In general, we here like and prefer smaller cars (the Escort RS Cosworth, for instance), but we became intrigued by this Euro-spec legend riding on OZ Racing rolling stock while preparing last week’s on-track post.

Yanks might recognize the shape of this car from the erstwhile Merkur XR4Ti (factoid: Bob Lutz again- this time as a Ford VP. We are flabbergasted: is there anywhere this guy didn’t put his time in?), and for good reason:

Ford would use the [XR4Ti]’s technical feedback to develop the super car version in 1986, the Sierra Cosworth, shortly superseded by the RS500… Many see the successes and failures of the XR4Ti as being the blueprint for success of the dominant Sierra Cosworth (“the result of a Ford-project with the purpose of “Producing a downright winner for Group A racing events in Europe”") (source).

Photo credit: GT323

- Gyro

I have such fond memories of the old adventure games that Sierra On-Line put out in my youth.  I owned every one that I could get my hands on and I still fire up DOSBox to enjoy some of the classics of gaming.  I know that the Adventure Game genre is all but dead, desperately clinging to that sting of life with Telltale Games excellent Monkey Island and Sam and Max games, but there is still a fond place in my heart for them.  In fact, when they stopped making adventure games I almost stopped playing video games all together.  I wouldn’t have considered myself a hardcore gamer until the release of the Xbox  360.  I’ve owned every game system between the SNES and now but I never really found any games that gave me the sense of joy that those old Sierra games gave me.  Even now, it’s hard for me to find a game that I think that I could be playing in 20 years like the old adventure games.

I know that there have been some abortions passed out like they were Sierra games.  Leisure Suit Larry, I’m looking at you. What were they thinking?  But there are some great games that could be remade or rebooted or even continued that would be totally awesome.

1.  Quest For Glory – For me, this was the crown jewel of Sierra Games.  There was so much crammed into one little game.  You could pick your class;  a fighter, magic users or thief.  You had to solve the mystery to become a hero.  It had some fighting in it, it had puzzles, it had humor and most of all it had a great story.  One of the coolest features that the game had was the ability to save your character at the end of the game and import him into the next one.  I haven’t seen this feature in years, next year’s Mass Effect 2 will be the first in a long time.   Of course, importing your character really didn’t

make too much of a difference unless you finally became a Paladin.  It didn’t have the universe shaking repercussions that Mass Effect apparently will have but it help you to become emotionally invested in your character.  You cared that your character became a hero or saved the world.  Think of all the things that could be done in the land of Gloriana.  Think of a game like Elder Scrolls: Oblivion where you can do whatever you want but having the familiar locals of

Spielburg, Shapeir or Mordavia.  Think of the familiar creatures like the Katta.  I think of all the things they could do and I feel giddy inside.  I know this is just a pipe dream but I can dream of how wonderful it could be.  (Or how terrible, L

eisure Suit Larry, I’m still looking at you.)

2. Phantasmagoria – I understand that this would be on top of most people’s list since this was technically an “Interactive Movie” that wasn’t well received by the fans of Sierra, including myself.  But this could be a great jumping on point for a horror anthology series.  Games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, while great games, are the same game over and over again.  Video games are an exciting medium and you could do new exciting things with it.  Much like what Roberta Williams did with the first Phantasmagoria game.  The chills are all here in these games.  I remember being terrified in sections of this game.  These games could be remade with traditional graphics so a whole new generation could enjoy them.  And yes, I realize that the second one was made with traditional graphics. A 3rd person game similar to Resident Evil could be used and the story could be the focus.

3. Laura Bow – Laura bow was the star of Colonel’s Bequest and the Dagger of Amon Ra.  These mystery games led you through places as bodies dropped around you and you need to figure out who the culprit is.  As I write this, however, I realize why this would never work.  There’s not enough violence.  You’re not dropping enemies like flies.  You actually have to use your brain to solve the puzzles and the mysteries around you.  This probably wouldn’t work but once again, it was a great concept and it deserves to be looked at again.  I personally can’t think of how it would work but then again, I’m just writing a blog about it, I don’t get paid the big bucks to design a game.  Make it happen anyways!

4. King’s Quest – This is another series that I can’t think of how it would work in today’s audience but I know someone out there could make it work.  King’s Quest was a ground breaking series.  It took the games like Adventure House and Zork and but graphics in, taking away the need for the room descriptions.  So many games owe a great debt to this series.  This series borrowed from fairy tales and made interesting stories around them.  This is another nonviolent series that would probably be hard pressed to work in today’s kill them all mentality but I think some great stories could still be told.  These games could easily be remade for the Wii with expanded stories and better graphics.  I think the thing I miss the most from this style of game is the story.   This series had a wealth of great characters and ideas that could be translated into some great games if someone would take the time.

5.  Gabriel Knight -  What another great series this was.  Strong characters, a great story.  This game had it all.  Gabriel Knight is a book store owner in New Orleans discovering his destiny as a Schattenjager, or Shadow Hunter.  I could imagine some great things coming from the return of this character.  If Heavy Rain does well, a game in that style could work wonders with this character.

Activision probably doesn’t realize the importance of the properties that they are sitting on.  Just nostalgia alone could bring in some revenue.  As long as the property is treated properly, Leisure Suit Larry, just go and die already.  I hope that someday, these properties will be revived and returned to the glory that they once had.  Until then, I always have DOSBox and my memories.

Desde hace algún tiempo habíamos visto estas pegatinas en distintas zonas de nuestro acerado. Las he visto paseando por la calle Dr. Rubio, en la calle Jesús de la Pasión e incluso en la fachada de un edificio en la Plaza de las Monjas.

No quedaba muy claro qué significaban ni quién las había puesto allí. Pero ahora por fin se nos ha resuelto el misterio: se trata de una campaña publicitaria de la Diputación Provincial para dar a conocer a Huelva. La campaña “Huelva, más allá”. Ha salido en la prensa, en la tele, se ha hecho la presentación en Madrid y allí han estado nuestros gerifaltes para promocionar nuestra ciudad.

No  es de extrañar que en un momento de crisis económica como el nuestro se haya puesto en marcha esta campaña: el turismo, la difusión de nuestros productos, la diversidad de paisajes y opciones de ocio que proporcionan tanto la provincia como la ciudad, la garantía de una ciudad sostenible y ecológica, nuestras horas de sol,  la oferta gastronómica y cultural todo ello puede contribuir a mejorar nuestra maltrecha economía… La promoción es una inversión que dará sus frutos y los recolectaremos todos. Especialmente, hay que pensar en una pequeña y mediana empresa que sobrevive a fuerza de voluntad y vocación. Pero, hay tanto que mostrar de Huelva que es difícil resumirlo en una sola imagen que nos represente. (el jamón, la gamba, la fresa, el choco, la playa, la Sierra, el Condado, el Andévalo, el fandango, el Rocío …)

Esa pegatina de la H que me recuerda a la otra pegatina de la VPOH, que ya fue objeto de un artículo en este blog, debe condensar en sí misma la esencia y la idiosincrasia del más puro espíritu onubense.

Ciertamente es difícil. Imagino, pero esto es sólo por imaginar, que antes de decantarse por ella, Diputación habrá organizado un concurso de ideas y habrá elegido aquella opción con más garantías de éxito y que más económica saliera al erario público.

El dinero público es dinero de todos. Los que pagamos con nuestros impuestos, los que deben revertir en el crecimiento, el desarrollo, la cultura, la educación, la asistencia social de todos los españoles. Gracias a nuestros impuestos, organizados de tal manera que aquellos que más ganan son los que más pagan, y aquellos que más necesitan son los que más reciben, se fundamenta lo que se ha dado en llamar “Estado del bienestar”. Nuestros políticos son los responsables de ese dinero, ellos son quienes tienen la dificil tarea de decidir cómo, cuándo y en qué se gasta hasta el último céntimo de euro, pues no es suyo, sino nuestro.

Yo estoy a favor de que todo el mundo tiene derecho a un salario digno, a ganar honradamente las habichuelas. Así pues, con esta campaña ya han comido los publicistas, los diseñadores y unos cuantos más que no nombro. Pero lo que yo me pregunto, ¿acaso no hubiese resultado más lógico centrar la campaña en el exterior de la provincia y no gastarse dinero en promocionarnos a nosotros mismos? Estamos en crisis, no hay dinero para sanidad, no se cubren plazas de profesores, pero para esto sí hay.

Por todo esto estoy convencida de que, aunque yo no vea qué sentido tienen esas pegatinas enigmáticas para promoción de Huelva dentro de la misma Huelva, alguno habrá de existir. Y seguramente su existencia será muy loable y muy digna. Todo un detalle de lujo y distinción que nos pone a la misma altura del lugar que ocupan las loables pegatinas.

La Pitoña.

Imágenes: La Pitoña.

Múrcia és un destí molt poc conegut. Ningú no va a Múrcia, a no ser que hi tingui parents. Ningú no pensa en Múrcia per passar un pont o unes petites vacances. I, si imaginem Múrcia a l’estiu te la seva lògica, tot i que Múrcia te platges maravelloses, i zones de la seva costa, com ara les compreses entre Mazarrón i Aguilas, son una passada. Però Múrcia és molt més que les platges verges de la costa rocosa o les platges turístiques del mar Menor. Múrcia és una ciutat agradable, amb grans atractius artístics, amb una regió al seu voltant amb tota mena de reclams turístics de primer ordre. Només en citaré alguns. A Múrcia capital teniu la Catedral, (a la foto), els carrers del casc antic, amb els seus palaus i esglèsies, plenes d’obres d’art, i museus com el Salzillo, amb els passos de setmana santa d’aquest artísta genial. La setmana santa es viu a Múrcia capital, i a tota la província, amb un fervor especial. Els actes són dignes de veure’s. Si parlem de la regió teniu Caravaca de la Cruz, i el seu santuari. O bé Lorca, una sobirana ciutat, plena d’art. O la militar Cartagena. O la blanca Águilas, a tocar del mar. L’interior depara sorpreses com la Sierra de Espuña, pulmó natural de la zona, el vall de Cieza, o Calasparra amb el seu arròs. El paisatge mineral i llunar dels voltants de La unión, zona minera poderosa, atrau als mineralogistes i als amants del turisme industrial. Per dormir us recomanem els hotels que les grans cadenes tenen a la capital. Sovint en palaus impressionants, molt bé de preu quan no hi ha executius agressius a la vista. Com ara el NH Rincón de Pepe, o l’NH Amistad. O bé cèntric com l’Hotel Arco de San Juan. O els preciosos AC-Hotels, com el Ciutat de Múrcia. Hem dormit a tots ells i us assegurem que són fantàstics. Per menjar aneu pels voltants de la plaça de Sant Joan i mengeu productes frescos de l’horta murciana. Tota mena de verdures a la planxa. Una delícia!.

Murcia es un destino muy poco conocido. Nadie va a Murcia, a no ser que tenga parientes. Nadie piensa en Murcia para pasar un puente o unas pequeñas vacaciones. Y, si imaginamos Murcia en verano tiene su lógica, aunque Murcia tiene playas maravillosas, y zonas de su costa, como las comprendidas entre Mazarrón y Aguilas, són una gozada. Pero Murcia es mucho más que las playas vírgenes de la costa rocosa o las playas turísticas del mar Menor. Murcia es una ciudad agradable, con grandes atractivos artísticos, con una región a su alrededor con todo tipo de reclamos turísticos de primer orden. Sólo citaré algunos. En Murcia capital tienen la Catedral, (en la foto), las calles del casco antiguo, con sus palacios e iglesias, llenas de obras de arte, y museos como el Salzillo, con los pasos de semana santa de este artista genial. La semana santa se vive en Murcia capital, y en toda la provincia, con un fervor especial. Los actos son dignos de verse. Si hablamos de la región tiene Caravaca de la Cruz, y su santuario. O bien Lorca, una soberana ciudad, llena de arte. O la militar Cartagena. O la blanca Águilas, al lado del mar. El interior depara sorpresas como la Sierra de Espuña, pulmón natural de la zona, el valle de Cieza, o Calasparra con su arroz. El paisaje mineral y lunar de la zona de La unión, zona minera poderosa, atrae a los mineralogistas y los amantes del turismo industrial. Para dormir os recomendamos los hoteles que las grandes cadenas tienen en la capital. A menudo en palacios impresionantes, muy bien de precio cuando no hay ejecutivos agresivos a la vista. Como el NH Rincón de Pepe, o el NH Amistad. O bien el céntrico Hotel Arco de San Juan. O los preciosos AC-Hoteles, como el Ciudad de Murcia. Hemos dormido en todos ellos y os aseguramos que son fantásticos. Para comer vayan por los alrededores de la plaza de San Juan y coman productos frescos de la huerta murciana. Todo tipo de verduras a la plancha. ¡Una delicia!.

Up for sale is a beautiful 08 GMC Sierra, newest body style,perfect white & black color, big head turner, needs nothing, only 30k miles, good on gas, first 14.5k takes it ,please call 619-207-2040 salvage.

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Primeros Directores de BELLAS ARTES – Selva, Sierra y Costa

Volevo tributare il mio dovuto riconoscimento alla professionalità e gentilezza del personale addetto al Customer Service della sede britannica della White’s Electronics (Inverness, Scozia) e soprattutto della Sig.ra Margaret del Sales Management. Il 18 novembre ho scritto alla White’s chiedendo se cortesemente potevano inviarmi una copia cartacea (o PDF) del libro di Jimmy “Sierra” Normandi UNDERSTANDING THE DFX che tempo fa veniva normalmente inserito nelle confezioni del DFX. Come spiego nella mia email, il mio DFX (un ex-demo acquistato l’estate scorsa dal distributore ufficiale italiano) ne era sprovvisto.
La Sig.ra Margaret, dopo neanche un’ora, mi risponde che, pur se non è di prassi che tale volume accompagni le confezioni del DFX, loro ancora detengono qualche copia extra in azienda e che hanno provveduto ad inviarmene una per posta!

Ragazzi… il 23 Novembre è arrivato il pacchetto col libro… tutto gratuito!!!
Il timbro postale inglese riportava la data di spedizione del 18 Novembre… LO STESSO GIORNO DELLE NOSTRE EMAIL!!!! E guardate bene l’orario delle mail… 15.47 la mia… 4.56 la sua!!!

Non ho parole!

Complimenti davvero White’s Electronics…

Happy Grateful Hunting!
Bodhi3

———————
Vi posto qui le email:

The Bodhi3
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 3:47 PM
To: info@whites.co.uk

————–
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
Strada XXXXXX, 8
XXXX XXXXXX (XX)
ITALY

Ecco la gentilissima risposta arrivata lo stesso giorno…

Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Reply-To: sales@whites.co.uk
To: The Bodhi3

–
White’s Electronics (UK) Ltd
35 Harbour Road
Longman
Inverness
IV1 1UA

Niños ven como un cuidador del cementerio utiliza una sierra para cortar un cadáver momificado en tres pedazos para que pudeda ser trasladado a una pequeña tumba en Navotas, Filipinas, el 30 de Octubre de 2009.
 (Noel Celis)

7th Fairway at Greenhorn Creek Golf Club

I needed a picture.  Someone told me that there was a circa 1850s printing shop in the Historic Park of Columbia.  I needed a photo of it for a project I am working on for the Angels Camp Museum. It is just a half hour jaunt from my front door, but I was resistant.  It was Sunday. It had been a busy week and there was more work to do before the day was done.  At 1:30 I agreed to a Sunday drive; over there, get the photo then home. I forgot how entrancing the autumn could be.

It started with the ride over to Columbia from Angels Camp. Like I said, only about a half an hour,

New Melones Lake

but the sun was out, and it warmed my face and legs as we drove through the brilliantly colored trees and bushes and over the reflective lake at New Melones. The radio played some 1940’s jazz, a perfect soundtrack to autumn’s fantasy.  By the time we hit Parrots Ferry, there was a shift. Work? What work? I’d fallen victim to the magic of the autumn season and it’s spell had lulled me into it’s restful arms.

Fall Color

I think it was the colors. Red, yellow and shades of gold contrasted against the blue of the sky and the white puffy clouds.  Green was already pushing through the remainders of beige summer grass, now left behind in summer land.  Currier and Ives had come alive in the country roads ahead of me and in the fields to the left and the right. Bright squares of iridescent orange lit up the rolling hillside where grapes had recently been harvested.  A white home on the hill, a red barn in the field, an old brown shed, created greeting cards as I passed by. The enchantment had begun.

We arrived in Columbia, a world all its own in any season with wooden sidewalks, 100-year-old buildings, employees in period costume and the occasional street musician, circa 1850. In autumn it somehow feels even more surreal. The trees that line the streets have seen the advent of winter well over 100 times.  They have perfected their act, playing their part in autumn’s fantasy. Brilliant leaves, falling just slow enough to catch my gaze from beginning to end.  Focus, I told myself.  Where is the printing shop?

The Fallon House

I found the print shop just alongside the old Fallon House Play House.  At this point my husband made the mistake of leaving me alone for a moment while he returned our dog to the car.  There

was no hope for my wandering imagination now. The shop was closed, but I was able to snap a decent enough shot through the blurry, single paned glass of a building that must be at least 120 years old. I stood there. I felt the cool breeze of the November air on my neck and my chest.  It was quite a contrast to the warm sun that

Print Shop in Columbia

was baking through my thick wool sweater. The print shop drew me further in.  Wood floors, high ceilings and warm oak desks and chairs set the stage for someone. I waited for the ghosts to appear and perform their work. I waited. Then there they were.  I envisioned a boy sweeping the floor wearing suspenders and heavy wool pants, his hair was shiny black against his soft tan shirt.  A middle aged man sat at the desk in a crisp white shirt and small round glasses. His fingers moving small type set around fervently.  I was officially a goner.  My imagination was in full swing and there was no going back.

Walking next door to the play house,  I planned of my next adventure to never-never land. I picked up tickets to Little Women for next Thursday.  A Christmas treat to myself, I thought. My husband came back and found me there. He knew I was mush and he took advantage of it. Let’s stroll he said.  The street was dusty as we entered it and the clicky clack of a horse drawn wagon snapped at me. I wanted to be in that wagon. We walked up the wooden side-walk, in and out of the assayer’s office, the Wells Fargo building and past the Old Saloon.  Hungry. I convinced my husband to buy me lunch less he want a grumpy wife on his hands. I knew the perfect place.

My poor husband had no chance at this point. He was now a player in my magic-land

The tea house - Columbia Kate's

and I had my sites on a Tea House.  He went along with it! I couldn’t believe it either as we entered what mimicked a little girl’s doll house, filled with many a breakable thing.  They delivered the menus which consisted of over 70 teas and a few edible items.  “They have homemade chicken pot pie”, I told him realizing that was about the only thing that might interest him.  Salads and scones with cream, Quiche and a foo-foo sandwich or two, graced the menu.  He asked for “Iced tea please”.  “Which type?” asked the waitress.  His look toward me was somewhat dismal, somewhat accusing, so I answered for him “Plain black, please”.  His iced tea arrived at the table in a complicated system with hot tea in the top vessel, ice in the bottom vessel and a glass placed in front of him.  Again the bewildered look lurched out.  “It’s not as complicated as it looks” said the waitress.  She sensed his surrender to the absurdity of it all and said “I’m sorry sir, you ARE in a Tea House”, at which he laughed and moved on. My hubby was in a compliant mood today…the Autumnal spell had gotten him too.

Just like a doll house

An old barn in Columbia

We stepped out into the crisp air, bright sun and a completely clear sky.  More strolling was in order.  The old bowling alley sent the sounds of crashing wood and cheering players into the air.  Two young boys playing hide and go seek were off to the left, one counting very loudly. The Blacksmith’s shop was open and we wondered in. The railings, shelves and ground were adorned with interesting iron gifts.  A heart shaped horseshoe and a nicely made hoof pick caught my eye; more Christmas gift possibilities for later.

Candy Heaven!

One last stop was in order. Nelson’s Candies is a regular visit every time we go to Columbia.  The smell when you walk in is intoxicating enough. But the visual puts Santa’s Workshop to shame.  A 2″ snow man-made out of white chocolate and fondant, filled with cream caught my eye.  The cabinets are crammed with sugar transformed into every type of shape, color, size, smell and flavor.  Chocolate creams, nut encrusted toffee, gummy chews, fudge in white, brown, and rocky road all line up like soldiers in a chess game.  Breath.  The floors squeak under my feet as I try to take it all in. It’s not so much the tasting as it is the anticipation of it all; even thought it is absurdly delicious.  We had been there alone for a few moments.  Then someone else entered, intruding on daydreaming. Time to pick, purchase and indulge I thought.

We head back to the car and my dog wants to smell every inch of me.  He wants to know where I’ve been, what I’ve eaten, what I’ve brought back. Not much for the dog I’m afraid. A pocket full of memories, a few photos and these chocolate creams, of which you are getting zero bud, I thought.  We pull out and begin our drive back.  The 1940’s jazz is still playing on NPR.  As we drive home I am amazed at the beauty passing by my window. We are quiet all the way home. Taking it all in I suppose. Resting our souls on beauty’s shoulder.

Coming into Angels Camp - North East

The dreamy drive down the hillside, over the bridge and back into Angels Camp was sublime.  The town looks inviting as we enter over the scenic by-pass. A sea of green is mixed with spots of yellow, orange, and red, as we pass by over the tree tops looking south. Home. I love this place.  My trip down the rabbit hole was a brief respite from the cares of the world. But also a refreshment that reminded me of all I love about this place I live in.  Enchanting autumn will stay here for a few more weeks. Then winter will impose bringing it’s own magic, wonder and beauty.  But the delightful backdrop of these beautiful Foothills will be ever waiting for any season that enfolds it. And I will be mindful to allow the luxury of indulging myself in all its mysteries again soon.

Nick Danziger’s photographs of some of the thousands of victims of Sierra Leone’s conflict, who say they have not been helped, unlike the fighters who committed atrocities…. From BBC News. Full story

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I’m writing this post because so many well-meaning, conscious, spiritual people are missing some significant information and tools when it comes to Law of Attraction and being a conscious cocreator of your life with Spirit.

One of my wonderful Facebook friends recently wrote a post:

“If you examine your history, you cannot help but repeat it! Law of Attraction says it is so:

‘Whatever I am looking at, I am including in my vibration.’ — Abraham”

This sparked a controversy with 19 people weighing in, many fully agreeing and many others, myself included, objecting to this as an oversimplification and stating that, even though it is true that our focus does permeate our vibration and thus create, it is actually NECESSARY to understand and heal our past in order to learn what we need to from it and be able to truly free ourselves from its hold on us and move on into something even better.

We have to put our attention on our intention BUT if we are not aligned strongly and consistently enough with our intention, if we are trying really hard to make it happen but it’s just not working, that’s a sure sign we need to do some inner healing work before we do any more manifesting and attracting and creating. It’s inner, not, outer time, first.

I feel so strongly that so many New Age, metaphysical folks are so hyped up about positive thinking and “just focus on what you want,” they are missing something vital:

For most people, with most long-term issues, simply striving to be positive and focus on their intentions is NOT enough to bring about the desired results. We need to learn from our past, and use that wisdom to create our best future, while living in and enjoying the present.

So here I go on my soap box again.

The Abraham work and all the other good Law of Attraction stuff out there is not intended to be interpreted as “Ladeeda, we can just be positive 100% of the time and only good things will come to us. All that yucky stuff from the past – I’m done with that now and all I have to do is think good thoughts and I will attract all my desires. Abracadabra!”

So allow me to bust that myth and empower you with a much more in-depth and practical approach:

1- Our past is important. Just as our current emotions are indicators of the distance between where we are at and where we want to be, our past is one of our teachers as well. We can – and indeed need to – turn our wounds into wisdom. Some of our life experiences we may label “good” or “positive,” we feel we were successful and these we can apply to continue to utilize and build upon what worked for us, while the so-called “negative” experiences or failures are also useful in several ways.

For one thing, we can clarify more clearly what, exactly we DO want by contrasting it with what we do NOT want anymore. This applies equally well to health and lifestyle choices, work, home, community, as well as relationships.

Secondly, we can learn psychologically and spiritually: What was my lesson in this?

Thirdly,we can discover, with proper reflection, which may include prayer, meditation, journaling, counseling, or even insightful conversations, that there was truly a silver lining, a gift in every experience we have had. Sometimes we don’t see it at the time, it feels horrible, we may even be devastated that that relationship or career didn’t work out, that we had that disability or lost our house, but ultimately, when we see through the eyes of Spirit and Love, we will always find that everything happened for a reason and we can find something to be grateful for, even if it’s just the ability to make a different choice next time.

2- Until we learn our lessons from the past, we are going to UNCONSCIOUSLY repeat them. This is true of humanity when we look at larger societal choices as well as on the personal level. Ignoring our past and zapping it like it didn’t even happen is not the solution. In fact, ignoring our past and stuffing it over there, oh, that’s too messy, I don’t want to deal with that right now, does not free us from it, it actually dooms us to repeat it.

3- The Abraham work says that our DOMINANT thought is the one that runs the show, and I agree with this. The catch is: Our dominant thought is seldom a conscious thought, so we cannot expect to simply push a button and “There, I’m only going to think good thoughts, feel good feelings and make good choices from now on.”

We have to heal all those billions of subconscious beliefs that we are carrying around which arose out – what? Our past experiences and programming, of course.

I do agree that many people spend far too much time simply repeating their “story,” which actually keeps them stuck in it and keeps giving it energy. There is a big difference between looping an old version of a reality we no longer want, whining about it, being a drama king/queen, vs. actually being willing to visit the past (with support if necessary) with the intention of looking in the mirror, releasing what no longer serves, with forgiveness, finding the lesson and gift in it, and moving confidently forward into a better life we are creating for ourselves, from the inside out.

Do we need to look at our past? Absolutely.Do we need to keep telling it over and over? Absolutely not.

4- We need to process stuck emotions. Sometimes we need to move some rage. Shake off some old energy. Sometimes we need to express ourselves to someone, forgive, be forgiven, and it doesn’t matter if they’re alive or dead or whether their human self is willing to hear a word we are saying. We just talk to their Higher Self, soul to soul. We look in the mirror and show them a mirror as well. I have an extensive guided meditation and energy healing journey that I guide people through called the Healing Past Relationships Journey (soon to be available as a CD/MP3 audio) which facilitates this soul-to-soul communication, energy exchange, forgiveness and healing. Or you may be able to do it for yourself, perhaps by writing a letter or through ceremony. We need to visit our past just enough to learn from it and to heal it, not rehash it or keep talking about it for decades.

We also need to forgive ourselves. And forgive God!

The work I do as an energy healer, intuitive, hypnotherapist and life coach focuses on identifying the current condition of your Body, Mind, Heart and Soul and creating a complete, intuitively guided healing program that empowers you to remember who you really are, to love and heal yourself completely, and to clarify your vision and reawaken your passion, power and life purpose — to create the life and love of your dreams. I am a Law of Attraction coach, and people often begin working with me when they realize (see with Real Eyes) that they are working so dang hard on themselves, have been for years, yet something is still stuck. They are willing, finally, to do what it takes to really succeed, so we go places, often in the first session, that completely amazes them.

5- We need to heal core issues and heal on all levels.

For example, some of my recent clients have improved their relationships, found lasting love, launched their heart-centered business, created more harmony in their parenting or other family relationships…..In every case, we needed to do some deep CORE ISSUE healing at the level of the SOUL and the ENERGY FIELD, the kind of healing that is more difficult to do by one’s self when we are emotionally caught up in our “stuff,” scared, frustrated and depleted.

I do sometimes have clients who try to turn the sessions into talk therapy and keep going on and on about their problems. They are stuck in their story. So I ask them, “Do you want to talk about it or do you want to heal it?” If they keep wanting to talk about it, they are not ready for the kind of healing I do. If they want to heal it, I can help them heal themselves but we have to go much deeper than just talking. Deep omnidimensional energy healing at the soul level i.e. soul retrieval, regression, rebirthing, hypnotherapy/NLP, ceremony, forgiveness work, can be extremely helpful, especially if a person is unable to break free of an old belief/energy. We shift the energy & belief at the original cause and core. I channel empowering self-healing techniques they can do on their own to continue the healing and keep building the positive energy.

We don’t ever have to be 100% healed, nor is that even possible so long as we are human. But we need to be healed enough to be free to focus on what we do want, move forward and create from an aligned, clear, positive state of being and love.

6- ALIGN, ATTRACT, ACT.

People so caught up in the Law of Attraction who simply read a few books, go to a few workshops, watch a couple of movies, often fail to understand that trying to get into ACTION mode before you are ALIGNED does not work. Law of Attraction works – once we are aligned with our desires. If some part of our subconscious mind or energy field is still playing the tape of a limiting, negative belief, we are not going to be able to just attract what we want, no matter how many affirmations we say or vision boards we make!

7 – I want to make one more point about the past and this concept of time. We can only live in one time: the present. We need to heal and learn from our past and draw upon its power, we need to envision and align with our best future, and yet we can only live right here, right now. All times exist in this moment of choice: now.

I personally feel we need to spend MOST of our attention right here, where we live. In this body. On this planet. Enjoying this life to the fullest. Mindful. Heartful. Soulful. Bodyful. Beautiful! When we work with the concept of time as fluid and simultaneous and quantum rather than linear, we find that every moment is a portal home.

We can also change our past shamanically, redream it. This helps us create our best future as well. This can be done through shamanic trance healing and/or conscious dreaming.

We each have the power to facilitate miraculous healing and success beyond our wildest imagination. We don’t have to spend years healing the past. We can heal it in an instant, or it may take several months or longer, but if we go deep enough and work at the level of the soul, core beliefs and original causes, the quantum and cosmic fields and on all levels, if we do this work with a vibration of love for ourselves and all beings, we will grow into being who we came here to be.

I love the Abraham work but sometimes a phrase taken by itself does not present the complexities of the spiritual nature of the Universe. True healing and conscious creation of our lives will always involve navigating the territory of our past with loving kindness and forgivness, with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow so we can create an even better future. And we can do this today.

If you would like more information about Omnidimensional Healing of Core Issues blended with intuitive life coaching, and a free Special Report on Law of Attraction Graduate School – Abundance Affirmations with Ooompf!, please visit my main website at:

www.LoveandSpirit.org.

Thomas Alieu, director of the Educational Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Sierra Leone says his organization wants to turn the blind into useful tools for nation building… From VOA. Full story

This site may contain information about: tutoring. For a different topic see peach recipe. The blog is also related to: teach school.

Panorámica del Valle del Genal

Os proponemos un recorrido por el Valle del Genal, acompañando al grupo de senderismo “El Manganillo”,  que coincide con nuestro primer aniversario en la red, que comenzaba precísamente con un artículo similar a este hace ahora un año. Para la visita hemos escogido el municipio de Igualeja, tomando como base el nacimiento del río Genal, atravesando el castañar campo a través en unas dos horas de ida y otras dos de vuelta. El recorrido no es muy exigente aunque si algunas veces se torna bastante duro debido a la cantidad de desniveles que hay que sortear.

Panorámica de Igualeja

La población de Igualeja se encuentra encajonada entre la serranía de Ronda y Sierra Bermeja, enmedio de un terreno abrupto, rodeado de unos bellos paisajes como podéis observar en estas imágenes. Surcan sus tierras el río Genal y su afluente el Seco, que forman grandes barrancos en los que abundan pinos y especialmente castaños, que constituyen su principal fuente de riqueza. Sus castañas, especialmente la variedad pilonga son conocidas en el mundo entero, por ser la más sabrosa.

Un rincón de Igualeja

Como los demás pueblos de la Serranía de Ronda, encaramados en las faldas de los montes, sus calles tienen que salvar grandes desniveles, y sus casas encaladas han sido construídas adaptándose al terreno que las acoge. La fisonomía del casco urbano es muy similar en los dos únicos barrios que forman el pueblo. A ambos lados de las calles estrechas y empinadas se levantan casas de piedra, encaladas, formando una trama típica de trazado laberíntico, heredada de su pasado morisco, apenas alterado en la actualidad.

La principal fuente de riqueza es la forestal y la cosecha anual de castañas, como ya decíamos anteriormente. En cuanto a la artesanía, cabe destacar la elaboración de objetos de pleita de esparto,  cuero y marroquinería. La gastronomía se nutre de numerosos platos entre los que podrá degustar la elaboración artesanal del salmorejo, así como las gachas. También son muy típicas las migas y el gazpacho.

Nacimiento del río Genal

Comenzamos el recorrido propiamente dicho, visitando el nacimiento del río antes de abandonar el pueblo, un paraje verdaderamente espectacular, que solamente por contemplarlo vale la pena acercarse a este pueblo de la serranía. Está bastante bien acondicionado con un gran jardín en el perímetro exterior formando un pequeño parque para esparcimiento de la población.

Una vez bajado el pueblo en dirección hacia la iglesia, atravesando un estrecho callejón y una empinada cuesta, nos adentramos ya en el castañal campo a través, por un sendero estrecho pero que se vislumbra claramente, máxime en este tiempo en el que el trasiego de los agricultores recolectando las castañas lo tienen más despejado de matorral.

A medida que ascendemos la sierra el castañar comienza a ser más frondoso y el hermoso verde otoñal contrasta con el macizo de granito y caliza que se alza imponente ante nosotros. Podemos observar  en algunas zonas muy claramente la descomposición de la piedra en el karts.

bosque de castaños

Junto al bosque de castaños que es el que coloniza las tierras mejor situadas vemos también alcornoques, encinas, quejigos, pinos y hermosos nogales, mezclados con olivos en las lomas y frutales en las riberas de los ríos.

También observamos multitud de cuevas prehistóricas en nuestro recorrido que testimonian la presencia humana por estas tierras desde siempre.

La Serranía es un mundo aparte más allá de la leyenda que ronda en cada pueblo, en cada valle y en cada sierra. La Serranía es paisaje que guarda celosamente su riqueza, y es también historia viva de gentes que hacen de la silvicultura, agricultura, ganadería y comercio,  el milagro cotidiano de supervivencia.

Fotografías Pepe Valdés

El Manganillo en el Valle del Genal

e-mail: axarquiaviva@hotmail.es

Próximamente

La pintura veleña: Antonio Valdés

Ze względu na dosyć pikantny charakter gry niniejsza recenzja może zawierać elementy demoralizujące.

Al Lowe to taki łysawy, nieco pyzowaty jegomość. Bez wątpienia postać dla przeciętnego Stefana mało znana, ale to właśnie on stworzył osobowość komputerową, która z przeciętnym Stefanem ma wiele wspólnego. Al Lowe to nie kto inny tylko ojciec Larry’ego Laffera, bohatera przygodówek, serii zapoczątkowanej w 1987 roku.

Cztery ciepłe gniazdka

Nasz bohater to brunet nikczemnego wzrostu, o wiecznie zburzonym uczesaniu, ubrany w biały garnitur i niemodną koszulę, dodatkowo często w zestawie z przeciwsłonecznymi okularami maskującymi uwodzicielskie spojrzenie. Jego życie niebezpiecznie zbliża się do stacji, w której większość przyzwoitych mężczyzn ma już ułożone najważniejsze sprawy związane z egzystencją albo przynajmniej o połowę dylematów mniej. Larry niestety się do nich nie zalicza, bo pomimo średnio zaawansowanego wieku (38 lat) jego dusza zarośnięta jest wszelakiej maści kompleksami (przynajmniej wygląda to tak na zewnątrz, bo Larry jest dosyć pewny siebie).

Najbardziej znane dziecko Ala Lowe nigdy nie korzystało zbyt dużo z życia i dopiero gracz ma wprowadzić go w świat rozkoszy, umożliwiając mu m.in. liczne i wielokrotne kontakty z płcią piękną. Zatem Larry ośmielony kontrolą gracza postanowił wreszcie opuścić ponurą piwnicę i zakamarki swej nieśmiałości, z celem na ustach: aby zaliczyć!

W obrębie jego zainteresowań znajdą się przede wszystkim lokalna prostytutka (na wstępie przygody), następnie tajemnicze Fawn i Faith, ale prawdziwym złotym runem, po które zechce sięgnąć Larry będzie piękna Eve.

Viva Lost Wages!

Główne miejsce przygód pierwszej części Larry’ego to Lost Wages, miasto bezpośrednio inspirowane Las Vegas. Właśnie tam Larry uda się  aby zrealizować swój szczytny cel obdarowywania plemnikami nie tylko ściany i gazety, ale prawdziwe kobiety wyposażone w piersi i tego typu elementy charakterystyczne dla tej płci.

Lost Wages dzieli się na pięć dużych stref: Lefty’s Bar, kasyno, kaplicę, dyskotekę i sklep uciech stu. Larry będzie poruszał się pomiędzy nimi taksówką, za którą będzie musiał oczywiście zapłacić.

Na początku rozgrywki jedyną kobietą, która będzie chciała rozmawiać z naszym bohaterem jest wspomniana wcześniej lokalna prostytutka, która też będzie naszą przewodniczką w poszczególnych fragmentach gry. Odradzałbym jednak bliższe stosunki z nią, bo może się to skończyć słabo, np. chorobą weneryczną i w efekcie zakończeniem gry.

Zresztą grę można “skończyć” też na inny sposób, bo w pierwszym Larrym czas nagli. Gracz będzie miał tylko dwie rzeczywiste godziny na ukończenie gry. Czas ten można co prawda oszukać (m.in. przy pomocy naszej dobrej duszy – prostytutki), ale i tak nie pozostaje go zbyt wiele. W przypadku gdy go przekroczymy Larry najzwyczajniej załamie się i popełni samobójstwo.

Rozgrywka polega na wykonywaniu odpowiednich czynności, które zazwyczaj wiążą się z umiejętnym sposobem na poderwanie dziewczyny (prowadzą do tego różne środki). W tej przygodówce możemy sterować zarówno klawiaturą jak i myszką, a ważnym elementem są komendy wydawane właśnie  z klawiatury.

Szesnaście par pończoch

Gra w pierwszej, oryginalnej wersji tworzona była w oparciu o grafikę EGA w rozdzielczości 160×200 i przy szesnastu kolorach. Wcale nie lepiej prezentowało się udźwiękowienie, które bez wątpienia stanowi odpowiedź na klasyczne pc speakery ).

Pierwszy Larry jak i wiele tytułów Sierry z lat 80-tych (np. cztery części King’s Quest czy dwie części Police Quest) tworzony był w oparciu o AGI czyli Adventure Game Interpreter, program, który umożliwiał funkcjonowanie w w/w tle graficzno-dźwiękowym i którego ideą były wprowadzane komendy z klawiatury.

Osoby, które nie wytrzymają tak odległych rozwiązań graficznych mogą zawsze sięgnąć po odnowioną wersję gry z 1991 roku, stworzoną już w “świeżej” grafice VGA przy 256 kolorach, z wykorzystaniem możliwości Sound Blastera i nowym wizerunkiem Larry’ego (zbliżonym choćby do tego z siódmej części).

Ciekawe, że oficjalna wersja pierwszego Larry’ego w Polsce zadebiutowała dopiero w 2001 roku… czternaście lat po premierze.

Musisz sięgnąć jeśli… chciałbyś coś zaliczyć, choćby i przy komputerze.

a

Świeży import screenów wprost z:

http://armchairempire.com

http://www.scummvm.org

Aquesta bonica ermita, antiga parròquia d’un poble que no va arribar a consolidar-se, s’alça en un paratge força bonic de la Serralada de Marina, a escassos 20 kms. de Barcelona. Pertany al terme Municipal de Sant Fost de Campcentelles, un municipi del Vallès, a tocar de Mollet. És des d’aquest municipi que s’hi arriba. Cal agafar la carretera B-500, que uneix Mollet amb Badalona tot passant per Sant Fost. Podeu venir des de Badalona, o des de Mollet mateix. En arribar al nucli més antic de la població de sant Fost, quan la carretera s’estreny, cal prendre el camí, pista ample, que va al cementiri. Està indicat allà mateix: Sant Cebrià de Cabanyes. I ho trobareu indicat en alguns dels trencalls que anireu passant, no en tots. En altres bifurcacions el vostre sentit comú us farà triar el camí més adequat. La ruta salta petits turonets i rieres, en un paratge rural que no dirieu tan proper a les grans ciutats. Cal anar en compte en alguns passos, sobretot si el vostre cotxe és molt baix. Finalment, de cop, us trobareu al davant l’ermita. Gran, de volta de canó un xic apuntada, del típic romànic del XII. Si és diumenge potser està oberta. L’interior és bonic també. Els voltants són força evocadors, senzills, sense pretensions, amb bones balconades damunt el Vallès. Sou a la recóndita vall de Cabanyes. Podeu continuar la pista en lloc de retornar a Sant Fost. Anireu a sortir a la carretera que va de la Roca a Santa Coloma de Gramanet passant per Montcada. Evidentment la ruta a la inversa també és factible. Boníssima excursió per bicicletes. Ni massa pujada ni massa baixada, però un camí molt divertit, amb constants giravolts i canvis de rasant. Ideal per infants que ja siguin uns petits experts de la bici. També una passejada molt adient des de sant Fost. No hi ha restaurant prop de l’ermita, ni cap mena de servei. Haureu d’utilitzar, si us calen, els de Sant Fost.

Esta bonita ermita, antigua parroquia de un pueblo que no llegó a consolidarse, se levanta en un bello paraje de la Serralada de Marina, a escasos 20 kms. de Barcelona. Pertenece al término municipal de Sant Fost de Campcentelles, un municipio del Vallès, junto a Mollet. Es desde este municipio de donde sale el mejor acceso. Hay que coger la carretera B-500, que une Mollet con Badalona pasando por Sant Fost. Puede venir desde Badalona, o desde Mollet mismo. Al llegar al núcleo más antiguo de la población de Sant Fost, cuando la carretera se estrecha, hay que tomar el camino, una pista ancha, que va al cementerio. Está indicado allí mismo: Sant Cebrià de Cabanyes. Y lo encontrareis también indicado en algunos de los desvíos que iréis pasando, no en todos. En otras bifurcaciones sera vuestro sentido común el que os hará escoger el camino más adecuado. La ruta salta pequeños montículos y vadea algunos arroyos, en un paraje rural que no se diría tan cercano a las grandes ciudades. Hay que tener cuidado en algunos pasos, sobre todo si su coche es muy bajo. Finalmente, de golpe, os encontraréis delante la ermita. Grande, de bóveda de cañón algo apuntada, del típico románico del XII. Si es domingo quizás está abierta. El interior es bonito también. Los alrededores son muy evocadores, sencillos, sin pretensiones, con buenas vistas sobre el Vallès. Estais en el recóndito valle de Cabanyes. Puede seguir la pista adelante en lugar de volver a Sant Fost. Iréis a salir a la carretera que va de la Roca hasta Santa Coloma de Gramanet pasando por Montcada. Evidentemente la ruta a la inversa también es factible. Buenísima excursión para bicicletas. Ni demasiadas subidas ni demasiadas bajadas, pero no obstante, un camino muy divertido, con constantes giros y cambios de rasante. Ideal para niños que ya sean unos pequeños expertos de la bici. También un paseo muy adecuado desde Sant Fost. No hay restaurante cerca de la ermita, ni ningún tipo de servicio. Debereis utilizar, si os hacen falta, los de Sant Fost.

El espanto surge de la tumba

Director: Carlos Aured

Año: 1973

País: España

95 min.

Fotografía: Manuel Merino

Música: Carmelo Bernaola

Guión: Paul Naschy

Reparto: Paul Naschy,  Emma Cohen, Helga Liné, Víctor Alcazar, Luis Ciges, Julio Peña, María José Cantudo

Mi relación con Naschy o más bien hacía Naschy, ya que no tengo el gusto de tratarlo, podría resumirse en un aserto popular que reza: “Amiguinos, amiguinos, pero la vaquina por lo que vale”. Es decir, aprecio y reconozco el esfuerzo titánico de Jacinto Molina en levantar una especie de industria alrededor del “fantaterror” español, su voluntad de personalizar un discurso y de alcanzar una especia de autoría, una manera intransferible y reconocible de tratar el género, me enternece la desmesura de su ego o el empeño en continuar mucho más allá de la defunción del género y lamento que la gran mayoría de sus ideas fueran pisoteadas por circunstancias ajenas, léase penurias presupuestarias, rodajes a matacaballo en una semana y con seis técnicos o directamente la atrabiliaria incompetencia de directores (¿?) como el propio Aured, Zabalza, Madrid, Iglesias o el Klimovsky más desganado. La verdadera reivindicación de Naschy (como la de tantos otros) no puede de esta manera venir desde el arrobo del fan o la condescendencia del enteradillo sino desde el justiprecio del rigor crítico que señale virtudes, contextualice maneras, haga comprensibles insuficiencias y sancione errores/horrores. De otra manera el rescate no tendrá valor alguno y perpetuará la permanencia del cine popular como artefacto “camp” pare ser mirado por encima del hombro cuando no para chotearse abiertamente.

De esta manera “El espanto surge de la tumba” resulta me un film particularmente difícil de valorar, ya que, si bien es estrictamente un bodrio carente de ritmo, pedestremente narrado, montado a hachazos y con un total desconocimiento de los rudimentos de la puesta en escena, también atesora una importancia histórica decisiva al ser el acta fundacional de esa “Hammer” del (muy) pobre que fue “Profilmes”, además de acarrear no poca mítica (y en ciertos aspectos casi justa) en su condición de “eurotrash” de culto internacional, en virtud de su sandunguero festival de picadillo “gore” y su perversidad erótica (amén de unos jugosos desnudos escamoteados en el metraje español, hay que recordar que la censura se ensañaba con el género y la dobles versiones estaban a al orden del día) que incluye tríos, lesbianismo, necrofilia (turbiamente sugerida en el asesinato, pasada por la hoz por un sobón Ciges, de una jovencita María José Cantudo “pre-parrús” y tétricamente empleada en la resurrección de una sofisticadísima Helga Liné, uno de los mejores momentos de la película) y demás familia.

Reconozco que no carece de aciertos, en especial su poderoso prólogo (casi “bergmaniano” en ese desfile en ascético travelling lateral), mezcla de barro, sangre y leyenda, que aporta el necesario tono ominoso a todo el invento y que está filmado del modo más primitivamente apropiado, rematado por la maldición de Alaric de Marnac (personaje recurrente en su filmografía y presentado aquí) previa pérdida de la cabeza y por el escalofriante plano de Helga Liné bocabajo y desorbitada, entre gritos y juramentos.

Desde luego la caracterización de Naschy como el demoníaco Alaric (el divo se reserva nada menos que tres papeles y en dos de ello triunfa por partida doble, apareciendo fugazmente desnudo además) resulta por completo inolvidable, una desaforada, expresionista (por histriónica) y maléfica revisión del vampiro (en lugar de crucifijo es repelido por el medallón de “los martillos de Thor”.sic, uno de esos objetos de leyenda coon los que Naschy daba una pátina medio erudita, medio “pulp” a sus trabajos) enfrentado a la inocencia carnal de una guapísima Emma Cohen, a lo que se une algún aisladísimo momento donde la cruda atmósfera y el torpe feísmo terminan por funcionar, pienso en el ataque de la consorte del villano al desprevenido ladrón o la brutalidad de las escenas al borde del lago en general, en especial el contundente hachazo que apiola inopinadamente al personaje de Naschy, en las que lo desabrido del entorno y el frió serrano que se respira traspasan la pantalla.

Pero la película mezcla sin mayor criterio ideas verdaderamente aprovechables (la cabeza parlante, bien ideada, mal resuelta), tiradas por tierra por un Aured inepto, con modas de la época ejemplificando bien el carácter carroñero y desvergonzadamente “exploit” de gran parte del terror ibérico, desde unos cuantos “zombies” (muy competentemente maquillados, eso si) hasta su gotita de sanguinolencia paleta, con “Perros de paja” todavía calentita.

Una pena que un autor genuino como Naschy, poseedor de un corpus conceptual intransferible en su relectura de la mitología del terror desde el prisma de un muy español romanticismo, siempre chocase con todo tipo de limitaciones a la hora de plasmarlo, personificando el problema principal del “fantaterror” español, la total falta de medios derrotando a la buena voluntad.

Kode Produk: MC-S885

Sierra COMPASS 885

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Download Speed = 7.2 Mbps , Upload speed = 2 Mbps(upgradeable to 5.76 Mbps.
Unlock version Guarantee Compatible with all GSM operator in Indonesia.
OS Compatible list : Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista & Mac OS.

The COMPASS 885 USB Modem are the latest in USB modems from Sierra Wireless.  Designed to work on HSUPA networks, mobile users will experience significantly increased speeds -  up to 7.2 Mbps downlink and 2.0 Mbps uplink and can be upgradeable to 5.76 Mbps

These USB modems are a flexible solution, ideal for desktop or notebook computer use and are compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems.  The familiar USB connection and simple setup make getting a fast, reliable wireless connection easy.

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Operating System support:
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Windows® 2000
Mac OS X

Jim Pearson's first gold nugget of the day

He burst forth from the river in a frenzy of excitement, water flying off like a shaking shaggy dog, shouting and gesturing wildly. What prompted this reaction, when moments before a lazy late summer afternoon at a deep pool along the Yuba River was the scene of quiet relaxation? Gold fever, that’s what. Whooping and hollering, Jim Pearson proudly displayed a gold nugget in the palm of his hand.

Eureka. The Golden State. The 49ers. Many words from the original California gold rush have made their way into everyday lexicon reflecting our rich mining heritage of the boom years of 1848-1855. Towns such as Placerville, Gold Bar, Rough and Ready, Jackass Gulch and Body reflect the rough and tumble camps that came with the rush, some destined to fade into obscure ghost towns, while others still thrive today.

Gold was first discovered in Coloma, a Sierra foothills town near Sacramento, at one of John Sutter’s lumber mills. Sutter, a pioneer poised to develop a huge agricultural operation, was distressed at the find, fearing that his plans would be disrupted. His fears were realized when workers deserted, running to the hills to get rich, and squatters stole his livestock and land.

Forty niners, the prospector’s named for one of the early years of the boom, faced a tough journey getting to California either by land or sea. Like many gold rushes, most toiled in vain, never realizing the fabulous riches of which fantasies are spun. Some did very well, including the so-called “forty eighters”, the earliest Argonauts, as well as merchants such as Samuel Brannan, who made a killing in San Francisco by buying prospecting supplies and selling them at a handsome profit.

In the early years the gold was readily available using low tech methods such as panning, where a shallow metal pan is used to agitate sand and gravel with water, which allows the heavier gold to settle while the lighter material can be discarded. Later, as more complex and costly technology was employed, such as hydraulic mining, dredging and blasting, mining became affordable by large corporations, rather than individuals.

With the price of gold up 140% (from $750/oz in October 2008 to $1050/oz in October 2009) since last year there has been increased interest in gold, from hobbyists to corporations. Gold mining claims at the US Bureau of Land Management for California has increased substantially in the last few years, from around 15,000 in 2005 to 24,000 this year.

When gold was first discovered in what is currently known as the state of California, the land was still part of Mexico, and was a generally lawless place. No permits were required or even available. Now however, on California rivers and streams almost every square inch of claimable land is staked. Be sure to check with local agencies to determine whether prospecting is allowed. In National Forest Lands, no permits are required for recreational “hands and pans” gold digging, provided no motorized equipment is allowed. Seasonal dredging permits can be obtained from the Bureau of Land Management. A number of parks offer information, gold panning demonstrations and opportunities to try your hand at panning.

The Local Angle

Jim Pearson & Steve Mullen on the Yuba River

Along the Yuba River along the western foothills of the Sierra near Grass Valley and Nevada City mining operations are often evidenced by muffled explosions ricocheting off the rock walls lining the river bed, but locals know that gold can be had with a little patience and an eagle eye.

Jim Pearson, who grew up in Sacramento, remembers being intrigued by the possibility of finding gold in nearby rivers and streams as a young boy.  Any outing to surrounding waterways involved keeping a sharp eye out for the glint of metal among the granite.

Jim has developed a rather unconventional method of searching for gold in the deep pools found in many of the rivers of the areas, such as the Yuba River. Donning snorkeling gear he submerges his body in the cool waters of the snow fed river and scrabbles around with his hands looking for the lumps of gold and silver. According to Jim, “the areas where the water flows between large boulders creating eddies is a good place to look for gold because it lodges in the sand and silt buildup.”

Gold and silver nuggets from a day of prospecting

On a recent backpacking trip in late summer Jim swung into action, affixing the mask and snorkel to his head, and sank into the water, warmed by the summer heat. After about fifteen minutes he sprang out of the water excitedly bellowing about his find. He proudly displayed his first find of the day, a small chunk of gold. Eureka! Spurred by success he disappeared under the surface over and over. Eventually he brought up a small lump of silver. A few hours later he had quite a collection of six good sized bits of gold and one lump of silver. Jim said a good time to look for gold in the rivers draining the high Sierra is after the spring runoff, when fast, deep water scours the deep pools and carrying the heavy nuggets to the lower elevations.

The lure of California gold remains real for many, and the precious metal is there for the taking.

Information:

Marshall Gold Discovery Historic State Park

South Yuba River State Park

Malakoff Diggins State Park

Auburn State Recreation Area

Bodie State Historic Park
South Yuba River gold prospecting

Make me sweet again

fragrant and fresh and wild

and thankful for any small event.

- Rumi

This month we all come together with loved ones and devote our awareness for a few hours to thankfulness. Perhaps your family, like mine, will join hands and take turns sharing what each one is grateful for, today and over the past year. And whether you have a formal or informal practice of expressing gratitude at your Thanksgiving table, I’m sure you feel the energy of gratitude throughout your celebration.

But why do we reserve a mere one day a year for this? I propose we make every day a day of giving thanks. Oh, we don’t have to stuff ourselves with stuffing and gobble down turkey…Somehow I think the original intention of the holiday, gratitude for the Earth’s bounty, for peaceful, harmonious coexistence, for life itself, has gotten lost in all the gluttony and football games.

Let’s remember the true spirit of Thanksgiving, not only on the holiday, but throughout our lives. To be full of greatness, we must be grateful.

We must laugh and

We must sing.

We are blest by everything.

Everything we look upon is blest.

- William Butler Yeats

So why should we practice gratitude more often? Here are 5 good reasons:

1. You will feel happier.

When we focus on how full our cups already are, we experience life in a much more positive way. Most of us in this country do not have cups that are half full, half empty, as the saying goes. Our cups are 90% full! Look around you. Look within you. How full is your cup? The Universe is showering blessings upon you each and every day, each and every moment, and we can choose to see and appreciate these gifts or remain unconscious, cranky and unfulfilled. Enough cvetching already! Do you want to be (more) happy? Gratitude is the fastest, most effective way to increase your personal sense of joy about the life you are already living.

2. Gratitude facilitates more harmony in relationships.

Expressing gratitude and appreciation to the people in our lives, of course in a sincere way, from the heart, improves our relationships. As a relationship coach, I have seen that the simple practice of focusing on the positive and expressing true appreciation can dramatically improve marriages, friendships and even work relationships.

This doesn’t mean you have to “suck it up” and put up with being disrespected or abused. If your relationship brings you more pain than joy, you will need in-depth counseling and much more than just a “focus on the positive” bandaid. But for most generally healthy relationships, sprinkling more “Thank you so much for doing that!”s and “I really appreciate…”s, expressing the love in your heart can do wonders.

Many of us take so much for granted, particularly from the people we love the most. Everyone needs to feel seen, heard and valued and this enhances intimacy and emotional safety, bringing you closer.

3. God/The Universe will bestow more blessings upon you. I don’t claim to be in charge of the Universe, but it is a universal spiritual law that the more thankful we are, the more blessings we receive! It’s as if remembering to say “Thank you!” opens the faucet of life’s blessings. I truly have noticed that it’s more than just being more aware of what is already present; there is, over time, an actual increase in things to be thankful FOR.

What you think about, and thank about, you bring about. – Dr. John Demartini

Perhaps our Creator appreciates being appreciated, just as we do, and is more inclined to give more of the good stuff to us when we really appreciate what we get. As Neal Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God, says, the correct prayer is one of gratitude.

There is an old Jewish proverb that goes like this. Two men, equally poor (or equally rich, depending on your perspective) meet in the village. The first man says, “So how is it going with you?”

The second man replies, “Oy! Life is terrible. My wife is sick, my cow won’t give milk, and business is lousy.”

God, hearing his response, thinks “Why you ingrate! I just gave you a new house, healed your ulcer, and found the best husband for your daughter. So you think things are bad now? I’ll give you something to complain about!”

Finally, the second man stops his kvetching and asks the other fellow, “What about you?”

“Well, I tell you, life is so good.  We fixed the leak in my pipes so now my house is dry again. I had a nice Sabbath with my wife and children, a humble meal, but we are together. My horse, well, his leg is still broken but he’s such a good friend to me, and I know business will pick up soon,” his neighbor replies.

God smiles and thinks, “So you think things are good now? I’ll give you something to be thankful for!”

So whether you think of the source of blessings as God, the Universe, or your own intention, gratitude is an essential key to loving your life, and it opens the door to greater and greater blessings, creating a positive spiral that continues to build.

Here is a wonderful message I channeled for you from Archangel Michael:

G O D =   Gratitude Opening Doors!

As William Blake said, “The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.”

4. You will also receive more of what you want from the people in your life.

Of course, this applies on the human level as well as the spiritual level. Have you ever had a friend of family member that you gave gifts to, but who never remembered to thank you? Didn’t you feel after a while, “Hey, why should I bother giving them anything? They never even appreciate it.” And after a while, you feel resentful and stop giving them gifts, am I right? I thought so. Therefore, when we appreciate what we receive, whether tangible or intangible, from others, we actually receive more because we are give-to-able. We receive with an open heart and open hands, with a smile. People love to give, and there is a great gift in being a giver, but only when we sense that the gift is truly received and appreciated.

It’s important to receive graciously, compliments and favors as well as physical presents.

How well you receive compliments symbolizes how well you receive love.

Practice being a wide receiver. – Alan Cohen

If you tend to argue or inwardly doubt it when people praise you, you have some deep self-love work to do. If you have been a “giveaholic” your whole life, or if you have a hard time believing in your own worthiness,or just feel disconnected from your joy, I suggest you get The Radical Self-Love Workbook, a complete course in deepening unconditional self-love, deservingness and creating the life of your dreams, from the inside out! (It also makes a wonderful holiday gift for someone you love who needs to love themselves and their lives more.)

http://www.loveandspirit.org/book1.html

5. It’s just plain polite. Courtesy. Etiquette. Manners. It’s the right thing to do. It also sets a good example for others, of all ages. ‘Nuf said.

So join me this month and always in cocreating a more positive life experience for yourself and our community by making every day thanks-giving!

In my next post, I will share 8 Great Ways to Boost Your Gratitude Attitude! (I guarantee there will be several you have never heard of before, new inspirational ideas for really living gratitude as a daily practice.)

If this piece inspired you in some way, or you have your own gratitude stories to share, please comment below. You can also share this on your social media pages, with your list, and sign up for the RSS feed for my blog.

THANK YOU for reading my blog today!

Blessings & blissings to you!

Love,

Sage

Beauty is simply reality seen with the eyes of love. – Evelyn Underhill

Excerpted largely from The Radical Self-Love Workbook, copyright 2008

http://www.loveandspirit.org/book1.html

By Sage Taylor Kingsley-Goddard