In every Actionscript version, when two movieclips (or objects, shapes, texts...) overlap, the one with the greater depth stands in front of the other. You can think about depth as a Z coordinate.

This tutorial will explain you how to manage AS3 sprites and depths, and what's changed from AS2 to AS3.

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Seduction.

I know, I'm being perverse. I can't help it, or rather, I don't want to. Pleasure reveals itself in strange ways sometimes, and the magnetism of an image like this is in the combination of fear and intrigue that it holds for me. It's a sacred space, to me in some ways more than the more dramatic and public-feeling upstairses of the kinds of churches that tend to house these sorts of crypts. These crypts feel more private, and though they are no family graveyards they can have a touch of the feel of intimate grief. And of course the low ceilings and darkness scare me--those things always do. But the density and ancient weightiness and mystery are also deeply alluring. These aren't consoling spaces, I don't find. But consolation isn't everything, and it's not always available anyways. But this is--whatever you want to call it--this is, this perversely alluring scary-absorbing-arresting kind of mode/space is. Luckily. Because it reminds me that life is fascinating and rich and mysterious, and that it draws me out into it for more.

please don't tell me
how to feel
i love him truly deeply
no momentary thrill

you say you don't
want me to be hurt
i'm hurt already
no need for more words

what's wrong in wanting to share
colours of my heart
depths of my soul
songs in whole not separate parts?

can you paint with me
sounds that i hear
tremble at the touch
of their myriad hues & textures?

can you laugh with me
in tongues i embrace
each thrilling nuance
to savour the taste?

were i to give it all up
so with you to be
can you promise
you'd never hurt me?

don't say i wallow
in crazy tragic misery
just cos you can't understand
sorrows & joys i carry

i love who i am
all of what i can be
can't love just any man
my spirit & soul have to agree

arms outstretched
heart on my sleeve
please don't tell me
not to hope or believe

but i m no longer
girl i used to be
heart too broken
eyes too tired to see
further than today
no more tomorrow
misty yesterdays
melted into sorrow

i love him now
heart old & worn
too tired to hope
wry comic forlorn
'silly goose' he once called me
how apt how true
this little clown has seen
pain she never knew

i know he doesn't care
i don't ask for recompense
my love is given freely
all i have all i am
who knows when the winds
will take me far away
but now let me love him
for just one more day

----

it is kind of you to offer to whisk me away, i am touched but i cannot go with you becos my heart will not follow me if i do... and all you will have is an empty broken shell... forget about me dear, let me just be a hazy distant memory

These verses are great. Encouraging but also checking. Sometimes I think I am good but then think of maybe I haven’t been 100% right or straight with God. Because either here on earth or in heaven I want to be well pleasing to you. No matter were I am I want to serve you. Because regardless I am gonna stand before you on judgement day and you will judge everything that I see and every dark deep secret in my heart. So Lord please forgive me for the wrongs I have done here on earth lying, stealing, lust, hate, Idols. Anything! and check my heart and reveal anything else that maybe a sin in your eyes. Because I truly believe it will be the people in the church that are gonna be more shocked on judgement day then the world. Sometimes I think we all think we are good but don’t check the depths of us. Oh My Lord, My Lord I am asking you reveal any to me I need to get right with you. I love you Jesus

1 Timothy 6:2-4 (New International Version)

Love of Money

                                                                                                                                                                                       Story of the day:  Our Self Portrait

    Pictures can say a thousand words.  I especially love self portraits of people, because they fascinate me the most.  Their eyes in each of the pictures speak volumes as their stories come to life through these still images.  They tend to be a reflection of our Heavenly Father and if you look deep into the eyes of these pictures, it's as though you can see through their eyes and into the depths of their souls.  I guess that's why I love them so much.  And after the picture has been taken, there is no fixing it to change a pose or change their outfits.  We can take more pictures, but you can never recapture the same moment in time once a picture has been taken.  There is one picture, if I could go back and take, would say a thousand words.  It is a picture of perfection, simplicity, and built on a lot of love.  It is the picture of the Garden of Eden.             

    Nanette Kinkade illustrates this picture by saying,"God knew He needed more.  Adam was king over the ocean, the sky, the trees, the animals-nothing existed that he didn't have, except her.  Eve, conceived through Adam's own life, became the necessary angle of a spiritual triangle that helped mankind best see God.  With God above and the two below ever seeking His face, inevitably they grew closer together as they neared God's presence, a perfect picture of God's love relationship with His family.

    But since the Fall, things haven't been the same.  Where love and trust once grew, seeds of doubt, and despair have sprouted around, covering the accurate picture of hope God intends for His people.  The truth is, Christians are bound to perfection, still.  We just don't need to look for it in our mates or others.  Instead, we find strength and a steady love from above, from our Heavenly Father who does not change like shifting shadows.  As we receive from Him His endless grace and abounding mercy, we find the freedom to love the spouse and others that God has given us and to allow ourselves the vulnerability required to trust God and our mate or others.  God says that perfect love casts out fear.  When we discover God's perfect love for us, our fear of failure, rejections, and of being forgotten simply fades away, and the beauty of Christ's light warms our hearts towards all those around us."  It does so in a way that is a reflection of God, just as the pictures that are taken of us, it is our Self Portrait.

Quote of the day:  Christy Povolish

"The Self Portraits tend to be a reflection of our Heavenly Father and if you look deep into the eyes of these pictures, it's as though you can see through their eyes and into the depths of their souls."

Bible verse of the day:  Genesis 1:27

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

"We have fallen so far from that original picture that You painted in Eden for Your children." Our self portrait was given to each of us and created in Your image which in turn has become a masterpiece.  May my eyes continue to tell the story of Your will in my life.  May every picture I take radiate the Love that comes only by knowing You.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

PERHAPS 270208

perhaps

I'll never

smell just right

taste like heaven

fly u on a kite

perhaps

I can't give

a damn good fuck

fevered delusions

deep throated sucks

perhaps

I don’t’ have

verve & vigour

charms of youth

cute banal laughter

but

I can paint u rainbows

in open skies of love

hold out a candle

in depths of the dark

no ambitions to own

just walking beside

no false pretensions

nothing to hide

perhaps

if you would let me

you might just find

a friend’s tender gentleness

transcends space & time

perhaps

despite our limitations

together we can start

healing the broken pieces

of hearts that fell apart

perhaps

but only

if you would dare

to give perhaps

a chance

perhaps... 

Welcome to the underwater magic world! Hidden Wonders of the Depths is a new and exciting action puzzle which combines unique match-3, mahjong and I-spy gameplays with more than 210 delightful and fantastical levels. In this game, you will explore the underwater realm, will find the hidden treasures and will get acquainted...

Let's just say it was hot! Yesterday it reached 42°C (108°F) and it seemed that Pirate Bay was the worst beach to set our tent upon for a New Years Eve celebration. But what made this adventure a potential threat? Let me fill in the blanks.

Firstly, the cumbersome gear we loaded our bodies with and trudged through loose sand to fulfill some idealistic vision of how New Years Eve 'should' be celebrated. By the time we'd walked along the pestilent pathway, we sought nothing more than the ocean itself, yet we were still so far from it. Simply the weight of what we carried to the beach, was not something to be done in sweltering heat and each step taunted us. From the low cliff, I angrily threw the gear down to the sand and feeling faint, climbed down to go set up the tent. The ability to look out for our puppy - being so very much smaller, could be carried out or drown in the undertow - made the experience even less enjoyable; he was as exhausted as we were. Furthermore, we were lamenting the 2.5Litre water supply we brought, not enough for two people in such conditions and with Zappy to consider, that water dispersed quickly.

Feeling possibly the worst of us all, Special K had to exorcise some demons behind the dunes and as I carried the entire collection of crap to an unshaded spot on very hot sand, I could not simply stand it any longer; I needed to find shade and located a small cutting in the crumbling sandstone cliff. Though I noticed the spider webs strung out and hanging like vines between the crags, I pushed it out of my mind, what mattered was survival. Zappy lay at my feet, breathless, while I took some water and shared it with our puppy. Special K returned exhausted, teary and wanting very much for the idea to remain of a perfect champagne NYE. After more water, I threw myself out into the heat and set up the tent with help from Special K. It really was pointless, the tent was hotter than the beach itself and all it accomplished was to sap our strength even further. Zappy was entertained as long as he didn't go anywhere near the water; the tide frightened him. We were just happy to have some cold water around our legs, but it would not suffice. It became a moment of choice - dehydration and fainting with possible death thrown in or load up, get back to the car and go rejoin civilisation. We opted for the latter.

Though even in such potentially dangerous conditions, evidentially our love for each other proved the selflessness of our characters, i.e. we put our partner before ourselves. 'I want you to have a mouthful' my dear lady said, after I'd argued the point. This beautiful interchange made us even more determined to get back and kiss with full lips.

Foolish, over weighed and under prepared, the path back was more painful than the trip down. Zappy was panting and stopping every few metres for a rest and I carried him when I could. I kept a watchful eye on Special K, who looked extremely weak, I was no better. Over the dunes, two surfies walked past, the first bloke passed without comment though obviously noticing our status; the second asked if our puppy was alright. I told him we'd run out of water. A helping hand these days is hard to find, so we were taken aback when he gave us some water and carried half our stuff to the car park. I had no intention to resist, his help restored our faith in human decency. We thanked him expressively and wished him a prosperous New Year. He patted me on the shoulder and said 'find a tap and drink until you're okay to drive. Happy New Year.' It will be now, I thought.

We spent a good half an hour refilling and resting. A teary eyed Special K said 'I'm so glad you were with me, I don't know what I'd do without you!' I likened Special K to a sandcastle; visually strong, but crumblingly soft and mushy under pressure. The fact is, we are both unfit, unhealthy and unready for such an idea as ludicrous as what we had undertaken. All I wanted was to find a milk bar and fill up again and I voiced this concern to Special K 'the best thing for us now is isotonic and water.' We headed off, back toward Rye and came across a general store on the corner of the round-a-bout. Buying two bottles of Gatorade and a small sampling of sandwiches - they were snapped up in seconds. Following the snack, I had a strange feeling of disorientation...I am never disorientated. I always have a 'feeling' which direction north is situated and thus, which direction back to Melbourne. When I turned left at the T intersection ahead, I was expecting to see the bay on my left, not the right. It was not merely a shock, I felt like we were in a different part of Australia.

The heat by now was passing, a cool change looked to strike. But the fact was it was getting late, toward sunset. Every beach along Mornington Peninsula was packed. Every car park full. We parked beside the road, past Rosebud East and had a late lunch along a beach path, under some shade. Zappy was glad of the salmon flesh and basil dip and anyone that looked to walk nearby our vicinity and threaten his pack's feeding got a little Zappy yappy bark and grumble. 'Rrrrrr Rrrrrr Yip!'

Special K was rehydrated and feeling well, I felt better after some food and agreed to swim in the bay. We left our belongings atop a fort-like digging, some kids had obviously made. I thought it'd be funny, Zappy could protect the fort. Initially I left him sitting on our beach mat, next to the heavy backpack and he sat there guarding the 'home' as Special K and I submerged ourselves. I was thankful for wearing the rashie as it cooled me quicker when the wind blew and I suggested Special K should get one also. As the evening approached, nothing looked more appealing than going home and resting. Lying on the floor, watching the Melbourne fireworks on TV (it really was average compared to Sydney's extravaganza. Let me elucidate, fireworks are usually only good to see in person, we were watching and saying 'Oh my god, this is incredible'. Compare that to the shitty and ditsy songs from my home town). We felt extremely tested and worn - so much so, that New Years Eve passed without much inclination to celebrate, though we need not worry about next year, it will be incredible!

I have found strength in my Ezra (which in Hebrew means "[God] helps") . There are people in my life who have chosen to walk alongside me in the rebuilding process. God has used those people to show me that He is faithful, that He does love me, that He is concerned for my welfare. They have taught me that worshiping God is of the utmost importance because it is then my heart is lifted above the pain of this world. They have taught me the importance of "Text" - Scripture - reading it daily and following through in obedience to what the Lord reveals in my heart. Scripture provides truth to dispel the lies of Satan. Each person has given me "gold & silver" to help me restore God's temple - my life.

Looking back I can see how Satan tried to destroy me - how he attempted to batter me and rob me of my faith - how he wanted to leave me wandering in exile for the rest of my life. I had been beaten down, over and over again, just as the people of Israel had been beaten, held captive, and left to die. Just as they were left hanging by their fingernails, I, too, was left hanging. Just as the people of Israel didn't find life easy, I, too, don't find life easy. I have come to the conclusion that life will never be easy for me. That my faith in the Lord will always be challenged. However, if I continue to worship and immerse myself in Scripture, I can & will find strength to endure any challenge that comes along.

Eugene Peterson writes, "The People-of-God identity was recovered and preserved. Ezra used Worship and Text to do it. Ezra engaged them in the worship of God, the most all-absorbing, comprehensive act in which men and women can engage. And Ezra led them into an obedient listening to the text of Scripture. Worship and Text continue to be foundational for recovering and maintaining identity as the People of God." (The Message)

Thank you to Vera & Tom Grimmius, Halee Spriggins, Dr. Lynn Lusk, Dr. Bill Trevan, Steve (my husband), Rev. John McFarland, Jan Frank, Rev. Betsy Straeter, and many others who have shown me that God does care about His people.

A dancing array of sunlight laced the ribbed lungs of submerged sand, slowly the depths showed their true colours. Of particular interest were the large rocky areas, housing small schools of toad fish and some strange worm-like suckers. Venturing further this time, it was frightening. Normally I like to be submerged in water just over my head, today we reached depths three times my height; it was a big step. Simply the spaciousness below my feet and the unknown murky darkness beyond the wavering reefs, caused me to panic. Tash tried to gain my attention to a school of some hundred fish deep ahead and though I knew with more exposure this fear would disperse, I desired to swim breathless back to shore, with Tash in tow.

It was a small beach, no more than fifty metres across, but below the unseen surface lay much to see and we were happy to have seen something more than sea-cucumber eggs and banjo shark offspring as found at Frankston beach. In the shallows, I felt easier and waded out a little way; the water was becoming increasingly icy as dusk approached. Shivering underwater, we had to emerge into the blasting wind. It took the better half of an hour to bring life back into our frosty bodies.

wrapped around
filled within
smell of hair
touch of skin

how could you ever see
ocean so deep
echoing inside me
tears my soul weeps

and just for a moment
suspended in time
rejoicing that I can give
to you what is mine

how could you comprehend
tied without ropes
longing in nothingness
praying without hope

then you are gone
in the light of day
no warm cradling
just walk away

how could you ever feel
hot anguished tears
ardent flowing rivers
fragile trembling fears

yet I know that you know
but just refuse to look
into my eyes as I love you
and see all you forsook

how could you ever know
how could you ever see
how could you comprehend
for you never meant to love me

The story is about Lars Tobiasson-Svartman, a commander in the Swedish navy in the early years of WW1. He is a naval engineer, an expert at sounding depths in order to chart channels so that Sweden's warships can safely navigate the archipelagos of its Baltic coast. He longs to find an unfathomable depth. In the course of his work, Lars chances on a woman, Sara, living on a remote and rocky islet, and becomes obsessed with her, while at the same time obsessing about his relationship with his wife, Kristina Tacker. His relationships with colleagues are strange - his captain drops dead, and his private journal reveals that he hated Lars. Lars strikes out, physically, at others when he is disappointed or frustrated - a seaman, Sara's cat.

The tale is about Lars' descent into madness as he succumbs to his obsession with Sara, and returns to her islet. He finds a German deserter living with her, and his descent into his own unfathomable depths begins. The shallow facade of his professional and personal life self-destructs, as his carefully laid plans, lies and stratagems to maintain a facade for his life begin to crumble under the weight of their unreality. There are no navigable channels for Lars - only shoals and reefs and inevitable wreckage.

Depths confirms for me that Henning Mankell is a powerful and thoughtful writer. I always look forward to his books.

The translator of this book is Laurie Thompson, who has also translated Åke Edwardson's novels, as well as some of Mankell's other books.

Details Publisher: Vintage ISBN: 9780099488651

Other books by Henning Mankell - see Wikipedia entry.

last night…
you took me
possessive
tender
fierce
gentle
wild
resolute

last night…
i gave in
deep
intense
passion
unleashed
unfettered
wanton

and there as i lay
locked in intimate embrace
enveloped in your aura
gazing into your slumbering face
came depths of sweet revelation
how much i have and desire to give you
love distilled without condition
last night... is now tonight...

ah! thou bestial creature
yet with eyes of crystal clarity
gazing transfixed upon splendor
craving, longing hungrily
sunken… drowning…
at the bottom of the sea,
languidly bleeding
into the cesspools of beauty

i cannot fulfill that yearning
in secret places of your soul
for that deeper understanding
i too, long to have and hold
nay, such ravenous loneliness
only Immortal Love can sate
Love only alone can heal
your white burning ache

depths of spirit unfathomable
what mortal soul can grasp?
yet seeking rest and satisfaction
in things that cannot last
sunken… drowning…
at the bottom of the sea,
languidly bleeding
into the cesspools of beauty

how i long to paint for you
myriad colours of the rainbow
in each thrilling texture and hue
reveal the wonders of my soul
i want to hear the sound of your spirit
as i take you in my dreams
speak to you deep mysteries
'neath undulating streams

feed you sweet communion
with gentle fingers, tenderly
swim with you into still blue ocean
if only you would let me
sunken… drowning…
at the bottom of the sea,
languidly bleeding
into the cesspools of beauty

let me love you here and now
though no claims make i to understand
merely so enfold in quiet acceptance
as you take in yours my warm small hands
each day unspoken whispers
to Love shall rise my heart’s incense
i shall not rest till one day finds you
restored by Love’s full recompense

no more fears of sordid rejection
once engulfed completely
in Love’s own comprehension
you shall no longer need to be
sunken… drowning…
at the bottom of the sea,
languidly bleeding
into the cesspools of beauty

used to dream
one day to walk down
lily strewn aisle
in long white gown
my hand in yours
trembling just so
but this little hope
i shall never know

now you are gone
no rainbows to paint
bereft and alone
i still carry your name
a daughter's heart
sewn onto her sleeve
with no man's arms
to contain her grief

---------------

to daddy, the one i adored - you never really stood by me, i found my own strength despite my fragility... from you, i learnt how to hear and touch the myriad textures of sound, i learnt how to paint rainbows in dark skies... but you never held me when i cried, you never told me how much i meant to you... and i never dared to ask... i could do all things on my own... yet now you are gone, i feel bereft... and afraid... a deep deep sorrow and yearning echoing within me... why do i miss you, my hero with clay feet? he is not here to comfort me, though how i yearn for his arms... nor were you ever... so what difference then does it make? yet it does... i love you... i always will... and like a little puppy trained to love alone... i love him too...