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So just curious...this is all planned for 0.58 right? (As apposed to 0.57)
[bzr] Light shines through doors
So just curious...this is all planned for 0.58 right? (As apposed to 0.57)
Technically it is planned for sth greater to 0.57 yes.
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06-23-2011, 09:56 AM (This post was last modified: 06-23-2011, 10:19 AM by Descenteer.)
Quote:Well if no one would care too much about doors I'd have a solution that would not take THAT much additional performance but could very well improve the lighting.
Please don't mess with the lighting. Or at least make every change you make optional. The original shot in your comparison looks much more 'realistic' than the second. Why ist that? Quite simple: in the real world there isn't just direct light from light sources but also secondary lighting which bounces between lit objects (in this case from wall to wall). In the situation pictured in your comparison that means that any light in the room below would indeed create an effect that is more or less similar to the simple vertex lighting without visiblitiy checks. May seem a bit strange at first thought, but believe me, it's the truth. I'm working as a 3d-artist for over 10 years, that is a topic I know very, very well.
To get really 'realistic' lighting you would have to do two calculation passes (plus shadows if you want it all). The first one, more ore less looking like your second image. The direct light. And a second one, the indirect light (often called Global Illumination or short GI). There are several algorithms for that, but all of them are very demanding computationally and apart from some pretty new, but still heavy, GPU based algorithms not really suited for real time lighting.
As long as you don't plan to compute these secondary lighting effects or place extra lights in the levels which simulate secondary effects, which is the normal way to do this without GI, the current vertex lighting will look better in most situations (the closed doors problem aside). Trust me. Especially considering the fact that all light sources were set by the level desigers to fit exactly that vertex lighting scheme.
Btw.: That's one of the problems with d2x-xl's advanced lighting. As good as d2x-xl's lightmaps sound theoretically, they really don't work well in many cases (i.e. large rooms are often way too dark, way too harsh shadows in many places etc.). Simply because the levels were built with another lighting scheme in mind and the lightmap calculation suffers from the same fundamental flaw your sample picture does: no secondary lighting.
So in a nutshell: By trying to fix the shortcomigs of Descents lighting you will definitely create at least as many problems as you will solve as long as you don't consider global illumination. And even then there will most likely be places that will look strange.
Of course you have a point: Indirect light is not considered in the way I planned to and this is actually where the original lighting has an advantage.
But adding visbility check will not COMPLETELY prevent indirect light as each vertex stores ONE light value. That means that if a vertex is visible from a light source, the joining sides on this vertex will be lit as well. So if a light source illuminates the corner of a tunnel, the light will spread out around the corner slightly, still adding part of indirect ligthing as well.
But consider also that my changes ONLY affect the dynamic light from objects - NOT the intitial level light set by the authors. Making this "realistic" is simply impossible.
In the end I have to make a decision:
1) If I set the light for visibility it will partially consider "indirect light" from object-based light sources such as weapon fire or powerups.
2) If I keep it this way a light CAN go from one room to another even if both rooms have NO connection to each other.
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06-23-2011, 10:31 AM (This post was last modified: 06-23-2011, 10:34 AM by Descenteer.)
Quote:In the end I have to make a decision:
Exactly. I for one would rather live with the occasional closed door problem. I think situations like the one you show in your example are occuring way more often, so that would be my priority. And the second picture in that comparison really looks just plain wrong.
But maybe others have another opinion on that. Please just make any changes completely optional, so that users can decide for themselves. That's my only wish.
Well possibly I can also work using light similar to sound. This just checks the connected segments and if a cube is "close" in terms of the shortest "way" between cube A and cube B I can still decide wether to light up a room or not. Still that could always cause light that seems travelling through a solid wall in cases where the light just has to pass a small U-Turn. so.. yeah it's not so easy.
But again, nothing is really set so far. I'd prefer simple visibility check (like the bottom picture in my example shows) at any given time. This matches best how Descent 2 works when you shoot out a static light source and even if not visible on my example picture it DOES do some simple indirect light. So in the end I might think it could be the best compromise.
However I will not do that without extensive playing and seeing how it affects the atmosphere and how good it looks.
Surely the lighting will NEVER be 100% realistic. It would not even fit to the simple architecture of the world in Descent. I want something that fits there.
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Quote:But again, nothing is really set so far. I'd prefer simple visibility check (like the bottom picture in my example shows) at any given time.
As long you tell me where to look in the sourcecode to revert the changes...
Where's the problem with having this as an option? I could understand that you don't want to make the menu too overcomplicated, but what speaks against an ini parameter like -originallighting, that simply keeps the lighting as it ever was. Choice is good.
Just in case I sound too demanding: The original lighting method is the main reason I use dxx-rebirth over d2x-xl at all. So this is quite important to me. d2x-xl is so focussed on effects and so much was changed that currently it's not really possible anymore to go to back to the original state. And that's not really a good thing.
Again, I do understand your point about this and it concerns me, too. If I implement a new lighting method I do not want you to recognize the "changes" it brings but rather the "fixes" it introduces.
You raise some very good points that make me rethink this whole process once more and things I will consider the time I'll implement this or an alternative.
But we also must consider that the most changes any lighting system might introduce is mostly connected to colored lighting. If I'd post the comparison screenshot again - without colored light - the changes would be WAY less noticable. And this is what I also want to check when I compare the atmosphere between the original and a new dynamic lighting engine.
Example: If you load up D2 level 1 you'll see that there is a blue glow lighting the floor in front of you. This is a shield powerup hidden in a secret room. If you turn OFF colored lighting, due to the normal level lighting you do only barely notice that there IS some light at all.
So if we count in "realism" for dynamic lighting, I must see that the priorities for non-colored and colored lighting are different, even tho colored lighting does not do anything "different2 than the non-colored.
Depending on what you brought up I came up with another idea but I gotta check out how good I can realize that.
As it may be if a new lighting method is more demanding, there WILL be an INI switch to revert back to the original.
The greatest pleasure in life is to do what people say you cannot do.
Uhm... Honey, there's a head in the toilet!
Quote:Example: If you load up D2 level 1 you'll see that there is a blue glow lighting the floor in front of you. This is a shield powerup hidden in a secret room. If you turn OFF colored lighting, due to the normal level lighting you do only barely notice that there IS some light at all.
I see. That should be really easy to fix, btw. I'm not 100% sure if Descent's geometry considers face normals, but it would be very strange if it did not. If so, to prevent glitches like this, all you would have to do in your dynamic lighting code is to check whether a light is on the front or on the back side of a polygon to decide whether that specific face is going to be lit or not. Is this, apart from the colored lights, code that comes from Parallax?
Maybe they left this check out back in 1995 to gain some speed, but nowadays that shouldn't be a problem at all. Algorithms to check a point against a triangle can be found easily on the internet. For speed reasons it might make sense though to first make a simple test of a triangles vertices against the max radius of the light to completely save the normals test in all obvious cases.
Having light on both side of one face just is a problem of the vertex lighting. If there's only a two-dimensional wall it only has four vertecies for each side. So if one side lights up, the other side does, too. This is the same problem with doors and until I define at least 8 vertecies for ONE segment/cube, I cannot fix this properly.
Not having any visibility check makes the issue even worse of course.
But still this is unrelated to the major issue that light passes even through three-dimensional obstacles as if matter does not influence light at all. If a light source lights up a verttex only the distance to this is checked - not if anything is in it's path.
The greatest pleasure in life is to do what people say you cannot do.
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Izzy Lee Discusses Horror And The Traumas, Social Commentaries Behind Her Work
Izzy Lee is a prolific, award-winning horror director, writer, and producer originally from New England and now living in Los Angeles. I interviewed her about two of her recent horror shorts, For a Good Time, Call…, and Rites of Vengeance. For a Good Time Call… won Best Horror Short at GenreBlast Film Festival this year, and Rites of Vengeance recently won Best Short Film at the Idaho Horror Film Festival.
Samantha Kolesnik, DecayMag Content Contributor
DecayMag: When I watched For a Good Time, Call…, one of the very first things I noticed was that I felt as though Diana Porter's performance really tapped into the relatable experience of a woman feeling uncomfortable and considering leaving or stopping a sexual encounter but then staying. I also appreciated that the scene did not exploit either actor's body, something that can be quite common in horror. Can you talk about this scene and its motivation, as well as any extra considerations you take as a director when filming physical intimacy?
Izzy Lee: While I didn't write this particular script — that was my friend, Chris Hallock — what it said really spoke to me. Not just about an all-too-common theme of injustice and the theme of sex tapes and "revenge porn" of sorts, but the script spoke to me as a woman. Living in a female skin for a few decades has scarred me, just as it has most women, but it also gave me the knowledge of what it's like to be coerced into something you don't want to do. I think that's sadly, a pretty common occurrence for us. I didn't have to direct Diana Porter much for this scene at all; she knows what it's like, too. For Sean Carmichael, all I had to tell him to do was to act entitled. The subject matter of most of my work is very dark, but on set, I try to keep the mood light, if I can.
In this opening scene, Diana is Alice, a woman who's going to have a good time with her boyfriend Alex (Sean) — only she doesn't yet know that he's taping them in the bedroom. He rearranges her on the bed a bit roughly for a better angle for the hidden camera, and it sets off a red flag for her, of course. But then Alex softens a bit, and she tries to relax. However, we get the feeling that if she does try to leave, there is a chance that he could get even rougher with her.
There's no need to be exploitative in a scene like this. To do so is to take away the seriousness of it. I like to keep the set closed as much as possible for intimate scenes; it's not only respectful but allows your actors to live within their characters more fully.
"Living in a female skin for a few decades has scarred me, just as it has most women, but it also gave me the knowledge of what it's like to be coerced into something you don't want to do."
DecayMag: One of the things I really like about For a Good Time, Call… is that it explores the very real and modern threat of being filmed or recorded against your knowledge and having something private shared publicly on the Internet. Do you think that today's culture makes it so that women have more consequences if private videos are shared and does your opinion on that influence the film's narrative?
Izzy Lee: Of course there are more consequences for women with something horrific like this. Even though it's usually pretty clear that when something like this happens, it's a crime, there's still that stupid double-standard for women versus men. We unfortunately still live in a world that devalues us, treats us like objects or commodities, and when we speak up, we aren't to be trusted or believed. It's bullshit. It's why guys can get away with doing awful things, recorded in public and still keep their jobs (mostly), but when the woman who gave Trump the finger as his cavalcade rode by her, she was fired immediately. Yes, that influences the narratives of all of my films. There's so much injustice in the world and that's precisely the reason I began making films; because I can't stand it, and we rarely get the justice we need in real life.
"We unfortunately still live in a world that devalues us, treats us like objects or commodities, and when we speak up, we aren't to be trusted or believed. It's bullshit."
DecayMag: What made you want to tell this particular story?
Izzy Lee: It simply needs to be told because no one else is going to tell it. And I know of few other instruments of vengeance than Tristan Risk, who played the wrathful ghost in this story.
DecayMag: At the end of the film, Alice seems to still feel empathy toward Alex, despite what was done to her. Can you speak to the decision to end on that note and its significance? Is 'empathy' what you were going for, or do you feel a different emotion better describes it?
Izzy Lee: It's a tortured marriage of empathy and horror. That character is empathic because she's not a shit-stain of a human being, but a normal person who had the bad luck of being involved with a modern-day villain. In many ways, she is the empath and he is the narcissist. She can feel horror because horror has been done to her. She feels it again when she sees the video of his final comeuppance. This is honesty. And although she did indeed wish that something very bad would happen to him — and it does — how does one feel when that wish is delivered? She'd be almost as bad as he was if she delighted in his pain. If I did that, I'd have to make it an absurdist horror comedy (and I do sometimes make those) to make it feel right.
DecayMag: In your film, Rites of Vengeance you tackle the controversial topic of sexual abuse within religion. In telling this story, what made you decide to focus on the abuse within religion, in particular, and what was it like to tell a story about something so many people in power tried to "brush under the rug"?
Izzy Lee: Where do I begin? The film "Spotlight" is on Netflix if you want to know about part of how I grew up in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. I have friends who've been abused, both by priests and by others in positions of power. These people who were supposed to be trustworthy were instead the most insidious of criminals, being looked up to by society while preying on small children, effectively tearing out their souls as they ravished their innocent bodies. It fucking kills me. As a survivor of a similar kind of assault as an adolescent, you never get over that shit. It lives with you, festers within you. Some of us don't make it out alive before our time is due. I'm just grateful that I had a team of friends who trusted in me enough to help me want to make this film.
It's not a happy film to put out there, but it's necessary. I still sometimes tear up when I'm at a festival that's chosen to screen it. It's not always the easiest film to program, but I'm glad that it's making the rounds.
"As a survivor of a similar kind of assault as an adolescent, you never get over that shit. It lives with you, festers within you."
DecayMag: In both films, For a Good Time, Call… and Rites of Vengeance, perpetrators and predators who often do not see consequences in real life, have to face consequences in the films. You fuse real-life horror with the fantasy of horror amazingly well. Do you hope these films send a message about unprosecuted crimes and abuses against women and children? Do you consider that a recurring motif in your work?
Izzy Lee: Thank you, and yes, revenge within the socio-political realm is quite often a recurring motif in my work. Every now and then I'll lighten up with a horror comedy, but most of my films are quite dark. However, they fill a need to see violent criminals who slip through the cracks punished. Revenge thrillers are quite popular for just this reason. We need catharsis. We NEED to explore upsetting topics in art. Are we upset about the unhinged toddler man running our nation? Now we have stuff like "Purge: Election Year." Are we uneasy about racism and the rise of neo-Nazis in this country, who not so long ago fought the originals? Now we have the amazing "Get Out." I'm not saying that these works negate the intolerable in reality, but I am grateful that they exist.
"Every now and then I'll lighten up with a horror comedy, but most of my films are quite dark."
DecayMag: Where can horror fans stay updated on your upcoming projects and screenings?

subset: commoncrawl


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|Front flower bed
|View from above
That small flower bed at the front of the house took a few hours worth of digging. There was nothing there and the soil needed lots of compost and good black top soil. Whatcha think? Pretty?
|Detail of columbine flowers
|Hanging basket detail
Hope your weekend is filled with sunshine. :)


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Union Rats are Made in a Non-Union Shop
Go figure.
On a rare trip to Midtown East for a meeting Wednesday morning, we spied an all-new yellow "union rat" peering into the second floor windows of an office building undergoing a (presumably) non-union renovation, and got curious about the nasty-looking inflatable critters and where they come from.
Turns out they're made in a (according to a 2003 Fast Company article) non-union shop based right in the midst of Big Union Country: Chicagoland.
Big Sky Balloons & Searchlights, a Plainfield, IL manufacturer of cold-air inflatable advertising balloons, offers a line called "Rat Pack / Union Balloons" that besides giant rodents, includes "Greedy Pig", "Cockroach", "Union Skunk" and a "Corporate Fat Cat", clutching a helpless construction worker in its meaty corporate paw.
Interestingly, we always assumed the airbrushed patch of boils and sores that appears on the loins of many of the blow-up rodents was a vague "scab" reference. But according to the same Fast Company piece, Big Sky's owner Mike O'Conner added the "pink belly with festering nipples" at a union member's request for a meaner-looking beast.
The Inflatable Union Rat [Fastcompany.com]
Rat Pack / Union Balloons [bigskyballoons.com]


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if you're new to the Sliding Doors series, you can find previous installments riiight ^ there next to "About."
as always, comments are awesome, and sharing is caring.
December 2010
"You look sick, son."
The old man's voice was an ancient river, running thick and heavy with wisdom; always slow and deliberate, on his own time. Nigel looked out the immaculate window at the deceptively bright day, the sun's smile glinting off the last traces of last week's snowfall.
His own smile had left two weeks ago. Gone with the wind, or some sick abortion clinic in California.
"I'm cool." He adjusted his sweater, classic argyle hiding his seeping heart.
His mind was too full, heavy as the bags of salt that weighted his car down this winter. His father wouldn't understand. Couldn't understand the strength it took to be here today, just to stand and be present without being reminded of that woman.
Jade was a poison. A jagged stab in his side. The type of nagging pain that ate at you, a vulture over a rotting carcass.
Fuck her. His mind had this biting stand-by on auto-reply each time he felt the nip of sadness trying to creep in.
"Come here, son. Tell me what's troubling you."
Nigel stopped, turned to face the man who gave him his black stare, his sharp nose, his acute temper. He kept his face mute, stone. "I said I'm cool, Joe."
Disappointment cast a brief shadow in his father's identical black eyes whenever Nigel addressed him by his first name. The years that existed between now and the last time he'd referred to the graying, elegant man as "dad" were going on twenty, yet his father still showed visible disdain.
At that, a rough rumble in Joseph's throat cleared away any softness, any hint of sentiment that had been allowed to sneak in for that snap of a moment. He got back to business. "Have you spoken to Nathaniel? I've some things to discuss with him and he keeps going missing."
The tide of bile that rushed to the pit of Nigel's stomach at the mention of his brother's name sickened him. He'd laid low, become conveniently unavailable whenever Nate or Jade had tried to reach him in the last two weeks. He knew what Nathaniel wanted. The start of his term was approaching, he'd be taking his oath of office soon. There were press conferences to be held, donations to make, plans to re-familiarize himself with. But what could she possibly want? To step on his contents she'd already yanked with bare hands and a cold pair of forceps? He had no care to hear anything she had to say. He'd accepted their ending. Now he just wanted to be over it.
"Not my brother's keeper anymore Joe."
His father's fiery eyes shot up at him, right hand stopped signing the document he'd been writing on before Nigel walked into his large office. "Oh cut the bullshit boy. I asked have you talked to the man, nothing else. Spare me the fits of nuance."
Nigel toyed with the nameplate boldly displaying Joseph E. Richardson in gold-plated letters on his father's heavy, expansive desk gleaming with a fresh shine, walked back over to the window with it in his hand. Looked down fifteen floors to the miniature people walking outside. He cleared his throat, decided not to address the old man's intentional use of "boy" versus "man."
"No. I haven't."
Joseph stood up, took a step from behind his desk. "I don't know what's got you walking around like you've got a wrench on your nuts lately, but you need to get over it. Soon. Whatever is going on between you and Nathaniel needs to die today. Not next week, not tomorrow, today. There's work to be done. I won't have him looking incompetent because he hired his brother instead of someone more qualified."
Old Joe. Now this was more familiar. Simultaneously praising Nathaniel while demeaning Nigel was an area of expertise for his father.
Nigel set the nameplate down quietly, turned to walk out, his pride overriding the fact that he'd come here for a reason; Joseph's consummate business acumen and wisdom much needed for a current negotiation he was working on.
"You can't run from every truth, son. Sooner or later one of them will catch up to you." His father's voice was serious, his face lined with condemnation.
Nigel paused at the door, insides sinking faster than the Titanic. "Maybe I can't, Joe. Maybe I can't. But I can tell that truth to go fuck itself."
Black covered the sky outside the window like an arrogant magician's cloak that night, the only light a lone plane like a slow moving shooting star in the distance. Nigel stared out into that dark space numbly, let his mind wander into a midnight forever. He was beyond heartbreak; oil spilled through the hole in his heart now, black and murky. The places his mind traveled to these days led to nothing but a vast vacuity.
The wax of the record crackled heavily in the room dark as the night outside, like the fireplace in that six-bedroom "cabin" in the Poconos his father used to take him and Nate to when they were boys.
He placed the needle down, Donny's voice like a hot lozenge.
"If I ever leave you baby… you can say I told you so…"
He sunk his gloom onto the oversized leather chair alongside the window, sifted through mail he wouldn't bother opening. When his thoughts became too much, when the elements of life hammered at his sanity and proved too great to handle, he sat in this chair.
He listened to the music his father listened to all those years ago, when his mother's shrill voice and unending complaints had forced a retreat to the basement of their large three-story home, away from her anger and toward the jar of moonshine. His parents didn't argue much, but when they did, even the windows vibrated with tension. Nathaniel, being the diplomat he was, not able to handle the words they slung, would leave, sneak out the window and run to the home of one of his older, misfit friends.
Nigel absorbed those times though, intensely aware of the symphonic way their battles moved; chaos and calm between moments of silence. It'd start abruptly, his parents returning home from a night out, the liquor-flavored yelling and slamming of doors. Then it'd grow soft, still, as his mother tried to reason with her husband, calm the storm he'd turned into. And sometimes, on good nights, they ended there, with an embrace and an unspoken truce. Most times, not.
His father was not a man of compromise; everyone living under the roof he provided was subject to his rules, as far as he was concerned. That's where the finale would come, the bursting of his father's temper like the breaking of a New Orleans levee, his storm would grow, become a full on hurricane. Sometimes Nigel would come out of his room, see the wild in Joseph's eyes, the thick vein protruding out of his neck as his father yelled and his mother retreated, locked herself in their bedroom until the hurricane had passed.
The fear that he'd have to kill his father one day lived in the back of his mind, clear and present. This powerful, strong man who represented everything a hero was for him, who was everything he wanted to be when he was older. He was always scared he'd have to shoot Joseph with his own gun if he ever hit his mother. Scared, but always ready.
He'd sigh with relief, thank God in his prayers before bed when his father finally made his way to the basement; angry, heavy steps punctuated with the slam of the door at the bottom. Immediately, Donny Hathaway's emotional alto would rise from his father's domain, making its way through the walls, ebbing like slow tide throughout the house. Nigel's bedtime lullaby. Donny meant he could fall asleep without worry. Donny meant his father would be cordial with his mother in the morning, apologetic even.
"Is that any way for a man to carry on, do you think, I want my loved one gone…" The words of that song were ingrained in his memory, forever in the blueprint of his childhood.
Now years later, he sat in his chair, let thoughts run wild, fold and unfold themselves over, usually working themselves out into neatly cubed stacks or straight planes. Today they were cranes. Crumpled like accordions and wrinkled sheets left from restless nights. He hated how much of his father's anger had made its way into his DNA, hated that this song was the only calm for his storm.
"Said I love you… moooore than you'll ever knoooow…"
He stared at his phone. Watched it call his voice mail.
"Nigel. We should talk. I know you're upset but please–"
He pressed the seven button wearily, ache like a fifty pound weight on his chest, expanding itself ever so often, restricting his breathing. Her voice only made betrayal a thousand times more potent. Fueled his anger in ways he imagined a man committed to a madhouse would relate to.
Fuck her.
She was a ghost. Gone. The Jade he knew was nothing but an idea of a dream he'd envisaged one day. An imagined utopia. A hazy, deceptive mirage.
"Nigel. Please–"
He deleted another message. Shook his head, traded the mail for the beer resting on the table beside him. Regret of years wasted pooled inside, a simmering ball of uneasiness.
He sat, leather sighing underneath his movements like a tired old man, let this numb sadness radiate. He wanted it to travel through him, consume every space until it had no where to go but out, so he could rid himself of this horrible feeling, finally move on to not caring. He wanted to go back to being the selfish, self-indulgent, womanizing, happy man he'd always been. He rubbed a large hand over the freshly twisted locs tight on his scalp, pulled back away from his face with plastic band.
He'd been mulling this decision for a long time, but now, in this dark room, he'd made up his mind. He was going to move. Change the details of his world once again. Uproot himself, toss his life into a small bag, relocate, and disassociate himself once again from the brother both she and his father seemed to love more. Nate had won. He always won.
He shouldn't be mad at his brother for being the one people preferred. It's wasn't Nate's fault he was so much more palatable than Nigel. And not surprisingly, Nigel didn't really care when it came to most people. He'd carved out a nice, successful existence even with the absence of the favor that seemed innate for Nathaniel. But this one. This one stung.
He'd never speak to Jade again, never tell his brother of the history he didn't know existed.
Now he just needed to decide where the hell would he go.
January 2004
The quiet buzz of his cell struggled to be heard above the raucous chatter of five men, losing the battle over and over again until Nigel's peripheral caught the blinking blue light.
"Yo baby, yo baby, yo." He answered comically for Jade, ready to shake his head at whatever she was interrupting his night with.
She knew he was indulging in a testosterone night. He had a good hand in this round of poker, a table stacked with deep dish pizza, and hydro smoke permeating the atmosphere. Whatever she wanted could wait, most likely.
"Stop by tonight after you're done there, please."
Jade had a bad habit, an annoying habit, of immediately launching into conversation when he answered. The reason he'd stopped bothering to answer with a traditional hello long ago.
"I'm in Ann Arbor with a friend. No can do."
"It's important Nigel. Please."
He softened, like he always did when she used that voice made of silk, soft as rabbit fur. That one change of tone could have so much power over him was annoying too.
"What is it? Everything alright?"
"Just stop by Nigel."
Her refusal to communicate over the phone made him nervous.
Oh God, please don't let her be pregnant. Could she be? This thought gnawed at him, spread fear to places he didn't think possible. He thought back to two weeks before when they'd laugh at the condom breaking mid role play. Wouldn't be so funny now.
"Is it something major? …Are you pregnant? I'd like to know now before I come over there. Don't just spring something big on me. Black men stay dying young from coronary failure."
Silence crackled on the other end, the absence of Jade's voice either a very good, or very bad thing.
"….Hello?" he said.
Her lips smacked together almost violently. "You should really stop smoking." Her voice was as finite as the click that sounded in his ear.
His locs were shoulder-length now, swaying when he walked, giving his primal bone structure an even sharper shadow. She couldn't help but stare.
"You look like you're losing weight." Jade's eyes crawled up, then down Nigel, cried mute, invisible tears. Suffered alone.
"Nah. Building more muscle." He answered casually, as if that phrase had made its way to his tongue several times before tonight. "So what was so urgent? Boogie man out there again?"
Last Thursday, lying in bed, she heard a rapping on the window. A loud, angry rapping that would taper off into a soft tap, then become irate again. She nudged Nigel's sleeping black ink body with her pointy elbow, pulled him from his dreamland. He grumbled something incoherent, something in caveman language, and turned his angular back to her, pulled the royal blue sateen comforter up over the left shoulder peeking out.
"No Nigel, wake up! there's someone trying to break in!" She screamed as loud a decibel as a whisper could take her voice, nudged him again, harder.
"Woman. there is no boogie man outside your window. Go back to sleep."
She wouldn't though. She nudged and nudged and finally kissed his neck softly, a faint brush of a kiss, and he woke; begrudgingly removed the cover off that left shoulder, got out of bed, and walked over to the window. Explained to her why she couldn't see the large branch being forced at varying speeds against the window by the wind. Ever since then, she couldn't escape his boogie man jokes.
She would miss those moments. The small, seemingly insignificant moments that made them an Us.
No boogie man." Her voice sobered, caught a blue note.
"Well what." Nigel dropped his weight onto her red chaise, propped one leg out, grabbed the remote.
"I'm leaving."
"Alright, where are you going and for how long?" he asked, his mind completely shifted to the super-sized men in blue and orange jerseys, running up and down the beige court.
"I'm moving away Nigel, leaving New York."
She reminded herself that he wasn't hers. That the tears pooling were juvenile and unnecessary. She turned away, looked toward her kitchen decorated with grape paraphernalia.
She'd wanted royal colors in her home, a place fit for the queen she felt she was. For a reason unknown to her, all home designers assumed bushels of grapes were the only suitable purple to put on a kitchen towel. It'd been hard to coordinate with a fruit she only liked crushed and fermented in liquid form, but she'd grown to like her grapes. They were familiar, comforting. This was the closest to a feeling of being at "home" she'd had since leaving California, and now she'd be leaving them.
Nigel laughed that half laugh people do when they take something meant to be serious as a joke; a laugh full of skepticism, of disbelief. He kept his eyes trained on the Samsung and the overgrown men.
"And why would you do that?"
She kept her tone serious. "I'm going back to school."
His head fell to one side, cocked in a question mark. "Seriously?"
He'd asked her no later than day two of them knowing each other, the life path that had led someone with such an extensive vocabulary to pole dances and raunchy clubs. She told him being a college dropout had disadvantages she hadn't considered before walking away from USC the year prior, apparently. He'd suggested she give it another try, didn't pry or pressure, and never mentioned it again.
Now, a big smile made its way to his face, a celebratory laugh leapt from his depths as he sprang from the chaise. Before she knew it, she was a foot closer to the ceiling, lifted above his smiling face.
Oh, sweet Nigel. He was so happy for her.
This goodbye was going to tear her. Split her right in half and force her perforated edges to try to mend themselves back whole. She wouldn't get over Nigel. She'd never.
"Look, we won't be talking anymore Nigel. That's what I'm trying to say."
His smile dissipated, arms deflated. She slid down his body like heavy molasses. His eyes searched her for some sign of candor, some glimpse of comedy. There was none. She kept them as they were, blank, staring, hiding tears that would never stain her cheeks.
"Why?" Sweet pockets of cologne permeated the air as he turned away from her suddenly, put a few feet between them. The air in her apartment shifted from warm to cold.
Her voice was gravel, harsh and coarse and unable to smooth or sand the words she knew would hit him like boulders denting a car.
"Because I don't want to live like this. I need to start anew and get myself together. That includes eliminating unavailable men from my diet."
His eyes tightened, confusion burrowed into his brows. "I left her. Two weeks ago. I told you that."
She walked into his space, broke the icy barrier of his glare, forced him to look down into her eyes.
"And now I'll forever be the woman you left her for. From now on, that will be the starting point, and the comparison you look back on. I don't want a breakup to define us. I deserve more than to be the escape route. I don't want that."
She hated this part. The goodbye stained with tears and broken hearts. She was great at leaving people in the distance. Horrible at saying goodbye before she created that distance.
Nigel shook his head, ran a large, incredulous hand over his face. "This is really blowing my high. Fuck, man."
His midnight eyes were a veil, but she could see through the starless abyss that was his stare. He was hurt.
"I don't mean to hurt you Nigel. This is going to be incredibly hard for me too."
Nigel felt a shell forming around him, his heart hardening. He took another step back, looked at her blankly. He needed to get out of here. Needed to breathe.
"And you haven't. Was there anything else you needed to tell me?"
She shifted her weight from one hip to the other, longed for the valiant knight to rise up in Nigel and demand she stay; proclaim his love in a way that left her unable to do anything but confess the real reason she was exiting his life. She wanted to tell him all about Toni and her unscrupulous offer.
"Just that I love you, Nigel. I really do."
There was so much to say. How could she express in mere words the depth of his impact? The way he'd altered her perspective on life in just a few months? How could she tell him that no one had ever loved her with such sincerity?
A small chuckle passed his lips, his eyes went flat, unfeeling. "Aight. Well I have to go now. Godspeed."
Like a lever being switched from on to off, she'd watched Nigel's internal process, evident before her eyes; saw his love go from red to blue, all lights dim down to pitch, like an empty stadium after the game.
"That's it? You're just going to leave?"
"Nah darling, that's you." Nigel pulled his coat back on, shook his head.
"Tell me to stay, Nigel. Tell me you want me to stay. Please."
Dew gathered in her eyes, eyes that pulled at something unreachable in Nigel to anyone but her. He warned his heartbeat to slow down, threatened it silently to not give in to her pathetic plea. This was all a game to her.
"You've made your decision, Jade. Live with it."
The bass in the song surrounding his body thumped almost as fast as the BMW Nigel was speeding down I-94 in. He inhaled over and over, attempted to fill his body with fresh air, replace the growing anger coursing in his blood stream. How much disregard could one have for someone else's feelings. Someone they claimed to "really love." This abrupt ending had thrown him. Jade was good at that, blindsiding him, throwing him off kilter. She was a stop sign thrown in the middle of an Nascar race.
His watch didn't show ten minutes passing before Jade was ringing his phone. Pathetic. Was this all just for attention? Was he being given some kind of litmus test? If so, he'd gladly fail again. He suppressed the urge to hit "ignore," let her go to voice mail as he made a quick right off the next exit.
He saw the familiar brick building where he'd bought his last suit and realized he was only a few blocks away from his brother's place. He picked up his phone.
"Busy, man?" he asked when Nathaniel answered.
The tension that loomed between them, stale and bitter, had subsided in the last month. He didn't want to admit it, but he was glad. Apologies given both ways had convinced him that blood really was thicker than water, and every other liquid substance. They would never be inseparable again, but the vast valley that existed between them for the last few years had been bridged at least. One thing about sharing DNA with someone was the uncanny ability to forget the reason you rued their existence the day before.
"Work is never done, you know that, sir." Nathaniel's voice was tinged with alcohol, deeper than usual.
Cheery laughter from a sultry voice drifted in the background.
"Ah, you have company. I was just down the street. Was going to stop by."
Awkward laughter spilled from Nathaniel like slow wine. "Always. You know how I do. Feel free to stop by."
"Cool. I might. This woman though, man. Said she's moving out of state. Fucking getting to me." Wind sailed out of him in a slight sigh.
"Joy? You didn't fund this sudden exodus did you? You gave her any money lately?"
Nate's mind thought only in processes of making or receiving money. A natural politician. He'd definitely be mayor of some city one day, governor of some state.
He'd bought Jade things, sure. Sponsoring her lifestyle was out of the question though. He was smart enough to save something for the woman who would have his last name in the future. Until he knew who that woman was, he wasn't paying anyone's way in the world but his own.
"Well, shit. Be happy. You're free from two women who were completely wrong for you. Come celebrate, man."
Jade's pretty face, her poetic physique, lovely lines and hypnotic curves, danced across his mind. Her big, elephant personality in the small, mouse packaging. Her beautiful eyes. Their lovemaking, like being in a warm, springtime shower one day, then raging through the jungle the next. He'd miss her. All of her. His memory would recall her beauty in uninvited spurts for months to come.
But maybe Nate was right. Maybe he was dodging a painful bullet to the heart with her leaving. Maybe this small ache in his gut was serving as a warning to make better decisions going forward. This could be a clean break from the burden of Toni's need to control and Jade's need to play games.
A free man. He nodded his head, looked out at the night lights running past. Free. He liked the sound of that.


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Things To Consider Before Accepting A Job [2]
After sending out carefully-crafted cover letters and resumes and acing multiple rounds of job interviews, the payoff is here: a job offer. Time to celebrate? Not so fast.
When considering a new job, it is important to make sure the grass will truly be greener on the other side. Two important phone calls will likely occur before the deal is sealed: The first, in which you'll be offered the job, and the second, when you either accept or decline the offer.
There aren't so many things one should consider before accepting a job offer, you might say, since nowadays it's really hard to even get a job in the first place.
However, here are some really important things to seriously consider before accepting that job offer.
4. Environment
Meeting your fellow employees for the first time is always an uneasy, awkward experience. You may often feel like a spare part when you're a newbie, and without the right people around you, you may end up feeling that way for the rest of your time in that position. Before you accept a job offer, ask to meet some of your new fellow employees. These are the people who you will be spending over forty hours a week with, so it's absolutely essential that you're amicable with them. Being in the wrong work environment is damaging for your career, your well-being, and even your mental health. Don't take a leap of faith when you're offered a new position – make a conscious effort to introduce yourself before you even accept the position.
5. Your work schedule
You should always ask yourself before accepting any position you might have been offered, if you are really okay with the work schedule.
Don't rush!
First, you should try to think things through. Find out if you'll have to work long hours or if you'll have to come to work during your weekends or during your vacation days. Also, make sure you'll get paid for all those extra hours.
Try to take all the precautions necessary, so you won't regret your decision later.
6. The Job
Naturally, you will also want to evaluate the position itself and the work you will be doing for 8+ hours per day for the foreseeable future.
- Do you get excited thinking about the work?
- Does the position allow you to use the skills you most enjoy? How often?
- What role will you play in the organization? How will you interact with coworkers?
- Are there any quality of life considerations to consider? Think about commute time, expected overtime, flexibility options, and related factors.
- Is it important for you to have visibility, leadership, an impressive title? And, to what extent does the position offer these things?


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The Labor Candidates School is the cornerstone of this successful political program. Election experts instruct union members about fundraising, research, message development, public speaking, media relations, voter contact, volunteer recruitment, targeting, and get-out-the-vote efforts. Participants are awarded full scholarships by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. The Labor Candidates School is scheduled as follows:
Saturday, August 15 & Sunday, August 16, 2015
Rutgers University Continuing Studies Conference Center
Pursuant to the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Labor Candidates Resolution, union members seeking election to public office must secure the support of their local union presiding officer who shall then notify the Central Labor Council and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. All non-incumbent Labor Candidates are required to graduate from the Labor Candidates School and be reviewed by the Central Labor Council before resources can be earmarked for his/her election campaign. Each union member seeking election or re-election to public office must complete the "Labor Candidates Survey" that can be found HERE and return it by fax to (609) 989-8734 or by email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
We look forward to achieving many more Labor Candidates election successes together.


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'What Employers Want' website aims to bridge skills gap
With many employers in the UK still being faced with skills shortages, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) has developed a new website entitled 'What Employers Want', which launched on July 7th 2015. The move came after the NIACE teamed up with young people and around 40 employers - including Barclays and Topps Tiles - following statistics that showed the UK remains in the top five of OECD countries for youth unemployment. What Employers Want aims to overcome the "lack of work-readiness" barrier that many employers cite when it comes to hiring young people. It has been designed for young people and their learning providers, covering a range of practical topics, including how to complete application forms, prepare for job interviews and progress in careers. Adding their input to the website, the employers who worked with the NIACE said that young people will have a great start to their career if they have a positive attitude, key qualifications, work experience, soft skills like good communication and time-management, and strong hard skills surrounding literacy, numeracy and IT. David Hughes, chief executive of the NIACE, added: "Qualifications, a positive attitude, willingness to learn and transferable skills are important to employers but more importantly they want young people to bring fresh ideas and passion into their role. "They are not expecting young people to be fully-developed and fully skilled because they recognise that young people need time and opportunities to learn and grow. In fact, most welcome the opportunity to 'shape' young people. "This website should encourage learning organisations to work more directly with employers so that they can meet more young people who are 'job ready'. It's tough getting your first job, but this resource will help young people prepare themselves for a long, invigorating and successful working life." Virtual College is one of the leading providers of e-learning in the UK. Our Online Employability Suite helps learners develop the skills, qualities and attitudes needed to secure and sustain employment. For more information, please visit: http://www.virtual-college.co.uk/vcproducts/online-employability-suite.aspx


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Tuesday, 14 January 2014
The POLICE: Synchronicity
4 comments:
Spot on I feel in identifying the inherent hollow nature of many of the tracks on this, for me, mystifyingly overrated album. The overall quality control of side one, in particular, leaves a lot to be desired. Summer's astonishingly awful Mother, is an unforgivable blight but I recall being really disappointed that Copeland could not summon up anything like the inspiration of the beguiling Darkness on Ghost in the Machine.
I still revere Zenyatta Mondatta, the one album that critical consensus can find little to commend but generally it's hard to quibble with the mantra of The Police being a peerless singles act. The likes of Russians and charmless later production jobs like We'll Be Together only serve to highlight the riveting alchemy of The Police at their most mercurial.
Great post, thanks.
- 14 January 2014 at 23:13
- J said...
AIR Montserrat intrigues me because it only existed for a few years before it was closed after having been damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Much like Brothers Of Arms (recorded there) compared to Communique (compass point), I picture it as analogous to how pop albums sounded 'bigger'/overblown in the late 80s, and how awful and oppressive a lot of those sounds seem now. Hurricane symbolizing violent end of the whole studio 'mystique' fetish (which still exists in the whole retrorock jack white wilco land)
- 27 February 2014 at 20:08
- Robin Carmody said...
Relevantly to the Thatcher landslide, and just as this album was heading for number one, Sting owned a winning horse at Royal Ascot (not televised because of a technicians' strike: I wonder whether that was deliberately timed, especially because it wasn't the only time that happened when the BBC unions had the power). That fact seems to tie that election and this album together, and points forward to pop's eventual (partial) fate as mere playground for those who'd have been going to Royal Ascot anyway, completely merged with that culture.
The setting of "Synchronicity II" - which could have been straight out of the Winter of Discontent; I find it surprisingly voluminous considering who it's by and where they then were - is interesting here; it's as if Sting is glancing back to the world he's left behind and is ambiguous about, making a last gesture to it before it is routed and closed down.
- 27 November 2014 at 18:55
- Bryan said...
Re-read this entry (and others concerning The Police) since I have been re-listening to their entire catalog; after finding an old Outlandos d'Amour cassette in my collection and playing it in my car.
Anyways, re-listening to Synchronicity only makes me long for the alternate history where the excellent Andy Summers cut "Someone To Talk To" was used instead of "Mother". It really boggles my mind. I can understand the omission of "Once Upon a Daydream", a surprising Sting-Summers collaboration, for being too "dark"; with its intriguing Roland guitar synth sounds returning from "Secret Journey".
I think this is the only era where Summers' tunes were superior to Copeland's, and if anything just shows that Copeland was no longer interested in the band.
- 28 July 2015 at 21:32


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Mount Desert Island Regional School System
"Putting Students First": critique of the Governor's initiative
14 February 2012
Senator Langley, Distinguished members of the Education Committee,
Last night at our regular monthly meeting, the Board of the Mount Desert Island Regional School System discussed the initiative "Putting Students First" announced by the Governor on February 8.
There are indeed some portions on which we probably agree - such as those regarding coordination with Career and Technical centers. (Although we note with disfavor that the Governor wants to constrain public schools to more common schedules at the same time that he see reasons to advocate more freedom in scheduling for charter schools.)
We also support some aspects of the effort to improve teaching through better administrative evaluations. We welcome the discussion of how to improve Maine's education, preparation, and support of teachers through college teaching programs. But we remain concerned that efforts to tie teacher compensation to student test scores will lead to distortion of broader more important efforts toward school improvement.
However, we remain most gravely concerned and disturbed by the Governor's proposal for unrestricted transfer of public funds from taxpayers to religious schools at a time when the state acknowledges that there are insufficient funds to fully support the present comprehensive system of public education in Maine. We object to this in principle and in no uncertain terms.
You will recall that last session we wrote publicly against similar legislation, submitting testimony against tuition subsidy by municipalities and against tuition tax credits. Our views on this remain unchanged.
Second, we are deeply concerned about the proposal to shift public funds from local schools to other districts outside of the oversight of the local taxpayers who remain obligated to bear the costs and responsibilities of maintaining a local school system, even after the state opts to distribute handouts to subgroups with special and parochial self-interests.
The details of how these costs, both state and local, are to be shifted around beyond the accountability and oversight of local citizens and taxpayers remains a significant concern.
As with the charter school school bill last session, we see this as indicating a continuing erosion at the state level of commitment to the real challenges of maintaining a comprehensive, fair, and equitable system of public education for all Maine students.
We believe the first test in evaluating new state educational policy should be whether it improves or diminishes Maine's capacity for providing a free and appropriate public education to all Maine's children, irrespective of their means and advantages. On balance, we understand this initiative to weaken this overall capacity more than it strengthens it.
Brian Hubbell, Bar Harbor


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What do you think of the grandmother hypothesis?
Created October 24, 2012 at 2:32 PM
Lately there has been some debate between Dr. bloggers questioning whether evolution selects more for reproduction or longevtiy and its impact on the optimum diet. Some have stated that evolution selects for reproduction not longevity because genes don't care about living past their reproduction, so to speak. Others have argued that evolution may select for longevity because of the contribution of people beyond child bearing years to feeding and educating children.
This http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121023204142.htm is an interesting simulation of the impact of grandmothers on reproduction and evolution. The simulation seems to indicate that humans may have significantly longer post-childbearing lifespans, than other primates, because of grandmother's help in feeding children post-weaning, allowing younger women to have more children. By allowing mothers to have more children the odds of early women with long longevity passing on their genetic advantage was increased.
I believe that there is was selection pressure for longevity.
What do you guys think of the grandmother hypothesis? Does it make you think about changing your diet at all? How?
on October 24, 2012
at 03:49 PM
You might like reading this thread: http://paleohacks.com/questions/72789/do-you-think-there-is-an-evolutionary-advantage-to-menopause#axzz2AERgUt1b
on October 24, 2012
at 02:56 PM
Thats interesting. I hadn't heard of the grandmother hypothesis until this article. The articles descritpion does seem to be different than the aspect you have described. Both seem to be compatible with each other logically.
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4 Answers
on October 24, 2012
at 02:50 PM
Personally I am solidly in the reproductive adaptation camp.
However, I thought that the grandmother hypothesis was about menopause. And that the evolutionary advantage of menopause was to prevent women from outlasting their offspring. Human "grow up" pretty slowly. So if a woman had a lifespan of say 50, and had a child at 45, that child would not be self sufficient at the time the mother passed away. So the grandmother hypothesis states that women have menopause to prevent them from outlasting their offspring which correlates to approximately the amount of time it takes for early offspring to reproduce.
This is a very interesting twist on the Grandmother hypothesis.
on October 24, 2012
at 02:56 PM
Thats interesting. I hadn't heard of the grandmother hypothesis until this article. The articles descritpion does seem to be different than the aspect you have described. Both seem to be compatible with each other logically.
on October 24, 2012
at 03:03 PM
I think it makes a lot of sense. I was reading something the other day about why human females have menopause at all, which is pretty much unheard of in any other species, in which fertility span equals lifespan. Humans are particularly complex and it seems like a much greater advantage to have an older female not preoccupied with continual pregnancy and child-rearing.
I definitely don't buy the story that women reach menopause because humans didn't generally live past 40.
And, being a socially complex species, I think looking at evolution from a 'survival of the fittest' perspective is overly simplistic. We are much more than individual gene-sacks trying to knock off as many copies as possible. We survive and evolve as a group, and there are other driving forces behind genetic adaptation. That's why 'longevity vs reproduction' is a non-argument, the way I see it, as they are not opposing forces.
How it might affect my diet decisions? As a 33 year old VERY premenopausal woman with a teenaged daughter, I'll try to refrain from eating her potential babies. But I'm too young to be 'gathering tubers' for the little brats.:p
on October 24, 2012
at 03:45 PM
I think there is merit to the grandmother theory of longevity. It may be harder for us to understand it since many of us come from cultures where the older generations are not considered valuable. There are teratogenic effects to offspring that don't show up until the 3rd generation. So having wisdom to pass through multiple generations can mitigate this effect. We're kind of seeing the opposite of that nowadays as people grow up without the wisdom of their elders and instead get their information from advertising. Many people believe that the current youngest generation will struggle more than any other to reproduce and it may be quite possible that within a generation or two, there was be a crisis of reproduction ability among many people, with some not being able to conceive or carry to term or with very sick offspring from multiple teratogenic effects.
on October 24, 2012
at 03:39 PM
I think it's fairly well known that the maximum lifespan of primate females tends to be longer than males in species where the females have disproportionate caregiving duties, and primate males and females tend to live equally long in species where they tend to equally share childrearing duties. Perhaps childrearing in primates, including humans, is important. Shocker. And human lifespans are particularly long, and achievable not just with modern medicine but also with reasonable frequency in hunter-gather societies, so it seems as if there's value to keeping the old folks, especially old women, around. Whether it's to feed their grandchildren or because they remember where water could be obtained during that long-ago drought or whatever, it's clearly not the case that primal/paleo eating is only good to keep you going through age 35.


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Garden Design
Creating a Three Sisters Garden
Three sisters gardening is an example of companion planting. Learn how to plant corn, beans, and squash—the three sisters—together. Read › Creating a Three Sisters Garden
Thinking Inside the Box
Stepping out our front doors, we urbanites are often met by concrete pavement and brick walls. But looking up—if we're lucky—we can feast our eyes on surprising splashes of life growing in window boxes. Read › Thinking Inside the Box
A Cool Garden in the Shade
The popular notion that shade is a gardening handicap because it severely restricts plant choices is a myth: There are numerous and diverse species that flourish in shady sites. Read › A Cool Garden in the Shade
Terrariums to the Rescue
Terrariums bring nature by your side. Whether you're stuck in an office cubicle or need a little nature in your kitchen, bathroom, or wherever—terrariums add beauty and make indoor gardening easy. Basically, a successful terrarium is on autopilot—plants only require water once every few weeks or less. Read › Terrariums to the Rescue
Blueberry and Huckleberry Shrubs
Blueberry and huckleberry shrubs are hardy and versatile garden plants. The edible berries are a tasty bonus (if you can beat the birds to them). Read › Blueberry and Huckleberry Shrubs
A Hardy Succulent Garden
Have you ever toured a garden in the Southwest and wondered how you could possibly re-create some of its succulent glory in your colder, snowier climate? Well, there's no need to fantasize—just pick or create a nice, sunny, fast-draining spot in your yard and plant some hardy succulents species. Read › A Hardy Succulent Garden
A New Tree Bed Garden
Tree beds offer great opportunities for city dwellers to exercise their green thumbs. As long as gardeners remember that the tree's health always comes first, they can choose from a large palette of annuals, perennials, and bulbs to beautify tree beds. Read › A New Tree Bed Garden
A Blended Garden
A blended garden is one that weaves edible and ornamental plants in the same garden bed or container. There isn't a strict line as to where the flower garden stops and the vegetable garden starts. Read › A Blended Garden
The Savage Garden
Hardly a revolutionary horticultural practice, the jardin sauvage is based in part on permitting unplanned growth, such as that of self-seeding flowers that find their own cultural niche. Read › The Savage Garden
A Late-Season Garden
Many gardeners feel compelled to prune back perennials and grasses in the fall, and some plants do indeed need to be cleaned up. But those with beautiful and interesting ornamental elements can help your garden make the transition from autumn to winter. Read › A Late-Season Garden


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Last night taking a different turn we went to an evening festival at Kishimojo Shinto shrine in Ikebukuro, or Zoshigaya Kishimojindo, dedicated to yet another Goddess of fertility and childbirth Kishimojin, a gold clad jinja surrounded in ancient ginko trees tucked away in a labyrinth of side streets.
Video of the Kishimojo Matsuri
As we arrived outside the Seibu Department store, we realized the procession was already under way with large lanterns powered by portable generators being wheeled to the main thoroughfare Meiji-dori, coalescing into a long train of giant lanterns interspersed with drumming groups, led by a pipe and glockenspiel band and dancers.
At 7 pm the procession took off to loud fireworks crashing above the high rise neon-clad buildings, and a deafening combination of loud drumming, police whistles and traffic noise, overlaid with the lanterns, now being actively hurled around in combination with whirlygigs consisting of streamers on poles which the guys took it in turns to energize in a kind of virility dance.
There were woodwind and dum bands and teams of women beating flat drums like tennis rackets.
After donning industrial ear plugs we followed the procession through the crowds down Meiji-dori and into the narrow side streets which eventually led right up to the shrine, giving another taste of claustrophobia as everyone, the procession, onlookers and the neighbourhood faithful converged on the shrine entrance lined with brightly coloured sausage stalls and red and white lanterns.
All around there were covered food stalls where a vast multitude were having evening refreshments
Each team performed on the steps of the shrine and gained a blessing from the priests and the entourage then moving in a loop back down the shrine steps and off to one side where a lantern lined avenue led on to the local Buddhist temple, Homyoji, where the teams were all blessed again after yet another tattoo of drumming and whirling, in a short reading of sutras before disbanding into the night.


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Reconstructing Marriage. The Legal Status of Relationships in a Changing Society
Volledige citeerwijze volume 31 European Family Law boekenreeks:
C. Sörgjed, Reconstructing Marriage. The Legal Status of Relationships in a Changing Society (2012, Intersentia, Antwerpen, ISBN 978-1-78068-037-8, xx + 360 p.)
In Reconstructing Marriage – The Legal Status of Relationships in a Changing Society Caroline Sörgjerd explores the essence of the institution of marriage: what is the meaning of marriage today, how has marriage been influenced by the legal recognition of new cohabitation models and what should be the role of the institution of marriage in the future? In order to understand what marriage actually is in the twenty-first century it is necessary to identify and analyze the formalities and function of marriage in society. With a focus on Sweden, the author examines the historical development of marriage – beginning as a 'gift from God' and now being a gender-neutral institution – from a legal and political perspective and taking into account the past and present role of the Church of Sweden. The author then makes comparative assessments concerning the legal and political developments leading toward the adoption of gender-neutral marriage concepts in the Netherlands and Spain despite different societal backgrounds. In addition, the significance of the marital status under European Union law is explored, under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice. Also the relevant decisions based on the European Convention of Human Rights, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights, are examined. The author discovers that the key role that the institution of marriage has played in the past still influences the essence of marriage today and charges it with a special symbolic value.
Ga naar de website van de uitgever.


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|Question 1: A cult following is used to refer to a small or large group of fans that are either somewhat or highly dedicated to a specific area of ________.
|Question 2: Musical acts such as parody singer "Weird Al" Yankovic or the rock band ________ are said to have cult followings.
|Question 3: A common component of cult followings is the "emotional ownership" and attachment fans have with the object of the cult following, often identifying themselves and other fans as members of a ________ of fans.
|Question 4: Types of media which can attract a following of aficionados or appreciators include ________, television, radio, or video games.


text:
Deckmate Medium Scrub Pad - for use with Deckmate Swivel Plate
Medium Scrub Pad - Blue
Great for cleaning decks and fiberglass. Not recommended for sensitive and high-gloss surfaces.
Designed for use with the Deckmate Swivel Plate.
Scrubpads are 10cm Wide x 25cm Long x 2,5cm Thick
Designed to work with Deckmate Telescopic handles and Swivel Plate with the positive lock, quick release system that allows you to change tools quickly and easily.
Also available in economical packs of 30 pcs.
Product code: DM261
Product: Deckmate Scrub Pad Medium Blue


text:
|Dieter Wilhelm
|Re: How do I unregister (delete) a directory in version control ??
|Tue, 22 May 2007 23:43:49 +0200
|Gnus/5.11 (Gnus v5.11) Emacs/22.0.95 (gnu/linux)
William Case <address@hidden> writes: > So I am not completely stymied, but I had hoped that I could do > everything within emacs. e.g. as I found out on this list vc register = > svn add; and vc rename = svn move. I hoped there might be a vc > "whatever" = svn delete. I only found M-x vc-delete-file but nothing for directories. Well, it seems to be a rare activity since it's not catered for in VC. -- Best wishes H. Dieter Wilhelm Darmstadt, Germany
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The Tour of the Pyrenees
- Grand Sites
A Grand Tour of the Pyrenees - 7 days / 7 nights (2 nights in Spain)
Panoramic mountain passes, spectacular Cirques, deep and dramatic canyons, sparkling mountain lakes, picturesque mountain villages, such delights follow one after the other in this circuit at the heart of the Pyrenees with its World Heritage sites.On the map
From 704 € /person Based on 2 persons
- 7 days/7 nights in chambres d'hotes and 3 and 4 star hotels, with breakfasts included, in Jaca, Ainsa, Saint-Lary, Luz-Saint-Sauveur, Gavarnie, Cauterets, Lourdes
- 1 Grands Sites pass to Pic du Midi (access to summit by cable car) + Cauterets-Pont d'Espagne (parking, cable-car ride from Puntas and chairlift to Lac de Gaube)
- 1 entry (2h) to 2 spa centres of the Hautes-Pyrenees: Balnéa, Les Bains du Rocher with indoor baths, outdoor lagoon, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi....
- 1 entry to the Pyrenees Animal Park
- 7 days car hire
Contact Sabine
to book this holiday package or receive informations
The strengths
- A Franco - Spanish itinerary, a very different cross frontier ambience
- A detailed itinerary for independent exploration
- All reserved in advance
- Preferential rates for the car hire
Day 1
Departure point: Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport. Cols du Soulor and Aubisque > Spain: San Juan de la Peña Monastery - Night in Jaca - 3h53 / 180 km
For this first day you will leap straight into some dramatic scenery... on the border crossing, and the spectacular cols of the Soulor, Aubisque and the Pourtalet, it is a great introduction to the Pyrenees. You will discover your first Pyrenean marvel, the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.
Day 2
Ordesa Canyon - Night in Ainsa - 1h59 / 101 km
After having admired it from afar, from the balcony of the Pyrenees, today you will enter into the very heart of the canyon, whose immense sheer walls remind one of the Grand Canyon in Colorado. Together with the Gavarnie-Mont Perdido range it is a World Heritage site, once you have feasted your eyes on its magnificent and colossal beauty one can see why. Gavarnie and Ordesa, on opposite sides of the same mountain are the two most spectacular sites of the whole range.
Day 3
Añisclo canyon > France - Night in Saint-Lary - 2h17 / 102 km
After visiting the famous and grandiose Ordesa canyon you will now enter the wilder and equally magnificent Añisclo canyon. You can even swim in the fabulous torquoise pools of the rio. Your route then continues into France by the Aragnouet-Bielsa tunnel.
Day 4
Col de Val Louron-Azet > Balnéa (spa centre) > Col d'Aspin > Pic du Midi > Col du Tourmalet - Night in Luz-Saint-Sauveur - 2h15 / 97 km
Today we suggest you take to the naturally warm healing waters of the Pyrenees in the sublime outdoor lagoons of Balnéa, with its magnificent setting – a superb view over the surrounding summits. Once the batteries are recharged it is time to set off to conquer the Pic du Midi, reached by crossing the Col d'Aspin. Then it is over the famous Col du Tourmalet to spend the night at the Empress Eugenie's favourite destination of Luz Saint Sauveur.
Day 5
Cirques de Gavarnie – Troumouse – Estaubé - Night in Gavarnie - 38 mn / 59 km
Today is the day for the big show! With a ticket to meet a world famous celebrity - the Cirque de Gavarnie. It will be a day full of emotion. The cirque is one of the great natural wonders, its immensity is staggering, everybody can only stare in admiration and feel humbled by its enormity and great beauty.
Day 6
Cauterets-Pont d'Espagne > Bains du Rocher (spa centre) - Night in Cauterets - 1h18 / 50 km
Probably still dizzy from yesterday's grandiose spectacle? Well, it is already time to leave, towards even more new encounters but this time gentler and harmonious. We are heading to Cauterets and Pont d'Espagne, the Garden of Eden of the Pyrénées! At the end of your day treat yourself to some soothing relaxation in the Bains de Rocher spa baths, a lovely refined setting.
Day 7
Lourdes (torchlight procession) - Night in Lourdes - 43 mn / 30 km
To conclude our voyage, we invite you to take part today in an exclusive and personnal experience. Head to Lourdes and its magical torchlight procession. But for the moment this is for later in the day this. Firstly, we are going to make a gastronomic stop with the Saint-Martin family in Saint Savin. We also recommend a visit to the Parc Animalier des Pyrénées, the local wildlife zoo on the outskirts of Argelès-Gazost.
Day 8
Hotels 4*, 3* and guest house
Day 1: a 4 star hotel in Jaca
This modern and comfortable hotel is ideally situated. Located close to the centre of Jaca and its ancient streets you can enjoy all the old town has to offer from a quiet setting. Take a stroll through the mediaeval streets flanked by 16th century buildings, have a drink on one of the many cafe terraces, you can cool down with a dip at the hotel's pool of an evening, with high Pyrenean summits all around. The bedrooms are spacious as are the public areas. The hotel has 124 rooms (28 have equipped kitchens), 2 rooms for persons with reduced mobility, each with bathroom, wi-fi, central heatinh, air conditioning, mini-bar, telephone, 26" flat screen TV, many have a terrace. The hotel has a cafe, restaurant, lounges, swimming pool, and a jacuzzi (1/6 to 15/9), and a garage (if space). Animals are not accepted.
Day 2: a 3 star hotel in Ainsa
Located close to Ainsa, the capital of Sobrarbe and a mediaeval Aragon village, this modern hotel with its own spa is a real jewel. Situated close to the French border it is the ideal place from which to explore the Anisclo canyon, the Pineta valley at the foot of Monte Perdido, Ainsa itself and the Ordesa canyon. Behind the hotel in its garden is a swimming pool and paddling pool. As a backdrop the Pena Montenesa, the symbol of the region stands proudly, the sunset from the hotel is remarkable. The rooms have lovely views and are comfortable and cosy. The hotel is quiet, the brand new spa is th perfect place to relax. There are superb duplex family rooms and games for the children in the garden. Sporting facilties include tennis courts, a running track, and football and basketball pitches. children have table tennis and an outdoor pool with paddling pool. the spa has swan-neck massage jets, sensory trails, massages and a terace with sun loungers.
Day 3: a 4 star hotel in Saint-Lary
Situated at the heart of the Pyrenees National Park this hotel has an exceptional location, a green and peaceful setting. At just 50 metres from the cable-cars for the Saint Lary ski resort, the hotel has kept its Pyrenean roots and its mountain soul, it offers an ambience of charm and authenticity. The staff are always on hand to offer a high quality of service. The hotel has 65 very comfortable rooms including 5 family rooms, their decoration is both classical and contemporary with fine materials and warm colours. Each room has a clear view over the surrounding mountains or the spa gardens. The bar and the La Mangeoire restaurant are situated around the lounge with its mountain chalet look. The restaurant offers a refined cuisine with a large choice of regional and international dishes based on local seasonal produce. The 'La Cintra' bar is at the heart of the hotel and is a popular meeting place. The hotel is joined directly to the Sensoria by Nuxe spa baths, you can enjoy warm baths, body and facial treatments, Nuxe massages and many other beauty treatments. A lovely moment of relaxation for both body and mind in a warm cosy setting, and at the very heart of the Pyrenees.
Your hotel has 65 bedrooms (including 3 for persons with reduced mobility), a restaurant, bar with open fire, 4 meeting rooms, a terrace.
Day 4: a 3 star hotel in Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Located in the centre of the traditional village of Luz Saint Sauveur, on the way to the Grand Sites of the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Col du Tourmalet, this attractive 19th century hotel invites you to travel back to another era of elegance and style. Its sunny terrace overlooks the Gave river and offers over a superb view over the slate roofs of the village to the Bareges valley with the Pic du Midi on the horizon. The restaurant has large bay windows from where one can equally admire the surrounding mountains. Pigeon lofts, carved balustrades, the ambience and decor of the restaurant... everything is Belle Epoque. The restaurant serves traditional fare - garbure, confit de canard, grilled local lamb. A delight to come back to after a day's skiing or from exploring the mountains in summer.
Your hotel has 28 rooms, either doubles, twins or family rooms, many have balconies. There is a shaded garden, a lounge, garage for cycles and motorbikes, a terrace, free wi-fi, lift, private parking. Animals are admitted.
Day 5: a 3 star hotel in Gèdre-Gavarnie
Your 3 star Logis hotel is located in Gedre, the village from which the three prestigious 'Cirques' of Gavarnie, Troumouse and Estaube are reached. From the terrace there is a splendid view over the Breche de Roland. You are at the entry point to the National Park and the World Heritage site of 'Pyrenees, Mont Perdu, land of Cirques and Canyons'. Your hosts, Odile and Philippe offer a very warm welcome in their family run hotel, the building dates from the 17th century. Their restaurant proposes a range of typically Pyrenean dishes such as Garbure, Porc Noir de Bigorre, AOC Bareges Gavarnie lamb, the surprising Gateau a la Broche. A festival of flavours to be enjoyed with a glass or two of Madiran or Pacherenc...
Your hotel has 25 bedrooms (with 3 offering disabled access), a restaurant, bar, lounge, a panoramic terrace.
Day 6: a 3 star hotel in Cauterets
Your 3 star Logis 'Charm and Character' hotel is located in the centre of Cauterets, a small Pyrenean spa resort. Your hosts, Bernadette and Marie Rose, will remind you a pair of English country ladies, they have created this family hotel in their own image, it is situated at the very heart of the spa town. Lace and embroidery, pink bedcovers, curios and trinkets, sachets of lavender on the wardrobe handles, all is done to create a romantic ambience. And not to forget the charming patio with its many flower filled balconies.
Your hotel has 12 bedrooms, 6 suites, a restaurant, small bar and salon, a terrace, garden and conservatory.
Day 7: a superb guest house in Lourdes
Constructed towards the end of the 19th century this villa is in the centre of Lourdes with a magnificent setting, and a clear view over the sanctuaries and the castle, and with the Pyrenees as a back-drop. It is close to all the shops and cafes, you can reach the town quickly on foot. The guest house is particularly comfortable with home cinema TV, DVD, video games, a library and a piano.
Your guest house: 4 spacious bedrooms overlooking the town of Lourdes with a view over the sanctuaries and the castle.
The Aspin bedroom (16m2):
On the first floor of the villa (no lift). This spacious room (16m2) has a south-facing balcony with a view over the sanctuaries and the Pyrenees. It has a 180 cms double bed. The bathroom has an Italian style shower and a bath, the stained glass window comes from an ancient chapel. Air conditioning, wi-fi, hair-dryer, separate toilet, tea and coffee making facilities.
On the Santiago de Compostella route
Almost hidden in the forest and perched on an enormous rocky outcrop, the Monastery of San Juan de la Pena is an important stop on the route to Santiago de Compostella.
A World Heritage site
The Ordesa is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pyrenees, it is immense. Just across the border is the Cirque de Gavarnie, together the two sides of the mountain form the Gavarnie - Mont Perdu World Heritage site.
The wild side of Spain
Wilder than the Ordesa canyon, the Anisclo offers a magnificent adventure into a gigantic natural fault with a superb view over Mont Perdu. Do take a dip in the sublime natural pools of the rios.
The largest spa centre in the French Pyrenees
Set on the edge of the Loudenvielle lake, in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Hautes Pyrenees, Balnea proposes spa experiences from all over the world in its healing warm waters.
The lakes route
The scenery is exceptional. A magnificent contrast of sharp granite summits which tower over a landscape of gentle green lawns, the area is home to the extraordinary mountain pine and has over 70 lakes, of all shades from tourquoise to the deepest of blue.
The summit
Climb over a thousand metres in just 15 minutes, the cable-car takes the strain. Once at the top the panoramic terraces over the best view in France, a fabulous 360 degree panorama covering over 300 kms. One can also spend the night or an evening at the top.
A World Heritage site
Five and a half kilometres in diameter, walls 1500 m high, dozens of waterfalls, impressive statistics for this wonder of nature. A natural colossus that must be seen, it adjoins the Spanish canyons.
Walking through paradise
Situated in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, the Cauterets Pont d'Espagne area is a veritable Garden of Eden with fantastic walks for all levels. A cable-car takes you up to the sublime Lac de Gaube with its deep blue waters.
The torchlight procession
Each evening thousands of pilgrims and visitors gather to walk in procession from the Grotte des Apparitions to the Rosaire esplanade, all are bearing torches and all are singing. It is a moving sight, joyous and magical.
- From 704 € /person -
- Based on 2 persons
The price includes
7 days car hire is included (contractual guarantee in case of damage or theft, insurance for driver and passebgers, 24h/24h and 7d/7d medical assistance, civil responsibility cover) - 7 nights in chambres d'hotes and 4 and 3 star hotels, en B&B - 1 entry (2h) to Balnéa spa - 1 'Grands Sites' pass for the Pic du Midi and Cauterets-Pont d'Espagne - 1 entry (2h) to Les Bains du Rocher spa - 1 entry to the Pyrenees Animal Park - Booking fee.
The price does not include
Cancellation insurance - Lunches - Local taxes.
Spring Summer Autumn 2019
Upon arrival:
If your departure point or your plane's arrival time do not allow you to complete the whole of this itinerary on day 1, we can offer a hotel around Jaca or in the Tena valley (we will adapt according to your timings). You can then visit the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña the following day before heading to the Ordesa canyon.
Good places for lunch and dinner
From gastronomic restaurants to typical local cuisine, there is something for every taste. With a fine blend of the flavours of the south and many mountain specialities the Hautes Pyrenees offers a varied range of restaurants. Full of flavour and colour - confit de canard, foie gras, garbure... ask the chef , he will certainly have his own local speciality for you to try.


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Fully Licensed & Bonded
With over 250 classic antique cars on display (all available for
purchase), the Imperial Palace Auto Collection is an absolute must
for car enthusiasts. It is actually part of a larger collection and
cars are rotated in and out of the showroom on a regular basis;
once a car is sold it is replaced by another. Exhibited are rare
models, racecars, muscle cars, touring roadsters and dozens of
vehicles once owned by the rich and famous.
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.


text: Beverly Butrie AEA 917-653-3252 - cell 212-971-5808 - voice mail firstname.lastname@example.com Soprano Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue Height: 5'3" Weight: 110 lbs OPERA: La Sonnambula Anina Westside Opera Society Rigoletto Gilda Westside Opera Society Vamp Alexandra/lead Lambs Theater, Jake Perrine, Dir. The Phantom of the Opera Madam Firman/us Charlotta Raoul Company, Nat'l Tour, Hal Prince, Dir. A Coal Region Opera Stephanie (lead) Carnegie Hall & European Tour Czardas Princess Sylvia Varescu (lead) Lubo Opera Co, NJ Marriage of Figaro Susanna Temple Opera Company, PA The Student Prince Kathie Municipal Opera Company, PA THEATER: A Grand Night for Singing Lynn Big League Theatrical, Nat'l Tour New Voices in Musical Theater Vocalist Kaplan Penthouse, Lincoln Center A Grand Night for Singing Lynn St. Michael's Playhouse, VT Company Kathy Bloomsburg Ensemble, PA Merrily We Roll Along Beth Dorothy Dixon Darte Center, PA Kismet Marsinah Fiesta Dinner Theater, NJ Carousel Julie Fiesta Dinner Theater, NJ The Most Happy Fella Rosabella Huntingdon Valley Dinner Theatre, PA Evita Eva Peron Huntingdon Valley Dinner Theatre, PA A Funny Thing…Forum Philia Shepherd Hills Dinner Theatre, PA South Pacific Nellie Forbush Music Box Playhouse, PA Something's Afoot Hope Langdon Music Box Playhouse, PA To Whom It May Concern Fredericka Larry Fetcho Productions, PA Angry Housewives Jetta Albright College Dinner Theatre, PA ROLES PREPARED: The Magic Flue Queen of the Night The Abduction for the Seraglio Constanze Anna Bolena Anna Bolena La Traviata Violetta EDUCATION: Wilkes University Bachelor of Music Temple University Master of Music Juilliard School of Music Opera, Vincent LaSelva TRAINING: Musical Theatre Sandie Campbell, Ron LaRosa, Jan Bookspan, Ron Melrose Voice Charlie Riecker, Perry Price, Sam Sakarian , Karen Brunssen, Linda Heimall Coaches John Burrows, Liliana Sotirova, Rachelle Jonck, David Clenny. Christopher Fecteau, Elizabeth Hastings, Mara Waldman REVIEWS: "Beverly Butrie as Kathie (the Student Prince) stole the show with her clear and powerful voice." Allentown Morning Call "Keep your eye on Beverly Butrie, Star of "Sonnambula"… a colorful soprano encompassing a bright high range and low register of dark, almost mezzo-soprano timbre…Butrie's instrument took on an eerie purity…after a creamy legato, she brought the evening , punctuated by her ringing high F to a conclusion with a brilliant "Ah! non giunge." Bruce-Michael Gelbert, New York Q News.


text:
Our free guide that contains everything you need to know to start a Christian group or club in a secondary school.
36 items found
Core Session 1:
This introductory session includes activities that allow the students time to get to know each other.
Session Aims:
Core Session 2
This session looks at what the Bible says about leadership.
Core Session 2: Talk outline
Core Session 2: handout
This handout enables the delegates to make notes while listening to the talk about God's leaders.
Core Session 3:
This session looks at some of the reasons to run a school Christian group and allows the delegates to develop a vision for Christian groups.
Skills Session 1:
Group dynamics - getting the best out of your group
Skills Session 2:
What sort of leader are you? Developing your leadership skills.
Skills Session 3:
Preparing and leading a group Bible study.


text:
Summer diving behavior of male walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska
Marine Mammal Science
By: C.V. Jay, Sean D. Farley, and G.W. Garner
- The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) make trips from ice or land haul-out sites to forage for benthic prey. We describe dive and trip characteristics from time-depth-recorder data collected over a one-month period during summer from four male Pacific walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska. Dives were classified into four types. Shallow (4 m), short (2.7 min), square-shaped dives accounted for 11% of trip time, and many were probably associated with traveling. Shallow (2 m) and very short (0.5 min) dives composed only 1% of trip time. Deep (41 m), long (7.2 min), square-shaped dives accounted for 46% of trip time and were undoubtedly associated with benthic foraging. V-shaped dives ranged widely in depth, were of moderate duration (4.7 min), and composed 3% of trip time. These dives may have been associated with navigation or exploration of the seafloor for potential prey habitat. Surface intervals between dives were similar among dive types, and generally lasted 1-2 min. Total foraging time was strongly correlated with trip duration and there was no apparent diel pattern of diving in any dive type among animals. We found no correlation between dive duration and postdive surface interval within dive types, suggesting that diving occurred within aerobic dive limits. Trip duration varied considerably within and among walruses (0.3-9.4 d), and there was evidence that some of the very short trips were unrelated to foraging. Overall, walruses were in the water for 76.6% of the time, of which 60.3% was spent diving.
Additional publication details
|Publication type
|Publication Subtype
|Journal Article
|Summer diving behavior of male walruses in Bristol Bay, Alaska
|Series title
|Marine Mammal Science
|Year Published
|Larger Work Type
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|Larger Work Title
|Marine Mammal Science
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text:
Have you ever donated your a well-worn but well-loved pair of jeans and then regretted it later? The problem is, it's impossible to get them back. Not so with my retired designs. While I may have retired your favorite design to make room for more recent designs, I've still got your design somewhere on file.
Order a 2" circle, 2" square or 1x3" version of your favorite retired design here. It will be printed on self-adhesive, #60 glossy paper.
- Please reference your name at the time of purchase as well as a general date of order, if you can.
- If you need any text changed, let me know in the personalization area
- I'll do some research and email you your proof to make sure we're on the same track
*Note: If you ordered before November 2013, my label stock was on sheets and matte; many were 1.5". These will be printed on the newer, glossy paper in the size referenced in paragraph 2.


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I give a big thanks to my boyfriend TiVo for picking this up for me via The Movie Channel. Much love!
Well ladies and gents, I would like to present to you my very first Argento film. That's right, I was getting all ready to watch this then remembering that I was around 15 when I first saw this and I do believe this was my first Dario exposure. Ah, good times.
So this dude David comes across a girl, Aura, (Asia Argento) on a bridge looking like she wants to jump. He stops her from doing it and finds out that she's troubled with weird parents that want to stick her in a special clinic.
She returns to her freaky folks (Piper Laurie reprise her role as "scary ass unbalanced mother") for a night before they send her back to the hospital. That very night a killer that likes to collect heads, kill her parents.
David comes back into the picture to help Aura find out who killed her parents. Like any Argento film, it's a big mystery until the kick-ass unfolding at the end.
I remember when I saw this almost 15 years ago (holy crap, I'm old!) this film super freaked me out! And back then the only thing that freaked me out back then was my parents finding out that I was smoking. Revisiting this film, eh, it's still pretty creepy but overall I thought some stuff was kind of funny too. As far as all the decapitation scenes go, one had a talking head in it and it took me back to my favorite movie Curdled.
So I'm glad I got to see this again and I'm glad that this was my first Argento film because it's not as balls out crazy as most of them so it was a great introduction to his fantastic, twisted and bloody red goodness work.
31 Days of Halloween- Day Four: Dario Argento's Trauma
I give a big thanks to my boyfriend TiVo for picking this up for me via The Movie Channel. Much love!