All Things Beautiful Is Having A Facelift OPEN THREAD

 

I have finally decided to change the color scheme on All Things Beautiful today, and give myself a facelift.

As I designed the entire site myself including the eight odd colors I use, and taught myself the complicated language of HTML programming, it will take me the best part of the weekend to get it done, especially as the colors are all in my head and I still need to locate them. I will be playing around with tones and downloading new software to achieve certain shades, and taking the time to tidy up other things that have driven me crazy over time, so cannot promise to get much writing done today.

One thing I have set my heart on, is that I will have a new color scheme up on All Things Beautiful before the sun sets! In the meantime I have posted an example of some Warholesque play I did some time ago with a photo of myself.

Please feel free to treat this post as an OPEN THREAD, and talk about whatever you are interested in. Let me know what is happening in the news, and I will be here to join in the discussion. It will be refreshing to take an occasional break from HTML mania.....

UPDATE: It's Monday morning, and as you can see I am still at it...Sigh. I guess I was being overly optimistic to try and finish over the weekend. Should be up with the new look tomorrow, until then the THREAD IS OPEN, and I'll be taking an occasional break from the mill to join you....

UPDATE II: Thank you for all the lovely comments and e-mails, I know everyone is getting impatient. Inauguration tomorrow, I promise. And can everyone please stop using Internet Explorer and get onto a real browser like Firefox or Safari, the images and colors will really come alive like never before....

Comments

[Patrick]

Baronness...the site is a vision! I love the new color scheme. I actually find the color more welcoming to a longer visit. Hopefuly I can find more time and do some posting soon.

While we are on colors Ghost,

For the Cherokee the black-west-death is the same, but the others are different. Red-East-Success and Triumph (definately applies to your new make-over). North-blue-defeat; trouble. South-white-peace; happiness.

With the Cherokee, the trickster is actually a rabbit. He was usually malicious and often beaten at his own game. What is interesting is that most Americans raised on Disney know many of the Cherokee myths. In Song of the South, the Uncle Remus stories are actually Native American stories. The Cherokee and Black populations had intermarried in Carolina and North Georgia prior to the Trail of Tears(1838) and the stories migrated.

Although many people find the movie quite racist today, the book it was based upon (Joel Harris- "Legends of The Old Plantations" 1881) was intended to use the Uncle Remus stories to oppose racism in the post Civil War South. Harris believed the stories contained examples as to how slaves had outwitted their masters. They were actually stories of the Cherokee that explained the worldview and interactions with nature and certain immortal spirits that could manifest themselves (usually in a benevolent way).

Of course the Coyote trickster of the Lakota was more successful than the rabbit trickster of the Cherokee.

That's my plug for my Cherokee blood and mythology.

http://www.telliquah.com/cherokee.htm (overview)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/cher/motc/index.htm (stories)

[Darrell]

Thank you trickster, Ghost Danser! At least you're coming clean! Confession is good for the Soul.

[jess1dering]

CrusaderNR-
You spoke the truth,
so to speak.
Long time,
No response.

[jess1dering]

Liquid,
Thanks.

[Michael van der Galien]

Liquid,

Why in the world would I dream about colors? They say that the majority of people dream in black and white. I did dream about you though, well if you are a girl that is...

Thanks for keeping this thread going with me, you are a good sport, and I will probably get accused of being a real queen if you are not a girl....

[Michael van der Galien]

3 words, objective and reasonable:

HUBBA HUBBA HUBBA!

[Jeremayakovka]

I've taken this waiting time on the new ATB to go buy and read one of Borislav Pekic's books. Now's as good a time as ever.

[RunningRoach]

OK! Alexandra,
So I left my office in Westchester @ 5:30 EST, arrived home @ 6:30. Showered, shaved (2nd time today). Went to my favorite dance club, totally distracted from all the babes in anticipation of what I would find on your site...All of the YL's (young ladies) were fretting over my lack of attention "whilst" I was fantizising over you're new image. So, I danced with about half a dozen of them, turned down two for coffee and a night cap so I could get home and turn on this thing to see your newness...and what do I find? NOTHING. I know..you promised "tomorrow"... but what the hell. I'll see you in the AM, I guess.

Regards, Joe
aka JCC

[Liquid]

What is Internet Haganah?

Their Homepage

[jess1dering]

mac B,
What is internet Haganah ?
Thanks , in advance.

[Ghost Dansing]

A key feature of Native American spiritual outlook is found in the powers ascribed to the Four Directions, which occur either literally or in symbolic form throughout the stories. These are often represented by particular colours, or by animals.

The metaphysics and religion of the Lakota are as subjective as those of any religion. Maybe even more so because of the emphasis on individualism, i.e. one's own vision.

No where is this more true than among the Lakota holy people and interpreters. The variations in the colors for the directions can easily and readily differ from individual to individual, as each is guided specifically by their own visions.

Perhaps humor is part of the spiritual picture as well, as Wakan Tanka no doubt would take delight in watching some people try as they might to codify the colors en masse while knowing that the information was attained in a highly specific and individual manner.

If you have a desire to conform, however, it may be noted that the second set of correspondents listed above - white/north, red/east, yellow/south, black/west - seems to be seen in a majority of references. A sample of representative meanings for these corollaries might include:

The black west as the place where the rain originates, and a place that represents the end, or finality, as things done in the dark are final things. People with an affinity for the west may become heyoka, or sacred clown that does everything backwards or in a contrary manner. The bald eagle is associated with this direction.

The white north offer a cleansing, purifying and strengthening power. Operating as winter does when it cleans the earth of the weak, the white north sends tests and teaches the courage, endurance and wisdom that comes with the trials of life. The white eagle is associated with this direction, and it is said that those who have a vision of the white eagle become healers.

The red east is a place where peace, light and new life rise up each day. Blood and birth are from the east. The spotted eagle, being all these things, represents this direction and its feathers are said to bring insight and visions.

The yellow south sees a sun that is strongest when facing this direction. The yellow south, like its representative bird, the golden eagle, stands for the peak of life, warmth, understanding and ability.

Native American myths include all the types found worldwide, such as stories of creation, and of heroic journeys. However, they are particularly rich in ‘trickster’ myths. Notable examples are Coyote and Iktome. The trickster is an ambiguous figure who demonstrates the qualities of early human development (both cultural and psychological) that make civilization possible, and yet which cause problems. He is an expression of the least developed stage of life, which is dominated by physical appetites.

http://home.online.no/~arnfin/native/lore/leg086.htm

[Liquid]

Oh yeah...I bet he is off dreaming about colours!

[mac Brachman]

To Alexandra and to all (or most) on writing on this site:

Thank God for you, and for Internet Haganah; speaking truth to lies and exposing terrorists on the net. Sincerely, Mac Brachman

[Alexandra]

Liquid,
He has probably gone to bed now, it must be 2am Europe time....

[Liquid]

Michael,
What did you think about the End Times Photography? Did you read that?

[Michael van der Galien]

I agree with the both of you. Liquid, I really think she should find some help: her behavior is that of a person who is obsessed, aggressive, can't control impulses, narcist, etc. That, is a dangerous combination, both for herself and for others.

One can only wonder what she'll feel like if it settles in what she did / what she said.

Alexandra:

Her idea of pretending to diffuse the situation by inflaming it is really insane.

It's not just the ideas that are insane about her as far as I can tell. Seriously, she needs help.

[Liquid]

Yeah I read the story at Jeff's site and it really made me think the woman is on drugs/alcohol or like others have suggested: bipolar and perhaps off her meds. The word "stupid" also comes to mind too since anyone that would threaten someone's little boy and then try to justify it as the 'only thing' she had to fight back with for 'feeling like she was getting abused first' via the internet is all she has come up with as her motive! It's not the first time I have seen such absurd justification online but I guess all that college education never taught her to "log off" or "turn the computer off" when she felt frustrated and/or before she started to make threats! Bottom line is that her behavior was just unexcusable! I hope in the future she gets some help.

[Alexandra]

I think this lady Dr Frisch is obviously not well, and should not be able to influence young minds as a part of a faculty. There was a prior incident with Prof. Bainbridge as well, who she was obsessed with before she started to stalk Jeff.

Her idea of pretending to diffuse the situation by inflaming it is really insane.

[Michael van der Galien]

Indeed, lets hope so, this is unacceptable in any democracy.

What do you think of that mess iwth Jeff?

(I ain't posting it for nothing! ;-))

[Liquid]

Michael-- Unbelievable. I wonder: doesn't that equal a threat to U.S. law? In the Netherlands it does...
----------------

It is freaky for sure! I think even the gun they used to make the stupid video is illegal too! They will surely get investigated and punished.

[Michael van der Galien]

Jeff published another post, including an e-mail exchange between him and Frisch.

Sick enough, Frisch asked Jeff to remove a photo from her from his comment section, he did, in 'return' she published an highly insulting photo from Jeff...

Or as Jeff summarizes and concluded:

So, to recap. 1) Crazy lady asks me for a favor. 2) I grant said favor. 3) Her response is to post an insulting photo of me.

All part of her way of “de-escalating” the situation, evidently.

Quite a piece of work, this woman is.

[Michael van der Galien]

Liquid:

I am quite critical about Islam, but stuff like that is sickening. Unbelievable. I wonder: doesn't that equal a threat to U.S. law? In the Netherlands it does...

Furthermore:
it's because you are soooooooooo loved!

Yep, if Alexandra wants to feel how much people enjoy reading her articles she should just take a 3 day break every now and then: people will complain immediately ;)

That being said; my patience is running out... New.Blog.Colors.Now!

;)

[Michael van der Galien]

I really don't know actually. Good question Alexandra...

Maybe those on the right like ... discipline or order more?

Anyhoo, I'm going to throw this in here because I strongly suspect that Alexandra would have dealt with it already if she was facelifting her blog, since we all know she greatly respects Jeff.

A couple of days ago I commented about that weird Professor who stalked Jeff Goldstein, insulted him, threatened him and his 2 year old son.

Again some 'highlights' (lowpoints) from what she said against Jeff:

"I’d like to hear more about your “tyke” by the way. Girl? Boy? Toddler? Teen? Are you still married to the woman you ephed to give birth to the tyke?
Tell all, bro!"

***

"[...] as I said elsewhere, if I woke up tomorrow and learned that someone else had shot you and your “tyke” it wouldn’t slow me down one iota. You aren’t “human” to me."

***

" Ooh. Two year old boy. Sounds hot. You live in Colorado, I see. Hope no one Jon-Benets your baby.

Are you still married to the woman you humped to produce the toddler? "

***

Give your pathetic progeny (I sure hope that mofo got good genes from his mama!) a big fat tongue-filled kiss from me! LOTS AND LOTS OF SALIVA from Auntie MOONBAT, if you don’t mind!

Somehow, Jeffy boy, I think you get off on the possibility of Frenching your pathetic progeny, even if it is a boy. You seem like a VERY, VERY sick mofo to me, bro.

She 'apologized' later: with apologizing I mean blaming everyone else and pretending to be the victim.

After people started acting against this Deb Frisch, Jeff Goldstein's blog, Protein Wisdom, suffered three DOS attacks (blog didn't work). Of course we don't know whether it's related...

Anyway: she refuses to back off from Jeff.

Inside Higher Ed published a sad little article with a lot of quotes from Deb Frisch in it today. Again Frisch acts as if she's the victim and even implies that Jeff changed certain comments (he's got the proof he didn't).
As I said a said little article: it almost makes it look like she's the victim etc.

Jeff responded to the article both at Protein Wisdom and in the comment section at IHE. Better said: he wipes the floor with both Frisch and the IHE article.

Meanwhile, Frisch posted about Jeff again... 'apologizing':
here: note the link in her post: strange way of apologizing, no?
here

read it all, follow the links, it's a sad freaking story.

I see she just posted YET ANOTHER apology:
here

For Jeff I hope this will truly be the last comment from her about this, because she already apologized after it, but 'changed' a little bit later again.

[Liquid]

Ha Ha....it's because you are soooooooooo loved!

Okay...I will try another topic of the day to discuss.

Video Shows Bullet-Riddled Quran Thrown at Tenn. Mosque

[Alexandra]

Liquid,

You are doing the right thing! I desperately need to know what's going on in the outside world as well.
Why does the OPEN THREAD concept work so well on the left? I mean Atrios has one like three times a day! Daily Kos' posts turn into open threads and Crooks & Liars has one all the time....

[Liquid]

Ha Ha I tried to give them some pictures to look at Alexandra... while we are waiting...the End Times exhibit and discuss it, but you know Michael....I can't seem to pull him away from YOUR picture long enough!
Ha Ha The natives are restless!

[Alexandra]

Ok guys give me a break here. Inauguration tomorrow, I promise.

[Michael van der Galien]

haha, I completely agree JCC (although I think she's working very hard at it).

I'm sure it will look beautiful though.

[RunningRoach]

OK>>>>OK! JUST GET ON WITH IT> POST A PICTURE OR SOMETHING< ALREADY> GOOD GRIEF!
can't wait!
Regards, JCC

[Liquid]

I like all the different effects on her picture Michael. I think each one has it's own blend of fun. It's like looking at a diamond with a kailedescope of colored filters. Keep turning it and your mind's eye clicks and absorbs all the combinations.

[Alexandra]

Michael H,

I am impressed, and yes those are my green eyes, and the hair is blond, and I only EVER use a Mac! Right now I have the cinema screen which makes the job I am doing of re-designing really exciting. I'll include the real color version of the photo with the new design, we've all had enough of the Warhol look now for a while.

[Michael Hinton]

Guys,

OK now. Look closely at Alexandra's eyes in the top right image. The green iris contrasts beautifully with the portrayal of the more natural whites. (She MUST have green eyes). Her eyelashes, on the other hand, are low contrast and more distinct [and lovely] against the subdued green eyeshadow. It is the eyelashes and the whites that make it the winner. I like the Avedonesque motif, but I am even more enamored with her natural beauty.

I am also using Safari and the site looks fine. I have her pegged as a Mac kinda gal.

Michael

[Liquid]

While we all wait with anticipation for Alexandra's new creative feast for the eyes, I thought some of you might be interested in a little subject on the ethics of photography. First of all, take a look at Jill Greenberg’s END TIMES and then after you check that out, share with us how you feel about the political and social vibe that is being made with this art from the artist and from the eye of the beholders since it's definately HIT A NATIONAL NERVE

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

jess1dering

You'll be waiting a long time for GhostDansing to answer. Don't hold you breath.

[Michael van der Galien]

I have internet explorer and I see the colors very well. No problemo.

Hinton; indeed, her eyes look the most beautiful on the right top image (orange hair, green eyes).
The one left below is a pretty one as well in my opinion though.

How do Americans say that, ohya I remember, sexy mama!

hahahaha... sorry, I'm extremely tired... I get this weird sense of humor when I'm exhausted... ;)

[Alexandra]

Igout,

For everyone else as well, please switch to Firefox or Safari. Everything works better! Not only is Firefox a superior browser generally, and you will be able to keep up to 40 tabs open in one single window and togle between them, but you will see colors and images and text like you have never seen them before.
Internet Explorer is Bill Gates' forgotten baby, and his updates are more of a joke each decade he makes one. Please change, you will see an incredible difference.
I would hate for anyone to miss the richness of my new colors tomorrow without Firefox or Safari!

[Jeremayakovka]

What if the Western powers had crushed the Bolsheviks in 1917-20?
What if the US and Western Europe hadn't let the USSR install its proxies through Eastern and Central Europe?
What if China hadn't gone Communist? (no Taiwan (no need for it!))
What if the USA had held on and won all of Korea? (no DPNK)
What if the USA had held on and won all of Vietnam? (no Khmer Rouge)

What if the USA doesn't effect regime change in DPNK?
What if the USA doesn't effect regime change in IRI (Islamic Repub. of Iran)?
What if Israel didn't exist?
What if the West doesn't increase its birthrate, especially in Europe?
What if Russ Feingold were to become president?

[Michael Hinton]

Hello Alexandra,

Yes it is indeed the top right image: but the reason is, the whites of your eyes are portrayed more naturally, and the eye shadow is softer. It's those beautiful eyes.

Michael

[igout]

As long as you're renovating your place, could you press a button or something to make it more friendly to the Mac/Explorer combination? For some reason, your pink site doesn't like it, not one bit.
NK: If Russia & China wanted Japan, Taiwan, etc to become nuke powers, they couldn't have thought up a more effective strategy than by letting the whack-job in NK run loose.

[jess1dering]

Ghost,
Do you believe that the problems with North Korea suddenly developed because GWB is president? Sure sounds that way. What degree of responsibility would you ascribe to Bill Clinton for the N. Korean mess we face today ? I am sincerely interested in your opinion on that.
At what point in Bush's presidency did radical Islam and venemous anti-western sentiment succeed in toppling the twin towers and slaughtering thousands of Americans on our own soil ??? What degree of responsibility for THAT horror would you "credit" to Clinton's administration? He had responded to acts of terror during his presidency. Do you think that his responses had any bearing on 9-11 ?
I hope you will respond to my questions.

[Sister Toldjah]

Looking fwd to seeing your new site design, Alexandra!

--ST

[chrys]

See you've completed release of the entire Warhol collection!

[Ghost Dansing]

It's not only Iran, Michael...and it is sickening. All three members of the "axis of evil" — Iraq, Iran and North Korea — are more dangerous than they were when Dubya coined that phrase in 2002. So is Afghanistan, which is spiraling into Taliban-and-drug-lord anarchy, without nearly enough troops or other assistance to secure it.

Such incompetence is indeed unfortunate.

[Jeremayakovka]

Today in Sports:
Lasagna beats quiche, by penalty kicks (5-3).

Look for pics of Italia's bambini in blue in every pizza parlor from coast to coast.

(Not that this has anything to do with Alexandra's struggles to redo ATB.)

[Michael van der Galien]

Ahmadinejad - again - calls for the destruction of Israel while also threatening the West.

“All the conditions for the removal of the Zionist regime are at hand,” Ahmadinejad told an Arab Conference of Iraqi Neighbors meeting Saturday. For the first time, he employed the Arabic word ezaleh, which is used to describe the irreversible removal of body hairs or a woman’s virginity.

“Nations in the region will be more furious every day. It won’t take long before the wrath of the people turns into a terrible explosion that will wipe the Zionist entity off the map,” Ahmadinejad told the foreign ministers of Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Bahrain and Egypt. The heads of the Arab League and the Islamic Conference were also present, in addition to a special United Nations representative.

None of the foreign ministers present, including Jordan, Egypt or Turkey – commonly regarded as Israel’s friends in the Arab/Muslim world - objected to the call for annihilation. Instead, the following statement was issued: “The Arab foreign ministers participating in today's Tehran meeting expressed their strong condemnation of this continuing and increasing aggression against the Palestinian people."

Isn't it sickening?

The Iranian president went on to blame all of the region’s troubles on the Jewish state. “"The basic problem in the Islamic world is the existence of the Zionist regime, and the Islamic world and the region must mobilize to remove this problem. It is a usurper that our enemies made and imposed on the Muslim world, a regime that prevented the progress of the region’s nations, a regime that all Muslims must join hands in isolating worldwide.”

He ended with a call on all nations to cease their support of Israel. “[All nations] should realize that their support for the illegitimate, usurper, Zionist regime is a mistake. The waves of fury of Muslim nations will not be confined within the boundaries of the region, and the people who close their ears to the cries of the Palestinians and blindly support this regime will be responsible for the consequences,” I tell them to dissociate themselves or face the terrible consequences.”

[Michael van der Galien]

The UN: Hamas' Best Friend

The U.N. once again chose to condemn Israel for defending itself against Palestinian aggression.

The United Nations blamed Israel for a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, including deaths, injuries and harm to children, from its offensive in Gaza in a strong statement released Saturday.

The three-page statement, listing charges separately from six UN-affiliated agencies, called for "urgent action" to halt the rapid deterioration. Israel rejected the charges.

Of course does Israel reject the 'charges'. Again the U.N. proves itself to be in the hands of Muslim extremists.

One would think that if the U.N. would care so much it would condemn the Palestinians and more precise Hamas et all, for tunneling their way into Israel, killing 2 soldiers, kidnapping one soldier and killing a civilian.

But no:

The UN document does not mention the incident that set off the Israeli operation - a June 25 attack by Palestinian militants who tunnelled under the border into Israel and attacked an army post, killing two soldiers and capturing a third.

Of course it does not mention the 'incident that set off the Israeli operation'! If the U.N. would mention that 'incident' it would mean that they too hold the Palestinians and more precise Hamas responsible for the escalation.
Can't have that.

I find myself becoming more and more uneuropean; don't have any faith left in the U.N.

[Michael van der Galien]

British Muslim Cleric Jokes About 7/7 And 9/11

Well the British once again prove that they have some of the most extremist Muslims Europe. This time: 'Omar' Brooks, a British Muslim convert.

Times of London

A SPEECH by an extremist Muslim cleric praising the London bombers and mocking victims of suicide attacks has been broadcast on the internet to coincide with the anniversary of the July 7 attacks. The audience laughs as Omar Brooks, a British Muslim convert who also uses the name Abu Izzadeen, makes fun of non-Muslims as “animals” and “cowards”.

Brooks — who has previously described the London bombers as “completely praiseworthy” — identifies with the views of Mohammad Sidique Khan, the ringleader of the London attacks.

At one point he announces dramatically that the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center “changed many people’s lives”. After a pause, he brings the house down by adding: “Especially those inside.”

Police submitted a file on his activities to the Crown Prosecution Service last month after an undercover investigation by The Sunday Times last July tape-recorded him imploring Muslims to “instil terror into the hearts of the kuffar”.

On that occasion he told an audience of teenagers and young families that he did not want to go to Allah while sleeping in his bed “like an old woman”. Instead, he said: “I want to be blown into pieces with my hands in one place and my feet in another.”

[Michael van der Galien]

BTW, Beth, I have added you to my blogroll. Great blog!

[Michael van der Galien]

Beth,

BTW - Michael - I have a daughter your age. She's stunning (if I do say so myself.

I keep myself recommended! ;)

But, how would I know if you are good enough for her???

Haha, good question of course. I'm sure Alexandra would vouch for me if that would be of any value to you. ;)
Without being arrogant these are my trademarks:
- charming
- handsome
- very intelligent
- highly social
- smart (not the same as intelligent)
- ambitious
- Christian
- good sense of humor
- I can understand, speak and write multiple languages
- well educated
- all in all, just a great catch if I may say so myself.

:D, ;)

Jeremaya: Italy has a great team indeed, but France has Zidane. It's the end of his career and he truly is one of the best soccer players in history. It would be great if he'll retire in style.

Alexandra, she truly is one sick lady, that Frisch.

[beth]

BTW - Michael - I have a daughter your age. She's stunning (if I do say so myself). But, how would I know if you are good enough for her??? lol