This week in my RW1 class, we were doing our first daybook stories, where we get assigned an event to cover and have to file a same-day story. It's not difficult, but always good practice.

My teacher divvied out the items on the AP calendar, giving me a the assignment to cover "Elmo Live." The new holiday toy was being released today at the Times Square Toys "R" Us.

Now, I wasn't initially thrilled about the event or its 9:30 a.m. start time, but that was all erased once I got there. The event didn't just have the toy Elmo — a robot that dances, sings and talks when touched — but the real Elmo also performed along with Gordon, a Sesame Street schoolteacher. Afterward, they were available for the media, and I got the chance to interview "Elmo."

Elmo has been played by Kevin Clash since 1984, and he stayed in character with remarkable ease as he did interviews with CNN and ABC Radio. Finally, it was my turn to talk to the Muppet.

At that point, I wished I had brought a tape recorder, because he wasn't allowed to talk about the toy Elmo, meaning he wouldn't be saying anything too relevant to my story. Still, I took notes as I asked Elmo how he was doing and if he was having fun working. "This isn't work," he replied. "Elmo doesn't work." (I did manage to get that in my story, just because it was Elmo).

Then I asked him why his friends from Sesame Street weren't here today, and — without hesitation — Elmo replied, "Oooh, they all had play dates."

I had a hard time keeping a straight face and an even harder one coming up with questions to ask the puppet. He was great at bantering, asking just as many questions back to the interviewer. Even if my interview was short and largely superficial, it was a memorable and fun experience. After getting a picture with Elmo, I left the store on a high feeling energized, like I have after interviews with NFL Coach Tony Dungy, Congressman Pete Stark and all my cocaine interviews.

The experience reminded me of my weekend days at The Argus. I was the only reporter on Saturdays, so I had to cover all the festivals, no matter how dry. Sometimes I headed out to an event still tired and unhappy, but once I got working I nearly always enjoyed myself.

One time I had to cover a harvest festival for picking corn. Not the most exciting topic, but I found a good angle and came back with the lead: "Who knew that corn picking was a contact sport?"

Enjoying and taking pride in every story you do is a lesson I'm glad I learned at The Argus. Or maybe, it's really something I learned on Sesame Street.

Here's the actual puppet show Nanners enjoyed:

Before you go, Nanners does have one political update! He found this video on Youtube today and thinks it's certainly interesting, if a little pointed, bias and maybe even racist. It claims that Barack Obama is NOT a natural born U.S. citizen. Seems like a rant from an old Hillary supporter, but who knows? Take a look: 

What do you all think of this? Discuss....

Animo fino alle 2.15 di pomeriggio e faccio l'editing in 15 minuti (la proiezione è alle 2.30).. ho una gag, carina.. ma non sono molto soddisfatta. Gli altri hanno fatto cose molto interesanti, alcune divertenti, altre animate divinamente.. Delphine ha fatto una geniale animazione heavy metal, Claire una cosa fighissima con i paper ghost, Emma ha animato il suo Willy, in piscina, impazzendo con le onde di lana, Nadine ha fatto una cosa bellissima con l'erba e una talpa, Monika ha animato un due di picche in una bufera di vento. Io ho animato un uccello famelico e una moschina nera.

Mando in play con mano tremante.. e invece.. piace. Tipica dimpostrazione del fatto che il tuo giudizio sul tuo lavoro non è assolutamente attendibile.
Arril apprezza il timing e alcuni accorgimenti nell'animazioni della bestiaccia.. trova ancora alcuni difetti sulle linee di movimento ma niente di così evidente rispetto al ritmo generale della gag. Non ci credo.. Sospiro e finalmente mi rilasso, dopo 5 giorni di nervi tesi e di notti quasi insonni.

Beviamo mezza pinta di sidro alla Tobacco Factory e poi cucino un'ottima italian pasta per Emma e Claire. Sono sfinita.

Parentesi.. in tutta l'agitazione di questi giorni mi era sfuggito il breve incontro con Arril martedì riguardo agli scheletri ed alla struttura dei personaggi. Arrivato con la sua bella valigetta piena di ossa di dinosauri, uomini e vari altri animaletti e ci spiega tutti gli accorgimenti per tenere conto delle parti rigide nell'animazione dei nostri characters. Una cosa assai complicata perchè non si tratta solo di duro-morbido.. ma anche di questo ruota questo no, questo va su e giù, questo qua e là.. alla fine mi sa che eravamo tutti molto confusi.
Per sdrammatizzare ci racconta alcuni tenebrosi aneddoti sull'approvvigionamento di tale materiale di studio (gli scheletri).. 'chist'èppazz!

Two good bands covering a song by a band who was good at the time they recorded the song.

First up, we have Atomic City, a band from Poland, and they have re-titled their cover Puppets Of Master. It is meant to show "what Master of Puppets would sound like if it was written and recorded in the present day, not back in the 80's". Well-executed and loaded with modern-day extreme metal standards like pinch harmonics and an aggressive growl. Worth lots of watchings and listenings.

And then we have Primus. You guys all know Primus, correct? (just being silly... everyone loves Primus!)

So I guess it's a cool thing that bands are still doing their own "takes" on music, and it hasn't become stagnant.

Stranger then Primus covering Metallica - I actually got both of these videos on the same day, totally independent of eachother. It was odd, and cool.

- Jenn

Link:

Atomic City at MySpace

Enjoy!

****

Nanners has decided to slight VP hopeful, and anti-abortionist, Sarah Palin once more by posing nude for 'Vanity Fair' magazine. Nanners is now nine months pregnant with Palin's unborn child. Here's a first look at that high-class photo shoot:

Nanners plans on keeping the child despite growing concerns that the child may, in fact, be "the spawn of some kind of moronic demon, possibly the anti-Christ," as one doctor stated.

Nanners had originally wanted to abort the unnatural humanzee child due to heath concerns, but he could not afford to do so after paying for his own rape kit (as you may recall, Palin raped Nanners silly in early January). Making matters worse, Palin insisted that Nanners and she be married, but in recent weeks, Nanners has backed out of the much-anticipated interspecies marriage.

Nanners is due in the coming weeks (probably the first week of November) and many decisions need to be made before that unholy day arrives. Wish Nanners the best of luck!

Sarah Palin Video(s) of the Day –

Here's a 'greatest hits' compilation of the all the recent Sarah Palin interviews!

...And because they are hysterical, another one of Sara Benincasa's 'Sarah Palin Vlogs'...this time, it's a post-debate vlog!!

Wayang kulit (kulit - leather) is the best known of the Javanese puppetry traditions and can be used to describe any puppet theatre using flat leather puppets which cast shadows on to a screen.

The puppets are carved from buffalo hide and painted. As a general rule they have jointed arms, which are manipulated with horn sticks (tuding). The puppets are supported by another piece of horn (gapit) which is split down the middle with one half extending up each side of the figure.[gallery]

The puppets used in Java are highly stylised, which is thought to derive from the Islamic influence (which forbids literal representation of human figures) on the arts of Java. In Bali, which retained Hindu beliefs, the puppets are much more realistic. The most popular stories (lakon) are those based on episodes and characters from the great Indian epic poems - the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The performances follow a formalised dramatic structure and include humorous interludes featuring a number of clown characters. Traditionally a wayang takes place overnight, lasting approximately nine hours.

A performance is given against a large screen, traditionally lit by an oil lamp. The dalang (puppeteer) is in overall charge of the performance and not only voices all the puppets, but also sings and controls the musical accompaniment by means of a variety of cues.

Traditionally wayang performances were accompanied by a gamelan wayang, a smaller gamelan with fewer saron, a small number of kenong and kempul and without bonang. Today a full gamelan is usually used and a wayang kulit performance is an exciting, colourful and typically Javanese event.

It's sad to see the state of the mansion at this point. It's up for sale (got 5 million?), but the inside is quite run down and destroyed. Film crews rent the space once in a while, but other than that, the place remains boarded up.

It is kind of creepy and I should also mention that the super wealthy Notman donated this home to charity and had it turned into a hospice for women.  The back end of the mansion was built and added on later.  We had a chance to explore back there (it was closed off for POP) in the hospice area, and I can imagine why a regular person wouldn't want to buy this property.  Apart from the millions of dollars in renos, think of all the women over the years who spent the remainder of their lives wandering the halls of that house before eventually passing away...there must be a few ghosts lurking around in there.

It's a shame that nobody has thought to restore the place and turn it into a gallery or artists residence to honor Notman's contribution to photography here in Montreal.

Here are some photos of our installation.  We had a small room, but it was perfect for what we had in mind.  It was difficult to get a good shot of the whole installation due to the tiny size of the room, but here it is broken down into two parts. This photo is the view from the first doorway.

And here are the girls Lydia and Penelope just over to the left by the second doorway.

This guy's made from my old neighbour Brooklyn's sweater. HIs name is Duppy.

Pen and Lyd are awesome...Pen is Penelope on the left, Lyd is Lydia on the right. Penelope's shoes are my favorite. I had so much fun dressing everyone.

We wish our camera didn't suck, and that we took more photos...instead of waiting until 5 minutes before take-down time, but here you go.

The symbol was the best part of setting up.  We did this after 8 hours of hanging giant puppets and rigging lights from a ten foot ceiling.  Ryan and I started with a circle and took turns adding stuff to it until it was finished.  All hail.

I wish we had taken better photos like, of the big guy and of penelope and her haunted synth...if anyone has any good ones, send them our way!!

****

In an effort to offer the American people one more choice, Nanners has decided, 'Hey, if Sarah Palin can get into office sporting a flag pin and glasses, and no experience, maybe I can too!'

So, from this day forward, Nanners has dedicated himself to being your third party VP candidate. If any of the third party folks want him, he's ready for the job. He DOES have his glasses and flag pin. That's all you need, right?* 

Plus, Nanners can debate like a motherf***er!!

*Please be aware that Nanners is, in fact, pregnant with Sarah Palin's child and may soon be giving birth to the humanzee antiChrist, but that shouldn't stop him from his duties--if Palin can poorly raise five children, so can he!!

Sarah Palin Video of the Day –

A classic spoof that melds the infamous 'Miss Teen USA' viral video with the Palin-Charlie Gibson interview...classic!

Plus, one more shout out to Sara Benincasa and her awesome parody, "Sarah Palin's Vlog!" Here's another installment:

In the education building there was puppet making. Pictures of a king, queen, woodland elf and fairy on card stock awaited coloring, cutting and taping to a stick. Simple yet entertaining for the kids. Eleanor really preferred to  just take the caps on and off the markers but finally we finished two puppets.

Honestly, I didn't realize there was a reason behind making the puppets until we went behind the building and found this puppet theater. Of all the ideas garnered from the arboretum, this puppet theater may be the hardest for me to execute. On the other hand, maybe if my version isn't quite as elaborate, I may be able to handle it in the spring. It was made entirely of logs and branches with burlap curtains and a felt backdrop. At least I think it's felt. A little hard to tell.

Seth really enjoyed putting on shows, none of which lasted longer than 20 seconds. And Eleanor was quite content watching and snacking, not sure which of the two was her favorite. And there was even a behind the scenes tour:

I'd really like to add both an indoor and an outdoor puppet theater to our home. Then we can make puppets to our hearts content. I want to explore finger puppets, hand puppets, stick puppets, marionettes and kitchen puppets at the very least. Interested in joining the fun? Here are some suggestions:

• Print out coloring page images on card stock such as the ones we made here. Click here for a great selection of fairies, medieval and Halloween options.
• These scarecrow marionette or an inchworm from Puppets 2000 are fabulous and would be great for older kids
• The Crafty Crow has a whole section on puppets kids can make
• These winter glove puppets from Marie at Make and Takes are just begging to be made I tell ya
• And last but not least don't forget good old paper bag puppets - easy and inexpensive. We have one names Jose that's been around for at least a year.

Do you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

****

VP hopeful and genuine crazy woman, Sarah Palin, decided to fling some mud at Barack Obama this week (Nanners prefers poo, but that's another story) in an effort to boost support of her Palin-McCain, err, McCain-Palin, campaign. She claimed that Barack Obama "pals around with terrorists." Harsh, misguided and disappointingly racist words.

Most thought Palin was referring to an old activist buddy Obama once met, a guy named Bill Ayers. In fact, Sarah Palin was actually speaking about Barack's PC tech-support relationship with Nanners, which is casual at best.

She has claimed 'off the record' that Nanners is nothing more than a "no good, two-timing towelhead--a true terrorist of America." Well, Nanners does like to wear a towel on his head, but that's just to be silly, or after a nice, hot shower. He hardly wears it for the deeply religious reasons various other cultures do.

As for being a terrorist, well, Nanners does support 'The Sea Shepherd,' which is widely considered a terrorist organization in some countries, but they fight to protect animals from extinction and to restore the balance of our unstable ecosystem. Perhaps being called a terrorist isn't always a bad thing?

Perhaps it depends on what the cause is--what's been done to determine such 'terrorist' action. Weren't our founding fathers considered 'terrorists' of Britain during our countries' volatile birthing pains? If Obama likes Paul Revere, does that mean he "likes terrorists?"

The way Nanners sees it, unless harm is done first by the organization, no harm should be caused. But he takes his 'terrorist' activities on a per-case basis, so Nanners suspects he won't be converting to any 'Extreme Islamic movements' in the foreseeable future. But if he sees eye-to-eye with a group that's hoping to restore balance, humanity and peace to our great nation, then he's all about being a 'terrorist.' 

Sarah Palin Video of the Day –

Comedian Sara Benincasa does an absolutely perfect imitation of Sarah Palin in "Sarah Palin's Vlog." Check them out, you won't be disappointed!

When you shake hands, the thumb naturally extends upward or straight ahead. When it points downward, you are signaling that you are a member of the world's largest satanic cult, Freemasonry, and are committed to its goal of world government under the anti Christ.

Read what Stephen Knight wrote about the Masonic handshake in "The Brotherhood" (1983): "The Master Mason applies distinct pressure with his right thumb between the knuckles of the other's middle and third finger." (p. 132)

Compare Larry King's recent Ahmadinejad handshake with the one of the cover of Stephen Knight's book. I know Ahmadinejad is supposed to be one of the "good guys" for many. This is just to get Americans to abandon their country. He was dealt this role. The Masons (i.e. Illuminati) control both sides of every conflict.

Stephen Knight was poisoned and died just two years after publishing "The Brotherhood." What he said about British society no doubt applies to the whole world: Culture and politics are a charade quietly controlled by these disciples of Lucifer. In other words, mankind is in the thrall of a Satanic cult. Millions are complicit in their own enslavement.

Knight shows how Masons secretly control every aspect of British society. There are 500,000 Masons in England. Lodges are associated with every local government, police, bank, military unit, hospital, university, church, court and of course Westminster. What passes for politics is basically members of the same Lodge  contending for office to decide how to enact the Masonic agenda. Knight documents how Masons give each other preferment in hiring, promotion and business. Non-Masons are continually hassled.   It is no understatement to say that the UK is a Masonic tyranny. (This website takes on the Mason's "Common Purpose" front.)

The irony is that low-rank Masons don't realize this. They were officially forbidden from reading Knight's book. This is how secret societies work--by duping their members.

Freemasonry represents a conspiracy against society that has gone so far as to make treason the norm, and outlaw mention of conspiracy. Freemasonry is an extension of the "Jewish" conspiracy, basically creating a Gentile establishment to do its bidding. The Jewish conspiracy in turn is an instrument of the Central bankers who wish to use Jews and Masons to protect their monopoly on credit (money creation) and turn that monopoly into control over every aspect of your life. Hence the bogus "war on terror."

Every candidate running for US President or Vice President must be a puppet. Otherwise they would renounce the debt and insist on the US controlling its own credit (i.e. creating money.) The mass media is run by Freemasons. Jewish Mason Bill Maher  has just released a film "Religuousity" dissing religion. There are three monkeys on the posters (hear-no-evil etc.) each wearing the symbols of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. I believe that religion is God  (i.e. your conscience) speaking to you. Apparently Luciferians like Maher object to anything that gives people independence from their tyranny. It's fine to be tolerant of homosexuality and pornography but not the Spirit of God that helps people distinguish right from wrong.

Check out this video of Bill Maher making the Satanic "horned goat" sign and exchanging Masonic handshakes with the likes of Ben Affleck and Ron Paul.

The Masonic bankers couldn't carry off this charade if they didn't own the mass media. They couldn't use perverts and criminals as Presidents and Senators if the press were free. They couldn't carry off an atrocity like 9-11 if the media could speak the truth. Instead, the media covers up their crimes. In my own city, the Winnipeg Free Press is pontificating on "toxic 9-11 truthers" who believe the Mossad played a role. Guess what -- the "Free" Press is owned by two B'nai Brith'ers, i.e. Jewish Masons, Bob Silver and Ron Stern. What a coincidence!

Here's a BBC video of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson  giving the Masonic "triangulation" sign (a pyramid with the fingers) around the 3.20 min mark. Paulson succeeded in raising the national debt to $11 Trillion last week. Under the administration of Illuminati member George W. Bush, the national debt has doubled! He has spent as much as every administration that preceded him. He has done more to enslave Americans through fictitious debt than any President. Remember a dollar of new debt is a dollar in the pocket of the central bankers.

Here is a story about Dr. Charles Smith, an incompetent Toronto Pediatric Pathologist who over a 10-year period was responsible for 13 wrongful convictions. Yet he was protected by his superiors! My hunch is this man and his superiors are Freemasons. They take a vow to protect each other even when it involves breaking the law. How much more corruption in society can we trace to them?

CONCLUSION

The public will continue to believe there is a difference between the buffoons running for public office. It will continue to have faith in the mass media. But a few of us know that the human race is in the thrall of a vicious Satanic cult. And when it is too late, the rest of the public will know too. In the meantime, we must prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
----

Related-- my  "Freemasonry-Mankind's Death Wish"

Follow the Freemason charade at www.freemasonrywatch.org

Thanks to S for sending the picture of the Larry King handshake.

Source

Related essay from Pragmatic Witness: The "Mysterious Force"

Located at 1813 Pearl Street, (near the famous Pearl Street Mall) this place is worth a visit, even when Aunt Acid isnt in the building.

You can spot her there through the month of October celebrating the turn of the year, our ancestors and loved ones passed and present. 

She's got her little dogs, too--Perky and Pesky both. 

They always prefer to be where Aunt Acid is...and maybe they'll even find a bone or two made of sugar!

Aunt Acid is all decked out with polymer clay beads and skulls, silver milagros and "flores para muertes" circling her black lace mantilla. There's even a Black Madonna brooch on her decolletage, which was made from polymer clay by artist Dotty McMillan.

In addition to beads, imported art and objects, jewelry, and exotic items, you can also take classes at Nomad including one on making Spirit Dolls.

The next one is coming up Sunday October 19th at noon.  We won't be making any dolls as large as Aunt Acid though!

Check their website for more information.

The doorway itself is a work of art at Nomad, letting you know that what you'll find inside is not the usual run of the mill room and furnishings.

I particularly like the doorknobs! 

And the tilework by the door is also lovely.

Do stop by and visit if you happen to be Out West here in Boulder Colorado! Tell 'em Aunty sent ya, and don't be surprised if she doesnt say "hello" while performing--she's a real pro.

****

Nanners, completely distraught by VP Hopeful Sarah Plain's wayward speeches that compare Barack Obama to a "terrorist," heads to the store "to get more patriotic." The result is a cross between a patriot, and a crazy-gay Elton John fan. Either way, it's bound to offend Mrs. Palin.

Sarah Palin Video of the Day --

Late-night talk show host David Letterman throws a few swings at the crazed potential veep:

The first really cold, windy and rainy day of the Autumn coincides with a late booking in a street market in East Manchester. Many thanks for this gig goes to Jo Williams - otherwise known as 'Little Big Top' - who has been helping Leila Cribbins out while she's been on maternity leave. I was there with quite a few food and healthy eating stalls, a small walkabout band and The Fairly Famous family with their 'Cheesy Rider' show. The market traders loved all the atmosphere we produced, but on such a freezing and damp day, the public were scarce and huddling to the warmth. Still, the ones who were able to stop enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Ages: From 6 yrs old, to 12 yrs old
Props: Hammer with "contentment" written on it, ambulance
Puppets: 4 (Duck, Cow, Green Monster, Dr. Porcupine)

Duck - Hello, kids! Today we're gonna talk about... ouch! This chair is really uncomfortable!

Cow - Duck you're sitting right on my horns!

Duck - Oh, sorry about that. Anyway, today we're talking about envy. We're supposed to be happy with what we have and not envy others. There's a figure of speak that when you get envious, you get bitten by the green monster.

Cow - That sounds scary! I dont wanna get bitten by a green monster!

Duck - Well, there is none. It's just a figure of speak *Green monster peaking out from behind the curtain when they both look the other way*

Duck - Anyway. I, for instance, went to a great holiday with my parents to the local pond where we swam around and quacked. And I am content with that, and not jealous of...

Cow - Really? You're so lucky. I've never swum in a pond. All I did was going with my parents to Paris and climb the Eiffel tower. It's pretty high. I got a little dizzy.

Duck - You... you went to Paris??  *being bitten in the toe by the green monster without noticing*

Cow - Yes. You're lucky to stay here where it's all safe and secure and just quack around in your pond. Besides, you need to go by air plane. It's really scary being up in the air and everything. But it is pretty cool to see the clouds from above.

Duck - I've... never gone by air plane in my entire life... *bitten in the side by the green monster*

Cow - And besides, the Eiffel tower was just a small part of the trip. We went to Germany and England also. I met cows with all kinds of different colors and languages. I even learned how to mooh in German and French. And we ate a gazillion different types of grass. I was just exhausted when I came home. You're lucky you stayed right here and swam around in your pond.

Duck - I got fed bread chunks from the local kids... I think some of them are in the audience. *Green monster taking great chunks of him*

Cow - Uhm... duck... don't look now... but I think there's a green monster on you!

Duck - Where? Where? *looking all around, monster is moving to be behind his head all the time, keeps biting him*

Cow - Duck! Are you feeling ok? Is the contentment ok?

Duck - Contentment?

Cow - Yes, the contentment you read about in 1 Timothy 6:6 *quoting the verse*

Duck - Huh?

Cow - Oh, come on! Have we switched parts? Am I the one to teach you now??

Duck - I wanna go to Paris

Cow - Hello?? Duck?? Are you there?

Duck - It's no fair! I wanna be the one to go to Paris! Why did you get to go!

Cow - This bite seems severe. I'm calling 911.

*Ambulance comes and picks the duck up to the hospital. Cow follows*

*Duck lies unconscious on the bed*

Cow - Doctor porcupine - will he be ok?

Porcupine - He'll be fine. He got severly bitten by the green monster, but all you need is a little mix of 1 Timothy 6:6, Hebrews 13:5 and the tenth commandment, plus a bunch of love, 1 Corinthian 13:4 style *quote all verses*. Here, I'm mixing them all in this shot and we'll just inject this right in this fellow's buttocks.

Cow - Why there? Can't you do it in the arm or something?

Porcupine - Sure, but that would be less funny. Now move your dangerous sharp horns from my face while I inject this

Cow (to herself) - Oh, he's one to talk about having sharp things on the body

Duck - Ouch! *Duck jumps up* What was that?

Cow - You were bitten by the green monster! But this porcupine doctor fixed you. Now we can continue to teach kids about envy and contentment and stuff

Porcupine - Didn't we just do that though?

Cow - Not quite. We still have a few more points we want to get through. Right duck?

Duck (holding his buttocks) - Yes, yes we do. For instance, try to lay on your back in the hospital if you have silly porcupine doctors.

Porcupine - Right. And don't let the green monster bite you. When he comes just chase him away with contentment *swinging a hammer with the words contentment on*

Green monster - Hey! You're not being very nice! All I want is lunch!

Duck - But we are not going to let you bite us, because we will love people, and be HAPPY for them when they get good stuff instead of envy them! So take a hike *grabs the porcupine who is still holding the hammer and beats the green monster with him*

Porcupine - Aaaah! I did not sign up for this! Let me go!

Duck - No, you're perfect! Full of sharpy things and eveything!

Cow - Alright, I guess I will teach the kids then. Kids! What did this teach you so far?

*Base the rest of the lesson on the answers from the kids. Emphasize points they may have missed, tell the story of John and James wanting the good places next to Jesus and the envy of the other disciples. Involve the other animals with the rest of the lesson as needed. Improvise*

She was wonderfully saved in an Elim Pentecostal Church in Coulston at the age of 18.

She worked as a hair dresser and then a nurse before meeting her partner (William Hawkins) and having three children.

They ran a small retirement home for several years which went into bankrupsy. They lost their house.

Lilian and Bill started a ministry for disabled people from the spastic society.

After a few years they moved into crisis ministry aswell.

Lilian also had a burning desire to take the Gospel to the Gypsies in Australia and later the Aborigines aswell.

In their later years, they started a puppet ministry - the Bass Valley Gospel Puppets - which visited schools, churches & nursing homes.

She required haemodialysis for several years before dying of diabetes related complications.

She remained faithful to God up until the very end.

Praise God for this wonderful lady.

Born 20/10/1937 Died 25/7/2006

A servant of Jesus Christ and a Child of God.

She was a Minister of God's Love.

She took the Gospel to the gypsies in Australia, to the elderly, to the disabled, to children and to Australian Aboriginals with the support of her life long partner Bill.

Together Lilian & Bill opened and ran a retirement home which went into financial difficulty resulting in them loosing their home.

After getting back on their feet with the help of God and the Church they opened a Refuge taking in families in crisis. This minstry spanned almost a decade.

They ministered to people with cerebral palsy living at the spastic society taking a group to church for many years in a bus.

They used puppets extensively in their ministries visiting schools, churches, nursing homes, Australian Gypsies and Aborigines.

They had three children Nigel, Lisa and Belinda who are all saved and active in the church.

She needed Haemodialysis in her final years.

She never wavered in her faith and was a good example and an encouragement to all who knew her.

She is dearly missed.

The Road: Just to say, New Jersey jughandles have NOTHIN' on Al Ain roundabouts....

The Place

The Puppets. A tad jetlagged, me thinks.

By comparison, yesterday George Bush signed into law the bailout of Wall St. speculators with nothing but uncertainty.  His posture, his words, his tone, throughout this entire global meltdown has been, shall we say, less than reassuring.  His handlers (the people who put all words into his mouth) are also at a loss.

What do we get when the false leader is told what to do and what to say, by a consortium?  We get a rudderless ship.  Consortiums can't lead.  A secret group of people can't lead.   That's because they are a secret.  Whispered instructions don't always take, when you have more than one person whispering.  It creates confusion.

Never before has Bush's general overall confusion been so obvious.  We see it in his posture, shoulders hunched up.  We see it in his beseeching eyes, and his quavering voice.  He doesn't know what to say anymore, because he's been getting conflicting instructions from the real seat of power in the U.S.  I don't know exactly who these people are, although I have my ideas as I'm sure you do.  But one thing I do know is that the American people would be absolutely shocked to find out who has been really "leading" them.

This economic crisis highlights many important things.  Lack of solid leadership.  The pitfalls of secret group leadership.  The failure of ideology, both "right" and "left".  The risks of dishonesty.  The sad result of lack of integrity.

What we have seen is Bush floundering, waiting for his handlers to tell him what to do - but even his handlers are in disagreement.  Even the secret ruling group is in disarray.  They can't agree on a strategy, and they are at a loss to dictate posture now.  No clear leader emerges from this secret group of Big Money Movers.  We have the hawks, and the bankers, and the fearmongers, all at eachothers' throats.  The proponents of "chaos" are experiencing it firsthand, and the results are not pretty.

These people are poised to steal another election through computer voting machines.  The populace has been properly scared now, likely too scared to fight them on those machines.  There are only so many battles they can take .... they don't know what to do anymore.  Good, strong grassroots leaders are in danger of just shrugging off the largest threat to their democracy in the history of their country - the computer - because there are too many fish to fry.  There are too many issues to be covered.  Too many people are squawking about this and that ...

Everybody knows that Bush is a mere puppet for the real regime in the U.S.  He was chosen specifically for his willingness to have his strings pulled.  And now we have another puppet in the offing.  This one is pretty.  A pretty puppet this time, who has a few more brain cells going for her - a quicker mind than Bush has.  Bush's whiskey-soaked brain does not compute.  Hers does.

People are saying that she was wired during the debate, and no doubt this is true.  High tech strikes again.  She had a direct feed straight into her ear.  This is why she hesitated before answering some questions, and then launched right into a confident answer.  Wait a second or two (listen to the words in her ear) and then repeat it with a smile and a wink at the camera.  It was so obvious that she was wired!

She'd be wired throughout her Vice Presidency, also.  By the way - you never end a sentence with an adverb.  That verbal tic of hers might cost her some votes, but maybe not.  No matter how many words they whisper in her ear, she can't get rid of that verbal tick, also.  So we'll see if she ever speaks unscripted again during this campaign.

She does have pride, she insisted on the Couric interviews without wiring.  "I can do it!" she insisted.  "I don't need your voice in my ear!  Just let me go!"  Then, afterwards, even the kind generous pundits shaking their heads in disbelief, she said, "OK, I'm sorry .... you were right .... just give me the wire."  This is why she "held her own" during the debate - an audio prompter.  By the way, in what universe was that performance "holding her own"?  Why be so kind?  The verbal mishmash was further proof of her wiring, and also proof that she wasn't paying attention in grammar class.

But she's cute and she says "Joe Sixpack" with a wink at all the guys.  That's all Americans care about, just give us some eye candy and we'll be happy!

But here's the problem.  It will all come undone, even should they steal another election with the voting machines.  Because leadership by group doesn't really work.  Every future crisis will spawn internal disagreement, because the tone of strife has now been set.  They couldn't agree on how to handle the Wall St. crisis, and now there are divisions within the secret group whispering into her ear.

They can't ask for outside mediation, because they are a secret group.  What do sneaky types do when things go wrong?  Why, they turn on eachother, that's what.  They start to fight among themselves.  They can become quite vicious as well.  They were born vicious.  Nobody's playing nice anymore.  Watch out, there might be poison in your soup.  The "head girl" of the secret group is pissed at the "head guy" now.  She's going to talk to the others about him, let's get rid of him!  He's no good for us.

You can see the internal strife in George Bush's begging stance.  He's been begging the population to give him a break.  His hair's all mussed up, he's taking too much whiskey these days, he can't sleep.  He can't do it anymore, you guys, you have to get it together!  He doesn't have it on his own, and you knew that!  He's no leader and that's why you picked him to be your puppet, and now you expect him to make it on his own because you can't agree among yourselves?

It's a truly sad spectacle to behold, and it's only going to get worse.  The next few months will likely prove nothing short of pathetic.  The finger of blame is turning upon itself.  The administration is set to implode under the surface.  Watch George Bush, he's getting worse by the day.

That voice in his ear isn't making a whole lot of sense anymore.

If you Americans don't stand up and demand a paper ballot for yourselves, you are just going to get another puppet.  Her wired, dictated performance at the debate was only the beginning.  She is no leader, and she never was.  Her running mate is broken.  He was never actually meant to lead - this was all for her.  This was going to be her presidency.  A cuter, younger Bush this time, one with a few more brain cells not addled by too much whiskey.  They've refined their technique.

Is this what you want, Americans?  Because this is what you're going to get, if you allow this charade to continue for another 4 years.  Media:  do your part.  Demand more interviews with her, and keep up the pace, rapid fire your questions at her, and don't give her a moment to pause and listen for the whispers.  Demand access to her, so everbody can see what is really happening.  Do some digging, do your damn jobs!  Don't you see we are all headed towards all-out, full-on nuclear war, if you let this thing happen?  Report on the real stories - the past failures of voting machines, the campaign to drum out down-and-out voters all around the country.  Do your damn jobs for a change, would you?

I might be Canadian, but I'm worried up here.  This is the most important election season the world has ever faced.  We have our own mini-version up here, but I'll save my comments on that until just before our election.  Canadians are a rather sleepy bunch.  I think it might be the cold weather.  We just want a warm place to stay, and everything else takes a back seat to that.  We can't survive up here without winter heating, and this makes us very docile.  You'll never see us take to the streets like the folks in Argentina did, banging pots and pans.  N'uh, uh.  And besides, the anarchists who orchestrated the "Battle in Seattle" didn't think things all the way through - typical of anarchists.  Because of them, we now face a police state.  We face things like "cluster tasers" meant to get dozens of people at a time.  Thanks, anarchists, for nothing.  You are the direct cause of our lack of ability to gather now.  What was your point, did you accomplish anything at all down there at that "battle"?  No, of course you accomplished nothing at all - except our new police state.  It's almost as if you were part of the plan.

OK, anarchists - you are good folks at heart.  Put on your damn thinking caps!  Think it all the way through next time!  Do something which will have a lasting positive effect, damn you.  Otherwise just keep your noses right out of it.  You don't really know what you are doing.

Back to Canadians.  We like our music, and our comedy up here.  Best musicians and comedians in the world, are we.  But as political activists, we are a complete joke.  So don't count on us for anything.  Like I said, I will save what I'm going to do about our election, until the very last minute.  Because we Canadians have very short attention spans.  "What was that nonsense about how to help save the world by voting?  Somebody spouting some political nonsense?  Gimme another beer, I gotta warm house here and nobody's messing that up for me."

Ouch.  Oh well.  You Americans seem pretty feisty compared to us complacent, cheerful Canadians.  So please, please, for all of our sakes, get it right this time!  I have a son, and I need you to get this one right.

****

Nanners has discovered the "true" list of books that Sarah Palin wanted to ban in Wasilla. In an effort to offend the crazed VP hopeful yet again, Nanners has taken it upon himself to find and read ALL of the books on that list, starting with Bill Clinton's "My Life."

It's gonna be a treacherous journey (have you read "My Life?" Ugh), but in the end, it's all for the sake of offending Sarah Palin. Morally, that is what is right.

Sarah Palin Video(s) of the Day --

Here's a rather funny swiftboat-inspired spoof ad:

And here's the story about the banned books, the true reason why Nanners fundamentally stands against Sarah Palin. This country does NOT ban books. Age restrict, yes. Outright ban, never:

Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, Manchester. We attended the very first public performance of 'Ruth'. Rachel did the specialist direction of the puppetry in this visually lush mask theatre piece.
Here's the Flickr set

A biblical tale of how two women survive against all odds. Celebrating the diversity of cultures that enrich today's society, 'RUTH' explores our freedom of choice and our right to a voice. A visual feast weaving a tale of courage and humanity, it incorporates puppetry, mask and live music to produce a beautifully dynamic piece of theatre to be enjoyed by all.

We began with identifying how we had used the Coyote and Bear puppets in the drama we'd demonstrated on our first day. In "Coyote's Surprise," Coyote uses her puppets to tell Bear what she, herself, can't say. In fact, at one moment her Coyote puppets says to the Bear character, "Talk to the puppet!"

An interesting side note: because the story draws on some of the Oneida Indian Nation traditions, we wanted Spica Wobbe, our fabulous puppet creator, to make the puppets in a more folkart style. As you can see, with their glass eyes, the puppets are quite striking and so are sometimes somewhat  startling to the children. To help defuse that problem, we began using them narrators to review/introduce each day of the drama. Besides, they were so beautiful, we wanted an excuse to use them more....

Anyway, back to our puppet session in the UAE. Today we focused on what first brought puppets into the Early Learning Through the Arts' work: Intervention and Role Replacement.

Based on Augusto Boal's Forum Theater from his Theater of the Oppressed work, the basic premise is that a scenario is presented during which a serious conflict occurs. Audience members are asked to assess the reasons behind the conflict and see if there were points along the way where those in conflict could have made different choices. The scenario is re-wound and replayed, and audience members are then invited to step in are REPLACE one of the characters and see if they, themselves, can enact different choices and resolve the conflict.

We've had to make several adjustments to make Boal's work developmentally appropriate for the early childhood classroom, but the overall thrust is the same. For instance, in the selection we demonstrated today from the drama "Feria de Sevilla, the puppets Luna and Sol go on a "friendly" picnic that ends up in a Punch and Judy-esque fight because SOMEone forgot to picnic basket.

In the photo below (thanks to John, UAEU Skills teacher and freelance photographer extraordinaire), a student has "replaced" Sol -- she's become the voice of Sol -- and is trying out her suggestion.

Her goal is to solve the problem Luna and Sol are having, without fighting. My role as puppeteer, is not simply to say "okay, fine!", but to, in the moment, challenge or, as we say in Applied Theatre, "problematize" the situation.

For example, we did a second session this afternoon for Dr. Leon's Social Work class. During the intervention, "Sol" suggested we go fishing for food. I/Luna asked, "Do you know how to go fishing?"

Sol: Yes!

Luna: Well, what do we need?

Sol: A fishing pole.

Luna: Where can we get one?

Sol: (a pause) Here! She picks up the end of her abiya to use as a fishing pole/line. Sol grabs it in her mouth and Luna and Sol go over to one of the audience members. They "drop" the line into the audience, and a member grabs it and tugs.

Luna: (Yells) "FISH! We've caught a fish!"

After the demonstration, we asked the students to identify what skills the "children" would be learning through the work and why we were using puppets. We then asked them to consider what skills Steve and I had to have in order to execute the scenario/intervention. Steve had to act as a facilitator throughout the process, gathering ideas, focusing the questions, clarifying the options, and guiding the process. I had to be able to work two puppets and be able to match the puppet movement to the voice of the intervening student.

Our first step in training, then, was to build the student's puppeteering skills. We started with the most basic of puppets: pipe cleaners (better known to early childhood people as fuzzy sticks) and focused on hand position and coordination of voice and hand movement.

We then distributed some members of our sock puppets collection.

We love sock puppets because 1) the are so scrunchable, they can really show emotion and 2) they're so simple to use and create.

The students worked with their puppets developing a character voice, practiced always keeping THEIR eyes focused on the puppet, and experiment with different movements and actions. They then paired up, came up with a name for their puppet and something their puppet enjoyed doing. Then my sock puppet, "Rathbone," interviewed all the puppets, asking them to introduce themselves and demonstrate what it was the enjoyed doing. We got swimming, eating, playing basketball and dancing. (Yes, puppets know how to waltz.)

Steve and I were both so impressed with their creativity, their improvisation skills, and the enthusiasm with which they attacked the puppeteering work. It was great to have the session run longer than usual (8-10:45 vs. 10:00) but now I wish we had a day for them to create their own sock puppets... Maybe next time. (hint, hint).

As I mentioned, after the morning session, Steve and I led a 2:30-3:30 session with Dr. Leon's Social Work students. What a bunch of pistols THEY are. Of course, now I wish we had a whole series of workshops just for them.... Maybe next time. (hint, hint).

Later in the evening, Steve and I led a professional development for 25 or so teachers on using drama activities to support the development of the University student's English language skills. They were a diverse bunch and graciously energetic, considering they'd been teaching all day and it was a 6:00-8:00 pm session.

Some of their post-workshop comments:

What was the most useful aspect of this workshop?

To be reminded that I can use more creative "things" in the classroom.

Working with colleagues in a different format.

Emotive participation. Team work.

Maybe no new ideas, but new thoughts about putting students on the spot.

To get students involved in much less threatening activities.

Have you learned any new ideas in this workshop?

The activity types are familiar, but the set-ups were a bit different - and useful - to review and re-energize. I really needed some fun this week - thank you.

How to motivate and involve all members of the class.

Yes; How to put more teaching games/ideas into practice.

Do you have any questions or comments?

Really want more drama in education here. It would work well.

This was an interesting presentation. I think I'd like to do/attend some more presentations like this one.

It was so useful to hear other teachers' ideas about how to adapt the activities for UGRU classes.

Great stuff - worth coming in at 6:00 for.

The day ended with dinner with Dr. Jim, his wife Tatiana, and Barbara, a friend and one of the teachers who attended our workshop. Have I mention how amazing the deserts are???

Oh, I almost forgot. Wanted to send out a quick thank you to the University's Provost, Wyatt R. (Rory) Hume. He, too, was breakfasting in the hotel bright and early this morning (6:45AM. ouch), and somehow identified us. (And no, it wasn't because the puppets were eating with us). An Australian who moved to California and worked at UCLA and the California Unversities, he had recently retired. Rather unsuccessfully, it would seem, since he was now in the United Arab Emirates.

We chatted about what he was up to and what we were up (he knew that the Australians in our field are doing great research on Applied Theatre). We, of course, bragged about Dr. Jim's students (and all the others who have dropped in to our sessions) and innocently mentioned how wonderful it would be to return for some follow-up. (hint, hint)

What can I say, Wheelock's are subtle by nature....

The life-like-ness of these dinosaurs beggars belief, and since no human has ever seen a living dinosaur, it raises a question about how we know what is real.

There are plenty more videos about this show as it toured and how the animatronic puppets were created for the BBCs Walking With Dinosaurs series on Youtube.