A review written from a true beginner’s perspective
I recently got CorelCad, and it is my first exposure to 3D programs. I saw this book was available through Vine, so I ordered it. I was expecting a book that would teach me how 3D programs work in general, and this book didn’t help me. The terminology and concepts are so new to me, I have to study the chapters several times to understand them. Here’s an example of what you’ll read in this book: Poles are vertices that have more or fewer than four polygon faces attached to them. Like triangles and n-gons, poles may cause the mesh to deform in a way that you don’t want when you pose the model. Though you can minimize their occurrence, poles are unavoidable when you are modeling anything with detail, most like human faces. There are two common types of poles that appear as you shape your model: the E(5) pole and the N(3) pole. Bottom line: This isn’t a book to help you learn how 3D programs work. It won’t help you figure out your software. It’s more about 3D design principles and how software creates and renders 3D, particularly when building models for animation. Once you get some experience under your belt, this book has great information on how to properly design in 3D to avoid faulty models and time-consuming mistakes. The writing is straightforward and the author doesn’t waste your time. I look forward to the time when I can read this book, understand it, and say, “Aah, that’s how I should do it.” Book Review: Mitakuye Oyasin: We Are All Related by Ehanamani (Allen Ross) America Before Columbus: Based on the Oral History of 33 Tribes by Ehanamani (Dr. Allen Ross) Fascinating compilation of Lakota beliefs, history and metaphysics Ehanamani (Dr. A.C. Ross) grew up on reservations, attended a Christian high school and joined the military. While serving overseas he was embarrassed that a German knew more about his culture than he did, so he decided to learn more. He asked himself, “Why do we do certain things or believe certain stories? There must be a reason behind our traditional beliefs.” This book summarizes the findings of his research into Native American beliefs arrived at through a multitude of synchronistic events. Ehanamani discusses Native American beliefs and ceremonies, Jungian psychology, energy, chakras, metaphysics, reincarnation, Edgar Cayce, Christianity, physics, spirituality and other esoteric topics, deftly tying them together into a holistic worldview. Several chapters detail cultural, religious, and ceremonial similarities between the Native Americans on the North American continent and neighboring continents, which he believes confirms the Native American belief in islands called Mu (in the Pacific Ocean) and Atlantis (in the Atlantic) from which these peoples emigrated. The message I got, which was perfectly timed, was how important it is for me to participate in more right-brained activities to find balance and improve my connection with That Which Gives Life. This is an easy book to read, written in a conversational style of a friend just sharing what he’s learned over the years. I really enjoyed this book, and it will stay in my library to be read again.
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Net $25,000 in Six Months on 20 Acres by Joel Salatin
Advice from a farmer experienced in raising poultry for profit If you’ve ever yearned to farm for a living, then raising pastured poultry might be the ticket to your success. Poultry is a staple in American homes, but the typical chickens we purchase at the store are not particularly healthy–or tasty. Poultry are intensively raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and subject to great stress, an unhealthy diet, and “supplements” to aid their growth, such as antibiotics and arsenic. Additionally, the processing of such poultry results in a bird with up to 10 percent of its weight comprised of fecal-contaminated water from chill tanks! It’s no wonder that pastured poultry is becoming increasingly popular to those who care about their health, humane animal husbandry, return of the family farm, and the pleasure of the taste buds. Pastured chickens still receive a mix of grains but, more importantly, they are set out on pastured grasses and moved daily to forage for greens and bugs. Pharmaceuticals are not typically needed, because these chickens enjoy exercise, sunlight, and nutritious, species-appropriate food. And their manure builds the fertility of the soil instead of becoming future food for cattle. Salatin claims that it is possible for a couple to earn a living on a farm working only six months per year using his tried-and-true model. In Pastured Poultry Profits, he shares his years of experience raising these delicious, healthy birds, including: Choosing a breed Acquiring chicks Caring for chicks in a brooder When and how to move chicks to pasture Housing in the brooder and in the pasture Potential diseases and how to treat them nutritionally Dealing with the weather and predators Labor and feed requirements Essential supplements Equipment for slaughtering Instructions on how to slaughter and process Composting slaughter waste Marketing Other poultry livestock possibilities I would very much like to see this book updated and professionally published. The pictures are of poor quality and need updating. A section with building plans for the various houses Salatin describes would be very appreciated. Recommended reading for anyone who’d like to humanely raise healthy and delicious poultry for profit. Offers the mystical route to lasting happiness
Howard teaches that suffering comes from a variety of causes. Much of our pain is caused by resistance to the truth of our inner poverty. Other causes are mistaking thoughts for reality, living in the past or the future, mistaking the false, conditioned self for the True Self and, most importantly, fear. Some tools for spiritual advancement include self-knowledge, receptivity, and present-moment awareness. Howard contends that the message of mysticism is: Pretty heady promises. Mystics have always taught that our emotions are not a result of outside events but of how we interpret those events, and our interpretations may be conditioned by parents, peers, society, etc. They may spring from outdated beliefs and values that we thought served us in less than ideal circumstances. First and foremost, we must become self-aware. And we must not mistake the false self for the True Self that is divinely inspired. It takes courage to see one’s own flaws, and it takes wisdom to realize that these do not emanate from the True Self. No condemnation need follow such honest appraisal. After all, we can only release flaws we know about. Since reading this book and separating myself from my thoughts and judgments and viewing them uncritically, I’ve learned quite a few things about myself. I’m embarrassed by some of what I’ve learned, or rather, my ego is embarrassed. My True Self is elated. Because I can choose now to judge differently, respond differently. The mystic path requires relentless determination. It is a spiritual “practice,” not a quick fix. And it’s not easy. It’s hard but eminently rewarding work. I think I can say that this book **at this time** has changed my life more than any other. |
AuthorMarilyn Foster is a founder of this blog about education and books. She is a professional essay writer and takes part in write my essay contest, conducted by Edusson. Marilyn attended a prep academy in Washington, D.C. ArchivesCategories |