Was half price being Paknsave’s Cheap as Tuesday.

Births:

Freddy a brother for Lily

Deaths:

Bruce Douglas

Alexander Robert

Stanley Joseph

Bruce

Geoffrey

James Ritchie

Leo Ward

John James Patrick

Paul Frank

Charles Robert

Gordon Francis

Trent Cody

Quentin

Noel Joseph

Christopher

Janet Ida

Hilda May

Margaret May

Margaret Joyce

Joyce Lillian

Patricia Irene

Margaret

Winifred Jean

May

Patricia Maud

Joy Myrtle

Yvonne Margaret

Dora Winifred

Mary Evelyn

Hazel Isobel Florence

Doris Margaret

Därför har jag inte uppdaterat på ett tag. Här hemma har snön hunnit falla och (nästan) smälta bort igen.

Moses har haft sitt första drev, det varade i 10-15 min ungefär. Det var underbart å se att han förstod vad han skulle göra!

Hilda har flyttat till syster E som substitut för Polly. Det är lite lugnare i lägenheten på nätterna alltså, ingen kanin som försöker gräva sig genom burgolvet eller så. Sen har hon blivit mycket trevligare sedan hon fick flytta. Hon attackerar en t.ex. inte längre när man försöker mata henne. Det är en bra sak

Har hittat en blogg;

http://blog.fuzzymitten.com/

Hon stickar massa fina djur, monster och aliens (m.m). Blev tvungen att beställa två stickböcker, övertalade mig själv att ingen i min närhet skulle förstå hur böckerna skulle beställas om jag önskade mig dem i julklapp så då var jag ju tvungen att köpa dom. Eller hur? Se bara på björnen här nedan, visst är den helt underbar?

Polar bear

Om ni vill se fler bilder av mönster denna underbara människa konstruerat så klicka på länken nedan:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baprime/collections/72157601388968772/

Hon har även en egen hemsida:

http://fuzzymitten.com/

Så nu ska jag drömma om fina stickade varelser och kanske julbaka lite. Om vi har alla ingredienser hemma, annar blir det något annat trevligt.

Initiative Will Transform Federal Government into Model of Veterans Employment

WhiteHouse.gov—Monday, the White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans. This evening, President Obama will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch. The Initiative underscores to federal agencies the importance of recruiting and training veterans, aims to increase the employment of veterans within the Executive Branch, and helps recently hired veterans adjust to service in a civilian capacity.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis

“Honoring our sacred trust with America’s veterans means doing all we can to help them find work when they come home so they never feel as if the American Dream they fought to defend is out of reach for them and their families,” said President Obama. “But this initiative is about more than repaying our debt for their courageous service and selfless sacrifice. It’s also about continuing to fill the ranks of federal employees with men and women who possess the skills, dedication, and sense of duty that Americans deserve from their public servants. And few embody those qualities like our nation’s veterans.”

The Executive Order creates an interagency Council on Veterans Employment that will advise the President and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management on the veterans’ employment initiative. The Council will be chaired by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. OPM Director John Berry will serve as the Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the Council.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki

“Veterans have shown unmatched dedication to public service,” said Secretary Shinseki. “They offer leadership and technical skills that are in high demand, whether in the public or private workforce. Not only does this initiative present an opportunity for Veterans to serve their Nation once again, the Nation will benefit from the education and training Veterans received in the Armed Forces. I am looking forward to working with Secretary Solis and Director Berry to achieve the objectives of this initiative across the federal government.”

“Veterans are an important part of our nation’s past, present and future. They deserve our full support as they reintegrate into the civilian workforce,” said Secretary Solis, “In signing this Executive Order, President Obama underscores his Administration’s commitment to our military men and women, and keeps us squarely on the path to achieving the goal of good jobs for everyone.”

OPM Director John Berry

“President Obama strongly believes in honoring the service of our veterans and he sees this initiative as an opportunity to put some real muscle behind that promise,” said Director Berry. “The strong sense of patriotism and public service held by members of our armed forces doesn’t leave them when they exit from active duty. It benefits our government to seize this opportunity to utilize their skills and dedication to service. The Veterans Employment Initiative will help our federal agencies identify qualified veterans, clarify the hiring process for veterans seeking employment with the federal government, and help our veterans adjust to civilian life once they are hired.”

The Order also establishes a Veterans Employment Program office within most federal agencies. These offices will be responsible for helping veterans identify employment opportunities within those federal agencies, providing feedback to veterans about their employment application status, and helping veterans recently employed by these agencies adjust to civilian life and a workplace culture often different than military service.

In addition, the Office of Personnel Management will issue a government-wide strategic plan that will focus on creating leadership commitment and an infrastructure in each agency to promote continued skills development and employment success for veterans. The strategic plan will also include marketing strategies aimed at agency hiring managers as well as veterans and transitioning service members.

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

“This Executive Order reflects the shared commitment across the Obama administration to hiring American veterans,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Veterans play a vital role in the Department of Homeland Security’s mission to protect the nation, which is why we have pledged to grow our veteran workforce to more than 50,000 Department-wide by 2012.”

At the end of Fiscal Year 2008, there were approximately 480,000 veterans working within the federal government.

More @

hilda lv take a picture

America Ferrera faz de tudo por sua personagem em “Ugly Betty”, até mesmo se vestir de cachorro-quente como parte de uma coreografia totalmente Bollywoodiana que envolve até Mark (Michael Urie).

A cena foi ao ar no último dia 30.10.2009, no quarto episódio da quarta temporada da série, que continua contando no elenco com seus personagens tradicionais, com Daniel (Eric Mabius) e Hilda (Ana Ortiz) — que namora Archie (Ralph Macchio) — apenas alguns entre os mais queridos do público.

Ugly-hot-dog Betty

Newton Calvert, Alastair George, William Valentine, James Leo, Wilfred Trevor, Sydney Randall, William Sidney, Basil.

Coral Rae, Martha Elizabeth, Thelma Evelyn Lucy, Delia Barbara, Dorothy Evelyn, Phillis Hilda, Francis Jane, Sadie Alia, Doris Kate, Ada Jane, Lily Maud, Alice Isabella, Rosemary Ann, Noeline Alice, Olive, Ida, Adah Elsie, Chantelle Roselene Margaret, Myrtle Alice, Viola.

Cada vez mais, as secretarias de cultura e educação municipais, percebem que uma alternativa para resgatar do fracasso os sistemas educacionais públicos pode ser a promoção da cultura e, da LITERATURA, mais especificamente.

No post anterior, divulguei a iniciativa da Secretaria de Cultura de Indaiatuba, o OUTUBRO LITERÁRIO, parte de um projeto mais amplo denominado INDAIATUBA LITERÁRIA, sob curadoria de ÉBER SANDER.

Esquisito é o fato que não haver na ação nenhum link institucional com a secretária de educação local. Aliás, não é de hoje que as duas secretárias que deviam ser irmãs, andam apartadas…

Fica aqui o meu apelo: SECRETÁRIAS, VAMOS DAR AS MÃOS?

Agora, aproveito para divulgar outro evento literário, no qual estou diretamente envolvido:

Hilda

1º Festival Literário de Jahu

O Primeiro Festival Literário da cidade é uma iniciativa da Prefeitura de Jaú realizada através da Secretaria de Cultura e Turismo em parceria com a Secretaria Municipal de Educação. Tem como objetivo promover o incentivo à leitura, debater uma política para o livro e viabilizar a criação literária local para que seja divulgada e reconhecida. O festival tem como foco principal o incentivo à leitura em razão de ostentar o município lamentável no IDEB na avaliação das escolas públicas de Jaú.

Realizado na antiga Estação Ferroviária da Paulista, transformada em espaço cultural que abriga atualmente a Escola de Música – Emmhazzi e a recém fundada Academia Jahuense de Letras, o espaço abrigará o eixo do festival e a programação será descentralizada com o objetivo de ampliar o campo da ação desenvolvida.

O Festival terá como homenageada a grande escritora jauense Hilda Hilst, nascida em Jaú no dia 21 de abril de 1930. Hilda é reconhecida quase pela unanimidade da crítica brasileira, como uma das principais autoras do Brasil e considerada uma das mais importantes vozes da Língua Portuguesa do século XX, ousada e perspicaz com relação aos temas que escrevia. Escreveu 41 livros nos três gêneros fundamentais: poesia lírica, dramaturgia e prosa narrativa alcançando resultados notáveis nos três estilos. Foi traduzida para o francês, italiano, espanhol, inglês e alemão. Apesar dos prêmios, notoriedade nacional e internacional, Hilda lamentava a alcunha de escritora difícil. Seu grande desejo era ser lida, entendida, ser uma escritora popular. Hilda sobreviveu para ver sua obra completa relançada pela editora globo em 2001 e veio a falecer no dia 04 de fevereiro de 2004.

O Festival envolve a criação dos escritores locais que será objeto de debates, tema de redação e inspiração para os alunos da rede municipal. Peças teatrais, contação de histórias como o principal meio de incentivo a leitura, shows musicais, capacitação de professores através de oficinas, visita dos alunos à Feira de livros, saraus poéticos, lançamentos de livros, participação da Academia Jauense de Letras e do Projeto Usina de Sonhos de Dois Córregos e publicação de jornal em formato tablóide contendo trechos de obras dos escritores e poetas locais.

O festival será realizado de 09 a 17 de outubro e contará com uma programação especial e educativa para o público infantil marcando o foco do festival de incentivo á leitura principalmente com as salas de 1° ano estendendo-se assim ao público que tiver interesse de outros módulos.

Fonte: Secretária Municipal de Cultura de Jahu

Por se tratar de da primeira edição HILDA, o festival de literatura de Jahu traz uma extensa e o ousada programação. Destaco, aqui, dois amigos (um de fé, outro de profissão) que lá estarão:

Dia 10/09 – Sábado:

17h00min – Oficina Arte e Educação no Ensino Fundamental com Fabiano Calixto.

Local: Estação das Letras

Praça Totó Sampaio s/ nº.

Fabiano Calixto

Fabiano Calixto nasceu em Garanhuns, PE, em 8 de junho de 1973. Vive em São Paulo. É mestrando em Teoria Literária e Literatura Comparada na Universidade de São Paulo, USP. Tem poemas publicados em vários jornais e suplementos do Brasil e do exterior. Traduziu poemas de Jim Morrison, Gonzalo Rojas, Allen Ginsberg, John Lennon, Laurie Anderson. Traduz atualmente a obra de Benjamín Prado. Edita, com Angélica Freitas, Marília Garcia e Ricardo Domeneck, a revista de poesia Modo de Usar & Co. Publicou os livros de poesia Algum (1998), Fábrica (2000) e Um Mundo Só Para Cada Par (2001), este último em parceria com os poetas Tarso de Melo e Kléber Mantovani. Seus últimos livros publicados foram Música Possível (2006), pela coleção Ás de Colete da editora paulistana CosacNaify, Sangüínea (2007, 34 Letras) e Pão com bife (2007), um livro de poesia para crianças, pela editora SM (São Paulo).

Dia 11/09 Domingo

19h30min Lançamento do Livro: “Caymmi sem folclore”, André Domingues.

Local: Estação das Letras

Praça Totó Sampaio s/ nº.

André Domingues

Quando se fala em Dorival Caymmi, personagem absolutamente funfamental da MPB, é comum que se faça uma associação do compositor com imagens do mar, do pescador, das ladeiras de Salvador. Mas será que isso representa a totalidade da obra do baiano? Explorando uma outra linha de pensamento, o crítico e pesquisador André Domingues escreveu “Caymmi sem folclore”, livro que a Editora Barcarolla lança agora, em agosto, quando se completa um ano da morte do cantor.

André Domingues

Crítico musical, pesquisador e professor de História da MPB. Licenciado em Filosofia, pela Unicamp, e Mestre em História Social, pela Usp, trabalha como crítico musical na imprensa paulista há 10 anos, colaborando, atualmente, com o Diário do Comércio – SP. Tem ministrado cursos e palestras sobre a História da MPB em lugares como Centro Cultural Aúthos Pagano, Casa das Rosas, Sesc Vila Mariana, Sesc Pompéia e Biblioteca Alceu Amoroso Lima. É autor do livro Os 100 Melhores CDs da MPB (2004, Sá Editora) e co-autor de Cultura e Elegância (2005, Contexto Editorial) e Batuqueiros da Paulicéia (2009, Editora Barcarolla). Realiza, ainda, trabalhos de curadoria, direção artística e produção em diversos projetos ligados à música brasileira. Foi diretor e apresentador do programa televisivo “Novos Talentos” da emissora Alltv de junho de 2003 a outubro de 2007. É comentarista do programa radiofônico Conexão MPB, veiculado pelo site Voit e pela rádio UOL desde abril de 2008.

Um Caymmi diferente

Livro que a Editora Barcarolla lança em agosto revela um Dorival Caymmi que vai muito além das fronteiras da praia, da capoeira, do candomblé e do samba de roda. Quebrando esses mitos folclorizantes, emerge um personagem muito mais interessante, moderno, envolvido com o mundo do rádio, da imprensa, da intelectualidade, enfim, com a cultura urbana do seu tempo.

Quando se fala em Dorival Caymmi, personagem absolutamente fundamental da MPB, é comum que se faça uma associação do compositor com imagens do mar, do pescador, das ladeiras de Salvador. Mas será que isso representa a totalidade da obra do baiano? Explorando uma outra linha de pensamento, o crítico e pesquisador André Domingues escreveu “Caymmi sem folclore”, livro que a Editora Barcarolla lança agora, em agosto, quando se completa um ano da morte do cantor.

O viés não-folclorizante da obra consiste em mostrar a produção de Caymmi não a partir da capoeira, do candomblé ou do samba de roda, mas do universo do rádio, dos discos, do cinema, enfim, da cultura de massa.

Ouvidas com atenção, composições do início da sua carreira, como o samba “O que É que a Baiana Tem?” e a canção-praieira “Noite de Temporal”, já indicavam um artista moderno, mais interessado em recriar a Bahia (e o Brasil) numa nova linguagem do que simplesmente em reproduzir um punhado de traços típicos. Seus sambas-canção, compostos a partir de meados dos anos 40, foram ainda mais longe, buscando uma síntese e uma universalização da cultura brasileira. Recriar, sintetizar e universalizar o nacional – três preocupações clássicas do modernismo. E também de Caymmi. Um modernista não-erudito, um modernista de ouvido.

“’Caymmi Sem Folclore’ é um título de intencional ambiguidade”, revela o pesquisador. Por um lado, recusa aquele romance adocicado, o folclore com ‘f’ minúsculo que se costuma fazer da história das personalidades marcantes da vida brasileira; por outro, combate a visão folclorizante – com ‘f’ maiúsculo – de Caymmi, tomado pela crítica como um reflexo imediato do meio em que se criou, tal como se costuma fazer com um mestre de maracatu pernambucano ou um jongueiro do sudeste. Os dois são problemáticos. O primeiro porque falseia os fatos a pretexto de contar a história com “beleza”, e o segundo porque, ao tomar Caymmi como um criador folclórico, fatalizado a reproduzir a cultura da terra natal, perde o que há de particular e inovador na sua obra. Mais do que simplesmente refletir a Bahia, Caymmi criou uma Bahia. E criou com tanta habilidade que esta passou muitas vezes como sendo a Bahia essencial, a baianidade em si.

Fonte: relise de divulgação

Dia 15/09 – Quinta:

16h00h – Oficina: Despertando o interesse infantil pela Leitura com Claudio Guilherme Alves Salla.

Local: Estação das Letras

Praça Totó Sampaio s/ nº.

sono io by A. Toresan

EMENTA:

A Oficina consiste na indicação de chaves para despertar o interesse da criança pela leitura por intermédio de elementos significativos do próprio universo infantil. A formação de um sujeito autônomo pressupõe a apropriação e criação dos sentidos por intermédio da leitura nos seus mais diversos aspectos. Cinema, música e o teatro, utilizados enquanto ferramentas de sensibilização para o texto literário (poesia e prosa). Adequação do gênero literário ás diferentes etapas do desenvolvimento cognitivo infantil.

A oficina é dividida em dois momentos: um inicial, voltado para a apresentação dos textos e dos diferentes gêneros do discurso literário para o professor, depois, uma exposição de propostas de atividades para trabalho em sala de aula, com os alunos.

Abordaremos de forma ampla, as diversas formas da narrativa literária: a poesia, o conto, o romance infanto-juvenil e a mitologia greco-romana. Além disso, será oportuno apresentar, também, um panorama da literatura infanto-juvenil contemporânea: autores, lançamentos, novidades.

Claudio Guilherme Alves Salla é educador formado em Filosofia pela UNICAMP, especialista em Filosofia Clínica, atua na rede pública estadual de São Paulo e no município de Indaiatuba, ministrando aulas de Filosofia para os ensinos fundamental e médio. Coordena, na rede pública de educação municipal, projeto de tecnologia educacional e capacitação tecnológica para docentes. Participa, atualmente, do programa de incentivo a leitura “Ler faz bem”, da Secretaria de Educação de Indaiatuba (SEME). Poeta, vencedor do Mapa Cultural Paulista, mantém um blogue na web onde trata de poesia e literatura, além de editar duas revistas literárias digitais sobre o tema.

Em tempo:

Meus especiais agradecimento ao amigo ANDRÉ DOMINGUES e a gentilíssima SÍLVIA CARINHATO, meu contato na Secretaria de Cultura em Jahu.

“Circe, how can you expect me to be kind to you? You have turned my companions into swine in your house, and now that you have me here you ask me deceitfully to come into your bedroom and go to bed with you, in order to weaken and unman me once I am naked. No, I do not want to go to bed with you, goddess, unless you agree to swear a great oath to plan no further mischief against me.”

[prophet note: This was actually written a few days ago.]

prettyprophet: Ok, quick post. nde, what’s happening on your end?

nde: Reading. For class.

prettyprophet: About what?

nde: Magic.

prettyprophet: nde’s a wizard. I’m just a muggle. Rabbit release! Monster Hunter doujinshi! Circle Amazake Hatosyo-ten’s “Sunset Glow”, artist Yoshu Ohepe. Features enormous-breasted chick named Hilda and some kid named Ruka. I don’t know anything about Monster Hunter.

nde: Good thing we didn’t buy it.

prettyprophet: Yeah. Now Pat’s gotta party with strangers. Ha, fucking slut. Anyways, this is a special release. What’s so special? C’mon, what.

nde: It’s a commission?

prettyprophet: Right, but not for us. It was commissioned by Setebos, but to BROLEN. Why’d we do it? Did we do some project-theft? Fuck no, brolen x Rabbit joint, tadow.

nde: Wasn’t there another joint?

prettyprophet: Maybe. Yo, email the PR Rabbit at pr.rabbit[at]gmail[dot]com. Let’s talk some shop; we are open for business. BUT NOT COMMISSIONS, SEND THOSE TO ribaldrabbit[at]gmail[dot]com.

nde: “Antaura came out of the sea. She shouted like a deer. She roared like an ox.”

prettyprophet: Rabbit Apocalypse, coming 2011.

nde: I think it’s a charm for migraines.

prettyprophet: Really? I could use some of that.

Additional links:

On brolen
On Megaupload
On Rapidshare
On RABBIT COMMISSION CONTEST #1 & #2

PSP:

On Rapidshare

Gender: Feminine
Origin: German/Old Norse
Meaning: “battle enclosure.”
(HIL-deh-GARD)

The name is derived from the ancient Germanic elements hild meaning “battle” and gard meaning “enclosure; garden; farm.” The name is borne by several important female personages in Medieval European history. It was borne by Hildegard, wife of Emperor Charlemagne, (758-783). It is also borne by the famous German mystic Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179). Hildegard of Bingen also known as St. Hildegard and Blessed Hildegard was a fascinating woman, not only was she known for her impressive visions from heaven, but she was a prolific songwriter, poet and play-write. She is even credited with inventing the earliest known constructed language known as Lingua Ignota. In the modern world, it is borne by German opera singer Hildegard Behrens (1937-2009).

Poor Hildegard doesn’t get much love these days, she is considered dated in places like Germany and Sweden, where the name used to be quite prevalent at the turn of the century. I don’t believe you will ever see an English speaking parent consider this for their daughter. However, with the revival of Mathilde and Matilda, it is entirely possible. A more melodic alternative is the Finnish form Hillevi (HIL-leh-VEE). There is also Hellevi and Hilla. Estonian  forms are Hille, Hilli, Ille and Illi. It’s French form is Hildegard (EEL-deu-GAHR). Nicknames include Hilde, Hilda, Hildi and Hilly. Its name-day is September 17.

Efter att ha städat lite, torkat golven så tyckte jag att jag förtjänade att sitta ner vid datorn en stund för avkoppling då ryggen var helt lealös (Igår).

Satt och lyssna på ljudboken Pepparkakshuset av Carin Gerhardsen (hos Storytel) och la patiens samtidigt. Helt plötsligt hörde jag en smäll i vardagsrumsfönstret, tittade mot det hållet och upptäcker att Hilda bus hade en fågel i munnen. Jag hojta på Patric som fick tag i fågeln och slängde ut den (jag törs inte ta i sånt) och fågeln flög sin kos. Kvar står Hilda o jamar….ett jamande jag aldrig hört komma från henne tidigare. Hon måste helt enkelt ha blivit jätteledsen pg av att hon inte fick behålla den lilla pippin.

Hon är en såndär katt man skulle lätt kunna döpa om till Emil med alla bus hon gör. Som den gången då jag köpte ny kaffebryggare och kartongen låg kvar på golvet i köket några timmar efteråt. Jag hörde hur det prasslade där ute och sa till min dotter att nu gör hon säkert bus igen….mycket riktigt…vi hitta en halv vit katt i kartongen. Roligt hade hon iaf

Miss Frigolito

Vaktar jordgubbarna!

Tarzan med bra utsikt

Hoppsan hejsan hur ska detta gå

Oj det var en smutsig tur jag var på

Sen en underbar vila efter allt bus

Nu när jag skriver detta så sitter hon på mitt skrivbord och är jättegosig. Iväg o fika och gosa med Hilda bus nu.

Kramis

By Oso Arcilla and Justin Stanley:

Shelton’s hands were covered in the foulest smelling substance he had ever personally smelled himself. His mother asked him to retrieve a box of old paperbacks from his grandmother’s closet because this is where his grandmother kept her checkbooks.

Uninterested in his mother’s gin-soaked plans and unaware of Beuford’s pinto pulling up the driveway, he dug through his grandmother’s closet, on his knees, brittle furs scrapping his face and coating his hair in dust.

Shelton could hear his mother starting to scream downstairs for him in this tone she always uses when she start to lose her patience with their maid Hilda. Hilda was lazy and was often caught stealing their silverware, but her husband happened to be a pharmacist and Shelton’s mother would more than often take advantage of this fact.

So did Hilda and it didnt help her laziness. But Shelton found her half-assed work kind of endearing.

Shelton, as often as he could, would sneak peeks up Hilda’s knee high skirts since she never wore any under-coverings. Hilda wasn’t a particularly attractive woman, but other than helping his grandmother clean up after using her bedpan, Shelton had never seen any other female’s slivered anatomy bits before, and his grandmother’s were really nothing worth looking at.

Pictures around the house suggested she had been something of a dame in in her day, each one black and white with curling brass frames that echoed the her silver curls and broad smiles splashed across smokey darkened speak-easys and pinstriped laps.

His uncle Bueford would often suggest that Grandma Ginger was once a high dollar call girl, having all her fortune left to her by an adoring former patron.

A fortune squandered after the depression but one Ginger seemed to believe was locked away somewhere, waiting to reveal itself in her will. In her lucid moments, she would remind them that if they tried to forcefeed her this mush one more time, it would be the moment they were written out of the will. One particular nasty tantrum had so exhausted her that she broke into uncontrollable sobs Shelton felt sure no person of her age and condition should be able to produce.

Shelton, deep in thought, had now forgotten what he was doing in his grandmother’s dingy old closet in the first place. He stepped down off the stool-ladder and wiped his hands on an old low cut turquoise blouse he could never image his grandmothers sagging breasts in, and stepped backwards where he tripped over Lucy, his least favorite of his grandmother’s eighteen cats.

The fat orange tabby squealed and shot across the musky pink plush carpet to shiver beneath Ginger’s stained vanity mirror, the shriek and rush stirring Ginger from her seemingly catatonic state for a moment to mutter that the sheets were too heavy.

Betty, Betty, where did it all go wrong?

Probably when they got rid of Gio.

My love affair with this show is over, taking a beating throughout the season. Somehow, the enthusiasm I used to have for Betty dwindled until I was merely watching it out of habit.

It’s hard to say what exactly happened, but I think it may have come from the lack of character development for Betty. We finally had some developments with her deciding to be her own person, move out of home and live in the city and..well, grow up (unfortunately this didn’t extend to her fashion taste, but whatever. Obviously the show has no concept of how people actually do evolve over time – and when are those damn braces coming off?).

And then they slam on the brakes and reverse wildly back to the firsts eason, throwing Betty back into the family home and just not letting her mature. It really frustrated me. We see all these people around her growing, expanding their roles and becoming more than the 2 dimensional characters we were first introduced to, and yet our titular character remins exactly the same. There is no need to re-invent her overnight but for god’s sake – by now maybe she could have tried contacts once or twice, decided ponchos aren’t the best idea in the world, experienced with heels and TAKEN IFF THOSE GODDAMNED BRACES.

We saw Daniel maturing with a child of his own, and then a splendid twist, where he discovers it’s not his biological son – but his brother/sisters. Ouch. And while he broods, he meets Molly, his best friend’s fiancé, and the perfect woman for him. Wilhemina softens with a relationship with said best friend of Daniel, and also has a new baby to tend to. We have growth with her, as her hard metal shell crackens occasionally to reveal how deeply she cares about her status in life and does everything within her power to hold onto it.

Even Amanda and Marc have growth, with Marc’s relationship going through the wringer as he becomes uncomfortable being with only one man, a man he loves but doesn’t fit the ideal world he is desperately trying to throw himself into. And then after breaking his heart, he throws himself into becoming a junior editor, which he obviously excels at…but which is cruelly stolen away from him at the end. Gah. I love you Marc.

Even Christina, who has Wilhemina’s devil spawn, gets her husband back, tried to help him with his disease, and then finds herself attached to the child, only to find out it actually is her child and waltzes back to Scotland – see? Some..semblance of…

Screw it. Betty just annoys me.

They keep flinging around the editor-in-chief role like it’s the holy grail, now it’s Alexis, now it’s Daniel, now it’s Willy, now it’s I don’t give a toss. We see Betty develop and then regress again. They bring bloody Harry back to destroy her new relationship with the rich boy, who I was growing to like (although he will never replace the joy which is Gio in my heart –Bring Back Gio!) – and then at the end of it, the new guy’s dad is now in charge of the whole shebang, and brings in the newly heartbroken boy to be Betty’s boss – and I find myself not caring. I honestly don’t care. I want to see Amanda, Marc, Wilhemina, Daniel’s heartbreak over losing Molly to cancer, hell, Hilda and Justin. I don’t care about Betty anymore.

Which is why this show is being relegated off the schedule. I’ll see what the first few episodes bring – and if they don’t entice me, it’s off to E4 with the show. I’ll see it when they finally show the new season next year.

Births:

Girls

Neave Marsha, Alexis Maureen (Rose), Lily Rose, Isla Ann (Matthew), Hayley Jessica (Olivia),

Meila Grace (Samirah), Lily-Rose Lola, Caitlin Grace (Joseph), Luella Merinda,

Ella Elizabeth (Shaun), Molly Claire, Olivia Grace (Hannah), Milan Audri,

Isabella Beth, Lily Alice, Sofia Jean (Meg), Paige Belle (Jacob).

Boys

Max Rueben (Ashleigh), Thomas Joseph (Lachlan), Xavier Charlie (Jeremy),

Cooper Paul (Tyson, Nivae, Nikita), Harry George (Sophie), Samuel Richard,

Harry John (Sophie, George), Luke Steven (Josh,Jess,Jack

Rogue Adam (Tessa, Zane, Storm), Liam James, Harry Arthur Edgar (Annabel)

Edward James (Josh,Lily), Miles Thomas, Ryan James (Matthew), Jack Benjamin

George William, William Francis (Andre), Anthony James (Ruby), Liam Robert.

Deaths

Diane Ellen, Hilda (92),Joyce Emily (89), Mary Elizabeth (68), Margaret Joan (78),

Lucy Emily (97) siblings Henry & Edith, Helen Cecilia (90), Margaret Ann (69),

Elsie Ann, Hilda Jane (101), Dorothy, Lenora Anne (72), Nyra Mary (90),

Florence Rebecca (90), Mary Virginia (83), Ivy.

Eymard Ernest, Beau, George Albert, Clifford William, James Seddon,

Rennel John (58).

I fucking hate what I have become – every single person in the family thinks that because I managed to deal with the death of my husband (like I had a choice) that I am somehow endowed with some supernatural ability when it comes to dealing with loss.
So, Jeff calls me all in a panic, which I suppose is fine given the fact that he’s just found mum dead, but seriously, why should I be the one to deal with it? He’s just as capable – or should be. He fucking should be.
So I calm him down and tell him he needs to wait there for all the official people who are going to turn up, then I make all the necessary phone calls. Yes, after Peter died I did have to do all these things. Yes, I know what must be done. Do I want to do it every single time someone dies? No, I don’t. Fuck it – no, I don’t. It’s unfair – it’s not right.
What the hell did mum die of? I thought she was doing fine – she never said anything. I suppose she was looking a bit peaky. Had she lost weight? Damn, why didn’t I take more notice? Is this my fault? If it is, then they are right – and I should be the one who deals with most of the bullshit this is going to entail. Damn, what about dad? Who’s going to tell dad? And come to that, how can we tell dad? Should we tell him? Oh god, I don’t know. It’s not like he’ll understand. Except in his lucid moments he asks for her, sometimes speaks to her on the phone. What’s the best thing to do? They all expect me to know so I should have some kind of answer, shouldn’t I?
Shit, I need a fag. Hope I’m not out. Thank fuck. God, that tastes so damned good. Fuck cancer. Ha ha. Fuck – cancer! What if mum died of cancer? Come to think of it her bag was rattling like she had half the fucking medicine cabinet in it, and she did look like she’d lost weight. I’d ask Jeff to go and have a look but he’s fucking useless and would babble on forever about it.
I’ll have to go round there – have to go round in the end anyway. No choice in the bloody matter. Hilda, the big sister, to the rescue yet again.

-Anualmente salen al mercado cientos de mangas de los más diversos tópicos, cifra que con facilidad podría aumentar a miles si consideramos en este numero también a los doujinshis y el trabajo de mangakas independientes. Si aproximadamente solo un 1 % de esos mangas gozarán de éxito, y de ese reducido número solo una mínima fracción logrará consolidarse en el tiempo, podemos concluir que el mundo del mangazine es uno bastante competitivo, y que alcanzar algo de fama, por muy pasajera que resulte, ya es algo que merezca respeto y admiración.

En Japón existen diversas “casas” o mejor dicho “revistas” especializadas en mangas, que reúnen a una gran cantidad de artistas en el área en pos de recopilar sus trabajos con fines lucrativos. De todas estas revistas, lejos la mas famosa y popular es la Shonen Jump, el hogar de series de tan alto nivel como Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Gintama, Eyeshield 21 (manga de reciente conclusión en Japón), D. Gray Man, entre otras series mas recientes como Psyren, Bakuman y Beelzebub, el manga del que trata todo esto.

Cada cierto tiempo, más o menos cada dos o tres años, aparece una historia realmente popular que causa un “desequilibrio” en el universo del manga y anime. Series que por novedad revolucionan el sistema (Death Note, por ejemplo), o que por bien planteadas sobresalen incluso dentro de un género explotado al cansancio (One Piece o Naruto). Como sea, estos casos son escasos, y lo normal es que demoren cierto tiempo en “prender”, es decir, en coger buen ritmo y crecer hasta transformarse en un monstruo. Caso emblemático de esto es Naruto, que a las pocas semanas de su nacimiento estuvo al borde de la cancelación. Es por eso y mas que es raro, muy raro que una serie con solo 18 episodios a sus espaldas ya goce no solo de una solidez consolidada, sino que también de una base argumental estable, y lo que es mas importante, un ejercito de fans que desde ya levantan banderas y gritan a los cuatro vientos que Beelzebub es la verdadera revolución que estaba esperando el mundo del manga y animación japonesa desde hace tanto tiempo.

Lo de este manga realmente es increíble. Un dibujante (Ryuhei Tamura) que hace su debut en Jump, logra con su One-Shot el primer puesto en la Golden Future Cup (concurso para mangakas) y al acto consigue la serialización. Con solo tres capítulos ya tiene armada una historia mas sólida que un ladrillo de concreto, una comedia mezclada con acción y aventuras que saca lo mejor de diversos géneros. Aquel humor sarcástico de Gintama que es tan raro de encontrar, y secuencias de acción que no tienen nada que envidiar a la misma One Piece.

Beelzebub cuenta la historia de Oga, un delincuente juvenil que un día cualquiera, mientras agarraba por los pies a alguien y lo asfixiaba en un río, nota por casualidad la silueta de un hombre en el agua. Al rescatarlo esta persona se parte en dos (así, literalmente) y revela en su interior a un bebe desnudo que de inmediato se encariña con nuestro protagonista, y le sigue a todos lados. Aquel niño es en realidad Beel, el hijo del Rey Demonio en persona, quien lo envió al mundo humano a causar caos y destrucción. Pero como por el momento no es más que un infante, para desarrollar sus poderes debe estar en contacto con un humano increíblemente despiadado y cruel.

Oga, pese a ser un idiota que le encantan las peleas, no esta interesando ni en el fin del mundo ni en criar a un bebe diabólico, por lo que frecuentemente intentara deshacerse de niño, buscando a las personas mas malvadas y fuertes de la zona, en espera de que Beel se encapriche con alguien mas.

Del “staff” de personajes hasta el momento destaca Hilda, la bella pero letal mujer-demonio encargada del cuidado personal del joven Beel. También Aoi, pero aun es muy pronto para hablar sobre esas cosas. El manga es demasiado reciente, y muchos personajes aun se encuentran sin desarrollar.

Para concluir, me gustaría adjuntar que esto no es una recomendación ni nada por el estilo. Es un imperativo categórico, incluso quizás un poco amenazante. Bájenlo, o perderán la oportunidad de ver los comienzos de una de las historias que más dará que hablar durante la próxima década. No hay que pensar nada, solo háganlo y punto. Ya me lo agradecerán después.

Stella went on her first Road Trip this past weekend.  Uncle Fred and Auntie Darlene invited her up for the holiday weekend….they invited Rob and I too….and Grammy, Grampy and Hilda.  Stella did really well in the car.

Hilda is sooooo not happy about this arrangement.

Much to the disappointment of Hilda….Stella settled onto Grammy Jo like a barnacle and slept for the entire ride.  Grammy Jo had a case of carpal tunnel after rubbing/scratching two dogs for the three hour ride north!  So many hours in the car made for a very rambunctious girl when we arrived! 

So many new smells, new things, and her first encounter with a cat.  There were actually three cats in the house, but only one who was brave enough to deal with 20lbs of happy puppy…….meet…..Tony the Cat

He's 17...deaf...but full of piss and vinegar.

Tony set Miss Stella in her place….with a few swats and hisses….and then took over her bed.  Stella tried to make him love her and to play with her.  Tony would have none of that.

Stella, unable to controll her puppy-ness had to be restrained while indoors.

My nice new anklet...excuse the blinding whiteness of my leg....we've had a lot of rain for the last 6 weeks.

She spent most of the weekend tethered to one of us.

You NEVER let me have ANY fun.

She did get outside and have some fun…..we took her for LOTS of walks…..and although it seemed like we took her outside every hour….she still managed to pee 4 times in the house.  What is up with that?  She had moments of cuteness when she wasn’t digging things out of the bathroom trash, chasing Hilda, bothering Tony…. 

With Auntie Darlene's Begonias

Taking naps under Uncle Fred's chair.

The Unhappiest Miss America Ever.

Posing with Mama

So excited!!!

One Tired Puppeh.

Recently I’ve been watching the 2005 anime Eureka Seven and I must say I’m enjoying it. It has taken me over 2 years to actually grab those episodes and watch them. Whatfor? Well, Leading Character Renton Thurston seemed the long lost sibling of Naruto-kun while Eureka herself was just a copy of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Rei. No, I’m not exagerating. That’s just my opinion.

So far I’m liking it, even though hearing Miyano Mamoru as the blond surf kid Moondoggie is somewhat off. (I got thoughts of a happy blond Setsuna F Seiei (Gundam 00), overhappy Light (Death Note) and a surfing Riku (Kingdom Hearts) in my head after seeing him for the first time). And is it just me or does the insert instrumental sometimes reminds of a Kingdom Hearts one?

What I wanted to say was this: After watching a few episodes – and checking wikipedia just to be sure – I’ve come to the conclusion that Eureka Seven is as into the popculture as their characters are. While Moondoggie and Gidget are based upon 2 surfers in the movie of the same name, even Renton’s grandfather and grandmother  (Axel and Rose) have names that bring us back to more or less famous people. It’s going that far that I’ve even found a belgian reference in the story. Maurice, Maeter and Linck are 3 characters that got their name from a Belgian writer: Maurice Maeterlinck. Does that mean the writers of Eureka Seven couldn’t come up with their own names or just want to make sure to recognize those other people?

I’ll post hereby a list of references that caught my eye. There are more to be found here, here and here.

• Renton and Diane Thurston are both names after characters from the Trainspotting movie: Mark Renton and Dianne Coulston
• Adroc Thurston is named after Adam Horovitz, aka Ad-Rock, from the Beastie Boys, as well as both of his partners in discovering the Nirvash, Dr. Yauch & Dr. Diamond. (Adam Yauch and Mike Diamond)
• The Thurstons’ last name is a reference to Thurston Moore of the band Sonic Youth.^[74]
• Hap is named after Hap Jacobs, a famous shaper of surfboards.
• Jobs and Woz are references to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, co-founders of Apple Computer.
• Ken-Goh is named after Kengo Watanabe, aka KEN=GO, a DJ who was the partner of Eureka Seven series writer Dai Sato in founding the Frogman record label in 1993 and Frognation Ltd. in 1997.
• Maurice, Maeter, and Linck are directly based on Katz, Letz, and Kikka from the original Mobile Suit Gundam, having nearly identical appearances and ages to all three of the Gundam characters. Their relationship with Eureka echoes how Gundam’s Frau Bow cared for the three orphans herself, though otherwise Eureka and Frau are quite different.
• Another similarity to Gundam is the relationship between Renton and Charles Beams. Meeting them during his desertion from the Gekko was a similar situation to when Amuro Ray deserted the White Base and met Ramba Ral and his wife, Hamon. Ramba Ral was a similar ace pilot to Charles, who also piloted a blue custom machine. Furthermore, both Charles and Ramba exploded in defeat, and left their loving wives to avenge them.
• Moondoggie’s real name is James Darren Emerson, which is a reference to James Darren, who played Moondoggie in the previously mentioned movies, and Darren Emerson, the famous electronic music DJ.
• Anemone is named after an equally unbalanced young woman from the Ryu Murakami novel Coin Locker Babies. Murakami’s Anemone also kept a pet named Gulliver (an alligator, in her case).
• Charles and Ray Beams are named after Charles Eames and Ray Eames, two married designers (known for the film Powers of Ten).
• In episode 39, Eureka’s soccer jersey is number 7. Quite probably a pun for the series’ name but may also be a tribute to the everlasting popularity of David Beckham, who wears number 7 when playing for England and wore the number playing for Manchester United.
• Stoner is most likely based on Ron Stoner who, fitting with the theme of lifting, was a surf photographer. It is also possible that he is based on the persona of Che Guevara, at least in appearance; Stoner’s hat, haircut and face in particular.