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The Power of Darkness
Posted by Chic Aeon in places on Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Darkness lies in the corners of each soul -- without it there can be no light.
We claim it in totality ---
Or we offer it to others --
And in that decision we choose who has the power in our lives -- in our world.
Visit the Ballroom at Imagine Plus>>
Style Notes:
Hair: .:[ Tiny Bird ]:. Kissy Kissy - Stein Silver
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope (goth) 03
Clothing: hO wEAr Mystic of the Realm (parts of a complete outfit)
Shoes: BAX Prestige in black
Accessories: NLA
Some items may be gifts, prizes or simply no longer available. If you are having trouble locating a particular item, feel free to send me a message in world or add comment here on the blog and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Download my Windlight settings for this locale HERE.
Backstory: Imagine plus is home to several art installations including the huge (HUGE) lady that some of you may have seen in the feeds and photo groups. This castle floats at 4000 meters, but you can easily TP down to the entry area and explore further. I'll be doing just that sometime in the near future.
Secrets of the Sand
Throughout the night of endless stars
I saw as in a dream
Arising from the swirling sands
The towers of lost Ireem....... *
The city rises from the land, stones made from sand, no division -- they meld into one another.
I walk into the desert, the warm sands cradling my feet. The dry winds caress my arms and brush silk against my legs. I am one with the dust of centuries.
The smells of spice, smoke and camel flow to me on the wind. Familiar, they comfort me.
Sea laps against precious wooden docks, its coolness bringing relief from the long day of heat. The skies turn pink in warning.
I find safety within the city walls and wait impatiently for the storm to subside. I yearn for the open spaces of the desert.
Style Notes:
Hair: *SHOP SEU* --kurukuru hair Long brown
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope (sunkissed/br) avenue
Clothing: Roawenwood Midice (Mixture of Silks and Kirtle sets)
Accessories: from Midice set
Some items may be gifts, prizes or simply no longer available. If you are having trouble locating a particular item, feel free to send me a message in world or add comment here on the blog and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Download my Windlight settings for this locale HERE.
I have not ventured into RP in SL(R), but I will say that some of the most impressively designed locales are ones built on a story. As long as I have a visitor tag and a costume, I am comfortable. After all, I am an explorer and chronicler.
At home in the desert, I reveled in the dunes and the stones, the marketplace and the ruins. Most of the women I saw were dressed in warrior mode. I have several outfits in that theme, but I wanted to feel the warm breezes on my skin, the silk against my legs. I played the lute for a time and now have one as my very own.
I visited the Kingdom of Sand as it was preparing to move to a new sim. You will need to visit very soon (by 11pm it seems) if you wish to see this location.
If you would like to learn more about RP at the Kingdom of Sand, you can read their blog. Please remember to wear a visitor tag. Pick one up at the TP point. Free costumes are available for both men and women at the entrance, then TP down to the sands.
* poem from the informational notecard - Kingdom of Sand.
Windlight Settings
As of April 21, 2020 Windlight has been replaced by Environmental Enhancement Project (EEP. Many viewers will incorporate EEP over time. A few have stated that they will not. To see my first thoughts on EEP click here.
Windlight has been with us for over a decade.
Fond memories.
Archived material will remain on this page.
New as of April 1, 2015
First steps in understanding how to change your Windlight skies and see the world as YOU choose. Windlight is a registered trademark of Linden Research, Inc.
Hard to believe but it has been six years since I made all the "Places" Windlights that are now in many third party viewers. I had been thinking of putting up more settings -- especially ones that works well with materials (normal and specular maps).
Here are two for a starting point.
MOSP - Cloudless
MOSP- Sound Stage Shadows
July 29, 2011: Added a machinima video on Windlight settings for shadows. Leaving it here as it uses the 1.23 interface and might be helpful to some folks.
Torley visited my pages the other day with an invitation to add my Windlight settings to the SL(R) Wiki. In doing so I found instructions for installing and using Windlight settings that may be helpful to you.
I am currently using the Emerald viewer, so here is my short version of how to add presets to your existing files. You can also rename and delete presets in the same area if you are of the semi techie persuasion.
For my Windlight single settings found near the bullseye in most of my PLACES posts :
- Download the xml file and remember where you put it. Oftentimes the Desktop is the default. Find the listing of your sky preset files. These are typically in a path like this: "C:\Program Files\GreenLife Emerald Viewer\app_settings\windlight\skies"
- So, look for your viewer name under Program Files and then follow the path. If you are having difficulties locating the skies directory, you could search for one of the included sky names like Pirate. Assuming you don't have a lot of walk the plank info on your computer, that should get you the path fairly easily *wink*.
- Copy and paste the new xml preset file into that folder and you are set. It is always a good idea to make a BACKUP of the skies folder and put it in a safe place (like your backup directory) before making changes.
If you are in doubt about these steps, I suggest you work with Torley's instructions first until you feel more confident :D.
Light; there is little. Only illuminated windows in distant towers of humanity. I stay in the darkness -- watchful, aware, alert. Welcome to our possible future.
For shape, skin and freebie info, check the Backstory at the end of this post.
Marked, I wander the metallic alleyways in search of comrades.
Solitary and lonely, shadows are my only friends, yearning my ever present emotion.
Visit Hanger Luquides and its neighbor RedStormCorp.
Style Notes:
Hair: Exile Fastball eclipse
Skin:GeEs Design - Skin - Marlin Drow - 04
Shape: Shape It Up! Lioness
Eyes: Curio Tragic Eyes Ice Blue (No Shine) Medium
Clothing: Phoenix Design BLACK Equestrienne (short term freebie on the wall)
Shoes: BAX Prestige Boots Black
Accessories: Phoenix Design Raveness armbands, earrings, shoulderpads
This is my post for the Skin and Shape Fair :D. I applied as a media person before my change of direction and before I knew there would be over 60 bloggers in the group. So, I am guessing you don't really care about seeing me in Skin A, B, C in all the available tints, tones and shades *wink*. Still, I like to keep my agreements.
INSTEAD, I've decided to show you a specialty (blogger gift) skin from GeEs Design. It is Drow, hence the grayness. The skin has a lovely eye tattoo that adds mystery. I find it quite lovely.
I decided to take a big plunge and aim for a shape that would show off this skin. Mine was OK , but shapes are a part of the fair. After trying about 30, I found the folder from Shape It Up! and the Lioness model was my choice. This woman is both strong and beautiful, capable in a harsh world. Honestly, most all the Shape It Up models were pleasing to me. Does that mean they are BEST? Only for me :D. Shapes and skins are about as personal as we get in our virtual worlds, and what works for one person can easily be scorned by another. That's why we have demos.
Curio sent out a humongous (really) pack of eyes to the fair bloggers and I find these icy blue ones go very well with the cool tones of the skin. The eyes come in three sizes which is SO great. I am wearing medium.
These are my personal picks from our samples.
I took several liberties with this shoot. I am in a cyber world, in a Drow body with Equestrian garb. Forgive me; I had things to report and this post seemed a good vehicle. The shirt, jacket and pants are free until the 29th I believe at Phoenix-Firefall. Find them on the wall with the other black Equestrian items. There is a small yellow FREE sign on the vendor. You can win a great belt or satchel in the lucky chairs to go along with the pieces. There are tons of accessories to purchase on the wall.
The poses used here are from one of two AOs currently in the ANA_Mations main shop lucky chair. This is the version for guys; there is another ballerina version for gals. Girls can obviously use the male version if it fits their mood. There has been a good sized watch there for the last couple of days.
Elemental Arts
Two sims; one theme. In a pastoral English countryside, on the edge of time, the elements converge and earth magic reigns.
Wander down well-rutted dirt roads, stand amidst ancient stones, hold watch for the sun with patient sheep -- remember your ancient roots.
Thatched roof cottages welcome you with arbors and wildflowers, but the rolling hills and open sky beckon with a siren's song you cannot ignore.
The elements are close at hand here. Rain plummets the coastal hills and lightening strikes between heartbeats. The earth will not be denied.
We cannot rule the elements, but we can be their willing mistress -- walking the hills in quiet earthsong. Remembering.
Visit Alchemy Immortalis and its neighbor Empress and Hierophant >>
Style Notes:
Hair: Calico Ingmann Creations Arianna - Light Auburn
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope (ivory) 01 (PU)
Clothing: !RFyre Bytterwynds II Tan Leather (there are many pieces in the set)
Shoes: Angry Monkey Villagers Boot (patched)
Accessories: come with Bytterwynds set
Some items may be gifts, prizes or simply no longer available. If you are having trouble locating a particular item, feel free to send me a message in world or add comment here on the blog and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Download my Windlight settings for this locale HERE.
Backstory: There is shopping within the cottages. Home furnishings as well as some lovely wildflowers are available. A bed and breakfast establishment is in the building stages.
RFD America Morn
Posted by Chic Aeon in places on Saturday, September 26, 2009
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Prob'ly die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
From "Small Town", a song written by John Cougar Mellencamp off his 1985 album Scarecrow.
Water wheels, covered bridges, street lamps and telephone wires -- it's homey here. A quiet sleepy town that could have been lost in the 50s or 60s. A trestle meets the sky marking the edge of this rural escape.
T Town is the perfect middle America farming community. It may not exist in the real world, but it does in ours. The corn grows high; sunflowers edge the roadways; wooden windmills turn slowly in the light breeze.
A stream flows through the park on the edge of town. Flowers give way to stone bridges and damp earth.
Traffic is light this early in the morning. Strolling is easy on the dirt roads that lead out into farmlands.
The town itself is picturesque, complete with soda shop, wine bistro and visitors center. It is a place many of us dream of revisiting.
T Town >>
Style Notes:
Hair: Calico Ingmann Creations Arianna - Light Auburn
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope (fair/br) tequila
Clothing: Young Urban Orange Hoodie, Maitreya ArmWarmer - Bistre, LaynieWear (now Tea Lane) Basic Jeans Chocolate, Surf Couture - I'm A Little Bit Country Top
Shoes: Yabusaka Halloween Boots (modded)
Accessories: primOptic Monza glasses
Some items may be gifts, prizes or simply no longer available. If you are having trouble locating a particular item, feel free to send me a message in world or add comment here on the blog and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Download my Windlight settings for this locale HERE.
Backstory: RFD stands for Rural Free Delivery in postal terms.
There are two fishing areas here. I'm not sure what's biting, but the atmosphere is both peaceful and contemplative.
Time Runs Backwards Here
Embryo wasn't my find, but it seemed like a perfect starting point for my new path. I saw a post from Anemysk [glow] yesterday, journeyed over and left myself there for the day. Do our avatars soak up the essence of a place even as we, the typists go through our mundane lives -- working and sleeping and forgetting them? Sometimes it seems that way.
There are many sides to Embryo. Dusky and sensual, the haunting golden mist rises from the endless expanse of water. Solid ground is elusive.
Time stands still here. The water flows endlessly onward as the hands of time move backwards. Black chairs litter the marsh like discarded desires. A quiet place, one made for contemplation I suspect. There are so many layers of mystery here, one could spend a day or a lifetime in discovery.
Breaking away from old constraints and outmoded rules, we can see the past for what it truly is -- sometimes beautiful, sometimes sad, often only a glimpse of what was really happening.
Stillness melds into the night and the warm glow of the basket orbs light the ancient trees.
There is shopping here, but it is so well disguised that you will have to look for it. Skyboxes and furniture vendors line the walls of a small shack.
Patterns reign at Embryo. Textures layer atop textures, old wood and denuded trees add to the motif. A small skybox comes with tree, light and desk. The bed is optional.
You can see a wondrous video of the sim here. Choose HD (high definition) if your bandwidth and computer will run it for you. Enjoy!
Style Notes:
Hair: Magika Hair - Curl - Blonde D
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Hope (fair/br) tequila
Clothing: ^^Moulliez White Capris, KAO - white ruffle dress shirt (top shirt shown, Chikka Design cuteness Dress top (as cami)
Shoes: Ammies GIft Bag Sandals beach tan and pink
Accessories: * Pretties by JB * Moxie - Hues of Brown Bangles
Some items may be gifts, prizes or simply no longer available. If you are having trouble locating a particular item, feel free to send me a message in world or add comment here on the blog and I will do my best to answer your questions.
Download my Windlight settings for this locale HERE.
Backstory: Interestingly, I had no idea that there were cricket sounds in the sim when I wrote my postcard text; it simply seemed that they would belong here. And indeed, they are.
A New Path
Posted by Chic Aeon in comment on Thursday, September 24, 2009
A philosopher once told me that I am one of the fastest processor types in existence. I'm not exactly sure what that meant, but I do make decisions in seconds of clarity and turn directions without looking back.
I still need a bit of pondering time, but I think I have a new plan. Photography has always been my first love. Somewhere amidst the joy of taking pictures, I got caught up in climbing the blogging ladder. That's not a bad thing, but along with that comes politics. Imagined debts pile up; you discover more than you want to know. I still love fashion and creativity of all kinds, but I learned yesterday that a sense of place is what I care about most in my virtual world.
So, I'll be packing up a ruck sack and heading off for some adventures. When I find a place that speaks to me, I'll do a shoot. It will of course include fashion, and I will add fashion notes, but I hope the posts will no longer be "ads". I also hope to lose that energy along the way. I'll let the feeling of the place determine the outfit and not my "to be blogged" folder.
So check back now and again or watch for some of my postcards on the feeds. Until then, take care.
PS: I have one promise to fulfill still from that old path, but I'll try and sneak it in so you won't notice :D
What I'm Seeing
Posted by Chic Aeon in comment on Wednesday, September 23, 2009
First off, thanks to all the people who added there comments to my Creativity post. Extra thanks to the folks that sent me personal IMs of support. I appreciate that.
I'm not exactly sure what my future will bring. I doubt I will give up blogging. But, honestly, 1000 plus posts is a lot. I have treated most of my posts as jobs, trying to help the designers by featuring their work. It was both a learning experience and an enjoyable exercise. I've met some wonderful people along the way, helped make a few superstars, lent a helping hand to some new kids on the block filled with creativity. I have loved it.
But, maybe it is time to make way for the next generation of bloggers. Once you get near the top of the mountain, the view sometimes changes; and that is what I am feeling.
I'll be here and I'll still be taking lovely photos; at least that is what my senses tell me. But I don't plan on looking at this as an unpaid job. I still applaud creativity and will definitely highlight it when I find it. But I am not going to wake up in the morning wondering "what will I feature today".
It's been a good journey. Now it is time for a slightly different path.
Thanks to all my fans. I hope you can make it though morning coffee (or evening wine) without a new post from Chic. There may be one, but there are no longer any promises :D.
Take care.
PS. My title --which I definitely segued away from -- referred to the slow down of posts on the feeds. I'm not sure what that is about, but it has been going on for awhile. So perhaps, it's not just me feeling this energy.
Sometimes we simply need to rethink our position.
Posted by Chic Aeon in shopping
Crossroads, we reach them most often when we aren't ready. Not knowing which direction is the best, we choose somewhat blindly hoping for the best. And if we choose not to choose, that is also a choice.
Stepping back a bit is what I needed and so I spent some time by the water drinking in memories of times when there were no choices to be made.
My new flower child wreath lifted my mood. With both glow and particles I was surrounded in the flow of the Universe, where Peace and Love was all that mattered. Vicarious Lee's Wildthings is the maker of the Flowerchild Wreath in Teal and Yellow. Thank you.
Click any picture for a larger version.
Style notes:
Skirt and bandeau: *BOOM* Rhapsody -raggedy ann-
Bangles: bluemoon bangle set (group only freebie ) Silent Sparrow
Tattoos: KANIVAL TATTOO
Poses by LAP.
Posted by Chic Aeon in freebies, showcase review
Time for newness in my world and a change of pace. I'm going to show you some of my favorite shops and places and tell you a bit about them. First up .: Kunstkammer Architechtural and Metaphysical Salvage :. . And WHY are they first? Because I loved the freebie earrings from the Jewelry Fair and never got around to featuring them. So this works -- even if a little late.
Kunstkammer is an eclectic store that exists at the intersection of Indie Goth and Shabby Witch. With a selection that ranges from jewelry to eyes to surreal skyboxes to charming home decor and more, you're sure to find something unique.
Need a pet raincloud? How about a Haunted House Kit? A vintage light bulb string? Well this is the place. I fell in love with Kunstkammer during the Vain Kissed hunt; the weirdness of it all makes me smile.
Sale items can be found right inside the door to the left. The spooky mushrooms with particles are a group gift. The clover ground cover is one of two versions you can buy from the trunk for only a buck.
Late for sure, but here are the gift earrings from the fair :D. Hope you picked them up.
Be sure and look for the Pumpkin in the Freaky Fall hunt while you are visiting. It includes eyes, poses and poseballs and a great dark particle fog for the upcoming holiday.
Style notes (all previously featured items) : Jeans and tank by WoE, sweater by [Miseria], hair by Tiny Bird, Skin by Dutch Touch, tattoos by Kanival.
Shuz! Gals and Guys
Just a quickie post to let you know there is a lucky board watch going on for these boots. They come in two colors, red-bean and black with two top heights. The shoe part is click resize and the tops are manual mod. Wonder got them to fit his big bod, but did mention that the tops were tricky. So be sure and have copies if you are going to be enlarging those tops.
I like the black ones best myself. Lots of folks a watching and as they are mostly Japanese, the common Western letters go unclaimed. So that works :D. I didn't get my own pair, but I TPed four friends in and by now they know the drill. Posing is mandatory *wink*. So zip on over to Amaama and watch for your letter to come up. I suggest staying outside and camming in as it is very crowded.
Posted by Chic Aeon in comment on Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Where does creativity begin? How much input is needed before an item is "yours"? Do people care if a design was not actually made by the designer?
All these questions have been flowing around in my head today.
I have unpacked -- and blogged in many instances -- a lot of clothes lately that were obviously made from the same template. It took me awhile for this to sink in, but eventually I saw the pattern. I asked my blogger sisters and I was assured that "yes, you can buy anything on Xstreet". Yes, it is legal and psd (Photoshop active files ) are sold just like sculpty files these days.
Who knew? Not I.
So now I am at a crossroads of sorts. Do I keep featuring designs that are built on the work of some ghost designer? Someone who has made a template, sold it as full perms and let the masses go forth and create on their work?
Honestly? I'm having a bit of a problem with that. I know this is a gray area, and that there will be many opinions -- both pro and con -- for using templates to create "new" designs. It's legal, and most likely accepted, but is it a good thing?
I think about the designers who were here at the beginning -- or at least long before I arrived. , Chip Midnight, Torrid Midnight, Fallingwater Cellardoor -- I'm sure the list is a long one. I am guessing they worked from scratch, finding their own way, pushing the boundaries, turning pixels into wearables. There is something that bothers me deep inside about slapping a texture in a layer of a template and calling it a new design.
Now, I know that isn't always the case. Oftentimes there are rips and logos, wrinkles and patches added, but sometimes it is simply pasting in a texture into layer number 7. Where does creativity begin? Is simply pasting in a pattern enough to call a design original?
I don't have an answer, but I am thinking that I won't be featuring any obvious template work on my blog in the future. It is a personal decision. And if that means I will have less to blog? Well that's my choice too I guess.
I can understand the reason people use templates. Ease for one. Speed. But what happened to making items for the world that we envisioned? What happened to the simple joy of creativity? Most likely it has been replace with pragmatism. And that, I also understand. People need to pay the rent. Sales are slow. If it comes down to staying using templates or closing -- I'll vote for staying.
But still there is a shadow looming over the practice. Would downsizing accomplish the same thing? Could designers give up there sims, half sims, quarter sims and go back to their roots? In doing that would they discover the joy they had in the beginning when they were creating simply for beauty and for themselves?
I don't know the answers, but I wonder.
Posted by Chic Aeon in comment
By now I imagine you have heard the sad tale of copybots in the Rebel Hope sims. We were encouraged by a blogger sister to highlight some of the wonderful work of Rebel Hope. I knew that Sami had been a long time fan, so I invited her over. She wore a vintage gown which still looks lovely. This was in a time before sculpties; Sami will be celebrating three years next week. Congrats hon!
You can click the photo above to see a larger picture.
Since it is her gown and her story, I'll let her tell it:
I'd met a king. I was so excited. I was fairly new to SL then and didn't really get that anyone could be a king, all you needed was an outfit and a castle. Naive or not, I needed a ball gown fit for a royal gathering. There was really only one place to go back then, Rebel Hope. I found this lovely gown and fell in love with it. It was dauntingly expensive for my meager budget, but I splurged and never regretted.
I was lovely at the ball even if that is only my memory. I had many compliments -- even from the king. I wore the gown many places for many months before abandoning my dancing days and getting to work.
It was a pleasure to take the gown out of mothballs and revisit those times. I don't know Rebel Hope, but I have always admired her. So this small tribute is for her.
Sami is wearing the new gift skin from Amacci. Hair from Calico Ingmann. Her bird friend is a coal tit from Spiky-Haired Dragon.


text: Search results 1 items matching your search terms. Filter the results. Item type Select All/None Blog Entry Web Page Event Folder Link News Item Message Board Comment Forum Collection New items since Yesterday Last week Last month Ever Sort by relevance · date (newest first) · alphabetically More OpenDocument Updates by Matt Lee — published Aug 08, 2008 — last modified Nov 14, 2011 04:44 PM — filed under: OpenDocument The OpenDocument format (ODF) is a format for electronic office documents, such as spreadsheets, charts, presentations and word-processing documents. The OpenDocument format is supported by free software applications such as OpenOffice.org, AbiWord and KOffice. Located in Blogs / Community

subset: commoncrawl


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By the Young for the Young | 2013/2014
Jonas Eskilsson, trained on the Drama Pedagogy course at Wendelsberg Folk High School, and at the Gothenburg Academy of Music and Drama from which he graduated in 2009. Jonas Eskilsson made his début at the Göteborg Opera in 2010 playing the role of Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard. Since then he has performed in productions such as Les Misérables at Malmö Opera and in Kristina från Duvemåla at the Swedish Theatre in Helsinki. Jonas Eskilsson has also worked a great deal in improvisational drama, as an actor at the Astrid Lindgren's World theatre and theme park, for example.
Killen in Mobbad? – premiere 5 November 2013


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Making art can be risky business. Just ask Adam Wolpa, who gashed his finger while chopping cabbage at the opening of Ruffin Gallery's exhibition, "Touched by Virginia." No, the artist wasn't doubling as a caterer; the slicing was part of Wolpa's performance/installation of the "fermentation station" that forms his piece, "Give me Liberty or Give me Death," which by the show's end will yield two vats of sauerkraut.
Madcap? Definitely. But Wolpa isn't the only participant in the 10-artist exhibit (comprising members and alumni of William "Bill" Bennett's University of Virginia Sculpture Community) who takes an adventurous approach to art making.
Although the show's title evokes both the tactile nature of sculpture and the lasting influence of UVA's program (artist Jonathan Durham joked the exhibition could be called "Touched by Bill"), "touched" also suggests madness. And many of the show's most successful works spring from crazy technical and conceptual leaps.
Rosemarie Fiore, for instance, uses fireworks to create stunning multi-colored abstract drawings. She ignites bottle rockets under cans, drags lit smoke bombs across the page, and scatters firecrackers to create elements in her collaged compositions. A video on Ruffin Hall's ground floor documents Fiore's pyrotechnic techniques, while the large "Firework Drawing #7" in the gallery shows her exuberant results.
Working more quietly (no doubt, literally), Firat Erdim explores construction, deconstruction, and transformation. "Noahmada," Erdim's monochromatic sculpture on Ruffin's second floor, consists of a cluster of textured, organic-seeming columns rising out of a sand mound. It resembles something that a giant mud dauber in the desert might build, but a closer look reveals the columns are, in fact, crocheted tubes filled with sand— the fabric giving structure to the sand, and the sand giving structure to the fabric.
Another artist who uses textiles, albeit unusual ones, is Britta Bielak. On a small wooden hanger, her child-size "Lung Vest" appears to be a patchwork of baby bunny ears, although its material is actually magnolia pods sewn together with pink thread. Stirring a similarly tender response is Bielak's "Heart Warmer— Winter Tights," a pair of tiny misshapen leggings created from squares of felted dog fur.
Bielek's garments may call to mind sweet Disney animals, but Eric Schmidt's re-imagined tools seem straight out of The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Exquisitely crafted, his re-shaped and exaggerated hammers exude animated drama.
All the artists in "Touched by Virginia" take risks, usually successfully, a tribute to Bill Bennett's "touched" approach to sculpture.
"Touched by Virginia," featuring work by Golnar Adili, Britta Bielak, Jonathan Durham, Firat Erdim, Rosemarie Fiore, Judith Leeman, Maya Mackrandilal, Eric Schmidt, Ashley Williams, and Adam Wolpa, is on view through October 21 at the University of Virginia's Ruffin Hall. 179 Culbreth Road. 924-6123.


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Homemade Butterfingers with candy corn and peanut butter
Homemade Butterfingers
- 1 pound candy corn
- 1 (16-oz) jar peanut butter (I used Peter Pan Honey Roasted peanut butter)
- 1 (16-oz) pkg chocolate candy coating
- Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals til melted, stirring after each interval.
- Stir in peanut butter. Spread mixture in an 8×8 pan lined with parchment. Cool completely. Cut into squares.
- Melt candy coating according to package directions.
- Dip cut candy bars in melted chocolate candy coating. Lay on waxed paper to set.


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Join our live RV chat - click HERE
We awoke to the sad news. Two of our adult kids arrived in LV yesterday for an unrelated event. They got caught in the lockdown and witnessed some of the stampede, but fortunately they're all safe. Grandma Chris received the info via email.
Please fly your flag today to show that we are united!
THIS is OVER a YEAR OLD ~ Why did you make me read it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posts Tagged 'change'
Michelle Obama complains about her daughters' dolls: "We didn't get any royalties"
Washington, D.C., January 27th, 2008, (Reuters).- Michelle Obama expressed her disagreement with the dolls that are being produced and that are named after her daughters, Sasha and Malia.
The new first lady told the press "We believe it is innapropiate to use two young private, totally average citizens for marketing purposes. First, because the election is already over. Second, because we didn't get any royalties."
Ty Inc.'s spokesperson Tania Lundeen told the media "There's nothing in the dolls that refers to the Obama girls. Just because they are black, represent about the same age as the real Sasha and Malia, and they are called Sasha and Malia, doesn't mean that they are replications of Sasha and Malia. They have nothing to do with them. Really! Honest! We chose those traits just because they are full of hope and change. "
She also took the opportunity to make an important announcement, "Most of all, we want to remind you that each dolls is sold for only $9.99, and if you buy both of them, you get a free copy of 'The audacity of hope' as a bonus."


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Wedding Planning Step 3: Selecting Your Wedding Venue
Nov 13, 2012
Hello my fellow brides-to-be! So you've celebrated your engagement with your family and friends – what's next? Selecting for the perfect venue for your special day! Choosing your wedding venue is one of the first and most important steps in the wedding planning process. Steve and I have chosen the Michael Anthony's, located in the Newport section of Jersey City. Located right near the Hudson River, our venue offers stunning views of the New York City skyline (and even a glimpse of my favorite building in NYC, the Chrysler building!) There is also a perfect view of the new One World Trade Center building that is still under construction, but always lit up in bright, beautiful lights. The restaurant itself has a modern touch, with exposed brick walls and large windows. Steve and I decided early on that we wanted a wedding venue that was out of the ordinary, but also reflected our personal style. Before you begin your search, there are several important factors you should consider.
First, and most importantly, you must decide on your wedding budget. Will you and your fiancé be footing the bill? Will you receive help from your parents in any way? Once you have determined how much you are able to spend, you will be able to search for venues that will fit your budget.
Next, you should determine how many guests you plan to invite. This will help you narrow down the venues that will be able to accommodate the size of your wedding. You may also want to consider the fact that many venues have guest minimums for certain days. For example, Saturday is the most desirable day to have a wedding, and will require a higher minimum of guests. Fridays and Sundays will usually have a lower minimum guest requirement, as the availability will be greater for these days.
Now that the budget and amount of guests have been decided, you and your fiancé can discuss what you both envision for your special day. Do you plan on having a religious ceremony? Or are you looking for a venue that can also accommodate your ceremony? Also, do you have any particular theme in mind? Some of the most popular wedding venues/themes right now are the rustic wedding (think vintage-style barn or farm), a summertime beach wedding, a modern-style wedding (in a loft or re-purposed warehouse), and the always popular destination wedding. Ballrooms and banquet facilities are also excellent options, and can be found in any location. These venues can be blank slates that you can decorate and enhance. And don't forget about up-lighting! Something so simple can make all the difference in the overall look of your wedding venue.
Once you have found some wedding venues that suit your style, you can start visiting them to get a first-hand look of what they have to offer – and be sure to bring your camera! I must admit when Steve and I began visiting wedding venues, we were a little discouraged at first. I felt like we would never find a venue that would fit all of our needs, because each one had its pros and cons. The first venue we visited, a modern loft space, had an odd layout, and would not be able to comfortably accommodate the amount of guests we planned to invite. The second venue we visited was a beautiful re-purposed warehouse, but it did not have ample parking for our guests. You may come across similar bumps in the road, but don't give up hope!
Here are a few questions to keep in mind once you have chosen that perfect wedding venue:
-Do you have to choose an outside caterer, or do they provide on-site catering services?
-Would you have to supply your own alcohol, or do they offer packages that include this?
-Do they have any wedding decorations (centerpieces, etc.) that you would be able to use for your reception? If so, is there any additional set-up fee if you choose to use them?
-Do they provide linens and chairs or if you will have to rent these from an outside vendor?
-Would you be able to hold your rehearsal at the venue prior to your wedding day (if you choose to have your ceremony/reception at the same location)?
-Are there any restrictions with the space (for example: no confetti, etc.)
-Is there a cake cutting fee? (some venues will add on an additional fee per person for cutting and serving your wedding cake)
-Is there a contingency plan? (should there be inclement weather, and your ceremony was to take place outside)
Do you have any other helpful tips to offer our fellow brides-to-be who are still searching for their perfect wedding venue? I'd love to hear them!
And if you're still planning, or just beginning to plan your wedding, be sure to check out our wedding planning tips
All the best,
Latest posts by littlethings (see all)
- Wedding Cake Toppers Steal The Show - March 2, 2016
- Looking for Groomsmen Gift Ideas? - February 26, 2016
- 10 Awesome Wedding Favors for 2016 - February 22, 2016


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"If you want to avoid having your identity stolen, use long passwords that contain digits, punctuation and no recognizable words. Make up a different password for every Web site. And change all of your passwords every 30 days."
Have these security pundits ever listened to themselves?
That advice is clearly unfollowable. I currently have account names and passwords for 87 Web sites (banks, airlines, blogs, shopping, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter). How is anyone — even a security professional — supposed to memorize 87 long, complex password strings, let alone remember which goes with which Web site?
So most people use the same password over and over again, and live with the guilt.
There are solutions. Most Mac and Windows Web browsers now offer to memorize passwords for you. But that feature doesn't work on all Web sites, and is generally of little help when you pick up your phone or tablet. At that point, the only person you've locked out of all your online accounts is you.
The only decent solution is to install a dedicated password memorization program (like Roboform, KeePass, LastPass, 1Password, and so on). Last week, one of the best was just improved: Dashlane, now at 2.0. It's attractive, effective, loaded with timesaving features and available for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android — and it's free.
Installation is quick. Dashlane works in Safari, Chrome, Internet Explorer and Firefox. It can import existing password "vaults" from rival programs.
Dashlane has two primary features. First, yes, it's a password memorizer. Every time you type your account name and password into a Web page and press enter, Dashlane pops up, offering to memorize that information and fill it in the next time.
In fact, it also offers to log you in — not just to enter your password, but also to click "log in" for you. In effect, Dashlane has just removed the login blockade entirely. When you go to Facebook, Twitter or Gmail, you just click your bookmark, smile at the briefest flash of the login screen and arrive at the site.
Since Dashlane is now storing and auto-entering your passwords, you're now free to follow the security experts' advice. You can make up long, unguessable passwords — a different one for every Web site, since you don't have to remember any of them. In fact, each time you sign up for a new account, Dashlane offers to make up such a password for you, and then, of course, to memorize it.
Dashlane's second huge feature is even more amazing. It can also fill in other kinds of Web site forms: your name/address/phone number, and even your credit card information.
When you're buying something online, and you click into the credit card number box, Dashlane displays pictures of your credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or whatever — even PayPal.
When you click the one you want to use, Dashlane instantly fills in the long card number, your name, the expiration date, even that accursed security code, in the right boxes. Every time you order something online, you save between 30 seconds and five minutes, depending on whether you have your card information memorized or have to go burrow through your wallet.
When you make a purchase, Dashlane even offers to store all the details in a digital receipt that you can call up later, along with a screenshot of the Web site where you shopped. This feature makes online shopping so frictionless, every dot-com retailer on earth ought to be promoting Dashlane as if its profits depended on it.
In fact, Dashlane can fill in all kinds of forms automatically: phone numbers, job titles, tax numbers and so on. If you've ever recorded multiple answers — you have two different Twitter accounts, say — two tidy buttons appear beneath the name box, bearing the account names. Click the one you want.
Unlike some rival programs, Dashlane doesn't require you to associate one set of personal information to each "profile." If you have three addresses, for example, you're always offered those three when filling in a form. You don't have to create three personalities' worth of personal information.
So far, Dashlane probably seems designed for convenience, and that's true. Behind the scenes, of course, its ultimate goal is security.
No system is foolproof. But Dashlane notes that it doesn't ever see your passwords or your credit card information. They're all stored on your own computer, encoded by the AES-256 encryption method, an open-source standard approved by the National Security Agency. Your entire Dashlane universe is protected by a master password. It's intended to prevent a laptop thief from heading online with your missing computer and going on a shopping spree.
In version 2.0, furthermore, you have the option of using two-factor authentication — fancy lingo for an extra layer of security. To unlock Dashlane, you have to enter your master password as well as a code that Dashlane texts to your phone. It's a pain, yes, but it effectively ruins the day of any ne'er-do-well who was hoping to guess or steal your master password.
Version 2.0 also introduces a convenient security dashboard, which identifies reused and weak passwords. It also eliminates the baffling points system of 1.0, which rewarded you for logging into Web sites. Thank goodness. There are iPhone and Android phone versions of Dashlane — also free and also fantastic.
The other big change in Dashlane 2.0 isn't quite so joyous. True, Dashlane can wirelessly synchronize all your passwords between your computer and phone, so that the phone, too, automatically enters them as you surf. But in 2.0, that feature now costs $20 a year. (It used to be free, and still is if you used earlier versions of Dashlane. The company does urge the earlier Dashlane fan to make a one-time contribution — $40 seems to be its favorite suggestion.)
An annual fee? Really? That seems a steep charge by a company that, until now, seemed remarkably customer-friendly. Alas, that seems to be the model these days. Dashlane's archrival LastPass is also free for Mac and Windows computers, and also stores your credit card and other information. But to use LastPass on a phone, you have to pay $12 a year.
Still, Dashlane is much better looking, better designed and easier to use. To fill in credit card information, for example, LastPass requires you to choose a "Choose Profile and Credit Card" command from a menu. Dashlane saves you one step and six pounds of terminology.
It's not perfect. Each time Dashlane stores a password for you, it also nudges you to put it into a category (e-mail or social media, for instance) and associate it with one of your e-mail addresses. The company says that all of that paperwork is only a convenience — you can click right past it — but it's still a befuddlement every time.
Now and then, I found a Web site that Dashlane couldn't auto-log into, too.
And Dashlane doesn't work in the built-in browser on the iPhone. (No password keeper can, Dashlane says, thanks to Apple's rigid programming rules.) Instead, it offers its own little iPhone browser. (The Dashlane app for Android also has its own built-in browser now.) It's fast, it's almost exactly like Safari and it auto-fills all the Dashlane-ish stuff, but it's more trouble to find and open.
Still, complaining more than briefly about Dashlane's drawbacks is like grumbling about the taxes when you win the lottery. It saves you infinite time and hassle, it's (mostly) free, and it belongs on your computer and phone this very day.


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Description of the artwork «Composition number 156»
There is still no description of this artwork. It may appear later. Track updates on Arthive.
This artwork has been added by Arthive user, if it violates copyright please tell us.
Art form: Graphics
Style of art: Abstractionism
Technique: Excel-graphics
Date of creation: 2018
Size: 29.7×21 cm


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When we think of the Christmas story, it seems we tend to forget the role that Joseph played in this historical event. We rightly focus on the baby Jesus, or often on His mother Mary. To be sure, Joseph is there in every nativity scene, but do we really comprehend the importance he plays in this story and what we can learn from him?
Mary knew beyond any doubt that she was a virgin and when she found herself pregnant she had no trouble believing that what the angel had told her was true. But Joseph had no such assurance. He had been told in a dream by an angel that Mary's baby was the Son of God, but surely he had doubts. For Joseph to believe, he had to have faith and to trust God's messenger as well as his new bride.
This afternoon I've been listening to Christmas music and wrapping presents to the smell of a rib roast in the slow cooker for Christmas Eve dinner. The song Joseph's Lullaby by MercyMe came on and I found myself pondering the thought of Joseph accepting Jesus as the Son of God while at the same time treating the Holy Child as his own son.
Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, "In love he [God] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:5-6 (NIV). In the same way, Joseph adopted the baby Jesus as his son, even though he knew the child was not his. In faith, Joseph raised this miracle Child as his own, teaching Him the craft of a carpenter and the love of God. In all that Joseph did as the earthly father of Jesus, he glorified God the Father.
So this Christmas, let's remember Joseph, the forgotten character of the story at the center of all history.


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NEW YORK (AP) USA Basketball is expanding its reach into youth basketball by partnering with iHoops, the joint initiative formed by the NBA and NCAA to improve programs for young players.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Friday the move is ``an opportunity to make a big impact'' on the development of young players and will help his organization find elite players who could eventually play for U.S. national teams.
``We are very, very much interested in the development of youth basketball,'' Colangelo said. ``This can be really impactful.''
iHoops was formed in 2009 and Colangelo said he always believed it would be a part of USA Basketball because his organization has the leadership and business components in place to make it successful.
Colangelo said specific plans will be announced in early 2013. He envisions USA Basketball being able to make sure all coaches are sanctioned, improve the camps for elite players and just ``help clean up the system.''
``That's the way to run a program,'' Colangelo said. ``And so by reaching out and bringing people together, I think that's good and ultimately when you start with youth development, it will eventually funnel into the kind of athlete and quality of athlete, basketball player when they start to play'' for various national teams.
The NBA and NCAA will continue to promote iHoops at events such as the NBA Finals and the Final Four, and provide financial support for USA Basketball's new youth division.
iHoops will transition from its Indianapolis office to USA Basketball's headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., after the new year.
``I think all the people involved are looking forward to the future,'' Colangelo said. ``I think it's an opportunity to make a big impact.''


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text:
That post was entirely incorrect - both the date and location are different.
After digging around, here are the details I now feel safe reporting.
According to the Dark Lord Day 2008 event page on BeerAdvocate.com:
DarkLord Day 2008 Saturday April 26th 11Am-10:30pmFurthermore, Floydicus himself reports these details in the BeerAdvocate forums:
DarkLord Day 2008 is the only day of the year to buy Three Floyds DarkLord Russian Imperial stout.DLD is a festival where participants can meet other beer enthusiasts, sample beers from all over ,buy DarkLord, try Oak Aged Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout ,eat BBQ, Listen to live music.
Darklord Day 2008 will be greatly improved to accommodate larger crowds, including expanded parking, more porta johns, shorter lines and more food choices.
DarkLord Day:Although we previously reported rumor of the event happing at the Hammond Civic Center, those rumors are incorrect. The event is being held at Three Floyds Brewery.
Usually there is a 6 bottle limit per person
Bottles are $15 a bottle
2008 DarkLord Day begins at 11am-10pm
20,000Sq Ft of added space this year
Live Bands
Beer from all over the world
Many Porta Johns
expanded parking
Faster Lines
We will have more available than last year
More from Floydicus:
20,000sq.Ft extra is we will be using the whole other half of the building.And there will be ALL kinds of music this year,youll be suprised by the lineup CheersHoosier Beer Geek plans to be in attendence this year, so if you can't make it to Munster, you can read about it here.


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The ever increasing popularity of digital cameras is making picture-taking easier and easier. Since the pictures no longer 'cost' to be processed and printed, the digital-shutter-bug can shoot away and have a ball. If you don't like a shot, simply delete it.
Digital Photo Vacation
If you're going to take pictures -- don't just take a lot of pictures... take great pictures. There's always something you can do to improve your photos.
Without sending you to ten-thousand web pages to get the full education on taking great pictures, I'll share just a few fundimental rules to shoot by. If you can remember just a few of these, your pictures will improve along with your photography experiences.
Look twice, shoot once
While you can shoot numerous shots of the same scene -- and you may well want to -- first take a real close look at the scene and ask three questions. These four elements have a dramatic effect on all photos -- whether digital or not.
#1: Is there anything distracting in the scene?
Anything that is present or happening behind your subject can steal the viewer's eye. Things like mirrors, glass windows, crowd activity. Try to eliminate that distraction by stepping to the left or right a few steps.
Look for stray objects that may detract from your subject. If there is anything else that isn't part of your picture's focus, see if you can eliminate it.
#2: Where is the primary light source?
If the sun, or daylight is the primary source make sure it's not behind the subject to blind the camera. Yes, you can fix it later, but it won't be nearly as good as if the lighting were in front or to the side of the subject. But also be aware of sun-squint. The last thing you want is your subject squinting because the sun was blinding your subject. Also be aware of the too-deep shadows created by the sun. If your beautiful companion has on a wide-brimmed sun hat, beware the part of her face in the shadow may be too dark!
#3: Should I get closer, or move further away?
Always look at the borders of the scene. Get your eyeball into the view finder until you can see all four edges of the picture area -- and then LOOK at those edges. Quickly ask questions about those borders: Is there enough to trim out later? Are the borders meaningful? Is there something at the edge that I don't want to show?
#4: Do you have everything you need? More than you need?
Remember you can always crop the photo to eliminate unwanted parts of the scene later -- however you cannot add more to the photo later. Best policy is to over-shoot, and under-deliver!
- Shoot before you eat, not after! Spoiled plates don't speak well of the dinner.
- Shoot from above, never below; the worst thing to show are huge jowls, double-chins and nostrils. Get just high enough above your subjects so that no nose-holes show.
- Are there obstructions? Should the wine bottle be in the middle? Should the flower arrangement be moved to the side?
To Flash or Not to Flash
If time permits, I always try to shoot a no-flash version, and then a fill-flash version -- whether indoors or out. If you turn off your flash you may get a great shot that avoids the harsh and unnatural look associated with flash photography. Always try to use natural light if you can.
If you have control over the setting -- as in a picture of a person, try moving them close to a window for that wonderful indirect natural lighting. Flash tends to 'flatten' the subject because of even lighting, and is almost never flattering to people. Indirect lighting on the other hand, tends to accentuate the contour and 'shape' of the subject with subtle shadows and more natural coloration.
When you do use the flash, be careful to avoid bright or reflective backgrounds behind your subject. These could easily bounce the flash back into the camera and spoil the shot. When shooting with flash, watch carefully through the view finder. If you see a hot spot, or flash, then shoot again after changing locations slightly. Remember that if you can see yourself in mirrors, glass windows or store fronts, then that flash will bounce back. Move until you cannot see yourself.
Rock on, Rock Steady
If the photo is supposed to show detail, then it needs to be as sharp as possible. If the shot is supposed to be blurry and vague, you can do that later.
Your camera may capture perfect light settings, but if it moves it can blur the shot slightly no matter how bright the lighting is. People think the point-n-click cameras are fool-proof. Think again. The more steady the camera is, the better the shot will be.
Stand with your feet firmly on the ground -- avoid being out of balance. Get into the habit of snugging the camera against your face. As you prepare to shoot, take a breath and gently squeeze the shutter. Don't try to push it or press hard. Be gentle. Pressing too hard causes the camera to move.
Carry a tripod. There are mini-tripods that can be carried in a cargo pocket, purse or camera bag. Next time you have the opportunity to shop anywhere camera equipment may be sold, try out a mono-pod. This is a tripod with only one leg. Many photographers will carry one like a walking stick, and when time to take a shot, the monopod telescopes up to shooting height, and has a pop-up screw-mount to secure the camera.
If you don't have time to grab the tripod, or monopod, stabilize yourself by leaning against a tree, wall or other immovable object. Many times I've been known to place the camera on a car, wall, a table in a restaurant, or other solid surface so that the timed shutter makes the exposure. That way the shot is really rock steady. (If you like, run over and get in the shot yourself!)
Take Five: Tell the story...
Whatever you do, document the session with multiple shots. If you're strolling along the harbor pier, don't just get a shot of the pier. That's boring. Tell the story of your stroll along the pier. I like to say: never take only one shot. Take at least five.
1. Intro: try an overview shot of the place where you plan to take pictures. If it's the pier of the harbor, perhaps the street leading up to the pier. If it's the barbecue at the neighbor's pool, try a shot walking up the driveway or walk to their house. This will the be "approach" or "establishment" shot.
2. The Action: get a shot of what happened. Okay, it's a bit difficult to show a walk on the pier, but perhaps there's a spot where you can place the camera for an timer-shot so that you can be 'strolling' in the picture. Try to show "here's what happened."
3. What did you see? Find an interesting aspect that will typify or represent the whole experience. At the pier we see rows and rows of boats. Perhaps a shot showing boats all lined up. Perhaps a picturesque boat will be pulling up to the dock. Capture the crew member as he leaps over to receive the tie-off rope.
4. Unique perspective: find some interesting detail you can zoom in on and capture close-up or from an interesting angle. Perhaps zoom in on a seagull perched on the pier. Perhaps a brightly polished brass light or textured coil of rope on the deck of one of the boats. How about the shiny captain's bell? Give the viewer something to "feel" about the series of images.
5. Resolution: provide a 'closer' for the story. Okay, sunsets may be a bit over-done, but look for an opportunity to show the 'end' of the story... packing up into the car? Carrying shopping bags? Shaking hands with the skipper. Be creative.
Don't forget people...
One of the primary reasons for taking pictures is to remember what happened, or to share the experiences with others. My father always said:
What good is it if there's no one in the picture? Buy a post card!
Give your viewer a reason to care. Put yourself, a companion or family member into the scene. Not only will it give the shot scale, it will provide a reason for taking the shot -- other than a picture postcard! If you have no one to be in the picture, ask someone else... the waitress, the driver, the doorman. Too many travel and vacation photos are of uninhabited places. Have a great time...
If you try to remember a few of these tips, then you probably don't need a masters' degreee in photography. Try to integrate the camera and photo-taking activity into the overall experience. If you approach it as an integrated part of the trip, you'll have more fun and your photos will give back later with enjoyable reminders of the experience.
NOTE: This article continues at: Digital Cameras On The Go
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Cooking For Engineers
Analytical cooking discussed.
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Tender lamb curry
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 77
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:08 am
Post subject: Tender lamb curry
How do I make "Indian Restaurant" lamb curry?
The recipe I have makes everything perfect, except the lamb does not have that "melt in your mouth" tenderness.
I cut up a pound or so of lamb (steaks, leg, etc.) into chunks.
I brown the chunks along with some onion.
I add a can of diced tomatoes, water and Patak's Extra Hot Curry paste.
Simmer the whole thing for about 20-30 minutes.
This recipe works great, smooth, tasty and spicy sauce, but the lamb does not come out tender--am I cooking too long, not long enough? Should I do something to the lamb first? Is it the cut of lamb I am using?
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Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 33
Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:04 am
Post subject:
Hi EP,
Let's first make an assumption that you are using a cut of lamb that is conducive to braising (which is effectively what you are doing). That is, it has a fair amount of connective tissue, or collagen. Cuts like the shoulder, leg, cheaper steaks, etc. Not the ribs or the loin.
I think that you are not cooking it long enough. To effectively render high collagen containing cuts nice and tender, you have to maintain a temperature near the boiling point of water for an extended period of time. Thus, the meat should be in excess of 200F for at least an hour and a half. This helps dissolve the collagen and creat a tender result. Also, to make sure that you have the proper environment while braising, make sure the pot that you are cooking it in is covered. This will maintain the temperature needed, reduce moisture loss, and require little heat input.
If you have a copy, or can get a copy, please refer to "On Food and Cooking", 1984, p. 120-121.
Try this out and let us know how it works.
Best Regards,
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 77
Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:27 am
Post subject: ...the elusive tender lamb.
cynicalb wrote:
Try this out and let us know how it works.
Best Regards,
I am sort of looking for someone who regularly makes tender lamb curry to tell me how they do it. Scientists experiment, engineers design. I'm looking for a workable design here.
Thanks for the lesson on braising though.
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Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 1:07 am
Post subject: Tender lamb?
Please remember that it may not even be a lamb dish you were trying to duplicate- SOME restaurants are not adverse to using cuts of goat meat and calling it lamb. Goat meat in my experience can be much more tender and gelatinous and less gamey than lamb. Also, if the restaurant meat was marinated a while in a yoghurt-based or acid-containing marinade or even one containing a meat tenderiser, it would also end up a very different texture.
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 77
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:24 am
Post subject: Re: Tender lamb?
Mamafishy wrote:
Please remember that it may not even be a lamb dish you were trying to duplicate- SOME restaurants are not adverse to using cuts of goat meat and calling it lamb. Goat meat in my experience can be much more tender and gelatinous and less gamey than lamb. Also, if the restaurant meat was marinated a while in a yoghurt-based or acid-containing marinade or even one containing a meat tenderiser, it would also end up a very different texture.
The Indian restaurants that I have eaten in have been, at least in appearance, reputable enough not to substitute goat for lamb--such a switch would be hard to keep hidden for long and the lawsuits would be, well, let's say that they would be far more intense than what they might experience in India. I have had lamb curry in many states and many cities--not all have been perfect, but the ones that have are memorable.
Besides, I have had goat curry (Pakistani's seem to favor it) and feel fairly confident that I could tell the difference. In fact, I like them both, but goat appears far less often on the menu, possibly due to American tastes. Goat is associated with 3rd world countries, satan, petting zoos, who knows?
I made lamb curry last week and discovered that I was indeed, as one cynic pointed out, not cooking it long enough. However, his (or her) suggested hour and a half would have rendered the meat to mush, an hour turned out to be perfect.
So, thanks for all the suggestions--in spite of the incongruency of the phrase, I have reached Nirvana with my lamb curry.
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Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 33
Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:17 am
Post subject: Re: Tender lamb?
EngineeringProfessor wrote:
However, his (or her) suggested hour and a half would have rendered the meat to mush, an hour turned out to be perfect.
Hi EP,
His. Glad it turned out fine. It makes sense that an hour was sufficient. Much of the time spent in braising is just getting the cut of meat to temperature. Once there, the collagen breaks down relatively quickly. You are dealing with small cuts of meat that will get up to 200F quicker than a single, large cut of meat. An hour and a half or longer would be fine for a single, large cut of meat, but I agree would turn smaller cubes of meat to mush.
As I was once told by an old engineer when I was just starting college - everything is controlled by thermodynamics.
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 77
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 2:17 am
Post subject: Lamb curry update....
Once again I made Lamb Curry and once again it came out excellent.
I have discovered that the recipe works fine with the absolutely cheapest lamb cuts imaginable. This makes sense given that the recipe was most likely developed in a simmering stewpot over an open fire rather than destined for the Maharajah's table--assuming the diners were Muslim as opposed to Hindi or Buddhist. In any event, the Maharajah would appreciate this dish.
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Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 12:41 am
Post subject:
Workable design.....Another thing that helps cook the meat is adding the tomate later in the recipe. This way the acid in the tomato does not stop the tenderizing action till the end...But do let it simmer a bit after adding the tomate otherwise you will get the raw tomate flavor.
Also, marinate the meat in pretty much all the spices including salt and 1/4 of oil that you use in the recipe, helps coat the spices all over better and the salts heps in tenderizing... Remember salts helps you cook.
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:18 pm
Post subject:
the meat served as 'mutton' in India is goat, there are far more goats than sheep in India, so mutton/lamb dishes really are meant to be goat dishes, and flavoured accordingly. (Hindus eat goat as well as Muslims!) BTW, the beef sold in India is water buffalo except in Kerala, where it is pukka beef.
If you cut your meat up into small chunks, then either make a quick fry dish (with costlier cuts) or cook cheaper cuts covered with much water, as a stew. If the meat is kept whole (on the bone), cook as a braise, in a little water and fat, both at lower temperatures to reduce the shrinkage of the meat which will become tough and tasteless at higher temperatures.
Examples of 'stews' are vindaloo, dhansak and dalcha, braises are kormas, including rogan josh and dopiaz.
just thoughts
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Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of the Dick Cheney justification for torture tour taking place in the media? Cheney is only appearing on programs on sympathetic networks, i.e. Fox or CNN, with softball moderators asking what appear to be questions supplied by the Cheney camp.
This is a guy whose approval ratings are at 19%, being the spokesman for a party, the Republicans, who have 21% of the public willing to self-identify with them. I have a hunch that the more he talks, the lower both of those poll numbers will fall. I still wish that he would shut the hell up.
I think Jesse Ventura's idea could bring an end to both Cheney's ubiquitous presence on television and the allegation that waterboarding is not torture. Ventura, on the Larry King Show on May 12, stated that he was waterboarded as part of his training as a Navy Seal more than forty years ago. He said that it was indeed torture, painful, frightening, and simulated drowning in every way.
The interesting part of Ventura's comments centered on his offer to waterboard Cheney. A spectacle that I believe a lot of people around the world would pay to see via pay-per-view television if the event could be arranged. After all, people pay to see extreme fighting and other such blood-lust programs. The possibility of seeing such a villainous personage as the former vice president put into a position of discomfort and terror would appeal to all of those people, and maybe to a lot of us who would like to see some amount of justice prevail.
Ventura says that if he were able to waterboard Cheney, he would have him confessing to having perpetrated the Sharon Tate murders. I can see the correlation there. Cheney is at least as venal and evil as Charles Manson, and maybe more so. After all, Cheney caused more people to lose their lives, dignity, and humanity than Manson could ever have envisioned. And he's proud of it. If Manson has blood on his hands, Cheney is standing in blood up to his neck and barely able to fend off drowning in it.
I hope that the more Cheney talks, the more evidence and ammunition he gives those who should, and hopefully will, prosecute him for war crimes, and the breaking of international law. And if he is charged and prosecuted, it should just be the first of many such prosecutions, in my opinion.


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I know everyone would love a chance to win a free Casio lamp free projector. This sweepstakes is only accessible via Facebook but because a classroom projector would be valuable to so many teachers out there I've decided to give it a plug. You'd actually be entering for a chance to win an Xbox console, with a Limited Edition Casio LampFree Projector, G-Shock watch & Gears of War: Judgment game. It's only on Facebook so enter here before March 31.


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Fast Food International: Jinya Ramen Bar
Exploring fast food from around the world in NYC.
Country of origin: Japan
Locations worldwide: Ten in Canada, Indonesia, Japan and the US
NYC locations: One, in the West Village
The shiny new midtown branch of Ipuddo may be garnering the most recent ramen attention, but it's not the only Japanese import worth talking about. In fact, there are a lot of similarities between the two. Both serve Hakata-style ramen characterized by pork-based tonkotsu broth and thin firm noodles. Also like Ipuddo, you'll get the shouted welcome upon entrance. Unlike Ipuddo, you probably won't have to wait in line for the privilege.
What's New On Serious Eats
Tonkotsu Black is JInya's signature ramen, and the most expensive at $14. Black refers to the tar-colored garlic oil that's drizzled in the corner and permeates the cloudy broth with its charred, nutty flavor. The well-striated slices of pork belly chashu and creamy-yolked sweet-soy egg—the sleeper hit of the bowl—both add plushness to an already rich broth filled with tangles of springy noodles, just shy of al dente. Nori, green onions, fried garlic, and wood ear mushrooms round out the toppings. Definitely in the premium priced category, the portion is solid, neither overwhelming nor skimpy.
Personally, I don't find a good reason to stray from the pork broth (there are three other versions: original, spicy and spicy miso) other than for variety's sake. The chicken-based soups are lighter, certainly, though if sampled side-by-side the chicken chashu will seem bland in comparison, more like breast meat than the purported thigh. This spicy ramen ($12) was Japanese spicy, which translates to just a tingle of heat, and it had a slight vinegary flavor that evoked Doritos the more you slurped.
While the emphasis appears to be on ramen, the large bowls of soup only make up a fraction of the menu. There is also a section of small plates (I refuse to call them tapas, as labeled), sushi, and a list of robata items, none wildly exotic, to be grilled. The Shrimp Toast ($8) is representative of the snacks. Lighter and fluffier than Chinese shrimp toast, these flaky slices piled up like an edible Jenga structure come with the most Japanese of condiments, sweetish mayonnaise.
No one ever said why isn't there more truffle oil in tempura, let alone Brussels Sprout Tempura ($6), but the distinctive aroma doesn't detract from the battered-and-fried nuggets and their dipping salt.
Jinya has only been open a few weeks and remains under the radar. For average ramen eaters, which I count myself among, it could prove a viable alternative to the more mob-scened venues. I would be curious to hear how the aficionados think it compares to higher-stature Ipuddo.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Jan 27, 2015 | ISBN 9780345509048
"Schreiber . . . was a great choice for this novel, imbuing the story with a dark, foreboding tone while never quite stepping into the horror territories that Death Troopers and Red Harvest took us."—Jedi News
"Fans of the dark side should rejoice. Lockdown delivers a can't-put-this-down tale of scum and villainy."—Club Jade
"[Lockdown is] an action-packed ride that spins one entertaining chapter after another. The multiple layers of story keeps readers guessing what will happen next and just who will live and who will die. . . . It certainly adds to the character of Darth Maul while matching [Darth] Plagueis's complexity with sheer fun. . . . Five out of five metal bikinis."—Roqoo Depot
"Somehow, Schreiber is able to skate the line between hard-hitting prison story and the adventure and excitement I love from Star Wars in a way that doesn't betray either genre. It's really quite masterful."—Big Shiny Robot
"Lockdown is an exciting, engaging read. . . . It actually lines up beautifully for a sequel, which I, for one, would love to read."—Coffee with Kenobi
"The novel makes The Clone Wars better. It also illuminates The Phantom Menace. I think it's the hallmark of the best tie-in fiction to resonate throughout other parts of the expanded universe in that way."—Knights' Archive
"By the fiftieth page, I was hooked. . . . Lockdown is a wonderful 'antihero' novel, where it's just fine to root for the villain, because there are even worse things out there. This book was so fun and entertaining. I'll have to keep an eye out for more Star Wars books from Schreiber."—Seattle Geekly


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"Dale DeGroff is the Oracle, the Yoda, the Walking Buddha of mixology. Simply put: If you're having an argument about how to make a particular cocktail? Whoever quotes DeGroff wins."
—Anthony Bourdain
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—Bobby Flay
"I am a huge believer that no dining experience is complete without a perfectly mixed cocktail and who better to guide you in its preparation than the King of Cocktails himself. The Essential Cocktail has any drink you could ever want, and in Dale DeGroff's capable hands, cocktail perfection is assured."
—Ming Tsai
"Dale DeGroff is without a doubt the ultimate rock-star bartender. He's fueled many of my parties around the world with his extraordinarily well-crafted and elegant cocktails. A true master."
—Colin Cowie
"The Essential Cocktail is a handbook for ladies and gentlemen interested in the honorable pursuit of all things delicious. For me that very often starts with a delightful and tasty cocktail crafted by the true master mixologist, Dale DeGroff. With this guide in hand, perfect drinks are no longer difficult alchemy, but easy sipping instead."
—Mario Batali


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The peaks of the Himalayas are a modern remnant of massive tectonic forces that fused India with Asia tens of millions of years ago. Previous estimates have suggested this collision occurred about 50 million years ago, as India, moving northward at a rapid pace, crushed up against Eurasia. The crumple zone between the two plates gave rise to the Himalayas, which today bear geologic traces of both India and Asia. Geologists have sought to characterize the rocks of the Himalayas in order to retrace one of the planet's most dramatic tectonic collisions.
Now researchers at MIT have found that the collision between India and Asia occurred only 40 million years ago — 10 million years later than previously thought. The scientists analyzed the composition of rocks from two regions in the Himalayas, and discovered evidence of two separate collisional events: As India crept steadily northward, it first collided with a string of islands 50 million years ago, before plowing into the Eurasian continental plate 10 million years later.
Oliver Jagoutz, assistant professor of geology in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, says the results, which will be published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, change the timeline for a well-known tectonic story.
"India came running full speed at Asia and boom, they collided," says Jagoutz, an author of the paper. "But we actually don't think it was one collision … this changes dramatically the way we think the India/Asia collision works."
'How great was Greater India?'
In particular, Jagoutz says, the group's findings may change scientists' ideas about the size of India before it collided with Asia. At the time of collision, part of the ancient Indian plate — known as "Greater India" — slid underneath the Eurasian plate.
What we see of India's surface today is much smaller than it was 50 million years ago. It's not clear how much of India lies beneath Asia, but scientists believe the answer may come partly from knowing how fast the Indian plate migrates, and exactly when the continent collided with Asia.
"The real question is, 'How great was Greater India?'" Jagoutz says. "If you know when India hit, you know the size of Greater India."
By dating the Indian-Eurasian collision to 10 million years later than previous estimates, Jagoutz and his colleagues conclude that Greater India must have been much smaller than scientists have thought.
"India moved more than 10 centimeters a year," Jagoutz says. "Ten million years [later] is 1,000 kilometers less in convergence. That is a real difference."
Leafing through the literature
To pinpoint exactly when the Indian-Eurasian collision occurred, the team first looked to a similar but more recent tectonic example. Over the last 2 million years, the Australian continental plate slowly collided with a string of islands known as the Sunda Arc. Geologists have studied the region as an example of an early-stage continental collision.
Jagoutz and his colleagues reviewed the geologic literature on Oceania's rock composition. In particular, the team looked for telltale isotopes — chemical elements that morph depending on factors like time and tectonic deformation. The researchers identified two main isotopic systems in the region's rocks: one in which the element lutetium decays to hafnium, and another in which samarium decays to neodymium. From their analysis of the literature, the researchers found that rocks high in neodymium and hafnium isotopes likely formed before Australia collided with the islands. Rocks low in neodymium and hafnium probably formed after the collision.
Heading to the Himalayas
Once the team identified the isotopic signatures for collision, it looked for similar signatures in rocks gathered from the Himalayas.
Since 2000, Jagoutz has trekked to the northwest corner of the Himalayas, a region of Pakistan and India called the Kohistan-Ladakh Arc. This block of mountains is thought to have been a string of islands that was sandwiched between the two continents as they collided. Jagoutz traversed the mountainous terrain with pack mules and sledgehammers, carving out rock samples from the region's northern and southern borders. His team has brought back three tons of rocks, which he and his colleagues analyzed for signature isotopes.
The researchers split the rocks, and separated out more than 3,000 zircons — 100 to 200 micron-long crystals containing isotopic ratios. Jagoutz and his colleagues first determined the age of each zircon using another isotopic system, in which uranium turns slowly to lead with time. The team then measured the ratios of strontium to neodymium, and lutetium to hafnium, to determine the presence of a collision, keeping track of where each zircon was originally found (along the region's northern or southern border).
The team found a very clear signature: Rocks older than 50 million years contained exactly the same ratio of isotopes in both the northern and southern samples. However, Jagoutz found that rocks younger than 50 million years, along the southern boundary of the Kohistan-Ladakh Arc, suddenly exhibited a range of isotopic ratios, indicating a dramatic tectonic event. Along the arc's northern boundary, the same sudden change in isotopes occurs, but only in rocks younger than 40 million years.
Taken together, the evidence supports a new timeline of collisional events: Fifty million years ago, India collided with a string of islands, pushing the island arc northward. Ten million years later, India collided with the Eurasian plate, sandwiching the string of islands, now known as the Kohistan-Ladakh Arc, between the massive continents.
Peter Clift, a professor of petroleum geology at Louisiana State University, says it may take a while for his colleagues to embrace this new timeline of collisional events.
"This paper does a great deal to stir up the debate on the topic of the timing of collision," says Clift, who was not involved in the research. "I think that a lot of that evidence is already in existence, and that the paper will be seen as something quite fundamental a few years in the future."
"If you actually go back in the literature to the 1970s and '80s, people thought this was the right way," Jagoutz says. "Then somehow the literature went in another direction, and people largely forgot this possibility. Now this opens up a lot of new ideas."
This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.


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Finger Loom™ (Blue Color) by the makers of Rainbow Loom®
The easy-to-use, hands-on loom that goes everywhere you go! Package includes:
- A Blue Color Finger Loom™
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WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.


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Ultimate apple pie
A traditional, comforting dish where simplicity is the key to success - one for all the family
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
- kcal695
- fat33g
- saturates20g
- carbs95g
- sugars32g
- fibre4g
- protein9g
- salt0.79g
For the filling
- 1kg Bramley apples
Bramley applebram-lee app-el
A large, flattish cooking apple, green in appearance but sometimes with specks of red. The flesh…
- 140g golden caster sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
A fragrant spice which comes from the inner bark of a tropical tree. When dried, it curls into…
- 3 tbsp flour
Flour is usually made from grinding wheat, maize, rye, barley or rice. As the main…
For the pastry
- 225g butter, room temperature
Butter is a dairy product made from separating whole milk or cream into fat and…
- 50g golden caster sugar, plus extra
- 2 eggs
The ultimate convenience food, eggs are powerhouses of nutrition packed with protein and a…
- 350g plain flour, preferably organic
- softly whipped cream, to serve
Fresh unpasteurised milk quickly separates and the fat rises to the top. This fat layer is then…
Put a layer of paper towels on a large baking sheet. Quarter, core, peel and slice the apples about 5mm thick and lay evenly on the baking sheet. Put paper towels on top and set aside while you make and chill the pastry.
For the pastry, beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until just mixed. Break in a whole egg and a yolk (keep the white for glazing later). Beat together for just under 1 min – it will look a bit like scrambled egg. Now work in the flour with a wooden spoon, a third at a time, until it's beginning to clump up, then finish gathering it together with your hands. Gently work the dough into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill for 45 mins. Now mix the 140g/5oz sugar, the cinnamon and flour for the filling in a bowl that is large enough to take the apples later.
After the pastry has chilled, heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Lightly beat the egg white with a fork. Cut off a third of the pastry and keep it wrapped while you roll out the rest, and use this to line a pie tin – 20-22cm round and 4cm deep – leaving a slight overhang. Roll the remaining third to a circle about 28cm in diameter. Pat the apples dry with kitchen paper, and tip them into the bowl with the cinnamon-sugar mix. Give a quick mix with your hands and immediately pile high into the pastry-lined tin.
Brush a little water around the pastry rim and lay the pastry lid over the apples pressing the edges together to seal. Trim the edge with a sharp knife and make 5 little slashes on top of the lid for the steam to escape. (Can be frozen at this stage.) Brush it all with the egg white and sprinkle with caster sugar. Bake for 40-45 mins, until golden, then remove and let it sit for 5-10 mins. Sprinkle with more sugar and serve while still warm from the oven with softly whipped cream.


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The AMC drama series The Killing, currently in its second season, ties together three distinct stories around a single murder – the detectives assigned to the case, the victim's grieving family, and the suspects. While Season 1 was all about questions and red herrings, Season 2 is starting to uncover those answers while delving into and exploring the notion that everyone has past secrets that are now coming back to haunt them. And, the resolution of who killed Rosie Larson (Katie Findlay) will be answered at the conclusion of this season.
During this recent exclusive phone interview with Collider, actor Eric Ladin (who plays master strategist Jamie Wright, Mayoral candidate Darren Richmond's campaign manager) talked about being surprised by the reaction fans had to the Season 1 finale, what fans can expect from his character in Season 2, how viewers will finally get to learn more about Jamie's backstory, how much darker and more intense things will get as they head toward the big reveal, how much of his arc he was told at the beginning of the season, and his favorite episodes. He also talked about how he's hoping to direct a project after Season 2 wraps, that he hopes to get to do a western at some point, and that he'd love to do a guest spot on Breaking Bad, The Good Wife or Damages. Check out what he had to say after the jump.
Were you surprised by the reaction fans had to the Season 1 finale?
ERIC LADIN: Yeah, I was. I do believe that AMC probably could have marketed it a different way, but at the same time, I didn't think it deserved the backlash that it got. I thought that was a little much. At the end of the day, it's just television. There's not really a dead girl in a trunk. It's a television show that's meant to entertain. Even if it doesn't follow the exact guidelines that you believe are how television should go, different things are good. I think a lot of us, who are very close to the project, knew from the Danish series (Forbrydelsen) that it took two seasons, so I guess we never really thought about it much. We knew that that took two seasons, and that was the formula that we were following.
Did you expect the show to become as popular and as talked-about as it has?
LADIN: I guess I had hoped it would, more than I thought it would. Once I got here and actually started shooting Season 1, I realized that we had something special. I knew that we had a show that our audience would really enjoy. And then, I thought this was going to be a show that has a pretty loyal following with people sitting around, talking about it and debating who they think did it. That's one of the reasons why I was so surprised at the backlash. That's the fun part about our show.
Were you at all worried that you'd lose some of your audience for Season 2, or do you feel like that kind of hot debate would ensure that they would tune in again, even if they said they weren't?
LADIN: The people that were so passionate about how much they disliked the finale are only people who obviously really liked our show, otherwise they wouldn't have been so passionate about it. I think that they're in a dark room, watching it and just pretending they're not.
Without giving anything away, what can you say about Season 2 and your character, and where things are going for him?
LADIN: After what happened to Darren (Billy Campbell), in the first two hours, I think Jamie is lost. Jamie is somebody whose life is his work. And so, when all of a sudden this happens to Darren and everything has ground to a halt and it's not really about the election anymore, it's about so much more, Jamie is forced to look within and decide what there is beyond work and how this friendship is going to dictate how he goes forward. In a sense, I think that Jamie has a lot of soul searching throughout Season 2, from beginning to end, but primarily in the first five or six episodes.
How will Darren's condition affect their relationship?
LADIN: Right now, the election is a far cry from importance. Right now, it's just about trying to keep somebody alive and try to move on with their lives. It's about so much more than becoming mayor. And then, as we move through the season, we have all sorts of questions to ask. How does this affect the race? How does this affect a political future, down the road? Not just this race in particular, but moving forward?
Were there things about your character's backstory that you were most interested in learning about him?
LADIN: Yes, and there are things about his backstory that the audience will finally get to learn. Jamie was one of those characters that everybody said, "Well, we don't know too much about him, and that's why we're thinking he's weird and creepy." But, this season, fans of the show will actually learn quite a bit more about Jamie and, through the process, I learned more about Jamie, which was nice. It was a good season for Jamie.
What was it like to return to this character and fall back into step with these actors? Did it come really easily for you?
LADIN: It came extremely easy. In fact, I called Kristen [Lehman] before we started and said, "We've got a monster first two episodes. I hope that we can find our groove right away and it doesn't take us awhile, having been off for seven months." But, we got back on set and I feel like we gelled, instantly. I think a lot of that has to do with the way Kristen, Billy and I work together, as well as just being prepared when we went into Season 2.
Do you enjoy having that longer gap of time between seasons to recharge, or does that make it harder to get back into the groove again?
LADIN: I love working on the show so much, if we shot 26 episodes, I'd be thrilled because I love it and I love the cast. But, I also enjoy the time away, where I can focus on other things. We have such a good cast and everybody is really dedicated to the work. Once we do get back together, it doesn't take long to channel.
How much darker and more intense will things get, as the show heads toward the big reveal?
LADIN: It's a pretty intense season. The stakes have been raised this season, across the board. And obviously, with the time aspect, the stakes are going to be raised anyway because everybody knows what's coming and when it's coming. It's really more about just having it rachet up between each character, every single episode.
How much of your arc for this season were you told up front, and how much has come script to script?
LADIN: Much like (show creator) Veena Sud's M.O., a lot of the information comes episode by episode, which I've gotten accustomed to with this project, and I'm fine with that. It's something that took a little adjusting, at the beginning, but I've now gotten accustomed to doing it that way and it's been very nice. But, with that said, Veena and I had a long conversations, before the season started, about where I was headed and a very general, overall arc that Jamie was going to have. So, I was able to keep that in mind, as I went on the journey for Season 2.
Have there been times when you've wished that you knew all the details, or is it nice being blissfully ignorant?
LADIN: A little bit of both, but probably more the latter. When Veena asked us to trust her and use this process, I was definitely tentative. I'm a very type-A person. I like to have everything in my head and organized and laid out. It's been a neat experience for me to not plan ahead and only be able to focus on what's already happened in my character's life, and deal with what comes as it comes in the script.
Do you have a favorite episode for your character this season?
LADIN: I've got a couple episodes that I really, really love. I loved the first two hours for Jamie because I thought it was just such a change from what we've been able to see, and I love that. There's an episode coming up – either Episode 5 or 6 – that I really love. And, there are some down towards the end that I'm having a ball with. There are a few episodes this season that I think are really special, for my character in particular.
What can you say to reassure fans about the Season 2 finale?
LADIN: One of the coolest things about the show is that it allows you and your friends and other fans of the show to sit around and talk about theories. That's a good thing. That's not always a bad thing. Now that we're shooting and I've read the back half of the season, and the end, I think it will be very rewarding for everybody that watches. I think people will be happy with it.
Does this season wrap up in a way that you could see where Season 3 would go?
LADIN: I'm curious about how it would work, but I also have a good idea of how it will or won't work. There's nothing that I could say without giving anything away, but I definitely feel like, at the end of Season 2, the audience will have a clear idea of the plans of Season 3. Much like the Danish series, they managed to do that with other crimes.
Did you finally decide to watch the Danish series, or have you still not watched it?
LADIN: You know, I still haven't. I think I've gone on so far, at this point, that I'll wait. I'm looking at the DVDs of an entire season on my desk, but because it's been this far, I just haven't. To be honest, I haven't had the time, but I will do it. At first, it was very much about me just wanting to come in on my own and be clear. Now, it's just a matter of not having the time to sit down and watch it.
Do you have anything lined up to shoot, once you wrap on Season 2?
LADIN: Yeah, I do. I have one or two things that I'm waiting to hear about, but I'm also working on some personal directing projects of my own. So, I've got some personal things that I'm going to focus on, and then, as far as acting jobs, I guess only the next month will tell.
What is it about directing that appeals to you?
LADIN: I directed in college, and then, once I got out of college, I was acting and started working enough to stay busy, so I haven't really had the chance. Now, I've just decided that it's something I want to try to make a priority, so I'm going to start doing that. I've worked with so many fantastic directors that inspire me, as well as actors, and that's really why I love directing. I love working with actors.
Are you looking to direct something that you've written, or someone else's work?
LADIN: Right now, both. I'm looking at some stuff that I have on paper, as well as being given a few things that other people wrote. If I can do justice to the material, I will do that.
Is there a dream role that you'd love to do, if given the opportunity, or a TV show that you'd love to do a guest spot on?
LADIN: Oh, god, there are so many. I'm such a big television fan, so there's a ton of shows that I like and that I'd love to work on. I love Breaking Bad. I love The Good Wife. I love Damages. That's a show I'd love to work on. There are a lot of shows that I would love to go be a part of, just 'cause I'm a huge fan of the shows themselves. As far as a dream role, I've always wanted to be in a western. I would really love to be in a western. I'm from Texas, so maybe that's why. Is there anything better than guns, riding on a horse and drinking whiskey in a saloon?
The Killing airs on Sunday nights on AMC. If you would like to contact Eric Ladin directly, you can do so at his website at www.EricLadin.com or on Twitter at @EricLadin.


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