Photography literally means 'drawing with light', which derives from the Greek photo, meaning light and graph, meaning to draw. Photography is the process of recording an image – a photograph – on light sensitive film or, in the case of digital photography, via a digital electronic or magnetic memory.
Wednesday 31 March 2021
Brahma Vishnu Shiva
Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva is the Hindu trinity, also called the trimurti. The Supreme Spirit or Universal Truth, called Brahman,
is represented in three forms, each corresponding to one cosmic
function: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the
transformer/destroyer).
Because Hinduism is a collection of different traditions and beliefs, scholars believe Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva was an attempt to reconcile the doctrine of Brahman with different approaches to the Divine.
Of the three incarnations of Brahman, Shiva has a special place in the yogic traditions as he is considered the first yogi, or adiyogi. Shiva also symbolizes the balancing of awareness and bliss, and the calming effects of yoga practices in general.
Eye of Horus
Perhaps the oldest variation of the all-seeing eye can be traced back all the way back to ancient India in the form of the eye of Shiva. In the Rig Veda, one of the oldest known texts in any Indo-European language, there are all sort of Hindu deities referenced as some sort of divine eye such as an eye in heaven, an eye that never closes, and an eye that reveals all creation. But arguably the most well-known variation of the all-seeing eye from the Rig Veda is the eye of Shiva.
In Hinduism, Shiva is referred to as the “destroyer of evil and the transformer”, and is considered to be one of the principle deities among the Hindu trinity which includes the deities Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva is depicted as having three eyes in which it is said that when the third is opened, it destroys anything it sees. As malevolent as that sounds, in this context it refers to the destruction of evil and ignorance, thus transforming it into knowledge and higher consciousness.
Much like ancient India, ancient Egypt also
had multiple variations of the all-seeing eye such as the Eye of
Osiris, the Eye of Ra, and the Eye of Horus. Among these three, the Eye
of Horus would be considered the most prevailing image of the all-seeing
eye when it comes to ancient Egyptian mythology. Horus was considered
to be the sky god and was depicted as having a falcons head in ancient
Egyptian mythos. It was often said that Horus was the sky, with the sun
considered as his right and the moon his left eye. The Eye of Horus
itself was
considered symbolic of sacrifice, healing, restoration,
and protection. Egyptian sailors would often put the Eye of Horus on
their ships to ensure safe travel, and usually would be incorporated in
some manner for a Pharaoh’s burial in order to protect them in the
afterlife.
Unlike the other variations of the
all-seeing eye previously mentioned, Hamsa, also referred to as Khamsa
or Hamesh, has been adopted by several religions and cultures over time.
Its origins can be traced back to both ancient Mesopotamia and ancient
Cathage, it has been seen in artifacts as having a connection with
Mesopotamian deities such as Ishtar and Inanna as well as Carthage’s
chief deity Tanit. Because of its Middle Eastern origins, Hamsa is
used
as a protective symbol by Muslims, Christians and Jews alike. Hamsa is
referred to as the Hand of Fatima in Islam, the Hand of Mary in
Christianity, and the Hand of Merriam in Judaism. It’s even used in the
ancient Indian religion Jainism in which it’s referred to as ahimsa
which symbolizes non-violence.
It was during the Renaissance period in Europe, however, that the all-seeing eye that most people recognize as the definitive image of it first appeared. In Christianity during this period, it was also referred to as the Eye of Providence and the Eye of God, and was depicted as an eye inside a triangle surrounded by rays of light. The triangle represented the holy trinity while the symbol as a whole symbolized God’s omnipresence. The all-seeing eye was often depicted in Christian Renaissance paintings, and was subsequently incorporated in several European cathedrals afterwards. A few centuries later, it became the symbol for both the Bavarian Illuminati and the Freemasons.
Tuesday 30 March 2021
Charles Dickens Quote
Charles Dickens Quote: The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.
West Laboratories
The Tiny Amp Brand Behind Grand Funk Railroad’s Potent Hard-Rock Sound
Check them out here
The Falcon
One summer's evening I was standing outside of my house with my
neighbor talking about life and the future. We had been talking for
about 15 minutes when I noticed a large bird up in the tree just across
the path beside the house. The bird was at the top of tree at rest, it
just seemed to be looking for prey I guess. The bird didn't look
familiar to myself or my neighbor, it was not the common crow or
anything we were use to seeing around our area of town. We talked about
what kind of bird it could be for a few minutes, but it was too high up
to see exactly what it was. We kept an eye on it for the next 5 minutes
because it just was hanging around and didn't seem to be in any kind of
hurry to go anywhere right away. After about 10 minutes I looked up
again and the bird took off, it came swooping down from the tree and
turned around back towards us, all of this seemed to be happening in
slow motion.
Well we got the greatest view of a large Falcon flying by 10 feet away from us at eye level, this was an amazing sight. The Falcon flew by like it was a sign from somewhere above, the bird was quite large and absolutely beautiful, totally graceful yet powerful in its flight. I have never been witness to such a close encounter with a large bird in flight only 25 feet away. You see my nickname I use on the internet sometimes is the Falcon. I thought that this might be a definite sign for me, that maybe this year will be the year my life takes flight. I don't read into anything because that can lead you down the wrong path sometimes, but this was so amazing that it is highly possible that it could be a sign for me.
I have been working really hard to get somewhere I have always wanted to be, that is doing what I love to do which is to write all the time, nothing else fulfills me like writing can. After the Falcon flew away, we discussed the event in detail for about 1 hour. We were just so impressed by the Falcon flying by so close at eye level that it just seemed almost surreal. This large bird was something that I'll never forget the for rest of my life. The only time I have been that close to a large bird of prey was at the zoo; you have seen how big these birds are up close, they are quite impressive and powerful. But to see one flying directly in front of you at eye level 10 feet away is something very special and significant, at least I think so from my experiences in my lifetime. I will cherish that sight the rest of my life, I hope that it really is a sign of things to come because that is what is happening right now. Everything has a significance if you pay attention to what is going on around you, keep your eyes open, your ears listening, and your feet moving forward, that way you will probably succeed at achieving your goals.
My Country
I am honored to be a Canadian. Living in this country is such a
wonderful gift. I was brought up to respect my neighbors and all others
from around the world. Just like other Canadians, nature has always been
very important to myself because of its importance to all forms of life
on the planet. We have oceans, lakes, mountains and plains, and rolling
hills. This wonderful nature and beauty of the world is all we get, we
have to take care of it now or lose it forever.
My country has always been there to help others in need when disaster happens and continues to be there to help in many different ways around the world. We really are a strong country with a big heart and have open arms to help others when they are in need of shelter. I suppose that is why I feel the strong urge to help others all the time, that is part of our nature and we are very proud of that as Canadians. In my country we have four seasons, you can ski in the Rockies, fish for salmon in British Columbia and game fish up north. You can hunt for bear, deer, and most types of game animals that can be hunted are here, sorry no elephants or tigers. Although some seasons are better than others, all are gifts of nature to enjoy in their own special way.
I hope that my country continues to lead, inspire, and work with all countries to develop ways of making peoples lives better and more peaceful. I've had the opportunity of being able to be inside of many of our historic buildings, we have a great history which is available to observe, read, and learn about in Canada. The achievements of all Canadians throughout the history of Canada is a great legacy and a positive direction for the future. We as Canadians should always be proud that fact that we are welcome throughout the world because of our helpful nature and good will towards others. We have many friends in many countries close by and far away, we should always be sending our message of peace and prosperity throughout the world now and into the future. We have made a difference in the world in a positive way that can only become a stronger voice in the future for peace and prosperity.
Monday 29 March 2021
Music
I have enjoyed a lifetime of playing guitar, met many musicians whom I have collaborated with on several projects. My main instrument of choice is the Fender Stratocaster
As well, the Gibson Les Paul
Plus the Fender Telecaster
For amplifiers it is Marshall
Fender Twin Reverb
Sunday 28 March 2021
Edgar Allan Poe
A Dream Within a Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow —
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! Can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?
Edgar Allan Poe
The Raven
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;—
This it is and nothing more.”
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore?”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
’Tis the wind and nothing more!”
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as “Nevermore.”
But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before.”
Then the bird said “Nevermore.”
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of ‘Never—nevermore’.”
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet-violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Quitting Smoking
I have quit smoking,these are reasons why
Cigarette Chemicals & The Effects of Smoking on Your Body
Nicotine gets you addicted to cigarettes, but it’s not the most harmful ingredient in a cigarette. In fact, cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals and at least 69 of them cause cancer. These cigarette ingredients also speed up the aging process.
- Acetone: a flammable solvent used in nail polish remover
- Arsenic: a poison
- Benzene: found in rubber cement
- Formaldehyde: the base of many embalming fluids
- Lead: used in batteries
- Tar: a material for paving roads
The chemicals have the following effects on your body.
Lungs and Cells
- Tar is deposited in your lungs and contains chemicals called carcinogens, which encourage the development of cancer cells in your body.
- You’re exposed to chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde that have been linked to a range of different cancers, such as leukemia and kidney cancer.
-
Skin
- Acetaldehyde, one of the chemicals in cigarette smoke, attacks the connective tissue holding your skin together, and makes your face sag and wrinkle.
- Your body is sapped of vitamin C, an antioxidant which plays a crucial role in the production of collagen – a natural protein vital for keeping skin healthy and supple.
- Your circulation suffers because oxygen isn’t pumped around your blood vessels as effectively as in a non-smoker, giving you a dull complexion.
Teeth
- The toxic chemicals in cigarette tobacco create sticky ‘tar’ residue all over your teeth.
- Because smoking reduces the amount of saliva in your mouth, your teeth become stained and discoloured.
- You’re at an increased risk of periodontitis – or gum disease, which causes inflammation around the teeth leading to swollen gums, bad breath, and in severe cases may even cause your teeth to fall out.
Hair
- Poor circulation from cigarette chemicals results in dull hair and could also lead to premature greying.
It’s never too late by quit smoking. By quitting, you get to enjoy all the health benefits of breaking free from cigarettes.
Tuesday 23 March 2021
Robert Frost
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
More on Robert Frost
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