Many of you may be familiar with the following Mac commercial:

This advertisement, I believe, is mostly false. Here are some of the programs you can use on a PC without paying any extra money:
Windows Media Player–Play music
Windows Mail–Send/Receive and organize e-mail
Windows Movie Maker– Create home movies
Windows Contacts– Organize Contacts
Calculator– Vista comes with Scientific and Standard, 7 comes with others to expand calculation possibilities
Windows Photo Gallery- import, organize, and edit pictures and videos.
Windows DVD Maker- Create DVDs
Windows Media Center- Allows to view pictures and videos, and listen to music. Also allows you to get live tv on your PC
Windows Meeting Space– Allows you to easily share documents with anyone anywhere.
Notepad and Word Pad– Assuming you only have basic word processing needs, these programs will be quite sufficient for all tasks. Windows 7 will also ship with Microsoft Office Starter which is comparable to Microsoft Works.
Microsoft Paint– Allows for picture editing and virtual “painting”
Many games– (Chess Titans, Freecell, Hearts, Inkball, Mahjong Titans, Minesweeper, Purple Place, Solitaire, and Spider Solitaire)
Internet Explorer– Allows you to surf the web, connect with friends, and expand the possibilities of your computer by downloading third party software (Which is less available for Mac.)

Making a home movie and creating a web site is part of a suite of applications known as iLife. Whether you know it or not, you’re paying for iLife, and if you don’t have it, it will cost a pretty penny (Approximately $200) to get this suite. All of these things can be done, however on Windows 7. Creating a website is actually part of Microsoft Office, however, there are thousands of third party applications available for PC which will allow you to do that absolutely free: something that’s a bit hard to come by on a Mac.

Olives in white tequila - yummy

“I’ll have my emotions shaken, not stirred.”

I really don’t know why I just said that. I’m just trying to be punny. But one thing I do often like to do is invent my own drinks. Yes, I like to dabble in the mixology arts.

I’d have to say my favorite hard liquor is easily tequila, hands down. I love the stuff. I spent significant amounts of time on the U.S. border and Tijuana was a frequent haunt for me. And I’d occasionally venture as far south into Baja California as Ensenda, Mexico, home of the world famous Hussong’s Cantina. I even passed out drunk on the floor in that cantina once. Probably not the best or wisest place to lose control of one’s person and faculties, but hey, I survived.

When it comes to tequilas a personal favorite is Tarantula Azul. It’s a blue-tinted tequila flavored with “a unique blend of the finest Blue Agave tequila and natural citrus flavors.” I still don’t know exactly why but I just love the way it tastes. I normally drink it down straight from the bottle. It goes down that easy.

So far I’ve invented two drinks that you might say prominently feature Tarantula Azul tequila. I’m going to open the vault and share those recipes with you today.

The Spider
Eight (8) shots of Tarantula, served together.

Arachnaphobia
One (1) bottle of Tarantula, served whole.

It came to pass this Thanksgiving that no Tarantula was on hand. But I did have a bottle of Hornitos tequila, which is not blended with anything else. It’s just straight up tequila. Not even Jose Cuervo can say that, because technically it is a blended tequila as well.

Without further ado, here is my creation from Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy!

La Cola Desperada
One (1) shot of tequila (like Hornitos)
Four (4) shots of cola (like Pepsi)
Wedge of lemon

Fill glass with ice. Add tequila. Add cola. Squeeze lemon wedge into drink and garnish. This drink is best made when there are absolutely no other beverage fixings to be found. The first serving can be a little rough, but each additional serving in succession is known to improve remarkably.

No Matter

what
the cobwebs               spider groceries
all return to the corners
of the basement
my apartment
that blacks out with me
and smiles at the thought of you
also constricts
my urge to scream
and tear away
this veil of conformity.

Ok. Jag ska väcka stackars bloggen. Jag blev så sugen.

Men den här hösten har jag haft så mycket att göra som har inneburit att jag suttit minimalt med tid vid datorn. Och jag kommer tröttna igen. Men inte just ikväll.

Tänkte visa lite bilder på vad som hänt sen sist. Min kamera pajade i somras (jag tappade den på en moped och den blev ledsen) så den fotar lite som den vill och har ingen display. Därför fotar jag mycket mindre än innan, det är tråkigt, men jag ska köpa en ny om femtio år sisådär tänkte jag. Men här kommer hösten i några bilder:

Jag har druckit vin och varit poetisk med Joanna, som det anstår två dekadenta författarinnor.

Ätit pannkakor hos Kalendris med henne och André.

De var goda

Jag har fått förstahandskontraktet till lägenheten och Marzy har flyttat hit!

Några flaskor vin med Bringan har det allt blivit.

Glassdrinkar med Fula Olga!

Jag och Marzy firade ett år <3<3<3

Bringan behövde muntras upp så vi skickade ett fint inramat foto till honom!

Mina mer städade (låtsas)kamrater på fest hos min ena chef.

Sen har jag blivit tvingad till att leka mycket suspekta lekar på Linjerådsmiddag. Dä ä gött å va student för då får man va full å sitta fast i en karl på gölve!

Bringan <3 Mer vin <3 Ost och kex <3

Vi var och såg Unknown Pleasures på Kulturhuset, Fula Olga hade gjort ljudet Siiri är bäst!

Polkadrinkar med Olga och Spider innan fest på 44:an!

Det urartade inte.

Träffade Simme för typ andra gången sen i maj

Sen har jag gått på en strumpstickningskurs med Kalendris också. Det ägde. Mera hantverkskurser till mig!

Nu ska jag och Fula Olga läsa pjäs. Jag ska nämligen läsa en scen på Dramalabbet i januari. Det kommer ta ungefär en minut och är det största som har hänt mig sen jag upptäckte att man kan säga “anale” i jättemånga olika tonfall och på så vis vara jätterolig! (Allvarligt, det är ascoolt! Det är inom ramen för Ny Text, Joanna övertalade mig att skicka in och så kom jag med. Jag är så Söder-korrekt så det är fan vackert.)

Jag har gjort massa andra saker också, till er som känner att ni inte riktigt kom med på någon bild så är det för att de allra flesta bilderna i kameran var bara gult ljus :/

Manchester, November 26th 2009: Watch out webbies! Arachnadoodle, the last word in addictive fun hits the iPhones soon.

In this all-action, arcade puzzler your job is to fire Boris the spider around the screen, connect the pins and make a web. Then sit back and watch as a fleet of feisty flies whiz past and get caught in your sticky web of terror. The better the web, the more flies you’ll catch. It isn’t rocket science, but it’s a lot of fun!

As you spin your way through all 32 levels of this addictive web slinging fun-fest you’ll encounter all sorts of obstacles in your quest for flies, including exploding…STOP!

WHY ARE ALL PRESS RELEASES LIKE THIS? FOR GOODNESS SAKE! WE’LL JUST CUT TO THE CHASE AND SAY THAT THE GAME IS BLINDINGLY ACE, PLAYS LIKE A DREAM AND IS ONLY £0.59/$99. YOU NEED THIS GAME, YOU WILL LOVE THIS GAME, YOU WILL CARE FOR IT AS THOUGH IT WERE ONE OF YOUR OWN. REALLY!

OH, OK, OUR BOSS SAYS WE HAVE TO CARRY ON…

…bugs, point bonus flies and not to forget those spider frying lightbulbs! Yikes!

With 32 rooms, and over eight houses to explore you will have a riot spinning webs for a very long time to come. Arachnadoodle will launch on iTunes soon for £0.59/$0.99, watch this space!

Key Features:

• 32 Levels of instantly addictive web slinging action

• Hit ‘bonus score’ and ‘extra throw’ flies as you whizz around the screen

• Refine your arachnid throwing habits and use elastic and bumper pins to max out your scores

• ‘Death Head Bugs’, ‘Spark Head Bugs’, and electrocuting light bulbs add to the danger

• Open Feint integration, high score tables and achievements

• Use furniture and objects strategically to score even more

• Hit ‘Truck loads a’ pins and build the wickedest web of all

With 32 levels of bright, action packed fun, Arachnadoodle is guaranteed to keep you busy for hours at a time. Coming soon to an App store near you.

About Connect2Media

Connect2Media is a 360 degree cross-platform interactive digital entertainment publisher. Our mission is to deliver exceptional, original and licensed, entertainment content on a wide variety of devices, to consumers across the world.

Headquartered in Manchester, UK with major offices in Israel and Poland and an expanding global distribution footprint, Connect2Media publishes and distributes a portfolio of product that boasts some of the biggest names in entertainment as well as award winning original properties.

Connect2Media believes in creating compelling, fun, entertainment that can be delivered digitally and enjoyed universally.

Previously Connect2Media has published Go! Go! Rescue Squad!, Timeloop, 365 Puzzle Club and String’em In on the App Store.

О КОМПАНИИ:

AUTOEXPRESS

Нет мнения

AUTOCAR

Нет мнения

CAR:

Если бы фирма была музыкантом: U2 (иногда классный, иногда слишком помпезный)
Продажи в 2008 году: 645 (-2%)
Рейтинг надежности: Не участвует
Гарантия: 4 года без ограничения километража

TOPGEAR

Общее описание: Известнейший итальянский бренд, который выпускал (и выпускает) офигенные тачки. Кроме того, они круто выступают в Формуле 1.
Рейтинг надежности: Нет в рейтинге
Награды: Enzo – наша машина мечты (2003 год), 360 Stradale – награда за самые классные наклеечки на кузове (2004 год), F430 – лучший суперкар (тоже наша награда, в 2005 году), 599 GTB – наша машина мечты (2006 год), California – лучший кабриолет (по нашей версии, 2008 год).

WHATCAR

Нет мнения

F430 купе

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Практичный и быстрый суперкар
Результаты тестов: Великолепно

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: Купе с двигателем V8, которое уже устарело. Lamborghini LP560-4 сделал из него котлету во всем, что касается разгона, торможения и управляемости в нашем недавнем тесте. Понятное дело, что Ferrari им еще покажет, но это будет с другой моделью.
Наш выбор: Coupe
Секрет фирмы: Керамические тормоза входят в список стандартного оборудования.
Вердикт: Пора на пенсию.
Конкуренты: Lamborghini LP560-4
Результаты тестов : Хорошо
Одним словом: Хорошо

TOPGEAR

О модели: Это ни в коем случае не обновленная 360-я модель. На самом деле, F430 настолько ошеломляет, что стоя рядом с ним, в офигении, можно настолько широко раскрыть рот, что в него сможет залететь не одна ворона. Особенно когда машина в варианте Scuderia.
Позиция в рейтинге : Нет в рейтинге
Наш выбор: Scuderia, только Scuderia!
Не обманывайся насчет: кучи кнопок на руле. Кнопки катапультирования там нет.
Конкуренты: Porsche 911 Turbo S, Lamborghini Gallardo

WHATCAR

За: Машина мечты. В ней есть все, что надо: отличный внешний вид, фантастический двигатель, “умная” электроника шасси и востребованность на вторичке.
Против : Двигатель звучит классно, но на дальних дистанциях он может надоесть. И, что еще хуже, тебе надо три года стоять в очереди, чтобы получить свою F430.
Вердикт: Это красивейшее, быстрейшее среднемоторное купе с невероятной цепкостью и электроникой прямиком из Формулы 1. Ты никогда не перестанешь восхищаться тем, как оно едет.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Отлично
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Отлично
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

F430 Spider

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: А мы думали, что в купе мотор заглушает все…
Результаты тестов: Великолепно

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: см F430 купе.

TOPGEAR

О модели: см F430 купе.

WHATCAR

За: Кабриолет, купив который ты постоянно будешь радоваться тому, что ты смог себе это позволить. Он имеет все преимущества F430 купе, а крыша складывается быстро и эффективно.
Против : Когда крыша поднята, задний обзор хуже, чем у купе.
Вердикт: Обычно, когда ты покупаешь кабриолет, ты знаешь, что потеряешь в динамике, по сравнению с купе. Но не в этом случае.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Отлично
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Отлично
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

430 Scuderia

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Идеальная машина для того, чтобы провести день на гоночном треке
Результаты тестов: Изумительно и непревзойденно

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: Уходящая в небытие модель F430 напоследок громко хлопнула дверью в лице 430 Scuderia. Непревзойденно быстрая коробка передач, сумасшедшие разгон и динамика и, при всем при этом, ей можно управлять расслабившись.
Наш выбор: Coupe
Секрет фирмы: Керамические тормоза и подрулевые переключатели передач входят в список стандартного оборудования.
Вердикт: Лучший суперкар нажрался стероидов
Конкуренты: Porsche 911 GT2
Результаты тестов : Отлично
Одним словом: Лучший в классе

TOPGEAR

О модели: см F430

WHATCAR

За: Невероятный автомобиль, который взял все лучшее у стандартной F430, нарастил мускулы, сбросил вес и получил отточенную рулевую систему. Лучший Феррари за много много лет.
Против : Эта машина предназначена для действительно крутых водителей, так что не ожидай слишком многого в смысле комфорта. Подвеска “заточена” на трековые гонки, что не добавляет ей шарма при езде по городу.Вердикт: Scuderia это просто сказка, благодаря чувствительному рулевому управлению, завывающему 530-сильному V8 и коробке (да и всей электронике), которую утащили прямиком с болида Формулы 1.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Отлично
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Нет мнения
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

430 Spider

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Нет мнения
Результаты тестов: Не тестировали

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: см 430 Scuderia

TOPGEAR

О модели: Нет мнения

WHATCAR

За: Невероятный автомобиль, который взял все лучшее у стандартной F430, нарастил мускулы, сбросил вес и получил отточенную рулевую систему.
Против : Эта машина предназначена для действительно крутых водителей, так что не ожидай слишком многого в смысле комфорта. Когда крыша поднята, заднего обзора, можно сказать, нет.
Вердикт: Обычно, когда ты покупаешь кабриолет, ты знаешь, что потеряешь в динамике, по сравнению с купе. Но не в этом случае.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Нет мнения
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Нет мнения
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

599

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Самый лучший Ferrari для повседневного использования
Результаты тестов: Изумительно и непревзойденно

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: Движок Enzo V12 дал этой машине разгон суперкара. Однако, в салоне комфорт, которого ждешь от машины класса GT. В общем, повседневное транспортное для миллионера-плейбоя. Скоро появится еще и версия для гонок.
Наш выбор: Вариант всего один.
Секрет фирмы: Есть вариант с ручной коробкой, но ты потом не сможешь его продать на вторичке.
Вердикт: Супер-GT
Конкуренты: Aston Martin DBS
Результаты тестов : Отлично
Одним словом: Лучший в классе

TOPGEAR

О модели: Все просто фигеют от 599. Да и почему бы нет? Она почти такая же быстрая, как Enzo, но не заставляет тебя трястись от страха. Это то, что мы называем великолепным суперкаром – водительский рай.
Позиция в рейтинге : Нет в рейтинге
Наш выбор: Вариант всего один.
Не обманывайся насчет: “надутых” боков. У этой машины коэффициент воздушного сопротивления самый низкий из всех Ferrari.
Конкуренты: Aston Martin Vanquish, Lamborghini Murcielago

WHATCAR

За: 599 очень быстрая, комфортабельная и вообще отличная машина, которая ездит просто великолепно. Это просторное купе, о котором можно только мечтать.
Против : На некоторых дорогах подвеска ведет себя слишком жестко. Даже если ты можешь себе позволить купить 599, приготовься ждать ее годами.
Вердикт: Выдающийся автомобиль класса GT. Он настолько классный и мощный, что у нас просто нет слов.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Отлично
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Нет мнения
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

612 Scaglietti

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Превосходное средство для трансконтинентального передвижения
Результаты тестов: Хорошо

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: Перед тем, как залезть в нее, завяжи себе глаза, чтобы не смотреть на внешность этой тачки. Оказавшись внутри, развяжи повязку и покажи ей, где раки зимуют. Круто, не так ли? Вылезь, посмотри на нее и у тебя будет только одна мысль: “вот же где уродство-то, блин!”. В общем, неплохо, но дороговато. В двух словах, это GT с действительно приличными задними сидениями.
Наш выбор: 612
Секрет фирмы: Варианта с ручной коробкой больше нет.
Вердикт: Bentley лучше.
Конкуренты: Bentley Continental GT
Результаты тестов : Средне
Одним словом: Урод

TOPGEAR

О модели: Это та Феррари, которую тебе придется покупать, если ты вздумаешь завести детей. Но только потому, что у нее есть четыре нормальных сидения. Она совсем неплоха, но 599 и Scuderia наааамного лучше!
Позиция в рейтинге : Нет в рейтинге
Наш выбор: Вариант всего один.
Не обманывайся насчет: пленки для предохранения продуктов от заветривания. Ее придумал дъявол.
Конкуренты: В смысле сидений – Bentley Continental GT. В смысле цены и скорости – Aston Martin DBS.

WHATCAR

За: Купив 612 Scaglietti, ты получаешь двигатель V12 (540 л.с), коробку передач в стиле Формулы 1, качественный салон и четыре сидения.
Против : Усилитель руля не дает “прочувствовать” дорогу. Как обычно бывает с Феррари, тебе придется встать в длинную очередь.
Вердикт: Scaglietti ездит просто феноменально и при этом довольно комфортабельна. Ты готов ждать?
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Хорошо
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Нет мнения
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

California

AUTOCAR

Наше мнение: Нет мнения
Результаты тестов: Не тестировали

AUTOEXPRESS

Наш выбор: Нет мнения
Позиция в рейтинге : Не участвует

CAR

О модели: Мы столько раз слышали, что эта машина “первая Феррари, которая…” что не на шутку испугались, что будем сильно разочарованы. Для Феррари это действительно что-то новое: первый двигатель с передним расположением, двойное сцепление, складная жесткая крыша… в общем, все то же, что можно найти в кабриолете BMW M3.
Наш выбор: California
Секрет фирмы: Карбоновое “место водителя” (типа как у Alfa Mito) стоит всего-то 4055 фунтов.
Вердикт: Мы ожидали дерьмо, а получили конфетку!
Конкуренты: Mercedes SL65
Результаты тестов : Отлично
Одним словом: Хорошо

TOPGEAR

О модели: Нет мнения

WHATCAR

За: Пожалуй, это лучшая машина, когда-либо сделанная Феррари. Это и купе и кабриолет, благодаря складной металлической крыше, гоночный автомобиль и GT в одном лице. Она одновременно вызывает всплеск адреналина и расслабляет комфортом.
Против : В качестве 2+2 она так себе, так что считай ее практичной двухместной машиной. Закажи ее сейчас и, возможно, в 2011 году ты ее получишь.
Вердикт: Первая Феррари, разработанная с целью снизить расход топлива и количество выбросов CO2, при этом, она довольно практична в качестве повседневного средства передвижения, что явно понравится многим (особенно женщинам). Это явный успех компании.
Рейтинг для лучшей модификации: Отлично
Рейтинг модели по версии читателей журнала: Хорошо
Наш выбор: Нет мнения

По материалам AutoCar, AutoExpress, Car, TopGear и WhatCar. Фотографии утянуты с WhatCar и Car

Photographed by Jeroen Reijn

I saw this tiny spider through the window and I wanted to try out the macro function of my new camera.

– License

I remember about fifteen years ago, it was on the news here in Japan that some Australian Redback Spiders were seen in Western Japan. And that someone got bitten by one.

They assume that the spiders hitched a ride to Japan onboard a cargo ship from Australia.

It was big news in Japan at the time because the Australian Redback Spider is a very poisonous spider in the Black Widow family…and before that Japan had no poisonous spiders.

Australian Redback Spider

In Japan, there are hornets, centipedes, and a few poisonous snakes…but until this spider arrived in the mid-’90s, there were no poisonous spiders here.

But after that initial news story, I had forgotten about that spider because there was no more mention of it on the news…and also it was seen on the other side of the country.

But the Australian Redback Spider is back in the news here in Japan again.

It seems that the population of this spider has greatly expanded in Japan.
The news said that this spider has been seen in other parts of Japan now too.

I guess the Australian Redback Spider has become a permanent resident in Japan.

It’s a dangerous spider but there is an anti-venom for it’s bite so there hasn’t been a single case of a person dieing from this spider’s bite in decades.

It’s unfortunate that the Australian Redback Spider has come to Japan…but at least the highly venomous (and creepy) Australian Funnel-web Spider isn’t here!

The "Australian Funnelweb Spider" has large fangs and a deadly venom

…when I know there’s a large-ish spider running around my room?

I spied him twice, (On my bed!) but couldn’t get to him fast enough to scoop him up and take him outdoors, where he belongs. Which means that instead of dreaming and slumbering, I’ll be imagining that every breeze or hair wisp is that arachnid climbing around on my face.

At least I can tell it isn’t poisonous. Its cream colored with beige spots. If it weren’t in my room, I’d probably think it pretty.

Life isn’t measured in minutes, but in moments

I Was Born Under Unusual Circumstances

A story that is unusual stirs our deep well curiosity. A taste of dew in solitary wickedness. There is this strangeness in everyone of us that makes us interesting individuals, but this case of Benjamin Button makes me enter into a world of what ifs…

Released on Christmas day 2008, this American film directed by David Fincher, written by Eric Roth stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Julia Ormond and an award winning performance of best supporting actress Taraji P. Henson.

The script is loosely adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1921 interesting tale of the same title that is anthologized in his book, “The Tales of the Jazz Age”.

After the end of the Great War in 1918, Benjamin Button (Pitt) is born into this world with the appearance of an 86 year old. His mother died shortly after his birth, to avoid shame his father left him in the porch of a home for the aged where Queenie (Henson) adopted him and gave him a home.

His story is told by Caroline (Ormond), as he reads aloud Benjamin’s diary inserted by postcards and photographs to her mother Daisy (Blanchett) in her deathbed request in a New Orleans hospital during the disaster Katrina in August 2005. 

As Caroline narrates Benjamin’s story, her voice segues into the latter as flashbacks of Benjamin’s life is depicted on the screen. Like the poetic narration, the film’s tranquil earthen tones gave the film a dim edgy feel. With the excellent use of CGI and make-up, the sorrowful tone of the film makes its cinematography fascinating. But what is the point of this picture?

It is a story of love and loss of Benjamin and Daisy. Also an 86 minute epic of wonderland cinematic joyride because there is no such historical account like that of Benjamin’s. 

But Benjamin, Fitzgerald and Fincher have one thing in common; they knew the wonders of strangeness. Every sunrise and sunsets are individuals, like them stories possess a different beauty everyday. And we know that there is no endless narrative if we put two unusual things together because it blasts curiosity, and stories not just happens, it is threaded; we sew our own dreams.

Benjamin Button is a symbol of will and hope, his desire to taste life is overflowing. His wonders in brothels and bars and wars make him a stronger person, with a more panoramic view about life.

You could tell that the film is just a ride, but Daisy knows the truth. Somethings do last

Benjamin: I was thinking how nothing lasts, and what a shame that is. 
Daisy: Some things last.

And in the end, Benjamin’s body became younger until he suffers dementia, Daisy finding him, stayed with him and nurses him… in 2003, baby Benjamin Button died in the hands of good old Daisy. She never forgets that Benjamin remembers her as the beautiful soul looks into her eyes before he passed away.

Hurricane Katrina shuts the electricity in the hospital, Caroline goes out of the room to inquire about the plight, Daisy all alone in her deathbed wishes to see Benjamin and saw this hummingbird in the window. 

Director David Leo Fincher adds this movie to his dark and stylish résumé. Cinema will always be cinema [verite] I supposed, the story do counts but the possibilities are the ones that really matter.

The moments I have watching the film are speck of experiences that has the power to let me remember that good moments are the ones that count. And please do remember to send postcards to the ones you love if you’ll be away. Remember Daisy… some things do really last.

Large Hairy Poseable Black Spider ~ Halloween Spider Decorations & Props Review

Feature

• Hairy black spider with red eyes and poseable legs
• Can stretch up to 36 inches
• Realistic & great for decorations!
• Enjoy flat rate shipping for U.S. domestic orders. See SeasonsTrading shipping rates for details.

Overview

Nov 25, 2009 03:03:04

Coming back home one day, we noticed a large strange looking orange insect on our front door step.  Miss 8 was fascinated but scared and Miss 10 didn’t care.  My first thought was to grab my camera and decide which lens to use.  Not knowing exactly what it was, I stayed my distance. 

I’ve since figured out that it’s a spider wasp, and they’re probably quite harmless so I could’ve gone a bit closer for better close ups.

Here’s Mr Wasp scoping me out.  Its snack, Mr Spider, already comatose in the background.

After Mr Wasp was satisfied that I wasn’t going to steal his lunch, he thought he’d give Mr Spider some tail action.

Mr Spider, now definitely drugged out and not being much fun, just lay around.   Mr Wasp took advantage of the situation and started preparing? eating? sucking?  Who knows.

I left the two of them to chill out together, and when I checked them after a few hours, they had left.  Or maybe, more correctly, Mr Wasp took Mr Spider to home for tea.

There was an old woman who swallowed a fly,
I don’t know why she swallowed a fly,
Perhaps she’ll die.

…

There was an old woman who swallowed a cow,
I don’t know how she swallowed a cow!

She swallowed the cow to catch the goat,
Just opened her throat! to swallow a goat,

She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
What a hog! to swallow a dog,

She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
Imagine that! to swallow a cat,

She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
How absurd! to swallow a bird,

She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,

She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
I don’t know why she swallowed the fly,

Perhaps she’ll die.

…

There was an old woman who swallowed a horse,

…

She’s dead—of course!

This is a bad situation. If he gets her too riled up, she might break something!

A family of 17 intelligent athletes, all called Portia and each with eight legs.
Found jumping around parts of Africa, Asia and Australasia, the Portia Spider eats other spiders. Her favourite prey is web-builders and she is sufficiently fearless (or greedy) to hunt those of more than 200% her own size.

Unlike all the other arachnids, Portia behaves in a way that can only be described as intelligent. She adapts her hunting methods to increase the likelihood of a square meal and seems able to learn new techniques.

Once she has invaded a web, Portia demonstrates considerable acting talent as she feigns the struggle of a trapped insect. Noting what encourages her target to come closer, Portia will repeat her best moves for up to three days, until she can overwhelm her victim.  

Eyes with telephoto lenses enable Portia to identify which combat tactic is most likely to be successful against her prey. Encountering a deadly spitting spider, Portia will approach from the rear to avoid its predatory potential. When her opponent is carrying eggs, she approaches head-on.

OK, so only half of all Portia spiders are female but she lives longer.  During mating, lady Portia assumes the superior position. Then, she twists around and lunges at the mister, killing him. If he dies before copulation is complete, she will remove his sperm and then eat him. If he finishes before death, the lady Portia will keep his sperm for fertilization and, with her days work done, settle down to dine on her lover.

Doesn’t she make you feel …proud to be Portia?

Killed a spider yesterday. i think it came from the bathroom. It was on the hallway wall running. I squished it. I never used to kill them that much but ever since i got bite badly i kill everyone of them i see. I’m a killrr of spiders.

By popular request, here are the instructions for the spider craft we did for William’s birthday party. These would be great for a Spiderman party or Halloween too.

MATERIALS:
large wood beads
black pipe cleaners
black paint or a magic marker
googly eyes
tacky glue

1. After having stayed up all night coloring my beads with a pointy little sharpie the night before the party, I would recommend painting them black. Depending on the age of the kids, do this ahead of time.

2. Have the kids pinch one end of four pipe cleaners together and push them through the hole.

3. Separate and shape each “leg”.

4. Glue on eyes.

5. Easy-sneezy! Suspend them from the rafters with white string or stand on the table.  Have fun!

Homem aranha fajuto solta teia pelo….forever!

Finally a Master

“I really don’t know what to say.” For most people, this phrase means: 1) The person is trying to be nice because what they actually have to say could hurt feelings, 2)That the person really has tons to say, and just used that phrase to preface all the ramblings that were about to follow, or 3) The person actually has NOTHING to say.  I’m on the fence between reasons 2 and 3.

                Three nights ago (November 19^th, for those of you who don’t feel like doing the math) I attended what was probably my final graduation ceremony. I say “final” because I have no intentions on getting a doctorate degree (college loans are expensive enough as it is without adding more debt to the debt I can’t pay off now). Usually one’s graduation day seems to hold about the same weight as someone’s wedding day. There’s hair to be tended, clothing to purchase, gowns to order for the ceremony, and tickets to request as every family member you know has been invited; Not the case for me in Scotland.

                It was agreed a long time ago that to have my family over here from the US would be more than expensive. So, my mother agreed to let me go it alone (but only if I took pictures, which I did). I have enough trouble finding a barber over here that can actually make me look presentable without messing up my hair  -or lack of- too much, so I’d gotten the grooming taken care of Saturday before work. And since we had a dress code of sorts indicated on our graduation instructions, I realized I had to go no further than my closet to find what I needed for the ceremony. What I’ve just mentioned, however, were the least of my worries.

                Last Monday, I developed a tiny cough. I thought nothing of it, but I did hope that it wasn’t the makings of a terrible cold. But something in my heart kept telling me, this is something to worry about. Just the day before, I was on the bus looking at a fellow passenger with disdain because she coughed without covering her mouth. I instantly thought ‘This is how people catch swine flu, because of people like you.’ What a coincidence that on Tuesday my cough rapidly became a scratchy cough (which hurt my chest), congested sinuses, and a stomach that didn’t know if it was queasy or not. I was losing the battle to stay in control of my body.

                My job at LUSH only had me scheduled to work on Wednesday. I figured, my sickness should be gone by then, but of course it wasn’t. That night, when I tried to go to sleep, I had to sleep in a hat, gloves, and socks and I was thisclose to actually putting on a coat as I was freezing cold. The heat was on full blast and I had actual goosebumps. To top it all off, I couldn’t touch my skin, let alone hair follicles because they hurt. Mind you I didn’t get proper rest that evening. But somehow the next day, I made it to work, with a running nose and a persistent cough and managed to make the money I so desperately needed…and still need to see to believe (I also got the devastating news that jobs only pay once a month here………can we say livid?).

                Anyway, I slept from 2:30 that afternoon, until 10:45 that evening, and didn’t eat (as my appetite wouldn’t allow).  At that point, I hadn’t cared about what I was wearing to graduation. All I cared about was getting the piece of paper I’d worked all my life to have. For me, I have never known a time when I wasn’t in school. This would symbolize the end of academia and the true start of my life, whatever my life is supposed to be. Somewhere deep inside me is that excitement that one is supposed to have when he finished something big. But to be honest…It hasn’t manifested itself.

                Yes, I smiled a lot during graduation day. I smiled during the ceremony (though all I wanted to do was blow my nose) and I smiled afterwards when I shook the hands of many and thanked tons for their kind words. Yes, I’d worked hard for this day. But something still felt like it was missing.

                I wasn’t missing my family’s attendance (I did have a couple friends who showed up to support me). And of course I wasn’t missing “a special someone to share the moment with” (Do I look that pathetic?). But I was still unsettled. It would take two more days for me to discover why….

                Last night, I was out to dinner at Oko Express, a small Japanese restaurant (which always makes me feel like I’m in New York). We were saying our goodbyes to a classmate who was heading back to Canada the next morning. It was all very chilled-out, no frills fun. When I was waiting at my bus stop, I saw a bunch of drunken Scotsmen yelling something indecipherable at the top of their lungs, causing a ruckus. Some uncouth guy, wearing a sweatsuit (yes…they wear sweatsuits and full tracksuits over here in the UK), had his hand completely down his pants, while another drunk man was trying to make some woman’s baby laugh (while the baby kept swatting him away). The bus finally came and as I sat watching the city of Glasgow race by me, the realization hit me hard….Just because I have a Masters degree doesn’t mean the world will change.

                Now most people reading this are saying “Aw, C’mon, don’t say that,” while others are wondering “What does that mean?” Well…here goes….

                My having a master’s degree is not going to make the world a better place. It makes MY world better, supposedly, but drunkards will still be yelling offensive shit at the top of their lungs. Young kids will still have premarital sex and father/mother babies they don’t know how to take care of. People in Philly will still cling to their stoops for solace and comfort.  And racism will still simmer under the surface of the new presidency.

                At my graduation, I was the only black man present. The only one.  And I was seated smack dab in the center of everyone. (No lie) There was no way you could miss me. In Scotland, I will continue to stick out and I will continue to be made fun of by ignorant people because I would rather dress up and look presentable than be frumpy, or pretend to have “swagger” (whatever that means anymore). More importantly, I will still be financially struggling until “my day” comes. Lastly, just because I’ve achieved this goal doesn’t mean it will stop raining in Glasgow (which I’m sure is influencing my mood).

                But all hope isn’t lost, people.  I’ve not completely out of touch with my faith. You see, my cold has subsided. And there is a song that has been on my mind since graduation day:

The eensy weensy Spider went up the water spout

Down came the rain and washed the spider out

Out came the sun and dried up all the rain

And the eensy weensy spider went up the spout again!

                It’s a wonder we don’t see hidden messages in songs until we get older. I am that eensy weensy spider. And damn if there haven’t been many times when the “rain” hasn’t come down and washed me out, made me feel bad about myself, and hurt my pride, or whatever. The sun always does come out eventually, and in the song the spider, as eensy weensy as he is, chooses to go back up the spout, knowing the danger of being washed out again. That is bravery. That is having faith in yourself. That is also persistence and patience.

That spider waited until the rain was done to try again. What is never said though is whether he makes it to the top of the spout, which leads me to believe, this up and down journey is something this spider will just have to deal with, as will I. It’ll be tough, but I want this spider’s resilience. Eensy weensy, he may be, but they wrote a song about him, and he’s making a difference in my world. That leads me to my next question: Did I really need a masters degree to make a difference?

                At the end of my graduation ceremony, The Chairman said something to us graduates that will always resonate with me. He said, “You were extraordinary before you came here.”

If that were the case, then why did I feel I needed that piece of paper? To open doors? To make my family/friends proud? To join the upper echelon of Masters? What’s the significance?

                Here’s the meat of why I feel I needed this degree…

                To be blunt, I’m sure the number is small, but I know there are tons of people who could care less about my progress. Most of these people are black men. I’ve met these men before in my life and either we’ve had little in common, or they’ve never uttered a word to me. Instead these are the men who have ridiculed me from the age of 5 until even now, judged me because I never fit in with them or fit a stereotype like they did, and whose lacerating words/comments to me have been the reason I push myself so hard, even now. They dismiss me because my conversations are about substantial items as opposed to the mundane. Lastly, none of them wanted to be truly associated with me. (I dare people to refute this) Though my master’s degree will not change how they feel about me, it’s proof to some of these men that disliking me doesn’t stop my hunger for greatness and going about it through the proper channels, at that. These haters have reminded me, in little ways, of my father, whose heart means sooooooooooooo well…but he just never executed the job of being a father properly.

Though I love him, I always vowed to never be like my father, who I used to watch cheat on my mother. I vowed to never let opportunities pass me by, like he did. I also chose to not become the guy who “waited on foodstamps” to come to my house or use sickness as an excuse to not work. I needed my family name to be associated with greatness…not mediocrity. For far too long I needed full support from my father, but over time, he’s proven too inconsistent to trust, so I have to trust him to be inconsistent. That sucks, but its life.

I always had huge dreams and I had a mother who was there to see them flourish. She was someone who never got mad at my success and who ALWAYS found a way to support me financially and emotionally. She and I have been through too many rough times for me to even list, but it was always she in my corner. And she never thought twice about helping me. My mother  is the woman who told me two week ago that she has always been so proud of me and she’s happy I pursued the thing I loved the most and that she will continue to invest in me because she knows the outcome will be hugely rewarding. She is the woman who when I was in tears about having no money at all to my name here in Scotland, she said, “Shut up! And stop worrying yourself. I got something put away for you for a rainey day (so I could climb back up the spout).”

She also told me, “Tom, I have all the faith in the world that you are going to succeed. You just have to have that faith in yourself.”

I still have days where my faith in myself wavers a bit. How could it not when I’m alone in a foreign place? But I have my mother in my corner, my LIVE 5, my family, and my grandmother watching over me in heaven. I’ll be fine.

It’s still raining here in Glasgow…it’s light sometimes and sometimes it’s pouring, but you best believe, when there is a sliver of sun, I’m starting my journey up the spout again…

Life Changing Piece of paper

Spider weaving a beautiful web in the UC Davis Arboretum.

Woo hoo! 26 views yesterday – an all time record!

In other news, Nicholas seems to be coping with the extremes in temperature fairly well. He was hiding in usual spot last night when I got home, but this morning had ventured out onto his web. He’s still looking fairly pale, but his breathing appears to have gone back to regular, and he is looking healthy enough…