I was out shooting this morning in brooklyn with a female boxer shooting in some under armour fitness wear. Well we found a spot in prospect park , Parkside ave , and we had a fun time shooting around these greek type column.

Yesterday I came across a great post: Why multinationals are losing the marketing war, by Chris Rand who asserts:

the biggest barrier to engaging with customers and prospects online remains the corporate IT environment.

He says too many companies block access to tools like Facebook and Twitter just as they used to restrict access to the internet to a few carefully selected websites; “And these companies’ sales teams wonder why smaller competitors always seem to have got into customers first”. His final paragraph should be printed out and nailed to the forehead of every short-sighted corporate IT manager who thinks employees will meekly comply with social media bans and that it won’t affect the business:

“It’s easy to absolve the corporate IT department of any blame for this state of affairs, because they’re only obeying orders (although that’s one reason why they’re often referred to as the Network Nazis). But they’re complicit in this rank stupidity, because if the senior management is ignorant enough to think their staff won’t find ways around rules if that allows them to do their jobs better, then someone should be advising them that the rules aren’t practical. I follow one company on Twitter whose posts are clearly being sent from an iPhone. What next? A memo to IT asking if it’s practical to block mobile phone use within the building?”

A similar point was made by Benjamin Ellis at the recent Dell Social Media B2B Huddle in Bracknell, when he described a business in which one person got round the corporate firewall by using a netbook and 3G card (see also: Going to the toilet puts UK economy down the toilet). Over coffee, I told a very similar true story to another delegate….

A cautionary tale

I have a friend (let’s call her “Belinda”) who worked hard as an office manager in the regional office of a well-known contractor. Most days Belinda would sit at her desk at lunchtime and while she ate her sandwiches she would surf the net, using Facebook and Twitter to keep up-to-date with friends (also colleagues and contacts in other companies). Typically her break would last 25-30 minutes, and, being at her desk, she was also happy to field incoming telephone calls, answer colleagues’ questions and the like.

Then the company decided to block employee access to social networking sites and to monitor web use. Determined to maintain her online conversations (and more than a little cheesed off!), Belinda started bringing her netbook and 3G dongle to work. Instead of bringing her sandwiches back to the office, she ate them at a table in the local sandwich bar while she surfed, and she now took her full one-hour lunch-break entitlement. This also meant that the company had to find someone else to answer incoming telephone calls, not always as efficiently as she did, so affecting other peoples’ productivity. Very recently,  she left the company to take up a post in a graphic design consultancy with a more open and mature attitude to their employees’ web access.

By treating their employees like children (to reuse a Chris Rand phrase), the company’s managers managed to:

• disenchant one experienced and previously committed individual (and probably many others)
• lose more than half an hour of her voluntary overtime every day (over, say, 10 weeks that’s 25 hours)
• provide extra administrative work for her colleagues (a few more man-hours), and
• create a vacancy that will cost £100os of pounds in recruitment expenses, management time, training, etc)

So much for the productivity improvements from banning social networking…!

Dark Circus – AhtkaChan Vol. 2
Release Date: 2009.12.15
DJ/Remixer: Ahtka-Chan
Genre: RnB/Pop/J-Pop/K-Pop
Cover by: AhtkaChan @ WP
Artists (In No Particular Order): Utada Hikaru, BoA, Crystal Kay, Wonder Girls, Lily Allen,
Rihanna, Britney Spears, Ayumi Hamasaki, Beyoncé, Belinda, Justin Timberlake, BRIGHT,
Katy Perry, After School, Koda Kumi, Utada, Glee Cast, Jazmine Sullivan, Gorillaz, Bae Seul Ki,
JTLeung, Brown Eyed Girls, Miley Cyrus, alan, Corinne Bailey Rae, Fort Minor

End of a cycle. This is how I describe this álbum. After the release of “the secret: lost secret”, I
started to release MV’s of some solo mash-ups. I selected some of my YouTube videos and created
new ones. I think this is my best album until now, or at least this one is equal to my previous albums.
I really wanted to make a fun album and bring some variety on it so I think I suceeded in both things.
Enjoy this album!

Tracklist:

01. After Love -The First Fear- (Crystal Kay feat. KANAME vs. Lily Allen)
02. If We Sparkle (Ayumi Hamasaki vs. Belinda)
03. My Sara (BoA vs. Justin Timberlake)
04. I Kissed A Butterfly (BRIGHT vs. Katy Perry)
05. Because of Amy (After School vs. Britney Spears)
06. Don’t Stop My TABOO (Koda Kumi vs. Rihanna)
07. Nobody Bust Your Windows (Wonder Girls vs. Glee Cast vs. Jazmine Sullivan)
08. FYI Good Inc. (Utada vs. Gorillaz)
09. Tiresome Diva (Bae Seul Ki vs. JTLeung)
10. Sweet Abracadabra (Brown Eyed Girls vs. Beyoncé)
11. Listen To My Climb (BoA vs. Miley Cyrus)
12. Like a BALLAD -Namonaku Star No Uta- (alan vs. Corinne Bailey Rae)
13. Where’d You Go My First Love (Utada Hikaru vs. Fort Minor)

Bonus Track
This Midnight Parade (Utada vs. BoA)

Download
• Individual links (4Shared)
• Full album (MultiUpload)

MV’s

After Love -The First Fear- (Crystal Kay feat. KANAME vs. Lily Allen)

If We Sparkle (Ayumi Hamasaki vs. Belinda)

My Sara (BoA vs. Justin Timberlake)

I Kissed A Butterfly (BRIGHT vs. Katy Perry)

Because of Amy (After School vs. Britney Spears)

Don’t Stop My TABOO (Koda Kumi vs. Rihanna)

Nobody Bust Your Windows (Wonder Girls vs. Glee Cast vs. Jazmine Sullivan)

FYI Good Inc. (Utada vs. Gorillaz)

Tiresome Diva (Bae Seul Ki vs. JTLeung)

Sweet Abracadabra (Brown Eyed Girls vs. Beyoncé)

Listen To My Climb (BoA vs. Miley Cyrus)

Like a BALLAD -Namonaku Star No Uta- (alan vs. Corinne Bailey Rae)

Where’d You Go My First Love (Utada Hikaru vs. Fort Minor)

Dark Circus – AhtkaChan Vol. 2
Release Date: 2009.12.15
DJ/Remixer: Ahtka-Chan
Genre: RnB/Pop/J-Pop/K-Pop
Cover by: AhtkaChan @ WP
Artists (In No Particular Order): Utada Hikaru, BoA, Crystal Kay, Wonder Girls, Lily Allen,
Rihanna, Britney Spears, Ayumi Hamasaki, Beyoncé, Belinda, Justin Timberlake, BRIGHT,
Katy Perry, After School, Koda Kumi, Utada, Glee Cast, Jazmine Sullivan, Gorillaz, Bae Seul Ki,
JTLeung, Brown Eyed Girls, Miley Cyrus, alan, Corinne Bailey Rae, Fort Minor

End of a cycle. This is how I describe this álbum. After the release of “the secret: lost secret”, I
started to release MV’s of some solo mash-ups. I selected some of my TouTube videos and created
new ones. I think this is my best album until now, or at least this one is equal to my previous albums.
I really wanted to make a fun album and bring some variety on it so I think I suceeded in both things.
Enjoy this album!

Tracklist:

01. After Love -The First Fear- (Crystal Kay feat. KANAME vs. Lily Allen)
02. If We Sparkle (Ayumi Hamasaki vs. Belinda)
03. My Sara (BoA vs. Justin Timberlake)
04. I Kissed A Butterfly (BRIGHT vs. Katy Perry)
05. Because of Amy (After School vs. Britney Spears)
06. Don’t Stop My TABOO (Koda Kumi vs. Rihanna)
07. Nobody Bust Your Windows (Wonder Girls vs. Glee Cast vs. Jazmine Sullivan)
08. FYI Good Inc. (Utada vs. Gorillaz)
09. Tiresome Diva (Bae Seul Ki vs. JTLeung)
10. Sweet Abracadabra (Brown Eyed Girls vs. Beyoncé)
11. Listen To My Climb (BoA vs. Miley Cyrus)
12. Like a BALLAD -Namonaku Star No Uta- (alan vs. Corinne Bailey Rae)
13. Where’d You Go My First Love (Utada Hikaru vs. Fort Minor)

Bonus Track
This Midnight Parade (Utada vs. BoA)

Download
• Individual links (4Shared – http://bit.ly/darkcircusindiv)
• Full album (MultiUpload – http://bit.ly/darkcircusfull)

Chris felt a heavy foreboding as he rode toward the grove.  He could see Belinda in their usual spot, waiting for him on her feet.  Her hopeful, shining face made the ache inside him grow.

Their familiarity with each other quickly became apparent.  Though he carefully schooled his face, Belinda could read the answer as he neared.  Chris watched her transformation with regret.  Her face fell, but she was only visibly upset for a moment before she gathered herself.  For the first time, Chris saw his friend retreat to within the protective shell she wore around everyone save him.

“He said no,” she said simply as the young man neared. 

All Chris could do was nod, fighting the overwhelming sadness that descended.  To keep himself from crying, he turned from her to dismount.  Once on the ground, he kept the reins in his hand.

As he reached for her hand, Belinda subtly pulled back from him.  That slight movement was enough to shatter his heart. 

“I cannot fight my father on this.”  He took a breath.  The words he had prepared, about duty and honor, fell away as his feelings broke through.  “I will not ask you to remain alone for me, Belinda.  You dream of family, and children, and I will not keep that from you.  But know that while my father will not allow me to marry you, he cannot force me to wed another.   My heart belongs always and only to you.”

Without meeting his eyes, Belinda nodded slightly.  As they stood, both miserable and unable to comfort each other, the silence deepened.  Finally, Chris nodded slightly as if something had been decided, and turned to remount his horse.

A sob from behind him stopped him, and as he turned, Belinda flung herself into his arms.  “I love you, Chris!”

Tears running down both of their faces, the two friends held each other close for a moment.  With a final, tighter hug, they stepped back.

“Goodbye, Belinda.”

With all the willpower he could summon, Chris mounted and rode away without looking back .  As he did, from over his shoulder, he heard, “Goodbye, Chris.”  The finality of those two words was nearly more than he could bear.

**copyright Leigh Whitted

Gateway Church has put together one heck of a show this year: A Christmas Carol, a musical adaptation does not fall short of any preconceived expectations of grandeur.  If you have the chance there are 6 more shows this weekend December 12th-13th 

Excerpt from Gateway Church’s website:

“We’re delighted to present Christmas Carol, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story. This fun-filled and inspiring production brings an innovative and riveting dimension to this timeless tale. Join us as we journey with Ebenezer Scrooge in discovering the true meaning of Christmas. This is an excellent opportunity to invite your friends and family to come hear and see the message of salvation presented through this highly creative production!”

Do NOT miss the opportunity to go see this performance, you will not be disappointed.  It’s fun and FREE for the whole family.  There are a few moments that may be a bit scary for the wee little ones during the Ghost of Christmas Futures presence on stage but the strong message this story brings more than makes up for any scary moments.

I pray you’ll have the chance to make it this weekend if not here are a few images captured from Friday evenings performance.

More images can be found in the gallery under Gateway – A Christmas Carol (Scroll to the very bottom of the list) http://studiocloud.org/JeckylProductions (It may take a moment to load the gallery after clicking the Gateway link please be patient.)

vad jag saknar min lilla prinsessa

02okt -08 till 09okt -09
Ett år med den galna hoppetossan, men jävlar vad kul vi hade! Varva mellan att älska att jobba och gå som en klocka med att busa järnet. Vi passade varandra perfekt Bättre medryttarhäst kunde jag inte hittat.
Sedan kom spatten tillbaka och tog älskade Belinda.

Och jag måste fortfarande ut till stallet och hämta mina saker…

Belinda looked up, surprised and pleased to see Chris approaching with his horse.  While she had intended to spend the afternoon in the grove, she had learned his routines well over the last several years and had not expected him to join her today.

As the fifteen-year-old heir approached, Belinda’s pleasure gave way to concern.  Chris did not look happy, and she had no idea why.

“Good afternoon, Chris,” she said as he approached. 

The young man said nothing as he tethered his horse and dropped to the ground near her.  Trying to keep the worry from her voice, Belinda said lightly, “I thought you would be on the hunt today.”

Chris fell back onto the clover, his arms spread to his sides and his eyes on the tree above him.  “My father and I had a disagreement this morning.”

Through all the years they had been friends, Belinda had never known Chris to fight with his father.  For all his complaints about the responsibilities of a noble’s heir, the young man truly loved the elder Lord Halbrook.  THe girl quietly moved nearer to him.

Her brows furrowed, she asked, “Why did you disagree?”

Chris didn’t move even as much as his head.  “There is a young lady visiting the manor that my father wants me to marry.”

A heavy feeling settled into Belinda’s stomach as she forgot to breathe.  Struggling to gather herself, she almost missed his next words.

“I told him no.”

As if a thick blanket had been lifted from her body, Belinda felt suddenly lighter.  Confused and worried at her own reaction as much as his, she took a few deep breaths before replying.  “Your father is angry with you for saying no?”

Still staring at the leaves, as if unwilling to look at her, Chris shook his head.  “He’s not upset by my refusal; he’s angry because I wouldn’t give him a reason.”

Belinda’s brow furrowed as she tried to find a reply.  Before she could say anything, Chris suddenly sat up and faced her with a pained look on his face.  “The truth is, I have a reason.  I just can’t tell him.” 

Pausing, his eyes frantically searched her face.  She was suddenly both terrified and excited to hear his reason. 

Taking her hands without dropping her eyes, Chris held them for a moment.  “I love you, Belinda, and I can’t marry anyone else.”

“Chris,” was all she could say before he reached for her.  The kiss that followed was all she had kept herself from dreaming of for years.  His hand tangled in the hair at the base of her braid, holding her to him for long moments that felt like they lasted forever and were over too quickly.

Gasping, they both pulled away at the same time.  Belinda blushed furiously and Chris stood and walked away, his hand in his hair.  The two took a moment apart, both fighting the desire to repeat the kiss.  Belinda watched, heat running the length of her spine, as her best friend struggled to gather himself.

Suddenly, Chris seemed to come to a decision and returned to her in a rush.  He grabbed her hands and pulled her to her feet.  “I can’t truly ask you this until I speak to my father, but if he agrees, would you marry me?”

Eyes wide, Belinda could only nod in disbelief.  Chris grinned, pulled her to him for another quick, fierce kiss, and rushed to his horse.  As he swung himself into the saddle, he told her, “I’ll find him and ask him today!”

Belinda watched him ride away, belated realizing that she had not told him something important.  “I love you, too, Chris,” she said quietly to his disappearing back.

**Copyright Leigh Whitted**

Leading his horse the last few steps, Chris approached the small grove of trees, pleased to see Belinda already there.  “Good afternoon, Belinda.”

The girl looked up and blushed slightly as she replied, “Good afternoon, Chris.”

He tied his horse and then flopped ungracefully onto the grass near her.   “Sewing again today, I see.”

Belinda laughed lightly.  “Must I always explain?  As long as my hands are productive, I am free to sit outdoors or wherever I like.  Sewing is the easiest task to bring with me.”

Chris sighed in response.  “I just prefer to have your undivided attention, that’s all.”

“I am sure that you brought a book with you, as well, and will likely be reading before long,” was the girl’s reply.

“Hmm,” the young man said as he pulled a small text out of his pouch and leaned back against a tree.  “I think you know me too well, Belinda.”

With another hint of a blush and a tiny smile, the girl simply shook her head.

The two sat near one another, absorbed in their separate tasks, for quite a while.  This had become their habit in the two years since Chris had dealt with Belinda’s bullies; each of them taking any opportunity to sit in the grove, on the chance the other might appear.  They had become fast friends.

Chris glanced out of the corner of his eye every so often, watching the girl to judge when she might be amenable to a discussion.  As she tied off the end of the seam she was finishing, but before she could pick up the next sleeve, Chris spoke up.

“If you could be anything in the world, what would you choose?” he asked.

With a rueful shake of her head, Belinda turned to face her friend.  “This conversation again?”

Chris nodded, closing his book.  “You didn’t answer the question the last time.”

“And I won’t answer it this time, Chris.  You may as well ask a cow if she would like to produce wool or pork instead of milk.  I am as likely to have a choice as she.”

The young man sighed, slightly irritated.  “You have more choices than a milk cow.”

Shaking her head again, the girl looked to her empty hands in her lap.  “I can choose to spin or weave today, knowing that whichever I choose not to do I will need to complete eventually.  I can choose to trade chores with Samantha, and sweep the floor instead of washing the dishes.  I live a small life, with small choices.  You are the one with all the possibility in the world.”

Chris barked a single laugh.  “Possibility?  You think I have choices?”

He felt bad for his harsh tone when Belinda gave him a hurt look.  “You have money, and time, and freedom to make choices.  You have more control of your life than I do,” the girl replied.

The young man shook his head in response and began tearing at the clover near his crossed legs.  “My brother has the freedom of choice, not me.  He has control over his life.  I bear the weight of inheritance.” 

Meeting Belinda’s eyes, Chris was surprised to see empathy in them.  She gently laid her hand on his knee, a rare moment of physical contact for them.  “It appears that we have more in common than we knew.”

They sat, eyes locked and perfectly still, for an infinite moment.  Just as Chris began to feel a strange heat dance on the back of his neck, Belinda removed her hand and turned away to reach for her stitching.  Expecting the end of the conversation, the young man opened his book just as she asked, “Knowing that neither of us will truly get to choose, would you still like to discuss your first question?”

Struggling with his unfamiliar longing to have her hand on his knee again, Chris simply shook his head, cleared his throat, and coughed out a simple, “No.”

Unaware of the young man’s thoughts, Belinda turned and gave him a smile.  With a glance at the sun, she replied, “I guess we don’t have time, anyway.  I need to return home to start dinner, and I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”

Murmuring his usual farewell, Chris sat rooted to the spot long after Belinda had gone, pondering the truth that had appeared beneath the words of their conversation.

***copyright Leigh Whitted

Belinda cried uncontrollably into Chris’s shoulder as he held her.  The two sat in the same grove of trees where they had met two years earlier.  Belinda had fled here after two of the older village boys had taunted her yet again.  Chris had arrived with haste shortly after to comfort his friend.

“I’m sorry, Chris,” the girl got out between sobs, “I didn’t mean to ruin the afternoon.”

“It isn’t your fault,” he replied.  Belinda could hear the controlled heat in his voice.  “How long have those two been tormenting you?”

Sniffing loudly, Belinda leaned back so she could see her friend’s face.  “It started in the spring, on a day when Mother sent me into the village to pick up our bread from the baker.”

The look on Chris’s face grew dark. “They’ve been bothering you that long?”

The girl sniffed again, surprised at the strong reaction the young noble was having.  “At least once a week.  The more I try to ignore them, the more they tease me.”  She paused and swallowed as her tears began again.  “Today was the worst.”

Belinda tried and failed to restrain her emotions as she thought again of the hateful words of the two boys, and as she reached up to feel the sticky egg in her hair, the girl lost her control and began crying again.  She was grateful when Chris pulled her to him in a hug.

“Did you tell your family?  Why doesn’t your mother send one of your sisters into the village instead?” Chris asked.

Her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt, she shook her head and replied, “My mother thinks I am being silly, and that the boys are just trying to flirt with me like they do with Samantha.”  Belinda’s face reddened as she thought of the embarrassing conversation they’d had.  There was no way that those boys had any other motive besides malice, but there had been no convincing her mother.

The two friends had seen little of each other outside of the village feast days, but Belinda still knew Chris well enough to sense the contained anger in his sigh.  She marveled at his response; none of her family had been this incensed by the bullies’ behavior.

“There is nothing I can do about your family, but those two boys should leave you alone from now on,” Chris said, surprising Belinda so much that she pulled away and stared at him in shock.  Unfazed, he continued, “If they start bothering you again, let me know.”

“What did you do?” Belinda asked, flabbergasted by the protective look on his face. 

“After I saw them throw that egg on you, and you ran off, I confronted them.  I told them that my father would be interested to know about their behavior, and that if it happened again I would ensure that they tasted the lash,” he replied.  With a small smile, he added, “They weren’t too impressed at first, but once they realized who I was they both turned as white as snow.”

Her face a mix of amazement and gratitude, Belinda flung herself at the seated young man, hugging him fiercely.  As he chuckled and hugged her back, a new sensation of warmth and belonging flooded through the girl. 

After a moment, the two both leaned back.  Chris looked a bit sad as he said, “Unfortunately, my father wants me to participate in the evening festivities this year.  I have to go back to the manor to prepare.”

Belinda’s face fell, but she quickly hid it and smiled broadly at her friend.  “Of course,” she said, “you are his heir and have many more people to worry about than one silly girl.”

Chris shook his head as he stood, Belinda standing a moment later.  “You are not a silly girl,” he told her, taking her hands in his.  “You are my best friend, and I always worry about you.”

Swatting him lightly on the arm, she scolded, “Go on, you’ll be late!”  With a grin for her, the young heir turned toward the village.  Belinda hugged herself as she watched him walk away, hoping that this sudden odd mix of warmth, hope, and disappointment she was feeling didn’t mean what she suspected.

** Copyright Leigh Whitted

I’ll admit it.  I would never, in a month of Sundays, put Sadie on my daughter’s birth certificate.  It would be Sarah, thanks very much, just in case she grows up to run for office or take up brain surgery or otherwise wants to sound like a mature, serious adult.

I’m not necessarily in the majority.  And I’m not necessarily right, either.  Plenty of women named Julie and Jodie have turned out just fine.  And plenty of Sarah/Sadies are irritated at having to constantly explain that yes, Sadie is a nickname for Sarah.

So for your consideration, I’ve pulled together a list of ends-in-ie-names just might stand on their own.

I’m excluding choices like Katie and Maggie -  names easily connected to formal versions, as well as feminizations like Billie and Charlie.  And if it more commonly ends in -y, you won’t find it here – so no Mollie, Lillie or Lucie.

That still leaves bunches of names:

• Arlie – Arline started out as a well-born child kidnapped by gypsies in a nineteenth century opera, but today she’s the outdated Arlene.  Arlie might be a short form, or she may related to a surname.  Either way, she sounds fresher than the -een ending original.
• Birdie – Lady Bird was worn in the White House.  Actress Busy Phillips bestowed this avian appellation on her daughter.  While there are more subtle ways to evoke the finely feathered, Birdie isn’t quite unthinkable.
• Bonnie – Worn by the ill-fated daughter of Rhett and Scarlett in Gone With the Wind – who was actually named Eugenie Victoria.  She means pretty – and she is just that.
• Callie – If Kelly and Kaylee are independent given names for girls, why not Callie?  She’s also a possible nickname for classics like Caroline and Charlotte, as well as the less-expected Calla, Calista or Calliope.
• Dessie – In Ireland, Dessie is a nickname for Desmond – and thus, exclusively masculine.  In the US, it sounds more like a riff on Bessie.
• Dulcie – She’s sweet – literally, from the Latin dulcis.  Longer form Dulcinea conjures up the Judybats, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Don Quixote – though the literary Dulcinea was actually named Aldonza.
• Erie – Eir was a Norse goddess; Éire, a Celtic one – she lent her name to Ireland.  Eiry is a Welsh girl’s name – related names abound, all meaning snow.  Erie may be linked to any or none of the above, and could rhyme with fairy, or have a totally other pronunciation.
• Hattie – You might put Harriet or Henrietta on the birth certificate, but millinery references aside, Hattie has some style.
• Hettie – Another possibility for Henrietta,  as well as Hester or Hestia.
• Lettie – Formal name options include the salad-esque Lettice, or the lacy Letitia.  If Victorian valentine isn’t your style, Lettie might appeal.
• Lindie – Lucky Lindy was aviator Charles Lindbergh’s nickname.  The Lindy Hop was a swing-era dance craze named in his honor.  Linda is a Baby Boomer – as are elaborations like Melinda and Belinda.  But today, Lindie might work as a nickname for hippie chic tree name Linden – or on her own.
• Lottie – Charlotte is in the US Top 100 and rising, but it seems as very few Charlottes are answering to this nickname – so far.
• Maisie – Like Maggie, she could be a diminutive form of Margaret, via the Scottish Mairead.  But if Daisy stands on her own, maybe Maisie does, too.
• Millie – Mildred might be too dowdy to ever make a comeback, but Millie is Thoroughly Modern.  She’s also a spunky nickname for the super-sweet Millicent.
• Minnie – Yes, there’s the mouse.  But there’s also the actress – who was actually born Amelia Fiona Driver.
• Tillie – Matilda is ever so fashion forward.  Short form Tilda brings to mind the actress.  Then there’s Tillie – perhaps a bit too cute, but possibly wearable on her own.
• Trudie – It’s hard to imagine naming a daughter Gertrude.  But Trudie seems like a logical sister for Sadie – spunky, retro and not too flimsy to stand on her own.
• Zadie – If Sadie stands along, why not her zippy cousin?  The z-to-s switch has worked out just fine for novelist Zadie Smith.
• Zelie – There have definitely been women named Zelie, but her exact origins are unclear, though some link her to the French Zéline and she brings to mind the Yiddish Zelig.

I could go on – there’s Winnie and Elsie, Flossie and Roxie.  But I’ll stop here and just ask: would you consider a short, ends-in-ie name for a daughter?  And if so, would you put it on her birth certificate or opt for a more formal version?

Christopher meandered through the freshly mown hay field, the fall breeze bringing the scent of leaves and grass to his nose.  Over his shoulder, he could hear the music and noise of the fair in the village.  The last of the season’s crops had been brought in yesterday.  As was typical of every village in Molva, Tibicen celebrated the Harvest Fair from early in the morning until the wee hours of the night. 

Like every other child of Tibicen, Chris had been given the afternoon to himself.  The boy’s eventual goal was a stand of trees at the edge of the field, where he often spent time alone.  As he neared the grove, he noticed a girl about his age sitting in a patch of clover.  She hadn’t yet noticed him, so he began to whistle quietly and scuff his feet as he walked to avoid startling her.

When she realized someone was approaching, the little girl looked up.  “Hello,” she said simply as he neared.

“Happy Harvest,” he replied, and with a smile found a sunny patch nearby to sit.  The girl gave him a friendly look before returning to the garland in her hands.

Chris closed his eyes and reveled in the warmth of the sun and the silence of the grove.  He sat this way for quite a while, appreciating the solitude.  Just as he started to think the girl might have left, a quiet voice from his right asked, “Are you enjoying your day, Christopher?”

He opened his eyes and turned to the girl with a smile.  “Very much,” he replied.  “Are you…?”

“Belinda,” the girl replied with a smile.  “It is my favorite day of the year.”

“Mine too,” Chris said.

With a friendly nod, Belinda returned to the flowers in her hands.  Chris watched for a moment as she deftly knotted the clover flowers together, forming a small wreath. 

Curious, he asked her, “Why do you do that?”

Belinda’s brows drew together.  “Why does anyone make flower garlands?” she asked in response.

“No, not the garland.  Every woman I know must always have something in her hands; stitching, weaving, making garlands.  Why do you do that?”

The girl laughed at the perplexed look on the boy’s face.  “My whole life my hands have never been idle.  Even sitting here, on a Fair day, I feel the need to use my hands for something.”

The look Chris gave in response was near to a frown.  “That’s not really an answer.”

Belinda thought for a moment.  “That’s the only answer I have,” she finally replied.

“Hmm,” the boy responded.  The two returned to their silence, one knotting flowers, the other thinking.

After a stretch of comfortable quiet, Chris turned to his new friend and asked, “Why is today your favorite day of the year?”

The girl put the completed garland on her head and began picking flowers for another.  “The peacefulness,” she said simply.

Chris nodded in understanding.  “Me, too.”

Surprised, Belinda turned to him.  “You don’t have a chance for peacefulness the rest of the year?”

The boy laughed.  “Not without trouble after!  The only way for me to get peace is to sneak away,” he explained.

Belinda looked intrigued.  “I thought you could do what you want.”

“No, I have tutors, and lessons, and responsibilities.  There’s little silence there.”

Belinda looked at him, astonished.  “No, I guess there wouldn’t be.”

“Why do you seek silence?” he asked her in reply.

The girl shook her head and looked at the garland in her lap.  “I have many sisters and brothers, and our house is small,” she smiled slightly.  “I am the only quiet one in the bunch.”

Chris nodded.  “And you have chores, and tasks, and responsibilities.”

The girl raised her eyes to meet his.  “Yes.”

With a sigh, Chris lay back in his sunny spot and looked up at the clouds floating by.  “I hope I didn’t ruin your quiet day.”

“No, it’s nice to have some company,” the girl replied.  “I hope I didn’t interrupt your quiet, either.”

“It is nice to have some company,” he echoed without moving.  With that, the two fell back into a comfortable silence, enjoying the stillness and someone to share it with.

As the sun began to sink, both children collected themselves and stood to return at the same time.  “Thank you for sharing your quiet with me, Belinda,” the boy said.

With a giggle, she put a second flower wreath on his head.  “You’re welcome, Master Halbrook.”

Before he could reply, she smiled and turned toward the village.  The seven-year-old heir of the local lord simply shook his head as his newest friend walked away.

** copyright Leigh Whitted. **

Topshop.com - $90

My two favorite holidays for fashion are definitely Halloween & New Year’s Eve.  Halloween because you can get away with wearing something completely different from your norm & New Year’s Eve because it is all that is glitz, shine & fun.

This dress would be perfect, but alas, it is out of stock.

Last year the B’s enjoyed a fabulous New Year’s Eve outing in Pittsburgh – complete with a day museum visit to see dinosaurs, cupcakes & an event at a lounge in the Strip District.  The bar will be set high this year, but I’m pretty positive we’ll easily get on that level again.

Una de mis cantantes favoritas de Mexico es Belinda, me gusta su voz, sus canciones, su estilo, etc.

Y en espera de su proximo disco tenemos la suerte de verla en la telenovela camaleones y en el nuevo comercial de Coca-cola Zero y para que ustedes tambien la disfruten se los traigo.

1001 Üyemize 1001 Hediye

 Kasım Ayı içerisinde Kişisel Cirosu En yüksek Olan 1.Üyemize Uzun Yıllar unutamayacağı UMRE SEYAHATİ

2.Üyemize Yılın Yorgunluğunu unutturacak AFYON KOREL THERMAL OTELDE TATİL

 3.Üyemize İşlerinizi Kolaylaştıracak SAMSUNG NETBOOK

4.Üyemize pratikliği ve tasarrufuyla göz kamaştıracak TEFAL ACTFRY FRİTÖZ

5.Üyemize Mutfakta size zaman kazandıracak TEFAL CLİPSO DÜDÜKLÜ TENCERE

6-30 Arasındaki üyelerimiz soğuk kış günlerinde her evin ihtiyacı olan RAKS UFO

31-65 Arasındaki üyelerimize tüm bayanların gözdesi olan FELİX SAKLAMA KABI

66-100 Arasındaki üyelerimize mutfakta işlerinizi kolaylaştıracak BRAUN BLENDER

101-500 Arasındaki üyelerimize beyazlıkta üstün teknolojiye sahip LEYAN ÇAMAŞIRMATİK

501-1001 Arasındaki Üyelerimize Yenilenen Formülüyle BELEMİ BULAŞIK MATİK Neden siz de kazanmayasınız.

Yoksa hala biobellinda ailesine katılmadınız mı? Hemen aşağıdaki başvuru formunu doldurup üye olun, fırsatlardan yararlanın.

“And what are you reading, Miss –?” “Oh! it is only a novel!” replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. “It is only Cecilia, or Camilla, or Belinda”; or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language. Northanger Abbey, Chapter 5 

Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849) was an Anglo-Irish author most famously remembered by Janeites as being favored by Jane Austen with a presentation copy of Emma in 1816 which Edgeworth read, did not understand, or appreciate. “There’s no story in it,”  she wrote to a friend and then never acknowledge or thanked the author for sending it to her before publication. Previously, Austen had paid homage to Edgeworth’s talent by mentioning her with another famous female novelist of the era in her reproving “In Defense of a Novel” passage in Northanger Abbey quoted above. 

In Jane Austen’s time, novels were considered low-brow and unworthy of serious consideration by critics and general society. By mentioning Cecilia: or Memoirs of an Heiress (1782) and Camilla: Or, A Picture of Youth (1796) by Frances Burney and Belinda (1801) by Maria Edgeworth, Austen ironically defends writing and reading novels in the midst of a novel parodying gothic novels. A nice bit of genteel saber rattling indeed. 

When you read Maria Edgeworth’s works, she takes a much different perspective with her characters and plot than Austen, delving into areas where she never chose to tread: politics, religion and social unrest. Edgeworth’s reaction to the level of everyday events and secluded activity of a few families in Highbury must have bored her to tears to have made such a biting comment and exemplifies how progressive Austen’s advancement of the English novel truly was. 

Further links 

• Biography and works of Maria Edgeworth
• Read Belinda online, (1896 edition) illustrated by Chris Hammond
• Read my previous post on illustrator Chris Hammond 

*Portrait of Miss Maria Edgeworth (1807) by John Downman (1750-1824), pencil and watercolor heightened with white from the Bloomsbury auction  2009

When you think Forever 21, you don’t usually think investment piece.  Now, sequin leggings that you will wear one season? Definitely!

So imagine my surprise when I found this fringed vest:

Leather fringed vest Forever 21 - $39.80

Now, its price tag is slightly steeper than F21’s usual $20-30, but, my friends, that is because it is REAL leather!  Most of F21’s outerwear pieces are pleather to, obviously, keep costs down, etc. etc.

However, with this being real leather, it’s something I can actually continue to wear for a few years!  (And I probably will, even if fringe isn’t cool anymore.)

Another awesome feature is the back:

Party in the front AND the back!

It bothers me to no end when things only have embellishment on the front.  Like embroidery that magically stops at the shoulder seam.  It makes things seem so cheap, I think.  So I was very pleased to find that they not only made it out of leather, but didn’t skimp on the back!

“I die!”

Lo mejor de los nanales de cable y tv de todo el mundo

These I will put in my “Would be nice to have in January/February” file.

The North Face "Adrianne III" Boots - $195 @ Bloomingdale's

They’re pretty darn stylish for a utility boot.

I struggle walking on a dry, clean sidewalk in the middle of summer (I’ve always been really klutzy) so once winter hits, I am basically done.  Even if the roads are completely cleared and safe to drive, parking lots still contain a ton of ice.  Therefore causing maximum danger of falling for Belinda.

When I was in college, walking to class took an extra long time due to the fact that I was walking so slowly, praying I didn’t slip on the ice & break something.  I’m just not used to these winters that actually have snow.  Granted, Morgantown’s climate is not as arctic as say, Grantsville, MD (the hometown of my company’s headquarters that is continuously a full 10 degrees cooler than Morgantown, even in the dead of summer) or, you know, the North Pole.  But for the greater part of my first 17 years of life, I lived in a more temperate climate nestled in a river valley.

Ben, who is from Pittsburgh & is used to the exact same winter as Morgantown, is constantly amazed by the fact that I can fall so easily on ice/snow.  One night last winter, we headed downtown to pop in a friend’s birthday celebration.  There was a bit of ice on the sidewalks on the walk downtown, so I wore treaded boots.  Ben wore rubber, smooth-soled dress shoes.  I gripped his arm the entire walk and almost pulled him down a handful of times as I slid.  Meanwhile, he was trotting along normally.  I’m pretty sure I have some sort of brain malfunction when it comes to surviving in wintry climates.  (Perfect reason to move someplace that is warm & sunny 365 days a year!)

A few years ago, my tense walks to campus merited my purchase of a pair of intense North Face boots with grippy treads that would aid in my trek.  They’ve saved me from many a fall.  (Unfortunately not every single fall, but who’s counting!)  They work, you see, but they leave a lot to be desired in the looks department.

These boots would be a perfect compromise.  Still waterproof, lined with space-age material to keep my little piggies warm, & lots of nice grippy treads on the bottom, but a style that doesn’t make me bring a pair of shoes to change into as soon as I enter the door.

Plus they incorporate the tall boots / moccasin-like boots trends all into one!

Entre las revistas que he comprado en estos ultimos meses he notado que la revista Gente, In Style (dos veces) aun utilizado el mismo vestido de Chanel y no utilizado por simples modelos si no por tres actrises hermosas, que aparte impresionan con el hermoso color de sus ojos y que actrices son la primera que lo utilizo fue Belinda para la revista Gente, la que le siguio fue Barbara Mori para la revista In Style y la ultima es la actriz y nueva musa de Tarantino Diane Kruger, tambien para la revista In Style.

Les quise traer las fotos para que ustedes comparen y opinen a quien se le ve mejor este hermoso vestido, despues de todo las mujeres detestamos ver el vestido que usamos en otra y hay una razon para eso.

I am wearing this today:

Inspiration via Elle Street Chic

( Minus the red tennies & Gucci bag)

And plus:

Marc Jacobs Hobo

&

Isaac Mizrahi for Target booties

I love these booties because I bought them shortly after Christian Siriano’s fierce Project Runway-winning collection & they remind me of the super tall booties he showed.

Everyone thinks I am crazy when I mention this, but I swear it existed.  I even remember the location of the item on the menu at the local Vienna McDonald’s, which I think was the only McDonald’s in town where you could get the pizzas.

I feel like it wasn’t all that spectacular.  However, I remember it as being so delicious.  I used to love pizza from McDonald’s & hot dogs in burnt orange Styrofoam containers from Hardee’s.  Yum.

This grainy image from a commercial says it existed!

Said hot dog container. Only mine contained a hot dog with only ketchup.

Granted, it probably was kind of a stretch for McDonald’s to do pizza.  They’re really not equipped to make that quality of a pie.  But I think they should be recognized for their “class” of pizza.  I could probably eat pizza every single day.  I absolutely love it, in all of its forms.  However, I recognize that pizza has several classes including: cheapie fast food (McDonald’s!), chain (Any of the many chain pizza restaurants), local (Places that say they’re the best pizza in town, etc.) & gourmet (All that fancy stuff.)  Appreciate within the level, and you’ll never be disappointed.

The other day I mentioned something to Ben about McDonald’s pizza (more about this later) but he didn’t seem to have the same delicious pizza happy meal memories.  So, I took to the internet to research the short-lived pizza phenomenon.

And what did I find, you ask?

Well, not much.  Except for a few blips here and there saying the pizza pretty much only existed in test markets before being discontinued.  Bummer.

But I did find the following puzzling photos (shoutout to SoGoodBlog):

Ummm, what?  Terrifying.

Also, please note the gun, knife & tape measure?  But then at least there’s the candle to add a little romance.

So back to the story with Ben.  The whole reason for bringing up McDonald’s pizza was my discovery of Sheetz pizza.

Yes, I mean the gas station.

Ben & I often hit up the Sheetz MTO (Made to Order, for you non-Sheetz goers) section for a quick snack.  There are a million options and usually it’s pretty cheap.  So imagine my excitement to learn that Sheetz was now offering pizza which fit very nicely within the “cheapie fast food” class.  Not really the best, but it’ll do the job.  Sometimes it’s burnt around the edges, but I swear, it’s still delicious.

Here’s hoping that Sheetz Pizza finds their niche & sticks around longer that McDonald’s Pizza!