Movie: Knight and Day

I just saw the trailer for the Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz movie Knight and Day that is coming out next year. Wow! Looks like a funny movie! And starring two of my favorite stars!

You can catch the trailer on the movie's web site: Knight and Day

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

Chinese Dragon Tattoo Meaning

Koi Fish Tattoos - Meanings
By Chris P Marks

The image of the koi fish is often used in tattoo designs not just because of its obvious elegance and vibrant colors, but more because of the symbolism surrounding it.



"Koi" is simply "carp" in Japanese, but the expensive fish that we are all familiar with are carp that have been especially bred since ancient times in China. This special breeding has produced the multi-colored varieties of koi fish that people now collect.

Koi are vigorous fish that can swim upstream. An old Chinese legend tells of koi brave enough to swim up the waterfalls of the Yellow River, and that any fish that could reach the point in the river called "Dragon Gate" would turn into a dragon.



While the fish originated from China, it is the Japanese who have made it a household name. The koi is a celebrated symbol in Japan-mostly associated with exceptional courage. It is said that this fish, if caught and placed on a cutting board, can lie still and wait for the knife to drop-without a quiver. That it can remain stoic in the face of imminent death is a quality likened to the samurai warrior's unflinching courage to face the sword.



Generally, koi fish tattoos' meanings include strength of character and the temerity to face adversity and seemingly impossible odds. With regard to the Chinese "Dragon Gate" legend, koi fish are also seen as symbols of high aspiration and accomplishment. Koi are also referred to as "living jewels," and so are likewise associated with luck and good fortune. The image of five golden koi are said to mean "eternal wealth" and well being.

Still another interpretation of the koi's ability to swim upstream is "non-conformity." It is an advisable tattoo motif for people who put great importance to being an independent thinker.



Koi fish tattoos' meanings can vary for different people. Others also believe that the meaning of the koi tattoo design differ depending on the placement, colors and position of the fish, as well as other aspects of the design. Of course, the ultimate meaning of any tattoo would always be unique and personal for the person who has it.



Because koi are beautifully patched fish, it is best to have a koi tattoo design that has any of its natural combinations of the colors gold, white, yellow, red, and black.

Chinese Dragon Tattoo Images

Text As Images in Tattoo Design
By William Connor
Recently I was approached by someone asking for assistance in designing a pair of tattoos; one of them and one for their partner. They were concerned about using text rather than images. Initially they wanted to simply get a tattoo of each other's names, but through the course of discussion, they began to think about accompanying images that were meaningful to them in various ways. Effectively, they became confused and overwhelmed making their decision. The idea of text compared to images needed to be explained and explored.



Text is imagery. Font, point size, kerning, and script all come into play when considering text for a tattoo. The main difference, and even then only in part, is the semantic association with the chosen text. Initially, the couple mentioned above had disassociated the imagery of the text itself with the semantic meaning. Once the elements of the text as art became clear, they needed advice. What style should they get? How large should the text be? How far apart should the letters be spaced? Should the words the wanted tattooed be in their first language or in another?



Using one's first language for text tattoos has immediate meaning and most likely meaning for those most often admiring their artwork. Using another language could make the meaning of the text or characters more personal, almost secretive, in the same way that some religious text is "hidden" from public knowledge. Some Buddhist texts, for instance, are written in scripts only taught to monks such that mostly only those who study the text can gather the semantic meaning behind the text. Choosing to use the Chinese character for love would only mean love to those who can read the character unless explained, otherwise it would be a beautiful array of stokes and lines rather than an idea. Pierician semiotics discusses this very concept and that is beyond the scope of this article. What should be addressed is the level of exposure of the meaning behind the text tattooed: will most admirers understand the artwork or is something more private preferred?



Placing the text also comes into play. The length and shape of the artwork may be determined by the kerning of the characters and the style of font used. This will interact dialectically with the canvas provided by the receiver's body. What space on the skin that is available and desirable will in part determine the size and shape of the text.



Text need not be isolated, either. Surrounding or integrating text and characters with non-semantic artwork can provide a combination of meanings and increase the shapes and styles to be thematically presented through tattooing. Related non-semantic artwork to semantic text is a perfectly acceptable parallel presentation, as is creating a collage of meaningful images and words to form a more complicated and in depth personalized tattoo.



Semiotic discussions may well be too complicated of a concept when thinking about creating a personalized tattoo, but it is important to remember the concept that text is artwork in and of itself when choosing to incorporate semantic meaning into tattoo design. Enlisting the assistance of an online tattoo design service can be very helpful to ensure the beauty and clarity of a text oriented design. Read some reviews of services and select the service that is best for you. Some services are even text specific, such as Chinese language tattoo design sites, and these services will always have experienced artists available to help you make informed decisions when creating your custom text oriented tattoo designs.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone on Sunday unveiled the Kingfisher 2010 Calender.

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone on Sunday unveiled the Kingfisher 2010 Calender. Over the last seven years the Kingfisher Calendar has become synonymous with the hottest models, exotic locations, stunning photographs and has been the most sought out swimsuit calendar in the country. The eight edition of the swimsuit has been photographed by Atul Kasbekar

Deepika Padukone said "In the beginning of my career, I was a part of the calendar and it's becoming better every year. Girls in this calendar have done a fantastic job. Deepika who figured in the 2006 edition of the calendar added It's of international standards and it's one of the best calendars in the world.” Chairman of the UB Group Vijay Mallya was also present on the occasion.From:entertainment.oneindia.in

black&white

It’s raw and refined, emotional and apathetic, simple yet elegant.

Stories from the Golden Age in the Hollywood Christmas Parade

Check out the great stories at Stories from the Golden Age by L. Ron Hubbard

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists. — Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard

CrimsonEnvyEye

Hairstyle gallery at flickr.com/vitez_koja