Are you a fan of the Twilight saga movies and books??  You’ll love the nigftfall set I took part in over at MYGRAFICO

This is just one of many creations you can do with our set.  This card was simply made with the pattnern papers and a couple of the graphics. I added the little bows to give it another punch of red.  I also used a 3d glue dot on the heart.

Some other creations you can do with this set.

 -  scrapbook pages to show off your awesome photos from your twilight party
-  use the frames for wall art and put your fave movie graphics in them.
-  Create party invitations
-  Use the graphics for candy wrappers
- Use the graphics to create bag toppers and fill the bags with red jelly beans and other red candies.
- placecards

MUCH MUCH MORE!!   Set is even great for general romantic, luxurious projects.  Happy Crafting!

gibbous moon above
shining brightly, and alone …
we wait for nightfall

As his Wikipedia article will tell you, sci-fi legend Isaac Asimov’s books have been published in nine out of ten categories of the Dewey Decimal System: everything but the 100s, philosophy.

That’s hardly surprising, considering that he wrote over 470 books.  That’s more than 6.5 books a year, assuming he began pounding on that typewriter in 1920, as an infant.  But you know, considering his resume, I wouldn’t be too surprised about that either.

And so, having finished Asimov’s and Robert Silverberg’s Nightfall this afternoon, I’m compelled to make the argument that Asimov deserves that tenth spot from Melvil Dewey: placed next to Asimov’s Foundation series Nightfall displays a striking similarity, and that in the philosophical realm.

It’s called Pragmatism.

As a formal philosophy, Pragmatism was developed primarily by William James and another Dewey (John)—but it could be argued just as well that Niccolo Machiavelli was one of the very original proponents, all the way back the 16^th century.  With his political treatise The Prince, Florence’s most infamous son laid the foundations for political science as we know it.

And while “Machiavellian” has become synonymous for cunning, deceit, and unscrupulous manipulation (also a byword for such as LOST’s Ben Linus and Gormenghast’s Steerpike—look it up; Mervyn Peake needs to get some readers this side of the pond), the ultimate intention of The Prince isn’t to be a guidebook for aspiring megalomaniacs.  It’s simply pragmatic: meaning, basically, that what’s true is what works.

That’s a strange definition at first read.  But the Pragmatist relies on a re-working of what we mean by the word “truth.”  Truth, conventionally conceived, is something we discover in a dusty library perusing ancient documents, or on a mountaintop communing with the divine, or paging through Wikipedia.  It’s something immutable, unchanging, and something that can be determined objectively.  It’s what correctly describes reality (formally, by the way, this is called the “Correspondence Theory of Truth,” but no one really needs to know that unless they have an upcoming dinner party to sound pretentious at or something).

The Pragmatist rejects this concept of truth.  Science shows us, after all, that theories are always being contested, revised, and contested again—it’s why we eschew attaching the word “law” even to the works of Newton or Einstein.  Science isn’t about dogma.  And that—quoth the Niccolo Machiavelli inside the Pragmatist—is why, when it comes to searching for “truth,” we should be more like scientists.  Truth doesn’t come by research or revelation, but rather by experiment.  We test, tinker, and investigate a question until we find something that works.  We’re actors in the world, after all—not passive observers.  The “truth” should facilitate successful action in the world: it has to be practical.

So let’s be semi-scientific for a moment:

Quantum theory is absolutely mind-boggling (at least for a layperson like myself): it confuses cause and effect, posits zombie cats both alive and dead at the same time, and raises the metaphysically bothersome proposition of an observer-created reality—but it works.  The predictions of quantum mechanics have been validated as extraordinarily accurate.  And so, for now, it’s true.

Which brings us back to Asimov (and if you haven’t read either Foundation or the novelization of “Nightfall,” then please be warned: thar be spoilers yonder)—

Asimov’s novels are filled with tough-minded pragmatists making horrifying decisions in horrifying circumstances about the horrifying future of humanity—usually against their deepest convictions and consciences.  The reasons tend to be pragmatic.

Take Captain Golan Trevize of Foundation and Earth (who I gleefully lambasted in my very first blog post, so long, long ago):

Trevize is the consummate individualist, something of a space cowboy who might have provided inspiration for the rebel pseudo-criminal Captain Malcolm Reynolds of Joss Whedon’s cult hit Firefly.  Trevize does, after all, kind of steal a Foundation cruiser, and he rejects with every ounce of his being the idea that the course of humankind’s future has been predetermined by the psychohistorical predictions and guidance of the ancient mathematician Hari Seldon and his secret planet of followers.  For Trevize, free will is everything.

The stakes only get higher when he learns that part of that planned course involves a friggin’ creepy galactic hive mind, Gaia.  “A superorganism,” Bantam’s back book cover explains:

“Gaia is a holistic planet with a common consciousness so intensely united that every dewdrop, every pebble, every being, can speak for all—and feel for all.  It is a realm in which privacy is not only undesirable, it is incomprehensible.”

The prospect, for Trevize, is repulsive (as it would be for those of us who abhor the Borg—which, too, was terrorizing one Captain Picard and co. in the mid-1980s, as well as science fiction’s other Cold War kids).  And yet—he picks it.  Trevize alone (by some plot twist I still don’t fully comprehend) can choose or derail this future, and for the sake of species-wide unity in the face of possible extraterrestrial invasion, decides that the horror of total absorption of the individual is better than total annihilation of the species—though honestly, I will seriously debate this point, and I’ve got Mal Reynolds at my back.  In any case, former ideals are suppressed, and Golan Trevize does what he sees as most practical, damn him.

It’s a similar choice Theremon 762 of Kalgash has to face in Nightfall.  The novel, based on Asimov’s legendary short story of the same name—possibly the most famous short story of the entire genre—imagines a world in which six suns in the sky make Darkness unnatural and completely unimaginable, mentioned only in enigmatic texts of a creepy religious cult, the Apostles of Flame.  According to the Apostles, their incomprehensible Book of Revelation, and their steely-eyed leader Folimun, Darkness will descend every 2,049 years—one nightfall per two millennia—when the mysterious Stars will appear to suck out men’s souls.

Naturally, Theremon brushes this off as mystical mumbo-jumbo—even when scientific evidence from multiple academic fields begins to, disconcertingly, back up the Apostles’ claims.  He laughs it off, encourages public disbelief with his vicious rhetoric, and goes completely off the rocker for a couple days when night does fall, civilization does descend into utter madness, and the innumerable Stars unseat him from his cozy little place at the center of the universe.

But our hero’s better off than most—his sanity returns, and he embarks on a quest with a very few other mentally stable companions to reach Amgando, the site of what’s supposed to be a new provisional government.  The goal?  Combat the religious totalitarianism of the Apostles of Flame, who had been preparing for centuries for this apocalypse and are gearing up for world conquest.

Theremon, recall, hates the Apostles.  He hates them with a fiery passion.  He hates them for their mysticism, their anti-scientific attitude, their repressive dogma and creepy hooded robes.  Even if they were right all along.

But still, in a penultimate-page plot twist, Theremon joins them.  “Folimun,” he says of the Apostles’ leader:

“Is a totally ruthless, almost monstrously rational man who believes that the only thing that’s of real importance is the survival of civilization.  Folimun knows that in a time of total madness the best hope of pulling things together is religious totalitarianism.  You and I may think the gods are just old fables, but there are millions and millions of people who have a different view—and now they have an absolute dread of the gods.  The Apostles are in a better position to set up a world government.”

Theremon, for all he abhors the Apostles, can almost admire the “monstrously rational” Folimun.  “I hate the idea,” Theremon says; nevertheless, the most practical route—for the preservation of humanity (or Kalgashity… I’m not entirely sure what they are)—he, not terribly enthusiastically, jumps on the bandwagon.  In a world of logic and reason, science was salvation; but with half the world gibbering lunatics, it’s the Book of Revelation to the rescue.  That’s pragmatism.

Now I don’t know what that says about Asimov’s religious views, but his philosophy’s pretty clear.  So just give him a spot in those 100s, already—okay?

Disclaimer: I am not a Pragmatist.  Really.  I make fun of it all the time here on the Scattering.  But I must admit—I kind of love Machiavelli… him and Thomas Cromwell… and Ben Linus.  Especially Ben Linus.  This a psychological defect on my part, and should not be taken as an indication that I am a Pragmatist.  Alas, alack—how ashamed Ayn Rand would be.

Play as recently deceased Claire unraveling the secrets of her undead powers in this shadow-soaked Hidden Object game! Solve elaborate puzzles on your path to becoming a Nocturnal or Brethren. Quickly seek out mystical hidden objects to enhance your eldritch powers! The night is beckoning, will you answer? Step into the shadows with Nocturnal: Boston Nightfall ™!

Ominous storyline

Intense, shadowy gameplays

Answer the call of the night!

System Requirements:

OS: Windows XP/Vista

CPU: 600 Mhz

RAM: 128 MB

DirectX: 6.0

Hard Drive: 158 MB

It Takes Just A Second To Say Thanks,

Please Leave A Comment.

Nocturnal: Boston Nightfall

Damaged Infrastructure and Travel Time Slow American Response, as Pentagon Dispatches Ships, Aircraft and Thousands of Troops. President Barack Obama ordered the U.S. government to undertake a massive relief effort in Haiti, but by nightfall only a handful of American relief aircraft and a Coast Guard cutter had reached the devastated country.

Source:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704362004575001004177885736.html

A Child Flyin Kite — Young Blood, Aspiring to Fly High with Enormous Zest n Zeal..coz U Know, Sky is The Limit……
A Small Tree — Need to Nurture….. ..
Two Birds Hovering Above — There r People Around to Take Ample Care of You, You r Actually Carefree…. …

Second Pic

Daylight — You r Almost Halfway Through in This Voyage Called Life…..
Couple — You Hav a Betterhalf of Yours to Lean Upon n Speak Your Heart Out to……
Grown-up Tree — You Hav Been Nurtured Profusely to Stand Tall n Rigidly in The Storms That May, Otherwise, Let U Down…….. .
A Small Tree — You, Together With Your Betterhalf, Hav Given A New Lease of Life to Another Breaking Dawn (Your Child)…… …
One Bird Hovering Above — There r Comparitively Less People Around You to Take Care of You, Unlike During Your Wonder Childhood Years…….

Third Pic

Fall of Dusk — Twilight is Setting Upon, Life Has Come a Full Circle….
An Old Man — It’s a Race Against Time Now On, It’s The Begining of The End of The Voyage……
Ageing Tree — Signifies The Above Two Things, Second One Being The Personification of This……..
Grown Tree — Your Kins Hav Grown Up, It’s High Time You Start Supporting Them With Tender Care Rather Than Clashes….. ….. One Bird — Self Explanatory, I Guess???
Grave — In Course of The Voyage You Hav Lost Luved Ones n You Also Start to Anticipate Your Ultimate Fate n Destiny….. …..

Fourth Pic

Nightfall — Voyage is Over, Darkness is Looming Over, High Time to Say Good Bye….
Starry Sky — There’s Still Happiness Around, Thanks to The Aesthetic Memories Left by You n The Good Work Done Too……
Grown-up Tree — Your Kins r Walkin in Your Shoes now, It’s For Them to Follow Your Footsteps Drawin Inspiration From Your Exemplary Life..

When I create a new character, it is usually with a purpose.  Before I enter the character generation screen, I have considered what class I’d like to play, what role they will be fulfilling, and likely even professions that they will be pursuing.  As I level, I build around my character a feeling for the toon, if you will, a story that renders how and why I play that character.  My Scarlet Crusade stable has been steadily growing, and I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to my various characters, not in terms of their level or gear, but in terms of their attitudes and joys in the world.

Windsoar

Windsoar still suffers a bit from an identity crisis she had around level 80.  You see, she had spent her entire life studying the elements of fire, frost, earth and wind, and then one day, she went and spoke most sincerely to her trainer and opened up her course of studies to include the healing arts.  She’d like us to believe that she never looked back since she started mastering the art of water splashing, but honestly, she still regrets the loss of her fiery demeanor.

While the experience hasn’t broken her, it has made her rather… unpleasant.  She only deigns to come out for large parties, and absolutely refuses to bestir herself from Dalaran for any solo activities.  Fear of losing herself to her elemental side in the wilds of Northrend keeps her firmly ensconced, rarely seen or heard from.

The few times she has gone fireballing flinging with a small group of friends, she has sincerely enjoyed herself; however she gets a little antsy when she realizes her riptide is not available and it puts her a bit out of sorts.

When dealing with other party members, Windsoar seems rather aloof.  She stands separated from her group, often picking lint from her chain mail.  In rather large settings, she can’t be bothered with individual members of her party, and just flings large spells at the lot of ‘em and hopes for the best.  The loss of a team member, while sad, doesn’t cause much regret… really, she was doing her job.  *nod, nod*

Corrinna

My beach-blond party girl, Corri loves to travel the world and drop herself into random parties at a moment’s notice.  While she’s struggled a bit at certain points in her life, Corrinna just keeps on trucking, and her persistance and resilience has paid off in an ability to unmercifully beat a target to the ground in a few economical movements.  Corrinna has her giving side: she sends donations of ore regularly to Valask’s group of pals and will chant some magic-type voodoo with some dust and essences and make your weapon glow with a fervent light.

However, put her in with five people, and that concern for others is rapidly diminished.  Corri’s goal in life is to get in and out without mussing her hair.  If a monster decides to beat on her, she takes the punishment and glares pointedly at the guy with the shield, but keeps her mouth firmly closed.  While she make mock an enemy to save the healer at the back, all others are on their own for survivability.  Impatient, and a bit brash, criticisms are promptly answered and excuses are never made for deaths–she simply picks herself up, dusts herself off, and finds the next thing to die.

Aliera

Aliera was once Lyre (see banner above), a blood-elf paladin fully immersed in the plan to capture and steal divine power from the mystical Na’aru.  When the pact was made that removed the need for paladins to receive their divine energy in such a subversive manner, a bit of the luster left her.  Her move to the more prosaic and generally accepted human paladins thus hasn’t dented her identity too much, although she really, really misses her ornamented hair.

Aliera is a strict no-frills business person.  She uses Dalaran as a port of operations, but she can be found in a hundred different locales, earning her way, and generally doing her best to support her friends.  Need a fish feast? She’s got one.  Need a weapon made?  Say no more.  Need a gem cut?  Gotcha babe!  Highly respected throughout Azeroth, she still seeks to improve relations with a few more factions–especially since the Argent Crusade did not accept her application for a transfer of alliances!

In a group, Aliera continues to be an in-control kind of gal.  She gathers up large groups, keeps them in place, and expects that the others in her group will do their part.  Shenanigans are frowned upon (unless ok’d in advance) and deaths are a personal affront to her view of the universe.  Protection of the weak is her forte, and while she’s willing to use her divine powers to restore a friend, her healing is for personal use only.

Nightfall

After being freed from the control of the Lich King, Nightfall didn’t gear up and begin her plot to bring down the most hated evil in the known world.  Nope, no siree. Her first priority?  Flower picking.  She’s a night elf, what did you expect?

Nightfall lives in her own world, insulated from talking to friends or family, she assiduously avoids all forms of communication and efforts to entice her to raucous parties.  She wishes merely to travel the world that has been kept from her for so long while she under the will of another.  While she feels the distant call for her help and support in icy Northrend, she feels a deep-seated need to help the peasant and the farmer, the fisherman and the axe-cutter.

Escape the Museum 2 (168 MB download)
When David is trapped in the museum across town after a devastating earthquake rocks the city, he must risk life and limb to reach his wife and daughter in Escape the Museum 2. With help from an unlikely stranger, this exciting hidden object sequel has you navigating treacherous streets to figure out the best possible path that will lead David to your family. Can you help David reunite with them before nightfall?

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Comenzamos el repaso sobre adaptaciones de comics no demasiado conocidos para el público generalista.

Comenzamos con Nightfall, comics que nos cuenta el cómo un recluso se da cuenta que la cárcel en la cual reside está regida por vampiros… Aurora Productions se ha hecho con los derechos de la novela gráfica, obra de Scott O. Brown y Ferran Xalabarder, y editada por Platinum Studios.

FUENTE

Seguimos con The Last Days Of American Crime, que contará entre su reparto con nada más y nada menos que con Sam Worthington, el actor de moda (Terminator Salvación, Avatar, Furia de Titanes…). El comic es publicado por Radical Publishing. Rick Remender, creador del cómic (y de The Man With Screaming Brain, entre otros) escribirá el guión de la película.

FUENTE

Otro más. Unthikable, cómic de Boom! Studios ha caído en las manos de Mandalay Pictures para su adaptación. La obra, creada por Mark Sable, es un thriller de acción, que nos cuenta el como un hombre brillante es contratado por el Gobierno americano justo después de los atentados del 11-S, junto con otras personas similares para que imaginen los más salvajes escenarios en los que podrían atacar los enemigos en territorio americano… Años después, esos escenarios comienzan a ser atacados…

FUENTE

Griff the Invisible es una producción que se está rodando actualmente en Sydney, con Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse en True Blood) de protagonista, acompañado de Maeve Dermody (Black Water). La historia nos cuenta las aventuras de Griff, oficinista de día y superheroe de noche, cuyo mundo se verá alterado cuando conozca a la científica Melody, amante de lo imposible. Leon Ford (actor en The Pacific, la “continuación” de Hermanos de Sangre) la dirigirá. Su estreno será para el año que viene (y sería la tercera visión bizarra del heroe tras Scott Pilgrim y Kick-Ass).

FUENTE

Fox 21 y Platinum Studios unen esfuerzos para hacer la adaptación de Gunplay, novela gráfica, ganadora del Comic Book Challenge. Glen Morgan (Destino FInal 1 y 3) será el encargado del guión. La historia narra el cómo Abner Meeks, un soldado Buffalo, es condenado a vagar por el salvaje Oeste americano con una maldición a cuestas…
A su vez, ambos studios, preparan Indestructible Man para la Tv. Nick Rabel, un agente de élite descubre que no puede morir, y va encontrando las diferencias entre indestructible e irrompible de una manera bastante original.

FUENTE 1 y FUENTE 2

Y como no, Warren Ellis no podía dejar de salir en un listado de estos. Otra obra suya, Black Summer, está a punto de ver la luz, con guión de Ryne Pearson (Knowing). El cómic fue editado en su momento por Avatar Press (2007) y trata de un grupo de superheroes, Seven Guns, científicos que han modificado sus propios cuerpos para luchar contra el crimen, la corrupción policial, etc.

FUENTE

Framelight ha conseguido hacerse con los derechos de Chi-Chian, un comic ambientado en un Nueva York distópico, que ha perdido su libertad y ahora forma parte de la prefectura de Japón, y la heroína que vive ahí, luchando contra samurais, robots y zombies para defender a sus seres queridos. En su momento, el canal Syfy estuvo a punto de crear una mini serie digital.

FUENTE

Y con esto y un bizcocho…

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In no particular order:

1. Basketball court, Whitechapel, London.

2. On Stage, Old Fire Station, Oxford.

3. Looking down the Champs Elysee, Paris.

4. The bluest blue, at 6pm.

5. Yes, I had to go there.

10. Brave New World
Aldous Huxley

Huxley’s future world where genetic engineering dictates the laws and structure of society is truly haunting and full of foresight. His tale is the struggle of individualism in a world where people are are literally born and raised to be a particular person and everyone is kept in line. Values are the opposite of what many may believe them to be; monogamy is forbidden for example. This is one of the greatest dystopian novels of the last century, showing the consequences of a constant pursuit for happiness which sacrifices the spirit of the individual.

9. The Forever War
Joe Haldeman

One of the great advantages of using the science fiction and fantasy genres to tell a story is that the author can take a relevant theme, such as war and humanity, and can take it out of its natural setting of this world which allows us to see them from a different perspective and break those themes down and examine them further. This is what Joe Haldeman does with the Forever War, taking the current relevancy to the Vietnam War of that time and putting it in the setting of a war with an Alien race.

8. Nightfall
Issac Asimov

One of the most influential short stories ever written for the science fiction genre by one of the genres great masters. In Nightfall, Asimov describes a solar system with 6 stars, where darkness is a virtual unknown. Nightfall has been called the greatest sci-fi short story ever and helped build the foundation of modern day science fiction.

7. Ender’s Game
Orson Scott Card

Ender’s Game is the story of a young genius who is being groomed as the commander of Earth’s space fleet against an invading alien race. The book follows the boy’s training while describing a world which has been very loosely united through the threat of a common alien foe. This story does come with some critical controversy; some are highly bothered by the fact that Ender’s actions have no consequences, while others describe Ender’s Game as ‘geek porn’. However, only literature with the kind of substance and magic that Ender’s Game has would be able to stir up those controversies. It is a highly engaging story and a solidly constructed piece of sci-fi storytelling.

6. Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a strange land was able to use science fiction to explore themes of alienation, culture clashes, and individual freedom. Heinlein’s story of a man who was born as a Martian and returns to Earth transcended the the science fiction readers and brought in readers of other literary genres. Now it is aconsiddered one of the most popular classics sci-fi has to offer and one of its greatest achievements.

5. Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell

In a futuristic world where the government controls everything and Big Brother is always watching you, a man struggles to maintain individual freedom and creative expression. Orwell’s masterpiece plays upon the fears of mankind concerning higher powers and state control in a way that it has become ingrained our very thinking about these issues. It is a haunting look at a world set in the not-so-distant future, all the more haunting because the possibility of that world coming into being is within the realm of believability.

4. The Time Machine
H. G. Wells

H.G. Wells is often considered the father of science fiction, and The Time Machine is perhaps his most acclaimed novel. Wells uses the concept of time travel to explore the future of mankind, which has actually evolved into two different races. The reason for this may seem obvious to some and up for debate to others. The future that Wells describes and how things got to be that way is a feast of scientific speculation. The Time Machine is one of the first science fiction novels and still one of the greatest.

3. Rendezvous with Rama
Aurthur C. Clarke

Science fiction has varying degrees within the genre, and many fans describe sci-fi as being either soft or hard; hard meaning that there is a lot of emphasis on the actual science involved in the story. Clarke was a master of hard science fiction and perhaps never showed off this mastery more than with Rendezvous with Rama. The story describes Earth’s encounter with a mysterious spacecraft, delving into the mysteries of the universe beyond our own knowledge. It has been an influence on countless sci-fi stories since, the most obvious of which are the first Star Trek movie, Alien, and Michael Chrichton’s Sphere. However, most sci-fi writers have been influenced by Clarke’s genius, which shows up very strongly here with Rama.

2. Dune
Frank Herbert

Dune is the Lord of the Rings of science fiction. Herbert’s world is intricate in its details and extensive in its scope while the story is layered in themes. The world of Dune is rich with individual cultures, mythologies, and customs and is so descriptive it’s as though Herbert actually visited the world and recorded what he saw rather than created it from his mind. Dune deals with politics and socioeconomics as well as the depths of the human soul and how one man deals with his fate and how to cope with losing all you once had. Dune is a rich novel which will last in the higher echelon of sci-fi for many years to come.

1. The Foundation Trilogy
Issac Asimov

From the master of science fiction, Asimov’s massive and epic Foundation series has become the cornerstone of science fiction literature. It is the only series to win the Hugo all-time best series award. The story deals with the link between science and civilization and the struggle to retain and preserve knowledge. Foundation has had a huge impact and influence on all science fiction to come after in books, film, and television. It is the best and most important work of science fiction by one of the genre’s great writers.

Hail travellers, esse final de semana, tive uma agenda cheia de raids, comecei o dia fazendo a daily Heroic, juntei com um amigo (Akummax), e fui fazer. Preparei minha UI, que por sinal estava uma bagunça, quando reparei o tranquility, estava em três barras, Healthstone estava equipada em 4 binds oO, enfim uma bagunça. O meu horário de raids começa as 15 horas, mas antes preparei os consumiveis, enfim, fui preparado, umas 14 horas o core de Sarth +3, me chamou para fazer com eles, nunca passei tanta vergonha ao tentar kitar

Kitar é uma das próximas coisas que tenho que aprender, fui designado para quando o Tenebron descesse, eu me tranformaria em bear, puxasse ele para longe da raid, usando cat form+dash, tentei três vezes (na terceira dei taunt no boss o.o), enfim horrivel. Na quarta try, a outra druid do grupo (kevel), conseguiu kitar de primeira, e deitamos o maldito. Na hora da mount, rolei e ganhei,  não tive “carão” para ficar com ela, passei pra Kevel, que fez minha função com maestria absurda.

De lá, começamos nossa corrida de raids 25, VoA> Ony> Toc.

Nossa progressão está cada vez melhor, em três horas, fechamos Voa+ony+toc menos o anub.

No domingo, fechamos o resto de ToC (não levei nada, economizando dkps*-*). Além disso fiz Ony e ToC 10, tive bons upgrades, consegui a  backpack e a cabeça da onyxia (fazendo eu trocar meu antigo anel 219, por um 245), com os emblems of triumph, torrei o resto do meu gold, fazendo uma wrist muito boa. E de toc levei a off hand 232, finalmente troquei aquela de heroism.

Próximo item da lista de compras, é um próximo 245(a head do set), penso em gastar alguns dkps na trophy.

Desculpem o atraso do post, estava pensando em como escrever, tem vezes que não sai simplesmente nada><.

Farewell, e aguardem por mais novidades.

Surrounded
by the same
purple-tinged mountains
day after day
without really seeing them,

though urban sprawl
forces us closer to
the foothills
than ever before,

speeding from
one adrenaline rush
to the next,
running yellows
just missing the chance

to crash,
spin out of control,
fall into the night,
the pink sky
fading out of view.

Riding home for the first time after the clocks went back at the weekend!

I left work at half 4, the sky seemed bright enough but boy oh boy did it get dark fast!  I’d completely forgotten that the clocks had changed and it was getting quite dark by the time I got home!

I really must remember tomorrow

Part 2 of “Nightfall’s” dramatization of the legend of Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess.

Playlist

Blood Countess 11
Alleee 1
John Carradine with the Chico Hamilton Quintet * Night Song for the Sleepless
Blood Countess 12
101 Strings * Tubular Bells
Blood Countess 13
Unknown
Blood Countess 14
Andre Kostelanetz * Trick or Treat
Blood Countess 15
Charlie Spivak Orchestra * Inner Sanctum
Blood Countess 16
Anton LaVey * Strange Music
Blood Countess 17
Chuck Stephens * Pray for Rosemary’s Baby
Blood Countess 18
Apocalyptica * In the Hall of the Mountain King
Blood Countess 19
Bessie Smith * Haunted House Blues
Blood Countess 20
Alleee 2

Download

Not much science fiction (or much fiction in general) involves archaeology. The first one I read was Nightfall. It was originally a long short story by Isaac Asimov, which was later turned into a novel co-authored with Robert Silverberg. The idea of the prehistory of other worlds is fascinating, but it doesn’t really go very far here. On the other hand, there’s also some psychology, propaganda, journalism, mythology and cult religion, so maybe there wasn’t room.

The only other archaeology / science-fiction book I’ve ever read was Engines of God by Jack McDevitt. In both cases, archaeologists discover some past periodic destruction, which turns out to be coming back their way soon. Very dramatic; not something that comes along too often, even in fiction.

A big story over the past few days has been the Staffordshire hoard, possibly the biggest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver ever found. Discovered in July, the hoard was declared treasure on 24th September; BBC reports and a Wikipedia article were created the same day. An exemplary official website was set up, with reports, a catalogue, links to photos on Flickr, and even an educational game to see an Anglo-Saxon village. When part of the hoard was put on show in Birmingham, there were long queues. Discussions have already begun to find the hoard a home, and this is where it get really fascinating.

The hoard is thought to have belonged to a Mercian king. The capital of Mercia was at Tamworth, so should the treasure live there? The current council is based in Stafford, but the major modern regional centre of Mercian lands is actually Birmingham. So where should it live? And that’s before they’ve pulled the funds together to buy it! The find has sparked imaginations: some  interviewees even referred to themselves as the heirs of Mercia.

Archaeology does have an impact on modern life and modern people. It’s not just for foreseeing impending destruction.

Articles about Elizabeth (Erzsébet) Báthory

Wikipedia Entry
Istrianet.org article
Marvel Universe entry

Elizabeth (Erzsébet) Báthory was known as The Blood Countess because of her sadistic abuse of servants and probably others in her quest for youth and beauty, and probably sexual thrill. She was a countess in Transylvania in the late 16th/early 17th century during the time when nobility was considered to be a species apart from mere humans.

The Blood Countess radioplay on Nightfall, a CBC Toronto production, was produced in 1980.

Playlist

Blood Countess 1
Alleee 1
Cheekyboy * Halloween with Morrissey
Blood Countess 2
Marty Manning and his Orchestra * Night on Bald Mountain
Blood Countess 3
Boris Karloff and Orchestra * The Pirate Song
Blood Countess 4
Artie Shaw * Nightmare
Blood Countess 5
Type O Negative * Fay Wray Come out and Play
Blood Countess 6
Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle * Puttin’ on the Ritz
Blood Countess 7
Hokus Pricey * Mr. Terrible
Blood Countess 8
The Modernaires * The Rockin’ Ghost
Blood Countess 9
Violetta la Burra * Draculina
Blood Countess 10
Alleee 2

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