Color photos taken by Prokudin-Gorskii [via Nina Reznick]

Color photos taken by Prokudin-Gorskii, a Russian photographer, in the late 1800s and early1900s in several countries. (Color film was not commercially available until the 1930s.)
Prokudin-Gorskii used a three-plate camera with black and white film, each film exposed through either a red, green or blue filter. Then he printed each film on a single piece of special color paper through the  complementary filters of cyan, magenta and yellow, creating a color image on the paper. A tedious process that produces a color image that will last centuries and the B&W negatives also will last 
that long for reprinting.


ProkudinGorskii1

PAINTING THE TOWN AFTER WIFE DIES [via Story Merchant Client Diane Maroney]



(CBS News) GLOUSTER, Ohio - Most of us face a rough patch at one time or another in our lives.

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman met a man who can teach us all something about how to turn sadness into joy.

After Jim Cotter last his wife last year, he set out to paint the town. But, don't judge him too harshly for that -- not until you hear the rest of the story.

"I miss her," he told CBS News. "And this just gives me something that keeps me from missing her more."

The own Jim set out to paint is Glouster, Ohio, population 2000. Once a thriving coal community, it's been peeling - and therefore somewhat unappealing - for years. Cotter says he's always wished someone would fix it up, and so after his wife died, he decided to be that someone.

"I can do something about the town. We'll paint it," he explained.

"The whole town," he added.

He started with a fire hydrant, moved down the road to the guardrail and then hit a home stretch.

Cotter painted house after house, business after business - all for free.

Bonny Shifflet owns the newly painted Bonnie's Restaurant. She says she cried when she saw her business. "I tell you, it did something to me," she said.

"It's just amazing what a little bit of paint will do," Cotter said. "It changes people's hearts."

It also inspires them to join in. Over the last few months, volunteers have been coming out of the woodwork to paint the woodwork and help Cotter reach his goal. "It's just gone like topsy," Cotter said.

Today, you can't walk more than a couple blocks in Glouster without finding someone painting something. Even the high school kids have been Tom Sawyer-ed into helping.

Not a painter? Not a problem. Jim has found a way for pretty much everyone one to contribute. And again, these are all volunteers donating their own time and often their own materials to work on buildings that aren't even their own. "We're getting something out of it because it makes us feel better about our town," one volunteer said.

"It's just what a community ought to do," Cotter said.

So far Jim and his volunteers have painted or fixed up more than 20 buildings. Although they may never get to all the ones that need it, their effort alone has already made this communit
y a brighter place to live --- and given this widower all he ever needed -- a fresh coat of purpose.

Yoga Gives Back November Newsletter




E Newsletter - November 2012
Yoga Gives Back
For the cost of one yoga class, you can change a life.



"Thank You Mother India 2012" Update

With over 100 exciting events in 16 countries happening this fall around the world, YGB 
global supporters, once again, are proving the potential of our community and how we can

make a difference together!! Thank you!!! If you have not hosted a class yet, your participation 
will enable us to reach our goal of $50,000 by the end of 2012!  Just one donation class will
tremendously help YGB's programs in India to grow by funding more mothers and children 
with micro loans and educational funds. You raised total of $ 38,700 and more are reporting!!! 
Thank you all for your support!

To host a class before the end of 2012,
register today. Join us!

Our thanks to these Sponsors!!!
Platinum ($2500 +): De Yoga-Eindohoven (Netherlands), Dr Amarjit Marwah (Malibu, CA), Omkar108 Yoga/Jorgen Christiansson (Los Angeles), Pure Group (Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei)

Gold ($1000 +): Abacus Wealth Partners (Pacific Palisades, CA), Grace Power and Beauty (Santa Barbara, CA ), Earth Rythms & the Deva Premal Concert (Dallas, TX), Herbies Natural Food (Whittier, CA), Mission Yoga (San Francisco), My Life Yoga (Denver), Rina Tham & Marshal Bernes M.D. (Topanga, CA), Yoga Flex (Charlotte, NC), Yoga Place (Los Angeles), Yogaplace Maastricht/Sittard (Netherlands)

Silver ($ 500 +): Ali Valdez/Sattva Yoga(Washington), Eddie Stern/Ashtanga Yoga New York, Home of Yoga (Perth, Australia), Julee Yoga (Northwich, UK), Yoga Union and Kino Yoga (Scotland), Shamanth Shankar (Houston, TX), Gerry van Heugten (CA Asten, Netherlands)

Event Sponsors:
Organic India, Zico Coconut Water, Stella McCartney, Jala Clothing, Manduka, YogiToes, Inner Aura, Koji Toyoda Salon, Gaiam, Michael Chearney, Mahamondo.com, Moksha Festival, The Story Merchant, UpDogYoga+Cycling, Sprinkles Cupcake, Zobha, Priti Jewels, Denise Carolyn Boutique, La Marca Prosecco, Dharma Smart.com, Soulku, UDD, MyInsence, Copenhagen Bakery, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Malibu. 

Girl



 
Upcoming “TYMI 2012” Global Events!!

November
16th-18th: "Give Thanks and Give Back" (click to: www.YogaFit.com) 20% online sales by Yoga Fit, who is donating 5% of sales proceeds to YGB this weekend. Use coupon code: YOGAGIVESBACK1
     
29th:  
“Hali’s Global Family Events” 29 events in 7 countries, organized by YGB Ambassador, Hali McQuillan; with a fantastic line up of dedicated teachers and studios hosting this special one-day global event in Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Italy, Israel, and the USA!!

December
1st: 17th Swanand Yoga New York (NY) by Co-Founder Sonal Pimple
15th: Goda Yoga by YGB Ambassador Claudia F. Townley and the Teacher Training Team, followed by amazing raffle and refreshments!

More exciting events will be announced soon!  Check out www.yogagivesback.org/tymi
Please follow YGB's Facebook to see how your donations are making a real impact on so many mothers' and children's lives in India. Exciting photos and updates are posted daily now from YGB volunteers' recent visit in West Bengal and Karnataka states.


Kids

YGB micro loan recipients and their daughters receiving educational funds holding "Yoga Gives Back" school bags!!!
Thank you for your support, making a difference one event at a time!!


Yoga Gives Back is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

Questions, comments, want to get involved?
Email
info@yogagivesback.org.

www.yogagivesback.org




HATER'S GUIDE TO WILLIAM SONOMA [via David Adashek]

 The Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog

Drew Magary

The people at W-S aren't the least bit self-conscious about getting you to pay $35 for mailed gravy. So I thought I would go through this holiday season's catalog, which has spent a solid week atop my shitter, and point out some of the more ridiculous items. Because there are people out there who buy this shit. The question is ... who? And why? Let's try to figure that out now.

Item #02-1496058 Potato Scrubbing Gloves
The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog
Williams-Sonoma says: "Scrub potatoes clean while preserving skin that's nutrient rich. Set of two."

Price: $11.95

Notes from Drew: I desperately wanted it to say "Set of one" at the end. But anyway, who WOULDN'T like to have special gloves for whenever you have to handle potatoes? Potatoes are dirty and smelly, so it behooves you to wear a pair of gloves that will absorb all that dirt and grime and then get soaked through. Be sure to let them dry on your radiator! I also like that these gloves come with the word POTATO labeled across each one. Late at night, I often go digging through my basement screaming, "WHERE ARE THE GODDAMN POTATO GLOVES?" Because I usually end up grabbing the carrot gloves first, you know?

Item #02-2719136 Chef'n Panini Spatula
The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog
Williams-Sonoma says: "Wide platform with a slot simplifies slicing then lifting even the largest sandwiches."

Price: $19.95

Notes from Drew: ZOMG THIS SANDWICH IS SO LARGE! I can't possibly lift it using only my hands or a common spatula. If only someone out there would invent a unique tool that would allow me to lift my panini and then transfer it to a plate. I'm not just gonna pick it up myself, like a DOG. There's hot gruyere in that sandwich! It could burn.

By the way, you should know that any kitchen utensil designed specifically for one kind of food or meal is essentially useless: a panini spatula, a fondue pot, a steak tartare fork. Unless you plan on eating raclette four days a week, you don't need any of that shit.

Item #02-787713 Williams-Sonoma Cocktail Rimming Sugar
The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog

Williams-Sonoma says: "Spiced, Citrus, or Vanilla."

Price: $8.95

Notes from Drew: Why have an ordinary rimjob when you can add just a touch of Madagascar vanilla? That's how classy folk do their rimming.

















READ MORE

HATER'S GUIDE TO WILLIAM SONOMA [via David Adashek]

 The Hater’s Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog

Drew Magary

The people at W-S aren't the least bit self-conscious about getting you to pay $35 for mailed gravy. So I thought I would go through this holiday season's catalog, which has spent a solid week atop my shitter, and point out some of the more ridiculous items. Because there are people out there who buy this shit. The question is ... who? And why? Let's try to figure that out now.

Item #02-8592198 Harvest Pumpkin Collection

The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog 
Williams-Sonoma says: "Ceramicist Barbara Eigen has been designing unique pieces, often inspired by nature, since 1997. Our Harvest Pumpkin Collection is a perfect example of her lifelike work. The tureen and accessories add organic whimsy to your Thanksgiving table."

Price: $40 for a set of four individual tureens

Notes from Drew: This is actually one of the more reasonably priced items in the W-S catalog, as long as you don't consider it a waste to spend $40 on four pumpkin bowls that you will use three times per decade. I used to buy terrible gifts like this for people all the time. HERE ARE YOUR PUMPKIN BOWLS! NOT BAD, EH? Because, honestly, what can you do with a pumpkin soup bowl besides put pumpkin soup in it? If you put tomato soup in it, God will murder you.


Item #02-496059 Bourbon Cranberry Relish

The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma CatalogWilliams-Sonoma says: "Sauteed cranberries, bourbon, shallots and herb with a hint of orange. 16oz."

Price: $40

Notes from Drew: That's 40 bucks for a bowl of cranberry sauce that everyone will pass up because we all prefer the shit that costs two bucks and comes plopping out of the can in the shape of the can. The second ingredient is LEAD. For 40 bucks, you should get the bourbon on its own.


Item #02-4381232 Acorn Twine Holder

The Hater's Guide To The Williams-Sonoma Catalog
Williams-Sonoma says: "Polished alderwood with 76 yards of linen twine. Made in Italy."

Price: $26

Notes from Drew: Oh, thank God! Thanksgiving was mere weeks away and I was like OH FUCK, WE'RE OUT OF TWINE. AND WE HAVE NO PLACE TO DISPENSE SAID TWINE. Sure, any asshole can go to the store and buy a roll of cooking string for half a penny and keep that twine in a drawer for the one time per year someone in the house has to tie up a raw turkey only to fail miserably and get salmonella deep inside his palms for years and years. But I want CLASSY twine, you know? I want my twine to say something about ME.


READ MORE

Obama-Sushi


The Japanese just can’t get enough of Obama. In this article (via Erin who found it via caitlinomara on Twitter), we get to see a ridiculous Obama Sushi platter. It doesn’t stop with his face, though, which is made from small shrimp and rice for the skin, black sesame seeds for the hair, and processed fish paste for the teeth (so that’s how he keeps his teeth so shiny white!).

Reimagining Sicily by Mark Spano



Mark Spano Communications, Inc. is seeking travel funding for the production of a feature documentary entitled Reimagining Sicily. 

Little has been produced about the cultural or historic relevance of Sicily. The most invaded place on the planet, the three-sided island’s story rivals both Greece and Egypt as a primary source for Western ideas. Sicily is more fascinating and more diverse than so many of the worn out discussions of regions in France and other parts of Italy. And, few of those “popularized” regions compare to Sicily for a story of authentic human struggle, the presence of cultural icons and the significance of so many important historical sites. But for crime, Sicily has gone unexplored.

Access Zen Interviews Kayoko Mitsumatsu About Yoga Gives Back

Yoga Gives Back: The Essence of Goodwill

Kayoko
Kayoko Mitsumatsu
yoga About the show: Join documentary film maker Kayoko as she shares her transformative approach to goodwill and how yoga gives back to the people of India by making a significant difference through the contribution of a single yoga class...
Click on the guest's photo for more information.


Laurence O'Bryan's Istanbul Puzzle has been short listed for the Irish crime novel of the year 2012



purchase on Amazon.com


 “What road led to choosing HarperCollins to publish your book?”

I went to a HarperCollins one day workshop on crime writing in late 2010 and met an editor there who asked to see my work. I was lucky. She liked it. 

I was planning to release The Istanbul Puzzle as an ebook if I didn't get anywhere. It had already been professionally edited and had won a prize at a writer's conference in California, so I knew it was good enough to be published traditionally. 

The most important thing Harper Collins gave me was a great team of editors. Two worked on my manuscript. I improved it even further as a result of their work. They also sold it for translation into 9 foreign languages!

I have however self published a guide to social media, Social Media is Dynamite, as only my fiction has been traditionally published. Click on either of the links to read more.

My road started long before that though. I started writing almost every day in 2000, so it's been a long journey for me, but one I truly enjoyed.

I even met Ken at a conference in San Francisco in November 2010!

Wishing you all well."

Laurence O'Bryan's Istanbul Puzzle has been short listed for the Irish crime novel of the year 2012. You can support him by  Voting Here . Votes are accepted internationally. The award ceremony will be televised in Ireland on the 24th November.


Also by Laurence O' Bryan 


purchase on Amazon.com

ANIMISM

 
Primitive man, rapidly whirling a rhomb, believed that its murmuring hum was the voice of a spirit. Why did he not think the noise he made by striking a stick against a tree or clapping stones together was a voice? Perhaps because the hum sounded like speech, sustained and resonant, but a more likely reason is that the cause of the sound was unknown. The uncaused is the product of an unseen creator, an apparently uncaused human behavior is attributed to an inner man.—B. F. Skinner, Notebooks