A few months back I talked about the new design of RedGeen.com.  Well they have a new shop page/website as well called The Red Green Shop.  They have some pretty cool stuff.  They have the standard shirts, hats and DVDs.  One cool section is called oddball stuff. They have a Harold and Bill Bobbleheads.  I just might pick one up.

Here is an email letter circulating the Internet.

The validity is still to be determined but the point is still clear.

I have a few thoughts on this: If Mr. Estes didn’t write the letter, then why didn’t someone take credit by using their own name, I mean, obviously someone wrote it; and on the flip side of that, again, obviously someone wrote it, so why would one need to wonder if Mr. Estes is his real name? It seems that people always seem to question “who wrote . . .? ” when ever something courageous, poignant, and patriotic surfaces, take for example Jody McLoud and his football speech. . .

This gentleman makes some great points. I hope this letter really was mailed to the President.

American Soldiers - photo source: shmoop.com

This venerable and much honored WW II vet is well known in Hawaiifor his seventy-plus years of service to patriotic organizations and causes all over the country. A humble man without a political bone in his body, he has never spoken out before about a government official, until now. He dictated this letter to a friend, signed it and mailed it to the president.

Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don’t believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos’n Mate. Now I live in a “rest home” located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can’t figure out what country you are the president of.

You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

” We’re no longer a Christian nation”

” America is arrogant” – (Your wife even announced to the world,”America is mean-spirited. ” Please tell her to try preaching that nonsense to 23 generations of our war dead buried all over the globe who died for no other reason than to free a whole lot of strangers from tyranny and hopelessness.)

I’d say shame on the both of you, but I don’t think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said,” America hasn’t lived up to her ideals.”

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn’t mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don’t think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don’t, I’ll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don’t want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don’t mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don’t want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you’re the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you’re not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you’re thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.

You’re not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That’s not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.

And I sure as hell don’t want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Sincerely,

Harold B. Estes

Source: TCU Nation

Respectful comments welcome! Thanks for reading!

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i’ve been in a relatively good mood these few days despite all the studying (actually really havent been doing much!)

anyhow, i finally got to talk to isaac yesterday it was a happy conversation, as always. i always look forward to those random calls once in a while. i realize that i’ve learnt to let go more, not to hold on too tightly to this friendship that i treasure so much. i guess the recent spate of events in both of our lives had taught me so. and surprisingly, i feel that i can enjoy our friendship so much more than i used to! as best friends, i just hope that he will always be so happy and driven and passionate about God and life! and it infects me, really!

i also finally got to catch up with harold khooooo on facebook. it’s always a happy thing to talk to him. our friendship has always been a very unique one; in all my other friendships, there’s always a slightly down side, like quarrels, misunderstandings, or something else. but harold is such a happy person from inside, we’ve always been happy happy friends. when we’re together, i become the “wonder” in me. i hope God will bless him with someone very special soon.

i hope LZ will not be angry with me for too long!

i feel like whatever i’m going through with JW mirrors what i went through with isaac some time ago. i shld learn to chill. haha.

if this life were a dream, how would you interpret it?
-harold klemp, living ECK master (loosely quoted)

x

the only difference between dreams and reality is
the only difference between dreams and reality.
god constructed one and we constructed the other
(and we are all god). 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxyour blinkers are out and
you’re giving false signals to hapless young men
in bars.  ever notice the coincidence and wonder if
you’re inadvertently flirting in reality’s only dream?

I need to start this blog by giving Seth Weitberg big ups.

Seth filled in for Charna last week, and his class was great.    Anyone who reads this planning to study at iO, I strongly, strongly recommend him. I plan to take him in further levels.

One of the exercises he shared with us went something like this: Two performers step forward and close their eyes, take a breath, open their eyes and begin a scene where they can only say their name to each other. Not using their name to use gibberish, but a scene where the emotion is so high that silence is necessary, and the only thing appropriate to say is the other’s name. You’d get it once you saw it.

For me the instructional conflict came from the mix of two important directions Seth gave us for this exercise. 1. Clear your head of any idea of what you might do when you open your eyes. And 2. Try not to have an awkward dead space where you’re just staring at your partner.

It was clear that most of the people who were able to accomplish rule number 2 succesfully were completely ignoring rule number one to do so. I flip flopped that. I had rule number one down, but stood in silence staring at my partner before we finally got into a scene I thought went pretty well.

So how the hell do you accomplish it, really? I discussed the matter with Seth in the e-mail, and remembered a portion of Mick Napier’s book Improvise that deals with this very issue. Ultimately, the conclusion is as clear as it is unclear. Make a strong choice when the lights come up, when you open your eyes. Its ok to be ready to make that choice. The key is committing to it. Emotional choices are even better cause they can’t deny eachother. Whereas, a person cutting carrots who’s partner begins coiling rope will probably have to finish up the carrots and put the soup to a simmer to continue the scene. If one person decides to be surprised and another one decides to be lustful…well you have a scene right there. Both people can make a choice, check in with each other, and go from there.

The key is commitment. Commitment to finding how these things work together in the scene, and taking the time to get there. Don’t get scared of it if it doesn’t come immediately. I see a lot of the newer Harold teams perform. (Keep in mind, I’ve never been on a Harold team, these are simply my observations, as a student who has read a lot about and seen many of them.) There’s a running trend in their openings: impatience. The teams get the suggestion and begin their non-scenic open, whatever it may be…but before they’ve really discovered the theme of what they’re doing, somebody starts to itch thinking “this is boring, must change, how do we change it, A HA” and then they jump into another strange opening activity. In a supreme act of obedience to the “yes, and” rule, the other performers follow suit, dropping whatever they did before to join in this new thing.

The problem is, no theme becomes prevalant. There’s a series of weird physicalities and images, but the suggestion doesn’t get explored…just displayed. The scenes don’t connect to the opening, the conclusion lacks connection. It happens over and over. I think (and I have 6 classes left, I may one day be proven completely wrong) that if that team just commits to that opening, is patient and waits on the themes to be clear…the rest of the piece would follow suit.

Its the same as the exercise Seth put us through in class. Commit to your choice, check in with what your partner is doing, and explore that. Don’t get impatient.

I feel like I have a number of topics I could blog about right now, forms, meta-improv, post-del and pre-del performers (I feel like I can see one significant difference.), and stage time. More to come as I learn more. Comments encouraged…does anybody read this thing?

Games that are spawned from movies nearly always suck balls. With the exception of Goldeneye, Lego Indiana Jones / Batman / Star Wars, The Godfather, Hannah Montana Sing IT and The Seventh Seal : Magical Journey RPG. Ok, those last two don’t count. I made the Seal one up, could you tell? But no, they more often than not suck. And also reek of bad graphics, poor gameplay, woeful visuals and a general air of “let’s squeeze this cash cow until her udders explode, and I can pay to hide my several illegitmate children.”

Ghostbusters The Game was announced some time ago. I was excited from the get go, as I am a huge fan of the films, tv series and even the books that accompanied the TV series. But on the other hand, I was apprehensive. It had a lot to live up to. Those fears were alleviated when I found out that Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd were to pen the script for the game, and all the actors were to reprise their roles within the game.

The game plays out from the persepctive of a new recruit to the Ghostbusters family. (That’s you). You get thrown in to the deep end straight away. The first mission is at the Sedgewick Hotel, where you have to recapture that pesky, but strangely endearing “spud” of ectoplasm, Slimer. Using the proton pack for the first time with the Wiimote, and then throwing a trap onto the ground gave me a giddy thrill. And the subsequent opening with the signature theme tune only further cemented the sheer joy you feel when playing this game.

All the familiar characters are here. There’s even a few clever nods to both films. A picture of Gozer lies dormant in the museum level. The script and actors are top notch. Some choice lines being Venkman’s, “No, I’m not going after the little spud. I’ve seen this one before,. I know how it ends. You go for it, rookie.” My personal favourite is a toss up between Egon’s explanation of where he gets the time to work out all the new equipment for the Busters. “I have devised a nice routine, whereby I sleep for fourteen minutes a day. Naturally, this leaves me a lot of time to work on equipment.” And my second favourite is Winston, upon entering the Confederate Southern Texas wing of the museum. “Of all the rooms in the museum, this one was not top of my list.”

Gripewise, I only have two. The length of the game is not terribly huge. If you bashed away for six hours solid, you’d complete the game. And there is no online play available. Not a huge problem for me, but the option would have been nice.

Overall, I would highly recommend the game. On the Wii, mind. I’ve seen screenshots and videos of the X Box and PS versions. They look somewhat clinical and cold, the cartoon approach on the Wii reimburses that sense of fun that is associated with The Ghostbusters. I laughed, I zapped some ghosts, I was a ghostbuster for a week, and haven’t had this much fun playing a game since I discovered the chainsaw in Scarface : The World Is Yours.

9 / 10

Mr Harold Kerzner initiated a discussion on Future Project Management Office – A Value driven approach for Key stakeholders

Share of Projects using Project Management software is less than 35%. There is a shift of trend towards more non traditional projects being executed under current business conditions.  Unlike in Traditional projects where the focus is only on the Triple constraints , in non traditional project there is an additional parameter focus on triple constraint +Value

The shift of Contractor Expectations is towards Long term strategic partnerships (Engagement Expectations).Each project is seen as a collection of values scheduled to attain corporate objectives.  Statement of Work ( SOW ) is subject to numerous changes in current PM’s with multiple stake holders.  Unique value driven KPI (Key performance Indicators) are enumerated.  Flexible “Fluid ” PM methodology adopted.  There is a demand for Real time reporting  of Project progress. Managing multi stakeholder expectations.  All this is illustrated as a matrix.

Governance>>Dashboard Design>>Key Performance Indicators>>Measurement>>New Success criteria

With this there is a Multiple definition of success of a project (each customer / stakeholders have different definition). This demands the need for Creation of customer satisfaction Index.  that can be measured occasionally on the project.  Metric driven PM will be the future.

Project failure is bound to happen when linear thinking is adopted and  when Methodology doesn’t not allow out of box thinking.

Newer analyses tools like Different Value analyses – Intellectual Cap valuation. Intellectual Property Scoring , Balanced Score Card method, Future value management, value management methodology to take customer engagement to a higher level.

Project management reports like Forecast reports >>Status Reports>>Progress Reports help in monitoring how projects progress in future.

Forecast Reports tend to capture data point and parameters like  >> Time @Completion, Cost @completion.

The entire session was so informative and good perspective of what project management will be in the future.

“Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked”
a review by Darby O’Gill

Hands down, the feel good movie of the year! Before Howard Stern, and even before Wolfman Jack, a band of rogue deejays rocked the airwaves. In 1966, at the height of the British Invasion, rock and roll was only allowed to be played on British radio stations for barely two hours a week. The only way people in the U.K. could listen to rock or pop music was by tuning into pirate radio stations broadcasting from boats just off the coast of Britain in the North Sea. In Pirate Radio, previously released as The Boat That Rocked, earlier this year in the U.K., writer/director Richard Curtis tells a fictional story based on the true events of Britain’s rock and roll revolution. Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker turned makeshift radio station, anchored just outside British jurisdiction, is a band of misfit deejays known as Radio Rock.

The story begins when Young Carl is sent by his mother to the ship known as Radio Rock, to spend time with his godfather Quentin, the owner of the radio station, who is played by the always brilliant Bill Nighy. It’s very much a coming of age story, and I think the British equivalent to Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Once on board, Young Carl meets the motley crew of deejays. There’s The Count, the flagship American deejay that is constantly pushing the envelope and crossing the line, masterfully portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. There’s the always charismatic, and at times narcissistic Doctor Dave, played by the extremely funny Nick Frost. Another familiar face is that of Flight of the Concords’ manager Brian, actor Rhys Darby, who plays the self proclaimed funny man Angus “the nut” Nutsford. Even though all the faces may not be familiar, this is truly an all-star cast. Each performance is so masterfully executed that you can’t help but feel the authenticity of this film. However, I think one of the most unsung heroes of this film is Ike Hamilton, who plays Harold, the ship’s booth technician. If you watch Ike’s performance throughout the film, I guarantee that you will be totally blown away. Every little nuance that he brings to the character of Harold just radiates brilliantly off the screen. If you’re reading this after you have already seen the film, I highly recommend seeing it again for Ike’s performance alone. But, if you’re anything like me you’ll already want to see this movie again regardless.

The other side of this story is that of the British government and their efforts to stop the pirate radio ships from broadcasting. This task is helmed by Sir Alistair Dormandy, played by Kenneth Branagh, and his new assistant Mr. Twatt. I’m not kidding, his last name is Twatt. And, yes Richard Curtis takes full advantage of it. Twatt is played by Coupling’s Jack Davenport. Now, don’t worry. The political stuff doesn’t weigh down the story at all. Mostly because it’s not an overpowering plotline and it also lends itself to some of the film’s funnier scenes. I dare you not to laugh or at least snicker every time Dormandy says, “Twatt.”

Richard Curtis has, as always, done a masterful job telling this story. His unique vision, and heart warming style of storytelling, makes Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked a must see film. Every part of this film oozes 1966. The wardrobe is fantastic, the soundtrack is to die for, and even the look of the film itself sets the tone. It’s almost as if the film was shot and processed in 1966. Adding to the film’s authenticity, the bulk of the movie was shot onboard an actual ship, just off the south coast of England. Richard Curtis’ first cut of the film had a running time that was just over three hours. The final cut of The Boat That Rocked had a two hours and fifteen minute running time, where as the final cut for Pirate Radio has a one hour and fifty-six minute running time. I’ve seen the U.K. version of the film and enjoy both cuts, but I have to say this film is so enjoyable that I wouldn’t mind sitting though the three hour cut at some point. Most of the missing scenes from the first cut of the film appear on the U.K. DVD release of The Boat That Rocked. (U.K. DVD review will be posted soon) The two major scenes that were cut from The Boat That Rocked for the U.S. release of Pirate Radio consists of a visit to the Radio Rock ship from a large group of contest winners, and the other is the unseen stag party in London. The scenes aren’t necessarily needed, but this movie is so, as I said before, enjoyable that I don’t think you could ever get enough of these characters.

I realize this review is quickly becoming a mini-novel, but I think I would be crucified if I didn’t at least talk about the music in the film. As you would imagine, this movie is chock-full of classic rock from the likes of The Who, The Kinks, The Turtles, and so many more. Both the U.K. release, and the U.S. release of the soundtrack feature a two disc edition with 36 tracks to take you back. Also, the opening credit graphics are fantastic! The use of the radio tuner dial transitioning from scene to scene, as The Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night” blares, instantly sucks you into the world of the movie. But, I think one of my favorite things was the use of the album covers in the end credits. It not only instills you with a fantastic sense of the history of rock and roll, but it also makes you want to listen to some great albums you might not have listened to in awhile. The bottom line here should be obvious at this point, but needless to say I highly recommend this movie no matter which version you see.

Rating:

The Boat That Rocked U.K. DVD Special Features: COMING SOON

Avenida del parque 79

Autor: Harold Robbins

Año : 1955.
Link: http://eltiocreativo.com.ve/libros/avepar79.zip
Sinopsis:

Harold Robbins, el más popular de los escritores norteamericanos contemporáneos, nos da en Avenida Del Parque 79 otra muestra inequívoca de su indudable facilidad narrativa. La aparentemente simple, dirección que da título a este libro es la de una agencia de modelos. Pero tras ese inocente fachada se oculta algo más sórdido y sofisticado: una agencia muy especial para un público muy especial. Para aquellos que pueden pagar hasta mil dólares con tal de ser complacidos en todos sus desviados deseos, en sus más inimaginables caprichos.
Las más bellas modelos y los hombres más poderosos se encontraban en aquella casa de la Avenida del Parque para comenzar una relación que sólo duraría unas pocas horas pero sabían que en esas pocas horas, todo estaba permitido. Y entre las mujeres más cotizadas de la agencia está Marja, la protagonista de esta novela, por medio de la cual seguimos el proceso de esplendor y derrumbe de una mujer a la que la vida ha dotado de unos encantos singulares. Bella, atractiva, elegante, lo tiene todo en la mano para alcanzar el triunfo pero, tal vez, esa misma facilidad para el éxito unida al clima de corrupción en el que vive, en lugar de ayudarle provocarán su caída. A través de sus ojos un mundo, tan depravado como banal, recorre las páginas de esta novela. Una novela de acción constante y fuerte carga erótica que, por lo audaz de su tratamiento y la maestría como escritor de Robbins, aprisiona al lector desde el principio al fin.

Actualmente no recuerdo mucho de esta obra, la lei hace ya bastante, pero les puedo asegurar que no los defraudara, una historia muy bien contada con una trama bien complejas y con situaciones que segun no estan basadas en hechos de la vida real, pero que no esta lejos de la misma. La forma en la cual es contada la historia de marja desde pequeña, con sus amores, desamores, su aire de madurez, el coqueteo y erotismo, estuvo muy bien logrado, te hacen realmente creer lo que estas leyendo y meterte en la historia de lleno desde el comienzo.

Solo me queda decirles que ya la subi y que espero que me lean y la descarguen, aca les dejo el Link

Link: http://eltiocreativo.com.ve/libros/avepar79.zip

John Allen Muhammad , the mastermind of the sniper attacks that terrorized the nation’s capital region for three weeks in October 2002, was executed Tuesday.

Muhammad died by injection at 9:11 p.m. at Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, prison spokesman Larry Traylor said.

He said Muhammad had no final statement and that Traylor didn’t hear him utter any words during the execution.

Muhammad was executed for killing Dean Harold Meyers, who was shot in the head at a Manassas gas station during a spree that left 10 dead across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

“We extend our condolences not only to the families and loved ones of the victims, but also to the family and loved ones of John Allen Muhammad,” said J. Wyndal Gordon, one of Muhammad’s attorneys. “It’s just a tragic situation all around.”

Earlier, Gordon had described Muhammad as fearless and insisted he was innocent.

“He is absolutely unafraid and he will die with dignity — dignity to the point of defiance,” Gordon said.

The shootings terrorized the region, as victim after victim was shot down while doing everyday chores: going shopping, pumping gas, mowing the lawn. One child was shot while walking into his middle school.

The reign of terror ended Oct. 24, 2002, when police captured Muhammad and his teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, as they slept at a Maryland rest stop in a car they had outfitted for a shooter to perch in its trunk without being detected.

Muhammad and Malvo also were suspected of fatal shootings in other states, including Louisiana, Alabama and Arizona. Malvo was sentenced to life in prison.

The U.S. Supreme Court turned down Muhammad’s final appeal Monday and Gov. Timothy Kaine denied clemency Tuesday.

Cheryll Witz was one of several victims’ family members who traveled to Virginia to watch the execution. Malvo confessed that he shot her father, Jerry Taylor, on a Tucson, Ariz., golf course in March 2002 at Muhammad’s direction.

“He basically watched my dad breathe his last breath,” she said. “Why shouldn’t I watch his last breath?”

Muhammad met with family members in the hours before his execution but did not have a spiritual adviser, Traylor said.

Were here on this fine summer day to watch the soon to be famous battle of Stamford Bridge and Harold Godwinson has already been here for quite a while now. Look here comes Harald Hardrada, oh my word he’s not wearing any armour he must be out of his mind rick I have a feeling that he might just lose the battle. Yes indeed terry nobody in their right mind would come to a battle like that. If you’re listening to this a huge Viking man just stepped up onto the thin bridge and started wielding his sword like a maniac blocking the way for any Saxon who wants to cross. Rick are you watching this? An English soldier is in a barrel and it looks like he’s trying to get into the water and under the bridge. It’s so lucky were up here in our carriage not down there because that Viking won’t be having children anymore! As the Saxons push the body into the water the man in the barrel is going down stream and out of sight. It looks to me like Tostig Godwinson has just been stabbed what a grave, grave sight for his own brother to see. If you’ve just joined us then we’re here at the battle of Stanford Bridge on Saturday the… Oh my god! It seems ladies and gentlemen that Harald Hardrada has taken a fatal arrow wound to the neck. As the news is being passed around the battle field of his death Harald’s men seem to be fighting a lot harder than they were before in honour of their fallen king! It seems now that the battle is over after several hours of constant fighting thank you people and goodnight to you all. By Jake Fieldhouse.

I met Phil the contractor on a job I was doing for Michelle and Mark.  I loved the work, the level of detail and the easy operations of Phil and his number one guy Julian.  In kind, Phil appreciated the work I was doing in the house, a kitchen, a couple of vanities, and some odd furniture bits.  I’d hoped that Phil would include me in one of his future projects if he felt the client was a good match for the Treehouse Furniture Company approach.  It wasn’t long before he introduced me to Harold.

Harold was putting together a house for he and his children just off Mount Pleasant north of St Clair.  He had some ideas for his kitchen but was open to suggestions about the composition and texture.  Indeed, he was a good match, open minded and willing to do something interesting.  Upon his first visit to the workshop in the Milky Way alley, he was convinced that I was the man for the job.  We worked on design ideas together and came up with a fusion of modern and traditional styling that suited the house and his desire for something unique.

Simple and clean with a warmth and strength that can support culinary adventure.

The focal point of the kitchen design was a pile of cherry lumber I had collected from George the farmer.  I bought the whole tree from him and stored it for a while waiting for the right opportunity to feature the great curve of the natural edge.

I really didn’t want to cut up the lumber into square, straight pieces and lose the beauty of the bark, sap wood and heart wood combination.  Harold wanted a big, thick  island top so I worked with the pieces I had and laminated them three layers thick and half a dozen boards wide to make a top that was about 40 inches wide by 9 feet long.  Although it’s not a single slab, I worked with the colour and grain to create the illusion that the top was a section from a huge tree.

Harold was willing try out the natural edge with quite a dramatic asymmetrical flare at one end and natural bark complete with worm hole patterns and knots.

The top was finished with oil and wax.

The sink in the island top had to have the right feel, not too modern, big enough not to be dwarfed by the top but subtle so as not to take away from the dramatic effect of the cherry slab.  I found a good match in the basement of Addison’s on Wabash Street.  A heavy cast iron enameled double sink with a layer of dirt.

A little polishing and some new drain hardware brought it up to speed.  To achieve the required subtlety I rigged up an under-mounting support structure thereby not interrupting the single expanse of the countertop.  However, with the under-mount, I feared losing the great shape and detail of the sink so I followed the edge of the sink line with my opening.

The island base is traditional frame and panel with inset doors and drawer faces.  I worked in some subtle detailing on the corners and with the slight arch in the top rail of the doors.

We stained them a rich dark chocolate so they would not detract from or clash with cherry top and the stainless steel fixtures.  Plus the colour worked well with the bamboo floors.   The stain was a water based aniline dye with a top coat of oil and wax.

Close attention was paid to the mechanics and aesthetics of the functional parts of the island.

The drawers are solid wood dovetail construction.

Recycling, organics and garbage.

A full pantry is camouflaged in the wall.

My favorite detail is the cutting board that fits into a slot in the underside of the countertop.

The end grain cherry blocks assembled in a herringbone pattern fixed to the walnut bread-board with the etched bowls is over the top.

Harold took care of the lighting and had the stainless steel tables and upper shelves manufactured to dimensions that fit with the island and the appliances. When I last spoke with Harold he was cooking up a storm for his kids and entertaining guests with reckless enthusiasm.

Harold Godwinson was accompanied into battle at Hastings by two of his brothers, Gyrth and Leofwine.  Gyrth was the fourth son of Earl Godwin, Leofwine the fifth – both were younger brothers to Harold.

Following the death of their father in April 1053, the Godwinsons managed to retain their hold on England. Harold inherited the Earldom of Wessex and became second in power only to the king. Gyrth was made Earl of East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire. Leofwine was made Earl of Kent, Essex, Middlesex, Hertford, Surrey and probably Buckinghamshire. Together the Godwinsons controlled almost all of East England by the time William landed in 1066.

According to Orderic Vitalis and William of Malmesbury, Gyrth tried (ineffectually) to prevent Harold from engaging William of Normandy in battle, saying that he instead could lead the English forces. Harold, however, ignored Gyrth’s advice.

How can you have a hero called Harold?

(John Farman, The Very Bloody History of Britain, 1990)

I was torn.  Part of me wanted to take Nathaniel out for Trick- or- Treating.  Part of me said, why bother… he’s too little and I don’t have John to enjoy the experience.  I didn’t decide to take him out till after 4 PM.

I thought about last year.  John had wanted to take him out.  I kind of let John make the choice since he was recovering from his surgery on Columbus Day (to remove melanoma from a lymph node).  We didn’t have an official costume to him… just had him in his winter suit that had ears and looked like a little bear.  It didn’t go very well last year… we hadn’t fed him before we left, he probably was too hot, he’d fallen asleep in the car and then we take him into a strange house while he’s sleepy,  and it was too close to his bedtime.  He had a meltdown at the first house.  We used it as a learning opportunity.  Live and learn.

I knew if John was here, he’d want Nathaniel to go see the relatives.

I knew that the aunts would appreciate seeing Nathaniel.

I also had a feeling that once I got out that I’d be glad that I had.

I was right.

We had seen John’s Aunt Marie in the afternoon.  She even helped put together his kitchen that I got for him.  I’m looking for toys that can quietly occupy him while I nap.  Several people told me… all kids love playing with the kitchen sets and it can occupy them for hours!

Nathaniel playing with his kitchen set.

So far it seems to be a winner!  This was a relatively inexpensive one purchased at the dollar store.  I’m hoping it will hold up.

For Halloween I dressed him as a bear.  It was a hand me down costume that he pretty much fits into.  It’s a little small in parts, but others fit him perfectly.  It works and you can’t beat the price.

Nathaniel Bear, October 31, 2009

First, we walked over to see our neighbors… they were thrilled to see the boy.

Then we headed over to see John’s Aunt Linda & Bob & then stopped by to see John’s Aunt Di & Uncle Harold.  Everybody was thrilled to see him and glad that we stopped by.  It was nice to hang out and see everybody.  At the same time there was the heartbreak that John wasn’t there with us.

So many things are twofold… the joy of the moment and heartbreak of the not having John to share and experience the moment.  I can’t even describe how much I miss him.  Love always…

Project C.H.A.N.C.E. Held Lights On Afterschool Rally

Local Afterschool Academic Enrichment Program Joins

7,500 Rallies Nationwide Aimed to Make Afterschool Programs Available to All

For Immediate Release

October 23, 2009

Contact: Virginia Lacy

(302) 651-2615

Project C.H.A.N.C.E. Afterschool Program held a Lights On Afterschool rally on Thursday, October 22 at 3pm.  The rally was one of more than 7,500 such events around the nation that day, the ninth annual Lights On Afterschool celebration, organized by the Afterschool Alliance.  California Governor Arnold Schwarenegger is Chair of Lights On Afterschool again this year.  Speakers in Wilmington called for expanding afterschool opportunities so that every child who needs a program has access to one, and discuss the harm that results from budget cuts and freezes.

Participants in the Lights On Afterschool rally included Jack Markell, Lt. Governor, Matthew Denn, Wilmington Mayor, James Baker, State Senator Harris B. McDowell, County Executive, Christopher Coons, as well as local business leaders, educators and other officials.  The event highlighted three of the significant contributions that afterschool programs make to Wilmington: keeping kids safe and healthy, inspiring them to learn, and relieving working parents of worries about their children’s activities during the afternoon hours.  Hundreds of parents, supporters and community members are expected to attend.

Project C.H.A.N.C.E. opened in 2001 with a 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  It now serves 200 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring,   clubs in sports, recreation, mathematics, and dozens of other subjects.  The program is an integral part of Red Clay Consolidated School District and a significant number of supporting partners.

For more information or to arrange interviews with speakers, contact

Project C.H.A.N.C.E.

(302) 651-2615

Click on the link below to view the Project C.H.A.N.C.E. Introduction Video

http://www.archive.org/details/ProjectC.h.a.n.c.e.Introduction

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