Ruth Bernhard dies at age 101 

In 1967, Bernhard met United States Air Force Colonel Price Rice, an African American man ten years younger than her, and the two became lovers. They would remain together until his death in 1999.

"If I have chosen the female form in particular, it is because beauty has been debased and exploited in our sensual twentieth century. We seem to have a need to turn innocent nature into evil ugliness by the twist of the mind. Woman has been the target of much that is sordid and cheap, especially in photography. To raise, to elevate, to endorse with timeless reverence the image of woman, has been my mission - the reason for my work which you see here" - attributed to Ruth Bernhard, American photographer, b. October 14, 1905 - died December 18, 2006.

Just take a quick look at the proof positive for this statement. 

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Born in Berlin and studied at the Berlin Academy of Art from 1925–27, early in her career she would work with Mario Van Peebles father...(Marios dad had married German actress Maria Marx)

http://www.womeninphotography.org/ruthbernhardAA.html 

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Posted by mach1231 at 4:50 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, January 9, 2007 5:13 PM PST

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Mood:  accident prone

Amidst recent news reports that snowstorm in the U.S. may have killed 15000 cows,

Los Angeles's Malibu area has been hit with a firestorm of sorts.

4-8 homes have been lost including that of celebrity/author Suzanne Sommers.

“The neighborhood looks like a war zone,” County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said. “Anything that was down there that could burn, did burn.”

Fueled by Santa Ana winds of up to 25 mph, investigators say the fire began in Bluffs Park at around 5 p.m., jumped across Malibu Rd. and then destroyed four ocean-front mansions and one guest house.

More photos here.

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While here in Prince George BC CANADA we have been hit with snow as well, (not as bad as North Korea apparently, Heavy snow blankets South Korea, disrupting flights)...

...I don't know if I would identify well with the people in the UK right now with the usual adage when it rains heavily that it "beats shoveling it": County set for more floods.

 Whilst these California fires may have threatened actor Mel ("I own Malibu") Gibsons home, it appears his new film Apocalypto has gotten off to a rousing start in the UK. Mel Gibson's Apocalypto smashes record.

But if you remain unimpressed with such tidbit factual bits of information, please visit here

to read from a learned source why Mels latest film only removes the controversy he started with his alcohol fueled rants and displaces them to reveal the inner intricacies of what a contained racist slant his new film promotes.

Its like the people in the UK sometimes say, leave it to the Americans to bobble a good story. 

But anybody worried by these stories about a real end of the world scenario involving fires, rain and  snow certainly won't take any small amount of comfort in the fact that a superbug warning

might actually enact an apocalyptic like scenario.

So, if you do not feel inclined to support Mel Gibsons bank acccount when going to see a film, why not something

more literary like  Children of Men

with the DP from the 'Prisoner of Azkaban' at the helm for instance?

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I leave you now with something decidedly more boring to ponder about than all this excitement with extreme weather, particularily if you wander in on a work break..

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As if all this were not enough, do take care out there...

Charity fears fallout from e-mail virus

Bug Briefs: OpenOffice vulnerable to attack

Researcher: Still risk from QuickTime bug

. 

Posted by mach1231 at 10:49 AM PST

Updated: Tuesday, January 9, 2007 12:36 PM PST

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N othing concentrates your mind out in the back roads of rural Africa like having a kid from some rebel army hold you at gunpoint with a large Russian-made assault rifle.

Diamonds can be terror's best friend, too

Posted by mach1231 at 9:53 AM PST

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Mood:  sharp

I can remember when.....I can remember editing James Browns video's as part of assignments in video production school.

Not that I am that old-old-old school but it was fun and a challenge and I remember being very hyped working on Mr.Browns work as being quite proud of the finished product I came up with to hand in for grading.

RIP James Brown

Click here to see all the famous ones who never made it into 2007.

Posted by mach1231 at 12:34 AM PST

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WARNING!

Read at your own intellectual prowess's peril: this article/press release sucks. 

It is supposed to be a year-round-up for dubious distinction in journalism reporting awards. In other words: everything that has been hyped or over hyped.

 I ask this: can we do now better for counting what is overhyped?

Not that it doesnt hold value as much more than it does water. 

But its also SUPPOSED to hold a reporting link with George Mason University. You have heard of George Mason right? And the fact that he had a University named after him?

Well! Have you, until now, ever heard of anything dubbed the

Statistical Assessment Service  ?

A minute bit of research reveals the director is also a tv commentator

for FOX news. 

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And from the In Case You Missed It Department, the US lost one of its past Presidents who may one day be recalled and mentioned in the same breath as past President as a great orator and elder statesman.

I feel the pain of the US at the moment, not exactly sharing in your loss as much as empathizing, not so much that the passage of time has claimed the long dignified life of one of your greatest contributors to the history of your country, but as a result of having a current President  who offered up these words in eulogy to the passing of Mr. Gerald Ford:

"...and when he put his hand on his family bible..he brought grace to a moment of great doubt." 

--

 And that sums up my blog today.

Posted by mach1231 at 4:44 PM PST

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Mood:  lazy

As if you needed anything other than dikes, clogs

tulips

canals

and windmills as good reasons to consider travel to the Netherlands, along comes an science museum with exhibitions on topics from everything including DNA, electricity and water.

Called NEMO and located near the city's central train station, a interactive display called Studio Bits allows visitors to become experimenters with games, websites, animation and video.

Although the museum actually caters to the budding young bright young adolescent mindset, even mature adults are supposedly bound to enjoy taking in the numerous interactive displays.

In summer, the roof of the building is transformed into a beach environment which allows visitors to take in beatific views of the Dutch capital.

And since it is housed in a giant bright green ship-like building,

 unlikely you'll have trouble finding it either.

Good luck navigators if you decide to go, as you'll have to let Google be your guide for starters!

 C'ya @ the beach!

Posted by mach1231 at 2:25 PM PST

Updated: Monday, January 1, 2007 2:49 PM PST

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Mood:  caffeinated

Whenever one visits any cafe, you should always be given something to think about when visiting.

Whether its tasteful art deco hung on your walls, free newspapers and magazines to peruse or even talk radio playing in the background,

it keeps conversations moving and is also attractive and a good reason to attract your solo visitors. 

Its funny that before , if one went to top drawer brand name coffee house franchise in the States,

one could enjoy ones coffee fully without even knowing... let alone considering; a potentially bitter feeling that might result at the bottom of the cup knowing the sons and daughters of the grower might one day realize they had sacrificed their lives and opportunities

just so I could sit in a Starbucks and sip my coffee to the tune of soft jazz music humming in the background.

No chance for an education, they would farm and pick beans so papa could pay the greedy landlord or crooked tax collector. 

But now, thanks to the people, who without obligation, took it upon themselves to embark on a public consciousness raising movement, an instigation that resulted in  benefits that exceeds the palateable pleasure and sweetness of enjoying a cup of Joe...coffee growers have better chances and opportunities in life.

The satisfaction in drinking to the last drop in good conscience is without parralel.

 Thanks for visiting today, and we hope you can leave with something to think about.

On the Net, in THIS net cafe, at Machs Cafe, the conversation is light..but theres always something breezy coming at you.

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 Personally, I prefer Second Cup.

The girl servers there are cuter too. 

Posted by mach1231 at 11:53 AM PST

Updated: Monday, December 25, 2006 12:17 PM PST

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Chinas net nanny is acting bi-polar.

Its interesting, I surfed in off that one after finding this story about a man who was offered a "steel helmet and a bullet-proof vest" when he was released from prison.

Nice to have friends like that. 

Please have a visit with our sponsor.

http://www.nataliebehring.com

 - - - - - -Thanks for visiting my site! 

Posted by mach1231 at 12:10 AM PST

Updated: Saturday, December 23, 2006 12:31 AM PST

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Mood:  mischievious

$19.99 a sitting for a baby portrait @ Wal-Mart? This well known glamour photographer will make sure your baby is actually crying for that freeze-frame moment for a mere 10 grand.

Behold some sad social commentary on the Bush administration from a master behind the lens

 Do not be afraid, don't hold back, visit

http://www.manipulator.com

today.

She has been called a Nazi. Been told her kids should have been aborted. And probably more....

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Posted by mach1231 at 7:49 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2006 7:57 PM PST

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