tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41045234752730952832024-03-14T01:38:26.172+00:00Die Wunderkammer'The Cabinet of Curiosity'Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-56207316631006702242022-12-31T16:45:00.003+00:002023-01-01T13:52:23.348+00:00Thank you 2022 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ycsH_lrKLWirYmLKQsD_r-vHTfV2VbpHXNi3f73h48m2IwNDfXZ4fnsPLRyivvpeNq3BRevELUPquyqNxK9JdNkuvhVI7noQYwydYKINCG8JS1HuPp3n_Jsi2JFISWsM6d7rbyr4hhOfW7cYyEegpMPuNT7N_a-Rf_7HXd-6d7fANGtbA5tkRQeS/s2048/016_nina_portraits_websize.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ycsH_lrKLWirYmLKQsD_r-vHTfV2VbpHXNi3f73h48m2IwNDfXZ4fnsPLRyivvpeNq3BRevELUPquyqNxK9JdNkuvhVI7noQYwydYKINCG8JS1HuPp3n_Jsi2JFISWsM6d7rbyr4hhOfW7cYyEegpMPuNT7N_a-Rf_7HXd-6d7fANGtbA5tkRQeS/s320/016_nina_portraits_websize.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>It feels like no time at all since I wrote my <a href="http://nina-mcnamara.blogspot.com/2022/01/thank-you-2021.html">thank you to 2021</a>, yet at the same time, 2022 felt like three years when I reflect on the amount of change and growth I experienced. </p><p>Thank you 2022...</p><p><br /></p><p>...for the opportunity to be a good manager despite my own personal struggles </p><p>...for proving I could relentlessly fight for what I believed to be right, even in an environment that wasn't working for me </p><p>... for bravely saying NO to a promotion and leaving my job because it was the right thing for my mind, my team and my life </p><p>...for collaborating with the amazing Nikki to design the new <a href="https://www.electricwoman.com/">Electric Woman </a>website, which re-ignited my creative vision </p><p>...for affording me the space to visit Mexico, Venue, Greece, Singapore, Thailand, Scotland and Deal! (This also included my stadium debut of '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo_efYhYU2A">Shallow - Lady Gaga</a>' on Karaoke. </p><p>...for Monty and I moving to a more peaceful and brighter home </p><p>...for manifesting and commissioning a photoshoot that visualised me as my <a href="https://www.electricwoman.com/">Electric Woman</a> amidst her orgasm (I know, right. WTF!). See also <a href="https://youtu.be/Dwnl43ASLBA?t=153">Olivia Coleman in Fleabag</a></p><p>...for my first independent creative workshop called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cha-59Oo9vS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">FEMININE POWER COLLAGE</a> with some mega-inspiring women </p><p>...for inspiring me to immerse myself into the world of desire, sex and relationships, which has already sparked seeds of new partnerships, inspiration and joy </p><p>...for my first freelance gig as Head of Design </p><p>...for driving a team at <a href="https://www.clearscore.com/">ClearScore</a> over 3 months to deliver an Alpha product, design a Beta product increase team trust to 100% </p><p>...for sharing my coaching journey as a talk. Feat: Getting our design team to dance along with me </p><p>...for hosting a Jeffersonian dinner about women's pleasure, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/uxofsex/">EAT OUT</a> and my heart literally exploded </p><p>…for meeting people who give me perspective and motivation through our stories from prison with <a href="https://www.birdpodcast.co.uk/">Bird Podcast</a><br /><br /></p><p>I said No more, I said Yes too. I laughed, sobbed, loved, slept loads and reallllly lived. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-91844833694863485032022-12-26T14:10:00.004+00:002022-12-26T14:10:37.778+00:00Manifest <p> 12 months ago I wrote this:</p><p>“I want to be able to visually manifest my orgasm imagery in some way (the images I see when I orgasm).</p><p>Perhaps I will have a photoshoot of me amongst the symbols and imagery so I can visualise myself in a way like never before. </p><p>I want to ignite my life set my world in fire and feel liberated, free and in command.</p><p>I want to be able to tap into my power at will.”</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRhlYGfrtKTSNaK2O_RUr2BfllRhZRQ2p9No7UZtTBmKAHqnmgcO_ghx_nS4_eIks7y2dGf15hcGQB7YpETlPnpeflgWx-crl8B7O5na31sjlllWe7Kez-nC75BmgQ2q3uteMMv5i0YresAIaWQ_LbK5rcWpFA_0NTG5erjC7YEj099NQXxXRSn93/s5472/AB7E0C31-DF40-49C2-BEF0-9213C70ED646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRhlYGfrtKTSNaK2O_RUr2BfllRhZRQ2p9No7UZtTBmKAHqnmgcO_ghx_nS4_eIks7y2dGf15hcGQB7YpETlPnpeflgWx-crl8B7O5na31sjlllWe7Kez-nC75BmgQ2q3uteMMv5i0YresAIaWQ_LbK5rcWpFA_0NTG5erjC7YEj099NQXxXRSn93/s320/AB7E0C31-DF40-49C2-BEF0-9213C70ED646.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-20588005259940175772022-01-02T14:33:00.002+00:002022-01-02T14:42:01.963+00:00Thank you 2021<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQEDdP0IBHIeJuuKoSh5AAVC4Yxss3DTbTQurq7Vv7FadUYH_4LqZywGVJJ9UZTjQ257U-gzGOsb2bYbBo3Bh1jTX9_C3k2oHCIr5AdkmctkOnnHMUUFlKtHKq3PKwNcEvQgmh6q1RVANaeukabzgFWsbIn7gLw3H67VHFKR5DBrQrt7vG6FSPQrPh=s1594" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQEDdP0IBHIeJuuKoSh5AAVC4Yxss3DTbTQurq7Vv7FadUYH_4LqZywGVJJ9UZTjQ257U-gzGOsb2bYbBo3Bh1jTX9_C3k2oHCIr5AdkmctkOnnHMUUFlKtHKq3PKwNcEvQgmh6q1RVANaeukabzgFWsbIn7gLw3H67VHFKR5DBrQrt7vG6FSPQrPh=s320" width="235" /></a></div><p>…For the conscious choice to develop myself actively and believe in myself as a person</p><p>…For opening me up to new experiences and people. </p><p>…For the energy I get from being around others, especially other creative people</p><p>…For making me stronger knowing I got through times where I was burnt out, unsure and when my partner was sick</p><p>…For spending time developing my own dreams and core purpose outside of money</p><p>…For loving my body fully again </p><p>…For creating a hunger for rich and exotic experiences </p><p>…For realising my body is a tool for POWER </p><p>…For leading with my tits </p><p>…For starting a discovery of self pleasure</p><p><br /></p><p>See also: <a href="https://mailchi.mp/themarginalian/resolutions?e=8c8333e096">Resolutions for a life worth living </a></p><p><br /></p>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-47357911362904291382021-11-22T22:28:00.001+00:002021-11-22T22:28:17.111+00:00<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk5t5kzDPM4xXN1XTZTlwi4uFG7BYrD9T4keX4JqHdCg_loTAipNpsnh-_Mh4oVzoWG-G2JfM1hVjUAyDfG1J0vOF4i1v4TfEnSOHwXz1L2DANGbxUDP-Erz9KNkXvl1giratAcrdwSo/s1727/F88EE961-576E-47B4-866B-193BDADA67E5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1727" data-original-width="1028" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk5t5kzDPM4xXN1XTZTlwi4uFG7BYrD9T4keX4JqHdCg_loTAipNpsnh-_Mh4oVzoWG-G2JfM1hVjUAyDfG1J0vOF4i1v4TfEnSOHwXz1L2DANGbxUDP-Erz9KNkXvl1giratAcrdwSo/s320/F88EE961-576E-47B4-866B-193BDADA67E5.jpeg" width="190" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><i>Unless you can see the beauty all around you everywhere, and enjoy it, you can never comprehend art – or life </i><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">– Willa Cather </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-64718254652187889222019-12-06T19:32:00.001+00:002019-12-06T19:32:56.237+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFB6SJX7VDUoltOImvUSbvFSOYrnXGLPoKBJ-wT9Bq8rcjlDo1kpVKqmMPVk5ghntqMP5O9rx8ANkJsQbViQmZhABKR87eHdqUZXrd011gCWZE2i25625cYf_pCBAu67n48aPVlvqnok/s1600/b9177ac63c611047b663f9ea3a4bfe08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFB6SJX7VDUoltOImvUSbvFSOYrnXGLPoKBJ-wT9Bq8rcjlDo1kpVKqmMPVk5ghntqMP5O9rx8ANkJsQbViQmZhABKR87eHdqUZXrd011gCWZE2i25625cYf_pCBAu67n48aPVlvqnok/s320/b9177ac63c611047b663f9ea3a4bfe08.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Give me the strongest cheese, the one that stinks best;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and I want the good wine, the swirl in crystal</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
surrendering the bruised scent of blackberries,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
or cherries, the rich spurt in the back</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
of the throat, the holding it there before swallowing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Give me the lover who yanks open the door</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
of his house and presses me to the wall</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
in the dim hallway, and keeps me there until I'm drenched</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and shaking, whose kisses arrive by the boatload</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and begin their delicious diaspora</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
through the cities and small towns of my body.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
To hell with the saints, with martyrs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
of my childhood meant to instruct me</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
in the power of endurance and faith,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
to hell with the next world and its pallid angels</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
swooning and sighing like Victorian girls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I want this world. I want to walk into</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
the ocean and feel it trying to drag me along</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
like I'm nothing but a broken bit of scratched glass,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and I want to resist it. I want to go</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
staggering and flailing my way</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
through the bars and back rooms,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
through the gleaming hotels and weedy</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
lots of abandoned sunflowers and the parks</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
where dogs are let off their leashes</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
in spite of the signs, where they sniff each</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
other and roll together in the grass, I want to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
lie down somewhere and suffer for love until</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
it nearly kills me, and then I want to get up again</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and put on that little black dress and wait</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
for you, yes you, to come over here</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and get down on your knees and tell me</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
just how fucking good I look</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Kim Addonizio</div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-13084218027709872252019-10-27T13:21:00.002+00:002019-12-06T19:35:29.317+00:002019<a href="http://nina-mcnamara.blogspot.com/2014/01/2013.html">I think when I wrote this post in 2013</a> I had a plan to write one similar every year. I suspect that perhaps instagram #BestIn2014 was invented and therefore I never got round to it. This post I have called 2019...but I guess anything since 2013 that feels relevant to share will be included<br />
<br />
<br />
- I've been living in London for 6 years, it does feel like 10+<br />
<br />
- In 2013 I was just starting out my career in Fashion Tech and since then left, joined again and ran away from it screaming<br />
<br />
<br />
- I still think about the man mirror designs and in fact recently showed it in a new starter presentation to my team. It will likely always be a way to reflect on how far I've come<br />
<br />
- This year I turned 30 and we drank a brewery dry & I was reminded of how lucky I am to have so much love and friendship in my life<br />
<br />
- My Dad came to the Dolphin<br />
<br />
- I am still redefining what a loving relationship really means with my monumental life partner, MW <i>(We still haven't worked out whether video games will cause our ultimate demise) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
- I'll write a book when I know more<br />
<br />
- Me and my partner in crime, K are bossing the world of podcasting, one episode and one prison at a time<br />
<br />
- <a href="https://www.birdpodcast.co.uk/">Bird Podcast</a> won an award!<br />
<br />
- I've been on holiday every month this year <i>(Gothenburg, Dorset, Italy, Santorini, Venice, Sardinia, Lake District, Copenhagen, Jersey, France, Croatia, Tunisia, Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg) </i> - the life of a contractor was good<br />
<br />
- 46 Lothair Road North is no more<br />
<br />
- #10Woody makes up 20% of all crime drama consumption in the UK<br />
<br />
- ...And all crumpet consumption<br />
<br />
- I've just started a permanent job working on defining a decentralised, decarbonised energy grid. Quite the leap from Louis Vuitton and rings shaped like ice lollies that cos £300k <i>(Bye bye holidays, but hello mini world takeover)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>- </i>I work with way too many men, but careful what you wish for - as I used to pray for the opposite in fashion<br />
<br />
- People are starting to leave London<br />
<br />
- Dave & Louella had a baby<br />
<br />
- The Central line and the entrance to Finsbury park tube are my least favourite places at 8am <i>(Who am I kidding - 9am) </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
- I probably need to write a sitcom about my daily work life as a catharsis and duty to women who work<br />
<br />
- The Goldfinch film just no<br />
<br />
- Too scared to watch 'Sorry we missed you' - have broken down twice at the trailer<br />
<br />
Here's to enjoying the rest of the year and on to the next - Destination Unknown<br />
<br />
<br />
Life is good. Thank you to everyone who's in it.Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-87104211080835571302019-10-27T10:37:00.000+00:002019-10-27T10:37:04.730+00:00<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Courier, "Courier New", monospace; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQH0GrWgffZhbGTM1SezR7EjodB4p1RyuUSRPydojsRZG1fPma2q0kVwKB1A7u1tVKxRZtbqaYHRqiJKAfy6RUqMpVpX08PxQ7d6VnboHTm6ETDAOtPh-S6or64TZVcLwtViO7VandHI/s1600/9b79cea6fff85541176ce531767936a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="563" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQH0GrWgffZhbGTM1SezR7EjodB4p1RyuUSRPydojsRZG1fPma2q0kVwKB1A7u1tVKxRZtbqaYHRqiJKAfy6RUqMpVpX08PxQ7d6VnboHTm6ETDAOtPh-S6or64TZVcLwtViO7VandHI/s320/9b79cea6fff85541176ce531767936a1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Courier, "Courier New", monospace; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;">My duty as a songwriter is not to try to save the world, but rather to save the </span><em style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;"><span lang="EN-US" style="box-sizing: border-box;">soul</span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box;"> of the world. This requires me to live my life on the other side of truth, beyond conviction and within uncertainty, where things make less sense, absurdity is a virtue and art rages and burns; where dogma is anathema, discourse is essential, doubt is an energy, magical thinking is not a crime and where possibility and potentiality rule. The answers to the secrets of the heart may just be there, in the inscrutable dark of the forest, in the unfathomable depths of the sea, at the uncertain tips of our fingers.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Courier, "Courier New", monospace; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Courier, "Courier New", monospace; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 1px;"><i>- Nick Cave, Red Hand Files, 2019</i></span>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-13245827344681001162018-01-16T22:56:00.006+00:002018-01-16T22:56:53.347+00:00<div>
<i>Let go of your worries </i></div>
<div>
<i>and be completely clear hearted,</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>like the face of a mirror</i></div>
<div>
<i>that contains no images.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>If you want a clear mirror </i></div>
<div>
<i>behold yourself</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>and see the shameless truth </i></div>
<div>
<i>which the mirror reflects.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>If metal can be polished </i></div>
<div>
<i>to a mirror like finish </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>What polishing might </i></div>
<div>
<i>the mirror of the heart require?</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Between the mirror and the heart </i></div>
<div>
<i>is this single difference:</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>the heart conceals secrets, </i></div>
<div>
<i>while the mirror does not.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- Sex, Love & Fashion, Bruce Hulse</div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-61115727408680332192017-06-11T21:50:00.003+01:002017-08-14T15:56:05.374+01:00Linder SterlingLinder Sterling (originally Linda Mulvey, later shortened to 'Linder') studied graphic design at Manchester Polytechnic and was a radical feminist and well known figure of the Manchester punk and post-punk scene as girlfriend of Howard Devoto, founder of 'Buzzcocks' and later 'Magazine.' I initially became interested in Linder's work when I saw her 'Orgasm Addict' album cover for 'Buzzcocks', this being one of her earliest works.
<br />
<br />
In her Early career Linder used imagery from Men's D.I.Y and Pornographic magazines and women's Fashion and Domestic Magazines. Linder aimed to marry the two types of contrasting imagery together, the common denominator being the Female Body. These peculiar jigsaws of imagery point at the cultural expectations of women and the treatment of the female body as a commodity. 1978 brought the collaboration between Jon Savage and Linder, as they edited and produced the fanzine, 'The Secret Public'. Linder and Savage's styles worked in harmony together as they both centred around powerful and intriguing messages about the social attitudes of the time.
<br />
<br />
A distinct theme resonates through Linder's early sets of montage; the dismemberment of women by conventional attitudes towards gender and sexuality, each appears to be set in the home and one in particular shows naked male and female bodies topped with television sets for heads and placed into a pristinely catalogue-like home scene. These startling visions of sexual alienation shows 'techno-humans' who are divorced from their bodies and themselves. The television sets display the racing, drawing on the conventions of a quiet Sunday afternoon, Linder has taken her strong opinion and is shoving it in peoples face, an element of aggression and passion comes across as Linder exposes the common home for what she believes it to be. Shouting her opinion on the social attitudes of the time Linder's work has a not quite constructivist view of creating 'art.' Instead of artist as 'constructer', Linder is artist as 'Monteur'.
<br />
<br />
The fanzine was sold for 40p in various alternative shops such as 'Rough trade' This example of photocopier publishing never sold out, however this was irrelevant the point was to do it, get it out and to see what happened. Jon Savage described the use of collage as ' A moment of glorious liberation to work with simply blade, glass and glue.'
<br />
<br />
The more I researched Linder, the more I could relate to her work, from her background; studying in Manchester and living in Salford and the themes and attitudes towards women and archaic attitudes throughout history. Even down to the her storage of boxes containing 'mouths' 'eye's 'domestic appliances' ready to use whenever needed.
<br />
<br />
In 1980 Linder formed post-punk group Ludas, therefore continued to create album sleeves for her own band. Linder began to see herself as a found object and together with photographer Birrer, Linder began to create a type of real life montage, by holding photos of women ripped from magazines over her own face to imitate the revelation of a second skin. She would appear with 'accessories' from the first aid kit or from kitchen draws, the photos appeared in the limited edition 'SheShe' booklet, which accompanied Ludas' six track album 'Pickpocket'. Not only did Linder convey her views on sexual politics through her work but also in her performances, using confrontational tactics. Her notorious performance at the Hacienda, adorned with raw meat entwined within the fabric of her dress, amidst bloody cocktails and a black dildo, she famously destroyed the ambience of the Hacienda's chilly macho-cool.
<br />
<br />
Montage appears to form a continuum throughout Linder's career. Linder began to experiment with performance art, 'The return of Linderland' 2000, contrasting characters, played by Linder are flung together and forced to exist side by side. In 'the working class goes to paradise' Linder appears as Clint Eastwood and founder of the shaker movement 'Ann Lee', whilst Manchester exists alongside the 'Old West' this references to Linder's early work with the merging of Men's and Women's have magazines, the difference being that the scalpel, glass and glue have now been replaced with prosthetic make-up, costume and film.
<br />
<br />
Linder has created artwork for her good friend Morrissey and a book of photographs called 'Morrissey and Linder; We are your thoughts Morrissey is quoted as saying, 'Linder took up the pen, the brush, the chalk and stood as if behind a machine gun, perceiving danger swiftly and more keenly than the shell suited mutants of surrounding Manchester.'
<br />
<br />
In recent years Linder's work has gone full circle with a return to montage. 'The Paradise Experiments' use rose catalogues and ballet annuals combining to create very pretty feminine works, almost sickly sweet, these show a shift in Linder's attitudes and themes, the strong rebellious nature of youth being replaced for a subtler more refined opinion, as the attitudes of the current change, the artists work must move alongside.
<br />
<br />
If I have become known for fusing an image of a naked woman with an image of a domestic appliance then there remains something in that empowering-the collision of opposites, their resonance their absurdity and duty' -Linder Sterling 2006.Most recently in 2009 Linder has collaborated with Australian fashion designer 'Richard Nicholl.' The Lingerie masks worn by Devoto in Buzzcocks in 1977 are seen in this powerfully feminine collection, which accentuates the modern woman conveying sex appeal without losing dignity, it is not surprising Nicholl wanted Linder to create fabric prints for his designs, as she remains relevant and still true to her opinions even today.
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-38082152704248628792015-09-12T22:12:00.001+01:002015-09-12T22:13:05.767+01:00<div>It well recalls the triumphs past,</div><div>It gives the hope of peace at last;</div><div>The banner bright, the symbol plain,</div><div>Of human right and human gain.</div><div>Then raise the scarlet standard high.</div><div>Within its shade we'll live and die,</div><div>Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,</div><div>We'll keep the red flag flying here.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFAqygHQ59Xhq7Ah1P8gCLrtHubYP-q2gLmoBt7Tr3UGBtgNJq_nv4uQxGDSRe8ldhiC71up7Fso0zMyYclHkR7W_NSdvnU1d5Nh5lubHcAPPQpUQRHBDOnJrjm-Awlt_3NjmphuBASo/s640/blogger-image--1628404265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFAqygHQ59Xhq7Ah1P8gCLrtHubYP-q2gLmoBt7Tr3UGBtgNJq_nv4uQxGDSRe8ldhiC71up7Fso0zMyYclHkR7W_NSdvnU1d5Nh5lubHcAPPQpUQRHBDOnJrjm-Awlt_3NjmphuBASo/s640/blogger-image--1628404265.jpg"></a></div>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-67902625793512374362015-08-25T22:44:00.001+01:002015-08-25T22:44:19.913+01:00<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love is too weak a word for what I feel - I luuurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you, two F's, yes I have to invent, of course I - I do, don't you think I do?</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Alvy Singer </span>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-65067238933814959222015-08-25T22:43:00.001+01:002017-06-30T19:00:13.949+01:00Who are you not to be? <span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span>
<div class="page" title="Page 11">
<div class="section">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;">"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light,
not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;">Your
playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine. </span><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13.000000pt; font-weight: 800;">It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone</span><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;">. And as
we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our
own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 12pt;">- Marianne Williamson </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "futuralt"; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-76488942597476287982015-06-10T23:07:00.001+01:002015-06-10T23:07:40.823+01:00Power & Poetry<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence" </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">JFK</div>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-72915373232748522662015-05-09T17:05:00.001+01:002015-05-09T17:05:52.698+01:00The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock<table align="CENTER" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #000020;"><tbody>
<tr><td>LET us go then, you and I,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>When the evening is spread out against the sky</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Like a patient etherized upon a table;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>The muttering retreats</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"><i> 5</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Streets that follow like a tedious argument</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Of insidious intent</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To lead you to an overwhelming question….</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"><i> 10</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Let us go and make our visit.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>In the room the women come and go</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Talking of Michelangelo.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"><i> 15</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"><i> 20</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And seeing that it was a soft October night,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And indeed there will be time</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="23"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Rubbing its back upon the window panes;</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"><i> 25</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>There will be time, there will be time</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>There will be time to murder and create,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And time for all the works and days of hands</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="29"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>That lift and drop a question on your plate;</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"><i> 30</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Time for you and time for me,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="31"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And time yet for a hundred indecisions,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="32"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And for a hundred visions and revisions,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="33"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Before the taking of a toast and tea.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="34"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>In the room the women come and go</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="35"><i> 35</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Talking of Michelangelo.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="36"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And indeed there will be time</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="37"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="38"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Time to turn back and descend the stair,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="39"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="40"><i> 40</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>(They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”)</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="41"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="42"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="43"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>(They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”)</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="44"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Do I dare</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="45"><i> 45</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Disturb the universe?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="46"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>In a minute there is time</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="47"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="48"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>For I have known them all already, known them all:</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="49"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="50"><i> 50</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="51"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I know the voices dying with a dying fall</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="52"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Beneath the music from a farther room.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="53"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> So how should I presume?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="54"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And I have known the eyes already, known them all—</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="55"><i> 55</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="56"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="57"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="58"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Then how should I begin</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="59"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="60"><i> 60</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> And how should I presume?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="61"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And I have known the arms already, known them all—</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="62"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Arms that are braceleted and white and bare</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="63"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>(But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!)</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="64"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Is it perfume from a dress</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="65"><i> 65</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>That makes me so digress?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="66"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="67"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> And should I then presume?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="68"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> And how should I begin?<br />
<div align="center">
. . . . . . . .</div>
</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="69"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="70"><i> 70</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="71"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?…</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="72"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>I should have been a pair of ragged claws</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="73"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.<br />
<div align="center">
. . . . . . . .</div>
</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="74"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="75"><i> 75</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Smoothed by long fingers,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="76"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Asleep … tired … or it malingers,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="77"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="78"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="79"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="80"><i> 80</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="81"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Though I have seen my head (grown slightly bald) brought in upon a platter,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="82"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="83"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="84"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="85"><i> 85</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And in short, I was afraid.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="86"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And would it have been worth it, after all,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="87"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="88"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="89"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Would it have been worth while,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="90"><i> 90</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To have bitten off the matter with a smile,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="91"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To have squeezed the universe into a ball</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="92"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To roll it toward some overwhelming question,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="93"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="94"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”—</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="95"><i> 95</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>If one, settling a pillow by her head,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="96"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> Should say: “That is not what I meant at all;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="97"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> That is not it, at all.”</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="98"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>And would it have been worth it, after all,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="99"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Would it have been worth while,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="100"><i> 100</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="101"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="102"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And this, and so much more?—</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="103"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>It is impossible to say just what I mean!</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="104"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="105"><i> 105</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Would it have been worth while</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="106"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="107"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And turning toward the window, should say:</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="108"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> “That is not it at all,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="109"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> That is not what I meant, at all.”<br />
<div align="center">
. . . . . . . .</div>
</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="110"><i> 110</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="111"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Am an attendant lord, one that will do</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="112"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>To swell a progress, start a scene or two,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="113"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="114"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Deferential, glad to be of use,</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="115"><i> 115</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Politic, cautious, and meticulous;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="116"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="117"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="118"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Almost, at times, the Fool.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="119"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>I grow old … I grow old …</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="120"><i> 120</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="121"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="122"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="123"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="124"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>I do not think that they will sing to me.</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="125"><i> 125</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>I have seen them riding seaward on the waves</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="126"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Combing the white hair of the waves blown back</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="127"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>When the wind blows the water white and black.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="128"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td></td></tr>
<tr><td>We have lingered in the chambers of the sea</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="129"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown</td><td align="RIGHT" valign="TOP"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="130"><i> 130</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Till human voices wake us, and we drown.</td><td><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="131"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02JZ_4PMdcru17hEIFSBrMg29N-V6vMio_rSPsR5nUR9bCrNWQpkk8GHDeSDx4_5iERSzwTBULClrN-yq59d6YSqCB4u4uC7_eVsbZE_KNXUK4nC5tbbrGl1lveQtxZ7hYMPLncJ8TNQ/s1600/ca9988b605f2e80de535202ec0dce2fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02JZ_4PMdcru17hEIFSBrMg29N-V6vMio_rSPsR5nUR9bCrNWQpkk8GHDeSDx4_5iERSzwTBULClrN-yq59d6YSqCB4u4uC7_eVsbZE_KNXUK4nC5tbbrGl1lveQtxZ7hYMPLncJ8TNQ/s320/ca9988b605f2e80de535202ec0dce2fb.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-81872067791869440832015-03-13T17:14:00.000+00:002015-03-13T17:14:12.532+00:00And as much as I'd like to believe there's a truth beyond illusion, I've come to believe that there's no truth beyond illusion. Because, between 'reality' on the one hand, and the point where the mind strikes reality, there's a middle zone, a rainbow edge where beauty comes into being, where two very different surfaces mingle and blur to provide what life does not: and this is the space where all art exists, and all magic.<br />
<br />
- The GoldfinchNinarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-36899941894844692702015-01-31T16:07:00.001+00:002015-01-31T16:07:51.407+00:00 The Cruise<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">After 12 weeks
of abstinence, whilst training for and completing a triathlon, the prospect of
an all-inclusive cruise seemed like the perfect getaway. <br />
It became apparent early on that we were rather an anomaly on board. We
sauntered through the ship with a permanent Margarita in hand, met with puzzled
gazes from our fellow cruisers, who wondered what on earth two twenty-five year
old girls were doing spending their hard earned cash in the company of elderly
married couples.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">Of course our
cabin was on deck one, which we aptly nicknamed 'The Leonardo DiCaprio Deck’ -
if only to add a touch of glamour to our box room with no window - hardly the
setting for a romantic weeklong getaway with the wife. <br />
<br />
As with most budget cruise ships the on-board entertainment was second to none,
including cabaret duo, 2Intense, an a eight-strong cast performing their
adaptation of Les Mis’ and not forgetting the cruise lines’ answer to The
Beatles, Top Men. When beckoned over to the staff table by Lead Singer, Reggie,
we could hardly turn down the opportunity to fraternise with the most eligible
bachelors on board. A hefty compliment, considering the average on-board age
was 73.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">It got to
2am and clearly cabin fever had set in as we declined a polite invitation from
Top Men to join them in the bunk-bedded cabin they shared together…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">The
following morning we couldn’t help but notice the Kitchen staff grinning at us
rather ostentatiously, whilst we helped ourselves to the breakfast buffet. It
became apparent that we were becoming the talk of the boat, confirmed later
that night in ‘Liberties Bar and Lounge,’ when Reggie dedicated his rendition
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bruno Mars - Just the way you are</i> to
us<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> From that moment, our reputation preceded us, there was nothing we
could do but sit back, relax and enjoy the now-extra large measures that were
being served to us at the bar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">At the end
of the night as we walked back to our humble abode, contemplating that this
might be the most attention we’d ever received during a one-week period, we
glanced toward the lobby, heard the on-board photographer remark that we were
the 'shiniest people on the ship' and it almost felt as if we'd reached
celebrity status. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.95pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Courier;">NM</span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-89423042852234190282014-11-05T11:04:00.001+00:002014-11-05T11:04:34.143+00:00When my Tastecard automatically renews for £79.99!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmBQuiGo78wq8RDM10T9YJ-w7Z7KO99CHBlVh9EmFXnxksTtOEgC6DaDDOhrvnsaogO8G7Kok_1_mxi7ve9Z8hhHlypg6ejhCtzbMX1gO6LycPQd0eQ_jZT0nh1spaz7yoL_ASbds0gs/s1600/phone.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmBQuiGo78wq8RDM10T9YJ-w7Z7KO99CHBlVh9EmFXnxksTtOEgC6DaDDOhrvnsaogO8G7Kok_1_mxi7ve9Z8hhHlypg6ejhCtzbMX1gO6LycPQd0eQ_jZT0nh1spaz7yoL_ASbds0gs/s1600/phone.gif" height="218" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-60236041458479314502014-09-11T23:31:00.001+01:002015-05-09T17:07:46.153+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many beautiful things cannot be seen or touched, they are felt within the heart. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8lhBmpxtUTH-0PvzLNolUQu-P6c6oOpHHjuCTnQ9QTjwMWNInGQsUk2GqzvDUxLd83CFk39tr7VR4Wsjjs_NOCe2LVeza-ytXY3SAXpSUeM21H-bOqUlGVpu6J0COBe0Fx5mPoQa9E0/s1600/6051fe5fae90d368eb75da2b743dbb5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8lhBmpxtUTH-0PvzLNolUQu-P6c6oOpHHjuCTnQ9QTjwMWNInGQsUk2GqzvDUxLd83CFk39tr7VR4Wsjjs_NOCe2LVeza-ytXY3SAXpSUeM21H-bOqUlGVpu6J0COBe0Fx5mPoQa9E0/s320/6051fe5fae90d368eb75da2b743dbb5c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-69309802012240609302014-06-01T13:29:00.002+01:002014-06-01T13:29:55.072+01:00Is the view worth the climb.<br />
<br />Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-34776788171383483662014-03-05T17:02:00.003+00:002014-03-05T17:02:39.301+00:00Known Knowns<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">Interesting quote highlighted in a talk about responsive design by </span>Jeremy Keith:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">"Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns; that is to say, there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns – there are things we do not know we don't know."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">- Donald Rumsfeld.</span>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-45378710596258073842014-01-26T13:28:00.002+00:002014-01-26T13:28:35.152+00:00<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">HAD I the heavens' embroidered cloths,<br />Enwrought with golden and silver light,<br />The blue and the dim and the dark cloths<br />Of night and light and the half-light,<br />I would spread the cloths under your feet:<br />But I, being poor, have only my dreams;<br />I have spread my dreams under your feet;<br />Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.</span><div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- Yeats</span></div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-64566094985778660362014-01-01T17:53:00.001+00:002014-01-01T18:43:02.578+00:002013One year on since I moved home from Australia and - didn't think I could top the rollercoaster of events but here goes:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I designed a mirror that was shaped like a man - More importantly it retails for £9.99 and combines a jewellery holder smile and coat hook. (Who said that a Gillette razor is the most engineered product under £10).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also designed a range of luxury dog beds, which were inspired by the likes of: Dali, Bauhaus and ofcourse a mini chaise longue and mini 4 poster bed. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I asked the universe for a change and aimed to move to London in April 2013</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I escaped the clutches of discount furniture hell and got the chance to work for Vogue in April 2013 - handing in my notice was reminiscent of leaving Manchester Opera House by posting them my badge and waistcoat)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got hit by a car on my bike the day before my last day of Mirror Hell - My boss was concerned that the £1 clocks just wouldn't get finished on time - They didn't.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I discovered that you can get ANYTHING in Walthamstow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I met a man called Ramasax on the tube and thanks to the infamous Dom Kelly - he played Careless Whisper on a Saxaphone in my living room.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I started working as a freelance designer and realised I could pretty much take on any job as long as I had the #confidence </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Great Gatsby.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I worked for Julian Opie, who was my first graphic influence. It felt satisfyingly circular. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I never thought the words 'Ninky Nonk' and 'Pinky Ponk' would appear in a serious graphic brief. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
#Expenses</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I went to <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Benicàssim </span>and realised I should have took Phillip Meachin's advice and rented a Villa. #2014.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've still not mastered how to get home from Peckham before 6am </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Discovered the joy of Mozzarella as Apple. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My twin moved to London and life got a bit more hilarious. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I re-affirmed that K is forever my ridiculous partner in crime.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I kissed Callum Littler. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In December 2013 I accepted a job offer from Net-A-Porter and so the journey continues...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hashtags of the year:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
#glamoursloth #careersloth #domsdemise #confidence #vogue #whybother #bitch #retina #bose #NwasLsfirstlove #hummerlimo #carrieandbrody4ever</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-9084962959251643622013-11-03T16:34:00.000+00:002013-11-03T16:34:43.323+00:00Amon Tobin, Melbourne 2011Found some old pics from when I went to see Amon Tobin in Melbourne. Forgot what an epic example of architectural mapping the show was. Photos barely do it justice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1Rkde49di7xPeMzoxYj3hk0ufIilfHaCZm0aspZagA3lY2zdoYdvhuXKJd-xACeSL2qMx5fjMlMdC5O8ihQ5g0ynPkeXdnJWtTJqTGqM2EXR4IovgGuqt3v_-xjnwUi9NhyphenhyphenoCGdq2RM/s1600/DSCF8453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1Rkde49di7xPeMzoxYj3hk0ufIilfHaCZm0aspZagA3lY2zdoYdvhuXKJd-xACeSL2qMx5fjMlMdC5O8ihQ5g0ynPkeXdnJWtTJqTGqM2EXR4IovgGuqt3v_-xjnwUi9NhyphenhyphenoCGdq2RM/s320/DSCF8453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVSprkRqJtWlS4KCstVbP1_lo4hVWoqS_Vv72gSru8EvP_BqTvJXwvTQercksiNrirs4tbujzdsY_wBK2TwHqT0Sh8nA8e3H4dO6ugjPWMuRv3m7zWH6v52EcPTwFpmrCmis8KxuU3fQ/s1600/DSCF8454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVSprkRqJtWlS4KCstVbP1_lo4hVWoqS_Vv72gSru8EvP_BqTvJXwvTQercksiNrirs4tbujzdsY_wBK2TwHqT0Sh8nA8e3H4dO6ugjPWMuRv3m7zWH6v52EcPTwFpmrCmis8KxuU3fQ/s320/DSCF8454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJcRPlV-yM4dRm9lZFYTok4ekyFh9CH0zl7tKoclV3JHN96i9imBnBLr01BzaBuzbc3fTSr090lNIhDlARtzlfXJtof7vKJAumdfcLDEuZ5zpz9SduECt-i0zdowMhEV68F72kohScT0/s1600/DSCF8455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJcRPlV-yM4dRm9lZFYTok4ekyFh9CH0zl7tKoclV3JHN96i9imBnBLr01BzaBuzbc3fTSr090lNIhDlARtzlfXJtof7vKJAumdfcLDEuZ5zpz9SduECt-i0zdowMhEV68F72kohScT0/s320/DSCF8455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7oQHrjsqpUOlYF2-m-b6j-LAsP-se70uZciF0wWxXt3m1pJxrTN2k-bSGb7bpJcfH5RNo1ISigG8CfoDra_LiDnuoVqDWiJXFBjbXHbSGnxUzbT7rZjIQPTDU_62WXDtE2RxzNzOq_M/s1600/DSCF8460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7oQHrjsqpUOlYF2-m-b6j-LAsP-se70uZciF0wWxXt3m1pJxrTN2k-bSGb7bpJcfH5RNo1ISigG8CfoDra_LiDnuoVqDWiJXFBjbXHbSGnxUzbT7rZjIQPTDU_62WXDtE2RxzNzOq_M/s320/DSCF8460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF4HicxyQqNSxWgK-ImPdDhxBSu7mLlJrSURvd0nXrxUbVow8-pEO7M_Aafp9a3bi1lRdC1kydHcZTmTm6sY0SO22SEPvNVX6zfWlnT-4QbBuvxYScDysQ6HblGl-bqwsSB3yYkqF78A/s1600/DSCF8461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF4HicxyQqNSxWgK-ImPdDhxBSu7mLlJrSURvd0nXrxUbVow8-pEO7M_Aafp9a3bi1lRdC1kydHcZTmTm6sY0SO22SEPvNVX6zfWlnT-4QbBuvxYScDysQ6HblGl-bqwsSB3yYkqF78A/s320/DSCF8461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq1giLMQESU1-yapcO50-Z-_o0-6Ekjj5UHVXAa5GK0zhLw-EzGcWe5BM8Hr98JKdke_fpZJaOaxTEQ7YeEp4jlW3LoR09ksOip4kWdMRBMafadhaKo63GJohYeuabvqYTPN5xC5FMA8/s1600/DSCF8462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq1giLMQESU1-yapcO50-Z-_o0-6Ekjj5UHVXAa5GK0zhLw-EzGcWe5BM8Hr98JKdke_fpZJaOaxTEQ7YeEp4jlW3LoR09ksOip4kWdMRBMafadhaKo63GJohYeuabvqYTPN5xC5FMA8/s320/DSCF8462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0y2jzPrTlOsBHxyGQYwKi7-u3PH5QXeNchXn0YudpajnCy4pZqN-Bw6ceH9jb3M6S6Nl5jOkgoxvFjC2CCQ_IvdTaLWwfVO3szFwVYO-cSlz19SuSMSVyQzo2griPTNOzStV48QmGgk/s1600/DSCF8468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0y2jzPrTlOsBHxyGQYwKi7-u3PH5QXeNchXn0YudpajnCy4pZqN-Bw6ceH9jb3M6S6Nl5jOkgoxvFjC2CCQ_IvdTaLWwfVO3szFwVYO-cSlz19SuSMSVyQzo2griPTNOzStV48QmGgk/s320/DSCF8468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbj45UNtl0M784OPp8GhvHCa5XwUXGOYmKEhCrButkA0uxTBzaTtUAIRKFrFbJUPZvwt3wd4DcNkgrLoN3SOoSoofnCTvI8v5r75qgULX6XwW5nhLtun03ekkIp1Rm63FIMa_vI3TYBc/s1600/DSCF8481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbj45UNtl0M784OPp8GhvHCa5XwUXGOYmKEhCrButkA0uxTBzaTtUAIRKFrFbJUPZvwt3wd4DcNkgrLoN3SOoSoofnCTvI8v5r75qgULX6XwW5nhLtun03ekkIp1Rm63FIMa_vI3TYBc/s320/DSCF8481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T0Ki3G_XWmQ1uHrdR7kCh8uokQIv-MTopZSv48aYVNHQ1oe5kyrSQI54wNWN-WfXSnhhogXIwEMYf_Pbm6ZAv7bK6zz4S2g-qHNsUOIA_0K4v3nc0HQ3oGTCFORMQmC9IV9CfU9PCh4/s1600/DSCF8482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T0Ki3G_XWmQ1uHrdR7kCh8uokQIv-MTopZSv48aYVNHQ1oe5kyrSQI54wNWN-WfXSnhhogXIwEMYf_Pbm6ZAv7bK6zz4S2g-qHNsUOIA_0K4v3nc0HQ3oGTCFORMQmC9IV9CfU9PCh4/s320/DSCF8482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-4249318461902460822013-08-11T19:22:00.003+01:002013-09-16T01:04:39.331+01:00The road to #Beni2013 knows no bounds.Panic had already set in as to whether the fuel kitty was going to run out, which was perhaps what led to the following events...<br />
<br />
On the edge of Barcelona, another dreaded toll booth loomed and as we approached, a puzzling event occurred. No ticket came out of the machine. Considering the automated toll system and the absence of a human-being - J looked at the barrier and considered his options. Initially he reversed backwards and into another bay - still with no available ticket. The car in-front seemed to get through without a problem and J knew that he had a 3 second window to make a decision. With the will and telepathic ability of 'everyone in the car,' J sped 0-100 mph through the barrier and as it began to lower it was the roof-box that felt the impact with an almighty bang.<br />
<br />
Adrenalin was high and out of courtesy and fear J stopped the car (leaving enough time for the Spanish mafia to get his registration plate) and it was only when the rest of Spain drove through unfazed and a guard nonchalantly lifted up the barrier and added it to the pile of broken barriers and English flags at the side of the road, that J felt it was okay to continue. A sinking feeling of dread washed over the car as we edged closer to the next toll gate and feared imminent arrest.<br />
<br />
Later in the journey we looked up and saw that K's unfolded sleeping bag was flapping in the wind and perhaps there was a problem with the roof-box. Naturally the clip from the front of the box had been annihilated off during the barrier impact - and the guard didn't even have the courtesy to tell us! Thank god K's half eaten roll matt didn't fall out - otherwise a <u>very </u>sternly worded letter would be making it's way to the embassy as we speak.<br />
<br />
Luckily N's <i>impeccable</i> Spanish at the exit barrier meant that we were, thankfully, not arrested and carried on our way, ever cautious that our worldly belongings could fall off the car roof at any moment.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMD9HM0RM3me7HKsw_iwBq5kppCd-JOjQQ1pi5c4ozrOvT1MXKQYzQX3c0WcjD4UtGazY5NZOBYcUTuMC_10rwz9dgVHS_Q-FUkUsmg1amN-UKIj91KhI1uRnpTb5rXTldmFMj4C2zUg/s1600/Mr-bean_600a-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMD9HM0RM3me7HKsw_iwBq5kppCd-JOjQQ1pi5c4ozrOvT1MXKQYzQX3c0WcjD4UtGazY5NZOBYcUTuMC_10rwz9dgVHS_Q-FUkUsmg1amN-UKIj91KhI1uRnpTb5rXTldmFMj4C2zUg/s320/Mr-bean_600a-600x400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Accurate representation of roof-box security precautions</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>NM</i></div>
<u><br /></u>
<u><br /></u>Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4104523475273095283.post-27497985950754243952013-08-11T19:02:00.000+01:002013-09-16T01:08:58.221+01:00On The Road....to #Beni2013So we had set off on our epic journey (by car) to Beni, First thing to note is that we had more pasta and tuna that anyone could have anticipated and that B's food shop exceeded the cost of the actual trip, which was acceptable because KP do "the best" nuts and we can have <i>nothing</i> but the best.<br />
<br />
On arrival to the first campsite in Paris, it became apparent that we were surrounded by woman-eating mosquitoes and within 5 minutes of getting out of the car K had accrued 72 bites on her legs - even with the added protection of 20 denier leggings and a pocket sized mosquito repellent those mossies were relentless leaving K, N and B covered, whilst J and C escaped with just a few attacks.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately tinned curry does not contain garlic so there was really no hope for a mosquito deterrent, this, combined with N's circulation being a bit "yknow" meant that once again she had a mosquito-induced club foot - both feet this time. We just all had to be thankful that we didn't go through the same experience as Jonny, bearing a total of 50 bites on the face alone.<br />
<br />
Although N didn't get bit on the face - a few bites to the neck were enough to make her lips and face swell up to what felt like, in the panicked darkness of the tent, a scene from Hitch. Naturally N tried to call K in the night for assistance/advice - however the application of earplugs and a face mask rendered this futile - perhaps if N had snored for help this would have been more effective. N took an allergy tablet to solve the issue - because as her mind ticked over it occurred to her that she may be having a bad reaction to Tesco's finest tikka masala (!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz2leZJg_dLvhCvQdLloM5fp1mkH2NoQLQsXDuRDPDHe3kyISP0Sj7T8k5ch2BqrUPVyWNkXT9qrnzwgafW8wDR2BB3RMVceQSjBrwUw46u8Dwo7U0R-Gf1hRZ0MeJPY2Y6wm043oz14/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz2leZJg_dLvhCvQdLloM5fp1mkH2NoQLQsXDuRDPDHe3kyISP0Sj7T8k5ch2BqrUPVyWNkXT9qrnzwgafW8wDR2BB3RMVceQSjBrwUw46u8Dwo7U0R-Gf1hRZ0MeJPY2Y6wm043oz14/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The following day, our main aim was to purchase a remedy for the bites as one bottle of Tea-tree oil was destined to run out - especially as N was being so frivolous, unaware of pouring it onto the ground - much to C's distress.<br />
<br />
So, French supermarkets - being so epic in nature meant that we got slightly distracted with the search for a cure in favour of roast chicken dinner and Nutella. K and N did invest 15 euros in a "device; based purely on the fact that it looked like, former food teacher, Miss. Judge's mosquito cure - which we vaguely remember using at age 13 on a school holiday.<br />
<br />
The reality was much more sinister.<br />
<br />
Considering the swollen status of N's leg it felt like the logical option to use her as a scape goat - on opening the package we realised the 'Veno-Pump' meant business. When applied to N's leg the whole group rapidly began over-react and panic as the suction device formed what can only be described as the millennium dome on N's leg. After 30 seconds K thought 5 minutes had passed and suggested removal of the device - however N insisted on enduring what was later to discovered to be treatment for a scorpion or snake bite. When attempting to remove the device (without thoroughly reading the instructions) N screamed in pain as she envisioned the flesh of her leg being ripped off- which although would have solved the mosquito bite issue - was less than desirable. Finally the 'Veno-Pump' was removed leaving behind the dome and the burning question in everyone's mind of '- "Will this ever go down?"<br />
<br />
Despite the treatment seeming like a failure - K felt she had <b>nothing t</b>o loose and applied the smaller pump to her foot to no avail. God only knows what would have become of Jonny's face in the same situation. It was good to know that if we were ever stranded in the Amazon that everyone would stay extremely calm and rational in the face of danger.<br />
<br />
NM<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ninarussiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17528633038149850054noreply@blogger.com0