| Painted the workshop |
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| 05:53pm 17/07/2008 |
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My dad nearly killed himself today whilst working on the roof. He tried to lay down and support himself on a beam... which wasn't secure. He slipped and fell with his hand into a metal sheathing and cut himself badly. Blood streamed down, and before we knew it the workshop was painted! All joking aside, I'm glad he got caught on something instead of falling to the ground.
Half the roof is up. Tomorrow we'll probably continue work. Enough done today.
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) macsuibhne, Happy belated birthday.. and MANY congratulations on being the opening act for the Chieftains concert this sunday in Marymoor, Seattle. If anyone is close, GO SEE THEM! (The Chieftain's aren't bad either ;) ) |
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Read 4 - Post |
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| A ferret of a different color |
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| 10:55am 15/07/2008 |
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I really looked like there was a different ferret in the house today. I decided to sleep in for a little while, because from 2am onwards, Mr. Oscar decided it was time to play and eat mice and started banging on the cage to make sure everyone would know. It was hellish for a light sleeper like me, and I didn't sleep during the night.
At 4am or so even Gareth woke up (miracle!!) and was so pissed off that he shut the office door, which is where Oscar is, and our own bedroom door. The noise was reduced enough for him to go back to bed and sleep, but I lay there staring at the ceiling until 7am... which is when I poked Gareth to get out and play with him.
I slept in until 10am or so, and by the time I got up Gareth had already left for work. Oscar was bouncing up and down to be let out, and so I let him. He bounced, dooked and ran all over the place full of energy. I decided to let my parents watch and play with him while I headed for the shower.
Once I was all cleaned and ready to go again, albeit tired, I ran into my mother half way down the stairs. She had a pouty lip, and said Oscar had been a naughty boy and bit her. I asked her what he was so naughty about, but before she could explain the devil himself came out of his hiding place.
It looked like there was a different ferret in the house;
He should look like the icon I'm using, but instead he was coated in this shiny black pungent smelling residue; ash. My mother explained that Oscar was so hyped up about being out, that he immediately went for his favourite naughty place; the hearth. We had boarded it up because of his behaviour, and have been on the lookout for a proper cover ever since. Apparently, Mr. Duracell threw himself over and through the TINY hole that was left at the top. Upon reaching his destination he proudly began to dance and roll around in the hearth.
My mother removed the boards and tried to grab him, but Oscar obviously not wanting to leave his new found glory behind decided now was the time to bite her. When we finally did get a hold of him he was just a shadow of his former self... literally just all black. All that was recognizable was his pink nose and lips.
A morning bath was necessary, but met with much protest. I've never been grumbled at for so long, but after the first struggles with the water were had he remained perfectly still and allowed me to wash him with the occasional grumbled and moans.
The house, bedroom, hallway and bathroom are covered in black paw prints, and the bathroom has this wonderful ink-like combination of water and ash and is all over the place. Oscar is now in his cage, enjoying a time-out.
Ferrets... never a dull moment |
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Read 22 - Post |
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| The things you find.. |
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| 04:18pm 14/07/2008 |
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The things you find in the dusty old attic. Whilst trying to figure out our copper pipe system for the water/heating, we ended up in the attic. The warm water pipe, oddly enough, goes up underneath the roof tiles (it made sense to someone I'm sure), and we were trying to figure out a way to shut the water off.
Earlier on we found an old plastic Yule tree, a REALLY old picture of Scrabo tower. And this morning we extended our collection with the following books;
The Olympics 1896-1972
Advanced French Proze Composition by Duhamel (fifth edition)
And a old address book of a certain Peter O'Donovan
I'm quite enchanted by these quirky little finds, and felt like I've secretly been snooping around in someone else's attic ^.^
Building on the workshop is going alright. We're nearly done with the masonry and things are coming along nicely. Wednesday promises a lot of rain, so hopefully we'll have the walls done before that so we can re-cover the roof with the old materials.
I think some offerings for speedy craft work and good weather are in order. |
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Post |
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| Arrests were made |
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| 01:46pm 13/07/2008 |
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Some petrol bomb throwers have been arrested in Enniskillin today. Police try to say they have nothing to do with the 12th, but most feel that they do.
Either way, work continuous today. The wooden beams we had for building the roof of the new workshop have now been set in base paints. we hid them away from the bonfire night, in case scavengers would get them and burn them, but they remained safe and sound :)
During painting, my dad is doing the masonry for the new wall, while the 'females' of our group, Gareth and my mother, do the cleaning and the cooking around the house.
Oscar is being a true terror in the mornings, consisting of nothing but lightning fast energy bursts, and constantly looking at me for when he's getting his mouse-breakfast. And when that time comes he goes mental. I've never seen any animal so happy about getting fed. It's so adorable.
Hopefully I'll have some art and craft work to show soon. I'm missing out on a lot of commissions due to the busy-busy work here with building the workshop. |
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Read 1 - Post |
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| Aggression abounds at Orange speech |
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| 07:07pm 12/07/2008 |
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It oozed aggression to say the least, the speech that I found most scary on the television today. I dare not go out into the streets, but television opens a saver window for viewing. Reverend Stephen Dickinson and his Orange demonstration speech was just scary and intimidating.. as was Grand Master Robert Saulters.
Highlights of the March through Belfast City center;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7503540.stm
I do have to say, some of the uniforms looked stunning.
Some minor incidents with Bonfires, fights, petrol bombs, but nothing major. This year has been fairly quiet, but thank the gods it's over again.
And on a happier closing note for tonight, Gareth and I are now godparents. mearu gave birth today after her placenta came loose. She and her baby are okay all things considered. The baby is 17" long and 4 pounds in weight. Welcome to the world sweet Nikka Ingrid Miels :) |
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Read 9 - Post |
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| Food? |
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| 01:33pm 10/07/2008 |
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150 mice, 50 chicks and 25 rats have just been ordered for one little ferret. This should keep him happy for some time to say the least.
The natural 'whole prey food' diet has certainly kicked off with a charm. Not only are almost all his previous stool problems gone, he seems happier, more active and alter. Plus, his coat looks so shiny!
It took some convincing with Gareth, and he's still not sure about it.. but when I fed him his first 'big' prey (small rat) yesterday he was ecstatic. Full of energy before and after, and everything was cleaned up, not a single hair left.
( Click on the image to view the rest )
And, as of a few days ago, my Taxidermy website is finally up and running;
Please go and check it out, and see if it works alright for you. Let me know if there's thing that bother you and you think need changing.
My sickness is finally flowing away. I still have some dry coughs, but after last night's fever washed over me I do feel a lot better today. Hopefully I can now catch up on commissions again.
And also on the site, a picture of the monster fox;
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Read 21 - Post |
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| Crud, Prey food and Tara |
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| 12:45pm 08/07/2008 |
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So I came down with a bad case of the crud. Could be the air conditioning on the plane... could be standing outside waiting for Gareth to come and pick me up.. could be anything really. The only thing certain at the moment is that is SUCKS. My tear ducts are just letting it flow, I'm sweating and sporting around a fever, my nose is blocked, my ears HURT and my throat/lungs are killing me.
Today Gareth bought some prey food for Oscar, including 25 pinkies, and a small rat, to try him out on a prey diet. Since he came from a hunters home, and was already munching away on rabbits and crows before we got him, I suspected little problem. And I was right.. sort of. The only problem there was trying to prevent Oscar from eating it too fast. Sweet gods, he acted as if we'd been staving him since we got him. Many happy 'dooks' during the eating of the pinkie, and soon the search was on for a second. The rat I'll wait with until he's a bit bigger me thinks, but dear gods did we hit a success with that!
Apparently there have been some interesting speakers on the WAC-6 this year, especially on the Tara subject. Things are getting nastier and nastier out there as scandals and wrong-doings are being revealed in the news left-right and center. I was especially shocked by the newspaper article that mentioned certain findings were changed in favor of the roads progress. Seriously people... what the f**k??
The new petition to present the Tara Valley to the UNESCO society. If you still haven't signed it go here;
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savetara/index.html |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| Bona Na Croin |
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| 04:01pm 05/07/2008 |
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(Back home in Bangor again)
So, as a follow-up I've been preparing some designs of mine for apparel wear. One of which, though not to safest to display were I live, has some design ideas;
Bona Na Croin by *Illahie
Bona na Croin - Collar nor Crown
I've been wanting to edit this design and make it into a t-shirt. Thing is, I can't display this one too much, due to the troubles. Wearing it here would be equivalent to being the only deer allowed to be shot during the season on the entire island, and wearing a bulls-eye. Especially now since the 11th&12th of July are coming up and tension is running high.
But I want to get it made for conventions outside of Northern Ireland, and I would love to have the poem printed on the back as well.
Thing is, I want to know the name of the author of the poem (click the image to view the poem as well). I know it was a poem from around the 19th century by the Fenian rebels.. but whom wrote the infamous "Bona na Croin" poem?
Does anyone have any ideas? I'd like to give the person proper credit |
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Read 4 - Post |
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| The altar of Exomna |
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| 09:06pm 02/07/2008 |
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Interestingly enough, I find myself in the Netherlands again for a couple of days of work and research. Luckily the work part has been done, with the monster fox and the buzzard now being finished. Tonight or tomorrow I'll take their photo's for the archive.
I'm hoping to make a trip down to the museum in Leiden where I hope to see the 'altar of Exomna';
A simple limestone altar, dredged up in 1960. Inscribed with the usual altar type text; "To the goddess Exomna Aunius Vitalis has fulfilled his promise, gladly and with reason". Before this inscription was found this possibly Romanized Celtic goddess was unheard of within the region. With it was found a statue of the Roman god Mercury, leading archaeologists to believe this tablet was in a place where many gods and goddess were worshiped.
Her name means 'without fear', and I've found myself craving more information once more.
Plus, I want to make some sketches of design-work in coins and jewelery. I'm feeling inspired
EDIT:
INGRID BETANCOURT HAS BEEN FREED!!
After 6 years in the Columbian jungle she, along with 14 others, have been rescued! |
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Read 3 - Post |
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| Bittersweet rescue... |
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| 10:12pm 30/06/2008 |
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Today we hiked around the Minnowburn area, and the Giant's Ring again. Something about that place just draws me there, if not just the sheer size of it. Plus, I think it's a glorious small distance walk, and I need all the small bits to kick Gareth into gear for some proper hiking.
The weather was incredible today. With a pressing sky and a strong wind gust every now and then, we set out towards the natural amphitheater. To get there you have to cross a field of cows...which was... well, lacking cows in general.
We crossed into the natural amphitheater to find it full of cows instead, and made our way across the field. What follows from there is a short hike up the road leading towards the Giant's Ring. Since the sky was about to fall down upon us we made our way forward, and before heading along side the barley fields we crossed the wishing/penny tree. A ever imposing dead tree, which has cracked like a miniature jig-saw all over. And into each available space locals leave coins offerings. We leave an offering every time we pass it as well, it just feels right to do so.
Trailing along side the fields of young barley, we passed some field workers along the way. They were tending the trail, and although their sound obviously sounded of electrical trimmers Gareth thought they were mini-bikes ;) We were coming close the second road, the one closest to the Minnowburn park. At the crossing of the fields and the road, a small black dog waddled towards us... and our hearts just dropped.
It was an elderly dog that approached us, and the side of his lip was bleeding. Upon closer inspection, half of his lower jaw just hung there, seemingly unattached. It looked like it was hit by a car. We held it, stroked it, and the dog sat down aside me. I stroke his neck, and felt two tags dangling. His name was Shubi. The second tag contained two phone numbers, a mobile and a home phone.
Neither of us brought our mobiles, and Gareth set out up the road towards the first house. I sat with Shubi at the edge of the field, and not long after Gareth came back from the house... no-one answered. Just at that moment a bus pulled up, which Gareth stopped to ask for a mobile. No such luck yet again. And then the field workers came down, and they luckily had a phone with them.
We phoned the house, and it turns out the owner was just up the road and she was coming down to get him. After some time, I left the dog with Gareth and walked up the road to meet the owner along the way. Turns out she did live in the first house. I called in, and the owner confirmed Shubi was hers.
As we were walking out, I asked her if his jaw had always been 'wonky'. She answered yes. I have to admit I felt a little stupid for calling in, when in fact it had always been this way. She then told me Shubi was 13 years old and had cancer. He was suffering too much, and she was waiting for her kids to come back home to say their goodbyes. He was going to be put down this friday. At that moment I just felt like crying, but the woman was obviously suffering from great grief herself so I held it in.
It felt oh so bittersweet taking this dog from along side the road, only for it to be put down in days. I'm glad he wasn't hit by a car, but I can't close the event as him being 'okay'.
I just pray to the gods to make his passing swift and easy. |
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Read 4 - Post |
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| Sleeping Duncan Knot |
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| 09:30pm 29/06/2008 |
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Siobhan from DA made a little image, dedicated to Duncan. She's carving her first Tagua nut, and requested from reference images of curled up sleeping ferrets. I provided her with a sheet of sleeping Duncan pictures, and she was all inspired by his 'Celtic Knot' pose in the middle.
So much so, that she made a 'Sleeping Duncan' knot. How awesome is that? :D
Sleeping Duncan by ~Siobhan68 |
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Read 2 - Post |
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| Ghaedhilg Uladh? |
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| 05:07pm 28/06/2008 |
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Recent information packages from the Language Center at Queens University (AKA Hogwarths), has led me to Ulster Gaelic studies as well. In September I hope to be continuing language studies, but now I'm torn between Ulster Gaelic and Irish Gaelic both modern and ancient. The Ulster one is sounds so very nice, but behaves more like Scottish Gaelic.
I have until September, so it gives me plenty of time to investigate further. I do believe that taking on both will only damage the other as I'll start confusing things I'm sure.
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For the past couple of days I've been struggling with my website; http://www.graywolf-crafts.com
Don't get me wrong, it's by far the best web-design I've ever had, and I still get jitters looking at it.. but it's proving to be too much of a pain in the ass to upload and takes up too much time.
The website is under-going a re-haul. To make things simpler to navigate and update for me, and for the visitor to make it easier to purchase things and see what's available (hey.. trying to make a living here).
With a re-coding I figured it would be nice to present the public with a whole new website as well, but design after design hasn't given me that spark back. It seems that everything created in the lines of design work just doesn't cut it.
I'm at loss. I've drawn 4 different designs so far, spends days on knotworking banners and page headers and NOTHING is of my liking once integrated in the website.
Is there anyone out there with some nice pointers? Creative ideas? Input? Help? |
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Read 7 - Post |
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| The following prints; |
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| 09:54am 25/06/2008 |
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After some debate and consideration, the following prints have been updated to my DA print shop;
Portrait of Lugh
Beidh mé leat - I'll be with you
Tara's Dancers
Bedd Gelert
The Lovers
Ferret Triskel
Black Boar |
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Read 19 - Post |
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| Last night.. |
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| 04:01pm 24/06/2008 |
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"You're a real cunt. You were born a cunt, you'll stay a cunt, and you'll die a cunt. If there was a championships for "who's the biggest cunt" you'd come in second. Why? Cause yer a cunt!"
Guess who I went to see last night? If Billy Connolly crossed yer mind right there, you were right!
Last night we went to the "To old to die young" show of Billy Connolly. Sweet gods it was great! He is so blunt.. I love it!
I loved his little blurb before getting started as well. On how he was thinking back 30 years or so, when he did a show for the Queens College here in Belfast, and how different the times were back then.
A night or so after the show, he was telling how he was walking past a car park, and how someone from that park stood up and shouted 'Oi! Billy?!' at him. the man, dressed in a black jacket and a black wool hat, came over, and told him he liked his show and all. He called his mate, whom was dressed in the same way and had a little chat. Not long after the guy said "So Billy, have ye ever seen a armed robbery before?", upon which Billy legged it of course. He had me in stitches on how he said the guy sounded in his mind; "Oi Billy, I enjoyed your show last night! Would ya like to see mine?"
Thorough enjoyment was also provided on saying how some area of Belfast and Glasgow are so alike. As well as stories about airport check-ins and limousines.
It was a grand night indeed!
FERRET NEWS:
Well, it's official now. The little guy has settled for a name. Oscar! |
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Read 5 - Post |
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| Heathen City, the card deck |
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| 10:33am 23/06/2008 |
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I've been busy working on some art for the card deck of 'Heathen City', a anthro-morphic epic, delving into the depths of sin and corruption.
The card below is the ace of clubs, featuring Q.I. Malloy. A bad dog if there ever was one. Already a fan of HeathenCity? Then why not go and pre-order the graphic novel on the website, or even order the card game; http://furplanet.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=325
From the website;
"Heathen City is a bold new serial graphic novel by Alex Vance, illustrated by Ayato, Distasty, Krahnos, Charha and Fel.
Lushly detailed, full-color digital/traditional artwork and an ambitious, urban, modern story, Heathen City raises the bar for anthropomorphic fiction.
The contents of this website are intended for adult audiences. By proceeding, you confirm that you are of legal age in your place of residence.
Volume One is now available for pre-order,
with a $5 discount!"
So go and order your copy today!
Heathen City - Malloy by *Illahie
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Read 11 - Post |
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| Confidence abounds! |
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| 10:32am 20/06/2008 |
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Well, the first full day in his new house, our new arrival seemed to have gotten back all it's confidence. Making horribly clumsy attempts at dancing, my day has been spend clutching my stomach whilst it's cramping of laughter. He's adorable. He's turning out to be a real fighter, and has wilder traits to it then Duncan ever had. I'm thinking it's because of the environment he was born in.
The raw rabbit&chicken mash has been going down a treat. We nearing went through an entire freezer block in span of just one day. His muscles are developing in leaps and bounds, literally.
As for names, we've settled on a top three; Flux, Kade and Oscar. In due time his name will pick itself, but we're all ears for your favorite of the bunch!
As for now, the baby is asleep, and after giving it a final tickle behind the ears I'll go and do my household duties. And once that is done it's back to commissions
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Read 22 - Post |
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| The pitter patter of wee feetsies |
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| 11:32am 19/06/2008 |
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Thank you all for the support and well wishes on the previous post. I greatly appreciate it, and I have to say that my mind has been a lot calmer since. Thank you all
As of last night, our little family has been extended; with a little 'dook' of our own. Duncan is in the best place he can be with his illness, and my parents have taken really good care of him. I have no doubt that they'll keep doing so. Plus if anything does goes wrong, or he relapses again, they're closer to one of the best ferret vets than I am.
Gareth made the choice for me a few odd weeks back, so my mind could slowly accommodate to this new arrival. And last night was the night. We went to a ferreting hunter, and got to pick a 8 week old pup from a litter. There were so many gorgeous ones, and we could have spend hours there making a choice. Who could resist such faces? Eventually our choice fell on the first pup I held;
Adorable!
He's been fed on freshly caught meats such as rabbits and crows. It was odd seeing all these dead crows lying about the nest, and these wee fluffy piranha's eating away at them. We bought some raw game meats that were mashed to a pulp (rabbit and little bit of chicken), and it is happily munching away at it. We also got some dry food, and although the little fella does lick his lips when he smells it he is still very unsure as to what to do with it. I soak a little bit of the kibble in water and we'll see how he takes it.
We're still looking for a name. So far his personality has been boisterous and confident, with a bit of a nippy side to him. Confident, but a bit skittish at times. I'm sure a name will come to him eventually, but suggestions are welcomed!
He's got the cutest markings as well;
White toes and two white dots on the knee points. He's also got a white neck and a darker stripe that runs from his mask, along side the white neck, to his shoulders.
Also, a couple of pictures of two of the 5 taxidermy projects. A wee weasel with a white 'dot' as a fur pattern on her head, and a European buzzard, posed on a giant piece of teak. Click on the picture to go to the images;
( click for pictures ) |
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Read 54 - Post |
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| And so came,... |
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| 08:41am 17/06/2008 |
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... the verdict. The event that happened on the 7th of August 2003 that changed my life and the lives of many others around me as well has finally been viewed by a judge, and the guy in question has been punished.
( More behind the cut )
The rest of the day has been fairly calm. I didn't want to read the news during the day, since it still brings the whole day down on me. And that would have been a shame on so many parts. In the evening I checked my email and received the news. Later on I called Gareth to tell him, but he already knew and had a good giggle out of what a good friend did. (Thank you thaily ;) )
Today is the last day here in the Netherlands again. It's been a good time fixing up the remaining taxidermy work. I was able to finish 5 big projects in 6 days, and although I still need to do touch-up painting it's all going to be fine.
And tonight, I get to sleep in my own bed again... with snorezilla at my side ^.^ |
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Read 27 - Post |
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| WAC-6 |
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| 09:29pm 14/06/2008 |
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The sixth world archaeological congress is on from the 29th of June to the 4th of July in Dublin this year. A programme filled with joyous lectures and debate, imagery and theories. All packed into this well organized and fun/filled programme.
There are SO many things on this list this year in regards to artwork, artifacts, language, culture, politics, motivation and religious theories, simply too much to mention. So many in fact, that it would be a horrible task to choose the ones to follow.
Of course, this choice has yet again been made easy for me by the whopping €470 price tag of this event. And a day fee of €150 isn´t helping either.
Shite |
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Read 7 - Post |
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annoyed