RippleFx

Get out of my WOMB!

2011-02-24T23:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted - mostly due to health reasons but the past couple of months a number of issues have cropped up that have pushed me out of my cocoon of self absorbed introspection.

While I was attempting to heal my body someone declared war on my sex....
Things like this (see URLS below) have been popping up all over the net and I find it disgusting and frightening.

http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2011/02/miscarriage-death-penalty-georgia

http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2011/Bill.aspx?File=HB1217HJU.htm

http://pol.moveon.org/waronwomen/?rc=fb

I think it's time for women to stop being nice and start being heard.
We make up more than half of the world's population but control only a tiny fraction of it's wealth. We work, we pay taxes.....why are we considered to be less than our brothers?

I think it's time for a bit of peaceful revolution.
Men haven't been doing a good job running things maybe it's time we took over.

Or at the very least maybe it's time we stood up and took back the rights that are being pulled away from us.
Brave women stood together and fought for us to be heard as valid voices ....I think it's time to remind the boys that we're here and that we are their equals.

Design Vs Poverty well worth the google

2010-05-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

A picture is worth 1000 words

2010-05-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

I may have a new favorite musical...

2010-02-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

Spring Awakening

http://www.springawakening.com/

Like Rent it's pretty groundbreaking...like Avenue Q it's a bit explicit .... It's got substance...it's got great music and it deals with some very intense issues.

It can be sweetly poignant

It can be ....rock hard (yes...that was intentional)

If you've never heard the music give it a listen ...if it comes to your town...by all means buy a ticket! You'll enjoy it it will make you think.

Happy Chinese New Year...and Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

The Chinese celebrate the New Year right..its a multi day celebration. 2010 is the Year of the Metal Tiger
See all the nifty info below about Chinese New Year and The Year of the Metal Tiger.

2010: Chinese Year of the Metal Tiger
A Year of the Time to Dispel the Old False Ways

Click to jump straight to how the Year of the Tiger affects you in 2010!

Welcome to the Chinese year of the Tiger. Each February marks the beginning the traditional Chinese calendar year. Because of the size of their population this calendar is probably the most followed in the world. The New Year in 2010 formally commences on Sunday, 14th February and begins the new Zodiac animal cycle, the Year of the Tiger. Chinese tradition employs both Solar and Lunar calendars. Using the Solar calendar, it's 5th February, but the New Moon day of 14th February marks the official Lunar New Year celebration day, when the dragons and fireworks come out into the streets of Chinatown.

2009 was the Year of the Earth Ox, and what a challenging year it was. Now in the cycle of the twelve comes the passionate king of the animals, the fierce Tiger. He is undisputed king and loves his role as a leader. The Tiger is loyal, generous and courageous. The Tiger is of the eastern direction and, in Chinese astrology, he represents protection. He is the one who looks after small children, protecting them from evil spirits. The Tiger is instinctively loyal and very honourable; he bristles with indignation when faced with treachery or falseness. Being born in the year of the Tiger signifies luck and protection and it's said that you cannot die through the bad deeds of your enemies.

The Tiger year is going to be the time to attack the most difficult issues you face. You have one of your best chances of achieving a breakthrough. If you still run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider postponing your attempt to a later time, as the same force that propels you forward is also helping those who oppose your efforts.

Calculate Your Chinese Zodiac Animal

Enter your birth year. For example: "1975"

Please bear in mind that the Chinese year begins in February

Tiger Qualities and Mythology

The Chinese story of the Tiger is a useful tool for finding insights into this year ahead. When the Buddha called the 12 animals together to rule the years, the Tiger was the second one to come forward. He came forward with the grace and full force of his primal energy. The quality of the Tiger year is like this. The Tiger will draw energies to it—and is alert to people's moods, changes and emotions.

Tiger people always give the impression they are fully present and ready to move. They are like a coiled spring, but lying gracefully at ease. Their principal qualities are loyalty and enthusiasm. They can also be impulsive, tough, excessive and selfish. Their approach to their work is usually brilliant, and to be at their best they need to be in charge. Their finest role is as a saviour for their country, or as a monarch or president. Tigers must be in charge. With money they can be spendthrifts, but are always ready to take risks, because they feel lucky with money. The Tiger is also predisposed to danger and so has a tendency to want to take risks, both moral and physical.

The life of a Tiger person is often adventurous, sometimes dangerous, and probably never really calm. Tigers are active and prowl through their lives. They are open-minded, tolerant and generous. They can be hard on themselves and too demanding on their friends, which be tough, as they always seem so admirable. To control their passions is the most important thing for a Tiger. If they can do this, they are capable of giving wise and sensible advice.

A Tiger finds pleasure in the unpredictable, and while others prefer not to make a backward step, the Tiger is not afraid to explore the unusual. What Tigers really need is first-hand experience. They are usually open and frank, but, if they withdraw, can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger person has regained a sense of security, the confidence also returns, enabling them to set out again. They trust their instincts, though there is also another side to their personality, which assesses situations thoughtfully before launching into any action.

Tigers need space to express themselves and a Tiger locked up will mean all their best qualities are reduced down to little. They can then become aggressive, quarrelsome and suffer tension—becoming stubborn, they then blame the rest of the world for their problems.

When A Tiger's In Love

Impetuous and passionate, they are likely to test out their powers of seduction from a very early age. Since they don't enjoy the authoritarian roles in the family, they are eager to escape as they grow up. This can mean they seek out marriage at an early age, as a way to escape the family routines and look for new adventure. Tigers can become easily bored; if their love is not returned passionately, they tend to seek another passion elsewhere. Tigers are capable of great love, but they may also become too intense about it. Sometimes they become territorial and possessive. If your friend or partner is a Tiger and wants you to take their side, you'd best do it! As lovers, Tiger people are romantic, but the real challenge for them is to grasp the true meaning of moderation.

Tigers are often attracted by people with an independent character, but it's important to remember that, even if you are stimulated by a Tiger's company and admire their energy, you can still manage without them. The Tiger person needs a partner who remains steady and constant and quietly pursues their own plans. In the family, naturally the Tiger will consider it normal to be in charge. Male Tigers prefer a partner who can manage the household calmly and well. Female Tigers will either pursue a career for personal success and independence, or play the role of exemplary spouse and perfect housekeeper. As parents, Tigers will teach their children prudence, reflection and reason—but, seriously, they don't believe it and don't do it themselves. A disciplined Tiger, however, can be a great influence on the children and lead them on an exciting life.

The Tiger Career

What type of occupations suit the Tiger?

They'd be good at the following:

entrepreneur
military officer
politician
musician
writer
poet
designer
theatre director

stockbroker
athlete
film star
trade union leader
company director
stunt person
explorer
or teacher.

Celebrity Tigers

Famous people born in the Year of the Tiger:

Musicians and composers: Beethoven, Paganini
Politicians and leaders: Charles De Gaulle, Pres. Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, Ho Chi Minh, Louis XIV, Mary Stuart, Sun Yat-sen, Molotov
Writers: Emily Bronte, Dylan Thomas, Karl Marx, Harold Steinbeck, H.G.Wells, Oscar Wilde, Agatha Christie, Emily Dickinson, Frederick Forsyth, Beatrix Potter
Actors and singers: Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Jodie Foster, Sir Alec Guiness, William Hurt, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Diana Rigg, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny Rogers, Roberta Flack, Natalie Wood, Tom Berenger; Dancers: Isadora Duncan
Entrepreneurs and personalities: Sir David Attenborough, Hugh Hefner (Playboy magazine), Richard Branson (Virgin Airlines), Paul Watson (Capt. of the Ady Gil, the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling boat).

What is this Tiger Year all about?

The year is always made up of two parts: the Chinese Animal sign and the year element. The Year of the Tiger is made up of two elements, with Yang Metal element sitting on top of Yang Wood (Yang is more active and outgoing). Each year has an Animal sign, which is ruled by one of the Five Elements—Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. According to the Chinese cycle of birth and destruction governing that relationship between the five elements, Metal is the destroyer of Wood, and so they act out a destructive pattern and will be in conflict together—a bit like the chainsaw (metal) cuts down the soft tree (wood). This means the year 2010 won't be a peaceful one, with more international conflicts likely in the next 12 months. The Yang Metal element on top is cutting Metal, which is symbolised by a sword or knife. This element is associated with masculine power. And the Tiger sign underneath is actually matching it with fierce strength, the passionate tiger. The conflict will also mean the environment is a huge issue, with destruction of forests a big focus, as well as new movements to save the planet.

Tiger belongs to the Wood element, representing early spring when trees and plants are growing and sprouting. The Tiger contains the inner Fire; in February, it's considered the birth month of the Fire element. So, inside the Tiger is a powerful hidden Fire energy. History shows the Tiger year to be associated with atomic/ nuclear energy. The last Metal Tiger year of 1950 saw a race between the USA and USSR to develop more atomic bombs. It was also a year of accidents related to nuclear weapons. In February 1950, a Tiger month in a Tiger year, Albert Einstein warned that nuclear war could lead to our mutual destruction. And in February the US Air force lost a bomber with an atomic bomb off the Canadian coast. In November 1950, another US Air Force bomber jettisoned a nuclear weapon over Quebec. And in March, the USSR proclaimed her first atomic bomb. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in the Tiger year of 1986. A Metal Tiger year shows a strong focus on nuclear safety and may even trigger nuclear accidents. The danger of nuclear weapons in North Korea, Iran, Israel and other countries, such as Pakistan and India, will be a major issue in 2010. Natural disasters with fire, such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions, are also very possible this year.

Other events from 1950:

The Chinese Communist forces invaded and occupied Tibet.
Senator Joseph McCarthy told the US President publicly that the State Dept. was riddled with communist sympathisers—and the McCarthy era began.
President Truman instructed the US Atomic Energy Commission to develop a hydrogen bomb.
North Korea invaded South Korea and UN forces landed in South Korea to recapture Seoul, then China

invaded Korea to push out UN Forces.
Albert Einstein developed his General Field Theory in an attempt to expand the Theory of Relativity.
And the number of TV sets in the USA went from 1.5 million to 15 million in that year.

All these show clear lessons from the past on the power of Yang Metal. Previous Tiger years were 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998.

Both Tiger and Monkey are called Travelling Stars in Chinese astrology, so their clash can bring serious traffic accidents, especially with cars. People born in a Monkey year have to be very careful in 2010. As Metal and Wood clash, the danger could be with buses, vans, cars, and machinery. People with this element-clash need to take extra care when driving and travelling.

The combination of Metal and Wood (Tiger), however, is not always a completely negative one. Together they represent the kind of forces necessary to succeed with very difficult tasks. The impossible just might be possible during this challenging year. Things that have needed to be done will be done, or at least we'll see significant progress being made. On the other hand, some that probably should never ever be attempted will also go to completion. This is because the Metal Tiger is also associated with the lemming mentality: once a group of lemmings begins moving across the fields, they charge on and unthinkingly run straight over a cliff to their deaths.

This is, then, a time to attack the most difficult issues you face, as it gives you one of your best chances of achieving your breakthroughs. On the other hand, if you run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider putting it off to a later time. The same Tiger force that propels you forward is also aiding those opposing your efforts. Brave planners could prosper, but lemmings might just lose it all.

The basic five Chinese elements represent different parts of the body. Metal relates to the skin, nose, body hair, mucus and the lungs. Health problems in a Metal year can be breathing problems through influenza. Yang Metal is associated with the large intestine, so there are increased possibilities of colon cancer, food poisoning or diarrhoea. The Wood of Tiger involves both elements of Wood and Fire. Wood rules the liver and gall bladder and the Tiger, Monkey and Snake, generating Fire, can cause burning, heart and blood diseases, or inflammations. Any disorder in your Fire elements can bring heart or blood problems and in turn inflammation and possibly cancer. These health issues come into focus in 2010. It's important to look at your antioxidant intakes this year. In 2010, Metal sitting over Wood indicates a weakness, so the year is not favourable for people with weak or challenged immune systems. Metal rules lungs, breathing and skin, so problems with poor air quality, allergies
and influenza will be serious in 2010.

Metal also rules the archetype of the alchemist and of rituals, so this is a year to transmute through the use of a ritualistic, ceremonial approach to your life. You could just transmute all the illnesses possible in 2010, or you could join a group that uses natural, religious or earth-based ritual to transform your environment and life. It's the year to attend Mother Earth rituals!

Economic Trends

The Metal element of 2010 brings prosperity to Fire industries and productivity to Earth industries. The Fire industries include finance, entertainment and energy. A Metal year will bring activities to the Earth industries, which include property, hotel, mining, and insurance. Metal industries are banking, machinery, high tech, and cars, so they'll do okay. The industry which is not that favoured is Wood. This includes seedlings, forestry, furniture, avant-garde fashion, textile, paper, media, newspaper and magazines. Since this year's governing force is Earth, real estate becomes the key factor for economic recovery. There will also be breakthroughs in the energy sector. The key areas will be wind, solar, earth and micro-electronics. Energy is an important business this year. Wind turbines will become more and more popular. We might see them, not just on mountains, but also on coasts. Solar energy would become very useful in places with more sunlight, such as deserts. New houses will be built to store or extract heat from the ground. Lighting will advance with powerful energy savers, like the new generation LED's. More breakthroughs in stem-cell research are on the way, shedding light on curing chronic and terminal illnesses. More problems may surface concerning pharmaceutical drugs. Food businesses will do well too, but beware of new food poisoning problems.

Taboos and Superstitions of Chinese New Year

House Cleaning
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes, dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.

Bringing In the New Year and Expelling the Old Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.

New Year Activities Set Precendent
All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or give a light to others.
Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.

Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.

More New Year Superstitions

For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.

The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.

It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.

Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.

While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced. These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.

First day

The first day is for the welcoming of the deities of the heavens and earth, officially beginning at midnight. Many people, especially Buddhists, abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure longevity for them. Some consider lighting fires and using knives to be bad luck on New Year's Day, so all food to be consumed is cooked the day before. For Buddhists, the first day is also the birthday of Maitreya Bodhisattva (better known as the more familiar Budai Luohan), the Buddha-to-be. People also abstain from killing animals.

Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time when families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended family, usually their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents.

Some families may invite a lion dance troupe as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as well as to evict bad spirits from the premises. Members of the family who are married also give red packets containing cash to junior members of the family, mostly children and teenagers. Business managers also give bonuses through red packets to employees for good luck and wealth.

While fireworks and firecrackers are traditionally very popular, some regions have banned them due to concerns over fire hazards, which have resulted in increased number of fires around New Years and challenged municipal fire departments' work capacity. For this reason, various city governments (e.g., Hong Kong, and Beijing, for a number of years) issued bans over fireworks and firecrackers in certain premises of the city. As a substitute, large-scale fireworks have been launched by governments in cities like Hong Kong to offer citizens the experience.

Second day

Incense is burned at the graves of ancestors as part of the offering and prayer ritual.

The second day of the Chinese New Year is for married daughters to visit their birth parents. Traditionally, daughters who have been married may not have the opportunity to visit their birth families frequently.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

Business people of the Cantonese dialect group will hold a 'Hoi Nin' prayer to start their business on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. The prayer is done to pray that they will be blessed with good luck and prosperity in their business for the year.

Third and fourth days

The third and fourth day of the Chinese New Year are generally accepted as inappropriate days to visit relatives and friends due to the following schools of thought. People may subscribe to one or both thoughts.

1) It is known as "chì kǒu" (赤口), meaning that it is easy to get into arguments. It is suggested that the cause could be the fried food, exhaustion from preparation and visitations during the first two days of the New Year celebration.^{[citation needed]}

2) Families who had an immediate kin deceased in the past 3 years will not go house-visiting as a form of respect to the dead, but people may visit them on this day. Some people then conclude that it is inauspicious to do any house visiting at all. The third day of the New Year is allocated to grave-visiting instead.

Fifth day

In northern China, people eat jiǎo zi (simplified Chinese: 饺子; traditional Chinese: 餃子), or dumplings on the morning of Po Wu (破五). This is also the birthday of the Chinese god of wealth. In Taiwan, businesses traditionally re-open on this day, accompanied by firecrackers.

It is also common on the mainland, that on the 5th day locals will shoot off firecrackers, in the attempt to get Guan Yu's attention, thus ensuring his favor and good fortune for the new year.^{[citation needed]}

Seventh day

The seventh day, traditionally known as renri 人日, the common man's birthday, the day when everyone grows one year older. It is the day when tossed raw fish salad, yusheng, is eaten. This is a custom primarily among the overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Singapore. People get together to toss the colourful salad and make wishes for continued wealth and prosperity.

For many Chinese Buddhists, this is another day to avoid meat, the seventh day commemorating the birth of Sakra Devanam Indra.

Eighth day

Another family dinner to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Jade Emperor. However, everybody should be back to work by the 8th day. All of government agencies and business will stop celebrating by the eighth day.

Ninth day

The ninth day of the New Year is a day for Chinese to offer prayers to the Jade Emperor of Heaven (天宮) in the Taoist Pantheon. The ninth day is traditionally the birthday of the Jade Emperor. This day is especially important to Hokkiens. Come midnight of the eighth day of the new year, Hokkiens will offer thanks giving prayers to the Emperor of Heaven. Offerings will include sugarcane as it was the sugarcane that had protected the Hokkiens from certain extermination generations ago. Incense, tea, fruit, vegetarian food or roast pig, and paper gold is served as a customary protocol for paying respect to an honored person.

Tenth day

The other day when the Jade Emperor's birthday is celebrated.

Thirteenth day

On the 13th day people will eat pure vegetarian food to clean out their stomach due to consuming too much food over the last two weeks.

This day is dedicated to the General Guan Yu, also known as the Chinese God of War. Guan Yu was born in the Han dynasty and is considered the greatest general in Chinese history. He represents loyalty, strength, truth, and justice. According to history, he was tricked by the enemy and was beheaded.

Almost every organization and business in China will pray to Guan Yu on this day. Before his life ended, Guan Yu had won over one hundred battles and that is a goal that all businesses in China want to accomplish. In a way, people look at him as the God of Wealth or the God of Success.

Fifteenth day

The fifteenth day of the new year is celebrated as yuán xiāo jié (元宵节), otherwise known as Chap Goh Mei in Fujian dialect. Rice dumplings tangyuan (simplified Chinese: 汤圆; traditional Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), a sweet glutinous rice ball brewed in a soup, is eaten this day. Candles are lit outside houses as a way to guide wayward spirits home. This day is celebrated as the Lantern Festival, and families walk the street carrying lighted lanterns.

This day often marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities.

Cuisine

Niangao, Chinese New Year cake

A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far away, get together for the celebration. The venue will usually be in or near the home of the most senior member of the family. The New Year's Eve dinner is very sumptuous and traditionally includes chicken and fish. In some areas, fish (simplified Chinese: 鱼; traditional Chinese: 魚; pinyin: yú) is included, but not eaten completely (and the remainder is stored overnight), as the Chinese phrase "may there be surpluses every year" (simplified Chinese: 年年有余; traditional Chinese: 年年有餘; pinyin: nián nián yǒu yú) sounds the same as "may there be fish every year."

In mainland China, many families will banter whilst watching the CCTV New Year's Gala in the hours before midnight.

Red packets for the immediate family are sometimes distributed during the reunion dinner. These packets often contain money in certain numbers that reflect good luck and honorability. Several foods are consumed to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Several of the Chinese food names are homophones for words that also mean good things.

Food items
Name	Description
Buddha's delight (simplified Chinese: 罗汉斋; traditional Chinese: 羅漢齋; pinyin: luó hàn zhāi)	An elaborate vegetarian dish served by Chinese families on the eve and the first day of the New Year. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in Cantonese, is also featured in the dish for its name, which sounds like "prosperity". Hakkas usually serve kiu nyuk (Chinese: 扣肉; pinyin: kòu ròu) and ngiong teu fu.
Fish	Is usually eaten or merely displayed on the eve of Chinese New Year. The pronunciation of fish (魚yú) makes it a homophone for "surpluses"(餘yú).
Jau gok (Chinese: 油角; pinyin: yóu jiăo)	The main Chinese new year dumpling. It is believed to resemble ancient Chinese gold ingots (simplified Chinese: 金元宝; traditional Chinese: 金元寶; pinyin: jīn yuán bǎo)
jiao zi dumplings	Eaten traditionally in northern China because the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
Mandarin oranges	Mandarin oranges are the most popular and most abundant fruit during Chinese New Year – jin ju (Chinese: 金橘子; pinyin: jīn júzi) translation: golden tangerine/orange or kam (Chinese: 柑; pinyin: gān) in Cantonese. Also, the name gik (橘 jú) in Teochew dialect is a homophone of "luck" or "fortune" (吉 jí).^[4]
Melon seed/Kwatji (Chinese: 瓜子; pinyin: guāzi)	Other variations include sunflower, pumpkin and other seeds.
Nian gao (Chinese: 年糕)	Most popular in eastern China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai) because its pronunciation is a homophone for "a more prosperous year (年高 lit. year high)". Nian gao is also popular in the Philippines because of its large Chinese population and is known as tikoy there. Known as Chinese New Year pudding, nian gao is made up of glutinous rice flour, wheat starch, salt, water, and sugar. The colour of the sugar used determines the colour of the pudding (white or brown).
Noodles	Families may serve uncut noodles, which represent longevity and long life, though this practice is not limited to the new year.
Sweets	Sweets and similar dried fruit goods are stored in a red or black Chinese candy box.
Bakkwa (Chinese: 肉干; pinyin: ròu gān)	Chinese salty-sweet dried meat, akin to jerky, which is trimmed of the fat, sliced, marinated and then smoked for later consumption or as a gift.
Taro cakes	Made from the vegetable taro, the cakes are cut into squares and often fried.
Turnip cakes	A dish made of shredded radish and rice flour, usually fried and cut into small squares.
Yusheng or Yee sang (simplified Chinese: 鱼生; traditional Chinese: 魚生; pinyin: yú shēng)	Raw fish salad. Eating this salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the period.

Practices

Red envelopes

Red packets for sale in a market in Taipei, Taiwan, before the Year of the Rat

Shoppers at a New Year market in Chinatown, Singapore

Traditionally, Red envelopes or red packets (Cantonese: lai sze or lai see) (利是, 利市 or 利事); (Mandarin: 'hóng bāo' (红包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is also common for adults or young couples to give red packets to children. Red packets are also known as 壓歲錢/压岁钱 (Ya Sui Qian, which was evolved from 壓祟錢/压祟钱, literally, the money used to suppress or put down the evil spirit ) during this period.^[5]

Red packets almost always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. Per custom, the amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers, as odd numbers are associated with cash given during funerals (帛金 : Bai Jin). The number 8 is considered lucky (for its homophone for "wealth"), and $8 is commonly found in the red envelopes in the US. The number six is also very lucky due to the reason, in Chinese six[六,liu] can mean smooth, as in having a smooth year. Sometimes chocolate coins are found in the red packets.

Odd and even numbers are determined by the first digit, rather than the last. Thirty and fifty, for example, are odd numbers, and are thus appropriate as funeral cash gifts. However, it is common and quite acceptable to have cash gifts in a red packet using a single bank note – with ten or fifty yuan bills used frequently.

The act of requesting for red packets is normally called (Mandarin): 讨紅包, 要利是. (Cantonese):逗利是. A married person would not turn down such request as it would mean that he or she would be "out of luck" in the new year. While this practice is common in South China, in the North people give cash without any cover to their sons and daughters, nephews and nieces, and children of their relatives and friends.^{[citation needed]} Unlike the South, it is common for people give Ұ50, Ұ100 or even more, odd or even numbers are not taken into consideration anymore.^{[citation needed]}

Gift exchange

In addition to red envelopes, which are usually given from elder to younger, small gifts (usually of food or sweets) are also exchanged between friends or relatives (of different households) during Chinese New Year. Gifts are usually brought when visiting friends or relatives at their homes. Common gifts include fruits (typically oranges, and never pears), cakes, biscuits, chocolates, candies, or some other small gift.^[6]

Markets

Markets or village fairs are set up as the New Year is approaching. These usually open-air markets feature new year related products such as flowers, toys, clothing, and even fireworks. It is convenient for people to buy gifts for their new year visits as well as their home decoration. In some places, the practice of shopping for the perfect plum tree is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree.

Fireworks

Local man setting off fireworks during Chinese New Year in Shanghai.

Bamboo stems filled with gunpowder that were burnt to create small explosions were once used in ancient China to drive away evil spirits. In modern times, this method has eventually evolved into the use of firecrackers during the festive season. Firecrackers are usually strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowder in its core. Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and, as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for their deafening explosions that are thought to scare away evil spirits. See also Myths above. The burning of firecrackers also signifies a joyful time of year and has become an integral aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations.^[7]

Firecracker ban

The use of firecrackers, although a traditional part of celebration, has over the years led to many unfortunate outcomes. There have been reported incidents every year of users of fireworks being blinded, losing body parts, or suffering other grievous injuries, especially during the Chinese New Year season. Hence, many governments and authorities eventually enacted laws completely banning the use of firecrackers privately, primarily because of safety issues.

Taiwan – Beginning 2008, firecrackers are banned in urban areas, but still allowed in rural areas.
Mainland China – As of 2008, most urban areas in mainland China permit firecrackers. In the first three days of the traditional New Year, it is a tradition that people compete with each other by playing with firecrackers. However, many urban areas banned them in the 1990s. For example, they were banned in Beijing's urban districts from 1993 to 2005.^[8] In 2004, 37 people were killed in a stampede when four million^[9] people gathered for a rumoured Lantern Festival firework display in nearby Miyun.^[10] Since the ban was lifted, the firecracker barrage has been tremendous. An unusual^{[clarification needed]} feature is that many residents in major cities look down on street-level fireworks from their tower blocks. Bans are rare in rural areas.
Philippines – Fireworks and firecrackers are widely available throughout the Philippines but they are banned in Davao City.
Hong Kong – Fireworks are banned for security reasons – some speculate a connection between firework use and the 1967 Leftist Riot. However, the government would put on a fireworks display in Victoria Harbour on the second day of the Chinese New Year for the public. Similar displays are also held in many other cities in and outside China.
Singapore – a partial ban on firecrackers was imposed in March 1970 after a fire killed six people and injured 68.^[11] This was extended to a total ban in August 1972, after an explosion that killed two people^[12] and an attack on two police officers attempting to stop a group from letting off firecrackers in February 1972.^[13] However, in 2003, the government allowed firecrackers to be set off during the festive season. At the Chinese New Year light-up in Chinatown, at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year, firecrackers are set off under controlled conditions by the Singapore Tourism Board. Other occasions where firecrackers are allowed to be set off are determined by the tourism board or other government organizations. However, they are not allowed to be commercially sold.
Malaysia – firecrackers are banned for the similar reasons as in Singapore. However, many Malaysians manage to smuggle them from Thailand to meet their private needs.
Indonesia – Firecrackers and fireworks are forbidden in public during the Chinese New Year, especially in areas with significant non-Chinese population in order to avoid any conflict between the two. However, there were some exceptions. The usage of firecrackers is legal in some metropolitan areas such as Jakarta and Medan, where the degree of racial and cultural tolerance is higher.
United States – In 2007, New York City lifted its decade-old ban on firecrackers, allowing a display of 300,000 firecrackers to be set off in Chinatown's Chatham Square.^[14] Under the supervision of the fire and police departments, Los Angeles regularly lights firecrackers every New Year's Eve, mostly at temples and the shrines of benevolent associations. The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, the largest outside China, is accompanied by numerous firecrackers, both officially sanctioned and illicit.
Australia – Australia, with the exception of its capital territory (ACT) and the Northern Territory, does not permit the use of fireworks at all, except when used by a licensed pyrotechnician. These rules also require a permit to be sought from local government, as well as any relevant local bodies such as maritime or aviation authorities (as relevant to the types of fireworks being used) and hospitals, schools, et cetera, within a certain range.

Clothing

Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown, Boston

Clothing mainly featuring the colour red is commonly worn throughout the Chinese New Year because it is believed that red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. In addition, people typically wear new clothes from head to toe to symbolize a new beginning in the new year. Wearing new clothes also symbolizes having more than enough things to use and wear in the new year.

Shou Sui

守岁(守歲) (Shou Sui) occurs when members of the family gather around throughout the night after the reunion dinner and reminisce about the year that has passed while welcoming the year that has arrived. Some believe that children who Shou Sui will increase the longevity of the parents.

一夜连双岁，五更分二年 means that the night of New Year's Eve (which is also the morning of the first day of the New Year) is a night that links two years. 五更 (Wu Geng – the double hour from 0300 to 0500) is the time that separates the two years.

Symbolism

During these 15 days of the Chinese New Year one will see superstitious or traditional cultural beliefs with meanings which can be puzzling in the eyes of those who do not celebrate this occasion. There is a customary reason that explains why everything, not just limited to decorations, are centered on the colour red. At times, gold is the accompanying colour for reasons that are already obvious. One best and common example is the red diamond-shaped posters with the character 福 (pinyin: fú, Cantonese and Hakka: Fook), or "auspiciousness" which are displayed around the house and on doors. This sign is usually seen hanging upside down, since the Chinese word 倒 (pinyin: dào), or "upside down", sounds the same as 到 (pinyin: dào), or "arrive". Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck, happiness, and prosperity.

Red is the predominant colour used in New Year celebrations. Red is the emblem of joy, and this colour also symbolizes virtue, truth and sincerity. On the Chinese opera stage, a painted red face usually denotes a sacred or loyal personage and sometimes a great emperor. Candies, cakes, decorations and many things associated with the New Year and its ceremonies are coloured red. The sound of the Chinese word for “red” ( 紅) is “hong” in Mandarin (Hakka: Fung; Cantonese: Hoong) which also means “prosperous.” Therefore, red is an auspicious colour and has an auspicious sound.

Flowers

The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at new year markets.

Floral Decor	Meaning
Plum Blossom	symbolizes luck
Kumquat	symbolizes prosperity
Narcissus	symbolizes prosperity
Chrysanthemum	symbolizes longevity
Bamboo	a plant used for any time of year
Sunflower	means to have a good year
Eggplant	a plant to heal all of your sickness
Chom Mon Plant	a plant which gives you tranquility

Icons and ornamentals

Icons	Meaning	Illustrations
Fish	The Koi fish is usually seen in paintings. Decorated food depicting the fish can also be found. It symbolizes surplus or success.
Lanterns	These lanterns differ from those of Mid Autumn Festival in general. They will be red in colour and tend to be oval in shape. These are the traditional Chinese paper lanterns. Those lanterns, used on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year for the Lantern Festival, are bright, colourful, and in many different sizes and shapes.
Decorations	Decorations generally convey a New Year greeting. They are not advertisements. Chinese calligraphy posters show Chinese idioms. Other decorations include a New year picture, Chinese knots, and papercutting and couplets.
Dragon dance and Lion dance	Dragon and lion dances are common during Chinese New Year. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion dancing aggressively can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion dances are also popular for opening of businesses in Hong Kong.
Fortune gods	Cai Shen Ye, Che Kung,etc.

This above information was gathered from around the web - thank you wickipedia and google.

Spartacus Blood and Sand

2010-02-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've always loved the legend of Spartacus. Like most folks I first encountered it in the form of the Kurt Douglas classic. It was an epic - no it wasn't particularly accurate historically or visually ...it was way too clean and very very Hollywood but I loved every second of it. The ending still chokes me up. I noticed that Stars was doing a whole series on Spartacus and I was just thrilled!! Ohhh it looked pretty and gritty and very high budget. My geeky little heart just went pitter pat! Well.........I noticed today that Netflicks has the first season on the watch instantly section so how could I resist? I settled back on the couch with some doughnut holes and a glass of Pepsi Max that my friend Merlin brought over last night, all ready to be filled with sugar and gladitorial goodness.

well.......

It's ...very pretty.... They blew a lot of their budget on body oil, blood and sand.....It really does live up to it's name. It's certainly Bloody and Sandy...and rather adult oriented. I was rather pleased to see Lucy Lovelace back on the screen as an unnatural (and I mean that in every possible sense of the phrase) redhead. Brother Jonathan from The Mummy movies plays her husband and I must say I've never ever had conversations like the one that establishes their relationship in the first episode - ever.... I will never watch Xena or the Mummy quite the same way again....Holy (um un holy) smokes.

The producers obviously really loved "300" and "Sin City" the visual style borrows very heavily from both with a sprinkling of "Gladiator" and a spatter of "Braveheart". The language is Shakespeare meets Tarantino...come to think of it they borrow the blood splatter from "Kill Bill" and "Grind House"

The ahem...Adult situations are enough to make the cast of "True Blood" blush - even the undead ones.

I don't want to review it and give away bits in case you have a mind to watch it..but I have devised a drinking game based on it....

Go get a bottle of your favorite libation...

Every slow motion charge ...take a drink

Every F or C bomb....take a drink

Every slow motion fall .....take a drink

Every overdone blood splash, splatter, or spray.....take a drink.

Every sex scene ....take a drink (there are 4 in the first 30 minutes of the first episode...not counting the near rape).

Every penis reference ...take a drink

Every vagina reference....take a drink.

Every fight scene....take a drink.

Every potty reference...take a drink

Every anal reference....take a drink

You will now be so drunk that you won't be able to hit play on episode two...unless like me you were drinking Pepsi Max.

I can't say that I like Blood and Sand but it will be a great way to get my daily requirement of water in and I'm watching it now with the same sort of morbid lurid fascination some people show auto accidents on the highway.

If you like to heckle movies...get some friends..pop some popcorn and play the drinking game.

Adoption

2010-01-20T15:57:00.000-08:00

Some friends of mine have made the wonderful decision to adopt a child.
they wrote this open letter to a perspective birth mother
Introducing Us

I can't imagine two more loving or wonderful parents - yes..they really would be one of those happy TV type families....with just a bit of the Munsters and Adams family sprinkled in for flavor.

Of you know of anyone who's looking for someone to adopt their child please visit the website above...read their letter. Your child would be hitting the jackpot.

Best of luck you two! Can't wait to buy the youngin's first drum, paints and playdough.
ah the joy of being single and childless. I shall hop the kid up on sugar...wind it up...and send it home

I love my friends

This kid made me smile...

2010-01-15T06:29:00.001-08:00

He has the most remarkable voice. HOPEfully someone in the music business sees him on the web and gives him a contract.

Quiet Bravery

2010-01-11T19:41:00.000-08:00

There are brave acts done every day by the most ordinairy of people.
Miep Gies was one of those every day heroes.
She showed incredible bravery in the face of horrible circumstances.

Miep Gies, who helped hide Anne Frank, dies at 100

By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer Arthur Max, Associated Press Writer

Miep Gies, the office secretary who defied the Nazi occupiers to hide Anne Frank and her family for two years and saved the teenager's diary not, has died, the Anne Frank Museum said Tuesday. She was 100.

Gies' Web site reported that she died Monday after a brief illness. The report was confirmed by museum spokeswoman Maatje Mostar, but she gave no details. The British Broadcasting Corp. said she died in a nursing home after suffering a fall last month.

Gies was the last of the few non-Jews who supplied food, books and good cheer to the secret annex behind the canal warehouse where Anne, her parents, sister and four other Jews hid for 25 months during World War II.
After the apartment was raided by the German police, Gies gathered up Anne's scattered notebooks and papers and locked them in a drawer for her return after the war. The diary, which Anne Frank was given on her 13th birthday, chronicles her life in hiding from June 12, 1942 until August 1, 1944.

Gies refused to read the papers, saying even a teenager's privacy was sacred. Later, she said if she had read them she would have had to burn them because they incriminated the "helpers."

Anne Frank died of typhus at age 15 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945, just two weeks before the camp was liberated. Gies gave the diary to Anne's father Otto, the only survivor, who published it in 1947.

After the diary was published, Gies tirelessly promoted causes of tolerance. She brushed aside the accolades for helping hide the Frank family as more than she deserved — as if, she said, she had tried to save all the Jews of occupied Holland.

"This is very unfair. So many others have done the same or even far more dangerous work," she wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press days before her 100th birthday last February.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" was the first popular book about the Holocaust, and has been read by millions of children and adults around the world in some 65 languages.

For her courage, Gies was bestowed with the "Righteous Gentile" title by the Israeli Holocaust museum Yad Vashem. She has also been honored by the German Government, Dutch monarchy and educational institutions.

Nevertheless, Gies resisted being made a character study of heroism for the young.

"I don't want to be considered a hero," she said in a 1997 online chat with schoolchildren.

"Imagine young people would grow up with the feeling that you have to be a hero to do your human duty. I am afraid nobody would ever help other people, because who is a hero? I was not. I was just an ordinary housewife and secretary."

Born Hermine Santrouschitz on Feb. 15, 1909 in Vienna, Gies moved to Amsterdam in 1922 to escape food shortages in Austria. She lived with a host family who gave her the nickname Miep.

In 1933, Gies took a job as an office assistant in the spice business of Otto Frank. After refusing to join a Nazi organization in 1941, she avoided deportation to Austria by marrying her Dutch boyfriend, Jan Gies.

As the Nazis ramped up their arrests and deportations of Dutch Jews, Otto Frank asked Gies in July 1942 to help hide his family in the annex above the company's canal-side warehouse on Prinsengracht 263 and to bring them food and supplies.

"I answered, 'Yes, of course.' It seemed perfectly natural to me. I could help these people. They were powerless, they didn't know where to turn," she said years later.

Jan and Miep Gies worked with four other employees in the firm to sustain the Franks and four other Jews sharing the annex. Jan secured extra food ration cards from the underground resistance. Miep cycled around the city, alternating grocers to ward off suspicions from this highly dangerous activity.
In her e-mail to the AP last February, Gies remembered her husband, who died in 1993, as one of Holland's unsung war heroes. "He was a resistance man who said nothing but did a lot. During the war he refused to say anything about his work, only that he might not come back one night. People like him existed in thousands but were never heard," she wrote.

Touched by Anne's precocious intelligence and loneliness, Miep also brought Anne books and newspapers while remembering everybody's birthdays and special days with gifts.

"It seems as if we are never far from Miep's thoughts," Anne wrote.

In her own book, "Anne Frank Remembered," Gies recalled being in the office when the German police, acting on a tip that historians have failed to trace, raided the hide-out in August 1944.

A policeman opened the door to the main office and pointed a revolver at the three employees, telling them to sit quietly. "Bep, we've had it," Gies whispered to Bep Voskuijl.

After the arrests, she went to the police station to offer a bribe for the Franks' release, but it was too late. On Aug. 8, they were sent to Westerbork, a concentration camp in eastern Holland from where they were later packed into cattle cars and deported to Auschwitz. A few months later, Anne and her sister Margot were transported to Bergen-Belsen.

Two of the helpers, Victor Kugler and Johannes Kleiman, were sent to labor camps, but survived the war.

Around 140,000 Jews lived in the Netherlands before the 1940-45 Nazi occupation. Of those, 107,000 were deported to Germany and only 5,200 survived. Some 24,000 Jews went into hiding, of which 8,000 were hunted down or turned in.

After the war, Otto Frank returned to Amsterdam and lived with the Gies family until he remarried in 1952. Miep worked for him as he compiled the diary, then devoted herself to talking about the diary and answering piles of letters with questions from around the world.

After Otto Frank's death in 1980, Gies continued to campaign against Holocaust-deniers and to refute allegations that the diary was a forgery.

She suffered a stroke in 1997 which slightly affected her speech, but she remained generally in good health as she approached her 100th birthday.

Her son Paul Gies said last year she was still receiving "a sizable amount of mail" which she handled with the help of a family friend. She spent her days at the apartment where she lived since 2000 reading two daily newspapers and following television news and talk shows.
Her husband died in 1993. She is survived by her son and three grandchildren.

To learn more about Anne Frank - visit the following ...

Anne Frank Foundation: http://www.annefrank.nl.

The Anne Frank Center USA: http://www.annefrank.com/

Wizard of Oz

2009-12-24T06:20:00.001-08:00

I always forget how talented this man is.

It was a very strange love...

2009-11-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

But it works for them.... check out the url - an excellent cause for those of us who're animal lovers.

The Late Patrick Swayze

2009-11-20T00:58:00.000-08:00

A lovely performance that I'd forgotten about.

Heartbreakingly beautiful

2009-11-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

I've been a fan of photography since I was a small girl. I had a profound experience with an exhibit that put me on the artist's path that I've wandered off and on for a number of years now.

Photography is something of a super power...it's God-like. It allows us to capture a moment of time and preserve it and show it to the world....you can actually show someone what you see...through your own eyes.
It's a way of telling a story without saying a word. Sometimes it can be paired with words to create a journey.

You really want to go to the link I've provided below ...you will be moved.
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/#/19

Classy...

2009-11-04T08:44:00.000-08:00

Want to know what keeps me going despite clients who don't pay, insane hours, unrealistic expectations etc?

Days like today.

I've got the flu - it's nasty. I've had it since thursday and have worked on with it (it's what I do). One client in particular has required a lot of phone time - tight tight deadline which I met on a huge project. Evidently my work ethic impressed them. There was a knock on the door a little while ago - then even louder and more insistant because I wasn't moving fast enough to suit the delivery driver....

I opened the door with a bit of a snarl - looking like death wrapped in a blanket.

There was a box - cans of chicken soup, an assortment of teas (mostly English) a tin of homemade cookies an aroma therapy candle to aid in breathing and a get well card.

Yeah....there are days when it's pretty damned good to be me.

Thanks for the love note ABC

2009-11-03T20:16:00.001-08:00

This is truly shiny....

Happy Diwali!

2009-10-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed learning about other cultures and their celebrations. A few years ago I stumbled across Diwali...and fell in love.

Diwali in history

The history of Diwali is replete with legends and these legends are moored to the stories of Hindu religious scriptures, mostly the Puranas. Though the central theme of all legends point out to the classic truth of the victory of the good over the evils, the mode of their presentation and the characters differ. Diwali, being the festival of lights, lighting the lamp of knowledge within us means to understand and reflect upon the significant purpose of each of the five days of festivities and to bring those thoughts in to the day to day lives.

The five day of Diwali

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. The third day of Diwali is the actual Diwali. This is the day when worship for Mother Lakshmi is performed. On the fourth day of Diwali, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. It is a day dedicated to sisters.

Hindu Mythology

The Story of Rama and Sita: Lord Rama was a great warrior King who was exiled by his father Dashratha, the King of Ayodhya, along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman, on his wife's insistence. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to the demon Ravana of Lanka, who was a great Pundit, highly learned but still evil dominated his mind. After this victory of Good over Evil, Rama returned to Ayodhya. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana; of Truth's victory over Evil.

The Story of King Bali and Vamana Avatar(the Dwarf): The other story concerns King Bali, who was a generous ruler. But he was also very ambitious. Some of the Gods pleaded Vishnu to check King Bali's power. Vishnu came to earth in the form of a Vamana(dwarf) dressed as priest. The dwarf approached King Bali and said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King Bali laughed. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. At this point, the dwarf changed into Vishnu and his three strides covered the Earth, the Skies and the whole Universe! King Bali was send to the underworld. As part of Diwali celebrations, some Hindus remember King Bali.

The Defeat of Narkasur by Lord Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura, who was causing great unhappiness amongst the people of the world. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him. Eventually, their cries for rescue were heard by Vishnu, who came in the form of Krishna. First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster who guarded the demon's home. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. For Hindus, this story is a reminder that good can still come out of evil.

Krishna and The Mountain: In the village of Gokula, many years ago, the people prayed to the God Indra. They believed that Indra sent the rains, which made their crops, grow. But Krishna came along and persuaded the people to worship the mountain Govardhan, because the mountain and the land around it were fertile. This did not please Indra. He sent thunder and torrential rain down on the village. The people cried to Krishna to help. Krishna saved the villagers by lifting the top of the mountain with his finger. The offering of food to God on this day of Diwali is a reminder to Hindus of the importance of food and it is a time for being thankful to God for the bounty of nature.

Sikh Festival Diwali

In Sikh perspective, Diwali is celebrated as the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of the city, Gwalior. To commemorate his undying love for Sikhism, the towns people lit the way to, Harmandhir Sahib (referred to as the Golden Temple), in his honour.

Jain Festival Diwali

Among the Jain festivals, Diwali is one of the most important one. For on this occasion we celebrate the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira who established the dharma as we follow it. Lord Mahavira was born as Vardhamana on Chaitra Shukla 13th in the Nata clan at Khattiya-kundapura, near Vaishali. He obtained Kevala Gyana on Vishakha Shukla 10 at the Jambhraka village on the banks of Rijukula river at the age of 42.

Diwali Traditions & Customs

Deepavali, the literal meaning of which in Sanskrit is 'a row of lamps.' Filling little clay lamps with oil and wick and lighting them in rows all over the house is a tradition that is popular in most regions of the country. Even today in this modern world it projects the rich and glorious past of our country and teaches us to uphold the true values of life. It is associated with many customs and traditions. One of the most curious customs, which characterizes this festival of Diwali, is the indulgence of gambling, especially on a large scale in North India.

The first day of five day long Diwali celebrations is of great importance to the rich community of western India. Houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils.

Lakshmi-Puja is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits, devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and Naivedya of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day .

On second day there is a traditional practice specially in Maharashtra of taking bath before sunrise with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders. In northern India, especially in places like Punjab, Diwali is dedicated to the worship of Lord Rama. While in Bengal, Kali/Durga, the goddess of strength, is worshiped. Diwali is one of the few Hindu festivals, which is celebrated in every part of the country, even in states like Kerala that has Onam as its main festival. To the Jains, Deepavali has an added significance to the great event of Mahaveera attaining the Eternal Bliss of Nirvaana.

Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on the fourth day. This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning 'mountain of food'. In temples especially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milk bath and dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are offered to the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach and take Prasad.

Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in every Hindu household. In many Hindu homes it is a custom for the wife to put the red tilak on the forehead of her husband, garland him and do his "Aarti" with a prayer for his long life. In appreciation of all the tender care that the wife showers on him, the husband gives her a costly gift. This Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. Diwali celebration is a very happy occasion for all.

Diwali Meaning & Significance

Deepavali is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen 'diyas' (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame.

It is one time in the whole year that children volunteer to leave their beds long before the day begins. In fact, the traditional oil bath at 3 a.m, is the only chore that stands between them and the pre-dawn adventures. They emerge, scrubbed clean to get into their festive attire, and light up little oil lamps, candles and scented sticks(agarbathis), the wherewithal for setting alight crackers and sparklers.

On Diwali night, little clay lamps are lit in Hindus homes, but now a days colored electric lamps are also used. What is the significance of lighting a lamp? There is a logical answer to this question. It is through the light that the beauty of this world is revealed or experienced. Most civilizations of the world recognize the importance of light as a gift of God. It has always been a symbol of whatever is positive in our world of experience.

To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc. Competition is stiff, and even the little girl in silk frocks and their finery are watching out for the best sparklers and flowerpots, the rockets and Vishnuchakras, which light-up the night sky like a thousand stars. Grown-ups are the soul of generosity. Festive bonhomie abounds.

Diwali Recipes

Royal Vermicilli Kheer
Ingredients :
Vermicilli - 1/2 cup (thin variety)
Milk - 4 cups
Sugar - 1/2 - 3/4 cup
Cream - 1/4 cup
Ghee - 4 tabs
Almonds - 2 tabs
Cinnamon powder - 1 level tsp
Bananas - 3 (small)

Method

Fry vermicilli in 2 tabs of ghee,till light gold in colour.let it gets cold.Skin almonds-chop them into small pieces.Fry in 2 tabs of ghee,tillwell toasted.

Boil the milk,add the vermicilli and keep on stirring over low heat tillthe vermicilli is just cooked and the milk is thick.(Do not over cook the vermicilli).Reduce heat and add sugar little by little-stirring all the time till the sugar dissolves.

Remove from heat,when cold,mix in the cream,almonds,cinnamon powder and chopped bananas.Serve chilled with a little silver varg on top for decoration.

Rice Kheer

Ingredients :
Rice - 1/2 cup
Milk - 6 cups
Sugar - 3/4 cup
Camphor - pinch
or nutmeg - pinch

Method

Wash rice well, and cook it with milk till semi thick(stirring all the time so that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the vessel and the rice is well cooked.
Reduce heat,add the sugar,little by little when sugar is well incorporated remove from fire.
Fry in ghee the cashewnuts and raisins,till golden in colour.When cold add to kheer.Powder camphor or nutmeg and add that too.Serve hot or cold.

You could add 1/4 cup of beaten cream when the kheer is cold.Instead of sugar you could heat 1-1/4 cup of palm jaggery(or ordinary jaggery) with a 1/4 cup of water-when jaggery completely dissolves-strain and when cold,add to the cold thickened kheer.Add powdered camphor or nutmeg.

Carrot Halwa.

Ingredients :
Carrots -1/2 kg
(preferably Red Delhi Carrots)
Milk -1 litre
Cardamom -4 to 5
Sugar -1/4 kg
Charmagz -1 tbsp
(dried melon seeds)
Ghee or cashew nuts -100 gms
Almonds -a few

Method
Scrap carrots and grate them.Bring milk to a boil in a heavy bottomed pan.Add grated carrots.Cook on medium heat stirring occasionally without closing the lid till the mixture is fairly dry(Opp-30 to 40 mts).Add sugar, cardamom crushed and melon seeds,mix well till everything becomes semi solid dry. Then add ghee and fry well by adding the nuts cashew nuts and badam. Decorate with silver foil and serve after getting cold.

Besan Ka Ladoo

Ingredients :
Ghee - 225 gms Besan - 225 gms Castor sugar - 350 gms Cashewnuts chopped - 1 tsp Almonds chopped - 1 tsp Pistachio - 1 tsp

Method

Place the ghee and besan in a pan over a low heat.
Keep stirring the mixture to avoid the formation of lumps.
When the mixture is cooked, it will release an aromatic flavour.
Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool.

Add the sugar and chopped cashewnuts to the besan mixture and stir in thoroughly.
Now mould small balls of appropriate size, from the mixture
Serve hot or cold

Lentil Salad

Ingredients :

Split green gram -

(without skin) 1/4 cup

Gram dhal - 1/4 cup

Coconut - 1/2 cup

Cucumber - 1 cup

Green chillies - 2

Ginger - 1 cm

Lime - 1/2

Oil - 1 tabs

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Mustard - 1/4 tsp

Urrad dhal - 1/4 tsp

Red chillies - 1

Hing powder - pinch

Method

Clean and soak both the dhals overnight in water. Next morning wash well, and drain off all the liquid. Chop green chillies and ginger. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out the juice.

Just before serving, mix the dhals, green chillies, ginger, cucumber, salt and coconut. Heat oil, add mustard, urrad dhal, red chillies and hing. When mustard splutters pour into the salad, squueze lime juice into it and if liked, add chopped coriander leaves to it. This is a traditional salad and is very nutritious.

Gram Dhal Vada

Ingredients :

Gram dhal - 2 cups

(channa dhal)

Coriander leaves - 1/4 cups

Salt - 3/4 cups

Curry leaves - little

Red chillies - 4

Green chillies - 3

Ginger - 1 cm

Onion - 2

Method

Soak gram dhal in water for 2 hours. Wash with water and drain off water. Chop onion, gren chillies, curry leaves and coriander leaves. Grind the dhal coarsely with red chillies. Add all the other ingredients - make into wadas, deep fry in oil till golden in colour. Can be served hot or cold - very tasty!

How cool is this?

2009-10-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

The Scavenger Project

This is as much a social experiment as it is an art exhibition. You will receive a universal list that you (and every participant involved) will use to visually interpret each item. Any medium may be used as long as it can be shipped to us (or photos taken and included on a CD). Experimentation and thinking outside of the box is the name of the game.

The final outcome is to document the project in two ways, including multiple exhibitions (at galleries in Brooklyn, NY and Seattle, WA) and in a book.

At least one of your items will be included in the book.

The Book To document the project, we will be creating a book out of the submissions we receive. Each person who participates will have at least one of their submissions printed in the book.
The book will be perfect bound and printed in full color with approximately 60-80 pages.

You can pre-order the book now along with your project for a $5.00 discount.

The ExhibitionsMay 21st, 2010

Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn Art Library

Brooklyn, NY

June 4th - 6th, 2010

Seattle, WA

Form Space Atelier

2407 1st Avenue

Seattle, WA

The T-Shirt To go along with the project, we’re releasing a limited edition screen printed t-shirt. They are printed on American Apparel 100% cotton tees.

They include the list on top center of the back of the shirt just incase you’ve forgotten your list when inspiration strikes.

T-shirts start shipping October 20th. Price includes shipping!

You can purchase a t-shirt to the left with your project submission for a discounted price.

The RulesGeneralRulesFAQsAgreementTo participate in this project, simply add it to your cart on the left and then proceed with the check out process. We will then send you a welcome packet along with the list of items for you to interpret.

Your goal is to create a piece of artwork, object, or some form of an idea based around each item on the list.

At least one of your pieces will be included in both the book AND the exhibitions.

You may use any medium to create your artwork. However, please keep in mind that you must ship the artwork to us in the mail, so make sure your work is at a size that is able to be shipped. You may also submit your work on a CD. However, by submitting only with a CD, we can unfortunately not include your work in the exhibitions (only the book.) Please make sure to read the details in the "Rules" tab about using a CD to submit.

Due to the nature of the project, we are unable to send work back to you. Please keep this in mind when submitting originals. Because of this, you may want to have your work professionally photographed and submit it on a CD. The collection of artwork will be stored at Brooklyn Art Library in 2010.

___________________________________________________________________________

What fun!!!
I think I must do this!

http://arthousecoop.com/projects/scavengerproject

Pretty Pretty lights

2009-10-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Get Out: Orionid Meteor Shower Peaks Overnight

The Orionid meteor shower is expected to put on a good show tonight into the predawn hours Wednesday, weather permitting.

This annual meteor shower is created when Earth passes through trails of comet debris left in space long ago by Halley's Comet. The "shooting stars" develop when bits typically no larger than a pea , and mostly sand-grain-sized, vaporize in Earth's upper atmosphere.

"Flakes of comet dust hitting the atmosphere should give us dozens of meteors per hour," said Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.

People in cities and suburbs will see far fewer meteors, because all but the brightest of them will be overpowered by light pollution. The best view will be from rural areas (the moon will not be a factor, so dark skies will make for ideal viewing).

When and how to watch

The best time to watch will be between 1 a.m. and dawn local time Wednesday morning, regardless of your location. That's when the patch of Earth you are standing on is barreling headlong into space on Earth's orbital track, and meteors get scooped up like bugs on a windshield.

Peak activity, when Earth wades into the densest part of the debris, is expected around 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT).

Some meteors could show up late tonight, too. Late-night viewing typically offers fewer meteors, however, because your patch of Earth is positioned akin to the back window of the speeding car.

The Orionids have been strong in recent years.

"Since 2006, the Orionids have been one of the best showers of the year, with counts of 60 or more meteors per hour," Cooke said.

Some of those counts come in flurries, so skywatchers should find a comfortable spot with as wide a view of the sky as possible. Lie back and allow 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, then give the show at least a half hour to play out through spurts and lulls. Meteors could appear anywhere in the sky, though traced back they will appear to emanate from the constellation Orion.

Telescopes and binoculars are of no use, because meteors move too quickly. Extra warm clothing is a must, and a blanket and pillow or lounge chair allows comfortable positioning so you can look up for long stretches.

Reliable event

Predicting meteor showers is tricky because the debris comes from multiple streams.

Each time comet Halley passes around the sun on its elongated orbit – every 76 years – it lays down a fresh track of debris for Earth to plow through in subsequent years. Those tracks spread out and mingle over time, and we pass the tracks each October during our 365-day, nearly circular trek around the sun.

Japanese researchers Mikiya Sato and Jun-ichi Watanabe say activity in recent years is related to debris put in place from 1266 BC to 911 BC, and this could be another good year, according to NASA.

Even if that prediction does not hold, the Orionids will almost surely put on a decent show. Prior to 2006 and going back many years, the Orionids have produced a reliable 15 to 20 meteors per hour at the peak, for skywatchers with dark skies.

As a bonus, this time of year you can expect an additional five to 10 sporadic meteors per hour – those not related to the shower.

Holy Cow!

2009-10-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

I promised to write about things that cause ripples....well..the little jar above certainly rippled my life! I have chronically dry skin and had resigned myself to becoming an alligator. ......Not any more. this stuff is amazing!

It's not greasy, it's not stinky (it's got a nice light clean smell to it)...it sinks right on into your skin it doesn't stain.

My skin feels amazing!

If you have dry or rough skin you've got to try this!

and it's incredibly cheap.

If you've ever been owned by a cat...

2009-10-04T07:27:00.001-07:00

you'll enjoy this

For those of you who are against Non-traditional marriage....

2009-10-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd lay a little biblical marriage on ya...

yup...that pretty much sums it up.
I've often wondered with that much booty in the palace how anything ever got done.

Justice

2009-10-02T20:10:00.000-07:00

Websters defines justice thusly
jus·tice

Pronunciation: \ˈjəs-təs\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus

Date: 12th century

1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments b : judge c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity

2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair b (1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action (2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness c : the quality of conforming to law

3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness

A havard professor is teaching a course on Justice...and it's fascinating.

http://www.justiceharvard.org/

He poses some hard and interesting scenarios. There are episodes of the various class discussions online.
It makes for very interesting watching.

I got no reason to bitch...

2009-10-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

One of his mottos is ...never...ever ...give up.

I can appreciate that spirit.

Go visit his website... get inspired.

Oy.......just...oy

2009-09-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

There are days when my life reads like a torrid novel...and then there are days when it reads like one of those walks into a bar jokes.

Today was one of THOSE days.

I just came back into the room from grabbing some tea for my guests when it struck me.....
There's a Rasta..a witch...a redneck....and a drag queen sitting on my sofa.

*SNERK*

Joy...the ultimate rebellion.

2009-09-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I know...I am SUCH a geek...but JW's words really struck a nerve with me when I heard them.

I haven't posted here for a bit I've been busy fighting some inner demons and shoveling out my mental/emotional stables(check out my other blog if you're interested or if you just want to roll your eyes - I've been whining, wubbering,angsting and wailing all over it). I took time off to just be completely inwardly focused - not an easy thing for me. It was needed though.

Back to pursuing my arch enemy (the point).

The concept of the expression of joy being the ultimate act of rebellion...just tickles the hell out of me on so very many levels.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense.

Think about it.... a lot of todays great battles are being fought over happiness pursuit (which by the way is a constitutional RIGHT!)

Things that bring one joy...

Things you wouldn't think should be a legal issue... like who you're in love with, who you marry, who you have sex with.... you'd think those very simple thingw would just be left up to the individuals and not meddled in by our government. But no... they're NOT left to the individual for some reason someone decided that those simple bits of personal joy had to be dictated to and restricted by laws.

That's so very wrong.

How do we fix this? well.. it's not going to be easy - but proudly expressing your joy is a start...it's a great way to rebell when you think of it. Be prepared though, being joyful will cause envy (which in some ways I think is the root of most problems). Envy will in turn cause anger which will result in some harsh rocky times...but I think and hope that in the end that human beings are kind and rational enough to actually LOOK at things. See people happily living their lives.....causing harm to none and actually making the world a better place because- well- they're happy.

Think of it, happy joyful people don't start shit. I'd wager that not a single war has been started with happiness at it's root cause. Somehow I just can't see joyful people causing others pain. Most happy people that I know are more focused on that happiness and actually sharing it with others.

So..here's my point...yeah..I had one...Rebel against the machine by expressing and feeling joy.