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No products
Price each. It flashes when it bounces! Prickly eyeball inside always looks up. Color varies.
Light set of 10 green eyeballs. String multiple sets together.
Features black feathers and colorful foam eyeballs that light up. Requires 3 "AA" batteries, not included. 15" diameter.
Burger King 1999. Price reduced!
See better at night! Long discontinued. Only a few left.
Big enough to put a lamp inside (not included). Ships flat.
Back in stock! It's electrifying! Reacts to your touch! 9 inches across and the ball is 4 inches in diameter.

subset: commoncrawl


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Todd Haynes' 1999 film "Velvet Goldmine" (Miramax) reimagines the Glam rock era and the iconic influence of David Bowie through the kaleidoscopic lens of "Citizen Kane" and the fictionalized persona of rock legend and bi-sexual pop icon Brian Slade (played by Jonathan Rhys-Myers). A young, fresh-faced Christian Bale plays the reporter digging into the mystery of Slade's rise and fall and Ewan MacGregor almost steals the film as the punk pioneer Curt Wild (equal parts Iggy Pop and Kurt Cobain), the genuine article to Slade's calculated, coifed image of glitter stardom.
It's a blast, with bouncy music, flamboyant costumes, a fab sense of period, and a complex narrative interweaving of flashbacks, shifting perspectives, public personas and private personalities with Slade as the film's slippery Charles Foster Kane. But it's also a study in reinvention and the fluid definition of identity and sexuality embraced by the subculture around the music, the first youth movement to openly accept and embrace ideas of bisexuality and homosexuality.
Haynes revisited the film in November when he recorded a brand new commentary track with producer Christine Vachon for the film's Blu-ray debut and talked with Videodrone about the revisiting the film, its reverberations with his other fictionalized biography "I'm Not There" and, as always, what he's been watching.
What are you watching?
Todd Haynes: I'll tell you one really cool thing I watched. I recently met Stephen Sondheim, who is an *intense* movie buff, and he asked me what my favorite Douglas Sirk movie is. And he said, "I have mine," and I said, "Well, I want to hear yours." And he said, "Mine is 'Scandal in Paris' from the late forties," which is one of his very first English-speaking films that Douglas Sirk directed in the United States. You can get it on Amazon. I had read about the movie and I had seen a lot of more obscure Sirk films over the years but it was fantastic. It knocked my socks off. And you can see a connection between the great director Max Ophuls and Sirk like you never have before in this film. That was a complete surprise.
Otherwise I have been watching some of the screeners of new movies that have been coming out bit by bit. I just watched "Young Adult" last night, which I thought was pretty interesting.
Are you a voting member of the Academy?
Haynes: I am.
What are some of the films this year that you have most liked?
Haynes: I had the treat of watching "Hugo," Scorsese's new 3D movie, on Thanksgiving Day at the Ziegfeld Theater. And it was just such a complete and total treat, just visually in its aesthetic, just such a tribute to early cinema and the origins of what obviously started to make Scorsese's mind tick with this love poem to the Méliès story. That was a really fun one. But I'm still waiting to see some serious films that are still emerging. It seems like it's backloaded this year from Christmas so there are still a lot of stuff I haven't seen that I've been hearing about.


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A few weeks before Halloween, I got it into my head that I wanted to do some cooking with pumpkins.
Pumpkins muffins were particularly on my mind.
In early October, I attended an event with a table of goodies, all made by the attendees. Each dish was posted with the corresponding list of ingredients so people knew what was gluten-free, vegan etc. The pumpkin muffins I had were delicious! So flavourful, moist and tender…so I snapped a shot of the ingredients list! Kinda blurry, but there is it!
I spent some time googling those ingredients, trying to find a matching recipe and I came across one that was pretty close, listed at the bottom of this post.
Click here for the recipes or scroll to the bottom of the post.
Along with my desire to make pumpkin muffins came my desire to make my own fresh pumpkin puree rather than going to the store and buying the canned stuff.
B suggested I wait until just after Halloween, as all the remaining pumpkins would be on sale.
Yeah. No.
Well, not that they weren't on sale, but the problem was that they were freakin' hard to find! I scoured my whole neighbourhood…hitting a number of small independent veggie markets as well as the large grocery store nearby. In the end, as I began to consider stealing pumpkins off porches, I came across three of them. I'm thinking they were probably the last three pumpkins in west Toronto!
During my pumpkin scouting adventure, I learned the difference between sugar pumpkins and other not-sugar pumpkins. From what I read, it simply refers to the size of the pumpkin. Six to eight inches in diameter is great for cooking. They bigger they are, the less flavour and texture they have.
Not surprising. Isn't that the way with every fruit and vegetable out there?
So, I walked home with three sugar pumpkins. Wish I had a picture of that! The ultimate in awkward!
Instead, I only have this shot:
Three pumpkins back to my house, all nicely washed! Okay, two nicely washed. Three pumpkins is difficult. Two is do-able.
I had done some reading on creating pumpkin puree and one of the most exciting things about it? I had another opportunity to use my cleaver!!!
Unfortunately, what the websites didn't tell me was that a cleaver isn't the best choice for this job!
Unlike the rutabaga I cleaved to death in a previous post (*sigh* that was SO much fun!), pumpkin doesn't quite work that way. I assume that's due to the hollow centre.
I sadly had to return the cleaver to its hiding place and used a regular chef's knife to get the job done. It was surprisingly easy to halve them.
Next up for pumpkin puree, scrape out the guts. Sounds appetizing, doesn't it?
….It is at this moment that I would like to pause and recognize the annual sacrifice offered by pumpkins everywhere…pie, muffins, soup, cheesecake, even lattes…we are ever thankful
As Buffy put it many years ago (Eeeek! It *really* WAS many years ago!!!)
"I was just thinking about the life of a pumpkin. Grow up in the sun, happily entwined with others, and then someone comes along, cuts you open, and rips your guts out."
So yes, you scrape out guts. I didn't keep the seeds. Thought about roasting them. Got lazy.
Once scraped clean, I cut my pumpkins into four as they seemed to roast faster that way.
I set my oven to 400 F and roasted the pumpkin until it was tender enough to allow a fork or knife to pierce the skin…about 30-45 mins depending.
Once tender, remove them from the oven, set them out and allow them to cool, just a bit. It surprised me how yellow the flesh was…and the skins darkened up quite a bit.
I removed the overcooked black bits bits and while the pieces were still quite hot, I peeled the flesh from the skin into a bowl. I found that the hotter they were, the easier they peeled.
Once I had peeled all of them, I used my handblender to puree the flesh. Then I used a strainer to separate the stingy bits from the purée This took a bit of time but it was worth it to have the smooth consistency at the end.
Two 8 inch pumpkins gave me about 9 cups of purée. I used up some and then froze the rest in 2 cup freezer bags.
So to finish up this post, I will include my pumpkin muffin recipe! As mentioned, I looked up the recipe online and found it…although I question the measurements as the muffins I made weren't as soft and moist as the ones I tried in October. Suggestions? What ingredient would you increase or decrease?
I will say that I had an interesting time finding the appropriate flours to use. One store had them all…but first I had to discover that:
1) tapioca starch is the same as tapioca flour
2) garbanzo bean flour is the same as chickpea flour
Prior to making this recipe, I didn't know either of those things…so I figured I'd share.
I don't have much to add regarding the muffin recipe as it's pretty straightforward.
Dry ingredients? Mix. Wet ingredients? Mix. All ingredients? Mix. Muffin tray. Bake. Done.
Recipe #1 Fresh Pumpkin Puree
Gather some pumpkins…6 to 8 inches in diameter.
I found each pumpkin created approx 4 or 5 cups of puree.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Cut pumpkins in half and scrape out the insides.
Then, cut them into fours.
Place them flesh down on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-45 mins.
The skin will darken and you will know they are done when a knife or fork slides easily through the skin.
Remove from the oven and place upright on either the same sheet or another surface.
Allow them to cool *slightly*. The hotter you can handle, the easier I found it was to peel away the skin. But be careful and don't burn yourself!
Gather all the flesh into a large bowl and go at it with a handblender (or a food processor if you have one).
This next step is optional:
For a smooth purée similar to the canned texture you can purchase, use a strainer and separate the puree from the stringy bits. This will probably take a little bit of time but I found it well worth the effort!
And there you are! Fresh pumpkin purée!
The first time I made it, it took a few hours as I didn't quite know what I was doing.
The second time, I cut my prep time in half so don't give up if it takes awhile the first time around! 🙂
Recipe #2 Yummy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins
- 1/2 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 3 Tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 cup pumpkin puree?
- 1/4 cup grapeseed oil
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Mix wet ingredients together in another bowl and then add to dry ingredients, stirring just until combined.
- Ladle mixture into a muffin tray and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Makes 12 Muffins.
The recipe was found on the internet in a variety of places and has been adapted slightly. The website I used for reference is found here.


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I have been avoiding this blog of late: I'm not sure why. Possibly because it has been cold, and I just feel like snuggling up on the couch under a blanket in the evenings and watching my favourite crime series. Possibly because I've been slightly busier of late… work, volunteering, our photography course, last weekend away in the Blue Mountains… but it hasn't been *that* busy. Maybe I'm just in a rut, or am being lazy about getting out the photo lights as the evenings become dark well before I've made it anywhere near the kitchen. Whatever it is, I continue to cook dinner at home most nights, but nothing seems to make it onto here.
Writing this post has taken me forever. I made, wrote and photographed the recipe almost three weeks ago. This procrastination reminds me of writing assignments in my university days where I would sit on my computer for hours staring into a blank Word document, listening to my favourite playlist on repeat through headphones and secretly flicking back and forward to a million other tabs in my browser. In the end, my old tactic was to just type, something, anything, until the words eventually came, so with two paragraphs down, here we go…
Oven roasting is a great way of bringing out the sweeter notes in vegetables, particularly with some of the less glamorous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower. Roasted red cabbage is my latest addiction. With a bit of heat in the oven, the cabbage crisps up nicely around the edges and becomes incredibly addictive. Cauliflower has also been making the rounds on a lot of menus lately, and for good reason – once roasted it becomes golden brown and has loads more flavour, especially when teamed up with cumin and fennel. It is pretty easy to eat these tasty vegetables straight out of the oven, and admittedly not all of them made it into this warm winter salad. The ones that did however, have been tossed with toasty buckwheat, creamy feta with a sweet-tangy dressing and mint to finish off a complete meal. The recipe below serves 2-3 adults.
By the way, you may have noticed my crossed cutlery over the photo above. I will tell you more about this next week when I (hopefully) have got my writing mojo back, but in short this relates to OzHarvest's and the UN's ThinkEatSave campaign which is tackling the reduction of the vast amount of food waste in the world – with the specific aim to reduce Australia's food waste by 50% by 2025. They would love you to support this cause by giving a personal pledge against food waste – make an "X" from utensils or food items etc (which represents stopping food waste), and post the photo online using the hashtag #thinkeatsave. You know you want to save the world, no one else will…
- 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cauliflower head, florets broken and stalks thickly sliced
- 1/2 large fennel, sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 cup buckwheat groats
- 1/2 bunch mint, leaves picked
- 100 g good quality feta
- A handful of toasted pumpkin seeds (for serving)
- Extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cold pressed sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Add the cabbage to a large baking tray, season with a generous sprinkling of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin and a couple of glugs of olive oil. In a separate baking tray, add the cauliflower and fennel and season in the same manner with salt, cumin and olive oil. Put trays in oven and roast for 40-45 minutes until cooked through. Check and stir every 15 minutes or so, as the vegetables will darken due to the oven temperature – you want them to be a little charred on the edges, and the cabbage crunchy.
- While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the dressing by crushing the garlic clove with salt using the edge of your knife or a mortar and pestle. Add the lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, sesame oil, cumin and chilli flakes and mix well. Season to taste with salt, and add more olive oil or lemon juice, if necessary.
- Prepare the buckwheat groats: toast them in a dry frypan for 5 minutes on medium heat. While they are toasting, bring to boil 1.5 cups of water in a separate medium saucepan. Once the water is boiling and the buckwheat smells nutty and toasty, add it to the saucepan and turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until cooked through. Drain any water, if left in the saucepan and add the buckwheat to a large serving bowl.
- Once the vegetables are ready, add them to the bowl with the buckwheat, mint and feta. Stir through the dressing and top with the toasted pumpkin seeds to serve.


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Fixing an unbootable computer after a failed grub installation can be a bit tricky.
Here's what I ended up doing.
First of all, boot the machine up and get access to the root partition:
Step 1. Get a Debian installation CD for the same architecture
The distro version doesn't matter too much: a lenny CD will boot squeeze just fine.
Step 2.Boot the install CD and select Rescue mode under Advanced options.
Step 3. Answer the language, keyboard and network questions any way you want and provide the decryption passphrases for any of the encrypted partitions you need to mount.
Step 4.When prompted, request a shell on the root partition:
If you need to upgrade the version of the grub package
a) Make sure that the network interface is up (ifup eth0).
b) Make sure that /etc/resolv.conf has at least one nameserver line, otherwise add one.
c) Install the latest version using apt-get or dpkg.
Step 5.Now that you have the right grub version, run the following
grub-install /dev/hda
Step 6.Finally, reboot.


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The Best of the Music & Art Scene In New York From A to G. Daily!
Posted by The G on December 9, 2012 under Street Art | Comments are off for this article
Photo by G. Art by 624713 Art Collective.
624713 Art Collective
Tags: 2012, 624713 Art Collective, New York, Photo, Street Art
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Zildjian produces cymbals from two different processes. The traditional Cast Bronze, and the more economical Pre-Formed Bronze...
When Native Instruments first introduced Maschine to the audio world a few years ago, it was a new concept that proved to be an instant hit. Since that initial introduction, Maschine has risen to become the premier hybrid music production tool for both studio and live performance.
Singer-songwriters are often referred to as Troubadours. Since the 1960s, a certain kind of troubadour has strapped on an acoustic guitar and told a story. These stories are often based on personal experiences or observations about the world. Some singer-songwriters prefer the traditional approach of an un-amplified context. Some gravitate towards an amplified scenario, one that is more in-step with modern trends. The Martin D-28 and GPCPA4 are the best choices for singer-songwriters, addressing the unique needs of each type of artist.
The electric guitar was introduced to most of the world in the 1950s. It was the Classic Rock era that saw it emerge as a dominant instrument in popular music. During the 1960s and 1970s, electric guitarists took their craft to new levels. More than ever, riffs drove songs and the guitar solo became part of the vernacular.
Few would argue that Fender has produced some of the most popular electric guitars of all time. What is so impressive about this is that musicians spanning a wide range of genres have favored their guitars. From Country to Funk, Fender's products have been the tool-set for hobbyists and professionals in virtually every category of music. But what about Rock? Which two Fender guitars are best suited for the Rock player who is ready to make a new purchase? Fender's American Deluxe Strat HSS and Jim Root Telecaster are the top two choices for Rock players
What happens when you take a shiny new guitar and deliberately age it to look like true vintage material?
Fender Bass guitars need no introduction. Every aspiring guitarist worth his passion and talent dreams of owning not just one guitar but an entire range of electric guitars by Fender.
As one of the world's best-loved manufacturers of electric guitars and acoustic electric guitars, Fender is best known for creating distinctive models such as the Telecaster and the Stratocaster.
Fender Guitars has a pop culture mystique that attracts big names who give world class performances across a wide array of musical genres. Acoustic Electric Guitars form a significant section of the full line of Fender Guitars product offerings.
Power Amplifiers can really scream and that's not just for genres like rock and roll. With the added compactness and portability, the power amplifier offers high value for money. There is definitely no need for extra power while on the road.
Introducing Fender's Blacktop Series-in other words, the most powerful humbucking-equipped guitars you will ever wrap your arms around. Expanding on the designs of the classic Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, and Jaguar guitars, the Blacktop series provides rich, heavy sounds, hot enough to nail aggressive rock sounds.
The Fender Artist Series honors many of the world's most famous guitarists who found their musical soulmates using Fender guitars. Iconic images and video of guitar legends with their Fender Basses or Fender Electric Guitars continues to motivate many students to purchase their first acoustic electric guitar from the celebrated guitar vendor that their music idol uses.
Learning to play a guitar well is one goal. Keeping the guitar in top performance condition is the other. Every guitar instructor encourages students to understand some guitar accessories are requirements. Seasoned professionals get downright picky if their guitars are not tuned properly or the string gauge makes the sound tinny.
Ibanez Guitars continues to gather legions of fans in American music circles. With original roots from Spain, Ibanez Electric Guitars enjoys a storied history of a guitar business that developed an iconic style for electric guitars. Forging a mass production business model, the Japanese guitar maker made 7 and 8 string guitars available to an eager public and a new guitar star was born.
Like shopping for ice cream, picking out a Gibson guitar is a lot of fun. However, it can also be challenging, especially when faced with endless menu possibilities, each one looking better than the other. Do you want Limited Edition, SG Standard, SG Standard P90, sprinkles or humbuckers? Like a giant buffet of ice cream, it's difficult deciding which model you want more and now you've found yourself caught between the rock and the roll.
From the year it was founded in 1964, Bose has been the unmatched leader for sound systems because of the innovations that it has introduced in the field of sound technology. Today's most acclaimed innovation is the Bose PA Systems L1 series. This series merges PA and monitors into a portable line array system which has refined the quality of live sound, produced through its proprietary Bose technology.
So you want to be a rock 'n roll star! That, or start up a new hobby to fill the time. Wherever your future endeavors may take you—the stage, the studio, the comfy living room couch—the first step in embarking on your wonderful journey is purchasing a guitar. With all the various options and styles to choose from, it might seem overwhelming trying to decide which guitar would be best for a beginner.
For music connoisseurs, acoustic gurus and those who value the essence of clear sound, a good PA speaker is held in high esteem. In this age when tomorrow's technology is here today the best and only the best can survive. QSC PA Speakers and PA Systems strike the right note with their performance and price.
Guitars have universal sex appeal. Yamaha Guitars fosters lifelong relationships with musicians because of the ease of learning on a Yamaha acoustic guitars. Some notable best-selling artists learned to play on a Yamaha guitar. Student musicians rely on the name Yamaha for their first guitar purchase. Yamaha provides a full range of guitars while retaining the wonderful harmonic tone production that guitarists expect.
Students eager to strum and finger picking pros will turn out great performances with an acoustic electric guitar from the Taylor Grand Auditorium Series. Famous for superb sound and world class good looks, Taylor Guitars delivers brilliant acoustic electric guitars that kick up their heels with a bit more volume using custom Expression System® (ES).
Having the right bass amp is as vital as having the right bass – after all, it is the tool used to amplify sound. To get into the groove with the most powerful, crystal-clear sounding, deep thumping bass amps, check out the guitar bass amps section of our site. Only American Musical Supply offers the lowest prices on today's hottest bass amps from Ampeg Heads, Fender Bass Amps, and Behringer Bass amps with great prices, fast shipping, and top-rated customer service.
Fender American Deluxe Series has been crafted to perfection since its initial debut in 1998 and its 2004 upgrade. Undergoing such massive facelifts are the American Deluxe Stratocaster, American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS, American Deluxe Stratocaster V Neck, American Deluxe Stratocaster Ash, American Deluxe Telecaster and American Deluxe Telecaster Ash, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, and Jazz Bass V.
What started as a simple string and pedal sales catalog has grown exponentially over the past thirty years. The early days were a time where catalogs didn't have much of a presence in the industry, but what began as a college dorm room operation grew rapidly. In 1986 we moved to a full product offering and 64-page catalog, which over the years has grown to 162 pages. Join the AMS family and get your free catalog now!
Copyright © 1996-2018 American Musical Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. American Musical Supply reserves the right to correct pricing and/or product specifications in the event of typographical errors found in our print catalog or on our website. If a product is listed at an incorrect price due to such errors or because of inaccurate information received from a supplier, American Musical Supply shall have the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed, whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged. If your credit card has already been charged for the purchase and your order is canceled, American Musical Supply will issue a credit to your credit card account in the amount of the charge.


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So I'm Starting a Magazine…
December 21, 2007
Well my cohost on the seemingly (but not really!) defunct podcast "Instant Gratification" and I are going to start a Sacramento-centered pop culture magazine called NINE1SIX. It's going to be pretty fantastic. I don't really wanna go into all of the details as to what we're gonna have yet, but you can rest easy that it'll be pretty awesome.
And in a similar area, NINE1SIX will be hosting Instant Gratification once it's up and running, and the podcast itself will be getting (another) complete overhaul. This time we think that what we're changing it to will be both more enjoyable (nay, bearable) to listen to and easier to put together. With a bit of initial work, all we'll have to do is record some content and then I edit it to become a much more polished 30 minute show. As with the magazine, I'll leave the details for the re-launch. If you want to check the podcast out, the first 5 episodes are up at it's blog, but you ought to hurry as those will be taken down and classified "IG Classic" and saved for later. We'll be restarting the numbering at 1 once the move takes place.
Oh, and for the website, my Creative Director (Edward) and I had a really fantastic photo shoot with his photographer friend. I'll go ahead and post one of the really good headshots she took, but you'll have to wait with mounting anticipation for the rest!K, well I'm outta here. My fingers feel like icicles as I'm sitting outside at the True Love Coffee House downtown, and typing is becoming increasingly impossible.It was nice catching up. We should do it again sometime.


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This sarcophagus is certainly an admirable engineering accomplishment : it is the largest movable object ever built by humanity, but it is useless health wise.For the same €1.5bn Ukraine could've built an advanced molten salt test reactor and prototype. They could've had cheaper, safer nuclear power instead of relying on Russian gas so much. €500 million of that money came from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Rather construct and develop something useful to increase wealth. They chose to throw the money away.
The world is spending €1.5bn (one and a half billion euros) to protect itself from harmless levels of radiation.
A blog about nuclear power. Also debunking false claims about radiation, and nuclear power.
Thursday, 8 December 2016
Sarcy sarcophagus
Big song and dance over €1.5bn spent on a sarcophagus, or shield, above the exploded Chernobyl reactor. But what was the point of it? It protects no one from radiation. Radiation travels in straight lines. No one flies in the airspace above the reactor. A shield around the reactor could've been something as simple are a 4 metre wide earthwork about 5 metres high. The 3 neighboring reactors at Chernobyl continued operation for years after. They were shut in 1991, 1996, and 2000. For 14 years, when the radiation levels are much higher than now, workers continued to operate those reactors. The sarcophagus is a 1.5 billion Euro moral statement financed by Chernobyl Shelter Fund saying : nuclear power is forever dangerous - be very afraid.
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I have started my first project of the year - here's a sneak peak of part of it:
I'll post the rest when it's done - but remember today was my first day back at work so it could be a while...
As well as the cardigan and jumper I'm knitting there are quiet a few things I want to make this year:
- jewellery display case
- lyrical cushions
- cover for rocking chair cover
- crochet blanket
- quilt (I've never done any quilting before)
- embroidered piece for my bedroom wall (no idea what yet though!)
- knit gloves (yep ones with fingers - I will defeat my fear!)
- new pinboard display for the kitchen
- try some amigurumi
- sort out a blog banner - maybe a redesign?
- make some Christmas decorations (thinking ahead!)
- another hat (I love my green one)
- knit a dress
- crochet a shawl


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It's Your Choice 2016
Plan Design Options
Below are the health plan designs you have to choose from. Take a moment to read about these options and see which one is best for you. Not everyone is eligible for HDHP; see eligibility information below. For benefit information, see the Comparison of Medical Benefits chart.
This page was last modified on: 9/25/2015 4:34:15 PM


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Pulmonary Nurse Salary
If you are thinking about starting a career as a pulmonary nurse, you should be excited about the career ahead of you. It may require extensive hours and training, but all of that will be worth the hassle when you see your paycheck. Pulmonary nurses make pretty good money from the start, and they have the ability to improve their earnings throughout their career. Thus you should have no trouble supporting your family in this profession. Here are some pulmonary nurse salary statistics you may refer to before starting your job.
Pulmonary Nurse Salary by Years of Experience
As you may expect, the average salary for pulmonary nurses changes with experience. The more you know about the field, the better you will be paid. That is why it is important to research this career early on so you know for a fact that it is right for you. If you stick with it, your pay will increase substantially. Typical salaries by years of experience include:
- Less than 1 year of experience: $29,277 – $51,712 per year
- 1-4 years of experience: $30,400 – $59,316 per year
- 5-9 years of experience: $33,935 – $73,491 per year
- 10-19 years of experience: $35,518 – $70,692 per year
- 20 years of experience or more: $43,292 – $74,910 per year
Pulmonary Nurse Salary by Industry
The place you work for will inevitably have an influence on the money you make. Some employers need pulmonary nurses more than others, and they are willing to pay good money to get the best of the best. Typical salaries by industry include:
- Acute Care Hospital: $30,201 – $64,564 per year
- Durable Medical Equipment: $36,832 – $46,600 per year
- Healthcare: $32,460 – $69,040 per year
- Home Health Care: $43,664 – $74,497 per year
- Hospital: $31,693 – $62,509 per year
- Medical Equipment & Supplies: $29,479 – $50,868 per year
- Medical Services: $39,305 – $75,000 per year
Pulmonary Nurse Salary by Certification
If you do not have a certification yet, you will need one to secure a pulmonary nurse job. There are several to choose from, and they will all come with different pay rates to keep in mind. Typical salaries by certification include:
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support: $32,149 – $66,901 per year
- Basic Life Support: $31,409 – $59,598 per year
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: $37,937 – $58,958 per year
- Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician: $36,495 – $62,716 per year
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program: $36,539 – $55,000 per year
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support: $38,062 – $64,000 per year
- Registered Respiratory Therapist: $36,033 – $71,737 per year
Pulmonary Nurse Salary by State
The United States is fraught with varying economic conditions. One state may have plenty of money flowing through its hospitals, and others may be on tight budgets with limited salaries. You have to take this into consideration when you start assessing your potential pay. Typical salaries by state include:
- California: $39,355 – $72,670 per year
- Florida: $32,973 – $72,719 per year
- Georgia: $24,793 – $51,661 per year
- Illinois: $24,730 – $72,719 per year
- New York: $33,000 – $71,817 per year
- Pennsylvania: $24,511 – $61,927 per year
- Texas: $30,037 – $62,175 per year
Note that the information above is courtesy of PayScale.com as of June 8, 2012. It may not reflect the information at the time you read this article.


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Date(s) - 11/12/2017
7:00 pm
Edmonds Center for the Arts
In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles
You already know and love the songs, now 'In My Life: A Musical Theatre Tribute to the Beatles' gives you a chance to get a fresh perspective on the story of the band that made them. 'In My Life' tells the Fab Four's tale through the eyes of their late manager, Brian Epstein, who acts as narrator to renowned tribute band Abbey Road's live performance of some 33 Beatles classics. From their groundbreaking appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to the psychedelic era of Sgt. Pepper's and beyond, this exciting production gives new life to the story of rock's greatest band.
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How Do the Courts in Ohio View Domestic Violence Charges?
Interviewer: How do the courts view people a person convicted or accused of domestic violence? Are they really hard on them or do they show leniency?
Adam: To a degree, the first thing they're going to do is put a no contact order in with the victim. Then again, it's going to depend on the court, and the judge, and the prosecutor what they want to do, and how they want to handle the situation. They will take into account how strong of a case it's going to be at that point in time.
What Is the Typical Domestic Violence Occurrence?
Interviewer: What's your typical domestic violence scenario? Is it just arguing, or is it people literally beating each other up, and someone calls the police?
Adam: Typically the defendants tend to be male. The scenario ranges from anywhere from maybe he did push her or even restrained her and that action would be sufficient to qualify for domestic violence. Sometimes it's probably exaggerated. You do have people calling in false reports.
To a degree, domestic violence accusations have to be serious enough to actually at least arrest the person and then let the prosecutor determine whether there's sufficient evidence to go forward with a case.
Has Society's Views on Domestic Violence Changed?
Interviewer: In the old days couples would fight, and then maybe the police would say, "Oh well that's what couple do," and people wouldn't be arrested. Nowadays if the police are called, and the couple states that they were just arguing but all is now fine, will the police walk away, or will they always make an arrest?
The Police Make the Initial Determination During a Domestic Violence Allegation
Adam: It's going to depend on the situation. It will depend on what was alleged during a 911 call, if somebody else reported it, and the police will conduct their investigation and make their own determination on whether to arrest somebody.
Interviewer: I didn't know if they have discretion anymore or if they are going to always make an arrest if they are called to the scene.
Most Commonly, the Police Will Make an Arrest if They Are Called to a Domestic Violence Scene
Adam: To a degree they're probably almost always going to arrest one of the parties.
Most Domestic Violence Charges Originate With 2 Parties Arguing
Interviewer: When a client contacts you, what's the common back-story? Does the charge stem from usually just arguing, or usually when people have physical contact? Are there other commonalities that you can you tell me?
Adam: Usually it's arguing that tends to have escalated. More and more I see one of the parties discovers a text message on the other party's telephone, and whether or not the other party's cheating on them or not is one thing, but that's usually what the source of it is.
By Adam Hunt


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A family member of mine is going through some life-changing events. Whenever that happens, I find myself compelled to examine my own life. To him, I have offered the kind words, the solace, the love only a sister can. But I know the best thing I can offer is not help, but validation. Not suggestions, but just the relating of my own wounded experiences.
Also not lost on me is the finality the month of December can bring. Even before the looming of the first of the year commercially challenges me to make change and resolutions, I find I am doing it anyway. I am silently grading my year, checking off invisible boxes and begrudgingly drawing in new ones. The self-examination at the end of any year can be a chafing process, raw and emotional. But for me, no more so than this year.
At the top of the year, I started the job I wanted more than I wanted to take my next breath. I loved it then and I still do now. We had our company Christmas party this past Friday and I was once again reminded that this company values us, the employees, like no other company I have ever worked for before. On the same day, tragedy struck our nation and we lost wonderful people and precious children. The dichotomy struck me and made me nearly raw.
My husband dealt with an emotionally draining matter on his own this year for so long before he told me. I cried for him, then for us, as I realized this was as it should be. It, and the aftermath, brought us closer in a way I have never felt in our dozen-plus years together. I love my husband and always have, but this year, I learned that I like him. Mind-blowing.
The purpose of this post, as suggested by the title, is how the Phoenix rises from the ashes.
This year more than any other, I understand that now. How ruin can define us or realign us. How only from destruction can there be resurrection. How only from the wreckage must the bird begin his flight.
I feel like that bird now. Purposeful. Driven. Directed. My wings have been battered, my feathers torn off, and still I am compelled to fly.
As a writer, I feel that attitude permeating my work. Regeneration. Reconfiguration. Resurgence. I'm writing in genres I've never tackled and allowing my characters to be stupid. Ignorant. Cocky. Afraid. I'm allowing my characters to be me. And they are living and breathing inside me and spilling out onto my keyboard. And I like them. I want to have a beer with them, go shopping with them, giggle with them over a silly movie. They are my friends. And I don't think I could say that about them two years ago. Or maybe even one.
And this next year, 2013 in the year of our Lord, let's kick the shit out of that wall.


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The Lethbridge 2012 Pinot Noir not only won a gold medal at the 2015 Sommelier Wine Awards in the category 'New World Pinots, Rest of the World' but went on to clinche the major prize of Best Wine of The Year 2015 at The Sommelier Wine Awards
The Sommelier Wine Awards is a wine competition with a difference. Britain's only on-trade/restaurant wine competition, it focuses entirely on wines aimed at the on-trade. Since it started in 2007 it has grown to become the first point of reference for the UK's on-trade wine buyers and this year over 2500 wines were enterd.
And here is what the judges said about the Lethbridge 2012 Pinot Noir:
'Serious but elegant, intensity and complexity took Lethbridge to the winners' circle. Athila Roos of The Arts Club admired the 'classic, beautiful Pinot nose' on this example, adding: 'Fragrant red berries and petals, soft and inviting. Silky texture with extract and density, mineral undertones and a complex, layered finish.' 'The palate is savoury and meaty, with texture and firm tannins,' said Vincent Pastorello of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, suggesting matches ranging from turbot with a red wine sauce to boeuf bourguignon.
You can read more reviews of this wine on our 'Wine and Shop' page here.


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From the runway to the streets to your way.... How will you wear this trend?
I love this feminine full skirted look! wear it with a button down, a graphic tee or a sweater to stay warm :)Skirt 1. Asos 98euro
Skirt 2. Asos 47euro
Skirt 3. Asos 23euros (on sale now!)
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @FemiMeaux


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Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Happy Wednesday to you.
I saw a really good movie this weekend called The Messenger with Woody Harrelson. It is about a soldier that was injured in the Middle East war with three months still to go in his stint in the Army. He was put with seasoned veteran (Woody) and their job was to let the next of kin know that their loved one had been killed in the war. I know, doesn't sound fun. This movie was very heavy but I thought was really, really good.
Today's topic is our bodies. I remember getting out of school in my physical prime and kind of laughing at the courses I saw about posture. I kept hearing about these special chairs that would save your body. "Yeah right! I am not going to spend $2000 on a chair!"
I was 26 and thought I was indestructible. I am 43 now and I am feeling pretty destructible. About three months ago, I was getting a stiff neck. I had no problem looking to my left but my neck would hurt if I looked to the right. I had trouble driving when I needed to look over before I changed lanes. No big deal. I just rubbed my neck and I thought it would go away.
After a month, it was still there. I realized that, although I think I have good posture while I work (the loupes I wear keep me from bending in to see), I can only see if I am about 22 inches from the subject. When I want to see the lingual of #11, I just bend over and see it straight on. When I want to see something like the mesial of #5, as I create the anatomy, I bend way over just to look at it. I can use the mirror, but sometimes looking at it straight on is nice. I started to realize this is probably part of the problem. Also, I am a left side of the bed kind of guy when I sleep. I would sleep on my belly with my head turned left. All this being said, my head didn't turn right very well.
Another month went by and I still had a stiff neck. Being the dude that I am, I was still not that concerned. I had trouble moving my head to the right. I was constantly be rubbing my neck where the trapezius muscle attaches to the base of the skull, stretching down about 4 inches. Yeah, right there.
So one day, I asked my wife if she wouldn't mind switching to the left side of the bed. She was not really happy about it, but she understood. We did this for about a month, but things were not much better. Another month gone by and finally this thing was on my radar.
Then I started getting pain. But it was in a different place. It was in the center of my neck, exactly where the back of my skull meets my neck. If I push on it, it hurts. Radar is definitely picking this up.
The heightened awareness started to become neurosis. I started thinking about my disability. This is it, Of all the things that I do to possibly injure myself... Chainsaws, ice skating (this is dangerous because we live in Florida and I don't know how to ice skate), snowboarding, driving, and flying, are just some of the stupid things I do that I could result in injury. But no. It is looking at the lingual of #11 that is going to be the end of me.
After pain radar went off, I started to notice other things. My left shoulder has limited mobility that I pretty much ignore. I have had feet problems for a long time that I just ignore also (I think I have plantar fasciitis), but limping around the house most of the time is hard to ignore.
Okay, so I have pain, in my neck. I have pain in my shoulder and in my feet. What the heck am I supposed to do about it now? I can't stop practicing dentistry. I can't stop holding the mirror. I just don't know.
But it was even more than that. I started to think about what it would mean if this were serious. What if I have some degenerative issue in my neck? What if my neurosurgeon tells me that I have to stop practicing dentistry? What if I need surgery and recovery would mean I have to be on bed rest (right side of the bed, of course) for 4 months? What if? What if? What if? I was going crazy.
I have maxed out my disability insurance. I think I would be entitled to something like $90,000 a year (after taxes) if I got hurt. That means we would have to have a significant lifestyle change. We would have to move. We would have to decide to do homeschool or not (heck, I wouldn't be working). But I couldn't just not do anything. What the heck would I do?
Could I teach? Would I have to move to Gainesville or Ft. Lauderdale? Could I consult? It is strange that I am thinking like this? It is very upsetting to me to think I wouldn't be able to do dentistry anymore. I have heard that some disability policies don't allow you to work. Do I have that one? I don't know. I haven't looked at the policy in 15 years.
Man, all this because I have a stiff neck. My mind goes crazy sometimes. But I am writing this blog to make us all think. Are you 26 and think you are never going to get hurt? Are you 40 and feel the same way? Things will change, my sisters and brothers. Trust me. You have to get disability insurance, but you have to take care of yourself. You have to sit better. You have to improve your posture.
Has your body started to give out on you? Do you have aches and pains? Have you had to use your insurance because of an injury? I would like to know.
Have a great Wednesday.
P.S. My neck has improved because I have made a custom pillow for my head. Also, as it turns out, I think my running might be doing it. Did I tell you that I am signed up to do the New York Marathon in November? I have been ramping up the training. I am doing about 30-40 miles a week. I noticed that my neck hurts the day after I run. I might have to take up rowing or something after this marathon.
4 comments:
John, I know you are a "dude" but you really should look into getting bodywork done (read "neuromuscular massage" or if that is too girly, physical therapy). We emphasize prevention in dentistry but it applies to aging muscles and connective tissue as well. A consistent schedule of bodywork or sports therapy, especially with the marathon training you do, will allow you to do what you love and lose some of the angst about whether or not this is serious. Of course, an radiographic exam would rule out major spine and/or disc issues, but the therapy can prevent much damage from chronic occupational issues. I speak from 20 years of personal experience with musculoskeletal issues....Cynthia Becker DDS MAGD (55th birthday coming up way too soon.....)
- August 22, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Take up biking. It's the bombdiggity. Get some padded britches and you're all set for your low impact sport. Central Florida is a biker's heaven!!!
- August 22, 2012 at 12:06 PM
- gatordmd said...
The biking is an option but I don't think I would look good in the spandex biking shorts.
Come to think of it, maybe I would.
- August 22, 2012 at 1:15 PM
- Lilya Horowitz said...
Yoga is amazing. Makes you feel great and is a great counter exercise when you are doing something hardcore like marathon training.
- August 22, 2012 at 6:32 PM
The statements expressed on this blog to include the bloggers postings do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), nor do they imply endorsement by the AGD.


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WPA Map of San Francisco Part 5
1 week ago
Wonderful coloursReplyDelete
It does look pretty and peaceful. Google had us taking the 880 back into San Francisco from Monterey and then across the Bay Bridge back to the Embarcadero Center. We decided to use the GPS on our fancy new phones and while sitting in line at the toll booth the "lady" said to us "In .3 miles make a U-Turn"!ReplyDelete
Isn't it fantastic how Nature does things when given the chance?ReplyDelete
Wow, really looks like a place to hang-out & relax. Haven't gone to this place yet & will definitely check it out.ReplyDelete


text: Posted by: jsharpe on October 13, 2016 in Industry News, Product News Leave a comment Forget ties and socks – Tools are the best Christmas presents for professional tradespeople Early birds start searching as early as summer, while most people get around to it in late autumn or even right before Christmas, but everyone is faced with the same question: "What should I get my friends and family for Christmas?" The Black Forest hand tool manufacturer Wiha Werkzeuge is offering a practical and high-quality alternative to the standard range of last-minute gifts like ties, slippers, and socks. The Wiha hand tool gift ideas and advent calendars are wrapped in a festive look for the holiday season. With these products, Wiha offers clever, innovative, and ergonomic hand tool solutions which all recipients will enjoy. Rather than delicate chocolate, these "steel assistants" can communicate a variety of messages regarding their significance for the holidays. "The right tool makes everything so much easier!" or "Good luck, go for it!" or simply "Good work, keep it up!". The exclusive set composition of the limited-edition "Special Edition" version comprising 24 premium hand tools encompasses various screwdrivers from the SoftFinish® electric and PicoFinish® electric ranges, as well as various VDE-tested pliers, stripping tools, a voltage tester, 12 bits in the Wiha FlipSelector with a bit holder, a switch cabinet key, and the clever Stubby magazine bit holder. A Sortimo L-Boxx is included to ensure orderly tool storage. Thus, it features a targeted and user-friendly selection of professional hand tools, perfect for tradespeople who place value on safety and their own well-being. After opening all 24 doors, the new owners of the "Standard" variant will be just as pleased with their complete tool set including L-keys, SoftFinish® and PicoFinish® screwdrivers, precision mechanics diagonal cutters, and a bit set housed in the FlipSelector. In addition, the "final" tool bag on Christmas Eve provides the suitable storage solution for all the contents. The Wiha advent calendars and gift packages are available from specialist distributors. A specialist trade partner near you can be found at www.wiha.com. Share ! tweet


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A Monthly Magazine Devoted to the Interests of the Working People
Vol. 3, No. 6
Vlag, Piet (editor)
New York: The Masses Publishing Co., 1912-06
20 p.; 34.5 x 27.5 cm.
The Modernist Journals Project does not own nor does it assert any copyright in the contents of this object. This object has been reproduced and made available on this site based on its public domain status in the United States. If you live outside the United States, please check the laws of your country before downloading any of these materials. As this digital object contains certain embedded technical functionality, individuals interested in reproducing this digital object in a publication, web site or for any commercial purpose must first receive permission from the Modernist Journals Project.
For further information, please contact:
Modernist Journals Project
Box 1957, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912-1957
- Cover Image: The Proletarian (Winter, Chas. A.): 1-1
- Contents: 2-2
- Editorial Advertisements: 2-2
- Organized Labor (Maurer, James H.): 2-2
- With the Coffee and Cigars (Spargo, John): 2-2
- Front Advertisements: 2-2
- Editorials: 3-3
- Frontispiece: The Miner Emerges (Robinson, Boardman): 4-4
- The Coal Strike Here and Abroad (McMahon, John R.): 5-5
- The Devil and the Deep Sea (Untermeyer, Louis): 6-6, 19-19
- Man on Shore Lifts Blindfold (Robinson, Robert): 6-6
- The Word of the Lord (White, Bouck): 7-7, 14-14
- Germinal—IV: The Revolt (Zola, Emile; Sonnichsen, Albert): 8-9
- Materialism of the German Working-Class (Our European Representative): 10-10, 19-19
- The Education of 'Little Innocence' (Hartpence, Alanson): 11-12
- Asiatic Immigration: How About It? (Wanhope, Joshua): 12-12
- Volharding: The Hague Holland (Vlag, Piet): 13-14
- The Way You Look at It (Winslow, Horatio): 14-14
- The Other Way (Gillmore, Inez Haynes): 15-16, 19-19
- Why Am I for Commission Government (Coates, David C.): 16-16
- The Weakness of Commission Government (Thompson, Carl D.): 16-16
- Progress and the Workingman (Cohen, Joseph E.): 17-17
- The Latest News from Palestine (Weeks, Rufus W.): 18-19
- Back Advertisements: 17-17, 19-20


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Ask Me Anything
I've challenged myself to 30 posts in 30 days. So…. what do you want me to write about? Give me questions and each day for the month of August I'll write a blog post on the most interesting question I've received to date.
Leave your question in the comments below or use the Ask Me Anything page. If you use the page, I'll email you a reply even if your question doesn't make a blog post.
And let me know if you'd like a shout out, ala
"This question comes from long time listener, first time caller Joe Shmoe. Thanks, Joe! Joe wants to know…"
Challenge on.


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Westborough – Blue Slipper Court No. 18, Order of the Amaranth is hosting a dinner and dance Friday, Aug. 22, from 6-11 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus, 206 South Quinsigamond Ave., Shrewsbury. The event is open to the public with a DJ and a cash bar.
Tickets are $20 per person or $35 per couple before Aug. 20, and $25 per person or $40 per couple at the door. For information and tickets, contact Christina or Steve Qualey at 508-887-8817. Proceeds to benefit Blue Slipper Court's Ways and Means, which supports the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation.


text: In a skillet on medium-high heat, saute the bacon for 5 minutes, stirring often, until brown and crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towel and set aside. Remove the excess bacon fat from the pan. Add the blanched cauliflower and butter and cook stirring often, to coat them with the butter for 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Add the honey and 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Let the cauliflower brown, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Meanwhile, in a bowl mix the arugula, shallots, remaining red wine vinegar, and olive oil. Season the salad with salt, and pepper, to taste. When ready to serve, mix the arugula salad with the cauliflower and garnish with pine nuts.


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By Phil Szostak
Foreword by Rick Carter
Published by Abrams Books
Reviewed by Scott Weller
"Imagination has no end." Words spoken by Mark Hamill back in 1980 highlighting the continuing beauty and wonder associated with the visual creation of the incredible STAR WARS saga by George Lucas. That same spirit of beauty, creativity and inspirational zest now hard at work within the conception and reality-based execution of the latest spectacular entry of the incredible cinematic legacy with THE FORCE AWAKENS, whose well-pitched blend of emotion, drama and aesthetically pleasing thrills have so captured the world's hearts, and whose design origins from art to celluloid life is charted by Lucasfilm Archivist Phil Szostak in his striking new book THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, given glorious publication by ABRAMS BOOKS.
From the official announcement of newly inaugurated company President Kathleen Kennedy's taking the reins of LUCASFILM LTD from the much-missed George Lucas, to the short, swift and invigorating news of October 2012 that surprised fans everywhere-news that a new set of STAR WARS films was incoming, followed by the quick throwing in of the assistance hat to make those adventures a reality by longtime film designer and friend to Spielberg and Kennedy, Oscar-winning production designer Rick Carter. This was soon followed by STAR WARS Prequel ingénue Doug Chiang, who truly wanted to work on the evolution of the visual storytelling of the new sequels- the important building blocks of their willing recruitment to the new era charted efficiently by Szostak. This love for the resurrected STAR WARS soon brought together a further collective pool of visualists like no other as the calender reached January of 2103 (and expanding even further into the following year), as acclaimed storyteller Michael Arndt's emergence as screen writer caught attention, followed by the final acceptance of directing wunderkid J.J. Abrams, despite his early reticence and having just completed the most recent revival of another successful sci-fi franchise in the STAR TREK series, with its second re-imagined entry: INTO DARKNESS.
The first genuine brainstorming meeting during January 2013 must surely have looked like something out of DR. STRANGELOVE at first, but it soon proved a successful, well-honed conflagration of minds, determining what they thought was necessary to recapture those original elements of that first 1977 film that had been so successful and indelibly linked, nay hardwired, into their mindsets. Rick Carter's foreword to this very special book importantly reveals what STAR WARS, created by George Lucas, meant to him, and how he wanted to bring that magic back to life in symbiosis, and through the eyes of superfan Abrams, and with the at-the-peak-of-their powers, fast-moving conceptual/design team of artists. There's a stressing of the underlying importance of rediscovering what made the original three films, especially the later titled A New Hope, so great, plus a fascinating what would happen next? discovery and mixing of story and art of which they've clearly, eagerly wanted to reveal after the closing of Luke Skywalker's story with the redemption of his father…
|An older but no less ready for action "Han Solo". Art by Christian Alzmann and Iain McCaig.
The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak © Abrams Books, 2015
(C) 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. And TM. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization
As this new storyline emerges, so too does its new young heroes in plucky Kira and charismatic Sam, who'd eventually become our Rey and Finn, immersed within a whole host of intriguing ideas, concepts and art concoctions, separately, together, and, most importantly, inter-mixing with the anticipated return of the Classic Trilogy heroes- the LUCASFILM artists having the equal thrill and responsibility to show us what they'd now look like and also what the've been up to in the 35 years since RETURN OF THE JEDI. Striking tapestries in the book show Han Solo as a tough guy in the best John Wayne/TRUE GRIT tradition, to an ethereal-like, at one with the nature of the Force, and partially submerged in the sand Luke Skywalker, berthed in an unusual but striking illustration.
Then there'd be the classic vehicles they'd all be using/travelling in, like the Millennium Falcon, Rebel/Resistance starfighters and Empire/ First Order Star Destroyers- how they would evolve and change with the times and the demands of a new/old audience. Now a rich and open palette for them to explore, the designers soon unleash their visions in astounding speed- the classic image of the powerful and dominant Star Destroyer, in particular, now becoming a ghostly shrine of an historical war not yet witnessed, crash-landed in the wastelands of that far-off desert realm/scavengers paradise of Jakku, and being one of the first conceptual images to make it across the production process and into the onscreen end product, done in such a successful and hauntingly prescient way. Other shots in this book would later equally become as well captured, surely making the crew justifiably proud of their gestating accomplishments.
In isn't stated so much, but some of the early work presented in this period could also have come from some of the ideas developed by George Lucas for his original draft/concept for the new sequel saga, the one which helped cement the original sale of the franchise to DISNEY, and which would ultimately, sadly, be pushed aside- all of this part of the production history quietly ignored for the rest of the book, in favour of the new-yet-old direction that basically reworked so much of the Classic Trilogy with what would be a new vitality and zest- J.J.'s "going backwards to move forwards" idea which has, ultimately, worked with audiences young and old, and propelled the film way past the billion dollar mark globally.
|"Saber Studies." Art by Ryan Church.
The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak © Abrams Books, 2015
(C) 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. And TM. All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization
Thankfully, the Lucas legacy lives on within the hearts and minds of the artists whom he hired during that intense creative period engineered for nearly ten years with the opulent Prequel Trilogy: the aforementioned Chiang, plus other masters of painted imagination in Ryan Church, Erik Tiemens and Iain McCaig- all welcome contributors. We've been so used to seeing their superb Prequel concept art, but it's even more pleasurable to see their marvellous and evocative work for THE FORCE AWAKENS, with some standout pieces handsomely used over the book's lavish spreads.
Arndt's early scripting may be a slow-in-building mass, but the heavy march of time and production deadlines opens the floodgates to artistic interpretation: the idea of a scrapyard planet, old references to classic worlds like Felucia and a Coruscant-esque New Republic (not too dissimilar from The Prequel Trilogy and The Clone Wars animated series), plus ice planets, double-bladed lightsabers (each side a different colour), and a continuance of the Darth Vader armour and the Sith enemies, come to being and assessment. Plus the continued influence of the late, great Ralph McQuarrie, as well as Lucas' favourite director in Japanese legend Akira Kurosawa, whose visuals and storytelling tone from classic cinema like THE SEVEN SAMURAI and THE HIDDEN FORTRESS resonate as strongly as the STAR WARS adventures they'd inspire.
Old favourites within the book surprise and delight within new surroundings. The aforementioned Millennium Falcon is particularly, beautifully rendered in all-new scenarios - whether travelling underwater to a crashed Death Star (crazy but fun!), landed and tarpaulin cover blown over on the windswept Jakku, or up in space pursued by the next evolutionary step of the lethal and fast-moving TIE Interceptor, following on from their last appearance in JEDI. There's a particularly splendid inside hardback cover of the Falcon that I hope someone eventually realizes its worth as a poster.
Other lovely centre spread images lingering in the mindset: Kira/Rey flying an X-wing fighter, its canopy open, as she spiritedly uses her her lightsaber to crucially damage the underside of a Star Destroyer, plus further unused concepts like the L-wing fighter and the single wing-fin TIE fighter, red Star Destroyers emanating from holed out middle planet cores and the massive and intimidating Imperial Warhammer capable of breaking through shielded planets in a way that Imperial orbital bombardments could never do against the Rebels on Hoth during the opening to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
March and April 2013 see more new artistic insights developing from the Arndt script: the former Emperor's Castle (an idea going way back to the late 1977 conceptual stages of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, of which Vader himself was to have been its primary occupant), an ice planet with a centralized weapon's core, plus bands of space pirates whose allegiances and positions in the adventure would change as the story changed- from Stormtrooper-esque hunters to junk scavengers, to what they would eventually be in the film, linked to Han Solo, Chewbacca, and later the reconfigured castle now belonging to that warm-heated but secretive bar owner Maz Kanata (who, at this point, hadn't been conceived), plus the demonic idea of a new "Jedi Killer" (deliberately Darth Vader-ish in appearance, designed to unnerve a Luke Skywalker whose presence was still being worked out, not yet the classic "MacGuffin" he'd ultimately become by the finished film), and the revelation of this new foe being linked to the Third Reich-esque Empire, eventually re-christened The First Order.
Beyond the art, a true highlight of the book and its early behind the scenes charting, is the discovery of just how much of the finished film had been conceived by Michael Arndt. By April '13, his script, and its influences and contributions from Abrams and the artistic team, would be taking a very recognisable shape, especially the re-development of Sam into a new and more interesting type of hero: Finn- now a Stormtrooper who ultimately doesn't want to be one. And stronger ideas in tying in events from the Prequels to the Sequels are also considered- a force ghost Anakin and even a new variation of Yoda. An intriguing image of a bearded, Obi-Wan inspired Luke holding the bonfire damaged Vader mask also impresses- something considered and redrawn for the later villain that would be Kylo Ren.
With the rich diversity of the already designed STAR WARS universe being a well still bringing much water to be absorbed, Darren Gilford would join EPISODE VII as Rick Carter's co-production designer. Working primarily from London, he'd bring his own brand of knowledge and love for the original films to the table, building on the established classic work of McQuarrie, Joe Johnston and others, and being a vital contributor to the needed practical realization of those ideas, especially for the upcoming set construction in England and Abu Dhabi during May 2014. Beyond the world of lightsabers and Jedi, modern-world influences of the team and especially those formed from the life-experienced Carter would prove equally essential in making things believable to the general audience, whose tastes had seemingly changed since the last STAR WARS film of 2005.
July 2013 saw mercurial pirate bartender Maz Kanata's role in the movie being finalized (completed by and seen by actress Lupita Nyong'o, who embraced the role and used her grandmother as a source of inspiration in bringing it to life), as was the design of loveable spheroid droid BB-8. First known as "Surly', the little ball droid's origins were not revealed on screen but are actually pretty dark, having escaped a reject pile on the way to an Imperial vessel's blasting furnace, no less. Happier times ultimately see him becoming best buddy to ace pilot Poe Dameron. August, meanwhile, would see Exotica City- the planed middle planet involving the return of lovable but self-exiled Han Solo and Chewbacca- lost and transplanted into Maz Kanata's castle with the later fast script re-writes initiated by Abrams and Kasdan, now taking a firm hold of the film's direction and what they ultimately wanted the film to be about, as Arndt departs the project after his lengthy stint.
Between December '13 and Feb '14, Abrams and Kasdan's well-matched union brings with it a fresh kind of excitement and enthusiasm that clearly, infectiously pumps up the spirits of everyone around them as the late Spring shooting for Abu Dhabi beckons. Spirits buoyed amidst a high nostalgia factor, mixed with the challenging ambitions of new and unexpected story and character directions soon given exploration via the arrival of additional artistic contributors with an eye for STAR WARS possibilities old and new, and whom previously worked with Carter and Gilford on other successful movies. By March 2014, the all-important look of the "Jedi Killer", christened Kylo Ren, would be fatefully locked in, retaining a quasi-Vader-ish look but generating a new sense of the macabre with its intimidating facial frontage, whilst an early idea of his bearing a chrome armour became the separate brutal and cold-hearted Captain Phasma, too good not to be used and worn by the saga's first-ever female villain, played by the strong-willed and strikingly beautiful Gwendoline Christie.
Other Dark Side related factors locked in during that spring would be the new face of Dark Side corruption in the enigmatic and clearly dangerous Unknown Regions-based alien, Snoke (originally conceived as a female, and whom may actually be older than the Sith), the final interior designs of the Starkiller Base (of which ILM legend Dennis Muren ultimately came up with its immense sun-draining capabilities), and the conflicts of the all-important and dramatically charged, tear-jerking third act set within its darkened core, and its multitude of John Barry Death Star tribute hallways.
Now that the results of all those individual and collective talents on EPISODE VII have finally been cinematically released as of December 2015, the sleeping giant that was STAR WARS looks set to be wide awake for a very long time to come, and with further rich areas to be developed, what with many of the artistic team having also just completed work on the closer to EPISODE IV realms of the anthology series opener ROGUE ONE- a darker, more violent, feel the blood and sweat of it all dominion than THE FORCE AWAKENS, as the Rebel Alliance risks everything to capture the plans of a certain battle station approaching apocalyptic completion. Plus the January 2016 on set return of Rey, Finn, their friends and foes, for the revelations-packed events of EPISODE VII! All these new travels, new aliens and new drama eagerly awaited both for on screen life and ART OF book publication!
I wonder how many readers of THE ART OF STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS will eventually forge their craft and surely work on the next blockbuster chapters to come in ten years time?
The saga, seemingly brighter and more reinvigorated than ever, continues…
AFICIONADO RATING: George Lucas's visual heritage continues to be in safe hands with the dedicated starburst of talent on perusal here. 4.5 out of 5


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Thursday, October 09, 2014
Dr. Strange
I've been participating in Inktober this month, the results of which I've been posting on my Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter pages, and today's contribution is Dr. Strange.
And hey, I'll do my best to get everything posted here by month's end too. Quick pics are just easier on my phone than sitting in front of a big computo screen.
Posted by Chris Samnee at 3:24 PM
1 comment:
- Fredrik Sibe said...
Great Doc Strange!
Love the shading on this and your recent Cyclops sketch. What is that, exactly? Charcoal? Dry-brush? Crayon?
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Yes, computer system science may well be a lot a lot more than writing applications, but for a lot of IT professionals, that's where the seeds of passion are sown. Laptop or computer engineering, info technology and laptop science are all disciplines within the identical realm of study. But apart from this handful of shows, there is quite small representation of laptop or computer science or engineering occupations on Television or in movies, and even less representation of female characters in these fields. For the most part, computer careers are higher paying than other profession paths available.
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I am proud to showcase Books and Art produced by my mentees and participants of my workshops. In addition, the list of books I have written or edited are also given below. Please click on the link for a blurb and where you can buy it.
Get Your Word Portrait
This is one of my quirky offerings. I love painting people with words. Bodies talk to me and I find stories that connect the shoulders to the calves, the eyebrows to the skin of your little finger.
For getting your Word Portrait, you have to sit for me for 1-3 hours. I prefer people sitting in environments they are most comfortable in—whether a park or a coffee shop or your own home. Unlike sitting for a painting, you don't have to sit still or even sit. Walk/run/sit. Talk. Or listen to music. As you want to express you to me.
You will get an A3 Print of the Word Portrait. Frame it as you want and hang in a special place to remind you how unique and special you are.
Word Portraits cost Rs 2500 each.
Word Portraits can also be gifted. Contact me.


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A couple of months ago, I started renting office space at a new location and I couldn't be more pleased.
I had originally toured the space back in October of last year when I was scoping out offices but not quite ready to sign a lease. I was immediately enamored with the homey feel, natural light, thoughtful decor and of course, the plants. Since I didn't know when I would be getting my license to practice acupuncture (most people get them around Thanksgiving, but they could come later), I decided not to rent the space because it felt a bit preemptive. Good thing I didn't, because my license didn't arrive until January!
One Monday in May, I woke up thinking about the office space I looked at 7 months prior. The next day I woke up and thought about it again. This happened every day that week, so on Friday I decided it was at least worth an investigation…maybe the space had opened up again? Sure enough, I saw that it was open and by that afternoon, I had viewed it and decided to move.
My office is in a building called Knott Street Health Center here in Portland and houses a variety of health care practitioners. I rent a space from Hana, a fellow acupuncturist with a certain penchant for decorating as you can see. The entire building feels very nurturing, bright and open, yet solid. My favorite part is the attic space which is known as "Heaven". Practitioners can rent it out for classes or treatment or office space. I am dreaming up some classes to hold there as we speak…
Below are photos of details from my treatment space, as is the photo above of an air plant with the most amazing flowers and seed pods. It is an ant plant, something I never heard of until recently.