Sunday, July 31, 2011

TVXOHOF REDUX - LUCAS & MARK McCAIN

With a month of posts dedicated to 'The Rifleman', the August induction into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame would have been the perfect time for Lucas and Mark McCain... if it weren't for the fact that they both are members of the Hall already.

Back in 2002, during the online hiatus between the Tubeworld Dynamic website and the Inner Toob blog, Lucas and Mark McCain were inducted together that summer. They were the Western pair in that year-long salute to TV duos. (Even though I didn't have an online presence from April 2002 until August 2004, I at least kept inducting new members into the TVXOHOF.)

The McCains were inducted along with Andy and Opie Taylor, with a hypothetical "Born To Re-Run" suggestion that the Mayberry sheriff and his son were the reincarnations of Lucas and Mark.
Lucas and Mark McCain easily filled the requirements to become members of the Hall, as they each had three separate appearances on TV. (They were the same three programs for both, but they didn't appear together in the third.)

"The Sharpshooter" episode is now shown as the first episode of the series, but it was originally broadcast in 1958 during the second season of 'Zane Grey Theatre', serving as a pilot for 'The Rifleman'. Then the actual show was launched and ran for five seasons.

Their third TV appearance is in one of the great hubs for Toobworld - the TV movie "Gambler IV - Luck Of The Draw". In it, gambler Brady Hawkes made a cross-country trek to San Francisco in 1906 for a big poker game. Along the way he ran into many of the greatest TV Western characters of all time, from shows like 'Cheyenne', 'The Virginian', 'Maverick', 'Wyatt Earp', 'Bat Masterson', 'Kung Fu', and 'The Westerner'.

(About the only ones missing were Matt Dillon, James West, the 'Sugarfoot', 'Hondo', 'Bronco', anybody from the 'High Chaparral' and Kid Curry and Hannibal Heyes, 'Alias Smith and Jones'. Of course, for Toobworld purposes, it's a good thing those last two didn't appear, due to recastaway problems.)

Hawkes was rescued by Lucas McCain when he was ambushed near the McCain ranch in New Mexico. Since McCain was well-known as "The Rifleman" more than twenty years earlier (as often depicted in the series), it's not surprising that Brady Hawkes knew who he was.
Later in Colorado, Mark McCain was seen working on the set of a silent movie. He was drafted into performing as a stunt man for a scene and inadvertantly created the first fictional portrayal of the Lone Ranger. (Here's hoping that Mark McCain would have a bright future as a silent movie cowboy star in Toobworld.)

So there's the three requirements:

'Zane Grey Theatre'
'The Rifleman'
"The Gambler IV: Luck Of The Draw"

Chuck Connors died in 1992, not long after the "Gambler" TV movie, but John Ernest Crawford is still going strong as an actor and musician in the Los Angeles area. (I follow him as a Facebook friend.) So there's always a chance that Mark McCain might one day re-appear in Toobworld. It may seem like a long shot, given the status of TV Westerns in today's television landscape, but who knows?

After all, 'Cheyenne' Bodie showed up in an episode of 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues'!

BCnU!

Maya in Guatemala: Seeds, Ceremonies and the Year 2012

Tata Cecilio Sucuc
Maya describes true work of mathematician, connecting with the natural energies

Article and photo by Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

NEW TOWN, North Dakota -- Speaking on the vital connection with the natural energies around us, Tata Cecilio Tuyuc Sucuc, Faithkeeper of the Maya Calendar in Guatemala, spoke of the true role of mathematicians and the ceremonies being held in preparation for December of 2012.

Tuyuc spoke of the need to use traditional seeds and prepare in ceremony for what is ahead, during an interview at the 16th Annual Protecting Mother Earth Gathering of the Indigenous Environmental Network, July 28-31, 2011.

Indigenous Peoples gathered for four days to strategize in their fight to protect Mother Earth and halt the environmental destruction on Indian lands, from the Tar Sands in Canada to mining on the Wixarika (Huichole) sacred land in Mexico to coal-fired power plants and uranium mining targeting Indian lands.

The devastation was obvious as Indigenous Peoples arrived here in the thick dust of trucks and tankers, flaring gas wells and polluted air, water and land, the result of 300 oil and gas wells on the land of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, Three Affiliated Tribes, in North Dakota. Native Americans here appealed for help to halt the 3,000 oil and gas wells planned for the next five years.

Tuyuc spoke first on the food crisis that has hit hard the Maya and other peoples of Central America. Climate change has caused great droughts and crop failures, as storms continue to increase on both coasts, the Atlantic and Pacific.

Tuyuc described how the Maya are creating seed banks and opposing genetically-modified seeds. “Food is the basis of life, food and water. Without food which has all the nutrients, we can’t be healthy.” Tuyuc, among those educating other Maya about genetically modified seeds, said because of the importance of this message, he went through great difficulties to come to the United States. It is his first time in this part of the world and he came to speak on food sovereignty.

“We are working with our own resources. We are conserving our seeds, the original seeds of our people.” Tuyuc said Maya are working not just to protect their traditional seeds, but to rid themselves of chemical fertilizer, because this would continue the destruction of their seeds.

He said the need is to grow their own seeds with organic fertilizer in order to avoid contamination.In order to share this education, Maya are holding gatherings to show a film to communities and organizations in Central America.

“This is our path in relation to taking care of our seeds. If we guarantee that we have seeds, we guarantee that we have life.”

“From our heirloom seeds, we have our food. If we have our food, we can attend to everything else we need to in life.”

“When we take care of our seeds, we are actually taking care of our lives.”

Pointing out that Maya are called “People of corn,” he said, “Many families in the south don’t need to buy seeds, because they are taking care of their seeds.” However elsewhere, people who change from traditional seeds to genetically modified seeds have to buy their seeds year after year. This is a major expense and makes them dependent on a multi-national company.

“We want to live in harmony with Mother Earth. She is who gives us all of life, and it begins with the food, with the seeds."

When asked about his role as a mathematician, he said this knowledge belongs to all the Maya people. “What I do is to facilitate. I make the effort to unite ideas.” He said to be a Maya mathematician “is to re-codify the symbols, recognizing the signs, and to be able to fortify the count of time. It includes the observance of space, the way Mother Earth is now active.”

In order to further the development of logical thought, he said there needs to be an energetic feeling with Mother Earth, a feeling that is contrary to logical thoughts. Energetic thought, with everything around you, is needed rather than to think about logical reasoning.

“The energetic connection is to act in agreement with the energy of the animals, energy of the plants, energy of the minerals, energy of the stars, energy of the Sacred Fire, with Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon, all of the air and the water.”

“From this vision, I am doing my mathematical exercise. It is much more than numbers. We’re looking for balance. We are looking for harmony."

“If we have connection with everything around us, this is mathematicals: Astronomy, Agriculture, expression of art, the resolution of social conflict and everything else.”

He said the year 2012 is a “moment to reflect on, to think about the way we behave on the Mother Earth and to become aware.”

It is time to connect with Mother Earth.

“Many people have said that 2012 is going to be an end to the world, as Maya we don’t see this as the end of the world. We see this as a moment, an opportunity, to have a new consciousness, to connect us with the energy of everything around us.”

“Because of this we should not stay sleeping. We should look for the energetic connection of everything around us.”

He spoke of the need to continue the ceremonies in the energetic power spots.

“It could be in your house, in the hills, mountains or next to springs. It can be done at the lake, ocean, or by the rivers.”

“All of the Indigenous have given thanks, asked for pardon and asked for life.” To receive the energy for the next day depends on this connection with the places where energy is stored.

“We human beings are in connection with the energy of everything around us. We walk in that same direction, looking for the balance and harmony.” He said in this moment Maya have initiated 40 ceremonies leading up to the end date.

“We’re continuing the sacred calendar dates, which is an articulation of the agricultural calendar. This is the Calendar of the Long Count.”

“We have programmed 40 ceremonies. These are being celebrated every 20 days, according to our calendar, and also with the ceremonies of the equinox and solstice.” He said they have held five of the ceremonies so far, and the sixth will be carried out in the Yucatan.

“We achieve the connection with the Grandfather Sun,” he said, adding that the ceremonies are being held in Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.

“We’re visiting distinct energetic centers, which allow us to fortify ourselves on this path we are walking.” He said they want to unite with spiritual leaders from all over the world on Dec. 21 and 22 of 2012.

“For those who are able to do this, we are inviting you to come. If you can not come, you can do this in your house, or in the center of your region, inviting the people who wish to participate.”

More information: Maya Seed Arch Project:
http://www.Mayaseedarchproject.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To repost or republish this article or photo, please contact brendanorrell@gmail.com
==============================================================


AS SEEN ON TV: BLACK BART

To kick off our TV Western salute, we've got video of the legendary gunman Black Bart in "action"......



Last year we featured Black Bart, but he turned out to be an escape from a mental asylum in Colorado - as seen in 'Maverick'. The Black Bart seen in 'Stories Of The Century' (which was featured the year before) was more of a fabrication based on the stories dreamed up by a Texas Ranger who inserted himself into the legends of every outlaw in the Wild Wild West.


As for this guy? I'd say he's Black Bart... but the Black Bart from that same TV dimension that houses comical versions of real life Presidents - like those seen in 'That's My Bush!' and 'The Secret Files of Desmond Pfeiffer'.



Just an idea I'm throwin' out there......



A big thanks to Mick Clews and the British Phil Silvers Appreciation Society!

BCnU!

THE ANNUAL TOOBWORLD SALUTE TO TV WESTERNS - AN INTRODUCTION

As we have done since 1999, Toobworld Central is celebrating that classic TV genre, the Western, during the month of August. At one time, there was at least one Western on the air each night of the week, usually more. Nowadays, that pre-eminence is held by the police procedurals, but the Western hasn't completely died out. Attempts have been made to bring the genre back over the last two decades - 'Trinity', 'Ponderosa', 'Peacemakers', 'Legend', and HBO's under-rated 'Deadwood'. Long-form mini-series and TV movies like 'Lonesome Dove' and "Broken Trail" have proven to be well-received by both the critics and audiences alike. And this Fall, AMC - which has been mostly successful with TV series (I'm not counting you, 'The Killing'!) - will be adding 'Hell On Wheels' to the mix.

The TV Western is so beloved that producers of modern TV series try to invoke a Western motif into their shows on occasion. Examples would include 'The Brady Bunch', 'Psych', 'The Prisoner', 'One Life To Live', 'Doctor Who', 'Star Trek', and 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. 'McCloud' was about a cowboy cop in New York City, and 'Firefly' has been described as a Western in outer space.

In 1999, we launched this Western showcase with a specific theme - 'The Lone Ranger'. In later years we had other themes like 'The Wild Wild West' (mostly with a focus on my all-time favorite TV character, Dr. Miguelito Quixote Loveless), 'Alias Smith And Jones', and last year I got fourteen posts out of just two episodes of 'Maverick' to cover my vacation!

This year is no different. All month long, we'll be taking episodes of 'The Rifleman' and running posts on them - some long, most of them short takes. And there was so much to work with, we didn't even get to the end of the third season (out of five). Even with skipping a few that just didn't pique our interest, there was more than enough material to fill out the month.

Tuesdays will have two thematically connected posts as our "Two For Tuesday" feature. (That will take the pressure off the "As Seen On TV" gallery, which gets harder to do in August as we're running low on historical TV Western characters. Sundays will be the extra-long essays, including out theory that 'The Rifleman' can be connected to 'Doctor Who'... theoretically, that is.

And it would be remiss of me if I didn't point this out - these Inner Toob posts would not have been possible without the fantastic fansite dedicated to 'The Rifleman' - "The Rifleman Episode Guide List".

I've been watching the series in its Saturday morning marathons on AMC (speaking of which!), but this site has great synopses in the form of reminiscences by Lucas and Mark McCain - with links to pictures of the actors playing each character and a catalogue of the flubs from each episode. This salute would have been poorer without them.

So if you're a fan of 'The Rifleman' or TV Westerns in general, or of my theories of "relateeveety", "born to re-run" suggestions and other toobish ravings from Yours Truly, I hope you'll keep checking in all month long!

BCnU!

Bird Bath

Julie gave me this lovely bird bath and I just love how it makes my front garden look like, well, a garden (as opposed to the sun-baked island that it really is).

Christmas In July



What's wrong with celebrating Christmas In July?
Every summer when I was a little Greek girl I would battle my sisters for supremacy of the blanket forts that we made around the house. The winner would get the other sister's allowances and then be able to go on a special shopping trip with mom. The losers had to stay home and only wished they could have been named the BFQ - Blanket Fort Queen.
It was one of those stupid made up games that we all played as children that meant the world to us as we were playing them. I do remember going back and forth each time on the rules... like any Greek girl's hair style, they were also always changing.
We played the game a few times each summer. The game rules were supposed to be simple. You had to make a fort using only the blankets from your own bed. You were allowed to use other props to accessorize, like dining room chairs, coat rack, garbage cans, pots and pans or anything else that wasn't nailed down in the house - Except Mom's Tupperware - Holy Hannah, I made that mistake one year and made a mental note in my still developing noggin - If you wanna live to be able to grow up to be a rock star, then never ever touch Mom's Tupperware again!! Lesson learned.
Good thing Child Protective Services never stopped by for a surprise visit during a game of Blanket Fort, by the Aston girls. Otherwise, CPS might have thought that our parents made us live in make shift structures all over the house.  But luckily that never happened.
Eventually we all quit playing the game because, not to brag or anything, but I would always win. (Woot Woot)  There was no way I was rigging the game because our Mom was always the judge. Each time, as if she had been trained by Martha Stewart personally, Mom would go from fort to fort and give a tour of each. Talking about the highlights of each fort.
Maybe it was to foreshadow things to come, but I remember I always had a little hand-made sign on the outside of my fort that said, "Mom, please remove your sneakers before entering!"  and then once inside I had a plate of cookies waiting for her. Mom must have liked the little brown-nosing, because as I said - I was crowned BFQ  game after game.
But something would happen when Mom and I would go on our special shopping trip. I would feel horrible. I felt really bad that I had taken my sister's allowance and was going to spend it on myself. So I never did. I always would tell my Mom that I had an idea. I said I wanted to use my money and buy my sisters something.  Mom would always say, "Oh Ava, that is such a great idea!" She had that same response every time, as if it was something new popping in my noggin.
I mostly bought candy for my sisters. But having multiple allowances worth of money in my jean pockets, I was able to buy lots of it. When I went home I would gather the losers, I mean
my sisters in my winning fort and distribute the candy.  My sister Marie once said, it was like Christmas in July.  Indeed it was. Even as a youngster I always knew it felt much better to give than to receive. What I didn't know then was that Mom always picked my fort as the winning fort because she knew that I would always share the the winnings with my sisters.
So as we wind down the month of July I just want to shout out to everyone, Merry Christmas (in July)! Now go do something nice for someone else.
Blessings,
Ava
xox

Photo Run/Walk Protecting Mother Earth North Dakota

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com

The new generation of Eco Warriors at the Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Gathering, in the land of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, in New Town, North Dakota. A fun run/walk begins the fourth and final day of the gathering on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Indigenous Peoples from as far away as the Dene' in Canada to the Dine' in Arizona, joined Mayan from Guatemala and Wixakari (Huicholes) from Mexico, to protect Mother Earth from uranium mining, coal-fired power plants, toxic waste dumps, the scam of carbon credits, and other destructive corporate attacks on Indian lands. Here in the land of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, oil and gas wells are devastating the land and air.
Listen live today until noon:
Earthcycles
http://www.earthcycles.net

SKED ALERT - TONIGHT, ON "TRUE BLOOD"

I've been away on vacation the last couple of weeks, and will be leaving again shortly, so Toobworld Central is in a bit of a disarray. But the August TV Western salute is still on schedule, and hopefully so is the "As Seen On TV" showcase, although I may have to abandon the scheme to use all TV Western historical characters for it (since I've used so many of them over the last few years.)

In the meantime, I will try to maintain a business as usual approach, and that means posting a few preview clips from the 'True Blood' episode which will air tonight on HBO at 9 pm ET......




And here's a sneak peek at what's coming up later in this season of 'True Blood':


BCnU!

2011 Corolla

2011 Corolla
Toyota has announced retail prices for the U.S. market facelifted 2011 Corolla and the soon to be released 2011 Matrix. For the 2011MY, the Corolla received some minor exterior and interior appointments and is offered in three trim levels (Corolla, LE and S), with prices starting from $15,600. The base Matrix starts from $18,545.The exterior changes for the latest Corolla are subtle and comprise of a redesigned front grille, new bumpers, wheel designs and chrome accents. Inside, all Corollas come with an upgraded heater, as part of an all-weather package. Additionally, LE variants have metallic trim, heated mirrors, cruise control, remote keyless entry, better stereo and variable intermittent windshield wipers. The range topping S adds 16-inch alloys and a color-keyed rear deck spoiler.A comprehensive safety package is standard for all trim levels, consisting of Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology brake override system.The 2011 Corolla will hit the market in January 2011, followed by the Matrix in spring of the same year. Prices aside, Toyota didn’t release any other information about the Matrix simply , stating that release more information at a later date.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

FELICITY KENDAL: TWO TRIBUTES

Princess Vicky was saved for last in this two-week tribute to historical figures in 'Edward The King' because Felicity Kendal, who played the Princess Royal, is one of my all-time favorite actresses.  She captures my heart with 'The Good Neighbours' and I've since looked for anything she might have appeared in.....

Here are two tribute videos to this lovely and gracious (yet mischievous) lady....



BCnU!

THOUGHT FOR A SATURDAY EVENING..

From a comment on an article on The Hill's Blog Briefing Room:

It took two hundred twelve years for the debt to reach seven trillion dollars in two thousand three. Since the Deomcrats were voted into government and took control of Congress in two thousand four and the entire government in two thousand eight they have raised the debt to the present level of fourteen trillion dollars. In the space of six years they have added as much debt as all the other congresses and administrations in two hundred and twelve years.

BY Carl Payne on 07/30/2011 at 06:50

I have nothing to add.
-30-

Making Every Promise Empty

















(HERE)

AS SEEN ON TV: PRINCESS VICKY

PRINCESS VICTORIA


AS SEEN IN:
'Edward The King'

AS PLAYED BY:
Felicity Kendal

From Wikipedia:
The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal (Victoria Adelaide Mary Louisa; 21 November 1840 – 5 August 1901) was the eldest child and daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert. She was created Princess Royal of the United Kingdom in 1841. She became German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III. After her husband's death, she became widely known as Empress Frederick (or, in German: "Kaiserin Friedrich").
Victoria was diagnosed with inoperable breast cancer in 1899 during a visit to her mother at Balmoral. By the autumn of 1900, the cancer spread to her spine and after much suffering, she died at Castle Friedrichshof on 5 August 1901, less than seven months after the death of her mother, Queen Victoria. She was buried in the royal mausoleum of the Friedenskirche at Potsdam on 13 August 1901. Her tomb has a recumbent marble effigy of herself on top. Next to her lies her beloved husband. Two of her eight children, Sigismund (died age 2) and Waldemar (died age 11), are buried in the same mausoleum.

BCnU!

You screwed with the wrong guy, Hewitt..

As I have stated here, I am not a big fan of Hugh Hewitt. But I do not dislike Mr Hewitt either. His commentary is decent and interesting at times and his show has a number of guests worth listening to. Hell, I even put my money where my mouth is and subscribe to Mr Hewitt's premium content venue so I can listen to those guests I believe have something to say. (Again, I ain't gonna plug him by presenting a link. If you are interested, Google it for yourself.)

Who I am a big fan of is Pat Caddell, Doug Shoen, and others on the left who see fit to point out the follies and fallacies of those on their side of the political spectrum. (And, no, it is not only schadenfreude.)

It was with great dismay, therefore, when I saw Hewitt try to shout down Caddell as he was about to make a point:


I believe Mr Caddell to be a soft-spoken, measured person whose statements are worth listening to. He makes his points politely and in measured tones. That Mr Caddell was driven to this level of exasperation is indicative of how insensitive Hewitt can sometimes be.

But Hewitt writes of his encounter with Caddell in his Town Hall column (emphasis added):

Then Caddell launched into one of his rants about everyone being irresponsible, which is just absurd cant, and when Caddell resorted to the old trick of demanding the right to talk in ever louder volume, I kept saying no. Bullies on panels are like bullies everywhere -- give them an inch and they will rant for an hour. Caddell's schtick is old and tired but the crisis is real and immediate. The president and his Democratic allies have been radically irresponsible. Speaker Boehner is trying to lead but without any other serious leader in play save perhaps Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl. When Caddell or anyone lumps in Kyl with Harry Reid, or Jim Jordan and Rand Paul with Bernie Sanders, and John Campbell with Barney Frank and Chuck Rangell, a gentleman rises to the defense of his friends. Caddell objected to be interrupted in his slander, and raged even to the point of grabbing my arm, an amusing breach of cable decorum.

Another excitable ideologue eager to impose some nonsensical theory on the simple problem of a president committed to a radical restructuring of the American economy no matter the chaos it requires.

I chose to juxtapose Hewitt's words above with the actual video of the Hannity panel so you could make the judgment for yourselves. I am not so sure that Pat was attempting to do all that lumping as Hewitt describes. I am sure that he was attempting to express an opinion and was the one who was being shouted down by Hewitt.

Of course, Hannity's Great American Panel is not a model of decorum when it comes to discourse and sometimes lively discussions and interruptions make for piquant viewing. But, it is the hallmark of this segment of the show that people get stepped upon, shouted over, and bullied -- most often by the host. Frankly, I was desperately interested in what Pat Caddell had to say, at that juncture, Mr Hewitt.

To be sure, Hewitt interviews well, asking penetrating questions, and eliciting responses that add to the political perspective. I often find myself thinking, "Gee, I am glad he ask that or brought up that point; I never thought of it that way." But these little epiphanies are more often than not offset by Hewitt's dismissiveness, condescension, and veiled arrogance. I always get that feeling that he thinks lesser of those of us who did not work in the Nixon and Reagan administrations, are not "Con Law" professors (an unfortunate term, I believe) or lawyers, and do not succumb to paroxysms of ecstasy at the sight of an Ohio State Buckeye, Cleveland Indian, or Lou Groza.

His attempts at wit and satire are frequently leaden. His merciless ridicule of his producer, "Generalissimo" Duane, and the rest of his staff is tiresome and borders on disrespect. (I wrote in a previous post on this blog that I find the weekly show that Duane does with Ed Morrissey over at Hot Air far more entertaining that most of Hewitt's efforts.)

(It also doesn't help that his show on KRLA here in Los Angeles has an onerous commercial load -- so much so, in fact, that I opted to subscribe to the paid content sans commercials.)

I will continue to listen to Hewitt; I will probably continue to pay for his material. But if we are to restore civility to the political discourse in this country, one needs to treat the likes of Pat Caddell and Doug Shoen with grace, kindness, and respect.

Sometimes, Hugh, that just plain means STFU.

-30-

Friday, July 29, 2011

AS SEEN ON TV ADDENDUM: LILLIE LANGTRY

We celebrated Lillie Langtry here at Inner Toob two years ago, but there's no harm in sharing a YouTube video about her in the midst of our salute to characters from 'Edward The King'.....
Here's a song about Lillie Langtry


BCnU!

AS SEEN ON TV: VICTORIA'S MUM

THE DUCHESS OF KENT


AS SEEN IN:
'Edward The King'


AS PLAYED BY:
Allison Leggatt

From Wikipedia:
Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (Mary Louise Victoria; 17 August 1786 – 16 March 1861) was the mother of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

When Victoria became Queen, she relegated the Duchess to separate accommodations, away from her own.

When the Queen's first child, the Princess Royal, was born, the Duchess of Kent unexpectedly found herself welcomed back into Victoria's inner circle. It is likely that this came about as a result of the dismissal of Baroness Lehzen at the behest of Victoria's husband (and the Duchess's nephew), Prince Albert. It left the Queen wholly open to Albert's influence, and he likely prevailed upon her to reconcile with her mother.

The Duchess's finances were revived thanks to her daughter and her daughter's advisors. She became a doting grandmother, by all accounts, and was closer to her daughter than she ever had been.


BCnU!

What is an RPG?

Made for my Google+ profile, to explain to people what an RPG is. Click for full view.



If you are like me, you enjoy RPGs, but you struggle to explain them to other people. If so, feel free to take this image and repost it wherever you want. Put it on Facebook, your blog, your website, whatever. I completely concede my copyright on the text (the images are used under fair use).

Lets help more people understand our hobby and maybe sit down and play with us!

Rock on!

#123 High Waist HotPants 2





INFO
Yeap, the Topshop Inspired HighWaist Hotpants is now back!
But this time with a slightly different design.
4 functional buttons in front.
2 non functional pockets front and 2 at the back.
Made from quality denim material.
Measurements:
Size S (SOLD x4)
Waist - 13inches
Length - 11inches
Size M (SOLD x5)
Width - 13.5inches
Length - 11.5inches 
'Un-Masqued' it @ RM46.


Restockable.
Email us.
masquerade.wb@gmail.com

#122 High Waist PaperBag Capri












INFO
High Waist Paperbag Capri!
Elastic paper bag waist.
2 front pockets. Tapered leg.
Mock pockets on the seat.
Comes with free 2 thin coloured belts as well!
Made of comfy smooth cotton material.
Measurements (before stretching):
Size S
Waist - 11.5inches
Length - 34inches
Size M 
Waist - 12inches
Length - 34inches
Comes in
Yellow (AVAILABLE)
Green (AVAILABLE)
Black (AVAILABLE)
'Un-Masqued' it @ RM46.
Steal! 

# 121 Highwaist Coloured Shorts




INFO
*Zara Inspired
Dress up or down, this shorts features zipper and hook bar waist closure at sideseam.
Superb quality.
Made of comfy smooth cotton material.
Measurements:
Waist - 13.5inches
Length - 12.5inches
Comes in
Peachy orange (as in picture)
'Un-Masqued' it @ RM49.
FULLY RESERVED.

Mandy and Todd's Wedding

I'd been holding back on featuring the June wedding I worked on so that Ali, the photographer of the wedding, could work on having it featured on one of the big wedding sites. Well, hold back no more! Mandy and Todd's wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty!

Go here to see the mention on their main page.

And then here to see the wedding in all of its yellow, papaya red and coral glory!

The sewing for this reception was by far the most fun. Yard after yard of fabric (good upholstery fabric no less) went into runners, pillows, and accents. Heaven.  It was a very modern and elegant wedding with the bride handling an impressive amount of the DIY projects.


The entrance table when you entered Greystone featured a vase covered in her signature fabric. The florist, Tulip, was wonderful to work with!
(Note UGA Hairy Dawg in the background. He showed up for dancing, pictures, 
and to remind everyone what school rules!


Mandy had some frames on hand that mimicked the yellow fabric and so we utilized those. 
Here on the gift table.


Even the outside patios got a little fabric accent with these squares.


Adjacent to the dance floor, window seats provided extra seating.
I sewed all the pillows using the yellow signature fabric and a floral one. 
Two pillows, using a coral shade of cotton, sported their B monogram.
I had this designed by Laura Gosnell (who also designed my business cards!). 
I enlarged the monogram on the copier, cut it out and then traced it onto the fabric.
Used acrylic paint mixed in a lovely ivory shade with fabric medium.
Such a great keepsake . . . pillows. 

For the runners on the small tables in front of the window seats, I created geometric ends (to mirror the geometric pattern on the fabric). There's not a picture here, but the giant runner I made for the food table is in her yellow signature fabric. The ends of that runner was the same but instead of square shapes they were circular (again, to match the pattern on the fabric).



I've never used the below birdcage for any event. 
But it was made for this one, as the clover shape in the lattice matches the yellow fabric pattern!
The florist filled the feeders on each side with flowers. So pretty.
It held all the envelope gifts.


The cookie table had a papaya runner, and the cookie jars (straight from Walmart) boasted cardstock signage on  floral fabric that I Mod Podged to the glass.


All photography courtesy of Ali Harper Photography!

Revisionism..

While The Boy King was speaking to the nation, the nation was digesting the fact that, despite all of this empty suit's words, maneuvering, and laser-like focus on the jobs issue, the economy continues to stagger aroud like a punch-drunk palooka. From CNBC (emphasis added):

The U.S. economy grew less than expected in the second quarter as consumer spending barely rose, and growth braked sharply in the prior quarter, a government report showed on Friday.

Growth in gross domestic product—a measure of all goods and services produced within U.S. borders—rose at a 1.3 percent annual rate, the Commerce Department said.

First-quarter output was sharply revised down to a 0.4 percent pace from 1.9 percent.

Economists had expected the economy to expand at a 1.8 percent rate in the second quarter.

In addition, fourth-quarter growth was revised down to a 2.3 percent pace from 3.1 percent, indicating that the economy had already started slowing before the high gasoline prices and supply chain disruptions from Japan hit.

Economists had expected the economy would show signs of perking up by now with Japan supply constraints easing and gasoline prices off their high, but data has disappointed.

..yeah, whatevs. Every time you turn around, this jerk promises that he will be doing a laser-like focus on some aspect of his job responsibility, only to have that dissolve into a mist of campaign speeches, rounds of golf, or vacations. It also seems like this idiot is living in a perpetual fantasy world juiced by statistical revisions. The art of the game is to cook the books and juice the numbers for every last ounce of good news you can get and then bury the actual numbers behind a manufactured debt crisis showdown or something. I ain't sayin' he's doing this (or causing this to be done) but why is it that good numbers are always being revised downward?

Remember this, boys and girls, the last weekly jobless claims figure came in a couple of days ago at 398,000 and was heralded by the MSM tongue-bathers as significant because it was below the 400K mark. I got a dozen Dunkin Donuts that says that figure gets revised upward a couple of weeks from now above 400K to the sound of crickets from the Knee Pad Media.

But everything is just hunky dory -- or, should I say business as usual? Why is it that The Magic Negro schedules these speeches for a specific time and then is ALWAYS late? It turns out that this is a habit with him:



Waddya wanna bet that, if he loses Next November, he won't move out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue until St patrick's day?

-30-

Chief Looking Horse speaks at Protecting Mother Earth Gathering

Chief Arvol Looking Horse urges return to spritual ways for survival


Listen to internet radio with Brenda Norrell on Blog Talk Radio
Listen to 30 minutes of Chief Arvol Looking Horse's talk on Blogtalk
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Photo: Ponca Casey Camp and Chief Arvol Looking Horse at the IEN Gathering. Photo Brenda Norrell.
NEW TOWN, N.D. -- Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Cheyenne River Lakota, delivered a powerful address to the 16th Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Conference, as it opened its four day conference on Thursday, on the land of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations. The land of the Three Affiliated Tribes is now being destroyed by massive oil and gas wells.
Chief Looking Horse is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle of the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate. Chief Looking Horse spoke of his own early days and the guidance he was given for spiritual leaders. Although it is now a time of ceremonies for the Lakota Dakota Nakota Oyate, he said he came here to speak because of the importance.
“When I was young, we had no cancer or diabetes, and people kept their word. When they said they were going to do something, they kept their word. Today, the leadership is not good. People are speaking out of hurt and pain.”
Chief Looking Horse spoke of the pain and suffering of the people and of Mother Earth. While speaking of this difficult time, he shared his vision that the people, with the help of the Canupa, Sacred Pipe, and a return to a spiritual way of life, will make it through.
“We know that Grandmother Earth is sick right now," Chief Looking Horse told those gathered from as far away as Guatemala, Mexico, Canada and Alaska. "Today is a very important day.”
Chief Looking Horse said many people, including scientists see that the people are at the point of no return.
“Our ways are about dreams and visions."
Chief Looking Horse was joined on the panel presentation at the Four Bears Campground by Casey Camp, Ponca traditional Drumkeeper for the Ponca Pa-tha-ta, Woman's Scalp Society. Mayan Spiritual Representative Tata Cecilio Tuyuc Sucuc from Guatemala spoke of the prophecies and survival in this age.
Onondaga Faithkeeper Oren Lyons joined the gathering by telephone. "The prophecies are no longer in the future, the prophecies are with us here now," he said.
"We all operate under the same laws of nature," he said, pointing out this includes the two leggeds, four leggeds, winged ones and other life forms. "All need clean air, oxygen, to breathe."
Lyons said that human beings are largely water and the need for it is great.
"There is a responsibility for having so much water, it is to protect it." Lyons also spoke of the melting ice in the Arctic and how industrialized nations are responsible, because of the burning of fossil fuels. Pointing out the lifestyles of accumulation of some, he said this accumulation has caused changes in the atmosphere and global warming.
Lyons said that all human beings are related. “We are all the same, all around the world.”
At sunrise on Thursday, Western Shoshone Chet Stevens brought the fire from the 15th Indigenous Environmental Network's Protecting Mother Earth Gathering to the land of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations.
Hidatsa Scott Baker accepted the Fire from the Western Shoshone and lit the Sacred Fire for the 16th IEN Gathering. Spiritual Representative of the Mayans Tata Cecilio Tuyuc Sucuc from Guatemala was present at the Sacred Fire. Huicholes struggling to protect sacred lands in Mexico were also present, as a caravan of Native Americans arrived from the west. Tom Goldtooth, Dine' and Dakota, IEN executive director, welcomed those gathered and provided background on the Sacred Fire.
Indigenous Peoples here are struggling to protect their lands from uranium mining, coal fired power plants, oil and gas drilling, silver mining, toxic waste dumps and other destruction. Straw bale construction and alternative energy presentations were on the agenda.
The land of the Three Affiliated Tribes here -- Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nations -- has been hard hit by oil and gas drilling. Indigenous Peoples arriving at the gathering drove through highways heavily-congested with trucks and dust, with gas flaring and the air clogged with pollution, as the land was poisoned and destroyed by massive oil and gas wells.
Kandi Mossett, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, spoke of the deaths and destruction from the oil and gas mining here, where 3,000 oil and gas wells are now planned. Tearfully, Mossett spoke of the deaths, including the death of a close friend from cancer.
"We really, really appreciate you coming," Mossett told the gathering.
Marilyn Hudson, Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara historian, shared the history of the peoples here. "Welcome to the banks of the river," Hudson said, echoing the words of friendship that have been spoken here for thousands and thousands of years.
Hudson said the people gathered here, who are concerned about their air, water and land, are like the original peoples here. She said if the people camping, close to the land, listen they can hear the voices of the land, and maybe the echoes of those who have gone before.
The IEN Conference is being broadcast live Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Listen live at Earthcycles http://www.earthcycles.net More information at http://www.ienearth.org Photos and updates at Censored News http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
Topics include: Dirty oil from the Tar Sands; Shale and pipeline spider webs; Offshore oil in Alaska and Gulf Coast; Biomass, agrofuel, waste to energy incinerations; Uranium, mining and nuclear energy; Coal; Fracking for oil and natural gas development and renewable energy.
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This article may not be republished without permission. For permission to repost or publish, contact brendanorrell@gmail.com
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Thursday, July 28, 2011

AS SEEN ON TV: PRINCE ALBERT

PRINCE ALBERT

AS SEEN IN:
'Edward The King'

AS PLAYED BY:
Robert Hardy

From Wikipedia:
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (later The Prince Consort; Francis Albert Augustus Charles Emmanuel; 26 August 1819 – 14 December 1861) was the husband of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

He was born in the Saxon duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld to a family connected to many of Europe's ruling monarchs. At the age of 20 he married his first cousin, Queen Victoria, with whom he had nine children. At first, Albert felt constrained by his position as consort, which did not confer any power or duties upon him. Over time he adopted many public causes, such as educational reform and the abolition of slavery, and took on the responsibilities of running the Queen's household, estates and office. He was heavily involved with the organisation of the Great Exhibition of 1851. Albert aided in the development of Britain's constitutional monarchy by persuading his wife to show less partisanship in her dealings with Parliament—although he actively disagreed with the interventionist foreign policy pursued during Lord Palmerston's tenure as Foreign Secretary.

He died at the early age of 42, plunging the Queen into a deep mourning which lasted for the rest of her life. Upon Queen Victoria's death in 1901, their son, Edward VII, succeeded as the first monarch of the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, named after the ducal house to which Albert belonged.

BCnU!