Western New York Highway Sunset

© Igor Borisenko Photography. All Rights Reserved.

 

I shot this somewhere in Western New York State heading back home after Letchworth State Park in the fall and I just had to stop to capture this rural sunset beauty while it lasted. I purposely underexposed this single RAW shot by one stop to capture all the detail between shadows and highlights so that I could correctly process this scene. I have to say that I successfully processed this scene with high accuracy and without the use of any filters or any HDR software. I learned a new way to process these harsh light captures and I doubt you will ever see any more HDR images from me. I love this process so much more because of the very realistic representation of a given scene.

 

Once again... this is NOT an HDR image but a single RAW shot.

 

BTW... Today is May 11th and it is my birthday today. This year I get to celebrate the last year of my 20's! I decided to re-post this image to celebrate my birthday and my 20's going over the hill with that setting sun. I thought this image properly explains the occasion in a visual way. Cheers!

My camera has been doing a weird job of taking pictures lately, which explains why my uploading schedule has been wonky, but this is not so bad and also i don't see myself going out of my way to get another picture.

 

Anyways... here's another bus change that took place on June 15th: the route was extended back to St Pauls to retain connections following Route 388's curtailment to Liverpool Street. The link to Elephant and Castle has been cut off completely, Route 4 was only extended up to Blackfriars and Route 76 was rerouted via London Wall and Moorgate, away from Bank Station / Queen Victoria Street again! Permanently this time. This was to retain links for Route 4 which had been rerouted. And with all that I can honestly say, what a huge mess! i don't get the point of this AT ALL and of course you could probably tell that the extension isn't doing so well. I was only the passenger on board from Wormwood Street onwards and only passenger boarded at London Wall.

 

The route should've been kept at Elephant and Castle like it was before, since the cutback to London Wall, usage has significantly decreased and i don't think i've ever seen a full bus ever after the cutback.

Rothstein, Arthur,, 1915-1985,, photographer.

 

Instructor explaining the operation of a parachute to student pilots, Meacham Field, Fort Worth, Tex.

 

1942 Jan.

 

1 slide : color.

 

Notes:

Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.

Transfer from U.S. Office of War Information, 1944.

 

Subjects:

Flight training

Parachuting

United States--Texas--Fort Worth

 

Format: Slides--Color

 

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

 

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

 

Part Of: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Collection 11671-20 (DLC) 93845501

 

General information about the FSA/OWI Color Photographs is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsac

 

Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsac.1a34248

 

Call Number: LC-USF35-285

  

A Quandamooka man explaining the festival.

   

Today will be my weekly semi-formal day so I will do a double upload for my two different takes on this outfit. To reiterate what I have explained before, my goal with these semi-formal outfits is to be dressed nicely in at least a shirt and neckwear all day. If I do not work, I can still be nicely dressed but with more comfortable items of clothing such as jeans and oxfords that would be more appropriate for a day spent doing chores and relaxing, but still dressed in something proper.

  

Today the weather is bad so the first thing I have done is necktie myself with this cozy and comfortable sweater. Instead of jeans, which is my plan with my semi-formal outfits, I am going to stick with trousers and my usual high heels because shortly I will go to the bakery and purchase some bread and buns. Once I get home I will make myself breakfast and coffee, followed by checking my morning emails and catching up on the news.

  

After that I will tidy up my breakfast mess and do some general chores around the house, then watch a documentary on tv if I have the time. I have noticed that I tend to slouch sometimes when I eat or watch tv normally, but even having on a semi-formal outfit helps me sit more ladylike and I have come to appreciate that I have that encouragement to better my posture even when I am not wearing fully formal clothing. To me it is just one of those matters of personal pride to act with a higher standard for no other reason than self-respect. If I can achieve that with a comfortable sweater in addition to a nice collar and tie then all the better.

  

Before work today I will stop for lunch at my parents' house. I will change my outfit slightly for that by exchanging my sweater for my jacket. I like how these semi-formal outfits will be so versatile that I can simply change jeans for a skirt or a sweater for a jacket and I go from simply looking nice and proper to being dressed appropriately for work.

  

I have discussed expanding my wardrobe to more formal outfits in the future, but I also intend to expand it into this style as well. For now I will dress like this once a week, but I hope to increase that in the future as my schedule permits.

I'm - once again - sorry for my very long absence... I took these photos some time ago but I just didn't have time to edit them, mainly because I took part in a very important English competition (?? not sure if that's the right word but I'm to lazy to explain) and I had to study a lot... I got into the next stage, which is great, but means I have to study even more. I have kind of predicted this, though, so last week I made a series of portraits of my girls that I will be uploading in the next few weeks.

~~~~

The biggest problem I had while making this photoshoot was… posing the small white dog. It’s a part of Coco’s stock outfit. The idea of using it seems pretty stupid now but it looked great in my head somehow??

~~~~

Have a nice weekend everybody :)

 

Can you explain the rain ?

Can you explain the light ?

Can you explain the color ?

Can you explain yourself ?

So like last time, I will do a explanation of what happens in the story. Also if you want to check out the previous story in this universe, (Batman: Reflection) the is an album that you can check out. Anyways, here we go.

 

1: Unhinged

 

So this photo shows what Batman has been doing after the events of Reflection, he goes on a murderous rampage and kills all of his enemies.

 

2: Memories

 

Again like the last one, this is just to clarify that batman is going insane and killing everybody. Also the grin adds to the madness that he is into.

 

3: Decision

 

So when Batman is done killing everyone, he moves onto the people that care about him most. Gordon is on the GCPD building and Batman swings down and aims his gun at him. He is torn between killing him or not. I really didn't show the result of this, but I came up with the conclusion that Gordon was shot and killed.

 

4: Alone

 

So after Batman kills Gordon, he reflects on his past and who he has killed and if killing is the right thing. But his madness still is growing rapidly and he snaps out and heads to Wayne Manor

 

5: Home

 

So I'd say that Batman has been away from Wayne Manor and the Batcave for about 4 months. So Alfred is shocked to see Bruce with a gun that is aimed at him, Batman walks down the stairs to the Batcave...

 

6: Confrontation

 

So after killing Alfred, Bruce brings the limp body into the batcave and sees Robin standing by the Jason memorial. Robin turns to see Batman, and they fight. After a while, Robin grabs the gun and points it at Bruce's head. Robin sees a man of craziness and madness in the suit; Joker. Robin is dealt with the same decision that Bruce was with Gordon; To kill him or not. Robin grip tightens...

 

7: Silence

 

Robin shoots Batman and crys over his dead body, losing a mentor and friend. In the reflection of the Jason memorial, Joker is seen gazing down onto Robin...his next victim.

  

So I hope you guys enjoyed this mini series and like this abstract story style. I think I'm not going to continue it because of how this ended, but time will tell.

 

Thanks guys for support,

 

-LegoBatbrick

  

P.S This explanation isn't edited since I'm in a rush, so sorry for misspelling errors and incorrect grammar

   

To go along with the issue, here is the track for Issue 3. So if you care to, you can listen to it before, during, or after the read.

 

The Gift

 

"Daddy?"

  

Alan's eyes slowly opened, the light from the hallway illuminating his room. At the door of his room was his daughter, the two year old holding onto a small toy of the Flash. It's helmet had been torn off from play, but she still carried it everywhere.

  

"What is it, princess?" he asked, sitting up in his bed. His head turned to the clock on his nightstand, the hands pointing to 2:30 AM.

  

"I… I had a bad dr… drrr..."

  

"A bad dream, sweety?" he interjected, helping the girl with the word. She nodded slightly, looking at the ground. "C'mere."

  

The girl walked over to the side of the bed, Alan lifting her up and into the center of the bed.

  

"So, do you want to talk about it?" He asked, brushing his hand through her hair. "If not that's okay, sometimes they are really scary."

  

The girl was silent. Alan smiled slightly, glad she was able to fall asleep so quickly, lifting his hand to cover the two of them up.

  

"You left…"

  

Alan looked back down at the girl, tears in her eyes. "What?"

  

"Y-you… were like mommy… we put you under us… with the rock," she explained, her arms clutching onto the Flash toy much tighter. "AJ left too and I was by myself…"

  

"Jade…" he whispered, pulling her head closer to his chest. "I will never just leave you, princess."

  

"B-b-but mommy did," she whimpered. "I want you and AJ to stay forever."

  

Alan kissed her on the top of the head, letting go of the hug. "You won't ever need to worry," he reassured, pointing to her heart. "Even if we aren't together, I'll always be right here. Always."

  

"Resurrecting the dead?"

  

Jade stood atop her apartment complex's roof in her costume. Next to her was her brother, fully in costume aside from his mask. Both John and Guy had arrived bringing the news of the prophecy.

  

"It's something different every other Tuesday," continued Todd, sighing as he shook his head.

  

"They already brought back… brought back someone who meant someone to me," John informed, looking downwards. "They may send more, or people targeted to any of you."

  

Jade's body paled, her head pointing downwards. A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up, her brother smiling at her.

  

"Hey, it's… it's gonna be okay," he reassured, pulling his mask over his face. "We are heroes for a reason, for him."

  

Jade grew a soft smile, her eyes gaining a bright glow. "Right."

  

-^-

  

"AJ?" Alan asked, kneeling down next to his five year old son. The boy sat on the porch of their house, his elbows on his knees with his hands holding his chin.

  

"Hmm?" he responded, his lips narrowed and eyebrows tilted.

  

Alan opened his mouth to speak, but noticed the streaks of red on his face. "AJ, were you crying?"

  

"N-no…" he responded, turning his head away from his dad.

  

Alan frowned, placing his palm on AJ's cheek and turning his head to look at him, "Did something happen at school?"

  

AJ's lips began to quiver, the corners turning downwards into a frown. "I… dad… I…"

  

Tears began to run down his face, his body leaning forward to hug his Alan. Alan's eyes widened at the action, wrapping his own arms around the boy.

  

"A-at school… we had to… to draw what we w-w-would look like… when we grew up," the boy explained, his voice shaky. "W-when I drew mine… the t-t-t-teacher yelled at me… and threw it away…"

  

Alan felt anger boil in his stomach. Jade had shown him her drawing when she got home from school. He wondered why his son hadn't shown him.

  

"Why would she do that?" he asked, keeping his anger down. "I thought Mrs. Wall liked you two."

  

"It… I…" he started, stopping after each time he tried to speak. His head lowered, reaching into his pocket. Alan watched him pull the crumbled piece of paper out. "The older kids heard about it too… they kept calling me these mean names."

  

Alan took the balled up paper from AJ, unfolding it carefully. His face took on surprise as he viewed the drawing.

  

AJ, white hair and black eyes, stood holding hands with another stick drawing, it's hair brown and eyes blue. Under the drawing was the words "ME + HUZBEN".

  

Alan looked up to his son who was looking down at his feet. "They started calling me a fag and a sissy," he spoke, not looking up. "I don't know what I did."

  

Allen felt tears well up in his eyes, moving forward and hugging his son. "Nothing," he cried. "You did nothing wrong… nothing at all."

  

"But everyone said…"

  

"Don't worry about what everyone said, AJ," Alan spoke, smiling as he rubbed his shoulder. "I'll never stop loving you, no matter what you do or who you love. Never."

  

Todd's eyes traced the moving object that flew through the sky, a trail of blackness following close behind. He felt a pain in his chest as he watched the figure land a rooftop away from them.

  

"Is it…" Jade asked, looking across the rooftop.

  

"It's him," he responded, removing his hands from the inside of his cloak. "It's time."

  

Both Guy and Hal stepped in front of his sister and him, Guy turning his head back, "We got this, you two… you can sit this one out."

  

"No," Jade responded, lighting up both of her hands, "this is our fight."

  

"We may not have been able to save him before," started Todd, shadows welling around his feet, "but we will save him from the reaper."

  

-^-

  

Alan stumbled as he walked through the darkness of the cave. The only light source he had left was the glow of the torch-lit lantern he had brought with, but the area it shined on was small.

  

A week had gone by since his ring stopped working. It had never happened before, but the power completely stopped, the rings glow even disappearing. He tried powering it by the sun, by electricity. He even had Jay take it across the world to see if someone could help.

  

This was his last idea. Go back to the cave where he originally found it. Back then, he grabbed the ring and left, the lantern getting left behind, maybe it had something to do with it?

  

As he stepped into the deepest part of the cavern, a chill went down his spine. In front of him was a pentagram, at the center a pedestal with the green lantern sat on it. When he had retrieved the ring, the pentagram came to life, the ring slipping onto his finger being the only reason he got out in time.

  

This time wouldn't be the same though, he didn't have the ring.

  

He took cautious steps forward, his right foot crossing the edge of the bloodstained drawing on the floor. He gulped the lump in his throat down as his other foot crossed, his full body now encompassed by the pattern.

  

As his hand reached forward, he felt a chill once more. A voice in his head screaming for him to turn. To let go of the battery and leave the cave. To go home to his kids and never worry about the ring again.

  

It's what his conscience told him to do, and what he wanted to do. Things didn't happen as he wished them to. He felt the ring on his finger light up, pulling his hand forward. Before he could stop it, his hand took a hold of the lantern.

  

The pentagram roared to life, the blood flowing a fiery red. Before he knew it, Alan saw nothing. Pure blackness… nothingness.

  

Nothingness. Blackness. A void of darkness gnawing at his soul. It's what he felt. Powerlessness and helplessness. He felt as if he were floating, drifting through a starless night sky.

  

The last thing he could remember was the agonizing pain. The feeling of his arm being bursted from the inside out. He also can remember the feeling of… accomplishment, of fulfillment. He can't remember why though; why his heart feels full and empty at the same time.

  

He was fighting someone now, though, but he couldn't tell who. A sun and a moon, both radiating energy of purity. The sun felt warm, positive, and compassionate; the moon felt thoughtful, calm, and protective.

  

They reminded him of someone, but he didn't know who. He wanted to know who.

  

Who were the sun and moon?

  

-^-

  

Todd launched forward a shadow that wrapped around his father's torso, the corpse bursting free with his power ring.

  

John wiped the sweat from his forehead, panting audibly. Alan was much stronger than Tommy was, which meant some semblance of power had to transfer from when they were alive.

  

"Is he… done?" John asked, looking down at Tommy's corpse. Guy had the body pinned to the ground by the waist, keeping it from attacking.

  

"No," he replied, creating a blade construct. "Hal said removing the ring from it's body will… put it back to rest."

  

John lowered his head, nodding. Guy lowered the knife construct, cutting the ring finger from Tommy's hand. A screeching noise echoed from the ring as it melted like a candle, the black liquid vaporizing into the air.

  

"Johnny?"

  

John looked up to see Tommy looking up at him. "I thought you said…"

  

"That's what Hal told me," Guy responded.

  

"Heh, so 'dis is what was goin' on, eh?" Tommy asked, slightly chuckling. "I was wondering what was going on."

  

"Tommy… are you… you?" John asked cautiously.

  

"I'd hope so," Tommy responded. "Don't know who else I'd be."

  

John felt a smile crawl into his face. "Tommy you're…" he started before his eyes glanced down to his feet. Tommy's feet were gone, his legs slowly crumbling into a pile of dust on the floor.

  

"His body's turning to ash," Guy said, turning to look at John.

  

"Huh, guess I am, huh?" Tommy asked, once again chuckling. "Guess 'ya only get one shot at life, eh?"

  

"Tommy… I… I'm sorry," John pleaded, dropping to his knees, grabbing onto his hand. "I'm so, so sorry."

  

"Fa' what?" Tommy asked, raising one of his eyebrows.

  

"I… I let you die!" John shouted, his eyes leaking. "I…"

  

"Aye, Johnny," Tommy called as his hand and torso added to dust, "I ain't gonna forgive 'ya, cause there ain't no reason t'be sorry."

  

"But…"

  

"Heh, see 'ya 'round, GL," beamed Tommy as his head turned to dust, the last expression on his face a smile.

  

John lowered his head, his tears dropping onto the floorboards.

  

They needed to remove the ring from his finger, but they couldn't even get close to him. His ring mixed with the starheart gauntlet was too overpowering, even for all four of them.

  

"This isn't working," called out Guy, recovering from being blasted into the pavement. "We need to break through that gauntlet's defense!"

  

"Obsidian! Jade!" John yelled, gaining the two's attention. "You two have to get that gauntlet, our rings are useless against it!"

  

"It… it hurts…" she responded, looking done. "To fight him… it hurts."

  

"He did everything for us…" Todd agreed, dropping to a knee. "He…"

  

"I know that, but it's not him!" John shouted back. "Your father was a hero, a damn good one at that. He gave his life to make sure you two could live on, so you could save the lives that he couldn't."

  

Jade looked down, tears dropping from her eyes.

  

"Even if we aren't together, I'll always be right here. Always."

  

Todd's cloak fell over his shoulders, his fist clenched.

  

"I'll never stop loving you, no matter what you do or who you love. Never."

  

"You're the only two who can stop that power because it's yours!" he asserted, pointing to Alan. "The gift he gave to you, so use it!"

  

"On it!" "Right away."

  

The two flew forward, each in opposite directions around the corpse. Jade's fists glowed brighter than before, Todd's shadows the blackest they'd ever been.

  

"For dad," the two muttered simultaneously.

  

-^-

  

The sky felt… lessened. When he reached out, he could feel things. He could feel the moon hold onto him, the sun beaming. The feeling was… familial.

  

As the sky cleared, so did his vision. Things were more visible. The moon started to shift, from the grey rock to a black and blue human. The sun did the same, but green and white.

  

The familiarity felt like… kin. Like… children.

  

The fog was gone. The black smoke clouding around him and his thoughts cleared.

  

He was in his body, even if he could not move it. He could see out of his eyes, even if he could not choose where to look.

  

He could feel.

  

As he attempted to move his arm, he heard a clatter. Looking down, he saw the chain linked from his wrist to the platform he knelt on.

  

Both arms were chain down, his ankles locked into the platform as well. Two chains that shot from his neck down his chest and back kept his head locked in place. He was trapped, purgatory once again.

  

'Jade! Todd,' he tried to shout, but he could not open his mouth, it was nailed shut. He was locked in place, forced to watch his children fight for their lives.

  

Against him.

  

-^-

  

Jade dipped under a blast from the Starheart Gauntlet, soaring through the air firing back energy blasts. Todd pushed his hands forward, two shadow hands reaching for Alan.

  

The corpse cut the shadows in half with the gauntlet, blasting back Todd in the process. As Jade swooped down for a surprise attack, Alan used his black ring to create a hand, launching her away.

  

"We aren't strong enough, even together," Jade exclaimed, looking to her brother.

  

Todd kept his head down, breathing heavily. "I… still have one… one more card up my sleeve…"

  

As he spoke, Todd brought himself to a stand, clasping his hands together. His eyes closed inside of his mask as he took a deep breath.

  

"Shadowlands… I call upon your power," called Todd, his feet encompassing in darkness.

  

"Todd?"

  

Suddenly, Todd screamed, his body being encompassed by darkness. The shadows, vantablack in color shot into the sky, their shape taking on Todd's own.

  

-^-

  

'TODD!' Alan attempted to scream, once again being stopped by his shit mouth. He stuggled immensely against the bindings, needing to free himself. He had to help save the…

  

"Nekron's Curse: Sky of the Damned."

  

Alan focused his eyes to the real world, watching his body raise it's left hand and uttering the words. Out of the black ring emerged the black goo, it's shape slowly forming into that of an eight pointed star. The gauntlet on his right hand lit up, green energy feeding onto the star. As the star turned green, a ring circled around.

  

The star shot forward, ripping through the gigantic shadow that Todd had created. The agonizing scream caused tears to fall down Alan's eyes, watching as the shadow disappeared back into Todd's body.

  

As his body floated towards them, he could see Todd lying on the rooftop, barely holding himself up. Jade was stood in front of him, her eyes glowing, but tired. Hurt.

  

She still stood.

  

His vision flashed to them younger. To Jade standing in front of Todd on the floor, fending off the bullies he'd attracted. Defending her brother from pain.

  

He was that pain.

  

He pulled on his left arm again, the chain clattering. He pulled again, using all the strength he could.

  

'For them,' he screamed into the nailed metal. 'I can't give up!'

  

He pulled, harder. He had to. He had to get out. He couldn't give up, not when they were in danger.

  

He had to save them.

  

It was the next time he pulled when he felt a burst of energy course through him. He pulled again, feeling the energy flooding through his body like a current of electricity.

  

"Alan Scott"

  

Alan's eyes shifted, widening at the sight in front of him. Floating idly in the void was a glowing green shark, it's eyes pure white.

  

"You have exhibited a willpower strong enough to be detected by Ion.

  

Alan watched as the shark floated towards him. As it made contact, he began to feel the energy, stronger than it was before. It was pure. His strength felt insurmountable, unstoppable.

  

As he flexed his arms, the chains changed, the black color fading into a bright, powerful green. He pulled again, snapping the chains like twigs. The locks over his ankles crumbled as he touched them, as did the collar around his neck and metal over his mouth.

  

As he stood, he raised his hand, his mouth moving on its own.

  

"In brightest day,"

  

-^-

  

Jade stood in front of Todd. His attack… it failed. Their dad burst through the shadow instantly with his attack. The blast knocked both John and Guy down, leaving her the last standing as they recovered.

  

She readied her arms to fight as her dad landed on the rooftop they were on. Her hands lit up bright, but the energy faded moments later. All of her energy was used up in the fight.

  

As Alan raised his arm, she closed her eyes.

  

"In brightest day,"

  

Jade raised her head, watching as Alan's body twitched, his left hand shaking.

  

"In blackest night, no evil shall escape my might," spoke Alan, the scratchy voice it had filtering out. His hand became steady, the black ring cracking to reveal green light.

  

"Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power…"

  

The explosion of green energy caused Jade to shield her eyes, the brightness unrivaled. As she moved her hand away from her eyes, her face was struck with awe.

  

"Dad?"

  

Stood on the rooftop, green energy swirling around him was Alan Scott, his hair and skin restored to their natural colors. He wore a red sweater and green pants, red boots running up her legs. Around his neck hung a purple cape with a collar to match.

  

His right hand wore the Renegade Gauntlet, it glowing more vibrant than before. On his left hand sat a green lantern ring made of pure energy, it's glow shining as bright as the central battery on Oa.

  

"Green Lantern's Light."

Moa nahele, Flat-stemmed whiskfern

Psilotaceae (Whiskfern family)

Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island)

Photo: Hawaiʻiloa Ridge Trail, Oʻahu

 

The Hawaiian name Moa nahele literally means "forest chicken." Moa is chicken, referring to a chickens' comb, and reference to the fronds. Nahele is forest.

 

It is less common than Psilotum nudus in the islands, but still easy to find in the right environment.

 

Early Hawaiian children would play a simple game of moa nahele (lit., chicken vegetation). Plants in Hawaiian Culture explains how this game was played: “Two children sat or stood facing one another, each holding a branched stem of moa. These they interlocked and then slowly pulled apart until the branches of one broke. The other child, without broken branches, was the winner and announced his victory by crowing like a rooster (moa).” One of the names ʻoʻō moa in fact means "cock's crow."

 

Moa was also used in lei making by early Hawaiians.

 

Moa (Psilotum spp.) was used for kūkae paʻa (constipation) in newborn babies and elderly men and women. It was also mixed with other plants to treat akepau (tuberculosis, consumption), and various respiratory conditions. Additionally, extracts from moa were used as laxatives. The yellow spores were used for diarrhea in infants and used like talcum powder to prevent chafing from loincloths.

 

Etymology

The generic name is from the Greek psilos, naked or smooth, alluding to the smooth aerial stems without leaves.

 

The specific epithet complanatum is from the Latin complanatus, flattened, in reference to flattened stems of this species.

 

nativeplants.hawaii.edu

 

Now I was in the camp’s main building. I seemed to be a giant underground complex. Everything was dark. Not a single light was shining. I reached out with the force. I could sense something. It seemed like a human being..or many of them. The feeling wasn’t strong, just enough for me to feel. It was coming from somewhere deeper in the complex. That was the place I needed to go. I went down a corridor, always trying to feel what was infront of me, because I couldn’t see anything. On my way I noticed that not a single door was blocking my way. What was going on here and what happened ? Too many questions and less answers. Then suddenly I felt something new. Like an electric shock coming nearer with enormous speed. Just a fraction of a second later the lights began to glow. I was really surprised. I had never been able to feel such little, unimportant things before. Mabye something on this planet made me stronger in the force or I was just going paranoid. In the green glow of the lights I could finally see what the complex was like. I was standing in a long corridor, doors to both hand’s sides. The room on the left seemed to be a simple stockroom, the other one was looking like another hallway. I feelt that this one was the direction to go. Now I started to run, because the feeling I had at the entrance got stronger. Now I could feel more. Not just that there were human beings, I could also sense their fear. But fear was not the only thing. There also were hate,

determination and greed, immeasurable greed. I also could feel something else, something that didn’t feel as a human at all. Thinking about all this didn’t stop me from running. Now I was led by my instincts, trained actions that you can‘t forget. It was just like the missions with my master. He always tought me to trust my feelings. When we hunted down smugglers on Nar Shadaa, we did exactly what I did now, finding an individuum just by it’s personal feelings. I did always cought the smugglers. They never escaped. The archologists wouldn’t escape,too. There was only one problem with this technique. It was dangerous when you got your target. What should you do with it ? The masters in the tempel always said this technique concludes many aspects of the dark side. I had never been good in controlling my feelings. I hoped I could controll them this time. Suddenly I found myself at the end of the long hallway, standing just infront of a closed security door. I could sense the humans in the next room. But how should I get through the door ? I looked around. There was a controll panel nearby. I went over to see what I could do with it. I didn’t know any security codes, so I just used an old trick. I cut off the panel’s covering with my knife and searched for a special cable. There it was. I cut through it. The door started to open slowly. I could see the frightened archologists in the other room. Their faces were filled with fear. Good ! They had some explaining to do...

 

_____________________________

 

My fourth MoC for The Jedi Order ! I just love these trans green bricks !

 

I hope you like it !

 

Here we go. Time to explain what's happening. At least, the little that I actually know. Didn't really want to leave my sister like that, but I have to clear the air with Alicia, before a misunderstanding turns into something worse. Knocking on the door, it takes about a minute before anyone answers. Footsteps approach the door, and sure enough, Alicia's the one who opens the door, dressed in a plaid shirt and skinny jeans. Thankfully they aren't of the ripped variety, which I honestly think is one of the more pointless trends.

  

"Got here as soon as I could. Had to make a pitstop along the way to get changed." Alicia nods in response, but avoids direct eye contact. Yeah, that's not a good sign.

  

"Alicia, whose at the door?" Her father, John, asks noticing the front door open and close from inside the living room.

  

"Don't worry dad, it's just Chris. We'll be up in my room, so you can get back to watching the Chiefs game." Alicia replies, before she grabs hold of my hand, and starts walking up the stairs.

  

"Sorry to interrupt Mister Baker." Is all I say with a wave, as I follow Alicia up the stairs. There, at the end of the hallway, is her room. Going in there, for the first time. Wish it was under better circumstances though. Alicia shuts the door behind us, and sits down on the bed. As I sit down beside her, my thoughts are going a mile a minute, trying to figure out what to say first.

  

"It all started when the three of us went to the club Zero. After you went inside, me and Kara were attacked by what I'm assuming now are clones. Kara's doppelganger wore the exact same costume, which made trying to help her during the brawl very difficult. In the ensuing battle, Kara was critically injured, while I got off lucky with only bruises. So I haven't been to school since we got back from winter break." Alicia's expression quickly changes upon hearing me say this.

  

"So, what you're saying, is that I helped clones of you and Kara take down Kryptonite Man, and now they're parading around as the two of you at school?" She asks, trying to understand this strange situation.

  

"Pretty much, yeah." I say with a sigh.

  

"That surprisingly makes a lot of sense. Now I feel kind of stupid for being mad. Will Kara be okay?"

  

"Honestly, I'm not really sure. Only time will tell. Just have to hope for the best." I can't stop myself from shaking, but Alicia pulls me close, which helps to calm me down. My heartbeat slowing down to normal, as we sit there, arms wrapped around each other.

  

"Everything's going to be okay Chris. Your sister's one of the strongest people I know. She'll fight through this, and come out on top."

  

"It just hurts, knowing I could've stepped in, but didn't. Which is why clearing up this misunderstand was important to me. So I'm sorry for whatever that jerk of a doppelganger did to you. I hope you know that I'd never do anything to hurt you. I care about you so much, and I'd be an idiot to jeopardize what we have. I - love you, Alicia."

  

"You just said you loved me.. Can safely say this isn't the way I was expecting today to go, but I'm glad that it did. While we're on the subject of being honest with our feelings, I love you too, Chris Danvers. " We kiss, and all my worries go away, at least for a moment.

  

"I think I'm gonna tell my parents that I have powers tonight, at dinner. You'll stay, right?" She says, pulling away from the kiss.

 

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. Please tell me we won't be having rice for dinner."

 

"Okay. We won't be having rice." She giggles, before interlocking her hand with mine.

 

"Thank you." I simply reply, before I catch up on the latest school gossip.

 

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

Hours Later

Here I am, at the dinner table, sitting beside Alicia, being the supportive boyfriend. Before we eat, Mr. Baker takes a moment to pray. Different from what I'm used to, as prayer to Rao looks drastically different, but it seems important to Alicia, so I'll go with it. Thankfully, it isn't rice. Perogies, and farmer sausage, with cooked onions ontop, yum. Mrs. Baker notices how much I'm enjoying the food, and keeps making more. One of my favourite foods I've had on Earth, easily. While we eat, I make small talk, about a wide range of topics. Alicia's little brother, Noah, tells us about his day at school, and his hopes for a snow day sometime soon. Probably not gonna happen until February at the earliest, but hey, a boy can dream. Thirty minutes pass, and Alicia looks at me, slightly squeezing my hand with hers, before looking at her family.

 

"So, there's something important I have to say. I've been too scared to bring it up, mostly due to how you may react. At the end of the day, I'm still the same person, so please, don't get mad." She says, her heartbeat speeding up. They'll finally know the truth, and I'm sure they'll love her the same as they always have. Her father's looking a little more worried about this than her brother, or mother.

 

"You're--?" Mr. Baker says, before getting cut off by Mrs. Baker.

 

"John.." Mrs. Baker says with a glare, which is enough for him to stop talking.

  

"I have, powers. I've been able to teleport for as long as I could remember. One of those metahumans, always talked about on the news." Alicia says cautiously, as she stands up with her eyes focused on her parents.

 

"Thank goodness!" Mr. Baker replies, with a sigh of relief.

 

"We were worried you two were getting married. While we hope for that day to eventually come, now's not the time." Mrs. Baker pipes up.

 

"Wait, so you're not mad?" Alicia says, shocked.

 

"Of course not honey. We love you no matter what.. You're our daughter. Besides, we've known about your abilities, before you even realized them. It wasn't hard to connect the dots of your constant disappearances when you were younger." Mrs. Baker says, laughing at her last remark.

 

"Why didn't you say that you knew?" Alicia grumbles.

 

"We figured that you would tell us when you were ready. Looks like we were right." Mrs. Baker says, trying to reassure her.

 

"I'm honestly surprised you thought we'd react poorly to the news. I mean, your uncle Buddy, is a superhero for crying out loud! The Animal Man!" Mr. Baker gushes. Alicia's taken aback, as she stays silent for a minute or so.

 

"You're staying surprisingly quiet, Noah. What are your thoughts?" Mrs Baker asks.

 

"Soo awesome!! My sister's a superhero! It's too bad her boyfriend here isn't so super. Really out of his league with this one." Noah teases, getting out of his seat, and dashing into the other room, expecting me to chase him down.

 

"Hey, I can't argue with that. She's definitely out of my league." I say with a smirk, as me and Alicia sit back down, and continue talking for a few more minutes.

 

----------

The doors creak, as we open them, leading into the barn. Walking up the steps, there's a telescope standing by the window. The setup reminds me a lot of the barn on the Kent farm. Even the telescope feels familiar. Almost kind of trippy, if I'm being honest.

 

"Huh, didn't know you had a telescope" I say looking over at the telescope.

 

"Yup! Anytime I'm feeling down, I come here, to look at the stars. They're so beautiful, as they dance across the midnight sky, it's enough to make anyone forget their problems. You can even see Orion from here." She leads me towards the telescope, and motions for me to look when she finds Orion.

 

"Woah.. Never knew you were into this kind of thing."

 

"To be fair, you never really asked. There's so much beyond our understanding. Like we know of some different planets, but there's still so much that's undiscovered." She grins, her teeth showing. This leads me to thinking about how I haven't told her about Krypton.

 

"Yeah.. That reminds me, I haven't really told you who I am. I mean, I've told you about likes, and dislikes, but my past, I've avoided. It's hard for me to even think about it, given recent events, but I figure I should tell you everything, since you were so brave with your parents earlier."

 

"Ookay?" Alicia says, unsure of how else to react.

 

"First off, my names not Chris Danvers. I mean it is, but that's not my birth name. My birth name is Cry-El. Me, and my sister Kara Zor El, were born on the Krypton, much like Superman was. Pretty obvious, given the same symbol we all wear, but he's our cousin. My parents sacrificed themselves, so that me and Kara could live, leaving Krypton behind, as it was destroyed. Left adrift in space for years, we would eventually crash-land here on Earth, in Leavenworth. The rest is pretty simple, as Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers adopted us somehow, and we've tried to fit in ever since."

 

"Well this doesn't change anything, if you were worried about that. You're still Chris Danvers, the guy who has saved my life countless times, and the guy who I trust more than anyone. I love you for all that you are. I'm sorry for what happened with your parents, and Krypton. I couldn't imagine what that's like. What I can say though, is that it's molded you into who you are.. The same guy I fell in love with. You make the best of things, giving the people of this city hope along with your sister, much like what your cousin does in Metropolis. No one, not even evil clones, can take that away from you. Also, yes, you being related to Superman was pretty obvious, but I'm glad you said something anyway." Alicia says, consoling me as we stay here, in each others arms. We both let it all out there today, and I'm glad we did. Cleared the air, and we're stronger for it. I'll worry about all my current problems tomorrow. For now, I'll live in the moment, being around the girl I love, Alicia Baker.

You go, Pez stormtrooper!

 

Since this photo was taken, an even larger stormtrooper has been spotted.

 

Photo shot for the Flickr group 7 Days of Shooting.

 

Part of my Stormtroopers series.

I've posted this photo mostly to explain why I've gone on an 'adding contact' spree this morning. And here's why:

 

I get a lot of people adding me as a contact, mostly because of tumblr and weheartit and bookmarking sites like that. I know that most of those people are just bookmarking my profile, not actually adding me as a contact who they hope to talk to and interact with, so most of the time, I don't add people back. Today, however, I felt like I should change that.

 

I went through my list and added the people I see that usually comment, or that I've talked to or interacted with in some sort of way. I am open to add more people, but only if I know your name, you know what I mean?

 

I'm also planning a testimonial exchange, but that's business for another day. :)

 

So, if you have added me as a contact and actually want to have some sort of contact, but I haven't added you back, let me know through flickrmail! If you're a new friend, you can mail me as well! I'm in the mood to make friends, so let's all be happy, shall we? :D

  

Burning down our own green lung - on purpose. How would we explain that to an interplanetary visitor?

 

Brandrodungen unserer grünen Lunge. Wie würden wir das wohl einem außerirdischen Besucher erklären?

 

Credits: ESA/NASA

 

892_7644

20200523-DSCF2383-Edit

Don't ever try to fight against my girl :)

 

@VGP Universal Kingdom - Chennai - India

Donald Trump opened a Pandora’s Box when he and the Republican Party politicized the coronavirus. When he called it the “Kung Flu” and the “Wuhan Virus,” racists attacked Asian-Americans. As a new virus, we have no natural immunity. But Trump refused to heed the warnings to social distance and wear masks, playing down the severity of the disease for political gain. Instead, he promoted fake cures and dismissed science experts. His acolytes followed suit. Rather than follow the science, right-wing charlatans continue to tout fake COVID cures. Only recently has Trump promoted vaccines and boosters (in part to separate himself from potential presidential rivals like Ron DeSantis). Other GOP lawmakers have privately protected themselves while publicly refusing to convey the importance of being immunized. And over 800,000 Americans have died.

 

People reacted with anger and pseudo-science theories when President Biden first appealed to Americans to “get the shot.” Incentives encouraged vaccinations. While these motivated some, it was much less than needed to reach herd immunity. With vaccination rates lagging, President Biden forced the issue with mandates for businesses with over 100 employees. And now conservatives on the Supreme Court have overruled those.

 

Adam Galinsky, a professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School, recently wrote about the “psychology of regret” and its effect on vaccine hesitancy. “Alongside skepticism of institutions and experts, exposure to misinformation, and other often-cited reasons for resisting vaccines sits a clear emotional explanation: Many people are afraid that they’ll make a bad decision.” Fear can cause people to hesitate, no matter what the incentives might be. It may not seem rational, but many put more weight on the negative ramifications of their decisions than on any potential positive outcomes. They assign their actions greater importance than the consequences of not acting.

 

Ironically, this sense of regret explains why mandates have been so successful. When Biden first announced these mandates, the largest police union in New York City went to court to block them. They said they would lose thousands of officers who would quit rather than get inoculated. In reality, only three dozen officers ended up refusing. United Airlines instituted its mandate, and 99% of its workforce is vaccinated. This week they reported no deaths due to COVID. Mandates take the decision-making out of the individual’s hands. With the fear of making a wrong decision eliminated, most get vaccinated.

 

One of the most inane and insensitive protests over these requirements comes from those who show their opposition by wearing yellow Stars of David. Nazis required Jews to wear these stars with the word “Jude” at all times. Today’s protesters liken vaccine mandates to the persecution of Jews during World War II. They equate vaccination requirements with being sent to the gas chamber. At least, they say, it’s a slippery slope. They wear these stars as badges of resistance. However, Nazis forced Jews to wear them as signs of exclusion and disdain, signifying they were less than human. This false equivalent insults all Jews and their families who suffered during the Holocaust.

 

In June 2021, Jim Walsh, a Republican Washington State Representative, posted a video on Facebook showing him speaking to a group of conservatives while wearing the star. Posting on the social media platform, he said, “It’s an echo from history. In the current context, we’re all Jews.” We’re all Jews? During the Charlottesville protests, neo-Nazi’s chanted, “Jews will not replace us.” Now people are using the symbols of our annihilation to protest vaccine mandates. We’re tired of being used as scapegoats by neo-Nazis and examples of persecution by anti-vaxxers.

 

On November 14, 2021, anti-mandate protesters displayed the swastika and the yellow star in front of the offices of New York State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, who is Jewish. Dinowitz has been a vigorous proponent of mandates. The crowd gathered to protest Dinowitz’s bill, requiring all students be immunized against COVID in order to attend school. Republican gubernatorial candidate, Rob Astorino, organized the rally. Assemblyman Dinowitz stated, “People are free to express their opinions on vaccine policy and on any issue, but I draw the line at swastikas. [T]o stand next to swastikas and yellow Stars of David outside of a Jewish legislator’s office shows a lack of integrity at best and an embrace of right-wing extremism at worst.”

 

In a hearing by the Kansas Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates, former Kansas City, Kansas mayoral candidate Daran Duffy, explained why he and his family were wearing these stars. “The reason I’m wearing the star is not to be offensive, but it’s to remember, and for everybody else to call to remembrance World War II. The Jewish people were forced to wear a yellow star to identify them as Jews. And they were ushered off to the death camps in accordance with that. There were medical tests; there were experimentations done on human people. And while this hasn’t reached that deprivation, we are definitely moving in that direction.” Despite his sincerity, he is oblivious to the insensitivity of his protest.

 

And, just this week, Ohio Republican Congressman Warren Davidson likened vaccine mandates to Nazi atrocities by tweeting a photo of a Nazi Gesuntheitspaß (health passport) with the text, “It’s been done before. #DoNotComply” He went on to say, “Let’s recall that the Nazis dehumanized Jewish people before segregating them, segregated them before imprisoning them, imprisoned them before enslaving them, and enslaved them before massacring them.”

 

People receiving COVID shots are not part of an experiment. The actions of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, who conducted sadistic medical procedures on Auschwitz children, are a far cry from the science behind these vaccines. For over two decades, researchers have been studying mRNA, the foundation of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Scientists conducted vigorous trials involving thousands of volunteers before their release. No one forced people to enroll in these trials. It was an altruistic choice meant to help others.

 

Mandates do not force people to get the vaccine. They have a choice. Yes, it’s a serious one. Their lives and their livelihoods may depend on what choice they make. And there are serious consequences for refusal, like losing one’s job. Without the vaccine, they may suffer a horrible death or lifelong after-effects. Even if you survive on a ventilator in the ICU, your life may never be the same. The coronavirus is and will continue to be a public health hazard.

 

Our personal decisions affect the people around us. Children and the immunocompromised are at risk. Many of these “hesitants” are ardent supporters of “American Exceptionalism,” believing that God has bestowed special blessings on our country and its people. But there is nothing exceptional about this selfishness.

 

The exploitation of the Star of David is part of the conflict over racial identity politics. Many Whites are afraid of being marginalized. And the GOP creates false wedge issues that stoke this fear as a way of igniting voters’ outrage. They’ve been employing this tactic for decades. So why is everyone outraged? Because the GOP wants us to be outraged. Because their hold on power depends on it.

 

Since this pandemic began, we have lived in a world without reason. American society has devolved into a culture where many equate vaccine mandates with Nazi atrocities. Critical thinking is often missing. Jewish identity is just one tangent of racial injustice. White racists often invoke Jew’s supposed political and financial power for their hatred. We can often pass for “white-white.” But we’re really “off-white.” When White racial fears abound, Jews are targeted.

 

Fear of losing control fuels opposition to vaccine mandates. But anti-vaxxers are not innocent victims of a frightening mob with an irrational agenda. COVID is a dire public health issue. And resistance to vaccines, mandates, and fear of make-believe persecution does not make them martyrs.

 

One may object to mandates, but don’t use symbols of real suffering to do so. Signs of our persecution are not yours to appropriate whenever you see fit. It feigns solidarity with Jews. But, in reality, these protesters are using us. Until you see your family marched off to the death camps, never to see them again, stop using the Star of David to compare your fears and outrage to the extermination of European Jewry. You don’t know what real suffering is. Stop living your lives as if you do.

  

Feel free to pass this poster on. It's free to download here (click on the down arrow just to the lower right of the image).

 

See the rest of the posters from the Chamomile Tea Party! Digital high res downloads are free here (click the down arrow on the lower right side of the image). Other options are available. And join our Facebook group.

 

Follow the history of our country's political intransigence from 2010-2020 through a seven-part exhibit of these posters on Google Arts & Culture.

Finally, after over a year and many promises, here is my version of Arkham Asylum.

There’s no need for many explanations here in this text, because I designed an 82-page Making-of-book that explain every little step. And the best part: It’s for free.

 

You can find all the pages here on flickr or you can download a free PDF-version from Uploaded.to. You don’t need to create an account, just follow this LINK. It takes about 20 - 40 minutes.

 

Well, I hope you enjoy everything.

It's July 20th, 1987. I had dropped off a Navy buddy in Chicago earlier in the day and with the amount of railfanning I was getting in, I had turned into a fair weather foamer.

So why I stopped at Rondout and climbed up on the North Shore embankment with my camera in the pouring rain is a mystery - I don't have a shot of the head end and didn't know these were on the rear of this southbound freight.

Not sure where these units were going - there were 6 to 8 GATX SD40's, all ex MP, renumbered into 5000 series numbers & spaced with IC 50' boxes.

Capturing history in the making made it all worth while, not to mention I got a bath & did my laundry in one shot (old fashioned multi-tasking?).

Hetch-Hetchy power pylons run through a foggy almond orchard in Riverbank, California. November 29, 2021. Found a great website explaining the various types of these electrical monsters: www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/everything-...

Barcelona

Regional Athletics Championships 2019, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland

Before you ask dear reader......Let me explain....This photo is a picture of the bedroom window in our touring caravan....And to be sure....My conversation with Halo and Jazz (With Misty and Molly looking on)..... Is not going well.....For I am trying to get them to have a early night....But as you can see, they are in quite a cheeky fun mood tonight......To bring you up to speed as to what has been going on so far....Halo and the Gang have been watching a couple of the popular TV drama series Poldark episodes tonight on DVD....And as we are in the county of Cornwall at the moment where it was all based.....Di and I have promised to take them to some of the filming locations tomorrow......Of course Halo and Jazz ( Jazz has a soft spot for the actor Aidan Turner me thinks) are both convinced that Ross and Demelza that would have a couple of companions Shelties helping them out when needed....And it goes without saying that they would also have had a Captain hat just like the one Ross Poldark wears ....But as you can see, both Misty and Molly remain sceptical on that one......But back to the present.....As I want you all to do as you told, and get to bed please, as we have a early start tomorrow.....What do mean, that 'not gonna to happen until I have read you a story......And just what do I get out of the deal I ask......Oh....a ice cold beer from the fridge you say.....Ummmmmmmmm........Once upon a time in the enchanted forest zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Greendale: Day 11 of the Misfits' Undercover Operation

 

With the rest of the Misfits still enrolled in the college, Drury had left Rigger, Reardon and Gar to browse the nearby mall. With them distracted, and in good enough spirits, he was able to enter the Ballroom, a small bar in Greendale's town center without arousing their suspicions. As he opened the door, he was met with a large, suited guard, standing between him and his contact.

 

"You're late," the guard noted.

 

"Couldn't find a parking space I liked," Drury lied, placing his cocoon gun and the accompanying cartridge of white pellets onto the cork crate beside him: holding his arms out so that the guard could pat him down, pausing as their hands reached the large stuffed rabbit Drury had forced halfway down his back jacket pocket.

 

"It's for my son," Drury blushed. "He'll be 20 this month."

 

The guard raised a judgemental eyebrow, but gave way nonetheless, allowing Drury access into the private booth. The seated occupant rose to his feet and offered his hand out to greet him.

 

"Mr Walker. We haven't been formally introduced yet. My name is David Li, but you can call me-" he began, only for Drury to cut him off.

 

"-Bookworm, yeah, yeah, Roman's right hand, I know. Chuck's mentioned you. Said you were an honourable sort. Or at least as honourable as a mob accountant gets, I suppose... He's also said that he wished you'd find more... eh, 'ethically sound' employment."

 

"Oh, I'm quite satisfied in Mr Sionis' employ, thank you," Li smiled politely. "Although we have been... challenged, as of late. Perhaps it's better to show you: Here."

 

Li reached into his briefcase and handed Drury the first of many photos, as Walker tried his very best not to throw up.

 

"Lucio Moxxom. October 31st. Halloween. Head decapitated and mailed to the Sionis penthouse," Li explained, before moving onto the next victim:

 

"Marco Viti. November 5th. Bonfire Night. Thrown into a Steel Mill furnace. Headfirst."

 

And the next:

 

"Angelo Mirti. November 16th. Thanksgiving. Drugged and strung up outside the East End Warehouses. A pound of C4 placed... Well, in a place best left unsaid. And since then, there have been three other murders just like them. Remind you of someone?"

 

"Julian..." Drury realised, as his heart sank.

 

"Yes. There was a note attached to the first victim's... ah, head, which matches the handwriting we have on record... Here's the copy I made," Li handed Drury a small sheet of paper, and he read it aloud:

 

"'Roman Sionis... should've stayed in Italy... blah blah... day of reckoning...' bit pretentious... 'Before this year is through, we will see you burn.'" Drury read. "How come I didn't hear about this sooner? Why didn't you go to the cops?"

 

"Because the last thing Mr Sionis wants is the GCPD intruding on his businesses. He gets enough bother from the Bats: Something we have in common, I hear. We can help you with that," Li lowered his glasses. "Mr Sionis, believes there's a connection between Day, and this man: The White Mask. And, on Halloween, a recent blood test confirmed his suspicions that White Mask, real name: David Franco, is the son of Richard Sionis. His father. This revelation has Mr Sionis reeling, as he's now certain that Franco, has joined forces with Day to remove him from power."

 

Though he had only been half listening, Drury suddenly perked up. "Sorry, Dave Franco-?"

 

"Yes, believe me, we all know what it sounds like... Might we skip the jokes and focus, please?" Li sighed.

 

"Oh, no, we can not just gloss over that. I've got so much material to work with!" Drury joked.

 

"If you could concentrate please-" Li restated, as he motioned to his bodyguard, the burly man who had patted Drury down earlier with firm enthusiasm.

 

"Right, yes, sorry," Drury gulped. "Continue."

 

"In the weeks since he first received those blood tests, Mr Sionis has turned to Henry Ferris: Iron-Hat, a vile man really. Ferris, believes that to catch Day, we must first lure him out into the open. And what better way is there, than with a holiday party? I believe you're familiar with the annual Janus Cosmetics Christmas ball."

 

"I am, yeah," Drury reminisced. "But you could wrap Roman in tissue paper and a big red bow, and Jules would probably still show up. Doubt it matters to him, but it would limit casualties."

 

"You're being sarcastic, I take it," Li noticed. "Believe me, you have every reason to distrust my employer, hate him even, but if you do nothing, if The Calendar Man kills Roman Sionis... Well, you have no idea the kinds of monsters he's kept at bay. Or the evils that will rise up in his place..." Li stopped himself from elaborating further and instead, took a pen from his breast pocket, and scrawled a few digits onto the napkin beneath his soda. "The offer stands. We can grant you safe passage into Gotham, however many guns you require, and in exchange, we request your expertise in dealing with Calendar Man. I'll be staying in the hotel on Rhodes Street; visit me there when you have an answer."

 

==Greendale: Day 17==

 

"You didn't tell me you were working with Sionis," Kuttler frowned.

 

"No, I didn't..." Chuck murmured, just as confused as he was.

 

Drury approached the False Facers and shook hands with Li. "You remembered my terms, yeah?" he asked.

 

"Yes," Li spoke. "We already have people bringing Mr Sharpe to the rendezvous point," he confirmed. "We are, however, still struggling to locate Mr Fiasco. We've not heard from him since he was released from GCPD custody."

 

"Forget it, Len knows how to disappear: he'll be deep underground by now," Drury reasoned. "He's never really liked the spotlight."

 

"Quite," Li agreed. "We have a small smelting plant in one of the neighbouring towns. I've arranged to have your truck moved there, where it can be quietly decommissioned."

 

"But not before you 'quietly' scavenge whatever Bat-Tech you can get a hold of, right?" Drury questioned him, hesitantly reaching into his back pocket, and placing the keys into Li's expectant palm.

 

"Perhaps," Li said coolly.

 

"Oh, mind you, I quite like the hood ornament," White remarked, as he ran his fingers along the grill of the truck. "Might have to keep that for myself."

 

"Uh, Drury?" Chuck interrupted, speaking on the group's behalf. "Could we maybe talk about this for a minute?"

 

Drury, looked back over to Li. "Five minutes," the Bookworm relented. Walker nodded gratefully, and rejoined the rest of the Misfits.

 

"How exactly did you arrange an escort from the Great White Shark of all people? Did you subscribe to the Iceberg Lounge's loyalty scheme?" Kuttler inquired, a note of sarcasm in his voice.

 

"They do that?" an oblivious Mayo asked. "What a gip!"

 

"Dru?" Rigger asked expectantly, electing to ignore Mayo.

 

"Well, you remember those couple of days we spent in the city center? Blake had his teaching gig, you got your sword, Gar got that nifty new lighter and we all had a brief pint in that place on L-Street?"

 

"Sure, that was the happiest I've ever been," he replied.

 

'Really?' Gar thought.

 

"Well, while you were browsing through shops, I actually had a meeting with Li there: The guy with the hat. We'd been texting for a couple of days prior; think Sharpe maybe gave him my mobile... Doesn't matter. Well, matters a little... But, what's important is, Li told me that Sionis' people are being taken out one by one. On holidays," he stated, pausing for dramatic effect.

 

'Julian...' Chuck gasped.

 

"Jules?" Blake wondered. "But that'd mean..."

 

"Exactly. I think we've found our mastermind," Drury concluded.

 

Ten placed his head in his hands. "God, Drury, I thought we moved past this," he sighed wearily.

 

"We did, I know, I'm sorry, but look at the facts: We know Carson isn't smart enough to play the long game. Julian is. If he's part of- or the leader of the Outcasts, we have to take him down. We could end this all, right here."

 

"Just like in Nanda Parbat, right?" Reardon asked, standing his ground.

 

"That was different. Please," Drury pleaded.

 

"Ok, Drury, let's say that he is behind all this, that he paid Krill and promised Carson revenge: that still doesn't explain that Zolomon ghoul," Chuck addressed it. "What does he get out of this?"

 

"Guess we'll just have to ask him ourselves," Gar stated, as he stood by Drury's side.

 

The other Misfits, looked more hesitant to join him.

 

"There'll be a party," Drury tried to entice them. "Booze. Food. Women," directing each of these at Flannegan, Mayo and Blake in that order.

 

"I'm in," Blake replied confidently, as Rigger also cheered enthusiastically.

 

"You know me, boss, I'm just here for the paycheck," Otis agreed.

 

"And if there's a free buffet-" Mayo licked his lips. "Well, that'd just be swell."

 

'Swell...' Gar mouthed, looking at Drury and nodding affirmatively.

 

The next to speak, Chuck sighed. "God, peer pressure is a bitch... Hell yeah, let's do it," he smiled. That just left Ten.

 

"Hey. You said you trusted me," Drury smirked.

 

"Eh-" Reardon protested.

 

"You said, 'Drury, I trust you,' you did," he teased.

 

"Hey, if you said that, it's on you," Blake shrugged.

 

"Well, that's- That's not a direct quotation," Reardon responded. "It's not!" he repeated to the skeptical ensemble. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "Fine."

 

"Does it even matter what I think?" Kuttler asked bitterly.

 

"I mean, I thought I'd at least give you the illusion of choice," Drury smiled boyishly.

 

"Good job," he scoffed.

 

==Gotham City==

 

The Apartment of the Deceased Jumbo Carson. Now home to his brother Ted, his daughter Bridget and their lackey Roger Hayden

 

The door creaked open, as Julian Day entered the room, his hands smelling strongly of hand sanitizer: A habit he had taken up since his meeting with The King of Cats. Hayden, was currently sat atop the kitchen stool, watching cartoons with intense delight, while his hands caressed his beloved Medusa mask. ​

At the side of the room, Bridget was putting up a Christmas tree; with many of the decorations recovered from her childhood home to celebrate the first Christmas she was spending with her father since his return- a gesture gone unnoticed by Carson himself.

 

"Allow me," Day said softly, as he reached into the cardboard box of mementos and placed the star at the top of the tree. 'No tinsel?' he noted. 'Pity.'

 

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Carson perked up. "Who'd you kill this time, huh?" he demanded, as he poured himself a cup of black coffee.

 

Day didn't reply.

 

"And where the hell's Krill anyway?" Carson continued to press. "Would never have agreed to this arrangement if I'd known you'd be poaching my people for god knows what."

 

Bridget, was actually quite grateful for Krill's absence. Though responsible for bringing her father home, Krill himself had been both crass and disrespectful to her family, with his constant jokes aggravating Carson's already foul temper. Day, at least, buried his insults in flowery language that often went over her father's head.

 

"My partners have Krill working on a separate assignment right now," Day spoke. "You, should stay focused on yours."

 

"Separate assignment- Stay focused? But I'm not doing anything!" Carson disagreed.

 

"Precisely," Day said coldly. "I can't have you bumbling around Gotham like a drunk Darth Vader."

 

"I-," Carson stammered. "We should be out there, searching for the putz who killed Jacob!"

 

Day took the coffee pot out of Carson's hands, and poured the steaming liquid into his festive mug. "No. You really shouldn't," he disagreed. "The matter has already been dealt with. Pass the milk, please, Roger."

 

Carson intercepted Hayden's hand. "No, 'Roger,' don't pass him the goddamn milk! Dealt with? Dealt with?! You have no right to-"

 

"Oh, and you do?" Day scoffed. "It was your failure at the hospital that got Ant-Man captured. And your inaction that got him killed."

 

Bridget arrived at her dad's side and placed her hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to calm him down. "It's not worth it," she urged.

 

Carson took a deep breath. "That's my point," he told Day. "Listen, if you'd just let me talk to your partners, we could coordinate on this. Let me set the gas mains alight, hit the power station. Something big to draw Walker out of hiding!"

 

Day paused to process the magnitude of Carson's suggestion, and brow furrowed, turned to Bridget sympathetically.

 

Dejected, Carson changed direction. "At least I'm trying! While you were out... washing your hands? I, had a talk with the White Mask. Turns out, he's seeing somebody,"

 

Day rolled his eyes. "Barson, I'm really not interested in tabloid news and idle gossip," he said disinterestedly.

 

"But you'll like this: His new girlfriend, is none other than Jenna Duffy. Lynns' girl. You know what that means, don't you? They broke up," Carson said gleefully.

 

Day raised an eyebrow, suddenly invested. "Really?" he wondered.

 

"Really?" Carson quoted. "Yes, really, why would I lie? It was a big teary eyed thing, Franco said. Apparently, Lynns had to choose between her and his best friend, and he chose Walker. Crazy, right?"

 

"Crazy," Day repeated. "Hn. Congratulations, Barson, perhaps you're not all that useless after all," he concluded.

 

=The Iceberg Lounge's Private Bar=

 

Sionis was sat in the backroom, in a makeshift surgery room. Doting over him, was Lazlo Valentin: Professor Pyg. Sionis, had refused anaesthetic, of course: He'd heard all kinds of horror stories about Valentin transforming simple surgical procedures into nightmarish experiments. Presently, Valentin had been put to work adjusting Sionis' face in anticipation of the holiday party: Sandpapering his scalp, varnishing the surface and tracing over his skull-like features with a small scalpel, all to accentuate Sionis' fearsome visage

 

"Pretty as a picture," he snorted, as he kissed Sionis' bald scalp tenderly.

 

"Thanks, Porky. Feel better already," Sionis remarked disingenuously, as he unhooked the white bib from his person, and admired himself in the overhead mirror.

 

"Sir, the Misfits are outside," Li's voice announced through the door.

 

"Alright, give me a minute," Sionis replied as he swatted Valentin away.

 

"Look lively, the strippers are here!" White yelled crassly, as he and Li led the Misfits into the parlour. The convoy, had arrived later than scheduled, having first stopped off at Kuttler's home, to allow him to recover various devices and gadgets he believed would be useful against Day and his apparent henchmen.

 

"Just remember," Drury was warning them, "Roman's not exactly our biggest fan. Because we keep trying to kill each other. So tread carefully." He paused, as he sniffed the air. "Did you just varnish this floor?" he addressed Sionis' bodyguards. "Smells great."

 

"Lynns!" Sionis greeted them, as he entered through the backdoor, adjusting his red tie as he made his way towards them.

 

"Mr Sionis, sir," Gar replied a little awkwardly, as the two shook hands firmly.

 

"Roman, son. Call me Roman. Here, sit down," he offered, pulling a chair out for his former employee, and handing him a crystal glass of whiskey. "You too, Flannegan."

 

Chuck looked like he was going to throw up. "Otis, he threw me off a building," he muttered in his ear.

 

"That's business, Brown, you gotta look past things like that," Flannegan responded, as he too accepted a glass from Sionis.

 

"Aha, Kite-Man," Sionis sneered, finally addressing the rest of the group. "How was your trip?"

 

"Eventful," Chuck responded.

 

"Oho, I'll bet," Sionis replied, recalling their last encounter with sadistic pleasure. "Please, as a sign of good faith; your comrade in arms." With the snap of his fingers, the door opened behind them, as Montgomery Sharpe was escorted in by Iron-Hat Ferris, and a rather familiar hooded figure. As Ferris made his way to Sionis' side, his attention was drawn to Gar and Rigger. "Aw, look, they come in different colours now, that's neat," he said mockingly.

 

As Gar's fist clenched, Joey instead pulled his arm back as if to say 'It's not worth it.'

 

"Hello everyone, happy holidays to you all," The Dragon King cheered. "Montgomery has told me all about you, of course," he elaborated, placing a hand atop Sharpe's shoulder.

 

"Love that guy," Sionis said. "Caught him raking through my dumpster for body parts a while back."

 

"Quite so," Ito said nostalgically. "When Mr Sionis first asked me to tend over Montgomery, I was hesitant, but during our weeks together, I have been most impressed by his growth and maturity."

 

"That Montgomery?" Reardon asked, noting Sharpe's uncharacteristically quiet composition.

 

Ito paused, as his reptilian eyes locked onto Drury, and his gaze softened. "Ah, of course, you must be Cliff Walker's boy. You look so very much like your father."

 

Ito's remark, was intended as a compliment, sure, but Drury had never felt sicker. He put on a fake smile, and thanked him.

 

"Alas, I'm afraid I cannot stay for the festivities," Ito admitted. "My daughter, Cynthia, is having a sleepover this weekend with her fellow classmates, and it is paramount I remain there to supervise her, to limit any potential ruckus. She gets awfully rebellious when she has too much sugar. But, you should know that I have cookie dough proofing in your fridge downstairs. Once it has been baked, it shall be splendid."

 

"Thank god," Sharpe whispered under his breath, as he finally exhaled. "He's a nice guy and all, but he eats pizza with a fork and he hides all the alcohol," he confessed to an appalled Blake. "Lost $200 to his fucking swear jar already."

 

"Montgomery?" Ito inquired in a paternalistic tone.

 

"I said ducking."

Explains the blue livery ;)

 

Ikarus 280 @ Káposztásmegyer, Hungary

Life is a mystery to be enjoyed.

I discover the beauty of simplicity

when I give up the need to explain the mystery

and simply enjoy it!

Deepak Chopra

 

The telescoping conveyor works as a system of pulleys.

Each boom section has a pulley at the front and the back, so as the front is brought further out, the rear is brought closer by the same amount.

This means that no matter how far the boom is extended, the chain always remains the same length.

This also allows it to be extended or retracted while the chain is being driven by the motor.

"I missed the last bus

I'll take the next train

I'll try but you'll see

It's hard to explain

I say the right thing

But act the wrong way

I like it right here

But I cannot stay ..."

 

Julian Casablancas

 

How can I explain

The sorrow and my pain

I believe that you and I should be

Together once again

 

Every night I pray

That you'll come back to me

But the tears keep falling down my face

When you're not around

 

But now you're gone

Gone away

All I do is wait for you

Each and every day

 

I'm waiting for your love

I'm wondering where you are

Are you with another guy

Are you showing him your world

 

I'm waiting for your love

I want to see your smile

Brighten up my day

Yes I'm waiting for your love

Yes I'm waiting for your love

 

Many sleepless nights

I've waited by the phone

I'm wondering where you are tonight

If you're all alone

 

If I had another chance

I'd never let you go

My heart's been broken in two

And it's all because of you

  

.

Abandoned Abused Street Dogs.

Nikon D300 DX Camera.

Nikkor 17-55 2.8 Lens.

.

Mama taking a moment to explain

the rules to a young monkey boy.

 

Rule No# 1 -

Don't mess with me &

don't mess with the photo

guy.........................................;-)~

 

Rule No# 2 -

Same Same.

 

Jon&Crew.

  

Please help with your temple dog donations here.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-abandoned-thai-temple-dogs

  

Please,

No Political Statements, Awards,

Invites Large Logos or Copy/Pastes.

© All rights reserved.

  

.

Right when we were about to leave, Wilma's husband, Ruben, showed us with another female.

 

We explained to him the whole story, and he agreed that they needed help.

 

Ruben gave us Stella and told us that there are two more dogs hidden somewhere.

 

We promised to be back in 48 hours and bring them clothes, tents, blankets and food.

lg - farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/861896399_ca083ab717_b.jpg

 

I can't explain how tired I am and that I should be in bed by now; But there are a few photos from this set that I like. I had time to play with this one, hopefully tomorrow I'll post the rest.

 

I seem to remember when I was younger collecting weird clothing from my travels that I never wore. Hide them in my closet like it's a time capsule, to only bring them out now when I want to play dress up in front of my camera.

  

*Random thought - I can't listen to a full album of certain artists. My stereo can hold 50 cds and the player is always on random. Change the sound, change the voice, make my mood shift from song to song. I like that.

Explained in my blog post for the day. dennissylvesterhurd.blogspot.com/2022/05/fine-weather-for...

 

It's fate: dennissylvesterhurd.blogspot.com/2026/08/give-up-ghost-li...

ME flickr challenge card! :)

 

blogged here: fridayfinally.blogspot.it/2015/04/dear-i-can-explain.html

like here: www.facebook.com/Fridayfinally

 

Apparently- this woman’s famous-too!

 

www.berriblue.com/azulejos

 

Azuela Tile Street Art

PORTO

  

não parece bom

.. hands close to the heart, looking for words..

An open wing shot of this species is much easier to get in the late fall of the year, While I can't explain why, I like the result.

Explains for the layman - with or without the BPD - what it's like to live with the borderline personality disorder, and how to recover. Includes explanations of biology, medications, therapy, and other diagnoses. An extensive bibliography and glossary are included. Life at the Border was placed on the recommended reading list by the National Institute of Mental Health and is a reference book at NIMH.In my last post, I discussed how children act out certain roles in their family of origin in order to try to emotionally stabilize parents who are emotional unstable. Doing so also has the effect of maintaining dysfunctional relationship patterns so that the family operates in predictable ways (family homeostasis).

 

In today's post, I will look at the role that is played by the patient with borderline personality disorder (BPD), which I call the Spoiler. I will look at the dysfunctional family dynamics that I believe help to create the disorder.

 

For readers who are not familiar with the disorder, BPD is sort of the "jack of all trades" of personality dysfunction. People who have the diagnosis show gross disturbances in their ability to control their emotions, in their extremely chaotic interpersonal relationships, in their impulse control, and in their attempts to understand who or what they want to be in life (identity confusion).

 

These are the people who are not psychotic but who seem to show very poor judgment in interpersonal relationships, and who often seem to misinterpret in a negative way the most innocent-sounding comments made to them by others. They often cut, burn, or in other ways injure themselves. They make suicide threats and attempts and have anger control problems. They do not trust others easily, and they often "space out" or dissociate when under stress.

 

They engage in behavior referred to by therapists as splitting: Everyone else is treated either like a god or a complete pile of manure, with nothing in between. Interestingly, patients with BPD are often described by therapists as being superb manipulators. One must wonder how anyone who cannot simultaneously evaluate another person's strengths and weaknesses could possibly be a good manipulator. Simple answer: They could not. While the tendency of thes individuals to "split" others into all good or all bad does derive from the bewildering contradictory behavior of the patient's parents or primary caretakers, usually it is just an act.

 

Their behavior is often so extreme that is natural to start to think that they must have some sort of brain disease. While genetics may predispose some individuals to be more prone to develop these characteristics than others, I am not among the psychiatrists who think BPD is a disease rather than dysfunctional personality traits that tend to co-occur in some children from some disturbed families.

www.psychologytoday.com/blog/matter-personality/201109/th...

 

Life at the Border - Understanding and Recovering from the Borderline Personality Disorder

 

www.amazon.com/Life-Border-Understanding-Recovering-Perso...

You may view more of my Orchids, by clicking here !

 

Orchidaceae is a diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and often fragrant, commonly known as the orchid family. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species, found in 880 genera. Selecting which of the two families is larger is still under debate, as concrete numbers on such enormous families are constantly in flux. Regardless, the number of orchid species equals more than twice the number of bird species, and about four times the number of mammal species. The family also encompasses about 6â11% of all seed plants.The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus), and many commonly cultivated plants such as Phalaenopsis and Cattleya. Moreover, since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century, horticulturists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars. The name comes from the Ancient Greek á½ÏÏÎ¹Ï (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle", because of the shape of the root. Carl Linnaeus classified the family as Orchidaceae. Orchid was introduced in 1845 by John Lindley in School Botany, due to an incorrect attempt to extract the Latin stem (orchis) from Orchidaceae. The Greek myth of Orchis explains the origin of the plants. Orchis, the son of a nymph and a satyr, came upon a festival of Dionysus (Bacchus) in the forest. He drank too much, and attempted to rape a priestess of Dionysus. For his insult, he was torn apart by the Bacchanalians. His father prayed for him to be restored, but the gods instead changed him into a flower.

These flowers were previously called Orchis, Satyrion (Satyrion feminina), or "ballockwort".

 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An absolutely special sunset last night. I can’t find anything on line to explain this phenomenon but it was truly spectacular. I dubbed it a “veebow”.

Rice Road east of Modesto, California.

 

12-02-2021

===================================================

-:- ( 1 ) - ( 2 ) - ( 3 ) - ( 2X5 ) - ( 6 ) - ( 7 ) - ( 8 ) - ( 9 ) - (2X10) -:-

===================================================

With some Haiku Notes:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other dimensions

providing information,

just don't look; but see.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Take aim and you'll see

truth behind reality

in both yin and yang

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's all in your mind

concentrate and be mindful

sense reality

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

View On Black

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana. The eight aspects of the path are not to be understood as a sequence of single steps, instead they are highly interdependent principles that have to be seen in relationship with each other.

 

1. Right View

 

Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realise the Four Noble Truth. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.

 

2. Right Intention

 

While right view refers to the cognitive aspect of wisdom, right intention refers to the volitional aspect, i.e. the kind of mental energy that controls our actions. Right intention can be described best as commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement. Buddha distinguishes three types of right intentions: 1. the intention of renunciation, which means resistance to the pull of desire, 2. the intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion, and 3. the intention of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently, or aggressively, and to develop compassion.

 

3. Right Speech

 

Right speech is the first principle of ethical conduct in the eightfold path. Ethical conduct is viewed as a guideline to moral discipline, which supports the other principles of the path. This aspect is not self-sufficient, however, essential, because mental purification can only be achieved through the cultivation of ethical conduct. The importance of speech in the context of Buddhist ethics is obvious: words can break or save lives, make enemies or friends, start war or create peace. Buddha explained right speech as follows: 1. to abstain from false speech, especially not to tell deliberate lies and not to speak deceitfully, 2. to abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others, 3. to abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others, and 4. to abstain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth. Positively phrased, this means to tell the truth, to speak friendly, warm, and gently and to talk only when necessary.

 

4. Right Action

 

The second ethical principle, right action, involves the body as natural means of expression, as it refers to deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind, while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind. Again, the principle is explained in terms of abstinence: right action means 1. to abstain from harming sentient beings, especially to abstain from taking life (including suicide) and doing harm intentionally or delinquently, 2. to abstain from taking what is not given, which includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness, and dishonesty, and 3. to abstain from sexual misconduct. Positively formulated, right action means to act kindly and compassionately, to be honest, to respect the belongings of others, and to keep sexual relationships harmless to others. Further details regarding the concrete meaning of right action can be found in the Precepts.

 

5. Right Livelihood

 

Right livelihood means that one should earn one's living in a righteous way and that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully. The Buddha mentions four specific activities that harm other beings and that one should avoid for this reason: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.

 

6. Right Effort

 

Right effort can be seen as a prerequisite for the other principles of the path. Without effort, which is in itself an act of will, nothing can be achieved, whereas misguided effort distracts the mind from its task, and confusion will be the consequence. Mental energy is the force behind right effort; it can occur in either wholesome or unwholesome states. The same type of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression, and violence can on the other side fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness. Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours that rank in ascending order of perfection: 1. to prevent the arising of unarisen unwholesome states, 2. to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, 3. to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and 4. to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.

 

7. Right Mindfulness

 

Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualise sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualisation in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.

 

8. Right Concentration

 

The eighth principle of the path, right concentration, refers to the development of a mental force that occurs in natural consciousness, although at a relatively low level of intensity, namely concentration. Concentration in this context is described as one-pointedness of mind, meaning a state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object. Right concentration for the purpose of the eightfold path means wholesome concentration, i.e. concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions. The Buddhist method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.

 

An Additional Haiku Note:

=============================

Take time be aware

we are no-thing but our thoughts

so said the Buddha

=============================

 

Personal Thoughts from August 07, 1976

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

Energy is one.

Individuals are parts of that one.

Individuals through a source such as Love

(or other emotion or virtue) are one.

Thoughts are a source of energy.

Energy is neither created or destroyed.

Thoughts are neither created or destroyed.

Individuals are tuned-in to thoughts.

We do not think; we experience thought.

Our level of development is how we use

these thoughts to experience other

thoughts.

We are actually experiencing energies.

Our level of development is how we can

tune-in to these energies.

Our true purpose is to think and develop;

think and develop; become the source of energy.

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

  

I think I may have gone overboard with the processing. Do you feel that it's too much?

 

Large On Black

 

IMG_8967c.jpg

credits:http://poorintentions.wordpress.com/2012/12/17/hard-to-explain-2/