All three photos posted this morning were taken yesterday, 14 May 2016, when I went on a morning walk with birding friends. We met at the Boat Launch in Fish Creek Park and walked in the Sikome and Lafarge Meadows areas. This included checking on the usual Great Horned Owl family - all four members were way up high in the trees, more or less hidden from view. Later today, I will add the list of bird species seen.

 

After this walk, I drove a short distance to see a different family of Great Horned Owls, presumably the same pair of adults that we had seen last year, nesting near the Bow Valley Ranch. Amazingly, this pair had four - yes, four! - owlets this time. Somewhat better views than of the first family, at least for the short time I was there. My photo shows one of these young ones, busy preening. They are still at the unsteady stage when they move along a branch. Love how the camera makes it look like the owl was right in front of me, when it was actually very high up in a tree.

 

"With its long, earlike tufts, intimidating yellow-eyed stare, and deep hooting voice, the Great Horned Owl is the quintessential owl of storybooks. This powerful predator can take down birds and mammals even larger than itself, but it also dines on daintier fare such as tiny scorpions, mice, and frogs. It’s one of the most common owls in North America, equally at home in deserts, wetlands, forests, grasslands, backyards, cities, and almost any other semi-open habitat between the Arctic and the tropics.

 

Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots." From AllAboutBirds.

 

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/id

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_horned_owl

 

Bird list from our leader, Melanie S:

 

Fish Creek PP--Boat Launch, Calgary, Alberta, CA

14-May-2016 9:00 AM - 12:10 PM

Protocol: Traveling

3.5 kilometer(s)

Comments: 10 to 15 deg C. Sunny. Nature Calgary field trip, leader Melanie Seneviratne.

46 species (+1 other taxa)

 

Canada Goose 24

Gadwall 8

American Wigeon 10

Mallard 22

Blue-winged Teal 4

Northern Shoveler 1

Canvasback 1

Redhead 7

Lesser Scaup 6

Common Goldeneye 2

Common Merganser 2

Pied-billed Grebe 1

Double-crested Cormorant 4

American White Pelican 5

Great Blue Heron 1

Osprey 4

Northern Goshawk 1 Flew over car park as we were leaving.

Swainson's Hawk 4

American Coot 4

Spotted Sandpiper 4

Wilson's Snipe 1

Franklin's Gull 3

California Gull 1

Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) 2

Great Horned Owl 4 2 adult 2 juveniles

Downy Woodpecker 1

Northern Flicker 2

Northern Flicker (Red-shafted) 1

Pileated Woodpecker 1

Black-billed Magpie 2

American Crow 2

Common Raven 5

Tree Swallow 250

Barn Swallow 1

Cliff Swallow 20

Black-capped Chickadee 1

White-breasted Nuthatch 1

American Robin 12

European Starling 10

Clay-colored Sparrow 2

White-crowned Sparrow 1

Savannah Sparrow 3

Song Sparrow 1

Red-winged Blackbird 30

Yellow-headed Blackbird 6

Brewer's Blackbird 1

Brown-headed Cowbird 5

This craft is not the venerable T-65B from the the original trilogy, nor is it the T-70 from the new trilogy. This X-Wing is the XJ-3 model featured in the old Star Wars Expanded Universe material of the 80s and 90s. The XJ-3 was built by Incom to supplement the newer, more advanced, but considerably more expensive and complex E-Wing fighters. The advancements made over the T-65 model are newer engines, bolstered shields, and a better armament. The XJ-3's laser cannons could be fired in "Stutter-fire" mode, which allowed it to shoot through the shields of Yuuzhan Vong ships (which also means that it shoots blue pew pews instead of red). Instead of 2 torpedo launchers, the XJ-3 had three.

 

"What you say might be too much for some people. Maybe it will come out all wrong and you'll stutter and walk away embarrassed, wincing as you play it all back in your head. But I think the words you stop yourself from saying are the ones that will haunt you the longest.

 

So say it to them. Or say it to yourself in the mirror. Say it in a letter you'll never send or in a book millions might read someday. I think you deserve to look back on your life without a chorus of resounding voices saying 'I could've, but it's too late now.'

 

There is a time for silence. There is a time waiting your turn. But if you know how you feel, and you so clearly know what you need to say, you'll know it.

 

I don't think you should wait. I think you should speak now."

 

--Taylor Swift

  

This really hit me for some some reason. I just felt the need to share it for anyone who doesn't have Speak Now yet.

 

The French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

 

After New Orleans had been founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city developed around the Vieux Carré ("Old Square"), a central square. The district gained its name after the changes to American immigration after the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Most of the extant historic buildings were constructed either in the late 18th century, during the city's period of Spanish rule, or were built during the first half of the 19th century, after U.S. annexation and statehood.

 

The district as a whole has been designated as a USA National Historic Landmark, with numerous contributing buildings that are separately deemed significant. It is a prime tourist destination in the city, as well as attracting local residents.

 

The French Quarter is one of New Orleans' most historic neighbourhoods. Alongside the history there are also a reimagined French Market, modern boutiques and artisan cocktails mix with beloved antique stores and old restaurants.

 

Like the Creole aristocrats lining the galleries of the Historic New Orleans Collection, the French Quarter is a timeless portrait – especially come dusk when swallows glide above the fortune tellers on Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral’s butter-crème-coloured walls reflect the fiery sunset.

 

Ghost tours troop past mad Madame LaLaurie’s mansion while neon signs stutter to life on Bourbon Street where syrupy red Hurricanes, slosh in famed ‘go cups’– those plastic tumblers responsible for uncountable roadside parties. Night falls. Horse hooves clop, music throbs and gaslights flicker in a place full of long-told legends and those waiting to be born.

 

Information Sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Quarter

www.neworleans.com/plan/neighborhoods/french-quarter/

 

a world of warnings. signs for those, who are already becoming ghosts in the periphery. a brief stutter of breath in a kingdom of stone.

Alhambra, March 2011

Golden State Memories

PLAY YOUR PLAYLIST*

1.List nhạc gồm ít nhất 30 bài.

2. Đặt máy nghe nhạc/chương trình nghe nhạc của bạn ở chế độ Ngẫu nhiên (shuffle/random).

3. Với mỗi câu hỏi, ấn next song để biết câu trả lời.

4. Bắt buộc phải viết tên bài hát dù nó ngu si như thế nào đi nữa so với câu hỏi.

5. Tag thêm 10 nạn nhân.

...

1.Nếu ai đó nhận xét rằng "Bạn rất ổn!" bạn sẽ nói

- Soom – B2ST =))) * breath in breath out *

2. Bạn sẽ tự giới thiệu như thế nào về bản thân?

- Say no – B2ST =)))

3. Bạn thích điều gì ở 1 chàng trai/cô gái?

- Wanna B – Block B

4. Hôm nay bạn cảm thấy như thế nào?

- Fucking Perfect – P!nk * AAAAA *

5. Mục đích sống của bạn?

- Imagine – CNBlue =))) * đúng ghê *

6. Phương châm của bạn?

- One last cry T_T : N-Train

7. Bạn bè nghĩ gì về bạn?

- Danger – F(x)

8. Bố mẹ bạn nghĩ gì về bạn?

- Perfection – Super Junior M * A điuuuu * =))

9. Dạo này bạn hay nghĩ đến chuyện gì?

- Lonely – 2NE1

10. Câu chuyện cuộc đời bạn ?

- One fine Spring Day – RyeoWook =(((

11. Khi lớn lên bạn muốn làm gì?

-Ice Cream – JOO ft Teuk =))) * loool *

12. Bạn nghĩ gì khi nhìn thấy người bạn thích ?

- Don’t Move – Block B =)))

13. Bạn sẽ hát bài gì trong đám cưới?

- Sunshine – Kan MiYoun feat JunSu

14. Trong đám ma của bạn, người ta sẽ hát bài gì?

- Clap your hands – 2NE1 * Lol =)) Tui đã làm nên tội tình j` =(( *

15. Sở thích của bạn?

- Hoot – SNSD

16. Bí mật lớn nhất của bạn?

- Fly – K.R.Y [ Lol tui biết bay =)) ]

17. Nỗi sợ lớn nhất của bạn?

- Lucifer – SHINee =)) [ Yup ! ]

18. Điều bạn muốn ngay lúc này?

- Little Dimple ♥

19. Bạn nghĩ gì về những người bạn của mình?

- Angel – Super Junior =)) [ Never =)) I’m an Angel . You’re EVIL =)) ]

20. Nếu bạn nuôi một con chó , tên nó sẽ là?

- You You – Untouchable =))

21. Bộ phim yêu thích?

- Black and White – G.Na =)) * ý nói tui thích chó đốm =)) *

22. Hành động điên nhất vừa làm?

- Calling You – B2ST

23. Nhạc công sẽ chơi bài gì trong tang lễ của bạn?

- Stuttering – Fefe Dobson [ ?? ]

24. Điều gì khiến bạn cười?

- When the doors close – DongWoon feat DooJoon

25. Điều gì khiến bạn khóc?

- Without you – 2PM

26. Bạn đã kết hôn chưa?

- Virus – B2ST =))

27. Điều gì làm bạn sợ nhất?

- Just a dream T_T

28. Có ai thích bạn không?

- No other – Super Junior =))) [ What the … ? =)) ]

29. Nếu được quay ngược thời gian, bạn sẽ thay đổi điều gì?

- Replay – SHINee

30. Ngay lúc này điều gì làm bạn tổn thương?

- Like this or that – 5Dolls

(*) Ai bị tag vô thì tự động trã đêeeee =))

- Pon

- Khỉ

- Kà

- Sue =)))

- Annie

- Min

- Yun

- Myn em =))

-Pông

 

Sáng chưa nghĩ ra h` bo64 sung cha chẵn 10 nhé =))

  

I was thinking about the river's flow and how it doesn't know why, but it never stops

And the ocean's tides they rise and they drop, but they never stop

And this world is spinning without end or beginning and it never stops, I hope she never stops

So I love you for nothing, one of natures hidden something and I'll never stop

  

the photo was taken from Lalmohon , barisal , bangladesh .

its a lonch terminal , but now its empty but every things goes on .

  

I like me, yo, you like me?

Cause I like me, do you like me?

See I like me, cause He likes me

God likes me, yo, you don't like me?

 

Short, big nose, big lip

Kinda stutter but I, but I never trip

Got my daddy's swagger and I walk with a limp

Got a hot wife, no need to be a pimp

 

Never been cute, never been fly

Since Ive been changed got that twinkle in my eye

Got my grill fixed, now I smile when I speak

Tell me who that is, yo, that's the Jesus Freak

~Kirk Franklin

 

Julie -004a

3 Oct 14

 

Always up or down, never down and out

Dream of demons while you sleep

They make you stutter when you speak

Speak now or forever hold your piece in pieces

Now that I'm grown I've seen marriages fall to pieces

Now that I'm grown I've seen friendships fall to pieces

Weekend warriors and our best friends

The writers weren't kidding bout how all good things must end

Then again some things, then again some things are far too good

Some things will far too good, to go and let go

The Academy Is...--"Down and Out"

 

for the record, i did not intend for this to look like steven's picture. it just sorta happened. =p

 

anyways, i love it.

Mood: Natalie Walker - Colorblind

 

Taffy stuck and tongue tied

Stutters shook and uptight

Pull me out from inside

I am ready

The dapper Spotted Sandpiper makes a great ambassador for the notoriously difficult-to-identify shorebirds. They occur all across North America, they are distinctive in both looks and actions, and they're handsome. They also have intriguing social lives in which females take the lead and males raise the young. With their richly spotted breeding plumage, teetering gait, stuttering wingbeats, and showy courtship dances, this bird is among the most notable and memorable shorebirds in North America.

To all my Flickr friends, a very Merry Christmas to each of you. May you all have a safe and joyous holiday!

 

©D.Tranovich - All Rights Reserved

I am color...blind

Coffee black and egg white

Pull me out from inside

I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

I am

taffy stuck, tongue tied

Stuttered shook and uptight

Pull me out from inside

I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

I am...fine

I am covered in skin

No one gets to come in

Pull me out from inside

I am folded, and unfolded, and unfolding

I am

colorblind

Coffee black and egg white

Pull me out from inside

I am ready

I am ready

I am ready

I am...fine

I am.... fine

I am fine !!

 

(+2)

 

All rights reserved. Copyright by V.Bures. Pictures taken by V.Bures. For any questions please contact me.

A new-to-me Argus C2 (the ubiquitous "Brick"). A gift from a neighbor, who just wants it to be appreciated and put to use. Shutter stutters at low low speeds, lens needs some cleaning, but it's not a lost cause. My first Argus somehow.

After Tara in Gone With The Wind, but with a speech impediment and an odd stutter from the glob of sweet orange packing into my right cheek.

 

Cara Cara Oranges. The world's most perfect fruit.® (Patent Pending)

Olney State Forest, The Watagans, New South Wales, Australia

 

Vulnerable

 

Contact me on jono_dashper@hotmail.com for use of this image.

Quite inadequate, awkward, shy and stuttering.

Bitting his lips til they bleed and sitting with tennis shoes on the couch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGFFl38STBk

 

I'm the guy in the sky

Flying high Flashing eyes

No surprise I told lies

I'm the punk in the gutter

I'm the new president

But I grew and I bent

Don't you know? don't it show?

I'm the punk with the stutter.

.....or how far can I throw a MacBook Pro! Cause its driven me bloody mad trying to process this panorama,blue wheels, rainbow wheels, stuttering, freezing, the damn lot! How it would cope working wit mages from a Cany 5DArMk4d with mega - megapixel images. Grrr Looks like I need an upgrade. Anyway moan over. This is a Panorama taken at Milvale Street Middleport, Stoke on Trent. All these derelict and deserted buildings face onto the Trent and Mersey canal. The main Kiln in the middle (ish) is a square calcining kiln. To the far right you can see the end of the shell of the building that once was Port Vale Mill, which milled flour.

The Kiln is a listed building, but the Mill is not!

This site is a mere couple of hundred yards from the Prince of Wales Trust sponsored "Middleport Pottery" site home of the recent BBC2 series "The Great Pottery Throw Down".

Alias: Waysider

Real Name: Zane

Gender: Male

Alignment: Villain

Faction: Sons of Silver

Personality: Loud, boisterous and arrogant. He can be quite brutal when he wants to be. However, he is rather loyal to the Sons of Silver gang. Also, when around girls, Zane/Waysider is rather nervous, often stuttering or avoiding eye contact with them.

Powers: Can create a flame based aura, which can enhance his skateboard's speed.

Combat: Is never seen in combat without his baseball bat, or his skateboard. He's constantly traversing using his skateboard, even using it to deflect blows during fights.

Backstory: A skateboarder, who has always had problems with authority figures. At his core, he's just looking for a place to belong, and has struggled finding such a place. People tend to throw him to the wayside, due to his offputting personality. This would cause him to pick fights with others frequently, armed with only his baseball bat and skateboard. His skills would eventually catch the attention of the Sons of Silver. His admiration for the leader of the gang would be almost instantaneous, and his loyalty would often be tested. However, Waysider stayed strong to the Sons of Silver, never giving them up.

I've discovered that I can't change the Safety setting on any of my shots.

 

Can't change the settings, and thus cannot "fix" my stream for review.

 

Can't get it reviewed, and thus can't get it un-Restricted.

 

AHAHHAHAHAHAHA.

 

Anyway.

 

Some scenes I look at through my 5D's viewfinder, and what I see is just too much. Too much to be adequately captured with that camera.

 

So I'll get slightly frustrated (I hate switching cameras, I want one camera I can use for everything, switching cameras means a stutter in the flow of the shoot, means everything stops while I dig around in my camera bag and find the right camera), then I'll huff and puff while bringing out the Mamiya.

 

The square frame. The ability to capture that subtly bright light both at the top of the shot and on the leaves. All a bit smoother.

 

Though I wonder if having different camera options limits me. Keeps me from having to force my point of view into whatever camera I'm using. Getting it to work, rather than finding the Best tool for the job...

In the Kingdom of the Ordovices……………

 

His mother had proudly named him Raglan. Sadly it had been years since he last saw her, her body lying peacefully in a splash of sunlight amongst the tall dark pines of the ancient forest. But it had broken his heart to see her there, especially when the black crows had cruelly pecked her eyes out. They cawed and danced on her body as they stripped her of her dignity, delighting in their feast as the herd sombrely moved on from the southern side of the great mountain, Yr Wyddfa. By day they trekked north through the pass, grazing on small patches of heather and wild grasses amongst large grey boulders that had tumbled and rolled from the heights above. At night they sought protection behind these rocks, lying silently under heavy scudding grey clouds that regularly released cold showers that chilled them to the bone. Or on other nights they lay under inky black heavens full of sparkling diamonds that let icy crystals form on the grass and mists to soften the sight of dawn in the morning. But Snowdonia was always beautiful, tall and rugged, grey and dramatic whatever the weather it was blessed with, and these goats were part of that magnificent landscape.

 

They had found their new home by chance, coming down a narrow green valley from the mountain pass above. It was punctuated by a pair of silvery lakes that turned turquoise blue under a sunny sky and were fringed with Welsh oak, mountain ash and birch trees. They had been there forever forming ancient woodlands green with mosses and lichens due to the considerable rainfall and humidity. And rising above was the big dome of Elidir Fawr rising over 3000 feet, it's dark side a multitude of slate greys. With water to drink in the lake, trees to strip leaves from, mosses, lichens and low lying gorse to munch and chew on, and multiples of high ledges and terraces to retreat to or sleep on, Dinorwic was the perfect home for this herd.

 

Life had been pretty good so far, Raglan thought. Things were fairly relaxed although they had a daily routine, which made one day much the same as another. They didn't rush to get on their feet in the morning but would gradually saunter down through the quarry towards the wooded glades on the levels down towards the lake. Sometimes they loitered around the ruins of the old stone barracks, or on other days would head over towards Vivian quarry and trek along the track of the narrow gauge railway down the side of Llyn Padarn. There was no danger for them anywhere, and even the sound of Hefin, in his little brightly painted steam engine, Dolbadarn, rumbling on the rails wasn't enough to make them scatter. After all this was their kingdom as far as they were concerned. Most of the people who crossed the fences into the quarry were regulars and it wasn't unusual for no human to approach to within less than 200m of them. The quarry layout, huge as it was, with so many vertical edges, giant holes and natural barriers made it hard for humans to approach without being detected, and as far as the goats were concerned, well, they knew the place like no one else. They just roamed where they wanted. Although there are fences all over the place, the main ones very well maintained, these goats could cross them easily. They had learnt how to work as a team, one adult goat standing alongside a fence so that the others could run and jump, up onto its back and over the top strand of the fence. And when the herd had crossed that just left the 'runner'. Raglan had been a runner for the previous two years, meaning that when the rest of the herd had jumped on his back and over the fence it left him stranded on the other side, and so he would run the long way round to meet up with them again often using the quarry's tunnels to catch up.

 

He hadn't minded doing it on a regular basis as it got him noticed by the females for being 'special', and a male they depended on. And the herd leader, Arnold, recognised Raglan's contribution too, silently appraising Raglan as his Number Two, and potential chief. Mind you they were only a small herd and the choice was not great. The girls, amongst them Gwendolyn, Isobel and Marianne, would chatter quietly while chewing their cuds on a sunny ledge, they would have anyone as leader as long as Steve didn't get the job. They would concede they found his antics funny, but the goat was stark raving mad! He had a habit of disappearing for hours, they thought down behind the Ceiliog plume. It was well known there were some rare and strange plants down there, but Steve always reappeared lurching, with glazed goat "Come to bed with me" eyes and smelling of funghi….that strange musty aroma, that Isobel confessed she found arousing. No, they were agreed, the leader in waiting, the goat they would most like to mate with one day was Raglan with his gentle smile and slightly weird behaviour and wild horns. The males tended to sit separate to the females, protectively around the outside of the herd. Arnold told each of the males which was their arc to watch. He was careful not to rely on Steve too much, taking up his own position to allow Raglan to be a little nearer Gwendolyn than might have been appropriate. But he had noticed how the two seemed to have some connection between them, sharing a little smile, perhaps bumping shoulder against shoulder on the narrow tracks in the quarry. He didn't mind: Raglan was a good guy and he deserved some happiness. He knew he could trust him. Mind you he had to admit to himself Gwendolyn was the 'looker' in the herd. She looked so classy with a white stripe down either side of her beautifully sculpted nose, lovely eyes, multicoloured scraggy hair, such elegantly curved horns and the most amazing zebra-like black stripe down the front of her white legs. Yes, Raglan seemed to be making a cracking choice, if she would have him.

 

Both Isobel and Marianne had kids, sired by Arnold but they preferred not to talk about how that came about, but under their breath had told Gwendolyn it was nothing to look forward to if he came to her. Looking across at Arnold they knew he had their respect as he had always made sensible choices for the herd, but boy, there wasn't much fun! Every day was pretty well the same. They had food, water, shelter amongst the trees and in the old quarry ruins and a corner of the world to themselves that was just perfect for their way of life. Seasons came and went. Sometimes it was idyllic and they bathed in the warm sunset light. Or were bashed and washed by gales and rainstorms. Or sometimes the land turned white and icy cold. But their lives never changed.

 

Until one night.

 

It was a filthy night. The wind had been getting fiercer all evening, as it rushed in over the mountains, bringing the darkest, noisiest night and the heaviest rain. The water washed down the slate all around where the goats lay hunkered down, faces tucked round towards their legs away from the wind. It was horrible...an evil night. And then there were flashes of lighning and crashing thunder that boomed and echoed through the stony bowl of the great quarry.

 

Raglan had closed his eyes against the lashing rain and he just wanted to sleep. But the night wouldn't let him. Crashing sounds all around. Howling wind. Falling rocks. A grunting noise. The sound of cascading slate. More grunting.

 

Whaaaat! Grunting??!! His ears pricked up and he strained to make sense of the sound. And he was listening to hear the next sound when two terrifying yellow eyes framed in a big black bearded face with huge sharp horns appeared in front of him as lightning arced across the sky. Raglan was shocked out of his wits but he immediately stood, letting out a loud cry to wake the others. He tried to block their path but the dark shapes pushed past him into the middle of the herd. He counted five, all dark and shady in the night, threatening and scary. Henchmen. He moved round the side of them as Steve joined him to form a protective wall in front of their females.

 

"Who are you?" demanded Arnold from the other side.

 

The biggest, much bigger than Arnold, rounded on him aggressively. "I'm Backbeard! And these are my men. You will do as I say now: for your own sakes!"

 

Arnold dared to ask, "Where have you come from,...and why in this weather?"

 

And a snidy sidekick they soon would learn was called Rory, answered. "We're from the mountains by the coast down at Nant Gwrtheyrn. Lived there all our lives. But four days ago some Italian trophy hunters came with an English guide and shot at us with crossbows. Two of our guys took bolts to save Blackbeard here as he was obviously their main target. But we got away, out of the hidden valley and over the top to Castell Trefor. We've been on the move since then. But the hunters will come here soon. 'Culling' they call it. Bastard murderers, I say!"

 

The herd were shocked and uneasy at the intruders. There was a menace in the air. They gathered a little closer in the dark and Raglan made sure he got Gwendolyn snuggled up behind him to sit out the storm, his body between her and the incomers. Gradually the wind eased and the howling stopped, and sleep came to them eventually.

 

And so they were late to rise in the morning. and the herd rose to trek down towards the woods to find food as it always had before. But as they moved Rory blocked their way. "You're not going down there! The hunters will come!"

 

"But we have to eat!" said Arnold.

 

"No, you will do as you are told!" barked Blackbeard. He had looked scary in the dark, but now that the others could see him in daylight they could see just how sinister he looked, and henchman Rory was pure evil on shifty trotters. And always in the back ground were three silent dark goats hovering. Our goats were prisoners in their own home.

 

By early afternoon they were all starving. Arnold had been pacing up and down looking over the edge down towards the lower levels. There had been a few walkers but no one that looked like a hunter to him. Everything looked normal. Making up his mind he commanded his herd to follow him down to the trees.

 

But what happened next, happened so fast that they were all left in utter and total shock. As Arnold turned to lead, Blackbeard leapt down from the rock he was resting on, bounded two paces, lowered his head and hit Arnold at full pace and with all his mass behind him and butted Arnold in the side so hard that he toppled off the path and over the edge, and was gone. Straight off a vertical edge. One hundred feet down onto jagged rocks. Death was certain. Eyes wide, and speechless in stunned shock the others were rooted to the spot in complete disbelief. Isobel wailed first, then Marianne and Gwendolyn. Raglan stuttered, gasping for breath, but then moved forward, but Steve leapt in front to hold him back.

 

"Now, come on guys, no need for that aggro". he said. "Why don't you leave us in peace and go find somewhere else? There's a nice pad over at Rhosydd: ruins, tunnels, nice lake....eh?"

 

"No!" said Rory "We're staying! You do as we say. And your girls are ours now!"

 

As the girls recoiled in fear, Raglan thrust forward, pushing Steve aside to confront the monstrous Blackbeard. Face to face with the thug, it was pure anger that made Raglan shout. "Touch any of them and I will kill you!" he spat. And he meant it.

 

It caused an immediate reaction. The three dark henchmen rushed in between Raglan and Blackbeard, collecting Steve as they went, ramming him towards the edge. He fought back, twisting and turning, frantic to save himself, a cry strangled in his throat, as he teetered on the edge......and then he was gone falling down, bouncing on the rocks to lie, lifeless, beside Arnold.

 

Raglan couldn't speak. Eyes wide with horror, all fear vanished, all care for life was gone. He flew at Blackbeard. But he was like a rock. Their heads cracked against each other just once but then the henchmen piled in. It was an unfair fight, four against one. He took a heavy blow to his side and another in his shoulder and suddenly he knew he couldn't win on those terms. It was an involuntary reaction. He turned and fled, but for that he had the advantage: he knew the quarry. He sprinted up the nearest scree, sending loose slate down on his pursuers. Quickly he ran along the level at the top, finding the rusty old steel quarry workers ladders bolted to the cliffs. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the three henchmen advancing at a gallop. This was going to be tricky, but he knew how to do it.

 

Fortunately the 150 year old ladders had corroded, the dry rust being quite rough and grippy and he hooked his forelegs over the upper rungs as he started to climb with his rear feet on the lower rungs. He had learnt to do it years ago when a passing tourist had shown him a photo of Moroccan goats that climb argan trees (and eat the fruit so that the kernel passes through their system and drops out in their poo which is then collected by village women, dried and ground up to extract argan oil to make into expensive ladies facial beauty products).

 

Any how I digress. Raglan quickly made it up the three rusty ladders, seventy feet up to the next quarry level, and then on to the next set of ladders. None of Blackbeard henchmen were able to follow. He had escaped. But he continued to walk round the top of the quarry and down the other side to eat in the woods above Vivian, his thoughts very much on what had happened. Isobel, Marianne and Gwendolyn were at the mercy of the invaders. He couldn't abandon them. Leaving Gwendolyn to those thugs was unthinkable. He had to do something.

 

As the evening approached he moved carefully down towards where they lay on a ledge. He kept downwind and out of sight, sniffing the air as he got near to check who was where. He worked himself silently into a position, from which he could see them yet remain concealed. He watched and observed, disgusted how that vile Rory herded Isobel and Marianne towards Blackbeard who seemed to have requested their company. No doubt that vile Rory thought he could have Gwendolyn for himself. They must all be terrified what the males might do, he thought. And very hungry. It had been an horrendous day. Arnold and Steve murdered

 

The night sky was clear. There was a bright moon. Just a light breeze. Raglan waited. He let himself doze a bit. He wanted to be awake later.

 

When he awoke the moon was high, it's glow shining silvery on Llyn Peris. Looking down on the level where the herd were he could see the white of the two girl's coats but he had to watch intently for a while to work out which dark shape was a rock and which were the rival goats. He could see that Blackbeard had Isobel and Marianne hemmed in against the rock face, his side-kick Rory only a discreet distance away. Gwendolyn, with her smaller patches of white, he made out, lay in the middle of the ledge, three dark shapes of the henchmen outermost and fencing her in with the rest. But Raglan's mind was in turmoil. What could he do? Any attempt to release the girls would be nothing but suicidal. Agonising, he knew he had to do something but...………… He could just turn his back and wander of the mountains. He would find a herd somewhere, and perhaps live peacefully. He had heard rumours of trophy hunters but never actually seen any. Surely there was somewhere he could live happily, free from danger. Wasn't there? But what about his girls....Gwendolyn? He would never find another goat like her. No. He would give his life up for her. And that made his mind up. No matter what the outcome, he was going to try.

 

Slowly he backed out of his observation point and skirted round the lip of the quarry using the light of the moon to move carefully and quietly. He would approach from downwind to carry away any slight sound he might make on the crinkly slate and prevent his goat smell being picked up by the guarding henchmen. Hardly daring to breath, he came down the incline, zig zagging to use tumbledown ruins and rocks to keep him out of line of sight and away from being silhouetted against the horizon. But damn his big horns! He could lift his head slowly over a rock to look, but his horns stood eighteen inches above his head, or peer from around the side of an old slate buttress but the tips of his horns, two feet out to the side of his head, were always exposed first before he could look at his quarry.

 

But as he got close he stopped at an old ruin and went inside. In the dark shadows inside he was able to look through an old window directly at the herd just sixty yards away. They all seemed to be asleep with just Rory letting out a rasping cough every so often. But then...…………….was it his imagination?...…...he watched...…..was his eyesight deceiving him in the dark? He was sure Gwendolyn was further to the left before...…...but now she was closer to one of the henchmen.

 

Raglan watched......hardly daring to believe...…….and then he knew....Gwendolyn was moving! Very slowly, and silently! His heart leapt! What a woman! So as not to stand up, she was inching forward on her front knees, pushing with her back legs, between one dark guard and another. God, he willed her on! Now she slowly glided to the side of the last sentry. He didn't even flinch, no doubt tired out from the march over from Nant Gwertheyrn. Gwendolyn carried on on her knees another few yards before standing up and striding very carefully away from the herd. Raglan hurried out the back of the ruin almost colliding with her as she came by. But she showed no surprise, no shock, no fear, whispering to him, "Follow me!" It stopped him in his tracks: how had she known?

 

"Come on!" she hissed, and turned to go. Behind Rory let out one of his horrible coughs, it catching in his throat. It stirred one of the henchmen mid-dream, who just caught a lingering whiff of Gwendolyn's fragrance hanging in the air. That switched his mind on and suddenly he lifted his head and looked around. Where was she? He swung round the other way and just caught the movement of a shape moving away further down the level. He jumped to his feet, blaring out an alarm and raced off in pursuit.

 

Now there was no need for stealth. Gwendolyn raced ahead, speeding across scree, leaping off stone buttresses, running across levels and down the inclines. Raglan fought to keep up but she was more nimble than he, and less bulkily built who was hampered with those ridiculous horns he carried everywhere. Behind the three henchmen hurried as best they could, unfamiliar with the terrain, tripping and tumbling on the jagged and disrupted landscape. Their bloodcurdling threats and sheer fear made Gwendolyn and Raglan fly! Together they knew this quarry inside out, leaping fences, hurrying down tunnels, twisting and turning to throw off their noisy pursuers.

 

By the time they reached the trees they knew the worst was over: they had almost made it. The chasers were floundering around in the dark high up the mountain, long ago fallen off the scent. But, Raglan thought, in the morning, in the light they would make a proper search. They would have to make sure they couldn't be found. They eased down from a run to a steady walk once they were amongst the Welsh oaks, with the moonlight filtering through the dark shapes of the trees, allowing them to catch their breath. Raglan was the first to talk. "How did you know I would be there?" he asked her, and she just turned her head without stopping, and smiled. "I knew", she said, and carried on. He just stopped on the track for a second, unable to comprehend. She had always amazed him, but now he just could not believe the way things had worked out. But his mind turned to more practical things. "Where are we going?" he asked. Her answer, when it came, was unconvincing. "Just away. Anywhere away from those murderers!"and he thought he heard a stifled sob, a crack, in her voice.

 

"It's OK" he said trying to console her. "I know a place. I know where we can go. We'll be safe. Follow me!" And thirty yards down the track he added, "We mustn't leave a trail. Don't leave any droppings. And we will have to wash our feet in the lake.

 

And so they made it down through the old Anglesey barracks, and down the zig zag slate paths to the lakeside. There, they trotted along the railway track way down to Fachwen where they entered the water. "Just wash your legs" he said. "Don't get your hair wet, as we don't want our scent dripping onto the ground". satisfied she had done as he asked they cleared the bank and set back off up the railway track, the way they had come. By backtracking any searchers would be led off far in the wrong direction. Back at the head of Llyn Padarn the two goats skirted around the slate museum, walking in the shallow water where they could until they were round the far side of the lake and approaching Llanberis village. It was still pretty dark, and there was no movement amongst the houses. They spotted a fox raiding some bins, and a few cats waiting near front doors, but Raglan led Gwendolyn through the streets to Capel Coch Road where it narrowed and climbed uphill between small dark slate worker's cottages. Up they went, further, and into Ceunant Street where it became a narrow lane hemmed in by rough stone walls. There were scraggy hill sheep asleep on the dewy grass to either side, the odd farm house, and the looming shapes of the surrounding mountains growing as the dawn light appeared.

 

She had been silent all the way, probably horrified by the turn of events, and the violent deaths of Arnold and Steve....and her fears for her girlfriends left behind but now Gwendolyn spoke in a weary voice. "Where are we going?" Raglan stopped and looked at her. "Not far now, I promise. We'll be safe and we can rest when we get there." He saw her eyes fall and she looked like she didn't have much faith in his words. But he had never let her down before, and so they trudged onwards, up the hill to the top of the track. It ended by a house sitting high up above the village, at the mouth of another great valley, Moel Eilio to one side and the massif of Yr Wyddfa in the distance. Turning south, the trail led into that valley and once again they walked on. It wasn't far, but suddenly they could look across towards a dark shape across a small river, sat between two trees either side of it. Gwendolyn couldn't make it out too clearly in the pre-dawn light but as they neared it she could see it better: a little old cottage covered in ivy, sat isolated in the middle of the valley, mountains all around, two trees, a river...………..it was Bobblehat Cottage! Raglan led her inside, and she collapsed in a corner in exhaustion. He fell beside her, holding her close. And he put his head against hers, their souls touching each other as they fell into a deep sleep.

 

They were woken quite suddenly. It was bright daylight. A dog had barked nearby. An excited bark. A voice called. Quickly they got up and went to the window. A man was approaching, a bright orange coat and baseball hat. A small grey dog was bouncing up and down as it bounded through the long grass and rushes, excited at the scent she had detected. She was the Goat Hunter! They retreated and backed into the far corner as his shadow fell on the empty doorway of the ruin. And then he was there, peering in, his eyes lighting up as he spotted the two goats there. Raglan and Gwendolyn looked back as slowly a kind, friendly smile appeared on his face and widened. "Hello!" he grinned, "Don't I know you two?"

 

And he stood, before them, a friend, just thinking things over in his head. And after a moment, a little nod of the head as he seemed to sum things up before he looked straight back into their eyes. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me! Be good to each other" and with that, he turned and was gone, calling "Come on Darcy. Let's go find some squirrels!"

I love this species. When I heard it calling in someone's backyard, I looked at my friend Scott and told him to knock on the person's front door. "Why do I have to knock? You knock!". Tap tap tap. A large, stern man carrying the largest pistol I've ever seen confidently opens the door. "Uh . . ." I stutter. "Uh I was wondering if you would mind if I took some photos of the birds at your backyard feeder?" "Of course! The name's Clyde. Come on back!". Clyde is a great guy and I've known him for years now.

Two spots just opened up for this year's Northern Michigan Songbirds trip: www.studebakerstudio.com/michigan-songbirds-2019

The sudden bone-chilling blast of ice hit Caelan’s giant wooden shield like a tidal wave, almost knocking him over. The Ice Wizard’s incantation spilled over the shield’s edges and began to freeze everything, even the air around him. If it wasn’t for the wooden shield in front of him, or if it had been metal instead of wood, he would have been frozen instantly, just like Lord Bajads and his staff had earlier been frozen solid. Even with the shield’s protection he began to shiver and lose focus, slipping into a daze, with memories flashing in his mind.

 

Everything the spy had told them back at Durrough was true. Unfortunately the expedition leader, Lord Bajads of Durrough, not only didn’t believe him but publicly embarrassed Sir Caelan for consoling with a lowly, Outlaw spy. Caelan and his fifteen men were placed in reserve, the least honorable position. Once the joint Lenfel-Loreesi army had landed on the beach of the northern-most point of the Island of Lost Souls, Lord Bajads led the way with his three dozen men. The Loreesi contingent of two dozen was placed second in line, with the very capable Sir Emdell of Loreos in command of that element. During the entire venture Bajads refused to listen to any suggestion of caution by Caelan or Tavish, his wise archer. He did consult with Sir Emdell, who advised a screen of Lenfel archers to go on ahead of the main force.

 

So Caelan was forced to make do by ordering his men to avoid metal shields, just as the spy had said, and wear leather armor coated in animal fat where possible. He himself had procured a giant wooden shield and dragged it along determinedly. He also went without his usual metal helmet.

 

The Lenfel archers were the first to report the news of a force of Outlaws, twice their numbers, awaiting them in a glade between a jagged peak and a large oak tree. Lord Bajads happily declared they move to meet them and confidently predicted their victory, even after a strange man clad in white had emerged from a cave to stand on a ledge which commanded a view of the entire area. The first wave of Lord Bajads’ Lenfels charged forward only to find out this man was indeed Jens Valtyr, the Ice Wizard. The wizard chilled them with a wave of oppressive cold so that they could barely hold on to their weapons. Then the Outlaws swept forward and the results were ugly. What made the situation so perilous was that the Lenfels’ famous archery skills were of no use against Valtyr. The wizard had some kind of incantation running which allowed him to cast his spells while simultaneously deflecting any shot that was taken at him.

 

Lord Bajads was a courageous man, and he immediately charged toward the wizard, but then Valtyr released his ultimate spell, the ice blast, and froze him and his retainers on the spot. The Outlaws moved in and the rest of his staff perished trying to protect him. The Lenfel line wavered, but then Sir Emdell ordered his Loreesi in and they bravely took the fight to the enemy. Even with the Ice Wizard’s spells it looked like the joint force was making headway, but then Valtyr sent in his bodyguard, a large and brutal minotaur. The vicious beast went straight for Sir Emdell and hammered him mercilessly. They wounded each other, but Emdell got the worst of it and staggered back to the shelter of the oak tree. The minotaur pursued him, intent on finishing the Loreesi nobleman. That was when Sir Caelan acted without orders, charged his entire retinue in reserve and made straight for the beast.

 

Caelan had never fought a magical creature before, yet he instinctively knew what he had to do. Pushing the great wooden shield before him as a distraction, he let go of it just as it slapped into the minotaur and drew out his dirk. The longsword in his other hand barely held the beast’s battle axe in check, and aiming for the same wound Emdell had previously given the creature, Caelan drove his dagger into the minotaur’s gut all the way. It was over in a moment; the giant beast fell back in agony and lay writhing upon the ground. There was no time for any joy however as Caelan looked up to see a horrific sight: that of the Ice Wizard intent on revenge. Caelan barely had time to pick up the shield and duck behind it before the blast hit him…

 

“Wake up...stand up and get some blood flowin’ while I build a fire.”

“Wha-wha-what?” Caelan was shivering so badly he barely managed to speak.

“You were hit by the ice,” Tavish said as he began to pile up wood and shavings. “Looks like the shield did it’s work. How are you?”

“Fro-froz...headache. Ba-battle?”

“Over. I shot him in the knee and he fell.”

“Ha-ha-how?”

Tavish grinned. “Anythin’ we shot directly at him flew off. I got so frustrated I started shootin’ at rocks at his feet. One deflected and hit him in the knee sudden-like. He maybe a great wizard but he canna take any wee bit o’ pain. Crumpled like a little girl and fell off the ledge. We have him alive and tied up over there. Makes for a nice present to the king. The Outlaws were so shocked they turned and ran after they saw him fall, and our men chased along right after ‘em. How about those Loreesi, eh?”

Caelan stuttered, “They fight even harder than they party. How are our own men?”

“Murdoch took a battle axe to the head,” Tavish stated soberly. “Good that he had no relatives. Five others wounded but not bad. They’ll see green Lenfald again. The Durroughsmen are much worse off.”

Caelan shook his head in disgust. If they had only listened.

To cheer him up a bit Tavish congratulated him, “That bull-man was a true bit a work. I’m havin’ the lads lop his head off for stuffin’. You can mount him over the fireplace when we get back.”

“Lovely.”

Having gotten the fire going, Tavish helped Sir Caelan over to it and whispered conspiratorially, “Ya know, with Lord Bajads an icicle and Emdell wounded, we ain’t got no orders.”

“So?”

“Well, that spy was right on ‘bout that wizard, an maybe he’s as right on ‘bout that tower full o’ silver too.” A gleam crept into his eye.

“You want to go on a treasure hunt at a time like this?”

“Of course,” the always practical archer stated. “After all, you owe that spy fifteen more Draken. An you ain’t got even ten to your name now.”

Caelan scowled, “Can I warm my bones first?”

“Ach, now you’re whinin’ like that wizard. Fine, warm the cockles of your heart.” Tavish nodded slyly, “Then we be after that tower.”

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

This is the first land battle scene I’ve ever done, so I'm fairly amazed it won LCC's Global Contest 3. The whole ice spell set up was the most challenging part.

quick incantation

stuttered utterance

of whispered wind

what will you blow me?

my storm-gates I've lowered

slowly

Our brilliant northern skies. Yellowknife, NT. 2011.

 

Join me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/davebroshaphotography

in-situ

Shape: Despite my account age, in-world, this is not my first second life avatar. My very first account actually, was made about 2006 I believe? I remembered logging on for the first time and trying to figure out how to customize my 'character' right then and there, thinking this was a game like Everquest or Aion, or, WoW and stuff. I went into the library folders, and I went through it, giving myself glasses and texturing a shirt I was wearing and everything. AND I had the actual SL default hair. Heh. But, when it came to shapes, I was completely clueless. I didn't buy any pre-made shapes back then, I made my own from scratch... And ended up looking like an asian child avi (I insisted on being really short for some reason.). And I wasn't open to changing my shape at all, even though someone was trying to improve my looks. My current shape now has been tweaked over and over again (constantly still) based on a pre-made shape I got with a pack of Mother Goose skins that I bought when I logged on with this new account for the first time. I think also, for the first time ever, I am very happy with the general look of my face now. I tweak it still with different skins I wear, but I feel beautiful now. Err, well, attractive I guess is the word. Although, I have to admit, I am not that great at making the actual body part of a shape. I'm not like most other female avies that I've seen on Flickr, blog feeds, in SL... I don't really like the big, pony-rider hip shape. Don't get me wrong. It looks good on others, just not on me. So, I prefer to be slim, still.

    

Skin: I've enjoyed wearing different kinds of skins over the years. My very first skin I think was uh... It was a Redgrave skin. An asian skin. I was very attached to it back then. Mainly because this really hot guy bought it for me (for some reason, he took it upon himself to sort of take me under his wing, and hook me up with everything until I had a decent looking avatar. And... Heh. I was his sex toy, basically.) *coughs* ANYWAY... The skin I wear as of now, most of the time, is a skin that I was given as a gift from the actual skin designer. I was browsing her skins at her store, and I was trying on the first demo I picked up there. I wanted a natural look, with little to no makeup on it (so that I could cake myself with clowny makeup, bwahaha! ;D) But, this skin designer though, for some reason, seemed to fancy the look of this demo on me so much that she gave me a free copy of the skin itself. This skin is the one I am wearing in this photo, and it is the one I wear most of the time now. I'm not really sure if I should mention the skin designer's name, but she knows who she is. And we have become friends, or at least I'd like to think so! Thank you soooo much! I will never forget your kindness. As for other skins, I'm becoming a fan of Glam Affair's recent ones as well.

    

Eyes: Well, I think most of everyone who knows me, or at least follows me closely on Flickr here, knows that I am a die hard fan for Dead Apple's eyes. I've been a fan since I picked up my first pair of her

Nebula Kawaii Eyes (in blue of course). As of now though, I am addicted to the blue shades of her Sinistre line. The pair of eyes I am wearing in the above photo though are one of the special colors of her limited edition Horror Haute Sinistre eyes that she released at the end of September (I don't believe they are available anymore now). But I think I will always be Soleil's biggest fan when it comes to eyes.

    

Lips: I'm kinda still trying to figure out my lip shape now a days, depending on what skin/lip makeup I am wearing. I've been actually attempting to learn how to make lipstick now for makeup, but uh... It's been a long and frustrating progress. Now a days though I just don't wear any lip makeup (like in the above photo). But it does depend on what look I am looking for. Lip shape wise, well, I try not to get a 'trout pout.' Whatever works with different skins I wear.

    

Style: Oh boy, style... Um. Well, I am honestly a fan of almost any type of genre of fashion, but for my avatar now, I tend to go for what I think a Nolanverse version of Harley Quinn would look like. However, it has grown beyond just that. It is just an experiment still. I see other things that I'd not normally wear, and I'd try to think of how I could make it work with my style? At the moment, I'm contemplating experimenting with more looks, different types of clownish outfits especially, in the future. Oh, heh... The cigar deal... I dunno why I keep insisting on smoking them. They empower me, I guess? Make me feel like a pimpin' clown lady! And I love taking photos of myself with a cigar in my mouth.

    

Hair: When it comes to hair, I have moved on to mesh hair when it comes to shoulder length to long hair. Sometimes though I still fancy the really fine detailed strands of hair some sculpted hair styles have. I am looking forward to how mesh will evolve in the future! Right now though, my most favorite hair brand would have to be fashionably dead's hair, and I am wearing one of the hairs that Toast Bard designed for the Sept Collabor88 (not available now), AND to top it off, heh, I modded and put on a hat that came from another FD hair (a non-mesh hair). I'm a fan of fashionably dead hair because of simply this, and I want any hair designer that is reading to take this to thought. I'm a major fan of FD's hair textures. They look so realistic and fine, even on the mesh hairstyles that are coming out now (although in this photo, I don't think you'll be able to see very clearly how the hair texture looks. I didn't want to draw hair over it kinda for that reason.) But I'm looking forward to what else Toast Bard makes when it comes to mesh hair! That is definitely for sure. And, usually, I will wear blonde hair (in different tones).

    

Personality: My personality... I guess it depends on who knows me. How my personality appears to other people. I know some people may not care for me, personally. And perhaps others do care and like me. I tend to try to be open-minded, although I do have faults. I'm not perfect. Nobody is perfect. I can be sweet at times, I can be aloof at other times... And there are times where I have acted or said some things that I perhaps should not have expressed openly, like the flickr post I uploaded before this one. I am a role player, have been for years, so, as of now, I try to be silly and funny with this clowny persona. But, I try to be friendly to just about everyone I meet. And... I'd like to think that perhaps, I could become a better person, or well, clown... In the future.

    

I'd also love to make more friends (I honestly do not have that many in SL...). The type of friends who would want to say hi to you often. I have met people in SL (and through Flickr of course) that I'd especially would love to get to know (and I... Uh... I have quite a few crushes on some of my male flickr contacts, heh. ;D) I'm not officially, uh... Dating anyone in SL. I used to want to very desperately find that special guy. And through the years I have loved and I have lost, and I have been used, I have been cheated, and... Well, it is very hard to try to trust any sort of guy in SL at the moment and want to be romantic with them. So, I guess, the right one(s) will come along when I am not looking. Heh. Maybe I'll meet my 'Misteh J' one day? I don't know. Not that many fine ass clowny men out there in the SL world (that are single that is.)

 

RL wise... It is no picnic now. I have kinda hesitated about sharing this publicly, but, I think this post would be the most important one to share this with. IRL right now, I am in a group home. I am on disability, for reasons that I'd rather not share. But I have been hospitalized many times (mental behavioral hospitals, My most recent hospital stay was actually a few months ago... But I am doing 110% better now!) ). I'm not literally crazy or anything. I suffer from depression and have anxiety. I also isolate myself from other people, which is really hard to deal with especially when you live in a house with over 10 people living in it. I feel like one day, I will be able to handle living on my own. As of now my plan is to live by myself (if I can) and have a cat to keep me company. So, yeah... I have very little independence now, and doing these photos and spending time in SL and everything is my escape. I feel like opening up and expressing these personal facts about myself is going to bite me in the ass in SL eventually, but oh well.

    

Strangely, I am not online in SL very often now a days because (A. - My laptop needs a new battery, and when I log into SL sometimes, the laptop crashes (even when on low graphics.). - (B. - I am in the mood to watch movies and youtube videos and they lag and skip and stutter when I am logged in SL at the same time. or (C. - RL stuff is happening and/or I just don't want to be logged on.

    

So, for those who I do want to keep in constant contact with and those that would feel like doing the same with me, I do have Skype and I would love to add you guys and get to know you! But you'll have to flickr mail me or IM me in-world for the username. Heh.

    

I don't really know if I should mention this here, but I do have plurk as well. www.plurk.com/harleyquinade_sl

    

What else can I share? I am not certain, but I enjoyed filling this out. I saw other people in my flickr contacts that have been doing these posts. I'm not sure where it has originally started from, but I was inspired to do it when I read a couple of my flickr contact's entries, specifically Mar Pie's post & Ruben metal maggot's one too.

    

The photo above, was done in like 4 hours? Maybe? It WAS taken with SL shadows, yes, but I wanted to do a lighting editing experiment from within photoshop as well. I guess there is a bit too much yellow, but I like it ok. I'll work on another version or so I guess maybe with drawn/painted hair. And reveal the full body shot of this. But, I'm happy with it. This is the outfit I wear typically now a days. I'm too lazy to change at the moment, except for when doing photos. xD

    

Thank you to those who are my friends, and thank you to those that support my photos/makeup. I never really thanked everyone that has blogged my one and only makeup product so far, heh. I do love bloggers, and I love blogging, myself, whenever I decide to start doing it more seriously. I'd like to think, whenever I can get off my lazy clown ass and release more stuff for my MP store, that I can get to the point where I'd love to release review copies to bloggers eventually, when I get more established.

    

Hopefully my RL stress and my laptop-constantly-crashing situation will get better soon! It surprisingly did today. I didn't think I would be able to snap this photo today.

    

Thank you.

...You'll always be my porcelain

I crossed my heart, but I stuttered too

So truth or dare, was I good to you?

Haven't had enough of you all to myself

Still right beside you in sickness and health

For ever after you will be my home

And there's no place like home

Dearly Departed -Marianas Trench

 

Another photo from another little adventure with my mother. :P

So... About that new Marianas Trench album, I've got to admit, I really do like it. Particularly this song. Honestly, I haven't really listened to them in a few years, so when Astoria came out, it kind of felt like greeting old friends to me? I don't know, it's just a bit of an unusual feeling since they were a very big part of my life a couple years ago. ^^;

I mean Acadia was even named after one of their songs. I'm such a gross nerd, ha ha.

Hope you all are having a good week!

(Honourable Mention in the 2012 International Photography Awards landscape category, as part of my 'Sand, Sea & Silence' set of five photographs)

 

(Published in Advanced Photographer, Dec 2012)

 

(Explore #347)

 

Sometimes these descriptions come easy and sometimes they don't (note: although I now realise this one flowed in seconds, which contradicts some of what I'm about to say) - much the same as the art of photography and all the trials and tribulations that go hand in hand with it. The last few weeks have been frustrating, I've felt in a rut both in terms of what to shoot and how to shoot it. I think it's probably akin to something like writer's block, where I'd imagine a pen will often glide fluidly, before stuttering and pausing in hesitation over a piece of paper before coming to a halt. I won't reiterate my dislike for the summer months where image making is concerned - I've already done that, but suffice to say I've had relatively few occasions recently where an image has 'felt' right as I was taking it. That sense you sometimes have, even before you frame up and meter, survey the viewfinder for distractions and so forth that the shot will be that little bit... special.

 

I'm looking forward to autumn and winter (although I'd best not whisper that too loudly elsewhere!) and am hoping that that sense might hit me a little more often than of late...

 

This shot was something of an oddity. It's a simple composition of course - one I've had in mind for this specific sea defence for some time now. A reserve if you will. Being out with my camera yesterday and suffering a particularly bad lack of inspiration, I decided to venture out to this spot again (I've done so two or three times recently) and see what prevailed. The tide was just on the ebb, and I was pleased to notice some promising cloud structure forming. I nearly missed the whole thing - thanks to much cursing as I did battle with a temperamental filter holder that refused to attach itself to my ND110. It's my own fault - I hadn't realised how much sea salt had accumulated in the threads but a clean sorted things out after I'd wasted several minutes determinedly trying to ignore the fact it wasn't going to play ball!

 

So, once home and I could view the shot properly, I started to feel that sense I mentioned above (you'll know how sometimes it doesn't happen until you see the shot properly) - only a little later than normal. I'm still looking forward to autumn and winter, but perhaps there's hope for the next few months yet...

  

Rachel told me her VW bug "Stormy" had just been in a Christmas parade near Nob Hill in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

Location: Starbucks, 4601 Wyoming Blvd NE just north of Montgomery Blvd NE, 7:23pm

 

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Also at this Starbucks:

 

Stuttering Barista

 

Monsoon Tabletops

Just a few seconds ago, Hank was slowly dying, until he heard something that knocked him out. Everything was black, hollow, like a cave. There the paneling looked metallic, yet, felt like cement. And then he heard something.

 

-/Hello Hank/- he heard the same voice from before.

 

“Who’s there?!?” he yelled out.

 

-/We are./- A hologram of what appeared to be a skull appeared before him.

 

“Wha-What the hell are you?” He asks, frozen in fear of what’s in front of him.

 

-/Consider us an ally for your cause. Although, we wish we could’ve met through…… different circumstances. However it is how you humans say “Better late than never.”/- the voice responded

 

“Who are you?” he asked nervously.

 

-/Someone who is a fan of your work. Someone who saved you from your previous condition./-

 

“C-Condition?”

 

-/Observe/- it said as multiple screens were appearing around him, showing the news reports him being missing, Lex being arrested, breaking out, and being defeated by Superman.

 

“H-How long have I been gone?”

 

-/Long enough to lose your goal to that kryptonian. He took away the one thing that kept you alive…. Vengeance. You humans normally have that desire to fuel you. But he took it away./- He doesn’t respond, just looking to the nonexistent ground beneath him. Tears running down his cheeks.

 

-/Thankfully, We can help you get that vengeance from that kryptonian./- It interjects. He looks up and stands before asking.

 

“I must ask, why do you refer to yourself as we?” Suddenly, he hears a humming before turning around to see a red glow coming from behind him. Then he sees two more, they get closer to reveal themselves as robots that had an uncanny valley of looking human, yet non-human.

 

-/How about it Hank?/- a light appears, shining on what seems to be the remains of his body, surrounded by a liquid metal of sorts.

  

“Wha-what is it?” He stuttered out.

 

-/What we could save, but now, we can help you acheive your goal, to kill superman./-

 

-/Will you claim your vengeance? Will you become our avatar and claim your second life?/- He stares at it before responding.

 

“Y-Yes, but never call me Hank again. Hank died years ago, now Cyborg Superman lives.” The liquid metal then forms the superman symbol on his chest.

Cole looked at the woman, clearly impressed, awaiting her payment. She leaned forward to Archer making sure to put everything out there, her voice sultry with age and experience. "Don't you think I could pay you, some... other way." Her red lips curled up and seemed to get plumper. Archer stuttered in shock, "I.. uhm... as tempting..." they cleared their throat. "As temping as that is ma'am," they said in all seriousness. "We only take Galactic Coins."

 

ARCHER -

 

FEATURING

[DS] Strapped Pants 02

[DS] Strapped Shirt 02

[DS] Group Gift - Punked Collar

L'Emporio&PL::*Dragon's Grip*::

Wicca's Originals - Bullseye

 

OUTFIT/ACCESSORIES

WINGS-ER0714-HAIR

Grexor Boots FATPACK / Legacy

Hiemal Stella Dagger Earring Blood Drop Right

Astara - Daddy's Belt

Chipped Nails - Legacy M

Gloom. - Felicis Collection - Sclera 02 - Fatpack

 

TATTOOS/ADDONS

AsteroidBox. Shredded Nets - Black w/ Bandages

TF: Machinist (M) :: LelX : Face With Hollow - Light (50%)THIS IS WRONG The Leader tattoo FADED LIGHT RED - BoM EvoX

 

COLE -

 

[DS] Strapped Pants 02

[DS] Strapped Shirt 02

[DS] Group Gift - Punked Collar

Evil Baby Moonchild Glasses

Cult Umu Boots

M E M E N T O FVTE Rings

WINGS HAIR-TZ1110 Red

 

SPACE COUGAR -

 

OUTFIT -

*barberyumyum*P02(anime)

[MODA] BETTY DRESS: LEOPARD

Foxwood - Space Pup Pack - Gold

[Fetch] Alicia Glasses

 

THE LOOK -

UNHOLY_Green Alien

Izzie's - LeL Evo X Anger Wrinkles

Izzie's - LeL Evo X Bunny Wrinkles

Izzie's - LeL Evo X Smile Lines

 

SET UP // BACKGROUND

 

Confort Travel - Rix Cuchao - The Bearded Guy

Cerberus Black LowLag by VIX MOTORS

Haunted Warehouse - Bio Hazard Bucket Spilled - Breaux Willow

Haunted Warehouse - Bio Hazard Bucket - Breaux Willow

Haunted Warehouse - Bio Haz Spill - Breaux Willow

"Nine"

 

I recall once on the church steps,

When I moved to kiss your chest,

How we paid such close attention

To each sweet and stuttered breath,

I should’ve stopped to paint our picture,

Captured honest pure affection,

Just to document the difference

between attraction and connection.

 

I can see all of my friends and

I break into empty buildings,

When the coast was clear,

With backpacks full of beer,

We’d throw our bottles from the rooftops

At this city-it looked endless.

Guess I still don’t see the difference

between real purpose and that urgent adolescence.

 

And I remember in a basement sharing sweat

With all these stranger boys and girls,

“We’ll change the world!” We sang,

“We’ll change the world!” But,

Nothing seems to change and

They say none of them will listen,

But I still see much more power in that basement

than in heartless politicians.

 

And if we get beaten by this winter,

If we get strangled by regret, just

Let our love of life and tension

Gasp in sweet and stuttered breaths, and

Have them lay us in a basement,

Smash some bottles on the ground, and

Say we couldn't tell the difference

between the feeling and the sound.

 

Remember not our faulty pieces,

Remember not our rusted parts,

It’s not the petty imperfections that define us but

The way we hold our hearts,

And the way we hold our heads,

I hope they write your names beside mine

on my gravestone when I’m dead.

And when we’re dead let our voices carry on

To find a better song.

To find a better song and sing along

  

by

la dispute

 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPppInfmpvo

   

Doom Patrol Issue Two: Family Reunion

 

1984

 

Miami, Florida

 

“Hello? Lawrence? Lawrence Trainor?”

The Chief says, causing me to spit my rum into my bandages, soaking them. How'd he find my hotel room?

 

“Ch-Chief?” I stutter, confused as to how Niles found the number to the telephone in my hotel room.

 

“Yes Lawrence, it's me.” He confirms. “I'm sorry for bothering you, but it's urgent. Cliff disappeared about two weeks ago, a window in his room was broken violently. I have a couple leads, but I thought you may want to know. It's taken me quite a lot of time and effort to find your number.”

 

“I'm gonna need a one way ticket to Missouri.”

I growl, in my best Clint Eastwood impression.

 

“No, that won't be necessary. Rita and I will come to you. You see, the tracking chip in Cliffs body just went off on the outskirts of Miami. You won't have to leave your vacation quite yet. We'll bring the private jet, meet us at the airport at four.”

 

“Hey uh Chief I just wanted to-” He hangs up. I guess he's keeping it professional.

 

I resume drinking my rum, dancing to the upbeat tune blaring from my stereo.

 

4:32 PM

 

I drag myself sluggishly to the front of the airport. I see two blurry figures in front of the double glass doors. They don't look very pleased with me. I check my watch to see the time, I'm a half an hour late. I guess I lost track of time while I was drinking.

 

“Larry? Are you okay?” A soft and familiar female voice questions.

 

“Oh, it is you guys!” I scream ecstatically. I limp over to an aging man in a wheelchair, it's Niles.

 

“Lawrence, have you been drinking?”

He says, with his british grandpa voice.

 

I place my hand on his shoulder and turn to Rita.

 

“I'm okay Chief I only had a little. You ready to get the Doom Patrol back together?” I slur, collapsing to the hot pavement.

 

I awake in the backseat of what I presume is a taxi, sandwiched between Rita and The Chief. They both seem fairly annoyed by my drunk antics, but I'm having the time of my life.

 

I guess we arrive at our destination, because the cab comes to a screeching halt.

 

“This is the place, uh, Chang's International Buffet? The fee is gonna be six fifty.” The taxi driver says to the general group.

 

“Thank you, kind sir.”

Niles says, handing him a twenty dollar bill from his pocket.

 

“Damn, twenty? Thanks man.”

The driver says, a smile forming on his face.

 

Rita opens the door on her side, and steps out of the cab. She stretches both of her arms, one opening the trunk and taking out Chief's wheelchair, and the other taking me forcefully by the shoulder and pulling my wasted ass out of the car. She leaves me on the ground, while she wheels The Chief's chair on over to him. She gracefully lifts him up and places him on the chair, and begins wheeling him to the buffet.

 

I'm too drunk for this shit. I watch them make their way to the door, still lying on the road. I get assaulted with exhaust as the driver speeds away. The door to the restaurant blows open and a short, greasy, Asian man walks outside, wearing a white tank top and sweatpants. He swings his arms open when he sees The Chief.

 

“Niles! Niles Caulder! It's been years!”

He bellows, an enormous grin on his face.

 

“Ah, Mr. Chang. How have you been?”

Chief says, receiving a big hug from Mr. Chang.

 

“Business is good, so I'm great! Come in, come in.” He says, opening the door and gesturing Rita and Chief inside. They follow him inside and I shut my eyes, hoping to wake up from this nightmare. My eyes shoot open as I feel Rita's arm stretch out of the doorway and drag me inside the Buffet.

   

Pau D'arco or Pink Trumpet Tree flowers swim on Starbucks' outdoor tabletops during Albuquerque, New Mexico monsoon shower.

 

Location: Starbucks, 4601 Wyoming Blvd NE just north of Montgomery Blvd NE, 6:01pm

  

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Also at this Starbucks:

 

Stuttering Barista

 

Rachel's Car, 'Stormy'

the lights you held in your hands so casually as though that is where lights go shine still and again over and under, too.

The dapper Spotted Sandpiper makes a great ambassador for the notoriously difficult-to-identify shorebirds. They occur all across North America, they are distinctive in both looks and actions, and they're handsome. They also have intriguing social lives in which females take the lead and males raise the young. With their richly spotted breeding plumage, teetering gait, stuttering wingbeats, and showy courtship dances, this bird is among the most notable and memorable shorebirds in North America. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Spotted_Sandpiper/overview#

Mixophyes balbus. Dorrigo National Park, NSW.

Fast. Fast is one of the only words to describe how 2013 felt. It's hard to believe that tomorrow begins the New Year. Even though this year was fast, I feel it was one of the best years of my life in the LEGO community.

 

First off, this is the year I started to make characters from The Walking Dead, which got my YouTube channel and Flickr stream a new audience. Making figures from The Walking Dead was one of the best decisions I made, and I have really loved doing it. I cannot wait until Season 4 returns so I can begin to make more figures!

Along with The Walking Dead, this year I made an attempt at creating the prison, but that didn't turn out great, but check it out on my YouTube channel if you would like.

Even though its a smaller event, the creation of Infinity Squad was big to me. I really liked the idea of making stories based around a squad, and I can't wait to continue with them in 2014. Hopefully I'll get some new Phase 2 armor for them soon so I can actually pose them :)

 

Also, I began making a lot of Mandalorians this year, which I am very proud of. My Jango Fett, Boba Fett, Pre Vizsla, and Bo-Katan figures are some of my best and stand out in my collection.

One of the biggest events that occurred this year was BrickFair: Virginia. That event was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I met so many fantastic people and had an outstanding time there, it kind of felt like home. It was a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by people who had the same interests as you.

 

Throughout this year, my figures significantly changed, as did my attitude about creating them. I began to take my time on painting and actually planning out what to do for them rather than just winging it like I had done in the past. I explored new themes and new ways to customize, as well as attempting camouflage which you can see on my upcoming Battlefield 4 figures. I had to step put of my comfort zone on a lot of figures, but all of them turned out just the way I was hoping, thus expanding the zone.

 

Some of you may remember I had posted a "Steps Toward Profession" photo at the beginning of the year, seen here: www.flickr.com/photos/52286648@N06/8336046355/

I listed several goals, which I had wanted to achieve in a few months, but that didn't happen. However, I am proud to say I did complete all of those goals by the end of the year. I made a more professional looking background, which changed to a banner with YouTube's new layout. I did create a new studio with better lighting and used a better camera for filming. I began to upload more and more, trying to get back into the game. Lastly, I finally verified myself as a Partner, thus allowing me to make custom thumbnails for my videos which I had always wished to do. Throughout this journey, I regained my lost 200 subscribers, along with 1,600 more, giving me a total of 4,800+ subscribers which I am grateful for!

I went farther off these goals to make my channel and photostream more professional. For the channel, I made an introduction, outro, new logo, and planned what to say so I wouldn't stutter as much. For my Flickr stream, I better prepared my showcases with related backgrounds and camera/figure angles, as well as exploring Adobe Photoshop to edit my shots to make them look better.

 

In the photo above, I put all of the figures I have made this year. I not sure how many, but I was amazed I was able to paint so many of them! You can notice the difference in the quality of the figures by comparing the old figures to the new, which I think really shows how much I believe I've improved. In the comments, tell me which figure(s) is your favorite!

 

I just want to thank you all for how much support and feedback you have given me. It really contributes to my improvement, and I couldn't have done it without you all!

 

I am now saying farewell to 2013, and looking forward. 2014 is going to be amazing, and I am super excited to showcase my Battlefield 4 figures! I plan on making Lilly and Tara from The Walking Dead, but other than them, I have little to no idea of what figures I will be making in 2014, but I am certain something will pop up!

 

Thank you all again for you support and appreciation, it means the world to me! I wish you all a Happy New Year!

 

-Aaron/LM9 Productions

 

Me siento y miro.

Me pongo a pensar sobre las causas –conjuntas, suficientes, necesarias, geográficas, económicas, sociales... históricas e histéricas también– y sobre los efectos –los de las noticias y los que no andan ahí, los que no me esperaba y los que ví inevitables con el ceño fruncido– de este fenómeno... sobre sus fases y dolencias, sobre sus interminables interrelaciones.

Me da vértigo.

Síncope...

Y se me lengua la traba...

 

-Reset-

Great Horned Owls are nocturnal. You may see them at dusk sitting on fence posts or tree limbs at the edges of open areas, or flying across roads or fields with stiff, deep beats of their rounded wings. Their call is a deep, stuttering series of four to five hoots.

Bathing in Del Rey Lagoon while youngster forages.

 

Thought I'd, once again, try posting directly to Flickr, rather than uploading to YouTube and posting the link in Flickr. However, when I play it, there's a stop motion/stuttering. If anyone else experiences this, please let me know.

I love photographing these lovely flowers when they are available in the spring at our garden centers. Admittedly the genus name is a bit of a land mine for mediocre spellers. People so often judge us more for our minor flaws, rather than for our profound statements or brilliant accomplishments. I have a friend with dozens of patents (several marketable). He's a very poor speller, so many people think he's stupid! Another acquaintance is a valedictorian of his high school class. He has a foreign accent and stutters, so he's incorrectly judged as a moron by many.....Fuchsia is a plant genus with 110 species, consisting mostly of shrubs or small trees. As I mentioned previously, one of my favorite flowers to photograph. ❤❤

a new variety of agapanthus in our garden - trying for bokeh - quite a bit of 'faffing'......

 

I found this on Google: "faffing - late 18th century (originally dialect in the sense ‘blow in puffs’, describing the wind): imitative. The current sense may have been influenced by dialect faffle ‘stammer, stutter’, later ‘flap in the wind’, which came to mean ‘fuss, dither’ at about the same time as faff (late 19th century)"