2012年7月25日 星期三

Inception Review


Writer/directer Christopher Nolan brought a whole new dimension to Batman with Batman Begins and Dark Knight. Inception elevates Nolans brilliance and vision to a whole new level. Starring Ken Watandabe and Cillian Murphy from Batman Begins and adding the star of stars, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nolan has brought together a phenomenal cast. Ellen Page, of Juno and X-Men Last Stand fame, has a leading role in the film. Every great movie has to have a cute girl. This is definitely a great movie, and Ellen Page fills this role spectacularly.

DiCaprio stars as Cobb, a thief who uses advanced technology to enter peoples dreams and steal secrets, thoughts, and ideas. Cobb is offered a payment he can not refuse from a corporate mogul by the name of Saito(Ken Watanabe) for a job thought to be impossible. The target for the job is Robert Fischer(Murphy), who is the heir to a rival business of Saito's. Cobb of course takes the job and starts by recruiting a team, which includes Ariadne(Page), an adorable college girl, who is the architect of the dreams they build. With nonstop action and suspense the movie takes off from there.

The story was more than amazing. DiCaprio, as always put on an award winning performance, and I don't have one complaint about any of the other cast. The lighting and camera work, were as well a vision of perfection. Inception left me with only wonder and amazement. I could stand to watch this one a couple more times.

You won't be going for that popcorn refill during this movie. Inception comes original and comes hard. I was unable to leave until after the credits for fear that I would miss something significant. Featuring amazing acting, a splendid and epic cast, and cgi effects that bring the scene to life, this movie is one of the best of 2010.




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2012年7月24日 星期二

Baby Boy Names and Baby Girl Names from the Gods and Goddesses


Many of our baby names come from the gods and goddesses of the ancient Romans and Greeks. For example, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, Martin comes from Mars, the god of war. And Flora was the goddess of flowers.

Some baby names come from place names of the gods. Cynthia, for instance, comes from "Kynthos," the mountain birthplace of Artemis, goddess of the hunt and her twin, Apollo, god of wild animals.

Gods and goddesses were titans, sea nymphs, tree spirits and other immortals. They roamed the earth and sped across the sky in chariots. They loved and they fought - just like humans.

Let is look at a few of these baby names.

God Baby Boy Names

Achilles (Greek) means "Destroyer. Achilles was the hero of the Trojan War. His motherm a sea nymph, tried to make him immortal by bathing him in the River Styx. She missed one heel, however, and he was slain by an arrow through that heel. Famous bearers of this name is the Emperor Achilleus, 3rd Century AD ruler of Egypt. Also, actor Achilles Bombanassa.

Adonis (Greek) meaning "Lord." Adonis was a handsome mortal youth when Aphrodite, goddess of love, fell in love with him. When Adonis was killed by a wild boar, his body was given to Aphrodite. A famous bearer is actor Adonis Kapsalis.

Hercules (Greek from "Herkles.") Hercules was the son of Jupiter, the king of gods. He was strong and was well-known for performing 12 mighty labors. Famous bearers include Agatha Christy's detective, Hercule Poirot.

Orion (Greek) meaning "Light." Orion was a hunter who fell in love with Diana, goddess of the moon. When he was killed hunting, Diana carried him to Heaven and turned him into the constellation Orion. Famous Orions are actors Orion Clemens and Orion Barnes.

Damon (Greek) meaning "One who Tames." According to Greek legend, Damon was so faithful to his friend Pythias, that he prepared to lay down his life for him - and was saved at the last moment. Famous Damons include author Damon Runyon and actors Matt Damon and Damon Andrews.

Goddess Baby Girl Names

Aurora (Latin) The Goddess of the Dawn. Aurora gives her name to the rainbow of lights in the night sky known as Aurora Borealis. Famous Auroras include author Aurora Dupin (Georges Sand) and poet, Aurora Cornu.

Diana (Latin) Goddess of the Moon and of the Hunt. The name became popular in the second half of the 20th Century. Famous Dianas include Diana, Princess of Wales and the actress Diane Keaton.

Daphne (Greek) meaning "Laurel Tree." Daphne was a nymph who caught the eye of Apollo. To escape his advances, she turned into a laurel tree. Apollo was so sad, he wore her branches around his head as his symbol. Famous Daphnes include author Daphne du Maurier and actress Daphne Zuniga.

Minerva (Latin) meaning "Mind." The Goddess of Wisdom and of War. This name was popular in the 19th Century but is rare today. Famous bearers are Minerva McGonagall of "Harry Potter" and the actress Minerva Urecal.

June (Latin) This name comes from the goddess Juno, Goddess of the Family and Guardian of Women. Famous Junes include actresses June Allyson and June MacCloy.

We have just seen some of the most powerful and beautiful baby boy names and baby girl names from the gods and goddess of ancient Rome and Greece. Perhaps you found your own name among them.




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Brands of Guitar Amplifiers


A wide range of instrument amplifiers is now available, some for general purposes and some designed for specific instruments and even for particular sounds. Traditional guitar amplifiers come up with a clean, warm sound, a sharp treble roll off at 5 kHz or less and bass roll off at 60 to100 Hz, often with built in reverb and tremolo units. Bass amplifiers have extended bass response and tone controls optimized for bass guitars (or more rarely, for upright bass).

Higher end bass amplifiers sometimes include compressor or limited features, which help to keep the amplifier from distorting at high volume levels. Keyboard amplifiers have a very low distortion and extended flat frequency response in both directions. Keyboard amplifiers often have a simple onboard mixer, so that keyboardists can control the tone and level of several keyboards. Acoustic amplifiers are designed specifically to produce a clean, transparent, acoustic sound when used with acoustic instruments with built in transducer pickups and microphones.

Some well known brands of guitar amplifiers

While there are almost innumerable manufacturers of guitar amplifiers, we will be discussing the most important brands that have created history in guitar amplification.

Carvin Corporation

The Carvin Corporation is a musical instrument and equipment manufacturer, located in San Diego, California, well known among guitar players for their guitars. Carvin was founded in 1946 by Lowell Kiesel, and originally manufactured guitar pickups. Carvin Corporation manufactures acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitars and accessories, amplifiers, live studio sound equipments, microphones and lighting gears.

Korg Corporation

Korg Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures electronic musical instruments and guitar tuners. The company is one of the most widely used and respected names in the electronic music world. Founded in 1962 in Japan by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai, Korg was originally known as Keio Electronic Laboratories because its fledgling offices were located near the Keio train line in Tokyo and Keio can be formed by combining the first letters of Kato and Osanai. Yamaha Corporation has always been a major partner of Korg, supplying them with circuitry and mechanical parts.

Marshall Amplification

Marshall Amplification is a British company which designs and manufactures electric guitar amplifiers. Marshall Amplifiers are well known and highly popular among guitarists. Marshall Amplifiers were originally built as direct copies of Fender amplifiers, but soon incorporated certain traits which made them more favorable to guitarists seeking a heavier sound. Like most professional level amplifiers, Marshall amplifiers still use valve preamp and power amplifier stages instead of solid state devices. Marshall also manufactures cheaper solid-state or hybrid devices.

Vox

Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer, which is most famous for making the AC30 guitar amplifier and the Vox electric organ. Founded in Great Britain, Vox is now owned by the Japanese electronics firm Korg. In 1959, with sales under pressure from the more powerful Fender Twin and from The Shadows, who requested amplifiers with more power, Vox produced what was essentially a double powered AC15 and named it the AC30.

Roland Corporation

Roland Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972 with 33 million yen in capital. Some of the recent amplifiers from Roland Corporation are Roland SH 201, Roland Juno G, Roland MV 8800 and Roland V Synth GT.




Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: guitars, guitar amplifiers, drums, drum sets, drum kits, and synthesizers, keyboards.





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'Peacock' - Film Review 2010


Harkening stylistically back to the glory days of Hitchcock, straight-to-DVD release 'Peacock' deserved a full-fledged theatrical run; chock full of quietly devastating performances, the film is one of the most quietly tension-building offerings since genre-definer 'Fargo'.

John Skillpa (played flawlessly by 'Batman Begins' scarecrow Cillian Murphy) is a small town bank clerk residing in Nebraska, a socially stunted loner living in his deceased mother's Norman Bates-worthy home. A freak train accident in John's backyard lights a powder keg of events that threaten to unveil his deepest secret and unravel the fragile script that has become the glue of routine in John's life.

Excellent supporting roles from Susan Sarandon and Bill Pullman add richly to this sadly under-seen psychological thriller, although Ellen Page ('Juno') is a tad underachieving as single mother Maggie. Little matter though, as 'Peacock' is all Murphy - his stunning multiple roles within the film's duration are both nuanced and manic, a rollercoaster of contrasting emotions at war within a character that is both simultaneously pitiful and menacing.

Detractors might argue that the dual characters at the heart of 'Peacock' are too transparent to make for a believable plot, but the producers do a skillful job at making the small town encompass a time gone by; what may seem obvious in the contemporary sense was often the furthest thing from anyone's mind in the 1950's, and the film accomplishes capturing the past admirably. An intentionally open-ended finale may leave some viewer's scratching their heads, but overall 'Peacock' is a satisfying mystery-laden thriller that is well worth a look.




A freelance writer, journalist, editor and all around info hound, Philip Hicks has been creating content since birth it seems. As an expert in a number of industries and subjects, Philip offers tremendous insight to help readers better understand a variety of topics. Some of Philip's work can be seen on ApartmentHomeLiving.com, Altercation.net as well as a variety of other web and non-web locations. With a mind on always staying topical, Philip always strives to entertain, enlighten and engage. Enjoy!





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2012年7月23日 星期一

Nelly Furtado - A Brief Bio


Nelly Furtado is one of the most dynamic stars in pop music today. Since the release of her first album "Whoa, Nelly!" in 2000, she's consistently pushed the boundaries of music genres by incorporating influences from music around the world. Nelly Furtado songs have won a Grammy, six Juno awards and one MTV Europe Music Award.

Born in Canada in 1978, Furtado was inspired to sing and perform at an early age. She started singing at 4 and began writing her own lyrics at 12. Shortly before she graduated from secondary school, she began making contacts within the rap and hip hop community in Toronto. A solo performance at the 1997 Honey Jam in Toronto caught the attention of Gerald Eaton and Brian West, two members of the group The Philosopher Kings. The duo helped Furtado create a demo which led to a deal with DreamWorks records. Her first single appeared on the soundtrack album for the film Brokedown Palace.

Eaton and West helped Furtado produce her debut album "Whoa Nelly!" The album was released in October of 2000 to rave reviews. The hit single "I'm Like a Bird" eventually won Furtado her first Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Additional hits from the album were "Turn Off the Light" and "On the Radio (Remember the Days). The Nelly Furtado video for the former showcased her multicultural background.

The album was critically acclaimed for her unique musical style and fresh approach to pop music. Her cultural background gave the album a unique mix of genres and sounds. Furtado is of Portuguese descent and speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Hindi.

Her second album, "Folklore", was released in November of 2003 shortly after the birth of her daughter, Nevis. Due to poor promotion by the label, the album was less successful than her first album. The singles from the album were "Powerless (Say What You Want)" and "Try". The song "Forca" from the album was used as the official anthem of the 2004 European Football Championship. The song "Childhood Dreams" was dedicated to her daughter.

In 2006, Furtado's third and most successful album to date was released. "Loose" was primarily produced by the hip hop producer Timbaland which is evident in the album's hip hop and R&B sound. Although many of her old fans rejected Furtado's new direction, the album produced number one hits across the globe. The singles "Promiscuous", "Maneater", "Say It Right" and "All Good Things (Come to an End)" topped charts in many different countries due to Nelly Furtado videos and radio play.

In addition to singing, Furtado has recently added acting to her list of skills. She made her debut in the 2006 movie "Nobody's Hero" and had a role in 2008's "Max Payne" movie. She has also appeared on television in the shows CSI: New York and Roswell.

Even though many of the lyrics on her album "Loose" are sexually suggestive, Furtado has repeatedly rejected attempts by outside influences to oversexualize her image. She turned down $500,000 that was offered to her by Playboy to use Nelly Furtado pictures. She refuses to pose in sexy outfits for magazines, and was very upset when a men's magazine digitally removed portions of her outfit so it appeared more revealing.

Furtado plans to release her fourth album between May and August of 2009. She will be recording songs in English and Spanish for the new record. She will also be recording an entire album in Spanish and an additional album in Portuguese.




Searching for music videos online? Come check out the largest collection of music videos online featuring all of the most popular artists and bands, including Nelly Furtado, Beyonce and Akon.





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Sweden & Norway - Scandinavian Highlights For a Real Holiday


From the magical northern lights that dance in the sky above the wilds of the north, to the thousands of small, uninhabited islands in the south, now is the time to seek out the "real" Scandinavia.

The variety of accommodation, away from bland corporate hotels and international chains, is fascinating. Accommodation is available in chic, boutique city centre hotels, traditional fishermen's cottages (rorbu) and elegant manor houses

As a "must" in Sweden, you can visit Stockholm and its archipelago of over 24,000 islands. You can tour Oslo in Norway with its wealth of museums and parkland. Join the locals in one of the many waterfront restaurants and sample mouthwatering delicacies - oysters, crayfish, cod, salmon, reindeer, kottbuller (meat balls) to name but a few.

In summer, you have the Sweden's hundreds of miles of beaches to choose your ideal spot. Particularly fine are those on the west coast, where there were 96,000 lakes at the last count!. There are many waterskiing and windsurfing centres on the coast and lakes, ideal hunting ground for those looking for activity and exercise, and to indulge their passion for the water.

Also available to the active sportsperson, there are superb facilities around the country for skating, tobogganing, snowmobiling, ice climbing and even dog sled driving/riding.

A host of nature based activities are available. This includes hiking, canoeing, bird watching, midnight sun cruises and crayfish, lobster and oyster safaris in the summer months. In the winter, in addition to the husky dog sledding, snowmobile tours and ice fishing, there is also the fantastic spectacle of the and northern lights.

Sweden also has over 400 golf courses: and there is even one north of the Arctic Circle enjoys with 24-hour daylight during the summer months, for those who simply cannot get enough golf in their lives!

Or how about a cruise along the Norwegian coastline onboard Hurtigruten cruise lines, or a trip sailing along the 190km Gota Canal onboard the M/S Juno, the oldest steam passenger boat in the world.

Between the main cities there are sparsely populated wildernesses with - for example - Jostedalsbreen, Europe's largest glacier. In these regions, outdoor activities including skiing, fishing and rock-climbing hold sway. Anyone who comes here will simply marvel at the stunning beauty of the Norwegian countryside, with its multitude of steep-sided valleys, high mountain lakes and breathtaking vistas..

Meanwhile, a 'right of access' to the countryside in Sweden and Norway opens up this diverse natural landscape: pristine wilderness areas, imposing mountain ranges, meandering rivers, fjords and glaciers and peaceful archipelagoes - all there just waiting for the visitor to enjoy.

Whether you are looking for a short city holiday in Sweden or a trip to Norway, a relaxing week doing nothing or a multi-centre activity holiday - the 'real' Scandinavia is the place for you! And with cheap flights from the UK and Europe in plentiful supply, this is the time to go.




Country Connect editor Penny Church, writes for the map-based holiday destination and flight finder Travelwhere. With Country Connect, you can find cheap flights to Scandinavia. On Travelwhere you can access a wealth of additional information - including the package holiday brochures of specialist tour operators to Scandinavia.





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Movie Reviews - Uncertainty


Movie reviews this week looks at the thriller Uncertainty.

It stars the gorgeous Lynn Collins (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Kate and Joseph Gordon-Levitt (3rd Rock from the Sun) as Bobby, two young couple, going about their normal day who decide on the toss of a coin whether to spend 4th of July at the home of one of their parents or togethe. The movie follows them as they spend it together, when they happen to find a mobile phone at the back of a taxi. Against suggestions from Kate to hand the phone over to the driver of the taxi, Bobby refuses, and tries to be the good Samaritan, by calling random numbers on the phone, telling them he happens to have found the phone at the back of a taxi giving his name and personal mobile number, as well as his address, to contact him so he can return the phone.

Soon afterward someone calls saying they will arrange to pick up the phone from Bobby's location, and that they will be identified in a red shirt, while Bobby says they can identify him as he is wearing a yellow shirt.

It turns out that some shady characters are dead set on getting the phone, and much to Kate, and Bobby's horror, the fellow who came in the red shirt is shot in broad day light, while someone else phones Bobby on the same phone telling them his name is Dmitri claiming that the phone is his and he wants it back.

The young couple flee for their lives, as the assassin scans around looking for who the man in the red shirt came to meet. The first instinct of the couple is to rush over to the nearest police station and report what has happened, and to mention that it has something to do with the phone they found at the back of a taxi. Whilst at the police station they begin searching on the Internet with the names the know in connection with the phone so far, and happen to come upon some information that the phone might contain some financial figures to do with the lottery, and it could be worth several millions in the right hands.

The couple begin to wonder what on earth is so vitally important on the phone that someone is prepared to kill for it, and they decide to send a text message to Dmitri (switching on the phone for a short time as they are worried they may be some kind of trace on it) with an anonymous email account to email them on (so they can check it publicly), where they ask for $500,000 to give back the phone.

At first the man calling himself Dmitri, refuses stating this is his phone, and threatening them, Bobby calmly tells Kate he will pay, while Kate says it doesn't look as if he is prepared to pay, however the last email sent from Dmitri says he will pay, and the young couple set about trying to find a safe location for them to meet.

What sets this movie apart is that it follows two different alternate scenarios, which the viewer sees simultaneously, instead of Kate and Bobby happening to find the phone at the back of a taxi, they alternate scenario is that they visit Kate's parents home to celebrate the 4th of July, where Kate's mother Sylvia played by Assumpta Serna (Henry the VIII) is trying to talk some sense into Kate's sister Sophie played by the gorgeous Olivia Thirlby (Juno), and Bobby tries to impress Kate's mother, father and very close knit family, amidst some interesting news the couple haven't yet found the strength to let Kate's parents know about.

Uncertainty is a very interesting movie of cat and mouse, with superb and energetic performances from the brilliant cast.




Movie Reviews is constantly updated with great reviews of good movies that are a must see.

Movie reviews is constantly updated with reviews of great movies and recommended releases





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2012年7月22日 星期日

Belfast Attractions - Grand Opera House


A little bit of history

Located on Victoria Street, beside the Europa Hotel, in Belfast city centre, the Grand Opera House has had a long and illustrious history. Designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham, it was originally opened in December 1895. The venue was renamed the Palace of Varieities in 1904, but its name was reverted to the original in 1909.

In the years after World War I, the Grand Opera House played host to a number of popular variety acts such as Sarah Bernhardt, Gracie Fields, Laurence Olivier and the National Theatre Company. During the Second World War, the Opera House amazingly escaped major bombing, and as one of the celebrations at the end of the war in 1945, the US President Eisenhower and General Montgomery of the British War Council both attended gala performances here.

In 1949 the Opera House was sold to the Rank Organisation, a British Entertainment organisation, and it was reopened as a cinema. This led to many lean years for the theatre, due to the popularity of TV and of course due to "The Troubles".

In 1969, the Grand Opera House was damaged through paramilitary bombing campaigns, due to its proximity to the Europa Hotel. In fact in 1972 it was facing a bleak future of closure and demolition. However, it was given a 'listed building' status in 1976 and became one of the first properties in Belfast to be listed as being of historical and architectural significance. Control of the Opera House was entrusted to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 1976 and it was secured a bright future.

A significant restoration project was carried out on the venue in 1980, and it's worth noting that this project was probably the catalyst to the redevelopment of Belfast city centre. Since then it has played host to many of the ballet and singing stars of the time. In 1991 and again in 1993, the Opera House was unfortunately bombed, but nevertheless it continued as normal and played host to musicals, plays, pantomimes and live music.

1994 saw the administration of the Grand Opera House handed to the Grand Opera House Trust. 2006 saw major re-development and refurbishments initiated. Improvements to the theatre included increased stage space, accommodation for performing acts, better customer facilties and acess for disabled guests. The Baby Grand was the name of a smaller events centre created under the redevelopment project, and Luciano's café bar and restaurant.

Not everyone was pleased with the exterior appearance of the Opera House, some felt that it took away from the original design, but the improved patron facilties have been warmly welcomed. The Grand Opera House re-opened with a Gala Event in October 2006.

Location, how to get here and facilities

The Grand Opera House is located beside the Europa Hotel and the city's main bus and train station, Europa Station, on Great Victoria Street. From here it's only about a 2 minute walk to the Grand Opera House.

If you're driving there's easy access from both the M1 and M2 motorways. From the M1 exit at the Boucher Road Junction. Continue along Donegall Road, and then take either Sandy Row or Shaftesbury Square. From the M2, go onto the Westlink and take the Divis Street exit. Take a right at the traffic lights onto College Avenue, and continue straight ahead onto Great Victoria Street.

Just behind the Europa Hotel, is a multi-storey car park. There's also some limited street parking available on Glengall Street, close to the venue.

Luciano's Restaurant, Café and Bar, cater for guests and party groups to the theatre. You can arrange for pre-event group meals and snacks through prior contact with the Opera House.

Bars are located on most levels of the Grand Opera House. However it is recommended that drinks are pre-ordered before show interval breaks. Post show drinks can be enjoyed in Luciano's.

There are no ATM Machines at the venue, though all major credit and debit cards are accepted at the premises. There is an ATM machine at the Europa Station. Confectionery and merchandise can be purchased at a confectionery stand located in the Theatre Foyer. Show merchandise can be purchased at locations throughout the building during shows.

There are excellent facilities for disabled people, and for those who are visually impaired.

Major events at the Grand Opera House...

Some major international artists, musicals, plays and pantomimes have been held at the venue. Music legends such as Van Morrison, Christy Moore, Oscar Winner from the Film "Once" Glen Hansard and Martha Wainwright have in the past performed here, and will perform here later in 2008 as well. Popular musicals such as Jungle Book, West Side Story and High School Musical are to be performed here later this year. Plays such as Juno and the Paycock, and Christmas Events such as "Cinderella on Ice" will take place also later this year.




Mairead Foley writes for the Ireland travel and accommodation website http://www.GoIreland.com

Visit GoIreland for all you need to know before visiting Belfast, like what to see and where to go. You can also browse our list of Belfast hotels and find yourself a great hotel deal!





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Normandy, France: A Trip in the Footsteps of the Liberators


As my husband and I picked up our rental car at Charles de Gaulle International Airport and headed west from Paris to Normandy, we looked forward to reliving "Operation Overlord," the military campaign led by Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, in June 1944, that would free Europe from the Nazi occupation.

We arrived in Caen, about 150 miles from Paris, in mid-afternoon and checked into our hotel. Caen is located on the Orne River, and is famous for its connection to William the Conqueror. Favorite tourist sites in Caen include magnificent twin abbeys founded by William and his wife, Mathilda of Flanders, in 1060 as penance to the Pope, and the ruins of Ducal Castle, their favorite residence.

One of the first objectives of Operation Overlord was to take control of Caen. German resistance at Caen was stiff, and 10,000 tons of Allied bombs demolished three-quarters of its buildings, destroying and burning the city center, before the city was liberated by Canadian and British Forces on July 9, 1944. We initially saw no signs of the bitter battle as we walked about the thoroughly modern city that has arisen from its ashes.

Then, a very high cathedral, not far from our hotel, caught our eye. This slightly staggering structure seemed in danger of toppling over, and we joked about the failings of the architect; we had never seen a cathedral with such a tilt to it. However, we suddenly fell silent as we realized why the cathedral tilts. It must be the result of vibrations from exploding bombs during the liberation.

The next morning, we started our exploration of the D-Day landing sites where, on June 6, 1944, the Allies launched the most ambitious amphibious operation ever undertaken, from a 5,000-ship armada assembled off the Normandy coast.

We drove several miles from Caen to the Pegasus Bridge at Benouville, then followed the coast in a westerly direction to the beaches code-named "Sword," "Juno," and "Gold." These are the sites where the British and Canadian forces landed. The American landing beaches are further to the west. A unit of Free French soldiers, loyal to General Charles de Gaulle, went ashore as part of a British brigade at Sword Beach.

Even though it was only October when we were there, the small seaport villages along the northern coast of France were already battened down for the winter, and almost devoid of tourists. The beaches were peaceful and deserted: long stretches of white sand and deep blue water as far as the eye could see. It was hard to envision the chaos of the morning of June 6, 1944, as 100,000 Allied soldiers scrambled ashore from landing craft, in the face of German fire from reinforced concrete bunkers stretching along the beach.

We imagined members of the French Resistance listening clandestinely to wireless radio the evening before the landings took place, as the BBC gave coded announcements that the invasion was about to begin. The announcements were the signal for the Resistance to dynamite railways and cut telephone lines across the country.

Twenty minutes after midnight, the first members of the liberation force, a handful of British soldiers from the 6th Airborne Division, arrived by glider to take over the Pegasus Bridge on the Caen-Ouistreham Canal outside Caen. This small bridge was important because it was one of only two passing points over the River Orne linking Caen to the sea.

American parachutists from the 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions then began dropping over Sainte Mere Eglise and the Cotentin Peninsula. At 4:40 a.m., Sainte Mere Eglise was captured by a regiment of the U.S. 82d airborne division, the first French town to be liberated. By 6:30 a.m., the seaborne assaults had started at Omaha and Utah, followed over the next hour and a half by landings at Gold, Sword, and Juno.

The original Pegasus Bridge, now replaced by a larger, more modern bridge, is in a memorial park in the nearby village of Ranville. It is worthwhile to visit both the original site and the park with the original bridge, in order to fully imagine what it was like there that fateful morning.

By late afternoon, we were suffering the effects of jet lag. We returned to our hotel for an early dinner, delaying our bedtime only long enough to check CNN for the latest news from around the world.

We spent most of the next day at La Memorial de Caen, just northwest of the city. Le Memorial de Caen, which opened June 6, 1988, is dedicated to Peace, but it tells a story of war and violence. It is a "must see" for those who travel to Normandy to learn about World War II. Drawing 450,000 visitors a year, the museum offers film presentations, photographs, and posters that bring the wartime experiences home in a strikingly vivid manner.

We stopped for the night at Bayeux, which was liberated by British troops on June 8, 1944. The swift retreat by the Germans in this area left the medieval town without the war damage that was suffered in other places, and we were impressed with the historical architecture.

Bayeux is famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot-long, two-foot-high embroidery dating from the 11th Century, which tells the story of William the Conqueror's conquest of England. One theory is that his queen Mathilda and her ladies-in-waiting made the tapestry.

The next morning, we visited Centre Fuillaume le Conquerant, the renovated seminary where the tapestry is on display. We listened, through audio head sets, to the historical account of events depicted by the tapestry as we walked slowly along the window in which it is displayed. The tapestry's embroidered William driving the traitor, Harold, out of England, reminded us that war may be endemic to the human condition.

After a brief stop for lunch, we headed for Arromanches les Bains, the site of the code-named "Mulberry Port," at the eastern end of Omaha Beach, several miles from Bayeux. Because the Allies needed a coastal port to handle the massive amount of provisions required to support the invasion, British ships undertook the unbelievable task of towing prefabricated parts across the English Channel to build an artificial port.

The brainchild of Winston Churchill, Eisenhower called the artificial harbor "The key to the liberation of France." Remains of the port are located offshore, and a museum at the site, the Musee du Debarquement, documents the port's history.

The next morning, it was windy and blowing a light rain as we stood on a knoll overlooking the stretch of Omaha Beach, where the main contingent of American forces landed early in the morning on June 6, 1944.

We envisioned waves of American soldiers, members of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division, moving off the landing craft. Some drowned in the surf; others made it onto the beach, guns at ready, only to be met by steel obstacles that looked like children's giant jacks planted in the sand. A barrage of enemy fire came from concrete fortifications lining the beach. The Germans built these fortifications, "pillboxes," as the G.I.'s called them, as part of an "Atlantic Wall" along the coast, to guard against just such an attack.

Further west on Omaha Beach, which is about three miles long, at Pointe du Hoc, men from the U.S.2d Ranger Battalion advanced onto the beach toward a 100-foot cliff, which they scaled with the enemy firing down on them from above. More carnage.

Three thousand men died on Omaha Beach that day; just as many were wounded and missing. Only two of the twenty-nine tanks that rolled off the landing craft reached the shore intact.

The slaughter at Omaha was so bad that General Omar N. Bradley, watching offshore from aboard the U.S.S. Augusta, almost called a halt to this prong of the invasion. A simple granite pylon, erected by France on top of a concrete bunker, commemorates the brave souls lost at "Bloody Omaha."

That afternoon, we continued on to Utah Beach. Here, the U.S. 4th Infantry Division came ashore, suffering relatively few casualties, and pushed inland several miles that first day to link up with divisions that had come in by air. Among those who played a decisive role in the securing of this beachhead was Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.

On Utah Beach, near the town of Sainte Marie du Mont, is the Musee du Debarquement d'Utah Beach, unique as a museum because it is built over what had been a German command post. Though badly deteriorated, guns, tanks, and landing craft on display outside the museum are representative of the military hardware of the time.

By the evening of June 6, 1944, although the Allied forces were not as far inland as they had hoped, and the British had not taken Caen as planned, they had established a beachhead all across the landing area. And, as time would prove, the Germans were never able to overcome the advantage that the Allies gained by the element of surprise when they invaded at Normandy, rather than at the expected invasion site, Pas de Calais, which is a much shorter distance across the English Channel.

The following day, we went to the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer. This 172.5-acre cemetery is American soil: land donated to the United States by the French government, free of charge or taxation, in perpetuity.

The skies were a threatening grey, and rain drops started to fall as we arrived at this final resting place for over 9,000 American soldiers. We walked past a tour guide who was lecturing about the Normandy invasion to a circle of elderly French veterans, sporting berets with military ribbons and insignia.

At the eastern end of the cemetery is a beautiful semi-circular limestone colonnade, featuring large mosaic battle maps inset in the walls at each end; a 22-foot bronze statute called "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves"; "Tablets of the Missing," listing the names of 1,557 soldiers; and a chapel and memorial garden.

Looking out over the field of Christian crosses and Jewish Stars of David, our hearts were heavy like the weather. We walked up and down the rows, reading aloud to each other--the names, the dates of birth, the dates of death, and the states from which these brave warriors hailed.

A young man, walking along the rows alone, stopped to ask us to take his picture. He was an American businessman who had decided to take a day tour from Paris to visit the Normandy landing beaches. We exchanged pleasantries.

The next day, we visited Saint Lo, a town that was reduced to "a pile of rubble," before it was liberated on July 18, 1944, by the U.S. 29th Division. A memorial plaque, affixed to a large rock making up part of the medieval ramparts of the town, reads in French: "To the memory of the victims of the bombardment that destroyed the city of Saint Lo--June 6, 1944." The brasserie where we stopped for lunch had a very old sign in the window welcoming "The Liberators."

After lunch, we stopped at one of the private war museums that dot the route of the invading armies. The museum displays a wide variety of memorabilia from the Normandy invasion, including an American soldier's uniform, his rations, and his American cigarettes.

Our day wound up on a rocky outcrop above a medieval fishing village, overlooking the sea. We climbed around ugly concrete fortifications and military hardware on display around the lighthouse, at what is now a park. German sentries stood guard here, looking out over the Baie du Mont St Michel, waiting for the attack that came further up the coast.

The next morning, we headed to the monastery island of Mont St Michel, one of France's greatest tourist attractions. From there, we drove to the wine country of Bordeaux, then on to a Bed and Breakfast owned by American friends or ours in Forges, in south central France, before heading home from our trip.

We left the Normandy landing beaches behind with a renewed understanding of the sacrifices made by Americans and their Allies to free Europe from the tyranny of Nazism.




Brenda Warneka is a retired attorney who writes on various topics. She is widely traveled in Europe and the Far East, and has a special interest in history, in which she has an undergraduate degree. She and her husband Dick live in Laughlin, Nevada. Warneka is co-editor and a contributor to two nonfiction anthologies The Mystery of Fate: Common Coincidence or Divine Intervention featured at http://www.thefatesite.com and Skirting Traditions: Arizona Women Writers and Journalists 1912-2012. Both books are available through amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com/ ) and other online and brick-and-mortar booksellers.





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His Design


Design is a place. Design is to say.

Design is this beauty, one sees on its way.

Design always tries; never disguise.

Design can afford... wisdom it buys.

Design is for you. Design is for me.

Questions can lock; design is that key!

Away from those lies; purpose it cries!

Design is a thought... when feelings arise!

Relish its truth and structure it brings.

Value the songs of worth that it sings!

A lily, a baby; the colors we see.

Dreams that we have... for all we can be!

Design is that light; design is so bright.

Design loves its day and shines in that night.

Design will hold hands with purpose to claim.

Design is a picture that comes with a frame!

Design I can say; design is complete.

Design from my hair, right down to my feet!

Design does explain... but never my friend,

will you hear it complain!

Never by chance; always a task.

It leads you to one, for whom you can ask.

Surely confirmed; a Master and Mind!

Prints are to view; a Maker you'll find!

Ever a thought, of how it was made?

Ever ideas for which you may trade?

Look for His patterns; consistent and lean.

Deep in creation His heart can be seen.

Seek for His mark; search out His sign.

There's no greater gift than to find His design!

- His loves in all creation; stop to view it's splendor

Contact L.J. Riley Jr. at Compassionpwr@juno.com or

Mydinnerlovesdancing@gmail.com




L.J. Riley Jr. is a Michigan native, a graduate of Davison High School, a graduate of the U.S. Army Combat Infantry School, Bradley Fighting Vehicle School and Dragon Missle School. L.J. or John Riley is a combat veteran and served in Oper. Desert Shield / Storm. He left the military and enrolled at Mott Community College, graduating with Phi Theta Kappa and pursuing a BSW at the University of Michigan Flint where he won the "Maize and Blue" Scholar Award. L.J. then was accepted to the one year Masters program at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor MSW Program for clinical social work. He graduated in 2007 with a 4.0 and the acceptance of the Howard and Judith Simms Fellowship. L.J. loves people, loves helping people and seeks to change lives directly and in-directly through his writing.





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2012年7月21日 星期六

Grammy Award Winner - Nelly Furtado


A Grammy award winning Portuguese Canadian singer and song writer Nelly Furtado tasted her first success in 2000 with her debut album Whoa, Nelly!. The album featured the single "I'm like a bird" which brought her the Grammy Award. After a short break in her career while she had a baby girl 'Nevis', Furtado returned to fame with the release of 'Loose' in 2006. The album included the hit singles "promiscuous", "Maneater", "Say It Right", and "All Good Things (Come to an End)". Her second album in 2003 "Folklore" did not gain a lot of popularity while in 2007 Nelly released her first Spanish Language album.

Furtado listened heavily to mainstream R&B, hip hop, alternate rock, New Wave, alternative hip hop, trip hop and world music since her teenage. She has been influenced by stars like Jeff Buckley, Caetano Veloso, Amalia Rodrigues, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Cornershop and many others. Furtado's multicultural music has also been inspired by the city of her current residence, Toronto, which is aptly the most multicultural city in the world. She grew up in Canada and experienced the wide diversity of Toronto's cultural diversity. This exposure helped Nelly to experiment with new genres of music.

Furtado's comment about the varied taste on a Rolling Stone issue in 2006 says-

"I always know there's a new genre left to discover. For me, it's like a metaphor for life. I feel like if you can get down with any style of music, you can get down with any style of person. So it's fun for me--I get to expose my fans to different vibes and they, in turn, open their minds too. I'm always undergoing mind-opening."

Furtado has an insatiable desire for wide- ranging music and curiosity in different cultures. She is known for experimenting with various sounds, instruments, languages, genres and vocal styles. Nelly holds a record of selling over 12 million albums till date. Her songs enjoy the highest rankings in the U.S. Billboard 200 (U.S.), Canada (CAN), Mexico (MEX), United Kingdom (UK) and at many other countries. The biggest worlds music markets have sold million copies of her albums including Germany (GER), Netherlands (NET), Ireland (IRE), Switzerland (SWI), Poland (POL) and Australia (AUS).

Furtado's regularly released singles have enjoyed highest chart positions in the United World Chart (UWC), U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (U.S. Hot 100), Pop 100 (U.S. Pop 100), HOT Dance Club Play (U.S. Dance) and many other successful music markets throughout the world.

Her acting career started in middle school while she participated in school plays. She appeared as Ava Brandt, as a master- thief and victim of domestic abuse on the episodes of "Some Buried Bones" on CSI: NY. Her two songs "Maneater" and "All Good Things (Come to an End)" were also featured in the episode.

Nelly has a whole bunch of Awards and nominations under her belt. She is a winner of Radio Music Awards in the category 'Most Requested Song', "Turn off the Light". In the Billboard Music Video Awards "she won awards for the "Best Pop New Artist Clip". IN the Juno Awards her list of winnings include categories from " Best New Solo Artist", "Best Single", "Best Songwriter", "Best Pop Album" and various others. Furtado has a lond list of songs that have been included in the chart topping lists.




Mansi Aggarwal Recommends that you visit http://forums.ecanadanow.com/ for more information on Canada Forums.





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Wedding Season - Why Are Summer Weddings So Desirable?


The wedding season is now in full swing. The traditional idea of the June bride now extends to the whole summer, with May, June, July and August being the most popular months to get married. Venues, photographers, cake makers, wedding entertainment acts and dress shops all get booked up very early for the summer months, sometimes up to two years ahead. What makes these months so desirable? What are the pros and cons of a summer wedding?

It is possible that the idea of the June bride extends back to Greek and Roman mythology, with Juno being the Roman equivalent of Hera, the Greek goddess of marriage. June was named after Juno, so it seemed natural that couples would choose this month to marry and receive extra blessings on their union. However it is also possible that the tradition has a more logical background. May would traditionally have been the time of year when most people took one of very few baths, and possibly their annual one, to celebrate the Whitsuntide holiday. A June wedding would have ensured that the bride was as clean as possible and a bouquet of beautiful flowers that would come into season in June would cover up any extra whiffs!

In terms of modern weddings, couples prefer a summer wedding for a variety of reasons. The days are longer and warmer, meaning better light and more scope for outdoor photos. Guests will be happier standing outside waiting for photos to finish in the warmer months whilst enjoying a cool glass of Pimms or bucks fizz and listening to the chosen wedding entertainment act. Cars or carriages can be open-top, which also creates photo opportunities. There are more flowers in season in the summer, which means more possibilities for bouquets and flower arrangements and cheaper flowers too. Different avenues open up for reception venues in summer, with marquees, gardens and woodland becoming an option for both ceremony and receptions.

For wedding entertainment consider the atmosphere an acoustic guitarist and singer, harpist, string quartet, or flamenco guitarist would create playing outside for the guests to enjoy after the ceremony whilst the photos are being taken. In the evening the summer vibe can be reflected in a lively band providing entertainment for the guests to enjoy well into the long balmy summer night.

June is a time of year when the weather is more likely to be warm and sunny, often more so than July and August when humidity levels are higher. Yet as we know, in Britain good weather is not always guaranteed in the summer. It might be easier to marry in the winter and assume the weather will be unpredictable and make arrangements, rather than crossing fingers and hoping the weather will be fine for a summer wedding. Nevertheless if the bride and groom are set on a summer wedding then it is possible to make contingency plans in case of bad weather. Purchasing a few umbrellas in the wedding colours that can be handed out to guests in the event of a downpour will ensure that they stay dry whilst coordinating with the colour scheme. When choosing a venue check out possible places indoors that will provide good backdrops for photos if outdoor photos are not going to be possible, and look for ideal locations for entertainment acts to set up in the event of an indoor reception.

As with all major events, prior preparation and planning is the key. Don't delay when booking your favoured photographer, venue, florist, cake maker or entertainment act. The popularity of summer weddings dictates that they get booked up for the summer months a long time in advance. Using a wedding entertainment website will offer a whole host of wedding music acts for ceremony, reception and evening that can be searched by availability to get a quality act for that all important summer wedding date.




Helen is a writer and author who works for several companies in the quirkier end of the music business, including I Do Music, a leading, if recent, online resource for booking your wedding entertainment. With 20 years in the wedding music business, they know their stuff!
Helen is very comfortable working in this area as it's not that many years since she went through the process herself and she retains an unhealthy interest in online forums that feature wedding-related content.





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The 9 Gifts of Numerology (and How to Use Them)


Numbers are energies.

Numbers represent the spectrum of creative forces that shape the universe, governing both the form of the material world and our experiences in it. These energies are at work on all levels, from the macro to the micro, the physical to the spiritual. They teach us about the cyclical nature of life, how we all emanate out from a singular source and back again.

Numerologist Juno Jordan beautifully summarizes the character of each number in her book Numerology: The Romance in Your Name.



The Spectrum of Human Experience

It is the Force of the outgoing number 1,

the Light and the Peace of the number 2,

the Imagination of the number 3,

the Form and Order of the number 4,

the Life and Progress of the number 5,

the Responsibility of the number 6,

the Intelligence and Perfection of the number 7,

the Judgement of the number 8,

the Compassion and Benevolence of the number 9.



~~~~~~~~~

Each of the numbers 1-9 offers a gift, a resource that we can draw on as we navigate through life.

The number 1 offers the gift of Unity. Through the 1 we remember our connection to all of creation, so that we need not feel so adrift in the mystery that surrounds us.

The number 2 offers the gift of Polarity. It shows us that opposites attract, different but not divided. It is the dance of magnetism that energizes the universe.

The number 3 offers the gift of Initiation. It is the spark that drives us forward, fueling our will to make our dreams reality.

The number 4 offers the gift of Order. It is the grounding, stabilizing quality of the material world that helps us to get things done.

The number 5 offers the gift of Life Force. It is the inexhaustible flow of vitality and abundance that is available to us any time we need it.

The number 6 offers the gift of Harmony. It speaks of the support and nurturing of family and community that makes us whole.

The number 7 offers the gift of Vision. It shows us that there is more to life than meets the eye. By taking a step back from our immediate situation, we can gain perspective and see new truths.

The number 8 offers the gift of Mastery. It reveals the infinite in a seemingly finite world. By bringing our spiritual perspective down to Earth, we can act with true power and certainty.

The number 9 offers the gift of Attainment. It gathers together all of our resources and knowledge, forming a deep reservoir of experience that we can draw on to contribute to the uplift of humanity.

~~~~~~~~~

Using the gifts of numbers in your life

Increasing your understanding of how the numbers play out in your life is a powerful way to harness their gifts and use the universe's creative energies to build the life you want.


Learn about your personal numerology, the numbers of your birth date and name, which you have carried with you all your life. There are many fine books available that can teach you about your personal numbers or schedule a session with an experienced numerologist.
If you have a favorite number, consider its meaning and the energy that it is bringing to you.
Watch for any numbers that regularly appear and see what message they bring.
Determine which number(s) may help you in achieving your goals and call their energies into your life. Viewing and/or creating sacred geometry designs that represent these numbers is one way of doing this.

Most importantly, have fun!




Rachel Zuses enjoys sharing the transformational power of sacred geometry and numerology with others. She offers individual consultations, classes in the Portland, OR, area, and original mandala art.

Sign up for a free monthly newsletter featuring articles on sacred geometry and numerology in our everyday lives at http://www.divinetemplatecreations.com/newsletter.html.





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2012年7月20日 星期五

Grecian Goddess Costumes


Just as there are countless goddesses to choose from, there are several Grecian Goddess costumes as well. You can choose to be a goddess of Love (Aphrodite, Venus) Wisdom (Athena), Victory (Nike, Hellas) or Hearth (Hera, Juno). You can even be a feisty war goddess like Artemis, the Huntress. No matter which goddess you choose to be, choosing the right Grecian Goddess costumes should be simply a matter of taste, body type and of course demeanor.

Not all goddesses are Grecian of course. There were Roman, Norse and Egyptian goddesses as well. For the most part however, the costume that would best describe them is only separated by minor details, so we will look at the basics first and then add the good stuff at the end.

Good Grecian Goddess costumes allow the goddess within you out to play so if you have any figure flaws that you want to downplay, then look for the fabric and style that will be the most flattering. If you have a mushy belly for example then skip the midriff baring halter and skirt style. A very flowing, light material with a scoop back is very forgiving and can be perfect for showing off your long, graceful neck. If you do go with this style, then make sure that you wear some glimmer lotion to highlight your gorgeous skin. A very good, supportive backless bra is a must, especially for those who are ample chested.

Whether you go for a full length or shorter Grecian goddess costume is dependent on your legs and your sense of decency. If you would like to wear something a little in between but still be sexy, go for a mid calf length with a daring slit up the side.

If you are trying for the look of the Grecian Goddesses, then use light and airy makeup. The Norse goddesses tended toward the blonde, horned helmets are of course, optional. The Egyptian goddesses should have heavily lined lids and very ornate jewelry. My personal favorite is Bastet, the Goddess of Cats.

Of all of the Grecian goddess costumes, the best is silk, orange and blue. A flattering halter cut in front gives way to the scooped back. Puddling to the floor, the material whispers and glides over your body like a warm whisper of summer night.




For more Fancy Dress Costumes visit Adult Costume Shop.com.au Goddess Costumes for parties with a medieval or roman theme.





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Hollywood North - BC's Favourite Feature Film Locations


There's good reason why Vancouver is honoured with such a glamourous pseudonym. After all, it has been a filmmaking centre for almost a century.

In 1910, the Edison Manufacturing Company shot two films - the Cowpuncher's Glove and The Ship's Husband. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, the province of British Columbia hosts more than half of Canada's total foreign production slate and is North America's third largest film production centre behind Los Angeles and New York. But what makes this such an attractive place to shoot? There's the short 3-hour plane ride from LA and of course the tax breaks... but it's the myriad of amazing location options that keep Hollywood coming back for more. And it's this continual support from the heavy-hitters south of the border that has helped nurture Vancouver's own industry. Bridge Studios in the metropolitan Vancouver township of Burnaby not only has one of the biggest special effects stages on the continent but has also been responsible for such TV shows and feature films as Black Christmas and the award-winning hit, Juno. Vancouver is also home to the world-acclaimed Vancouver International Film Festival and the Vancouver Film and Television Forum. But we digress. The key is still location, location, location. And you might be surprised just how many productions call this their home. Your next trip to Vancouver you might find yourself walking through some of your favourite movies...

Most people are familiar with Vancouver's flagship shows such as 21-Jump Street, The X-Files, Smallville and Supernatural, but not many people realize that they're taking a behind-the-scenes tour as soon as they step off the plane. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has served as the set for movies such as Final Destination, The Cleaner, Firewall, The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as well as the hit TV show, The L Word.

BC Place is the 60 thousand-seater stadium on the downtown shores of False Creek. This unmistakable white domed structure has played host to regional and international sport events as well as trade shows and super-concerts. But unknown to most, it has also factored in favourite films such as Paycheck, Butterfly on a Wheel, Two for the Money and The Fantastic Four. Mere blocks away is Vancouver's Chinatown - the second largest of its kind in North America behind San Francisco. And with the colourful shops, open-air markets and attractions such as the Han Dynasty Bell in Shanghai Alley and the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden, it's easy to see why this would be a favourite with location scouts. You might recognize this unique corner of the city in films such as Killer Instinct, X-Men: The Last Stand, Rumble in the Bronx and Unforgettable.

Vancouver's Anglo Olde Towne has seen its fair share of action, too. The character buildings and cobbled streets of Gastown have attracted more than just tourists cameras over the years. See if you recognize anything familiar in Catwoman, I, Robot, Legends of the Fall, Romeo Must Die and the immortal kids' classic, The NeverEnding Story. Vancouver's new neighbourhoods have seen their fair share of the spotlight, too. The uber-trendy condo and brewpub neighbourhood of Yaletown has featured in such films as 88 Minutes, Good Luck Chuck, Rumble in the Bronx and the TV series Stargate SG-1. Spending a cultured day at the Vancouver Art Gallery? So did the cast and crew of The Core, The Deal, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed and Night at the Museum.

Most summer trips to Vancouver include a visit to the Pacific National Exhibition - a city institution that started in 1910 as a provincial industrial showcase and has grown into one of the biggest entertainment venues on the continent. Internationally-acclaimed, award winning live shows have originated here such as Cirque Pop, City Rhythm and Bring on the Night but so have many motion pictures - Rocky IV, Cats & Dogs, Final Destination 3, Riding the Bullet, Fear and Best in Show...

Even the local seat of learning has made room for the occasional director's chair. The vast and beautiful campus of the University of British Columbia (UBC) has provided settings for feature films such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Antitrust and The Exorcism of Emily Rose as well as the TV shows The 4400, Bionic Woman, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica and Deadzone.

Film production in British Columbia is not relegated to Metropolitan Vancouver. The capital city of Victoria on Vancouver Island has seen its share of production time as well. Craigdarroch Castle, once home to the Turn of the Century coal tycoon family, the Dunsmuirs, has undergone many metamorphoses including war hospital, music conservatory, museum and more recently home to the March sisters in the motion picture, Little Women. Maybe you're not into the period-pieces. Sucker for those mid-eighties action films? You'll probably recognize the one-block stretch of downtown Victoria's Fan Tan Alley that was shot and then looped to create the deceptively long motorbike chase with Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in Bird on a Wire. More into the horror genre? Any visitor to Victoria who has walked through the popular Bastion Square might feel a prickle of familiar uneasiness. This could be because Bastion Square briefly became the Parisian corner on which the main character in Final Destination meets his inevitable end.

Other areas in the province have become immortalized through the silver screen. The barren, windswept hills of Williams Lake in the Cariboo Chilcotin became a fourteenth century Asian battleground for Antonio Bandera and cast in The Thirteenth Warrior. Just north of Vancouver in the picturesque town of Lions Bay, Jennifer Garner earned her superhero stripes as Elektra. Historic Barkerville became seedy, small town Mexico for Robert Rodriguez hit, Desperado. Kamloops doubled as an American military prison camp in Germany in the acclaimed film, Cadence. And Steve Martin immortalized Nelson in the unforgettable hit, Roxanne.

But the best part about Hollywood North isn't the movies that have been shot here in the past - it's the one that are being shot here right now. At any given point in Vancouver, Victoria or anywhere in the province, you might stumble upon a line of huge white trailers, a closed street, a flurry of activity, a famous face and a fast growing crowd of curious spectators. Nothing compares to the excitement of a behind-the-scenes perspective as the magic of Hollywood unfolds right here, up north.

Welcome to BC. Lights, camera...




Access Vacation Group
Victoria British Columbia, Canada V9B 4C6
General Line International and Local: +1.250.483.6790
General Line Toll-free in U.S. & Canada: +1.866.800.8880
BC Film Location Accommodations





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An Attache's Memoir


The diary of an IT student.

Now that I've finally got a job, everything is about to change again! You know the wake up very early thing and all, moreso my culture demands that respect is accorded only to a person that contributes to the clean up of the house, so I still try to squeeze out time to do chores before I jet out at 6:20am, but they only help keep me fit.

Thank God for connections!! What are we going to do in Nigeria without connections? My friends and I had waited on more than 3 companies for the whole month of March, with delayed responses, till I buzzed my sister on the last Thursday of march, I forwarded my C V on the Friday and by Monday, as usual I woke up around 9:30 am, switched on the TV, thank God for the new PVR, I had a lot of movies recorded I had to catch up with, then I checked my fone and saw missed calls. I called back and I was asked by a strange voice what I was doing at home "or are you not the new Employee?

When the tempest was up against Job, he said "Behold, what I fear most has happened to me." I had barely worked for a month (or how do we describe a working month of April, well nourished with public holidays) when I had gotten a call from one of those places I had earlier on applied to, with a more juicy offer; the prospect of a better working condition and bigger pay (above 2 times my present salary!).

The question now is what do I do? I'm so trusted in my incumbent work position, that I have access to classified files and privileges to administrative passwords but a young guy like me, for the love of the cool bucks, what do I do? somebody talk to me.

By the way, it finally happened to me too, my friends have often told me about some errand trips that junior staffs are often made to undergo.Your guess must have been very close by now. I was finally sent a couple of days ago to help get Crisps by a pregnant woman plus a cold bottle of beer for her (sorry Red Bull not beer).I did got it for her anyway, though I was grunting through out the errand so if that happens to you once a while, you should just be cool but if it gets too often, you need to make "some good calls" or call my line for a brief chat (brief but some serious talk man!!!) on what you can do cos I hear a lot of this stuff from friends, so you might learn from someone else's story.

Uhm.., before much digression, my story that day dint finish there, the woman had earlier warned me that the Crisps (chips) to buy must not be the Nigeria-made type. I felt like when will Nigerians start representing ?but that was about to change and so I went and the first trouble I had, was finding out exactly what crisps meant. Don't blame me, the last time I had seen that must have been up on Kellogg's Variety pack as an adjective describing those cereals and not as a particular light meal, guess a lot of people don't know too. Number 2, was that she only wanted Onion flavour! I went and the first trouble I had was the test of discretion and understanding, priority and order of precedence in doing things; the only Onion flavour crisps they had was a Nigerian-made one!!!, as the rest available were vinegar flavour, I wonder what sort of products was all this rubbish! (sorry for that cos one man's food is ano....). She dint send a proper Nigerian guy like me Plantain chips, Boli, Gala, rat pie (meat pie rather) and all the Naija assorted, Good Lord, what do I do now? I dint have her phone number, so I thought to myself,
1. She wants crisps.
2.Non-Obodo (Nigeria) made.
3.Onion Flavour. So I bought the crisps, though Nigerian made but then Onion flavour.

I had been back to my work barely 20 mins, when I began to hear noise erupting from a section of the department. I dint really understand the cause of the hullabaloo but all of a sudden, I was forced to listen when my name began to resound from the source of noise. "Tobi wants to kill me o! (Don't forget she is pregnant). He wants to kill me and my baby!" I went there and true to her fears, she gently pulled out an Iron string just like that used to cork the top of a wine bottle from the packet of the crisps! "Shey I have told you not to buy made in Nigeria's". I could not refrain from unnumbered counts of apology, the type you would have given the MOPOLs when caught on the road with expired driver's license and you are in a hurry to catch up with an exam.

Lawretta (Pseudonym) and I later became good friends afterward and I mite work proxy for her when she is about to put to bed! (I hope so, too many company policies!)

Every other moment of the work place, have been interesting and I m sure yet is to come. There is one that had happened but I can always safe it for the next issue (if I gone back to school by then). May we learn to bridle our tongue very well. Out of frustration with a colleague, I had called him an Al-Qaeda!

P S

No one should feel any form of prejudice as this writings are just a piece of everyday me expressing itself in one of my hubbies; writing. I have learnt to always have at least a different thing about each day in life; else you go down the 6-feet-down-the-earth journey like every other person. That's not me; I want to leave the meaning of my surname!!!

Cheers

Tobi Otolorin

tobiotolorin@juno.com




Tobi Otolorin
Electrical and Electronics Engineering student
Covenant University





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2012年7月19日 星期四

What's Your Goddess Sign?


Your natural-born attributes are no accident - they can be attributed to an ancient goddess whose energy prevailed at the time of your birth.

Just like astrology, goddess energy defines who you are and what your life purpose may be.

The time of day, year and even moon cycle influences our personalities, values and choices. Women born into the new energy of spring, for example, are Venus-inspired and are natural lovers. They can't help swing those hips or flutter those eyelashes - Venus energy is impossible to resist.

Every action, thought, projection of self, and treatment of others is a reflection of your goddess sign.

For example, if you react to a boyfriend's indiscretions by punishing the other woman, you are displaying Juno energies - she went to extraordinary lengths to avenge her husband's concubines.

Or if you like to lay low and stay out of trouble, your ruling goddess is most likely to be Hestia - she only wants a simple, uncomplicated, enriching and contented life.

No matter whether you're pleb or celeb, your goddess sign defines how you manage your choices and destinies.

Many attributes of life have been described at GoddessBirthSigns.com so you can see that no matter what the situation, understanding your goddess sign is one way to ensure you get through each day smiling.

Mar 21 - Apr 20 ... ATHENA... Born leaders, Athena-inspired women know no fear, or that's the face they present to the world at least.

Apr 21 - May 21 ...JUNO... Comfort, warmth and material security are the things that keep devoted wife Juno happy.

May 22 - Jun 21 ...PERSEPHONE... Persephone-girls tend to be fickle, meaning "yes" when they say "no".

Jun 22 - Jul 23 ...DIANA... Finely tuned to their environment and the feelings of others, Diana-inspired women are hunted for their natural empathy and sensitivity.

Jul 24 - Aug 23 ...PELE... Full of passionate energy, Pele gals love being the centre of attention and the life of the party.

Aug 24 - Sep 23 ...HESTIA... The Hestia gal is a creature of habit and organisation, purity, sincerity, sanctity and safety.

Sep 24 - Oct 23 ...VENUS... The perfect lover, Venus rules over a woman's sense of style and her appreciation for acts of love, pleasure and romance.

Oct 24 - Nov 22 ... BAST... Bast-inspired gals are creative, inquisitive and have a fine sense of where their boundaries lie. The downside, however, is that they are quick to bare their claws against a perceived threat or injustice.

Nov 23 - Dec 21 ...RHIANNON... Rhiannon-inspired women can be so focussed on the horizon, they forget about being sensitive to those around them.

Dec 22 - Jan 20 ...DEMETER ... It is typical of Demeter-inspired women to put the perceived needs of others first, at the expense of their own well being.

Jan 21 - Feb 19 ...HATHOR... Hathor-inspired women have the gift of shape-shifting - the ability to transform themselves from a woman crippled with anxiety to a creature shining with light and radiance.

Feb 20 - Mar 20 ... OSHUN... Oshun gals "go with the flow" of their instincts in order to find inner tranquility, but can lose sight of the real world in doing so.




Be my guest and read more about Goddess Birth Signs at GoddessBirthSigns.com ... Copyright Anita Revel





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Astrological Choices - Major Planets, Minor Planets, Comets and Asteroids


As with the other articles in this series we will explore a single astrological concept where the student or reader must make a choice from multiple possibilities. Such choices reflect the interest of the student or reader, the usefulness of the information, the reliability and quantity of the study material and the type of charting being contemplated. What ends up being selected as preferable by a single astrologer is not a commentary on the validity of other choices or techniques. It is simply personal preference. Rarely can an astrologer become expert in all categories of astrology. That prodigious task usually falls to the researcher or the teacher who do need a wider range of knowledge. I would doubt seriously if any one person could ever know all of astrology, Astrology is as vast as human experience and would be a pretty large order to fill. I have worked on this broader scope of knowledge for over 35 years and I confess I don't know all of it and probably never will. Astrology is a humbling experience!

Previously we looked at tropical and sidereal astrology, geocentric and heliocentric methods, equal and unequal houses, types of charts chosen and whether we are currently in the Age of Pisces or the Age of Aquarius. These are all choices we must make, but none is either right or wrong, better or worse, for the study of astrology. In this article I want to look at which bodies you might choose to study or read. We will look at the personal points, such as the ascendant or midheaven, in a separate article.

The major astrological planets consist of our Sun, our Moon, and eight planets. The Sun, which is literally a star, is the body that is the central gravitational force that holds our entire solar system together and it is its governor. Our Moon is the closest celestial body to us and is not truly a planet though it is referred to as one for ease of reference as a collective. The Moon is a satellite of the Earth. Because of the size/distance differential, the Sun and Moon appear to be the same size and were considered by the ancients to be the celestial parents: dad and mom. The conjunction was the marriage or union that was thought to produce offspring: the planets.

Only five planets were in standard use by the ancients even through they were aware of the existence of other bodies. Those five planets were Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. In more recent history the discovery of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto brought us to a total of eight planets, or offspring, of the celestial parents.

The more recent re-discovery of the three outer planets changed the original system of rulership of planets over signs. The two systems of rulership will be a future subject of this series on astrological choices. I recommend at the moment that you study and use both the old and new rulership systems because the jury is still out on the two.

Standard astrological practice includes the use of the ten bodies that are collectively referred to as "the planets" although in reality one is a star and the other a satellite. Most recently the status of Pluto was changed by astronomers but the change itself was controversial. I continue to use Pluto as a planet in my practice and teachings, my choice.

There are many more bodies available to astrologers to study and to read. How far should you go in your studies and which bodies should move to the front of your line? I recommend you start with the ten major bodies just listed. You will have your hands full initially just understanding the ten main principles. Give yourself a chance. Don't take on more until you instinctively know those ten energies thoroughly. Their study will become the core and the basis for everything else you will study and apply. Just remember that these ten do not constitute all your possibilities.

When you feel comfortable with those ten energies, the sky is truly the limit for your choices. As an example, let's do a brief run-though of the possibilities, which number in the thousands and are growing by thousands per month, (can you say overwhelming?) and triage them into a more manageable proportion.

There is a mathematical formula called Bode's Law that shows where planets should be located as you move outward from the Sun. There are two anomalies in the measurement and they are not believed to be the problem of the formula. These two anomalies are bodies that should or should not be located at two points in the overall measurement. There is a body (Neptune) where none should be according to Bode's Law. The position of Pluto falls into the mathematical formula instead. Additionally, again according to Bode's Law, a body should be located between Mars and Jupiter. The large field of debris and asteroids in the Asteroid Belt suggests it is likely there was a body once located there in our solar system's distant past.

Not all asteroids are located in the Asteroid Belt. Asteroids come in all shapes and sizes and are found in several locations throughout our solar system. A large collection is located at the LaGrange Points of Jupiter. These are believed to be a collection of asteroids that have wandered into Jupiter's sphere of influence by magnetic attraction, or by sheer happenstance. Most dramatically, there are many asteroids in the inner reaches of the solar system including a collection whose orbits take them close to the Earth called Earth Grazers. Our scientists are on continual watch of these bodies, which may have future impact on Earth because of their proximity to us.

There are four asteroids that are in common usage and should be listed for your stage two studies: Ceres, Juno, Pallas and Vesta. Why would I choose these four rather than some of the newer more exciting discoveries? Astrologers have built a wealth of information and proof of the influence and probable rulerships of these four asteroids. There is more material, more serious research, more experience in reading and teaching so these are a good place to start your study on minor bodies. Many years ago I had marvelous results studying other asteroids, particularly Hidalgo for a specific application. That being said, most of the other asteroids have a much shorter discovery and identification and have less credible material available. Asteroids do work, but allow yourself time to learn gradually.

At the outer edges of what we refer to as our known solar system is an area called the Kuiper Belt. The Kuiper Belt is thought to be the inner part of another system called the Oort Cloud. This area is considered to hold the remnants from the formation of our solar system. Contained within these regions are very large asteroids, planetoids, dwarf planets and comets. The discovery of what is thought to be planets larger than Pluto very near Pluto was exciting. As mentioned, Pluto was recently declassified as a planet and reclassified as a dwarf planet by astronomers. I do continue to use Pluto as a planet. There is a wealth of knowledge, research and material using Pluto's astrological influence that has been developed since its discovery in 1930.

That recent declassification of Pluto to dwarf planet status by astronomers, however, created a new category for a study of the other bodies inhabiting those nether regions of our solar system. At those vast distances it is difficult to determine if the bodies are asteroids, planetoids or comets. There is a wealth of new material being developed on them and they could eventually hold the same power and sway as Pluto so this would be another category for a later phase of your studies. This is a work in progress as I write this.

Comets are thought to be more ice and gas than rocky and are thought to originate in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud. Comets seem to be kicked from the Kuiper Belt region into the inner part of the solar system where they orbit the Sun for a time before they get a little too close and become ice toast. There are long period comets and short period comets - those who orbit infrequently and those that orbit frequently. The most famous of the comets for centuries was Halley's, which has a 75-76 year period orbit. Certain comets have been catalogued and read for thousands of years. The ancients, for example, saw the comets as harbingers of national or leadership trials and tribulations. Recently Chiron, which is a massive comet but was originally cast as a new planet, has become very well known. The study of the Centaurs (Chiron is the leader) will occupy a great deal of your time on the study of comets, but this is a relatively new area, Start with Chiron and if you choose your sources carefully, this would be a good addition to a later phase of your study.

There are other bodies or pseudo-bodies to study. As a novice astrologer I learned about Dark Moon Lilith and included her in everything I did. I studied her and practiced for two years before someone told me she was not considered a major planet. I have to tell you in the two years of my steady application, she sure acted like a major player. I continue to use her today because I got so much mileage out of her in my early studies and thereafter. Since that time Black Moon Lilith (an intersection point in space and not a body) and the asteroid Lilith have come to light. I have not done a deep study on either of them. Dark Moon Lilith is my choice at this time for me because I have personal knowledge of her workings.

The Trans-Neptunian planets are hypothetical planets placed at crucial intersection points noted by astrologers over several decades. I have not made a study of them, although they are on this year's to-do list for me. Many well-known and knowledgeable astrologers trust them so choose your sources and your material wisely and put these on your advanced study list as you grow in your astrological knowledge and experience.

This is about as far as this brief article can take you in helping you triage what you can study and use on the subject of major and minor bodies. Celestial bodies are being discovered at about 3,000 per month the last time I checked. That is way too many bodies to keep up with so you must be selective. Start with what has stood the test of time; then move into those areas currently under serious study. Choose your bodies, your authors and your teachers and stay with what is credible. Study astronomy along with astrology because astronomy walks hand and hand with astrology. Select a category or a few specific bodies and take the time to develop your skill and knowledge at reading those before you move on to your next set of choices. All of it is available, but only some is valuable: pace yourself.




Marilyn Muir, author, "Presidents of Hope and Change: Bringing Hope to our Future by Reaching into our Astrological Past." How astrology predicts our nation's future by reaching into our past.

Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, Obama... The Lineage of Hope

Using the influential and interwoven cycles of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto to predict issues and trends up to 2012 and even beyond to 2025, Ms Muir leaves us with the clear message of hope as she depicts the future of President Obama at the helm of the USA ship of state.

Read the first 36 pages (PDF) including the charts of all four Presidents - you'll get hooked! http://www.marilynmuir.com





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2012年7月18日 星期三

If Tall Trees Could Talk


If tall trees could talk, what would they say? If tall trees could talk, I don't know about you but I would get a little nervous and a little curious. Oh, and that reminds me of my nervous, curious day in the midst of a great wise oak. Listen.

One day I went out to play after lunch and you would not believe what happened. As I sat at the base of a very large, broad oak tree; I heard a noise. It was not just any noise, but a voice. This voice was soft but increased with every creak and wind whistling leaf on each branch. It was as if the wind blew across the wind pipe of a centuries old wood flute. As I placed my ear closer to the tree trunk I sensed a sound of sarcasm as the tree directly asked If I was comfortable lying on his favorite right root. I of course was dumbfounded but could only answer "well yes I believe I am." Nervously I stepped back. At that very moment an acorn as if sent by the big oak himself fell to the ground only to hit me squarely in the head. "Ahhw" I exclaimed! Then a voice immediately asked me to sit down and relax and to prepare for a lengthy story. I decided to sit down; after all, trees do not usually speak in terms such as this for a human to understand. Regardless, I was intrigued and willing to gain valuable knowledge from this oak of ages; and I was able and willing to listen to what the tree was needing to tell me.

The winds suddenly picked up and the large oak exclaimed, "Thank you for taking time to sit down and listen." "Most people today do not listen!" "Do you realize I have sat growing here in this soil for four hundred and forty two years and you are the first?" "Call it luck, call it fate, say your gifted, say whatever you want, but you seem to hear my words and this is my moment as well as yours." I was truly surprised to say the least, and of course excited to gain the insight and wisdom one could learn from such a timeless opportunity, so I told the oak to tell me more!"

"I wanted you to know, said the oak", that four and a half centuries ago, as a little acorn I fell from an oak tree much smaller than myself that sat directly where that highway runs now. It was quite a drop, about thirty or forty feet I guess. Interestingly enough I landed on the head of a person much different than those of today! He wore some leather, feathers and had some what red skin. It was a much simpler time and nearly all of the people, although very few, seemed to hear everything we trees said. When they listened we felt safe. When they listened we could rely on our survival. As a matter of fact, that young red skinned person of ages ago planted me not far from the tree on this exact spot in which I root! He took the time to place me for living...he took time for nature in giving. So, instead of simply becoming a squirrel's lunch, here I am centuries later; a pillar in your neighborhood; a fortunate survivor of industrialization and expansion! "Wow I exclaimed, I never realized your journey." "Tell me more!" Well, as I said before there were many friendly people living in this area for centuries. They were very quiet and lead simple lives. One thing I always remembered is that they always gave back when they took something from us trees, from animals or anything else for that matter. We were secure in that relationship. As time moved on however things changed. Everything changed. First, other people began moving in near my forest. Always making loud noises. Their skin was a lighter white color and they did not speak or act the same. Although many seemed very nice; some were not. These people did not get along well with those who had lived so many peaceful years in my forest. I myself witnessed many treaties and peace agreements between these new lighter skin people and the red skin people. These agreements never held; many continued to perish among the forest floor to sickness and disagreement. The red skinned people were executed for my forest; how sad we were and the willows wept. It seemed to some that the forest was worth killing for. So for decades they fought to a bloody end. Eventually the lighter skinned people took over and expanded. I was just a small tree at the time and can only remember trying to survive the cold winters. I seen many of those lighter skinned people die to cold and starvation; but they kept coming. I witnessed many of my oak, maple, birch and pine brothers cut from the living soil. They were stacked neatly on four sides and the people lived within their structure. Some called them homes; I called them a dark destiny. Many of us were also burned alive to sustain these foreign visitors, and with every chop or saw tooth scream, I shrieked.

Years later, the lighter skinned people carved pathways through my family and friends and began riding horses through them. How violated we felt as so helpless to do nothing; our security lost. Soon enough there was much yelling and scuffle over something called taxation without representation; and then chaos erupted. Disregard for life as if I had never seen. Many in red and those in blue fought for my forest. So many men died in my forest. The very buzzards and birds that lived on my branches now scoured the battle fields of death for a morbid meal. How sad it was to see so many dead. Lives once again snuffed over disagreement. Their blood drained unto the ground and made my leaves wilt. "I was disturbed by what I heard, but to think of such circumstance took place right outside my home and I never realized its existence!" "Go on I stated, tell me more big oak!"

Well, some years later something terrible happened. Although I had seen some people who were very dark in skin color, as they grew in numbers they began to be treated even worse. They were treated less than white skin peoples dogs. With a birds eye view I pierced through my forest over to a large planted field in which those dark skinned people were whipped and beat as they worked in the scorching sun. I was so caught in emotion, I sought to cover them with my branch for a shady rest. I was restrained only by my planted roots; but within myself an angry creak lye waiting. One night, I heard dogs barking across the foggy field. They came closer as if to chase a coon. They however were not chasing coons or any animals for that matter; but a dark skinned man. Behind him were white men with flickering torches in the night and a scowl of hatred among their faces. With such nerve, among the shining moon they captured that man and made an attempt to hang him upon my branch. I could not stand for such murder. As they tied the rope around my branch and removed the horse beneath his legs I held him for only a moment. When the men and dogs left; I broke my branch. After a moderate amount of choking, that dark skin man ran free. I realized, physically he was temporarily free; but in his mind and the minds of others he would continue to struggle for his freedom. If you look hard you can still see the scar I have from that broken branch from years past. Remember carefully friend; scars always remain when evil men mingle.

It was not long before a man by the name of Abraham Lincoln did his best to free those dark skin people. So much so, the bloodiest war yet erupted. It was simply a war over right and wrong; but would not be so simple. We as trees however; maple, oak, pine or birch could only watch in dismay. Canons, horses, soldiers of blue and gray. They fought and died; woman and children cried. It was awful. "In listening to big oaks story, I was in tears, and could hardly utter a word to the big oak." "What next I strained to ask." Well, one early evening a squad of soldiers tied their shelter to my trunk. They sat amongst a camp fire; with darkened words I heard. One soldier spoke about his brother who fights to free the slaves and how if given a chance he would take his own brothers life. Another soldier spoke of his hatred for dark skinned people and if given his chance he would murder the first he found. Another soldier lye dying at my very trunk, near your sitting. He bled from a wound in battle and cried out in agony. That morning he died and his fellow soldiers cried. As they moved to their next positions, I thought the taller and greater I grew the more human blood ran through my roots. It seemed that my growth could not catch the larger darkness growing in such a world where beauty was surely possible. As the wind blew in those horrific years we trees prayed with every wind, that the war would end; and the captive would be free. We trees could not hold another life upon our branch as instruments of murder. In a flicker of hope that war did end and legally those dark skinned people were physically free. As with any evil plan however; the murder of those people would not end until more blood was shed.

Can you hear that train in the distance? "Sure I exclaimed, it comes through town three times a day, morning, noon and night." Yes, that's correct but, do you know why it comes? Rooted here I watched those railroad tracks become reality. Men dreamed it and then built it; most however were not the light skinned men I once spoke of, but a people the white men called yellow. Yellow men as often called, did build that railroad. I witnessed it. Pounding, sweating, bleeding and working all hours of the day and night. They as others were also treated less than dogs or animals. Yet they built so much, assisted with so many in these lands, and as the others, were also murdered and exploited for who they were. So, as those people of color yet feared for their security and lives, as with industrialization and technology did the oaks, maples, pines and birch also insecurely exist. I witnessed a reflection of those people of colors lives within the lives of my fellow trees.

The fight for freedom for those dark and yellow skinned people continued, as well as for others. "Remember those red skinned people I spoke of earlier?" "Yes I remember", well they continued in their struggles among these lands. I remember for some years many of those peoples children were taken away. They were gathered as fresh kindling wood for a fire. A fire that would burn down so many of those peoples lives. After taking these children from their parents, I remember the light skinned men marching these children from school to school just beyond the distance of this forest. I could barely gain a glimpse, however; that was enough. I could hear those men telling those children to be someone they were not. The light skinned men shaved the children's heads and beat them regularly. When they were finished years later, I was still there, but the children were not. They were an empty shell; grown to a world in which no one accepted them. Even their own mothers and fathers disowned them. In the end many did not need a rope and tree by white men to remove their lives; the teachings were enough and many died at the hands of themselves years later; entrophy was their end. Before we knew it, small strange moving vehicles that people rode from place to place arrived. Not long after, the execution of my fellow trees became wide spread. Path after path, and a poisoning fog occasionally set in along with a sickened rain that wilted my leaves. We trees choked with concern, fearing for our lives. Before long, housing and industry became wide spread. Some how we trees sensed that these buildings and other contraptions were our own brothers taken away to only be destroyed and compressed into something the lighter skinned people deemed more useful; and so it also was for those people of color.

Within my last one hundred rings I was overwhelmed with grief. There was a great war; greater than any man at that time had ever experienced. In your neighborhood so many men left, and so many did not walk back. Behind me is a cemetery in which so many men returned in what some call a box.

Not long after, another war even worse than before began. It was so horrific, that the men were gone for so long and most women had to work. People put yellow ribbons around my fellow oaks and took them down when the men returned. Fortunately, while the men were gone, woman proved they could work and make a living in order to survive; this fed the self that starved. When the men did come home; a large celebration took place, however all was not well.

Years later, the very dark skinned people began to have some victories as well as other people of color. I could hear them down the newly paved road, yards from my roots. I overheard one man state that a man named Mr. Brown went to court vs. the Department of Education to fight for his colored daughters right to attend a school in her rightful area. Mr. Brown won and I heard the cheers across many hill sides. Even more as a fire storm, victory set off an exuberating movement. It was not long, and many began to march down your street beneath my branches and scars where years earlier some one was hanged. They would carry signs and chant statements of unity and anger. There was a wonderful sound of hope in their voice. Especially, one man who had a dream. Some one murdered that man as so many before. His dream however did not die with him.

Furthermore, I have seen so much. Each family or person who has moved in this forest turned neighborhood. I have witnessed the circumstances of dividing families, growing children and the death and creation of other families. It never ends, and with this never ending cycle I have witnessed the cycle of not appreciating or loving others. Nature has been ignored. As time moves forward, what will be of me or others? Will those who have been persecuted for so long ever be loved? Today, I see so much hopelessness, so much despair. When even the most vulnerable; woman, children and those veterans who fight your wars are disregarded and homeless! If living is only just for ones self, we are doomed.

In the distance I could hear my mother calling me for dinner. I jumped up, wiped my eyes and brushed off my bottom. "Thank you oak, for your stories, I exclaimed" I reached over and picked up that acorn that hours ago had landed on my head. I found a shallow area near by with room to grow. I planted the acorn in dark soil, and as I covered it I thought of the future, the centuries ahead, and how much I had grown today by listening. What would this acorn say of me, of this time and the scenes it may capture as a big oak? Will others even allow it to grow to tell stories in which must be told? I am unsure. However, I must take action. I must do my part in giving nature a chance at living, and a chance at telling... if others will listen. As I walked up to my porch and into my home I heard a thunderous sound. It was as if the sky was falling; but it was something greater. That great oak had fallen across the nearby highway halting traffic in a jam never known possible. It was as if that mighty oak had finally spoken. He had left his mark in time; he had relinquished his feelings to lay himself down as so many other lives he had witnessed in his timeless existence who had also fallen. The natural process as he knew would finally speak; the great oak could not be restrained. He was as to say; stop your blind progress and know that I exist, that the past exist and the horror must be confessed to prevent the wretched end of others and even yourselves.

These are my final words.

Copyright2006/ - Compassionpwr@juno.com

By L. J. Riley Jr.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________








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