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Retrofit Comics Archives - Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources
Reviews: New books from Conundrum, Retrofit and more
Get Over It
by Corrine Mucha
Secret Acres, 104 pages, $15
It's my strong suspicion that Mucha's memoir, about her attempts to cope following the breakup of a long-term relationship, will largely be appreciated by the under-30 crowd. I'm not saying that older readers, especially those who have been through the mill a few times, will dismiss her story or be unsympathetic as she relates her woes, but I do expect them to regard some of Mucha's realizations and self-help profundities with a shrug and a muttered, "So what else is new?"
At a certain point in your life (usually past your 20s), you come to understand the importance of allowing yourself to properly mourn the death of a relationship, either through simple contemplation or hard-fought experience. There's nothing thematically in Get Over It that a certain segment of the population doesn't already know (even if they have trouble adhering to that wisdom).
Comics A.M. | Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Tony Auth passes away
Passings | Tony Auth, editorial cartoonist for The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1971 to 2012, died Sunday at age 72. Auth, who won both the Pulitzer and Herblock prizes during his lengthy career with the newspaper, began drawing as a child, when a lengthy illness confined him to bed for a year and a half. He graduated from UCLA in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in biological illustration, and worked as a medical illustrator for a time. He began his cartooning career doing a weekly cartoon for a local alternative newspaper and then started drawing a thrice-weekly cartoon for the UCLA Daily Bruin. He left the Inquirer in 2012 to pursue digital cartooning and became the Digital Artist in Residence for WHYY's News Works. In addition to his cartooning work, he illustrated 11 children's books. His editorial cartoons have been collected into two books, and Temple University has begun fund-raising for an archive of his work. Michael Cavna has a roundup of tributes from Auth's colleagues at Comic Riffs. [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
Six by 6 | Six of the best books of 2014 (so far)
We're a little more than halfway through the year, which makes it the perfect time to pause and separate the truly exemplary comics from the merely mediocre.
Below are six of my favorite comics of the year thus far. Many of them will likely make their way into my final "best of 2014″ list come December, but I reserve the right to completely change my mind between now and then.
In any case, let me know what comics you've enjoyed reading thus far (or how crazy I am for forgetting Graphic Novel X) in the comments section.
Comics A.M. | Is the world ready for a cosplay invasion?
Cosplay | The Christian Science Monitor looks at how cosplay is spilling out of comics and sci-fi/fantasy conventions and into "daily life," such as movie theaters, pubs and public squares: "The spread of cosplay owes a lot to the Internet. Social media sites build buzz around the next big cosplay event. Tumblr and Instagram allow strangers to pass around photos of past work and offer words of encouragement from afar. YouTube videos reveal how to craft foam core into realistic-looking armor and braid hair like an elf." [The Christian Science Monitor]
This is the best comic about a giant chicken you'll ever read
While I'm wary (to put it mildly) of throwing around trite phrases like "breakout artist" and "hot new cartoonist," it sure seems like Sam Alden has a certain enthusiasm building around him in indie circles. Reading Wicked Chicken Queen, it's not hard to see why. Whatever your initial reaction might be on glancing at that title, I can tell you I didn't expect anything nearly as graceful, thoughtful and moving as this comic turned out to be.
Exclusive first look at Sam Alden's 'Wicked Chicken Queen' cover
Cartoonist Sam Alden has had quite a year in 2013 — and 2014 looks to be in even better.
The artist, who won this year's Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent for his work on Haunter and Hawaii 1997, will release Wicked Chicken Queen through Box Brown's Retrofit Comics. Debuting in February, Wicked Chicken Queen will be Retrofit's flagship book for spring 2014, to be joined by comics from Zac Gorman and Madeleine Flores.
Retrofit has given ROBOT 6 the exclusive first look at the cover to Alden's next work, which we're happy to show off here.
Reviews | 'Iron Bound,' 'Beach Girls' and Pippi Longstocking
Iron Bound by Brendan Leach, Secret Acres, 252 pages, $21.95.
Leach's big follow-up to 2011's Pterodactyl Hunters is a very entertaining, tightly paced crime comic about two hoodlums living in Newark, New Jersey, in the early '60s and the trouble they get into running "errands" for one of the local gangsters. I really liked the way Leach sets up the story, with a violent incident on a bus that quickly establishes the characters' personalities and relationships to each other but also becomes an even more significant incident once you learn what those two were doing on that bus. Leach has an angular, slashing style that fits the grittiness of the material and also keeps the narrative moving a hurried clip, rarely taking a moment to pause. There's at least one big plot hole that gave me pause (without spoiling anything, I find it difficult to believe that a certain ancillary character's death would generate such a minor reaction from family members, friends and various authorities not on the take). A bit more perspective and varied viewpoints (it's notable there's no parental units to be found in Iron Bound) might have given the story a bit more depth, although it could also have easily slackened the book's drumbeat pace. Overall, this is a sharp, strong book, a smart follow-up to Hunters and proof that Leach is a cartoonist to watch. The book even comes with a flexi-disc record to play during the story's big fight/climax, a really terrific conceit, even if the nerd in me is hesitant to play it, for fear of damaging the book's "mint" condition (you never know what might be worth money some day).
Five quick takeaways from SPX 2013 plus a look at some things I bought
As promised, here are some thoughts on this year's SPX, along with some sorta short reviews of some of the more notable comics I picked up at the show (that I've read thus far.
Comics A.M. | This weekend, it's Wizard World New York
Conventions | The New York Post previews what's now called the Wizard World Comic Con NYC Experience, which kicks off in about three hours at Basketball City (Pier 36) in New York City: "Wizard cons, which are kind of a traveling road show hitting cities across the country, tend to focus more on celebrity appearances and (paid) meet-and-greets than other shows. But they still have plenty of programming that will scratch a given itch. And there will be plenty of comics/memorabilia/ephemera dealers to help empty your wallet. [Parallel Worlds]
Editorial cartoons | The Cartoonists Rights Network International will honor Syrian cartoonist Akram Raslan, who has been imprisoned on charges of sedition for the past seven months because of his cartoons critical of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. [The Salt Lake Tribune]
A look at new comics from Yeti Press and Retrofit Comics
There's a growing number of small-press publishers popping up these days, from Koyama Press to Oily Comics and beyond. No doubt that's in large part due to the increasing number of indie-comics conventions like CAKE and SPX, the relative ease of selling your work online, more and more cartoonists trained in basic printing and business skills thanks to schools like the Center for Cartoon Studies, and perhaps even more affordable printing technologies. (I'm guessing at that last one. OK, I'm guessing at all of these.)
Whatever the reason, we are blessed (or, depending on your viewpoint, cursed) with a plethora of minicomics from new and up-and-coming cartoonists. Here then are some short-ish reviews of minis that came to my doorstep from two relatively new publishers: Yeti Press and Retrofit Comics.
Our Ever Improving Living Room by Kevin Budnik ($20): This is a chunky-sized collection of a series of four-panel journal comics Budnik did while attending college. It's similar in style and presentation to James Kochalka's American Elf, although Budnik portrays himself as being a bit more reserved and anxious than Kochalka. It seems like just about everyone and their cat is doing a diary comic of some form these days, and while I can appreciate how the daily rigamarole of that type of comic can improve one's artistic and storytelling skill, there's always a danger in discovering that the examined life turns out to be rather dull. While he's not above highlighting the cute moment or indulging in some unnecessary naval-gazing, Budnik manages to avoid many of the pitfalls of his peers by possessing a self-effacing sense of humor and an appreciation for the minor victories and miseries of life. This is early work, and rough at times, but it shows a good deal of promise and I want to see what he does next.
So much for the death of floppies
Two to three years ago, it seemed inevitable: Single issue comic books, derisively called "floppies," were on the way out. Graphic novels were the future for most publishers, and floppies weren't even working as loss-leaders. But over the past year, the single issue is on the rebound and flourishing.
While I love graphic novels, the episodic consumption of comics is one of its unique strengths. Comics can excel in either form, but they aren't interchangeable. Just as TV shows and movies present stories differently, so too do comic book series and original graphic novels. For a time, it seemed like The Walking Dead was the last great monthly comic book because it knew how to grab with the first issue, it knew how to use the monthly cliffhanger, it knew how to utilize those 30-some odd pages, it knew how to keep the status quo shifting. It still does, and now it's being joined by more and more comics that are embracing the episodic nature of the format. It wasn't always that way, though, in part due to creative patterns and economic changes in the industry.
In 2010, only an estimated 69 million comic books were ordered by North American specialty stores, the lowest quantity in nearly a decade. For publishers not backed by large entertainment corporations (i.e., not Marvel and DC), single issues were starting to look like the next horse and buggy, something from a soon-to-be bygone era.
Box Brown adds a stretch goal to Retrofit Comics
The business model of Box Brown's Retrofit Comics is old school all the way: He's doing print editions, on paper and everything, of indie comics and selling them individually and by subscription. But he added a new twist this week when he announced on the Retrofit Tumblr that if the number of subscriptions reaches 130 (it was at 122 that day) by this Friday, every subscriber will get a two-color riso print (in full below). I find the concept of stretch goals fascinating, as they allow some customers to benefit from decisions made by others — I thought this was a good deal, so I subscribed, and now that a bunch of other people have subscribed as well, I get a free print.
Box Brown launches the next season of Retrofit Comics
While the whole rest of the world, it seems, is experimenting with digital comics, Box Brown has been going the opposite direction, publishing indie print comics through his own Retrofit Comics. I talked to him when he was launching the first season of Retrofit Comics, in fall 2011, and now that he's back for a second round, I thought it would be a good time to ask him what he learned from the first iteration and what he will be doing differently this time.
Robot 6: What did you learn from your first year as the publisher of Retrofit Comics?
Box Brown: I think I spread myself too thin. I released 17 comics in about 18 months while working on a graphic novel of my own and I was working too hard. I wasn't able to give each release the attention it deserved. Also, I learned a lot about "seasons" in the retail world. Stuff slows down a lot in the Summer. And, I think I also learned that people actually wanted a comic from Box Brown the cartoonist as well. Publishing your own work until a brand like this is kind of a weird feeling. I think I was uncomfortable with it for a while, but I've learned to say "fuck it"
Make Mine MoCCA: A guide to the festival this weekend
Dust off your shoes and pull your tote bag out of the closet kids, it's MoCCA time once again. The annual indie/small press comics show hosted by the Museum will take place at the Armory on Lexington Avenue in New York City this weekend. It promises to be a grand affair, with tons of publishers, minicomics, books and panels to choose from. Underneath the link we've put together a quick rundown of some of the more notable and interesting (well interesting to us any way) goings-on at the show this weekend.
Retrofit Comics has arrived!
Box Brown started Retrofit Comics as a Kickstarter project, with the intention of publishing 16 alternative comics. And by "alternative comics," we mean 32-page floppies, not webcomics or graphic novels but old-school ink-on-paper pamphlets.
The enterprise bore its first fruit last week with the publication of James Kochalka's Fungus, which features two mushrooms that are also characters in the video game he is developing; Kochalka described both in a recent interview with the A.V. Club. The next comic is Drag Bandits, by Colleen Frakes and Betsy Swardlick, and it's due out in October. The current plan is to publish one comic a month for 17 months, at a cover price of $5 each. Four- and six-month subscriptions are available; each gets you a free comic.
In the original Kickstarter solicitation, Brown opined that floppy comics are important for creators because they allow them to connect with their audience while the work is still evolving:
Without the floppy comic (or mini-comic) the artist is forced to work on a largescale graphic novel mostly in private and THEN sell it. What if it doesn't sell? What if the audience isn't there? What if there are kinks that could have been worked out somehow? The artist basically has to go back to the drawing board. If there is an avenue and audience to work with, the artist can produce better and more refined work.
But he hasn't neglected the retail side: He has already arranged for a number of retailers to carry the comics, which should bring them more (and more regular) traffic from indy-comics fans. Check the Retrofit website for updates as well as sample pages from upcoming comics; looks like there's some good stuff in the pipeline.


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"Great Story, and read beautifully by the author"
A well constructed story with a totally believable plot and well developed characters.
Mostly because of the reader it reminds me a lot of my personal favourite JLC book, Absolute Friends. The plot is of course different, but the quality of the writing and the reading is almost as good.
The Minister
I dont think his books translate well to film, they are much better as TV series - for example the Smiley series, probably the best TV series I have ever seen.
There is a real benefit to having an author read his own work; the intonation, vocabulary and the "sense" of the story is far better than any other approach. Le Carre is truly blessed as an excellent writer with a superb reading voice and style.
"Basically boring"
This is the last of the series, thank goodness. If Mr Follett starts another series like this - count me out. Too long, too slow and too opinionated.
Not something by Follett or Lee
Greatly. John Lee insists on trying accents and they really do not work especially when the text is read in an emotionless monosyllabic chant. John Lee is a much better reader when he just reads and does not attempt to act
All except the real life characters
Not a good series; too much like Jeffrey Archer and not enough like Ken Follett.
"Sounds exactly like every other Scarpetta story"
A different plot, a different reader and some new ideas
Spend less time rehashing prior story lines and relationships. We now the characters, we understand the history, why spend half the book restating the same old stuff over and over
Monotone, uninterested, flat, boring reading.
All of them
This author needs to find a new character and a new storyline - this is definitely my last Scarpetta book, I hope it is her last one too.
"So this is what the bible really means..."
Yes, because the story is very rich, and, I would like to go back to the New Testament (and Old) to check some of the amazing facts, thoughts and concepts
Unlike any other, except perhaps segments of the Bible
No, too deep to listen to at one sitting.
Definitely worth a second or third read.
"More,and more, and more of the same old, same old,"
I keep trying Mr Archer, everyone says he is a good author, so somewhere, someday, there must be a good book. But, not today and definitely not this book! The prior books were poor and predictable; this one is rubbish. The plot is, charitably, stupid, inconsistent and totally unbelievable. The reader is good, but it would take a miraculous performance to turn this drivel into anything approaching an average story.
Totally predictable and yet completely unbelievable.
Not a single redeeming feature. Probably the worst audio book I have ever heard.
I assume there are more episodes to this painful series - don't buy this, or them!
"Weak storyline, weaker reader"
I have read several books by Sandra Brown, mostly quite good. This one has a poor storyline with gratuitous sex thrown in, presumably to bolster the poor story since the sexual scenes are completely inappropriate. Tried several times to restart and give it another chance, but frankly, its a very boring book, made even worse by a very boring reader.
It was boring with a boring reader
It could have been done by someone with a sense of timing and intonation.
It sent us to sleep without difficulty
Not sure if I want to risk another book by this author, but I am certain that this reader will be boycotted from now on.
"More from the Archer factory"
I would only recommend this if they were a JA Fan. For anyone else, no, it has few redeeming factors as a novel.
The only interesting factor is that without knowing the Author in advance, it is clearly Mr Archer. Every one of his books consists of some contrived connection that is about as likely as snow on the Sun.
Least interesting? Most of the book!
I listened right to the end; will not buy the next volume, I could almost write it myself since it follows the usual JA formula.
"As good as "Nightbird""
Ranks quite high. Excellent story with lots of depth and character and location development. Gives a good verbal picture of the time and place and has links to past (and future) stories.
Matthew - well developed character with a predictable reaction to all that happens. The character transcends each story which makes listening comfortable.
The nymphomaniacal young lady, name escapes me at moment, with whom Matthew spent an exhausting evening!
Love to see more of these stories, they are quite unique
"A good SF book from Sheffield, very poor narration"
A good story, well written, but read without any sense of intonation or interest or anything. I will not listen to this again; but I would read it.
Just about anyone; my cat is unemployed at the moment.
Mr Sheffield is a very good SF writer with a solid scientific background. The reader is so bad that it reduces the story to a bunch of unrelated words. This one will be returned to Audible before I get to part 2.
"Great story, but the narration is very, very poor"
Yes, it is worth listening to a couple of times since the story is quite dense, and, the accented narration is so poor that it needs to be listened to a couple of times just to get the story despite the accents.
The accents! So badly done and so unnecessary. The story is very strong, very well put together, it just does not need to be "acted". I know that I would prefer a straight narration from John Lee
It has lots of tie in's to historical facts; addresses the James Angleton's role in the whole Philby affair; put McLean, Burgess and Blunt into an interesting perspective and is generally a great (probably fictitious) backgrounder to the Cambridge 4 (5 or 6).
Mr. Littell's stories are very well researched and written. This one is no exception and deserves a listen despite the narration.
Report Inappropriate Content
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subset: commoncrawl


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Choose the perfect style of hardware for your Inswing Casement windows. A rotating lever handle offers a simple design element that can work with multiple styles. For a more classic or historic look, Cremone lever handles, with exposed vertical rods that lock at head and sill, provide an ideal aesthetic for turn of the century projects. The rotating lever handle or the Cremone lever handle can be selected for use with single sash or French double-sash operating units.
Frame colors: Stone White, Evergreen, Bronze, Bahama Brown, Pebble Gray and custom colors (See Marvin clad colors)
Available only with wood windows


text: very chip and very usefool! i bought it to my wife and used it alot untill she got pragnent (thnaks gos) none i didnt find something wrong with this prosuct offer to everyone if you buy it you can use it every day because its very chip! i used it every couple days untill my wife got pragnent offer to ... Read more


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I??ve been a host now for like a couple of months and things have been going pretty productive. So yeah, Mike for the show. We start tomorrow first day </p> <p> Baltimore. I??m out.
10 Winners score the Dare fragrance from Guess.
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Buy Idaho, Inc was formed in 1986 to promote Idaho businesses doing business with Idaho businesses; to educate and encourage Idahoans to shop locally because that keeps Idaho dollars at home; in our communities.
Our members range from one person enterprises to the largest businesses the state has to offer; from academic institutions to government agencies.
Buy Idaho is a private, non-profit Corporation, fully funded through membership dues.
Buy Idaho members promote their products and services through the use of two logos. The "Buy Idaho Products and Services" logo is used to identify those businesses that provide products and/or services.
"Product of Idaho USA" logo may be used to promote products whose value is enhanced by 50 percent or more of state grown, manufactured, processed or produced goods.
Buy Idaho, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors & Staff
Executive Board:
President: Harold Brown, Owner, Applied Marketing Group, Boise
Vice President: Clarence Jones, Retired, Bank Of The Cascades, Meridian
Secretary: Kit Herndon, Relocation Coordinator, Peasley Transfer and Storage, Boise
Treasurer: Clarence Jones, Retired, Bank Of The Cascades, Meridian
Immediate Past President: Ed Willson, President, Custom Roto-Molding, Inc.
Tracey Stone, MassMutual Idaho, Boise
Executive Director: Sandy Anderson
Office Manager: Kristie Fleeting


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Erotica Galleries (51)
On The Prowl - Scene 10 (Manuel Olveyra, James Castle and Theo Ford)by Kristen Bjorn
James is reminiscing with his old friend Theo and remembering the fun he has had with Theo's huge …
On the Prowl - Scene 8 (Max Toro and Manuel Olveyra) (Bareback)by Kristen Bjorn
Manuel is walking down the street when he notices a suspicious man (Max) in a doorway, he glances over …
Men In The City 2 (Tony Gys, Darius Ferdynand & Gorka Martin)by Kristen Bjorn
Darius has invited Tony over and Tony has invited his friend Gorka to join them After some amorous …
On the Prowl - Scene 6 (James Castle, Max Toro and Angel Lobo)by Kristen Bjorn
James Castle is set up by two criminals that know how to spot a tourist and do the bump and snatch They …
On the Prowl: Scene 5 (Manuel Olveyra and John Finkel)by Kristen Bjorn
John and Manuel meet up for lunch then return to Manuel's for some hot dessert Manuel quickly jumps …
Men in the City - Table For Three (Manuel Olveyra, Caleb Ramble & Rainer) (Bareback)by Kristen Bjorn
Manuel and Rainer have invited Caleb over for dinner But it is not food that is being served up on this …
Casting Couch #327 (Rainer & James Castle)by Kristen Bjorn
Rainer has invited James over and they start slow and romantic with tender kisses James slicks up …
Men In The City: The Portrait (Jalil Jafar and Marco Rubi)by Kristen Bjorn
Marco is taking the wonderful sights of the city when he decides to have his portrait drawn After the …
Madrid Stories - An Unexpected Visitor I (Denis Vega & Mateo Stanford)by Kristen Bjorn
Mateo Stanford is so horny and is cruising on his mobile app and makes a connection When Mateo opens …
The Secret Gift: Chapter 7 (Valentino Medici, Wagner Vittoria, Diego Lauzen and Gaspar Moreno)by Kristen Bjorn
Watch Valentino Medici, Wagner Vittoria, Diego Lauzen and Gaspar Moreno at KristenBjorn
Strangers in Prague 2 (Wagner Vittoria, Diego Lauzen, Marco Rubi, Tomas Friedel) (Scene 5) (Bareback)by Kristen Bjorn
Watch Wagner Vittoria, Diego Lauzen, Marco Rubi, Tomas Friedel
The Secret Gift: Chapter 2 (Milos Zambo, Mattias Solich & Donato Reyes)by Kristen Bjorn
Watch Milos Zambo, Mattias Solich & Donato Reyes at Kristen Bjorn
Strangers in Prague 2 (Jan Faust, Mirek Ceslar, David Kadera & Marco Rubi) (Scene 3)by Kristen Bjorn
Watch Jan Faust, Mirek Ceslar, David Kadera & Marco Rubi at KristenBjorn
Casting Couch #316: Antonio Aguilera & Robin Sanchezby Kristen Bjorn
Watch Antonio Aguilera & Robin Sanchez at Kristen Bjorn
Lover's Lane (Lucas Pribyl & Milos Zambo) (Scene 17)by Kristen Bjorn
Lucas and Milos head out for a drink at the local pub and find that the alcohol has made them a little …
Reality Porn (Jalil Jafar & Denis Vega) (Scene 5)by Kristen Bjorn
We catch up with Denis training in the park for his job interview as a Fireman Denis has worked up a …
Casting Couch #310 (Wlliam Bravo & Lucas Fox)by Kristen Bjorn
Watch Wlliam Bravo & Lucas Fox at Kristen Bjorn
Strangers in Prague (Marco Rubi, Ivo Kerk, Adam Rupert) (Scene 4)by Kristen Bjorn
Marco Rubi, Ivo Kerk, Adam Rupert
Sands of Time: The Hourglass Ch. 3 (Donato Reyes, Jalil Jafar, Tomas Fridel & Valentino Medici)by Kristen Bjorn
When we last gazed upon our 2 hot couples they were in the middle of a game we like to call "PS …
Kody (HOT Hawaiian Muscle Surfer)by Island Studs
Kody is a super sexy athletic surfer who works at a very popular surf
shop in Waikiki He arrived …
Frankie (Riding a HOT DILDO)by Island Studs
Nasty boy blue-collar Frankie is back showing off his thick Italian
cock and FUCKING himself with …
Kaleo (Handsome Hawaiian Furry Jock)by Island Studs
Kaleo, a handsome polite Hawaiian, is a real life sport jock fantasy!
Standing 6'2", 185 lbs he …
Darius & Devon (The King Brothers)by Island Studs
The horse-hung muscle stud King Brothers are back again - turning
heads in Honolulu and jerking …
Darren & Kaleo (Play Naked Football)by Island Studs
Big Dick Darren, the sexy Waikiki lifeguard & surfer is back with his
buddy Kaleo for another …
Kaimana (Returns)by Island Studs
Kaimana is Back! Ripped Hawaiian Surfs Naked & Jerks Off on the Beach!
Jeno (Uncut Puerto Rican)by Island Studs
Tight Body Muscle Stud Jeno, born and raised on the Island of Puerto Rico, loves living in Hawaii! He …
Dane (Furry Muscle Jock)by Island Studs
Dane is a semi-pro body boarder living in Hawaii with a great body
sculpted from hours in the gym …
Casting Couch #253 (Alex Brinsky & Tomas Friedel)by Kristen Bjorn
Alex and Tomas are having a cocktail when they realize that it is much more that they desire You know …
Rusty (Red Headed Solo)by Island Studs
Red Headed Rusty Shows his Sexy Pink BUTT HOLE!
Trey (Smooth Bulky Hawaiian Tourist)by Island Studs
Bulky Boy Trey, a tourist visiting Hawaii, is a real Montana farm boy
- very polite with a sweet …
Ollie (Hawaiian Marine with Massive Nuts)by Island Studs
If you like your men straight, married with children and in the military, Ollie is your man! This real …
Maleko (Furry Local Boy)by Island Studs
Maleko is a sexy Hawaiian country boy, born and raised on the Island of Oahu Standing 6'1" & weighing …
John (Smooth Tourist Boy)by Island Studs
John is a shy, soft-spoken innocent young boy with a polite attitude
and a sweet smile A true …
Darren 2by Island Studs
Big Dick Darren, the Waikiki lifeguard, is back for his second outdoor shoot Darren got so excited when …
Tommy (Returns)by Island Studs
Tommy, the 22 year old Hollywood, California muscle stud is back!
Like in his first shoot, Tommy …
Tommy (Young Gym Stud)by Island Studs
Handsome Tommy is an athletic young man with a killer gym body, "Hollywood" smile & a friendly winning …
Brian (Part 2)by Island Studs
Beautiful BIG Dick Brian is back with his massive slab of young boy
cock! Blue-eyed Brian is …
Ian Turnerby Paragon Men
We only shot Ian a week ago in California, but couldn't want to wait to show him off on this …
Wild Attractionby Kristen Bjorn
Wild Attraction - Scott Carter, Maikel Cash, Pau Casserras
Tom Estrada & Kevin Costa (Casting Couch 236)by Kristen Bjorn
Casting Couch 236 starring Tom Estrada & Kevin Costa Our eager bottom is very excited to please his …


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System designed to deliver hot water 24 hours a day, without using electricity. This system is based on reliable, new and more efficient Evacuated Glass Tube (patented) technology by virtue of which the temperature of water can be raised up to 95°C (environmental & usage dependent). This has a clear advantage over conventional Flat Plate Collectors technology. Minimal installation is required for the system. The systems have provision for heater, which can be used in case of consecutive non sunny day. Use of a 110 LPD system saves up to 1500 units of electricity in a year. The system reimburses its cost in 2-3 years, subsequently offers a bonus to the customer by saving in electricity and gas bills for the rest of its service life (expected 15 years)
Consol super conducting vacuum tube is of very low thermal capacity, and extra ordinarily prompt thermal conductivity (1000 times of that of copper), so it's a very efficient heat transfer vacuum tube. And It's of the function of unilateral diode, for example: the transfer of heat power is a direct process- heat is transferred from vacuum tube to the water, but heat could not be reverted back to vacuum tube. The highest working temperature of the system could be controlled to ensure the stability of the system, because of the physical effect of working medium and special configuration of condenser.
Consol vacuum tube is of prominent ability to absorb the solar power. It's high degree of vacuum could decrease the heat waste, its selective coating could transfer both the direct radiant energy and diffuse radiant energy of sunlight to the super conducting vacuum tube. The vacuum tube is responsible for absorbing the solar power efficiently and insulating the thermal energy and it could stop the thermal waste in bad weather conditions, the heat pipe is responsible for transferring the solar power to thermal power.
The optimization combination of these two parts could exceed any other solar collector greatly even in unusual conditions. That's the magic of Consol Vacuum tube+ Consol heat Pipe.
The coated layer on the vacuum tubes absorbs the radiation of sunlight. This layer then transfers the radiation to heat the water. The reflecting sheet facilitates this process. By this process water is heated up in the tube, while the water in the tank is cold. Hot water being lighter rises up to the tank and cold water from the tank comes down to the vacuum tube to start a circulation by thermo-siphon. Gradually all water in the tank becomes hot and ready for use. The tank shown is adequately insulated using Polyurethane insulation, which prevents the water from losing its heat content not in excess of 5% during night-time. Also available in other capacities on order.
Technical Parameters of Vacuum Tube : (47-1500-15)
|Degree of Vacuum : �×10³pa
|Coating : AI-N-AI
|Absorption coefficient : �.93
|Emissivity : <0.08
|Starting temperature : �5°C
|Max. Temperature : >250°C
|Freezing resistance : -18°C
|Service Life : >15years
|Wind resistance : 30m/s(grade 11)
|Hail proof : 25mm
|Glass material : concentrated borosilicate glass 3.3
|Absorber plate : Copper profile
|Size of single tube (mm) 47Ă—1550
|Heating-up coefficient : >95%
Different Models
|Vacuum Tube Size
|Total Volume (L)
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Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Somerset East
Palm Court was originally a large family home until it was converted to a B+B in 2009. Palm Court is in a very quiet area of Somerset East and close to all shops , restaurants and all other facilities.
It has a very good view of the Boschberg mountain.
The B+B has 4 bedrooms and 2 self catering flats, lounge, dining room, t.v. room and two seperate braai areas which have access to a large swimming pool. There is a nursery , tea garden, gift shop and play ground adjacent to the house and can be accessed from the pool area behind the house.
Late sleepers and self catering guests will find the tea garden useful , as light meals are available from 10am until 4pm.
Bed and breakfast guests have the option of having breakfast at the tea garden if they so wish.
Self Catering Accommodation in Somerset East
Palm Court also offers 2 beautiful self catering accommodation units. Each with their own fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with shower and bath and a large bedroom with a double bed.
Make An Enquiry
- Tel: 082 058 0406
- Fax: 042 243 1714
- 21 Holden Avenue
- Palm Court
- Somerset East
- Eastern Cape
- View Map


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One thing the Celtics need to improve
This is something I noticed a couple days ago during the game, and Paul Pierce pointed it out after practice today: The Celtics struggled with Jameer Nelson coming off the pick-and-roll. (WEEI)
The Celtics also want to figure out their pick and roll coverage. Jameer Nelson burned them in the second half when they went under the screen. He's too good a shooter to allow him open looks.
"We've got to figure out a way to stop Jameer Nelson in the pick and roll," Pierce said. "He really got hot in the second half. We're far from being where we want to be."
When the Magic scored yesterday, it was Nelson doing a lot of the damage. Paul Flannery noted that Nelson did damage when the C's went under the screen, and he did. But he also did damage when the C's went over the screen.
He's surprisingly quick for a guy who kinda looks like a chunker and does a good job splitting the coverage to get into the middle of the lane. When he's aggressive coming off the screen, it's going to be tough for Boston. Because Nelson is a good shooter, Rajon Rondo has to defend him over the top of the screen, leaving the big man alone with Nelson. Being quick, skilled and aggressive, Nelson is able to attack big men, get penetration, and make plays.
Here's a still picture of Nelson at the point of attack coming around the screen (yes, I know it's against the Hawks — couldn't find one of Nelson running p/r against the C's). Even though it isn't the C's, the defense was very similar to how the C's played it — a flat hedge by the big man, a trailing defender trying to get over the screen to no avail.
Nelson continues to attack the big man, isolating against him as the defender still trails the play. Even for a big man as mobile as Al Horford (or KG/Perk), it's tough to stay in front of an attacking Nelson. The key is to make Nelson take a step backward, to give enough time for Rondo to get into the play. Horford fails to do that here, and Nelson is in the driver's seat.
Though the Celtics were shredded by Nelson in the pick-and-roll, not all was bad. He finished with only 2 assists, so his influence was pretty much limited to his own scoring. The pick-and-roll didn't help to get everyone else involved. It could start to pay benefits for all the other Magicians, though, should the Celtics not tighten up the defense.
Rondo has said on more than one occasion that Nelson is the most important Magician (at least on offense), and Game One showed why. Nelson is one of two Magicians (Vince Carter being the other — with apologies to J.J. Redick, who pretended like he could for parts of Game One) who can create their own shot or opportunities for others.
Look for the C's to make an adjustment in Game Two, if they want to continue to stop the dangerous Magic.


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New Jersey Nets, NBA
Derrick Coleman
- NBA All-Star (1994)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1991)
- Big East Conference Player of the Year (1990)
- NCAA All-American First Team (1990)
- World Championship Gold Medalist (1994)
Derrick Coleman is a retired NBA player who enjoyed his best years as a member of the New Jersey Nets, where he averaged 19.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. He was selected first overall in the 1990 NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets. At the start of his career, the Nets were an up and coming team, with young players like Derrick, Kenny Anderson, Chris Morris and Mookie Blaylock teaming up with solid veteran players like Sam Bowie, Chris Dudley, Terry Mills and Dražen Petrović. Throughout his career, left-handed Coleman was an effective low post scorer with a reliable perimeter shooting touch, averaging 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. When Derrick entered the NBA, he was compared to elite power forwards such as Karl Malone and Charles Barkley, and expected to put up similar numbers, only with the added ability to shoot from three-point range. In 1994, Derrick won the gold medal with the US national team in the FIBA World Championship. Derrick grew up and attended high school in Detroit, Michigan and later attended college at Syracuse University.
Please note: for all bookings made on December 24 or 25, Thuzio Client Services will be in touch with you on December 26. The Thuzio offices will be closed on December 25; all gifts can be redeemed starting December 26.
Tweet$500Promote your brand or business with a tweet from Derrick.
Lunch or Dinner$1,500Derrick will join you and your small group of up to 10 people at lunch or dinner. You choose the restaurant and you choose what you want to talk about. Derrick will share stories from his career. Note: for larger parties, please see appearance fee below.
Attend a Game$2,500Have an extra seat at the game? Derrick will join you and your guests and share insight on the game. Discuss Derrick's career at the Nets and his trajectory to become a NBA All-Star. (Up to 3 hours)
Round of Golf$2,500Derrick will complete your foursome for a round of golf. He'll be the perfect fourth for your Sunday outing, and will spice up the round with tales from his time in the pros. (Up to 5 hours)
Appearance$5,000Hire Derrick Coleman to make an appearance at your next event! Derrick Coleman's appearance will be the perfect way to promote your business or organization. (Up to 60 minutes). Autograph show pricing may vary.
Coaching$1,500To be the best you need to learn from the best. Hiring Derrick as a coach will give you access to a NBA All-Star. Derrick will coach a group of 2-6 people drills that helped him become a pro athlete.
Booking Area
* Booking this talent outside of the booking region may result in additional costs. Thuzio Pros are subject to availability.
Sport Basketball League NBA Team
- New Jersey Nets (1990-1995)Philadelphia 76ers (1995-1999, 2001-2004)Charlotte Hornets (1999-2001)Detroit Pistons (2004-2005)
Position Power Forward
Home Town Mobile, Alabama College Syracuse University


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Mainstreet Grill
100 East New York Avenue
DeLand, Florida 32724
Telephone: (386) 740-9535
We ask for your patience while we update our online menus
(menu items and prices subject to change)
Kid's Eat Free* Monday night
4pm to Close
*one free kid's meal with each adult entrée purchase
Daily 2 for 1's
Main St. Margaritas or Rum Runner's
If one is in the mood for casual dining in a relaxing
atmosphere, the Mainstreet Grill provides both. Guests
can dine outside on the patio as one listens to the
manatee mural fountain or sit inside with murals and
art that capture the flavor of historic DeLand.
MAINSTREET GRILL has undoubtedly the best
cuisine in town and is popular for its delicious, fresh
baked cinnamon rolls that accompany all of the mouth
watering salads!
Pastas • Steaks • Seafood
Homemade Soups & Salads
"Like" us on Facebook for specials,
deals and more!
Catering • Banquet Room
Full Service Bar • Private Parties


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Magma SetTalk7
12,691pages on
this wiki
this wiki
The Magma Set consists of all Items that give protection against Fire Damage.
Wearing this full Set will give you 23% Fire protection, but increase damage taken by Ice by 24%.
Note that Dragon Necklace is not actually part of Magma Set, but provides 8% protection against fire for 200 charges, so with it set gives total 31% protection against Fire. With Magma Set, Dragon Necklace and Might Ring you have 51% protection against Fire.
Sorcerers and Druids can replace the Magma Coat with a Royal Scale Robe, getting a total of 20% fire protection, -16% ice protection and a +2 Magic Level boost.
- ^ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Magma Amulet, Dragon Necklace, and Might Ring have limited charges.
See also other Sets.


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St. Paul Methodist Church after the 1936 tornado
|Click here to view the item (new window)
|Black-and-white photographs
|St. Paul Methodist Church after the 1936 tornado
|1936 Apr. 6
|Photograph taken after the St. Paul Methodist Church on Grove Street was completely destroyed by the tornado of April 6, 1936. Although the church contained heavy pews, three pianos, and an organ, only one piece of any size was ever found -- it was the back of one of the pianos with the name of a boy from the congregation carved into it.
Caption: "Hall County Library Photo Collection (0107) Gainesville, Georgia."
Digitized by: Digital Techniques, Inc.
Electronic version made available through a federal Library Services and Technology Act Grant and Georgia Public Library Services.
|Tornadoes--Georgia--Gainesville | Natural disasters--Georgia--Gainesville | Buildings--Natural disaster effects--Georgia--Gainesville | Rubble--Georgia--Gainesville | St. Paul Methodist Church (Gainesville, Ga.) | Grove Street (Gainesville, Ga.) | Hall County (Ga.) | Gainesville (Ga.)
|Hall County Library System (Ga.)
|Online Publisher:
|[Gainesville, Ga. : Hall County Library System], 2001
|Original Material:
|1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 17 cm. | Forms part of: Hall County, Georgia historical photograph collection.
|Rights and Usage:
|Cite as: [Name of photograph], Hall County, Georgia historical photograph collection, Hall County Library System.
|Persistent Link to Item:
|Related Institutions:
|Hall County Library System (Ga.)
|Collection Information:
|Hall County Georgia Historical Photograph Collection


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ようこそ !
Welcome to the White Rose Aikikai - Kyoto Dojo, Japan.
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a non-aggressive Martial Art which means it is used defensively rather than offensively (protect not attack). The force of an aggressive attack is used against the attacker in order to control them without hurting them. This is the key point which makes Aikido different from other Martial Arts. As a result, Aikido techniques are used extensively by police and security forces around the world. Apart from the self-defense applications of Aikido there are many other benefits for Aikido students. For example:
There are many other aspects to Aikido but you will have to come to class to experience those for yourself.
What do I need to do now?
Please come along and observe a class or join in for a free trial lesson. You should wear loose comfortable sportswear, bring a hand towel and drink especially during the summer season.
If you wish to join the Dojo we can arrange a Dogi for you at a discounted price through our Dojo. We look forward to seeing you on the mat.
White Rose Aikikai, UK
White Rose Aikikai was formed in 1979 by Shane Riley Shihan, 7th Dan, to promote and foster the practice and spirit of Traditional Aikido as originated by O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba.
The association enjoys links with many Aikido organisations and individual high-ranking instructors in the UK and throughout the world, which enables it to fulfil its primary aims. These are the further development of Aikido through the individual's commitment to its principles and philosophy, and conversely, the development of the individual through a lifetime study of Aikido.
More Aikido Information.....
For information and a more detailed history of Aikido please explore the following links.
Location / Schedule


text:
Ampeg SVT-212AV 600W 2x12 Bass Speaker Cabinet
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Add some Ampeg to your rig. Order now!


text:
HENDERSON, Ky. (9/1/14) — All children preschool through fifth grade are invited to attend the 2014 Henderson County High School Little Colonel Cheer Clinic.
This clinic, presented by the HCHS Cheerleaders, will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014,in the Main Gymnasium of Henderson County High School
Upon completion of the program, participants will meet HCHS Cheerleaders at Colonel Football Stadium Friday, Sept.19, 2014, at 6:15 p.m. to cheer until the end of the first quarter of the football game. Parents will come to the middle gate to pick up their children.
SurfKY News
Information provided by HCS Publication Team
© Copyright 2014 SurfKY News Group, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, or rewritten without permission. SurfKY News encourages you to share this story by using one of the social media links below.
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text:
47. Friends
In the kitchen I found a middle aged woman already busy with the preparations for dinner. She gave me a deeply disapproving look. I guess I could count myself lucky that she nevertheless served me a breakfast of bread, honey, fruit salad and tírithel on a tray to take into the living room. The living room was a mixture of living room, dining room and study. Connected to the kitchen by a wooden door, there was a dais with a long dining table and twelve chairs. Three white marble steps led down to the living room part of the room.
At the other end of the room was a large fireplace, already stocked with great logs for the evening. To the right side of the room were three large windows with deep window seats looking out over the lower levels of the city to the south. On the left side of the room bookshelves reached from the floor to the ceiling.
There I found Gandalf, peacefully smoking his pipe and leafing through an old book. I slumped down on a chair at the great dining table hoping that the tírithel would restore some strength to me. It did not really work. If anything, I felt even more tired. I sighed and rubbed at my temples.
Gandalf raised his head and looked me up and down. Then he took the pipe from his lips. "Go back to bed," the wizard said and put the pipe back into his mouth.
Ha, bloody ha… as if anybody who is not grievously hurt would ever go back to bed in the middle of the bloody day around here, I thought irritably but did not reply to the wizard's suggestion.
But I did take my time to finish breakfast. Afterwards I felt slightly better but only very slightly. Éowyn's brand of girl talk was still reverberating in my mind. And damn it all to hell I missed Éomer, although I had not been at all comfortable in his company after Éowyn's rousing comments. I wondered when and how I would manage to tell him all about me.
"Where is everybody?" I asked the wizard. Gandalf raised his head again from the book. He seemed a bit surprised that I was still there and a little exasperated at the disturbance of his reading. "Up and about," he said. "Somewhere. Not in more trouble than usual. I hope."
The house we were staying in was a white villa on the sixth circle of Minas Tirith.
Aragorn had appointed this house for the use of the fellowship as long as even one member of our company stayed in Minas Tirith. The Lord of Dol Amroth and the Lady Míriël had wanted me to stay with them, and Éowyn had pleaded with me to stay with her, probably thinking that I would be the most lenient chaperone she was likely to get. But to my surprise all members of the Fellowship had argued vehemently that I belonged to them and therefore had to stay with them in the villa. Even Legolas had departed from his usual noble reserve and had told me with the indication of an elegant elvish bow, "You belong here, with us, for as long as the fellowship remains." And Sam had stepped up to the Lady Míriël, had bowed to her very deeply and promised with a very solemn expression on his face that he would watch my every step. No lenient chaperone for Lothíriel. Sigh.
But remembering that, I felt blissfully happy nevertheless. I had felt for such a long time that I did not really belong with the Fellowship because I was not in the stories, because I was only an addition, the tenth walker, more an encumbrance than an asset. Now I knew that Merry, Pippin, Sam, Frodo, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf and Aragorn thought differently. They really thought that I belonged with them. To have friends to really belong to. I sighed again but this time with happiness. Friends who really wanted me to stay with them, friends, with whom I had shared so many days and nights, so many experiences…
I sat down in an easy chair across from Gandalf, cradling my second cup of tírithel. I tried to think about plans for today, what I should do and where I should go. But again and again my mind returned to the conversation I had had with Éowyn last night.
Suddenly Gandalf closed his book. He looked at me, frowning deeply. "Would you please stop thinking quite so loudly, my dear? Your thoughts running in circles like that makes concentrating on my book virtually impossible."
Wizards. As if it is my fault that he can read my mind. I sighed again. I felt that I did rather a lot of sighing lately. "I'm sorry, Gandalf. I'm just so… upset. You know, up one minute, down the next. It's silly. I know."
"Himmelhoch jauchzend, zu Tode betrübt," Gandalf commented in a gruff voice and in perfect German. "I know. And it is really silly. You worry too much, Lothíriel. If you knew more about the history of earth, you would not be as worried as you are now. It's true that there seems to be a custom of marrying virgins of high birth among all the royal families in all the many worlds – with a few very strange exceptions. But customs and reality are two very different things. Monarchs marry and have married commoners all the time. Virginity is just a way to make sure that the heir will be legitimate and that won't be a problem with that clever little device in your arm."
I gasped. How did Gandalf know about Implanon?
The wizard grinned at me unrepentantly. "I'm a wizard. It's my 'job' to know things. Last but not least, I think you underestimate Éomer. And that, my dear, won't do at all. Now, will you do what I told you to do?"
I stared at him. "Do what?"
The wizard shook his head. "Go back to bed and leave me to read in peace. You are weary from travelling from Cormallen to Minas Tirith and all that turmoil of heartache that you insist on having. Go back to bed. Sleep through the day. We will share a nice dinner among the Fellowship tonight with no Éowyn and no Éomer to upset you. Then you go to bed again and sleep some more. And tomorrow the world will look all the better for it."
He was really serious. His eyes were filled with warmth and he winked at me in a friendly way. How was it possible that the mightiest wizards of the world could act so… grandfatherly? Gandalf's smile grew even broader. He probably had heard that thought, too. Anyway, he raised one of his magnificent bushy eyebrows at me and asked, "Now will you go back to bed like a good girl?"
I really did feel exhausted. Not so much from the travelling, but from the emotional upheaval I was experiencing. Falling in love does not feel good at all. At best you feel like a fool. At worst you feel absolutely horrible. Love is different. Love is so much more than falling in love, being in love. I had thought twice in my life that love was within my reach. But both times love had escaped me. I had been left alone and wondering what had gone wrong, whether there had been any opportunity for love in those relationships at all. I think with Boromir there had been a possibility for love. But Boromir was dead.
And Éomer?
"Go – to – bed!" the wizard repeated, disturbing my musings. He enunciated each word slowly and carefully, making sure that I got the hint this time.
What could I do? I nodded meekly and crept back upstairs to my room and into my bed. I think Gandalf must have put some small spell on me, because I could not think about love or Éomer or any other serious matter anymore and was asleep almost instantly.
When it was time for dinner, Gandalf told Pippin to go upstairs and wake me. Sometimes even white wizards make mistakes.
I did not wake from several knocks on the door.
I did not wake from my name being called in bright hobbity voices.
I did not even wake when my door was virtually crashed by someone hammering against it with his fists.
I was woken by several bodies jumping me.
"Pippin, Merry, Frodo, you can't do that! She's a lady!" Sam's voice held a note of desperation. "He told us to wake her, not to attack her!"
"Well, I am waking her, Sam! Come on and help us!" That was Pippin.
"But that's not proper!" Sam pleaded.
"She's wearing leggings and a shirt," Frodo said. "Come on, Sam. Help us!"
I looked around wildly, trying to make sense of what was happening and found that Frodo was holding my arms tightly, Merry was sitting on my legs and Pippin was tickling my feet with a feather.
I am very ticklish.
I convulsed into laughter, at the same time trying to get away from Frodo and Merry. But that's difficult when you can hardly breathe with laughing. I wriggled like a landed trout. In next to no time I was squeaking and hollering with laughter. But I could not get free.
Finally I managed to gasp: "Sam! HELP me for god's sake!"
I should not have said that. Sam is all fight and no keeping back. He simply jumped Merry. Both of them fell right on top of me, knocking the air out of my lungs and giving Pippin even more opportunity to tickle my bare feet. I was beyond laughing. I was only screaming by that time, tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks. My screams, however, alerted Gimli and Legolas.
And that's how a tickling attack turned into a pillow fight that ultimately destroyed my bed.
Not because our weight took it down, though it creaked ominously when Gimli threw himself into the mêlée. It was destroyed because Gandalf joined in the fray.
Gandalf kind of lost control when Pippin decided to try and see if the wizard was ticklish at all.
Yes, Gandalf is ticklish.
Very ticklish.
More ticklish than I am.
And I don't accidentally throw flames.
I was lucky that I was not in my bed anymore but trying to get my pillow away from Gimli. With no success by the way. Legolas was not helping me.
There was a sudden flash of lightning.
When we could see again, my bed had been reduced to a heap of smoking ashes.
"Wow," Merry said.
"Cool," Pippin added.
But at least he let go of Gandalf.
We finally calmed down, sitting on the floor of my room, gasping for breath, now and then emitting a last unhinged giggle. I had known that adults can be just as silly as kids. I had been not so sure about dwarves, elves and wizards. Now I know. I guess they can be pretty silly, too.
"That was fun," Pippin finally said, beaming at everyone.
"Fool of a Took," Gandalf commented, still breathing heavily.
"It was you who destroyed my bed," I told the wizard.
"You're awake now, aren't you? You don't need a bed at the moment," Gandalf replied grouchily.
"You can have my bed, Lothy," Sam offered, always courteous. "I don't mind sleeping on the floor."
"No, thanks, Sam. I think it will be possible to get it replaced. And I am indeed awake now." I giggled. "Very awake. Wide awake." I was. Awake. And I felt as relaxed as you can get without… ahem…
"Why did you wake me, by the way?" I asked Pippin. "And in that… kind of unusual manner, if you don't mind my asking?"
Pippin grinned broadly. "'Cause it's dinner time and Gandalf said we should wake you nicely. I thought that was rather nice. And you did not react to our knocks before we tried my way of getting you awake."
"And whose fault might that have been?" I asked no one in particular.
"You needed your sleep," Gandalf said, somewhat sheepishly, his nose colouring in a pretty pink shade.
We were very late for dinner.
Aragorn was already waiting when we finally came into the living room.
He looked at us, taking in our flushed, red-cheeked and dishevelled appearances and frowned.
"What in Arda did you do up there?"
Gandalf gave him an innocent look out of his almost baby-blue eyes. "An emergency. There was a 'mus musculus domesticus' under the Lady Lothíriel's bed." The wizard winked at me. I rolled my eyes at him. German and Latin. Wizards are worse than teachers… they simply have to know everything.
"A what?" Aragorn stared at the wizard.
"A mouse. The Lady was quite upset." Gandalf gave the King of Gondor an innocent smile. I glared at the wizard. I like mice. I would never burn my bed because of a mouse.
Aragorn raised his eyebrows at us. "And to get rid of that mouse you needed four hobbits, one elvish warrior, one stout dwarf and one wizard? And how did you get rid of the mouse if I may ask? Did you scare her to death with you laughter?" He sniffed lightly. A ranger has very acute senses. His nose is just as keen as his eyes or ears. "Or did you set fire on the poor animal's tail?"
Gandalf shrugged and grinned sweetly at his friend. "It worked so well with the werewolves that I thought it would be rather a success with the mouse, too."
I don't know how I managed to keep a straight face at that, but I turned to Aragorn and asked, "By the way, could you perhaps arrange it for me to get a new bed?"
Four hobbits, one dwarf, one elf, one woman and one wizard collapsed into laughter once more.
All of the above made for a very relaxed dinner that night. Just a couple of friends who had shared good times and bad times. We ate a three course dinner and drank red wine and dark beer (the hobbits and the dwarf).
After dinner we moved to the easy chairs in front of the fireplace. Aragorn, Gandalf, the hobbits and the dwarf produced their pipes. Legolas produced a lute he had bought that day.
It had been made in Dol Amroth. To my surprise Legolas told me that there were no finer lutes and harps than those made in Dol Amroth, and no finer lute or harp players than the musicians of Prince Imrahil. Keeping away from the smoke of the pipes, we settled down in a wide window seat laid out with thick red cushions, and Legolas showed me the basics of playing.
Then he played what he called a simple lullaby for us. It was not at all simple. Well, perhaps it was for him. It was a sweet and yet sad tune that went straight to our hearts. I caught a look of Gimli listening to that song, and there were tears in the dwarf's eyes. Love takes many forms. Here was one of them.
There's a Greek myth about how each soul is only one half of a soul and spends the life searching for his or her missing half. Most people think this story is about love in the marriage kind of way, with sex and all that. But it isn't. Or the original myth isn't. It's about who you are, what makes you – you. About the one person who will complement your every thought. Most people will think, well, isn't that what love and stuff is all about? But it isn't. You can truly love in all ways that love offers, and not have that feeling about your lover or your husband. This missing half part is different. I guess it can come with the marriage kind of love, but it does not have to. Most people never find this missing part of a soul kind of love anyway, I think. Perhaps it's only a myth and probably not applicable to Middle-earth either – no Greek mythology there, after all. But as I watched Legolas playing his lute for Gimli, and Gimli's eyes were brimming with tears, I felt sure that this myth is true. Here were two souls that had found each other.
They belonged to each other in a way not many lovers of any race or gender ever belong to each other. Perhaps that's the reason why they never found a lover to settle down with, at least here, in Arda. But there's always the possibility of Aman and a foursome happiness there. Ever since that night in Minas Tirith I have believed that the stories are true that I read once, long ago, in a different life, in a different world. I believe that when the time comes for Legolas to pass away into the West, he will not go alone. And I would very much like to believe that they will find a nice dwarf lady and a nice elleth there and settle down in that western paradise together, that they will have many children who grow up to become just as good friends as their Dads are, and that they will live there happily ever after until the end of time.
I'm sentimental as hell. But I guess you know that by now.
When the tune was over, everyone sighed happily.
"Ah… that was beautiful," Gandalf said appreciatively. "I did not know that you can play like that, Legolas."
The elf shrugged. It was a liquid gesture, a French shrug, saying so much more than mere words. But he did add in a very dry voice. "My father made me learn when I was but an Elfling. I never really took to it, but these lutes they make at Dol Amroth are truly special. I could not resist. I really enjoy playing this instrument… however, I would be grateful if you did not pass that on to my father. I'd never hear the end of it."
"Were you a quarrelsome Elfling then, huh?" Gimli asked with a grin appearing in his bushy red beard.
Legolas raised his delicately slanted eyebrows. "Depends on whom you ask that question."
Gandalf snorted but did not comment.
For a moment the room was silent. It was a comfortable, companionable silence. Suddenly a thought occurred to me. There was a question I had wanted to ask for a long time now, but there had never been a good opportunity to ask it.
"By the way, Gandalf, I've wondered and wondered, and I still have no clue. When I met you that day in Franconia, what was it that you were doing there? I can't believe that you were only waiting to get me into trouble," I asked.
"You can't?" Frodo commented wryly. "You should ask Bilbo sometime about the incident with the dwarves and Gandalf's involvement in it."
I had to restrain myself from giggling as I saw that Gandalf had the grace to look slightly abashed at that comment.
"Well, what did you do in Franconia at the time?" I repeated. "Or is it some great, dark secret you may not talk about?"
The wizard blew out a couple of smoke rings that slowly whirled up to the ceiling, where they stayed, wavering slightly, but not vanishing into thin air like the smaller smoke rings the hobbits were blowing into the air. Then Gandalf looked at me, and his eyes were sparkling with mirth.
"No, it's not a great secret. I can tell you what I did there," he replied, the corners of his mouth curling up with a smile.
I raised my eyebrows at him and waited patiently for him to continue.
"Well," the wizard said. "If you insist… I bought a new pipe. In Nuremberg. I am rather fond of that pipe manufacturer there. You know, Vauen."
He held out his pipe to me. The stamp with the letters "Vauen" was easily recognizable in the beautifully grained wood of the pipe. But what I had not expected was that I would recognize the pipe, too. It was the "Gandalf"-pipe that Vauen produced to go with the movies of "The Lord of the Rings".
The wizard winked at me.
When I went back to my room at the end of the evening, I discovered that the heap of ashes in my room had been replaced with a new bed. And although the room still smelled a bit of fire and ashes, I fell asleep at once and with a smile on my face.
There are not many things in any world that are better than a cosy evening spent with friends.
This is a work of fan fiction, written because the author has an abiding love for the works of J R R Tolkien. The characters, settings, places, and languages used in this work are the property of the Tolkien Estate, Tolkien Enterprises, and possibly New Line Cinema, except for certain original characters who belong to the author of the said work. The author will not receive any money or other remuneration for presenting the work on this archive site. The work is the intellectual property of the author, is available solely for the enjoyment of Henneth Annûn Story Archive readers, and may not be copied or redistributed by any means without the explicit written consent of the author.


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NASHVILLE — The Red Sox have reportedly made their first major splash of the offseason, signing free-agent catcher/first baseman Mike Napoli to a three-year contract. WEEI was the first to report the news. CBS Sports reported that the deal is for $39 million.
General manager Ben Cherington didn't confirm the signing, but he did speak at length about what Napoli would hypothetically bring to the Red Sox lineup.
Napoli has been Boston's primary target to replace Adrian Gonzalez since the start of the offseason, as the Sox eschewed a traditional first baseman in Adam LaRoche to instead focus on a player who has spent the majority of his career as a catcher. The Red Sox were able to nab Napoli with a three-year deal rather than the reported four he desired, and they did so without having to load up unreasonably on the average annual value of his deal.
"We knew when we made the Dodgers trade and moved Gonzalez, we were going to have to try to find a way to replace that offense," Cherington said. "We're looking at on-base, power, positional versatility and to collectively replace some of the offense we lost with Gonzalez and improve on the overall lineup performance. Someone like [Napoli] can help us in a number of those areas."
Napoli is coming off a season in which he hit only .227 but with a .343 on-base percentage and 24 homers for the Rangers in 2012.
In Napoli, the Red Sox are getting a middle-of-the-order presence with both pop and patience. He has hit at least 20 home runs in each of the last five years, and he has posted a walk rate in excess of 13 percent each of the last two years. He has averaged 4.27 pitches per plate appearance over his career; for context, Kevin Youkilis has averaged 4.30. Napoli's 4.41 pitches per plate appearance in 2012 would have ranked second in the American League if he had enough plate appearances to qualify.
"You want a guy who can grind out at-bats, and he's certainly the epitome of doing just that," said Ron Washington, who managed Napoli the last two years in Texas. "The Red Sox have always been an offensive machine to the point of that's their mantra, grinding out at-bats. They just added another grinder."
Power and patience are two things that were in short supply for the Red Sox offense in the second half of 2012. Boston's team on-base percentage was an abysmal .299 following the All-Star break, and the Sox hit 66 home runs in 76 games. Napoli and Jonny Gomes are both steps toward solving those dual issues.
"It's a team offensive approach," Cherington said. "It's trusting the guy behind you. We've done that really well when we've been good, and we didn't do that as well last year. We need to do that better not just by bringing in the right guys but by preaching that and really believing in it."
Napoli's 2012 season was a step back from an outstanding 2011, when he hit .320 with a .414 on-base percentage and .631 slugging. That level of production is an outlier on the back of his baseball card: Napoli hasn't hit higher than .273 in any other season in his career. His on-base skills, however, help mask some of his deficiencies in batting average.
Further, Napoli has a very strong albeit limited track record at Fenway Park. In 73 plate appearances at Fenway, he's hit .306 with a .397 on-base percentage and seven home runs. The numbers should of course be taken with a sizable grain of salt. Seventy-three plate appearances is about as small as sample sizes get. Napoli has shown similar production against Red Sox pitching in his home ballpark, suggesting it might be a particular dominion over Boston hurlers rather than comfort in Fenway.
One of the questions heading into the offseason was how much Napoli's offensive value would take a relative hit if he moved to first base on a more full-time basis. (While he remains a catching option, it doesn't appear as if the Red Sox will use him there much, given the abundance of backstops the team currently possesses. Cherington said on Monday that Napoli could do "some of both.")
Even Napoli's down 2012 represented superb offensive value for a catcher; but just how does it translate to first base where the standard is much higher? (In 2012, American League catchers had a collective .710 OPS; first basemen posted a .778 OPS. Napoli's was .812 in 2012.)
"You start to look at what [a catcher's] numbers would be at a position of power or maybe more offensive production, and does it become less than league average?" manager John Farrell said on Saturday. "So when you start to put the whole team together, where does that production really stand out? It's some of what Victor Martinez went through his entire career; it's what Mike Napoli's going through right now. You see it quite frequently, actually."
Of course, it's not as simple as taking Napoli's numbers as a catcher and projecting them to first base. The reduced strain on his body could lead to more production at the plate. Martinez, for instance, saw his numbers jump in 2011 when he signed with the Tigers as a full-time designated hitter.
Over the course of Napoli's career, though, he has had better numbers as a catcher than as a first baseman.
There are considerable question marks about Napoli's glove at first. In his limited time there, ultimate zone rating rates him as well below average. Combine him with the recently signed Gomes, and Boston's team defense appears that it will take a bit of a hit. Washington figured Napoli would handle regular time at first "very well." Cherington isn't too concerned.
"We want to prevent runs, but we want to score runs, too, and we didn't do that as well last year, certainly relative to what our standard has been," the GM said. "We didn't do things in our lineup that we've done in the past with getting on base as much and wearing out pitchers as much. We're trying to do that, too, as much as we're trying to prevent runs."


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post115574633153298250..comments2014-12-19T02:30:48.869-05:00Comments on The Panopticon: Stitches Midwest 2006 Part III: All Dressed Up and No Place to PeeFranklinhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-998670132977394022010-07-14T06:56:35.456-04:002010-07-14T06:56:35.456-04:00HI,I REALLY LIKE UR POST ,ITS ,really too GOODHI,I REALLY LIKE UR POST ,ITS ,really too GOODonline leather jackethttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1169966146502981862007-01-28T01:35:00.000-05:002007-01-28T01:35:00.000-05:00Women, stay out of the men's rooms. why? Because i...Women, stay out of the men's rooms. why? Because it will cause numerous problems. Women would not be in an environment where they hear men fart , smell their crap, or smell the unflushed toilets with crap overflowing in abundance. Most stalls in men's rooms do not have toilet paper. Perverted men will be creative and think of many ways to intimidate women. For instance, the men will get quiet just to hear how the woman tinkles: "Oh, she's a gusher." "Oh, she may be a little pee-shy." "Oh, that's cute. I want to go in after her just to smell." Then they will look at the bottom of that stall to see what color panties she is wearing (when they are down to the floor). If she farts, the men will respond loudly and the woman will be too embarrassed to walk out of that stall. And she will try and glance at the men's penises at the urinals (or at the sinks if they are pissing in them). It is unfair for women to be granted privacy in restrooms and not men. Men have emergencies, too.

The establishments should do what they have to do to accommodate more women without invading the privacy of men. If there are two sets of restrooms, make one of the men's rooms a women's room, and have a sign pointing to the other set of restrooms where the other men's room is located that men can use. At that set, if there is a line of women at the women's room, have a sign pointing to that first set of restrooms where women are using exclusively. But beware.

One of these days this could lead to making all restrooms for women only and urinals will be built outside of the women's room for men to use (and women and little girls to watch them). To go beyond that, in movie theaters and concert halls where this takes place, there may be a side screen showing these men using these urinals (and the expressions on their faces).

Oh, and what is with the men's room doors are always open but the women's rooms are always closed? Isn't it proper etiquette for women to have doors already opened for them? No, society wants "men to be seen," especially at the urinals.

Okay, here is a great solution on expanding women's restrooms in concert halls, movie theaters, stadiums, and other large venues where so many of them have to wait in long lines. In one, two or three of these major cities, one of those venues should rebuild the ladies' room. Take those doggone couches and lounge chairs out of that area and build plumbing there. Install and wall or two full of urinals like in the men's rooms. Let them have the divider between urinals (not latch doors like stalls).

After reading numerous articles about women can pee standing up (with and without any devices) and how many have done so is some surveys that indicate that over 80 percent have used men's urinals, this is an opportunity to put it to the test. Take a crowded venue. It's intermission, halftime, or the seventh inning stretch. A lot of women are standing in line with their bladders about to explode. If the women's room have a wall of urinals and the toilet stalls are full while they are waiting, the power of suggestion (empty urinals = no waiting) will make women go to those urinals in this dire emergency and use them. The lines go down immediately. Those that don't want to use the urinals can wait on the toilet stalls.

As more venues rebuild women's restrooms and install more urinals, more women will know that they are available and can plan their outings accordingly. They can practice peeing standing up at home in the shower or bathtub. The female-oriented television channels and magazines can let women know that there is a solution. Women can insist on having urinals installed by petition, e-mail messages, to building contractors, owners of public establishments, "Potty Parity" legislation, and so on. Take a quote from a baseball story: "Build them and they will use them." Now let's see women using urinals in the movies like they show men using firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1165898427422095572006-12-11T23:40:00.000-05:002006-12-11T23:40:00.000-05:00As for co-ed bathroom design, I think that when yo...As for co-ed bathroom design, I think that when you walk in the first thing you should see are the sinks. next you should see the toilet stalls where men and women use at any time. The last thing on the other side of the stalls should be the urinals since men are practically exposed when using them. Women would not have to walk that far in that co-ed restroom.

That restroom in Costa Rica is gross having the sink in between two urinals where women (and girls) would have a "free show" to see men (and boys) pee. There are no males watching females pee.

And if there comes a time when females are using devices such at P-Mate and She-Pee so that they can use urinals next to men, it is unfair for males to be exposed and the females covered with those devices. Men deserve privacy when they pee just as women deserve firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1165898346597949772006-12-11T23:39:00.000-05:002006-12-11T23:39:00.000-05:00For several years I had some issues concerning men...For several years I had some issues concerning men's restrooms and why many of them are not "private" including when the doors frequently swing open, females that are passing by (or standing there to try and communicate to someone in there) can see men in plain view using the restroom due to the way the urinals are built in front of the doors (and not the sinks or stalls). Recently I have been hearing of rumors of proposed legislation, which, if passed, would allow females to go into male restrooms in emergencies and long lines even while males are using them.

I found a website called restrooms.org, read some of the issues of women waiting in long lines to use restrooms and some even going into the men's room while men are in there. It should be a law that should be enforced because if a man went into the ladies room, he would be ticketed, fine, jailed, ten-to-twenty, email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1165898293987653922006-12-11T23:38:00.000-05:002006-12-11T23:38:00.000-05:00I have read some sites about legislation for women...I have read some sites about legislation for women to go in men's room even with men using them when the women's room lines are long. I think that would be wrong. Yes, men maybe facing the urinals doing their business but when most men see women coming in to invade their male privacy, they may do some thing to make these women feel uncomfortable: expose themselves to them, going to the closed stalls to peek at these women, do "strip shows," install video cameras in stalls (and producing these videos online), and other sexual harassment. Most men are not that mature no matter the location (even at a symphony orchestra concert. Many of those concerts serve alcoholic beverages beforehand). Women may even bring their little girls in there as well, which creates a situation for pedophilia. In other words, the entire situation can be a set up for men to get arrested for these indecent acts.

Sexual situations would arise in teenagers, which can result in the spread of diseases and pregnancy. The women's room in school might be empty but some girls may want to go to the men's room to harass, tease, or seduce the boys. These situations also breed and can increase immorality. A lot of females believe that men should not have privacy against females to pee but believe that women should have that privacy against men.

Girls are taught to be private with their genitalia. Boys are not (and they should be). That is not fair for females to invade the privacy of men in the restrooms. It is not fair for males to go into (occupied) female restrooms. Therefore, let's continue to keep them separated by law and ethics.

One solution is to build more women's restrooms. Another is to build those co-ed restrooms where there are floor-to-ceiling doors to separate each toilet. Maybe later once devices like the She-Pee" and the "P-Mate" become more popular among women, more women's restrooms could be built with urinals. These items should be introduced into American society once the female urinals are built, meaning that those companies should give them our free for the first several months before selling them in dispensers. Women should sacrifice privacy if they want to zip in and out restrooms equipped with urinals.

Oh, the thing about restroom doors especially at stadiums where the men's room door is open and they can be seen urinating, these restrooms should be rebuilt. Those sinks (and even stalls) are hidden away from public view but the urinals with the men using them aren't. The men's rooms should be built with some type of barrier to shield outside view of women passing by (or women at the door sticking their heads in calling for their little boys to hurry up). Women and girls should not be allowed to watch men and boys pee. We don't get to watch females pee. Maybe this is an issue that the ACLU should take email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1157567876131404702006-09-06T14:37:00.000-04:002006-09-06T14:37:00.000-04:00Belatedly, I came up with a solution to try out on...Belatedly, I came up with a solution to try out on you: what if the women's rooms (which are all stalls) were turned into coed bathrooms and the men's rooms were turned into women's rooms?

I'm assuming here that the men who go to knitting conferences are forward thinking on gender issues but that some of the women who attending knitting conferences might not be quite so flexible.)The Purloined Letterhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156867494352405082006-08-29T12:04:00.000-04:002006-08-29T12:04:00.000-04:00When I tried to take pictures of Stitched East las...When I tried to take pictures of Stitched East last year I was afraid for my life. I mean, really what do they think we are going to do with them?

Any of the yarns there we can order online (except dyed for show only colorways).

The knitwear? They are on display to sell the patterns and the yarns. If we wanted to make a knock-off we could just purchase the pattern and re-distribute it. No pesky squinting at blurry stitches on the photos.*

The gadgets and gewgaws? We can purchase them for prototypes (see * below), etc.

So if there is no "secret formula" to protect, then what's the big deal? A lot of vendors give their blessing when you ask if you can take pictures of their booths/stock. If anything the rule should be "ask first", not we threaten you with bodily harm if we even see you pressing a button.

For one thing the pics on blogs, etc. promote the show. Seeing photos from other peoples trips inspires me to attend an event or travel to a location. So what in the world are they protecting?

Next year: Metal Detectors that automatically filter out knitting needles, but spot those cameras and picture phones at 20 yards.

(* Not that I am advocating that course of action in any way, shape or form.)

PS. It sucks about the men's room. Honestly women wait all the time for the bathroom, so why should it be any different at an event? If they wanted it to be more equal to the flow of patrons of a certain gender, then they should have posted a "look-out/guard/bathroom monitor". Then when a man did need to use the facilities they could say amscray omenway. We have done things such as that at other functions when there was a gender overflow either way.K. Annehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156422021962581832006-08-24T08:20:00.000-04:002006-08-24T08:20:00.000-04:00I don't have a problem (in theory) with unisex bat...I don't have a problem (in theory) with unisex bathrooms. I've used a few mens' rooms in my life, when desperation won out, and I've stood guard while a group of male friends commandeered the ladies' at an overwhelmingly male event.

However, at the office I'm in now, we changed a single-stall mens' room into a unisex handicap-accessible bathroom, and no matter how many times it's been cleaned, it still smells / looks / feels like a mens' room. It's pretty gross.

IMO, turning a mens' into a ladies' is a terrible solution, in addition to being totally unfair to the men in firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156361770114348122006-08-23T15:36:00.000-04:002006-08-23T15:36:00.000-04:00how annoying. on all counts. no pics of your fri...how annoying. on all counts. no pics of your friends? your fans? how atrocious! and the bathroom thing. . . well, apparently, because you dangle, you get to go hang, as well. sheesh.

i would withhold my money, as well. makes me not want to go to stitches next year.dragon knitterhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1156009976593275762006-08-19T13:52:00.000-04:002006-08-19T13:52:00.000-04:00In some places in Canada, Toronto and Montreal at ...In some places in Canada, Toronto and Montreal at least, there are occasionally bisexual washrooms (no -- they don't swing both ways, but they accept both genders). Why not make that previously males-only washroom a two-gender washroom, with a prominent sign on the door indicating it as such. Any women who find it awkward could use the women's only washroom, unless they are really desperate, and then they can relieve themselves, knowing what they might encounter behind the door (ah! the horror of three men among thousands of women being able at any time to be there!!). That is, if men don't mind sharing (but surprisingly, they usually don't). This gives a choice to women, makes more washrooms available to them, while not making men walk 3 miles to relieve themselves. Or is this not an acceptable custom in the US? Just a thought. I have walked once in a men's washroom because my bladder was going to explode, and actually nobody minded. I did say I was sorry to barge in, but the women's line-up was a mile deep and I knew I could not last much longer (it was at a rock concert, and I am sure everybody has experienced the agony of these pee lines). Tolerance and flexibility are a great help when nature calls, no?Musclemomhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155941073038005442006-08-18T18:44:00.000-04:002006-08-18T18:44:00.000-04:00After having a small go round with MR Mount the Dr...After having a small go round with MR Mount the Dragon I swore off Stitches. I think Delores should have a shoulder bag with the above pictured on it. But if ever you go again I would gladly bite the bullet and go just to meet you.Lynnehttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155935990088406602006-08-18T17:19:00.000-04:002006-08-18T17:19:00.000-04:00I had to explain to my boss (the Judge) why I was ...I had to explain to my boss (the Judge) why I was laughing out loud as I read "Bäuerliches Stricken is German for "stitch patterns that will make you rip off your eyebrows in frustration and eat them." Oh, I didn't go into detail - his eyes would have glazed over as soon as I said "knitting." I just told him I was reading something funny.

I have no doubt that I'm enjoying your description of the event more than I would've enjoyed being there!Tommehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155907820343405272006-08-18T09:30:00.000-04:002006-08-18T09:30:00.000-04:00I dunno. I stand by my comment about XRX seeming ...I dunno. I stand by my comment about XRX seeming to be a bunch of sexist bastards when it comes to knitting...

But (and I may have just drunk the wrong Kool Aid this morning - so bear with me), it's not really XRX's fault. I mean, sure they chose a poor site for their meeting - if there was only a mans and womans bathroom near the classrooms in the convention area. But that's really the meeting space and I kind of feel like I can't hate them as much as I want to.

Anyone who's ever organized a meeting knows what a Sh8tload of work it is - to organize the space, to make sure everyone's fed, to see that the rooms are set and that people get paid and all that jazz... I kind of think if it were me, I might have thought about doing the samething - hell, when I worked at a theater, and 10,000 gay men and 2 women came to the gay men's chorus performance, we closed the women's bathroom too... I dunno...TrickyTricothttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155897489391357082006-08-18T06:38:00.000-04:002006-08-18T06:38:00.000-04:00In "Stitches Midwest 2006, Part I", was Sean knitt...In "Stitches Midwest 2006, Part I", was Sean knitting lefthanded that incredibly complicated cable? I gasped when I saw the photo!

You should have done what I did in a similar situation - swanned into the toilet and said, "I have a bladder condition that will result in a urostomy if I don't go when I need to". Few people have an answer to that....Katehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155892451141465282006-08-18T05:14:00.000-04:002006-08-18T05:14:00.000-04:00India ink? And here I thought I just saw Delores t...India ink? And here I thought I just saw Delores the other day in my hometown. She was chatting up a guy who looked very much like firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155872488002310152006-08-17T23:41:00.000-04:002006-08-17T23:41:00.000-04:00We considered coming over to say "Hi" on Sunday, b...We considered coming over to say "Hi" on Sunday, but figured you had been nothing but mobbed all weekend. ;)

Have you considered/been to Michigan for the Fiber Festival? Very natural, relaxed, wonderful atmosphere.

Kristi, downstate knitbloggerneedlefingershttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155869870257262442006-08-17T22:57:00.000-04:002006-08-17T22:57:00.000-04:00The "no photos" thing is handled a little differen...The "no photos" thing is handled a little differently at the Quilt Expo in Houston: You can photograph the display/gallery area with the exception of a few sections (like Kaffe's area, because there was a book coming out). But in the market area many vendors have signs up forbidding picture-taking in their booths. (It isn't market-wide, though.) And yes, Anonymous, it is precisely because the vendors don't want people scarpering their design ideas. Maybe we and our friends wouldn't but there are people who do, including other vendors. I don't see what's wrong with wanting to protect one's livelihood.marcia in firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155865312088366222006-08-17T21:41:00.000-04:002006-08-17T21:41:00.000-04:00From another point of view: When XRX got so many ...From another point of view: When XRX got so many pleas for more women's restroom facilities, they succumbed to trying to please and ended up trying so hard that the male students ended up being highly inconvenienced. I was sorry to see the amount of overall negative rants on XRX. They really really do try to please. They are a relatively small company that is doing big things. I've been doing Stitches across the country for about 7 years now and these events have grown tremendously, complete with growing pains. Elaine Rowley is still very much an active part (the "R" in XRX) as she is The Book Editor. Their books are beautifully done and while I'm far from being a fan of Anything Victorian, that book will still be better than the so many "junk food" knitting books coming out by the dozens these days. And, don't fault XRX for no photos in Market. They're trying to please the vendors that have spent megabucks to be there. I personally prefer the XRX "Camp Stitches" where one class lasts 3 days instead of 3 hours, and there are only about 5 vendors, but the big Stitches events DO offer a smorgasbord of delectable classes and delightful teachers and irresistable shopping that you can't find anywhere else all at once. firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155864903378427842006-08-17T21:35:00.000-04:002006-08-17T21:35:00.000-04:00Uh...why no picture taking? I don't get it.Uh...why no picture taking? I don't get it.Riinhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155861548086601102006-08-17T20:39:00.000-04:002006-08-17T20:39:00.000-04:00I will say this.... I have been known to use the ...I will say this.... I have been known to use the men's room when the line for the ladies has been longer than my patience would allow. I have done this at motorcycle rallies and at bars.

I say next year, if you return, you should decide to just use the newly assigned "women's room" - just because there is no suitable men's room.Kathttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155859042838832912006-08-17T19:57:00.000-04:002006-08-17T19:57:00.000-04:00Thanks for reinforcing my decision not to renew "K...Thanks for reinforcing my decision not to renew "Knitter's". I'm not giving those people another dime of my money.

The bathroom situation reminds me of something that happened to my husband at the rodeo 26 years ago. After a few beers he tried to go to the men's restroom. There was a line of women leading up to the door. When he tried to go in, a woman stopped him and said, "You can't go in there. There are women using it." My husband told her if HE had taken over the women's room like they had taken over the men's room, he would have been arrested. He barged on in. Modesty be damned! He had to GO!
email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155858213667131832006-08-17T19:43:00.000-04:002006-08-17T19:43:00.000-04:00Come on Franklin, isn't Delores just a codeword fo...Come on Franklin, isn't Delores just a codeword for "girlfriend"? JK heehee

I love love love love love your blog! Thank you for all of your fabulous insight into the knitting world. And you definately have my sympathy on the ridiculous restroom email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155854618938881262006-08-17T18:43:00.000-04:002006-08-17T18:43:00.000-04:00That's so wrong about the men's bathroom! Knitting...That's so wrong about the men's bathroom! Knitting men should be encouraged, not driven out to pee way out in the suburbs.

Maybe next year you should take a long a stunt sheep.Lizziehttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155845628267835322006-08-17T16:13:00.000-04:002006-08-17T16:13:00.000-04:00You'll enjoy the Bauerliches trilogy. I got it a ...You'll enjoy the Bauerliches trilogy. I got it a couple of years ago in a book trade with a German knit-penpal. You'll find that the notation is a bit ideosyncratic. I find regraphing anything I want to knit from those books to be immensely helpful. Especially because I didn't have the English cheat sheet that people who bought the things here received. I'm especially intrigued by the delicacy of the interlaces.

I'm dying use them to do a fingering weight tunic with the patterns that are usually used to frame sock clocks and "seaming" instead used to frame the neck slit, shoulder area, hems and cuffs.

In any case, enjoy your road trip!kbsalazarhttp://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-10901468.post-1155845315434577912006-08-17T16:08:00.000-04:002006-08-17T16:08:00.000-04:00They commandeered a men's restroom for a classroom...They commandeered a men's restroom for a classroom? I'm sorry girls but that's wrong. If they need more facilities for the women, then they need to either 1) set up some portable toilets or 2) provide an attendant for the men's room to give the all-clear for women who need to use it if needed. And I'm female.FiberQathttp://email@example.com


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On June 14th, with Euro 2012 in full force, Brian Olsen's performance was no exception at One Mayfair. Olsen performed during an exclusive event for Deutsche Bank produced by TBA. His explosive performance upon the alter was perfect for engaging new conversation for the predominately male guests as he swiftly created portraits of John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Mohammad Ali and Elvis. The neoclassic space, formally Saint Marks Church, was intentionally decorated to compliment the brilliant colors of Olsen's paintings. At the center of the space was a glowing white bar with a huge yellow vase of delphiniums and hydrangea reaching out towards the vaulted ceilings. Rainbows of light cascaded across the high pillars and gothic features that supported the wooden balconies above. With Brian's set complete and displayed on alter, DJ Shailen commenced the event with his heart pumping tunes for dancing to the end of the evening. This was certainly an event to remember at an irreplaceable, historical and somewhat controversial venue in the heart of London.
This simply shows that anything is possible through creativity.
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