poppy

The death toll has been changed to 38 confirmed but is likely to climb today as many more people are still trapped. Hundreds have been injured and many people are homeless. Although this earthquake wasn't as big as the September one, it was only 5 km deep and very close to the city centre and the damage is way worse. The infrastructure is badly damaged in parts of the city so no water, power, sewers etc All our friends and family there are safe, thank goodness, but my heart goes out to everyone there.

Thorn

I'm not a gooey romantic type of person (I generally dislike chic flicks and chic lit) but this is my sort of love poem. Wild Daisies by Bub Bridger If you love me Bring me flowers Wild daisies Clutched in your fist Like a torch No orchids or roses Or carnations No florist's bow Just daisies Steal them Risk you life for them Up the sharp hills In the teeth of the wind If you love me Bring me daisies That I will cram In a bright vase And marvel at

Most people have probably seen the Double Rainbow on YouTube. Vodafone have jumped on the bandwagon and brought the guy to NZ to film this ad

This made me think of someone sitting there with their tongue poking out the side of their mouth as they concentrated .....something which I wouldn't be surprised if I got caught doing myself I'm sure I've laughed, guffawed,smiled, grinned, frowned while reading in public, but I don't think I've ever cried.

Thank you Echo. I hope your spring comes soon, sounds like it's been a hard winter over there

lol we could see the writing on the wall way before you two did

I love yours Weave The quote goes so beautifully with the little girl safely entwined by the sleeping dragon. Lovely colours too. I just stumbled across a list of Haruki Murakami quotes. I haven't read any of his books but these show what an amazing writer he must be. I immediately thought of you when I saw them. http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3354.Haruki_Murakami

I love Neil Gaiman but haven't read either of those. Have you tried Stardust? It is one of the most delightful fantasy stories I've ever read. No I don't think I'd get that font either but for all that it's very striking and effective. If you saw someone with that on their shoulder, you'd just have to go up close and read it The elvish writing on yours is beautiful, I love it.

Nice Janet. You're obviously a music lover

I wouldn't get this myself but thought it was a wonderful quote. Neil Gaiman mentioned it in a blog ....it is a quote from his Fables and Reflections

What are you thinking of getting Janet? EXACTLY what I was thinking Chrissy .....I'm getting real tempted now

Thanks Nero, those are great! Thought I was going to lose an ear in the haircut one

I REALLY like that lexiepiper

That's beautiful Chrissy, but so very sad, especially with the accompanying video. Here's one for you and anyone else who enjoys classical music

The book's delightful, I've got to see the film!!

This was reported quite extensively here (I'm in New Zealand). Here is a copy of the TV report . I've edited it heavily as there was a lot of discusssion about currency issues. This is the full report http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/obama-presses-china-s-hu-currency-rights-4003482 President Barack Obama pressed Chinese President Hu Jintao to let the value of China's currency rise and delivered a stern message on US concerns over Beijing's human rights record. Both leaders spoke glowingly about co-operation but made no major breakthroughs on a range of disputes over trade and security that have strained relations over the past year. Hu was greeted with a 21-gun salute and an honour guard, but frictions showed through beneath the pomp of the state visit. At a sometimes awkward White House news conference marred by translation difficulties, Obama said he was "very candid" with Hu about respecting human rights, and reiterated that Beijing was not moving fast enough to strengthen the yuan. Hu was quiet on the currency and initially did not respond to a reporter's questions on human rights, but later said he had not heard properly because a problem with the translation. He later conceded China had much to do on the rights question. Obama took a more assertive stance on human rights than he did during his 2009 visit to Beijing, when critics at home said he was too deferential to his hosts. Still, he was measured in his words to avoid antagonizing China's communist leadership."I repeated to President Hu we have some core views as Americans about the universality of certain rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, that we think are very important and that transcend cultures," he said. "I have been very candid with President Hu about these issues," he added. Hu responded that China as a developing country would continue to improve the lives of its people. "China still faces many challenges in economic and social development, and a lot still needs to be done in China in terms of human rights," he said, although he gave no specifics. Obama urged Chinese dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader widely admired internationally but regarded by Beijing as part of an illegitimate separatist cause. Mary Beth Markey, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, said Obama said "exactly what we wanted him to say on Tibet," adding that the two must have had a blunt private discussion if Obama was willing to comment on it publicly. Hu can expect even more pressure on human rights and the currency when he visits US lawmakers on Thursday.

This is probably the email Inanna was thinking of When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion: Routine... (1) The woman buys the food. (2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert. (3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand. Here comes the important part: (4) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL. More routine.... (5) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery. (6) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is burning. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he deals with the situation. Important again: (7) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN. More routine.... (8) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table. (9) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes. And most important of all: (10) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts.

nursenblack's just caught my eye. As much as Cathy and Heathcliff are incredibly selfish, you have to be moved by their passion. "If you ever looked at me once with what I know is in you, I would be your slave." ~Emily Brontë (Wuthering Heights)

This is the third Salley Vicker's book I've read in a row because I love her writing so much. The story starts deceptively simply then develops all sorts of layers and parallels. Your review is very good Tui I loved the angel Rapheal too and did a bit of research into the Book of Tobit (which I'd never heard of before) and the Apocrypha. Julia Garnet, at the beginning is an atheist and strict communist but Venice weaves it's particular magic over her and she becomes fascinated by the paintings and religious stories that it is steeped in.

I love this Another one of Emily Dickinson's I read recently that really appealed to me Much madness is divinest sense To a discerning eye; Much sense the starkest madness. ’T is the majority In this, as all, prevails. Assent, and you are sane; Demur,—you ’re straightway dangerous, And handled with a chain.

I like that very much xNatx. Just looked up Charlotte von Stein and she seems to have had a great friendship and influence with Goethe.

Fade to Black ~ Metallica

The Blind Side, a real feel-good movie and The Lovely Bones which I thought was excellent.

Pontalba's beautiful "The Kiss' by Klimt