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Friday, July 31, 2009

Neutral Retreat

There is something soothing about clean, neutral spaces, like the ones below, and, while I am not sure I could live with such an absence of color on a daily basis, these rooms seem like perfect places for some rest and recuperation.

Anna G. Tufvesson via Desire to Inspire

House Beautiful

Phoebe Howard

The white clapboard walls, in the rooms above, convey a sense of a slower-paced life, a feeling that practically begs you to breathe easier. The bedroom below feels more urban than the other spaces, but it still has the same relaxing appearance.

Paul Whicheloe Photography

What do you think of these very neutral rooms? Could you live in one all the time or would you prefer such a space only for a temporary escape?

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Inspiration Board {Seersucker Summer}

Nothing says summer quite like seersucker; along with linen, it is a quintessential fabric of the season, worn to help battle the heat and humidity of the warmest days. For a summer wedding, a color palette of blue, white, and yellow paired with seersucker elements is perfectly suited for staying cool in the hot, hot sun.

Row 1: L to R- Michael Norwood Photography, Carrie Patterson, Martha Stewart Weddings. Row 2: Whittaker Photography via Style Me Pretty, Anna Kuperberg, Adeline & Grace Photography via Style Me Pretty. Row 3: Custom Event Group via Style Me Pretty, Martha Stewart Weddings, Katie & Steven- Kate Murphy Photography via Once Wed. Row 4: Whitebox Weddings, A Charleston Bride via Style Me Pretty, Emma Mitchell.

IVSA conference, Carlisle

'The production of micro-time'.

Returned recently from the International Visual Sociology Association conference at the University of Cumbria, Carlisle. I was on a panel focusing on military landscapes led by Rachel Woodward and Neil Jenkins from Newcastle University. Other panelist included Ed Walley (Leeds Metropolitan University) and Gair Dunlop (University of Dundee). Both gave fine papers: Ed focused on the visibility/invisibility of the military presence in Yorkshire with an emphasis on the Cold War, while Gair's paper, Regimes of Time and the Militarised 20th Century, explored what he called the 'production of micro-time' (issues relating to nuclear detonation) through to the 'extended' time of obsolescence and entropy. Gair also produced this astounding image from Operation Tumbler-Snapper. I nearly fell off my chair. It still gives me the shivers today. I subsequently learned that the image, of a 'rope trick fireball' was taken one millisecond after detonation.




Monday, July 27, 2009

Leadership: A USNA grad asks: Where's the leadership?

Found here.

This is not mine, but I think certain aspects are relevant to RMC.

I am a Naval Academy graduate and Marine Infantry officer with two Iraq deployments and four years' time in service. . . .

With regard to the quality of the education, I found the Naval Academy quite demanding academically, and I have heard anecdotally from exchange cadets that it is quite a bit different in that regard from West Point. Most of the military officers with master's degrees teach the introductory level and professional courses while the civilian and military PhD's teach the higher level stuff. Grade inflation does not exist. Anything over a 3.0 requires a major amount of work and many bright people struggle just to pass. I found the higher level history courses I took to be outstanding, although I admittedly didn't take civilian courses I could compare them with. I never experienced any of the problems posters cited at West Point involving instructors not knowing material.

The problems I had were with the leadership training or lack thereof. The actual formal leadership training I got was not helpful at all, ranging from completely irrelevant academic "leadership" classes that seemed pulled from corporate boardrooms to ballroom dancing lessons (yes, those really happened). Midshipmen are given less actual responsibility and freedom than a private right out of boot camp and are forced to comply with a byzantine and illogical set of rules, known as midregs. Midregs often violate the spirit and sometimes even the letter of the UCMJ and also occasionally contradict each other, generating a destructive contempt for "stupid rules" among midshipmen that did not serve me well in the Marine Corps.

The end result of this "training" is graduates who have little experience in actually leading people when their actions have consequences and a misperception about the importance (and effectiveness) of working within the system and its rules. The system of student government that exists is ineffective at teaching leadership skills because the elaborate midshipman rank structure provides no actual power or responsibility.... As a result, Naval Academy graduates don't know what it's like to make decisions that will cost the government money, make a real difference in the status quo or determine whether people live or die anymore than ROTC graduates do. In reality, Academy graduates probably have less experience because they're so much more sheltered. The real problem is that there is absolutely no effort made to evaluate whether what the Naval Academy does makes better officers. It is simply assumed that because the Naval Academy does it, it must work. The reasons given for some of the training we had were literally laugh out loud ridiculous, but no one has ever checked with graduates, after some years in the fleet, to get feedback on what training methods helped us and what did not. . . .

I believe the fundamental problem lies with the leadership of the service academies and how they are held accountable. The mission of the Naval Academy is supposed to be to develop midshipmen morally mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty et cetera, but in reality, the overriding goal of the Academy's leadership is to avoid getting in trouble. I should qualify this by saying that my observations are four years old, but I really doubt much has changed. When I was there, it was absolutely clear that the thing that mattered most to the Superintendent, more than Beating Army and certainly more than preparing midshipman for war, was staying off the front page of the Washington Post. Every time he talked to us, it was invariably 60-70% sexual harassment and/or alcohol, 20-30% Beating Army and whatever was left over for anything really relevant. The way that the Naval Academy handles midshipman is designed primarily to reduce to an absolute minimum the chance that they will do something to embarrass the academy, not to give them experience that will be useful as combat leaders. . . . During my first deployment, we spent a good three months fuming because we couldn't figure out how to get to island caches in the Euphrates. Pretty pathetic for the Marine Corps, yes. Eventually, we either waded or borrowed/rented Iraqi fishing boats and made our way over. These operations were conducted in complete ignorance of any small boat doctrine and could easily have resulted in disaster. The importance of controlling aircraft effectively is obvious to any infantry officer or pilot that has been in Iraq or Afghanistan. The Naval Academy has ample time and resources to accomplish these tasks. They could be taught quite easily by eliminating the bullshit filler/time wasting stuff that took up a good 20 hours of my week when I was there. Eliminating noon meal formation and inspections alone would save a good 4 hours a week spent standing outside having the shine of your shoes inspected (not a skill that helped me as a platoon commander).

One thing I don't understand is why West Point isn't better at this. It has a much narrower skill set to train to and it seems to me it could easily make all its graduates into very proficient infantrymen, a skill set applicable to every career path in the Army (witness the 507th Maintenance Company) by graduation. Apparently, however, this is not the case.

If West Point is anything like the Naval Academy, and I suspect in this case it is, the reason academy training isn't superior is due to the military's system of ruthlessly stamping out any incentive for risk-taking. We are taught over and over that, in a tactical situation, any decision is better than no decision and "he who will not risk, cannot win". When it comes to training, equipment acquisition or doing pretty much anything that isn't a tactical decision, however, senior officers can be relied on to chose the course of action least likely to result in a substandard fitrep with the precision of a metronome. It seems more than a little ironic that we are taught to take calculated risks with Marine's lives, but to avoid at all costs risks to our promotion chances. This mentality does affect tactical things, for examples, the Marine Corps' insistence that Marines in Iraq wear their full flak, including neck, throat, eye, hand, groin protection and front rear and side SAPI plates. . . .

Back to the service academies. I don't really think there is much chance of them actually going away. While I agree that, at this particular moment in time, there is little difference between ROTC and academy graduates, this may not always be the case. . . . The service academies give the military a guaranteed source of qualified officers. For example, since the war started, the number of officers the Marine Corps has been able to recruit from PLC and ROTC has steadily dropped while the number of 2nd Lieutenants commissioned from the Naval Academy has almost doubled, from roughly 160 a year to about 270. The number of ROTC officers followed public opinion, declining as the war got less popular.

.... Do our service academies need to be improved? Yes, they do. Would we lose much more than just a source of officers by closing them? Absolutely. I feel strongly that making the purely financial decision to close the service academies, based on the assumption that civilian colleges will continue to indefinitely provide the number and quality of ROTC graduates they do now, would be a mistake. Nevertheless I am glad you brought the topic up. I hope the discussion it generates will force the service academies to seriously defend why it is they exist and improve their training to justify themselves. There is no doubt they have been sitting in a big, fat comfort zone for at least the l`st several decades, telling themselves over and over how great they are and they could stand to be held accountable for how well they accomplish their stated mission.

Nathan Cox
1st Lieutenant, USMC

Friday, July 24, 2009

Summer Stillness

Life surely hasn't slowed down simply because the season changed and the temperatures rose, which leads me to wonder-- whatever happened to the lazy days of summer?

Living Etc.

Monica Bach via Desire to Inspire

While the breakneck pace of life will continue this weekend, I am hoping to find moments of stillness and calm in the midst of the go-go-go. I hope your weekend holds those same quiet moments too.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Moments {Try A Little Tenderness}

It has been a while since the last post in the Moments series, so I thought it due time to follow up with a new set of images.

Of all the things I love about weddings, one thing I adore is the tenderness that radiates between a bride and groom, and I swoon for the sweet and gentle moments each of these photos hold.


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Summer Getaway {Camping Les Ormes}

I've mentioned before that I like tents, and I've also shared how much I enjoy stealing away for a day in a fabric "fort," so, as you might imagine, when I spotted this image on Cote Maison I was completely smitten.

After visiting the property's website, Camping Les Ormes, located in the French countryside, immediately joined the list of luxury camping (or perhaps I should say glamping,) locales I've bookmarked over the past couple years.

Situated on 25 acres, Camping Les Ormes is open from late-April until mid-September. It offers 100 campsites, as well as a number of luxury "desert tents." The grounds, including open fields, forest, an animal farm, and a lake with a white sandy beach, allow for activities such as biking, hiking, and fishing.


For those who prefer more of the luxury side of the experience, a pool, tennis courts, a restaurant and bar, a small boutique, and on site masseuses are sure to please. While my family's luck with camping has never been the best, surely this is "camping" even my mom could get behind!


During high season, a breakfast of fresh bread and croissants is delivered directly to your tent, and during the rest of the season, you can enjoy the breakfast buffet served on the restaurant's terrace five days a week.


The food at Camping Les Ormes is not quite standard camping fare; consider this sample menu for a typical summer day--

*Bread with homemade hummus
*Gazpacho of watermelon and pineapple
*Duck breast with honey thyme sauce accompanied with a puff pastry tart with fresh tomatoes, goat cheese, and basil and a Roquette salad with fresh summer fruit, parmesan and pine-tree grains.
*Swiss nut cake with orange and maple syrup.

While I'd pass on the duck, to everything else I'd say, "Yes, please!!"


Beyond the activities available at on the grounds, nearby villages offer the opportunity for shopping local markets, antiquing, wine tasting, visiting historic chateaus, and playing a round of golf.


Gorgeous views. Activities aplenty. Gourmet food. Close proximity to historic villages. Sounds like a pretty perfect summer getaway to me. There is only one thing I am left wondering about Camping Les Ormes-- how soon can we go?

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Tagel is Ubud's Tattoo Artist

Tagel Tattoo ArtistArt talent can be obtained from the descendants of the family or self-taught. However, if already basically have art talent, make a creation will feel easy. To move the field of art direction is also not too difficult. As Tagel that at this time a tattoo artist.

Can you describe how to be tattoo artist?
Previously I was originally a traditional painter in Ubud. Then after I graduated from junior high school study and had a tattoo studio in the house. After that I moved to Kuta.

What makes you interested in the tattoo world?
Because the money hahaha .. if painting after we have made and sell them around will not necessarily behavior, but I sure with tattoo, I will get the money

Who the first person to tattoo you?
Yaa .. I own because I'm still learning, so the people can not to make tattoo by me. But now already a lot of people request to me for make tattoo for them.

From the many types of tattoo style, you tend to be in what category?
hmm .. more to Black and Gray, but not possibility to make another style of tattoo.

The body where you'd like to tattoo on?
Back and arms. Because a lot of empty land and knowledgeable there.

What trouble you for a tattoo artist?
ya .. nothing. But perhaps if clients much time in the rocking tattoo, so it difficult. And when we make an appointment with customer and the customer late then make me boring.

Where you get a tattoo equipment at this time?
For the needle and ink I order from my friend in Bandung.

If you are back again to paint you want to do?
I'm not, more comfortable in the art of tattoo..

Ok .. hope for the art of tattoo?
I hope the tattoo art good and advanced. And more tattoo contest was held.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Down the Road

I've had a bit of weakness for pickup trucks-- specifically older, slightly worn ones-- since my early teen years. My major crush in high school drove a little red one, and looking back, I am certain his vehicle played a bit into my infatuation with him! While my love interests moved on, my adoration of vintage pickups never waned.


Something about warm, summer evenings makes me want to set off in an old truck with E by my side, venturing down a dusty, dirt road to a place that feels unexplored. With blankets thrown in the bed of the pickup, I'd stretch out and watch as each star showed up for its nightly appearance.

Paul Whicheloe Photography

There's a dusty, dirt road near our house in central Texas; we first ventured along it's path in E's Jeep Wrangler with the top down on a sunny afternoon soon after we began dating. That day, it held the thrill of feeling undiscovered and unexplored, but it soon became familiar as we returned time and again. It is the spot where E proposed and one that holds an important place in our memories.

We're heading that way tonight, and part of me can't help but wish we'd be passing by in a rusty, old truck. Blankets in the back. Watching stars appear in the night sky.

Navy's in charge, now

So, after the official change of command parade, Commodore Truelove is now the RMC Commandant.

As MGen Gosselin said, it's a bittersweet moment. BGen Lawson was a great commandant and a great leader, but I'm sure Cmdre Truelove will be just as great, only different. After all, we're going from a fighter pilot, which is pretty cool, to a MARS officer, which is awesome. I look forward to having him as Commandant.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Simple Summer Dressing

I love dresses year-round, as you may have gathered before. In a couple months, I'll be excitedly waiting for temperatures to cool so I can throw on boots and tights with them, but, in summer, I absolutely love the ease of throwing on a dress with a pair of sandals and being ready to go.

Since it had been a while since I'd last visited Butter by Nadia, I decided to pop over to their website and have a look, and, when I did, I felt like saying, "I'll take one of each!!" I fell head over heels for their entire Spring/Summer 09 collection.

One dress...

Miss Saturn

Multiple ways...



What could be easier?

Some more of the limited edition dresses from the Spring/Summer 09 collection that I would love to have in my wardrobe.


While I've been a fan of the idea behind this style of dress since I first saw them, never before have I been struck by the urge to own so many and for everyday wear. Because each dress offers so much variety, I could easily see myself living in one or more of these numbers.

I'm certain they would become my go-to summer uniform, not to mention that they would certainly help me become more efficient at packing for trips as one or two dresses= multiple outfits! Absolutely perfect for the over-packer in me!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Story

So.

I disappeared for a while.

Unfortunately, I am not writing this from beautiful British Columbia or from the quarterdeck of a ship.

I am still at RMC.

I had a steering gear breakdown on the way to graduation and, though I did my best, I was so far off-track by the time I could maneuver that I crossed the reduced clearing bearing. I am thus showing three red lights and sounding three separate and distinct strokes on the bell immediately before and after the rapid ringing of the bell. (In non-MARS terms: I screwed up.)

I am trying to convince the chain of command that although I messed up, I am still worth keeping around for another semester to finish my degree, and then go on with MARS IV and actually be a junior, qualified, MARS officer. The academic side has, so far, supported me--as the head of the history department said, an extra semester of university really isn't that big a deal--but the military side has, understandably, been less accommodating.

In any case, I am still alive, still not an A/Slt, and still not where I belong, but I'm doing my best to get there somehow, and I'll attempt to go back to writing about naval and leadership issues.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Summer Soup {Farmstand Gazpacho}

A few weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Green Gazpacho, and, as promised, I would also like to share a slightly more traditional take on this cold soup. This version quickly become a summer staple for us last year; with relatively few ingredients, many of which always seem to be on hand, this is a simple and easy meal to make.



Farmstand Gazpacho- 6 to 8 servings (recipe easily doubles)
Slightly adapted from original Parade Magazine recipe

Ingredients
2 cups cucumber- peeled, seeded & diced (into 1/4" cubes)
2 cups bell peppers- red or red & yellow- diced (1/4" cubes)
2 cups ripe tomatoes- diced (1/4" cubes)
1/2 cup red onion- diced
2 cups V8 juice (or tomato juice)
1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2-3 dashes of Tobasco or other hot sauce

Directions
1. Place all vegetables in a large bowl. Add V8 juice, vinegar, oil and Tobasco. Season well with freshly ground salt and pepper. Toss.
2. Transfer portions at a time to food processor and pulse to puree; half can be left chunky if desired.
3. Combine portions. Refrigerate at least 4-6 hours before serving (although, as I mentioned with the Green Gazpacho, a lot of times we can't wait to eat it and do so right away!)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

If the World Had a Front Porch

When I first arrived in Mississippi for college, I was immediately captivated by the grand houses along the sorority and fraternity rows on our campus. Not only was I struck by the beauty of their architecture, but I was charmed by the many with wide and expansive columned porches often dotted with white rocking chairs. Coming from the Midwest nothing could have seemed more quintessentially Southern to me, and I absolutely fell in love.

We have seen porches with curtains and those with screens so far in our look at these staples of summer living. Today, we'll finish with a look at spaces that perfectly characterize a traditional front porch-- those furnished with rocking chairs and swings.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart



Martha Stewart

While technically the following room should have been with the other screened porches, the rocking chairs reminded me so much of those from the houses on my college campus, I had to include them here.

House Beautiful

Friday, July 10, 2009

Kuta Ink Tattoo Studio

Kuta Ink Tattoo StudioEven it's new comer, Kuta Ink giving the best service for the clients. Kuta Ink have a hygiene standards as a tattoo studio.And they also have a sterile box for keep the equipment clean.

Average Kuta Ink get 4 to 6 clients every week. For the price the determine from difficulty level and color. And most their clients come to studio came from foreign tourists.

Kuta Ink studios also sell tattoo ink and needle.For the Ink they sell with price IDR 65,000, while for the needle the price is IDR 6,000. And it is imported from Australia. If you want to make a tattoo design in Kuta Ink tattoo studio, you can choose lot of their design. Or the tattoo artist named Putu Remaja can make special design for you.

click here for original article in Bahasa Indonesia