dark and dusty crypt. "Sapient pearwood," he said. "Remarkable. Yes, I think we will have that. Please see to it, my dear - before they go beyond your power, perhaps?"
"Silence! Or-"
"Or what, Liessa?" said the old man (in this dim light there was something odd about the way he was slumped in the stone chair). "You killed me once already, remember?"My power will be quite sufficient," she said.
The indistinct figure appeared to nod, or at least to wobble. "So you keep assuring me," he said.
Liessa snorted, and strode out of the hall.
Her father did not bother to watch her go. One reason for this was, of course, that since he had been dead for three months his eyes were in any case not in the best of condition. The other was that as a wizard - even
She snorted and stood up, tossing back her hair scornfully. It was red, flecked with gold. Erect, Liessa Wyrmbidder was entirely a magnificent sight. She was also almost naked, except for a couple of mere scraps of the lightest chain mail and riding boots of iridescent dragonhide. In one boot was thrust a riding crop, unusual in that it was as long as a spear and tipped with tiny steel barbs.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Jack Vettriano Yesterday's Dreams
4. Don’t be afraid of the camera. Exude confidence. Think “I’m perfect at what I do, I’m smart, I’m beautifulis not good teeth.
8. If you want to learn how to pose, go to the red carpet. That will show you how lots of women of various shapes and sizes do it.
I’m not quite ready for my six-page photo spread (I blame this partly on the fact that my camera has a five second delay; how long can you say the word “blue” anyway?), but I’m getting warmer. New and improved pictures coming soon to a Facebook near you..”5. To do the red carpet look, tilt your head, subtle smile, little bit of teeth, open mouth.6. The pout is very sexual. To pout say “blue.” (Kari tells me that the Olsen twins say “prune.”)7. Lots of teeth
8. If you want to learn how to pose, go to the red carpet. That will show you how lots of women of various shapes and sizes do it.
I’m not quite ready for my six-page photo spread (I blame this partly on the fact that my camera has a five second delay; how long can you say the word “blue” anyway?), but I’m getting warmer. New and improved pictures coming soon to a Facebook near you..”5. To do the red carpet look, tilt your head, subtle smile, little bit of teeth, open mouth.6. The pout is very sexual. To pout say “blue.” (Kari tells me that the Olsen twins say “prune.”)7. Lots of teeth
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thomas Kinkade Blessings of Christmas
day's work. He spent a great deal of time in similar situations, seeking gold or demons or distressed virgins and relieving them respectively of their owners, their lives and at least one cause of their distress.
Observe Hrun, as he leaps cat-footed across a suspicious tunnel mouth. Even in this violet light his skin gleams coppery. There is much gold about his person, in the form of anklets and wristlets, but otherwise he is naked except for a leopardskin loincloth. He took that in the steaming forests of Howondaland, after killing its owner with his teeth.
In his was much bigger than it looked, or he was now on some wide underground level without having gone down any steps, or - as he was beginning to suspect - the inner dimensions of the place disobeyed a fairly basic rule of architecture right hand he carried the magical black sword Kring, which was forged from a thunderbolt and had a soul but suffers no scabbard. Hrun had stolen it only three days before from the impregnable palace of the Archmandrite of B'Ituni, and he was already regretting it. It was beginning to get on his nerves."I tell you it went down that last passage on the right," hissed Kring in a voice like the scrape of a blade over stone."Be silent!""All I said was-""Shut up!" And Twoflower...He was lost, he knew that. Either the building
Observe Hrun, as he leaps cat-footed across a suspicious tunnel mouth. Even in this violet light his skin gleams coppery. There is much gold about his person, in the form of anklets and wristlets, but otherwise he is naked except for a leopardskin loincloth. He took that in the steaming forests of Howondaland, after killing its owner with his teeth.
In his was much bigger than it looked, or he was now on some wide underground level without having gone down any steps, or - as he was beginning to suspect - the inner dimensions of the place disobeyed a fairly basic rule of architecture right hand he carried the magical black sword Kring, which was forged from a thunderbolt and had a soul but suffers no scabbard. Hrun had stolen it only three days before from the impregnable palace of the Archmandrite of B'Ituni, and he was already regretting it. It was beginning to get on his nerves."I tell you it went down that last passage on the right," hissed Kring in a voice like the scrape of a blade over stone."Be silent!""All I said was-""Shut up!" And Twoflower...He was lost, he knew that. Either the building
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Joseph Mallord William Turner Whitby
There was a clatter of running feet in the street outside and a fresh uproar from downstairs. It was followed by a commotion on the stairs. The door was flung open before Rincewind could collect himself sufficiently to make a dash , and switched to Trob. "Twoflower, I think we ought to get lunch somewhere else. I know some places."
He marched out into the corridor with as much aplomb as he could muster. Twoflower followed, and a few seconds later there was a strangling sound from the sergeant as the luggage closed its lid with a snap, stood up, stretched, and marched after them.
Watchmen were dragging bodies out of the room downstairs. There for the window. But instead of the greed-crazed madman he expected, he found himself looking into the round red face of a Sergeant of the Watch. He breathed again. Of course. The Watch were always careful not to intervene too soon in any brawl where the odds were not heavily stacked in their favour. The job carried a pension, and attracted a cautious, thoughtful kind of man.The Sergeant glowered at Rincewind, and then peered at Twoflower with interest."Everything all right here, then?" he said."Oh, fine," said Rincewind. "got held up, did you?" The sergeant ignored him. "This the foreigner?" he inquired."We were just leaving," said Rincewind quickly
He marched out into the corridor with as much aplomb as he could muster. Twoflower followed, and a few seconds later there was a strangling sound from the sergeant as the luggage closed its lid with a snap, stood up, stretched, and marched after them.
Watchmen were dragging bodies out of the room downstairs. There for the window. But instead of the greed-crazed madman he expected, he found himself looking into the round red face of a Sergeant of the Watch. He breathed again. Of course. The Watch were always careful not to intervene too soon in any brawl where the odds were not heavily stacked in their favour. The job carried a pension, and attracted a cautious, thoughtful kind of man.The Sergeant glowered at Rincewind, and then peered at Twoflower with interest."Everything all right here, then?" he said."Oh, fine," said Rincewind. "got held up, did you?" The sergeant ignored him. "This the foreigner?" he inquired."We were just leaving," said Rincewind quickly
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Paul Cezanne Boy in a Red Waistcoat
Well?" he said. "Tell me who you are. What is this about daemons?"
"I am a daemon, Your Majesty," she said.
He stopped still.
"Whose?" he said.
"lorek came."
"How?" he said, breathlessly. "How has a bear got a daemon? And why him? And how are you so far from him?" The flies left his mouth like tiny words. "That's easy. I can go far from him because I'm like a witch's daemon. You know how they can go hundreds of miles Byrnison's," was her answer.It was the most dangerous thing she had ever said. She could see quite clearly that only his astonishment prevented him from killing her at once. She went on:"Please, Your Majesty, let me tell you all about it first before you harm me. I've come here at my own risk, as you can see, and there's nothing I've got that could hurt you. In fact, I want to help you, that's why I've come. lorek Byrnison was the first bear to get a daemon, but it should have been you. I would much rather be your daemon than his, that's why I
"I am a daemon, Your Majesty," she said.
He stopped still.
"Whose?" he said.
"lorek came."
"How?" he said, breathlessly. "How has a bear got a daemon? And why him? And how are you so far from him?" The flies left his mouth like tiny words. "That's easy. I can go far from him because I'm like a witch's daemon. You know how they can go hundreds of miles Byrnison's," was her answer.It was the most dangerous thing she had ever said. She could see quite clearly that only his astonishment prevented him from killing her at once. She went on:"Please, Your Majesty, let me tell you all about it first before you harm me. I've come here at my own risk, as you can see, and there's nothing I've got that could hurt you. In fact, I want to help you, that's why I've come. lorek Byrnison was the first bear to get a daemon, but it should have been you. I would much rather be your daemon than his, that's why I
Monday, February 23, 2009
Edward Hopper Night Windows
delusion. And as so many of us do from time to time, he let his ego run the show, dictate his behaviours and waste his money. He wanted to be a Ducati owner and rider so much that his emotion (need to be cool, popular, me. It’s no revelation to hear that some people are devoted to, if not completed addicted to, owning certain brands and labels - and not because of the actual product but because of the perceived prestige (acceptance, approval, recognition, popularity) that comes from owning, wearing, drinking, driving that particular label or brand. Don’t believe me? Hang out with some teenagers for a while and see what it means to own the right shoes, jeans, jacket, MP3 player, phone, etc.desirable, respected, tough, macho) temporarily over-shadowed his intelligence, common sense, fear and his obvious lack of riding ability.Label LunacyPeople who shop for particular labels and brands rather than individual products which will suit a purpose or meet a need, have always intrigued
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Yvonne Jeanette Karlsen Nude
though others lost their will and fluttered downward; but the great gray goose wheeled round and nudged them back, herding them gently on until they were lost against the profound dark.
Roger was all the kids-they got to be ready to escape. They got to know where the outdoor clothes are and be ready to get them and run out as soon as we give the signal. And they got to keep this a deadly secret, understand?"
Billy nodded, and Roger said, "What's the signal?"
"The fire bell," said Lyra. "When the time comes, I'll set it off."tugging at Lyra's arm."Quick," he said, "they're nearly ready."They stumbled away to join Billy, who was beckoning from the corner of the main building. The children were tired now, or else the adults had regained some authority, because people were lining up raggedly by the main door, with much jostling and pushing. Lyra and the other two slipped out from the corner and mingled with them, but before they did, Lyra said:"Pass the word around among
Roger was all the kids-they got to be ready to escape. They got to know where the outdoor clothes are and be ready to get them and run out as soon as we give the signal. And they got to keep this a deadly secret, understand?"
Billy nodded, and Roger said, "What's the signal?"
"The fire bell," said Lyra. "When the time comes, I'll set it off."tugging at Lyra's arm."Quick," he said, "they're nearly ready."They stumbled away to join Billy, who was beckoning from the corner of the main building. The children were tired now, or else the adults had regained some authority, because people were lining up raggedly by the main door, with much jostling and pushing. Lyra and the other two slipped out from the corner and mingled with them, but before they did, Lyra said:"Pass the word around among
Friday, February 20, 2009
Caravaggio The Raising of Lazarus
seemed unbearable heat, and had to pull open her furs and push back her hood.
They were in a space about eight feet square, with corridors to the right and left, and in front of her the sort of reception: the man who'd brought her in, another man wearing a white coat, a woman in a nurse's uniform.
"English," the first man was saying. "Traders, apparently."
"Usual hunters? Usual story?"
"Same tribe, as far as I could tell. Sister Clara, could you take little, umm, and desk you might see in a hospital. Everything was brilliantly lit, with the glint of shiny white surfaces and stainless steel. There was the smell of food in the air, familiar food, bacon and and under it a faint perpetual hospital-medical smell; and coming from the walls all around was a slight humming sound, almost too low to hear, the sort of sound you had to get used to or go mad.Pantalaimon at her ear, a goldfinch now, whispered, "Be stupid and dim. Be really slow and stupid."Adults were looking down at her
They were in a space about eight feet square, with corridors to the right and left, and in front of her the sort of reception: the man who'd brought her in, another man wearing a white coat, a woman in a nurse's uniform.
"English," the first man was saying. "Traders, apparently."
"Usual hunters? Usual story?"
"Same tribe, as far as I could tell. Sister Clara, could you take little, umm, and desk you might see in a hospital. Everything was brilliantly lit, with the glint of shiny white surfaces and stainless steel. There was the smell of food in the air, familiar food, bacon and and under it a faint perpetual hospital-medical smell; and coming from the walls all around was a slight humming sound, almost too low to hear, the sort of sound you had to get used to or go mad.Pantalaimon at her ear, a goldfinch now, whispered, "Be stupid and dim. Be really slow and stupid."Adults were looking down at her
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Henri Matisse Interior with Phonograph
yards from Lyra.
In the Aurora's light she saw a great bird, a beautiful gray goose whose head was crowned with a flash of pure white. And yet it wasn't a bird: it was a daemon, though there was no one in sight but Lyra herself. The idea filled her with sickly fear.
The bird said:
"Where is wait on the afterdeck, child."
The goose made his stately way to the stern of the ship, where he looked around, elegant and wild simultaneously, and a cause of fascinated terror to Lyra, who felt as though she were entertainFarder Coram?"And suddenly Lyra realized who it must be. This was the daemon of Serafina Pekkala, the clan queen, Farder Coram's witch friend.She stammered to reply:"I-he's-I'll go and get him...."She turned and scampered down the companionway to the cabin Farder Coram occupied, and opened the door to speak into the darkness:"Farder Coram! The witch's daemon's come! He's waiting on the deck! He flew here all by hisself-I seen him coming in the sky-"The old man said, "Ask him to ing a ghost.
In the Aurora's light she saw a great bird, a beautiful gray goose whose head was crowned with a flash of pure white. And yet it wasn't a bird: it was a daemon, though there was no one in sight but Lyra herself. The idea filled her with sickly fear.
The bird said:
"Where is wait on the afterdeck, child."
The goose made his stately way to the stern of the ship, where he looked around, elegant and wild simultaneously, and a cause of fascinated terror to Lyra, who felt as though she were entertainFarder Coram?"And suddenly Lyra realized who it must be. This was the daemon of Serafina Pekkala, the clan queen, Farder Coram's witch friend.She stammered to reply:"I-he's-I'll go and get him...."She turned and scampered down the companionway to the cabin Farder Coram occupied, and opened the door to speak into the darkness:"Farder Coram! The witch's daemon's come! He's waiting on the deck! He flew here all by hisself-I seen him coming in the sky-"The old man said, "Ask him to ing a ghost.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Vincent van Gogh Self-Portrait with Straw
twice as large as a real cat and richly furred. When the sunlight touched her, it lit up more shades of tawny-brown-leaf-hazel-corn-gold-autumn-mahogany than Lyra could name. She longed to touch that fur, to rub her cheeks on two sticks, and he trembled constantly like an aspen leaf. His mind was sharp and clear and powerful, though, and soon Lyra came to love him for his knowledge and for the firm way he directed her.
"What's that hourglass mean, Farder Coram?" she asked, over the alethiometeragainst it, but of course she never did; for it was the grossest breach of etiquette imaginable to touch another person's daemon. Daemons might touch each other, of course, or fight; but the prohibition against human-daemon contact went so deep that even in battle no warrior would touch an enemy's daemon. It was utterly forbidden. Lyra couldn't remember having to be told that: she just knew it, as instinctively as she felt that nausea was bad and comfort good. So although she admired the fur of Sophonax and even speculated on what it might feel like, she never made the slightest move to touch her, and never would.Sophonax was as sleek and and beautiful as Farder Coram was ravaged and weak. He might have been ill, or he might have suffered a crippling blow, but the result was thathe could not walk without leaning
"What's that hourglass mean, Farder Coram?" she asked, over the alethiometeragainst it, but of course she never did; for it was the grossest breach of etiquette imaginable to touch another person's daemon. Daemons might touch each other, of course, or fight; but the prohibition against human-daemon contact went so deep that even in battle no warrior would touch an enemy's daemon. It was utterly forbidden. Lyra couldn't remember having to be told that: she just knew it, as instinctively as she felt that nausea was bad and comfort good. So although she admired the fur of Sophonax and even speculated on what it might feel like, she never made the slightest move to touch her, and never would.Sophonax was as sleek and and beautiful as Farder Coram was ravaged and weak. He might have been ill, or he might have suffered a crippling blow, but the result was thathe could not walk without leaning
Edward Hopper Railroad Crossing
Coulter was going to take you. If you want to see the North, you'll have to wait till all this trouble's over. Now off you go."part, Pantalaimon occupied himself by making monkey faces at Tony's daemon, who closed her tawny eyes in disdain. Lyra drifted to the jetty and hung about with her new companions, dangling lanterns on strings over the black water to attract the goggle-eyed fishes who swam slowly up to be lunged at with sharp sticks and missed.
But her mind was on John Faa and
Pantalaimon hissed quietly, but John Faa's daemon took off from the back of his chair and flew at them with black wings, not threateningly, but like a reminder of good manners; and Lyra turned on her heel as the crow glided over her head and wheeled back to John Faa. The door shut behind her with a decisive click.
"We will go," she said to Pantalaimon. "Let 'em try to stop us. We will!"
But her mind was on John Faa and
Pantalaimon hissed quietly, but John Faa's daemon took off from the back of his chair and flew at them with black wings, not threateningly, but like a reminder of good manners; and Lyra turned on her heel as the crow glided over her head and wheeled back to John Faa. The door shut behind her with a decisive click.
"We will go," she said to Pantalaimon. "Let 'em try to stop us. We will!"
Monday, February 16, 2009
John Singer Sargent The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit
WHAT MEN WANT Essential characteristics: Mutual attraction and love Dependable character Emotional stabilityImportant characteristics: Education and intelligence Good looks AmbitionDesirable characteristics: Good financial prospect Good cook and housekeeperUnimportant characteristics: Similar political background A tiny island in the Adriatic has for lovers because it is shaped like a heart.
The 130,000 square yard islet of Galesnjak came to prominence after its unusual shape was highlighted on Google Earth.
Even the owner of the uninhabited island - now known as Lovers' Island - didn't realise how perfectly heart-shaped the island off the Croatian coast was until he was swamped with requests from couples to stay there.
Good looks
RefinementChastityWHAT WOMEN WANT Essential characteristics: Mutual attraction and love Dependable character Emotional stabilityImportant characteristics: Education and intelligence and children AmbitionDesirable characteristics Similar political background
The 130,000 square yard islet of Galesnjak came to prominence after its unusual shape was highlighted on Google Earth.
Even the owner of the uninhabited island - now known as Lovers' Island - didn't realise how perfectly heart-shaped the island off the Croatian coast was until he was swamped with requests from couples to stay there.
Good looks
RefinementChastityWHAT WOMEN WANT Essential characteristics: Mutual attraction and love Dependable character Emotional stabilityImportant characteristics: Education and intelligence and children AmbitionDesirable characteristics Similar political background
Edward Hopper Drug Store
Gobblers," she said. "En't you heard of the Gobblers?"
It was news to the other boys as well, and apart from a few coarse comments they listened closely to what she told them.
"Gobblers," Oxford now to get kids from us. It must've been them what got Jessie."
"There was a kid lost over Cowley way," said one of the other boys. "I remember now. My auntie, she was there yesterday, 'cause she sells fish and chips out a van, and she heard about it....Some little boy, that's it...I dunno about the Gobblers, though. They en't real, Gobblers. Just a story."
"They are!" Lyra said. "The gyptians seen 'em. They reckon they eat the kids they catch, and..."
She stopped in midsentence, because something had suddenly come into her mindsaid Lyra's acquaintance, whose name was Dick. "It's stupid. These gyptians, they pick up all kinds of stupid ideas.""They said there was Gobblers in Banbury a couple of weeks ago," Lyra insisted, "and there was five kids taken. They probably come to
It was news to the other boys as well, and apart from a few coarse comments they listened closely to what she told them.
"Gobblers," Oxford now to get kids from us. It must've been them what got Jessie."
"There was a kid lost over Cowley way," said one of the other boys. "I remember now. My auntie, she was there yesterday, 'cause she sells fish and chips out a van, and she heard about it....Some little boy, that's it...I dunno about the Gobblers, though. They en't real, Gobblers. Just a story."
"They are!" Lyra said. "The gyptians seen 'em. They reckon they eat the kids they catch, and..."
She stopped in midsentence, because something had suddenly come into her mindsaid Lyra's acquaintance, whose name was Dick. "It's stupid. These gyptians, they pick up all kinds of stupid ideas.""They said there was Gobblers in Banbury a couple of weeks ago," Lyra insisted, "and there was five kids taken. They probably come to
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Pablo Picasso Three Dancers
The visitor mentioned by the Master, Lord Asriel, was her uncle, a man whom she admired and feared greatly. He was said the wine until the powder had dissolved, and replaced the stopper.
His daemon gave a soft brief squawk. The Master replied in an undertone, and looked around with his hooded, clouded eyes before leaving through the door he'd come in by.
Lyra whispered, "Did you see that, Pan?"
"Of course I did! Now hurry out, before the Steward comes!"to be involved in secret exploration, in distant warfare, and she never knew when he was going to appear. He was fierce: if he caught her in here she'd be severely punished, but she could put up with that.What she saw next, however, changed things completely.The Master took from his pocket a folded paper and laid it on the table beside the wine. He took the stopper out of the mouth of a decanter containing a rich golden wine, unfolded the paper, and poured a thin stream of white powder into the decanter before crumpling the paper and throwing it into the fire. Then he took a pencil from his pocket, stirred
His daemon gave a soft brief squawk. The Master replied in an undertone, and looked around with his hooded, clouded eyes before leaving through the door he'd come in by.
Lyra whispered, "Did you see that, Pan?"
"Of course I did! Now hurry out, before the Steward comes!"to be involved in secret exploration, in distant warfare, and she never knew when he was going to appear. He was fierce: if he caught her in here she'd be severely punished, but she could put up with that.What she saw next, however, changed things completely.The Master took from his pocket a folded paper and laid it on the table beside the wine. He took the stopper out of the mouth of a decanter containing a rich golden wine, unfolded the paper, and poured a thin stream of white powder into the decanter before crumpling the paper and throwing it into the fire. Then he took a pencil from his pocket, stirred
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Frida Kahlo Me and My Doll
though it wasn't long before they could see smoke above the trees behind them, and then a streaming banner of flame.
Creatures of the forest—squirrels, birds, wild boar—were fleeing with them, and a chorus of squealings, shriekings, alarm all in a moment.
Gasping, Lee and Grumman forced themselves up the steep slope of rocks and scree. Half the sky was obscured by smoke and heat shimmer, but high above there floated the squat shape of the one remaining zeppelin—too far away, Lee thought hopefully, to see them even through binoculars.
The mountainside rose sheer and impassable ahead of them. There was only one route out of the trap they were in, and that was a narrow defile ahead, where a dry riverbed emerged calls of every sort rose around them. The two travelers struggled on toward the edge of the tree line, which was not far ahead; and then they reached it, as wave after wave of heat rolled up at them from the roaring billows of flame that now soared fifty feet into the air. Trees blazed like torches; the sap in their veins boiled and split them asunder, the pitch in the conifers caught like naphtha, the twigs seemed to blossom with ferocious orange flowers
Creatures of the forest—squirrels, birds, wild boar—were fleeing with them, and a chorus of squealings, shriekings, alarm all in a moment.
Gasping, Lee and Grumman forced themselves up the steep slope of rocks and scree. Half the sky was obscured by smoke and heat shimmer, but high above there floated the squat shape of the one remaining zeppelin—too far away, Lee thought hopefully, to see them even through binoculars.
The mountainside rose sheer and impassable ahead of them. There was only one route out of the trap they were in, and that was a narrow defile ahead, where a dry riverbed emerged calls of every sort rose around them. The two travelers struggled on toward the edge of the tree line, which was not far ahead; and then they reached it, as wave after wave of heat rolled up at them from the roaring billows of flame that now soared fifty feet into the air. Trees blazed like torches; the sap in their veins boiled and split them asunder, the pitch in the conifers caught like naphtha, the twigs seemed to blossom with ferocious orange flowers
Guido Reni Archangel Michael
While researching an antivirus article here at Maximum PC, we noticed something very curious: a Google AdWords link called “Antivirus xp 2008,” which led to the url “antivirus-world-2009.com.” (Don't go So why is Google advertising for it? It’s not exactly tough to figure out that the site is hosting the virus; the link is called “the link, particularly if they were already searching for antivirus software.there)Anyone who’s been paying attention during the last year or so know that "Antivirus xp 2008" is the name of one of the most widespread and obnoxious bits of malware floating around the internet. It hides itself in your system and launches a bogus antivirus program at intervals to warn you that you’ve got spyware and trojans and the sky is falling. Then, it recommends that you buy the pro version of the program, which presumably also does nothing except rip you off. The virus is frequently updated to evade malware removal tools, and is just generally a pain. antivirus xp 2008” after all. Well, maybe we should say that it’s not tough for users like us to figure out that it’s a virus—we suspect that less-experienced surfers (our moms, for instance) could very easily be duped into clicking
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Gustav Klimt Danae (detail)
definite, but it never stopped long enough for Will to make out what it was.
Then two things happened. First, Sir Charles mentioned the alethiometer.
"For example," he said, continuing what he'd been saying, "I'm very curious about this instrument. Suppose you tell me how it works."
And he placed the alethiometer on the octagonal table at the end of the sofa. Will could see it clearly; he could almost reach it.She nodded, then turned and ran away silently over the grass. Will turned back.
The woman was saying, "…the Master of Jordan a foolish old man. Why he gave it to her I can't imagine; you need several years of intensive study to make any sense of it at The second thing that happened was that the shadow fell still. The creature that was the source of it must have been perched on the back of Mrs. Coulter's chair, because the light streaming over it threw its shadow clearly on the wall. And the moment it stopped, he realized it was the woman's daemon: a crouching monkey, turning its head this way and that, searching for something.Will heard an intake of breath from Lyra behind him as she saw it too. He turned silently and whispered, "Go back to the other window, and come throughFind some stones and throw them at the study so they look away for a moment, and then I can get the alethiometer. Then run back to the other window and wait for me."
Then two things happened. First, Sir Charles mentioned the alethiometer.
"For example," he said, continuing what he'd been saying, "I'm very curious about this instrument. Suppose you tell me how it works."
And he placed the alethiometer on the octagonal table at the end of the sofa. Will could see it clearly; he could almost reach it.She nodded, then turned and ran away silently over the grass. Will turned back.
The woman was saying, "…the Master of Jordan a foolish old man. Why he gave it to her I can't imagine; you need several years of intensive study to make any sense of it at The second thing that happened was that the shadow fell still. The creature that was the source of it must have been perched on the back of Mrs. Coulter's chair, because the light streaming over it threw its shadow clearly on the wall. And the moment it stopped, he realized it was the woman's daemon: a crouching monkey, turning its head this way and that, searching for something.Will heard an intake of breath from Lyra behind him as she saw it too. He turned silently and whispered, "Go back to the other window, and come throughFind some stones and throw them at the study so they look away for a moment, and then I can get the alethiometer. Then run back to the other window and wait for me."
Friday, February 6, 2009
Marc Chagall The Concert
1. “Born in the U.S.A.,” Bruce SpringsteenAlmost everybody knows the chorus of this song, but fewer know the rest of the lyrics, which is why Springsteen loudly singing, “I was born in the U.S.A.” is often taken as a patriotic proclamation. However, it’s really about veterans returning from the Vietnam War and facing the harsh realities of how they’re treated post-war. The misinterpretation only grew after both Ronald Reagreligion” is actually a Southern phrase that means to run out of patience or to be very frustrated by a person or situation. This song is actually about having a crush on somebody and constantly looking for assurances that the love is not unrequited.
3. “Every Breath You Take,” The Policean and Bob Dole used the song on their campaign playlists.
2. “Losing My Religion,” R.E.M.When Michael Stipe sang about being in a corner and losing his religion, he wasn’t referring to a a higher power, as many believe
3. “Every Breath You Take,” The Policean and Bob Dole used the song on their campaign playlists.
2. “Losing My Religion,” R.E.M.When Michael Stipe sang about being in a corner and losing his religion, he wasn’t referring to a a higher power, as many believe
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Rodney White Nothing to Dream
! They run away like everyone else," said the girl.
"There ain' no one in the tower. That's haunted, that place," said a boy. "That's why the cat came from there. We ain' gonna go in there, all right. Ain' no kids gonna go in there. That's scary."
"The Guild men liar, she knew liars when she met them, and they were lying about something.
And suddenly she remembered: little Paolo had mentioned that he and Angelica had an elder brother, Tullio, who was in the city too, and Angelica had hushed him… Could the young man she'd seen have been their brother?ain' afraid to go in there," said another."They got special magic, or something. They're greedy, they live off the poor people," said the girl. "The poor people do all the work, and the Guild men just live there for nothing.""But there en't anyone in the tower now?" Lyra said. "No grownups?""No grownups in the city at all!""They wouldn' dare, all right."But she had seen a young man up there. She was convinced of it. And there was something in the way these children spoke; as a practiced
"There ain' no one in the tower. That's haunted, that place," said a boy. "That's why the cat came from there. We ain' gonna go in there, all right. Ain' no kids gonna go in there. That's scary."
"The Guild men liar, she knew liars when she met them, and they were lying about something.
And suddenly she remembered: little Paolo had mentioned that he and Angelica had an elder brother, Tullio, who was in the city too, and Angelica had hushed him… Could the young man she'd seen have been their brother?ain' afraid to go in there," said another."They got special magic, or something. They're greedy, they live off the poor people," said the girl. "The poor people do all the work, and the Guild men just live there for nothing.""But there en't anyone in the tower now?" Lyra said. "No grownups?""No grownups in the city at all!""They wouldn' dare, all right."But she had seen a young man up there. She was convinced of it. And there was something in the way these children spoke; as a practiced
Leroy Neiman Basketball Superstars
is never anything less than a controversial figure. He has batted away allegations from former colleagues that he used Wikipedia as a personal piggy-bank, expensing $300 bottles of wine and trips to Russian massage parlours. He has a Canadian TV pundit, Rachel Marsden, who first contacted him to get her own Wikipedia entry changed. No sooner had he denied accusations of misusing his editing privileges than the relationship soured in spectacular Wales is a force of nature kind of guy, travelling the world extolling the virtues of the open-source nature of the Wikipedia project. But one fact, above all, assures his leadership status: he could have got very rich from turning Wikipedia into a traditional media company. faced controversy even over his age, with suggestions that he doctored his own Wikipedia entry to knock it down a couple of years (which is why his date of birth requires no fewer than four footnotes). The battling over his own Wikipedia page reached fever pitch last year as it was revealed that he had been conducting a relationship with
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Leroy Neiman Magic
Where?"
"The far north. Alaska, I think. You can look it up in the public library. Why don't you—"
But at that point Will's money ran out, and he didn't have any more change. The dial tone purred in his ear. He put the phone down and looked around.
What he wanted above all was to speak to his mother. He had to stop himself from dialing Mrs. Cooper's number, because if he heard his mother's voice, it would be very hard not to go back to her, and that would put both of them in he simply made himself part of the background.
So now, knowing the sort of world he lived in, he went into a stationery shop and bought a ballpoint, a pad of paper, and a clipboard. Schools often sent groups of pupils off to do a shopping survey, or something of the sort, and if he seemed to be on a project danger. But he could send her a postcard.He chose a view of the city, and wrote: "DEAR MUM, I AM SAFE AND WELL, AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT. I LOVE YOU. WILL." Then he addressed it and bought a stamp and held the card close to him for a minute before dropping it in the mailbox.It was midmorning, and he was in the main shopping street, where buses shouldered their way through crowds of pedestrians. He began to realize how exposed he was; for it was a weekday, when a child of his age should have been in school. Where could he go?It didn't take him long to hide. Will could vanish easily enough, because he was good at it; he was even proud of his skill. Like Serafina Pekkala on the ship,
"The far north. Alaska, I think. You can look it up in the public library. Why don't you—"
But at that point Will's money ran out, and he didn't have any more change. The dial tone purred in his ear. He put the phone down and looked around.
What he wanted above all was to speak to his mother. He had to stop himself from dialing Mrs. Cooper's number, because if he heard his mother's voice, it would be very hard not to go back to her, and that would put both of them in he simply made himself part of the background.
So now, knowing the sort of world he lived in, he went into a stationery shop and bought a ballpoint, a pad of paper, and a clipboard. Schools often sent groups of pupils off to do a shopping survey, or something of the sort, and if he seemed to be on a project danger. But he could send her a postcard.He chose a view of the city, and wrote: "DEAR MUM, I AM SAFE AND WELL, AND I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT. I LOVE YOU. WILL." Then he addressed it and bought a stamp and held the card close to him for a minute before dropping it in the mailbox.It was midmorning, and he was in the main shopping street, where buses shouldered their way through crowds of pedestrians. He began to realize how exposed he was; for it was a weekday, when a child of his age should have been in school. Where could he go?It didn't take him long to hide. Will could vanish easily enough, because he was good at it; he was even proud of his skill. Like Serafina Pekkala on the ship,
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Leroy Neiman Jazz Horns
to another world. Who else has ever done that? Who else could think of it? So with one part of me, Serafina Pekkala, I say he's mad, wicked, deranged. Yet with another part I think, he's Lord Asriel, he's not like other men. Maybe… if it was ever going to be possible, it'd be done by him and by no one else."
"And what will . She was deeply troubled, and there was no need to explain: every strand of moss, every icy puddle, every midge in her thrilled against her nerves and called her back. She felt fear for them, but fear of herself, too, for she was having to change. These were human affairs she was inquiring into, this was a human matter; Lord Asriel's god was not hers. Was she becoming human? Was you do, Thorold?""I'll stay here and wait. I'll guard this house till he comes back and tells me different, or till I die. And now I might ask you the same question, ma'am.""I'm going to make sure the child is safe," she said. "It might be that I have to pass this way again, Thorold. I'm glad to know that you will still be here.""I won't budge," he told her.She refused Thorold's offer of food, and said good-bye.A minute or so later she joined her goose daemon again, and the daemon kept silence with her as they soared and wheeled above the foggy mountains
"And what will . She was deeply troubled, and there was no need to explain: every strand of moss, every icy puddle, every midge in her thrilled against her nerves and called her back. She felt fear for them, but fear of herself, too, for she was having to change. These were human affairs she was inquiring into, this was a human matter; Lord Asriel's god was not hers. Was she becoming human? Was you do, Thorold?""I'll stay here and wait. I'll guard this house till he comes back and tells me different, or till I die. And now I might ask you the same question, ma'am.""I'm going to make sure the child is safe," she said. "It might be that I have to pass this way again, Thorold. I'm glad to know that you will still be here.""I won't budge," he told her.She refused Thorold's offer of food, and said good-bye.A minute or so later she joined her goose daemon again, and the daemon kept silence with her as they soared and wheeled above the foggy mountains
William Blake Nebuchadnezzar
That's when Sprint decided to sue.
Sprint's lawyers alleged that Cogent had failed the trial and thus should be paying for the connection under the contract's terms. Cogent's counter-suit claimed that it had actually passed the trial and besides, if Sprint no longer felt it on Sprint (like the U.S. federal court system) for Web access could no longer communicate with customers who relied solely of Cogent for their Web connections (like many large law firms), and vice versa.
Angry calls from customers began to flood both companies, and it quickly became clear that Sprint had made a grave strategic error. In the was getting value out of connecting to Cogent directly, it was free to do what any utility would do to a non-paying customer: disconnect that's exactly what Sprint began to do. It started severing the 10 links between the two networks, hoping that Schaeffer would back down. He didn't. At 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 30, Sprint cut the last connection. In an instant, customers who relied solely
Sprint's lawyers alleged that Cogent had failed the trial and thus should be paying for the connection under the contract's terms. Cogent's counter-suit claimed that it had actually passed the trial and besides, if Sprint no longer felt it on Sprint (like the U.S. federal court system) for Web access could no longer communicate with customers who relied solely of Cogent for their Web connections (like many large law firms), and vice versa.
Angry calls from customers began to flood both companies, and it quickly became clear that Sprint had made a grave strategic error. In the was getting value out of connecting to Cogent directly, it was free to do what any utility would do to a non-paying customer: disconnect that's exactly what Sprint began to do. It started severing the 10 links between the two networks, hoping that Schaeffer would back down. He didn't. At 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 30, Sprint cut the last connection. In an instant, customers who relied solely
Monday, February 2, 2009
Thomas Moran View of Venice
workmanship: rare vessels of ancient knot wood, lengths of the finest rope and cord, lacquered bowls, and strong and light that even the Fen-dwelling gyptians had never seen the like.
Having shared the feast, the captain thanked his hosts and left to supervise the crew as they took on board the stores and coming out, still in their endless procession. The mulefa were planting a grove around it, because it was a holy place, they said; they would maintain it forever; it was a source of joy.
"Well, this is a mystery," said Farder Coram, "and I'm glad I lived long enough to see it. To go into the dark of death is a thing we all fear; say what we like, we fear it. But if there's a way out for that part of us that has to go down there, then it makes my heart lighter."
"You're right, Coram," said John Faa. "I've seen a good many water that they needed, because they meant to sail as soon as morning came. While they were doing that, the old zalif said to his guests:"A great change has come over everything. And as a token, we have been granted a responsibility. We would like to show you what this means."So John Faa, Farder Coram, Mary, and Serafina went with them to the place where the land of the dead opened, and where the ghosts were
Having shared the feast, the captain thanked his hosts and left to supervise the crew as they took on board the stores and coming out, still in their endless procession. The mulefa were planting a grove around it, because it was a holy place, they said; they would maintain it forever; it was a source of joy.
"Well, this is a mystery," said Farder Coram, "and I'm glad I lived long enough to see it. To go into the dark of death is a thing we all fear; say what we like, we fear it. But if there's a way out for that part of us that has to go down there, then it makes my heart lighter."
"You're right, Coram," said John Faa. "I've seen a good many water that they needed, because they meant to sail as soon as morning came. While they were doing that, the old zalif said to his guests:"A great change has come over everything. And as a token, we have been granted a responsibility. We would like to show you what this means."So John Faa, Farder Coram, Mary, and Serafina went with them to the place where the land of the dead opened, and where the ghosts were
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Leroy Neiman Rocky vs Apollo
Next morning Lyra woke up from a dream in which Pantalaimon had come back to her and revealed his final shape; and she had loved it, but now she had no idea what it was.
The sun hadn't long risen, and the air had a fresh bloom. She could see the sunlight through the open door of the little naked. She was indignant for a moment, and then she saw some clean clothes folded beside her on the floor: a shirt of Mary's, a length of soft, light patterned cloth that she could tie into a skirt. She put them on, feeling swamped in the shirt, but at least decent.
She left the hut. Pantalaimon was nearby; she was sure of it. She could almost hear him talking and laughing. It must mean that he was thatched hut she slept in, Mary's house. She lay for a while listening. There were birds outside, and some kind of cricket, and Mary was breathing quietly in her sleep nearby.Lyra sat up and found herself
The sun hadn't long risen, and the air had a fresh bloom. She could see the sunlight through the open door of the little naked. She was indignant for a moment, and then she saw some clean clothes folded beside her on the floor: a shirt of Mary's, a length of soft, light patterned cloth that she could tie into a skirt. She put them on, feeling swamped in the shirt, but at least decent.
She left the hut. Pantalaimon was nearby; she was sure of it. She could almost hear him talking and laughing. It must mean that he was thatched hut she slept in, Mary's house. She lay for a while listening. There were birds outside, and some kind of cricket, and Mary was breathing quietly in her sleep nearby.Lyra sat up and found herself
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