Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted.

Read full post >>

thank you for dropping at PoeARTica :))


Picture to People
Multiply themes / marviepons
Symphony of Love
Photography by KML
Mariuca's Perfume Gallery
Scraps of Mind
My Big World of Crap
AMY LILLEY DESIGNS
Wishing On A Falling Star
24patrol

Read full post >>

Quantam of Solace

James Bond star Daniel Craig has greeted hundreds of excited fans at the Australian premiere in Sydney of the new Bond film Quantam of Solace, accompanied by his stunning co-star Olga Kurylenko.
Craig says he would love to film a 007 movie in Australia.
Bond spends much of his time visiting exotic locations and Craig says he would love it if Australia was included in a future film.
A host of Australian stars turned out for the premiere including Rove McManus, Megan Gale, Andy Lee, Ruby Rose, Jason Dundas and Nash Edgerton.
Quantum Of Solace is the 22nd Bond movie, with Craig returning for a second appearance as 007 following Casino Royale. It opens nationally on November 19.

Craig says he would love to film a 007 movie in Australia (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)

---

Read full post >>

The 100 most commonly held Australian books in public libraries

Mem Fox - Possum Magic Mem Fox - Where is the Green Sheep? Bryce Courtenay - Sylvia Matthew Reilly - Seven Ancient Wonders Di Morrisey - The Valley Matthew Reilly - Scarecrow Jill B Bruce - Flags and Emblems of Australia Marcia K. Vaughan - Wombat Stew Kate Grenville - The Secret River Tim Winton - Dirt Music Cunxin Li - Mao's Last Dancer Andy Griffiths - The Cat on the Mat is Flat Robin Klein - Hating Alison Ashley Tim Winton - The Turning Alison Lester - Are We There Yet? A Journey Around Australia Pamela Allen - Who Sank The Boat? John Marsden - The Night is for Hunting John Marsden - The Other Side of Dawn John Marsden - Burning for Revenge Pamela Allen - Grandpa and Thomas Bryce Courtenay - Whitethorn John Marsden - Tomorrow, When the War Began Stephen Michael King - Mutt Dog! John Marsden - Incurable Paul Jennings - How Hedley Hopkins Did a Dare, Robbed a Grave, Made a New Friend Who Might Not Have Really Been There at All, and While He Was at it Committed a Terrible Sin Which Everyone Was Doing Even Though He Didn't Know it Di Morrisey -Barra Creek Andy Griffiths - Just Disgusting! Libby Gleeson - Shutting the Chooks In Jackie French - Diary of a Wombat Andy Griffiths - Bumageddon: the Final Pongflict Bob Graham - Jethro Byrde: Fairy Child Jeannie Baker - Belonging Emily Rodda - Dragon's Nest John Marsden - The Third Day, the Frost Libby Gleeson - Amy & Louis Frances Watts - Kisses for Daddy Margaret Wild - Baby Boomsticks John Marsden - While I Live Judy Nunn - Heritage Paul Jennings - The Cabbage Patch Pong Margaret Wild - Little Humpty Roland Harvey - At the Beach: Postcards from Crabby Spit Melina Marchetta - Saving Francesca Jonathan Upfal - The Australian Drug Guide: Every Person's Guide to Prescription and Over-The-Counter Medicines, Street Drugs, Vaccines, Vitamins and Minerals Matthew Reilly - Hover Car Racer Morris Gleitzman - Once Graeme Base - TruckDogs: a Novel in Four Bites Margaret Wild - Chatterbox Margaret Wild - Seven More Sleeps Pamela Allen - The Potato People Matt Dray - Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear Andy Griffiths - Zombie Bums from Uranus Scott Mitchell - Explorers Jan Omerod - Lizzie Nonsense Bob Graham - Tales From the Waterhole Deborah Niland - Annie's Chair Bryce Courtenay - Brother Fish Peter Carey - True History of the Kelly Gang Richard Flanagan - The Unknown Terrorist John Marsden - Darkness, Be My Friend Sofie Laguna - Too Loud Lily Margaret Barbalet - Reggie, Queen of the Street Morris Gleitzman - Toad Heaven Anonymous - The Bride Stripped Bare Bob Graham - Let's Get a Pup Geraldine Brooks - March Emily Rodda - The Sister of the South Emily Rodda - The Isle of Illusion Bob Graham - Max Narelle Oliver - Home Lee Fox - Ella Kazoo Will Not Brush Her Hair Nadia Wheatley - Luke's Way of Looking Graeme Base - Jungle Drums Morris Gleitzman - Teacher's Pet Meredith Costain - Doodledum Dancing Emily Rodda - Cavern of the Fear Emily Rodda - Isle of the Dead Mem Fox - Hunwick's Egg John Marsden - Circle of Flight Andy Griffiths - The Bad Book Melina Marchetta - Looking for Alibrandi Lyn Lee - Eight Emily Rodda - The Forests of Silence John Nicholson - Who's Running This Country?: Government in Australia Tania Cox - Snap! Went Chester Tara Moss - Hit Libby Gleeson - Cuddle Time Matthew Reilly - Contest Garth Nix - Mister Monday John Nicholson - Gold! The Fascinating Story of Gold in Australia John Marsden - Winter John Heffernan - Two Summers John Marsden - The Dead of the Night Morris Gleitzman - Doubting Thomas Bryce Courtenay - Jessica Paul Jennings - Tongue-tied! Stephen Michael King - Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat. Matthew Reilly - Hover Car Racer Morris Gleitzman - Once Graeme Base - TruckDogs: a Novel in Four Bites Margaret Wild - Chatterbox Margaret Wild - Seven More Sleeps Pamela Allen - The Potato People Matt Dray - Dougal the Garbage Dump Bear Andy Griffiths - Zombie Bums from Uranus Scott Mitchell - Explorers Jan Omerod - Lizzie Nonsense Bob Graham - Tales From the Waterhole Deborah Niland - Annie's Chair Bryce Courtenay - Brother Fish Peter Carey - True History of the Kelly Gang Richard Flanagan - The Unknown Terrorist John Marsden - Darkness, Be My Friend Sofie Laguna - Too Loud Lily Margaret Barbalet - Reggie, Queen of the Street Morris Gleitzman - Toad Heaven Anonymous - The Bride Stripped Bare Bob Graham - Let's Get a Pup Geraldine Brooks - March Emily Rodda - The Sister of the South Emily Rodda - The Isle of Illusion Bob Graham - Max Narelle Oliver - Home Lee Fox - Ella Kazoo Will Not Brush Her Hair Nadia Wheatley - Luke's Way of Looking Graeme Base - Jungle Drums Morris Gleitzman - Teacher's Pet Meredith Costain - Doodledum Dancing Emily Rodda - Cavern of the Fear Emily Rodda - Isle of the Dead Mem Fox - Hunwick's Egg John Marsden - Circle of Flight Andy Griffiths - The Bad Book Melina Marchetta - Looking for Alibrandi Lyn Lee - Eight Emily Rodda - The Forests of Silence John Nicholson - Who's Running This Country?: Government in Australia Tania Cox - Snap! Went Chester Tara Moss - Hit Libby Gleeson - Cuddle Time Matthew Reilly - Contest Garth Nix - Mister Monday John Nicholson - Gold! The Fascinating Story of Gold in Australia John Marsden - Winter John Heffernan - Two Summers John Marsden - The Dead of the Night Morris Gleitzman - Doubting Thomas Bryce Courtenay - Jessica Paul Jennings - Tongue-tied! Stephen Michael King - Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat. Source: Public Lending Right Committee Annual Report 2007-2008.

Read full post >>

Read full post >>

( 1928 - 1999 )



Affiche de l'exposition "La mort"
Galerie Maurice Garnier (2000)

---

"Painting, we do not talk about it,
we do not analyse it,
we feel it."

Bernard Buffet

---

" Entered in painting as we got in religion,
he found a land of refuge, his workshop.
What from anxiety or serenity will keep him compagny ?
Again, a useless questions ...
We always talk too much "

Annabel Buffet - 1984

---

signatures
Source: Bernard Buffet

Read full post >>

Join the Pink Sisterhood! *

Mariuca @ Mariuca's Perfume Gallery has tagged me with this really great meme for Breast Cancer..
PoeARTica has gone pink this month like my other two blogs.. laketrees and The Top Artists' Directory...


Mariuca was tagged by Mrs. Ezman

---

And now here is the tag and the rules:
Put the logo in your blog.
Add a link to the person who shared it with you.
Nominate at least 7 other blogs
Add your link to the list of participants below
Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

---

PINK Sisterhood
1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- YOU Next!

---

I am tagging ALL of my readers who have pink blogs...YOU know who you are ;) ;)

Read full post >>

---

Article: The Daily Telegraph


Click on the image to zoom

---

Men in pink
SEE Sydney's hot stars who are not afraid of wearing pink in public!

---

Read full post >>

African American Flood Victims Lined Up to Get Food and Clothing From Red Cross Relief StationFrom the archives of LIFE magazine

---

World Poverty for Dummies
Marland
Description:
Discover the causes and effects of poverty — and how you can make a difference.
Worldwide, 2.74 billion people survive on less than US$2 a day, and each day, nearly 30,000 children die from illnesses that are either preventable or can easily be cured. But you can make a difference. With World Poverty For Dummies, you’ll find out about the building blocks of poverty, as well as its varying causes and manifestations in different regions around the world. Most importantly, you’ll also discover what you can do — from changing your consumer choices or lobbying your government, to becoming an aid worker.
World Poverty For Dummies covers:
The geography of poverty
The shadows of the past, such as colonialism and the slave trade
Conflict and natural disasters
The cult of bribery, corruption and theft
The impact of aid, trade rules, world markets and debt
Hunger and thirst, education, and women and poverty
About the Author:
Sarah Marland is campaign manager at Amnesty International Australia.
Lindsay Rae is head of learning and culture within the Policy and Programs Group at World Vision Australia.
Ashley Clements is a former advocacy officer for World Vision Australia and is now working as an aid worker in the Middle East.
Adam Valvasori is campaign manager at The Body Shop Australia, and developed World Vision Australias youth website (stir.org.au/stir/).

---

Check it out!!!
WIN: The Learn About Poverty Blog Action Day Competition

---

Read full post >>

More than 26,000 votes from the public were received for the poll - the fifth such poll - which features a diverse list of books, including 22 Australian titles.


'Shocked' … Australian author Markus Zusak with the numerous translations of his international bestseller The Book Thief , which reached No.7 on the popularly voted list.
Photo: Helen Nezdropa

Book Thief author steals top 10 spot

---

HE HAS topped The New York Times bestseller list and now author Markus Zusak has made his debut in an Australian top 10.
He joins fellow Australian authors Tim Winton and Isobelle Carmody in the top 10,
[More]

---

Top 100 books of all time

---

Read full post >>

at: http://jacketmagazine.com/

---

‘The prince of online poetry magazines is Jacket, run from Australia by the poet John Tranter.... The design is beautiful, the contents awesomely voluminous, the slant international modernist and experimental.’

― Peter Forbes, Guardian (UK)

---

John recently featured one of my Kurri Kurri murals in a recent book review at:
Jacket 36 - Late 2008 - Greg McLaren: «The Kurri-Kurri Book of the Dead» reviewed by Nick Riemer

many thanks John

Read full post >>

Clockwork sun, and clockwork moon,
You have your paths to take.
And on this earth,
This clockwork earth,
We follow in your wake.

Clockwork life, and clockwork death,
We're built from wood and tears,
Inside these eyes,
These clockwork eyes,
I hide my deepest fears.

Clockwork smile, and clockwork laugh,
I bring all people joy,
But in this place,
This clockwork place,
I'm nothing but a toy.

Clockwork gears, and clockwork spring,
To move is clockwork's will.
But in the end,
That certain end,
All clockwork must stand still.

© Nathan P

Nathan is an aspiring writer of poetry and prose. Currently he is working on a book about the mysteries of this world and the many subtle details and moving moments that people often overlook. Nathan can be contacted through his writing blog: Imagination Manifesto.

Read full post >>

On both sides of the narrow two lane road pristine wilderness pushed against the tarred surface where plants stopped growing and the pavement began. Ancient trees lifted their limbs over the road, forming an arched canopy that filtered out the last fading rays of dusk before they could illuminate the shadowy tunnel humans had created.

In the quiet of approaching night a single car swished along this forest road, its revealing headlights shining through the brush at the road's edge, glinting as they caught the luminescent eyes of forest animals peering out shyly from the darkness. The car was the kind of mediocre conveyance purchased at any used car lot: underside slightly rusted from the salt used to melt snow and ice in the winter, scratched and dented, functional but not glamorous.

Inside the driver sat wearily in the worn cloth seat: a middle aged man, a few pounds overweight, the first few strands of gray highlighting his brown hair. He was driving home after a long day of work, the car engine humming like a comforting lullaby. Somewhere at the end of this forest road there was a home where the man's family waited for him to return. He had called them earlier that evening, just a few hours ago: "I'll be late again, I have a few things I need to take care of before the weekend." He had heard the disappointment in his wife's voice, but it could not be helped. "I love you," he had said as he hung up, eager to finish his work so that he could return. Now he was on his way back, a few miles from home, his mind already at his destination.

The car was speeding around a bend when suddenly the headlights caught a dark shape up ahead on the road, just a few yards away. The man stiffened, slamming on the brakes and jerking the wheel to the left, towards the other lane, but he wasn't fast enough. There was a sickening impact as something passed under the right front wheel, jarring the car and deflecting its course slightly. But the man barely noticed, for he realized to his horror that he had over steered, and now the car was hurtling up the earth embankment on the left side of the road, aimed toward the dense forest where solid tree trunks stood like the palisades of an ancient fort. The man threw the wheel back to the right—too far, too fast, and the car ramped off the embankment. Later the man would often reflect on that brief moment of silent airborne trajectory, before the tires touched down on the road, screeching as the car spun around to a stop facing back the way it had come.

The man sat still for a few moments, shaking in the aftermath of the accident, his shoulder aching where the seatbelt had pressed into his flesh. Over the noisy gasping sound of his own ragged breaths the man could hear a hot metallic pinging coming from the stalled engine. As his heartbeat slowed the man shifted in the seat, thankful that the car wasn't wrapped around a tree at this very moment, thankful that he had made it through the accident with nothing more than a few bruises. He realized that he was still tightly gripping the steering wheel and he let go, reaching down to dry his sweaty palms on his slacks.

Grabbing the keys dangling from the steering column he turned the ignition key forward, praying that the car would start. The engine ground for a few stressful seconds before springing to life. The man sighed in relief, leaning forward in the seat to inspect the car's hood. The entire right front of the car was dented and crushed, the headlight smashed, the hood creased. "What on earth did I hit?," the man wondered, looking along the road, back where the accident had started. The car's single remaining headlight cast a yellow glow along the road, and in its beam the man saw a crumpled figure lying on the pavement.

The realization surfaced slowly, but it hit the man with the sickening sour taste of overwhelming dread. "Good God!" he cried aloud, "I've hit a child!" The dark crumpled form had two small arms and legs, and the face could be seen from the side, in profile. The man threw open the door of car, his heart beating wildly again. Rushing up to the small limp figure, he dropped to his knees on the pavement beside it. A sickening smell of burnt tire rubber hung in the air, and the man coughed as he bent over the small body laying beside the dark skid marks.

Terrified to think that perhaps the child was already dead, the man picked up the thin wrist to feel for a pulse. His fingers brushed along the wrist, once, twice, and then he recoiled in horror, dropping the wrist back onto the pavement. The skin beneath his touch had not been the soft, warm flesh of a human, but rough and woody like bark.

His mind racing, the man took a closer look at the figure laying before him, trying to find some explanation, some justification for what he had felt. The figure was small and thin, with dark skin, but it was skin the color and texture of bark. The body was small like a child's but the face was that of an adult, and there was something strange and unexpected about it, similar to a human's and yet slightly different in a way that the man could not determine. The body appeared to be clothed with vegetation: leaves, bark, and twigs, torn away and crushed by the impact. Broken gashes and cracks scored the tiny figure and a dark fluid oozed from the wounds—not blood, but a thick sap that dripped down off the body like maple syrup. The man backed away a few feet, wondering what this was, what creature, or person, or being it was before him.

But even as he watched the figure stirred slightly, moving its small arms and legs jerkily, with obvious pain, and it turned its head in the man's direction, opening its eyes to reveal two dark orbs, completely black in color, like smooth wet stones at the bottom of a creek. The wooden lips moved as if the being was trying to say something, but it couldn't. The man moved back a few more feet in mixed horror and wonderment, but then, in his mind, he heard a quiet, peaceful voice, like the sound of wind in the treetops or water spilling over a waterfall. "I forgive you," the voice said, "There is nothing you can do to help me. Move away from my body."

The man was shocked to hear the creature's voice in his mind, and at first he didn't understand what it was telling him. "Move away from my body!" the voice repeated more urgently. "Quickly! For your own safety." The man stumbled backward, his eyes still on the broken figure before him. As he watched the dark eyes slowly closed and the body went completely limp, settling downward into the limpid state of death.

But then the body stirred and lifted slightly, not with life, but from the disturbing movement of some external force. The man stood in place paralyzed with shock, watching as a thin twig stretched upward from the broken abdomen, thickening as leaves began to unfurl, twigs growing outward until it was a small sapling growing from the dead body. Faster and faster the small tree grew upward, branches pushing out and up, leaves rustling as they filled in along the branches. Then the pavement around the body began to crack as great roots pushed up from the ground like muscular snakes, crumbling and shattering the surface with a tremendous tearing sound.

Now a great tree stood where the body had been, gnarled bark with lines and whorls like cryptic hieroglyphics, a solemn column standing watch in the middle of the road. The man turned and ran toward his car, and as he jumped in and slammed the door he saw that vines and bushes were beginning to sprout up around the tree, dense vegetation and underbrush sprouting up where the road had been a few minutes earlier.

The man gunned the engine, whipping the car around, the tortured frame creaking in protest. The scene in the rear view mirror was a wall of plants and trees lit up by the red glow of the tail lights. The man accelerated away, looking behind in awe. At that moment he realized that he could never view his world in the same way again.

© Nathan P

Nathan is an aspiring writer of poetry and prose. Currently he is working on a book about the mysteries of this world and the many subtle details and moving moments that people often overlook. Nathan can be contacted through his reading and writing blog: Inkweaver Review.

Read full post >>

Read full post >>

Chinese Buddhist sculpture from Qingzhou



Asian Gallery, Ground Level
29 August - 23 November 2008


Lost for over 800 years – the discovery of some 400 Buddhist figures by construction workers levelling a sports field is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The sculptures were carefully wrapped and buried in the grounds of a long-destroyed temple for reasons that remain a mystery.
Created nearly 1500 years ago these are some of the most exquisite works of art made in the service of the Buddhist faith. They are extraordinary in their beauty and timeless simplicity.
Thirty-five of the best preserved and most exquisite sculptures will travel from China to the Art Gallery of NSW. This is the first time that these works will be seen in Australia.

[view the video]

Read full post >>

Merci!! Little french cartoon dude with champagne saying 'Thank You'
free myspace graphic by ian marsden


• Mariuca's Perfume Gallery
A freelance copywriter working from home. Loves cats, collecting perfumes & daydreaming! Writes about anything under the sun. From hobbies and food to love and life, MPG has it all!
view link »
• laketrees
PR 5 Blog !! Top 100 Australian Women's Blogs List- portraits, art, artist, drawings, murals, 101 Top Artists' Blogs List, Competitions
view link »
• amy lilley designs
A visual experience of my art, photography, jewelry, including gifted Etsy artists and many more as I cruise along....
view link »
• Wishing On A Falling Star
A freelance copywriter working from home. Loves cats, collecting perfumes & daydreaming! Writes about anything under the sun. From hobbies and food to love and life, Mariuca has it all!
view link »
• Chica & Pumuckl - 2 Egyptian Cats in Germany
Funny Blog about 2 Funny Cats. -----*****----- If you drop me your card please stay for a while and read my posts. Maybe you'll like it. Thanks!
view link »
• Lucent Dusk
Lucent Dusk is a community for fanfiction and fandoms. Writing exercises and challenges, fandom reviews, author interviews, and quality fanfiction all await you at Lucent Dusk.
view link »
• Cutie Booty Cakes
A discussion of my life as a work at home mother, my new business Cutie Booty Cakes - Diapers Shaped Like Cakes and how I keep it all together.
view link »
• Luxor
A troublesome but sweet white Oriental Shorthair blogs about himself, his sisters, and human beans.
view link »
• Picture to People
Researches about Computer Graphics. Development of a new software for 2D drawing, authoring, composing and digital image processing.
view link »
• The Truth About Lies
Author Jim Murdoch discusses writing, his own and other authors, and muses at length about his fascination with the perversity of language. Veering from the nostalgic to the acerbic his blog will amuse anyone with a love of language and literature.
view link »
• Scraps of Mind
Scraps of Mind is a magazine style blog that provides a daily scrapbook fix for paper, digital and hybrid scrapbookers. And if you would like to give digital scrapbooking a try, click over to our sister site, Step by Step Digital Scrapbook (http://www.StepByStepDigitalScrapbook.com); a site that has been especially designed to help beginners to digital scrapbooking. Scrapbooking for the Now Age: with no mess, no fuss and best of all...no clearing up afterwards!
view link »
• Sharon Hart
art politics philosophy musings art history current events painting
view link »
• Khaizee Blog - Everything Is Fine
Khaizee Blog (Everything Is Fine) is dedicated to your success as a blogger. Sharing, advertising and discussing with others about the online business opportunities.
view link »
• iWalk,U2?
iWalk & Her Friends' Travel Blog & Smart Travel Guide
view link »
• HereandNow ~*4Angel*~
Poetry and thoughts on my journey toward healing. I am a childhood sexual abuse survivor, and currently in recovery from an eating disorder.
view link »
• Cape Town news
Cape Town news written by investigative blogger Richard Catto.
view link »
• Sensory Over Load
Book Reviews, Social Commentary, and Current Events
view link »
• Yanjiaren's blog
All about my life and other things including money, love, family, environment, culture, arts and business.
view link »
• The Junk Drawer
Fresh and delicious stories about anything that amuses me, confuses me, or makes me blow a gasket. Take a look around the drawer. Just leave everything where you found it.
view link »
• Juliadamus - Oracle of a better world
Join me on my daily rollercoaster ride through life and all it's madnesses!
view link »

Read full post >>

When clutching my head,
and dragging my knuckles
across the ceramic floor
wasn't enough to escape
your abuse,
I threw myself on concrete
and prayed I would drown
in blood.
Quiet and unnoticed
But even that didn't work.
My body was a painting
of your destructive results,
and my shame and pain
added the final touch.
Because then I was too weak
to spill myself to the ones I love
Because then nothing else mattered
but you
but me
but us.
Now I no longer have the strength
to carry on your burden.
No longer will I risk
everything I have lost
all over again.
I grow sick
looking at these wounds
we have both given me.
And I cry every night
because four years with you
got me a contract with the devil.
I'll rip our hearts apart
and from the scattered pieces
I'll quickly pick up my remains


© luvikavi
I'm a 23 year old college student who has changed majors more times than she has changed her clothes. Writing is my therapy, and I am currently trying to get into the habit of writing at least once everyday. So think of it as my own personal diary. I'll write about anything I find interesting...anything that amuses me. Feel free to leave a comment, I love getting them!
Musings of a Struggling Writer

Read full post >>

Tu Fu (c. 750)



Though a country be sundered, hills and rivers endure;

And spring comes green again to trees and grasses

Where petals have been shed like tears

And lonely birds have sung their grief.

...After the war-fires of three months,

One message from home is worth a ton of gold.

...I stroke my white hair. It has grown too thin

To hold the hairpins any more.


trans. Witter Bynner

Drawing: Kim Barker - 1981

Read full post >>

This is one of a series of videos highlighting the unique experiences and remarkable individuals at Rhode Island School of Design.

You can watch all the videos at www.risd.edu. This video was created by RISD's Communications + Design Department in collaboration with animal-studio.com

Mairéad Byrne @ Heaven

Read full post >>

Poverty

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo

Read full post >>

You Are Archery

You are a bit of a traditionalist. You like old fashioned things with deep traditions. You also like to see the result of your accomplishments right in front of you. If practice makes perfect, that's fine by you. You like to practice a skill.

Read full post >>

"L'important n'est pas de gagner, mais de participer."

The important thing is not to win, but to take part.




The first stanza of Baron Pierre de Coubertin's "Ode to Sport":

O Sport, pleasure of the Gods,essence of life.
You appeared sud-denly in the midst of the grey clearing
which writhes with the drudgery of modern existence,
like the radiant messenger of a past age,
when mankind still smiled.



Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin was born on 1 January 1863 at 20, rue Oudinot in Paris. Very early in life he showed a liking for literature, history and the problems of education and sociology. Giving up the army, abandoning too the political career that was open to him at the age of twenty-four, Pierre de Coubertin decided to launch a vast movement of educational reform, and at twenty-five his life work was started.

It is also to him that we owe all the organisation of the Olympic Games, which have benefited from his methodical and precise mind, and from his wide understanding of the aspirations and needs of young people. The Olympic Charter and Protocol, as well as the athletes' oath are his work, together with the ceremonial for the opening and closing of the Games. Furthermore, until 1925 he personally presided over the International Olympic Committee.

[Read More]

Read full post >>

Books and Authors



Helen Garner Spills Her Guts -,
07 August 2008 15:00

Author Helen Garner is well-known for looking to her own life for inspiration for her writing. In this conversation with Caroline Baum at the Sydney Writers' Festival, she discusses her latest book, "The Spare Room", and delivers on her promise to "spill her guts".
From caring for loved ones as they die, to claims made by shonky practitioners of some alternative remedies, to dealing with anger, to why she could never manage to be a good hippy, Garner's conversation is candid and personal. And if all of this isn't enough, she reads from her personal diary for the first time ever in public. For fans and non-fans, this is a fascinating and funny talk.

Absolutely fascinating interview!!

Watch the clip here

Read full post >>

It's a Twister



"Henry! Henry! I can't find Dorothy! She's somewhere out in the storm!" cries Vogue's Auntie Em, actress Alba Clemente, to Uncle Henry (her husband, the painter Francesco Clemente). Vera Wang snow-white embroidered dress.

Photo: Annie Leibovitz

View the sideshow here

Read full post >>

Phase 1 / Stage 1
Keywords & Density
1 keyword + 1 instance in post.

Full instructions here

< --- Start Copy & Paste the URL's & anchors Here --->

I consider myself an expert in Poetry
1. link 2. Guy 3. stories 4. money 5. memories 6. recipes 7. Sports 8. Condos 9. Oceanfront 10. Graphics 11. Sexy 12. mobile 13. cats 14. traffic 15. coffee 16. Homeschooling 17. marketing 18. advertising 19. friendships 20. Experiences 21. Poetry 22. Portraits 23. solving 24. news 25. Journal 26. Motivation 27. Parenting 28. Wordpress 29. Paganism 30. Crafts 31. Myself 32. Permits 33. Writing 34. poetry 35. Reviews 36. shopping 37. Blogging 38. sabra 39. Jesus 40. widgets 41. Travel 42. Banned 43. Bouchelle 44. Cyber 45. Tennis 46. Blog 47. Brats 48. Knitting 49. Crochet 50. Religion 51. Art 52. Weird 53. Airfare 54. comics 55. Dream 56. music 57. Romantic 58. Franchise 59. Entertainment 60. Reviews 61. YOU'RE NEXT!

< --- End Copy & Paste the URL's & anchors Here --->

Read full post >>

Blogging for Blood Cancer Event



The first annual “Blogging for Blood Cancer” event will take place from August 11-18, 2008. This first time event will bring bloggers from across the United States together to raise awareness for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
The event is being hosted by Goodies for Mom in conjunction with the Friends of Heroes (FOH) National Light The Night Team . They are asking that bloggers post on your blogs throughout the event about the importance of the LLS mission, share your personal stories of those you have come to know who have been affected by blood cancer, or share some of the stories you read at Goodies for Mom and on the FOH site during the week that have touched your hearts.
All bloggers participating will have the opportunity to be entered to win prizes donated by event sponsors by leaving a Mr. Linky link on the Goodies for Mom post for the event. The event post will go up on August 11, 2008 at 8:00am. Even if you do not have a blog, visitors to the Goodies for Mom and Friends of Heroes blogs during the week will also have opportunities to win as they learn more about the importance of LLS’s research and patient services in the fight against blood cancer.
To help promote the event, anyone who puts a button or banner on their site, or writes a post about the event with a link back to this post, then leaves a link by midnight on August 10, 2008 will be entered for a chance to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Read full post >>

Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter




Potter at fifteen years with her dog, Spot

Born 28 July 1866
Kensington, London
Died 22 December 1943 (aged 77)
Near Sawrey
Occupation Children's author, illustrator
Genres Children's literature
Notable work(s) The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Helen Beatrix Potter (28 July 1866 – 22 December 1943) was an English author and illustrator, mycologist and conservationist, best known for her children's books, which featured animal characters such as Peter Rabbit.

Born into a privileged household, Potter was educated by governesses, and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets and through holidays in Scotland and the Lake District developed a love of landscape, flora and fauna, all which she closely observed and painted. As a young woman her parents discouraged intellectual development, but her study and paintings of fungi led her to be widely respected in the field of mycology. In her thirties Potter published the highly successful children's book The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and became secretly engaged to her publisher Norman Warne causing a breach with her parents, who disapproved of his social status. Warne died before the wedding could take place.

Potter eventually published 23 children's books, and having become financially independent of her parents, was able to buy a farm in the Lake District, which she extended with other purchases over time. In her forties she married a local solicitor, William Heelis. She became a sheep breeder and farmer while continuing to write and illustrate children's books. Potter died in 1943, and left almost all of her property to The National Trust in order to preserve the beauty of the Lake District as she had known it, protecting it from developers.

Potter's books continue to sell well throughout the world, in multiple languages. Her stories have been retold in various formats, including a ballet, films and in animation.

Miss Potter, a biographical film starring Renée Zellweger, was released on 29 December 2006. It was written by Richard Maltby, Jr. and directed by Chris Noonan. The character of Norman Warne was played by Ewan McGregor, while that of William Heelis was played by Lloyd Owen. Beatrix as a young girl was played by Lucy Boynton.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read full post >>

All hail the dancing queen


Out of the stamp and the scuttle came … Mieczyslaw Pianowski (in belted coat), Victor Dandre, Anna Pavlova, Lucien Wurmser and John Tait.

Valerie Lawson
July 19, 2008

In a grey fur coat, far too hot for an April day, the ballerina Anna Pavlova arrived at Central Station in Sydney.
It was April 16, 1926. She looked down, towards a child in the crowd - out of frame in this picture. At her sides were four hatted men: a Pole, a Russian, a Frenchman and an Australian.

The Australian, looking very pleased with himself, was John Tait, the force behind the star. Along with his brothers, all at JC Williamson Ltd, he promoted Pavlova's Australian tours in 1926 and 1929.

The Herald began its report: "Out of the stamp and scuttle, voices babbling and steam blowing, policemen pushing, porters running. Pavlova.
[More]

Read full post >>

Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight.


Oscar buzz about Ledger's Joker
Garry Maddox Film Writer
July 3, 2008
FIVE months after Heath Ledger's death, his performance as the Joker in the new Batman movie has been winning rave reviews.
"If there's a movement to get him the first posthumous [acting] Oscar since Peter Finch won for 1976's Network, sign me up."
As well as Finch, posthumous Oscar nominations have gone to James Dean for East Of Eden and Giant, Spencer Tracy for Guess Who's Coming To Dinner and Massimo Troisi for Il Postino. [more]

Network (1976)
Not since the dawn of time has America experienced a man like Howard Beale! [more]

Ledger's Joker remembered Dark Knight actors Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart pay tribute to Heath Ledger's final performance.

Read full post >>

Alakazam!

The mighty Genie King and the beautiful Genie Princess from the magical Land of Faraway are back! Upon escaping the clutches of their Evil Master after being held captive for 1000 years, the magical genies have been busy flying on their Magical Flying Carpet, granting wishes and spreading love throughout the blogosphere.

And now, the genies are back with a special gift for everyone! Behold the sacred, Magic Lamp of Luck! With this magic lamp, your blog will enjoy much good luck and fortune, warding off all things evil lurking around in the blogosphere. We would like to share this magic lamp with you so please pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to those in need of some good luck. Remember, do not be greedy or unkind, evil or vengeful and good luck & fortune will always be with you! Join us on another exciting magical adventure as we spread goodwill and good luck to one and all!

* Start Copy Here*
1. Add your site(s) to the list once you have received the Magic Lamp of Luck.
2. Pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to as many people as you like. After all, everyone needs some good luck!
3. Leave a comment HERE once you’ve passed on the Magic Lamp of Luck. Once the Genie King and Genie Princess have visited your site to make sure your links are complete and proper, you will then be added to the Master List.
4. To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, please UPDATE your list regularly!
1-Mariuca 2-First Time Dad 3-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 4-Emila's Illustrated Blog 5-The Other Side of Emila 6-My Sweet Escape 7-Bay Head Blog 8-Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 9-LadyJava's Lounge 10-Petty Ramblings of a Petty Queen 11-The Real Deal 12-Pinay Mommy Online 13-Perpustakaan 14-LadyJava Life's Pages 15-Make Money Online 16-Cat Tales 17-LadyJava's Food Paradise 18-Being Woman 19-Spicybug 20-Biz-N-Honey 21-Aeirin's Collections 22-Sasha Says 23-Project Heavy Traffic 24-Picture Clusters 25-My Wanderings 26-Maiylah's Snippets 27-Moments of Colours 28-Life Quest 29-BigMoneyList 30-The Best Parts 31-Morphed 32-Buhay Pinoy 33-Galatayo 34-Blogging Tips 35-Apples Of The Eyes 36-My Own Utopia 37-Sasha's Corner 38-Under One Roof 39-Say Cheese 40-A Great Pleasure 41-A Life in Bloom 42-Because Life is a Blessing 43-Digiscraptology 44-Xixi 45-Ode to Adrienne 46-CrankyDave 47-Simple Life 48-Dew Drops 49-The Journey 50-Mastering Your PC 51-Day Break 52-A Little Girl Talk 53-Mom Knows Everything 54-Day to Day 55-1 of a Kind Wis 56-It's a woman's world! 57-Breather 58-Photo Hook 59-Letterbox 60-Asian Mutt International 61-Dream Doe Philosophy 62-MommyAlehs Up-Close And Personal 63-Livin' the Life! 64-Restnrileks 65-English Corner 66-English Grammar 67-Bodybuilding & Fitness 68-Everything you need 69-One Stop Games 70-Blockbluster Movie Trailers 71-Bodybuilding & Human Growth Hormone 72-World of Tennis 73-Men's Health & Tips 74-Internet Marketing Strategy & Tips 75-Latest Technology 76-Tentang Binaraga 77-Berita Seputar Selebriti 78-Panduan Kesehatan 79-Insurance For You 80-Crissy's Zone 81-Crissy's Library 82-Crissy's Haven 83-sHeNzEe's wOrLd 84-Voice Of The Spirit 85-Best Cuisine Recipes 86-Stand My Ground 87-SeeNRead 88-This Is A Miracle 89-I AM KCAT 90-Traipsey Turvey 91-GBeX & DOm 92-Spun By A Seanachie 93-ISL Family 94-D' Cooking Mudra 95-'Story' the Great 96-UmmiRosma 97-Munirah Abd 98-Atie 99-Hit-or-Miss 100-Twisted Sister 101-Laketrees Artist 102-Blessed Sanctuary 103-Comedy Plus 104-Blogging By Sandee 105-Living Life to the Fullest 106-Speech-Less 107-Happy Life 108-My Discoveries 109-Strangely Out Of Place 110-Rooms of My Heart 111-The Paper Vision 112-Luxurious Retreats 113-Reef 114-Weekend Snapshot 115-Blessie's Finds 116-Confessions of An Army Wife 117-My Pooch Life 118-Five Martini Lunch 119-TIPS FROM THE TRAILER 120-PoeARTica 121-STAY AT HOME MOM 122-Rantings of a Woman 123-Sjtl's Weblog 124-Turn-u-Off 125-My World in My Own Word 126-Shawie 127-A New Saga 128-Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 129-Simple Reveries 130-Berry Blog 131-Touts4u 132-My So Called Life 133-La Vida es Hermosa 134-Speedcat Hollydale Page 135-mangosteenskin 136-Choc Mint Girl 137-Of Colors And Styles 138-Pinaymama's Diary 139-My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 140-My Life...My Journey! 141-Bonoriau 142-Jenny and Belle 143-Read My Mind 144-A Sweet Taste Of Life 145-Shopping Blog 146-Precious Moments 147-Feydakin 148-Hot Shit Form Here 149-A Mother's Simple Thoughts 150-Daily Ramblings Rendezvous 151-Miss Moneypenny's Comical Posts Undercover 152-My Precious Niche 153-FunFierceFabulous 154-Colorful World of Shiela 155-Me,myself+2 156-Ozzy's Mom 157-Let's talk about MJ 158-Great people make us feel we can become great 159-A Family Man 160-Just the way it is... 161-In Depth 162-Attitude, the ULTIMATE POWER 163-Are You Grateful? 164-Complain Complain Complain 165-My Little Black Pot 166-Notes By Marvic 167-Aku Pelukis 168-Jiwasintetik 169-Foster Me Up 170-Life: Thoughts & Inspirations 171-The Callalily Space 172-Mommyhood and Me 173-Bits and Pieces 174-La Place de Cherie 175-Through The Rain 176-Blogfixes 177-New England Lighthouse Treasures 178-Chez Francine 179-Tsinay 180-Hailey's Domain 181-Hailey's Beats and Bits 182-My So-Called Life 183-PinayWAHM 184-Rusin Roundup 185-Sweet Temptation 186-Lynn's Chic Spot 187-Kai Kriye 188-LiLo n StiTcH 189-Lights and Shade 190-Easycrafts 191-Ideasmoney 192-My creations 193-Sukanya-hobbiesandcrafts 194-My Kraft 195-Adam: @geNda iNsPiRaSi 196-The Working Mom 197-My Touch Of Heaven 198-Her Name is N.O.Y. 199-Fida Abbott 200-Hesitant Wife's Blog 201-Blogging For Fun 202-Paint Your Life 203-Spicybugz World 204-Colin From Life 205-Ramblings of The Phat 206-AngelBaby from Your Caring Angels 207-Creative Saga 208-Indian Khana 209-Me and My Kitchen 210-Mom's Recipies 211-Mom's Cooking 212-Cooking Station 213-Simple Indian Food 214-Rekha's Kitchen 215-SuperNova & SweetPain 216-My Sweet Haven 217-scrapbook newbie 218-Miyyah@Kertas 219-funfliffy 220-AyangLina 221-A Room of Crazy Scrapper 222-srikars kitchen 223-Purva's Daawat 224-Recipe Center 225-Veg Inspirations 226-Little Mermaid 227-Meendum Santhipoom 228-Ranji's kitchen corner 229-En Vittu Virundhu 230-What's on the menu? 231-Dancing in Midlife Tune 232-Meme Me 233-Tasty treats 234-Mummy Diaries 235-notyet100hub 236-Jujubs Creative Corner 237-Crafts and Cooking 238-As Long As I Can Dream 239-A Walk To Remember 240-Empty Streets 241-The time has come 242-Momhood Moments 243-Life is too short to be ordinary 244-Mistress of Spices 245-From the Kitchen 246-Bhawana 247-Easy Cooking 248-Vegetarian Medley 249-Homecooked 250- The Painted Veil 251-Natural Remedies at Home 252-Vaidehi 253-Send Chocolate 254-From Cribs to Car Keys 255-Essence of Andhra 256-Tongue Ticklers 257-Mints 258-Mumblings 259-Listening, Learning, Living 260-Life and Me 261-YOU Next!

*End Copy Here*

And now the genies would like to pass on this Magic Lamp of Luck to anyone who would like to join us on this magical genie adventure with us!

Read full post >>

The Linkback Project

This is a simple procedure. You might have seen it done elsewhere on a few scarce weblogs. What is different, is that when we reach a certain point on the list, we start yet another one. Instead of one master list and its done, we will repeat the process over and over again, with new folks jumping on board. These backlinks combined with the social networking friends status will affect all areas of search engine algorithims. -=This List Will Stop At 100, then the next phase will start=-
To participate is simple:
—>Copy The Post & List below into a blog post of yours.—>Add Your Link to the list at the bottom.—>Comment On the original post at LBP so that I can update the list with your link.—>Make sure the list links and names are in place on your weblog post.—>Digg, Stumble, Tag, and Reddit all of us, spread the word, get more on board.—>Be sure to send them back to The Linkback Project for the updated list.

-BEGIN LIST-
1. The Linkback Project2. All About Crime3. Foolsville4. Guy Vestal5. SunEGrl Loves To Shop6. Great Ways to Make Money Online7. Shabam Development8. CoffeeCoffeeCoffee~the blog9. Kinky Personification10. Da Kinky Kid Speaks11. Josh Ottley Dot Com12. Cebu Entrepreneur13. Random Detoxification14. PoeARTica15. CoolAdzine for Marketers16. Best Blog in the Universe17. Ctrl + Alt + Delete : Personal random journal and reviews18. the blog lab19. Bradley Hankins20. The Radical Blog21. Get Rich Quick !? Really ??22. Musikalye - Music is a two-way street23. Planeta Turismo Activo24. Swollen Pickles25. EZ RICH PROJECT26. ULUPONGDOTCOM27. Picture to People28. Your Fun Family29. Mob Me30. Healthy Moola31. Champagne Dreams32. David Rader33. Gossip Girls34. Before I am Famous35. SUPLADO Online Reviews36. Salsa Faith37. BigMoneyList38. Emmsy’s Stuff39. That Blog 4 Me40. Hey Just Blog41. A little bit of THIS & THAT42. Poker Forums43. Blogging Tips44. Journal of Journey45. Hypn.za.net46. Download Applications, Themes for Smart Phones47. Memory This48. Make Money Online from Earth49. Dare to be Rare50. Your One Stop Information Center51. Reality of Legal World52. Nita's Random Thoughts53. Nita's Corner54. Great Finds and Deals55. Thomas Travel Tales56. Filipino Online Community57. Batuananons58. My Wandering Thoughts59. Erlinda's Wandering Thoughts60 Thomas Web Links61. Aeropama Dot Com62. Nita's Ramblings63. Junior IM Dot Com64. Internet Marketing Expose65. Hasbullah Pit66. Tangan Yang Menghayun Buaian67. Jejak Sahabat SMSP68. Blog Sempoi69. More Cowbell!70. Blog Anak Raja71. Malaysian Digest72. Encik Beliau : Interesting Tips73. Ariyako `news of software, hardware, technology, tips and tricks”74. Techno Zone75. Hidup Biar Sedap76. Inside Of Nasz77. Blog Farahaznil78. Mezain79. Simply ONE Saffawati80. Suara Dari Keyboard Daddy81. 24 Patrol82. ketuk_angel83. Koogita84. Artikel Komputer & Internet85. Sagittarius Wifey86. Aeirin's Collections87. MerapuLand88. Ima Blogger89. Morphed90. The Techsta Blog91. Mother’s Got a Dot Com92. Mutiara Hati93. The Unemployed Dad94. Entertainment Daily95. Life From A Cat's Perspective96. Comedy Plus97. Daytona Beach Real Estate98. laketrees99. EconoIndicators100. BlogKnowtes.blogspot.com101. Everything Wordpress : Blog Installation Service102. mar1masri103. Reflections by Mariz104. Link Building

-END LIST-

Read full post >>