in the distance, an avalanche plummets down a cliffside and crushes an old man’s cabin, sweeping him into sharp rocks.

In the throne room of the Modoran palace, a stained glass window, as old as the nation itself, depicting the great hero Sir Sheldrake slaying the great elder dragon shatters into infinitesimal pieces over Lord Fando’s head.

Fando brushes the glass from his hair. He knows exactly what this means. He’s been keeping up with American news. He knows exactly who’s here. And he does not want him living. Fando calls for his captain of the guard, and waits a full three minutes for him to clomp into the throne room. Madly, wildly, Fando begins to shout orders at him, until finally, the captain obliges and clomps back out. Steaming, Fando returns to his quarters and readies for battle.

On the streets, passerby have begun to flee in panic. Sonar descends again.

Sonar: Now, we are here to retake the throne of Modora. The throne that rightfully belongs to me. You will do as I say, and go where I point. Any disobedience, and you will be without head. And Mister Answer, do try and keep alive.

Answer grimaces under his mask, but uncharacteristically, says nothing. His silence throws Sonar off for a second, but the sounds of gunfire and the soft pat of bullets embedding themselves in the nearby building brings him back around.

Sonar: Please, for the sake of myself and your own health, try not to damage the buildings.

At that, Multiplex expands into six more of himself, three of which catch bullets. The Squad behind him bolts in all directions, and before he knows it, he’s diving into an alley. He knew he shouldn’t have tried to swipe those diamonds, he just couldn’t help himself, and now, thanks to Firestorm and his own lack of impulse control, he had an arm with a third degree burn, a bomb in his neck, and he was here in this random micro-town in the middle of nowhere. He hadn’t even checked to see if that permanent brand old hot-head had gave him extended to his dupes, and frankly, he was afraid to find out. Instead, he just sat in the corner, pumping out dupes after dupe as Sonar shouted overhead for more manpower. Danton Black’s life was one long string of regrets, and being here was certainly one of them. He shuddered every time another of him died.

Agent Orange’s eyes light up in fire. He watches has the thatch and bamboo huts go up in flame. Screaming children, thick little fists covering their eyes, roll in the steaming mud as women weep and bawl, and men shriek in pain, their limbs burned off by liquid heat. Behind him, the apaches strafe the tree line, causing the palm trees to go up in a molten ball of chemical death. He grins and clicks his flamethrower to life. Casually, he lights a wounded Vietcong on fire, and sighs contentedly as the man shrieks and his skin sizzles. Somewhere, someone is shouting for more water, more whiskey, more water, and another man wants to go surfing. Agent Orange does not miss California, and does not miss his friends. The coast life was never for him. But this stage, this theater of war, was everything he’d ever need.

Angle-Man ports forward, glad he at least brought a knife which rapidly finds itself embedded in the blue-uniformed chest of a Modoran solider. He ports just to the left so another is riddled with his own comrades’ bullets. He’s thrilled, honestly. Thrilled that he’s made it this long. That he never lost more than those two fingers. Thrilled that finally, finally his time served on this godforsaken outfit payed off. When Wladon had offered him this deal after that mess with that Witch woman, he was all too eager to accept. He expected it to happen sooner, but he understood why Wladon didn’t want Lawton or Harkness along. The bastards. Bend for one was glad to be rid of them. Two soldiers are sliced in half by his angle, and another gets the bullet treatment himself. It’s an old method, but tried and true. Yes, Bend was thrilled to be rid of Lawton and Harkness. Thrilled to be released from Waller’s iron grasp. Bend was looking forward to ruling this country.

The shells and bullets, and the one tank the Modoran Soldiers employed, were not unfamiliar to Hypnota. She was surprised that a nation of this size only had one tank, but she was also thankful. Another shell imploded to the right of her, and snapped her back to that crackling, resounding sound that took her brother. She touched her fingers to her head briefly, and sent a pulsating force through it quickly to move the memories past. She had to stop doing that, she noted, or the damage would be irreparable. Behind her, The Answer was cursing violently and creatively and nursing a bullet wound to the left shoulder. It was not the worst she had seen. As loud as he was, he would be all right. They nodded to each other, then Hypnota darted from her hiding place, blasting psychic waves towards a few nearby soldiers. She grimaced as the soldiers all turned and shot each other in the head. When oh when, she wondered, would all the violence end.

Sonar laughs aloud has he bursts the eardrums and shatters the brain matter of all the gunmen around him. He feels a hint of remorse, these were his subjects, his personal guard after all, and it was a shame to spill Modoran blood, but they were traitors, lapdogs of Fando, and thus, they had to be put down. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches Hypnota leap onto the army’s tank, and suggest the soldiers open the hatch, to which they oblige. To his left, Bend and Aparo burn and slash through the guards, and all around him, Multiplex surges through the streets. He breathes in the harsh smoke of battle, then rises towards the remains of a once magnificent stained-glass window. A hail of bullets explodes towards him, but he bats them away with pure sound. Gently, he lands on his tip-toes, then begins to strut forward, and with a horrid set of screeches, explodes the heads of Fando’s guards with pure shockwaves of sound.

Fando: не не! Познавам те, семейството ти е мъртво! немилост!

Sonar blasts the weapons from his hands, then grabs Fando’s head between his own.

Sonar: изглежда, че грешите

With one last resounding sound, Fando’s head is crushed by solid sound waves., his final terrified scream drowned out by Sonar’s exhausted apparatuses.

Sonar takes a deep, exhausted breath as Fando’s near-headless body crumples to the floor. He is Sonar no longer as he approaches the throne. He is Bito Wladon, ruler of Modora.

And now none would stand in the way of his rule.

I think you've lost your mind!"

some of my cats aren't as easy to convince when it comes to wearing a Santa hat and posing. Sometimes, with a little persistence, and a LOT of patience (and a few kitty treats) I can get them to cooperate.

There is NO negotiating with Dora however!

www.birdingdonana.com

Ok so … everyone makes a speech no? After all this work I’m entitled to one… mine is so long it’s almost silly… so sit back, relax and if you feel like it… read about my journey…

About my 365 Project…

At the beginning this project to me was just about photography, about learning… I seriously started this expecting nothing but later it turned into a place where I could open my heart and share my world, my fears, my happiness, my thoughts, my life… shortly I also discovered I was involved on many people’s lives… This is a project about “hearts connecting through an image” … and I’m thankful for the chance I got to share mine with you and the chance I got to get to know yours…

365 pictures? Yes... And I am proud….

I did not miss a day … some days I was really inspired and took a shot I was really proud of and some days, even when I felt I could not do one more shot, I stepped up and took a crappy one… so here’s to great pictures and to the courage it takes to post a crappy one. (here, here!!) The past month I kept my stream “friends only” … I faced some really hard times and didn’t feel the need to share my work with the whole fickr community … 12 of the pictures of this project will remain “private” … believe me they are crap so you’re not missing out on anything… they were just about me, not wanting to fail myself, trying to persevere even in the hardest of times…I’m going public for the first time in a while now… so if anyone would like to see the past month of my work FM and I’ll let you in… I took some nice pictures ;)

About comments and faves:

I remember I was so happy when I received my first comment… I could not believe someone would actually stop, take a moment, look at your picture and say something…. so I thank you for the time you gave me by looking at my stream.

… It’s because of that that I completed this project, as simple as that…

Thank you time:

I’ll thank that girl/friend/sister who found flickr, made me do this and helped with many of my pictures (Shelby), I’ll thank my family and friends who helped with costumes, stage, equipment, patience, encouragement and love… (Papi, mami, Nita, Miau, Joe, Pancho, Guayo, Nena, Haya, Nati, Jose, Toño….),I’ll thank a man who was a huge part of my flickr experience… he gave me themes, was patience enough to hear about flickr drama, cheered me up and even played part of some of my favorite shots of this year (Bas)

Now to my flickr friends :

I was fortunate enough to grab your attention at some point during this year… and you came back a second time, and a third time and after that you stood by my side… not only as contacts but as real friends who always had words of love and encouragement for me… Thank you for stopping by, for leaving a comment, for just viewing, for clicking “fave”, for sending a FM to see if I was OK, for inviting me to a group, for adding me as a contact, and for having me as a friend.

I can only hope to meet you guys one day for real… I’m sorry if I don’t say something special for each one of you – even though I know exactly what I would tell you – but I would literally never finish this …

I’ll mention you by your real name and not your flickr nickname cause by now you are real friends to me: Jordy, Henry, Sarah, Mike, Brad and Patricia, Abe and Liina, Ernie, Charlie, Kim, Eva, Vanessa, Jonathan, Rebecca, Lenna, Maite, Amanda, Anna, Rodrigo, Andrés, Julie, Grace, Billie, Sarah B, Amy, Ana Belén, Jonh and Charlotte, Scott, Deven, Christine, Kevin, Hannah…. Thank you guys I really grown to love each and every one of you…

And to all of you who I didn’t mention … but in one way or another were part of this journey… thank you so much ….

About what’s next?:

A year 2 for Maria? I don’t think so… my camera needs a break from me, but I’ll keep on taking pictures and I’ll keep on sharing them with you… I do have LOADS of pictures I want to try… and many things I need to learn, but I’ll do it at my own time, without the pressure of posting every day… Photography is my passion and that will not change… I’m planning on attending more serious photography courses and who knows maybe I’ll turn into a pro one day…I’ll take a much needed fickr vacation….but I’ll visit your streams…

If you stay here I’ll stay here… that much I can promise…

Last but not least... thank you God for one more year of life I was able to document in such a lovely way...

Bet if this was a speech for the Oscars the band would have started the music long ago to shut me up so I’ll just say goodbye… see ya guys soon!!!

My love to each and every one of you….

Maria

Take a minute to catch your breath. It's more than I expected...

Being up here ended in a police officer berating us and forcing us to leave the premises. On top of Athens, Georgia.

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In this hobby, I love how the most breathtaking scene can suddenly emerge from the most run down building or harsh industrial environment. This stairwell was shot in the basement area of a huge derelict power station. I love how the light picked it out but everything else fades so quickly into darkness.

Towards the end of 2000 and into early 2001 First attempted to rationalise its First Manchester and First Pennine operations. And, as might be expected, things went decidedly pear-shaped. It didn’t help that there seemed to be two totally different interpretations of what should have been going on from within different First management teams. And, if they had no idea, then what hope was there for the rest of us?

Now, First PMT in Stoke, who ran Pennine on their own licence, believed that First Manchester were loaning vehicles in to them to help out at Pennine, for which PMT were making internal payments, with a view to operations being fully transferred over to First Manchester control as of April 2001. However, this didn’t seem to be the view of the team at Walshaw Street, who straight away began absorbing the Pennine fleet by commencing repaints into First Manchester orange and renumbering the fleet by adding a random seven in front of the existing PMT three digit number.

What can only be described as chaos reigned for several months. Recording exactly which company was running what became virtually impossible, as both operators’ discs were passed around vehicles on an increasingly haphazard basis. In the end, the full takeover finally took place - with the PSV Circle recording the official date as 01/03/2001 to coincide with the final service registration transfers over from PMT to First Manchester. What had been happening in the interim could hardly be described as complying with the law.

Here we see First's one-off ex-Singapore Olympian, recently painted in orange and with interim fleet-number 7700. Sadly, she looks in a bit a state, with a missing destination blind and wayward wipers. Further identity crisis was also caused, as this particular vehicle retained Pennine branding under the driver's cab window at repaint.

Ashton, Wellington Road, 31/12/2000.

A window with birds from Sporon Hungary for Window Wednesdays.

Captured in the main old city square, late in the afternoon Oct. 2014 with an Olympus EM10 and edited this morning.

Expect more stuff tomorrow! This is just filler.

Enjoy! :)

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Shamlessly stealing this idea from Ballom.

I'll be at BrickfairVA just like I have been every year since it began. This year I currently have 23 MOCs registered, and more excitingly, 8 of the are new for this year! Let's see if I can get a few more done these last two weeks!

If you're around, come say hey!

Wasn't expecting to see some of these in Dover tonight, and these vehicles were on SouthEastern Trains Rail Replacement Services From Dover to Canterbury East and Faversham, and this was the best I could do in the dark as my camera didn't want to behave itself again.

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

We expected some changeable weather in our time at Bruny Island, and were not disappointed. But between the rain squalls the skies would clear and the sun come out.

"Slam"

The door shut behind Baker as he took in his, rather disappointing surroundings. Although he could only see the entrance hallway and a fraction of what he assumed was the living room of the dilapidated building, he had expected more from Christ.

His 'faith' was faltering.

"This is *Baker turned at looked at the face of...Jesus?*...the hell?"

"Is something wrong my child...you never told me your name."

Looking at the sweet, trusting face of Christ now Baker couldn't help but tell him his name. I mean, there's no way anyone could have a face that perfectly matches Jesus, right?

"Jacob Baker my lord, and it's well, well it's just that..."

"What is it my child," Christ said this in an oddly annoyed yet also anxious tone.

"For a second it looked as though it...it looked as though, wel-"

"What!" In his anger 'Christ's' face became oddly, not Christ-like.

"It looked as though there was a stain on your face. A velvet stain, a stain of...blood..."

"..."

"My lord?"

"Jacob, how do you feel when you see a nude woman? Or man depending on your disposition." *The man's face changed as he talked, it grew more, emotionless, and less kind."

"Well my lor- wait, what do you mean?" Baker noticed the changes in the man's appearence, he had started to grow uneasy.

"You know? A pretty girl with blonde hair? A woman in a bikini? Don't you feel lustful? We are animals you know...our primary urges are that of lust and...hunger...

"What the hell are you going on about? Who the hell are you!"

"Oh Jakey *the man's devilish grin and bloodshot eyes turned to that of a young women in her 20s or so. 'She' smiled sweetly at Baker and talked to him like a lovesick puppy* will you just pleaassse listen?"

"Y-yes. Wh-whatever you say..." Baker stared at the beautiful 'women' in lust and utter awe.

"So, when you see a beee-autiful women you feel lust right? For you the pleasures of flesh are sexual, riiiiight?" Her eyelids fluttered.

"Yaaaa, like how I look at you, heh." Baker acted drunk, or as though he had been shot by Cupid himself when looking at the absolutely jaw-dropping 'girl'.

"Well *'she' smiled sweetly and fluttered her eyelids again* do you know...how I feel?

"Howww?"

"Hungry..." The devilish grin of yellow teeth stained the bright scarlet color of blood returned. Along with the eyes of a predator. The eyes of a creature that had found a meal...

"What...what the hell! Get away from me *the creature grabbed Baker's shoulders and stared into his soul. While the creature was quite hideous, with scars and sharp teeth, his powers exaggerated these features, and other features, into the stuff of demon-spawn* get off of me!"

"I FEEL HUNGRY JAKEY! SO HUNGRY! WHEN I SEE BARE FLESH, I HAVE NOT SEXUAL DESIRES. NO, I ONLY HAVE HUNGGEEEER!

"Get awa-"

"A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, WITH GOLDEN HAIR AND CURVES, IS THE SAME TO ME AS A CHICKEN LEG, A DELICOUS PIECE OF MEAT THAT I'LL CHOP AND CARVE! THEN I'LL CHEW TO BITS AND SWALLOW! HA HA HA! SO DELICIOUSSSSS! THERE VEINS JUICY, THERE SKIN TENDER, THEIR HEART SUCCULENT WITH BLOOD!"

"Please...let me go..." Baker was no longer angry or surprised...he was terrified to the point of desperation.

"Heh *the creature's voice had grown quieter* That'a boy. Your fear seasons your skin with sweat, your eyes with salty tears, and you veins with adrenaline. Normally I'd pick on children you know, easier to scare...but alas...there tiny, little bodies never suffice. I still hunger. Now Jakey *the creature took out a knife and held it next to Baker's face as he licked his lips* time for proper introductions. I...am Cornelius Stirk, and I...am going to cut you to itty, bitty pieces. *Stirk laughed a horrible bone-chilling laugh. One that would make a hyena piss itself* So, let's get started, ha."

Stirk had played with his pray to long. He had forgotten to embellish his repulsive looks. Baker began to come to his senses. The only thing this man had was a knife, as far as he knew. And a metal knife wasn't going to end Baker's life. His powerless life. Baker still hadn't gotten his power.

"Let..go OF ME!" Baker struggle with Stirk and as Stirk tried to thrust the stainless steel knife at Baker's face, Baker shot out his arm to deflect the blow. But something much more interesting happened.

"Ha ha. Time for supper Ja-what? WHAT!"

For an odd reason, when Baker shot out his arm towards the knife, it had gone flying. Baker was mystified, then remembered his powers. Now free of Stirk's grasp he backed up against a wall, looking at his hands.

"No. NO! I WILL NOT BE DENIED A MEAL! *Stirk opened a cupboard quickly and pulled out a bright red fire axe* Come here...JAKEY!"

As Stirk approaches Baker, neither fear nor desperation went through Baker's mind. Only anger, and a thought. A thought that had the revelation that, if his powers really had worked...he could retaliate. Against the cops, other criminals, those who looked down on him, and many more. Then he looked at Stirk. Stirk had tried to kill, him, tried to eat him. Now...Stirk...would be a trial run of Baker's powers.

"Come here Jakey!"

Baker looked at Stirk. It was time to retaliate.

check out the rest of the expecting set www.flickr.com/photos/kayak1977/sets/72157594571031889/

Widely expected to depart London soon, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a shot of Arriva London VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2 DW268 (LJ59LXZ), pictured in Coulsdon on route 60.

With route 194 being one of the routes to be gaining new Wright Electroliners very soon, the 59 reg DW's at South Croydon, originally new to route 38 are expected to leave the fleet, most likely once the 194 moves to Thornton Heath.

”Talia?”

”Hello beloved.”

It’s….her…..Talia…..

”Surprised to see me?”

”A little. I knew you were in Gotham, I didn’t expect to find you in a hate rally of all things.”

”Well I’d hoped that you would have sought me out after the gift I gave you.”

”It was you who brought Jason out of his coma.”

”Once I knew all that my father was planning against you it was the least I could do.”

”You did more than enough for me the night you helped me escape.”

”That was over a decade ago Bruce.”

She says before abruptly freezing on the spot seemingly for no reason.

”Talia?”

”I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

The pitch of her voice raises slightly as a tear drops down her left cheek. She raises her right arm and touches the only part of my body not covered by my suit.

”So much has happened since you left Bruce. Everything changed.”

”I know Talia.”

My heart tells me that she’s telling the truth, but my mind can’t help but distrust her. If she was so desperate to see me surely she would have done so. Not to mention it’s all a little too convenient for my liking. Ra’s is due to attack Gotham in matter of days and Talia suddenly makes her presence known. The cynic in me says she’s nothing more than a trap desired to make me lower my guard. But I can’t help but trust her.

”I know about Damian.”

”Damian?”

”Our son.”

”How do you know about that?”

”How? He tried to kill me.”

”What? He couldn’t possibly have tried to kill you.”

”The scars tell a different story.”

Either this is an elaborate attempt to confuse me or Talia is genuinely surprised. No…it’s the truth….I can tell from her face. Her father may have trained both of us in the art of deception but we can both see through one another no matter how much we try to hide it. Hell she was able to do it when she first met me all those years.

”Bruce. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

”Our son, Talia. He tried to kill me.”

”But that’s not possible…”

”I have him restrained in my cave, I can assure you Talia it’s true.”

”But it can’t be our son……I…..I had a miscarriage before I could give birth….”

”What?”

A miscarriage? She can’t possibly have had a miscarriage. I ran a DNA match of Damian’s DNA with my own and Talia’s from the locket of hair she gave me. He’s definitely our son.

”After you left the League…my father….he wanted to destroy you. No-one had ever managed to escape the League before and he didn’t want to make himself look weak by not hunting you.”

”I gathered that when he sent my Uncle after me.”

”He sent Marcus after you?”

”Your father doesn’t seem to very forthcoming with you Talia.”

”He said that he left you be after you gave him all he wanted.”

”Alfred and I might disagree with him on that.”

”But then I lost him….I lost our son Bruce.”

”Then just who is this Damian then?”

”Damian?”

”The guy who has a DNA match for both of us.”

”…..How is that possible?”

”That’s what I was about to ask you.”

”My father told me our child died before he could be brought into this world.”

”He also told you that he had no quarrel with me before dispatching my own Uncle to take my life. You know better than to trust him Talia.”

”He….he can’t of….”

”I think I know what he did. I’m so sorry Talia.”

”He…..stole my own son from me….”

A tear falls down the right cheek this time as Talia quickly realizes the depths of her father’s deception. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling but I know just how painful it would be if I learned that my father had lied to me for over a decade.

More tears begin to fall down Talia’s face as she steps backwards to lean on the cupboard behind her. I take two steps forward and prepare to lower my cowl in order to comfort her. Before I can do so a loud bang echoes out in the street as a bullet smashes through one of the boarded up windows and hits Talia in the stomach.

”TALIA!”

The weather was expected to be decent but it was disappointingly cloudy when i arrived in the afternoon. A bit of half sun catches the 2C34 1435 Carlisle - Barrow-in-Furness as the cloud started to break 09/06/15.