On Making the Move:


6 – THE LOVERS
An eternal bond (or longstanding, in these godless days). The Lovers get their power and enrichment from each other. And this particular union will prove to be very significant. The flower I picked circa 1976 and pressed in a book when I was a wee little Marquis indeed. It represents a stretched expanse of time.

If courting, this card gives you the go-ahead — hell, it’s shoving you down the gangplank. If currently enjoying the favours of a loved one, this card reminds you that it is from this significant other where you receive your power, happiness and contentment. If you’re having a rocky time with this person, the card is asking you to remember just why you got into this in the first place. It is not necessary to end anything now.

I have also done readings where this card showed up and the Querant had no applicable love-interests. In such cases, the card represents the durability of established people or things. A quick jog down memory lane might do you a world of good. Or just go to a second hand store and buy some old clothes.



On Work:

13 – DEATH
Death is change. That’s all. No, really. Don’t fear the Death card (as Blue Oyster Cult says). It’s necessary to life. “Pavement Ends,” but a new road takes its place. The fuzzy little square on the left is supposed to be a key change. The song goes in another direction.

The only unpleasant thing about Death is that it happens so suddenly. This card prophesies a very drastic change in a very short interval, and you will have little control over it. This may be uncomfortable for you, but perhaps if you’re prepared for this change, you can make an easier transition. And you will have to make a transition.

Déjà Deck Fun Fact: This image comes from facial studies by Davinci. I thought it depicted the countenance one would assume during dramatic and irrevocable change, but what I didn’t notice till later was that the ‘13’ in the corner was already there when I pilfered the image. Looking at the rest of the page this came from, I saw no other numbers, nor on any other of his sketches. Makes ya think, duznit!


On Crafting:

THE VI OF MONEY
Advancement, graduation, “The Next Plateau.” A man climbs the ladders of his chosen path.

Despite the stodgy Perry Ellis-wearin’ humdrum clipart dude in the image, this card is a damn good one to get. It means, mon ami, that you’re goin’ somewhere. That you’re on the up n’ up. Whether that pertains to your career, your love/sex/food life, or your unrequited dreams I leave to you.

The best thing about this card is that it tells you that you can physically map your progress. If you haven’t done so already, it suggests you do so. Where were you a year ago in respect to this climb? Two years ago? And do you think you can guesstimate where you will be next year?

The climb never gets easier, per se, but there is a pattern to it (thus the repeatable, identical plateaux in the image). Diligence and focus are called to your attention here. You will, as always, need them.

• First of all, Salabat. This dark-brown concoction is pleasure enough with its heat in a mug for a pair of chilly hands. The tang of ginger and the sweetness of brown sugar make this a perfect beverage for blustery weather. Ah, but the real secret, however, is in the brew when it goes down your throat and into your belly. Hmm.... perhaps not so much as "go down" as "plummet with burning torches in hand".
  
  Here in the Philippines, we have the pleasure of enjoying salabat two ways. The first is boiling raw ginger in water, then adding brown sugar, sweet potato, or tapioca (or all three!) to taste. The second, which I favor for efficiency, portability, and convenience, takes the form of an insta-brew-mixit in a glass jar. I brought a big jar of the stuff to the office, and in a couple of days -- vroop!-- all gone. It certainly isn't the punch of choice of many an online agent for nothing.
  








• Tweed's growing so quickly. Our kitten is now about two months and counting. He's taken to pouncing on yarn balls, obstructing sewing progress, using Susan (the bodyform) as a perch, and weaving in between my legs affectionately as I climb down the stairs in a hurry. Yeah, he loves us. XD
  
  
  
• Nintendo DS Games. James recently acquired for himself a Nintendo DS Lite, and now pretty much considers it his new baby. Super Robot Wars: Endless Frontier gets him hot-blooded, and when he's on it, he means business. (don't fret that the site's in Japanese. browse around, enjoy the movies, the art, and the voice-acting.) Mid-way, there's Fossil Fighters, which is pretty much like Pokemon with dinosaurs. Real-world Dinosaurs. (I kid you not. Head for the site's Fossil Museum for info, and let Wikipedia shock and awe you.) Fossil Fighters comes highly recommended for kids and kids-at-heart from both of us. And then there's Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends. (that would be mine. ^_^* )



• H'ray! H'ray! The LC-A Race is on! Join me in cheering Clair as she and Team Manila race to capture the best and most brilliant pictures around the city. Head over to her entry, show her some love, and cast your vote! You'll be glad you did. ^_^*



• A brand-spanking new blog template in the works! Woo-hoo! Carlo Canlas is the man, and damn he is. If he can't rock his Super-Robot Pilot tresses, no one can.




Tikbalang, as illustrated by Keith Thompson.



• Keith Thompson Art. If you have a taste for steampunk, machines, sci-fi and horror, this is the man to go to. what I love the most about his art is how he tempers wild, unabashed imagination with research -- both for science and ancient lore, not unlike our beastie above. The result is sheer mad genius, and talent. Oodles of talent.



• Burdastyle's Fatina Puff Sleeve Dress Variation. I love simple yet how lovely the entire piece is. It feels oddly very Filipina to me: the sleeves echo the butterfly sleeves of the terno, and the exposure of the nape of the neck and a little bit below it is very Asian. The Kyla dress is also a winner for me. Its modernity, versatility, and youth make it a great design in my book. And speaking of designs...







• Awesome Cosplay! Raymund shared with me yet another great find. A_Riddle's Flickr photstream is a choc-ful of cosplaying goodness, as well as her photos of her trip to Japan. Above are her pictures of Batman's Villains as ladies in the 1940's (and one lone heroine... can you spot who's who?), and the one below it is A_Riddle as Wonder Woman Amazonia. Absolutely stunning.



• Mr. Hayao Myazaki. Aaaaw.



• and one strip to say it all.