Magical stone excavation is the process of uncovering and extracting precious gemstones with magical properties from the earth. These stones are believed to possess unique powers and have been sought after for centuries by people from various cultures and backgrounds. The excavation of magical stones requires careful planning and execution. Geologists and experts in gemology are often involved in the process to identify the areas where these stones are most likely to be found. They use various techniques such as studying geological maps, analyzing the composition of soil and rock, and even consulting ancient texts and folklore to determine the best locations for excavation. Once a potential site has been identified, the excavation process begins.
No Extended Warranty
When I hit the big four oh, I found that my body started to fall apart one piece at a time. My warranty had expired and there was No Extended Warranty available! This is the story of my struggle to keep it all together using spare parts and baling twine.
Once a potential site has been identified, the excavation process begins. It typically involves digging deep into the ground, sometimes reaching depths of several meters or even more. Excavation tools such as shovels, picks, and chisels are used to carefully remove layers of soil and rock, gradually uncovering the hidden treasure beneath.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Feet Curl
The Legs Revolt
Today was one of those days when you start doing something, and later you say "I should have know what would happen!". It started out with a few swipes to clean up a dirty doorknob, then the door looked dingy, then I fixed the fingerprints on the light switch and I noticed the wall needed to be washed, and now its 2 am I have the curtains down in the living room, the cushions stripped of their covers on the sectional couch and the covers in the dryer, and I have rehung and rearranged all the pictures on the walls, and still need to move all the furniture to vacuum underneath.
Why did I start? I know what I do - one thing is clean and nice and everything next to it now looks dingy and in needed of sprucing up - then I can't stop! Hours later and the room is completely topsy turvy. I also cleaned the cabinets and walls in the pantry because I went to get some paper towels and there was a smudge on the pantry cabinet and. well, you know the story by now.
The Legs are truly pitching a fit. My feet started cramping at about nine this evening. Five hours later, they are still cramping. I tried eating a banana for potassium, I tried drinking more fluids, I have my feet right now on a heating pad - nothing has helped. I suspect the nerves in The Legs have had it - no more cooperation. I have very little strength in my legs tonight as I made the mistake of climbing on a ladder to get the curtains down and to hang pictures up. For some reason that just starts the pain wagon rolling. I have had charley horses in my calves and my arches and the top of my feet now for hours. Hoping at some point this will go away. Hoping that point is soon.
With the pain patch on, I don't want to take any more pain killers. The Jimmy Legs don't want to stay still and my feet feel like the Wicked Witch of the East's feet in the Wizard of Oz must have. They curled up and shriveled away after the ruby slippers popped up on Dorothy's feet. Hmm, maybe some Ruby Slippers would help. I did have some red tennis shoes, but I don't think they qualify. Sigh.
SCARCELY A HAPPY NEW YEAR (AND ARE WE PAVING A PATIO IN POMONA?)
[Above left: “That’s all that’s left of The Wicked Witch of the East!” Within moments, there’ll be even less, as her ruby slippers disappear, her stockings curl up and retreat -- and Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West is ever-after bereft of the footwear that some would say (as next-of-kin) is her rightful inheritance. This is a frame enlargement of 35mm test film; the actual moment, at this camera angle, didn’t appear in the completed 1939 release print of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s THE WIZARD OF OZ. Right: The Apple Orchard/Tin Man Cottage set, with the non-brick Yellow Brick Road as it is seen in the movie.]
It’s once again trivia time, and we have a good question from Matt Handy, along with a request/query from William Dogan.
Matt asks, “In the M-G-M film, how did they go about doing the scene where the legs of The Wicked Witch of the East disappear underneath Dorothy’s house in Munchkinland?” Apparently, this was a combination of a simple mechanical trick and a simple photographic trick, Matt, as there’s nothing in the surviving special effects worksheets for OZ to indicate that their department was called in to devise anything extraordinary. The photography contribution involved a simple, age-old dissolve that made the shoes seem to fade away and leave just the Witch’s stockinged feet. The mechanical contribution, as far as I can tell, came about by incorporating within those remaining stockings a larger variation of the basic, uncomplicated apparatus that is used in those “New Year’s Eve” party favors. I’m referencing the ones where you blow into a little mouthpiece at one end, and the air propels a wound-up tube of paper to unfurl, full-length. It very much appears as if this sort of thing was employed – in reverse -- with the Witch’s feet and legs: the interior mechanism is completely extended and then allowed to release and reverse. The stockings curl up and are then drawn under the house by an unseen operator behind the set.
But I doubt if the Wicked Witch of the East was muttering “Happy New Year!” during the process.
[Above left: Behind-the-scenes during a lull in the filming of Munchkinland. As no feet or footwear are visible, this may well be the moment of prep when (or a moment of relaxation after) the Wicked Witch of the West exclaims, “They’re gone. The ruby slippers! What have you done with them?” Right: The cornfield was the first set on which filming was done for THE WIZARD OF OZ, but all that early footage then was junked. Notice the oval bricks and lack of curbing on the Yellow Brick Road.]
William Dogan requests that this blog “Please dispel the notion that the Yellow Brick Road in the film was made of bricks. Some ‘scammers’ are selling ‘pieces’ of it [which they claim are] from the film.” Well, first things first: As you can see by the above-right photo – and both photos below – there were two different designs for M-G-M’s Yellow Brick Road. When filming begin in mid-October 1938, director Richard Thorpe first shot the cornfield scenes in which Dorothy meets The Scarecrow, and the crossroads consisted of a stenciled brick “pattern” in ovals, painted on the stage flooring. In other words: no bricks were utilized. Two weeks later, Thorpe was fired, and all his footage was trashed. (It showed, among other variations, Judy Garland as the heavily-blonde-bewigged Dorothy in a fancier dress.) Over the next few days, director George Cukor came in to consult and manifest major changes in wardrobe and make-up for at least three of the principal cast; it may well have been he who also encouraged a more natural and “real” look for the Yellow Brick Road. When Victor Fleming (OZ director of note and credit) began the film again the first week of November, he – too – started with the cornfield sequence. But whether it was Cukor or Fleming who was responsible, the road by then was neatly curbed, and the bricks consisted of Masonite tiles that LOOKED like bricks.
Again, however, they were NOT brick.
As a sideline, 1939 Metro promotion for OZ made note of the difficulties caused by the temperamental early Technicolor cameras; evidently, it often was a challenge for the designers and set decorators to find the correct hues for costumes and scenery, so that they would photograph as the color that was desired to be seen on-screen. One bit of journalism at that time – whether factual or fabricated for publicity – stated that there was difficulty in achieving a good, bright, true yellow for Dorothy’s pathway to The Great & Powerful Oz…until someone suggested that plain yellow house paint be applied to the Masonite. (It worked!)
[Above left: A set reference still of one angle of The Lion’s Forest set, with an ongoing, prominent, and Masonite Yellow Brick Road. Right: A reference still of a set never seen in the finished WIZARD OF OZ. It’s thought that this was to be part of the scenery and sequence wherein the Fabulous Foursome (and Toto, too…) leave the Poppy Field and begin their final approach to the Emerald City.]
However, whether as the Yellow Brick Road of our dreams – or as a pavement that looks suspiciously like the flooring of a pluperfect patio in Pomona or Pasadena – let the record show:
No bricks were harmed in the making of this motion picture!
A Theory to Blow You Back to Kansas: 7 Reasons the TRUE Villain of 'The Wizard of Oz' Was Glinda the Good Witch
The Wicked Witch of the West and her wicked sister witch from the east weren't actually the villains of #TheWizardofOz. Glinda the Good Witch was! And she used sweet little Dorothy as a pawn in her wicked game.
I hate to destroy anyone's childhood, but this is a theory that really needs to be made into a Once Upon a Time storyline.
During the excavation process, great caution is taken to avoid damaging or destroying the magical stones. Specialized tools and techniques are employed to ensure that the stones are extracted safely and preserved in their natural form. Some stones may require delicate handling, as they are known to be extremely fragile or sensitive to certain environmental factors. Magical stone excavation is often a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. It requires a significant amount of patience, as gemstones may be found sporadically and not in large quantities. However, the rewards can be great for those who are able to uncover these cherished stones. The magical properties of these stones vary greatly. Some are believed to possess healing or protective powers, while others are said to bring good luck or enhance one's spiritual abilities. Throughout history, these stones have been sought after by individuals seeking to harness their mystical properties for personal use or to sell them as valuable commodities. In conclusion, magical stone excavation is a fascinating process that involves the careful extraction of gemstones with unique properties from the earth. It requires expertise, patience, and an understanding of geological and mystical knowledge. The discovery of these stones can be a truly magical experience, offering a glimpse into the mysterious world of ancient beliefs and traditions..
Reviews for "From Myth to Reality: Excavating Magical Stones from Legends and Folklore"
1. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really looking forward to "Magical Stone Excavation" as I have always been fascinated with archaeology and treasure hunting games. However, I was left disappointed with this game. The graphics were outdated and the controls were clunky and unresponsive. The gameplay itself was repetitive and lacked any excitement or challenge. Overall, it felt like a very basic and uninspired game. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience.
2. Alex - 1 out of 5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Magical Stone Excavation". The game was advertised as a thrilling adventure where you excavate hidden treasures and uncover ancient artifacts, but it fell short on every level. The graphics were poor, the story was uninteresting, and the gameplay was incredibly monotonous. There was no sense of accomplishment or reward for progressing through the game, and it left me feeling bored and frustrated. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this lackluster game.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "Magical Stone Excavation" to be a boring and uninspiring game. The concept of excavating magical stones could have been intriguing, but the execution was lackluster. The gameplay was slow-paced and repetitive, with no real challenges or surprises along the way. The graphics and sound effects were also subpar, further diminishing the overall experience. I would have expected more from a game with such potential, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver any excitement or enjoyment.
4. Michael - 2.5 out of 5 stars - "Magical Stone Excavation" was a game that had the potential to be enjoyable, but it ultimately fell flat for me. The controls were clunky and difficult to navigate, making it frustrating to play. Additionally, the gameplay itself lacked depth, with little variety or excitement. The graphics were decent, but they couldn't make up for the overall lackluster experience. While it may appeal to younger audiences or those simply looking for a mindless game, it failed to captivate me as a player.