text:
About the Tower Keeper
Visual Fiction
Serial Stories
Aftermath Glossary
Decide Your Own Quest
The Biomes of My Life
By David Stewart
"Do you have a blog, grandpa?" the boy asked, kicking his legs against the stool rungs in the nursing home.
"No, I don't do much with computers," the old man said. "We didn't have them when I was growing up and I guess I just didn't find the need afterwards."
The boy considered this. "What was life like for you, growing up? What was it really like?"
"It's hard to explain," the man said after a moment. "You're too young to understand and there's a lot of it."
"Then you can start a blog and write about it."
The man smiled. He pointed at the boy's open backpack. "What's that?"
"My social studies book. I got homework. We're studying biomes."
"Let me see it." The man flipped through it, then handed it back. "Come back tomorrow, and I'll tell you about my life."
The next day, when the boy came to his grandfather's room, the man handed him several pages covered with a firm, flowing script, made shaky at the ends by age.
"Can you read it to me?" the boy asked. "We don't learn that kind of writing in school anymore."
"This time," the man said, looking more put out than he really felt. "Get your mom to type it out for you. Okay, here we go: The Biomes of My Life.
"I was born in the jungle, emerging from my cocoon into a world bursting with life. At first, I was amazed at the bright colors and variety around me but unaware of the dangers that stalked through the shadows. There were jaguars and tigers in the trees that watched as I climbed and swung through the trees. One day, an old tiger caught me and mauled me badly and that ended my career climbing trees. I stayed, stifled, on the floor of the jungle, and it felt like the trees were pressing down on me. I longed for fresh air.
"When I was a teenager, I finally found the savannah and reveled in the open space and air. I ran and jumped and played, unrestrained by anything. I saw the groups that moved around: the zebras and antelope, the lions and hyenas and remembering the old tiger, I allied myself with the hyenas. I was not going to be a victim. I was the killer now, preying on the flighty animals that ran in front of me. It was a glorious existence while it lasted, but the lions reminded us who were bigger and in the end, I took more harm than if I had run with the zebras.
"My early twenties were a desert. I had run from the lions and leaving the savannah, I wandered for long periods of time in areas devoid of life with just the rocks and sand as companions. The sky was large and although life seemed wide open, it was empty in every direction I tried. The scorching sun and wind burned me, crushing my young will. I could have died in that barren place if I had not found a tiny trickle of water that led to a river, which led to the ocean.
"It was in my late twenties that I embarked on the great ocean. It was as wide open as the desert but finally I was going places and life was all around me again. The crests and troughs followed in quick succession but I rode every one and although I was never satisfied, I went further and faster than I ever had.
"It was during this time, in my early thirties that I found my tropical island. The air there was heavy with the scent of flowers and luscious fruit was everywhere. It was the first time in my life that I was truly happy and I could lie on the beach for hours, just drinking it all in.
"But after a while, the lure of the fast-paced ocean life lured me back. I went back to the island when I could, but the visits became less frequent as I traveled further and further on the wild waves. Finally, I came back to find that half the island had burned. That was a shock. I gave up the ocean and spend the next several decades restoring the island back to life. It was never what it had been, but it became my home."
The old man stopped reading. "What do you think?"
"I don't understand," the boy said. "You were born in a jungle?"
"It's a riddle," his grandfather said. "You will need a key to unlock it."
"Experience. Then you will understand my story. But for now, let me tell you the lessons I have learned. Watch out for tigers and hyenas. Run from them. They are not your friends. Avoid the deserts but if you find yourself in one, never give up. There is more out there. And finally, if you find your tropical island, take care of it. It is more precious than you think."
"Okay, I'll try to understand it later." the boy said. He looked uncertain and the grandfather gave him a hug.
"I hope so. Then you can tell your story to your son and grandson. You can even blog about it if you want."
11 Comments	| tags: biome, blogging, desert, fiction, grandfather, island, jungle, life lessons, moral, ocean, parable, savannah, story	| posted in Dusk
Do you have mercy? – A true story
This is something that happened to me a few years ago, but I was reminded of it today when I read Swarupa's post, To help or not to help: that is the question.
If you have read my post about hiking various islands by myself, you probably know that I like to get out in the middle of nowhere by myself. Call me a lone wolf.
A few years ago, I took a trip to a small island near here called Wido. My plan was to camp without a tent: using only a sleeping bag and mosquito netting, because why not? I hiked to the end of the island and found a great place on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Of course, the most glaring drawback of mosquito netting is that it doesn't do much in the rain. The weather that day had been absolutely perfect, overcast and cool but not rainy. However, as I lay down under my mosquito netting I saw the first flash of lightning off in the distance. I watched it far out over the water, silent because of the distance, and prayed it would turn aside.
Nevertheless, I got ready to move if I had to. I didn't have anywhere else to go but if it rains hard when you under mosquito netting, anywhere is better than staying there. Sure enough, 20 minutes or so later, it started to pour. I packed everything up in the dark with just a glowstick for light and stumbled up the steep, thornbush-covered slope clutching the glowstick, an umbrella and the wet bundle of my ground pad and mosquito netting.
That night inside the mosquito netting, pre-rainstorm
I made it back to the main road and decided to keep walking up the road in the direction I had planned to go the next morning, in hope of finding a gazebo (which were common enough there) I could shelter in. I started out but soon it really started to pour, with strong winds blowing towards me. My umbrella was old but even so, no umbrella is any good against sideways rain. I was completely soaked, my boots were squashy and my umbrella kept turning inside out. It was late at night and now I knew that I couldn't stay in a gazebo even if I found one since it would be soaked too. I walked with my head down, splashing through the puddles and just keeping my eyes on the white line at the side of the road. I wasn't unhappy; I'd wanted an adventure and you can't get much more adventuresome that that, but still, I was tired and ready for somewhere dry to lie down.
After about 20 minutes, I saw a sign for a motel and turned off. As soon as I reached the sign, the rain stopped suddenly and completely. Divine sign or coincidence, I don't know. It turned out that the motel was out of business but as I was standing there, a woman came out and told me she had a room where I could stay in her pension (which is like a motel). It was 50,000 won a night (about $50) but she said she'd give it to me for 40,000. As I was fumbling for my wallet, I said I wasn't sure if I had enough and she assured me she would let me stay in any case. Setting aside ferry fee, I had 30,000 on me. So she took that and let me in.
I must have looked like a real charity case, as I stood there dripping wet. She immediately took my sopping boots to the sink and then led me to the bathroom and gave me some towels to clean up with. I stood in the bathroom while she bustled around cleaning up the room. As we chatted, I found out she was a Christian (actually she asked me) and that she had an adult son in New Zealand and a daughter in Seoul. Also, she was concerned because I was alone ("Don't you have any friends?"). Koreans never do anything like that alone.
All my wet things flung here and there.
Before she left, I told her that I would come back some time and pay back the money I owed her. She brushed off the offer and said something I will never forget: 자비 있어요? (jabi isseoyo?) This can mean 'Is there mercy (in the world)?' but it can also mean 'Do you have mercy?' I said yes, of course, and she soon left. I said good-bye to her the next day and continued my trek back along the coast to the ferry (absolutely beautiful weather that day).
A few weeks later, I was sitting at a bus stop when a very old woman sat down next to me. After a few minutes, she moved over next to me, tapped me on the knee and said something. Older Koreans often have a strong accent and I didn't understand, although when elderly people talk to me they either want to ask me where I'm from, tell me about Jesus, or ask for money. It was pretty clearly not the first two and soon she said held out her hand and said she was hungry.
I said what I always say when they ask for money and asked her if she didn't have a family that could take care of her. She didn't answer but kept asking for just a bit of money. I finally decided to give her a few dollars, but when I opened up my wallet I only had a 1000 and a 10,000 won bill. It seemed almost an insult to give her the 1000 since you can't really buy much with that, so I just gave her the 10,000. Her face broke into a wide grin and she patted my hand and said she was going to go get something to eat right away. She got up and began to make her slow, hobbling way down the street.
As I watched her go, I suddenly realized that that 10,000 won was the exact amount the woman on Wido had forgiven me when I didn't have it. I could hear her words again in my head, "Do you have mercy?" I thought of myself, standing dripping wet on her doorstep late at night and Jesus' words, "I was a stranger and you invited me in." and the words, "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat." I also realized that my debt of mercy was far from being repaid. I have many more 10,000 won notes to give away, in different shapes and sizes, some in monetary form, some not.
I hope I never forget that woman's words: "Do you have mercy?"
20 Comments	| tags: camping, charity, island, Jesus, Korea, mercy	| posted in Uncategorized
"Well, I'm back," he said.
As you probably know if you saw my Sunday post, I was away last week on a trip. I went by myself to a couple of small islands in the southwest of Korea, called Heuksando (흑산도) and Hongdo (홍도). They're part of a national park, which is not surprising, considering all the natural beauty there. As promised, here are some pictures I took there. It's very visual, although not fiction; it's a travelogue, and actually was pretty fantastic. Enjoy~
I left here on Sunday and went down to the port city of Mokpo. The next day I took this ferry. It was very fast and the water was very rough, making it fun for me, until other people starting getting sick and throwing up. The guy behind me kept saying, "I'm dying. I'm dying. I want to live. I should have gotten off at the last island."
On the first island, I took a bus around the island on a road that wound up and down mountains on hairpin turns and steep grades. Between the cliffs and mountains, were tiny, idyllic coves with fishing villages. Here is one of the roads. This one is famous on the island and has twelves switchbacks in a row. It was quite something going up this in a bus.
The next day, it was crazy windy so I walked along the beach to see the waves crashing up on the rocks.
After a while, I hiked back inland, through the forest and through pastures. I came across a lot of cow dung, but only 4 cows the whole time. This was a bull, a cow and a calf. The calf was very cute, but I didn't want to get close, since the cow kept bellowing at me, even when I was out of sight.
The forest on the island was almost all broad-leaf evergreens and there were vines and ivy everywhere. It is much different from the rest of Korea.
This is a view of the harbor looking back across the peninsula where I was hiking. I could easily have stayed there for a long time. It was so peaceful.
At sunset, I went back to the harbor where my motel was. It was the off-season for tourism, so I think I was the only one in the hotel. I never ate at a restaurant with any other customers; just the owners eating their supper.
Then I climbed up the hill behind my hotel, where I was rewarded with this view:
The next day, I took a ferry thirty minutes to the island of Hongdo, which has some of the best craggy rock formations I've seen. Just like on Heuksando, I was one of the only tourists there.
I climbed up the mountain and had a beautiful overview of the whole southern half of the island.
The only problem with this island was that it was quite inaccessible. A lot of cliffs, like the one below, were off-limits, with no trails or safe ways to get to them. Which is too bad, since I would really liked to climb up on some of them.
The day was absolutely beautiful. As opposed to the previous cloudy and windy days, this day was sunny, warm, and serene.
I found a hotel, then struck out to the south side of the island and fought my way through the forest of vines and thorns down to a small beach. This island was just offshore from there.
A lot of where I walked was quite close to the edges of cliffs that plunged more than a hundred feet straight down to the ocean. I was careful, of course, but I'm sure my wife would have had a heart attack if she'd seen me.
Hongdo is much smaller than Heuksando and everyone lives in one village in the middle of the island. Probably half the buildings are hotels or restaurants, the vast majority of which were closed for the season. Here is a shot of the harbor as I was coming back in late afternoon.
I walked down to a dock on the far side of the island to see the sun set behind the island.
The next day I got up way too early for the ferry, so I went down to the harbor and watched the sunrise.
Then it just better and better as I waited.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Now that I'm back, I am slowly climbing the long, winding steps up into the Green-walled Tower to see what other fantastic worlds I can spy. More fiction coming up tomorrow.
P.S. Bonus points if you can name the reference in the title. It doesn't count if you're related to me, since I KNOW you know. 🙂
23 Comments	| tags: cliffs, ferry, Heuksando, hiking, Hongdo, island, Korea, mountains, ocean, outside the tower, photograph, sunrise, sunset, travel, travelogue	| posted in Uncategorized
Where I sat and wrote – Visual Fiction #20
This is not really a visual fiction, in that there is no story with it, but this is a shot from where I went this past week. I went by myself and hiked around, reading and writing as well. This picture was taken on the island of Hongdo, in the extreme southwest of Korea. It was the off-season for tourists, so I was totally alone on the paths, in the restaurants, in the hotels. Here, I sat on a bench and looked out at the Yellow Sea stretching out to meet the sky. The weather was warm (for February in Korea) and there were even insects out. I sat and wrote a bit here in a leather-bound blank book my parents gave me for my birthday. It was a good time.
Taken on Hongdo, Korea
28 Comments	| tags: Hongdo, island, Korea, outside the tower, photograph, travel, writing, Yellow Sea	| posted in Visual Fiction
The Other Side: Isabelle's Story (Part 4)
Read the original: Isabelle's Island
The Other Side: Isabelle's Story (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)
(This final installment picks up at the end of both "The Other Side: Isabelle's Story (Part 3)" and the end of "Isabelle's Island")
Just as the man was going for his boat, the monster rose out of the water and tore the boat to pieces. And just like that, the man was there with her on the island, just the two of them. Isabelle was overjoyed.
The man let out a cry of horror and rushed to the small boat he had taken up to the beach. The larger boat, the one with the sail, was lying mostly under the water a few hundred feet from the beach. The monster had disappeared back into the water.
"You can't go now," Isabelle said, leaping forward. "The monster just sank your boat. You have to stay here with me."
The man whirled around and there was something strange about his eyes, as if he were seeing but not understanding what was happening. "Who are you anyway?" he asked.
"My name is Isabelle," she said and gave him a small smile. "What's your name?"
The man turned and jumped into the small boat, rowing it frantically out to the wrecked ship. "There's a monster there, so be careful," Isabelle said, but trailed off as he ignored her. "You have to protect me from it . . ."
Isabelle watched as the man dove into the water and began pulling up waterlogged bags and containers and throwing them into the inflatable boat. All afternoon, he worked, salvaging things and bringing them back to pile up on the beach. Isabelle watched him uncertainly. He looked like he was planning to stay, but still he wasn't paying any attention to her.
As the sun was setting, the man built a fire and heated up something from a can. Isabelle approached the fire and sat down to one side, looking at him.
"What's your name?" she asked softly.
He looked up. "Tom. Tom Nedimyer." Then, indicating the pot over the fire, "You want some?"
"It's food—beans. Are you hungry?"
"I—I don't know," Isabelle said, in confusion. Tom shrugged and spooned some onto his plate.
"What was that thing, anyway—that thing that crushed my boat?" Tom asked. "I was afraid it would be waiting for me down there, but I didn't see any sign of it."
"That's the monster," Isabelle said. "It's always around, threatening me. I'm glad you're here to protect me from it."
"Why would it sink my boat though?"
"It wanted you to stay here"
Tom gave her a sudden, hard look that startled Isabelle. "How the hell would you know what it wants? What is it anyway?"
"I don't know, I don't know," Isabelle said, thrown into confusion by his tone and language. "It's just the monster. It wants to hurt me."
"Does it? Has it ever hurt you?"
"No, but . . ." She didn't know how to finish.
Tom began to eat. "Are you here alone? When I first saw you, I thought you were here with a cruise or something."
"I live here," Isabelle said. "I came with my family but I can't find them now."
"How long have you been here?" he asked. "I mean, just look at you."
"Why? What about me?"
"Well, the clothes, the hair. How do you do it?" He saw her look of incomprehension and with a noise of irritation, he pulled a mirror of his survival kit. He held it up so she could see.
Isabelle looked into the small piece of glass and saw herself for the first time since she had been on the ship with her family. She looked just as she remembered herself, a thin, pale face with dark hair pulled back into a neat braid. It took her a moment to understand and then she felt a sudden sense of horror sweep over her. She looked so clean and neat—every hair was in place and her face and clothes looked as scrubbed and spotless as if she were on her way to church. Yet she had not touched water since the day she had climbed out the pool she had fallen into.
She turned away quickly and felt her hands trembling. "I don't know, I don't know."
"How long have you been here?" he asked again. "Do you remember the date?"
She thought about it. The time on the ship, the time on the island—it was just time, with no demarcations to separate it out and make it countable. "I can only remember one date," she said finally. "My birthday."
"When is that?"
"July 26," she said. "July 26, 1789."
There was a silence as he stared at her. It made her afraid. "What's wrong?"
"Today is August 14, 1996," he said at last. He moved a little away.
"No . . ." she said. "No!" But she knew he was right. With rising terror, small details that she had not understood or had not thought about came back to her. Without another word, she got up and fled into the jungle.
That night was the worst that Isabelle could remember. It began to pour in the middle of the night. She hid under an outcropping of rock where she always did when it rained, shaking and trying to keep the rain off her. Now, though, her mind kept screaming at her and she could not quiet it.
I'm . . . I'm . . . She could not even bring herself to think the word. There was no other possibility though. Her appearance had not changed, she could not remember eating or drinking anything since she had fallen into the pool that night, not even sleeping for that matter. Why had she not thought of it before? Her mind was such muddle of fear and loneliness. And if what Tom had said was true, that it was over two hundred years after her birth . . .
I'm . . . dead.
The pain and fear welled up inside her until she broke down in sobs, covering her hands with her face. Then she stopped suddenly and pulled her hands away from her face. She had no tears. She felt hollow, a shell of the person she had been.
Her family was truly gone. Some part of her had known that when she had seen the graves and decaying houses, but she could not accept it. The rain pattered on the leaves all around her, embodying the ethereal prison she now felt trapped in.
Over the next few days, Isabelle watched from hiding as Tom hauled wood to the beach and built outriggers onto his small boat. She watched as he loaded it with fruit and coconuts and containers of water. She watched him prepare to go and leave her. She did not try to stop him. She did not really want him, or Louis for that matter. She wanted her father and he was gone.
She was worried about the monster though. She was worried that it did not want Tom to leave and that it would sink his small boat if he tried. For the first time, she wondered what the monster really was. She had always thought of it as her enemy, but then it had become her ally against the scary and annoying people who had come to the island. And it had kept Tom on the island. But now . . .
The next morning, before dawn, Isabelle watched as Tom pushed his boat out on the high tide. The full moon was sinking down towards the horizon and shone with a ghostly light on the water. Tom jumped into the boat and then looked back. Isabelle raised her hand in farewell and he returned the salute.
Tom turned back towards the open ocean and started to paddle. He was about a hundred feet from shore when Isabelle saw what she feared the most: the monster, rising out of the water just behind the boat. Tom did not see it; he was concentrating on paddling between the rocks near the shore. The monster was going to smash the boat and maybe drown Tom. It hated Tom for leaving Isabelle there alone.
She had to stop it, somehow. "No," she said out loud. "Leave him alone!" She felt the monster hesitate and she said it again. For a while, she held it there, in the water just off shore, as Tom's boat got further and further away.
Suddenly the monster gave a roar that echoed off the rocks near the beach. Isabelle had never heard it make a sound before. It turned and leaving the water, it charged up the beach straight for her. She could not control it now. It would not stop. She turned and ran into the jungle.
For the first time since she had seen the monster first step out of the jungle, she was truly terrified. She heard it crashing through trees and breaking rocks behind her as it pursued its furious course after her.
Whether by accident or unconscious desire, Isabelle realized that she was heading for the lagoon on the far side of the island. She reached it as the eastern sky was lightening with the dawn. The rowboat was still there, and the man as well, but he was not fishing now. Instead, he was sitting up, looking intently in her direction.
"Help!" Isabelle cried. "The monster is coming. You have to protect me from it."
"I will," he said, "but you must come here. It's right behind you. Once you're in the boat, you'll be safe from it."
Isabelle stopped at the water's edge. "I can't," she cried. "Can you come up to the shore?"
"I've come as close as I can," he said. "It may be uncomfortable, but the water will not hurt you."
With a roar, the monster burst out of the forest and Isabelle stepped into the water. Instantly, she felt that same clutching panic that she had experienced in the deep pool, but she kept walking, looking straight ahead to the boat. The water rose to her knees and then her thighs and she bit her lip to keep from screaming. Then she reached the side of the boat.
The man put his hands under her arms and, as if she were a child, lifted her effortlessly into the boat. He smiled at her. "You're free now. You'll never see that thing again."
Isabelle lay in the front of the boat, crying softly from exhaustion and relief. She reached up and felt real tears on her cheeks, which made her cry even harder.
"Where are we going?" she asked, as the man began to row.
"Away from here, first of all, then to somewhere better."
"Will I see my family?"
"Soon enough. Now, just relax. I'll do the work now." He began to row, with strong, even strokes, out of the lagoon. They headed east, into the rising sun and slowly, the island disappeared from sight.
13 Comments	| tags: fantasy, fiction, ghosts, historical, Isabelle, island, monster, redemption	| posted in Dusk
The Other Side: Isabelle's Story (Part 1) (Part 2)
The strength was leaving her hands. "No, no, no. Papa, help me!" Her hands slipped off the root and with a scream, she fell, down, down into the blackness. The last thing she remembered was the sensation of her body hitting water.
Isabelle opened her eyes to see colors and shifting patterns of light. She tried to move her limbs and found that she could move quite easily. Then she realized she was underwater.
She stood up and paddled her way frantically to the surface. The water was deep, but clear as glass. At the surface, she found that she was in steep-sided hole, like a well in the rock. It had vines trailing down its sides from far above, where the high sun made everything glow in shades of emerald and gold.
Isabelle remembered something about falling, although then it had been night. She pulled herself up by the vines, shaking off as much of the hideous water as she could. The very touch of it repulsed her now, as if it were a prison that was still reaching out to capture her.
Her body had become very light, or she had become strong, and she found herself climbing easily up the vines to the jungle floor. The air was still, with only the occasional birdcall breaking the silence.
The path through the jungle was so overgrown that it had entirely disappeared in places. She forced her way to the beach but more riddles were waiting for her there. There were two cabins there now in place of the lean-to but both looked abandoned and dilapidated, with their roof palms rotting and their sides sagging into the sand. On the edge of the forest, she found two graves, their rudely made crosses bleached and overgrown with weeds.
Isabelle tried to think, but her mind was not working properly. Where was her family? Had they just gone away and left her? Her father had promised he would come back for her, but now they were gone and she was alone.
"Papa?" she said. Then, in a scream of terror and despair, "Papa!" She collapsed on the beach, sobbing.
"You have to protect me from the monster, Papa. You said you would. It's big, as big as a horse and has long fur and sharp claws and I saw it and it's real you have to protect me you promised you promised you would come back for me please please papa please…"
She looked up, hoping to see her father—anyone—there on the beach. But no one was there. If the monster were real, her father would have to protect her. She could imagine it peering out of the underbrush at her. Then, as if it were perfectly natural, she saw it, just as she had described and just where she had imagined it. The monster.
It took a step out onto the beach, looking at her menacingly. It was real.
"Papa, you have to come save me. See, I wasn't lying. There really is a monster. Papa, please." But no one came and after a while, the monster disappeared back into the trees.
For Isabelle, days became a torture of loneliness as she wandered around the island, looking for any sign of her family. Sometimes she thought she heard their voices or saw a glimpse of one of them through the trees. Then the monster would appear and threaten her and she would cry out for help, but help never came and the monster would disappear again. She was terrified of water and spent the nights in the trees for fear of falling into it accidentally.
One day she went so far that she reached the far side of the island. Here she found a long, curving lagoon that formed a natural harbor. In the middle sat a small boat at anchor. Isabelle saw with a shudder that it resembled the rowboat that they had come to the island in, although this one was newer and cleaner. There was a man lying in it with his feet up, fishing. For a moment, Isabelle thought it was her father or one of her brothers and her heart gave a leap of hope. But it was someone else.
The man straightened up when he saw her and he put down the fishing pole. "What are you doing?" he called to her.
Isabelle hesitated. "I'm—I'm looking for my family. Have you seen them?"
The man nodded. "You won't find them on that island though."
"Do you live here?" she asked.
"Then how do you know?"
He smiled. "Trust me."
"You know, there's a monster on this island," Isabelle said. "It hunts me and I have to run away from it. Come be with me and protect me." At that moment, there was a crashing in the trees and the monster appeared partway down the beach. "Please, come rescue me," she said.
The man kept looking at her steadily. "You know," he said, as if a thought had just hit him, "if you waded out here to my boat, it wouldn't follow you. If you really want to get away from it, that is."
"I can't," she said immediately. "I can't go in the water. I'm afraid."
"You'll be fine," the man said. "It's not much above your waist, even out here. Come on, I'll help you."
"I can't!" Isabelle cried. "I'll never go in the water again. Who are you anyway? You don't know anything about my family. I'm going to go find them." She stormed off into the jungle, not even looking back to see the monster fade from view.
For a long while—days, weeks, she could not tell—she searched the island for any trace of her family. She secretly knew that they were not there, although where they had gone, she did not know. Still, she told herself that they could be on the move. It was a big island—they could be always missing each other. She walked the whole island again and again, except the sheltered lagoon on the far side. She did not want to see that strange man and his penetrating gaze and strange smile.
One day, just as the sun was going down, she caught sight of a figure on a rock across a narrow channel from the island. It looked like her father and her heart flamed with hope. He had come back for her. But as she approached, she saw that it was someone else. He was younger and wore strange clothing. Still, he could protect her and stay with her.
She crept closer to him, getting as close as she could without touching the water. His name was Louis, she found out, and he spoke French. Suddenly she was very glad of her tedious French lessons.
Louis said he would come to the island and protect her but he hesitated to. She made him promise he would come but still she was nervous. The sun was going down and she could not go over to him. What if he disappeared in the darkness, just as her family had done? He was so close, yet so far as well.
Just before the sun went down, the monster appeared, coming down the beach towards her. She screamed for Louis to protect her and he jumped into the water and started to swim. But then he sunk under the water and did not come back up. After a while, the monster disappeared from view.
Isabelle was crushed. Louis had been so close, but then he had escaped her too. Still, she felt hope. She had fallen into water and had come back out of it, so maybe there was hope for Louis. After all, he had promised. Every day, she went to the rocks and looked down into the churning water, hoping to catch some glimpse of him.
Time passed and other people came to the island. Some were groups of men, who sat and drank on the beach or crashed through the forest, making noise and cutting down trees. She hid from these sorts of people—they reminded her of the crew of the ship and she feared what they would do to her if they found her.
Sometimes, couples would come to curl up together on the beach, eating and drinking and kissing. They paid attention to no one but each other and they would never pay attention to her. Isabelle hated these people, especially the women.
But Isabelle discovered a very interesting thing: the monster hated what she hated. When these couples—or other people who made Isabelle feel uncomfortable—came to the island, the monster would crash through the trees or throw rocks into the water. It did this especially at night until the people got scared enough to leave.
But then one day, a man came to the island. He was about her father's age and he came alone. She looked at him from the jungle and then, for the first time since she had talked to Louis, she decided to talk to him.
He was nice. He seemed kind and wanted to help her, but he had a boat and she knew he was going to leave her again soon. Suddenly, she wanted him to stay there, wanted it more than anything she had wanted since her family had left. She knew the monster wanted it too.
11 Comments	| tags: creepy, fear, fiction, ghosts, historical, Isabelle, island, monster	| posted in Dusk
David and Humphrey helped their father build a lean-to while Isabelle and her mother collected fruit and firewood. They camped that night on the beach and the first mate entertained them with tales and myths from the sea. For the first time since they left England, Isabelle felt happy.
Then the first mate sickened. His leg became infected and despite Isabelle's mother's ministrations, he died a week later. They buried him in the forest and Isabelle's father and brothers set out to explore the island. They went for days at a time, coming back exhausted and discouraged.
Two months later, they had explored most of the island and concluded that it was truly uninhabited. Isabelle's father masked his disappointment by throwing himself into work, hauling rock to build a better house, making tools from wood and stone and hunting for food. David and Humphrey disappeared on hunting and exploration trips more frequently now and were gone longer.
Isabelle was left back with her mother, who sunk slowly into herself. She would spend hours staring out at the ocean and would break down in tears with no provocation.
One day Isabelle found her father sitting among some rocks, trying to braid rope from plant fibers.
"Can I help you, Papa?" she asked, reaching for his hand. He pulled it back, still concentrating on the rope he held between his knees.
"I don't have time now, Isabelle dear," he said. "Go help your mama."
"I saw something in the forest," she said. "It looked scary."
He looked up at her and she saw sudden interest in his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"It was big, as big as a horse," she said quickly. "And it had fur and long claws. I heard it making a weird grunting sound."
Her father stood up, dropping the rope and picking up the club he had made. "Show me where you saw it." He took her hand.
Isabelle led him into the jungle a little ways. "It was around here somewhere," she said.
"Let's keep looking," her father said and squeezed her hand in a comforting way.
All afternoon they walked through the jungle and up on the low hills, looking for a monster that did not exist. It was the happiest Isabelle had been in a long time and she hung onto her father's hand and reveled in his warm presence.
The next day, Humphrey and David returned from a two-week expedition. They carried part of a wild boar they had killed. As they were all eating together, Isabelle's father mentioned the monster Isabelle had reported.
David laughed. "We've been all over this island and I've never seen anything like that. She's just making things up."
"It's not true!" Isabelle said. "I really did see it. Papa and I hunted it together." She reached over and grasped his hand.
Humphrey shook his head. "There's no way, little sister. You must have seen wrong."
Her father withdrew his hand from hers and looked at her. "Is it true, Isabelle? Did you really see a creature like that? Tell me now, did you really see it or were you lying to me?"
"I really did see it! Why would you believe them over me?" she cried, bursting into tears. Her mother reached for her, but Isabelle shook her off. "I'll go find it now."
Without any plan, Isabelle ran off into the darkness of the jungle—past their latrine, past the place they gathered wood and into the dense underbrush. All she could see was the distrust and disappointment in her father's eyes. She could hear her family calling after her, but she kept going.
She hit a tree in the dark and bright points of lights exploded in front of her eyes. She kept going, pushing ahead of her with her arms outstretched. Then the ground disappeared beneath her feet.
She screamed as she fell, grasping blindly in the darkness in front of her. She felt tree roots and clutched at them.
"Isabelle, where are you?" It was her father, calling from somewhere above her.
"Papa, help me please! I'm down here."
"Hold on, Isabelle." She heard grass rustling and tree branches cracking somewhere above her. Then, she heard breathing and fingertips brushed the very top of her hands where she clung to the roots.
"Pull me up, Papa! Please, I'm going to fall."
"I can't, Isabelle. I'm reaching down as far as I can. If I go any more, I'll fall too. Hold on, I'll go get some rope."
"No! Papa, don't leave me here! Please!"
"I'll be back for you, don't worry, dear."
"Do you promise?" Isabelle asked. Her hands were trembling and her arms ached.
"I promise. I'll get you out of there. David and Humphrey are on their way too." She heard him crashing through the trees, moving further away.
9 Comments	| tags: fantasy, fiction, ghosts, historical, Isabelle, island	| posted in Dusk
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Romeo and juliet is one of the most famous love stories in the world. but it is more than a great love story. it is also about life and death, happiness and sadness and the terrible hate between to great families. Shakespear's beautiful tale is still as popular today as it was more than 400 years ago.
It's Stephany and Max's first holiday away together and they want to get to know each other. They go to Italy and stay at Stephany's friend Carlo's flat in a Mediterranean village. But Carlo's wife is not very happy to see Stephany. The two couples find out why, and a lot of other things about each other in a hot Italian summer.


Hi Erin & Tahlia, I just wanted to say a big, big thank you to you both! Your support and expertise through a difficult time was made oh so much more bearable with you both on my side. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your understanding throughout the past year. It has really helped my anxiousness going into court and made me confident in what was happening. It's all pretty full on when it's your first time (hopefully my last as well!) going into court with the ex. I feel so lucky that you were both there guiding me. Thanks!
We owe our family unit to Erin Steiner. Erin fought for us and kept us positive in the times when we had lost hope. Erin is brilliant, personable, humorous and trustworthy. We are eternally grateful for everything she has done for us. Thank you Erin.
A huge thank you to Erin for her kindness, it was much needed and very appreciated. Rare in these days and hasn't gone unnoticed, I wish there were more firms that have the ability of empathy and kindness.
Its times like these I'm so glad I met you and Tahlia.
It has been rarely my experience that lawyers take the time to genuinely listen, and understand. Erin has not only listened intently and understood completely, she also cared – cared to be consultive, do thorough research, and analyse then present her findings in a very clear way.
Many thanks; I have really appreciated everything the team at Steiner Legal have done for me.
I must thank you for all your help in my court matter. I can't thank you enough as the word thanks is just a small word, but big when it's comes in terms of my appreciation for your time and effort. I want to thank you again for trying to assist me with my case and negotiate with the other side's lawyer. Thanks to your amazing staff member Tahlia.
Thank you for your representation and assistance in this matter. I will forward your contact in the future to any family or friends that may be looking for an efficient and professional solicitor.
On behalf of my mother, we wish to extend our many thanks to you Erin, and your associates for achieving a very welcome result in this matter.
The best lawyer in Australia, highly recommended.
Erin was fantastic, very professional. In our first conversation I asked Erin to indicate how many hours the task could take so as I could estimate the cost, based on her estimate I could have cost approx. $2500, but the bill came in at approx. $1500 based on the actual time taken … my expectations were managed very professionally. Erin dealt with all my correspondence and came back to me with all the info I needed very promptly even though she was overseas for part of the time. I highly recommend her services.
Thank you, to Tahlia, Erin and the team for all your advice and help through this. Very much appreciated.
Dear Erin, Thank you so very much for your support and assistance. I appreciate all of you efforts and gentle and helpful manner throughout the ordeal of my situation. Warm regards and gratitude.
Surrogacy is a complex and prolonged event, and we're so pleased to be working through it with the help of Steiner Legal. Their advice has been clear, and their service delivered in a friendly and approachable manner. We had a limited understanding of the process and found it very helpful to have Tahlia lay out the terrain and clarify the steps for us. We were under pressure of time and concerned about how convoluted it had become, but Tahlia worked diligently and very effectively with the corresponding firm to conclude the contracts in time. We were greatly reassured to have had Steiner Legal on our side, and look forward to the day that our parentage order will come through with their assistance.


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Welcome To Adare
MOVIE JUNKETS
OUR TV SHOWS
Here's some of our recent TV.
LIVING WITH LUCY 2023.
Virgin Media One.
A Brand New Series On The Way!
PLAY IT BY YEAR
Mike Murphy in the nostalgic based primetime quiz show.
The search is now on for a singer to represent Ireland in this year's song contest in France in December 2023.
DONNCHA'S TWO TALENTED
RTÉ One & RTÉjr
Donncha presents the show where parents take to the stage with their kids.
RÉALTA AGUS GAOLTA.
Oct. 2022.
The search for Ireland's most talented family.
TG4 SEPT. 2022
An elite squad of unknown GAA hurling players trained to take on the best!
Adare have 20 years experience producing movie junkets for the main film distributors in Ireland. We work with Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Entertainment One. Whether it's a day of TV press interviews, an evening of red carpet premiere coverage or a one-off interview, we are the experts in delivering a high-end, complete TV, online and radio package.
WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING.
DADDY'S HOME 2.
MRS. BROWN'S BOYS D'MOVIE
THE WEDDING RINGER
EX_MACHINA.
Adare do not accept unsolicited Ideas.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Islanders: Three Reasons bringing back the Fisherman logo is OK
24 Nov 1995: New York Islanders players look on during a game against the Buffalo Sabres at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York.
2 Apr 1997: Defenseman Bryan Berard of the New York Islanders moves down the ice during a game against the Dallas Stars at the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. The Stars won the game, 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
It's not the end of the world
At the end of the day, we're talking about a logo. And we're talking about this logo today because the New York Islanders are going to print that logo on a few hats and tuques.
https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1202390243258884098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1202592635111821318&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feyesonisles.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D63450%26action%3Dedit
The Islanders are printing these because there's a renewed interest in the logo and they see an opportunity to make money. They're doing what any successful business does, they're servicing their market.
Does it really matter if they print these? No. If you really hate them so much don't buy it. The fewer they sell the less likely the Islanders will be to take another step forward.
The biggest fear for fans I can see is that the Fisherman logo will eventually become so popular that the Islanders will actually wear them on the ice.
That could happen. But even in a best-case scenario, the Islanders are years away from having that happen. If at all.
A lot of people are quite clear that they don't like the Fisherman jersey. It would take a massive shift in how the fanbase feels for this franchise to OK putting them on the ice. With all the hearts and minds this ownership group is trying to buy it would be a wild departure for them to OK doing something so many would disapprove.
So don't worry. Just because they're printing hats with the Fisherman logo it doesn't mean on ice jersey's are next.


Written as an afterword to a Symposium on The Death of Discourse, this piece replies to commentaries on the relationship between "Noble Lies" and the First Amendment authored by Professors Shadia Drury (political science), Robert Hariman (rhetoric & communication studies), David Nyberg (philosophy), Loyal Rue (religion & philosophy), and Richard Stivers (sociology).
David Skover and Ronald Collins, Afterword: New "Truths" and the Old First Amendment, 64 U. CIN. L. REV. 1295 (1996).


I am delighted to have arranged for a lovely Ashbee bowl, sold last year to a client, to have been used for filming on the BBC's new series "The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts". This four part series can be seen on BBC2 on Fridays. The first episoode is available on BBC iplayer. Not to be missed!!


The Arizona state flag was adopted on January 25th, 1917 and features many unique details. The flag uses Spain's colors, red and weld-yellow and organizes them into 13 rays, which represent the original American colonies. The Arizona state flag is one of the more unique state flags of the United States.


The Tirunelveli Sthalapurana prescribes a tradition for the origin of the name Tirunelveli. The puranic version goes that one Vedasarma, a staunch devotee of Shiva, on his pilgrimage from the North to the South was invited by Lord Shiva in his dream to his abode on the banks of the sacred river Tamiraparani. The delighted devotee came to 'Sindupoondhurai on the banks of the river and stayed there with his family. Once there was a famine which forced Vedasarma to collect paddy by way of begging and continuing his daily prayers. One day he spread out the paddy to dry under the Sun before the Lord, and went for his ablutions in Tamiraparani. He prayed to the Lord for rain which he thought could be a remedy for the famine. His prayer was answered and when he was bathing, a thunder storm broke-out and it rained heavily. Vedasarma rushed to the place where he had spread the paddy. He witnessed a miracle. Despite rain around the area, the paddy that he had spread did not get even a single drop of rain and did not get soaked. Since then according to the purana the Town is called as "Tiru-nel-veli" (Sacred hedged paddy).
It is available at several places in the district. The major part comes from the crystalline limestone deposit occurring near Ramayanpatti, Talaiyuthu and Padmaneri. A total reserve of 4.06 million tonnes limestone up to a depth of 15.2 meter in Ramayanpatti band and 5.08 million tonnes up to a depth of 15.25 meter in Talaiyuthu band has been estimated. The limestone available here contain Calcium Oxide (Ca O) from 34.97 to 55.49 percent, Magnesium Oxide (Mg O) from 0.31 to 7.24 per cent.
The Padmaneri band consists of six limestone lenses with an aggregate strike length of about 800 meter. The average width is 4.75 meter 0.199 million tonnes of cement grade limestone is estimated from this band. The Singikulam band extends over a strike length of 17 km. It contains seven limestone lenses with an aggregate strike length of about 6.4 km. and average width of 13 meter. About 3.160 million tonnes of cement grade limestone is estimated from this band.
Six bands of good quality limestone occur near Pandapuli and 4,34,000 tonnes of limestone suitable for the manufacture of cement and chemical industries have been estimated .
Light traces of sulphides occur in and around Pattankadu and Munradaippu. This mineral is of no economic importance.
Occurrence of red garnet sands in the beds of the river Nambiar and Uvari has been recorded. The proportion of garnet is 75 per cent in the rich deposits and 45 per cent in the surface sands. Local concentration of limenite sands are noticed near Vijayapatti and Kuttankuli.
The total area of the forest of the district is 1,22,055 ha. of which 81700 ha. is set apart for Tiger reserve of Mundanthurai and Kalakadu. The entire forest of the district stretches along the Western ghats.
Various types of forests from luxuriant tropical wet evergreen forests to southern thorn scrub forests occur in the district. Owing to its diverse geographical factors. The forests in the district are technically classified as Southern hill top tropical evergreen forests, West Coast tropical evergreen forests, Southern moist mixed deciduous forests, Ochlandra reed forests, Carnatic umbrella thorn forests Southern Euphorsia scrub and Southern thorn scrub.


Diversity and inclusion are core values at Zimmerman Reed.
As a law firm, we recognize our responsibility to act as agents of change to elevate the equity and encourage the inclusion of all individuals, to nurture a robust workplace and world. This means everyone. We work to surround ourselves with colleagues and support the communities that reflect the diverse spectrum of people we fight for every day.
As part of this commitment, Zimmerman Reed encourages its attorneys and staff to participate in outside organizations and affinity bar groups on the local and national levels. Our attorneys are actively involved in a variety of organizations that support and advance the development of a diverse legal community. We view the work we perform in the community as an important effort to establish and reflect the culture of equity, diversity and inclusion we envision.


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"Rosetrees Trust Interdisciplinary Prize Awarded to Hebrew University Scientists"
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Over the rainbow » J-Wire
» J Sep 26 2017
Visiting Professor Wayne Horowitz from Hebrew University amazed his audience with his lecture on rainbows held at North Shore Temple Emanuel. Wayne told how the biblical story of the Flood had its origins in the misty Sumerian past, where rainbows more often than not portended disaster. He then linked the story with native traditions, such as the Gwich'in narrative of 'The Boy in the Moon' of Arctic Canada, where, curiously, they speak a language derived from Sumerian. The talk was co-sponsored by Macquarie and Hebrew Universities. Dr Gil Davis, Director of Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Macquarie University, introduced Wayne ...
Mentions: archaeology


text:
General News of Thursday, 12 March 2020
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
play videoAirport staff at Kotoka International Airport
Ghana has confirmed two cases of COVID-19 on March 12, 2020, being the first cases to be reported in the country.
The Ministry of Health disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the two confirmed cases were received at the same time from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research.
The two individuals returned to Ghana from Norway and Turkey. So they are imported cases of COVID-19, the statement said.
Both patients are currently under isolation and are stable, it added.
The Ministry, however, indicated that, "Government of Ghana together with all Health Partners will continue to work assiduously to ensure the situation is contained…"
Read the ministry's press statement on the confirmed cases below.
Hawa Koomson, others automatic candidates for jail in the next NDC government – Sammy Gyamfi hints
Africa's week in pictures: 6-12 March 2020
NPP Primaries: Dakoa Newman's quest to bring a positive change to Okaikoi South [ARTICLE]


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"Levels of risk": Australia is the most drunken country in the world, according to a survey | Health
By Ada R. Diaz on	 December 3, 2021 Alcohol Bar
Australians have been named the world's heaviest drinkers after spending more time drunk in 2020 than any other country.
An international survey found that Australians drink to the point of intoxication on average 27 times a year, nearly double the global average of 15. Almost a quarter of Australians said they regret getting intoxicated.
The World Drug Survey asked more than 32,000 people in 22 countries about their drug and alcohol use last year.
On average, Australians drank alcohol at the global average of two nights per week and became heavily drunk about once every two weeks. The French exceeded this metric, drinking about three times a week.
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Australian participants also tripled the global average in seeking emergency care for their alcohol consumption (3.9% compared to the global average of 1.2%).
The director general of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education, Caterina Giorgi, said the statistics were "concerning" and that a clear picture of the impact of harmful alcohol consumption during the pandemic was only taking shape.
"Australia leads the world both in the number of times people report being drunk and in seeking emergency medical treatment for alcohol… These two indicators suggest that people are drinking at high levels. quite risky, "she said.
"We have seen a sharp increase, which has been sustained in calls for help to drug and alcohol helplines, and an increase in the involvement of alcohol in calls for domestic violence.
"There is an emerging image [that] there is a significant proportion of people who drink at riskier levels… to cope with stress and anxiety. These habits are hard to break as we continue to live in this Covid environment. "
Giorgi said there had been a $ 3.3 billion increase in home alcohol sales in 2020 – a trend that continues into 2021.
"In such uncertain times, there has been a sustained change in the way alcohol is sold. Businesses aggressively market, use Covid, and take advantage of anxieties to sell their products, "she said.
"We have this perfect storm for increased alcohol harm and we're just starting to see it."
A joint study by Turning Point and Monash University found that ambulance attendance for alcohol-related damage increased 9% in Victoria last year, as the state was subject to Covid restrictions .
"We have seen people's mental health suffer greatly throughout this pandemic and especially when we put in place strict measures that have limited our normal activities and our connection with support networks," said the executive clinical director. from Turning Point, Professor Dan Lubman.
"Drinking alcohol at the end of the day has often been touted as a reward and a way to cope, with easy access to alcohol in stores and via online delivery throughout the pandemic. "
Commonwealth Bank data shows total alcohol spending increased in March 2020, possibly due to alcohol storage during Covid restrictions, a trend that has continued.
Global Drug Survey researcher Dr Monica Barratt said the high rate of drunkenness in Australia could be linked to the fact that most of the country avoided Covid lockdowns in 2020.
Bar Victoria, most states and territories have experienced only short and severe shutdowns, with relatively few cases or deaths, allowing hospitality venues to remain open and events to continue.
"It may have something to do with Australia being the top ranked country for frequency of drunkenness," Barratt told The Latch.
Interestingly, while New Zealanders got drunk fewer times than almost every other country in the survey, getting drunk about 10 times a year, they drank more frequently than Australians, about three times a week.
The Danes and Finns spent the most time drinking to excess after the Australians, tied 23.8 times a year. Americans came in third, getting intoxicated on average 23 times in 2020, followed by the British (22.5 times).
Frequency of intoxication – top 10 countries
2 Denmark
4 we
6 Canada
7 Ireland
ten Netherlands
If you need help, go to FARE.org.au or call National Alcohol and Other Drugs Helpline at 1-800-250-015.
Take part in the 2022 Global Drug Survey here.
Bars, customers question new rules on serving alcohol: The Asahi Shimbun
Strong criticism forces Olympic organizers to ban alcohol at Games: Asahi Shimbun
To-Go, Going, Gone – Bars, Restaurants in Shock after Sudden Repeal of Take-Out Liquor Permissions in NYC – Happy Beer Hunting
Fans outraged by Murrayfield bars closing when Lions open
Dublin Pubs: Brewdog is offering unlimited free refills of non-alcoholic beer for Dry January


Ajai Saran graduated in Civil Engineering from a highly reputed university in India in 1974 and after a short tenure with a Bank in India as Technical officer came to Middle East in 1977. Joined Dubai Consultants, a firm of architects and engineers in Dubai as a resident engineer. During his tenure as a resident engineer till 1989 he managed the construction of several projects of different types which included private houses, group housing, commercial ,residential and institutional buildings. The construction of Hatta Fort Hotel and Dubai's First Marina at Jebel Ali Hotel and Resort were also managed by him during this period. Promoted as general Manager in 1989, a position he held for six years during which he brought about management changes to enhance the quality of service provided to the clients. Projects worth over Aed 200 million ranging from group housing to luxury apartments were successfully completed during his tenure.


text:
Oxana Mykolayivna Tsyhuleva (; born 15 December 1973) is a Ukrainian trampolinist who won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Career
Tsyhuleva competed at her first World Championships in 1996 in Vancouver. She won the gold medal in the synchro competition with Olena Movchan and Ukraine won the team silver medal behind Russia. At the 1998 World Championships in Sydney, she won the silver medal in the individual event behind Russia's Irina Karavayeva. Ukraine won the team bronze medal behind Russia and Belarus. She also won the silver medal in the synchro competition with Olena Movchan behind German trampolinists Tina Ludwig and Anna Dogonadze.

At the 1999 World Championships in Sun City, South Africa, Tsyhuleva once again won the silver medal in the individual event behind Irina Karavayeva. The Ukrainian team of Tsyhuleva, Olena Movchan, and Oxana Verbitskaya won the silver medal behind Russia. She reclaimed her synchro World title with Movchan.

Tsyhuleva was selected to represent Ukraine at the 2000 Summer Olympics for the inaugural Olympic trampoline competition. She qualified for the women's individual trampoline event in third place. In the final, she won the silver medal behind Irina Karavayeva.

Tsyhuleva competed at the 2001 World Championships in Odense, Denmark. She finished eighth in the individual competition. She won the team gold medal alongside Yulia Domshevsky, Olena Movchan, and Oxana Pochynok, and she once again won the synchro gold medal with Olena Movchan. She then competed at the 2001 World Games in Akita, Japan. She won the gold medal with Olena Movchan in the synchronized trampoline event.

References

1973 births
Living people
Ukrainian female trampolinists
Sportspeople from Mykolaiv
Gymnasts at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Olympic silver medalists for Ukraine
Olympic medalists in gymnastics
Medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympics
Competitors at the 2001 World Games
World Games gold medalists
20th-century Ukrainian women
21st-century Ukrainian women

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This was hard to watch, because well it is India. The way women are dehumanized and murdered for the pleasure and profit of men, yet another side of the evil that is patriarchy. The trafficker admits he targets Advasi and Muslim girls, it made me think all the men that care so much about cows or are obsessed with hijab/purdah why does this not concern you?
Do not speak for God!


text:
Si Lewen photograph albums, 1962-1964
Lewen, Si, 1918-
Painter, Collagist
Size: 0.4 Linear feet (4 v. on partial microfilm reel)
Summary: Three photograph albums of Lewen's paintings and collages exhibited at The Museum of the George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tenn. (1962); The Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, N.Y. (1963); and Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (1964). An album entitled "A Journey" contains photographs of 72 drawings (1964).
Painter and collagist, New Paltz, New York. Born in Lublin, Poland in 1918. Studed with Klaus Richter in Berlin, at the Ecole Vaucanson in Grenoble, France, at the National Academy of Art and Design and the Art Students League in New York, N. Y. Works in a style of serial progression.
Donated 1962-1965 by Si Lewen.
Alternative Forms Available
35mm microfilm reel 2 (frames 120-315) available at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Restrictions on Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Si Lewen photograph albums, 1962-1964. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
George Peabody College for Teachers
Hudson River Museum
Painting, American
Painting, Modern -- 20th century -- United States


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Callophoca — вимерлий рід тюленів з пізнього міоцену — раннього пліоцену в Бельгії та на Східному узбережжі США. Тип і єдиний вид Callophoca — C. obscura.

Примітки

Роди ссавців
Ссавці міоцену
Ссавці пліоцену


After intending to get off to a good start with my blogging and podcasting, I've managed neither! I promise that sensible and informative episodes of both will be forthcoming next week after I get back to the UK. The last week of tour in Costa Mesa, CA is proving a little busy right now!
Sorry for shirking my online responsibilities in this manner; full service will resume shortly!


Run a Drive: If you are interested in running a food drive or fundraiser in your workplace or in the community, choose Run a Drive to register.
Special Occasion: Dedicate your next birthday or anniversary to Daily Bread to make an immediate and positive impact in your city.
Create your Own: Have an idea for a fundraising event? Your imagination is the limit.
In Memory or in Honour: Create a donation page to honour someone or their memory.
Thank you for choosing to organize a drive! Your decision to fundraise for Daily Bread will put food on the table for hungry families and people across Toronto.
While food drives are important, raising funds in addition to food ensures that people like Miriam can provide her family with fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and dairy, in addition to pantry items.
Once you register, you will have access to a host of resources to run a successful food and fund drive. One of these tools is an online fundraising page that you can customize for your campaign. Treat this as a virtual food drive that gives you and your community the option to donate directly, saving everyone a trip to the grocery store and lugging heavy cans. Every dollar raised provides one healthy, complete meal to a hungry neighbour in your city.
If you are only interested in collecting food, no worries! Sign up and you will have access to a library of resources including posters, most-wanted items and a food drive manual to make your drive a success.


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Q: Solve error in sql query with cyrillic symbols I have written sql query with cyrillic symbols:
"SELECT
                data.main_text as "Главный текст",
                _                _data.code as "Код",

                data.name as "Имена",
                data.other_name as "Другие имена"/*,
                data.days_from,
                to_date( data.days_from, 'YYYY-MM-DD'),
                data.days_to,
                to_date( data.days_to, 'YYYY-MM-DD'),
                data.**/
from
                database.info data
where
                24 = 24
                and current_date between to_date( data.days_from, 'YYYY-MM-DD') and to_date( data.days_to, 'YYYY-MM-DD')
                AND       COALESCE (data.code, '') != ''"

But it doesn't accept Cyrillic names (they are not red).What am i doing wrong here? And when i remove cyrillic symbols i get error (ITS THE MAIN PROBLEM):
Error: unexpected symbol in "                AND COALESCE"

A:
You have to use column's datatype NVARCHAR to insert unicode letters,
  also you have to use N'value' when inserting.

Select cyrillic character in SQL

A: "SELECT
                data.main_text as \"Главный текст\",
                data.code as \"Код\",

                data.name as \"Имена\",
                data.other_name as \"Другие имена\"
/*,
                data.days_from,
                to_date( data.days_from, 'YYYY-MM-DD'),
                data.days_to,
                to_date( data.days_to, 'YYYY-MM-DD'),
                data.*
*/
from
                database.info data
where
                24 = 24
                and current_date between to_date( data.days_from, 'YYYY-MM-DD') and to_date( data.days_to, 'YYYY-MM-DD')
                AND       COALESCE (data.code, '') != ''"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Again this summer, we are happy to partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to provide free lunches to youth and teens ages 18 and younger. Lunches will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the High School Lounge every weekday from noon until 1 pm, now through August 17.
Fuel up with a great lunch and enjoy an afternoon of fun activities at the library!


Acts 2:23b-24 (NIV) - You, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
1 Peter 1:3-5 - All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
This is an incredible promise. Because God raised Jesus from the dead we now have hope!
1 Peter 1:6 - So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
Isn't this the essence of the gap?
The husband I am — and the husband I desire to be.
The mom I am — and the mom I know my kids deserve.
The job I have — and the career I long for.
We're always trying to escape the gap. Try harder. Do more. It's exhausting.
1 Peter 1:7-9 - These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Peter tells us that there is purpose in the gap—that there is purpose in the middle of whatever you're facing right now.
I know it doesn't feel that way. Our experience with gaps is that they bring frustration, not purpose. Disappointment, not purpose. Heartache, not purpose. Fear, not purpose….
What's the purpose? »TRUST. JESUS.
My trust proves that my faith is genuine.
The reward is our salvation.
1 Peter 1:10-12 - This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory afterward. They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
For you! God has orchestrated all of heaven and earth to announce this message, sent from heaven, to you!
Jesus meets you in the middle!
The resurrection proves there's an end to your gap.
His work in the grave, guarantees purpose in the middle.
1 Peter 4:6 - That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.
Don't miss it. Jesus's purpose wasn't put on hold for three days waiting to be resurrected—He IS the resurrection. All of creation, all those who believed, who trusted in Him, who longed to experience this salvation God had revealed to them, were waiting for God to make good on His promise.
So Christ, in the grave, in the middle of death and resurrection, declares the Good News to all those who sat in the gap. Their faith was not in vain.
God wants to speak life into the things in your life that you have let die. Your dreams, your hope, your vision, your faith.
It all begins with trust.


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Fox's Callahan Discusses The Challenges Of Ad Loads, Choices Across Platforms
While the "pendulum swing has happened" regarding the continued shift to connected-TV devices, it's trickier to adjust ad loads than on traditional linear programming. "Where does it work and where can you deploy it I think is still a bit of a challenge," says Fox Networks Group's Dan Callahan.
For advanced targeting of TV audiences, "Live linear programming is a big part of it. We are optimizing our television buys today for clients that have a desire to do so," the network's VP of Programmatic Sales says in this interview with Beet.TV at the recent WideOrbit Connect User Conference.
Meanwhile, on the digital side, whether it's full-episode, OTT, connected-TV devices or set-top video-on-demand, "we are looking to bring this cross-screen, trying to find an auto intender regardless of the modality that they're consuming our content and serving the person that is in market for that product that ad at the right time," Callahan adds.
Finding the right ad length and load is easier with on-demand content like movies where it's scripted and ad breaks are planned. "I think you can do things with the break. You can shorten the break, adjust the break."
Callahan sees Hulu's approach "with different flavors of subscriptions" as offering a tradeoff with viewers in terms of ad choices and data sharing, while the "holy grail of serving right ad to right person with right format creates a less clustered more meaningful ad experience."
Linear commercial breaks remain "baked in, sports isn't scripted, you don't know when somebody's going to score a touchdown or hit a home run. You don't know when that commercial break is going to happen," Callahan says.
"You can probably load some up to be a certain way, but I think more in the archived, on-demand digital video library today you can get creative do things unique and interesting and create more value for the interruptions in a shorter capacity in those environments."
Like other networks, Fox is seeing continued growth in connected-TV viewing year over year. "The idea of cord nevers versus cord cutters, that pendulum swing has happened."
He sees a call for greater transparency in reporting and proving out de-duplication of connected-TV viewing audiences. "How does CTV really operate as the standalone from a tracking, delivery, audience perspective" is one question. "As far as the CTV environment, there is a greater level of transparency on who's watching it, what are they watching, when are they watching and certainly the ability to tie it back to greater outcome attributed data sets as well," says Callahan.
This video is part of a Beet.TV series on advanced TV produced at the WideOrbit Connect conference. WideOrbit is the sponsor of this series. Please find more videos here.
By Steve Ellwanger on November 25, 2018 @steveellwanger
WideOrbit Connect Conference SeriesTagged hulu, wideorbit, Fox Networks Group, Dan Callahan
Share: Fox's Callahan Discusses The Challenges Of Ad Loads, Choices Across Platforms


Another week another celebrity (sort of) death. As I work with a lot of mental health clients at my practice in Haverhill, I do think it's a shame that it takes someone in the media to highlight the sad facts of suicide especially in males in the UK. However another way of thinking is that it at least it does highlight the scary figures. Here are just some that I find staggering.
The suicide rate in Scotland rose by 8% between 2015 and 2016, with 728 suicides registered in Scotland in 2016.
Sadly the first one I'm not totally surprised at as 95% of my clients are woman. Women will realise they have a problem. They talk to each other and in a lot of cases they do something about it. Whereas us men DON'T TALK about it, we pretend we are all okay and very few will ask for help. Then when we realise that we do have a problem it's taken a grip.
Well the first thing is talk, ask questions, open up, I appeal to all ladies, if you think there may be something wrong or playing on their minds, talk to your partner, your dads, your male friends. Show them you care. Let them know you want to help and if you can't help let them know there are plenty of people out their who want to help.
Recently I've come across a number of articles/blog posts about what not to say to a friend/loved one with certain mental health problems. Whilst these are useful, as it's hard to know what comments could affect others more than you, constantly hearing 'don't say this' and 'don't say that' can make people feel like they have to tiptoe around people who are struggling. This feeling is not necessary and can make the conversation even harder to have than it already is, or prevent it from happening altogether. This would only increase the feelings of isolation and loneliness that the sufferer may already be going through. So, instead of that, I thought I'd share 10 ideas about what to say to a friend/loved one with mental health problems.
1) 'How are you?' The number of people who've told me they feel as if they're prying by asking someone who they know is struggling how they are is shocking. Mental health problems or not, we are all people and sometimes we're okay, other times we're not. You don't have to advise or provide solutions if we're not; just listen and be a friend.
2) 'Do you want to go out on …?' Personally I didn't withdraw myself socially when I was struggling, (I felt best with my friends), but I know that many people do. Don't stop inviting them to nights out and events because of their struggles, instead, try to help them live a 'normal' life and show that you don't judge them and you appreciate their company.
3) 'You deserve to be happy.' Whether it's due to the illness itself, self-stigma or poor support, many people with mental health problems come to the conclusion that they deserve to feel the way they do. This can mean they don't get the support they need. Your words could encourage them to get help sooner rather than later.
4) 'I'm so glad you're in my life.' Something I've been thinking about a lot these days is how we express our love and appreciation for people so much more after they pass, when they can't hear it anymore. I wish we expressed more before this.
5) 'Remember when…' Sometimes things seem so dark that it's hard to remember there was ever light. Talk about good memories. Plan to make more.
6) 'You're not a weirdo.' Having different thoughts or feelings to the people around you can make you feel like you don't fit in or 'belong'. Remind your friend/loved one that you love them for who they are, and they are not just their illness.
7) 'You can be honest with me.' People struggling often feel like no one understands, forgetting that no one can understand unless they share what they're going through – ask them. Being that person they know they can share everything with is one of the most rewarding and beautiful you can do.
8) 'Do you want to go for a walk?' We are indoors way too much these days. Take in some fresh oxygen and do some deep breathing with your friend to slow those racing thoughts down.
9) 'How is treatment going?' Treatment is a difficult and emotional process, and having someone to talk to about it (other than professionals) can be really helpful. Don't feel the need to tiptoe around the subject. Fight the stigma; the person struggling will probably really appreciate it.
10) 'Would you like a hug?' This one doesn't really need an explanation, does it?
Overall my message is to just show kindness and compassion, interact with them as normally as possible and don't dismiss or minimise the pain they may be experiencing. It's difficult to see a loved one suffer so look after yourself too.
I hope this helps and if any of my family or friends are reading this and they want to talk my door is always open, I won't make judgements, I won't laugh it off and I will not dismiss it.
Sorry this blog was a bit glum but I think it's important that we notice what is going on around us.
Have a lovely week and I will see you next time.
Ps. If you local I'm having an impromptu open morning tomorrow. Visit fb.me/adkin23 for more details. I will have the kettle on, it would be great to see you.
Next Let me tell you a story.


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O'Dowd wins first WARC round, Trade Hire Karri Rally
27th March 2018, 8:48am
The season opener of the CAMS Onslow Contracting WA Rally Championship (WARC), the Trade Hire Karri Rally, was held in Nyamup, east of Manjimup, on March 24. Maximum Motorsport driver John O'Dowd and co-driver Tom Wilde, who is also reigning WA Rally State Champion, finished first at the Trade Hire Karri Rally, winning three stages and finishing second on the other four in a 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. O'Dowd said that he enjoyed the rally and he was happy with a win in round one, gaining some valuable points going into the Make Smoking History Forest Rally next month. "It was a good rally with good stages. The long 35-kilometre stage was enjoyable and it was good to get the fastest time – it was a little technical and rough in patches, it had a bit of everything," O'Dowd said. "The car ran faultless all day, it was prepared well by Maximum Motorsport and it's a great car to drive – I felt good in the car this time. "Tom did a good job - I've had him co-drive for me once before and we work well together."
Second place went to Stephen Oxley in a beautifully prepared Subaru WRX. Photo: Kevin McIntyre
Last year, O'Dowd narrowly missed the title in a battle with Wilde who won the Championship in a 2WD car, making history in the process. But for the Trade Hire Karri Rally and the WA round of the Australian Rally Championship, the Make Smoking History Forest Rally in Busselton in April, the rivals are teammates, with Wilde as co-driver. O'Dowd's regular co-driver Ken Shiel is unable to compete due to work commitments. Finishing 1:05 minutes behind O'Dowd in second place was Stephen Oxley and Michael Wood in their 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. Oxley said that they had a great day despite damaging the front steering arm at the start of the second stage. "Unfortunately that damage put the alignment out for the rest of the day, but we battled on," Oxley said. "There was a lot of dust but the stages were good, some fast and flowing sections and a really mixed long stage." Oxley said that he would be competing at the Make Smoking History Forest Rally, which is also a round of the CAMS Australian Rally Championship and he hopes to contest the remaining rounds of the WARC. Nic Box and Todd Payne finished first in the 2WD Championship and third overall in a 1993 Nissan Silvia S13, 1:43 minutes slower than the winner. For more information and results visit www.rallywa.com
Nic Box finished first in the 2WD class in his Nissan. Photo: Kevin McIntyre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auz-51Uz3ww&t=114s
https://rallysportmag.com/second-safari-success-for-reading/


At last week's Rotary Lobsterfest event, The Rotary Club of Nipissing announced a pledge for $75,000 to Canadore College's The Village capital campaign.
Club president, Maria Maille, conveyed to the 400+ audience that The Village concept directly links back to so many Rotary values, which made them proud to support what she calls an incredible project. Their contribution will be directed towards equipment needed for the early childhood education lab to align with Rotary's belief that children and youth are our future.
The Rotary Club of Nipissing encourages all community members to join them in starting a 'Givealanche of Good' – visit canadorefoundation.ca and watch for more information to be announced on Wednesday, June 20 at Syl's Neighbourhood Kitchen in North Bay from 7 – 9 a.m.


Miz McKenzie is a personal lifestyle and music magazine. Established in 2016, the blog brings information and valuable tips in a range of topics including fashion, entertainment - such as the latest film and music reviews, travel and health.
Roxanne McKenzie is an actress and journalist from the UK. She has had various experience in the media industry, contributing her skills to theatre productions, film sets, producing, directing and presenting interviews for various media professionals and UK music artists. In 2014 she graduated University with a BA Honours in Media with Journalism studies.
THE EUROPEAN HUB FOR MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT.
LATEST MUSIC IN THE URBAN SCENE ACROSS UK & US.
celebrating the best in black British talent, content and programming.
Since graduating, Roxanne has written multiple publicised film and music articles. She prides herself on writing strong content for any brand/organisation she works with keeping it energised and fun.
© 2017 MIZ McKENZIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


Map Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona . Sanborn Map Company, Jun, 1931.
(1931) Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona . Sanborn Map Company, Jun.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona. Oct 1915. 1 Sheet(s).
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Wickenburg, Maricopa County, Arizona. Jun 1931. 4 Sheet(s). 504.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Buckeye, Maricopa County, Arizona. Sep 1931. 6 Sheet(s). Includes Valencia.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Buckeye, Maricopa County, Arizona. Sep 1931. 6 Sheet(s). Includes Valencia. 501.
Wickenburg / Includes bibliographical references (p. 127).
Wickenburg : the ultimate guide to the ultimate western town / "Wickenburg's western museum graciously granted permission to photograph and publish material from their historical exhibits for this book"--P. ix. LC copy signed by author.


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Tag Archives: Raja Ampat
Fish story: How a coelacanth discovery set off a flurry of science, subterfuge
A 65 million-year-old species keeps being found in unusual places.
Continue reading "Fish story: How a coelacanth discovery set off a flurry of science, subterfuge"
Coins, cigarettes, stewardship: In Indonesia, ocean conservation means giving back
Jamey Anderson
In Indonesia, doing business with the ocean is a two-way street. Now, a new landmark investment looks to uphold our end of the bargain — forever.
Continue reading "Coins, cigarettes, stewardship: In Indonesia, ocean conservation means giving back"
Amid widespread coral bleaching, this reef is thriving
Dr. Mark Erdmann
Already adapted to major temperature fluctuations, some Indonesian reefs may be better prepared for climate change than others.
Continue reading "Amid widespread coral bleaching, this reef is thriving"
Lights, camera, coral: Under the sea, behind the scenes with a VR film crew
Molly Bergen
Learn the story behind the filming of "Valen's Reef," Conservation International's first virtual reality film.
Continue reading "Lights, camera, coral: Under the sea, behind the scenes with a VR film crew"
The Guardians of Raja Ampat: Community-Driven Conservation in Indonesia
Shawn Heinrichs
We came to hear stories of marine protection from those making it happen: the local people.
Continue reading "The Guardians of Raja Ampat: Community-Driven Conservation in Indonesia"
Indonesia Gives Mantas A New 'Ray of Hope'
Encouraged by their value for tourism, Indonesia has granted full protection for both species of manta ray.
Continue reading "Indonesia Gives Mantas A New 'Ray of Hope'"
What's It Like to Make an IMAX Movie? Q&A with Director Greg MacGillivray
The director discusses the highs and lows of filming "Journey to the South Pacific."
Continue reading "What's It Like to Make an IMAX Movie? Q&A with Director Greg MacGillivray"
Indonesian Floating Classroom Comes to the Big Screen
Angela Beer
A stunning new IMAX 3D film features the students of this unique environmental education program.
Continue reading "Indonesian Floating Classroom Comes to the Big Screen"
Manta Ray Research Boosts Smart Policies and Ecotourism in Indonesia
Guest blogger Shawn Heinrichs shares tales — and stunning photos — from a recent manta ray expedition.
Continue reading "Manta Ray Research Boosts Smart Policies and Ecotourism in Indonesia"
13 Illegal Fishers Jailed in Indonesia's Raja Ampat Archipelago
Carla Kerstan
This case represents a significant milestone for the local government in its fight to protect these beautiful, vital waters.
Continue reading "13 Illegal Fishers Jailed in Indonesia's Raja Ampat Archipelago"


The Rosary is a meditation on all important moments of salvation history.
Mom lives far. Strike that. Mom lives very far. It has been almost a year since I last saw her and I have missed her more than one could imagine. I am very grateful for life, the way she loves me, and the goodness in her life. There was a point in my life when I did not see that. We struggled to communicate. We didn't always see eye to eye. Heck, we got mad at each other, too. But over the years, we mostly enjoyed each other's company and loved each other very much.
Like all mothers, mine is a worrier. At times, she was overprotective and, therefore, blames her grey hairs on us (just kidding Mom, you have no grey hairs – you dye them). All the good and crazy things that Mom does stem from her deep love for my brothers and me. She has always been our fiercest advocate and bodyguard. Hands down, Mom is my biggest cheerleader. She is always excited for me in all that I do. To her, everything is an opportunity that I am going to naturally excel at. She cheers me on in such a great manner that I never feel pressured.
When I do something stupid – which happens regularly – she finds a loving way to let me know. It is not always gentle, but it is always out of love. I remember a night about seven years ago when she kept me up for hours begging me not to make the greatest mistake of my life. In retrospect, it would have been a horrible mistake, and my life would be completely different today. Mom saved the day. Her love transformed me. Through her eyes, I was able to see myself in a new way.
That night forever altered my life. It also changed the way I relate to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the way I pray the Rosary. Just like it happened that night when I saw my life in my mother's eyes, every time I pray the Rosary I contemplate Jesus' life in the eyes of Mama Mary. Whether I am rushing through the prayers or I am taking my time to meditate on the mysteries, the Rosary leads my heart to the Heart of Jesus, for it is a meditation on the greatest love story the world has ever known.
I know many people are wary of praying to Mary, but we all have to call our mothers once in a while. If Mom does not hear from me every couple of weeks, I hear about it. Besides, the Rosary is not just a prayer to Mary. It is praying with Mary, to Jesus. As St. John Paul II used to say, the Rosary is Marian in character, but is at heart a Christocentric prayer. Jesus is at the heart of the Rosary, just as he is at the heart of every Hail Mary.
As a son of Loyola, I love the Rosary because it is a contemplative prayer. It is an invitation to contemplate the life of Jesus. Without this contemplation, the Rosary loses its power – it becomes a mechanical repetition of formulas. It would be as meaningless as repeating the second law of thermodynamics or Einstein's theory of relativity.
When we pray the Rosary, we pray for the grace that St. Ignatius Loyola often desired: "Mary, show me your Son; Jesus, show me your mother." As we pray the Rosary, we contemplate Christ with Mary. She lived with her eyes fixed on Christ and she invites us to do the same. As the first disciple, she treasured his every word: "She kept these things, pondering them in her heart" (Lk 2:19). She desires that we learn from her son, that we imitate him. The essential thing is not just learning what Christ taught, but learning him.
Our vocation as Christians is to have a personal encounter with Jesus, to learn the Christ. As St. John Paul II wrote in Rosarium Virginis Mariae, "With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love" (1). We were born to know Jesus in a heartfelt way. We are called to orient our hearts toward the mystery of Jesus, and the supreme teacher of Christ is Mary.
Let us not be afraid to share in intimacy with the Father as we pray every Our Father. Let us rejoice in the history of salvation as we pray with the Archangel Gabriel's salutation to Mary. Let us raise our minds and hearts to the Triune God and give him glory.
Like every pilgrimage, our devotion to the Rosary begins with a single step. If you don't know how to pray the Rosary or if you have not prayed it in a while, there are many good resources on the web. It is more than alright to start small. Begin contemplating one mystery and offering one decade of the Rosary. Fix your eyes on Jesus and hold the hand of Mary. For when you hold the hand of a woman who loves you, your world is forever transformed.


Introducing the 2018 Audi Q5. With less than 10,000 miles on the odometer, this 4 door sport utility vehicle prioritizes comfort, safety and convenience. Under the hood you'll find a 4 cylinder engine with more than 200 horsepower, providing a smooth and predictable driving experience. A turbocharger is also included as an economical means of increasing performance. Audi infused the interior with top shelf amenities, such as: front and rear reading lights, a leather steering wheel, power front seats, front and rear air conditioning, turn signal indicator mirrors, rain sensing wipers, and remote keyless entry. With high intensity discharge headlights illuminating your path, you'll always appreciate maximum visibility. Audi ensures the safety and security of its passengers with equipment such as: dual front impact airbags, head curtain airbags, traction control, brake assist, a panic alarm, and 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS. For added security, dynamic Stability Control supplements the drivetrain. A Carfax history report provides you peace of mind by detailing information related to past owners and service records. We pride ourselves in the quality that we offer on all of our vehicles. Please don't hesitate to give us a call.


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Home › StarKid Presents 'Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier' DVD
StarKid Presents 'Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier' DVD
DVD - $17.99 USD Digital Download - $9.99 USD DVD + Digital Download - $24.99 USD
'Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier' retells the timeless tale of Aladdin... from the villain's point of view.
In a once-great kingdom, the Royal Vizier must set off on an adventure to save his city from its bumbling Sultan, an invading prince, and the most notorious thief who's ever lived. This twisted quest for magic lamp containing a wish-granting Djinn (who's really funny, by the way) celebrates and lovingly pokes fun at everyone's favorite series of hand-drawn animated musicals.
DVD has a behind the scenes of the last day of Live Twisted Performances -- a documentary called 'Everybody Smells'. 'Everybody Smells' is not available online, only on the DVD.