Earlier this week I was able to make time to visit the BHS Spring/Summer 2010 Press Show where I was very taken with this stylish 16-piece Demure dinner set. Luckily this range is already in store, so I’m adding it to my already very long Christmas shopping list. I think teamed up with these lovely black and gold crackers from John Lewis it’s sure to impress the parents, in-laws or friends.

Michelle

BK - Bhs Demure

BK- JL crackers

And happy Thursday everyone else!

Today reminds me of the 3 of cups, with its traditional meaning of “merriment”

One of the things I am most grateful for is the idea of universal human experience. There are some things that we all share, no matter what our beliefs or culture.

We all have things we enjoy and celebrate. The details, the things we celebrate may be different, but the enjoyment, the celebration, the uplifting, the ‘joie de vie” of it is the same for everyone about SOMETHING.

Thanksgiving is a religious point about gratitude for some. For others it is about social activism and generosity. Some enjoy a turkey dinner. Some like beer and football ( GO ‘EERS!_)

It may be serious like Hajj, or chanting ceremonies. It may be fun like camel races or punkin’ chunkin’ We all love and celebrate something.

I love it when wildly different topics show parallels, even similarities. I believe these parallels are fence posts in the gateway to truth.

May you celebrate the things and people that you love, and that love you. The celebrations may be different, but the fun and gratitude are human-ly the same.

Best wishes to all, and happy thanksgiving!

This weekend sees the 2nd round of the FA Cup take place and it turns out that we will be following Luton after their victory in the last round versus Rochdale. The first game at Kenilworth Road saw Luton goe 3-0 up in just half an hour as they looked to impress new manager Richard Monley. Rochdale’s higher league status soon told though as they managed to claw it back with two Joe Thompson goals in the last three minutes. Final score Luton 3 – Rochdale 3. Heartbreak for Luton, but they lived to fight another day in the replay.

The replay was actually shown on TV and I managed to catch some of it. Rochdale were controlling the game but not really creating any clear-cut chances. Luton were happy to go into the break at 0-0. I got a bit bored truth be told and didn’t bother watching the second half but I later saw that Kevin Gallen, who was the main subject of the 1st round preview, went and scored twice to give Luton an excellent 2-0 victory.

I'm happy as I knocked out Rochdale.

In the 2nd round Luton will face Rotherham away, another team flying high in League Two. Rotherham did the double over Luton last season and got to this stage by beating non-league Wealdston 3-2 away from home. Since their replay Luton have had beaten Grays Athletic 2-0, drawn with Cambridge 2-2 (throwing away a 2-0 lead) before having a game with Mansfield the other day postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. If nothing they should be well rested having not played since last weekend.

Adam Le Fondre.

Rotherham lie third in League Two and are unbeaten at home this season. They’ve let in just three goals at the Don Valley athletics stadium (their temporary home), while in striker Adam Le Fondre, they have a player Luton should fear, given he has already scored 13 times this season.

Fortress Rotherham.

This looks like an altogther tougher task for Luton even though Rotherham are roughly on the same ability level as Rochdale. It remains to be seen whether Richard Money can keep his unbeaten start to life as Luton manager, and I’m sure he will be playing for a draw to take Rotherham back to Kenilworth Road. Once again a lot will depend on Kevin Gallen up front, who has the ability to cause problems for League Two defence. Luton will also have some more options in the squad as they have recently signed ex Man Utd keeper Kevin Pilkington on loan (who has gone straight into the 1st team) and a striker named Mark Nwokeji.

I can’t see Luton winning again but good luck to them this weekend.

T.

Kitty Cup

Originally uploaded by DiemNoir

So last Saturday night was my 25th birthday (11/21) and I went to Benihana with a few friends and I got a free meal. Along with my meal, I paid $7 (with free refills) for this lovely kitty shaped mug. It’s weird, quirky and a novelty … I HAD to have it. It’s not your conventional mug because you have to stick a straw in the little hole in his neck … and yes, it looks like a tracheostomy tube … that you’re drinking from. How sick is that?

While it’s not Hello Kitty, I’ve come to enjoy this weird looking mug, cup, whatever you want to call it. Gotta looooove China!

Bernard Cornwell’s name is fitting, because it begins with a B, and his books are built around the three B’s: Bitches, Beer, and Battle. If we dare be more callous, we can easily translate this triad to reflect Cornwell’s surname, thus rendered: Cunts, Cups, and Combat. Obviously, Cornwell writes books for men, and suffice to say that if I saw a woman reading a Sharpe novel, I’d call her an impostor and a spy – unless she were a lesbian orc. Except, that would be even more suspicious.

Now shut your face and read one of Cornwell’s books before you disdain my sexual profiling; mighty fast you’ll see what I’m talking about. His fantastic storytelling abilities may win over some lesbian orcs, but at heart his novels are about killing and fucking, and these two activities are done by men to men and men to women, respectively; and consequently, I have no doubts that the novels will appeal primarily to dudes. At first blush this may seem prejudicial, but on sober reflection it becomes apparent that Cornwell’s work is the ineluctable male counterpart of chick lit – dick lit, if you will.

I’ll remind you again to fuck off before you, in your wellspring of infinite tolerance, rage against my obscenity. The Pale Horseman, the second book of the Saxon Stories, kicks off with the protagonist riding away from a bloody victory on the battlefield to “plough” his wife, whom he insists is “a good field to plough.” I’ll tell you right now, there’s a lot of plowing in Cornwell’s books, and he doesn’t write about farmers – except to say that their fields will be fertilized by the enemy’s blood. Whether or not Cornwell intends to, he glorifies this shit, and despite the fact that war and sexual subjugation are unqualifiedly wrong, Cornwell is such a damned good storyteller that, in the heat of the read, it becomes near impossible to resist the Hobbesian heteronormative imperative and get swept away in a torrent of the three B’s and/or C’s.

Wut?

But despite the iniquity of Cornwell’s worlds – which, we should not forget, are historical, rather than purely fictive, worlds – his books give me great satisfaction. They’re entertainment – entertainment well done, I should add – and they need to be approached with all the enlightenment of the modern age to prevent oneself from becoming a beast through the consumption of their delights.

So take this as both warning and laudation. Whatever desires they might stir in my primal heart, I know that Cornwell’s heroes – who are killers and adulterers all – are bad men, and I caution you to remember that. But if you want a read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and fill you from top to bottom with murderous, rapacious, and unshakeable passion, pick up a Cornwell. And pick one up for me, too, because I’m nearly done Enemy of God.

-bn

I won’t say much b/c although it is the Coupe de Ligue, the lesser of the three trophies in France, I am furious at the way we let PSG back into this game when we dominated good portions of it.

I gave backup ‘keeper, Jody Viviani, a start in goal & he made an utterly schoolboy error late in the match to allow PSG to draw level before beating us on penalties. He panicked & gave a short pass directly to Mateja Kežman with the goal at his mercy from 20 yards out when aiming for Sylvain Monsoreau.  He had time to boot it upfield & should’ve just cleared his lines but he panicked & tried a short ball under pressure.  I had a short “chat” with Jody after the match to let him know even though it was only his debut match of the season, mistakes like that are just simply inexcusable as a professional much less at this level.  He took the warning like a man, though.

So we Les Verts are out of the Coupe de Ligue & our next match is against FC Nantes on the 16th.

11/11/08

Match Facts
AS St. Étienne 5/4, Draw N/A, Paris-Saint Germain 7/4
Venue: Stadium Geoffrey-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Conditions: Dry 48° F
Attendance: 28,228

Line-ups
AS St. Étienne (4-2-3-1): Jody Viviani; Loïc Perrin, Moustapha Bayal, Sylvain Monsoreau, David Sauget;  Blaise Matuidi, Yohann Hautcœur; Daisuke Matsui (59′ Paulo Machado), Emmanuel Koné  (76′ Ilan), Dimitri Payet (106′ Christophe Landrin); Bafétimbi Gomis

Subs not used: Jérémie Janot, Yohan Benaloune, Mouhamadou Dabo, Sébastien Grax

Paris-Saint Germain (4-4-2): Mickaël Landreau; Ceará, Sammy Traoré, Larrys Mabiala (70′ Bafodé Diakhaby), Sylvain Armand (78′ Peguy Luyindula); Fabrice Pancrate, Claude Makélélé, Grégory Bourillon, Jérôme Rothen; Mateja Kežman, Loris Arnaud (70′ Abdelaziz Barrada)

Subs not used: Edel Apoula, Ludovic Giuly, Maxime Partouche, Anthony Fournier

Goals: 45′+1′ Bayal (S), 49′ Pancrate (P), 69′ Payet (S), 79′ Kežman (P)
Cautions: 45′+1′ Mabiala (P), 47′ Bayal (S), 69 Kežman (P)
Sent-off: None
Man of the Match: Mickaël Landreau, Paris-Saint Germain
Halftime score: 1-0
Fulltime Score: 2-2
1st Extratime score: 2-2
2nd Extratime score: 2-2
Penalties: 4-1, Paris-Saint Germain
Match Official: Jean-Charles Cailleux (Saint-Quentin)

Penalties
AS St. Étienne (1): Paulo Machado, missed; Bafétimbi Gomis, goal; Yohan Hautcœur, missed
Paris-Saint Germain (4): Peguy Luyindula, goal; Mateja Kežman, goal, Claude Makélélé, goal, Bafodé Diakhaby, goal

Match Stats
AS St. Étienne Paris-Saint Germain
Shots                                        25                       10
- On Target                             11                         3
- Off Target                              6                          4
- Blocked                                  8                          3
Clear Cut Chances                1                          2
Possession                           48%                     52%
Corners                                   6                           2
Free Kicks                            23                         13
Throw Ins                            29                         18
Fouls                                      10                        19
Offsides                                   3                           4
Passes Completed            76%                    73%
Crosses Completed          23%                    33%
Tackles Won                       97%                    97%
Headers Won                     52%                    65%
Yellow Cards                        1                          2
Red Cards                              0                          0

The battery on my motorcycle was dead today and the wife has a doctor’s appointment, so I decided to take a day off work.  We’re going to go shopping and will spend the day together so I decided to do a draw this morning.  I asked the cards to tell me about my day.  The Six of Pentacles came up with an underlying card, the Queen of Cups.

Six of Pentacles: this card shows a merchant with pentacles in a balanced scale.  Pentacles are floating near outstretched hands.  The merchant is smiling and the pentacles that are in the scales appear to be glowing with golden light.  According to the book, this card shows successful material or payoff of debts owed to me or gains of a monetary nature.  However, I see balance in the cards.  The outstretched hands are maybe loved ones.  They don’t hold a pentacle, so they seem to be reaching for the merchant and not the money.  Balance between work and family is what i’m getting.  I’m also getting the message to weigh options before spending, but that may be coming from me and not the cards.

The underlying card, the Queen of Cups, shows a woman, elegantly dressed, holding a golden chalice.  She is gazing off into the distance and appears distant herself.  She holds her right hand to her womb.  According to the book, the Queen is artistic and feminine.  She is sensitive to other’s feelings, but maybe dreamy and unrealistic.  She gives up too easily and dislikes speaking out.  I have not spent much time with the court cards, so I only see a woman who is distant and holding her abdomen.

I may be taking the image of the Queen too literally, but my take on these cards are this.  The woman is my wife.  In the card, she is placing her hand on her womb and my wife just had a hysterectomy a couple weeks ago.  The book’s description of her is pretty accurate too.  Getting my wife to speak about what she wants is nearly impossible and is very sensitive about herself.  As far as the Six of Pentacles, I decided to call in sick today to take her to shopping for a tv as a Christmas present to ourselves (outstretched hands reaching for the merchant).  We are weighing the pros and cons and prices of the TV we want, and a Digital SLR that we want (balanced pentacles).  If we can get the right price, we are going to get the TV today. 

So, not only am I balancing my work and home life, we are also weighing the options for a big purchase item.

I wonder what I would have seen if I did the draw this morning before calling in at work.  We still planned on doing this, but it would have been after work instead of all day.

When I got married my mom gave me her old kitchenware for our new apartment. They had been sitting in boxes under my grandpa’s garage for a few years. We went through the boxes together cleaning and sorting what survived, plates, bowls, mugs, pots, pans and silverware. I was and am very grateful for this mismatched assortment of housewares, lol because buying all those little things adds up and can become very expensive. It’s also very difficult to cook with limited utensils.

The Yellow Bowl

Among this assortment of dishes was a single yellow tupperware bowl. I didn’t really notice it at first, but it has since become my favorite bowl. We had it as long as I can remember. Oddly enough it brings back warm and fuzzy feelings whenever I use it. lol It’s also in really good condition. Lately I’ve be come a little bit of a vintage tupperware collector. My mom laughed the first time she heard me refer to her old containers as ‘vintage’.  I bought a few items for my collection from ebay, but some had to be thrown out because they smelled like cigarette smoke or something else funky. So now I get most of my tupperware from thrift stores, where I can smell it before I buy it and I don’t have to pay for shipping.  These containers are still very useful. I use mine all the time. They are great for storage because almost all the pieces come with air tight lids. I love the lids. When I was growing up my mom always kept sugar in them, one with white and one with brown. Never once did ants get to them.

My most recent thrift store find was a unique set of cups, or tumblers. These cups are not the normal harvest colors, brown, yellow, orange, or green, the iconic 70’s vintage Tupperware colors, but they are clear with a colorful printed design on them.

Rare Vintage Tupperware

I’ve never seen anything like it before. Have you? If you have anymore info about these cups I’d like to hear about it. I posed it on yahoo answers to get a date range and most people say 80’s.

People are complex. Situations multi-dimensional. Would you judge a diamond by a single one of its facets?

To cubbyhole, profile, or judge a person on one criteria like race, religion, or ideology is to see but a shadow of all a human can be…and to become less of a person in the process. Judgement, intolerance and bigotry belittles and reduces everyone to thin shadows.

Sometimes the answer really is all of the above, even when the options seem to be contradicting or paradoxical. Embracing diversity, engaging in tolerance…even in the face of appearant paradox…is to embrace potential, to build, to expand, to empower humanity – for everyone.

To embrace is to celebrate and accept. Prejudice and judgement is to exclude, to reject.

May your cup be filled with a wealth of multi-faceted diamonds, like compassion, joy, love, tolerance and celebration.

Hello everyone!

I am excited for this post because after putting all of these great items together in one place, I am full of gift ideas for the men in my life this holiday season! Usually, I have such a hard time because they are so picky and have everything they THINK they want. As usual Etsy sellers have come through with some of the most creative spins on products for men! So enjoy and remember that you need to scroll past the pictures to get a product description and link to each seller’s shop, just match the numbers from the pictures to the descriptions…

…As a side note, you can now subscribe to my blog! This is new-ish (about a week) so if you like what you see when you scroll through my blog then make sure you sign up to receive update via email! You do this in the right column where it says “Subscribe to Reclaimed Threads!”

1. These great cuff links are made from recycled skateboard! They are great, maybe for someone who has to dress up for the holidays or some special occasion and is hating the idea. Give him a cool accessory to express himself! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34531856

2. See how creative people are on Etsy!? This is a second pair of cuff links but they are COMPLETELY different than the first! I’ve never seen cuff links like these! I love the zipper pulls! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34516917

3. This set of 2 recycled glasses are made from the bottom of reclaimed wine bottles! I love this idea and the set includes two different kinds of glasses so you will find many excuses to use them! When you check out this shop read the “Quit your Day Job” Feature that Etsy did on this seller! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34717890

4. This eye glass slip is so great! Not only is it made from repurposed leather but it is small and not bulky so whoever you buy it for can bring it along with him wherever he goes and keep his glasses safe! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34329414

5. I love this scarf! The colors are great for the season and very masculine, even though I love the color green and I can see myself “borrowing” it from whoever in my house I gave it to This particular one is reserved but check out the other scarves in this shop! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16874098

6.This leather cuff, made from recycled leather, would be such a unique gift! The antique clock print on it add a nice touch of style. Wait until you see all of the great cuffs in this shop! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33074545

7. What a cool money clip! The front displays a vintage watch movement from Westfield Watch Co. I love how it is so simple and ornate at the same time! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34793328

8. I am from MA and love the Red Sox! There is nothing better than a summer baseball game at Fenway Park. This beautiful photograph is great for any fellow Sox fan! I love it because I know that when this photo was taken, the crowd was roaring and the smells of sausages and peanuts were in the air but there is still something peaceful about this scene. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21820461

9.I love the color of this shirt! The hand screened graphic on the front was an original drawing. The T-shirt is American Apparel made from 100% organic jersey cotton. Such a great shirt and would make a wonderful gift! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31390376

10. This great, one of a kind belt buckle was made from an old math textbook. The book was being taken out of circulation because the interior pages were in bad shape. So instead of being thrown away, it was used to make this belt buckle! Such a great idea and there is a shop full of other cool designs! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33970667

11. This thick and sturdy copper bracelet is hand cut, shaped and pounded into all its glory! There aren’t any chemicals used to coat it, which I think is great! This beautiful bracelet has a matching ring that you can also find in this shop! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34570422

12. This is a great piece of art! Perfect for any den or bachelor pad! The image was put through a transfer process onto a recycled tile. It comes in a flat black colored box that was hand constructed for each tile. Truly unique! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31776995

13. This wonderful wallet is made from a vintage necktie and a retired wool suit! You can fit bills in the large pocket and your cards in the two smaller pockets! I love the colors and the fact that all of those wonderful items were given a new life in this product! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33995931

14. I love that the seller calls this “Modern Art To Wear” because that is exactly what it is! It sounds like a lot of work goes into these belt buckles and I’m certainly glad it does because they are so beautiful, colorful and unlike any other belt buckle I have seen lately! Such a cool gift! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34559134

15. This flask is made from a recycled British tartan topcoat. The colors and texture of the fabric is great for the cold winter months ahead! Buy one as a gift for someone else or grab one for yourself! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33832179

16. This beautiful ebony guitar pick is the perfect gift for any guitarist! You will always have your pick with you since you can wear it on this stylish necklace. The pick is removable and can be easily reattached to the necklace after you are finished playing! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34617183

17. OH BOY! Again with the Boston pride! This soap is made with Sam Adams Boston Lager, myyyy personal favorite! It is left unscented. You can wash your body, hair and shave with this soap! I just love it, I think it’s great idea and at this price you can buy them as stocking stuffers for everyone! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34805074

18. This great leash is made from recycled climbing rope! It is a great way for man and man’s best friend to spend some quality time together outdoors! This leash is 10 feet long and very durable so it can withstand whatever you two get into! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32689649

19. This slim, stainless steel card case is a great accessory for any man (or woman for that matter)! It is lightweight so you can throw it into your pocket and be ready for any opportunity to show it off! The watch mechanisms and celtic cross medallion make a bold statement. There are other medallions available so stop by the shop to check it out!  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29308641

About Reclaimed Threads: Reclaimed Threads is a sustainable bag company launched by Katherine DeSantis. Katherine is  a 20-something entrepreneur who combined her love of being creative and sustainably conscious to form Reclaimed Threads.  Every item is handmade by Katherine from reclaimed/repurposed, vintage and organic/sustainable materials. There are a variety of bags and products in her shop: www.reclaimedthreads.etsy.com.

I am Not a Paper Cup Reusable Mug

Add this to your gift list, it’s sure to fit for someone. It looks like a fake ole’ throwaway cup, yet it’s not. No More Paper Cups! It’s porcelain, and double wall insulated to keep coffee hot. The I Am Not A Paper Cup Reusable Mug is available at Target. You can also find it listed under Best Picks Under $25! Looks to me like it fits standard cup holders in the car for easy traveling.

• Porcelain Coffee Mug
• Dishwasher Safe
• Matte Finish
• Double Wall Construction, Removable Lid
• 8 Oz.
• 3.5×6 “

You can order this from Target online, for $18.99. If you want to make it even easier for your Holiday shopping, check the box during checkout to have this item gift wrapped!

Great gifts. Low prices on must-haves for everyone on your list.

After posting yesterday, I reconsidered a lot of what I said. I still agree with my statements before, it just could’ve been worded better. I may eventually edit it, but for now, I’ll just say it’s my blog, so there.

Strangely enough, waking up super early, for me, made my day, because of the reason I was up so early. I led a Non-profit FIG group in teambuilding this morning. For those of you who don’t speak Mizzou or adventure recreation, FIGs are Freshman Interest Groups. Most Mizzou freshman join a FIG when entering because we’re highly encouraged to so we can meet like-minded individuals, because you live with them and take at least one class together.

My FIG was a waste of time for the most part and I hardly talk to five people out of the 15 or so in there. However, some groups really bond, like the one I led today. Venture Out does so many of these one hour FIG groups. One hour is hardly enough to really engage in teambuilding, so we don’t try to process- talk about what we learned and our feelings- too much with most college groups. Usually, we start an activity and then let them play.

I started this group on the knot, though, and they worked the whole thing out. For time’s sake, I gave them an opportunity to make it easier, but even then they worked together, took their time and really tried to solve the problem. Then, we did in’s and out’s. We did cups. Not once did they complain. It was amazing.

And they processed! They answered questions without prompting. They took the time to attempt to make connections to real life. It was amazing.

Totally worth meeting 7:30 a.m.

Who in the world uses all the coffee cups in the house over a two day period. I mean if your going to drink that much coffee… Rinse the mug you are using out. Not use everything resembling a mug.

This probably means two things….
1. You drink entirely two much coffee.
2. You like the feel of multiple mugs throughout the day.

No chance at returning those two never used mugs now. Removed the tabs and somehow messed up the covers. Outstanding.

I got really tired of having to go to the community building where there is a printer with two computers next to it in order print. Half the time I needed to print something, both the computers are being used up and I can’t print until one of them gets off. I’ve seen people watch youtube videos and play farmville. So, when it came to my birthday, I received a decent amount of money from my relatives and decided to buy my own printer! The Canon PIXMA MP560 sounded like the perfect printer for me. It was the cheapest printer I could find that was wireless, simple looking, and had two-sided printing.

What I saw when trying to add my printer... the printer was not listed, but the scanner was.

After receiving this wonderful printer of mine, I found out that my MacBook was not able to detect the printer. The printer was supposed to be detected by my MacBook through bonjour, but the only thing that showed up was the scanner, not the printer. I couldn’t figure it out for the life of me, so I decided to look online.

That is when I ran into a forum post on the Apple Discussion board. This post had someone having trouble trying to connect to their MP560 just like I was. I tried everything the people suggested, but could not get it to work. Pahu, the person who was helping the guy out, was the person who also tried to help me. He suggested that I have CUPS installed from Canons website. I installed it, the printer still wouldn’t show up. He then asked me if I had firewall setup or Parallels installed. Well, I never had my firewall setup, but I do have Parallels installed. Apparently, Parallels has a known problem to block the protocol that some Canon printers try to communicate through to the computer.

My first reaction… I do not want to uninstall Parallels because I bought the program and I use it fairly often for work and school purposes. So, I searched once again and found another forum post. This one suggested that I stop a Parallels service that was running in the background by opening Terminal and typing “sudo launchctl stop com.parallels.desktop.launchdaemon” into it, without quotes.

This is what you are supposed to see when adding the MP560 as a printer.

Well what do you know? I opened the “add printer” dialogue again and it showed up after a good 10 seconds. So, when installing the Canon PIXMA MP560 Printer on a Mac, make sure you have CUPS drivers installed, MP560 Mac drivers installed, and parallels service not running by using the sudo command mentioned above (or just not installed period). Also, to print double-sided you will have to select the “duplex printing” option in the printer settings when printing. Took me awhile to figure out, but a quick search of the printers manual helped me solve that problem.

Okay so this is a lot of information, but it’s mainly to help anyone who is having problems with the same printer. As an extra treat I should let you all know that there is an iPhone app that allows you to print photos from your iPhone to the printer, wirelessly. Of course you will have to be connected to the same WiFi as the printer.

Unloaded yesterday, which means today is sorting day.  The kiln looked nice overall, which means that the ugly things are my fault, rather than something going on with the kiln or materials.  It’s amazing how many ways there are to mess up pottery.

Unloading is always a little rough emotionally regardless of how the work comes out.  If I get too excited or too down about something either way I end up a wreck.  This is my opportunity to practice non-attachment my partner would say.  I split up the loading into before and after Korean barbecue to moderate and reward my mental state.

It’s odd that after all these years I still get so wound up about encountering new work of mine.  Hopes and disappointments all around. The worst thing is that sorting the work is even harder (which is why I am avoiding it by being here).

Sorting is harder because the day after it comes out of the kiln I have to evaluate it: decide if I should send it out, not send it out, where it should go, who it should go with, etc.  I really have to force myself to do this.  Evaluating work is Kafkaesque: things look different all the time, and shift with the lens I use to look at them: my lens, the gallery owner’s, the juror’s, the curator’s, one type of owner’s, another type of owner’s.  Of course I have to return to my lens as the ultimate arbiter, but these other lenses definitely have a role.  This is what it means to make usable objects, and to support myself from making them.

All that aside, there are some really sexy pots in this firing.  Here’s a preview:

I was asked on Saturday why I hadn’t posted anything after the Rotherham game.  I had planned to – but I also felt that enough other people were making it clear what the day meant whether through the press, the Forum, verbally or by email.  I didn’t think there was much to add.  What I will say, probably as a final word for now, is that it was one of the great Wealdstone days that we’ve had over the years, one which makes you proud and hungry for more.

But Rotherham is also now in the past. We have to think about Farnborough this coming Saturday and eventually getting back into the routine of league matches.  Roll on tomorrow night, especially after the frustrating events of our trip to Margate.

I had to leave Mill Hill late on Saturday and driving, a little faster than I should have done in the conditions, arrived at Hartsdown Park at 3.00 on the dot.  As I pulled up at the Stadium my daughter called me and said she had read on the Forum that the game had been postponed.  I said I didn’t know what was happening but there were people leaving the ground.  Of course, it was a referee’s worst nightmare in that conditions appeared to change almost immediately, but I will go with the views of all our players and management who felt the ref had made the right call, frustrating as it was for everyone.

So life goes on.  Our short term challenge as a Board, remains as it always is to progress the situation the Club is in, to see how we can channel more resources to the playing front while seeking to improve things off the field.

Things have been going well and we are stepping up our efforts in a number of areas.  But there is (as always) much to do.  I listed out all the people I need to sit down with over the coming weeks and stopped at 14 – so plenty of work (and talking) ahead. That process never stops and I am meeting with both Gordon and Leo later today.

We will hold the Club AGM early in the New Year and at that time will seek to share the vision of where the Club is heading and the outcome of all of these meetings.  Until then let’s get back to winning league matches.

aftan and josephine see the sippy cups live at bimbos san francisco.

a photo with frances england the first act

then do some rockin out of their own

I didn’t do much today as far as my practice goes.  I slept in late, tried to record a pretty odd dream in my dream journal, skipped my shower cleansing, and didn’t dedicate doodly-squat to anyone.  It was a lazy, lazy do-nothing day.  It was wonderful. 

I did do a tarot draw though.  The universe is trying to tell me something.  I keep getting cups cards during my daily draw.  Today’s draw was the Seven of Cups with an underlying card of the Six of Cups (yesterday’s primary draw).  It was odd.  I did 4 poker style shuffles, followed by 3 overhand shuffles, cut the deck three times to the left and reassembled the deck.  Why 4 shuffles?  I do poker style shuffles until it feels right to stop is the only way I can explain it.

Seven of Cups: 7 cups stretch from the sea into the sky.  Each cup has different things.  A Dove, Ivy, Bubbles, Fire, Sparkles, a beam of light and a rainbow.  Storm clouds are on the horizon but the top of the card is a clear night sky.  The sea is calm with gentle ripples.

This card is indicating that choices (maybe overwhelming) are possible.  Storm clouds on the horizon may indicate that time is running out, or that care must be taken while making the choice.

Since the underlying card is yesterday’s primary card, I’m thinking that this choice may be a course of action dealing with the Six of Cups.  This could be a blast from the past, some part of me that is stuck in the past, issues with growing up emotionally?  Maybe the choice I make will effect the simple pleasures I saw in the card yesterday.  I still need to meditate on the Six of Cups, and will add the Seven to it.  I’ll also watch my private journal entries during the week to see if anything shakes out that makes this more clear.

Thoughts???

Awesome art with a sharpie and Coffee Cups. No, really. See them all here.

Quickly brew up coffee for a variety of kooky customers in this deliciously blended puzzle and action game. Seat your patrons, take orders, and deliver their cups of coffee before the coffee house becomes too chaotic and they leave without paying. Upgrade your coffee shop and menu to make more profits and attract more customers.

25 fast-paced levels.

3 modes to choose from.

Classic game play.

System Requirements:

OS: Windows 2000/XP/VISTA

CPU: 600MHz or faster Processor

RAM: 128 MB

It Takes Just A second To Say Thanks,

It Takes Longer To The Work On This.

Coffee House Chaos

Todays draw was the Six of Cups with a Nine of Cups backing card.

The Six of Cups shows 2 children playing in a green grassy field surrounded by cups filled with different colored flowers.  Green trees are in the background and animals are present.  This card has an air of contentment and happiness about it.  The children gave me a carefree feeling.  The book says that they indicate something from the past, which could also be, but I was seeing a feeling of happiness, contentment and beauty in the card.

The 9 of Cups shows a barkeep raising a cup in toast.  8 other cups fill barrel tops and the counter.  This card also shows happiness and abundance.

I neglected to ask a specific question outright.  I was wanting to ask about my coming week at work as I had last week off.  Could this card be showing me my day today?  I was pretty happy and content all day today.

~ “Without the Heart, there can be no understanding between the Hand and the Mind.” ~

– Madonna

The Suit of Cups is associated with the element of Water. Like Water, Cups go with the flow and relate to how we respond to the emotional influences and impulses. Cups can open us to our inner feelings about things, as well as, the connection we have with others and the world around us. Within a reading, an excess of Cups could represent things like oversensitivity, a lack of boundaries, moodiness, confusion and illusions, and perhaps even a susceptibility to addictive substances and influences. A lack or absence of Cups could represent a lack of empathy, self-centeredness, insensitivity, narrow-mindedness, and a lack of flexibility within our lives.

The following are a list of keywords for the suit of Cups. These keywords are not to be relied on as crutches, but as creative springboards for us to develop our own interpretation and understanding of not just each card, but the suit of Cups on its whole.

• CUPS:

• • Alternative Titles: Chalices, Goblets, Vessels, Bowls, Cauldrons, Hearts.
  • Element: Water
  • Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
  • Planets: Moon, Neptune, Pluto.
  • Style: Flowing, Expanding, Diffusing, Loving
  • Jungian Function: Feeling (Mary K Greer) Intuition (Robert Place and Dr. Art Rosengarten)
  • Colors: Blue, Blue-Green, Silver
  • Season: Autumn (some sources say summer as it represents the sign of Cancer)
  • Direction: West
  • Time of Day: Dusk
  • Feudal Class: Clergy and Priestly class.
  • Keywords: Emotions. Moods. Affections. Artistic Abilities. Creativity. Nurturance. Love. Relationships. Empathy. Intuition. Sensitivity. Dreams. Fantasies. Comfort. Soothing. Flowing. Healing. Counseling. Psychic Abilities. Receptive. Yielding. Secretive. Merging. Fantasy.

• ACE OF CUPS
  

  Ace of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

The Root of the Powers of Water

• • Astrology: The Libra/Scorpio/Sagittarius Quadrant of the Zodiac.
  • Chart Position: 0 Libra to 30 Sagittarius
  • Dates: September 23^rd to December 21^st (Autumn)
  • Qabalah: Kether (Crown) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Birth. Abundance. Spiritual Love. Joy.
  • Negative Keywords: Unrequited Love. Melancholy. Abstinence. Denial.
  • Affirmation: I take in and give our nourishment in perfect balance. I express and receive love freely and celebrate the beauty of life.

• TWO OF CUPS
  

  2 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Love

• • Astrology: Venus in Cancer
  • Chart Position: 0 Cancer to 10 Cancer
  • Dates: June 21^st to July 1^st
  • Qabalah: Chokmah (Wisdom) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Romance. Reciprocity. Healing. Renewal.
  • Negative Keywords: Infidelity. Secret Affairs. Resentment. Inequity.
  • Affirmation: I love me and accept me, exactly as I am. I only attract loving people in my world, for they are a mirror of what I am.

• THREE OF CUPS
  

  3 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Abundance

• • Astrology: Mercury in Cancer
  • Chart Position: 10 Cancer to 20 Cancer
  • Dates: July 2^nd to July 11^th
  • Qabalah: Binah (Understanding) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Celebration. Friendship. Playfulness. Toasting Success.
  • Negative Keywords: Overindulgence. Hangover. Promiscuity. Gossip.
  • Affirmation: I respond only to love and loving thoughts. All is peaceful.

• FOUR OF CUPS
  

  4 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Blended Pleasure

• • Astrology: Moon in Cancer
  • Chart Position: 20 Cancer to 30 Cancer
  • Dates: July 12^th to July 22^nd
  • Qabalah: Chesed (Mercy) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Invitation. Introspection. Unforeseen Solutions. Omen.
  • Negative Keywords: Discontent. Emotional Distance. Apathy. Lethargy.
  • Affirmation: I relax and let life flow through me with ease.

• FIVE OF CUPS
  

  5 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Loss in Pleasure

• • Astrology: Mars in Scorpio
  • Chart Position: 0 Scorpio to 10 Scorpio
  • Dates: October 23^rd to November 1st
  • Qabalah: Geburah (Severity) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Renewal. Healing Rifts. Forgiveness. Crossing Bridges.
  • Negative Keywords: Betrayal. Abandonment. Disappointment. Regret.
  • Affirmation: I release all that is unlike love. I cross bridges with joy and ease.

• SIX OF CUPS
  

  6 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Pleasure

• • Astrology: Sun in Scorpio
  • Chart Position: 10 Scorpio to 20 Scorpio
  • Dates: November 2^nd to November 12^th
  • Qabalah: Tiphareth (Beauty) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Nostalgia. Harmony Restored. Courting. Decorating.
  • Negative Keywords: Dwelling in the Past. Clinging. Immaturity. Vanity.
  • Affirmation: My thinking is peaceful, calm, and centered. I rejoice in life.

• SEVEN OF CUPS
  

  7 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Illusionary Success

• • Astrology: Venus in Scorpio
  • Chart Position: 20 Scorpio to 30 Scorpio
  • Dates: November 13^th to November 22^nd
  • Qabalah: Netzach (Victory) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Creative Visualization. Imagination. Variety. Dreams.
  • Negative Keywords: Debauchery. Delusional. Temptation. Self-Deception.
  • Affirmation: I decide to be me. I am true and authentic to myself. I approve of myself as I am.

• EIGHT OF CUPS
  

  8 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Abandoned Success

• • Astrology: Saturn in Pisces
  • Chart Position: 0 Pisces to 10 Pisces
  • Dates: February 19^th to February 28^th
  • Qabalah: Hod (Splendor) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Cleansing. Spiritual Quest. Travel. Moving On.
  • Negative Keywords: Indolence. Energy Drain. Escapism. Avoidance.
  • Affirmation: My understanding is clear, and I am willing to change with the times. I am safe.

• NINE OF CUPS
  

  9 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Material Happiness

• • Astrology: Jupiter in Pisces
  • Chart Position: 10 Pisces to 20 Pisces
  • Dates: March 1^st to March 10^th
  • Qabalah: Yesod (Foundation) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Happiness. Wishes Fulfilled. Sensual Pleasure. Bliss.
  • Negative Keywords: Extravagance. Superficiality. Hedonism. Addiction.
  • Affirmation: Life loves me and I love life. I now choose to take in life fully and freely.

• TEN OF CUPS
  

  10 of Cups - Hanson Roberts Tarot

Lord of Perfected Happiness

• • Astrology: Mars in Pisces
  • Chart Position: 20 Pisces to 30 Pisces
  • Dates: March 11^th to March 20^th
  • Qabalah: Malkuth (Kingdom) in Briah (Soul)
  • Positive Keywords: Unity. Domestic Harmony. Optimism. Wholeness.
  • Negative Keywords: Delinquent Behavior. Impermanence. Smothering. Overflowing Emotions.
  • Affirmation: I choose to be peaceful and harmonious.

All card images are from the Hanson Roberts Tarot by Mary Hanson Roberts

Click HERE to purchase this incredibly pretty and deeply powerful deck.

Love and Blessings

Zorian

Hace poco estuve realizando una migracion en una municipalidad y una de las impresoras que en realidad me dio dolores de cabeza.. hasta incluso creo haber tenido una pesadilla con la secretaria usuaria de dicha impresora.. :S, fueron dias de migraña para que mentir, el problema radicaba en que por mas que instalaba el hplip y sus componentes(hpijs, hpjis-ppds, hplip-gui y su bendito plugin que pide al instalar el driver) siempre a la primera instalaba e imprimia normal, pero luego de reiniciar venia el problema de que la impresora siempre iniciaba en modo inactivo.. es decir desconectado y habia que ingresar a Sistema – Administracion – Impresoras y darle clic derecho en la impresora y marcar la casilla de “Activar”

Y el problema recien empezaba puesto que para la migracion se manejaba dos usuarios(el 1ero con permisos de administrador y el segundo con permisos de solo usuario) con el fin de mejorar la seguridad y evitar que el usuario estropee el sistema de alguna forma(recordemos que en ubuntu el usuario root esta desactivado y ahi se usa el comando sudo para acciones de administrador) entonces al haber 2 usuarios y que el primero instalaba la impresora con todo y plugin como lo requeria el proceso, al parecer solo con este usuario se podia imprimir, ya que al iniciar con el otro usuario(sin privilegio alguno) la laserjet 1020 no imprimia ya que como mencione iniciaba en estado inactivo y menos se podia activar :S

Entonces habia 2 posibilidades:

1. Crear un script para que la impresora inicie en estado Activo cada vez que se logea el usuario sin privilegio alguno.
2. Dejar al usuario con privilegios de administrador para que funcione normal la impresion y ver que puede hacer un usuario con dichos privilegios.
3. Y por ultimo.. comprar otra impresora.. xD!

Conversando con el equipo y debatiendo vimos que ninguna de las anteriores era viable salvo la tercera.

Hasta que googleando me tope con este link => http://www.ubuntu-es.org/index.php?q=node/48816

En donde explican como instalar dicha impresora, pero.. xq siempre hay un pero ahi comenten 2 errores que me llevo a no fiarme en un principio, mencionar de donde sacan dicho driver y explicar que tiene conflictos con el plugin que tanto exige durante la instalacion del driver el pack hplip.

Entonces eliminamos la impresora y manos a la obra:

• Desinstalamos el hplip y demas componentes: sudo apt-get purge hplip* hpijs
  
• Instalamos los paquetes necesarios: sudo apt-get install build-essential
• Descargamos el driver: wget http://foo2zjs.rkkda.com/foo2zjs.tar.gz
• Descomprimimos: tar -xvf foo2zjs.tar.gz
• Compilar el uninstall: sudo make uninstall
• Compilar: make
• Elegir modelo: ./getweb 1020
• Instalar: sudo make install install-hotplug cups

Ahora si vamos a Sistemas – Administracion – Impresoras – Nuevo

Apagamos y prendemos la impresora y listo!

Ahora la impresora trabaja tranquila en red y localmente sin problemas alguno.

Bytez

Salu2

PD: Solo para aclarar.. todo este lio fue ocasionado por el plugin que siempre insiste en instalarse con el hplip a pesar de instalar el driver foo2zjs.tar.gz