Yellowstone and the Praying Chipmunk

The white noise of life can inundate us with urgency, our lives can become cluttered and things that some perceive as not being of importance can be pushed aside or replaced by other felt needs.

This Yellowstone “praying” Chipmunk makes me think of taking time alone to pray and meditate…care to leave a prayer or meditation in the comment section?

Photo by Chocolate Girl

Apollo 11 Launch Video: Dreams and Godspeed

July 16, 1969 Apollo 11 was launched on its mission to go to the Moon. I was five years old and can remember it to this day…

Human dreams clawed in to the sky and beyond…the dream was courageous and extravagant, bold and brilliant, it was a dream of delicate beauty caressed by raw power surgically applied…Human heroism…

Upon what dreams do we now launch? Are we forty years later afraid of the monster under the bed and nightmares under our eye lids? Are our leaders now dreamless, cowardly, dull and weak…is this also true of “we the people”? Do we but stand upon the shoulders of giants fearful only of the fall and too terrified to claw at the sky?

Are we so busy trying to count sheep that we have forgotten the stars? Are we so obsessed with pop culture Hollywood “stars” that we sleep dreamless of achievement truly worthy of being called historic?

To those who are boldly dreaming, looking beyond the atmosphere of their own lives, dreaming of “game changing” creativity, dreams in action, upon your launch…I wish you…Godspeed.

Grease: Summer Nights Video: What is Your Favorite Summer Story? The Unedited Video of my Mind

The Unedited Video of my mind….

The summer heat scorched the beach, a summer of my childhood, lazy days, the monkey ladder was crescent shaped, I moved hand over hand across the formidable rainbow like obstacle, then she came into my line of view, we had been teasing each other earlier, she pushed my off the monkey bars, I spent hours in the hospital to learn I had a broken arm, never got her name or number, she hit me like a truck, I still remember thinking…don’t try monkey business with girls….

Perhaps not my fondest summer memory, what are some of yours?

Pronghorn Photo: Herd Mentality?

Pronghorn most often travel in small herds or pods, do you have a herd mentality?

Such a term as herd mentality is often taken to mean you just go with the flow of the crowd you are with, group think or the popular conventions of the moment. Such people are often referred to as lemmings because of the inaccurate myth that these little rodents commit mass suicide following their leader over a cliff.

While individual freedoms and liberties are to be cherished we at our peril forget that although we are individuals we live in community. Democracy is not anarchy and neither is it communism it is something different and special.

Democracy is individuals living in community. Here lays the tension where the rights of the individual citizen collide with those of the community of citizens.

While individual freedoms must be safeguarded the health of the community must likewise be protected. I have benefited from those who have volunteered in helping me such as minor hockey coaches that patiently practiced my hockey skills, team work and leadership. For many years I have volunteered at my local Church on various committees, with youth and young adults, the poor and homeless, giving blood, helping the disabled, with the city clean parks program and in other ways.

To those who have a herd mentality, caring for those they live in community with I say thank you. To those who have never done so I say please do so…

A herd can be a beautiful thing…

Who has volunteered to help you in your life and how have you volunteered to help others?


Photo by Chocolate Girl

Japanese Street Fashion Video: Pop Culture Subculture and Life

Japanese Fashion trends local and global…Subculture refocusing life….

Pop culture often starts as seeds of dissent in mini cultural backlashes or desire for uniqueness. Then if the tide is right certain subcultures are adopted by the masses and they become pop culture. The invasion is complete but the original most typically loses its “soul” in the transgression for unique, outlandish, outrageous and rebellion are bled dry. It lies dead at its own hands…

Japanese street fashion is a pantheon of style and culture from the extraordinarily peculiar Lolita Fashion including Gothic Lolita, Sweet Lolita and Punk Lolita to the Ganguro, Kogal, Bōsōzoku, Visual Kei, Cosplay and more…Why has it not yet grown to dominate pop culture around the globe?

Some cultures have such enormous influence that they are adopted outside of their nation, region and around the globe. The spread of rap is a good example of how a subculture grows and is disseminated globally to then take a position as commonplace and pop.

The keys to the success of such cultural infiltrations can at times be apparent. The money behind advertising being a prime example of purchased influence. However, often advertising money does not fetch the purchases or persuasion desired. Pop stars can often give life to certain trends yet where does their pop authority originate?

Globalization allows for instant global mini-cultures. However why do some styles, fashions, and forms of rebellion excel and other die or stay stunted perhaps never to be on the pages of our newsstands, or to dominate the TV screen?

Why do some grow into popular coolism and others are considered uncool?

What is cool and what makes it tick local and global?

What is the difference between popular cool and popular hot?

Are you cool or hot and do you want to be either cool or hot?

Rap has a reputation as sexist and angry by contrast how would you describe the images in this video? Could these ideas ever go global? Why or why not?

We have a Purple Baby!

This is article number 500 for Life on the Blade so to celebrate we had a baby and it is PURPLE!

Milestones can be important parts of people’s lives and the same can be true of blogs as they are an extension of people and relationships.

We are very thankful to our committed guests, those who await our latest articles with their Google Reader and also those who frequently beam over using their Browsers Bookmark along with our Google guests etc. We are also very thankful to those who gift us with their comments. To you, our cherished guest a humble thank you from the Life on the Blade family.

To celebrate this occasion we had a baby…of sorts…sure we blog here at Life on the Blade and of course at Creation on the Blade (some astute guests may even be aware of our “secret blog”). However now we are pleased to present our latest and perhaps potentially greatest blog. We embrace our blogishness…

We are very excited about the possibilities of this new “niche” blog. We believe it will grow emergent creativity, be infotaining and a service to our guests, have quirky humour but with unique and clever insights plus just be largely a colourful experience. We are going to run wild there!

So we invite you to celebrate our article 500 here by visiting our blog party with our PURPLE baby…

THE PURPLE BOOKMARK

Super Cities vs. Global Unification: Will either replace Nation States?

What is a Super City or Global City?

VANCOUVER is still the most liveable city in the world, according to a new ranking from the Economist Intelligence Unit. The Canadian city topped a "liveability survey" of 140 cities, as it did in 2008.
- - Economist.com (June 8 2009)

Although Vancouver may indeed be the “most liveable” of cities at this point it is far from being a Super City (other top ranked “liveables” are: 2 Vienna, 3 Melbourne, 4 Toronto, 5 shared by Perth and Calgary). Vancouver lacks many of the other factors that make a city super or global in scale, scope and power. As the aircraft carriers of the US Navy give the US projectable power so it seems is the need for “projectability” to gain the title of Super City or its more glamorous cognomen Global City. The question is what are the assets that bequeath such a title and ability upon an urban centre?

In Foreign Policy: The 2008 Global Cities Index Vancouver does not even make the list of top 60 cities. The top five cities of the index are New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The index measured business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience and political engagement. These cities have projectable global power when all of these dimensions are taken into consideration. They are Super Power Cities but this does not make them “liveable” any more than being “liveable” makes a city “global”.

The same Foreign Policy article answers the question of measuring the level of such cities by also examining such questions as “open cities” including freedoms, technology, and generally being outward looking and not just consumed with inward navel gazing (in other words navel gazing does not assist in emulating naval power projection). Other important factors are the cities majoring as “lifestyle centers”, “regional gateways”, “national leaders”, “policy hubs” and “platform cities” (these are BIG players).

Can such cities rival nation states in power?

As there currently are Super Cities that are more powerful economically and in other dimensions than some nation states perhaps we can move to a deeper exploration from a fascinating article in Foreign Policy with an item named The Next Big Thing: Why bad times lead to great ideas which had a short examination of “Neomedievalism” which postulates:

“Many see the global economic crisis as proof that we live in one world. But as countries stumble to right the wrongs of the corporate masters of the universe, they are driving us right back to a future that looks like nothing more than a new Middle Ages, that centuries-long period of amorphous conflict from the fifth to the 15th century when city-states mattered as much as countries.... Today, just 40 city-regions account for two thirds of the world economy and 90 percent of its innovation.”

Just as the fear mongers predicated their hate of corporations and globalization (along with the idea of global unification) now they will have to possibly switch their targeting acquisition systems! Thus the question…

Super Cities vs. Global Unification: Will either replace Nation States?

For many years as fear of “Big Brother” was propagated and government along with the UN was seen as the enemy of freedom and individuals generating a seeming conflict of libertine anarchy vs. governmental hyper intrusion now some are suggesting nation states could be replaced perhaps to a great degree by Super Cities with global reach and boundary bursting power.

Could it be that with the current financial meltdown where nations and corporations have been hit severely we are now looking for the next deliverer or demon (depending on your orientation)?

In the book Cities by journalist John Lorinc the point is made “The year 2008 marked a watershed moment in the evolution of human society. For the first time in history, more than half of the world’s 6.6 billion inhabitants were living in cities rather than rural areas.”

Is it possible that with the suggested decrease in the power of nations and corporations a corresponding shift in power to urban centres primarily the elite Global Cities in population and power has arrived at a pivotal moment?

Certainly the Middle Ages had Bruges and Venice but are New York and London modern equivalents or perhaps more powerful for their day? It seems the answer is both yes and no. While both modern Super Cities have global reach and influence a large part of their power is exacted by their overarching nation states.

Could it be that these cities acting as regional powers exceed their nations and are potentially in the future more probable governance power outcomes than such nation states and/or a global unified government?

The European Union is made up of various nations of assorted levels of powers. What does this Union put on show for these questions? What do London, Paris and Berlin look like within the Union? Perhaps this example can only explain so much as although the member states are each unique they also share much in shared ideas such as democratic ideals, history etc that binds them together in common cause. It seems the title question of this article may only be answered if we pose the following…

Has the digital age enabled the superseding of nations states and/or the concept of global unification?

In a superb article The Revenge of Geography by Robert D. Kaplan we are reminded of the words of Sir Halford John Mackinder one of the founding fathers of geopolitics “Man not nature initiates, but nature in large measure controls.” Certain pivot or fracture zones are insurmountable geographically speaking. Although humans with their ideas may bend the outcomes of geography and other such natural environs we are still not in control of the superseding delinitations. However Mackinder died just two years after WWII so does his idea stand in the digital age?

New York Times op-ed contributor Thomas Friedman poses the question of a digital world in his brilliant book The World is Flat. He postulates that the global competition is now a largely level playing field. That commerce and individuals now compete in a substantially level global market in access and that history and geography are now in large part increasingly irrelevant. Many see Freidman as a champion of globalization but I suggest that he is a champion of individual freedom and entrepreneurialism through globalization (although at times he does seem pro big government). What does this look like on the scale of a city, nation state or singular global government?

Globally it seems our differences are insurmountable. Even nations such as Canada and Australia have challenges with integrating and cohabiting with immigrants etc although both countries are overall very successful in this area.

Globalization is powerful in that it promotes the potential in integration and cooperation as wealth is grown globally and individually which possibly also facilitates freedom. However global unification seems a far off dream or nightmare. Can you imagine San Francisco and Mecca successfully cohabitating within a globally unified governance model with or without the digital age? Possibly if they are not competing Super Cities and if they are not part of one global government….

Although borders may shift and alliances adapt with the tides of events (such as war over resources like water and oil or even ideology) and time (population plus time seems to indicate a geography crunch) it seems none of these potential outcomes can be totally eliminated as prospective dead ends or success stories.

Kaplan in his article ends with these words “look hard at the map for ingenious ways to stretch the limits it imposes, which will make any support for liberal principles in the world far more effective. Amid the revenge of geography, that is the essence of realism and the crux of wise policymaking—working near the edge of what is possible, without slipping into the precipice.”

Is it possible a hybrid will be the Globally Unified Super City built by ingenious compromise? Compromise can often facilitate a livable common ground but it can also stifle creativity and bold leadership both of which will be needed to step into a healthy future…

Now I recommend we learn the thoughts of my simulblog partner MAX has to say on this topic.

Epiphany Mythos Golden Milestone

Previously on Epiphany Mythos: 1) Sundering the Veil, 2) Thunder Dancer, 3) Splendor Rose, 4) Bronze Tree, 5) Canticle for Cora, 6) Shroud Sybarite, 7) Garden of Guardian Angels, 8) Destiny: Convergence and Diversity, 9) Taboo, 10) Femme Fatale, 11) Sky Dancer, 12) Requiem for Cora

The Milliarium Aureum (or Golden Milestone) was a gilded bronze monument erected by the Emperor Augustus Caesar near the temple of Saturn in the central Forum of Ancient Rome. All roads were considered to begin from this monument and all distances in the Roman Empire were measured relative to that point. On it were listed all the major cities in the empire and distances to them. According to Schaaf, (1886, v.1 p.1), the phrase "all roads lead to Rome"[1] is a reference to the Millarium Aurem, as the specific point to which all roads were said to lead. Today, only the base of the milestone still exists.
- - Wikipedia: Milliarium Aureum (Golden Milestone)

Now the conclusion of Epiphany Mythos Book One…


13
Golden Milestone

Vexing could be one way to describe the first reaction to arrival at an unintended destination. However as a passenger awaiting a destination carried by the overwhelming current of time, space and dimensional flux inexorably thrust beyond the cosmological horizon by the Merchant one must simply request understanding of the passage of Destiny. This was no mere philosophy but treasured conviction to the travellers.

Certainly she had wanted to be here, she had even requested this travel and destination. Yet to be here was not the same as the anticipation of being here. To desire to meet a person and then meet them to be disappointed was unacceptable. This was not the case for them, as they had not yet actually encountered him. It was his world she found to be an enigma. Perhaps this place was as the tear on the edge of the eye excited as to its voyage down the enticing beauty of face to be depleted as it ran its journey leaving its mark for a moment here and then forever gone.

The travellers knew they had evolved through their passage. Some of the adaptations were apparent even though they could not exactly remember life before to the degree to hold certainty. Other portions of the transformation seemed aberrant and were severely disconcerting. It was as if their beings had changed but who they were as persons lingered as residue. They conversed that perhaps as they spent more time here certainty of the past would increase. Inwardly they were concerned that the opposite may be true.

So without question she stood in the required ceremony allotted to her. The ceremony was branded into action without forethought it was simply to be done. The Thunder Dancer was shaped to provide the compulsory ceremonial bowl. Thus they waited to learn. She observed the fluid intensely reading its flowing story. This was not a conversation but a receiving, one did not inquire but awaited and observed.

She observed to herself how the mind must be clear and open to all injections of information. The mind needed to be empty of preexisting concepts that would eliminate reception. The mind needed to be a vacuum of intellect so as to be washed clean of its ignorance. However the mind abhorred a vacuum. Data flowed and one awaited the cascade of information and application. The thought of this encounter was visceral and stabbing yearning clenched at her innards.

The water words confirmed the story they had been told by the local inhabitant they had inquired of. He had looked at them at first suspiciously but then relented and provided the sparse information they needed. She thought what a strange creature he was. Certainly he was pretty but he lacked sophistication to observe core certainties.

She had then performed the ceremony and they now walked along the edge of the designated wall seeking access to the government center in the darkness of night. There were unfamiliar scents and the people were peculiar in attire although some were eerily familiar. It was also apparent to the discerning that these people did not move as those who dominate. Was it complacency the travelers saw in their eyes? They then walked past intriguing statues, pillars, archways and temples seeking the exact point of reference. This was the preamble to life on this world and one must start at the correct place.

They then spied out the object of their search. At first they had made a false assumption clarified by their informer. They had assumed they were looking for the Umbilicus Urbis but learned that indeed it was the Milliarium Aureum known as the Golden Milestone that they sought. It was miscalculations and misunderstandings such as this that added to their vexation. However they knew the Golden Milestone was a certainty. It spoke of the distance they had travelled and that to which they must continue.

Now here it was, dramatic but certainly not of the variety they had been prepared for. Thunder Dancers in their hands they looked at each other awaiting revelation from the Merchant.

They stood upon the edge of The Center reverently inundated with religious anticipation and after a time the revelation came to them via the messenger…the words came…the Golden Milestone and wonder significant…so they walked away into the Roman night….holding hands Shroud Sybarite and Alucard prepared to complete the invasion, domination and destruction of Earth and its entire universe…their mouths watered as they anticipated the flavor of blood luxuriating upon their pallets…

*The End of Epiphany Mythos Book One*

Should there be a Book Two?

Above art is Circe Invidiosa by John William Waterhouse

(Please note the images that accompany this series are meant to enhance the experience of the reader but should not be taken as completely relevant to the partnered story)

Please leave a comment…

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Epiphany Mythos Requiem for Cora

Previously on Epiphany Mythos: 1) Sundering the Veil, 2) Thunder Dancer, 3) Splendor Rose, 4) Bronze Tree, 5) Canticle for Cora, 6) Shroud Sybarite, 7) Garden of Guardian Angels, 8) Destiny: Convergence and Diversity, 9) Taboo, 10) Femme Fatale, 11) Sky Dancer

The Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as the Missa pro defunctis (Latin, "Mass for the deceased") or Missa defunctorum ("Mass of the deceased"), is a liturgical service of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated for the repose of the soul of a particular deceased person or persons. It is frequently, but by no means always, celebrated in the context of a funeral.
- - Wikipedia: Requiem


12
Requiem for Cora

The horrific chaos of ByzMec, the destruction of the air transport and the thought of the deaths of Illustra and Splendor were far too much for Cora as she turned and fled into the nearby Gardens of the Cathedral of Cora. Dread and despair consumed her spirit as her energy ebbed and faltered after timelessness in the Garden.

While she wandered she wondered about the Currents of Destiny that had brought her to such a place so very different from her life back home. ByzMec the religious capital of the entire universe, what universe she did not know, was in its death throes and it seemed to be all because of her influence. All the sophisticated rituals and religion that many had thought provided power, comfort and culture was rotten to the core.

Cora paused with uncertainty in an almost Mediterranean part of the Garden. ByzMec held receding shadows of glory yet the brilliance was gone, if it had ever truly been there. Cora admired some flowers and pondered their beauty. For an instant a kernel of wistful insight enhanced her intensity of the moment. She reached down and pulled a bundle of flowers from the dirt to her face embracing the scent and indulged in their beauty. Cora then reflected that she had just killed more of ByzMec; she had the touch of death. Above all she sensed her death of self.

As Cora sank into a whirlpool of regrets and loneliness she decided that although Illustra and Splendor were gone they would not be forgotten. Her mind and emotions were then captivated by the question of whether she was forgotten back home. Eventually all are forgotten to some degree she conspired to herself. Cora determined that both home and ByzMec were better off without her. She felt the abyss of death call unto her and contemplated then if she was truly the Angel of Death.

Cora felt the presence before she heard the voices but then the touch shook her from her introspection. “Cora we must go quickly into the Cathedral to the Bronze Tree!” Breaze told her urgently while pulling upon Cora’s arm even as contracting her own wings. Cora stood sullen with her thoughts still clouded.

“No time for this” Visiex vocalized she then slapped Cora across one side of her face while saying “Cora you can feel sad later, now we escape, their lives have purchased our freedom only if we escape. We are being hunted; war blood is in the teeth.”

The fog of Cora’s mind dissipated and she allowed herself to be guided through the Garden towards the Cathedral, the Cathedral of Cora the Angel of Death. Splendor had called her Sky Dancer but now she felt shivers as if she was walking over graves not through a garden. Her dreams were dead and there was no requiem for a dream as the music of life was itself dead.

The enormous open style Cathedral was close and they came upon a small side entrance. The nearby massive city tower platforms held little sky traffic as the populous was shriven with death and destruction.

As they entered the trio was set upon by a guard of 5 Blues. Visiex raised a hand holding a Thunder Dancer just before the guards could respond and formed it into the shape of what could only be described as a shock wave. The wave emanating from the impact flung the guards wide away from the trio’s progress into the Cathedral.

Cora was shocked at the power and skill applied by Visiex and turned to tell Breaze this. Breaze then dropped a bombshell of a response “what else would you expect from a daughter of Illustra and Splendor?”

To say Cora was dazed and perplexed by such information would be an understatement. She then said in stunned tones “but...I thought people here didn’t have kids.”

Breaze then replied, “We aren’t from here.”

At that moment as they saw the Bronze Tree far across the Cathedral what seemed a host of Blues swarmed towards them from every direction. Cora was now seemingly marching towards the Bronze Tree almost as if a golden thread was pulling her to it.

On either side of her Visiex and Breaze devastated the attackers with powerful yet almost delicate attacks and defences. They applied their Thunder Dancers faster than all of those attacking them. They were a whirlwind of overwhelming force athletic and artistic in there motions which seemed economic in their activity despite the evidential impact. Cora continued as if in the eye of a hurricane.

With sublime elegance Visiex and Breaze applied the art of the Thunder Dancer. They mesmerized their opponents with the beauty of their formations which were as dance and dreams. They were merciless in their decimation of the Blues but they were hopelessly outnumbered.

They were still hundreds of meters from the Bronze Tree when Cora saw the trap. A massive energy dampening net formed from a Thunder Dancer fell securely over the three of them with crushing weight. Yet it was too late for the Army of Blue as Cora had the Nestis in her hand. Within it she saw the Bronze Tree and she whispered to it “please I am so sorry for what I have done and become, help me, help us.”

In a flash an unstoppable tendril of the Bronze Tree slashed across the Cathedral ripping through the netting with no effort. The tendril gently grabbed Cora, Breaze and Visiex lifting them and quickly whipping them to the Tree. Within such close proximity Cora wondered that she did not previously recognize the features of both Illustra and Splendor in their two daughters.

They were carefully placed at the base of the trunk of the Bronze Tree but the Blues were quick to recover and were encircling them. Cora asked her two companions where they were to go. Visiex responded “Cora you were lost but are now found we go to the Fountain of Life no other.” Breaze then added, “It is our home.”

Cora saw the next wave of attack closing in and was alarmed. She then explained “you don’t understand, it doesn’t work that way. I don’t need a place but a person”.

Both Visiex and Breaze held their Thunder Dancers preparing for the Blue attack. Upon hearing Cora’s words they both instantly replied, “Take us to Jared!” They began attempting to shield off a massive assault from the Blues.

“Who is Jared?” Cora hastily asked fearful of potential answers.

Breaze then replied, “His passage is from the Merchant, he is from the same place as you.”

Without hesitation Cora made contact with both Visiex and Breaze and spoke to the Bronze Tree “please take us to Jared at the Fountain of Life.” And they were gone....

Read Part 13 of Epiphany Mythos...Golden Milestone

Above art is Gone But Not Forgotten by John William Waterhouse

(Please note the images that accompany this series are meant to enhance the experience of the reader but should not be taken as completely relevant to the partnered story)

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The South Africa 2010 World Cup: Sports and Education can they Change People?

From the BBC:

One in four South African men questioned in a survey said they had raped someone, and nearly half admitted having attacked more than one victim.

…..Using an electronic device to keep the results anonymous, the study found that 73% of respondents said they had carried out their first assault before the age of 20….

Professor Rachel Jewkes of the MRC, who carried out the research, told the BBC's World Today programme: "The absolute imperative is we have to change the underlying social attitudes that in a way have created a norm that coercing women into sex is on some level acceptable.

"We know that we have a higher prevalence of rape in South Africa than there is in other countries.

"And it's partly rooted in our incredibly disturbed past and the way that South African men over the centuries have been socialised into forms of masculinity that are predicated on the idea of being strong and tough and the use of force to assert dominance and control over women, as well as other men."…. Read the entirety of this June 18, 2009 BBC article here

Another earlier study tells us….

In a 1999 survey carried out in Johannesburg, one in three of the 4,000 women questioned said they had been raped in the past year. In a related survey of 1,500 schoolchildren in Soweto, a quarter of the boys said that 'jackrolling,' or recreational gang rape, was fun.
- - Wikipedia: Rape: South Africa rape statistics

There seems to be a deep rooted overarching problem for South Africa with this issue. Professor Jewkes makes some interesting points. Often bullies etc because of their felt inner weakness try to hide by exaggerated posturing and attempts at controlling those around them by many or any kinds of means.

The question of the various responsibilities between society and the individual also come to play (nature vs. nurture etc). If the current situation finds its causation from prior historiological and sociological events and conditions then what about those that predicated that onset? Are all perpetrators “victims”? Why is it that humans so very often fall for continuing the vicious cycle of horror when they themselves must realize how broken they are?

Often I hear it said that sport, music and the arts or education can change people. While I would agree that this can be true to some degree (and support these endeavours of “help”) I would argue that for any real significant change…the kind of transformation needed in this sort of horrific and dreadful situation it takes God transforming lives to really change things…

Motivational speaking can be…well motivational but real power…the kind needed in this situation must come from God…

Enough said by me…I invite you to set your thoughts and prayers down in the comment section…

Epiphany Mythos Sky Dancer

Previously on Epiphany Mythos: 1) Sundering the Veil, 2) Thunder Dancer, 3) Splendor Rose, 4) Bronze Tree, 5) Canticle for Cora, 6) Shroud Sybarite, 7) Garden of Guardian Angels, 8) Destiny: Convergence and Diversity, 9) Taboo, 10) Femme Fatale

A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma, or confronted with a shocking revelation. A cliffhanger is hoped to ensure the audience will return to see how the characters resolve the dilemma.
- - Wikipedia: Cliffhanger


11
Sky Dancer

The air transport soared into the sky its structure a mixture it seemed of an ancient trireme and a sleek futuristic aerodynamic executive jet however semi-wingless. Although all of the craft on ByzMec operated by voice command they also allowed individuals to pilot them and currently Splendor who had used remote voice commands to summon the ship was now at the command console. He was guiding the ship to the Cathedral of Cora which was on the other side of ByzMec. The Bronze Tree was within the Cathedral and it was their only hope to leave ByzMec alive.

The planet had descended into anarchy, mayhem and an orgy of hedonism and murder when Cora had consumed the Drink of Destiny from the bowl which was the Nestis. Illustra had murdered Shroud Sybarite and Alucard and if not for the intrusion of Splendor and his mysterious pretty cohorts Visiex and Breaze it seemed viable that Cora herself would have fallen victim to Illustra’s madness and murder.

Presently Illustra was regaining control of her senses and mind while silently meditating. The youthful Visiex quietly reported, “There are three ships that have been detailed to ground us.” Breaze went on to provide additional information “one ship is a Trireme Class, the second is a Schooner Class and the third is a Man-of-war Class.”

“The Trireme Class has vectored to ram from position twelve at sky ten degrees,” Splendor explained in concentrating tones. Visiex then continued “impact in ten, nine...”

Splendor leapt from his seat commanding “Illustra enough meditating I am walking the plank.” Illustra sprang into the pilot’s seat and she engaged evasive manoeuvres while Visiex persisted “eight, seven, six...”

A blue energy bubble phased on surrounding Splendor while his form fitting Blue halo was also engaged; he had his Thunder Dancer in his hand and it manoeuvred through various forms of stylized weaponry. The bubble quickly raised carrying Splendor and sequenced molecularly past the inner and outer skins of the ship until he stood on the outer forward deck.

Splendor could be seen through the forward visual display Thunder Dancer held in both hands as he rushed forward his powerful wings funnelled back. “Impact is imminent in three” Visiex informed them as the oncoming trireme loomed racing towards them.

Splendor disengaged the energy bubble his halo glowed bright blue and his Thunder Dancer lanced out as if an unstoppable lightning bolt. It impacted the attacking trireme with devastating force slashing it almost into two separate massive slices. Simultaneously Splendor formed his Thunder Dancer into a partial shield separating the two aircraft.

The destroyed trireme plummeted into the Thunder Dancer shield which absorbed and dissipated the assault. Cora stood gripping the compartments railing in awe as their ship continued forward as if no attack had occurred. Breaze was standing next to her and delicately pronounced “And that is why Splendor is splendid and why he is one of the Seven Archus” the last two words she spoke with a particularly solemn tone.

“There are now only six Archus, Alucard has now fallen more than once and now for eternity” Illustra corrected then continued “the Schooner Class and Man-of-war are converging on our trajectory.”

The monitor showed the two immense much larger ships closing in upon them each had several Blues on their outer decks holding their Thunder Dancers.

Splendor had rejoined them in the cabin of the ship and he asked “Illustra how far to the Cathedral?” Visiex immediately responded “twenty two parsecs, ten segments and two.” Illustra then added “convergence in half that time.”

Cora understood this to mean they had less than eleven minutes of Earth time till they would be in dire trouble.

Illustra then asked with a smirk on her face “Cora is this the meaning of out of the frying pan into the fire?”

Cora watched the imagery of the approaching aircraft on the screen “yes that would be an apt description...we need a lot of water to put out that fire.”

“Water” Splendor quietly repeated then he asked “Visiex are we now closing upon the Cathedral Dancing Lake?” After a moment she responded “yes approach is on target, our altitude is...at halo level.” With those words Cora saw all of the others look at one another.

“What is halo level?” Cora questioned.

Splendor gave quick instructions to Illustra who was still flying the aircraft. Things were happening so fast Cora could not understand what the plan seemed to be. The ship then started to turn its nose degrees downward and Cora could see a large body of water looming bellow and ahead.

They were rapidly descending towards the body of water and the attacking ships were improving their positioning as they closed in upon them from behind. Then Cora saw that once again Splendor stood upon their ships outer foredeck. They were racing down towards the lake then just before it seemed they would crash Illustra commanded the ship into a steep angled upward climb.

It was then that Splendor struck, he used his Thunder Dancer as an energy beam that seemed to be focussed intensely hot solar like fire. He had aimed just bellow and behind their ship into the waters bellow. Immediately a vast vapour wave of super heated water blew upward striking the two closely following ships. The two enemy ships were buffeted and clobbered by the wall of heated fluid. As the Blues on the decks of the two ships struggled to protect themselves with their Thunder Dancers their ships had their noses pushed up and then they dropped like rocks into the water bellow.

An unthought-of consequence of this defence was that the vapour cloud also hammered their own ship at its tail end damaging propulsion, guidance, command and control. Illustra reported thus including “evacuate the ship, engage halos.” Splendor joined Illustra piloting, the two of them working in tandem keeping the craft from immediate destruction while Breaze had punched the emergency release blasting out two escape hatches. Visiex followed by Breaze turned on their halos as their wings distended from their backs then the two of them leapt flying from the crashing aircraft.

Cora was terrified and fiercely gripped the hand rail near one of the opened hatches. The ship buckled with explosions and flames seeped out of parts of the walls. Splendor saw Cora was frozen to the rail and yelled to her “Cora jump free out the hatch!” Cora shook her head negatively in response.

Illustra struggling to keep the rampaging transport stable then glanced quickly at Cora before directing her attention back to the instruments speaking with calm but solid determination “Cora, girl you are the Sky Owner, you have the Nestis. Cora you can fly.”

Cora was incredulous “are you crazy I don’t have wings mad woman!”

Splendor responded “indeed Cora you now do have wings have you seen them not? You are Sky Dancer!” Illustra then continued “girl look into the Nestis at the Bronze Tree and free your wings, do it quickly! Do it now!”

Cora did as she was told, one hand grappling for stability and security the other held the Nestis. She saw the Bronze Tree and she could see her reflection in the glassy Nestis. Cora saw powerful broad wings extend from her back! When she looked over her shoulders she could not see them but when she looked back in to the Nestis they were in her reflection. Then with amazing rapidity the Nestis flowed over her skin covering her entire milky skinned, delicate yet lithesome body.

The ship was jolted by another explosion and flames licked around the cabin as well as sparks of electricity followed by electrical arcs. Suddenly pressurized fluids burst through a pipe close to Cora which was then ignited by the flames. The blast seared her clothing and blew her out the hatch.

Cora tumbled through the air towards the water far bellow. She could see now that the elegant curved organically designed Cathedral of Cora was nearby. Cora was seized by terror as the waters of Dancing Lake raced towards her in her deadly fall.

As the body circulates the blood without thought Cora without thought began to slow then sore then glide and gently descend till she smoothly hovered just above the water. She had never felt so free and elegant full of grace. Celebration with wonder and exuberance prepared to grip her and she turned to shout her joy and triumph up at Illustra and Splendor above in the transport.

It was then that she saw the transport plummet and batter the rocky ground. The craft was consumed in flame and explosions as it was nearly obliterated. She did not see the flying forms of her tutor Illustra or her guardian angel Splendor. Cora then thought of Illustra’s words “now we die” and it felt like an exquisite black veil of mourning descended upon Cora as she was shrouded in grief…

Read Part 12 of Epiphany Mythos...Requiem for Cora

Above art is Evening Mood by William Adolphe Bouguereau

(Please note the images that accompany this series are meant to enhance the experience of the reader but should not be taken as completely relevant to the partnered story)

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Stanley Cup Playoffs Fantasy Hockey Unedited Uncensored Video Update FINAL Pittsburg Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings GAME 7

Pittsburg Penguins defeat the Detroit Red Wings in game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs!

The FINAL scores for the Life on the Blade Stanley Cup Playoff Fantasy Hockey are:

Round 1

Chocolate Girl 68, Bob 65, Livingsword 61, Max 45, Looney 35

Round 2

Chocolate Girl 82, Livingsword 81, Max 68, Bob 63, Looney 35

Rounds 3 and 4

Chocolate Girl 105, Livingsword 101, Looney 69, Bob 57, Max 56

Stanley Cup winner bonus 10 points: winning team Pittsburg Penguins: Chocolate Girl is the only contestant to pick the Penguins to win: she gets the 10 bonus points.

Final Score:

Chocolate Girl 68+82+105+10 (bonus) = 265

Livingsword 61+81+101 = 243

Bob 65+63+57 = 185

Max 45+68+56 = 169

Looney 35+35+69 = 139

Congratulations Chocolate Girl!!!!!

What should I give Chocolate Girl for winning?

Thank you to everybody for playing…well done!!! We need to prepare for next season to defeat Chocolate Girl.

Visit NHL.com to be up to date or Wikipedia: 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs

Epiphany Mythos Femme Fatale

Previously on Epiphany Mythos: 1) Sundering the Veil, 2) Thunder Dancer, 3) Splendor Rose, 4) Bronze Tree, 5) Canticle for Cora, 6) Shroud Sybarite, 7) Garden of Guardian Angels, 8) Destiny: Convergence and Diversity, 9) Taboo

A femme fatale....is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetypal character of literature and art. Her ability to entrance and hypnotize her male victim was in the earliest stories seen as being literally supernatural, hence the most prosaic femme fatale today is still described as having a power akin to an enchantress, vampire, female monster or demon. The ideas involved are closely tied to fears of the female witch and misogyny while others say Femme fatale "remains an example of female independence and a threat to traditional female gender roles"
- - Wikipedia: Femme fatale

10
Femme Fatale

Cora slumbered in the sensuality of the aftermath of her taboo experience as her mind began to register one of Alucard’s hands quivering upon the small of her slender naked back. She stirred her mind to move her head to observe the beauty of his exposed exceedingly masculine form upon the luxurious sheets of the bed. Turning her head towards him she smiled inwardly as she envisioned his beautiful body before opening her eyes.

Brilliant light from the skylights flooded the lavish room of the Sophisticatium at first blinding her. Horror then flooded Cora to frozen alertness as she saw Illustra standing beside the bed one hand holding a Thunder Dancer weapon formed somewhat as an uchigatana Japanese sword while her other hand gripped the long hair of the head of Alucard as blood flowed gushing to the bed and floor while his face was contorted in dead astonishment!

For an instant Cora was frozen by inaction and Illustra whose naked body was covered in blood spoke almost seductively yet strangely also as an instructor “we die, do you understand girl? We now die, never have we as a species known death...and now we die.”

Cora’s eyes darted around the room seeking escape attempting to avoid the view of Alucard’s head and body. She slowly moved her slender feminine figure across the bed from the body and Illustra who was now looking into the dead eyes of Alucard’s head. Cora slid her willowy legs off the bed and then she crouched on the floor as if hiding while rubbing off the swaths of blood from her hands onto the bed sheets.

Illustra calmly turned her attention upon Cora and slowly but matter-of-factly explained “as the traitorous Blue Alucard is dead by my hand so it is with Shroud Sybarite. Do you understand girl? Alucard was a Blue, the Shroud controlled him, she knew you brought death and it is so. In her Canticle for Cora she named you Angel of Death and it is so. One thing I do not know…can the Angel of Death herself die, I wonder if it is so.” With that Illustra leaped upon the blood soaked bed standing upon it with one foot triumphantly upon the dead body of Alucard. Her feet painted in his blood as if crushed blood red grapes pressed by her feet slathering the juice upon her skin. She then pointed the tip of Thunder Dancer at Cora as madness coloured across the features of Illustra.

Cora crouched further beside the bed unable to escape. Her hand touched or perhaps was touched by an object...the glass like fluidic Nestis sphere.

Illustra pointed the Thunder Dancer at Cora who then almost without thinking raised the Nestis which then emanated a short blinding light at Illustra. Cora saw the Thunder Dancer and head of Alucard fall from the hands of Illustra who grabbed at her eyes trying to rub away the effects of the flash of light. The blood from Illustra’s hands was now as war paint on her facial features.

Cora turned and dashed to the door and flung it open. She raced down the hall out the main doors of the Sophisticatium and ran into the gardens with the Nestis in her hand as clothing slowly appeared upon her naked form; this emanation of clothing and slight phasing of adaptation in her appearance and features was something she still had never become comfortable with.

Illustra wild eyed ferociously pummelled the door open exiting the building behind Cora once again holding Thunder Dancer in one hand and Alucard’s head in the other while calling out “girl, we die, do you die? We will see!”

Cora frantically sought escape through the gardens. She ran down pathways around hedges under trees entering a garden waterway where she saw two women at the water performing one of the multitudinous purification ceremonies dedicated to her arrival on ByzMec. Religious rights inundated life in ByzMec and this had been amplified by her arrival.

Illustra stepped through the hedge in front of Cora. Fear froze Cora as she saw no escape then in reflex she began to raise the Nestis but like fluid it melted down her arm almost like a baby creature hiding within the folds of her dress.

Cora prepared to die in her mind perhaps waiting for a final pronouncement from Illustra who till this day had seemed like a tutor and even friend and protector although often a puzzling one. The two women by the water observed the confrontation silently.

The voice boomed throwing Cora’s eyes open, until that moment she had not realized she had closed them in fear of the inevitable. She felt a great wind and a shadow covered her as her guardian angel the Blue Splendor landed directly between her and Illustra!

Splendor’s voice invoked tremendous power “Illustra! Illustra the Destiny does not flow this way. This is not the season. It is not the time to collect stones nor to cast them.” Splendor then dramatically swept one of his hands in the direction of the two women by the water and continued “Visiex and Breaze have called with the water of the Merchant. We know it is so. Cast aside Alucard’s remnant, as we must escape to the Bronze Tree. Anarchy has descended upon ByzMec death and suffering hold it in purchase we must make haste! The plan woman; the plan!”

Cora stood flush behind Splendor as his powerful broad wings contracted, he held his Thunder Dancer in one brawny hand. She watched Illustra who appeared awakened from a nightmare. Illustra looked at the head in her hand and gently let it fall from her hand. The head rolled into the water close to Visiex and Breaze who looked upon it with a blending of wonder, saturated grief and dismay. It was the first time they had ever looked death, true death in the face…

An air transport thundered overhead as it descended into a hover and extended an access portal above them....

Read Part 11 of Epiphany Mythos...Sky Dancer

Above art is Nymphs Finding the Head of Orpheus by John William Waterhouse

(Please note the images that accompany this series are meant to enhance the experience of the reader but should not be taken as completely relevant to the partnered story)

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Yellowstone National Park Photos Great Fountain Geyser

Yellowstone National Park has plenty of spectacular geysers one of our favourites is shown in this photo of Great Fountain Geyser.

Great Fountain Geyser is extravagant in its eruptions and the setting is magnificent. This photo seems almost otherworldly except that some people became concerned as they realized the water and steam from this blast was drifting over their cars in the parking lot.

Want to have a close up look at a Yellowstone Bison then click here to have a look.

By Chocolate Girl