View allAll Photos Tagged him
I forced Anthony to lay in the flower bath after I shot a self-portrait in there :) Needed a male version of this!
____
Join my Facebook-Group if you are interested in before/after photos of my work :) ---> www.facebook.com/groups/195875130955188/
© michael fellner 2010 all rights reserved
Taking a short break!!! See you in a few days!!! Wishing you a good time!!!
tunes: björk . big time sensuality www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHuXpWSNa-8&feature=related
After Billy's introduction to our household the three Ps have spent a lot of time in the garden. They are not very enthusiastic about the upset of their daily routines. As long as Billy leaves them alone they're okay. Unfortunately, he'll only do that when he's asleep. Billy treats Pip with a healthy dose of respect, but he is constantly chasing Poeka who tries to seek refuge on higher grounds. Pebbel likes Billy least of all and tries to avoid him completely. Let's hope their relationships will normalise over the next couple of weeks.
Photo taken by Theo Kastner, slide kindly provided by him for scanning and inclusion on this page.
München-Riem
1975
D-ABYA (1) "Nordrhein-Westfalen"
Boeing 747-130
19746 / 12
Lufthansa
D-ABYA is lined up for take-off on Riem’s runway 07.
Lufthansa’s first 747 was delivered on 9 March 1970 and was deployed on the Frankfurt-New York route for the first time on 26 April 1970. Lufthansa was the first European airline to provide its passenger the opportunity to fly by Jumbo Jet, being the second international airline following Pan American World Airways (Pan Am).
(Source: newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/en/a-legend-celebrates-its-bi...)
D-ABYA (2) is Boeing 747-830 c/n 37827/1445 flying with Lufthansa since April 2012 and still active in 2026.
Information from flickr - thanks to Kerry Taylor:
Delivered new to Lufthansa as D-ABYA on 10Mar70. To Braniff as N610BN on 29Nov78. Leased to VIASA as N480GX on 12Jul82. Leased to Egyptair on 15May83. Leased to Tranamerica as N780T in May84. To Tower Air as N603FF on 22Nov85. Leased to Saudia 10Apr96 and by 26Aug98. Returned to Tower Air. Ceased ops 10Oct00. Broken up around Oct01.
Registration details for this airframe:
www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/D-ABYA/525038
D-ABYA with Braniff in November 1978:
www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/54397960643
This airframe as N610BN with Braniff at LGW in October 1980:
www.flickr.com/photos/105925977@N03/51597396632
This airframe as N480GX with VIASA at MIA in August 1982:
www.flickr.com/photos/georgehamlin/53732070157
N480GX with EgyptAir at ATL in May 1983:
www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/54504419633
N480GX with EgyptAir at CDG in August 1984 (no titles):
cdn.plnspttrs.net/45116/n480gx-egyptair-boeing-747-130_Pl...
N480GX with Transamerica at SNN in June 1984 (EgyptAir cheatline, white tail):
www.flickr.com/photos/shanair/40589339131
This airframe as N780T with Transamerica at ZRH in October 1984 (EgyptAir cheatline, white tail):
N780T with Transamerica at ARN in 1985 (full colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/145175264@N02/51031619701
This airframe as N603FF with Tower Air at MIA in 1990:
www.flickr.com/photos/steelhead2010/12291340714
N603FF with Tower Air at ATH in June 1995 (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/gp707/50122296778
N603FF with Saudia at MAN in April 1996:
www.flickr.com/photos/zone49photography/55197457504
N603FF with Tower Air at CDG in August 1996 (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/4734681330
N603FF with Saudia at FRA in April 1998 (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/jlt_egcc74/40170835023
N603FF with Tower Air at SJU in August 1999 (basic Saudia colours):
www.planepictures.net/a/8/49/1044990129.jpg
N603FF with Tower Air at FRA in June 2000 (all white, no titles):
www.flickr.com/photos/airlinerphotos-de/49777455751
Scan from Kodachrome slide.
In the soft morning light of Botswana’s Savute region, I captured this striking image of a male lion and his cub. After a long night spent guarding his pride, the weary lion was less than enthusiastic about his offspring’s playful attempts to engage him. His stoic presence, contrasted with the cub’s eager energy, tells a quiet yet powerful story of duty and devotion in the wild expanse of Chobe National Park.
Photo taken by Wilhelm Hell, scan kindly provided by him for inclusion on this page.
München-Riem
July 1987
D-ABTI
Boeing 727-230/Adv
20790 / 1021
Condor
D-ABTI in its final Condor colours is turning onto Riem’s runway 25 for take-off.
Information from airhistory.net - thanks to Michael Röser:
Delivered 1974, transferred to Lufthansa 1988. Sold as N852SY 1989. Olympic SX-CBH 1990, transferred to Macedonian Airlines 1998, withdrawn Otopeni 2002 and presumed scrapped.
Registration details for this airframe:
rzjets.net/aircraft/?reg=83590
D-ABTI with Condor at PMI in 1974 (initial colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/markp51/13953011017
This airframe as SX-CBH with Olympic at DUS in the 1990s:
www.flickr.com/photos/129420177@N08/53318050171
SX-CBH with Olympic at ATH ca. late 1990s (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/57000246@N05/23917256956
SX-CBH with Macedonian Airlines at MUC ca. 2000:
www.flickr.com/photos/154191970@N03/51650118919
Scan from Kodachrome slide (on Kodak Photo CD).
During a walk on the boardwalk in the Thousand Island area of the Florida Everglades we were treated to the sight of this Screech Owl only about 25 ft up in a tree. He seemed to be interested as much in us as we were in him.
found him yesterday in the skimmer, chillin lookin for bugs. i scooped him out, took a pic of him and put him back. frogs and toads love to hang out in the ponds skimmer box because all the bugs and spiders and such wind up in there. it's like a buffet for them :)
Fynn enjoyed some outdoor time this morning as the weather was quite nice. I tried to take some photos of him which turned out to be rather difficult as he behaved like a crazy kitten. Lots of blurry shots were the result. In the meantime all cats are indoors again as we are expecting stormy weather later this afternoon. The main storm front will hit northern Germany and we are in the south, so I hope that it won't be too bad but I still prefer if the cats stay at home until it's over.
"Him whose three places that are filled with sweetness, imperishable joy as it may list them, Who verily alone upholds the threefold, the earth, the heaven, and all living creatures.
May I attain to His well-loved mansion where men devoted to the Gods are happy.
For there springs, close akin to the Wide-Strider, the well of meath in Vishnu’s highest footstep."
(From the Rig-veda - 1.154.1-5)
This man was stepping down Nandeshwar Ghat towards the holy waters of the Ganges in Varanasi (Benaras).
This picture is a kind of metaphor in order to emphasize that the area along the ghats is eulogised as Vishnu's body.
Varanasi has 98 sacred water fronts, which are believed to form the cosmic frame linking 14 bhavana kosas of the human body.
Among 84 ghats, 5 are considered to be supremely auspicious.
These are Asi, Dashashwamedha, Manikarnika, Panchganga and Adikeshava.
These are the Panchathirthas, and are believed to be symbols of the cosmic body of Lord Vishnu; Asi at the head, Dashashwamedha at the chest, Manikarnika at the navel, Panchganga at the thighs and Adikeshava at the feet.
Manikarnika is considered to be at the center of the 5 thirthas, the navel of the universe from which blooms life.
Join the photographer at www.facebook.com/laurent.goldstein.photography
© All photographs are copyrighted and all rights reserved.
Please do not use any photographs without permission (even for private use).
The use of any work without consent of the artist is PROHIBITED and will lead automatically to consequences.
An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt
road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate
in the fence and looked in, it was nice - grassy,
woody areas, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would
like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so
they walked on.
They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white
robes standing there. "Welcome to Heaven"
he said. The old man was happy and started in with his
dog following him.
The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed,
I'm sorry but he can't come with you." "What
kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If He can't come in,
then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful
companion all his life, I can't desert him now.
" "Suit yourself, but I have to warn you,
the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you
into his area, he'll promise you anything, but, the dog can't
go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll
spend Eternity on this road " So the old man and
dog went on.
They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate,
just a hole. Another old man was inside. "Scuse me Sir,
my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in
and sit in the shade for awhile?" "Of course, there's
some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves
comfortable " "You're sure my dog can come in?
The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed
anywhere." "Would you come in if you had to leave
the dog?" " No sir, that's why I didn't go to
Heaven, he said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending
Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some
shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't
come in if my buddy here can't come too,
and that's final. "
The man smiled a big smile and said "Welcome to Heaven."
"You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that
fellow down the road said they weren't?" "That was the
Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life
long companion for a comfortable place to stay.
They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late.
The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there.
GOD wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all,
HE created them to be man's companions in life, why would he
separate them in death?"
Author Earl Hamner
The Twilight Zone
A Deep Hug and Hearfelt thank you to my Friend Emma for playing along
www.flickr.com/photos/193415394@N05
Masquerade Ball
“Raffles” Pitch
“Cheerio” A J Raffles at your service. Don’t know if any of you have ever heard of me, but I’ve been accused of being a man of many talents, but by no means was that always said as a compliment.
Also, I do love playing cricket.
Batting in a cricket match produces for me the same flow of adrenaline as that of my secret game: Jewel Thievery.
A J Raffles is a fictional character whom I admire for the introduction above. For I am, like him, a professional Jewel Thief.
And tonight was no exception as far as any adrenaline flow Raffles would have felt, for I was experiencing what I can imagine was the same exhilaration.
This evening I was attending a surprisingly posh masquerade ball being held at a large venue in Wales.
It was a very elegant affair, with the many ladies present putting on their most pretty attire and wearing out that evening, their most expensive vault kept baubles.
The venue seated about 500 guests with a raised dance floor at one end, next to a fully stocked bar and a large outside balcony overlooking some rose gardens lined by old woods.
I had decided to attire myself as said Raffles for a tongue-in-cheek tribute to what I hoped to gain this evening.
Mostly to gain some jewels by parting some of the ladies from the lovely ones they were wearing. Which, here tonight, presented a plethora of opportunities.
I would try and make it as pleasant as it possibly could be for my chosen female victims as my fingers worked over their exquisitely clad figures while removing their valuable jewels.
I find that a few kind words, some attention, and possibly dancing produced a little sugar that helps with the bitter pill I am giving them to swallow
This evening I was wearing all black attire of tails, vest, shirt, and tie. Since it was a masquerading affair, I wore a black phantom of the opera half mask. Since this was business as well as pleasure I was wearing no gentlemanly gloves, needing my nimbly flexible fingers to be free.
After I entered I made several slow rounds to learn the layout, doing some light mingling along the way.
The odd thing about this masquerading ball was that there were no fancy costumes. Everyone was dressed in their best evening out attire, with masks just added.
I made a catch right away as I impressed an older matronly lady enough that she called over her 30 something daughter to meet me.
It was now my turn to be impressed.
The daughter, Celcia, was dressed in a very elegant long-sleeved dress of silver satin. Her jewels were all set with diamonds. Her silver half mask is set in rhinestones.
We went off alone to look over the gardens from the balcony.
We guess what each other is “masked” as. I told her she must be “Lucy”
“Lucy?” she questioned
I laughed lifting her silky hair up and then running my fingers down the side of her long swaying diamond earrings, as I said. “lucy in the sky with diamonds. “
“Good guess, but I'm just Cecelia, not anyone else. And you sir, are you an undertaker?”
I chuckled. “ Not quite as dark as that, I'm shooting for a Raffles image tonight.”
“Well Mr. Raffles, not sure who you are, but it is my pleasure to meet you.”
We chatted for a bit more, then Celcia was called back inside by her mother who stood by the balcony entrance.
I took her hand, rings flashing. “ the pleasure is all mine dear ‘only Ceclia’l said grinning.
She rewarded me for my praise with a clingy hug.
I watched her leave with clenched fists, her gown swishing along down her figure quite provocatively. I opened one of my fists and admired the diamond bracelet that lay there. Her now naked wrist was covered up by the silver satin cuffed sleeve of the lovely Cecilia's dress, hiding her loss.
£23,000
I slipped it inside a hidden pocket of my vest, and patting it, went back inside.
The band had started playing and the dance floor was fast filling up.
I spied a group of ladies wearing feathery masks who were huddled at one end of the floor, blocking an aisleway, watching the assembling dancing couples. I approached and overheard that they were waiting for their partners to come back from the bar.
Since they were blocking my path, I went up and asked if I could cut through. They obligingly parted and as I went in between them one of the ladies tripped against another as I ‘accidentally’ stepped on her satin gowns’ long train as she moved to make way. I caught her and apologized as I held her, my fingers freely feeling along down her figure. I helped her back on her high heels, steadying her. Helping myself at the same time to the leaf-shaped diamond studded clip that was pinned to the side of her chocolate brown gown.
The diamond-studded clip soon joined the pocketed diamond bracelet.
£18,000
My third score that evening almost literally fell into my lap.
I had ordered a brandy at the bar figuring to take a brief respite. There were two ladies next to me chatting away. The one immediately next to me kept bumping against me as she laughed at almost everything the other lady was saying.
I didn't mine, for her thicke wine-colored silk blouse was a pleasure to feel rubbing up against me. Also, a pleasure to see where the magnificently large rings she was wearing on her fingers as well as the diamonds wrapped around her wrist.
Then it happened. The laughing lady’s friend knocked their drinks over. Some of which happily splashed on my arm.
As apologies were given and received, with much giggling, I came to the rescue with my silk handkerchief.
Lending it to them I allowed them to wipe themselves up. As we chatted, the lady next to me finished with it and handed it back. I took up her fingers as she did, and holding them down lifted and kissed the back of her hand. I also was running my damp handkerchief over her still wet fingers as I did, easily slipping of her largest flashy cocktail ring in the process.
£ 9500
Then the dancing began in earnest.
I was now sitting at a table on the outside balcony, watching the crowded dance floor and the amazing show of the ladies flowing attire, and their flickering jewels, that were being showcased there.
Also in my view was a table where a handsome bearded male was enviably sitting alone with not one, but two attractively attired and ornamented lades.
One lady was wearing a black satin blouse with a long thicke red velvet skirt. She was wearing rubies and diamonds around her throat and wrists that were just a treat to look at, and covet.
The other was fashionably wearing a slick satin high necked gown of deep red that spilled down along her figure in a most scintillating manner. Her jewellery was a winning collection of diamonds worn seemingly everywhere from her figure. Of those, I would award a purple ribbon to the dangling necklace that lay around and fell from her throat that dripped columns of diamonds down the front of her sheer red gown, as the best in the show.
I saw the man rise, and pull out the chair of the lady wearing the rubies. He then led her off to the upper dance floor, unknowingly leaving the lady in red vulnerably alone.
I saw the remaining lady stand up and with what I imagined to be a whimsical manner, walked to the edge of the balcony.
I started to rise.
But a gold mask-wearing bloke from another table approached her before I had half risen and began talking to her. I learned then that her name was Emma.
What was odd is that the man had been sitting at a table with a lady wearing a sky blue satin dress, black satin jacket, and pearls. She looked very sad watching her gold mask-wearing tablemate talking to Emma.
I had dejectedly sat back down, watching with curious interest.
The gold masked bloke took Emma by the hand and led her to the dance floor.
I saw the lady in sky blue satin, and the pricey pearl slowly rises and follow.
As then, did I.
The lady in blue was standing in the side of the dancefloor, her posture told me she was both sad and dejected.
I went up and stood next to her. Without looking at me the lady in sky blue sleek satin said...
“Why are men such idiots?” then she looked at me, and blushed apologetically “I am so sorry.”
I held up my hand. “Apology accepted, a dance though would help ease the pain.”
She eagerly went with me and taking her warm, soft figure in my arms we joined in.
She did not appear to want any conversation from me. I let her hold tightly against me. We danced in silence, both lost in our own respective thoughts.
I had decided that a dance would not be enough to ‘ease my pain’ and as she distractedly looked around for the gold masked bloke dancing with Emma, I allowed my hand the move up to her shoulder, then over to the single strand of glistening pearls that lay around her throat.
Easily locating, then slipping open, the hinged silver clasp, I gently pulled the slippery smooth necklace away from around her neck and quickly pocketed it.
£ 8700
I had no sooner done so than I felt her shake, and saw that we were now close to the gold masked male dancing with Emma. One would need a crowbar to separate him from her. I could tell Emma was not enjoying herself.
I was watching, with melancholy interest, Emma’s diamonds dripping down from the necklace that lay low along the high neckline of her luxurious red satin gown, just dangling below her breasts.
A desiring fire was starting to stir from deep within, my fingers felt like curling. So close and yet so far...
I turned my partner around so we were facing away. I started to say something when I felt an unexpected, firm tap on my shoulder.
Well, one could imagine where my mind went as I turned my head.
Relieved, I saw that it was not one of the rental security men.
It was the gold masked table partner of the lady in blue satin I was dancing with.
I saw his more recent partner, Emma, the one in red whose dazzling necklace was a stirring lure, standing there in the middle of the dance floor, alone and confused.
“Switch partners.” He told me, it was not a question.
I looked at mine and she nodded ok.
I left her to be grasped up in his arms and went to Emma, the lady in red, who willingly came into mine.
“What then, was that all about? I asked smiling.
Emma answered with a giggle. “ He was telling her he wanted to see other women. But she is not supposed to he dancing with other men, especially handsome ones like you!”
With a shy nod of my head I thanked her, telling her that I thought she looked extraordinarily beautiful this evening.
Sweetly smiling she turned her head down with blushing cheeks, thanking me.
My hand meanwhile, which had been resting motionless along her shoulder, moved to her throat, my fingers blindly seeking and locating the clasp of her necklace.
My partner felt none of that.
It was as she nodded after my words of praise that I flicked apart the jewelled chains’ clasp that my fingers had fiddled open.
As she looked back up I began to delicately slip the diamond chain up over her shoulder, watching as the diamonds hanging from its’ centre were gliding up effortlessly from along the front of her red satin gown, then up and around the gowns’ slick high neckline, before disappearing from my view.
She smiled most fetchingly into my eyes, oblivious to the fact her heavily jeweled diamond necklace had been disappearing over her shoulder.
£ 58000
The music was ending and I happened to look over by the double oak doors of the main entrance on the opposite side of the mammoth hall.
Who did I spy but the lady in the sleek sky blue satin dress and smooth black jacket being led out by the gold mask-wearing bloke who had cut in on us? I saw an opportunity to plant a seed.
I pointed it out to Emma. “Wonder where they are off too in such a hurry?”
“They do appear to be on a mission,” said Emma watching.
“I hope they weren't up to something?” I said suspiciously.
“Like what ?” Emma asked watching the couple scurrying out the door.
“Oh, nothing. I guess I read too many mystery novels. I answered stealing a look at the now bare neckline of Emma’s gown.
The music ended and I walked Emma back to the balcony. Her table was deserted so I took her over and seated her before taking my leave.
I began to make another round of the tables inside. On the lookout for fresh prey amongst the beautifully attired female guests.
I soon snagged a young damsel who had been deserted by her friends and looked bored. Not boring were the collection of rubies she was wearing with her elaborate maroon taffeta puffy ball gown that would have shamed a princess.
I asked and got permission to dance with her. She asked me who I was this evening. When I mentioned Raffle’s name she, unfortunately, caught on to who he was.
“Oh a thief, will make sure to lock my rubies up this evening to keep them safe! She giggled touching her handsome ruby and diamond necklace
I thought to myself... “Well, they are now.” while saying. “ I was thinking of him being a cricket player, not a thief.”
We both laughed over that, but I knew this one was a dead end. I could not wait until the dance was through so I could resume the hunt. I really had thought none of the younger ones would have ever read about AJ Raffles and that it would be my inside joke.
We parted after the dance, she headed off happily back to her friends.
I was watching her, deciding what to do next, when a soft gloved hand unexpectedly rested on my shoulder.
Turning, my eyes took in a young lady in downy soft, flowy peach chiffon over a shiny pink silk number, along with a row of sparkling matched diamonds around her throat. And earrings to match, as well as a thin band of diamonds holding back her freshly washed chestnut coloured hair. She wore a striking blue mask with ostrich feathers.
She shyly asked if I was available for the next dance. And I happily told her I was. She put her head down blushing. And I was able to savor her delectably pretty matched diamond stone necklace.
I whisked her off to the upper dance floor as the music began.
When the inevitable questions came up as to who I was this evening I answered...”The cricket player Raffles, at your service.”
She laughed with a Twitter. “Quite pleasant to meet you cricket player Raffles.” then she moved her hand higher up my back and came in a little closer.
I followed suit, feeling her hot figure slip in against my own. My fingers at her waist kept moving up until I reached the back of her neck. Carefully undoing her necklace I gave it a slight tug, figuring her soft smooth gown would allow the rest of my trick to work. It did, slipping off easily from around her throat, slithering like a glimmering snake up over her shoulder, out of my sight, and into my waiting hand behind her back.
My pretty dance partner felt nothing, as I then pocketed her expensive necklace.
£42,000
I then calmly began to finish the dance.
It was then, as I was looking down at the area below the raised platform of the dance floor, that I spotted something shiny, then a flashing brilliant fire erupted, all coming from one of the tables below the dancing areas raised platform.
I maneuvered us in closer for a better peek.
I made out a lone female sitting at a side table.
It was the vivid deep green of her shiny party dress that then first caught my eye.
It was the amazingly brilliant sparklers she was sporting from various points of interest along her delightful figure, especially the fiery necklace she was playing with, that finished the capture.
Only real jewels, or a remarkably good set of imitations, would produce that kind of bright gleaming shimmer!
I was betting they were real.
She was vulnerable, sitting there quite remarkably alone at her side table, drinking slowly from a small goblet of wine. Sitting there wearing in all appearances to be a collection of diamond sparklers that would easily be worth a cool £50 to £75 thousand of what the London ruffians would call “ice”.
They would also be rudely calling her “that loaded bird”. But to me, she was a rather fetchingly adorned Lass who needed some company, and perhaps just a wee bit of trimming.
The dance ended and I calmly led my partner back to her table before taking my leave. Though trying not to appear in a hurry. I still politely declined her offer to join in a drink at her table.
Then with eager anticipation, circled about hoping that the girl I had spotted was still there, and still alone.
When I got there I saw to my dismay that the bird had flown the coup. The table was deserted
I waited a few long minutes, eyeing around for other opportunities in the area, then my eyes lit up as I saw her coming back, alone.
I observed her for a satisfying few long minutes from a shadowy corner. She was younger than anyone I had yet met, but it was impossible to determine how young.
And she obviously was bored.
Intriguingly I could still not truly tell about the authenticity of her amazing collection of diamonds from my vantage.
The set was decidedly quite lovely, consisting of a dangling chain set with I guess were diamond chips and ending with a swaying diamond heart-shaped pendant, matching long earrings, a wide bracelet, and numerous shimmering rings.
The earrings were brilliant, falling from her ears in sheets of (synthetic/real ?) diamonds, larger stones were set at the earrings clasp, and they shone like the real thing.
They all contributed to making up the shimmer that surrounded her figure like some wickedly glittering halo.
She was wearing a black bandits mask, which I felt added to the mystic.
This young chick was certainly jeweled up, calling out to be looked into further.
I approached her from behind, placing a hand delicately upon a plushly soft shoulder, and daringly gave a greeting as I felt her startled figure flinch.
I cheerfully said, “Hello Samantha.”
She turned and said apologizing,
“I’m not Samantha, wrong girl.”
I answered back, disappointed “ No, you certainly are not my friend Samantha.”
I then carefully looked her over, up and down… before saying.
“Far prettier, if I dare say.”
I had ascertained by now that she was quite a bit younger than 20. And that most of her jewelry was quite good imitation’s. Her heart shaped pendent contained real diamonds, but not valuable enough for my attention. The only fly in the ointment was her earrings. They appeared to be worth quite a bit actually.
I decided to hold off judgment and went on playing her on. Much like a fly fisherman will play a trout, not sure if he still wants to actually land it.
I went on…
“Well stranger, How do you do, Hold anyone up lately?”
I had taken her off guard and she did not answer back right away.
She gulped., obviously making a decision.
She sweetly raised a hand. “How do you do sir, my name is Nancy, and no, despite the mask, I'm not a thief.”
Taking her hand I kissed it with much pageantry. “Pleasure is all mine, glad my watch and wallet are safe”. I chuckled merrily, looking down at her thoughtfully.
Then, still holding her hand, I boldly asked…” May I sit for a bit, rather tuckered out at the moment?”
She nodded her head without hesitation. Her flash earrings swayed with a beckoning motion.
I slipped in the seat in front of her, my back to the dance floor. She was looking at me with a curious smile.
I smiled back, asking…
“So Nancy, what then, does your character do for a living if she is not a thief?”
“ I am an amateur detective.”
I nodded before asking….
“ Well, that is quite interesting indeed, what kind of cases do you like working on?”
She did not know how to answer that and squirmed as I watchers her face turn red, really making the freckles show up on her cheeks.
I saved her discomfort by saying…
“ I bet you are really clever at catching thieves. And that is why you are here this evening? Or are you taking the night off?”
Taking the cue, She nodded saying in a low voice.
“No thieves here tonight.”
I laughed in what I hoped would be a winning manner while answering. “ I guess not, probably no reason for one to be here. So miss Nancy, you've not asked whom I am playing this evening.”
”Let me see, an Undertaker ?” ”Nancy,” said teasingly.
I chuckled..”Not even close. A.J. Raffles, cricketer, at your command my lady.”
She had no idea who A.J.Raffles was, I could see that. And I decided to enlighten her a bit by telling a story.
He chuckled. “Never heard of him? Well, Raffles loved to play cricket, as well as several other hobbies. And there is a story behind that, as a lad, that helped him choose his course as an adult. Care to hear it?”
She eagerly nodded yes, while taking a sip of wine.
I began my tale…
“When A.J. Raffles was a lad of ten he attended a wedding where his parents were both best man and maid of honor. A.J sat at a table with an older Great Auntie who paid him no heed.
He soon fell in with a group of bored older boys who had been throwing dice in a makeshift crown and anchor board. The game had been broken up by one of the servers and they had all been chased away
AJ was huddled in with that group as they watched the dressed-up wedding guests up on the dance floor. They began talking amongst themselves, commenting over the scene before them.
Look at dem jools the birds are wearing. Bet they'd be worth a lot. One of the lads said. Another quipped back that too bad those dames weren't their age. Yeah, like that would mean anything. What would you do, lift their jools? Came the teasing retort. Hell yeah, I would say a cocky lad. And someone else said I like to see you do it. AJ was taking all this in, squirming a bit because he had always had a secret desire to somehow make a collection of the pretty jewellery he'd seen ladies wearing. Tonight was no different.
“Nancy” smirked “Sounds like my brother.”
“There you go then, you know how he felt also “ I answered smiling curiously before continuing...
Well as fate would have it, two young teenage girls came walking past, purposefully close. They threw the group of boys a rather coy look while passing.
One was dressed in a slick satin high necked gown of deep red with a long rhinestone necklace and earrings. Her companion was wearing a sky blue sleek satin party dress, smooth black jacket, and strands of imitation pearls.
No sooner had they passed than the inner circle of boys began to dare and double dare. Money was put up in bets that enticed two of the lads to take up the challenge. That being to come away with the girl’s necklaces.
The two lads left, and as the others looked on, went up to the two young lassies and began to converse. The giggling girls finally allowed themselves to be led to the dance floor
As they began to dance, more bets were made amongst the remaining lads, with young AJ joining in. Spending his only farthing on blue satin losing her pearls, and doubling that it would be done without her noticing.
Both of the dancing boys made several amateur attempts upon their female partner’s jewels.
Blue satin, misinterpreting why her partner had his hand high up on her backside, giggled and fled away. Red satin ran off after her friend, but not before the wily lad who had been holding her had given even her a hug, nicking her shimmering necklace off from around the high collar of her slick gown as she struggled free.
He came back triumphantly to collect his winnings. Though some argued that seeing her necklace had not been touching skin it was not a real contest. He got his winnings in the end and the group wandered off, the prized necklace being passed around with envy.
AJ stayed behind contemplating. he watched as the lads stopped by a table where a young girl sat alone. She was wearing a long bridesmaid's gown of silk dyed in several shades of teal and green. A single string of real pearls hung down from her bare neck. Expensively swinging down elegantly. He knew what the group of lads was discussing in their private huddle. AJ moved off not wishing to see anymore.
“Those poor girls, I am glad your character walked away from that instead of embarking on a life of crime, “ said “Nancy” to me.
“Yes indeed. “ I answered, looking at my pretty partner. Her shiny emerald green blouse was mesmerizingly beautiful, but not quite as mesmerizing as the hanging rhinestone diamond chain and pendent she still wore due to my hesitation overtaking it.
My fingers curled seeking opportunity, cursing that I may have missed it.
“Nancy, out of curiosity, if I’m not prying, you mentioned your brother would like my Raffles’s story?”
Oh! I could see I hit a pleasant nerve, as she smiled excitedly at me, her hand playing with her pendant as she spoke, a bit hoarsely I noticed.
“Yes he would, your Raffle story is similar to a game he likes playing.”
“Please tell me more, it sounds like you have fun playing it,” I said, with curious intentions.
She giggled. “Well, we play it in the woods. I wear a play dress and play jewelry. My brother plays a thief who tries to rob me of my jewels. Then if he does, he hides and I play the detective trying to find him. I know it sounds rather odd.”
That really opened my eyes, and thoughts started to race through my head.
“I took her hand. “No, not at all odd, sounds rather exciting.”
So they like to play games of jewels stolen. Right up my alley. I thought to myself while eyeballing her necklace.
“No,” I said to myself. Not the necklace. If anything the earrings.”
But I could not see how It could be done. So I chased the teasingly tempting thought out of my head.
A silence ensued for a minute, and as I watched,” Nancy” was looking over my shoulder up at the raised platform of the dance floor behind me, watching something.
I turned around, following her eyes.
A man with a green cummerbund was dancing with an attractive redhead.
She was wearing an elegant eye-catching blue taffeta gown with a scooped neckline, ruffled half sleeves, and knee-length skirt. She was wearing what was probably her best jewels, a sapphire and diamond jewelry set that sparkled deliciously under the ceiling lights of the great banquet hall. The necklace was especially pretty. A heavy gold v shape set with large pear-shaped sapphires interspersed with smaller round diamonds. She wore a deep blue mask that covered her eyes and nose.
I turned back, and Nancy” dropped her eyes back onto mine.
I asked thoughtfully…
“I see you are looking at that lady, pretty in blue, with the sparkly sapphire jewels”
She guiltily nodded yes,
“If you wait a bit, you will meet them. That’s my mum and father.
I complimented her…
“You both are very pretty, if I may be so bold?”
Taking up her hand and I kissed it…
“But now, I must be toddling off, taken up too much of your time I’m afraid .”
We both stood up to say goodbye.
Shen then. Quite cheerfully, held out her hands for a friendly hug.
I did so willingly and my fingers securely patted up along her back. it felt very nice and I became aware of a rather pleasant prickling sensation causing a rise in my feelings.
“Well “Nancy” I hope you liked my Raffles story.
“Nancy” nodded yes, then asked me
“Do you think Raffles regretted not playing the games those boys were up to?”
Holding her hand, I patted down along her sleeve reassuringly… as I said
“I think Raffles is the type never to regret anything, what do you think?”
“Nancy” nodded her head happily satisfied. Her dazzling earrings flickered quite beautifully.
I smiled at myself broadly.
“Here “Nancy” allow me to get you seated.”
She sat. And as I gripped my fingers supportively along her arms as I slid the chair forward.
I then again lifted and kissed her hand.
“Righto” I nodded and was off.
I headed back around to the bar, when whom did I spy? “Nancy’s” mother, standing alone by the bar. I saw some drunken sod bump hard against her from behind, almost causing her to lose balance.
A handsome red-headed man was turning away from the bar holding a brandy and she fell against him.
It was her husband. The man she has been dancing with.
Laughing, the pair moved off.
Grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I followed them out to the outside balcony. There I took a seat at my table and kept watch.
I watched as from another table, where a 40ish lady wearing a wedding ring was sitting alone, rise and began walking towards me.
She was resplendent in a long black sleeveless plush velvet gown, wearing long black satin gloves. Her pearl jewelry shone like do many small bright moons. Earrings, triple strand necklace, and a very wide bracelet set with not only valuably real pearls, but expensively with purple amethyst stones also.
The bracelet fits snugly around her shiny gloved wrist. And anyone in my profession knows a snug bracelet is a far simpler item to remove than a loose-fitting one.
The purple satin half-face mask she wore added much to her winningly pretty look.
She gave me the eye as she walked past and I rose to follow.
We ended up dancing. Her name, real name(and that of her character from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's) was Holly.
Holly, like “Nancy”, had never heard of the Raffles character either.
I left her after we had danced, holding her heart.
The hand which she placed had placed over her heart, no longer sporting her expensively wide pearl and amethyst bracelet.
£ 23000
She then suddenly had to go to the loo and darted off. I looked back at her table and saw a man in a tiger-striped mask was pulling out a chair to sit there.
I also figured it was time to scurry off. I had gotten me one more score.
I went down the steps leading off the raised dance floor, running right into “Nancy’s” mum swishing her way around at the bottom of the platform
“Seize the day-old chap”
My thoughts of leaving were put on hold as I looked her pretty, and expensively attired, figure over.
I held her up, saying I needed to apologize.
She looked into my face, her eyes twinkling like her daughters. Her sapphire and diamond jewellery also twinkling. But unlike her daughter’s, these she was wearing were very real.
“Apologize for what?” she asked in all innocence. I could also tell she was a bit tipsy from drink. Which considerably lowered her guard with me.
“ I saw that twit rudely bumping against you at the bar earlier, without apologizing. So I am for him.” I said with a neat little bow.
“Aren't you just a dear." she gushed, blushing. Just like her daughter, she had freckles also.
“Would you husband mind if I offered a dance as a consolation?” I asked with daring.
“Oh, I think a quick one would be ok,” she said smiling, accepting my offer.
I placed my arm around her glossy taffeta sleek waist and led her to the lower dance area.
It was a slow dance, and I took her into my arms with a delightfully delicious feeling of anticipation. Her sleekly taffeta-covered figure was a pleasure to warmly hold in my arms, and her twinkling jewels a pleasure to watch.
I, with real curiosity, asked who she was playing at this evening. She replied,” miss Moneypenny” then asked who I was.
Not wishing to jinx my good fortune, I lied. “ I am an undertaker, here to collect souls”
She laughed looking sassily into my eyes.
“Liar”
“Ok then, I'm really a bad cricket player.”
“Really, bad as in naughty?” she asked pleasantly vexed.
This one is fun, I thought to myself. I wondered mischievously if she was the catalyst if her children’s play game ideas had been inherited from her?
But I asked no questions along those lines. Instead, I decided to test the water with a story.
I then went into a similar story that I had told “Nancy” except to her mother I changed to arena from a wedding reception to a cricket match, and the group of lads was trying to steal kisses, not jewels, from their chosen victims.
My partner listened with a deep reflective interest.
So intent was she in my tale, that I was able to easily undo her necklaces ‘clasp and watch the shimmering beauty being slipped away by me from up her front, then around her throat, finally to be pulled out of sight behind her back. All skillfully done without the cheerfully happy lady feeling absolutely anything amiss.
Just like her daughter I thought. Innocent and as trusting as a lamb before being fleeced for the first time by a mock shepherd.
And reflectively, both had been dressed as soft as downy chicks when they had both caught the eye of the same wiley gilded feather plucking fox.
These were the thoughts in the back of my mind as I stowed my dance partner's glittering sapphire and diamond necklace away...
£6300
I finished my story just a few seconds after the music ended. We broke apart only once I had finished.
She hugged me and gave me a peck on the cheek for being so nice
“Here is a stolen kiss,” she whispered
She then, (of course after nicking her necklace) mentioned that her husband was also a cricket player. With his bloody police station’s team!
I was stunned. Half wishing she had told me her husband was a “copper” before I had nicked her jewels.
Figuring I had now finally worn out my luck, and welcome, I made up an excuse of my own and watched as her shiny evening dress swished and swayed all along with her lovely figure while she made her way back towards the unseen table where I knew her pretty daughter was sitting.
“Bloody fool, I had taken the necklace off a copper’s wife...“
I murmured this, chastising myself, shaking my head at my folly as I stared off in disbelief.
Understandably I think, I then decided I should probably best be on my way home.
I had already planned my exit earlier, not knowing when I would be needing it.
Deciding to avoid at all costs leaving by the main doors by which I had come in, I had earlier discovered a small set of stone stairs that led off the balcony.
The stairs were narrow and hidden from the view of the balcony. A simple rope with an “Off Limits” sign guarded the entrance. They led down to the small patch of woods that lined the rose gardens.
On the far end of the woods was a small cemetery, next to which I had discreetly parked my 61 Lotus elite sports car.
I made my way to the balcony and looked around. There weren't that many guests left out there. A group of men smoking cigars and drinking brandy stood at one end. I could make out the rather stout form of “Nancy’s” father in with them. His back was to me.
In a corner sat Emma with her tablemates. The male was telling a very animated story.
A few other tables were occupied, about 1/3 of them. None near the hidden stairway.
I made my way there. Reaching it, I again surveyed the area. I could see the 3 people sitting at Emma’s we're laughing. Emma had a hand to her chest. Suddenly a look of alarm crossed her face as she felt around, obviously not finding her diamonds. Her friends were asking what was wrong. I saw her look back at the empty table where the gold masked bloke had sat, the one who had cut in on me as after her deserting Emma on the dance floor.
As I disappeared unseen from view I remember thinking I was glad that I had sowed that seed of thought to Emma while we had watched the couple leaving the ballroom.
€€€€€€€€€€€
I got to the bottom of the stairs and made my way to the wooded path the ran the length of the gardens.
Thinking I was alone, made me feel safe to quickly begin to stroll away along the path, throwing the caution I had had all evening to the wind.
Suddenly I froze in step.
I had caught the unmistakable sight of a lady's sparkly jewels as she was walking through the gardens to the left of my path.
I was not out here alone?
And I could not believe lady would not be out here alone either.
I snuck up, cloaked by the shadows of the trees, to get a better look
Shocked I saw it was “Nancy”, out of her, apparently alone.
I watched “Nancy” as she moved about. My mind traveled into the realms of speculation.
What if my young friend had indeed been wearing jewels worth £75,000?
And I find her like this, vulnerably alone.
Would I be tempted to break character, and ….
I shook my head. I would probably not. Especially now that I knew her father was a policeman of some sort.
But someone who did not know her father was a “copper”, and perhaps thought the diamonds she was were real… well they may not feel the same about letting her be.
Suddenly a rabbit jumped from the judge, startling both of us. I see her have a gasp, hand shooting up to her chest.
As her jewels flickered in a mad frenzy, a thought popped in my head, making me grin with expectations.
“Time to give “Nancy” a taste of my games. I thought wickedly. “
I snuck up behind her, and placing my hands over her eyes, pulled her soft figure back up against my own.
“ Hello, Samantha, fancy meeting you here.”
“Raffles!” She blurted with relief…
I pulled my hands away, allowing them the liberty to feel through her hair, examining also her earrings, feeling along the hinged clasps to get a feel for what I was about to do...
I then stepped back, as she, with a deep sigh of relief, quickly turned around.
“Not playing a game alone, are ye Lass?” I asked, looking down into her pretty green eyes.
“No.” She said shaking her head, hair flying…
I smiled, placing my hands inside my pockets, as I watched her with interest.
She giggled while trying to lecture me…” you gave me quite the start sir. “
He placed a finger under my chin, lifting it so I was looking up into his eyes.
“Stand still,” I commanded and moved around behind her.
“Good thing I didn’t do what first popped into my devious mind...
I felt his knuckle go into my back…
”Stick ‘ em up miss .”
“Good thing you didn’t I would have peed myself... I giggled.
“Raffles” chuckled:
“Stay in character miss .” Was what I heard from behind me
I raised them up, imagining like I was actually being held up. My heart began to race again with a feeling of delicious danger as I spoke.
“What do you want from me?”
Raffles, still holding his knuckle into my back …reached out his other hand with an open palm as he spoke.
”Put your hands down, I’ve taken a fancy to that bracelet of yours. So please hand it over. “
I shivered, saying smartly. “I don’t believe a real thief would say please …”
My friend “Raffles” responded.
“Would my real victim ask that? Try a different tack.”
Trembling again, with delicious delight. I played along.
“No sir, not my bracelet, anything but that …”
“That’s better, a bit of heartfelt pleading can never heart.
After a second the hand withdrew.
Raffles laughed amiably…
“Ok miss, keep your bracelet then. “
He chuckled from behind, removing his knuckle….
“It was only a thought I had when I saw you out here walking alone, remembering the story of the games you play with your brother, did I do ok?”.
“Smashing .” I giggled gleefully “Spot on.”
She put my hands down to my sides as I placed a hand on her smooth satin-covered shoulder and ran it down her satin blouse’s sleeve as I came back around to face her.
“All kidding aside, you really shouldn’t be out here alone “Nancy” someone less inviting as me may have been about. And I don’t mean your brother let’s see you back safe Lass.”
I nodded.
He lifted my hand and pulled my back to him. Coddling along against his warm figure, Raffles led me back along the path to the stairway.
“I’ll be leaving you here “Nancy” I was on my way home.
I looked up into his face. “it was fun meeting you, sorry you have to go. “
“So am I Lass.”
As I looked down in her upturned face I realized by the look in her eyes, that I had her lulled into such a state of complacency that I found myself unable to control any longer my thieving impulse.
Police parent or not, those earrings “Nancy” was wearing deserved to be plucked.
My fingers began to curl as I pulled her to me, with wicked intent…
We for the second time, hugged goodbye, a deeply fulfilling embrace it was by all standards, as well as presenting a perfect opportunity to set myself in position.
We broke apart and I tickled my fingers up her smooth satin-clad sides, then lifted her hair high up over her head.
I let her hair back down, letting its silken strands spill over my fingers fingers
She giggled as it tickled. My fingers reached her dangling, desirable earrings.
I spoke, my eyes locked in hers, my fingers ready…
“A Very pretty one you are, and don’t ever let anyone say differently.”
I felt her squirm with excitement, her chin up, looking deep within my eyes.
I took the opportunity given me to curl my fingers around her old-fashioned hinged clasped earrings. I gently applied pressure to the backside of the hinges and in unison slipped off both danglers from her earlobes. As her shivering figure greatly aided my endeavor.
I let my hands drop to my vest pocket as I watched her shoulder-length red hair fall back into place, covering my dirty deed.
£2200
I had been holding my breath. For this type of maneuver was as tricky as stealing the diamond collar from around the neck of a sleeping Persian cat without waking her. “Nancy”, relishing in my praise, never felt a prick as I had taken them from her ears.
Releasing my breath I took a step back complimenting that her hair was much prettier when down.
As she looked up at me with those doe wide adult-looking mascara brushed eyes, I felt a flicker of unease over filching her earrings.
She suddenly propelled herself again in my arms and gave me a very smothering, very long hug.
We broke apart.
“Go now, you before I change my mind about playing games.”
I let her go with a chuckle, holding my ground as I watched her pretty green satin party dress swishing merrily along with her figure.
She started up the stairs, then stopping raised up her hands.
I froze, then saw she was merely blowing me a kiss.
Pulling my hands from my vest pocket as I deposited her earrings, I pretended to catch her kiss and added it to my collection.
“My second this evening,” I said mysteriously…
Then turning away, I went off down along the path.
Quickly reaching my car, I opened a secret compartment inside the boot, emptied my pockets of the purloined jewels, and stashed them safely away.
Then hopping in on the right, I fired the engine to life and drove away in the opposite direction.
Addendum
Several weeks after securely hiding the over £188,000 in jewels I had gotten away with, I was flabbergasted to read in their local paper that the robbery was believed to have been committed by a gang of thieves. With none of the descriptions given really matched mine...
Probably not so shocking was the statement giving the total value of the stolen jewellery, as reported to the insurance agencies from the 0ver 30 females claiming to be victims, coming in to a bit over...
£325,000!
To Read the story from ‘Nancy Drew’s “ Perspective
Click Below
LC Verse Batman
Bane - Bane
Banes father attempted to assassinate Ra' Al Ghul due to him leading a following of assassins which he was going to use as a personal army. The assassination attempt failed and the father and his beloved wife (pregnant at the time) were exiled to an underground prison on an abandoned island which ran illegal experimentation on the prisoners.
After a few months of imprisonment the mother died giving birth to Bane and the father continued to care for Bane. When there was a severe food shortage in the prison the father protected Bane from being cannibalised, he sacrificed himself to save Bane as long as his child's survival was ensured by a fellow prisoner who then continued to look after Bane until he was old enough to look after himself. Bane grew up in the harsh prison and began exploring it, murder became his friend and cruelty became his ally. Bane worked out everyday almost all day and became one of the most notorious prisoners, this caught the attention of the guards who began to fear him. When a revolution in the prison occurred (led by Bane) he was punished harshly by being sentenced to death. To the guards this meant being forced into the "Venom Procedure" which involved a super soldier serum being injected into the victims bloodstream granting them super strength and durability (which nobody had survived). They didn't know Bane though, Bane powered through the agonising procedure and became the only one who survived therefore granting him extreme power.
With this new power Bane broke out of the prison and let all the prisoners escape, he was then forced to jump into sea the shark infested waters later assumed to be dead when cornered by armed guards. What they didn't know however was Banes adamance to survive, Bane fought off every single shark which approached him and swam to the nearest city, Gotham City.
Bane didn't know about any other lifestyle other than the crime which he grew up with in the prison, he saw Gotham as just another prison to conquer. He began to use his powers to bring super villains to their knees and heroes to tremble in his wake, Bane rose to power in the city but was stopped by The Batman. Because of Banes mentality he was sentenced to Arkham Asylum, however he fascinated Dr. Jonathan Crane who began to teach Bane about the Venom serum he uses (this knowledge allows Bane to make his own Venom). He was then broken out when Dr. Jonathan Crane took on the 'Scarecrow' persona and became 'Nightmare', who wanted Bane as a body guard. Bane denied this position stating "I'm no henchman!" and took off.
Bane is now determined more than ever to take over Gotham and break the only man standing in his way, The Batman.
Photo taken by Wilhelm Hell, scan kndly provided by him for inclusion on this page.
München-Riem
July 1979
G-APWA "Mandy Keegan"
Handley Page HPR-7 Herald 100
149
British Air Ferries (BAF)
G-APWA with BAF was noted at Riem on 17 May 1979, 9 August 1979 and 12 June 1980 (used as a tour plane for the rock group Styx. This slide was dated July 1979.
History of G-APWA (from saadonline.uk):
5/61-10/61 Jersey Airlines (leased)
1/62-4/62 B.E.A. (leased)
4/63-8/63 Autair (leased)
8/63-1/64 Malaysian Air Force (leased)
2/64-10/65 S.A.D.I.A. (leased as PP-ASV)
4/66-9/66 British Midland (leased as G-APWA)
11/66-8/76 S.A.D.I.A. as PP-SDM (name later changed to Transbrazil 6/72)
8/76-1/85 BAF
1/85-3/93 Panavia Air Cargo
3/93-present Berkshire Aviation Museum
Preserved at the Berkshire Avation Museum, Woodley, as of 2018
Registration details for this airframe:
rzjets.net/aircraft/?reg=300426
G-APWA with BEA in September 1960 (postcard):
www.flickr.com/photos/antonov22/12524375564
G-APWA with Autair at BSL in August 1963:
www.bsl-mlh-planes.net/bigpicture/picture_id/6720
G-APWA with British Midland at LPL in May 1966:
www.flickr.com/photos/kenfielding/6890684851
This airframe as PP-SDM with S.A.D.I.A. at SDU in July 1969:
imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/9/3/5/1753539.jpg
This airframe as PP-SDM with Transbrasil at BSB in May 1975:
www.planepictures.net/a/5/30/1030238915.jpg
G-APWA derelict at SEN in December 1985:
www.flickr.com/photos/petermgarwood/23434855562
G-APWA preserved at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation, Woodley, in January 2019:
www.flickr.com/photos/29288836@N00/46818067431
Scan from Kodachrome slide (on Kodak Photo CD).
Himal Viraj leads a team of boiler makers in the Sri Lanka Railways vast workshops at Rathmalana, in the southern suburbs of Colombo. He was hoping to retire this year.
Sri Lanka, February 2020. © David Hill
After meeting with the Heretic, Keltuss, Skapular and Malleus left the scrub lands. They rejoined the Dread Battalion and started by for the Deadlands. Malleus decided to go his own way.
The term “restless soul” would suit him well if he had a soul. He craved death, he needed to inflect it upon the living. It is not easy to describe the notions and wants of living skeletons but it was almost like the desire you feel for companionship of the one you love… it was so seeped into his being that it would be an addiction in the living.
He set his arms out, axe in each and ran. He never tires, he does not thirst, no pangs of hunger, just the need to kill…
He skirted the wall of Leandorr, as the place Skelatus had meet them was in Ophidionn. The Army and the Convocation had always been friendly and the Red Shield would often patrol hundreds of miles into Ophidionn. Malleus had high hopes of finding patrolling Leodyssues soldiers or even Red Shield Knights to brutalize… Oh that would be glorious indeed…. This is part of a running storyline I have on my Instagram called “The Elf Maiden”. Day 3867 Y11D216
**Max, at Work.**
Watching him paint was, for me, much more than simply a photographic opportunity.
It meant entering his world, respectfully and on tiptoe. A world made of silence, thoughts, glances, gestures, and that deep concentration that belongs to someone who has devoted an important part of his life to creativity.
While he paints, Max seems almost to forget everything around him. He is immersed in his own time, in his ideas, in the emotions that slowly take shape on the canvas.
And perhaps this is the most fascinating part: not knowing what is passing through his mind, yet somehow being able to perceive that something is happening.
What he sees and feels belongs only to him. It comes from sensitivity, experience, empathy, and everything that, throughout his life, has settled within him.
I simply tried to capture a few moments of that experience, allowing his gestures, his eyes, and his work to tell what words cannot fully explain.
Because sometimes, there is no need to explain what happens inside.
**It is enough to look.**
--------------------------------------
**Max, al lavoro.**
Guardarlo mentre dipinge è stato, per me, qualcosa di più di una semplice occasione fotografica.
È stato entrare, con rispetto e in punta di piedi, nel suo mondo. Un mondo fatto di silenzi, pensieri, sguardi, gesti e di quella concentrazione profonda che accompagna chi ha dedicato una parte importante della propria vita alla creatività.
Mentre dipinge, Max sembra quasi dimenticare tutto ciò che lo circonda. È immerso nel suo tempo, nelle sue idee, nelle emozioni che lentamente prendono forma sulla tela.
Ed è forse questo l'aspetto più affascinante: non sapere cosa stia attraversando la sua mente, ma riuscire comunque a percepire che qualcosa sta accadendo.
Quello che vede e sente appartiene soltanto a lui. Nasce dalla sensibilità, dalle esperienze, dall'empatia e da tutto ciò che, nel corso della vita, si è sedimentato dentro di lui.
Io ho semplicemente cercato di fermare alcuni istanti di quel momento, lasciando che fossero i suoi gesti, i suoi occhi e il suo lavoro a raccontare ciò che le parole non riescono a spiegare.
Perché, qualche volta, non serve raccontare ciò che accade dentro.
**È sufficiente guardare.**
“In truth, it was not so much his opinions as his audacity in thinking that condemned him.” (on the Bruno case — Arthur Schopenhauer)
GIORDANO BRUNO—Giordano Bruno (Nola, 1548 – Rome, 17 February 1600) was a philosopher, Dominican friar, writer, poet, and one of the most radical and free minds in European history. His name does not stand only for a victim of the Inquisition: it stands for a rupture. Bruno broke the mental architecture of the medieval and dogmatic world—not through superficial rebellion, but through immense intellectual work and a rare moral force: the refusal to kneel.
Bruno was not killed for a single sentence. He was killed because he was too great, too free, too dangerous: because he made a new human being possible—a human being who thinks without a master.
Origins and formation
He was born in Nola, in the Kingdom of Naples, in 1548. His birth name was Filippo Bruno; he took the name Giordano when he entered the Dominican Order. Very young, he moved to Naples, into a vibrant cultural environment where philosophy, literature, and theology coexisted in constant tension. He was brilliant, hungry for knowledge, and profoundly allergic to every form of dogma.
He entered the convent of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples. There he studied Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and the classics, but also texts outside orthodoxy. Bruno was an “impossible” friar: not made for obedience. His mind was made for research and contradiction. Accusations of heresy began early: Bruno read, debated, doubted, attacked superstition, and refused mechanical devotion.
Flight from Italy and European exile
When he understood that the inquisitorial machine was closing in, Bruno fled. Thus began a wandering European life that lasted for years: Geneva, Toulouse, Paris, London, Oxford, Wittenberg, Prague, Helmstedt, Frankfurt… Bruno became a European intellectual before Europe existed as a modern idea.
This was not a peaceful exile: wherever he went, he caused scandal. Because Bruno was not accommodating. He did not seek protection. He sought truth. He challenged professors, theologians, academies. He exposed cultural hypocrisy. He defended freedom of thought with an energy that made him beloved by a few and hated by many.
Major works: what he left behind
Bruno left a vast body of philosophical and literary work. Among the most important:
La cena de le Ceneri (1584): a dialogue in which he discusses cosmology and attacks closed, authoritarian mentalities.
De la causa, principio et uno (1584): a philosophical work on the deep principle of reality and the structure of being.
De l’infinito, universo e mondi (1584): perhaps his most revolutionary text; it proclaims an infinite universe and multiple worlds, rejecting the closed and hierarchical medieval cosmos.
Lo spaccio de la bestia trionfante (1584): a satirical and philosophical attack on moral vices and spiritual degradation.
De gli eroici furori (1585): a high work that fuses philosophy and poetry, presenting the desire for the infinite as the heroic drive of the soul.
Another crucial line of his work concerns the art of memory (mnemonics), but not as a scholastic exercise: as the strengthening of the mind, as the construction of thought itself.
To say “Bruno was a philosopher” is not enough. Bruno was an architect of consciousness.
His most explosive idea: the infinite
Bruno broke the idea of a closed, finite universe with a single center, governed by metaphysical hierarchies in which human beings must obey.
He imagined a cosmos without center, without limits, filled with worlds. An infinite universe means one terrible thing for power: if the universe is infinite, then no authority can claim to be “the center.”
This was not only a scientific issue; it was a political and religious one. It undermined the mental scaffolding through which souls were controlled.
Why he truly disturbed power
Bruno disturbed power on several fronts—each deadly in his time:
1) Radical freedom of thought: Bruno did not negotiate—he thought. In a system built on dogma, a man like that becomes contagion.
2) Infinite cosmology and plurality of worlds: not just astronomy, but an assault on hierarchy, on the “center” of authority.
3) Ferocious critique of superstition and hypocrisy: Bruno did not whisper—he exposed and ridiculed lies.
4) A new idea of the human being: not born to obey, but to know. A bomb.
Return to Italy: the trap
After years of exile, Bruno returned to Italy. It was a tragic passage: perhaps he hoped for stability, perhaps he underestimated the danger. He was denounced, arrested, and handed to the Inquisition.
Trial and imprisonment
Bruno spent years in prison. The Inquisition did not only seek to condemn him: it sought to break him. Interrogations, pressure, demands to retract.
Their obsession was not to punish a man, but to destroy an example.
But Bruno did not yield. He did not step back into the enclosure. He did not kneel. He did not “correct” his ideas to save himself.
Death: the stake at Campo de’ Fiori
On 17 February 1600, Giordano Bruno was condemned and burned alive at Campo de’ Fiori in Rome.
That death was not simply an execution. It was a declaration of power: “whoever thinks outside the enclosure burns.”
And Bruno became the opposite of what they wanted: eternal.
Legacy
Giordano Bruno remains a symbol of freedom of thought, but also something deeper: proof that intelligence and conscience can be considered more dangerous than weapons.
Bruno is not only a martyr—he is a threshold. After him, European thought can no longer pretend the world is closed.
And it can no longer pretend human beings must obey in order to live.
Bruno left a tragic and luminous certainty: you can burn a body, but you cannot burn the infinite.
Photo taken by Wilhelm Hell, scan kindly provided by him for inclusion on this page.
München-Riem
January 1988
G-GCAL
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10
46501 / 2
Cal Air International
G-GCAL is coming in to land on runway 25. This airframe was also reported at Riem as G-BELO with Laker Airways Skytrain on 30 December 1979 (there were probably more visits with Laker during the early 1980s).
Information from airhistory.net - thanks to Alastair T. Gardiner:
This very early DC-10 - airframe no. 2 - originally flew for McDonnell Douglas before being delivered to Laker Airways as G-BELO in June 1977. It went to American Trans Air as N183AT in February 1983 and then Cal Air three years later. It transferred over to Novair in December 1988 and then went to Project Orbis as N220AU in November 1991 as a flying hospital. The frame is now preserved in Tucson at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
Registration details for this airframe:
www.planelogger.com/Aircraft/Registration/G-GCAL/650726
This airframe as N10DC with McDonnell Douglas at LGB in June 1973:
imgproc.airliners.net/photos/airliners/5/9/5/2733595.jpg
This airframe as G-BELO with Laker at LGW in June 1978:
www.flickr.com/photos/105925977@N03/32777870341
This airframe as N183AT with American Trans Air at FRA in June 1985:
www.flickr.com/photos/aero_icarus/51771300755
Another shot of G-GCAL with Cal Air at Riem, from 10 January 1987:
www.airhistory.net/photo/391627/G-GCAL
G-GCAL with Novair at Riem in September 1988:
cdn.plnspttrs.net/26336/g-gcal-novair-mcdonnell-douglas-d...
This airframe as N220AU with Orbis ca. early 2000s (initial colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/154191970@N03/50775068213
N220AU with Orbis at DUB in April 2005 (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/53277566@N06/5955863264/in
N220AU with Orbis at LAX in November 2016 (later colours):
www.flickr.com/photos/92009354@N00/30743279811
N220AU at DM AFB Tucson AZ going to Pima Air and Space Museum in November 2016:
www.flickr.com/photos/cactusbillaz/25330529249
N220AU preserved at Pima Air and Space Museum in October 2020:
www.flickr.com/photos/37585658@N00/50501538926
Scan from Kodachrome slide (on Kodak Photo CD).
Him=
Head: Lelutka EvoX Jon.
Wearing: Avec Toi Kai Shirt, Avec Toi Kai Pants, Avec Toi Kai Shoulder Holster, Avec Toi Mio Digitalls.
Her=
Head: Lelutka EvoX Siwa.
Wearing: Avec Toi Marie Blouse, Avec Toi Kali Pants, Avec Toi Mio Digitalls.
I saw him sitting on the railing further along. Perhaps... It looked as if I might be able to line up the shot to include snow covered Mt. Fuji in the background.
But this day I was shooting film. 1600 Fuji Natura so I could keep the shutter speed high to catch the Kingfisher in flight. The camera was a Mamiya DSX1000 and the lens a mamiya/sekor 400mm 6.4.
In order to line up Mt. Fuji I had to move in close to the bird, but too close and it would fly away. I had one shot. But the bird decided I was too close and in an instant was gone.
...let him swim in your pool!! He thought about it though. And he has this thing for sticking his head in water.... sticks his whole head in the water bowl..and his paws. He had a great time at Club Ogden with Roscoe!
Photo taken in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We spotted him from a distance front on and saw him eating something, I got the driver to move round for a profile shot and I took about 30 shots of him including this one which was one of 6 photos of him swallowing the claw. This frame was, for me, the perfect one out of them all.