49 Search Results for "national"
- most recent
- highest rated
- most viewed
- top favorites
- most comments
-
rudylavecchia79
- Views: 23
- Since: 1 week ago
-
Chinese Kung Fu
- From: chineseclothing
-
Description:
Chinese martial arts, known in Mandarin as wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: wǔshù) and popularly as kungfu (Chinese: 功夫 pinyin: gōngfū), consist of a number of fighting styles that were developed over the centuries. Those fighting styles can be classified according to common themes that are identified as "families" (家, jiā), "sects" (派, pai) or "schools" (門, men) of martial arts. Example of themes are physical exercises that mimic movements from animals or a history and training method that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies, myths and legends. Some styles focus on the the harnessing of qi and are labeled internal (内家拳), while others concentrate on improving muscle and cardiovascular fitness and are labeled external (外家拳). Geographical association, as in northern (北拳) and southern (南拳), is another popular method of categorization. Each fighting style offers a different approach to the common problems of self-defense, health, and self-cultivation from a Chinese perspective.
Terminology
Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu (Chinese: 功夫 pinyin: gōngfū) and wushu (simplified Chinese: 武术; traditional Chinese: 武術; pinyin: wǔshù listen (help•info); Cantonese: móuh-seuht) have very different meanings. The Chinese literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" would be 中國武術 zhōngguó wǔshù.
In Chinese, kung fu can be used in contexts completely unrelated to martial arts, and refers colloquially to any individual accomplishment or skill cultivated through long and hard work [1]. In contrast, wushu is a more precise term for general martial activities.
Wǔshù literally means "martial art". It is written with two Chinese characters, 武術: 武 (wǔ), meaning, "martial" or "military", and 術 (shù), which translates into "discipline", "skill" or "method".
The term wushu has also become the name for a modern sport similar to gymnastics, involving the performance of adapted Chinese bare-handed and weapons forms (tàolù 套路) judged to a set of contemporary aesthetic criteria for points.
History
Ancient depiction of fighting monks practicing the art of self-defense.
Descriptions of Chinese martial arts can be traced to the Xia Dynasty (夏朝) which existed more than 4000 years ago. Their origin is attributed to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important components in the training of Chinese soldiers. From this beginning, Chinese martial arts proceeded to incorporate different philosophies and ideas into its practice—expanding its purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation. Conversely, the influence of martial ideals in civilian society can be found in poetry, fiction, and eventually film.
According to tradition, the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, traditional date of ascension to the throne 2698 BCE) introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who, before becoming China’s leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology and the martial arts. He allegedly developed the practice of jiao di or horn-butting and utilized it in war
Shǒubó (手搏), practiced during the Shang dynasty (1766–1066 BCE), and Xiang Bo (similar to Sanda) from the 600s BCE, are just two examples of ancient Chinese martial arts. In 509 BCE, Confucius suggested to Duke Ding of Lu that people practice the literary arts as well as the martial arts; thus, wushu began to be practised by ordinary citizens external to the military and religious sects. A combat wrestling system called juélì or jiǎolì (角力) is mentioned in the Classic of Rites (1st c. BCE). This combat system included techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure point attacks. Jiao Di became a sport during the Qin Dynasty (221–207 BCE). The Han History Bibliographies record that, by the Former Han (206 BCE – 8 CE), there was a distinction between no-holds-barred weaponless fighting, which it calls shǒubó (手搏), for which "how-to" manuals had already been written, and sportive wrestling, then known as juélì or jiǎolì (角力). Wrestling is also documented in the Shǐ Jì, Records of the Grand Historian, written by Sima Qian (ca. 100 BCE).
A hand to hand combat theory, including the integration of notions of "hard" and "soft" techniques, is expounded in the story of the Maiden of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue (5th c. BCE).
In the Tang Dynasty, descriptions of sword dances were immortalized in poems by Li Bai. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, xiangpu (a predecessor of sumo) contests were sponsored by the imperial courts. The modern concepts of wushu were fully developed by the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Martial arts are also mentioned in Chinese philosophy. Passages in the Zhuangzi (庄子), a Daoist text, pertain to the psychology and practice of martial arts. Zhuangzi, its eponymous author, is believed to have lived in the 4th century BCE. The Tao Te Ching, often credited to Lao Zi, is another Daoist text that contains principles applicable to martial arts. According to one of the classic texts of Confucianism, Zhou Li (周禮/周礼), Archery and charioteering were part of the "six arts" (traditional Chinese: 六藝; simplified Chinese: 六艺; pinyin: liu yi, including rites, music, calligraphy and mathematics) of the Zhou Dynasty (1122–256 BCE). The Art of War ( 孫子兵法), written during the 6th century BCE by Sun Tzu ( 孫子), deals directly with military warfare but contains ideas that are used in the Chinese martial arts. Those examples shows the ideas associated with Chinese martial arts changed with the evolving Chinese society and over time acquired a philosophical basis.
Daoist practitioners have been practicing Tao Yin, physical exercises similar to Qigong that was one of the progenitors to Tai Chi Chuan, at least since as early as 500 BCE. In 39–92 CE, "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", were included in the Han Shu (history of the Former Han Dynasty) written by Pan Ku. Also, the noted physician, Hua Tuo, composed the "Five Animals Play"—tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird, around 220 BCE. Daoist philosophy and their approach to health and exercise might have influenced, to a certain extent, the Chinese martial arts.
With regards to the Shaolin style of wushu, it is regarded as the first institutionalised Chinese martial art. However, the oldest evidence of Shaolin participation in combat is a stele from 728 CE that attests to two occasions: a defense of the Shaolin Monastery from bandits around 610 CE, and their subsequent role in the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 CE From the 8th to the 15th centuries, there are no extant documents that provide evidence of Shaolin participation in combat. However, between the 16th and 17th centuries there are at least forty extant sources which provided evidence that, not only did monks of Shaolin practice martial arts, but martial practice had become such an integral element of Shaolin monastic life that the monks felt the need to justify it by creating new Buddhist lore. References of martial arts practice in Shaolin appear in various literary genres of the late Ming: the epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks, martial-arts manuals, military encyclopedias, historical writings, travelogues, fiction and poetry. However these sources do not point out to any specific style originated in Shaolin. These sources, in contrast to those from the Tang period, refer to Shaolin methods of armed combat. This include the forte of Shaolin monks and for which they had become famous — the staff (gun, pronounced as "goon").The Ming General Qi Jiguang included description of Shaolin Quan fa (Pinyin quánfǎ or Wade-Giles ch'üan2 fa3, 拳法 "fist principles") and staff techniques in his book, Ji Xiao Xin Shu (紀效新書) that title can be translated as "New Book Recording Effective Techniques". When this book spread to East Asia, it had a great influence on the development of martial arts in regions such as Okinawa and Korea.
The fighting styles that are practiced today were developed over the centuries, after having incorporated forms that came into existence later. Some of these include Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Bak Mei Pai, Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Wing Chun and Tai Chi Chuan.
In 1900-01, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists rose against foreign occupiers and Christian missionaries in China. This uprising is known in the West as the Boxer Rebellion due to the martial arts and calisthenics practiced by the rebels. Though it originally opposed the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi gained control of the rebellion and tried to use it against the foreign powers. The failure of the rebellion lead ten years later to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the creation of the Chinese Republic.
The present view of Chinese martial arts are strongly influenced by the events of the Republican Period (1912–1949). In the transition period between the fall of the Qing Dynasty as well as the turmoils of the Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War, Chinese martial arts became more accessible to the general public as many martial artists were encouraged to openly teach their art. At that time, some considered martial arts as a means to promote national pride and build a strong nation. As a result, many training manuals (拳谱) were published, a training academy was created, 2 National examinations were organized as well as demonstration teams travelled overseas and numerous martial arts associations were formed throughout China and in various overseas Chinese communities. The Central Guoshu Academy (Zhongyang Guoshuguan, 中央國術館/中央国术馆) established by the National Government in 1928[21] and the Jing Wu Athletic Association (精武體育會/精武体育会) founded by Huo Yuanjia in 1910 are examples of organizations that promoted a systematic approach for training in Chinese martial arts. A series of provincial and national competitions were organized by the Republican government starting in 1932 to promote Chinese martial arts. In 1936, at the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin, a group of Chinese martial artists demonstrated their art to an international audience for the first time. Eventually, those events lead to the popular view of martial arts as a sport.
Chinese martial arts started to spread internationally with the end of the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Many well known martial artists chose to escape from the PRC's rule and migrate to Taiwan, Hong Kong,[25] and other parts of the world. Those masters started to teach within the overseas Chinese communities but eventually they expanded their teachings to include people from other ethnic groups.
Within China, the practice of traditional martial arts was discouraged during the turbulent years of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1969–1976). Like many other aspects of traditional Chinese life, martial arts were subjected to a radical transformation by the People's Republic of China in order to align them with Maoist revolutionary doctrine. The PRC promoted the committee-regulated sport of Wushu as a replacement to independent schools of martial arts. This new competition sport was disassociated from what was seen as the potentially subversive self-defense aspects and family lineages of Chinese martial arts Rhetorically, they also encouraged the use of the term Kuoshu (or Guoshu meaning "the arts of the nation"), rather than the colloquial term gongfu, in an effort to more closely associate Chinese martial arts with national pride rather than individual accomplishment. In 1958, the government established the All-China Wushu Association as an umbrella organization to regulate martial arts training. The Chinese State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports took the lead in creating standardized forms for most of the major arts. During this period, a national Wushu system that included standard forms, teaching curriculum, and instructor grading was established. Wushu was introduced at both the high school and university level. The suppression of traditional teaching was relaxed during the Era of Reconstruction (1976–1989), as Communist ideology became more accommodating to alternative viewpoints. In 1979, the State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports created a special task force to reevaluate the teaching and practice of Wushu. In 1986, the Chinese National Research Institute of Wushu was established as the central authority for the research and administration of Wushu activities in the People's Republic of China. Changing government policies and attitudes towards sports in general lead to the closing of the State Sports Commission (the central sports authority) in 1998. This closure is viewed as an attempt to partially de-politicize organized sports and move Chinese sport policies towards a more market-driven approach. As a result of these changing sociological factors within China, both traditional styles and modern Wushu approaches are being promoted by the Chinese government. Chinese martial arts are now an integral element of Chinese culture.
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
- Views: 45
- Not yet rated
-
sun yat sen's uniform
- From: chineseclothing
-
Description:
The modern Chinese tunic suit is a style of male attire known in China as the Chungshan suit or Zhongshan suit (traditional Chinese: 中山裝; simplified Chinese: 中山装; pinyin: Zhōngshān zhuāng) (after Sun Zhongshan), and known in the West as the Mao suit (after Mao Zedong). Sun Zhongshan (better known as Sun Yat-sen) introduced the style shortly after the founding of the Republic of China as a form of national dress although with a distinctly political and later governmental implication.
After the end of the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the suit became widely worn by males and government leaders as a symbol of proletarian unity and an Eastern counterpart to the Western business suit. The name "Mao suit" comes from Chinese leader Mao Zedong's affinity for wearing them in public, thus tying the garment closely to him and Chinese communism in general in the Western imagination. Although they fell into disuse in the 1990s amid increasing Western influences, they are still worn on occasion by Chinese leaders during important state ceremonies and functions.
Origins
When the Republic was founded in 1912, and the style of dress worn in China was based on Manchu dress (qipao and changshan), which had been imposed by the Qing Dynasty as a form of social control. The majority-Han Chinese revolutionaries who overthrew the Qing were fueled by failure of the Qing to defend China against western imperialists and the low standing of the Qing in terms of technology and science compared to the West. Even before the founding of the Republic, older forms of Chinese dress were becoming unpopular among the elite and led to the development of Chinese dress which combined the cheongsam and the Western hat to form a new dress. The Zhongshan suit is similar development which combined Western and Eastern fashions. It should be noted that until 1949 on the mainland and the 1980s in Taiwan, the civilian, non- political attire for males in China was not this tunic suit but a gown and over-jacket.
The Zhongshan suit was an attempt to cater to "modern" sensibilities without completely adopting Western styles wholesale. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was personally involved, providing inputs based on his life experience in Japan: the Japanese cadet uniform became the basis of Zhongshan suit. There were other modifications as well: instead of the three hidden pockets in Western suits, the Zhongshan suit had four outside pockets to adhere to Chinese concepts of balance and symmetry. Over time, minor stylistic changes developed. The suit originally had seven buttons, later reduced to five.
After repeated attempts to win support and recognition from Western countries failed, the Nationalist Party government in Canton led by Dr. Sun gained help (advisers and critically vital small arms) from Soviet Russia, which viewed it as a likely revolutionary ally against Western interests in the Far East; Chinese nationalism at the time (of treaty ports and extra-territoriality discriminations) was naturally heavily infected with resentment against the West. As a result of this geopolitical alignment, Dr. Sun agreed to permit the nascent Chinese Communist Party to join the Nationalist Party -- as individual members -- not as a party-party union, combination or alliance. As a result, early Communist Party members adopted the attire as a mark of joining the Nationalist Party. Ironically, from that practice during an attenuated political marriage of convenience which would soon be divorced in blood (in 1927), Asian Marxist movements and governments henceforth would all consider this attire as a standard of political coloration, and it would continue to be appropriate dress for both sides of the bitter Chinese civil wars lasting decades.
After Sun Yat-sen's death in 1925, popular mythology assigned a revolutionary and patriotic significance to the Zhongshan suit. The four pockets were said to represent the Four Virtues cited in the classic Guanzi. The five center-front buttons were said to represent the five Yuans (branches of government) cited in the constitution of the Republic of China and the three cuff-buttons to symbolize Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People.
Historical development
Mao, wearing the suit, meets Nixon
In the 1920s and 1930s, civil servants of the Chinese government were required to wear the Zhongshan zhuang. A slightly modified version of the suit, adapted for combat, formed the basis for National Revolutionary Army army uniforms leading up through the Second Sino-Japanese War, although during the 1930s, as German military advice and assistance to the National Government waxed, the formal military uniform in the professional elements and ranks essentially became that of Weimar and then Nazi Germany (including the famous helmet).
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, and especially during the long initial period marked by intensive Maoist indoctrination and mass oppression through waves of purges and campaigns and "criticism/struggle" culminating with the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1965-76 when Mao himself died, the suit became widely worn by the entire male population, formally as a symbol of proletarian unity, but in fact as a form of personal -- and virtually camouflage -- coloration; it was, of course, regularly worn by Communist Party cadres until the 1990s when it was largely replaced by the Western business suit.
The Mao suit remained the standard formal dress for the first and second generations of PRC leaders such as Deng Xiaoping. During the 1990s, it began to be worn with decreasing frequency by leaders of Jiang Zemin's generation. Jiang wore it only on special occasions, such as to state dinners, but this practice was almost totally discontinued by his successor Hu Jintao.[1] By the early part of the 21st century, the Mao suit is rarely worn even on formal occasions. The military-green version of the suit is more often worn, usually by civilian party officials wishing to demonstrate control over – or camaraderie with – the military. In Taiwan, the Zhongshan suit was seldom seen after the 1970s. Moreover, given the subtropical weather much of the year in Taiwan, for a time a modified version became at least semi-standard which dropped the high-collar buttoned up original constriction in favor of a Western style open dress shirt collar, unbuttoned.
Today among the Chinese people, the suit has been largely abandoned by the younger generation in urban areas, but is still regarded as formal attire by many old people. It is also prevalent among Chinese peasants as casual dress. However the suit is becoming more popular amongst young overseas Chinese as a formal or business wear instead of wearing the "generic" Western three piece suit and also as an identity for their Chinese origin.
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
- Views: 51
- Not yet rated
-
Halloween party costumes
- From: chineseclothing
-
Description:
The Halloween season is almost upon us again. It’s interesting as you study cultures around the world how different things are celebrated. In traditional Chinese cultures, costumes are used in many rituals, plays and dances. It’s not uncommon to see the two-man dragon dance during the open ceremony of a business or around the New Years time. Likewise, you’ll find a rich history of costumes used in various opera productions, such as the Monkey King and his Pig Lord sidekick.
Chinese costumes, can also be worn during days that signify happiness and festivity, like the Halloween. Be a Chinese princess or a Chinese girl-warrior by wearing the Chinese dresses. Boys can be Bruce Lee, the Monkey King or be an animal in the Zodiac.
The Basics
The Chinese national costume is pretty and festive used on its own. However, for those who want to celebrate in their favorite Chinese story personalities, handy things around the house can be added to the basic Chinese costume.
1. Chinese Dress - Qi Pao
Qi Pao - This Chinese Dress is elegant and festive in its own right. Qi Pao means banner dress when translated. It usually has a high neck and slits on the sides. Designs can vary to flatter the woman's good features and hide the less than perfect features. Qi Pao for young girls can also be gotten in different colors and materials. For active young girls a Qi Pao dress-pants is a good idea.
Decide what impact you want to have when you walk into the room before you look at any Halloween costumes. Do you want heads to turn or do you want to look sexy, devilish, funny or impish? Once you have chosen your outfit, think of what shoes, hairstyles, accessories and makeups you'd like to go with.
Fushion east-west of UGG boots or sneakers, docile traditional slippers or mary jane, or daring high heels or leather boots?
Bun hairdo with our hair pins or chopstick? pony-tail or bob-cut for the cutsie chinagirl visage? or dyed streaks, and sadako style?
Do not forget the lipstick! Deep red, or a lite pink is recommended to compliment our dresses for the Halloween
Don’t forget the Bling. Get some costume jewelry for your Halloween dressing up secession. Rings, necklaces, bracelets, ankle bracelets, clip on earrings and maybe even an umbrella are all good suggestions for dressing up as a China girl for Halloween.
2. Chinese pants set for boys
For boys, the traditional costume pants set is a must-have set. The top has a mandarin collar with long sleeves. Pants are loose and flowing. Some costume sets include hats with pigtails or hoods.
Dressing up
It is a good idea to gather the following from around the house before starting to mix and match.
Getting sequined Chinese slippers or kung fu shoes from a nearby department store can be a good idea. It can be worn several times if you like wearing costumes for every event (or regularly, since they are comfortable). These can also be ordered online.
Mom's silk skirts in shiny fabrics, dad's silk robes may also be looted. If your family has wigs lying around the house, keep those. It may turn out useful for completing your desired look. Beautiful fabrics, scarves, bead necklaces, even table runners can be added to your collection of materials. Craft flowers, satin ribbons can also be added to the hair.
Chinese Princess
Do this with: girl's empire cut long dress/ other long dresses in plain design, in shiny fabric and plain design can also be used as a base garment when dressing up as a Chinese princess. An empire cut spaghetti strap will also do nicely. This can be topped over by a long robe/ blouse with butterfly sleeves(These tunic blouses were in fashion 3? 4? Years ago so mom may still have one in her closet.)
Hair can be fixed in a double bun, one on each side of the head, or let some of the hair flow. Beads can also be strung through the hair. Sashes can be tied around the waist, or can be used as hang down designs for the belt.
2. Lady White Snake
Similar to the Chinese Princess, although wear a white costume. May also bring a toy snake and put a pillow by the tummy to look pregnant.
3. Chinese Girl-Warrior
Like Mulan or Yu Shu Lien/ Jen Yu in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Do this with :
-Cheongsam dress-pants set
-Toy Sword or toy bows and arrows
-Kungfu shoes/ other shoes
Wear the pants set and shoes, sling over the toy weapons and youre done. Mom may also fix Warrior's hair into a neat hair style fit for battle.
4. Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee is one of my favorites to see. Strong, mysterious, and handsome, what girl wouldn’t swoon for this guy. A costume to look like him is also quite easy to recreate. The easiest version of him is to go topless with a pair of black Kung Fu pants and Kung Fu shoes (or if those are hard to get, black wrestling shoes and black sweat pants).
But some of us aren’t fortunate enough to live in a warm environment, so another option is Bruce Lee in a yellow and black sweat suit as he wore in Game of Death. Or you could go for the Kato look from his appearance in the TV show, Green Hornet
5. Monkey King
Do this with :
-Boys Traditional Black Kung Fu pants set
-Monkey mask or face crayons
-Stick
- Blog post
- 3 weeks ago
- Views: 38
- Not yet rated
-
LouisaLasky
- Views: 43
- Since: 1 month ago
-
lhumphris
- Views: 21
- Since: 1 month ago
-
The Time a Titleist Talked
- From: agentriff
-
Description:
Sandra Sebring was feeling a bit upset. But with several things on her mind, she was trying to sort out which one was bothering her most.
As the daughter of First National Bank’s longtime president R. J. McBride, Sandra Sebring had believed most of her life that she had a family reputation to uphold. She felt the same way about her brother James, his wife Mary and their kids.
But her sister-in-law, Mary McBride, who lived four houses down from Sandra and her husband Jack on Beechcrest Drive, was embarrassing the entire family with her nutty behavior--—among other things, Mary’s proclivity for watering her lawn---in her negligee, no less---in the rain. On her way home from the grocery store, Sandra had just driven by Mary’s house during the worst of the afternoon’s downpour. Sure enough, there was Mary standing in her front yard, in a powder-blue, practically see-through nightgown, hand-watering her flower beds while it rained buckets. Sandra knew people in the neighborhood talked about her sister-in-law.
“...about what a nut she is,” Sandra thought.
But Sandra also knew that while Mary was a little “off,” there were plenty of people in this city who made Mary look normal. So, in order to save family face, when playing bridge on Monday nights, she tended to casually defend Mary by dropping lines like, “Oh, Mary’s a little eccentric, I guess”; or “That Mary is so colorful.”
“And besides,” Sandra mused, as she unpacked her groceries, “so what if Mary watered in the rain? The only harm is flooded flower beds at the least, and, at worst, root rot.”
Having mentally reduced Mary’s behavior to nothing to be much concerned about, Sandra moved on to something else that had been on her mind this last week: her golf game. It was off. And not because she was doing anything wrong. Her stance on the green was better than ever. She was addressing the ball better than ever---in fact, addressing it as if it could talk back.
Problem was, lately it had talked back. But because she always played alone, there had been no one else to hear it. Therefore, she wasn’t sure if the bumpy, white Titleist ball had actually said what she thought she had heard.
“Don’t hit me. Please, p-l-e-a-s-e, don’t hit me!”
She’d frozen in mid-swing, the driver poised in mid-air. Dr. Armstrong and the doctors at the state hospital had told her to ignore these voices. They had said that when things like pictures on the wall, people in photographs, her dog Pixie, or things like bananas started talking to her, to just ignore the voices.
“They’re just in your head, Sandra.”
Hearing the doctors’ voices in her head, she took comfort in their words. Relieved, she had addressed the ball again --—“Alright, buddy, no sand trap this time!”--- and had followed through on the swing, slightly squinting her eyes and wincing, just in case the ball screamed .
It hadn’t. Or if it had, the sound was lost as the Titleist soared through the air, straight down the fairway.
“Per-fect!” Sandra said out loud.
Shoot, for a drive that good, she thought, I could take a chorus of screams from all the balls in my bag.
No, it wasn’t Mary’s watering in the rain that had bothered Sandra in recent days.
It wasn’t even the talking Titleist that gave her pause. (Shoot, just last month, she would have sworn on a stack of Bibles that the little man on a can of Chef Boy-R-Dee ravioli had given her tips on how to improve the sauce.)
No, what really had been on her mind was that someone ---some thing--- had been... watching her. She could feel it. It was like that feeling of someone looking at you, that feeling of eyes on the back of the neck. No, it wasn’t quite that feeling. It was more like eyes on the top of her head.
That’s right. Something was above her, looking down.
Looking down...at her. And it seemed to be just above her head, straight up.
Last week, last Wednesday to be exact, just as she’d been on the verge of making a putt on the fourth green, on a perfectly calm day, not a breeze in the air, she had felt herself suddenly wrapped in a swirl of air, like a swirling cloak of air, a cocoon of air spiraling from the top of her head down to her exposed ankles.
She had quickly looked up, expecting for the briefest moment to see a room fan hovering above her head, whirring on “high”, plugged into nothing at all, but going full tilt.
But when she’d looked up, there was nothing, except the ever so slight rustling sound of...of...silk skirts?
Is that what she heard as she stared into a cloudless sky?
With her arms dropped to her sides, her putter lax in her hand, all she saw was a tiny white feather, no more than a fluff of a feather, floating down, then hanging for the briefest moment right in front of her eyes, giving her a good look, before coming to rest on the very tip of her upturned nose.
She felt it.
It tickled.
But, stifling a sneeze, when she tried to brush it away, it was so lightweight that it swirled away on the air current stirred by her hand.
What she couldn’t get out of her mind, though, was that she had seen the color of the feather---not exactly white but more like a white background overlaid by a pearlescent sheen, like the colors inside an oyster shell.
“What bird has feathers like that?” she wondered.
And Sandra Sebring knew from birds.
There were mockingbirds and grackles. There were jays and chickadees.
There were cuckoos.
And there were loons....
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Views: 82
- Not yet rated
-
A Cappello At Its Best
- From: VPPLHS
-
Description:style="text-align: center; margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-size: 16pt;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-size: 16pt;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-size: 16pt;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-size: 16pt;"style="text-align: center; margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"style="text-align: center; margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="font-size: 18pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 11pt;"style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"style="color: #0066cc;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="mso-spacerun: yes;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"style="margin: 0in -30pt 0pt 0in;"style="font-family: Times New Roman;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"style="font-size: 14pt;"
Tri-Lakes Center For The Arts Presents
17th AVENUE ALLSTARS
The Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) is proud to host a concert featuring the
17th Avenue Allstars. This group of talented performers has been recognized as one of the bright stars of contemporary A Cappella, since their beginnings in Denver, Colorado, over a decade ago. Whether they are performing their award winning Pop Music Show at a family concert, large scale music festival or corporate party, one thing is for sure, the Allstars will go the distance to create a completely entertaining and astounding musical experience for their audience!
The 17th Avenue Allstars are three time Western Regional A Cappella Winners and achieved top honors in 1993 as National A Cappella Champions at the Harmony Sweepstakes, the "super bowl" of a cappella competition. The group's soulful renditions of popular music cover a wide variety of musical styles and span five decades of hits.The Allstars consist of: Norm Silver (Bass), Tia Marlier (Alto), Richard Steighner (Vocal Percussion), Barry Brown (Baritone), and Tim Rosendo (Tenor). Each member of the Allstars brings a unique blend of passion, experience, and enthusiasm to their music, which guarantees an evening of listening enjoyment. Norm’s distinctive voice, Tia’s talent and good looks, Richard’s spirit that Allstar audiences have come to love, Barry’s enjoyment in seeing people have a great time, and Tim’s high tenor stylings and Latin flair, all combine to provide a memorable evening of song! Visit them at: www.17thavenueallstars.com.
TLCA is dedicated to creating community partnerships for demonstrating, teaching, exhibiting and promoting the arts and humanities. It is an advocate for artistic growth in the community. It offers programs that benefit residents, businesses, students, artists, art lovers and all who are inspired by the arts. TLCA is a non-profit 501(c) 3 organization located in Palmer Lake, CO. For more information call 719-481-0475 or visit our website at www.trilakesarts.org.
WHEN & WHERE:
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2009, at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
WHERE: Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts is located at 304 Colorado Highway 105, Palmer Lake, CO 80133.
Tickets are $12 for TLCA members and $15 for non-members ($15 and $18 at the door) and are available at Covered Treasures Bookstore (719-481-2665) in Monument and The Wine Seller (719-481-3019) and TLCA (719-481-0475) in Palmer Lake.
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Views: 29
- Not yet rated
-
Save money on car insurance fo
- From: vshallow
-
Description:
Here are some ideas to save money on teen car insurance.
- Keep a Clean Driving Record — Just one DWI conviction can raise teen car insurance premiums from a base premium of a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars annually for at least three years.
- Earn Brownie Points — Many companies offer teen car insurance discounts to teens that attend high school or college full-time and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average. Insurance agents also offer discounts to those taking a locally accredited driver safety course or other state-certified programs. (Ask your agent about these discounts, or get online information from the National Safety Council.)
- Involve Yourself in Your Community — Young people who join certain civic or community organizations such as Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts may receive discounts from their teen car insurance providers, says David Champion of Consumer Reports. These companies are trying to find the least risky teens, so they often reward time spent bettering your community with discounts, Champion adds.
- Choose a Safer Car — Teen car insurance may cost up to 50 percent less if your teen drives a safer car such as a Honda Civic or a Volvo, according to Champion. Newer model cars with airbags are the least expensive to insure—and the safest for your teen to drive. Sports cars, expensive cars, high-performance cars and SUVs carry higher risk and higher teen car insurance premiums.
- Add Safety Features — Safety features such as anti-lock brakes, traction control, automatic seat belts and side-impact air bags can reduce teen car insurance rates considerably.
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Views: 129
- Not yet rated
-
redlaw
- Views: 18
- Since: 3 months ago
-
clintdavis9691
- Views: 65
- Since: 3 months ago
-
freemandurham894
- Views: 26
- Since: 3 months ago
-
donniefisher8436
- Views: 20
- Since: 3 months ago
-
jyeamann
- Views: 45
- Since: 4 months ago
-
jyeoman4
- Views: 49
- Since: 4 months ago
-
Send flowers to your loved one
- From: yayasan111
-
Description:
Your loved may be away from you on this special occasion but this should not discourage you from making them feel special, you can always send them flowers, fruit baskets or small other gifts to remind them of your never ending love. Through many FTD¡¯s and national wire service providers you can now send your greetings on any part of the earth with in the time you want. Working with FTD like Through O¡¯ Conner Florists gives you the benefit of working with professional Malaysian Florist, A Kuala Lumpur florist or even some small scale florist retail shop. These florist shops assure that you send a perfect Malaysian flower to someone close to your heart just the right way.
Sometimes in happens that special days like birthdays or weddings skip our mind and at the last minute when we remember the day we become the victim of total confusion of what to buy for her in such little time. But now your days of worry are over all you have to do is call or place an order online and the FTD makes sure that a Malaysia florists creates a perfect bouquet for your special one and deliver it on time with some extra special gifts like fruit baskets, chocolates or stuff toys.
When you contact a FTD, the FTD searches up a florist in Malaysia, all you have to do is select the bouquet you would want to be created or if your confused with the bouquet you can tell us about the color of flowers you want and your limited budget. Keeping your requirements in mind we find you¡¯re the best Malaysian florist to make the prettiest bouquet for her. Even if your seven seas away you can still make your family, friends or others remember you by sending those flowers to them on Christmas, Father¡¯s day, Valentines day or Easter.
The Malaysian flowers most popular international are roses and tulips that are cut up alive, dead and decorated in all sizes and various colors. The floral decoration sets are designed in the most feasible rates just to make you enjoy your day to the best. The prices often range from $ 60 to $ 140. The roses are available in red, white, pink, purple, yellow and orange color, their prices range according to the colors, vases and other deco rational material used.
Apart from the flowers, they also have options of many gourmet gifts. Gourmet gifts are a combination of flowers, fruits, chocolates, wines and other drinks ranging from $ 150 to $ 250 coming in all sizes. FTD also comes up with seasonal campaigns giving various discounts on purchase and delivery. Their campaign of providing 10% discount on the items to be delivered the same day is the most popular.
If you want to send flower to malaysia, please visit to our website at http://www.malaysiaflower.com/
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 117
- Not yet rated
-
jyeoman1
- Views: 39
- Since: 5 months ago
-
Helping my brother move to Pho
- From: geraldmc
-
Description:
I was down in Phoenix Arizona a couple of months back helping my brother get ready for a big move. He was getting ready to sign some paperwork to buy a new house and being a first time home buyer wanted me down there for some advice and some moral support.
You take on a lot of new responsibilities when you go from being a renter to being a homeowner. One of the things I helped him with was finding a good Phoenix home insurance policy. His real estate agent had a couple of recommendations for him but I always tell people it's a good idea to shop around and get a homeowners insurance estimate from a number of different companies before making a decision.
There is so much competition between the various insurance companies that you may end up overpaying by as much as 50% if you choose the wrong one. Doing a little comparison shopping lets you know what's available so that you avoid making a costly mistake.
Some good news I found out for my brother was that the Phoenix home insurance overall is pretty affordable compared to other places. Back in 2006 the national Association of insurance commissioners ranked Phoenix 13th when it came to having the most affordable homeowners insurance premiums in the country. That was nice to know, but it's still a good idea to shop around.
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Views: 75
- Not yet rated