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THE NAIADES were fresh-water Nymphs who inhabited the rivers, streams, lakes, marshes, fountains and springs of the earth. They were immortal, minor divinities who were invited to attend the assemblies of the gods on Mount Olympos.
The Naiad Nymphs were often classified by their domain:
PEGAIAI were the Naiad nymphs of the springs;
KRENAIAI, the Naiads of fountains;
POTAMEIDES, the Naiads of rivers & streams;
LIMNADES and LIMNATIDES, Naiads of the lakes;
HELEIONOMAI, the Naiad Nymphs of marshes and wetlands.
The Naiades, along with Artemis, were regarded as the divine nurses of the young, and the protectors of girls and maidens, overseeing their safe passage into adulthood. Similarly Apollon and the River-Gods (fathers of the Naiades) were the patron gods of boys and youths.
Many of the Naiades married local kings and played a prominent role in the genealogies of the royal families of myth. Others, such as the beautiful Naiad daughters of Asopos, were loved by the gods. They often gave their names to towns, cities and islands, and as such were most likely regarded as the goddess-protectors of the community's water supply, which usually consisting of a spring, stream-fed fountain, or well.
The Pegaiai with their distinctive natural springs, and the Krinaiai who presided over town fountains, were the mostly commonly worshipped and individualised of the Nymphs. Those who possessed waters with some special property (or which were believed to have some special property), often had proper cults and shrines established in their honour. Examples of these include the Anigrides of Elis whose waters were believed to cure disease, and the Nymphs of Helikon and Delphoi whose waters were thought to bestow poetical and prophetic inspiration respectively.
The Naiades were depicted in ancient art as beautiful, young women, either seated, standing or reclining beside their springs, and holding a hydria (water jug) or branch of lush foliage.
NAIADES. Nymphs of the watery element. The rivers were represented by the Potameides (Potamêïdes), who, as local divinities, were named after their rivers, as Acheloides, Anigrides, Ismenides, Amniisiades, Pactolides. (Apollon. Rhod. iii. 1219; Virg. Aen. viii. 70; Paus. v. 5. § 6, i. 31. § 2; Callim. Hymn. in Dian. 15; Ov. Met. vi. 16; Steph. Byz. s.v. Amnisos.) But the nymphs of fresh water, whether of rivers, lakes, brooks, or wells, are also designated by the general name Naiades, Nêïdes, though they have in addition their specific names, as Krênaiai, Pêgaiai, Heleionomoi, Limnatides, or Limnades. (Hom. Od. xvii. 240; Apollon. Rhod. iii. 1219; Theocrit. v. 17; Orph. Hymn. 50. 6, Argon. 644.) Even the rivers of the lower regions are described as having their nymphs; hence, Nymphae infernae paludis and Avernales. (Ov. Met. v. 540, Fast. ii. 610.) Many of these presided over waters or springs which were believed to inspire those that drank of them, and hence the nymphs themselves were thought to be endowed with prophetic or oracular power, and to inspire men with the same, and to confer upon them the gift of poetry. (Paus. iv. 27. § 2, ix. 3. § 5, 34. § 3; Plut. Aristid. 11; Theocrit. vii. 92.) Inspired soothsayers or priests are therefore sometimes called numphogêptoi. (Plat. Phaedr. p. 421, e.) Their powers, however, vary with those of the springs over which they preside; some were thus regarded as having the power of restoring sick persons to health (Pind. Ol. xii. 26; Paus. v. 5. § 6, vi. 22. § 4); and as water is necessary to feed all vegetation as well as all living beings, the water nymphs (Hydriades) were also worshipped along with Dionysus and Demeter as giving life and blessings to all created beings, and this attribute is expressed by a variety of epithets, such as karpotrophoi, aipolikai, nomiai, kourotrophoi, &c. As their influence was thus exercised in all departments of nature, they frequently appear in connection with higher divinities, as, for example, with Apollo, the prophetic god and the protector of herds and flocks (Apollon. Rhod. iv. 1218); with Artemis, the huntress and the protectress of game, for she herself was originally an Arcadian nymph (Apollon. Rhod. i. 1225, iii. 881; Paus. iii. 10. § 8); with Hermes, the fructifying god of flocks (Hom. Hymn. in Aphrod. 262); with Dionysus (Orph. Hymn. 52; Horat. Carm. i. 1. 31, ii. 19. 3); with Pan, the Seileni and Satyrs, whom they join in their Bacchic revels and dances.
Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
N.B. These names were usually adjectives for Nymphs, so nymphs of the marshes were Nymphai Heleionomoi, nymphs of the springs were Nymphai Pegaiai, etc.
Homer, Iliad 20. 4 ff ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"But Zeus, from the many-folded peak of Olympos, told Themis to summon all the gods into assembly. She went everywhere, and told them to make thier way to Zeus' house. There was no River [Potamoi] that was not there, except only Okeanos, there was not one of the Nymphai who live in the lovely groves (alsea) [i.e. Dryades], and the springs of rivers (pegai potamon) [i.e. Naiades] and the grassy meadows (pisea poiêenta), who came not. These all assembling into the house of Zeus cloud-gathering took places among the smooth-stone cloister walks."
Homer, Odyssey 6. 121 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"A shriek rang in my ears just then--womanish, it seemed. Did it come from girls--did it come from Nymphai who live on high mountain-tops (orea) or in river-springs (pegai potamon) or in grassy meadows (pisea)?"
Homer, Odyssey 10. 348 ff :
"They [Nymphai] come from springs (krênai) [i.e. Naiades], they come from groves (alsea) [Dryades], they come from the sacred rivers (potamoi) [Naiades] flowing seawards."
Homeric Hymn 5 to Aphrodite 94 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek epic C7th to 4th B.C.) :
"The Nymphai [of Mount Ida] who haunt the pleasant woods (alsea) [i.e. Dryades], or of those who inhabit this lovely mountain (oros) [Oreiades] and the springs of rivers (pegai potamoi) [Naiades] and grassy meads (pisea). I will make you an altar upon a high peak in a far seen place, and will sacrifice rich offerings to you at all seasons. And do you feel kindly towards me and grant [good fortune]."
Alcman, Fragment 563 (from Scholiast on Homer's Iliad) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric II) (C7th B.C.) :
"Some say there are many kinds of nymphs, e.g. Alcman: Naides and Lampades and Thyiades."
Pratinus, Fragment 708 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric III) (C6th B.C.) :
"Racing over the mountains with the Naiades."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 1. 498 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"He [Orpheus] sang of . . . how Ourea (Mountains) rose, and how, together with their Nymphai [the Naiades], the murmuring Potamoi (Rivers) and all four legged creatures came to be."
Orphic Hymn 51 to the Nymphs (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) :
"To the Nymphai [Okeanides and Naiades], Fumigation from Aromatics. Nymphai, who from Okeanos famed derive your birth, who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth; nurses of Bakkho [Dionysos]s, secret-coursing powers, fructiferous Goddesses, who nourish flowers: earthly-rejoicing, who in meadows dwell, and caves and dens, who depths extend to hell. Holy, oblique, who swiftly soar through air, fountains, and dews, and winding streams your care, seen and unseen, who joy with wandering wide, and gentle course through flowery vales to glide; with Pan exulting on the mountains' height, inspired, and stridulous, whom woods delight: Nymphai odorous, robed in white, whose streams exhale the breeze refreshing, and the balmy gale: with goats and pastures pleased, and beasts of prey, nurses of fruits, unconscious of decay. In cold rejoicing, and to cattle kind, sportive, through ocean wandering unconfined. O Nysiai [Nysiades], insane (manikoi), whom oaks delight, lovers of spring, Paionian virgins bright; with Bakkhos and with Deo [Demeter] hear my prayer, and to mankind abundant favour bear; propitious listen to your suppliant's voice, come, and benignant in these rites rejoice; give plenteous seasons and sufficient wealth, and pour in lasting streams, continued health."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8. 4. 2 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"They used to call some nymphai Dryades, other Epimeliades, and others Naides, and Homer in his poetry talks mostly of Naiades Nymphai."
Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 2. 11 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) :
"[Description of an ancient Greek painting:] Here are the Nymphai in a group, but do you look at them by classes; some are Naides (Water Nymphai)--these who are shaking drops of dew from their hair."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 2. 238 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[When Phaethon, riding the chariot of the sun, scorched the earth:] The sad Nymphae bewailed their pools and springs; Boeotia mourned her Dirce lost, Argos Amymone, Ephyre Pirene; nor were Flumina (Rivers) safe."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 3. 402 ff :
"Narcissus mocked her [Ekho]; others too [who sought his love], Nymphae of Hill [Oreades] and Water [Naides] and many a man he mocked; till one scorned youth, with raised hands, prayed, 'So may he love--and never win his love!' And Rhamnusia [Nemesis] approved the righteous prayer . . . [and caused Narkissos to fall in love with his own image in a pool of water, and like Ekho, unrequited in his love wasted away]."
Ovid, Metamorphoses6. 453 ff :
"Richly robed in gorgeous finery, and richer still her beauty; such the beauty of the Naides and Dryades, as we used to hear, walking the woodland ways."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 9. 654 ff :
"She [the mourning Byblis] lay in silence, clutching the small sedge, and watering the greensward with her tears. And these, men say, the Naiades made a rill, for ever flowing--what could they give more?"
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 8 ff :
"The new-wed bride [Eurydike, wife of Orpheus], roaming with her gay [Thrakian] Naides through the grass, fell dying when a serpent struck her heel."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 11. 47 ff :
"All wept and mourned for [the bard] Orpheus; forest trees cast down their leaves, tonsured in grief, and Flumina (Rivers) [Potamoi] too, men say, were swollen with their tears, and Naides wore, and Dryades too, their mourning robes of black and hair dishevelled."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. 326 ff :
"King Picus, son of Saturnus [Kronos], ruled the land of Ausonia [Latium] . . . You observe his features. Gaze upon his striking grace and from his likeness here admire the truth . . . Many a glance he drew from Dryades born among the Latin hills; he was the darling of the Fountain-Sprites (Numina fontana) and all the Naides of Albulba and Anio and Almo's streams [but he loved and married Canens alone, daughter of Janus]."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 12. 372 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"Near the fountains another [Satyros] driven by the insane impulse of drunken excitement, chased a naked Naias of the waters; he would have seized her with hairy hand as she swam, but she gave the slip and dived into deep water."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 14. 1 ff :
"[As the armies of Dionysos were mustering around her palace in Phrygia:] Then swiftshoe Rheia haltered the hairy necks of her lions beside their highland manger . . . She traversed the firmament to south, to morth, to west, to the turning-place of dawn, gathering the divine battalions for Lyaios [Dionysos]: one all-comprehending summons was sounded for Trees and for Rivers, one call for Neiades and Hadryades, the troops of the forest. All the divine generations heard the summons of Kybele, and they came together from all sides."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 15. 370 ff :
"In her watery hall the girl [Naias] of [the river] Rhyndakos groaned, carried along barefoot by the water; the Naiades wept."
Suidas s.v. Naides (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Naides: Springs. Or Nymphai who dwell by the streams."
The most important of the Naiades were the Goddess-Nymphs of the many scattered islands of Greece. Each and every island had its own local Naiad-Nymphe (after whome the island was usually named). She represented the primary water source of the island -- be it a well or a spring--whose presence ensured the habitability of the island. They were usually called daughters of the nearest mainland river whose streams were thought to supply their spring with fresh-water--so the Island-Nymph of Salamis was the daughter of the nearby mainland River Asopos, and Samia the daughter of the mainland river Maiandros.
Some important island Naides who gave their names to their islands include Aigina and Salamis of islands in the Argolic Gulf, Euboia and Samia of the Aegean, and Korkyra of the Ionian Sea .
Another of the most important types of Naias were the Goddess-Nymphs of the various towns and cities (after whom many settlements were named). They were the goddesses of the town's primary source of fresh-water--be it a spring or a well. These Naiades were usually called daughters of the local River-God, although colonies outside of Greece often named their town-Naias the daughter of River back in Greece--such as the Arkadian Nymphe Arethousa of the Greek colony of Syrakousa in Sicily, and the Argive Nymphe Sinope of the goddess of the Black Sea town of Sinope.
Some important town Naides include Thebe, Plataia, Tanagra, Anthedon, Thespia and Thisbe, eponymous nymphs of a towns in Boiotia, Peirene, of the fountain of Korinthos, Sithnides, of the fountain of Megara, Daulis of a town in Phokis, Sparte and Pitane in Lakonia, Mykene, Nemea, and Mideia in Argolis, Thelpousa in Arkadia and the nymphs Arethousa, Sinope and Kyrene of Greek colonies in Sicily, the Black Sea and Libya respectively.
Various other springs and fountains (outside of the towns) had their own Naias-Nymphe or group of Naiades. The springs that were attributed with special properties (such as healing or poetical inspiration) often had cults associated with them.
Some important spring Naiades include the Mysian Naiades who abducted Hylas, the Korykiai of the sacred springs of Delphoi, the Anigrides and Ionides nymphs of two curative springs in Elis, Telphousa and the Leibethrides of Mt Helikon, the Himerian Nymphs of certain hot-water springs in Sicily, and Salmakis of a reputedly effemenizing spring.
Homer, Odyssey 13. 140 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"At the harbour-head [of Ithaka] is a long-leaved olive-tree; near this lies a twilit cave, a most lovely one, sacred to those Nymphai called Naides [of the cavern's springs]; in it are bowls of stone and pitchers of stone; bees also store honey there; and then there are long looms of stone on which the Nymphai weave tissues of ocean-purple that ravish the gazing eye. There are streams there too that flow perpetually; and there are two entrances into it, a northern entrance that mortals may descend by and a southern one that belongs to the gods; by this no human being may enter; it is the pathway of the immortals."
Homer, Odyssey 17. 240 ff :
"Lifting his hands he [Odysseus] prayed aloud: 'Nymphai of the fountain [Naiades], daughters of Zeus, if ever upon your altars Odysseus has made burnt-offerings from his young sheep and goats and covered the thigh-bones with rich fat, I beg you to grant this wish of mine: May that man return, with a god for a guide.'"
Pindar, Olympian Ode 12. 26 ff (trans. Conway) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"At your new home, Himera [famed for its hot springs], . . . the Bathing Place of the Nymphai [Naiades]."
Sappho, Fragment 214 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric I) (C6th B.C.) :
"Nymphs of the springs (Kranniades)."
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 4. 23. 1 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"While passing along the coast of the island [of Sikelia from Pelorias to Eryx], the Nymphai [Naiades] caused warm baths to gush forth so that he might refresh himself after the toil sustained in his journeying. There are two of these, called respectively Himeraia and Egestaiai, each of them having its name from the place where the baths are."
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 24. 4 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"[At Kyrtones in Boiotia:] There is here too a cool stream of water rising from a rock. By the spring is a sanctuary of the Nymphai [Naiades], and a small grove, in which all the trees alike are cultivated."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 13. 689 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[During the drought of Thebes:] Nymphae in tears were seen mourning their drought-dried springs."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 14. 787 ff :
"Beside the shrine of Janus lived Ausonia's Naiad-Nymphae, their watery home an ice-cold welling spring. The goddess [Aphrodite] begged their help, nor did the Nymphae baulk at her request, but conjured forth the currents of their spring; but still the gate of open Janus was unblocked, the gush of water had not barred the passageway. Now they set yellow sulphur underneath their sparkling spring and fired the hollow veins with smoking bitumen. Forced by their power and other pressures, heat pierced its way down right to the bottom of the spring, until water dared a moment past to vie with Alpine cold now matched the flame of fire. Splashed by the boiling flow the twin gateposts steamed and the gate . . . was blocked by the strange stream till the defending force could spring to arms."
Ovid, Fasti 4. 751 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"I entered a forbidden wood, and the Nymphae and half-goat god [Faunus, Pan] bolted from my sight. If any knife has robbed a grove of a shady bough to give ailing sheep a basket of leaves: forgive my offence. Do not fault me for sheltering my flock from the hail in a rustic shrine, nor harm me for disturbing the pools. Pardon, Nymphae, trampling hooves for muddying your stream. Goddess [Pales], placate for us the Springs and Fountain Spirits [Naiades], placate the gods dispersed through every grove. Keep from our sight the Dryades and Diana's [Artemis'] bath and Faunus [Pan] lying in the fields at noon."
Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3. 20 (trans. Rackham) (Roman rhetorician C1st B.C.) :
"If Terra the Earth is divine, so also is the sea . . . and therefore the Flumina (Rivers) [Potamoi] and Fontes (Springs) [Pegaiai] too."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 16. 345 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"She [Nikaia upon awakening from a sleep in which she was raped by Dionysos] heard still the remnants of the Naiades' nuptial song."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 16. 356 ff :
"[Nikaia laments after being seduced in drunken sleep by Dionysos:] 'Alas for maidenhead, stolen by that vagabond Bakkhos! A curse on that deceitful water of the Hydriades [Naiades] [whose fountain Dionysos had turned to wine] . . .'
She thought to destroy the nuptial fountain of which she had drunk, but already the stream had got rid of its Bakkhic juice, and bubbled out clear water, no longer the liquid of Lyaios. Then she besought Kronides [Zeus] and Artemis to fill the Naiades' grottoes with dust and thirsty soil."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 42. 98 ff :
"The unshod deep-bosomed Nymphe of the spring, seeing him [Dionysos] struck by the sting of desire, would say: 'Cold water to drink, Dionysos, is of no use to you; for all the stream of Okeanos cannot quench the thirst for love . . .'
So said the unveiled Naias, and laughed at Lyasios [Dionysos], diving into her spring, which had one colour with her body."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 43. 28 ff :
"An elephant slowly advanced to a spring hard by, striking straight into the ground his firm unbending leg, lapped the rainwater with parched lips and dried up the stream; and as the waters became bare earth, he drove elsewhere the Nymphe of the spring thirsty and uncovered."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44. 12 ff :
"At times a Hamadryas shot out of her clustering foliage and half showed herself high in a tree, and praised the name of Dionysos cluster-laden; and the unshod Nymphe of the Spring sang in tune with her."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 46. 265 ff :
"When Kadmos (Cadmus) had ended [his lament at the sad fates of all his children], ancient Kithairon (Mount Cithaeron) groaned from his springs and poured forth tears in fountains; the Naias Nymphai chanted dirges."
The Naiades of the rivers and marshes were attendant-nymphai of their River-God fathers. A few of these Nymphai were called goddesses of their own small tributary river, but for the most part they were rarely mentioned as individuals or received cult status.
Some important river nymphs included Neda and Tiasa, nymphs of the streams in Arkadia and Lakonia respectively, the Akheloides of the river in Aitolia, and the Asopides, Erasinides and Asterionides of the rivers of Sikyonia and Argolis.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3. 1219 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"The whole meadow trembled under her [Hekate's] feet, and the Nymphai of marsh (Naiades Heleionomai) and river (Potameides) who haunt the fens by Amarantian Phasis cried out in fear."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6. 329 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Standing in the middle of a [Lydian] mere, and black with ash of sacrifice, behold and ancient altar, ringed with waving reeds. My guide stood still and muttered anxiously 'Be gracious to me!' and I muttered too 'Be gracious!'; then I asked him if the altar was built to Faunus [Pan] or the Naiads or some local god."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 8. 568 ff :
"Of porous pumice and rough tufa-rock the residence [of the River-God Akhelous] was built. The floor was damp and soft with moss, the ceiling diapered with shells of conch and murex laid in turn . . . Theseus with his company reclined on couches . . . Soon barefoot Nymphae [the Akheloides] arranged the tables and spread the banquet-board, and when the feast was cleared they set a jewelled bowl of wine."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 2. 53 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"He [the monster Typhoeus] made the rivers dust, as he drank the water after his meal, beating off the troops of Neiades from the river-beds: the Neias of the deeps made her way tripping afoot as if the river were a roadway, until she stood, unshod, with dry limbs, she a Nymphe, the creature of the watery ways, and as the girl struggled, thrusting one foot after another along the thirsty bed of the stream, she found her knees held fast to the bottom in a muddy prison."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 7. 222 ff :
"Her [princess Semele's] rosy limbs made the dark water [of the river Asopos in Boiotia] glow red; the stream became a lovely meadow gleaming with such graces. An unveiled [river] Neias espying the young woman in wonder, cried out these words: 'Can it be that [the naiad speculates which goddess is bathing in her stream].'
So spoke the voice from under the swirling waters."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 19. 158 ff :
"You [Seilenos transformed into a river] have now for your pleasure the innumerable tribe of Naiades with flowing hair."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 22. 1 ff :
"Then sounded the womanish song of the Bassarides, making Phrygian festival for Lyaios [Dionysos] of the Night, and the hairy company of Satyroi (Satyrs) rang out with mystic voice. All the earth laughed, the rocks bellowed, the Naiades [Water-Nymphs] sang alleluia, the Nymphai circled in mazes over the silent streams of the river, and sang a melody of Sikelian (Sicilian) tune like the hymns which the minstrel Seirenes (Sirens) pour from their honeytongued throats. All the woodlands rang thereat: the trees found skill to make music like the hoboy, the Hadryades [Tree-Nymphs] cried aloud, the Nymphai sang, peeping up halfseen over her leafy cluster.
The fountain, though but water, turned white and poured a stream of snowy milk; in the hollow of the torrent the Naiades bathed in milky streams and drank the white milk."
Many of the gods were nursed by Naiades, including Dionysos by the Lamides and Naxian Nymphs, and Hera by the Asterionides. Others were found in the retinues of gods, such as the Naiades Bakkhai in the train of Dionysos, and Artemis' band of Amnisiades.
Homer, Odyssey 5. 20 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :
"Around the entrance [of the cavern of Kalypso on Ogygia] a wood rose up in abundant growth--alder and aspen and fragrant cypress . . . Trailing over the cavern's arch was a garden vine that throve and clustered; and here four springs began near each other, then in due order ran four ways with their crystal waters. Grassy meadows on either side stood thick with violet and wild parsley . . . [Kalypso] sat down herself facing the king [Odysseus] while her handmaids [Naiades of the four springs of the cavern] served her with nectar and ambrosia. He and she stretched out their hands to the dishes there; but when they had eaten and drunk their fill."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 708 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"Then the attendant Naiades who did her [Kirke (Circe)the witch] housework carried all the refuse out of doors."
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4. 812 ff :
"[Hera to Thetis:] 'Your son Akhilleus, who is now with Kheiron (Chiron) the Kentauros (Centaur) and is fed by Water-Nymphai [Naiades of Mt Pelion] though he should be at your breast.'"
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4. 288 ff (trans. Melville) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"To Mercurius [Hermes], runs the tale, and Cythereia [Aphrodite] a boy was born whom in Mount Ida's caves the Naides nurtured . . . When thrice five years had passed, the youth forsook Ida, his fostering home, his mountain haunts."
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10. 513 ff :
"The tree [of Myrrha who had been transformed into a myrrh-tree] split open and the sundered bark yielded its living load; a baby boy [Adonis] squalled, and the Naides laid him on soft grass and bathed him in his mother's flowing tears [myrrh]."
Many of the Naiades were loved by the gods. The most famous of these were Daphne, Sinope and Kyrene, the loves of Apollon, Syrinx the love of Pan, Aigina, Salamis and Minthe, loves of Zeus, Poseidon and Haides.
Greek Lyric Anonymous, Fragment 936 (Inscription at shrine of Asklepios at Epidaurus) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric v) :
"I sing of Pan, Nymphe-leader, darling of the Naiades."
Euripides, Helen 185 ff (trans. Vellacott) (Greek tragedy C5th B.C.) :
"I heard a sound, a mournful song not fit for the lyre, because she was then shrieking, lamenting with her wails; just as a Nymphe Nais, who sends a song of woe ringing over the hills, cries out, under the rocky hollows, with screams at the rape of Pan."
Statius, Silvae 2. 3. 1 (trans. Mozley) (Roman poetry C1st A.D.) :
"Enfolding with tis overshadowing boughs the clear waters of my elegant Melior's [a patron of the author Statius] lake there stands a tree, whose trunk, curing from its base, bends down towards the mere, and then shoots up aloft straight to its summit, as though it grew a second time from the midst of the waves, and dwelt with hidden roots in the glassy stream. Why ask so slight a tale of Phoebus [Apollon]? Do you, O Naides, relate the cause, and you compliant Fauni [Satyroi]--ye will suffice--inspire my song.
Frightened troops of Nymphae were fleeing from Pan; on he came, as though all were his quarry, yet on [the Naias] Pholoe alone was he bent. By copse and stream she fled, shunning now the hairy following limbs, now the wanton horns. Through Janus' grove [at the foot of the Capitol at Rome], scene of battles, and Cacus' deadly haunts [on the Aventine hill]; through the fields of Quirinus she came running a-tiptoe and gained the Caelian wilds; there at last wearied out and fordone with fear--where to-day stand the quiet home of hospitable Melior--she gathered her saffron robe closer about her, and sank down on the edge of the snow-white bank. Swiftly follows the shepherd-god, and deems the maid his bride; already he allays the panting of his fevered breast, already he hovers lightly o'er his prey. Lo! With speedy steps Diana [Artemis] approached, as she ranges the seven hills and tracks the flight of a deer on Aventine; the goddess was vexed to see it, and turning to her trusty comrades: 'Shall I never keep this unseemly, wanton brood from lustful rapine? Must my chaste band of followers ever grow fewer?'
So speaking she drew a short shaft from her quiver, but sped it not from the bent bow or with the wonted twang, but was content to fling it with one hand, and touched--so 'tis said--the left hand of the drowsy Naiad with the arrow-feathers. She awaking beheld at once the day and her wanton foe, and lest she should bare her snow-white limbs plunged just as she was with all her raiment into the lake, and at the bottom of the mere, believing Pan was following, she wrapped the weeds about her.
What could the robber do, so suddenly baffled? Conscious of his shaggy hide, and from childhood untaught to swim, he dares not trust himself to the deep waters. Lavish complaint made he of heartless Bromius [Dionysos], of the jealous lake and jealous shaft; then spying a young plane tree with long stem and countless branches and summit aspiring to heaven he set it by him and heaped fresh sand about it and sprinkled it with the longed-for waters, and thus commanded it: 'Live long, O tree, as the memorable token of my vow, and do thou at least stoop down and cherish the secret abode of this hard-hearted Nympha, and cover her waters with thy leaves. Let her not, I pray, though she has deserved it, be scorched by the sun's heat or lashed by cruel hail; only mind thou to bestrew the pool with thickly scattered leaves. Then will I long remember thee and the mistress of this kindly place, and guard both a secure old age, so that the trees of Jove [the oak of Zeus] and Phoebus [the laurel of Apollon], and the twy-coloured poplar shade and my own pines may marvel at thy boughs.'
So he spake; and the tree, quickened with the old passion of the god, hangs and broods over the full mere with drooping stem, and searches the waves with loving shadows, and hops for their embrace; but he breath of the waters put it from them, and suffered not its touch. At length it struggles upward, and poised upon its base cunningly lifts its head without any knot, as though it sank with another root into the bottom of the lake. Now not even the Nais, Phoebe's [Artemis'] votary, hates it, but her stream invites the boughs she banished."
The Naiades along with variouus other types of Nymphs formed the train of Bakkhai which accompanied the god Dionysos. These Naiades included the bands of Lamides and Kydnides.
Pindar, Dithyrambs Heracles the Bold (trans. Sandys) (Greek lyric C5th B.C.) :
"Wise are they that know what manner of festival of Bromios [Dionysos] the Ouranidai (Gods of Heaven) hold in their halls, hard by the sceptre of Zeus. In the adorable presence of the mighty Mother of the gods [Rhea], the prelude is the whirling of timbrels; there is also the ringing of rattles, and the torch that blazeth beneath the glowing pine-trees
There, too, are the loudly sounding laments of the Naides, and there the frenzied shouts of dancers are aroused, with the thong that tosseth the neck on high."
Euenus, Fragment 2 (trans. Gerber, Vol. Greek Elegiac) (Greek elegy B.C.) :
"[Dionysos, Wine] delights in being mixed as the fourth with three Nymphai [three parts water]; then he's most ready for the bedroom."
Orphic Hymn 51 to the Nymphs (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. to 2nd A.D.) :
"[Naiades] who dwell in liquid caverns of the earth; nurses of Bakkhos, secret-coursing powers, fructiferous Goddesses . . . O Nysiai [Nysiades], insane, whom oaks delight, lovers of spring, Paionian virgins bright; with Bakkhos and with Deo [Demeter] hear my prayer, and to mankind abundant favour bear."
Orphic Hymn 54 to Silenus :
"[Silenos] surrounded by the nurses [of Dionysos young and fair, Naiades and Bakkhai who ivy bear, with all thy Satyroi on our incense shine, Daimones wild-formed, and bless the rites divine. Come, rouse to sacred joy thy pupil king [Dionysos], and Bakkhai with rites Lenaion bring; our orgies shining through the night inspire, and bless, triumphant power, the sacred choir."
Strabo, Geography 10. 3. 10 (trans. Jones) (Greek geographer C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"The [Daimones called] Silenoi and Satyroi and Bakkhai, and also the Lenai and Thyiai and Mimallones and Naïdes Nymphai and the beings called Tityroi, [are attendants] of Dionysos."
Ovid, Fasti 1. 391 ff (trans.Boyle) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"You were holding, Greece, the feast of grape-crowned Bacchus [Dionysos], celebrated by custom each third winter. The gods who serve Lyaeus [Dionysos] also attended and whoever is not hostile to play, namely Panes and young Satyri and goddesses who haunt streams and lonely wilds [the Naiades and Dryades]. Old Silenus came, too [and Priapos] . . . They discovered a grove suitable for party pleasures and sprawled on grass-lined couches. Liber [Dionysos] supplied wine, they had brought their own garlands, a brook gave water for frugal mixing. Naiades were there, some with hair flowing uncombed, others with locks artfully coiffured. One serves drinks with a tunic hitched above her calves, another's breast is glimpsed through a torn dress. Another reveals a shoulder or drags her skirt in the grass; no straps bind delicate feet. Some generate tender fires inside the Satyri, others in you, whose brow is bound with pine [Pan]. They inflame you, too, Silenus; your lust can't be quenched, lechery will not allow you to be old. But red Priapus, the garden's glory and protection, fell victim above all to [the Naias] Lotis."
Statius, Thebaid 4. 680 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epic C1st A.D.) :
"It was the hour when panting day uplifts the sun to the mid summit of the world, when the languid heat hangs over the gaping fields, and all the groves let in the sky. He [Dionysos angry at the planned Argive attack on his home town of Thebes], and as they throng round him in silence he begins: 'Ye rustic Nymphae, deities of the streams, no small portion of my train, fulfil the task that I now do set you. Stop fast with earth awhile the Argolic river-springs, I beg, and the pools and running brooks,and in Nemea most of all, whereby they pass to attack our walls, let the water flee from the depth; Phoebus [Helios the Sun] himself, still at the summit of his path, doth aid you, so but your own will fail not; the stars lend their strong influence to my design, and the heat-bringing hound [Sirios the Dog-Star] of my Erigone is foaming. Go then of your goodwill, go into the hidden places of earth; afterwards will I coax you forth with swelling channels, and all the choicest gifts at my altar shall be for your honour, and I will drive afar the nightly raids of the shameless horn-footed ones, and the lustful rapine of the Fauni [Satyroi or Panes].'
He spoke, and a faint blight seemed to overspread their features, and the moist freshness withered from their hair. Straightway fiery thirst drains dry the Inachian fields: the streams are gone, fountains and lakes are parched and dry, and the scorched mud hardens in the river-beds. A sickly drought is upon the soil, the crops of tender springing wheat droop low; at the edge of the bank the flock stands baffled, and the cattle seek in vain the rivers where they bathed . . .
Dry is guilty Lerna, dry Lurcius and great Inachus, and Charadrus that rolls down boulders on his stream, bold Erasinus whom his banks ne'er contain, and Asterion like a billowy sea; oft hath he been heard on pathless uplands, oft known to break the repose of distant shepherds. But [the Nemean spring] Langia alone--and she by the god's command--preserves her waters in the silence of a secret shade. Not yet had slaughtered Archemorus [Opheltes whose death by her waters marked the founding of the Nemean Games] brought her sorrowful renown, no fame had come to the goddess; nevertheless, in far seclusion, she maintains her spring and grove. Great glory awaits the Nympha, when the toiling contests of Achaean princes and the four-yearly festival of woe [the Nemean Games] shall do honour to sad Hypsipyle and holy Opheltes.
[The parched Argive army is then forced to stop at Nemea to search for water]."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24. 123 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"The Hydriades (Water-Nymphs) of plantloving Dionysos mingled with the Hamadryades of the trees. Groups of Bassarides in this Erythraian wilderness suckled cubs of a mountain lioness, and the juicy milk flowed of itself out of their breasts."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 24. 148 ff :
"When Bakkhos came near, the pipes were sounded, the raw drumskin was beaten, on either side was the noise of beaten brass and the wail of the syrinx. The whole forest trembled, the oaktrees [Hamadryades] uttered voices and the hills danced, the Naiades sang alleluia."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 32. 143 ff :
"[Dionysos was driven into a murderous frenzy by Hera:] He chased the Hadryades, he volleyed the cliffs and drove the Naias Nymphai out of the river homeless."
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 44. 142 ff :
"[King Pentheus of Thebes threatens Dionysos:] 'Drag hither the mad Bassarides, drag the Bakkhantes hither, the handmaids who attend on Bromios--hurl them into the watery beds of [the River] Ismenos here in Thebes, mingle the [Bassaris] Naiades with the Aonian [Boeotian] river-Nymphai their mates, let old Kithairon receive [Bassaris] Hadryades to join his own Hadryades instead of Lyaios.'"
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 47. 456 ff :
"[At the wedding of Dionysos and Ariadne:] The Hamadryas sang of the wedding, the Naias Nymphe by the fountains unveiled unshod praised the union of Ariadne with the vine-god."
Suidas s.v. Astydromia (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Astydromia (Town-running): Among the Libyans [it is] like the birthday celebration of the city, and a Theodaisia festival, in which they honored Dionysus and the Nymphai [Naiades, water nymphai]; it seems to me they are hinting at both unmixed [wine] and the good mixture."
Other references not currently quoted here: Plutarch Aristides 11; Horace Odes 1.1.31 & 2.19.3; Theocritus 5.17 [Eleionomai]; Orphica Argonautica 644 [Limnatides]


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Sony has clearly built an empire in gaming. This empire was boosted thanks in part to SCEA President and CEO Jack Tretton. On Thursday, Sony and Jack Tretton parted ways. Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. announced that Jack Tretton will step down from his role as both President and CEO of SCEA. The impact will be felt March 31, 2014, as this is the set date of a mutual agreement between both Tretton and Sony. Tretton had been with the company since the beginning way back in 1995.
When it comes to marketing and announcements stemming from the PlayStation side, Tretton has been there through and through, no doubt the face of SCEA. He played a pivotal role in every launch of a PlayStation system. His last, great announcement came at E3 2013, as he stifled the crowd with the launch information of the forthcoming PlayStation 4. The PS4 is now the highest grossing, next generation console on the market to date. Per PRNewswire out of Tokyo, Tretton had this to say:
"Working at SCEA for the past 19 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career," said Tretton. "Although I will deeply miss the talented team at SCEA and the passion demonstrated every day by our fans, I'm very excited about starting the next chapter of my career. I want to thank the employees, partners and customers for their tireless commitment to the PlayStation brand and, of course, to our fans who have pushed us to new heights of innovation and entertainment over the past two decades. I leave PlayStation in a position of considerable strength and the future will only get brighter for PlayStation Nation."
Current Executive Vice President and COO of Sony Network Entertainment International ,Shawn Layden, will move into Tretton's voided role. Being a part of the PlayStation family for fifteen years, Layden was one of the founding members of the SNEI in 2010. Prior to that, he was the President of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. His career with Sony also included eight years at SCE Worldwide Studios in London, where he led the direction in international software development. If anyone has the resume to fill Tretton's role with Sony, and his spot on the podium at E3, it is Layden. Layden had this to say per PRNewswire out of Tokyo:
"It's an honor and privilege to join Sony Computer Entertainment America and be a part of the team that is leading the next generation of gaming and entertainment," said Layden. "SCEA is committed to delivering breakthrough gaming experiences that inspire fans and exceed their wildest expectations. As PS4™ shows us every day, there has never been a better time to be part of the PlayStation community and I look forward to working with our retail, development, publishing and network partners to further demonstrate why PlayStation is the best place to play.
"I've worked with Jack for nearly two decades and I want to personally thank him for his leadership and the considerable contributions he's made to the SCEA business and PlayStation brand over the years. I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors," said Andrew House, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment. "I also want to welcome Shawn to the Sony Computer Entertainment America team. I have the utmost confidence in Shawn's leadership capabilities, and his deep knowledge of the gaming industry and commitment to gamers, will help keep PlayStation at the forefront of entertainment and innovative gameplay."
This is definitely a huge change for Sony Computer Entertainment of America. However a fictional character, SCEA's top advertising personality Kevin Butler was relieved of his marketing requirements a few years back. Now, someone arguably bigger in Jack Tretton ,as a face to the PlayStation, is leaving his position. We will see over time if Layden can live up to what Tretton established and keep the PlayStation going in the right direction.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Santa Ana council takes up interim city manager
SANTA ANA – The City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, and in closed session will discuss the appointment of an interim city manager.
Paul M. Walters, the former city manager, resigned effective Feb. 1.
City officials have said they anticipated making an announcement about an interim appointment as early as this week.
The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. in the council chamber, 22 Civic Center Plaza. Call 714-647-6520.
Contact the writer: firstname.lastname@example.com
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Yesteryear Festival
The grounds of the Longhorn Museum in Pleasanton were once again transformed to the days of long ago, at the 20th annual Yesteryear Festival.
Adults and children of all ages visited the museum on Saturday, July 20, for a wide array of indoor and outdoor activities. Children enjoyed stopping by the petting zoo for an up-close view of farm animals. Families strolled through the train depot, watched an authentic chuckwagon meal being made and visited with Patsy Troell to learn how one washed clothes many years ago, before the easy conveniences of dryers and washers. Charlotte Ramsey and Charity Harris helped visitors create Indian clay art, while J.D. Kvapil, Rudy Gonzales and his grandson Patrick Gonzales explained the game of croquet.
Inside, festival-goers watched dances performed by Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, learned how to make butter from Ailenne Oelkers, handkerchief dolls from Charles and Thelma Cardwell-Cale and much more.
The Longhorn Museum Society appreciates the help of those who volunteered this year: Patsy Troell, Karen Harris and family, Charlotte Ramsey, Betty Lee and Jerry DeBrosse, John Hubka and Claude Hensley, Iris Porter, J.D. and Millie Kvapil, Aileen Oelkers, Gloria Jenks, Terri Guzman and Roy Guzman, Frances Schnieder, Barbara Westbrook, Maria Nate, Thelma Cardwell Cale, Dawn Murray, Jason Mohr and daughters, Heather Gonzalez, Mike Foster, Leo and Bea Green, Yvonne and Alan Bentz, Jolynn Casias, Valerie Purgason, Diana and Karen Sieffert, Barbara Hughes, Rudy Gonzales and grandson Patrick and Woman's Club of Pleasanton.


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I'm a Golden Heart Finalist!
Posted on March 27, 2012 in RWA, Writing by Deborah Wright
I've been in a state of amazed shock since I received the call yesterday informing me that my manuscript, The Lazarus Gambit, is a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements (NSRE) category. The Golden Heart® is the award from the Romance Writers of America® that honors unpublished romance manuscripts in 2011.
Congratulations to all of the RITA® and Golden Heart® finalists!


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It could be presumed that two breweries in the same town do business as bitter competitors. However, in Lafayette, this is only the case in the technical sense. The only 'bitter' substance between Lafayette Brewing Company, and People's Brewing Company, is a certain assortment of bitter beers. This point is proven in the distribution policy of each establishment.
Both brewing companies offer 'growlers' or ½ gallon jugs of beer for sale. Once empty, these jugs can be taken back and refilled. Lafayette Brewing Company features a discount on growler refills every Tuesday, while People's discounts growler refills on Wednesday. There seems to be a mutual understanding that Lafayette's citizenry love their craft beer, and complicating opportunities to obtain it will not help either company. This understanding ensures that there is peace in the Wabash River valley.
With discounted growlers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, both People's and Lafayette Brewing Companies fill the middle of every week with sudsy happiness.


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by Hesperado
Did you know that there exists a chat room website containing, on any given day, several chat rooms dedicated to the topic of the Counter-Jihad?
The website is called Paltalk.
This came as a surprise to me when I first discovered it, because, as a person who has visited and at various times haunted chat rooms in my time (MSN chat, Yahoo chat, Efnet IRC chat, Buzzen chat, AOL chat, etc.), I have never seen even one room dedicated to the topic of the problem of Islam — let alone several rooms, as Paltalk has.
As I wrote on my blog back in 2006:
…the Paltalk chat site is the only place, not only on the Internet, but on planet Earth itself where people from various countries all over the world can and do get together to engage in heated debates about the Problem of Islam — debates that have the added advantage of being vocalized via microphones in real time, with all the emotional nuance and inflections of actual voices, and not merely typed in text on the screen, as is typical of most chat rooms on the Internet. No other chat rooms on the Internet, to my knowledge, have as vibrant a community of people engaged in the issue of the Problem of Islam; none even come close.
Not only that, but many of these people are people from the Middle East—Muslims and ex-Muslims, as well as Middle Eastern Christians or atheists. These rub virtual shoulders with their anti-Islamic fellows from all over the world — from Canada to the U.S.A. to South America to Europe to Australia to Africa — most of whom, apparently are just ordinary, concerned people.
I first checked out Paltalk back in 2005, after I had read on Jihad Watch about the story of the Egyptian Coptic family in New Jersey who had been slaughtered in their apartment — slaughtered, some alleged, because they had the uppity temerity to engage in aggressive debates against Muslims… on Paltalk.
What are the advantages of Paltalk to the Counter-Jihad?
I notice here on the 1389 home page that 1389 is also available on Twitter, the 910 group has a YouTube page, another has a Flickr page, there are various options for "mobile web", including RSS feed; etc. These are all various media by which to spread the message of the Counter-Jihad.
Chat is just another medium we should take advantage of.
In addition, Paltalk has the distinction of offering vocal chat, where chatters can speak in the room with a microphone headset, while the rest of the room listens, and types comments and criticisms (and worse).
Paltalk is a website of a multitude of chat rooms, organized into a multitude of categories — including Music, Religion, Theology, Philosophy, Support Groups, Friends, Computers & Technology (and, of course, the requisite number of "romance" rooms and conspiracy theory rooms about UFO abductions, etc.).
As I mentioned above, Paltalk distinguishes itself by being foremost a vocal chat room, with participants lining up to get on "the mic" in order to speak and be heard by the others in the room. But this doesn't stop most of the chatters from typing a steady stream of commentary (ranging from the intelligent to the stupid) while individuals are speaking on mic.
(While Yahoo chat also provides the opportunity to speak and be heard on mic, it is not quite the vocal culture that Paltalk is — and more importantly, Yahoo has no anti-Islam rooms.)
One room I recall many years ago was called "Mohammedans Your Jihad Stops Now". Another was called "The Two Faces of Islam".
Since that time, many different anti-Islam rooms have sprouted up, lasted a while, disappeared, then replaced by new ones — and it's still going strong. There seems to be a community of at least 50 to 100 regular chatters who have lasted over the years (and who knows how many curious newcomers pop in every day) who are quite passionate about the anti-Islam issue. Paltalk has great potential to become one major location for networking among the Counter-Jihad community spread out throughout the Blogosphere.
A small handful of the regular participants (and sometimes functioning as hosts of rooms) seem to be authentic Middle Easterners of various flavors who are highly critical of Islam, mostly Arab Christians from what I can tell. Other regular participants include a Pakistani ex-Muslim living in London, an Indonesian ex-Muslim atheist, Australians, French, Canadians, Americans — quite the international community.
Then, of course, any given anti-Islam room is also populated by Muslim visitors who try to push their Islam Apologism, as well as PC MC Westerners who decry the rooms and its members as "bigots". The sparks fly, debates and arguments ensue, and often it can get ugly — but sometimes it can be quite interesting and productive.
These rooms thus offer a vibrant arena for relatively uncensored (other than some rooms that impose a 'G' rating that forbids the usual cuss words) and heated discussions, which have their advantages in allowing the venting of emotions and a free flow of thoughts about the general Problem of Islam.
A closely related advantage here is the sense of mutual encouragement and comraderie that seems to develop — particularly for the regulars, but also infectious for newcomers.
Another advantage to these rooms is that visitors who might be on the fence about the issue will be treated to the spectacle of the room in general (or certain key participants) challenging a particular Muslim to answer some pertinent question about Islam: the results are often both fun and instructive, as the Muslim on the spot tries to tap-dance around the questions as they become cornered by the indefensible facts of their own Islam.
In sum, Paltalk can be a venue for members of the Counter-Jihad to share valuable information on the general Problem of Islam, to network, to spread the word, and to find some sense of community about an issue that too often makes us feel alienated from our fellow citizenry in the West who either change the subject in an almost embarrassed way whenever we might raise the problem of Islam, or worse yet, manifest that reflex spasm of parroting one of the many PC MC defenses of Islam.
Indeed, Paltalk even has the potential to become the very nerve center of the global Anti-Islam Movement, if the right people get involved, and if enough people hear about it and check it out for themselves and give it a chance.
Note: Don't misunderstand me. I'm not trying to say that Paltalk is perfect. It has many flaws, which I go into in an old essay on the subject (scroll down to "Cons" to see my articulation of the flaws). However, as I said above, I think it has great potential to be a major networking site for all the far-flung Blogospheric diaspora of people concerned about the problem of Islam.
In order to access Paltalk and participate, you have to download it as an additional entity on your computer — you cannot merely go to it via a URL (as you can most other chat room sites).
Most of the anti-Islam rooms are located in the section titled "Human Rights" itself a subcategory under the category of "Social Issues and Politics".


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"Yugioh R" is a sequel to the bestselling manga series "Yugioh", by Akira Ito. Yako Tenma is the protégé and adopted son of Maximillion Pegasus. He finds out that Pegasus is dead. Yako swears revenge on Yugi, mistakenly believing he's the one who killed him. He takes over Kaiba Corp while Kaiba is in the United States. He also kidnaps Anzu in order to use her in a ritual to resurrect Pegasus. Can Yugi save the day?
The story idea is great. Unfortunately, the author doesn't manage to balance the action scenes with the plot, making the manga feel a little shallow. It's odd that we don't have flashback scenes where Celica makes an appearance nor does Yako ever consider resurrecting her alongside Pegasus. It would also have been nice if we saw scenes where Pegasus bonds with his disciples. Despite the missed opportunities, it's overall a decent manga for Honolulu "Yugioh" fans.
More: Holly's anime and manga perspective.
Buy "Yugioh R" at Amazon.com


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As the 2013-2014 NBA season reaches the halfway mark there are more than a couple teams that wish they could hit the restart button on the year. Out in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets are perhaps the team that has fallen the farthest from expectations. After a strong year that saw them finish third in the conference, the team is currently scratching to stay above five hundred. Looking at this team it is not too difficult to see where they have fallen off of the beaten path.
Thirty-seven games into the 2012-2013 season the Nuggets were sitting on a 21-16 record. While this wasn't as fantastic as other teams at the time; Denver would continue to build on the year towards an end that would be one of their best performances in team history. Long time coach George Karl would be awarded "2013 NBA Coach of the Year," as he would lead this unit to an impressive 38-3 home record. Unfortunately, the Nuggets would not be able to resign Karl and would appoint rookie coach Brian Shaw to lead the ship. Some may point towards this move as the catalyst that has the team in the position they are today, but Shaw shouldn't take all of the blame on his shoulders.
Subtractions to the Nuggets roster have truly hurt a team that was known for their run and gun style of play. At this point in time they are averaging 102.6 points per game which is 11th best among all teams in the league. Last year their 106.1 points per outing were enough to make them the highest scoring team in the league. Three key parts to that group are missing this year. Both Corey Brewer and Andre Iguodala have moved on to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors respectively. Perhaps the biggest loss came when Danilo Gallinari went down to a knee injury in October and the potential of his return is unknown. Those three players alone accounted for a combined 41 points per game last year.
The Nuggets did add Nate Robinson, who had a breakout year with the Chicago Bulls, but even his numbers are down to career lows as a part of this team.
At 19-18 the Nuggets have heard multiple stories of speculation about their struggles. They recently had to ride out an eight-game losing streak. All of last year the team would never lose more than three games in a row before turning things around. Recently, the Nuggets hit a streak of five wins before being stopped by the Utah Jazz.
Denver has a strong chance to turn things around well enough to push their way into the Western Conference playoff picture. They are just three games behind the seventh place Dallas Mavericks and seem to be playing inspired basketball. It will be interesting to see if team executives will make a move to bring in a scorer to shore up their offensive efforts. The Denver Nuggets have long played without a big name superstar on their roster and it seems that tactic has finally caught up with the organization.


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1991/1992 Ford F-150 "Nite"
While on vacation in California in July/August, 2012, I saw this pristine 20-year-old Ford F-150 Nite. It was a rare Styleside model, short wheelbase. Luckily I had the camera with me.
Obviously somebody else appreciates them, as few classic trucks look like this. It looked 100% stock and brand new... even the reflective stripes were shiny and working. And inside the rear wheel well, do we see any dirt? I don't.
Seeing this pristine beauty appear out of nowhere brought back a lot of memories and was the inspiration for this post. I mean... the truck looked as new as the one I had driven back in 1990. Its perfect, reflective black sheen and multi-hued tape stripe made it stand out even among the brand new cars.
It brought back many other memories as well.
I've been asked to tell about this for a while, so here we go.
About 20 years ago, I was a reporter on the Road Test Magazine TV show. The program eventually became Car and Driver Television (I didn't help on those shows, I was a contractor with Car and Driver magazine around that time), then morphed into the Powerblock shows currently on Spike TV. At the ends of the Powerblock shows, the credits read "RTM Productions," which of course stands for "Road Test Magazine."
"Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Larry Black
were our hosts; it was fun working with them and other automotive and
television legends. They did the show's entry and segment introductions,
which were filmed in a local studio with choice cars sitting around
them. We usually used recently-reviewed vehicles, and occasionally one
of "Big Daddy"s "Swamp Rat" dragsters would show up.
As they say it was a fun gig, as I also drove nearly every vehicle we tested because I was also the Technical Editor. But on a few segments I got to face the camera and do a few spiels, including the first Saturn test, a Nissan King Cab 4x4, and the Ford Nite pickup. I also did the stunt driving... yeah, that's me on final approach.
I also got a Porsche 928 GT airborne about eight times, but I'd better check to see if the statutes of limitation have run out before I get into that.
Our production crew was minimal... we had a cameraman of course, and there was a second person who drove the production vehicle (Usually a Ford Explorer), held the reflector, kept up with the batteries and tapes, and set up the tripod. The third person was the reporter naturally who, among other things, offered bottled water to the crew. We shot two segments a day, then it went to the editors.
Each segment was usually broken into three parts... the vehicle's establishing (beauty) shots, drive-bys, and the reporter's stand-up(s). We also lensed the reporter from inside the vehicle while he or she drove.
We had some great times. There was the day we spent with Sir Jackie Stewart and Reeves Callaway. They were appearing together at a Bridgestone Tire function, and while we were there, I drove a twin-turbo Callaway Corvette (The one here on the left) with its owner, Reeves Callaway, in the passenger seat (See! I told you I wouldn't hit that wall!).
But maybe my favorite RTM moment was when we were filming a Pontiac SSEi drive-by. The reporter barely got off the pavement and went maybe a foot into the gravel, no big deal. A moment or two later, Jimmy Buffett (Yes, that Jimmy Buffett) walked up to the fence and asked us if we could stay out of his yard.
He was just joking of course, and he just came over to see what we were doing. It turned out that he knew Mom from her landscaping advice, and I had learned to swim in his pool... 30 years before he bought it, but it was the same pool. That was the only time I ever met him, and he was a hoot.
There's plenty more stories, like the time we rented Road Atlanta, and I got to drive around it in a Mazda Navajo of all things... and then a Probe GT. The day was a complete disaster... the speed computer died, tires came apart, and when we finally broke the Probe, we packed up and went home early.
But that's probably enough reminiscing for now.
So back to our original tale... In 1991, Ford introduced the "Nite" trim package on its full-sized, long bed F-150 pickup. The trim more or less followed the "less is more" school of thought... and that was both good and bad. On the good side, the truck looked dark... sneaky... mysterious.
The name "Nite" was well chosen. Everything on the truck was completely blacked-out, except for the "Ford" and "F-150" emblems. The mirrors, door handles, grille, even the bumpers were all but invisible after dark. Its 235/75/15 aluminum wheels and white lettered tires finished off the scheme.
Other than the overwhelming tout noir paint scheme, the Nite's most revealing feature was a reflective tape stripe that started on the leading edge as blue, then became a magenta color as it continued to the rear. At the aft end of the stripe was the "Nite" logo, and there was also one on the tailgate.
In the segment, the only line I spoke directly into the camera was, "In keeping with one of Ford's finer traditions, you can have the Nite in any color you want... as long as it's black." Well, "Oxford White" wouldn't make much sense on a truck named "Nite" anyway, would it? Or would "Sunset Beige?"
Our test truck had the optional 351 CID (5.8L) V-8 and 4-speed automatic. 0-60 took about 11 seconds, and like any large pickup, its gas mileage never got out of the teens. That V-8 had 210 horsepower... please remember, this was 20+ years ago.
But driving the Nite was where it really shined. I had a 1986 Fiero 2M4 at the time, and this huge pickup ran circles around it, literally. Having the Sport Suspension, the Nite cornered unbelievably well and stayed flat in the turns. So much so that in this post, I included the truck as a "Sports Sedan," begging ya'lls' forgivenesses.
On the down side though, I thought Ford should have taken this trim level a bit farther and added sport bucket seats, a racy steering wheel, and, well... something more. Once you got in the cab, it looked like any other black 1991 F-150 XLT Lariat, which the truck was based on. I was really expecting something on the inside to match the outside.
This image is from a 1992 Nite, obviously used. But the seat and cab structure look the same as the '91 model, and to me at least, seem a bit dated and, well, kind of plain. The truck I tested had a regular cab and an 8-foot bed... the typical pickup truck of that time. Super Cabs were fairly common, but 4-door pickups hadn't really hit the mainstream yet.
I just think the Nite's cab deserved more excitement.
My biggest complaint of the '91 Nite was its dash... which dated back to 1987. It had a tilt wheel and intermittent washers, but I would dare you to find them. The flimsy turn signal lever was pushed away from you and if it didn't break, the steering wheel might move up and down. On the washer/wiper switch, if you rotated it counterclockwise somehow (It was never marked), the wipers would do their "slow" thing... I found this out only by mistake. And oh yeah... on the '91, the dimmer switch was still on the floor. Yuck.
1992, the second and final year of the Nite, got the new F-150 dash panel and that fixed my gripes. Everything was laid out better, the dimmer switch was up at finger's reach, and the dash even had a small "Nite" logo on the far right side. Even the radio was much better with four speakers instead of just two.
The day we taped the beauty and driving shots of the Nite, it was a perfect Autumn day. Leaves were turning in all their magnificent glory, the sky was clear, and the air was warm.
I was going to use some images from the RTM test in this post, but they were too blurry. So the replacement image to the right shows the Nite's blacked-out pieces fairly well; I think the forward magenta tape stripe was an option in '92.
We actually used the truck one time to haul something other than @$$. I drove Mom to Lynchburg, TN, to see her sister, and we brought back some sort of rug that was rolled up and placed into the back. The 8-foot bed proved useful as the rug was stowed there with the tailgate shut, thus ensuring a safe 2-hour drive back.
For 1992, FoMoCo expanded the Nite to all of the other F-150 models, including the Super Cab and Bronco, plus any 4x4 models. Too bad it wasn't offered on the Ranger and Bronco II as well. I always thought the name "Nite Ranger" had a nice ring to it.
So the Nite will forever be a favorite of mine, for several obvious reasons. If I ever see another one in the wild, especially in the condition of that first truck here, I hope to meet its owner. There seems to be a small following of these trucks, and I'd like to chat about the truck and relive the day we taped our program segment with them.
And if any of those folks want to borrow a copy of the report I did on the Nite back in 1991, please let me know... I might just be able to scare one up.
--That Car Guy (Chuck)
Image Credits: I took the first image of the Nite on July 31, 2012. The Road Test Magazine license plate is a souvenier from way back when. The blurry, ill-defined, and out of focus flying Nissan pickup image was taken off the TV set from an old VHS tape of Road Test Magazine. I took the picture of Sir Jackie Stewart and Reeves Callaway in 1991. The Nite logo/tape stripe photo is from CarPhotos.CarDomain.com. My ugly mug was also from a VHS tape of the show. The '92 Nite interior image came from F150Forum.com. The 1991 F-150 dash is from CarGurus.com; the 1992 dash was found at CarDomain.com. The (modified) Nite beauty shot is from BlueOvalTrucks.com. The Bronco Nite image is from ChrisEgedus.com.