Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
lady croissant
Called a "mini-album" by her label, Astralwerks, Sia's Lady Croissant is a collection of eight live tracks (from her April 2006 performance in New York's Bowery Ballroom) and one new studio track, the darkly bubbly single, "Pictures." The recordings sound good, the band (bass, cello, drums, guitar, and keys) tight and lush, and Sia herself is spot-on, her vocals rich and passionate. The set here is short (and the actual concert wasn't much longer), but the singer pulls material from both Healing Is Difficult and Colour the Small One (including "Breathe Me," featured in the popular television show Six Feet Under's series finale) as well as two tracks, "Destiny" and "Distractions," from Zero 7's Simple Things (Garden wouldn't come out until June, so unfortunately her contributions to that album aren't included here). There's a song of hers called "Lentil," the only one she introduces by name here, and a Cher/Pretenders -- with inspirational credit given to the latter -- cover (written by Ray Davies), "I Go to Sleep." Sia, her voice, her style, hearken back to the late '90s, drawing comparisons to early Nelly Furtado and Morley, but the music here, her music, doesn't seem dated or unhip. It's very modern, warm and melodic and cleanly intricate, and shows off Sia's talents well, making Lady Croissant an important listen for her fans, and enough to sway those less familiar with her work into checking out what else she has to offer.
http://www.pandora.com/music/album/sia/lady+croissant
http://www.pandora.com/music/album/sia/lady+croissant
Devendra Banhart
BiographyGrowing up in Caracas, Venezuela, and Los Angeles, Devendra Banhart was always playing music and drawing. But it wasn't until his brief stay at the San Francisco Art Institute that the disciplines became his constant companions. With the encouragement of poet and SFAI professor Bill Berskon, Banhart began experimenting with all kinds of art. He also began recording songs around that same time, usually on shoddy, hand-me-down four-track machines. Brief, half-finished, or written in stream-of-consciousness form, the recordings weren't initially intended for release. But friends encouraged Banhart, and he sent out a few tentative demos. He also left SFAI in favor of busking and wandering, and his travels led him from the Bay Area to Paris and eventually back to L.A. By now he was performing regularly, but he hadn't recorded or released anything officially. That changed when Michael Gira (Swans) issued the first Banhart material on his Young God imprint in October 2002. Oh Me Oh My... was an immediate critical hit, and comparisons to legends of songwriting, eclecticism, and tragedy were frequent (Tim Buckley, Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan, et al.). The Black Babies EP arrived in 2003, followed by Banhart's first full-length, Rejoicing in the Hands, in April 2004. Young God released its companion, Niño Rojo, in September. Acclaim for both was nearly unanimous, and Banhart's audience continued to expand. He jumped to XL for September 2005's Cripple Crow, an ambitious set and his most sonically expansive album up to that point. Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon continued in that vein, recorded at Banhart's new home studio in Topanga Canyon. ~ Jason MacNeil & Johnny Loftus
scorpio horoscope
Verticle Oracle card Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
In one episode of the TV show "Seinfeld," Elaine couldn't get her favorite Chinese restaurant to deliver take-out food to her apartment. The manager said her neighborhood was just beyond the boundary of where his drivers were authorized to travel. But Elaine was determined. She went over to the apartment building across the street, which was within the restaurant's delivery zone, and set up an alternate home for herself in a janitor's closet. I suggest you adopt a similar strategy, Scorpio. If you can't get what you want in the place where you are, shift your location.
exactly
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In The Book of Embraces, Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano writes, "The fishermen of the Colombian coast must be learned doctors of ethics and morality, for they invented the word sentipensante, or 'feeling-thinking,' to define language that speaks the truth." Describe a time when you pulled off the feat of thinking with your heart and feeling with your head.
In one episode of the TV show "Seinfeld," Elaine couldn't get her favorite Chinese restaurant to deliver take-out food to her apartment. The manager said her neighborhood was just beyond the boundary of where his drivers were authorized to travel. But Elaine was determined. She went over to the apartment building across the street, which was within the restaurant's delivery zone, and set up an alternate home for herself in a janitor's closet. I suggest you adopt a similar strategy, Scorpio. If you can't get what you want in the place where you are, shift your location.
exactly
SACRED ADVERTISEMENT
In The Book of Embraces, Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano writes, "The fishermen of the Colombian coast must be learned doctors of ethics and morality, for they invented the word sentipensante, or 'feeling-thinking,' to define language that speaks the truth." Describe a time when you pulled off the feat of thinking with your heart and feeling with your head.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
sigur ros
The heaps of praise during 2000 surrounding 1999's Ágætis Byrjun brought surprisingly little attention to Sigur Rós' first record, released in 1997. Remaining available only through the band's Icelandic label, it took some effort to obtain, but those who did get a copy probably found it to be just as adventurous as Agætis. Though darker and more fractured than the string-laden nooks of the follow-up, it's just as sprawling and outright bombastic. It's remarkable that such a young band would be this experimental at this stage in their lifespan, but the sheer breadth gets to be an albatross. Poking fun at '70s prog rock is just as easy as shooting at cement gargoyles on a suburban rooftop, especially when you're an indie kid or a fan of post-rock. But Sigur Rós makes Yes look like the Minutemen. Whittled down to 40 minutes, Von would be considerably more effective than it already is. As a mood setter, the 10-minute opening track really takes about three minutes to do what it needs, and a few other spots seem to drag on for the sake of sucking time. That doesn't prevent Von from being impressive, veering from Gavin Bryars-style aquatic minimalism to My Bloody Valentine-style dream pop. Varying states of isolationist ambience run throughout, whether evoking unrest or tranquil rest. You can practically envision a stray headboard floating through the Sinking of the Titanic-type passages, and the lush "Myrkur" comes from a planet where MBV's Kevin Shields and Kitchens of Distinction's Julian Swales are accorded the level or worship that Earth gives to Hendrix and Clapton. And then there's that voice, one of the most distinctly unintelligible voices since the Cocteau Twins' Liz Fraser. Boy? Girl? One would be hard-pressed to guess without liner notes. Based on pure sound, Von is just as much of a treat as the acclaimed follow-up. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
Thursday, November 27, 2008
folding bikes
strida at areawearAreaware is a New York City based company renowned for unique design products with an emphasis on forward thinking technologies and original expression. Our products are decorative but go beyond ornament.
strida.us
mole poblano
The ingredient list is long, but many ingredients are used in small quantities and it is their subtle blending that makes mole poblano the classic Mexican dish. Fear not - a sublime dish waits for you.
* 4 pounds chicken pieces, skin on
* Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Mole Poblano
* 9 mulato chiles
* 7 pasilla chiles
* 6 ancho chiles
* 1 cup plus 9 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard + additional as needed
* 4 - 5 tomatillos, husked and cooked until soft
* 5 whole cloves
* 20 whole black peppercorns
* 1- inch piece of a Mexican cinnamon stick
* 1 tablespoon seeds from the chiles, toasted
* 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, toasted
* 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
* 8 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
* 4 garlic cloves, roasted
* 3 tablespoons raisins
* 20 whole almonds, blanched
* 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
* 2 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
* 3 stale French rolls, cut into 1-inch slices
* 6 - 7 cups reserved chicken broth as needed
* 1 1/2 ounces Mexican chocolate, chopped
METHOD
In a large stock pot, parboil the chicken in water seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Drain, reserving cooking broth, and refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.
Mole Poblano Sauce: Clean the chiles by removing stems, veins and seeds; reserve 1 tablespoon of the seeds. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a heavy skillet until it shimmers. Fry chiles until crisp, about 10 to 15 seconds, turning once; make sure they do not burn. Drain on paper towels. Put chiles in a nonreactive bowl, cover with hot water, and set aside for 30 minutes. Drain chiles, reserving the soaking water. Puree the chiles in a blender with enough of the soaking water to make a smooth paste. It may be necessary to scrape down the sides and blend several times to obtain a smooth paste. In a heavy Dutch oven heat and additional 1/2 cup oil over medium heat and add chile puree (be careful it will splatter). Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
Puree tomatillos in a blender. In a coffee or spice grinder, grind the cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and toasted seeds. Add seed mixture and garlic to the pureed tomatillos and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Heat 6 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy frying pan. Fry each of the following ingredients and then remove with a slotted spoon: the raisins until they puff up; the almonds to a golden brown; the pumpkin seeds until they pop. If necessary, add enough oil to make 4 tablespoons and fry the tortilla pieces and bread slices until golden brown, about 15 seconds per side; remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Add raisins, almonds, pumpkins seeds, tortillas, and bread to the tomatillo puree and blend, using 1 to 2 cups reserved chicken broth, as needed, to make a smooth sauce. This may have to be done in batches. In a heavy Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add chile puree, tomatillo puree and Mexican chocolate(it will splatter) Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Add remaining5 cups chicken broth, cook over low heat for an additional 45 minutes, stirring often enough to prevent the mixture from scorching on bottom. During last 15 minutes, add parboiled chicken and heat thourgh. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve with Arroz Blanco.
Serves: 8
in mama's kitchen
* 4 pounds chicken pieces, skin on
* Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Mole Poblano
* 9 mulato chiles
* 7 pasilla chiles
* 6 ancho chiles
* 1 cup plus 9 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard + additional as needed
* 4 - 5 tomatillos, husked and cooked until soft
* 5 whole cloves
* 20 whole black peppercorns
* 1- inch piece of a Mexican cinnamon stick
* 1 tablespoon seeds from the chiles, toasted
* 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, toasted
* 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
* 8 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
* 4 garlic cloves, roasted
* 3 tablespoons raisins
* 20 whole almonds, blanched
* 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
* 2 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
* 3 stale French rolls, cut into 1-inch slices
* 6 - 7 cups reserved chicken broth as needed
* 1 1/2 ounces Mexican chocolate, chopped
METHOD
In a large stock pot, parboil the chicken in water seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. Drain, reserving cooking broth, and refrigerate until ready to assemble the dish.
Mole Poblano Sauce: Clean the chiles by removing stems, veins and seeds; reserve 1 tablespoon of the seeds. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a heavy skillet until it shimmers. Fry chiles until crisp, about 10 to 15 seconds, turning once; make sure they do not burn. Drain on paper towels. Put chiles in a nonreactive bowl, cover with hot water, and set aside for 30 minutes. Drain chiles, reserving the soaking water. Puree the chiles in a blender with enough of the soaking water to make a smooth paste. It may be necessary to scrape down the sides and blend several times to obtain a smooth paste. In a heavy Dutch oven heat and additional 1/2 cup oil over medium heat and add chile puree (be careful it will splatter). Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and set aside.
Puree tomatillos in a blender. In a coffee or spice grinder, grind the cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, and toasted seeds. Add seed mixture and garlic to the pureed tomatillos and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Heat 6 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy frying pan. Fry each of the following ingredients and then remove with a slotted spoon: the raisins until they puff up; the almonds to a golden brown; the pumpkin seeds until they pop. If necessary, add enough oil to make 4 tablespoons and fry the tortilla pieces and bread slices until golden brown, about 15 seconds per side; remove from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Add raisins, almonds, pumpkins seeds, tortillas, and bread to the tomatillo puree and blend, using 1 to 2 cups reserved chicken broth, as needed, to make a smooth sauce. This may have to be done in batches. In a heavy Dutch oven, heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add chile puree, tomatillo puree and Mexican chocolate(it will splatter) Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Add remaining5 cups chicken broth, cook over low heat for an additional 45 minutes, stirring often enough to prevent the mixture from scorching on bottom. During last 15 minutes, add parboiled chicken and heat thourgh. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and serve with Arroz Blanco.
Serves: 8
in mama's kitchen
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
musubi
What You’ll Need:
• Musubi Press (get it at any kitchen or on amazon)
• 1 package firm tofu (cut into 1″ x 1/4″ strips)
• 1 butternut squash (skinned and cut into 1″ x1/4″ strips)
• 2 cups of sushi rice
• 3 tbsp Maple Syrup
• 3 tbsp Shoyu
• 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1/4 cup Orange Juice
Directions:
1. Prepare sushi rice according to directions on bag.
2. Combine shoyu, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and orange juice into a marinade.
3. Lightly oil a casserole dish, put in squash and tofu, pour on marinade and bake at 350 for about 30 min until tender (but not mushy).
4. Cut Nori sheets into 1 inch strips. Each piece of Musubi will be wrapped by 1 strip.
5. Press rice in the Musubi Press, cut in half, add toppings, wrap with a nori strip, and seal the strip seam at the bottom with a drop of water.
For variations, try avocado, pickled radish, mushrooms, or other marinated veggies. Thanks to Aylssa and Jodi for this yummy treat!
November 28 is Buy Nothing Day
BUY NOTHING DAY is a holiday that is more important than Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, and yes - even New Years? Why, you ask? Because the integrity of the ecosystems we depend upon for survival hang in the balance. Consumption - something Americans are better at than the rest of the world, requires production. Production requires resource extraction. Every product has to be dug up, ripped out, cut down, or gathered - it doesn’t magically appear! Even greenwashed products, unless totally recycled or thrift, requires a piece of the landbase in some form. So on November 28th, let freedom ring - exercise your right NOT to go shopping!
reverend billy and the church of stop shopping
reverend billy and the church of stop shopping
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
herbert kohl
center for teaching excellence and social justice university of san francisco
Teaching for Social Justice
A veteran educator offers pedagogical and personal suggestions learned over 30 years experience.
By Herbert Kohl
It is a sad statement on the moral sensibility of our schools and society that one has to advocate for teaching for social justice.
As one of my elementary school students once told me, "You know, Mr. Kohl, you can get arrested for stirring up justice."
One problem is that many people - children as well as adults - do not believe that justice is worth fighting for. One cannot assume an idea or cause will be embraced merely because it is just, fair, or compassionate. Contemporary society values self-interest and personal gain over compassion and the communal good.
So what are social justice teachers - those who care about nurturing all children and who are enraged at the prospect of students dying young, going hungry, or living meaningless and despairing lives - to do? How can they go against the grain and use their classrooms to work in the service of their students?
My suggestions are both pedagogical and personal.
* First, don't teach against your conscience. Don't align yourself with texts, people, or rules that hurt children; resist them as creatively and effectively as you can, whether through humor or by developing alternative curricula. Try to survive, but don't make your survival in a particular job the overriding determinant of what you will or won't do. Don't become isolated or alone in your efforts; reach out to other teachers, community leaders, church people, and parents who feel as you do. Find a school where you can do your work and then stand up for the quality of your work. Don't quit in the face of opposition; make people work hard if they intend to fire or reprimand you for teaching equity and justice.
* Second, hone your craft as a teacher. When I first began teaching, I jumped into struggles for social justice. During one of my efforts a community person asked: "So, what's going on in your classroom that's different than what you're fighting against? Can your students read and do math?" I had to examine my work, which was full of passion and effort but deficient in craft. I realized that I needed to take the time to learn how to teach well before I extended myself with authority and confidence in organizing efforts. This is essential for caring teachers. We have to get it right for our own students before presuming to take on larger systems, no matter how terrible those larger systems are. As educators, we need to root our struggles for social justice in the work we do every day, in a particular community, with a particular group of students.
* Third, look around at the many effective ways of teaching children. I don't believe there is a single technique or curriculum that leads to success. Consequently, pick and choose, retool and restructure the best of what you find and make it your own. Most of all, watch your students and see what works. Listen to them, observe how they learn, and then, based on your experience and their responses, figure out how to practice social justice in your classroom.
* Fourth, it is not enough to teach well and create a social justice classroom separate from the larger community. You have to be a community activist, a good parent, a decent citizen, and an active community member as well.
Is all of this possible? Probably not. Certainly it isn't easy and often demands sacrifices. And at the end of the day it might also make you sad, because there is so much more that needs to be done, so many students who don't even have the advantage of a decent classroom and a caring teacher.
This leads to my final suggestion.
* Protect and nurture yourself. Have some fun in your life; learn new things that only obliquely relate to issues of social justice. Walk, play ball or chess, swim, fall in love. Don't forget how to laugh or feel good about the world. Have fun so that you can work hard; and work hard so that you and your students and their parents can have fun without looking over their shoulders. This is not a question of selfishness but one of survival. Don't turn teaching for social justice into a grim responsibility, but take it for the moral and social necessity that it is.
Herbert Kohl, author of numerous books on education, is director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco.
Teaching for Social Justice
A veteran educator offers pedagogical and personal suggestions learned over 30 years experience.
By Herbert Kohl
It is a sad statement on the moral sensibility of our schools and society that one has to advocate for teaching for social justice.
As one of my elementary school students once told me, "You know, Mr. Kohl, you can get arrested for stirring up justice."
One problem is that many people - children as well as adults - do not believe that justice is worth fighting for. One cannot assume an idea or cause will be embraced merely because it is just, fair, or compassionate. Contemporary society values self-interest and personal gain over compassion and the communal good.
So what are social justice teachers - those who care about nurturing all children and who are enraged at the prospect of students dying young, going hungry, or living meaningless and despairing lives - to do? How can they go against the grain and use their classrooms to work in the service of their students?
My suggestions are both pedagogical and personal.
* First, don't teach against your conscience. Don't align yourself with texts, people, or rules that hurt children; resist them as creatively and effectively as you can, whether through humor or by developing alternative curricula. Try to survive, but don't make your survival in a particular job the overriding determinant of what you will or won't do. Don't become isolated or alone in your efforts; reach out to other teachers, community leaders, church people, and parents who feel as you do. Find a school where you can do your work and then stand up for the quality of your work. Don't quit in the face of opposition; make people work hard if they intend to fire or reprimand you for teaching equity and justice.
* Second, hone your craft as a teacher. When I first began teaching, I jumped into struggles for social justice. During one of my efforts a community person asked: "So, what's going on in your classroom that's different than what you're fighting against? Can your students read and do math?" I had to examine my work, which was full of passion and effort but deficient in craft. I realized that I needed to take the time to learn how to teach well before I extended myself with authority and confidence in organizing efforts. This is essential for caring teachers. We have to get it right for our own students before presuming to take on larger systems, no matter how terrible those larger systems are. As educators, we need to root our struggles for social justice in the work we do every day, in a particular community, with a particular group of students.
* Third, look around at the many effective ways of teaching children. I don't believe there is a single technique or curriculum that leads to success. Consequently, pick and choose, retool and restructure the best of what you find and make it your own. Most of all, watch your students and see what works. Listen to them, observe how they learn, and then, based on your experience and their responses, figure out how to practice social justice in your classroom.
* Fourth, it is not enough to teach well and create a social justice classroom separate from the larger community. You have to be a community activist, a good parent, a decent citizen, and an active community member as well.
Is all of this possible? Probably not. Certainly it isn't easy and often demands sacrifices. And at the end of the day it might also make you sad, because there is so much more that needs to be done, so many students who don't even have the advantage of a decent classroom and a caring teacher.
This leads to my final suggestion.
* Protect and nurture yourself. Have some fun in your life; learn new things that only obliquely relate to issues of social justice. Walk, play ball or chess, swim, fall in love. Don't forget how to laugh or feel good about the world. Have fun so that you can work hard; and work hard so that you and your students and their parents can have fun without looking over their shoulders. This is not a question of selfishness but one of survival. Don't turn teaching for social justice into a grim responsibility, but take it for the moral and social necessity that it is.
Herbert Kohl, author of numerous books on education, is director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco.
su tung po
From one side the mountain looks rounded;
From another it is pointed.
Because one is on it, it is never the same.
One cannot know the true aspect of the mountain;
All one can know is that one is there.
From another it is pointed.
Because one is on it, it is never the same.
One cannot know the true aspect of the mountain;
All one can know is that one is there.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
birthday tarot
Wheel Of Fortune how you feel about yourself now
Perhaps you feel due for a bit of good luck or indeed are experiencing some at the moment. The Wheel of Fortune is a card of destiny. What is happening now we could call fate, so if positive things are happening with your love life, career or finances this is no coincidence. If no such things are happening, expect a sudden change in fortune.
The Hermit what you most want at this moment
The cards suggest that what you most want at this time is to know what to do, as well as companionship or a lover as you feel somewhat lonely or isolated at the moment. Perhaps you are feeling exhausted and in need of a rest - if you have been ill this is a time for rest and recuperation.
The World your fears
You are afraid of taking action and lack confidence and will power, but this is a time to be positive and proactive, otherwise you will experience loss of momentum, delays and stagnation. Completion and success are only a step away, don’t give up, lose heart or change direction when you are so close to the finish line.
Strength what is going for you
Brave heart! Your self-confidence and courageous spirit is unstoppable at the moment. Be patient and compassionate, self-disciplined and strong and you will reap great rewards for your courage.
The Hierophant what is going against you
You are simply struggling to conform to others expectations of you and everybody has an opinion of what you should do. Perhaps you are having a crisis of faith and are unsettled at a very spiritual level. Ask yourself who you really are? What is important to you? What makes you happy? Seek out advice or wise counsel if you wish, but accepting who you really are and going after what you want instead of what others want for you is the most important.
The High Priestess outcome
Your intuitive powers are at their height at this moment in time; only by listening carefully and trusting them completely can you embrace that power. Do this and you will make strong, clear, self-assured decisions. Allow for flexibility and expect promising outcomes.
from http://www.free-tarot-reading.net/readings/1_reading.php
Perhaps you feel due for a bit of good luck or indeed are experiencing some at the moment. The Wheel of Fortune is a card of destiny. What is happening now we could call fate, so if positive things are happening with your love life, career or finances this is no coincidence. If no such things are happening, expect a sudden change in fortune.
The Hermit what you most want at this moment
The cards suggest that what you most want at this time is to know what to do, as well as companionship or a lover as you feel somewhat lonely or isolated at the moment. Perhaps you are feeling exhausted and in need of a rest - if you have been ill this is a time for rest and recuperation.
The World your fears
You are afraid of taking action and lack confidence and will power, but this is a time to be positive and proactive, otherwise you will experience loss of momentum, delays and stagnation. Completion and success are only a step away, don’t give up, lose heart or change direction when you are so close to the finish line.
Strength what is going for you
Brave heart! Your self-confidence and courageous spirit is unstoppable at the moment. Be patient and compassionate, self-disciplined and strong and you will reap great rewards for your courage.
The Hierophant what is going against you
You are simply struggling to conform to others expectations of you and everybody has an opinion of what you should do. Perhaps you are having a crisis of faith and are unsettled at a very spiritual level. Ask yourself who you really are? What is important to you? What makes you happy? Seek out advice or wise counsel if you wish, but accepting who you really are and going after what you want instead of what others want for you is the most important.
The High Priestess outcome
Your intuitive powers are at their height at this moment in time; only by listening carefully and trusting them completely can you embrace that power. Do this and you will make strong, clear, self-assured decisions. Allow for flexibility and expect promising outcomes.
from http://www.free-tarot-reading.net/readings/1_reading.php
let the sun shine
"You are probably familiar with the term New Age, and you may have heard or read about the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. This simply means that we are leaving one age (Pisces), and entering into a new one (Aquarius). This happens every two thousand years - the last one coinciding with the arrival of Christ. What does this have to do with you? Well, it has quite a lot to do with you and everyone else on the planet. For a start, if you haven't already undergone any changes, you might be feeling the urge to change now, or you may be witnessing changes around you. Either way, you will certainly be aware that life on planet Earth seems to be going off the rails in one way or another. This is characteristic of the changing of the Ages as people struggle to adapt to the new energies. You will also have noticed certain major developments - such as science, computers and technology, all of which are now forming the backbone of our society. UFO's, alternative medicine, astrology, vegetarianism and other subjects previously considered weird or cranky are growing rapidly in popularity, and are all subjects associated with the sign of Aquarius. These subjects will become more and more commonplace, and astrology and other 'mystical' methods of self-help and understanding will help people to become more in tune with their spiritual selves in preparation for the New Age. People are already beginning to look within for the answers they seek, instead of outwards to money, possessions and other people. The more enlightened members of society will welcome the New Dawn with its emphasis on humanity, kindness, truth, spirituality and enlightenment."
You also probably have heard the song, Age of Aquarius, "the one about the time when Jupiter aligns with Mars. Well, there's really more to it than that, as Jupiter and Mars align relatively often. What's really remarkable about this epoch is the powerful change that will sweep through our world, the shift in mood, action and intention that is already palpable. The estimated start date is thought to be sometime around the millennium, but, though its exact start date is contested among astrologers, astronomers, theologians and others, the effects of the Age of Aquarius have already been felt."
read more here
You also probably have heard the song, Age of Aquarius, "the one about the time when Jupiter aligns with Mars. Well, there's really more to it than that, as Jupiter and Mars align relatively often. What's really remarkable about this epoch is the powerful change that will sweep through our world, the shift in mood, action and intention that is already palpable. The estimated start date is thought to be sometime around the millennium, but, though its exact start date is contested among astrologers, astronomers, theologians and others, the effects of the Age of Aquarius have already been felt."
read more here
Thursday, November 6, 2008
maple bacon ice cream
Serves 10
Elizabeth Falkner serves this with pomegranate reduction, puff pastry squares and apple cubes.
* 1 strip smoked bacon
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 cups milk
* 1/2 cup maple syrup
* 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
* 8 egg yolks
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions: Cook the bacon in a small skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and chop finely.
Combine bacon, cream and milk in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a simmer then turn off the heat and let the bacon steep in the milk for 20 minutes.
Combine the egg yolks, maple syrup and brown sugar in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
Rewarm the bacon-cream mixture and gradually whisk into the yolk mixture. Pour the liquid back into the saucepan and cook over low heat until it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain, add salt and cool completely in the refrigerator. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
Per 1/2 cup: 315 calories, 5 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 24 g fat (13 g saturated), 242 mg cholesterol, 168 mg sodium, 0 fiber.
from the SF Chronicle
Elizabeth Falkner serves this with pomegranate reduction, puff pastry squares and apple cubes.
* 1 strip smoked bacon
* 2 cups heavy cream
* 2 cups milk
* 1/2 cup maple syrup
* 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
* 8 egg yolks
* 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions: Cook the bacon in a small skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and chop finely.
Combine bacon, cream and milk in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to a simmer then turn off the heat and let the bacon steep in the milk for 20 minutes.
Combine the egg yolks, maple syrup and brown sugar in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
Rewarm the bacon-cream mixture and gradually whisk into the yolk mixture. Pour the liquid back into the saucepan and cook over low heat until it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain, add salt and cool completely in the refrigerator. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
Per 1/2 cup: 315 calories, 5 g protein, 22 g carbohydrate, 24 g fat (13 g saturated), 242 mg cholesterol, 168 mg sodium, 0 fiber.
from the SF Chronicle
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
obama
last night i was relieved - this morning i cried - it's the first day i've ever felt good about an american president!here are some great pictures
seriously - obama on the internet
and more here
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
crazy brief
Population Control 2.0 backview
Originally uploaded by rewarestyle.
emiko oye's boxer brief made from recycled circuit boards and elastic, monofilament, rubber, base metal, cotton spandex.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
laughing bones
Community Celebration, Sunday, October 22, noon–4 p.m The Oakland Museum of California celebrates Days of the Dead, the colorful Latino/Chicano tradition of honoring the dead, with Laughing Bones/Weeping Hearts: Días de los Muertos 2006.
A Wreath for Madame Kawakita
For followers of Japanese cinema at PFA, the Kawakita Film Institute is a familiar name. In this centennial year of her birth, PFA is pleased to present a twenty-four-film tribute to Kashiko Kawakita, who made possible so many memorable screenings here and throughout the world. Guided by her vision of cinema as an art form that can inspire understanding between cultures, Madame Kawakita and her husband Nagamasa were a major force in bringing Japanese cinema to international attention and in introducing many Western films to the Japanese public. PFA founding director Sheldon Renan visited Madame Kawakita whenever he went to Japan, and remembers her as “the person who had cared most, done the most, created the most, supported the most.”cinema japan
chocolate cake
1 coffee mug
4 tablespoons flour (plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips, some nuts
small splash of vanilla
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!
from koko's corner
she also has another great recipe:
Kalua Pig
I was asked to help with a Hawaiian themed birthday party.I asked kili one of the participants on rec.food.cooking and alt.binaries.food for some help since she had lived in Hawaii. She was very helpful and suggested some typical Luau type food such as Kalua pig, rice, Hupia pudding, and macaroni salad.
My contribution was the Kalua pig and rice, and others made the Hupai pudding and salad. I searched food blogs and google and came up with a basic recipe
The recipe I followed is
3-5 lb pork butt well marbled
1 1/2 Tablespoon liquid smoke
2 1/2 teaspoons Hawaiian salt.
I made mine in a roasting pan but the food blog www.onokinegrindz.typepad.com has their recipe and an oven method of cooking the pig. I tracked them down through www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com
4 tablespoons flour (plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips, some nuts
small splash of vanilla
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.
Add the chocolate chips and vanilla, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!
from koko's corner
she also has another great recipe:
Kalua Pig
I was asked to help with a Hawaiian themed birthday party.I asked kili one of the participants on rec.food.cooking and alt.binaries.food for some help since she had lived in Hawaii. She was very helpful and suggested some typical Luau type food such as Kalua pig, rice, Hupia pudding, and macaroni salad.
My contribution was the Kalua pig and rice, and others made the Hupai pudding and salad. I searched food blogs and google and came up with a basic recipe
The recipe I followed is
3-5 lb pork butt well marbled
1 1/2 Tablespoon liquid smoke
2 1/2 teaspoons Hawaiian salt.
I made mine in a roasting pan but the food blog www.onokinegrindz.typepad.com has their recipe and an oven method of cooking the pig. I tracked them down through www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com
fright night!
A Reading and Healing with Pam Flowerday, An ionic detox Foot Bath and Healing with Jennifer Hathaway, Halloween Goody Basket from Gaslight Emporium, A fab haircut – at SPANX with KHALILA, A $50 certificate for dining from ASENA restaurant, Buddha Basket including a bottle of Buddha's Hand from Hangar One, Healing Bodywork from Kevin Minney, Brunch or Lunch for Two at Feel Good Bakery, Ultimate Facial from Jessica Babcock, Esthetician $85 value, 1 PC repair session with “Honest Dave”, Silver and marquisate cage necklace, Tween Girl Gift Basket and much much more!The entertainment in the Monster Ballroom (created by Jan Mason) will be provided by Lee Presson and the Nails (Goth Swing Band!) with Costume Contest MC’d by the irrepressible Hal Robbins (Church of the Sub Genius), judges include Rafael from M Zoe and Autumn from Dark Garden. Fabulous Food will be available from Cera Una Volta, and Creepy Cocktails will be served. NO host bar - drinks will cost money - this is a fundraiser!
Visit the Haunted Warehouse be tickled and terrorized by hilarious horrors and scary surprises! frightnight
BLIOUX
SAT NOV 1 ...8pm....Entry....$5-10
@ THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE BUZZARD
2601 Adeline @ 26th St. (enter on 26th) Oakland
young living essential oils
(Based primarily on notes taken on Gary Young’s talk September 19, 2008, at the first Young Living European Convention, Vienna, Austria)
It has been said that when there is a conflict between reason and feeling, human beings will always side with feeling. According to Gary Young, “99% of life’s decisions are made from feelings.” Therefore, if you want your life to be guided by good decisions that lead to health, happiness, and fulfillment, you need to be aware of and in control of your present feelings and to learn how to release the repressed emotions of the past.
Most of our feelings from day to day are not responses to current happenings. They originate from the programming in cellular memory that was imprinted by the emotional experiences of our past that we were unable to understand, process, and resolve at the time.
These forgotten traumatic experiences function as live programming in our bodies, affecting every aspect of our lives and particularly in the area of how we make decisions. When our thoughts are limited by fears, lack of self-worth, and not feeling good enough for more or better, we make decisions that limit our success. Limited thinking leads to limited decisions that lead to a limited life far short of the God-given potential we actually possess.
By focusing on fixing your feelings, you can fix most aspects of your life--physical, mental, and spiritual. Essential oils are perfect vehicles to help you in this task because their molecules pass directly to the emotional brain and can bring us into contact with the issues we have long forgotten and enable us to deal with them and resolve them once and for all. When we clear our emotional baggage, we clear the way to manifest our true and highest potential.
According to Gary Young, “Thought equals frequency. When you apply an intent-energized oil on your feet they can saturate all of your cells within 60 seconds, stimulating creative thinking and increasing the frequencies of the cells throughout the body. In that uplifted state you can create a new desire to be better tomorrow. You have no limitations but those you choose to accept.”
Gary says, “Use the Feelings Kit. Apply feeling oils before work and every night before bed. Do this for 30 days and you will change your life.”
The Feelings Kit, which was out of stock for some time, is available again in a modified version. It contains six oil blends: Valor, Harmony, Forgiveness, Release, Present Time, and Inner Child. Here is how Gary instructed us to use them at the Vienna Convention:
VALOR
Put Valor Oil on the soles of both feet at nighttime along with Highest Potential Blend. These blends are effective to erase limited thinking. Valor balances and equalizes the body’s energies thereby increasing oxygen intake to the pineal gland—the seat of our higher intelligence and intuitive faculties. You will wake up in the morning more self assured and more alive to start the day.
HARMONY
Massage one drop of Harmony Oil on each of the energy center points of your body. There are seven of them along the spine: Coccyx, Sacrum, Lumbar, Dorsal (heart), Cervical (where neck meets shoulders), and Medulla (hollow place at center base of skull), and Pineal (center of forehead). You can also massage Harmony on the crown of the head. Harmony balances the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems which, in turn, gives us progressive creativity and feelings of confidence. “The biggest sin is not having confidence in yourself,” says Gary, “He who lacks confidence lacks life.”
FORGIVENESS
Apply Forgiveness Oil around the navel with the right hand going clockwise several times and think of situations where you need to forgive yourself or others. We beat up on ourselves, but everyone makes mistakes. Yet we struggle to forgive our own mistakes and those of others. Unforgiveness is one of the most common roots of physical, mental, and spiritual disease. Unforgiveness does not make the offending party sick. It makes us sick. Forgiveness is for our own benefit. It is accomplished in five steps. (1) Forgive yourself for allowing the person to affect your health and happiness. (2) Forgive the other person for any harm he or she may have caused you. (This need not be done directly with the person being forgiven, but is an inner adjustment on your part.) (3) Give the other person permission to forgive you. (4) See the good in the situation. (5) Be thankful for the experience and the lesson it taught you. Inhale and apply Forgiveness Oil while going through these steps and repeat as often as necessary toclear the feelings of unforgiveness.
RELEASE
Negative energy goes into the blood and then into the liver for cleansing where the toxins can remain trapped. Thus, the liver becomes a storage place for anger, resentment, bitterness, hatred, jealousy, envy, addictions, and a host of destructive feelings. Apply a few drops of Release Oil on your tongue to release the poisons of stored emotions from the liver. Rub Release over the liver area. Drink lots of pure water and do a liver cleanse.
PRESENT TIME
When we live in the past or dwell on the future, we are not being productive in the present. Energize three drops of Present Time by making clockwise circles on the oil in the palm of your hand and then apply it to your thymus (the gland just under your sternum or breastbone). Besides keeping you focused on the tasks of today, this can also help you financially by increasing your abundance consciousness in the present.
INNER CHILD
“When you are a child all things are possible. There are no limitations,” says Gary Young. “When you find your inner child, you have found your true self. The child in you is your creativity.” Apply one drop of Inner Child onto the pad of your thumb and then place your thumb onto the roof of your mouth. This opens the cranial sutures and stimulates the pineal, pituitary, and other organs of the emotional brain that occupy the space just above the roof of your mouth. Walking backwards while you have your thumb in your mouth looks stupid but it changes the rotation in the pelvis, elongating the spine, and decompressing the discs in your back. Thus, you can clear the nerve channels for energy to flow smoothly throughout your brain and body.
In conclusion, Gary said, “Use the Feelings Kit morning and night for 30 days. You will feel enthusiastic. Your life will be full of excitement. And people will be drawn to you like a magnet.”
(NOTE: The Feelings Kit is available from Young Living Essential Oils as Item #3125.)
It has been said that when there is a conflict between reason and feeling, human beings will always side with feeling. According to Gary Young, “99% of life’s decisions are made from feelings.” Therefore, if you want your life to be guided by good decisions that lead to health, happiness, and fulfillment, you need to be aware of and in control of your present feelings and to learn how to release the repressed emotions of the past.
Most of our feelings from day to day are not responses to current happenings. They originate from the programming in cellular memory that was imprinted by the emotional experiences of our past that we were unable to understand, process, and resolve at the time.
These forgotten traumatic experiences function as live programming in our bodies, affecting every aspect of our lives and particularly in the area of how we make decisions. When our thoughts are limited by fears, lack of self-worth, and not feeling good enough for more or better, we make decisions that limit our success. Limited thinking leads to limited decisions that lead to a limited life far short of the God-given potential we actually possess.
By focusing on fixing your feelings, you can fix most aspects of your life--physical, mental, and spiritual. Essential oils are perfect vehicles to help you in this task because their molecules pass directly to the emotional brain and can bring us into contact with the issues we have long forgotten and enable us to deal with them and resolve them once and for all. When we clear our emotional baggage, we clear the way to manifest our true and highest potential.
According to Gary Young, “Thought equals frequency. When you apply an intent-energized oil on your feet they can saturate all of your cells within 60 seconds, stimulating creative thinking and increasing the frequencies of the cells throughout the body. In that uplifted state you can create a new desire to be better tomorrow. You have no limitations but those you choose to accept.”
Gary says, “Use the Feelings Kit. Apply feeling oils before work and every night before bed. Do this for 30 days and you will change your life.”
The Feelings Kit, which was out of stock for some time, is available again in a modified version. It contains six oil blends: Valor, Harmony, Forgiveness, Release, Present Time, and Inner Child. Here is how Gary instructed us to use them at the Vienna Convention:
VALOR
Put Valor Oil on the soles of both feet at nighttime along with Highest Potential Blend. These blends are effective to erase limited thinking. Valor balances and equalizes the body’s energies thereby increasing oxygen intake to the pineal gland—the seat of our higher intelligence and intuitive faculties. You will wake up in the morning more self assured and more alive to start the day.
HARMONY
Massage one drop of Harmony Oil on each of the energy center points of your body. There are seven of them along the spine: Coccyx, Sacrum, Lumbar, Dorsal (heart), Cervical (where neck meets shoulders), and Medulla (hollow place at center base of skull), and Pineal (center of forehead). You can also massage Harmony on the crown of the head. Harmony balances the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems which, in turn, gives us progressive creativity and feelings of confidence. “The biggest sin is not having confidence in yourself,” says Gary, “He who lacks confidence lacks life.”
FORGIVENESS
Apply Forgiveness Oil around the navel with the right hand going clockwise several times and think of situations where you need to forgive yourself or others. We beat up on ourselves, but everyone makes mistakes. Yet we struggle to forgive our own mistakes and those of others. Unforgiveness is one of the most common roots of physical, mental, and spiritual disease. Unforgiveness does not make the offending party sick. It makes us sick. Forgiveness is for our own benefit. It is accomplished in five steps. (1) Forgive yourself for allowing the person to affect your health and happiness. (2) Forgive the other person for any harm he or she may have caused you. (This need not be done directly with the person being forgiven, but is an inner adjustment on your part.) (3) Give the other person permission to forgive you. (4) See the good in the situation. (5) Be thankful for the experience and the lesson it taught you. Inhale and apply Forgiveness Oil while going through these steps and repeat as often as necessary toclear the feelings of unforgiveness.
RELEASE
Negative energy goes into the blood and then into the liver for cleansing where the toxins can remain trapped. Thus, the liver becomes a storage place for anger, resentment, bitterness, hatred, jealousy, envy, addictions, and a host of destructive feelings. Apply a few drops of Release Oil on your tongue to release the poisons of stored emotions from the liver. Rub Release over the liver area. Drink lots of pure water and do a liver cleanse.
PRESENT TIME
When we live in the past or dwell on the future, we are not being productive in the present. Energize three drops of Present Time by making clockwise circles on the oil in the palm of your hand and then apply it to your thymus (the gland just under your sternum or breastbone). Besides keeping you focused on the tasks of today, this can also help you financially by increasing your abundance consciousness in the present.
INNER CHILD
“When you are a child all things are possible. There are no limitations,” says Gary Young. “When you find your inner child, you have found your true self. The child in you is your creativity.” Apply one drop of Inner Child onto the pad of your thumb and then place your thumb onto the roof of your mouth. This opens the cranial sutures and stimulates the pineal, pituitary, and other organs of the emotional brain that occupy the space just above the roof of your mouth. Walking backwards while you have your thumb in your mouth looks stupid but it changes the rotation in the pelvis, elongating the spine, and decompressing the discs in your back. Thus, you can clear the nerve channels for energy to flow smoothly throughout your brain and body.
In conclusion, Gary said, “Use the Feelings Kit morning and night for 30 days. You will feel enthusiastic. Your life will be full of excitement. And people will be drawn to you like a magnet.”
(NOTE: The Feelings Kit is available from Young Living Essential Oils as Item #3125.)
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New Independent Chinese Cinema
The newest generation of Chinese filmmakers has come of age in a world drastically different from that of their predecessors like Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, who, even while fighting with state bureaucracies, were still funded by them. In the 1990s, the Chinese government ended most centrally planned, state-financed filmmaking; it took until the twenty-first century for the “new” Chinese film industry to finally find its footing, with a mixture of big-budget, privately financed studio spectacles and low-cost digital independents.mahjong
Monday, October 20, 2008
a woodland home
back to nature! "Do you fancy making your own home along these lines but want to have a bit of hands on experience. We would like to invite you to join us in our future building projects. Come along, you give us a hand and we'll teach you some methods and tricks for design and construction in the low impact, permaculture style. Not to mention plenty of good food and merriment."
Friday, October 17, 2008
"Brightblack Morning Light is a color of the day when the universe is faded into a veil of blue sky. It's a time when spirits are allowed access. In the morning there is a certain hush to all life that rekindles our collected love of being here.
Brightblack Morning Light attempt to conjure this hush in song. The collective have performed with Will Oldham, Rachel's, Joanna Newsom, White Magic, Devendra Banhart, Lungfish, and were invited to the Slint curation of the All Tomorrow's Parties in England."
- listen to them
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