text:
The room went dark and Natalie slowly intoned, "Happy birthday." Others joined the singing with a collective reluctance. Their words were barely audible. Five flickering candles floated to a standstill on the dining table. The song finished and Natalie interrupted the silence with a whisper, "Happy birthday, Brandon. Make a wish before you blow." Brandon followed his mother's instructions. The lights turned on and a small billow of smoke rose from the cake.
"You little devil!" The shouting was abrupt but expected. Natalie's father was seated at the far end of the table and pounded the tabletop. "You goddamn little devil!" The cake slid a few inches and a gift fell to the floor. The old man spat as he pointed towards Brandon.
"Papa, please." Natalie didn't even look at her father. She kissed Brandon on the cheek then picked up the gift returning it to the pile of presents on the table.
"This little devil will kill you! He will kill you!"
This was exactly why Natalie didn't invite any children to the party. She knew it was unfair for Brandon. It was cruel to force this monster on him instead of letting her son be surrounded by all his school buddies. Brandon covered his ears and whimpered.
Natalie looked around the room: Leslie, her best friend from the bank, stood at Brandon's side while Natalie's sister, Natasha, stood an arm's length away from their father. Natasha had her arms crossed and did nothing to restrain her father's outburst. She was more concerned with wasting her Saturday by driving from San Francisco to San Jose just to stand around people she could barely tolerate. The elderly neighbor couple, Jack and Miranda, sat at the table opposite Natalie's father. They sat quiet and waited for the tension to pass. Everyone had their eyes on Brandon.
This was Natalie's routine, ignore her father and pretend his progressive dementia wasn't a distraction. It was getting bad. It was difficult for Natalie to swallow her frustration. It had been years since he even recognized her or any other family member. The only person he acknowledged and responded to was Natalie's ex-husband, Ton, who isolated himself on the backyard deck for the last thirty minutes. Ton was on his cell phone with a new girlfriend, chain smoking and smiling.
Natalie walked to the sliding glass door and stared at Ton with contempt. He had new clothes, a fitted pullover and slacks, probably from J.-Crew. He had a more mature hairstyle. He carried himself taller than his five-seven height. Ever since their divorce a year ago, Ton seemed content, maybe even happy. Natalie wondered if she made the wrong decision. She held her gaze too long at the door. Ton saw it. Natalie hated herself for revealing her vulnerability.
Natalie walked to her screaming father and pushed him towards the backyard. She opened the door and pushed the wheelchair onto the deck. Ton lowered his voice and turned his back to Natalie. Natalie situated her father in the middle of the deck then closed the glass door. Her father quietly stared at Ton.
"What is it now?" Ton asked Natalie. He had his cell phone to his chest and crushed the cigarette beneath his shoe.
Natalie responded, "You missed the candles."
"It's your son's birthday."
"I saw it through the window."
"You need to deal with my dad."
Ton turned away again and mumbled into his phone before clicking it off. He faced Natalie with a look of annoyance. Ton's expression changed to warmth when he looked at Natalie's father. Ton spoke in Vietnamese, and in turn, Natalie's father answered in Vietnamese. The conversation was pleasant and calming. Natalie stood there, silent, wondering what it would take for her father to speak Russian, the only language of his youth. The doctors said these conversations were constructive. The therapists were confident that it was stalling or delaying the progressing dementia. Despite all the praise, Natalie hated seeing her father and ex-husband together like this. Ton never divulged what they spoke of. Don't worry, was all Ton ever said. It never stopped Natalie from asking.
She interrupted, "What is he saying, Ton?"
"Nothing, I mean, nothing really important."
"Just tell me."
"He's my father, that's why."
"It really isn't that important. Don't worry."
Natalie's father addressed Ton in Vietnamese. Ton nodded and picked up the conversation again. Their shared intimacy was foreign to Natalie. As she backed up to the house, she caught one word that triggered her anger. "Boris," said her father. He mentioned it again, the name buried within the Vietnamese words. Natalie stepped to Ton standing inches from his face. She was furious.
"Are you talking about Boris? Is that what you talk to my dad about?"
Ton was silent. He was intimidated by the rage he saw behind his ex-wife's eyes.
"You got to be kidding me. All this time, you and my dad are bonding over my dead brother?" Her voice was becoming increasingly loud. "You got some nerve!"
Ton cleared his throat with a cough and said, "Look, it's been casual."
"What? Casual?" Natalie was irate.
"It's, you know, just casual. He's just talking about old stuff. Talking about Boris."
"You hated Boris. You forced him out of this house, remember?"
"That's not true."
"Not true? You got to be kidding me. I can't believe you." Natalie asked her father why he was talking about Boris. He scowled and swatted his hand at her. Natalie disappeared into the house then returned holding a thirty-eight caliber revolver. Ton immediately put his hands up and asked, "What's going on?"
"Shut up." Natalie replied. She showed the gun to her father. "Do you remember this? This is your gun, Papa." Her father just stared at the revolver.
"What are you doing, Nat?" Ton tried to take the gun but Natalie pushed him away.
"You idiot, it's not loaded."
"I don't care. Put that away!"
"Shut up." Ton retreated to the deck railing. Natalie turned her attention to her father and began speaking Russian.
"Papa, do you remember?" She put the gun in his lap. Her father kept staring at it. His hands remained still and rested on the wheels of his chair. Natalie continued, "This was the gun Boris used. The police came to my house last week and gave it to me."
Tears came to the eyes of Natalie's father. She touched his shoulder and said, "The police had the gun for three years and only finished the paperwork. They said sorry it took so long."
An eternity passed. Everyone inside the party was at the sliding glass door, looking at the three people on the deck. Natalie's father picked up the gun and brought it closer to his face.
"I remember," he said to Natalie in Russian. Natalie's tears quickly became uncontrollable. He repeated, "I remember. This is mine. I gave it to Boris."
"I remember too, Papa"
"I gave it to Boris. I wanted him to be a scientist like me. He always wanted to draw, always drawing; too much drawing."
"He would draw and draw and draw. That's all he ever wanted to do." They were both crying now. Natalie hunched over and hugged her father.
"I hated all the drawing. I made him go crazy with himself."
Abruptly, Natalie's father moved his wheelchair to the edge of the deck. He put the gun to his head and the hammer clicked against an empty chamber. It clicked again and again. Ton approached Natalie's father but she quickly grabbed him by the collar and threw him aside. "This is insane, Nat!" Ton tried to step towards her father, and again, Natalie pushed him away.
"What the hell, Nat?" Ton stomped into the house.
Natalie's father pulled the revolver's trigger again and again. The barrel of the gun was stuck to his temple. He had his eyes closed, tears rolling down his face as he repeated the Russian word, sorry. Natalie touched her father's disheveled hair but he was gone.
Natalie went back into the house and left her father alone with the gun. She thought about Boris who shared Brandon's birthday. Natalie heard the front door slam and wondered if Ton had left for good. She looked down at Brandon who looked lost and disoriented. Why did she always make things so hard on her son? No one said a word to Natalie. She turned and stared at her father who was still pulling the trigger.


text:
You might have gathered that education is a priority for MYSIMAX developers. We want to provide people with user-friendly platforms that allow them to transfer knowledge from individual to individual in the most efficient way. Our philosophy is to focus on both sides of the learning channel. We want to facilitate the jobs of teachers while we allow the students to acquire more knowledge. The trick is to design a platform that will appeal visually and content-wise to everyone. But that's not all; this educational application has to be user-friendly. To whom? To adults and youngsters at the same time, even though they have antipodal tech habits. Challenging? Yes, and we like it that way.
First, we enquired into what teachers desired in technology. Their most widespread answer was that they needed tools to monitor their students' work. Students, on the other hand, longed for an enjoyable, interactive way to learn. They wanted to discover new things through interactive channels that would make them forget their outdated books. They also desired to access alternate sources of information, so we developed an app that fulfilled all these needs and much more. What we added was a tracking system that not only allowed teachers to follow the progress of their students, but also to compare their pupils to students all over the world. In addition, our educational application enables students to do their homework on a mobile device and to check their results on the same mobile device.
This is just the beginning before the true might of connectivity arrives. The crazy thing with our app is that it lets people living in remote areas to learn and grow, even without schools. These people will have access to an incredible database of exercises on any subject. These exercises will come with corrections and additional learning content. Going even further, the app will track the scores of those students previously devoid of decent learning facilities. In order to assess their student's level all scores will be available for consultation for the teachers using the app. This will allow talents to be discovered. And someday, maybe a child born into the poorest, least-educated family will grow into a true genius and change the world because of a MYSIMAX application. There should be no more wasted talent.
On a more down-to-earth level, you may be wondering how we can afford to post high- quality content online. We plan to provide teachers with a solution that will be useful only if they input the data. And this data is the learning content. So we will trade a powerful educational tool for learning material.
The users of the app will not have to pay to access this content because it will have been collected without any financial cost. MYSIMAX is here to make you grow faster. We know knowledge is priceless, and that is why we bring it to you.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Monday March 14, 2011
Model and sportswoman Jodie Kidd has confirmed she is four months pregnant.
The TV presenter is expecting her first child with her Argentine polo player boyfriend Andrea Vianini, 40, whom she has been dating since May 2010.
The 32-year-old announced the news while on holiday at the estate her family owns in Barbados.
"I'm feeling really good and very excited," she told the Daily Mail.
"The baby is due in August and I have the big scan next week to find out the sex."
The British model was previously married to internet entrepreneur Aidan Butler. They split in 2007 after 18 months of marriage.
Photo: Rex


text:
When the foreign patients receive the dispensing, whether there are significant side effects for new drugs and high-risk drugs, this application, the application that was based on can easily check the symptoms of patients the "side effects signal confirmation sheet" will.
1, symptoms of skin
2, symptoms of eye
3, symptoms of urinary
4, symptoms of hands and feet
5, symptoms of stomach
6, respiratory symptoms / chest
7 symptoms, blood
8, systemic symptoms
Through the interviewed patients the presence or absence of symptoms with respect to, you can make a check for adverse reactions suspected.
It becomes the application that can be very easy to use that can be detected at an early stage about the serious side effects.
By all means, please help us to expand prevention and early detection of side effects in the field of insurance pharmacy.


text:
Tweets by @Actipro
Please take some time to learn more about us and our product offerings.
The latest maintenance releases of our v2016.1 WPF, Universal Windows, and Silverlight controls had some major work done on SyntaxEditor's line modification marks feature. In fact, its internal logic was completely rewritten and improved.
Line modification marks use colored bars in the selection margin to tell the end user whether changes have occurred on the line, and whether those changes have been saved.
This animation shows this feature in action:
New changes will turn the marks yellow to reflect that those lines are "dirty" (unsaved). If you then "save" the document (which I do above after typing on two lines), the marks turn green to indicate they are now saved.
While the yellow and green marks were present in older versions, there were some bugs that could occur with their tracking over the course of multiple text changes. Those bugs have been fixed in this latest maintenance release.
In addition we also have added orange marks, that occur when you undo past the save point. They show anything that is different from what was saved but is not different from the document when it was originally opened.
These great new features match exactly with what is in Visual Studio and are wonderful for end users. Grab the latest 2016.1 builds to add them to your own apps!
August 26, 2016 at 16:37
Nice. Is MVVM supported?
August 26, 2016 at 16:41
Hi Daniil,Could you clarify your question? I'm not sure how MVVM would be involved with line modification marks.
Bill Henning (Actipro)
August 26, 2016 at 17:07
I mean those marks will be work if IsTextDataBindingEnabled equals true?IsTextDataBindingEnabled="True"Text="{Binding Path=Text, Mode=TwoWay}"
August 26, 2016 at 22:26
While they will likely work as long as you only edit on the SyntaxEditor side of the binding, as soon as the binding pushes a value back through to SyntaxEditor from the VM side, it will make SyntaxEditor think that a new document was set and all the marks will disappear. That is because binding values coming back to SyntaxEditor replace the entire document text and don't tell us individual changed ranges. Unfortunately there's not really anything we can do in that scenario.
October 3, 2016 at 09:46
Actipro Blog 2016 Q3 Posting Summary
Actipro Blog 2016 Q3 Posting Summary
The Actipro Blog - WPF, WinRT XAML, Silverlight, and WinForms Development


text:
Unlike my fellow bloggers, and while i agree that 2010 wasn´t the beat all end all year for music, still there were some pretty amazing album releases. Here´s my top-10 for 2010:
10. Brandt Brauer Frick, You Make Me Real
Released: December, Germany
Ambient techno with a huge organic feel to it and a high emphasis on piano, jagged percussion , weird rhythmic structures and improvisation.
9. Gonjasufi, A Sufi And A Killer
Released: March, US
Coming straight from the all-mighty "Warp Records" and produced by the magic fingers of "The Gaslamp Killer", Gonjasufi´s first album took the music world by storm with his enormous mix of styles and flavours all wrapped up on a "Flying Lotus" kind of musical envelope while being able to sound entirely unique. Truly wonderfull music.
8. Panopticon, On The Subject Of Mortality
Released: November, US
The brightest of all the "usbm" records that came out in 2010 (and there were some stellar ones), the solo moniker of Austin Lundr continues to prove that when it comes to convey absolutely beautiful melodies (the "bluegrass" moments in here, nham!) with the feeling of absolute despair, he is one of the best. Although the lo-fi production may turn some heads, do not stray away from this record. To give a redundant representation of Panopticon´s sound, think Wolves In The Throne Room by the way of Katatonia and Alcest.
7. The NULLL Collective, De Monstris
Released: June, Belgium/US
Dark opressive spacey atmosphere, drum tempos that flow between a snail like pace to a cybergrind drum-machine, vocals that came from the darkest pits of hell buried between a wall of sound. The NULLL Collective debut album "De Montris" throws the "Doom" genre to another new level of perception. This album´s truly a sensorial experience, better listened at night gazing into the blackness of the space.
6. Bardo Pond, Bardo Pond
Released: December, US
I love Bardo Pond, and i love their new album. It´s nice to see them kinda putting all their monstrous reverb and psychadelic vein a little bit aside thus making all their sound more "clear". Still, "Cracker Wrist" is a model when it comes to true "sludge" and standouts like"The Stars Behind" and "Sleeping" figure between the most beautiful tracks that i heard from 2010.
5. Pan Galactic Straw Boss, Reverberator
Release: November, US
A very young three piece from Norfolk "PGSB" play a blend of post-rock and noise and they play it with such maturity, cohesiveness and passion that seem that they´ve been doing this for years. I may seem overly enthusiastic about these guys, but they are truly amazing and, if they continue to sound like this, the time for them to be one of the driving forces of american post-rock is not too far ahead.
4. Deathspell Omega, Paracletus
Release: November, France
The much awaited final chapter of the "metaphysical" trilogy focusing on the relatioship of Man with God and The Devil is chaotic, angular, dark and ugly as it always is with them, but on "Paracletus" DsO pushed, just a little bit, back on the impenetrable chaos of drums and never-ending riffage, giving some time for the listener to breathe. The result is a brilliant album, one more from this prophets of hell.
3. Chelsea Wolfe, Apokalypsis
Release: December, US
OH MY GOD, this record! "Apokalypsis" is one of two albums released in 2010 by Chelsea Wolfe (the other being "The Grime And The Glow") and while i enjoy the former, i end up liking "Apokalypsis" a little bit more because of it´s amazing production, i mean this thing growls with menace, relishes on the thickness of the low end and it all sounds so crisp, that when i realize that this album comes from someone who released her two first albums this year, my mind boggles.
Musically she plays dark-folk, think Marissa Nadler with the ferocity of Rose Kemp permeated with a menacing black-metal atmosphere.
As a side note, her cover of Burzum´s "Black Spell Of Destruction" is nothing short of amazing!
2. Brian Mcbride, The Effective Disconnect
Release: October, US
Being one of the halfs of ambient/drone heavywights "Stars Of The Lid" Brian Mcbride crafted a beautiful, delicate, soul-reaching album that is sure to put anyone on a daydreaming state. Was there anything else to expect apart from absolute magnificence? I think not.
1. A Forest Of Stars, Opportunistic Thieves of Sping
Release: June, UK
I already posted this album in here and at the time i stated that it was my favourite album of 2010. My feelings still haven´t changed regarding this album, it is an absolute masterpiece and everyone should listen to this. It´s as simple as that.


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were there is David McCullough's The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris (2011).
A snowbird shows photos from southwest Florida and southern New England and other places he goes.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Samuel F. B. Morse
were there is David McCullough's The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris (2011).
9 comments:
- John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...
One might have expected the man responsible for so many dots and dashes to have been an impressionist! Surprising to see Fennimore Cooper depicted in such genteel surroundings.
- July 25, 2017 at 5:47 AM
- William Kendall said...
It is a beautiful painting!
I would have mentioned the book if you hadn't... I love McCullough's works, and only recently re-read that one in particular.
- July 25, 2017 at 10:39 AM
- Sharon Anck said...
What a wonderful painting. I would have enjoyed hearing Kay talk about it. Looking at a painting while someone talks about it and points things out makes you see things you never would have noticed.
- July 25, 2017 at 10:56 AM
- Paul in Powell River said...
Well, it's a good day when I learn something, first thing. Had no idea he was an artist. Though they've moved the Mona Lisa to a spot of her own since he was at the Louvre.
- July 25, 2017 at 11:31 AM
- Jack said...
Paul, Morse depicted an imagined scene. He took great paintings from all over the Louvre and showed them "salon style." In those days, few Americans traveled to Europe, so paintings like this introduced them to artworks they would never see in person.
- July 25, 2017 at 12:50 PM
- RedPat said...
I like this one a lot, Jack! The 3-d aspect makes you feel that you are right there in the room with them!
- July 25, 2017 at 3:09 PM
- Michelle said...
I have learned something today. I didn't know he was originally an artist. Thank you, Jack.
- July 25, 2017 at 8:20 PM
- Janet said...
Thanks for posting this. I've been wanting to go to NBMAA to see this painting. Now you've re-inspired me!
- July 26, 2017 at 12:15 AM
- jennyfreckles said...
Well, I never knew that! What a fascinating painting too. I'd like to have heard the talk about it.
- July 26, 2017 at 6:35 AM


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I am loving enchiladas right now! I saw this chicken and bean one with creamy salsa verde and I knew I had to try it! The sauce turned out amazing and my whole family ate them all!
Serves: 12
Healthy Meals Monday: Chicken and Bean Enchiladas with Creamy Salsa Verde
20 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
50 minTotal Time
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup minced white onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
- 15.5 oz can Navy beans (or Cannellini beans)
- 1 can black beans
- 8 oz cooked shredded chicken breast
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup fat free or light sour cream
- For the Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:
- 1/2 cup chopped white onion
- 1 Tablespoon of butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup fat free chicken broth
- 7 oz can chopped green chile
- 2 jalapeños, chopped (I used jarred)
- salt
- 1/2 cup fat free or light sour cream
- 3/4 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese
- 8 medium soft whole wheat tortillas
- chopped fresh cilantro or green onions (or both!)
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- For the Filling:
- In a medium pan, heat olive oil on low. Add onions, garlic and saute until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add chicken and cook. Remove from heat and Add green chiles, beans, sour cream and cumin. Mix well.
- Green Chile Enchilada Sauce:
- In a large nonstick pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add flour and stir well. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth. Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth. Cook over medium heat until the sauce boils and thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Add green chiles, jalepeños, and salt to tatse. Cook another minute then remove from the heat. Stir in the sour cream.
- Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish. Fill each tortilla with 1/3 cup of the chicken/white bean filling. Roll the tortillas and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Continue filling remainder of the tortillas.
- Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Top with cheese. Cover with aluminum and bake 20-30 minutes, until the enchiladas are hot and the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and top with fresh cilantro or green onions
Six Sisters Stuff
Adapted from Skinny Taste


text:
The other night, I did a reading for myself with the Sentinel's Spread that I'd like to share here for a couple of reasons.
First of all, I have become more accustomed to interpreting it since I posted my sample reading, and I would like to present a new example with a more experienced and thorough approach. I have done this spread a handful of times now, at least once a month, sometimes as often as once a week, since designing it.* Every single time, I have used an RWS.
Which brings me to my next reason for sharing this reading. The other night when I read the Sentinel's Spread, I used the Wildwood Tarot. This is significant on two levels: firstly, on that of the spread, having previously only been used with an RWS; secondly, on that of the deck, having prior to this reading only been seriously used for purposes of studying, and not for reading.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Wildwood is an ideal place to build my Sentinel's Watchtower.
So, without further ado, here was my perspective from that tower.
(I am going to assume a general knowledge of the spread on the part of the reader. If you are not familiar with this spread, and you are reading this, please refer to the link at the start of this post for clarification.)
Card 1: the Sentinel. For my significator, I chose the Stoat (the Page of Bows [Wands]) prior to shuffling and laying the cards. I did this because it's the court card which corresponds to right now on the Wheel of the Year (roughly July 9 to August 1, or the final quarter of the Time of Bows). The Wheel of the Year is the underlying system of the WWT that distinguishes it from other decks, to be discussed in-depth in a future post. Because all of the Wildwood Court are depicted as animals, none of which I really personally identify with, I find this the best method of choosing significators for myself when using this deck. It also has the benefit of keeping me in time with the rhythm of the yearly cycle whenever I use these cards, which I foresee as a helpful tool for tracking my yearly mood-swings in the future.***
The guidebook (essential reading for anyone who wants to seriously comprehend this deck, and my point of reference from here on out for interpretations specific to it) stresses the earthly nature of the Stoat, in stark contrast to the fiery nature of its suit. It is described as a gifted emissary, with an "ability to perceive the truth in almost any matter" and a "freedom of spirit [that] marks you out as and original and unique personality."
Oh, Stoat, you flatter me.
In this particular instance, though, it is in fact fairly accurate. Of course, my element is the Earth. Also, I have been acting as the go-between for a developing power-struggle in my band, which is becoming a somewhat uncomfortable (and frustratingly non-musical) position. In this way, my focus for this reading has been at least partially decided right at the outset; if I were using the RWS, I would have chosen my significator based on my own prior intentions.
My "free spirit," on the other hand, is no new development. I am who I am, and I have been for quite some time. But it allows me to identify on a more general level with this version of the Sentinel. In other words, while the band is on my mind, it's not all that's going on in my life, and this spread will illustrate that.
Cards 2-4: the Watchtower. For these cards, I pulled the Seer (Priestess), the Wheel (Wheel of Fortune), and the Mirror (Hanged Man). Once these cards are placed in the spread, I put the Stoat in his position atop the tower.
The first thing I notice is the position shared by all three of these cards on the Wheel of the Year: they are all on the Autumn Equinox during the Time of Vessels (Cups). This leads me to think that this spread is in some ways an effort to prepare myself for the oncoming change of seasons.
The Seer is depicted wearing the "owl's cloak of wisdom." As the foundation of my tower, this suggests to me a mindset based in creative writing. The reason for this jump is the presence, at least in spirit, of the owl, which is the symbolic bird of a main character in a writing project I am currently engaged in. This inkling will be cemented later on, as we shall see, by the appearance of the raven in card 16, a bird symbolic of another, antagonistic character in my story. In general, this card is associated with inward and focused reflection, as is typical of Priestess types. It is one of the four most elemental cards of the Wildwood's Major Arcana, connected with water, and of course, Autumn.
The Wheel confirms this notion of inward contemplation. It is the only card to directly reference the eponymous Wheel of the Year, intended to suggest stepping back for a time from moment-by-moment life and consider its grander pattern (something this spread is designed to facilitate); it encourages the conscious weaving of your metaphorical cloak of fate (it literally shows a loom with an unfinished robe). We all have an active hand in shaping our own destinies. This card suggests we take advantage of that. However suggestive this card is, though, it maintains the eerie atmosphere of an otherworldly limbo, which grounds it firmly as a reflective, rather than active, card.
This is a natural and fitting progression from the Seer at the foundation. My tower is capped by the Mirror. It appears that my cards may be trying to hint at something with all these reflective cards – it doesn't get more obvious than the Mirror. All of these cards are water cards, and as I already pointed out, all of them are associated with Autumn, the season of transition towards decay. The Mirror is especially eerie (I know I already used that adjective, but 'creepy' just isn't right. There really is no better word). It occupies the position of the Hanged Man in traditional Tarot. It is both the same and totally different in meaning than the Hanged Man. At its core, it is supposed to represent the threshold between this world and otherworldly, subconscious realms.
And so from the tower thus constructed, the Stoat has a clear perspective into the waters of the subconscious. Time to examine what tools he has at his disposal.
Cards 5-8: Resources/defenses/etc. (the walls of the fortress). For these cards, I pulled the Stag (Justice), the Archer (Chariot), the Pole Star (Star), and the Otter (Page of Vessels).
The East. Element Air. Season Spring. Realm of the Mind. Suit of Arrows (Swords): While the imagery is totally original (like most in this deck), the reading points of the Stag are essentially those of Justice, with a focus on the consequences of our actions and the natural balance of the Universe. Any time this card comes up for me these days, I am immediately reminded of my ongoing struggle with the American Justice System.**** True it is that this occupies my mind often. I take comfort in the Stag's appearance here, though. I am reminded that balance prevails, and I have sown only seeds of honesty.
The South. Element Fire. Season Summer. Realm of the Spirit. Suit of Bows: Another, more radical departure from traditional imagery, the Archer nonetheless conveys an attitude recognizable in the driver of the Chariot: confidence, determination, skill, focus, and control. Victory is imminent. I like what I see here. It is in some ways a counterpoint to the Stag, the action that generates the consequences wrought by him. Having been reassured of my peace with the Stag, I can direct my energies towards more productive things. Like writing, or music, both of which are on my mind and waiting to take form by my hands.
The West. Element Water. Season Autumn. Realm of Emotions. Suit of Vessels: This is the quadrant from which the bricks of my watchtower have been cut. The Pole Star, on the other hand, is associated with the winter, and while its counterpart in traditional Tarot depicts water in plenty, there is none here that we can see. Perhaps it is the star towards which my tower is oriented, after the fashion of the Druidic monolith architects before me. It is the North Star (but in the West…), and it operates as a compass. Is this hope for guidance in the turbulent waters of my emotions? What is my Pole Star? Perhaps this is why my tower is cut from these parts; from here, will I be able to glimpse whatever it is I'm searching for when I gaze into the Mirror? This card suggests hope, but how distant?
The North. Element Earth. Season Winter. Realm of the Material. Suit of Stones (Coins): Here, conspicuously, is the first card I've drawn that is not from the Major Arcana. It is the Otter, or the Page of Vessels, and as the Stoat is Earth of Fire, so the Otter is Earth of Water. Earth is my element, so a Page in this quadrant grabs my attention. According to the book, in this position I have at my disposal one who is "a dreamer and a visionary, [able to] weave a spell that few can resist." Dare I consider this to be myself? It does go on to mention loyalty, devotion, and a "sense of fair play," which reminds me once again of my current non-musical position in the band. If not for these things, I wouldn't be in this situation. However, these are qualities I see in myself, and they are qualities I like about myself. As another page, is this perhaps another aspect of my significator, or maybe a progression from him? This is the next page in the cycle of the Wheel of the Year, although not the next court card (that's the Heron, King of Vessels).
I don't know. We shall see how these four elements work to my advantage (or possible disadvantage, knock on wood) in the face of what's on the horizon. Perhaps I'll get some clarification on the points I'm unsure about.
Cards 9-20: The Horizon. My initial thoughts upon seeing the horizon are fairly neutral. I see some comforting cards, and I see some frightening ones. I notice that there are many Arrows, and no Bows. This imbalance could be potentially frustrating to my Archer energies. I also notice a third Page popped up, as well as one of my Patron cards, the Hooded Man (the Hermit), along with three other Major Arcana, one of each in every direction. There are a lot of Major Arcana overall in this spread, suggesting a spiritually-oriented view from my tower (is that a surprise? The High Priestess is my foundation, after all).
To the East (cards 9, 13, and 17), I see the Eel (Knight of Vessels), Ten of Arrows, and the Guardian (Devil). Naturally, the Guardian grabs my attention first. I have an interesting relationship with this card. He turned up as the Devil during many significant situations over this past winter, especially towards the end, with the world around me warming up to Spring. Spring, East, Air, Arrows. There's an alarming occurrence of these last just ahead of the Guardian – the Ten of Arrows. But this is one of many instances in the WWT where the divinitory meaning of a card differs from tradition. Where Swords almost always represent something awful at Ten, the Arrows offer Instruction, depicting a youth being instructed in the art of archery by an elder. The Eel, as a "great purveyor of wisdom and [with] a reputation as a protector," compliments the Ten of Arrows, and suggests a teacher or sage of some sort. And following these two… is the Guardian. The Devil conjures many conflicting images in my mind, and has been on my mind more or less regularly ever since I wrote about him (he's one of two that I've written of so far that has had such a thorough effect on me). But the Guardian is not the Devil, at least, not exactly. He is intentionally terrifying, but beneath that exterior, the Guardian serves a natural and necessary function, and he is even playful in his own terrifyingly mischievous way. Once you meet him and are allowed to pass by him, he no longer seems scary at all. He is located at Samhain at the start of the Time of Stones on the Wheel of the Year, roughly coinciding with Halloween, an especially apt location given my birth and my magical (elemental) leanings. That means I feel oddly at home in his presence, but it doesn't make him any less terrifying at times. I take all this to mean I should be on the lookout for instruction and instructors in the realm of the mind, with the ultimate goal of preparation for some sort of encounter with the Guardian, probably to occur around the time of my birth day.
To the South (cards 10, 14, and 18), I see Ten of Stones, the Kingfisher (King of Arrows), and Balance (Temperance). Each of the four directions on the horizon offers me one Major Arcana card. In the South, it is Balance. It stands at Beltane (May 1) on the Wheel of the Year, but aside from marking the beginning of the Time of Bows, I see no significance in its place. Ten of Stones is Home, and the Kingfisher helps with the process of judging what is no longer of use in my life, what I need to let go of. The South is the realm of my spirit, my passions, and my creativity. That which pumps fire into my veins. I take these two cards to mean that, in order to follow the direction of my passions, I have to decide what is really important to me and leave behind the comfort of Home (or the past, or my current silly notion of reality). Balance suggests to me that, while it is tempting to set a course based on passion, it is important that I not get carried away. Moderation is key. Striking a balance is an art. It drives home my desire for the Kingfisher to guide my potentially life-altering decision-making. The Archer I have in my corner doesn't hurt, either.
To the West (cards 11, 15, and 19), I see the Ace of Arrows, the Hooded Man (Hermit), and Three of Arrows. Here the Major Arcana card comes up in the middle position, rather than the last. It is the Hooded Man, one of my favorite incarnations of the Hermit. Before him is the Ace of Arrows, or the Breath of Life. This is the direction of water and the emotions; perhaps new life will be blown into my emotional situation? This quadrant almost always stumps me when I read. A new lease on an emotionally-charged situation that leads to solitude? Rest? Withdrawal? That in turn leads to the Three of Arrows, probably the most emotionally-charged of the Arrows. Three arrows pierce a burning heart. Jealousy is the keyword given it. This was all troubling to me, until I read the book's entry on the Three. It warns against the "grass-is-always-greener" mentality. We each have our station in life, and to envy others for theirs is ultimately destructive. This advice calls to mind my work, for which I am thankful, although it grates on me at times. But how does this have to do with my emotions? Anger is an emotion, yes, but I don't quite see how it connects to the Ace and the Hermit. The West is distorted by fog, it appears, but from what I can glean through the haze, I should be wary of emotional withdrawal after an apparently optimistic beginning of some venture, whether of the mind or heart I can't quite make out. The Hooded Man stands at the Winter Solstice, which, while promising longer days to come, lies in the depths of Winter on the Wheel of the Year. While the Hermit is always a comfort to me, that time of year has not been an easy time for me in the past. Thankfully, I've got the Pole Star as a beacon to guide my way should I get turned around in the possible turmoil.
To the North (cards 12, 16, and 20), I see the Wren (Page of Arrows), the Journey (Death), and Two of Arrows. The Wren, as Earth of Air, makes the third Page. The only one absent from the spread is the Lynx, Earth of Earth. The Wren is regarded as a particularly clever bird, which I'm sure will come in handy if I hope to navigate the mists of the West (the Wren is also on the Hermit, which is why I made that connection). Immediately following the Wren is the Journey. The raven(!) feeds on the carcass of a deer. Death. Like the Guardian, not as fearful as it seems at first glance. Also like the Guardian, it stands at Halloween. Some sort of transformation is going to occur during this time, but then again, it does every year as I grow older. This particular transformation will probably manifest itself in the material realm, though. It will not be a mental, spiritual, or emotional change. Something concrete will happen. Will the Wren guide me? I certainly hope so, because it leads to the Two of Arrows, or Injustice. Not promising. What does this portend for me? When I look at my first defense against this frontier, I see the Otter. If the Otter does indeed represent a continuation of my current situation with the band, does that mean I'll be leaving them as an eventual result of a misunderstanding? I'm not totally convinced the band is what's in question here. What is the Otter's relation to the Wren? The broken bow pictured on the Two, combined with an almost total lack of Bows elsewhere in the spread, reminds me of the Archer. Is this injustice going be the negation of the potency of this card? The Archer is located in the quadrant of Bows, or my passions. Maybe it is referring to music after all.
Whatever injustice it may turn out to be, the Stag is luckily not too far off. He's the best remedy I could possibly have against the Two of Arrows.
Overall, I feel encouraged from what I've read so far, although things seem to fall apart a little to the West, and the North culminates on a bit of a sour note. My watchtower stands strong, though, even if my Archer ends up disarmed by an injustice. I think I can handle whatever comes my way, even if I need help every now and then from an Eel or a Kingfisher, or even a Wren.
Card 21: the Bell. Nothing is certain, though, and with one final word from my cards, I will decide whether or not to sound the alarm. For this position, I draw the Sun of Life (the Sun), which is a very positive Major Arcana to receive here. Relief. Illumination. This spread certainly has opened my eyes to new perspectives on various current situations. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, grasping for control. But there are things I never will control, and that's probably for the best. The Sun will always rise again tomorrow, no matter what I've done today. I can sleep soundly tonight.
My next step will be to use smaller, more focused spreads to throw light some of the cloudier issues presented by this one, such as an emotional/water clarifying spread, or a spread centered around the question of what to do about the band or other such issues that have come up. I'm intrigued by the questions this spread has raised about the role of the Archer (and to a lesser degree, the Pole Star) in my life at this time. Perhaps I'll look into that.
So, there you have it. A very in-depth tour of my Watchtower and my current view from its heights. As you can probably imagine, this spread takes some time to interpret. When I first laid it out the other night, I spent an hour with it. I spent quite a bit more than an hour writing these reflections on it, and I've really only hit the tip of the iceberg. I encourage anyone and everyone to try it for themselves, but you should understand that something of a commitment is required to best comprehend all that it has to show you.
*By design, I don't recommend reading with this spread more often than once a week.
**Those who have read my original description of this spread will notice the shape, while remaining essentially the same, has evolved a bit. Also, to those who may be curious, underneath the spread, acting as a makeshift Tarot alter, is a study in Cubism titled "Guitar Resting in the Practice Room," signed in the bottom right corner by one "Pythagoras."
***In theory, you could use a Wheel of the Year approach for significators with any Tarot court in the form of Zodiacal attributions. Personally, I follow Mr. Crowley's attributions in such instances, for the simple reason that his is the most overtly astrologically-oriented deck of my collection.
**** "That's none of your damn business, and I'll have to ask you to stay out of my personal affairs." – Ace Ventura.


text: Ferries & Water Taxis Gozo A regular ferry service carries passengers and cars between Malta and Gozo. The trip takes about 20 minutes. For information and time-tables contact: The Gozo Channel Company at Mġarr: (Gozo) ( 356) 21556114at Ċirkewwa (Malta): ( 356) 21580435at Sa Maison (Malta): ( 356) 21243964 or visit the Gozo Channel website Comino Visit the smallest of the three main islands, with no traffic and one hotel. Regular trips to and from Ċirkewwa (Malta), Mġarr (Gozo) and Comino are available. Captain Morgan Cruises offers a variety of boat trips and excursions to suit everybody's needs including cruises of the grand harbour and visits to the Comino and the Blue lagoon. They operate a fully licensed fleet with over 30 years of experience that is manned by professional staff. For full details call us on 356 2346 3333 or Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Comino Ferries provides round trip service from Marfa and Ċirkewwa, Malta to the Blue Lagoon, Comino on a daily basis. The trip takes approximately 25 minutes to Comino and 35 minutes return. During the summer season, additional trips may take place at management's discretion. The Comino Hotel also offers this service, but does not operate between November and March when the hotel is closed. For more information, contact the Comino Hotel on 356 21529821; Email: . Ebsons Comino Ferries provides round trip service from Mġarr Harbour Gozo and from Ċirkewwa Malta (near ferry) or Marfa (near Riviera Hotel) to Comino Island / Blue Lagoon. Boats leave every hour (full hour) on a daily basis, depending on the demand. The trip take appromixiately 15 minutes; on return it is also posible visiting the natural caves of Comino. Grand Harbour A & S Water Taxis operates a shuttle service from Valletta to Vittoriosa and Senglea using traditional Maltese boats.A & S Water Taxis19, Triq Kappillan Frangisk AzzopardiSenglea CSP 06 Mob: (356) 9949 1291; (356)99247447; (356) 99893134Email: email@example.com Website: www.maltesewatertaxis.com Ferry to Gozo Ferry Terminal, Ċirkewwa, Malta Ferry to Gozo for cars and passengers. Tel:+356 22109000 Email:email@example.com Read More Ferry to Malta Ferry Terminal, Mġarr, Gozo Ferry to Malta for cars and passengers. Tel:+356 21556114 Email:firstname.lastname@example.com Read More Malta Water Taxis No. 60/2, Melita Street, Valletta, VLT 1122, Malta Malta Water Taxis own and operate a fleet of new, fast and efficient purpose built water taxis, brightly coloured in yellow they are distinctly recognizable from the shore line and embarkation points. Tel:+356 79990001, +356 79990001 Email:firstname.lastname@example.com Read More Paradise Diving Comino Ferry Paradise Bay Resort Hotel, Paradise Bay, Ċirkewwa, Malta We offer a daily ferry service from Paradise Diving, Cirkewwa to Blue Lagoon Comino, every 30 minutes from May 1st until October 31st. Our website is: http://www.paradisediving.com/bluelagooncomino.html Tel:+356 99491877, +356 21524363 Email:firstname.lastname@example.com Read More Valletta Cruise Terminal No. 45/46, Pinto Wharf, Floriana, FRN 1913, Malta The cruiseport for Malta Tel:+356 25673000 Email:firstname.lastname@example.com Read More Valletta Ferry Services Limited Dolphin Court, Tigné Seafront, Tas-Sliema, Malta Ferry services between Sliema and Valletta and between Valletta and The Three Cities. Tel:+356 23463862 Email:email@example.com Read More


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Keen to assist in achieving the best result or YOU when it comes to your Real Estate experience, Travis has a proven track record in providing his clients with an elite level of professionalism, communication, ethics, honesty and integrity.
A+ Service - Very Happy Clients Both Sarah and I couldn't speak highly enough of Travis through our recent purchase. We would definitely use his services again, and would recommend him to friends and family without question. Travis was very professional and patience with our negotiations, and went well beyond his call of duty. -Trent & Sarah.
"If Travis can't sell your place then no-one can" I had my house on the market for a while with little luck. It was suggested by a friend to try Travis and was told "if Travis can't sell your place then no-one can". Sure enough within weeks, Travis had already arranged inspections of the property, and kept me well informed of feedback. During the whole process he was mindful of the tenants I had in the house at the time too. The short of it all is Travis sold my house in a short timeframe for the price I was after. I couldn't ask for more than that really. And he's not a bad bloke either! -Daniel & Rosie
Total Professional Our dealings with Travis were extremely satisfying considering that the negotiations were carried whilst we were overseas in UK with time difference and with what problems that involved.... A totally professional agent!!! Well done.. -Ken & Coral
Professional approach I have had many dealings with estate agents over the years; Travis is the first agent that made the process of selling painless and hassle free. Travis was very professional in all aspects of this transaction. -Deon
Travis Vincent a Totally Honourable and Genuine Agent.
Thank you so much Travis for guiding us through the sale process and for advising us throughout the past 18 months. Your positive manner, impeccable manners and caring nature shone through every time we met with you. Well done to the Landmark team for choosing Travis to guide us as it was a big call considering we had been his teachers in your Secondary school years. You made us feel proud to work with you as you are a thorough gentleman. Well done and best wishes for your future career.
-Arthur & Joan
"The utmost professionalism & courtesy" To the team at Landmark Harcourts, and in particular, to Travis, we say a big "thank you". The sale of our property in Whitfield has been handled with the utmost professionalism & courtesy. Travis kept us informed at all times throughout the journey. He called when he had no news, just to say "No news, but don't worry!" and we didn't! He would pop in from time to time just to say "hello" and ask if we had any questions. We usually did and he always sorted things out. We would certainly recommend Travis and the team to anyone wanting to buy or sell property. Many thanks once again from the very grateful John & Anne. -John & Anne
"Great communication and proactive management gave me peace of mind." I found Travis to be a great communicator and proactive in managing the sale of my property, which gave me peace of mind throughout the process. Also, Travis was able to get a result I was happy with. -Sam
"Great job!!!" Travis was very helpful, patient and got the result we were after. Thanks Trav -Gene & Sarah
"Great result" Travis was extremely easy to deal with and had all the knowledge and experience required to get the sale of my property through. Would recommend Travis to anyone looking to buy and sell a property -John
"Thankyou" Thank you so much for selling our house for us so quickly. We thought it was great that you kept in contact with us. Your honesty and professionalism was appreciated. We will highly recommend you if we know of anyone selling their property. -Kate & Ralph
"Wonderful process and result" Travis excelled in organising every detail of the marketing and then auction of The Milawa Uniting Church on August 15th. The marketing strategy was obviously targeted in the right areas judged by those who attended the auction and Clearing Sale to buy very specific Church furniture etc. Travis's regular written and oral communication meant the vendors were fully informed and questions were always answered immediately. An excellent auctioneer (Joe McKenzie) was chosen for the sale with the proceedings on the day running efficiently and smoothly. A meeting before the sale, arranged by Travis meant that everyone was aware of the process on the day and what was expected of each person involved. Absolutely everything was sold on the day with pleasing prices for both the building and contents. Congratulations Travis and thank you for your hard work and skill in negotiating with many different people. -St Andrews Milawa congregation
"Local knowledge and clear communication add value to the purchase process." Travis is a professional that has provided a seamless, trouble free service from the time of initial inspection of the property to the time of settlement. He achieves this through clear and timely communication with both purchaser and vendor and their conveyancing parties. He brings a wealth of local knowledge and contacts to the process which makes the move to a new property so much easier. -Russell
"4 Buffalo close, Wangaratta" Considering this was a fairly complex ( my view) purchase, and several things could have gone wrong, Travis kept us informed with all steps of the purchase, as well as answering all question we gave him. Travis was very easy to work with, and I would recommend him to anyone wanting to buy or sell.. The only thing was the complimentary eski ( cooler bag ) we received, had no beer in it !!! maybe next time... Otherwise good work... -Joel & Laura
"Excellent" Excellent result Travis. Great communicator who provided regular updates. Highly recommend. -Jason "Customer Service" I have brought and sold several properties through Wangaratta and found this experience the best. -Mark


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Do It Inspirational Quotes
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The Statesman's Year-Book pp 462-462 | Cite as
Pitcairn Island
Pitcairn Island (1•75 sq. miles; 4•6 sq. km) is situated in the Pacific Ocean, nearly equidistant from New Zealand and Panama (25° 04′ S. lat., 130° 06′ W. long.). It was discovered by Carteret in 1767, but remained uninhabited until 1790, when it was occupied by 9 mutineers of HMS Bounty, with 12 women and 6 men from Tahiti. Nothing was known of their existence until the island was visited in 1808. In 1856 the population having become too large for the island's resources, the inhabitants (194 in number) were, at their own request, removed to Norfolk Island; but 43 of them returned in 1859–64. The population has been declining and on 31 Dec. 1971 it was approximately 92.


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pss. Check out this awesome giveaway over at Gentri Lee. love this girl.
oh bangs...
pss. Check out this awesome giveaway over at Gentri Lee. love this girl.
8 comments:
I love the bangs! I had full bangs my entire life until I was about 18, and it is hard to not go back! I love the way they look on you though, they are very full looking! :)ReplyDelete
Umm, yes, totally have that problem with bangs. I'm currently growing out my hair, bangs included, and plan to leave them long once they grow. We'll see how long that lasts...ReplyDelete
I love your bangs! They looks so good on you! I'm the same way! I can never get what I want from bangs. Right now I'm trying to grow mine out. Plus, they can be too difficult to keep up with.ReplyDelete
Anyways, have a Happy Halloween!
your bangs look really cute, i'm growing mine out. it's time for mine to go. i'm new to your blog i'm really enjoying it so far btw :)ReplyDelete
i LOVE the bangs on you! gorgeous.ReplyDelete
i am such a bangs girl. i can't live without em!
I do this ALL of the time!! For the past week I have said I want a fringe because I'd grown mine out and now the day is the day where the hairdresser is coming over and I don't want it anymore. I think somedays you want to change your hair and then other days you have a good hair day and think, there is no need to change!! This looks really great on you though, really suits you. You look lovely here!ReplyDelete
Holly (@pickletreat)
You look really good with bangs! I have the same problem though, it's taken me almost 3 years to sort of grow them out... and even now I consider chopping them every once and awhile!ReplyDelete
I love both long and short bangs on you. But for a change long bangs would look reeeall nice! ;)ReplyDelete


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Donovan Cook
This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Donovan Cook
Donovan Cook
|Television producer, director
|Years active
|Known for
|2 Stupid Dogs
Donovan R. Cook III is an American film director and cartoon creator, best known for creating, directing and producing the animated series 2 Stupid Dogs[1] and directing the Disney animated features Return to Never Land and Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers.
Donovan Cook was born in 1968. He graduated from the California Institute of the Arts in 1990 and has worked on several different Disney animated movies, such as The Little Mermaid and the Mickey Mouse adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper.
In 1992, he created the Emmy-nominated TV series 2 Stupid Dogs for Hanna-Barbera. The style he revived in 2 Stupid Dogs has been emulated and copied numerous times since. He gained the idea from two stray dogs roaming in his apartment and tried to sell it when Hanna-Barbera bought it. Secret Squirrel was one of his favorite HB cartoons which he watched in the 70s, which influenced him to revive the series as Super Secret Secret Squirrel.
Cook then returned to Disney in 1997, where he developed and produced the series Nightmare Ned. In 1998, he returned to feature animation when he co-directed Return to Never Land for Disney. In 2001, he took on the challenge of directing the first feature-length film of Mickey Mouse series characters Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (Goofy had previously appeared in A Goofy Movie and its sequel). The film, Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers, premiered worldwide on DVD in 2004. He also served as a director for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and The Adventures of Kid Danger.
Cook was originally scheduled to co-direct the film Space Chimps, but he would be subsequently scrapped from the project.
His latest project was the low-budget indie film Rideshare: The Movie, the first film ever to be shot on the iPhone 4. It was released on April 12, 2011 on the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival, being subsequently shown on the Honolulu Film Awards. It has won positive reviews.
- ^ McCray, Mark (2015-10-26). The Best Saturdays of Our Lives. iUniverse. pp. 79–. ISBN 9781491755075. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
External links[edit]
- Donovan Cook on Facebook
- Donovan Cook on IMDb
- Official website of Cook's indie film Rideshare: The Movie
|This article relating to an American animator is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
- Living people
- American television directors
- Animators from California
- American film producers
- American television producers
- American storyboard artists
- California Institute of the Arts alumni
- Film directors from California
- Hanna-Barbera people
- Voice directors
- Walt Disney Animation Studios people
- American animator stubs


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Erick Silva: Welterweight Title Not Part of My Plans Right Now
Erick Silva is in no rush.
Though many have pointed to the 28-year-old Brazilian as a welterweight title contender in the making, Silva believes he has plenty of time to reach his full potential.
"I think it's still too soon. To be honest, I'm not at all worried about the title belt right now," Silva said during Saturday's post-fight press conference after beating Jason High at UFC on Fuel TV 10. "All I want to do is do my work. I'm just going to wait for the UFC to schedule my next fight, and when they do, I'm going to focus on it. If I could do 20 fights before the belt, I would. When I go for the belt, I want to have it around my waist, so I want to have a lot of knowledge and experience. But [a title fight] is not at all part of my plans now."
Despite his measured attitude, Silva nevertheless advanced his position in the welterweight division with his victory over High -- a superior performance that saw the Brazilian catch "The Kansas City Bandit" with a beautiful inverted triangle-armbar after sprawling on a takedown attempt and taking the American's back. The 71-second triumph was the 16th victory of Silva's career and served to dampen the memory of his unanimous decision defeat this past October to highly-regarded veteran Jon Fitch.
"[After my loss to Fitch], I had to improve in each different area, so I looked for good teachers who could help me focus on the different areas, [like] jiu-jitsu and muay Thai," Silva told Fox Sports after his win at Paulo Sarasate Gymnasium in Fortaleza, Brazil. "I'm really happy with how the fight went. I'm a really good striker, but I'm really good on the ground, too. I just trained a lot and did my best."


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Awards 2012NHIC Annual Awards 2012 highlight superior energy efficiency and lower home running costs
A fine cross section of very worthy winners and runners up
Although times remain financially tough, there were 11 categories for this year's National Home Improvement Council Annual Awards 2012. Plagues and certificates, presented by Lord Dykes at a special Awards luncheon, were an import reflection of the emphasis on home energy efficiency and saving running costs.
The chair for the event was Simon Storer, Director of External Affairs, Construction Products Association. He suggested that the construction industry continued to suffer from the current serious economical malaise and the CPA could not see this improving until 2014.
He hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would address this particular issue in his Autumn Statement on 5 December?
The luncheon was hosted by the NHIC's President The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP. He said: "Our thanks must go to everyone who has taken part this year, especially the finalists and runners up, the Category Sponsors and all those who have kindly contributed to this very special occasion.
"We really appreciate your continued and valuable support.
"The importance of raising home energy efficiency and the significance of Green Deal opportunities are reflected in the achievements of today's Award winners and runners up."
The NHIC Annual Awards are presented for innovation and environmental consideration in the successful completion of projects and involving energy efficiency initiatives that help raise public awareness of the importance of home improvements.
Photos of the NHIC Annual Awards Luncheon 2012
To see every photograph taken at the NHIC Annual Awards luncheon in the Gladstone Library, One Whitehall Place, London SW1 on 29th November 2012, please click on the link here. You can also download any image you wish to and use it for you own publicity purposes or for your own personal records. If require any further information please contact Tanya on 020 7448 3853.
Categories and award winners
- Outstanding social housing development using recycled land or buildings
- Best house extension improvement
- Excellence in roofing
- Gas safety in social housing
- Home window fabricator
- Excellence in insulation
- Excellence In Glazing
- Outstanding achievement with environmental sustainability in replacement windows
- Best home energy efficiency solution
- CompetentRoofer of the Year
- George Plucknett Award
Our Thanks to all the category sponsors:


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It may just be possible that President Barack Obama doesn't know how woefully unprepared he was for the presidency.
Either that, or he is just lying completely. He recently told news station WMUR that presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump is unprepared for the rigors of the presidency.
"I think that (Trump) is not somebody who, even within the Republican party, can be considered equipped to deal with the problems of this office," he said.
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And Obama thinks he was — or is — qualified to deal with "the problems" of being president?
Problems like what, riding that bike? Finding the correct helmet?
TRENDING: Here's CNN's Jake Tapper Backpeddling as Fast as He Can from Fake Hate Story His Network Stoked
Breitbart published a critique of Obama during the 2012 election:
"One cannot deny and must also accept and acknowledge that Obama was a man who had only run the Harvard Law Review for a short time, was an Illinois state senator with no considerable accomplishments, and was only a two-year U.S. senator with no considerable accomplishment. He was totally unqualified to tackle the very serious challenges our country faced with regards to the economy, or anything else for that matter."
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Four years later, that's still true. Actually, Trump has spent a great deal more time managing complex operations than the current president has, even after nearly eight years in office.
We will have to trust in Trump's business savvy and the "art of the deal" to carry the day. If Trump's own wealth says anything, that's not the worst place to put one's trust.
H/T The Federalist Papers Project
Please share this on Facebook and Twitter and let us know what you think about these four pictures and what they say about President Barack Obama's preparation for the Oval Office.
Do you think Donald Trump is prepared to be the president? Scroll down to comment below.


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Nessly – Wolverine ft Yung Bans
prod kennybeats + mario luciano
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Last year, students took to the streets to save the NHS bursary. This Saturday, we will again.
This time though, it's about more than student funding - it is about the future of our health service itself.
In a march that is shaping up to be the largest mobilisation in history in defence of the NHS, coaches will depart from all corners of the country. We will come together to demand sustainable funding for the NHS itself - as well as the students and workers who keep it functioning.
Having sustained years of cuts, closures and privatisation; hospitals, clinics and pharmacies up and down the country are struggling to survive. Waiting lists are longer, workers' pay is lower and dozens of hospitals have declared they can no longer guarantee patient safety.
The photo of the small boy sleeping on a chair because there were no beds left at a hospital made headlines. But nothing had been done since, and if you can believe it, the worst is yet to come.
Last month, figures for university applications were released. There has been a 23% drop in the number of students applying for nursing degrees since the NHS Bursary was cut - proving it a vital lifeline to many. NHS students don't just study; they work on placements and often part-time too. Amongst them are more working class, more parent and more mature students than the general university population.
Labour is highlighting how the cut to NHS bursaries is affecting nursing applications.
The Government boasts of a target of 10,000 more nurses to staff our services, but if students' aren't even applying, this is a falsity. If Theresa May really wants to fix the NHS crisis, she should reinstate NHS bursaries immediately.
For the Tories though, the NHS isn't failing. In fact, their plan is going well. We know they are ideologically opposed to anything being "free"; the idea that services are paid for by society and free at the point of use is a socialist fundamental. They would sooner we moved towards an insurance system where the individual pays for what they need, like in the USA where the poorer you are, the sicker you are destined to be. That was partly why, I believe, they chose to cut the NHS bursary. Future nursing and other healthcare graduates won't have the same affinity to the NHS without it having part-funded their studies.
It cannot be down to NHS students alone to fight - because we all rely on its services. From the sexual health clinic on campus to the A&E service on a night out. The mental health practitioners our institutions refer us to, and the pharmacies who dispense our medication. Every service protects our members and each and every one is under attack.
Just as we joined our postgraduate medical students in their fierce fight against the imposition of Junior Doctor contracts, we will join community campaigns, patient advocacy groups and trade unions in coming together to say that enough is enough.
So from lecture theatres to operating theatres, from our homes, our workplaces and into the streets we must stand together - united for #OurNHS.
You can find out transport information for attending the demonstration at ournhs.info


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Dead Good! Dead Rising 3 Soundtrack Available November 19th 2013, Plus 10 FREE Tracks!
Capcom and Sumthing Else Music Works music will soon be releasing the soundtrack to the upcoming installment of popular zombie bashing franchise, Dead Rising 3. Although the game itself will be exclusive to Xbox One at launch, the soundtrack will be available for everyone from November 19th 2013: before the game even hits the shelves!
Outlets such as Amazon, iTunes, and other music sites will be selling the soundtrack. However, if you purchase the soundtrack directly from Sumthing Else, you'll be getting an exclusive 99-track version, meaning you'll get more groaning and brain-munching for your buck.
Creepy, dark, and electro-inspired, although Halloween might be passed it's never too late for Oleksa Lozowchuk's chilling original score. Furthermore, a special physical double-CD version will be available to buy from November 26th 2013.
Pre-orders can be made now, but in the meantime, Sumthing Else have made 10 tracks from their expanded version available to download directly from their website for FREE!
To pre-order the exclusive 99-track soundtrack and/or download your 10 FREE tracks now, visit www.sumthing.com.
Source sumthing.com


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Perhaps the most amusing thing I've heard on TV news lately was a remark by Defense Secretary Panetta when asked why he thought the recent deadly attack on the consulate in Benghazi was an act of terrorism. His answer was that he knew it was terrorism because it was carried out by terrorists. Has anyone ever stated the obvious to a greater extent than that? He might have mentioned methods, type of ammo, a leader or two (if known). He did later, to be fair.
It's strange that he was providing the information, in the first place. It would appear that CIA Director Petraeus, not the head of the DOD, would be the go-to guy for intel, or maybe the head honcho of the president's National Security Council or, certainly, the Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, Jr. Has anyone seen or heard anything out of these folks lately? Is the whole sordid affair such a hot potato that no one in the intel community wants to touch it, ergo, tell Panetta to handle the cover-up.
The president was so concerned about the attack involving four murdered Americans that he took off for Las Vegas the next day to make speeches after blaming some sort of movie (made by an American, of course) for the whole thing. It seemed to him that an insult to Mohammad, who was indeed a monster, should be cause for most anything, including murder, and that Americans, especially, should therefore abridge their freedom of speech. Muslims in this country could call Jesus a cockroach and the public might yawn.
The girls at NBC Nightly News, Guthrie and Mitchell, gaily put what they likely hoped will be the final spin on the affair on 28 September, noting that the intel agencies had apologized for making a mistake, when it was the intel folks who within 24 hours of the event recognized it as a terror attack having nothing to do with a movie (but just didn't mention that to the White House gang?), according to news sources such as Yahoo News. Indeed, the girls cited a release from Clapper's office defending Obama's spurious account of the Benghazi massacre and indicating that the terrorism became clear only in the aftermath (when?) of the carnage. Clapper was appointed to his position by Obama in 2010, and anyone who believes this "news report" reflected truth is ripe to buy a bridge.
Clapper is remembered for his testimony in a House intelligence hearing in February 2011 noting that the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt was largely secular and not particularly extreme, a statement accruing to an incomprehensible naivete, ignorance, or pushing an agenda, especially for anyone in the intel community. A DNI apparatchik tried later in the hearing to clean up the remark but Clapper became a joke.
The Egyptian Muslim brotherhood now owns Egypt and its head beheader, Mohamed Morsi (oh yes, Democratically elected, okay… laugh), in his recent UN speech, urged the UN to crack down on expressions that defame religions. This was his way of excusing all protests and outright violence whenever any Muslim claims that Mohammad, the "prophet," has been defamed, not to mention his consequent position that freedom of speech is not a "right." Just a cursory look at the history books will confirm the fact that the "prophet" was a murderous scoundrel/pedophile who created the Koran "holy" book calling for "death to the infidels."
A cover-up of the magnitude regarding Benghazi is mind-boggling, especially since four Americans were killed, though warnings had been issued concerning violence before the eleventh anniversary of 9/11. The Americans had virtually no security, the result of intolerable ineptitude by the State Department. Secretary Clinton should resign. For her part in the cover-up, UN Ambassador Rice should also resign, as should press-prattler Carney. The president should, too, but that ain't gonna happen.
One is reminded of President Nixon in 1974. He attempted to cover-up a mere break-in at the Watergate complex that involved no loss of life or damage. He was hounded out of office, resigning to avoid impeachment and possible conviction. Obama committed an impeachable offense in March 2011 when, in direct violation of the Constitution concerning war-making, he ordered the U.S. military to attack a sovereign nation, Libya, that represented no threat to the U.S. or any other nation. Many Libyans have died as a result.
In short, Obama should be impeached by the House no later than yesterday for the well-documented cover-up of an episode costing the life of a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. To do the honorable thing, he would resign.
And so it goes.
Jim Clark


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Godolphin's Ihtimal, a dominant winner of the February 6 U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas, turned the classic double by an even more emphatic margin in Thursday's Group 3, $250,000 U.A.E. Oaks at Meydan. Asserting her superiority at the top of the stretch, the Saeed bin Suroor pupil widened her advantage to a record 10 lengths at the wire.
Ihtimal became the fourth Guineas heroine to follow up in the Oaks, emulating Satin Kiss (2005), Folk (2007) and Cocoa Beach (2008). Satin Kiss and Cocoa Beach were likewise trained by bin Suroor, who now boasts nine Oaks wins on his resume.
There was drama at the gate, as Magroora, one of a trio for Mike de Kock, acted up and had to be scratched. Once the Oaks field was sent on its way, Russian shipper Sign of Lucky strode forward to set the pace. Illuminating Dream advanced on the clubhouse turn and prompted the leader on the backstretch.
Ihtimal, who was tugging at Silvestre de Sousa early, was persuaded to bide her time just about midpack. But the class of the field continued to travel strongly throughout, and it was only a matter of when to turn her loose. Rounding the far turn, de Sousa let out a notch, and Ihtimal easily drew alongside Sign of Lucky and a hard-ridden Illuminating Dream.
Upon straightening into the stretch, Ihtimal lengthened stride, and the race was over. The daughter of Shamardal negotiated about 1 3/16 miles on Tapeta in 1:58.51, exactly equaling the stakes mark set by Khawlah in the 2011 Oaks.
Khawlah, yet another of bin Suroor's Oaks winners, went on to become the only filly to annex the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby. It is yet to be determined whether Ihtimal will bid to follow in her hoofsteps March 29.
"She has always been a real favorite and we must think about the U.A.E. Derby now," bin Suroor said.
When speaking to Godolphin.com, bin Suroor noted that Ihtimal could await classic glory in England.
"She could head for the U.A.E. Derby on World Cup night or go to Newmarket for the One Thousand Guineas (May 4)," the trainer said.
"That was very impressive," de Sousa said. "The pace was not very fast early on and she was a little bit keen but soon settled into a lovely rhythm. I did not want to get stuck in any traffic so was happy to be quite wide and she just took me to the front really traveling before quickening well.
"She's a lovely filly," the rider told the stable's website. "She's not very big when you look at her, but I can't describe how big an engine she has. It's a pleasure to ride a filly like that."
Feedyah, from the yard of fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, was best of the rest. De Kock's Mensoora checked in a further 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third, and stablemate Magrooma was the same distance back in fourth. More Aspen, Sign of Lucky, Letterfromamerica and Illuminating Dream completed the order of finish.
Ihtimal's scorecard reads 8-4-2-2. The bay progressed over her juvenile campaign, and ended 2013 as one of the top performers in her division in England. Runner-up to Kiyoshi in her premiere at Goodwood last May, she missed by a neck in early June at Newmarket. Ihtimal tried males in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, finishing a creditable third to Berkshire and Bunker. She broke her maiden with a 2 3/4-length score in the Sweet Solera back at Newmarket, and was equally convincing in the May Hill at Doncaster. Ihtimal concluded the season with a third to the ill-fated Chriselliam and to Rizeena in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.
Bred by Darley in Ireland, Ihtimal is the first registered foal from the winning Dubai Destination mare Eastern Joy, who is a half-sister to 2007 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) queen West Wind. Ihtimal's second dam, Group 2 victress Red Slippers, is in turn a full sister to Group 2 scorer Romanov and a half-sister to dual classic heroine Balanchine. Also in the family are multiple Group 1 star Saoirse Abu, Group 1 winner Art Connoisseur and Japanese Grade 2 victor Shonan Mighty.