Only warriors of the highest order are allowed to wear these. There are severe penalties for forging / selling these valuable arifacts. When a "Pendant Warrior" dies, his pendant is buried with him.
The large version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That Monday is a public holiday to celebrate the Queen's Birthday. Her actual birthday was some time ago but no one over here is complaining. We are all just looking forward to the extra holiday.
The "K" stands for "Kryptonite" which was that stuff that supposedly made Superman significantly less "super".
If memory serves, Kryptonite is actually lime green, hence the name of this piece.
The large version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: "Super Dockets". These are minature vouchers printed on the back of some supermarke receipts. I found one which offers a good deal on accommodation in Wellington which is great because dance camp is happening there in October. The plan is to try and get everything (ie: plane tickets, accommodation and registration) "sorted" this weekend.
Made with Apo 2.04 after reading some tips of adjusting "weight" in the FracFan forum. The title is because this one reminds me of a spider web - sort of.
The full sized version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That when I got home from tutoring, my mom gave me a nice hot dinner! Its great having her home and the entire house smells amazing. When one is alone, one tends not to cook because there is not much point going to all that effort just for one person.
Hungry blue / grey worm seeks granny smith apple for a satisfying relationship.
Bruised specimens need not apply.
The full size version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: My mom, for making sure that I did not leave my dance gear by the phone on my way out tonight. Lets just say I was rushing a bit more than I should have been.
I wonder what they would think if they dug up something that looked like this?
The full sized version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That my parents made it home safely from their overseas trip. Its wonderful having them back again and boy do they have some cool stories to tell.
Today's post is very different form the usual offering. When I arrived at school this morning, there was a piece of paper on my desk with instructions from one of the students in my most difficult class offering some advice. Below, complete with teenage spelling / grammar is what it said.
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How to Control a Physcotic Class
(You're just to nice to us |
I am pleased that this student gave me the feedback and will of course try and incorporate *most* of her suggestions. It was interesting to see things from her point of view.
Today's Gratitude Item: That one of my students was confident enough to give me written feedback. It was thought provoking, funny and great blog material.
I still have a "thing" for spirals. The only problem is that after a while, one spiral looks pretty much like another.
The large size version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: My practising certificate finally came through. This all important piece of paper is basically a "license to teach" that has to be renewed every three years. This time round the process took longer than usual due to a "log jam" that developed because the police security checks were delayed. Happily all is once again well.
I wonder how much this would go for at auction? Don't know what it does but it looks pretty cool.
This one is best appreciated in large size.
Today's Gratitude Item: That my classes today were better than yesterday. True this did not take much but it was welcome none the less.
This one is for all those Frank Sinatra fans out there. Just don't stare at it for too long as it tends to start to stare back!
The large version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: The new version of Chaoscope is really cool. It lets one create solid renders with coloured backgrounds / objects which is a huge improvement on the previous version.
Made with Apo 2.04 and using the cool new "FX" triangle. New toys are a good thing :)
The large version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Undercover parking. Its great to be able to park in the garage rather than in the rain. That way, I stay nice and dry. Have I mentioned before that being wet outside of the shower / sauna / swimming pool is a bad thing?
Who travels on it?
Where does it lead?
Why was it made?
What's the maximum speed?
The original version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Fresh Triple washed spinach. Forty five seconds in the microwave on high, then add a touch of sour cream dip (lite of course) and voila, a warm nutritious snack.
The result of a blank flame and a fair bit of luck. Have discovered that very small values for the spherical variant can have a rather large effect!
The large version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: My "teddy" blanket. Its light and warm. perfect for keeping comfy at the computer. Said blanket is blue with teddy bears on it.
If any aliens out there have lost an artifact, I think I found it.
The full size image can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That I don't need to cook dinner because I have been invited out :)
Made with Apophysis - from a new blank flame. This was back when I had too much time on my hands.
The full size verison can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: My neighbour raked the leaves off the front pavement of my house at the same time as she was doing hers. Considering that the giant tree in front of my house makes a large mess (mostly on my bit of pavement), I was extremely grateful for her generosity and thoughtfulness.
This one was made "from scratch" using Apo. For the first time, I used the "new blank flame" option instead of working with a flame generated by a random batch.
Perhaps this is what they mean by "beginner's luck".
The large version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Vegetable soup. Specifically the soup made by one of the other teachers in the Maths department to celebrate a different teacher's birthday. The soup was hot, thick and nutritious and was served with lovely large bread rolls. Wonderful on a rather cold day.
The fractal below was created to celebrate the second birthday of my blog. Virtual cake / candles are in order here!
The big celebration can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: I am really grateful to all of you out there who read / comment on this blog. Here's a big "thanks" for visiting!
This one was could also be called "Made in New Zealad". Believe it or not, this is pure Apophysis!
The above also comes in black and white versions. This is mainly cause I could not decide which one was "best".
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Today's Gratitude Item: The Microwave, simply because it can cook a potatoe in roughly five minutes! I peel and slice mine, add a bit of water and then nuke. Served with salmon this is a very healthy dinner :)
Made with Apo 2.04
Now I understand all the excitement about this latest version. This graphic could not have been done without the help gained from the amazing guys at the Fracfan Forum.
As usual, the full sized image can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That the Israeli flag was flown on the Auckland Harbour bridge today to celebrate Israeli day of independance. My Yom Ha'atzmaut post was done a couple of weeks ago to coincide with the date on the Israeli calendar. Today was the date on the "English" ie: Gregorian calendar. Driving over the bridge and seeing the Israeli flag flying next to the New Zealand flag was a great experience. I was surprised at the emotional impact that it had :)
Created with Apo 2.04. It took a while to get this effect but it "works".
The full size image can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Cold "rotten" weather. The ultimate excuse to stay inside, nap, read and "chill out". Needless to say, chores like vacuuming / laundry and random cleaning are easier in this kind of weather and exercise is much more enjoyable as one does not sweat as much :)
Created with the long awaited Apo 2.04. I love Apo upgrades :)
The full size image can be seen at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Surviving my first week at a new school. Most of my classes are doing what they are supposed to be doing and are coming to terms with the switch in teachers. I have learnt many of their names and am relieved that I have this weekend to "recover".
Everyone has heard the phrase "to wax eloquent". Here is some "Eloquent Wax".
The composition is yet another attempt at the WET challenge.
The full size version can be viewed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Fried eggs. Fast, easy and tasty for when one is hungry and too lazy to cook! Guess whose having "breakfast" for dinner.
"Feeling Blue" does not have to be a bad thing!
Best enjoyed in large size.
Today's Gratitude Item: My "horrible" 8th grade class were great today. I could not belive that this was the same class which had me tearing my hair out yesterday. Am hopeful that the improvement will continue. The only problem is that these kids have zero bladder control! They keep on asking to "go", to which I keep saying "no". I figure if a kid has to ask to go, then they don't need to go that badly. If its an emergency, I assume they will simply make a run for it and ask forgiveness later.
More Apo / Amazing Circles fun.
It was hard choosing a gradient for this one.
The large version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Getting a computer at school :) This is very exciting as it means that I can do my absences on line and receive school wide emails. How teachers managed to do their jobs before computers were invented is anyone's guess (tongue only slightly in cheek).
Created with a mix of Apophysis (for the flowers) and Amazing Circles (for the moon).
The original image can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Apple juice and Soda water. Take about a quarter of a mug of apple juice and add soda water for the rest. Add ice if required. Cold / fizzy and very refreshing. Perfect after an hour on the treadmill :)
Was playing with Apo / Amazing Circles and came up with this.
The full size image is at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: That the person who subbed for me last week took the time to call me today to tell me where the various classes that I start teaching tomorrow are at. She is a very experienced teacher and had some excellent advice for me as well. Hopefully things will go well :)
Neither day nor night,
This dusky dawn,
Is a time of wonder
Where mystery is born.
The full size image is at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: My big brother! I have probably had him as an item before but this is not cheating. After all, big brothers are very very useful. Especially when they are able to provide "technical" assistance in times of need :)
This is the ninth image in my "black / white / yellow / orange curve stitched" series.
The series have been printed out on A3 (in colour)and laminated. They will be used to decorate the classroom in my new job that starts on Monday.
The full size image can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Microsoft got back to me with some ways to solve the problems mentioned in yesterday's post. They were very helpful and hopefully I am on my way to getting the problem sorted. For some reason, the validation key on my computer does not match the one on the sticker on the bottom of the machine. Its weird but hopefully fixable. My version of XP is legit! Really. It came with the computer when I bought it back at the start of 2004.
A WET Challenge entry. Thought that I would go for something clean and simple this time.
The original version can be enjoyed at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Cheap chocolate. Managed to get my favourite chocolate at $2.50 per slab compared with the regular price of $3.69. As they say, "everyone loves a bargain" :)
On a not so happy note, after updating my computer last night, it now comes up with a "you are not running a genuine version of microsoft" message when I start up. Of course I am using genuine XP software that came preinstalled on my computer and I have the COA to prove it.
I spent the better part of one and a half hours filling out Microsoft's form / taking photos of my COA etc only to be told at the end of the process that the ordering process was broken and to try again later!
I had to fill out a "counterfeit" form as this was the only way I could see to get a new key / CD / whatever to get rid of the problem.
Needless to say, I emailed Microsoft and complained. This is insane. I am sure that there are plenty of people like me with valid systems and COA's who are now looking at an error message everytime they start up their computers because Microsoft has dropped the ball!
What can I say but "Aaaaargh!!!!"
Many pacific designs feature the "flower" motif that is repeated in this piece. Hence the name.
Note that this design was created using only straight lines!
View it in large size to appreciate the full detail.
Today's Gratitude Item: That my wonderful neighbour brought round some food for me this evening (its a long story). Said food was totally unexpected and most welcome because I was ravenous and in a rush to get to dance class on time. Its on days like this that "loving your neighbour" is really easy :)
Created using POV-Ray to get the box shape and Paintshop Pro for the rest.
The Coffee bean image is the result of a trip to the local store and a short session with my digital camera.
For more information on Yom Ha'atzmaut, please see the preceding link.
The original graphic is available at the preceding link.
Today's Gratitude Item: Getting a new router thingy! Hopefully I won't need to reboot the internet so often and things will be smoother than they were before. Also getting to spend some time with my brother who installed afore mentioned router thingy and hang around to chat :)
Yom Hazikaron is when we remember Israel's fallen heroes.
Best viewed in large size and available in Super large size (for printing) on request.
Today's Gratitude Item: The soldiers that the above poster remembers. Even though saying "thanks" is not really enough, its the best that I can do.
