Instant Divinity! or, Immersion in Okami
Although Clover Studio’s name may not be an intentional blend of the phrase “creativity lover,”  the visionary stylings of Okami are certainly in favor of this rumor. Developed by Clover Studio for the PS2 and ported to the Wii by Ready at Dawn, Okami is an action-adventure game framed by Japanese mythology and cel-shaded artwork that simulates a living sumi-e brush painting. In order to save Nippon from evil demons, the sun goddess Amaterasu inhabits the playable form of a white wolf at the game’s start. In addition to traveling from quest to quest, it is the player’s task during the adventure to use her “Celestial Brush” to perform acts of divine intervention. While these unusual game mechanics might seem to require a conscious suspension of disbelief, some of its most implausible features are actually essential to a consistent and immersive gameplay experience.
What makes these features immersive rather than interruptive is their implication in Okami’s greater gameplay metaphor of omnipotence. This metaphor mediates the “gap between gameworld and player or…gap between player and avatar”  in order to “help at least approximate or “fake”…experiences,”  such as the experience of being divine. As described in their paper “Games about LOVE and TRUST? Harnessing the Power of Metaphors for Experience Design,” Doris Rusch and Matthew Weise point out that dealing with this gap “creatively” can bring the player incredibly close to “stepping into the shoes of the hero [and] into the body of a completely different species.”  The player-avatar relationship, aesthetic schema, and Celestial Brush interface metaphor in Okamiact in concert to navigate this gap, and create an immersive experience in being omnipotent.
While all videogame players commonly experience some feeling of omnipotence during gameplay, Okami uses the physical concept of omnipotence to create an immersive experiential gestalt. Because the player’s avatar appears on the screen across from her, is not a literal representation of her, and acts based on discrete input from a library of possible interactions, there is a necessary physical disconnect between the player and the avatar she controls.  This type of indirect control, however, is comparable to the type of power an omnipotent being is commonly assumed to have and be able to exert. Because the main character is characterized as such a being, the player is more able to identify with Amaterasu and see her indirect manipulation of the wolf as being meaningful to the game’s spiritual narrative. Furthermore, this “provide[s the player with] a perspective about how things are and feel like”  beyond her basic control of the white wolf, so that common gameplay mechanisms and unique interactions serve as further immersive tools.
One exemplary way in which Okami reinforces the player’s immersion in the character Amaterasu is in the depiction of dialogue between Amaterasu and other celestial beings. When celestial characters are addressing Amaterasu, they invariably occupy the center of the screen and appear to address the player directly, rather than Amaterasu’s avatar (which isn’t even visible on screen). However, when the character “gives” a brush technique to Amaterasu, the object representing it symbolically transfers to and is imprinted upon the wolf’s chest. This creates a deliberate distinction between the player-god Amaterasu, who operates on an intellectual plane of control, and the avatar, who is solely a control for input and output in the physical realm. The gap between the player and the character Amaterasu is thereby mediated as the player experiences being addressed as Amaterasu herself, and her physical control over the avatar is conceptually mirrored in Amaterasu’s supposed omnipotence.
However, Torben Grodal points out that being so deeply immersed can “cause fatigue and eventually a sense of lack of control,”  as the player is still only an agent within a demanding game space. After all, the above example comes from a cut scene in which the player has little to no control. To give players more control over how they play the game without diverting from the conceptual framework, Okami describes common mechanics such as saving and battle avoidance in unique spiritual terms. Saving, a “player-generated process” , takes place only at shrines and is framed as a spiritual activity, where the player’s experiences are being recorded in the greater fabric of existence. Likewise, demon battles take place only upon contact with “demon scrolls,” portals which allow a player to chose whether or not to engage in battles during the gameplay. Extending the concept of omnipotence to such basic processes as saving and battle-avoidance allows the player to remain immersed in this spiritual framework while exercising her own agency as a player.
Just as the concept of omnipotence uniquely explains the gap between player and avatar as part of an immersive experience, Okami’s sumi-e aesthetic uses the gap as “part of [its] toolset”  to create a cohesive spiritual framework. The sumi-e style of brush painting is intimately and historically connected to the depiction of Japanese mythology, and the cel-shading of Okami is deliberately a closely correlative graphic style. While “realistic” graphics are integral to sports games, this is mainly because their game worlds must correlate in graphical quality and perspective to the television coverage people are accustomed to – a different visual problem than that faced in Okami.  Even to those unacquainted with the historical conveyance of Japanese mythology, the vivid and organic sumi-e graphics create an “environmental spectacle that evokes myth, magic and mystery,” said by Geoff King and Tanya Krzywinska to be “particularly important to games set in high-fantasy locations.”  This creative visual language is distinct from the physical world’s, taking advantage of the gap between player and television screen in order to immerse her in a moving, interactive painting.
One particular virtue of depicting the game world as an interactive painting is that it allows the visual elements to tell a story of their own. Like a painting immerses the viewer through symbolism, color and brushwork, “cinematic techniques shape style and tone and add connotative meaning…serv[ing] the additional function of communicating between game-system and player.”  Techniques such as the appearance of flowers growing at Amaterasu’s feet and the visible whirling of the wind are two of many aspects of Okami’s particular “richly imagined special world, full of enticing things,”  stated in “Emotional Game Design” to stimulate the player’s voyeuristic instinct and immerse her more emotionally in the gameplay. More literal communication between the interface’s art and the player is particularly exemplified by the use of symbols in the HUD to convey meaning unique to the game’s scope.
A specific example of meaningful symbolism comes in Okami’s unique depiction of health loss, a mechanic common to videogames but specifically framed by this game’s mythology. Artfully using the ubiquity of sun symbolism to reinforce the player’s impression of Amaterasu’s divinity, health is depicted in units of solar energy that relate to the strength of her presence in the body of the wolf. This allows the game-world-generated process of death to be explained as Amaterasu’s divine spirit fleeing the body of the wolf, rather than as a feature inconsistent with this experience of omnipotence. The ink pots in the HUD are a somewhat less direct reference to Amaterasu’s divinity, as they refer to her ability to power the Celestial Brush but attempt to remain consistent with the metaphor of the brush itself. To balance these metaphors, the vanishing of ink pots from the HUD is supplemented by the white wolf’s flaming weaponry vanishing from her body, so that the visuals completely convey that depleting the metaphorical ink supply has thereby depleted the avatar’s power supply. This visual redundancy helps further immerse the player in the gameworld, as it reinforces its metaphorical frameworks and immediately alerts her to her shifting ability to use the Celestial Brush.
Because of the gestural nature of Celestial Brush interactions on the Wii, its use allows for seamlessly parallel actions between the physical and the game world. While it initially seems like a stretch that gesturing with the Celestial Brush is relevant to the “world beyond the game,”  the brush techniques of the game are almost all exactly akin to the brush techniques of traditional Japanese art. Thereby learning how to execute the crude basics of Japanese brush painting, the player develops a connection to Okami’s artistry while onlookers can appreciate the gestures’ significance. The gestures can also be gratification of their own, as an exuberant gestural flourish can be a complete outlet for the player’s energy and spirit. These gestures are thereby linked meaningfully with Celestial Brush techniques, making the game an exception to concerns about trivial gesturing.  Should a technique fail, the player is bound to ask “was my artwork good enough?” rather than “did the control stick misread my input?”, signifying that extending the brush metaphor to its gestural input allows the player feelings of ownership and greater immersion in their role.
Learning how and when to gesturally perform these miracles is also critical to the player’s engagement with the game. In the earliest stages of Okami, the player has only a few brush techniques that she can use. In the words of Clint Hocking, this is the “number of elements implicated in the [Celestial Brush] pattern,”  which increases as the player learns more techniques. Integral to the gameplay is becoming comfortable with a growing library of miracles and learning their applications. The gameplay’s complexity also increases over time, as the player learns to apply the same brush techniques to a growing variety of tasks. Meanwhile, the Celestial Brush’s tolerance decreases over time, as defeating later enemies requires a higher mastery of the techniques. According to Clint Hocking, when these forces of implication, complexity and tolerance act “in concert…[they] immerse [the player’s] left brain in the game.”  Likewise, the Celestial Brush mechanic causes players to think like a god despite still working within the game’s constraints.
The immersive power of the Celestial Brush is exemplified by Amaterasu’s battle with the Spider Queen. Earlier in the Tsuta Ruins, Amaterasu acquires a “Vine” technique that causes an open Konohana blossom to shoot vines to Amaterasu or a hook in the earth. With two such patterns of use, there is some complexity to how and when the technique should be applied. As the player recognizes Konohana blossoms surrounding the Queen mid-battle, she knows that she should implicate the “Vine” technique, but how? Because there isn’t much time between the Queen’s attacks, there is a low tolerance for applying the technique incorrectly. However, when the player notices the hooks on the Queen’s back it calls to the pattern of painting vines to hooks in the ground. As the player becomes aware of what she has to do, any errors are likely on account of inaccurate painting, a mistake the player can directly learn from as she rapidly seeks to improve. Indeed, recursing the brush technique on the Queen’s back hooks will temporarily stun her, and allow the player to go in for the kill, gesturally slicing at her innards to implicate the Power Slash technique. Forced to think quickly in terms of the Celestial Brush’s powers and patterns, the player experiences both a physical and mental immersion in Amaterasu’s abilities and responsibilities.
Because of the creative use of gameplay metaphors and abstraction in Okami’s game world, the player experiences an exceptional connection with its conditions. Amaterasu’s relationship to the white wolf successfully parallels the player-character relationship in gameplay, mediating its gap and causing the player to uniquely identify with Amaterasu. Because the goal of sumi-e is to capture the essence of an idea, and not to replicate it, the sumi-e aesthetic of the game is a purposeful abstraction that creates a library of immersive gameplay metaphors. The Celestial Brush is a successful example of this, as an effective interface metaphor which keeps the player grounded in the visual language of the game world and reinforces their sense of omnipotence. By finely tuning these metaphors, Okami turns being a mythological Japanese god into a successful game experience – rather than a mere feature of the story line.
- Ashcraft, Brian. “Breaking: Clover Studio is Dead.” Kotaku, 2006.
- Rusch, Doris / Weise, Matthew. “Games about LOVE and TRUST? Harnessing the Power of Metaphors for Experience Design.” 2008.
- Grodal, Torben. “Video Games and the Pleasures of Control.” From Zillmann, Dolf and Vorderer, Peter (Eds.) Media Entertainment. The Psychology of its Appeal. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Lantz, Frank. “GDC: Game Developers Rant II“. March 24, 2006.
- King, Geoff / Krzywinska, Tanya. TombRaiders. Space Invaders. Videogame Forms and Contexts. London, UK: I.B. Tauris, 2006.
- Rusch, Doris. “Emotional Design of Computer Games and Fiction Films.” From Jahn-Sudmann, A. / Stockmnn, R. (eds.), Games Without Frontiers – War Without Tears. Computer Games as a Sociocultural Phenomenon. Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.
- Bogost, Ian. “Persuasive Games: Performative Play.” Gamasutra: The Art and Business of Making Games, 2008.
- Bogost, Ian. “Persuasive Games: Gestures as Meaning.” Gamasutra: The Art and Business of Making Games, 2009.
- Hocking, Clint. “i-fi: Immersive Fidelity in Games.” in GDC 2008, Game Developers Conference. 2008.
December 18th, 2009


I am no longer a cycling photographer. If you want, you can now refer to me as a ex-cycling photographer or as a former cycling photographer. Yes, after almost 45 years as a professional photographer and 38 years of that as a cycling photographer I am retiring – my last race was the Tour Down Under in January. I turned 60 years-of-age last March and began finalising a plan that had been fermenting in my mind since five years earlier. I had always wanted to stop at 60, reasoning that my vision and reflexes would be left intact if I stopped now – stay too long and the quality and commitment were bound to fall at some stage. By stopping at 60 I also have the chance to discover other things in life, or at the very least get out on my bike more and maybe climb a few of the mountains I’ve photographed for so long. I have reasoned with myself that retirement is the biggest milestone a human being reaches, beyond getting married or buying one’s first home. So this was not a casual, easy decision to make nor carry out. Yet here I am, one day into retirement, sitting on our deck overlooking the Tasman Bay in Nelson, New Zealand, a glass of locally-produced Sauvignon Blanc in my hand, totally at peace with my new lifestyle.
That peace would not have been realised had I not enjoyed such a satisfying and rewarding career. From the moment I grabbed a lucky shot of Eddy Merckx on the Champs Elysees in 1977 – a shot that started my career after I won a small prize in a photo-competition at what is now ‘Cycling Weekly’ – to capturing the attacking moment when Richie Porte won the Tour Down Under on Willunga Hill last month, my career has been one long, unbroken, enjoyable, unforgettable, exciting, roller-coaster, highly successful adventure. You name the names; I’ve followed their whole careers. Think of Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon, Greg Lemond, Stephen Roche, Eric Vanderaerden, Pedro Delgado, Robert Millar, Sean Kelly, Phil Anderson, Andy Hampsten, Mario Cipollini, Miguel Indurain, Tony Rominger, Bjarne Riis, Laurent jalabert, Jan Ullrich, Chris Boardman, Erik Zabel, Marco Pantani, Stuart O’Grady, Johan Museeuw, Lance Armstrong, Paolo Bettini, Robbie McEwen, David Millar, Tom Boonen, Fabian Cancellara, Cadel Evans, Philippe Gilbert, Mark Cavendish, Alberto Contador, Bradley Wiggins, Alejandro Valverde, Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome – that’s a hefty lineage of champions I’ve photographed from amongst thousands of mere mortals.
Who is my favourite road cyclist, people often ask? I tell them Sean Kelly, a constant source of great photography when I was a young lad starting out. I then say Indurain came close, ahead of Fignon, Ullrich, Armstrong, Delgado and Wiggins. I also tell them that if I was just 21-years-of-age today, then Wiggins would be my favourite cyclist – the most enigmatic of them all, but as a five-times Olympic Gold medallist, multi World Champion, winner of a Tour de France and current holder of the Hour Record, he is by far the most talented cyclist I’ve ever photographed. My favourite track cyclist? Wow, who to choose from when I’ve seen greats like Danny Clark, Connie Paraskevin, Tony Doyle, Erika Salumae, Koichi Nakano, Lutz Hesslich, Sergei Kopylov, Urs Freuler, Michael Hubner, HH Oersted, ‘Eki’ Ekimov, Jens Feidler, Bruno Risi, Shane Kelly, Jens Lehmann, Florian Rousseau, Felicia Ballanger, Marty Nothstein, Arnaud Tournant, Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, Anna Meares, Laura Trott and Jason Kenny. I’m no misogynist, and have envied the power and grace of the greatest women as well. Connie Carpenter, Jeannie Longo, Leontien Van Moorsel, Nicole Cooke, Lizzie Armitstead and – without doubt the greatest of them all – Marianne Vos are the true luminaries who’ve lit up that part of my career.
For the photographers out there, I started with a Pentax Spotmatic II in 1977, but then lived within the Nikon family for almost my entire career. An FE2 in 1978 started me on a 35-year spell with Nikon cameras and lenses, save for a moment of desperation that took me to using a Canon EOS 1 between 1996-1998. I’ve used each of Nikon’s flagship film cameras - the FM2, F2, F3, F4, F5 – before partially joining the digital revolution in 2001. The D1, D2, D2H, D3, D4, D4s, and now the D5 have been the camera loves of my life, they’ll never be forgotten! Somewhere along the way I crossed to the dark side of photography, switching from manual focus to auto-focus with more than a small dose of guilt. But by then I’d captured on-film my favourite all-time image - of Hinault and Lemond on Alpe d’Huez - photographed with a totally manual Bronica ETRs. To close out this chronology of technology, I can boast that I started out printing from glass negatives in a London studio in 1972 after photographing aristocracy with a wooden Kodak Specialist camera. I learnt to use a 35mm SLR camera for that 1977 Tour visit and shot black & white film until decent colour slide film came along in the mid-1980’s. I used to take a mobile film lab to the races in the mid-90’s to develop those slides and then scanned them in before e-mailing them to clients as the digital age slowly took off. I switched to an all-digital platform in the middle of the 2003 Tour, having run both forms of photography for a few years. Processing film and scanning-in slides was replaced by late-night editing of 500 images a day, a task that often jeopardised the chance of finding a good restaurant still open. To round off my ancient-to-modern career, and to guarantee an earlier meal, I have for the past two years been transmitting images directly from the camera – a far quicker, more satisfying, healthier way to work. In some ways it’s a shame I’m stopping, just as things were getting easier!
Now, the big question – will I miss this fantastic, crazy, wonderful sport and its unique lifestyle? Yes, for sure, though I’ve yet to know which parts I’ll miss the most. I will miss the races, but not all of them – too many events clash or cross over, and it’s impossible to enjoy everything with so much to take in. I’ll miss the true classics, like Omloop, Strade Bianche, E3, Wevelgem, Flanders, Roubaix, Liege and Lombardy. But I’ll miss the stage-races the most, especially Paris-Nice, the Giro, Vuelta, Romandie, and Suisse. I won’t miss the Tour as much as people might think– it’s become a claustrophobic colossus that is not always as enjoyable as I’d like, even though it dwarfs all other grand tours. More than the races, I think I’ll miss the fun of travel-planning, of the subsequent adventures, the chase of a good meal and good wine, the intimacy of an evening spent with your car and motor-bike drivers, or the camaraderie with colleagues when the rain is pouring down during a TT and we’ve all left our Gore-Tex, camera-condoms, and umbrellas behind. I know I’ll especially miss the excuse of buying the latest photographic gear, simply because I could buy it. Much more than this, I’ll miss watching my boys racing their hearts out. If I’ve followed some of the greatest champions through their entire careers, I’m signing off without seeing how good Esteban Chaves, Caleb Ewan or Fabio Aru might become – or which of the Yates brothers makes it to the very top, if they don’t both make it there. Is Dan McLay the next Cavendish, will Boonen win a fourth Flanders or a fifth Roubaix this spring? Can Ian Stannard spoil Boonen’s dream in Roubaix? I’d better go out and buy a decent TV…
I cannot sign off for good without acknowledging the help of so many people who made my career last so long, and to some who helped make it possible in the first place. Journalists are a necessary ‘evil’, I like to jest – but they help smooth the photographer’s path into magazines, newspapers, web-sites and even into sponsors’ deep pockets. Top of the list has to be John Wilcockson, a doyenne of English-language journalism who guided me through my early years at Cyclist Monthly, Winning, Inside Cycling and Velo News. He even inspired me to write articles and blogs in my later years, so thanks mate! Rupert Guinness came along in the days of Winning, and we were still sharing yarns and drinking wines last week in Adelaide, 30 years on. In 2013 he became the best best-man I could ever have had! William Fotheringham became the new Wilcockson when he joined Cycling Weekly in 1989-1990 – his ability to write at-length and with such wisdom has never waned to this day. With Russian-speaking Will I visited Moscow for a 6-Day race and navigated its metro system with solely Cyrillic signage – I then survived Moscow’s dire communist-age gastronomy as well. I’ve brushed shoulders with so many Dutch, Belgian, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Australian and American journalists too – each and every one of them led me to being published in all those different languages, either in magazines, newspapers or books. Yet, journalists aren’t exactly famous for spending money unnecessarily. Instead it is the publishers who have done that. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with the very best cycling publications in the world, including Cycling Weekly, Cycle Sport, Winning, Velo News, Bicycling, RIDE Review, Ciclismo a Fondo, Pro Cycling, Favoriet, Wieler Revue, Tour – to name just the biggest and the best. Thanks to the exploits of Lemond and Armstrong, my work has been seen in Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair, and a handful of consumer related publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Some publishers have stayed with me for almost forty years, some for just 30 years, and some for a bit less – collectively, they formed a strong foundation on which I could do business and prosper. I thank them one and all.
Race-organisers have been many and multi-national, and some of them welcomed this oddball British photographer into their exclusive European world almost four decades ago – especially Jean-Marie Leblanc who let me into the 1987 Tour on a moto and opened an Aladdin’s cave of opportunity. In 1998, I became the UCI’s first-ever photographer, a not insignificant role that I only gave up last week, and with much regret, for they really are a nice bunch of people. Thanks must go to my many colourful moto-drivers who’ve kept me safe and sound and close enough to the cyclists to make my job easier. I’ve been driven by a Flemish abattoir owner, a Spanish hairdresser, an Italian customs officer, a French taxi-driver, an Australian police detective, a Basque donkey-breeder, a genuine California Highway Patrol officer (CHIPs!) and a whole host of others too. My current drivers, Walter Conte, Luke Evans and Serge Seynaeve deserve the biggest praise as it cannot be easy piloting a 60-year-old with nerves of steel who also thinks he knows it all. But none of this would have been possible had so many cyclists not done what they did and made my job that much more pleasurable and memorable. You’ll all be sorely missed.
- Graham Watson


Abby's Love List
Hello all! I wanted to start a fun ongoing series to record my favorite things from the last couple weeks and share them with you!
Winter Brights! It may be winter still, but the weather has been more like spring! While it's not quite time to bring out the summer wardrobe, I have been wanting to break out from my normal winter wardrobe that is stereotypically dark, wool, and heavy. Luckily, I also have some spring-colored long-sleeved shirts and sweaters that are brighter hued to perk up the remaining winter days. I've been living in this cozy pink sweater for the last several weeks, as seen in my Instagram.
The Oscar movies! This year I've seen almost every Oscar nominee for Best Picture, so I'm pretty pumped to cheer for my favorites: "Lady Bird" and "I, Tonya" on March 4th during the Oscar Ceremony- basically my Super Bowl!
The Last Mrs. Parrish! It was finally my pick in book club and The Last Mrs. Parrish did not disappoint! I love a thriller set in a wealthy community- the perfect mix of glam and drama! It's also a page turner and you can read it cover to cover over a rainy weekend!
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard- I'm really enjoying this new podcast from one half of one of my favorite celeb couples! I've always loved Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell and find them hilarious but also really heartfelt and authentic. In this podcast, Dax conducts long form interviews with his celebrity friends like his wife, Jimmy Kimmel, his TV wife (from Parenthood!) Joy Bryant, Ashton Kutcher, and more to come!


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About Painted Out
Welcome to Painted Out! We are located in the quaint Village of St.George Brant, Ontario. ( Between Brantford & Cambridge off Highway 24 & 5)
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Hello, I’m Kathryn. In the years I lived outside the Quad Cities, I received my veterinary assistant certificate. I have worked in veterinary clinics as both a receptionist and a technician. I have been working at Whitehaven since 2007. I am kept very busy with my three kids, two dogs, and two cats at home. I am an avid runner; so I use the time I have left to train for 5Ks, half-marathons, and other races.


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Info Events 2022
ADAC Air Rescue & Hillsboro Aero Academy
Salzburg June 30th
On Thursday, June 30th, our information day on helicopter pilot training will take place in Salzburg at 6 p.m. Here we inform you about the training to become a pilot in the USA, the cooperation with the ADAC air rescue service and more. Due to the limited space, registration is required.
If you don't make it in time, you are also welcome to take part in our regular webinars - www.flyhaa.de/webinar
European Rotors 2022
Between the 8th and 10th of November the European Rotors will take place in Cologne again. Together with colleagues from ADAC air rescue, we are happy to answer all your questions here.
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Discover centuries-old traditional Maltese craft with us. Hear the history, learn about tools materials and ways of filigree production and feel the craft by trying hands-on.
Depending of level of knowledge and experience that you wish to have about this delicate craft, choose one of the 5 different courses that we are offering.
Below you will see the “menu” of filigree courses:
1. Teaser – 1.5 hours
“Short & sweet” – During one and a half hours of this course, our master artisan will show and explain the making of one jewellery piece from beginning till the end. Besides following the production process, you will also be able to learn about filigree history, traditional and innovative ways of manufacturing filigree, differences between silver wires that are used for production, methods of cleaning filigree jewellery and the most memorable – you will have the opportunity to try twisting pure silver wire. Experience worth remembering. Unique, fun and satisfying course at the cost of only €40 per person.
2. One day course – 4 hours
Challenge yourself – Make one filigree piece with our help, when needed. Bring your own design or choose one of ours. Throughout the time of four hours learn the most important and interesting things about filigree and produce your own item.
Create the frame, twist the wires, assemble all pieces together, solder with flame, shape and complete the item and than follow the lecture about cleaning and polishing jewellery.
Make the most wonderful memories, save precious souvenir with you and bring your skills to higher level. Price per person is €70 and it includes the item that is produced during the workshop.
3. Three days course – 10 hours
Longer version of “one day course”. Spend 10 hours in our workshop, learn how to make more elaborate designs. Create your piece which will be taken home with you. This course is divided in 3 days. First two days lasts 4 hours each. They are related to the manufacturingand hallmarking of filigree. Third day is cleaning, polishing, electroplating and lecture about process of creating the wires from raw material. This prolonged experience costs €150 per person.
4. One month course – 48 hours
Extend three days course. This course is very close to the previous mentioned. The difference is the time spent in our workshop. Time makes your knowledge and skills improve. After a month of using our tools and ways of production you will be able to make your pieces independently. Same like in the courses 2 and 3, you are allowed to keep 1 item that you manufacture. The price of 48 hours course is €480 per person.
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After this type of the course you will be ready to open your own business with filigree. Apart from crafting which you will learn entirely, during this type of the course we will give you suggestions about marketing, packaging, certification and presentation of the final products. You will get many hints and grow ideas for selling filigree pieces. This is very important, because it is something that comes after getting the skills for this dreamy craft. Become familiar with this delicate, lacy and artistic workmanship. Be the master. Receive our best knowledge about traditional Maltese filigree at €700 per person.
Who is eligible?
- Jewellery makers – to learn new working techniques and how to combine filigree with solid silver.
- Tourists – who wants to experience something original and unique while staying in Malta
- Craft loving Maltese residents – to experience filigree making as part of a hobby
No previous experience is required.
The courses will be led by Gaetano Saliba, Master Filigree Artisan. Courses are held in English. Venue: the workshop of Saliba’s Gold and Silversmith
Please note that these courses do not lead to any kind of certification, a reference letter can be issued if required.
Interested? Kindly book your course in advance via email to: email@example.com


I WON, TWICE!
I am really happy to share with you, that I received two awards in Czech Press Photo 2017. I got awarded in category "Daily life" and "Canon Junior Awards" with my picture "Jump/Skok". The picture will be also displayed at the official exhibition that is taking place at Staroměstská radnice/Prague's Old Town Hall, in Křížová chodba and Rytířský sál (Cloisters and Knights’ Hall). The exhibition will be open till 30th January 2018 and you are most welcome to visit!
To get more information about the exhibition, you can visit this website: http://www.prague.eu/en/event/17649/czech-press-photo-2017?back=1
I have always perceived Czech Press Photo as really a prestigious competition and have always looked up to the winners. It still feels almost surreal to be one of the awarded - and I am really honored to be part of this great event.
I have already tried to disclose the background of the winning picture in an interview that can be found under this link (http://bit.ly/2B2EFNo), or you can download the unedited text, that I provided to the magazine here. But apart from that I decided to share with you four yet unpublished pictures, that I took a few minutes before the "final" shot.
To open a full screen gallery, simply click on any of them.


The extended benefits of advertising in video games:
Companies have started placing advertisements within video games, specifically on billboards located within the game’s virtual world. This innovative marketing approach offers a unique and effective way to promote products or services to players while they enjoy their gaming experience.
In the ever-evolving world of marketing, advertisers are continuously seeking new and engaging ways to reach their target audience. One such strategy gaining traction is billboard marketing within video games. By strategically placing advertisements on billboards inside game environments, marketers have found a unique opportunity to connect with gamers in a way that seamlessly blends with their virtual experiences. In this blog, we will explore the rising trend of billboard marketing in gaming, its benefits, and its impact on the gaming industry.
The Rise of Billboard Marketing in Gaming:
With the growing popularity of video games, marketers have recognized the immense potential in leveraging in-game advertising. Billboard marketing, specifically, has emerged as a highly effective method for reaching a captive audience. By integrating virtual billboards within the game environment, advertisers can capture the attention of gamers during their immersive gameplay experiences. This targeted approach allows for precise audience targeting and offers a non-intrusive way to promote products and services.
Engaging Players through In-Game Billboards:
One of the key advantages of billboard marketing in gaming is the ability to engage players without disrupting their gaming experience. By strategically placing billboards within game worlds, advertisers can create a sense of realism and immersion. These billboards often feature eye-catching visuals, clever slogans, and relevant advertisements that resonate with the gaming community. The seamless integration of billboards into the virtual landscape ensures that players notice them organically, fostering a positive and memorable impression.
Benefits of Billboard Marketing in Gaming:
Billboard marketing in gaming offers several notable benefits for both advertisers and game developers. Firstly, it provides an additional revenue stream for game developers, enabling them to generate income that can be reinvested into game development. Secondly, advertisers benefit from highly targeted exposure to a captive audience of engaged gamers, increasing the chances of brand recognition and conversion. Furthermore, the interactive nature of video games allows for dynamic and adaptable billboard content, allowing advertisers to test and optimize their marketing messages in real-time.
The Future of Billboard Marketing in Gaming:
As the gaming industry continues to thrive, billboard marketing is expected to become even more prevalent. Advances in technology, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, will offer new avenues for immersive advertising experiences. Additionally, the rise of esports and online gaming communities presents opportunities for targeted marketing campaigns. Game developers and advertisers will continue to explore innovative ways to integrate billboards seamlessly, ensuring they complement the gaming environment while providing a valuable revenue stream.
Billboard marketing in gaming has emerged as a powerful and engaging strategy, allowing advertisers to connect with gamers in a non-disruptive manner. By strategically placing billboards within game environments, marketers can capture the attention of players while enhancing the overall gaming experience. As technology advances and the gaming industry evolves, the future holds exciting possibilities for further integrating billboard marketing and creating mutually beneficial partnerships between advertisers and game developers.


The Smart Charter brand was originally conceived on the Balearic Island of Ibiza in 2014 by boating enthusiasts Charlie Veale and Alessandra Grisoni.
Both longtime island residents with a passion for the sea and watersports, their dream of creating unforgettable private yacht charter experiences with top level service became the foundation of the young and dynamic company, Smart Charter Ibiza.
Thanks to the team’s dedication and hard work, in just a few years the business has grown into a successful and instantly recognisable brand, incorporating several different companies under the umbrella of the Smart Group.
In 2022, we are incredibly proud to introduce the Smart Charter brand in two new markets: Mallorca and Marbella.
Bringing the very best of private yacht charter services to these destinations, it is our mission to continue what began in Ibiza: to help you create memories that last a lifetime on the Mediterranean Sea!


Results & Fixtures For Partick Thistle FC
On this page, we show the results and fixtures for Partick Thistle. However, if you want to see the league position for Hibernian Football Club, click here.
Currently, Partick Thistle plays football in Scottish League One. Staff at the Fanbase hope the club and supporters enjoy success.
The club’s official website is here.
Club Information, In Brief
To begin with, Partick Thistle is a football club from Glasgow and they came into existence in 1876. This makes the club a little older than some.
The club play at the Firhill Stadium. The capacity of the ground is decent at 10,102, however, their stadium is not in Partick but Maryhill. The club has not played their home games in Partick since 1908.
Partick plays their home games in a red and yellow strip.
Partick Thistle has a host of minor honours but they have won the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.
Although Partick is in Glasgow, their rivals are Clyde F.C. When they play, this has the name of the Old Firm Alternative. However, Partick’s fiercest rivals are Airdrieonians.
The supporters also see the following teams as rivals:
Partick Thistle also have a few nicknames:
- The Jags
- The Harry Wraggs
- The Maryhill Magyars
Partick Thistle Promotion
The Football Fan Base is a great place to promote Partick Thistle. For example, we have the huge Footy Blogs in which to comment and post. But, our network is a place for social interaction and has many platforms with which to brag about your team.
If you would like us to add more facts and figures to this Partick Thistle Info Page, let us know. Once we verify what you send in, we can adjust this page accordingly.
Partick Thistle Fans Forum
Many people like to post on message boards so we have the ideal medium at the Fan base. Included on our message boards is the Partick Thistle Fans Forum.
Indeed, the Football Fan Base has the biggest Soccer Forums on the internet. This allows for even further football banter. So, go ahead and boast about Partick Thistle. After all, your team is the best in the world, right?


The best app for your home decoration.
Make shopping at IKEA stores easier with this official IKEA app. You'll always get updated information about our products, special offers and stores. Using IKEA Inspire, you can create shopping lists anytime and anywhere. You will:
- Get up-to-date information about our products.
- Create shopping lists that you can order online or use in your home computer too.
- Find inspiration from thousands of products and photos.
- Get inspired about IKEA home furnishing.
This APP is exclusive in: Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.
Requires iOS 8.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
IKEA Inspire is a free software application from the Personal Interest subcategory, part of the Home & Hobby category.
The app is currently available in English and it was last updated on 2015-07-02. The program can be installed on iOS.
IKEA Inspire (version 2.0.2) has a file size of 120.59 MB and is available for download from our website.
Just click the green Download button above to start. Until now the program was downloaded 0 times.
We already checked that the download link to be safe, however for your own protection we recommend that you scan the downloaded software with your antivirus.


Thank you to all who attended!
When: Friday, January 18, 2019, 9:00am – 1:00pm (EST)
Where: Tradewinds Islands Grand Resort – St. Petersburg Beach, Florida
Start the new year off with the Alliance by winding down after the holidays, practicing mindfulness, and getting focused on your 2019 goals. Join the Florida ambassadors in beautiful and sunny St. Petersburg Beach. We’ll enjoy quality time near the ocean with our toes in the sand, industry networking, and a workshop featuring Robin Nickell, mindfulness coach, designed to help you be more mindful.
Optional group activity Thursday, Jan 17
Join us for a bonfire on the beach and a BYOCC (bring your own credit card) dinner the night before the workshop. Bonfire begins at 7pm with dinner to follow at 8pm.
A block of rooms is available at $179 per person, not including taxes and fees. To reserve a room please contact Tradewinds Group Reservations at 800-808-9833. Be sure to mention our group name: Alliance of Women in Workers’ Comp.
Please indicate when you register if you plan to attend the dinner or book a hotel room.
8:30am Registration | Breakfast & Networking
9:10am Mindfulness with Robin Nickell | Mindful Mechanics
9:50am Table Collaboration
10:30am Panel Discussion on Goal Setting / Achieving Personal Goals
11:30am Table Collaboration
12:00pm Networking Time
1:00pm Event Concludes
A stellar panel will also discuss goal setting with helpful tips for setting and achieving your personal and team goals:
Meet the Keynote Speaker: Robin Nickell
With over 20 years of experience in corporate sales and training and an enthusiasm for teaching meditation, Robin has a unique style of presenting the scientific benefits of meditation and demystifying techniques to create a sustained practice.
In 2013 she deepened her understanding of mindfulness and meditation while completing her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Heartwood Retreat Center in Bradenton, Fl. At this time her father was experiencing advanced stages of several forms of dementia. This awakened a voracious appetite for knowledge of the mind and its ability to heal and change through meditation.
In 2016, Robin completed her Meditation Teacher Training at ISHTA Yoga in NYC. She has also studied Mindful Based Stress Reduction at The Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society. She is currently studying Neurobiology and Behavior at the University of Chicago and now brings this education to various businesses and non-profits.


All kids like to get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. But with the pandemic spreading, you must keep them indoors to ensure safety. While stuck inside, the kids can get bored very quickly and become addicted to the screens. So it’s a good idea to prepare several fun activities inside the house to engage them. If you’re running out of ideas, take a look at our list of the 10 best indoor activities for kids below. Ready, let’s go.
1. Play lego
It’s not a coincidence that parents all over the world like to buy Lego for their kids. Playing with Lego can have many educational benefits for children. First of all, it can improve their creativity. To construct their own design, kids must use different sizes, shapes, colors of Lego pieces. This allows them to go wild with their imagination and come up with any original work they can think of.
Children crafting with lego also get more skilled at problem-solving by exploring different alternatives to fit smaller pieces into larger ones. Finally, Lego can teach your children to be persistent. A grand work takes time to build and they can only succeed in their endeavor by not giving up.
2. Create a DIY toy
Plastic toys are loaded with toxic chemicals. To protect your kids from plastic toxicity while saving some extra money, why not learn to make toys for them yourself? It’s easy to create a DIY toy. You only need some throw-away paper, pieces of clothes, cardboard boxes, cans to get started. Blocked for ideas? Here’s a curated list of creative toys to get you inspired.
If possible, get your kids in the process. This will stimulate their creativity and teach them the value of recycling.
3. Decorate the room
Another fun indoor activity for your kids is to carry out a home decor project. Start with decorating the common room or the children’s bedroom. Go online for some inspiration and try out a few crazy ideas.
As an example, you could paint the wall with vivid color (bright green), then let the kids draw on it with chalk. If not ready to sacrifice the bedroom walls for art, have your family members paint some pictures instead and hang them on the wall in a creative way. Another innovative idea to decorate the room is to arrange sticky notes of different colors into superhero figures on the wall.
4. Cook with your kids
Indoor days are the perfect time to get your kids involved in household cooking activities. Look for some funny food recipes on the Internet and make them with the children. This is not only an opportunity to spend more quality time with your little ones but also equip them with useful kitchen skills you can use later on. Learning to cook can also help to raise your kids’ self-esteem and fuel their passion for making great dishes. Who knows if they’ll become great chefs one day?
5. Watch movies
This is not the best way to limit your kids’ screen time during pandemic time. However, not all screen time is bad. Watching movies is the best way for kids to enjoy themselves while picking up valuable lessons. If you want the children to reap some educational benefits out of movie time, go for the movies that are fun to watch but packed with core values like heroism, kindness, courage. Consider this list of 10 best movies for children of all time.
6. Go on a hunt
Another way to spice up your kids’ time indoors is to hold an item-hunting game. Make a list of items for the kids to hunt all over the house. Then a series of clues for them that leads them to the big prize. Make sure that this big prize is really “big” (e.g. a toy that your kid asks you to buy for ages). Otherwise, the kids would be very disappointed and wouldn’t be so eager to join the hunt with you again.
7. Color pictures
Coloring is the best way for children to express their personalities and creativity. It’s also the best indoor activity for kids to enjoy themselves when you’re not with them. Buy a coloring book or print out images of your child’s favorite cartoon characters and animals. Then they can fill in the colors for hours. When not working, you can teach them to draw simple paintings and add the colors themselves.
8. Make clay from flour
Clay is toxic. A safer way for your kids to enjoy clay molding is to make a DIY clay from flour. Prepare 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Mix all the ingredients together until it blends into a thick dough. Now your kids can get creative with your clay art.
9. Play roles
If you want your children to have fun while learning valuable skills, consider letting them play the roles of adults. Tell them to pretend to be a grown-up who lives independently. They can use the vacuum, washing machine, irons to carry out work around the house according to their strengths (Make sure your kids are old enough to do this and know how to operate them).
Through role-playing, your kids can learn to resolve difficulties on their own and understand the importance of doing housework. They’ll also become more independent and be able to fend for themselves when parents are not at home.
10. Read books
One of the most beneficial indoor activities for kids is reading. Reading books can help your child to expand vocabulary and develop creativity. It also opens their perspectives to the world and teaches them to distinguish right from wrong.
For the kids to reap the full benefit from reading, let them choose the books they like to read. It could be from any genre: comic, short stories, science books, novels, graphic books, etc. Don’t force any kind of book on them because it can ruin their experience.
Being stuck in the house isn’t all bad for the kids if you know how to keep you active and engaged. It’s also an opportunity to teach your kids many useful skills and strengthen family bonds. Hopefully, this list has inspired some fun indoor activities for your kids this summer.


Join our playgroup for some fun with friends!
We will read stories, make crafts, and play games!
Saturdays 3:00 - 4:00
Upcoming Playgroup Session:
July 9th - August 6th, 2022
Registration Deadline: June 27, 2022
Here are our weekly themes:
Week #1 - July 9: Cookies
Week #2 - July 16: Horses
Week #3 - July 23: Sesame Street
Week #4 - July 30: Friendship Day
Week #5 - August 6: In the Jungle
Playgroup is $20 for the entire 5-week session.
This includes the cost of supplies & shipping.
Activities are designed for children ages 4 - 10.


(as of May 16,2022 13:02:38 UTC – Details)
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
🍀 EASY TO USE: This artificial boxwood could be a perfect choice when lacking the time to build and maintain a real lawn. It provides you a realistic look without costing much energy. Each panel can be interlocked by snap lock and easily fastened to any wood frame, chain link fence, brick wall, etc. with zip ties or glue.
🍀 SGS-CERTIFIED MATERIAL: The boxwood panels are made of SGS-certified polyethylene, UV- and weather-resistant material, making the beautiful leaves not easy to fade when used outside.
🍀 DESIGN IT YOURSELF: Twelve 20×20”/50x50cm boxwood panels can cover 33 sq ft. area in total. On the back of each boxwood panel is a cuttable plastic grid, which can be easily trimmed into any shape you want with scissors.
🍀 CHARMING DECORATION: With the thick and life-like leaves, our boxwood panels are ideal for creating a vibrant, delightful and private relaxing space in your garden, patio, yard, and also a lively addition to home/store decoration.


Back to the Pantry Blog Taste Your Way: Maker Profiles, Uncategorized Maker Profile: Julie Hubert, Ashley Rodriguez of Not Without Salt By Stephanie Pacillo Leave a comment Add to Favorites Email This Post Share This Post Twitter Pinterest Facebook Google+ Close your eyes for a moment and think about your ideal chocolate chip cookie. (A tough ask we know, but play along.) Is it warm, straight out of the oven just like Mom used to make? Does it crunch when you bite into it, or do your teeth sink into layers of gooey, buttery, rich goodness? Is it dunkworthy, the perfect accomplice to an ice cold glass of fresh milk, or does it prefer to be broken apart and marveled for its decadent chocolate interior? However you define the perfect cookie, Ashley Rodriguez, creator of Not Without Salt and Julie Hubert, operations expert behind the company’s direct shipments, have pondered these tough questions and more. In 2014, the pair made their Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix available to buy online and created an instant legend among bakers and blog followers eager to unwrap its gourmet contents in their own kitchens. Once a pastry chef in training at Beverly Hills most popular dining destinations, Ashley has embraced a new kind of pace in the kitchen at home in Seattle, where she blogs regularly for Not Without Salt. Ashley also develops recipes for cookbooks, most notably Date Night In (Running Press, 2014), aimed at busy couples who wish to forego dinner reservations and reconnect over the simple pleasures of good food and good company at home. Ashley and Julie sat down with Postcard Pantry to tell us about their first forays in the kitchen, their transition into the food blog community, and their thoughts on the artisanal food movement. What’s your first memory in the kitchen? Ashley: I doubt it was my first, but my most vivid memory has me in the kitchen, flour, eggs and clutter abound, preparing a meal for my parents. They sat outside in the yard, having just placed their order from my hand written, albeit limited menu. They ordered pasta. Homemade. I set out to crank my dough on the pasta maker I begged for for Christmas. I wish I could tell you it was glorious, I wish I could say that I whipped up homemade pasta that would make an Italian grandmother proud but sadly it was a soggy clump of wet floury goo. But my parents, in their great kindness and desire to encourage me in my kitchen endeavors, ate it happily. Hey, we have to start somewhere right? Julie: I can still remember standing at the butcher block top of our old fashioned dishwasher, the kind you had to move over to the sink and connect the hoses to. I’d stand there on a stool and make cookies with my Mom, covered in flour, a rolling pin as tall as I was, hands in the dough. Making cookies is one of the very first memories I have in the kitchen – we go way back. Was there anyone who nurtured your love of cooking growing up? Ashley: It’s not that I have a ton of memories of cooking alongside people, but rather I just grew up around it. My mother would come home from work and within 30 minutes have a delicious homemade meal ready for us. She rarely cooked from recipes but she knew, instinctively, kitchen timing and how to pair flavors. I learned by watching and observing. She taught me not to be afraid of the kitchen and I took that lesson and ran with it. Julie: Certainly my Mom, who taught me a love of feeding people and nourishing them through food. I also have a good friend, Kay, who was sort of like a kitchen surrogate to me. She was the cookbook editor for Simply Classic, which was filled with such incredible, novel things like pesto chicken and spanikopita, all things far outside my Mom’s meatandpotatoes, Americana repertoire. Kay possesses an incredible depth of knowledge and interest in food, especially from the romance countries and European traditions. I knew her from about the time I was 7 – she was my best friend’s aunt – but I remember going to her home for Thanksgiving one year when I was about 14. The table was set with this lush tablescape, plates on top of plates, florals all down the middle. Everything had a theme, and I was like, “What is this magic?” Although the meal was riffed from the Thanksgiving tradition, it was still totally new and novel: wild mushrooms in the stuffing, turkey roulade instead of the whole bird, mashed potatoes with roasted garlic instead of the flaked stuff. She was and still is this unicorn of sophistication to me, and certainly someone who raised the bar for gourmet before the gourmet movement even took off. Which do you prefer: cooking or baking? Ashley: Yes! It’s so hard to just choose one. I love the creativity and spur of the moment excitement that comes from cooking. But I also love the giddy excitement that comes from planning out our next baking project. I could never choose. Julie: I’d say I split my time 50/50, but my affection probably leans towards baking. Baking is more standalone. You can bake a friend a loaf of bread or a batch of cookies in 20 minutes, versus cooking which involves many more steps and social procedures. I bake probably every day and cook just as often, but it’s more whipping up soups and entrees on the fly. Baking feels like more of a constant in my life, something I can do without pulling out all fancy china. Ashley, can you tell us about your transition from chef to blogger? In what ways is it different, and in what ways is it the same? Ashley: I moved away from restaurants abruptly. When Gabe and I found out we were pregnant with our first I was just in the process of becoming pastry sous chef at Spago in Beverly Hills. But the moment I heard I was going to be a mom, everything changed. Being a mom and wanting to provide good food for them led me to the blog and to writing and taking photographs. It’s exactly where I want and need to be. It’s similar to restaurant work in that it forces me to be creative although the diners I feed now are much more particular in their tastes. 🙂 Sometimes I miss the rush and buzz of the restaurant world but I love the freedom and flexibility I have with my current career and I love that my family gets to be a part of it. How long did it take to perfect the cookie mix? Ashley: The recipe had been perfected long before I had ever thought to turn it into a mix. These cookies are the recipe I make most often at home and I wanted that to be said for other families as well. Now having the mix our favorite cookies are even easier to make. And actually going back to the question before, I knew that I wanted to be the mom who would often have warm cookies waiting for my children when they got home from school now I’ll admit that doesn’t often happen, but having that desire led me to make certain choices in what career path I walked down. I love that I now have a mix on hand that helps families create that sweet moment using great ingredients to get an amazing cookie. Julie: Ashley’s deep baking knowledge from places like Spago and Essential Baking Company really helped her accomplish the kind of taste and texture she wanted in the cookie mix. It uses three types of sugars, but 90% of the sugar we use is some version of a brown sugar. There’s dark brown, turbinado, and a little bit of white refined. In our testing, we found out that this really affects the moistness and richness of the crumbs and dough itself. One of the questions we were faced with was how we were going to add vanilla to the cookie, without leaving that burden to the customer. We came across this company that imports Heilala vanilla bean powder from New Zealand, and found that it perfumed the sugar so beautifully. Chocolatewise, we tasted many different kinds. The Guittard we use is 72% dark chocolate, which has a huge impact on the flavor and makes it more of a “grown up” cookie. Something important to note is that nothing we add to the mix uses stabilizers. The chocolate melts instead of staying solid, creating some yummy striations and swirls within the cookie itself. Why are we seeing such a demand for artisanal, small-batch goods? Ashley: People are being so smart with their dollar and wanting to making wise choices with food. Having a story, passion, and love behind the product makes the buying decision that much easier. There are people behind our product, there are families and there are years of perfected cookie research in each tube of mix. 🙂 Julie: I think we’re seeing a pendulum swing away from the manufactured, dumbed down, heavily processed foods of the past, simply because we’re more informed than ever before. We want to care about the quality, the origin, the manufacturing process because we can make decisions for ourselves and our families, not what the big companies think is best for us. Artisanal products also provide a better experience. There’s a romance and lore to the maker’s story that people crave. Making the leap from successful blogger to successful product is really about the personality behind it. When the story about a product is strong, people begin to relate not only to the story of the maker, but the story the product tells about their own life.


For Episode 22 JoJo and Stella continue their investigation of how photography undermines the authentic travel experience and how it can help access deeper dimensions of the road. They’re accompanied by their friends in the Order of St. George’s Horse, Steve H. & Jesse U.-O., with music by Erykah Badu, Coolio, William Shatner, and Pure Moods.
The John Sinclair Foundation Presents
NEON SHRINES 22
JoJo & Stella, Valencia Radio, San Francisco, November 11, 2022
Erykah Badu: Hotline Bling
Coolio: Fantastic Voyage
William Shatner: Common People
Pure Moods: Big Girls Don’t Cry
A JOINT PRODUCTION
Hosted by JoJo & Stella for Radio Free Amsterdam
Produced & recorded by Christian Greer at Valencia Radio, San Francisco
Post-production, editing & annotatation by John Sinclar
Executive Producer: Steve Pratt
© 2023 J. Christian Greer & Michelle Oing. Used with permission.


In Seattle, amidst the Space Needle, rainy days and Starbucks around every corner sits one of the city’s greatest treasures…. the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, otherwise known as the EMP/SFM. The Experience Music Project (EMP) portion takes up the larger part of the building, but lets face it, if you’re anything like me, it’s the promise of spaceships and movie props galore that draws you in.
And I can honestly say, you wouldn’t be disappointed. In the doorway, you are greeted with a full scale replica of Gort from the original The Day the Earth Stood Still. Permanent exhibits you’ll find along the way include Captain Kirk’s chair from the Star Trek:TOS and a model of the Death Star. There’s even a fantastic robots display with an amusing exchange between Robby the Robot and the Robot from Lost in Space. If you like your robots mean, you can also see a full-size Cyberdine Systems model T-800. In the Armory you can get up close and personal with an array of weapons from a pulse rifle to alien edged weapons. Meanwhile the Brave New Worlds room has several costumes from the original Planet of the Apes on display.
Depending on when you go, the museum also plays host to some excellent travelling exhibits. From now until March 4th 2011, BSG fans can check out the Battlestar Galactica exhibits. The exhibit includes three full-scale ships, a Viper mark 2, Viper mark 7 and a Cylon raider. There are also 15 costumes on display, yes, including the iconic red dress worn by Six, and props such as a piece of a Centurion and Colonel Tigh’s flask and eye patch.
Avatar fans will also want to stop by the Science Fiction Museum to check out the recently announced Avatar exhibit from June to September which will include over 50 artifacts from the movie including models of the Na’Vi and, my favourite, one of the Armoured Mobility Platform Suits. And you thought everything in that movie was CGI!
The Hall of Fame portion of the museum originally started its existence in Kansas City in 1996, but moved to Seattle in 2004. At one time, you had to be an author to be included in the Hall of Fame, although that has since changed. Now artists like Michael Whelan and directors like George Lucas join literary favourites such as Isaac Asimov and Robert Heinlein. Recent inductees include Richard Matheson and Douglas Trumbull.
Admission to the museum is just $15 and includes all travelling exhibits and entrance into the Experience Music Project. The SFM portion is small enough that you can easily speed through it in just a couple of hours- unless you’re like me and just want to sit and soak in the geeky sci-fi goodness that makes up the EMP/SFM.


Patented Sock-Lock Technology to provide targeted compression where it's needed most. Anatomical design enhances fit, delivering maximum comfort and protection by eliminating blisters.
It is suggested that you try out a pair of shoes on a treadmill or indoors for a few days before deciding to go on a run/walk outside. We can accept LIGHTLY worn items back to our store within 30 days for a full refund. The wear of the shoes is determined at our discretion. Item must be returned with original packaging (Shoe Box, Tags, etc).
Bauman's Running & Walking Shop
1473 W Hill Road
Flint, MI 48507


The integrated LED lights illuminate your cooking space, providing ample light for your culinary adventures. This elegantly designed hood is crafted with high-quality powder-coated stainless steel, ensuring durability.
complete control over ventilation with the 3-speed push buttons, allowing you to adjust the fan speed according to your cooking needs. The powerful motor with 100W of power ensures rapid air extraction and optimal performance. With its compact dimensions of 60cm width and 50cm length, the VENTO Brown Hood fits seamlessly into your kitchen layout.
Rest easy with the 6-month Manufacturer’s Warranty, ensuring peace of mind and reliable support for your purchase.
Upgrade your kitchen with the VENTO 60cm Wide Brown Hood, and experience a new level of comfort and efficiency while cooking.


Yay! Liebster award! What a great way to end 2014…a challenging year, gifted with endless lessons.
Truth be told, there is bitter sweet sensation in the shedding of the old and the welcoming of the new. We cling on to our past experiences unwilling to accept change. Yet, given that change is unavoidable, we have no other choice but to fly with the winds of change as they breeze by.
How lucky am I to embrace this transition with an award!
My friend http://unbolt.wordpress.com/, thank you for flying your way towards my blog and nominating me!
With open wings, I fly with you.
I had no clue on what to do…so here are a few rules it be best to go through…
Facts about me…
- I love to travel, discover new cultures, see new things.
- I’m not much of a talker, prefer to express what I feel on paper.
- I am an avid reader. Think I have more books than clothes in my closet.
- I love art in all forms. Life is a large canvas, painted with fragments that paint a full picture.
- I often look up rather than down, and when I do look down I try to bring myself up again.
- I am a sucker for romance. Candlelight, roses, love songs awaken the cherub within.
- Spiritual and truth seeker.
- Stubborn perfectionist (yes…I am a Virgo).
- Word geek. Literally read between the lines of everything.
- I see everything as a sign, bearing significance in one way or the other.
- I take each day as it comes, grateful for the here and now.
Questions for me…
- Donald Duck or Woody Woodpecker? Donald Duck.
- Swan Lake (ballet by Pyotr Tchaikovsky) or Black Swan (film by Darren Aronofsky)?Ooh…ballet. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake is definitely the winner.
Harpies or Gryphons? It would be considered offensive if I didn’t choose a Greek mythological creature. Harpies it is, however hideous they are.
Angry Birds (puzzle video games) or Birds of Steel (combat flight simulator video games)? Angry Birds.
The Wonderful Adventures of Nils (books by Selma Lagerlof) or DuckTales (cartoons by Disney)? Literature please, The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.
Dove of Peace (sketch by Pablo Picasso) or Swans Reflecting Elephants (painting by Salvador Dali)? Swans Reflecting Elephants..magical painting!
Blackbird (song by The Beatles) or White Bird (song by Sam Bush)? Between the polarities of black and white, I choose white but in this case I have to go for the Beatles, Blackbird.
Captain Jack Sparrow or Skipper, Kowalski, Private and Rico (The Penguins of Madagascar)? This one was a difficult one, sorry Captain the penguins of Madagascar are far too cute.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (novel by Ken Kesey) or To Kill a Mockingbird (novel by Harper Lee)? To Kill a Mockingbird.
Raphinae or Phorusrhacos? Raphinae..had the pleasure to visit Mauritius..the island of these fascinating extinct creatures.
The Raven (poem by Edgar Allan Poe) or The Birds (film by Alfred Hitchcock)? Poetry or film? My heart says The Raven by Poe.
I question my nominees…
Is this the real world or is this fantasy? (Queen lyrics Bohemian Rhapsody)
To be or not to be? (Hamlet, Shakespeare)
What happens to a dream deferred? (Langston Hughes, Harlem)
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? (Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd)
Do you remember nothing? (T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland)
Is it just tomorrow or just the end of time? (Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix)
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? (Ode to the West Wind, Percy Bysshe Shelley)
How soon is now? (The Smiths, How Soon is Now?)
What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man? (Mary Shelley, Frankenstein)
Are we human or are we dancer? (The Killers, Human)
How many times must a man look up before he can see the sky? (Bob Dylan, Blowing in the Wind)
Thank you again and happy new year to all!


Our camping pods are unique – they were designed by us, and are simply perfect for a short break! Each pod is furnished, including a zip & link bed, with a cloud like deep mattress, a sofa and a heater! See, it’s like camping but with a bit of luxury!
Willow House Caravan Park and The Little Hide are both child free sites, making them perfect for a few quiet nights away, with some of Europe’s best restaurants and sights on the doorstep!
The Little Hide can facilitate couples or friends, as each of our Pods come with a zip-and-link bed, allowing for a king or twin bed set-up.
If you’d like to know more about us, please read the website FAQ’s, call us or drop us an email via the contact page!


Welcome to Wilingga, your ultimate destination for discovering the joy of cooking and baking! Born from a passion for delectable dishes and the stories they tell, our website is a carefully curated collection of recipes that cater to chefs and bakers of all levels.
At Wilingga, we believe that cooking should be accessible, enjoyable, and, most importantly, fun. Our mission is to inspire you to explore new flavors, experiment with ingredients, and add your own twist to our recipes. Whether you’re a seasoned cook looking for advanced techniques or a beginner eager to make your first dish, we have something for everyone.
Wilingga was founded by a group of culinary enthusiasts who wanted to share their love for food with the world. What started as a small blog sharing family recipes has grown into a comprehensive resource, featuring everything from quick and easy meals to elaborate festive dishes. Our team spends countless hours testing and perfecting each recipe, ensuring that you get the best results in your kitchen.
What We Offer:
- A Wide Range of Recipes: From comforting classics to modern twists and international cuisines, our collection is diverse and ever-growing.
- Step-by-Step Guides: We provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions and tips to help you cook with confidence.
- Nutritional Information: Health and wellness are important to us, so we include nutritional details to help you make informed choices.
- Community Engagement: Share your cooking adventures, ask questions, and connect with fellow food lovers through our comments section and social media channels.
- Seasonal and Festive Ideas: Celebrate the seasons and special occasions with our themed recipes, designed to add a touch of magic to your table.
At Wilingga, we’re committed to delivering quality content that respects your time and dietary preferences. We’re constantly evolving, incorporating feedback from our community to make our site more user-friendly and inclusive.
Join Our Culinary Journey:
We invite you to browse our recipes, find your next favorite dish, and share your creations with us. Cooking is a journey best enjoyed with others, and we’re excited to be a part of yours. Let’s make every meal a flavorful creation!
Thank you for visiting us. Happy cooking and baking!
- The Wilingga Team


In this course, we demonstrate an easy and interactive way, step-by-step, through all of the ins and outs of Fluid Art using one of the best techniques "Flip Cup". In this video series, you will also will learn the basics of Color Theory, how to mix paint for fluid art, what materials you should own, and so much more!
To get you more excited, I've also including a neat way showing you how to create magnets using a "Dipping" technique.
Whether you are hoping to learn a new technique, advance your painting ability, or simply relax and paint, you will find it all inside of this amazing course!
Available to stream instantlyWatch link provided after purchase
- Course Design:


Voor de kroon
Voor de kroon is a strategic turn based game with 3rd person battles where you control your army in real time. It is set in the 13th century during the Friso-Hollandic wars and features knights and crossbows.
- Strategic turn based campaign set in 13th century Holland.
- Large scale realtime battles featuring 600 units
- Awesome graphics powered by Unreal Engine
- Faction customization
- Dynamic weather and seasons that influence both the campaign and battle maps
- 23 locations to conquer and fight in
- Old school dutch landscape featuring bogswamps, farmland and forests


Bally Sports offers an exhilarating world of sports content, from thrilling live games to in-depth analysis and exclusive shows. To access this realm of excitement, you need to activate your Bally Sports account using Bally Sports Com Activate.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the activation process on different devices, offering detailed step-by-step instructions and valuable insights to ensure your sports-viewing experience is effortless and enjoyable.
How to Activate Bally Sports
Activating Bally Sports is a simple process that can be completed on various devices, including smart TVs, streaming platforms, and mobile apps. Below, we provide comprehensive step-by-step instructions for each activation method:
Method 1: Online Activation with Bally Sports Com Activate
Visit the Activation Portal: Open your web browser on a computer or mobile device and go to the official Bally Sports activation portal by typing “Bally Sports Com Activate” in the search bar.
Log In or Create an Account: Sign in with your existing credentials or create a new account. A registered account allows you to access exclusive content and customize your sports-viewing experience.
Enter the Activation Code: You’ll be prompted to input the activation code provided by your cable or satellite TV provider. Usually, this code is displayed on your TV screen when you try to access Bally Sports.
Review and Confirm: Double-check the information for accuracy and confirm your activation.
Activation Confirmation: Once confirmed, you’ll receive a message indicating that your Bally Sports access is now activated, and you’re ready to immerse yourself in the world of sports entertainment.
Method 2: Activation on Streaming Devices
Access the Bally Sports App: If you’re using a streaming device like Roku or Amazon Fire TV, open the Bally Sports app.
Log In or Create an Account: Sign in with your existing account or create a new one within the app.
Input the Activation Code: The app will generate an activation code for you. Visit the Bally Sports Com Activate portal on your computer or mobile device to enter this code.
Complete Activation: Follow the in-app instructions to finalize the activation process.
Method 3: Activation on Mobile Devices
Download the Bally Sports App: If you haven’t already, download the Bally Sports app from your device’s app store.
Log In or Create an Account: Sign in with your existing account or create a new one if needed.
Enter the Activation Code: The app will generate an activation code. Visit Bally Sports Com Activate on your computer or mobile device to input this code.
Finish Activation: Follow the in-app instructions to complete the activation process.
Benefits of Activating Bally Sports
here are the benefits of activating your Bally Sports account using Bally Sports Com Activate:
Access to Diverse Sports Content: Activation opens the door to a world of sports content, from live games and matches to in-depth analysis, exclusive shows, and highlights. Bally Sports covers a wide range of sports, ensuring there’s something for every sports enthusiast.
Exclusive Content: By activating your account, you gain access to exclusive Bally Sports content that cannot be found on regular cable or satellite TV. This includes unique shows and in-depth analysis, providing a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of your favorite sports.
On-Demand Viewing: One of the most significant advantages of activation is the ability to enjoy on-demand viewing. This means you can catch up on games and events you’ve missed or watch your favorite sports content at your own pace. No more worrying about missing the action in real-time.
Community Engagement: Bally Sports brings sports enthusiasts together. When you activate your account, you can join a community of like-minded sports fans. Engage in discussions, share insights, and connect with others who share your passion for sports.
Personalized Experience: With an activated account, you can personalize your Bally Sports experience. This includes saving your favorite teams, setting preferences, and receiving tailored content recommendations based on your viewing history. This ensures you get content that aligns with your specific interests.
Support and Assistance: In the event you encounter any activation issues or have questions about the content, Bally Sports typically provides customer support to address your queries and concerns. This support ensures that you have a resource to turn to if you need assistance.
Ad-Free Viewing: Enjoy your favorite sports content without interruptions from traditional TV advertisements. This provides a seamless and uninterrupted sports-viewing experience, allowing you to focus on the action and analysis.
Mobile Access: With an activated account, you can watch Bally Sports on your mobile device, providing flexibility and allowing you to enjoy your favorite sports content on the go. This means you can stay connected to your favorite teams and events wherever you are.
Explore a World of Sports: Bally Sports provides a wide array of sports content, from live games to comprehensive analysis and exclusive programming, ensuring there’s something for every sports enthusiast.
Exclusive Content: Activation allows access to exclusive Bally Sports content, including unique shows and in-depth analysis that can’t be found elsewhere.
On-Demand Viewing: One of the significant advantages of activation is the ability to enjoy on-demand viewing, letting you catch up on missed games or watch content at your own pace.
Community Engagement: By activating your account, you can engage with other sports fans, join discussions, and share your insights on various sports events and shows.
Personalized Experience: An activated account enables you to personalize your Bally Sports experience by saving your favorite teams, setting preferences, and receiving customized content recommendations.
Support and Assistance: In case of any activation issues or questions about the content, Bally Sports typically offers customer support to address your queries and concerns.
By following the activation instructions provided in this guide, you’ll gain access to a treasure trove of sports entertainment through Bally Sports.
Whether you prefer to activate online, on a streaming device, or on a mobile platform, the activation process is designed for ease and convenience, ensuring you can enjoy the best of sports programming.
Dive into the world of Bally Sports today and experience the excitement and thrill of your favorite sports at your fingertips.


Welcome to ParadiseToyandMiniAussies! We are located near Lafayette, La, in the southern central part of the state.
My deep love for the Australian Shepard breed started in the early 1980s. I was very much involved in competing in Rodeos and Horse Shows, and the Aussie went hand-in-hand with the western way of life.
I became actively involved in showing and breeding this beautiful breed in ASCA and AKC events. Being a professional breeder changes a person's mindset to do much research and only breed to better the breed. I was previously involved with standard-size Aussies, and my dedication to strive for the best has remained within me.
I haven't shown dogs for many years and have not bred them for the past six years. The spark has reignited, but I am intrigued by the toy and mini size this time.
It is my desire to produce great family pets, with the same look as the standards, in a smaller package, always striving for a level of quality suitable for show and breeding prospects. This breed is a very loyal, intelligent, and affectionate breed.
My goal is to produce Toy Aussies, which stand between 10 and 14 " tall when fully grown and normally weigh 12 and 17 pounds. Occasionally, I may have a few that will mature slightly above these limits to a small mini size.
Much time and research have been devoted to purchasing the best puppies and older dogs to become my foundation dogs. Diligent care has been focused on the breeders I have worked with to achieve my initial goals.
Genetic testing is very important to me and will always guide my program.
Hopefully, my puppies can bring you as much joy as my little lovebugs bring me.
Feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. I am looking forward to including you in my Aussie family.


During the buildup to World War II, Germany dominated the Grand Prix circuit. Dubbed the Silver Arrows for their stripped-down metallic appearance, the supercars built by Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union took their place in auto-racing history for their performance in some of the most iconic races ever witnessed.
Our project recreates the story of the Silver Arrows using memorable moments from 12 different races and highlighting details that could never have been captured with the photographic technology of the time. The following preview showcases first three of these events.
From the orginal race, 80 years ago, only a few black and white photos and videos were preserved. Despite this, we were trying to achieve perfect historical accuracy and realism in all the details, and for that we needed some references.
We saw each photo countless times and watched the videos repeatedly. We read all the books, CVs and scoured each and every possible source. That is why all the deatils from 80 years ago have been respected and repeated. From the number on the car, to the hands around the wheel. We did so much research on the finer points of the photos, that for the parts we didn’t have, we knew exactly what to do.
While doing the selection we focused on possiblie variables like weather, but also drivers and cars that participated in the races from the years 1934-1939.
Some visuals pretty much remained the same from the first sketch to the final phase, but most of them went through a huge change from idea to execution. For this, there was Milan, our exceptional illustrator. He was able to make our ideas and concepts come alive.
Every racing team had a new, faster and better car prepared for a new season, so we had to prepare more than 20 perfectly detailed models. The cars from that time included Mercedes Benz, Auto Union, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Bugatti.
Preparing all these was crucial. Cars kept and restored from this time are extremely valuable and its usually only possible to see them in museums. The result is that they look much better now than they used to when they were produced 80 years ago.
We wanted to maintain their beauty and absolute authenticity, which of course included them being smoky and dirty in some cases.
We had the same issue with recreating the locations. None of our chosen sites exist anymore, and if they do, they look radically different to how they were in the golden era of racing.
We had to built the fragments of the most famous racing tracks in history, from the classic Nurburgring to the great architecture of the starting tower in Tripolis- Libia.
Petr Milerski / Head of CGI
Races of the time were huge events attended by hundreds of thousands of people. We used motion capture to record a number of crowd reactions, which were later used for our CGI audience filling the stands.
Behind the work was a visit to the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, were you can see the cars for real.
Each visual was prepared, shot and rendered for 20.000px resolution. This means over 170 megapixels resolution, which allowed us to print to huge formats and see every hidden detail.
For the interactive presentation, we prepared a small encyclopedia of cars that gave us a 360 degree view of the machines on the track. Here’s the sample pf Alfa Romeo B/P3 from 1935.
We managed to shoot everything in 5 days, over 3 locations. Each day took around 50 people, with over 200 costumes from the time. This was a real highlight of the project.
Before the shoots, there was a long pre production phase which required professional help from Boogie Films, a company that made the whole thing possible.
For the majority of the costumes, we used the world famous Barrandov studios fundus.
However the biggest thank you belongs to Scholz & Friends in Prague, who helped with the porject from the very beginning.
At each phase of the project, postproduction meant countless hours and hard work spent in 3D, compositing all shooted and modeled elements together. Here, we see an example of how the visuals were created.
Thanks to the huge resolution of all visuals, you can see every scratch and screw on the car. This allows us to print really large scale prints. But for now, you can see a few cut outs from the final visuals in 1:1 scale.
12 Total images created
10 Full CGI locations recreated
9 472 Man hours spent on this project
2 Years in production
1 196 GB storage used
75 People involved
23 Full highpoly CGI cars created
25 Limited prints per image
518 Hours of rendertime
2.5m Average polygons per car
5 Shooting days
0 Animals injured


FITIFY’S FITBLR GIVEAWAY, PARTY UP.
I promised this was coming, and it’s finally here! As some of you may know, I’ve had the opportunity to get lots of free swag over the past few weeks thanks to my new internship, and while I’ve certainly kept a lot of it for myself, I wanted to share the wealth with my followers! I can’t possible use all this stuff. That means giveaway! I added it up the worth of this package, and it comes to about $500.
- UFC Full Body Intensity Training DVD Set – Fun fact: It’s not available to the public yet!
- New Balance Running shoes (Coral and Teal, size 9)
- iPod shuffle
- New Balance sports bra (Size L)
- Bobble Sport water bottle
- Two Trader Joes teas (Because I’m a tea nut and you should be, too. Pomegranate white and ginger peach)
- Just Little Things: A Celebration of Life’s Simple Pleasures book
- Introduction to Yoga book
- Sleep mask
- 3 packages protein powder
- A buttload of fun facial masks
- Bare Faced & Fabulous face wash and make-up remover
- With a potential for more surprise gifts, since I get new swag almost every day and would be happy to throw things in!
What you have to do:
- Be following me: http://fitify.tumblr.com/. I’ll check, blah blah blah, etc.
- If you have a chance, please check out my fitness blog for Her Campus and SELF, too! This post, in particular, talks about my experience with UFC FIT, which you have a chance to win.
- Reblog as much as you want, but likes don’t count!
- Winner doesn’t have to be a health and fitness blog by any means, but it cannot be a blog that promotes unhealthy behavior or eating disorders. Recovery blogs are of course fine.
- You have until June 2nd, 2013!
- Have your ask open so I can contact the winner.
- Winner will be chosen with a random generator
- You’re welcome to enter to win even if you are not the correct size for the shoes/bra. Just let me know if you win that you don’t need those, and they will be given away separately.
- Don’t delete the text / reblog just for the picture. Thanks!
Good luck, everyone!


When it comes to pristine beaches, tranquil landscapes, and a sense of true escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, St. George Island, Florida, stands as a hidden gem along the Gulf Coast. Nestled in the panhandle of Florida, this barrier island is known for more than just its natural beauty. It boasts a unique blend of history, outdoor adventures, and a laid-back coastal vibe that's impossible to resist. In this blog post, we'll explore what makes St. George Island a beloved destination for travelers from all walks of life.
St. George Island's most renowned feature is its breathtaking beaches. With miles of unspoiled, sugar-white sand that stretches along the Gulf of Mexico, this island offers an idyllic setting for sunbathing, beachcombing, and swimming. The crystal-clear waters and gentle waves create a picture-perfect backdrop for relaxation and water activities. Whether you're building sandcastles with the family, strolling hand in hand with a loved one, or simply basking in the sun, St. George Island's beaches are a slice of paradise.
Natural Beauty and Wildlife
St. George Island is more than just beaches; it's a haven for nature enthusiasts. The island is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a protected area that showcases the region's diverse ecosystems. Visitors can explore pristine dunes, coastal forests, and salt marshes, all while spotting a wide array of wildlife. Birdwatchers will be in their element, as the island is a critical stopover for migratory birds, including the majestic Bald Eagle. The Apalachicola Bay, located nearby, is famous for its oysters and is a prime spot for fishing and kayaking.
If you're an angler, St. George Island is a dream come true. Its waters are teeming with fish, making it a popular destination for both novice and experienced fishermen. Cast your line from the shore, charter a fishing boat, or try your luck at the St. George Island State Park Fishing Pier. You might reel in a variety of species, including redfish, flounder, speckled trout, and even tarpon. Fishing tournaments are a regular occurrence here, drawing enthusiasts from all over.
A Historical Treasure
Beyond its natural splendor, St. George Island is steeped in history. The Cape St. George Lighthouse, which has stood as a symbol of the island for centuries, offers a glimpse into the past. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the Gulf and the island's surroundings. Additionally, the island has a rich history of Native American settlements and Spanish exploration, making it a fascinating place for history buffs to explore.
Unlike many Florida beach destinations, St. George Island retains its small-town charm and laid-back atmosphere. There are no high-rise condominiums or bustling commercial districts here. Instead, you'll find cozy beach houses, locally-owned shops, and friendly residents who welcome visitors with open arms. It's the ideal destination for those seeking a quiet and peaceful escape.
St. George Island is the perfect place for a family vacation. In addition to the beach, families can enjoy activities such as beachcombing, shelling, paddleboarding, and biking. The island's state park features nature trails and picnic areas, providing opportunities for educational and recreational experiences for all ages. With minimal crowds and a safe environment, parents can relax while children explore and play.
Starry Nights and Serenity
St. George Island's lack of light pollution makes it an excellent spot for stargazing. The night sky here is a canvas of twinkling stars, and it's not uncommon to spot shooting stars or even the Milky Way. For those seeking serenity and a break from the chaos of city life, the island's peaceful nights offer a tranquil escape.
In conclusion, St. George Island, Florida, is known for much more than its stunning beaches, though they are undoubtedly a major draw. This hidden paradise offers a unique blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, historical significance, and a relaxed atmosphere that captivates the hearts of all who visit. Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a place to connect with nature, St. George Island provides an unforgettable experience that will leave you yearning to return again and again.