a href=”http://stuartbracewell.wordpress.com/files/2009/11/airplane-sketch.jpg”>

A quick sketch from the plane…

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Trying to add colour…

…and thinking of Saatchi’s latest show.

No longer so smooth

Fallen leaves litter and spoil

The glass golf course ground

I am not a super hero. I am not a journalist. I am not an idiot, nor someone of high intelligence. I am just another simple american teenage girl. Caught in the hell that is the monster of an economic slump in America. My name is Erin Clark, I am fourteen, and I am homeless. Your search for me will be futile, simply because Erin Clark is such a common name. I’ve been homeless for little over two months now. I can’t say it’s been an easy road. I mean, I’m sure there have been times when many teens have said “I hate my life!” Or “A text message ruined my life.” Well my life as I knew it ended with a text message. I was attending my high school, as I regularly do, and  as I waiting, laughing and such I received a text message from my mom saying “We’re kicked out, find a place to stay.” At that point I did not realize the severity of the situation.

Now, this did not come as a complete surprise to me, seeing as my mother and grand father had been having a long time battle over who should live in the house. Though it was his house, to my defense he had given us right to live in it, and no notice of his sudden need to live in it again. Especially since his wife was receive top care at what I thought was the best care facility in state. But this was not good enough for him, he had to degrade us with awful names, kick us out into the street, and use any method possible to make out life a living hell. Bad went to worst when my mom put us up in a shelter. Sure, it was better than sleeping in out car, which we never had to deal with seeing as we always had a friend extending a short-term hand to help us for a night or two, but it was still pretty terrible. The first night was the worst, I wasn’t exactly used to those kind of people. Even though ‘kind’ isn’t the right thing to say. I am one of those ‘kind’ of people. I don’t really know how I feel about being homeless. Sometimes I cry…sometimes I don’t mind it. It’s just rough now that we’re in a different shelter, hundreds of miles away from all my closest friends.

I guess what’s been the roughest is no one really knows what I’m going through. And they won’t until, and hopefully they wont have to have, being homeless as a memory of theirs. I wouldn’t wish that upon any of my friends though. No one really deserves this unique kind of torture. Everyday I pray Mommy gets a job, and we can afford an apartment, even if we have no furniture to put up in it. Seeing as my ‘Grandfather’ threw out every last one of our belongings. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty heartless. He threw out all my mother photos, furniture, plates, TVs, personal records, clothes. All of mine…and he tried to pay the movers to burn it all to. As if he was burning us as well.

Then we moved. Actually we moved after we tried to salvage some of our clothes, and items. How he’d originally gotten us out, was he had put a restraining order against my mom, and she called him, not knowing this was breaking the rules, asking him what it was for. He said ‘Elder abuse.’ but, how do you abuse someone a hundred miles away? Sounds pretty fishy to me. Well, not to the judge who didn’t realize that he wasn’t just signing another piece of paper, but signing away rights to make our life as horrible as possible. You’d think people would make sure all restraining orders we’re legit, right? But I guess not. Maybe judges don’t care who they’re giving this or that too. I know I no longer feel safe.

Well, after that trick we were on the streets, because my mom couldn’t attend the eviction hearing, the next day. So we couldn’t even retrieve our things. Not long after he tried get me taken away from my mom by saying she was unfit, and having my aunt try and groom me into living with her. When that fell through he told the police he found meth in and amongst my mothers things. This was completely the last straw, because he’d THROWN ALL HER SHIT OUT. So…we left. Told no one and were gone in a matter of days.

Wasn’t hard seeing as all of our worldly possessions fit in the back of our car. But then again, it wasn’t easy seeing as I was leaving behind the only people who ever loved me.

www.myspace.com/jinesispro

I’m sure you could imagine the look of surprise on his face when he woke up not only on the floor, but also in a octagonal room with a door on each wall. Although Vince had been looking for a change of scenery, this was not exactly what he had in mind. He would at the very least like to know where he was and also why there were no windows. With a sigh, the boy rose. Now if only he could decide which way to go, though he knew the most important thing was getting out of the room. Something felt terribly wrong about being here.

After taking another glance around the room, Vince noticed that this room was more peculiar than he thought even initially. The walls were painted various colors: green here, red there, yellow, purple, orange, black, grey, and blue. Each of the doors appeared to be made of a marvelous chrome, and quite shiny.

Vince headed towards the red wall with a shrug. It seemed just as good as any. He grabbed onto the door handle and gave it a tug, noting that it was surprisingly heavy. Once he got it open, he took a step through and was surprised at what he saw. her and those wonderful green eyes. He turned and looked over his shoulder to find the door he once walked through was no longer there. All he could see was that oh so familiar parking lot, and that terrible black fence.

“Do you think I’m going to get a lot of attention and look cool? I’m getting picked up in a cutlass,” she said. Vince blinked, there was no way he could be here again. “Did you hear me?” Melody asked. “My boyfriend’s picking me up in a cutlass!”

This was it. He couldn’t believe he was back there, that one beautiful day. How much things had changed since then. He laughed out loud. “Yes, I heard you,” he grinned and shook his head. “I think people will definitely look at you, but I’m not so sure you’ll look cool….just funny,” Vince answered. Melody just looked at him, he could see the excitement in her eyes.

(Cue part 1B)

It was actually the first memorable conversation he ever had with Melody. The first of many anyways. Truth was, even at this time Vince thought she was a beauty. He wanted her as part of his life, wanted her to be his, but he knew this Melody was meant for a different song.

He stood and he chatted with her a bit longer about things of little significance, until she had to go. He at least got her phone number out of it.

Vince sat and pondered things for a while before getting up and walking home. That Melody, how amazing she could be. He reached his front door and turned the handle. There he was, back in that odd octagonal room.

If it was strange before, he lacked a word to describe what to call it now. There was no way any of this could make sense. Why did he go back to that day, of all times? What was up with this room and why does he keep popping up here?

His frustration got to him and Vince turned around. The red wall still remained, but the door was missing. He wanted to get back through there. He wanted to get back to her.

Ford Powerstrokes with a 6.0L engine have one of the worst reputations in the diesel world. Ford has been frequently asked, “Why didn’t you just keep the 7.3L engine?” But really the question is unfair given the circumstances at the time of creation of the 6.0L engine.

After January 1st, 2003, the federal government set tougher diesel emission standards. All the top diesel application manufactures had to restructure and invest a substantial amount of money to abide these new standards. Ford was one to do the same. Some say Ford should of added an exhaust gas recirculation system, a variable geometry turbo, and a high pressure injection system to the 7.3L engine. But others say nay, a clean burning 7.3L engine would have a horsepower disadvantage compared to the GM Duramax and the Dodge Cummins applications at the time. Also with Dodge Cummins Bosch’s latest Common Rail Injection, Ford 7.3L engines were much too loud.

So the 6.0L was created with four goals in mind:

• Meet Emission Standards
• Have More Horsepower than the competition
• Have Better Fuel Economy
• Make a quieter engine

When 2003.5 came to be, the Ford Powerstrokes 6.0L were out on the market. In stock form this was a consumer dream. The 6.0L engine met all emission standards and passed all testing performed during research and development. Obviously stock vehicles have been factory tested, so they are thought to be more reliable, which is mostly true for 6.0L engines. 6.0L engines rarely experience failures when operating at stock power levels. But let’s be honest, why own a Diesel if you can’t MAX IT OUT! This seems to be the area where 6.0L engines are having trouble, because now with aftermarket modifications your now turning more rpm, fueling heavier, and creating more heat and higher cylinder pressures. But Orange County Diesel feels that aftermarket modifications aren’t bad for 6.0L engines, they just have to be the RIGHT aftermarket product!

Here is a list of common problems of the Ford Powerstroke 6.0L 2003.5-2007

• Turbo Failure
• Variable Geometry Turbo Vanes Sticking
• Leaking Oil Under Turbo
• Rough Idle Related to the Fuel Injection Control Module
• Fuel Injection Control Module Calibration(s)
• Fuel Injection Control Module Harness Wear
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Sticking
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation
• Blown Head Gasket Cooler
• Oil Cooler
• Oil Rail Plug(s) Leaking Oil
• Sticking Spool Valve Inside Injector
• Cracked Intercooler Boot
• Coolant Leak
• High Pressure Oil Pump Leaking Oil

Good News!! Orange County Diesel is THE DIESEL EXPERT!!! Especially when it comes to Ford! We house a Ford Master Technician with knowledge and experience in all Ford Diesel Applications!

Plus Orange County Diesel is a ONE STOP SHOP!! We Service, Repair, Install, and host an Online Retail Store, for ANY and ALL diesel needs!!

Call, Click, or Visit!

1.888.OC.DIESEL

www.OCDiesel.com

17242 Gothard Street Suite A&B, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

I’ve been listening to this track a few times now and realize this is some good stuff. I mean, this guy has been working with music his whole life but he hasn’t really produced anything until now. That being the case I must say this is pretty sweet for a rookie. It certanly have that progressive house feel to it that a real great progressive house track should have. One thing that I miss is a vocal. Add this and it would sound even better.

So here it is Axel Bauers first official track, Rouge.

Axel Bauer & Lanford – Rouge (Original Mix) download/listen

you can also hit him up on myspace http://www.myspace.com/shouldermusic

[edit] Right as we speak Mr.Bauer is producing his next track. I’ve heard a preview and it sound just as good as this track. If not even better! Stay tuned…………………

crack cocaine

THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO — Jonas Gustavsson lost some of his rookie shine Saturday night.

The 25-year-old Toronto rookie goaltender made just two saves and allowed three goals before being pulled in favour of the embattled Vesa Toskala less than 10 minutes into the Leafs’ 5-2 loss to Calgary.

Gustavsson had been off to a fast start, sporting a 3-3-3 record with a 2.77 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. As far as Leafs fans were concerned, he had supplanted incumbent Toskala as the Maple Leafs No. 1 man between the pipes.

“It’s not the start you want,” Gustavsson said, “but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Gustavsson was the victim of some pinpoint accuracy on Jarome Iginla’s opening goal of the game, a tip-in on the second and a deflection on the third.

“The first goal, the shot came really quick,” said Gustavsson when asked if he should have had any the three goals. “Maybe I could have had it, maybe not. Sometimes you have those pucks that just go in.”

“You have to keep working hard and not think about it too much, just move on.”

That will be the key for the young netminder. He’s been the early-season darling of Toronto through his first nine appearances, and deservedly so. Each game he seemed to make one or two great stops and wasn’t letting in easy goals.

Veteran Toronto blue-liner Tomas Kaberle offered some perspective on how Gustavsson needs to respond to his first poor game of the season.

“Sometimes you have nights like that,” he said. “Tomorrow is a new day. It happens to everybody, (former Leafs goalies) Eddie Belfour, Cujo (Curtis Joseph), everybody.

“The thing is to recover from that. They always battled hard, and Jonas is the same way.”

Leafs coach Ron Wilson was sympathetic to Gustavsson’s plight, but felt he had to pull him early — he had already used his lone timeout and couldn’t talk to his goalie.

“The first (goal) I think surprised him,” Wilson said. “It was just inside the post, it was almost the perfect shot. The second one squeaked through his legs. And the third one was a backhand — it was a one-on-one where they shot and it hit our defenceman. That’s bang-bang and the guy just floated one off the post.

“It was nothing major, he just kind of had some unfortunate luck on a couple of those goals.”

La Liga round-upIf Stars align, Leafs may win second-straight

Sketch for a possible painting?

I embarked on my first (albeit, brief and very rough) collaborative drawing.  I decided it was best to enact it in a social setting with someone, so I invited my friend Taylor Ashbrook.  We went to a bar near Hynes in Boston, and found several people who were willing to draw with us.   In fact, I only completed one of the drawings below.  It was great fun to see people enjoying themselves while studying and talking with other people, making drawing more like a social event than a solo sojourn in a studio.   A guy named Keith said to me, “I really liked this project, thanks for letting me draw.”  PoS became exciting last night!

Next time, I will be sure to video tape this event.

The past week has been pretty rough. I’ve been working and running around non stop, completing papers, doing errands, getting the H1N1 vaccination (my mom made me), all on small, stressed out boughs of sleep. I never sleep well when I’m stressed. Last night, I crashed.  I just couldn’t do it anymore. I had to stop and reboot. So I turned off the lights, lit a few candles and decided to watch Gilmore Girls in bed. However, upon perusing through my CD case, I made a starling discovery- two discs are missing. I have no idea where they are. No idea. This is a problem.  Alarms started sounding, women and children were corralled into life boats, Gil Grissom was called to the scene- we have a code red emergency here people.

In reality, I’m not super concerned yet, but it is mildly unsettling. What am I going to do if I have a bad day and can’t watch “The Incredible Sinking Lorelais?” There is a Gilmore Girls for every occasion. Graduation, birthdays, holidays, break-ups, break-downs, straight As, straight Ds, first kisses, first day of school, the list goes on.  They are my constant support system. I know I sound crazy and deranged. I know that they are fictional characters in a fictional world, but there are times when the world turns on you and so, in retaliation, you turn to a better one. I can’t think of a better world to turn to than Stars Hollow. I know how things are going to turn out there, I know it will all end for the best. Gilmore Girls is a comfort and an escape (a witty, well written escape). Please come home soon, disc three season four and disc one season five, I may need you.

UPDATE (11/22/2209): I found Gilmore Girls, they had fallen between some books in my night tabel made of milk crates

I’m sure you could imagine the look of surprise on his face when he woke up not only on the floor, but also in a octagonal room with a door on each wall. Although Vince had been looking for a change of scenery, this was not exactly what he had in mind. He would at the very least like to know where he was and also why there were no windows. With a sigh, the boy rose. Now if only he could decide which way to go, though he knew the most important thing was getting out of the room. Something felt terribly wVinceg about being here.

After taking another glance around the room, Vince noticed that this room was more peculiar than he thought even initially. The walls were painted various colors: green here, red there, yellow, purple, orange, black, grey, and blue. Each of the doors appeared to be made of a marvelous chrome, and quite shiny.

Vince headed towards the red wall with a shrug. It seemed just as good as any. He grabbed onto the door handle and gave it a tug, noting that it was surprisingly heavy. Once he got it open, he took a step through and was surprised at what he saw. her and those wonderful green eyes. He turned and looked over his shoulder to find the door he once walked through was no longer there. All he could see was that oh so familiar parking lot, and that terrible black fence.

“Do you think I’m going to get a lot of attention and look cool? I’m getting picked up in a cutlass,” she said. Vince blinked, there was no way he could be here again. “Did you hear me?” Melody asked. “My boyfriend’s picking me up in a cutlass!”

This was it. He couldn’t believe he was back there, that one beautiful day. How much things had changed since then. He laughed out loud. “Yes, I heard you,” he grinned and shook his head. “I think people will definitely look at you, but I’m not so sure you’ll look cool….just funny,” Vince answered. Melody just looked at him, he could see the excitement in her eyes.

Cleis Press sent me a couple of books to review recently. I was hoping to get The Sweetest Kiss: Ravishing Vampire Erotica read and reviewed by Hallowe’en but I received the book too close to the date.  This review will be posted over two days as it is far too long for one posting.

The two things you can expect from a title like this is that the stories will be erotic and vampires will be involved. Other than that, who knows, but because it’s erotica instead of horror I would expect few people to die as that is sometimes counterproductive to erotic thoughts. If this was erotic horror, well there could be more deaths by alluring vampires. And that’s permanent deaths, not the ones that turn a human into a vampire.

Edited by D.L. King, I was a little surprised to see there was no introduction. Perhaps it  was thought that the title covered it all but there may be a premise attached: is it present day or past, are vampires hidden or known about, do they all follow a certain vampire trope (turn into bats, no reflection in mirrors, crosses burn, garlic bad, etc.)? I’m one of those people who tend to read introductions to most books, possibly because I am a writer. As it was, I’d say that the vampires are fairly classic though there is variation on powers from story to story and most take place in the last two centuries.

There are nineteen stories but only two by men well established in the field. There are so many erotic writers that I’m certainly no expert on them all but Thomas Roche and Maxim Jakubowski have long standing reputations. There is only story that is homosexual (lesbian), and another that could be. Again, perhaps this was the thrust of this particular anthology, a mostly hetero anthology for the straight people. It’s common for publishers to market to certain demographics. As I began to read I found, that like foreplay, the first two stories built in sensuality to the full on sexual bite of the third.

The book opens with “Midnight at Sheremetyeo” by Remittance Girl. It is a simple tale, not really new in plot, of a vampire who breaks the rules that keep them from being hunted down. She takes a very tasty boy sexually and for feeding. The tale is  succulently worded.

Thoma Roche’s “Wait Until Dark, Montresor” oozes with atmosphere and reminds me of Tanith Lee though I’m not sure if that’s the style or the character herself, a vampire who writes erotic vampire mysteries. Perhaps a bit of both. Second person is hard to do successfully, but it works in this cautionary tale, vividly describing the idolization of a vampire and famous author. A mystery is strung out nicely with a slow reveal as opposed to a sudden bite in the dark.

“The Temptation of Mlle. Marielle Doucette” by  Anna Black is the first period piece set during the French Revolution. The thing about the longevity of vampires is that a certain timelessness can enter stories. The young Marielle must choose between her beliefs, execution and revenge through a repulsive (to her) yet strangely alluring temptation. This tale has the first truly descriptive sex scene though it is strangely lacking in other details.

Lisette Ashton’s “Kiss and Make Up” has the actual Dracula and his girlfriend who have picked up/made a new vampire boy of their own but it’s for a game of turnabout. Dracula absorbs the personality of the person he drinks so he gets kind of a high or in this case, a philosophical bent on the world. Interesting take but there are some awkward euphemisms for sex like,  “His length sputtered and pulsed.” Yowch.

Sommer Marsden manages a short pithy, hot and erotic story in “The Student.” Although not that original a tale with a college student (there are a few in this book) who is too sassy to take anyone’s warnings of dread about an old house, her actions bring about a truly erotic sensuality  in a reluctant encounter.

One of my abolute favorites in the anthology was “Red By Any Other Name” by Kathleen Bradean. A woman who is a dom tries to bring a vampire to submission. But is he truly feeling it or playing at it and can she truly be a dom without succumbing to her own fear? The tension is twofold, with fear and eroticism. The vampire chants words for red that echo in her head: Strawberry, cherry, candy-apple. It is well done and memorable with vividly excellent writing.

The most ephemeral or spiritual piece in the book is “Enlightenment.” Amber Hipple’s story has no real time or place and almost no corporeality with the ebony black man/vampire(?) referred to as “my dream, my mystery” and her intent seems to be that it remain untethered and dreamlike. There is little to really say vampire here except in the changing into smoke but there are undertones of the Eros and Psyche myth here that fit very well.

“Blood and Bootleg” takes place in 1922 Connecticut and it’s hard to tell if the language fits but it’s good enough not to jar. Teresa Noelle Roberts’ use of language feels a bit awkward with the woman thinking “yikes” when she’s bitten. Even for the period that seems a bit…light, especially when the vampire is then described as ripping out her throat, which makes me think of huge chunks of flesh and bloody gore spattering everywhere. Not particularly erotic biting. Overall, though, the eroticism is good.

G.B. Kensington does a deft turn with a human who takes the vampire when he thinks he’s taking her. This vampire uses sex to lessen his blood hunger. This is a common enough thread through the book where tying the eroticism and the bloodlust together cannot be missed. Will the vampire lose control and will it be the little death or the big death? “Fair Play” has a good build up of emotion, pent-up hunger and lust.

The rest of the review tomorrow.

Remi/Rough aka Remdog
manie aussi bien l’art du spray (sous l’apparence de Remi/Rough)
que celui de la MPC (sous le pseudo de Remdog).

+ Remdog, Shadow In Your Rearview EP

[roughe.com / remdog space / myuzyk.net / 2600recordings.com]

I promise I’m not dead. I’ve just had no life since uni started. My assessment is friday and then I’m free until January. I need this break. I need to get back to me. So much has happened since I last updated this blog….  I cut my hair, I can sew and I’m learning to appreciate the time I have with those I love.  And I’m seeing someone who makes me so ridiculously happy.

The times ahead of me are going to be really rough but I can’t stay  a little girl forever, sometimes things happen for a reason.  But for right now I’m smiling and I’ll cherish what i have and I will make memories to keep me company for the lonely nights ahead. I’m going to share a few of the images I have found that brighten my day and I’m hoping they will put a smile on your face also.

So smile. Tomorrow is a new day with a new beginning and a new chance to write an ending.

Ilustração criada para Amoraes (irmão de armas e afins). / Illustration created for Amoraes (brother in arms and such).

Today I got 76 Runecrafting after buying 50,000 pure essence.

I runecraft at the ZMI Altar also known as the Ourania Altar. I have crafted 17,000 pure essences since the last 5 days. As you can tell, I am tired of runecrafting but 91 runecrafting is well worth it.

I will be updating my blog on my rough road to 91 Runecrafting.

Hoje tive minha primeira experiência técnica com uma tablet da Wacom. Precisamente com o modelo Graphire 3 (hoje substituída pelo modelo 4). Se você já estudou alguma coisa sobre desenho, talvez se lembre sobre um exercício que consistia em reproduzir alguma figura no papel sem olhar pra ele. Lado direito do cérebro e afins. Inicialmente é do mesmo jeito. Blá, blá, blá… seja como for, aqui estão os meus primeiros resultados. / Today I had my first technique experience with a Wacom tablet. Precisely the model Graphire 3 (now replaced by model 4). If you’ve studied anything about drawing, you may remember about a exercise that was to reproduce some figure on paper without looking at it. Right side of the brain and such. Initially it´s the same way. Yadda, yadda, yadda… whatever, here are my first results.

Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother

Have you tried the “as seen on TV” Ped Egg? A lot of people have experienced problems with it, leaving mixed reviews. Just look at some of the customer reviews online and you’ll see tons of complaints: shavings fall on floor anyway, too small file area, hard to handle, and even drew blood! Well, what do you expect from one of those infomercial products?!

I use our Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother regularly to keep my feet soft and smooth. It can be used wet or dry, so I just keep it in the shower as a reminder to use it regularly. Plus, if I use it in the shower the filings just go right down the drain. It’s got an ergonomic, rubber grip that’s easy to hold, and the angle allows you to easily reach all sides of your feet, kind of like a tooth brush. Best of all, there are no blades, so it can’t cut you. The abrasive surface has a coarse grit that never wears, rinses easily, and works in any direction. It quickly smoothes tough calluses and deep cracks, but it’s safe and gentle on non-callused skin too. Keeping the smoother in my shower and using it once a week is a great way to keep my feet nice and healthy, and convenient! A little foot balm afterwards is a good idea too. Even though I like to use mine in the shower, I know several people who like using it on their dry feet, without any water. They say it works great that way, so whether you prefer smoothing your feet while wet or dry, you should really give this foot smoother a try.

Denco Easy Grip® Heavy Duty Foot Smoother is also the number one customer rated foot smoother on Amazon.com, with an average five star rating! You can get it directly from BelcamShop.com.

-RyanNY