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New business cards!
Body Drawings
New image and website update! Body Drawings
This wolf – eight tails, eight tales
This wolf is a love story. This wolf tail is created out of electrical wire salvaged from his shop.
F* you, babies – website update!
In progress
This wolf
This wolf – a novel in progress about impossible love.
In progress
This wolf is a story about hands, stars, contradictions, and love – an undying and an impossible love.
I write this story from the depths and obstacles of a connection so deep it was bottomless.
Your contribution of five dollars or more can help this story surface. Donate here and become an important part of This wolf.
This wolf
Cut paper words
This wolf
I write This wolf on the computer. Then I print out these words, cut them up by phrase or sentence, and paste them in a Wolf Journal.
This wolf, a novel about impossible love.
Your contribution of $5 or more contributes to this love being heard.
Wolf Journal
Cut paper words
F* you, babies – a mother's book
F* you, babies is a mother's book with pages of babies as text, where you push a button and a woman's words play.
In progress.
Painted vinyl, wire, vinyl, paper, and thread on vinyl and acetate.


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I usually don't do this, but I liked this book. Here is the press release for the excellent children's book I just read:
New Children's Book Reinterprets Ancient Zen Fable for Today's Kids & Adults; Makes for a Beautiful and Unique Gift for the Holidays!
(LOS ANGELES) December 1, 2011 – With the holiday season around the corner, families and friends everywhere are looking for the perfect gift, especially for those adorable little children in everyone's circle. How about something a little different, something with a lot of heart and a little Zen? "Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones™)" ($15.99, Umiya Publishing), by Sanjay Nambiar, is a gorgeous, smart, and mindful children's book that will make a perfect addition to any holiday reading list (for kids as well as adults). In this hectic season of stress and worry, a book like "Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones)" is exactly the type of gift that can bring a family together.
Based on an ancient and beloved Zen fable, "Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones)" is about a wise girl who experiences a series of events that at first seem lucky (or unlucky) but then turn out to be quite the opposite. For each incident, was what happened good luck? Maybe. Was it bad luck? Maybe. Or, perhaps the girl simply does not get caught up in the emotion of the moment, because she can never know what that event might lead to, "good" or "bad" . . .
Just like the story itself, the book's beautiful illustrations juxtapose modern graphics with traditional backgrounds to transpose the old into the new, thus creating an accessible context for deeply meaningful concepts.
Sanjay Nambiar, the book's author, grew up in Carson, CA. He overcame a gang- and drug-riddled environment with the help of a closely-knit family and a focus on education. Nambiar practices meditation on a daily basis and sees extraordinary potential for happiness (and frustration) in the confluence of Western lifestyles and Eastern philosophies.
"The holidays can be filled with ups and downs, with a lot of drama that can be tough for kids – and adults – to process," said Nambiar. "The themes in this book help us realize that we don't need to get super sad or excited about incidents during the holidays, because those events often lead to things we couldn't even imagine at first. I hope this can inspire readers to consider the holidays in a different perspective, one that incorporates a little bit of Zen as well as a lot of fun," he added.
"Maybe (A Little Zen for Little Ones)" is available at www.alittlezen.com, amazon.com, in e-reader formats for the Kindle and iPad, and at select bookstores and gift shops. For more information, please contact Jeannine Jacobi of Fresh PR at (310) 857-6994 or email@example.com, or visit www.alittlezen.com.
About A Little Zen for Little Ones™
A Little Zen for Little Ones™ (www.alittlezen.com) puts classic and new Zen stories in an accessible context for today's kids (and adults!). These revered tales provide a little perspective on what's truly important, on how personal balance and peace can manifest in everyday life. With children as central characters and narratives that reflect modern culture, A Little Zen for Little Ones™ helps us examine our values as our world becomes more complex and confusing. After all, if our children can get a little bit of Zen in their lives, perhaps they'll grow up to be adults with a little bit of Zen as well. Wouldn't that be great for all of us?
[end of the press release]
what I like about the book is it recast the story I like, where there's an alternation of "good" and "bad" luck that really with all the alternations turns out to be the opposite each time.
I'll update it with my children's reactions, when they read it.
Why we don't help and what we can do about it - My family and I have just returned from a very rich and varied week in New York, where we did all the usual tourist things, including a visit to the 9/11...
1 year ago

subset: commoncrawl


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BlackBerry's KEYone brings a meaningful attempt to merge the best of BlackBerry with Android, but will this device hold up against its foes? We dive in!
The word "Bold" used to be part of the quintessential BlackBerry experience. Not only did the term refer to the company's mid-weight device that sat in-between the bread-and-butter Curve and touchscreen Torch of yore, it also spoke of the company's (then Research in Motion) ethos: a mix of affordable yet savvy hardware, cunning internet plans, and, of course, BlackBerry Messenger.
In 2017, BlackBerry's conundrum is that triumvirate is a thing of the distant past. The company has staggered through blending its hardware with Android in a bid that birthed the mixed Priv and Alcatel-driven DTEK series, long gone are the heady days of the BlackBerry Internet Service (as South Africans will fondly remember) and BlackBerry Messenger has more or less been obliterated as a messaging service by WhatsApp (apart from a few dedicated holdouts around the world).
BlackBerry needs a miracle to stay relevant, and upon the war-torn hill arrives the KEYone; a new knight carrying forth the banner of productivity and security.
Read: BlackBerry releases its core apps on Android, with a new subscription model
The KEYone set the internet aflame with its debut earlier this year perhaps not so much for its prowess or savvy (we'll review those factors in a brief moment) but for its looks – the device rolls together classic BlackBerry features such as physical QWERTY keyboard, sturdy frame, keyboard frets and more with the convenience of Android and a massive, steady battery to boot.
By looks, at least, this is a cocktail that amounts to classic BlackBerry in looks; but is this a package that can – finally – marry two very disparate worlds together? It's time to find out.
The BlackBerry KEYone brings with it a curiously tailored set of specs; onboard is a power-efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 Soc in addition to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable internal storage as well as a 3505mAh battery.
The handset benefits from 1080 x 1620 resolution on its 4.5″ display, a front-mounted fingerprint scanner on its spacebar key, and a 12-megapixel primary camera in addition to an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.
In a sea of glass and aluminum smartphones espousing a slim and slate-like design, the KEYone is refreshingly different. This isn't a slim and trim handset; glass doesn't dominate the device, nor is there a slim metal unibody. Instead, consumers benefit from a sizeable and weighty handset that feels refreshingly familiar in the hand; a little like a whiff of nostalgia from a time when devices were chunky yet funky. The KEYone manages to stand apart from the pack by being – well – simply different.
The handset begins with its QWERTY keyboard sitting loud and proud above the trim of the handset. Buttons are sturdy and enjoy far greater travel than aboard the Priv; the spacebar key which houses a fingerprint scanner sits slightly above the flush finish of the keys, while an aluminum fret divides rows as on the Bold handsets of yesteryear.
Above sits Android's classic soft-touch navigation keys, while a 3:2 portrait display dominates the rest of the device's real estate save for an aluminum frame that houses the onboard selfie camera. The phone is ensconced by an aluminum frame with a volume rocker and convenience key on the right, while a single power button sits atop on the left. The rear of the smartphone is adorned by a classic pleather coating and large, round camera module which protrudes slightly from the rear panel.
Where the BlackBerry Priv left some customers concerned with regards to its build quality – thanks to a creaky slider and mushy keyboard – and the DTEK series merely copy/pasted the efforts of Alcatel's (Read: TCL Communications') devices – the KEYone is the first original effort from BlackBerry mobile and, thankfully, exudes a sense of finesse. There's little getting around it; those of us who've become accustomed to virtual keyboards might struggle to find our groove with a physical keyboard, though BlackBerry has rewarded loyalists with a well-cut set of keys that offer a great amount of travel and finesse.
The bonus for consumers here is that most keys can be customized to quickly launch an action with either a short or long press, meaning that convenience is king. Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of the device is that it represents BlackBerry sticking to its strengths; this is no attempt to carve out a design rival to, let's say, the Galaxy S8, but rather espouses BlackBerry's design hallmarks and brings them into 2017 with Android 7 Nougat to boot.
User Interface
Usually, we tend to interpret a smartphone's physical design as external to its user interface, though the BlackBerry KEYone is (arguably) one of the few devices that has taken meaningful steps to marry together its hardware and software.
There's good evidence to support this; for example, the handset's convenience key is assignable to many common Android apps, functions, and shortcuts offered by BlackBerry's launcher. Fans of Google Assistant, for example, will have a quick way to summon Now cards, and even Cortana or Alexa acolytes can devote the button to their favourite function; nevermind the fact that the key can serve as a camera launcher or even a WhatsApp toggle.
This is further compounded by the fact consumers are rewarded with 52 hotkeys to launch their favourite functions (26 alphabetical keys each with a long and short toggle) and the device's fingerprint scanner neatly tucks into its spacebar key without unnecessarily protruding or obstructing the general use of the key while typing.
Some of BlackBerry's old tricks remain, and for once there's no outright focus on device security, though the company's DTEK features still remain; both the Hub and BlackBerry's array of shortcuts are present while new additions such as the Privacy Shade lets users selectively brighten and dim areas of their screen to hide activity from the prying eyes of office wardens and bosses alike. BlackBerry's Android skin remains close to stock Android, and thankfully sits neatly on the KEYone's 3:2 display; though some of us may have to become accustomed to the smaller space which menu and chat text can take up.
The KEYone is certainly no performance hound – though that isn't to say that this isn't a perfectly equitable contender. The choice of employing the bread-and-butter Snapdragon 625 SoC has proved to be one of the company's best decisions yet in terms of battery life, and the device chugs through menial tasks as well as we've come to expect from Android's emerging crop of sub R10k devices.
Where some devices attempt to focus on getting things done quickly, the KEYone excels at getting many things done at once; BlackBerry's convenience features and software smarts excel for power users looking to blast through communications, text, and other media in a cinch.
App multitasking can sometimes become a stymied endeavor thanks to the Snapdragon 625's slower speeds and the smaller scale of the KEYone's screen, though the feature is perhaps most equitable for lighter uses such as text reference and chatting through an instant messaging app. BlackBerry's DTEK suite remains the ever-present fingerman of its Android world, and to casual users continuous security reminders may become onerous; though boardroom fiends might well appreciate the company's continuing focus on device security.
Thankfully, DTEK further gives consumers a lens to see what may be affecting the performance of their device as a whole, and gives an easy means for users to tailor their experience accordingly.
While many potential purchasers may be drawn to the KEYone for its convenience features, build, or simply its physical keyboard, the handset's standout feature is arguably its battery life. Driven by the power-sipping Snapdragon 625 and with a massive 3505mAh battery, the KEYone is one of the few devices we've seen accommodate us well into a three-day period even when sizeably pushed; standby time only excels further as the device can regularly last well beyond a week when left to its own devices.
The outcome might be somewhat ironic for those of us who remember BlackBerry devices as wilting flowers that faded into the ether when one turned on 3G connectivity, though the KEYone is no such slouch; potentially ranking well beyond the first and foremost device we'd turn to for longevity beyond many other smartphones released this year.
When we last touched base with one of BlackBerry's own designs, the Priv proved to be a mixed affair with a camera that was average at best and fell far short of being remarkable. While the Priv could eke out colour and detail, it often failed to find its feed in low-light scenarios and captured images with muddy focus.
The KEYone isn't a substantial leap from that position, but it is a step forward; the handset can capture some striking images when pushed, though its default auto mode can leave some details to decay into muddy depths.
The phone offers good colour reproduction that can recreate punchy reds, blues, and greens, though the device can struggle in high-contrast environments and can fail to amicably balance highlights and shadows. Detail is far better this time, though the KEYone can similarly struggle to replicate snazzy shots in low light – reminding us of where the Priv fell short. While this is an effort that will please most just happy to have a decent camera, it falls short of where other affordable rivals have proven excellence.
The handset's 8-megapixel selfie camera is a standout, offering detail and warmth for those who leverage video chat as part of their daily routine.
The BlackBerry KEYone has its weaknesses – it's not the fast or most flashy smartphone around, nor does it have the photographic prowess some of its Android rivals have so superbly demonstrated in the recent past. However, it does do something remarkably important – it makes BlackBerry great again.
Thing is, for consumers who loved the Curve, Bold, and Torch of yore, the KEYone plays to those strengths and modernizes them; and where BlackBerry have had the opportunity to be clever, it has – bringing with it novel features such as customisable convenience keys and a fingerprint scanner embedded in its spacebar.
Thing is, the KEYone isn't a grandiose design – but it is simple, clever, and efficient – the better hallmarks of a mobile brand that at one time owned the world through its determined focus on messaging, productivity, and the emerging mobile web.
Those three hallmarks may have long passed us by, but the KEYone significantly represents a BlackBerry that is prepared to hurtle forward into the future while redefining the better part of what made its handsets great all those years ago.
The BlackBerry KEYone isn't for everyone. Not all of us need a productivity machine nor a physical keyboard with convenience keys – but for those of us who have pined for something different on the Android market to set ourselves apart from the boring slates of glass, plastic, and metal that permeate the budget, mid-range, and premium end of the market, the KEYone is that step apart.
Where an average camera and smaller screen may disappoint some, an excellent physical keyboard, focus on security and productivity, and an amazing battery life will reward consumers who pick up the handset and set off with BlackBerry into a new future.
To revert to an analogy we made of the BlackBerry Priv – we're well on the other side of the Rubicon now.
Score: 8/10
Have your say!
What are your thoughts? Be sure to let us know your opinion in the comments below! Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA


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Skeleton Family Costumes
Rate this costume:
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|add a comment
Skeleton Family Costumes
|Costume type:
|Costumes for Families
This homemade costume for families entered our 2015 Halloween Costume Contest.
A word from Lisa, the 'Skeleton Family' costume creator:
I downloaded and printed off outlines of bones and traced them onto a piece of wbite fabric. I cut it out and glued it to a family dollar store black sweatshirt and black sweetpaints! Very easy and very cheap...but time consuming. All 3 costumes less than $25!


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TVS Supply Chain Solutions has announced that the company is set to make Barnsley the new centre for their European operations.
TVS Supply Chain Solutions has announced that the company is set to make Barnsley the new centre for their European operations.
The UK division of India's leading third party logistics provider, TVS SCS are set to open a brand new advanced logistics facility in Barnsley, with a distribution centre and a call centre housed within the 165,000 sq ft operations hub.
TVS has previously stated that their UK business has allowed them the multiply its revenue seven times over the past five years, and they are now looking to capitalise on the market by making a £20 million rental commitment to their new European headquarters.
The development of the facility has been backed by Barnsley Council, with the site set to help business in the region grow and to create more than 100 new jobs for those in the Barnsley area.
The acquisition of a new facility for TVS follows their successful bid for a Ministry of Defence contract earlier this year. Working in partnership with technology company Leidos, TVS has been commissioned for a £5 billion contract over 13 years that will see the company provide procurement solutions for the MoD.
The news comes as the latest wave of investment in Barnsley begins, with the market town's long-planned £50m regeneration programme set to commence work in January and the government's Northern Powerhouse initiative due to improve the business opportunities within the region.


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Built 2004, Aker Finnyards Rauma, Finland
Tonnage 34 728 GT
Length 177,00 m
Width 28,00 m
Draugth 6,50 m
1 800 passengers
4 Wärtsilä diesels, combined 23 400 kW
2 propellers
2 bow thrusters
1 stern thruster
Speed 21 knots
For a history of the Birka Paradise, see this entry. The photographs below show the Birka Paradise departing Mariehamn on the morning of 24 June 2012, returning to Stockholm on a 22-hour mini-cruise. Click on the images to see in larger size.
|The trees were just too photogenic to pass.
|In fact, they were so photogenic I decided to include a second similar photograph.
|Okay, so maybe that was also because getting a forward-angle photo of the ship without any trees in the way was quite difficult. ;)
|Maybe I should have adjusted the horizon in this shot a bit more.
|I love the lighter cloud above the superstructure.
|If you look closely, you can see the steel letters reading "Mariehamn" (the original home port) between the ship's name and the current homeport Stockholm on the aft-


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Editorial Opposes Use of Eminent Domain to Give Property to For-Profit Developer
The NorthJersey editorial board opposes a recent use of eminent domain in the borough of Emerson, where the Borough Council recently voted "to seize four properties in the downtown that will enable a for-profit developer to build between 22 and 29 low- to moderate-income apartments … and retail stores, more than 100 additional market-value apartments and a parking garage, if the owners don't agree to voluntarily sell to the developer."
The editorial rejects the council's claims that the use of eminent domain is justified by the need for affordable housing. The public good that usually justifies the use of eminent domain, it argues, "is hard to see." The city believes it is acting with the blessing of precedents set by New Jersey's Local Redevelopment and Housing Law and the Fair Housing Act. "The attorney for the owners of the targeted land says the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law prohibits a municipality from taking property while the "blight" designation is being legally challenged," according to the editorial.


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Hello community,
A few month ago I bought this really beautiful used Eastman archtop guitar. It is my first very first archtop guitar and I am a real greenhorn when it comes to setting up or maintenancing those kind of guitars.
This guitar in particular has a crack at the neck. The seller assured me that it is not going to be a problem and also other people that I have talked to were of that opinion.
I might be mistaking but I have the feeling that the space between the neck and the strings gets higher and higher.
Recently I was at a luthier to have the electronics repaired and he even grinded down the bridge, because you could not lower it any more.
for about a week the guitar was fine but now I had the suspicion the strings have yet again come up a little bit. So i lowered the bridge. It is fine now but it's as low as possible again.... I am a little worried that maybe there is some serious issue with that guitar.
Thankful for every help!!
Sincerely Matthias
Ok, I'm not sure how so many people you talked to missed this but what I see in the pictures is NOT a crack. The neck is coming lose from where it's glued to the body. It'll get worse because as the neck angles forward, force from strings to pull it will increase. Action is increasing because the neck angle is changing, shaving the bridge is just treating the symptom. Neck coming lose also has a big effect on the tone.
The solution is a neck reset. It might be possible to pull the neck back and reglue it without a full reset but that's for luthier to decide. Good luck.
Last edited by Tal_175; 11-19-2018 at 08:54 AM.
Please go to a realluthier this time and not a "guitar tech"
Who told you this was OK? NOT OK. Your problems are caused by the loosening or disintegration of the crucial neck join. Please take the tension off your strings now and have a luthier look at this. Tal_175 gives good advice.
My advice, since it's a recent purchase, see if you can return it. From the sound of your description of the bridge, I'd say your neck/body geometry is less than optimum and it's my experience that though the neck can be reset, there's also a chance that the cause of the initial separation is not known and can indicate larger problems (trauma from a momentary force that broke the integrity of the dovetail and grain in the wood for one) and I'd say err on the side of caution: consider an exchange, refund or ...different guitar. One you don't need to pour further expense into, and one that'll assure a long and musical life together free of inherent failures.
That's my opinion as a luthier AND a tech.
Thank you for your quick and helpful responses!!!
Sounds pretty bad. Maybe that explains the price of 1500 dollars Returning the guitar is not really an option since I bought in a small shop in San Francisco and I am currently living in Rome.
So I will bring it to a luthier somewhere here and see what he has to say.
Thank you guys very much.
In the mean time if you need to continue playing it, I suggest install light gauge strings. Like 10's.
Neck reset in North America costs around 300-400 dollars. If you can get it done for that kind of price, you still got a reasonable deal on the guitar. It may be even cheaper because it's unlikely the neck needs shimming, it's also possible perhaps to avoid removing the neck completely. Just cleaning, re-glueing and clamping might work.
On the bright side, having a loose joint is better than having a crack.
I don't think it probably needs what I call a full reset. It does need to be pulled off and glue back down on the dovetail assuming they used one for the construction. The only part that is glued is the dovetail not the neck checks going down. A good dovetail should basically holds it own with no glue. This appears to have pulled up indicating the joint in the neck has come lose it some fashion. As long as neck angle is good when sitting correct no need for what I call a reset, needs reglued.
Hey guys,
i thought, I'd keep you updated:
So i brought the guitar to a luthier and he said that for now there is nothing to worry about. The neck is not moving and seems to be stable. He says that the action got higher probably because of normal temperature and climate change. Since it's young wood it is not as solid, if I understood correctly.
Should I get a seek a second luthier?
I would not know why this one would not tell the truth. He could have easily made a couple of hundred euros....
I dont know.
It could very well be stable I just do not like the looks of the neck joint. It does appear something has moved but possible nothing really needs to be done. I would like to see the pictures of the guitar as it break over the bridge. What is the height from the middle of the bridge top of the guitar, to the top of the saddle? Should be at least 1 inch maybe more. Temperature and climate can effect the action but a measurement of how much is much preferable. Not something you are able to do since you did not own the guitar originally.
One thing you can do is get a very long straight edge and place it on the neck on fret running it from the nut to the bridge in the back. Measure how far the straight edge is above the top. Then keep track of this over time. This will tell you if the neck is moving and be more precise. Make sure to measure it with full tension and then when you change the strings next time take the same measurement with no tension of the neck.
Originally Posted by mspruch
I'm sure these are all apparent to the luthier. Looks like upon examining his conclusion is that the neck joint has moved as much as it'll ever move and it's stable at this point. If so, he probably thought you could avoid a costly repair at least for now and just use it as is.
Note however the changed neck angle most likely has an effect on the tone, at least to the volume of the guitar (due to the reduced downward force over the (lowered) bridge). Guitar can be improved by fixing the neck but alternatively you can wait until you have action problems again. If that happens, instead of shaving the bride further, neck can be fixed.
Last edited by Tal_175; 11-20-2018 at 02:55 PM.
Thank you guys for taking so much time for my issues! I appreciate that!
What year is the 905? Is it a B stock?
It's from 2003. The serial number is 0020. I don't know if it is a B-stock. i bought it used at "Real Guitars" in San Francisco. I don't know if I remember correctly but I think the dealer said something about that it was build as an exhibit for a fair. But really not sure about that!
Eastman stamps a B on the back of the headstock. In later models they were pretty disciplined about stamping a B on guitars with imperfections.
I can't find anything stamped anywhere...
One possibility, not necessarily the best, would be to screw the heel to the body. Since you already have a hole for the strap button, you could just extend that hole into the block and use a longer screw. That could bring the heel back tight against the body, but I'm not sure whether it would hold against string tension long-term.
Originally Posted by sgosnell
You might just start a trend here.
Why should Fender keep the best ideas for themselves?
LOL. It depends on whether you prefer quick and cheap, or expensive and in the shop for awhile. It's not mine, so I have no vote, but since the hole is already there, it might hold things in place for awhile. I certainly wouldn't recommend it if the strap button were elsewhere.
That strap button may already be the result of the cheap repair.
Don't take chances get a reset.
Man that's a beautiful guitar. I think a neck reset would be worth it for an instrument like that. Once it's done, it's done. Like somebody mentioned, for the price of a reset, you still got a good price on a great guitar.


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Martial Arts for Multiple Sclerosis
Please contact us if you have any questions or would like to become a participating school or instructor.
If you are interested in becoming a partipating martial atrs teacher or school, please call us at 319-354-3665,
M – F 11AM – 7PM CT. We wold love to work with you.
You can also use the form to the right.


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Ten photos, ten moments I see when I close my eyes and let the Norway adventure invade my thoughts.Continue reading "The 10 photos from our Arctic route"
Category: Blog
Camper route through Norway: 54 days
Our first dog campaign is here! Where? Zambia
I can not be more excited and happy finally sharing with all you this project. Tons of work, infinite emails, headaches, …. but finally is here.Continue reading "Our first dog campaign is here! Where? Zambia"
Fly with your dog – How
Flying with your dog can feel like a big scary process but with forward planning and preparations it is actually relatively easy. It´s just a matter of being organized and not leaving it till the last minute. Continue reading "Fly with your dog – How"
Opis and Mori – Mission Rescue
I left Barcelona with my three dogs to a little mountain village over 500km away in La Rioja, the North of Spain, to have some quality time together. To be wild. To lose ourselves on those mountains. That was the end of March this year (2018). Continue reading "Opis and Mori – Mission Rescue"
He is my one and only, Pauli, the Croatian dog by Lara-Andrea Beck
Adopting a dog should always be a well-planned and thought-through process, well… at least in theory. This is the story of how I adopted my dog Pauli from Croatia. Let's start from the very beginning: Continue reading "He is my one and only, Pauli, the Croatian dog by Lara-Andrea Beck"
From the mountains of Anguiano
I put what I thought we were going to need me and the dogs (Ula, Joy and Ging) for a week in my backpack and left Barcelona to a little mountain village in the north of Spain called Anguiano. I planned to be around a week there as I had never been there by myself and, to be honest, no one thought I could survive any longer either. That was at the end of March, so we have been over a month and a half! Crazy hey!


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Add Doctor's Name Above Practice Name on Statement
To add the doctor's name above the practice name on statements
- Click Settings > Options > Patient Statement Options.
- In the Practice Name field, select "Custom Practice Name" from the drop-down menu.
- In the Custom Name field, enter the doctor's name.
- Click Save.
- Click Settings > Practice Information.
- In the Contact Information Address box, add the name of the practice above the address (if not already done so).
- Click Save.
Go to any patient account that you print statements for and click REPORTS at the bottom. Click Patient Statement to see what it looks like on the screen. If you make any more changes, you can click REFRESH in the upper right corner.


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Ignite Summits are 3-day workshops for Microsoft's most valued IT Pros, Developers and Partners. Learn from Microsoft product experts from across the company. With over 70 technical sessions covering Office 365, Developer, Exchange, Project, Visio/Visio Services, SharePoint, and Yammer.
There are four exciting locations to choose from:
- Hong Kong, October 8-10, 2013
- Prague, October 22-24, 2013
- Washington DC, November 5-7, 2013
- Dubai, November 19-21, 2013
Be sure to reserve your spot today! Ignite is free of charge; however, a no-show fee applies.


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TCU has gained the upper hand early, 11-8. Boise State has fought back to make it 12-11 TCU. And now Boise State captured the first set. I'm beginning to think this Bronco volleyball team can play with anyone.
Boise State has an early 9-5 lead in the second set. But TCU came back to steal it 25-21.
Boise State has a 19-14 lead in the third set. And the Broncos won 25-17.
Boise State is where they were at against #22 Oklahoma--a 2 set to 1 lead and needing to close it out. Boise State leads fourth set early 5-4. TCU with three straight points to take a 7-5 lead and now leads 13-10. Criticial stretch coming up. And Boise State faltering--now 22-15 and set 25-18 for TCU.
Once again, Boise State had a great opponent down 2 sets to 1 and couldn't put 'em away. Now we go to a fifth set. And 14-1 TCU wins 15-7.


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Make practicing writing letters, adding identifying colors, reading, and so much more fun with these FREE Roll & Learn FALL Kindergarten Worksheets.
FREE Kindergarten Math
- Count to 30 Bugs Activity
- Thanksgiving Color by Addition
- Rubber Duckie Addition Math Activity
- Kindergarten Math Practice
- Fall Addition Sticker Math Worksheets
- Printable Fall Roll & Learn Math Worksheets
- Seeds make 10: Addition Activity
FALL Kindergarten Worksheets
Kindergartners will have fun practicing drawing shapes and writing numbers. Kids simple roll the dice and trace the shape / number they roll.
Fall Worksheets for Kindergarten
Included are also alphabet worksheets to practice both upper case letters and lower case letters from A-I with a twist.
Adding the fun, active rolling of a dice makes practicing reading kindergarten sight words, word families, and sight word sentences fun!
These are a lot like the worksheets I've had in my prek packs for year, just roll two dice and add the dots; now color the picture with the number you just rolled.
Free Printable Worksheets for Kindergarten
These worksheets help kids practice color words, following directions, and continuing to strengthen those fine motor muscles they are going to need to write.
This worksheet sis one of my favorites, kids will roll 1-2 dice at a time and add the hour hand to the clocks to practice working on telling time.
Download Roll & Learn FALL Kindergarten Worksheets
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Just because you get the idea of how a website works, doesn't mean you are a good designer. Learning HTML is no easy matter. Learning all you can is the best way to get started. Keep reading to find out what you need to know.
Go easy on the graphics in your web design. Graphics and images are definitely necessary to help facilitate professionalism and appeal, but they can also facilitate clutter if you're not careful. Your graphics should not only be decorative; they must also be true improvements. Having the right amount of graphics that does not impede on the overall website design is key to how well the site looks.
Try to keep current with information related to webdesign. Internet forums are a great place to visit for this information. You can find more information online for free, too.
Pay close attention to the background of your pages. There are certain websites that utilize animated GIFs for their backgrounds. While such backgrounds can be attractive in some cases, they can also make it difficult to read the content on your website. Choose backgrounds that coordinate with your site, rather than clashing with it, and your message will be much more clear to your visitors.
It is important that your website is easy to read. Through usability tests, it has been determined that many readers online do not read all content. Normally, most are just scanning for interesting parts. Text that is easy to read will ensure you have visitors that come back. Also, the more important info should be kept towards the top. These techniques assure that the visitor to your page will find what they want fast and this results in higher satisfaction for your readers.
Is your site easy to scan? Most visitors won't read all you write, they'll just scan it over. Make sure your text is placed in sections, so readers can look over it quickly. Put important facts near the top of the page. Your users will appreciate it, because it helps them know if your site has what they are looking for.
To get repeat visitors, use an e-mail newsletter. Giving your customers a reminder that you're still online and have some great deals or new content that will bring them back to your site for more. Offer the signup form as a link off to the side on your site. Make sure you have a way to keep track of who signed up. Avoid trouble by only sending the newsletter to people who have signed up for it.
A search engine is an absolute must if your website is larger than a few pages. This is commonly located in the topmost-right corner of the screen as an empty bar, which users can insert a search term or phrase. You can get search functions to improve your website at FreeFind and at Google.
Get familiar with your subject. Good research will help you to create the ideal site. When you do not seem genuine or knowledgeable, you will quickly lose readers. It is important to know what you are talking about.
Let site visitors give feedback. This makes it easier to identify problem areas and to create a more user-friendly site. One way to make sure that visitors re-visit you site is to give them a feeling of involvement.
Alt Tags
Other than the aesthetics of your site design, one of the most important things to consider is keeping all your file sizes to a minimum. Your website's loading time is directly affected by the file sizes you have on your site. You want your site to load instantly. You must also be aware that everyone doesn't have a high speed connection to the Internet. Continue to test your site to make sure it will load quickly, even with a dial-up connection.
As you add images, use ALT tags. Those who are visually impaired will benefit greatly from ALT tags. In addition, if the image is a also a link, you can tell visitors where the link takes them and what it does. Finally, search engine crawlers like ALT tags as they are useful. So, your search rank might improve as a result.
To create a better-optimized site, avoid using frames. While they improve your site's looks, any information contained in a frame is not indexed by search engines. Your website won't rank high if the information isn't visible. If you don't do what's necessary to make sure that your site is not ranked very high, people will not find your site very easily.
When you are choosing your background color, white is an effective choice. Content is generally more readable on white backgrounding, and this makes your page look both more professional and trustworthy. When there is a more complicated design in the background, it can be very distracting, and make your website look less professional. Backgrounds should be simple and subtle.
When using links on a page be sure the link uses text content. This content tells the visitor what the link is. If your links don't have text content, visitors might inadvertently click the link using a keyboard shortcut.
Use conditional loading and CSS pages as you design. These two things make maintenance and testing simpler. Since every website will need maintenance at some point, this will help it be as effortless as possible.
Throughout the design process, it is essential to make sure your site's designs looks and works the way you want it to on every web browser, so always check it across all common web browsers. Different internet browsers can display the contents of your website differently, which can sometimes dramatically alter a visitor's experience. Using available resources, determine which browsers are the most popular among your target demographic. Make sure your website works in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari and the major mobile browsers.
Placing a visitor counter on your site is unattractive. Visitors really don't care how many other people have visited your site. Get rid of that unsightly counter and instead use alternative tools to help you gauge traffic.
Try making separate CSS pages for different browsers with conditional loading when designing websites. You will thank yourself later, when both the maintenance and testing process is simpler. All websites need to be maintained at some point, and you want it to be as simple as possible so you can easily make changes.
Practice practice practice, as soon as you start to learn about web design. You want to try out any little thing that you get your mind wrapped around. This will help you cement your knowledge. You never want to read something great but not actually "get it" because you didn't try it out on your own.
Web design becomes much easier in time. To test your knowledge of the basics, try designing some pages using HTML and C+. Practice, as they say, makes perfect!
It's important to do your research about website design. Learn everything there is to know about your niche, then you can focus on what your target audience is. Your goal is to incorporate the content that will bring in the most customers. This will help you become efficient.
Hosting your site yourself is not really a great idea, no matter what amount of money you've decided to invest in it. You should do as much of the web design work yourself as you can while allowing a reputable company to host the site. This means you can worry about your website design while the host worries about uptime and security.
Usability tests that are task based are a great way of figuring out your website's effectiveness. In general, the purpose of the tasks is to locate some information or functionality that is buried in your website. A well-designed website will have testers reporting no bugs or complaints. If it isn't, the task helps you understand how to improve your website.
One great website creating program is Adobe Dreamweaver. Even novices can understand this program quickly. It is loaded with options that allow for template creation, special features and the ability to preview a site as well as test it before it goes live.
You should improve your time management as you build your website. This will help you get it done more efficiently. There are a ton of jobs involved, so you can't procrastinate. Sooner or later you will become overwhelmed with tiny tasks if you put them to the side. Take care of tasks when they pop up.
Begin small when you start off building your websites. This way you can ascertain what works well and what does not, and you will be able to improve your skills based on that. Start out by making a few pages that just have basic information and some easy text, then asses how it works for you.
Remember that the process of designing your website continues even after your site goes live. It's important to actively monitor, adjust and update your site. Updating doesn't need to be daily, but you must find a regular schedule and follow through consistently. This is important if you have content that includes videos, a podcast or articles. Updating a website is much different than updating a blog. It requires a great deal of time and effort.
Before designing your site, do some research. Learn everything there is to know about your niche, then you can focus on what your target audience is. You must think of ways in which you can design your website, in order to maximize your efforts in reaching your target audience. This makes your site more efficient.
Having a visual sitemap will make it easier to plan out your site. With this sitemap, you will be able to track how the structure of your website is developing. You can also look and identify any areas that could use some improvement on, or areas that you feel could just be different. Nothing can fully replace a clear, easily interpreted visual.
Talk with your friends to discover if you've missed anything when you learned certain things, such as Photoshop, HTML, or Dreamweaver. You want to ensure that you remember everything you learned. It can slow you down quite a bit if you have to review what you've learned while building a website.
You want to make sure part of your regular website maintenance is eliminating any negative user content that might appear. This is particularly good advice if you have a forum or a blog. A professional website designer will always be prepared to wipe away the trash and clean up the page.
Place graphics on your website to help improve your site's entertainment. Avoid a boring website by adding special features, such as wrap texts. If your content looks like time was spent on it, people may be more inclined to visit and return to your site.
You must know your new technologies in order to keep up with website design. It is becoming more and more important to know about web design. Many business owners have found that having a website can help them earn more money than ever before.
You must focus on time management when you are building a website. There are many small, tedious tasks that are easily left for another day if you are not diligent. Sooner or later you will become overwhelmed with tiny tasks if you put them to the side. Make sure you handle jobs as they arise.
Informative Error
Leaving white space for your users is a well-reviewed element of design. When you have open space on your website, your visitors can see what you have on offer and read your text with ease. This can only benefit you and them.
Design informative error pages. When a person clicks on a broken or moved link, they will be taken to an error page. By designing an informative error page, your visitor will understand why they were taken to the error page.
Put your logo near the very top of each webpage. You can link every page with a logo and turn your site into one entity. It also helps users to recognize your brand. Choose a logo which represents what your company stands for.
Let the work of others inspire you. This not only helps you be more aware of what you can do, but also what not to do.
If you don't have a lot of money for custom graphics for your website, use stock images that are free to use. The Internet has many of these images; typically, they are just as good as those that cost money. The money you save on images can be put toward other areas of your business.
Designing a great site that visitors enjoy isn't all that difficult. The information you learn about the subject needs to be accurate so that your site is efficient. Remember to use the tips from this article to build an excellent website.
Producing concept sketches to flesh out the general intention you have for your website's appearance, is a great place to start. Show your family and friends your sketches to get their feedback, so you can get a sense of others' opinions of your site.


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Dear Dharma, I met this other mom at my…
I'll Drink to That
- By Dharma
- May 29, 2017
- No Comments
Dear Dharma,
Drinking wine seems to be a trend these days. From 'wine moms' to bottle size gag glasses, to sitcoms based on alcoholic moms…it seems to be the norm to over indulge.
Now I'm starting to worry that my drinking is getting out of control. I have a stressful job, raise two kids and plan a household… I used to deal with the stress by taking yoga, or going for a walk, but now it seems I can't wait to get off work, go home and relax with a glass of wine. Let the kids fend for themselves!
Full disclosure, sometimes it is a bottle.
Do you think I have a drinking problem? Should I be worried?
Blurry Eyed
Dear Blurry,
You are completely right – the way alcohol consumption is portrayed in the media makes it seem if you aren't drinking a bottle a day then you're simply not cool. There are quite a few articles on the subject, this just being one of them.
The good thing here is that you recognize a shift in your behavioural patterns and are questioning them.
It's not up to Dharma to determine whether or not you have a drinking problem, but I think it's fair to say that a bottle a day is a lot. When you couple that with an attitude of "let the kids fend for themselves", I think you are opening yourself up to a world of potential problems.
First off, your kids deserve a mom who is present and involved. I'd imagine a bottle in, your engagement level is pretty low, non? Not to mention the example you are setting on how to cope in a stressful world.
The way you used to deal with stress sounds like positive strategies that you may want to reincorporate. Yoga, walking – all good things. Yet you strayed from those – maybe because they weren't working for you anymore?
If you make a real effort to change your new habit yet find you are struggling, may I suggest a visit to the doctor? Telling your GP what's going on and your concerns would be a really productive measure.
Again, the fact that you recognize you are teetering on a dangerous cliff is encouraging, and I would really hate for you to fall the wrong way on this. Take whatever steps you need in order to get this under control.
Your kids need you.
Got a question for Dharma? She's probably got an answer!
Go on, submit your question in the contact form on the toolbar. You know you want to! To submit anonymously, just make up a fake name and email – as long as the fields are populated, it works!
And be sure to follow Dharma everywhere! https://www.facebook.com/askdeardharma
Instagram too! https://www.instagram.com/dear_dharma/
And of course, Twitter… https://twitter.com/DearDharma


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Can believe it's May already!! Where did the time go? I've got the feeling we just celebrated Christmas! (still have to finish the last 5 days of my December Daily!) I don't want the time to pass so fast ... in August my little girl (17 :) ) will be off to the US to attend High School for a year. I'm so proud of her, but I'm also dreading the months she'll be away .... so please let the time go a bit slower.
Okay, enough rambling about the time, on to the new sketch challenge for Purple Pumkin!! I chose these pics of my funny youngest which go perfectly with this fun October Afternoon (Daily Flash) collection and of course a few goodies from the Purple Pumpkin store, like the Elmo button (Elmo used to be Mats' very very favorite cuddly toy!), the tickets and the washi tape:
and a few close-ups:
And this is the sketch Lizzy created for us:
You have until the end of the month to complete this Sketch Challenge and link it up in Purple Pumpkin's sidebar by midnight 31st of May 2014. There will be two fabulous Purple Pumpkin prizes: $25 & 15$ to spend in the Purple Pumpkin shop - one winner will be chosen by the design team, and the second will be a random prize draw. Winner gets to Guest Design in a future month - once they have received their Purple Pumpkin product of course! International scrappers welcome!!! For the rest of the rules, please hop over to Purple Pumpkin's blog.
Hope you'll all find the time to join in!!
Thanks for stopping by again today!
Friday, 2 May 2014
Purple Pumpkin May Sketch Challenge!
Geplaatst door Monique Liedtke op 11:25 am
Labels: October Afternoon, Purple Pumpkin
4 comments:
hoi hoiReplyDelete
Ik vind de lo weer helemaal top en wat een leuke foto's .
geweldig gedaan en er is weer van alles op te zien
lieve groet Thamar
This is soooooooooooo FUN! I love love love the photos and the colors!!!!! And of COURSE I loveeeeeeeeee ELMO!! He's my FAVE!!! And I didn't know she was coming here next year for school? Where is she going to be at?ReplyDelete
Jij weet altijd zo goed raad met jongenslay-outs! Ook deze is weer heel erg gaaf en dan vooral die leuke Elmo-button ;)ReplyDelete
This page is so awesome, Monique! I love all of the great energy you created with the different patterns and all of the fun embellishing!ReplyDelete
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Have You Heard of the Superstar 19-year-old Chef in NYC?
Have You Heard of the Superstar 19-year-old Chef in NYC?
Wait, so you haven't heard about the 19-year-old chef that's killing it out here in NYC? Well, let me be the first. Chef Flynn McGarry of restaurant GEM in the Lower East Side is doing a special collaborative brunch with Chef Ian Lowell Lichtenstein of The Maidstone Restaurant at the hotel, Sunday, August 26th from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This special event coincides with McGarry film screening August 25 of "Chef Flynn", which is set to be released in theaters all over the country this November. The documentary follows his cooking journey beginning at age 12, where he begins cooking elaborate dishes, hosting supper clubs in his Mother's home, and working in some of the best restaurants alongside notable chefs such as Daniel Boulud and Daniel Humm.
For this special one-day-only brunch, Flynn will be creating a set menu of five-courses, priced at $65 (per person, excludes tax, gratuity, and beverages). There will be a limited number of seats, so make your reservations like, today, right now. They can be made in advance by e-mail via firstname.lastname@example.com.
Flynn McGarry five course Brunch Menu for the Maidstone Hotel
Popover with cultured butter
Cabbage Salad with pine nut vinaigrette, dressed grains, citrus and sprouts
Summer Squash Toast with ricotta, peaches and mint
Fried & Smashed Potatoes with Hollandaise, cured salmon and poached egg
Chamomile Pana Cotta with raspberries


text: Seller: ancientgifts (4,777) 100%, Location: Lummi Island, Washington, Ships to: Worldwide, Item: 382419669539 Large Beautiful Size 8 Late Renaissance Era Silver Alloy Ring with an Orange Quartz Carnelian Semi-Precious Gemstone. CLASSIFICATION: Silver/Bronze Alloy Ring with an Oval Semi-Precious Carnelian Gemstone. ATTRIBUTION: Eastern Europe (Crimean/Black Sea Region), 17th-18th Century A.D. SIZE/DIMENSIONS: Size: 8 (U.S.). Inner Diameter: 28mm x 20mm. Overall Dimensions: 19mm x 18mm. Bezel: Length: 18mm. Height: 14mm. Height (Thickness): 9 1/2mm. Gemstone: Length: 16 1/2mm. Height: 11 1/2mm. Height (Thickness): 7 1/2mm. Tapered Width Band: 7mm at bezel; 6mm at sides; 3 1/2mm at back. Weight: 7.01 grams. CONDITION: Very good! Intact, integrity unimpaired. Wear consistent with lengthy usage. No significant porosity (surface pitting caused by contact with earth while buried). Very fine finish. Professionally conserved. DETAIL: A very intricate silver/bronze alloy ring of late Renaissance origin, probably seventeenth or eighteenth century, provenance is Southern Russia, the Crimean Region. The Crimean, now part of present-day Ukraine, was home of the Tartars (and before them ancient Greek settlements during the first millennium B.C.), across the Black Sea from what was at the time this ring was produced, the Ottoman Empire, modern day Turkey. The ring bears a very elaborate stamped pattern on the sides of the band which originally wrapped most of the way around to the back. A similarly elaborate pattern embellished the circumferential ledge/skirt of the bezel, and the portion of the bezel at that point where it meets the gemstone. However some of this ornate metal work no longer remains discernible, as there is moderate wear to the sides and back of the band as well as to the bezel skirt. With respect to the bands, the majority of the original ornate metalwork remains discernible where the bands meet the bezel. In fact significant remnants of the ornate pattern originally found on the bands remain on the right front third, the left front third, and it is only the rearmost third of the bands which is worn entirely smooth. This rearmost part of the band was originally the trailing end of the stamped pattern, which was in low profile to begin with. Likewise with respect to the bezel skirt. Some of the beaded chain style "ledge" has been worn down a bit, as have some of the finely serrated "teeth" holding the gemstone within the bezel, though the gemstone remains quite secure within the bezel. You might note that the wear to the "teeth" holding the gemstone within the bezel is a bit more pronounced along the sides of the ring adjacent to the bands. This might seem odd at first, however this greater wear on these two sides of the bezel is likely due to the ring being worn next to and contacting rings on adjacent fingers. In Eastern ("Byzantine") Europe it was quite fashionable to wear rings on more than one finger. Oftentimes in fact more than one ring per finger, a preference carried forward from the Roman Empire 1,000 years prior. Of course, some signs of wear are to be expected from a ring several centuries old, and the fact that the ring does evidence wear should not be a source of disappointment. It was produced with the idea that someone would purchase it and wear it, and that is exactly what happened. It is clear that several centuries ago this was amongst someone's favorite rings and that they wore it with pleasure and frequency. The ring was probably designed to be worn by a man, and is bold and handsome enough to be worn by a man today. However the design is elaborate, elegant, and intricate enough to be worn with good taste by a woman as well. And despite the wear, the ring remains very study, not frail or delicate at all, and it could be worn and enjoyed for many years, even decades into the future. The oval gemstone is quartz orange carnelian. Agate and quartz carnelian gemstones and jewelry were not only very popular throughout the Medieval Period and into the Renaissance and Victorian Periods, by also as far back as the Roman Empire. And before the Romans, the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Egyptians as well as the Sumerians also fashioned carnelian into jewelry. The ring itself is silver alloyed with bronze, moreso silver than bronze judging by appearances. This style of ring was popular throughout much of Eastern Byzantine Europe for centuries, so it is difficult to place a precise date on the artifact. However it is likely to have been produced sometime in the 17th or 18th century, and based upon where it was found, it was produced either in Ottoman Turkey and exported to the Crimean (which only a century before was part of the Ottoman Empire), or produced in the Crimean Region itself. In any event, this elaborate piece of Byzantine/Renaissance jewelry is in a very good state of preservation, and is quite wearable. HISTORY: The Tatars of the Crimean Black Sea Region are one of the ethnic sub-populations of Russia (present-day Ukraine). Prior to the current era (before 0 A.D.) the vast lands of South Russia were home to various Proto-Indo-European tribes such as the Scythians. Between the third and sixth centuries A.D., the steppes were overwhelmed by successive waves of nomadic invasions when swept through Europe, as was the case with Huns and Turkish Avars. A Turkic people, the Khazars, ruled South Russia through the 8th century. They were important allies of the Byzantine Empire and waged a series of successful wars against the Arab Califates. The Early East Slavs constituted the bulk of the population in Western Russia from the 7th century onwards and slowly assimilated the native Finno-Ugric tribes, such as the Merya, the Muromians and the Meshchera. In the mid-9th century, a group of Scandinavians, the Varangians, assumed the role of a ruling elite at the Slavic capital of Novgorod. Although they were quickly assimilated by the predominantly Slavic population, the Varangian dynasty lasted several centuries, during which they affiliated with the Byzantine, or Orthodox church and moved the capital to Kiev in A.D. 882. In the 10th to 11th centuries this state of Kievan Rus became the largest in Europe and one of the most prosperous, due to diversified trade with both Europe and Asia. However the opening of new trade routes with the Orient at the time of the Crusades contributed to the decline and defragmentation of Kievan Rus by the end of the 12th century. In the 11th and 12th centuries, the constant incursions of nomadic Turkic tribes, such as the Kipchaks and the Pechenegs, led to the massive migration of Slavic populations from the fertile south to the heavily forested regions of the north. The medieval states of Novgorod Republic and Vladimir-Suzdal emerged as successors to Kievan Rus, while the middle course of the Volga River came to be dominated by the Muslim state of Volga Bulgaria. Like many other parts of Eurasia, these territories were overrun by the Mongol invaders known as the "Golden Horde", which would pillage Russia for over three centuries. Later known as the Tatars, they ruled the southern and central expanses of present-day Russia, while the territories of present-day Ukraine and Belarus were incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland, thus dividing the Russian people in the north from the Belarusians and Ukrainians in the west. The name "Tatars" eventually become a collective name applied to the Turkic people of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The majority of Tatars today live in European Russia, and are the descendants of the Eastern European Volga Bulgars who were conquered by the Mongol invasion of the 13th century. The original Ta-ta Mongols inhabited the north-eastern Gobi in the 5th century and, after subjugation in the 9th century by the Khitans, migrated southward, there founding the Mongol empire under Genghis Khan. Under the leadership of his grandson Batu Khan they moved westwards, driving with them many stems of the Turkic Ural-Altayans towards the plains of Russia. On the Volga they mingled with remnants of the old Bulgarian empire (Volga Bulgaria), and elsewhere with Finno-Ugric speaking peoples, as well as with remnants of the ancient Greek colonies in the Crimea and Caucasians in the Caucasus. The name of Tatars, given to the invaders, was afterwards extended so as to include different stems of the same Turkic-Mongol branch in Russia, and even the bulk of the inhabitants of the high plateau of Asia and its northwestern slopes, described under the general name of Tartary. This name has almost disappeared from geographical literature, but the name Tatars, in the above limited sense, remains in full use. Most current day Tatars live in the central and southern parts of Russia (the majority in Tatarstan), Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Lithuania, Belarus and in Bulgaria, China, Kazakhstan, Romania, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. They collectively numbered more than 10 million in the late 20th century. The Crimean Tatars may still be found in Crimea, an autonomous republic of Ukraine on the northern coast of the Black Sea occupying the Crimean peninsula. The Crimean Tatars are actually descendants of a number of Turkic peoples. The ethnicity of the Crimean Tatars is quite complex as it absorbed by both nomadic Turkic and European components (in the first place, the Goths and the Genoese) which is still reflected in their appearance and language differences. A small enclave of the Karaims, possibly of Khazar (i.e. Turkic) descent but members of a Jewish sect, was founded in the 8th century. It existed among the Muslim Crimean Tatars, primarily in the mountainous Çufut Qale area. The territory of Crimea was conquered and controlled many times through its history. The Cimmerians, Greeks, Iranians, Goths, Huns, Bulgars, Khazars, the state of Kievan Rus', Byzantine Greeks, Kipchaks, and the Mongols all controlled Crimea in its early history. These were followed by the Crimean Khanate and Ottoman Empire in the 15th–18th centuries, the Russian Empire in the 18th–20th centuries, Germany in World War II, and now, the independent Ukrainian state. The Crimean Tatars were forcibly expelled to Central Asia by Joseph Stalin's government, but have begun returning to their homeland in recent years. The ancient Greeks called Crimea Tauris (later Taurica), after its inhabitants, the Tauri. The Greek historian Herodotus mentions that Hercules plowed that land using a huge ox ("taurus"), hence the name of the land. The earliest inhabitants of whom we have any authentic traces were the Cimmerians, who were expelled by the Scythians (Iranians) during the 7th century B.C. The remaining Cimmerians that took refuge in the mountains later became known as the Tauri. According to other historians, the Tauri were known for their savage rituals and piracy, and were also the earliest, indigenous inhabitants of the peninsula. In 5th century B.C., Greek colonists began to settle along the Black Sea coast, among those were the Dorians from Heraclea who founded a sea port of Chersonesos outside Sevastopol, and the Ionians from Miletus who landed at Feodosiya and Panticapaeum (also called Bosporus). Two centuries later (438 B.C.), the Archon (ruler) of the latter settlers assumed the title of the Kings of Cimmerian Bosporus, a state that maintained close relations with Athens, supplying the city with wheat, honey and other commodities. The last of that line of kings, Paerisades V, being hard-pressed by the Scythians, put himself under the protection of Mithridates VI, the king of Pontus, in 114 B.C. After the death of this sovereign, his son, Pharnaces II, was invested by Pompey with the kingdom of Bosporus in 63 B.C. as a reward for the assistance rendered to the Romans in their war against his father. In 15 B.C., it was once again restored to the king of Pontus, but since ranked as a tributary state of Rome. Throughout the later centuries, Crimea was invaded or occupied successively by the Goths (A.D. 250), the Huns (376), the Bulgars (6th century), the Khazars (8th century), the state of Kievan Rus' (10th–11th centuries), the Byzantine Greeks (1016), the Kipchaks (the Kumans) (1050), and the Mongols (1237). In the 13th century, the Republic of Genoa seized the settlements which their rivals, the Venetians, had built along the Crimean coast and established themselves at Cembalo, Soldaia, Cherco and Caffa, gaining control of the Crimean economy and the Black Sea commerce for two centuries. After the destruction of the Golden Horde by Timur in 1441, the Crimean Tatars founded an independent Crimean Khanate under Hacı I Giray, a descendant of Genghis Khan. The Crimean Tatars controlled the steppes that stretched from the Kuban and to the Dniester River, however, they were unable to take control over commercial Genoese towns. After the Crimean Tatars asked for help from the Ottomans, an Ottoman invasion of the Genoese towns led by Gedik Ahmed Pasha in 1475 brought Kaffa and the other trading towns under their control. In 1774, The Crimean Khans fell under the Russian influence in the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca. In 1783, entire Crimea was annexed by the Russian Empire. CARNELIAN HISTORY: Aside from pearls, which were "discovered" as gemstones by prehistoric man, carnelian, turquoise, and lapis lazuli are the oldest gemstones utilized in the manufacture of jewelry. Carnelian is a translucent form of (chalcedony) quartz, and ranges in color from yellow to a deep red, the color due to the presence of iron oxide. Some of the most ancient examples of jewelry included carnelian. Queen Pu-abi's tomb at Ur in Sumeria dated from the 3rd millennium B.C. In the crypt the upper part of the queen's body was covered with a robe made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, and chalcedony beads. In Egyptian jewelry the use of gold was predominant, and it was generally complemented by the use of three colors of carnelian, as well as turquoise, and lapis lazuli. For example the orange accents in the famous mask of Tutankhamun were provided by carnelian gemstones. The blood red varieties of carnelian gained great popularity in the ancient world, and were widely used to produce engraved gemstones. Intaglio-incised carving was probably first used to produce seals. The art form is believed to have originated in southern Mesopotamia, and was highly developed by the 4th millennium B.C. The source for most carnelian in the early Mediterranean were simply gemstones found on the surface of the Egyptian and Arabian deserts. However by the first millennium B.C., carnelian was coming to the Mediterranean from India. The gemstones would reached the Mediterranean either via the Silk Route (if overland) or if by sea, they would have crossed the Arabian and Red Sea by ship, then overland to Alexandria in Egypt, before being distributed by trade across and around the Mediterranean. The ancient Indians were very fond of carnelian. Long beads in excess of 12cm in length (6 inches) were very popular with the Indus Valley populations (present-day Punjab), specimens having been excavated by archaeologists which date back to before 2,000 B.C. By 1700 B.C. the Minoans (of ancient Crete) had established trade routes from Knossos to Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Scandinavia. Carnelian was one of their major trade goods, along with amethyst, lapis lazuli, and gold. Even as far away as Japan carnelian has been found in Iron Age burials. In earthquake-prone lands such as Babylon and Greece, carnelian served as a talisman of good luck. An ancient saying went: "no man who wore a carnelian was ever found in a collapsed house or beneath a fallen wall." Carnelian was mentioned a number of times in the ancient Egyptian "Book of the Dead". A "tet" amulet made of carnelian was placed on a mummy's neck to protect the soul of the departed in the afterlife. The amulet was consecrated by steeping it overnight in flower-water, after which it was empowered by reciting the appropriate spell from the Book of the Dead over it. The ancient Egyptians often referred to carnelian as "the blood of Isis". According to legend, the goddess Isis shed tears of blood upon the death of her husband, Osiris. The tears turned into carnelian, which she then shaped into a tet amulet. Isis placed the tet around the neck of Osiris to protect her husband as he journeyed to the underworld. In Egyptian mythology Isis was the equivalent of the universal mother-god found in virtually all civilizations, and was worshipped as the mother of Ra. Isis was the sister of Osiris (who was also her husband), Nepthys and Seth, the daughter of Nut and Geb and the mother of Horus, the winged Falcon God. Other early Mediterranean cultures as well believed that carnelian would protect the deceased in the journey between this world and the next. Carnelian was also believed an aid to astral travel in ancient Egypt, and Siberian shamans believed likewise. Ancient shamans believed that carnelian boosted all psychic and magical powers, especially intuitive gifts like psychometry, dowsing, clairvoyance, and astral travel. Carnelian was widely used throughout ancient the ancient Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Minoan and Phoenician worlds, as well as in ancient Greece, Rome, and Persia for the carving of intaglio gemstones for signet rings and other seals used by dignitaries and merchants to authenticate documents with their own unique personal "signature". Many of the intaglio carnelian rings and signets produced by ancient Roman and Greek craftsmen and still in existence today, have retained their high polish better than many harder stones. A particularly noteworthy collection is housed at The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. Carnelian was probably the favorite gemstone for Roman artisans as they produced the intaglio gemstones so popular in signet rings. Aside from being quite beautiful, carnelian seals and signets had the practical advantage of not sticking to wax. The ancient Mediterranean cultures, particularly the Romans, recommended carnelian gemstones for those of weak voice or timid on speech. It was also thought to give courage to those who wore the gemstone, and also to provide a positive influence on the reproductive system. As with amber, ancient Romans believed that the darker carnelian represented males and the lighter carnelian, females. In the world of the ancient Mediterranean, carnelian was also believed to be strong protection from the evil eye, referring to the almost universal belief in the ancient world that some evil sorcerers or witches had the ability to transmit evil with just a glance. The ancient Muslims also believed carnelian to protect against the evil eye, as well as bringing happiness to the owner. Carnelian was called "the Mecca stone". Legend has it that Mohammad's seal was an engraved carnelian set in a silver ring, quite possible since carnelian was often used for signet seals. In ancient Islam carnelian stones were also engraved it with the name of Allah to promote courage in the wearer. In ancient Tibet, it was believed that the seven treasures of material wealth were gold, silver, lapis lazuli, seashell, agate, pearl, and carnelian. Carnelian was used during the Middle Ages to enhance fertility, requiring that it be worn both by the male and female for those couples seeking a child. It was also believed to protect from miscarriage during pregnancy. The Medieval Christian Mystic Saint Hildegard recorded that carnelian was used to relieve headaches and as a child-birthing aid. In the Renaissance era cameos were frequently carved of carnelian in the belief that it would ward off depression and insanity. It was also believed that carnelian set in jewelry would help overcome shyness or social inhibitions. Napoleon is said to have carried a carnelian amulet he found in Egypt, as a talisman, echoing the ancient belief that carnelian would bring victory to the wearer in all contests except love. Like earlier civilizations, medieval Europe believed carnelian to be a powerful healer, using it as a remedy for bleeding wounds. A leading medical treatise of the 17th century said of carnelian, "the powder is good to drink against all infections. Carried about, it makes cheerful minds, expels fear, makes courage, destroys and prevents fascinations and defends the body against all poisons. It stops blood by a peculiar property; and bound to the belly keeps up the birth." "Carnelian" gets its name from the Latin "cornum" (cornel berry or carnelian cherry). The color of carnelian, which can range from yellow to orange to red and even to brown, is due to the presence of ferric oxide (iron). If the ferric oxides become hydrated, i.e., the stone absorbs moisture, the stone will be more yellow or brown. Conversely, if excess moisture is removed, it will become more red (which explains why it was often heated in the ancient world, even if by laying it out in the sun, so as to enhance the red hues). Carnelian is also fluorescent, showing under ultra violet light either a light blue or yellow-green coloration. Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B.C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. In the ancient world carnelian had many medicinal applications, believed useful in the treatment of open wounds, sores, spasms, fever, infections, nose bleeds, arthritis, and even infertility. It was also believed that a carnelian worn about a woman's neck would relieve cramps. Carnelian was also believed to relieve back pain, arthritis, fight infections, as well as to improve circulation to help purify the blood. On the metaphysical plane, it was widely believed in Medieval Europe that a carnelian amulet would protect the home from fire and misfortune. It was also believed helpful in finding the right mate, and to help wearers achieve the perfect balance between creativity and mental processing (left and right hemisphere functions), and thus a useful aid for daydreamers and the absent-minded. Carnelian was also worn to enhance passion, desire, and sexuality. HISTORY OF SILVER: After gold, silver is the metal most widely used in jewelry and the most malleable. The oldest silver artifacts found by archaeologists date from ancient Sumeria about 4,000 B.C. At many points in the ancient world, it was actually more costly than gold, particularly in ancient Egypt. Silver is found in native form (i.e., in nuggets), as an alloy with gold (electrum), and in ores containing sulfur, arsenic, antimony or chlorine. Much of the silver originally found in the ancient world was actually a natural alloy of gold and silver (in nugget form) known as "electrum". The first large-scale silver mines were in Anatolia (ancient Turkey) and Armenia, where as early as 4,000 B.C. silver was extracted from lead ores by means of a complicated process known as "smelting". Even then the process was not perfect, as ancient silver does contain trace elements, typically lead, gold, bismuth and other metals, and as much as a third of the silver was left behind in the slag. However measuring the concentrations of the "impurities" in ancient silver can help the forensic jewelry historian in determining the authenticity of classical items. From Turkey and Armenia silver refining technology spread to the rest of Asia Minor and Europe. By about 2,500 B.C. the Babylonians were one of the major refiners of silver. Silver "treasures" recovered by archaeologists from the second and third millenniums demonstrate the high value the ancient Mediterranean and Near East placed upon silver. Some of the richest burials in history uncovered by archaeologists have been from this time frame, that of Queen Puabi of Ur, Sumeria (26th century B.C.); Tuankhamun (14th century B.C.), and the rich Trojan (25th century B.C.) and Mycenaean (18th century B.C.) treasures uncovered by Heinrich Schliemann. The ancient Egyptians believed that the skin of their gods was composed of gold, and their bones were thought to be of silver. When silver was introduced into Egypt, it probably was more valuable than gold (silver was rarer and more valuable than gold in many Mesoamerican cultures as well). In surviving inventories of valuables, items of silver were listed above those of gold during the Old Kingdom. Jewelry made of silver was almost always thinner than gold pieces, as indicated by the bracelets of the 4th Dynasty (about 2,500 B.C.) queen Hetephere I, in marked contrast to the extravagance of her heavy gold jewelry. A silver treasure excavated by archaeologists and attributable to the reign of Amenemhat II who ruled during the 12th Dynasty (about 1900 B.C.), contained fine silver items which were actually produced in Crete, by the ancient Minoans. When the price of silver finally did fall due to more readily available supplies, for at least another thousand years (through at least the 19th dynasty, about 1,200 B.C.) the price of silver seems to have been fixed at half that of gold. Several royal mummies attributable to about 1,000 B.C. were even entombed in solid silver coffins. Around 1,000 B.C. Greek Athenians began producing silver from the Laurium mines, and would supply much of the ancient Mediterranean world with its silver for almost 1,000 years. This ancient source was eventually supplemented around 800 B.C. (and then eventually supplanted) by the massive silver mines found in Spain by the Phoenicians and their colony (and ultimate successors) the Carthaginians (operated in part by Hannibal's family). With the defeat of Carthage by Rome, the Romans gained control of these vast deposits, and mined massive amounts of silver from Spain, stripping entire forests regions for timber to fuel smelting operations. In fact, it was not until the Middle Ages that Spain's silver mines (and her forests) were finally exhausted. Although known during the Copper Age, silver made only rare appearances in jewelry before the classical age. Despite its infrequent use as jewelry however, silver was widely used as coinage due to its softness, brilliant color, and resistance to oxidation. Silver alloyed with gold in the form of "electrum" was coined to produce money around 700 B.C. by the Lydians of present-day Turkey. Having access to silver deposits and being able to mine them played a big role in the classical world. Actual silver coins were first produced in Lydia about 610 B.C., and subsequently in Athens in about 580 B.C. Many historians have argued that it was the possession and exploitation of the Laurium mines by the Athenians that allowed them to become the most powerful city state in Greece. The Athenians were well aware of the significance of the mining operations to the prosperity of their city, as every citizen had shares in the mines. Enough silver was mined and refined at Laurium to finance the expansion of Athens as a trading and naval power. One estimate is that Laurium produced 160 million ounces of silver, worth six billion dollars today (when silver is by comparison relatively cheap and abundant). As the production of silver from the Laurium mines ultimately diminished, Greek silver production shifted to mines in Macedonia. Silver coinage played a significant role in the ancient world. Macedonia's coinage during the reign of Philip II (359-336 B.C.) circulated widely throughout the Hellenic world. His famous son, Alexander the Great (336-323 B.C.), spread the concept of coinage throughout the lands he conquered. For both Philip II and Alexander silver coins became an essential way of paying their armies and meeting other military expenses. They also used coins to make a realistic portrait of the ruler of the country. The Romans also used silver coins to pay their legions. These coins were used for most daily transactions by administrators and traders throughout the empire. Roman silver coins also served as an important means of political propaganda, extolling the virtues of Rome and her emperors, and continued in the Greek tradition of realistic portraiture. As well, many public works and architectural achievements were also depicted (among them the Coliseum, the Circus Maximus). In addition many important political events were recorded on the coinage. You can Romaan coins which depicted the assassination of Julius Caesar, alliances between cities, between emperors, between armies, etc. And many contenders for the throne of Rome are known only through their coinage. Silver was also widely used as ornamental work and in other metal wares. In ancient cultures, especially in Rome, silver was highly prized for the making of plate ware, household utensils, and ornamental work. The stability of Rome's economy and currency depended primarily on the output of the silver mines in Spain which they had wrested from the Carthaginians. In fact many historians would say that it was the control of the wealth of these silver mines which enabled Rome to conquer most of the Mediterranean world. When in 55 B.C. the Romans invaded Britain they were quick to discover and exploit the lead-silver deposits there as well. Only six years later they had established many mines and Britain became another major source of silver for the Roman Empire. It is estimated that by the second century A.D., 10,000 tons of Roman silver coins were in circulation within the empire. That's about 3½ billion silver coins (at the height of the empire, there were over 400 mints throughout the empire producing coinage). That's ten times the total amount of silver available to Medieval Europe and the Islamic world combined as of about 800 A.D. Silver later lost its position of dominance to gold, particularly in the chaos following the fall of Rome. Large-scale mining in Spain petered out, and when large-scale silver mining finally resumed four centuries after the fall of Rome, most of the mining activity was in Central Europe. By the time of the European High Middle Ages, silver once again became the principal material used for metal artwork. Huge quantities of silver from the New World also encouraged eager buyers in Europe, and enabled the Spanish to become major players in the late Medieval and Renaissance periods. Unlike the ores in Europe which required laborious extraction and refining methods to result in pure silver, solid silver was frequently found as placer deposits in stream beds in Spain's "New World" colonies, reportedly in some instances solid slabs weighing as much as 2,500 pounds. Prior to the discovery of massive silver deposits in the New World, silver had been valued during the Middle Ages at about 10%-15% of the value of gold. In 15th century the price of silver is estimated to have been around $1200 per ounce, based on 2010 dollars. The discovery of massive silver deposits in the New World during the succeeding centuries has caused the price to diminish greatly, falling to only 1-2% of the value of gold. The art of silver work flourished in the Renaissance, finding expression in virtually every imaginable form. Silver was often plated with gold and other decorative materials. Although silver sheets had been used to overlay wood and other metals since ancient Greece, an 18th-century technique of fusing thin silver sheets to copper brought silver goods called Sheffield plate within the reach of most people. At the same time the use of silver in jewelry making had also started gaining popularity in the 17th century. It was often as support in settings for diamonds and other transparent precious stones, in order to encourage the reflection of light. Silver continued to gain in popularity throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the 20th century competed with gold as the principal metal used in the manufacture of jewelry. Silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of any metal, and one of the highest optical reflectivity values. It has a brilliant metallic luster, is very ductile and malleable, only slightly harder than gold, and is easily worked and polished. When used in jewelry, silver is commonly alloyed to include 7.5% copper, known as "Sterling Silver", to increase the hardness and reduce the melting temperature. Silver jewelry may be plated with 99.9% pure 'Fine Silver' to increase the shine when polished. It may also be plated with rhodium to prevent tarnish. Virtually all gold, with the exception of 24 carat gold, includes silver. Most gold alloys are primarily composed of only gold and silver. Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessed of valuable metaphysical properties, and to provide protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the "Papyrus Ebers" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. Precious minerals were likewise considered to have medicinal and "magical" properties in the ancient world. In its pure form silver is non toxic, and when mixed with other elements is used in a wide variety of medicines. Silver ions and silver compounds show a toxic effect on some bacteria, viruses, algae and fungi. Silver was widely used before the advent of antibiotics to prevent and treat infections, silver nitrate being the prevalent form. Silver Iodide was used in babies' eyes upon birth to prevent blinding as the result of bacterial contamination. Silver is still widely used in topical gels and impregnated into bandages because of its wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The recorded use of silver to prevent infection dates to ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates, the ancient (5th century B.C.) Greek "father of medicine" wrote that silver had beneficial healing and anti-disease properties. The ancient Phoenicians stored water, wine, and vinegar in silver bottles to prevent spoiling. These uses were "rediscovered" in the Middle Ages, when silver was used for several purposes; such as to disinfect water and food during storage, and also for the treatment of burns and wounds as a wound dressing. The ingestion of colloidal silver was also believed to help restore the body's "electromagnetic balance" to a state of equilibrium, and it was believed to detoxify the liver and spleen. In the 19th century sailors on long ocean voyages would put silver coins in barrels of water and wine to keep the liquid potable. Silver (and gold) foil is also used through the world as a food decoration. Traditional Indian dishes sometimes include the use of decorative silver foil, and in various cultures silver dragée (silver coated sugar balls) are used to decorate cakes, cookies, and other dessert items. Domestic shipping (insured first class mail) is included in the price shown. Domestic shipping also includes USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are an extra $18.99 for Insured Air Mail; International shipments are an extra $22.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily "lost" or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments, which is INCLUDED in our price. International tracking is at additional cost. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs). Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years. However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers. Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology. After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well. Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world – but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe. I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe. In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with. Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry. My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia. I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail. If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail. But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly – even if I am absent. And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE." Material: Antique Silver, Jewelry: Renaissance Era Ring, Ring Size: 8


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Category: 300 News Posted by: maryp DVD guru Norman Wilner weighs in on the release of 300
Real Men Don't Wear Pants (DVD Review)
Article Date: July 31, 2007 | Publication: MSN | Author: Norman Wilner
Source: MSN.com
There are few things as satisfying, in the action movie, as the moment when the hero realizes it is time to abandon the pretenses of pleasant society, pick up his broadsword and do some serious killing.
This week�s DVD releases offer a surprising number of movies dedicated to the fine art of brawny slaughter. Not all of them are exactly what you�d call good � in fact, there�s only one I�ll be rewatching six months from now � but they�re all poised to move huge numbers of discs, so let�s get right into it.
The week�s 800-pound gorilla is obviously 300, Zack Snyder�s relentlessly faithful adaptation of Frank Miller�s graphic novel about the siege of Thermopylae, when a tiny contingent of Spartan warriors held back the entire Persian army all by their lonesome, was a massive success on the big screen, and will surely be the action-geek�s title of choice, whether said geek picks up the movie-only DVD, the two-disc collector�s edition, or the high-def versions available on separate HD-DVD and Blu-ray platters.
Shot almost entirely against a green screen, with digital backgrounds and opponents added in post-production, like Robert Rodriguez� adaptation of Miller�s Sin City, 300 is almost nothing but killing, as Gerard Butler�s ferocious King Leonidas leads precisely 299 of his fellow bloodthirsty warriors to face the overwhelming Persian threat, which includes a coterie of archers, masked swordsmen, lobster-clawed giants, and at least one of the Muppet Musicians of Bremen. Oh, and they�re all led by Paolo from Lost, playing the god-emperor Xerxes as an eight-foot-tall club kid.
If one is picking at nits, one might bring up Snyder�s demented formalism and utter lack of self-knowledge. And one could bemoan the decision to depict the Spartans as almost completely humorless, when their entire culture dictates they�d be having the best day of their lives; surely they�d be happy as little Greek clams to be marching into battle against overwhelming odds. Think of the Klingons; they�d be slapping each other on the back and telling off-color jokes right up until their heads came off.
But one brief interlude aside, 300 has no time for levity; it�s about one stylized act of violence after another, with Snyder re-creating the panels of the source text so lovingly that it almost defeats the whole concept of the motion picture, constantly slowing the action down so we can note the precise dynamics of an individual image: See how I got the arm up just so? And how the sword pierces that guy�s kidney? Awesome, right?
Still, 300 plays likean exquisite celebration of the human form in motion � you know, like Leni Riefenstahl�s Olympia � when compared to something like Pathfinder, Marcus Nispel�s brawny, brainless tale of a culture clash between Native Americans and the invading Viking hordes, centuries before Columbus.
As explicit in its savagery as 300, but way dumber, Nispel�s storyline follows the evolution of Karl Urban�s tragic warrior, who survived the wreck of an earlier Viking ship as an infant, was raised by the natives as one of their own, and now must save his adoptive family from his biological one when the Scandanavians return with their big-haired rage. But what really drives Nispel is the crack of a mace against a human skull; if 300 is just an excuse to string together a bunch of battle sequences, the dialogue scenes of Pathfinder are just there to set up the next massive cranial injury. Sometimes, just to change things up, a guy gets a sword through the gut. But mostly it�s cranial injuries, because those are the awesomest.
This is why I love Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, who effortlessly puncture the whole macheesmo thing with their new movie Hot Fuzz. A pitch-perfect fusion of dry British comedy with American action-movie posturing, Hot Fuzz reunites the Shaun of the Dead team (star Pegg and director Wright, who wrote both films, and co-star Nick Frost) to take on the buddy-cop action movie as perfected by Jerry Bruckheimer.
The tale of a hyper-competent London policeman who�s transferred to the sleepy country village of Sandford and almost immediately stumbles across a series of bizarre murders, Hot Fuzz works as both loving homage and hysterical send-up, leaving no bullet left unfired and no cinematic touchstone left unreferenced.
I�ll admit I was a little disappointed that it doesn�t quite match the consistently brilliant, emotionally charged Shaun, but even so, this is one of the year�s best comedies, and one of the decade�s best action movies. Give it a spin when you�ve had enough of the shirtless bloody maniacs.
Category: 300 News
Posted by: maryp
DVD guru Norman Wilner weighs in on the release of 300