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Washington Redskins Roster 2012: Latest News, Cuts, Preseason PredictionsAugust 2, 2012
Washington Redskins Roster 2012: Latest News, Cuts, Preseason Predictions
For any fan under the age of 25, this season is undoubtedly the most exciting and highly-anticipated season of Washington Redskins football you've ever been a part of.
And for all fans over the age of 25, well, this season is probably just as damn exciting.
After being forced to watch our beloved Redskins stink it up for more than two decades amongst numerous coaches and quarterbacks, a dictatorship and an embarrassing number of playoff appearances, there is finally something to look forward to.
So maybe Robert Griffin III won't take the Redskins to a Super Bowl in his first season at the helm, but damn if he doesn't make you feel like it's possible.
And with Mike Shanahan in his third season of a five-year plan, fans have to feel positive about the direction of the team. For the first time in a long time, the Redskins are fresh with youth; strong character is now a priority, and the front office is no longer treating summers like lottery payouts for mediocre talent.
Creating high expectations for the Redskins during the weeks leading up to the preseason is a thing of the past. Or at least it should be. Even if the Redskins finish the 2012 season with a 7-9 record, this year is about progress.
For a team that has gone through the turmoil of Albert Haynesworth, Jeff George and Steve Spurrier, anyone that believes a serious turnaround and playoff football will happen overnight in Washington might as well make a wish in some other fountain.
This season will be about the growth of a franchise that has the potential to be something great over the course of the next few years. A franchise quarterback has finally arrived; offensive playmakers are beginning the climb to their prime, and the defense is becoming a solid unit from the trench back.
Looking forward, 2012 is as important a season the Redskins have had in over 20 years.
Aug 28 Cuts
In addition to the following players being waived/cut, the Redskins traded cornerback Kevin Barnes to the Detroit Lions for a conditional draft pick and right tackle Jammal Brown was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
TE Chris Cooley
After spending all nine seasons of his NFL career in Washington, Cooley was released on Tuesday. Although his $6 million cap hit was said to be a non-factor, one has to believe that it was. Fred Davis is the clear No. 1 in camp and $6 million is a lot to spend on a backup role at the position. You can see Cooley's statement here, from right after the news was handed down.
PK Graham Gano
The Redskins released Graham Gano in order to make room for the recently released Billy Cundiff. While many had questions regarding Gano's inconsistency, it seemed like everyone had answers confirming Cundiff's habit of choking.
This move makes very little sense to me. The Redskins apparently don't see themselves in many games coming down to three points this season. Otherwise, they're in trouble.
RB Antwon Bailey
Even with unexpected injuries hitting the backfield, the rookie out of Syracuse had very little chance of making the roster. Not only was he outmatched in terms of skill during the preseason, but he had a fumble that Mike Shanahan was visibly angry with.
RB Lennon Creer
The rookie from Louisiana Tech was a camp project and long-shot from the beginning.
OL Chris Campbell
After receiver Darius Hanks was released due to injury, the Redskins filled his spot with the second-year man out of Eastern Illinois. Campbell was brought on for the right reasons -- with the offensive line being so thin. But he joined too late to have a legitimate chance.
WR Sam Kirkland
With four spots generally locked at receiver, the position was one of the toughest competitions. Kirkland wasn't enough in practice to warrant him any extra time.
LB Monte Lewis
Although Lewis had upside with his size as a pass-rusher, the rookie from Jacksonville State competed amongst a talented unit. The Redskins linebacking corps is arguably one of their deepest.
OL Nick Martinez
There was a shot for Martinez after some displays during preseason games, but the rookie guard from Oklahoma State will likely land on the practice squad. He has potential with development in the system.
TE Beau Reliford
I was never as high on Reliford as most others, simply because I refused to fall in love solely with his size. At 6'6" and 270 pounds, Reliford could find work elsewhere, or perhaps on a practice squad. But his blocking needs are a big work in progress.
QB Jonathan Crompton
After spending time on the team's practice squad last year, Crompton was in a very tough spot this season. With two rookies that were locks to make the roster and a veteran with experience in the offense, Crompton knew it was only a matter of time.
CB Morgan Trent (injured)
Trent was originally claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The fourth-year vet had a slim chance of making a thin secondary, but injury and the emergence of Richard Crawford was enough to make Trent a part of first cuts.
CB Lance Lewis (injured)
The undrafted free agent from East Carolina was one of favorite rookies coming into this season. Although not extremely fast or flashy, Lance Lewis has potential in the NFL. It would be nice if Lewis could somehow land on the practice squad.
OL James Lee
Originally joining the team after spending time under Raheem Morris in Tampa, Lee was thought to bring depth to the tackle position. And while the Redskins are in desperate need of help on the right side, guys like Willie Smith and Tyler Polumbus were still way ahead of Lee.
K Neil Rackers
Perhaps the most surprising of releases, the release of Rackers solidifies Graham Gano's place on the roster and role of starting place kicker. The Redskins could still bring in a free agent to test Gano, but it seems unlikely if Rackers couldn't get it done.
OL Tony Moll
Again, adding depth along the offensive line was a free agent's best shot on the Redskins roster. Unfortunately for this seven-year veteran, the coaching staff found talent elsewhere for the interior.
Latest Roster Moves
The following list of Redskins transactions starts in late July, following the finalization of Robert Griffin III's contract with the team. All transactions prior to July 24 can be found by using the provided link.
All team transactions will be reported directly and exclusively from the Redskins' team website. For each and every transaction, this link will be used as the only news source.
07/30/2012: The Washington Redskins signed offensive tackle Jordan Black. He may not change the landscape of the position, but he was atop the Redskins' list when it came to UFAs. Black is a 32-year-old veteran that has bounced around the league.
07/30/2012: The Washington Redskins released linebacker Jonathan Goff. Despite having the opportunity to compete for a spot at the inside linebacker position, Goff tore his ACL during practice and will be forced to miss the season.
07/28/2012: The Washington Redskins claimed Dezmon Briscoe from the Buccaneers. After battling some off-field issues, the second-year receiver was released and even received a few claims from other teams (including the Cowboys). The Redskins landed him and brought him in as a sizable (6'2") camp project after watching him haul in six touchdowns during his rookie season last year.
07/28/2012: The Washington Redskins waived wide receiver Brian Hernandez. Despite a somewhat consistent college career, Hernandez was a huge long shot to make the roster.
07/25/2012: The Washington Redskins signed fullback Dorson Bryce. With projected starter Darrel Young going down with a strained hammy, Bryce was signed to fill in during camp.
07/25/2012: The Washington Redskins placed cornerback Chase Minnifield on IR. After he cleared waivers, Minnifield hit the injured reserve list because the Redskins didn't want to rush back a young man with a blown knee. See: Malcolm Kelly.
07/25/2012: The Washington Redskins waived guard Nevin McCaskill. It won't change much in the makeup of the offensive line, as McCaskill didn't really have a chance of earning a spot this season.
07/24/2012: The Washington Redskins waived cornerback Chase Minnifield (designated injury).
07/24/2012: The Washington Redskins signed cornerback David Jones. After losing rookie Chase Minnifield to injury, Jones was signed for depth during practice. But he'll have too much work cut out for him to make the final 53.
For all team transactions prior to July 24, visit this Redskins team link.
Full Team Roster and Projected Depth Chart
Quarterback (3): Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman
Running Back (3): Roy Helu Jr., Evan Royster, Tim Hightower
Fullback (1): Darrel Young
Tight End (3): Fred Davis, Chris Cooley, Niles Paul
Wide Receiver (7): Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Terrence Austin, Aldrick Robinson, Brandon Banks
Offensive Line (9): Trent Williams, Kory Lichtensteiger, Will Montgomery, Chris Chester, Willie Smith, Tyler Polumbus, Josh LeRibeus, Maurice Hurt, Adam Gettis
Defensive End (4): Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston
Nose Tackle (2): Barry Cofield, Truck Neild
Inside Linebacker (4): London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Lorenzo Alexander, Keenan Robinson
Outside Linebacker (4): Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerrigan, Rob Jackson, Markus White
Cornerback (6): Josh Wilson, DeAngelo Hall, Kevin Barnes, Cedric Griffin, Richard Crawford, Brandyn Thompson
Safety (4): Brandon Meriweather, Madieu Williams, DeJon Gomes, Tanard Jackson
Special Teams (3): Graham Gano, Sav Rocca, Nick Sundberg
Last 5 In
OL Adam Gettis
The rookie gets a second look because of Jammal Brown's lack of durability. Coaches like Gettis' athleticism, and he can play guard or sub at center.
CB Richard Crawford
Perhaps the rookie was thought to be a practice squad guy this season, but showing up in practice gives coaches enough to find him a spot on the roster at a position that isn't exactly deep.
S Tanard Jackson
Fellow safety Reed Doughty has found a way to stay on a roster regardless of coordinator or scheme for years. But Jackson's athletic and physical ability give him the edge this year. Perhaps new defensive backs coach Raheem Morris helps to rejuvenate Jackson's career.
OL Maurice Hurt
Despite being roughed up a bit last year as a rookie, head coach Mike Shanahan seems to be pleased with Hurt's progression through camp so far. Hurt may be natural at the guard position, but he could also serve as an emergency fill-in at right tackle.
KR/WR Brandon Banks
Being strictly a kick returner isn't what keeps Banks on the roster. Instead, coaches will likely find a way to get Banks the ball in space on offense and allow him to go make a play. If Banks can showcase his speed and vision in both the return game and offense, then he deserves the spot.
Last 5 Out
OT Jammal Brown
Unfortunately for Brown, his nagging hip injury didn't get any better with offseason yoga and pilates. Although the team would like to retain Brown in hopes that he could return midseason, his cap number is simply too high.
As of August 1, Redskins insider Chris Russell has reported that results from Brown's MRI have not yet been released. Brown remains in New York awaiting the results, claiming that he's tired of "rest" and that he wants news of a real remedy.
To me, Brown is as good as gone. He's in too much pain to play. And even without surgery, how can anyone rely on him for 16 games?
OT Tom Compton
With Brown out, rookie Tom Compton had a chance to make the roster and add some depth at right tackle. And while Willie Smith continues to nurse a twisted knee (current diagnosis, pre-MRI), Compton still has a slight shot. But fellow rookie Adam Gettis offers a little more versatility along the front line, and Compton will have a chance to improve on the practice squad.
NT Chris Baker
He has the size to play the position and his practices have been impressive so far, but Baker is beat out by Neild's experience from last season. There's a chance that Shanahan carries three nose tackles, but I'd assume he'd rather carry more defensive ends in the 3-4 scheme.
S Reed Doughty
Over the past several years, Reed Doughty has found himself on the Redskins roster regardless of scheme, coach or coordinator. But Doughty's coverage skills are finally tested this season during training camp, and his tackling doesn't hold strong enough.
ILB Bryan Kehl
Signed as an unrestricted free agent, Kehl was a long shot to make the roster to begin with. Kehl's chances increased after the Redskins lost Jonathan Goff to a torn ACL, but it won't be enough. Rookie Keenan Robinson also has the potential to play both inside and outside.
QBs on roster: Kirk Cousins, Jonathan Crompton, Robert Griffin III, Rex Grossman
Projected starter: Robert Griffin III
Offseason additions: Kirk Cousins, Robert Griffin III
Projected final roster: Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins, Rex Grossman
Since before the rookie was even signed to his deal, head coach Mike Shanahan made it clear that Robert Griffin III was the Redskins' starting quarterback. And for good reason.
Not only did the Redskins mortgage their future in order to move up to the No. 2 spot and select him in April's draft, but Griffin is also the most talented quarterback on the roster without having even played an NFL down.
Through camp so far, both Rex Grossman and Kirk Cousins have struggled. The obvious difference between the two is that Grossman has been in the league for about a decade, while Cousins is a fourth-round rookie.
Ideally, Shanahan would move into the regular season with only Griffin and Cousins. But because of Cousins' inexperience, Grossman is almost a guaranteed insurance policy at the No. 3 slot.
Running Backs
RBs on roster: Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer, Tristan Davis, Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, Evan Royster, Alfred Morris, Darrel Young, Dorson Bryce
Projected starter: Roy Helu
Offseason additions: Antwon Bailey, Lennon Creer, Alfred Morris, Dorson Bryce
Projected final roster: Roy Helu, Evan Royster, Tim Hightower, Darrel Young
One of the more interesting camp battles will take place at the running back position, as second-year guys Roy Helu and Evan Royster will battle with veteran Tim Hightower for the starting job.
At this point, Roy Helu is the favorite by default, simply because he received a bulk of the carries last year; and his pass-blocking wasn't shameful. However, Royster appears to understand the system, and his hard running style is likely making Shanahan giddy.
On the other hand, Hightower is returning from a torn ACL and ESPN 980 Redskins Insider Chris Russell has said on air that Hightower isn't even near 95 percent at this point. Although his effective pass-blocking will be as crucial this season as any, it's not shaping up to have Hightower starting on Sundays. Situationally? Absolutely. But not a ton of action.
While fans root for their personal favorites throughout camp, whether it be Helu, Royster or Hightower, the good news is that all three are viable starters. And when it comes to Shanahan's system, having a stable of capable runners is a whole lot better than staking all confidence in one guy.
Despite suffering a strained hamstring in practice (July 30), Darrel Young is the Redskins starting fullback. While hamstrings aren't necessarily the most forgiving injury, Young is expected to be okay. His athleticism, speed and blocking will go a long way for the Redskins this season.
Wide Receivers
WRs on roster: Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin, Brandon Banks, Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson, Darius Hanks, Sam Kirkland, Lance Lewis, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Niles Paul, Aldrick Robinson, Dezmon Briscoe
Projected starters: Santana Moss, Pierre Garcon, Josh Morgan
Offseason additions: Pierre Garcon, Darius Hanks, Brian Hernandez, Sam Kirkland, Lance Lewis, Josh Morgan, Dezmon Briscoe
Roster cuts: Brian Hernandez, Kelvin Bolden
Projected final roster: Terrence Austin, Pierre Garcon, Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan, Santana Moss, Aldrick Robinson, Brandon Banks
With over a dozen competing players in camp, the wide receiver position will be one of the most entertaining to watch this summer.
Barring some unfortunate injury during the preseason, we can all expect free agents Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan to make the roster.
Morgan is returning from an injury last season in San Francisco, but the Redskins have big plans of using him as a slot receiver. And Garcon, after posting improving numbers in each of his first few years with the Colts, was shown the big dollars this summer with the Redskins' belief that he can be a legitimate No. 1 receiver.
Veteran Santana Moss is said to have reported to camp in the best shape of his career. After missing a majority of last year due to injury, Moss returns at the ripe age of 33 hungrier than ever.
After lacking playmakers last season, the Redskins made it their mission to go out this offseason and correct it. That's what guys like Garcon and Morgan were for—to bring some yards after catch to the receiving corps.
That being said, I would look for the Redskins to side with playmakers this season—guys that have speed, size and the ability to make a play after the catch.
Tight Ends
TEs on roster: Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Logan Paulsen, Richard Quinn, Beau Reliford
Projected starters: Fred Davis
Offseason additions: Beau Reliford
Roster cuts: Rob Meyers
Projected final roster: Chris Cooley, Fred Davis, Niles Paul
The aging Chris Cooley is on shaky ground at this point, as injuries have limited him recently, and his cap number isn't exactly something you can sweep under the rug. But, when healthy, the 30-year-old veteran is the Redskins' best pure tight end. And assuming he stays healthy, there's no doubt he makes the roster.
Likely positioned as the Redskins starting tight end is Fred Davis. After missing the final four games of last year for violating the league's substance abuse policy, Davis was hit with the franchise tag and basically told by the team to prove he can be a responsible professional.
Davis was one of the team's sole offensive playmakers last season, and there's no denying his talent. But if he can't get his act together and keep his head on straight, Shanahan doesn't seem like the guy that would lose any sleep over having to bench him or show him the door at season's end.
And finally, bringing up the rear, is probably my favorite story of the entire offseason.
After being drafted in last year as a wide receiver, Niles Paul was converted to tight end this offseason with the thought of a hybrid-like position in mind.
Listed at 6'1", 235 lbs., Paul has the physical tools to be a successful tight end in the NFL's evolving offensive game.
Although not close to guys like Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski in terms of size or height, Paul is a natural pass-catcher; he has great body control; he is extremely physical; he's fearless in any situation (whether it be across the middle of special teams) and he's a committed blocker.
With Cooley slowing down physically and the jury still out on whether or not Fred Davis can conduct himself as an adult, this season will be crucial for Niles Paul and his future with the Redskins.
Redskins Nation should be extremely excited for this young man. He's got the perfect blend of attitude and talent.
Offensive Tackles
OTs on roster: Jammal Brown, Tom Compton, James Lee, Tyler Polumbus, Willie Smith, Trent Williams, Jordan Black
Projected starters: Trent Williams (L), Willie Smith (R)
Offseason additions: Tom Compton, James Lee, Jordan Black
Projected final roster: Tyler Polumbus, Trent Williams, Willie Smith
Beginning in the second half of last season, left tackle Trent Williams began to show signs that proved his worth as a former No. 4 overall pick. His technique had improved, his hand placement was more strategic and his athleticism continued to be a natural characteristic of his game.
Williams was then forced to miss the Redskins' last four games as part of a suspension for failing the league's substance abuse policy. Apparently the NFL lockout caused The Silverback to smoke some green on more than one occasion.
Williams has since expressed his regret and says that he has learned from his mistakes. Throughout camp so far, Williams looks to have returned to midseason form from a year ago, and I expect him to really take off this season and place his name on the list of some the league's best young tackles.
On the other side, veteran Jammal Brown would be the starting right tackle. Unfortunately, nagging injuries to his hip and groin are threatening his roster spot all together.
It's not necessarily that the Redskins couldn't place Brown on a list and recall him after Week 6, because his talent (when healthy) is worth that much. But when you look at his overall reliability and durability, in addition to his cap hit this season, Brown is a very expensive liability.
If Brown can't go, second-year man Willie Smith is likely next in line. He did twist his knee in practice on Monday (July 30) after getting steamrolled by Rob Jackson, but MRI results are pending. I would expect Smith, even if he suffered an injury, to be fine by Week 2 of the preseason.
And worst case scenario, veteran Tyler Polumbus is a decent fill-in at right tackle. He showed some tenacity last year and also has the ability to come in and play at guard. To me, it seems like coaches are getting more and more comfortable with Polumbus. Perhaps because they have to.
Offensive Guards
OGs on roster: Chris Chester, Erik Cook, Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus, Kory Lichtensteiger, Nick Martinez
Projected starters: Kory Lichtensteiger, Chris Chester
Offseason additions: Grant Garner, Adam Gettis, Josh LeRibeus, Nick Martinez
Roster cuts: Nevin McCaskill
Projected final roster: Chris Chester, Adam Gettis, Josh LeRibeus, Kory Lichtensteiger, Maurice Hurt
Not to beat a dead horse, but the Redskins offensive line this season is solely dependent on health.
Although many were unaware that Kory Lichtensteiger was a key cog along the offensive front last season, everyone was quickly reminded after the team lost him in Week 6.
Steiger started camp in good shape, saying that his recovery from an MCL and ACL tear in the same knee felt great. But on Monday (July 30), Lichtensteiger underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same knee to remove cartilage particles.
The injury news surrounding Steiger isn't nearly as alarming as that of Jammal Brown, but Shanahan has made it clear that he will likely take a cautious approach and keep Steiger down through the preseason. In other words, Steiger is still considered the team's starting left guard.
On the other side, Chris Chester reigns supreme at the position. Because he's one of the healthier starting linemen on the roster, the right guard spot is absolutely his to lose.
Rookies Josh LeRibeus and Adam Gettis, along with second-year player Maurice Hurt, could serve as key reserves for the Redskins this season. Therefore, having starters go down or experience setbacks is not a pretty picture.
OCs on roster: Will Montgomery, Grant Garner, Erik Cook
Projected starters: Will Montgomery
Offseason additions: Grant Garner
Projected final roster: Will Montgomery
Not to sound negative, but center is arguably one of the more boring positions in camp this season.
Will Montgomery is slated to return as the starter, even with a majority of us believing he's better-suited as a backup.
The Redskins signed un-drafted free agent Grant Garner out of Oklahoma State, and I do think he has a slight chance to make the roster, depending on his versatility.
In my opinion, Garner and fellow rookie Adam Gettis fight for a roster spot (despite being at different positions), and it ultimately comes down to how many positions they can play on the line. From strictly an athleticism and size standpoint, I think the spot would go to Gettis. I did, however, praise Garner throughout last season while playing very well in OSU's spread offense.
Defensive Ends
DEs on roster: Kentwan Balmer, Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, Kedric Golston, Jarvis Jenkins, Delvin Johnson, Darrion Scott, Doug Worthington
Projected starters: Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker
Offseason additions: Delvin Johnson
Projected final roster: Stephen Bowen, Adam Carriker, Jarvis Jenkins, Kedric Golston
It seems as if defensive ends in 3-4 schemes never get nearly the amount of credit they deserve. And that couldn't be any more true when talking about the Redskins.
Although fans and coaches clearly saw the importance of Stephen Bowen and Adam Carriker last season, the opposition didn't seem to show them much respect. As a result, both Bowen (6.0 sacks) and Carriker (5.5 sacks) had highly productive seasons.
This season, the unit becomes even better now that Jarvis Jenkins joins the group.
Jenkins was a rookie last year that was lost for the season before ever playing his first regular season game. Fortunately, it was an early-season injury, and Jenkins has had plenty of time to recover from the torn ACL.
Before his injury, Shanahan praised Jenkins for his work in camp/practice, and some were even labeling him the team's most talented defensive lineman. So far this offseason, Jenkins appears to have restored his explosiveness, and we all have a reason (once again) to be very excited.
Nose Tackles
NTs on roster: Barry Cofield, Chris Baker, Truck Neild
Projected starters: Barry Cofield
Projected final roster: Barry Cofield, Truck Neild
When the Redskins signed Barry Cofield as a free agent last summer, not everyone believed that he could make the transition from defensive tackle to nose. That transition, however, really couldn't have gone much smoother.
Cofield was very productive as a middle clog last year for the Redskins, and the expectations for him are even higher this season. Cofield is not only in the second year of Jim Haslett's system, but he also doesn't face the restrictions of a locked-out offseason like he did last year.
Truck Neild was somewhat of a surprise keep last season when it came down to roster cuts. As a late-round rookie, Neild did perform well when on the field, and I would think he's the favorite to backup Cofield again this season.
But that's not counting out Chris Baker. He's large enough to play the nose, and he can move. I wouldn't be surprised to see a fight between he and Neild throughout camp.
Outside Linebackers
OLBs on roster: Ryan Kerrigan, Monte Lewis, Brian McNally, Brian Orakpo, Keenan Robinson, Markus White, Chris Wilson, Rob Jackson
Projected starters: Ryan Kerrigan, Brian Orakpo
Offseason additions: Monte Lewis, Brian McNally, Keenan Robinson
Projected final roster: Rob Jackson, Ryan Kerrigan, Brian Orakpo, Markus White
Not much is more exciting on defense than pass-rushers in the 3-4 scheme. Given the green light to take a quarterback's head off on every play, the Redskins don a pretty solid duo.
As a rookie last season, Ryan Kerrigan proved that converting from a down lineman to a stand-up edge linebacker is easy, and he earned recognition as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
This season, with a year of experience under his belt and ample time to better learn the position, Kerrigan is expected to have a big year. He didn't miss a single snap as a rookie in 2011, and everyone hopes that streak that can remain intact for 2012.
On the other side, Brian Orakpo enters his fourth professional season and remains committed to improving his technique and rush moves.
Orakpo spoke earlier this week about learning something on every play in practice because even though he can't hit the quarterback, he goes through a mental rep and strategizes about where to put his hands, where to tackle, how to detect if a tomahawk is necessary, etc. (via insider Chris Russell, @Russellmania980)
With both of these guys healthy, the Redskins are equipped with one of the better young rush-linebacker tandems in the league.
Inside Linebackers
ILBs on roster: Lorenzo Alexander, London Fletcher, Donnell Holt, Bryan Kehl, Perry Riley
Projected starters: London Fletcher, Perry Riley
Offseason additions: Jonathan Goff, Donnell Holt, Bryan Kehl
Roster cuts: Jonathan Goff
Projected final roster: London Fletcher, Perry Riley, Lorenzo Alexander, Keenan Robinson
Continuing to defy the laws of the human body, the ageless London Fletcher returns to the Redskins as one of the most underrated linebackers in the league. He'll once again captain the defense, and he has another good shot at leading the team in tackles. Whether it be middle linebacker or inside linebacker, Fletcher is a reliable force.
Originally, I thought free-agent pickup Jonathan Goff could battle for the linebacker spot alongside Fletcher, but his torn ACL has made him the Redskins' most recent roster cut.
Not to worry, as third-year linebacker Perry Riley has picked up valuable experience along the way and seems prepared to take over the starting role. Riley is a solid tackler and plays physically with good read-and-react skills.
Lorenzo Alexander, also known as "Mr. Everything," remains with the Redskins, and he should receive some looks at inside linebacker. However, there have also been talks of Alexander being used at tight end. With his versatility, the possibilities are endless.
Rookie Keenan Robinson was more of a natural fit at outside linebacker in college, but I see him best-suited as an inside guy in the NFL. He's not explosive as an edge-rusher, but he has above-average athleticism and coverage skills, with a good feel for the game and great reaction time.
Already having been a fan of Robinson from his days at Texas, I think the Redskins were fortunate to land such a versatile linebacker. And given that his pass-rushing skills could improve, he has the potential to be very good in just a few short years.
CBs on roster: Kevin Barnes, Jordan Bernstine, Richard Crawford, Cedric Griffin, DeAngelo Hall, Brandyn Thompson, Morgan Trent, Josh Wilson, Chase Minnifield, David Jones
Projected starters: DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson
Offseason additions: Jordan Bernstine, Richard Crawford, Cedric Griffin, Morgan Trent, Chase Minnifield, David Jones
Roster cuts: Leigh Torrence
Projected final roster: Kevin Barnes, Cedric Griffin, DeAngelo Hall, Richard Crawford, Brandyn Thompson, Josh Wilson
With the secondary being one of the Redskins' most suspect positions, I won't say that cornerback is necessarily exciting. However, I will say that being excited for a couple of the individual cornerbacks is justified.
After watching Josh Wilson come into his own near the end of last year, all eyes will be on him this season to become the team's No. 1 cover-corner (which he already is, based on talent).
In a radio interview that I heard personally, Wilson admitted that the lack of offseason last year really stumped his ability to grasp the defense. He was basically thrown into the mix and didn't really begin to understand the defense until about Week 7 or 8.
DeAngelo Hall remains the Redskins' highest-paid defensive back, although many question his ability to cover opposing receivers. Hall will continue his gambling playmaking ways this season, but coaches may prefer to line him up at the nickel in order to better showcase his talents.
The Redskins were thought to be lucky enough to sign undrafted free agent Chase Minnifield this summer, but a nagging knee injury has since landed him on the IR. And while I was once predicting Minnifield a starter by next year, his injury really doesn't look good.
In a slight surprise, rookie Richard Crawford has been very impressive in early practices. Where at one time I predicted him as a member of the practice squad, Crawford is continuing to prove me stupid. And I love it. Don't be surprised to see him make the roster.
Albeit early, both second-year man Brandyn Thompson and free-agent signee Cedric Griffin have struggled in camp thus far. Although both seem positioned to make the roster, neither are guaranteed. They'll need to step it up in practice and make plays come preseason games.
Safeties on roster: Travon Bellamy, Jordan Bernstine, Reed Doughty, DeJon Gomes, Tanard Jackson, Brandon Meriweather, Madieu Williams
Projected starters: Brandon Meriweather, Tanard Jackson
Offseason additions: Brandon Meriweather, Tanard Jackson, Jordan Bernstine, Travon Bellamy, Madieu Williams
Projected final roster: Tanard Jackson, DeJon Gomes, Madieu Williams, Brandon Meriweather
Despite the loss of LaRon Landry, the safety position may be better this season than it has been in years past. That is, of course, barring the unexpected.
From a talent standpoint—and when taken at their best—free-agent additions Tanard Jackson, Brandon Meriweather and Madieu Williams are very solid football players. But there will be a fight this summer in camp to see which of them is actually at their best.
Meriweather is a two-time Pro Bowler with valuable NFL experience, but his attitude and work ethic raise some concern. Since signing with the Redskins this offseason, Meriweather has already racked up a DUI and pled guilty.
At one point, local product Tanard Jackson was a rising star in Tampa Bay. Off-the-field run-ins (violating the league's substance abuse policy) eventually landed him a one-year suspension. After he was unable to pass a physical last April, the Bucs released Jackson.
One aspect of the secondary that many aren't focusing on—or perhaps I'm placing too much emphasis on it—is the fact that the team has hired Raheem Morris as their new defensive backs coach.
Morris' fiery style and experience as a head coach have already excited his players in Washington, and he could play a special role in the potential rejuvenation of Tanard Jackson's career.
DeJon Gomes earned valuable time last season as a rookie, and he still has the opportunity to start. Things won't be easy for the young man, but his future appears bright.
Finally, former Maryland star Madieu Williams has looked solid in practice so far. He has the veteran experience for the whole unit to learn from, and he's a leader in the locker room. The only concern regarding Williams is his injury-plagued background—he plays about 11 games per year on average.
Kicking Specialists
Kicking specialists on roster: Neil Rackers, Graham Gano, Sav Rocca, Nick Sundberg (long snapper)
Projected starters: Graham Gano, Sav Rocca (P), Nick Sundberg
Offseason additions: Neil Rackers
Projected final roster: Graham Gano, Sav Rocca, Nick Sundberg
I wouldn't go as far to say Graham Gano is a favorite, but fans are at least familiar with him. And they're also familiar with his inconsistency—something that was apparently no secret to coaches either.
The Redskins signed FA veteran Neil Rackers in the offseason to come in and give Gano some competition, something that will hopefully propel Gano and get him over the hump.
It's nothing about Gano's foot strength, or accuracy for that matter. It's just a matter of being consistent. His accuracy, while not perfect, seems to develop from a lack of consistency.
Not to be confused, I don't think there's a whole lot of emotional value between Gano and the club. Although Shanahan would probably like Gano to win the job, no one should anticipate any exceptions. The best kicker in camp and preseason will be the kicker for the Redskins in 2012.
Sav Rocca returns as one of the more effective punters in the league, and the Redskins are lucky to have him. It's obvious that kickers often go overlooked, but Rocca shouldn't be on that list.
And then there's Sundberg. Nick Sunberg is Nick Sundberg. Not to say his position doesn't matter, but it sure is uneventful. He was efficient last year and will likely stay with the team.
Return Specialists
Returners on roster: Brandon Banks, Jordan Bernstine, Aldrick Robinson
Projected starters: Brandon Banks
Offseason additions: Jordan Bernstine
Projected final roster: Brandon Banks, Aldrick Robinson
As mentioned before, Brandon Banks must bring something more to the table this year if he plans on making the team. While his 2010 season was electrifying and promising, Banks' 2011 was average. And being that he's undersized and strictly used as a kick returner, there simply isn't enough room for a player without versatility this year.
Banks has mentioned that he's in good health this camp, which should help his performance. But my opinion is that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan will have to get creative in implementing Banks in the offense somehow, whether it be bubble screens, coming out of the backfield, reverses, etc.
With other guys on the roster such as Aldrick Robinson, Terrence Austin, Niles Paul or even rookie Jordan Bernstine, Banks has to separate himself. Not necessarily from a talent perspective as a returner, but in the sense that he needs to prove he can contribute at another position.


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Mother's Day
May 13, 2019
Mothers Day Brunch - Enjoy an Mother's Day themed brunch at our Gourmet Marche. Each "Mom" to receive a flower.
Mothers Day Cocktail Beach - Party "Live" entertainment, cocktails and appetizers served at this
special Mother's Day beach event.
Father's Day
June 17, 2019
Father's Day Tailgate Party - Enjoy Daddys Beach BBQ, fun beach activities including
Olympic style games
Father's Day Spa - Special Get 50% off manicure's/pedicure's/Swedish massage
October 31, 2019
Pumpkin Carving Contest -Winner will receive a complimentary pedicure to be use at The Royal Spa during his stay
Spooky Cocktail Menu - Spooky Drinks at our pool bars
Halloween Themed games - Halloween Poolside fun with The Vibe TeamSee more
Canadian Thanksgiving
October 8, 2019
Special set menu a la carte- Enjoy a special traditional Thanksgiving Day menu at our A la Carte Restaurants
Thanksgiving Dinner - Selection of traditional Thanksgiving dishes in our Buffet in
a very family friendly atmosphere
See more
December 24 & 25 , 2019
Christmas Spirit- Enjoy the stunning decorations in our lobby. Sit and enjoy our tree, listen to festive holiday music and sip on our signature Holiday cocktail.
Holiday Themed Performances - On Christmas Eve, we will get you in the holiday spirit with our
Special holiday performances and carol sing-a-long.
New Years Eve
December 31, 2019
New Years' Eve Gala Dinner -Special New Years menus at our a la carte restaurants.
New Years' Eve Gala Buffet - Special New Years buffet selections at our Gourmet Marche.See more
Never miss an important game again! Rest assured sports fans, our Sports Event Guarantee™ ensures that all major international matches and important sporting events are broadcast at the resort. Did you pack your jersey? Head over to SCORE Sports Bar & Lounge for premium drinks and traditional pub food. Watch your favourite sports events on any of the flat-screen TVs and experience it as if you were there.See more
Top 5 Tips for Traveling on Holidays
1. Avoid Peak Travel Dates- We've all experienced the havoc of weaving between people trying to navigate suitcases through a jam-packed airport, but why do that if you don't have to? Do your research and figure out the best days to travel to avoid a hectic airport.
2. Pack Light- We've all been there, packing 10 pairs of shorts and 18 shirts for our 7-day trip "just in case" but end up wearing the same outfit 3 days in a row. Pack the essentials and you'll not only save on baggage fees, but you'll save on wait time at the airport if you can get it all in a carry-on.
3. Label your bag- If you do need to check luggage, label it. Having a neon yellow baggage tag will help you spot your luggage on the carousal. In the case that your luggage does get lost, it's always good to have a phone number or email on your tag so it's easier to contact you.
4. Bring your own earphones or earplugs with you- The word every traveler hates: delay. If your plane is delayed or you want a little shut eye during the flight, earphones or earplugs will be a lifesaver to block out noise.
5. Don't wrap gifts – No one wants airport security to be the one unwrapping your thoughtful gifts. Save the hassle (and the wrapping paper) by waiting until you arrive at your destination to package it up with your special touch.
Thank you for submitting the form.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Centuries of trade and looting mean that the amount of treasure that lies below the oceans, and other water bodies, is unknown and the vast majority of it will probably never be recovered. There are many diving expeditions that search for known shipwrecks, hoping to find their contents for both the monetary as well the historical value. To date the three largest treasures ever discovered under the sea are: The Whydah Galley… Read More


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Master lapidary Dalan Hargrave came from fairly humble beginnings. After studying goldsmithing and metal work, he began his career in 1976 focusing on jewelry repairs. He eventually moved onto some light manufacturing and mold making, but it wasn't until 1998 that he found his true passion – gem cutting. Hargrave has since developed a number of signature gemstone cuts which are exclusively his including starlight cuts, Spirographix cuts, compound concave cuts, and my favorite, his Celestial City carvings like the 3-D illusion gem above.
Hargrave's amazing work has garnered many awards over the years, and he was indicted into the National Rockhound/Lapidary Hall of Fame. He uses a technique that's similar to that used by the glass industry for cutting leaded glass. I can't imagine how well you would have to know the composition of a stone to be able to cut into it from all those different angles without ruining it. He's truly a master at his craft!
You can see all of Dalan Hargrave's glorious carved gemwork on his website and on Instagram and Facebook.


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Last Updated on
Nature beauty is incredible and it inspires us a lot, we all want to explore new places in order to experience new things.
so if you are a mountain man or lady who enjoys spending vacations at the higher elevation, then this post is for you.
Here in this post, we share some of the best mountain Instagram captions that you can add while uploading your hill-station vacation pics on social media
Just check it out
Mountain Instagram Captions
- Adjust your altitude
- My happy place…. The forest , The mountains …. No better place to recharge than in the embrace of mother nature
- Happiness is not at the top of the mountains but in how to climb it
- Life should have more mountains and less stress
- It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves
- Take me to the mountains
- There is no wifi in the mountains, but I promise you will find a better connection
- Climb mountains so not the world can see you, but so you can see the world
- You can't buy happiness, but you can buy a lift pass
- The mountains are calling and I must go
- wake up, it's adventure and coffee time
- Great things are done when men and mountains meet
- The world is quiet here
- High up in mountains, way down in streams
- fresh breeze and tall trees
- wild and free
Also Read : Best squad captions for Instagram and facebook
Inspiring Mountain captions for Instagram:
- Mountains are the beginning and end of all natural scenery
- The best view comes after the hardest climb
- Going to the mountains is going home
- Go where you feel most alive
- Efforts are better than words
- It's never too late to try and makes things right
- Difficult roads often lead to a beautiful destination
- we have nothing to lose and a world to see
- Just breathe the fresh air
- Be like mountains, always high and stay grounded
- Over every mountain, there is a pass, although it may not be seen from the valley
- Do more than just exist
Also read :
- Best clever captions for selfies
- Best Travel captions for Instagram
- 50+ Best beach captions
- Best captions for Friends pictures
Like this post ! share it on social media


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Computer Chess is Andrew Bujalski's fourth film and first to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. I've seen it three times and highly recommend it for fans of his previous films and also, because it's partly very different than his previous films, people who haven't liked (or haven't been sure if they've liked) his previous films. If you've not seen his films, but plan to see this one, I'm excited for you. Computer Chess opens this week at Film Forum in New York City, and soon, in other theaters across America. Here is its trailer and its website. The following interview was done via Gmail chat and email.
Motherboard: What did you eat today?
I ate some very delicious migas w/ queso for breakfast, too heavy a breakfast I fear but I needed to kill time because the guy I go to to get my haircut never opens when the sign on his shop says he will. I remain very fond of him nonetheless.
Where'd you get these things?
I mean, in a restaurant?
Yeah! Kerbey Lane Cafe is right next to my kid's day care.
I don't think I've ever heard of a miga.
Migas are just eggs w/ little strips of tortilla in them. I think. I'm not sure the technical definition of them. My wife is a journalist & she actually wrote an article on them once, but I've forgotten what I learned from it.
What does your wife think of Computer Chess?
I've learned not to speak for her.
I enjoyed and found very interesting the—unexpected, to me—role of drugs (marijuana, LSD, "pills") in Computer Chess. I thought of the nightmarish, circular feeling one can get while stoned or on LSD when, in the beginning, someone says "lost in a loop" about an end-game situation in which a computer is repeatedly checking its computer opponent, who is repeatedly moving out of check. And, later, when someone says "running in circles, aren't we" at the end of a scene in which people are smoking weed in a hotel room. Do you remember when drugs got into the movie?
Well I have little conscious memory of how any of these pieces started to fit together. I wrote the treatment just before my son was born and memory pretty well got wiped out after he was born. But the parallel certainly makes sense to me. The desire to build an artificial intelligence I think comes from more or less the same place as the desire to "expand the mind" via drugs or meditation or whatever your preferred methodology.
I don't know if I'd quite made that connection before w/r/t loops, but I think you're right on, yes. I never really got into drugs at all, have probably smoked pot less than a dozen times, but I know that my *worst* experiences with it were all the ones where I felt lost in a loop, I found it quite infuriating…
(I am not, perhaps, the most qualified candidate to make a drug movie.)
GIF from Computer Chess
Have you gotten much feedback on your portrayal of drugs?
Not really! I mean, I know some stoners who seem to have dug the movie, but I haven't thought to quiz them on their assessment of our accuracy. Anyway, much as I would not have attempted to make this movie without great programmers and chess enthusiasts to advise me on those aspects, we also had several stoners amongst cast & crew who proved invaluable.
I remember, maybe four years ago, reading that you were working on an adaptation of Benjamin Kunkel's novel Indecision. What happened?
That all happened in a black box in Hollywood, I was not anywhere near privy to that decision-making. In broad strokes though, I think that that project was set up at Paramount Vantage, the "indie-friendly" arm of Paramount, and when that branch radically restructured—and stopped being so indie-friendly—the project didn't really have a home anymore.
I'm admiring your sentences—they're very pleasing to me. The balance.
You're too kind. I'm blushing.
What was the other "big movie" that you tried—after Indecision, before Computer Chess—to make?
Oh, I still want to do it. It's about teenagers, the way they see the world vs the way that adults—or whatever's left of adults in our contemporary culture—do. I felt like there are a hundred great movies that beautifully portray the teen worldview, but almost all of them portray incidental adult characters as buffoons, and I wanted to make a movie where we could have really good characters on both sides. There are probably plenty of sensible reasons why such a movie is not often made. Certainly financiers seemed a little baffled. "Do we market this to kids or adults?"
As I mentioned, I am not a marketing genius. So I say, "Uh, both?" Which is apparently not the correct answer.
What's the closest movie you can think of to what you described?
Good question! I'm sure it exists, though I'm blanking at the moment. Maybe Election? Though tonally that's a million miles from what I was doing, that's really cutting satire—cutting on both the kids and the adults. Mine isn't sentimental per se but it's friendlier.
Photo by Tao Lin
The International Wizard of Oz Club
What's the most antisocial subculture you've ever been part of?
Another good question. I'm tempted to say, y'know, "the very exclusive subculture of myself." I think I'm an affable dude, I certainly like people, but I do get exhausted by socialization for socialization's sake. Parties take a lot out of me. When someone's having a great time at a party and says something like, "Hey, we should do this every night!" I always think—even if I'm having a good time myself—are you fucking kidding me?
That's funny. What about hobbies or interests? Have you been obsessed with an antisocial activity? Like, for example, an online computer game?
Circa junior high I did start spending a bunch of time on BBSes, the sort of pre-internet internet. But I wouldn't call that antisocial. (What does Judd Nelson say in Breakfast Club? "Demented and sad, but social"?) I was also a member of The International Wizard of Oz Club. I could show you a picture of me circa age 13 wearing an Oz Club t-shirt that would give you a strong sense of how long it took me subsequently to lose my virginity.
That's funny. What's the Oz Club?
It's an organization of people who really know a lot about either the Oz books or movie(s). Mostly it's hardcore folks who love the books, not just Judy Garland fans per se, though certainly there were plenty of older gay fellas around when I went to a couple conventions.
Who did you go with?
My grandmother—twice? I know my dad came once as well. He got really into bidding on things in the auction.
Do you remember what, in terms of The Wizard of Oz, your 13-year-old self was most interested in?
Around the time that the movie Return to Oz came out in 1985, I got a book called The World of Oz which, with a lot of full color illustrations, gave an overview of the already massive legacy of that story, beginning of course with the L. Frank Baum books, and then into all its various iterations adapted for stage & screen (into things like The Wiz, or oddities like Zardoz) over the years. I think I was just fascinated by the fact that one work of imagination could inspire a century's worth of continued imaginations, I loved the boundlessness of that. And then I got hooked on the books—there are 40 "canonical" ones and innumerable follow-ups, knock-offs, and fan-fictions. I believe Gore Vidal was also known to be a pretty hardcore Oz fan, for whatever that's worth.
A Little Mystery
I liked this line (said by an older programmer, who seems to be the father of a newborn baby, while explaining, I think, that his program can learn): "Everything is not everything. There's more."
Yeah I was very attached to that line. Can't remember where it came from. I think it popped up in rehearsal and I then kept insisting that Gordon say it over & over again. For a minute we considered making it the tagline on our poster.
Did you have Gordon say it in different scenes? Or, like, repeatedly?
No, I think just in that scene. That was where it belonged. Generally I like to stay loosey goosey about dialogue and try not to put pressure on an actor to say everything the same way every time—too often the best moments come out of some little invention, some little twist on the line that gets thrown in—but sometimes things have to be just right for expository reasons, or sometimes you get something like "Everything is not everything" and I can't imagine it being any other way, can't imagine not moving Heaven and Earth to ensure that that line ends up in the final cut.
It seems Zen. I hope it spreads on the internet. Has anyone, to your knowledge, discussed its possible meanings?
So far as I know you're the first person to remark publicly on how fucking powerful that line is.
Have you privately analyzed it? Or deliberately allowed your understanding of it to remain intuitive? Or neither?
I will say it certainly ties in with another particular moment in the film—a kind of Easter egg I guess that I don't know that anyone's picked up on yet, so I don't want to spoil it. I'll leave the mystery there. That's what J.J. Abrams says to do, leave a little mystery, right?
When the character Mr. Papageorge, an "independent programmer," first speaks, he says some things to the effect that his is the only non-futile, non-boring program at the tournament. Then he says "my program is [word/phrase I don't understand due to overlapping dialogue] innovations." So his distinguishing characteristic, in terms of programming, seemed to be deliberately withheld. Which seemed hilarious in a confusion-based way that, in retrospect, characterized the movie's tone, for me. How was that part, with the overlapping dialogue, written in the script?
His program is seeking harmonies, seeking innovations! But that wasn't in the script per se as there never was a complete, conventional script for this movie. We worked from the 8 page treatment I'd written—though of course that just meant that for the most part that we had to be better prepared, have more worked out in advance, than we would have with a script.
I see. Well, it worked for me—not understanding him there.
Well, who knows. It seems like about 70% of audience members can't make out the last line of dialogue in Funny Ha Ha—not necessarily an advisable strategy for a filmmaker, but I can't say it's ever bothered me too terribly much. I think there's a lot more going on on screen than any transcription would represent at any rate. I remember I couldn't make out half the dialogue in Gosford Park…
I'm fascinated by Funny Ha Ha's ending. Probably one of the 3-5 man-made things I've consistently viewed, without irony, as fascinating.
I admit I'm curious to know what the other 2-4 are.
I can't think of another right now. 3-5 was sort of a wild estimate. Here are my notes on Computer Chess' soundtrack:
- neutral-to-ominous-sounding sci-fi noises
- modem noises? antennae noises
- theme-park noises (like at EPCOT Center)
- country music?
It seems to me like you're pretty close to having compiled a list of 4 fascinating man made things.
But I don't think it's country music.
I suppose it's more folk music than country. Or "psych-folk" as the record collectors call it. Collie Ryan is the singer there. She's great, I was so thrilled to get her into the movie. She wears a cowboy hat at the end so I see how you'd mistake it for country.
Do you know of EPCOT Center?
Of course I know EPCOT! It's been a few decades since I last set foot there, but sure. Strangely this came up recently, I found myself in some social setting trying to explain the concept of EPCOT to someone who'd somehow never heard of it, I don't think I did a very good job of it. I mean, I couldn't really explain EPCOT to you right now. It just is.
Some sounds in Computer Chess reminded me of the EPCOT ride, inside the giant sphere, that shows holographic images, I think, of the future.
Yes and then you eat at cafeterias that represent cuisines of every nation—as filtered through the cuisine of Central Florida.
GIF from Computer Chess
Moment of Violence
Another of the estimated 3-5 man-made things I've consistently viewed as fascinating is, I think, the scene, in Funny Ha Ha, where the character played by you drops a beer bottle, I think, off a balcony, to convey, in my view, a kind of frustration I know intimately, from personal experience, but had never seen in a movie. What's a scene, or moment, in a movie, that's especially memorable to you?
You know, circa 1999 or so I was watching public access television in Austin and I saw some goofy no-budget student film in which—and I remember nothing else about this—some guy walking down the street in a loincloth punched in a car window in a way that was completely unexpected not only because it came out of nowhere, but because nothing about the production value, etc suggested that these kids would ever have had the resources or moxie to pull off something like faking (I presume) breaking a car window. And I remember filing that away, stuffing it in my back pocket, like—Y'know, a moment of violence might be pretty fucking effective when it's preceded by 70-some minutes of quiet chatter.
I think A Room With a View has a similarly shocking violent event amidst so much politesse. Come to think of it, doesn't Howards End too? Maybe Merchant-Ivory invented that. Or were attracted to the authors who did.
Maybe the public access student filmmaker(s) will read this interview.
And sue me for royalties. Not a lot of royalties to go around, I'm afraid.
The car-window moment inspired Funny Ha Ha's bottle moment? You're saying? Or, you think, it might have, subconsciously?
Consciously! I mean, my scene is not a replica of theirs, all the context and all the particulars are completely different, but the little formal trick was lifted directly from it.
What are you going to eat tonight?
Hadn't thought that far ahead. Honestly I'm still feeling really full from the migas. There were black beans & rice involved as well, and corn tortillas.
What was your worst weed experience like?
I don't remember the details but it was that loop thing. "Oh, this is crazy. I keep having the same thought over and over again. I keep thinking that I'm in a loop. I want to think about something else. But I keep thinking that I'm in a loop—I mean, this thought, I'm thinking it again now, that I'm having the same thought over and over again. Whoa! I'm having the same thought now! Over and over again! And it's this thought! I wonder if this will ever stop? I wonder if I'll keep always having this same thought?"
I'm laughing. (And admiring your writing again.)
I finally had a great experience with pot around 5 years ago, which was the last time I smoked. Finally I felt like I got it. 50 years of stoner culture, from the Beats to Harold & Kumar suddenly made perfect sense to me. Honestly, I probably couldn't have made this movie without that particular positive experience. But I've, for whatever reason, had no desire to repeat it.
More on Computer Chess and Tao Lin:
When Gadgets Were Huge: The Great 80s Computers of "Computer Chess"
A Gchat with Tao Lin About His Second Life Movie, Social Anxiety and Gchat


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ZincX Resources Provides Exploration Update at Akie
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Tuesday, July 24, 2018 – ZincX Resources Corp. ("ZincX Resources" or "the Company", TSX Venture Exchange: ZNX) is pleased to provide an update on drilling activities at the flagship Akie Property. The Company previously announced a planned 2,500 metre large-diameter HQ diamond drilling program that focused on high-priority targets along strike of the Cardiac Creek deposit and on the eastern Akie Gunsteel panel.
2018 Drill Objectives:
- Drill test the southeastern strike extent of the Cardiac Creek deposit beyond the current limits of the resource model.
- Drill test the down-dip extent of the North Lead target where previous drilling intersected extensive intervals of bedded pyrite mineralisation and a thin massive sulphide lens that are both highly anomalous in zinc and lead. The drill targeting is guided by a new facies model developed from the mineralisation on the Akie and Mt. Alcock properties.
- Shallow drill targets at the Sitka showing to test the Zn-Pb-barite mineralization outcropping at surface where previous channel sampling in 2013 returned high grade assay results.
Drilling has now been completed at the Sitka target. A total of 508 metres were completed in two holes from the same drill pad. Drill hole A-18-144 was a steeply angled hole targeting the down-dip extension of the massive mineralized barite body seen at surface. Drill hole A-18-145 was a shallower angled hole testing the same zone up-dip of the intercept from drill hole A-18-144. The showing is situated along the highly prospective contact between the Earn Group (Gunsteel Formation shale) and Silurian Siltstone.
Drill hole 144 (the deeper hole) intersected sphalerite-bearing veins within both the Road River Silurian Siltstone and underlying Kwadacha Limestone. Mineralisation and veining was logged from 173.50 to 216.90 meters downhole. The veining is concentrated locally with abundant coarse grained sphalerite with a total aggregate length of just over 4 metres. There is also scattered sphalerite present throughout the limestone from 200 to 216 metres within fractures and stringers.
Hole 145 (the shallow hole) intersected sphalerite-bearing veins primarily within siltstones that are spread out across an interval from 148.13 to 175.57 metres with more localized concentrations of sphalerite-bearing veins. The total aggregate of well-mineralized vein material would be in the order of 4 metres.
The mineralization observed in the two holes from the Sitka showing differs from the SEDEX style laminated, stratabound mineralization known from the Cardiac Creek deposit. The mineralization intersected at Sitka appears to be vein-related and the veins host abundant coarse-grained red/tan/brown sphalerite. At this time there is no conclusive identification of the Sitka barite-sphalerite-galena vein/structure seen at surface, however the holes did encounter mineralisation to a depth of 100 metres below surface which remains open for future drilling. Samples have been cut and shipped to the lab for assay. Results are expected in several weeks.
After completion of Sitka drilling the drill was moved to test the SE extension zone which is located approximately 215 metres southeast and along strike of the Cardiac Creek deposit. The first hole (A-18-146) was stopped near the collar due to excessive deviation. The second hole (A-18-147) was completed but did experience downhole deviation and finished approximately 55 metres up-dip of the target depth. A very thick interval of distal facies pyrite with barite was intersected from 340.5 to 423.4 metres in Gunsteel Formation shale. This interval appears to be a hybrid between the typical pyrite-barite dominated Distal facies and the thickly bedded pyrite of the Proximal facies that is usually present above the main zone at Cardiac Creek. Sulphides and barite were also observed in underlying limestone. The presence of limestone suggests that the drill hole deviated too high in this area to effectively target the deeper transition point between Gunsteel Formation shale and limestone known from drilling at Cardiac Creek. Results are pending from samples taken. The Company is considering a further test of this location but at a much steeper angle.
The drill has now moved to the North Lead target area to test the down-dip extension of known mineralisation present in A-13-104.
HEBS (Hyper Enriched Black Shales) Mineralization
The Company recently hosted senior geologists from the Geological Survey of Canada and Queen's University who are researching the unusual nickel-dominated mineralization that has been intersected below the Cardiac Creek zone in several holes over the past several years and generally referred to as Nick-style mineralisation. Work consisted of re-logging the drill core from various drill holes and collecting samples for analysis.
The goal of this research is to develop a coherent genetic and exploration model for the metalliferous shale horizon that is situated stratigraphically below the Cardiac Creek Zn-Pb-Ag deposit. This will provide an understanding of metalliferous shales in the southern-most exposure of such mineralization in the Selwyn Basin, and serve as a comparison with similar mineralization in Yukon. The possible spatial and temporal linkages between this metalliferous shale and the overlying SEDEX mineralization will also be investigated. The research is expected to lead to various academic papers expected to be published later in 2018/2019.
Peeyush Varshney, President and CEO of the Company, commented; "We are pleased to be continuing on with our 2018 exploration program on the Akie Property. With the recent announcement of the positive preliminary economic assessment of the Cardiac Creek deposit combined with recent M&A activity in the base metals sector, we are seeing increasing strong interest in the Company and our flagship project from mining groups and strategic investors alike. We are pleased to see recognition of the quality of the Cardiac Creek asset and the prospectivity of the district-scale opportunity for further discovery in the Kechika Trough. We thank our shareholders for their continued support".
The Akie Zn-Pb-Ag Project
The 100% owned Akie property is situated within the Kechika Trough, the southernmost area of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn Basin and one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of SEDEX zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits.
Drilling on the Akie property by ZincX Resources (formerly Canada Zinc Metals Corp) since 2005 has identified a significant body of baritic-zinc-lead SEDEX mineralization known as the Cardiac Creek deposit. The deposit is hosted by siliceous, carbonaceous, fine grained clastic rocks of the Middle to Late Devonian Gunsteel Formation.
With additional drilling completed in 2017, the Company has updated the estimate of mineral resources at Cardiac Creek, as follows:
|5% Zinc Cut-Off Grade
|Contained Metal:
|Zn (%)
|Pb (%)
|Ag (g/t)
|Zn (B lbs)
|Pb (B lbs)
|Ag (M oz)
The Company announced robust positive results from the 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The PEA envisages a conventional underground mine and concentrator operation with an average production rate of 4,000 tonnes per day. The mine will have an 18-year life with potential to extend the life-of-mine (LOM) through resource expansion at depth.
The base case parameters for the PEA used US$1.21/lb Zinc, US$1.00/lb Lead, and US$16.50/oz Silver
See ZNX news releases from June 20th, 2018 for important disclosures with respect to the Cardiac Creek PEA.
The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes mineral resources, including inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized.
Kechika Regional Project
In addition to the Akie Project, the Company owns 100% of eight of eleven large, contiguous property blocks that comprise the Kechika Regional Project including the advanced Mt. Alcock prospect. The Kechika Regional Project also includes the Pie, Yuen and Cirque East properties within which the Company maintains a significant 49% interest with partners Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TECK.B) and Korea Zinc Co. Ltd. These properties collectively extend northwest from the Akie property for approximately 140 kilometres covering the highly prospective Gunsteel Formation shale; the main host rock for known SEDEX zinc-lead-silver deposits in the Kechika Trough of northeastern British Columbia. These projects are located approximately 260 kilometres north northwest of the town of Mackenzie, British Columbia, Canada.
Ken MacDonald P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for the Company, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the technical information contained in this release. Mike Makarenko P.Eng, JDS Energy and Mining, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the PEA technical information contained in this release.
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.


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The All-Americans Gives an Intimate Look into an East LA Tradition
Written by Ian Thomas Malone, Posted in Blog, Movie Reviews, Pop Culture
The idea of sport existing as a unifier offers comfort in these seemingly divided times. Beginning in 1925, the "East LA Classic" homecoming football game between rivals James A. Garfield High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School has grown to become one of the most popular annual high school games played in the country. In The All-Americans, director Billy McMillin explores this historic rivalry against the backdrop of the challenges imposed upon each school's predominantly Latino population.
As its title suggests, much of the narrative in The All-Americans centers around the very question of what it means to be an American. Using soundbites from far right commentators, McMillin juxtaposes the hate too often spewed in the media with the faces of those most affected by the fear-mongering. Football is often seen as "America's Game," while Latino immigrants are often told to go back to "their" country, even those who have lived here their entire lives.
Several scenes depict classroom discussions of America's uneasy relationship with nativism and the idea of the country serving as a "melting pot." The students bring fascinating perspectives to the table, gently pushing back on the very concept of the American Dream. The All-Americans features several people who are undocumented, perpetually living with the concern that they may one day face deportation. Though Trump's name is never uttered, he remains a looming presence throughout much of the narrative.
The film does an excellent job of explaining the importance of the East LA Classic, as well as the role that football plays in shaping the players' lives. For most, playing on the team doesn't carry any significant collegiate opportunities. Roosevelt's coach speaks of his team's 100% graduation rate, ensuring that players will leave school with a degree and the opportunities that come with it.
A few students from each team are given an added focus. One of these players became a father himself, juggling school, football, and providing for his kid while trying to lead a relatively normal life. Several scenes depict the player's extended families, giving a broader sense of perspective to their stories, as well as the importance of the Classic itself. Several players explicitly remark that they started playing football just to be a part of this specific game, carrying the lineage of the near century-old event.
With time dedicated to the history of the classic, the actual game itself, both teams, their coaches, several players, and a broader discussion of the politics of immigration, The All-Americans aims to tackle quite a bit of material. Its runtime of just over ninety minutes doesn't exactly lend itself well to all of these objectives, but McMillin has a strong grasp of pacing. The film never lingers too long in one area while giving the audience all it needs to follow along. One doesn't even need to understand football to enjoy the film.
The All-Americans is a touching documentary, one that never tries to paint a false sense of finality by the end. Narrative resolution is a tough proposition when dealing with a bunch of high school students who will face plenty of greater hardships than what they've encountered on the field. Their lives are just beginning. The film does an excellent job of covering the role that the Classic played in their lives while never losing sight of the fact that in the end, it's just a game.


text:
After four uneven runway shows, Massimo Giorgetti and Emilio Pucci parted company in April. The label's Spring presentation was held in its Via Amedei headquarters with Laudomia Pucci, Emilio's daughter, greeting guests: "It's everything you'd pack for a holiday," she said. The search process for a new creative director is ongoing, but there's no official timeline for an announcement. So the transitional design team has gone back to the brand's roots, as transitional teams tend to do at times like this. Pucci founded his house in 1947, designing revolutionary-for-the-era stretch skiwear and swimwear that was snapped up by the Zermatt and Capri sets. It soon came to be synonymous with the jet-setting European good life, and vintage pieces remain highly collectible.
The clothes and accessories in the three vignettes set up today were designed for Capri and other seaside destinations. In room one, a terry cloth robe and matching towel (worn turban-style) were printed in an orange-red swirling motif, reminiscent of, but not actually pulled from, the archive. You wouldn't guess it, but all the prints here were new, which is a testimony to the enduring potential of this house. In other bids for currency, terry caftans in the same vibrant pattern were bejeweled (the designation between day and evening continues to blur), while silk twill pieces like tunics, capri pants, and a roomy all-in-one were laser perforated with dots. Room two was pool blue, and the third was devoted to pastel hues. A zip-up jacket in a buttery shade of yellow featured a chest patch inspired by an unremembered '50s-era Emilio original; "Capri Sport," it said. There are doubtless many more of those sorts of treasures waiting to be discovered. Now, onto the task of finding the right creative mind for the job.


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text:
Golden Bridge Chronicle
Chapter 8: Retreading old grounds
Copyright ©2017-2019 Beldro Mercier & CSU Productions. All Rights Reserved.
Full disclaimer may be viewed at https://storylover.us
Music accompaniment
To play during reading : America's Stonehenge – Laura Sullivan
and To Zanarkand – Final Fantasy X – Nobuo Uematsu
and Ballare – Dralion – Cirque du Soleil Erik Karol
Francis looked back funny at me at my comment. "Well, it's not exactly a new house, even for me, I lived there for years. It seems like you are more excited about this than me. Do you want to go to my house?" He asked with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
"If you invite me, yes, I would really like to go explore your house. It really seems to have a lot of history and lore that could help us with the task Master Fox gave us. Lead the way." I said, inspired. I also spotted that he said, "my house" clearly showing his attachment to it.
While we were inside, the sky had clouded over and the temperature dropped. We huddled together, walking side by side, in sync with our movement, sharing our heat and companionship. Despite the pitch black sky, and the dark atmosphere, there was something in the air making it joyful.
We walked along the old city street, laced with history: the cobblestone road, the Ursuline Monastery of Quebec City, the fortifications. The wind blew through the dead leaves, rolling on the streets. We felt alone in our own city, ignoring all the people around, being apart from them.
Eventually, our steps lead us to the house, quite unassuming from the outside, merging nicely with the surroundings, inconspicuous. Francis took out the key and opened the door. The air inside was still, without any light except from the outside street lamps. Death could be felt permeating the aura of the place. It was in dormancy, waiting for life, energy, to come back and animate this place. The floor wasn't dusty or dirty, having been kept during the estate delay. The inside was really cold, heating having been kept low when not inhabited.
We explored the house. It clearly was built during the British rule period1. The building was quite extensive, built around the four sides of a small inner garden, with a single large tree in the middle of it, which would probably shade all of the space during the summer months. Once inside, you could see the generations of occupants moulding the space for changing needs. For example, the ancient stable and door, was converted to be a car garage. There were 4 floors to the building, including the converted attic and a finished basement. The house was clearly the composite of four separate buildings, being combined over time. But it still kept most of its historical flair and aesthetics. Most of the rooms were not really furnished, only being storage for furniture and other things. It was obvious the space had more life and residents in it in the past. There only was a clear section, near the front of the building that was actually organized and had been lived in. The Order had done a good job of putting back where there were originally the different objects, nothing felt has it had been moved since Melbourne died. Only one room piqued my interest, a somewhat large room in the attic, with a series of six windows, three on each side, and a quite high ceiling. The structure of the room was partially apparent and would probably be a nice space to work in, luminous, spacious. I prefer my current apartment though.
Francis went downstairs to put back on the electricity. When he came back, we sat at the kitchen table, devoid of any food, but still the homeliest part of the house at this point.
"I am really confused about my feeling for this house. I am, at the same time, excited about coming back in this house and depressed by the death that brought me back in. I love this place, bringing back love and happy memories, but tinged with sorrow. Will living here only further my isolation or will I be able to move on from my grief? And more practically, it's a way too big space to inhabit alone, haunted by the ghost of the past, the weight of my legacy. Every generation of my family has lived in this house, at times splitting it into multiple units, but still keeping it in the family, extending it to allow for the growth and the privacy. But now, most of my relatives have moved on elsewhere, or are dead. What should I do with this?" He said while pointing at all of the space.
"Would you feel lonelier here or in your current apartment? Even if it's more modern, this house feels more alive, has more of a soul. And yes, you will be reminded of your father and your legacy all the time in this house, but it's still really recent. With time you will make peace with it. And logically, it would be a shame to split up or sell a house of this kind in Old Québec. This house probably is worth 1-2 millions at this point. But yes, it would be quite empty." I answered.
"Would you be interested to come live here? There's enough space." He cheekily said, still with a hopeful tone to it.
"I am not sure. I really love my current apartment. And I don't know if it's best that we live apart or together at this point." The last phrase hurt me to say, but it was better at this point. I was not sure myself about what I should do. I genuinely love my apartment and I know I couldn't find anything better at this point. And at the same time, I shouldn't fight change if it's what my fate is pushing me toward. I needed to think more on it.
"Anyway, should we go look for the secret room?" I asked to change the mood and subject.
"Yes, let's go." He answered, with a bounce to it that felt a bit forced or at least, clear he wanted to change subject.
"Then let's search as a mage now," I said, standing and activating my mage sight. I could now see the Resonance of the place, intricate and complex, filled with history, drama and joy, weaved together through time. And it would take a lifetime to untangle it, as a magical ley line Gordian knot. But I could clearly feel the stillness in the network. Following around the network, we eventually arrived in an old study on the ground floor. The windows wall was to the garden. It clearly was part of the used part of the building by Melbourne. The furniture was old oak, clearly handmade and of good manufacture. The main piece was a large pedestal desk at about the middle of the space, with two fauteuils in front and an impressive desk chair behind the desk. The main colour of the environment was wood and green, with splashes of silver. It gave an impression of power and control.
"Quite imposing," I exclaimed.
"Yes. I still feel small when I come in here. I still remember the times I was summoned by my father in here, him sitting behind his desk, relaxed but fully in control. I felt so small." He said, while moving around the desk to sit in the chair. There was a moment of restraint just before he sat.
"I see how the effect was made. He was never hard on me and I remember the lesson he tried to teach me in here. Maybe there was a bit of fear in it that made me learn. But anyway, why are we here?" He asked, fidgeting with the marquetry on the edge of the desk.
"I feel that the Resonance, the energy of the space directs to here. Why, I have no idea. I know you cannot see it yet, since you have not been trained to consciously activate your Mage sight, but you can still use it instinctively, you are a mage, you have the sight. Try to look beyond sight, what is the nature of what you see? What's its component? What is its soul? Try to taste the space, feel the time. Go beyond your senses." I replied, sitting in one of the facing chairs. I observed Francis and the room, trying to pry the secret of the room. Then at some point, I saw the gaze of Francis changing to one of interest and questioning. He was still tracing the edge of the desk.
"I think I saw something. Come and look." He said, not moving his sight. I stood and came around to look at what he was looking. The edge of the desk was made of an intricate Celtic weave of vines made out of marquetry. While looking at it, you saw it move and turn slightly, nothing you would notice except if you specifically searched for it. And at where Francis was pointing, you could see periodically the vines outlining the shape of a keyhole, just about the size of the jagged old key. But it was made of a solid object, why would it be also a keyhole?
"I see you seem to have found the keyhole for the magic study, put it in it," I said, probing his preconceptions.
"But it's only a shape, there is no hole to put the key in?" Francis answered, questioning my sanity in his demeanour.
"Why not try? What do you have to lose? Humour me." I probed him. He took out the key, clearly being sure that it was pointless. He approached with the key and at the moment he touched the shape, the key went into the keyhole shape.
"Wow. Ok, I must apologize, I doubted you. Clearly, I have to put aside many assumptions of reality now that I'm dealing with magic. Lots to learn. Now should I turn it?" Francis responded. He kept his hand steady, waiting for any indication on my part.
"No problem, you are learning, and go for it, let's see what awaits." I eagerly responded. Francis turned the key and after two full turns, we heard first the action it caused. We were so focused on the desk edge and the keyhole, that we didn't see the carpet in front of the desk, between the two chairs, starting to extend in the middle, moving the chairs to reveal a staircase going a level down towards the inner court.
"I never suspected there was a staircase here. There is a floor under here, with rooms." Francis exclaimed, while standing, incredulity written on his face.
"Well, mages know how to hide their sanctum. Lead the way." I cheekily answered inviting him to lead.
We descended in the sanctum of Melbourne. It was coherent with the room being built for many mages. After a short corridor, we arrived in a circular room directly under the inner court. There was an inner circle, surrounded by 10 stone columns, each marked by the symbol of one of the Arcana. Then there was an outer ring. The ceiling was of masonry and wooden arches. But the details of the arches looked like the roots of the tree planted above, organic, fractal, contrasting with the order, the symmetry, and the artificiality of the masonry. But the wood part snaked around the columns to root itself, in the floor without blocking any access. There were one-way skylight windows in many places, allowing to see the sky, while it didn't show outside. There were small offices outside the ring, all of them filled with notes and documents. All of it was covered by a thick layer of dust, having not been disturbed during the estate evaluation and for some time before that. At the moment, there were no other light sources except what little came from outside. It tinted the space in sharp light surrounded by shadows in a blue haze. Moving around the circle of columns, I could see 10 empty canvases hung to each columns, directed toward the inside of the circle. The floor was perfectly even, made of a stone of some kind, surprisingly not cold, but there was not enough light to see if there was a pattern to it. In one of the offices, the dust had been removed and it was the only one looking like an actual working space, with shelves with books on it, a workbench and a chair. And it also seemed to have electricity, since there was a light switch, but it didn't work.
Francis was as fascinated by the space as I was. I didn't dare to do it, but he walked to the middle of the main room and looked above, towards the night sky. And then, out of nowhere, he started laughing. It started out as a nervous laugh but rapidly morphed into a full-on uncontrollable stress relieving laugh, the kind you have to give into after much strife. It even felt a bit like a maniacal laugh, at points, but when he slowly fell backward on the ground still laughing and smiling, looking at the sky, I knew something just happened to Francis. I came over him and smiled back at him.
"Enjoying ourselves are we? A penny for your thoughts?" I asked, looking over him.
"You really are my angel, now I can see it with your areola around you." He gave a genial laugh. "The window above is perfectly aligned." He pointed out. I smiled back at him, he was clearly letting go of something.
"And the laughs came because …" I lead him to answer.
"I now see. I understand. Here, exactly here is the first time I am perfectly in sync with my surroundings, all the question of my fate, my destiny, being shown clearly. I feel at peace here, with a purpose, with a goal. This is my space and I will use it. And it is a beautiful space, teeming with life, with meaning, with a soul. Come, lay down with me and look." He answered, totally engrossed by the revelation.
I joined him on the ground and the first thing I saw was the snow. It had started to snow outside, the first snow, fluffy and heavy. Falling slowly on the skylights. Then I saw with my mage sight what Francis meant. I saw the intricate ley lines that I saw in the house join and resolve in this room, slowly dancing and interacting together, channelling an energy, a node to this very precise center point. It was beautiful to behold.
I also fell prey to the amazing display until I was brought back to reality when I felt a hand take mine. The warmth of this contact was soothing and calming. I felt the dance of our inner souls dancing a tango together, never uniting, but always connected. Then another shock, a kiss. Francis had kissed me on the cheek. I turned to look at him and he was the truest form of caring. I moved forward and kissed him on the lips, which was answered back, the moment was suspended in time, us two becoming one for the briefest of moments, experiencing the love and care we both had for each other. I didn't perceive it until after we released our kiss, that we had moved to entangle ourselves together. Our legs and arms intertwined in the closest of embrace we could give. We both had beatific smiles. There was a moment of suspense for what next, us both enjoying the close contact, the warmth. But it didn't end how I would have wanted. The old doubts of Francis came back and he untangled himself of me, ending the blissful moment, both smiles retreating to content smile, tinged with uncertainty.
We rose and straighten ourselves. Francis looked for the time and panic came to him.
"Wow, it's past midnight, I really must go back home to sleep. Tomorrow morning is starting really early." We hastily walked back upstairs, closed the room and then exited the house. I asked him for a spare key at some point to start researching through the notes, while he learned the basics. He accepted and promised to manage that in short order. We continued our way to his car and he drove me back home, mostly in silence, both in our own minds. I was still processing the kiss and the moment. When I exited his car in front of my house, I stayed in front of the door for I don't know how long until, someone bumped into me and brought me back to what I was doing. I was covered in a light dusting of snow by that point. I went to my apartment and directly went to sleep, still in doubt about what next in my mind.
I dreamed back to the Renaissance dream. I was back in the painter's studio. He was resting on his side, on a window bench, overlooking the city below. It was a cloudy day, the olive trees swayed under a looming wind. There were plates and goblets cluttering around the painter. He was looking out from what I could see from behind him. Naked all the way, his bare back and rounded bums plain to see. I averted my gaze to the rest of the studio. It was a mess, not the "I am in the middle of work and haven't stopped to clean yet" but the self-destructive "I try to start things, but I don't have the motivation to finish it". Most were sketches of the model, in different poses. But what was striking, was the lack of eyes, like he remembered precisely most of the details, but could not muster the image of the eyes of the model. And there were strange faded golden lines and symbols scattered across the paintings.
I walked around the painter and finally looked at his visage. I could read plainly a pain so deep, a depression so profound that nothing could fill back the void he was living. Neatly put in front of him on a coffee table there was a book, a journal, a letter and an official document. I couldn't read the title or the text. But I had the clear feeling I knew where they were now, in my time.
An indefinite time passed. Now night and rain and thunderstorm started to pour. Suddenly, a small boy burst into the room, dressed in a simple sleeping gown. He was at most 4 years old. He clearly was scared and went to the painter to cuddle and find comfort. The painter stance and demeanor changed instantly and he was the epitome of fatherly love, cradling the boy and consoling him. To the untrained eye, he was simply caressing the boy, but I could see his fingers on the boy's back were tracing specific arcane symbols and he was casting a spell of protection. Eventually, the thunderstorm calmed and the boy was sleeping in the arms of the father. For a brief moment, his shoulder sloped with a weight coming back, his gaze lost in the infinity of the space in front of him, but he stood and carried the sleeping kid in his arms. Crossing the door threshold, he closed the door behind him and his gaze looked at me, waking me.
I had the distinct feeling that I knew where the documents were. I had the urge to go, the need to find those book, to see the legacy of that painter. And I remembered the official coat of arms on the papers, I must search for it. And rather easily, I found it, the coat of arms of the Republic of Florence.
Now that I had found my answer, I busied himself with his morning routine, doing some overdue cleaning of his apartment, cleaning his brushes and supply, making lists for groceries and art supplies, anything to keep my mind off Florence. I went to do my shopping. I worked on some master's degree work. I was still at the start of my degree, doing some classes and exploring my avenues for a research subject, but at the moment only Florence and Renaissance Painters came to my mind, occulting everything else as potential options. But it stayed there, all day. After supper, I looked at Master Fox's painting and saw he was looking back at me, something I didn't spot all day.
"Good evening Master Fox, may I help you?" I asked it, offering some blueberries.
"Yes. I needed to recuperate after Francis' Awakening. I used a lot of my Essence2 to help him awaken. You have been busy today, something on your mind? Also, where is Francis and how is advancing the research for a source of Mana?" Master Fox asked.
"Francis is off at the Athenaeum to learn the basics of magic with an appropriate mentor. We just got access to Melbourne House yesterday so we haven't searched much yet. I have only told Francis yet, but I have been dreaming of the Renaissance and of a couple, but it felt more than a dream, more like a vision from the past. Yesterday's night, I dreamt again of it and I remembered something specific about it, and now I have the nagging feeling I must go find it, whatever it is." I answered puzzled.
"The notion of time and space is quite vague for me, so I know of your so-called Renaissance, it being about at the start of my collaboration with the Melbourne legacy, but it's more because I was told, then me remembering specifically the passage of time. And don't ask me where I was then, I couldn't tell. But I see that it is important for you and that it has a greater meaning. So follow the path that is laid in front of you, who knows where it will lead. Concerning Francis teaching, it's good that you thought of starting his education, but the service of the mentor won't be required in a short time. I am plenty capable of teaching Francis the rudiment of his craft. And when will I be released back in his care?" Master Fox questioned.
"I could give you back to Francis probably tomorrow, depending on his state. And thank you for the encouragement, I will explore the Florentine path in front of me. And don't worry about the mana source, I will continue that also." On that he nodded and sat quite still under his tree, signaling the end.
I started some price search for a trip to Florence, concluding quite quickly it was out of my budget to do. I knew I had a magical option, portal teleportation, but it was both dangerous, uncertain and costly. I needed more time to think about it.
I looked at the time and it was about time to go to sleep, but I needed to call Francis before that. It rang 4 times and I ended up on his voicemail. I was waiting for his opening message to end to give my message when Francis answered.
"Hi, can I help you? Who is it?" He said in a comically tired voice.
"Hi Francis, it's Beldro, how was your first day of training?" I answered, stifling my laughter.
"Ya ya, laugh as much as you want. It was extremely tiring, M. Dubé is a good teacher, but he has a quite physical way of training, body and mind to be trained kind of way. I am totally exhausted. I was even sleeping on my couch when you called, where I crashed when I arrived. I need to move to my new home, getting closer, and now, I need to eat something before getting back to sleep, it will start early again tomorrow." He said, yawning and busying himself doing what he just said.
"Then I won't keep you long. I just wanted to know when would you need me to do the moving, and when would it be convenient for me to give you back Master Fox. Also, I would like to remind you about the key to your house, so I can start the research." I said getting to the point to help him.
"Yes, the key. Come tomorrow afternoon, I will have it done. Bring Master Fox along so that you can directly put him back to his rightful home. I will move in tomorrow, but it will only be the strict minimum, the real move will wait after the teaching sessions." He deeply yawned into the phone. "It's not that I don't like to talk to you but I am really tired. So see you tomorrow and I am hanging up. Bye." He ended. I said my goodbyes and he hung up. I would need to congratulate him on his moving choice, but now wasn't the time.
I did my sleep routine. When I got to the bed, sleep eluded me, I was reliving the Renaissance dreams, all the story, the pieces of information I could find. Clearly, the painter and the model were lovers, that much was evident. But considering the sea view, they were not in Florence, since it's inland, but probably Pisa or another city along the coast under Florence's influence. Neither of the couple looked Italian, which probably meant they were from outside Italy, or at least from the north. Both were mages. At some point, the model left the painter, leaving with a painting. The painter fell into depression, longing for the model. And at some point, before or after he met the model, the painter had a child that he clearly loved. But his art was still obsessed by the model. Why am I linked to them? I didn't know.
Remembering the dreams brought back the sensuality and the eroticism of some of them. The love and union between the two. Leaning in my bed, I kept the mental image of them together, painting, living together, loving each other, on the bench, standing, on a couch, in a bed, in all kinds of crazy positions. My wandering mind eventually brought me a restless slumber. Images of eyes and being observed plagued my dreamscape. Followed on an infinite plane, nowhere to hide, nowhere to rest.
Author's Note
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Thank you to Mark Christensen for his editing, review and comments.
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